Swami, we the youth are forever indebted to you!
View(s):“Young men and women, the prosperity, progress and welfare of the future rest on you. Once you maintain a very high code of ethics and character, the world too will maintain this standard.” These divine words resonated throughout the colossal hall of Prashanthi Nilayam in the summer of 2007.
I was a 20-year-old attending the International Sai Youth conference as a delegate. At the time I was in awe at the opportunity to be in the presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and focused mainly on personal prayers with no realisation of the gravity of his divine words.
Recently, cleaning a dusty bookshelf I stumbled upon the youth conference booklet and became nostalgic of the pleasant memories, I had experienced as a delegate in Puttaparthi: waking up early in the morning to drape the saree that Bhagawan gifted all youth, queuing up for a scrumptious breakfast, attending prayers, participating in workshops, interacting with youth from all over the globe and winding up the day with Bhagawan’s divine discourse. What a fantastic opportunity! Why had I not reflected on my time spent at the conference? Yes, it was seven years later that I realised the value of the conference and the profound message Bhagawan was trying to convey to us youth at the time.
Bhagawan further stated, “All over the world there is restlessness and misery. Human quality has been burnt to flames. The main cause for this plight is due to the absence of young men and women of high character. To protect a country it is not so important to have arms, missiles and atom bombs but rather it is essential to have young men and women of great virtue.”
In a world where war crimes are a common occurrence, these understated words hold a great deal of importance. The character of a person is the basis of all our behaviour, quality and actions and as such the youth should endeavour to cultivate good character.
The main theme underpinning the youth conference was ‘Ideal Sai Youth – messengers of Sai Love.’ Through various workshops, exhibitions and cultural programmes the key message was that as youth we should be consciously involved in selfless action and love. This can be accomplished by striving to be aware of the divinity within us. It is an illusion that has plagued us since the beginning of time. Bhagawan taught and demonstrated that mankind is capable of turning inward deeply and intensely in realising the essence of our lives and that we are the manifestations of omnipresent divinity
The path to becoming ‘Ideal Sai Youth’ was laid down to us by Bhagawan. In his early life Bhagawan was the ideal son, always caring for his parents. He used to walk many miles every day to fetch water for them. He was also an example of love and compassion. He never let anyone leave his home hungry and gave whatever little he had even if it meant he went without food. He engaged his friends in service activities to alleviate suffering and turned the attention of the villagers towards God.
As time went by he provided free education to the poor setting up educational institutions. His youth Educare programme constitutes a balanced curriculum that brings out the best in a student. His super speciality hospital, which includes the finest healthcare team and facilities, provides free health care to the sick from all over the world.
Bhagawan is indeed a beacon of light in guiding us youth. I am forever indebted to Bhagawan, my Guru, for laying down the pathway in helping me seek the divinity within me and for teaching me to love selflessly in whatever I do.
-A humble Sai devotee (Perth, Australia)