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Sai Pearls of Wisdom - 20
February 25, 2003
Professor Anil Kumar has presented
this talk as an extra satsang. He has selected important messages
Baba has imparted to the students gathered around Him during the
afternoon sessions on the veranda at Prashanti Nilayam. These
talks will continue.
ANIL KUMAR'S SATSANG:
BABA'S CONVERSATIONS WITH STUDENTS
“Sai Pearls of Wisdom”
Part Twenty
February 25th, 2003
OM… OM… OM…
Sai Ram to all of you.
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,
Dear Brothers and Sisters!
February 25th, 2003
Thanks to Swami for having brought us again to this evening
session. As we have been doing all along, we are going backwards
in time. What I am going to speak now was published in the Telugu
Sanathana Sarathi during the month of December 2000, regarding the
month November. November 23rd has a special significance, as it is
the Birthday of Bhagavan. Bhagavan started village work,
entrusting it to the students during November of that year, 2000.
Opportunity to serve the villagers
Well, boys had been asked to take up this village work. First they
did the following: students in different groups visited so many
villages in and around Puttaparthi and made a thorough survey of
every village.
Bhagavan called them all, students and teachers, and said, “Look
here, I am sending you to villages, giving you an opportunity to
serve the villagers there. I want you to serve them food -- give
them food packets. I want you to give them sweets. I want you to
give them clothes. And I want you to see that you do not forget
anybody. Every villager should necessarily receive these gifts of
Grace.”
Bhagavan was very particular about it. He gave them all possible
directions in this connection. I should also bring to your
attention that about 35 lorries were deployed for this purpose --
to carry students to different villages. 35 lorries! Apart from
the lorries, the other four-wheelers were also put to work. Well,
boys were divided into batches. They were given the lorry numbers
and they got into the lorries, ready to go to the villages.
True India is in villages
My friends, here I want to let you know that the true India is in
villages. The Indian culture could be well known only in villages.
The cities like Bombay, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Delhi, as you see them
today, they have little traces of Indian culture left. But in the
interior of the villages, you find Indian culture still followed
today. So, Swami wanted this rural development programme to be
taken up by the students as a part of their study, so that they
know the village life. Then they will know the problems in a
village. They will also know how to face these problems and how to
solve these problems. So, it is a part of their study.
Puttaparthi: Transformed into a Global village
And who is the leader whom we can look up to, as an ideal in this
rural activity? I can tell you, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is
the best possible guide and ideal, who we can look up to,
following and emulating His example. You may ask me, why and how?
When Bhagavan was born here, there were about 100 residences --
that’s all! There were about 100 houses in this village of
Puttaparthi.
And today, it is a global village. In those days, there was no
power supply, no electricity. And today, we have electricity and
electronic gadgets of the latest order. Those days, there were no
schools at all. And today, we have a university. In those days,
there was not even a primary health centre. No medical facility.
And today, we have a Super-Speciality Hospital. In those days,
people had to walk kilometres and kilometres to fetch a pot full
of water; and today, drinking water supply is extended so that we
get water out of the taps in almost every room at every residence.
This is what a rural development programme is! To this stature,
Bhagavan has developed the village: so that the village then, has
been transformed into the global village of today.
The modus operandi
Now, around 75,000 saris were distributed to women; 75,000 dhotis
were distributed to men; and 75,000 school uniforms were
distributed to schoolchildren during that 10-day service activity.
Here let me also speak to you about the modus operandi or the
procedure adopted. We had around 1,000 girls from Anantapur campus
who worked throughout the night to make the food packets ready for
distribution by the boys. They started packing the material around
midnight. They continued until 7:30 or 8 o’clock in the morning.
These one thousand girl students, who were supervised by teachers,
made the food packets. There were two packets: one, the sweet and
the other, hot. We had to give these packets to every member of
every family in every village, every day. So you can imagine what
sort of work it was.
Cooking started at 10 o’clock in the night. It was quite
unbelievable -- I don’t know what to call it. There were hundreds
and hundreds of utensils, hundreds and hundreds of cooks, as if
some very big yagna was going on, with floodlights all over! Oh!
Oh! Oh! It is only possible for Baba to have the work done at that
magnitude -- impossible for anybody else!
