His Story - 7(a)

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the time I completed the job of fetching water from the canal in the morning, it

used to be 9 o’ clock already. Immediately, I used to partake of some ambali and

rush to the school. Ambali is a sort of diluted ragi sankati that was left over

the previous night, to which a little salt will be added for taste. In those

days, there were no tiffins like idly, dosa, vada, upma etc., or potato kurmas

for breakfast. It was the practice in most houses to partake of some rice that

was left over the previous night, mixed with a small quantity of pickle. There

used to be wooden desks in our class for the children to sit. They were

prepared in such a model that the students can keep their books underneath a

plank and write their notes etc. with the support of the plank above. They can

also sit comfortably on the bench attached to the desk. In our desk, I used to

sit in the middle and two boys named Ramesh and Suresh on either side of Me.

Ramesh was the

son of a Sirasthadar (a revenue official of the State Government). Only the

three of us used to get first class in every examination. A village fair used

to be held on a big scale every year in a place called Pushpagiri which was

located in between Kamalapuram and Cuddapah. The Drill Teacher in our school

who was also the Scout Master, insisted that all the children must compulsorily

participate in the scout camp and help the people visiting the fair. He also

instructed that that all of us shall provide ourselves with a pair of khaki

shirt and knicker, alongwith a leather belt and a whistle. He told us that all

the children should be ready with the scout uniform in a week’s time. He issued

an order that all the children shall go to Pushpagiri and serve as scout

volunteers in the fair being held there. How can I procure all these items? I

don’t have even a paise in My pocket. Neither I can approach My parents for

this purpose, since they themselves were short of money then. In those days, a

person having a ten rupee note in his pocket was considered to be a wealthy

person. If one had a hundred rupee note, he was verily a millionaire! The

father of this body gave Me two annas, at the time of My coming over to

Kamalapuram to join the school here. In those days, two annas was a big money.

It had great value. Since My father belonged to a poor family, he could give Me

only two annas. I could manage the last six months of My stay here, with those

two annas. I had absolutely no money left with Me. I was the monitor of My

class, then.

Hence, as a matter of convention I had also to be the leader of our scout group.

Following this convention, the Drill Master ordered Me to lead the scout camp at

Pushpagiri, without fail. He told Me “you must be ready by such and such date.

You must bring these children, fully prepared.” My problem was “how can I

attend the scout camp without the uniform? “I thought over the matter deeply.

In fact, I used to have only one pair of clothes – a shirt and a knicker, for

the entire year. As soon as I come home, I used to wrap a towel around My body

and wash My school dress clean. I had not money to get the dress ironed by a

dhobi (washerman). Hence, I used to put some live embers in a small brass

vessel and iron the clothes. Therafter, I used to keep them under a trunk for

pressing. The next day I used to wear those pressed clothes an go to the

school. Thus, after continuous “Wash and wear”, the clothes were worn out and

gave away here and there. I did not have money even to buy a safety pin. I used

to join the torn parts with a cactus nail. Since I was thus managing with one

shirt and knicker for the entire year, how can I afford to purchase a new pair

of khaki shirt and knicker for this scout camp? I could not also say that I

will not attend the camp. Moreover, it will be damaging for the honour and

prestige of the family to admit that we cannot afford to purchase a khaki dress

for the scout camp. I was in a real dilemma as to what to do in the

circumstances. I thought over the matter carefully and devised a plan to tide

over the situation. I informed My classmates “I am not feeling well. Hence, I

cannot attend the scout camp.” I took care, however not to reveal this ploy to

the Teacher. I selected a boy among the students to be My

assistance and told him “you lead these boys to the scout camp. I will come

later. But, the children refused to attend the camp in My absence. They

protested in one voice “Raju! If you are not attending the camp, we will also

stay back.” Not only that, they even came to our house and started pressurising

Me to lead them to the scout camp. They did not leave Me alone even in the

classroom. It had come to a stage where I was unable to withstand their

pressure. My classmate and benchmate Ramesh who was the son of a Sirasthadar

could understand My predicament well. He was of the same size as I was. He went

to his father and requested him “Father! I like the khaki dress very much.

Please get two pairs of khaki shirt and knicker stitched for me.” His intention

in asking for two paris was to give Me one. He was really fortunate in

entertaining such noble ideas of helping his friend and classmate. Such type of

samskara (noble thoughts) comes to a person from previous births. Ramesh,

however, did not reveal his plan either to Me or his father. Since he was the

only son to his father and his father was a well-to-do person, he got two pair

of khaki shirt stitched as per his request. Ramesh then got one pair of khaki

shirt and knicker packed in a newspaper and put it in My desk alongwith a small

chit. He wrote in the chit “Raju! I am like your younger brother. If you do not

accept this dress, I will commit suicide by throwing myself under a moving

train. Please therefore, accept this dress without-fail.” I noticed this packet

and chit in My desk. I took out the chit and tore it into pieces. I wrote

another chit. “It is true that you are like My brother. However, the friendship

between us cannot last longer if it is based on a ‘give and take’ relationship.

