Story of the Witty Tenali Ramakrishna

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

Today, the students are more and more intelligent but there is not a trace of virtue in them. One is a hero in studies and zero in character. In studies they secure ‘O’ grades. They secure 100 % marks in the examination. But in the subject of character they don’t secure even a single mark. Three-fourths of life is character. Education without character is useless. Therefore we should develop character. You may be rich, a great intellectual, a high ranking officer or you may be physically strong. But without the strength of the Divine, the rest will be useless. 

You know what happened in the Mahabharata war. 

With the physical strength and intelligence

Without the support of God, one becomes weak

What happened to Karna – the one of valour and courage?

Oh valiant son of Bharat, listen to this. 

Earlier, there was a king who ruled Delhi. He was a Mohammedan. He heard the mystery and the greatness of the Mahabharata. He recognised the fact that the five Pandavas stood for virtue and character. He wanted to acquire that character. He summoned all the eight scholars and held a great conference. Who were these eight? Nannaya Bhatta, Somayaji, Yerra Pragada, Madalagadi Mallanna, Pingala Suranna, Ramaraju Bhushana and Tenali Ramakrishna. These were like eight elephants in scholarship! What did he say in the conference? He said, “Oh great scholars! I will give you great rewards if you write the entire Mahabharata as my story. The character of Dharmaja signifies truth and righteousness. You portray me as Dharmaja.” Then Nannaya Bhatta said, “Tanesha! We can portray you as Dharmaja. But what about the four brothers?” Tanesha replied, “I have ministers who are very close to me. Take them as my brothers in the story”. They said, “Tanesha, we need the Kauravas. Who are they?” The emperor replied, “All my enemies are Kauravas. They are hundreds in number. You just narrate all those against me as Kauravas.” As everyone was listening Tenali Ramakrishna got up. He said “Tanesha Sir, the Pandavas have been accounted for. You would be Dharmaja, the ministers would be your four brothers; the minister with strength is Bhima, the one of intelligence is Arjuna and the ones of cleverness are Nakula and Sahadeva, your enemies would be portrayed as Kauravas. This is alright. But if you are to be narrated as Dharamaraja, then your wife has to be narrated as Draupadi as the wife of all the other four ministers! Then Oh king who is going to play the role of Draupadi? Shall we write it as your wife?” Alarmed at this suggestion, the emperor replied, “I don’t want the Mahabharata itself”! 

Only after acknowledging the secret; the life source of the story; should we proceed to listen to the story of Mahabharata. Thus, for every individual and every object there is a life source. Once we have recognised the life source then we can understand anything effortlessly.  The ones who don’t know the life source, their plight will be the same as that of the emperor. The students are very intelligent no doubt but what is the use? With all this intelligence, they should also have the character to be successful. 

Utilise your Time wisely 

You may be a very big person with all degrees like M.B.As and M.As.

You may be a meritorious person with all the nobility, effluence and wealth.

You may have a long span of life and you may be physically strong.

You may be scholars chanting the Vedas and doing penance.

They are never equal to a devotee.

If they are not devotees they will never attain liberation.

What else has to be communicated to this assembly of noble students? 

Students! Having been born in sacred Bharat, you have to develop intelligence with character. You must know that intelligence will help you in certain paths but character will bring you glory. Intelligence will help you to achieve certain things but character will bring you a good name. You have to possess both these. Dharma i.e. righteousness and good name i.e. Keerti. These two alone are permanent. This life is transient (Anityam Jeevanam Loke). Everything is momentary. Everything is like a passing cloud. Once a child is born everyone starts addressing the newborn child as ‘child’. After 10 years they address him as ‘boy’. At the age of 30 years he is addressed as ‘man’. At 70 years of age they address him as ‘grandfather’. Child, boy, man, grandfather is one and the same. Only one person is there. Based upon his age, he gets the name or he is addressed with a different title. The most valuable thing that God has given him is time or Kaala. Time is very important. Don’t waste time. Time waste is life waste. Time is God. He is extolled as ‘Kaalaya Namaha. Kaalateetaya Namaha. Kaalaswaroopaya Namaha’. Everything is time. For birth and death also time is essential. If anyone dies we say that his time is up. A fruit also ripens in due course of time. Thus, this is the evidence that time is very essential and important in one’s life. 

Students! You are wasting three fourths of your time. One part of 24 hours is getting used up in food and sleep. What are you doing with the rest of your time? You waste your time in gossip and thinking and talking about others. You also waste your time in accusing, criticising and making fun of others. If you accuse others, you will be committing a sin. You can never run away from the consequences. The so called others are not others in the real sense. Truly speaking they are Divine. Others are not others at all.  They are also a part of the Paramatma (God). If you are accusing someone, then it is equal to accusing the Paramatma Himself. You must never criticise anyone. You are wasting time in doing so. We criticise each other which is not good. Do you not have any other job to do?  If you don’t have any other work then open your bed and sleep. Why should you waste your time in gossip? The one who wastes time in talking about others is worse than a sinner. 

