Sri Sathya Sai Ideal Healthcare

Practise Human Values for Healthy Living

21 September 1960 at Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Prasanthi Nilayam

The greatest disease (or absence of ease) is the absence of peace. When the mind gets peace, the body also will have health. So, everyone who craves for good health must pay attention to the emotions, feelings, and motives that animate the individual. Just as you give clothes for a wash, you have to wash the mind free from dirt again and again; otherwise, if dirt accumulates and you form a “habit”, it is difficult for the dhobi (person who washes the clothes) as well as harmful to the clothes. It should be a daily process; you should see that no dirt settles upon the mind. That is to say, you should move about in such company that dirt is avoided. Falsehood, injustice, indiscipline, cruelty, hate - these form the dirt. Truth, righteousness, peace, love (Sathya, dharma, shanti, Prema) - these form the clean elements. If you inhale the pure air of these latter, your mind will be free from evil bacilli and you will be mentally sturdy and physically strong. As Vivekananda used to say, you should have nerves of steel and muscles of iron. That is to say, you should have hope and joy and elation as an unshakable resolution, not despair and dejection.

What Is Studied Is Not Put Into Practice

Your heart should be like glass, with the spiritual light inside illuminating the world outside, with the world outside reacting on the inner urges and making them lean toward service, sympathy, and mutual help. Now, people read and study all kinds of unintelligible Vedantic texts and struggle with commentaries and notes and translations to grasp their sense. It is being poured down their throats, but the portion does not get down to soften the heart. It is not translated into practice. The truths of the Vedanta are put on for public exhibition, as in a drama, where appropriate dresses are worn on the stage but taken off when the actor moves off the stage. They do not adhere to them all the time to derive the Bliss of the Soul (Atmananda), which they can give. It is chiefly a matter of careful, well-timed, regulated discipline; it cannot be got by spurts and skips; it has to be climbed step by step, each step being used as a foothold for the next. There is no systematic living according to any known principle, now; this is true of the student, the householder, the mistress, and the master of the house. Virtues have to be cultivated in the home; each member sharing in the joy with the rest, each one seeking for opportunities for helping others. This attitude has to be stuck to, so that it may stay as character. How can a vessel kept with the mouth downward get filled with water? It has to open up and receive the good impulses. You have to learn each lesson by systematic study. Application and effort alone will give success.

Have Faith In The Lord And His Grace

In all effort, if you trust in a Higher Power, which is ready to come to your help, work is made easy. This comes out of devotion and reliance on the Lord, the source of all Power. When you travel by train, you have only to purchase the ticket, enter the proper train, and take a seat, leaving the rest to the engine. Why should you carry the bed and trunk on your head? So too, put your trust in the Lord and carry on to the best of your ability. Have faith in the Lord and His Grace. Try to earn it by using the intelligence and the conscience with which He has endowed you. You have all gathered here to celebrate the completion of four years in the life of this Sathya Sai Hospital. So I want to tell you that the best and the wisest thing is to see that you do not fall ill. The doctor read out in the report that this year the number of out-patients as well as the number of operations was greater than last year, as if that is a sign of progress! But I do not think that speaks well of the people around and their sense of values. The hospital should radiate preventive measures also and try to educate the villagers in methods of avoiding illness. Develop self-reliance; that is the best tonic. You have been born because you did not pass in certain subjects; there is some balance of experience that you must acquire to complete the course. If you get convinced that your true nature is the Atma, then you have finished the course and “passed”.

Cultivate Prema Toward All Beings

For reaching that stage, you should start with the cultivation of the “feeling of kinship with all beings” - sarvasamanabhava, as it is called. It is very difficult to get, but that is the only way to see the Atma that is in all. For example, a person with that sincerity of feeling (bhava) will not be happy at the killing of animals for food or even hunting them. Why should you seek the animal to its den, lie in wait for it, and lay traps for it, so that you may derive pleasure by killing it? Prema should be cultivated toward all beings so that you may see the Innermost Self in all beings. The Atma is Omnipresent. Do not think it is found only in persons belonging to certain castes or colours or creeds, or that it is of a big size in fat people or of a brilliant nature in rich people. It is consistently being, awareness, bliss absolute (sath, chith, ananda) in every being. Spiritual exercise has to go a long way to win this outlook. But you can begin with little things. You can avoid causing annoyance to others, can’t you? Even if you are unable or unwilling to do service to others, at least, if you desist from causing harm, that is meritorious service indeed! For example, take the words you speak. I always say purification of words leads to cleansing of the mind. That is why I insist on quiet talk, sweet talk, and little talk; the pure and serene (sathwic) talk - no anger, no heat, no hate. Such talk will cause no quarrel, no blood pressure, and no factions. It will promote mutual respect and love. Then again, do not cynically laugh at the good that others do or at the spiritual exercises of others. Inquire, but do not insult. Respect the sincerity of the other person; respect also elders and people with more experience than you. In company, behave in a well-mannered way, showering brotherhood and joy on all around you.

Moderation In Food Is Always To Be Welcomed

Strive for the happiness of the community and of the human race. Pray that all people everywhere may have peace and plenty. Be eager to do good and be good. This being a function connected with the Hospital, I must tell you about certain other things also. By regulating your diet and avoiding certain bad habits, you can preserve health. Moderate food and food of the pure (sathwic) type, will promote mental poise and also physical happiness. Moderation in food is always to be welcomed. Many people consume more than the necessary quantity of rich food, and such have to practice moderation. So too, if you do not smoke, you escape a number of illnesses that follow that passionate (rajasic) practice. Any intoxicant or stimulant, because it disturbs nature’s even trend, is harmful. Moderation in food, moderation in talk and in desires and pursuits, contentment with what little can be got by honest labour, eagerness to serve others and to impart joy to all - these are the most powerful of all the tonics and health-preserves known to the science of health, the Sanathana Ayur-Veda, the Veda of the full life.

The miracle of love

05 October 1967 Hospital Day Prasanthi Nilayam

THE doctor who is presiding over this Hospital Day is known to Me for many years; he was coming to Shirdi and is very much attached to Me, since the first day he came there. Though the Shirdi body and this body are different, the dehi (the person in the body) is the same; and, so I recognise and reward all who come to either place. We have a Hospital here, since eleven years, with twelve beds for inpatients and doctors and nurses and equipment and medicines for treating them and a large number of out-patients. Do not be under the impression that we have this Hospital because I need the help of these doctors and these drugs to cure those who come to Me. There are some who desire treatment by the doctors, in a hospital; that is the means by which they feel they can be cured. Some are anxious that the doctor must give them an injection; if he doesn’t, they feel they are neglected. So, I ask the doctor to give them one or even a series! There are many who have no faith in anything except tablets and the needle. They come to the Hospital and while there, they listen to the silence of the Prasanthi Nilayam, and feel the Anandha that is redolent in the atmosphere. They respond to the bhajans (congregational singing of devotional songs) and see how people who partake in it are happy: when they are in that Arogya nilaya (House of Health, the Hospital), they are drawn to this Anandha nilaya (Home of Bliss, the Prayer Hall), and gradually, they equip themselves with the armour of faith, which guards them against any illness.

Today Disease Has Its Hold On Every Family

There is another reason; many patients with illnesses of an advanced nature are brought here; they cannot be accommodated with others, in the sheds or rooms; they require close attention and loving care, special diet and facilities, which only a Hospital can provide. So they could be admitted into the Hospital awaiting My darshan and My ministration. They can be looked after better there than in the midst of the vast gathering of devotees. When two people meet, it is considered good manners that each should inquire about the health of the other. This is true of the peoples of both East and West. You ask each other, ‘How do you do?’ regardless of the fact, that both are every moment approaching death, nearer and nearer. Really speaking, both are undergoing kshaya (decline), not kshema (the security of health)! With each exhalation of breath, a fraction of life-span escapes from our hold. So, each should warn the: her, remind the other, instruct the other, to use the available present for realizing the God within the Universe and within oneself. The body has to be maintained in good condition, for it is only when embodied in this human tabernacle that man can realize God. The body is either strong or weal an efficient instrument or an inefficient one, according to the food, recreations and habits of one’s parents. Since the elders do not pay attention to these, the health of the children suffers; we have hospitals, dispensaries and clinics in every street now, because disease has its = hold on every family, in every home. Even little children wear glasses; young people dye their hair, many wear dentures. The reason is, the atmosphere in the modern home is filled with artificiality, anxiety, envy, discontent, empty boasting, vain pomp, extravagance, falsehood and hypocrisy. How can any one growing up in this corrosive atmosphere be free from illness? If the home is filled with the clean fragrance of contentment and peace, all its occupants will be happy and healthy. The elders have, therefore, a great responsibility towards the generation that is coming up.

Conquer Anger When It Arises In The Mind

Anger is also a great cause of ill-health, besides being dangerous for other reasons. It brings a long trail of camp-followers, each of whom adds its share t0 the final ruin. So, you must conquer this passion, when it arises in the mind, by reminding yourself of the omnipresence of God, of God as the inner motivator of all, of His being the Director of this Play called Life. Try to think of something else than the circumstances that roused your anger, do some Namasmarana, lie down in bed, go on a long walk, drink some cold water - struggle with yourself, until you win. Do not fight with others; fight with your own urges. When the Chinese hordes poured in, you fought them on the Himalayas, not in Penukonda; isn’t it? Penukonda may be more easily accessible, but, the invasion is on the border and the struggle has to be on the border! Stop the enemy at the threshold; stop anger at the threshold of the mind. Then, the body’s safety can be ensured.

Know The “Sign Which Declares That I Am Sai Baba”

The best preventive of ill-health is the Anandha that comes of unconcern. Look at Me. I have come with this body, and you can see that there is no difference between this body and any other human body. But yet, illness has never affected this body. It cannot, any time. Even if I welcome it, it cannot approach Me. Nor am I taking any precautions against it. I take all manner of foods, at all kinds of places, in all types of homes. The dhobi’s room will be full of varied assortments of clothes, isn’t it? My dining table has an equally varied assortment of dishes, brought by devotees at the Nilayam belonging to all the comers of the world. I have no fixed menu at all; I do not care for one. I move about in all varieties of weather, sun or rain, summer or winter, valley or plateau; I drink water from one well today, another tomorrow. But, I am Anandhaswaruupa (Divine Bliss personified) all the time and so, I am never ill. Nor am I in the least disturbed by either the praise or by the maligning, that people pour. When I am spoken of, either in derision or in adoration, My Anandha is the same. A wayside tree having a load of fruits with sweet juice, is admired by some; but, most people are tempted to throw stones. Even lunatics and senile old men will cast stones at it. The tree will only be happy that it is receiving the penalties for its bounty, and contributing to the happiness of the hungry and thirsty. This Prema is My distinctive marl not the creation of material objects or of health and happiness, by sheer exercise of Will. You might consider what you call ‘miracles’ as the most direct sign of Divinity; but, the Prema that welcomes you all, that blesses all, that makes Me rush to the presence of the seekers, the suffering and the distressed in distant lands or wherever they are, that is the real sign! It is that which declares that I am Sai Baba. For Me, every day is a Festival day, for My Prema is showered everyday! But since you pay attention to the calendar and observe specially these holy days, I also arrange these Festivals here. When the Doctors come and ask Me permission to have a Hospital Day I say, Yes. For that provides you a chance to know from Me the disciplines needed to keep this physical instrument healthy and active.

Bhagawan’s Guide to a Healthy Life

Divine Discourse 12th October 1969 Prasanthi Nilayam

To many it might appear strange that in this Anandha-nilaya (Abode of Bliss), there exists an Arogya Nilaya (Abode of Health) or Hospital. They may wonder why prominence is given to bodily health, in a place that is dedicated to the health of the spirit. But, for attaining the Four Aims of Human life, Dharma (Righteousness), Artha (Prosperity), Kama (Fulfilment of Desires) and Moksha (Liberation from bondage), the basic requirement is health of body and mind. Disease means feeling uneasy, disturbed, on account of the upsetting of one’s temper or balance or equilibrium, which affects the physical as well as mental condition. This happens for two reasons: faulty Ahara (food) and faulty Vihara (activities). It is wise to prevent disease than run after remedies after it has happened or grown beyond control. Man does not attend to precautionary measures; he allows things to worsen and then the disease is aggravated by fear, uncertainty and anxiety. There is an axiom believed in by men of old, which says: ‘One meal a day makes a Yogi, two meals a day make a Bhogi and three meals a day make a Rogi. Yogi is the contented God-centered man. Bhogi is the man reveling in sensual pleasure. Rogi is the man ridden by illness. Yes. The quantity of food intake by the well-to-do is now much beyond essential requirements. Over-eating has become a fashion. The breakfast does not serve to break any fast, for, there has been no fasting at all! It is as good as a full meal. Lunch is pressed in and consists of many dishes, chosen for the palate rather than to assuage hunger. Tea is tea only in name; it includes rather heavy fare, out of all proportion to the needs of the body. Dinner at night is the heaviest meal and includes the largest variety and so one goes to bed, weighted with unwanted stuff, to roll from side to side, in a vain effort to get a few minutes of sleep. The shortage of food grains is mainly due to bad and wasteful eating habits; it can be set right, and people can live longer and more healthily, if only they eat the minimum, rather than fill themselves with maximum.

Regular Prayers Will Give Strength And Courage

Regular prayers twice a day will give strength and courage, which can withstand illness. The Grace of God will confer mental peace and so, good sleep and rest for the mind. Feel that you are a hundred per cent dependent on God; He will look after you and save you from harm and injury. When you go to bed, offer thankful homage to Him for guiding and guarding you throughout the day. When a friend offers you a cigarette or some one gives you a glass of water, you say immediately, “Thank you;” how much more gratitude should you evince to God who watches you and wards off all harm threatening to overwhelm you. Activity must be dedicated to God, the Highest Good. Then, it will provide health of body and mind. The body is a chariot, wherein God is installed, being taken along in procession. Let us consider some points on which we have to be vigilant, in order to avoid breakdowns on the road: Fast one day in the week. This is good for the body as well as for the country. Do not eat a dozen plantains, half a dozen puris and drink a quart of milk and call it a fast! Take only water, so that all the dirt is washed away. Do not crave for fruit juice or other liquids. Even physical machinery is given rest; they cannot run forever, continuously. What then shall we say of this delicately organized human body! It is not a sign of culture to overvalue the body, by over indulging in its whims. It is a sign of barbarism.

Birds And Beasts Have Better Eating Habits

The older generation in this land used to take some quantity of rice soaked in curds, first meal in the morning. It is good Sathwik food; or, they drank some ragi gruel, which is equally good. Cattle are better; dogs have better eating habits. If a dog has fever, it will refuse food; but, man ignores even the warnings of the doctor and eats on the sly! Through dieting alone, birds and beasts set their health all right! But, man lives on tablets and pills and injections, after venturing into forbidden realm, so far as eating and drinking are concerned. Drink large quantities of water, boiled and cooled, not during meals, but some time before and after. Only the healthy person can afford to forget the body and dedicate his thoughts to God, and derive Anandha therefrom. The mind is the eleventh sense and like the other ten, one must reduce it to the status of an obedient instrument, in the hands of the intellect. Eat at regular intervals, according to a well-established time- table. Move about and fill the day with activity, so that food is well digested. Develop biting hunger, before sitting down for a meal. Now, many do not know what it is to be hungry or thirsty. Wait until you get the call, before you load the stomach again. The rich are under a great handicap, in this respect. And women, who are petted so much that they feel physical work to be demeaning!

Contentment Is The Best Tonic

Illness is the inevitable result of idleness and indulgence; health is the inevitable consequence of a tough hard life. If every one decides to carry on all personal services themselves, rather than depend on servants or helpers, the health situation will definitely improve and hospitals will have much less work. Keeping the mind fixed on God and good ideas and things also helps health. Keep the eye, ear, tongue, hands and feet under restraint. Don’t read enervating or exciting stuff; don’t attend film shows which exhaust or inflame the mind. Don’t lose faith in yourself, you are the Divine encased in the body. Contentment is the best tonic; why inflict on yourself the disease of greed and consume tonics to get strength, and to hanker further? Use the body as a boat to cross the ocean of life, with devotion and detachment as the two oars. Do not spend much thought on the body; some people worry always about health, and they are never satisfied with the care they bestow on the body. Be in the sun; let the sun’s rays penetrate into the home, let them fall upon the body for some time, let them warm and illumine clothes and food; that will suffuse them with health. There are some who are puzzled at the sight of a hospital here. They imply that everything here should be done through some miracle or some strange inexplicable manner! It also implies that no one who has come here should fall ill or die. I have no desire that you should live; or fear that you may die. It is you that decide your condition. All have to die, sooner or later. No one will be anxious to have the same dress on for years and years. Death is but the casting off of old clothes. When even Avathars leave the body after the Task is fulfilled, how can man be saved from inevitable dissolution? The Hospital is for those who believe in the doctor and in drugs. It is faith that matters, that cures. It also serves to accommodate those who are too ill to move about, but, yet come over to this place for cure. Those who are in the Hospital will also hear the Pranava, the Sankeertan and the Bhajan and benefit by the spiritual vibrations that fill the air in this Prasanthi Nilayam.

Cleanliness is Next to Godliness

Divine Discourse 16th October 1974 Prasanthi Nilayam

DOCTORS agree that illness is caused through faulty food habits and foolish ways of spending leisure. But, they do not seem to know that food is a Word that connotes a wider variety of ‘intakes.’ Every experience that is drawn through any of the senses in ‘food’ has an effect on one’s health We say “food for thought”; whatever we see or hear or smell or touch has an effect on the body; good or bad. The sight of blood makes some people faint; or, it may be some bad news, that administers a shock. Allergy is produced by unpleasant smells, or when something intrinsically unwelcome is contacted or tasted. A sound mind ensures a sound body; a sound body ensures a sound mind. The two are interdependent. Health is essential for happiness; happiness or a capacity to be happy, whatever may happen is essential for physical health, too. The food we consume should be tasty, sustaining and pleasant. It should not be too ‘hot’ or too saltish; there must be a balance and equilibrium maintained. It should not arouse or deaden. Rajasik food enrages the emotions; thamasik food induces sloth and sleep. Sathwik food satisfies but does not inflame the passions or sharpen the emotions.

Five Types Of Bath Prescribed In The Scriptures

Nature has many mysteries in its make-up. Man is able to unravel only those that are cognizable through his five senses; he does not realize that there is a vast unknown beyond the purview of the five faulty instruments of perception that he has. For example, from every being and thing, constantly, without intermission, millions of minute particles and millions of vibrations are issuing forth. Certain substances like camphor emanate so much of these that a lump disappears in a few days. The bodies of others affect us by these emanations and we too affect them in the same way. For good or bad, we are interacting in this manner, inescapably. Naturally, the growth of the body is affected, as well as its health and strength, by the contact or company we develop. These emanations are intensified when dirt accumulates, or sewage collects, or drains are choked. Sanitation rules are framed to reduce the possibility of disease spreading from such areas.

Five types of bath are prescribed in the Hindu scriptures, in order to maintain physical immunity from the emanations of others. First, we have the ‘mud bath,’ wherein fine mud is applied over the body and kept on for some time before being washed away. Second, the ‘Sun bath’ is recommended, because the rays of the Sun are powerful disinfectants; they feed as well as freshen.

Third: bath in water. If the water is a flowing river, considered holy, and if the bath is taken after propitiatory hymns etc., the bath will cleanse the body and, at the same time, elevate the spirit. The fourth type is the ‘air-bath,’ when the body is, exposed to the cool breeze, and its salutary effect. The fifth and last type is the ‘ash bath,’ where the body is given a coating of fine ash or Vibhuti (sacred ash), revered as the mark of Shiva. The ash guards the body from evil contacts and the deleterious effects of the vibrations proceeding from others; it also sanctifies and purifies the vibrations of the individual wearing the ash, for, it reminds him always of the inevitable end of all that one feels as one’s own, except the Lord who is the very person himself.

Uncleanliness Has Become A Popular Cult

Untouchability as a social practice must have had its origin in the realization of this truth. But, practices like avoiding contact with demeaning or defiling men or things later became a ritual, a hollow round of negations. Those who are ridiculed for observing such restrictions and taboos are finding it difficult to explain the inner significance of their behavior. These observances originated from the anxiety to earn length of life and strength of body, so that the seeker might gain the goal. The Geetha speaks of yukthahara viharasya - “habits of feeding and recreation which are controlled and regulated.” The gross part of food is discarded as faeces, the subtle part is transformed into muscle, blood, etc. and the more subtle of the subtle aspects are transmuted into the mind and its activities. That is why the sages have prescribed certain limits and levels of food, in order to promote the spiritual urges and prevent contrary tendencies. But, nowadays, as a result of the downgraded time-spirit, food that damages the spiritual urge is being increasingly favored! The elementary rules of personal cleanliness are neglected in the name of ‘novelty and neospiritualism.’ Bath is given the go-by. Oral hygiene is not cared for. Damaging habits are cultivated and tolerated. The mouth is the gateway of the physical mansion; if the gateway is foul, what can we say of the residence and the inmates! Uncleanliness has become a popular cult; it is necessary to keep away from its votaries, for, cleanliness is next to Godliness. Unkempt, disheveled, dirty heads and bodies denote unkempt, disheveled intellects and minds.

The Body Will Shine If The Character Is Fine

Of course, it is true that many sages and saints paid little attention to personal cleanliness, since they were always on the higher plane of nearness to Reality. Imitating them without the inner conviction that one is not the body but that one is the Universal Indweller .can only be hypocrisy and exhibitionism. Eeshwara swallowed the poison that emerged from the Ocean; but, mortals cannot do the same, even to remove the minor poisons of the world. Develop equanimity, install in the mind the faith in the Divine and then you get the authority to neglect the claims of the body, with impunity. You cannot challenge the wisdom of the sages and ask, what harm is there if I too behave likewise! Great harm will certainly ensue, when you venture into these realms of the spirit with the ego bloated big. The body has to be carefully and tenderly fostered; it is a precious gift, a very complicated but well coordinated machine, given for achieving a laudable task. Its exterior too must be clean and full of the charm of goodness. The skin of the fruit of Anandha (divine bliss) is the physical body; the succulent flesh is the muscle, bone and nerve; the hard uneatable seed is the evil that gets mixed up in life; the juice which the fruit offers, for which the tree was planted and nourished is the Bliss it shares with all. The body will shine if the character is fine; service of man and worship of God will preserve its charm. The Lord will be watching with a thousand eyes the least activity of man to discover any slight trace of selfless Love sweetening it. In the past, illnesses were cured by the simple remedies that nature herself provided, - roots, tubers, fruits, leaves etc., rest, change of residence, regulation of diet, sadhana (spiritual discipline) etc. But, now man lives in an age of tablets and injections. Do not believe that health is retained or maintained through doctors; nor can drugs alone guarantee it. Were that So, the dead should all be alive now. Well, examine whether the doctors themselves follow the advice they offer to others. They are victims of the very habits which they advise against! They condemn smoking and drinking intoxicants as dangerous to health, but, they indulge in both, and thereby, encourage the very evils they condemn! This is the type of health-advisers that we have! In every field - spiritual, moral, .economic, political, and literary - absence of proper leaders is the root cause of all the distress, anxiety and fear that torment the world.

You are embodiments of the Divine Atma. Do not crave for recognition and respect from others; crave rather for winning Grace from the Lord. In the pursuit of that aim, do not be misled by the emergence of obstacles and obstructions.

Good Hygiene Leads to Good Health

Inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai Hospital for Women and Children – Whitefield

28 August 1976

HEALTH is an essential requisite of man. The man afflicted with ill-health is powerless to execute even the least burdensome assignment. The scriptures proclaim that health is the very root of all endeavor in the four fields of human achievement - Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha (righteousness, wealth, desire and liberation). Without health man cannot brave temptations, earn a decent living, fulfil his basic needs or succeed in spiritual sadhana. Man can engage himself in obligatory and optional functions only if he is healthy. Food and recreational habits are the two main causes for ill-health. Great care has to be bestowed to ensure that injurious tendencies do not affect these two. At present, though drugs have multiplied and hospitals have been established in every nook and corner, ill-health is also widespread. This situation is attributable to the spread of deleterious food habits and pastimes.

Physical And Mental Activities Are Closely Interrelated

It is also necessary to keep the environment of the place where one works and lives, unpolluted by smoke, dust or dirt. The clothes that one wears as well as the body that one is encased in, both have to be purged and kept clean, Health endows a person with joy and brightness. The fruits of the tree of human life are sweet, but they are encased In the bitter skin of egoism and ignorance and have hard inedible seeds of desire, anger, pride, etc. One has to exercise one’s intelligence to peel off the outer skin of ignorance, throw off the seeds of vice and wickedness and partake of the sweet kernel of life.

To remove the evil of egoism, service is the most efficient instrument. Service will also impress on the person doing service, the Unity of all mankind. He who dedicates his time, skill and strength to service, can never meet defeat, distress or disappointment, for service is its own reward. His word will be ever sweet and soft, his gestures ever revered and humble. He will have no foe, no fatigue, no fear.

The units of the Sathya Sai Seva Organization are engaged in enthusiastic service in the two areas of Health and Education. To improve and maintain the health of the people, continuous education on the principles and practice of hygiene and environmental cleanliness is essential. Education is the most effective safeguard against physical and mental ill-health. So these two activities are closely inter-related. The body is a temporary habitation; it is subject to all kinds of disease and injury. Yet the body is the boat on which alone we can cross the ocean of samsara (birth and death cycle). The boat has to be kept trim and serviceable. It should not distract our attention more than the minimum necessary for its upkeep. It has to be used for reducing the burden of others, and should not itself become a burden on us. It should serve others, not demand service from them. That is the reason why this hospital is being established here to remedy disease and help people to keep their bodies in good condition.

Most Hospitals Indulge In Profiteering

People of this village and villages that are in the surrounding area, will resort to this hospital for medical relief and advice. Unfortunately hospitals that treat patients with love and care, with dedication and devotion, are a rarity. There are hospitals with costly equipment’s and expert doctors, huge buildings and spick-and-span interiors, but they indulge more in profiteering than affording relief. Their services are for those who can pay large sums of money. Villagers are not welcome there, who in turn do not feel at ease to approach them. Therefore this hospital is being started amidst the villages so that expert advice and treatment can be rendered, to them in a loving atmosphere of reverence and devotion. No charge will be levied here for any service. The villages and others can come here, regain their health, and return hale and hearty in order to carry out their tasks and fulfil their responsibilities. The doctors and volunteers who help in this hospitals must feel it a part of their duty to advise the villagers about environmental hygiene and preventive measures. The members of the Sathya Sai Seva Dhal have a special duty for this type of service. They have to visit the villages, and after winning the confidence and love of the people, advise them on good food habits and other means of maintaining health. They must also exhort them to resort to this hospital as soon as the first symptoms of ill-health are evident. Early treatment will save the villagers from spending many days in bed away from the fields.

Educate The Villagers On The Value Of Nutrient Foods

The villager now lives on food that is deficient in. vitamins and proteins, though he is growing vegetables and food that provide these ingredients in plenty and selling them to city-dwellers. He has to be told of the value of fruits and vegetables as a source of nutrients that will promote and preserve his health, for healthy parents mean healthy children, and sick parents pass on their ill-health to the coming generations. Members of the units of the Sathya Sai Seva Organization can also join the Seva Dhal in this campaign of educating the villagers. This activity is as meritorious as worship itself.

Today is the Vighneshwara festival, the day on which the entire country is worshipping the elephant-headed God who helps man overcome all obstacles. Worshipping Vinayaka or Vighneshwara or Ganapathi, as he is also called, endows man with the courage and confidence needed to enter upon and carry through-any undertaking in the world. The elephant is the largest animal of the forest. It is very Intelligent and has a powerful memory. When it marches through the thick jungle, it clears a path for all other animals to pass. The elephant-headed God confers intelligence and memory and the power to subdue evil and vice. Thus he Is also a path- maker. So it Is only appropriate that every rite, ceremony or project should be started with the worship of this God. Today we are Inaugurating this hospital so that it will provide good and lasting service to the people of this region.