Boys eat what they distribute -- nothing special about it
All the food packets were ready by 7:30 in the morning. There were
special teams of students to load these lorries -- huge baskets
containing the packets, depending upon the number of houses and
the number of residents at every home. So, all these lorries were
loaded with foodstuff, and also full of students. They started
here, everyday in the morning, doing some bhajans, receiving
Baba’s blessings and only then leaving. You must have seen them.
They got into the lorries and the lorries went to far distances to
reach the villages. They returned by the evening bhajan time. So
the boys had to eat there. A few packets were kept for the boys
also. They ate what they distributed -- nothing special about it.
This was really something very grand.
Bhagavan’s meticulous care
About 350 villages were selected for this rural development
programme. See our Bhagavan, what meticulous care He gave! As
lorries started off to their destinations, half-an-hour later,
Bhagavan used to send additional lorries with more food packets
and clothes. Additional things! Why? In case we ran short of
stock, this would be used immediately. So, nowhere was there any
shortage of food packets or clothes because we had received
additional supplies from the lorries coming behind us, which
Bhagavan had sent. It was really a very, very beautiful
experience!
In addition to that, there were some students travelling in cars
with wireless sets, giving instructions to everybody:
“Lorry # 4, where are you? How many packets are there?”
“ Lorry # 10, how many students are there? How many packets?”
“Sir, packets are over. Is there any additional truck behind?”
It was as if some military camp were going on! (Laughter)
I don’t think that even war camps will have the kind of perfection
as I have seen there! These boys are all M.Sc. students, M.Tech
students. So they put all their technology into this work. Well,
it was amazing!
“Sir, Anil Kumar, sir! In which lorry are you? #10 lorry or #12
lorry?” (Laughter)
“Sir. Please stop the lorry. Anil Kumar sir is missing!”
(Laughter)
Very interesting, you know! Very interesting!
And there was no confusion at all at any point of time! Not at any
point of time!
A big festival in every village
There in the villages, immediately as the students got down from
the lorry, they did Nagarsankirtan. Then they started food
distribution from one point, so that the whole village would be
vibrant with God’s Name. I, too, participated in this activity in
my own humble way, travelling in lorries, jumping and all that.
Most surprisingly, in every village, wherever we stopped, hundreds
of children…oh! All were shouting and coming over there! There
were all big people, all residents – it was a grand gala welcome,
a big festival in every village!
Now we should see Swami’s comments here, which are even more
important. My attempt is not merely to describe what happened
during that time. The message behind this is more important
because this rural development programme was just an excuse to
convey the Divine Message to everybody.
The Divine Mother’s care
After our return in the evening, we always found Swami waiting for
us -- just standing there!
“All lorries have come? No? Why? Who is in charge? Call that
fellow. Five lorries are yet to come? Why? What happened?”
Ah! Very anxious! Very nervous! Much more than a mother waiting
for the kid! In case the kid returns home, late by half-an-hour,
the mother will have high blood pressure and all those things.
(Laughter) Sai, the Divine Mother, was full of anxiety.
“Why? What happened?”
“Swami, they are on the way.”
“Why? Why have you come earlier, leaving them? All lorries should
come at the same time, you understand?”
Well, we didn’t dare to face Him at all! So there were also
occasions when we stopped lorries at the outskirts to make sure
that all lorries assembled, in order to see that we were all
safely here, as we faced Bhagavan. (Laughter)
Hunger is the same to everybody
After our return, during one of those days, one lecturer said to
Swami, “Swami, when we were distributing those food packets,
everybody was happy to receive them! Those of all religions,
Muslims and Christians -- everybody received food packets!”
Baba said, “Don’t speak like that. Why do you say, ‘Muslims and
Christians’? Hunger is the same to everybody. There is nothing
like ‘Muslim appetite’, ‘Hindu appetite’ and ‘Christian hunger’.
Useless fellow! All need food. Food is the same. Hunger is the
same. There is nothing like ‘Muslim and Christian’! Tsk! Keep
quiet.” (Laughter)
Do Bhajans -- Bhajans give us additional strength
Then He also said, “Make sure that you visit every house and talk
to them with a smile. Tell them, ‘Sir, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba has sent Prasadam to you. He has sent clothes to you. Let’s
know how many men are here, how many women are here and how many
children are here. We are ready with these things.’ Distribute
like that.”
