Is Swami and Mother Different?” – By Venkatesh Prasad
The
greatest challenge for any Sai Student is to reconcile between the
physical form of Swami and the Omnipresence of Swami. While there exists
no difference between the two, it is a result of our own narrow mental
definitions. There comes a stage in every student’s life when they need
to go beyond these definitions and experience Swami’s Presence in each
and every moment of their life.
While I was a student at our
Institute, Swami had blessed our family with a lot of personal attention
and Love. Swami had visited our home and had lunch there on His way
back from Kodaikanal to Ooty. My mother wanted me to express our
gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Swami for all the Grace that He had
showered on our family. Accordingly, when I got an opportunity, I made
bold to mention to Swami – “My mother would like me to express our
gratitude for all that Swami is doing for our family”. Swami replied
looking deep into my eyes “When you go home for holidays and your mother
makes various delicacies do you say thanks to your mother?” My reply
was “No Swami”. Swami asked “Is Swami and Mother different?” I quickly
responded, “No Swami.” Thereafter Swami asked me to take Padnamaskar.
One of the most beautiful truths learnt at the Lotus Feet: “Swami is our
Mother”.
On another occasion, during evening Darshan, Swami
asked me “How can you make everybody happy?” Swami continued “When we
have numerous taps in the house, individual connections are not given to
each tap. The overhead tank is filled and when the taps are opened –
either in the kitchen, wash basin or anywhere else, the water flows out
automatically. Similarly, if we make Swami happy, everybody else will be
happy. So focus and put in your efforts to make Swami happy.”
Swami
had once agreed to Bless us all with individual photographs in
Brindavan. Swami had given us a day’s notice and on the said day the
students stood on either side of the Trayee Brindavan lawns. Swami chose
an appropriate spot and got ready for the photograph session. The boys
were standing in a line and they filed in one after another to ensure
that no time was wasted while taking the individual snaps. At this point
when there was a short break in the process due to changing of the
camera roll, Swami remarked “You keep coming and going, but I am
Permanent”- a statement that has been etched in my heart forever.
One
of the defining moments in my life took place when I was working in an
Organisation almost 10 years back. I was given independent charge of a
loss-making unit in the group and was assigned the task of reviving the
unit. I was also given a free hand to change any of the staff so as to
achieve the stated objective of attaining profitability. The impression
from the state of affairs as it existed then was that some of the staff
might have colluded with the previous head. I was a bit anxious about
the assignment but nevertheless with a firm prayer to Swami started my
work.
My involvement with the unit lasted for little more than
21/2 years but by then we had turned profitable, repaid all the
outstanding loans to banks and had declared a dividend for the first
time in two decades. To cap it all we had a very healthy bank balance.
Throughout this phase, I did not change any of the staff or the workers.
In fact, I placed all my faith in them and implemented all their
suggestions.
One of the key personnel I was involved with was an
accountant who was more than 60 years old then. He had retired from
service but I had asked him to continue in order to help me tide over
the crisis. Also, while trying to retain him I just followed the
principle of giving dignity and value for his experience. From the
organisational point of view, I ensured that a second line was in place
and also that his presence did not discourage the youngsters. Most
importantly, the company did not lose out in any way by this
arrangement. The end result was that this gentleman was seated in my
desk one evening and made a statement that was most stunning, “Sir,
Thank you very much. You have behaved in this way because you are a Baba
Student”. In all those years I had never mentioned to any of the staff
in the unit about my academic background or about Swami. I was
dumbstruck and did not know how to respond .After his departure I closed
my eyes and prayed to Swami and offered the words uttered by this
elderly gentleman at His Lotus Feet. Swami’s words came to my mind,
“Thousand eyes are watching you; Thousand ears are hearing your words”.
I
express my gratitude to Swami for having given me an opportunity to
study in His Institute. I also pray to Swami to bless and guide me
always and enable me to be a worthy instrument in His Divine Mission.
I would like to end by quoting Swami’s words…
The Greatest Adventure in Life is to Seek God
The Greatest Romance in life is to Love God
The Greatest Achievement in life is to Realise God.
- Venkatesh Prasad
Department (1990-1992), Department of Management Studies
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning
Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Currently, Independent Financial Services Professional, Bengaluru
- from - Sathya Sai with Students blog.
Link
http://sathyasaiwithstudents.blogspot.in/2014/05/is-swami-and-mother-different-by.html?m=1#.Vy7dI4R97IU
