Sri Sathya Sai Hostel - A Saga of Divine Love - By Dr. Shashank Shah

Sri Sathya Sai Hostel at Prasanthi Nilayam

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is a unique institution established to mould the youth into exemplary citizens who would be change agents in the society and act as effective instruments in the grand Sai Mission of universal transformation. It is much more than just another educational institution where students and teachers gather together, rather coincidentally, for academic purposes. In Swami's own words “Do not be under the impression that you and I have come together only now since you study in this College! You have come to Me for the sake of far higher triumphs, as a consequence of merit acquired in many previous lives. You and your teachers are destined to achieve tremendous tasks under My guidance, in the execution of the Mission on which I have come.” (31-1-1974, Brindavan)

The Sri Sathya Sai Hostel has played a pivotal role in the fruition of Swami's Educational Mission. Swami, a true visionary, has played a major role in the formation and growth of this uniquely blessed institution. Over the last more than a quarter century, it has been an unending saga of love between the Revered Chancellor and His dearest students, the loving parent and His most beloved children. Here I make a humble attempt to enable the readers to take a dip in this nectarine ‘Prema Pravaham’…..

On the occasion of the inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) at Prashanti Nilayam, Swami as the Divine Chancellor of the Institute mentioned these momentous words which would be etched in golden letters in the history of mankind for millennia to come – “Students! Teachers! Devotees gathered here! Administrators! This is the inaugural day of our Institute. It has been planted today. The students are its roots. The tree will grow with branches on all sides; countless flowers will bloom; it will provide and promote peace and security to the world. In order that it may realise this result, students must as the roots do, remain firm and provide sustenance. I know that the roots have to be watered so that flowers and fruits may emerge. Students are My all. If you ask Me, what is My property, many expect the answer to be, "Oh! All these buildings, all this vast area of land." But, My answer is: "My entire property consists of My students." I have offered Myself to them.” (22-11-1981, Poornachandra Auditorium)

The ensuing paras give us a glimpse into the truth of the declaration made by Swami and the immense love that He has for His students.

Sri Sathya Sai Arts, Science and Commerce College; now Prasanthi Nilayam Campus of SSSIHL

The story of the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel, Prashanti Nilayam, started with the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Arts, Science and Commerce College at Prashanti Nilayam in the year 1979. The college was then affiliated to the Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati. This was the third College which Swami had established. The first was the Sri Sathya Sai Women’s College at Anantapur in 1968 and the second one was the Sri Sathya Sai College for men at Brindavan in 1969. The evolution of each of these institutions and Swami’s involvement in the same deserve specific mention but are beyond the scope of this article.

THE OLD HOSTEL

In the initial months of the commencement of the new college, the students, around 235 of them, used to stay in the hostel just opposite to the Prashanti Nilayam Mandir. This is now known as the ‘Old Hostel’ and the students of the Brindavan Campus stay in this hostel when they visit Prashanti Nilayam during festivals. The days spent at the old hostel were the most memorable and the most intimate moments that the boys shared with Swami. 

The students used to be in the Mandir for most period of their stay. The Mandir was their real hostel. Their day would typically begin with Suprabhatam in the Mandir and then they would return to the hostel to get ready for Darshan. Thereafter, they would go to the canteen for their food and then proceed to college. Again, in the afternoon, they would come for Darshan and then would sleep in the Mandir at night after partaking of their dinner at the canteen. The hostel complex was a very simple building with minimal facilities. But Swami amply compensated for it by giving the students wonderful opportunities of His Divine proximity. Swami would visit the hostel very often, especially on Sundays and interact with the boys. He would bless a different floor every week so that none of the boys would feel disappointed. He would sit on an ordinary can chair (even without a handle to keep His kerchief) and would talk to the boys for hours on end with His kerchief on His shoulders. The choice of topic was the students’ prerogative!

On other occasions, Swami would call the boys for work on Sundays and holidays to the Mandir on the first floor just outside His residence and would personally supervise the work for many hours. It was as if that was the main agenda for Him. When the boys visited the Mandir for Darshan and during the period between Darshan and Bhajan, Swami would be with the boys in the verandah, standing for a period of over two hours talking to them, joking with them and inspiring them on the grand Godly path ahead…. 

