PROF ANIL KUMAR ... SEVENTH EPISODE TO 10TH EPISODE

[Guest guest]

Seventh Episode

Cured of Heart Disease

Now, the seventh episode: There is one student here who you must have observed. He’s a Sikh boy, of the Sikh philosophy. Not ‘sick’. It is ‘Sikh’, a follower of Guru Nanak. When I say he is a Sikh boy, don’t feel that he is a hospitalised fellow, no! (Laughter) I mean Sikh, like Sardarji. You must have seen this one student. That day Swami asked him to speak. So, the boy began speaking.

Well, the Sikhs have very good, well-built bodies. Most of them are in the North (a wheat-eating place), in the border areas, protecting this country.

The boy said, “Twenty-three years ago an old lady visited this Prashanti Nilayam along with her little grandson. Why? To receive Baba’s blessings. What happened there?â€

“The doctors said that this little grandson had a hole in his heart, and that he must be operated upon. The doctors also said that this little boy had no hopes of survival even after the operation. So, this old lady, the grandmother, prayed to God, ‘Swami, you should save my grandson because the doctors said the situation is critical, and all the doctors have confirmed it is a heart problem.’â€

“Swami blessed and gave vibhuthi to that little child. The child was cured because of the vibhuthi. That little boy has grown up and completed his schooling. He completed his college studies and that little boy is the one talking to you now,†he said. “The one whom you see now is the very same boy who was cured of heart disease 23 years ago, when he came along with his grandmother to visit Swami. That is the power of Sai vibhuthi.â€

And further, as I said earlier, most of the Sardarjis are army people.

He said, pumping his chest, “Look here, I declare that Guru Nanak and Sai Baba are one and the same! The head of a strict philosophy - Guru Nanak, and Baba, yes, I say that. I declare it.â€

All clapped in joy.

And then Swami said, “Hey boy, nice talk, good! Hmm. I know your father is in the Kashmir area. Now a lot of fighting is going on there. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of him, don’t worry!â€

And then He turned to every one of us and said, “Hey, poor fellows! Do you think there will be a war now? No, no! No war will take place now. Don’t be afraid of that. It is only a threat -- a war threat -- but not actual war.â€

“Nothing will happen to your father. He will come for Swami’s Darshan next month, don’t worry.â€

That’s what Bhagavan told him, “Be happy.â€

This is an incident of the miracle of the boy and Swami’s blessing to the boy’s father, working in the border area, protecting this country.

 

Eighth Episode

Examinations Are Advanced

Now, we think of the eighth episode: He asked another MBA boy to speak. His name is Sashank. This boy spoke in front of Swami for the first time -- quite fair enough, with big eyes, nice to look at -- a boy from the city, delicate, quite sensitive, well dressed and handsome too.

The boy began talking like this, “I wanted to be a student of Sathya Sai University. It had been my long-cherished dream and a desire. But I could not get admission all these years, though I really wanted to be here. There is one genuine reason. I was a student of Bombay University. After the examinations, by the time the results were announced at Bombay University, the classes would begin here at Sathya Sai University. So, I had no chance to apply because the examination needed to be completed there and the results published before I could apply here. Only then it would be possible to join here. So, it was not possible. I was very desperate. I was very disappointed.â€

Then that boy said, “Look here, my friends. The Bombay University has five lakhs students on its rolls. It is one of the oldest universities in this country. In response to my prayers, for the first time, examinations were advanced -- for the first time!â€

In India, examinations are always postponed. (Laughter) Of course, boys want total cancellation (more laughter) – but that’s only a dream. It will never happen! But here, for the first time, examinations were advanced. So, he could write his examination, appear for the entrance test, get the seat and then talk to everybody. Really, can you imagine a university advancing examinations? It never happens! Believe it or not, it did happen.

And the boy said, “The whole thing happened because of my prayers to Bhagavan.â€

Reversing the Train

Here my friends, I may tell you a personal story. I was travelling from Hyderabad by train. And I have this weakness -- I lose track of the time when I start speaking about Swami. This is my weakness, but I can't help it. It is too late to repent or correct it, and I feel it’s not necessary! Why? When devotees are so eager to hear me, when I have so much stuff with me, why can't I share it? After all, it doesn’t matter.

So one time, it so happens, I was travelling by train and somebody -- the stationmaster, said, “Anil Kumar, I heard that you gave a beautiful talk this evening in the city. I could not attend the meeting because, as you see, I'm on duty. Why don’t you have a cup of coffee?â€

He asked me into his air-conditioned office. There was some time before the train was due to arrive, so I accepted his offer and was enjoying the coffee. I always like a hot cup of coffee. (Laughter)

As I was drinking the cup of coffee, that man said, “What did you speak about? What was the topic?†That was enough for me! (Laughter)

Then I began to speak. (Laughter) Suddenly, that man looked at his watch and said, “Anil Kumar, I think it’s time for the train. Let’s go and check.â€

We both went to the platform and found that the train had not only arrived, but it was also in the process of leaving the platform.

