Balancing Worldly Knowledge with Spiritual Knowledge

Most people in the world do not know the true significance of life. Many do not even seem to care about it. One in a million may be concerned about knowing the purpose of life. Concern is the first step in the journey towards the ultimate goal. Most young people are content with eating, sleeping, dressing and rearing a big family as the main aims of living. Doubtlessly, all these are necessary to some extent. But they alone cannot contribute to peace of mind or fullness of life. The phenomena of the external world are what the eyes see, the ears hear, and the mind cognises. All these are sensory phenomena. Beyond the Indriyas (senses) is the mind and greater than the mind is the Buddhi (intellect). The intellect is governed by the Atma (the indwelling Spirit). The human destiny is to realise the Atma. Among the sense organs the most powerful is the mouth (which has the powers of speech and consuming food). When the mouth is under the control of the mind, all other senses can be controlled. Speech should be restrained as much as possible. Then, the attention of the mind should be diverted towards the Buddhi (which has the power of discrimination). When the Buddhi is turned towards the Atma, it begins to realise the all-pervading Spirit. 

Worldly Knowledge and Spiritual Knowledge 

The inextricable connection between the phenomenal world outside, and the world of consciousness inside, eludes the understanding of ordinary people. Immersed in the desire for enjoying worldly pleasures, people do not attempt to discover the boundless joy to be derived from the inner Spirit. This is because all the sense organs are open only to experiences from outside. It is not surprising that the common man is subject to the outward vision. Only a few develop the inner vision and enjoy spiritual bliss. Is it the body that derives joy from looking at a thing of beauty? Or is it the Atma? What is it that relishes the food that is consumed – the body or the spirit? What is it that enjoys fragrance or is moved by companionship? Enquiring in this manner, it will be found that it is the Atma that is the enjoyer and not the physical body. The body by itself is gross and is incapable of experiencing joy. It must be realised that the Spirit transcends the mind and the intellect and pervades the entire cosmos. The Spirit is the basis for the cognition of the external world and experiencing the inner world. The Vedas and Vedangas (Vedic sciences), music and literature, physics and chemistry, botany and biology, all these different branches of knowledge are related to the phenomenal universe. They belong to the category of ‘Apara Vidya’ (worldly knowledge). People devote their lives mainly to these studies. Only the knowledge of the Spirit is ‘Para Vidya’ (the Supreme Knowledge). Apara Vidya is pursued mainly for earning a living. But even worldly knowledge exists to point the way to spiritual awareness. Without spiritual knowledge, all other knowledge is valueless.

The Three States of Consciousness 

Every man has to enquire every moment about the purpose and goal in life. Eating, drinking, sleeping and passing time cannot be the meaning of human life. All these are common to birds and beasts. What is the uniqueness of man? He is endowed with faculties which can enable him to rise above the animal to the human and the Divine level. Vaak (speech), Manas (mind) and Prana (vital breath) are manifestations of the Atma. Each is related to a state of consciousness. They are – Jagruti (the waking state), Swapna (dream state) and Sushupti (deep sleep). In the Jagruti state, man is awake and experiences the outer world through sight, hearing, speech and other senses. The phenomenal universe is what one experiences through the five sense organs. The experience in the waking state is known as Vishwa because experiences are the subtle form of the cosmic principle. Vishwa has 24 constituent elements – the 5 organs of action (Karmendriyas), the 5 sense organs (Jnanendriyas), the 5 basic elements (Panch Bhutas), the 5 vital airs (Pranas), the mind (Manas), the intellect (Buddhi), the subconscious mind (Chitta) and the ego (Ahamkara). In the dream state, only the 4 internal senses (the mind, the Buddhi, the Chitta and the Ahamkara) function. They constitute the Antahkarana (the psycho-somatic agency). In this state the experiencer has Tejas (an effulgent form) and is known as Taijasa. Sushupti is the state of deep sleep. In this state, Prajna (intuited awareness) alone remains. Hence the experience in this state is called Prajna (the Knower). Vishwa, Taijasa and Prajna are all different names of the Atma (in different states of consciousness), according to the different forms assumed by the Atma in the various states. 

