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Hospitals are meant to serve the
poor and the needy
From Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Discourse
on the inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical
Sciences (SSSIHMS) at Whitefield, Bangalore on 19th January, 2001
The motherland
of ours gave to the world
Noble souls renowned in all the continents.
It is the land, which ousted the
Foreign rulers and achieved freedom.
This Bharat is reputed for its scholarship.
It is the sacred land, which stood forth
As the exemplar in the realms of music, literature and sacred
lore;
Born in the land of Bharat, noted for its fine arts and natural
beauty,
Oh devotees! It is your bounden duty to foster
The glory and prosperity of the motherland
(Telugu Poem)
Embodiments of Divine Atma!
In life, health is the greatest
wealth. Since ancient times, many Yogis, sages and seers and men
of excellence have been making deep investigations into the ways
and means of keeping good health. They made great efforts in this
direction as they were of the view that man could work for the
peace and security of the nation only when he was hale and hearty.
In modern times, some people repose complete faith in Allopathy
while some others feel Ayurveda is also essential along with
Allopathy. Allopathy only gives temporary relief; it does not have
permanent cure of diseases. But Ayurveda can provide permanent
cure of diseases.
Divine Grace Sustains Human
Life
The heart is the most important
part in the body. If the heart goes on strike, the body becomes
lifeless. What is the role of the heart in the human body? It
pumps blood to the lungs where it gets purified and then it is
supplied to all parts of the body. Each time the heart beats, the
blood travels a distance of 12,000 miles in the body. Who has
endowed the heart with such a capacity? Is it the scientist, the
engineer or the Yogi or any man-made machine which makes it
perform such a stupendous task? No. It is only the Divine power
that is the basis for all this. Man cannot accomplish even a small
task without the help of Divine power. Today man has lost
self-confidence and does not have faith in God. So, first of all,
man should foster self-confidence without which life becomes
meaningless.
Allopathy cannot eradicate disease-causing germs permanently. It
can control them only to a certain extent for a certain period of
time. There is always the risk of relapse. Though Allopathy has
been progressing, the number of diseases too has been increasing
correspondingly. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, who discovered
homoeopathy, also made deep investigations into Ayurveda. Welfare
of the whole world was his motto. But man today is not concerned
with the welfare of the world.
Impart Health and Happiness
to the Poor
These days heart diseases are
widely prevalent in society. That is why we established a Super
Speciality Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam where 10,600 operations
have been performed so far, totally free of cost. Many poor people
have benefited from this. Heart surgeries have become very
expensive. In such a situation, what would have been the fate of
poor people? No one seems to be bothered about this. One has to
work for the welfare of the poor, alleviate their suffering and
set an ideal to the nation. Service becomes truly meaningful only
when it is rendered to the poor and needy. Today neither the
doctors nor the politicians, not even the Government for that
matter, are concerned about the welfare of the poor. If a hospital
is constructed at a cost of ten crores, they expect a profit of
100 crores. Instead of being kind-hearted, they have become
business-minded. Hence, the pathetic condition of the poor.
During the last three-four days,
many heart surgeries have been conducted here in this hospital.
Who are the patients? One is a carpenter, another is a Dhobi
(washerman). Many such patients who are economically backward are
being treated here. In this short period, as many as 50 heart
surgeries have been conducted! One gets immense joy seeing their
happy faces. Of what use is medical science if it does not bestow
health and happiness on the poor and needy?
Today the educated do not care to
spare a thought for the poor and forlorn. This hospital is
dedicated for the welfare of the poor. I am happy only when the
poor are served. I have dedicated My entire life for the uplift of
the poor and downtrodden. In future, even the highly advanced
surgeries like heart transplant and lung transplant will take
place here. One may be wealthy and virtuous but without good
health, one cannot lead a happy life. The late former Chief
Minister of Karnataka, Patel helped us a lot in this project. The
present Chief Minister, Krishna has also been of great help to us.
Many noble people of Karnataka are also associating themselves
with this project. So, we are determined to give happiness to the
people of Karnataka.
