Oh foolish
man! Why do you go in search of God here and there when He is very
much within you? Turn your vision inward and you will find Him
there.
|
(Telugu
Poem) |
Embodiments
of Love!
You are under the mistaken notion that God is separate from you. In order
to have the vision of God, you follow various paths such as Japa, Dhyana,
Bhajans, etc. So long as you think God is present elsewhere, you cannot
find Him. He is present in you. Make efforts to realise the indwelling
divinity.
On 20th October 1940, while going to school after returning from Hampi,
Baba's collar pin was lost and could not be found. The collar pin
symbolised worldly desires. That pin was presented to Me by Narayana Raju,
the then Municipal Chairman of Bellary.
The Municipal Chairman took us to the Virupaksha temple in Hampi. After
reaching the temple, Seshama Raju (elder brother of Swami) told Me to keep
a watch over their belongings as they went inside to have Darshan of the
deity. I readily agreed and remained outside. They went inside the temple.
To their utter astonishment, they found Me standing inside the sanctum
sanctorum in the place of Lord Virupaksha. Seshama Raju could not believe
his eyes. Seshama Raju said to himself: "Why has He come here when I
told Him specifically to remain outside and take care of our
belongings?" He thought it was improper on My part to have entered
the sanctum sanctorum. He at once came out of the temple only to find Me
there! He again went inside and found Me there also! Still he was having
doubts. He told his wife, "You go outside and keep a watch over
Sathya. Do not allow Him to go anywhere. Meanwhile, I will go inside and
see whether He is still there." She did accordingly. He again saw a
smiling Sathya standing in the sanctum sanctorum. He wondered whether it
was a dream, a mere hallucination or reality.
In those days, wearing a collar pin was considered to be a fashion.
Narayana Raju presented Me a collar pin with a prayer that I should
remember him always. After we returned from Hampi to Uravakonda, the
collar pin dropped on the way as I was proceeding to the school holding
books in one hand. It could not be found. But I was least affected by its
loss. Yet, I pretended as though I was anxiously searching for it. Some
boys who were coming behind Me enquired, "Raju, what are You
searching for?" I told them that I lost the collar pin. They too
started searching all over the place. I laughed and remarked, "You
are going to school to study. Why are you bothered about the collar pin?
Don't worry about it." They said, "It looked so good when You
were wearing it." One of those boys ran to Seshama Raju's house. At
that time, Seshama Raju and Narayana Raju were discussing as to what could
be inferred of My mysterious behaviour. When the boy reported the matter
to them, they at once rushed to Me. Narayana Raju very lovingly put his
hand around My shoulder and asked, "My dear, what are you searching
for?" I said, "I am searching for something." He understood
that there was some inner significance in My reply. He said, "Raju,
how can You search for something that You do not know?" I told him
that I had lost the collar pin which he had presented to Me. He said,
"I will give you ten such collar pins. Don't worry about it. Come,
let's go home."
That day was
the day of change. The link with worldly ties had gone in the form
of the pin; the pilgrimage to Hampi also served its purpose. Baba
left home saying that Maya could not bind Him any longer.
|
(Telugu
Song) |
Man has two types
of desires: One is worldly and the other spiritual. It is said, worldly
education is for life here while spiritual knowledge is for the life
hereafter. However, man gives importance to worldly education only. He is
always in search of worldly happiness. However, I am not interested in
such happiness. I told Narayana Raju that the bondage of worldly
attachment was lost in the form of collar pin. On coming to know of this
incident, the Excise Commissioner Hanumantha Rao came in his car and said
to Me, "Raju, what are You looking for? Please come with me. I will
give You whatever You want." He had intense love for Me. I told him
that I was not searching for anything. People around Me asked, "Are
You searching for God?" I replied, "One need not search for God,
for He is everywhere. Nor am I searching for a trivial thing like a collar
pin." Then I was taken to the house of one H.S. Ramana, who was a
lecturer in English. They questioned Me, "What do You want? Is it the
pin or God?" I told them, "I don't need a pin. I can get any
number of pins, for everything is in My hand. Then, do you think that I am
searching for God? He is everywhere. I don't need to search for Him."