Doctors Sweet Words Are More Effective Than Drugs

I must also point out to the doctors serving here that perhaps even more than the drugs they prescribe, the sweet, soft words they speak and the love and sympathy they evince can cure better and quicker the illness of their patients. Look upon them as your own kith and kin, as your special guests and as your closest friends; and attend to them lovingly and with unflinching care. I call upon you to maintain this attitude in every situation. Remember that the patient has to cooperate with you in order that you may effect the cure, and when cured, the patient confers on you satisfaction, joy and a sense of elation. Be grateful to the patient for all this. We have in this hospital as doctor, a lady devotee who Is highly qualified and who has done signal service for the backward regions in Nigeria and Ethiopia in Africa. We have also others, equally able and enthusiastic. Experts in special branches of medicine and surgery will also be visiting this hospital off and on, and diagnosing, advising and helping patients who need their attention. It is now for you to make the best use of these facilities offered free and with fullness of heart.

I am glad that the members of the Panchayath of this place as well as of near-by villages are here today and have been with us ever since this project was started. If only they help the patients from the villages to be happy and healthy they will have no more need to beg for votes from door to door when the elections come round. The voters would themselves come in large numbers to get them elected in order to avail of their services in greater measure. India was long famous for the sense of compassion that animated her peoples. She is now dishonored by some as a ‘poor’ country. No! She was for centuries the preceptor of the world, and she is assuming that status again today. India is the land where the Ideals of service, renunciation and spiritual endeavor were born and have flourished. It is only recently, after India fell under the impact of alien cultures which highlighted material comfort, physical luxury, sensual liberty and exterior display, that Indians have trodden the wrong path of exploitation and violence, idleness and pompousness. With the spread of alien cultures and alien ways of thought and life, diseases too have multiplied and mental imbalances have Increased. But when simplicity, humility and the idea of social service (having root In the worship of the God in man) are restored, the nation will again be happy and healthy, full of peace, prosperity and Joy.

Food and Health

Hospital day 21 September 1979 Prasanthi Nilayam

EVERY activity of man is dependent on the energy he derives from the intake of food. The spiritual sadhanas he ventures upon depend for their success on the quantity and quality of the food taken by the sadhak (spiritual aspirant), even during the preliminary preparations recommended by Pathanjali. The most external of the five sheaths that enclose the Athmic core, namely the Annamaya kosha (physical sheath), has impact on all the remaining four - the Pranamaya, the Manomaya, the Vijnanamaya and the Anandhamaya (the vital, mental, wisdom and bliss sheaths or coverings). The Annamaya Kosha is the sheath, consisting of the material, flesh and bone, built by the food that is consumed by the individual. Food is generally looked down upon by ascetically minded sadhaks and seekers and treated as .some thing which does not deserve attention. But, since the body and the mind are mightily interdependent, no one can afford to neglect it. As the food, so the mind, as the mind so the thought; as the thought, so the act. Food is an important factor which determines the alertness and sloth, the worry and calm, the brightness and dullness. The scriptures classify food as Sathwik, Rajasik and Thamasik and relate these types to the three mental modes (gunas) of the same names.

Avoid Rajasik And Thamasik Food

Man is the only living being which dislikes raw food found in the natural state. All other animals eat things as they are - grain, grass, leaves, shoots, fruits. Man boils, fries, melts, mixes and adopts various methods of cooking in order to satisfy the cravings of the tongue, the eye and the nose. As a consequence, the food value of these articles are either reduced or destroyed. When the seeds are fried, they do not sprout; that is clear proof that the ‘life-force’ is eliminated. Therefore, uncooked raw pulses just sprouting, are to be preferred. Also nuts and fruits. The coconut, offered to the Gods, is a good Sathwik (pure) food, having good percentage of protein besides fat, starch and minerals. Food having too much salt or pepper is Rajasik (passion rousing) and should be avoided; so also too much fat and starch, which are Thamasik (disposed to inactivity) in their effects on the body, should be avoided. An intake of too much food is also harmful. Simply because tasty food is available and is being offered, one is tempted to overeat. We have air all around us but we do not breathe in more than we need. The lake is full but we drink only as much as the thirst craves for. But overeating has become a social evil, fashionable habit. The stomach cries out, ‘Enough,’ but the tongue insists on more, and man becomes the helpless target of disease. He suffers from corpulence, high blood pressure and diabetes. Moderate food is the best medicine to avoid bodily life. Do not rush to the hospital for every little upset. Too much drugging is also bad. Allow nature full scope to fight the disease and set you right. Adopt more and more the principles of naturopathy, and give up running around for doctors.

The type of food that you consume decides the degree of concentration you can command; its quality and quantity decide how much your self-control is lessened or heightened. Polluted air and water are full of maleficent viruses and germs and have to be avoided at all costs. There are four pollutions against which man has to be vigilant - of the body (removable by water); of the mind (removable by truthfulness), of reason (removable by correct knowledge) and of the self (removable by yearning for God). “Vaidhyo Narayano Harih”, the Shruthis declare. God is the Doctor. Seek Him, rely on Him, you will be free from Disease.

Good Health and Goodness

30 September 1981 Prasanthi Nilayam

Health is the essential pre-requisite for success in all aspects of life, for realizing the four ideals that should guide humans - namely, moral living, prosperity, fulfilling beneficial desires and liberation from grief. Everywhere man seeks to live happily and peacefully but happiness and peace are not won from worldly activities. The body that yearns to be happy and secure, is subject to disease, decay and death. The Dweller, the self, within the body, is however not born, nor does it die. It is the Atma, God. The body is the temple of God. Hence it is the duty of man to keep the temple in good condition. Health is necessary for gaining this world and the next, for earning worldly and other worldly progress, to realize the very purpose for which the Self has embodied itself in this human form, namely, to become aware of its source, the Paramatma. In order to attain this goal, the ideals of righteousness, prosperity, moral desire and release from grief have to be practiced with the help of a sound mind in a sound body. What are the main causes of ill-health? Millions of living beings grouped as species dwell on the earth; they sustain themselves by means of food secured from Nature, as provided by Nature. It is only man that is an exception. In order to cater to his palate and other senses, he changes the composition and characteristics of the things provided by nature and prepares, through the process of boiling, frying and mixing, concoctions which have no vitality in them. Birds and beasts do not adopt such destructive methods. They eat things raw and consume the strength giving vital essence. So, they do not fall victim to the many ills that man brings on himself.

Evil Thoughts Cause Ill-Health

Plant a boiled pulse in the soil; it won’t sprout. How, then, can it contribute life to the living? The vitamins and proteins that are valuable ingredients are destroyed while it is cooked to please the palate! The billions of cells in the body are so inter-dependent that when one is weakened or damaged, all of them suffer. There is a limit and a balance which every limb and organ has to maintain. Insufficient or improper food will endanger this balance. An occasional cough helps to strengthen the lungs and to clear them of extraneous matter, but fits of coughing are signs of positive illness.

‘Eat in moderation and live long.’ This is the advice handed down through the ages by the seers of the past. This advice is seldom heeded. People fill themselves with such large quantities of food that they find it hard to rise from the eating plate. Ruining their digestive system by consuming heavy, rich foods, the affluent are proud when they host costly banquets. Those who know that physical health is the greatest treasure take great care to eat only sathwik food. Uncooked food, nuts and fruits, germinating pulses are the best. Use these at least at one meal, say, for the dinner at night; this will ensure long life. And, long life is to be striven for in order that the years may be utilized for serving one’s fellow-beings. Evil thoughts cause ill-health. Anxiety, fear and tension also contribute their share. All these result from greed, greed to have more of things, of power and of fame. Greed results in sorrow and despair. Contentment can come only from a spiritual outlook. The desire for worldly goods has to be given up. One should not distinguish between “my work” and “work for God.” All work should be worship. Whatever the reward, it is the gift of God. It is for our lasting good. If this attitude is developed, suffering and pain can toughen us and help us to progress towards Divinity.

It is through pain that pleasure is gained. Darkness enables us to appreciate light. Death teaches us to love life. Diseases which torment man are many in number; of these, hatred, envy and egoism are the worst. Even doctors cannot cure them, for most of them suffer from these. One should develop equanimity and serenity, if one desires to be free from these diseases. Do not seek to listen to vile and vicious stories. This tendency reveals a diseased mind. What is heard is imprinted, like a carbon copy, through the ear, on the heart. One is injuring oneself through indulgence in this evil habit.

Be Vigilant About Food Habits

Anger is another enemy of health. It injects poison into the blood stream and brings about profound transformation which damages it. Two women, who were neighbors turned into bitter enemies on account of a dispute over a very trivial incident. The cow belonging to one woman while going on the road dropped its dung in front of the other woman’s house. The owner of the cow ran to collect the dung, while the other woman claimed that it belonged to her since it lay on her doorstep. From words they very nearly came to blows. Just then the other woman’s little baby wailed from the cradle.

She rushed in to feed the baby and while the child was drawing in its food, she shouted most ferociously at her neighbor. Her anger poisoned her blood so much that the child died while drinking her milk! Another cause of ill-health is vice and vile conduct. People believe that a wicked person need not be a diseased person but most diseases are mental illness, fundamentally. Doctors, too, have to deal with patients sweetly and softly and consider their profession as one calling for dedication to their fellowmen. It is best to preserve one’s health by good thoughts and good deeds. It is best to be vigilant about food habits. Coconut kernel, coconut water, sprouting pulses, uncooked or half cooked vegetables, and greens are good for health. Try earnestly to live long, without falling into the hands of medical practitioners. When they give you one injection, they keep another ready to counteract its reactions! While trying to cure one disease, they cause a dozen more. Moreover, the drugs they recommend are mostly spurious, since manufacturers want to amass a fortune by hook or by crook. Most illnesses can be cured by simple living, simple exercises and by intelligent control of the tongue. Live long so that you witness the career of the Avatar for years and years.

The jewel in the iron safe

Discourse the Annual Day of Sri Sathya Sai Hospital

20 November 1982, Prasanthi Nilayam

Good thoughts, good words, good deeds, Listening good, seeing good, being good, These confer good health on human folk. This body is an iron box of paltry worth. But, as in an iron box are kept jewels and gems, Note I, in this paltry box, is kept the Atma Divine, This is the Truth, the Word of Sai. Health is the greatest blessing. Without it, man cannot do even the lightest work. Health is an indispensable requisite for progress in material, moral, political, economic, artistic and spiritual fields of life.

Food habits are of primary importance when health has to be secured and maintained. When these are not regulated, health suffers. ‘No restraint, no success’ is the axiom. Restraint, controls, limits have to be observed at every step. One should restrain the wild adventuresomeness of the tongue. Among the eight million four hundred thousand species of living beings, all except humans live on food as provided by Mother Nature. Man alone strives to make such food more palatable, more attractive to the senses of sight, touch and smell by boiling, frying and freezing and mixing, grinding and soaking. The consequence of this greed is ill-health and debility. One should realize that food materials,, as offered by nature, are really more beneficial. When heat is applied, they lose the vitality yielding components and cannot comer strength and efficiency. The person ages fast and loses the sprightliness of youth. Catering to the cravings of the tongue and swallowing heavy foods three or four times a day can only add to the heap. Regular and limited intakes alone can enable a person to discharge one’s duties.

Each One Is A Pilgrim, Body Is The Rest-House

A restless mind is another important source of ill-health. Man is constantly afflicted with some source of worry or other. He is never free from anxiety. Why? Because he is identifying himself with the body. How did he acquire this body? Through his past activities and deeds. What were they caused by? By the twin pulls of love and hate. How did they originate? They were born out of the entanglement in duality, in the opposites. And, why does he get snared by them? Ignorance of the Truth, the ONE. You must know that each one is a pilgrim and each life is but a stage in the journey towards the city of liberation. This body is a rest-house, in which we stay for a short time, during the pilgrimage. The mind is the caretaker, the watchman in the choultry where we rest. We are not to treat him as if he is master or owner. But, we ought to take care that the house we are privileged to occupy is not damaged or polluted. We have to take good care of it and its furnishings, and treat the watchman politely.

The pilgrim is either helped or handicapped by the antics of the mind. The mind has as its warp and woof, desire or thirst for some thing or other, getting some gain or avoiding some loss. Desire arises from attachment, often the consequence of delusion. Desire distorts and denigrates the mind. It keeps the mind incessantly agitated. No sheet of water can be calm when stones are dropping on it and if there is a perpetual shower of desires, the mind too will be pitifully restless. The Ananda (bliss) which emanates from the Atma in man has, in fact, to be stored, with the help of the buddhi as channel, in the reservoir, the mind. That is its genuine function. But, if the reservoir has many cracks and crevices, namely the senses, the Ananda will be frittered away, and the reservoir will be rendered dry. When the hunger of the senses is sought to be appeased, the mind becomes vacillating and wayward. The mind is the master of the senses. That is its legitimate role. The senses are the servants. When the master serves the servants, he loses his self-respect and falls in the esteem of all.

Good Health Depends On Good Thoughts

In the Ramayana story, the Queen yields to the selfish wiles of her maid and as a consequence, her lord King Dasaratha lost his life. Rama who was as her very life-breath was exiled into the forest, her son disowned her and drew on herself the condemnation of the Kingdom of Ayodhya. The story is an allegory. Dasaratha is the human body with the five senses of perception and the five senses of action - the ten chariots or dasha-ratha. He wedded the Queen, the Mind, and the mind yielded to the servant and caused the downfall. The one effective way to conquer all sources of physical and mental disease and debility is awareness of one’s Athmic Reality. That will bring about an upsurge of Love and Light, for, when one recognizes that he is the Atma, he cognizes the same Atma in all, he shares the joy and grief of all, he partakes of the strength and weakness of all. When one yearns for the happiness and prosperity of all mankind, one is blessed with the wisdom and strength to mark out the way and lead men towards it. In every one, the person sees his God. Every act of his will be as pure, as sincere and as sacred as an offering to God. Health does not depend on medicine. Good words, good manners, good sight, good thoughts - these are essential. What can even powerful or costly medicines do if one is ill with bad thoughts and bad feelings? On the other hand, virtuous living, beneficial thoughts, elevating ideals and righteous conduct can confer not only health, but what is even more precious, Atmanandha, the Ecstatic Awareness of the Reality itself.

Food and Character

Prasanthi Nilayam, 25-7-1983

All men everywhere are of one species. Yet, man hates man; one religion is opposed to another; one race feels superior to another; one country avoids contact with another. How does this conflict arise? When one delves deep into this question, the answer becomes clear.

Everything in creation has five properties. The first three are Sat-chit-ananda (Being, Awareness, Bliss) and the last two are Rupa and Nama (Form and Name), which are lent to the thing only temporarily. They are subject to modification but the first three, Being, Awareness, Bliss are inherent, unchanging characteristics. In the language of Vedanta, the three are named Asti, Bhati, and Priyam (existence, shining or expressing, and loving). They are the innate qualities of every manifestation of the Divine. The last of the three is Ananda (Divine Bliss). Every human being is an embodiment, repository, and vehicle of Ananda.

The awareness of this Ananda (Bliss) is the goal of man, the consummation of human life. But, man seeks pleasure and happiness from objects through the senses and attains the low material Ananda, not the supreme Ananda he ought to win. It must be said that the Ananda attained through the objective world or through subjective means is only a fractional expression of the Ananda which mergence in Brahman (Supreme Reality) grants. We speak of hot water, though heat is not a quality of water; fire has given it the heat. So, too, objective Ananda or subjective ananda is rendered so, through the grace of Brahmanandam (Supreme Divine Bliss).

Food Prevents or Promotes Emotions and Passions

Man prides himself that he has earned Ananda himself by his effort. It is sugar that makes the bland globules of flour into sweet Laddus. The grace of the Ground of all Being can alone confer sweetness or Ananda. The stars are proud that they shed light on a darkened world but the bright moonlight renders starlight too faint to be noticed. The moon’s pride, too, is humbled when the sun illumines the sky. Brahma Ananda is the Sun. This does not mean that one should ignore starlight and moonlight or Vishaya Ananda and Vidya ananda—ananda derived from nature and from spiritual experiential knowledge. They are steps, stages, samples. While valuing them as such, the goal of Brahmaananda has to be relentlessly pursued.

How, then, can man earn that Awareness, that Ananda? What sadhana (spiritual discipline) has he to adopt? Though men are all equally subject to birth, life, and death, though all are of one kind, why do they allow the Ananda which is the right of each to slip away through hatred and conflict? Why is the demon prevailing over the Divine in man? The answer has been deluding man for ages.

Well! Aham (ego) is the cause. The narrow limited self, the ego, is at the root of the evil. Probing the problem a little deeper, I would say that the nature of the food relished is primarily responsible. Food is of three qualities: sattvika, rajasika, and tamasika (leading to purity, passion, and inertia). Some consume sattvika-rajasika or tamasika-rajasika food, or they change from one type to another, for better or worse. Since food alleviates or arouses, prevents or promotes emotions and passions, it molds the behavior, conduct, and attitudes of men.

Sadhakas Have to Be Careful About Food Consumed

Ravana and Vibhishana, two brothers born of the same parents, had diametrically opposite natures because of the food they grew upon. Ravana relished rajasika food while Vibhishana stuck to sattvika. Fellow-feeling is difficult when the same quality of food is not preferred. When both live on rajasika food, though they may have the same nature, friendship cannot last. Envy and hatred will soon break the bond. The sattvika nature will free man from these evils and purify his mind, preparing him for the journey to God. For, God is Sattva (pure).

Many slide from the sattvika nature into the rajasika where the ego predominates. They slide away from God too, for where the ego swells in pomp and pride, God cannot reside. They may parade other reasons for their losing hold of God but the fault lies in their own self.

What exactly is sattvika food? Food that confers ananda to the body, mind, and heart is sattvika, that which sustains holy living; that which keeps one light, even at the end of the meal. The Sattvikas are satisfied with one meal a day. Rajasika nature demands continuous feeding on hot stuff tasting sour, salty, or pungent. Tamasikas appreciate cold, stale, acrid tastes. The grosser parts of the food consumed are eliminated. The less gross parts build up muscles and bones. The subtle parts make up the nerves and the mind. Therefore, sadhakas have to be extra-careful about the quality of food they consume.

Be Clothed in Divine Qualities to Approach God

Pungency in food heightens feelings of pugnacity, aggression, and vindictiveness in men, against those who oppose, disagree with, or disappoint them. Such men are worse than scorpions and snakes, sharp swords, or serrated saws. It is tragic that factional conflicts arise even among persons claiming to be devotees of God. Often, such men behave as if they are desecrating God by deserting Him. When their desires do not fructify as and when they arise, when their faults and failings are laid down before them in order to warn them, or when they are directed to give up the wrongs they are fascinated by, they turn away from God in a fit of fury!

There are two types of men—the Amaras (the Godly) and the Asuras (the demonic). The rajasika persons are asuras. The Gita directs us to adopt, as the very first sadhana, the rule: ‘Adveshta Sarva Bhutanam’ (Do not hate any single being). To approach God, one must be clothed in divine qualities. When it is sinful to hate a fellow-being, what shall we say about hating God? Live in the love of God— Sthiti—Mati—Bhakti (stability, awareness-communion). Devotion arises in the constant mind, not in the agitated, kaleidoscopic mind. Allah showers Grace only on those who surrender wholly.

The purification of the senses of perception and the senses of action, the mind and the intellect and the sublimation of the ego-consciousness will happen spontaneously, once the attitude of total surrender is strengthened. That which we consume through the mouth is food. We consume also through the eye, the ear, the nose and the skin. That food too has to be sattvika, purifying and not pungent, stale or corrupt.

Swami Discourse on Health 1983 - Hospital Anniversary

Good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, as well as the tendency to listen to all that is good and desirable, are essential. It is important to take in only good and wholesome sights, traits, and behavior. These alone confer good health and a good way of living and life. This word of Sai is verily the path of truth, embodiments of love.

In this world of art, man is given to enjoy an experience, wealth beyond description. Out of all the types of wealth that one can possibly come across, it is health which is the wealthiest position. In fact, it is said, health is wealth. One who does not have good health cannot possibly succeed even in the smallest of ventures. Health is of paramount importance and necessity either in this world or the world beyond. One could have wealth and money beyond description or positions of authority, but without health, these positions and wealth are of no consequence.

Only when one has health in the first place would they be in a position to use their wealth for some good purpose, in order to discharge responsibilities in terms of Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. The first three of these, Dharma, Artha, and Kama, belong to this world, while the fourth, Moksha or liberation, comes in the world beyond. The primary aim and goal of one’s life is liberation, which is man’s goal, destiny, and the very secret of his existence. Positions and wealth are futile unless one is able to reach their destination.

In your household, you might have dishes and food of various descriptions and tastes, but unless you are able to relish, eat, and partake of them, what’s the use of having these in your household? The foodstuff, any number of them, if you are not able to eat, what’s the use of having them at all? The first three, Dharma, Artha, and Kama, are like different types of food that you could have. The first one, Moksha, is the primary goal or aim.

Man is born with five sheaths: Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya. Out of these, three belong to your physical existence and two to the world beyond. It is not possible to differentiate between these two. What you are trying to speak in this world and the world beyond are interlinked closely. They are a perfect admixture, and you cannot possibly differentiate.

We look upon God as the very embodiment of Sachit Ananda. The Sachit Ananda are part of one’s experience, but what you really behold and have experienced, the name and form, you cannot experience in their totality the Sachit Ananda aspects. This name and form belong to this world and are temporary. Through this medium of name and form, which are temporary and transient, you are able to experience Sachit Ananda, which are lasting and permanent. Without this name and form in the first place, you cannot experience that pure, unalloyed purity which is Sachit Ananda.

In this Annamaya Kosha, the body, the primary entity is the Prana. This Prana, in turn, is linked with the Manomaya Kosha. The totality of one’s existence on this earth consists of the coming together of the three sheaths: Annamaya, Pranamaya, and Manomaya. From this human plane of existence, you can rise above to become one with the Divine. For that, you need the assistance of the Vijnanamaya and Anandamaya Kosha.

It is a mistaken notion to feel that health in a way confers lasting happiness. As regards this worldly existence, health is of primary importance. But then the question arises, what for this worldly existence? It is so that you might reach something which is beyond. Unless you have the distant goal set before you, this worldly existence is meaningless. So, you have to protect and safeguard your health, not for your worldly existence, but for the sake of experiencing the Atmananda.

In order to protect one’s health, one has to follow a certain set of rules, a code of conduct, and habits. In this creation, you have any number of life forms. Out of these 84,00,000 species of life forms, 83,99,999 types tend to eat food which is not cooked. They eat food which is natural and available in the world. This food that is available in nature is taken by them without seeking to change it. These 83,99,999 species of life forms enjoy peak health. However, due to climatic variations and factors beyond one’s control, some of these life forms also come to grief.

Man alone is subjected to the maximum amount of ailments in terms of his health. Any number of diseases are on the increase. The reason is that man does not like to partake of food which is God’s creation and available in nature. He is a victim to his tongue, wanting to be satisfied in terms of taste, and his own likes and dislikes come in the way of what he should eat. Man seeks to transform food available in nature to suit his taste, thereby putting an end to the very essence of life contained in them. By exterminating the life-giving forces in the food available to him, he subjects himself to diseases in an increasing way.

If man were to seek to eat food which is available in its natural state, he certainly would not be subjected to such an increase in diseases. Each body, each system, has its own governing factors. There are certain factors which limit the functioning of your body. In tune with the requirements of these different constituents that make up a body, all these should be present in a proper way. Anything less or more is bound to put you into disorder. In a body, the different organs could appear to be different. For instance, the head might be on top, but if you ask what causes a headache, it is not the head which is to be faulted, but the stomach which has gone out of shape. For all the different organs that you have, it is the stomach which is the key point. Whatever is given to the stomach, the stomach digests and supplies the essence of it to all the organs. This power of digestion given to the stomach is God-given, and that’s how one reveres and worships it. God resides in a being as this digestive power, which governs and runs all the life processes in the body.

To such a God, what should you offer and give? This God should be given that which is His own creation, not what is made by man. Whatever is available in a natural state as given to you by God in His creation, if you give that to your stomach, everything would be fine.

What do you really mean by food? We look upon things like rice, fruit, and vegetables as food. But this is not the case. Whatever you can possibly see in this world is food, and that foodstuff which experiences and partakes of the food is also a type of food. Food experiences food. The body, for instance, is again food, and this which is food is partaking of something which is food. An animal or a beast is also a type of food, and this beast partakes of some other animal as its food. So here it is food eating food. What you must keep in mind is what should be given to a particular system.

Man feels, “I am a human being and I am eating this.” This is ignorant on his part. Your body serves as food to some other entity, and that entity in turn is food for another. So here, if you start looking at everything around you as food, you will see that food is present all over. The hallmark or the quality of this Sattvic food is that it is full of the Sattvic attribute. It puts you on the path of Dharma. When you bring together these three seemingly different entities, Dharma, Artha, and Kama, you can secure the post of Moksha.

The priests who preside over ceremonies like weddings and marriages make a reference to Dharma, Artha, and Kama, but they do not utter the word Moksha. The reason is, if you can really experience and fulfill what is to be done with regard to Dharma, Artha, and Kama in the proper way, Moksha would come to you on its own. However, because of the influence of this Kali Yuga, we keep seeking Moksha and forget all about Dharma, Artha, and Kama, so much so that we do not do what we should with regard to Dharma. When you really fulfill what is to be done with regards to Dharma, Artha, and Kama in the proper way, Moksha would be your own.

We do not discharge our obligations and responsibilities in the proper way with regard to the first three, and yet we ask for Moksha. How can it be? What is required here is following the path of Dharma, seeking Artha, and fulfilling Kama. Shedding the path of Dharma and securing Artha or wealth, you come to the third step, your desire or aspiration, which should also be saturated with this element of Dharma. Wealth without Dharma and desires without Dharma cannot make you deserving of securing or wanting to secure Moksha.

You have plenty of wealth, prosperity, and all your material possessions, and you also have this Dharma in you. Without Dharma, you cannot really have anything more. You might say that you are an educated person, a person of authority, but what’s the use of this arrogance? Asking for people to come to your support, what is the result? What is the cause of some of these situations to arise? It is because you do not do things the way they should be done. If these had been discharged the way they ought to have been, man would not have been subjected to such increasing orders of stress, disorder, and ailment.

The main thing which governs these three is again food. What we tend to take is food in excess and food which leads us to mental derangement. There should be a limit placed on the food that one takes. If you exceed this, you are bound to suffer in the process. To protect and safeguard the body, food is necessary. But even this food should be taken in tune with the quantity required for the sustenance of the body. If you exceed that limit, disorders will come your way with regard to the body.

Take, for instance, the heart. The heart has a capacity where it pumps blood to the rest of the body. It cannot exceed this limit. If you have a certain task to be performed by a certain machine, you go in for that machine which you feel would meet with this requirement of yours. If the horsepower of the machine is less and you want to exceed far beyond it, you can’t get anything out of it. So you find that in God’s creation, this body requires a certain horsepower for the heart, and that’s what God has given to it. If you want to build your body beyond the means and limits of this heart, it cannot function. That’s why there is an increase in heart diseases.

Even amongst educated people, this disease is creeping in. Not merely the educated ones, even those doctors who specialize in the field of the heart become victims to it. Health is wealth, and they exhaust each and everyone. Healthy is wealth, but when it comes to them, they don’t bother. So you have fallen victim to disorder and disease. You can certainly curb and alleviate yourself of this by placing a curb on food.

For instance, a person has got this problem of blood pressure. In the wake of this blood pressure, he becomes a victim to diabetes. Blood pressure and diabetes are like twins; one follows in the footsteps of the other. If you take medicine for diabetes, the blood pressure goes up. If you take medicine for blood pressure, diabetes goes up. These two are a pair of opposites, and they cannot be brought down under control. Through the medicine that you take temporarily, you might get some relief. But these diseases are such that once they creep in, it’s very difficult for you to put them out.

The golden principle of formula is diet control. Keep a curb on the food intake, and everything will be okay. You must reduce your weight. The reason again is we are eating this food. This body is like a mound, a heap, and it has no power of activating itself. It is purely inert, inanimate. Even that which is inert and inanimate can grow if you keep adding to it. For instance, you sweep your house continuously for a month, collect all the dust, and it becomes a heap. In the same manner, this body also, which is inanimate and inert, grows in proportion to the food you put into it.

Don’t put any food for a week, and even this would show a reduction in size. This body is like a tire. You pump the tire, it becomes inflated; you remove it, it becomes deflated. But if you go on pumping and the inflation keeps increasing, there is always a danger that the tire might burst. So it’s better to play safe and err on the side of caution.