Such type of relationship cannot be a permanent one. Ours is a ‘heart-to-heart’

and ‘love for love’

relationship. If you really wish that our friendship shall last forever, you

should not do such things. If friendship between two individuals is to develop,

only love is to be exchanged between them, not articles. If articles are

exchanged, love ceases to exist. Hence, if you wish that the friendship between

us shall not be affected, you take away this dress.” Ramesh felt very sorry on

reading My letter. However, he could not disregard My feelings. He, therefore,

took back the dress. The children in those days never used to disobey My

command. Several boys keep their study tables very unorganized, with the

books strewn all over. They make it clumsy and dirty. But, I used to keep My

books always neat and tidy. In those days, very few boys were in a position to

purchase

new books when they were promoted to a higher class. Every four or five years,

the text books were being changed. I always used to keep My books neat, like

new books. Hence, boys studying in the lower standard who were promoted to the

higher standard, used to take My books. During a particular year, a poor boy

approached Me and requested for My books. I showed all My text books to him. In

those days there used to be high syllabus even for lower classes, in subjects

like History, Geography, Civics etc. On seeing My books, he commented “Raju!

you don’t seem to have touched your books at all! They appear to be brand new.’

I told him “My habits and behaviour keep them like new books.” The cost of My

books totaled to twelve rupees. But the poor boy was not in a position to pay

even that much. Then I told him “My dear! I am selected by our Teacher for the

scout camp. I have to purchase khaki dress and shoes. Besides, there are other

items of expenditure. I don’t have money to incur that

expenditure. Nor I would like to ask My parents. What I need at the moment is

five rupees. Therefore, pay Me five rupees and take away these books”. The boy

felt very happy and immediately paid the amount. In those days, currency notes

were very rare. Therefore, he paid the entire amount in small coins, packed in

a piece of cloth. It was tied in an old cloth, which gave way unable to bear

the weight of the coins. The coins were strewn all over the room, making a big

sound. On hearing the sound, the lady of the house came there and enquired

“Where did you get all the money? Did you steal from my trunk?” So saying, she

slapped Me. The poor boy witnessing this incident explained to her “Mother! I

gave those coins to Raju towards the cost of his books, which I purchased from

him.” She did not believe his words and took away all the money. The next

day, all My classmates were going to Pushpagiri where a cattle fair was being

held to participate in a scout camp. I told My teacher that I would start in

the next morning and join the group. Early in the morning, I set out on My

journey by walk. I walked a long distance and before I could join My

colleagues, they had left for their breakfast. As for Myself, I did not have

even a paisa in My pocket. What do I eat for My breakfast? I thought I would

manage somehow without eating anything. I purposely avoided my classmates then,

lest they might enquire whether I had breakfast. My classmates were, however,

searching for Me, making enquiries, “Did Raju come?” There was a masonry tank

nearby in which water was stored for bathing the cows and buffaloes. The water

was very dirty. But, what can I do? In those circumstances, that dirty water

itself is ganga! I was feeling very tired, hungry and thirsty, having walked

all the way. I, therefore, washed My face with that dirty water and drank some.

Then I noticed that someone had left behind a packet of beedies (country

cigarette) and a one anna coin on the tank there. The beedies were, of course,

no use to Me. Therefore, I threw them away. I took the one anna coin and

exchanged it for four smaller coins (botlu or kanis). As I was returning, I

noticed a person sitting on the roadside playing cards spread over a cloth and

inviting passersby to bet on a particular card. He invited Me saying “Raju! you

are a very lucky boy. Come! come and bet some amount on any card you like.” He

offered double the amount to the winner. No doubt, this

was a sort of gambling, but I was completely helpless at that time. I,

therefore, put one coin each on different cards. Everytime I was winning the

bet and getting the double the amount I invested. Thus, I played the game till

I could make sixteen annas (one rupee). Then I thought that that was the end of

the game and returned with money already earned. Since I was feeling hungry, I

purchased three dosas with one bottu. In those days, dosas were available at

the rate of one for a dammidi (1/3rd of a bottu). Thus, I managed with two

bottus a day eating dosas. I joined the scout duty alongwith My friends. During

night, I kept the bundle of coins under my head and slept on the sandy floor.

