MESSAGE

TO
STUDENTS
 MESSAGE
TO
STUDENTS
Sri Swami Chidananda

Published by
THE DIVINE LIFE SOCIETY
P.O. SHIVANANDANAGAR—249 192
Distt. Tehri-Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
www.sivanandaonline.org, www.dlshq.org
 First Edition : 2014
[ 1,000 Copies ]

©The Divine Life Trust Society

Swami Chidananda Centenary Series—7

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

Published by Swami Padmanabhananda for

The Divine Life Society, Shivanandanagar, and
printed by him at the Yoga-Vedanta Forest Academy
Press, P.O. Shivanandanagar, Distt. Tehri-Garhwal,
Uttarakhand, Himalayas, India
For online orders and Catalogue visit : dlsbooks.org
 (Lecture delivered by
Sri Swami Chidanandaji Maharaj at the
1 Zonal Orissa Divine Life Conference at
st

Khurda Road on 1st December 1974)

(5)
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS
O Children of Immortality!
In brief I wish to give you the essence
of your culture, the ancient message which your
ancestors have given to you, especially to the
young and especially to the students. I want to tell
you very clearly that the need of the students and
young people was well known to our great sages of
wisdom. And so they gave a due place to the young
people in human society. They gave a special set of
principles in the concept of their life, and they
formulated a special set of principles for the young
people to follow.
Before I try to lay before you their
concept of student life, their principles for young
people to follow, I give you four sentences, which I
want every young man and woman, all students,
to memorise and keep as guidelines for your life.
They are four brief sentences and they contain a
very important message. These four brief
sentences which I want you to listen carefully and
keep in your memory are as follows:
“When wealth is lost nothing is lost.
When health is lost something is lost.
When character is lost everything is lost.
A person without character is not a man but an animal”.
(7)
8 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

THE WEALTH OF CHARACTER

What distinguishes the human individual
from the animal is our behaviour. There is a
difference between the Charitra (character) of a
Pashu (animal) and the Charitra of a Manava
(human being). If the Manava does not keep up to
this higher standard of Charitra, then even
though he may be a human individual in Roopa
(form) and Nama (name), he is only an animal
because his life, conduct and behaviour is more
suitable to the animal than to a man. Through
your behaviour you must prove that you are a
human individual. If you have no control over
your senses, if you have no principles for your
living, if you are subject to anger and passion and
gluttony (Kama, Krodha and Vishaya Vilasa), if
you have no moderation, then there you have the
animal. Therefore, you have to prove your human
status not merely by reading a few text books and
passing a few examinations and getting a degree,
but by the manner of your life, conduct and
behaviour. The highest wealth in human life, the
highest wealth of youth, is the wealth of
character. The most precious thing is character.
That is your real treasure. If you develop a noble
character, then you are really a wealthy person,
which means your life is rich with this Aishwarya
(wealth) of Satcharitra (noble conduct).
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 9

THE RELATIONSHIP OF CHARACTER

TO HUMAN LIFE
What is the relationship of character to
human life? The relationship of character to
human life is the same as that of the foundation to
the entire structure of the building which will be
raised over that foundation. The most important
part in the structure of the building is the
foundation. If the foundation is well laid, if the
foundation is strong, then the building will stand.
You can raise it high, and it will last, it will be
strong. If the foundation is weak or not properly
laid, then any moment the building can collapse,
the building cannot be lasting.
Even so is the life of the individual. If in young
age, in his youth, in the period of student life the
individual tries hard to develop noble qualities, to
become strong in body, to acquire will power,
strength of mind and he is able to overcome all
negative qualities like selfishness, egoism, pride,
dishonesty, greed, weakness, overeating and
slavery to senses; if by using his will power, the
young man is able to become master over his
senses, overcome anger, and develop truthfulness
and honesty and he becomes a person of integrity
and thus becomes a master of his senses, such a
student lays a strong foundation for his future
life.
Upon the foundation of a well developed
character and conduct, one can build up the
10 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