Truly speaking if everybody works hard in Bharat, then there will be no dearth of food. There is no dearth of land in Bharat. There are also many young and energetic people living here. We can grow how much ever crop we want to grow. Conveniences present in Bharat are not present anywhere else on earth. If you really work hard then Bharat is the place of wealth for you. Today we don’t have a person who works hard, that is why we have to beg others for food. We take loans from many countries. Why these loans? We have lots of money with us. We have to make proper use of it. Use the money for sacred purposes. Work hard, then you can live and feed yourself.  If you work with both the hands, can’t you fill one stomach? Though we have two hands we are not able to fill one stomach. Work hard with both the hands. Do your duty sincerely. Hard work is essential. Then we will be very healthy. Not only healthy we will be happy. But nowadays people run away from work but are ready for food. Adding to this we indulge in arguments. The person who argues is a dunce and dull-headed. Books contain knowledge but the head is full of mud. What is the use? There is lot of knowledge in these books. Transform the book into your mind. But never transform your mind into a book. Only a fool argues. A fool, double fool or whatever degree of a fool he may be will argue. We should not be foolish. What is that you know that you argue? You think about what is there beyond the moon. You haven’t seen it. Then on what basis are you arguing? What is that you can decide? If someone asks what is there under your feet, then you can tell there is earth under your feet. Then how is it that you argue on what you don’t know. It is a waste of time, energy and memory power. Very soon you turn old. If argue on matters that you don’t know, then your age advances. 

Source: Respect Your Culture and Heritage, Discourse 5, My Dear Students Volume 4; Divine Discourse delivered on August 18, 1996 at Prasanthi Nilayam 

The Privilege of Being a Sai Student... – By V. Vijayakrishnan

Sri Sathya Sai distributing blankets

Hot sun… humid air…. smoky roads… It was a normal day in Chennai. A Sai devotee was driving her car. A police constable stopped her vehicle. She wheeled her car to a halt. The constable said, “Why are you speaking over the mobile phone while driving?” She opened her hand bag and showed the mobile and said “Sir, I was not using my mobile. It is in my hand bag”. Since the constable had an unexpressed hidden motive, he was not ready to believe her. An argument ensued. Slowly people gathered around. But she was not willing to monetarily compensate the constable to escape the embarrassment.  

Suddenly a police vehicle arrived. A well dressed police officer got down. The constable, noticing the officer, immediately saluted and explained the situation. The officer turned to the devotee and looked at her and then at her car. There was a photograph of Swami pasted on the front glass. The officer then enquired whether she was a Sai devotee.  She replied in the affirmative and said that she was a State office bearer in the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. Immediately the police officer told the constable that since she is from the Sai Organisation she would not lie and hence he should let her go. The constable obeyed with a sullen face. 

When we are ready to uphold Swami’s teachings against all odds, His Grace will surely flow! When Swami says, ‘Our life is His Message’, it is not a mere aspiration of Bhagawan, but the desire and expectation of the world. Apart from being a privilege, the title ‘Sai Student’ attaches additional responsibilities. The respect shown to any Sai Student or to any devotee is not to that individual but to the message that he or she represents. And the message is ‘Selfless Service with abundant Love’. 

With every passing day, I understand more clearly the Vision of Bhagawan and the depth of His Teachings. The experience of being a student in Swami’s Educational Institution expands one’s vision and gives clarity. Because, it is the Divine that teaches us. We would have heard Swami saying that the four pillars of society, namely, Vidyalaya (educational institutions), Bhojanalaya (food houses), Vaidyalaya (medicare centres) and Devalaya (temples) should generally be left to the benevolence of the benefactor and should not be priced. Bhagawan therefore, went on to establish Institutions providing various services free of cost. 

The far reaching effects of Swami’s teachings could be further elaborated. When Swami is asked why disasters happen, it is always the same answer – ‘The diminishing human values and degraded human character’. Though it looks like a simple statement, it is pregnant with meaning. Just a decade or two earlier, when we would travel in a bus or train or by foot, we could ask anyone for water to quench our thirst and they would happily give it. But today, we cannot expect the same. A government, instead of utilising the Divine and natural free gift for the benefit of all, licenses it to be plundered and sold.  

Dried Chennai Water canal before Sai Ganga project

It was a pleasant day at Sundaram and I was with the Sai Samithi State President. An old woman with a helping stick walked in with great difficulty. She stopped a passing devotee and showing a small old bag, asked as to where she could donate the money.  The devotee pointed to the office and guided her. Then she came into our room and opened the small old yellow bag which contained some money. She slowly laid the money on the table and said, “Give this money to Sai Baba because He is giving water to us. We suffered for many years without water. I sold my belongings and this is all the money that I could get.  Please give it to Him and ask Him to use it for our water project.”  She had read some newspaper reports on Swami’s water project in Chennai. And she further added, “Because this project is for the benefit of all, I decided to dedicate everything.” Bhagawan inspires us to practice values and ensures the blooming of the goodness of human nature.  

