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.