Unfortunately, today, the Vedas have lost their pre-eminent position due to poor patronage. People who take to a serious study of the Vedas and chant the mantras contained in them regularly have become rare. A regular study of the Vedas and practice of Vedic injunctions confer all forms of wealth on the human beings. The fundamental principles governing human life and destiny are contained in the Vedas. The Vedas are the gift of God for the welfare of the entire humanity. The Vedas make no distinction whatsoever on the basis of religion, caste, nationality, etc. The Veda mantras can be chanted by one and all. (Swami then called two boys from abroad studying in Prasanthi Nilayam and asked them to recite Sri Suktam).

It is Swami’s wish that the Vedas shall be spread to every country, so that every human being irrespective of religion, caste, nationality, etc., learns Vedas and chants them. Some people from Iran and Iraq have come to Puttaparthi, day before yesterday. The devotees from Iran are still here. We are making efforts to teach Vedas to all people. The Vedas remove all types of sorrow. The yajna that is being performed now is different from other rituals like Puthra Kameshthi yaga or Aswamedha yaga. It is for the welfare of the entire humanity. A few fortunate ones are learning the Vedas and propagating them. But, unfortunately many people are making no efforts to teach the Vedas, though they have studied them. Today, all the students in Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions are being taught Vedas. As a prelude to the learning of the Vedas, one has to acquire knowledge of Sanskrit, the language of Vedas.

Nowadays, people of every country are making efforts to learn Vedas, especially the Rig Veda. Along with it, they are also learning the Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and the Atharvana Veda. Vinay Kumar has been appointed as the youth leader of Karnataka State. He is entrusted with the responsibility of bringing together all the youth in Karnataka on one platform and make them learn the Vedas and spread the message of the Vedas. Similarly, youth leaders have been appointed in all the states of India like Andhra, Kerala, etc. Not only that, youth leaders have also been appointed in the Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in all the countries of the world for the propagation of the Vedas and Vedic chanting.

The Vedas are not to be neglected. The secret of the entire creation is contained in the Vedas. The Vedas establish the goal and purpose of human life. Everything concerning creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe is contained in the Vedas. The Brahmacharya (celibacy), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (recluse) and Sanyasa (renunciant) Asramas are rooted in the Vedas. People are able to realise the glory of the Vedas now. Wherever you go, even in the villages, you will find the ladies also chanting the Veda mantras. There may be difference in the body structure between the males and females; but, so far as the Vedic learning is concerned, there is hardly any difference.

Excerpts from the Divine Discourse on 9th August 2006

Our students are chanting the Vedas everyday. Each Mantra is attributed to a particular form of divinity. It is necessary that one knows all the Mantras. If one wants to purify his thoughts and understand his true Self, he should take Vedas as the basis. Unable to understand this truth, many students are behaving like thieves when it comes to chanting the Vedic Mantras. One who does something wrong and feigns ignorance is a thief. Likewise, one who has the ability to chant the Vedas but does not do so full-throated and wholeheartedly can also be called a thief. All students can chant the Vedas, but some of them are not joining others in chanting. They are not making proper use of whatever they have learnt. They are keeping to themselves all that they have learnt. I am observing the students as they chant the Vedas. Having learnt the Mantras, they are expected to chant them. But, some of them are keeping silent. In a way, they are resorting to vidya choratwam and daiva droham (theft of knowledge and betrayal of God). In this manner, the educated are becoming traitors and betrayers. Only those who chant wholeheartedly whatever they have learnt are eligible for Sakshatkara (God-realisation). When the students chant the Mantras, ladies sitting on the other side also join them. They have every right to chant the Vedas. None can deny them their right. They feel inspired to chant the Vedas when they see our students chant. There are many small children sitting here. Who has taught them the Vedas? They hear attentively while the senior students chant the Mantras and learn them by heart. However, there are some educated persons who sit by the side of Veda chanting boys and yet remain tight-lipped. I am observing them. What is the use of sitting with Veda group if they do not make efforts to learn and chant them? They are bigger thieves. They listen to Vedic chants but do not participate in them. One should listen and also chant the Mantras in order to experience divinity.

The Vedas are the very form of God. There are many Mantras to propitiate the Pancha Bhutas (five elements). The five elements are our very life-breath. They sustain our life. The world itself is a manifestation of the five elements. But people forget to express their gratitude to the five elements. What a sin it is! We fill our minds with unnecessary information and consequently fail to give due respect to the five elements. Everyone should necessarily learn the Vedas, contemplate on them and chant them wholeheartedly. There is no point in merely learning the Vedas if you do not chant them. There are some who chant the Mantras when they are here but forget them when they go outside. You may go anywhere but you should repeat the Mantras at least in your mind. You should never become a vidya drohi (one who does not do justice to the knowledge acquired). A vidya drohi will become Daiva drohi also and will ultimately miss the chance to become recipient of God’s grace.

