Gratitude Corner – Sri H J Bhagia

Bhagia sir joined the MBA faculty in 1986 teaching courses such as Operations Research and Leadership. Currently, he takes Awareness for post graduate classes in Prasanthi Nilayam Campus.

This particular episode of the section Gratitude Corner was planned to be interactive, to have inputs from Sai brothers. The editorial team sought questions to be posed to Bhagia sir from alumni across the globe through Whatsapp groups. Sir was kind enough to answer these questions in an interactive Parayanam session with the alumni of Mumbai at Dharmakshetra during summer vacation this year. Here are key excerpts from that freewheeling session.

(1)  In today’s hectic schedules, draining commitments and chasing work-life balance, how do we actually offer work as worship. How do we see Swami in our commercial endeavours which dominate our lives.

What is offering work to Swami? It is offering it to your conscience or consciousness. First, ask yourself the question: Whatever you do – will it have Swami’s approval? Second, have you done it to perfection? And finally, as you expand your horizon, you work should satisfy and give happiness to more people. You expand from individual character (own self) to fundamental character i.e. satisfaction of broader horizon

(2)  The difference between boys in sync with Swami (through active Seva) and those who seem less active is probably due to family support – where family members are devotees too. How do alumni who do not have conducive environment at home be mentally connected

Try to give exposure about Swami to your family members who are not exposed to Swami’s teachings and personality. If possible, bring them to Prasanthi Nilayam. Be convinced that there is some magic in the place. A relative of mine was a chain smoker. He came to Parthi and before he entered the ashram, I informed him that smoking was prohibited inside the ashram premises. A few days later, I was shocked to know that he had not smoked all these days. Apparently, He prayed to Bhagawan to give up smoking and after receiving Swami’s Padanamaskar, He gave up smoking altogether. A habit of decades was gone in a week with the person’s will and God’s Grace.

Anyone will appreciate Swami’s Seva activities which are so selfless and universal. Once, Swami was asked about how to tell a new friend or family of His divine nature. Swami’s reply was that one should just expose a new person to the Selfless work being done. Any person will appreciate that. Instead of trying to convince on Divinity to the new person, show the Love and Service of Bhagawan which itself is the sign of Divinity.

(3)  We all have good intentions and want to do Sadhana or Seva individually or as groups. But intentions often crash during execution or when committing for group events – the entire team needs to be committed all the time. Are there any insights from Bhagawan on this?

One should always remember that Seva is a tool for individual development. Through Seva one will evolve as a person individually and not as a group. If someone is not able to make it for a committed Seva – either it has to be a genuine reason which no one can help. Or if it is lack of commitment, then one should not be individually affected.

(4) As a Sai student, having a role in the divine mission, what are some of the most important parameters by which can I judge myself if I’m contributing to the Divine mission?

First, we all know Swami differentiates between Sai student and University student. Swami’s definition of His student is the one who follows His teachings and instructions. Once in 1991, Swami walked into the college foyer unexpected. He said He would be leaving for Brindavan shortly and students could ask Swami spiritual questions. It was unexpected and the boys took time to react. Sensing the silence, I raised my hand to ask a question. It was not expected as the invitation to ask questions was to students. Swami saw my hand go up and asked, “Are you a student or a Teacher?” I replied, “Swami, in front of you we are all students” Swami was visibly very pleased with that answer. Once I asked Swami what students should do to make Swami happy. He replied in a humorous tone “Happy, happy, happy. Always be happy. Make others happy. That makes Swami happy.” Swami expects His students to be exemplary.

Coming to evaluating yourself against parameters, one can evaluate to what extent your negative tendency is reducing. For instance, I was victim to anger. So, I would evaluate that to a person      I get angry with – would it remain for days as earlier or was it improving by coming down to a few minutes. In fact, I would ask Swami for help and was fortunate that he would physically give guidance and evaluate my progress. Once when I expressed disappointment that I was just not progressing, He created a pendent and said look at this pendent with Swami’s picture to control your anger! There can be steps in evolving a vice, like anger, which one can use for quelling qualities one dislikes in one own self.

These are:

• You accept that you get angry and after going through it you feel what is happening is not right.
• As you work on it, you get conscious when getting angry, that anger is upon you. It’s no more unconscious.
• Later you evolve and can sense that anger building up. You can start taking precautionary steps to avoid it.
• Finally, you get over it with a resolve not to indulge again – that is the true achievement over oneself.
• So, one has to own evaluate oneself using conscience.

(5)  What is the greatest lesson that you learnt from Swami? How do you follow the lesson in your daily life?

I recall an interview in which I ventured to ask Swami “How can we make best use of the Avatar?”. The question sounded almost audacious and it was almost like a secret that Swami was not keen to reveal. Swami then walked away. On his way back when He was distributing Vibhuti. He looked deep into my eyes, stuffed a handful packets in my palm and replied “Love. God is love. Live in love.”

During conversation was with MBA students He explained the triangle of what true Love means. He said love has three corners like a triangle. First, love is fearless. Swami doesn’t mind criticizing or correcting you. He is not apprehensive how you will feel because He wants to see you improve out of His unconditional love. Second, love is changeless – you may change in your thinking      or your place or position, but Swami’s love for you doesn’t change. Finally, love is selfless and unconditionally giving. So true love of Bhagawan is fearless, changeless and selfless.

This lesson on love has stayed with me forever. Finally, I would like to share an insight Swami gave in one of His discourses. He said what is Ahamkaar or Ego as we know. It is Aham + Aakaar i.e Aham (the Self) getting attached to the Aakaar (the body). So, ego stems from attachment to your body or personality which really you are not.

(6)  We often find very efficient people lacking humanism or compassion. For example, even efficient organisations don’t think twice about laying off people. Is there a way to find a balance? Swami was both compassionate and super-efficient. Is there a lesson that we can learn from Him in this?

Swami has always said there has to be a balance between head and heart. One has to be clear what are your priorities and purpose of life. In case of conflict between head and heart – the heart should be given a clear priority. If then you compare your success with someone else whose priority was different – that’s wrong. It’s like comparing a doctor and an economist! One has to be professionally striving towards perfection without doubt but have to keep the heart as priority.

(7) There are two voices within us. Whenever we take a decision, how do we recognise the one which is actually correct (the ‘Consciousness’)?

While it appears difficult to differentiate, the yardstick to be applied is whether your decision is based on Individual Discrimination or Fundamental Discrimination. The latter strives for greater good for more people – individual is below family and family is below society in priority.

(8) How do we remain calm and maintain patience when everything around us is going topsy turvy – be it organizational politics, government issues, and a general lack of ethics in today’s younger generation. How do we let moral anger subside and find inner peace?

Swami has given a very simple answer of the four Fs. Of course, it sounds simple and takes courage to follow:

Follow the Master

Face the Devil

Fight till the End

Finish the Game

Right is right even if no one follows it while wrong is wrong even if all are doing it. Remember spirituality will not give you a tangible physical benefit or a certification. It’s a way of life which will help you evolve. Spiritual way of life requires strength as it’s not easy and is not for the meek.