D. DIVINE DIRECTOR : Life melts like a block of ice – Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
IT IS ONE’S DUTY TO SET IDEALS - FOR THE YOUNGER GENERATION.
“The Doctor does not give any medicine, that comes to his hand: he diagnoses the illness, studies the patient.....then prescribes the appropriate medicine. For the illness of greed, hurry, hatred and discontent that this country and the world is afflicted with, the planners of Education must discover the correct remedy. Then they will find that the first few steps in Spiritual Sadhana must be taught even in childhood.....”
[ Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, 23rd Nov. 1962].
In 1969, in continuation with the above Divine Directions Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba initiated the formation of an Educational Wing called Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vihar. Its aim was to expose young minds to Indian Culture and Spiritual heritage. In 1971 this Education Wing was renamed Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas. With further Divine Directions, in 1980, in order to spread the Bal Vikas and Spiritual Education Programme more rapidly and widely to benefit all children, from the initial Bal Vikas Movement emerged the Education in Human Values Programme. Spiritual Education was thus thrown open to all children.
In 1981 the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning came into being. With these manifestations of Divine Love, the Divine Doctor, Educator and Director showed that Spirituality does not mean a life of solitude, but means working with, and for the multitude. The aim of all these Educational activities was the integral transformation of the human personality. Value oriented education aims at Character building and Integrated Personality Development.
In response to the Divine Motivation of the Divine Director, HUMAN VALUES SPIRITUAL SCIENCE BOOKS 1 TO 12 were compiled in 1999 - 2000, by the Ex-students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning: -
COMPILER :
Mrs. Arti Srivastava (Born: 29/12/1942), Teacher, Department of English, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music, Prasanthi Nilayam, A.P. 515134, India.
Teaching experience: Bal Vikas Guru 1975 to 1977 Almora, Uttarakhand. Bal Vikas & Human Values 1978 - 1986 New Delhi.
Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Ooty, (Residential School )1987 to 1991: Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam [initially in Girls, later-Boys] 1991 to June 2016 [Retd.2016] and Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music, Prasanthi Nilayam June 2002 to June 2015.
HIS-STORY
The Compiler and family had the first Darshan of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, when Bhagawan visited Delhi, in April 1975. In January 1977 the compiler visited Puttaparthy for the first time, with the express desire of obtaining Bhagawan’s Permission and Blessings for opening a school in Almora, a hill-station in the Kumaon region of the Himalayas, where the compiler was living at the time with her family of three small children, and acutely felt the need for good educational facilities, with moral, ethical & Spiritual foundations, as in the BAL VIKAS classes of the Education Wing of the Sathya Sai Organisation.
March 1977, Brindavan, Bangalore: Finally Bhagawan very graciously gave His Divine Blessings, and signed His Photo, saying (in Hindi), “Yes, yes open, (you) have a lot of work to do.” [The writing on the photograph is slightly washed out by rain]. This was in the presence of the compiler’s father, thus assuring and ensuring the Divine Father’s and physical father’s support. [Destiny brought the Compiler and family from Almora to Delhi. And ten years later, 1987, Bhagawan Baba gave the compiler the opportunity to serve in His first school, Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Ooty, a hill-station in South India.]
10th Sept. 1980, Brindavan, Bangalore: Bhagawan with the Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh Participants of the first Education in Human Values Teacher-Trainers Course. Compiler is second from right. For easy implementation of Human Values in Schools, the idea of graded Human Values books for Schools/Students was conceived by the Compiler. That was in November 1980.
It took twenty long years for the Vision to materialise. During 1999 to 2000 all 12 Books [for classes 1 to 12] of the series Human Values Spiritual Science - synthesis of the Bal Vikas and Human Values courses, were ready and presented to Educational Authorities like NCERT [Director-Dr.J.S. Rajput], Human Resource Development Ministry, Govt. of India [Minister - Dr. Murali Manohar Joshi], Prime Minister Sri Atal Behari Vajpayee, and others- Educational Boards etc. Books 10, 11 and 12 were submitted in 1999 itself when Bhagawan had visited Delhi and inaugurated the ‘The International School for Training and Research in Human Values’ at Lodi Road, N.Delhi. Subsequently Workshops, Seminars, Conferences were organised by NCERT to develop Awareness about the need for Human Values in the school education. In July 2001, on the recommendation of NCERT, Ministry of Human Resource Development, Dept. of Secondary & Higher Education, G.O.I. also declared S.S.S.I.H.L. as Regional Resource Centre for Value Education. Earlier, during 1981-85, in collaboration with the Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Trust Delhi, Orientation Course-cum Workshops on EHV were organised by the Education Department of Municipal Corporation Delhi, when Sri P.P. Shrivastava, I.A.S. was the Commissioner, Dr.S.N.Saraf, Jan.1924-Dec.1997, was Educational Adviser, Planning Commission [and later the 2nd Vice-Chancellor, 1985-’91 of SSSIHL, Prasanthi Nilayam] and Smt. Indira Gandhi/Sri Rajiv Gandhi-Prime Minister. The MCD runs approx. 1500-1800 Primary Schools, Hindi medium, in Delhi.
