No Title

主	页

\|-	文	章

	\|-	峇	峇	开	示

	\|-	每	月	精	选

	\|-	其	它

主页 >> 文章 >> 每月精选

2013/08

战斗到底

我谦卑的顶礼于我们的主的莲花足下。

亲爱的兄弟姐妹，

这礼拜天我们将谈论的是四个‘F’中的第三个话题，‘战斗到底’（Fight to the End）。在我深入地谈论祂的教导的细节之前，先让我们明白薄伽梵所采用的每一个字都注入内在的含义。这不仅在借喻上正确无误而在灵性上也意义深重。因此，我们必须从那角度来察看祂的每一个说法。就这一点，我相信你们每一个人会同意我的看法。

‘战斗到底’并非意味着战斗于最后一刻（Fight at the End），否则，薄伽梵就会说，‘战斗于最后一刻’了。薄伽梵之所以不这么说的原因是明显的，因为当最后一刻或人生终点临近时，要战斗几乎是不可能的了。所以，在最后一刻才战斗是无济于事的。为什么祂不说‘临终战斗’（Fight in the End）？生命的结尾或目的不是一场战斗。我们不会把它当作极其重要似的而战斗。所以，战斗不是目的，不是终结；战斗于最后一刻是枉然的；因此，薄伽梵采用不同的前置词，‘战斗到底’（Fight to the End）。所以，‘战斗到底’是有其深邃的意义和特别的解释的。

我要告诉你们一则有关薄伽梵自己姐姐，文卡玛（Venkamma）的故事。事情发生在班加罗尔（Bangalore）当她在弥留之际。一天，大约在早上六点，她过世了。薄伽梵吩咐她的遗体要送回布达峇地（Puttaparthi）火化。我们大家都坐在一个巨大的帐篷之下。突然间，在七时左右，一大队车子由警察和其他政府官员护送驶入平达弯（Brindavan）。当时的印度总统商羯罗达雅尔沙马（Shankar Dayal Sharma）及其党政要员在当天会见薄伽梵。七点至七点四十五分薄伽梵接见他。之后，薄伽梵接见一团外国信徒。当天傍晚的峇赞照常为信众举行。接下来是给教职员和学生的讲道，分开在平达弯特拉依（Trayee Brindavan）之内举行。一切如常而薄伽梵一直保持着笑容，好像没有什么事情发生似的。一切似乎显得怪异，我不能抑制自己。我站在平达弯特拉依外面的花园以便在薄伽梵经过时有机会和祂交谈。薄伽梵看到我并说，“你为什么在此闲荡？为什么不进去？”我回答，“薄伽梵，我能跟你说几句话吗？”祂说，“要说什么？”我说，“薄伽梵，你为什么能那么平静？七十高龄的文卡玛今天早上才过世。她的遗体已运往布达峇地。印度总统也来了，你和他谈了四十五分钟，然后又召见外国人，恩赐‘达瞻’（Darshan）给信众而峇赞也照常举行，好像什么都没有发生似的。这怎么可能？

这使我想起贡蒂蒂薇（Kunthi Devi）逝世时的情境。她的儿子达摩拉惹（Dharmaraja，意译为法王或法子）为她办理后事。这个时候基士拿也离开他的肉身。所有般达瓦（Pandavas）族人无不伤心欲绝。法子也必须为孙子巴力克西特（Parikshit，意译为环住）准备登基典礼，同时也为自己的退隐生活而做准备，因为没有基士拿，生活已失去意义了。所有这些事情都同时进行。薄伽梵今天早上的情况就是如此，你姐姐遗体火化，而你接见总统。你同时办理这么多事情而现在又要给学生们讲道。这两者多么类似啊！薄伽梵，我们简直是在二分期时代（Dwapara Yuga）！”

薄伽梵然后叫我进入主殿之内，祂会在那儿给予神圣讲道。这就是‘战斗到底’（Fight to the End）的意义。在我们的生命中，执着总是一直纠缠着我们许多世。要摆脱这执着的枷锁实非易事。薄伽梵是最好的范例，因为我们可以向祂学习舍离的精神。‘战斗到底’意味着我们必须战斗到从执着中脱壳而出为止。我们确实是执着的活生生的实例。即便在薄伽梵面前，我们还是想着我们的家人。在面谈室内，我们谈及我们的孩子。所以，‘战斗到底’传达的就是把执着连根拔起的信息。薄伽梵要我翻译祂自己生活的一些实例。祂以我在花园里问的问题开始祂的讲道。祂评论我质疑的愚昧，“要知道，我是言行一致的，我说我所做的，做我所说的。”然后，祂开始叙述祂自己的生平事迹。我相信你们每一个人都感兴趣聆听主所面对的某些事件。