Part of the 200 km long canal after completion of the Sai Ganga Chennai Water Supply Project

Swami not only teaches and practices, but also shows us the way to practice. A few years ago, it was one of those cold days at Kodaikanal. Swami was distributing blankets to the needy. Even after Swami had finished giving blankets to all those present, a good number of blankets were still left behind. While we were wondering what should be done, Swami ordered for His car. He asked us to load the blankets into the van. He then asked the van to follow His car. As and when He came across the needy, He ordered the blankets to be given to them. And when all the blankets were distributed, He returned to Sai Shruthi (His residence). He alighted the car and remarked, “You should not wait for people to come and accept your service; instead you should go to them and serve them.”

Being a Sai Student trained under Swami’s watchful eyes for years, I associated myself with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation immediately after my studies. It was a great opportunity for me to participate and witness the amount of work that the devotees and students of Bhagawan undertake. To involve oneself in any of the activities, requires conviction and courage – conviction that I am obeying the teachings of the Avatar and the courage to traverse the indicated path against all odds.

It was the first day after the devastating Tsunami hit the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu. We immediately rushed to the coastal districts. Being the State Youth Coordinator, a greater responsibility rested on my shoulders. The Nagapattinam Collector requested us to take care of the relief operations and body recovery activities at Velankanni, a small pilgrim town near Nagapattinam which was one of the worst affected areas. We, the Sai Youth numbering around fifty, immediately plunged into the work recovering bodies. The Tsunami hit on the day after Christmas and Velankanni was a Christian pilgrim centre. One can imagine the extent of loss to human lives and the amount of work we needed to do. By the end of the first day, we had recovered around five hundred bodies. 

The youth members were all from far off towns with a good financial background too. On the first day we did not have any protection material with us. But we all knew that it was Swami’s work. As we were cleaning the debris, a middle aged man came to us and said, “This was where my house was yesterday, and today it is in shambles.  Moreover, my six year old daughter is missing. So could you just see whether she is caught anywhere in this rubble?” So we started carefully removing the debris. And after a few minutes we found his daughter. We slowly removed her body and placed it carefully on the ground. He identified her as his daughter and started wailing but was not prepared to touch the body of the child. A father was not ready to touch the decayed body of his own daughter, but the Sai devotees were ready to work with those bodies – all in the name of Bhagawan!

Devastation caused by the Tsunami at Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu

Many organisations later joined in the recovery and relief work, but there was a significant difference. Members of many social service organisations got themselves photographed, gave press reports and the publicity went on unabated. But here was a group of devotees, working silently and relentlessly, shying away from all potential publicity, only for the labour of Love – for the relationship with God.

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Dal lovingly serving the needy

Can the joy of being in Love with Bhagawan ever be explained? Can the joy of working for Bhagawan ever be worded? These are feelings beyond the expression of human language. Each moment, when we reflect and realise that we are the messengers of Bhagawan, every human cell gets infused with energy. This allows the blooming of the inner character shelled in devotion, that spreads the fragrance of selfless service permeated with abundant love.

When the Divine Painter takes the brush and colours the canvas, can the shades be anything but beautiful?  When the Divine Sculptor chisels, can the statue be anything but exquisite? When Absolute Wisdom decides to teach, can the student ever be other than one of blemishless character? And can I ever express fully the privilege of being one such Sai Student?

I would like to conclude with a small prayer – ‘Swami, it was your Love and Mercy that has bestowed upon me an opportunity to be Your pupil. Give me the strength, confidence and will power to practice all that You have taught me.’

- V. Vijayakrishnan

Student (1993-1995) Department of Management Studies

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

Currently, Owner, Kavi Investments, Tiruchchirappalli, India

Source: Fragrance 2005

Sri Sathya Sai Conversations On: Religion, Illusion and Spirituality

Thursday, March 1, 2001 

After the evening interviews, Swami came to the Ganesh portico. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar, pointing to the students) Who are these boys? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Your children. 

Swami : (Jokingly) Some are Veerapan’s association members and some are Maarappan’s associates. (Swami then took a letter from a student and told him that the letter was too long.) I am not lazy. (Swami meant that more than reading letters, He has to do other work also.) 

Prof. A. K. : Yes Swami, it is like an application form. Swami, in U.S.A., an earthquake struck, but there was not much damage. 

Swami : It is called ‘gili’. (One feels that something has happened. Actually nothing has happened) Is your house safe? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. It is quite safe. Swami, morning speech was very good. Dr. Ganapathy, a student of J. N. P. Mahadevan (a famous Professor of Philosophy) spoke, quoting many good examples. 

Swami : What did he speak on? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, about religion. He said that religion is related to love and we have to practice selflessness and unity. He also told about secularism. 

Swami : I told all this long back. You prefer other’s dishes to your own (home made food). 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, not like that. He spoke everything from Sai literature. He took a train as an example to explain the value of time. 

Swami : (To a student) How was the speech? (Pointing to Prof. Anil Kumar) Is he your classmate or a teacher? 

Student : Swami, Awareness teacher. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) What is the meaning of religion? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami ‘re’ means to unite. That which unites or brings together is termed religion. Swami, what is realisation? 

