Impact of Hostel Life on Sai Students - By Smt. Pushpa Ramanna

Bhagavan’s vision is that the College at Anantapur should set an example by providing opportunities for the rising generations to know and practise discipline. Bhagavan reiterated: “You have been influenced in this direction already, by the homes in which you have spent the formative years, and by the society in which you have learned your attitudes, habits and prejudices. Here too, you influence each other, by your conversation and behaviour; you are trained to derive right conclusions, and to observe them accurately. All this will help you in understanding the culture of India and in benefiting by it.” (Sathya Sal Speaks Vol. VII, p.21)

Bhagavan’s expectation is that a Women’s College should take on the added responsibility of practising and preserving the essential values of Bharatiya Samskriti. Emphasis should be laid not only on scholarship and proficiency, but also physical health and mental equanimity.

Bhagavan stressed the crucial point: “Atmavidya is the only Vidya that can save, that can sustain, when man is tossed about on the sea of life. Life is not for mere living, it is for learning in the arena of the world the art of attaining liberation.”

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Anantapur Campus

The foundation for a separate College building was laid on the 7th of November 1969. It marked a significant and sacred phase in the history of Anantapur. Bhagavan said, “It is also a great day for those who yearn for the revival and growth of Bharatiya culture... My Sankalpa (plan of action) is to provide the youth with an education which, while cultivating their intelligence, will also purify their impulses and emotions and equip them with the physical and mental disciplines needed for drawing upon the spring of calmness and joy that lies in their own hearts. Their higher natures will have to be fostered and encouraged to blossom, by means of study, prayer and Sadhana.” (Sathya Sal Speaks Vol.VII, p.157)

Sri Sathya Sai at the Anantapur College Building Inauguration

The new College building was inaugurated by Bhagavan on the 8th of July 1971 for the revival of Dharma. This is what our country and the world so urgently need today. Bhagavan emphasized the need for this unique Institution which has been established not just to add one more to the already existing colleges.

President V.V. Giri with Sri Sathya Sai at the Inauguration - July 1971

Swami said in His discourse: “It was mentioned just now that this must prove to be the nucleus of a Women’s University – but, I am not enamoured of that prospect: I will be happy only when the Gurukula atmosphere is fostered and maintained uncontaminated. Women must emerge from this College armed with deep-rooted virtue and firm faith in the ideals of womanhood laid down in our sacred texts. Then only can they, as mothers, mould their children as bright, beautiful, virtuous, strong citizens of the world.” (Sathya Sai Speaks Vol. VII, p.491)

Life in the hostel started with only a few students and a few teachers. By the end of March 1972, there were about 60 students. The number of students increased with every year. The early years of our stay filled us with bliss as Bhagavan visited the hostel quite frequently. 

Though Swami stayed in His room in the College building, He would come along with the guests to the hostel to have His meals. Swami made all of us - students and teachers - happy by talking to us on a personal level. He lovingly told us that “Kattu, Bottu and Juttu,” i.e. the dress, bindi and hairstyle of the students should be simple. He said that ladies should be like Maharanis who do not come to the forefront. Their laughter should not be so loud that it is heard. His guidance is more than what a mother would give to her daughters.

Sri Sathya Sai Inaugurating the New Dining Hall at the Anantapur Campus Hostel - 1987

Swami insisted on teaching the girls vegetable cutting. While cutting vegetables, they should be conscious that they are ‘cutting the ego’ in them. Rolling chapatis was also made compulsory as per Bhagavan’s command, to make the students realize that while doing the job, they should feel their hearts ‘expanding’ to help others. Swami would, in His subtle way, teach us the value of time. ‘Time waste is life waste.’ During the free hours, the girls were taken to the hobby centre to bring out their talents in various ways. There they were trained in fine arts, stitching, embroidery, painting, and also using the scroll saw machine to cut and paint wall hangings made of plywood. The girls utilized their time for a good cause and learned many things. Gardening was another pastime for them. The coconut grove in front of the hostel came up entirely with the effort of the girls; watering and nourishing the saplings was taken care of by them.

Bhagavan’s idea of making the women self-reliant in all respects can be fruitfully carried out in a hostel like His. The roommates get together, allot days for cleaning up their rooms, and arranging the rooms aesthetically with a shrine for their regular individual prayers. In order to become self-reliant, it is essential that they involve themselves in the activities of the hostel like cleaning the surroundings (campus cleaning) on particular days, besides cutting of vegetables, rolling puns and chapatis; stitching and embroidering handkerchiefs, tablecloths, settee and cushion covers for the hostel and college. Work becomes worship when performed with such feelings. Team spirit develops, and when the teachers work with them, they feel that no work done is beneath their dignity. On Sunday afternoons the staff members residing in the hostel, used to take up cleaning of the utensils.

They used to visit the students’ rooms on Sundays and give away prizes for the best-kept rooms. Every act is sacred when offered to God with a pure heart. There is no discrimination among the students or teachers based on religion or caste or economic status. Caste and creed do not come in the way of their progress and blossoming into full-fledged citizens, ready to step into the world equipped with a well-balanced thinking power. 

Sri Sathya Sai Hostel, Anantapur Campus

Swami’s vision was to revive the Gurukula system of education where the students would be in contact with the Guru in various chores at the ashrams. Similarly, our students begin the sacred early hours of the day with the chanting of ‘Omkara’ and ‘Suprabhatam’. All the inmates of the hostel, the students and the teachers, chant the ‘Pranava’ and the Suprabhatam to awaken the Divinity within. This spreads holy vibrations all over. It invigorates the spirit in them to carry on their daily routine to their utmost satisfaction.