“Ah-re, what a fool I am! The train left already.â€

Then I told the stationmaster, “Sir, you are responsible. I have to wait for the next train. That train may arrive, or it may not. Trains always run late here -- that is 'punctuality'. So what is it I can do?â€

That man said, “Don’t worry, Sir!â€

I replied, “Sir, it is very nice for you to say, ‘Don’t worry’, however, I have to ‘bear the cross’.â€

I was feeling so badly. “Swami, please help me because I must go to the college. Please help me!â€

To the best of my knowledge, it never happened before. For the first time, the train started reversing! (Laughter) I never saw a train reversing. It came back and stopped. I got in the train – yes! -- and then it started moving again.

“Baba, hey! You are capable of reversing the train also! Ah!â€

It has happened in my case, so I am the witness. Most of the people will tell you this story if you talk with them. There is one place by name Kajipet near Hyderabad -- all of them there speak about this miracle. It happened. The train that had left the station began reversing. That happened, yes!

 

Ninth Episode

I Want Your Love

And the ninth episode -- what happened was this: Swami sat there on the chair with a bunch of letters, and then He said, “Hmm. Pick up this letter.â€

I picked up that letter.

“See what is there inside.â€

I opened the envelope and saw a cheque for Rps. 37,500. It was a check sent by a student to Bhagavan. It was his first month’s salary, as a token of love and gratitude.

Swami said, “The boy who has sent the cheque is also here, but I won’t tell his name because that boy will feel embarrassed. He will start crying. I won't tell his name, but look here, boys and teachers! I'm telling you now. Hear me! I don’t want your cheques; I don’t want your money. This is not the thing that I want from you.

I want your Love. I want your Love, that’s all. And this Love is not your property. I gave you this Love at the time of your birth. You are born with Love. Why? It is My gift to you. So I want you to give Me that which I gave you. Give it back to Me, that’s all. Not the money. I don’t want anything.â€

And then what happened? He tore up that cheque! He tore it into a number of pieces, and He went on tearing it.

Then I laughed and said, “Swami, one tear is enough! (Laughter) You don’t need to make so many pieces like that. If you tear it once, that’s enough. The cheque is invalid.â€

Then He laughed, “I'm doing it to let you know how I dislike these things.†(Laughter)

My friends, what is the position today in society, all over the world? Many gurus want money. Most of the gurus all over the world give discourses in the name of spirituality, and collect money. But here is a place, Prashanti Nilayam, where there is only one God, by the name of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who says: “I don’t want your money, no! I want your Love.†This is really unique.

 

Tenth Episode

Two Muslim Boys

The tenth episode: Here in Sathya Sai University, we have students of all religions. There are two Muslim boys here.

Swami called one boy, “Hmm, what is your name?â€

He said his name.

“Hmm, good!â€

He waved His hand and materialised a chain for him. It was a gold chain, and at the centre there was a crescent -- a half-moon of diamonds with a star, which is the symbol for Muslims. Because this boy was a Muslim, He gave him the symbol of the Islamic faith.

And then, He looked at me and said, “Did you see that?â€

“Swami, I saw it.â€

“What did you see?â€

“Swami, I saw the crescent and the star -- the symbol of Islamic faith.â€

“Hmm, come here, come here. Take it. See what is written on the reverse side of the locket. It is written in English -- read it!â€

‘Allah Bismilah’ was written on the reverse. It means ‘Have faith in God.’

And Baba said, “You see, I promote, I encourage, all religions. All religions are Mine. I don’t believe in conversions. I don’t believe in changing your religion. Follow your own religion -- you will reach Me.â€

That is what Bhagavan has said.

And then He called another Muslim boy and He said, “Boy, are you feeling jealous that I gave him a chain? Jealousy?â€

The boy replied, “No, Swami.

“Don’t worry.†And then, He materialised a ring for this boy -- a chain for one Muslim boy and a ring for another Muslim boy. So, He made everybody happy that day.

That’s the reason why, during bhajans, we sing loudly:

Sarva Dharma Priya Deva,

Sathya Sai Deva.

Allah Yesu Buddha aur Nanaka

Have you not heard that song, “Sarva Dharma Priya Deva� It means “Oh God, all religions are Yours. All religions are acceptable to You.†That is the substance of that song.

Ram ChuganiKobe, Japan