Now, since this is a hospital day, it is necessary to speak about matters pertaining to health. Blood pressure and diabetes are commonplace diseases, but this is a highly mistaken notion. These two could be very dangerous. Both these diseases affect and act on the heart. One of these tends to enlarge the heart, the other tends to enlarge the surroundings of the heart. Both these together help to enlarge the heart. If the blood sugar also increases, there is no proper circulation of the blood, and the heart tends to solidify the sugar.

The cause for the increase of the sugar content in the blood is the decrease in insulin. That’s why a diabetes patient is injected with insulin, because the body can contain only a little sugar. Either way, if the sugar comes down or goes up, the person falls unconscious. To keep a check on the sugar content in the blood, doctors generally advise patients to eat food like wheat and jawar. This is not to place a curb on you, but to make this type of foodstuff a part of your diet. Whatever you eat becomes glucose in the body. Every substance that you eat gets changed into glucose, and there is sweetness in that.

In rice, you have this sweetness. In wheat, you have this sweetness. In the southern parts of the country, people are given to eating more rice. Because of this trait, they eat more rice, and the glucose content becomes high. To make this person eat less of glucose content, they are advised to eat wheat because they are not used to eating wheat, so they can’t eat much of it. Since they can’t stomach excess wheat, they eat less, and the sugar content is less. Merely by eating wheat, the blood sugar does not come down.

In the North, people are given to eating more wheat. They eat dozens of chapatis. If wheat can bring down the sugar content, how come these people are eating and still free from diabetes? They are used to eating wheat, so they eat more of it. The main idea behind all this is that the amount of food you take should be placed under a limit. Eat less of it, whatever the food type, within limits and moderation. Excess food leads to mental derangement. Limited food will confer joy and happiness, satiate your hunger, and sustain your body.

You eat food not for the sake of building up your body. There is every opportunity available to us if only we take care of our food. Foods and habits could confer longevity on us. Certain circumstances beyond control could lead to distress, but otherwise, there is no cause for suffering. If you wish to live longer, be of service to society, and experience divinity for longer, then keep your food under check. The food type and foodstuff you eat should be nourishing and nutritious. What you eat in this world is that which has absolutely no innate power to sustain you.

For the upkeep of the body, you need proteins and vitamins of all descriptions. One vitamin gives you good sight power to the eye, another purifies and strengthens the blood, and a third sustains and strengthens the protein. Protein is called that which protects you. When you have more protein content, you can sustain yourself longer. The protein content in foodstuff available in its natural state is high. For instance, pulses like moong dal and other types of beans contain a large amount of protein.

The way of eating them is to soak them in water and then eat them after they become palatable. They come to you in their richness. Because we are victims to our palate and whims, we boil them, add oil and various other ingredients, and deprive them of their basic nutritious content. Fruits and vegetables also contain vitamins and can give you strength. However, artificial vegetables grown with fertilizers lack the innate strength they ought to have.

In big towns and cities, drainage water is used to grow vegetables, resulting in vegetables that look wholesome but are grown and sustained by sewage water, leading to diseases. The village folk have far fewer diseases than townsfolk because they can breathe pure air, drink pure water, and eat pure materials. The fertilizers used in cities increase the number of cancer cases and heart complaints. To this day, no doctor has come out with a solution for this.

The main cause for cancer is sugar. In order to give commercial sugar its properties, chemicals are added, including bone powder. This content, as you take in sugar, might get lodged in any part of the body and create problems. The white corpuscles get clogged up, blocked at a certain point, and that’s the spot for cancer. Some people call it glaucoma, which is a primary ingredient of cancer. The primary disadvantage of sugar is this chemical content.

Today, doctors say those who eat betel leaves or smoke get cancer, but many people who eat betel leaves are free from cancer. Water, air, polluted air, and smoking cannot be the main cause. Sugar is the main cause. In the past, sugar was taken in the form of jaggery powder, a wholesome one. Today, artificial means are adopted, and artificial things are added to everything you eat, all for the sake of minting money. People take to dubious ways, resulting in diseases. If man himself were not to exist, for whose sake is this money? It is the individual who is important, not wealth or money.

You might live long and have any amount of money, but who is going to foster and enjoy it? If your lifespan is short, who is going to enjoy all this? Adopt means and paths wherein you realize yourself. Emperors, mighty ones, and valorous ones have all gone, leaving behind their wealth. Don’t forget that your identity lies with the divine being, and thereby protect and safeguard your body.

Alexander, the Greek emperor, made a conquest to this country on more than one occasion. He was extremely wealthy but not satisfied with what he had, so he wanted to add more kingdoms to his own. On one occasion, he made a trip to India, conquered, collected a lot of wealth, and was on his way back when he suffered a great disorder. Despite having any number of doctors in his entourage, they could do nothing for him at the end of his life. A great realization dawned on him, and he summoned all his ministers.

He told them that after his death, they must transport his body to Greece, wrap it in a white cloth, and let his two hands be raised up so that everybody can see. The ministers said this was against their custom and tradition, but Alexander insisted, saying that during his lifetime, he did not realize it, but after his death, this realization should be proclaimed to all people.

How to Win the Lord’s Grace

Discourse in the Vidyagiri Stadium, on 23-11-1991, Bhagawan’s Birthday.

Oh, good and noble people assembled here!

May you be filled with mutual affection and unalloyed joy! May you be compassionate towards all those who are afflicted! May you lead righteous family lives and be an example to all; May you be ever earnest in the pursuit of Dharma & Jnaana! This is my benediction for all of you.

What more can I tell you?

Embodiments of Divine Love!

All the animate beings in the Cosmos emerge from the Divine, are sustained by the Divine, and merge in the Divine. The Divine is the root cause of creation, sustenance, and dissolution.

Man is born out of desire, lives on desire, and passes out by desire. Man’s life is based on desires or thoughts (sankalpa). As are his thoughts, so are his actions. As are the actions, so are the fruits thereof. The fruits determine the goal. It follows that man’s destiny is determined by his thoughts.

Embodiments of Divine Love!

Cultivate sublime thoughts, lead ideal lives, realize the highest fruits, and strive to reach the supreme goal.

Man Should Possess Divine Consciousness

Man’s life is based upon his qualities and character. A true man is one who acts according to his Aatma-Dharma (the integrity of the Spirit) and not according to the impulses of his senses. Aatma-Dharma is the true Dharma of man. Acting according to the dictates of the senses is the code of the animals. Man should elevate from the animal to the Overlord of the animal nature (Pashupati or Shiva). What man should have is Eeshvara-bhaavam (the Divine Consciousness) and not the Prakriti-bhaavam (instinctive nature).

It should also be recognized that all Nature is an embodiment of the Divine. Creation is the primary symbol of the Divine Consciousness. It is called Prakriti (Nature). Every man who is a product of Nature should have the consciousness of his divinity and proclaim the Divine basis of creation. Human existence is supremely sacred. It is precious, Divine, and should be lived befittingly. The divinity in man, who is part of creation, is not something distinct. To demonstrate the inherent divinity of man, Avataars (Divine incarnations) appear from time to time.

Embodiments of the Divine Spirit!

God does not exist as something apart. All of you are embodiments of the Divine. “Eeshvarah sarvabhootaanam,” “Eeshaavaasyam idam Sarvam,” “_Vaasudevah sarvam_” (The Divine dwells in all beings, All this is dwelt in by the Lord, Everything is Divine). Men are forgetting these profound, sacred declarations and are wasting their lives in the pursuit of petty mundane pleasures.

Spirituality Exists In Every Aspect Of Life

It is supreme folly to consider that the spiritual is divorced from the physical and that the material world has no connection with spirituality. Spirituality runs like an undercurrent through every aspect of life—social, political, economic, and moral. This basic truth has been forgotten today. People have faith in the transient, the ephemeral, and the illusory.

Everything is constantly changing in the world. This ever-changing world is based upon the unchanging Divine. It is only when the Aadhaaram(Divine base) is understood can one derive bliss from the experience of what is based on it. In whatever action men do and whatever paths they pursue, they should be conscious of the Divine. Men today seek power, position, and pelf, but not virtues. Power and position, bereft of good qualities, are of no value. The foremost need of man is virtue. It is in this spirit that man should remember God.

Prakriti (Nature) is not to be despised. When Nature is viewed from the egoistic point of view, it assumes a distorted form. When it is regarded from the spiritual point of view, it presents a sacred aspect. The differences in the role of Nature arise out of men’s attitudes.

Everything has emerged from Truth. Truth is the form of the Divine. Everything is based on Truth. “_ Sathyaanaasti Paro Dharmah_” (There is no greater Dharma than Truth).

Everything has been created out of Truth And all creation is embedded in Truth.

There is no place where Truth does not shine.

Realise that this is the Supreme Truth.

Goodness is the most important thing for anyone. Whatever be one’s wealth, his knowledge, or position, the most essential quality is character. Even if one possesses many good qualities, it is only devotion to the Divine that makes them blossom forth. Bhaaratiyas in the past have had the reputation of having recognized this truth. What greater misfortune can there be than that Bhaaratiyas should forget their Divine cultural heritage?

In the supremely sacred land of Bharat, Forbearance is the highest wealth.

Of all forms of rituals, the most severe one is Adherence to truth and integrity.

What can be prized greater than the feeling That This is my Motherland?’

Self Confidence Is The Root Of All Achievements

Discarding the belief that honor is greater than life itself, men are going after exotic practices, hugging strange concepts of freedom, and are forgetting the real source of their strength, even like the elephant that is not aware of its massive strength.

Not relying on one’s own strength, to depend on the strength of others is precarious. The entire culture of Bharat has been based on reliance on one’s own inherent strength and confidence in one’s self. Self-confidence is the root of all achievements. It is because it has lost its self-confidence that India is prey to all kinds of troubles.

Embodiments of the Divine Spirit!

When you are embodiments of the Divine, it is a sign of weakness for you to lose confidence in yourselves. Recognize your true nature. Then your powers and talents will manifest themselves and be a source of joy to you. Self-confidence is essential because it is the source of all prosperity and accomplishment.

Bhaaratiyas’ Duty Is To Serve Others

The world today is plunged in strife, disorder and discontent. What is your duty at this juncture? Have you the power to banish this disorder? Do not give room for the idea that one man by himself is powerless to combat this situation. If every Indian goes forward with self-confidence to face this crisis, the country can be rescued from disorder in no time. Because of lack of self-confidence, men are unable to go forward.

Above all, everyone must take a pledge to serve others. Everyone is of Divine origin. If one cannot be loving towards others, he ceases to be human. Everyone should act on this basis, display love towards all, and lead an ideal life. Man should not regard himself as a weak and imbecile creature.

What, then, is our duty today? The Government is seeking to provide various amenities in the villages. But, it is one thing to proclaim one’s intentions and quite another to fulfill them. Speaking is easy, acting is difficult. Neither the authorities nor the leaders appear to be concerned about the state of the villages. The villagers are also apathetic. Bharat is not lacking in resources. It is well endowed in every respect. Had it not been so, it would not have attracted so many invaders from outside.

Today Bhaaratiyas themselves are considering the country as poor and belittling its status. This by itself is not a great danger. The greater danger is the development of Avishvaasam (a mood of cynicism). It is only when the pessimism among the people is transformed to a robust optimism will the country move forward. The retrograde movement has to be reversed. Material prosperity, which is transient, is not very important. Real and lasting wealth lies in good qualities and morality. It is this form of wealth that should be acquired.

New Hospital At Puttaparthi For Poor Villagers

With a view to setting an example to the authorities, to the community, and to every individual, Swami is undertaking activities, small and big, in various spheres. This hamlet of Puttaparthi had a population of barely 800. To conceive of a University for such a village was a fantastic dream. Another amazing phenomenon is the construction of an aerodrome near such a village, when there are no aerodromes even at district headquarters. Puttaparthi has become the cynosure of all eyes in the world. Above all, you should enquire why a highly sophisticated and most modern hospital, which should be located in a well-developed metropolis, has been set up in this rural area. The wealthy can go anywhere and get medical relief with their abundant resources. But the rural poor cannot go far from their villages for treatment. It is for the sake of such poor folk that this Hospital has been established. I told our doctors to examine the heart ailments of the villagers around here. Today an auspicious announcement has to be made. Within fifteen minutes of the inauguration of the Hospital by our Prime Minister, the first operation was begun in the Hospital. Within three hours, four operations were performed. One was a very complicated case. There was a hole in the heart of the patient. All the operations were performed successfully, and all the patients are doing well.

The Hospital Will Provide Relief To Villagers

You should know how this Hospital came up. The firm of Larsen & Toubro are known for their big constructions in India and abroad. But nowhere else was such enthusiasm and zeal displayed by the workers engaged in the construction as in this Hospital. Even the smallest worker did the work of ten persons with zeal and joy. All workers performed their jobs with enthusiasm and devotion.

Work on the Hospital began in May after my return from Kodaikanal. Work which would have taken five years was done within five months, from May to November. This is a gigantic project. It is intended to benefit people for a thousand years. Our purpose is to provide for cardiac cases in the first phase. Then, it will be the lungs. The third wing will be concerned with kidneys. The fourth will be the neurology wing.

This hospital has been set up to provide relief to villagers suffering from these four kinds of ailments. No distinction is made, however, between villages and cities. Diseases do not afflict only villagers. They make no territorial distinctions. Likewise, there will be no differentiation in providing relief. Our intention is to provide relief to all.

For achieving anything in the world, a sound body is essential. The body is the primary requisite for the pursuit of Dharma (righteousness). The body has to be in good health. Even for the realization of the four goals of human Life -_Dharma, Artha, Kaama, and Moksha_- sound health is essential. Having regard to the basic importance of health for all purposes, Swami had launched such medical institutions.

But what is the purpose of having a healthy body? It should be utilized for healthy activities. Unfortunately, all over the world people are forgetting Dharma and Moksha and are immersed only in the pursuit of Artha and Kaama. This is totally wrong. Men should pursue equally all the four goals and divinize their lives.

Good health is essential for utilizing the body for good deeds. Of what use is a body used for evil purposes?

Divinity Experienced Through The Elements

Embodiments of Divine Love!

Esteem the whole Cosmos as the embodiments of the Supreme. The Lord, who is the possessor of the Ashtaishvaryam (eight forms of Divine wealth), is the creator of this universe. The most vital requirement for man is water. It sustains life. Three-fourths of the earth’s surface is covered by water. Water is described in the Upanishats as Jeevam (the life-force). Hence, the foremost form of the Lord is water.

The second essential requisite for man is Agni (Fire). This fire is residing in every man’s stomach as the Jatharaagni (digestive fire). Without this digestive fire, man would be unable to digest the food he consumes and receive the sustaining energy from that food. All the seven secretions in the stomach are caused by the digestive fire. The blood, the muscles, the bones, etc., in the body are sustained by the Rasa(vital essences). Hence, the Lord is described as _Angeerasa_—One who is present in every anga (limb) as Rasa (essence).

The third requisite is the earth. The process of birth, growth, and dissolution is taking place on the earth. All the food that man needs comes from the earth. Because the earth is a source of joy for man, it is also an embodiment of the Divine.

Air Proclaims The Truth Of Oneness

The fourth is air. Air is intimately associated with life. Every man utilizes air in respiration. Human life is based on inhaling (“So”...) and exhaling (“Ham”...). In respiration, this process of So’ham is continually going on. In Sanskrit, Sah (“So”) means “He” and Aham means “I”. So’ham demonstrates the truth, “I am He.” Who is this “He”? It is God. Air thus proclaims the truth of Oneness.

In breathing, every day man inhales and exhales air 21,600 times. If there is no air, life will be extinct. Therefore the fourth embodiment of God is Air.

The fifth is Aakaasha (space). It is the basis for all the five elements. Sound is its form. Sound is also the form of the Brahmam (Absolute). Sound is all-pervading. When asked, “Where is Aakaasha?”, people point to the firmament. But that is not so. Everything is permeated by Aakaasha (ether or space). Wherever there is sound (or sound waves), there is Aakaasha. It encompasses everything and is present everywhere. Hence it is the embodiment of God.

Sun Is The Lord Of Intelligence

The sixth is the Sun. He is fire incarnate. How does this fire emerge? Heat is produced when hydrogen in the sun is converted into helium. This is borne out by science. In this process, eight forms of energy are noticed: Yantra shakti (kinetic energy), Ushna shakti (heat energy), Kaanti Shakti (light), Ghana shakti (magnetic energy), Vidyut Shakti (electrical energy), Rasa Shakti (chemical energy) and Anu Shakti (atomic energy). Scientists have calculated that every second the sun is losing many billion units of energy. Nevertheless, the Sun will continue to be a source of energy for millions of years. The Sun is the presiding deity of the Buddhi (intellect). He is the lord of intelligence and he illumines the intellect in man. Thus, the sun is also an embodiment of the Divine.

The seventh is the moon. The moon is the presiding deity of the mind. It is through the mind that sublime ideas are experienced. The world is the projection in form of the mind. Without the mind, the world cannot be conceived. The speed of the mind cannot be equaled. For instance, you might have come here from Hyderabad or Delhi. But in one moment your mind can take you to any place. The speed of thought is greater than that of light.

The eighth is Karma-shakti (the power of action). Karma also is Divine in form. Man is born out of action, is sustained by action, and ends in action. Action is the life-breath of man. This karma was described by the ancients as Yajna. “_Yajno-vai Vishnuh_” (Action or sacrifice is Vishnu). The cosmos is the embodiment of Vishnu.

If follows from this that the entire creation should be regarded as the manifestation of the Supreme Lord who is the possessor of the eight Divine potencies.

Man Should Manifest Divine Nature

Man today is not using properly the five elements of which the Cosmos is constituted. Consequently, man is afflicted with a myriad of troubles. The benefits to be derived from the five elements (in the form of sound, touch, light, taste and smell) are not being rightly enjoyed. They are being misused. Because man is abusing the God-given elements and faculties he is forfeiting God’s grace and is becoming a victim of Divine displeasure. The five elements have also turned against man. They are despising man for the way he is degrading them. The result is: the sounds that one hears are a cacophony of scandal and gossip. Are these the sounds that man should produce?

Man should manifest his sublime, perennial, Divine nature. Unfortunately, his entire vision today is tainted. He is filled with bad thoughts. Hence his sight has turned against him.

When you examine man’s faculty of hearing, what do you find? He hears all the time scandalous gossip about all and sundry, while his ears turn away from the sweet praises of the Lord. As the ears are abused in this manner, the mind gets polluted by listening to bad things.

Even the air one breathes is polluted. The entire atmosphere is polluted. The food one consumes is also polluted.

If we try to find out what is at the root of all the troubles and worries men experience today, it will be seen that man’s abuse of the five elements is the cause. Therefore, see good, hear what is good, and be good. When people behave in this manner, the five elements will shower their benefits on them. It is only when man secures the grace of the five elements he will experience the grace of the Divine. How can we get the grace of the elements, which nourish and sustain us, if we misuse them?

Travesty Of Progress In Education

This is the kind of progress that the world has made.

Biting the hand that feeds, Reviling the preceptor who imparts knowledge, This is the ‘progress’ in education today.

People seek a good life, position, and wealth.

But they will not seek good qualities, Right knowledge, and right conduct.

Wealth has become all-important And righteousness has receded.

This is the ‘progress’ in education today.

Character and morality are confined to books.

The mind is totally polluted.

All actions are based on selfishness.

This is the ‘progress’ in education today.

Can this be real “progress” at all? Are these the things that should be learnt by anyone? All that is learnt today serves only to pollute the heart. Education is confined to what promotes selfishness and self-interest. What ought to be learnt is how to be helpful to others and how to realise the Self. Education should make one realise the unity of all beings. I cannot find any truly educated person wherever I turn. All appear to be uneducated. Many read books, but mere book knowledge is not education. Degrees do not make an educated person. Without wisdom and good qualities, education has no meaning.

How To Divinize Human Life

Education should be for leading a good life and not for earning a livelihood. To learn from a scientist the chemical composition of water is a kind of knowledge, which may help a man to get a job. But how to make the right use of water so that all can share its benefits is knowledge of the Spirit. This higher knowledge elevates life and makes it meaningful. When worldly knowledge and spiritual knowledge come together, human life is divinized.

There is a Kannada saying: “For water, lotus is the ornament. For a town, the home is the ornament. For the ocean, the waves are the ornament. For the sky, the moon is the ornament. For man’s life, virtue is the ornament.” Without good qualities, all other ornaments are worthless. The beauty created by the Divine cannot be excelled by any other ornament. It is that beauty which should be esteemed. Beauty is God. Why attempt to enhance it? When you have natural beauty, why go after artificial cosmetics? True beauty consists in good qualities.

Embodiments of Divine Love!

Today we have to recognise the importance of the body. To make right use of the body, good qualities are essential. With a healthy body and good qualities, you can lead ideal lives. When this infinitely precious human life is filled with good thoughts and good actions, the nation will flourish.

Eschewing all thoughts of “mine”, “my people”, fill every moment of your waking life every day with thoughts of the well-being of others. When all are happy, you will also be happy. Promote the welfare of society, with which is bound up your own welfare.

“All Are Alike To Me”

Love even your enemy. That is Sai’s ideal. Indeed, in the entire world, there is no one whom I do not like. Some may dislike me or be opposed to me. But I have no feelings against them. All are alike to me. Try to cultivate at least a fraction of that equal-mindedness.

Some devotees bemoan their lot saying, “God is described as an ocean of kindness, the embodiment of compassion, but He has done nothing to relieve me of my woes.” The Lord is verily the embodiment of Love and Truth and is an ocean of Compassion. But, to what extent are you carrying out the injunctions of the Lord? Ask yourselves that question. You don’t act properly, but seek favours. God’s grace will be showered on you only when you put into practice at least a few of the Lord’s injunctions.

Today the Geeta is being propagated in many ways. But how many are practicing even one of the teachings of the Geeta? Men are heroes in aspiration and zeroes in practice. Likewise, people are eloquent about the Raamaayana and the way Rama adhered to the pledge given by his father. But how many carry out the words of their parents? The Raamaayana, Bhaagavatam or the Geeta are not to be regarded as scriptures for mere ritualistic reading. They are texts whose teachings have to be followed. This applies equally to other sacred books like the Bible, the Quran, and the Granth Saheb.

There are some others who spend their entire lives in the quest for knowledge. When will they ever start practicing what they have learnt?

Integral Approach To Human Ailments

Discourse to an international gathering of Cardiac specialists present at a symposium held in the Auditorium of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam, on 6-2-1993.

One whose heart is filled with compassion, Whose words spell truth, And who works for the welfare of others Will never suffer from difficulties Or diseases even in the Kali age.

In this wide world, everyone aspires for long life, prosperity, and health. A healthy body is essential if one has to achieve the four goals of human life, namely, Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). Science and technology have made great strides in contributing to the progress of human society. But man has deteriorated morally and spiritually.

Among the four Vedas, the Atharvana Veda is the one that has given the science relating to longevity, known as Ayurveda. Ayurveda transcends time and space and is valid for all places, at all times. It relates to the spirit, mind, and body and has an integrated approach. The Allopathic system came much later. It is based on an objective, external approach while Ayurveda is subjective. Both have to be coordinated for better results. Since Ayurveda is subjective it is more efficacious than the Allopathic system. There is a superior artistic sense in Ayurveda.

Doctors have to realise the distinction between the subjective and objective approaches. The latter has an external outlook while the former has an inner view. The object is a reflection of the subject. Without realizing this relationship between Ayurveda and Allopathy, doctors are wasting their time in arguments.

Basic Difference Between Ayurveda And Allopathy

Ayurveda affirms that purity of mind is more essential for one’s health while Allopathic doctors do not consider the mind as so important. They give importance to the eradication of disease-causing germs and consider this as the only means to cure diseases. This does not take into account the role of the mind and the Spirit in the eradication of disease. Allopathy is based on external knowledge and experimentation, while Ayurveda is based on inner knowledge and experience. There is a gulf of difference between experiment and experience. Because of the difference between the subjective and objective approaches, in the course of time, Allopathy resorted to the use of antibiotics to deal with various diseases. The antibiotics act powerfully and yield quick results in curing a disease. But, in the process of curing a disease, they give rise to adverse side-effects.

The Role Of The Mind In Causing Sickness

Allopathic doctors experiment only with matter. They do not take the inner consciousness (Self) into account. In spite of the prodigious technological developments in the world, man is not able to enjoy peace. Peace cannot be achieved by knowledge of the physical. Peace should come from inner feeling or the Spirit within. It is only when the body, the mind, and the Spirit are in harmony that peace will prevail. Medical science should recognize the role of the mind in causing sickness. Good health confers mental peace. Mental worry impairs physical health. Ayurveda, therefore, lays emphasis on mental peace and aims at the elimination of the root cause of disease.

There are three basic factors that are responsible for health or disease in the human body according to Ayurveda. They are vaata (vital air), pitta (bile), and shleshma (phlegm). Vaata accounts for 36 diseases, pitta accounts for 98, and shleshma for 96 diseases. These three factors are essential for the human body but they should be in proper balance without exceeding their respective limits. When they are in balance, there will be no disease. Moderation is the golden rule for good health.

For the treatment of disease arising out of vaata, pitta, and shleshma, gingelly oil, ghee, and honey respectively are prescribed as remedies. These should be taken in moderation. The body is a gift of God and cannot be made by doctors. The human heart beats 1,03,000 times a day. The blood circulation in the body is computed to cover 1,68,000 miles per day. Man breathes 21,600 times and consumes 438 cubic feet of air every day. These are based on Divine Will and are regarded as a Law of Nature.

God is the preceptor of Prakriti (Nature). The body is unclean in many ways and is subject to various diseases. But in such an inherently unattractive abode dwells the most valuable divinity. Man should always act in harmony with Nature, which is a reflection of Divinity.

Heart Troubles Are Caused By Hurry, Worry, And Curry

What is the cause of heart ailments? Many doctors say that they are due to smoking, consumption of fatty foods, overeating, and other habits. The relationship between food and habits should be properly understood. We should see that proper balance is maintained between the physical body and inner feelings (Spirit). Modern man is continuously in a hurry. Hurry causes worry which affects physical health. The main cause of heart troubles may be said to be hurry, worry, and curry. Curry means fatty foods. Many doctors have made investigations in this field but the results have not been made known widely. Heart diseases are found to be more rampant among non-vegetarians while vegetarians are not prone to heart ailments to the same extent. This is because of the higher percentage of fats in non-vegetarian food which increases the cholesterol in the blood. Worry causes high blood pressure and hurry causes diabetes. Both of them are like twins, one acting on the heart inside and the other externally on the blood.

Everyone should know how to control these causes. Some people do not do any physical exercises and lead a sedentary life. My advice to office-goers and students is that it is good for them to commute by cycle at least 5 or 6 kilometers a day. This cycling exercise is very useful not only for maintaining health but also for reducing the expenditure incurred on automobiles. Another advantage is the avoidance of accidents. Moreover, it serves to reduce atmospheric pollution caused by the release of harmful fumes from automobiles. The carbon-dioxide smoke from motor vehicles and factories is already polluting the air in cities and is affecting the ozone layer above the earth.

Purifying The Environment Is The Primary Task

The primary task is to purify the environment which is affected by pollution of air, water, and food. All the five elements are affected by pollution. People should, therefore, try to reduce the use of automobiles and control the emission of harmful industrial effluents.

In the ancient times, sages and scientists commended the Ayurvedic system of treatment as it was considered a natural system for curing disease. Trees play a vital role in helping mankind to receive oxygen from the atmosphere while they absorb the carbon dioxide exhaled by human beings. Hence, the ancients favored the growing of trees to control atmospheric pollution. But nowadays trees are cut down indiscriminately and pollution is on the increase. The relationship between man and trees is indicated by the term “Vanaspati” (herbs) employed in Ayurveda. Man is leading an artificial life today. One should understand that he is not merely the body but a combination of body, mind, and spirit. In the Gayatri Mantra, “Om Bhur Bhuvas Suvah” is the first line. In this Bhu refers to matter, that is the body, Bhuvah refers to the Prana Shakti (Life Principle) which animates the body, and Suvah refers to Prajna Shakti (Awareness or Conscience) which acts through radiation. Hence man is made up of Prajna (Awareness), Prana (the vital force), and the body (the material substance). The doctors should not consider only the body (matter), but should take into consideration the Prana (Life Force) and Prajna Shakti (Integrated Awareness). Prajna Shakti is the radiation energy that promotes wisdom. Vibration is the expression of the Prana (Vital Force). In every action, there is a vibration which is in between the consciousness and the physical body. We should see that the mind is not influenced by any external ‘force’ but by the internal ‘source,’ which is Prajna or integrated awareness.

