SATHYA SAI NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 2002

"See that no one is hurt by your actions. Teach only good. For outsiders, explain clearly Bhagavan's teachings ­-clearly, out of experience. In this world there are many devotees, but no one is on the proper course. Kill the amorality within you. This is spirituality ­-not just rituals. Kill the beast within. Humans should be transformed into the divine. Instead of all spiritual practices, we should help others."

- Swami, interview to USA devotees, 27 July 2002

Declaration of Avataarhood 

(Excerpt from Sathyam Shivam Sundaram 1, page 42)

On the 20th of October, 1940, the day after they all returned from Hampi by special bus, Satyanarayana started for school as usual. The Excise Inspector of the place, Sri Anjaneyulu who was very much attached to the little Baba, accompanied him as far as the school gate and went home, rather reluctantly. He seemed to see a superb halo round the face of Baba that day and he could not take his eyes away from that enchantment. Within a few minutes, Baba too returned back to the house. 

Standing on the outer doorstep, he cast aside the books he was carrying and called out, "I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai." The sister-in-law came from the kitchen and peeped out; she was almost blinded by the splendour of the halo, which she saw around Baba's head! She closed her eyes and shrieked. Baba addressed her, "I am going; I do not belong to you; maya has gone; my bhaktas are calling me; I have my work; I can't stay any longer." And, so saying, he turned back and left in spite of her pleadings. 

The brother hurried home on hearing all this; but, Baba only told him, "Give up all your efforts to 'cure' me; I am Sai; I do not consider myself related to you." Neighbour Sri Narayana Sastri heard the noise; he listened and realized that it was something serious; he ran in; he saw the splendour of the halo and fell at Baba's feet. He too heard the historic declaration, "Maya has left; I am going; my work is waiting." Seshama Raju was non-plussed; he could scarce collect his wits to meet this new situation. A boy, just fourteen, talking of bhaktas, work, maya and the philosophy of belonging! He could think of only one plan: Sathya was entrusted to him by the parents and therefore it was his task to inform them; Sathya could leave the house, only after they came to Urvakonda. But, Sathya would not step into that building again; he moved out into the garden of the Excise Inspector's bungalow, and sat on a rock, in the midst of the trees. 

People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers and fruits; the tope resounded to the voices of hundreds, singing in chorus the lines that Sathya Sai taught them. The first prayer that he taught them that day was, as many still remember, Maanasa Bhajare Guru Charanam Dustara Bhava Saagara Taranam. Meditate in the mind on the Feet of the Guru; that can take you across the difficult Sea of Samsaara. His classmates wept when they heard that Sathya will no longer attend school, that he was much beyond their reach, that his company was hereafter only for those upon whom he showers his grace. Many came to the garden with incense and camphor to worship him. Some came to sympathize with the family, some to congratulate them. Some came to learn and some, alas, even to laugh! Three days passed thus in that garden; three days of bhajan and naam sankeertan. A photographer came with a camera; he wanted Baba to remove a crude stone that was right in front of him but Baba did not pay heed to that prayer. He clicked nevertheless and lo! As can be seen from the picture of that photograph given in this book, the stone had become an image of Shirdi Sai Baba! but only in the photograph, not for all assembled there.

Avataar Day at Prasanthi Nilayam

(Notes from Indika at Prasanthi Nilayam)

Sunday, October 20, 2002

Today at 10AM during Anil Kumar’s Lecture held in the N. Indian canteen mentioned that it is a very
special day. He said although nothing has been announced during morning darshan, this afternoon we will
have a celebration. He shared that although the dasara crowds have gone, this day is the most important & we are fortunate to be here on this day

.

Today is the 62nd Anniversary of Swami announcing to the world for the first time, who he was. On October 20, 1940, Swami, after coming home from school, threw his books down and said that he no longer
belongs to his family - he belongs to the people. He said, “My Devotees are waiting for me.”

In the afternoon some elders spoke and then Prof. Anil Kumar gave a talk as well. Before he began the
talk, he offered a rose to Swami. Swami blessed his hands holding the rose, and then put it into Anil's
coat pocket on the coat. Time was nearly running out and Swami asked Anil to end. Anil had a late start
as the earlier speaker took a longer time than planned, Swami had asked her to end also. Anil so sweetly
begged in front of Swami to give few more minutes, as he might not get this opportunity again. It was a
very sweet moment to watch this. Swami gave his permission. Anil was so happy and was in full energy to
talk about Swami on this Special Day.

We were also able to listen to the recording of Swami talking and announcing to the world who he is.
Then girl students from the music school sang the Beautiful Bhajans.

Then Swami gave a discourse on how loving his mother was. Swami said he chose this couple to be his
parents because they were very loving individuals.

[You can read this special discourse at this link : http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/2002/d021020.html]

Swami finished with the bhajan, Prema Muditha Manasekho.

Swami looked very beautiful and very, very happy. It was a lovely afternoon and we all had a great time
showering in the Divine Blessings

Sai Ram
@ the Lord's kitchen
Indika

Experience Sharing By Swami Students

(Some more notes from Indika at Prasanthi Nilayam)

(Tuesday, October 22, 2002 8:38 AM)

Today also we had a surprise. During afternoon darshan, right after Swami had a short interview with a
local couple, the microphone was brought out. Then Swami walked graciously to his chair & sat. A student
announced there would be 2 boys from Swami's school sharing their Divine experience with Swami.

First speaker was Sri Rama, a student who attended to Swami's school in Ooti. He said when he was in the
4th grade his teachers always complained about his handwriting saying it’s not beautiful. In Ooti,
Swami's home was very close to the classrooms. One day Swami walked into the classroom & very politely
asked the class teacher, “May I come in?” Then Swami walked to each desk. Sri Rama quickly opened his
notebook & began to write something, trying his best to work on his handwriting. Suddenly he saw Swami
standing near & watching him. Swami asked, “What are you writing?” Sri Rama gave the book to Swami. Then
Swami looked through the book & said, “Good boy, very nice handwriting.” This boy could hardly believe
it since the book had remarks written by the teacher saying, “handwriting needs to improve.” After Swami
left, Rama told his teacher. The teacher responded saying, “Swami said that because He is God.”

After graduating with a Masters from Swami's University, in an interview, Swami told Rama & his fellow
mate that they will be going to U.S to the Loma Linda University in CA to get a Degree in Health
Administration. Swami said first you must get the permission from your Parents & then get back to Swami.

Then Swami brought the application papers & asked the 2 boys to fill them out. The form asks why you
want to come to this University. In reply, they wrote about the work that Swami does for the people,
mentioning the Super Specialty Hospital & many more. They said that after they graduate they will serve
Swami at the Hospital.

