Inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Bangalore

Friday, January 19, 2001

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra and Governor of Karnataka along with Sri Sathya Sai

Inauguration of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences In a grand function held at Whitefield, Bangalore, the Prime Minister of India Sri Atal Bihari Vajpayee inaugurated the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. The dignitaries who graced the occasion included Ms.Rama Devi, Governor of Karnataka; Sri S.M. Krishna, Chief Minister of Karnataka; Sri Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh; Sri Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra; Ms. Uma Bharati, Sri Ananth Kumar, Sri Dhananjay Kumar, Sri S.B Chavan, Sri Shivaraj Patil, Sri Ramakrishna Hegde, Sri Sunil Gavaskar and a host of others. 

The audience of eminent medical practitioners at the Inauguration

The function began with Vedic chants and the invocation by the singer Smt. Kavita Krishnamurthy. Member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust welcomed everyone. Dr. P. Venugopal of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, the Governor of Karnataka and the Chief Minister of Karnataka offered their gratitude to Swami for this magnificent gift to the people of Karnataka. They offered their cooperation and assistance in running the hospital. After the Prime Minister’s Inaugural Address, Swami delivered His Benedictory Address. He said:

The majestic building of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Bangalore

"In life, Health is the greatest wealth. Since ancient times, many Yogis, sages and seers and men of excellence have been making deep investigations into the ways and means of keeping good health. They made great efforts in this direction as they were of the view that man could work for the peace and security of the nation only when he was hale and hearty. In modern times, some people repose complete faith in Allopathy while some others feel Ayurveda is also essential along with Allopathy. Allopathy gives only temporary relief; it does not have permanent cure for diseases. But Ayurveda can provide permanent cure for diseases.

Divine Grace Sustains Human Life

Sri Sathya Sai delivers the Benedictory Message

The heart is the most important part in the body. If the heart goes on strike, the body becomes lifeless. What is the role of the heart in the human body? It pumps blood to the lungs where it gets purified and then it is supplied to all parts of the body. Each time the heart beats, the blood travels 12,000 miles in the body. Who has endowed the heart with such a capacity? Is it the scientist, the engineer or the Yogi or any man-made machine that makes it perform such a stupendous task? No. It is only the Divine power that is the basis for all this. Man cannot accomplish even a small task without the help of Divine power. Today man has lost self-confidence and does not have faith in God. So, first of all, man should foster self-confidence without which life becomes meaningless.

Allopathy cannot eradicate disease-causing germs permanently. It can control them only to a certain extent for a certain period of time. There is always the risk of relapse. Though Allopathy has been progressing from time to time, the number of diseases too has been increasing. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, who discovered Homeopathy, also made deep investigations into Ayurveda. Welfare of the whole world was his motto. But man today is not concerned with the welfare of the world.

Impart Health And Happiness To The Poor

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Puttaparthi

These days heart diseases are widely prevalent in society. That is why we established a Super Specialty Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam where 10,600 operations have been performed so far, totally free of cost. Many poor people have benefited from this. Heart surgeries have become very expensive. In such a situation, what would have been the fate of poor people? No one seems to be bothered about this. One has to work for the welfare of the poor, alleviate their suffering and set an ideal to the nation. Service becomes truly meaningful only when it is rendered to the poor and needy. Today neither the doctors nor the politicians, not even the Government for that matter, are concerned about the welfare of the poor. If a hospital is constructed at a cost of ten crores, they  expect a profit of 100 crores. Instead of being kindhearted, they have become business-minded. Hence, the pathetic condition of the poor.

During the last three or four days, many heart surgeries have been conducted here in this hospital. Who are the patients? One is a carpenter, another a Dhobi (washer man). Many such patients who are economically backward are being treated here. In this short period, as many as 50 heart surgeries have been conducted! One gets immense joy seeing their happy faces. Of what use is medical science if it does not bestow health and happiness on the poor and needy?