Sai Institutions are
Eternal
Disease has no distinction; it
may afflict anybody, be it a pauper or a millionaire. We too have
no such distinction. Here the treatment will be rendered totally
free of cost to the rich and poor alike. Not merely this, even the
food will be supplied free. Our aim is to cure the patients of
their ailments and send them home happy and healthy. This
establishment will serve the poor forever. Some may have a
mistaken notion that it will only be a temporary one. All the
institutions established by Sai are eternal.
The other day, a washerman from
Gulbarga underwent a heart surgery in our hospital. When he saw
Me, his joy knew no bounds. He said, "O Swami, You are our God, I
have undergone heart surgery in Your hospital." One needs to spend
a lot of money to undergo a heart surgery. Even for admission, one
needs to spend thousands of rupees. The poor washerman does not
have even a fraction of the required amount. In this world, there
are many men of affluence, but how many are showing compassion
towards the poor? They may say a thousand things, but do they
practise even one? Is there any rich person who is doing even
one-thousandth part of what Sai is doing? We are spending crores
of rupees to provide potable drinking water to the villagers, to
render free medical treatment and to give free education. But some
people out of jealousy are indulging in false propaganda. The
tongue has no bone, so people twist it in the way they want. Let
us see, if any of those who indulge in false propaganda are
prepared to feed the hungry and alleviate the suffering of the
poor. In fact, such people set their dogs on the beggars who come
to their doorstep to beg alms. Today all the fields like
education, medicine, music, literature, etc., have become
business- oriented.
Sacrifice is the Hallmark
of a Doctor
Embodiments of Love - Doctors!
Fill your hearts with compassion
and serve the poor and needy. Don't be stone-hearted and
money-minded. When the hour of reckoning comes, will you be able
to carry with you the wealth you have amassed? No. Serve the poor
with love. That alone can redeem you. Service to the poor is
service to God. Sacrifice your life for the cause of the poor.
Service to the poor is My only motto. I have no other desires. I
am prepared to sacrifice even My life to serve the poor. (cheers)
Do at least one-thousandth part of what Swami is doing. Of what
use is human life if it is not spent in the service of the poor ?
"Neither by
penance nor by pilgrimage nor by study of scriptures nor by Japa
can one cross the ocean of life. One can achieve it only by
serving the poor."
(Sanskrit
Verse)
It is your good
fortune that you have become doctors. Sacrifice is the hallmark of
a true doctor. So, doctors should have the spirit of sacrifice.
They should be compassionate and considerate towards the poor.
There are many poor people who are losing their lives as they
cannot afford costly treatment. Your love alone can sustain such
lives. The more you develop the spirit of sacrifice in you, the
greater will be the world's progress. Hospitals are meant to serve
the poor and not to earn money. What is the point in earning
crores of rupees when one has to ultimately leave the world
empty-handed? So, spend all your earnings for the welfare of the
poor. Dedicate your lives to the service of your fellowmen.
Prior to the establishment of this hospital, the land here had not
much value. But after the hospital has come up, here the land
value also has gone up. Now you find so many buildings coming up
around. What is the use if one is merely interested in making
profit? One should utilise it for the benefit of the poor. Your
happiness will become manifold if you can make at least one poor
person happy. Help ever, hurt never. Do not extort money from the
poor. Do not put them to suffering by your greed for money.
Remember it is not money that you are wresting, but their lives.
Lead a life suffused with love, compassion and sacrifice. Thyaga
(sacrifice) alone can lead to Yoga (spirituality).
We don't have any distinction of caste, creed, religion and
nationality. We offer free treatment to everybody. We are
determined to offer free treatment, come what may, even if we have
to take loans. We are prepared to spend any amount of money;
safeguarding the life of patients is our main objective. All of
you, particularly doctors, should learn this lesson. Eschew greed
for money; develop love and spirit of sacrifice. Then money will
come to you automatically.
Divine Grace is Essential
for Cure
Embodiments of Love!