Doctors’ Duty To Ensure Healthy Life For All

Esteemed Doctors! You must strive to ensure a long and healthy life for the people. In my view, a godly life is more important than mere longevity. What is the use of a selfish person leading a long life without rendering service to society? Only those who serve society and the nation should have long life. The essence of the Eighteen Puranas of Vyasa was given by him in the motto ‘Help ever, hurt never’.

It is true that doctors generally work with devotion and dedication. It will be better if they develop more devotion towards God instead of being concerned with earning money. Obviously, money is needed to carry on worldly life but there should be a limit to the acquisition of money. The use of money should be properly regulated. When one does not observe restraint in daily life, he is a prey to disease. The body is governed by limits and controls. The temperature should be 98.4°F neither more nor less, the blood pressure should be 80-120. Any increase or decrease spells illness. Doctors should not compete with one another in earning huge sums and acquiring more and more possessions. They should render free service to the needy and the poor. The spirit of sacrifice is the hallmark of true education. Money earned should be usefully spent in a spirit of sacrifice.

Health And Human Values

There should be a harmonious blend of religion, philosophy, and art for man to live healthily in the world. In this context, religion means the religion of love. This is the only religion in the world. There is only one caste, the caste of humanity. One should cultivate human values for healthy living. This calls for harmony in thought, word, and deed. When you cultivate this harmony you will be free from desires and fears. As selfishness is rampant in the field of medical science and other branches of science, the world is rocked by many hazards and calamities. Doctors should educate laymen about the various reasons for heart ailments. Whenever people think of heart disease, the prospect of an operation looms large before them as a bugbear. As far as possible you should avoid surgery and try to cure the patients by drugs. Doctors should treat operation as a last resort. As the word operation creates fear in all types of people, whether rich or poor, high or low, you should help them to develop self-confidence and remove the cause of fear.

What The Super-Specialty Hospital Signifies

Divine members of the medical fraternity! It is not my intention to extol the excellence of our Hospital here. I wish to highlight the fact that the people in these areas used to be mortally afraid of heart disease because there was no facility for high-grade medical or surgical treatment and they had to take the patients to far off places entailing enormous expense. But, from 22nd November 1991, when the Super-Specialty Hospital started functioning, even kids entered the hospital smilingly without any sense of fear. Their courage and faith ensure successful treatment. This is the only hospital where you can see patients, doctors, nurses, technicians, and paramedical staff with smiling faces. Even the relatives accompanying the patients are all smiles. Wherever you move in the hospital, you can see smiling and cheerful workers doing their duty with devotion and dedication.

How has this happiness come to the people who go to the hospital for treatment of dreaded diseases? Happiness arises out of union with God. Because there is a lack of faith in God elsewhere, there is grief. But in our hospital, there is full faith in Divinity. Most people who have all physical comforts do not have inner peace. We get peace only from within us. If one acts in consonance with one’s conscience one gets peace. A spirit of sacrifice is essential for securing peace.

This hospital is not Swami’s. It belongs to all of you. This hospital was established with the noble aim of serving suffering humanity. Besides excellent equipment of the highest quality, we have here the most modern facilities for medical and surgical treatment, and above all, a team of dedicated doctors and other staff who render selfless service with a smile. The construction of the hospital was completed in an incredibly short period of five months. The construction of a hospital of this magnitude might have taken even ten years if the Government had taken up the work. When I announced on 23rd November 1990, that this hospital would function from 22nd November 1991, many eyebrows were raised, doubting the possibility of the date being kept up. But it became an accomplished fact as willed by Swami.

Devotion And Selfless Service Of Doctors

Dr. Venugopal came from Delhi to conduct the operations on 22nd November 1991. Ever since he took up the work, it has been a saga of success. It has not been mentioned in the public before that he is a doctor in government service working in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. He used to start from Delhi on a Saturday; arrive here and perform operations on Sunday and return to Delhi for work on Monday. He has not taken any remuneration for his work and has defrayed even the travelling expense himself. I am mentioning these facts only to highlight his devotion and sense of selfless service. His entire team is of the same type. They are very happy to have the opportunity to serve here. Their purity of heart and selfless service have helped the hospital achieve such splendid results. Most of the nurses and technicians are our college students. They were sent to Delhi for technical training in the operation of highly sophisticated equipment. They have often been working smilingly from 6 a.m. to 12 midnight. They serve here only out of devotion to Swami and not for money.

To cite an example of the spirit of dedication of the staff, yesterday while Swami was returning from the hospital, nurses who had done hard and strenuous work for more than three days were found walking on the road, and on enquiry, it was learned that their bus broke down and they decided to trek the long distance back to the Mandir on foot. Swami asked them to wait there and arranged for a relief bus to pick them up. The relationship between Swami and devotees is heart to heart based on love.

A Word Of Advice To The Doctors

Not a single paise is collected from patients for anything, right from diagnostic tests to surgery and after-care. Even nutritious food is supplied free to the patients. In the beginning, the innocent and simple village folk did not know how to use the hospital beds. Some of them slept under the cot, saying in utter simplicity that they were not worthy enough to sleep on such expensive beds. Patients do not show any sign of worry in this hospital.

I wish to give a word of advice to the doctors. While you are examining the patients you should have smiling faces and talk to the patients sweetly. If you check the pulse with a grim face the patients may collapse fearing that there is something radically wrong. Some patients even dread the very sight of a doctor when he approaches to examine. This is not good. Doctors should infuse courage in the patients and speak soothingly, radiating compassion and love. The kind approach of the doctor will have a greater healing effect on the patients than the medicine itself. Doctors must instill courage in the patients. Swami wants more hospitals to render free treatment to the poor. Doctors should cooperate and work with unity.

Aim At A Disease-Free Human Society

It is only by sense control and steadfastness that one can lead a happy and healthy life. Along with control of the mind, one should control the temper and avoid tension. Prevention of disease should be the goal. We should aim at a human society free from diseases. It will be a happy day when a hospital gets no patients at all. All of you have assembled here to discuss and exchange your knowledge and experience in the field of medical science, particularly relating to the treatment of cardiac and cardiovascular cases. I wish you should discuss freely and find solutions to problems and render service to the people.

Doctors, Patients And Society

Address to the Valedictory session of the Cardiac Specialty Symposium, on 7-2-1993.

Charity is the ornament for the hand.

Truth is the adornment for the tongue.

The scriptures are the ornaments for the ears.

Of what avail are other ornaments?

Embodiments of the Divine Practitioners of Modern Medicine! It is daanam (charity) that lends adornment to the hand. Only Truth lends beauty to speech. The scriptures serve to adorn the ears. Man needs no more beautiful ornaments than these. The glory of Divinity consists in sanctifying human existence by these ornaments.

The human body is a thing of marvelous beauty. Men cannot easily comprehend the secret of God’s creation. No one can explain how the eyes have acquired the power of seeing this phenomenal world.

The beauty of all the organs in the human body is a secret of creation. Doctors try to find out how each sense organ and how each limb functions. No one tries to find out why they are functioning in this manner. This secret can be grasped only through the Atmic or Divine Principle.

Human life is based on six constituents in the Panchabhutas (five basic elements) and the Atma. To recognise this fact, three paths have to be pursued. One is to recognise within one’s self the presence of Nature and the Divine. A second path is to recognise in God the cosmic creation and one’s self. The third path is to see in Nature the presence of God and one’s self. It is only when knowledge is acquired by these three paths that Atma Jnana (Knowledge of the Self) arises. This threefold path is termed Prajna (Integrated Awareness). Every man should try to understand this three-fold path. This can be done at all times in all places. It has universal application. It has permanent validity everywhere. But, man gets involved in what is impermanent and ever-changing.

Treat the Patient; Not the Disease

There are in the world today highly intelligent and experienced doctors of great renown. They are, however, concerned only with the cure of diseases and not the redemption of the patient. It is more important to cure the mental condition of the patient than to relieve his physical illness. Doctors treat the disease and not the patient.

During the past two days, the doctors have been discussing how to cure diseases. They have presented statistics as to the number of cases handled, the number of cures effected, and the incidence of mortality. The doctors have had some doubts about how all diseases are cured in our Sathya Sai Hospital. How does this happen? There is a good answer for this doubt. In regard to any action, if it is done with a pure heart and good intentions, it is bound to be successful. Man today regards self-interest as a way of life. This has become the philosophy of the modern world. But, we should consider tyaga (sacrifice) alone as the true philosophy for the world. When you approach the patient in a spirit of sacrifice, the patient’s feelings get purified.

Vibrations of Light Around the Body

Our body is surrounded by Divine vibrations. If you look at the thumb, there are vibrations of light around it. Few attempt to recognise this phenomenon. The body is surrounded by vibrations of light. When these vibrations of light from one person meet another’s, several good things happen.

There are two important organs for man. One is the heart and the other is the hand. The head is preoccupied with enquiring into mundane phenomena. It is concerned with the external. Its focus is on objects outside. The heart looks at what is within. The concern with the external has been termed Pravritti Marga (the path of externals). All man’s actions today, including the knowledge he acquires and the wealth he gets, are all related to the Pravritti Marga. The six vices of Kama (lust), Krodha (anger), Moha (infatuation), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride) and Matsarya (jealousy) are related to the Pravritti Marga. These undergo constant changes. Because the body is associated with these qualities, it is also subject to change.

But the heart remains unchanging. It is associated with the Nivritti Marga (the Inward path). What are the qualities associated with the heart? Truth, compassion, love, forbearance, sympathy, and sacrifice: These human qualities emanate from the heart. So, in human life, the head and the heart play crucial roles. These two are kept in balance by the hand. Thus, the heart, the head, and the hand are the three H’s which are important in studying the human predicament.

Close Nexus Between the Mind and Prana

What are the causes of diseases of the heart? All diseases are a reflection of Pravritti, the disposition of the mind: Hence, in worldly matters, man should follow the right path. In this context, two elements among the five basic elements are important. “Bhikshannam Deharakshartham, Vastram Seeta nivararanam” (Food is essential for protecting the body; raiment is necessary for protection against cold). Associated with food is water. These two occupy pride of place in human life.

Life is the subtle form of the water consumed by man. The mind is the subtle form of the food taken by man. Hence a close nexus should be established between the mind and Prana (life force). As is the food, so is the head. Man’s thoughts, desires, and aspirations are related to the kind of food he consumes. For instance, you may discern from practical experience how food affects the mind. The cyclic process which starts with the formation of clouds and ends in the harvest of grain, determines the kind of food one can have.

Heat (or fire) is the basis of this process. This fire is present within man as Jatharagni, the digestive fire, which accounts for the conversion of the food consumed by man into various forms of energy. This fire has to be in proper balance. When the balance is upset, you have illness. The state of man’s body depends on the maintenance of this balance. Man’s entire life depends on preserving this balance. When is the balance upset? When there is no mental steadiness. Men today develop all kinds of intellectual abilities, but they have not learnt how to keep the mind steady. When serenity of mind is achieved, there will be no disease. Illness will not approach you at all.

Importance of Food in Maintaining Health

There should be some regulations with regard to food. Many doctors emphasize the value of proteins and recommend meat, eggs, etc. But proteins got in this form serve only to build the body, but do considerable harm to the mind. Doctors are primarily concerned with the gross physical body. They pay little attention to the subtle form of the mental makeup. Most of the diseases that are prevalent in the world today are related to the mind. Mental illness seems to outnumber physical ailments. The Vedanta has declared that the mind is the cause of man’s bondage or liberation. This means that the mind has to be used properly and turned godwards. Equally, the mind is responsible for health or sickness.

In this context, food is all important. Proteins are present in milk, curds and vegetables as much as in meat. If in the matter of diet, the doctors give the right prescription, diseases can be averted.

Prevention is Better Than Cure

In my view, instead of treating people after the onset of illness, it is better to ensure that they do not fall ill at all. Both doctors and the authorities should educate enceinte women about prenatal care of children in the womb. It is distressing to find that newborn babes suffer from congenital heart diseases. Dr. Iyer showed the picture of a smiling child that had grown up after a heart operation shortly after birth. While one rejoices at such a sight, it is frightening to think of the operation that had to be done on a ten-day-old infant. In the case of congenital heart diseases, neither the parents nor the child can be happy. Nor can society be happy with such a situation. Something must be done to prevent heart troubles developing during pregnancy. There are medicines for preventing congenital heart ailments. For instance, if the mother is given various vitamins, the child’s heart can be strengthened. The mother should be taught all about prenatal care and given the necessary medicines. Pregnant women should be periodically checked in the hospital. It is better to take all preventive measures before the birth of a child than to carry the burden of bringing up a weak and crippled child all his life.

Doctors alone cannot impart this message to all women. They can only advise those who come to them. But doctors can bring home to the authorities their responsibility in the area of preventive measures. What is the use of spending crores on curative measures without promoting health? It is a waste of money. There are many hazards in the use of antibiotics in the treatment of certain diseases like tuberculosis and the use of pesticides in agriculture.

Doctors Should be Grateful to the Society

Doctors should realise what they owe to society, which has preserved and imparted to them their knowledge of the medical sciences. Medical knowledge has been enriched by the contributions of dedicated investigators over centuries. Doctors should be grateful to society for all the knowledge and skills they have acquired from the dedicated labours of others. They should realize their deep indebtedness to society for all they have received from it. Only then, they will use their knowledge and skills in the right way.

People today think in terms of only their personal interests. They should develop a social consciousness, realising what all they owe to society. Men today have become so utterly selfish that they behave in inhuman ways. They do not make proper use of their talents and resources in the service of their fellowmen.

Doctors are embodiments of the Divine. As such, it is their duty to see that people do not shed tears of grief. They may doubt how far this is possible. Do as much as lies within your power. What happens thereafter need not bother you. Treat Duty as God and Work as Worship. If you carry on your work in this spirit, the world will be a happier place for all.

I have to give a word of advice to the doctors present here. There is a tendency to specialize in the treatment of heart diseases which has gone to absurd lengths. I would advise the doctors to treat the heart as a whole and not fragment every part of it for specialised treatment. Specialisation has grown to alarming proportions in the world today. Doctors should be “generalists,” who know how to treat different ailments of a patient.

The heart teaches an important lesson to man. It appears to beat tirelessly without stopping. But, in fact, it is able to rest in brief intervals between one beat and another. The heart teaches you how to take rest even while at work. I often tell the students that “change of work is rest.” This is the way the heart functions when it pumps the blood from one chamber to the other.

Lessons from the Human Cell

Few can realise the limitless potentialities of each cell in the human body. It is one of the great secrets of creation. The cells teach man the lesson of tyaga (sacrifice). For the progress of human life, sacrifice is essential. The scripture, declares that immortality can be attained only through sacrifice. Immortality means the removal of immorality. The various cells in the body account for the performance of various functions by the senses and other limbs of the body. The power of the cells comes from the Divine. No one can explain it. Modern scientists term it as a “law of Nature.” But wherefrom has this “law” emerged? There should be someone who lays down the law? For every product, like this silver tumbler, there is a maker. Silver is God’s creation. The tumbler has been made by a goldsmith. It has not come as a ready-made tumbler. You have on the earth water and clay. They are God’s creation. By mixing them both, the potter makes pots out of them. The creator for the pot is the potter. God is the Creator for the five elements - space, air, fire, water, and earth. No one else can create these elements. But man makes use of these natural elements for making objects for his enjoyment. One man produces an aero-plane for flying. Another makes a parachute for safety if something happens to the plane. Scientists should be concerned with producing things that ensure safety.

How the Divine Works

In this connection, I should like to tell you something whether you believe it or not. I do not have any worry. When I embarked on the construction of such a big hospital (the Super Specialty Hospital), Joga Rao used to say: “We are drawing up such gigantic plans. We don’t have enough money. How are we going to construct this hospital?” He was highly apprehensive. I told him: “What we are undertaking is good work for the welfare of others. There is no selfishness in Me. We are doing everything for the well-being of the world. Do not give room for these depressing thoughts. It is bound to come up. Have this confidence.”

When does such confidence arise? When you know you are engaged in a good cause. There is a difference between an optimist and a pessimist when they view a glass half-full of water. The optimist is glad that the tumbler is half-full, while the pessimist is sorry that the tumbler is half-empty. You should not give way to pessimism. You must feel content with whatever you have. With contentment, anything can be achieved.

Medical Education Should Lay Stress on Quality

The plight of doctors (in India) deserves sympathy. Many of them have to spend large sums to get seats in medical colleges and to complete their education. The doctor is worried about how to recover the money that has been spent on his education. Something must be done to solve this problem. For instance, no one should be admitted in a medical college merely because he is able to pay a large capitation fee (of lakhs). Only those who have the talents and aptitude for medical studies should be admitted. Such students will immensely benefit from medical education and will be of use to society. Today you must have either plenty of money or influential backing to get into a medical college. Students who get admitted this way take even twelve years to complete the five-year medical course. Of what use are such men? The stress should be on quality and not quantity in the sphere of medical studies.

In earlier years, medical students used to work hard spending even 18 hours a day. Without such hard work, no one would get his degree. Alas! today things are otherwise. Students pass without much study. Such ill-educated doctors are a calamity to the nation. Not all doctors are of this kind. There are quite a few competent doctors.

It is the duty of the medical profession to rectify this situation. They should contact the authorities to bring about reforms. Only then will the nation progress.

We do not need many hospitals. Patients can be treated easily. In my view, there is no need for you to worry about money and resources. Treat your patients with love, Duty is God. This love should be mutual give and take. You may charge fees for your services, but do it with love. This is the right course for you. When you render service in this spirit, you will be successful in all cases. When you treat the patient with love, you will win the patient’s love. Hence, your motto should be: “Start the day with love, fill the day with love and end the day with love.” This is the way to God.

Our American doctor, who addressed the valedictory session, said that doctors should speak sweetly to patients. Whatever you do should be filled with love. A patient feels reassured when he sees the smiling face of a doctor.

Tribute to Participants of the Medical Conference

Embodiments of Divine Love! You have come from long distances, undergoing many strains. Conferences and symposia of all kinds are held all over the world all the time. But none of the decisions arrived at these gathering is implemented. Our Symposium is different. You have all come in a spirit of dedication. The decisions taken here should be implemented. You came here to learn from others as well as to share your experiences with others. You should return all the better for your visit. You should feel encouraged by your experiences here. Elated by this experience, you should be able to achieve many things. Return to your countries with joy in your hearts. You have had edifying experiences. It is fortunate that highly experienced doctors have been able to participate in this Symposium. They have also visited our Hospital and given many useful suggestions for enlarging its usefulness in the years ahead. We shall try to give effect to these suggestions. We are making plans for developing the Urology and Neurology wings. Please convey your experience and suggestions from time to time and encourage our doctors to do better. We wish that you should also make occasional visits to our Institute and Hospital. You are always welcome. Do not have any hesitation. This is your Hospital! Not mine. You are my property. Do not wait for invitations from here. There can be no objection to your coming to your own home. Highly experienced professional men have come here. No conference could have taken place in such a peaceful atmosphere as here with such pure hearted participants. In most conferences there are heated debates. Here everything was peaceful and calm. It was a sacred exercise. As Dr. Somaraju said, we have here a temple, where proper prayers should be offered. What should be this prayer? It is, All patients should get well. “Lokah Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu!” (Let all people be happy).

I conclude my discourse with the benediction that in the years to come all people should lead healthy and ideal lives.

Food, The Heart and the Mind

Discourse at the inaugural session of the Second International Symposium on Cardiovascular Diseases held in the Sathya Sai Institute Auditorium on 21-1-1994.

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

It is essential to observe the principle of moderation in food habits, work, and sleep. The Buddha preached the same principle of moderation to his disciples. “Be always moderate, never indulge in excess,” proclaimed the Buddha. In fact, moderation is the royal road to happiness. The modern man, who flouts the principle of moderation in every aspect of life, endangers his health and well-being. The food consumed by man should be proper, pure, and wholesome. But nowadays people eat whatever they get and wherever they get it, thereby spoiling their health. Food plays a major role in the preservation of health. Care should be taken to ensure that the food consumed does not have much fat content, for consuming fats in large quantities is detrimental not only to one’s physical health but also to one’s mental health. Meat and alcoholic drinks take a heavy toll on man’s health, causing many a disease in him.

The Efficacy Of Cardiac Surgery

This international symposium has for its theme “The Heart and its Ailments.” Also on the agenda is a discussion about the preventive aspects of diseases as well as the treatment and cure of heart diseases. Questions are raised about the efficacy of cardiac surgery and its related effects. The heart is a special organ in the human system. It is pulsating ceaselessly, unlike the other organs. Heart surgery is a highly complex operation, as the surgery has to be performed without arresting the heartbeat. At the same time, the functioning of the lungs has also to be kept up. Medical men of genius invented the heart-lung machine in 1956 to carry on the activities of the heart as well as the lung during cardiac operations. The machine takes upon itself the function of the heart and the lung, ensuring purification of the blood and keeping up the circulation of the blood. The details of the functioning of this heart-lung machine are well known to the doctors. The tube which is fitted connecting the heart and the machine should be airtight and should be fixed with great care, for any lapse in the fitting of the tube may cause air bubbles that will endanger the patient’s life. An unfailing power supply is most crucial for the success of the operation, as any interruption in power supply will stall the operation. Therefore, we have to depend on generators for ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the course of the operation.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure

Questions are posed about whether heart surgery ensures a permanent cure. Cardiac surgery is helpful insofar as it enables the patient to carry on his daily activities and lead a normal life. But, it is wrong to conclude that surgery is the only way of curing heart diseases. Some of the diseases can be cured even by medicine. In my opinion, it is the primary responsibility of every individual to prevent becoming a victim of heart disease by regulating his food and other habits. Prevention is better than cure. There will be little room for cardiac ailments if one’s food habits are properly controlled and regulated.

Research has revealed that non-vegetarian and alcoholic addicts are more prone to heart ailments than vegetarians. If the vegetarian food that is consumed should be balanced and wholesome, it should contain liberal doses of vitamin C and vitamin E, which are available in vegetables like carrots. The presence of these vitamins prevents heart ailments to a large extent. Every effort should be made to keep the human body healthy. Health is wealth. Wealth cannot be enjoyed by a person with poor health. Health is more important because it gives physical and mental strength to a person.

Birds and beasts do not suffer from cardiac and digestive ailments to which man is prone. The cause can be traced to the natural food which the animals consume, unlike human beings who consume all sorts of fried and cooked items of food, being slaves to the palate. Modern man consumes many artificial foodstuffs and a variety of alcoholic drinks, which are injurious to health. Birds and beasts lead natural lives, while the artificial lifestyles of man today take a heavy toll on his health. When man observes moderation in diet, he can be saved from most diseases. In the entire range of God’s creation, man alone is endowed with the faculty of discrimination. It is this faculty which sets him apart from animals. A man should exercise his discretion and discrimination regarding food habits.

How To Bring About Mental Transformation?

The progress of the universe is bound up with the progress of man. Any amount of development in the areas of scientific, economic, and social spheres will not be of much use without mental transformation. How can we bring about this transformation? It is by restraining passions and emotions. Since mental tension is most detrimental to man’s health, man should learn the art of controlling his passions and emotions, which cause stresses and strains. It is also essential to keep our mind serene and peaceful while eating food. We should not indulge in discussions of topics that will cause agitation and excitement and disturb our mental peace while we are taking food. Mental tension is responsible for ill health. We should also avoid viewing TV, video, etc., while eating food, as they may cause mental disturbances. Today there is pollution in everything, such as the air we breathe, the water we drink, the sounds that are jarring to the ears, and the food we consume. Because of this all-round pollution, man’s health is affected. Apart from this, man’s mind is also polluted, making him susceptible to diseases. A man should make an earnest endeavor to lead a serene and pure life. He should realize the truth that troubles and turmoils are temporary, like passing clouds. There is no scope for agitation to arise if one realizes this truth. One who realizes this truth will not allow his mind to be swayed by the passions of anger, cruelty, etc. Passions yield only temporary satisfaction but cause serious emotional disturbances. Hence, it is imperative on the part of man, not to yield to any unbecoming passions while taking food. The observance of the three ‘P’s, namely, purity, patience, and perseverance, vouchsafes permanent happiness and good health free from diseases.

The Three Root Causes Of Cardiac Ailments

It is not only unbridled passion that damages the health of man. Living on ill-gotten money also causes ill-health to some extent. Living on earnings got by unjust means causes many unknown diseases to take root in us. It is said:

As is the food, so is the mind;

As is the mind, so are the thoughts;

As are the thoughts, so is the conduct;

As is the conduct, so is the health.

Man today is a victim of worry. What is the cause of this worry? Lack of contentment is the cause. The rich man is not contented in spite of the accumulation of wealth. Worry causes hurry, and both together bring about ill-health. So, Worry, Hurry, and Curry (fatty foods) are the root causes of cardiac ailments.

The consumption of large quantities of fat is the cause of cardiovascular diseases. Doctors advise against the consumption of fatty foodstuffs, which cause an increase in weight, resulting in susceptibility to cardiac diseases. The presence of toxins also inflicts equal damage. So one should eat a moderate quantity of the right type of food and avoid intoxicating drinks to safeguard his health. The intake of food should be gradually reduced after crossing 50 years.

Some people consume food indiscriminately, unmindful of the caloric content of the food taken. For example, people eat papads (thin circular flour preparations) fried in oil which have high-calorie content. People also consume ghee, which is also a high-calorie food. A single papadhas 100-150 calories of energy. A single spoon of ghee has 100 calories of energy. Even when the quantity of food intake is reduced, reductions in the calorie content are not ensured.

There are some doctors who advise their patients against smoking and addiction to alcohol, but they themselves smoke and drink! This gap between precept and practice raises doubts in the minds of patients about the value of the medical advice given by them. Such doctors, who do not observe harmony in speech and practice, mislead the patients.

Triple Qualities That A Doctor Should Reflect

Embodiments of Love! You have high degrees such as MD, FRCS, MRCP, etc., as a result of your sincere striving. But it is a mistake to think that these degrees are yours. In fact, these degrees have been conferred on you for your study, skill, memory power, and knowledge. These degrees will truly belong to you on the day you apply this knowledge in practice. Unfortunately, in this modern age, all activities and professions are tainted by a commercial outlook and greed for earning money. Even the sacred profession of a doctor has degenerated into a business. A doctor should reflect the triple qualities of sacrifice, love, and compassion in treating his patients. But some doctors do not have these virtues at all! They misuse their divine and sacred knowledge for the sake of money. Money is important, but we must exercise discretion in this regard. You can charge the correct fees from the wealthy but be kind and considerate while dealing with the poor. Try to give free treatment to the poor. You should not treat a millionaire and a pauper alike! It is said, “Vaidyo Narayano Harih” (The doctor is equal to God). As the Lord has love and compassion, doctors too should have these divine virtues of the Lord. A doctor devoid of these virtues is not a doctor at all!

Doctors should win the hearts of the patients by talking to them with compassion and concern. Diseases are half cured when the doctors talk to the patients with love and consideration. The sick and the diseased respond favorably to your treatment once you start talking to them with love and with a smiling face. But, if you wear a grim expression, the patient loses heart. Doctors should administer the injection of courage and encouragement as calcium administered to the weak. It is essential that doctors should have the sterling virtues of love and compassion. Compassion is more important than money.

Swami’s Example To Lead A Healthy Life

How to lead a healthy life? Let Me tell you about My own health. I am sixty-eight years old, and believe it or not, My weight since my 14th year of age has been constant at 108 pounds only. It never went up to 109 pounds nor came down to 107. You can lead a healthy life once you achieve this kind of balance and moderation. I never eat even a little in excess. I observe the principle of moderation whether I am invited for food by a millionaire or a pauper. Even though I am sixty-eight years, My body is in perfect trim! I do not suffer from aches, and My heart is as sound as a rock. There is none who can work like Me and exert himself as much as I do! The secret of My sound health is My regulated food habits. This is how one has to achieve the unity and harmony of food, head, and God.

Spirit Of Sacrifice Of Some Doctors

The foremost quality of a doctor is the spirit of sacrifice. We have organized this symposium to explore ways and means of rendering help to the sick and the diseased. We have in India some doctors who lead lives of sacrifice, like Dr. Venugopal, Dr. Bhanu, and Dr. Sampath from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. These doctors, who are committed to the cause of service, come to our hospital without even charging the traveling expenses. Their sacrifice contributes to the sanctity of this Institute of Higher Medical Sciences. There is an atmosphere of infective joy and good cheer that pervades our hospital. Everybody is in smiles—the patients, their relatives, the nurses, the doctors, everyone! They are all like flowers in full bloom. It is not the same in most other hospitals.

