Charla Especial del Prof. Anil Kumar en Kuala Lumpur, Malasia
" LA MISIÓN DE SAI Y SU CONTINUIDAD "(Parte I)
30 de octubre, 2011
¡Sai Ram, Sai Ram!
Con Pranams a los Pies de Loto de nuestro bienamado Bhagavan,
¡Queridos Hermanos y Hermanas de esta gran Familia Sai de Malasia!
LA VIDA ES UN VIAJE DE CONTINUIDAD HACIA LA ETERNIDAD
Le ruego a Bhagavan que derrame Sus más selectas bendiciones sobre todos y cada uno de ustedes y sus familias. Quiera su fe en Sai crecer más en los años venideros, y quiera nuestro compromiso con la misión de Sai fortalecerse más en el futuro.
Se me indicaron algunos tópicos sobre los cuales hablar. Uno de ellos es acerca del viaje de la vida. Todos nosotros tenemos nuestra propia vida profesional. Cada uno tiene su propia vocación, ya sea como profesor, ingeniero, médico o dueña de casa. Cada uno está empeñado a su manera. Y así, la vida es un trayecto de la matriz a la tumba, del nacimiento a la muerte. No obstante, mis amigos, no voy a hablar acerca de ese tipo de viaje de vida. Ese tipo es monótono, rutinario y mecánico. En cambio me estoy refiriendo a un viaje de vida de una clase diferente. ¿Qué es lo que quiero decir?
El viaje de vida que entendemos es el físico, del nacimiento a la muerte. Sin embargo, aquel del que yo hablo es un trayecto de continuidad hacia la eternidad. Este viaje no tiene comienzo ni final. En este viaje no experimentamos ni el nacimiento ni la muerte.
Este es el verdadero viaje de vida porque es contínuo, como el fluir de un río que sigue incesantemente. Este viaje de vida espiritual es persistente y contínuo, avanzado por siempre hacia adelante. El emprender este viaje con Dios hace que la vida sea digna de ser vivida. De modo que la vida es un viaje realmente digno de ser vivido en la compañía de Dios.
¿Por qué digo eso? Cuando estamos en Prasanthi Nilayam, nos olvidamos del día, la fecha y la hora, porque estamos con Dios. Un viaje con Dios les hace olvidarse de quienes son y de donde están.
En el nivel físico normal de nuestro viaje de vida, podemos estar conscientes de nuestra posición y de nuestra erudición, desplegando vanidad, ego, orgullo, publicidad, pompa, auto-bombo y auto-glorificación. Dicho viaje es un trayecto inútl e indigno de ser vivido.
Por otra parte, la vida con Dios es el viaje verdadero. Simplemente se olvidan de su status, su dignidad y su erudición porque se pierden como una burbuja en el océano. Tan pronto como la burbuja se sume en el océano, pierde su identidad y se hace una con él. De modo que este viaje espiritual es el viaje con Dios.
EL 'YO' SE PIERDE
Pueden cruzarse con gentes en sus viajes físicos que se muestran jactanciosas, orgullosas de los propios logros y de sus propios pequeños resultados callampa. Mas en un viaje espiritual con Dios, ustedes mismos no sabrán quienes son. El 'yo' se habrá perdido.
"Yo medito", le dijo alguien a Swami.
"Continúa meditando", dijo Swami.
"Sí, Swami. ¿Por cuánto tiempo?"
"Continúa hasta que te olvides del 'yo-ismo'. 'Yo' lo hago, 'yo' medito. Continúa. ¡Continúa por las siguientes 100 futuras vidas!", respondió Swami
La vida es un viaje espiritual con Dios. Cuando el 'yo' se pierde, cuando el 'yo' ya no existe, entonces sólo Él está ahí. Ese es el viaje espiritual. El viaje espiritual de continuidad hacia la eternidad es una experiencia profunda, una experiencia real.
¿QUIÉN ESTÁ EN LA FILA DEL DARSHAN EN DELHI?
Permítanme que les cuente acerca de la visita de Swami a Delhi, hace mucho tiempo. Había una
larga cola esperando por Su darshan, una larguísima fila en el Golf Links de Delhi. Antes del darshan, Swami salió y vió a un hombre bajito en la fila.
Se acercó a él y preguntó, "¿Por qué estás aquí?"
"Swami ¿y por qué no?" respondió el hombre.
Entonces Swami dijo, "Es que eres el Gobernador de Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao. ¿También haces la fila para venir al darshan?"
"Puede que sea el Gobernador por fuera" – respondió – También puede que sea un erudito en treinta idiomas internacionales. Mas frente a Ti, soy un humilde y simple devoto. No sigo siendo gobernador." ¡Esto es un efecto del viaje espiritual!
Algunos pueden seguir diciendo cosas como : ""Yo soy esto" o "Yo soy aquello". "¡Soy un VIP! ¿No lo sabe?" Por mientras digan , "Yo soy esto…" mi respuesta será es que no son eso, porque el viaje espiritual no sabe de nombre ni de fama.
SWAMI NO QUIERE AGRADECIMIENTOS
Alguien se acercó a Swami y dijo, "Bhagavan, has hecho esto por mí. Gracias. Está resuelto el problema familiar. Gracias Bhagavan. Desapareció también el problema del negocio. Gracias, Swami."
Swami respondió, "Nada de 'gracias' Bangaru (término de cariño usado por Swami que significa 'áureo', 'de oro'). Las gracias se dan sólo a una tercera persona. Yo no soy un tercero. Tu y Yo somos uno. Dices, 'Oh Papá, gracias por los lindos pantalones' o 'Gracias Mamá por el delicioso curry'… ¿Dices eso? No. Y ustedes son Mis hijos. Tu y Yo somos uno." Eso es el viaje espiritual.
Un verdadero y correcto viaje espiritual es aquel en que no esperamos reconocimiento, ni nos empeñamos por la fama. Ese es el trayecto que se supone emprendamos. Un viaje espiritual así es una grandiosa experiencia. ¡Y esta vida ha de ser realmente una experiencia!
USTEDES SE HAN ENTREGADO A MÍ
Un ejemplo de esto, mis amigos, ocurrió cuando Swami comenzó a presentarme a algunos VIPs.
Anil Kumar, este hombre donó 100 crores de rupias (1 crore = 10 millones) para nuestro hospital. Este, donó 25 crores a nuestro hospital y, cada vez que viene, trae crores y crores en medicamentos." Mientras Swami me iba presentando a cada uno, me sentía incómodo, cada vez más humilde y empequeñecido.
Entonces dije, "Swami, ¡me siento muy avergonzado! Me siento culpable. No Te he entregado crore alguno y no los tengo, ni deseo adquirirlos. No Te he dado nada, Swami. Por ende, mientras me presentabas a esta gente, me sentí avergonzado."
¿Saben lo que Baba dijo? "Aquellos que donaron 100 crores o 50 crores se alojan en un hotel allá afuera. Tu te has entregado a Mí. ¿Qué más puedo desear? ¡Tu estás aquí Conmigo! (Aplausos) Ellos me han entregado lo que poseen, tu en cambio te has entregado a ti mismo. Por eso es que te quedas Conmigo."
Esa es la experiencia de un viaje espiritual con Dios. ¡Un viaje espiritual con Dios es una vivencia que les puede poner en un estado de bienaventuranza!
EL INCIDENTE CON EL COCHE JAGUAR DE SWAMI
Como saben, Swami tiene una cantidad de coches, todos regalados. ¡Hasta tiene un Jaguar! Cuando este último modelo de Jaguar llegara, Swami dijo, "Anil Kumar, tomémonos una fotografía. Tu te paras a ese lado y Yo me pararé acá."
Bueno ¿cómo pararse? De modo que me paré así. (Anil Kumar toma una posición de pararse muy erguido).
Swami dijo, "¡No, así no! Te estás parando como un conductor. Esa no es la manera. (Risas) ¡Pon tu cabeza así!" (Anil Kumar indica como quería Swami que se parara). (Risas en la audiencia)
De modo que me paré tal como me lo indicara Swami. Aún tenemos esa foto.
Al final, Swami dijo, "¿Te gustaría comprar este coche? ¿Estás dispuesto a comprarlo?" Dije, "¿El coche, Swami? No puedo, ¡no puedo permitirme el lujo de comprar Tu coche!"
