THE THREE REQUISITES

                                                                

“Education, wealth, and strength are necessary for everyone but the value of each of them depends on the way you use it. Education is the basis for leading a purposeful life in the physical world, in the realm of the mind and in society. Education is a wasteful process unless knowledge is transformed in to wisdom and wisdom is expressed in character. Educated man must not run after glitter and glamour but instead, he must seek the good and the Golden ”declares Sri Sri Sri Bhagawan Satya Sai Baba! He has summarized the essentials of true education. Man cannot exist without education. Education does not mean sitting in the four walls of the class room in a school or a college. It is acquisition of knowledge by any means to broaden your vision and comprehend things properly. For example, travel is also a kind of education. Visiting various countries broadens your vision and you can understand and appreciate different cultures, languages, customs and habits of others. One without education is equal to an animal says the adage—“ vidya vihinah pasuhu.”

          You cannot expect a society to progress where there are no educated members. Without intellectuals, scientists, doctors, engineers, work force, and many others life cannot go on. Mere collection of degrees and diplomas has no meaning. Education or knowledge gathered, has to be   transformed into wisdom and benefit society at large. Industrial Revolution and the explosion of scientific knowledge and technology have done yeoman service to mankind. At the same time they have brought society to the verge of danger and destruction! Education and knowledge not wisely applied will lead to total annihilation.The end of education is humility and character, but these two qualities are significant by their absence in modern society Man should not lose his head by acquiring knowledge and skills.

            Apart from education, mans destiny is inextricably interfused  with wealth or money! Sage Vasishta tells Sri Rama that money is the most essential thing to be earned. “ dhana marjaya kakutsa, dhanamoola midam jagat  antaram nabhi janami nirdhanasya mrutasyacha” Earn money for it is the root cause of the world. I don’t find any difference between the poor and the dead! But money in excess shall create more problems than solving. We see the issue of Black Money and the exposure of Panama papers! Money is being stashed away in foreign banks to elude taxes. It leads to crimes and many an allied guilt!You lose your peace of mind and are always on tenterhooks! What is the use of money asks  a poet. Earning it is difficult; protecting it is more difficult; spending it leads to sorrow and losing it is an unbearable agony. Then why such money wails the poet! Money just needed for a happy and simple life is what is required. Money is useful for many other very important purposes in life, for buying essentials, charity, and other good activities. Spending money for good or bad depends on the individual concerned.

              With all your education, knowledge and wealth, you are a misfit in the world if you are not healthy.’ Health is wealth’ people say. It is your health that allows you to use your knowledge or education and wealth. You have to be strong to withstand the vicissitudes in life. One’s life without health is the worst that can be imagined. He has everything but has nothing! He cannot eat, sleep, rest nor can he do the very ordinary activities of life! Strength can be acquired through body building ,and muscle control and other exercises. But for that you must be healthy. India is considered as the capital for Diabetes!  Control of diet and proper exercise like walking will reduce the incidence of the disease. it is not enough to be strong in body alone. One has to be sound in mind also as the adage goes, “A sound mind in a sound body.” When the body is weak or disabled mind is affected and the person is dejected and depressed. This again weakens him. Therefore, it is the duty of every person to acquire these three indispensable necessities namely education or knowledge, wealth and strength through maintaining good health. A s Baba says proper application of educational knowledge, and having just the needed wealth and becoming strong through maintaining health can make man live happily!