The goal of education is to confer purity. Worldly education is transient. Knowledge of the Self alone is eternal. It can be acquired only through devotion and love for God. Man is born to set an ideal to the rest of the world, not to amass riches. Where are all those kings of yore who amassed riches and conquered kingdoms? So long as they were alive, they enjoyed physical comforts and ultimately died leaving everything behind. What is the use of such a life? One should attain immortal bliss.

"A foolish person boasts of high education and intelligence, yet does not know himself. What is the use of all the education he has acquired, if man cannot give up his evil qualities? All the worldly education will only lead him to vain argumentation, not total wisdom. It cannot lead him to immortality. So, man should acquire that knowledge which will make him immortal." (Telugu Poem)

That is true education. It will protect you wherever you are. When you have such education all will become your friends, even if you do not have money and you are in a foreign land. Never give up human values under any circumstances. Only then can you set an ideal to the world. The human values cannot be acquired from textbooks nor can the teachers confer them. They are with you right from your birth. You have to cultivate them through self effort. The whole creation has emerged from Truth, sustained in Truth and ultimately merges in Truth. In order to lead a peaceful life, one should adhere to truth and righteousness always. In the beginning, you may have to face problems, but you should take them in your stride and proceed along the path of Truth. Purity, patience and perseverance are very essential for man. But man is becoming a patient as he lacks patience. Each one has to question himself/herself whether he/she has these virtues. It is not enough if you proclaim that you are pure; let others say it. Embodiments of Love!

Do not give scope for excessive desires. It is said, "Less luggage more comfort makes travel a pleasure." Your desires are the luggage in the journey of your life. You will have peace of mind only when you reduce your desires. I am the best ideal in this regard. I don't have any desires, I don't want anything. As you are aware we have a very big hospital at Puttaparthi and there are many educational institutions. They are functioning smoothly because they have been started with love and noble intentions. My only desire is that all people should live like ideal human beings. After the Bhajans, you chant the prayer Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (may the entire world be happy). It is not enough if some are happy and some are not. All should be happy. That is possible only when human values are practised. There are many who give lectures on human values. He alone is a true human being who puts them into practice. Elders should sow the seeds of human values in the tender hearts of children. They will grow into gigantic tress and give shelter to many in future. It is said, "Start early, drive slowly, reach safely." Human values should be taught to the children right from the Primary School level because they are the future leaders of the nation. Parents and teachers should strive hard to inculcate ideals in them.

It is said, "Tell me your company, I shall tell you what you are." As is your company so shall you become. So, run away from bad company; join good company. Undertake good activities day in and day out. Even the bad will get transformed seeing your good conduct.

Love is most essential for mankind. From whichever country you are, to whichever clime you belong, however rich or destitute, you must adhere to truth and righteousness. Possessed of a tongue, you must utter truth only. With these God given hands perform acts of charity. With ears capable of hearing, hear only pure words. This is the purity of the limbs of man. In the same way you must maintain the purity of the five elements. It is solely for this purpose that Jhum Sai has done a lot of work. This issue of human values cannot be established by a single person. All have to get together. Will single thread make a cloth? When several threads are interwoven, a cloth is produced. All worthwhile causes can be achieved only by co-operation of several people. This handkerchief is so strong only because of the togetherness of all the threads. If you take the threads singly they will break easily. So for our movement to advance unity is essential. The faltering of a few must be compensated by others and all must move forward together. Unity, goodness and good action must be practised. If this is practised well, you can grow faster and increase in number.

It is not enough if you start an institution, The students must be brought up in the right way. Speak gently. Never show anger towards children. You cannot always oblige but you can speak always obligingly. Talk to children softly and sweetly. Between teachers also transactions should be pleasant. Then children will be encouraged by example. Jhum Sai has great hopes in the growth of this movement. In the coming three or four days, a lot of matters and ideas will be coming forth. Every little thing should be taught to children to the best of your ability. Then children will learn and react with enthusiasm. Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry can be learnt from books or by experiments in labs. But these human values cannot be learnt that way. It is not something that can be acquired from books. It cannot be taught by a teacher by mere oral instruction. It is like training in physical exercise. Athletics can be taught only by example. The drillmaster shows the actions and makes the learners to follow the steps. Children imitate elders. Therefore, you should teach the children these values of Sathya, Dharma, Santhi and Prema by practice rather than by mere precept. Then children will progress in the right way. The whole country will grow. Not only this country, all countries of the world will transform. There are few who teach these things today, fewer to prove, even less to practice. This is why the world is in this bad state now.

Many of you may be wealthy. Many are scholars. You will not be judged great merely by your possessions. To what extent you are spending your wealth in a good way, to what extent you are using your learning to good purpose, to what extent are you using your intellect for the good of the community, that is what counts with Bhagavan. Swami seeks quality and not quantity. One teaspoonful of cow's milk is of use, while a barrel of donkey's milk is worthless. What you have not put in practice is of no use. Practise and demonstrate. Then you become truly wealthy. Then you are a true scholar. Wealth, scholarship, intelligence - all become worthwhile only when used in the right way. Money may come and money may go. These are mere passing clouds. Love comes- never leaves - only grows. You have to realise this firmly in all sincerity and earnestness. Then you become truly human. You also attract all those around you. If you are bereft of love, none will come to you. A small example. Bhagavan is the embodiment of Love. That is why there is such a large gathering here. No invitations have been sent forth, this Love has attracted all of you here. Hence enlarge your love. With love you can achieve anything. There are another three or four days left. You put together any queries or doubts. Analyse and arrive at answers. With these you can improve yourselves. You have to make this conference an ideal for other such gatherings. Many go to many seminars and conferences. Hardly any understanding results. This is not such a conference. The transactions should appeal to your feelings and intellect. That is a proper conference. All should be united. Develop love and share love. Speak truth. Practise righteous conduct. Lead a sacred life. That is true living. Your life will become meaningful then.

Many of you have come from far off places, spending a lot of money. For this effort and expense, take back a modicum of sanctity. Even buying of a handkerchief needs the exchange of money, a few rupees. For the expense incurred, share in the sacred love from here. Fully internalise the four human values. Truth does not mean merely to repeat faithfully what you have seen. Truth is eternal, does not change through the three modes of time (past, present and future). You must seek such truth, practise righteousness. What is this Dharma? Dharayati Iti Dharmah. That which sustains (life) is Dharma. Fire is that which burns. If it does not burn, it is mere coal. Only when Dharma is well established in a person, his humanness manifests. The principle of love must shine foremost in you. Then you should practise truth.

In the coming few days, if you have any doubt in you, ask without hesitation. Bhagavan is ready to clear all your doubts. Make full use of the presence of Bhagavan's proximity. Ask and be satisfied. You are mine and I am yours. You and I are one. We are not different. Many say 'thank you', 'thank you'. It is a meaningless habit. Thanks is only for strangers different from you. Bhagavan is no third person. He is second person. You should not be thanking the second person. If your mother serves you good food, do you say thank you to her? No, No, it is her duty. To love you all is the duty of Bhagavan, don't you ever say thank you to Bhagavan. It is your right to ask. It is your right and Bhagavan's responsibility. When right and responsibility get together, bliss results. >

Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam