August 22nd, 2004
"A QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION "
OM…OM…OM…
Sai Ram
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,
Welcome back this morning’s
session. Yes, today we will have a question and answer session. (One lady
starts off the session with her question.)
Should we read ONLY SAI literature?
This lady feels a
prompting within, a suggestion from within, that she has to go through only
Sai literature. She feels that it is not necessary to read other books written
by famous people, even though they are, no doubt, great people. Reading Sai
literature is the best thing that we have to do -- that's what she feels
intuitively from within.
This is purely a personal
question. I can give you four points in this regard.
First, this morning, what drama
was staged here? It was one on Shirdi Sai. It was an account given in Sai
Sathcharitra. Sai Sathcharitra is the account of Shirdi Sai Baba. The drama
was enacted this morning here. So one can read other books. One has
to read other books.
Second point, Bhagavan often
quotes Ramana Maharishi. Bhagavan often quotes Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.
Bhagavan often reminds us of Lord Chaitanya’s contribution to spirituality.
Swami speaks of Buddha. Swami speaks of Jesus. So there is nothing wrong in
reading their literature. On the other hand, it is good to read these books.
Third point, with reference to my
own experience, I can say that I am able to understand tough literature on
philosophy like Brahma Sutras, Yoga Vashishta, Ramana Maharishi’s
literature -- tough, very tough literature -- after reading Sai literature. I am
able to follow these books now. I understand the correct meaning, the correct
interpretation, after reading Sai literature. In other words, in my case, Sai
literature provided a sort of platform, a screen on which anything can be
projected. Now I am able to understand any school of philosophy very clearly,
far better than before.
Fourth point, Bhagavan says that
Truth is one, though people view it from different angles, from different
dimensions:
Ekam Sat Vipraha
Bahudha Vadanti.
Ekam Sat
means “Truth is one.” Vipraha means ‘the scholars.’ Bahudha means
‘in different ways.’ Vadanti means ‘expound it.’ So this phrase means,
“The scholars expound Truth in different ways.” The same fundamental Truth is
expounded in different ways. There is nothing wrong about that. Yes.
Any more questions please? Yes,
come. Would you please come over here, because there is mike here.
Did Buddha refer to the Creator AT any time?
Good. I repeat the question once
again. It is not that you have not understood what he said. I repeat it because
I want to be clear in my answer, by repeating the question. For that purpose I
choose to repeat, OK? This is his question:
Did Buddha refer to
the Creator at any time? Did He speak about God at any time?
Bhagavan often quotes Buddha,
various episodes relating to His biography. Did
Buddha say anything about the Creator? This is the point raised
to Swami Himself. This is the question put to Him straightaway.
Bhagavan! Is Buddha an atheist? Is Buddha a
non-believer? Did He not say anything about the Creator?
Bhagavan's answer is straight and
simple. Instead of speaking on the Creator or about the Creator, Buddha has
shown the path to the Creator. Even if I know about the Creator, even if
I know all the details by going through the different texts available, all that
becomes textual or academic if I do not know the path -- if I do not how
to tread along the path to the Creator.
So Baba's answer is, “Instead of
speaking on the Creator or about the Creator, Buddha has shown the path
towards Divinity, the path towards the Divine, which is unfailing.
The next point is that Buddha
referred to a state of Self-realisation called Nirvana. Nirvana is
the state of Self-realisation, which is the ultimate reality in any spiritual
path, for that matter. Therefore, Buddha speaks of the goal of life as
Nirvana. This is the aim of life, namely liberation.
He referred to the path towards
the Divine, speaking of the 'Eight-fold Path'. There the important thing that He
told was adherence to Truth or Samyak Vaak. Samyak means ‘good’;
Vaak means ‘words’ or ‘talk’. So, Samyak Vaak
means ‘good words’ or ‘good talk’.
Then He also spoke of Samyak
Sravanam, which means ‘good listening’. So, Bhagavan Buddha referred to good
speaking (meaning, speaking Truth), good listening, good actions, and good
thoughts. Samyak means everything good. Buddha speaks of that path
towards Divinity. Am I clear? Yes.
Any more questions please? Yes,
please come.
What about composers like Jayadeva and Annamacharya?
