ADDRESS BY SHRI ATAL BEHARI VAJPAYEE ON THE OCCASION OF 83rd SAMSKRITOTSAVA OF THE SANSKRIT COLLEGE AT SREE SIDDAGANGA MUTT

May the New Year be auspicious to you. But, along with this desire for the progress in the coming year, we will also have to work hard for making the coming year a happy one. Siddaganga, one observes several Gangas flowing. There is the Ganga of 'Karma' - work, the Ganga of Knowledge, the Ganga of consideration and also the Ganga of compassion. There is a day and night 'Yagya', of knowledge going on here for several centuries.

Sree Swamiji, I am seeing him today again after many years. No change at all! Swamiji is reading without spectacles, I need the glasses! Sree Swamiji kept standing throughout his speech. I, while speaking, am feeling that it would be nice if I sat down ! A spiritual power in the form of Swamiji is charging the entire environment. This is not the play of the body alone. At its root is the inspiring moral force. Years ago, when the weak, the oppressed and the so called backward people were denied the study of Sanskrit, here a social revolution was brought about by providing easy accessibility to the studies in Sanskrit and the Vedas to one and all. Thus, a blue print was prepared for the construction of New India. Doors of knowledge are open here to all. Special attention is given to children, the little ones coming from the rural areas who are denied of opportunities for education. Even if opportunities are available for education, how will their physical needs be met?

In the ancient days, we had 'Gurukulas'. Without any discrimination, opportunities for studies were available to all. At the Gurukula of Rishi Sandipan, Krishna and Sudhama studied together. The same scenario is observed here in this Gurukula. There are facilities for studies. Free lodging and Board are provided too. How would doors to bright future open for the economically weaker people, if they do not get education from their childhood? J.H. Patel was telling that such work cannot be done without co-operation of nongovernment organisations. Government has limited resources; so many essential things cannot be achieved by such limited resources. Thus, here non-government Organisations have a role to play. Siddaganga is a brilliant example of this, the entire nation should try to follow its example.

It is perhaps a rare thing that the study of Sanskrit language and literature is done on such a large scale. Here, Siddaganga has beaten others hollow! But, knowledge is not limited to the study of Sanskrit language and literature alone. It is essential to study modern science along with the ancient wisdom. Just now, Swamiji in his talk threw light on the issues related to science and technology, but also warned that the absence of spiritual training can cause destruction. Science is like fire. Fire can be used to cook food, it can also be used to set the house on fire. Science should be put to good use. What is the difference between a crook and a good man?

If good people are educated, they will be useful in furthering the knowledge. They will be useful in sharing the knowledge. If the crook has knowledge, he will get argumentative, he will generate quarrels, and he will refuse to acknowledge even the truth. He will misuse knowledge. If a good person has money he will do philanthropy. He will help the poor. He will help people as per their needs. But, if the crook gets it, he will show vanity, he will destroy the wealth. He will show off his money. He will misuse his money. Money is the same knowledge is the same, the question is who has acquired them. If a good person has powers, he will be useful in protecting the others. If the power goes to the crook, he being already a crook, will get drunk with the powers in his possession and will trouble others, will generate unhappiness.

Now, how will a person become good? One is training, the other, proper upbringing (Samskar). Our government schools do provide training, but not the Samskar. These two are different things. You can get a college certificate, but after you leave the portals of the college, it cannot guarantee what type of life you will lead. But the one educated at Siddaganga will go out with samskar. He will carry with him high fame and wealth of cultural values and with it, he will be ready for being useful to the society.

Places like Siddaganga are holy places for us. This place, through its ambiance, generates such moral impact, which the history needs very much.

I am blessed by Sree Swamiji. He provided me several occasions to visit Sree Mutt. May this great celebration be a success, this is my inner wish. This is the tradition of those who work for the society. May we progress fast. Sree Basaveswaraji has taught us that we consider work as worship - work itself is heaven. Let us work hard with honesty. We should not shirk working with hands.

Today, the literate youth expects a job in an office; wants to sit on the chair. These days there are many who aspire for sitting on the chairs. Fighting goes on because of this. But, one cannot do farming sitting on a chair. Industries can not be run sitting on a chair. No work is inferior. Work is worship. We shall move together, we will speak together, we shall eat together. Not alone. Eating together will need to be organised to ensure that no one is left hungry. While eating together, we shall have to keep a count that all are included. This is a Vedic concept about eating together and needs to be revived and practiced.

We will work together to create a Bharath where there is no hunger, no fear, and no corruption. Sree Swamiji is our ideal for this. I am deeply gratified by the Oarshan of Sree Swamiji today.

You all have come in large numbers. I express my thankfulness to you all.

Namaskar