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| Sri Sathya Sai entering Prasanthi Nilayam Campus |
In the early 1980s, our beloved Bhagavan used to visit the Institute quite often. His interaction with students and staff on various occasions at different places (may it be in the classrooms of the Institute, Mandir portico, Poorna Chandra sessions or Trayee sessions) mainly focused on ‘Self inquiry’ by ‘Serving Society’. This is the time to recall some of those sweet reminiscences. Swami usually brought some dignitaries or elderly devotees along with Him whenever He visited the Institute. Sometimes He used to bless us all in the laboratories also. On one such occasion, Swami looked at the molecular models of different molecules placed on the table and suddenly turned His attention to the molecular model of camphor made by a student. He began to ask the student about that molecule. The student explained the different atoms present in that molecule. Swami was not satisfied with it. The student further went on describing the properties of the molecule. Swami stopped him and asked, “What is the most important use of the compound?” The student replied, “Swami, it is used in Arati.” Then Swami asked him the significance of Arati. The student elucidated its significance. Swami revealed the fundamental truth: “Camphor burns without leaving any trace. Likewise one should serve society selflessly.” In this way, Swami unravelled many spiritual truths through the example of simple chemical compounds. Swami also mentioned that chemistry - Raso Vai Saha - is the basis of all Sciences. God is the embodiment of Rasa.
We had the opportunity to do social service regularly on Sundays. Swami, out of His compassion, used to visit the work site and bless us all. On one such occasion, we were working in the garden in front of the Institute. Suddenly, we saw Swami’s car enter the Institute premises and stop at the portico. Our joy knew no bounds. Our Lord of ‘Love in Action’ manifests Himself wherever social work is being undertaken. Later we came to know that Swami had enquired how the work was going on. To my surprise, Swami had asked (pointing at me), “Who is he? He has done a lot of work.” Yes, who else can measure and acknowledge the service rendered in a noble cause?
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| Sri Sathya Sai in the Chemistry Lab of Prasanthi Nilayam Campus |
It was a fine morning. I was giving a lecture on ‘Partial Molar Properties of Liquids’ to our first year M.Sc. Students in the present Physical Chemistry laboratory. Does the Omniscient Lord require any invocation to be invited? No. ‘Sarvatah Paani Paadam Tatsarvatokshi Siro Mukham’. All subjects are His. His creation is an invitation to His glory. Swami’s car once again entered the Institute. Our Loving God got down and moved elegantly towards the Chemistry laboratory, nay, to the classroom, confirming the fact that He is ‘Raso Vai Saha’. Blessed are those students who had an opportunity to experience the divine enquiry into the concept that was being discussed. His interest itself in listening to “partial molar properties of liquids” was ‘an eye-opener’ to students as to how significant it was to know all that we are supposed to learn. Otherwise, is it necessary for the universal preceptor who preaches ‘impartial moral practice in society” to learn these mundane things?
I spend most of my time (especially in Mandir) reading sacred Itihasas - epics like the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Bhagavatam. On one such occasion, I planned to start a Bhagavata Parayanam. The Bhagavatam is His story composed lucidly in Telugu poetry by Pothana. A desire sprouted in my mind to get the book blessed by the Lord as a good beginning. “Let noble thoughts come to us from every side” (Rig Veda). Good Sankalpas yield God’s blessings. Swami came out for Darshan and His majestic walk in the Mandir veranda conferred infinite happiness. When Swami stood just near me, I knelt down as a mark of reverence, and stretched my hands with the holy book for blessings. Swami, with a loving smile, blessed it and asked me, “What is it”? I replied, “Swami, it is Bhagavatam.” Swami further asked about the contents. I replied that they are the stories of the all-pervasive Lord. Swami looked into my eyes, and said “His stories, not a history.” Then He made a remarkable statement in simple Telugu - “Bhagavatamu Chadivite Baagavutaamu” (if we read the Bhagavatam, we become good).
It is difficult to understand the ways of God. Certainly, His interactions with students and staff have a purpose and a true meaning. Likewise, His every visit to the Institute campus is not only a memorable one but is also intended to bring about a change in our minds. Once, we had an opportunity to celebrate the Independence Day in His Divine presence. The function was held in the Institute quadrangle. The then Vice Chancellor Prof. V K Gokak introduced the chief guest, Mr. Nakul Sen to the gathering. The programme was going on. Suddenly a dog came running and stood near the steps of the Ganesh Temple.
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| The Ganesha Temple in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus |
The All-Merciful Lord blessed it by throwing groundnut bits which were kept by the side of His throne. This incident, though simple, reiterated His profound teaching: “Love all and Serve all. Love is selflessness and self (selfishness) is lovelessness. Salvation lies in selfless service. The state of egolessness is bliss.” Swami is the constant source of Bliss. We derive it from Him by serving the needy. Everybody, who was present there, had the opportunity to witness this merciful act. From this, one can realize that everything – whether animate or inanimate, small or big, humans or animals - is the Lord’s concern.
