About Service

Sathya Sai Baba often tells us of the wonderful hierarchy that exists in the human body and compares that to the ideal society. There are cells which make up tissues which in turn constitute the organs. These organs make the human body. And here, each cell is of paramount importance. Even if one misbehaves there is a potential for bodily breakdown by cancer. At the same time, if anything happens to the body - say the leg gets gangrenous. This has the potential to be fatal. So the cells elsewhere in the body cannot sit mute thinking that the problems are only in the leg and That, is not a problem for us.

The entire cosmos too is built in this 4 tier hierarchy. The Vyashti (Individual) is a part of Samashti (society), which is a part of Srishti (Creation) and that is a part of Parameshti (God). A single individual like a cancerous society has the potential to harm everything. And conversely, every single imbalance in creation is bound to reflect on the individual some time or the other like the gangrene. It is here that the importance of service and Unity cannot be over emphasized.

We very often mistake Service to be some help rendered to others. There was once a farmer with the best watermelons in the country. After every harvest, he would distribute his seeds to all other farmers in his village. While everyone considered him to be doing a great service he said that if he did not do as he was doing, the bees may pollinate his flowers with lesser grade pollen from the flowers of other fields. Then he would no longer have the best watermelons. So to ensure perfect harvest, he did the so called service. Service benefits the recipient no doubt, but the one who serves benefits most. If we remember this, the things we think and do daily will be so much different than what we do daily!

A passer by once saw a little calf stranded in slush and was struggling to get out. He immediately dived in and rescued it. It was hailed as an act of service by some while some,laughed at it as an act of foolishness. The man simply said, "I was in great pain to see that calf suffering. I did nothing foolish nor did I render service. Whatever I did, I did it to ease my own pain." When we stand strong in this feeling alone can we render service, for in the process of service, we are truly helping ourselves. That is how the Golden Age that has been promised to us will arrive.

How will the Golden Age be? Let us take the example of Prashanti Nilayam. Everything there - from cleaning bathrooms to seating people for Swami's darshan- is done by volunteers. As a result, there is cleanliness, order and discipline. Items are available in the stores at very low prices. All are smiling. And how is that achieved? Members from each state serve for 15 days a year and then become recipients of that service throughout the rest of the year. By the strength of service alone, Prashanti Nilayam runs. And it is not that everyone is always serving. 15 days is just about 4% of a year. There is a message for all. If we are all ready to serve with just 4% of our strength, energies, money and time, we can build Prashanti Nilayam wherever we are! And to do this, let us never think that how are we important. The others will do it. Remember the cell in the human body. Each one is vital for the overall well being.

With this noble endeavour in mind, let us all get together and pool in our resources. And these include our most valuable resource - our values. A simple "Be good, See good and Do good" gives us great solutions. Read about that at
http://aravindb1982.hubpages.com/hub/natureofgoodness