DIVINE DISCOURSE - 12TH NOVEMBER, 2003

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DIVINE DISCOURSE - 12TH NOVEMBER, 2003

 

 

REHABILITATE THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED

 

There is no disease like debt,

 

There is no charity greater than feeding the hungry,

 

There are no greater gods than parents,

 

There is no greater Dharma than compassion,

 

There is no greater gain than the company of the good,

 

There is no enemy greater than anger,

 

There is no wealth greater than good reputation,

 

Bad reputation is death itself,

 

There is no ornament better than the chanting of Gods Name.

 

(Telugu Poem)

 

Embodiments of Love!

 

THE BODY may be handicapped but the Atma does not suffer from any

disability. The Atma is changeless, pure and eternal. One who is

physically challenged need not worry that he does not have a

particular limb and that some calamity has befallen him. Even if you

suffer from a handicap due to loss or deformity of a particular limb,

you must discharge your duties as far as possible. In this way, you

can teach a lesson to those whose limbs function normally, yet they

spend their time in idleness. What work are such people doing? They

join bad company and engage themselves in evil deeds. On the other

hand, there is no scope at all for you to engage yourself in bad

company, bad behaviour and evil deeds. In fact, you must be grateful

to God for having been given such a physical condition that you

engage yourself in continuous prayer to Almighty God. There is not

much difference between those who are physically challenged and those

whose limbs are perfectly normal. The physically challenged may not

be able to engage themselves in certain beneficial activities to

society. But the question arises as to how far the people with normal

limbs are undertaking such beneficial activities. Practically

nothing. Do not be under the impression that possessing a normal body

with all the limbs functioning perfectly invests you with any

greatness. In fact, those who are having a normal body are committing

more sins than the physically challenged. In spite of enjoying

perfect health and all conveniences, they create problems for

themselves as well as for others due to their carelessness and

arrogance.

 

Temporary Charity is of Little Use

 

I am happy that the teachers and the former and present students of

Sri Sathya Sai educational institutions are doing some useful service

to the physically challenged. However, it is not enough if you

undertake such service as a short-term activity limited to one or two

days. I am observing that several of our students are undertaking

some beneficial service activities to society. They are supplying

some useful items like callipers, crutches, tricycles, etc., to the

physically challenged, so that they may be able to attend to their

daily routine. Along with this, it is also necessary to ensure that

these implements continue to function efficiently and be of use to

the beneficiaries since their entire life is dependent on them. For

this purpose, it is necessary to get them serviced and repaired

periodically. Only then will they be of use to the persons concerned.

It may not be possible for you to come and seek My help every now and

then. I, therefore, propose to establish a permanent fund of ten lakh

rupees for this purpose, (loud applause) With this fund, you will be

able to serve the physically challenged on a continuous basis and

thus set an example to others in society.

 

 

 

The parents of the physically challenged may feel "Alas! Our children

are not able to lead a normal life like others; they are not married;

who will marry them?" I wish that you undertake service activities

which will relieve the mental agony of such parents. You must provide

peace and comfort to them by rendering service to their physically

challenged children. Most people have normal limbs. But, of what use

are they? For example, the hands. With these hands, we can undertake

good as well as bad actions. The eyes can be used to see good as well

as bad things. The mind can be filled with good as well as bad

thoughts. Therefore, do not be under the impression that those whose

body, mind and intellect function perfectly normal are all that

great. In spite of their high intellectual abilities, there are

several people among them who misuse their capabilities. I wish that

you, who are physically challenged, should lead your lives in

constant contemplation of God, thus setting an ideal to others.

 

Serve the Physically Challenged on a Continuous Basis

 

The teachers of our Anantapur College have, of course, been

undertaking such useful service activities now and then. But that is

not enough. The implements we supply to the physically challenged '

may require repairs sometimes. You should not rest content with the

mere

 

distribution of these implements. You should also check up

periodically whether they are in good condition; if not, you should

get them repaired immediately. This is your responsibility. I wish

that you should visit these physically challenged people-periodically

on Sundays and holidays and enquire whether the implements are in

working condition and whether they are leading purposeful lives. You

should also counsel the parents of the physically challenged children

and provide them comfort and solace.

 

Some of the physically challenged persons may be homeless. Hence,

they may be roaming about in the streets and market places and

begging for alms. They may even go to the extent of selling away the

implements we supply them, and in a few days come back to square one.

I am of the opinion that whatever service we do must be of lasting

benefit. I am, therefore, prepared to arrange for the construction of

houses for such people. You teachers and students should constantly

monitor the progress of these physically challenged children. There

are several people in the world who perform acts of charity which

meet the immediate needs of the beneficiaries. But that is not

enough. All these activities give only temporary benefit to the

recipients. Unlike these people, you should undertake service

activities which benefit the physically challenged children

throughout their life.

 

Provide Opportunities for the Education of the Physically Challenged

 

There may be some among these 'children who are very enthusiastic to

pursue higher education but they may be lacking the means to do so.

You should encourage such children and provide them necessary help. I

will also provide necessary assistance to them. You ask Me whatever

is needed. I will provide. But one point is to be remembered in this

context. Today several people in the academic field think that they

are highly educated. So, they become egoistic. Bangaru! You should

acquire good education and make good use of it. You should not

develop ego. Only then will your education serve the desired purpose.

 

In spite of his education and intelligence, a foolish man will not

know his true Self and a mean-minded person will not give up his evil

qualities. (Telugu Poem)

 

Modern education leads only to argumentation, not to total wisdom.

What is the use of acquiring education which cannot lead you to

immortality? Acquire the knowledge that will make you immortal.