耶稣被钉在十字架上并受到撒旦（Satan）的挑战。每一个化身都面对这样的问题但都愿意战斗到底，以便弘扬化身的威严，尊贵，崇高和使命。那也是祂的意愿。问题也是祂创造的，而我们创造问题，不只给我们自己，但也给他人和神。薄伽梵说，“我面对过许多问题。当我年少时，人们以为我疯了。一个巫师置我于各式各样的困境。我的父母必须为我预先支付治疗的款额。唯一陪伴我到巫师住所去的就是我的姐姐，文卡玛。首先，巫师剃光我的头发，然后用刀割开我的头皮。他用他的长指甲掀开我的头皮。我的头开始血流如注，但我不哭也不吭声。我只莞尔而笑。这激怒了巫师，叫我午夜时去墓地。我的姐姐，文卡玛陪我到墓地。巫师拿了一些酸橙，挤出汁倒在我的伤口上。一阵阵的剧痛折腾着我，但他无动于衷；他向我泼了一百零八桶水。我仍旧微笑而不哭。巫师怒不可遏。他于是拿起两支铁棒，置于火中。他要我脱下衣服，然后以铁棒在我背上烙印。他也在我胸前烙印。文卡玛忍受不了，哀求道，“让孩子活下去，即便他必须过一个疯子的生活。我们不再需要这种疗法了。”她要求巫师停止，于是我们就回家了。”

‘战斗到底’是一个以平和为武器，以爱为武器，以容忍与纯净为武器的战斗。这就是灵性的兵器和弹药。它不是暴力的对抗。战斗到底意味着薄伽梵随时准备以容忍为武器去面对一切考验。就这样地，祂的神性传扬得更远更广。只有祂才能忍受不人道的折磨。

有一次在布达峇地，有人以一些点心招待祂。其动机是想害死祂，所以把毒药混在点心内。薄伽梵一声不响地吃下。祂只是笑笑，而一切安好无恙。这里的‘战斗到底’意味着薄伽梵以最少的对抗去战斗到底。虽然‘战斗’与‘对抗’这两个词儿并行，但是就薄伽梵而言，只有战斗而无对抗。祂这么做是为了给每一个人立个好榜样。当罪犯被捕而将判刑时，薄伽梵，基于慈悲而要求宽恕她。‘战斗到底’于是意味着一个极大的容忍而没有丝毫复仇心态。

薄伽梵也讲述另一则事件。一次，祂在小屋子内，不料屋子烧了起来，但祂却安然无事。所以，‘战斗到底’，如薄伽梵生平事迹中所示的，是使到他人谦卑地诚服和接受祂。有一回，薄伽梵应邀到以暴力共产主义者见称的喀拉拉邦（Kerala）。在喀拉拉邦首府特里凡得琅城（Trivandrum）安排了几千人的大聚会，这些左翼人士也来了。薄伽梵正赐予‘达瞻’而当时的高等法庭的法官正跟随在后。大法官看到左翼分子坐在其中一排位子，于是，他建议薄伽梵不要走到那一排。然而，薄伽梵坚持要走到左翼人士那一边，并对他们展示灿烂可爱的笑容。祂举起手，祝福他们，而他们也向祂顶礼。就因为有一些人不同意你的思想路线，这并不意味着你就必须回避他们。面对之并战斗到底。祂仅以爱与容忍的武器去战斗，而他们降服于主。

在布克卡巴特南镇（Bukkapatnam）附近的乡村，有一所学校。薄伽梵应邀出席该校周年庆典，薄伽梵在孩提时曾在那里上课。直至今日，薄伽梵当时坐过的凳子和椅子还保存的完好无缺。祂的证书也用美丽的框架镶起来。在聚会时，薄伽梵赐予讲道，在讲道中祂谈到校长渴望学校扩展成学院。薄伽梵说，祂的意愿不仅是一所学院而且是一所大学。翻译祂讲道的是一位颇负名气的科学家，印度国防部的咨询，大名叫薄伽梵谭姆博士（Dr Bhagavantham）。