Good. This is a question from a
young man, a question appropriate to his age. I repeat the question once again:
There are certain
great important composers, eminent devotees like Jayadeva and Annamacharya,
right? These composers have brought in certain sensual subjects. What does Swami
say about it? We do not find the boys or anybody here singing those songs that
relate to sensual subjects.
That's the question. The third
point he mentioned is: We say that God is
attributeless. Then why did those devotees refer to sensual subjects in their
compositions? Is the question clear? That's right.
My friends, spirituality is not
full of contradictions. Apparently, on face value, we may find things being
contradictory in their nature. But basically, fundamentally, they are not
contradictory; they are complimentary. They take us from one height to another
height, from one stage to a higher stage.
Regarding the sensuous subjects
referred to by composers like Jayadeva and Annamacharya, these poems attract
those who are at that level of comprehension. They apply to those who are still
at that stage, bound by sensual attractions. Those compositions will draw them
nearer and nearer to the subject. Having been drawn nearer and nearer to the
subject, they will then be taken to exalted heights, as they dive deep into
these compositions. That's the first point.
The answer to the second question
is that Bhagavan does not want these boys to sing those songs because they have
enough homework here. Bhagavan talks to them repeatedly, giving them high doses
of spirituality -- very high dosages! So they do not need the lower dosage of
these compositions. Bhagavan is giving them 500mg, so 25mg is not required!
The third part of the question is
that God has no attributes. Then, why all these poets made their compositions on
sensual subjects? Why?
We say that God is attributeless.
Please, this is an answer that applies to everybody. God has no attributes. I
say that, OK? But, (Anil Kumar starts singing:)
Daya Sagara
Karunakara,
Daya
is compassion, which is an attribute. Karuna is kindness, which is an
attribute.
Gunagambheera Sai
Eswara,
Daya Sagara
Karunakara.
Gunagambheera
means, “You are full of attributes.” Why? Is that not a contradiction? My
friends, God has attributes and He also has no attributes. He is both.
Why and how is that possible?
It is possible because we are all
not of the same temperament. All of us are not at the same level of
comprehension and experience. So far as I have attributes, it is possible to
worship God with attributes.
I have attributes. What are they?
Duality, kindness, compassion. I want God's mercy. I want God's help. Since I am
at the level of attributes, I approach God with attributes. “Oh God, I want You
to help me.”
Deena Natha Sai
Natha,
Devaki Tanaya Daya
Nidhee,
Daya Nidhee Kripa
Nidhee,
Darshan Dijo Sai
Deva,
Deena Natha, Sai
Natha,
Devaki Tanaya Daya
Nidhee.
Deena Natha:
“Oh, God! You are the Refuge of the forlorn! Oh, God! You are my Anchor! Oh,
God! You are my support! I want You to help me. I want You to come to my
rescue.” Why do I pray like that? Because I have attributes. So, I pray to God
with attributes to help me.
The next stage is when I have no
attributes at all. What is it, being attributeless? How to be attributeless? I
can answer with a simple phrase – 'choiceless awareness'. It is choiceless
awareness. When one has no choice whatsoever, that is the quality of a
person without attributes.
So, once I have no attributes, I
can pray to God without attributes. Thus, it depends upon the level of the
seeker, the level of the aspirant. As he evolves more and more, higher and
higher, he can also see Divinity appropriately.
A simple example: All this is
matter. But if you go deeper, it is not matter. It is atoms and molecules. If
you go still deeper, it is electrons, protons and neutrons. Which is correct?
Matter? Is it wrong? No, it's correct. Atoms and molecules -- is that wrong? No.
It is also correct. Protons, electrons and neutrons, is that wrong? No. Correct.
It is correct. All the three answers are correct.
How can all these three be
correct? From a distance, it is all matter. On closer observation, with certain
equipment, you will understand that it is atoms and molecules. Still, with
deeper research, you will know that they are electrons, protons and neutrons. Do
you understand?
So, the Nirgunathawa or
'attributelessness' is understood if I am eligible to pray like that. I should
be eligible to pray like that. For example, if I hold a stethoscope, what will I
understand? Nothing, as I am not qualified as a doctor. If I watch an ECG
printout, what is it that I understand? I won’t understand it. So, I should be
qualified to understand, am I right? So that's what is this. Am I clear?
Right. Next question? Yes, please
come! One lady should follow each gent, because we must respect woman's
liberation moment! Why create confusion? (Laughter)
What is 'Amrita'?