Swami : Being oneself, and knowing about oneself is realisation. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, is the body, the cause of ‘Bhinnatwa’ (sense of duality)? 

Swami : Yes. Body is the main cause for this. Identifying oneself with this body is only ‘Bhraanti’ (illusion). 

Prof. A. K. : What is the difference between Dehatma, Jeevatma and Paramatma? 

Swami : Jeevatma (individual soul) has ‘Chaitanya’ (consciousness). It includes the mind and senses. Dehatma (physical being) has no identity. It is inert. Paramatma (the Supreme Divine Principle) is beyond these two. In Sushupti (deep sleep) stage, you are close to Paramatma. In the above three stages, Atma is the same. But Jeeva, Deha and Parama are different. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, what is the meaning of Atma-Chaitanyam? 

Swami : With Chaitanya, Atma lives in the body together with the Jeeva. Before operation, they give anesthesia and make the body and Jeevatma separate. Medicines can be used only when they are within the expiry date. After that, we can’t use them. Similarly, Jeevatma also works within the period of expiry. After that, it leaves the body. This body is made of five elements. In the word ‘Prakruti’, ‘Pra’ means ‘Vikasam’ (expansion), Prabhavam (effect), Prakasham (effulgence). Prakruti is effulgent with the five elements. 

Prof. A. K. : Why does Bhrama (illusion) come again and again? 

Swami : You eat today and also tomorrow. All this is Bhrama. Food and stomach both are Bhrama. Atma does not experience them. But Bhrama accepts everything. If there is Bhrama, Brahma (Divinity) will not come. 

Prof. A. K. : How will Brahma come? 

Swami : The person who wants Brahma does not have Bhrama. If you leave Bhrama, you can find Brahma. If we have control over our senses, then illusion will go away. If you leave Bhrama, Brahma will catch you. (Bhramanu Veedithe, Bramha Padathadu). Panchangam (Indian almanac) also came like this only. The one which explains the principles of the five organs (Pancha-angam) is Panchangam. Just to delude, other things Tithi, Vaara, Nakshatra (day, date, constellation) are included. Actually, Panchanga does not have any relation with these. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, how can we remove Bhrama? 

Swami : You have built a house, and you have divided it into many rooms like bathroom, dining hall, kitchen, etc. Once you remove these walls, everything becomes one hall. These Godalu (walls) are the Golam (troubles). Once you remove these Golas, then Bhrama (illusion) will go away. 

Prof. A. K. : In today’s life, are science, technology and other things Bhrama? 

Swami : Yes, everything is Bhrama. This world is Bhrama. But you should keep reminding yourself that it is Bhrama. If one does not remind oneself that it is Bhrama, he will leave Brahma and fall into the Bhrama. The heart is filled with worldly thoughts. The one who realises that everything is Bhrama, will be able to attain Brahma. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, in family life, it is difficult to remind oneself that everything is Bhrama. 

Swami : No. It is not difficult. Even in family life, one can get Vairagyam (renunciation). Rajayogi Janaka Maharaja is an example for being like that. Even in family life, one should act, keeping in mind that every act is Bhrama. One day, while Shuka (a great sage) was leaving his father (Vyasa), his father expressed his affection for him. At that time Shuka told him, “You are the father-body and I am the son-body. But the Atma in us is the same. To have individual identity is Bhrama.” Shuka conquered his senses, except Vaasanaa-Trayam (three types of Vaasanaas). He kept that with him to experience the fragrance related to wisdom. 

Prof. A. K. : In Mahabharata, is the annihilation of Karna, Saindhava (King of Sindhu - Jayadratha), Shishupala also Bhrama? 

Swami : Krishna made others to experience illusion. But, He did not experience it. 

Prof. A. K. : If everything is Bhrama, then who is Krishna? 

Swami : Krishna is the Saakshibhutam (witness). He is like the current in the switch, wire and fan, which makes them run. The current makes the fan rotate. That current is the witness. Similarly, Krishna is also the witness. 

Prof. A. K. : Was Karna’s chariot getting stuck and Arjuna killing Karna also Bhrama? 

Swami : Yes. Arjuna’s charioteer was Krishna, who is the Saakshibhutam. Karna’s charioteer was Salya (the king of Madra kingdom). He did not control the chariot properly. The chariot getting stuck in the Earth is not true. Because of lack of control, Karna fell down. It was his mistake. Krishna did not create the Maya (illusion) of the chariot getting stuck. 

Prof. A. K. : In Ramayana, there is abduction of Sita. Is that Bhrama? 

Swami : Once Rama and Sita were talking with each other. That time Shurpanakha came there. Seeing her, Rama told Sita, “The drama that we have to enact is coming near. Leave your Tejas (effulgence) safely with Agni (the presiding deity of fire).” After that, Rama sent the Maya-Sita (shadow/illusory Sita) to Lanka. But He did not get back the Maya-Sita. Later, in order to end His Avatarhood, He sent Sita to forest, so that he could be free from the attachment to the children who were going to be born. He enacted all this drama with full awareness. When Vasishtha told Rama that He was really God and not the son of Dasharatha, Rama, as if He did not know, asked him, “Is it so?” Like this, He created the Bhrama. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, what is the difference between Swapnaavastha (dream state) and Sushupti (deep sleep)? 

