Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on Grama Seva

Thursday, November 9, 2000


Today was the tenth day of the Grama Seva. All the three Mandals i.e. Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu and Bukkapatnam were covered during these day. In the morning after Darshan, students went around the Mandir and went for Seva. When students were going in the vehicles shouting ‘Jaikars’ from the Mandir, Swami waved His hand to them. In the evening, Swami came out for Darshan at around 2.30 pm. He enquired from the few students who were sitting in the third block.

Swami : (To some students) Did you not go? 

Students : No, Swami. Drama practice.

Swami : (To another group of students) Did you go?

Students : Yes, Swami.

Swami : Where?

Students : Chikkalagudapalli.

Swami : Where are the others?

Students : They are coming, Swami.

Swami took the drama boys to the interview room. Around 3.30 pm, boys returned to the Mandir. Hearing the students shouting ‘Jaikars’, Swami came out in the middle of the interview. 

Swami : (To the Brindavan Warden) Did you come just now?

B. Warden : Yes, Swami. All of us came together.
As more and more of the vehicles entered the Mandir, there were louder ‘Jaikars’. 

The students rushed in to the Sai Kulwant Hall. Seeing the students rushing in and shouting ‘Jaikars’, Swami’s face was lit up with joy. Everyone assembled in the hall started applauding.

Swami : Did the work get over?

B. Warden : Swami, with today, we have covered all the three Mandals.

Swami : How many trucks?

B. Warden : Swami, 23.

Swami : In My opinion, it will be nice if we cover Hindupur, Penukonda and Dharmavaram. They will feel bad that they are left out. You can contact the Sub-Collector and Tehsildar there for any help. 

Teachers : Thank you, Swami.

Swami : Don’t thank Me. I am not a third person. I belong to you all. It is your right and My responsibility. Truck drivers did their work nicely. (Swami called a Mandir staff) Go and call your Mama (referring to Sri Chiranjeevi Rao). (Everyone laughed. He went to call him.) The salaries of boys who work in Ashram have been doubled. They got a new chair (for Swami). It had wheels. When I sat, it started moving. It cost them ` 10,000. When I went to Bombay, they had put a similar chair with wheels. When I sat on it, 
it started moving. I immediately got up. It kept moving, crossed the edge and fell. Everyone started clapping because Swami realised it and got up beforehand. Even if you put it (chair) on a carpet, it moves. Does this chair have wheels? (Swami looked down.) No, they have removed it. (After a pause) Truck drivers did their work nicely.

B. Warden : Swami, Padanamaskar for them.

Swami : I will give. Let the remaining work also get over. I have kept clothes for them and also saris for their wives. (Sri Chiranjeevi Rao came. Swami told him to contact the Government authorities in the above mentioned towns for the Seva.) Take more food, more dhotis and more saris for distribution.

B. Warden : Swami, all the three Mandals were covered very smoothly. It was all due to Swami’s Will. Swami, we gave small calendars with Swami’s picture to school children.

Swami : But the year is getting over.

B. Warden : Swami, we gave 2001 calendar. The students were having Pavitra Bhakti (pure devotion).

Swami : These students (of Swami’s Institute) or those students (students in the villages)?

B. Warden : Both. (Swami smiled.) 

Swami : Did you all have food?

B. Warden : Swami, we all had together at Arunagiri. 
Sai Students Partaking the Prasadam after Completion of the Grama Seva
Swami : (Swami sent Brindavan Warden to call Sri Chiranjeevi Rao. Seeing him go) He is very tired. (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Did you go?

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami.

Swami : Just here. (Swami meant the next street. Then Prof Anil Kumar mentioned the name of the village that he had gone to.)

Prof. A. K. : Swami, there were Sai devotees in all the villages. At some places, there were Seva Dal members waiting to help.

Swami : Where is a place without devotees!

Prof. A. K. : There was a person who had undergone an operation at our Hospital. He kept on repeating very proudly to each of us that his operation was done in our Hospital.

Warden : Swami, in Chikkalagudapalli, naxalite area, they poured water on the streets when Nagar Sankeertan was done. (Swami instructed a student and Prof. Anil Kumar to speak. Both the speakers described the magnanimity of the Grama Seva and explained its significance.)

Swami : (After their speech, to Prof. Anil Kumar) The hall has become full. People want to hear your speech. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, this is all because of You. If You go in (to the interview room), all will go back. Even if I give coffee, no one will come!

Swami : Many people have started coming. People were expecting that I would talk. But even the people in the front cannot hear. 

Swami went back into the interview room. Bhajans were at 5.30 pm.


Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)

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