Sri Sathya Sai Conversations with Lion Dance Students – Part 3

December 17, 2001 (Monday)

Swami came to the Poornachandra Auditorium at around 8.00 am The boys were rehearsing their steps. Some of the costume boys (students working in the Costumes Department of the Hostel. All aspects of the cultural programmes in Swami’s Institutions are taken care of by the students themselves including costumes, sound recording, sets, etc.) showed Him the dresses they had stitched. Two students were wearing the costume.

Coach : Very nice, Swami. Even in Singapore we don’t find such costumes.

The two Muslim boys came forward with the card…

Student : Please sign, Swami.

Swami : Ekkada Sign Cheyyali? (Where should I sign?)

The pen, which they had offered, was not writing properly. Another boy offered a pen to Swami, with which He autographed the card, “With Blessings and Love, Sri Sathya Sai”.

Student : Swami, after thirty days of fasting, this festival (Ramzan) is celebrated.

Swami : What is your name? (The student mentioned his name.)

(To the other student) What is yours? (The student replied.)

Warden : Swami, he (referring to the first student) is from Anantapur and he (referring to the second one) is from Sattenapalli. 

Swami : Yes, I have gone to Sattenapalli (in Guntur district), Cherala. I stayed there for three days. (Swami then posed for photographs with the two of them on either side. One more boy came wearing the Lion dress…) Dunnapotulaaga Undi! (It’s like a buffalo!) How many lions?

Students : Swami, twelve lions, and the coach has brought four new costumes.

Swami : They are all looking like old ones. Simply they tell that these are new lions. (After some time) Mohammedans and Ramzan! (Patted on the cheeks of both the boys). 

(To the Warden) See, all these boys are any way not going to be here permanently to learn fully and teach others in the coming years. They need to learn just that much, which is sufficient to perform for Sports Meet. (Turning to the coach) How are the boys?

Coach : They are doing very well. They are picking up very fast. 

Swami : These boys are good. They will pick up anything very fast. Train them properly.

Coach : Swami, I will try to make them perfect.

Swami : Don’t try. Make them!

Coach : If we have short persons for head and tall persons for tail it will be nice, Swami.

Swami : I told them earlier itself, but they never listened to Me.

Coach : Friday, one more coach is coming. If anything is needed we will get from Singapore.

Swami : No, no we don’t need anything. Whatever is there is enough. (Swami said that the head of a particular Lion had to be repaired.) What is your name?

Coach : Mr. Goh.

Swami : The ring that you are wearing, was it not given by Me in 1998?

Coach : Yes, Swami. 

Warden : We will include some more boys, Swami.

Swami asked two boys who were already in the Lion’s costumes to put on a different dress.

Swami : This lion is very small. It won’t be sufficient for you.

Warden : Swami, this lion is a ‘Kondajathi’ (Those that live in the mountains) one, and is found near Singapore. 

Lion Dance Students Part 3 – Sri Sathya Sai

Swami : Not only in Singapore, when we went to Badrinath and Kedarnath, we saw such ones with thick fur. Not only lions, even horses and dogs having fur. I thought of getting one such dog here. But Ramakrishna Rao (Governor of Uttar Pradeshm 1960-1962), who had accompanied Swami on His visit to Badrinath) said they couldn’t live in this hot atmosphere.

(To a student) Practice well from today. You should have three sessions of practice: mornings, afternoons and evenings. Before coming, eat well and come, as you will be doing so much of exercise.

(To all the students) Did you all have breakfast?

Students : Yes, Swami.

Swami : What did you have?

Warden : Swami, they had three Maida Bajjis (a savoury made of flour).

Swami : Not three, you give only two.

Warden : No, Swami, we give three.

Swami : Did you have breakfast?

Student : No, Swami.

Swami : Why?

Student : Swami, it will be nice if I have breakfast afterwards.

Swami : But, you need to go to College.

Student : Today holiday, no College.

-Devotional India