By now Swami told the boys to prepare for the Toefal & GMAT exams as they only have 2 wks left before the exam. They were so nervous, wondering how they could prepare for these tests in such a short time.
They didn’t want to let Swami down by scoring low marks. Then Swami said, “I'm with you, don't worry.”

They received a reply from the Loma Linda Univ. saying they were very impressed with what the boys had written on the application form responding to the question about their reason for wanting to attend the
university. Therefore, for the first time in history, the university would drop the Toefal exam & they would only need to do the GMAT.

The boys were happy to a certain extent, but now they worried over the GMAT. Usually students take a minimum of 3 – 4 months preparing for this exam. But Swami said, “You need to take this Exam in 9 days.”
They asked their teachers to help them study & the teachers said, “Only God can help you.” Now these boys wondered why Swami wanted it this way when they were so happy doing their practice in Swami's
University. Why was Swami testing them& putting us through this difficult situation. They took the pre-test 3 times, each time scoring very low. Now they were afraid of bringing a bad name to Swami's Univ.

The big day was on a Thursday the 9th. They did the test & were so afraid to click the button on the
computer that says, ‘Would you like to see your scores?’ Finally, with sad faces they pressed it & what
a surprise! Score is 2400 out of 2600.

Then Swami said, “Why you don't trust me? I told you not to worry, that I'm with you.? Swami did the
exam for them.

The next step was to get the visas to come to US. Then in September, they hear of the tragic moment in
New York - 911. (Sept.11, 2002). The embassy is closed.

After 2 days they went back to the Consular - stamped on the passports were the word saying - ‘No
entry to US is allowed.’

Then Swami said don't worry & told them the date & the time of the day they would get the visas.

The Loma Linda University sent an urgent message to the Embassy asking them to reconsider & issue the
visas as this was a very special case. The consular apologized to the boys & issued visas on the day &
exact time that Swami mentioned earlier. Then Swami brought a suit for boys & said, “When you are in US,
you have to dress according to their way, not white pant & shirt like in Parthi."

The boys had forgotten to take the suits with them to the US.

A few days before their graduation @ Loma Linda, they heard a knock on their room door. An elderly
person had come from Parthi saying, “Swami sent me with this package for you.” When they opened it,
they found 2 suits that Swami gave to the boys. He has sent a message saying, “You forgot to take it
with you. Please wear this on your graduation.”

After graduating in June 2002, they returned home successfully in Nov. 2002 before Swami's birthday.

It was another lovely day of listening to our Mother Sai who pours his love on each one of us.

(Friday, October 25, 2002)

As we were sitting inside the Kulwant hall waiting for afternoon darshan we saw the microphone set out.
In fact, the microphone was set yesterday too, but there were no speakers. At 2:15pm Swami came – giving
lovely darshan to all and then went into the inner room. There were no interviews. As the darshan music
(instrumental music) stopped, some of the crowds began to leave. Usually if there is a special event, or
a devotee is going to speak, they start by 3pm, not later than that. It looked liked nothing special was
going to happen. After sitting for an extra 15 minutes, I thought of saving my spot with a cushion &
taking a short break for tiffin. As I walked towards the gate to take my first foot step out, Swami
walks to the hall. I felt the calling to stay and not go for tiffin.

Prashan, a student from Swami's school spoke. He said Swami asked him to take prasad to the villages.
One particular house he went to had no response after knocking on the door for some time. He decided to
open the door and walk inside this small dark home. He saw an old lady at the back of the house lying in
bed. This old lady had a high fever. She asked the boy, very sweetly, why he is here. The boy replied.
“Amma (mother) Swami sent prasad for you.”

The old lady said, “Son, my daughter & son in law no longer live with me. Now I'm alone & have to cook
for myself. Today I'm having fever & in so much pain & unable to cook. So I thought of starving & just
continue to stay in bed.” She was very happy to receive the prasad from our dear Lord.

Another student, Sai Krishna, said there was a family in UK. Their wish was to visit Swami in India.
Knowing that they didn’t have the income to afford take this precious journey, they began to save a
pound at a time. After lots of hard work & saving money for years the big day arrived.

Now this family is sitting for their First darshan. Swami comes & says, "GO". They are sitting by the
interview room waiting for Swami. Swami came to the boys of this group & said "You boys are coming from
UK like Teddy Bears with hairs long up to your noses. See how clean cut my students are. That’s how you
should look", and he sent them back to the darshan hall, without interview.

Next day when Swami was coming for darshan, Swami sees all the boys in this group are with bald heads.
All of them have shaved their heads. Now Swami said, "Why did you shave your heads, I only asked you to
have a hair cut not to shave the head?" The boys replied" Swami, if the students can be so close to you
with clean hair cuts, how much closer can we be by not having any hair?"

Swami was pleased with the reply & called them for interview. Each day of their trip they had morning &
afternoon interviews. (2 per day)

Another student of Swami’s attended Swami's school from the primary classes. When he was in the 12th grade class, a friend had said how fortunate he was to be in Swami's school all through his education. Then this boy replied, “Yes, I FEEL VERY FORTUNATE to be in Swami's school since a little boy, but I don't know whether Swami knows that I came from the primary classes.”

Next day at darshan Swami stops by this boy & says, "Hey you – primary student, come.” This boy had his lesson that Swami knows everything.

There was a devotee who's a smoker. Each visit he came to Swami was for about 2 weeks. Within these 2 wks he's able to give up the desire of smoking due to Swami's grace. But when he returns home the habit continues.

On this particular trip, he happens to stay one month to be with Swami. After 2 wks he no longer was able to control the desire to smoke. So he thought of going outside the ashram to have a smoke & then return.

The next day he's back for darshan after fulfilling his desire. Swami walks right to him & says, "You are smoking." He said "No Swami." Swami said, "You are not smoking?" He replies, "No Swami I didn't smoke". Then Swami makes a gentle wave on his hand & materializes a photograph of this boy smoking outside the ashram.

During darshan Swami called one Australian group for interview. One devotee looked very sad. Swami asked
"Why are you sad". He replied, "Swami my wife is sick & she is in Australia". Swami asked, "Do you want
to go home?" He said "yes". Then Swami points to the interview room wall & says, "What do you see on the
wall". Swami has created the map of Australia on the wall. Swami points to the map & asks, "What do you
see now". He says, "That’s my city". Swami asks, "What do you see now". He says "Swami that’s the street
I live". Then Swami says "What do you see now", "That’s my house Swami". Swami shows the entrance door
to his house and asks, "You want to go in?" As he said, "yes" Swami said, "go".

So this devotee takes one foot inside the door (thru the interview room wall) & finds himself in Australia. The rest of the group members are stunned not knowing what happened to their fellow group member. This was a group of 12 devotees that went in & coming out of the interview room with 11 devotees. As they began to worry thought of calling Australia. He picks up the phone & says, "YES I'm in Australia", & clears the confusion.

