Easwaramma Day 2004 Discourse

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Easwaramma Day 2004 DISCOURSE

(Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on 06th

May at Sai Ramesh Krishan Hall)

"When man emerges out of his mother’s womb He has no garland of any kind around

his neck: Neither of pearls nor of gold, nor a necklace of topaz Or of rubies

or other precious gems There is, however, one garland carrying The unbroken

link of the consequences of The good and bad deeds of the past lives strung

together Brahma, the creator, strings together the consequences of his past

deeds into a heavy garland and puts it around his neck at the time of his

birth"

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Love!Every individual has four Gurus in this world. The Vedas

proclaim "Mathrudevo bhava, Pithrudevo bhava, Acharyadevo bhava, Athithidevo

bhava", which means the mother, father, teacher, and the guest are to be

considered as God. Among the four, the mother is the first and the foremost

guru. There are several inner meanings to the teachings of the mother. A true

disciple is one who meticulously follows the mother’s instructions. The mother

may appear to be an ordinary individual like any other, but when you delve deep

into her teachings, you will realize that she is a great guru (teacher). But,

those who are not on the spiritual path, may take all this lightly.Once, mother

Eswaramma was returning from Chitravathi river with a vessel full of water. An

old woman was walking along with her with great difficulty, unable to bear the

burden of the vessel filled with water. Eswaramma enquired "Mother! Are you

feeling difficulty in carrying the vessel full of water?" The old woman who was

perspiring and unable to keep pace with her replied, "Yes, mother! I am unable

to carry this vessel for such a long distance. But, I have no children to help

me in this task. I myself have to carry this vessel full of water everyday".

These words of agony were imprinted on the mind of Eswaramma. After walking for

some distance, she saw a small boy holding a slate and pencil in one hand and

carrying a heavy load of books in a bag hanging round his neck. He was unable

to walk, but he had to continue his journey to the Bukkapatnam School.

Eswaramma enquired of the boy, "My dear son! What for are these slate and

pencil? Why are you carrying such a heavy load of books?". The small boy

replied "Mother, I am carrying these books so that I can note down all that the

teachers teach me". Eswaramma kept all these incidents in her mind. After

walking for some more distance, she came across a frail lady carrying her

infant child on her shoulders proceeding towards Bukkapatnam. Eswaramma again

enquired of this lady, "you appear to be frail and weak, unable to carry the

child. Why should you to have to walk such a long distance up to Bukkapatnam?"

The lady replied "Mother! What else can I do? There is no doctor in this remote

village who can give some medicine for my child. He is suffering from cold and

fever. I have to take him to the Bukkapatnam hospital". This incident also made

an imprint on the mind of Eswaramma.There used to be a mother and small child in

a remote village near Kolkata. As soon as the child was born, the father died.

The mother somehow brought up the child with the meagre income, she earned by

doing some odd jobs. There was not even a lamp in the house for the boy to

study during the night. He used to sit under the street lights and study. Thus,

he continued his studies with great difficulty and earned a high degree of

qualification. That little boy blossomed into the legendary Eswarachandra

Vidyasagar.Once, a fair was being held in Kolkata. Eswarchandra’s mother also

started out to visit the fair, wearing a worn-out sari. He saw her pitiable

condition. While everybody else was going to the fair wearing expensive

clothes, Vidyasagar could not bear the sight of his mother going to the fair

wearing a worn-out sari. He asked, "Mother! Why are you going to the fair

wearing such a worn-out sari?" The mother replied "My dear son! I am happy with

whatever I have. Please do not worry. You continue with your studies and come up

in life". A few years after this incident, Vidyasagar completed his studies. He

was able to secure a good job with a decent salary. He bought some good saris

for his mother with his first month’s salary. Then, his mother told him "I will

not be really happy with these costly saris. If you help these poor people in

our village and alleviate their suffering at least to some extent, that is

enough for me". She further expressed that she had three desires. Immediately,

Vidyasagar fell at her feet and prayed, "Mother! It is my duty to fulfill your

desires. It is the responsibility of a son to fulfill the desires of his mother

and make her happy. Please let me know what your desires are". The mother

replied "My dear son! There are several poor, uneducated and sick people in our

village. Who will alleviate their suffering? I will be really happy, only when

you can remove their difficulties. The children in this village have to walk

long distances and go to the neighbouring village for studies. I am really

moved at their pitiable condition. Should they have to undergo so many

difficulties for the sake of education? I want you to build a small school in

this village itself so that these children can comfortably study here".

