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Anil Kumar's Sunday Satsang at
Prasanthi Nilayam
August 20, 2000
SAI STORIES
All the Stories told by Anil Kumar During Sunday Satsang at
Prasanthi Nilayam - August 20, 2000
Om Sai Ram
Table of Contents
1) I am not new. I am eternal.
2) Sports Competition for Teachers
3) I know everything.
4) Bhagavan always finds an excuse to bless.
5) "I give to those people who really are in need."
6) "I can bear anything, adjust to any situation, so I don’t need
anything."
7) "Serve the society, the people around you. That is the best way
to please Me."
8) "Enjoy yourselves. That’s what I want."
9) Everything He does, and gives us the credit.
10) "I don’t want anything but to be with You."
11) "Why fear when I am here?
12) "I don’t know what sleep is, I don’t know what appetite is."
13) "I am always happy."
14) "Creator is eternal, creation is eternal. This eternity is
common."
15) All religions are different reflections of Sanathana Dharma.
16) "Foreigners follow whatever I say.
They understand that My life is My message."
SAI STORIES
(1) "I am not new. I am eternal."
The devotees around the world want to know from me what Swami says
to the boys. Most of the time, He talks about the boys’ dietary
habits to them. It makes them laugh. Sometimes He makes
philosophical statements or gives spiritual insights: "I am not
new. I am eternal." It only means that Bhagavan has been following
us over many, many lives.
Baba mentions names of devotees’ of 50 years ago. I asked Him, "Why
do You remember those names?"
Baba said, "I am not new. I am Eternal." It means that Bhagavan
has been following us over many, many lives. He has been with us
from ages past.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(2) Sports Competition for Teachers
There was a sports competition for teachers over the age of 50
during the Annual Sports Meet. The teachers were blindfolded and
given a stick. They must walk to a clay pot and break it. Most
missed it because of being blindfolded. Therefore there was lots
of laughter from Swami and the onlookers.
That same evening I said, "Swami, you wanted us to break the pot,
but did You break it in time?"
"I don’t break empty pots like you, but pots full of milk and curd."
He’s recalling old habits like Krishna long back.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(3) "I know everything."
Please understand the depth of His statements and utterances.
Suddenly He looks at a student and says, "Your elder brother is
not behaving properly. Ask Him to be careful. You lost your
parents already." The boy is sorrowful.
Listen, it’s important - important for all of us to draw out the
meaning. Swami looks at everyone and says, "I know everything, but
I ask you only to give you an opportunity to talk to you. These
enquiries are an opportunity and excuse to talk to you. You’ll be
so happy if I talk to you."
So, when Swami asks you, "Where do you come from?" it doesn’t mean
He doesn’t know.
Another example: Suddenly He calls the wife when the husband is in
the canteen and she goes out searching for him. The poor lady
cannot find her husband, and she can’t go amongst the men and find
him. Sometimes He calls the husband after the wife already left to
the UK or USA. Not that He does not know that the lady is not
there. This is all part of the Divine Romance.
So, my friends, this means that Swami knows everything, but finds
an excuse to talk to you. He creates a situation.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(4) Bhagavan finds an excuse to bless.
A short time ago, a drama was arranged. Local villagers acted the
parts. The boys are modern boys. How can they appreciate a drama
by the villagers? Boys are used to T.V. and cinema. How are they
going to like a village show? Because of Swami, we all had to go
there and pass through the torture of watching the drama!
Finally Swami said, "How did you enjoy the drama?" This is another
drama within the drama!! He knows we haven’t enjoyed and we’re
waiting for it to end.
I said, "So-so, Swami." I can’t say ‘it’s bad’ because I want to
stay for some more days!! I can’t say ‘it was fine’ because I don’t
want to be a hypocrite. So I prefer to say ‘so-so’!
Immediately Bhagavan said, "I know you did not like it."
Now comes an important statement. He said, "This drama is only an
excuse to bring those poor people, artists, here to reward them,
give them clothes, give them watches and cash. I want to honour
them. This drama is an excuse to bring them here and bless them."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(5) "I give to those people who really are in need."
On another occasion, there were some very poor people, nomads, not
properly dressed, with no written script, uneducated, very, very
poor. Once He called them and granted them an interview. Those
people passed by me and I was watching them. Most of them were
half-dressed, none were fully dressed, all very dirty.
I thought, "Swami, we are here. Why don’t you call the better
dressed? I have some perfume. I don’t smell bad. Why do You call
these nomads?" I was staring.