As the student was just about to end these lovely stories, Swami surprised him by asking to sing a
bhajan. The student was breathless & there was a 5-minute pause. Then he calmed down & said that Swami
has requested me to sing a bhajan & I would like to take this moment to think, so I can sing an
appropriate bhajan that will express my feelings. He sang a short bhajan in Hindi.

The evening was completed with lovely bhajans - Om namah Shivaya shivaya namah om
Bolo Vittala
Ram Ram bajamana hare hare
With Blessings from our Lord
Indika

Sai Links

• A Sarva Dharma Service Center in New Jersey : http://www.sai-service.org/

• Sai Pranaam's Anniversary Issue. This month's topic is Grace. Very inspiring and interesting articles : http://www.saisamachar.com/saipranaam/Oct02/cover.htm

• Swami's Avataar Day discourse : http://www.sathyasai.org/discour/2002/d021020.html

• Anil Kumar answers questions put forward by devotees : http://www.internety.com/anilk2002/questions_&_answers.htm

• The International Sai Organization web site has had audio webcasting services using streamed audios of Sai Baba's earlier discourses at http://www.sathyasai.org/streaming/streaming.asp

• Sai Global Harmony : http://www.radiosai.org/

Anil Kumar Talk - "My Own Personal Experiences"

To read this complete inspiring, humorous talk, click on this link : http://www.oocities.org/saicenter_us/snl/AK_271002.html

[To listen to this talk, go to this link: http://www.internety.com/anilk2002/27_10_2002_audio.htm]

Grama Seva - Experience Sharing By Swami Students

(Proceedings of the Sri Sathya Sai International Seva Conference Seva Adoration Illumination July 21 -
23, 2002 Prasanthi Nilayam)

Inaugural Session -1 - Sri. Srinivasan

In last two years Bhagawan gave a new meaning to seva when he directed His students to take up Gram seva
in the villages of Anantapur district. For the first time the sevaks went from door to door carrying
Bhagavan’s prasad, gifts and message of Love. Every dwelling, be it a palace or a hut, was covered by
the messengers of Sai. Bhagawan showed the importance of every individual in society reminding him or
her that Sai never forgets anyone irrespective of whoever else may have forgotten him or her.

Bhagavan Baba has personally taken a lot of interest in every aspect of the arrangements for this
Conference. He personally went around many times even during the hottest part of the day to see the
accommodation arrangements for the delegates and the Conference facilities.

Inaugural Session -2 - Sri. Kishin Kubachandani

But in this new millennium let us take what Baba has done in India and make this our vision and mission
of the Sai Organization. Bhagavan Baba has not undertaken service of convenience. He has launched
massive programs of service of need for the nation, free schools, universities, hospitals, water
projects etc. Bhagavan Baba has become in India, a force in human welfare and nation building. Every Sai
Centre, every Sai National Organisation in every country must become a force in human welfare and nation
building. 

Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva In Villages Of Anantapur District, Presentor - Sri Rangarajan 

All these years, the poor people were coming to the Lord to seek His refuge. But that year Bhagavan
resolved to go Himself to every doorstep to feed and clothe every poor person. This project was executed
by thousands of students from the 3 campuses of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning: the one at
Anantapur, Brindavan near Bangalore and Prashanthi Nilayam, assisted by the students of Sri Sathya Sai
Higher Secondary School, Prashanthi Nilayam. The students without any external help or support
excusively carried out this task. A very unique feature of this project was its magnitude. Believe it or
not, the entire planning, organisation and execution were completed in a record time of just one month.
There was a fortnight of planning and execution followed by a fortnight of the actual Grama Seva.
Details of Planning and Organisation of Grama Seva Vineet & Deepak Anand An old lady was waiting for us.
When we offered the Prasadam to her she broke down and said "My two sons have passed away. I really
don’t have any support in life. Give a photo of Bhagavan. His name is now my only recourse." She took
the saree that Bhagavan had sent for her and wept.

For the thousands of students going to 600 villages and 5 big towns with a population of many lakhs and
50 vehicles traveling in different directions, we thought that an adaptive structure of organisation
would be most appropriate. But the real lesson in adaptiveness came from Bhagavan Himself, who scaled up
the whole project from covering a few thousand people in a cluster of villages in the beginning to
covering big towns with population of 1.5 to 2 lakhs in a single day. We could still do it with the same
man power, the same resources, the same infrastructure without compromising even a little bit of the
quality! The discipline did not come out of force but it came from the Source. If you remember the Grama
Seva was conducted during the vacation. All the students stayed back so enthusiastically and converted
their "holidays" into "holy days".The Grama Seva has become Rama Seva.

He had told us that every house without fail should get Prasadam and a pair of clothes at their doorstep
before their lunchtime and that became our vision statement.

When we had to go to a cluster of villages in Hindupur, the river was over flowing a few feet above the
bridge. We could see the people waiting for us on the bank. It was like so close yet so far. Keeping
Bhagavan’s vision in mind we traveled 40 kilometers, 4 hours of arduous journey on bumpy village roads.
But finally when we reached there it was a bumper harvest of Love and Joy. "Bhagavan Sai Baba Ki Jai!
Bhagavan Sai Baba Ki Jai!" They came towards us as if it was one home, one family and they helped us in
every aspect of distribution.

Let us not forget that the students of the Anantapur women’s campus who used to spend the whole night
preparing Prasadam and packaging it with Love. By singing Bhajans and chanting vedam we used to infuse
the Prasadam with Divine vibrations and really that made all the difference. At the end of the day when
we used to come back from Seva we all rushed to Bhagavan and the feedback used to flow not from us to
Him but from Him to us.

We had gone to a particular village in Kadri and while coming back we saw a young man coming from the
fields. We stopped and asked him whether he had received Bhagavan’s prasadam. He said no and took a few
steps back saying not to touch him or come close to him because he belonged to the most deprived section
of society and lived in a separate place. The brothers, anyway, went close to him and offered the
Prasadam with all their Love and affection. One of them put his hand on the young man’s shoulder and
said "Bhagavan Baba says that we are all children of one same God. Then in that respect are we not
brothers?" The young man could not hide his tears and he left saying, "Yes! Yes! Sai Baba is God. Sai
Baba is God." Many more such experiences we had which transformed us during this Grama Seva.

He wanted that we students also experience that joy of giving and so He directed that we should go and
serve each one of the people in their houses, at their doorstep and experience that joy of giving.
Bhagavan explained to us a lot of important things. He told us why is it that He was giving clothes and
food as prasadam and not something else. He said "Bhikshanam deha rakshartham, vasthram sheera
nivarnam". Food is needed to foster the body while clothes are needed to protect us from inclement
weather.