At the Hostel Prayer Hall with Vice Chancellor Dr. Somnath Saraf

Nagar Sankeertan is another important activity, though confined to the campus grounds. On certain occasions, when Bhagavan visited our campus and stayed for a number of days in His apartment, the balcony Darshan He gave us is still fresh in our memory. While we go around singing the sweet name of the Lord, we feel as if all Nature has woken up to hear the melodious singing of the young girls. The whole atmosphere reverberates with holy vibrations.

Swami initiated the Summer Course in “Indian Culture and Spirituality” in 1972. The experience of the first batch of students and teachers is incomparable to any treasure in the world. The close proximity we enjoyed with Bhagavan, with Him talking to all of us, directing us in all respects, and the delicious food we were given, are unforgettable. Swami arranged for eminent speakers to acquaint us with the rich heritage of our land. Each and every one of the speakers excelled because they lived what they spoke of. In spite of these valuable talks by the learned speakers, we waited only for the discourses of Bhagavan in the evening — which ended with His lovely melodious voice singing the Bhajans. For one full month we were nourished by His divine discourses, loving words, and benign proximity.

I would like to make a special mention of the Summer Course held at Ooty in the year 1976. It was like heaven on earth. Bhagavan made wonderful arrangements for our stay in a bungalow on a hill top. The regular classes were held in the mansion where Bhagavan resided. Swami looked into each detail Himself. 

On Bhagavan’s instructions the Culture classes on Thursdays commenced. Bhagavan Himself initiated the Culture classes in the library, with His sacred words of advice. These culture classes are intended to bring out the hidden talents, in each and every student. Whether it is through prayer talks, quiz competitions on Bhagavan’s life and teachings, song and dance competitions, Veda chanting, etc., the personality of the students is moulded well. The prayer talks, which impart a lot of knowledge pertaining to our scriptures or lives of the great men and women and. above all, the teachings and expectations of Bhagavan, help in transforming the students. The illustrative anecdotes by Bhagavan make an impact on the girls and make them understand the value of discipline for example, when the snake-gourd is tender, a stone is tied to it to make it to grow straight. The story of the mango thief, who as a child went unchecked by the mother, and later turned into a big robber, brings home the message that a child needs to be corrected early in life when a wrong act is performed.

Sri Sathya Sai at the Anatapur Campus Hostel during a Dining Session

Nutritious food served with ‘Brahmarpanam’, sanctifying it, keeps the students physically healthy. They are also provided food for the mind through spiritual activities. The two semesters of the academic year are punctuated with ‘Laksharchana’ in the college and the hostel. Narayana Seva performed every fortnight brings them closer to the needy since they go in batches for distribution of food packets. From the time Bhagavan started the chanting of Vedas as a regular practice at Prasanthi Nilayam, the girls in the hostel have been reciting the Vedas regularly in the morning after the Suprabhatam.

By the time they leave the sacred portals of the college and hostel, the girls are well equipped with good qualities, ready to face the challenges of life. The dress-code is taken care of as per Bhagavan’s injunctions as practiced at Prasanthi Nilayam. In order to bring home the fact that all the students are the same, and to develop an attitude of equality and simplicity, uniform saris are made compulsory for the students. This helps the parents as well in curtailing the excess expenditure on clothes.

The Sai Philosophy of Education goes beyond the merely academic: it aims at total education. It stresses upon the need to inculcate humility and a flawless character. As Bhagavan has often said, “The End of Education is Character.” It is not mere acquisition of degrees, unmindful of God. Devotion to God is the hallmark of the integrated personality of an educated person.

In this age of fast developments and the material attractions, the youth are confused in selecting the correct path. Human Values which were not spoken of but practised by the elders in the family have to be told these days! Reverence for elders and teachers is also on the decline, but the students living in the hostel are made to realize the value of this - by this good wishes flow from the heart of the elders to the youngsters. The old traditions are losing their value because of the individualistic ideas. In order to revive the old values, the life style in the hostel is based on the directions of Bhagavan.

With the inspiration derived from the Divine Discourses, the lives of the students residing in the hostel change a great deal. Bhagavan has said that whatever is expected of the students should be practised by the teachers as well. Practice is greater than precept. The students are inspired by the selfless dedication of the teachers here. The way they are taken care of - with regard to their food, health, behaviour, dress code, talking, walking and, above all, their studies, is truly remarkable. The weaker students get special attention from the teachers. The parents do not have to worry about their travel during vacations. All arrangements for travel by train or bus are looked into very carefully by the hostel authorities. 

We cannot naturally claim total success; but a great majority of the girls are living up to the ideals of Bhagavan and leading peaceful and happy lives, serving the society. Those who begin on a negative note also change for the better by the time they leave the hostel. 

Smt. Pushpa Ramanna with Sri Sathya Sai at the Anantapur Campus Hostel

In all the activities performed from morning to night. Bhagavan is the motivator. Keeping Him above everything, the daily routine is happily followed. Bhagavan had advised that leaders should give a good lead and not push from behind. The teachers give the lead by involving themselves in every task that is undertaken as a team as an offering to our Lord. Thus, after living in the hostel for one year, two years, three or five years, the students leave Bhagavan’s institution having fully blossomed into young ladies ready to spread the fragrance of goodness and become the messengers of His Divine Mission. Over the years, since the inception of the College, thousands of students have passed out from here. It gives us great pleasure to see the old students at Prasanthi Nilayam, along with their children. They have, with their humility and good behaviour, won the hearts of their parents-in-law sometimes bringing them also for Bhagavan’s Darshan. They have turned out to be good housewives and ideal mothers. The credit goes to the teachings they have imbibed at the Lotus Feet of our Lord. After all, they come to His Institution, not by chance but by His grace.

