Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage;

Not by the study of scriptures, nor by Japa

Can one cross the Ocean of Life:

Darmaartha Kaama Mokshaanaam Aarogyam Moolamuttamam.

Health is the fundamental and supreme requirement to achieve each of the four goals of human life: Dharma (righteousness), Artha (wealth), Kaama (desire), and Moksha (liberation). Health is necessary to do anything in life. Good health is mahabhagyam (the greatest good fortune), the best over all other fortunes.

God is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is the principal presence (Amsham) of every being: "Mamaivaamso Jeevalokey Jeevabhootha Sanaathana (The eternal atma in all beings is a part of My Being)." God has bestowed certain powers to each of His beings. However, He has entrusted greater powers to human beings. Man’s physical strength is limited, but God has endowed him with manashakti (immense mind power). If the mind is resolved man can attain anything and can win at any task. There is nothing in this world that man cannot achieve with his will power. Man has reached the moon, draining all his resources, but has he travelled half an inch into his own heart? No, he hasn’t. It is maanasika shakthi (the mind power) that helps man to journey within, into the subtler aspects of the heart. The immense power of the mind should be utilised properly in spirituality. But man is bothered by hardships, suffering and misery, because he has no comprehensive knowledge of his own powers.

One needs a mirror to see one’s reflection. Likewise, man can understand his powers in totality only when he observes himself in the mirror of divinity. When a piece of wood is put in fire, fire enters the piece, and it too becomes fire. ‘Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavathi. (The knower of Brahman verily becomes Brahman.)’ When you come close to or associate yourself with God you can achieve anything. If a drop of water is put on your palm it evaporates after a time. But when a drop of water is put in an ocean it merges in the ocean, becoming one with it. The associations that we keep should be noble. Hence it is said ‘Tell me your company; I shall tell you what you are.’ You become divine if you associate yourself with Divinity.

In God’s proximity, there is nobody without divine power; in fact, everyone has them equally. But man does not visualise, understand and realise his latent strength. As a result, he leads a miserable life.

‘Anoraneeyaam Mahato Maheeyan. (Brahman is subtler than the subtlest and vaster than the vastest.)’ Though God is so great, He too has some ‘desires’. Everyone should understand this in proper perspective: What does God desire?

When Kuchela approached Lord Krishna in anticipation of some monetary help he was conferred wealth and prosperity in abundance. Krishna, ‘expecting’ something in return, asked, "Kuchela, what have you brought for me? Offer Me some beaten rice." It was the desire of God! Krishna acted thus only to confer His grace on Kuchela and redeem his life.

Further, as Vamana Avatar, the Almighty Lord sought three footsteps of land in charity from Emperor Bali. Was it not ‘begging’? However, it was only to redeem an individual’s life.

Krishna always went to the Gopikas’ houses after His play, tired and hungry. He asked the Gopikas to give Him something to eat. They always wondered how could the Lord of the universe be hungry and wondered how to satiate his hunger. They would ask in all humility, do we have anything that could be offered to you? Krishna said, "A glass of butter milk would do." Gopikas then prayed to Krishna:

Brahmaandamanthata prabhalu chundedi tanaku,

Aaalayambuna maccha lariyaguna?

Koti Suryula kaanthi meti galgina meeku,

Pramida deepamunevvaru pattagalaru?

Bramhaanda manthayu bojjaolo unnatti,

Pajjamakjam meeku pettadagunaa?

How can anyone build a temple for You?

For You pervade the whole universe.

How can anyone light a wick lamp before You?

For Your brilliance is that of a billion suns.

Is it possible to serve you delicacies?

For you sustain the entire universe in your stomach.

It is only to redeem the devotees that God desired, in the bygone ages.

In the dense forests, when the Pandavas were living on just roots and leaves, Krishna went to Draupadi and said, "Sister, I am hungry, please give Me some food." Draupadi mildly chided Krishna, "Don’t You know! Have You thought that I am in Hastinapura, to give you whatever you ask? I am in the forest eating roots and leaves. What food can I offer you?" Krishna replied, "Look into the vessels that you have cleaned. Even a particle of food could fill my stomach." Draupadi, obeying Krishna, found a small leaf (balusaaku) and was happy to offer it to Him. Krishna then said, "Draupadi, your devotion is ideal. Let the food multiply (Akshaya)."

With the minutest leaf not only Krishna but the thousands of disciples accompanying Durvasa (the guest-in-waiting) were free of hunger.

