THE GREEDY BROTHERS: A STORY

There were two brothers. One was greedy and the other was greedier. They wouldn’t feed anyone, neither would they eat. When there is sun light they would eat. But at night, they would not even light any candle, because they may have to spend some amount on oil. So they used to eat outside and close the door at the night and sleep. One day they received a bad news, a very near and dear relative died. They had to go. They received the news in the evening time. They wanted to go early in the morning by walking and not spend any money on buses or taxi. He took a bag. 

He took a dress for the next day which he has to wear for the occasion. That dress was washed once in fifty years! If it is washed, it will look as if it is used, but if it is kept like that, then it would look ever new. Hence he would not wash it! The elder brother was supposed to leave in the midnight, so he asked his younger brother to light the lamp. He brought the lamp and lighted it. He collected his bag and started walking. After reaching three fourth of the distance, he wondered whether the younger brother would have switched of the lamp before sleeping and whether he forgot to switch it off and the lamp would be burning all night. So to see and tell this, he started walking back. At the other side, the younger brother put off the lamp and when he was going to keep lamp inside, he was bitten by a scorpion. Later his elder brother came and knocked the door.

As the door opened, he heard the loud cry and when he entered inside he asked his younger brother whether he put off the lamp. Then the younger brother replied that because of switching off the lamp only, he got bitten by the scorpion. The younger brother asked his brother how he came so early. He replied that he had come only to see whether he had put off the lamps or not. Then his younger brother felt sad for him that because he walked all this distance, his slippers would have been worn out! The elder brother then said, “Do you think I am such a fool, I have not worn any slippers and had kept them in his bag lest they get worn out!!” Such foolish and greedy were these brothers. They both died without doing anything for the society. They never ate and never gave others to eat. All their property was taken over by the government. What a fate they had! 

Life without sacrifice is a wicked life. That is why the Vedas declare: “Na Karamana, Na Prajaya, Dhanena, Tyagenaike, Amritatwa Manashuhu” – Immortality is attained only through sacrifice. Why is it said so in the Vedas? It is said so because it is important. You may perform a number of Yagnas and Yagas, they are the path of action. You may have progeny or big family; they will never send you to the higher realms. It is only your merits that will take you to heights. You should sacrifice money also. Then only you gain immortality. Having known all these, you behave as though you don’t know anything. It is not a big mistake when one who is ignorant and commits the mistake. But if someone knowing the importance commits the mistake, it is a greater mistake. 

Source: Unity of Thought, Word and Deed, Discourse 2, My Dear Students Volume 5

The Multi-Faceted Divine Diamond - By K. Sai Suhas

“Since I move among you, eat with you and talk with you, you are deluded into the belief that this is, but an instance of common humanity. Be warned against this mistake. I am also deluding you by singing with you, talking with you, and engaging Myself in activities with you. But any moment My Divinity will be revealed to you; you have to be prepared for that moment. Since Divinity is developed by humanness, you must endure to overcome the Maya that hides it from your eyes. Never forget that I am Super Human Divinity in human form.”

- Baba

These words of Bhagavan were like a dash of cold water jolting me awake from the delusion my mind was slowly cocooning itself into, thinking Bhagavan to be a wonderful, loving friend. These words made me remember once again that it is indeed God in whose presence we are spending the best part of our lives. Yet, it is indeed God who teases us, jokes with us, makes us laugh and is so charming and endearingly ‘human’ that we tend to forget His Divinity. 

Lord Narayana in His Divine Form

Bhagavan once said, “If I had come amongst you as Narayana with four arms holding the conch, the wheel, the mace and the lotus, you would have kept me in a museum and charged a fee for those who seek Darshan.” In the same way, may be if we are all the time in awe of Bhagavan and shake and shiver in His presence, maybe we would not have been able to enjoy the wonderful sweet relationship that we enjoy with Him now. So, Bhagavan in His mercy has come down to our level and talks and behaves in such a fashion that we can feel kinship with Him. 

Bhagavan is like a multifaceted diamond, each day revealing more wonderful facets of Him. It would be impossible to capture and write about His many moods, actions and behaviour. Here, I would like to pen down some of the aspects of Bhagavan, which have particularly touched me. 

Bhagavan says, “When I am with a man, I am a man; when I am with a woman, I am a woman; when I am with a child, I am a child; when I am alone, I am God.” 

Bhagavan is as affectionate as a mother, as lovingly authoritarian as a father, as considerate as a teacher, as forgiving as God. So, He is loved by all who long to secure a loving mother, a wise father, a sympathetic teacher and a compassionate God. 

