Unknown Stories from the Life of Lord Krishna

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks on Krishna

ADVENT OF KRISHNA

Krishna was born on the 20th of July, 3228 years before the Advent of Christ. If this has to be put in our calendar, it will be in the year Srimukha, month by the name Shravana, fortnight by the name Bahula, and the day of Ashtami. The star will be Rohini and the time will be 3:00 a.m. after midnight. If we count backwards from today, the day on which Krishna gave up His mortal body will work out at 5078 years. If we want to check this, we see that 3102 B.C. and 1976 (the year in which Discourse was given) add up to 5078 years. Thus, since the Kali Yuga has started, we have now gone through 5078 years.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HIS NAME

We must understand properly the meaning of the term Krishna. The word has three meanings. One is “Krishyati Iti Krishnah” (The one who cultivates is Krishna). What is it that has to be cultivated? The Hridayakshetra (field of the heart). Krishna cultivates the field of our hearts by removing the weeds of bad qualities, watering it with love, ploughing it with the use of Sadhana, and sowing the seeds of devotion. This is how Krishna cultivates out hearts.

The second meaning of the word is: “Karshati Iti Krishnah”. (The one who attracts is Krishna). Krishna attracts you by His eyes, His speech, His sports, and by every action of His. By His words, He softens and calms the hearts of even those filled with hatred and makes them rejoice.

A third meaning of the word Krishna is “Kushyati Iti Krishna” (one who is always blissful). Krishna was always in a state of bliss. It was because He had these various qualities, the sage Garga named Him Krishna. The ordinary meaning of the word Krishna is “one who is dark”. But people think only of this meaning and forget the deeper and truer meanings of the Lord’s name. The essence of Krishna’s life is, He proclaimed the Truth to the world, propagated the eternal verities and delighted the world by His Leelas.

KRISHNA AND GOPIKAS

People forget that Krishna was just 11 years old, when He finally left Brindavan, the scene of the Rasa Leela, towards Mathura and from thence to Dwaraka. The Bhagavata itself explicitly says that. But, it is ignored, because the minds of the people and the poets who want to see sensuality in the Rasaleela are vitiated by Vishaya Vasana (attachment to sense objects).

It is also stated that Krishna was wedded to 16,000 Gopikas. Who are these Gopikas? They are not cowherdesses in physical form. In the human head there is a lotus with a thousand petals. The Lord is described as the embodiment of the 16 Kalas. As the Lord of the Sahasrara (thousand-petalled lotus), He presides over the 16,000 Kalas which are present in this lotus. The Kundalini Shakti, which starts at the bottom of the spinal column (Mooladhaara), rises and merges with the 16,000 entities in the Sahasraara. This is the esoteric significance and the meaning of the role of the Divine within the body. Oblivious to this inner meaning, people indulge in misinterpretations and perverse expositions.

THE MASTER ACTOR-DIRECTOR

Is it possible for any ordinary individual to make his appearance simultaneously in numerous different places? The image of Krishna could appear in the hearts of the Gopis, though they were far away from Him. What is necessary is to purify the heart. The image of the Divine will not be reflected in an impure heart. There is no limit to the power of the Divine. Only the small-minded have limited power. God alone knows to whom, in what circumstances, at what time, to what extent and in what form His grace should be showered.

For example, take the case of Draupadi. In his vast audience-hall Duryodhana was inflicting humiliation on Draupadi. Unknown and unseen by anyone, Krishna was giving to Draupadi an endless number of saris. How are ordinary persons likely to view the situation? They might ask: “How is Krishna tolerating this kind of disrobing of Draupadi? Why does He not reduce Duryodhana to ashes that very moment? Why does He not put an end to his life? When the devotees are in agony, should the Divine merely look on?” The ignorant may tend to react in this fashion. But the Divine, who is the embodiment of peace, love and truth has to take note of Kaarana, Karya and Kartavya (the cause, the remedy and the task to be done). In the great cosmic drama, the Lord is also an actor. The time should be ripe for the role He has to play in a particular sequence of events. His action should be appropriate to His role. He cannot act otherwise. For instance, if Krishna decided to kill Duryodhana at the moment of Draupadi’s humiliation, He would be going against His role in the play. He has to play His specific part. Krishna knew that Duryodhana’s end lay in the hands of Bheema and not in His. It would be against His Dharma if He did what Bheema had to do. Bheema alone should slay Duryodhana with his mace. This is the law of creation. Krishna waited for the ordained event.

KRISHNA – THE WAR MONGER OR DIVINE DOCTOR?

The fire of Adharma has spread and taken possession so much that if you want to remove this fire, the only way that can be done is to have a heavy rain and not just ordinary drops of shower. Also this rain must be the rain of arrows. Krishna believed that the battle and this shower of arrows was necessary to stop the fire of Adharma engulfing the whole world.

