Divine Words – Excerpts from Divine Interviews
Sairam brothers,
Its nice to share with all our brothers excerpts from the many interviews that our group has had with Swami over the past many years. These interactions have been collected from our senior brothers who were extremely fortunate to have had opportunities with the Lord. Most of them are in Telugu since I believe that the originality conveys the exact message more accurately. Kindly forgive any commissions and omissions.
1. Swami once asked the group, “What is the difference between God and Man?” All of us answered many different things. Finally Swami said, “Bhagavantudi ki anni telisina emi teliyanattu vuntaadu kaani manavudiki emi teliyakapoyina anni telisinattu pose kodtadu. Ade ra God ki man ki unna bhedamu.” In this manner Swami enlightened us as to how ignorant we were that we thought that we know something although what we think we know is not even the tip of the iceberg.
2. During one of the group interviews, Swami suddenly became serious and said “ Ee chetilo enta power undo telusa. Nenu ee chetini ila tippite bhoomini aakasamu ga maarchagalanu. Chetini ala tippite aakasanni bhoomiga maarchagalanu. Sarva shaktulu naalone vunnayi ra.” It was such a revelation for all those present.
3. Once, one of the brothers present in a group interview asked Swami, “ Swami, memu ikkada Prashanti Nilayam lo vunnapudu baagane untaamu. Kaani malli Hyderabad pote malli paata friends, alavatlu malli vacchestaayi. Emi cheyyalo cheppandi Swami. Swami replied, “ meeranta matti kundala laanti vaaru ra, aa kundalalo nenu prema ane neeru nimputunna. Meeru malli Hyderabad poyaka aa kundalanu bad company ane yendalo pedite andulo unna neeru anta evaporate ayipotaayi. Aa kundanu teesuku velli meeru satsangamu ane neella tank lo pedite avi eppatiki ninde vuntaayi. Kaabatti meeru ikkada Swami cheppina vishayalani vini akkadiki poyi malli deenini gurtu chesukuntu satsangamulo melagali bangaru.” This was how we understood the value of sharing each other’s experiences and meeting often to talk about Swami and the activity.
4. One of our brothers once asked Swami, “ Swami meeru maakandariki inni gifts, nagalu istaaru kaani meeru mee vontimeeda etuvanti nagalu, aabharanaalu vesukorenduku Swami.” Swami replied, “ Bangaru, ee rendu gold buttons vunnaye(pointing to His robe), ave ekkuvara naaku. Sai Baba ivvatanike vacchadu, alankaaralu chesukodaaniki kaadu.” Wow.
5. During one of the group interviews, Swami had called along an elderly devotee who was reading poems to Swami. He said , “ Swami, mimmalane Ramudantini.” Sw: antivi, Devotee:mimmalane Krishnudantini. Sw: antivi Dev: mimmalane Shivudanti Sw: antivi Dev: mimmalane Daivambanti Sw: antivi. Innantivi kaani okka saaraina vintiva?” That day we understood how much more important it is to practice His teachings than simply sing praises.
6. Swami once said to the group, “naaku darshanlo etuvanti mukhaalu choodatamu ishtamo telusa. Naaku navvutu aanandamu ga vunde mohaalu ishtam. Andaru castor oil face to vastaaru. Bhagavantude mee vaddaku vacchi mee madhyalo nadustunte antakanna aanandamu inkemi vundi. Kabatti navvutu aanandamuga vundaali.”
7.Once Swami had called 60 of us for an interview. The group had done a 6 day grama seva camp and come to Prashanti Nilayam. The interview room was jam packed with some of our brothers having to stand against the walls so that all could fit in. After the interview was over, there was some water on the floor, probably because of sweat. Our brothers immediately started taking out their kerchiefs to wipe. Swami saw this and said, “Vaddu bangaru, danini tudchavaddu. Pavitramaina gangajalamu ra adi. Seva chesi vacchina vaariki anta viluva.” That day we understood how God values even the sweat of someone who has rendered service.
8. Swami usually ends an interview by distributing vibhuti packets to all those present. At the end of one such group interview, Swami got up and took the basket of vibhuti packets. One of the brothers remarked, “Swami, nenu pattukuntanu Swami vibhuti basket.” Immediately Swami said, “Mee andari bhaaraanni mostunnanu kadaa, daanikante idi telika ye. Nene pattukuntaanu le bangaru.” What a profound statement.