Esta declaración es importante : "¿No te da vergüenza decir eso?" preguntó. Y repitió : "¿No te da vergüenza decir eso? ¿Es esa la respuesta que espero de ti? Habría apreciado el que dijeras, 'Bhagavan, Contigo, puedo comprar el mundo entero. Y si puedo comprar el mundo entero, ¿qué significaría este coche?'." (Aplausos)
Una tal experiencia con Dios es un viaje espiritual. El caminar con Dios es un viaje espiritual. Estas experiencias de vivir con Dios representan una educación.
¡El estar observando a Dios en todo momento es una experiencia por sí misma suficiente!
COMPROBACIÓN QUE SWAMI ES EL SEÑOR KRISHNA MISMO
¡Cenar con Swami fue una experiencia que no podremos olvidar en la vida! Hay mucho, muchas vituallas deliciosas que se sirven cuando se come con Swami. No obstante, nuestro Dios no come más que una cucharada deragi (mijo indio), eso es todo. A nosotros, sin embargo, se nos sirven muchos preparados.
De hecho, todos los que siguen a Swami a Kodaikanal están comiendo todo el tiempo. Pero no hacen ejercicio. De modo que si revisan su peso el último día, el día de regreso, pueden comprobar que han ganado muchos kilos. ¡Pienso que con todo el peso extra, ni su propia gente les reconoce!
Un yogurt de primera clase se trae a la mesa para cada comida. ¡Necesitan de una palanca para cortar el denso yogurt! Bueno, todos disfrutamos.
Dije, "Swami, el yogurt está muy rico, sabroso. ¿Por qué no Te sirves algo?" Lo pregunté, porque yo me quería servir algo más. Mas, ¿cómo me puedo servir yo si Él no come nada?
Dije, "Swami, ¿cómo puedo servirme yo? Por favor . . ."
La respuesta de Swami es importante : "¡Yogurt! Anil Kumar, tuve suficiente de yogurt y leche en un Avatar anterior. Me cansé de yogurt y de leche. Por eso ya nos me los sirvo."
Esta fue una sugerencia indirecta, una declaración indirecta, una afirmación indirecta en cuanto a que Él ¡es el Señor Krishna Mismo! ¡El Mismo Señor Krishna! ¡Eso es vivir con Dios! ¡Un viaje con Dios es una experiencia así!
EXPERIENCIA DE SU OMNISCIENCIA Y OMNIPOTENCIA
Un día de mañana, Swami llamó a un cocinero llamado Sai Krishna. Era el cocinero del campus de Anantapur quien seguía cada año a Swami a Kodaikanal.
"¡Sai Krishna, ven acá!" y el sujeto se acercó. "Eres estúpido, eres un idiota, eres un burro y eres un perro." Y siguió retándole. El sujeto tiritaba. Todos estábamos observando.
De pronto, Swami dijo, "Arre (¡Ea!) tío, ¿cuál es nuestra hora para desayunar?"
Él respondió, " Las 07:30, Swami"
Swami dijo, "Muy bien. Pero tu le estás sirviendo café a un sujeto a las 05:00 cada día sin que Yo lo sepa. ¿Es esta la propiedad de tu abuelo? ¿Por qué lo haces? ¡Te voy a echar de aquí!"
El sujeto tiritaba. . . ¡Lo habían descubierto!
Entonces dijo, "Swami, ¡solamente yo tomo café a las 05:00 de la mañana!"
Swami replicó, "¡He dicho todo esto sólo para que supieras que Yo sé que estás tomando tu café a las 05:00 de la mañana!" (Risas)
Vivir con Dios y viajar con Dios es una experiencia de Su omnisciencia y omnipotencia. Él lo sabe todo. En un libro sobre Swami, puede que lea algo, lo cite o lo repita verbatim; mas el experimentar a Swami directamente, viajar junto con Él, es realmente único.
Es Su infinita gracia la que ha hecho que me haya quedado con Él por 22 largos años, y haberle seguido a Kodaikanal cada vez. ¡Vaya qué experiencia! Un viaje así es una experiencia real con Dios.
HELADO DE CREMA DESDE LAS DIVINAS MANOS
En una época, sucedió que Swami adquirió algo de terreno adicional alrededor de una edificación. Todo el terreno fue limpiado, se eliminaron las malezas y el suelo fue arreglado por los seva dals. Yo me uní también a ellos para hacer algún trabajo. Sé que no soy muy apto para estos trabajos, pero fui de todos modos.
Swami atinó a pasar hizo detener el coche y dijo, "¡Ja.ja! ¿Qué buen actor eres, no? ¡Cuán bien actúas! Pero no estás haciendo nada. Estás simplemente parado ahí, actuando. ¡Actuando!"
Dije, "Swami, sé que soy un actor. Pero sabía que Tu pasarías por este lugar. Estoy actuando para Ti. Eso es todo. Para nadie más. ¡Toda esta actuación está dedicada sólo a Ti, Swami!"
Se rió y se fue se allí.
Y entonces, la gente del seva dal comenzó a distribuir helados de crema, ¡ricos helados! También recibí mi ración afuera. Y al final del trabajo, calmadamente, tranquilo entré al edificio de Swami. Swami también estaba distribuyendo helados para todos allí. Extendí mi mano.
Entonces dijo, "Ah, tu ya tuviste un vaso afuera. Ya te comiste un vaso."
"Swami, ¿he dicho acaso que no comí?" No estaba engañando.
"Entonces, ¿por qué lo estás pidiendo ahora?"
Dije, "Puesto que Tu lo estás dando, es prasad. ¡Yo lo quiero!"
Un viaje así es una experiencia – una inovidable experiencia – que deja una impresión indeleble tanto en nuestras mentes como corazones. ¡Tan emocionante!
LOS FRASCOS DE ENCURTIDOS
También les puedo hablar de otro incidente. Un día cuando Swami estaba muy atareado, me dí cuenta que habían llegado algunos nuevos frascos de encurtidos a la casa en Kodaikanal, como media hora antes. Comí algunos y quise más.
'Sería indecente el que siga comiendo encurtidos estando sentado entre otros', me dije a mí mismo. De modo que me fui a sentar cerca del siguiente grupo de muchachos, evitando quedar cerca de los otros invitados. Así quedé detrás.
Swami miró a Su alrededor y preguntó, "¿Dónde está Anil Kumar?"
Alguien Le respondió, "Swami, hay tantos invitados que no queda un asiento acá. Por ende, está esperando allá atrás."
Swami dijo, "Arre (¡Ea!) ¿a quien le está contando ésto? ¡Lo que quiere es una sesión de encurtidos aparte! ¡Por eso es que se ubicó allá!"
Una experiencia como esta fue extática. Vale realmente la pena lograr una tal experiencia no-dual durante la vida de uno. El viajar con Dios es esta experiencia real.
SWAMI ESTÁ SIEMPRE DANDO PISTAS
¡Recuerdo también cuan delicadamente actúa Swami! Era el día de la China en Prasanthi Nilayam. Por alguna razón, ler dió una buena dosis de reporimenda a los profesores presentes.
"No están enseñando correctamente. ¡Les voy a despedir! ¡No se están comportando adecuadamente!"
Fue muy duro. Todos los profesores se sentìan muy infelices, y yo no fui la excepción.
En la tarde, Swami entró al auditorio. Quería desviar nuestra atención. Me dijo, "¡Ven acá!"
'¿Va a hablar Swami ahora?' me pregunté para mis adentros. '¿Va a volver a hablar?' Esa era la cuestión. '¿Qué significa esto?' pregunté.
"Voy a hablar. Prepárate." De modo que recibí una pista.
Swami se sentó. De inmediato arreglamos los micrófonos. Él se puso a actuar y haciéndome una pantomima, como si estuviera cortándose la nariz con uno de Sus dedos (como queriendo decir en broma, "Anil Kumar, ¡puede que te corte la nariz!")
Y entonces dije en voz alta, "Bhagavan, nuestra sed no ha sido calmada. Nuestro apetito no ha sido saciado. ¡Aún tenemos hambre de Tus palabras! Esta mañana tuvimos 'picante' (vale decir, reprimenda). Swami, ¡esta tarde estamos rogando por que se distribuyan sólo golosinas!"
¡De inmediato dictó un discurso! En cualquiera de las experiencias con Swami habríamos de descubrir alguna pista en lo que dice, y luego dramatizar la situación.