Swami : Sushupti means deep sleep. Effect of senses will not be there. He will be close to Paramatma. Turya Avastha (the state beyond the three states – waking, dream and deep sleep) is greater than these three. The three states are Jagrat (waking), Swapna (dream), Sushupti (deep sleep). It is present in all these three stages. 

Prof.A.K. : Are not Ragam (attachment), Kartavya (duty) and Badhyata (responsibility) the same? 

Swami : Kartavyam is not Badhyata. Kartavyam does not have Diksha (vow) or Pattudala (determination). Badhyata has Bhrama in it. Kartavyam is like Yoga. Ragam is like Yajna. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, who is a Vairagi (renunciant)? 

Swami : The one without Ragam is Vairagi. He does all work, but does not get attached to them. He does not have desire. 

Continued in Part 2

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)

Manager and Mind-Control - Part 3: Sri Sathya Sai Perspective

[Note: This Article is based on the Discourses given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba on various occasions. This is not a direct excerpt from any Discourse, but an essay based on His Message on Management and Leadership.] 

… Continued from Part 2 

FOLLOW THE MASTER – FACE THE DEVIL – FIGHT TO THE END – FINISH THE GAME 

The ego thus faces a relentless struggle with ID and super-ego, which is described as a ‘Holy-War’ in certain cultures. Ego must strike a balance between our primitive urges (the ID) and our learned moral values (super-ego). This perennial struggle among ID, ego and super-ego plays a key role in self / personality development. 

Holy War 

Follow the Master

The basic question that arises here is: Who is the Follower and who is the Master? The ‘Follower’ here is ‘Ego’ and the ‘Master’ is ‘Super-ego’. Ego should be motivated to follow the directions and instructions of the super-ego and not become slave of the ID. However, the hands of the Master (super-ego) should be strengthened in order to be able to positively influence the follower (ego) without any strife that may cause stress because of intra-personal conflict. The strengthening of super-ego, which takes a given shape during the formative period of individuals, is the responsibility of parents and parent substitutes (teachers, books, radio, television, web, etc.). Here comes the responsibility of parents at home and teachers in the schools and higher education to play a positive role in providing with positive and useful inputs for strengthening of super-ego or parent ego state of people in society. There should not be however, gaps between what parents / teachers say / teach, and what they do. The parents as well as teachers should become essentially good role models, which would go a long way in influencing the individuals by creating proper values and morals. Values-oriented education and good environment at home and educational institutions would have potent influence on the wards to create a strong master - super-ego. 

Face the Devil

The devil is the ID, which is described as Satan by some people.  Ego will have to face a constant battle with ID. If the ID is purified by disallowing all the unfavourable inputs from all the five senses: eyes, ears, tongue, nose and skin, then the job of ego will be facilitated in prevailing over ID with least friction. Satvic / nutritious food for the palate, wholesome entertainment for the eyes, good and inspiring stories / lessons for the ears, vigorous and regular physical exercises / sports and games for the body, Yoga, meditation, etc., go a long way in creating positive influence on ID through sensory inputs. The parents at home or parent substitutes in case of residential institutions (school / college managements) should take care of this in warding off unfavourable stimuli / influences.

Fight to the End

What is the meaning of ‘End’? The end could mean until the last breath or until we reach our goal: Uttishthata, Jagrata, Prapya Varan Nibodhata: ‘Arise and awake and stop not till the goal is reached’. If the environment allows individuals to develop strong super-ego and a clean ID, then the ego will no longer have a clash with ID, but then it becomes a pleasant exercise among ID, ego and super-ego. Ego will then find less resistance in ID and in reality have more cooperation from ID like a tamed lion in circus. ID will cease to pose formidable problems as in the case of regimented personalities. Thus, ego will not be exhausted in the game of life, and it will have enough capacity to fight to the end. 

Finish the Game

‘Life is a Game – Play it’. Thus, an individual (ego) by identifying himself/herself to super-ego (I) instead of ID (i) would be able to lead a purposeful life and find fulfilment at the end of life to finish the game without getting discouraged. Finishing the game successfully means minimising (gradually eliminating) the animal qualities and enhancing the human qualities: Satya (Truth), Dharma (Righteousness), Shanti (Peace), Prema (Love), and Ahimsa (Non-violence), which in other words would mean distancing ego from the animal qualities of ID and cultivating the higher values of super-ego by means of developing nearness with it. 

