SWAMI VS MADHU: A STARK CONTRAST
Clearly ignoring Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's divine social service guidelines, Madhusudan and his group are now partnering with the local government to carry out service projects. This is something Swami specifically instructed not to do! Here is an article which provides Swami’s teachings on this and other guidance on service which is in stark contrast to Madhusudan's current ideas of 'service activities.’
Madhusudan partnering with the government to do service
Madhusudan is now proudly boasting of the fact that his organisation is partnering with the government in order to do ‘service projects.’ The simple fact is that Swami didn't partner with the government to carry out His service projects in the way that Madhusudan is doing. In fact, He advised against it, saying that any attempt to spread human values will only succeed by keeping it away from the government
All may not be aware of the state of affairs. The Bangalore Hospital involves an expenditure of Rs. 3 crores per month. Special medicines, artificial heart valves, etc., have to be imported from America. Similarly, the Prasanthi Nilayam Hospital costs about Rs. 2 crores per month. I do not desire any assistance or support from the government, nor are they giving any.
SSS 34.15: 11 August 2001, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-15.pdf
To propagate human values, it is advisable to keep as far away as possible from the powers that be. It is not possible to promote sacred values through the help of governmental authorities. Some well-intentioned leaders may formulate commendable schemes. But there is a frequent change of men in the seats of power. What, then, happens to human values? It is essential to be self-reliant and stand on our own legs. Only when you are untrammelled and independent can you propagate these sacred values freely and effectively. Educationists should try to set up an independent body for the formulation and implementation of educational policy, free from control or interference by the government. Only then will the promotion of human values succeed.
SSS 20.21: 26 September 1987, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-21.pdf
All may not be aware of the state of affairs. The Bangalore Hospital involves an expenditure of Rs. 3 crores per month. Special medicines, artificial heart valves, etc., have to be imported from America. Similarly, the Prasanthi Nilayam Hospital costs about Rs. 2 crores per month. I do not desire any assistance or support from the government, nor are they giving any.
SSS 34.15: 11 August 2001, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-15.pdf
To propagate human values, it is advisable to keep as far away as possible from the powers that be. It is not possible to promote sacred values through the help of governmental authorities. Some well-intentioned leaders may formulate commendable schemes. But there is a frequent change of men in the seats of power. What, then, happens to human values? It is essential to be self-reliant and stand on our own legs. Only when you are untrammelled and independent can you propagate these sacred values freely and effectively. Educationists should try to set up an independent body for the formulation and implementation of educational policy, free from control or interference by the government. Only then will the promotion of human values succeed.
SSS 20.21: 26 September 1987, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume20/sss20-21.pdf
evidence that Madhusudan is lying when he claims to represent Sathya Sai Baba
Quite obviously Madhu's strategic business tactics for ‘doing seva’ are in direct opposition to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai's dharmic seva guidelines where asking for money and donations are strictly forbidden.
All this latest development does is add more weight to the evidence that Madhusudan is lying when he claims to represent Sathya Sai Baba, because what he says and the way he acts is diametrically opposed to Baba's words, actions and attitudes.
Madhusudan's followers are quick to collect these newspaper articles publicising him and his self-promotional service schemes. They then use these to try to promote his claims. Swami never needed this promotion and publicity and actively denounced it. The sun doesn't anyone promoting its ability to shine. It is self evident. Only a glow worm claiming to be the sun needs such self-serving publicity.
Look at the difference between Swami's attitudes and way of doing things, and the way demonstrated by Madhusudan and his followers:
Another fatal weakness is dambha (conceit, egoism, pride), the desire to be talked about, to be praised; people take delight in tom-tomming their achievements and capacities. This makes them ludicrous and pitiable. They want that their names and deeds should appear in the daily papers in big bold letters, as big as My head of hair! But it is not in the newspapers that you should strive to get attention. Earn status in the realm of God; earn fame in the company of the good and the godly, progress in humility, in reverence of elders and parents.
SSS 4.64: 10 October 1964, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume04/sss04-31.pdf
Today’s newspaper becomes tomorrow’s waste paper.
SSS 35.6: 13 April 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-06.pdf
At the first anniversary of the inauguration of the Whitefield Super Specialty Hospital, Baba also reiterated:
Now I am seventy-six years old. Till this day, I have not had any contact with people from either print media or television. I have nothing to do with newspapers.
SSS 35.2: 19 January 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-02.pdf
Madhusudan's followers are quick to collect these newspaper articles publicising him and his self-promotional service schemes. They then use these to try to promote his claims. Swami never needed this promotion and publicity and actively denounced it. The sun doesn't anyone promoting its ability to shine. It is self evident. Only a glow worm claiming to be the sun needs such self-serving publicity.