'ALGUIEN HABRÍA DE CARGAR CON LA CRUZ'
Les relataré otra historia. Los estudiantes de Administración de Empresas Le presentaron a Swami una bandeja de plata. Pero no acepta estas cosas. De modo que salió y les gritó a todos : "¡Idiotas! ¡Estúpidos! ¿Me regalan una bandeja como esa?"
Todos temblaban. ¡Yo soy docente en biociencia, mas Él retaba a los estudiantes de Administración de Empresas! Me dí cuenta de ello.
Pensé para mis adentros, 'Alguien habría de cargar con la cruz' .
Entonces dije, "Swami, los muchachos son amables (implicando que no era error de ellos). Nosotros los profesores no les hemos aconsejado adecuadamente. Es por eso que la compraron y se la regalaron a Swami. Es su amor. Mas nosotros no les hemos explicado correctamente las cosas."
Entonces se volvió hacia mí y dijo, "¡Tonto, burro! ¡No los has orientado correctamente!"
Los estudiantes sabían que soy un hombre de la biociencia. Y, por supuesto, Swami también lo sabe. El error había sido cometido por los muchachos del MBA, pero yo lo había asumido. "Swami, ellos no sabían."
Swami me interrumpió y me demolió. No obstante, al irse, me miró, agitó Su mano y me lanzó una bella sonrisa.
EL VIAJE ESPIRITUAL ES UNA EXPERIENCIA DESAFIANTE
¡Vaya experiencia! El viaje espiritual es una experiencia así. Es desafiante. El viaje espiritual no es muy confortable. Después de todo, en este mundo físico uno consigue algún tipo de resultados inmediatos. Más el viaje espiritual está plagado de retos, de problemas, de confusión, insultos y crítica, y de gente que le envidia a uno. Representa una desafiante tarea.
De modo que el viaje con Dios es un reto. Mas Él le entrega a uno un salvavidas para que no se hunda; así uno puede seguir a flote, manteniendo la cabeza por encima del agua. En algún momento podríamos sentir deseos de escapar de ese campus / ashram; mas Él no nos lo permitirá.
A veces puede que decidan que quisieran que Él les deje ir. Más Él no les deja. En la tarde, cuando viene para darshan, les lanza una encantadora sonrisa. Entonces ustedes se olvidan de todos esos problemas. Todos desaparecen instantáneamente.
Ese es el viaje espiritual, una experiencia suficiente de por sí. Toda las demás sendas, todas las demás áreas, son sólo viajes comunes. Mas el viajar con Dios es el viaje real. Sí, vivamos por Él. Caminemos con Él. Avancemos con Él enfrentando todos los problemas.
EL DIVINO ROMANCE
Algunos de mis colegas en mi ciudad natal me han preguntado repetidamente, "Anil, ¿qué es lo que logras allá? Dejaste acá a tu familia, dejaste a tus padres acá y dejaste un trabajo lucrativo sólo para ir allá. ¿Qué es lo que consigues allá? ¿Qué es lo que ganas con hablar todo el tiempo?" ¡Esto es lo que me preguntan cada vez mis colegas!.
Mi respuesta es ésta : "Si le preguntaran a un borracho qué es lo que bebe, dirá, '¡Toma una botella y luego me dices! Bebe una botella y después me lo haces saber'."
El vivir con Dios es similar. Aunque es difícil, una vez que están en el Divino romance, una vez que disfrutan esta experiencia, no pueden salirse de él. ¡Imposible! Amigos míos, la vida con Dios no es pomposa. La vida no es un lujo estando junto a Bhagavan; sin embargo, ¡sigue siendo el viaje con Dios!
ALGUNOS DE LOS QUE SE HAN SACRIFICADO
Deben haber oido hablar del Sr. Lal, quien está a cargo de las tiendas en el Prasanthi Nilayam. El Sr. Lal proviene de Colombo, Sri Lanka. Tiene allá un gran palacio, con 50 o 60 habitaciones. Hay un gran fortín en torno a su palacio. ¡Ha dejado todo eso y se queda junto a Swami viviendo en un solo cuarto! De modo que el viajar con Dios es una prueba. Cuando se viaja con Dios, la senda es estrecha y difícultosa. No es como lograr un paseo en limousina – ¡imposible! No obstante mucha gente acepta este retador camino.
Deben haber oido hablar también de otro caballero que ya falleció, llamado el Sr. Kundra de Londres. Él estaba a cargo de la cantina de la India Norte. También él era un hombre muy rico. Lo dejó todo y también vivía en un apartamento de una habitación. De modo que el viaje con Dios en la vida es un asunto de sacrificio.
El viajar con Dios es desafiante y requiere de sacrificio, y a veces involucra problemas. Por ejemplo, puede que su propia familia les desherede. Lo hacen, porque no pueden conseguir que ustedes salgan sin Su permiso. (Hubo una época en que Swami dejaba que la gente viajara sólo después de conseguir Su permiso físico)
Swami es un Amo así. Les evade cuando siente que más necesitan de Él. Luego les pregunta, "¿Cómo estás?" cuando no tienen nada que preguntarle.
ÉL SE AFERRARÁ A USTEDES
De modo que este viaje no es tan simple. Hablar sobre él no resulta nada fácil. El estar en ese viaje – estar en el proceso de ese viaje en la compañía de Dios – no le es dado a cualquiera. No todos pueden emprenderlo, porque habrán de sufrir incomodidades físicas, boicoteo social y a veces hasta un absoluto abandono de Bhagavan. Sin embargo, debieran ser capaces de sobrevivir a todos estos retos.
Para aquellos de nosotros que hemos pasado nuestras vidas que se basaban antes en el elogio, los logros y todo tipo de tributos, a llevar ahora una vida de una anónima no-entidad, no es cosa fácil. Eso mismo es la experiencia. ¿Por qué? Porque este viaje espiritual nos entrega la experiencia de la auto-negación, lo que significa que uno comienza a darse cuenta que : 'Soy nadie, Bhagavan. Cuando Tu estás ahí, yo soy nadie.'
En el mundo exterior nos basamos en la psicología de "Yo soy todo", "Yo soy alguien". Mas en el viaje espiritual, no son alguien. No son cualquiera. Son nadie en el viaje espiritual. Y Él intencionalmente les da experiencias para que se mantengan como una no-entidad. La humildad, el apartarse de todo tipo de exhibición externa y cosas así son las que definen el viaje espiritual. Mas durante dichas experiencias, Él se aferrará a ustedes.
SAI EL DRAMATURGO EN ACCIÓN
Aquí va in simple incidente. Hace algunos años, fue inaugurada la Casa de Huéspeder Srinivasa en Prasanthi Nilayam. Para la función inaugural, el primer Ministro, gobernadores y ministros del gabinete fueron invitados para almorzar con Swami.
Me sentí excluido, pensando, "Dios, quieres al Primer Ministro, pero no me quieres a mí. Quieres a gobernadores, pero no me quieres a mí. Quieres a esa gente que llega con visa de visitas, pero no quieres ver a quienes de nosotros nos hemos establecido acá. Swami, ¿qué hay de malo en mí?
¿O qué anda mal Contigo?"
Eso era lo que sentía mientras estaba allí en el campus del instituto superior Easwaramma, en donde se estaban distribuyendo alimentos y vestimenta.
De pronto se me acercó un caballero y dijo, "Anil Kumar, por favor ve donde Swami e infórmale que estamos escasos de ropas. ¡Necesitamos cuatrocientos saris ahora mismo! ¡La gente espera! ¡Por favor, comunícaselo a Swami!"
De modo que aproveché la oportunidad y fui allá. Dije, "¡Swami!" Y me dijo, "Venga, señor".
Repetí, "¡Swami!" Swami preguntó, "¿Qué?" "Swami, necesitan cuatrocientos saris más!"
Swami dijo, "Envié mil saris, ¿no es así? Aún hay una provisión de dos camionadas esperando allá. Esto no ha sido sino una excusa para traerte hasta acá. Te sientes menoscabado porque no te había llamado para acá. Y es por eso que te hice venir. Este es el drama de Sai", dijo. (Aplausos)
¡Esa fue una maravillosa experiencia! Un viaje espiritual puede ser un asunto impresionante, estremecedor o tenso. No obstante, en otros momentos las experiencias pueden ser tan venturosas. Cada una de ellas crea un recuerdo eterno. Cada una de ellas se vuelve inmortal y cada una es inigualable. Eso es lo que Él confiere finalmente. ¿Por qué? Permitan que lo explique a través de un ejemplo.