Swami would take special care of the sick boys. He used to send His personal doctor – Dr. Alreja to examine the sick boys. Many times, on the way back to the Mandir from the college, swami would personally take the sick boys in His car to the hostel. That was the extent of His concern for the students.

INAUGURATION

Sri Sathya Sai entering the Hostel with Vedic honours by students

Within 18 months of the commencement of the college at Prashanti Nilayam Swami got a palatial hostel constructed for the college students just next to the Easwaramma High School. This marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions. The Hostel was inaugurated by Swami on November 19, 1980. Initially, the hostel was used to provide accommodation for the delegates who had come to participate in the 3rd World Conference of the Sri Sathya Seva Organisations and the 55th Birthday Celebrations of the Avatar. It was only on the most memorable and auspicious Christmas day of 1980 that Swami inaugurated the hostel for the boys in the presence of Sri Jha, Vice Chairman, UGC; and the boys shifted to their new home on this auspicious day. The day was marked with celebrations. Swami was entertained with songs and with some special items and He dined with His dearest children. The most memorable song sung on that day which still rings in the years of the hostel inmates who were fortunate to participate in that memorable function is ‘A home away from home’. Truly, it was and is ‘a home away from home’ where each lives for the other and all live for God.

Sri Sathya Sai with pet elephant Sai Geeta inside the Hostel compound

Two days prior to the inauguration of the hostel, Swami had come to the hostel for the auspicious milk boiling ceremony. He had brought along with Him Sri Chenna Reddy, then Governor of Punjab. The ways of the Swami are most adorable. He boiled the milk on an ordinary kerosene stove and it took over an hour to boil and all the while, Swami spoke to the boys and introduced each of them to the guest. The boys were His most prized possessions….

THE HOSTEL VISITS IN THE FORMATIVE YEARS

In the formative years of the hostel Swami would visit the hostel to bless the boys on every possible occasion. He would come to the hostel on important festival days such as Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi and especially Christmas Day which was the hostel anniversary day. He would make it a point to come to the hostel in the very first month of the academic year and would guide and inspire the students on the path He had laid down for each and every one of them. He would also come just before the completion of the academic year to bless the boys who would be leaving the portals of the Institution and taking up responsibilities in the world outside. On all such occasions, He would exalt the glory and grandeur of the Bharatiya culture and also narrate the stories of the lives of exemplary devotees like Prahlada, Dhruva, Sakkubai, Thygaraja, Meerabai and the Pandavas and would prod each and every student to emulate their example and progress on the God ward path. He would guide them on the path of the Iha (here) and the Para (hereafter). For the boys, Swami was their friend, philosopher and guide.

Sri Sathya Sai visiting Students' Rooms at the Hostel, early 1980s

Swami has visited and blessed practically every room of the hostel and even the bathrooms and toilets to ensure cleanliness and discipline. The boys would make special efforts in decorating their Self Reliance Departments (Dispensary, Library, Garden, General Stores, Sick ward, etc) and would invite Swami to bless them too on His visits to the hostel. Swami would also make surprise visits to the hostel and go around the rooms and see whether they were maintained as expected by Him. 

Sri Sathya Sai in the Hostel Kitchen

On such occasions He would also make a special visit to the kitchen and see the various items cooked for the session and even the cleanliness of the vessels and the kitchen as a whole. He would also enquire about the menu and the various items which were being given to the boys for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This was the extent to which Swami would involve Himself in the functioning of the hostel. Referring to the kitchen, there is a very interesting incident which deserves mention. On one occasion when Swami visited the kitchen, a group of boys were busy making puris. Swami approached this group of boys, took a piece of puri which was not fried, folded it and blew on it. To the joy of all, the puri got converted into a fully blown and fried puri. Then with child like innocence He said to all assembled there – “See, I do not need a frying pan, oil, stove and all other things to make puri!” 

Sri Sathya Sai in the dining-prayer hall, early-1980s

From 1980 till 1996, the school and college hostel was housed in the same complex and there were over 600 students from class 8 to post graduation and even the research students staying in the same complex. Swami would ensure that He would not disappoint any class during His visits. There have been occasions when Swami has climbed two floors and blessed the prayer hall of the 8th and 9th class boys and spent time with them.

