You have to be told about this morning’s Rathotsavam (chariot festival)I do not like such functions. What should be offered to Bhagavan is unsullied love. That love is God. Live in love and offer that love to the Divine. Why should I be burdened with this Golden Chariot? I do not desire such things at any time. You may instead, spend any amount of money on social service activities.
Here or elsewhere, what you have to offer to Bhagavan is pure love. Do not make such offerings as Golden Chariot anywhere. Anyone who desires such offerings cannot be divine. When the Divine is imminent in everything, what can you possibly offer to the Divine? How are you eligible to make any offering at all? Everything belongs to God. Hence forth devotees should not bring any gold ornaments or ornamental chariots or golden chariots here. It is better to sell such objects and use the money to provide drinking water to the people.
From the outset I had resolved on three things in the Bharatiya tradition. From ancient times Bharat has been providing three things freely to the people. One is ‘Vidya’– education. Next comes, ‘Vaidya’ – free medical aid. Vidya is related to head and Vaidya is related to the heart. For this reason, I have been providing free education . Nowhere in the world is free education offered. As I feel that every child belongs to Me, I see nothing special in offering free education to My children. All are Mine. What I give and what I accept is love. It is a relationship of love to love, heart to heart.
(Sri Sathya Sai blessing Sri Subramaniam Chettiar)
Subrmaniam Chettiar brought the Chariot here out of immense love. He had one overwhelming desire in his life. He was keen to celebrate this ‘Rathotsavam’ in his life-time. He did not worry about what happens to him thereafter. It was to please him I ascended this chariot. Otherwise I would have not have gone near it at all. I have no desires of this nature. Nor should you entertain such intentions. The relationship between God and the devotee is from heat to heart and has nothing to do with external paraphernalia. You must cultivate this internal quality. Promote purity of your hearts and engage yourselves in self less service.
Therefore, whatever Subramaniam Chettiar may feel, if somebody is ready to bid for this Chariot, I shall be glad to give it away and use the money for providing drinking water to more villages.
You have to cherish three cardinal principles: Fear of sin, Love for God and a life of morality in society. I bless you all that you will foster your devotion in this manner. (SSSm Vol.7, pp. 101-103)