Inspiring story of Sai's Selfless Saga called Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam…a selfless Mission with a peerless Vision…

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Inspiring story of Sai's Selfless Saga called Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam…a selfless Mission with a peerless Vision… Supposedly a pair of eyes is on a constant watch of the universal drama called life, its turbulent inner currents with diversified feelings and passions in the backdrop of most unorthodox settings…and this constant watchful vigil does scan every single pixel on the universal image, thus, saving humanity from undoing its graded stature in this vast universal home…and, but for these pair of watchful eyes of this eternal being called God, there would not have been any 'survivors' at all on planet earth. These radiating sparkling eyes do have the real touch of concern, kindness, love…that speaks to every little heart in the most unaware fashion from the human point, but, the most natural course from the exalted Godly status. It is this story of God's greater concern, kindness and love that

manifested in the form of Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam, an institution for the rehabilitation of the destitute children initiated at the auspices of Bhagawan as an act of His greater benevolence. Nascent 'Mission' Talking of an tragic incident reported by a newspaper wherein an uneducated, hapless, helpless mother resorted to the extreme step of committing suicide after poisoning her three children, Bhagawan during His Dasara Divine Discoure on 6th Oct 2000 posed a question to the devoted assembly: "Can we Bharatiyas be so stone-hearted and wicked to allow such a painful event to take place?" Condemning the incident as a shame on Bharatiyas, Bhagawan called for initiating Grama Seva activities by His students from Sathya Sai Institutions serving a role model for the rest of the world to emulate…He exhorted: "…So we should go to each and every village and provide food, clothing and education to

the needy. In addition, make them understand that should the mothers themselves act in such a cruel manner then can anyone improve their lot?" It was a clarion call to go and conquer, to convince them to conviction of the utility of the precious earthly sojourn called Life… "It is My wish to see that the poor children are provided with sufficient food, necessary clothing and an education with which they can lead their lives in the society with dignity. A thousand such needy families shall be provided with one lakh rupees each which will be invested in a fixed deposit. The interest accruing therefrom will be used for the food, clothing and education of the children. Our students will take up the task of educating them. They are indeed poor, but they too belong to the human race. Develop the feeling of brotherhood and love towards them." Action followed with lightning speed. To begin with, construction began for two-room tenements to house the first come

orphans and destitutes converting His own orchard into a housing colony. Sixty children from such families were selected from Bukkapatnam, Kothacheruvu and Puttaparthi Mandals and were adopted under the Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanoddharana Pathakam Project. They are receiving school education under the loving care of Sai. Not only that; a sum of one lakh rupees has been deposited in the name of each child to meet its needs as and when it came of age. Every week, on Thursdays, they are brought to the Presence for Divine Darshan of the Universal Mother. It is a sight to see how the Lord looks Love at them, His charming smile drizzling compassion. None can call them 'anathas' anymore as the One 'A'natha has made them all 'Sa'nathas. …and thus came into being the Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam, inauguraged by Bhagawan on the 20th July 2002 during the holy auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima…Every action, every project that originates from this Supreme

Abode of Peace of God walking on two feet does have a metaphorical siginificance of being a role model to the world at large, to emulate…Taking a cue from this act originated from Prasanthi Nilayam, the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh followed suit…in organising the state unit of Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam, serving 93 selected children from 9 districts of the state. Following similar structural guidelines that of the Project in Prasanthi Nilayam for the modus operandi this project has been on, yet another signpost that stands as a testimony to the yeomen service done under the Divine Patronage of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba for the welfare of humanity. …And it was time for these tiny tots to have the glimpse of their life time…coveted darshan of The One who reversed their otherwise would have been fatal fate. …and the children with their caretakers grouped in for a collective prayer… Swami! With Thy Divine Blessings,

the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations of Andhra Pradesh are spreading Thy Divine Message to one and all through the Spiritual, Service and Educational wings of the organisation. Dear Sai Maa! On the lines of the Deena Janodhdharana Pathakam started by Thee in Prasanthi Nilayam, with the same spirit, a similar scheme has been initiated in different parts of Andhra Pradesh . Under the scheme, 93 children aged between 5 to13 have been picked up on the basis of a survey conducted in different villages throughout the state. After detailed medical examination, these students have been admitted in the Sathya Sai Schools and other educational institutions and are provided education, boarding, lodging, completely free. These children have also been provided appropriate training by the Bal Vikas Gurus and Teachers in Sai Schools. All these students are showing excellent progress in edcuation and character befitting the students of Sri Sathya