“Talk softly and sweetly, so that they will have the best opinion
of our institution. And remember, it is better that you take more
packets than required. Never go with the exact number and never
take less number than what is required.” He was very sure about
it.
And He said, “While distributing food, do bhajans. Do bhajans.”
It’s a lesson for everybody, my friends! As we do our work, let us
do bhajans. One may be in the kitchen. One may be in the dining
hall. One may be at the work spot. We can do bhajans. Why not?
Bhajans give us a sort of additional boost, additional strength.
This is the message to everybody.
Mere energy is not enough -- you should have some interest
Then He said, “First give Prasadam, next clothes. This is the
Indian tradition.”
We don’t give clothes first and serve food later.
“Serve food first, and give clothes next. That’s very important.”
That’s what Bhagavan said.
And then, “Be respectful. Show respect to everybody and be
respected.”
“Let you be respected later. By showing respect to others, you
will be respected in turn.” That’s what Bhagavan said and He also
said, “It is not enough if you have sufficient energy to serve.
You need the interest also.”
“There are many people who have energy. They go on doing many
things. If you are simply energetic, you are mechanical. Mere
energy is not enough. You should have some interest, some
dynamism, some leadership, some activity, some cheer so that you
will gladly do it.” That’s what Bhagavan said.
Baba’s visit to villages
Then, Bhagavan was waiting for the boys there on the veranda
everyday, ready with baskets full of apples. He started
distributing one apple to every boy, staring at each boy, looking
deeply into the eyes of another boy, making fun of each and every
one of them. It was a sight for the gods!
I can also tell you that when we mentioned the names of certain
villages, our good God recalled His past association of sixty
years ago, telling when He visited that place, whom He visited at
that place and how He spent His time there. This was an extra
bonus to all the students. They forgot all the strain; they forgot
their tiredness, and they laughed when Swami started speaking
about His ‘good old days’ of sixty years ago, when He visited
those distant villages.
Janakampalli
For example, we mentioned the name of one village by the name of
Janakampalli.
Immediately Swami said, “Oh! Sixty years ago, I went to that
village. I spent a good number of days there. There is one Reddy
family there. That man -- he must be very old now. Did you meet
him?”
“Yes, Swami! We met him, and he told us about how You made them
happy -- how You stayed there with them. “
“Oh, I see.” Bhagavan was happy.
And then I just asked, “Swami, what did You do there in that
village, sixty years ago?”
“What? Same thing. Discourses, Prasadam. Same thing.”
“Swami, people assembled?”
“ From all neighbouring villages – full of people there! I used to
talk to them.”
“Oh, Swami.”
Enumulapalli
Then Swami started talking about another point. He asked somebody
else, “Where did you go?”
“Swami, we went to one village by the name of Enumulapalli.”
“Oh, I see. Did you go there?”
“Yes.”
“Ah! On the way, there are two mad people. Did you give them
Prasadam?”
See that!
“Yes, Swami, we gave.”
“Umm…if you go still further, there is an old man, who cannot
stand also. Did you give him Prasadam?”
“Yes, Swami”
“And when you went to the by-pass road, there is old blind fellow.
Did you give him Prasadam?”
See that! He was telling where people stayed, inquiring if the
Prasadam was received or not. That is the meticulous care that
Bhagavan took regarding our activity.
Karnatakanagepalli
Then we said, “Swami, we have been to another village, named
Karnatakanagepalli.”
“Oh, I see!” Swami said, “Oh, I stayed there for a long time. I
used to go there almost every alternate day.”
But Karnatakanagepalli, which is very close to here, is full of
mountains and thick forests. Swami, as a boy, used to run away
into the forest, climb up the mountains and stay there.
Karanam Subbamma, who was very fond of Baba in His childhood,
served Swami right from His childhood. She was a very rich lady in
this village. So, all looked upon her with all esteem and all
respect. This lady went in search of Baba, to find out where He
was, as she carried food to Him everyday.
“Where is this Baba? On the mountaintop? Or deep in the forest?
What to do?”
So this lady, being a rich lady from a rich family, used to take
along with her two grown-up Pahilvans, well-built fellows, to
search out where Baba was, and to carry Him back in their arms.
‘This little Baba, will He be able to walk home all the way or
not?’ She wanted them to carry Him back in their arms. This is
what Bhagavan went on telling about those days.