Look at the difference between Swami's attitudes and way of doing things, and the way demonstrated by Madhusudan and his followers:
Another fatal weakness is dambha (conceit, egoism, pride), the desire to be talked about, to be praised; people take delight in tom-tomming their achievements and capacities. This makes them ludicrous and pitiable. They want that their names and deeds should appear in the daily papers in big bold letters, as big as My head of hair! But it is not in the newspapers that you should strive to get attention. Earn status in the realm of God; earn fame in the company of the good and the godly, progress in humility, in reverence of elders and parents.
SSS 4.64: 10 October 1964, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume04/sss04-31.pdf
Today’s newspaper becomes tomorrow’s waste paper.
SSS 35.6: 13 April 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-06.pdf
At the first anniversary of the inauguration of the Whitefield Super Specialty Hospital, Baba also reiterated:
Now I am seventy-six years old. Till this day, I have not had any contact with people from either print media or television. I have nothing to do with newspapers.
SSS 35.2: 19 January 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-02.pdf
FANFARE AND EXHIBITIONISM AT MUDDENAHALLI
Regarding real service, Swami said that the fanfare that accompanies all of Madhusudan's service is a sign of insincerity. He said that love and sacrifice can elevate the lives of participants in a service project only when pomp and personal publicity are not present. He said that their service activities cannot be considered service when they are rendered with ego, while the promotion of Madhusudan and Narasimhamurthy's egos is the raison d'etre behind all of Madhusudan's service projects.
By Swami's own standards, the Muddenahalli separatist movement has therefore never managed to complete one real service project, one truly selfless service project, because they publicise everything they do. Yet Swami said that we will be practising His teachings on service only when we do service without the fanfare or exhibitionism with which Muddenahalli publicises all of their service projects:
Some people try to show off their sympathy by setting up charitable institutions like hospitals. True compassion should emanate from the heart. It should not find expression in outward manifestations which only reveal one’s vanity. In the Sathya Sai Organisations there is no place for such demonstrations of vanity. Everything that is done to help the poor or the suffering should be based on the feelings coming from the heart and appealing to the hearts of those who are helped.
SSS 17.16: 14 July 1984, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-16.pdf
I have willed that the Sevadals should be provided good food, entirely free of cost, for 365 days a year. I have already made arrangements for this. I have got the sheds put up. All the necessary items like gas cylinders, utensils, plates, spoons, rice, dhals etc., have been already procured. None is aware of this. Sathya Sai is a silent worker.
SSS 32.1.1: 14 January 1999, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-01.pdf
Sacrifice and charity are indulged in for the sake of self-aggrandizement. A person donates ten rupees and insists on the fact being published in a ten-inch long headline. People take part in social service in order to advertise themselves. How can the sweet contents be consumed when the bottle is tightly closed by the two corks--pomp and personal publicity. These have to be removed by the screw of selflessness. Then the innate virtues of Love and sacrifice can emerge and elevate your lives.
SSS 17.5: 29 February 1984, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-05.pdf
Their seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients.
SSS 8.6: 23 February 1968, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-06.pdf
Service activities in all lands can thrive only through selfless dedication. Fanfare is a sign of insincerity. Silent, unsullied work alone can appeal.
SSS 19.25: 21 November 1986, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf
If all our Sathya Sai Organisations engage themselves in service to the poor and the needy, without any fanfare or exhibitionism, they will be giving expression to their sense of divine brotherliness and putting into practice Sai's teachings.
SSS 14.56: 22 November 1980, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-56.pdf
Social service should not become show-cial work(!) carried out for publicity or with the camera in view.
SSS 10.3: 2 January 1970, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-03.pdf
Service is meant to kill ego. You cannot call it service if it is rendered with ego. First of all, ego has to be subdued.
SSS 33.19: 20 November 2000, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-19.pdf
There are many who come forward when there is a call for social service; but, most of them crave for publicity, seeking cameramen whenever they help others and very disappointed when they are not mentioned in newspapers! Such men push themselves forward, and climb into positions of authority, just to parade their importance before the public. They forget that service is worship, that each act of service is a flower placed at the feet of the Lord, and that, if the act is tainted with ego, it is as if the flower is infested with slimy insect pests! Who will contaminate the feet with such foul offering?
SSS 11.16: March 8, 1971, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-16.pdf
The act of service is not to be judged, according to the cost or publicity it entails; it may be only the offering of a cup of water in the depth of a jungle.
SSS 7.23: 24 May 1967, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-23.pdf
God will not ask when and where you did service; he will ask what your motives and intentions were. The attitudes of mutual help and selfless service develop the "humanness" of man and help unfold the Divinity latent in him.
SSS 15.31: 19 November 1981, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-31.pdf
Religion has declined in this land due to this donation-seeking and donation-granting. Really speaking, the most precious donation is a pure mind; give that to the organisation and it will shine.
