Baba's Storytime - "Swechcha"

  

 In His discourse on 11th September 1998 in Prashanti Nilayam, Bhagavan explained the meaning of  "Swechcha" (independence).  "Swa" + "Ichcha" = "Swechcha".  "Swa" means Atma.  So the Will of the Self is called "Swechcha".  Therefore, following the Conscience is true "Swechcha".

"Right from the tender age, students should strive to attain "Swechcha".  That is the reason I always say "Start early.  Drive slowly.  Reach safely."  You do not need to follow anyone else, follow your Conscience.  That is "Swechcha".  You should never be a slave.

There is a small story to illustrate this.

When the King of Darapur expired, his young sun was coronated.  Being so young, the prince was immersed in many doubts.  He went on thinking as to how to run the administration.  He was not able to know who was good and who was bad.  He did not know whom to approach for guidance.  He thought that he should keep up the reputation of his father and grandfather.

One day sitting in the palace, he noticed groups of people moving across the royal street.  He enquired as to where they were all heading to.  He was told they were going to listen to the discourse of a noble soul.  He too joined them, incognito.  He thought he could get his doubts cleared by the saint.

He sat in the congregation and heard all the sacred teachings.  He was extremely happy.  People returned to their homes at the end of the discourse.  But the King remained there.  As the saint also got up to go, his shawl got entangled in a nail of his chair.  As a result, the shawl got torn.  Immediately the saint brought a needle and thread and was trying to put the thread into the eye of the needle.  The King in disguise was watching all this.

He said, "Swamiji, you are trying to stitch an old shawl, please leave it aside and accept the new shawl which I have brought with me."  The saint said, "I don't want a new shawl; if you really want to help me, help me by putting this thread through the eye of this needle."  The King did accordingly.  Then the saint stitched his old shawl, turned to the King and said, "Listen to me, I don't like to depend on others.  I want to lead an independent life.  Man should never be dependent on others.  We should depend only on God."

With these words, all the doubts of the King were cleared.  He realised that God is the basis of all, and only through self-confidence, he could achieve what he wanted.  He went to his palace and began following the dictates of his conscience.  He did not consult anybody, nor did he seek advice from others.  He became more independent.  He developed an attitude to distinguish between the ephemeral and the permanent.

The saint also told the King, "You may be a man of wisdom, but if you don't practise, you will be like a donkey carrying dirty clothes."

~ Sri Sathya Sai Baba ~