God, in order to establish ideals in the world, has stooped to ask His devotees, for something pretending desire. It is not in wanting, God does not lack anything. It is only to redeem the individual, to bestow merit on the giver’s hand.

Hasthasya Booshanam Daanam.

Kantasya Booshanam Shastram.

Srothasya Booshnam Sravanam.

Charity is the ornament for hand.

The Scriptures are the ornaments of the voice organ.

Listening to Sruti or Vedas are the true ornaments of the ear.

For every act there is an associative value of happiness and beauty. Hence, all God’s desires are only for others’ happiness, convenience, fortune and transformation.

You know the story of Laila and Majnu. Majnu was noble but poor, whereas Laila was rich. Her riches did not come in her way to love Majnu and decide to marry him. However, she wanted to be sure of Majnu’s love for her, and that her riches were not the motivation for his love. In order to test Majnu, Laila sent two of her maids to him. The maids, as ordered, went to Majnu and said that Laila was sick and needed his blood for the cure. Majnu nonchalantly offered, "Why only some blood? I will offer all the blood in my body for her. All I wish is her well-being." The maids conveyed his words to Laila who recognised his love to be deeper than hers. "I am proudly flaunting my love for him, but how valuable and noble is his love!" she ruminated. So too, when God ‘desires’, people underestimate the act as mean. It is wrong, for God does not desire for Himself, but for the sake of His devotees. It is always for the sake of ‘others’. You should understand this truth.

It was Dr. Rajeswari who started this hospital [Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Whitefield]. She was the mother of C. Srinivas (member, Central Trust) She had worked in many countries. She often told me, "Swami, Srinivas should become highly educated and receive degrees from A to Z." I told her "Don’t worry about his studies. If he is interested, he will do well." She was full of love and cared for everybody. She started this hospital in a small room and gradually expanded it to its present magnitude. Every year she would add a new department. Hence the rapid development of this hospital. Though the name ‘General Hospital’ is generic; advance treatments are rendered here. How then can this be a small hospital? Surely it looks small in size but the services extended here are great.

The doctors serving in the hospital are highly qualified and reputed. They have left everything behind them to come here and render selfless service. Not everyone is bent on such sacrifice, and is not an appealing idea to everyone. ‘Na Karmana Na Prajaya Dhanena Thyagenaikena Amrutatthwamanasu. (Immortality is not attained through actions, progeny, or wealth. It is attained only by sacrifice.)’ Very few are endowed with this nectarine quality of sacrifice. The doctors at the hospital travel down here to serve the people of the surrounding villages. Fostering and being responsible for the villagers’ health is the greatest good fortune for the doctors. In the present world scenario doctors crave after money. But here the doctors care least for money.

Their only aim, imbued with noble feelings and purity of heart, is to cure the diseases of the patients, to serve them and experience the happiness therefrom. With such doctors in service, there can be no better model than this hospital. One may build big hospitals; we too have constructed the Super Specialty Hospitals, but they are limited in their reach-out, specialising in the treatment of a few ailments. But at this hospital every ailment of every limb and part of the body, is treated in full; with lofty ideals and with love. Come here on a morning, you will see the poorest of the poor; it is they who most need our love and care. The service should be rendered with the spirit: "Neither by progeny, action or wealth, is immortality obtained, but by sacrifice." That spirit is not found in performing yagna or yaaga. For whose sake would you perform these rituals, for you or for God? God doesn’t need any. You perform them for your self-interest, not for the good of the world. In fact only God can foster and benefit the world. It is only God who sustains and keeps the world happy.

With His limbs, eyes, ears, mouth and head,

God pervades the universe completely.

He alone can provide wholesome physical, mental and spiritual strength. Some may have excessive physical strength but are weak in mind power. A few others may enjoy a strong mind but are physically weak.

A perfect man is one who is strong

Physically, mentally and spiritually.

‘The proper study of mankind is man.’ He alone is a true human being who is pure at thought, word and deed. It is with this unity that the doctors of the hospital render service. Dr. Rajeswari used to work day and night at the hospital. I often advised her "Rajeswari, it is possible for you to serve only when you are in good health. So rest well." She would humbly say, "Swami, my rest? Serving them [the sick] is my rest." She worked with zeal and secretly wished to die serving at the hospital, and so it did happen. She breathed her last at the hospital while doing some work, sitting in her chair. From then on Dr. Savitri took the mantle and spiritedly continues to serve the patients day and night. Dolly too, like Savitri, has been rendering noble service.