“Elders are short journey passengers who will alight soon from the train. Youngsters are the long journey passengers !” -Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Younger generation continues.
Though much ground work has been done, much more needs to be done. The younger generations have to awake, arise and carry forward the Vision and the Mission of inculcating Moral, Ethical & Spiritual Values in man, for Global harmony, peace and prosperity.
Sri Sathya Sai Primary School Teachers, [1992-1993], in the Interview Room: When one of the teachers prayed, “Swami, please tell us something about Spirituality,” immediately Bhagawan replied, (in Hindi), “Kitana achchhaa, achchhaa baat hai spirituality mein, per kaun sunna chaahtaa hai.” [Translation: What nice, nice things are there in Spirituality, but who wants to listen. ]
When will mankind change this sad and unfortunate trend ?
About the Compiler:
Early School Education: Convent of Jesus and Mary, New Delhi, India from 1948 to 1957 and Convent of Jesus and Mary, Chelsea, [Boarding School ] Simla, Himachal Pradesh, 1957 to 1958.
One year in Bhilai Higher Secondary School, 1958-’59 Bhilai. Three years, 1959-1962 in Lady Irwin College, New Delhi- B.Sc. Home Science Degree from Delhi University, in 1962 and Diploma in Russian language, 1964, Delhi University.
B.Ed from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, 1986-1987.
Subsequently: M.A. English, S.K. University, Anantapur, A.P., and PGCTE from CIEFL, Hyderabad, A.P.
Impressions and the moral and ethical values imbibed early in life at home and school, including the spiritual values imbibed from the Nuns, have surely played an important role in the compiler’s life. The simple values of Consideration for others, ‘Do unto others as you would have others do unto you, ’ - Jesus Christ, can make the world a happier place.
MEMORIES – From the Compiler’s Album:-
1. Compiler taking Autograph from the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, [3rdDec.1884 - 28thFeb1963. President 26th Jan.1950 – May 1962 ], on the inaugural occasion of First pig iron tapping from the Blast Furnace, Bhilai Steel Plant, 31st Dec 1958. Recollections: Some years earlier, at a dinner in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on the occassion of Holi festival, Dr. Rajendra Prasad pointing to some grains of rice being wasted by one of his grandsons, gently chided him, “Don’t waste food. There are so many who go hungry without food .....Never waste food !”
How careful and particular were our leaders who struggled for India’s Freedom. We need to remind ourselves of their suffering and sacrifice, and uphold their ideals and principles. Indeed, it is very painful to see people mindlessly wasting and throwing food in the garbage, when there are so many poor people who have no food to eat. Is it not a sin to waste food ? Is it not the responsibility of parents and educationists to inculcate such Ideals and Values in the younger generation ? Once while in Mumbai, seeing some poor children vying with stray dogs for food from discarded leaf-plates, Swami Karunyananda, very agitated told this to Bhagawan. Swami very patiently explained, “In previous birth, they lived in luxury and wasted food, now they are picking up what they had earlier recklessly thrown in the garbage.”
2. & 3. From: The Times of India, N.Delhi, 27th May 2011. ‘Homage to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, [14thNov.1889 - 27thMay 1964] the first Prime Minster of India, on his 47th Death Anniversary, from the Ministry of Steel, Government of India'. Photos are of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s visit to the three Steel Plants: Bhilai, Rourkela and Durgapur. This First picture on the left 27thOct. 1960, shows Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Inaugurating the Rail & Structural Mill of the Bhilai Steel Plant. First on the left is Bhilai Steel Plant’s General Manager, Mr. N.C. Shrivastava, [1st Sept.1913 to 21st Jan. 1992] Compiler’s father. [ Topper in 1936 batch of I.C.S. from London, England ]. His tips to students: “Keep up to date in studies. A sincere student who takes interest and puts in steady hardwork may achieve better results than a more brilliant student who may not put in steady effort. Pay full attention in class when the teacher is teaching. Avoid bad company. Participate in Games and Sports, do your duty honestly and sincerely”.