Kunkalapalli and Dupampalli
Then we made mention of another village, Kunkalapalli.
Swami said, “What did you see there?”
“Swami, we met 400 people. They are all Tamilians. They came from
a long distance, and are working as causal labour there in the
fields. When we were distributing clothes and food packets, we saw
tears of love on their faces, tears of thankfulness and tears of
gratitude, Swami! We were so happy.”
Another gentleman said, “Swami, we have been to another village by
the name of Dupampalli.”
The boys who went to that village of Dupampalli said, “Swami, all
the local people started singing their own bhajans, not our
Prashanti bhajans!”
Every village has got its own local culture, as I said earlier.
They have got their own local bhajan songs, full of philosophy,
which is expressed in very simple language.
Swami was very happy. “I see!”
And then the lecturer-in-charge said, “Swami, when we said, ‘Baba
sent Prasadam to you, Baba sent clothes to you’, well, they could
not control their emotion. Most of them burst into tears, Swami!
There were really lost in ecstasy.”
Dharmavaram
Then I should also make mention of a town by the name of
Dharmavaram. (Most of you must know that place.) We had been to
that town. And it was 9:30 by the time we returned -- 9:30 in the
night. It took time because it was a thickly populated town.
And I tell you, till 9:30 PM, our good God was waiting there on
the veranda! He did not even have a sip of water till then! He had
cancelled bhajans; He had cancelled interviews. He was just
standing there on the veranda till 9:30 PM, waiting for the boys
to return. Can you ever estimate His Love for the boys? Can you
ever imagine His concern for the boys? It is unimaginable!
Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital
So, we had been to many villages. All the village names are not
necessary to know, as the names are more confusing. But I can tell
you what some of the villagers expressed when we had been to those
places:
We met one old man, who came close to us: “Boys, look here! I got
my eye operated on there in Sri Sathya Sai Hospital. So I am able
to see today. I am able to earn my bread because my sight is
normal.”
And then at another place, we found another man coming to us:
“Sir, look here! I got my heart operated on in Sri Sathya Sai
Super Speciality Hospital. Had I not been operated on, the whole
family would have been on the streets. I am the only breadwinner.
Baba gave me a second life.”
It is a thrilling experience to hear people telling how they were
benefited by Baba’s service institutions.
And the boys also responded to the call of Bhagavan. They
responded to the message of Bhagavan. Well, while the lorry was
coming towards Puttaparthi on the return journey, wherever they
found some people working in the fields, the boys stopped the
lorries and carried food packets to those agriculturists and
farmers working there. That made Swami very, very happy.
And then, in certain villages, on coming to know that Baba’s
students were coming there, they made special village-type of
decorations, and gave a grand gala welcome to everybody! Plus they
started singing songs in praise of Bhagavan, giving a tumultuous
welcome to all of us.
He loves all religions
In some villages, we saw people coming close and telling us, “Sir,
we had no water till now. We were getting water from the
neighbouring village. Thanks to Swami, we now have water available
here in this village. Thanks to Swami!” That is what they said.
In some other village, we met a few Muslims who came and said,
“Sir, Baba constructed a mosque for us, a place of worship for
Muslims, Darga. Baba constructed that Darga or mosque for us to
pray in. We are very grateful to Him.”
These are all the acts of Bhagavan, which will tell us that He
loves all religions. All religions are one. The truth is one; only
the paths are many. The goal is one; the paths are many.
Destination is one; but worship procedure may be different,
practices may be different. But God is One. That is the message.
Affection everywhere
In some villages, the poor people had spread out mats on the
ground. “Boys, please sit down.”
They were telling, “Shall we give you some water? There is cold
water. Please have water.” Some people were offering buttermilk.
Some people said, “Boys, you don’t know the villages. Shall we
give you groundnuts to eat? Please don’t refuse. We have some
groundnuts. Eat them.”
And some villagers gave them pieces of sugarcane. “Come on, would
you eat it?” They were extending their hospitality, courtesy and
reception in their own way. That is really grand, grand!
‘City culture’ or ‘Flat culture’
Most of these boys are from cities. In cities, nobody is bothered
about anybody. Even if the neighbour is on their deathbed, one is
not concerned. Even if there is a wedding in the neighbour’s
house, one is not bothered. That is ‘city culture’, particularly
for those who stay in flats -- ‘flat culture’. There is nothing --
life is flat. There are no human relationships, no courtesies, no
acquaintances and no social contacts. We don’t know anyone there.
