Sainath
1990 Prasanthi Nilayam

We had passed out of our PG degrees in 1990. Swami called our outgoing batch of students into the interview room to bless us and give us His advice. During the session, one of the students asked Him, “Swami, it is so difficult to change the world. How can we show the world what you have taught us and change it?” Swami’s reply was perhaps the greatest lesson I have learnt at His lotus feet. He replied, “Do not even make any effort to change this world. You will never succeed and will end up getting frustrated. Instead, YOU become an example for others to emulate. When you live your life with the discipline you have learnt here, then you will inspire others to follow. Slowly a chain of transformation will begin. Leave the task of changing this world to God – that is why He incarnates!”

Often, I have tried to see if I have lived up to this message. Questions like “So what if I live my life the way Swami wants? Is it helping anyone – who is watching anyway?” have besieged me often. When I was working in a college that is notorious for students who cared nothing for the sanctity of education, I would still ensure that I stayed professional in my attitude and worked with ethics.

One day, a student came to me and shared with me his sorry state. His father had passed away and he was forced to share his time between working and studying in order to take care of his family. His attendance suffered and he had already lost one year because of that. I asked him, “What do you expect me to do for you?” He said, “Sir, please give me the required attendance so I can be eligible for the exams.” I refused and pointed out to him that committing a sin was not the solution to overcome life’s problems. Instead, I made him an offer. I told him that I was willing to stay back every day for an extra hour to help him with his Physics, provided he was ready to attend classes. He thought over it for some time and agreed. Slowly, other faculty members also came forward and soon, we were having special classes for several students who were serious about their studies, every evening between 4.00pm and 5.00pm. We then talked to the management and got them to agree to convert the attendance of students in these classes to regular attendance. This helped a number of students to not only take their exams, but also clear them. The crowning glory was when the parents of these students came and thanked us with gratitude for helping their children to get serious in life. One of them said, “Thanks to your initiative, my son now knows the importance of having a proper work culture and in being sincere in work.”

This was surely Bhagawan speaking! I have shared this incident to highlight the point that the project succeeded only because the teachers themselves were willing to be ethical and true to their duties. When students found that teachers were willing to work extra hours just for their sake without expecting anything in return, they too got inspired and this helped them.

Today, we need people to stand as examples – beacons of hope that live Swami’s teachings in their lives. That is the need of the hour!

Brother Sainath is based in Mangalore. Post his PhD, he served in the Institute’s Physics department. An excellent orator, at Parthi, he was involved in & guided students in public speaking & debates