EN EL SUNDARAM EN MADRAS
En una ocasión, Swami visitó el Sundaram en Madras (Chennai, ahora). De modo que fui allá.
Entonces Swami preguntó, "Señor, ¿dónde está alojando?"
"Swami, alojo en la Casa de Huéspedes de la Universidad de Madras."
Swami dijo, "¡Nada de casa de huéspedes! ¡Ven a alojar acá!" De ahí en adelante me quedé con Swami. ¡Y vean qué experiencia fue la que Él fraguó!
En esa época yo servía como presidente estatal de la Organización Sathya Sai de Andhra Pradesh. Me sentía como si hubiera logrado algo muy grande. Eso era natural después de todo, porque en aquel entonces yo iba y venía. No había vivido con Él en el ashram.
Sólo quien lo lleva puesto sabe donde le aprieta el zapato. Es muy fácil hablar, cuando se está parado en la playa. Pero vamos, ¡láncense al mar! Porque sólo cuando nos lanzamos al agua y enfrentamos sus retos podemos decir, "¡Te seguimos!" ¡Sólo entonces podremos felicitarte a Ti!
Mas en esos momentos yo no sabía nada de esto. ¿Y qué sucedió entonces?
Swami me llamó y preguntó, "Ven, ¿has visto el Sundaram?"
"No, Swami."
"Ven, Yo te lo mostraré", dijo.
Me iba llevando a lo largo de las galerías y corredores, cuando llamó a un seva dal : "¿Cómo te llamas?"
El hombre rspondió, "Radha K."
"Oh, Radha K" – repitió Swami – "¿Qué salario recibes en tu trabajo?"
"Un lakh, Swami" (1 lakh = 100 mil rupias)
Y Swami repitió, "Oh, un lakh." Y a continuación le preguntó, "¿Y qué eres?"
"Swami, soy el Director del Instituto Indio de Tecnología en Madras."
"¡Manchidi !" (¡Bien!) Respondió Swami, y luego me lanzó una mirada sarcástica.
Swami caminó un poco más, vió a otro hombre y también le preguntó su nombre.
"Venkataram", respondió.
"Oh, Venkataraman", repitió Swami. "¿Qué es lo que haces?"
"Swami, soy un profesor de ingeniería eléctrica en la Facultad de Ingeniaría Guindy de Madras."
Swami continuó mirándome con cierto sarcasmo. Todos esos individuos en el Sundaram eran profesores o directores y otros por el estilo, realizando comunes servicios de seva dals. Esta experiencia me llevó al siguiente paso.
"¿Tienen gente así en Andhra?" me preguntó Swami. Recuerden que yo era el presidente estatal.
Me pregunté en mi fuero interno, 'Habré de decir que no los tengo?' 'Si lo digo, ¡pierdo mi prestigio! ¿Diré que los tengo? ¡Pero no tengo a ninguno! ¿Qué habré de decir entonces?'
Dije, "Swami, en Andhra hay devotos que igualan a las gentes de Tamil Nadu respecto de su devoción. Pueden no ser iguales con respecto a posición y calificación, mas con respecto a su devoción los de Andhra son iguales."
"Qué respuesta tan diplomática, ¿cierto? Me diste una astuta respuesta", replicó Swami.
Luego se dirigió a un columpio (llamado 'jhoola' en la India) que había en el Sundaram, y se sentó en él. "¿Qué te parece, Anil Kumar?", preguntó Swami.
"No se ve agradable, Swami."
"¿No te gusta? ¡Cómo te atreves a decir eso! ¡Es el mejor jhoola (columpio para la deidad)!", dijo.
"No, no, a mi no me parece, Swami."
"¿Por qué dices eso?" preguntó.
Respondí, "Si Tu te sientas ahí, se vuelve grandioso, ¡mas de otra manera no!"
"Oh, ya veo. Y, entonces, ¿cómo Me veo?" preguntó sentado en el jhoola.
"Swami, Te ves sensacional; ¡pero aún falta algo!"
"¿Qué?"
Le indiqué que quería columpiarle como a Bala Gopal. Dijo, "¡Vamos, hazlo!"
De modo que lo hice. ¡Qué experiencia! Algunas de las experiencias a lo largo del viaje espiritual son dignas de ser recordadas por varias vidas, ¡por muchas de las vidas por venir! Una experiencia así les hace olvidar todas las dificultades y todos los problemas que alguna vez tuvieran.
Hasta un momento como ese, puede que se sientan internamente presionados; mas una vez que les otorga tales experiencias, todas las dificultades desaparecen – ¡simplemente se esfuman espontáneamente! Es por eso que es el viaje espiritual el que entrega experiencias tales que terminan por llevar finalmente a la transformación.
Om… Om… Om…
Asato Maa Sadgamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa Amrithamgamaya
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
oo—oo—oo
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Traducción de Herta Pfeifer
Santiago, febrero 2012
NUESTRA VIDA ES SU MENSAJE
OMSAIRAMMM
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www.saiwisdom.com
A Special Talk by Prof. Anil Kumar In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
“Sai Mission and Its Continuity” (Part 1)
October 30, 2011
Sai Ram, Sai Ram!
With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of our most beloved Bhagavan,
Dear Brothers and Sisters of this great Sai Family of Malaysia!
LIFE IS A JOURNEY OF CONTINUITY TO ETERNITY
I pray to Bhagavan to shower His choicest blessings on each and every one of you and your families. May our faith in Sai grow more in the years to come, and may our commitment to the Sai mission be strengthened further in the future.
I was given certain topics to speak on. One topic is about life’s journey. All of us have our own professional life. We each have our own vocation, whether a professor, an engineer, a doctor, or a housewife. We each are engaged in our own way. Thus life is a journey from womb to the tomb, from birth to death. But my friends, I am not going to speak about that kind of life journey. That kind of life journey is monotonous, routine, and mechanical. Instead I am referring to a life journey of a different kind. What do I mean?
The life journey that we understand is the physical one, from birth to death. However, the life journey that I am speaking about is the one of continuity to eternity. This journey has no beginning or end. In this journey, we experience neither birth nor death.
This is the true life journey for it is continuous, like the flowing of a river which goes on incessantly. This spiritual life journey is persistent and continuous, going on forever and ever forward and onward. Taking this journey along with God makes life worth living. So, life is a journey really worth living in the company of God.
Why do I say that? When we are in Prashanthi Nilayam, we forget the day, the date and the time because we are with God. A journey with God makes you forget what you are and where you are.
On the normal physical level of our life’s journey, we can are conscious of our position and our scholarship, displaying vanity, ego, pride, publicity, pomp, aggrandisement, and self-glorification. Such a journey is a useless journey, and not worth living.
On the other hand, life with God is the true journey. You just forget your status, your dignity, and your scholarship because you become lost like a bubble in the ocean. The moment a bubble gets submerged in the ocean, it loses its identity and becomes one with the ocean. So this spiritual life journey is the journey with God.
THE ‘I’ IS LOST
You can come across people on their physical journey who are boastful, proud of their own achievements and their simple little mushroom-like accomplishments. But on a spiritual journey with God, you do not know who you are. The ‘I’ is lost.
“I meditate,” somebody told to Swami.
“Continue to meditate,” Swami said.
“Yes, Swami. For how long?”
“Continue until you forget ‘I’-ness: ‘I’ do it, ‘I’ am doing it. Continue. Continue for 100 lives to come!” Swami answered.
Life is a spiritual journey with God. When the ‘I’ is lost, when the ‘I’ is no more, then only He is there. That is the spiritual journey. The spiritual journey of continuity to eternity is a profound experience, a real experience.
WHO IS IN THE DELHI DARSHAN QUEUE?
Let me tell you about Swami’s visit to Delhi a long time ago. There was a long queue waiting for His darshan, a very long queue at Golf Links in Delhi. Before darshan, Swami came out and saw a short man in the queue.
He came close to the man and asked, “Why are you here?”
“Swami, why not?” the man responded.
Then Swami said, “Oh, you’re the Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Dr. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao. You also stand in the queue to come for darshan?”
“I may be a governor on the outside,” he answered. “I may also be a scholar in thirty international languages. But in front of You, I am a humble, simple devotee. I am no longer a governor.” That is the effects of the spiritual journey!