In addition to these doctors, many specialists come from the [Bangalore] city to serve at the hospital. The doctor who compeered today’s programme is an orthopaedic surgeon. Before coming here, he worked in America. All these doctors have come here to serve. In fact they serve beyond their capacities, unmindful of themselves. Fostering love is My desire. Such an exemplary love should manifest in every doctor; they should never leave patients uncared for, but talk to them with love and comfort them. The doctors need to have the noble qualities of adjustment and understanding.

As I gave away the mementoes to the doctors today, one doctor who came in the end did not receive the memento. Immediately, another doctor who observed that there weren’t any more mementoes, brought his memento to Me to be given to that doctor. What a noble act is this! These doctors willingly sacrifice to keep others happy. Love alone sustains the world. Love is God; live in Love. Without love there isn’t any humanness. Where is God? Not in the form of Vishnu, Shiva and others. He is in Love, for God is Love. Live in Love: Start the day with Love; spend the day with Love; fill the day with Love; end the day with Love. This is the way to God.

The doctor has demonstrated such a spirit of love in your immediate presence, though none has noticed the act except Me. Not every doctor has such a spirit of sacrifice, though they would have received greater awards, name and fame. But our doctors work without advertising themselves or their service. Their motive is not to attain name and fame but only to render service. The hospital has earned a notable good reputation only due to such doctors.

I have noticed the constraint of space here, at the hospital. The five acres of land is fully occupied with various buildings including four operation theatres. And there isn’t any space for another structure.

Hence, early this morning, I laid the foundation stone for a new general hospital in a ten-acre land donated by Adikesavulu [a philanthrophic industralist and longtime devotee]. The Chief Minister of Karnataka also attended the function. In fact, I am not interested in laying foundation, just placing a stone and doing nothing thereafter. I am interested only in inaugurations. I have instructed to get the hospital functioning from November 23.

You may wonder what would happen to this hospital. This hospital is very important. The idea of this hospital was like a banyan seed and now it has grown into a huge gigantic tree, and will continue to grow. Whereas the new general hospital would render transplant services for various physical ailments, this hospital here will serve a greater purpose, that I always held important, a centre for mother and childcare.

My opinion is that mother and childcare should be given top priority. How can the world exist without them? Today, there is a laxity in the care of the mother towards her child and the love of the grown up child for its mother. Children are born but live without their mothers’ love. There have been such cases even in previous ages.

Gandhari blindfolded herself and lived that way as her husband, Dhritarashtra, was blind by birth. Though she had hundred sons she did not see them. After the war, when all the sons were killed, Krishna went to console her. In that moment of despair and anguish she was furious at Him. She questioned Him, "Krishna, could You not save even one of our sons to at least perform our final rites. How is it that Your benevolent vision wasn’t upon my sons?" Krishna then replied, "Mother, did you ever see any of your children? How could My Grace be upon these who weren’t fortunate even to receive the protective look and grace of their mother?" One who cannot win his mother’s love cannot attain Divine grace. So firstly, become the recipients of mother’s love. That is why the Vedas declare: ‘Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava. (Mother is God, Father is God. Preceptor is God. Guest is God.)’

Mother is the first person in every one’s life. The Kauravas, not having received their mother’s love, could in no way receive God’s love.

Arjuna had prayed Krishna to turn his chariot away from the battlefield: he couldn’t bear to fight his own kin.

Indari Guru Putrulanu champi bharinchutetulo.

Na kannlu tiruguchunnavi kaalamugadapaka kadalumu intikin.

How can I bear to kill so many of the sons of my preceptors?

I am dizzy, and want to return home and not spend any more time here.

He repeatedly questioned, "Why do I fight in this battle? What do I gain? Should I rule a kingdom over the death of my kith and kin? I do not want the battle." It is because of the men of sacrifice that the country Bharath enjoys peace and prosperity. The spirit of sacrifice, righteousness and truth are not found in any other country as they are in Bharath. It is such a sacred land, and a land of Tyaga (sacrifice), Yoga (spirituality), Karma (good action) and Yajna (ritualistic worship). The modern youth are converting this sacred land into bhoga bhoomi (land of pleasure). The happiness that you experience from Tyaga cannot be obtained from Bhoga (pleasure). Bhoga leads to Roga (disease) and Tyaga develops Yoga. Hence, give out your knowledge, energy and education in sacrifice, for the welfare and happiness of others. It is to this purpose that you need your education and not to sell it and make a living. It should be aimed to help people who in turn will make their lives useful to others, at least to a few.