The youth of today may get a doubt. Krishna wanted the peace of this world and yet He encouraged this big battle in which forty lakhs of people were killed. Is this called Himsa (violence) or Ahimsa (nonviolence)? Even then, Krishna gave an appropriate answer to this. He said, “Arjuna! Let us take the case of a cancerous growth on the body. This cancerous growth gives pain to the whole human body, although the growth itself is confined to a localised area. In that cancer, you have so many small germs present in the wound. When the doctor performs an operation on this cancerous growth, he will no doubt kill millions of germs. He will not think that he is going to kill a million germs and therefore stop the operation. If he does not perform the operation, the germs will be saved but the patient will suffer. He will surely kill the disease causing germs and save the patient”. Krishna further said, “In this body of the world this is the situation now. The cancer has come in the form of the Kauravas who are ruling. The whole world has got upset, and a state of anarchy is prevailing in the world now. There is also a decline of Dharma. All families who are living peacefully are being broken up. Therefore, I will be the doctor, with Arjuna as the compounder. I will perform the operation of cancer in the form of the battle of Mahabharata. In this battle or the operation, 4,000,000 (four million) of disease-causing germs will be killed for the benefit of the world. Is this bad or is this good for the world?”

Here Krishna is only demonstrating His authority. It is a very difficult matter to recognise and accept authority. There is a small example for this. In a hospital you may find a very proficient and capable doctor. He may be a very reputed person in his field. He comes to a decision that for a particular person an operation has to be performed at a particular time the next morning. This will be notified in the notice board and all concerned relatives will be informed. There is no secret about this. Everybody will know about this and the patient will be carried into the operation room. The doctor takes him into the operation room and performs the operation; but due to some misfortune, the patient dies. As a result of this, the police will not come and arrest the doctor. In the same context, if two people enter into a quarrel and one of them inflicts a small wound on the other man with a razor blade, the police will immediately come and register a case and arrest the man who has caused the injury. In the second example, the person does not have the authority to inflict a wound with a razor blade while in the first case; the doctor has the right to perform the operation, even in public.

Sometimes we interpret and call one of these as a help or a good deed while the other one is called harm. We take the case of a diabetic patient with a wound on his hand. The wound may not heal and may spread to the whole body in the form of gangrene. The doctor will have to come and say that to prevent further spreading of this; the hand will have to be removed. He will then amputate the whole hand, and this is a good deed done to the body.

In another case, if there is a lady who is wearing bangles on her hand, a thief may come and decide to take away the bangles by cutting the hand and taking away the hand with the bangles. While the thief and the doctor have both done the same thing, what the thief has done is harm and what the doctor has done is good.

When there is a young child who unknowingly sets fire to a house, we think that he has done great harm and we begin to punish him. However, when Hanuman burnt down the whole of Lanka, which was as prosperous as heaven itself, we not only did not punish him but we regarded him as a sacred person. The reason for this is that in the first case something good was burnt down while in the second case what Hanuman burnt down was the sin itself. He caused injury to the demons and the Rakshasas while the small boy caused injury to good people.

Thus, in order to remove or promote the demonic qualities in us, we have the complete right and power. It is in the context of recognising these various conflicting situations, in order to preach the inner meaning of these conflicting situations, Krishna gives various instances which will proclaim to us what good things are. Krishna was a selfless person, and He always desired the well-being of the human community. In that context, whatever He may have done was always good, and there was never anything bad in what He did. He himself conquered many kingdoms, but He never became a king of any of these kingdoms. He gave those kingdoms to several people. 

Whatever He may have done, there was always an inner meaning. All His actions were directed towards preaching an inner meaning.

The embodiment of Dharma in the human form of Krishna was one who desired the well-being of the entire humanity. The true interpretation of Dharma is to ask for the well-being of the entire human community in the universe. In this context, you may begin to argue that Krishna Himself behaved as if He wanted to like some people and favour some people and dislike other people. But the situations were such that Krishna, who was all-knowing, had to make the determination of taking a certain line of action. We should look back and see what Krishna said when Arjuna, in a state of great despondency, refused to go to battle against his own kinsmen, kill them, see their blood and yet become a ruler. Krishna told Arjuna, “I am giving the future of Dhritarashtra and his family. Listen to it. He has one hundred sons but they are all selfish. There is no place for selfishness in this world, and all these must be killed. Even though Dhritarashtra had one hundred sons, there will not be even a single son left to perform the obsequies for him when he dies. Good or bad, Punya (merit) or Paapa (sin) are not something which others will give you. These are simply direct results of whatever actions we perform”. What Krishna said and agreed to was that under such circumstances, to fight a battle was the right kind of Dharma.

Source: Krishna, Chapter 5, Sai Vani: Avatar on Avatar Purushas, Publications Division, Sri Sathya Sai Students and Staff Welfare Society, Prasanthi Nilayam

When Krishna emerged on the lanes of Prasanthi Nilayam... - By Dheeraj Juneja

It was in 1976, when my parents and I came to Prasanthi Nilayam. My father did not believe in Swami at that time but I persuaded him to come to Prasanthi Nilayam. When we arrived, the Navaratri festival celebrations were going on. After this, we went back to Delhi. My father was not at all impressed but something made him come back to Prasanthi Nilayam after some time. We accompanied him.