“I ask only that you turn to Me when your mind drags you into grief or pride or envy. Bring Me the depths of your mind, no matter how grotesque, how cruelly ravaged by doubts or disappointments. I know how to treat them. I will not reject you. I am your Mother.”

Bhagavan says, “My love for you is more intense that the love of a thousand mothers. Your mother may be with you in this birth, but I’m with you birth after birth, showering My love and care on you. I’m your real Mother.” A fine example is the relationship between Bhagavan and His students. It is difficult to describe Bhagavan’s limitless and unbounded love and compassion for the students. He looks into all the needs of the students from routine mundane matters such as breakfast and lunch served, to the health and well being of all the students. He knows the spiritual needs of His children and administers the spiritual teachings in such a way that we can easily grasp and practice His teachings in our daily lives. Regarding Bhagavan’s motherly love, the incident, which really touched me, is as follows: 

Once Bhagavan was going along with some students to Kodaikanal. Bhagavan was in His car in the front and the boys in a bus behind Bhagavan’s car. In the course of the journey the bus developed a snag and the boys were stranded. However Bhagavan’s car went on and Had reached the destination. 

Meanwhile, the repairs and delays took some three hours and after that they resumed their journey and when they reached the destination, they found Bhagavan waiting anxiously for them. Beloved Mother Sai, who usually retires by 8:00 pm, was pacing up and down near the gate for three hours, waiting for Her children to come. 

Swami waiting at the entrance of
Sai Sruthi Mandir, Kodaikanal

After that, Bhagavan, with much love and affection, took all the boys inside and said that they must all be hungry and tired because of the journey. Then He made arrangements for the food and patiently went and saw to the comforts of each and every boy. Only after the boys finished eating did they realise that Bhagavan hadn’t still eaten. Whose Love can be more vast and who can be more compassionate than our Mother Sai? 

“I alone know the agony of teaching you each and every step in this dance of life. My life is my message.” 

Bhagavan’s work is so universal and practical that the modern world will slowly come to apply. His entire life is a meaningful and inspiring message. At the material level, one of the best gifts that Bhagavan has given to humanity is the unique Sai Educational system, which now become famous all over the world for its excellence and effectiveness. Apart from imparting academic instructions, special attention is given to the development of moral, ethical, spiritual and human values. 

At the spiritual level, He guides each person in the spiritual path, according to his nature and knowing his capacities and weaknesses. He is aware of each person’s spiritual position and modifies the teachings in such a way that they can be easily grasped and put into practice. To some, He has prescribed strict penance and sent them to the Himalayas after making them renounce their worldly attachments. To some others, He has prescribed Namasmarana. He asked many others to form groups and serve the society. Thus, His teachings and guidance vary from person to person according to their needs and also the nature of the person concerned. 

Bhagavan has expressed His artistic talents right from His childhood. As a child, He composed songs and poems, acted in dramas, even dressed Himself as a lady dancer and and gave a professional dance performance! He continues to compose poems and songs during His discourses. He directs plays and guides the students in acting, as well as dressing each character in the play. He is a good musician too, and is quick to find and correct faults not only in the songs but also in the accompanying music. 

Swami with the materialised statue
of Hanuman

Bhagavan is a good architect too. The designing and construction of all the buildings in the Ashram as well as the educational institutions and also the Super Speciality Hospital have been done under the direct supervision and guidance of Bhagavan. During the installation of the huge Hanuman statue in the Hill View Stadium, when the engineers and other architects were struggling to find a suitable posture for the size of the statue which could stand in perfect balance when installed, Bhagavan materialised a miniature statue with the right posture and solved their problems of months in a minute. 

The main aspect of Bhagavan that has attracted millions of people from all over the globe is His selfless love, unsullied by any attachment or partiality; flowing alike to the rich and the poor, the old and the young, the intellectual and the ignorant. 

I would like to cite an instance to show that Bhagavan’s love is not influenced by the material status, caste, creed and so on. Once, when Bhagavan was staying in Bangalore at the bungalow of a rich devotee, many people were flocking to the bungalow to see Bhagavan. A cobbler sitting outside also wanted to have Bhagavan’s Darshan and hence went inside with a bunch of half - dried flowers. Bhagavan came near him, accepted the flowers and asked him what he wanted. The cobbler said that Bhagavan should come to his house and bless his family. Bhagavan agreed and went away, but the cobbler wasn’t satisfied because he didn’t give Bhagavan his address and went home not quite happy. But a few days later a car stopped in front of him on the road and Bhagavan was seated inside. He beckoned the cobbler to join Him and they went to the cobbler’s hut. There Bhagavan blessed and created sweets for the man’s wife and children. He also sat on a wooden plank and leaning against the wall, ate the fruits offered by them, all the while talking to them. Later Bhagavan returned to the bungalow. 