When doctors serve a mother and child, not only are they happy at that moment but also remember the doctor’s service throughout their lives. In India, we should make every effort to safeguard and nurture the tender relation between the mother and a child.

You may know the story of the mother and child who walked their way from Rangoon to Chennai during the Second World War. The boy was small; so the mother made him sit under the shade and went out begging door to door. Whatever food she could gather for the day she shared it with the son. After a time, the collected food would suffice only the child, and the mother slept hungry. She became weak and couldn’t walk. The son observed his mother’s plight and said, "Mother, I know you serve me all the food you get for the day and yourself stay hungry and go to sleep. From this day on, I will go out and get you food." He went to an officer’s house. The officer was reading his daily newspaper sitting in the veranda. The boy cried out, "Please give me food, I am hungry." The officer was a kind man. He invited the boy to the veranda and told him to sit so that he could serve him food there itself. The boy said, "I do not want to eat, I will take it home." The officer was annoyed and questioned him, "If you are really hungry, why not eat here? Why take it home?" The boy persisted, "No, no, I will not eat it here, I will carry it home." Saying this, the boy fell on the ground. As the officer quickly went up to him, he could hear the words, "First to mother, then for me. First for mother, then for me." He died with these words on his lips. Where do you find such exemplary sons? Search for such sons today in Bharath and you won’t find even one in a crore. Today’s youth enjoy the benefits of their parents’ toil. This is not the culture of Bharath. You should revere Mother as God. You should nurture a sacred heart, and stand out as men of sacrifice. You are benefitted only when you make a sacrifice.

Since ancient times, the culture of Bharath has taught ‘Sathyam Vada, Dharmam Chara. (Speak the truth and practise righteousness.)’ Humanity has blossom only through this principle. Sathyam (Truth) reflects Neethi (Morality), Dharma (Righteousness) is the Reeti (Procedure) and Tyaga (Sacrifice) confers Khyati (Fame). The human race is the embodied form of the trio: Sathya, Dharma and Tyaga.

While humanity has to tread this path, it has lost its Neethi (Morality) and Nijayathi (Truthfulness). What does one live for without these qualities? Of what avail is your education and your status? You need not globe trot, you have all the powers within you. Make this your armour and lead a life of truth, righteousness and sacrifice. There is no greater life worthier than this.

Wherever you come across a person who suffers, make effort to soothe his suffering. It was in this earnest effort that Dr. Rajeswari had utilised all her financial resources. She was eager and restless in continually introducing new departments. After her demise, Dr. Savitri has continued the good work, working tirelessly day and night, at times even forgoing her food. I told her that it wasn’t good on her part to drain herself out, and took a promise from her that she would take her food in time.

All the doctors at the hospital, though they wouldn’t tell anyone about this, do not accept even a naya paisa. It has been 25 years this way, neither the in-house doctors nor the visiting doctors ever accept any money. Moreover they spend their resources silently on their patients. There are innumerable doctors in the country, but they are only after money and fame. On the contrary, the doctors here run out to help, in compassion and concern for patients. They come from various places every week, serve and then leave contented.

Na Tapaamsi, Na Tirthanaam.

Na Shaastranaam, Japaanahi.

Samsaara Saagarodhaarana Sajjanam Sevanam vina.

Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage;

Not by the study of scriptures, or by japa;

Can one cross the ocean of life.

Through no other path can they do so,

But serving the good people.

He alone is a true doctor who serves patients in this spirit. ‘Vaidya Narayano Hari. (The doctor is verily God.)’ What does Lord Narayana do? He helps everyone. Likewise, the vaidya narayanas (doctors with divine attributes) at the hospital render great service and bring good name to the institution.

Whenever a need arises these doctors immediately go over to Prasanthi Nilayam to offer their service. The Super Speciality Hospital at Puttaparthi houses the departments of Cardiology, Urology, Nephrology and Ophthalmology. We do not have other departments, we render weekly consultations instead. For instance, Dr. Hemanth Murthy, an eye specialist, travels to Puttaparthi every week to perform eye operations.

Is it an ordinary task to travel the distance to Puttaparthi, that too to serve? Even the Dentist and Anaesthetist take their pains to serve? They are present there, just, on a call. Very rarely do we get the services of such doctors, but this hospital has them to serve. Since they are working tirelessly, I have told Dr. Hemanth, the eye specialist, and the other doctors to inform me of any instruments or infrastructure they may need. I assured them to procure them immediately, whatever be the cost.