9. Swami once asked us during a group interview, “What is the difference between and a bad man. Manchi vaadiki chedda vaadiki unna vetyaasamu emito telusa.” Many tried to give different answers but Swami was not happy. Finally He said, “Emi ledu ra, chaala simple. Manchi vaadu yedati vaadi baadha choosi baadha padutaadu. Yedati vaadi aanandamu choosi aananda padutaadu. Chedda vaadu yedati vaani baadha choosi aananda padutaadu. Yedati vaani aanandaanni choosi baadha padutaadu. Ante difference.” What a simple way of putting it.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews – Sacred Lessons Of Love, Faith, And Inner Awakening
Excerpts from Divine Interviews is a deeply inspiring spiritual theme that reflects the sacred moments when devotees receive guidance, correction, love, and wisdom from the Divine. A divine interview is not an ordinary conversation. It is a meeting where the heart feels seen, the mind receives clarity, and the soul is gently guided toward truth. Such moments often remain alive in the memory of devotees for a lifetime.
In spiritual life, personal guidance has great importance. Books, discourses, bhajans, and prayers give strength, but a direct word from the Divine can touch the deepest part of the heart. Sometimes one sentence can remove years of doubt. Sometimes one loving glance can heal inner pain. Sometimes one instruction can change the direction of a person’s life completely.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews reminds us that divine guidance is always given for transformation. The Divine does not speak only to satisfy curiosity. Every word has a purpose. It may encourage, warn, bless, or correct. A devotee who receives such guidance must not treat it as a personal treasure only, but as a responsibility to live better, serve more sincerely, and become more loving in daily life.
Many devotees enter an interview with questions about family, health, work, studies, or spiritual practice. But often, the Divine answers even unspoken questions. This shows that God knows the heart more deeply than we know ourselves. The devotee may speak with words, but the Divine listens to feelings, fears, hopes, and hidden prayers. This creates deep faith and surrender.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews also teaches that love and discipline go together. Divine love is tender, but it is also truthful. Sometimes devotees receive sweet words, and sometimes they receive firm correction. Both are forms of grace. A mother may lovingly correct her child because she wants the child to grow properly. In the same way, divine correction is not rejection; it is protection and guidance.
The beauty of such interviews is that they reveal the personal relationship between the devotee and the Divine. Each devotee may receive a different message according to their need. One may be told to have faith, another to serve, another to control anger, and another to stop worrying. The words may differ, but the purpose remains the same: purification of the heart and awakening of love.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews inspires us to understand that spirituality must be practical. If a devotee receives divine advice but does not apply it, the blessing remains incomplete. The real value of guidance is seen in changed conduct. If the Divine asks us to be patient, we must practice patience at home. If the teaching is about love, we must reduce harshness. If the message is service, we must help those in need.
Many times, devotees remember small details from interviews because those details carried deep meaning. A smile, a question, a blessing, or even silence could become spiritually powerful. Divine silence itself can teach surrender. When the mind stops demanding explanations, the heart begins to trust. Such trust becomes the foundation of deeper devotion.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews also shows that the Divine understands human weakness with compassion. People may come with fear, confusion, ego, attachment, or sorrow. Instead of rejecting them, the Divine slowly guides them toward strength. This patience is a sign of true love. God does not expect perfection immediately, but He expects sincerity, effort, and willingness to change.
A divine interview can also remind devotees of the importance of self-confidence. Many people feel weak because they identify only with the body, mind, and outer circumstances. The Divine reminds them that true strength comes from within. When a person remembers that God is present in the heart, fear becomes lighter and courage grows. Spiritual confidence is not ego; it is trust in the divine power within.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews teaches that the greatest answer is often love. Devotees may ask many questions, but the final solution to most problems is a loving heart. Love heals relationships, reduces ego, strengthens faith, and purifies action. Without love, knowledge becomes dry and service becomes mechanical. With love, even ordinary life becomes sacred.
Such sacred conversations also create gratitude. A devotee who receives divine attention feels blessed beyond words. But gratitude should not remain only as emotion. It should become action. The best way to express gratitude is to follow the teaching, help others, speak truth, and live with humility. A grateful heart becomes a channel for grace.
Excerpts from Divine Interviews finally reminds us that divine guidance is not limited to a room or a special meeting. The Divine continues to speak through conscience, prayer, scriptures, noble people, and life experiences. Every situation can become an interview with God if we listen with sincerity. A difficulty may ask us to become stronger. A blessing may ask us to become humbler. A failure may ask us to become wiser.
In the end, the real purpose of divine interviews is inner transformation. They are not meant only for memory, storytelling, or wonder. They are meant to awaken truth, love, discipline, and surrender within the devotee. When a person follows divine guidance with faith, life becomes peaceful and meaningful. Excerpts from Divine Interviews is therefore a sacred reminder that every word from the Divine should be treasured, practiced, and allowed to blossom into selfless love.
Divine Advice