The Day They Got The Light

I am surprised that you read out a Welcome Address to Me and extolled Me as jnana swaroopa, prema swaroopa (embodiment of Supreme knowledge and of Love), etc. I must tell you that I am no stranger and, therefore, need no welcome. I am no stranger anywhere, much less here, of all places where I took birth. I belong to you; I am very near to you. Besides, I do not like this praise, for, praise places you at some distance, whereas I take delight in being with you, beside you, around you. No father likes his sons to praise him! No son approaches the father with a Welcome Address, in which his scholarship, wealth, strength, virtues are listed and extolled. Kinship evokes kindliness; there is no need or chance for formal ceremonial behaviour.

Now, you have asked Me to switch on these street lights and you have mentioned that this is a supreme moment, for, the village is to be free from darkness and full of light, hereafter! Let Me tell you, this village is not getting (light), today. It got the Light, the Day this Sakti took birth in this place! For, what is this little light that illumines just a few yards around each pole when compared with the Light that illumines the heart and spreads joy and peace?

Light From Puttaparthi Is Widening Over The World

From that day, when this light appeared, you have been witnessing how the Light is widening over the country, attracting the attention of the entire world to this tiny hamlet nestling among these hills away from the flow of the turbid currents of civilization. Now, you have buses and lorries coming along the newly laid roads. Just today, a decision has been made to improve the roads around this village to the standard of tarred roads; you have at the Prasanthi Nilayam up-to-date hospital, you have a fine school building for your children, and this and the neighboring villages have the benefit of this very useful electric current, which you can now direct for various purposes at home as well as in the fields.

You gave Me this garland of flowers when I came; but, I would have been glad if you, every one of you, had become a fragrant flower, free from insect pests of vice and wickedness, strung on the thread of devotion to God. That means, you must be united and of one mind, free from hatred and spite, factionalism and greed. Villagers are being ruined everywhere by elements that promote faction, and sow the thorny seeds of hatred, in fields where useful crops have to be grown.

Madras is today a big city; but, long ago it was a little village like this. It grew on account of the united efforts of its people, who strove to provide it with every amenity, and who worked with others to make their plans succeed. The name of this village is, today, on the lips of everyone and they utter it with folded hands wishing some day to come here. But, how are you reacting to all this reverence? You can discover the answer yourself without My telling you. People from all states of India and from lands outside India, come here and when they pass through this village or meet you, what impressions do they collect? You know the answer.

If only you live up to the expectations that the name of this village evokes in the minds of the lakhs of people who come here, or who read about it, there is no limit to the happiness you can command. Of course I know that your life is saturated with smarana, that every moment you are keeping the Lord in mind though the devotees who come here may feel that you are not attending bhajana or frequenting the Nilayam as much as they do. They say among themselves that the inhabitants of Puttaparthi, the village where Sri Sathya Sai Baba was born, have no bhakti! But, I know that you are every moment thinking about Me, watching for Me, talking about Me, pointing Me out to visitors, expecting Me to return soon where I have gone out of this place, etc. If this is not smarana (constant remembrance), what is it?

Injurious Attitude Is Being Perpetuated

You must have seen women carrying a number of water pots one over the other on their heads; they may have babies on their hips, and children which they lead along; but, all the while, their thought will be about the hearth in their kitchens and the food that is being cooked there, for, they are anxious that it should not be spoiled by inattention.

So too, your life is lived for and through the Prasanthi Nilayam and so, it is wrong to state that you have little devotion. Perhaps, you do not have that outward ceremonial aspect of Bhakti, that is all. Ryots like you have to do a thousand little things from cock-crow till dusk; you have little time for such manifestations; but, I know, your life is one incessant prayer of thankfulness to Providence, of yearning for the grace of the Almighty.

I am only asking you to use Me more, to follow My words more steadily, and to approach Me for fulfilling all the plans which you may jointly frame for the welfare of this village. God is like the life-blood in the body; He is found in every part, every singly limb, and muscle and nerve. He gives strength and vitality to all beings. Only, your ignorance must go. Your ananda is My ananda; your grief, I shall console and diminish; attach yourself to the Lord more and with the objects of the world a little less; that is the way to gain happiness. Your task is very easy, since you have before you thousands, who have experienced the joy of the company of the Lord.

Remember the glorious destiny of this village. Prepare yourselves for that great role. Immerse yourselves in the satsang that is available here in such ample measure. Form a group and have a bhajan session every week in some place; keep the name of the Lord always on your lips, and you will find that all thoughts on envy and hatred will disappear from your hearts. If only you evince some genuine interest in your own real uplift, I am ready to stand by you and crown your efforts with success.

Switching on of Lights, Puttaparthi, 19-10-1963