Two Cornerstones of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning - By Dr. Amey Deshpande

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

The ancient Gurukula system of education, Arguably, is the best system of education. A home of learning which did not differentiate on any grounds, may it be of caste, religion, or race. Is it possible to replicate such a system in the modern age? The answer is an emphatic ‘yes’. Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL) is one such Gurukula, a modern Gurukula. The first three letters in SSSIHL form the pivot around which the Institute revolves. The first three letters bestow on us all the ‘higher learning’ that we need. For me the three S’s represent: Sagacity (for head), Sensitivity (for heart), and Strength (for hand). Every activity that we undertake must be aimed at the unification of these three – Head, Heart and Hand. The sum and substance of Swami’s teaching is this – unification of the head, heart and hand – Trikarana Suddhi. Once we achieve this unification then we have a human personality that combines ability with nobility.

This Institute is a unique experiment in Value Based Education. Bhagavan has been the friend, philosopher and guide of this Institute at every step. Everything at the Institute is directed by Him. Let us look at two events which have come to be known as the cornerstones of the Institute. The First is the Grama Seva and the second is the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet. Both have been conceived, directed and supervised by the Divine Chancellor. Though quite different in flavour, content and substance, they are inherently guided by the same principles.

Grama Seva – Its Genesis

It was in October 2000. The Dussera celebrations were on, when one day Swami called all the teachers and staff of the Institute into the Bhajan Mandir at Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagavan narrated a very touching story of a mother who had poisoned her child and herself in utter helplessness. This was a report, that was tucked away somewhere in the corner of a newspaper - it had drawn Swami’s attention. The Lord had found a way, through this news report, to communicate His vision for mankind. This was the genesis of what has become the world famous “Grama Seva”. Swami later asked the students if they were ready to forgo their holidays and stay back for Grama Seva. It was a call from our Lord. There was a thunderous affirmative and the wheels of Grama Seva began to roll. Ever since, Grama Seva has become an annual event in which students from all the three campuses (almost 2000 of them) together undertake this activity during the Dassera celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam. 

Trucks full of Sai Students leaving the Ashram for Grama Seva

As the Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajna goes on in Prasanthi Nilayam, Grama Seva Prema Yajna goes on in the villages around Prasanthi Nilayam.

Spiritual Dimension of Grama Seva

Grama Seva has several dimensions to it. Virtually all the spiritual truths laid out in all the Vedantic literature find their expression in Grama Seva. All the students get practical lessons in it. If the sight of someone suffering does not evoke feelings of compassion and love and eagerness to help then, rest assured, our education has been an utter failure. Grama Seva teaches us that. 

Sai Students interacting with villagers 

When we see the way people in the most backward and poor areas live, we get to know the sheer pathos of the situation. We are able to identify ourselves with them and their problems. Their condition silently reminds us of our good fortune and awakens us to our responsibilities. We realize that we are mere instruments through whom Swami is pouring out His love and blessings to them, thus transforming our work into worship. The realization of brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God dawns in the most certain terms. There are several instances showing the innumerable lessons that students learn from Grama Seva. At this point I would like to quote one.

An Experience

Sai Students and Staff serving the villagers during Grama Seva

The activity for the day was over and we were returning to Prasanthi Nilayam. On the way we were distributing whatever Prasadam was left to whomever we spotted on the road. It was at one such distribution point that an old man, in tattered clothes, almost looking like a beggar came over and requested to speak to one of us. The person told us that he knew without doubt that he would get his food that day. The boys replied that the Prasadam was sent by Swami and that he could partake as much as he wanted. What he then said to that boy epitomizes the purpose of Grama Seva. He said, “I am a beggar and have begged all my life for food. This morning I decided that today I will not beg. And here you are giving me as much as I need.” With tears in his eyes he continued, “God has not forgotten and will never forget me. Today, I was able to keep my head high, and I am confident that He is there to take care of me. He has sent me food today.” He asked for no food or cloth for he was nourished and clothed by the love of the Almighty. It was an eye opener for us. The lesson was loud and clear. We are nothing but instruments in His Divine hands, and He loves and cares for everyone and everything in His creation since He is the Creator.

Grama Seva: A Unique Exercise in Management

The entire Grama Seva process with Swami as the center of inspiration and guidance

Grama Seva also has its earthly dimension. The planning, organizing and execution of such a mammoth project is a great exercise in management. Here is some idea of the logistics involved. Twenty-five thousand people are served every day at their doorstep. Generally Grama Seva lasts 10 to 14 days. Around 2000 students participate in Grama Seva. 50 quintals of rice are cooked every day of Grama Seva. Twenty-five trucks, four tractors, two heavy vehicles and about half a dozen four wheelers are used to transport food items and students from Prasanthi Nilayam to the destination. 2,50,000 people in about 150 villages around Puttaparthi are served during the entire Grama Seva. Cooking, packing, loading, transporting, distributing food daily for a distance of about one hour driving radius such that there is no shortage in any place, with clock-work precision, requires extensive planning and organizing. The villages are often far-flung and the approaches to these are no more than sand and rock tracks. Communicating between these points requires wireless networking and with the help of area police, even this is established. The entire distribution gets over by twelve noon. Apart from this Swami gives the most specific instructions which give us a glimpse into His managerial abilities. Swami has instructed that food must be distributed to each and every house however far they may be located; that the boys eat the same food at the same place where it is distributed so that the recipients ward off any doubts regarding the food or intention. Swami is fully aware of the day’s schedule. The best part comes when we have His Darshan in the evening and listen to His nectarine discourses that soothe our tired bodies and minds thus giving us the total experience.

