24-1-1998
Swami blessed
the project reports of the MBA/MFM boys during Darshan. After
interviews, Swami came again. He swa some of the Project reports
and commented on them.
Swami: see what
binding is this; anyone can easily tear pages from it. (Showing a
report which was bound in spiral form) Then, Swami pointed at
another report, which was hard, bound. “Binding should be like
this (the hard bound one); nobody can tear pages from it.
Then
Swami called a boy and searched for something in his report.
Swami:
Where is Rakesh? Where is Rakesh? (after finding the right page,
“Here is Rakesh”. (In one of the sentences in that page, there was
the name “Rakesh Menon Committee’) “I know everything ,sir!”
(Swami gave
Paada Namaskar to all the MBA/MFM boys)
Boy: Talk to us, Swami.
Swami: First
ask for Paada Namaskar, then ‘talk to us’, next marks and then you
will pass and go away. How many boys in your class?
Boys: 47.
Swami: 4+7 =
11, 1 + 1 = 2; two is not a bad number.
Boy: Swami, Project on Rural Development.
Swami: Good.
Why such small project? It can be completed in one day.
Boy: On Gokulam.
Swami: You give
medicines to animals. How will you know that they have responded
to treatment, They cannot even talk.
To a student: “How many children do you have?” Then Swami narrated an incident
from a person’s life.
“There was a
man called ‘Bidda Kishtappa’. He was Swami’s devotee. He had 22
children. But he never faced difficulty in taking care of his
children. He was a weaver by profession. Every time he moved the
weaving block, he would chant ‘Sai Ram’. On one occasion he asked
Swami that he wanted to leave his mortal coil in Prashanthi
Nilayam. Likewise, on one Shivarathri, he came to Prashanthi
Nilayam; He developed fever. I asked him to go to hospital and
there he passed away. His wife was happy that his wish was
fulfilled. His children (each of them) send 100 saris for Narayana
Seva.
“One should
live up to his name. See Thyagaraja; he sacrificed the world to
attain the kingdom of God. One day after returning from bath in
the river Cauvery, he (Thyagaraja) saw lots of valuables in his
house. When he asked, who sent this, they told him that since you
are anaath, King has sent this. Thyagaraja asked them,
“Who is annath? I have ‘Naath’ (Lord Rama) with me. Only Rama is
Anath. Give it to him”.
Then Swami
called some boys to distribute oranges to all. He asked a teacher
to show his orange. It was small.
Swami: Very
small for a teacher. Boys gave wontedly. (After a pause) no, not
like that. You are thin and short, so small orange.
(To a boy) What
is this cover?
Boy: Skin of the orange..
Swami: In side?
Boy: Juice.
Swami: Which
one you would like to have?
Boy: Juice.
Swami: You have
to remove the bitter skin, (which is the world) to enjoy the sweet
juice (God): The skin of the orange can be powdered and used for
brushing the teeth. It has cleansing quality. There is Vitamimn
‘C’ in it.
Sai Ram
04-2-1998
Teacher: Swami,
I have got heart pain.
Swami: It is
not heart problem. It is only chest pain. (Swami creates Vibhuthi
for the teacher)
Coming on to
the second block, Swami pointed towards the artificial tree which
was kept there. Pointing to one of the paper packets, he
commented, “What is written on that?”
Boy: Hong Kong
Bank, Swami.
Swami: Where is
it written? Do you know their language?
Boy: (Removing
the packet and giving it to Swami): It is written underneath,
Swami.
Swami examined
the cover and gave it back to be put on the tree.
Swami: Gong
Kong man, not King Kong man. (Referring to a boy) “Ten boys like
you will make one leg of King Kong. (Standing on the edge of the
Ganesh portico) “Emi Samachaaram?” How is the decoration?
It is only ration; it is only ration. See how the (Chinese
devotees); how they changed this spiritual Mandir into a Communist
place. No it is all their Bhakthi. This is the way the Chinese
decorate!”