Medicines on their
own cannot cure diseases; it is Divine grace that cures. Only
sacrifice can win God's grace. Do not be satisfied by merely
filling your own belly, try to appease the hunger of others too.
Undertake such activities which will benefit the poor. This
hospital does not merely stand for architectural beauty. Andam
(beauty) has no value if there is no Anandam (bliss). You can
experience bliss only when you give happiness to the poor. The
poor are suffering as they cannot afford to buy medicines. We will
give all the required medicines free. Make every effort to give
happiness to all.
Today, as the
programme is already delayed, I do not have enough time to give
you further details. Develop spiritual outlook and treat the
patients with love and care and make them happy and healthy.
Without God's grace, even the pulse cannot beat. You are under the
mistaken notion that mere medicines can cure the diseases. If that
were the case, what happened to all those kings and rich men who
had access to best medical facilities? So, along with medicines,
one should have Divine grace too. Medicine and Divine grace are
like negative and positive respectively. Diseases can be cured
only when both these come together. So, along with taking
medicines, one should also pray for Divine grace. Without Divine
grace, human body cannot be sustained. Human body is most
wonderful and mysterious. Who is responsible for the pulse beat?
Who is making the heart pump blood? All this happens because of
Divine Will. Divine power is responsible for the growth of the
body. There is no point in merely feeding the body and sustaining
it unless it is used to serve the poor.
This hospital will surely attain exalted position. You may not
understand it now, but you will realise it in future. People
belonging to different parts of the world will come here for
treatment. (loud applause) This hospital has such Divine
potentiality in it. Do not entertain any wrong notions about this
hospital. Earlier when the Super Speciality Hospital was
established at Puttaparthi, people had their own misgivings about
its functioning. Now, in the villages surrounding Puttaparthi, you
don't find anybody suffering from heart diseases. Even small
children are not afraid to undergo heart surgery in our hospital
there. Likewise, we should see to it that no one suffers from
heart diseases in the State of Karnataka. Villagers who are
suffering from heart disease should be brought here for treatment.
Anybody can come here for treatment. We have no objection.
Everyone has equal right to get treatment here.
Leaders should
Support Noble Causes
Our Prime Minister
Vajpayee took great pains to come here. Leaders like him are very
essential for this world. He is a leader who supports and
encourages noble causes like this. Ministers who extend their
cooperation for good causes are very much necessary for the nation
to progress. They should have noble feelings and love for God to
attain Divine grace. There is nothing that one cannot achieve if
one has Divine grace. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (May the
whole world be happy!) That is My desire. I am prepared to do
anything for this. I am prepared to sacrifice even My life for the
welfare of humanity. Of what use is the life of one who does not
aspire for the welfare of humanity? I always wish for the
well-being of others. My feelings are always pure and sacred. If
your feelings and intentions are noble, you need not be worried
about money; it will come to your doorstep.
Embodiments of Love!
We have caused great
inconvenience to you by making you wait for a long time. You are
all very tired having been sitting here patiently for the last
three to four hours. Having taken part in this congregation, may
you develop the spirit of sacrifice and spend your time, wealth
and energy in the service of the poor! This is what I desire from
you. I do not ask anything from anybody. Help the poor in every
possible way. Feed the hungry. Food is God. Do not waste food. Do
not waste money. Money makes many wrongs. Misuse of money is evil.
The rich squander their wealth in drinking and gambling. Money
should be put to proper use. One should not spend as one pleases.
Do not waste energy and do not waste time. These are the four
important principles which a man should adhere to. Time wasted is
life wasted. Instead of wasting time in vain gossip, utilise it to
serve society. Help everybody to the extent possible. This is what
I expect you to do. Come and see for yourself the work that is
being done here with the spirit of sacrifice, and experience
bliss. Here you will find the poor with joy on their faces. You
should see to it that the poor lead a healthy and happy life. That
should be your aim in life. Paropakara Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam
(one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by harming
them). I bless you all so that you may attain the deservedness to
see the happiness of the poor.
(Bhagawan's Discourse was followed by National Anthem.)
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