“When man emerges
out of his mother’s womb He has no garland of any kind around his
neck: Neither of pearls nor of gold, nor a necklace of topaz Or of
rubies or other precious gems There is, however, one garland
carrying The unbroken link of the consequences of
The good and bad deeds of the past lives strung together Brahma,
the creator, strings together the consequences of his past deeds
into a heavy garland and puts it around his neck at the time of
his birth” |
(Telugu
Poem) |
Embodiments of
Love!
Every individual has four Gurus in this world. The Vedas proclaim
“Mathrudevo bhava, Pithrudevo bhava, Acharyadevo bhava, Athithidevo
bhava”, which means the mother, father, teacher, and the guest
are to be considered as God. Among the four, the mother is the first
and the foremost guru. There are several inner meanings to
the teachings of the mother. A true disciple is one who meticulously
follows the mother’s instructions. The mother may appear to be an
ordinary individual like any other, but when you delve deep into her
teachings, you will realize that she is a great guru
(teacher). But, those who are not on the spiritual path, may take all
this lightly.
Once, mother Eswaramma was returning from Chitravathi river
with a vessel full of water. An old woman was walking along with her
with great difficulty, unable to bear the burden of the vessel filled
with water. Eswaramma enquired “Mother! Are you feeling difficulty in
carrying the vessel full of water?” The old woman who was perspiring
and unable to keep pace with her replied,“Yes, mother! I am unable to
carry this vessel for such a long distance. But, I have no children to
help me in this task. I myself have to carry this vessel full of water
everyday”. These words of agony were imprinted on the mind of
Eswaramma. After walking for some distance, she saw a small boy
holding a slate and pencil in one hand and carrying a heavy load of
books in a bag hanging round his neck. He was unable to walk, but he
had to continue his journey to the Bukkapatnam School. Eswaramma
enquired of the boy, “My dear son! What for are these slate and
pencil? Why are you carrying such a heavy load of books?”. The small
boy replied “Mother, I am carrying these books so that I can note down
all that the teachers teach me”. Eswaramma kept all these incidents in
her mind. After walking for some more distance, she came across a
frail lady carrying her infant child on her shoulders proceeding
towards Bukkapatnam. Eswaramma again enquired of this lady, “you
appear to be frail and weak, unable to carry the child. Why should you
to have to walk such a long distance up to Bukkapatnam?” The lady
replied “Mother! What else can I do? There is no doctor in this remote
village who can give some medicine for my child. He is suffering from
cold and fever. I have to take him to the Bukkapatnam hospital”. This
incident also made an imprint on the mind of Eswaramma.
There used to be a mother and small child in a remote village near
Kolkata. As soon as the child was born, the father died. The mother
somehow brought up the child with the meagre income, she earned by
doing some odd jobs. There was not even a lamp in the house for the
boy to study during the night. He used to sit under the street lights
and study. Thus, he continued his studies with great difficulty and
earned a high degree of qualification. That little boy blossomed into
the legendary Eswarachandra Vidyasagar.
Once, a fair was being held in Kolkata. Eswarchandra’s mother also
started out to visit the fair, wearing a worn-out sari. He saw her
pitiable condition. While everybody else was going to the fair wearing
expensive clothes, Vidyasagar could not bear the sight of his mother
going to the fair wearing a worn-out sari. He asked, “Mother! Why are
you going to the fair wearing such a worn-out sari?” The mother
replied “My dear son! I am happy with whatever I have. Please do not
worry. You continue with your studies and come up in life”.
A few years after this incident, Vidyasagar completed his studies. He
was able to secure a good job with a decent salary. He bought some
good saris for his mother with his first month’s salary. Then, his
mother told him “I will not be really happy with these costly saris.
If you help these poor people in our village and alleviate their
suffering at least to some extent, that is enough for me”. She further
expressed that she had three desires. Immediately, Vidyasagar fell at
her feet and prayed, “Mother! It is my duty to fulfill your desires.