Sai Educational Institutions under the Divine watchful eye of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Swami! We are indeed grateful and extremely happy to submit these few lines to you. The all conquering motherly love and compassion of Bhagawan that knew no bounds responded to their prayers and their day was made! The afternoon of 3rd March 2007 witnessed these children offering themselves at His Lotus Feet in His immediate presence… Their day was made!It was indeed a long wait for the devotees as Bhagawan did not come out in the morning…and in the evening it was at 4:40 p.m. when Bhagawan ultimately came out…after having a full round Bhagawan was taken into the dais. The proceedings started with veda chanting that prolonged for sometime and these tiny tots excelled to the expectation, chanting with clarity and clear intonations to receive 'Divine Pat' and rapturous applause from the capacity crowd. This was followed by an enthralling band

display; melody in the bhajan synchronised to the beats of drums with induced discipline suffused with devotion was indeed a veritable feast to the hearts as these destitute turned 'His Property' yet again came up with a display with precision. Chekka Bhajana or Chiratala Bhajana is a folk art of Andhra Pradesh wherein a troupe consiting of 10 to 20 members, holding a chiratalu and handkerchief on either hand form into a circle while the leader in the centre begins the bhajan that will be joined by other members. These players hang garlands in their necks, tie jingling bells to their ankles, tie colourful waist bands and engage in various steps facilitating narration of episodes from Epics and Puranas. A boy who was made to speak in Telugu, spoke to the tune that, he, an orphan who had nothing, no education was able to stand up and speak with clarity was just because of Bhagawan's Divine Grace and Benevolence. The last items for the session, the

musical dance drama, "Jagruti" meaning awakening, was a beautiful portrayal of the affective side of the Project, coming in with the essential message for the need to sharing selfess love with one and all seeing God in all beings… Dance artiste, Chakri, son of a wealthy person by name Jagannadham was wooed by his greedy father to go to America in search of millions and an inspired Chakri got encouraging support from his friend Naresh who had all cosy words about the land beyond seven seas. At this juncture, the day-dreaming Chakri came across another friend Sathyam incidentally narrated his version about the best use of education, by living a life with contentment, serving the poor and needy with selfless love and compassion….and he had the mystical tales of the lives of Saint Poet Pothana, Saint Singer Mira Bhai and Dokka Seethamma. The greedy Jagannadham who resisted all such motives from Sathyam to make Chakri another Prahlada was caught offguard when his old

parents who were sent to "destitute home" were brought to the scene… Realising his folly, a remorseful Jagannadham sought apology from his parents and assured Sathyam that his son would not be sent to America in search of pleasure and money but would be serving the hapless and helpless. The drama reached its climax when Sathyam revealed that he was a lucky receipient of the Divine Shower of Grace of Bhagawan through Sri Sathya Sai Deena Janoddharana Pathakam; He further explained how his life transformed into a better one enriched with values ever since he came under the Divine patronage of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Upon hearing the narration of young Sathya, Jagannadham and Chakri resolved to follow the path of Love and Service and make their lives worthy. The drama ended with a group song describing how Bhagawan established the Kingdom of Love. Impressed by this scintillating emotional display of His essential message, Bhagawan advised the organisers to start

the project in all the districts in the state to take the movement on…forward… Further, Bhagawan also expressed His wish to conduct the show in all educational institutions/ colleges in the state. Motherly compassion of Bhagawan was out to the fore yet again, when Bhagawan personally distributed clothes to each and every children of the 93 member strong group. A coveted group photo session was the last benediction which was followed by Arathi. Most memorable day in the life of these innocent little hearts…Indeed their day was made. Invincible Will of God does run the show on this world stage…It is for the human to decipher all these wonderful actions, to fill our hearts with pure selfless love and transmute that love into acts of service to our brethren in a spirit of dedication and, above all, with the clear understanding that all that is being done is unto ourselves, for, as He points out, there is none to be called 'another'. Indeed, it was a sight to see how

the Lord looked Love at them, His charming smile drizzling compassion. None could call them 'anathas' anymore as the One 'A'natha has made them all 'Sa'nathas. Quintessentially it is indeed a selfless Mission with a peerless Vision. Read on...Insightful Article on the Project --------An insightful account on the Project published in Sanathana Sarathi January 2006 issue... SRI SATHYA SAI DEENAJANODDHARANA PATHAKAMSmt. K. Geetha Paramahamsa Are you studying in Class VII?" Swami paused before a group of 60 boys sitting in the south-eastern corner of Sai Kulwant