Constant Integrated Awareness – Prajnana 

‘Prajnaanam Brahma’ declares the Upanishad. Jnana, Vijnana, Prajnana, Sujnana and Ajnana are modifications of one and the same principle of Consciousness. Prajnana (Constant Integrated Awareness) comprehends all that is experienced by the Antahkarana through impressions received by the sense organs—the eyes, the mouth, the ears, the nose, etc. Prajnana is immanent in Antahkarana as the principle which absorbs and interprets the messages received through the senses. The eyes, for instance, are like the bulb in a lamp. The bulb cannot emit light. It needs the electric current to make it burn. Likewise the eyes cannot see by themselves. It is the Prajnana which sees through the eyes. The same thing applies to the ears and the other organs. They all need power of the inner current to do their work. All the sense organs are insentient by themselves. It is Prajnana that animates them and makes them instruments of the Chaitanya (Consciousness). 

The universe contains innumerable objects. In all of them, the one unchanging, eternal principle is the Atma. That is Prajnana. That is Brahman. It is the power of this eternal principle which sustains the evanescent and ever-changing objects of the universe. Asti, Bhaati and Priyam (Existing, shining and pleasing) are three indices of the Divine. ‘Sat-Chit-Ananda’ are the attributes of the Divine. Sat indicates permanance. Chit indicates Omniscience. Ananda is the state of unalloyed bliss. These three attributes of the Divine are changeless and have no form or name. When these three get associated with objects which have name and form, we have Prapancha – the quintuple phenomenal universe. The cosmos is permeated by the Divine. Even if you are unable to see It, the Divine is present in everything. All our senses function because of the Consciousness that operates in every being. Without that consciousness man would be an insentient creature. 

Atma is common to all states of consciousness 

The different states of consciousness are mutually exclusive. You cannot experience in one state what you have gone through in another. For instance, in a dream you may weep over the death of a person. But when you wake up, you don't weep for the person who died in the dream. What happened in the dream is true only in the dream state. In the waking state it is Mithya (unreal). Likewise we do not lament in the dream for a person who died in the waking state. Each experience is real only in that state of consciousness. But the one principle that is common to all states of consciousness – waking, dream, and deep sleep is the Atma. Atma is not bound by limitations of time, space and circumstance. 

The body is impermanent. But it is the abode of the indwelling Spirit. It is a shrine and when it moves, the Divine moves with it. Hence the body should be cared for the same way in which an iron safe, which is of little value in itself, is safeguarded for the sake of the valuables kept in it. What is it that binds man to the illusory world? It is not family or property. These can be given up when one wishes to do so. But what are the most difficult to renounce are Raga (attachment) and Dwesha (hatred). As long as these are dominant in man, he cannot realise his true Self. And as long as man is unaware of his true Self, he is in bondage; there is no freedom from suffering or worry. 

Source: Atma – The Basis of Life, Discourse 27, My Dear Students Volume 5; Divine Discourse to Students at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium on June 22, 1987

Heart to Heart: Sri Sathya Sai with His Students – By Swaroop Alwar

It was for my XI Standard that I first stepped into Puttaparthi not knowing anything about the place or the Master who had designed it. Swami was still at Brindavan.  My casual self was forced to get a philosophical touch when I came here for the entrance exam, since on my way to join the Hostel I was going through the Bhagawad Gita where Lord Krishna was encouraging the depressed Arjuna to get ready for the battle. I remembered having studied for the entrance exam that Bhagawan Baba preaches Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa. If He were that same Krishna as people believed, why then was He asking Arjuna to fight a war, and now talking about peace? Both of them seemed to be contradicting principles. This question was registered deeply in my mind for a while, only to be forgotten after some time. 

A few days later, Swami returned to Puttaparthi and as He was talking to one of the devotees in the Mandir portico, the long dormant question in my mind suddenly arose from its slumber, only to turn the eyes of Swami immediately towards me. I understood that He had heard my unasked question. Yet, to confirm, I wrote a letter the next morning, mentioning the same question and sat down in the Mandir portico. 

As I waited for the Lord’s response, He completed the routine round of Darshan and the moment He stepped onto the portico, His eyes searching, followed by His swift steps from the interview room towards me. No words were exchanged between Swami and me. The unforgettable sway of His body and the smile that He gave me standing in front and looking into my eyes, was so wonderful that I forgot that there was a letter in my hand to be given to Him. At the end of all this, I was convinced that  Swami could hear my thoughts and respond without even speaking to me; and at the same time communicate the unforgettable message, not onto my ears but directly into my heart. Senses do not come in between the heart of a student and Swami. It was this sort of communication that went on between Swami and me during my school days. This experience was the first to sow the seed of conviction that Swami was the same Krishna whose stories always fascinated me from my childhood. 