The greatest wonder is that not a single paisa is spent by the students on the total education received here. All the expenses during their stay are borne by Bhagavan. What remains is that they should shine as beacon lights. This is the only way they can express their gratitude to this Great Loving and Compassionate God of ours.

- Smt. Pushpa Ramanna

Former Warden, Sri Sathya Sai Hostel

Anantapur Campus

Source: Sai Vandana 1990 (65th Birthday Offering)

Blessings and Instructions for Examinations...

February 28, 1997  

Morning

Three of the XII standard brothers were carrying trays filled with pens to be blessed by Bhagavan.

Swami: Sit down…sit down. I will bless, I will bless. (After some time, Swami called these students to the middle portico and blessed the pens).

After interview Swami went down to the 3rd block and started giving Padanamaskar to the XII-std students. In the meanwhile, the X-std students were also instructed to go and sit for Padanamaskar.  

Swami: Too many students. I will give Padanamaskar afterwards.

So saying, Swami left for the grounds in His car along with two other senior devotees. Swami returned only when the Bhajans had begun. He then gave Padanamaskar to the XII class students.

Evening 

Swami had sent word for the X and XII class students to come early to the Mandir. X-std students were sitting for Padanamaskar.

Swami: Who gave flower vase? (The student who had sent the flowers got up and went towards Swami.) Dunnapotha! Can you send all this to Swami? (No reply from the student)  I do not want all this. I want only your pure heart. You should not send such things to Swami. I do not want anything else.

Swami gestured to one student to get the flower vase.  He got it and gave it to Swami.  But, the student who had sent the flower vase insisted on Swami keeping the vase with Him. 

Swami: I have already blessed it. Keep it in your house and give it to your wife! (After this, Swami started giving Padanamaskar to the X-std students. When He approached the XII-std students…) I already gave you in the morning.  Go back. (Then students asked Swami about how to write the exams.) XII-class! Dunnapothulu! … (Speaking about the exams) First, identify the easy questions and write them first. Don’t attempt the difficult questions first; you will only waste your time. Suppose question 5 is easy, write number 5 first, and then start answering. 

Students:  Swami, English exam tomorrow.

Swami: Manchidi, Manchidi. (Good, Good)

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations

The Eternal Presence - By Dr. Siddhartha Raju

Divinity is considered among many things, as a perennial witness to the play of Creation. Change is that one element which keeps that Divinity from seeing the same mundane existence in life. Change is the one factor, which makes each day distinct and different. If not for change, life would be a monotonous series of events that we undertake. As it is often said ‘Change is the only constant’, does change impact everything, Divinity included? If so, how much change does change bring?

Sri Sathya Sai with Students during Darshan at Prasanthi Nilayam

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba had an ‘apparently’ monotonous routine. There was no change, day in and day out. Whether He was in Puttaparthi or Whitefield or even that one momentous occasion when He visited East Africa, every single day was all about giving Darshan, Sparshan and Sambhashan. Touching the lives of mortal beings and making them walk the path to God, was what He did for 70 long years. Yet, what made it interesting was that each day was different from the next. The events that unfurled were unique because of the experiences they gave. Has all of that changed now?

The students of His Institute today would probably not know the simple thrill of going to the Hostel stores and buying cloves. One would have to carefully pick each one, break the bulb off the stem, pack them into a box and wait for the next day with bated breath. Would a student celebrating his/her birthday know the arduous yet thrilling task of finding ‘Akshata’ grains and putting them into a cup? Even more joyful was the task of finding them landing there. There are formal letters, informal letters, and then there are letters to the Lord. Spontaneous words, prayerful outpouring of words, a note of thanksgiving, another for an apology and yet another, just as a ‘pass’, to get nearer and dearer to Him.

How can I explain the rising heartbeat and the inexplicable sense of anticipation when seated in the Sai Kulwant Hall? Life would change, but in all of a fleeting moment. You would either feel invisible or you would be the cynosure of nearly a few thousand pairs of eyes. A look, or even half a glance and the biggest of troubles could flee away. A smile that would part way for a word or two and your week would fly away. 

A touch of those feet would make you feel invincible. One cannot but feel the inadequacy of language, when you have said so many words, yet your heart yearns to say that you have not expressed it all. Have the winds of change done away with all this for eternity? Can we turn back the wheels of time to show these students, those days again? Life for a student has been consumed by that design of the Divine change or so I thought. In my limited experience as a friend to the students, I have recently heard some touching tales, from the boys, how Bhagavan continues to comfort, guide and shower His love upon them.

Siddhartha with Sri Sathya Sai in Kodaikanal, 2009

A student shared with me, how Swami had instructed him in a dream that this boy should compete throughout the year in the various cultural events that are organized as part of the Sports and Cultural Calendar. Another student told me regarding how he was counselled on multiple occasions by Bhagavan on matters pertaining to his family. Yet, another shared how Swami had told him what course he has to study further. When I hear these experiences, I see the same excitement in the boys that I had seen in the eyes of the students in the years gone by. It is quite very obvious to see that Bhagavan continues to plant and nourish that ‘heart to heart’, unique relationship with the students. Like the fire that manifests in different forms, the bond of love which Swami has for each of His students, has but different hues. The flame continues to burn, unabated.

Dare I say that the life for a student here has changed? Nay. There are some territories that ‘change’ does not rule, it seems. The bond which Bhagavan shares with His students is one such.