At many places they used to sprinkle water on the roads where we had to walk. They had beautifully decorated shrines for Bhajans to take place. Bhagavan had actually told us that before we started distribution of prasadam, all of us were to go around and do Nagar Sankeerthan and Vedam chanting. Just imagine hundreds of youth going around singing the glory of God with all their hearts. What an impact it had! There were subtle changes in the environment. People themselves used to come and join us. We used to sing for no more negativity, no more despair or despondency. There was only Love. Love and Joy in
every heart. That is the Love we experienced and felt when we went house to house giving prasadam. Each house we went to, we were welcomed with beaming faces and broad smiles.

Upon enquiry we found that the Annaprasna ceremony where in, a newborn is fed food for the first time in
his life,was in progress. Instead of feeding the child the ceremonial soft-boiled rice, they fed the
sweet that Bhagavan had sent. The child had got prasadam as its first morsel in its life.

In a village, Gunnipalli, a person approached us and pointed towards the water tank of the Sri Sathya
Sai Water Supply Project and said "See that is Bhagavan’s gift to us. He is giving us water 24 hours a
day and now that is our lifeline. Not only that Swami has also constructed a Kalyana Mandapam where we
can hold marriages and functions."In a choked voice the man said "And now Swami has sent you with
prasadam. Will the Divine Hand ever refrain from giving?"

He went up to the hut to see who was there. And what did he see? In a corner he found an old lady
crouched up. He went up to her and said "Amma Bhagavan has sent prasadam for you. Please do take it."
When she heard these words from him, she broke down on the spot and then told him why. It had been 2
whole days since she had her last meal and she had been praying fervently to Bhagavan to save her
somehow from her situation. This goes a long way in showing us that the village people are so simple in
their outlook that they could have a direct contact with Bhagavan. Many times what they could not put in
words, their broad smiles and moist eyes said it all. In short, it was an exchange of Love between
hearts that left all of us transformed and inspired.

Deepak and Vineet : An old woman was waiting in a small hut even after receiving the food, prasadam, sweet
and saree that Bhagavan had sent for her. After finishing serving all the others in the village we went
to her and she insisted that we see her new house. So we went in and told her and complimented her
saying what a nice and neat house she had built. But suddenly she turned around and said, "I have not
called each of you to admire my house. I called you in so that you step into it. Since you have come
from Swami may the dust of Puttaparthy enter my humble house with your feet and may our family be
blessed with auspiciousness."

As one of the village folks told us themselves during the Grama Seva "Aa abhaya hasthaniki aapata mante
emani thelusa?" Do those Divine Hands that always bless and bestow ever know what it is not to give?

During those memorable days of the Grama Seva we learned to serve. For the one who wishes to serve, has
to knock at the door and the door opens. But for the one who truly loves, the door is always open.
During those days of Grama Seva we learned to love. We learned to love every symbol of humanity the way
He loves us.

Suddenly the whole atmosphere reverberated with "Swami’s clothes! Swami’s clothes!" When we turned
around we saw a festival of colours. The children donning their new clothes were parading in the
streets, waving at us chanting "Sai Ram! Sai Ram" for they had never worn such clothes before. We
realised in Grama Seva that loving alone is true living.

The inmates of the house opened the door saw us with the prasadam and suddenly explained "Oh no, wait!"
and we were taken aback. But then they told us "Ayya there is a room next to ours where our parents
stay. So please serve them first and then come to us." Reverence and respect for parents will never be
forgotten in our lives. Truly Indian culture lives in its villages!

Swami would be here waiting for us. We would just hide ourselves into His lap and He would shower us
with his smiles and Love. Truly weariness or sleep never came close to us because it was Love of the
Lord that was operating through us.

We were feeling thirsty. Even before we could express our need, an old woman came rushing from the
village with a pot of buttermilk and insisted that each of us have a glassful. Even though we tried to
resist, she persisted. It really left us with the question "Who was the giver and who really was the
receiver?" We received as much as we gave. In fact, more. In the words of Saint Francis we were but
"Channels of His Peace".

Amit and Sri Krishna : It was in one of the village that we came across a decrepit old woman ambling
across the street in a rather remarkable wheelchair. It was a sort of wheelchair, but suitably modified
to serve as her shelter and also means of transport. When we served her the prasadam, she gratefully
accepted it and then made a simple statement that left us stunned. She said that it was during a
previous function that Bhagavan had given her the very same special wheelchair that was now her sole
possession in life. He was again giving her prasadam thereby assuring her that even if no one else
cared, He did.

We got down and saw that there was no road, it was just a stony path and it was so narrow that no
vehicle could pass through it. Just then as we got down and were thinking what our next move should be,
some villages approached us. When they came to know of our problem, they did not lose any time. They
brought their bullock carts, put the prasadam into them and took it to the villages. It was so good !

This Grama Seva project has stood out as an ideal for all humanity to emulate. For it has taught us that
social service, should not be a "slowcial" service. For slowness in implementing noble thoughts never
brings harvest. It has further gone to show that social service should not be a "showcial" service for
it is not to show that we do, but that we do to sow the seeds of love and peace amongst us.

Summary of Presentation, Dr. M Sainath : At the outset, we would all like to state that Bhagavan's
invisible, yet visible hand was felt at every point of the project guiding and guarding us and for this,
we remain eternally grateful to Him. While the planning and the actual spadework took 15 days, the
actual execution of the project took 15 days. This remarkable speed was basically possible due to the
excellent discipline and coordination among the teams

The first point which we observed as felt with our heart was that love begets love. We saw this from the
open hearted welcome that all the villagers accorded to us and almost always the rather tearful farewell
that they bid us. It is often said that when getting makes a living, giving makes a life. These were
villagers who extended their hearts to us because their hearts were touched with the love of Bhagavan
who had given them so many projects for their upliftments, They wholeheartedly came forward to beg us to
let them become a part of this project, much as we tried to dissuade them from it. And this was a lesson
which we all leant from the Grama Seva.

A very notable feature of Grama Seva which we saw in the response of the villagers was the reverence
with which they accepted the prasadam. To them these were not material objects which were just given to
them out of pity. From the conception, the planning, execution in every stage the Divine name was
chanted. This in turn was a valid consequence of Namasmarana.

At the outset, this Grama Seva was an eye opener in the sense that it gave us a wholehearted view of the
selfless giving nature of Bhagavan. The second point under the lessons learnt is that we youth were
sensitized to the needs of the needy. There is much that the people around us need. Much of it at the
level of metaphysical rather than the material. A third very vital but critical point. We found that
contentment is the key to a happy life. none of them lost their sleep or worried over what they did not
have. What they did not have did not stop them from enjoying what little joys life had to give them.
This was a very big lesson that we learnt. Then come a point that details matter. If we look into the
minor details of today, a major disaster can be avoided during the execution if the plan tomorrow.
Another point which I wish to make here is that we learnt the important power of the name of the Lord.
importantly, it divinised the entire effort.