Narayana Raju asked, "Where is God? Can we see Him?" Earlier I
had given him a ring. It disappeared from his finger and appeared on My
finger. He was stunned. He asked, "How did it happen?" I said,
"I can do anything. Everything is in My hand." (Swami with a
wave of His hand, materialised the same ring which He had given to
Narayana Raju. He held it aloft and showed it to the congregation.)
Watching all this, Seshama Raju was also astonished. He gave up the
feeling that He was My elder brother. Shedding tears of joy and
repentance, he asked, "My dear, You are all-knowing; everything is in
Your hand. Then, what are You searching for?" I also did not address
him as brother. I told him that I was no longer bound by worldly
relationship. I held the hand of Narayana Raju and asked, "What is
this?" He said, "It is my hand." I took out the pen from
his pocket and asked, "What is this?" "It is my pen",
he said. "You say, it is my hand, my pen, my body, my mind, my
senses, etc. The word 'my' indicates that you are different from all this.
Then who are you?" I asked him. Then everyone started thinking,
"Yes, what Raju says is correct. We say, this is mine and that is
mine, but we do not know who we are." Everybody was silent. They
accepted that they did not know their true identity. I told them that I
had come down in human form only to make people realise their true
identity.
It is the eye that sees and the mind that thinks. (Showing the ring and
handkerchief, Bhagawan said) Your eyes can see the ring and the
handkerchief. On what basis can you call this a ring? Similarly, what
makes you say that it is a handkerchief? You say, mind is the basis for
all this. What is mind? Whom does it belong to? You do not know. What you
think you know, in reality, you do not know, that is your true Self. Make
efforts to realise it.
From that day onwards, many seekers of Truth started visiting Me. They
used to say, "Raju, what You are saying is correct. But how are we to
realise our true identity?" People quote from scriptures and talk
high philosophy but do not know their real meaning. "You say, this is
my ring, my body, my handkerchief, so on and so forth. Then who are
you?" I questioned them. They had no answer. Then I started
explaining thus: "There are two important aspects that you have to
consider, one is Drishyam (seen) and the other is Drashta (seer). Yad
Drishyam Thannasyam (all that is seen is bound to perish). So,
whatever you see is only an illusion. You are the Drashta, that is your
true identity."
The English lecturer, H.S. Ramana was a noble person. His house was on the
way to My school. He used to sit in the front verandah of his house. As
soon as he saw Me, he used to call 'Raju!', take Me into his house and
offer Me coffee and snacks. But, I was not interested in these worldly
things. Earlier, I used to address him as 'Sir'. But, from that day
onwards, the worldly relationship of teacher-student had ceased between
us. I used to tell him that all that was seen by the eye is merely
Drishyam which was perishable and that one had to go beyond and search for
the Drashta. From that day onwards wherever I went and whomever I met, I
used to teach these higher principles.
Then, one day Ramana called Seshama Raju and told him, "Seshama Raju!
Do not trouble yourself much in trying to understand the behaviour of
Sathyam. This boy is delving deeper and deeper into the mysteries of life.
It is not possible for anybody to fathom His true nature. Let us wait for
some time and see", saying thus, he took Me into his house and
offered snacks, coffee, meals, etc., with great love. Poor man! He did not
realise that I was never interested in those worldly matters. I did not
touch any of these food stuffs. In My view, they were all worldly things
which underwent constant change. They were never permanent. I explained to
him, "You brought this Upma for Me. How real is this stuff? Only till
one consumes it. What happens to it after eating? Nobody can see its shape
thereafter. It just disappears. You are all considering these unreal
worldly things as real." Thus, I started teaching them higher
Vedantic concepts. H.S. Ramana was astonished at My knowledge of these
higher principles. Till then, he was addressing Me as "Raju!
Raju!" But, from then on he started addressing Me as 'Guruji'!
