In plain words
Serving the sick in a spirit of sacrifice is the chief service. There is no service greater than that. ‘God alone is the refuge of those who have no refuge,’ it has been said. Man too is an embodiment of God! So he too must help the afflicted and those who have no refuge, as is fitting. You must not turn the practice of medicine into a business. It must be filled with a Prema that gives the heart to another heart and receives in return. Heart to heart, love to love. This itself is what matters most. He alone who recognises this truth and acts on it is a true doctor. He who practises medicine with an eye to business is no doctor at all; he himself is a big patient! Serving in a spirit of sacrifice is the very mark of a true physician.
All the doctors here are people of very great sacrifice. In the General Hospital here, too, Dr. Savitri and others work day and night. Time and again I say, “If you spoil your health, how can you serve the sick? Only when you are well can you look after the sick properly. So first take care of self, then help.” Every person must first guard his own health. If health breaks down, you can do no work at all.
Our principal said in his speech, “Vaidyo nārāyaṇo hariḥ.” Truly the physician is the very form of Nārāyaṇa! Nārāyaṇa is ever absorbed in doing good to others. So the physician too must help everyone. ‘Doing good to others leads to merit, tormenting others to sin,’ it has been said. So you must go on helping your fellow men as much as you can. Puttaparthi, Bangalore, Muddenahalli, Alike... And in many more places we have built hospitals. When I see the doctors working in those hospitals, I feel great joy. Recently we opened a hospital at Alike. A great many poor patients there are rejoicing. Seeing that, I am very happy. That happiness itself gives Me strength. Do such service and become worthy of God's grace. The best way to love God is to serve God. Prema and service... Through these two alone will your life find its fulfilment.