My happiness lies in encouraging the people who work sincerely. I am prepared to build and do anything required in earnestness. I have nothing to do with money, and I do not need any. People wonder where does Sai Baba get money for the projects. They may think that He creates money. No, not at all. I don’t have such evil in me, money is related to the Government who is its custodian. I can create any object, but I do not create money. Whenever a need arises, someone or the other is struck with the noble thought, to donate the amount required. Just a word from Swami, and devotees from India and abroad will pour in like clouds to give.

So you don’t have to think twice. You only need to develop the hospital and things will fall into place spontaneously. Yesterday, a liver specialist from America after visiting the hospital approached me and expressed his desire to stay and work here. I told him, "Dear one! If your intent is good, will I ever object to it? I am always ready to help any good work."

The food you eat, the air you breathe, the water you drink are all contaminated, and as a result you suffer the disease of the heart and brain. Were there so many ailments in the olden days? The present disorders are only due to defective food and contaminated matter. Hence I have resolved to provide pure food and water; doesn’t matter if it is less in quantity, but it needs be pure. In the beginning, I stressed on education and have started institutions in the villages. After that, the Safe Drinking Water Project was taken up. First bore wells were dug to meet the requirement, but the idea was abandoned since the ground water contained excess fluoride, which is a slow poison. So, I made arrangements to bring in stream water from rivers. Water from the Krishna river, miles away from Anantapur, is pumped in for supply of pure water, spending crores of rupees.

Yesterday the Chief Minister of Karnataka has requested Me to provide drinking water to the Bellary, Bidar, and Bijapur districts. I assured him that I would take up the project. We need not distribute wealth in excess to any one; we need to give just some drinking water, by which people would be hale and healthy.

There is no dearth of rich people in the country, but these people do not realise that they will not carry even a fistful of mud with them from this earth when they die. Why not put their money to good use, for fruitful work? All the money obtained should be spent in a wise and sacred way; to give happiness. You pretty well know the truth: you will not carry along even mud when you die. You will even leave behind you your very body. How then can the accumulated wealth be of any use? Whatever the money, put it to good use, an earnest desire born out of the spirit of sacrifice. This is the making of a Mahatma (great soul).

Such a making is in the doctors here. They are full of sacrifice, much more than what you find in the outside world. They work with a smile, sharing happiness. They do not wear an ‘oily mask’ on their faces [i.e., have a tired and irritable look], though they work a lot.

Only one thing is required: keeping association with God. You need to have contact with God to become godly. Since even a dead stick becomes fire when in contact with fire, so too God’s power will enter your being. Put the teardrop from your eye in a river or an ocean; it gains the power and magnitude of the ocean. You should tune in yourself to this:

Sathsangatwe Nirsangatwam.

Nissangatwe Nirmohatwam.

Nirmohatwe Nischalatatwam.

Nischalatattwe Jeevan mukthi.

Good company leads to detachment.

Detachment removes delusion.

Freedom from delusion is a steady mind.

A steady mind itself is liberation.

Today’s man does not have a steady mind. The mind, like a mad monkey, keeps hopping all the time. This shouldn’t be the case. You are not the mind. Question yourself, "I am not the body, I am not the mind, but who am I?"

You say this is ‘my body’, ‘my mind’, but they are separate from you. Is ‘my’ different from ‘you’? ‘My’ is present in every being either rich or poor, devoid of any difference. Develop this idea along with the habit of sacrifice. It would be of great help to your growth.

At this hospital, it is so touching to see that there isn’t any dividing difference; you see so many people from different religions. The doctors treat them with equal fortitude. All are the children of one God. The hospital unifies and stands for ‘Brotherhood of Man and Fatherhood of God!’ You would find this ideal in the whole of Sathya Sai Organisation. Day after day, more and more people are coming to serve in the Sai Organisation. At least a hundred Seva Dal volunteers are serving at the Super Speciality Hospital in Whitefield. Such a spirit of sacrifice should be develop in youth, now on. As they grow this spirit should find increased strength.

You are celebrating the silver jubilee of the hospital but I am not satisfied with it. It should be further developed to usher in the golden jubilee. Many new doctors should join in, adding to the strength of service, working in unity. The seed sown by Dr. Rajeswari has manifested into a huge hospital. I wish that it grows further into a bigger one, with more facilities, serving children and elders, as well as the poor and the needy. With this wish and blessing, I conclude. \