Holding My feet, he pleaded with Me "Guruji! Please come to my
house." Those who were witnessing the scene were amazed that this
elderly gentleman who was a teacher was holding the feet of this young
boy, his student. Then Ramana declared in front of all those people, "Not
only me; a day will come when the entire world will fall at His
feet." The people gathered there on that occasion were all
powerful, holding high positions in society. There was a neighbour by name
Ramanarayana Sastri, who was an astrologer. He was called in and appraised
of all those higher truths of life which I was explaining to them. Sri
Sastri was amazed at My knowledge of Vedantic concepts at such a young age
and shed tears of joy. One or two drops of tears fell at My feet. From
then onwards, everybody in Uravakonda started addressing Me as Sathya Sai
Baba. I told them that I had come only for the purpose of revealing this
truth. Unable to comprehend the full truth about My revelations, some of
them questioned Me, "How can You declare Yourself to be Sai
Baba?" I just took some flowers in My hand and threw them on the
floor. Lo and behold! The flowers arranged themselves as Sathya Sai Baba
in Telugu letters. On witnessing this miracle, they were wonderstruck and
dumbfounded! Then, everybody started chanting in chorus "Sathya Sai
Baba Ki Jai", "Sathya Sai Baba Ki Jai"! I emphatically told
them that this was a name which they themselves had ascribed to Me and, in
fact, I had no name at all! I declared thus on the occasion thus:
Know that I am
Sai in reality,
Cast off your worldly relationships,
Give up your efforts to restrain Me,
The worldly attachments can no longer bind Me,
None, however great he may be, can hold Me.
|
(Telugu
Poem) |
I got up and
started walking away. In the meanwhile, all those assembled there
including Ramana and Sastri tried to follow Me. I advised them not to be
after Me, but, to strive for self-introspection and mental transformation.
Since I am not the body, none can hold Me. Therefore, I advised them to
follow My ideals. Only then can they realise My true nature.
In this vast expanse of the universe, right from the minutest atom to the
mightiest, everything is permeated by the Atmic reality. It appears as the
minutest of the minute and mightiest of the mighty. In fact, the principle
of oneness that pervades microcosm and macrocosm is the fundamental
reality which you have to enquire into. That is why Ramana Maharishi used
to say, "Enquire, who you really are?"
You are not a single entity. You are, in fact, three-in-one,
The one you think you are, (body)
The one others think you are (mind) and
The one you really are (Atma).
The Atma is known as conscience and the body which consists of the senses
is called conscious. The Chaitanya (consciousness) which is present in
all, transcends the senses. There is yet another principle that is beyond
consciousness. It is called Super Consciousness.
In the earlier days, not many people knew who Sai Baba was. He was
considered a Muslim saint. When I first returned to Puttaparthi declaring
Myself as Sai Baba, people thought that I had taken a Muslim name. But, no
one can bind Me to a particular religion like Hinduism or Islam.
The
Vaishnavites say that Lord Vishnu is the greatest while the
Saivites declare that Lord Siva is the greatest of all.
Gaanapatyas (the worshippers of Ganapati) declare that Ganapati is
the greatest. The educated say Goddess Sarada is the greatest.
Shaaktas (worshippers of Shakti) proclaim that Goddess Shakti is
the greatest. My devotees say I am the greatest. Some others say
all are one. People may speak on the basis of their feelings but
in truth, there is only one GOD and the rest are names.
|
(Telugu
Poem) |
Different people
may ascribe different names to the Atmic Reality and try to define it in
different ways. But, the underlying Atma Tattwa is one and the same. This
truth has to be explained to the people in an understandable language. You
can see that there are some houses beyond. In the front portion of the
house, you will find a verandah; then a living room and then a kitchen.
Thereafter, you will find a bathroom and a toilet. Thus, there are
different names for different utilities. How did they acquire these names?
It is only because they are so divided by walls, for different purposes.
But, the truth is they are all parts of the same house. Similarly,
different people have different names and they establish different
relationships with people like mother, father, brother, etc. From where
did you acquire these relationships? Everything is your own making. Remove
these barriers. What remains is a vast expanse of oneness. One person
refers to Divinity as Atma, another refers to it as Brahman and the third
one calls it as Vishnu. These are only names ascribed by human beings to
the nameless, formless, attributeless Divinity. The Brahma Tattwa is one
that has no names ascribed to it.