Meanwhile a
foreigner from the ladies side started shouting. Noticing this
Bhagavan said- “Hysteria. If they sit quietly, nobody will bother
them. Instead, if they shout like this, they will be taken
outside. See how they are dragging her like a dead body. This is a
foreign disease; but now it has come in India also. They take
pills, drugs, and claim that it leads them to happiness.
Teacher:
Bhagavan’s Grace is required for the entire world to change.
Swami: It will
change. Everything depends on time, but it will change.
Teacher: Will
it change, Swami?
Swami: It
will, it will. It is changing. China, Japan…. Everywhere it is
changing; only in India it is bad.
Speaking about
the drama, which was going to be put up by the Chinese devotees
the next day, Swami said: “You won’t believe this, when I asked a
small boy, “What do you want?”. He replied, “Swami, I want the
dust of your Feet.” When I asked another boy, “Is Swami
important?”. The boy replied, Swami is very important in his life.
All of them are acting tomorrow – from small children to fifty
years old people. Nobody is here. They have gone for the practice
session. All are practicing –mothers, fathers, sons, and
daughters. Ladies and gents both are there; but they don’t touch
each other, because Swami does not like.”
In the
meantime, drum beats were heard. Swami said, it is the beat for
the lion dance. I have not seen it, but I can make out from the
sound of the drums.
16-2-1998
Swami came to
the third block of verandah. Swami was collecting the letters and
putting them in a big envelope.
Swami: Boys
write lengthy letters. Why? Three or four lines are sufficient.
Swami receives 1000 letters by post and another 1000 by and post.
I know the
contents, but I receive them because for their satisfaction. Some
people write on both the sides of the paper, so big, very less
meaning.
He called out a
teacher, having a letter in his hand.
Swami (remarking) I
know, I know.
Swami opened
the letter and to everybody’s surprise the letter was of the same
length about what Swami had remarked. (Both sides of the paper).
Swami (to a
hospital boy) No hospital today?
No Swami, election.
Swami: There is
no connection between election and selection.
After awhile,
Swami again remarked about the length of the letter to another
hospital boy.
Swami: “Big
letter and no essence”
Sai Ram.
16-7-1998
Swami: (To a
teacher) How MBA classes are going on?
Teacher:
Alright, Swami.
Swami: Ist year MBA?
Teacher: They
have interest in Swami.
Swami: Interest is there; but there are ups and downs.
Swami: (To a
boy) To-day, after a year, I went to hospital. There was heart
operation of an 11 day old baby. Because the child
was so small, the doctors were worried. I went and sat in the
operation theatre with my hand on the baby’s head. I sat there
throughout the operation. The operation was successful. The baby
is now fine. It has a tumor in its heart, a very small tumor.
Swami: (To a
boy) How is college?
Boy: Fine,
Swami.
Swami: Fine!
College or building? What is college? Building or students?
Without students, there is no college.
(Boys then
requested Swami to come to the Institute. Swami did not reply.
Swami called the Vice-Chancellor.
Swami: (To
V.C.) Very great man, when is he coming?
VC.: Tomorrow
night.
Swami: Very
good man. He is a Mohammedan. He is a vegetarian. He is also a
Bachelor. Now he wants to be close with Swami. He came here
before. Was it three years back?
VC: Yes, Swami.
Swami: Yes, I
know, What is his name?
VC: Abdul
Kalam.
Swami:
See… Mohammedan. Sunday morning, he is going to see the Institute.
Swami: Swami,
you too come to the Institute.
Swami: No time.
The boys are coming here. He can talk to computer boys, and laser
boys. He likes lasers. What is laser? Not razor!
Boys: Swami,
please come to Institute.
Swami: No, he
is coming tomorrow night.