‘Be steady to study, and study - to become steady’ –Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
The compiler recalls the Prime Minister’s words to her, (in Hindi), at the entrance of the special Guest House at Bhilai: “Are you going to garland only, or will you show the way also ?” In retrospect, one can say, Prophetic words. The way is being shown:- Just as the Steel evolution provided the industrial backbone and infrastructure for our nation’s development, the on-going Human Values and Spiritual Evolution Initiated and Reinforced by Sai, and others, is providing the Spiritual Backbone and Infrastructure for the Development of not only our nation, but also the world.
We carry on and continue where our forefathers left off.....thus the world goes on.....
4. Future Plans: The General Manager, of Bhilai, pointing out constructional sites and plans to the Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, 27th Oct. 1960. On the extreme right is Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s young grandson, Sri Rajiv Gandhi, [20th Aug.1944-21stMay 1991] himself a future Prime Minister, 1984 –’89.
Life is a RELAY RACE, each generation passes on the baton to the next.
"Though 100 years is the allotted span of human life, no one knows how, when and where death will overtake one. Therefore never delay in executing good plans. And, at the same time put off, delay, executing bad deeds.” – Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
5. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at Lady Irwin College, New Delhi, 28th January 1961. First student on left, a muslim girl from Hyderabad, India. Best friend and 3 years room-mate of the compiler. In the final year both were Food Representatives, in the Hostel Students Committee. Since her marriage in about 1963, this friend has settled in Karachi, W.Pakistan. Third student from the left is the compiler. The compiler has experience of both Christianity and Islam. All are one, be alike to everyone – Sri Sathya Sai Baba. From: ‘Ramakatha Rasavahini’ by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, it is interesting to learn that: “Before returning to His Divine abode Sri Rama installed Kusha in Ayodhya. Lava was awarded the northern region, the city of Lavapura [modern Lahore, West Pakistan]” [Note: Lava and Kusha were Sri Rama’s sons.]
6. Raja Radhika Raman Prasad Sinha, M.A. Raja Saheb of Suryapura, district Shahabad, now Rohtas, Bihar. [10th Sep.1890-24th March 1971] Compiler’s maternal grandfather. He was a writer and novelist in Hindi and recipient of the Padma Bhushan Award for Literature and Education, in 1962. He led a simple religious and well regulated life of Yoga.
“Everything is parents’ gift- your blood, your food, head and money all four are parents gifts. Therefore you should express your gratitude to your parents. If you please your parents your life will be peaceful. You should offer gratitude to your parents. However big you may be you are still a child to your parents. You satisfy them, I am satisfied.” –Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
7. Sri Kalika Prasad Shrivastava, [1884-1946], Paternal grandfather of the compiler. He completed his Higher studies in Agriculture Science from Lahore. Thereafter joined Agriculture Science College, Nagpur. He Retired as the Principal of Agriculture Science College, Nagpur, C.P. and Berar. He was a generous spiritual person.
In the Interview room, with other teachers, once the Compiler asked Bhagawan if she can get liberation in this life-time. In His mellifluous voice Swami sang the eleventh verse of the Bhaja Govindam: “Maa Kuru Dhana-Jana-Yauvana Garvam, Harati Nimeshaat [snapping His fingers] Kaalah Sarvam. Maayaamayamidam-akhilam Hitvaa, Brahmapadam Tvam Pravisha Viditvaa meaning: Boast not of, [pride not in] your youth, friends or wealth. Swifter than the eyes can wink, each one of these is stolen by time. Give up the illusion of the world. Join yourself to the lotus feet of the Lord.
[ Pl. see HVSS Book 12, Bhaja Govindam ]
The Bhagawad Gita tells us to perform all acts as an offering to the Lord without getting involved and lost in discussions of Dharma and Adharma. Fix your mind on Him, hold fast to Him, and surrender to Him. In the end Lord Krishna told Arjuna : [Pl. see HVSS Book 6]
B. Gita Chap. XVIII-66 :
“Sarvadharmaanparityajya Maamekam Sharanam Vraja
Aham Twaa Sarvpaapebhyah Mokshyishyaami Maa Shuchah.”