Dr. Siddhartha Raju

Student (2006-2009), Department of Management Studies

Currently, Faculty Member, Department of English,

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Discussions on Visit to Higher Secondary School Hostel

February 25, 2002 (Monday)

Swami came to the Ganesh Portico. The tenth and twelfth standard students of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School Hostel (Prasanthi Nilayam) were assembled there praying to Swami to bless them for their forthcoming exams. They were also ready to present a music programme. Swami blessed the pens shown by students. 

Then Swami permitted them to sing the songs. In between the songs, students got up and gave a brief speech expressing their feelings to Swami. Swami was very happy with the programme. At the end, He called one of the students and explained how this boy had come to Swami. Swami said that the boy’s mother surrendered her children to Swami when she died and now Swami was taking care of them. Then Swami enquired from him about his father, brother, and sister. The boy was overwhelmed by Swami’s love and compassion and started crying. Swami consoled him and held him close to His chest. Few of the teardrops fell on Swami’s robe. This touched everyone in the audience. Swami then praised the school students and pointed out a few students who were studying in Swami’s School from the first standard.

Swami: (To Prof. Anil Kumar) People think that I forget about them. But I know everything. However, I don’t keep telling every time. When time demands, I tell. But they think that I have forgotten them. (Praising the school students) At this age, they are very pure at heart. Worldly impurities have not entered them. 

After praising the school students, Swami Himself called the students to come and stand beside Him class-wise for a photograph session. Swami gave group photographs to the school teachers also. 

Sri Sathya Sai with Class XII Students in the Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir portico

Swami: How much does it cost for food per day for the tenth and twelfth standard students? (The teachers could not calculate fast and give a quick reply. Some gave an unsatisfactory answer. One of the teachers answered.)

Teacher: Swami, Rs. 3,000.

Swami: (Gave an envelope to the School Hostel Warden – Sri K. Janardhanan) This contains Rs.5,000. Prepare special food for them and give. Give Payasam, Vada, Tamarind rice. (After a brief pause) Give them what they want.

Students: Swami should tell us.

Swami: Whatever you prepare, make it properly. 

(School Principal – Sri Y. Sivaramakrishnaiah) 

Principal: Swami also should come.

Swami: Why? I don’t eat.

Principal: If Swami is present there, that itself is enough.

Swami: (Jovially) So, you don’t want Me to have food?

Principal: (Taken aback) Not like that Swami. Swami should come and also have food. (All the boys also joined praying Swami to come to hostel.)

Swami: (To everyone’s joy) I will come tomorrow morning at 10 o’ clock. (Everyone was very happy and clapped. Meanwhile, Institute Warden – Dr. Siva Sankara Sai approached Swami to ask something. To the Warden) Not to your hostel. I am coming to School Hostel. 

(To the students) Study well and get ‘O’ grade. (The students prayed to Swami to give them seat in His Institutions for the B.Sc., B.Com. and eleventh standard courses. Swami blessed them for that.) Write the exams properly and get good marks.

Then Swami asked the students as to who would be joining B.Sc., B.Com., and B.A. While many boys lifted their hands for the first two courses, only one boy lifted his hand for B.A. The Principal explained that most of the students join either B.Sc. or B.Com. Swami went back to the interview room filling everybody’s heart with joy.

To read about the Divine Visit to the Hostel on the next day and His Message to the Students, click here.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2001-2004)

The Eternal Bond of Love - By R. Sanjeev Padmanabhan

To some He is a mother, to some He is a father. Some see Him as a Guru, some as a friend and for some He is God. In my case, it has been all of these and much more. Swami has said that the best way to express gratitude to Him is by reminiscing all the wonderful moments spent in His Divine presence for it creates devotion in our hearts and brings us closer to Him. I take it as my good fortune to do so right now. One of my classmates had fallen ill and was admitted to the General Hospital. He was diagnosed with severe diarrhoea and he needed somebody to attend on him. 

I immediately rushed to the hospital for this. I took good care of him throughout the night and read out Swami’s miracles to him. The next day I was seated in the Mandir holding a letter in my hand asking Swami whether He was happy with the service that I had rendered the previous night. This was a question that I asked Him very often. That day, the 4th of June, 2010, Swami stopped right in front of me and gave the most beautiful smile ever. He stretched out His hand and accepted the letter. 

This was the happiest moment in my life. The beauty of His smile defies all expression. He acknowledged such an insignificant act of mine with the tenderness of a mother. He became very happy and showered His love like a mother. Whenever I feel homesick in the Hostel or do not get sleep I visualize myself sleeping on the lap of Mother Sai. I always enjoyed a sound sleep on the lap of the Divine Mother Sai during those moments. Whenever we go on the wrong path, the Lord takes the role of a father and brings us back to the right path correcting us with love. It was the 26th of July, 2010 and fortunately, I won the mono-acting competition in the school. I was congratulated on this second victory, the first one being the elocution competition. 

I became proud of my achievements and I spent the whole day thinking that my talent was instrumental in my success. It was only while going for Darshan I could realise my fault. One of my classmates casually remarked, “Sanjeev you are very lucky. You began the speech by praying that Swami should speak through you and you won it. You began the acting by praying that Swami should act through you and you won the first place”. 

This knocked me back to my senses. I had forgotten to express my gratitude to Swami for His love. I wrote a letter asking for forgiveness for being so egoistic. When I handed over the letter to Swami, He threw me a Vibhuti packet and I understood that He had forgiven me. When I looked into the diary for the significance of Vibhuti, it ran thus, “Vibhuti constitutes a warning to the receiver to give up the desires, passions and temptations. It purifies thought, word and deed. It also carries medicinal purposes to cure”. In this way He corrected me as a father. Whenever we are confused, Bhagavan assumes the role of the all-knowing Guru to clear our confusion and doubt. 