讲道之后，与薄伽梵共餐时，薄伽梵谭姆轻声地对薄伽梵说，“你不应该那么说。”薄伽梵问，“我说了什么？”薄伽梵谭姆答，“在此根本就不可能开办一所大学。根据‘大学核准委员会’（University Grants Commission）的规定，在一所大学二十公里的范围之内是不允许创办另一所大学的。”薄伽梵说，“哦，是吗？我们有另一所大学吗？那是什么大学？”薄伽梵谭姆回答，“是基士拿德瓦拉耶大学（Krishna Devaraya University），斯瓦米。它坐落于安南达普（Anantapur）。所以，你不能在此开办另一所大学。”薄伽梵说，“不，我要办一所。”薄伽梵谭姆继续争辩，但薄伽梵坚持要办一所大学。

那一年薄伽梵到德里（Delhi）去，祂在那里向国会议员和内阁大臣发表演讲。UGC（大学核准委员会）的主席是一位特出的高个子的女士。薄伽梵对她说，“我要在布达峇地办一所大学。”她甚感惊讶地说，“不，薄伽梵，根据UGC的章程，在一所大学方圆二十公里之内不允许有另一所大学。”她很坚定并在薄伽梵坚持要办大学时继续拒绝薄伽梵的要求。最后，薄伽梵说，“我会办一所大学而你会为之开幕。”一年之内，大学建成，这位女士竟然是主要贵宾。‘战斗到底’，那就是薄伽梵峇峇。

薄伽梵在生日庆典时宣布，布达峇地郊外在一年之内将有一所高等专科医院落成。薄伽梵也说，第一宗开刀手术将于来年的11月22日执行和完成。在场的许多医生都觉得薄伽梵不应该做这样的宣布，因为土地尚未申请更甭说建筑物了。就连工程师们也感到惊讶，因为一切尚无头绪。真的，这是世上最不可能也是最为了不起的任务。使事情恶化的是薄伽梵竟然离开百善地尼乐园到哥戴卡纳尔（Kodaikanal）去两个月之久。有完成此偌大工程的可能性吗？只剩下6个月的时间来完成，而问题是‘怎么做？’。随着时间的流逝，一位来自伦敦的建筑师莅临，他以白金汉宫为样本来设计医院的蓝图。工作开始启动。蓝图很快就准备好，工程得以快速进行。峻工时，昂贵的设备从世界各地运到并装置在如薄伽梵所预期完成的医院里。11月22日第一宗手术顺利进行，正如薄伽梵一年前所预测者然。薄伽梵总会战斗到底直至目标达成。

一天，有人偶然对薄伽梵说，“为什么你不收费？至少让负担得起的有钱人付一些钱。”薄伽梵笑着说，“心脏病是心脏病，它不管有钱没钱。世上没有富有的心脏病或贫穷的心脏病。”接着又笑笑说，“当思想善良和动机善良时，一切就会顺利成功。我要的只是人类的福祉。我愿人人安好，有保障和健康。那种思想无疑会成就一切。”所以，‘战斗到底’，根据薄伽梵，是一旦承办一桩崇高的工程，就必须坚持做到竣工为止。

薄伽梵主张在安南达布（Anantapur）县附近建造食水工程计划。几百年来，这地方都缺少食水。生日那天，祂在印度总理面前宣布这个县应该有足够的食水。薄伽梵也说大家应该共襄善举，有钱出钱，有力出力，而祂会亲自提供资金和任何帮助。政府没有挺身而出，最后薄伽梵自己扛下一切。这工程耗资约数十亿卢比，并在一年内完成。这就是薄伽梵峇峇。战斗到底直至竣工。

有一次，一个以智慧，灵性知识和觉知出名的导师，名叫达克西纳穆迪（Dakshinamurthi）正在海边散步。忽然间他看到一片叶子在海面上飘动，结果飘到岸上。他自忖，海洋是高傲和自私的。他说，“哦，强大的海洋！你是多么自私，从你怀里抛掉这根草。”海神回答，“噢，薄伽梵，我并非自私。我不能忍受在我之内的任何缺点。我甚至不能让一根草去污染我。”这是薄伽梵亲口叙述的一则故事。就如强大的海洋不能忍受一根草，你也一样不应该允许任何一个缺点支配着你。要确定每一个缺点都被粉碎和排除出去。各式各样的缺陷，过错和毛病必须完全连根拔起。至此，你须战斗到底，否则，你会沦为牺牲品。薄伽梵再举一个例子：“这里有一个壶。壶中盛满水。如果壶有一个孔，只要一个，水就会流失。同理，一个缺陷就足以摧毁你。”所以，要战斗到底直至在你之内的最后一个缺陷被根除为止。那可能吗？当然可能！薄伽梵会强制我们执行。祂会注意再也没有私心存留在我们之内。