SSS 7.18: 21 April 1967, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-18.pdf
I do not ask for even a single paisa from others. I never approve of such business. Whoever it may be, if somebody approaches you with such a crass motive, tell him to get out at once. Do not allow business to enter the field of spirituality.
SSS 35.11: 22 July, 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf
Swami taught silent, selfless, ego-destroying service. And He never stooped to begging for money in order to carry out His selfless service to humanity. But look at Madhusudan's projects!
By Swami's own standards, the Muddenahalli separatist movement has therefore never managed to complete one real service project, one truly selfless service project, because they publicise everything they do. Yet Swami said that we will be practising His teachings on service only when we do service without the fanfare or exhibitionism with which Muddenahalli publicises all of their service projects:
Some people try to show off their sympathy by setting up charitable institutions like hospitals. True compassion should emanate from the heart. It should not find expression in outward manifestations which only reveal one’s vanity. In the Sathya Sai Organisations there is no place for such demonstrations of vanity. Everything that is done to help the poor or the suffering should be based on the feelings coming from the heart and appealing to the hearts of those who are helped.
SSS 17.16: 14 July 1984, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-16.pdf
I have willed that the Sevadals should be provided good food, entirely free of cost, for 365 days a year. I have already made arrangements for this. I have got the sheds put up. All the necessary items like gas cylinders, utensils, plates, spoons, rice, dhals etc., have been already procured. None is aware of this. Sathya Sai is a silent worker.
SSS 32.1.1: 14 January 1999, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume32/sss32p1-01.pdf
Sacrifice and charity are indulged in for the sake of self-aggrandizement. A person donates ten rupees and insists on the fact being published in a ten-inch long headline. People take part in social service in order to advertise themselves. How can the sweet contents be consumed when the bottle is tightly closed by the two corks--pomp and personal publicity. These have to be removed by the screw of selflessness. Then the innate virtues of Love and sacrifice can emerge and elevate your lives.
SSS 17.5: 29 February 1984, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume17/sss17-05.pdf
Their seva (selfless service) should not be exhibitionistic; it must seek no reward, not even gratitude or thanks from the recipients.
SSS 8.6: 23 February 1968, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume08/sss08-06.pdf
Service activities in all lands can thrive only through selfless dedication. Fanfare is a sign of insincerity. Silent, unsullied work alone can appeal.
SSS 19.25: 21 November 1986, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf
If all our Sathya Sai Organisations engage themselves in service to the poor and the needy, without any fanfare or exhibitionism, they will be giving expression to their sense of divine brotherliness and putting into practice Sai's teachings.
SSS 14.56: 22 November 1980, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume14/sss14-56.pdf
Social service should not become show-cial work(!) carried out for publicity or with the camera in view.
SSS 10.3: 2 January 1970, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-03.pdf
Service is meant to kill ego. You cannot call it service if it is rendered with ego. First of all, ego has to be subdued.
SSS 33.19: 20 November 2000, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-19.pdf
There are many who come forward when there is a call for social service; but, most of them crave for publicity, seeking cameramen whenever they help others and very disappointed when they are not mentioned in newspapers! Such men push themselves forward, and climb into positions of authority, just to parade their importance before the public. They forget that service is worship, that each act of service is a flower placed at the feet of the Lord, and that, if the act is tainted with ego, it is as if the flower is infested with slimy insect pests! Who will contaminate the feet with such foul offering?
SSS 11.16: March 8, 1971, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume11/sss11-16.pdf
The act of service is not to be judged, according to the cost or publicity it entails; it may be only the offering of a cup of water in the depth of a jungle.
SSS 7.23: 24 May 1967, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-23.pdf
God will not ask when and where you did service; he will ask what your motives and intentions were. The attitudes of mutual help and selfless service develop the "humanness" of man and help unfold the Divinity latent in him.
SSS 15.31: 19 November 1981, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume15/sss15-31.pdf
Religion has declined in this land due to this donation-seeking and donation-granting. Really speaking, the most precious donation is a pure mind; give that to the organisation and it will shine.
SSS 7.18: 21 April 1967, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume07/sss07-18.pdf
I do not ask for even a single paisa from others. I never approve of such business. Whoever it may be, if somebody approaches you with such a crass motive, tell him to get out at once. Do not allow business to enter the field of spirituality.
SSS 35.11: 22 July, 2002, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume35/sss35-11.pdf
Swami taught silent, selfless, ego-destroying service. And He never stooped to begging for money in order to carry out His selfless service to humanity. But look at Madhusudan's projects!
SWAMI ON THE SOLICITATION OF FUNDS
It goes without saying that the way in which Madhusudan solicits money to get his self-promoting service projects is completely against the way Swami acted and in fact Swami Himself denounced the way that Madhusudan and his Muddenahalli group finance their projects.