Students may commit mistakes without their knowledge. But, once they realise their mistake they should not repeat it. Whatever Mantras you hear today, you should be able to chant them tomorrow. When all people chant the Mantras in unison and in perfect harmony, Brahman will manifest right in front of you. Our ancient sages and seers declared: Vedahametham Purusham Mahantham Adityavarnam Thamasa Parasthath (I have visualised that Supreme Being who shines with the effulgence of a billion suns and who is beyond Thamas - the darkness of ignorance). The sound of the Vedas is highly sacred. It is extolled as Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi, Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, Mayamayi and Sreemayi (embodiment of sound, mobility and immobility, light, speech, eternal bliss, perfection, delusion and wealth). It is compulsory for everyone to learn the Vedas. If it is not possible, at least one should chant the Name of God. Whatever Vedic Mantras you learn, you should be able to chant them properly. Otherwise, you don’t need to learn them at all! I have seen many boys, who learn the Vedas here, but forget them when they go to Bangalore. They chant one or two Mantras to satisfy the elders who visit that place. It is not for publicity, but it is for your own benefit of experiencing bliss that you should chant the Vedas. The three aspects, namely, Karma, Upasana and Jnana (work, worship and wisdom) may be compared to chanting, practising and experiencing bliss. You should transcend Vijnanamaya Kosha (wisdom sheath) and enter Anandamaya Kosha (bliss sheath). Karma leads to Upasana which in turn leads to Jnana (wisdom). Once you attain Jnana, you will experience peace and bliss. Everything depends on Karma. You should not chant the Mantras in a mechanical way just because others are chanting. You should assimilate and digest them. Why do you eat food? Is it to preserve it in the stomach? No. The food partaken should be digested and the essence should be supplied to all parts of the body. In the same manner, you should understand and assimilate the Vedic knowledge and derive strength from it. It should be expressed in your thoughts, words and deeds. You should take part in the propagation of the Vedas and share your joy with others. People say God is all-pervasive. He is present everywhere in the form of five elements. Each element represents a form of divinity. All the five elements together constitute the form of the Atma. When you realise this truth, you will experience divine bliss.

Embodiments of Love! Students!
Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them? Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vedas. That is why the Veda is extolled as Sarva Vijnana Sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain Sakshatkara. How did Markandeya attain Sakshatkara? He repeated the Panchakshari Mantra forgetting himself. As a result, Lord Easwara appeared before him and showered His grace. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.

Excerpts from the Divine Discourse on 19th October 2004

You have participated in this sacred Yajna for your good, for your welfare and the welfare of humanity at large. This Yajna is not merely for a few individuals, it is for the entire world. The Mantras chanted here have mixed in the air and spread to the entire universe. These sacred sounds entered our hearts and purified them. Hence, do not think that the Mantras chanted in this Yajna are confined to only this place. They have spread to the entire world. This Yajna is not only for the benefit of India, but to all the countries in the world. There may be difference in the languages spoken in different countries. But, there is no difference at all in the bhava (feelings).  People of many countries - America, Russia, Africa, etc., have participated in this Yajna with a lot of enthusiasm. They are also learning the Veda Mantras. On the 26th of last month, about 80 people from Germany visited Puttaparthi in a special plane. All of them, ladies and gents, chanted the Vedas. They told Me, “Swami! It is only these Mantras that are protecting our country. Hence, we chant these Veda Mantras from dawn to dusk.” There is not even an iota of selfishness in chanting these Mantras. These Mantras are for the entire humanity. They are essential for the well-being of every human being. The Veda transcends the individual (Vyashti) and concerns itself with the Samashtiswarupa (the collective form). Even Westerners are now printing Vedic texts, with an intention to spread the message of the Vedas to people of all countries. No doubt, it is difficult for the Westerners to chant the Veda Mantras, for, they have difficulty to pronounce various syllables. Some of the Mantras are tongue-twisting. But with sincere effort they are learning to chant these right. Man can achieve anything, if only he has a firm resolve.

Having resolved, what ought to be resolved,

hold on to it till you have succeeded.

Having desired what ought to be desired,

hold on to it till your desire is fulfilled.

Having asked what ought to be asked,

do not leave the hold till you get it.

Having thought what ought to be thought,

hold on to it till you have succeeded.

The Lord with mellowed heart must yield to your wishes.

Persevere, be tenacious, and never give up,

for it is the quality of a devotee

never to retreat, or relent in his resolve.

(Telugu poem)

This Athi Rudra Maha Yajna has to be performed in several places, in future. This Yajna is everyone’s concern. It is not limited to one country, one religion or one caste. It is performed for the welfare of the whole world. If you continue to perform this Yajna, soon the people of the entire world will become united. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Japan, America and Germany - all countries will be united. You will now find several devotees in America. There are also several Ritwiks there. There are some Muslim devotees also. One lady has written a book about Swami. She presented it to her preceptor living in America. He was moved to tears on reading the book. He prayed that he should also be fortunate like her to write such a book on Swami. That book is now being printed and distributed to all. We must unite the entire world into one. That is “Unity in Diversity”. Look! Even in our country Bharat, there are different regions, languages, etc. The once composite Madras province has split into two - Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. There have been further divisions in the country. There is a clamour for some more divisions. It is no greatness in dividing the country into small regions by fragmentation. To unite the country into one is a great effort. Where there is unity, there will be purity. Where there is purity, there will be divinity. Hence, we have to strive for unity. There was a Russian boy, an Iranian boy and some Americans in the group who chanted the Vedas, yesterday. You have to realise and develop such unity. If at all, there is some difference of opinion amongst you, remove it forthwith. Be united. All should live and move like brothers and sisters. Then only will you have value and your birth as human beings will be sanctified.

Excerpts from the Divine Discourse on 19th August 2006