一个名叫沙迪亚那罗延那（Sathyanarayana）的老人有一次来到布达峇地。由于不良于行，他需要一些志工的协助。薄伽梵径直走向坐在大厅后面的老人，祂扶起他并轻拍他的肩膀。祂送给老人两套衣服并要他在祂七十岁生日时穿上。薄伽梵亲自邀请老人及其夫人前来参加生日庆典。老人泪流满脸而我问他，“先生，你为什么哭而不笑？”他于是叙述他与薄伽梵的亲密关系。他说，“斯瓦米与我是小学的同班同学。今天祂受到世界各地人们的膜拜，崇敬。我还是依然故我。祂多仁慈和悲悯啊！还记得我这个老同学！主径直走向我。祂认得我并赏酬我。我是多么有福气啊！”大多数的人会忘掉以前的朋友但在此的是一个记得故人的神。战斗到底直至自我完全消失。战斗到底直至自大完全根除。战斗到底直至占有欲的最后成分完全绝迹。

一天，有人对薄伽梵说，“斯瓦米，有人谈论有关于你的一些荒谬的事情。我不能忍受这一点。”薄伽梵只是说，“哦，有人说我这样的事情？你感到不舒服吗？你怎么听？用你的耳朵！我也给你腿；那么，离开那地方不就得了。”所以，要战斗到底直至怨恨的感觉完全消失。

一次，薄伽梵说，“我相信每一个人。我信任每一个人，但你却不信任我。原因何在？你与我为一。我在你之内，因此，我信任我自己。由于你不认清这一点，你就没有像我信任你一样的信任。你不相信我，因为你不知道你与我是为一体。我相信你，因为我确实是你。”多美妙的话啊！所以，要战斗到底直至所有身心智的差异完全被驱逐出去。要战斗到底直至一体性和统一性的精神每一天都在我们的生活中被体现和体验。战斗到底不像听起来那么简单。它有着深邃的含意。

一天，我为薄伽梵给予我们的照顾而向薄伽梵表达我的感激之情，并告诉祂，虽然祂分发那么多东西给人们，如衣服，冰淇淋，照片等，但是，祂从来就不为自己储存任何东西。原因何在？薄伽梵回答，“那就是神性！你或有欲望和志愿而我必须实现它们。我没有任何欲望，因此我常感快乐。”要战斗到底直至每一个欲望被根除，以便每一个人都像薄伽梵一样的快乐幸福。一天，薄伽梵评论说，“每一个人都祝贺我‘生日快乐’。其实，我根本就不知道悲伤与担心为何物。我只关心当下。”战斗到底直至我们停止担心。战斗到底直至我们停止与任何欲望纠结。我的朋友，‘战斗到底’是某种我们必须应用于我们自己的心理，我们自己的身体训练上的东西，必须应用于我们自己的职业上，不，我们应该应用这格言于我们生活中的各个层面。愿薄伽梵祝福我们以便我们有勇气去战斗到底。

由于你们很多人问了我有关薄伽梵于去年圣诞节变现‘圣经’的问题，我会向你们透露一二。在讲道时，薄伽梵挥手即变现一本书，有四平方英寸那么大。书的封面是用金制的，上面刻有一个十字架。祂打开那本小书，翻翻看，里面都是希伯来文的小字。此书著作于公元1530年。它包含所有宗教的精华以及圣经所看不到的耶稣生活的详细情况。它有一条红线作为书的标记。在线上记有《梵歌》的一些诗句。此书存放于靠近黑海的亚美尼亚（Armenia）。在亚美尼亚的一个名为伊拉瓦那（Irawana）的市镇，有一个非常出色的博物馆。此书就藏在保安森严的博物馆内的一个玻璃盒子里。薄伽梵用投影的方法把这本书呈现给台下的人。我相信薄伽梵之后便把书送回去。这仅是投影，意味着它是存在的而经祂一挥手就把它呈现给大家。