Bhagavan expresses His love in various forms, a few of which are as anger, humour, pranks etc. It is not always serious and weighty matters that Bhagavan discusses. Bhagavan is witty and humorous beyond our imagination and at times delightfully plays with words. He can bring different meanings and perceptions from things that seem so ordinary. Being the perfect Divine teacher, He uses humour effectively to drive home His point. It is Bhagavan’s humour that acts like a ray of sunshine and brightens our lives and whenever we recall His words, our hearts are aglow! 

Once a sceptic told Bhagavan, “If you change our Indian Ocean water into petrol, all our country’s financial problems will be solved.” Bhagavan said, “I don’t want to, because people like you might throw a lighted matchstick into it by mistake!” 

Prof. Kasturi (extreme left) with Swami

Once, Professor Kasturi was consumed by the desire to receive a Mantra from Bhagavan. Having mentioned this to Baba, he bathed himself in the Ganges and fasted all morning to receive it. Morning hours passed and noon came. But no Mantra. Lunchtime, he was seated next to Bhagavan. Bhagavan asked, “Kasturi, why aren’t you eating?” “The Mantra...” began a miserable Kasturi. “What is the purpose of getting a Mantra?” asked Bhagavan. “To get closer to God” was the reply. Baba looked at Kasturi’s arm and then at His own. They were almost touching. “Well,” He smiled in His Divinely down to earth way, “How much closer do you want to get?” 

Bhagavan is indeed a unique multifaceted diamond, precious and priceless!

- K. Sai Suhas

Alumnus (2002-2006), Department of Mathematics and Computer Sciences,
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Currently, Systems Specialist, GE Healthcare, Bangalore

Source: Sai Nandana 2000 (75th Birthday Issue)

Sri Sathya Sai elaborates on Management Lessons from Chanakya - Part 2

Chanakya (371 - 283 BC)

Continued from Part 1

CHANAKYA’S TENETS OF ADMINISTRATION

Circulation of Capital

Chanakya propounded that out of total income, one fourth should be saved for the future and three-fourths should be used for the five life forces of the business. Many of today’s business leaders like the Tatas, Birlas and Kirloskars, etc., started their business by managing small companies. With the progress of time, they have become owner-leaders. However, we should understand the transformed mind-set of people over time. For each company, there are shareholders. The leaders (as promoters) invest money along with the other shareholders. Nevertheless, the very moment they get back the money they have invested with profits, they lose interest in that business of that company. As a result of this, the company’s performance may plummet, and the company would incur losses. While these eminent business leaders were committed to their company, there are owner-leaders who display the knack to take back their capital and later do not show the keenness to improve the business further. Many businesspersons act in this manner because of which business may not grow in the desired way. Chanakya’s principle was different. His principle was that of ‘Circulation of the Capital’. Just like blood, money has to be circulated in order to ensure safety and protection. This is the most important principle of Chanakya. 

Centralisation vs. Decentralisation

People at higher levels in the organisation should be aware of the happenings at the grass root level. They should not ignore the state of affairs at the shop floor level by keeping themselves too busy with the concerns of the people at the higher level. It may not be possible for key people in an organisation to do everything themselves, but they should be kept posted with developments and the day-to-day happenings on a regular basis.

Financial Management

Chanakya stated that out of the total earnings or crops produced, one-half of the total produce has to be set aside for the future contingencies. During times of emergency, one should be self-reliant and not dependent on others. Out of the remaining, one half has to be used for the welfare of the nation and the other half for defence. He also provided principles for business. Nowadays, banks pay a lower rate of interest on deposits they receive but charge higher rate of interest on the advances they give to the customers. Chanakya opined that such a practice was incorrect. According to him, if a loan of INR 100 were given now, the borrower need not pay interest at periodic intervals but pay back INR 200 say after 10 years, which would thereby cover both the principal and the interest. This was followed so that the borrower would not be subjected to frequent hardships. Again, in case the borrower died before the loan repayment, the loans were fully waived and not charged to his family. Today if the borrower expires, his property is attached or his dependents or the people who signed as surety are made liable. Chanakya felt that the debt was an individual transaction and not related to the family. Thus, Chanakya used Artha Shastra in those days with a different viewpoint. Today, however, times have changed as a result of which there is also a change in the business principles and practices.

Continued in Part 3...

