Artificial or Heartificial

Artificial or Heartificial

How often Bhagawan stresses on the importance of harmony in Thought, Word and Deed, Trikaranasuddhi?!? What you think you must speak and what you speak, you must do. Read on a couple of such beautiful learning lessons at His Lotus Feet, penned by a former student at Bhagawan’s educational institutions, Sri K. Ajay, extracted from the 95th Birthday Souvenir of Sri Prasanthi Society, Hyderabad, ‘SRI SATHYA SAI – THE DIVINE COMPANION’.

Let me start with a story that happened when I was a 11th grade student in Swami’s higher secondary school. It was summer vacation time and Swami was in Brindavan. Many may already know that the lotus shaped building that Swami stayed in is called ‘Trayee’. Most afternoons, after bhajans, Swami would spend time with the boys in what were aptly named, Trayee sessions. In one such session, Swami posed a question that still gives me goose bumps when I think of it: ‘Who Am I?” He asked, lovingly challenging us on an unknowable question!

The boys started providing various answers. “You are Love walking on two legs”, said one. Another added, “You are the love of a 100 mothers.” Not to be outdone – and focusing the power of zeroes, another brother piped in, ‘You are the love of a 1000 mothers!” Swami kept shaking His head saying ‘no’.

“You do not understand the love of one mother, how can you ever comprehend the love of a 1000! Dunapota” said Swami – The Eternal Mother.

I had stayed quite through all this. Presumably the youngest in the room, I was quite intimidated by the occasion and the difficult question. But wait a minute! Something suddenly struck me and I blurted out, “Swami, you are our conscience!” In response, I got the most dazzling smile – one that could melt Mt. Everest. I will translate what He said next.

“See, it has taken a young, innocent boy to finally figure it out.” I looked around me to see who He was referring to as I hardly considered myself innocent. But He carried on to pump my inner balloon of ego a bit more with more praises and I would not dare repeat. In any case, I was by then in cloud nine and extremely full of myself. But the Divine Teacher wanted to teach us something and I was merely the sacrificial lamb at the altar of profound truth. The balloon was completely burst when He used words that I try and remind myself of everyday. “If you really believe that I Am your conscience, why then do you behave so naughty?”

My dear sisters, brothers, elders and children – these are immortal words of high wisdom from Bhagawan. We may or may not remember this message, but it is a fundamental truth. To only speak of myself, I fail so much in this tenet on a daily basis.

Let me illustrate this with another story. When I was a student at Parthi, I had the habit of writing poems almost on a daily basis. On one beautiful autumn afternoon in Sai Kulwant Hall, I was in full flow and words were flowing out of me in beautiful alliterations, if I can say so myself. As I was putting finishing touches on this perceived masterpiece, Swami walked out of the interview room. He walked towards what we called the old students’ block, lovingly speaking with several people. I was seated right by one of the entrances to the bhajan hall. Suddenly I felt the urge to give the poem to Swami. After all, it was for Him.

He came up to me and saw the sheet of folded paper in my hand and asked (in Telugu) “What is this?” . “Swami, it is a poem,” I replied handing it over to Him. “Aa? Love letter?” He asked questioningly while taking, and unfolding the paper. “No Swami, it is a poem,” I repeated lamely while He read on. After a few seconds, He looked up and said, “See, I told you; it is a love letter; you used the word love at least six times.” Amused, I kept my mouth shut. How can He ever be wrong? Swami then folded up the paper and putting it into my shirt pocket. He gently tapped on my chest and said, “Pretty words, but it has to come from inside; else, they are just empty words!”

Artificial or Heartificial – A Divine Reflection On Love, Humanity, And Inner Values

Artificial or Heartificial is a meaningful spiritual theme that invites us to think deeply about the direction of modern life. The world is becoming more advanced, faster, and more comfortable through technology, machines, systems, and artificial intelligence. Yet the real question is whether the human heart is also becoming more loving, compassionate, peaceful, and truthful.

Human beings have created many wonderful tools to reduce effort and increase knowledge. Technology can connect people across countries, support education, improve healthcare, and make daily life easier. But no machine can replace kindness, no system can replace compassion, and no invention can replace the warmth of a pure heart.

Artificial or Heartificial teaches that outer progress must be balanced with inner growth. If intelligence grows without love, it can become dangerous. If power grows without morality, it can harm society. If knowledge grows without humility, it can create pride. True progress is not only in what humans build outside, but also in what they become inside.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often reminded humanity that the heart is the seat of love and divinity. Education, science, and skill are valuable, but they must be guided by character. A clever mind may solve many problems, but only a loving heart can heal pain, forgive mistakes, and serve without selfishness.

In today’s world, many relationships are becoming mechanical. People may send quick messages, react with symbols, and stay busy with screens, but still feel lonely within. The heart needs real attention, patient listening, gentle words, and sincere care. Human connection should not become dry, hurried, or empty.

Artificial or Heartificial becomes meaningful when we choose love over lifeless habit. A prayer said without feeling becomes mechanical, but a simple prayer from the heart becomes powerful. Service done for praise becomes artificial, but service done with compassion becomes sacred. Words spoken politely without sincerity may sound good, but words spoken with love can touch the soul.

The danger of artificial living is that people may begin to value appearance more than truth. A person may show happiness outside while feeling empty inside. One may speak of kindness but act with selfishness. One may display devotion but ignore the suffering of others. Spiritual life asks us to become genuine, not merely impressive.

The heart-centered way of living begins with awareness. Before speaking, we can ask whether our words will heal or hurt. Before acting, we can ask whether our action is selfish or helpful. Before judging others, we can ask whether we have understood their pain. These small pauses bring humanity back into daily life.

Artificial or Heartificial also reminds us that real intelligence includes compassion. A truly wise person does not use knowledge to dominate others. He uses it to serve, uplift, and protect. The highest intelligence is the ability to see God in all beings and treat everyone with respect, patience, and love.

Children must also be guided toward heart-based living. They may learn computers, science, language, and many skills, but they must also learn truth, gratitude, discipline, respect, and selfless service. Without values, education becomes incomplete. With values, knowledge becomes a blessing to society.

Artificial or Heartificial finally teaches that the future should not be only machine-powered, but love-guided. Technology should serve humanity, not make humanity cold. Progress should reduce suffering, not increase greed. Development should protect nature, not exploit it. The heart must remain the master, and tools must remain servants.

The teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba give a clear path for this balance: love all, serve all; help ever, hurt never. These words are simple, yet they contain the answer to many modern problems. When love guides intelligence, life becomes creative, peaceful, and useful. When service guides progress, society becomes more compassionate.

In the end, Artificial or Heartificial is a call to return to the living heart. It asks us to use technology wisely, but never lose tenderness, prayer, humility, and compassion. A world full of machines may become powerful, but only a world full of love can become truly blessed. When the heart leads the mind, human life becomes sacred, meaningful, and filled with divine grace.

Glory of Prashanti Nilayam