较早前，薄伽梵也变现女神甘雅古玛丽（Kanyakumari）的鼻饰钉。她是地方神明。这饰物是钻石制成的而现在收藏在英国伦敦的博物馆里。它是在英国统治印度时，被英国人拿走的。薄伽梵变现而展示给大家看后便送回去。有一次，祂也变现印度的一个价值连城的钻石，名叫歌希奴尔（Kohinoor），也跟王室珠宝一起被收藏在伦敦。所以，所有这些都是投影而非真的变现，因为它们已经是存在的。

所以，让我们带着蓬勃的精神，沸腾的热忱，快快乐乐地迎接1997年的到来，并声称我们有福气与薄伽梵斯里沙迪亚赛峇峇的神圣化身同时生活在这世界上。愿薄伽梵永远与你同在！

赛罗姆（Sai Ram）。

取自《薄伽梵斯里沙迪亚赛峇峇普及和实用的教导》第6章

FIGHT TO THE END

My humble salutations at the lotus feet of our Lord.

Dear brothers and sisters,

This Sunday we shall talk about the third statement of the four ‘F’s, namely, ‘Fight to the End’. Before I go into the details of His teachings, let us understand that every word used by Bhagavan is filled with inner significance. It is not only figuratively true, but also spiritually important. Thus, we have to view every statement of His in that light. I am sure, that everyone of you will agree with me on this point.

‘Fight to the End’ does not mean fight at the end, or else, Bhagavan would have said, ‘Fight at the End’. The reason that Bhagavan did not say, ‘Fight at the End’, is obvious as it is well nigh impossible to fight when the end is near. So, there is no use in fighting at the end. Why did He not say, ‘Fight in the End’? The end of life is not a fight. We do not fight as though it is the ‘be all and end all’. So, fight is not the end; fight at the end is useless; therefore, Bhagavan used the preposition, ‘Fight to the end’. So, fight to the end has its own significance and special interpretation.

I shall relate to you a story of Bhagavan’s own (physical) sister, Venkamma. It so happened that she was in Bangalore in her last moments. One day, at about 6.00 a.m., she passed away. Bhagavan gave instructions that her body should be cremated at Puttaparthi. We were all seated under the large ‘Sai Ram’ shed. Suddenly, at about 7.00 a.m. a big fleet of cars drove into Brindavan with police escorts and other government officers. The then President of India, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and his party were to meet Bhagavan that day. Bhagavan gave him an interview from 7.00 a.m. to 7.45 a.m. After that, Bhagavan called a group of foreigners for an interview. That evening there were Bhajans as usual for the public. Then there was a Discourse for the teaching staff and students separately inside the Trayee Brindavan. Everything went off as usual and Bhagavan was smiling as though nothing had happened. I just could not contain myself as everything seemed so strange. I stood outside the garden of the Trayee Brindavan so that I could speak to Bhagavan as He walked by. Bhagavan noticed me and said, “Why are you loitering here? Why don’t you go inside?” I replied, “Bhagavan, I want to talk to you for a few moments, please.” He said, “What is there to talk about?” I said, “Bhagavan, how can you be so composed? Venkamma, the poor old lady who lived seventy, just passed away this morning. Her body was despatched to Puttaparthi. The President of India came, You spoke to him for 45 minutes and thereafter granted an interview to the foreigners. You gave Darshan to the public and the Bhajans too went on as though nothing had happened. How is this possible?

I am reminded of the incident when Kunthi Devi died. Her son, Dharmaraja made preparations for the funeral rites. Krishna too left His body. All the Pandavas were in utter grief. Dharmaraja was also preparing for the coronation of Parikshit, the grandson, and was also preparing for a life of a recluse, because life without Krishna was meaningless. All these events were going on rather simultaneously. Bhagavan, this morning too, your sister’s body was to be cremated, and you granted an interview to the President of India, you attended so many things and now you are going to give a Discourse to the boys here. What an analogy is this? What a parallel is this, Bhagavan, as though we are in Dwapara Yuga!” .

Bhagavan then asked me to go inside the mandir where He would be delivering His Divine Discourse. This is the meaning of ‘Fight to the End’. Attachments in our life have always been hanging on to us over many births. It is difficult to free ourselves from the chain of attachments. Bhagavan is the best example, because we can learn from Him the spirit of detachment. ‘Fight to the end’ means that we have to fight till we come out of attachment. We are the very personification of attachment. Even in the presence of Bhagavan we think of our families. In the interview room, we talk about our children to Him. So, ‘fight to the end’, conveys the message of uprooting attachments. Bhagavan asked me to translate certain instances from His own life. He began the discourse with reference to my question out in the lawn. He commented on the foolishness of my questioning, “Know that whatever I say will be in accordance with what I do. Whatever I do will be in accordance with what I say.” Then, He began to narrate His own biographical details. I am sure that everyone of you will be interested to know certain incidents that the Lord faced.