The essential mark of a hospital is its cleanliness. Clean toilets are an index of the cleanliness of a hospital. Our hospital is as clean as a mirror, as it is kept always clean by the team of dedicated seva-dal volunteers who relentlessly work hard with a spirit of service and sacrifice. It is not the service of one, but the services of many which have contributed to the rapid development of our hospital! A single flower cannot make a garland. All the people—the patients, doctors, workers—work in a spirit of harmony and unity. It is this sense of unity which contributes to purity, and this purity of heart secures divinity. This hospital is a direct proof of the presence of purity, unity, and divinity. It is our fond hope that such purity, unity, and divinity should prevail in other hospitals as well! Unity is most essential in all fields of activity - moral, scientific, and spiritual. Purity vanishes in the absence of unity. Divinity will be absent when there is no purity and unity. Humanity will be healthier if doctors resolve to offer two days of free treatment every week.

You Can Work Wonders With Purity Of Heart

Some doctors wonder how we are able to give free treatment, free operations, and free meals to our patients. To be frank, there should not be any room for wonder in this regard. You can work wonders with purity of heart. Any work which is started with purity of heart, is bound to succeed. Money flows if your work is suffused with love and sacrifice. People will provide munificent funds to support any noble endeavor. The land of Bharat has been a Punya-bhumi (Land of sanctity), Tyaga-bhumi (Land of sacrifice), Yoga-bhumi (Land of spiritual austerities), and Karma-bhumi (Land of righteous action). In fact, there is no dearth of money in India.

Doctors should first and foremost have faith in spirituality. Faith in spirituality alone can bring about the transformation of humanity. Spirituality is not the celebration of festivals, not even the performance of rituals. True spirituality calls for the earnest endeavor to eradicate all animal qualities. Today, humanity has descended to such a degrading level that men see evil in good, without trying to see good in evil.

Doctors who are eminent experts in their fields have come to participate in the symposium here. Sincere efforts should be made to put your great talents and skills to good use. The climes and countries from which you have come may be different. But all of you have one thing in common—noble feelings. These noble feelings are God’s gift to man and come by Divine grace. Treat the patients as your own kith and kin. The help, which you extend in good faith to your patients, will be rewarded in course of time. It is My wish and blessing that you will have useful discussions and come out with ways and means of helping mankind to be free from heart ailments.

Service to Man is Service to God

Discourse at the Valedictory function of the Second International Symposium on Cardiovascular diseases on 23-1-1994 at the Institute Auditorium.

Eminent Doctors!

Though axed and maimed by man, trees selflessly serve him by providing him fruits and shade. Rivers carry water to quench man’s thirst and to cleanse his body. The cow also selflessly serves man by providing milk. A man should in the first place realise the truth that he has been endowed with the human body, not for seeking his selfish ends but for serving others. The wealth one possesses, the scientific skill one acquires and the medical knowledge one obtains, are all secured from society. Since man has gained his wealth, knowledge, and expertise from society, he has to discharge his debt to society by doing some good in return for it.

The ideal of gratitude has been handed down the ages as a heritage in India. A man without this supreme virtue of gratitude is worse than a cruel animal. Having received his wealth, education, and skills from society, if he does not serve the cause of society, his health, education, and skills are a sheer waste. It is only by serving society that these acquire splendor and significance.

The relationship that should exist between wealth and deeds can be likened to the relationship between rainwater and the ocean. Water from the sea, vaporized by the sun, forms clouds in the sky which in turn come down as rain on the earth. The rainwater flows as streams which in due course form mighty rivers and merge in the ocean. Similarly, actions should spring up as clouds from the ocean of righteousness and confer the raindrops of love. The drops of love gather into rivers and merge in the ocean, which is the source.

Inventions Of New Machines In The Field Of Surgery

Tremendous advances have been made in the field of medicine and surgery. The invention of the heart-lung machine marked a notable breakthrough in the field of surgery. The heart-lung machine is like a mother. It performs the functions of the heart and the lung without being aware of it. It does not know in the least that it is pumping, purifying, and circulating blood. Like the mother, it is innocent and pure. The mother is unaware that she is sustaining the baby in her womb by nourishing it with substance from her own body.

It is a wonder how the different organs of the body discharge their different functions. The heart performs its functions with utmost regularity and rhythm. It pumps the blood at the right time in the right direction. The lungs and the digestive system in the body perform their functions perfectly. In this marvelous creation of God, the functioning of the body is the most wondrous. Doctors are aware of this wonderful mystery called the body. Endowed with this knowledge of the human system, doctors perform their services. They should have the awareness that the service which they render to others is nothing but service done unto themselves.

Team-Work Of The Organs In The Body

Doctors today have access to the latest techniques and most sophisticated instruments, unknown to their ancestors. At one time, by-pass surgery was breathtaking but now it has become a familiar exercise. Doctors will come out with techniques far better than by-pass surgery in the years to come. The valves in the human heart perform the most intricate and complex activities. All the organs in the body perform their functions with the finest coordination, displaying the most astonishing unity, harmony, and adjustment.

The body and the mind work in perfect unison in the human system. A man should first understand the impact of the mind and the body on human life. The mind exercises supreme influence not only on the health of the body but on the universe too. Man is not merely a human being; he is the embodiment of Divinity. All acts of service done to others are to be treated as service rendered to God.

Every physician should try to trace the cause of diseases. Doctors should make earnest efforts to educate the people in health and hygiene and impress on patients how food habits and lifestyles affect life and cause diseases. No treatment ensures a permanent cure. All treatments enable people to prolong their lives. But realising the impermanence of life, every person should strive to sanctify his life. All techniques like by-pass surgery are only artificial means of extending the lifespan of man. They bear testimony to the doctor’s skills. It must be remembered that the heart is the creation of God while art is the creation of man. There is, however, a close connection between God’s creation and man’s.

It Is Activity That Confers Authority

It is the duty of the doctors to use their knowledge in the service of mankind. Take, for example, Dr. Bhan. As he has been conducting operations sincerely in our hospital, he has improved his surgical skill and has become a senior doctor. Acquisition of skill and perfection in one’s work delights one’s self. Education gains significance only when it is rested on the touchstone of practice.

One must continuously work. It is activity that confers authority. A doctor gains happiness in proportion to the work he puts in. The genuine doctor is one who delights in work. For example, Dr. Venugopal performs ten to twelve operations even without taking coffee. When I ask him to take coffee or take rest, he says, “No, Swami. This work is a source of happiness to me.” It is his dedication to work and continuous application which have made him a master of his job. It is the application of his knowledge that lends joy to him.

Our hospital is an infant of two years. Within a short span of time, it has become one of the best hospitals. It owes its magnificent success to the coordinated efforts of doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers. The group from Hyderabad led by Dr. Somaraju also does tremendous work. The team from Delhi does invaluable work. Unity is a strength. The doctors in our hospital perform their work with all love and sincerity. They work without any publicity.

The other day Dr. Somaraju performed an intricate operation by making use of balloon technique. Our doctors are making an earnest effort to cure heart ailments without resorting to an operation. One single flower cannot make a garland. Many flowers are needed to make a garland. It requires a thread also. All these doctors are like the fragrant flowers and Bhagawan is the invisible thread which binds them together into a beautiful garland. Since all the doctors and staff work together, this hospital has earned great name and fame. The love of doctors and love of Swami have contributed to its tremendous success.

Faith In God Is Essential For All Actions

Without faith in God, we cannot perform any action. It is Divinity which pervades everywhere and works nonstop. All these doctors have been working as instruments. It is the infectious joy of doctors and patients which makes the hospital unique. Dr. Rajiv Mahajan, though not a doctor, exerts himself for the sake of the hospital. He comes three days a month to check the requirements of the hospital. It is his love which prompts him to do all this for the hospital. Though we ourselves sometimes do not bother about the hospital, he himself comes and does the needful. This hospital owes its progress to the sacrifice and service of many. But the most important of all is the will of God. Dr. Neelam Desai said, “The wings with you and the bodies with us.” All these doctors work with the feeling that they are instruments in the hands of the Divine.

Many of you, while glorifying this hospital say “Your Hospital.” This hospital belongs to all of us. It is “Our Hospital!” You are always welcome to this Hospital!

Disease And Divinity

Discourse at the valedictory function of the National Symposium on Fluorosis on 30-1-1994.

You can reset a tree to make it grow straight, You can straighten even a granite stone.

But you cannot easily set right The mind and rid it of its vagaries.

It is the mind that makes a man. The mind is a conglomeration of thoughts. Thoughts are reflected in actions. The consequences of actions are being experienced as pleasure and pain by man. Therefore, a man should have noble thoughts, which will spur him to good and noble activity. Each one should enquire for whose sake he or she is living. When anyone poses this question to oneself, the answer is: “I am living for myself and not for others.” He justifies his answer by saying: “I am eating to appease my own hunger. I am taking medicine to cure my illness. It cannot be cured by anyone else taking the medicine.”

When two persons are sleeping in the same cot, they do not get the same dreams but have different dreams. Basing on these facts man feels that he is living for himself. Later on, when he grows up, he seeks a job on the ground that he has a family to look after and support. The same person, who once said he was living for himself, later pleads that he is living for his family. When invited by a friend to accompany him to Bangalore for an interesting sports event, he says that he has to attend his office and cannot take leave and hence he is unable to accompany him. He thus cites his duty as a reason for his inability to enjoy the sports. But when his wife or child is sick and in a hospital, he takes leave even on loss of pay and goes to attend on them. The same person, when he is hungry and just sits for taking his dinner, leaves the meal served on the table and rushes out when he hears that his son or daughter is involved in an accident. Even hunger is forgotten. The person, who was proclaiming that he was living for himself only, now starts caring for his wife and children.

Man’s Own Welfare Is Bound With That Of Society

When the village is in the grip of an epidemic like cholera or plague, the same person comes forward to do his best to combat the spread of the disease because this may affect his own family too as they are part and parcel of the village. Thus, man is born in society and grows in society. It is the bounden duty of everyone to feel that his own welfare is bound up with the welfare of all others in society.

Today we are faced with the menace of fluorosis. If you enquire into this, we come to know that the problem of fluorosis is not only prevalent in India but in many other countries of the world such as Indonesia, Germany, China, USA, Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Libya. Because of their affluence, people in countries like the USA are able to take steps to overcome the evil effects of this disease to a great extent.

The Ill-Effects Of Polluted Drinking Water

Many diseases are caused by drinking water that is polluted. If there is only one milligram of fluoride in a liter of water, it is safe. The presence of more than one mg in a liter may cause sickness. If there is 4 or 5 mg of fluoride in a liter, it affects the teeth and is positively injurious to health. In several states in India such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, this disease is widely prevalent. In Andhra Pradesh, it is rampant in Srikakulam, Guntur, Medak, Nalgonda and Mahboobnagar districts. Recently it has been found to be prevalent in Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur and other places. It is found on investigation that the fluoride content in water varies from 15 mg to 10.5 mg in these areas.

The fluoride that is contained in underground water sources varies from 1 mg to 300 mg per liter. In many areas, they have established aluminum factories. Fluoride is made use of to a large extent in these factories. This mixes with air, and the polluted air affects the people. It enters the stronger portions of the body such as bones and teeth. A portion of this fluoride is excreted through urine. The ignorant are not aware of the serious damage caused by this fluoride to their health. Fluorosis causes pain in the joints and affects the bones at the back, etc. The affected persons suffer from severe pain in joints. Some germs such as bacteria also enter the system and cause a lot of damage to the human body. Viruses also cause diseases. Polluted food also accounts for the spread of this disease-carrying germs. Meat, fish, black and red salt, black coffee, and tea also cause the spread of fluorosis and aggravate it further. To the extent possible, you should change your food habits. Chewing betel leaves also causes tooth decay. Certain drugs sold in the market also aggravate this disease.

Ways And Means To Combat Fluorosis

There are some types of antidotes that can be consumed with food to prevent fluorosis. You should take sour things like lime, orange and tamarind in greater quantity. You can also take more of tomatoes, potatoes and vegetables with Vitamin C. You should also take more of carrots to build the bones. Intake of such food items in a liberal measure will help to combat the incidence of fluorosis. Besides these, consuming green leaves, which contain a lot of calcium, will also help in keeping off fluorosis. Food is the main factor in maintaining good health or causing diseases.

In these days, though there is plenty of milk, curd, and other dairy products available with the villagers in their houses, they are in the habit of selling these products and buying some useless and harmful things that affect their health adversely. Consuming curd will help one to a great extent to combat the onset of this disease. Modern youth take black tea and coffee (without milk, though milk is available) thereby inviting the disease. Some take black and brownish salt which contains more fluoride. They should avoid this and take only white purified salt. It is only by propagating such practical preventive steps that the Government can play its role in checking the spread of this disease.

Thought Of Divine Essential To Combat Disease

Apart from the exercise of such care in the food consumed, there should also be Daiva-chintana (contemplation of the Divine). Because people don’t think of God, they are subjected to a lot of misery. Without divine thought, man is harboring two bad qualities. One is, he hides many defects and evil qualities within himself. The other is, he magnifies even minor faults in others. Because of such evil qualities among human beings, diseases are also on the increase. Only when human effort is there, with God’s grace, good results will be attained. The Sanskrit saying declares “Dharmartha kama mokshanam aarogyam moolam uttamam” (For the attainment of the four Purushaarthas, good health is essential). Even though one may have all the wealth in the world, if his health is impaired, he is miserable. Good health is the most important acquisition one should aspire for. Whether a villager or an urban dweller, good health is very essential for anyone leading a meaningful life. To enjoy good health, one should have water, food, and air free from pollution. Now all these three are polluted. Apart from these, man’s mind is also polluted. To purify the mind, one should nurture noble and sacred thoughts of service to others. One who does not hurt anybody and has feelings of love and compassion for fellow beings is the greatest of men. That is why sage Vyasa gave the essence of the Ashtadasha P_uranas_ he composed in the aphorism: “Help ever, hurt never.”

You should make every effort to avoid harming others in any circumstance. You are only hurting yourself when you hurt others. You should not use harsh words. When you develop human values, you can be free from diseases and even enjoy good health with God’s Grace.

To Enjoy Good Health You Need Control In Living

Once a poet gave the reason for the lack of Dharma in this country in the form of a song. Because there are people who have bad thoughts, hear bad things through their ears, see bad things with their eyes, spread scandals through their tongue, there is no Dharma (righteousness) and no peace. Human beings are embodiments of Divinity. They should live up to their Divine nature and not descend to the level of animals.

We should see that through our action no harm is caused to society. The incidence of fluorosis is a threat to public health and affects society in general. But, there are easy methods to combat this menace by taking preventive steps. In our Institute, Venkateshwara Rao has done detailed studies in this field and has found out methods of conducting numerous experiments to control this disease. This can be controlled to a great extent by using sour things such as tamarind, lime, oranges, etc., in larger quantities in food. The villagers should consume a lot of greens which contain a good amount of iron.

The Government has embarked upon measures to control the spread of this disease. The people, for their part, should cooperate with the government. Then the results will be good.

My opinion is that it is not good enough to provide for treatment for this disease. It is prevalent even in the affluent countries like the USA. With all their money power, they are not able to eradicate the disease. So you should realise that God’s grace is very essential. Along with medicine, you need discipline and control in living.

Notably, engineers, officers, scientists have all gathered here. They must educate the people to avoid meat eating, which causes fluorosis. Water and other substances coming from underground have a lot of fluoride content. In some places, there is as much as 8 to 10 mg of fluoride in one liter of water.

Divine Vibrations In Prasanthi Nilayam

Whether you believe it or not, in Prasanthi Nilayam, which is situated in Anantapur District, there is no trace of fluorosis. Here, there is a lot of Divine vibrations as all good and sacred things are being done. People of different religions and nationalities are assembling here in thousands. But all are engaged in divine activities and constant remembrance of God. Here there is not more than 1 or 1.5 mg of fluoride in a liter of water.

The Collector of Anantapur district is making a lot of effort to combat this disease. It is necessary to combine divine activities along with the other steps to combat this disease.

Discourse at the inauguration of the National Symposium on methods to combat Fluorosis, held in the Sathya Sai Institute Auditorium on 29-1-1994.

Start Propagation In Primary School

Engaging oneself in arduous penance,

Undertaking pilgrimages to sacred shrines, Dipping in holy waters, mastering the scriptures, Meditating on the Lord and going in raptures,

All these can seldom help a human

To cross the ocean of life mundane.

Service to mankind is the only course of action, Which will help one to achieve liberation.

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

It is the duty of everyone born as a human being to engage himself in service to mankind, which is the only sure way to cross the ocean of worldly life and attain liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Be The Master Of Your Body And Mind

The human body is a prey to 386 types of diseases. These are caused by three main factors that are related to physical health. They are Vata(Wind), Pitta (Bile) and Shleshma (Phlegm). Wind is the cause of 80 diseases, while 84 diseases arise from bile disorders and 222 from phlegm. For the disease of fluorosis, which is the subject of this symposium, bile and phlegm are the causes. While there are curative medicines for several diseases, there are some diseases which are incurable.

In this world, there are several types of people: those who are affluent, those who are virtuous, men of mighty strength and velour, persons of high literary attainments, eminent scientists. But persons engaging themselves in spiritual pursuits are very rare to come across. Such noble persons, who dwell in the realm of the spirit instead of the sphere of mundane affairs, will not be affected by any diseases of the body or the mind. They will be leading a noble and pure life. The body is a physical entity while the mind is subtle. There is another which is invisible and eludes the grasp of the ordinary individual. That is the Atma. The attempt to comprehend the unknown and invisible Atma is called Atman Eshana. When one makes efforts to realise the sweetness of the Atma he is said to taste it Atma-Preeti. When he experiences the bliss of the Atma he is said to be an Atma-jnani (a Realized Soul).

The body, the mind, the intellect and the senses are only your instruments. Then, the question arises, “Who are you?” The answer is: “You are the master who makes use of these instruments.” When you refer to “My mind, my body, my senses,” do you enquire “Who am I?” Though you may go on saying, “This is my body; my mind, etc.,” which implies that you are different from these, yet you identify yourself with the body and become a slave of the senses instead of being their master. You are the Atma, the Supreme Master. You have the potential to realise this through the discriminating power of the intellect. Once you recognise this truth, you will also understand human nature, which is a combination of values like Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence and you will then rid your animal qualities. Then you will also realise the cause of diseases and the method of curing them.

Adharam And Aharam Are Essential For Life

The disease of fluorosis is caused by contamination in food, air and water. Earth, fire and ether are the elements constituting the essential basis for human life. Water and air constitute the Prana-shakti (Life-Force). While ether, earth and fire are the mule (basis), water and air are essential for Prana (life). Water and air provide the food for the sustenance of life. While the three elements earth, fire and ether form the Adharam (support), the other two - water and air form the Ahram (food). You get water and air from the bhumi (earth). It is the nature of Brahman and is all powerful. The astronauts who travel in spaceships to explore space have to carry water and air with them from the earth for their survival. They have to take things from the earth while they travel to the moon to bring a few samples from the moon. Billions of dollars are spent on these exercises.

What we should attempt really is to explore the means of cultivation of human values and realising the divinity within everyone. The sun shines with intense heat and wonderful effulgence. With the help of the sun’s light, the moon shines. It cannot shine by itself, as it has no effulgence of its own. The relationship between the Buddhi (intellect) and the mind is also similar to this. The mind is made up of thoughts and fancies. It is dangerous to act as a slave of the mind. By following the mind, one becomes a Pashu (an animal). By following the Buddhi, one becomes a Pashupati, the Lord of all living beings.

Pay The Greatest Attention To The Health Of Children

You have discussed in great detail the incidence of fluorosis and the application of technology to combat this evil disease as a natural outcome of food and other habits. The main constituents of the body should be in proper balance. Any imbalance will affect the health and curtail the lifespan. The longevity of a person depends on the regulation of food and other habits.

Affluent and educated people are able to have recourse to advanced methods of treatment for curing diseases. What about the poor and illiterate villagers? They suffer a lot owing to fluorosis which affects the movement of the joints and weakens the bones. In some cases, hands and legs are bent out of shape and the victims can hardly do their daily work. A large percentage of people in Bharat are unable to work efficiently because of various physical disabilities. The greatest attention should be paid to the health of the young who have many years of life before them.

We have to start an investigation in the primary schools where children are susceptible to attacks by diseases such as fluorosis. You have to devise methods simple enough to be followed by them. One simple method is to mix lime and sand in water in a proper proportion and stir it up slowly taking 15 minutes for the process. Allow it to settle down for 5 to 6 hours. You will see the sand deposit at the bottom. If this is done before bedtime, the water will be clear by the next morning. The water thus purified can be used with good effect. You can make use of alum also for this purpose. It is very difficult to get pure alum today. Everything is adulterated: milk, oil and other edible products. If you can teach the primary school children now about the cultivation of honesty and good habits, the future of the country and the world will be better as these children are going to be the leaders, pleaders and teachers of the nation. Regarding the treatment of fluorosis, you should think of long-term solutions also along with temporary remedial measures. Yellow and black spots on the skins are signs of a person suffering from fluorosis. Doctors should concentrate on fluorosis-affected children as they may grow weak because of the disease.

Ensure Effective Implementation Of Decisions Taken

This disease is prevalent in all countries, but in certain districts of some states of Bharat, it is rampant. The decisions you have taken at this Conference should not be confined to the paper on which they are recorded. You should implement them and achieve results. What is needed is the will to work with a spirit of dedication in order to relieve the distress of the suffering masses.

The participants who spoke earlier expressed their gratitude for the hospitality, good food, and comfortable accommodation provided for them here. We do have our share in looking after the welfare of society. We can be happy only when society is happy. You should go from village to village and take concrete steps to eradicate this disease of fluorosis, offer simple methods of treatment to those already affected, and teach the villagers the preventive precautionary measures like regulation of diet and drinking only boiled water, etc. Our Prime Minister and the Chief Minister of A.P are extending enthusiastic support for this program. You should also act with full initiative and interest so that you can achieve the desired results. Having taken up a job, you should not slacken your effort in completing it, facing any obstacles you may come across boldly.

Work done for the welfare of the world is tapas (true penance), while work done for selfish purposes is tamas (useless). Bharat is a Punya-bhumi (sacred land). It is a Yoga-bhumi (Land of sense control) and Karma-bhumi (Land of action). The present generation of people wants to make it a Bhoga-bhumi (Land of worldly pleasures). That is why people suffer from diseases.

Secret Of Swami’s Youthful Radiance

Students here expressed their wonder as to how Swami, though 68 years old, looks young and is energetic. Really the reason for this is the imbibing of the three Ps by Me, namely, purity, patience, and perseverance. If you follow these three tenets you will not be afflicted by any disease.

I am keeping Myself active day in and day out for the sake of the welfare of the world and no disease has affected this body at any time during the past 68 years. My teeth are quite healthy and strong even at this age. I can masticate anything. My eyesight is very sharp. People get short sight or long sight even at the age of forty and wear glasses. I take no medicine as no disease affects Me. Even while I take on the diseases of others. I pretend as though I take the pill offered by doctors to satisfy them. But actually, I throw it away and sip only water. I eat the barest minimum to sustain the body. I take just one small oil-free dry Chapati. I have never taken sweets even from my childhood. Doctors say you need vitamins and proteins for maintaining bodily health. I am always in Ananda (bliss) and that is the vitamin and protein for Me. Happiness lies in union with God. When you think of God you are bound to be happy.

Chant Prayers Even While Taking Medicine

You must tell people to think of God and chant prayers even while they take medicine for the disease. This must be taught mainly to school children so that they may grow up as good enlightened children.

There was a professor in Kashi who used to do prayer and worship at the altar in his house. An atheist friend of his who visited him remarked that he was wasting so much time in prayer. The professor replied that the prayer to God will never go waste. He added: “I waste only one hour per day, even if according to you God does not exist. But if God exists, you are wasting your whole lifetime.”

You have to educate the children to consume lime and tamarind in larger measure, explaining the reason for this, in order to prevent the affliction by the disease of fluorosis. Teach them by songs in popular tunes so that it will have an effective appeal. Even atheists who deny God will be moved by music as human beings. When you pray to God too, it is more effective if you express the prayer in musical tunes as this will touch and move the heart. God loves music. He is termed as Gana-priya and Gana-lola (one who loves music and revels in music). Inspire the children to sing bhajans. They will attain happiness and satisfaction.

Health, Diet And Divinity

Discourse in Sri Sathya Sai Hospital, Whitefield on 3-6-1995.

Not by penance, nor by baths in sacred waters, Nor by studying of Scriptures, nor by Japa Can the Ocean of worldly existence - The cycle of birth and death - be crossed.

It can be done only by service to good people.

(Sanskrit Sloka)

Man seeks to cross the ocean of samsara by penance, pilgrimages to sacred shrines, scriptural studies and exercises in meditation. But all these are of no avail without service to good people. All these spiritual exercises are comprehended by seva (service).

For the achievement of the four purusharthas (main goals of life) – dharma, artha, kama, and moksha (Righteousness, Wealth, Desire and Liberation), health is essential. Without good health a man cannot accomplish even the most trivial thing. Hence, health is wealth. However, because of the influence of the present Kali (evil) Age, man is a prey to all kinds of ailments and has no peace of mind despite the possession of every conceivable kind of wealth and comforts. There is no dearth of doctors. In spite of the availability of so many amenities, why is man afflicted with disease? Indeed, more than physical ailments, mental diseases are growing limitlessly. Mental sickness caused by tension and worry gives us so many bodily ailments.

Man today is afflicted with discontent. As one set of desires are satisfied, other desires go on cropping up. If desires are reduced, contentment will grow.

Moreover, because of the perversions of the Kali Age, the five basic elements – ether, air, fire, water and earth – are polluted. The water we drink is impure. The air we breathe is polluted. The food we consume is polluted. As a consequence, the mind gets polluted.

Understand The Relationship Between Matter And Mind

Today, man has to understand the true relationship between matter and mind. When one is asked about the mind, he says, “Don’t mind.” When he is asked about matter, he answers: “It doesn’t matter.” By this sort of casualness, man is failing to understand mind and matter.

Only when man understands the nature of the mind can he recognise the true nature of humanness. What is the mind? It is not something negative. It is positive. It represents the power of the atma, the power of sankalpa (will). It can travel any amount of distance in space. It is capable of exploring the powers of the atom. The mind is capable of recognising the truth that is valid for the three categories of Time – the past, the present and the future. The mind is therefore very essential in man’s daily life. It is the source of all strength. Man today is indifferent to the importance and the powers of the mind.

Search For Happiness Within Yourself

Man is seeking happiness from birth to death. The search starts with education. But education does not confer happiness. He desires a job, but that does not make him happy. He then seeks marriage as the means to happiness. Happiness eludes him because the wife claims equal rights. Then he declares: “My life is a total darkness.” What is the reason for this feeling? It is the ego that is the cause. As a man grows, his egoism also grows. One after another, desires go on increasing. Their fulfilment does not bring him the happiness he seeks.

Where is this ananda (bliss) to be found? It does not exist in material objects. It is not to be found in physical pleasures. The truth is, man is the embodiment of bliss. He is searching for it outside himself. This is the mark of ignorance. When he is the embodiment of bliss, how can he secure bliss outside himself?

Today, in spite of all his wealth, man is unhappy. He is perpetually racked by lack of peace. Devotees come here from all parts of the world. Each of them asks: “I want peace.” Here are three words: “I,” “want,” “peace.” “I” is ego. “Want” is desire. Remove the ego and desire, you will have peace. Ego and desire have enveloped peace. When the covering is removed, peace will manifest itself.

Man can lead a blissful life only when he enjoys health. Wealth can offer comforts but not peace. Wealth can provide a multistoried mansion but not sound sleep. Wealth can provide bodily comforts, but physical comforts do not produce bliss. Air-conditioners and Dunlop pillow and mattresses may give comfort to the body. But when there is no peace of mind, of what use are these comforts? The body is like a water bubble, the mind is like a monkey; don’t follow the body or the mind, follow the conscience.

Man today is not following the conscience. He is sticking to the body and mind which are useless. He must enquire into the problem, “Who am I?” He will discover that the body, the senses and the mind are all the instruments and he is their master. The master has today become a slave of his body and mind, which should be his servants. You are the Soul. Make it the basis for all your actions.