“Who is your neighbour?”
“I don’t know!” And furthermore, we are not ashamed of it. We even
call it ‘culture and civilization’!
But in villages, it’s not like that. They are all one; they
cooperate with each other. And what a humility and courtesy they
have! Obedience, and such a nice reception with folded hands:
“Please come, sir!”
In cities, we don’t find this. If they see any stranger, they say,
“Hi.” That’s all. Nobody will say, “Sir, what do you want?” Nobody
will say that, that’s all. The fellow, that stranger, will be
afraid of these places because there is no welcome and no concern
for him.
So the boys, coming from the cities and watching this kind of
village hospitality and reception, could not believe their eyes, I
tell you! And moreover, the kind of devotion in the villages! The
villagers are innocent. They are poor and pure. They have no
doubts. But most of the fellows from the cities, who are highly
educated, their head is full of doubts! They have no faith in God
and no faith in themselves. All the world over today, there is no
love anywhere in the cities.
Education of heart is 'Educare'
So, the education of the heart is ‘educare’. That’s what we find
in villages. The knowledge of the head is education. The feelings,
values and sentiments of the heart are ‘educare’. That’s what we
find in villages. In cities, the pomp, show, publicity, pride, ego
and vanity are the common features. Humility, simplicity,
reverence, respect, faith, obedience, courtesy, concern, sympathy
and forbearance -- these are the values found in the villages.
We are very grateful to Bhagavan for having given us this
opportunity to visit the villages and to gain this experience
while serving them, to know better what Indian culture is -- what
it stands for in the true spirit. That has been the experience of
all the boys.
Since then, they went on asking Swami every year, “Swami, shall we
go this year also?” As a result, the rural development programme,
Grama Seva, has been going on for the last two years. I think you
know that.
The boys were asking Swami for permission to participate,
foregoing their vacation. Do you know that? Usually in our places,
people want to go home during their vacation to enjoy with their
parents and friends the cookies and special preparations. But
here, the boys don’t want vacations. They want to do this service
activity. This is quite an unbelievable phenomenon!
October 2000
Now, I shall go to the next month and share with you a few points.
These details are published in the Telugu Sanathana Sarathi in the
month of October 2000. I am sure that I am presenting these things
in chronological and sequential order to the best of my ability.
Although there are some pressing engagements and appointments
right now, particularly at this time when the academic year is
coming to a close and the boys are preparing for examinations, we,
the teachers, are also in a hurry to complete the syllabus. But I
am also particular to complete this syllabus. This is also equally
a syllabus. (I am particular to complete this, so that you will
have some time there in Bangalore to edit and finish this work.)
Now, here are a few points regarding these October 2000 episodes.
Bhagavan has with Him students from all states, from all over the
country, and a few students from overseas also. You know how
difficult it is to adjust to the different food habits. You know,
when you are asked to take the spicy food in the South Indian
canteen, I can imagine your reaction. I cannot even imagine you
eating pickles in my dream! Impossible! Because our pickles will
land you on the moon straightaway, without the help of any
satellite or spacecraft! (Laughter) That’s my regular diet, you
know! I have eaten a lot of chillies, a lot of hot stuff, right
from the beginning. It has been my body constitution, that’s the
thing. And the boys here, who are from the north, eat chapattis.
Those coming from the South have sambar and rasam. But all the
boys have to eat the same food there in the hostel. Just imagine
how difficult it is!
A memorable trip to the USA
I remember my trip to United States in the year 1975. I didn’t
have anything to eat there. I had been to the State of Indiana in
the United States. I had been to Brazil, Indiana; Corydon,
Indiana; Bloomington, Indiana; Terre Haute, Indiana; and
Indianapolis, Indiana. I had been to so many places there. But I
didn’t have anything to eat. However, everybody knew that I am a
vegetarian. So what they did was, they used to bring a big bowl
with potatoes totally crushed into a paste (mashed potatoes).
“Anil Kumar, you are a vegetarian – so, potatoes!” (Laughter)
But they are very nice people. I have not yet seen such friendly
people till now. They love me – a very friendly people. And potato
is certainly vegetarian food. How can I say it’s non-vegetarian?