He stopped and said, "Why do you look like that?"
I said, "Interview to these people?"
He said, "Why not? Are they not human beings like you? Don’t they
have devotion like you? Why do you talk like that?"
Then I understood it’s time for me to keep tight-lipped. He called
those people for an interview and they left slowly one by one,
with their faces all smiles, glittering. I saw one fellow looking
at his wrist, one fellow at his finger. Evidently each person had
received either a chain or a ring or something other they received.
They come out looking at their ornaments instead of looking at the
people. Everyone was carrying a bag with them. Bhagavan gave them
clothes also.
Swami came out at the end and said, "I know who to call, when to
call and what to do."
Because these were the questions in my mind, He said, "You are the
people who sell food to those who are not hungry. You are the
people who offer drinks and ice creams to those who are not
thirsty, whereas I serve food to those who are hungry. I give to
those people who really are in need of it. These poor people will
be very grateful for all the blessings they receive."
Not only this. Bhagavan called an officer sitting on the veranda.
He was saying something serious, orders, and He turned and said to
me, "These poor people, their village has no water supply. They
have to walk a very long distance to fetch water. Now I have
decided to extend the water supply to the village. The officer
will supervise this work."
This is Bhagavan.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(6) "I can bear anything, adjust to any situation, so I don’t
need anything."
One day He was speaking about the many buildings here - W1 to 9,
N1 to 7, and I said, "Swami, You provide all comforts and
conveniences to all of us. But You are always the same. Your food
is the same, now and forever, Your bed and living, then, now and
forever. You don’t have the latest modern facilities like
air-conditioning, whereas we have wonderful facilities provided by
You."
Swami said, "You can’t bear inconveniences. You don’t have the
spirit of accommodation to adjust. So I provide everything! I can
bear anything, adjust to any situation, so I don’t need anything."
This is a message to us all. If we are accommodating and
adjustable, our requirement will be minimum and we will be happier.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(7) "Serve the society, the people around you. That is the best
way to please Me."
A group was called for interview - different events on a different
occasion. Every statement has a message and meaning. The group
that was called are members of the Sai organisation.
Swami said, "What news?"
One of the senior members asked a question, "Swami, we want to
serve You! Please let us know how we can do this." He is a senior
man, senior question!!
Bhagavan said, "I don’t want your services. You are seated here,
whereas I walk from long distances all the way to come near you,
go round you, serve you. You are not serving Me. I am serving you.
You don’t have to serve Me. Serve the society, the people around
you. That is the best way to please Me."
Another senior chap asked a question, "Swami, we want to start a
centre, an Old Age Home, senior citizens.
Baba said, "It is enough if you take care of old people at your
home before starting an Old Age Home."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(8) "Enjoy yourselves. That’s what I want."
Another time, a sacred thread ceremony was arranged by old
students. They collected all the necessary materials for the
function and the Warden showed the list to Baba.
Swami said, "You don’t have to bring anything here. You don’t have
to do anything here. I arranged all these materials 15 days ago.
You just distribute them. You participate and enjoy yourselves.
That’s what I want. Nothing more."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(9) Everything He does, and gives us the credit.
Similarly, Bhagavan does so many things and gives us the credit.
He makes all the arrangements for everything. He arranges all the
decorations. Finally He says, "The boys have done a very, very
good job."
Some of the devotees teach the boys new musical techniques and He
stands among the boys before all those big people and says, "Nobody
taught them. They have done all by themselves." Everything He does,
and gives us the credit. But what do we do? We make others do, and
claim the credit!
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(10) "I don’t want anything but to be with You."
A T.V. serial was made on the life of Bhagavan. I didn’t know who
the actors were. Later I knew that the children from Sai School
acted in the serial. He called one cute boy with chubby cheeks,
with smiling face, short hair, short in height.
He said, "Do you know him? No chance, no chance. This boy played
the role of Sathya Sai in the T.V. serial." Everyone clapped. The
boy did a good job. He acted nicely.
Swami said, "What do you want? What do you want?"
I would have a big list: Give me padnamascar and don’t give it to
the following!! Give me interview; don’t look at the faces of the
people!!
What did this boy say? "I don’t want anything, Swami, but please
keep me with You." He went on crying, with tears rolling down his
cheeks. He said, "I don’t want anything but to be with You."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(11) Why fear when I am here?
There was one boy, a new boy. Swami said, "Come on. First year
undergraduate course."
The fellow said, "Swami, I have a lot of fear for everything.