Source: Art and Science of Management in Ancient India, Chapter 4, Man Management: A Values-Based Perspective

Sri Sathya Sai Visits the Beautiful Backwaters of Kerala

Monday March 7, 1960 to Saturday, March 19, 1960

Sri Sathya Sai in Kerala

Accompanied by a few devotees, Swami left for Madurai via Bangalore on 7th March, 1960. He spent a few hours in a quiet and beautiful spot at the Upper Anicut and reached Madurai at 9.00 pm. On the 9th, Swami gave Darshan at Sai Vihar, the residence of Sri G. N. C. Ramachandra Chettiar and left for Tirunelveli at 3.00 pm. Swami visited the homes of a few devotees at Tirunelveli. A seriously ill Sri Chidambaram Krishnan had his first Darshan of Swami at Gangaikondan on the 9th, when Swami was on His way to Surandai Agraharam. On the 10th, Sri Krishnan headed to Surandai for yet another Darshan of Swami. Swami led Chidambaram inside the house and stroked him on his chest with His hand. Giving him a Talisman and a locket with His image inscribed on it, Swami told him that these two would protect him. 

Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Governor of Kerala (1956-60), reverentially received Swami at the frontier of Kerala. Swami stayed at Raj Bhavan for about a week. Bhajan sessions and individual interviews were the everyday norm while at the Raj Bhavan. On 13th March, Baba proceeded to Kanyakumari along with the Governor and his wife. At Kanyakumari seashore in the evening, Swami materialised a garland of diamonds and pearls from the sands. He created an emerald, which, by His will, ‘got set’ in a gold ring. He took sacred Vibhuti from the sand and applied it to the devotees with His own hands. 

On 14th, Swami and the dignitaries visited Quilon and crusied through the lovely backwaters in boats. Swami granted Darshan to the devotees at Trivandrum on the 15th, and visited the homes of a large number of devotees. Swami embarked on a plane for Bangalore on the 16th. The Governor joined Swami on the 17th, and they left for Tirupati by car. Swami inaugurated the Tyagaraja Utsavam at Tirupati at 6.00 pm on the 17th, Swami left for Prasanthi Nilayam on the 18th and reached on the 19th.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam Part 1 (1926 to 1985)

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR SORROW?

Students, you know well. You may want an engineering degree or an M.B.B.S or an M.B.A degree. You think that you will be very happy once you get the desired degree. But are you happy? After a degree, you want a job, thinking that a good job will give you happiness. But is there happiness even after getting a job? After getting a job you feel that a promotion will give you happiness. But is there happiness in getting a promotion. You will start desiring a promotion all the time! You want to get married, thinking that you will get happiness. But is there happiness in marriage? Then you want a son. You get a son. But did you get the happiness that you were seeking? Thereafter starts the Korean War between husband and wife! Then they think of God. They begin to pray to God, ‘Oh God what a hell I am in’. All these are chosen by you, hence you are suffering! None of these desires will give permanent joy. All are like passing clouds. Then when do you get happiness? Old age has come, and you performed your duty but ultimately there is no happiness. You are always worried about who will take care of you in your old age, and when your age is ninety you are bed-ridden. Man wants to be happy even at that moment. When the doctor wants to give an injection the old man asks him to administer it in such a way that it doesn’t hurt him! You are after happiness. But where is that happiness? Therefore Tyagaraja said “Oh mind! Tell me the Truth. Is there happiness at all in this world?” God has provided man with all the conveniences. But man is not satisfied. You strive for happiness, but you also should have a spiritual goal. 

Worldly pleasure is needed. But it should not be in excess. We eat food. Excess food is eliminated by the body as waste. That which is taken in should be sent out. You breathe in fresh air and exhale impure air. So too, the money earned should be sacrificed in some or the other way. You should use money for the benefit of the poor. 

Immortality lies in sacrifice. There is bliss in sacrifice. What is this sacrifice? Why we should sacrifice? Should we sacrifice our hearts or should we give up our body? God never asks for such things. Sacrifice the bad qualities within you. God doesn’t want your good qualities or virtues. Offer your bad qualities to God. No one will accept your bad qualities. Even your parents refuse to take your bad qualities, but God is always ready. 

Source: The True Goal of Human Life, My Dear Students Volume 4

When Sri Sathya Sai saved me from Quicksand... - By Vijay S. Prasad

The Love in your heart wasn’t

Put there to stay

Love isn’t Love till you give it away

To love and be loved is the greatest joy on Earth. It is the only thing that increases by giving. You may give money, only to become poor by a few more pennies, but if you give love-selfless and unsullied, then you find to your amazement that the happiness within you rises to an all time high. But, what is happiness? Where can we get it? Is it permanent or fleeting? To answer these questions one must turn inward. As you do this, you get the answer. True and permanent happiness can be attained only in union with God. It is because God, who is the ocean of love, envelopes you. Then you realise that you are in a state of true joy and happiness. This joy persists as long as your relationship with God exists, intact and firm. 