One day we went for Darshan in the morning. I was sitting with my mother and my father was sitting on the gents’ side. Swami came out of His abode to give Darshan. As He approached the place where my father was sitting, one person asked Swami for Vibhuti, and Swami said, “Wait”. After that another person asked Swami for Vibhuti. Again Swami’s reply was, “Wait” and He started moving ahead. But the devotee again called out Swami for Vibhuti and gave Him a letter. Swami said again, “Wait”. My father who was watching all this got up immediately in disgust even though Swami was still giving Darshan. He came back to the room. He opened his suitcase and was about to tear up Swami’s picture. Just then someone touched my father’s shoulder. My father turned around, but did not see anybody. Suddenly his eyes fell on the opposite wall. To his utter amazement he saw a full life-size image of Lord Krishna. (My father is a devotee of Lord Krishna.)

Then Lord Krishna actually spoke to him and said, “Stop this, you are My devotee. Keep this picture in the suitcase and close it.” My father was astounded and did as he was directed. Then Lord Krishna asked him to close the door and follow Him. My father followed Lord Krishna. Krishna came down from the building and emerged on the lanes of Prasanthi Nilayam. My father followed. No one was around in the Mandir lanes as Swami was still giving Darshan. Lord Krishna came outside the Mandir compound and entered one of the shops and asked my father to sit down. As soon as my father sat down Krishna vanished. My father saw a calendar on the opposite wall depicting a picture of Lord Krishna.

My father then heard Krishna speaking to him, “You say that you are My devotee, but today you have betrayed Me. When you go to the house of any relative and don’t like something, do you get up and comeback? No, you sit quietly. Then why did you get up during Darshan today? I will arrange a friendly meeting with Swami. Now go back to the Mandir.” My father obviously had no objection. My father came out of the shop. At that very moment Krishna appeared again in flesh and blood and started walking towards the Prasanthi Mandir. My father followed Him. When he reached the gate of the Ashram, Krishna again disappeared. My father sat down on the sand in the Darshan compound.

Those days there was a large time gap between Darshan and Bhajans. Only a few old persons were sitting there. Suddenly, Swami came out and called my father. My father went near Him. Swami lifted His hand and kept it on my father’s shoulder as a friend would do and started walking towards His room. Swami said, “Oh man, what has happened to you?” He asked my father to come in but my father refused to go and said that he would sit in the Bhajan hall. Swami agreed to it and went inside His room. After sometime, the Bhajans started. Swami came into the hall and sat on His throne. He stared at my father. Tears flooded my father’s eyes, for he had seen his own beloved Krishna on the throne. He wiped his tears and again looked at Swami. Again Swami stared at him and my father felt that something was pinching his eye and he started weeping.

After Aarati, Swami went to His room. The old men lifted my father and brought him out of the Bhajan hall. Slowly my father regained his composure and returned to the room. After this incident, a change took place in him. He is now a devotee of Swami and has settled in Prasanthi Nilayam. It is my prayer to Swami to grant us all devotion so that we may bask in the sweetness of His Love.

- Dheeraj Juneja

Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Source: Sai Nanadana 1995 (70th Birthday Issue)

How is Raksha Bandhan connected with the life of Lord Krishna?

August 7,1998

Swami: (To the students) When is Poonal ceremony (thread-changing ceremony)?

Students: Today, Swami.

Swami: Tomorrow is Poornima. You must do it tomorrow, it is Raksha-Bandhan too. Why do sisters tie Raakhis?… When Krishna was about to leave for the war, His sister, Subhadra tied a thread to His hand, praying for His welfare. Does anybody know Sanskrit? (When nobody could answer, Swami spoke two sentences in Sanskrit, which were spoken by Subhadra while she tied the thread to Krishna) It means, “May you shine like the full moon and may you be victorious.” This was the first time Raakhi was tied. Nowadays there are neither Subhadras nor Krishnas! 

Subhadra ties Rakhi to Lord Krishna

(In general) Who was Subhadra’s husband? 

(Replying Himself) Arjuna. He used to address Krishna as Baawa (brother-in-law). So, Krishna told him that he should first marry His sister and then address Him so. (To a Student) Who is Subhadra?

Student: Krishna’s sister.


Swami: Is she not your grandmother? Abhimanyu was Subhadra’s son and Parikshit was Subhadra’s grandson.

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

MANAGER Redefined - Part 2: Sri Sathya Sai Paradigm

...Continued from Part 1

(A) – Awareness of Atman

Awareness is Atman and Atman is awareness. But you have to describe it as the awareness of the Atman. In awareness, there are various levels. When one says that there is a snake, it means that he has said it with full awareness. If you doubt whether it is a snake or a rope [Baba is referring here to the popular misapprehension ‘Rajju-Sarpa Bhraanti’ in Vedantic literature known to all in modern psychological literature (an individual misconceives a rope as a snake in darkness and realises that it is a rope and not a snake in light)], it is not full awareness. Awareness is total knowledge. For example, when you see a handkerchief completely, you call it a hankie. If you fold and stuff it into your fist and then question others, “What do you see?”; they might normally respond that, it is a piece of cloth. Partial knowledge cannot be termed as awareness. Understanding everything in a holistic manner and knowing comprehensively from all possible angles would amount to awareness. Therefore, awareness of Atman means realising the nature and potential of Atman completely. It is the realisation that ‘Man is essentially a soul, which has a body’. What does Atman mean? The nature and implication of Atman can be appreciated with the help of the following sequence. 