Sri Sathya Sai listening to a speech during His visit to Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Hostel, 2003

Swami’s hostel visits were also occasions when a number of students would get opportunities to present their talents in His Divine presence. This would include songs, dance, elocution, one act plays, dramas and many other cultural items based on the theme of the festival and occasion. Swami encouraged each of these art forms and rewarded the boys amply with His love and encouragement. The present Mandir programmes owe their origin to the encouragement Swami has given to the boys during His visits to the hostel and college.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Sri Sathya Sai Hostel; the extension made in 1987 is seen on the right

In 1987, the hostel building was expanded further, and a new wing was added on as the existing space was not sufficient for the resident students. In 1996, the school students were given a separate hostel next to the higher secondary school building. In 2005, Swami blessed the hostel on Ganesh Chaturthi day with a very brief visit. He blessed and inaugurated the newly constructed dining hall and the new altar by sprinkling Akshatas.

In 1986 when the MBA course started, the hostel had students coming from the industry with work experience. Swami would pay special attention to these students and would ensure that they feel comfortable inspite of the great transition from a luxurious lifestyle elsewhere. 

Sri Sathya Sai supervising a dining session at the Hostel

The Sathya Sai Institutions are based on the ancient Gurukul system wherein the students are trained to live simple lives. In accordance with this, the hostel has all the basic facilities required, but no luxuries. Swami would always explain that the students’ lives should be bereft of luxuries. It is only then that one would be equipped to face the various vicissitudes of life with great courage and conviction.

THE WARDENS

Sri Sathya Sai with Hostel Teachers in the Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir

The history of the evolution of the hostel is incomplete without a mention of the individuals who were blessed by Swami to be His effective instruments as the Wardens of the hostel. The Prashanti Nilayam hostel has been blessed by eight Wardens till date. The first Warden was Sri Nityanand Menon (1979 – 1983). He was one of the second batch students of the Sri Sathya Sai College, Brindavan and was also the President of the Kingdom of Sathya Sai which was the alumni association of the college. The second warden was B N Narasimhamurthy from 1983-1987. For the years 1987-1988, Prof. A. Lakshminarasimham was the Warden of the hostel. He was earlier the vice Warden of the Brindavan hostel and subsequently served as the longest-serving Registrar of the Institute. Sri Narayan Rao was the Warden from 1988-1990. 

Sri Sanjay Sahani as Warden with Sri Sathya Sai at the Hostel

Sri Sanjay Sahani (1990 – 1993) was the fifth Warden of the hostel. He was a student of the 1982-1987 batch of the Commerce department and has been the youngest Warden of the hostel. In the years 1993 and 1994, Prof. CJM Rao from the Department of Mathematics and Sri Habbu from the Higher Secondary School were Wardens for very brief periods. The eighth and the longest serving warden of the Prashanti Nilayam hostel is Dr. S. Siva Sankara Sai. 

Prof. Siva Sankara Sai as Warden with Sri Sathya Sai at the Hostel

He was one of the first batch of students who joined the Institute for their post graduate programme and thereafter for the doctoral research programme and also the first batch of research scholars of the Institute who after completion of research joined as teachers. He has been serving as the Warden of the hostel for the past twelve years.

THE TOURS

Etched in the memory of the evolution of the hostel are those memorable tours which the students were blessed with. They accompanied Swami on a number of occasions to various places. The first batch of boys – 18 of them, were blessed by Swami to accompany Him on an 18-day tour of Kashmir in June 1980. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in Kashmir

Swami also sent a group of 6 boys to Italy in the year 1982, for one month to participate in an International Conference on Human Values. This Conference was organised by the brother of the then Prime Minister of Italy – Mr. Craxi. During this trip, the students also visited the neighbouring countries such as France and England. Swami took special care and trained the boys in all aspects of public life and behaviour; got special clothes stitched for them and made all possible arrangements for their travel and stay in all the various places. The occasion provided a glimpse into Swami’s immense concern for the boys and their exemplary conduct in the world outside.