Oho!
Oho! Good, good. I repeat once again.
What is 'Amrita'? What is it good for? Why don’t we have some?
Right? Good! Good question. That is what they sing. Do you know?
Hasitam Madhuram,
Vadanam Madhuram,
Madhuradhi Pathe,
Akhilam Madhuram.
Yes! Everything is ‘Madhuram’
or sweet. Madhuram means 'sweet'. Amritam means 'sweet
nectar', very sweet. Yes, please follow me. What does Baba say about it?
Why can’t we have
some? You can have
any amount, no problem. What does it do? It is not the Amrita available
in the market. It is not the nectar sold in the market, meaning honey. Honey is
sold there in the market. We also have so many sweets in the North Indian
canteen. That is also not Amrita. (Laughter) What does Baba say
about Amrita?
If I do not utter ‘Anrutha’,
if I speak Truth, I have Amrita. Anrutha means ‘a lie’. Anrutha
means ‘falsehood’. Anrutha is ‘untruth’. If I don’t speak Anrutha,
then I have Amrita, the Truth. So Truth is Amrita, while
untruth is Anrutha. Thus, we should eternally speak Amrita, the
Truth.
How do I say that? Do I have any
support for my statements?
Bhagavan used to distribute
Amrita on every Vaikuntha Ekadasi day. He used to distribute it then.
But suddenly, He stopped distributing Amrita. He gave a discourse saying,
“Hereafter, I am not going to distribute Amrita.” Oh, I see!
Why did He say that? Then He
added, “Stop speaking Anrutha, falsehood. Then the whole life is
Amrita. Then life is going to be sweet.” That is what He said. Am I clear?
THE Catholic bishop and amrita
I also remember another episode, a
related matter. Take it for what it is. A few years ago, a bishop from France
visited this place, accompanied by his disciple. The bishop was an elderly
gentleman, a well-built personality with a white beard, quite an aged person,
while his disciple was quite lean, tall, and very handsome with long hair. I had
thought that if I were to make a film on Jesus Christ, this young man would be a
fitting character.
These two stayed here for a long
time. Bhagavan gave long interviews to that gentleman, and also showed him
excellent hospitality. Plus Swami gave him His car to move about in. So
everybody started watching the bishop there.
I, too, had a desire to see him.
But how could I see him? He was seated there on the verandah in the first seat.
If I were to go and see, naturally I would draw the attention of Bhagavan. Then
Bhagavan might say, “When the bishop has come to see Me, you have come to see
the bishop! (Laughter) Are you such a fool?” He may say that.
So, I did not want to take this
risk. But still there was this curiosity to see the bishop. 'Who is this man who
is given such a tumultuous welcome, a grand reception and excellent hospitality
-- such special attention by Bhagavan? Who is this bishop?' I was thinking like
that.
Suddenly, on one Sunday, Swami
sent for me. “Swami wants you immediately.” So I ran right away and arrived
there.
Baba said, “Go in.” So I did.
The bishop was from France. He was
a Catholic bishop with his disciple, a Frenchman. Along with them, there was a
Belgium queen and her female companion. They were all going in for an interview.
Of course, they do not know Telugu, which happens to be my mother tongue. So
Swami came closely to me and said softly that they could not follow Him.
“You wanted to see the bishop.
Therefore, I called you inside. Now you can see him. You can see him now." (Laughter)
I was very much embarrassed,
because it was the truth! I went inside and Swami said, “Translate slowly. They
cannot understand if you speak very fast.” Then Swami started speaking about the
Holy Bible.
Please believe me. That bishop
started wondering, ‘How is that Swami knows the profundity and depth of the Holy
Bible -- more than I know it?’ He was wondering.
“Oh, oh! Is that so? Swami,
wonderful! Wow, wow!” (Laughter) And the disciple was also amazed, “Yes,
Swami. Wow, wow!”
I was watching them and watching
Swami, enjoying the Divine romance going on between the two, listening to their
sweet conversation.
Finally Swami got up. He came to
me and said, “Did you see him clearly or shall I go inside?”
“No, no, Swami. I have seen him
enough. No more.”