The Panch Bhootas - Five Elements

From sky comes the wind, from wind comes fire, from fire comes water and from water comes earth (This explanation flows from a hymn that originates from the Taittiriya Upanishad: Akashaat Vaayuhu, Vayor Agnihi, Agner Aapaha, Adyah Pruthvihi) However, it should be understood that there must be some basis for this sky, and that very basis is the Atman. Atman is the basis of the five elements (ether, earth, water, fire and wind) which together manifest as the world. There is no place without these five elements and as such there is no place in this phenomenal world wherein Atman is absent. Then the next question that bothers everyone is, ‘What is the reason for the origin of various objects in the phenomenal world?’ Here, what does sky mean? When you think of the sky, you look upwards. We have to enquire into the quality of the sky. Sound represents the quality of the sky. Where is the sky? Sky is present in the entire open space and wherever there is open space. Any particular sound signifies the sky. How has the sound emerged? Sound has emerged from movement. When you keep two fingers like this (without movement), sound does not come. Sound is only generated when there are vibrations and movement. When there is movement, there is vibration. Wind emerges from sound, which has come from movement. The fan has three blades that are rotating. The breeze emerges because of their movement. If they do not move, there is no breeze. Without wind, you cannot generate fire. If there is fire in a place without wind, it will be extinguished eventually. If there is breeze, then the fire will grow further. Thus, wind helps in promoting fire. Water materializes from fire. Here is a small example. A person suffering from fever may have temperature up to 103 degree Fahrenheit. When fever subsides and the temperature comes down to normal, some water comes out from the body in the form of sweat. When we physically exert ourselves outdoors, we would be possibly exposed to the sun. Physical work thus involves bodily actions. Sweat is generated due to both the heat and the bodily exertion because of physical movements. Body heat is responsible for perspiration. Therefore, water has come out of heat. When this water solidifies, it becomes earth. The basis for earth is water and basis of water is fire. The cause for fire is wind. Sky is responsible for wind. And, Atman is the basis for the sky. 

That is why the five elements are called Naras. Nara means Atman. As everyone possesses Atman (within the human body), he is called Nara. In the word Nara, there are two syllables Na + Ra, Na means cannot be; Raha means destroy/perish. Naraha means that which cannot be destroyed or that which is immortal. The body may perish, but the Atman is imperishable and eternal. Take for example a container like a tumbler, which contains water. When you take this tumbler containing water outside into the open space, you can see the reflection of the sky. But if you empty the container by taking the water out, you cannot see the sky any longer. Does it mean that the sky ceases to exist as it is no longer visible in the tumbler? Sky continues to exist as before. Since there is no water, the reflection of the sky is no longer visible. Similarly, Atman continues to be there as long as the physical body exists and ever after the physical body perishes. However, Atman cannot be seen or noticed indirectly through the actions when the body ceases to exist. Physical bodies may perish, but the Atman does not perish. Therefore, awareness is recognising the all-pervasive Atman in the entire manifest creation as the very essence and the driving force behind the entire phenomenal world.

Continued in Part 3

Source: The Manager and Values-Based Management: Significance and Salient Features, Chapter 9, Man Management: A Values-Based Management Perspective

With Sri Sathya Sai to Dwaraka...

May 15 to 16, 1970

The Dwarakadheesh (Krishna) Temple at Dwaraka

Swami flew to Ahmedabad from Bombay on May 15th and addressed a mammoth gathering there. The Chief Justice, Governor, the Chief Minister of Gujarat state and other ministers were present during the occasion. Swami left for Dwaraka along with the Rajamata and His entourage on the same day. Prof. Kasturi beautifully elaborates on that visit in Sathyam Sivam Sundaram Volume 3:

"On the 15th Baba left for Dwarka, 150 miles away, with the Rajamata and members of His party. All along the route, in the busy squares of cities on quiet suburban roads or in the midst of flat treeless wastes, clusters of families had gathered to catch a glimpse; they had inscribed Baba in their hearts and taken His pictures into their shrines. As we drove along, the pages of the Bhagavata unfolded before our eyes: Lord Krishna was re-entering His ancient homeland, we felt.

Sri Sathya Sai in Gujarat - 1970
Also seen on the right are Dr. Chudasama and Prof. N. Kasturi

The people of Dwaraka, and Sai devotees from other towns had filled the wide corridors of the Krishna Temple, long before Baba arrived, while He could go smoothly in, through the thick mass, we were pushed, jostled and pressed; so seeing our plight, Baba came out of the temple to draw those Gopas and Gopies into a wider space. When we were inching our way to have a Darshan of 'Krishna,' the inhabitants of Krishna's City were swarming around the Sai Krishna. They feasted their eyes on Baba, and congratulated each other. 