Where did the Brahman come from? The Atmic consciousness that permeates
every living being is referred to as Brahman. When it is individualised,
it is called conscience. It is also referred to as Jiva. When the Atma
Tattwa is encased in a body, it becomes an individual. The individual, the
Atma and consciousness - all the three are one and the same. People think
they are different because they are given different names. Remove the
names. There is only one Atma Tattwa in every individual. It has no form.
It assumes different forms by joining different individuals. Supposing you
name this object (showing a handkerchief) as Atma. It is a handkerchief in
common parlance. But, when you look at it from a spiritual angle, it is an
object. I call it as thread. Again, after some time I refer to it as
cotton; whether we call it as handkerchief or thread or cotton, it refers
to only one object. Only different names are given to the object. Take for
instance the names of Rama and Krishna. Rama was not born with that
particular name. He was christened Rama only after His birth. No.
Similarly, the name Krishna. Since He was an embodiment of bliss, He was
referred to as Krishna. Akarshati Iti Krishna (because He attracts,
He is Krishna). But, His real nature is Ananda. He is Ananda Swarupa
(embodiment of bliss). The same principle of Ananda has taken different
names. This one single principle of Ananda is:
Brahmanandam, Parama Sukhadam, KevalamJnanamurtim, Dwandwateetam,
Gagana Sadrisham, Tattwamasyadi Lakshyam, Ekam, Nityam, Vimalam, Achalam,
Sarvadhee Sakshibhutam,Bhavateetam, Trigunarahitam (God is the
embodiment of supreme bliss, He is wisdom absolute, the One without a
second, beyond the pair of opposites, expansive and pervasive like the
sky, the goal indicated by the Mahavakya Tattwamasi, the eternal, pure,
unchanging, the witness of all functions of the intellect, beyond all
mental conditions and the three Gunas of Sattwa, Rajas and Thamas).
Divinity has no attributes. How can one give a name to it? Since it is not
possible to assign any particular name to this principle, they named it as
Atma. This Atma Tattwa is permeating every individual. It has no specific
form. Explaining thus, I told those people that it is only for making them
realise this principle that I have come. Then, Seshama Raju put a big
question. He was a Telugu Pandit. Whatever question he put, had certain
value. He questioned, "Who are You?" I answered, "Since you
are calling Me as Sathya, I am Sathya. Since you are referring to Me as
your brother, I am your brother. Since you call Me as a student, I am a
student. By whatever name and form you refer to Me, I assume that name and
form. In fact, no one is able to realise the truth. No one has any
relationship whatsoever with Me. Call Me by any name, I will answer. If
you call Me "Sai", I will answer. If you call Me
"Baba", I will respond. By whatever name you call Me, it is the
same for Me. All these names are only names ascribed to Me. I have, in
fact, come to make you realise this truth."
In the classroom, three of us used to share a desk - Myself in the middle,
flanked by Ramesh and Suresh on either side. They were very young. One was
eight years old, the other nine years and I was 8 ½ years old. Ramesh and
Suresh were not good in studies. Whenever the teachers asked them
questions, they would give the answers prompted by Me. It was the time of
our E.S.L.C. public examination. The roll numbers of our seats in the
examination hall were so arranged that we had to sit separately, quite at
a distance from each other. It was not possible for them to get any help
from Me. They were much worried. I infused courage in them saying,
"You need not write anything. You just attend the examination. I will
take care of the rest."
I completed My answer paper in a few minutes. I took some more answer
sheets from the invigilator and wrote the answers in Ramesh's handwriting.
After completing it, I took another set of answer sheets and wrote the
answers in Suresh's handwriting. I also wrote their names on the answer
sheets. When the final bell rang, all the students got up, and I silently
placed all the three answer sheets on the table of the examiner. When the
results were announced, only we three got first class. The teachers were
surprised as to how Ramesh and Suresh also got first class. The
mathematics teacher Thirumal Rao called the three of us. He asked Ramesh
and Suresh whether they had written the answers on their own. Prior to
this, I had cautioned Ramesh and Suresh not to reveal the truth under any
circumstances. I told them, "If they ask you any question, tell them
that you remembered the answers then and now have forgotten. If you follow
My command, I am yours and you are Mine." They obeyed My command and
told Thirumal Rao that they had written the answers on their own. There
was no scope for any doubt. They could not have copied from Me, since we
were seated far from each other. Their answer sheets were in their own
handwriting. The local people were overjoyed. They took out a grand
procession carrying us on their shoulders.