edifice or structure of a successful life. Whatever

someone undertakes, he will succeed in it.
Whatever profession he adopts, he will make
headway in it. He will shine; he will earn the
respect of all people. He will have a magnetic
personality. He will have influence over his time.
He will be a leader, for the power of character gives
magnetism to the personality, and the power of
character depends upon self control. Without self
control you cannot be an ideal individual.
The secret of a successful career, the secret of
a magnetic personality is self control and
character which is the outcome of self control. The
key to character is self control, and character is
the basis of success in life. With character you can
overcome every obstacle in life. You can succeed
in all undertakings. You will shine brilliantly in
every field of life.

THE ESSENCE OF
BHARATIYA CULTURE
The essence of Bharatiya culture is
character and the essence of character is in
self-control, Samyama. All great personalities are
people endowed with self-control, all people who
have become immortal—Bhishma, Harischandra,
Lakshmana, Markandeya, Savitri, Sita, Shivaji,
Rana Pratap—all had strength of character.
Therefore develop the great ideals of self-control,
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 11

character, virtue, will-power and mastery over

one’s senses.

THE ESSENCE OF EDUCATION

Who is really an educated man? He
who can see two paths—worthy—unworthy,
proper—improper, right—wrong, Dharmic—
Adharmic (righteous-unrighteous), and he who
has the strength to say, “I will choose that which
is proper, that which is according to the principle
of Dharma, I will reject that which is petty, that
which is unworthy, even though it is attractive,
even though it may be pleasant. I know that I am a
Bharatiya. Therefore I have to fulfil a certain
Adarsha (ideal), and I am also a divine being. I am
not this body. I am not the five senses. I am not
this little restless mind. I am not this limited
intellect. Beyond body, mind, senses and intellect
I am an immortal soul. My wisdom which I have
inherited as a Bharatiya, my culture which is
Adhyatma Sanskriti (spiritual culture), tells me
very clearly:
Ajo nitya saswatoyam purano,
na hanyate hanyamane sarire
Unborn, eternal, changeless and ancient, it is
not killed when the body is killed.
12 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

THE INDESTRUCTIBLE SPIRIT

In this body, there is an immortal
imperishable Self which is not affected even when
the body is destroyed by death. It is unborn. It is
permanent, It is eternal. It is beyond time, Anadi,
Ananta, beginningless and endless. Fire cannot
burn it. Water cannot wet it, wind cannot dry it,
weapons cannot injure it. That is my true Self. I
am the imperishable, unborn, eternal,
indestructible Atma Swaroop. Indeed there is the
imperishable within the perishable, the divine
within the human, the spiritual within the
material, and I am the divine, I am the eternal.
Divinity is my true nature, and my physical
nature, my Pranic nature, my mental and my
intellectual nature are only temporary attributes.
They have been superimposed on my real nature.
My true nature, my Nija Swaroop, is that I am Ajar
(without old age), Amar (immortal), Avinashi Atma
(indestructible soul), Nitya Shuddha Atma (ever
pure soul), Divya (divine) Atma.
My Sanskriti has given me this
knowledge. Therefore having received this as my
heritage, I shall always be established in this
inner consciousness. To be divine is my
birthright. To be divine and to shine with divine
qualities is natural to me. To exude fragrance is
natural to sandal wood. To be sweet is natural to
honey and sugar. Just as it is natural for ice to be
cool and fire to be hot, the sun to be bright, even
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 13

so it is natural to me to be divine, to be noble, to be

good, to be loving, to be pure, to be truthful, to be
wise, because that is my Nija Swaroop. In this
way, I should have this awareness, that “I am
divine”.
The individual, when he is young,
when he is laying the foundation of his life, must
fill the first stage of his life with divine qualities,
with noble virtues, with Divyata (divinity). Then
his whole life is safe; his success is guaranteed.