In Conclusion

Personality is individual’s unique and relatively stable patterns of behaviour, thoughts and feelings. Mind is the cause for either misery or happiness in life and as such, it is the mind, which has to be properly trained and tamed. Mind is a bunch of thoughts and is present everywhere. The mind of an individual, especially at youth, is akin to a hundred monkeys. It is said, ‘Brahmachari Shata Markataha’ – meaning the mind of a bachelor / student is similar to the cumulative mind of a hundred monkeys. It is said, “War begins not on the battlefields, but in the minds of the people”. The real manager in a true sense is the one who can manage his own mind. Today people cannot manage their own mind. If you are not able to manage your own mind that is inside, how can you manage the world of objects outside? In terms of the inputs of personality structure, ego with the help of super-ego should be able to prevail over ID for effective mind control. There should be a harmonious relationship between ID, ego and super-ego for balanced personality development and mind control, and no one component of the personality structure should become tyrannical. 

Values-oriented education and good environment at home and educational institutions would have powerful influence on youth to create a strong master (super-ego). The parents as well as teachers should become essentially good role models, which would go a long way in influencing the individuals by creating proper values and morals. If governments all over the world, through their various organs such as educational institutions, work organisations, non-governmental institutions, print and electronic media, and religious bodies, could take proper measures in the form of good schools, colleges, universities, playgrounds and recreational facilities, wholesome entertainment programmes in electronic media, etc. in a concerted manner, they would be able to bring order in the society. This would streamline the energies of youth for long-lasting social harmony, peace and security. 

Source: Manager and Mind Control, Chapter 22, Man Management: A Values-Based Management Perspective

The first Marriage performed by Sri Sathya Sai

Thursday, March 04, 1948

Sri Sathya Sai in 1948

Baba performed the marriage of Smt. Shantha and Sri Krishnamurthy on the 4th of March 1948, according to His promise to Shanta’s father Sri Narayana Sharma of Bangalore. The ceremony was conducted in the Mandir at Puttaparthi. Baba presented jewellery to Shanta for the wedding. He materialised a Mangalasutra for the bride. He also materialised Vibhuti for everyone present. This was the first marriage performed by Baba in the Mandir.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)

The Story of Saindhava from the Epic Mahabharata

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks

In the country of Sindhu [i], the King was taking care of the people, looking after their comforts and making them happy. He had a son. Since the name of the kingdom was Sindhu, he named his son ‘Saindhava’. Those students who have gone through the Mahabharata will know who Saindhava[ii] was. Dushala, the daughter of Dhritarashtra, was married to Saindhava. All the children of Dhritarashtra had the letter ‘Du’ as the first letter in their name. ‘Du’ denotes misery (Dukkha). All his children faced misery. Dhritarashtra supported all the misdeeds of his sons and he started praising them. 

Being a prince, Saindhava was given all the freedom and he could act the way he wanted. If the plant is straight, the tree (as it grows subsequently) also would be equally straight. If the plant bends, the tree (as it grows subsequently) also shows the bending equally. The King took care of his only son Saindhava with lot of love and affection. However, Saindhava started troubling others of his own age. He used to throw the young kids from the top. They used to fall and cry, and sometimes even die also. Since he was the prince, the people could not do anything in retaliation. They were helpless and started praying to God, “He is the prince, the son of the King, and we have no authority to punish him.” 

Prayer doesn’t mean begging. Prayer is awakening the Self, like the Suprabhatam sung in the morning. Prayer is not extolling the Divinity. Prayer means sincere yearning for the realisation of the Self. Such a prayer will melt the heart of God and will make Him act. 

There are three types of people. The first are the Pushti Praja, the second Maryada Praja and the third are Pravaaha Praja. 

Who are the Pushti Praja? They could have the Divine Love because of the merits of their previous lives. They don’t make any efforts. They don’t undertake any Tapas (penance). They don’t do any prayer. But because of the good luck, and the merits of past, they have all the Divine Grace of the Lord. They are called Pushti Praja. The Divine Love, which is not easy to attain despite long periods of prayer and penance, is achieved by such people effortlessly. They attain this Love due to their good luck.. 

The second category of people – the Maryada Praja are those who go through the sacred texts – Itihasas, Puranas, Darshanas, Upanishads; they approach the preceptors; they serve them and gain knowledge. This category of people earn the Grace of the Lord through their hard work. They are called Mumukshus. They have the desire for liberation. 

Who belong to the third category? They are the Pravaaha Praja. Without any thought of the Lord, they crave only for worldly pleasures, they aspire only for enjoying sensual pleasure, they follow only the mind; and therefore take birth over and over again. It is because of the foolish life of this category, the Pravaaha Jeevas get carried away by the cycle of birth and death. 

Saindhava wasted his life despite having got the kingdom, capacity and strength. His parents also did not correct him. Waiting for the grace of the Lord; the people of Sindhu were bearing all the suffering. They were praying to God for His Grace so that their children would be safe and secure against the cruel actions of Saindhava. Then one day, they heard an ethereal voice, “Oh People! Please don’t feel sad. This boy is bound to face severe punishment. The moment, he is careless, he is sure to be beheaded. One has to take care that his head should not fall down. But when it falls, it will lead to danger. That was the ethereal voice.” This ethereal voice was heard even by the King of Sindhu. Having heard this declaration, the King felt sad. He knew that his son was immoral, but because of the love for his son, he cursed that the one who attempts to kill his son Saindhava shall in turn be killed. 