It is the responsibility of a son to fulfill the desires of his mother
and make her happy. Please let me know what your desires are”. The
mother replied “My dear son! There are several poor, uneducated and
sick people in our village. Who will alleviate their suffering? I will
be really happy, only when you can remove their difficulties. The
children in this village have to walk long distances and go to the
neighbouring village for studies. I am really moved at their pitiable
condition. Should they have to undergo so many difficulties for the
sake of education? I want you to build a small school in this village
itself so that these children can comfortably study here”. Vidyasagar
built a small school in his village, as per the wishes of his mother
and she was happy.
On another day, Vidyasagar found his mother sitting in a pensive mood
and enquired what the reason was. She told him, “My dear son! The
people of our village are suffering a lot for want of drinking water.
They have to fetch the water from long distances, walking all the way.
The well in our village has completely dried up. How can old ladies
like me fetch water from such a long distance? If you can arrange for
the digging of a well in our village, it will be a great boon for
them. This is my second desire”. Vidyasagar assured her, “Mother! I
will certainly fulfil your desire. I will try to solve the drinking
water problem in our village”. Initially, he got two or three bore
wells sunk in the village, but they were not of much use. The bore
wells were able to supply water only during the rainy season. During
summer, they used to dry up, yielding not even a drop of water.
Therefore, the mother advised him to find a permanent solution for the
problem. Then, Vidyasagar arranged for digging a big well and solved
the problem of water scarcity permanently. His mother was happy.
After sometime, Vidyasagar got a promotion in his job. His salary also
increased. Then, he approached his mother and enquired, “Mother! What
is your third desire?” She replied “My dear son! You have built a
school. You have provided drinking water to the villagers. But, the
mothers in our village are compelled to take their children whenever
they fall sick, to the neighbouring village for treatment. I am unable
to see their plight. Hence, I will be happy if you can arrange to
build a small hospital in our village”. In accordance with his
mother’s wish, Vidyasagar got a hospital built in his village. Thus,
he fulfilled all the desires of his mother in due course.
Gradually, he reached a high position in his career due to his good
behaviour. His salary was also increased commensurate with the high
position. In spite of that, he continued to be humble and obedient and
thereby earned a good name for himself. One day, his mother called him
and advised him, “My dear son! I am happy that you have attained a
very high position in life. But, do not become arrogant”.
For some people,
Excessive wealth
gives rise to ego which in turn paves way the for many wicked
qualities. When wealth leaves you, ego also vanishes and as a
result the evil qualities disappear. |
(Telugu
Poem) |
However, this was not the case
with Vidyasagar. He cultivated the quality of humility along with
education. He earned a good name for himself as a great orator.
Educated people in large numbers used to flock round him to hear his
speeches. Once a meeting was arranged in a neighbouring town and
Vidyasagar was to address the gathering. Vidyasagar started for that
town. An ICS officer was traveling in the same compartment in which
Vidyasagar was travelling. The officer was going to that town to hear
Vidyasagar’s speech. However, he had only heard his name, but had
never seen him before. As soon as the officer alighted from the train,
he started shouting “Coolie! Coolie!’. On seeing this, Vidyasagar
approached him and enquired what luggage the officer had. The officer
replied that he had only a small suitcase. Then Vidyasagar asked him,
“Is it necessary for you to engage a coolie to carry this small
suitcase? I will carry it for you. But, where are you going?”. The
officer replied, “I understand that a great scholar and orator by name
Eswarchandra Vidyasagar is going to deliver a speech. I am going to
attend his speech”.
Vidyasagar then took the suitcase into his hands and started walking
along with the officer. Both of them reached the venue of Vidyasagar’s
lecture. There, Vidyasagar handed over the suitcase to the officer.
The officer then took out his purse and enquired how much money he had
to pay Vidyasagar as porterage charges. Vidyasagar politely refused
his offer saying, “Sir! You have given me an opportunity to serve you.
I don’t need anything more”. He silently walked away from that place.