By doing such self-serving projects, while asking for money and boasting of government support, and by claiming that it is 'Sathya Sai service,' all they achieve is the denigration of Sathya Sai Baba, which makes Him out to be yet another in the long line of money-grubbing 'gurus' which India and the world have seen far too many of already:
When I decide on a project, the wherewithal for accomplishing has to be spontaneously available without any fund raising campaign. My will has the power to concretise my plan.
SSS 18.25: 23 November 1985, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-25.pdf
I have not stretched My hand before anyone till date for any kind of help. If there is anyone in this vast concourse of devotees in this hall whom I had approached for money, they may rise and point out to Me. There is none, surely. Whatever I need in My Avataric Mission comes from within only.
SSS 41.18: 23 November 2008, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-18.pdf
Second, during His final discourse in Muddenahalli, Baba also said that He has no need to ask anyone for money:
Do not be worried about the funds. So far, I have never asked anybody for money. Where is the need to ask anybody for money when the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi , resides in My heart? Therefore, do not ask anybody for money. I will provide everything. I do not beg from anybody. I am not a beggar. Whatever may be the expenditure, I will bear all of it Myself.
SSS 42.3: 14 February 2009, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/sss42-03.pdf
I never seek another's help; I offer help, never receive it. My hand always gives; it never takes. Conclude from this that this must be Divine, not human power.
Some of you may be wondering, "How does Swami arrange these elaborate festivals and functions? Whom does he charge with the various items of work?" I do not allot work to this person or that, or consult any one for ideas and suggestions. All this is done by the Divine Will, operating through the force of Love.
SSS 10.30: 11 October 1970, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-30.pdf
But I do not require anything. I do not need anything in all the three worlds. I do not need anything for Myself. Still, I am engaged in activity from dawn to dusk in order to set an ideal. From top to toe, there is no trace of selfishness in Me. Believe it or not, I always give but never receive. I ask for only one thing, and that is pure love.
SSS 31.34: 29 September 1998, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-34.pdf
By doing such self-serving projects, while asking for money and boasting of government support, and by claiming that it is 'Sathya Sai service,' all they achieve is the denigration of Sathya Sai Baba, which makes Him out to be yet another in the long line of money-grubbing 'gurus' which India and the world have seen far too many of already:
When I decide on a project, the wherewithal for accomplishing has to be spontaneously available without any fund raising campaign. My will has the power to concretise my plan.
SSS 18.25: 23 November 1985, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-25.pdf
I have not stretched My hand before anyone till date for any kind of help. If there is anyone in this vast concourse of devotees in this hall whom I had approached for money, they may rise and point out to Me. There is none, surely. Whatever I need in My Avataric Mission comes from within only.
SSS 41.18: 23 November 2008, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume41/sss41-18.pdf
Second, during His final discourse in Muddenahalli, Baba also said that He has no need to ask anyone for money:
Do not be worried about the funds. So far, I have never asked anybody for money. Where is the need to ask anybody for money when the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi , resides in My heart? Therefore, do not ask anybody for money. I will provide everything. I do not beg from anybody. I am not a beggar. Whatever may be the expenditure, I will bear all of it Myself.
SSS 42.3: 14 February 2009, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume42/sss42-03.pdf
I never seek another's help; I offer help, never receive it. My hand always gives; it never takes. Conclude from this that this must be Divine, not human power.
Some of you may be wondering, "How does Swami arrange these elaborate festivals and functions? Whom does he charge with the various items of work?" I do not allot work to this person or that, or consult any one for ideas and suggestions. All this is done by the Divine Will, operating through the force of Love.
SSS 10.30: 11 October 1970, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume10/sss10-30.pdf
But I do not require anything. I do not need anything in all the three worlds. I do not need anything for Myself. Still, I am engaged in activity from dawn to dusk in order to set an ideal. From top to toe, there is no trace of selfishness in Me. Believe it or not, I always give but never receive. I ask for only one thing, and that is pure love.
SSS 31.34: 29 September 1998, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume31/sss31-34.pdf
SWAMI'S SELFLESS SERVICE PROJECTS
So how did Swami complete all of His incredible selfless service projects? He Himself explained:
Of course, money is an essential requisite and those who have assumed responsibility for service projects do need it. Six thousand villages have been adopted by the units of the organization and facilities for education and medicine are provided therein, besides roads and wells. When I decide on a project, the wherewithal for accomplishing has to be spontaneously available without any fund raising campaign. My will has the power to concretise my plan. I willed that a College must rise in Puttaparthi; the Rajmatha of Nawanagar built it. In order to feed it with properly trained boys, I willed a Higher Secondary School; Bozzani from America asked that he be given the chance to build it. I thought that at this place education on Sai lines must be available to children from the Primary stage itself. Craxi, the brother of the Prime Minister of Italy, offered to build the School. At Bangalore, when I decided on a plan for a College and Hostel, Mrs. Elsie Cowan asked that she be given the privilege of completing it. Such is the might of my Sankalpa my Will.
