We all love a good game, either to participate in or to watch, whether it is cricket, cards, ice hockey, badminton, chess or even video games. All of these games have one thing in common: they have set rules that must be followed by all those who play. Without the rules, or when the other player(s) refuse to follow the rules or obey the umpire, the game soon degenerates into an activity which does not give any pleasure at all.

With an oft-quoted phrase, Sathya Sai Baba reminds us that all of life is a game with rules or codes of behavior, which allow the activity to be enjoyed by all. He says:

Divine Discourse, 23-11-1972

Truth in action is Righteous Conduct. The action takes place on the physical domain and behind each action there is thought. If this thought derives its sustenance from the human will, as opposed to human desire, the resultant action will be righteous.

What is of significance here is to understand the distinction between will and desire. Will is the colorless component of human resolve, which motivates and inspires him to act, in accordance with the Truth. Different from this is the desire that prompts action. More often than not, this desire springs out from some myopic assumption or misbelieve. The child has to be encouraged and trained to ignore impulses like this. Infact, it is the will to succeed which precedes everything else.

To ensure that Righteous Conduct becomes a way of life for a person, the education and training has to start in the childhood itself. This capability is developed in a child by some basic training in some important skills.

Divine Discourse, 20-11-1993