How was the Grama Seva Today?

Swami seeing students leaving for Grama Seva in the morning after Divine circumambulation in Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir

November 3, 2000

The morning Darshan was at around 7 am. After Darshan, all the students went for the fourth day of Gram Seva. Evening Darshan was around 2.50 pm. Immediately after Darshan Swami came out to the Ganesh portico. But there was no chair. 

Swami : You don’t want me to sit here. No chair is put for me.

Swami : (To Brindavan Warden) Which villages did you go today? (Warden mentioned the names of villages) 

Brn. Wdn : Swami, the work which is going on is a very big work. Only Swami and Swami’s students alone can do this.

Swami : Because of this kind of teachers and students who are here, I am able to do this kind of work. Otherwise I also can’t do this work. What about Thanda? (Thanda is a colony built by government near the villages for the backward caste people.) They are very good people. (One boy showed seva work photos to Swami.) All Puttaparthi village photos. Did all of you do with Bhakti? (Pointing to Anil Kumar sir, Swami asked a student in Hindi) Did he do with Bhakti or only show?

Student : (In Hindi) He did with Bhakti, Swami.

Swami : How do you know? (To Anil Kumar sir) Did you understand?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, I don’t know anything in Hindi. I understood only the word ‘Bhakti’ and nothing else. (Swami smiled.) 

Swami : (Swami called the Warden and discussed with him about tomorrow’s programme.) Pedapalli students, How many? (Boys who went to that village lifted their hands.) How many students?

Student : Seventy.

Swami : I am asking about students of Pedapalli school and you people are lifting your hands.

Warden : (About Kothacheruvu) Swami, they were asking whether Swami is going to come to the new building, which costs 1 crore.

Prof. A. K. : 1 crore!

Swami : Yes, 1 crore. Three-thousand sq. feet college in Kothacheruvu. What did you all learn from the village service? (Different people gave different answers.) 

Brn. Wdn : Swami, after receiving saris they felt very happy. There were faces were full of smiles.

Swami : What about those faces, who did not receive saris? (Swami smiled.) 

Student : Swami, we all did Swami’s work as Swami’s instruments.

Swami : Instruments? There are lifeless instruments also. 

Swami : What is the meaning of ‘happiness’?

Student : Anandam Swami.

Swami : Anandam is bliss. Happiness is Santosham. Some-thosham. (Something left out) (To Anil Kumar sir) You are tired. Go home and come.

(Swami got up and went inside. He sent sweets to boys. Swami came back again. Swami sent the Prasadam near Anil Kumar sir)

Prof. A. K. : I came just now from home. Boys gave me, Swami.

Swami : Do boys keep for all those who are not here and give when they come back?

Prof. A. K. : Yes Swami. They keep for everyone. 

Swami : How was the food?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, today it was best.

Swami : Other days, was it not good?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, it was good, next day it was better and today it was best. (Then Swami went back to interview room.) 

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