Vidyasagar built a small school in his village, as per the wishes of his mother

and she was happy. On another day, Vidyasagar found his mother sitting in a

pensive mood and enquired what the reason was. She told him, "My dear son! The

people of our village are suffering a lot for want of drinking water. They have

to fetch the water from long distances, walking all the way. The well in our

village has completely dried up. How can old ladies like me fetch water from

such a long distance? If you can arrange for the digging of a well in our

village, it will be a great boon for them. This is my second desire".

Vidyasagar assured her, "Mother! I will certainly fulfil your desire. I will

try to solve the drinking water problem in our village". Initially, he got two

or three bore wells sunk in the village, but they were not of much use. The

bore wells were able to supply water only during the rainy season. During

summer, they used to dry up, yielding not even a drop of water. Therefore, the

mother advised him to find a permanent solution for the problem. Then,

Vidyasagar arranged for digging a big well and solved the problem of water

scarcity permanently. His mother was happy. After sometime, Vidyasagar got a

promotion in his job. His salary also increased. Then, he approached his mother

and enquired, "Mother! What is your third desire?" She replied "My dear son! You

have built a school. You have provided drinking water to the villagers. But, the

mothers in our village are compelled to take their children whenever they fall

sick, to the neighbouring village for treatment. I am unable to see their

plight. Hence, I will be happy if you can arrange to build a small hospital in

our village". In accordance with his mother’s wish, Vidyasagar got a hospital

built in his village. Thus, he fulfilled all the desires of his mother in due

course.Gradually, he reached a high position in his career due to his good

behaviour. His salary was also increased commensurate with the high position.

In spite of that, he continued to be humble and obedient and thereby earned a

good name for himself. One day, his mother called him and advised him, "My dear

son! I am happy that you have attained a very high position in life. But, do not

become arrogant".For some people,

Excessive wealth gives rise to ego which in turn paves way the for many wicked

qualities. When wealth leaves you, ego also vanishes and as a result the evil

qualities disappear.

(Telugu Poem)