As Bhagavan always stresses the need to “Love all and Serve all”, we all must serve with our hands and pray to God all the time with our heart. Gandhiji always used to say; “We are not doing any favour by helping the needy and the downtrodden. It is they who are doing us a favour by giving us a chance to do so.”

Love is simply beyond words. One has to taste the sugar to know its sweetness. Likewise, one must experience love to know what it is. 

Love is sandal in its coolness, an its very enchanting fragrance.

Love is a lotus in its neatness, as it removes dirt and brings cleanliness.

Love is a rose in its tenderness, so tender and soft.

Love is a fish in selfishness, it removes dirt, does it not?!

Love is selflessness, self is lovelessness.

The thing you should have is goodness, 

And you will be ready to answer his call.

Love is giving and forgiving. Bhagavan only gives. He never takes. If at all He takes anything, it is only the burden and troubles of His devotees. Here are a few instances. 

Swami giving Darshan outside the
Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar - Swami's School at Ooty

I was studying in Bhagavan’s residential school at Ooty. One fine Saturday, my parents came to take me for a night’s stay in one of the famous lodges at Ooty. It was the year 1989. I was then studying second standard. That night, I stayed in the company of my parents. The next day I visited various places of interest in Ooty with my parents. We visited the lake in Ooty, had a pleasant ride in a boat and then we visited the famous Botanical gardens. It was around 11 a.m or so. We decided to rest for sometime in the gardens. So, we sat next to a pond. My sister and I were playing with a frisbee. As we were playing, the frisbee landed in the pool. In my innocence, I jumped into the pool. As soon as I landed in the pool, I noticed to my horror that I couldn’t come up. It was quicksand and I was being drawn to the netherworlds faster and faster. Hearing my screams and my sister’s screams, my parents came running to me. I was beyond their reach. Already the marshy water had almost submerged me till my neck. My parents realised the gravity of the situation and prayed to Bhagavan. Their prayers were answered. The next moment, some great force pushed me up and I was able to reach my parents! God takes care of His devotees. 

Here is another instance when Bhagavan came to the rescue of His devotees. Of course, such instances are simply innumerable and uncountable. These are just drops in the mighty ocean. There was a devotee whose son was employed in a chocolate factory. Both of them visited Prasanthi Nilayam where Bhagavan gave them an interview and assured them that He would always protect them no matter where they were. So, after receiving Bhagavan’s love and grace, they left Parthi. The son’s work included putting slabs of chocolate under a splitter. This splitter split the chocolate bar into pieces of equal size and shape. He had to be always circumspect. Every time he would push a chocolate slab into the splitter, he would have to take out his hands very fast or else, it would cut his hands. One day, as he was pushing the chocolate bars, his hand got stuck up and however much he tried it was of no avail. The splitter was coming down to fragment the bar, and with it, his hand also. The son remembered Bhagavan, closed his eyes and waited for the inevitable. He waited; five seconds passed... ten seconds... nothing happened to his hand! He slowly opened his eyes and saw something-something nobody could believe. But with God, there is nothing impossible. He does the impossible just in a trice. Even as he opened his eyes, he saw that the splitter had stopped just about an inch from his hand due to power failure! Everybody in the factory was amazed. Later, when they came to Parthi, Bhagavan quipped with a naughty, mischievous smile, “When Sai power comes, all other powers fail.” God does take care of His devotees. 

Bhagavan is a multifaceted personality. He says of Himself- “I am a man among men, woman among women, a child among children and alone, I am God.” 

A Child among Children

Bhagavan is a child among children. As a student, I have witnessed many a time this facet of the Divine Lord. Imagine God coming to His children and asking or inquiring about the day’s menu. Here is an instance, which augments the understanding of the above statement. It was the year 1979. Students from the newly established Whitefield campus were in Bombay with Bhagavan to stage a drama entitled ‘Bhaja Govindam’. It was such a great success that there were proposals for inviting the boys to various states and even abroad for staging the drama. But, as the examinations were to be held within a week, Bhagavan said, “I will see.” It was time to leave for Bangalore. The students were feeling sad, as they had to part the company of the Lord. Two buses were arranged. By the time Bhagavan came, the first bus had already started. So, Bhagavan could just wave His hands. But the boys in the second bus were to witness a moving scene. Bhagavan came to the second bus. All the boys wanted to open the door and touch Bhagavan’s feet. But Bhagavan told them not to open the door and just remain seated. Bhagavan went to each and every window of the bus and gave send-off to the boys just as a mother or friend would do! The boys were in tears. The bus then started and Bhagavan then went to a vantage point from where He could observe the bus for the longest time and kept waving His hands until the bus was out of sight. The devotees who were seated in the Dharmakshetra were moved to tears. The Lord of the Universe had come to such a level only due to one thing - Love and Love alone. 