During those days, Swami would pick up students personally to serve Prasadam during the Akhanda Bhajans. As He was picking up some of the students, I just thought, “Swami, I too want to be called”!  And Lo, He immediately called me. Such was His love that He responded so spontaneously. But still, there was a feeling that Swami would speak to others but not to me. As He was speaking to another student, I thought, “Swami, if you do not want to speak to me, at least look at me” and immediately Swami looked at me. I felt something was better than nothing, and that something was actually everything to me. Every speechless communication between Swami and me watered the seed of conviction that Swami would definitely hear and respond to my thoughts and feelings. 

It was not until my MBA, the last two years of my study in Puttaparthi, that Swami added the thrill of conversation with Him, in my life. One day, He called me and asked me what I was studying, my age and so on.  I began to wonder whether He was really speaking to me after those silent school days when I used to cry and even starve for one word from Him. At last, a longstanding prayer was answered. Swami used to speak to me every now and then. He took so much care of me that when my ear was to be operated upon to remove a tumour and I went to Bangalore for a check-up, He called the doctor and gave Vibhuti packets to be given to me once I returned. After a few days, He called me and materialised Vibhuti and applied it onto my left ear. It was He who ultimately cured my ailment. 

I always used to stay back during the winter vacation, thinking that there would be more opportunities for interaction with Swami as the students’ crowd would be less during the holidays. It was the winter vacation in 2004 and I stayed back expecting lot of nice things to happen. As ill luck would have it, Swami would never come out of the interview room after Darshan. I was usually the first one to reach the Mandir for the afternoon Darshan, to ensure that I did not miss the front line. This would give me a fair chance for an interaction with Swami. After all that lost afternoon sleep, bearing with the hunger and cruel sunshine above me, it was very difficult to accept the reality that Swami was not coming out of the interview room. When my brother enquired about my well being, the ongoing situation was at the top of my mind and I expressed my sadness over it. I got a feeling that this was one of the worst winter vacations I ever had. 

That very evening, for a change, Swami came out of the interview room to the dais and asked students to speak to the public gathered there. As I was sitting on the stage for the Veda chanting, which precedes any speech; Swami came and started speaking to me. From then on, He continued coming out of the interview room everyday and spent time with the students.  As I passed from XI Standard and finally reached MBA, there was a perceptible change in the way that Swami accepted letters from the students. Earlier, He used to come to the place where we were sitting and collect letters from us. Now, He would call us on to the stage where He would be seated, and take letters from us and also speak with us. So, it was deemed a special blessing when He called us to take a letter. 

There was an occasion when He called me thrice, i.e. in the morning session, the evening session and the next day morning session too, and also spoke to me every time. Then there was the shower of His love when He called nine of us for a private session in the Poornachandra Auditorium after the morning Darshan. Those few hours He spent with us all alone with no teachers, no VIPs, no security men; no one but Swami and us. He gave us clothes, eatables and above all, spoke to each one of us, permitting us to ask any questions. He spoke on topics ranging from the Ramayana to the current day’s governance of the country. It was like a session with Him in Kodaikanal or maybe even better since only Swami and we were there. He even told us that whenever He would go to Kodaikanal, students would be sitting around Him in a similar fashion. My impression about the winter vacation changed from the worst to the best one I ever had so far. This was a benchmark experience of interaction with Swami. All these were in response to my prayer that He was not coming out and spending time with students. 

When Swami was not speaking to me during my school days, the level of displeasure was different. The reason being that He was not speaking to me earlier, and it was the same now, no difference. But a period of silence after blessing me with numerous interactions was more difficult to bear. It was during one such period of silence that I was taken ill. As a result, I could not reach the Mandir on time to join the Veda chanting which Swami had initiated in September 2004. As I was shaving to get ready and leave for Darshan, the blade in the razor was hurting my skin and I thought, “Why should I go through all this pain when the One for whose sake I am getting ready is not speaking to me at all?” Reluctantly, I got ready, feeling that I should never miss Darshan at any cost. As I entered the Mandir, the Veda chanting had already begun and Swami was sitting on the stage. I went and sat near the Bhajan Hall door. 

Usually, once the chanting gets over, Swami would directly go towards the interview room.  As the Veda chanting ended, a student moved His sofa towards the interview room and to his surprise, Swami directed him to take the sofa towards the Bhajan Hall. As His sofa was being taken up the ramp, Swami called me and asked, “Do you know the Purusha Suktam?”  I answered in the affirmative.  Only later did I recollect the thought that had passed through my mind before coming for Darshan. I realised that Swami had again responded to my feelings. This is the Infinite Love of Swami. 

Swaroop (top extreme right) with his MBA classmates and Sri Sathya Sai

We have His Love touching our lives at every point of time. He will never let us away from his tender grip. With Sai, Life is an endless hope and without Him it is a hopeless end. 