Because of fear, I cannot sleep at night." Sleep is important for
life.
Swami said, "Why fear when I am here? Why fear? Man doesn’t know
his capacity. Man has greatest strength. (This includes women.)
Man is so weak because he doesn’t know his strength. He has got
the strength even to make God come down to him."
My nature is never to keep quiet. I get into trouble like this. A
bitter gourd cannot change its taste! "Swami, why, if I don’t know
whether I have strength or not, what does it matter? What is the
use of such unknown strength?"
Baba said, "Here is the sugar cane. The sweetness of the sugar is
not known to the sugar cane. Similarly, man does not know his own
capacity."
Then I asked, "What is the benefit? Who will know that, if we don’t
know? Ants know the sweetness of the sugar, but not the sugar
cane. Diamond cuts a diamond. Where are the ants? Where is the
sugar cane? How am I to understand?"
Baba said, "You are the sugar cane. Your friends and relations are
the ants. They come to you because of the sweetness in you. That
sweetness may be in your personality, knowledge and education."
I continued, "When ants know, and the sugar cane doesn’t know,
what is to be done now?"
Swami said, "Do you think I cannot answer you?"
"No, no, no. I want to know."
"Everyone should think, ‘Am I worse than an ant? Even the ant
knows the sweetness of the sugar cane, and I don’t know. What a
low creature am I! By that way, you can know your strength."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(12) "I don’t know what sleep is,
I don’t know what appetite is."
Swami said, "Don’t eat all the roots that are grown underground:
potato, beetroot, and carrot. All these underground stems will add
to your weight. Also don’t use too much oil. You should eat greens.
Believe Me or not, I don’t know what sleep is. I don’t know what
appetite is. I am 75. All these years I am never hungry. All these
years I have never slept."
Softly and delicately I asked Him, "Why do You switch off the
light at night if You don’t sleep?"
He said, "If I didn’t switch off the light, many people would be
here and they wouldn’t go. They wouldn’t sleep."
So I asked, "Then why do You have a dining room and table?"
Baba responded, "Several people join Me at times. To make them eat,
I also pretend to eat." He has transcended food and sleep.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(13) "I am always happy."
Swami looked at a boy who was doing his postgraduate year and said,
"What do you want to do after this?" The fellow was puzzled, had
no immediate answer.
Swami said, "Do MRS!" He didn’t understand.
Swami said, "Do Mrs. - Get married!" That’s what He meant!
The boy got up and said softly to Him, "It is enough if I make You
happy." Now Swami said, "I am always happy. I don’t wait until you
make Me happy."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(14) "Creator is eternal, Creation is eternal.
This eternity is common."
I gave a talk in the College Auditorium to the boys on Adi
Shankara. Swami was passing by that evening. My voice was fumbling
because He might ask me a question for which I have no answer. And
I might also give some details and Swami might say, "You are
utterly wrong." I was very, very hesitant. I said, "Yes, Swami, by
Your Grace." Because Grace is unquestionable, non-controversial.
Swami went in. After an interview He came out and said, "What did
you say?" I said a few points.
He said, "OK, OK, right, right, right." But I got stuck up at some
place for which the Divine Player is waiting. I said, "Bhagavan,
Swami, God is the Eternal Truth, who is changeless. Creator is
Eternal, but Creation is momentary. God is changeless, while
Creation is changeable. God is permanent, but Creation is
temporary." I thought that I was explaining nicely. He gave me a
long rope to hang myself!!
At the end He said, "You are wrong."
"How, Swami, how?" He said, "God, Creator, is eternal. Creation is
also eternal."
"How can there be two eternal things?" I know paternal and
maternal, but not two eternal things, existing things. How can
they be? "Swami, one is changeable, one is changeless. How can
they both be eternal?"
Then He said, "Human being may die but not humanness or human
quality. Cow may die, but not the nature of the cow. Creation may
change from time to time, but its nature remains the same."
Then I got thoroughly confused. Sometimes, we teachers do that in
the classroom. When a boy is putting questions, we try to confuse
him more so that the bell will go for the break!
Now I said, "Swami, the philosophy of Adi Shankara is the
existence of the One-without-a-second. Only one Reality exists.
Everything else is illusion, delusion or maya. This is what I read.
But you say that Creator and Creation, both are Eternal. Now you
are speaking of two. I say there is only ONE. What is it that is
common between the two? One changes, while the other does not
change. Well, what is there which is common?"
Swami then said, "Creator is eternal, creation is eternal. This
eternity is common."