And alone - He is God. Many times, He reveals the contents of the letters without opening them. These are but petty things for the Divine. His greatest miracle is the transformation of the Heart through His Love. There are many things we take for granted. During a Satsang in our Samiti, a devotee was emphasising the fact that “little things mean a lot.” He said that before he came to Bhagavan, he used to visit various pilgrim centres and could see only the statues of God. But, in Prasanthi Nilayam, the first time he saw Bhagavan he was moved to tears and said that his wish to see the living God was fulfilled. Another thing he brought to our notice was, “Usually devotees go around the idol or do Pradakshina (circumambulations), but in Parthi it is just the opposite. Here, God goes round the devotees.” To top it all, he added, “In temples normally we offer coins at the Hundi, not knowing who would take it. But in Parthi, the loving God takes the letters or rather the troubles of His devotees.” 

Love can exist only with the help of strong and firm support. And the support that is necessary here is selfless service. Selfless love and selfless service together form the greatest combination that can possibly exist. It is this that attracts God. It binds Him to you, more firmly and more securely. So Bhagavan says - “Manava Seva is Madhava Seva, Jana Seva is Janardana Seva and Silent Seva is Sai Seva.” It is very important to know two things here. Firstly, one should never do service having a selfish motive behind it and secondly, one must always observe silence to the maximum extent possible. For, it is only in the depths of silence that the voice of God can be heard. Experience is the best way to know the essence of love. And the ultimate experience of love can be had only with the loving God, i.e. our dearest Bhagavan. 

To experience love, one must be ready to receive and realise the essence of this Divine love. To accomplish this, one must be an optimist. The mind can be compared to a parachute. It functions best only when it is open. To be broad-minded is simple, provided we have control over the senses. Control over the senses can be gained only when the mind is controlled. To control the mind one must follow the conscience. There is an ideal example to explain this point. Once Winston Churchill said, “God, I’m going to be the Prime minister of the whole world.” Roosevelt got up and said, “I’m going to be higher than Churchill. I’m going to be the President of the whole world.” Stalin then said, “Respected sirs, do you think I’ll let you become what you think you will become?” Here the senses can be compared to that of Mr. Churchill and the mind to that of President Roosevelt. We should be powerful like Stalin (i.e. we must have control over the mind and the senses). 

Bhagavan emphasises that low aim is a crime. Always have your eyes on the ultimate goal: to cultivate and give selfless love. One should remain in the world but unattached to it. The leaves of the lotus grow in the dirty, marshy water and yet remain untouched by it. One should not fool the world nor should it fool one. One must learn from his mistakes. If a man deceives us once, shame on him. If a man deceives us twice, shame on us. Correcting our mistakes and thus striving hard for perfection is one of the greatest qualities. For all the love we get from the ocean of love that He is, can we not share this love with our fellow beings? Love everyone so that you love God and He will give it back a thousand fold for He is the Loving God. 

Love everyone, as they are God; what binds us is only love.

Serve everyone, as they are God; start it all just now.

Loving God as He is; share this love with all.

For all things are made by Him, both big and small.

Let there not exist selfishness, as a barrier or wall.

Love is the only answer to God’s call.

- Vijay S. Prasad
Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

Source: Sai Nandana 2000 (75th Birthday Issue)

Students in the Interview Room with Sri Sathya Sai

September 9,1991

On this day, Swami graciously blessed the 1st MBA boys with an interview. Bhagavan profoundly delivered this sweet message for almost two hours. 

Student : Where are we going Swami? (Destination) 

Sathya Sai with Students in the Prasanthi Nilayam Interview Room

Swami : You are going from hostel to the Institute, Institute to the Mandir and back to the hostel, like a triangle. (Jokingly)

Swami : What is education?

Student : Concentration of mind.

Swami : Yes, concentration of mind. Not merely collection of facts. But all of you are collecting information.

Swami : (Asking the question) What is man made up of? (He Himself told) Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide. Trees are made up of three elements; Oxygen, Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide. Man exhales Carbon Dioxide and trees receive it and give Oxygen to man. This is how balance is maintained. The sun is made up of Hydrogen and Helium. Hydrogen burns but Helium does not. When both the gases are present together, how can Hydrogen alone burn and not Helium? There is a balance existing between them. Who has created the gases there?

