Values are the Elixir of Life

Values are the elixir of life

Most countries which are less spiritual than India are less corrupt than us and they suffer from less poverty. Why should we have any spirituality at all in our country? Sadguru Jaggi Vasudev responded to this nicely. I thought of starting my discussion today with his thought.

Centuries ago, the whole world, far smaller than the one we are living today, no doubt, was looking to ancient India because India was very much in tune with both the outer and inner laws. Several tried to travel to India to learn and enjoy visiting the country. Columbus wanted to travel to India but landed in a different place; so was Vasco De Gama who landed in Panaji; it was Robert Clive who made to Calcutta. What was it that attracted them to this place? Only riches?  Jaggi Vasudev attributes it to spirituality.

Spirituality is something within of everyone and not one that you organize on the street, according to him. But we are doing too much outside and call it spirituality. “The physical existence is ruled by physical laws. If you are not in tune with them you suffer. Various cultures in the world have done far better than us in the world because they are in tune with the physical world.” However, their suffering within is untold, because they are not in tune with their inner laws. These inner laws teach us to be ambitious and not greedy; to have character with competence and not jealousy and incompetence and to live by values and culture but not by ego and extravaganza. Where are we after 71 years of independence? Why do we see greed everywhere? Why do we want to appear different from what we actually are? Politics and religion have some umbilical cord and this relationship whether Pope and the Church, Mohammad and Islam, Buddha and Peace, have all moved from the Court Halls of the then Kings or Monarchs.

22nd Convocation Address on 22nd October 2016

Mrs Arthy Sampathy, Mr Sailesh, Prof V.G. Chari and all other Professors, distinguished audience and most importantly, all the graduates getting coronated today -  I am delighted and privileged to be amidst these blossoming flowers of life whose petals are in pleasant colours that the most beautiful butterfly would envy. At the outset, let me congratulate all of you for all that you achieved on this illustrious Siva Sivani Campus. I also congratulate the faculty and staff who should be feeling equally proud of seeing you transcending to a different territory.

When Dr Chari called me on the morning of 16^th of this month to adorn this dais I instantaneously accepted the invitation for, it is a great honour to be in the hall of fame of Siva Sivani Institute alongside doyens like Abdul J. Kalam who ignited the minds of youth and scientists alike. I also realise the responsibility to share with you such lessons of life that you would love to hear.

If it is my parents who taught me love and affection, it is my gurus who made me sterner stuff. I shall invoke my parents’ and Gurus’ blessings before I call upon you to do all that you wanted to do after you leave this campus. “Matru Devo Bhava, Pithru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava.

I was wondering what you would love to hear for the next few minutes different from what you had been listening during the last two years on this campus. I thought the choices made in my life at different points of time could be of interest to you. You are today fortunate to stand in the midst of an intersection that takes you to the roads leading to join a job or setting up an enterprise that creates the jobs.