My parents were very happy about the fact that I desired to become a doctor. But after I obtained the golden gift of His physical proximity I could not deny myself His closeness and after my twelfth standard I decided to continue my education in Swami’s Institution. My parents were asking me to revert to my prior decision. This confusion continued for quite some time till I finally decided to ask Swami. 

Sanjeev Padmanabhan with Sri Sathya Sai

The red letter day arrived and it was my turn to offer Aarti to Bhagavan. I got the opportunity to ask Him. I asked “Swami, what should I do after twelfth?” He asked me, “Science?” I replied, “Yes Swami, science group. What should I do?” He echoed the same reply and I felt happy and interpreted it as taking B.Sc. After taking Padanamaskar I suddenly thought of my parents and I asked Him, “Swami, science meaning B.Sc. or MBBS?” Swami was happy when I uttered MBBS and sweetly replied, “First do B.Sc and then do MBBS”. In this manner Swami satisfied my parent’s wish and fulfilled my desire as well to bask in His physical proximity.

One summer, our family had been to Munnar, a cold hill station in Tamil Nadu, and there we could see the manifestation of ‘Prakruti’ (nature) in all her effulgence and beauty, vibrant with the love of the ‘Purusha’ (the Supreme Creator). From there, we proceeded to the temple town of Madurai. As it was the summer season, the town was reeling under high temperature. My body was unable to contain the drastic change in the temperature and I fell sick. As per the plan, we were supposed to go the Subramanyam temple but because of my condition, I decided to stay back that evening. I applied Swami’s Vibhuti and slept. I then had a wonderful dream wherein Swami appeared, touched my forehead and ran His fingers along my physical frame till my toes. While all this was happening, I could really feel Swami’s hand touching my forehead as I was in a semi-conscious sleep. In the dream, Swami took the form of the Divine Mother Amman, a form of Shakti. Then She became a statue and I saw myself lying on Her lap. When I woke up I was fit and fine but the story did not end here. 

Madurai Meenakshi Amman

I could accompany my family on the pilgrimage and while we were in the car the driver spoke of a Devi temple on top of the hill. Originally as per the plan, we did not have any inclination to visit the temple but now we agreed to be taken to the shrine. When we were inside, to my utter amazement I realised that I had envisioned the very same ’Mother’ in my dream! By this Swami not only showed His power to cure but testified that He is the 'Sarva Devata Swaroopa'.

One day I got a call from my mother informing me that my Tamil teacher in the school in which I had previously studied was diagnosed with cancer. When the teacher learnt that I was studying here, she had a request for me. She said, “Sanjeev, I am not a Sai devotee, but I have been an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva. I request you to pray to Sai Baba on my behalf. Your mother tells me that He loves His students a lot”. On that day I wrote a letter to Swami praying for her and sent her a Vibhuti packet through my mother. When I returned home for vacations in April, I received a call from her informing me that when the tests were conducted on the previous day, they revealed no sign or symptom of cancer at all. Her cancer was cancelled! I was very happy that I had been chosen as an instrument of His Will and also learnt that their family was planning to visit Puttaparthi in May that year to have Bhagavan’s Darshan. During their stay, He accepted their letter and this brought immense joy to the whole family and they became Sai devotees.

On the 21st of July, 2010, the day of Ashadi Ekadashi, Swami threw at me a Vibhuti packet and I called home to express my joy to my parents. I learnt from my father that he had an accident and he was required to undergo an operation of the knee. It was then that I realised the purpose behind receiving that Vibhuti packet. A normal doctor can give you medicine only when he is informed about it, but the Divine Doctor provides us with the best medicine well in advance and that too, to a person miles away.

Whenever I am troubled or get angry for some reason, I express it to my True Friend Sai just as we do with a friend. If I am angry, I scold Him not out of hatred but out of love. He relieves me by solving the problem completely. In the case of a best friend, we get only sympathy and rarely the problem is solved. In the case of Swami it is both relief and solution, and thus, our love for Him multiplies. The following incident reveals the omnipresence of Sai and the power of a simple but heartfelt prayer. 

One day when I was walking to the Mandir in the hot afternoon I noticed the watermelon vendor doing a brisk business. I was reminded about my father who used to get watermelons home every summer. Reminiscing thus, I prayed to Swami, “Bhagavan, it would be wonderful if You could send watermelons to all the students”. The prayer ended there and I completely forgot about it. The very next day, I was surprised to see a truck laden with delicious watermelons arriving at our Hostel! The lesson from this is we must pray for everybody’s joy as we do for our self. Regarding God as mother, father, Guru, friend, doctor is not complete in itself. 

Swami is Prema Swaroopa (Embodiment of Divine Love) and that Prema is something which cannot be likened to that of mother or father. It is beyond explanation and enquiry and nothing in this world can fathom the depths of His infinite Divine Love. Let us follow the guidance given by Bhagavan Himself in this respect and reach Him.

R. Sanjeev Padmanabhan

Student (2011-2014), Department of Bioscience

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Currently, Medical Student, DY Patil University, Mumbai

Source: Sai Nandana 2015 (90th Birthday Offering)

Conversations on Exams, Career and Kodaikanal...

