“If I want I can live till 96, or if I want I can leave this body now itself.”

February 21, 1999 (Inside Poornachandra Auditorium)

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in the Poornachandra Auditorium
To the left, sitting before Him is Dr. Siva Sankara Sai, Warden, Sri Sathya Sai Hostel, Prasanthi Nilayam

Swami slowly came down from the stage in the Poornachandra Auditorium and inspected the baskets…

Swami : Andhra youth wing has come after Grama Seva. They have got 2,000 custard apples. (To a student) When did you come?

Student : Today, Swami.

Swami : How is Hyderabad?

Student : It is good Swami.

Swami : Where all did you go?

Student : I did not go anywhere, Swami.

Swami : Then how can you tell that Hyderabad is good? Did you go to your mother-in-law’s house?

Student : No Swami. I went to uncle’s house.

Swami : (To another student)  How many times do you have bath in a day?

Student : Two times Swami.

Swami : What one time? I have bath three times a day. I get up at 4:30 am and have bath. Once again in the afternoon before giving Darshan and then before having   dinner. Even though I do not need it at all, I have it. (Turning to Brindavan Warden and asking about a boy’s role in  the drama)

Warden : Swami, he acts as an old man.

Swami : An old man! (To the student) Do you like it?

Student : Yes Swami.

Swami : (To another student) What is your role?

Student : Swami, Kabir’s Guru.

Sant Kabir (1440-1518)

Swami : What Guruji! Who is Kabir’s Guru?

Student : Swami, Ramanandsagar.

Swami : Kabir’s Guru was Ramnandsagar. He had resolved to completely detach himself from the world and left the family. Once while addressing a public   gathering, he happened to look at his wife. He immediately turned to the other side. After the function, his wife walked up to him and told that he had not detached himself completely. Otherwise, he would have considered her as any other person in the gathering. Hearing this he prostrated at her feet and proclaimed her as his Guru. (To the student) You also go and fall at your wife’s feet! (Smiling) (To another student) Why are you sitting in between those two bulls? Let them sit together. Why do you disturb them? These two go to dining hall together, to playground together; to classroom together. (Pointing out a boy to Warden)  How is that boy?

Warden : Swami, he has to improve in studies.

Swami : How has he done his exams?

Warden : Swami, he told me that the paper was easy.

Swami : Every time, the same thing… but marks do not come. (To the student) How much will you get in that paper? (Swami asked the same question thrice, but the boy was silent, with tears in his eyes) Very good acting Pakka actor. (To another student) How did you write your exams? How was your paper?

Student : Swami, easy Swami.

Swami : Easy… it seems. But he has not written anything. This one time, I have given both of you a chance. Next time whom so ever fails will not get any chance. Next time you fail, I will send you in a direct bus to Mangalore and he will go to Madras.

Student : No Swami.

Swami : Oh! You want to go to Madras with him? Go ra beach is there!(Smiling) (To students) Ask something.

Warden : Swami, they say that energy is concentrated at the hair tips and nail tips.

Swami : What are you saying? If there is no energy, how will it grow? The whole body is but a bundle of energy. Everything in this world is full of energy.

Warden : Swami, these days students have so much hair and they think it is a fashion.

Swami : Many people start losing their hair after fifty years. At that age if somebody loses his hair, it will not grow again. But for me, it keeps on growing. Sometimes if the comb is not good, too much hair falls. Everything is there in My hands. If I want I can live till 96, or if I want I can leave this body now itself.

Students : No Swami. Please Swami.

Teacher : At least for the sake of devotees, Swami should be there.

Swami : Shanti…Shanti…Shanti. Kya Samachar? (What news?) Go boys. Go.

Students : Please call us again, Swami. Please, Swami.

Swami : If somebody sends fruits, then I will call you.(Smiling) 

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