THE GOLDEN PERIOD OF LIFE

I will tell you, my beloved young
friends, the individual’s life between sixteen and
thirty is the most precious period. That period of
fourteen years is a golden period. It is the most
precious period. If this period is properly
managed, if you are established in virtue,
self-control, purity, truthfulness, then your entire
life will be full of light, full of joy, full of success.
Therefore, be most careful to mould yourself in
this period. In whatever shape, in whatever
pattern you put your life in these fourteen years,
that pattern will remain throughout your life. It
will become your permanent asset, Shashwata
Dharma and Aishwarya (wealth). Therefore with
eagerness, with enthusiasm, wisdom, try to
mould yourself into an ideal pattern. Then you
have already attained victory. Whatever seal or
stamp is there in this period, it will remain forever.
14 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

But if you are careless, if you don’t give

attention to this period, if you allow it to go here
and there, if you have no self-control, then you
ruin yourself. If you don’t attain the most
important virtue of self-control at this period, then
your life is lost. No one is to blame. Therefore pay
special attention and try to acquire healthy,
strong habits. Your whole life should contain
healthy habits. And from your life you must keep
out anything unhealthy, either physically,
mentally or morally.

AVOID BAD COMPANY

In this connection, I would like to say
two things. One thing that every young man, every
student, every young girl should avoid bad
company. Fly away from bad company. Bad
company is more dangerous than fire or poison.
Poison may destroy one’s body; if you take poison
one body will be dead. But if you get into bad
company and develop bad habits that will become
your inner Samskara (impressions) and Vasana
(desire), and bad Samskara will go from birth to
birth. Even if this body is reduced to ashes, the
Vasanas and Samskaras will continue in your
next birth also. Fire will burn only when you come
into contact with it. It cannot harm you from far
off, but the proximity of bad company will drag
you down and bring about your downfall.
Therefore avoid bad company. Be alone.
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 15

It is better to have no company, rather

than risk bad company. If you must have
company, have company of such people who
elevate you, who ennoble you, in whose company
you feel pure, you feel good, you are inspired
towards higher idealism. This is one very
important thing.

NEVER IMITATE THE WEST

As the second important thing for all
students and young people, I will make this
request. NEVER IMITATE THE WEST in its
superficial fashion and way of life. There is
nothing more shameful than imitation of Western
or alien cultures. It shows moral bankruptcy and
that you have nothing of your own. Therefore you
are trying to fill it with something which is not
your own. It is most shameful for the youth of
Bharatavarsha. One should never imitate.
If you want to emulate the West,
emulate the good qualities of western society,
cleanliness, punctuality, honesty. They are people
with a sense of duty. They are industrious. They
try to excel, to show their skill, they try to do their
best and they are never idle. They are always
conscious of their duty. In our country we don’t
imitate these higher qualities of western men and
women, we only imitate that which is superficial.
So imitation of fashion and passion, imitation of
dress, hair-dress and life style –this is shameful,
this is ignoble, this is not worthy.
16 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

LEARN YOUR CULTURE:

BE PROUD TO BE A BHARATIYA
Any person who is a Bharatiya should
know that his culture is a rich culture. It is full of
idealism. There are many great things to learn and
copy for which western people come here.
Therefore better learn your culture. Better find
out the rich, noble qualities of your culture and be
proud that you are a Bharatiya. Cultivate for
yourself a Bharatiya life style, and that Bharatiya
life style is what I have just now described to you.
By the strength and power of character
you can keep your senses subdued, you can
control the little desires and passions of the
mind—Asha, Trishna, cravings of the mind and be
a master in your own home, not a slave in your
house. Therefore avoid bad or impure company
and do not imitate the western superficial life
style. This is not necessary for us.
You must shine as an ideal Bharatiya
and you must live in such a way. If western people
come here they must see you and realize what you
are. We have got enough light to banish the
darkness that is prevailing in the material world.
We have enough light to give them, to bring light
upon their life’s path. Guide them towards a
higher goal. As a Bharatiya it is your privilege and
duty to evolve this higher idealism. When you
grow older you must be able to show the rest of the
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 17

world the higher culture and higher ethical values

for which your country stands. This is the real
essence of your country’s culture. Therefore do
not imitate and avoid bad company.

