Living and Learning in the Umbrella of Sai

 Prakash Srinivasan

(Prakash is a student of Swami who did his B.Com(Hons) in Brindavan campus and then his MBA and PG Diploma in Indian Culture and Philosophy in Prashanthi Nilayam. During his student days, Prakash had the good fortune of being a Mandir bhajan singer and has enjoyed singing for our Lord many times. A passionate lover of music, food and nature- Prakash is currently heading the European system operations for Hewlett Packard(HP) from the Bangalore office. His enthusiasm, humour and cheerfulness are contagious. In this article, Prakash shares his insights on cinema and how movies can deeply affect our daily life).

One of the best things to happen to me was that I got an opportunity to study in Sri Sathya Sai University.  I learnt a lot of things during my 6 year stay there and I will briefly recollect as to how it helps me in life (not just worklife) everyday. It has completely changed the way I look at things and has given me a lot of self-satisfaction and made life more fulfilling.

1.      COMMUNITY LIVING: One of the greatest lessons that Swami taught us was to live in unity and to live as a large family. The adage “Vasudeiva Kutumbakam” is practiced in its own unique way in all Sai institutions. Right from the hostel dormitories where 8-12 of us share the room to the self-reliance activities, we are taught to be part of a team where we work with many hostel mates. The best practical education is what you learn by seeing others. it is very tangible and directly registers in our brains without us needing to remember anything.  Moreover the environment is such that there is a lot of knowledge-sharing and people are more than willing to help you to learn. Be it organizing a music program, Ganesha chariot making, Sports Meet practice - we can learn so many things by working in wonderful teams. I feel that was a perfect team because all of us had a common objective of pleasing Swami. In a corporate context, we never feel out of place and we are able to contribute to the “teamspirit.”

2.      HUMILITY: There is no better place to learn humility. We may be very talented and accomplished but we learn to keep ourselves grounded and be thankful to God for He chose us to showcase that talent. However talented or accomplished one maybe, all are treated with equal respect and everyone moves with you irrespective of the tags attached to you.  This lesson is extremely important for life because ultimately we should not let the accolades and achievements affect the person that we actually are. We also need to respect others for what they are. This lesson also ensures we do not get carried away and work on constantly improving ourselves.

3.      RESPECT FOR THE ARTS: Being an amateur singer, this had a fantastic impact on me. In Sai institutions, all kinds of arts are encouraged and there are ample opportunities for talented artists (music/fine arts etc) to display their talent. Personally for me, it has helped me appreciate music (my first love) much better. It has ingrained in me such a fine music sense that I am able to appreciate many genres of music and derive great joy! I have also seen such extraordinarily talented musicians, artists that it has helped to benchmark myself much higher rather than being content with mediocrity.

4.      THINKING OF SOCIETY: This is related to the first point but also has a larger perspective. Swami has set such a precedent in this area that its quite impossible for any human to equal it. Every action that we take, we need to see how we can do it in such a way that it helps the larger interest of society. I am able to practice this almost on a daily basis, starting from mundane activities like buying something to more complex ones. For e.g. I like to buy vegetables from poor vegetable vendors whose margins are pretty slim compared to the super market and I do not bargain much. Also, I read a lot about some corporate doing some significant activities (like Birla foundation of Aditya Birla Group or Tatas building a free Cancer hospital) and I try to ensure I can give them some business. This may sound a little funny and may look like too much extrapolation but psychologically I feel more satisfied in contributing to someone who is trying to do some good. Also it has helped me to count my blessings because now I know that I have SO MUCH that most others don’t have at all. There is no reason for me to be unhappy when God has given me everything I need in life and I also recognize that I may need to sacrifice some of my wants so that I can help someone else fulfill their needs.

5.      ACHIEVING BALANCE IN LIFE: Swami has taught us to lead a balanced life which I understand as doing everything in moderation and giving things the place they deserve. For e.g. money is a very important thing but not as important as ethics and values. The integrated education program has taught me the importance of being fit (though people seeing me now would dispute it), of controlling our emotions and not jumping to conclusions. It has immensely helped me in becoming a better person (not allowing my office frustrations to reflect at home). I have also learnt to respect the other person’s point of view though I may not agree with them fully. I have learnt patience (extremely important today) and I recognize that there will be moments when I have to be very patient as things are not in my control.

6.      RESPECT FOR NATURE: This is extremely important but grossly undervalued. In practical terms, it has helped me live in a more “ecofriendly manner.” I ensure that I do not waste any resources and I am extremely careful about using water and electricity as we cannot take them for granted. I also avoid using plastics, practice better garbage management thro composting etc.

To sum up, I feel very humbled and fortunate that I was able to live in an ecosystem that fostered the best things that one can ask for and it has helped me in becoming a better human being (one who tries to be the best he/she can in all areas of life).

HANUMAN- A role Model for all Ages

By  K. Vinod Cartic

(Vinod completed his B.Tech from IIT Madras and did his MBA from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, PuttaparthiHe is currently working as an independent consultant while he spends most of his free time carrying forward Swami’s directions of starting an orphanage.)

The Indian epics are treasure houses of values and character which they illustrated through the lives of noble characters.

Among all these characters, Lord Hanuman occupies a special place in the hearts of all children. The aspirations of a child of eating that fiery apple in the sky or the superhuman abilities of flight, changing one’s size, invincibility and unassuming innocence - all add to the matchless aura of Lord Hanuman.

