In plain words
“With You like the wish-fulfilling tree, what can we lack?”
Once a tragic piece of news came to My notice. A destitute mother, unable to feed her three children, gave them some poison, ate it herself too, and died. After her husband died there was no one to support them. This news grieved Me deeply. In Bhārata, renowned by the name ‘Annapūrṇā’, should people die without food? What becomes of children who have no parents? We must show such people a support and give them an ideal. For that very reason we began a scheme for raising up the destitute. From the Bukkapatnam, Puttaparthi and Kothacheruvu mandals we brought here 60 children of destitute families. If we simply tell them to come, no one will come. “Dear children! We will feed you, have you taught, and show you a support. Do not be the least bit afraid,” we encouraged. Within a single month we had houses built for them. Today I gave Paramahamsa a cheque for sixty lakh rupees, to place one lakh rupees in a fixed deposit in the bank in the name of each boy. By the time those children finish their studies and rise to a high position, this money with its interest will come to three or four lakh rupees. With that money they can live their lives in comfort. Paramahamsa looks after them with great love. They bring them in a bus for Swami's darśan and take them back again in the bus. Those children are very happy. They are learning the Veda too. When asked, “Dear children! Are you well?” they say, “With You here like the wish-fulfilling tree, what can we lack, Swami!” Where did they find such great joy? Would giving money bring it? It would not. They are so happy only because they were given shelter with Prema. There are many such things that I do. Some may not believe it. What have I to do with their belief?! My faith is My own. We must care for children and raise them up. They too are human beings, are they not! They are not different from us. So we must strive for their uplift.