THE FOUR STAGES

What has your ancient culture to tell
about youth and student life? Your ancient
culture has divided man’s life into four stages and
given them the name ‘Ashrama’.
Four Ashramas—what is this Ashrama
Dharma? In each stage there are certain ideals
and principles laid down, and that is the Dharma
of that particular Ashrama. The fourth—the last
Ashrama is Sannyasa Ashrama. At the end of life,
the individual should take Sannyasa. The third
Ashrama is Vanaprastha Ashrama. After having
fulfilled the duties of the second Ashrama, one
must retire and turn the attention to higher
things.
The second Ashrama is Grihastha
Ashrama, the stage of the householder. It means
marriage, having a wife, children, doing Udyoga,
professional duties, social duties, domestic duties
to his own Parivar—his mother and father and
relatives. The second Ashrama is Grihastha
Ashrama. What is the first? It is the Ashrama in
which you are living. It is called Brahmacharya
Ashrama.
18 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

What is Brahmacharya? Brahma-

charya has got two meanings. The real meaning is
that Charya or that conduct of life which
ultimately leads you to Brahma Jnana (knowledge
of Brahman) or Brahma-Sakshatkar. That is
Brahmacharya. The pattern of living or the way of
living and acting will bestow upon you Brahma
Jnana, Brahma-Sakshatkar. Secondly
Brahmancharya means a life of self-control,
control of all the senses, all impure desires,
control of anger and passion. It means self
control. This is Brahmacharya. It means not
merely remaining unmarried. That is not the
proper definition. It means the first stage of life
that is youth.
In those days they regarded human life
as being hundred years in span. But who lives for
hundred years now-a-days? The life span has
become shortened. In these first 25 years one
must lead the student’s life. By the time the
engineering students, medical students, law
students finish their degree, they are 23, 24 and
therefore Brahmacharya Ashrama means till age
24. You can regard Grihastha Ashrama from 24 to
45 and Vanaprastha from 45 to 60. After 60 one
must take Sannyasa. Now we are not concerned
with the second, third and fourth Ashramas, but
with Brahmacharya Ashrama, the most important
stage, because upon this depend the three other
Ashramas. If the Brahmacharya Ashrama is
properly lived he will become an ideal Grihasthi,
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 19

he will become an ideal Vanaprasthi, and he will

become an ideal Sannyasi. If in the
Brahmacharya Ashrama you don’t live properly, if
you have no character, no conduct—then what
happens? You cannot become an ideal
householder. Your children will be unhealthy. If
you have no self-control and your actions are not
based upon virtue, your life will be full of wrong
deeds, and in Vanaprastha Ashrama you will
become a miserable person, and your whole life
will become a failure.
Success or failure in life depend upon how
you have lived the first quarter of your life, and in
this connection they have laid down three great
duties. What are the duties for the youth and the
Vidyarthi (student) in the Brahmacharya
Ashrama? One important duty is self-evident.
The student’s first concern is to attain
knowledge—acquire knowledge. But in your
ancient culture knowledge was not merely
confined to history, science, mathematics, civics.
It also meant knowledge of a profession and
knowledge of life; how to live an ideal life. Why
have you come here? To know your real nature!
It meant Naitika Vidya (moral science),
Naitika Shikshana or Dharmic Vidya. It also
meant Adhyatma Vidya (Self knowledge). You
have to learn Bhautika Vidya (material
knowledge) in order to have Udyoga (business)
and be independent, earning income and be able
20 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