However, this was not the case with Vidyasagar. He cultivated the quality of

humility along with education. He earned a good name for himself as a great

orator. Educated people in large numbers used to flock round him to hear his

speeches. Once a meeting was arranged in a neighbouring town and Vidyasagar was

to address the gathering. Vidyasagar started for that town. An ICS officer was

traveling in the same compartment in which Vidyasagar was travelling. The

officer was going to that town to hear Vidyasagar’s speech. However, he had

only heard his name, but had never seen him before. As soon as the officer

alighted from the train, he started shouting "Coolie! Coolie!". On seeing this,

Vidyasagar approached him and enquired what luggage the officer had. The officer

replied that he had only a small suitcase. Then Vidyasagar asked him, "Is it

necessary for you to engage a coolie to carry this small suitcase? I will carry

it for you. But, where are you going?". The officer replied, "I understand that

a great scholar and orator by name Eswarchandra Vidyasagar is going to deliver

a speech. I am going to attend his speech".Vidyasagar then took the suitcase

into his hands and started walking along with the officer. Both of them reached

the venue of Vidyasagar’s lecture. There, Vidyasagar handed over the suitcase to

the officer. The officer then took out his purse and enquired how much money he

had to pay Vidyasagar as porterage charges. Vidyasagar politely refused his

offer saying, "Sir! You have given me an opportunity to serve you. I don’t need

anything more". He silently walked away from that place. Considering Vidyasagar

to be a madcap, the officer proceeded to the venue and sat in the audience. The

organizers of the function were waiting to garland Eswarchandra Vidyasagar on

his arrival. In a few minutes Vidyasagar arrived there, dressed in very simple

clothes. He was accorded a warm welcome and profusely garlanded by the

organizers of the function. The officer who was observing this welcoming

ceremony realized to his utter astonishment that the person who had carried his

suitcase from the railway station was none other than Eswarachandra Vidyasagar

himself. He felt ashamed. He reverentially offered his pranams to this great,

yet humble individual, in his heart of hearts. Then Vidyasagar began his

speech. He explained that humility is the foremost quality of an educated

person. He said, pride and arrogance are the result of excessive wealth and

consequently such a person loses the fundamental quality of human nature. After

the conclusion of the programme, the ICS officer met Vidyasagar and offered his

sincere apologies for his mistake. He pleaded with Vidyasagar "Sir, your speech

was a great eye opener for me. I behaved arrogantly due to the pride that I am a

highly educated person. Please excuse me".In course of time, Vidyasagar’s

reputation as a scholar and orator increased by leaps and bounds. He continued

to do great service to the people. He got several poor students educated. He

provided drinking water to several villages, where there were no such

facilities. His mother felt very happy that her son was doing great service to

the poor and needy. She prayed to God that every mother should be blessed with

such noble children.Similarly, Sathya Sai has undertaken several community

welfare activities in Puttaparthi like constructing residential houses for the

poor, educating their children, providing drinking water to the villagers etc.,

as per the wishes of His mother. What the mother expressed in those days were

small desires. But, in course of time, they assumed the form of gigantic

projects and created history. Mother Eswaramma was very happy at the great

service rendered by Swami to the villagers. She expressed with satisfaction,

"My dear son! You built houses for the poor, You solved the drinking water

problem for the villagers, You provided electricity to the village which was

reeling under darkness. Not only that, You have also built a school and a

hospital. You have fulfilled all my desires". She felt extremely happy that her

son had undertaken and completed such great tasks. She used to tell the ladies

gathering round her, "I requested Swami to build a small school in Puttaparthi

village. But, Swami established a great educational institution in its

place."Thus, the humble wishes of the mother transformed themselves ultimately

into great projects providing immense benefit to the humanity at large. What

the country needs today is children, who follow the teachings of their mothers.

The teachings of the mothers may appear to be very simple and insignificant;

but, in course of time, they provide great happiness. Eswaramma’s desires were

very simple! She wanted drinking water to be made available to the small

village of Puttaparthi. But, Swami provided drinking water to the entire

district of Ananthapur. She wanted Me to build a small school. But, Sathya Sai

built huge buildings and established great educational institutions. In those

days, villagers used to suffer due to lack of basic medical facilities.

Therefore, Mother Eswaramma requested Me to build a small hospital. But, Swami,

built great temples of healing, the Sathya Sai Super Specialty Hospitals, one in

Puttaparthi and another in Bangalore. Thus, the small wishes of the mother

resulted in the establishment of great institutions.Embodiments of love!You

need not follow anybody. It is enough, if you engage yourself in activities

that would satisfy your mother. If your mother is happy and contented, that

will confer great blessing on you. Whatever your mother says, obey her command

willingly and sincerely. That is what is required today! Obey your mother and

become recipients of her love. Then the whole world will progress. You need not

undertake any other acts of merit. Sacrifice your entire life to satisfy your

mother. It is only because Sathya Sai fulfilled the wishes of His mother and

provided satisfaction to her, His glory has spread far and wide.Sathya Sai has

built great Hospitals and provided expensive medical treatment absolutely free

to everyone, right from the poorest of the poor to the richest. In the field of

medical services, there are no institutions anywhere in the world which can be

compared to Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. In this hospital,

medicines, operations, food - everything is provided free of cost. Nobody is

able to comprehend how we are able to provide all these things free of cost in

the present day scenario of sky-rocketing costs. Unfortunately, people are not

able to realize the great value of the services being rendered by our

hospitals. Today, many hospitals advertise their facilities through electronic

media, attract people and loot them of their hard earned money and even go to

the extent of causing death to patients by negligence. This is not right. The

poor people should be given free food, free education, free water and free

medicine. There can be no greater service than providing all these services

free of cost. I wish that all the students, past and present, should undertake

such services. We are not collecting even a paisa from our students, as fees.

