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Prasanthi News 21st June to
23rd June 2005
PRASANTHI NEWS
In
this issue of Prasanthi News, we bring to you the happenings at
Prasanthi Nilayam from 21st to 23rd June 2005. The programmes
during this period ranged from a pulsating tribal dance
performance by the devotees from Chhatisgarh to a nectareous
Divine Discourse by Bhagawan on 23rd June 2005. Please read on
for details.
21st June 2005
This morning, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 8.30 a.m. and sat
through the Bhajans till 9.30 a.m. when Ararti was offered to
Him.
In the evening, Swami came out at 3.20 p.m. There was a huge
backdrop at the rear end of Sai Kulwant Hall made by devotees
from Chhatisgarh. Devotees from the Durg District of Chhatisgarh
were waiting for Bhagawan's instructions to start their cultural
programme. Swami came and sat on the stage and then Bhagawan
signalled for the Veda chanting to be stopped. Two members from
the coordinating group came forward to Bhagawan. One offered a
rose while the other unfolded a scroll containing the programme
for the evening. Swami very keenly went through the contents of
the scroll and then lovingly made a few queries about the
programme.
The
programme was a tribal dance performed by a tribe called the
Satnami residing in the heart of Chhatisgarh. The dance master
Devdas Banjare from the village Dhanora, around 13 kms from
Bhilai, is an internationally reputed artiste who has won the
President's Award and has visited more than 64 countries. Being
a devotee of Bhagawan, his intense desire was to perform in the
Divine Presence. The dance was a rigorous, vibrant dance with
loud drum beats and cymbals being played by the dancers
themselves. All the postures of the dance represented forms of
worship of the saint – Sant Ghasi Das. This dance form is known
as Panthi Nritya.
The dance went on non-stop for around 20 minutes and included a
number of formations, pyramids, etc. At 3.50 p.m. the dancers
moved out of the performing area amidst loud applause.
Subsequently, Swami spoke to the event coordinator Mr. Srinivas
for a long time. He showed Swami an album containing photographs
of the different types of Seva that they were performing in the
villages in Chhatisgarh. It included Narayana Seva, medical
camps, donating sewing machines, performing mass marriages, etc.
Swami was very pleased with all the service activities and He
kept on enquiring with Mr. Srinivas about the details.
In fact, 186
people from all these villages had come for this programme from
Chhatisgarh. These people had performed a number of spiritual
activities before coming and one could see Swami literally
responding to their prayers.
The interaction with Mr. Srinivas went on till 4.10 p.m. Then
Bhajans were sung by the devotees from Chhatisgarh. At 4.30
p.m., Ararti was performed to Bhagawan. Swami went into the
interview room and later retired to His abode.
22nd June 2005
On this day, devotees had a long Darshan session. The
compassionate Lord was gracious to grant Darshan for almost 2
hours. Devotees could feast their eyes continuously on the Lord.
Swami came out for Darshan at 7.45 a.m. He sat in the centre of
the stage and the Veda chanting went on. At around 8 a.m., He
asked for the Veda chanting to stop, and told them to go their
respective work spots. Swami sat there looking lovingly at the
devotees and showering His benign grace on them till Bhajans
ended at 9.35 a.m. Then He came into the Bhajan Hall where
Ararti was offered to Him and went into the interview room.
In the evening, Swami came out for Darshan at 3.30. Swami sat
down at the centre of the dais, received letters from students,
spoke to a few of them and even took some students for an
interview. He also blessed the boys who had their birthday on
this day. At 4.30 p.m., Swami called one of the Veda
coordinators and asked him to chant the Purusha Suktam. Bhajans
started at 5.00 p.m. and at 5.25 p.m. Arati was offered to
Swami.
23rd June 2005
At
4.00 p.m. one could see Bhagawan's car meandering its way
through devotees to the Hall. He took a full round, got down
near the interview room, and proceeded towards the centre of the
dais. Bhagawan asked the Veda chanting group to stop at 4.05
p.m. Then Bhagawan asked Prof. Anil Gokak, the current Vice
Chancellor of the Institute to share his thoughts with the
audience.
Prof. Gokak started his talk on a nostalgic note by recalling
the early part of his father's life, Prof. Vinayak Krishna
Gokak. How his father had developed the first streaks of faith
in Bhagawan when in Edinburgh, the Oxford University had given
him exemption from the oral test keeping in view his ill health
and on account of his excellent performance in the written test.
He went down memory lane and stated that Bhagawan had extended
his mother's life by 18 years and his father's life by 5 years.
It was in 1965 that Swami had first visited their house.
It was only in 1969, when Prof. Anil Gokak went along with his
wife to Swami and Bhagawan materialised a necklace and an apple
for his wife, that he started developing faith in Bhagawan.
Initially he was focused on Swami's miracles but later being an
administrator himself, he started taking interest in Swami's
social activities.
