Bhagawan's Discourse on 06th May 2004 at SAI Ramesh HALL Brindavan on the occassion of Easwaramma Day

[Guest guest]

(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.

 

Source: http://www.sssct.org/Discourses/2004/Easwaramma_Day.htm

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