Some may go on saying things like: “I am this,” or “I am that.” “I am a VIP! Don’t you know?” So long you say, “I am this...,” my answer to you is that you are not this, for the spiritual journey knows no name and fame.
SWAMI DOES NOT WANT THANKS
Somebody came to Swami and said, “Bhagavan, You have done this for me. Thank You, Swami. Now the family problem is resolved. Thank You, Bhagavan. The business problem is gone too. Thank You, Swami.”
Swami answered, “No ‘thanks’, Bangaru (a term of endearment used by Swami, meaning “golden one”). Thanks go only to a third person. I am not a third person. You and I are one. Do you say, ‘Oh Daddy, thank you for the beautiful trousers?’ Do you say that? ‘Oh Mummy, thanks for the nice curry!’ Do you say that? No. You are my children. You and I are one.” That is the spiritual journey.
A true and correct spiritual journey is the one where we do not crave for recognition, nor strive for fame. This is the journey we are supposed to undertake. Such a spiritual journey is a great experience. Experience what this life really is!
YOU HAVE GIVEN YOURSELF TO ME
One example of this, my friends, occurred when Swami started introducing some VIPs to me.
“Anil Kumar, this man gave 100 crores of rupees to our hospital,” He said. “Another gave 50 crores to our hospital. This one gave 25 crores to our hospital, and he brings medicines worth crores and crores every time he comes.” As Swami was introducing everybody to me, I felt shy. I felt very much humbled and belittled.
Then I said, “Swami, I feel very embarrassed! I feel very guilty. I have not given You any crores, as I don’t have any, nor wish to acquire any. I have not given You anything, Swami. So when You introduced these people, I felt embarrassed.”
Do you know what Baba said? “Those who gave 100 crores or 50 crores are staying in a hotel outside. You have given yourself to Me. What more can I want? You are here with Me! (Applause) They have given what they have, but you have given yourself. That’s why you are staying with Me.”
That’s the experience of a spiritual journey with God. A spiritual journey with God is an experience that can put you in a state of bliss!
SWAMI’S JAGUAR CAR INCIDENT
You know, Swami has a number of cars, many cars, all presented as gifts. He even has a jaguar car! When this brand new Jaguar first arrived, Swami said, “Anil Kumar, let us have a photograph. You stand on that side and I will stand on this side.”
Well, how to stand? So I stood like that. (Anil Kumar imitates standing erectly.)
Swami said, “No, not like that! You are standing like a car driver. That’s not the way. (Laughter) Put your head like that!” (Anil Kumar indicates how Swami wanted him to stand.) (Laughter from audience)
So I stood like that, as shown by Swami. That photo is still with us.
At the end Swami said, “Would you buy this car? Are you ready to buy this car?”
I said, “Car? Swami, I cannot. I can’t afford to buy Your car!”
This statement is important: “Are you not ashamed to say that?” He asked.
Swami repeated, “Are you not ashamed to say that? Is that the reply I expect from you? I’d appreciate it if you’d say, ‘Bhagavan, with You, I can buy the whole world. If I can buy the whole world, what is this car?’ ” (Applause)
Such an experience with God is a spiritual journey. Moving with God is a spiritual journey. These experiences living with God are an education. Always observing God is an experience sufficient unto itself!
PROOF THAT SWAMI IS LORD KRISHNA HIMSELF
Dining with Swami was an experience which we can never forget in a lifetime! There are many, many delicious items served when eating with Swami. However, our God eats only one spoon of ragi (Indian millet), that’s all. But we are served many, many items.
In fact, all those who follow Swami to Kodaikanal are always eating all the time. But there’s no exercise. So if they check their weight on the final day, the day of their return, they can see they have gained much weight. With so much weight gain, I think their own people might not even recognise them!
First class curd (yogurt) is served at the dining table at each and every meal. You need a crow bar to cut the thick curd! Well, we were all enjoying ourselves.
I said, “Swami, the curd is very nice, very tasty. Swami, why don’t You take some curd?”
I asked that because I wanted to eat some more. But how can I eat that if He doesn’t eat it any?
I said, “Swami, how I am to eat? So please . . .”
Swami’s response is important: “Curds! Anil Kumar, I had enough curds and milk in a previous Avatar. I am tired of curd and milk. Therefore, I am not eating them anymore.”
This was an indirect suggestion, an indirect declaration, an indirect affirmation that He is Lord Krishna Himself. Lord Krishna Himself! That is living with God! A journey with God is such an experience!
EXPERIENCE OF HIS OMNISCIENCE AND OMNIPOTENCE
One day, in the morning, Swami called one cook named Sai Krishna. He was a cook from the Anantapur campus who followed Swami every year to Kodaikanal.
“Sai Krishna, come here!” That fellow came.
“You are stupid, you are an idiot, you are a donkey, and you are a dog.” He went on scolding him. That fellow was shivering. We were all watching.
Suddenly Swami said, “Arre (Hey) fellow, what’s our breakfast time?”
He answered, “Swami, 7:30.”
Swami said, “Right. But you are giving coffee to a fellow at 5 o’clock every day without My notice. Is this your grandfather’s property? Why do you do that? I’ll kick you out!”
That fellow was shivering. The cat was out of the bag!
Then he said, “Swami, only I drink coffee at 5 o’clock in the morning!”
Swami replied, “I said all this to let you know that I know you’re having coffee at 5 o’clock in the morning!” (Laughter)
Living with God and journeying with God is an experience of His omniscience and omnipotence. He knows everything. In a book about Swami, I may read something, quote it, or repeat it verbatim; but to experience Swami directly, journeying along with Him, is really unique.
It’s His infinite grace that made me stay with Him for 22 long years, and follow Him to Kodaikanal each and every time. Such an experience! Such a journey is a real experience with God.
ICE CREAM FROM DIVINE HANDS
At one time, it so happened that Swami acquired some additional land around a building. The whole land was cleaned up, the weeds removed and the ground made ready by seva dals. I too joined the seva dals, doing some work. I know I am unfit for work, but yet I went there.
Swami came and stopped His car and said, “Ah ha! What an actor you are, eh? How nicely you are acting! But you are not doing anything. Just standing there acting. Acting!”
I said, “Swami, I know I am an actor. But I knew that You would come to this spot. For You I am acting. That’s all. Not for anybody else. All this acting is meant for You only, Swami!”
He laughed and He left that place.
And then seva dal people started distributing ice creams, very nice ice creams! I too had my share outside. And at the end of the work, calmly, coolly I walked into Swami’s building. Swami was also distributing ice creams to everybody there. I stretched out my hand.
Then He said, “Ah, you had one cup already outside. You already ate one cup.”
“Swami, did I say that I did not eat?” I did not bluff.
“Then why are you asking now?”
I said, “Since You are giving it, it is prasad. I want it!”
Such a journey is an experience—an unforgettable experience—that leaves an indelible impression on both our minds and our hearts. So touching!
BOTTLES OF PICKLES
I can also tell you about another incident. One day when Swami was very busy, I noticed that some new bottles of pickles had arrived there at the Kodai house half an hour earlier. I ate some and wanted more.
‘It would be indecent if I go on eating pickles while sitting with others,’ I said to myself. So I went to sit near the next batch (of boys), avoiding sitting near the others (guests). Thus I stood behind.
Swami looked around and asked, “Where is Anil Kumar?”
Somebody said, “Swami, there are so many guests that there is no seat here. Therefore, he is waiting behind.”
Swami said, “Arre (Hey), to whom are you telling this? He wants a separate pickle session! That’s why he moved there!”
Such an experience was ecstatic. Such a non-dual experience is really worth having during one’s lifetime. Journeying with God is this real experience.
SWAMI ALWAYS GIVES CLUES
I also remember how nicely Swami acts! It was Chinese day in Prashanthi Nilayam. For some reason, He gave heavy doses of scolding to the teachers there.
“You are not teaching properly. I will send you out! You are not behaving properly!”
Lots of scolding! All teachers felt very unhappy, and I was no exception.
In the evening, He came into the auditorium. He wanted to divert our attention. He said to me, “Come here!”
‘Is Swami going to speak now?’ I asked myself. ‘Is He going to speak again?’ That was the question. ‘What does this mean?’ I asked.
“I am going to speak. Be ready.” So I got the clue.
Swami sat there. Immediately we arranged the mikes. He was acting there, and making a pantomime to me, cutting a finger across His nose (jokingly meaning, “Anil Kumar, I may cut off your nose!”).