Jesus Christ was crucified and was challenged by Satan. Every incarnation faces such problems but are ready to fight to the end. They are ready to fight to the end, so that the majesty, dignity, grandeur and the mission of the incarnation spread far and wide. That is also His will. The problems too are created by Him, whereas, we create problems not only for ourselves, but also to others and for God. Bhagavan said, “I faced so many problems. When I was young, people thought that I turned mad, I was put to all sorts of difficulties by a sorcerer. My parents had to pay an advance sum of money for my treatment. The only person who accompanied me to the magician’s place was my sister, Venkamma. First, the magician shaved my head. Then he cut scars on my head with a knife. With his long nails he began to peel off the skin from my head. My head began to bleed profusely, but I did not cry. I was only smiling. This enraged the black magician and he called me back at midnight to the burial ground. I was accompanied to the burial ground by my sister, Venkamma. The magician brought some limes and squeezed them over my head. The pain was excruciating, but he did not stop; he poured one hundred and eight buckets of water over me. I was smiling and did not cry. The black magician’s fury was uncontrollable. He then picked up two iron rods and placed them into the fire. He asked me to remove my shirt and then branded my back with them. He also branded me in the front. Venkamma could bear this no longer. She pleaded, “Let the boy live, even if he has to lead a life of a mad boy. We do not want this treatment any longer.” She requested the magician to stop and we returned home.”

‘Fight to the end’ is a fight with the weapon of Peace; with the weapon of Love, with the weapon of Forbearance and Purity. This is the arms and ammunition of divinity. It is not violent resistance. ‘Fight to the end’ means that Bhagavan was ready to face all the tests with the weapon of Patience. In this way, His divinity spread more and more, in a larger measure faster and wider than ever before. He alone could bear the inhuman torture and suffering.

Once, at Puttaparthi, someone served Him with some vadas (snacks). The intention was to kill Him and so, that person mixed poison in the vadas. Bhagavan ate them without even a murmur. He merely smiled and nothing happened. ‘Fight to the end’ here means that Bhagavan is ready to fight to the end, with the least resistance. Although the words, ‘fight’ and ‘resistance’ go together, in the case of Bhagavan, it is a fight without any resistance. He does this to set an example to everyone. When the culprit, the poisoner was caught and was about to be punished, Bhagavan, in His infinite mercy asked them not to, and pardoned her. ‘Fight to the end’, thus means the patience of a Himalayan dimension and with no trace of vindicitivity.

Bhagavan also narrated another incident. Once, the hut in which He was in, was set on fire, but nothing happened to Him. So, ‘fight to the end’ as is shown in Bhagavan’s biography means, to make other man submit and accept Him in all humility. Once, Bhagavan was invited to the state of Kerala which was noted for its violent communists. A meeting of thousands was arranged in the city of Trivandrum and these communists too came. Bhagavan was giving darshan and the then Chief Justice of Supreme Court was walking behind Bhagavan. The Chief Justice saw the communists sitting in a particular row and so he asked Bhagavan not to go towards that row. On the other hand, Bhagavan insisted on going to the communists, and He just gave a loving smile. He raised His hand in blessing to them and they also did namaskar to Him. Just because some people do not agree to your line of thought, it does not mean that you have to run away from the spot. Face it and fight to the end. He merely fought with the weapon of Love and Forbearance, and they submitted to the Lord.

In the nearby village of Bukkapatnam, there is a school, where Bhagavan was invited to attend its anniversary there. When Bhagavan was a young boy, He attended that school. Till today, the bench and the chair in which Bhagavan used to sit on, have been preserved carefully. His certificates too have been preserved in a beautiful frame. In the meeting, Bhagavan gave a discourse and during the course of the discourse he said that the principal of the school desired to have the institution upgraded to a college. Bhagavan said that it was His will to have not only a college but a University also. The translator was an eminent scientist and an advisor to the defence council of India, Dr. Bhagavantham.

