"The Anantapur Alumni are doing so much work (Seva)..."

 December 10, 1999

Swami: Messengers of Mother Sai (Alumni of students of Anantapur Campus of the Institute) are doing lot of work in preparation for the 75th birthday. How happy I was to listen to them! You boys are just eating and playing games. They are 3000 of them. They are going to arrange for 3000 rice bags, 3000 bags of vegetables and are going to do service in 75 villages. In every house they are going to plant three trees: coconut, neem, and drumstick. They have already started teaching women in these villages about raising their children in a proper way. They are also encouraging village women to be bold and courageous. They tell the village people that parents should not fight in the house, as it would set a bad example to their children. They tell them, "If the men drink and come to house, do not allow them inside. Hit them with broomstick, which you use for sweeping."They asked whether they could arrange for 75,000 saris and 75,000 dhotis. I told them that I have already arranged for 75,000 dhotis and saris for distribution to the village people during the 75th birthday.  See boys, they are doing so much of work, which makes me happy. What are you doing?

Student: (He did not understand what Swami meant.) Football, Swami.

Swami: Playing football, volleyball, Sugriva ball!! (To another student)  What will you do after March?  (After completing the course) 

Student: Whatever you say, Swami.

Swami: You should do before I say.  Service!

Student: Yes, Swami.

Swami: (To another student) You? Service!

Student: Yes, Swami.

Swami: (To another student) You?

Student:  Swami, service. 

      

Swami: I don't need any service.  What are you doing today?  What games?

Student:  Football, Swami.

Swami: Football!!  What is football?  Ego!  Football is the ego, which you kick with your legs. If there is no air inside the football, then you can lift it in your  hand.  (Swami indicated the heart.)  In football, all should not run together behind the ball. They should stay in their own places and play from there. Playing is a very good exercise. These games are there because of University rules. But programme on 11th January is most important. What are you doing on the 11th?   

Student:  German wheel, Swami.

Swami: German wheel, not Japan wheel?  What is it?  (One student explained the same to Swami). Round wheel,.. goes on rolling on the ground.  In villages, they used to have round wheels, with which boys played.  In primary school also they have round wheels.  Brakes should be there.  (To another student)  You are ready for everything.  (To students in general)  See, you are all comfortably sitting down.  I have to stand.  You don't have any feelings at all.  (Swami went back, came again, and spoke to a student)  What is the news?  (To another student)  Why are you giving letters?  Keep it.  (Swami pointed to the heart)  Is it not?

Student: Yes, Swami.

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