February 23, 1993

Bhagavan was telling the students about how much time He had spent with the 12th class students during the interview that He had blessed them with in the morning. Swami said:

Swami:  I spent 2 hours with the XII class boys today morning. I told them that there is too much talk. Boys must not talk much.  By talking much, you loose memory power. Talk less; it is good for you. See, I gave them diamond rings. (Swami showed everybody a couple of rings that He had created for 2 boys.)  They got good marks - 90% and 100%. That is why Swami presented them with the rings - diamond rings. Where will you get such things? Parents also cannot give you this - free education and free rings! (Jokingly)

Swami: (Then looking at some of the elders) Why do you not ask them what they saw today morning? They saw the Kohinoor diamond! (Bhagavan then asked the boys to show the others the size of the diamond, which they promptly did). Where did the diamond go?

As the boys kept telling that, it had vanished, 

Swami: Yes. It went back into Swami’s hand. It went back to where it had come from. (Swami then took a kerchief and explained) See this? Where is the kerchief? It is in Swami’s hands. In Swami’s hands means Swami’s hand is bigger, kerchief is small. That way – everything is in Swami’s hand.

Swami: (To the students) How many boys are going for Engineering? A few boys raised their hands

Swami: How many boys are going for Medical? 

A few more raised their hands. 

Swami: How many boys are coming to Kodaikanal? (This time all the boys raised their hands!) Not so easy sir, not so easy.  Everybody wants to come.  But, it is not so easy.

A little later…

Swami: Boys keep saying that they are discussing the subject. There is no discussion on subject at all. You forget the subject also and go after the object.

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

Spiritual Significance of Shiva, Shivaratri, Shankaracharya and the Snake

Wednesday, February 20, 1974

Mahashivaratri was celebrated at Prashanti Nilayam on this day. 20,000 devotees gathered at the Lotus Feet to be blessed. Swami gave Darshan at 7.30 am on 20th morning. After a speech by Prof. V. K. Gokak, Swami delivered His Discourse. 

At 11 am Swami performed the Vibhuti Abhishekam to the silver idol of Shirdi Sai at Poornachandra Auditorium. He sprinkled the Abhishek Tirtha on the devotees. 

Swami Karunyananda; Nakul Sen, the former Governor of Goa; and Sri Page, the Chairman of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly; addressed the devotees during the evening meeting held at 4.30 pm. Dr. Bhagavantam announced that Sri Tarapore of Madras had gifted to the Sri Sathya Sai Trust, the 5-acre property hitherto called Abbotsbury in Madras city. He said that Swami had named the property ‘Sri Sathya Sai Sudha’. Swami then delivered His Shivaratri Discourse. He said:

"Shivoham, Shivoham - was the exclamation that rose from the souls that knew the Truth in a flash of illumination, after long years of cleansing the mind through the process of Tapas (penance). I am Shiva; Shiva am I - Though denoted by many names and recognised in many forms, the Divine Principle is One, without a second. It is Shivam and it is latent in each being, including man. Holy days are to be spent in the contemplation of this Truth and in special exercises to make oneself fully conscious of one's Divinity.

God is the seed, which has expressed itself as all this. But, this fact, so deeply implanted in the hearts of every Indian for centuries, has been overlaid by veils of doubt and man has lost the courage and the energy that the faith had given him so long. This was the very core of Indian culture, but, children of India have neglected and very nearly lost this precious heritage. The fascination for Western fashions of thought weakened the belief in one's religion; that led to the giving up of the disciplines which shaped one's daily life; this in turn led to deterioration in moral standards; this has bred misery, disunity, hatred and disgrace. It is time to open one's eyes to the tragedy and retrace the steps.

Meaning of worship of the Snake

The saints and seers of this land never spoke lightly or acted irrelevantly. They had the good of the generations always in view. When they invested some places as holy and named some days as sacred, they also prescribed the rules and ceremonials to be observed by pilgrims and Sadhakas (spiritual aspirants), so that time, expense and effort could be used for the expansion of Love and the education of the instincts and impulses. The object of every rule was to bring the realisation of the Atma, as one's Reality, a few steps nearer. For, the Atma in the individual is the Atma in all; Shivoham is the Truth; and the Truth alone can make man free and full of Bliss.

Take one prescription, the worship of the Snake. Those afflicted with barrenness or serious illness or skin diseases of virulent types vow to proceed on pilgrimage to shrines of Subrahmanya (conceived in the form of a Snake). People laugh at this practice. "Indians offer adoration to snakes, because, in their opinion, they have poison in their fangs!" The Truth is quite otherwise. The inner meaning of snake worship is quite different. The spinal column of man ending with the 'thousand-petalled lotus' in the brain is very much like a serpent poised on its tail with hood widely spread.

The Sapta Chakras as per Kundalini Yoga

In the science of Kundalini Yoga, the vital energy of man lying dormant like a coiled snake, at the bottom of this column in the lowest Mulaadhaara Chakra (the Basal Plexus) is awakened and aroused, so that it courses up through six more wheels (centres of superior consciousness) until it reaches the Sahasraara (thousand-petalled Lotus Energy Centre) at the very top of the skull. The passage for the Kundalini is through the Sushumna nerve in the centre of the spinal column. The worship of the Snake, ridiculed as superstition, is the symbolic counterpart of this great Yogic Saadhana which confers vigour and vitality.

Every appellation of God has deep significance

Lord Venkateswara of Tirupati

Take the demarcation of Tirupati as a holy place of pilgrimage; Lord Venkateshwara, the deity worshipped there is called the Lord of the Seven Hills, for Seven Hills have to be climbed before the Temple is reached. Obviously the six Chakras (energy centres) and the Sahasraara are indicated here, for in Raja Yoga, the supreme is revealed, only when the individual raises the Vital Energy - the Kundalini Shakti - up to the seventh stage. One of the hills is named Seshagiri, meaning, Snake Hill. From the plains, the range gives the appearance of a snake with a raised hood.

