Bhagawan's Discourse on Doctors Day Celebrations at Brindavan on 5th July 2003

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Bhagawan's Discourse on Doctors Day Celebrations at SAI RAMESH HALL

Brindavan - Bangalore on 5th July 2003

 

SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE IS THE HALLMARK OF A TRUE DOCTOR

 

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

(Text of the Divine Discourse delivered by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba on 5th July 2003 in Sai Ramesh Hall, Brindavan-Bangalore)

 

"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. 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 Bharatiyas 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 in fact there are 326 diseases which haunt man day

in and day out. Excessive vaata, pittha and sleshma (wind, bile and

phlegm) are responsible for various diseases. vaata gives rise to 80

types of diseases, pittha to 82 types and sleshma to 164 types. Such

being the case, how can man enjoy a healthy life? Only when he

develops Atmic Consciousness and distances himself from the adverse

effects of vaata, pittha and sleshma can he be healthy.

 

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 Atma.

 

(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

Atmic principle. It is very 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. It was

impossible to move this way or that way. 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 in order 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 Samsara. 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)

 

Dehabhimana (body consciousness) will disappear once you develop

Daivabhimana (Divine Consciousness). The first step in spiritual

path is to keep body consciousness under check. You are subjected to

misery as you are immersed in body consciousness. Body consciousness

and Atmic consciousness are inversely proportional. Nobody can

escape the consequences of karma (action). Karma is the cause for

birth and death. The Bhagawad Gita declares:

 

(Man has right over action but not over the fruits of action).

Karmanubandheeni Manushya Loke (human society is bound by action).

 

Man should develop Atmic 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 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 human body. One has to face suffering with Atma Balam

(will power).

 

Today, being Doctors' Day, doctors have to set an ideal by infusing

courage and conviction in patients. Doctors, after putting in lot of

efforts, 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 Atmic consciousness and hence am blissful. I teach

everyone, "My dear! don't fall a prey to body attachment; develop

Atmic consciousness and lead a blissful life". Your Aananda (bliss)

is My Aahaara (food) and Aarogya (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 absolutely 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

arises 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

Atmic consciousness. Atma alone is true and eternal. Atma 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.

 

Dr. Sundareshan took great pains to ensure the well-being of Swami.

He was monitoring Swami's progress every moment. I was telling

repeatedly, "Sundareshan, 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 welfare of other patients too. When one of our college

students met with a motorcycle accident, Dr. Sundareshan used to

monitor his 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 Dr.

Sundareshan, 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 least perturbed. One eye is sufficient to

see this wide world.

 

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

 

Dr.Hemanth Murthy (ophthalmic 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 am able to see clearly with both My eyes. With such

doctors around, any surgery can be performed successfully. Eye

surgeons like Dr.Hemanth Murthy and orthopaedic surgeons like

Dr.Sundareshan are few in number 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's

intention is 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

commercializing 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. There are many poor people in our country

who lack the basic necessities of food, raiment 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 praises on our own 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 a

number of 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 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.

Medicine should not be commercialised. It is meant to promote heart

to heart and love to love relationship between doctor and patient. A

true doctor is one who realises this truth and conducts himself

accordingly. One with commercial outlook is not a doctor at all. In

fact, 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 Narayano Harihi (doctor is verily God).

Being the very embodiment of Lord Narayana, doctor should serve

everyone. God is ever engaged in service.

 

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

 

One need not be a doctor in order to serve others. One should help

his fellow beings to the best of his ability. We have established

hospitals at various places like Puttaparthi, Bangalore, 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.

 

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 city regularly and render voluntary service.

 

(The programme concluded with singing of the National Anthem)

 

_________

Aum Sri Sai Ram Prashanti Nilayam Home Page:

http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/