Baba left for Mithapur, where the employees of the chemical and allied factories established by Tatas were having a Bhajan Mandali for years. On the way to Mithapur, Baba inquired from a devotee accompanying Him, if he would like to go back and see the Shrine of Dwaraka and have a Darshan of the idol of Krishna installed there; the devotee affectionately prayed that he may not be sent back to Dwaraka, as he was very happy to be in the presence of Sai Krishna. A continuous stream of men, women and children flowed on to the lawns around the Guest House. Baba moved among them showering compassion and charm.

While returning to Jamnagar in the evening, Baba was full of sympathy with us for the confusion and congestion inside the temple, which deprived us of Darshan of the Lord of Dwaraka, Krishna, as, installed in the temple. Suddenly He said, "O! The sea is here!" and the cars stopped. We came upon a wide patch of sandy shore, with a temple on a heap of rocks at one end. The place was called, we learnt later, Kuranga, meaning 'the deer'. The sea and the wave always elicit the playfulness inherent in Baba. For His play was first evinced when a tiny titillating wave appeared on the deep calmness of Fullness. He walked along the watery edge, gleefully daring the mischievous cohorts of waves. He laughed when others were drenched with saline stuff. He picked shells and searched for more, and sat on the sands at last, as Krishna must have sat, some fifty centuries ago. 

He heaped the soft sand to the height of a cubit in front of Him, putting us all into a state of extreme expectancy. He flattened the heap and drew on it with His finger a three-slanted line. He drew a rough circle on top; he added a small triangle over it. He drew a short line across a circle. "It is ready," He said, wiping the sand from His palms. 

Sri Sathya Sai materializing the golden Krishna statue at the shore near Dwaraka

We were unable to guess what exactly was ready, though the line must have been for the "Thri-bhangi body," the circle the head; the small triangle, the peacock feather and the line across, the Flute! 'It is ready,' He said and digging His hands deep into the pile, He drew forth a bright golden image about 15 inches high of Lord Krishna playing the flute, the very acme of the goldsmith's art and craftsmanship. "You did not get Darshan of Krishna in the temple; have it, now," He invited us. It was a moment of 'supreme' ecstasy. 

The Creator and His Creation

The image was iconographically perfect; we could see a captivating smile playing around the golden lips. We do not know how long we sat contemplating the majestic beauty of the Krishna before us. It was Baba who awakened us. "Come, let us go." He reached Jamnagar at 9 pm.

Swami visited the Ayurvedic University on the 16th and blessed the Sathya Sai Seva Dal training programme. Swami addressed the Rotarians in the Town Hall that evening. At 9 pm He took His party to the Balachchdi seashore near the Sainik School. He brought forth from the sands a silver Vinayaka idol for Prof. V. K. Gokak and a beautiful silver idol of Annapurna for the Principal of the Sainik School.

The video of the Krishna materialization at Dwaraka:

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

The Lord of Mathura is All Sweetness - Madhurashtakam

1. Adharam Madhuram Vadanam Madhuram 
Nayanam Madhuram Hasitam Madhuram 
Hrudayam Madhuram Gamanam Madhuram
Madhuraadhipaterakhilam Madhuram (2)

2. Vachanam Madhuram Charitam Madhuram 
Vasanam Madhuram Valitam Madhuram 
Chalitam Madhuram Bhramitam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate... 2)

3. Venurmadhuro Renurmadhurah 
Paanirmadhurah Paadau Madhurau
Nrutyam Madhuram Sakhyam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate...2)

4. Geetam Madhuram Peetam Madhuram 
Bhuktam Madhuram Suptam Madhuram 
Roopam Madhuram Tilakam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate... 2)

5. Karanam Madhuram Taranam Madhuram 
Haranam Madhuram Smaranam Madhuram 
Vamitam Madhuram Shamitam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate... 2)

6. Gunjaa Madhuraa Maalaa Madhuraa 
Yamunaa Madhuraa Veechee Madhuraa 
Salilam Madhuram Kamalam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate...2)

7. Gopee Madhuraa Leelaa Madhuraa 
Yuktam Madhuram Bhuktam Madhuram 
Drushtam Madhuram Shrushtam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate...)

8. Gopaa Madhuraa Gaavo Madhuraa 
Yashtirmadhuraa Shrushtir Madhuraa 
Dalitam Madhuram Phalitam Madhuram
(Madhuraadhipate...2)

MADHURA ASHTAKAM (MEANING)

1. The lips, face, eyes, smile, heart, movements, and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

2. The speech, character, dress, waist, movements, and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

3. The flute, dust of His feet, hands, feet, dance, friendship, and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

4. The songs, drinks, eatables, sleep, form, Tilaka (mark on the forehead), and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

5. The actions, crossing the river, stealing (the mind), remembrance, His words, devotion (to Him), and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

6. The bushes, garlands, the river Yamuna, its tides, water, lotuses, and everything of the Master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

7. The Gopis (cowherdesses of Gokul) are beautiful. Their Leelas (Divine pranks) are beautiful. Their assembling is beautiful. Their eating, sight, the retained one, and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed. 