Renounce all dharmas and take refuge in Me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins; grieve not.
Alumni of S.S.S.I.H.L. who rendered invaluable assistance to the Compiler in completing the HVSS series of 12 Books, their Audio Renderings and Power Point Presentation:- (Also see gallery of Photos)
HUMAN VALUES SPIRITUAL SCIENCE BOOKS 10, 11 AND 12 were compiled in May 1998 by the invaluable and timely help of Sri Rameswar Prusty. Sri R. Prusty completed his Masters in Financial Management from the Sri Sathya Sai Institue of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, in 1998. He was the Best All-Rounder student in his school, Vemoyana Samstha Vidyalaya, Sunabeda, Odisha and Gold Medallist in Metallurgical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha. After studies, he was Blessed by Bhagawan to serve in the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. His brother Sri Venkateswar Prusty (M.Tech.) was blessed by Bhagawan to serve in S.S.S.Higher Sec. School, in 1995. He has provided his valuable guidance to the Compiler as and when required to complete the series.
BHAJAN SECTIONS - of all twelve Human Values Spiritual Science Books compiled by:- Sri N. Karthik, [SSSIHL 1995 to 2000], initially guided and assisted by Sri Satish. Both working in Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield, Bangalore. “Mookam Karoti Vaachaalam, Pangum Langhayate Girim. Yat Krupa Tamaham Vande Paramaananda Maadhavam.” – ‘Salutations to that Blissful Lord, Whose Grace can make the dumb speak, the cripple climb mountains.’ Though Karthik had no formal training in music, he could compile the notations for all the Bhajans. By the Blessings of The Lord inherent knowledge and in-born talents blossom out. Swami created the ring he is wearing.
SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION Book 12: Assistance. BHAJANS & SONGS SECTION – Assistance by Dr. Shailesh Srivastava, Ph.D Physics 2001, (Compiler’s son). Department of Physics, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam, 1989 to 2013 and SSSIHL, 1992 to date. - Education : St. Josephs College, Nainital, U.P. [Boarding School], 2 yrs. Adams School, Almora, U.P. Thereafter Delhi Public School, R.K. Puram Sec.12, New Delhi - till Class 10. And then Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning [SSSIHL]- Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam Campus B.Sc., MSc. 1989 and Ph.D. Photos show Shailesh receiving prizes from the Divine-Hands
COLOUR PAGE LAY-OUTS - of all twelve Human Values Spiritual Science Books arranged and organised by Sri Ashwin U. Salian who completed his 12th in 1998 from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prashanti Nilayam. He completed his M.F.M in 2003 from SSSIHL.
HUMAN VALUES SPIRITUAL SCIENCE BOOKS 6 to 9 – were completed with the valuable assistance rendered by Sri S. Raghuram & Sri Ramakrishna. Raghuram studied at Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Kendra, Muddenahalli, Class 8 to 10. He completed his B.Com. from Brindavan Campus, 1994 to 1997 and M.B.A. from Prashanti Nilayam Campus 1997–1999, since then he is serving in Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital [SSSIHMS] at Whitefield, Bangalore. Photo shows Raghuram explaining the facilities to the team members who accompanied Bhagawan.
"Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray ! Be Good, See Good, and Do Good, this is the Way to God!"
Valuable assistance in computerising HVSS Books 1 to 9, and in compiling Power Point CD titled: ‘Sri Sathya Sai Educare’ was also rendered by Irfan, Global Service, Samadhi Rd, Prasanthi Nilayam.
VEDA SECTION - of all twelve Human Values Spiritual Science Books were Edited by Sri G.R. Praveena, B.Sc, M.Sc., Dept. of Bio-Sciences, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam, 1989 to date. His Father - Sri Ramachandra Gowda, [English and Maths Teacher], was recipient of State Best Teacher’s Award in 1984. In the S.S.S.I.H.L. Convocation, on 22.11.1989, Sri G.R. Praveena was awarded the Best All-Rounder Gold Medal. He has composed about 100 Sanskrit verses, published in various magazines & books. His Bio-sketch is incuded in ‘Reference Asia’ Vol. 9, Asia’s Who’s Who of Men and Women of Achievement.