There was a businessman by name Kote Subbanna. Somehow he came to know
that I could compose excellent poetry. One day he came to Me and pleaded,
"Raju, there is a new medicine by name Bala Bhaskara in my stores.
Please write a song on the efficacy of the medicine which would serve as
an advertisement. I will give You whatever You want. I am prepared to pay
You any amount of money." I told him, "I am not here to sell My
poetry. You give Me the details of the medicine. I will certainly compose
a song for you." Then I composed the following song:
There it is!
There it is! Oh, children! come, come!
There is the medicine Bala Bhaskara;
Be it an upset stomach or a swollen leg;
Be it a joint pain or flatulence;
Be it any ailment, known or unknown;
Take this Bala Bhaskara for an instant cure!
If you wish to know where it is available:
There is the shop of Kote Subbanna;
It is in that shop that you can pick it up.
Come here boys! come here!
It is an excellent tonic
Prepared by the famous physician Gopalacharya himself,
Come here boys! come here!
|
(Telugu
Song) |
This song was
taught to ten children who went about carrying placards and singing the
song composed by Me in the streets. Everybody came to know of the medicine
and all the stock was sold out in no time. Kote Subbanna became very
popular. His joy knew no bounds. He brought a new pair of dress stitched
for Me as an expression of his gratitude, but I refused to accept them.
Meanwhile, our headmaster Lakshmipathy Sastri was transferred. All the
students felt sorry about it. Seshama Raju was also transferred from
Uravakonda to Kamalapuram. Hence, I had to leave Uravakonda. Ramesh and
Suresh were very much attached to Me. Such intense love cannot be found
even among parents and siblings. When I left Uravakonda, the other
children in the school became inconsolable. Ramesh and Suresh did not shed
tears but they could not bear the separation from Me. I was very young at
that time and had to obey the command of Seshama Raju. Hence, I boarded
the bus and left Uravakonda. Ramesh, utterly dejected, fell into a well
and died. The second boy went on repeating "Raju, Raju, Raju
…" and ultimately turned mad. He was taken to various mental
hospitals but there was no improvement. Finally, his father came to Me and
prayed, "Suresh will be cured of his madness if he sees You at least
once. Please come and see him." I went to the mental hospital to see
him. He was continuously repeating "Raju, Raju, Raju …" Seeing
Me, he shed tears and breathed his last.
Later, Ramesh and Suresh were born as two dogs and were brought to Me by
an officer from Bangalore. They used to be with Me always when I was in
Old Mandir. They were named Jack and Jill. One day, the Maharani of Mysore
came to have My Darshan. She was a great devotee and a very orthodox
woman. She would always maintain distance from others. She would not touch
anything that was touched by others. She was so orthodox that she would
insist upon giving a bath to the cow before milking it. As there was no
proper road to Puttaparthi, she alighted from the car at Karnatanagepalli
and walked the rest of the distance to the Old Mandir. How did she come?
She did not want to put her foot on the road used by others. Hence, she
had brought four wooden planks with her. She put her steps on each of
those planks and reached the Mandir. The Maharani decided to rest for the
night in the Mandir. The driver had his dinner and was returning to
Karnatanagepalli where the car was parked. During night, there was heavy
rain. The driver slept in the car and Jack slept under the car near the
wheel. Next morning, the driver started the car, not knowing that Jack was
sleeping under it. The wheel of the car ran over the back of Jack and its
backbone broke. Jack dragged itself across the river, wailing all the
while. A washerman named Subbanna used to take care of the Old Mandir day
and night. He came running to Me and said, "Swami, Jack might have
met with an accident. It is coming wailing in pain." I came out at
once. Jack came close to Me, wailing loudly, fell at My feet and breathed
its last. It was buried behind the Old Mandir and a Brindavanam was
erected there. As Jack had passed away, Jill stopped eating food and died
after a few days. It was also buried by the side of Jack. In this manner,
Ramesh and Suresh did penance to be with Me always. Even after their
death, they took birth as dogs to be with Me.