-Swaroop Alwar

Student (2002-2004), Department of Management Studies

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam Campus

Currently, Content Manager, Thomson Reuters, Bangalore

Source: Fragrance 2005

Trayee Sessions – Part 15

Monday, May 21, 2001 

Sri Sathya Sai at Trayee Brindavan

Swami came at 4.34 pm. Swami turned to a Hospital Boy, working at Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Science, Prasanthigram, and asked him… 

Swami : What, today is Monday, didn’t you go to the Hospital? 

H. Boy : No operations, Swami. 

Swami : No operations? 

H. Boy : I am leaving in the early morning tomorrow. 

Swami : Are yesterday’s operations over? Have you put the stitches? (Swami then turned to the Anesthetist in the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital at Whitefield.) How many operations today? 

Anesthetist : Only one, Swami. 

Swami : Only one? In Super Hospital eight, today nine. Which Hospital do you work in? 

Anesthetist : General Hospital Swami. 

Swami : General? In General Hospital only one operation? In General Hospital, who is the Suprintendent? Head of the Department? No one? Who is for General Hospital? Yourself? 

Anesthetist : Yes, Swami. 

Swami : Good. When is the Hospital’s Silver Jubilee? 

Anesthetist : As per Swami’s instructions, it is on June 10th. Swami decided it. 

Swami : No, I didn’t decide. 

Anesthetist : When is it Swami? 

Swami : I don’t know. Did you get invitation? 

Anesthetist : It is not yet ready. We are getting ready for June 10th. 

Swami : 10th is okay. Morning or evening? 

Sri Sathya Sai looking out of the Trayee Brindavan residence

Anesthetist : Morning and evening. Morning, Swami will come there. Evening, we will come here. 

Swami : There is a doctor’s drama. Doctors will act. What is the name of the drama? 

Anesthetist : Sai Vaidyanatheswara. 

Swami : Good name. Who is the main actor? 

Anesthetist : Manuja is the main character. 

Swami : What about Savitri? 

Anesthetist : She is acting as a dvotee. 

Swami : Oh Oh… Devotee  Savitri. Khushi… Khushi… (Happy… Happy…)  

What about Dolly? 

Anesthetist : She said that she couldn’t act. 

Swami : She can do Narada’s role. (To a student) Where do you come from? 

Student : Calcutta. 

Swami : New boy? 

B. Warden : Got admitted in first year B.A. 

Swami : (To Sri Raghunath Sarma (Sri R. S.), Faculty Member, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus of Swami’s University) Will you speak something? Are you doing Ph.D.? 

Sri R. S. : Teaching, Swami. 

Swami : Teaching? Not doing Ph.D.? Come and say something. Tell Vedas also in the middle. Which subject? 

Sri R. S. : Mathematics and Computer Science. 

Swami : Maths? Which classes you teach? 

Sri R. S. : All classes, M.Sc. and M.Tech. 

Swami : All classes? Take Namaskar. From which class are you studying in our College? 

Sri R. S. : B.Sc. Swami. 

Swami : Before that? 

Sri R. S. : Intermediate. 

Swami : In our College? Before that? 

Sri R. S. : I studied in Pamidi. 

Swami : If a person doesn’t have character, it is equal to being dead. (To Brindavan Warden) Who else will speak? I will go. 

Swami then got up and Aarti was offered. While Swami was going back, Sai Kanav, a Primary School student got up. 

Student : Swami, I want Your robe. 

Swami : This robe? (Swami showed the robe He was wearing.) 

Sri Sathya Sai talking to students from the balcony of the Trayee Brindavan residence

Swami pinched his cheeks, gave Prasadam trays to the students and went up. From the balcony, Swami called for that student and threw him a robe. Swami then blessed all and retired. 

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

Sri Sathya Sai and Shirdi Sai images emerge in the Lingam at Sravanabelgola

June, 1968 

The Shiva Lingam
(not the original image)

Two boys from Kothanagatta, a village nestling by the side of Sravanabelagola in the state of Karnataka, happened to hear about Swami. They rushed to Puttaparthi to have Darshan unmindful of all the travails the journey entailed. Upon arriving at Puttaparthi, Swami patted them and said, “Bangaru, Bangaru! I am present in your very village. Why undergo all these difficulties to come here? Henceforth you may have My Darshan at your village itself.” The boys returned to their village not quite convinced of whether or not Swami would reveal Himself to them over there. A century old Bana Linga obtained from the river Narmada was consecrated at Kothanagatta and served as their local Shiva temple. The boys gathered the village folk at this temple for a Bhajan session. They began singing Bhajans they had learnt at Puttaparthi. The village priest noticed colours beginning to appear on the Linga as soon as the boys began singing. The pattern transformed to reveal a garlanded form of Sathya Sai and also a full seated form of His previous Avatar, Shirdi Sai. This emergence was not just an evanescent one meant only for the eyes of the devotees present on that day. Eight years after this appearance, the Linga still afforded Darshan to the devotees with the forms of the two Sais clearly visible on the Linga. 