Hall, and asked one during Darshan. It was around January 2004. "No, Swami!" the boy replied kneeling down humbly before Bhagavan. "VIII?No, Swami!""IX?""No, Swami!""What are you studying?" Swami asked."Class X, Swami", the boy answered. It was, no doubt, odd, but nevertheless a fact. Swami had a hearty laugh before He remarked, "jumping and jumping up!" and moved on. The boy, an inmate of the Children's Home established by Bhagawan under the Deenajanoddharana Pathakam on 20th June 2002, was one of the seven boys appearing for the Class X public examination in March 2004. He is among the 62 boys that came to Bhagawan to share His compassion and benediction. All the seven boys passed Class X, six in first class and one in second class! A few weeks before Bhagawan inaugurated the Pathakam, He had told at a meeting in Sai Kulwant Hall of His anguish and deep concern, moved by a press report in a Telugu daily,

that a woman with her four children had committed suicide unable to maintain them and herself, on the death of her husband. Immediately thereafter, He instructed enumeration of destitute boys in the three Mandals of Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu and Bukkapatnam. Over eighty boys with their relations came to Prasanthi Nilayam on 20th June 2002. Of them, only sixty-two boys (including two that have recently been admitted) with twelve mothers have stayed on to receive Bhagawan's benediction. The youngest of them was only ten months old and the eldest was under thirteen in June 2002. When the boys came from the dusty villages, they were looking shabby in dirty rags, and undernourished. Some had skin problems while several had problems with eyesight. All needed a haircut and bath, to begin with. As they were brought to Prasanthi Nilayam along with their relations, they were housed in shed No. 30 in the Ashram. Bhagawan came to the shed on that day and distributed new

clothes and other accessories to them, as they had nothing to use. While they were in the shed for about five weeks, the first thing they began to learn was Veda chanting. How could it be otherwise for the children of Veda Purusha? Now they recite Veda well. A few months later, Bhagawan asked late Sri P.V.Narasimha Rao to visit the Children's Home (the complex to which the boys were shifted in July 2003). It was a surprise visit. When Sri P.V. Narasimha Rao went round the Home and listened to the recitation of Veda by the boys, he remarked, "simply enchanting!" When the boys were shifted to the new sprawling complex on the Guru Purnima Day, 25th July 2003, Swami personally went there and boiled milk (boiling milk is a ritual observed by the house owner while house-warming) . The new complex has a prayer hall, a spacious dining hall with a modern kitchen and stores attached. It has about 200 independent rooms with a toilet and a bath attached to each. A

solar water heater provides hot water to all the inmates of the Home. A few days after their moving into the new complex, they were in Sai Kulwant Hall for Darshan of Bhagawan when fruits were being distributed among all the devotees present. One of the students who came to the group of inmates of the Home, distributing fruits, offered a fruit to one boy Nagendra. "No, thanks", the boy declined politely, "you have given me one already!What a contrast to some among the grown-ups and so-called educated who pester us for more, even after getting their due," the student wondered. That is the level of transformation brought about in the boys in a few days after coming into the fold of Bhagavan. Bhagavan knows whatever happens in the universe. Does He not know about what happens in the Mandir? He walked slowly to the boy and offered a fruit Himself. "No, thanks, Swami", he said, "I got already.""Doesn't matter, take it", said Swami, "I am

giving it.""No, thanks, Swami", the boy politely declined."What do you want?" Swami asked."Chaduvu (education), Swami!" the boy answered. Everyone was pleasantly surprised."I will arrange that", promised Swami.Swami again asked, "What more do you want?""Nothing, except education", the boy answered. Swami was pleased. He materialised a gold chain and put it around the boy's neck Himself.Swami followed up His promise promptly. A new school building with eight classrooms came up in the complex in just two months. Trained teachers among Seva Dal volunteers teach the boys. Besides, quite a few devotees of Bhagawan work there voluntarily. Bhagawan inaugurated the new school building in February 2003. He went into each classroom, touched each blackboard and blessed it. The boys, who were then attending their classes in some rooms of the complex, promptlymoved into the new school building."Till recently, we had no

square meal a day and none to care for us", an inmate recalls. "Today Swami has arranged everything for us. We are well clad and well fed. At the time of our arrival here, we underwent a health check-up, the first in our life. We get sumptuous breakfast, lunch,afternoon snacks and dinner, not to speak of frequent bouts of Prasadam Swami sends us – especiallyfruits, sweets, dry fruits, cashew nuts, biscuits and chocolates – all in baskets!" Each inmate has six pairs of dress, two pairs of night dress, sweaters and rugs in winter, mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, shoes, chappals and what not."We enjoy all facilities here on par with the inmates of hostels of other Sri Sathya Sai educational institutions, may be better", an inmate claims happily. "Not only that, we are given equal opportunities to stage cultural programmes like them on occasions such as the Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Bhagavan's Birthday celebrations, festivals