19th July
1998
Swami: Bad luck
boys. I kept every thing ready in Poornachandra. I made a phone
call to Hostel. But at that time, everybody was sleeping. (Swami
made snoring sound) Boys’ one leg in one direction and another on
the luggage. Each one was making different kinds of sounds. What
is this sleep? I have never experienced it. Even in the night at 1
AM, 2 Am, I go out to all places. Before, I myself used to drive
the car; Parthi to Rajahmundry, 1100 miles. Even last year, during
the Kodaikanal trip I drove the car. I asked Padmanabhan to move
aside and drove the car. Padmanban was telling “Sai, Sai”. Years
back, Padmanaban’s (Dentist in Bangalore) father Seshagiri Rao
also sat with me in the car. He used to close his eyes, and chant
“Sai Ram, Sai Ram”, throughout the journey and open his eyes only
after reaching the destination. Such was the speed at which I used
to go. My car was Morris turner. It is very small car. I used to
go at 100-150 mph. But the car usually does not have so much
capacity. At that speed, the tyres were almost in the air. Even at
that speed, I never ran over cats and dogs.
Swami: Did He
come to Institute? What is his name? Abdul Kalam.
Boys: Yes,
Swami.
Swami; In
yesterday’s meeting in Bangalore, Abdul Kalam said, “I am a
Mohammedan. For me there is no Allah or any other religion. I want
only Sai Baba. Sai Baba is my God. Scientists always say, this… this… But Sai Baba always says, that… that. “This” is below senses
and “that” above senses. Sai Baba is always above senses. “Tat
Twam Asi”.
Swami: In
meetings, he quotes Swami’s teachings. He is a very good poet
also. When he entered the interview room, he looked at Swami and
told, “KALAAM BABA KO SALLAM KARTHA HAI”. (Kalam salutes Baba).
After his work, he is going to come and settle here for the rest
of his life. He is not married and has sno children. Therefore, he
is going to come and settle here. He says he wants to come and
spend his time with students, by teaching them. His ambition is
to build a rocket with the help of Sathya Sai students in this
life itself, in the next ten years. He will give lot of
inspiration to boys. I said, “It is your wish. Do whatever you
want”.
Swami (to a
teacher): What subject are you teaching?
Teacher:
Self-awareness for 1-MBA boys.
Swami: What is
self?
Teacher: Self
means ‘Atman’ and it is everywhere. It is that which makes
us speak and see.
Swami: Air is
everywhere. Like that consciousness is everywhere, with you,
within you, around you; but you cannot catch it. Conscious,
consciousness and conscience. Follow the conscience to be
conscious of consciousness.
20th July
1998
Swami called a
teacher: What is the meaning of “Bhagia”?
Teacher:
Swami, good fortune.
Swami:
No. It means wealth, good wealth.
(Swami told
that the teacher lost all his wealth before coming here, but all
wealth has been added on after he has come here, which the
concerned teacher agreed. Swami enquired about somebody’s health.
Swami:
(To teacher) An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Diabetics can
take apple. Patients should not take any other fruits. Even
watermelon has 4% sugar, but apple has only 3%. Apple does not
increase diabetics. It gives Vitamins and minerals. Two spoons of
Viva powder in warm water is better than taking the same in milk
for diabetics. Rice is good because starch content init will mix
with blood fast whereas raagi and wheat take around three hours.
South Indians are rice-eating people and North Indians are
wheat-eating people.
Teacher:
Swami, please speak to Boys.
Swami;
What is the meaning of ‘Akshara”?
Teacher:
Word, letter….
Swami:
No. “A” means Atma. “Kshara” means ‘Deha”. “Akshara
means combination of Atma and Body. It is Unity in Diversity.
What are
Swadharma and Paradharma?
Teacher:
‘Paradharma’ means worldly duty.
Swami:
“Swa+ Dharma” means listening to conscience. Dharma related to
Atma. When you fulfill Swadharma, Paradharma is also
taken care. Similarly, “Swechha” means one related to Atma.
Freedom outside is going on bikes and scooters. That is deaf and
dumb. It does not mean freedom of going here and there, and doing
whatever comes to mind. See, these things are not made clear to
boys.
Teacher:
Swami, please come and talk to boys.
