|
Prashanthi News - July 3rd
and 4th, 2005
In this issue of Prasanthi
News, we give you details of the happenings at Prasanthi
Nilayam on the 3rd and 4th of July 2005. Bhagawan created a
sparkling gold necklace (click
here to see the images) and explained its significance on
the 3rd morning and a magnificent play titled "The Only
Element" was presented by the children of Region X, USA on
the 4th evening. Please read on for details …
3rd July 2005 (Morning)
Being Sunday, the students of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School,
Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School and Sri Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Learning were seated in Sai Kulwant Hall
by 7.30 a.m. Bhagawan came out at 8.00 a.m. and sat on the
dais facing the students and devotees. After a while, at
8.45 a.m., Swami called one of the Veda teachers and gave
some instructions. A former student, presently working in
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust was called by Bhagawan to
translate the Vedic chant into English for the benefit of
other students and devotees. The Mantra chosen was
Narayanopanishad. The student gave an apt translation of
each line of this Vedic Mantra. Bhagawan was very keenly
listening to the translation.
When
the word Vaikuntha was used while translating the line
'Vaikuntha Bhuvana Lokam Gamishyati', Swami asked him the
meaning of Vaikuntha. The student then spelt out the meaning
of Vaikuntha as that which is all pervasive. After the
entire Mantra was recited with explanation, Bhagawan called
the student. Even as everyone was watching him come forward,
Swami's right Hand moved in circles and out sprang a
beautiful gold necklace! This was an ornamental thick
necklace with so many intricate designs on it.
Bhagawan explained the significance of the necklace to the
student and a teacher. Out of His love for devotees and
other students, Swami asked the student to reveal the
message to the audience.
This gold necklace contains the power of the sacred mantra -
"Om Namo Narayanaya." He went on to explain that all the
Vedas, Upanishads and the other scriptures illumine the path
that man has to take to attain his final destination –
Divinity. The Mantra "Om Namo Narayanaya" contains the
essence and power of all the scriptures. The fatherly and
motherly aspect of divinity is contained in this Mantra.
Without either of them, there can be no creation. But, if
one were to contemplate deeply, one would realise that there
is no difference between the two aspects - Purusha (God) and
Prakruti (Nature), they are indeed one and the same. The
power of this Mantra is contained in the necklace. The
student continued, "All the Beejaksharas (root letters) of
this Mantra are potentially present in this necklace.
Thus, it was verily a Mantropadesa by the Lord. No one,
except Bhagawan can give the essence of this Mantra in a
nutshell, yet so profoundly.
Bhajans started at 9.10 a.m. and by 9.20 a.m. Swami retired
for the morning session to His abode.
3rd July 2005 (Evening)
This
evening, Bhagawan came out at 3.30 p.m. The car moved
forward, crossed the portico and came on to the stage. Swami
sat on the dais for a long while. Around 4.00 p.m. Bhagawan
started calling boys with letters. He spent considerable
time with each one of them answering their questions and
giving them some loving advice and message. After a while He
signalled to the boys who had their birthday on this day.
They too went in an orderly manner and sought His blessings.
At 4.35 p.m. Prasadam was distributed to all devotees,
students and staff. Bhajans began at 4.45 p.m. and at 5.15
p.m. Swami was offered Ararti and then He retired to His
abode.
4th July 2005 (Evening)
A large contingent of devotees from USA had come to
Prasanthi Nilayam to have Bhagawan's Darshan. On this
evening, the children of Region X USA presented a
magnificent play titled "The Only Element".
Many years ago the land now known as North America was the
home of the Native Americans. They respected nature and
worshipped the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air and
Ether as life sustaining forces and as the Great Spirits.
The play revolved around the theme of "Thanksgiving" which
has its roots down memory lane when the Native Americans
helped a group of weary pilgrims to cultivate crops. When
they had a bountiful harvest the next autumn, a function was
arranged to thank the Lord. The Natives were also invited
for this function, the first American Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is celebrated in America even today. However,
people in the cities and towns have lost touch with Nature
and the Elements. Thanksgiving is now an occasion for
families and friends to meet and celebrate.
A beautiful backdrop, wherein each element was depicted
pictorially formed the setting of the play. The entire play
was presented in the form of dances. The storyline is as
follows: Shawn and Sid are the two principal characters in
the play. Shawn's family is quite affluent. He and his
family are good people with family values, but have fallen
out of touch with the harsh realities that the poor people
face everyday. Sid's family is too quite affluent. They
derive joy in serving the poor and needy and in doing so,
they feel that they serve the Lord. One thanksgiving day
Shawn joins Sid's family for the Thanksgiving feast. After
the feast, Shawn joins Sid's family in serving the
poor and downtrodden. Shawn
was intrigued by the experience. It was wonderful to share
the
gift
that Mother Earth has bestowed upon us in abundance. He
realises the significance of the element Earth. Shawn goes
on to serve a thirsty person with Water; serves a person
shivering in the cold with a blanket (Fire); a person
wilting in heat with a fan (Air). When he experiences the
affection and love of the very people he serves, his joy
knows no bounds. All this takes place in the space (Ether)
created by God.
Shawn travels in his
journey of giving and sharing through the various seasons, a
journey that reveals to him the connection between service
and the five elements that make up this entire universe.
All these service activities help Shawn in ultimately
experiencing the all-encompassing
Love – "The Only Element". At the end of the play, all the
participants and organisers converged at the performing area
with Bhagawan's beautiful picture in the background, joining
their palms in thanksgiving and reverence for the wonderful
opportunity bestowed upon them.
JAI SAI RAM
Source:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/News_04-07-05.htm
|