In plain words
Embodiments of Prema!
Bodies may appear to lack limbs, but the Ātma has no limb of any kind. It is never impaired. The Ātma, ever in motion and pure, takes part in deeds of compassion and of help to others.
What gift is greater than the gift of food? What god is there above mother and father? What truthful life is there beyond japa and tapas? What Dharma is higher than compassion? Look: what gain is greater than the company of the good? What enmity is worse than anger? What enmity is worse than debt? What death on earth is worse than ill fame? What wealth is ever greater than a good name? What ornament surpasses remembrance!
Above all, those who lack limbs need not grieve, ‘We have lost a limb! We could not do our work! Such a plight has come upon us!’ Why? This is in fact an effort to offer the nation an example of a kind. Though you have no limbs, you must do the work you are able to do and teach a little sense to those who are not without limbs. What are those with limbs doing? They are doing bad deeds. They take to evil ways, take on bad qualities, and join bad company. But for you there is no chance at all of such bad company, bad conduct or bad thoughts coming your way. Truly, it can be said that you are very fortunate. Those who have limbs go about in bad conduct. You must go on praying always, in the spirit of offering God deep thanks that He gave us such a state. Between those with limbs and those without there is no great difference. Those without limbs may be unable to do some helpful deeds. But those who have limbs, how far are they doing good to others? They are doing nothing. But those who studied in our Sathya Sai college, the teachers who work there and the students who study there are drawing these people without limbs close, with great kindness and Prema, and doing them much good in some measure. This gives Me great happiness. Beyond this, it is not enough merely to help them for a day or two. I see many children. They carry out some programmes of help. They give some machines. But how long will they work? Yet their whole life depends on them. So when the limbs that serve them cannot work, our college children must be ready to have them repaired and hand them back. I hope they will try to repair these things that were given when they do not work, and hand them back in good time. You cannot keep coming now and then to ask. My intention is this: I hope to give ten lakhs in the name of those who do this service (to mend and set right what has broken down), to help so that no want of any kind comes into their lives, and to offer an example in daily life. Everyone has limbs. But they do not do the good works they ought to do. With these limbs they fall into bad conduct, bad thoughts and bad qualities. So do not think that limbs are something great. Those who have limbs themselves commit more sins than those who have none. Though the help they need is there for them, they are neglectful and, through carelessness, cause the children some hardships.