What lesson does Grama Seva offer to humanity? The first and the most important lesson is the quality of
the effort that matters and not the quantity. And this brings me to the next point - to serve with love.
And this means reaching out to one and all. The second lesson which Grama Seva has to offer is that of
Nishkama Karma.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the highest reward that we toil for is not what we get from the
effort. It is what we become from the effort. Bhagavan has often stated – "Each one of us works for
happiness. Whatever we do in hinged around the simple, single pointed objective of achieving happiness."
But when we try to bring happiness to some others, happiness comes to us by itself. This concludes our
presentation. Sai Ram and thank you.

"Wherever you serve, Swami is with you. Many have visited here many times, but there is no understanding of Swami's teachings. Talk lovingly and respectfully. Non-devotees will become devotees by our example. If we change, the world will change. Pray for peace and bliss. Modern man has limitless desires but still wants more. Help the deserving man. Use discrimination when giving money."

Swami - SSS VOL VII B Chap 38 P 260

Inspiring Talks On Seva

(From the proceedings of the Sri Sathya Sai International Seva Conference Seva Adoration Illumination from July 21 - 23, 2002 at Prasanthi Nilayam)

Seva Through Socio Care (Sri. Suresh Govind)

The other day I met a person who came to me, was very weak and tired with a bad
cough and so on. He says he goes to the gym twice, morning and evening. He said, "I go to the Gym and
watch other people exercise." That is one kind of activity. Mere observation of Seva activities cannot
bring direct benefit. It must be actual participation, really soaking ourselves in participation. If
Educare is to manifest Divinity from within and Medicare is to preserve the body so that Divinity can be
experienced then Sociocare must mean to manifest this divinity, manifest the consciousness of care and
concern for society at large. The Prime Minister has recently declared Malaysia a Muslim nation. In
fundamental Islamic nation you and I know how things can be, yet to move the agenda of Sathya Sai
forwards and to bring recognition from the Government and the people requires effort, strategy, action
plan and initiative. Strategy S, action plan A, I initiative its also SAI. The normal routine service
activities are there. We realised we need to give permanent legacies of Sai love and service of need
should be emphasised and should replace service of communions.

What can Sathya Sai be recognised for? So what is the greatest service Sai moment can do at this time?
We too looked at the newspaper just as Bhagavan did and how Swami looked the newspaper and responded to
the call of the lady. Therefore we took up a challenge. How can we regenerate Human Values in society?
How? We did pervasive Human Values programs. All these programs were done: Human Values drama & song
festival, Human Values cartoon competition, Human Values billboards, Human Values debate. Human Values
song festival, this is a crowd you can see, were about three thousand non Sai public people comprised of
Muslims, Christians, Hindus watching programs and this program was declared as a national event in the
year of peace many years back. We also went to the newspapers and did Human Values cartoon competition.
Human Value billboards on the streets asking people to respect parents and culture was also done.
Therefore over the years, Sathya Sai Organisation in Malaysia, what we did was we built curriculum
vitae. People realised that we are not just a spiritual group, but we are a Service organisation. We are
an inter faith group whereby you manifest the ideals that people saw, we mean what we say and we do what
we say as Baba said, "Be, Do, See and Tell". A Muslim king came to our function and graced Sathya Sai
function. Perhaps nowhere else maybe first time a Muslim king giving recognition to the efforts of the
Sathya Sai Organisation.

Every minister, every member of parliament, deputy prime minister, prime minister and the king has
mentioned something about Sathya Sai Organisation and said that the Sathya Sai’s contribution is
valuable and continue this nation’s building work. Were we happy? We were not happy. Therefore we walked
into a Mayor’s office and we asked the Mayor, "Which is your black area? Which is the highest drug area?
Which is the area that has highest gangster’s?" So the Mayor pointed one area in Kaula Lumpur. For three
years, a whole team of professionals, workers, social workers, Sathya Sai devotees, all gathered
together immediately after work we used to roll our sleeves and get into this particular area. This area
had about twenty eight thousand people, with majority of them Muslim Malays, Chinese Malays, Indians and
we walked into this area. We went there and we literally wore mere sandals and walked day and night.
They saw us physically manifesting our presence working with residents. We went at ten o’ clock at night
put our hands on potential drug addicts who were hanging around and made friends with them. We asked
them to form bands and they started to sing Human Value songs. the drug pushers began to see our
intention they began to give us threatening calls. Brother Jega said, "Don’t worry Swami is there. But
we still brought insurance." See one thing you must have is divine sense the other thing you must also
have is common sense. Every time after bhajans we used to chant, "Loka Samastha, Sukhino Bhavanthu" for
all those workers who were working in the field, so that they may return back as vertically as they went
in.

Suddenly they realised this program was too big, too grand. But then they realised we there are not
standing there for election. They saw the power of selflessness, immediately they responded to this
call. A Muslim minister who came to this particular function, we saw this, we opened Sai function there
with a Muslim prayer and there they are Nashiq (?) people praying for the welfare, the Muslim minister
declaring and asking Sathya Sai Organisation not to leave this area, continue this good work because
people are seeing the benefit of this. One thousand people came down, wore t-shirts and an anti drug run
manifested this will of fight against drugs. They are all painting these value messages, value themes,
Muslim children, Christian children, Hindu Children sitting there and painting value messages. Two
thousand people wore t-shirts and they did what they call "Nagar Sankeerthanan". We made banners, we
influenced by love. This whole two thousand people formed a big chain and this chain was the longest
human chain in Malaysia in Guiness book of records. This is the Sathya Sai gang leading the whole
congregation and then suddenly rain started to come. But we realised what was the greatest miracle in
the hight of the rain not one person moved from that particular place, everybody held their hands.

This deputy prime minister three hundred and fifty miles away was giving an elections speech at 3
o’clock he stops his speech at 4 o’clock, he jumps on his private jet, comes to this function declares
this function, gives his speech, folds his hands and says to Sathya Sai Organisation, "Never leave this
area, continue to be an asset nation building", jumps on his jet plane, rushes back three hundred and
fifty miles to conclude his election speech and if this is not a miracle what else is? At Baba’s 61 st
birthday he said, "Do not be like fire crackers, full of sound and noise. Become like fire works, let
the colours be seen in the skies above, adopt a village. When you adopt a village you adopt everything."

We were not happy. We looked at the newspaper, we suddenly saw school children declining, people are not
attending classes. So we implemented a program called "Star", Student Training in Attitude and
Responsibility. In the parliament there is a rule, no non-governmental organisation can ever enter into
a school. Finally seven months the Muslim head mistress came under the newspaper and she said it’s only
because of Sathya Sai’s Human Value program that my students who have been to fail got grade 1, grade 2
and grade 3, I thank the Sathya Sai Organisation. We now know this program works. Therefore this year
and subsequent years, we have asked Sai Centres in Malaysia now to adopt schools but schools of poor
students and take these students and change their lives.

