Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Last Divine Discourse - 22nd November 2010

The Setting For The 29th Convocation of SSSIHL.

The 29th Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was scheduled for 22nd November 2010. The chief guest for the ceremony was the prime minister of the Indian Republic - Dr.Manmohan Singh. There were many eminent guests too - Sri K. Rosaiah, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Y.S. Yeddyurappa, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Sri Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory of Chandigarh, Sri M.K. Stalin, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Sri Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Power, Sri Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Dr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of Tata Sons, Sri N. Chandrasekaran, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services.

At 11:10am, the University brass band began a majestic beat and a lively march led Swami and the Prime minister (PM) into the Kulwant hall. The whole contingent of the office bearers and the members of the academic council and the governing body followed Swami and the PM. They moved up the stage and took their positions. Swami ensured that the PM was comfortable. The Veda chanting began and the invocation was recited. The Institute Oath was then administered to the students by the Vice Chancellor. 

The gold medals to various degrees were presented to the students by the Chancellor.

The Hon’ble Chief Guest Dr. Manmohan Singh then delivered his Convocation Address. He was amazed at the progress that the Insititute had made since his last visit in 1995. His entire speech can be obtained at the official site of the Prime Minister’s Office.

After the speech, the brass band struck up the tune of  the national anthem. Everyone rose to attention. Then, the stage was vacated and Swami went into the interview room. The PM and his family too went in and they had a private interview. At the end, Swami told the PM that He would address the children and the PM decided to attend the discourse. Thus it was that the stage was once again occupied and Swami asked for His mikes to be brought. The translator arrived and the discourse began, the gist of which is given below:

People go to different pilgrim centres to see God. They are in quest of God. I tell you, Oh simpletons, you are God, God is within you, above you, below you and by the side of you. Do not consider Him to be separate from you. The very Self (Atma) is divine. Have this feeling ingrained in you. Right from a tiny tot to a grown up, from microcosm to macrocosm, God is present in everyone. If you have such feelings of unity, you will be successful in life. Therefore, you should repeatedly think that God is not elsewhere. God is in your heart. The heart is the centre of God. You are God. You and God are one. God resides in the altar of your heart.

There is no need to renounce the world. Remain in society with the awareness that God is within you. That is why it is said, Sahasra Seersha Purusha Sahasraksha Sahasra Pad (The Cosmic Being has thousands of heads, eyes and feet).

After being abducted by Ravana, it was only the power of her chastity which made Sita meet her husband Lord Rama. Mother Sita spent 10 months in Lanka. All the while she was thinking of Rama. She did not look at the face of anyone. She was even put to the test of fire, but she came out unscathed. Bharat is the land which gave birth to great women like Damayanti who reduced an evil-minded hunter to ashes by the power of chastity. This land also gave birth to Savitri who brought her dead husband back to life; Chandramati who extinguished wild fire with the power of truth. Can you show an example of a wife bringing her dead husband back to life? Have you seen such persons? She belongs to this land of Bharat. Today we do not find such women of chastity. 

Draupadi who never said ‘no’ to her husbands. She was always willing to serve them. She was totally contented. If the husband and wife live in harmony, the whole country will progress. Because of disharmony between the husband and wife, there is no peace anywhere. If there is adjustment between them, there will be peace. If such a life is lived, there will be no chaos. I want all householders to live in harmony and peace. There is no penance beyond this adjustment. Harmony at home is most important. Then all the rest will follow. If there is peace and harmony at home, there will be no anxiety. The path shown by these illustrious women should become the guideline of your life.

If you adhere to discipline in life, you will live a long and healthy life. The pure heart is the temple of God. Take care that negative thoughts do not enter your heart. The mind should not become perverted. Unity is possible only through spirituality. I want students to develop the principle of unity. Do not be narrow-minded. Youth should develop good character. The end of education is character. With good character, you can achieve anything. If you act according to the dictates of the mind, how can you expect to realise God? 

In the name of meditation, you sit while the mind loiters in the market. You should not allow the mind to waver. Even if you are angry, do not fight. If you fight with someone, you are hurting yourself. Rectify your thoughts. That is what students should do. Educare is essential today. Along with formal education, educare is needed. Do not deviate from the path shown by Bhagawan. Be humble, do not be arrogant. 

When Rama was in search of Sita, they found some jewels. Rama asked Lakshmana to identify the jewels as to whether they were of Sita’s. Lakshmana was one of immaculate character. He had never seen the face of Sita. He had seen her toe rings since he used to touch her feet. One should live an ideal life like Lakshmana. But today this sort of exemplary character is not noticed.  

There is no unity at the national level. There is no unity, but instead there is enmity. Everyone should work for the unity of this land. In fact, in every field of public life, unity is required. If one secures high percentage of marks, there will arise jealousy in others. Jealousy is the reason for all controversies. You may tell that you are a top ranker, but it is only written on a piece of paper. Your heart, integrity that makes you really great, not medals.  

All are the children of God. You should mingle with each other as brothers. This is the message of Bhagawan on this occasion of Convocation.