Realise The Human Values First

Today man is forgetting his essential humanness. The first requisite is for man to realise human values: Truth, Righteousness, Peace and Love. For a bulb to burn, you need a connecting wire, a switch and electric current. For man, that current is Truth or God. It is energy. This divine energy has to flow through the wire of dharma (Righteousness) reach the bulb of shanti (Peace) and produce the light of Prema (Love). Love is God. Live in Love. Love is everything. Without love, life is a living death for man.

Love expresses itself in many forms in relation to different persons, but is essentially one. Today love is tainted by selfishness, whether in relation to the mother, the spouse or the children or others. Man’s selfishness is polluting the entire society. Attachment to others is natural. But there should be a limit to it. When this limit is exceeded, it becomes a disease. This is true in every case. Because of man’s excessive desires, he is prone to diseases of every kind.

The most common source of illness among people today is tension. What is the cause of tension? It is indulgence in excesses of various kinds. Men must learn to moderate the hectic pace of living. Hurry causes worry and worry causes disease. “Hurry, worry and curry” (fatty food) are the causes of heart diseases. Therefore the first requirement is control of food and head (the mind). When you control these two, there will be no room for illness.

Importance Of The Eye

Today the new operation theatre has been inaugurated in our hospital. Doctors know that in the eye there are billions of cells which react to light rays. If any of these cells are affected, the vision is affected. For man, the eye is the most important organ for comprehending the Universe. Hence the eye has to be regarded as a sacred instrument. You cannot change creation, but by changing your vision you can get the proper view of creation.

Here is an illustration. Once there was a king who developed an acute stomach trouble. All the medicines administered by doctors were of no avail. He then approached a great yogi, who told him that for his stomach ailment he had to treat the sight. He should see nothing but green everywhere. The yogi left and the king ordered that all places in his kingdom should be painted green. Sometime later, the yogi returned and found that people were engaged in splashing green paint everywhere. When asked for the reason, they told him that they were carrying out the King’s orders. The yogi went to the king and told him that to see everything green, all that was needed for him was to wear green glasses. It was absurd to attempt to paint everything green.

Similarly, if we change our vision, we will experience peace. When people view the world with the vision of love, they will have peace. All diseases will be cured. Most diseases have their origin in the mind. Everything has a psychological basis. When a person feels that something is wrong with him, he develops an illness. A healthy mind is needed for a healthy body. But it is not enough to be physically healthy. Man needs daivaanugraham (God’s grace) also. To acquire God’s grace you have to cultivate the love of God. Love has become today a kind of show. Genuine love should emanate from the heart. Start the day with love, spend the day with love, end the day with love, that is the way to God. If you develop love, disease will not come near you.

Realise The Value Of Health

I am 70 years now. I can see even an ant that is far away. It is not due to divine power. It is physical power. What is the reason? Diet control. My weight has remained the same for over sixty years – 108 lbs only. Proper balance must be maintained throughout life. There must be balance in respect of knowledge and several other things. Students pollute their knowledge by seeing bad things, listening to bad things and by bad thoughts. Their minds are perverted by addiction to films. They should learn to lead pure lives. Only then will they experience bliss and health.

Embodiments of the Divine! Realise the value of health. Self-restraint is essential to maintain health. Regulate your habits and develop good manners, which are the mark of a true man. Similarly, the good devotee is one who does his duty. Duty is God. Everyone has to develop the manners required in daily life. The manners should be such that they confer self-satisfaction. You should conduct yourself properly not for the sake of others but for your own sake. When there is self-satisfaction there will be self-realization. For all these, you must have self-confidence. Most people today have no confidence in themselves and are perpetually racked by doubts. In Jesus’s time there was one ‘Doubting Thomas.’ But today all are ‘Doubting Thomases.’ Everyone is doubting every other.

For every man two things are essential: arogya (good health) and ananda (happiness). Health for the body and bliss for the spirit. With these two wings, you can soar to any height. You need both the things, for which you must secure God’s grace. To get God’s grace, you have to engage yourself in sacred action. Bear in mind the three P’s – Purity, Patience and Perseverance. With these three, you are bound to acquire good health and bliss.

Bhagawan’s Example

You may believe it or not. But the truth is that these three are responsible for my arogya (health) and ananda (bliss). I am always happy. I would like to run but there is no place where I can do so. I can lift anybody at this age. This strength is present potentially in everyone. But it is being wasted. If the energy in everyone is properly conserved he can do anything.

The Hospital here began in a small way with a single room. Over the years it was expanded. Dr. Rajeshwari worked hard to develop the hospital. She devoted all her earnings to the expansion of the hospital. She worked ceaselessly day and night. Ultimately she passed away in the hospital itself. The hospital was her home.

Thereafter, Dr. Savithri has been carrying on the work. Savithri has been working tirelessly. She attends to everything herself. By her work for patients, she is becoming a patient herself. She must take care of her health. Only when the doctor is healthy, the patients can be well cared for. As is the doctor so is the patient. Hence Savithri must take care of her own health. This is all the more necessary because the hospital is growing day by day. There are others who are also serving the hospital in various ways.

Free Medical Aid

The Whitefield hospital which began in a single room, has now grown into a big complex. The doctors have to meet the growing demands on their services. The number of patients coming to the hospital is growing all the time. All services are totally free. Not a paisa is collected from the patients. Such free medical treatment is not given anywhere in the world. This applies to the Super Specialty Hospital in Prasanthigram. Elsewhere hospitals have become big business. In fact, in every sphere commercialization is rampant. Education is a business, music is a business, health is a business. The whole world has become a marketplace. Welfare services should be free for all. There are numerous people who cannot afford the costs of medical treatment. Doctors should render free service to such persons. My words should not be misunderstood. Even in the earning of incomes, there should be a limit. Many doctors lack determination. They join a hospital on a good salary. But after a month or so, when another hospital offers a higher salary they go over to the new hospital. How long are you likely to stay in the other hospital? When you go like this, you forfeit the confidence of hospital managements. Even workers behave in this way. They shift from place to place. The right thing is to stick to a job for three or four years. Then your work will secure automatic recognition.

Doctors Should Inspire Confidence In Patients

Doctors are obsessed with salaries. They should be more concerned about patients. When they concentrate on their patients, they will develop into excellent doctors. Inspire confidence in the patients. Then any medicine you give will work wonders. The patients will hail such a doctor as a “good doctor.” A “good doctor” in due course becomes a “God doctor.” “Vaidyo narayano harih,” it is said. The doctor is Divinity itself. Doctors should render service in this spirit. Service is God.

Very good work is being done in our hospital as well as elsewhere. Bharat would not be what it is without good people. Without meritorious people, can the world experience light? There are good and bad people in the world. All should become good and develop into Godly men. The same atma is present in everyone. Doctors should look after the patients with the same care they would show to their kith and kin. Then, all would experience equal happiness.

Treat Patients With Love

Valedictory address to the International Conference on Cardiovascular Diseases at the Institute Auditorium, Prasanthi Nilayam on 18-12-1995.

The first message conveyed by Bharatiya culture to the whole of mankind is this: “Let all people live happily, in good health and cheer.” It desired that no one should experience suffering or misery in this world.

Health is the English term for Arogyam in Sanskrit. The word health is derived from the Latin word “Healy.” Arogyam has several meanings. One is sacredness. Another is Paripoornam (Wholeness). The term thus indicates that all the organs of the body should be perfect and holy. If any organ is afflicted, the body cannot be said to be whole.

Hence men should aim at achieving perfect health and help others to do so. “Karmad Jayate Naraha. Karmanyeva *Prabodhati.*” (Every man takes birth as the result of past actions. Karma is the cause of death). Thus Karma is the cause of birth and death.

Every action has an effect. In any action done by man, its consequence is present in a subtle form. Action thus is related to its fruits. Moreover, time is also related to action. Action and time are inextricably interrelated.

Time Is Measure Of Duration Between Two Actions

Every action has its own Marga (course). One object is separated by space from another. Likewise, time is the measure of the duration between one action and another. Here is a tumbler. Beneath it is a plate. The space between the glass tumbler and the plate is termed Dharma. There can be no separateness between one object and another without this Dharma. Dharma defines the inter-relationships between two objects.

Now regarding time: A doctor fixes 8 A.M. as the time for performing an operation. By 11 A.M, the operation is completed with the stitching of sutures. The three-hour interval between the commencement of the operation and its completion indicates the time taken for the surgery. In reckoning time, action is also involved. Action is the interval between two points of time. Thus time and action go together. Hence everyone should recognize the intimate relationship between action and time.

Every action, whether good or bad, has its consequence. There is no action in the world which is devoid of consequences. This is the law of nature. For instance, a finger is cut by a knife. Immediately the finger starts bleeding. The result of the cut is instantaneous. When man slips on a step while walking, he sustains a fall and a limb is fractured. Here again, the result of the fall is instantaneous. Take another example. You had your breakfast this morning. It takes two hours to digest the food you have consumed. In the two earlier examples, the results of the actions were instantaneous. But in the case of digestion of food you have consumed, it has taken two hours.

Another example: You sow a seed. It becomes a sapling after some days. To bear fruit it takes some years. Thus every action has a consequence, but the time interval between action and result varies from case to case. Bharatiya culture recognized the truth about action and consequence. Others have also got to realize this truth.

One who is aware of this truth is unlikely to commit any wrong action because he knows that good actions produce good results and bad deeds have bad consequences. Recognition of the law of Karma will make men lead proper lives. Man today takes to wrong paths because they have not realized this truth.

Way To Maintain Heart In A Good Condition

Health is essential for the body. A healthy mind can exist only in a healthy body. Only a man with a healthy mind will take part in joyous activities.

This conference is concerned mainly with the heart. Many consider the heart as the most important organ. There is a way to maintain the heart in good condition. Most of the organs in the body are in an immobile state. But the heart is continually active. It is difficult to perform an operation on an organ which is ceaselessly at work. If the heart has to be stopped beating for performing an operation, this cannot be done for more than two or three minutes. No operation can be done in such a short time. Hence heart specialists investigated the methods by which the heart could be kept inactive for a few hours so that cardiac operations could be performed. The heart-lung machine was designed to enable heart operations to be done.

The heart is the primary organ for keeping the body well. Only when the heart is sound there can be a proper blood supply to the whole body.

Who invented the heart-lung machine? It is a product of human intelligence. This shows that intelligence is even superior to the heart. It is this intelligence that has been responsible for the discovery of numerous devices.

Recognize The Relationship Between Time And Action

It is by the use of intelligence for a practical purpose that doctors have found the technique of carrying out heart operations. The intelligence is as important as the heart. It is the combination of the intelligence and the heart that helps to keep a person healthy. A doctor may be extremely intelligent in performing operations. But if during an operation his mind wanders, the operation will not be successful. The combination of qualities required for success should be properly understood.

The relationship between time and action should be recognized. Modern man tends to ignore the consequences of his actions. Purely for the sake of worldly pleasures, he considers wealth as the most important thing. The Chinese were accustomed to a certain traditional practice. Every morning on waking up they used to remember the saying: “Difficulties are our friends; let us welcome them.” Today people regard difficulties as enemies. Without difficulties, you cannot obtain a comfort.

People consider wealth as essential for physical comforts and thereby become slaves of wealth. As long as they remain slaves of wealth, they will have no respite from troubles.

“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah. Sarve Santu Niraamayah” (All should be happy. All should be free from sufferings). If you are to pray in this manner, you must have these feelings in you.

Dr. Bhatia urged that Swami should indicate to the doctors the right path and give them the strength to pursue it. You are not lacking in strength. God has endowed you with strength, but you are not using it on the right lines. Every human being is endowed with a divine energy, which has to be used for proper purposes. It has to be used righteously according to the dictates of one’s conscience. When the conscience is satisfied the energy gets sanctified. Man today misuses the Divine energy for selfish purposes.

Duty Of Doctors Today

Men should realize the sacredness of action and time. The presiding deity of Karma is all-powerful. Hence a prayer is addressed to the deity requesting him to see that one’s actions are good.

The human race is called Mankind because sacred feelings, thoughts, and intentions are there in man. It means “humanness” is synonymous with kindness. The sage Vyasa wrote eighteen Puranas (sacred epics). Who has the time to read so many Puranas? Therefore, ruminating on this point, sage Vyasa declared the quintessence of these Puranas just in these words: “Help ever; Hurt never.”

This is the duty of doctors today. They have acquired valuable knowledge. This should be used for public good. The more it is used this way, the more it will grow. Always be prepared to serve a patient when he comes to you. It is a sign of weakness to turn away a patient on a plea of inability. You have the God-given power. Be conscious of your power.

Doctors should recognize the importance of the five human values: Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love, and Non-violence. Love is the basis for all the other values. Doctors can infuse courage in patients by the love they show towards the patients. If doctors carry out their duties with love they will be crowned with success.

Old Is Gold

In the discussion at the conference, several conflicting views were expressed by the participants. One of the issues was whether the latest technique should be preferred as against earlier techniques. Swami was of the view that the older techniques had much to be said in their favor. The older techniques, though they may not produce quick results, are slow and sure. The latest techniques appear successful momentarily but their long-term results are not always good. While the latest techniques should be employed where necessary, the earlier techniques should not be rejected out of hand. “Old is Gold.” The old techniques have the merit of proven value.

A caveat should be said about heart transplant. The operation may be easy, but how easy is it to get a heart for transplanting? A transplanted heart may serve for a time, but cannot serve as long and as well as the God-given heart.

A word of caution has to be uttered with regard to heart transplant or transplanting the cornea for the eye. The character of the person from whom the transplanted heart or cornea has been got should also be taken into account. The practitioners of medicine in ancient times considered these factors in treating patients.

The antecedents of families were fully examined in the past before marital alliances were concluded. But today these factors are ignored. People are indifferent to family backgrounds, while they are concerned about the pedigrees of dogs in dog shows! This indifference to lineage accounts for the breakup of many marriages after a short time. This should not happen. Marriage should be a lifelong partnership.

Good Thoughts Are More Efficacious Than Drugs

It is better to remedy the original heart of a patient than to try to replace it with another heart of a person whose antecedents may not be good. The heart is the most vital organ in the body. To keep it in a healthy condition, one’s thoughts should be healthy. Good thoughts are more efficacious than drugs.

The doctors who have gathered here are estimable persons. They are broad-minded, gentle and kind-hearted persons. You may receive fees from the rich patients. But you should treat the poor free. Dedicate one day in a week to render free medical service to people, irrespective of creed or nationality. Such service will give you spontaneous joy and enable you to experience the Divine.

Make love the capsule you offer to your patients. When a weak patient comes to you do not be content with offering him glucose or some other thing. Give him the injection of love. That will give him instant strength. Speak to him with love, offer medicines with love and keep him in good humor. That is the way to make him happy. Happiness is union with God. Anything you do with love will be rewarding.

The participants have stood for great ideals. Their experiences are beyond praise. As they related their varied experiences, it was thrilling to hear them. They are all experts in their field. Your presence at this conference and the encouragement you have given to our doctors are deeply appreciated. Symposia and conferences are held all over the world. But at this conference everyone was deeply involved. Everybody experienced Divine vibrations wherever they met. I bless you all that you may return to your countries enriched by your experiences here and serve your respective countries well. Wish you all peace and happiness, which you should share with your people.

Hospitals Are Meant to Serve the Poor and Needy

Inauguration of SSSIHMS, 19th January, 2001, Whitefield, Bangalore.

The motherland of ours gave to the world noble souls renowned in all the continents.

It is the land that ousted the foreign rulers and achieved freedom.

This Bharat is reputed for its scholarship.

It is the sacred land that stood forth as the exemplar in the realms of music, literature, and sacred lore. Born in the land of Bharat, noted for its fine arts and natural beauty, oh devotees!

It is your bounden duty to foster the glory and prosperity of the motherland.

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of Divine Atma!

In life, health is the greatest wealth. Since ancient times, many yogis, sages, and seers and men of excellence have been making deep investigations into the ways and means of keeping good health. They made great efforts in this direction as they were of the view that man could work for the peace and security of the nation only when he was hale and hearty. In modern times, some people repose complete faith in allopathy while some others feel ayurveda is also essential along with allopathy. Allopathy gives only temporary relief; it does not have a permanent cure for diseases. But ayurveda can provide a permanent cure for diseases.

Divine Grace Sustains Human Life

The heart is the most important part in the body. If the heart goes on strike, the body becomes lifeless. What is the role of the heart in the human body? It pumps blood to the lungs where it gets purified and then it is supplied to all parts of the body. Each time the heart beats, the blood travels a distance of 12,000 miles in the body. Who has endowed the heart with such a capacity? Is it the scientist, the engineer, the yogi, or any man-made machine that makes it perform such a stupendous task? No. It is only the divine power that is the basis for all this. Man cannot accomplish even a small task without the help of divine power. Today man has lost self-confidence and does not have faith in God. So, first of all, man should foster self-confidence without which life becomes meaningless.

Allopathy cannot eradicate disease-causing germs permanently. It can control them only to a certain extent for a certain period of time. There is always the risk of relapse. Though allopathy has been progressing from time to time, the number of diseases too has been increasing. Dr. Samuel Hahnemann of Germany, who discovered homoeopathy, also made deep investigations into ayurveda. Welfare of the whole world was his motto. But man today is not concerned with the welfare of the world.

Impart Health and Happiness to the Poor

These days heart diseases are widely prevalent in society. That is why we established a Super Specialty Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam where operations are done, totally free of cost. Many poor people have benefitted from this. Heart surgeries have become very expensive. In such a situation, what would have been the fate of poor people? No one seems to be bothered about this. One has to work for the welfare of the poor, alleviate their suffering, and set an ideal for the nation. Service becomes truly meaningful only when it is rendered to the poor and needy. Today neither the doctors nor the politicians, not even the government for that matter, are concerned about the welfare of the poor. If a hospital is constructed at a cost of ten crores, they expect a profit of 100 crores. Instead of being kind-hearted, they have become business-minded. Hence, think of the pathetic condition of the poor.

During the last three or four days, many heart surgeries have been conducted here in this hospital. Who are the patients? One is a carpenter, another is a dhobi (washerman). Many such patients who are economically backward are being treated here. In this short period, as many as 50 heart surgeries have been conducted! One gets immense joy seeing their happy faces. Of what use is medical science if it does not bestow health and happiness on the poor and needy?

Today the educated do not care to spare a thought for the poor and forlorn. This hospital is dedicated to the welfare of the poor. I am happy only when the poor are served. I have dedicated my entire life for the upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. In the future, even highly advanced surgeries like heart transplant and lung transplant will take place here. One may be wealthy and virtuous, but without good health, one cannot lead a happy life. The late former Chief Minister of Karnataka, Patel, helped us a lot in this project. The present Chief Minister, Krishna, has also been of great help to us. Many noble people of Karnataka are also associating themselves with this project. So, we are determined to give happiness to the people of Karnataka.

Sai Institutions Are Eternal

Disease has no distinction; it may afflict anybody, be it a pauper or a millionaire. We too have no such distinction. Here the treatment will be rendered totally free of cost to the rich and poor alike. Not merely this, even the food will be supplied free. Our aim is to cure the patients of their ailments and send them home happy and healthy. This establishment will serve the poor forever. Some may have a mistaken notion that it will only be a temporary one. All the institutions established by Sai are eternal.

The other day, a washerman from Gulbarga underwent a heart surgery in our hospital. When he saw me, his joy knew no bounds. He said, “O Swami, You are our God, I have undergone heart surgery in Your hospital.” One needs to spend a lot of money to undergo a heart surgery. Even for admission, one needs to spend thousands of rupees. The poor washerman does not have even a fraction of the required amount. In this world, there are many men of affluence, but how many are showing compassion towards the poor? They may say a thousand things, but do they practice even one? Is there any rich person who is doing even one-thousandth part of what Sai is doing? We are spending crores of rupees to provide potable drinking water to the villagers, to render free medical treatment, and to give free education. But some people out of jealousy are indulging in false propaganda. The tongue has no bone, so people twist it in the way they want. Let us see if any of those who indulge in false propaganda are prepared to feed the hungry and alleviate the suffering of the poor. In fact, such people set their dogs on the beggars who come to their doorstep to beg alms. Today all the fields like education, medicine, music, literature, etc., have become business-oriented.

Sacrifice Is the Hallmark of a Doctor

Embodiments of Love, Doctors!

Fill your hearts with compassion and serve the poor and needy. Don’t be stone-hearted and money-minded. When the hour of reckoning comes, will you be able to carry with you the wealth you have amassed? No. Serve the poor with love. That alone can redeem you. Service to the poor is service to God. Sacrifice your life for the cause of the poor. Service to the poor is my only motto; I have no other desires. I am prepared to sacrifice even my life to serve the poor (cheers). Do at least one-thousandth part of what Swami is doing. Of what use is human life if it is not spent in the service of the poor?

Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage nor by study of scriptures nor by japa can one cross the ocean of life.

One can achieve it only by serving the poor.

(Sanskrit Verse)

It is your good fortune that you have become doctors. Sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor. So, doctors should have the spirit of sacrifice. They should be compassionate and considerate towards the poor. There are many poor people who are losing their lives as they cannot afford costly treatment. Your love alone can sustain such lives. The more you develop the spirit of sacrifice in you, the greater will be the world’s progress. Hospitals are meant to serve the poor and not to earn money. What is the point in earning crores of rupees when one has to ultimately leave the world empty-handed? So, spend all your earnings for the welfare of the poor. Dedicate your lives to the service of your fellowmen.

Prior to the establishment of this hospital, the land here had not much value. But after the hospital has come up, the land value also has gone up. Now you find so many buildings coming up around. What is the use if one is merely interested in making a profit? One should utilize it for the benefit of the poor. Your happiness will become manifold if you can make at least one poor person happy. Help ever, hurt never. Do not extort money from the poor. Do not put them to suffering for your greed for money. Remember it is not money that you are wresting, but their lives. Lead a life suffused with love, compassion, and sacrifice. Tyaga (sacrifice) alone can lead to Yoga (spirituality).

We don’t have any distinction of caste, creed, religion, and nationality. We offer free treatment to everybody. We are determined to offer free treatment, come what may, even if we have to take loans. We are prepared to spend any amount of money; safeguarding the life of patients is our main objective. All of you, particularly doctors, should learn this lesson. Eschew greed for money; develop love and spirit of sacrifice. Then money will come to you automatically.

Divine Grace Is Essential for Cure

Embodiments of Love!

Medicines on their own cannot cure diseases; it is divine grace that cures. Only sacrifice can win God’s grace. Do not be satisfied by merely filling your own belly; try to appease the hunger of others too. Undertake such activities that will benefit the poor. This hospital does not merely stand for architectural beauty. Andam (beauty) has no value if there is no Anandam (bliss). You can experience bliss only when you give happiness to the poor. The poor are suffering as they cannot afford to buy medicines. We will give all the required medicines free. Make every effort to give happiness to all.

Today, as the program is already delayed, I do not have enough time to give you further details. Develop a spiritual outlook and treat the patients with love and care and make them happy and healthy. Without God’s grace, even the pulse cannot beat. You are under the mistaken notion that mere medicines can cure the diseases. If that were the case, what happened to all those kings and rich men who had access to the best medical facilities? So, along with medicines, one should have divine grace too. Medicine and divine grace are like negative and positive, respectively. Diseases can be cured only when both these come together. So, along with taking medicines, one should also pray for divine grace. Without divine grace, the human body cannot be sustained. The human body is most wonderful and mysterious. Who is responsible for the pulse beat? Who is making the heart pump blood? All this happens because of divine will. Divine power is responsible for the growth of the body. There is no point in merely feeding the body and sustaining it unless it is used to serve the poor.

This hospital will surely attain an exalted position. You may not understand it now, but you will realize it in the future. People belonging to different parts of the world will come here for treatment. This hospital has such divine potentiality in it. Do not entertain any wrong notions about this hospital. Earlier when the Super Specialty Hospital was established at Puttaparthi, people had their own misgivings about its functioning. Now, in the villages surrounding Puttaparthi, you don’t find anybody suffering from heart diseases. Even small children are not afraid to undergo heart surgery in our hospital there. Likewise, we should see to it that no one suffers from heart diseases in the State of Karnataka. Villagers who are suffering from heart diseases should be brought here for treatment. Anybody can come here for treatment. We have no objection. Everyone has an equal right to get treatment here.

Leaders Should Support Noble Causes

Our Prime Minister Vajpayee took great pains to come here. Leaders like him are very essential for this world. He is a leader who supports and encourages noble causes like this. Ministers who extend their cooperation for good causes are very much necessary for the nation to progress. They should have noble feelings and love for God to attain divine grace. There is nothing that one cannot achieve if one has divine grace. Loka Samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (May the whole world be happy!) That is my desire. I am prepared to do anything for this. I am prepared to sacrifice even my life for the welfare of humanity. Of what use is the life of one who does not aspire for the welfare of humanity? I always wish for the well-being of others. My feelings are always pure and sacred. If your feelings and intentions are noble, you need not be worried about money; it will come to your doorstep.

Embodiments of Love!

We have caused great inconvenience to you by making you wait for a long time. You are all very tired having been sitting here patiently for the last three to four hours. Having taken part in this congregation, may you develop the spirit of sacrifice and spend your time, wealth, and energy in the service of the poor! This is what I desire from you. I do not ask anything from anybody. Help the poor in every possible way. Feed the hungry. Food is God. Do not waste food. Do not waste money. Money makes many wrongs. Misuse of money is evil. The rich squander their wealth in drinking and gambling. Money should be put to proper use. One should not spend as one pleases. Do not waste energy and do not waste time. These are the four important principles which a man should adhere to. Time wasted is life wasted. Instead of wasting time in vain gossip, utilize it to serve society. Help everybody to the extent possible. This is what I expect you to do. Come and see it for yourself the work that is being done here with the spirit of sacrifice, and experience bliss. Here you will find the poor with happiness and joy on their faces. You should see to it that the poor lead a healthy and happy life. That should be your aim in life. Paropakarah Punyaya Papaya Parapeedanam (one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by harming them). I bless you all so that you may attain the deservedness to see the happiness of the poor.

Health Care Is Not A Business

10.6.2001 Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Whitefield (Bangalore)

Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage nor by study of scriptures nor by japa can one cross the ocean of life.

One can achieve it only by serving the pious.

(Sanskrit Verse)

Dharmarthakama mokshanam dharmarthakama arogyam moolamuttamam. Health is the fundamental requirement to achieve the four goals of human life, namely, dharma (righteousness), artha (wealth), kama (desire) and moksha (liberation). Without good health, man cannot perform even a small task. Health is man’s supreme wealth. It is much superior to the other types of wealth possessed by man.

Recognise Your Innate Divinity

God is omniscient and omnipotent and is present in all beings. That is why Lord Krishna declared, Mamaivamsho Jeevaloke Jeevabhuta Sanatana (the eternal atma in all beings is a part of My Being). God has endowed all beings with some power. But the power He has bestowed on human beings is much greater than that given to other living beings. Man’s physical strength may be less, but God has blessed him with immense mental power. With his willpower, man can achieve any mighty task. There is nothing in this world that he cannot achieve with his willpower. He is spending all his energy to travel lakhs of miles into space, but is he making any effort to travel even half an inch into his heart? It is the power of the mind that helps man to go within. It is possible only when he makes proper use of this power.

Man is undergoing hardships in life as he is unaware of his immanent Divine power. One needs to have a mirror to see one’s reflection. Likewise, when a man looks into the mirror of his Divinity, he can realize his true potential. When a small piece of wood comes into contact with fire, it becomes fire itself, Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati (the knower of Brahman becomes verily Brahman). When you put a drop of water on your palm, it gets evaporated in no time. But when you put the same drop of water into the ocean, it assumes the form of the ocean. Your position in life depends on the company you are associated with. Hence, it is said, “Tell me your company and I shall tell you what you are.” When you develop an intimate relationship with God, you become God yourself. There is none in this world who does not possess Divine power. All powers are latent in man, but he is unable to realize them. As a result, he is leading a miserable life.

All Acts Of God Are To Help His Devotees

Divinity pervades everything right from microcosm to macrocosm Anoraneeyan Mahato Maheeyan (Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest). Though God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient, He sometimes pretends to have certain desires. Everyone should try to understand this. Lord Krishna, before conferring wealth and prosperity on His childhood friend Kuchela, asked him if he had brought anything for Him. All that Kuchela had with him was a small quantity of beaten rice. Krishna ate the rice brought by Kuchela. He did so only to confer His grace on Kuchela and redeem his life. In Vamana Avatar, the Almighty Lord approached Emperor Bali and asked for three footsteps of land in charity. Does it amount to begging? No. Not at all. God does such acts only to confer His grace on His devotees and redeem their lives.