I’ll just return back from International Conference in Barcelona. I went from booth to booth to place,
United Nations agency, U S agency, and every agency I talked about this. Everyone is talking about what
to do when they get HIV. What to do when they get AIDS. I said what do you do before you get AIDS and
HIV. Then we talked about this program. They were stunned. I said, "We are small non governmental
organisation we only got about 65 million people, that is a record." If we realise this, we find that as
an organisation we can respond there regard the Star program, this program like ABC as an anti HIV, anti
AIDS program. All these agencies are looking for modules, looking for people, looking for volunteers to
make things happen because the world is crying out that there is an epidemic of this nature and the only
way to arisen the way to arise is through value regeneration.

Swami said, "Forget mantra, forget yantra, forget seva, forget bhajan, just worship your parents and
your life will be redeemed." We implemented a vehicle. Vehicle called Parents Appreciation Vehicle.
There were lot of tears. In fact some of our volunteers kept wiping away the tears. For that’s an
exaggeration. Anyway, the program became successful. The ministry of family development says, "The
Sathya Sai Module is the module, we are willing to support, we are willing to come in any way". First we
must regard ourselves as an International Non-Governmental Seva Organisation. We must be prepared to
learn from all countries because if every nation start to invent it’s own wheel. We’ll take a long time.
So one major paradigm shift we must do. We must learn from everyone else. The resource must be shared.
All these manuals can be obtained using this particular email, you can contact this particular email for
all these programs we have created a CD, in which all these manuals are available.

Adoration: Developing Nearness And Kinship To God Through Seva -Sri Guillermo Elvira Vallejo>

Even though the moon, which has no light of its own, is able to project a great quantity of light to
help us by giving much more illumination than all the stars in the sky can do. What is the secret? The
secret is that the moon is so near to the source of light, the sun, and also, it is near to us on earth.
Swami says that God is much more brilliant than billions of suns. But if we keep ourselves separate from
Him, what light can we receive? Adoration is an attitude of Love and surrender to the object of
adoration. A subject is doing adoration, an object is being adored: Adoration is what counts.

In 1975 I started my studies in philosophy in the Catholic University of Theology in Valencia. About 24
years old, my mind was so exhausted one day, and I was so full of confusion and pain, that in some way
or another I had to finish with everything, but I didn’t know how. I slumped down onto the pavement.
There was nobody around. I felt totally defeated, and the only thing I could do was to cry and pray to
God. But all of a sudden, a man came around the corner of the street. He came slowly towards me; he cut
a very strange figure, dressed in an orange robe with a crown of black hair. What impressed me most was
the fact that He was barefooted, and that He had such small and beautiful feet. He was holding the robe
with His left hand. He was looking at me in such a sweet way a way, which I never had seen before. When
He was close to me He smiled, and this impressed me so much that all other thoughts disappeared in that
instant. I lowered my head. But my heart told me to get up and face this extraordinary figure. Now He
was not there any more. He had disappeared. I shared this experience with some of my friends, and
something in me told me not to worry, and that some day I would see Him again.

So, this demonstrate that: The subject doing the adoration is the individualized, limited, attached,
conscious, the mind. The object of adoration is God, the Totality, the All-Pervasive, Infinite Spirit.
The attitude of adoration in a spiritual sense is an attitude of the limited consciousness toward the
unlimited Infinite Spirit-the Inner Self-, God. So, we must raise this conscious mind upwards all the
timeHow can we do it? How to do it? Right conduct, bringing in correct information, do good, see good,
hear good, think good all the time. Then we learn to control the mind, bringing peace into ourselves, so
there is no anger, no hatred, no envy, no jealousy anymore. The conscious mind is raised automatically
towards the Higher Consciousness within ourselves and then we get to know the Truth of the Universe, the
Truth about everything, the real Truth, the Truth that does not change.

In the context of Seva, adoration is an attitude of in the context of the limited consciousness towards
the inner self as it is recognized in others. Service is an action of love and surrender towards the
Inner Self in others. In love and surrender no material reward is asked for only the reward of
recognition of the Inner Self in all the awareness of God in all and in the self. Service is performed
to exercise the attitude of adoration towards the Inner Self (God) in love and surrender without
material reward. We have to do certain activities in order to use time and skill to our best advantage.
That is our duty and the duty is God. Balanced people will be active they will not be affected by
success or failure, by reward or loss, by pain or by pleasure. The reward of service is the experience
of the awareness of God in the self and in all.

Going back to my own story: During the following years, I dropped all religious and spiritual activities
although once in a while I read the Bible. The social work was intense and really hectic. Somebody came
and asked me : "Have you heard anything about Sathya Sai Baba?" In this desperate moment I said out loud
to Sai Baba "If You are what they say You are, why don’t You provide us with a house, money to pay our
debts and some kind of transportation? If You help us I will come and thank You personally." to make a
long story short, that same day the owner, a lady, gave us the keys and told me not to worry about
money. One week later, a lady, who was unknown to us and very much impressed by the work we were doing
came to visit us and gave a donation. This covered all our debts. She later gave us some extra money and
told us to take a month’s vacation for the three of us to go anywhere we wanted to. A month later the
three of us were in Prashanti.

We came to Baba on March of 1994. And here I had the revelation of that strange person who had helped me
with His smile in the most desperate moment of my life about 13 years before, and who I had forgotten
about during all these years. I have been given also the opportunity to see at first hand how Swami
breathes and works through each one of his devotees while they do Seva.

Interaction / Workshop by Zones, Tuesday, July 23, 2002 - Dr. William Harvey

It was repeated many times by many people that before you embark upon service a clear and very thorough
needs assessment should be made. So we should use a formula where the concept is that we go from the
individual to our family to the Sai Center and then to the community. Some people fall ill, some people
are in a state of turmoil, someone may be dying and there are all kinds of service opportunities for us
to render to our members right in our centers. These certainly should be addressed, preferably before we
go out into the community. This brings in one extremely important objective and that is to – (and Swami
tells us this) - enlist and involve the participation of the recipients themselves and particularly
those in the community. 