Swami granted us a chance to serve Him once again. We had to clear all thorny bushes in the Hill View Stadium so as to make it fit for holding the ‘All India Bal Vikas Rally’. We were all working daily after Institute hours without going to Mandir. Swami’s visit to the stadium filled our hearts with great joy – the joy of having His Darshan even before the completion of the day’s task. He would bring apples, buns and other eatables, and personally distribute them to all. No one is far from His reach and His Divine touch. On another occasion He Himself supervised the task, sitting in an ordinary chair. It was behind the Easwaramma High School. We were making a stage for a Bal Vikas programme. Timely completion would not have taken place without His Divine presence. He knows that motivation is essential to get good results. We are all familiar with the ‘Sethubandhanam’ in the Ramayana.
As a part of Swami’s 60th Birthday Celebrations, Swami graciously granted us permission to construct temples in all the villages in Sathya Sai Mandal. That summer the students and staff who stayed back in Parthi were given an opportunity to go to nearby villages early in the morning after taking the breakfast arranged by Swami in the canteen, for laying approach roads. Swami also stayed in Parthi. Swami used to send lunch to all the work sites. Not only this, He would wait until we all came back in the evenings. The village children used to shout ‘Sai Ram’ and ‘Goodbye’ as a warm send off. The Omniscient Lord referred to this while reviewing the day’s developments in the evening. Swami used to remark that it showed their heartfelt friendship. Once, Swami also added that SEVA develops friendship. Service alone will develop true friendship. His loving enquiry into the work-in-progress and distribution of delicious mangoes (specially supplied) reminded us of our responsibility to render incessant service with dedication. In addition to this, we had the privilege of being a part of Swami’s convoy to the village, Ammaguntavari Palem, among the hills. The route to that village was not smooth. Swami’s car had to go through many bumps and jumps. In spite of this inconvenience, the Merciful Lord visited the village, blessed the villagers with a discourse in Telugu (without any translation) and materialized a gold ring for one of the villagers as a token of His Love.
Swami sometimes called the staff members for group interviews. Once, in the interview room, after briefing us on various important aspects, Swami invited us to raise any doubts that we had. One of the faculty members asked Swami, “Swami, why do cruel people flourish in the society?” Swami explained this with an analogy. Suppose near Godavari area, there is a drought this year. If you call on a relative staying in that area, he/she will serve you with fine quality rice, even if the fields are barren now. Consider some area in Tamil Nadu, where the fields are well cultivated due to sufficient rain fall. If you visit a house in that area, you will be fed with Ragi, even though the fields are green with paddy. The reason is, in the former case, the benefits of cultivation and a rich harvest in the previous year. In the latter case, it is the drought in the previous year. Likewise, now (at present) we reap the fruits of past actions; the future is the consequence of the present deeds. Therefore, this present is omnipresent.
Then Swami enquired about the performance of students in the examinations. Swami said, “As a teacher, you, or even the parents may not feel bad if a student fails, but I do feel very bad if any student fails in the examination.” This shows the concern of the Divine Chancellor for the performance of His students in the examinations. Swami expects that every student should secure ‘O’ grade. Swami in the subsequent interactive sessions emphatically mentioned that He was not satisfied with a mere ‘O’ grade in the subjects: He wished that every student should get an ‘O’ grade in his/her behaviour also.
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| Sri Sathya Sai with SSSIHL Faculty Members at the Trayee Brindavan residence |
On 30th May 2004, Swami blessed the teachers with an interview in the Trayee Brindavan and discussed about the activities in the Institute especially with reference to the students. In His conversation Swami said: “If somebody does anything which is not liked by you, you should not repeat the same thing to others.” This is the superior path compared to all other righteous paths. The same is mentioned by the son of Ganga to the eldest son of Kunti in the Shanti Parvam of the Mahabharata. Swami elucidated this for some time, and blessed all of us with a set of clothes as a token of His Love.
His teachings are reference books for all. He always advises the students to run away from bad company. ‘Tyaja Durjana Samsargam, Bhaja Sadhu Samaagamam’ (avoid bad company, pray for the company of pious people). Our body hosts six enemies, viz., Kama, Krodha, Lobha, Moha, Mada, Matsarya. How to overcome these vices? It is not an easy thing. Swami quotes many instances where these six qualities have ruined mighty lives. While admiring Hiranyakasipu as a true scientist, Swami sympathizes with him for not probing inward. Where lies the problem? Conquering Arishadwargas is a challenge. We should explore the possibilities by adopting elimination method. Courage and self-confidence are prerequisites for waging any war. Human life comes with a purpose. The main aim of human existence is to cross the Bhava Sagara (ocean of birth and death). In order to achieve the goal of life- liberation (moksha), one has to conquer the six enemies (Arishadwargas).
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| Prof. Chelli Janardhana (4th from left) with faculty members of the Dept. of Chemistry at Prasanthi Nilayam Campus |
Ears, which listen to Thy glory,
Mouths which describe Thy actions,
Hands which perform deeds in Thy holy name,
Eyes which incessantly admire Thy benign form,
Heads which prostrate at Thy Lotus Feet,
Minds which contemplate on Thee,
Intellects which accept Thy supremacy and prompt us to total surrender.
Source: Vidyagiri: Divine Vision 2006
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