In plain words
‘Why should you give money? I have it. I will give it,’ I said. ‘No, Swami, the debt must be cleared with my own money,’ he said. In that family, everyone had the spirit of sacrifice! Now there is Janaki Ramaiah. He too keeps feeding everyone. Precisely because they are a family with such a spirit of sacrifice, they have all become worthy of God's grace. That alone is what we need. If we have that, it is enough.
Kondamaraju: ‘Swami! You are God Himself. No one knows this but you and me,’ he used to say. Before dawn he would come from the village to the new Mandir, holding his walking stick. Seeing him come, I would close my eyes and pretend to be sleeping. Without anyone knowing, he would gently draw back the blanket and bow at my feet.
He was very fond of obbaṭṭu. The day before he went, he asked Easwaramma to make obbaṭṭu for him. She made them and gave me a little too. ‘I do not eat sweets,’ I said. Kondamaraju pressed me hard. ‘Swami! My last days have come near. This body is 112 years old. Before I go, I must put some into your mouth once, with my own hand. They say, ‘Yaśodā fed Him, Kausalyā fed Him.’ Such good fortune has come my way. So I must put it into your mouth with my own hand,’ he said. He put it in. But it was neither in my mouth nor in his hand! ‘Where did you throw it, Māmā?’ asked Easwaramma. ‘Are Swami's līlās one or two… So many keep happening. They cannot be described,’ said Kondamaraju. The next day he closed his eyes in peace. Everyone connected with this body met an easy death in just this way. Though they toiled, they lived their lives in happiness and contentment. Even when they had nothing, they went on feeding many. This family concerns everyone, so I have told of it, for it should be told to all in a fitting way. Every man must become a member of such a family.
Students! Help the poor as far as you are able. Have them taught free of charge.