Swami:
But boys don’t want. They are not asking for it.
Teacher:
Swami, boys are good. They have interest in Swami.
Swami:
Interest is there in Swami but it is “INTO-REST”; It is not
“IN-TRUST”. It should be in trust. VC (Vice Chancellor) is
coming on 8th. I sent VC to Bangalore to get Safari
suits. I gave him charges also. See I shall welcome the new VC on
the 10th August and say good-bye to the present VC.
Teacher:
Swami always welcomes everyone, no good-bye.
Swami:
Yes, but according to the customs we should have a function. VC is
a good scientist. He will be given some assignment in the
administration.
Teacher:
yes, Swami. Otherwise he will feel lonely. It is very nice of
Swami to take care of every one of us.
Swami:
Where should we have the function? Here, or in the Institute?
Teacher:
Wherever Swami suggests.
Swami:
It is purely an Institute function. So let it be in the Institute.
Teacher:
Swami, will Brindavan and Anantapur students also be called?
Swami:
No. Only Prashanthi Nilayam Institute and Higher Secondary boys.
Teacher:
Swami, last year the boys were given chance to participate in a
question-answer session with Swami. Kindly allow the same thing
now too.
Swami:
But boys should have interest! Isn’t it? How is Re-Engineering?
Teacher:
yes, Swami. I heard that you have given a Discourse on
Re-engineering in Kodaikanal.
Swami:
No, boys had debate and from debate they went to Tibet!
Teacher:
Swami, it will be nice if Swami speaks on Re-engineering.
Swami: I
will see. (To boys) How are the MBA boys doing? Are the subjects
being taught well?
(To a
teacher): I feel you should have some special inputs on important
subjects like Marketing, Finance, Banking and international
finance. (Swami explained how rupee keeps fluctuating with
respect to US dollar and British pound)
Teacher:
Yes, Swami had spoken about it four years back.
Swami:
Yes. Banking and Finance are important. From August onwards,
financial position will improve.
Teacher:
Swami, after 75th Birthday, will the things improve in
our country?
Swami:
See, at the end of this month 500 youth are coming from London to
be here with Swami and present a drama. A Negro singer by name,
Tom Brown is also coming.
Teacher:
By 75th Birthday whole world will know about Swami.
Swami:
But I have no desire for that.
Teacher:
But Swami, we need you. With Swami’s Grace everything is possible.
Presently the condition of the world is very bad. It appears that
the entire mankind is going down the drain.
Swami:
No, not mankind, man has gone down. Mankind does not go down. What
is mankind? What is man?
Teacher:
Proper study of mankind is man. Unity between thought, word and
deed.
Swami:
No. Answer is there in the question itself. Kindness of man is
mankind! He should have compassion in his heart.
21st July
1998
Swami: (before
Darshan while carrying a sizeable bundle of letters in His hands (
Koi Bhi help nahi karta ha) No body is helping) Lazy boys.
(After Darshan, to a boy) What is that? (Pointing to a letter in
boy’s hand)
Boy: Swami,
Jaundice.
Swami: But your
eyes are not yellow
Boy:” Swami I
went home.
Swami: Ah! Tell
that first. What did you take at home?
Boy:: Swami,
leaf medicine.
Swami: Is it
Ayurvedic?
Boy: Yes Swami.
Swami: What are
you eating now?
Boy: Swami,
Chapatti.
Swami: Ah!
Taking chapatti? Don’t take Chapatti. It contains oil in it.
Don’t take any
curry.
Boy: What to
eat?
Swami: Take
buttermilk; stir it well. If at all foam is there, then remove it
and mix with lemon with it. And then drink.
(Swami created
Vibhuthi and gave to the boy. When the boy again asked permission
for his eye test, Swami told him to go and see Dr. Khosla. Swami
called a devotee)
Swami; How many
boys and girls from London?
Devotee: Swami,
104.
Swami: What is
the name of the drama?
Devotee:
“Sai-Mahima”
Swami: Stage is
too small for 104
Devotee: Swami,
your heart is big.