It’s not. But I thought, ‘How can I eat that paste?’ (Laughter)
So, out of courtesy and good manners I said, “Very nice! Thank you
very much!”
But some of them were watching what I would eat because I had to
be there for six weeks as their guest. They should send me home
intact and alive. (Laughter) So, they used to watch me. Well,
somebody could understand that this fellow is not eating. And some
very good people, I tell you, very good people, some of them
Americans, came close to me and said, “Mr. Anil Kumar, no! You are
not eating anything. Please let’s know what you really care for? I
will cook for you, Mr. Anil Kumar.”
Shall I tell them that I eat hot stuff and all that? I said,
“Don’t bother! I am fine.”
Finally what they thought was – they said, “Do you like cakes, Mr.
Anil Kumar?”
“Yes”
“Do you like biscuits?”
“Yes”
“Chocolates?”
“Oh, yes!”
“Milk shake?”
“Why not?” (Laughter)
“Groundnuts?”
“Very much!” (Laughter)
“Cashew nuts?”
“Immediately!” (Laughter)
The result was that my dining table was full of these cakes and
breads, buns and milkshakes. Whereas the non-vegetarian fellows
had only one or two items, I had so many! And please believe me, I
was more energetic than all those fellows put together, living on
cakes, biscuits, milkshakes, cashew nuts, groundnuts, cream,
cheese and pizza! Wah! (Laughter)
Difficult to adjust in a different land
So, it is so difficult to adjust ourselves in a different land
with our food habits. They were such fine people -- I cannot
forget them for a lifetime. Here is what those people did: My next
host used to ring up to the current host and say, “Mr. Anil Kumar
is going to be with us next week. Please tell us, what is he going
to eat?” (Laughter)
“Oh, 1 - Rice.”
“Good.”
“2 - Some chutneys.”
“We will get such stuff for him from the Indian restaurant.”
“3 - He is afraid of dogs and cats and guinea pigs.”
“Oh I see! We will keep them safe in a room and lock it.”
(Laughter)
“4 - He is very fond of hot, hot coffee.”
“Oh, all right!”
“5 - He likes to give any number of speeches.”
“All right! We will arrange for a few meetings.” (Laughter)
“Ah, OK! And he likes to socialize with people, talk to American
friends, know their culture.”
“Oh, noted. We will invite them.”
Of course, this is all my personal experience. Thinking that you
will certainly enjoy hearing this, I am telling you!
Singing Bhajans
One day there, somehow I felt, ‘What shall I do?’ I was very
serious. All Americans have smiling faces. Oh, yes! I am yet to
find an American with a serious face. No. All smiling faces with
bubbling enthusiasm. All!
“Anil! Why are you serious? What is wrong with you? Are you OK?”
“I am fine.”
“Why are you so serious?”
“No, no, no! I want to sing for you tonight.”
“Sing?”
“Yes, why not? Some bhajan songs!”
“Bhajan? What is it?”
“They are spiritual songs. I will give the English meaning too.
Please invite your friends also.”
With the result, please believe me, that from that day, I had 200
people - all American families, hearing my talks and enjoying my
company. And I enjoyed their company. So much so that the last
day, all of us started crying because we could not part with each
other!
So, with all that said and done, be that as it may, what I want to
tell is that it is so difficult to adjust to different food
habits. The boys coming from the Himalayas, from far off places,
they eat South Indian rasam and sambar! It is due to their love
for Bhagavan. Or else, it’s not possible. Well, why? Or else, how
are you here, listening to the music of the mosquitoes at night?
(Laughter)
Leaving your own food that you relish very much, what is it that
made you still smile and continue to stay here? It is your
devotion to Bhagavan. There is no doubt about it. I feel so
humble. I feel so little in front of you. Believe me or not, in
front of all foreigners, I feel very, very, very sorry! How is it
that I am not able to adjust? How is it that these people are able
to adjust here? So, you are truly the children of Bhagavan Baba. I
am not talking to you just to shower words of praise. I am really
speaking from the bottom of my heart. I truly mean it!
Love is the motive
So once, as Swami talked to the boys, suddenly He looked at a
fellow. “Come on, boy! Umm…. You have a stomach problem, right?”