Scientists combine Hydrogen and Oxygen to prepare water. But who has created this Hydrogen and Oxygen? When you churn the ocean of milk, you first get poison and then comes Amrita (nectar). Similarly when humanity is churned, you get Vairagya (detachment). When you question yourself, ‘Am I the body?’, you realise that the body is made up of flesh, blood, bones, urine and excreta, then you will get detachment. Though the body looks good on the outside, it is dirty inside. Life is momentary.

Youth is like lightning - it does not last long.

Desires are like passing clouds.

Beauty is like a flower that blossoms in the morning,

And dries up in the evening.

Sathya Sai with Students in the Interview Room at Prasanthi Nilayam

Swami : The other day when I asked you, “Who am I?” and “Who are you?”, nobody could answer. From dawn to dusk you say, “My pant, my pencil, etc.”, but who is this I, I, I? If you think you are the body - it is a water bubble. If you think you are the mind - it is a mad monkey. If you think you are the senses-sensual pleasures are momentary. Everything in the world is interplay of reaction, resound and reflection. Whatever the students do, it will come back to them. But Swami is like the pure mirror, reflecting whatever is in the front. You do Namaskar in front of the mirror; the image will do the same. If you show threatening gestures, it will show the same. What is the meaning of ‘Pratiphal’? 

Students : Reaction, Swami.

Swami : Correct. But people do not think about Karmaphal (reaction of one's actions). Whatever you do will came back to you. Everyone comes alone into this world. You do not come even with a piece of cloth around you. While leaving (this world), you do not even leave an address and go. Husband does not tell his wife his future address, mother does not tell her son, etc. No one knows where he or she will go. It is only the good and bad alone that you do in this world that will follow you even after death. The Jeeva (individual soul) is like the reflection. Nature is the mirror that reflects the reality of God. Once you remove the reflection and the mirror, God alone will exist. What is bad?

Students : Swami, something that is not good.

Swami : What is not good? See, I always tell ‘Help Ever, Hurt Never’. Shakuni used to hurt and that too he used to hurt good people. Hurting good people is really bad. That is why he was finished in the end.

Source: Students with Sai Conversations Part 1 (1991-2000)

Sri Sathya Sai elaborates on Management Lessons from Chanakya - Part 1

THE ARTHA SHASTRA

Chanakya (371 - 283 BC)

Artha Shastra is a comprehensive treatise on different disciplines such as economics, administration, ethics, diplomacy, etc. It deals with matters concerning how to earn wealth, spend money, enjoy with money and to expend wealth. The author of this great work was Chanakya. He was from Bihar (a state in India) and was also called by other names - Kautilya and Vishnu Gupta. Vishnu Gupta was the name given to him by his parents. As he was born in the Gotra (lineage) of Kautil, he was called Kautilya. He also had ‘Kutila-Chitta’, a manipulative mind and one having a shrewd way of dealing with each problem. This also caused him to be called ‘Kautilya’. As he was born in the village Chanak, he was also called by the name ‘Chanakya’. In the olden days, there was a tradition of attaching the name of the village where one was born as prefix or suffix to one’s own given name, which is known as surname. Therefore, Chanakya got this name as he was born in that village. 

Artha Shastra suggests a tax of 4% on agricultural produce worth and 6% on equivalent business income. These work out to be below the existing tax rates. Artha Shastra strongly disapproves government’s excessive concentration on the cities and possible neglect of rural areas. Government must never spend all the money it collects by way of taxes. Kautilya maintained that some part of the income should be saved to provide for exigencies. He was not in favour of the practice of debt financing. Similarly, householders must not spend in excess of their incomes. The golden formula is 25% of income to be spent on personal needs, 25% given away in charity, 25% for public and social causes and 25% to be saved for future needs and exigencies (natural calamities, disasters, etc.), old age etc. The endeavour should be towards self-sufficiency. Businesspersons must be devoted to their business even though profits are low. These days, people buy and sell shares to make personal gains which works against the interests of companies and the nation. Government must maintain a buffer stock of food grains, which would be useful during downturn times. Value of human beings is superior to any amount of wealth. 

Division of Wealth as recommended by Chanakya

Continued in Part 2...

Source: Art and Science of Management in Ancient India, Chapter 4, Man Management: A Values-Based Perspective

Sri Sathya Sai's First Visit to Kodaikanal...