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1986)

How can we Master the Mind?

Mind is like a housefly. It lacks the ability to investigate if a thing is real and relevant or otherwise. One moment it feeds upon the sacred food, and the next moment it flies away to sit upon a garbage dump. In this manner, man ponders on good ideas and positive thoughts for a minute, but quickly becomes disturbed and agitated with bad ideas and negative thoughts the next minute. Mind has no holds barred. It has no sense to discriminate between purity and impurity. There is Buddhi (intellect), the faculty that can examine things and discriminate between the relevant and irrelevant, but it is not given an opportunity and is not being made use of by man. Mind is like the elephant. Even as the Mahout gives it a thorough wash, it sprinkles mud upon itself with its trunk. That is natural to it. Similar is the condition of man. Now and then, man purifies himself with some spiritual exercises, virtuous deeds or sacred feelings. But soon he dirties himself with the dust of mundane and materialistic indulgences and loses peace of mind. If you want to contain water in a storage reservoir, first of all, the outlets and leakages in the reservoir should be plugged up. Otherwise, the water that flow in keeps draining out through the outlets and the leakages. Atmic energy is a mighty stream, which flows into the mind-reservoir that rarely gets filled. For man, the mind itself is a great reservoir. Atmic energy is a mighty stream that flows into the mind-reservoir through the channel of Buddhi. The senses are leakages or outlets to the reservoir. 

The water of Atmic energy can fill the mind-reservoir, only when the senses are restrained. Mind, in actuality, is the master of the senses, but it has surrendered itself to the senses. So mind is like the king, who has become subservient to his servants! How can such a king be free and fair? How can he expect honour and respect? Thus, when mind, the master, gives intervention to the senses, the slaves, man himself becomes a slave. So man must always remain as the master, and not turn into a servant. What happens is that the mind drains itself of its energies and powers through the activities and indulgences of the sense organs. By talking much, by watching sights and scenes, by brooding over various matters, the mental energies are being spent out. 

Just as the body becomes weak when it is not given nourishment, mind too becomes weak due to the incessant activity of the senses. So man has to keep these activities under control. He must also control the thought processes, i.e. to will and ponder, to focus and disperse. Then alone will the mind power develop in a sacred and concentrated way. Such soundness of mind and will power are most necessary for man today. Man is running after the mind – when the mind becomes weak, the sanctity of the man also weakens. So, on account of encouraging and supporting the senses out of greed, man faces much sorrow and lack of peace. 

If we investigate into the reason behind sorrow in life, we find that it arises out of ignorance of the reality. What is the cause of that ignorance? Ego is the cause. What is the cause of ego? Attachment is the cause. And what is the basis of attachment? One’s body consciousness, of course! Summarily, the reason behind sorrow in life is the body. If one keeps the body, i.e. its senses and faculties under check, he will never have any sorrow or grief, either in worldly life or in spiritual life. Sorrow is not natural to man. It is only an effect or result of some cause. If something is natural, none can destroy it. For example, sweetness is the nature of sugar; whatever you may do, you cannot remove the sweetness of sugar and make it taste otherwise. If sorrow were to be natural to man, there would not be so many ways to get rid of the sorrow, for it could not be got rid of through effort. Sorrow is unnatural to man and there are several means to cure him of it. Sorrow is destroyed only by turning to God and leading a spiritual life. A lazy horse when fed with nutritious food becomes lazier. The senses too are lazy and if they are fed with all that they fancy, they become stronger and more demanding. Thus strengthened, they finally destroy the humanness in man. When we set our mind on the ways of truth, we can experience, in future, the real bliss. 

Here is an illustration to understand how to follow the path that is true and lasting using our senses. Man is pursued by three kinds of sorrow in life. They are worldly sorrow, providential sorrow and spiritual sorrow. Adhi-Bhouthika sorrow, worldly sorrow, is that which is inflicted by the creatures of the world like snakes, bears, animals, insects, worms, etc. Adhi-Daivika sorrow or providential sorrow is that which we face in unforeseen and providential ways, like floods, drought, earthquakes, fire, accidents, etc. Sometimes one is struck by lightning quite unexpectedly; even this is providential sorrow. Adhi-Atmic sorrow, spiritual sorrow, is the pains and ailments suffered by one’s body and mind. The body is subjected to various illnesses and diseases throughout life, and man experiences much sorrow due to this. Even when the body is all right, one may suffer from problems and diseases related to the mind. 

