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| Prof. Siva Sankara Sai with Swami in the Yajur Mandiram, 2010 |
Students who study in Bhagavan’s Institutions and stay in His hostel are extremely lucky to get this true education directly from Him. He teaches through various ways directly and indirectly. He adopts various methodologies to ensure that each one learns his lesson, the way in which He wants it to be learnt.
When we live in Bhagavan’s physical proximity, the hectic daily schedule, which He puts us through, is in itself, a great experience. Yet, He provides plenty of time to us for introspection. When Bhagavan is at Parthi, immediately after the classes, we go for His Darshan everyday in the evening. After Darshan we get plenty of time to introspect. He utilises one’s time properly, a lot of improvement takes place by merely waiting for His Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan. In the verandah, the students eagerly wait for the wisdom that pours forth from Him. Whether it is a Trayee Session in Brindavan or Poornachandra Session or Sai Kulwant Session at Prasanthi Nilayam, students see Bhagavan at close quarters and enjoy His Divine Company.
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| Sri Sathya Sai interacting with staff and students during a Poornachandra Session; Prof. Siva Sankara Sai, then Warden, is sitting on his left, mid-1990s |
When Bhagavan comes near, He starts with the question “Emi samacharam?” (“What news?”) Or, “What is today’s breakfast?” He comes down to students’ level, by asking them mundane things. Then He spiritualises even trivial things. When He asks about the curry for lunch, He does not miss any opportunity to talk about the nutritional value of that vegetable or other pulses. He also tells that the food we take goes to build our Sthoola Sareera (or physical body) and the subtle part becomes Sookshma Sareera (or the mind). So we should exercise control over our food to build a healthy body.
Bhagavan repeatedly stresses that everything is a gift of God. Talking about the daily routine, He tells us how we should spend the day without wasting time and energy in gossip. He corrects students saying that while shaving or washing their plates, they should not turn the tap fully open, and they should use water sparingly. He also advises them to put off the lights in the rooms when they are not required.
Every year, as the new students join, Bhagavan invariably cautions them about wastage of the precious gifts of God. He tells them, “Do not waste food, water, money, time and energy.” Hence He advises the students not to waste the precious gifts of God.
Bhagavan not only gives tips for healthy living but also practices them Himself. His is an example for all the youngsters who come and study in His Institute. They see Him switching off the lights and fan when He comes out of the interview room. Not only does He give training to our body but He trains our mind too. He makes students’ minds work intensely for a particular cause by giving students’ specific tasks. Almost during every festival Bhagavan confers on students the unique privilege of singing in His Divine presence. The students struggle hard to learn new songs and newer tunes, so Bhagavan may be happy with their songs and tunes. But He is just not satisfied when it is bereft of devotion. Bhagavan becomes extremely happy when even a small task is done with love and sincerity; but does not care for very big tasks done with ego. Students repeatedly experience this truth during the Annual Sports Meet function.
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| Prof. Siva Sankara Sai with Swami at the Hill View Stadium during the Annual Sports Meet practice session, 2009 |
Bhagavan as Mother corrects his students physically and as God He protects them carefully. Once, a student was suffering from acute abdominal pain at night. It was past 11 p.m and all the students including his room leader were in deep sleep and lights were off. The student was in such a severe pain that he could not get up from his bed to take medicines kept in his cupboard. As the pain became unbearable, he cried out in anguish to Bhagavan to take care of Him. As he was praying, suddenly someone entered the room and switched on the lights. This student immediately called out for help. The ‘student’ who entered the room lovingly helped him to take his medicines, and waited till his pain subsided. While he was going back this sick student suddenly realised that he had not seen his face in the hostel before. When questioned this ‘student’ replied that he was an old student of the hostel and he knew about it very well. He also told him that he was going to meet his friend and mistook that room to be his friend’s room and entered. At that point of time this sick student did not completely comprehend the import of his words. Only on the next day he realized what had happened in the previous night. Definitely at mid night, no old student would come there to take loving care of the students except our beloved Mother Sai.
Bhagavan’s love is infinite and students experience this warmth of love abundantly. Almost every Thursday and Sunday, the loving mother feeds all the students with sweets. Whenever the tiny tots from the Primary School come, one should see the expression of joy and love in Bhagavan’s eyes. Indeed it is a great education to be with Him and bask in His love.
– By Prof. Siva Sankara Sai
Director, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
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