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Prashanthi Bullettin - July
21st, 2005
Gurupoornima
July 21st, 2005 - Gurupoornima
On this most auspicious occasion of Gurupoornima, in the most
auspicious year of the Avatar's 80th Birthday, let us all offer
our sincere and respectful Pranaams at the Lotus Feet of our
Sadguru, Bhagawan Baba.
This morning, we were all seated in the Mandir by 6.45 a.m. Five
minutes later, the Naadaswaram team began playing their
mellifluous tunes, starting with Mahaganapatim Bhaje….This
Gurupoornima, there were no floral decorations in the Mandir.
Instead, the pillars and the inside Portico were all decked with
pearl garlands, decorative hangings, and colourful chandeliers.
The main Kulwant Hall was shining with the red Chinese lamp
shades.
At 7.35 a.m. the Porte car stationed itself in front of PC. All
the lights in Kulwant Hall went on. The Naadaswaram was now
accompanied with Pancha Vadyam played by the Institute students
and Vedam chanting. It was a mix of so many sounds and tunes
merging into an indescribable symphony! Swami took a full round
of the Hall. By 7.45 a.m., Swami was seated in the centre of the
dais. The Naadaswaram group stopped playing and Swami was now
watching the students playing the Naadaswaram. After a while He
smiled at them and asked them to sit down.
Swami then asked the Vedam group to chant the Rudram. The
Primary School joined the chanting with full enthusiasm. In
between, Swami too was chanting some lines along with the
students. A few minutes later, Swami called the Vice Chancellor,
Prof. Anil Gokak and spoke to him. He also spoke to the All
India President, Mr. V. Srinivasan.
At 8.05 a.m., the mikes were placed on the dais. Mr. V.
Srinivasan was the first speaker. He began by offering Pranaams
to the Jagadguru on this auspicious day of Vyasa Pournami. This
is the day when we pay homage to the Teacher of all teachers. He
spoke extensively on the Universal Love of Bhagawan that
encompasses all of humanity. His Love brings rain to the parched
deserts and it is this Love that drives His Divine Mission.
He described how Swami is touching the lives of millions of
people all over the globe, giving several instances of Divine
miracles. He emphasized on the magnanimity of Bhagawan who not
only practices and sets an example Himself, but also exhorts us
to follow other good and great leaders like Abraham Lincoln,
Easwar Chandra Vidya Sagar and others.
The three most important teachings of Bhagawan, according to the
speaker were, Faith in God and oneself, Service to humanity and
Naamasmaran. There is nothing impossible with His Grace and
Love. The word ‘impossible' does not exist in God's dictionary.
Swami was very pleased with the talk delivered by Mr. V.
Srinivasan and to his surprise, materialized a gold ring for
him. It was a ring studded with diamonds all around and a
diamond ‘S' on it. Swami put it on the finger of the speaker.
At 8.20 a.m., Prof. G. Venkataraman was summoned to share his
views with the audience. Prof. Venkataraman commenced his talk
saying that this most unique day should be etched in our hearts
for ever. He elaborated on the role of a Guru, stating that the
Guru can never give Jnana to any disciple. Jnana is right within
our own self. All that the Guru does is to remove Ajnana
(ignorance) that covers the Jnana (wisdom) in us.
However, a Sadguru does something much more special. The
Sadguru, said the speaker, creates a thirst in us for Jnana. The
Love behind every smile of His, and every word of His, propels
us to look within and search for our Truth. This is possible for
Him as He is absolutely selfless from top to toe. There is no
word called ‘selfish' in God's dictionary. He also brought to
the attention of the audience the fact that, in 1963, it was on
this very day that Swami had cured Himself from a paralytic
stroke and declared the secret of this Avatar to all gathered
there. Again in 1968, on this very day, the Anantapur College
was inaugurated by Bhagawan. That very day, Swami had sown the
seed which today has become a huge Banyan tree.
Prof. G. Venkataraman concluded his talk lamenting over the
state of affairs today where knowledge is being marketed like a
product. This, according to him was the worst sin. Prof.
Venkataraman was followed by a student speaker, Sri R. Satish of
the II MBA (Finance) class. Finally, we had the Vice Chancellor,
Sri Anil Gokak speaking to us.
Sri Anil Gokak, elaborated on the meaning of the word Guru. ‘Gu'
stands for Gunateeta (Attributeless) and ‘Ru' stands for Rupa
Varjita (Formless). In olden days, it was a matter of shame for
any person to be without a Guru. That is how the word ‘Anatha'
came into existence.