We're not going to these projects to advocate and talk about our perspective,
our perceptions on Divinity. We're there to render service and we must first see what it is that the
individuals think is important for them. We have to behave in a manner that shows that we are practicing
what we preach. So if we don't show consideration and respect for the recipients, if we take a 'holier
that thou' kind-of attitude, we have a “them” and “us” kind-of orientation, then we're not really
practicing what we're trying to preach at all. It's often not good to raise hopes and aspirations. So
sustainability should be looked at before we embark on the project. There is some advantage in having
even one-shot service opportunities so that individuals, particularly new devotees may just do a
specific project to get them to reduce their anxiety, to get them to have a taste of what it means to do
service. We have come to a point where service as a Sadhana is beginning to be realized

Spirit of Seva - Sri. Dr. G Venkataraman

At Bhagavan's Lotus Feet. I must first of all apologise for not showing up at the right
time. Actually, I was trying to, but sometimes, I don't know whether it is God or man, these things
happen. I will be talking about the spirit of service and the inevitability of service that is to say
why we cannot escape service even if we try hard to. It is a very old and ancient concept and service
implies sacrifice. Sacrifice does not imply pain. It gives inner satisfaction when I sacrifice, I feel
happy within myself and when I feel happy within myself I experience bliss. Bliss does not have an
opposite- pleasure has an opposite which is pain. So if I sacrifice I elevate myself in a very simple
way from the dual to the non dual. It's a very simple trick please try it. I can guarantee success I've
experienced it. But you must love sacrifice. When you love sacrifice you love God.

There are many non-governmental organisations- NGO's as they are called, which are very active in
service. Let us not underrate them. We also serve. So the question is "Is there any difference between
them and us?". We call ourselves spiritual or spiritually inclined and we also serve. So the question is
"Should spirituality come first and service next or service come first and spirituality next?". Truly
speaking, service defined properly is an aspect of spirituality. Therefore as far as the Organisation is
concerned, spirituality is unquestionably the basis or the foundation. And service is the manifestation
of spirituality. It is like the superstructure of a building. We don't see the foundation but we see the
superstructure. So our Organisation must be visible to the outside world through the service that we
render but the basis is spirituality. Therefore, as far as the leaders and office-bearers of the
Organisation are concerned this is the order of priorities; spirituality first and service next. However
for the "ordinary people" we can change the sequence a little bit. We can say "Start with service, if
you like, then, that will lead you to devotion and finally wisdom". In fact this is the sequence in the
Bhagavad Gita. In fact that is what SAI is all about Service Adoration Illumination.

Service is very practical, it is very visible. If you go and tell a young fellow "Look that chap is
feeling thirsty why don't you give him some water" he will know what he is doing, he will feel some joy.
So, for a beginner you start with service, then make him enjoy service and then slowly he will start
loving God unknown to himself. Then he is on the road to bliss. You need not worry you catch hold of the
next sucker and take him to this path. Sai Ram. Sorry if I sound like a salesman. But do you know this
is the very way you have to talk to young people these days in the classroom?

Swami made this extremely clear. He said, "If you do the job for which you are paid properly,
conscientiously and you do what is expected of you, then that itself is service." So doing one's job
properly as a parent or as an office-worker or as a doctor is itself a service. That means that I should
not look at the rewards, I should not look at promotions, I should not look at salaries, I should not
look at press reports and things like that. That is what Nishkama Karma, a word which is bandied around,
is all about. So let us not imagine service means I must start soup kitchens and all that. I jolly well
have to do as Brother Kishin said yesterday. Service starts with doing the right thing for my body, for
my family, for my parents. In fact, doing one's normal duty with discipline and devotion can eliminate
many of today's problems as I have been mentioning.

Many people think that service is an Eastern concept. Service is neither Eastern, Southern, Northern nor
Western. Service is something that comes from the heart. Let us look at Florence Nightingale she was a
nurse in the Crimean War. But she became a legend. In fact I mention her name because I am told nurses
will be replaced by robots. I shudder to believe this is technology, this is tricknology, as Swami says.
I don't want robots. Robots can’t speak a kind word. You go to a hospital and see how the nurses are and
how the seva dals are. Now let us take Lord ???? Powell who founded the scout movement- what's the motto
of the scouts? We have to serve. And Swami served as a scout. So there are always wonderful people whom
God has sent as examples so let us not imagine that service was invented by us or our organisation. And
talking of duty to parents, two days ago we all saw the Vittala celebrated here by the people from
Maharashtra. The story goes like this; there was a young man who was very devoted to his parents who
were very old. God, had to wait for this man to serve his parents. I don't know the name of the British
General Sir Phillip Sydney or something like that. He was dying and he asked for a glass of water. A
glass of water was brought by an orderly. There was a sailor who was dying who said "Water! Water!".
This man said "Give that water to the other man" and he told the soldier "Thy need is greater than
mine". That's a fantastic story. Even at the moment of death he is able to serve. So let us not imagine
that I can't serve just because I am old. If I am old and I am lying down in bed in a hospital (God
forbid) then what we have to do is say "Sai Ram Sai Ram Sai Ram. Loka samasta sukhino bhavantu." That is
also service because nobody is praying for peace.

Swami says "You must aspire for liberation" and now He says "Why are you asking for Moksha?" He says it
is very selfish to ask for liberation. "You want to be liberated, what about the other people? Go and
serve man, go and serve. If you go and serve, God will come looking for you and say "Where are you My
dear devotee. Here is liberation- take it! Even if you don't want it!" Now Swami said it with such gusto
and power and passion I can't repeat it for you.

The story is of a Russian cobbler named Martin. He hears a voice which says "Martin, tomorrow I shall
come to you." At the end of the day Martin is very disappointed. He goes to a picture of Jesus and says
"Lord, what happened to your promise. You said You would come, You did not come." He heard a voice that
said "Martin I came three times but you did not recognise me." That is a story that Shirdi Baba taught
and that is a story that our Swami teaches. What is the message? God comes in innumerable forms and we'd
better learn to recognise and see God in others and that is an important aspect of service. This is the
message that Swami gave us at the beginning of the Grama Seva and at the end of the Grama Seva. He asked
us "Did you see yourself, did you see Swami in all the others?"

They said: "Man is a limb of society, society is a limb of nature and nature is a limb of God." The boys
gave an example of a man whose leg was pierced by a thorn and hands came to help. When I serve another
person I am really serving me. If we do our service projects like it was described earlier with that
spirit then we are distinctly different from all the NGO’s, in fact we are way above. The rest come out
of pity. We don't go there out of pity, we go out of compassion and something more, feeling of self. Mr.
Chinni Rao who was sent by Swami to Gujarat after the earthquake. He said there were all these many
service organisations but they did not know how to do service. They would stop their trucks and throw
the relief items such as blankets or food. We were not like that. We went to the villages, we pitched a
tent, we made a tent city for them. There are photographs which you can see in the exhibition next to
the Book Trust. And I have got a beautiful photograph of a Seva Dal having a boy seated on a chair and
combing his hair. Which NGO would do that in a village. So we must serve with the feeling that my fellow
human being is my own limb.

