EPISODE 23

ACT XVI - SCENE 1

Rama Raju’s house

RAMA RAJU: Seshama Raju, we are indeed very happy that you brought your brother Sathyam to our town.

SESHAMA: It was our pleasure to receive your kind hospitality.

RAMA RAJU: Places visited by the pious become holy and sacred. In such places, even the grains of sand contemplate on the Divine! ……..Seshama Raju, please accept this token of our affection.

SESHAMA: Oh no! Why all this! Your love and affection alone are more than enough.

RAMA RAJU: It is our tradition to honour our respected guests; please take this…… That one is for Sathyam….. The collar pin will look very beautiful on You. Please accept.

SATHYA: This is made of gold. Gold lies beneath our feet as ore inside the earth. The ore is first taken out, put in fire and then refined. Only then it becomes the precious metal that everyone admires. Just as objects gain beauty with processing, man develops Divinity with culture and refinement.

MAN: How nicely put!

SATHYA: I have no attachment for such things, but since you have given it with love, I am accepting it.

RAMA RAJU: We hope you will come again and give us happiness.

SESHAMA: Most certainly! We can never forget your hospitality. We now take your leave.

ALL: Thank you!

SCENE 2

Seshama Raju’s house

RAMESH: Raju, Raju!

SATHYA: Hello Ramesh, how are you?

RAMESH: I am fine, and how about you, Raju?

SATHYA: I am OK.

MAHESH: We heard that You had returned, and immediately rushed here. Raju, without You, the School seemed lifeless.

RAMESH: Raju, when will You start coming back to School?

SATHYA: I am thinking of coming from tomorrow.

RAMESH: You must come without fail. If You sing the prayer song, it is so nice. Right now, there is no one who can sing like You.

MAHESH: The Telugu Teacher also said the same thing.

RAMESH: The Principal too!

MAHESH: Raju, You must definitely come tomorrow and sing the Prayer.

SATHYA: I’ll certainly come. I like you both, and you two will always be there, wherever I am!

RAMESH: OK Raju, we will now go.

MAHESH: From tomorrow, You must definitely come to School.

SCENE 3

Boys walking near tree

RAMESH: Raju, You are back in School, just like You said. It is wonderful!

MAHESH: The classes are going on fine.

GAFUR KHAN: Raju, I’m happy You are back again.

RAMESH: Raju, this is interesting. What’s this dazzling object?

SATHYA: It is a collar pin.

MAHESH: Is it made of gold?

SATHYA: Yes, it is a gold pin.

GAFUR: Great Raju! Did You buy it?

SATHYA: No. When I went to Hampi, Rama Raju gave it to me as a token of love. He would not listen to My refusal. So, in order not to hurt him, I accepted the pin.

RAMESH: The collar pin looks very nice on You, Raju.

SATHYA: More than the body, the mind ought to be beautiful. More than the dress, behaviour ought to be beautiful. More than ornaments, feelings must be beautiful. Only then would the world be filled with spirituality, and life would become sanctified.

GAFUR: Raju, Your words sound just like the holy Quran!

BOY: Raju, Your words are too big for our small minds!

MAHESH: There goes the bell!

ALL: Come on, let’s go!

BOY: Come, Raju!

Boys run

Collar pin lost.

SCENE 4

Seshama’s house

SESHAMA: I say, what kind of impertinence and arrogance is this?

SATHYA: I am not yours. Illusion has left and My devotees are calling Me. The time has arrived for Me to start the work for which I have come. I will not stay here any longer, not even for one more moment. I am going.

SESHAMA: Sathyam, stop! …. Sathyam, stop!…… Where are You going?

SATHYA: To the inevitable goal!

SESHAMA: What kind of meaningless words are these?

SATHYA: You cannot understand the words of those seeking higher realms. Don’t stop Me. Let Me go My way!

SUSEELA: Sathyam, don’t slight the words of elders. Listen to the words of Your elder brother.

SATHYA: Old, young, rich, poor, male, female – all these are the same to Me! For those who have given up all these, the world is the home!

SESHAMA: Sathyam!…Sathyam,……Sathyam, stop! Are You going to listen to my words or not?

SATHYA: The word “MY” is the form of ego! Ego is an invisible poison whereas the Knowledge of the Atma is ambrosia. It is the stepping stone to the path of Liberation.

SESHAMA: Cut out all this foolish philosophy! Let me see how you will defy this brother of yours and go!

SATHYA: Give up this effort to stop Me. No power can stop Me. Move out of the way!

SESHAMA: Sathyam, our parents have entrusted You and the responsibility of bringing You up to me. I have to discharge that responsibility. Listen to me. Stay at home till they come. Don’t go anywhere.

SATHYA: No!

SESHAMA: If You refuse, do you know I will use force to drag You inside?

SATHYA: Stop! Do you know who I am?

SESHAMA: You may believe Yourself to be anything, but to me, You are my brother Sathyam.

SATHYA: You are referring to mere worldly relationship, but for Me, there are now no bonds or attachments.

Sathya walks away

SCENE 5

Sathya on rock

Sings Manasa Bhajare

People come

Aarathi

ANJANEYULU: I am not wise enough to speak to You, but let me anyway mention some thoughts that come to my mind. Don’t go against Your brother’s words. By all means, perform Bhajans here and give Darshan to devotees here, but don’t stay away from home.

LADY: Your elder brother is like Your father. He should not feel pain. So, please go back home.

SATHYA: To one who is liberated from all bondage, everything is the same. The work for which I have come, is just beginning. None must try to stop Me. It is impossible for anyone to do so!

- END OF EPISODE 23 -