Prof. Gokak said that he was very much moved by the book ‘A
Catholic Priest Meets Sai Baba'. In 2002 Prof. Gokak delivered a
talk in the Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality. By
now he was convinced that Bhagawan alone is the saviour of this
world. He said that Swami always laid less emphasis on mere
rituals and directed all to go towards the core. He stated that
Bhagawan was not a Vyaktinath but a Lokanath (not for
individuals but for the whole world).
He concluded his talk by drawing an analogy between an Avatar
and a pilot who temporarily brings down the plane to the ground
to take a few passengers and then fly back to the skies!
It was 4.30 p.m. and Swami now asked Sri S.V. Giri, the former
Vice Chancellor to address the audience. Sri S.V. Giri also
struck a personal note by talking about the heart surgery he had
for the first time in 1989. Within 3 years, 4 of the 5 bypasses
had been blocked. On praying to Swami, Bhagawan had said there
was no need for any further surgery. Though the doctors said
that there was no way out other than a surgery, Sri S.V. Giri
has been continuing since then, discharging all his
responsibilities – purely on account of Bhagawan's Grace! He
expressed his immense gratitude to swami for this benediction.
He then shared how Swami had facilitated his smooth exit from
the post of the CVC (central Vigilance Commissioner) –
Government of India. Swami had made sure that his resignation
was accepted without any complications. Sri Giri stressed on the
uniqueness and the three most important facets of this Institute
– Service, Society and Faith.
He concluded his talk by stressing on the Truth elucidated by
our scriptures that all is one. Man and even the fruit-fly are
equally Divine, but man has evolved to greater heights. He has
been given a bigger brain so that he can think of practical
solutions for the burning problems facing society today. He has
been bestowed with the rare gift of speech (unique only to the
species of human beings) so as to express himself and speak
obligingly!
It was 4.50 p.m. and suddenly to everyone's delight Swami began
His Divine Discourse. Bhagawan spoke until 5.45 p.m. elaborating
on the life of Prof. Vinayak Krishna Gokak – the father of the
current Vice Chancellor and the first Vice Chancellor of the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. The highlights of
Bhagawan's Discourse are as follows.
Vyashti represents the individual and Samashti stands for
society. Only when Vyashti identifies himself with Samashti can
he realise Parameshti. Samatwam (equality) is very essential to
achieve harmony between Vyashti and Samashti. What is the role
of an individual in society? No one is able to totally
understand the spirit of society. As one enquires deeply, it
becomes apparent that Samashti is but a manifestation of
Parameshti.
We find it very difficult to understand this transcendental
picture. This was the position of Prof. Vinayak Gokak in the
beginning. (So saying Swami went on to describe the life of
Prof. Vinayak Gokak in very elaborate terms giving details of
his spiritual journey to Swami).
Prof. Gokak read a number of books but could not understand the
principle of Sathyam and Nithyam. He was trying to differentiate
between Atma and Anatma. However, there is nothing like Anatma.
There is only Atma. Later, Prof. Gokak realised the Truth in
depth. I gave him a lot of support then. A true devotee will be
highly benefited by the support extended to him. Divine help is
not temporary or momentary, but is continuous and everlasting.
Once when Prof. Gokak closed his eyes and sat in meditation, I
pressed his Bhrumadhya (point where two eyebrows meet) with My
right thumb. He experienced a state of supreme bliss. All his
doubts vanished like thin mist. From then on he held on to the
Eternal Truth. It is not easy for everybody to understand this
Divine Principle. Those who depend on Truth remain changeless.
The rest keep changing. One must necessarily face the
consequences of whatever one does. It is only in the doubtless
state that we can understand the principle of oneness. Mere
superficial enquiry will land one in confusion. Truth represents
doubtlessness. Such Truth is the royal path to Mukti
(liberation).
Moksha means Moha + Kshaya. So long as there is Moha one cannot
attain Moksha. Maya is the root cause of Moha. Keep Maya
(delusion) away and allow the Truth to come forth. Truth cannot
be seen or heard. It can only be experienced.
When
individual reaches out to society, the society also reaches out
to the individual. Prof. Gokak made an in depth study of
Aurobindo's treatise on Savitri. However, only after he came to
Swami could he understand the principle of Savitri as Sathya and
Nithya. The question may arise, "Is Savitri feminine or
masculine?" Savitri is beyond gender. Gokak became a scholar on
Savitri. He investigated his innermost thoughts and realised the
Truth. Finally he said, "Swami, I am One! God is One! I do not
need anything." As we proceed along the path of Sadhana, we will
acquire certain spiritual powers. But do not allow the mind to
waver. Hold on to the fundamental principle. Truth is One, not
two!
Bhagawan concluded His Message at 5.45 p.m. Bhajans began, and
at 5.55 p.m. Ararti was offered to Bhagawan after which Swami
retired to His abode.
JAI SAI RAM
Source:
Sri Sathya Sai Book and Publication
Trust Website - June 26, 2005
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/News_23-06-05.htm
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