Veda of the 21st Century
The fact that we recognise Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Avatar of the Age, and consider His Message as the ultimate synthesis of all spiritual thought and practice, places a special responsibility on the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations to crystallise this Message for all mankind. After millions of trials & tribulations, the growth & decline of thousands of civilisations & political philosophies, we now have for the first time an opportunity of integrating Ancient Wisdom and modern science into a coherent understanding of spirituality and human existence.
In His infinite wisdom as a part of His Divine Plan, Baba chose the children of Bal Vikas as the focus of attention for communicating this Message through the Gurus. For the past thirty years, Gurus have been implementing the Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas curriculum with great devotion and faith in Bhagawan Baba. We have seen that the children who have gone through the course have become good citizens of their countries; the Gurus have also derived immense happiness in conducting classes. However, what was missing was that we did not know at that time why these good results were obtained, how the teaching methodology led to the very encouraging behavioural transformation. When asked how does this happen, our answer was ‘His Divine Grace’ or ‘Baba’s Blessings’.
The time has now come when Bhagawan Baba has thought it fit that we should attempt to understand the inner significance of His Message of EDUCARE, which He is now unfolding to help us live a life of fullness, joy and peace.
‘Education has two aspects; the first is related to external and worldly education, which is nothing but acquiring bookish knowledge. In the modern world, we find many well versed and highly qualified in this aspect. The second aspect known as Educare is related to human values. The word Educare means to bring out that which is within. Human values are latent in every human being; one cannot acquire them from outside. They have to be elicited from within. Educare means to bring out human values. ‘To bring out’ means to translate them into action.’
– Sri Sathya Sai (25th September 2000)
Educare is the Truth of life and living revealed to us by our beloved Bhagawan Baba through direct Teachings, discourses and intuitive experiences. It gives a new meaning to geography & history, a new vitality to language, a cosmic understanding to science and mathematics, and an enhanced beauty to music and the arts. It is the release of intrinsic intuition and creativity within every individual. It is the blossoming of every single Divine Lotus in our hearts. It enables us to be not just receptors but vibrators and radiators of values to all of creation.
The Message envelops the smallest atom in Creation to the largest galaxy in the universe. It transcends the limitations of time and space, being relevant to those who do not have the privilege to interact with Him personally, and also those in future, beyond the physical presence of Bhagawan Baba.
The multi-dimensional implications and applications of Sai Teachings for various segments of the global society far exceed the conventional scope of the word Education. Therefore, the word oft quoted by Bhagawan Baba, ‘EDUCARE’ is adopted as a master system to include all aspects of learning and human development. The Message is relevant and applicable across the board to all humankind.
My task is not merely to cure, console and remove individual misery; there is something far more important. The removal of misery and distress are all incidental to My Mission. My main task is re-establishment of Vedas and Shastras in the hearts of all people.
– Sri Sathya Sai (26th November 1964)
This Divine Declaration is One without a second; verily, EDUCARE is the Veda of the 21st century. For the first time in the history of mankind, an Avatar has synthesised knowledge and action in a simplified manner, shattering myths behind dogmas and cults, and taking us beyond caste, colour, religion or creed. Baba has said, ‘Everything else is complicated, God alone is simple.’ And, in His infinite Grace and compassion, Bhagawan Baba, responding to the call and cravings of billions of devotees, has manifested from the unmanifest (Nirakar), so that His Life itself conveys His Message.
- The concept of Sri Sathya Sai Educare is Spiritual, Universal and Global.
- Divinity is the source and foundation of all existence.
- Values are latent; they are not to be taught but manifested.
- Educare is for life, not merely for a living.