Saturday, March 16, 1957

Sri Sathya Sai interacting with the Vedic Scholars at Venkatagriri

The 9th All-India Divine Life Convention held at Venkatagiri in 1957 was a landmark in the Dharmic campaign of Swami. He presided over the deliberations and sounded the clarion call of Sadhana and spiritual regeneration. On the second day, Swami materialised a gold ring studded with a composite picture of Shirdi Sai and Himself, and gave it to Sri Yogiraj V. S. Bua, who was one of the speakers. He also materialised grapes and Vibhuti and gave it to him as Prasad. Two Sanyasi scholars Sri Satchidananda and Sri Sadananda of the Sivananda Ashram attended this convention. They both accompanied Swami on His return to Puttaparthi. 

Sri Sathya Sai in the Hills
(Photo taken in the later years)

On His way to Puttaparthi, Swami visited Kodaikanal for the first time, and stayed with Sri Venkatamuni and Smt. Susilamma. The old devotees Sri Nagaratnam Mudaliar and Sri Parthasarathy Mudaliar had Darshan of Swami there.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijiyam Part 1 (1926 to 1985)

There’s Something Special In Your Love

There’s Something Special In Your Love 

That Draws Us All So Close To You

And Every Time We Look Up To You, Sai We Have Found It’s True

Ki Pyaare Sai Ham Tumhaare Liye Jeena Hai To Sirf Tere Liye

Listen To The Strokes Of Our Hearts They Say Sai We Love You.

In This Tiresome Journey Of Life You’re Our Only Friend,

Lead Us On And We’ll Follow Till The Very End

Ki Pyaare Sai… Listen To… (3)

And All That We Can Say Today We Belong To You

And All That We Can Do For You To Show How Much It’s True

Ki Pyaare Sai… Listen To… (3)

Source: Song 30, Section 4, English Songs, Vandana: Students’ Prayer Book

A STORY OF TENALI RAMAKRISHNA

Swami giving Discourse in Trayee Brindavan

Once upon a time, Tenali Ramakrishna was in the court of King Krishnadevaraya discussing important issues. He reached home late at night. His wife was waiting for him. His practice was to take a bath and then partake food however late it may be. He always followed discipline. That night he went to the well. He sat down to draw water from the well. There were many bushes around the well. He saw two thieves behind the bushes. He wanted to catch those thieves. So he shouted, asking his wife if she knew that he was near the well. She thought that he had fallen in the well and she came running outside. “What happened?”, she asked. “You do not know”, he said, “Wherever we see, there are thieves. We have so many rewards given by the king in our house. First you go and look after that. How are you going to keep it safe?” Then he whispered something in her ear. She went inside, put some stones in a bundle and both of them together got it out. “You keep it here and there, it becomes a waste. Thieves will come and take it away. Let us put it in the well. If it is in the well, it is safe and secure; no thief can take it away.” 

Tenali Ramakrishna

Then he threw the bundle into the well. The thieves standing nearby saw this. So they were waiting for Tenali Rama to go inside his house after his bath. Tenali Rama also knew what they were thinking about. He bolted his door from inside his house. While going inside he told his wife, “Today I can sleep well. Do not open the door till seven in the morning.” As soon as he went inside, both the thieves jumped into the well. There was too much of water in the well. They were trying to search for the bundle but after trying a lot, they could not get anything. 

Finally, they got the bundle which was very heavy. One of them said that the bundle was too heavy and he could not take it out alone. First he wanted to draw all the water out from the well. Tenali Rama Krishna had a big Tulsi Vanam (garden) planted around his house a few days before. Generally, he used to draw water from the well and feed the plants. The thieves thought that if they draw all the water from the well and feed the plants, they can easily get the gold. They started drawing the water but the water level was not reducing. Both the thieves ran away and decided to return the next day. Tenali Rama Krishna came the next morning and was happy that his Tulsi Vanam was watered properly. His strategy had worked. He protected himself and also many valuable things. Punya (merit) is helping and Papa (sin) is harming others.

He started for the court of Krishnadevaraya the next day and in the mean time he also complained to the police. The police captured both the thieves and took them to the palace. When the two thieves were caught, there were no more thefts in the village. 

King Krishnadevaraya

Tenali Ramakrishna said, “Oh King! Today I have captured these two thieves. Tomorrow onwards we will never get any complaints.” The king asked, “How did you capture them both?” Tenali Ramakrishna explained what all had happened. The king asked, “Who are these thieves?” Tenali Rama replied, “Attachment and hatred are the thieves”. In order to catch these thieves, we have to guard all the houses of the rich. God is rich. There is nobody richer than God. God exists in stones, gold and everything else. God exists everywhere. Whatever penance you do and sacrifices you make, it is not easy to serve God. Then how can you serve God? You have to go near God. Go near God and then offer yourself to God.

Source: Only God Can Confer True Bliss, Discourse 9, My Dear Students Volume 3, Discourse delivered on March 31, 1998 at Trayee Brindavan