Today the educated do not care to spare a thought for the poor and forlorn. This hospital is dedicated for the welfare of the poor. I am happy only when the poor are served. I have dedicated My entire life for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden. In future, even the highly advanced surgeries like heart transplant and lung transplant will take place here. One may be wealthy and virtuous but without good health, one cannot lead a happy life. The late former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Patel helped us a lot in this project. The present Chief Minister, Krishna, has also been of great help to us. Many noble people of Karnataka are also associating themselves with this project. So, we are determined to give happiness to the

people of Karnataka.

Sathya Sai Institutions Are Eternal

Sri Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospital

Disease has no distinction; it may afflict anybody, be it a pauper or a millionaire. We too have no such distinction. Here the treatment will be rendered totally free of cost to the rich and poor alike. Not merely this, even the food will be supplied free. Our aim is to cure the patients of their ailments and send them home happy and healthy. This establishment will serve the poor forever. Some may have a mistaken notion that it will only be a temporary one. All the institutions established by Sai are eternal.

The other day, a washer man from Gulbarga underwent a heart surgery in our hospital. When he saw Me, his joy knew no bounds. He said, “O Swami, You are our God, I have undergone heart surgery in Your hospital.” One needs to spend a lot of money to undergo a heart surgery. Even for admission, one needs to spend thousands of rupees. The poor washer man does not have even a fraction of the required amount. In this world, there are many men of affluence, but how many are showing compassion towards the poor? They may say a thousand things, but do they practice even one? Is there any rich person who is doing even one-thousandth part of what Sai is doing? We are spending crores of rupees to provide potable drinking water to the villagers, to render free medical treatment and to give free education. But some people out of jealousy are indulging in false propaganda. The tongue has no bone, so people twist it in the way they want. Let us see, if any of those who indulge in false propaganda are prepared to feed the hungry and alleviate the suffering of the poor. In fact, such people set their dogs on the beggars who come to their doorstep to beg alms. Today all fields like education, medicine, music, literature, have become business-oriented.

Sacrifice Is The Hallmark Of A Doctor

Dr. Venugopal and his expert team of surgeons performing a complex operation at the Hospital

Fill your hearts with compassion and serve the poor and needy. Don’t be stone-hearted and money-minded. When the hour of reckoning comes, will you be able to carry with you the wealth you have amassed? No. Serve the poor with love. That alone can redeem you. Service to the poor is service to God. Sacrifice your life for the cause of the poor. Service to the poor is My only motto; I have no other desires. I am prepared to sacrifice even My life to serve the poor (cheers). Do at least one-thousandth part of what Swami is doing. Of what use is human life if it is not spent in the service of the poor?

It is your good fortune that you have become doctors. Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor. So, doctors should have the spirit of sacrifice. They should be compassionate and considerate towards the poor. There are many poor people who are losing their lives as they cannot afford costly treatment. Your love alone can sustain such lives. The more you develop the spirit of sacrifice in you, the greater will be the word’s progress. Hospitals are meant to serve the poor and not to earn money. What is the point in earning crores of rupees when one has to ultimately leave the world empty handed? So, spend all your earnings for the welfare of the poor. Dedicate your lives to the service of your fellowmen.

Prior to the establishment of this hospital, the land here had not much value. But after the hospital has come up, here the land value also has gone up. Now you find so many buildings coming up around. What is the use if one is merely interested in making profit? One should utilise it for the benefit of the poor. Your happiness will become manifold if you can make at least one poor person happy. Help ever, hurt never. Do not extort money from the poor. Do not put them to suffering for your greed for money. Remember it is not money that you are wresting, but their lives. Lead a life suffused with love, compassion and sacrifice. Tyaga (sacrifice) alone can lead to Yoga (spirituality).

We don’t have any distinction of caste, creed, religion and nationality. We offer free treatment to everybody. We are determined to offer free treatment, come what may, even if we have to take loans. We are prepared to spend any amount of money; safeguarding the life of patients is our main objective. All of you, particularly doctors, should learn this lesson. Eschew greed for money; develop love and spirit of sacrifice. Then money will come to you automatically.