During My childhood, I used to compose several songs with deep meaning and
gave joy to the villagers by having them sung. One day, a communist party
leader by name Narayana Reddy from Bukkapatnam, approached Me with a
request to compose some songs which could inspire our freedom fighters. A
doll was placed in a cradle on the stage. I then composed a song in the
form of a lullaby to the doll.
Do not cry, my
child, do not cry.
If you cry, you will not be called a valiant son of Bharat.
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep.
Did you get scared because the terrible Hitler has invaded the
invincible Russia?
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep.
Do not cry, my child, do not cry.
For the Red Army is marching under Stalin.
They will put an end to Hitler.
Why do you cry my child?
Is it because the country is suffering under foreign rule?
Do not cry, my child, do not cry.
All the countrymen shall unite and fight to win freedom;
Go to sleep, my child, go to sleep."
|
(Telugu
Song) |
The villagers
listened to the song with appreciation and amazement. Many of them
wondered as to how this young boy Sathyanarayana Raju had come to know
about Hitler and Stalin. These names were unknown to the people in this
region. This song was printed in a pamphlet and distributed in the
villages. People from other political parties started coming to Me,
requesting Me to write songs for them. Seshama Raju scolded Me, saying
that I should not involve Myself in political affairs. I told him, "I
have nothing to do with political parties. I don't belong to any party.
All parties are Mine. I belong to all."
The song became very popular in the village. They brought a few pants,
shirts and towels for Me. But I refused to accept them. I distributed them
to other children right in their presence. I told them, "I composed
the song only to encourage you, not for any monetary benefits." From
that day I stopped writing such songs. Nowadays, I don't even compose
Bhajans. I am not writing any articles even for Sanathana Sarathi. Kasturi
used to plead with Me to write articles. He would say, "Swami, unless
Your Name appears in Sanathana Sarathi, it has no value at all."
All the children in the school were very fond of Me. I too loved them
dearly. Whenever there were any special preparations at home like Vadas
and Pakodas, I used to take them to school and distribute to other
children. I was friendly with all. I had no enmity towards anyone. Seeing
My noble deeds, Ramesh and Suresh developed great attachment towards Me
and ultimately offered their lives to Me. Because of their love and
devotion, I helped them in their examinations. After that I never involved
Myself in matters related to examinations. Once a government official
asked Me, "Swami, how could You write exams on their behalf?" I
replied, "Why not, Ramesh and Suresh are also My names." In this
manner, I can go on narrating various incidents in My life story. There is
no end to it. In fact, words are inadequate to describe My story.
I always have special love for students. Similarly, students have intense
love for Me. They seek My guidance whenever they have any problem. Even
yesterday, a research scholar prayed for My guidance in the preparation of
His thesis. He is writing a thesis on Mahabharata. He asked Me a few
questions about characters like Bhishma, Bhima and Dharmaraja. I told him
that he should find the answers by himself. Right now, you can find the
research scholar sitting behind in the verandah. I told him to enquire
within to find the right answers.
Students are full of love for Swami. They consider Swami as their mother,
father and everything. They address Me as Sai Matha. They sing, "We
are the children of Sai Matha." When they consider Me as their
mother, how can I not respond to their prayers? Hence, I too shower
motherly love on them. Yad Bhavam Tad Bhavati (as is the feeling,
so is the result). It is only a reflection of the love they have for Me.
The love that exists between Swami and students is that of a mother and
her children. Let anybody say anything, Swami is Your mother. I am the
mother to those who consider Me as their mother, father to those who
believe I am their father. I respond to you in accordance with your
feelings. Even your own mother cannot give you as much love as Swami
showers on you.
Students!
Work hard and study well. The two boys who are sitting down by My side are
feeling anxious that Swami has been standing for a long time. They have
been praying that I should sit.
(In the end, Bhagawan permitted two former students of the Institute, who
are presently working in different institutions of the Ashram to address
the youth.)
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