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in Kodaikanal, late-1980s

Swami has also blessed boys since the year 1986 to accompany Him to the hill stations of Kodaikanal and Ooty during the summer months. These are occasions when the boys get the unique opportunity to stay with Swami and learn from Him. Moreover, it is the rarest of opportunities aspired for by every Sai Student. 

DRAMAS AND SPORTS

Swami paid special attention to the overall personality development of the students. He gave all His time to ensure this. Two special aspects of this are the dramas and the sports events. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Students in the drama on 'Jesus of Nazareth', 1979

Among the very many dramas presented by the students in the Divine presence, three very famous dramas deserve a special mention – Jesus of Nazareth (Christmas Day, 1979), Sri Krishna Tulabharam (60th birthday celebrations, 1985) and Sri Adi Shankaracharya (Vice Chancellors’ Conference, 1987). The uniqueness of these dramas is that right from the story line, to the script, the dialogues, costumes and all other details were provided by Swami personally. He would come to the college for the practice sessions and spend hours together correcting the boys and showing them the various nuances of drama and stage play. The convocation dramas which the boys present every year on the eve of Swami's birthday are all personally guided by Him and are proof of His continued involvement in the overall personality development of the students.

Sri Sathya Sai with Students of the drama on 'Bhaja Govindam', 1987

Sports and games are yet another important aspect where Swami has involved Himself. For the smallest of games He would come to the grounds and be an active spectator to their amateur games. The boys would pray to Swami in the Mandir in order to come and bless them on the grounds. Invariably Swami would come even in the heat of the Puttaparthi afternoon, and would be sitting under an umbrella, surrounded by students and watching the games of the boys – football, basketball, volleyball, cricket and so on. On occasions, He would give His Divine autograph on the balls and the bats used to play these games. The Annual Sports and Cultural Meet which is now an annual event of the Institute held every year on the 11th of January owes its origin to the encouragement given by Swami to His students in the field of sports and games. In fact, He personally distributes the trophies to the prize winners on the Prize Distribution day on the 14th of January. Earlier, this function used to be held in the College Auditorium and later since a decade it is held in the Mandir.

Sri Sathya Sai with Students during the Annual Sports Meet at the Hill View Stadium, early 2000s

In this regard a memorable incident is worthy of mention. It was one fine afternoon in 1986, when Swami had called the students to the interview room. The boys were pleading to Swami to come and bless their cricket match and Swami was joking with them about the quality of their game. Suddenly, in the midst of the conversation, Swami made a grand declaration. He said – “I may not come for your game tomorrow, but there will be a day when players from all parts of the world will come to play cricket at Prashanti Nilayam and on that day I will preside over the function.” True to His words, 11 years later in December 1997, the Sri Sathya Sai Unity Cup was played between India XI and World XI and the Prime Minister of India – Sri Inder Kumar Gujral inaugurated the match and Swami presided over the function.

Sri Sathya Sai presiding over the Unity Cup Cricket Match with Prime Minister Inder Kumar Gujral and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, December 1997

ALL ROUND TRAINING

Swami has always focused on and trained the boys in all aspects of their personality – physical, mental, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. For this He ensured their involvement in all aspects of the functioning of the Ashram during the festivals. The boys participated in the Narayana Seva, the arrangements during the Birthday Celebrations, the serving of the various VIP guests who arrive for these functions, serving in the canteens and kitchen during the festivals, taking care of the books and audio visual stalls, construction work of the arches, garages, renovation of the Poorna Chandra Auditorium, and even during the inauguration of the Planetarium and the Super Specialty Hospital at Prashanti Nilayam and the Trayee Brindavan residence. Swami would personally guide the students in all these areas and would train the students with perfect finesse so that when they go into the society, they would be equipped with all this training and would thus be perfect instruments to participate in His Mission.

Self-Reliance Departments and Training at Sathya Sai Hostels

Swami would amply reward the students for all their hard work as well. It was the 60th Birthday celebrations and Swami had performed 600 marriages that. The boys were given various responsibilities for the same. In the evening, when the boys were winding up for the day outside Swami’s residence, He came and enquired whether all of them had eaten anything since morning. He knew that they had not. So, Swami personally went to the kitchen, got a plate full of dosas, applied chutney on each of them and gave it to every student present there. This is the level of concern which Swami has for His students. He is a strict disciplinarian and a tough task master, but at the same time, His love for His students is that of a thousand mothers. Swami’s only concern is that the students should get a good name for them selves. That is what He ‘asks’ from them whenever He talks to them in person or in the public.