Divine Grace Is Essential For Cure

Medicines on their own cannot cure diseases; it is Divine grace that cures. Only sacrifice can win God’s grace. Do not be satisfied by merely filling your own belly; try to appease the hunger of others too. Undertake such activities that will benefit the poor. This hospital does not merely stand for architectural beauty. Andam (beauty) has no value if there is no Anandam (bliss). You can experience bliss only when you give happiness to the poor. The poor are suffering because they cannot afford to buy medicines. We will give all the required medicines free. Make every effort to give happiness to all. 

Today, as the programme is already delayed, I do not have enough time to give you further details. Develop spiritual outlook and treat the patients with love and care and make them happy and healthy. Without God’s grace, even the pulse cannot beat. You are under the mistaken notion that mere medicines can cure the diseases. If that were the case, what happened to all those kings and rich men who had access to best medical facilities? So, along with medicines, one should have Divine grace too. Medicine and Divine grace are like negative and positive, respectively. Diseases can be cured only when both these come together. So, along with taking medicines, one should also pray for Divine grace. Without Divine grace, human body cannot be sustained. Human body is most wonderful and mysterious. Who is responsible for the pulse beat? Who is making the heart pump blood? All this happens because of Divine Will. Divine power is responsible for the growth of the body. There is no point in merely feeding the body and sustaining it unless it is used to serve the poor.

A bird's eye view of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Complex at Whitefield

This hospital will surely attain exalted position. You may not understand it now, but you will realise it in future. People belonging to different parts of the world will come here for treatment. This hospital has such Divine potentiality in it. Do not entertain any wrong notions about this hospital. Earlier when the Super Specialty Hospital was established at Puttaparthi, people had their own misgivings about its functioning. Now, in the villages surrounding Puttaparthi, you don’t find anybody suffering from heart diseases. Even small children are not afraid to undergo heart surgery in our hospital there. Likewise, we should see to it that no one suffers from heart diseases in the State of Karnataka. Villagers who are suffering from heart diseases should be brought here for treatment. Anybody can come here for treatment. We have no objection. Everyone has equal right to get treatment here.

Leaders Should Support Noble Causes

Our Prime Minister Vajpayee took great pains to come here. Leaders like him are very essential for this world. He is a leader who supports and encourages noble causes like this. Ministers who extend their cooperation for good causes are very much necessary for the nation to progress. They should have noble feelings and love for God to attain Divine grace. There is nothing that one cannot achieve if one has Divine grace. Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu (May the whole world be happy!) That is My desire. I am prepared to do anything for this. I am prepared to sacrifice even My life for the welfare of humanity. Of what use is the life of one who does not aspire for the welfare of humanity? I always wish for the well being of others. My feelings are always pure and sacred. If your feelings and intentions are noble, you need not be worried about money; it will come to your doorstep. 

We have caused great inconvenience to you by making you wait for a long time. You are all very tired having been sitting here patiently for the last three to four hours. Having taken part in this congregation, may you develop the spirit of sacrifice and spend your time, wealth and energy in the service of the poor! This is what I desire from you. I do not ask anything from anybody. Help the poor in every possible way. Feed the hungry. Food is God. Do not waste food. Do not waste money. Money makes many wrongs. Misuse of money is evil. The rich squander their wealth in drinking and gambling. Money should be put to proper use. One should not spend as one pleases. Do not waste energy and do not waste time. These are the four important principles that a man should adhere to. Time wasted is life wasted. Instead of wasting time in vain gossip, utilise it to serve society. Help everybody to the extent possible. This is what I expect you to do. Come and see it for yourself the work that is being done here with the spirit of sacrifice, and experience bliss. Here you will find the poor with happiness and joy on their faces. You should see to it that the poor lead a healthy and happy life. That should be your aim in life. Paropakara Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam (one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by harming them). I bless you all so that you may attain the deservedness to see the happiness of the poor. 

The eminent guests rise for the National Anthem

Swami blessed the architects, Sri Ravi Shankar and Sri Rajan Sood with mementos. He also blessed those who worked very hard for this project. The function concluded with National Anthem.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1986 - 2005)