Swami: But you
are not going to act in my heart.
Devotee: Swami,
last summer you allowed us to perform.
Swami: O.K.
From tomorrow start rehearsals.
23rd July,
1998
Swami: How is
teaching going on? What subject are you teaching?
Teacher:
Integrated Rural development.
Swami: What is
Rural development?
Teacher:
Developing villages. Sai is starting point.
Swami: Rural
Development is providing drinking water first, and sanitation to
the villagers. Health will come along with sanitation. The
villagers must be taught to grow drumsticks, coconut trees along
with coriander plants etc, near their houses. This can help them
to be self-sufficient.
Teacher: Also,
they must be taught unity.
Swami: There is
no unity among teachers. The villagers must be made known that
killing is not human. Only to protect is human. You are not
telling these to villagers.
26th July
1998
Swami took some
people from Karimnagar for interview. After the interview:
Boys: Swami,
Poornachandra session!
Swami: Do you
know who these people are? They are the ones who wanted a separate
Telengana State. I explained to them that it is not correct. I
told them that many people have come from other places and settled
there. You should tell them how to live like brothers instead of
separating them. They told that, they had never thought in this
line.
They put their
hands into mine and promised that they will never think of a
separate state. I materialized 25 rings at once. Each one was
exactly fitting their fingers. All of you also want rings. (With a
slapping gesture) I will give you all one.
See, I am doing
so much of work. You don’t understand. By just few words of mine I
changed their minds. You boys keep asking for Poornachandra. I
talk to you so much. Are you practicing at least one? They wanted
money for water project. I told them that I would give the money
and they need not worry about it. They told that they would give
12 acres of land in Telengana to Swami. I told them tat I don’t
want all that. I just want a place in your heart. They told that
they would come again and I told them that this is their Home.
Whenever they feel like coming, they can come.
Swami called a
Primary School boy.
Swami: Where
are you from, boy?
Boy: New
Zealand, Swami
Swami: New
Zealand? Famous for cows. Which class are you studying?
Boy; Seventh
standard, Swami
Swami: What is
your age?
Boy: eleven
years, Swami
Swami; How do
you know?
Boy: Parents
told me, Swami.
Swami: Where
are they? Are they there? (The boy nodded in affirmative) Where is
your brother? (Boy indicated in a direction and his brother got
up. Swami told him to be seated). Do your parents quarrel?
Boy: No, swami
Swami:
Sometimes the quarrel. You don’t quarrel with your wife!
1st August
1998
Swami: (to the
boys) Are you ready for Poornachandra session?
Boys: Yes,
Swami
Swami: But they
are making sets inside the Poornachandra, for telefilm shooting.
Shiva and Parvathi will come down dancing from the mountain top
and then bless the sage, Bharadwaja. If you don’t believe me, go
the Poornachandra and check.
Swami sent two
boys to Poornachandra to verify.)
Swami: There
was a patient in the hospital., who had come from Madras. Both his
kidneys were malfunctioning and he could not urinate for the last
15 days. As a result his body was swollen up. I told the doctors
to cut the tube (urinary tract) to about 2 inches. But, the
doctors were hesitant. I asked them to do just as I had told. They
did so and all the urine flowed out. Now, Dr. Bhatt says that the
patient is able to sit on the bed and have his food! I told one
more thing to the doctors. There is no need of removing a nerve
from the leg to transplant it in the heart during a heart by-pass
surgery. Nature has provided a spare nerve in the heart. They can
make use of it. Not only in the heart, even in other parts of the
body have an extra nerve. See, nature always provides a spare. The
doctors say that every day they are able to learn something new
from Swami.
Swami with students in the
Mandir verandah
23rd
August 1998
(Swami called a
Greek Devotee)
Swami: How many
people have come?
Devotee: Swami,
26 people, including me 27.
Swami: Not 28?
Devotee: No
Swami, 27 people.
Swami signed
him to go.
