Aspire to be good

Today’s parents desire that their children should get great education, that they should get a big job, that they should draw huge salaries, that should receive a large dowry and get married.

Everyone aspires to become great. That doesn’t make Swami happy.

You should become good. What is the use of becoming great? Don’t we have enough great people in this country, enough wealthy people, enough educated people, enough scholars, enough geniuses? They are all great. But what has our country gained from them? Nothing.

Today what we need is goodness. You should strive to be good. If you are good, the country  becomes good.

What is the difference between greatness and goodness? Great men see a Nara even in Narayana, a man even in God. Good men see God in man. That is the difference between Ravana and Rama. Ravana was a great man, he was highly educated, he ruled over Lanka. When he saw Rama, who is Narayana himself, all Ravana saw was merely a man. But Rama saw God in man.

One who sees God in man is a good person. Good people help others, they use their education for good purpose. Great men misuse their education. Too much learning causes indigestion. Ravana suffered from that.

In this age of Kali, parents want their children to be great, to have great jobs, great salaries and great connections. No one is praying that the children should earn a good name. No one prays that they should become good and do good work. In fact, when children do good work, parents ask, “Why are you not depositing it in the bank?”

But, blood and money should always circulate. If it stays in the same place, it’s dangerous. Earn money, and use it for social good. It’s only because of the society you are prosperous.

Sri Sathya Sai Baba
Trayee Session with Students
May 23, 1997