Do The Plants Complain?

Do The Plants Complain?

An elderly sister of an inmate in Prasanthi Nilayam once asked her sibling, purely out of love and concern, as to, is he happy in Prasanthi  Nilayam. The boy, to her wonderment, ‘retorted’ questioning her ‘audacity’ to ask him such a ‘foolish’ question. He asked her, ‘how can you ask me such a question when I am with my Swami?’ Yes, we do forfeit all our rights to complain, once we are ‘basketed’ by our Beloved Bhagawan. He has often repeated, Bear All and Do Nothing; Hear All and Say Nothing; Give All and Take Nothing; Serve All and Be Nothing, exhorting His creation to excel in the path of ‘Life’ with ‘Love’. The following story, which has no bearing on the above incident, does sound this message from Bhagawan, and much more. A story from Summer Course 1978, as narrated by Sri S. Sankar, a student with Bhagawan’s institution then.

Formerly, from about 1969 to 1974 I was very plump and fat, owing to some kind of over secretion of the lymphatic gland or something like that. I could say with shameful pride that I was a “fatty”. Apart from attributing a kind of social untouchability, usually meted out to fat boys at school, I was intensely suffering a kind of gravity and weight in the chest, etc, which sometimes was suffocating. I felt I was a giant and moved about with considerable difficulty.

Around this time, I also got the bad habit of unnecessarily uprooting and “transplanting” the plants in the garden outside our house. It seems I was having my anger thrust upon the innocent plants, for no fault of theirs. But I did not give a moment of thought to this at that time.

Once, I asked Swami, why I had to suffer so much from breathing trouble, etc. (I did not have asthma at that time). Then of course, because of childish courage, I had not realised or felt any fear towards Swami. I was thinking just that He was one of our “best friends”, knowing all the while He was God. I was asking Him so many things inquisitively, without any trepidation, and which I would not dare to do now.

And Swami’s answer was quick. “You are making the plants in your yard to suffer so much. Do they complain?”

Though I stopped the plant business immediately, it is only last week that I began to realise the great significance of this philosophy.

Firstly, it is poignant that Swami was ‘able’ to point out a “devilish” habit, to which we did not attach much significance, and correct it. This shows the SARVA JNANI aspect of Swami, and also shows He is the “best teacher” we can get. His simple sentence purged me of a habit, which though trivial, was not good.

Finally, it proves how Swami is resident in the heart of all beings and even non-beings. His sense of identification even with plants is complete, for He is in all. Since then, I try my best not to cause harm to any creature, even accidentally. Swami’s philosophy of AHIMSA (non-violence) extends to the lowest of creatures.

Do The Plants Complain? – A Sacred Lesson On Patience, Service, And Silent Giving

Do The Plants Complain is a simple question, but it carries a deep spiritual message for human life. Plants stand silently in the sun, rain, wind, heat, and cold. They do not argue, demand praise, or announce their sacrifice. They simply grow, give shade, offer flowers, produce fruits, purify the air, and beautify the earth with quiet humility.

Human beings often complain even when life gives many blessings. We complain about small discomforts, delayed results, difficult people, and changing circumstances. But nature teaches patience without speech. A plant does not stop giving fragrance because no one thanks it. A tree does not withdraw its shade because someone ignores it. Its life is a lesson in selfless service.

Do The Plants Complain teaches that true greatness is often silent. The most useful lives are not always the loudest. The sun shines without pride, the river flows without advertisement, and the earth supports all beings without asking for reward. In the same way, a spiritual person should learn to serve with humility and remain steady in duty.

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba often reminded devotees that service must be done without ego. When we help others, we should not constantly expect recognition, appreciation, or return. God sees every sincere action. Even if the world does not notice our goodness, the Divine knows the purity of our intention.

Do The Plants Complain becomes meaningful when we reflect on our own reactions. Do we become upset when people do not praise us? Do we stop helping when others fail to thank us? Do we lose patience when life becomes uncomfortable? The silent strength of plants teaches us to continue doing good without becoming dependent on appreciation.

A plant grows slowly, but steadily. It does not hurry because another plant is taller. It does not compare its flower with another flower. It follows its own rhythm given by nature. Human beings can learn from this. Comparison creates jealousy and restlessness. Patience creates peace and growth.

Do The Plants Complain also reminds us that every life has a purpose. A small blade of grass, a tiny flower, a large tree, and a fruit-bearing plant all serve creation in their own way. No sincere role is useless. In human life also, every duty becomes sacred when performed with love, discipline, and sincerity.

Plants receive from the earth, water, sunlight, and air, and then they give back to the world. This is the cycle of gratitude. Human beings also receive countless blessings from God, family, society, nature, and unseen hands. We should not live only by taking. We should give back through kindness, service, honesty, and compassion.

Do The Plants Complain finally teaches that silence can be powerful. Silence does not mean weakness. It can mean patience, acceptance, strength, and inner balance. A person who does not complain at every difficulty becomes stronger within. Such a person learns to act wisely instead of wasting energy in constant dissatisfaction.

Nature also teaches forgiveness. People may cut branches, pluck flowers, or throw stones at trees, yet trees continue to give shade and fruit when they can. This does not mean we should accept wrong actions blindly, but it teaches us not to carry bitterness endlessly. A forgiving heart becomes lighter and closer to peace.

A devotee should learn to reduce unnecessary complaints and increase gratitude. Instead of asking why life is not perfect, we can ask how we can serve better. Instead of focusing only on what is missing, we can notice what has already been given. Gratitude changes the atmosphere of the heart.

Prayer, meditation, namasmarana, and seva help us become more like nature in its noblest form. Prayer gives humility, meditation gives calmness, the divine name purifies thought, and service expands love. When these practices become steady, complaints reduce and contentment grows.

In the end, Do The Plants Complain is a sacred reminder to live with patience, humility, gratitude, and silent service. The plants teach us to give without pride, grow without comparison, and serve without complaint. When we learn this lesson from nature, life becomes peaceful, useful, and blessed with divine grace.

“…Yes, I Am The Director”