The Sathya Sai Educational Institutions provide education totally free of cost.

People have to spend huge amounts for acquiring higher education in other

institutions. But, our students need not spend any amount for their education

here. I am providing totally free education from KG to PG to all the students

who come here with love and great expectation. In fact, all our services are

provided with loving care and free of cost. The Sikh student, who spoke

earlier, tried his best for a long time to acquire higher education. But, he

could not pursue his higher studies, due to paucity of funds. Hence, he took up

employment on a meagre salary. Later on, he joined our college and earned his

MBA degree. Now, he is contributing his services to the hostel as a grateful

offering to Swami. There are several students like him, who are undertaking

service activities in Swami’s Institutions. The boy who spoke after him hails

from Delhi. He also had great expectations to pursue higher education, but had

no funds. He joined our Institution and qualified himself with an MBA degree in

first class. All this is free of cost. Since then, he remained here in the

service of Swami. He has decided to dedicate his life to the Institution which

produces such boys. Thus, all the students of the Sathya Sai institutions have

been cultivating broad-mindedness and the spirit of service. All our students

are broad-minded. You do not find any narrow-minded students here. They are

filled with love and behave among themselves like brothers. It is My endeavour

to train such ideal boys and girls. It is My wish that all our students should

willingly undertake free service activities to the society with a spirit of

love and sacrifice.Many of our students are working in highly paid jobs in big

cities like Delhi and Agra. In fact, top companies in India are seeking the

services of our students, offering them high-salaried jobs. Our students

working in these places are also undertaking service activities like providing

free tuitions to poor students. Wherever they are, our students are undertaking

various service activities with a spirit of sacrifice and broad-mindedness.

Education is not mere bookish knowledge. Developing broad-mindedness, spirit of

sacrifice, sharing one’s resources willingly with the fellow members of the

society and making them happy - these are the true qualities of an educated

person. There are several such students in Prasanthi Nilayam who are happy and

contented by undertaking service to society. My main task is to prepare such

boys and girls. I am providing everything that is required for them. I am even

sending them abroad for higher education, if necessary. Dr. Padmanabhan who is

sitting here may be known to all of you. He qualified as a doctor at a very

young age and wanted to set up a small clinic here in Bangalore. I called him

and told him, "Doctor! You must acquire higher degrees in medicine. You should

not stop your education with the present degree. Your family circumstances may

not be conducive to pursue higher education. But, I am with you. I will provide

for your higher education". One day, I called him for dinner and later sent him

to Vienna for higher education in medicine. Accordingly, he went abroad and

obtained higher degrees in medicine. After his return, he is now doing

wonderful service in Brindavan. He is not money-minded. The great name he has

acquired in Swami’s service is all that matters to him. Can there be greater

wealth than a good name? He serves the poor. Even though he has undergone a

heart surgery, he continues to serve the poor and sick patients. Thus, Swami

has moulded him as a loving, soft-hearted and selfless individual with a sacred

heart and prompted him to serve several people.Our students, in spite of being

highly qualified, are very unassuming and without ego. They subsequently take

up teaching jobs in our educational institutions. It is My firm resolve to

foster such noble souls.There may be some minor ailments now and then to this

body. However, they do not bother Me. They are natural to the human body. Last

year, one boy was decorating colour buntings to the door, standing on an iron

stool. Meanwhile, I opened the door and came out from My room. As soon as he

saw me, he became nervous and fell down from the stool. As he was falling, the

iron stool got tilted and fell on Me. That was the time when My hip bone was

fractured. That is how it happened. It is not due to any past karma. I did not,

however, mind My injury. Yesterday, as I was entering My room, I casually took

the support of a brick projection from the wall. The brick, however, got

loosened and fell down on the floor. Consequently I also fell down, landing

heavily on the wrist. It was an accident. But, I have to perform My duty, come

what may. Of course, accidents do happen due to past karma, but this incident

is not of that kind. It is due to My mistake, which was inadvertent. Such

disruptions may happen now and then, but , no disease can ever afflict Me. I

carry on My work unmindful of such incidents.There are seven boys here. All of

them did their post graduation. They want to stay with Swami permanently, doing

service here. I am looking after them. I told them "My dear children! You must

progress in your education. You need not depend on your parents for this. I

will take care of all your requirements. You study well and come out with

flying colours. Set an example to others". Thus, I am making arrangements for

their higher studies. I always help others and do not cause inconvenience to

anybody. As for Myself, I will never be afflicted with any disease whatever.