Lord Subrahmanya

And, what exactly does Subrahmanya mean? Spend a little thought on that. It means, 'He who has attained the realisation of Brahman the Universal Absolute, the Primal Cause, the Cosmic Consciousness.' Every appellation of God has deep significance. In the Vedas, Vishnu, for example, is named Parama. It means Paramanu, the Atom: He is omnipresent, as omnipresent as the atom, found as the substance and substratum of the Universe. Vishnu is the cause as well as the effect, for, there was nothing else when Time began. The One became many; the many disappear, the One remains.

Cattle are different from horses; true. But, when four-footed animals are considered, they are both the same. Under 'animals' a vast variety of beings are included. Thus it goes on, until only One is.

Strengthen the belief that all objects belong to God

To teach the Unity behind the appearance of multiplicity, that is to say, to help realise the Adwaita (Non-dual nature of Existence), Shankara, the greatest expounder of that school of thought, established four seats of practical philosophy called Mutts in the four regions of India. The very first step in the endeavour to realise this Unity was, according to him, Upasana or Worship of the concrete symbol of God, which gives one the experience of the ecstasy of Union.

Sri Adi Shankaracharya and Disciples

One day, Shankara was seated in meditation on the bank of the Ganga River. Suddenly, he exclaimed, "Lord! I am yours; but, surely, you are not mine." His pupil, Totakacharya was by his side then; he was astonished at this statement, which, according to him, went against the Adwaitic stand. So, he asked him how he could ever declare any distinction between I and you. Shankara replied, "The waves belong to the Ocean; but, the Ocean does not belong to the wave. The wave is the ocean, but, the Ocean is not the wave." The main point to be attended to is, the elimination of the ego, the elimination of the identification with the body and its needs, satisfiable through the senses. For, you get joy when these needs are fulfilled; grief when they are not, anger when something comes in the way, pride when you win over that opposition.

To eliminate the ego, strengthen the belief that all objects belong to God, and that you are holding them on trust. This would prevent pride; it is also the truth. Then, when you lose a thing, you would not grieve. God gave; God took away. Of course you hear almost all talking in this strain and advising this reaction. But very few follow that advice themselves. This is the sin of all sins; saying one thing and acting quite the opposite, denying in practise what you assert as precept.

Shiva is eternally auspicious

Lord Shiva

Shiva is known also as Eeshwara, the 'repository of all the resources essential for Prosperity. The most important resource is Jnana (Spiritual Wisdom). Three kinds of Jnaana are demarcated: Jeeva Prajna (concerning the individualised Divine), Eeshwara Prajna (concerning the Cosmic-Manifestation of the Divine) and the Atma Prajna (Concerning the Universal Absolute of which the individual is the temporary-particular). This is also mentioned in some other texts as Devta-Prajna, Jeeva-Prajna and Atma- Prajna, but, the meaning of the words is the same as in the other list. Eeshwara confers the Aishwarya of Jnana. He is also known as Shankara, and sages have experienced Shiva as conferring Sam or auspiciousness of all kinds, Happiness in all ways. Shiva is eternally auspicious; He does not come embodied in other forms, with other names, as often as Vishnu. So, He is not described as Shri Shiva or Shri Shankara or Shri Eeshwara. Shri is inherent in His very Person and so it is superfluous to add Shri to His Name.

When you realise Shivoham (I am Shiva), then, you have all the happiness, all the auspiciousness that there is. Shiva is not to be sought on the peak of a distant range of mountains, or in some other special place. You must have heard that sin and merit are inherent in the acts that men do; so too, Shiva is inherent in every thought, word and deed, for He is the Energy, the Power, the Intelligence that is behind each of them.

All energy, power and intelligence are in you; you need not search for them outside yourselves. God who is manifesting as time, space and causation is in you; why then do you feel weak and helpless? Man is tossed about by his ambitions and the craving to fulfill them. But, he must first know where he stands and where he should decide to reach. Now, his efforts are wanton and wasteful. He is an expert in mathematics, but, unable to do a small sum in arithmetic. He has mastered Algebra, but unable to measure the area of his home. He knows Botany, with all its Latin names; but, ask him about the uses to which the common Tulasi plant and its leaves can be put; he has no answer. He has mastered all the physical exercises taught to him; but, he is helpless when asked to sit in Padmasana. He can talk loud and long on Moksha and of its being the final goal; but, he does not know that he 'is already free; he imagines himself as bound and behaves as such.

Do not get too bound with, or give up, the world

Attachments to illusory objects bind him. When the illusory nature of the objects is revealed, the attachment falls off and he is free. These attachments persuade him to tarnish the acts of worship also; for, he prays to God for granting him trivial boons. Pray to God for God; do not use Truth to achieve Untruth. Have the inner vision, not the outer. Do not be attracted by the objective world; concentrate on the subjective world.

You do not scatter seeds on the surface; you plant them deep enough for the roots to get a foothold. Do not dig the seeds into the soil too deep. Follow the middle path. Do not tighten the strings of the violin or Veena too much; nor leave them loose. Do not get too bound with the world; do not also give it up.

The Shivaratri Festival, as celebrated here, is an example for you. You might ask, "Swami has often declared that all days are holy days, that there is no special rite or ritual that has to be observed on any single day; but, Swami Himself is pouting Vibhuti (holy ash) on the Idol and calling it Abhisheka (anointing the idol); is this right?" Swami is doing so, to teach you a lesson.