Then Bhagavan pulled His sleeves
up like this and He materialised -- please believe me, I know that I am speaking
in front of Bhagavan -- a big container of this size. (Anil Kumar shows with
his hands the size of the container.) He made a gold container with a gold
spoon. He materialised both of them at one stretch. That container was full of
Amrita!
Baba said, “I discontinued
materialising Amrita for the last 30 years. I materialised this Amrita
after a lapse of thirty years because this happens to be the birthday of the
bishop, the archbishop. It is his birthday, so I want to honour him. Therefore,
I materialised it.”
Then He wanted the bishop to open
his mouth. “Ahhhhh!” Then Swami put just one spoon full of Amrita
into his mouth. The bishop said, “Ah! Very fine, Swami!” Then He gave one spoon
to the disciple.
He asked me to hold the container,
but He did not give any to me! (Laughter) To hold it -- how difficult it
is to simply hold it and not to taste it! I had to remind myself of the Lord’s
Prayer: "Father, lead us not into temptation."
I was holding the container like
that. As Swami was watching me, my hands started shaking. (We become nervous in
front of Swami. Usually we are all right. But in front of Swami, we become
sensitive and nervous.)
“Hey! Why do you shake your
hands?”
“Swami, I don't know. The hand is
shaking in spite of me.” (Laughter)
He said, “I know, I know. You are
acting. You want to have this Amrita, right? (Laughter)
“Yes, Swami.”
“All right! Open your mouth.”
He gave…“Aaaa!” And still
Amrita is remaining!
Then He gave a second spoonful to
the Belgian queen and also to her companion. I was still holding the container.
Swami started distributing a spoonful of nectar or Amrita to everybody.
Still, some more Amrita was remaining there. (I know that because I was
holding the container.)
Then finally, He came to me and
said, “Open your mouth.” He emptied the rest of the Amrita into my
mouth! (Laughter) I tell you, the taste -- abba! It was so sweet!
Usually sweet or hot, bitter or
astringent, whatever taste it is, it lasts only up to the level of the tongue.
But Amrita has given sweetness right from the navel. Ah, very
nice!
As I was holding the container,
some nectar spilt on my hands. It was very sticky and gummy. Then Swami left.
While He was going, He said, “Anil Kumar, don’t tell anybody.”
It is very dangerous to tell me
any confidential things (Laughter) because I have this weakness of
sharing whatever I know. It doesn't matter whatever may happen. That’s how I
take Divine risks every year!
So, I was in one such Divine risk
at that time: “Don't tell anybody, because I discontinued for the last thirty
years.”
“OK, Swami,” I said, folding my
hands like this because of the nectar that fell into my palms. “OK, Swami.”
I came out. I don’t know, but I
know most of the favorite people very well because I feel like communicating
with everybody. I do not understand why the spiritual seeker must imprison
himself, live in a cage, cut off from the rest of the people, put on a long face
as if he is a sickly person. Nonsense! I believe that we should be able to
communicate with everybody, talk to everybody, and share with joy, our Swami’s
message. I believe in this and I derive joy out of it.
So I was coming out like that.
Immediately all the Seva dal people surrounded me and asked,
“What? What, sir? What happened? Why are you like that?” (Laughter)
Swami said, “Do not tell.”
Then I had some logic: Swami said,
“Don’t tell.” But they can smell, right?
The nectar had the smell of Paris
scents, I tell you. Yes, Paris sprays and all that, you know - how fragrant they
are! Ah! Wonderful scents like that.
Then I said, “Hey, don't ask me.
Stretch your head.” I put my palm out.
They smelled, “What is it?”
“I don't know.”
Swami said, “Do not tell.” That's
all. They can smell, right? Nothing wrong with it.
I came home. I returned to my
quarters. Of course, I told my wife, and she immediately brought a plate and
wanted me to wash my hands. (Laughter)
Please believe me. She is here
right now, in the quarters, so you can verify. That smell lasted for seven days!
For seven days! Just as though it had materialised each day, just then! It was
so sweet! That's what Amrita is. But in our daily life situations,
Amrita is refraining from Anrutha or falsehood. Am I clear?
Then I have some questions here.
One friend has brought this note. I will read out the question.
DREAMS with Swami
Is a dream with Swami
a perfect interview? And must we take all instances from Him as though it is
exactly happening?
