In plain words
Without stopping to think of that, she would take them up with great affection and fondle them. Because Karaṇam Subbamma had no children, “Easwaramma! Send your children to my house now and then,” she would ask. She looked after Swami with great Prema. One day, when I was at Karaṇam Subbamma's house, Easwaramma came there in great agitation. “Why are you so agitated? What has happened?” I asked. “Swami! The child of our neighbours has fallen very ill. The mother has laid the little one on her lap and is in great distress. I cannot bear to see her suffering. In our little village there is not even one small hospital. So many people come to You. But do not believe that all who come are devotees. Only those who feel the sufferings of others as their own and try to relieve those sufferings are true devotees. One may acquire great learning, earn wealth, win name and fame. But those are not what a human being needs. We must feel pity on seeing those who suffer; we must shed tears on seeing those in trouble. Such tender-hearted people are very rare in this Kali age. Everyone thinks only of his own children; no one cares about the sufferings that other people's children go through. Swami! So many thousands come to You. But no one is doing this work. You alone can do it. Have a small hospital built for the poor in this little village,” she begged. Then, “Why are you so distressed over this small matter? Does a child grow up the moment it is born? For anything, the time must be right. So do not be in a hurry. Keep this sacred feeling in your heart. Feel pity on seeing those in trouble. Pray to God for a way to relieve their troubles,” I told her, and went away from there. Easwaramma thought, “Alas, Swami is not listening to what I say!” But her words kept stirring in My mind. “I must fulfil this small wish of hers. Small or big, this is a work done for the good of others, so I must surely take it up,” I decided. The very next day I sent for workmen and had the foundations dug.