This transformation is of two
types—mental and spiritual, (Swami corrects me saying that it is for
good transformation, as transformation can be good or bad). We can take
the example of Gautama Buddha who even after attaining `Nirvana' was not
satisfied. He moved from place to place preaching to the people the joy
of spiritual life and trying to transform them. He preached only what
he had practised and realized.
Swami
Himself is the greatest example in this, as He ‘works’ day and night for
only one cause and that is to transform humanity into Divinity. It is
for this reason alone that He has opened these educational institutions
so that we may make the best use of our stay here. We are all aware that
Swami's message is spreading to every nook and corner of the world. I
will just narrate two incidents relating to people staying near the
Pakistan border.
The first
person is a farmer. He was at loggerheads with his neighbour over some
land problem. Even after becoming Swami's devotee, he could not be on
good terms with his neighbour. One day, as he was working in his field,
his enemy came from behind and gave him a hard blow. Next minute, with
the spade in his hands, he thought of paying him back in the same coin.
But then, a sudden thought stopped him. He thought, as a Sai devotee,
would such retaliation be proper on his part? This thought made him let
that man (neighbour) go. The next morning when he got up from his bed he
was all in smiles and full of peace. Do you know why? Swami had given
him `darshan' in his dream, as though to commend his tolerance.
The
second person is a carpenter. He had the good fortune of coming to this
place (Prasanthi Nilayam) and seeing the activities going on here. After
returning home the first thing he did was to end a twenty year old
enmity with his neighbour. The entire village was stunned at this
change. Such is the transformation happening outside.
We are
all aware that Swami's method of transforming us is through His Infinite
Love. Love goes straight to the heart and can melt the hardest of
hearts.
There is a
wonderful incident in the life of Basaveshwara; a well known social
reformer of Karnataka, which proves the power of love. One night, some
thieves entered his house. Hearing some noise his wife got up shouting,
"thieves, thieves." Hearing her, Basaveshwara got up. Now, fully aware
that the owner of the house was awake and that there was no chance for
them to escape, the thieves started shivering. Basaveshwara went upto
them, and what did he do? He added a few more valuables to their
collection. When his wife objected, his answer was, "Their need is
greater than ours, so let them have it." The thieves were surprised.
They fell at his feet begging for pardon, took a vow never to steal
again. It was the love of Basaveshwara which went straight into the
hearts of these thieves and transformed them into better men.