Devotee: Swami,
Pada Namaskar.
Swami: Why?
(Devotee was
about to go.)
Swami: Take
Pada Namaskar.
*He took
Namaskar and went back. Swami to boys:
Swami: He acted
as Draupathi in the Greek drama last year. In fact he changed his
voice and talked in female voice.
(Swami again
called the Devotee)
Swami: Which
role did you play in the last drama?
Devotee: Swami,
Sita
Swami: Not
Draupathi?
Devotee: No
Swami, he was another person.
Swami: Last
year?
Devotee: Swami,
last year it was Bhagavatham. (Swami corrected his
pronunciation)Swami: What role did you play in that?
Devotee: I did
not play in that drama, Swami
Swami: How is
Janaka?
Devotee: Very
fine Swami. His son is studying in Primary School. His little
daughter has also joined here.
Swami: I know.
Did you see them?
Devotee: I
visit them every Sunday.
Swami: Good.
(Swami enquired
about a character in the drama)
Swami: Are you
happy here?
Devotee: Very
happy, Swami
Swami: What is
the meaning of happy?
Devotee:
Happiness is union with God!
Swami: Are you
in Union?
Devotee: Yes,
Swami.
Swami: How is
that? You are separate. God is separate. How are you united?
Devotee: Atma
in everybody is one, Swami.
Swami: Who
said?
Devotee: You
said Swami. You said, Atma in everybody is one.
Swami: Then,
why do you come hre?
Devotee: I love
your physical form. Therefore I come here.
Swami: If Atma
is one, then you are also God.
Devotee: Yes,
Swami. But I do not know that I am God, and you know hat you are
God.
Swami: (Very
impressed) Good! Good! What are you doing in Greece?
Devotee: I am a
teacher, Swami
Swami: Teacher!
Very good. How many types of teachers are there?
Devotee:
Complain teacher, Explain teacher, and Inspire teacher.
Swami: Which
category you belong to?
Devotee:
Inspire teacher.
Swami: Inspire
teacher! Not explaining?
Devotee: No,
Swami
Swami: How can
you inspire without explaining?
Devotee: Yes,
Swami. Correct, Swami.
Swami: In which
school are you working?
Devotee:
Technical school, Swami.
Swami:
Electrical or mechanical?
Devotee:
Mechanical, Swami.
Swami: What is
your salary?
Devotee: 30,000
rupees Swami.
Swami: How much
do you spend?
Devotee: 20,000
rupees Swami.
Swami: 20,000
rupees? Expensive!
Devotee: yes
Swami. Everything is costly there Swami. Not like in India. Here
everything is cheap.
Swami: On what
do you spend?
Devotee: On
rent, food, clothing and some amount for activities in Sai center
Swami.
Swami: Sai
Center? What activities do you do there?
Devotee: Swami,
we visit hospitals, provide food and clothing to homeless and
handicapped people.
Swami: Very
happy! Very happy! And how much do you spend on coming and going?
Devotee: Swami,
we save money throughout the year for coming here. We won’t misuse
money, Swami.
Swami: Is the
salary enough?
Devotee: Yes,
Swami. But salary is not important. Service is important.
Swami: Very
good! Who is the good Greek God?
Devotee: Swami:
Christ. I am a Christian.
Swami: What is
the meaning of Christ?
Devotee: Don’t
know Swami
Swami: Christ
means cross.
Devotee: Cross,
Swami! Cross means a cut and “I symbolizes ego. So cut your ego.
Swami: (very
impressed, to the boys) See how well he answers. Very good! Very
good boy!
Devotee: Thank
you Swami.
Swami: Do you
like Christ or Sai?
Devotee: Both
are one, Swami
Swami: How?
Devotee: Atma
is everything in one Swami.
Swami (with a
smile): No, no, no! Look. I am wearing an orange robe. Jesus wore
a white one. How are we one?
Devotee: No
Swami. We sing in Bhajans that Allah, Jesus, Sai, Krishna are all
one. You too said that, Swami. Therefore everybody is one.