8. The Gopas (cowherds of Gokul), cows, stick, creations, separation, its effect, and everything of the master of Mathura is sweet indeed.

Shrimad Vallabhacharya (1479-1531) - The composer of Madhurashtakam 

(Note: These eight verses (Ashtakam) on Lord Krishna, the Lord of Mathura, have been composed by Shrimad Vallabhacharya.)

Source: Song 15, Section 02, Stotrams, Vandana: Students Prayer Book

Teach Business Management Relevant to India and Its Needs

Sri Sathya Sai delivering the Discourse in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
(To His right is Prof. V.K. Gokak, Vice-Chancellor and to His left is Prof. Nanjundaiah,
Controller of Examinations, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning)

MANAGEMENT MODELS VARY FROM NATION TO NATION
 

Every nation in the world has developed its institutions and way of life on the basis of its cultural traditions, its system of values, and its historic circumstances. These institutions and value systems cannot be transplanted in a mechanical manner in other countries whose history, culture and circumstances are different. 

The management model in the United States of America is of one kind and that in Japan is another. In America, the management model is built up on the basis of a competitive and profit-oriented system. The relations between the management and the workers are based on ‘hiring and firing’. Money and profits are very essential. By copying the American management model, we in India would experience difficulties and probably would not so easily reap the planned results. 

Likewise, in Japan, the management model is yet another one. The workers have a high sense of discipline and even when they have grievances, they do not resort to strikes which affect production. The relations between the management and the workers are by and large cordial and supportive. It is this scenario which has helped Japan to advance industrially and economically.

Indian Ethos and Values: An Essential Component of the Management Programme Curriculum at SSSIHL 

There are some things which are common to all business organisations in any nation. These relate to matters such as accounts, production procedures, maintenance of statistics, materials management and the like. But with regard to matters like business ethics and human relations, we in India have to choose our systems and models in accordance with our culture, traditions and circumstances. In the Sai Institute, we are attaching special importance to cultural and ethical values. Among these, the chief position is given to ‘Indian Ethos and Values’. This course will cover such matters as the Indian Economic Environment, Human Resource Management, Organisational Behaviour and Communication Skills. Emphasis will be laid on Human Resource Management and Human Values. The use of computers will be an integral part of the course. The study of Indian Ethos and Values will be the most distinguishing feature in the M.B.A. programme of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. 

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

The relations between management and workers should be like that between a mother and her children, based on mutual love and understanding. It is desirable to start the day in every factory or workshop with a silent, common prayer in which managers and workers participate together. When such prayers are held, the workforce will be able to experience harmony in the factory.

Shun Blind Imitation of Overseas Management Models  

There is no meaning in one country aping the management practices of another country. Such an imitation often leads to wastage of resources and many adverse consequences. This is what is happening in many countries, including India. What is good or suitable for one country need not necessarily be good for another. The management systems and practices should be in accordance with the circumstances, the individual attainments and the specific requirements of a country in question be it India or any other country. The culture and values of India are different from that of others. These different situations cannot be viewed stereotypically. The attempt to merge different sets of values may result in the trouncing of values of the less dominant nations.
 

There is a story which illustrates how by listening to the views of all and sundry, one makes oneself a laughing stock and a loser in the deal. A vendor of fruits put up a board over his stall to the effect: ‘Fruits are sold here’. A person walking by suggested to the shopkeeper that the word ‘here’ in the sign board: ‘Fruits are sold here’ was unnecessary. The vendor arranged to get the word erased. Another man came along to say that there was no need to announce that fruits are ‘sold’ as that was understandable to anyone. And so, the word ‘sold’ was erased. Yet another man said that there was no need to mention that ‘fruits’ were being sold, as it was obvious to anyone what was sold in the shop. Eventually, what remained was a blank board, while the sign painter presented his bill for preparing the board and then erasing the words in installments. The fruit vendor realised the folly of impulsively acting on the empty suggestions of every passerby without relying on his own judgment. In the sphere of business management, a similar situation has developed in India. Likewise by following the advice of one country or other, India too has made a hodgepodge of its economy. On the contrary in the bygone ages, India served as an exemplar to other countries by adopting systems suitable to its needs in an original manner.
 

MAN MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE THE QUINTESSENCE OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT  

The pursuit of money as an end in itself is making people greedy and excessively commercial-minded. Many farmers are switching over to cash crops to earn more money. This is not the kind of management we should have. We should be concerned with ‘Man Management’. It is said, ‘The proper study of mankind is man’. Humans should learn to be pure in thought, word and deed. This purity is the highest virtue. Slogan-makers, platform orators and yellow journalists are not required today. We want leaders who personify integrity and character.
 

The aim of management institutes should be to produce such leaders. Their curriculum should be based on Indian culture and values. Along with courses in other aspects of management like production, accounts, finance and personnel, we should have a course in ‘Indian Ethos and Values’. We should concentrate on meeting the basic needs of a nation. Our programmes should be based on our resources and on our practical ability to achieve the goals. We have also to synthesise morality with spirituality, in business and other spheres.
 