Another small event. For full eight days, hundreds of thousands of people are treated as guests and breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided in festival style. When ten persons are fed free, the host desires that it should appear with huge headlines in newspapers. But, who craves for publicity when one's dear relatives gather for meals at home? Though lakhs of people share in the hospitality, one finds no hurry and no parading.
When I entertained the idea of granting this boon to every one drawn to the Birthday festival, Dr.Bhaskara Rao from West Godavari District and Karunyananda from East Godavari District arrived at Kodaikanal and prayed that they be blessed with the sacred responsibility. I warned them that the lakhs would be too big a burden, but they persisted, saying: "With your blessings, we can take on even crores." And, prompts, without any fuss, 5000 bags of rice reached here from those two districts and from Krishna, Guntur and Nellore districts. Hundreds of bags of wheat, flour and suji arrived from Punjab, followed by the same number of sugar and jaggery bags from U.P. From Madras huge quantities of pulses were brought by members of the organization. Did anyone demand or ask for these? Can you get them by asking for them or demanding that they be given? Try and see what happens. Everything was offered spontaneously, silently, sincerely, with so much love and humility. This is their homage of Thyaga, of service through sacrifice.
SSS 18.25: 23 November 1985, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-25.pdf
Sathya Sai Baba also said that He had no need of help and so did not solicit help from anyone:
Just imagine, some individual living in some foreign country has come forward to construct this institution in Prashanti Nilayam. How fortunate is he! Do not misunderstand that Swami is indulging in boasting or self-aggrandizement.
Elsewhere, you find an element of self-interest in all acts of charity all over the world; but in the Sai institutions, there is no trace of self-interest. In such sacred activities, you may help to any extent. Bhagavan is not soliciting any such help from you. Bhagavan is capable of transforming the entire universe if He so desires. But why Bhagavan is doing all this is to give an opportunity to all of you for making your lives meaningful.
SSS 33.22: 24 November 2000, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-22.pdf
Of course, money is an essential requisite and those who have assumed responsibility for service projects do need it. Six thousand villages have been adopted by the units of the organization and facilities for education and medicine are provided therein, besides roads and wells. When I decide on a project, the wherewithal for accomplishing has to be spontaneously available without any fund raising campaign. My will has the power to concretise my plan. I willed that a College must rise in Puttaparthi; the Rajmatha of Nawanagar built it. In order to feed it with properly trained boys, I willed a Higher Secondary School; Bozzani from America asked that he be given the chance to build it. I thought that at this place education on Sai lines must be available to children from the Primary stage itself. Craxi, the brother of the Prime Minister of Italy, offered to build the School. At Bangalore, when I decided on a plan for a College and Hostel, Mrs. Elsie Cowan asked that she be given the privilege of completing it. Such is the might of my Sankalpa my Will.
Another small event. For full eight days, hundreds of thousands of people are treated as guests and breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided in festival style. When ten persons are fed free, the host desires that it should appear with huge headlines in newspapers. But, who craves for publicity when one's dear relatives gather for meals at home? Though lakhs of people share in the hospitality, one finds no hurry and no parading.
When I entertained the idea of granting this boon to every one drawn to the Birthday festival, Dr.Bhaskara Rao from West Godavari District and Karunyananda from East Godavari District arrived at Kodaikanal and prayed that they be blessed with the sacred responsibility. I warned them that the lakhs would be too big a burden, but they persisted, saying: "With your blessings, we can take on even crores." And, prompts, without any fuss, 5000 bags of rice reached here from those two districts and from Krishna, Guntur and Nellore districts. Hundreds of bags of wheat, flour and suji arrived from Punjab, followed by the same number of sugar and jaggery bags from U.P. From Madras huge quantities of pulses were brought by members of the organization. Did anyone demand or ask for these? Can you get them by asking for them or demanding that they be given? Try and see what happens. Everything was offered spontaneously, silently, sincerely, with so much love and humility. This is their homage of Thyaga, of service through sacrifice.
SSS 18.25: 23 November 1985, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume18/sss18-25.pdf
Sathya Sai Baba also said that He had no need of help and so did not solicit help from anyone:
Just imagine, some individual living in some foreign country has come forward to construct this institution in Prashanti Nilayam. How fortunate is he! Do not misunderstand that Swami is indulging in boasting or self-aggrandizement.