My friends, dreams are of two
kinds -- first, psychological and second, prompted by Bhagavan. The dreams that
we have that are instances from Swami, the dreams that we have because of the
will of Swami, should not be called ‘dreams’. Please understand this.
When Swami appears to us in our
dream, it is not a dream. It is a reality. It is better if we give it
another name -- 'vision'. VISION! Do not say that Swami appeared in my dream.
No, no, no.
We have so many dreams. When I
lose in the election, when I am defeated in the election, I can win the election
in the dream. Why not? I will give you one example.
There was one young man, the son
of an income tax officer, who came to me when I was there in Bangalore and said,
“Sir?”
“Ah, yes? What do you want?”
“Swami wants me to marry
such-and-such a girl. He said so in my dream!”
“Oh, I see! He told you? Oh,
good!”
Then after some time, one girl
came and said, “Sir, Swami appeared in my dream and said that I should marry
that same boy.”
Both of them told me. The boy
said, “Swami wants me to marry this girl.” And the girl said, “Swami wants me to
marry that boy.” Yes.
What shall I say now? Then I said,
“I believe your words. Swami wants you to marry. Why not? Please, you are also
right. He said it in your dreams, so please marry in your dreamland! (Laughter)
Please get married in your dreams!”
What's all this? So, some of these
dreams are psychological promptings of the mind, unfulfilled desires. Suppose I
want to beat you. I cannot beat you here because you are well built and stronger
than me. But I can beat you like anything in my dream, till I exhaust all my
energy. So, these types of dreams are different. They are psychological.
But Bhagavan appearing in a dream
is not a dream, but a vision. Then, how to distinguish and differentiate
between the two? What is the difference between a vision and a dream?
A dream satisfies the vagaries,
the will, whims and desires of our mind. Suppose I want to go to the Holiday Inn
or the Oberoi. I can go there in my dreamland, see the entire hotel and then
return – a seven-star or a super-star, right? It is the mind that gets satisfied
in that dream. It is the mind that is agitated in another dream. It is the mind
that is disturbed in a bad dream. In my dream, you may appear and pull me by my
collar. So I will be afraid of you there in my dream. Thus, in a dream, we
react.
In a vision, there is no question
of reaction; a vision calls for action. A vision calls for action, while
a dream is a reaction. A dream is psychological, while a vision is intuitive,
from our heart. A dream is physical, while a vision is spiritual.
A dream gives scope for ambiguity.
“Swami wants me to join this job. Shall I or not?” “Swami wants me to come
there. Shall I or not?” If it is just at the mental level, you begin to doubt.
You are in a state of confusion.
But a vision gives no scope for
such confusion. “Do it!” That's all. “Come here!” Straight. There is no
confusion; there is no ambiguity. The direction is very clear in a vision.
And then in a dream, there is an
option to back out. Suppose in a dream, you have certain plans. Well, here you
may not execute those plans, back in the relative state. But we
must do that which is set in the vision. There is no exemption.
A simple example: One gentleman
was praying to Bhagavan continuously for vibuthi. He could not get it,
and he was crying. Baba appeared in a dream and materialised enough vibuthi
for that man. Well, he was so happy. As he came along with many devotees, the
whole group was given an interview. He went inside and Swami gave vibuthi
to everybody, but not to this man.
He said, “Swami, vibhu....”.
“Eh! Last night I gave you.
Last night I gave you!” (Laughter)
What does it mean? When Swami
appears there in a vision, we don’t have to doubt or question it.
But to give a personal note, I
know that none of you will make fun of me if I am very plain. This is my life,
right from the beginning. It is too late to change; it doesn't matter. My wife
dreams a lot. She has so many dreams. She tells me, “Swami said this in my
dream.”
It all appeared to be nonsense to
me. 'Even this reality, I am very much tired of. Why again bring a dream
forward? This is enough.' This waking stage itself is already enough torture.
Why dream again?
So I simply listened to her, “Aha!
Oho! OK,” because peace at home is important. (Laughter) Before we think
of universal peace, let us think of peace at home, of harmony at home. So, when
she said, “Swami appeared in my dream!” I would say, “Ah! Oh! Very good! Very
good!”
To add some pep to the
conversation, I said, “You are very lucky. I do not to have dreams like that.”
She could understand that I am not paying attention to all the narration, so she
stopped telling me, because there is no use, you know?