Since I was very much tired due to long walk, I was lost in sound sleep. During

sleep, my head slid to a side and the coins bundle came into the open. Someone

noticed that bundle and took it away without disturbing Me. When I woke up the

next day, I noticed that the cloth bundle containing money to buy even one

dosa. My classmates were very much dejected at My plight. They were infact,

crying. They pleaded with Me to eat atleast one dosa, which they offered to buy

for Me. But, I flatly refused. I told them I was not hungry, since I did not

like to avail Myself of others’ help. Especially, I did not wish to touch

others’ money. So saying, I left that place. After conclusion of our scout

camp, I purchased some sweets, fruits and things like that for taking home. As

soon as I stepped into the house, I noticed that Seshama Raju was drawing lines

in a note book, with the help of a ruler. He was very angry that his wife had to

fetch water during my absence for 3 days and she was very much tired. I offered

her the fruits and sweets brought by Me from Pushpagiri. Instead of accepting

them gracefully she threw them away saying “who wants these things?” Seshama

Raju was infuriated, after this incident. He took the ruler into his hands and

beat Me on the forearm. The ruler broke into three pieces. My hand was swollen.

I was helpless. I could not also reveal this incident to anybody. I tied a

bandage Myself with a wet cloth to the swollen hand. The next day, one of the

sons of Seshama Raju died. He gave a telegram to Venkama Raju in Puttaparthi.

In those days, there was no Post office or Telegraph office in Puttaparthi. The

telegrams were being sent to Bukkapatnam and from there, a messenger used to

take it to Puttaparthi. Pedda Venkama Raju used to go to Bukkapatnam and from

there, a messenger used to take it to Puttaparthi. Pedda

Venkama Rau used to go to Bukkapatnam regularly to purchase some items in the

village fair. He saw that the telegram there and immediately rushed to

Kamalapuram. By the time he reached Seshama Raju’s house, all the members of

the family were immersed in sorrow. I too had to pretend to be sorrowful, since

I am beyond joy and sorrow! In the meanwhile, Griham Abbayi saw My hand tied

with a bandage and enquired how did it happen. I tried to explain away very

casually as if nothing had happened. I told him that a small boil had appeared

on the forearm and it was giving Me pain and therefore I put the bandage. Pedda

Venkama Raju was, however, not convinced with My reply. There used to be a lady

belonging to the Vysya community by name Subbamma in the nighbouring house, who

used to make her living by preparing and selling dosas. One day, she called

Griham Abbayi and told him “What! Venkama Raju! I know you are sufficiently

well-off so as to get

Raju educated at your place. Why should you put Him to so much trouble by

keeping Him under the care of his elder brother at such a distant place? You do

not know how much suffering the boy is undergoing here. He has to fetch drinking

water from a distant place carrying two big pitchers with the help of a kavadi

on his shoulders, daily. He is put to a great ordeal here.” In the meanwhile,

it was night fall. Griham Abbayi expressed a desire to go out for answering his

nature’s call. There was no light in that place. I held a small kerosene lamp in

one hand and a jug of water in the other. After reaching the outskirts of the

town, Griham Abbayi asked Me “Sathya! stop! stop! put the lamp on the ground.”

He held both My hands profusely. He told Me “My dear son! one can make a living

even by selling salt, if only one is alive. Did I send you here, unable to bring

you up? Why are you undergoing so much suffering here? I being your father,

never

beat you to great ordeal. You start immediately and come along with Me.” I tried

to pacify him saying “No, No. What these people say is not true. No one here is

putting Me to any trouble.” He was not convinced and insisted on My going back

to Puttaparthi. Then I explained the situation carefully thus: “It is not

proper for you to take Me away from this place right now. If I go away from the

house now, there will be no one to attend to the work in the house. You don’t

think otherwise. You please go now and I will follow you later.” I did not make

a complaint against the family members here. I never revealed the fact that My

hand was swollen only on account of Seshama Raju’s beating Me. I never had the

habit of complaining against elders. I always tried to protect the dignity and

honour of the family. I tried to convince Griham Abbayi saying “It is not

proper on My part to inconvenience there people, especially when they were

immersed in sorrow due to the passing away of their child. Not only that. The

neighbours may also think bad of Me, if I come away with you in the present

circumstances. We must also be mindful of what others may say about us. We,

should, therefore not give any scope for such things. You please go to

Puttaparthi now. I will come after a fortnight, if you wish.” On hearing My

reply, Griham Abbayi shed tears. He left for Puttaparthi alone, saying “My dear

Son! How noble are your qualities! It is only your good nature that will protect

you.” Before leaving, he enquired, “Do you need any clothes?” I replied, “I have

plenty. I don’t need anything.” He felt very happy and left. However, before

leaving he

contacted a shopkeeper by name Kotte Subbanna and told him “If our boy

approaches you for any help, please oblige. If he needs some clothes, please

get them stitched and give him. You don’t worry about this money. I will send

you.” As soon as he reached Puttaparthi, he wrote several letters one after the

other asking Me to start immediately. He also wrote in some letters “your mother

is serious, start immediately”, since he was doubtful of My coming there. I knew

that there was nothing serious, so far as her health condition was concerned.

Hence, I stayed in Kamalapuram itself with Seshama Raju till the examinations

were over. In the meanwhile, things came to normal with the passage of time.

--- From the book “His Story: As told by Himself” (A Compilation from the

divine

discourses of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) .