When Arjuna beheaded Jayadhratha during the Mahabharata war.

Ultimately, what happened to the King? He had to face the consequences of his own curse and it returned to him. This was because he tried to save his son instead of controlling his son’s wickedness.

The Four Great Sins

The one who helps the wicked is also wicked. Those in the company of wicked are also considered as wicked people. That was the main principle explained by Vidura in the Mahabharata. Wicked and cruel people like Duryodhana and Dushasana were going along wrong path. Though Bhishma had all the capacity to correct them, he didn’t do so. Their father also could not control them. Even their Guru Dronacharya didn’t correct them. They all committed the same sin. What is the sin? The doer, the one who supports the act, the one who sees and the one who encourages, all of them are wicked people. We should not keep quite when any one commits some mistake. We should either punish the person for the mistake committed, or teach him the proper path. Otherwise we have to face the same consequences that are faced by the one who committed the mistake. The one who encourages or the one who has developed friendship with such a person also commits mistake.

Notes:

[i] Present day Sind in Pakistan

[ii] He is also known as Jayadratha in the Mahabharata epic 

Source: The Panorama is His Divine Drama, Discourse 20, My Dear Students Volume 5

Lessons for Life that I learnt from Sri Sathya Sai – By T. N. Giridhar

Sri Sathya Sai

Being with Swami for a few years as His student, has served as an amazing foundation for the future – an invaluable lesson in existence and survival. Having reached the Lotus Feet under the pretext of education at the Institute, the interactions with Bhagawan have taught me several valuable lessons for life, some of which I reflect upon in this article. Many of these lessons are still being taught and being learnt. I am indeed fortunate and blessed!

Lesson 1: The Basics of Life

From a very young age, we are taught that the entire purpose of studying is to get a good job, which in turn will ‘provide’ for our lifetime. The focus, therefore, is on finding the best way to wade through a ‘living’, rather than leading one’s life above its trials and tribulations. In management terms, this is what we would call the difference between the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of things – those who remain focussed on the ‘how’ will remain workers; those who focus on the ‘why’ (i.e. the underlying rationale) become managers, because, only an understanding of the ‘why’ of things allows one to become a master.

Such a teaching, in my opinion, has implications both in the material and spiritual life. It has helped me to understand and analyse why something was either wrong or right, so that we could build on the strengths and work on the weaknesses. Once when Swami spoke to us students during a Trayee Session, He said, “people spend too much time worrying about death; what one should think about is birth, and how to avoid it.” 

Lesson 2: How do we reach Him?

Swami’s definition of what an MBA is and what one should aspire for after an MBA, has been even more insightful. This incident happened one evening after Bhagawan had finished granting interviews to His devotees. It was then a regular practice for Swami to stand in front of the students, very often for more than one hour, and shower wisdom and love into our hearts and steer our minds in the right direction. That day, an MBA student asked Swami as to what he should do after his MBA degree. Swami looked up for a few seconds, considered this question and very seriously replied, “Do MRS!” Many students who were familiar with Swami referring to marriage as “MRS” were a bit taken aback by the seriousness with which Swami said it this time. And instead of everyone laughing about it as they usually did, they were all serious, reflecting Swami’s “mood”. But it was actually His play! Within a few seconds, He had a broad grin that immediately lightened the situation. But it was no joke that He played, for what came next was a great teaching indeed. He asked, “What is MBA?”, and He Himself replied, “MBA is Mind on Baba Always”. After that you do “MRS”, which is marriage. Not marriage in the physical sense as we understand, but marriage meaning, “merger with God”. Truly, one can merge with God only after he has his Mind on Baba Always! Without doubt, this is a teaching for life that one should always remember.

Lesson 3: He is the ‘Doer’

I was fortunate to be born into a family of ‘devotees’ (as we boldly call ourselves!) but, it was only after joining the Institute that I got the opportunity to have several interactions with Bhagawan. Here I learnt another very valuable lesson – Swami is always in control of everything that happens with us and the sooner we realise this and submit ourselves at the Lotus Feet, the better it is for us.

There have been various situations in my personal and corporate life that reinforced this lesson repeatedly, although I cannot say with certainty that I have learnt the lesson. The first such situation had to do with my first job after MBA. The lesson actually started when I was still studying – Swami would ask about me or talk to me and, on many occasions during those years, would refer to me as a Research Scholar or would simply say ‘do research’. This teaching carried on from the realm of waking state into the realm of what we call the ‘dream state’. And in one of these dreams, I told Swami that I did not like doing research. To this, His rather stern response was, “You have no choice!” And in another dream, I was panting for breath and running to see Swami to tell Him, “I am happy to do research if You say so!”