Then after a long time, suddenly
Baba called us for an interview. He was talking about so many things. Suddenly I
said, “Swami, is it true that You appear in dreams?”
He asked, “Why did you put that
question?”
“Swami, since she is there, my
wife tells me that You appear in her dreams and all that. I question and doubt
that because You never appeared in my dreams. As You never appeared in my
dreams, therefore I doubt such dreams.”
His answer was, “You don't
believe. Therefore, I don’t appear in your dreams. (Laughter) She has got
full faith. Therefore, I appear in her dreams. It is your bad luck; it is her
good fortune.” (Laughter)
There started a Korea war, a
spirituality complex -- 'I am superior to you'. Swami, what is all this? Instead
of solving the problem, You brought another problem now!
While leaving the interview room,
He said, “Since you see Me, since you are sitting closely here, why dreams?
Enjoy this! This is enough.” That's all. So, the problem was solved. (Laughter)
Coming back to the question,
dreams (meaning, visions) of Bhagavan are spiritual, unambiguous, non-confusing,
straight, and calling for action. They happen because of the will of Swami only.
So, we should use the word ‘vision’, not dream.
Yes, what is the next question?
Divine romance
If Swami knows
everything about us, why did He ask you yesterday, during His Divine discourse,
about the name of the boy standing there?
Ohho!
(Laughter) Good! He is asking me about what he saw; he is very sharp!
Good! We get these questions. I will bring in an analogy, which is close to this
situation:
If Swami comes like that to you
and asks, “When did you come?” does He not know when you came?
The very same Swami said, “Nobody
can be here unless I want them to be here.” That's what He has said. Then why
does He ask, “When did you come?”
Second example: He was just there
on the dais, while the program was going on in full swing. He was looking at me
and said, “How about your breakfast?”
“That's OK, thank You.” Some
‘Divine romance’ goes on there, you know! (Laughter) Does He not know
that I am yet to have my breakfast? Why should He say that?
My friends, God establishes
contact by putting such questions. Suppose He does not talk to you at all, as He
knows everything. So, why should He talk to you? Why should He talk to you, as
He knows everything?
No, no, no. To give you the joy of
talking to Him, to give you the happiness of being close to Him, to give you the
thrill of being near Him, He starts asking you, “What did you have for
breakfast?” “Oh! How are you?” “Your dress is nice!” “How is your job?” Then we
start answering these questions enthusiastically.
Suddenly He says, “I know what you
have done there!” (Laughter) Hadah! Your BP falls down now!
There’s high BP when He’s talking to you. Suddenly He says, “I know what you
have done there. You cannot hide anything from Me!” Hadah! Low BP!
So, Swami is ‘ordinary’ while
talking to us, in order to come closer to us, to be nearer and dearer to us. But
He is ‘extraordinary’ by revealing to us those things that we have never shared
with anybody, not even with our ‘better-half’!
Those things that you have kept in
an almira or safe deposit locker in your heart, Swami will nicely open! I tell
you that. But one thing is this: He will not trouble you about it. He will put
it in such an indirect way that nobody is put to embarrassment. Do you
understand?
All right, I will put it straight:
One lady was in the family way. Swami came and said, “Yes, delivery after two
months. You will have a male child.”
“Oh, Swami!” The lady became
excited.
While going to the gents’ side,
Swami told the husband, “You will have a female child.” (Laughter)
What's all this? The man is not
going to carry on, from now onwards. So, He told the husband that he will have a
female child and to the wife, that she will have a male child. So there’s a
heated argument at home, as in Parliament!
Then, Swami gave them an interview
after a week. This man should have been kept his mouth shut! (Laughter)
In this respect, ladies are better. They know how to be composed and all that --
how not to be inconvenient.
This man simply burst out, “But
Swami, why did You say that she will have a male child, while You told me that
it will be a female child?”
Swami just laughed and continued
the interview. While leaving, the wife left first. The husband was still there
at the doorstep
“Shall I tell you about that
affair? That affair? (Laughter) “With this lady, you will
have a male child.”
“Swami, it is enough! It is
enough! It is enough!”(Laughter)
So, certain things we keep as a
treasure; we don't share with anybody. But Swami knows! We cannot hide anything
from Him. I shall not name that man. It wouldn’t be decent.
