A Young Boy Helps Build a Hospital

[Guest guest]

A few years ago at the time when preparations were being made to

begin the Super-Specialty Hospital, Bhagavan Baba seemingly had less

time to devote to the young students. Day and night he was busy with

matters relating to the new hospital. Even after the afternoon

darshan he would call together the doctors and discuss the plans for

construction in the most minute detail, as it was to be a model

hospital in every way. Previously after the evening interviews he

would come out and speak to the students and guide them but at this

time he was extremely busy and was unable to see them.

 

There was one very young student who could no longer bear the

separation from his mother Sai. He wrote a letter to Bhagavan one day

and took it during evening darshan but unfortunately he was sitting a

few rows back. When Bhagavan came to his side, the boy got up and

offered his letter to Bhagavan. Bhagavan Baba stopped, leaned over

and made a special effort to take this young boy's letter.

 

To say the least the boy was ecstatic. Then the darshan continued and

as usual Bhagavan called a group of doctors for an interview. All the

students were depressed as they had been deprived of the love of

their mother Sai yet another day. Then after about five minutes to

their utter amazement, the interview room door flew open and Bhagavan

emerged in all his glory, holding a small letter in his hand, the

letter of the young boy. Bhagavan called that young boy to come near

and asked him, " Boy, should I read aloud what you have written to me

in this letter, so that everyone may listen. " The innocent boy

replied. " Whatever you think or wish, Bhagavan " . Bhagavan himself

read the letter aloud so that all could hear. The letter was as

follows:

 

Dear Bhagavan:

 

You have given so much to me and to every one here. you have provided

free education for me and all my brothers and now I hear that you are

constructing a BIG Hospital what will provide the most modern health

care facilities to every section of the society totally free of cost.

 

Bhagavan! I also want to be a part of your glorious mission but I am

just a small boy and I don't know how I can contribute. Bhagavan, my

parents are extremely poor but in spite of that they send me a little

extra pocket money every month. I know it's due to their love and

concern for me.

 

Bhagavan! For the last three months I have not given my clothes to

the dhoby. While all the other boys were sleeping in the night I

washed my clothes and thus I managed to save a little money.

Bhagavan! I have also resisted the temptations of toffees, chocolates

and all the other things and thus managed to save a little money.

 

Bhagavan! I offer this 100 rupee note to you. I feel ashamed and

small to give you so little but even if this money can be used to buy

a small brick for the new hospital, I will be the happiest child in

the world.

 

Your Loving Son

 

You know the twinkle in the eye of a mother when her son does

something that makes her feel extremely proud. Well, that twinkle was

there in Bhagavan's eye. Holding the 100 rupee note in his hand,

Bhagavan said to that young boy, " My dear son, this is not a 100

rupee note for me, this is a note worth millions and millions of

rupees for me. "

 

What do we learn from this? In God's kingdom - power, wealth,

position, status, these are of no importance whatsoever. God only

looks to see whether our heart is pure. God only searches for our

love and devotion.

 

From an article in the monthly magazine, Sanathani Sarathi, February

1995. Published by Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust.

 

" Whatever talent a person has should be dedicated to the rest of

humanity indeed to all living beings. Therein lies fulfillment.

Service to man will help your divinity to blossom, for it will

gladden your heart and make you feel that life has been worth while.

Service to man is service to God, for He is in every man, and every

living being, in every stone and stump. Offer your talents at the

feet of God. "

Sathya Sai Baba

 

Ram Chugani

Kobe, Japan