Then I said loudly, “Bhagavan, our thirst is not quenched. Our appetite is not satiated. We are still hungering for Your talking! This morning we had ‘hots’ (i.e. scolding). Swami, this evening we pray only sweets will be distributed!”
Immediately He gave a discourse! In any experience with Swami, we should take some clue out of what He says, and then dramatise the situation.
‘SOMEBODY SHOULD BEAR THE CROSS’
I will give you another story. The MBA boys in Business Management presented a silver plate to Swami. But He doesn’t accept such things. So He came out and shouted at everybody: “Idiots! Stupid! You present Me a plate like that?”
The fellows were shivering. I am a professor of bio-science, but he was scolding MBA boys! I noticed all this.
‘Somebody should bear the cross,’ I thought.
Then I said, “Swami, the boys are nice (implying it is not their fault). We teachers have not advised them properly. Therefore, they bought it and gave it to Swami. It is their love. But we have not explained things to them properly.”
Then He turned to me and said, “You fool, you donkey! You have not properly directed them!”
The boys knew that I am a bio-science man. And of course, Swami knows that I am a bio-science man. The mistake was committed by MBA boys, but I had taken it upon myself. “Swami, they did not know.”
Swami interrupted and blasted me. Yet, while leaving, He waved and gave a beautiful smile.
THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IS A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE
Such an experience! The spiritual journey is such an experience. It is challenging. The spiritual journey is not that comfortable. After all, in this physical world you get some kind of immediate results. But the spiritual journey is full of challenges, full of troubles, full of turmoil, insults and blame, and people who envy you. It’s a challenging task.
So the journey with God is challenging. But He gives you a lifebelt so you don’t sink; that way you can still float, keeping your head above water. At one time or another, we might feel like running away from that campus/ashram; but He won’t allow us to go.
Sometime you might decide that you want Him to let you go. But He won’t let you go. In the evening when He comes for darshan, He gives you a nice smile. You then forget all those problems. All problems are instantly gone.
That’s the spiritual journey, a sufficient experience onto itself. All other paths, all other areas, are just ordinary journeys. But journeying with God is the real journey. Yes, let us live for Him. Let us walk with Him. Let us go along with Him, facing all problems.
THE DIVINE ROMANCE
Some of my colleagues at my native place have repeatedly asked me, “Anil, what have you got there? You left your family here, you left your parents here, and you left your lucrative job just to go there. What do you get there? What do you get by speaking all the time?” That’s the question my colleagues ask me every time!
My answer is this: “If you ask a drunkard why he drinks, he will say, ‘Have a bottle and then tell me! You have a bottle and then you let me know.’ ”
Living with God is similar. Though it is troublesome, once you are in the Divine romance, once you enjoy the experience of it, you cannot come out of it. Impossible! My friends, life with God is not pompous. Life is not a luxury when staying with Bhagavan; but still, journey with God!
SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED
You must have heard of Mr. Lal, who is in charge of the stores there in Prashanthi Nilayam. Mr. Lal hails from Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has got a big palace there, with 50 or 60 rooms. There is a big fort around his palace. He left it all and is staying with Swami in just one room! So journeying with God is a test. When you journey with God, the path is narrow and tough. It is not like getting a ride in a limousine—impossible! Yet many people accept that challenging path.
You may have also heard of another gentleman who is no more, named Mr. Kundra from London. He was in charge of the North Indian Canteen. He, too, was a very rich man, a strikingly rich man. He left it all and stayed in a one-room flat also. So life’s journey with God is a matter of sacrifice.
Journeying with God is challenging and involves sacrifice, sometime inviting troubles. For example, your own people may disown you. Your own relations may disown you because you cannot come out without of His permission. (There was a time when Swami would only let people leave after getting His physical permission.)
Swami is such a Master. He avoids you when you feel you are most in need Him. Then He will ask you, “How are you?” when you have nothing to ask Him.
HE WILL HOLD ON TO YOU
So this journey is not that simple. To speak about the journey is not easy. To have that journey—to be in the process of that journey, in the company of God—is not given to everybody or to anybody. Not everyone can take it, because you will have to experience physical discomfort, social boycott, and sometimes even utter neglect from Bhagavan. Yet, you should be able to survive all these challenges.
For those of us who have spent our lives, which were earlier based on praise, achievements, and all kinds of tributes, to then lead a life as a nameless non-entity, is not an easy thing. That itself is the experience. Why? Because this spiritual journey gives us the experience of self-negation, which means that one begins to recognise that: ‘I am nobody, Bhagavan. When You are there, I am nobody.’
In the outside world, we go by the psychology that “I am everything”, “I am somebody.” But on the spiritual journey, you are not somebody. You are not anybody. You are nobody on the spiritual journey. He intentionally gives you experiences so that you will remain a non-entity. Self-effacement, withdrawal from all kinds of external show, and such things define the spiritual journey. But during such experiences, He will hold on to you.
SAI THE DRAMATIST IN ACTION
Here is a simple incident. A few years ago, the Srinivasa Guesthouse in Prashanthi Nilayam was inaugurated. For the inaugural function, the Prime Minister, governors, and cabinet ministers were invited to have lunch with Swami.
I was feeling excluded, thinking, ‘God, You want the Prime Minister, but You don’t want me. You want governors, but You don’t want me. You want those people who come and go on visitors’ visas, but You don’t want to look at those of us who have settled here. Swami, what is wrong with me? Or what is wrong with You?’
That’s what I was feeling, while I was there in the Eswaramma high school campus, where food and clothes were being distributed.
Suddenly one gentleman came to me and said, “Anil Kumar, please go to Swami and inform Him that we are running short of clothes. We need four hundred sarees now! People are waiting! Please tell Swami.”
So I took that opportunity and went there. I said, “Swami!”
He said, “Oh come on, sir.”
I repeated, “Swami!”
Swami asked, “What?”
“Swami, they need four hundred more sarees!”
Swami said, “I sent a thousand sarees, isn’t it? There are still two lorries (truckloads) of stock waiting there. This was only an excuse to bring you here. You are feeling badly that I have not called you here. Therefore I brought you. This is Sai drama,” He said. (Applause)
That was a wonderful experience! A spiritual journey may be a shocking, jolting, or tense affair. But yet, at other times, the experiences can be so blissful. Each such experience creates an eternal memory. Each experience becomes immortal, and each experience is unparalleled. That’s what He confers in the end. Why? Let me explain by an example.
AT SUNDARAM IN MADRAS
On one occasion, Swami visited Sundaram at Madras (now Chennai). So I went there to Madras.
Then Swami asked, “Sir, where are you staying?”
“Swami, I am staying at Madras University Guest House.”
Swami said, “No guest house! Come and stay here!”
From then on, I was staying with Swami. Then see that what experience He brought about!
At that time, I was serving as the state president of the Sathya Sai Organisation of Andhra Pradesh. I was feeling like I had done something great. That was natural after all, for at that time I used to come and go. I had not lived with Him at the ashram.
Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. It is quite easy to talk, standing along the shores. But come on, get into the sea! Because it is only when we get into the sea and face those challenges that we can say, “We follow You!” Only then can we take our hats off to You!
But at that time, I did not know all this. So what happened?
Swami called to me and asked, “Come on, have you seen Sundaram?”
“No, Swami.”
“Come on, I will show you,” He said.
He was taking me along the verandas and corridors when He called out to one seva dal: “What is your name?”
The man answered, “Radha K.”
“Oh, Radha K,” Swami repeated. “How much salary do you make in your job?”
“Swami, one lakh.”
Swami imitated him, “Oh, one lakh.”
Then He asked, “What are you?”
“Swami, I am the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras.”
“Manchidi!” (Good!) Swami responded, and then gave me a sarcastic look.
Swami walked a little bit further, saw another man and also asked him for his name.
“Venkataram,” the man answered.
"Oh, Venkataraman,” Swami repeated. “What are you doing?”
“Swami, I am an electrical engineering professor at Madras Guindy Engineering College.”
Swami continued to look at me with some sarcasm. All those fellows at Sundaram were professors or directors and such, doing ordinary seva dal services. This experience took me to the next step.
“Do you have such people in Andhra?” Swami asked me. Remember, I was the state president.
‘Shall I say I don’t have?’ I asked myself. ‘If I say that, I’ll lose my prestige! Shall I say I have? But I have none! So what shall I say?’