When desire is destroyed, Love reigns supreme

Vibhuti Abhishekam at Prasanthi Nilayam in 1950s

The Vibhuti Abhisheka has a potent inner meaning which Swami wants you to grasp. The Vibhuti is the most precious object, in the truly spiritual sense. You know that Shiva burnt the God of Desire or Kama, called Manmatha (for he agitates the mind and confounds the confusion already existing there) into a heap of ashes. Shiva adorned Himself with that ash, and thus He shone in His Glory, as the Conqueror of Desire. When Kama was destroyed, Prema (Love) reigned supreme. When there is no desire to warp the mind, Love could be true and full. What greater offering can you give God to glorify Him than the ash signifying your triumph over tantalising Desire? Ash is the ultimate condition of things; it cannot undergo any further change. The Abhisheka with Vibhuti is done to inspire you to give up desire and offer Shiva the ashes of its destruction as the most valuable of all the articles you have earned. Ash cannot fade as flowers do in a day or two; it does not dry and disappear or get soiled and unpotable as water does; it will not lose colour as leaves do, in a few hours; it does not rot as fruits do in a few days. Ash is ash for ever and ever. So, burn your viles, your vices, your bad habits; worship Shiva, rendering yourselves pure in thought and word and deed.

Shiva is the source of Bliss

Bilva Leaves

Shiva is worshipped with the three-leaved Bilva, for, He is immanent in the three worlds, in the three phases of Time, in the three attributes of Nature. He removes the three types of grief; He has no basis outside Him; He is the source of Bliss; He is the embodiment of the sweetness and efficacy of Nectar. Since every being is Shiva-Swaruupa (of the nature of Shiva) for without Shiva, it is mere 'shava' (corpse) - man has to live up to that Divine status. Scholars and Pandits who propagate Dharma (right action) in our country are doing great disservice, for, they cast doubts on the very majesty of Godhead. Swami Karunyananda spoke now of the episode where Brahma became jealous of Krishna, and stole the cows and cowherds from Him in order to bring discomfiture on Him. He said, Krishna created the same number of cows and cowherds, every one exactly similiar, and thus, foiled Brahma's conspiracy. People who hear such tales will naturally wonder how Gods can be envious of each other just like human beings; their faith in the Divine will be undermined thereby. These scholars are more 'intent on exhibiting their textual scholarship, than revealing the Glory of God. They do not mind the damage they cause to the very cause they are pleading for. 

There was an old woman in a village, some years ago. She sold a patch of land that she owned, and with the money, she had four gold bangles made, two for each arm. She wore them with great joy and went along the streets very proud of her new acquisition. But, she was disappointed, because no one in the village turned aside and looked at her bangles; she could as well have not worn them, for the villagers did not notice any difference in her. She tried various means to attract their attention towards the bangles, but, without success. One night she could not sleep at all, for, this neglect pained her much. At last she got a brilliant idea which, she decided, must succeed; the villagers must be drawn to notice the bangles. 

All beings are actuated by the same Divine Power

Next day, after sunrise, she set fire to her own dwelling house! When the flames rose, and commotion ensued, the villagers rushed towards her, sitting and wailing in front of the burning house. She shook her hands pathetically, at the faces of the frightened villagers, causing the bangles to jingle and shine in the red light of the high flames, crying out, "Alas! My house is on fire," "O, pity my fate," "God, don't you see my plight?" Every time she shouted a sentence, she put out her arms vigorously at some one, so that she or he could not miss sighting the bangles. The pity of it! She was so anxious to exhibit her bangles that she did not care for her house itself;

the house was on fire but she was happy her bangles were noticed. The scholars who are lost in admiration of their own cleverness are as foolish as this old woman.

Do not say or do anything that will bring Indian culture into disrepute, or that will undermine the faith of people in Goodness and in God. Do not claim to be - orthodox and encourage heterodoxy or heresy. Cast aside the desire for happiness and prosperity, do not moan that you do not secure Heaven; it does not matter, if you are smothered by difficulties. Stand up boldly in defence of the honour of your country. That will bring you all happiness and prosperity, all the Grace you yearn for.

Indian Culture teaches that all beings are actuated by the self-same Divine power, blessed by the self-same Divine grace. So, love all. Do not develop jealousy or hatred. There are many Sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) who enjoy perfect calmness and equanimity while sitting in Dhyana (meditation) or while in the Puja (worship) room before the shrine. But, once they rise and come out into the open, they behave like demons.

The Geeta says, Satatam Yoginah - "Be in Yoga, always." Be immersed in love, with no trace of pride or envy. This is the highest Sadhana (spiritual practice). At the present day, all grades and groups of people all over the world resort to violence and hatred in order to satisfy their desires and demands, bringing about fear, anxiety, panic and revolution. The gains through such tactics are not much; the gains will be greater and more lasting if the path of love, tolerance and peace is followed.

Love brings people together; hatred drives them apart. You cannot be happy, when you cause misery to others. God showers Grace when the nine steps of Bhakti (devotion) are observed. Masters or rulers can be won over by the same means sacrifice, love, devotion, dedication in the path of duty. When success is achieved by means of unrest and violence, it has to be preserved and prolonged only by further unrest and violence.

Therefore, let this be the lesson of Shivaratri for you: Shiva is in all beings and all things. He is the inner motivator. Be aware of this always; do not cause pain to any one, do not harm or injure, anyone, or hurt his self-respect. Love all alike, cultivate tolerance and spread brotherliness."

Sri Sathya Sai with the Lingam after Ligodbhavam

During Lingodbhava, a greenish oval crystal Linga emerged from Swami’s mouth. He held the Lingam in His hands and walked amongst the devotees blessing them with Linga Darshanam. In His Discourse on 21st morning, Swami praised the services of Sri Poonamchand for constructing the spacious auditorium for the benefit of the devotees.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)