All over the world there are numerous institutes of management. They confer the Master’s Degree in Business Administration. In our Institute we want to turn out Masters in Man Management (M.M.M.). We should focus on making students ‘Masters in Man Management’. The students should develop a broad outlook and prepare themselves to serve society with sincerity and dedication. They must set an example in morality, and bring credit to the country by their work and their contribution to the development of the nation.


Source: Man Management: A Values-Based Management Perspective, Inaugural Discourse by Baba on August 21, 1986 at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Living with God is True Education - By Dr. Naren Ramji

Dr. Naren Ramji with the Revered Founder Chancellor

It is our unique privilege to be students of Bhagavan. He has chosen to personally teach and mould us into good human beings. It has been a process of continuous learning for me from the time I joined as a student of the MBA Programme on 21st August, 1986. Bhagawan in His own subtle way has never missed an opportunity to gently chide, correct and drive home a point, sensitizing us to aspects of behaviour, right conduct or method of work. I wish to share a few personal instances where Bhagavan drove home very valuable lessons. 

Swami – The Perfect Host

As a part of the MBA programme, we visited industries in Bangalore to get insights into the practical aspects of Management. Swami was in Whitefield at that time. After our Industrial visit, Swami in His Infinite Love, decided to take us all on an outing to visit the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary and the Nagarhole Wildlife reserve. We started from Brindavan early morning and went to the Ranganthittu Bird Sanctuary. We went to a nearby town for lunch where devotees had made arrangements. One of our teachers was fasting on that day and was therefore refraining from having lunch. Swami was walking round to see if every one was being served food and He came upon this teacher who was not having lunch. When Swami was apprised of the situation, He observed that fruits are allowed during a fast and sent someone to fetch them. He waited till the fruits came and ensured that the teacher was eating before He moved on. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in the Bus

After lunch we drove down to the Nagarhole Wildlfe Reserve. Swami got into the bus we were travelling in and we went round the reserve looking at the wildlife. We were supposed to stay at the forest bungalow in the night and leave the next morning. However, when we went to the forest bungalow, Swami felt that it would not be adequate to house all of us and decided to drive back to the town where we had eaten our lunch. We arrived at around 7 p.m. and the devotees were taken by surprise. They had to arrange dinner for Swami and His entourage at short notice. In order to give them time and save them from an embarrassing situation, Swami called all of us to sit round him and asked us to start Bhajans. The Bhajans went on till dinner was ready to be served.  

As there was not enough accommodation for all of us, it was decided that some of us will stay in a nearby guest house. It was around 9.30 p.m. and those of us who were to reside at the guest house were getting ready to leave, when suddenly we saw the headlights of Swami’s red Mercedes approach and we saw Swami drive by. We all wondered where Swami was going at this late hour and decided to wait for His return before proceeding to the guest house. After half an hour we saw Swami’s car return. Swami stopped the car and told us that He had gone to inspect the guest house to see if it would be comfortable for us. He asked us to proceed and have a good night’s rest. By His actions, Swami taught us how to be sensitive and empathetic to the people around us. As a perfect Host, He personally looked into our welfare and comfort. Swami could have asked any of the elders accompanying Him to do these tasks but He chose to do them Himself. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Students of the first MBA Batch of SSSIHL (1986-1988)

Teaching – The Positive Way

Swami exhibits great patience while making us learn. For many years, I have been associated with the production of the Drama performed on the day of the Convocation of the Institute. I recall how in the early days we used to take an inordinately long time to set the stage between scenes. It used to take us a lot of time to raise and lower the backdrops. I still remember we had a dedicated crew of around 20 boys who used to sit on top of the Shanti Vedika stage to manage the raising and lowering of backdrops. Swami presided over quite a few dramas without once pointing out our shortcomings. 

On one occasion, the Bal Vikas children from Madras were to perform a few days after one of the Convocation Dramas. The backdrops for this programme were managed by just two people using an innovative technique with three ropes which could be operated from the ground on one of the sides of the stage. They were able to change backdrops in less than 15 seconds. Swami still refrained from making any comparative comment after watching the performance backed by excellent stage management. The idea was so simple yet so effective. We caught onto it and decided to use it for the next Convocation Drama. Swami, in His kindness, gave us an opportunity much earlier than that to redeem our reputation. 

Around a month later, the Primary School students had prepared a drama on the life of King Harishchandra and prayed to Swami for an opportunity to present it before Him. Swami decided that the drama should be enacted in the Institute Auditorium so that all of us could watch the drama. The teachers and students of the Institute were told to assist in setting the stage and provide the necessary support for the purpose. Seizing the opportunity, we incorporated the newly learnt system of backdrop management which resulted in very quick change of scenes. Needles to say the Primary School children performed beautifully and Swami was very happy. After the performance, He came onto the stage to take photographs with the Primary School children. After the photo session, Swami with a beaming smile walked towards the flanks where the Institute students were standing and said, “Very good stage management, the scene changes were done very quickly.” He was pleased not only because we had done well but also because we had learnt quickly from the situation to which we had been exposed. It is important to note here that Swami did not comment on our sloppy performance but instead chose to show us an example of a good performance so that we could introspect, learn and improve.