Once Krishna entered the house of a gopika after a long walk and said that He was tired and hungry. He asked her to give Him something to eat. The gopika wondered as to how the Lord of the universe could ever be hungry. She said in all humility and devotion that she did not know how to satiate the Lord’s hunger. Krishna said that it was enough if she gave Him a glass of buttermilk. Then, the gopika prayed to Krishna thus:

Oh Lord! How is it possible for me to give you delicious food when you have the entire universe in Your stomach? How can anyone build a temple for You when You are all-pervasive? How can anyone light a lamp before You when you are shining with the effulgence of a billion suns?

(Telugu Poem)

When the Pandavas were living in exile and were undergoing a great deal of hardship, sage Durvasa along with thousands of his disciples went to their hermitage and asked for food. He told them that they were going for a bath in a nearby river and would come back to have food. The Pandavas were gripped by anxiety as to how to provide food for so many guests when they had nothing with them. Fearing the curse of sage Durvasa, Draupadi prayed to Krishna to save them from this predicament. Krishna promptly appeared on the scene and asked Draupadi to give Him something to eat. Then Draupadi replied, “Krishna, if we were living in Hastinapur, I would have certainly given You a sumptuous feast. But alas! We are living in a forest eating roots and tubers. In such a situation, what can I offer You?” Krishna told her to look into the vessel, which she had already cleaned, if there was any food particle left in it. She did accordingly and found a tiny piece of leaf sticking to the vessel. Krishna ate that leftover leaf. As soon as He did so, the hunger of Durvasa and his disciples was satiated and they went away without bothering the Pandavas. In this way, Krishna saved the Pandavas from the curse of Durvasa. Thus, sometimes God pretends to have desires, not because He lacks anything, but only to help His devotees.

Sacrifice Is The Noblest Virtue

You might have heard the story of Laila and Majnu. Laila was a rich lady while Majnu was very poor. She wanted to know whether he really loved her because she wanted to marry him. She thought of a plan and sent two of her maid servants to him. They approached Majnu and told him that Laila was very sick and was in need of blood. Majnu said that he was willing to sacrifice his life itself for the sake of Laila and that her well-being was his prime concern. When this was conveyed to Laila, she realized how pure and selfless Majnu’s love was. She repented for not having properly estimated Majnu’s love for her. Likewise, some people do not understand Divinity and the inner meaning of God’s acts. God does not desire anything for Himself. All His desires are meant to uplift and redeem the lives of His devotees. Whatever He does is only for others. You should understand this truth.

It was Dr. Rajeswari who started this hospital. She was highly qualified and had worked in several countries. She was very loving and caring towards everybody. She started this hospital in a small room. Gradually, she expanded it and brought it to its present state. Every year she would add some new department to it. Though it is a general hospital, all types of advanced treatments are now available here. One cannot say that treatment for a particular ailment is not available here. Then how can we call this a small hospital? It may look small in size but the service rendered here is great. In that sense it is, no doubt, a big hospital.

All the doctors who serve in this hospital are highly qualified and reputed. They come here from far-off places and serve the village people with love and care. Bereft of all self-interest, they serve with a great spirit of sacrifice. Such sacrifice is very rarely seen among people today. Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Tyagenaikena Amritattwa-manasu (immortality is not attained through action, progeny or wealth. It is attained only by sacrifice). Very few are blessed with such a noble quality. It is a great good fortune to be able to love and serve the suffering humanity. In the outside world, doctors crave for money, but here doctors aspire for the well-being of patients. They render service to the patients with noble feelings and purity of heart. With such dedicated doctors serving here, this has become an ideal hospital. In fact, the entire staff here work with total dedication. One may build big hospitals. We too have constructed a big Super Speciality Hospital in Whitefield. But its services are limited to only cardiology and neurology, whereas in this hospital, various diseases pertaining to lungs, liver, heart, etc., are treated. You can see it for yourselves; most of the patients who come here are poor and helpless. They are the people who need our love and care most.

You should render service with the spirit of sacrifice. Sacrifice is the only way to immortality. Service is superior to rituals like yagnyas and yagas. Enquire for whose sake you are performing yagnyas and yagas. You are doing them for your own sake, not for the sake of God. God does not need them. You may say that you are performing yagnyas for the welfare of the world. But, in fact, you are doing it for your own welfare. It is God alone who looks after the welfare of the world. Sarvata Pani-padam Tat Sarvatokshi Shiromukham, Sarvat Shrutimalloke Sarvamavritya Tishthati (with hands, feet, eyes, heads, mouth and ears pervading everything, He permeates the entire universe). He alone can confer physical, mental and spiritual strength.

New Building For The General Hospital

He alone is a true human being who has the purity of thought, word and deed. Hence, it is said, “The proper study of mankind is man.” The doctors of this hospital are rendering service with such purity and broad feelings. Dr. Rajeswari used to work day and night in this hospital. I often used to tell her not to exert herself too much. I would tell her, “Rajeswari, it is possible for you to serve others more and more only when you have good health. So, you should take proper rest.” She would say that serving others was her way of taking rest. Her only wish was to leave her mortal coil while serving in the hospital. That is what happened ultimately. She breathed her last in this hospital itself while doing some work sitting in a chair. Dr. Savitri has been continuing the good work initiated by Dr. Rajeswari. Dolly is also rendering great service.

In addition to these doctors, there are some specialists who come from the city to serve here – an eye specialist, a dentist, a liver specialist and an orthopaedic surgeon. The doctor who is compering this programme is an orthopaedic surgeon. He worked in America before coming here. They are doing service with utmost devotion. All of them are highly dedicated and have love and concern for the patients. I want everyone to develop such love. Every doctor should have such love for the patients. They should talk to the patients with love and make them feel comfortable. They should develop the noble virtues of understanding and adjustment.

I wish to give you a small example to illustrate this. When I gave mementoes to the doctors, one doctor did not receive the memento as he came in the end. Immediately, one of the doctors offered the memento that was given to him. What a noble act it is! All these doctors are endowed with such selfless love. Love alone sustains the entire world. Love is God; live in love. Humanness cannot exist without love. God does not exist in the form of Vishnu, Shiva, etc. He exists in the form of love. One doctor has practically demonstrated such a spirit of love in action just now. None of you have taken note of it, but I noticed it. Only the fortunate few are endowed with such a spirit of sacrifice.

There are many doctors in the world who are highly qualified and reputed, but they are after name and fame. They are interested in advertising their achievements, whereas our doctors do not care for name and fame. Service is their prime motive. It is because of such noble doctors that our hospital has earned a good reputation.

I have noticed that the space available here is very less. There are four operation theatres here. Not an inch of space is left as all the five acres of land are occupied by this building. That is why before coming here, I laid the foundation stone of the new general hospital building in the ten-acre plot of land donated by our Adikesavulu. The Chief Minister of Karnataka also participated in that function. Actually, I am not interested in foundation laying ceremony. What I am interested in is the inauguration ceremony. I have already decided to inaugurate this new hospital on 23rd November 2001. Then what will happen to this hospital? This hospital is also very important. This was like a tiny Banyan seed which has now grown into a gigantic tree. It will continue to grow more and more. That general hospital is meant for treating ailments relating to disorders of lungs, bones, liver, etc. This hospital will be exclusively meant for the mother and child.

Hospital For The Mother And Child

My opinion is that the mother and child care should be given top priority. Without the mother, how can the world exist? One should become the recipient of one’s mother’s love and grace. Only then can one expect to win Divine grace. Here is a small example to illustrate this.

In the Mahabharata, Gandhari being a woman of chastity and virtue, blindfolded herself as her husband Dhritarashtra was blind by birth. She did not even see her sons. After the Mahabharata War, when Krishna went to console her at the death of her hundred sons, Gandhari, in her moment of despair and anguish, severely castigated Him. She questioned Him, “Krishna, could You not save even one of our sons to perform our final rites? Why is it that Your vision of grace did not fall on any of them?” Krishna gave a fitting reply. He said, “Mother, did you ever see your own sons? How can My vision of grace fall on those whom their mother does not look at?” One who cannot win one’s mother’s love cannot attain Divine grace. So, first of all, one should try to become the recipient of one’s mother’s love. That is why the Vedas declare: Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God).

It is because of men of sacrifice that our country Bharat has been able to enjoy peace and prosperity. The spirit of sacrifice, love and righteousness that is found in Bharat is not present anywhere else in the world. This is Tyaga Bhumi, Yoga Bhumi, Karma Bhumi and Yagnya Bhumi (land of sacrifice, land of spirituality, land of action and land of yagnyas). Such a sacred land is being converted into a Bhoga Bhumi(land of pleasure) by modern youth. The bliss that one experiences from tyaga cannot be obtained from bhoga. Bhoga leads to roga(disease) and tyaga leads to yoga (spirituality). Imbibe the spirit of sacrifice and utilize your energy and education for the welfare of others. Understand that education is meant for serving society and not for doing business. There is no greater service than utilizing your education for the benefit of others. Especially, doctors should make every effort to safeguard the health of the mother and child.

Selfless Service Of the Hospital Doctors

The culture of Bharat teaches, “_Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara_” (speak the truth and practice righteousness). Humanness will blossom in the world only when this principle is put into practice. Truth is referred to as neeti (morality), righteousness relates to reeti (procedure) and sacrifice confers khyati (reputation). Manava Jati (human race) is the combination of neeti reeti and khyati. But today morality is lacking in society. Of what use is education without morality? Life itself has no value without morality. Adhere to truth; practice righteousness; cultivate the spirit of sacrifice. There is nothing greater than this.

Embodiments of Love!

If you come across anyone who is suffering, make every effort to give him solace. This was the ideal demonstrated by Dr. Rajeswari. She spent all her earnings for this hospital. After her demise, Dr. Savitri has been working tirelessly day and night. At times, she even foregoes her food to serve the patients. I told her that it was not good for her health to work day and night without proper food and rest. I took a promise from her that she would take in time, food.

All the doctors who work here, including the visiting doctors, do not take even a naya paisa from us. This has been the case for the past 25 years. They bring all the necessary equipments and medicines also with them and serve the patients here. There is no dearth of doctors in our country. But most of them are after money and fame. Doctors should have compassion and concern for patients. We have many such noble doctors coming from various places to serve in this hospital. He alone is a true doctor who serves patients in a selfless manner. Vaidyo Narayano Hari (doctor is verily God). What does Lord Narayana do? He helps everybody. Likewise, doctors should also help everybody. With such noble feelings, the doctors are offering their services here and it is because of them that this hospital has earned a good name for itself. Whenever need arises, these doctors even go to Puttaparthi to offer their services.

In the Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthi, we have the departments of cardiology, urology, nephrology and ophthalmology. Dr. Hemanthmurthy, an eye specialist, goes every week to Puttaparthi to perform eye operations. It is no ordinary task to go to Puttaparthi all the way from here, week after week to render service. How many doctors in this world have such a spirit of service? Even the dentist and anaesthetist go from here. In Puttaparthi hospital, sometimes we have to perform a large number of operations. Then there is invariably a need for more anaesthetists. We just make one phone call, and they immediately present themselves there. Very rarely do we find such service-minded doctors today. But in this hospital, we have many of them working tirelessly day in and day out. Dr. Hemanthmurthy is one among them who is performing eye operations with utmost care. I told him that I was ready to get all the equipment he required to do his work more effectively.

I always encourage those who dedicate themselves to service. I am prepared to establish any number of hospitals like this and give all the help needed. I am not interested in money and I have nothing to do with it. You may wonder as to how Sai Baba gets money for His projects. You may think that He creates money. No, not at all. I don’t indulge in such bad practices, because money is related to the government. I can create any object, but I don’t create money. Whenever need arises, someone or the other will get the noble idea to donate the required amount. Just one word from Swami is enough; there are many Indian and overseas devotees who will do the needful at once. So, you don’t need to have any doubts whatsoever. We have to develop this hospital further. Yesterday, a liver specialist came to Me and expressed his willingness to work in Swami’s hospital. He has worked in America before. He can perform liver transplant operations. I gave him permission, saying Swami was always ready for any good work.

Drinking Water Project In Karnataka State

Today the food you eat, the air you breathe and the water you drink have become polluted. Consequently, people are suffering from heart and liver disorders. In olden days, such ailments never existed. The pollution of food, air and water is the main cause of the diseases. That is why I have resolved to provide pure drinking water to the needy. First of all, I started educational institutions and hospitals as education and health care are very essential for one and all. Then I started the Drinking Water Project. I provided water not just by getting borewells dug. Borewell water may contain excess fluoride, which is harmful for health. So, I made arrangements to get water from natural sources like Krishna river, spending crores of rupees. Now the Chief Minister of Karnataka has requested Me to provide pure drinking water to Bellary, Bidar and Bijapur districts of Karnataka State. I have agreed to do so. Wherever there is a scarcity of drinking water, one should make every effort to provide it. We need not give money; it is enough if we provide safe drinking water to the people. There is no dearth of rich people in the country. But of what use is wealth if it is not used for sacred purposes? No one can carry even a fistful of dust at the time of departing from the world. Otherwise, there would have been rationing even for dust in the country. So, money should be utilized for the benefit of society. Hastasya Bhushanam Danam, Sathyam Kanthasya Bhushanam, Shrotrasya Bhushanam Shastram (charity is the true ornament for the hand, truth is the true necklace and listening to sacred texts is the true ornament for the ears).

What is most essential in life? It is essential to develop an intimate relationship with God. You will be charged with Divine energy when you come into contact with Divinity. Living in the company of God is true satsanga (good company). Satsangatwe Nissangatwam, Nissangatwe Nirmohatwam, Nirmohatwe Nischalatattwam, Nischalatattwe Jivanmukti. (good company leads to detachment, detachment makes one free from delusion, freedom from delusion leads to steadiness of mind and steadiness of mind confers liberation.) But today man does not have a steady mind. All the time his mind wavers like a mad monkey. When you say, ‘my body’, ‘my mind’, ‘my _buddhi_’, etc., all these are different from you. Then question yourself, who am I? The same principle of ‘I’ is present in everybody, right from a pauper to a millionaire. In order to understand this ‘I’ principle, you have to develop the spirit of sacrifice. Patients belonging to different religions, namely, Hindus, Muslims, Christians, etc., come here for treatment. All are treated alike. There are no differences whatsoever. All are the children of God. This hospital stands for the ideal, ‘Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God’. In all Sai Organisations, there are no differences of caste, religion, etc. Many Seva Dal volunteers from Sai Organisations come here for rendering service. There are at least 100 Seva Dal volunteers serving in the Super Speciality Hospital, Whitefield every day. The youth of today should cultivate such spirit of sacrifice. As they grow old, their spirit of sacrifice should also grow.

Today we are celebrating the Silver Jubilee of this hospital, but I am not satisfied with this. We should develop this hospital further and celebrate its Golden Jubilee. Many more doctors should join this hospital and all should work in a spirit of complete unity. Anything can be achieved with unity. The small hospital started by Dr. Rajeswari has grown into a big one. I wish it grows further and serves the poor and needy. I bless you all and bring this discourse to a close.

Divine Discourse to Staff of SSSIHMS-Whitefield

Delivered on 26-Jan-2002 in the Cardiac Seminar Hall.

Sarve Bhavanthu Sukhino, Sarve Santhu Niramaya, Sarve Bhadrani Pashyanthu

Dushanambu Himsa Durambuganetti, Prema Bhavamulanu pempu jesi, Sarvamekamanna sadbuddhi kalgina, Atanivalane lokamu vijayamandhu.

The one who eschews criticism & violence, Who grows in him the feelings of Love, Who develops in him the feelings of Oneness, With only such men can the World become prosperous. Embodiments of Love,

The Culture of Bharat is superior, enlightening, marvelous & bliss-inducing. It is not based on external display or ostentation. It is based wholly on inner atmic peace. Humanity is closely associated with Divinity. To experience this is man’s primary duty. Man is not just one who wears a body. It is said, “Proper study of mankind is man”. Which means, Manasyekam, vachasyekam, karmanyekam, mahaatmanam. Unity of these three is referred to as trikarana shuddhi. From ancient times, Indians, so as to protect their great culture, are leading a life full of struggle so that we can appreciate it and spread it. In this culture, every man has been striving to shed selfishness, to foster selflessness, love divinity and to experience bliss. It was in accordance with this principle that Sage Vyasa, said in the Mahabharata, “Paropakaraaya punyaaya, papaya parapeedanam”. Help Ever; Hurt Never. In Bharat, from olden days, such pure intentions have been growing day by day. But though Indians could get freedom, they couldn’t attain unity.

Unity is Divinity. Unity is man’s primary goal in life and his primary responsibility is to follow this principle of unity in his day to day living. You must enjoy what you say, the way you have said, do what you say will do, hear what you say you will hear & experience what you say you will. But in today’s man, this unity between thought, word and deed is diminishing day by day. In humanity today, he’s going far away from happiness. Not happiness but bliss. You have the bliss, but what is the use of having Nityanandam, paramasukhadam, kevalam gnanamurthim, dwandhwateetam, gagana sadhrisham, tatwa masyadi lakhsyam, ekam, nityam, vimalam, achalam, sarvadi sakshi bhootam, bhavateetham… trigunarahitam. This is real bliss.

Ekam sat viprah bahudha vadanti. What exists is one, but is explained in several ways by the learned. How many ever changes might come, ekam sat is the one real. In this materialistic life, we experience many things. But all these merge into one. Where is That? That is the real – prema tathwa. Mysorepak, gulab jamun, barfi, palakova, mithai, jalebi, kheer, kobbarmitai- you are making all of these – but who can tell which is great/best among these? The common matter among all these is only one – that is sugar. If only there’s no sugar, there won’t be any mysorepak or gulab jamun. Similarly, that principle of love is in everything. The same principle of love is referred separately as mother’s life, wife’s love, children’s love, friend’s love, affection. The love is same in all of these. Love is one; live in love.

It is because of this principle of love being diminished that man is getting into all kinds of trouble. Everyman has got many types of problems. There’s no man without sorrow in this world.

Having been born is trouble Living is a trouble Samsaram is a trouble Death is a trouble Childhood is a trouble Old age is a trouble Living is a trouble Karmas is a trouble Trouble is a trouble Happiness is a trouble Everything’s due to trouble.

But it is because of this trouble, that man is able to get happiness, that man loves his complete health.

You all know, heart doctors are doing many operations. Who is the cause for such problems? If heart beats 75 times a minute, who could have regulated it? It is not because of any engineer, scientist, but has evolved naturally. Who is able to recognize Nature, which has such intricacies?

Chitrambulu trilokyapavitrambulu etc.

In case of God, there are still many more. If bypass operation has to be done, what is the doctor doing? All these operations are artificial but not permanent. However, operations in our Hospital are permanent. The patient may have died due to some other reason, but not because of the operation done in our Hospitals. But patients must follow some instructions & guidelines. For patients to follow the instructions properly, doctors need to instruct them clearly. They should tell them, “After you go, you need to live this way, eat this kind of food, follow this way…” and give such guidelines. Every organ in body has been maintaining its own specific function. Of all the organs, heart is very essential. If any part of heart goes on strike, the whole body gets affected.

Second to this is brain. That’s what our Dr. Hegde specializes in. It also has many delicate components. The effect of nerves is very high. Consider the eye. You see eye is very small. This eye has in it 13 lakh nerves! Taste buds have 30,000 nerve endings. Who is going to count all these? God’s creation is so intricate. Therefore this body is a gift of God. So, the gift of this body, given by God, should be taken care as per God’s advice.

Therefore, we need to take care of our body. Health is wealth. We strive for money in many ways. Without money, there’s no place in world to live. But character is more important than wealth. So, realizing this with concentration, we have to succeed in our endeavour. There might be differences in opinion between doctors. There could be differences in opinion, but atma sambandh is same. Considering this one thing we should try to stay united. That unity is expression of divinity. When we nourish that divinity, we acquire purity. Then we can live in purity. If we develop this purity, togetherness can be maintained.

Embodiments of love, what we should try for today is brotherhood of man & fatherhood of God, but this was told in olden times. We should not tread in duality (Ekam Sat Viprah Bahudah Vadhanthi). We should have ekatmabhava. In you, in me, in him, in them – there’s only that one same atma. But the fruits may be different. Now, when I am speaking through this mike, you are able to hear, in tubelight you see the light – same current in different forms. Same current if you touch it gives a shock. We should use it rightly and should not get trouble out of it. Similarly, a neurologist works in the neurology dept., a cardiologist works in the cardiology dept. and so on.

This way, depending on their area of specialization, they do their work but in My opinion, the united body is being made into pieces by doctors. One doctor claims he’s an ENT doctor, that he knows only about the ear, nose & tongue. One more says he’s blood doctor. One more tells he’s bones doctor. This way the one body is being divided into many. So, we should learn or study for knowledge of all these. Because of this specialization, there’s trouble & loss for patient also. If one goes to heart doctor he sends patient for blood test. When he goes for blood test, they send him for urine test and they tell that many more tests have to be done. With these tests, their life becomes test/taste/waste ???? But you should try for one doctor for everything. Because of dividing this into many sections, it becomes troublesome for the patient. You take care of doctors’ convenience, not of patients’.

Our Hospital needs unity among all, with all working together as brothers & sisters. You should not tell fatherhood of man, brotherhood of God. Ekatma bhavam. All are one, be alike to everyone. We should love everyone. You may have differences of opinion within your mind, but you should put these differences away, and foster unity. Only then can the doctor and patient are happy. When we show our love to patient, how happy he’ll be! Through that patient your name spreads to whole world. He goes outside and tells, “Ah, in that hospital, those doctors speak so lovingly. They’re very good. They’ll take good care of you…”.

We should know how to speak sweetly & smoothly. You are doing so, but sometimes, you are missing this little nicety. We should not hate anyone, no matter how bad he is. With hatred in their hearts, even great people can’t succeed at anything. Hiranyakasipu through yantra, Arjuna, Duryodhana, Dusshasana were great. But due to lack of unity, they met their downfall. That’s why you should not attempt for anything that is deleterious to the world. There’s no two without one. Therefore yat bhavam tat bhavathi. With sacred & pure thoughts, we can succeed in sacred pure actions. Men or women should have feeling of children of same mother. With unity people could achieve great things (Pandavas – 5 & Vali, Sugriva have differences + Kauravas). With that unity, you should make your hospital with ekatma bhava.

There could be some difference in individual thoughts & opinions. There may be changes in diseases also. But, these are not important for us. Heart is the most important thing. Two people with unity can help themselves a lot; can succeed in Sathya a lot. In outside world this unity is not seen anywhere. So, in all aspects all endeavours are met with failure. If we all stand united, there’s nothing we can achieve.

This Hospital is a one year old baby. In the case of a baby, if its put by the mother in a cradle, while attending to other things, there won’t be any problem. But once the baby is one year old, it needs somebody to hold on to. It’s difficult to take care of that one year old baby. If mother goes inside kitchen, baby may crawl out of the house! It might touch a current source, eat something harmful or unknowingly play with a knife and get into danger. Therefore in that one year age itself we need to protect the baby. If we protect the child for five years, then the child will know everything within that time.

Without suffering, one can’t get comfort (Sanskrit shloka). We don’t get comfort out of comfort. Only due to difficulty can one get comfort. Therefore there’ll be some difficulties. We should treat them as friends. So sort of depression might come, may get some confusion, some doubts. When these come, one should struggle/strive to move forward. We shouldn’t breakdown for anything. We should keep that confidence with us. Then with that we can achieve even the unachievable. Therefore protecting our Hospital in the right way, treat it as a baby. In this worldly life in Indian culture, from ancient time, such fostering has been going on.

Parama pavanamaina bharatavaniyandhu etc.

That’s why we need to safeguard it more. Even if some difficulties arise, we need to bear them. One who succeeds then is real man. Without achieving this, then what is that you’ve achieved?

Life’s goal is to resolve all difficulties and succeed in all endeavours. Therefore, though many troublesome or saddening events take place or many difficulties arise; we need to face them courageously.

Embodiments of love,

Everyone is observing the work that goes on in our Hospital. When we know that we are being observed, we need to be careful. Be aware that this might develop jealousy in some people. In our Hospital, we give free treatment to the patients, we feed them for free, we give them medicines for free. Every way we give for free. What for it is free? Because they are ours – our own sisters & brothers (kith & kin). Because we have such feelings of love, people who struggle for wealth feel jealous. Whatever others might be, we need to be strong at heart. You’ve got what you have to achieve. Till you get hold of it, do not leave it. You’ve thought what you ought to, till you get it hold on to it etc.

So what we strive for, we should go on and achieve it, come what may. It may have gain or loss; not considering it, with insistence, we should achieve it. That’s real life. One who succeeds is a conqueror. He’ll be the example to the whole world.

You should strive to achieve this into an ideal hospital. Such ideal hospital is not seen anywhere. Don’t keep worrying about this. Whatever be the cost and expenditure I will take care of it. Soon, I am going to let you know of it. That’s why I’m speaking now. Some might think, “For how long can this go on “Free, Free” like this?” Any length of time; I can afford it. In the name of our Hospital, we have 300 crores rupees in fixed deposit. Whatever might happen, we should not leave that. Even for the Puttaparthy hospital also, I put capital fund. For this Hospital I kept 300 crores. If you want still more, I’ll keep. Do not worry about funds. In Bharat, there are no people who do good, but when we do good, whole world will help us (Sita, Ram, monkeys & squirrels helped them).

Therefore we need not hesitate for anything. Our hands should always give and never take. Then only will you earn a good name. Every man born in Bharat only gives but never takes. Great country, great humanity, how fulfilled is humanity. Janthunam narajanm durlabham. Daivam manashuroopena.

Man is just man in physical form, but divine in his actions (tendencies). Daya, prema, sahana, sahanubhuthi are only present in man and not in any other beast or animal. Then, with such noble qualities in man, why is it that we aren’t able to achieve? Because of krodha, kama, jealousy, ostentation which are not man’s qualities. Take anger. When one gets angry people call him a dog. Then remind yourself, “I am not dog, I am man”. In the event there is a slight unsteadiness in mind, remind yourself then that “I am not monkey, I am man”. Today, all those qualities have entered man. We should not let such animal qualities get into us. We should immediately shut them out. At home, we let in only the family and relatives in and not animals. Similarly, let only good influences be let in through the doors & windows of our senses.

Embodiments of love, you take only good; bad things, we don’t need. Put them away. You and your children, relatives – live happily. Be Love life, healthy life, happy life. In terms of Hospital, you should explain carefully in detail; without knowing, people might misconstrue many things. So Doctors or paramedicals should strive to explain to them.

Our Hospital follows the path of Truth, righteousness and sacrifice. So, our nurses, doctors etc. all go with spirit of sacrifice. We should keep away bad and embrace good. That is our work. Whenever there’s goodness, be there. When we eat fruit, we eat the good part, and leave behind the spoilt portion. Only humanity has such intelligence & discrimination. Such power only man has.

In our Bharat also there were great women, who have been protecting. Such great women were many in our Bharat. They could even get back the life of their husband. But in men, such sacrifice is less. If his wife dies he gets ready for second marriage. Savitri never did that way. She asserted, “I shall not live if my husband is not there”. That way, she followed such sacrifice. Today is modern age, and people live according to the Yuga. No, one should not live according to the Yuga. Ours is a very ancient culture. This samskriti is very ancient. You may be in trouble or even about to be annihilated, but do not leave out your dharma. That Dharma will protect you and safeguard you.

Embodiments of Love, you are all working well. I am very much pleased. Those who are working here are serving upto their capacity. This way, staying united, if you work, our Hospital will earn great name. I don’t want Hospital to get great name; you should earn good name and strive for the happiness in the world. I don’t have any sort of worry. Only when you have desire you have worry. I don’t have any desire; so no worry. I’m always happy. When Birthday comes you wish “Happy Birthday”. But I am always happy! Wish those who are not happy.

We have our happiness. Why should we acquire happiness given by others. We shall always be happy. Happiness is union with God. That’s real bliss. Some families that joined the Hospital are very good. When troubles come, they adjust very much and still want to serve.