The Way to Enlightenment

Once, a disciple approached his Guru saying, “Master, please enlighten me with some knowledge!” The Guru was seated outside a cave. He said patronizingly, “Child, it is getting dark outside. I shall teach you inside the cave dwelling. Please go inside and light the small lamp lying inside.” The disciple entered the cave with a matchbox in hand, located the lamp and tried to light it. He struck many matches but the lamp would not be lit. He emptied the matchbox but remained unsuccessful in his attempts. He reported to the Guru, “Master, this lamp is not lighting.” Guru asked, “Why it is so? Let me have a look at the lamp.” The lamp was brought to him and he asked the disciple to check if it was filled with oil or something else. The disciple then discovered that it was water that was in the lamp and not oil. And as the wick was soaked in water, it would not burn. The Guru instructed him, “First, throw the water out and squeeze water out of the wick; next, pour some oil and also soak the wick in the oil. Then light it. It will surely burn brightly.” The disciple followed the instructions and was successful in lighting the lamp. Once the lamp was lit, the Guru turned silent. The disciple waited a while and asked, “Master, you said you would enlighten me with knowledge. When will you do that?” The Guru replied, “I have been doing that all the while. Didn’t you understand?” The disciple was confused. The Guru then explained, “How can the flame of knowledge be kindled if the lamp of your heart is filled with the water of worldly and materialistic impressions, and your mind, the wick, is soaked in materialistic ideas? First, drain out from your heart all affinity to the physical world. Free your mind too of such ideas. Fill yourself with God’s love. Then I will kindle the flame by initiating you with God’s name. That itself will be the flame of knowledge. On the contrary, without love for God and with a heart filled with worldliness, how can I enlighten you?” 

Source: Master the Mind, Be a Mastermind, Discourse 14, My Dear Students Volume 1

How Sri Sathya Sai transformed my family… - By M. Sai Parikshit

"Ananyaschintha Yanthomam

Te Janah Parayupasathe

Tesham Nityabhi Yukthanam

Yogakshemam Vahamyaham." 

Declared Sri Krishna in Gita, which means, "If you think of Me all the time I will take care of your well-being." As the Yuga changed from Dwapara to Kali, our most compassionate Lord said, “Even if you think of Me once, I will look after you forever." Such is the compassion of our Mother Sai. He is our mother, father, brother and our closest friend. He is our guardian and He is everything to us. Swami accompanies us from our birth to death in our life. But, I am privileged as our most beloved Swami had been there to protect me even before my very birth. 

It was the time when I was in the womb of my mother. It was the 6th month of her pregnancy. She was cleaning the bathroom with bleaching powder, which affected her, and she fell down unconscious. She was admitted to the hospital and very strong antibiotics were given to save her. Antibiotics should not at all be given to pregnant women as it may have a very bad effect on the yet-to-be-born child. The doctors told my father that the child might have some physical or mental disabilities or even chances of death at the time of delivery. My father was consoled by the fact that at least my mother would be saved. He left it all to Swami. Swami is always there to protect His devotees. The time came when they scanned my mother’s womb to see the condition of the child (me). At that time, my brother was five years old. He was playing with the scan report. Suddenly he shouted “Appa Swami Teriyararu." (Father I can see Swami!). My father took the scan and was amazed to see Swami’s figure in the scan. My parents had tears in their eyes when they saw Swami’s figure in the scan. Then they were confident that the child to be born would be safe. Needless to say, I was born with no deformities. 

The first devotee of Swami in my family was my grandfather. In the beginning, even he did not believe in Swami. Once, Swami had come to Chennai. My grandfather lived in Chennai during those days. He heard a few people conversing about Swami’s trip to Chennai. So out of curiosity he thought that he could also go and see who this Sai Baba is. Eventually he went and sat among the crowd and waited for Swami to come. Swami came for Darshan and Bhajans started. All of a sudden, Swami appeared to my grandfather as Lord Karthikeya who was my grandfather’s chosen deity. He told my grandfather, “You fool, do you think I am some stranger? I am not. I am none other than Karthikeya." My grandfather felt quite embarrassed, as Swami had told this in front of all the devotees. My grandfather looked towards others to see their reaction. He was surprised to notice that none of the devotees had paid any attention to him. He also realized that the conversation that took place was ‘heart to heart’ as even Swami was sitting quite away from him. From that day to the day of his death, he never again doubted Swami. 