Considering Vidyasagar to be a madcap, the officer proceeded to the
venue and sat in the audience. The organizers of the function were
waiting to garland Eswarchandra Vidyasagar on his arrival. In a few
minutes Vidyasagar arrived there, dressed in very simple clothes. He
was accorded a warm welcome and profusely garlanded by the organizers
of the function. The officer who was observing this welcoming ceremony
realized to his utter astonishment that the person who had carried his
suitcase from the railway station was none other than Eswarachandra
Vidyasagar himself. He felt ashamed. He reverentially offered his
pranams to this great, yet humble individual, in his heart of hearts.
Then Vidyasagar began his speech. He explained that humility is the
foremost quality of an educated person. He said, pride and arrogance
are the result of excessive wealth and consequently such a person
loses the fundamental quality of human nature.
After the conclusion of the programme, the ICS officer met Vidyasagar
and offered his sincere apologies for his mistake. He pleaded with
Vidyasagar “Sir, your speech was a great eye opener for me. I behaved
arrogantly due to the pride that I am a highly educated person. Please
excuse me”.
In course of time, Vidyasagar’s reputation as a scholar and orator
increased by leaps and bounds. He continued to do great service to the
people. He got several poor students educated. He provided drinking
water to several villages, where there were no such facilities. His
mother felt very happy that her son was doing great service to the
poor and needy. She prayed to God that every mother should be blessed
with such noble children.
Similarly, Sathya Sai has undertaken several community welfare
activities in Puttaparthi like constructing residential houses for the
poor, educating their children, providing drinking water to the
villagers etc., as per the wishes of His mother. What the mother
expressed in those days were small desires. But, in course of time,
they assumed the form of gigantic projects and created history. Mother
Eswaramma was very happy at the great service rendered by Swami to the
villagers. She expressed with satisfaction, “My dear son! You built
houses for the poor, You solved the drinking water problem for the
villagers, You provided electricity to the village which was reeling
under darkness. Not only that, You have also built a school and a
hospital. You have fulfilled all my desires”. She felt extremely happy
that her son had undertaken and completed such great tasks. She used
to tell the ladies gathering round her, “I requested Swami to build a
small school in Puttaparthi village. But, Swami established a great
educational institution in its place.”
Thus, the humble wishes of the mother transformed themselves
ultimately into great projects providing immense benefit to the
humanity at large. What the country needs today is children, who
follow the teachings of their mothers. The teachings of the mothers
may appear to be very simple and insignificant; but, in course of
time, they provide great happiness. Eswaramma’s desires were very
simple! She wanted drinking water to be made available to the small
village of Puttaparthi. But, Swami provided drinking water to the
entire district of Ananthapur. She wanted Me to build a small school.
But, Sathya Sai built huge buildings and established great educational
institutions. In those days, villagers used to suffer due to lack of
basic medical facilities. Therefore, Mother Eswaramma requested Me to
build a small hospital. But, Swami, built great temples of healing,
the Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospitals, one in Puttaparthi and
another in Bangalore. Thus, the small wishes of the mother resulted in
the establishment of great institutions.
Embodiments of love!
You need not follow anybody. It is enough, if you engage yourself in
activities that would satisfy your mother. If your mother is happy and
contented, that will confer great blessing on you. Whatever your
mother says, obey her command willingly and sincerely. That is what is
required today! Obey your mother and become recipients of her love.
Then the whole world will progress. You need not undertake any other
acts of merit. Sacrifice your entire life to satisfy your mother. It
is only because Sathya Sai fulfilled the wishes of His mother and
provided satisfaction to her, His glory has spread far and wide.
Sathya Sai has built great Hospitals and provided expensive medical
treatment absolutely free to everyone, right from the poorest of the
poor to the richest. In the field of medical services, there are no
institutions anywhere in the world which can be compared to Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. In this hospital, medicines,
operations, food - everything is provided free of cost. Nobody is able
to comprehend how we are able to provide all these things free of cost
in the present day scenario of sky-rocketing costs. Unfortunately,
people are not able to realize the great value of the services being
rendered by our hospitals. Today, many hospitals advertise their
facilities through electronic media, attract people and loot them of
their hard earned money and even go to the extent of causing death to
patients by negligence. This is not right. The poor people should be
given free food, free education, free water and free medicine. There
can be no greater service than providing all these services free of
cost. I wish that all the students, past and present, should undertake
such services. We are not collecting even a paisa from our students,
as fees. The Sathya Sai Educational Institutions provide education
totally free of cost. People have to spend huge amounts for acquiring
higher education in other institutions. But, our students need not
spend any amount for their education here. I am providing totally free
education from KG to PG to all the students who come here with love
and great expectation. In fact, all our services are provided with
loving care and free of cost.