I said, "Swami, in Andhra, there are devotees that equal Tamil Nadu people with respect to devotion. They may not be equal with respect to position and qualification; but with respect to devotion, Andhra people are equal.”
“What a tactful response, isn’t it? You gave a clever answer,” He responded.
He then went around to a swing (called a ‘jhoola’ in India) there in Sundaram, and sat in it.
Swami asked, “Anil Kumar, how do you like?”
“It is not nice, Swami.”
“Not nice? How dare you say that? It’s the best jhoola (swing for the deity)!” He said.
“No, no, I don’t think so, Swami.”
“Why do you say that?" He asked.
I answered, “If You sit there, it becomes great, but not otherwise!”
“Oh, I see.”
“So, how do I look?” He asked (sitting in the jhoola).
“Swami, You look great; but still something is lacking!”
“What?”
I motioned to Swami that I wanted to rock Him like Bala Gopal.
He said, “Come on, do that!”
So I did. What an experience! Some of the experiences along the spiritual journey are worth remembering for lifetimes, for many more lives to come! Such an experience will make you forget all troubles and all difficulties you have ever had.
Until such a moment, you may feel all worked up inside; but once He gives such experiences, all difficulties are gone—simply spontaneously gone! Therefore, it is the spiritual journey that gives such experiences which ultimately lead to transformation.
Om . . . Om . . . Om
Asato Maa Sadgamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa Amrithamgamaya
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
© Copyright Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju – Puttaparthi. All rights reserved.
Dining with Swami was an experience which we can never forget in a lifetime! There are many, many delicious items served when eating with Swami. However, our God eats only one spoon of ragi (Indian millet), that’s all. But we are served many, many items.
In fact, all those who follow Swami to Kodaikanal are always eating all the time. But there’s no exercise. So if they check their weight on the final day, the day of their return, they can see they have gained much weight. With so much weight gain, I think their own people might not even recognise them!
First class curd (yogurt) is served at the dining table at each and every meal. You need a crow bar to cut the thick curd! Well, we were all enjoying ourselves.
I said, “Swami, the curd is very nice, very tasty. Swami, why don’t You take some curd?”
I asked that because I wanted to eat some more. But how can I eat that if He doesn’t eat it any?
I said, “Swami, how I am to eat? So please . . .”
Swami’s response is important: “Curds! Anil Kumar, I had enough curds and milk in a previous Avatar. I am tired of curd and milk. Therefore, I am not eating them anymore.”
This was an indirect suggestion, an indirect declaration, an indirect affirmation that He is Lord Krishna Himself. Lord Krishna Himself! That is living with God! A journey with God is such an experience!
EXPERIENCE OF HIS OMNISCIENCE AND OMNIPOTENCE
One day, in the morning, Swami called one cook named Sai Krishna. He was a cook from the Anantapur campus who followed Swami every year to Kodaikanal.
“Sai Krishna, come here!” That fellow came.
“You are stupid, you are an idiot, you are a donkey, and you are a dog.” He went on scolding him. That fellow was shivering. We were all watching.
Suddenly Swami said, “Arre (Hey) fellow, what’s our breakfast time?”
He answered, “Swami, 7:30.”
Swami said, “Right. But you are giving coffee to a fellow at 5 o’clock every day without My notice. Is this your grandfather’s property? Why do you do that? I’ll kick you out!”
That fellow was shivering. The cat was out of the bag!
Then he said, “Swami, only I drink coffee at 5 o’clock in the morning!”
Swami replied, “I said all this to let you know that I know you’re having coffee at 5 o’clock in the morning!” (Laughter)
Living with God and journeying with God is an experience of His omniscience and omnipotence. He knows everything. In a book about Swami, I may read something, quote it, or repeat it verbatim; but to experience Swami directly, journeying along with Him, is really unique.
It’s His infinite grace that made me stay with Him for 22 long years, and follow Him to Kodaikanal each and every time. Such an experience! Such a journey is a real experience with God.
ICE CREAM FROM DIVINE HANDS
At one time, it so happened that Swami acquired some additional land around a building. The whole land was cleaned up, the weeds removed and the ground made ready by seva dals. I too joined the seva dals, doing some work. I know I am unfit for work, but yet I went there.
Swami came and stopped His car and said, “Ah ha! What an actor you are, eh? How nicely you are acting! But you are not doing anything. Just standing there acting. Acting!”
I said, “Swami, I know I am an actor. But I knew that You would come to this spot. For You I am acting. That’s all. Not for anybody else. All this acting is meant for You only, Swami!”
He laughed and He left that place.
And then seva dal people started distributing ice creams, very nice ice creams! I too had my share outside. And at the end of the work, calmly, coolly I walked into Swami’s building. Swami was also distributing ice creams to everybody there. I stretched out my hand.
Then He said, “Ah, you had one cup already outside. You already ate one cup.”
“Swami, did I say that I did not eat?” I did not bluff.
“Then why are you asking now?”
I said, “Since You are giving it, it is prasad. I want it!”
Such a journey is an experience—an unforgettable experience—that leaves an indelible impression on both our minds and our hearts. So touching!
BOTTLES OF PICKLES
I can also tell you about another incident. One day when Swami was very busy, I noticed that some new bottles of pickles had arrived there at the Kodai house half an hour earlier. I ate some and wanted more.
‘It would be indecent if I go on eating pickles while sitting with others,’ I said to myself. So I went to sit near the next batch (of boys), avoiding sitting near the others (guests). Thus I stood behind.
Swami looked around and asked, “Where is Anil Kumar?”
Somebody said, “Swami, there are so many guests that there is no seat here. Therefore, he is waiting behind.”
Swami said, “Arre (Hey), to whom are you telling this? He wants a separate pickle session! That’s why he moved there!”
Such an experience was ecstatic. Such a non-dual experience is really worth having during one’s lifetime. Journeying with God is this real experience.
SWAMI ALWAYS GIVES CLUES
I also remember how nicely Swami acts! It was Chinese day in Prashanthi Nilayam. For some reason, He gave heavy doses of scolding to the teachers there.
“You are not teaching properly. I will send you out! You are not behaving properly!”
Lots of scolding! All teachers felt very unhappy, and I was no exception.
In the evening, He came into the auditorium. He wanted to divert our attention. He said to me, “Come here!”
‘Is Swami going to speak now?’ I asked myself. ‘Is He going to speak again?’ That was the question. ‘What does this mean?’ I asked.
“I am going to speak. Be ready.” So I got the clue.
Swami sat there. Immediately we arranged the mikes. He was acting there, and making a pantomime to me, cutting a finger across His nose (jokingly meaning, “Anil Kumar, I may cut off your nose!”).
Then I said loudly, “Bhagavan, our thirst is not quenched. Our appetite is not satiated. We are still hungering for Your talking! This morning we had ‘hots’ (i.e. scolding). Swami, this evening we pray only sweets will be distributed!”
Immediately He gave a discourse! In any experience with Swami, we should take some clue out of what He says, and then dramatise the situation.
‘SOMEBODY SHOULD BEAR THE CROSS’
I will give you another story. The MBA boys in Business Management presented a silver plate to Swami. But He doesn’t accept such things. So He came out and shouted at everybody: “Idiots! Stupid! You present Me a plate like that?”
The fellows were shivering. I am a professor of bio-science, but he was scolding MBA boys! I noticed all this.
‘Somebody should bear the cross,’ I thought.
Then I said, “Swami, the boys are nice (implying it is not their fault). We teachers have not advised them properly. Therefore, they bought it and gave it to Swami. It is their love. But we have not explained things to them properly.”
Then He turned to me and said, “You fool, you donkey! You have not properly directed them!”
The boys knew that I am a bio-science man. And of course, Swami knows that I am a bio-science man. The mistake was committed by MBA boys, but I had taken it upon myself. “Swami, they did not know.”
Swami interrupted and blasted me. Yet, while leaving, He waved and gave a beautiful smile.
THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY IS A CHALLENGING EXPERIENCE
Such an experience! The spiritual journey is such an experience. It is challenging. The spiritual journey is not that comfortable. After all, in this physical world you get some kind of immediate results. But the spiritual journey is full of challenges, full of troubles, full of turmoil, insults and blame, and people who envy you. It’s a challenging task.
So the journey with God is challenging. But He gives you a lifebelt so you don’t sink; that way you can still float, keeping your head above water. At one time or another, we might feel like running away from that campus/ashram; but He won’t allow us to go.