Swami after transforming my grandfather granted him a few interviews. My grandfather was a chain smoker. No one in the family could stop him. So, my father wrote a letter to Swami to do something about this. That evening Swami told my father to bring my grandfather to Parthi. The next day Swami called my grandfather for an interview and told him to stop smoking. Swami told him that if he does not stop, then Swami would not talk to him. My grandfather did not know what to do, as it was very difficult to stop forever. However, at the same time, he had to keep up Swami’s word. Hence, until his death my grandfather never touched a single cigarette. 

My family settled in Puttaparthi when I was in my seventh class. I used to sit in the devotees’ line before joining Swami’s school. Whenever I used to come for Darshan, by Swami’s grace I used to get first line and I used to give letters to Swami. Once I told my father that I was getting first line almost every day during the Darshan and I was giving letters to Swami. From that day for four consecutive days, I got fourth line and Swami did not take my letters. I became sad and prayed to Swami to take my letters. On the fifth day, once again I got fourth line. That day Swami went out in His car. Whenever Swami went out, I, along with a few friends, used to run behind Swami’s car. Swami would look at us and smile lovingly. That day I ran along with Swami’s car but Swami did not see me. I went with a person on his bike, as Swami’s car was moving quite fast. Suddenly Swami’s car took a ‘U’ turn and as we were behind Swami till that second, we kept the vehicle aside and stood on the roadside. I maintained a good distance of about 30 steps from others, as I would be the only person there when Swami’s car passed by. I prayed to Swami to look at me and take my letter. Swami’s car was coming towards me and Swami looked at me. I was very happy. Swami told the driver to stop the car. As I was the only person to stand there, I went to Swami’s car. Swami opened the window, I gave my letter to Swami and told Him, “Swami I should always be with You," for which Swami nodded, and the car moved. Swami listens to all our prayers but answers them only when the time comes. So let us all pray to Swami to give us strength so that in every action of ours we please Him and let that be our mission. When we please Him, we please the whole universe and that is real “Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu." 

- M. Sai Parikshit

Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2010 (85th Birthday Offering)

Trayee Sessions – Part 14

Wednesday, May 16, 2001

Sri Sathya Sai entering Trayee Brindavan

Swami came at 4.30 pm. Coming near the Jhoola, Swami indicated to the Brindavan Warden to speak. He then spoke stating that Swami had commanded all the students to go home during the vacations and serve their parents. 

Swami : Must go! You are not telling strictly. They must go. They can’t stay back. (To the Principal, Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music) How many children came for admissions? 

Principal : Totally, 75 came. 24 were selected. (Swami enquired about specific numbers for each specialisation.) 

Swami : Are they good students? 

Principal : Even if they don’t know, they have potential. 

Swami : (To Brindavan Warden) What is the name of the band leader? 

B. Warden : Das. 

Swami : (To Dibya Jyoti Das, leader of the Institute Brass Band) What are you doing now? 

Das : Swami, Ph.D. 

Swami : Stop your Ph.D. for sometime for now. Today I am giving appointment order. Good pay. What appointment? For Mathematics. (To Brindavan Warden) He is good boy. PG, Ph.D. and now teaching. Now we need more teachers to teach, so I appointed him. (To Dibya Jyoti Das) Who else is there in Mathematics? 

B. Warden : Balasubramanian, who plays Tabla. 

Swami : Who else? Who has got ‘O’ grade in Mathematics? 

(To Dibya Jyoti Das) How many Ph.D. boys are there? 

Das : Seven, Swami. 

Swami : Good number. (To Brindavan Warden) Where is Darjeeling boy? (One of the students, Shailesh Bangdel came forward.) What are you studying? 

Student : M.B.A. 

Swami : Such short boys are in M.B.A.! What are the subjects in M.B.A.? 

Shailesh : Values-based Management, Self Awareness and Personality Development. 

Swami : What is Personality? 

Shailesh : Swami, character, behaviour… 

Swami : Character and behaviour are separate. How many types of character are there? 

Shailesh : Individual, National and Fundamental Character. 

Swami : First is Individual Character, next is National Character and third is Fundamental Character. Speak a little. (After his speech) After M.B.A., where are you going? Darjeeling? (No reply.) When are you going? Tell! 

Shailesh : I will do whatever You tell. 

Swami : Then book a ticket tomorrow. For 15 days be with parents. 

Shailesh : 15 days I will be with You, Swami. 

