Conversations with Sri Sathya Sai on the Significance and Story of Deepavali




Wednesday, October 25, 2000 

After giving interviews to a group of people, Swami came to the Ganesh portico. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Why are you keeping these boys next to you? 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami, they came and sat here. 

Swami : They are your students only. 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami. 

Swami : (Pointing to a student) See, this boy is from Guntur. Speak to him. (To the same student) Why has no one gone for work? If you sit next to Anil Kumar, no work will get done. (To Prof. Anil Kumar) How was Abdul Kalam’s speech? (Prof. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, Chief Scientific Adviser, Government of India, addressed the students in the Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Auditorium.) It seems that he asked boys to give the source of a quotation. As a reward, he promised he would give his book as a prize. 
No one could answer the question. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, in Abdul Kalam’s speech, he said that by 2020, India would become a world power. 

Swami : Yes, India will become a spiritual superpower. Did boys ask questions to him? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. They asked good questions. 

Swami : Abdul said that Swami’s boys are very good boys. He has not seen such good boys anywhere else. After his current job is over, he wants to come and settle here to teach Physics. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, how is it possible? He is already 70 years old. 

Swami : No, he is only 68. In his speech he mentioned that three types of people are needed today. I asked him what is meant by ‘Punya’. He replied that Punya is one who helps ever and hurts never. 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. He gave the correct answer. 

Swami : Some boys from Delhi have come. I will give clothes to them and come. (Swami went to the interview room. After some time He came back to the Ganesha portico. To a School student) Time Kya Hai? (What is the time?) 

Student : Swami, it is 4.30 pm. 

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Those two boys who came here from Delhi are participating well in Seva activities. 

Prof. A. K. : Yes Swami, they work very well. 

Swami called a boy who was holding a handwritten poem and the audio version of it in a cassette. Swami went through the poem. 

Swami : (To Prasanthi Nilayam Campus Principal, Prof. U. S. Rao) Tomorrow at 8.30 am, I will send the car to pick up your brother. Get him here and I will receive him. 

Warden : Swami, tomorrow boys… 

Swami : (Jokingly) Tomorrow we will conduct your marriage. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, tomorrow is Amavasya (new moon day). People do not have marriage on this day. 

Swami : No, tomorrow is Chaturdashi (fourteenth day of the fortnight). Who is Narakasura? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, he is a demon. 

Swami : He kept 16,000 maidens captive in his palace. On the Deepavali day, Krishna kills Narakasura and frees the maidens. So, Deepavali is celebration of this event. 
An artist's depiction of Lord Krishna and Devi Satyabhama annihilating Demon Narakasura 
Prof. A. K. : Swami, Ashwatha Narayana from Anantapur wants to thank You for giving Prasadam to all the people. Swami, You are always giving. 

Swami : Emi Samaachaaram? (What is the news?) 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, boys want to sing songs tomorrow. 

Swami : Neeku Enduku? (Why for you?) 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, we also like to listen to the songs sung by boys. 

Swami : (Jokingly) I already told you before. I will come with cotton in My ears. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Vajpayee (Prime Minister of India who underwent a knee-replacement surgery in Mumbai) wanted to be released from Hospital by Deepavali; also people expect Veerappan to release Raj Kumar by Deepavali. Vajpayee is alright now, but may be Veerappan meant next Deepavali. (Everyone laughs.) 

Swami : (To Brindavan Warden) Did your boys attend the speech? 

B. Warden : Yes, Swami. They attended the speech after which they came, had food and then went for classes. 

Swami : Has it become 5.00 pm yet? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. It is 5.15 pm. 

Swami : (Referring to the sound of the tablas being tuned in the Bhajan Hall) Ha, yes! That is why the ‘tang, tang’ sound is coming. 

Swami went back to the interview room.



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