Elsewhere, you find an element of self-interest in all acts of charity all over the world; but in the Sai institutions, there is no trace of self-interest. In such sacred activities, you may help to any extent. Bhagavan is not soliciting any such help from you. Bhagavan is capable of transforming the entire universe if He so desires. But why Bhagavan is doing all this is to give an opportunity to all of you for making your lives meaningful.
SSS 33.22: 24 November 2000, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume33/sss33-22.pdf
HOW DID MONEY COME TO SATHYA SAI BABA?
So how then did the money come? Sathya Sai Baba explained the spiritual principle behind this:
Spiritual matters must occur only in a context of love. When advice and instruction and help is given in compassion, in love - and not for money paid, there will be some feeling of appreciation; and in the context of appreciation and confidence there will be some spiritual benefit. Moreover when the actions are done in love and not as part of money-raising, money comes anyway.
CWBSSSB, pp. 203-204, or http://media.radiosai.org/.../01SEP07/02-conversations.htm
You can work wonders with purity of heart. Any work which is started with purity of heart is bound to succeed. Money flows if your work is suffused with love and sacrifice. People will provide munificent funds to support any noble endeavour.
SSS 27.3: 21 January 1994, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf
In 1998, Sathya Sai Baba granted an interview to members of the press. In this interview He again explained that the money for His projects came on its own. He never needed to indulge in the fund raising tours and campaigns which the Muddenahalli group uses to gather donations in His name:
Questioner: How do you generate funds for a multi crore rupees projects that various trusts of yours take up from time to time?
Swami: Whenever intentions are pure, determination (Sankalp) is strong the money comes on its own. I've never thought of money in my Life. Money comes and goes, Morality comes and grows.
Interview with the Times of India, 11 August 1998, quoted in Sathya Sai the Supreme Master, p.270,
or https://m.facebook.com/.../a.777375689.../10153735128038904/
In a discourse in 2001, Baba also gave a practical example, explaining how this spiritual principle worked in bringing exactly the amount of money required to run Baba's schools and hospitals, without Baba ever having to ask for a paisa:
All may not be aware of the state of affairs. The Bangalore Hospital involves an expenditure of Rs. 3 crores per month. Special medicines, artificial heart valves, etc., have to be imported from America. Similarly, the Prasanthi Nilayam Hospital costs about Rs. 2 crores per month. I do not desire any assistance or support from the government, nor are they giving any. Again, there are educational institutions in Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Bangalore, Muddenahalli and Rajahmundry. These cost about Rs.1 crore a month. In this manner, roughly the expenses come to Rs. 6 crores per month. Where does it all come? However, I am giving it. It would require a corpus of about Rs.600 crores in deposit, which will yield an interest sufficient to run the hospitals and educational institutions. If this is done, this level of free health care and education can be maintained.
There are thousands of you here, and I have never asked any for assistance. My hand is always above (giving/blessing) and never below (receiving). My hand is stretched out only for love, but none realises this fully. What I needed was 600 crores, and only today I have received the news that a sum of 600 crores of rupees is arriving from the U.S. If this amount is apportioned as 300 crores for Bangalore Hospital, 200 for Puttaparthi and 100 crores for the educational institutions and invested, the interest accruing will take care of the running expenses.
I have no personal desires. My entire being is selfless. There is no selfishness in Me at all, nor have I asked anybody. Will anybody simply give a 100 crores as gift for the mere asking? None. But a single individual has come forward to give 600 crores. I have no direct contact with that person. The message says, "Swami, You will receive the amount on Monday noon. Please deposit 300 crores on Bangalore Hospital account and 200 crores on the Puttaparthi Hospital account as fixed deposit as soon as the amount is received." It may be hard to find entirely selfless people, but if you undertake selfless work, resources flow on their own accord.
SSS 34.15: 11 August 2001, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-15.pdf
Spiritual matters must occur only in a context of love. When advice and instruction and help is given in compassion, in love - and not for money paid, there will be some feeling of appreciation; and in the context of appreciation and confidence there will be some spiritual benefit. Moreover when the actions are done in love and not as part of money-raising, money comes anyway.
CWBSSSB, pp. 203-204, or http://media.radiosai.org/.../01SEP07/02-conversations.htm
You can work wonders with purity of heart. Any work which is started with purity of heart is bound to succeed. Money flows if your work is suffused with love and sacrifice. People will provide munificent funds to support any noble endeavour.
SSS 27.3: 21 January 1994, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume27/sss27-03.pdf
In 1998, Sathya Sai Baba granted an interview to members of the press. In this interview He again explained that the money for His projects came on its own. He never needed to indulge in the fund raising tours and campaigns which the Muddenahalli group uses to gather donations in His name:
Questioner: How do you generate funds for a multi crore rupees projects that various trusts of yours take up from time to time?
Swami: Whenever intentions are pure, determination (Sankalp) is strong the money comes on its own. I've never thought of money in my Life. Money comes and goes, Morality comes and grows.