to support your wife and children when you enter

the second Ashram, the Grihastha Ashrama. But
if you want to live a noble life and get a good name
in society, you must know what Dharma is, what
Niti (ethics) is. So study Manu Dharmashastra,
Yajnavalkya Smriti, the science of right conduct.
You must also learn Naitika Shiksha (moral
education).
Each student must know the Srimad
Bhagavad Gita by heart, and you must learn a
little Sanskrit. The Gita contains the essence of
Adhyatma Vidya (spiritual knowledge). Your
whole Sanskriti is based upon knowledge, the
knowledge of the Vedas. Your Dharma is called
Vedic Dharma, and the real name of your religion
is Sanatana Dharma or Vaidic Dharma, which
means Dharma based upon Vedas and the
wisdom of Vedas contained in the Upanishad. The
essence of the Upanishads is given in the Srimad
Bhagavad Gita—containing only 700 Slokas. If
you learn by heart one Sloka every day, in two
years the whole Gita will be at your command. If
you are more eager, if you learn by heart one Sloka
in the morning and one Sloka in the evening, then
in one year you will know the entire eighteen
chapters or 700 Slokas by heart. In the Gita is the
essence of the Upanishads—the essence of your
Adhyatma Vidya—spiritual wisdom. So to attain
wisdom, to attain knowledge—secular knowledge,
ethical knowledge and spiritual knowledge is one
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 21

of the primary duties of students in the

Brahmacharya Ashrama.
Secondly, if you want to make use of your
own Vidya, your secular ethical and your spiritual
wisdom—you have to translate it into action. You
must live it, and you can effectively practise
whatever you have learnt only if your health is
good, if you have got a strong, healthy body.
Therefore the second important duty of the
student is a Dharmarthakama mokshanam arogya
mulamuttamam. The basis, the root of Dharma,
Artha. Kama, Moksha is a strong and healthy
body. Therefore you must daily do exercises,
Asana, Pranayama, Surya-Namaskar and develop
a very strong body. You must cultivate healthy
habits. Go to bed early, wake up very early in the
morning. Take a cold bath. Do some
Surya-Namaskar. Have some Asana practice, do
vigorous physical exercise and eat moderately.
First you must have a Vajrakaya (strong body) like
Maruti. Hanuman should be your ideal. Bhishma
should be your ideal. Swami Vivekananda should
be your ideal and Bhima or Lakshmana should be
your ideal. In this way you should be strong in
your body. Then only you will have strength of
mind. Because body and mind are
interconnected. If the body is weak, the mind
cannot be strong. You cannot develop will power.
Therefore developing a strong body and
establishing sound physical health—Arogya
(health) is the second important duty. The body is
22 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS

the instrument of Seva (service) and successful

endeavour. Any Purushartha (endeavour), any
Parishrama (hard work) is possible only if your
body is strong.
Thirdly, the last most important thing is
development of a noble character. Once this age
passes, you cannot change your character,
because in young age, you are like bricks which
have not yet been put inside the kiln. The clay is
still soft; you can alter the shape. You can put
upon it any Chhap (imprint). You can mould it.
You can change it. But once you have put a brick
inside the kiln and it becomes hard, then you
cannot change it. If you try to alter the shape, it
will break. So whatever you want to do, do it in
this stage. When a plant is tender, it can be turned
in any direction. When it becomes a big tree you
cannot bend it. It will break. So in this age, you
can mould your character, you can make your
behaviour, you can make your Swabhava (nature)
in any way you want. But if you wake up too late
and then try to change it, you find that you
cannot. Your nature has become hard,
crystalised. Therefore, now is the time when you
can give any shape.
Remember the greatest disease of human
society is selfishness. Arrogance and anger is not
a sign of strength. Try to learn this. As a sign of
self-control always be humble, simple and
unselfish. Let your character shine with
 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS 23

selflessness. Let it be endowed with simplicity,

humility and forgiveness. Study ‘Sure Ways of
Success in Life’ by Swami Sivananda and
‘Self-Indulgence vs. Self-Restraint’ by Gandhiji.
Let self-help, moderate living and character be
your motto. Be an ideal student.
May God bless you!
24 MESSAGE TO STUDENTS