"Be my Friend" - Madhusudan Naidu speaks Swami's Thoughts!
During a visit to Sathya Sai Centre for Human Excellence in Singapore, Swami was greeted with a song
titled "We will follow you" by the devotees. In his speech, later on, he said following Swami isn't possible
as no one knows where he goes as he is beyond our imagination. He insists his devotees not to follow
him but walk along with him as a friend. As you walk with Swami, he will train you for several births and
help you become one with him. Madhusudan Naidu recollects this valuable speech by Swami and
continues to spread this message to his ardent devotees.
titled "We will follow you" by the devotees. In his speech, later on, he said following Swami isn't possible
as no one knows where he goes as he is beyond our imagination. He insists his devotees not to follow
him but walk along with him as a friend. As you walk with Swami, he will train you for several births and
help you become one with him. Madhusudan Naidu recollects this valuable speech by Swami and
continues to spread this message to his ardent devotees.
On the morning of February 16, 2017, when Swami visited the Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human
Excellence after one year, one month and fifteen days, as counted by Dr A R Manjunath, Director of
the Institution, the students presented a song they had learnt from the devotees of Singapore called,
'We Will Follow You'. This is a song which the devotees of Singapore often sing in Swami's presence, a song which He likes a
lot, which says, 'we will follow Swami wherever He goes, there isn’t a mountain so high and so steep,
as to keep us away, away from Your love, there isn’t an ocean so wide and so deep to keep us away,
away from Your love. Madhusudan Naidu
Excellence after one year, one month and fifteen days, as counted by Dr A R Manjunath, Director of
the Institution, the students presented a song they had learnt from the devotees of Singapore called,
'We Will Follow You'. This is a song which the devotees of Singapore often sing in Swami's presence, a song which He likes a
lot, which says, 'we will follow Swami wherever He goes, there isn’t a mountain so high and so steep,
as to keep us away, away from Your love, there isn’t an ocean so wide and so deep to keep us away,
away from Your love. Madhusudan Naidu
Thereafter, a few students spoke and they also echoed the same feeling that they would follow Swami
to the ends of the earth. When it was the turn of Narasimha Murthy Sir to speak, he said, “The boys
are saying that they will follow Swami wherever He goes, but according to me it is definitely not
possible to follow Swami, as we never know where He goes, for He is beyond time, space and
circumstances.
Quoting an instance from what happened in Fiji last year, Narasimha Murthy Sir said, “During Arati,
Swami walked out of the room, onto the balcony on the fourth floor and into the skies to meet some
strange beings that appeared like translucent jelly fishes, as described by Madhusudan Naidu.
Is it possible to follow Swami out, onto the balcony and into the skies? Therefore, it is better that
Swami follows us wherever we go, as He can do that.”
to the ends of the earth. When it was the turn of Narasimha Murthy Sir to speak, he said, “The boys
are saying that they will follow Swami wherever He goes, but according to me it is definitely not
possible to follow Swami, as we never know where He goes, for He is beyond time, space and
circumstances.
Quoting an instance from what happened in Fiji last year, Narasimha Murthy Sir said, “During Arati,
Swami walked out of the room, onto the balcony on the fourth floor and into the skies to meet some
strange beings that appeared like translucent jelly fishes, as described by Madhusudan Naidu.
Is it possible to follow Swami out, onto the balcony and into the skies? Therefore, it is better that
Swami follows us wherever we go, as He can do that.”
It was Swami's turn to speak, and He began by saying, “Do not follow Me, I may not lead; do not lead
Me, as I may not follow; walk with Me and be My friend. ” Swami explained further and said, “
The students said they will follow Me, but Narasimha Murthy said, ‘It may not be possible to follow
Swami, for we never know where He goes. So, it is better that Swami follows us.’ But the truth is,
I may also not follow you; for you go to places that I may not want to come!
Therefore, the best way is to walk with Me, hand in hand and be My friend.” Swami then mentioned
the nine types of devotion which starts with 'Shravanam' or listening to the name of the Lord and
ends with 'Atma Nivedanam' or surrender. Before surrender, there is another kind of the devotion
called ‘Sakhyam’ or friendship. So, Swami said, "Be My friend, for that is just one step before
becoming Me, through surrender. People think that I have trained you for three years. But, the truth
is, I have trained you for several births during which you have engaged in all kinds of devotional
practises, and now it is time for you to practice Sakhyam or friendship, after which there is only one
step left and that is to become one with Me!”
Me, as I may not follow; walk with Me and be My friend. ” Swami explained further and said, “
The students said they will follow Me, but Narasimha Murthy said, ‘It may not be possible to follow
Swami, for we never know where He goes. So, it is better that Swami follows us.’ But the truth is,
I may also not follow you; for you go to places that I may not want to come!
Therefore, the best way is to walk with Me, hand in hand and be My friend.” Swami then mentioned
the nine types of devotion which starts with 'Shravanam' or listening to the name of the Lord and
ends with 'Atma Nivedanam' or surrender. Before surrender, there is another kind of the devotion
called ‘Sakhyam’ or friendship. So, Swami said, "Be My friend, for that is just one step before
becoming Me, through surrender. People think that I have trained you for three years. But, the truth
is, I have trained you for several births during which you have engaged in all kinds of devotional
practises, and now it is time for you to practice Sakhyam or friendship, after which there is only one
step left and that is to become one with Me!”
A wonderful message indeed to the future messengers of Swami, who are going to spread His
teachings through their words and actions, throughout the world! Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human
Excellence was indeed blessed today!
teachings through their words and actions, throughout the world! Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human
Excellence was indeed blessed today!
