Sai Ram.

A request to share my thoughts for this issue of Vidyullekha got me musing on the role of Swami’s  students and the expectations from them. The ensuing thoughts are thus principally  a timely recapitulation for me.

-While enunciating the underlying philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Bhagawan said:

“This will be a Gurukula – a place where teachers and taught will grow together in love and wisdom – and like the ancient system of education, it will develop in its students a broad outlook and promote virtues and morals, which serve to foster noble ideals in society. This Institute will be a temple of learning where youth are shaped into self-reliant, contented and enterprising heroes of action and self-sacrifice, for the purpose of serving humanity.”

Swami has thus clearly stated His expectations  from us  students.  Swami  has  further  said  that  His students are His true property. While it is His Blessing that He chose us to be His students and gave us the unique opportunity of being associated with Him and being moulded by Him, I have come  to the realization that along with that special blessing also comes a very big responsibility. Over the years, in interaction with devotees from  all walks of life, I have perceived the very special regard that devotees have for us students. They view every aspect of our conduct and  behavior  with great interest expecting us to be role models. For those who do not know of Bhagawan, they perceive Bhagawan and what He stands for through our conduct and behavior. This indeed puts a great onus on each one of us.

For Swami, the most important aspect of His mission was the transformation of the individual. While all of of us pursue our lives, perform tasks related to our work, and seek avenues to serve humanity at large, we need to remind ourselves that all activities we undertake are only a means to the end i.e. our inner growth and transformation into better human beings.

Every activity, be it related to our workplace or be it service, needs to be undertaken with the realization that it is being done for Swami and should meet His high standards of perfection.

It is also important that we make the effort to nurture and maintain our inner connect with Swami at all times and strive to demonstrate and share the Love and compassion that we have received and continue to receive from Swami. I pray to Bhagawan for His Grace, and Blessings,  so that we may recognize our responsibilities and also pray for His Guidance to help us fulfil our collective destiny as Sai Students.

With loving regards,
Naren Ramji

(Dr. Naren Ramji is the Registrar of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He joined Bhagawan’s Institute for his MBA programme in 1986, became a faculty in Management Department in 1988 and completed his PhD in 2002. He is fondly remembered for his marketing classes and leading the recordings during cultural events. Swami handpicked him for the post of the Registrar in 2009).