“Yes, Swami. Stomach pain!”
“Oh, I see!” Swami laughed and said, “See, Anil Kumar, this boy is
from North India. He is used to taking chapattis, rotis and
parothas. But here in our hostel, he has to take sambar and rasam.
So, there is a stomach-upset problem, poor fellow! Don’t worry,
don’t worry!”
He materialized tablets for him. Three tablets.
“I am giving you three tablets. Take one now, one tonight and one
tomorrow morning. You will be free of this.”
That is God! People are here for the Love of Swami. And Swami is
here for the Love of humanity. It is Love that has made both of us
stay here. That’s what I think.
And then, here we also find people from different countries,
sitting in circles every day, talking about Swami’s message and
practising bhajan songs, as Swami tells everybody to do. They have
to learn from other people. Every second, they make the best use
of their time, thinking of Swami and practising bhajans. It is
really great!
Mind you, I am telling all these things as they were published in
the Sanathana Sarathi, an ashram magazine, which has His Divine
approval and sanction, where a single word cannot be an
exaggerated one. It should be correct -- accurate to the fact.
That’s all! So, what I am telling is recorded here. Therefore you
will know that it has Swami’s approval and sanction.
He works within
I should also tell you that I met Spanish-speaking people who were
carrying with them certain books of Sanathana Dharma, the titles
of which are not even known to Hindus! Some of those books are not
even read by us. But these people from Argentina, Peru, Venezuela,
Brazil and Guatemala are carrying a book bearing the title
“Tripura Rahasya”, which has got the quintessence of Vedanta
philosophy, which I don’t even understand. But those people from
Argentina, they read! It only speaks of how Swami works within
every one of us! When I told Swami, “Swami! Spanish people read
all these books and literature!”
Swami said, “You fellows should learn from them. You go and learn
from them! Are you not ashamed of this?”
“Swami, that’s what they read!”
I am not also ashamed to tell you that I met a few devotees from
Argentina, carrying some slip of paper. “Annayya!” (They call me
‘Annayya’.)
“Annayya, you gave an English translation for Satchidananda. You
are wrong. OK?” (Laughter)
“Am I wrong?”
“Yes, you are! Now here’s what Baba said! Do you understand?”
I was jumping in joy. I felt like dancing. The Spanish people are
correcting me, telling me that I was wrong in my translation? It
only speaks of their depth in the subject and their thoroughness
in the subject – that they are so particular to have a correct
translation. I cannot do as I like; I cannot take things for
granted. I carry with me a heavy responsibility -- I am
accountable to them. I cannot think that all foreigners will say,
“Thank you, Anil Kumar! You are doing a good job!” No, not
necessarily. There are quite a good number of people who say, “You
are wrong! OK? You understand?”
“Oh! I am sorry, sister. Thank you!” I stand corrected.
I cannot help it!
There are some who tell me, “You are shouting. So we are not able
to understand anything. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sister. I understand. But I cannot help it.” (Laughter)
“Why?”
I am not a machine. When Swami says a statement with all emphasis,
well, I should also convey it with equal force.
When Swami says, “There is no selfishness in Me”, I cannot say
softly, “There is no selfishness in Me” (spoken meekly).
Chee! Then the true spirit is gone! (Laughter)
Or Baba says, “All My educational institutions offer education,
free of cost!”
“All My educational institutions are….” (spoken meekly)
Eh! It is only to make you understand that I cannot dull
Bhagavan’s discourse (Laughter). I cannot make His discourse
insipid and tasteless. “Pardon me! Bear with my shouting -- I
cannot help it. Please, I beg your pardon.” That’s what I tell
them.
Very costly risk!
Some people say, “You translate very fast.”
“Yes, I am fast. But understand my problem. When Swami speaks very
fast, I cannot be slow. (Laughter) Before I complete my sentence,
He completes the next three sentences already. (Laughter) Please
imagine my position. He won’t give me time. Instead of banging me
like that, please pity me, my brother, please pity me. Please pray
for me.”
And there are also some foreigners who tell me, “Would you please
tell Bhagavan to give you some time to translate?” (Laughter)
I said, “I cannot take that risk.” (Laughter)
It’s a very costly risk -- I cannot do. I am afraid that I may be
substituted. (Laughter)
Thank me for the entertainment!