Interview with the Times of India, 11 August 1998, quoted in Sathya Sai the Supreme Master, p.270,
or https://m.facebook.com/.../a.777375689.../10153735128038904/
In a discourse in 2001, Baba also gave a practical example, explaining how this spiritual principle worked in bringing exactly the amount of money required to run Baba's schools and hospitals, without Baba ever having to ask for a paisa:
All may not be aware of the state of affairs. The Bangalore Hospital involves an expenditure of Rs. 3 crores per month. Special medicines, artificial heart valves, etc., have to be imported from America. Similarly, the Prasanthi Nilayam Hospital costs about Rs. 2 crores per month. I do not desire any assistance or support from the government, nor are they giving any. Again, there are educational institutions in Prasanthi Nilayam, Anantapur, Bangalore, Muddenahalli and Rajahmundry. These cost about Rs.1 crore a month. In this manner, roughly the expenses come to Rs. 6 crores per month. Where does it all come? However, I am giving it. It would require a corpus of about Rs.600 crores in deposit, which will yield an interest sufficient to run the hospitals and educational institutions. If this is done, this level of free health care and education can be maintained.
There are thousands of you here, and I have never asked any for assistance. My hand is always above (giving/blessing) and never below (receiving). My hand is stretched out only for love, but none realises this fully. What I needed was 600 crores, and only today I have received the news that a sum of 600 crores of rupees is arriving from the U.S. If this amount is apportioned as 300 crores for Bangalore Hospital, 200 for Puttaparthi and 100 crores for the educational institutions and invested, the interest accruing will take care of the running expenses.
I have no personal desires. My entire being is selfless. There is no selfishness in Me at all, nor have I asked anybody. Will anybody simply give a 100 crores as gift for the mere asking? None. But a single individual has come forward to give 600 crores. I have no direct contact with that person. The message says, "Swami, You will receive the amount on Monday noon. Please deposit 300 crores on Bangalore Hospital account and 200 crores on the Puttaparthi Hospital account as fixed deposit as soon as the amount is received." It may be hard to find entirely selfless people, but if you undertake selfless work, resources flow on their own accord.
SSS 34.15: 11 August 2001, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume34/sss34-15.pdf
EGOISTIC SELF-PROMOTION IN ALL OF MUDDENAHALLI'S SERVICE PROJECTS
All of Muddenahalli's service projects are heavily publicised via their website, newspapers, their own magazines and newsletters and on their social media accounts. This is publicity that Swami Himself never needed. This egoistic self promotion is yet more indisputable proof that it is not Swami who is behind Muddenahalli.
So what do Muddenahalli's 'service projects’ actually achieve, according to Swami? They pollute those who participate in them with ego and they succeed only in polluting the sacred sadhana of service:
All acts of service are not equally sanctifying or uniform in the benefits they confer. When service is undertaken by power-hungry people, or under compulsion or by imitative urges, it results in more harm than good. Self-aggrandizement or competition or ostentation are motives that will pollute the sacred Sadhana of Service. The candidate for this Sadhana has to avoid Ahamkara (egotism), Adambara (exhibitionism) and Abhimana (favouritism).
SSS 19.25: 21 November 1986, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf
The sixth quality is Sarvarambha Parithyaagi (renunciation of all undertakings). This means that there should be no ostentation or showing off in any undertaking by a devotee. Unless ostentation is given up, egoism will not leave. The ego must be eliminated to purify the heart. No good deed can be done without purity in the heart. It is through sacred deeds that the heart is purified.
Ostentation is a demonic quality. It encourages egoism and megalomania. One should seek to acquire a good name through selfless service alone. It should be done with humility and sincerity. One who aspires to become a national leader must first know how to render service. He should not seek office or position. The Sai Organisations have been set up for rendering service and not to establish official positions. Selfless service should be done out of a sense of duty.
SSS 23.31: 20 November 1990, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-31.pdf
Sarvaarambha parithyaagi: This quality calls for the renunciation of Ahamkara (egoism) in any form. The ego is rooted in the Mamakaara (possessive instinct). When egoism and possessiveness come together in a man, he is utterly ruined. Hence, one should be free from egoism and attachment.
SSS 26.29: http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf
Due to the disunity which Madhusudan caused within Swami’s unified Sathya Sai Organisation, all of his projects are polluted, according to Swami:
Spirituality is not a business activity. Spirituality is a divine mansion. It is associated with unity. This unity in diversity alone will bring you happiness. I wish that you cultivate that principle of unity. It is only then that the service undertaken by you will acquire value and sanctity. There is no use polluting the sacred service activity with all sorts of differences.
