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)