Sometime you might decide that you want Him to let you go. But He won’t let you go. In the evening when He comes for darshan, He gives you a nice smile. You then forget all those problems. All problems are instantly gone.
That’s the spiritual journey, a sufficient experience onto itself. All other paths, all other areas, are just ordinary journeys. But journeying with God is the real journey. Yes, let us live for Him. Let us walk with Him. Let us go along with Him, facing all problems.
THE DIVINE ROMANCE
Some of my colleagues at my native place have repeatedly asked me, “Anil, what have you got there? You left your family here, you left your parents here, and you left your lucrative job just to go there. What do you get there? What do you get by speaking all the time?” That’s the question my colleagues ask me every time!
My answer is this: “If you ask a drunkard why he drinks, he will say, ‘Have a bottle and then tell me! You have a bottle and then you let me know.’ ”
Living with God is similar. Though it is troublesome, once you are in the Divine romance, once you enjoy the experience of it, you cannot come out of it. Impossible! My friends, life with God is not pompous. Life is not a luxury when staying with Bhagavan; but still, journey with God!
SOME OF THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED
You must have heard of Mr. Lal, who is in charge of the stores there in Prashanthi Nilayam. Mr. Lal hails from Colombo, Sri Lanka. He has got a big palace there, with 50 or 60 rooms. There is a big fort around his palace. He left it all and is staying with Swami in just one room! So journeying with God is a test. When you journey with God, the path is narrow and tough. It is not like getting a ride in a limousine—impossible! Yet many people accept that challenging path.
You may have also heard of another gentleman who is no more, named Mr. Kundra from London. He was in charge of the North Indian Canteen. He, too, was a very rich man, a strikingly rich man. He left it all and stayed in a one-room flat also. So life’s journey with God is a matter of sacrifice.
Journeying with God is challenging and involves sacrifice, sometime inviting troubles. For example, your own people may disown you. Your own relations may disown you because you cannot come out without of His permission. (There was a time when Swami would only let people leave after getting His physical permission.)
Swami is such a Master. He avoids you when you feel you are most in need Him. Then He will ask you, “How are you?” when you have nothing to ask Him.
HE WILL HOLD ON TO YOU
So this journey is not that simple. To speak about the journey is not easy. To have that journey—to be in the process of that journey, in the company of God—is not given to everybody or to anybody. Not everyone can take it, because you will have to experience physical discomfort, social boycott, and sometimes even utter neglect from Bhagavan. Yet, you should be able to survive all these challenges.
For those of us who have spent our lives, which were earlier based on praise, achievements, and all kinds of tributes, to then lead a life as a nameless non-entity, is not an easy thing. That itself is the experience. Why? Because this spiritual journey gives us the experience of self-negation, which means that one begins to recognise that: ‘I am nobody, Bhagavan. When You are there, I am nobody.’
In the outside world, we go by the psychology that “I am everything”, “I am somebody.” But on the spiritual journey, you are not somebody. You are not anybody. You are nobody on the spiritual journey. He intentionally gives you experiences so that you will remain a non-entity. Self-effacement, withdrawal from all kinds of external show, and such things define the spiritual journey. But during such experiences, He will hold on to you.
SAI THE DRAMATIST IN ACTION
Here is a simple incident. A few years ago, the Srinivasa Guesthouse in Prashanthi Nilayam was inaugurated. For the inaugural function, the Prime Minister, governors, and cabinet ministers were invited to have lunch with Swami.
I was feeling excluded, thinking, ‘God, You want the Prime Minister, but You don’t want me. You want governors, but You don’t want me. You want those people who come and go on visitors’ visas, but You don’t want to look at those of us who have settled here. Swami, what is wrong with me? Or what is wrong with You?’
That’s what I was feeling, while I was there in the Eswaramma high school campus, where food and clothes were being distributed.
Suddenly one gentleman came to me and said, “Anil Kumar, please go to Swami and inform Him that we are running short of clothes. We need four hundred sarees now! People are waiting! Please tell Swami.”
So I took that opportunity and went there. I said, “Swami!”
He said, “Oh come on, sir.”
I repeated, “Swami!”
Swami asked, “What?”
“Swami, they need four hundred more sarees!”
Swami said, “I sent a thousand sarees, isn’t it? There are still two lorries (truckloads) of stock waiting there. This was only an excuse to bring you here. You are feeling badly that I have not called you here. Therefore I brought you. This is Sai drama,” He said. (Applause)
That was a wonderful experience! A spiritual journey may be a shocking, jolting, or tense affair. But yet, at other times, the experiences can be so blissful. Each such experience creates an eternal memory. Each experience becomes immortal, and each experience is unparalleled. That’s what He confers in the end. Why? Let me explain by an example.
AT SUNDARAM IN MADRAS
On one occasion, Swami visited Sundaram at Madras (now Chennai). So I went there to Madras.
Then Swami asked, “Sir, where are you staying?”
“Swami, I am staying at Madras University Guest House.”
Swami said, “No guest house! Come and stay here!”
From then on, I was staying with Swami. Then see that what experience He brought about!
At that time, I was serving as the state president of the Sathya Sai Organisation of Andhra Pradesh. I was feeling like I had done something great. That was natural after all, for at that time I used to come and go. I had not lived with Him at the ashram.
Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches. It is quite easy to talk, standing along the shores. But come on, get into the sea! Because it is only when we get into the sea and face those challenges that we can say, “We follow You!” Only then can we take our hats off to You!
But at that time, I did not know all this. So what happened?
Swami called to me and asked, “Come on, have you seen Sundaram?”
“No, Swami.”
“Come on, I will show you,” He said.
He was taking me along the verandas and corridors when He called out to one seva dal: “What is your name?”
The man answered, “Radha K.”
“Oh, Radha K,” Swami repeated. “How much salary do you make in your job?”
“Swami, one lakh.”
Swami imitated him, “Oh, one lakh.”
Then He asked, “What are you?”
“Swami, I am the Director of the Indian Institute of Technology in Madras.”
“Manchidi!” (Good!) Swami responded, and then gave me a sarcastic look.
Swami walked a little bit further, saw another man and also asked him for his name.
“Venkataram,” the man answered.
"Oh, Venkataraman,” Swami repeated. “What are you doing?”
“Swami, I am an electrical engineering professor at Madras Guindy Engineering College.”
Swami continued to look at me with some sarcasm. All those fellows at Sundaram were professors or directors and such, doing ordinary seva dal services. This experience took me to the next step.
“Do you have such people in Andhra?” Swami asked me. Remember, I was the state president.
‘Shall I say I don’t have?’ I asked myself. ‘If I say that, I’ll lose my prestige! Shall I say I have? But I have none! So what shall I say?’
I said, "Swami, in Andhra, there are devotees that equal Tamil Nadu people with respect to devotion. They may not be equal with respect to position and qualification; but with respect to devotion, Andhra people are equal.”
“What a tactful response, isn’t it? You gave a clever answer,” He responded.
He then went around to a swing (called a ‘jhoola’ in India) there in Sundaram, and sat in it.
Swami asked, “Anil Kumar, how do you like?”
“It is not nice, Swami.”
“Not nice? How dare you say that? It’s the best jhoola (swing for the deity)!” He said.
“No, no, I don’t think so, Swami.”
“Why do you say that?" He asked.
I answered, “If You sit there, it becomes great, but not otherwise!”
“Oh, I see.”
“So, how do I look?” He asked (sitting in the jhoola).
“Swami, You look great; but still something is lacking!”
“What?”
I motioned to Swami that I wanted to rock Him like Bala Gopal.
He said, “Come on, do that!”
So I did. What an experience! Some of the experiences along the spiritual journey are worth remembering for lifetimes, for many more lives to come! Such an experience will make you forget all troubles and all difficulties you have ever had.
Until such a moment, you may feel all worked up inside; but once He gives such experiences, all difficulties are gone—simply spontaneously gone! Therefore, it is the spiritual journey that gives such experiences which ultimately lead to transformation.
Om . . . Om . . . Om
Asato Maa Sadgamaya
Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya
Mrityormaa Amrithamgamaya
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!
© Copyright Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju – Puttaparthi. All rights reserved.
OUR LIFE IS HIS MESSAGE
OMSAIRAMMM
OMSAIRAMMM
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OMSAIRAMMM...
CENTRO SAI HISPANO...
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