Some minor incidents may happen. But, I will carry on My work, unmindful of

such incidents. Yesterday, when I fell down, there was a loud noise and people

present there were very much afraid that some major accident had taken place.

They thought to themselves - "What has happened to Swami! Till recently, He was

not able to walk properly due to the hip fracture. Now He has sustained an

injury to His hand. What a misfortune has befallen us!" But, I consoled them

saying that nothing serious had happened and they need not worry. The devotees

have arranged a meeting here, in which I had to participate. I do not like to

desist from performing My duty, whatever may happen to this body. Therefore, I

agreed to come here. I put on My dress. The students arranged a shawl to cover

My gown, so that I may not be inconvenienced with the bandaged arm. The doctors

however advised Me not to move. They were right in their advice. But, I

volunteered to come down against the doctor’s advice, with the help of two

boys. Since, I love My boys so much, they also love Me with the same intensity.

They are constantly in attendance on Me and look after Me. (As per Swami’s

instructions, some boys stood up. Showing them to the audience, Swami said).

These boys have come from far off places like Delhi and other cities and

studied here in Brindavan and Prasanthi Nilayam. They are all staying with Me

and doing great service to Me. This problem is not something that can be cured

with medicines. Their love itself is working as a great medicine for Me. Their

love alone is protecting Me in different ways. (Again pointing towards a

student…)This boy did his PhD. All these boys are highly educated. Still they

would like to stay back and serve Swami. There are some more boys inside

Swami’s residence. For example, Sathyajit and some other boys are constantly in

attendance on Me as a shadow and are looking after Me. Such boys are My only

property. Several people ask Me, "Swami! How much is the value of your

property? Where is it located?". I tell them "My dear! I cannot say that the

value of My property is this much. My students are My property. It cannot be

estimated in terms of money. Any amount of description of the love of My boys

will be incomplete". I cannot remain for a single day without this property.

They also cannot live without the loving care of Swami. These boys are setting

a great example to the world by their service. Seva (selfless and loving

service) alone confers great value on the educated. I cannot describe the

amount of service they render, so lovingly. No one can adequately estimate and

express in words the loving nature of our students. No one can understand their

broad-mindedness. Outwardly, they appear like any other students. But, each one

of them is highly educated, with double post-graduate degrees. Such boys can

render great service to the world. They are serving Me in various ways.

Sravanam (listening), Kirtanam (singing), Vishnusmaranam (contemplating on

Vishnu), Padasevanam (serving His Lotus Feet), Vandanam (salutation), Archanam

(worship), Dasyam (servitude), Sneham (friendship), Atmanivedanam

(self-surrender).They are expressing their total and unconditional love towards

Me in the nine paths of devotion described above.The doctors advised Me bed

rest. In spite of that, I decided to fulfill My commitment to My devotees.

Having known My firm resolve, the boys stitched a shawl to cover My robe and

brought Me down stairs. This service may appear to be a small and insignificant

one. But, if you enquire into the matter deeply, you will understand that it is

very difficult to get this opportunity to serve Swami in this way. It is only

because of their loving care, I am able to come down without much

inconvenience, to speak to you. Is it really possible in My present condition?

In fact, it is their pure love that brought Me down here. These boys have good

character along with good education. The service rendered by the boys here or

in the Primary School or Higher Secondary School or other institutions in

Puttaparthi, is beyond description. Even little boys in these Institutions

behave well. I am standing before you today to describe the good qualities of

My students; otherwise, I had no intention to give a discourse. The students

are doing great service to the society, as per My advice. I exhort the new

entrants who join the Institution this year, to cultivate noble qualities, be

healthy and happy and humble like these boys and render good service to the

society. I conclude My discourse with blessings to one and all.

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