After the discourse, while dining with Bhagavan, Dr. Bhagavantham softly said to Bhagavan, “You should not have said that.” Bhagavan asked, “What did I say?” Bhagavantham replied, “It is impossible to have a University here, as according to the University Grants Commission (UGC), no University can be built when there is another University present within the parameter of 20km.” Bhagavan said, “O, I see! Do we have another University? Which University is that?” Bhagavantham replied, “The Krishna Devaraya Universtiy, Swami, in Anantapur. So, you cannot have one here.” Bhagavan said, “No, I will have one.” Bhagavantham continued to argue his point, but Bhagavan insisted that He would build one.

That year Bhagavan went to Delhi and there He addressed the parliament members and the Cabinet Ministers. The Chairperson of the UGC was a very prominent tall lady. Bhagavan said to her, “I want a University there at Puttaparthi.” She was surprised and said, “No, Bhagavan, no University can exist as per the rules of the UGC charter within the jurisdiction of 20 kilometres of another University.” She was very adamant and continued to decline Bhagavan’s request, while He insisted that He would have one. Then Bhagavan finally said, “I will have a University and you will be the one to open it.” Within a year, the University was completed and this lady was the Chief Guest. ‘Fight to the end’, that is Bhagavan Baba.

Bhagavan announced during the Birthday celebrations, that there would be a Super Speciality Hospital on the outskirts of Puttaparthi within one year. Bhagavan also said that, the first operation would take place on the 22nd November of the following year. There were many doctors present who felt that Bhagavan should not have made such a statement because let alone the construction of the building, the land necessary for the purpose was not even acquired. Even the engineers were shocked as nothing was ready. Truly, this was the most impossible and the most stupendous task on earth. To worsen the situation Bhagavan went away to Kodaikanal and was away from Prasanthi Nilayam for about two months. What was the possibility of completing such a huge project? Only six months time was left to complete it and the question was ‘How?’. As time passed on, an architect from London arrived and he designed the building on the model of the Buckingham Palace. Things started flowing. The plans were quickly drawn up and the construction began very swiftly. On completion, costly equipment from different parts of the world was brought and housed in the Hospital which was completed as scheduled by Bhagavan. On 22nd November the first operation was performed just as Bhagavan had announced one year back. Bhagavan will always fight to the end till the goal is reached.

One day, someone casually said to Bhagavan, “Why should you make it free. At least let the rich people pay who can afford to pay some money?” Bhagavan smiled and said, “Heart disease is heart disease, whether rich or poor. There is no rich heart disease or poor heart disease.” Then Bhagavan smiled and said, “When your thoughts are good, when your motives are good, everything will happen successfully. What I want is only the welfare of humanity. I desire everyone’s safety, security and health. That very thought will accomplish everything beyond all doubt.” So, ‘fight to the end’, according to Bhagavan Baba is carrying out a noble project once undertaken with noble resolve, until it is accomplished.

Bhagavan enforced the plan for the Drinking Water Project next to the Anantapur district. For hundreds of years this area had no drinking water. Bhagavan announced on His Birthday, in the presence of the Prime Minister of India that this district should have drinking water. Bhagavan also said that the people should do it and that he would personally help with the funds and whatever was needed. The Government did not come forward and finally Bhagavan had to take it upon Himself. It was a task that cost hundreds of crores of rupees and was completed within one year. That is Bhagavan Baba. Fight to the end until it is completed.

Once, Dakshinamurthi, a Guru noted for wisdom, spiritual knowledge and awareness was walking along the seashore. Suddenly he noticed a blade of grass being tossed about and then brought to the shore. He thought to Himself that the ocean was proud and egoistic. He said, “O, mighty ocean! How egoistic you are to dismiss that blade of grass from your fold.” The ocean God replied, “O, Bhagavan, I am not egoistic. I cannot bear any weakness in me. I cannot even allow a blade of grass to pollute me.” This is a story narrated by Bhagavan Himself. Just as a blade of grass could not be tolerated by the mighty ocean, you should not allow a single weakness to dominate you. See that every weakness is crushed and pushed out. All sorts of flaws, mistakes and defects have to be completely rooted out. Until then fight to the end, otherwise, something may make you its prey. Bhagavan gave another example: “Here is a pot. The pot is full of water. If the pot has even one hole the water will drain out. Similarly, one defect is enough to ruin you.” So, fight to the end until the last defect in you is rooted out. Is that possible? Yes! Bhagavan will force us to do it. He will see to it that there will be no ego left in us.

