(Map showing the countries of the world)

If the country is to prosper, then the ideals of the great souls must be followed explicitly. It is by following the sages of yore that our country has been able to survive at least in this state till now. The great ones gain nothing out of this. What was the reason for the Sage Vashistha to reside in the palace of Dasharatha? He did not need riches, mansions and gold of the Emperor. Sita too told Hanuman the same. She said; ‘Hanuman! It is not possible to satisfy you with wealth, gold, mansions and other such items. Even if I were to bring the three worlds and give it to you, I will not be able to repay my debt.. You are such a great renunciate and devotee. Because of these two qualities, you can go around all the three worlds. Because of your travels, all the three worlds will be secure and prosperous.’ (SSB 1996, p. 104)

Education must result in humility. Humility is the best credential one can earn. That yields wealth and through wealth one can promote righteousness and engage in charity. This ensures happiness here and hereafter. Humility cannot grow through poring over books. The educational process prevalent today does not promote humility. It confers degrees, which swell the heads of recipients. It does not sanctify the person who is educated. It does not promote the nation’s progress. But, education has to encourage the exploration of the true needs of the country and the methods by which they can be met. Youth must dedicate itself to this work. But, what do we find? Even persons, who have grown old, and who move about with sticks are anxiously trying to squeeze a drop or two of pleasure from life. After having retired from Government service, they still seek jobs and start circumambulating likely persons! The idea that they should spend at least the remaining years of their lives in serving their fellowmen does not dawn on them.

The uneducated may not all be patriotic; but the country is harmed more by the educated! As soon as they are awarded the degrees or diplomas entitling them to pose as doctors or engineers, they run after some travel agent, and secure passports and try to bribe their way to Iraq, Iran, Dubai. Of course, money is desirable. But, only as much as is essential. Cannot one earn enough in his country itself and, at the same time, serve one’s poor and struggling brothers and sisters in the villages?

Can it ever be a sign of education when one has no love for the land where he was born and where he grew up? Consider for a while the wisdom of disliking one’s motherland and becoming fascinated with another land. One must serve one’s own people and thereby the people of other countries. But what are we to say of those who hate their own and love others! How can a person who has no respect for the land of his birth be respected by the land he attaches himself to? This distortion is the result of the educational system. (SSS Vol. 15, pp. 243-244)

The countries of the world fall into two categories – Karma Bhumi and Bhoga Bhumi countries where the people are devoted to activities with spiritual motivation and countries where people pursue the pathways of the senses, with no higher purpose to guide them. The categories emphasise the ideals of the people, down the ages Bharat or India is the Karma Bhumi where the people have discovered the proper goal of all activity, namely the glorification of God, resident within and without. (SV, p. 131)

Countries are like carriages. The engine is God. The first carriage is India. The other carriage will follow. According to astrology of ancient times, the change in world conditions to be brought about by Swami’s influence will come in about 15 years (this conversation was in December 1968). This was predicted 5600 years ago in the Upanishads. The coming of Baba, the Sai Avatar, which includes the Incarnations is all forecast quite clearly. People born in this present generation may consider themselves quite fortunate. (CWBSSB, p. 127)

For the country, three things are important. They are Khadi, Kavi and Khaki. Khadi represents the government; kavi represents the sannyasis, the saints and the gurus and Khaki symbolizes the army and the police. When these three discharge their duties correctly, the country will progress. The government should be righteous; the military and police should also be appropriate and the saints and gurus should teach and train the members of the society in the right direction. (M, p. 70)