THE HOSTEL LIFE

The unique aspect of the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel is that the teachers stay along with the students and mould them into holistic individuals with a perfect balance of body, mind and soul; head, heart and hand. These teachers are the alumni of Swami’s college and have been personally trained by Him in this regard and so all of them work with the common goal set out by Swami. Swami would tell the teachers to use a perfect mix of motherly love and fatherly discipline. He would say that there should be a time to study, time to eat, time to play and time to sleep. If you take care of these, all the other things will fall into place. The detailed schedule followed in the hostel today has been personally and meticulously chalked out by Swami Himself.

The majestic central altar in the dining hall is the sanctum sanctorum of the Hostel and its activities

Swami would personally guide the room leaders (senior students in every room who would take care of the juniors) at the beginning of every academic year. He would tell them about the various aspects of community leaving, cleanliness, discipline, devotion and Sadhana. He would spare no effort in this regard. There were occasions when Swami has got very upset with the boys as regards their indiscipline. The favourite punishment on such occasions was that Swami would stop speaking to the boys for days together. The boys would plead, cry, pour their hearts out through letters and repent for their mistakes. When Swami would be sufficiently satisfied that the boys have learnt their lesson, He would Himself come to the verandah in the Mandir and talk to them. On such occasions, the boys would surround Swami and the tears of repentance and longing flowing from their eyes would wet His robe. Swami would Himself be wiping their tears and also consoling and cajoling them. It would be a rare sight! Truly, the relationship between Swami and His children is unique and without a parallel.

Sri Sathya Sai with Students during Gokulashtami Celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam, 1980s

There is no end to the saga of Divine Love between Swami and His students. He has spared no effort, left no occasion or event for all that He can do for them. He has cured them of a number of serious ailments and dreadful diseases. There was an occasion when a student was stamped by a cow during the Janmashtami procession and developed a fracture. Swami called the boy for an interview, materialised a special oil like ointment and personally applied it on his feet. When the boy pleaded to Swami not to do that as he was feeling very embarrassed as regards the fact that Swami was applying the ointment to his feet; Swami immediately replied – If you were at home, would not your mother have done the same. I am your mother! 

Swami would visit the hostel to see any sick boys who were not able to come to Mandir due to their ailments. On one such occasion, all the boys had come to the Mandir and Swami accompanied by Sri Radha Krishna visited the hostel to bless one such student. The boy could not believe his eyes that it was in reality swami who had come to bless him. 

There was yet another touching incident which happened in Brindavan of a student who stood first in the 12th class exam in the whole of South India. The press people had come to take his photograph. The boy was with Swami along with other students in the old bungalow. A message was sent to him as regards the same. When Swami came to know of this He personally combed the boy’s hair and then told him – now you are presentable for the photograph. We have only read of Krishna’s love for the Gopikas and the Pandavas, but on all these occasions we have got an opportunity to see it too.

IN CONCLUSION

Today, when over 10,000 alumni of Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions are paid rich tribute for their character, discipline, commitment, sincerity, honesty, modesty, humility and above all their zeal for excellence, we all realise the fact that the seeds sown by the Divine Chancellor are bearing sweet fruits.  

The young sapling (Hostel) has grown into a fruit bearing tree (40 batches of students have passed through its portals);
Sri Sathya Sai planting a Tulsi sapling in the Hostel Quadrangle

The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is considered to be a Divine experiment in values based education and character building of university students. If it is so, the Sri Sathya Sai Hostel is the workshop where this experiment has been performed by Swami Himself, and the results of the same are here to be seen by all and are worthy of emulation for people of all times to come. 

The doer, the receiver and the deed are all the Revered Founder Chancellor – Sri Sathya Sai Baba. We all are only blessed to be the witnesses and partake the joy of the Divine Leela.

- Dr. Shashank Shah

Student, Doctoral and Post Doctoral Scholar (2002-2014)

Faculty of Management

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Sparshan 2006 (SSSIHL Silver Jubilee Special Issue)