Swami : Parents too must be made happy. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava (Parents are Divine). Fundamental Character is first. (To Brindavan Warden) In My opinion, that is also a subject... To test the boys as to what they do when they go home… Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta and Bangalore too. We must see how they behave outside. 

Shailesh : I want to be with You. What will we do going home? You are our parent. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in the lawns of Trayee Brindavan

Swami : That is different. 20 years you were with parents. You have no gratitude to them. You have stayed here for just two or three years, how can you then show gratitude? Gratitutde must come first. Swami has given free education. If you have no gratitude, what is the use? Are you a Brahmin? 

Shailesh : No, Swami. 

Swami : Are you a Kshatriya? (The student nodded.) Kshatriya Deeksha (the vow of a warrior) is very important. Deeksha Kankana (the vows). How many Kankanas (vows) did Krishna have? He had three. The first was ‘Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya, Glaanir Bhavati Bharata; Abhyutthanam Adharmasya, Tadaatmanam Srujaamyaham’ (Whenever and wherever there is a decline in the practice of righteousness, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of unrightous behaviour, at that time I descend Myself). The second was ‘Paritranaaya Sadhunaam, Vinaashayacha Dhushkritam; Dharma Samsthapanarthaaya, Sambhavami Yuge Yuge’ (In order to deliver the pious and to annihilate the miscreants, as well as to reestablish the principles of righteousness, I incarnate age after age). The third one was ‘Sarva Dharmaan Parityajya, Maamekam Sharanam Vraja; Aham Tvam Sarva Papebhyo, Mokshayishyami Maashucha’ (Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear). These were the three Kankanas of Krishna. How many Kankanas do you have? Only one. Follow Swami’s words. Go home tomorrow. With you, I will send two more boys. Calcutta boys. Till Calcutta, you can go together. From there, separate. Are you not willing to go? 

Shailesh : We are here for You. 

Swami : What about parents? Who is first – parents or Swami? 

Shailesh : Parents will come here to meet us. 

Swami : You are not going just to meet them. Serve them. Good boy. Go by tomorrow evening bus. (The student was silent. To Brindavan Warden) Send all the boys. Don’t keep anyone in Hostel. (To student) Speak with a smile. Tell that ‘I will go home to keep up Swami’s word’. 

Shailesh : Swami, You are our mother. 

Swami : Mother is at home. 

Shailesh : Swami’s Love endears us to Him. His Love is that of a thousand mothers. 

Swami : You don’t love one mother, how can you understand thousand mother’s love? Go home for ten days. Make parents happy and come. (The student was silent, feeling a bit sad and in tears.) Do you want kerchief? 

(To Sujith, another student) Malayalam singer? When are you going home? 

Sujith : Parents have come here. 

Swami : I will send them too. What all strategies students adopt (to stay with Swami)! They send telegram to parents, ‘Come here immediately’. 

(To the student) I will send parents also with you. Go home. Mother will give sweets. Eat well. Now speak something and sing. 

Sujith : Throat is not good. 

Swami : Throat is good. 

During his talk, Sujith mentioned that his mother had called him home and asked him to eat well and take rest, but he had refused.  

Swami : Why don’t you have Buddhi (intellect)? (To Tara Shankar, an Assamese student) You too, go to Assam. 

Tara : Parents are coming here. 

Swami : Tell ‘No’ to them. 

Tara : They have already started. 

Swami : Yesterday they started, you start today. Go with parents. There are ten days holidays. Speak. (Tara Shankar asked if he could sing the famous Meera Bhajan, ‘Payoji Maine’. After the song, Swami asked him to speak. After his speech, Swami held his hand.) It is like ice. Why fear? (To Brindavan Warden) See his hands. Go and sit. 

Sri Sathya Sai blessing all from the balcony of Trayee Brindavan

Swami got up at 5.47 pm. Swami gave Prasadam trays to the students and blessed all from the balcony of the first floor before retiring for the day. 

(Editor’s Note: In this set of conversations, we see a constant ‘argument’ between Swami and students. Swami wants the students to go home and spend time with parents. The students, on the other hand, want to spend all their time in Swami’s physical presence. This was something very common to every vacation. Swami would ‘try His best’ to convince the students to go home so that they could make their parents happy by their physical presence. The students from their side would come up with very innovative excuses for staying back with Swami as we have just read in some of these conversations. It is the sweetness of this unique bond of Swami and His children which has been captured in these conversations. It is not at all a matter of disobedience on part of the students. Instead, it was Love unfolding between the Divine Parent and His beloved children.) 

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