This morning a few old students came to Me with a request. You know C. Srinivas from Bangalore. He completed his education in our Institution and served as warden of our Hostel for some time. He did not want to take up a job outside because he wanted to serve Swami. He always involves himself with such activities, which will please Swami. He is looking after our Hospital at Bangalore. He said, ‘Nowhere else, education and medical care of such standards are provided free of cost to all. You have given us free education and taken care of us with so much love and care. We want to express our gratitude to Swami by serving Him in our own humble way’. He brought a plan with him. He wants to establish schools in villages where there are no schools. He wanted Swami to commence the project today itself. I told him not to hurry. Youngsters today want to do things fast. That is not right attitude. Start early, drive slowly and reach safely. Hence, I told him to go slow. But he said, ‘Swami, many of our old students are here. Is it not our duty to express gratitude to You for all that You have done to us’. He prayed that Swami should make an announcement in this regard. I agreed. I will never say ‘no’ to good deeds. Those who want to undertake such sacred tasks should take up the responsibility and discharge it diligently. Only then old students would have sanctified their lives. In Chennai and Hyderabad, there are many old students who are eager to to serve Swami. But in some circumstances, they have only to obey the commands of elders. If the elders pursue wrong path, the youngsters will also do the same. What to speak of the fate of our Organisation at Chennai and Hyderabad! I told them to select a suitable piece of land and that I will construct the building. But they lack such devotion and sincerity. Such insincere behaviour is not good for them. Many devotees there are put inconvenience. The youngsters want to do many things. But what they do without the support of elders? The elders neither take the initiative nor do they allow the youngsters to act on their own. Bhagavan does not require any shrines. Bhagavan is not interested in real estate. All that Bhagavan wants is you should serve the society with bliss and without selfishness. If the elders do not accept your suggestion, disregard it. That is their fate. You, the youth make a sincere effort. Help the helpless. Feed the hungry. Do not go about seeking other people’s help. If any help is needed, come to Me. Bhagavan shall provide without hesitation. Do not collect a single paisa as donation. There are those who donate a hundred rupees and make a thousand rupees worth of self-glorification out it. Bhagavan is not interested in such activities. When Bhagavan is standing by your side like a mountain, why should you seek assistance from anybody? Do not be sub-servant to anybody. They will merely preach philosophy, which is vain-glorious. It is not only in India that such a situation prevails. All over the world, it is the same. Whether you go England, Japan or Germany, it is the same sort of business that is going on. From everywhere it is the same kind of news of such transactions; Bhagavan receives a lot of such information. I feel all this a nuisance. This is not the kind of information that Bhagavan desires to hear. He wishes to hear that all are well and are enjoying happiness and bliss. Marketing with Bhagavan’s name is highly disgusting and distressful. There can be no commerce in matters of devotion. Even the salty ocean may yield drinkable water, but this kind of devotion is worthless. It is already late. Bhagavan never solicits donations from anybody nor He has agents for propagating His Message. I do not have any association whatsoever with these deceitful persons. Bhagavan needs no material wealth. The only need of Bhagavan is genuine love. Give love and take back love. That is the only exchange. With that love, fulfil your life. There is no devotion greater than love. Any little service performed with love is enough. If you give a glass of water to a thirsty person with genuine love, it is more than enough. Almost 90 percent of the so-called devotees are, in fact, deceitful. Earlier, it was quite different; the devotees were few, but they were genuine devotees. Nowadays, there are too many self-seeking cheats masquerading as devotees. First thing in the morning, they adorn their forehead with Vibhuti, wrap a scarf round their neck and roam about freely in the guise of devotees. Even stray dogs scrounging around for something to eat are better than such devotees!

Develop love in you. Bhagavan needs no temples or rest houses. The temple of your heart is more than enough. Bhagavan shall stay happily therein. The news that I get from those so-called temples is highly distressing to Me. The amount of anguish that I undergo because of these is beyond your imagination. Do not do bad acts in the name of God. If you are unable to do good, at least keep quite and stay out. There is no need to make all kinds of wild promises. Enjoy the bliss of divinity in silence and love. As people from all over the globe are assembled here, I have had to say these harsh words. Do not have any dealings with people who are doing commercial transactions in the name of Sai. Send them packing with a Namaskar. If you need anything, ask Me. I have never deceived or let down anybody nor will I ever do so. Untruth will not be uttered by Me. My wish is that no such undesirable act should be perpetrated on any of the genuine devotees. (DD on 22.07.2002 , pp. 8-11)