He then went on to differentiate between an ordinary teacher and
a Guru. The teacher provides Shiksha but a Guru provides Diksha.
A teacher imparts knowledge while a Guru imparts impulses. This
day is celebrated as Gurupoornima. Purnima means a full moon
day. The full moon has significance for both the Guru and the
disciple. The cool light of the full moon symbolizes the serene
and fully illuminated mind of a Guru. The full moon also
symbolizes the inner awakening in a disciple.
There are 4 ways in which a Guru impacts the Shishya, according
to the speaker. They are: Look and Touch (illustrated by
Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Vivekananda), Thought (as in the
case of Ramana Maharishi) and Word (Mantra). Transformation of
the disciple is the Guru's task. Transforming involves two
aspects: Unmaking and Remaking. It is a journey from Sensuality
to Spirituality.
The speaker drew a very good analogy, stating that God is like a
generator, the disciple is like a lamp and the Guru is like the
wire which connects the generator to the lamp. He then went on
to give the examples of disciples like Hanuman who stood for
obedience and servility, Arjuna who stood for Nishkama Karma and
Svadharma, and Vivekananda who propagated the Unity of all
religions.
He concluded his talk on the note that today we have only
transmitters of information and not initiators of
transformation. Educare, he said, is the only solution to this
problem. Educare comes from the root word, ‘educe' which means
to develop the latent (Divinity within) and make it patent.
At 9.00 a.m., Bhagawan's Discourse table was arranged. They
tried to place the stand mike next to Swami's sofa, so that
Swami could speak while sitting, but Bhagawan was particular
that He should stand and speak. Therefore, the normal mikes were
arranged. Swami stood up with the help of our brothers who
assist Him, amidst loud applause. All devotees were delighted to
see Swami standing after so many days. Bhagawan then smiled and
began His Divine Message.
Who can estimate the consequences of our
actions in life? It is as strange as an inverted bat. The bat
flies around like other birds but at night, when it retires, it
hangs upside down on the branch. Is it not its destiny to be
like that?
Each one has to face the consequences of his/her actions. No one
can escape destiny. Actions are therefore very important. Be it
a saint or an ignorant one, no one can escape the results of
their actions. The consequences of your actions will follow you
like a shadow. Bear in mind the good and bad that you have done.
One may live long, but he will have to face the results of his
actions. So be it, so be it….is continuously being repeated.
Ignoring this, we keep acting the way we like. Knowing what is
good and bad, we still are not able to give up the bad. It is
all our own making, just as the bat's life too is of its own
making.
None can gauge the Divine Will. You can cover your mistakes at a
human level, but the consequences will never leave you, be it
good or bad. A man may look mighty and talk in a bombastic
manner, but when faced with the consequences of his actions, he
is unable to show his face. At such times the true colours get
manifested.
You may not be able to understand all that I am saying. But your
own experience will reveal the Truth to you. Results of your
actions are inevitable. In fact, the consequences come back with
ten fold intensity. The only way out of this cycle is to be the
recipients of God's Grace. With God's Grace, the consequences
will not cause any pain to you. For example, the medicine in a
bottle will have its effect only within the expiry date, beyond
which it ceases to make any impact. So too, God's Grace can
postpone the Karmic consequences to a date after which, they
will have no significant impact on you!
At this point, Swami described the case study of Maarkandeya,
whose life story is an ideal example of God's Grace modifying
the destiny of an individual.
With Divine Grace, you can win over any obstacle in life. The
noose of death will fall only on those, who yet have to face the
consequences of their actions in this world. It was after the
episode of Maarkandeya, that people started praying to the Lord
as their final days approached. In the case of Maarkandeya,
Eswara Himself appeared and said, “I gave your parents that boon
in an emergency, now I am withdrawing the same.” Thus God can
give boons and can also cancel the same. God has removed
obstacles from the lives of so many devotees. But some people
try to test God. This is a mere waste of time. God will never
yield to such tests.
Deserve God's Grace; then nothing in this world can touch you.
Animals, birds, and all beings can escape the consequences of
their actions by God's Grace. Whatever Sadhana you may do, never
forget God at any moment of your life. Life is very important,
even more than the human body. With prayer, you can sustain this
life. You need not pray loudly. Even a silent prayer will do.