An old man, by name Sathyanarayana once came to Puttaparthi. He could barely walk and was assisted by some seva dal members. Bhagavan went right up to the back of the hall, where he was seated and lifted him and tapped his shoulders. He gave the man two sets of clothes and asked him to wear them for His Seventieth Birthday. Bhagavan personally invited him to attend the celebrations with his wife. The man was shedding tears and I asked him, “Sir, why are you crying instead of smiling?” He then began to relate his intimate relationship with Bhagavan. He said, “Swami and I were classmates in our school days. Today, He is worshipped by people from countries all over the world. I am what I was years ago. How compassionate and merciful is He to have remembered me! The Lord walked right up to me and recognized me; He rewarded me. How fortunate I am!” Most people forget their friends of the past, but here is God, who acknowledged an old friend. Fight to the end till ego is totally dissolved. Fight to the end till pride is eradicated. Fight to the end till the last element of possessiveness is completely eradicated.

One day, a certain person said to Bhagavan, “Swami, somebody is talking such strange improper things about you. I am unable to bear it.” Bhagavan merely said, “O, some people are saying such things about me? You are feeling bad? How do you hear? With your ears! I gave you legs also; so, just walk away from that place.” So, fight to the end until the feeling of ill-will is gone.

Once Bhagavan said, “I believe everybody. I have trust in everyone, but you do not have trust in Me. Why? You and I are one. I am in you, therefore, I trust Myself. You do not realize this, therefore, you do not have as much of trust as I have in you. You do not believe Me, because you do not know that you and I are one. I believe you, because I am you really.” What a wonderful statement that is! So, fight to the end until all physical differences, mental differences and intellectual differences are driven out. Fight to the end until the spirit of oneness and unity is realized and experienced every day in our lives. Fighting to the end is not that simple as it sounds. It has a depth of meaning with all its profundity.

One day, I expressed my gratitude to Bhagavan for giving us all watches and also told Him that though He distributes so many things, like clothes, ice creams, photos, etc., He would never keep anything for Himself. Why? Bhagavan replied, “That is divinity! You may have desires and aspirations and I must fulfil them. I do not have any desires, therefore I am always happy.” Fight to the end till every desire is uprooted, so that everyone may be as blissful as Bhagavan Himself. One day, Bhagavan commented, “Everyone greets Me ‘Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday’. Really I do not know what unhappiness and worry are. I am only concerned with the present moment.” Fight to the end till we cease to worry. Fight to the end till we stop entertaining any desires. My friends, ‘Fight to the end’ is something that we have to apply to our own psychology, our own physical discipline, to our own profession, nay, we should apply this dictum to every aspect of our lives. May Bhagavan shower His benediction on us so that we have the courage to fight to the end.

Since many of you have asked me the question regarding the ‘Holy Bible’, which Bhagavan materialized during the last Christmas, I shall speak to you a few words about it. Bhagavan materialized a book of about 4 square inches with a wave of His hand during the course of His Divine Discourse. The cover was made of gold. It had a Cross embossed on it. He opened that tiny book and turned the pages, which had tiny writing in the Hebrew language. The book was composed in 1530 A.D. It contained the essence of all the religions as well as the details of Jesus Christ’s life, which are not found in the Bible. It had a red thread as a book mark. On the thread also were inscribed words of slokas from the Bhagavad Gita. This book is in Armenia, close to the Black Sea. There is a place, Irawana. There is a fantastic museum in that city. Inside a glass case, this book is kept under very tight security. It was this book, which was projected by Bhagavan and shown to people from the dais. I believe that it was then sent back to its place by Bhagavan. It was only projected, meaning that it existed and was brought by the wave of His hand, to show it to the public.

Earlier too, Bhagavan materialized the nose stud of Goddess Kanyakumari, the deity of that region. It was made of diamond and is now housed at the British Museum in London. It was taken away by the British when they were ruling India. After materializing it and showing it to all, Bhagavan sent it back. Once He also materialized the costliest diamond of India, the Kohinoor, which is also housed with the crown jewels in London. So all these are projections and not really materialisations, as they already exist.

So, let us be happy, with the advent of the year 1997, with increasing spirit, bubbling enthusiasm and claim ourselves to have been contemporaries of the divine incarnation of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. May Bhagavan be with you forever and ever!

Sai Ram.

Universal & Practical Teachings of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Chapter 6