And there are some who say with a smile, “Oh, Anil Kumar! You made
two mistakes. Swami corrected you, right?”
I said, “Yes. I am so happy that you are attentive and that you
also enjoyed when I was a flop.” (Laughter)
“When I went wrong, when Swami corrected me, you are happy! Good!
So, I am giving you some entertainment also, for which you should
thank me!” (Laughter)
I will never take it personally, whenever anyone comments like
that. I don’t take it personally. I enjoy it because they are
telling their opinion. There’s nothing wrong about it. We are all
devotees. We are brothers and sisters. One can be free and frank
about it. There’s nothing wrong. So these are the things that
somehow I felt like sharing with you.
Sai is all around!
Then I can also tell you one thing that I noticed. I have floppies
with me -- computer floppies or disks -- carrying all Sai
literature, classified under 1500 heads! Can you imagine?
Canadians read Swami’s literature thoroughly, classify it under
1500 headings, and make floppies for ready reference. Where am I,
when compared to those people? And they sent me printouts of about
2000 pages. My cupboard is full of those papers! So, what research
is going on!
Then one Australian published a book called, “Sathya Sai
Compendium”, I believe. It’s a big book. It is Swami’s literature,
like a dictionary, in alphabetical order! They collected all of
Swami’s literature. So, all over the world, research on Sathya Sai
literature is going on intensively, particularly in the West;
particularly abroad, such a thorough study is going on.
And it is unbelievable that so many books are published in Russian
language! Earlier in Russia, in the times of Stalin and Lenin,
there was nothing like religion. But today, there is Sai
literature in Russian, and we have translators who are doing a
better job than Anil Kumar himself! (Laughter) These two
translators (referring to two people in the audience), how nicely
they are doing it, how fast they speak, how enthusiastic they are!
Without any paper, they are doing it. Well, I can’t do that! Hats
off to both of you. You are doing a really good job!
Our God made His children abroad greater than His children who
are near Him
Ah! See that! There are more and more! Oh, I am afraid that you
are going to make me unemployed very soon! (Laughter) But, please
believe me, I will be the happiest person if I am lost, if I am
defeated at your hands! Yes, because our God made His children
abroad far, far greater than His children very near Him. It speaks
of the intensity of your devotion.
So, I prayerfully await the day when you will certainly excel me.
You two have already excelled me! I am waiting to meet another two
also! (Laughter) If you want, I will give you this in writing.
Rush the following to the Russians: “Sister so-and-so, Brother
so-and-so has excelled me in translation. I mean this in letter
and in spirit. Signed, K. Anil Kumar.” (Laughter)
This is recorded there. You can show it to everybody. Yes, I am so
happy. Every teacher would like to be lost to the hands of his own
student. Every teacher wishes that his student should excel him.
Every parent wishes that his children should excel him. Don’t you
think so? So, similarly when you are there, I am happy about it!
I shall not forget you even if you forget Me
OK, now! It so happened that Swami started joking with a boy. He
called him and said, “Arey, boy! How is your brother?”
That boy said, “Swami! Very fine!”
“Ahaa! He got married?”
“Yes, Swami!”
“Did you give him the clothes I have sent?”
“Yes, Swami!”
“Did you give him the ring I wanted you to give?”
“Yes, Swami!”
“Umm…tell him one thing: Let him not forget his young wife. It
doesn’t matter even if he has forgotten Me! But let him not forget
his young wife!”
That’s what Bhagavan has said. Please see that! And Swami said,
“Boys, look here! I shall not forget you, even if you forget Me. I
shall not forsake you, even if you forsake Me!”
Who will tell that today, tell me? That is Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai
Baba!
We will continue tomorrow. I am sorry that in today’s recording,
there has been some personal note and some personal experiences as
a translator. Anyway, I am sorry if I have taken your time. I
stand guilty and hope I may be excused if I have taken your time.
But somehow it has come out like that on it’s own.
Thank you very much! Sai Ram!
Om Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Ji Ki Jai!
Thank you!
Source:
http://www.internety.com/saipearls/25.02.2003%20(E)central.htm
© Anil Kumar Kamaraju 2004 - Here
reproduced for personal use of the devotees for the purpose of
seva.
Anil Kumar website:
http://www.internety.com/anilkhome/ -
http://www.internety.com/saipearls/
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