The Sikh student, who spoke earlier, tried his best for a long time to
acquire higher education. But, he could not pursue his higher studies,
due to paucity of funds. Hence, he took up employment on a meagre
salary. Later on, he joined our college and earned his MBA degree.
Now, he is contributing his services to the hostel as a grateful
offering to Swami. There are several students like him, who are
undertaking service activities in Swami’s Institutions. The boy who
spoke after him hails from Delhi. He also had great expectations to
pursue higher education, but had no funds. He joined our Institution
and qualified himself with an MBA degree in first class. All this is
free of cost. Since then, he remained here in the service of Swami. He
has decided to dedicate his life to the Institution which produces
such boys. Thus, all the students of the Sathya Sai institutions have
been cultivating broad-mindedness and the spirit of service. All our
students are broad-minded. You do not find any narrow-minded students
here. They are filled with love and behave among themselves like
brothers. It is My endeavour to train such ideal boys and girls. It is
My wish that all our students should willingly undertake free service
activities to the society with a spirit of love and sacrifice.
Many of our students are working in highly paid jobs in big cities
like Delhi and Agra. In fact, top companies in India are seeking the
services of our students, offering them high-salaried jobs. Our
students working in these places are also undertaking service
activities like providing free tuitions to poor students. Wherever
they are, our students are undertaking various service activities with
a spirit of sacrifice and broad-mindedness. Education is not mere
bookish knowledge. Developing broad-mindedness, spirit of sacrifice,
sharing one’s resources willingly with the fellow members of the
society and making them happy - these are the true qualities of an
educated person. There are several such students in Prasanthi Nilayam
who are happy and contented by undertaking service to society. My main
task is to prepare such boys and girls. I am providing everything that
is required for them. I am even sending them abroad for higher
education, if necessary.
Dr. Padmanabhan who is sitting here may be known to all of you. He
qualified as a doctor at a very young age and wanted to set up a small
clinic here in Bangalore. I called him and told him, “Doctor! You must
acquire higher degrees in medicine. You should not stop your education
with the present degree. Your family circumstances may not be
conducive to pursue higher education. But, I am with you. I will
provide for your higher education”. One day, I called him for dinner
and later sent him to Vienna for higher education in medicine.
Accordingly, he went abroad and obtained higher degrees in medicine.
After his return, he is now doing wonderful service in Brindavan. He
is not money-minded. The great name he has acquired in Swami’s service
is all that matters to him. Can there be greater wealth than a good
name? He serves the poor. Even though he has undergone a heart
surgery, he continues to serve the poor and sick patients. Thus, Swami
has moulded him as a loving, soft-hearted and selfless individual with
a sacred heart and prompted him to serve several people.
Our students, in spite of being highly qualified, are very unassuming
and without ego. They subsequently take up teaching jobs in our
educational institutions. It is My firm resolve to foster such noble
souls.
There may be some minor ailments now and then to this body. However,
they do not bother Me. They are natural to the human body. Last year,
one boy was decorating colour buntings to the door, standing on an
iron stool. Meanwhile, I opened the door and came out from My room. As
soon as he saw me, he became nervous and fell down from the stool. As
he was falling, the iron stool got tilted and fell on Me. That was the
time when My hip bone was fractured. That is how it happened. It is
not due to any past karma. I did not, however, mind My injury.
Yesterday, as I was entering My room, I casually took the support of a
brick projection from the wall. The brick, however, got loosened and
fell down on the floor. Consequently I also fell down, landing heavily
on the wrist. It was an accident. But, I have to perform My duty, come
what may. Of course, accidents do happen due to past karma, but this
incident is not of that kind. It is due to My mistake, which was
inadvertent. Such disruptions may happen now and then, but , no
disease can ever afflict Me. I carry on My work unmindful of such
incidents.