Swami - The Catalyst

Swami exhibits the qualities of good leadership for us to imbibe and emulate. It is important to oversee the performance of people but not be overly intrusive so as to stifle individuality and creativity. However, a leader must intervene when things are on the verge of collapse.

For an Annual Sports Meet, the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus decided to put up a sound and light show entitled 'Manava Samskruti'. Without realising it, we had taken on more than we could handle. The programme entailed making huge sets, directing the presentations and choreographing the dances, recording the audio track and providing special lighting at various points in the ground to light up three separate performing areas. Everyone worked tirelessly to fulfil the tasks allocated to them. The 11th of January was approaching and we had not had a complete practice with the audio tracks and lights. Things were in disarray. That year, Swami was a little reticent with the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus and He did not indicate any eagerness to see a rehearsal of the programme. 

Sri Sathya Sai at the Hill View Stadium

Swami, all-knowing that He is, realised that some intervention was required if the programme was to succeed. On the evening of the 10th of January, He came to the College, apparently to see the final practice of Chaka Bhajan which was to form a part of the procession when Swami entered the stadium on the 11th morning. Just as He was about to leave, a senior student took courage and prayed to Swami to come and see a rehearsal of the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus programme. Swami readily agreed and came to the stadium. We were totally unprepared and it took us a while to organize things and begin the rehearsal. Swami’s Presence brought out a seriousness and commitment from the students that we had not seen till then and for the first time we went through the whole programme without a break. Before He left, Swami made some suggestions and asked that some scenes be pared down as the programme was too long. The next day, the sound and light show, the first of its kind in Prasanthi Nilayam was a grand success. Swami had turned around a certain failure into a grand success by His timely intervention and guidance. A good leader is a catalyst – He makes things happen by His presence.

Swami – Perfect Manager and Organiser

We had installed the P. A. system in the newly built Sai Kulwant Hall. One festival day, Swami had given His Divine Discourse and was returning to Poornachandra Auditorium. While passing a person close to His residence, Swami asked him if he had liked the Discourse. The person concerned told Swami that he could not listen to the Discourse as the speaker placed on the outside of Sai Kulwant Hall was not working. Swami did not say anything and retired for the day. We rectified the problem the moment we came to know of it. The next morning Swami came for Darshan and slowly walked around the Sai Kulwant Hall as if checking out if the Darshan music was heard everywhere in the Hall. He even walked down the central path and went up to the Rama temple and came back. After evaluating things for Himself, Swami came into the Bhajan Hall from where we operate the sound system and gently told us to check up if everything was alright as some people were saying that they were unable to hear things properly. Swami chose to ascertain things for Himself before reacting to a complaint.

It was the day after one of the Sports Meets. Swami called for the car and took a drive to the stadium on the morning of the 12th. He found all the props and sets used for the previous day’s performance lying scattered all over the ground.  When He returned to the Mandir, He admonished us for our carelessness and said that all the items should be put away carefully after use. He wanted to drive home the importance of care and maintenance of resources. From then on, whether it is the Sports Meet, Convocation Drama or a Conference, we wind up all the items used, and put them back where they belong, the very same day. There is an interesting sequel to this event, though it happened many years later.

It was a day after an MBA anniversary on 21st August, when Swami had come to the Institute to Bless us with His Divine Message and also witness a Drama by the students. On 22nd afternoon, I was sitting for Darshan next to a group of youth from Hyderabad. As Swami walked by, the youth group prayed for an opportunity to present a drama before Him. Swami thought for a while, turned towards me and asked if the lights and mikes put up for the previous days’ drama were still on the stage at the Institute Auditorium. I apologetically told Swami that we had wound up everything, immediately after the function. He feigned surprise at this efficiency and enquired if it would be possible for us to arrange the lights and mikes at the Institute Auditorium to enable the youth group to put up their drama. When I replied in the affirmative, Swami wanted to know how much time we would require to set everything up. In my eagerness to please, I said it would take an hour. Swami said He would come around 6 p.m. thereby giving us around two hours to get things ready. He was walking away when He paused and said that He would appraise the Vice-Chancellor about this matter personally. Swami could have commanded us to make the necessary arrangements but He chose to ascertain from us if it were possible. Second, Swami asked us how much time we needed and gave an allowance for unforeseen situational factors. Third, Swami demonstrated the importance of following the correct protocol. The Chancellor was coming to the Institute and it would be appropriate to talk to the Vice-Chancellor about the arrangements to be made. 

Sri Sathya Sai, Revered Founder Chancellor

Living with Swami is true education. He is constantly teaching us through His personal example. He has said that His life is His message. How true it is. I pray to Him to give me the sensitivity, will and determination to watch Him, learn and imbibe His teachings in my endeavour to continually evolve into a better human being.

- Dr. Naren Ramji

Alumnus (1986-88), and Currently Dean,
Department of Management Studies
Former Registrar, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Fragrance: A Compilation by the Management Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Institue of Higher Learning on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of the Management Programme at SSSIHL, 2005