(Telugu Poem)

 

Today people are not able to derive the real benefit from education

because they indulge in endless argumentation and reasoning. You

should not give scope to such argumentation. Some of the physically

challenged children present here told Me today that they could not

continue their studies after 8th or 9th Class due to lack of

opportunities. If they are enthusiastic to pursue higher education, I

will provide the necessary means. Do not worry. In fact, education is

the real property. It will last forever. Money can be misused or may

be stolen. But education can never let you down. Therefore, pursue

education up to whatever stage you wish to. Make good use of your

education by taking up small jobs in your own village and be helpful

to your parents. Become self-reliant and self-supporting and thereby

provide comfort and solace to your parents. Serve your parents. If

you do so, our purpose behind this endeavour will be served.Your own

life will also become purposeful.

 

!t is true that you undergo some suffering on account of your

physical handicap. I know your suffering. Some of these handicaps may

be for a temporary period and some may be lifelong. Some may also be

due to your recklessness and arrogance. I am seeing several highly

educated persons misusing their education and indulging in evil

deeds. I wish you should not go their way. Whatever education you are

able to acquire make proper use of it by imparting it to the less

privileged and those younger to you. If you wish to take up a job,

certainly you may do so. There is nothing wrong in it.

 

Contemplate on God Constantly

 

Bharat is a great country. It is a sacred land. People born in this

country are really fortunate. But, of what use is all this greatness?

Today nobody cares for the suffering people in this country. There

are several rich people in India but they do not help the suffering

people. To tell the truth, people with virtues are better than people

with wealth. My advice to all of you is that you make proper use of

your limbs and help others. You are really fortunate, my dear ones!

Be constantly in the contemplation of God. It is only God who can

come to your rescue. Without God's help and grace, no one can perform

even a small job. Pray to God both morning and evening "Oh God! May

you help us in sanctifying our bodies by undertaking good

activities." If you pray to Him thus, He will certainly help you. In

fact, the very purpose of God's existence is for helping such noble

souls. He readily responds to the prayers of sincere devotees. He is

the sole refuge of the suffering and forlorn. God is your sole refuge

wherever you may be, be it in a forest or in the sky or in a city or

in a village or on the top of a mountain or in the middle of a deep

sea. (Telugu Poem)

 

After the day's work, before you go to sleep, pray to God, "Swami!

Today I have been able to perform this small Seva with Your grace.

Sanctify this small Seva." Thus, dedicate all your effort to God and

then go to sleep. Similarly, as soon as you get up from your bed pray

again to God, "Oh God! Having given this body to me, please help me

in undertaking activities that would sanctify this body." If you pray

to God thus, He will be pleased and will grant you all the necessary

strength to undertake service activities. Therefore, do not forget

God under any circumstances. He will always be with you and protect

you. Do not ever revile God. Whenever you are in difficulties, you

may condemn your fate out of frustration but never condemn God. Love

God. God is love and love is God. Today love for God has declined.

That is why people are undergoing difficulties in ever so many ways;

you must cultivate love for God and show compassion towards the poor.

If you can cultivate both love and compassion, there cannot be a more

fortunate person than you. One may be a millionaire. One might have

built great mansions. Of what use are they without God's grace?

Hence, pray for God's grace and carry on the service activities to

the extent possible.

 

There is no Greater Service than Helping the Physically Challenged

 

I wish that Jayamma, Warden of the Anantapur College, the teachers

and students undertake more and more such service activities in

future and help the physically challenged lead a normal life in

society. In fact, the purpose of all your education is to serve the

poor and destitute. There is nothing greater and nobler than such

service. Service is the greatest Dharma. It is only service to the

poor and needy that will take you near God. The best way to love God

is to love all and serve all. Hence, love all and serve all. That is

what is ordained for a human being. There is no use merely doing

Japa, Thapa and Namasankirtan. Your life will be sanctified only by

undertaking service to the poor and forlorn. There cannot be a

greater service than this, Bangaru! You are all fortunate that all

your limbs are functioning normally. Therefore, I ordain you to

undertake service to the physically challenged and relieve them of

their frustration and despair. If you really wish to undertake

service, you must undertake such type of service. What is the use of

your serving those who are perfectly healthy and whose limbs are

functioning normally? You have Sundays and holidays. Instead of

sitting idle in the house and spending time in gossiping, you may

visit the villages and give some help to the physically challenged.

If you talk to them lovingly, it will boost their morale. Serve those

people and derive happiness out of your service.

 

Bangaru! You all know I have taken up a project by

name "Deenajanodharana Pathakam" to help the children who lost their

parents. Under this project, we have given shelter to 65 such

children. We provide them food, shelter and clothing. Not only that,

we provide them education to become self-reliant and self-supporting.

For this purpose, we have made a fixed deposit of one lakh rupees in

the name of each of these 65 children. When they grow up and set up

independent family, they can utilise this amount. Thus, whatever help

you wish to render to somebody must be on a permanent basis. You

should not dole out temporary charity. One must be provided with

food, shelter and clothing. I wish that you should undertake such

service lovingly to the poor and forlorn, and encourage them to

become self-reliant. I conclude My Discourse with blessings to all of

you. The beneficiaries of this service activity may go to the

canteen, have sumptuous lunch and then go back to their places

happily.

 

>From Bhagavan's Address to the Physically Challenged in Sai Kulwant

Hall, Prasanthi Nilayam on 12th November 2003.

 

Sourced from Sanathan Sarathi December 2003 Page Nos 373-379

 

In service of Sai

 

Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year

 

Sai Ram

 

Deepak Bharwani

web: http://www.sairam.ar.cx