God is in the heart of man. Life may come and go. Worldly
difficulties will come and go. But never disconnect yourself
from God. To deserve God's Grace, chant His Name. Nothing can
happen to you if you keep singing His Bhajans, singing His
Glory. All of you who have assembled here today have earned the
highest profits. Retain it safely with you.
Swami is aware of the fact that you students are always thinking
of Him. Swami is not concerned about the volume of your prayers.
You sing Bhajans perfectly. Swami will listen to it and protect
you. Never give scope for any weakness. Your life is Blessed by
Sai. You may sing any name, but God is One. I have no objections
even if you do not call Me by any name. You may also call me as
the one with a huge mop of hair. I have no objections!
The East and West Godavari Water Projects are through. Officials
from L&T and Mr. Kondal Rao have gone into the forests areas, to
identify the villages deep inside, and plan out the water supply
for them. They encountered the Naxalites in those areas. But
when the Naxalites came to know that they have come from Swami,
for helping them in providing water to them, these same
Naxalites took them around and guided them. All of them will be
coming to Puttaparthi shortly, to share their joy and Gratitude
with Swami for the great boon that He is showering on them.
Water is very important. It is life itself. I do not want their
prayers, worship etc. I will provide whatever you need, even
before you can ask Me. No government has come forward to take up
such tasks, but Sai alone will provide water to all countries of
the world.
Swami wants all of you to pray for the welfare of all people
around the world. Never give up this prayer. Many are worried
that Swami is not able to walk. But remember, I have nothing to
do with this body and these legs. Swami is beyond and transcends
all these. In fact, the devotes from East and West Godavari
districts have arranged a helicopter to take Me around to their
places. Very soon I will Bless them with My visit! (Loud
applause)
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse at 10.00 a.m. Bhajans followed.
At 10.15 a.m. Aarti was offered. During the Aarti, Mr.
Narasimhamoorthy – Warden of the Brindavan Hostel of SSSIHL and
Mr. Rajan – Convenor of the Sri Sathya Sai Books and
Publications Trust, offered the fifth volume of ‘Sathyam Sivam
Sundaram' at His Lotus Feet. Swami Blessed His biography penned
by Sri Narasimhamoorthy, with His autograph. Sri Nagananda,
Central Trust member offered to Swami the set of five souvenir
volumes on Swami and His Mission called the Pancharatnas
prepared by the Prasanthi Digital Studio, on the major projects
of Bhagawan that have been great boons to humanity – Education,
Healthcare, Water Supply, and Grama Seva and the fifth one being
Divine Glories. These too were Blessed by Swami.
In the evening, Swami was out by 3.00 p.m. He went into the
interview room. The Music Programme produced and Directed by
Swami was to be presented this evening by the Institute
students. The two singers, Om Prasad and Sai Krishna were
Blessed to have their make up done under the direct guidance of
Swami. The Costumes team and the singers went into the interview
room. Swami wanted the singers to be dressed as Lava and Kusha
(Children of Lord Rama). He had made arrangements for their
Dhotis and Shawls. The entire make up was done right under His
supervision. Who else than Lord Rama alone, can perfectly guide
the make up of His Lava and Kusha?
Swami came out at 4.25 p.m. The initial plans were that Swami
would be seated down, next to the Vedam group, to watch the
programme. However, out of His compassion for the devotees,
Swami chose to sit on the dais on the extreme right side. The
Music group members took their seats. At sharp 4.30 p.m., the
charming young students dressed as Lava and Kusha made their
appearance on the stage.
Seeking Swami's Blessings they took their seats and the
Presentation began at 4.30 p.m. Though we had witnessed the
rehearsals a number of times with Swami, the experience today
was totally different. The sacred atmosphere of the Kulwant
Hall, the cool breeze caressing our faces, our Divine Lord
seated in front of us and the yearning hearts of devotees all
around, made the setting totally unique.
As the singers presented their songs one after the other with
commentaries interspersed, devotees were charged with ecstasy.
Every song was followed by loud applause. It was a soothing and
soul stirring experience! The programme concluded at 5.45 p.m.
Swami spoke to the singers and Blessed them. This was followed
by Bhajans rendered by the lead singers themselves. Aarti was
offered at 6.00 p.m. and Swami retired for the day.
Our Sadguru had saturated our heart with Love and joy and filled
our lives with hope and light. Even as the Porte car moved
towards His abode, the faces of all the devotees shone like the
full moon of the Purnima, reflecting the splendour of our Divine
Sadguru!
Source:
http://www.radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm
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