Hanuman writing Rama's name on stones to make them float

The discussion on whether Hanuman lived in reality or is the hero of a fiction is an unending debate. Some treat him as an epic writer’s figment of imagination; to others like me, He is a historic exemplar of devotion. Nevertheless, this debate on the veracity of history is far less important than the virtues that Hanuman epitomizes and this article is dedicated to my understanding of some of these special virtues which are worthy of emulation.

Unassuming humility: Isaac Newton once remarked that he had merely touched the edge of science and the vast ocean of knowledge lay in front of him, unexplored. The more one knows, the more he realizes what a small fraction it is of the whole. The dawn of this realization can only simultaneously usher in a feeling of complete humility. Hanuman was the master of the eight siddhis (attainments). Yet, with His mastery over innumerable sciences every action of his reflected modesty.

Love and Dedication to Lord Rama in action: We all live in a techno era and even feelings have become artificial and digital. Our sense of love and devotion remains confined to the precincts of the temple or the joy of our dreams and visions. One of the easiest things for us to do is to sing “Humko tumse Pyaar Kitna , Sai Tumhi Jaante” and then lead life with little semblance to what we poured out to Swami in Sai Kulwant hall. Devotion too has been commoditized and our love too is mostly the outburst of impulse. We all love talking about Swami, hearing experiences, patting each other on the back for a well written experience and so on. However, in my opinion, the hallmark of a champion is consistency irrespective of the field of endeavour. It may be sports or music or education or devotion- the test of genuine greatness is steadiness. Indeed Sai hi Jaanta hai ( Sai alone knows) whether we do love Him for it often remains so obscure that it barely finds expression in any avenues other than a shrine. Hanuman stands as a stark contrast to this trend. Remembrance of God and the performance of His work were simultaneous and continuous. He awaited the slightest opportunity to fulfill the Lord’s command and persevered with a passion for excellence. Swami says: Love inevitably expresses itself in Seva. The love that finds no expression in the form of action arouses doubts on the very existence of that love. For how could we be lax about something very dear to us? The most convenient line of thought that we tend to apply in Swami’s work is that Swami will definitely grace us and we have to wait for His time. However, this spirit of surrender is commendable only if we apply it to all aspects of our life ranging from food to medical emergencies. In personal matters, we leave no stone unturned to achieve our limited ends…..then why this selective faith and surrender in only His given tasks. Planning, implementation and closure of the task should actually necessitate greater detail and care if it is His work. Swami always insisted on doing one’s very best and then leaving the result in God’s hand.

Setting Lanka on fire with his tail

Courage/Fearlessness: Swami Vivekananda remarked –“The first sign of spirituality is fearlessness”. Fear and spirituality are as opposed to each other as darkness and light. When sent as an emissary of peace to Ravana’s court, Hanuman tried his level best to make Ravana see sense. At the same time when Ravana refused to heed his words of wisdom and kindness, Hanuman decided to show him the courage and valour that only truth can demonstrate. When Ravana set fire to his tail, Hanuman used the same fire to set Lanka ablaze. It was not a matter of vengeance but a mere demonstration of fearlessness and a final bid to show Ravana the damage that Lord Rama could do in war, when his mere servant was able to set Lanka aflame. Many of us are faced with similar situations when the world confronts us with challenges when corruption and greed seem to be the only way out. At such times, are we able to stand upright and fearlessly face the obstacles? Do we succumb to the tests as ‘Yuga dharma’ ( the way the world runs today) or do we courageously stand up for what is right? Undoubtedly, the latter path implies delays, further obstacles and possibilities of displeasing the powerful and greedy—but isn’t that exactly what Hanuman did?

Wise Counsel and Patience: Hanuman is often viewed as a powerful person but few have appreciation for the enormous patience that he exhibited.  Hanuman was invincible in war and on numerous occasions, he could have fought with Vali ( the monkey king) who exiled Sugreeva ( Hanuman’s friend and Vali’s brother). Vali had also ill treated the family of Sugreeva. However, Hanuman tried patience and making Vali see good sense. Vali was unwilling to relent though Hanuman impressed on him the need for patience and willingness to understand. Vali kept on harbouring his misunderstandings and finally Hanuman was forced to leave Vali. At the end, Vali- earlier a valiant hero- had to meet with infamy and sudden death at the hands of Lord Rama. A person who could have been a precious instrument in the Lord’s hand let his ego, false understanding and arrogance destroy him. Vidura too was faced with such a predicament in Mahabharatha wherein he was forced to leave the Kauravas when they did not heed his wise counsel. Vibhishana had to leave Ravana when the latter failed to understand the genuine concern in Vibhishana’s wise words. Life often places such situations before us, where people decide that they will not understand even the best intentions of those around them. As if inviting their own doom, they doubt, misread and disrespect the goodness of others. It takes enormous patience to deal with someone who has pre-decided to misinterpret the goodness of others, more so, when the other is dear to oneself and yet unwilling to relent. The life of Hanuman goes to show how to deal with such situations. Be patient and when the situation does not improve despite all one’s efforts, one must leave the place praying that the concerned people may see good sense. In such cases, leaving the person is not a sign of deserting them, but the only alternative when one sees impending doom – a final desperate hope that it may make the person in question see the light.

In all these cases, Hanuman lived the statement: Follow the master, face the devil, fight to the end, and finish the game. The combination of invincible power and ability made him a natural leader in the Vanara army and yet He was subservient to the wishes of the voice of the conscience represented by Lord Rama.

Even as every child looks at the sun and wonders whether the sun in the vast skies is an apple that it could eat, it is a reminder of the Hanuman in each of us. Let’s stay awake to the wisdom and inner strength and attain our true potential as Divine beings.