Women are fore runners in such attitude. That’s why women have Prathama Sardhaka Naamam. The first name is always theirs – Lakshmi Narayana, Parvatti Parameswara, Radha Krishna etc. This way the women’s names have been given more importance. People also refer to their motherland, and not fatherland! So, mother is very important. Country gets great name because of such mother. You say, Matha Pitha. Pitha comes later. So, because people or men adore women, from ancient times, women were given great privilege.

Embodiments of Love, you should develop this still more. If you have any constraints, let Me know, whatever it may be; I’ll attend to. Don’t step back for anything. Dont care for others’ words. Control your own mind. Then you can achieve everything. Swami wants to speak to you individually, but will do it when time comes. Consider Hospital as your life, your Home. This is your home. Do not leave this home. In this home, there may be many misunderstandings. We should correct them and proceed. So, achieve through love, by giving your love, give health to patients.

Even if medicines are costly do not mind; give costly medicines. By giving costly medicines, make sure they get well soon and return home early. Do not step back in terms of medicines & instruments. The instruments we have in our Hospital are not there in any other Hospital. Anything you want, we’ll get for you. It’s in your hands. That way if you ask I’ll get anything for you. You have to achieve this. Of all Hospital service is most important. It is said, “Vaidyo Narayano Hari”. He gives life, He takes life (Jo praan dega, wo praan lega). So, we should be ready to be giving. If you achieve this way, in no time, I want to construct the General Hospital beside. It’s difficult for patients to get tested some where and come here. If we construct GH here, the patients can be screened as brain, heart. In near future, a General Hospital, a school for children. When evening, teachers may get tired and doctors too; so tennis for them to play; a play ground will come.

Many children are here; they are sent far off to the city with so many difficulties. We’ll have very good teachers and have one school here itself. I’ll take responsibility of providing you these amenities. You follow your duty. But I got all good people here. All good people staying here, slowly fostering this hospital, make this hospital an ideal to others. Very happy.

Are my students good? Doctors? Anybody? These students have come from primary school. Not only here. In Puttaparthi also. There are 26. Whatever high degrees they acquire, they want to serve Swami, even in a small way. Double post-graduates. Even for a small job they’re ready because their intention is that they want Swami’s Seva. Very good boys, good boys. Achieve that good name. Good doctors. All the staff are good. Sometimes misunderstandings might arise; they’re just passing clouds. Here, there’s no difference of race or religion. All are one; be alike to everyone. Christians, Muslins, Persians or Hindus – all are one. All are brothers and sisters. Don’t give way to such differences. All are one family.

Having that feeling I aspire you stay with that brothers & sisters relation. Still, anybody has questions? Some doctors might need some instruments. I’ll take care of them. Ladies, are you all ok? With unity? They are in unity only, but sometimes misunderstandings come. All those are minor, negative but we have more positive inside. Very happy.

Spirit of Sacrifice Is the Hallmark of a True Doctor

Doctors’ Day, 5-7-2003, Brindavan, Bengaluru

If you look to Me, I will look to you.

“Forbearance is the real beauty in this sacred land of Bharat.

Of all the rituals, adherence to truth is the greatest penance. The nectarous feeling in this country is the feeling of love towards one’s mother.

The character is valued far higher than the very life itself.

People have forgotten the basic principles of this great culture and are imitating Western culture.

Alas! The Bhäratéyas are not aware of the greatness of their cultural heritage just as a mighty elephant is not aware of its own strength.”

(Telugu poem)

Embodiments of Love!

Man is born in action, is sustained by action, and ultimately merges in action. Action is the cause of pleasure and pain.

Truly speaking, action is God for man.

(Telugu poem)

Man, by and large, considers himself to be healthy and tries to lead a happy life. But there are 326 diseases which haunt man day in and day out. Excessive vaata, pitta, and shleshma (wind, bile, and phlegm) are responsible for various diseases: vaata gives rise to 80 types of diseases, pitta to 82 types, and shleshma to 164 types. Such being the case, how can man enjoy a healthy life? Only when he develops Aatmic consciousness and distances himself from the adverse effects of vaata, pitta, and shleshma can he be healthy.

Body Consciousness Is the Cause of Suffering

For the past one month, you could not see Swami. What is the reason for this? It is because of the indisposition of this body. I have neither taken upon Myself the illness of anybody nor has it emerged from this body. Today, I am revealing the truth to you.

The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish sooner or later, but the indweller has neither birth nor death.

He has no attachment whatsoever.

Truly speaking, the indweller is verily God Himself who is in the form of the Aatma.

(Telugu poem)

Man is always concerned about his health. He has become a victim of various ailments as he is steeped in body consciousness rather than in the Aatmic principle. It is essential for man to realise that diseases underscore the need for getting rid of body consciousness.

You are all aware of the fact that Swami fractured His hip and it was in three pieces. The ball in the hip was in two pieces. The pain was so excruciating that it cannot be described in words. Moving this way or that way was impossible. It pierced the body as if it were an electric shock. But, I was unaffected by it. I underwent all this suffering only to demonstrate that one should not be attached to the body. Instead, one should develop Divine consciousness. I am not this body. Body consciousness leads to untold suffering. One has to get rid of body attachment to enjoy peace and happiness. What is this body composed of?

“This body is a den of dirt, and prone to diseases;

it is subject to change from time to time;

it cannot cross the ocean of Samsaara.

It is nothing but a structure of bones.

O mind, do not be under the delusion that body is permanent. Instead, take refuge at the Divine Lotus Feet.”

(Telugu Poem)

Dehaabhimaanam (body consciousness) will disappear once you develop Daivaabhimaanam (Divine consciousness). The first step in the spiritual path is to keep body consciousness under check. You are subjected to misery as you are immersed in body consciousness. Body consciousness and Aatmic consciousness are inversely proportional. Nobody can escape the consequences of karma (action). Karma is the cause of birth and death. The Bhagavad Geeta declares:

Karmanyevaadhikaaraste Maa phaleshu kadaachana

(Man has the right to act but not to the fruits of action). Karmaanubandhinee manushya loke (human society is bound by action).

Man should develop Aatmic consciousness and plunge into the field of action without aspiring for the rewards. Dharmaraja, eldest among the Pandavas, was the very embodiment of righteousness. Yet, he had to undergo the ordeals in the court of King Virata as a result of karma.

“Were not the mighty Pandavas compelled to go into exile and lead a life full of troubles? Did not Emperor Harischandra, having lost his kingdom, become caretaker of a graveyard?”

Everyone is bound to face the consequences of his or her action. However, man does have the capacity to escape from the consequences of karma. He has become weak as he is unable to harness his innate potential due to body attachment. Having assumed a human body, one cannot escape from suffering. Body is momentary like a water bubble.

I was all smiles when I was being taken to the hospital. Many doctors surrounded me at the hospital. They were anxious. I told them not to worry. “This body is not mine. It is yours. You can do whatever you deem fit to this body. I have no pain whatsoever,” I assured them. I came back after three hours. I was full of smiles. A true spiritual aspirant is one who undergoes difficulties with a positive frame of mind. Do not care for the suffering of the body. Suffering is quite natural to the human body. One has to face suffering with Aatma-balam (will power).

A Day of Rededication

Today, being Doctors’ Day, doctors have to set an ideal by infusing courage and conviction in patients. Doctors, after putting in a lot of effort, have been able to find remedies for various ailments. But, there seems to be no end to diseases. There are many doctors all over the world. But, the number of patients and ailments are on the rise. If there are two doctors for a family, there are four patients! Patients outnumber doctors. Man’s lifestyle and habits are responsible for this spurt in diseases.

After the surgery, I was able to walk within a short span of three days. The reason being I have no body attachment. I see all of you with Aatmic consciousness and hence am blissful. I teach everyone, “My dear! Don’t fall prey to body attachment; develop Aatmic consciousness and lead a blissful life.” Your aanandam (bliss) is My aahaaram (food) and aarogyam (health). You call a person healthy when all his limbs are functioning properly. All the organs of My body are functioning effectively.

Physical afflictions are temporary like passing clouds. Life is a challenge, meet it; Life is love, enjoy it; Life is a game, play it. You have to play the game of life in the right spirit. I have been doing the same. I have no pain. Generally, the pain arising out of hip fracture is unbearable. But, I am unaffected by injury to any organ of the body, leave alone the hip. Suffering occurs when you identify yourself with the body. I have no pains since I have no body attachment. I take delight in your love. Your prayers are responsible for My speedy recovery. In all the corners of the world, devotees have been praying intensely. Through prayer, you can achieve the impossible.

Embodiments of Love!

Gradually give up body attachment. Develop an Aatmic consciousness. Aatma alone is true and eternal. Aatma is our life. Everything else is a passing cloud. Today, we are celebrating Doctors’ Day. This is the day when doctors rededicate themselves to the alleviation of suffering. There are very few doctors who discharge their duties with a spirit of sacrifice, keeping the welfare of patients as their sole objective.

Orthopedic doctor took great pains to ensure the well-being of Swami. He was monitoring Swami’s progress every moment. I repeatedly told, “, I am all right, do not worry.” But he would not be satisfied. He would keep on enquiring about My welfare; whether I had pain in any part of the body. He is equally concerned about the health of other patients too. When one of our college students met with a motorcycle accident, Doctor used to monitor the progress day in and day out. He used to make frequent visits to Puttaparthi without taking any rest just to treat that patient. If all doctors in the world were to be like this doctor, there would not be any disease at all. Today diseases are on the rise because doctors have become money-minded.

One day, nine years ago, after having a head bath, I wanted to dry My hair. One of the American doctors had lovingly presented a hair-drier to Me. When I was trying to use the same, the power supply was cut off. It was restored when I was having a close look at the drier. Consequently, a sudden gust of hot air ripped through My eye damaging the retina. I was the least perturbed. One eye is sufficient to see this vast world.

Sahasra sheershaa purushah Sahasraaksha Sahasra paad

(God has a thousand heads, eyes, and feet).

Eye surgeon pleaded with Me to undergo an eye operation as well, along with the hip surgery. The damaged retina, which was removed from My eye, was as dark as charcoal. Since then I can see clearly with both My eyes. With such doctors around, any surgery can be performed successfully. Eye surgeons and orthopaedic surgeons like them are few in this world. Such doctors should be given all encouragement and support. Even the government is unable to provide the necessary infrastructure. Consequently, the doctors are handicapped and are unable to give their best. Doctors’ Day is being observed to encourage and motivate these doctors. However skilled a doctor may be, he cannot discharge his duties diligently unless he is provided with proper equipment. Swami intends to support and encourage such doctors by providing the necessary facilities. Health and education are the two most important aspects of life. One can put knowledge into practice only when one has good health.

Embodiments of Love!

In today’s world, many people are suffering for want of proper medical facilities. It is your bounden duty to help the suffering humanity. Only then will the country prosper. Money comes and goes; Morality comes and grows. Today, many doctors are commercialising the field of medicine. Such doctors are sinners of the worst kind. He is a true doctor who aspires for the well-being of the patient. We have to encourage such noble doctors.

Embodiments of Love!

One has to take good care of one’s health with proper food and habits. Many poor people in our country lack the basic necessities of food, clothing, and shelter. Who will take care of them when they are afflicted with diseases? Our hospitals are doing yeoman service to suffering humanity. Do not think that I am lavishing praise on our hospitals. You can see it for yourself when you visit these hospitals. If you go to our General Hospitals and Super-Speciality hospitals, you will find many poor people being treated for various ailments totally free of cost. Elsewhere, the Super-Speciality hospitals are established with commercial motives. They collect fees even to check the temperature of a patient. How can the poor afford such costly treatment? Doctors should render free service to patients to the extent possible.

Embodiments of Love!

Doctors should serve the poor with a spirit of sacrifice. There is no greater service than this. God is the sole refuge of the destitute and the forlorn. As man is the embodiment of God, it is his primary duty to help the destitute and the forlorn. Medical treatment should not be commercialized. It is meant to promote heart-to-heart and love-to-love relationship between doctor and patient. A true doctor is one who realizes this truth and conducts himself accordingly. One with a commercial outlook is not a doctor at all. He is a patient himself! Spirit of sacrifice is the hallmark of a true doctor.

The doctors who are working in our hospitals are endowed with that spirit of sacrifice. Dr Savitri and others are working tirelessly day in and day out in our General Hospital. I often tell them, “Take proper care of your health in the first instance. Only then can you serve the patients more effectively.” How can you look after the patients if your health is spoiled? Our Principal in his speech mentioned the axiom: Vaidyo Naaraayano Harih (the doctor is verily God). Being the very embodiment of Lord Narayana, the doctor should serve everyone. God is ever engaged in service.

Paropakaaraah Punyaa ya Paapaaya Parapeedanam

(one attains merit by serving others and commits sin by hurting them)

One need not be a doctor to serve others. One should help his fellow beings to the best of his ability. We have established hospitals at various places like Puttaparthi, Bengaluru, Alike, Muddenahalli, etc. I feel very happy to see the doctors working there with great dedication. We have opened a hospital in Alike quite recently, which is catering to the needs of many poor patients. I am thrilled whenever I see their happy faces. Their happiness gives me immense strength.

Only through service can one become the recipient of Divine grace. Life is meaningless if one does not participate in service activities. The best way to love God is to serve God. You should aspire for the welfare of all and follow the path of Love and Service. Only then will your life find fulfilment.

There is a General Hospital at Puttaparthi. There is one more at Whitefield. Amazing cures are taking place in these hospitals. It is the happiness of the patients that gives Me happiness and health. If you aspire for the health and happiness of Swami, look after the patients well. Patients’ welfare must be your topmost priority. Serve them with dedication. Service to patients is service to God. There is no service higher than this.

The celebration of doctors’ day will be meaningful only if service activities are undertaken with dedication and not merely by donning grand attire. As you are aware, Dr Savitri and Dr Santha are doing yeoman service in our General Hospital here. Several other doctors also come from the city regularly and render voluntary service.

Eschew Body Attachment

International Sai Medical Conference, 3-9-2005, Prasanthi Nilayam

The effulgent Lord Who shines in every atom and pervades the entire universe Will protect you always.

He is the omnipotent Lord of Parthi Who will grant you bhakti (devotion), And will certainly help you in all your endeavors.

What else is to be conveyed To this assembly of noble souls?

(Telugu Poem)

Embodiments of love!

Man thinks that he is able to lead a comfortable life with the help of wealth, food, clothing, houses, etc., he has acquired. This is not true. The very survival of a human being is dependent on God’s grace. There are many wealthy people in this world. Do they all lead a comfortable life? It is a fact that none can achieve anything in this world without God’s grace. Hence, first and foremost man must contemplate on God. One may read a number of books, acquire a number of academic degrees, and visit a number of countries, but these cannot help a human being to lead a comfortable life.

Education Sans Educare Is No Education

People think that they have acquired high academic qualifications, but they enable them to acquire only bookish knowledge. At present, you find that everyone is engaged in acquiring bookish knowledge. But, they forget the fact that people led a happier and better life without bookish knowledge in the past. People think that pursuing academic education and acquiring bookish knowledge is real education. No, that is not real education. Education devoid of educare is not real education. What is educare? Educare is that which brings out the latent divinity in a human being. Divinity is also known as consciousness. It is only because of the consciousness present in him that every individual is able to know the nature of the world around him. But, unfortunately, no one is able to recognize this all-pervading consciousness. In fact, it is only this consciousness that is protecting every human being. In spite of one’s education and scholarship, one is not able to realize this truth. Education is negative and artificial, whereas educare is positive. People are going to foreign countries to acquire such artificial education. What is the use of acquiring such education? Instead, everyone should strive to acquire educare. One need not go to foreign countries for acquiring educare. It wells up from within and protects the person constantly. Educare is the unity of thought, word, and deed.

Awareness Of The Atma-tattvam Is Real Education

One who has realized his own nature is an educated person in the real sense. One may enquire, “Who are you?“ “Who is he?“, etc., but one may not know one’s own self. One might have acquired encyclopedic knowledge about everything in this world. But, of what use is it if he does not enquire into himself by questioning “Who am I?“ Real education constitutes enquiring into oneself about his true nature. You may question someone, “Sir! Where did you come from?“ The person replies, “I am from India”. That very reply that he came from India connotes a negative sense. The real ‘I’ is to be explored. That ‘I’ is the real source. Without realizing this source if one simply states that he came from this place or that place, it is not the correct answer. The reply that he came from India refers to the body. The body must have traveled from India. But, the consciousness is all-pervading. When someone questions, “Who are you?“ The correct answer would be, “I am I”. If someone replies that he came from America or India, it connotes a negative sense. We often make a statement that this is my body, my mind, my intellect, etc. These are all artificial and not real. Nowadays, a lot of research is being made into the nature of the mind. But the mind is never steady. The mind is like a mad monkey, and the body is like a water bubble. You are not this mad monkey. You are not this water bubble. The name given to the human race is “mankind”. But, today that kindness is gone, and mankind has become monkey mind. You don’t find even an iota of kindness and compassion in human beings today.

Realizing one’s innate divinity is educare. That innate divinity in man has been referred to by several people as atma. Without realizing the nature of the atma one cannot understand the nature of the body. Educare consists of realizing the nature of the atma. When someone questions you what is the meaning of the word “self”, you answer ‘I’. But that is not the correct meaning of self. It is not correct to identify ‘I’ with ‘self’, i.e., body. ‘I’ refers to aham (individualized soul). As long as one identifies ‘I’ with self, one cannot understand the real meaning of ‘I’. It is only when one sheds attachment to self and develops the feeling of equanimity, can one understand the nature of atma. This atma-tattvam is equally present in every being. This is the fundamental principle. It is only because of this fundamental principle that every living being acquires value. One has to recognize this fundamental principle. Only then does one deserve to be called a human being. In this world, birds and beasts live along with human beings. Human beings can be differentiated from birds and beasts only when man realizes that fundamental ‘I’ which is the atma-tattvam. Since ancient times people in India have been striving to realize this fundamental ‘I’ which is present in all beings.

The Fundamental ‘I’ Alone Is Eternal

These days people are confronted with several difficulties and worries in their life since their awareness is limited to bodily relationship. Such body consciousness is artificial. It does not reveal their true Self. One has to strive to realize the fundamental ‘I’. Human body is ephemeral and is bound to perish one day or the other. When we speak of ‘I’, it should not be limited to the ephemeral human body, but to the fundamental ‘I’.

The body is made up of five elements and is bound to perish sooner or later. But the indweller has neither birth nor death. The indweller has no attachment whatsoever and is the eternal witness. (Telugu Poem)

The deham (human body) with which we identify ourselves saying ‘I’, is subject to birth and death again and again. But, the dehi (indweller), is the eternal devadeva (paramatma). While the vesture of deham (body) has birth and death, the dehi is beyond birth and death and is omnipresent. Consciousness has neither birth nor death. It has neither beginning nor end. It is present in all beings as the eternal witness.

(Telugu Poem)

You might have observed a beggar standing in front of your house seeking alms with a request bhavati bhiksham dehi (give me alms). He is reminding you of your true nature of divinity by addressing you so. The word ‘dehi’ refers to divinity. He is seeking alms from God Himself. Hence, true education is realizing the dehi. Education is not merely reading a number of books, which confers only bookish knowledge. Why do you run after these books? This bookish knowledge will enable you to merely eke out a livelihood. But, there is something beyond this bookish knowledge and livelihood, which all of you have to pursue.

Can you call all those who know how to read and write educated? Can one be called educated merely by acquiring degrees? Can you call it education which does not confer virtues? If education is just for a living, don’t we find birds and beasts carrying on their lives? (Telugu Poem)

One may acquire a lot of wealth and become a millionaire with the help of bookish knowledge and high academic degrees. But, ultimately people will give value to a realized soul and not to the one who has accumulated enormous wealth. As long as the body is present, people will refer to a person as “so and so; a very rich person; a king, etc.”

At present, man is exposed to unrest and lack of peace. What could be the reason for this state of affairs? Not even one individual is living peacefully. The whole world is in a state of turmoil. It is true that secular education is necessary for one’s living in this world. But, one has to go beyond this level and explore into the realm of universal consciousness that leads and motivates every living being. That consciousness is present equally in every human being right from a pauper to a millionaire. The fundamental ‘I’ is present in you, him, and every individual.

Here is a small example. Supposing you question somebody, “Who is the doctor?“ The doctor will immediately rise to answer, ‘I’ am the doctor. In this example, the doctor identifies himself with his profession and says ‘I’ am the doctor. But he forgets about the fundamental ‘I’ present in him. When a question is put, “Where is God?“ The natural answer would be, “He is present in all.“ The same truth is enshrined in the aphorisms, Ishwarah sarva bhutanam (God is the indweller of all beings) and Ishavasyam idam sarvam (the entire universe is permeated by God). Different varieties of sweets like Mysore pak, Gulab Jamun, Laddu, Khova, etc., are prepared. Names are different, but the fundamental ingredient (sugar) in all these sweets is the same. Similarly, one who realizes the truth that the same atma-tattvam is present in every human being and, in fact, in every living being, is the happiest person. Every person must attain such a level of consciousness. People in ancient times strove to attain that state and therefore they were aptly referred to as yogis. They realized the truth that every human being was actually a three-in-one entity – 1) the one he thinks he is, 2) the one others think he is, and 3) the one he really is. All the three aspects are present in one individual, with no separate entity for each aspect. This principle is changeless and eternal.

Do Not Give Excessive Importance To Physical Relationships

We often come across people who claim that their sons are employed in lucrative jobs in America. As a matter of fact, who is your son? You say that so and so is your son, keeping in view the bodily relationship with someone who has a name and form. Devoid of name and form, who is the son and who is the father? All these names and forms are acquired only after a person is born.

When man emerges from the womb of his mother, one does not find any garland around his neck. There are no jewels made of pearls nor are there glittering gold ornaments. There are no chains studded with precious stones like emerald and diamonds. But there is one garland around his neck. Brahma strings together the consequences of his past deeds into a heavy garland and puts it around his neck at the time of his birth. (Telugu Poem)

As long as there is bodily relationship between you and him, you call him your son. If the body perishes, whom do you call your son? All these relationships are worldly and physical. As long as the physical relationship exists you consider someone as your relative, friend, or foe. Hence, do not ever give excessive importance to these physical relationships. It is only when you rise above these physical relationships that you will realize the antaryami (inner motivator). You may inquire from any of our boys, “Where is God?“ They will spontaneously answer, “Everywhere. In fact, you are God.“ Their relationship with God is beyond the physical level of the body.

We are always leading a life based on physical relationships. But, these are not permanent. Such relationships exist today but may cease to exist tomorrow. As long as there is life in the body, you say, “I am”. Once the body perishes, how can you call yourself ‘I’? When you inquire into the matter deeply, everything in this objective world reduces itself to zero. All that we see in this world are zeros. Unfortunately, today we consider the zero as hero. However, there is one fundamental principle ‘I’ which is eternal. That fundamental principle is hero. It is present in every individual, but it is not noticed. It is the inner motivator. We often refer to our human body consisting of flesh and blood as ‘I’. Our physical body is not eternal. It is like the passing clouds which come and go. Considering such transient body as the eternal ‘I’, we often struggle to keep the body in comfort. This is not the correct approach. The body must be employed for the purpose for which it was given to us. Man is born to realize the eternal truth. Here is a small example. You performed the marriage of your son and brought a girl into your house, claiming her as your daughter-in-law. Before her marriage to your son, who was this daughter-in-law? The relationship ceases to exist once you leave this world. Such relationships are like passing clouds. Unfortunately, today we are passing our lives keeping such passing clouds as our true relationships. This is not the proper thing to do.

Every individual should desist from leading a life based on dehabhimana (attachment to the body). Even educated people have attachment to the body, they constantly strive to maintain the physical body feeding it with comforts. It is only because of attachment to the body that they are exposed to sorrows and difficulties. Hence, shed body attachment and cultivate attachment to the Eternal Truth. People crave for the darshan of Rama, Krishna, and other deities, which are the names given to the physical body donned by Divinity in different ages. As long as you are attached to the physical body, you cannot realize the atma-tattvam. In fact, atma does not have any attachment. The atma is present in you, Me, every individual, and every living being, in keeping with the aphorism ekatma sarva bhutantaratma (one atma dwells in all beings). Realizing the nature of such an all-pervading atma is considered to be true spirituality; not just performing some rituals like worship, religious vows, and bhajans. When someone inquired of Sita, “Where is your Rama?”, she replied, “Sri Rama is always with me only.“ What people generally refer to is the physical body of Sri Rama, the son of King Dasharatha. In fact, the real Rama is not related to any individual – neither the son of some king nor the son-in-law of another king. He is immanent in every living being.

Instead Of Dehabhimana Cultivate Spiritual Relationship

Keeping in view the bodily relationship, people often make inquiries, “Where did your uncle come from?“ “Where did your aunt come from?“, etc. Supposing you question the same person, “Where did you come from?“ He cannot give a correct answer. The truth is all people come from the same source. When one realizes this truth, there will no more be any worry or sorrow. Hence, one has to realize this universal truth. If you do not develop faith in unity, but follow diversity, your entire life will be chaotic. Do not develop attachment to the world. Instead, cultivate spiritual attachment. When you live in harmony with your fellow human beings, you will derive happiness. Then you will enjoy the unity between human beings. The real devotee is one who has realized such unity. Unity leads to purity, which in turn leads to Divinity. One who has not experienced such unity, purity, and divinity confines himself to body attachment and will be trapped in the birth-death cycle.

You are all aware of the havoc caused by tidal waves that shook the coastal villages on the east coast of India (Tsunami), a few months ago. More recently, in America, a very devastating hurricane submerged several towns and villages. The entire region presented the picture of a vast sheet of water. No one knew who survived and who died. It is only after the water receded that an estimate of the extent of damage caused to life and property could be made.

Embodiments of Love!

Eschew body attachment and realize the unity in divinity present everywhere. That is real sadhana. Today, people undertake sadhana to achieve something, all the while thinking of something else. As a result, they are unable to achieve their goal. Such divided attention is the fault of the concerned individual, but not that of the objective world. Ensure that your sadhana is on the right track. Only then will you be able to realize the unity in diversity. Several people live long years of age, some even 100 years. But, they are unable to realize this unity. Instead, they visualize duality everywhere. This cannot be termed as real sadhana. One who has realized the non-dual (Advaita) Brahman alone can be considered to be a real manava (human being). Hence, try to realize the unity in diversity by removing the feelings of duality and experience bliss. In fact, unity is divinity, and that divinity is immanent in you. As long as you are under the influence of duality, you will not be able to realize that unity. Realize unity, experience unity, and spread unity to the entire world. Unity alone brings purity and purity develops love. If only you develop such pure love, you will be able to understand everything in the spiritual realm. I will take some other opportunity to explain in greater detail the concept of pure love. If you entangle yourself in worldly attachments and still aspire for divinity, how is it possible? Hence, keep yourself away from all attachments and attain unity.

During the Vedapurusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajna of 1962, a profound transformation swept through Prasanthi Nilayam. Over a hundred Pandits from across India, many of whom initially harbored doubts about Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, witnessed firsthand His divine wisdom, compassion, and omniscience over the course of the Yajna. Their skepticism dissolved into reverence.

On the tenth day, without any prompting, the scholars themselves proposed a unique event titled “Tribhuvana Vijayam”-Victory over the Three Worlds - a symbolic coronation celebrating Baba’s divine role. They envisioned a grand ceremony where various branches of Vedic knowledge, represented by learned Pandits, would humbly approach Baba, seated on a divine throne, to seek His grace and revival of the ancient sciences.

In a miraculous turn, a devotee from Mumbai, moved by a vision of Baba as Lord Narayana reclining on Adi Sesha, had crafted and sent a beautiful Serpent Throne to Prasanthi Nilayam-unaware of the planned event. It arrived just in time, perfectly fulfilling the Pandits’ vision. Baba graciously consented to assume the role, remarking:

“The Function-less and Role-less has taken on a Function and assumed a Role.”

As Baba reclined on the Sesha throne amidst the sacred Yagna Mandapa, each Pandit stepped forward, extolling the relevance of their spiritual discipline and pleading for its preservation. In that divine moment, they no longer saw Sai as a mere human-they beheld Lord Mahavishnu in Vaikunta, surrounded by gods and sages, accepting their homage.

Ganapati Sastri, a revered Vedic scholar, described the scene as a Deva Sabha-a celestial court-filled with bliss beyond expression. So profound was the experience that Sri Kameshwara Ganapati, the chief priest, abandoned his worldly life and chose to remain in Prasanthi Nilayam, having recognized in Baba the Vedapurusha he had worshipped for over sixty years.

- Sathyam Sivam Sundaram - Part II