There is one lecturer from
Ananthapur, a very close friend of mine. Since we’re a family, I am telling you
his story. He is a very close friend of mine. This incident happened long back,
about 25 years ago. He is a lecturer in chemistry. That fellow somehow had
chosen a girl, and he wanted to marry her.
This was kept as a top secret
because he doubted whether his parents would permit him to marry her or not. So
he came here, along with that lady, and asked her to wait near the bus stand, as
he feared Swami may heavily bang him. Who knows? She should not know that.
He was thinking, ‘He can bang me
separately, so that I can tell her I got the interview.’ Do you know what? You
don’t know what happens in the interview room!
So, he asked her to stay at bus
stand. (I am telling you because he is my close friend.)
Swami called him for an interview.
He was speaking in general, “How is your job? How are your parents?” and all
that. Then suddenly Swami asked, “Why have you left her there at the bus stand?
(Laughter) She is waiting for you there.”
“Swami, I...”
“Yes, I know about the affair.
Right?”
Then finally He said, “She is not
the right girl for you. No. Your parents will not approve of her. I will select
another bride for you, who will be appreciated and approved of by your parents.
I will perform your marriage. Don't disappoint your parents like that. Just wait
for half an hour more here in the interview room. By then, that lady will catch
another bus and go back. Only then you can go outside. Sit down here.”
Swami made him sit there for half
an hour more. By the time he went there to the bus stand to apologise, to convey
his excuses – “Sorry that I could not meet you in time” -- by the time that
fellow got there, she had already left, as predicted by Bhagavan.
So, Bhagavan knows everything. If
He starts telling everything, none of us will be here! (Laughter) We have
got our own agenda, certain things that we thought best to be kept to
ourselves, as we are just human beings. None of us can say that we are ‘above
the board’. If anyone says, “I am just beyond”; he is rouge number one. Let’s
not believe that. I don’t believe that.
So, coming back to the question
about what happened yesterday at the discourse, Swami asked me to tell the name
of the boy so that it would lead to this question today and the accompanying
answer, so that all of you will be benefited.
If Swami had said, “He is
so-and-so”, it becomes part and parcel of the discourse. But when He made a
separate context, a separate situation, for me to mention the name of the boy,
your special attention was drawn to that. And hence, this question and answer
have followed. Am I clear? That is what it is!
Muslims DEVOTEES
Why there are no more
Muslims here with Swami?
There are a number of Muslims, for
your information -- a number of devotes from Iran and Iraq. They are all here, a
number of them. (Someone speaks in the audience) Pardon…?
“We are here now!” (A lady
shouts from the audience.)
“We are here now!” (Applause)
“We are here now,” she says. OK?
What more do you want?
Yes, sir? We have five minutes
more, if anyone has any question?
THE spiritual heart of mankind
What do you say about
India as the spiritual heart of mankind?
This is the spiritual heart of
mankind. Yes, it is only because it is the spiritual heart of mankind!
Swami has said this because there is a fund of literature on philosophy in this
country. Plus, there are a number of saints and seers here in this country. I am
just stating facts. That's all.
Every other religion has got just
one sacred book to follow and adopt. But Sanathana Dharma, the philosophy
and culture of this land, provides a variety of books, a number of thoughts of
various dimensions, like a diamond that has so many facets.
We have the three schools of
Vedanta -- dualism, qualified dualism and non-dualism. We have nine paths of
devotion. We have the Gita, the epics, the Brahma Sutras, Yoga
Vashishta, and a mine of more spiritual literature here. That's why this is
the spiritual ‘heart’ for all nations.
With this, we come to the close of
this morning’s session. Infact, I wanted to speak on “Sai Baba as an Ideal
Leader” this morning. On the way, you friends met me and said, “Anil Kumar, why
don't we have a question and answer session this morning?”
Then I thought, ‘If you are so
interested, let us have it, because I am a democrat and we are in a democracy.
So, I wanted to serve you with what you really asked for. Is that 's OK?
Now, let us end with a song! Yes,
sir. Please listen carefully so that you can repeat.
Thank you very much!
Anil Kumar chanted
the bhajan, “Vibhuthi Sundara Sai Ram! Sai Ram!”
OM…OM…OM…
Asato Maa Sad Gamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotir Gamaya
Mrtyormaa Amrtam Gamaya
Om Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Loka Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki!
Thankyou!