Three Bags Full!!!

Three Bags Full!!!

Master punner He is… we have often seen Bhagawan doing jugglery of words, in His discourses and ‘casual’ conversations, only to give an impetus to His broader intentions… and how subtly He connects every word that He utters, aptly suiting the situation. Sri VK Narasimhan presents an Australian experience inside the Interview Room, with his editorial comments. From Sanathana Sarathi, May 1992.

Peter Rae, an Australian devotee of Bhagawan, has been engaged for some years in erecting a Mandir near his home in New South Wales, for the use of devotees in the area. He has described an incident which happened during an interview at Prasanthi Nilayam, when he brought a pair of sandals to be blessed by Bhagawan before they were placed at the Altar in his Mandir. He writes:

“Swami took us into the private Interview Room, where the sandals belonging to the Sai Temple of Peace were placed on Baba’s cushion for His Feet. When Baba came into the room and saw the sandals on His cushioned footstool, a beautiful smile came on His face and as He sat in His chair, He pulled up the lower part of His Robe and held up His Feet. Then placing both hands as in blessings, palm down, He said: Three bags full, three bags full, three bags full.” One of the ladies, Valmai, asked Swami, what He meant by “Three bags full.” Baba answered “the fullest of everything. The three worlds, Bhur, Bhuvas, Suvaha, Harmony, Happiness, Health, Full of happiness, Full of Love, Full of Santhi, Everything is there.”

(The significance of Bhagawan’s use of the phrase “Three bags full” was apparently not clear to the Australian devotees. Bhagawan was indirectly reminding them of the words in the nursery rhyme:   “Ba-ba black sheep! Have you any wool?” The devotees had come from the land of sheep to Baba and Baba was giving them “Three bags full” of blessings, unlike the sheep in the poem which gave “three bags full” of wool.)

Three Bags Full – A Sacred Lesson On Readiness, Giving, And Humble Service

Three Bags Full is a simple phrase, yet it can carry a deep spiritual message when seen through the eyes of devotion. It reminds us of fullness, readiness, and the willingness to offer what we have for a noble purpose. In spiritual life, the question is not only how much we possess, but how lovingly we share what has been given to us by God.

Human beings often collect many things in life: money, knowledge, skills, experiences, comforts, and opportunities. But if everything is kept only for oneself, the heart becomes narrow. True fulfillment begins when what we receive is used for service, kindness, and the welfare of others. A full life is not one that only gathers, but one that gives.

Three Bags Full teaches that the devotee should always be ready to serve. A bag that is full can become useful only when it is opened at the right time. In the same way, our talents, time, strength, and love become meaningful only when they are offered in service. Hidden goodness must become active goodness.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often emphasized that service to man is service to God. He taught devotees to love all and serve all, help ever and hurt never. These teachings remind us that devotion should not remain locked in words or emotions. It should flow through helpful hands, gentle speech, and compassionate action.

Three Bags Full becomes meaningful when we ask ourselves what our own bags are filled with. Are they filled with love, patience, truth, humility, and willingness to serve? Or are they filled with pride, complaint, jealousy, anger, and selfish desire? The inner contents of the heart decide the fragrance of life.

A person may have much wealth but little compassion. Another may have little wealth but a heart full of kindness. In the eyes of God, the second person may be richer. Divine accounting is different from worldly accounting. The Lord measures purity, intention, and selflessness more than outer quantity.

Three Bags Full also reminds us that giving should be balanced with wisdom. We should give what helps, uplifts, and supports goodness. Giving is not only about money. We can give time to the lonely, food to the hungry, encouragement to the discouraged, forgiveness to the mistaken, and prayer to those in pain.

The spirit of offering should be free from ego. If we give only to be praised, remembered, or respected, the act becomes mixed with self-interest. True giving is quiet and humble. It feels grateful for the chance to serve. The devotee understands that God is the real giver, and we are only instruments.

Three Bags Full finally teaches that fullness should lead to gratitude. Whatever we have is not ours by independent power alone. Our body, breath, intelligence, family, opportunities, and strength are gifts. Many unseen hands support our life. Gratitude makes the heart soft and prevents success from becoming pride.

A full heart does not complain constantly. It notices blessings. It thanks God for small mercies. It sees beauty in simple things. Such a heart is able to give because it does not feel empty inside. Spiritual fullness comes from remembrance of God, not from endless possession.

Prayer, namasmarana, bhajan, meditation, and seva fill the inner life with sacred strength. Prayer softens the heart, the divine name purifies thought, bhajan fills life with sweetness, meditation brings silence, and seva removes selfishness. These practices make the devotee inwardly rich.

The world needs people whose hearts are full of goodness. Many are tired, anxious, lonely, and hurt. A kind word may become medicine. A small act of help may become hope. A patient listener may become comfort. When we share goodness sincerely, we become channels of divine grace.

A devotee should not wait until everything is perfect before serving. We may not have much, but we always have something to offer. Even a smile, a prayer, a gentle reply, or a little time can bless another person. God values sincerity more than size.

The phrase also reminds us to be prepared. When a chance to do good comes, we should not delay unnecessarily. Life is short, and opportunities may not return in the same form. If someone needs kindness today, we should not postpone it for tomorrow. Timely service carries special beauty.

In the end, Three Bags Full is a sacred reminder to fill life with love, truth, gratitude, and service. It asks us to open the heart and offer our gifts for the welfare of others. When what we receive from God is returned through humble service, life becomes meaningful, peaceful, and blessed with divine grace.

What are the Qualities Sai Students should possess?