When Sri Sathya Sai Drove The Car | Dr. Abdul Kalam's first visit to Prasanthi Nilayam

When Sri Sathya Sai drove the Morris Tourer

July 19, 1998

Swami : Bad luck boys. I kept everything ready in Poonachandra. I got a phone call made to the hostel at 12 noon. Suryanarayana, your accountant picked it up. When I asked for your Warden Siva Sankara Sai, he replied that he was not there. Again I phoned at 1:30 pm; same result. At what time is your lunch?

Students : 12 o’clock Swami.

Swami : Oh! That is why he was not there. But where was he at 1:30? I knew that boys were there in the hostel, but at that time everybody was (Making a snoring sound) sleeping. Each one was making different kinds of sounds. What is this sleep? I have never experienced it. Even in the night at 1 a.m.- 2 a.m.

…Before, I Myself would drive the car from Parthi to Rajahmundry. Even last year, during the Kodaikanal trip, I drove the car. I listened to what Padmanabhan was telling. Years back Padmanabhan’s father (Dentist in Bangalore) Sheshagiri Rao also sat with Me in the car. He would close his eyes and chant “Sairam, Sairam” throughout the journey and open them only after reaching the destination. Such was the speed at which I used to drive. My car was a Morris Tourer. It was a very small car. I used to go at 100-150 mph. But those kinds of cars usually do not have so much capacity. At that speed, the tyres were almost in the air. Even at that speed I never ran over cats and dogs. I got my license when I was very young. While testing, Hanumantha Rao, the then transport commissioner of the then Madras state, and two Brake Inspectors were sitting in my car. They asked me to drive between two lines, forward and reverse. They also asked me to turn once suddenly towards the right and once towards the left. After the test, they certified that even though I was very young, they would be issuing a special license. They said, “He is able to drive well; better than even a man with 50 years of experience. What if he is young, he is able to drive so well.” 

Student : Please, Swami.

Swami : But I have no time.

Teacher : Swami has all the time.

Students : Please, Swami.

Swami : Abhi Baat Kar Sakta Hai(I can talk now). Students, are you ready?

Students : Yes, Swami. Please call us now. (Loudly)

Swami : No, no. Abhi Time Nahi Hai. You may have special classes in the evening.

Swami : (To teacher) See boys are telling, “No Swami”.

Teacher : If Swami wants, anything is possible.

Swami  : No time.

Teacher : Swami, please talk to us on Thursday.

Swami : Thursday I am not free. I have work.

Students : Please, Swami. Talk to us tomorrow.

Swami : Tomorrow is Monday. Not possible.

Students : Swami, call us this evening.

Swami  : No, Abhi next Sunday Hi Ho Sakta Hai (No. Now it is possible only on next Sunday). Did he come to the Institute, what is his name? … Abdul Kalam?

Dr. Abdul Kalam at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning Labs

Students   : Yes, Swami.

Swami  : He is also a very good poet. When he entered the interview room, he looked at Swami and told, “Kalam Baba Ko Salam Karta Hai.” (Kalam is offerring his Salaam (salutations) to Baba.) After his work, he wants to come and settle here for the rest of his life. He is not married and has no children. Therefore he wants to come and settle here. He says that he wants to come and spend his time with students, by teaching them. He will give a lot of inspiration to boys. I told him, “It is your wish. Do whatever you want.”

Dr. Abdul Kalam with Sri Sathya Sai (on a later occasion)

Swami : (To a teacher) Come here! You are like a mini-road roller. Growing too fat!

Teacher :  Swami, I am growing thin.

Swami : Are you feeling guilty? Eating, eating. Dono Hath Se Khata Hai!! (Eating with both    the hands)

Teacher : Swami, I eat very less. It is because of Yoga (spiritual practice).

Swami : It is not Yoga. It is Roga (disease). How are the boys?

Teacher : Students are very good, they are sweet. Bhagavan, Please talk to the I-U.G. students quite often. They will feel very happy. They need it.

Swami : I will see, I will see. Which subject are you taking?

Teacher : Self-awareness for I-M.B.A. students.

Swami : What is ‘Self’?

Teacher : ‘Self’ means ‘Atman’ and it is everywhere. It is that which makes us speak and see.

Swami : Air is everywhere, similarly consciousness is also everywhere, with you, within you, around you. But you cannot catch it. Conscious, consciousness and conscience. “Follow the conscience to be conscious of consciousness.”

(Swami later went to the Prashanti Nilayam Campus Hostel Warden - Dr. Siva Sankara Sai and confirmed it with the boys that He had called in the afternoon. The Warden then requested Swami for Poornachandra session.)

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations – Part 2 (2000-2004)