There are seven boys here. All of them did their post graduation. They
want to stay with Swami permanently, doing service here. I am looking
after them. I told them “My dear children! You must progress in your
education. You need not depend on your parents for this. I will take
care of all your requirements. You study well and come out with flying
colours. Set an example to others”. Thus, I am making arrangements for
their higher studies. I always help others and do not cause
inconvenience to anybody. As for Myself, I will never be afflicted
with any disease whatever. Some minor incidents may happen. But, I
will carry on My work, unmindful of such incidents. Yesterday, when I
fell down, there was a loud noise and people present there were very
much afraid that some major accident had taken place. They thought to
themselves - “What has happened to Swami! Till recently, He was not
able to walk properly due to the hip fracture. Now He has sustained an
injury to His hand. What a misfortune has befallen us!” But, I
consoled them saying that nothing serious had happened and they need
not worry. The devotees have arranged a meeting here, in which I had
to participate. I do not like to desist from performing My duty,
whatever may happen to this body. Therefore, I agreed to come here. I
put on My dress. The students arranged a shawl to cover My gown, so
that I may not be inconvenienced with the bandaged arm. The doctors
however advised Me not to move. They were right in their advice. But,
I volunteered to come down against the doctor’s advice, with the help
of two boys. Since, I love My boys so much, they also love Me with the
same intensity. They are constantly in attendance on Me and look after
Me.
(As per Swami’s instructions, some boys stood up. Showing them to the
audience, Swami said). These boys have come from far off places like
Delhi and other cities and studied here in Brindavan and Prasanthi
Nilayam. They are all staying with Me and doing great service to Me.
This problem is not something that can be cured with medicines. Their
love itself is working as a great medicine for Me. Their love alone is
protecting Me in different ways. (Again pointing towards a student…)
This boy did his PhD. All these boys are highly educated. Still they
would like to stay back and serve Swami. There are some more boys
inside Swami’s residence. For example, Sathyajit and some other boys
are constantly in attendance on Me as a shadow and are looking after
Me. Such boys are My only property. Several people ask Me, “ Swami!
How much is the value of your property? Where is it located?”. I tell
them “My dear! I cannot say that the value of My property is this
much. My students are My property. It cannot be estimated in terms of
money. Any amount of description of the love of My boys will be
incomplete”. I cannot remain for a single day without this property.
They also cannot live without the loving care of Swami. These boys are
setting a great example to the world by their service. Seva (selfless
and loving service) alone confers great value on the educated. I
cannot describe the amount of service they render, so lovingly. No one
can adequately estimate and express in words the loving nature of our
students. No one can understand their broad-mindedness. Outwardly,
they appear like any other students. But, each one of them is highly
educated, with double post-graduate degrees. Such boys can render
great service to the world. They are serving Me in various ways.
Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam
(contemplating on Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet),
Vandanam (salutation), Archanam (worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham
(friendship), Atmanivedanam (self-surrender).
They are expressing their total and unconditional love towards Me in
the nine paths of devotion described above.
The doctors advised Me bed rest. In spite of that, I decided to
fulfill My commitment to My devotees. Having known My firm resolve,
the boys stitched a shawl to cover My robe and brought Me down stairs.
This service may appear to be a small and insignificant one. But, if
you enquire into the matter deeply, you will understand that it is
very difficult to get this opportunity to serve Swami in this way. It
is only because of their loving care, I am able to come down without
much inconvenience, to speak to you. Is it really possible in My
present condition? In fact, it is their pure love that brought Me down
here. These boys have good character along with good education. The
service rendered by the boys here or in the Primary School or Higher
Secondary School or other institutions in Puttaparthi, is beyond
description. Even little boys in these Institutions behave well. I am
standing before you today to describe the good qualities of My
students; otherwise, I had no intention to give a discourse. The
students are doing great service to the society, as per My advice. I
exhort the new entrants who join the Institution this year, to
cultivate noble qualities, be healthy and happy and humble like these
boys and render good service to the society. I conclude My discourse
with blessings to one and all. |