Here is an extract which we share with you all in the spirit of caring and sharing as narrated by Puppet Sir (in his own unique and inimitable style!)
Many devotees “complain” that Swami does not heed to their prayers. In simple terms, human believe that God does not talk to man. But this is not the correct perception. Here is what Swami told me once:“Puppet, I am always free to talk to you. But you are always engaged in the world”These morning sessions gives us inspiring food for thought, or rather, food for life! The Grama Seva boys are immensely grateful to Puppet Sir, for sharing these precious jewels, every morning.
Grama Seva
We proceeded to Sai Kulwant Hall and the Grama Seva Boys were all seated by 7:45 a.m. Veda chating and pradakshina of the Mandir started at 8 a.m sharp, before the group headed for Grama Seva at Bramanpalli Village with loud cheers of “Bhagwan Shri Sathya Sai Baba Ji Ki Jai! “
Morning Veda Chanting & Pradakshina by Grama Seva Boys
The trip to the village was approximately 30 minutes drive from Prashanti Nillayam and was suffused with Bhajans and sharing of Swami’s divine Leelas.
A few selected (“behind the scenes”) Pictures of the Daily trips to the village
All Smiles: the morning breakfast has been well received by the boys ; )
The Joy of Grama Seva!
The Spirit of love, Joy and brotherhood prevails
Once at the village, the Grama Seva Boys joined Swami’s student for Veda Chanting and Nagarsankirtan before starting the distribution of Food, Sweets, sarees and Dhotis. Interestingly, this particular village had a quarry where few villagers were employed.
The Village Quary
Few villagers stayed in the houses provided by the quary and the distribution started there.
The Quarry Workers
Sharing of Prasadam, Joy and Love with the villagers ( Did you notice mother holding the “baby”? )
A View of the village and the houses of the quarry workers at Bramanpalli
A typical Kitchen in Bramanpalli Village
A Lesson to take Home from Grama Seva
The families in the villages hardly have the basic amenities which are considered indispensable. Though they live in conditions of poverty, there seem to be a feeling of calmness & contentment amongst them – which is cruelly missing in cities & richer societies.
Simplicity & Contentment
Pondering over this, one realizes that those who have money needs to learn how to practice ceiling on desires. However, the villagers – being poor materially – spend their entire life in the spirit of ceiling of desires.
While we are still trying to learn the art of ceiling of desires, villagers have adopted Swami’s teaching as a way of life.And as Swami beautifully said :
“The lesser the number of desires, the greater the freedom & the greater the happiness”
The lesson to take home is that the secret to happiness lies in the reduction of desires and the practice of simple living & high thinking.
Afternoon Session & Practice
Once back at Prashanti Nilayam, lunch was served and all boys partook of Swami’s prasadam reverentially along with Puppet Sir.
Lunch after Grama Seva
Prior to the daily afternoon session with Puppet Sir on Lingashtakam, the boys met for one hour to practice the group songs and bhajans which would be offered to Swami on the 3rd of 4th of October in Sai Kulwant Hall.
After the afternoon session on Lingashtakam, the boys along with Puppet Sir headed for Sai Kulwant Hall for the evening bhajans and Vidwan Maha Sabha. One of the speakers talked on fear which arises due to duality and which we one tends to naturally rebuke. But from god’s perspective Fear has an altogether different purpose. When a child is on the wrong path, the mother uses fear to bring the child back on track. Similarly, when a child of God strays, God too will use fear & pain to bring him/her back on the spiritual path. This is actually a blessing in disguise.
The evening sessions concluded with enchanting bhajans by students from Puttaparthi and Anantapur campus, marking the close of another blissful day in Prashanti, the abode of supreme peace. As we retired for the night, we kept reminding ourselves of our great good fortune and thanked Swami with a profound sense of gratitude.
The Grama Seva Boys, heading to N1 after a “holy” day in Prashanti Nilayam
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