SSS 36.1: 1 January 2003, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf
Swami also predicted that publicity craving men would start organisations in His name. He said that they would be engaging in acts He had not authorised:
Talking of names, let me mention this too. Some persons who do not care for truth or righteousness might adopt the name Sathya Sai, raise institutions in that name; they crave only the outer shell of fame and fortune; but you must know that they are unconnected with Me and are engaged in acts which I have not authorised.
SSS 12.9: 24 March 1973, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-09.pdf
In 1963, Swami also talked about what would happen if someone tried to imitate His service projects. What He said back then reads like a summary of the behaviours that Muddenahalli is now demonstrating - scouring the land with a list of donors, harassing people for money and then boasting of their achievements:
If all this arrangement is done somewhere else, what a great noise it would have made! People would have scoured the land with lists of likely donors, worried this person and that, and finally boasted of their achievements. But here, only just a few know about this. It was all a case of the Will Power (Sankalpa) working itself by the force of its own goodness.
SSS 3.34: 28 October 1963, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume03/sss03-34.pdf
What more proof do devotees need that the claims of Madhusudan and the Muddenahalli separatist group are lies? What greater proof is there than the life and teachings of Sathya Sai Himself? If people choose to believe Madhusudan rather than Swami, they may call themselves Madhusudan devotees, but they are not devotees of Swami.
So what do Muddenahalli's 'service projects’ actually achieve, according to Swami? They pollute those who participate in them with ego and they succeed only in polluting the sacred sadhana of service:
All acts of service are not equally sanctifying or uniform in the benefits they confer. When service is undertaken by power-hungry people, or under compulsion or by imitative urges, it results in more harm than good. Self-aggrandizement or competition or ostentation are motives that will pollute the sacred Sadhana of Service. The candidate for this Sadhana has to avoid Ahamkara (egotism), Adambara (exhibitionism) and Abhimana (favouritism).
SSS 19.25: 21 November 1986, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume19/sss19-25.pdf
The sixth quality is Sarvarambha Parithyaagi (renunciation of all undertakings). This means that there should be no ostentation or showing off in any undertaking by a devotee. Unless ostentation is given up, egoism will not leave. The ego must be eliminated to purify the heart. No good deed can be done without purity in the heart. It is through sacred deeds that the heart is purified.
Ostentation is a demonic quality. It encourages egoism and megalomania. One should seek to acquire a good name through selfless service alone. It should be done with humility and sincerity. One who aspires to become a national leader must first know how to render service. He should not seek office or position. The Sai Organisations have been set up for rendering service and not to establish official positions. Selfless service should be done out of a sense of duty.
SSS 23.31: 20 November 1990, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume23/sss23-31.pdf
Sarvaarambha parithyaagi: This quality calls for the renunciation of Ahamkara (egoism) in any form. The ego is rooted in the Mamakaara (possessive instinct). When egoism and possessiveness come together in a man, he is utterly ruined. Hence, one should be free from egoism and attachment.
SSS 26.29: http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume26/sss26-29.pdf
Due to the disunity which Madhusudan caused within Swami’s unified Sathya Sai Organisation, all of his projects are polluted, according to Swami:
Spirituality is not a business activity. Spirituality is a divine mansion. It is associated with unity. This unity in diversity alone will bring you happiness. I wish that you cultivate that principle of unity. It is only then that the service undertaken by you will acquire value and sanctity. There is no use polluting the sacred service activity with all sorts of differences.
SSS 36.1: 1 January 2003, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume36/sss36-01.pdf
Swami also predicted that publicity craving men would start organisations in His name. He said that they would be engaging in acts He had not authorised:
Talking of names, let me mention this too. Some persons who do not care for truth or righteousness might adopt the name Sathya Sai, raise institutions in that name; they crave only the outer shell of fame and fortune; but you must know that they are unconnected with Me and are engaged in acts which I have not authorised.
SSS 12.9: 24 March 1973, http://sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume12/sss12-09.pdf
In 1963, Swami also talked about what would happen if someone tried to imitate His service projects. What He said back then reads like a summary of the behaviours that Muddenahalli is now demonstrating - scouring the land with a list of donors, harassing people for money and then boasting of their achievements:
If all this arrangement is done somewhere else, what a great noise it would have made! People would have scoured the land with lists of likely donors, worried this person and that, and finally boasted of their achievements. But here, only just a few know about this. It was all a case of the Will Power (Sankalpa) working itself by the force of its own goodness.
SSS 3.34: 28 October 1963, http://www.sssbpt.info/ssspeaks/volume03/sss03-34.pdf
What more proof do devotees need that the claims of Madhusudan and the Muddenahalli separatist group are lies? What greater proof is there than the life and teachings of Sathya Sai Himself? If people choose to believe Madhusudan rather than Swami, they may call themselves Madhusudan devotees, but they are not devotees of Swami.
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