I don’t know what an answer it is! Eternity common between the
Creator and Creation! Then I could understand it is time for me to
remain silent.
That night I was preparing for my class on Bhagavad Gita to teach
postgraduate students in the college. I was teaching the
thirteenth chapter. Please believe me when I was reading the text,
the twentieth verse says, "Creator and Creation both are eternal."
That is Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Whatever He speaks has got a
basis, approved by sacred texts. It is not for an argument He says.
He does not mean to convince you. It is based on the ancient
Vedanta philosophy.
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(15) All religions are different reflections of Sanathana
Dharma.
Then there was another instance. There was an occasion when boys
spoke on the Holy Bible, Moses, and the Ten Commandments. They
thought that they had done nicely.
Then, in the evening Swami came that side and said, "Who are the
boys who spoke this morning?" Three boys got up. "What are the Ten
Commandments?" He asked.
The fellows couldn’t open their mouth. They mumbled something.
Then He came over to me and said, "You are from Christian College.
Tell me the Ten Commandments!"
I got 50% marks. Out of ten, I could say five. Not a total insult.
Then He went to another teacher who directed the whole play, who
was the director. "Tell Me the Ten Commandments!"
He said a few things that were not any commandment. Swami said, "Don’t
speak like that." So everyone laughed.
Then Bhagavan said, "Sanathana Dharma, ancient Dharma, is the
bottom, the bedrock, the parent. Out of this parental stock came
various religions like Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Jainism.
These religions have come into existence only three thousand years
ago. But this Sanathana Dharma, nobody can say it’s beginning. We
can tell the date of every religion’s birth. But when Sanathana
Dharma was born, no one can say because it had no beginning."
Then I thought it is time for me to say something. I said, "Now
Swami, I understand that Sanathana Dharma is the main thing and
that all the other religions are its shadows." I thought it was
quite intelligent enough!!
He passed two steps ahead, turned round, "Repeat what you said!"
"Swami, Sanathana Dharma is the main object and all other
religions are its shadows."
"No, No, No! They are not shadows! All religions are reflections,
not shadows. Shadows are of inferior quality, whereas reflections
are as much as the very object itself! Christianity, Islam,
Buddhism, Jainism, all religions are as great, as perfect, as the
object, Sanathana Dharma. Therefore they are reflections, not the
shadows. Correct yourself!" He said.
And then He looked at these boys and said, "What else did you
speak?" They had heard all this talk, so they kept quiet.
Then Bhagavan said, "While speaking, you should tell the ultimate.
You develop your topic. At the end, you should tell the ultimate
Truth. You cannot stop in the middle. And this is a hint for all
speakers. Because some speakers begin somewhere and stop nowhere.
The audience forgets the very topic on which he wanted to speak.
And at the end, the speaker may not tell on what he spoke. This
sort of speakers we have."
But Bhagavan gave a clue to the prospecting speakers. Establish
the speakers by giving a good example. What did He say? "Here you
have milk. You curdle it, make it a curd. You churn it, bring out
the butter. You heat it and get the ghee. You heat the ghee, it
continues to be ghee. The ghee is the ultimate. Milk is the
beginning and it ends in the state of ghee. Similarly, talks
should begin at the stage of milk and end up at the stage of ghee,
the ultimate. You can never drop in the middle."
Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram -Om Sai Ram - Om Sai Ram
(16) "Foreigners follow whatever I Say.
They understand that My life is My message."
One more story: A group of foreigners was called for an interview.
I saw them go in quickly, one after one. Of course, in the earlier
years I used to be jealous but not now!! Though I don’t say that
jealousy has totally left me, some traces appear now and then.
At the end of the interview, when the group of foreigners left,
Swami stood and said, "Most of them are teachers. They live on
their salaries. They are not rich. They save some money every
month out of their salary. With that money, they make a trip to
this place. And one rich man said, ‘I will pay for your travel
expenses.’ And they told him, ‘Thank you for your offer, thank you
for your concern, but our Swami will not like it if we receive
money from you. Our Swami will not appreciate it if we receive
money from you. We respectfully decline.’"
Swami said, "This is important. This statement is important. All
foreigners follow Swamis teachings 100%. You should know that."
That’s what Swami said. "They all follow whatever I say. They have
understood that My life is My message."
I don’t receive anything from anybody, I don’t accept anything
from anybody. This you should know.
So my friends, time is up.
Om Sai Ram
Om… Shanti…Shanti…Shanti…
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu!
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