Education : Class 8th -12th Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva Junior College, Alike, Karnataka
Veda : Vedam and Yoga Camp, Narikombu, (D.K.), Karnataka, 1980 to 1982.
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning: Graduation and Post-Graduation, M.Sc. 1989
Although the idea of a series of graded books for Human Values was conceived by the Compiler as far back as November 1980, it was only in 1998 that the task began in real earnest.
Much training had to be given by the Divine Educator during those intervening years. Once the students of Class Seven, Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Ooty, [1987-88] had the good fortune of presenting a short programme titled Science and Spirituality in the form of a debate before Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba during one of His Divine visits. Bhagawan was very pleased with the presentation. The Compiler had put in much concentrated effort to prepare the script from the Book ‘Spirituality and Science’ [published Dharmakshetra, Bombay in 1985].
Further, in the year 1996 from 16th June to 1st Aug. and 15thAug. to 10th Sept, a total of 73 days, The Lord gave daily Discourses in the evening in Prashanti Nilayam, Sai Kulwant Hall. Again for a shorter period in 1997. Sitting down close to the Divine Master, listening to His Divine Words and later recapitulating and reflecting on the Divine Discourses was a golden opportunity for the teachers and students to grow in Spiritual Knowledge. Bhagawan has said: Teachers are the real students. Students study and go, teachers continue to study. Thus the Lord prepared His instruments for the task ahead.
Sometime before the summer-vacation of 1998 as Bhagawan passed by at Darshan time, though outwardly the Lord did not say anything the compiler, who was sitting in approximately the third row, heard the clear sentence from Bhagawan, “Now, start writing those books.” Accordingly during the summer vacation, which was partly spent in Kodaikanal where Bhagawan would usually go during the summer vacation, the compilation began with Book 12- Unit 1 which aimed to give the Scientific Foundation, the Scientific Reasons, for including Spirituality and Human Values as an integral, fundamental component of education, like the 3Rs-Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Man is a rational being who acts on the basis of intelligent, logical reasoning and conviction. Specially in these days of Scientific advancement human beings want to be convinced, and rightly so, before accepting any Proposal, Plan or Project.
Bhagawan's arrangements are unique. Back in Brindavan, Bangalore, HVSS Books 12, 11, and 10 which were now planned out had to be computerised. Luckily, the Computer Science teacher of Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, Prasanthi Nilayam, introduced his younger brother, Sri Rameswar Prusti who had just completed the MFM programme from SSSIHL, to the compiler. With his quick and able assistance during the summer vacation, the first drafts were ready, and despatched to Educational Authorities in New Delhi etc.
Bhagawan’s Time-planning continued to unfold. In March 1999, Bhagawan Himself went first to Bombay and then to New Delhi. The compiler took the opportunity to go to Delhi and get the books printed there, in record time, before Bhagawan arrived in New Delhi. Thus the three books were once again submitted to the Human Resource Development Minister and NCERT with an introduction from brother-in-law, Sri Yashwant Sinha who had been appointed Finance Minister, Govt.of India. At moments like these one realises the Lord is the Divine Director and Planner. In fact Sri Yashwant Sinha was an IAS officer who some years previously had felt an irresistible urge to resign and enter politics. Before the elections itself, Bhagawan had prompted the compiler, ‘Start writing those books’. The timing was the Lord’s plan. Once, in the Interview Room with some teachers, Bhagawan commented: “Yashwant Sinha, Chakravarthi, Giri same batch IAS” -1960. In those days, Sri S.V.Giri was the Vice-Chancellor of SSSIHL, and Sri K. Chakravarthi was Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. - IAS reversed is:- SAI. Thus they were in SAI Service.
The Lord had given inner guidance, ‘For My work, don’t worry about money.’ How was the finance for printing and reprinting the 12 books in the series taken care of by Bhagawan ? After retirement from Govt. of India, the compiler’s father was given a two year posting in ADB, Manila, Philippines. By Bhagawan’s Grace and arrangement, the compiler’s mother thus received widow’s pension from there also, which was free to be used for books as and when required.
What about the time factor ? Detachment from family ensured that the Compiler devoted all time and attention for educational inputs. The technical and other assistance too comes as and when required from Sai students who are ever ready to offer their loving services in Bhagawan’s work, thus putting into practise Bhagawan’s message of Expansion Love and One family.
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