like Ugadi, etc." Daily routine in the Children's Home begins at 4.30 a.m. when the boys wake up and join Nagar Sankirtan. Jogging follows. On return, they bathe and sit for Bhajan. After breakfast, they go to school at 7.30 a.m. At 10 a.m. they have a few minutes' break to have milk. At 12, they move for lunch. After lunch, they relax for a while, do homework, etc., and return to school by 2 p.m. They attend Bal Vikas classes between 4.30 p.m. and 5 p.m . when they go into their own spacious playground to play. After bath, they have dinner at 6.30 p.m., do homework and study up to 10 p.m. before they pray and go to bed.The boys find time for hobbies such as kitchen gardening, painting,cultural activities, etc. They have been initiated into yoga and are now able to perform as many as 26 Asanas with ease. Boys who passed Class X in March 2004 are now taking the Senior Secondary grade of the National Institute of Open Schooling. They opted for two

subjects in computer science besides English for examination in April-May 2005. They will take examination in mathematics and accountancy in 2005-06 when they qualify for admission to the BCA Course of the Indira Gandhi National Open University in July 2006. The Computer Lab at the Home has eleven systems all local area networked (LAN). Ten other boys will take the Class X examination of the Andhra Pradesh State Board of Secondary Education in March 2006."We go for Darshan of Bhagavan in Sai Kulwant Hall on Thursdays and Sundays, and on every festival day by a special bus", an inmate says, "and return recharged with His bliss.At the outset, we fell for the excellent food we were having for the first time in our life. Today we realise the more valuable things we receive here owing to His grace – motherly love and affection, good bringing up in value system and quality education tempered with spirituality. I do not know how many among the millions of

contemporary students in the country are that lucky." Bhagavan pauses before the group of the boys during Darshan, and makes affectionate enquiries about their food, facilities, health, education, etc. As Bhagavan goes by the boys in Sai Kulwant Hall, most devotees feel that Bhagavan has utmost concern and compassion for these boys. Bhagavan's love and compassion for them knows no bounds. When the Class X public examination was approaching, one boy told Swami in the Darshan line, "I am not able to remember what I study, Swami!""That is education, my boy!" Bhagavan quipped, a comment on the present-day system of education in which we learn not much worthwhile to remember. On 17th March 2003, Bhagavan went to the Home. It was the day on which the public examination for Class X commenced.Bhagavan blessed the boys taking the examination personally, putting Vibhuti on the forehead of each of them. Parents see their children off to

examinations. Here Lord Himself arrived to bless them and see them off to their examinations. What a blessed lot! Bhagavan had set apart one lakh rupees for each of the boys at the time of launching the scheme. This will be gifted with the interest that it earns on the completion of their education and finding a placement for service. Bhagavan once explained, "This is only a token of what Swami gifts them, because they bask all the time in His Divine aura, enjoying His love, compassion and protection invaluably!" Besides the boys, the mothers of some of them, twelve, live in the Home. Some serve as Ayahs to the boys, besides helping in the upkeep and maintenance of the Home. One, Smt. Venkatalakshmi, had her backbone broken completely. She was in bed when she entered the Home. She underwent physiotherapy in Bhagavan's General Hospital at Whitefield, Bangalore. It is just a miracle that she now attends to her work on her own. "I am having

physiotherapy as advised. But my hope centres on Sai therapy – incessant chanting of Sai Ram", Smt. Venkatalakshmi says, "It has paid off. Swami, in His abundant grace, has allowed me very good improvement in stages. Today I can attend to my work without support of others. I can even walk around using the walker. It is purely a Sai miracle that I am back on my legs.Our best resource here is prayer", says an inmate. "Whenever anyone of us has a problem, we all pray together for him, and Swamiresponds. When someone is ill, they take him promptly to the hospital for treatment. But, on our part, we pray for him, and he will be back soon in good health owing to Bhagavan's grace." It is no surprise that one boy is completely cured of cancer in the throat having undergone surgery twice in the Kidwai Hospital at Bangalore. A couple of boys have been treated of suspected tuberculosis with no trace of it. At least a dozen boys have had fractures of leg or hand on

different occasions, but everything is set. More surprisingly, a dumb boy that came with his dumb mother is now able to speak and study, and is no different from others. The boys have their own Homa Kunda – of all things! "Whenever they performed Homa (Yajna), there was rain. It is remarkable", one teacher at the Home noted. "They do Homa with Sai Gayatri or do Ganesh Homa." They celebrate festivals of all religions. The mothers have grown spiritually, beyond imagination. They do Sai Vratams, Sita Vratams, etc. They themselves feel that they have shed the vestiges of their earlier cantankerous environment of filth, squalour and slang. "Our aspiration in life is clear", an inmate declares. "We have, no doubt, ambition to come up in life getting good education and winning high positions. More than that, we aspire to shape into effective instruments of Bhagavan to perform His work on earth, as a member of the universal Sai family, imbibing human values dear to

His heart." So moves on the caravan – SAI caravan!

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