Swami: Then you
are also God?
Devotee: yes,
Swami
Swami: Where
are you happy? Here or there?
Devotee: I am
happy in both places Swami.
Swami: Why do
you come here then?
Devotee: I am
happy whenever I see you Swami, and whenever you look at me I am
more happy, Swami
Swami: Did you
see Me, in Greece?
Devotee: yes
Swami, in my heart. I see you in my heart. Whenever I see you in
my heart, I feel happy.
Swami: Good
boy!
Devotee: You
make us good, Swami.
Swami: Yes, but
instrument also has to be good. You are good. Very happy!
Devotee: Thank
you Swami.
17th December 1998
Swami came to the
institute in the morning and gave His Divine message to the
postgraduate students in the evening.
Swami:
(To an institute student): What did I tell you?
Student:
Swami said, "Be careful" – About Sports Meet, Swami.
Swami:
No, no. I was telling the warden that it is improper for a small
boy to sit among elders like that, with his thigh on the teacher’s
thigh. People will pass remarks. I silently told the boy to sit
with boys and told the warden that if small boys were allowed do
to like this, big boys would also take liberties.
Student:
Yes Swami, I could not hear properly.
Swami:
How was the speech in the morning? Did I bore you?
Student:
No Swami. It would be wonderful if Swami comes again.
Swami:
(Seriously): Whatever it is, International financial
problems cannot be solved; it is impossible. Only brings problems,
excess money means excess problems. See what is happening in other
developed countries... suicides ra..
Student:
Suicides, Swami!
Swami:
Yes, Suicides. Why? (Mada) Pride. Wealth leads to pride,
which leads to bad qualities and to bad thoughts and finally
destruction.
Student:
Yes, Swami.
Swami was talking
about the events to be put p by the school students for the sports
meet.
Student:
Swami, what is the difference between show and Pradarshana?
Swami:
No. Show means something artificial. But exhibition is
Pradarshana; presenting one’s talents. Student: Swami says
that money should be like a shoe – neither too big nor too small.
Swami:
If it is too big, you cannot wear conformably. If it is too tight,
you cannot walk. It must be exact. If it is too much, I will
remove it. If it is tight, you will throw it away yourself.
Student:
Yes Swami. God gives all the resources. It is for us to use it in
the proper manner.
Swami:
Yes, I will tell you a story. In one kingdom, there lived a king
and a queen with all subjects. The kin loved his subjects very
dearly. So one day, he left for forest to perform penance. God was
pleased with his effort and appeared before him and asked him what
he desired. The king prayed that all his subjects be blessed with
wealth, prosperity and money. God gently said that it was not
right thing to ask for. But the king humbly submitted that this
indeed was his wish. God granted the wish. He returned to his
kingdom to find palaces everywhere and his people became very
rich. He went to his palace and wanted to take bat. But there were
no servants, for all servants had become rich, Feeling hungry, he
went to the market. But the market was filthy. Sweepers too had
become rich. Day by day, the situation grew worse, until one day
all the people and the king prayed to God and performed penance.
God appeared, and they said that they preferred the previous
order. They also prayed that the king be granted a thousand years
of life. God commanded and everything was back to normal. But the
queen left for the forest. The people felt that the queen was
feeling jealous of the king. They misunderstood her. The queen
performed penance, and when God appeared, she prayed that a good
king and not good people and vice versa is no good. A good king
and a good populace were both necessary. So she prayed that God
grant the people also a thousand years of life. God was so pleased
that He granted even the queen thousand years of life.
Student:
Yes, Swami. God knows what is good for us.
Swami:
Yes, God is perfect. He will give as required. If there is too
much He will take away. If too less, man himself will throw away.
Student:
Very nice story, Swami.
Swami:
(to other student): Did you understand the story?
Students:
Yes Swami, nice story Swami.
Swami:
Not nice story, look at he specialty and essence. (to that
student) I will ask them the story later and then I will see how
many were listening.