Sai Students interacting with village children during Grama Seva

One question that is often asked is, “What is going to happen by distributing food just one day in a year?” The answer to this is that in the first place Grama Seva was never started by Swami to alleviate the rural poor of their food problems. Grama Seva is an educating process which sensitises students to the current state of affairs of rural India, so that when they pass through the portals of the Institute they may undertake such activities or at least lead lives keeping in mind the suffering of those whom they have served. Certain incidents do touch the hearts of students. In many villages they see villagers wearing with gratitude the clothes which were given to them during the previous years. Grama Seva has been the beacon light for thousands of similar projects all over the world. May it be in the far-flung areas of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam or the modern towns of UK, Australia or USA, the students and Sai devotees all over the world have taken up projects of similar nature.

Annual Sports and Cultural Meet

Swami says, “Bend the body; Mend the senses; End the mind.” Swami time and again emphasizes on the efficacy of a healthy body. He says, “A sound body ensures a sound mind and a sound mind ensures a sound body.” In any pursuit whether physical or metaphysical, the role of the body is pivotal and paramount. In the light of this message we will see the second major event in the Institute calendar - the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet. Held on the eleventh of January every year, the sports day (as it is referred to) is an extremely special day in the lives of Sai students. The eleventh of January is like a festival in all the villages around Puttaparthi. For all the residents it is the day they witness an Olympics (of sorts) in their own backyard! The Sports Meet at the Institute is particularly unique and probably one of its kind in India if not in the world.

The Purpose

Anantapur Campus Students performing during the Sports Meet

Everything that Swami does is multidimensional, multi-faceted and multi-purpose. One can interpret Swami’s actions in a hundred different ways. The Sports Meet is one such thing. First of all, all the campuses of the Institute get a chance to present their talents and skills in front of Bhagavan – the Divine Chancellor. It is the only event in which each and every student of the Sai institutions gets a chance to perform in front of Him. Whether it is the perfectly orchestrated march past or a vibrant colorful formation or daredevil stunts or the harmonic brass band or just the skillfully engineered torch vehicle, every student presents his or her best to Swami. This is a unique culture inspired by Swami. 

The Preparation

Prasanthi Nilayam Campus students performing bike stunts during Sports Meet

The preparation for the Sports Meet is a real case study in every value that can be spoken about. On the eleventh of January is the culmination of all the efforts made over the previous month and it is this preparation which is the real teacher. Let me narrate an incident here. It was the Sports Meet of 2005 and there was an event called the ‘carrabining’ which involved the student to come down from a height of a hundred feet from the Hanuman statue to the ground via a cable. The student would be coming at a nerve-racking velocity of fifty to sixty kmph and on the way as he approached the ground he would have to pick up some item or plant a flag on the ground or do some such thing. One of the items was to crash through a barrier of boxes which was mounted on a car. It was the afternoon of eleventh January and the boys were practising one last time before the grand event. One of the boys who was to crash through the boxes commenced his way down; it was then that everyone realized that the car was positioned at the wrong point and that the boy was actually going to crash into the wind shield of the car. The driver started moving the car forward to avoid that collision but it was too late and the boy smashed into the carrier on top of the car, ripping the top. It was obvious the boy was badly hurt and may have even fractured some bone. It looked impossible to make him do it for the final performance. There was a hushed silence. Everybody gathered around the boy. He was not fully conscious. The teacher in charge had to take an immediate decision to replace the boy. As soon as the boy heard about his imminent dropout, he overlooked everyone around him and walked up to the teacher and said, “Sir, I will do it. There’s nothing wrong with me.” All of us were astounded; we suggested to him not to take any decision in haste. He replied, “Sir, please allow me to do it in front of Swami. Whatever has to be done, we can do it after the main event.”

The Spirit of Sports Meet

Sri Sathya Sai with Students after the Sports Meet presentation

This incident epitomizes the spirit with which every student performs for Swami. The dream of seeing Swami’s smiling countenance or the words “Chaala Manchidi, Chaala Santosham” (Very Good, Very Happy!) is what drives the students to raise their potential to zenithal heights. That is another lesson that the Sports Meet teaches. When we perform every activity with the sole intention to please God, we are able to tap the infinite source of energy latent within us and do things which otherwise would not have been even imaginable.

Teamwork, cooperation, thrift, decision making, camaraderie, professionalism, creativity, entrepreneurship, skill – these are just some of the qualities developed through the Sports Meet exercise. Bhagavan’s seen and unseen hand is experienced by everyone involved. Bhagavan is there, encouraging, egging, disciplining, keeping our spirits high, keeping us at the same time on our toes. He visits the ground for the practice sessions. He wants His students to give of their best. That is His love.

Sri Sathya Sai awarding students during the Sports Meet at the Hill View Stadium

God descends for the ascent of man. He walks, talks, laughs, cries, loves, scolds just like we do only so that we are able to identify ourselves with Him. He has said, “I give you what you want so that one day you will ask what I have come to give.” These activities are just ways in which He is slowly but surely guiding us on the path – the ancient highway to godhood which He has come to repair. We have to continue to do these to the best of our ability until one day we reach that ultimate zenith of perfection – which is He. At that stage we will realize that He alone is the path, He alone is the destination and He alone is the traveller.

- Dr. Amey Deshpande

Student and Scholar (2003-2017), Department of Management and Commerce 

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

Currently, Fellow, Centre of Human Values

Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust

Prasanthi Nilayam

Source: Vidyagiri: Divine Vision (2006)