However, we quite easily forget these lessons and ignore the messages. And now about six months into my first job – I was pressurised by the amount of work I had to do, the amount of learning on the job that was required, the adjustment to life in a new city and of course, the much discussed subject of organisational politics. The stress was eating into me and one evening I was lying down on my bed wondering, “Why did I make the choices that have got me into this situation.” I was looking at a small pocket sized picture of Swami and was asking Him as to why I was going through all this. In a flash, all those seemingly casual conversations, those ‘dreams’, and most importantly, His words, “Do research” and “you have no choice” were ringing loud and clear in my ears. I realised that it was not me who had made the choice; it was all a part of the Divine Play. That was my first lesson in submitting to the Lord’s Will so as to be happy. As it is said, “Allow God to operate and you cooperate; because if you try to operate, God may not cooperate!”

More recently, after I was transferred on my job to London, my first assignment was to make a presentation to the Board of Directors of one of the world’s largest media companies, on an Equity transaction that our company was bidding for. We were competing with some of the world’s leading names in this transaction and it was critical for me to “prove” myself in the new place. Although that was not the first time I was standing in front of such high-powered corporate bosses, something made me quite nervous. I sat outside, waiting to be called in, and just kept praying to Swami to speak through me. 

At that stage, I recalled a small incident in Parthi during my second year MBA. Swami came out after the interviews, headed straight to the lower portico where I was seated and asked the boy sitting in front of me, “Are you a speaker?” He gave me a quick glance as He asked that question. Before I could think of an answer, the live flute music, which used to be played before the Bhajans, began. Swami happened to be standing directly underneath the sound box (monitor) and looked up as soon as the music started. With a twinkle in His eyes, He asked, “Where is the sound coming from?” Without hesitation, the boys there answered, “From the speaker, Swami!” Pleased with that, He said, “Ah, see, the sound comes from the speaker but the source is inside”. Saying so, He pointed to the Bhajan Hall where the singer was singing. To this day, I am amazed at the simplicity with which He delivered such a potent lesson. 

As I was waiting outside the Board room for this important presentation, I recalled those words of Swami and instantly felt comforted. I then went in, made my presentation, answered their questions and walked out after almost 3 hours of gruelling. I had no clue as to how it was perceived by them, but got the answer in about two days – we were awarded the contract of several million pounds!

Lesson 4: What is ‘Karma’ in the presence of His Love!

Another very important lesson that I learnt at the Lotus Feet is that His Love indeed has no reason or season! And when He chooses to give, He does not look at the deservedness of the individual.

In August 2004, I was fortunate to go to Parthi along with a youth group from the U.K. With all our limitations, we prepared a few songs, Bhajans and a play. Without an iota of doubt, I can say that we were nowhere near a standard of singing or dramatics that could be presented in front of a serious audience, leave alone the thought of presenting it to the Lord of the Universe! Yet, day after day, Bhagawan would come to us, talk to us, enquire about us, and sit through our so-called singing for more than one hour on each occasion! He also directed the small drama which gave me the opportunity to go up to Him in the Verandah and speak to Him. I still wonder what we did to deserve all that! Some of the youth and I were talking about that, and we concluded it was just our good fortune, or “Praapthi” (Karma) as we call it. But what we classify as Praapthi is actually His Love for us. There is a very touching incident about this Karma or Praapthi which taught me that it is more important to rely on His Love. 

Swami was standing on the upper portico one morning after completing interviews and I happened to be sitting very close to Him. He was talking to the then editor of the Sanathana Sarathi, Sri. V. K. Narasimhan Garu. He started talking about a gentleman who used to sit in the portico earlier. Swami said that the particular gentleman had a desire to breathe his last in Prasanthi Nilayam and had been staying there for more than 15 years. Unfortunately, he happened to go to Bombay just two days earlier, and passed away the day after he reached Bombay from Puttaparthi. And then He added, “What to do? No Praapthi!” He then looked sharply at me, and asked, “What is Praapthi?” Closing His fist and putting it forward, still looking at me, He said, “Praapthi is all in My Hands!” By this time, I was literally trembling. He continued, “When I want, I give it; when I want, I take it!”

Today, when I look at my 5 year old son,  I feel great love for him and at times decide to buy some toys for him. At such times, I do not think about whether he deserves an expensive toy or not. I just buy it for him. If a mere human being’s love, with all its limitations, can go over the boundaries of deservedness, can Divine Love be limited by such considerations? In our ignorance, we blame it on Praapthi. The truth as I see is that deservedness or Praapthi is not the ultimate controlling force. As Swami puts it, “When you have God’s Anugraha (Grace), what can the Navagrahas (the nine planets) do to you?” God’s Will never takes us to that place where His Grace cannot reach us!

My prayer is only this – that I may have the strength and the wisdom to do what pleases Him – to conduct myself at all times, in all situations, in such a way that He is happy with me and thus be the recipient of His Love and Grace. When that happens, I know that nothing in this universe can be a hurdle.

I will follow You…

Ever since You touched my Heart I knew

There isn’t an ocean too deep

A mountain so high it can keep

Keep me away

Away from Your…Love!

- T.N. Giridhar

Student (1990-1992), Department of Management Studies

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

Currently, Managing Director and CEO, Lincoln International, Mumbai

Source: Fragrance 2005