Krishna says: "Everything in the universe is linked. There is nothing that is not linked." Except man,
all entities are programmed to receive and give automatically. Except man. In the case of inanimate
objects this program is what we refer to in science as a law of nature. If the earth goes around the sun
we say that's a law of nature. It's a very convenient way of avoiding the word God. With respect to
animals and animate objects except man we say instinct. But this is Dharma whether you like it or not.
This is what Swami has told us. Man alone has the option to follow Dharma or violate Dharma. No other
species or entity in the whole Cosmos has got this. Man alone has this. If we follow the senses we can
take it for granted, we can bet that we will violate Dharma. But if we follow the heart then we will
follow Dharma. Eco-imbalance cannot be created by the dinosaur or the ant or the elephant or the tiger.
None of them can do it because they are not programmed to do it. We alone have the decision power to
follow Dharma or violate Dharma and we alone can cause this pollution. And moral degeneration is the
worst form of pollution that man alone can do and no one else can do. This is ridiculous and scandalous
because man has been created in the image of God. Is this way you respect God? Is this the way you adore
God? Is this the way we love God. Is this the way we serve God? Service is man's Dharma and service is a
must.

Question: "Man has broken the chain so how do you fix it? How do you repair it?" Answer: Ok that's a
good question. Let me see if I can come up with a good answer. The answer is very simple. The repair
manual has already been written by Swami. I suggest we all read and go and fix it. That's all. Service
is the answer.

Valedictory Session by Sri Indulal Shah

The first quarter century of the next millennium should see the awakening of the Sathya Sai world. It
should be the most sacred privilege of every devotee to participate in this unprecedented global mass
movement of spiritual reawakening in the world. For this target, we have to cease to be a Sai
Organisation, but make it a Sai Movement. Movement means rapid spread of influence of educare and role
of values in the human workshop. Many societies are rich in worldly terms, but poor in love and
spirituality. There is often moral hunger in such places. Meeting this vital need is also the service.

Vision without action is a dream. Action without vision would become a nightmare. But vision and action
can change the entire world. No organization can be successful if it does not have a well thought out
frame work of succession. The old order must continuously make way for the new. The elders in Sri Sathya
Sai World Organisation must consciously devote their time and energy in grooming Sai youth to take
positions of higher responsibility. The elders should progressively transfer organizational
responsibility to the Sai youth while assuming an advisory role to guide the progress of organizational
activities.

Therefore we, as the leaders of the Sathya Sai Organization, always need to remember this great message
of Bhagavan’s which says “There is no mistake in creation. The mistake is only in our vision.” Even
today when the revolution has begun, we Sai devotees numbering several millions, belonging to different
faiths, cultures, nationalities and scattered all over the globe feel a strong bond of Divine kinship to
one another, which we rightly call the Sai Family.

Thy Mission will still be achieved. But the Lord will let us share great bliss of seeing this happen
from very close quarter being participants in this great revolution movement of mankind. On behalf of
all delegates Bhagavan, I offer our gratefulness and million salutations at Your Lotus Feet. Sai Ram.

Dear delegates. Before I leave, I wish to request you to leave one vice and replace it with one virtue
from the Divine Wealth. Sai Ram. 

Valedictory Session by Sri C. Srinivasan
In life, to give education to one being is considered an act of great merit, of great kindness, of great
illumination. I always remember my late father who used to remember a gentleman who used to educate him
till his very last breath. As against this, we have Swami who for four decades has in a formal sense
educated tens of thousands of young boys and girls, many of whom who have received the secular and
formal form of education sit in positions, sit in places which but for Swami’s grace and kindness, which
but for his beneficence and magnificence they never ever would have dreamt of sitting. Apart from the
formal, secular form of education that these boys and girls over generations have learned, what they
have learned is a new illumination, a new enlightenment, a new attitude, a new perspective of life, an
education that stirs your soul, an education that moves your spirit, an education that touches the very
core essence of your being. When that touching happens, suddenly, a beautiful dawning happens. This is
something that money can never ever buy. This is something that no university, no organization can ever
confer.

Bhagawan for seven decades, 70 years of his physical frame, has been holding court, has been holding
his classroom in this magnificent class room of the world that we all sit in. Virtually the entire
humanity, has at some point of time, has in some manner or the other, learned from His message, learned
from His dictums, learned from His life. Civilization hangs in the balance. For what I become, the world
of tomorrow will be. Sisters and brothers I am your child. It is to this child that we want to dedicate
the future of the Sai Mission. It is to this child who would be the citizen of tomorrow that we want to
dedicate the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School. The Sri Sathya Sai Prathamika Patashala.

There is no organization worth its salt in the world today which can address this issue of primary
education other than Swami’s Organization. I say this because in you is the devotion to Bhagavan which
is the cardinal requirement. Every little town in this world is orating Swami’s name and when such a
spread exists as Brother Indulal Shah said, we are no longer an Organization, we are a movement. Our
children do not know what it is to be clean. Our children do not know what sanitation is. The Sri Sathya
Sai Primary School will be the place where medical awareness will also be brought in. And finally, the
Sri Sathya Sai Movement will create from this edifice a movement for generations to come where men and
women who will from children take Swami’s message on their lips.

At a micro-level, the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School is not ambitious. It is a two room, one office
block, or a four room one office block as the need requires. These are labours of love. What is the
difference between work and a labour of love? When this building is created it’s not just work it is a
labour of love because the vibrations, the spirit, the love with which these buildings are made,
permeate, percolate into the very beings of each and every one of us who sits here. Generations of those
children will know with what love, with what kindness these buildings were made. You will live to see
that. It would be need-based, it would be on a capacity to run, it will involve villager participation,
it will ensure proper community participation. A pilot start of this project will be made in Grama Seva
2002 by the Institute. I am doing this with and without Swami’s permission. As a pilot project we will
take up ten schools in Puttaparthi, Bukkapatnam and Kothacheruvu Mandal as a start.

Every time I know, it is said when it hurts it instructs, but unfortunately when it hurts Him it
instructs us. This is a paradox. I have seen Him with this physical discomfiture so many times – and
every time it baffles me. The moment we have to endure physical pain, we immediately adopt the supine
position. We like to sleep. With Swami, He undergoes it. He endures it. He withstands it. He transcends
it and He thrives on it. He uses His pain to teach us to live. He makes use of His pain to translate His
love to all of us. I have never ever seen anything like this in my life, I am sure none of you have. To
this what can I give back? What can my brothers and sisters in the Institute give back? Swami I want to
give this Organization a motto and that is “Our heart beats for Sai.” Sai Ram and God bless and finally,
our hearts beat for SAI!

"Why do we read so much? Are we practicing anything? Sai stands for practice. You don't have to do a lot, but practice at least 1 or 2. Are we doing this? No! Do at least one. There is no need for publicity about it."

- Swami, interview to USA devotees, 27 July 2002

(Most of the Swami photos on this page were sent by Bombay Srinivasan)