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Prashanthi Bullettin -
March 29th-30th, 2006
March 30th, 2006
Today is the New Years' Day in many parts of India; Yugadi for
the Telugus and Kannadigas, Gudi Padva for the Maharashtrians
and Cheti Chand for the Sindhis. This morning, Bhagawan also
inaugurated His new residence opposite the Poornachandra
auditorium, which has been named 'Yajur Mandiram'. After
arriving in Sai Kulwant Hall at 8 o'clock and taking His full
darshan round in the car, Bhagawan, resplendent in a yellow
robe, came walking onstage and sat there for a short while.
Then, He took Arati and proceeded to Yajur Mandiram seated in
His special Lamborghini vehicle, preceded by the Bands of the
Primary School, the Anantapur Campus and the Prasanthi Nilayam
campus of the Institute. At Yajur Mandiram, Bhagawan first
Blessed the Puja being conducted in the entrance hall.
Doctors and other guests were seated, ready for the Banquet
being hosted by Swami, in the twin building adjacent to
Bhagawan's residence. Swami went there, Blessed all of them and
then proceeded to the Poornachandra, where all the students and
teachers were being served Lunch. Taking a round there in His
chair, Swami went back to Yajur Mandiram and proceeded upstairs.
In the evening, Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall a few minutes
past 4 o'clock. After He sat onstage for a few minutes, the
Vice-Chancellor announced that the students would present some
songs and a skit relating the significance of Yugadi. The skit
incorporated the "Panchanga sravanam" or the reading of the
almanac, and conveyed Bhagawan's message that as long as we have
God's Blessings (Anugraha), the nine planets (grahas) cannot
affect us. After this programme which also incorporated several
songs, Bhagawan indicated that He would be giving us His Divine
Message.
Bhagawan began His Discourse by narrating the way in which
Arjuna won the hand of Draupadi and how she became the wife of
all five Pandavas, and thus called Panchali.
Draupadi was the supreme example of a
Pativrata - the ideal wife, Krishna declared, since she always
acted in the best interests of her husbands, never answering
back. She encouraged the good and taught lessons to the bad.
One should put a ceiling on one's desires but one should do
one's duty - even if it be looking after one's wife and
children. Women were given a high ideal by her. The husband and
the wife should do their respective duties without interfering
with each other. God pervades the entire Cosmos. From the ant to
an elephant is Divinity. All do their duty. The ant forages
dutifully, without seeking to harm anyone.
Anger can put one to ruin. Anger is necessary to some extent, no
doubt, but it should be directed in the correct way. One should
not be angry at everyone. One should not be angry with children,
one should love children. And then hatred - whom do you hate?
Your enemy? No, you should hate only those who lead you away
from the path of Sathya and Dharma. Never hurt anyone, by
thought, word or deed. That is Ahimsa.
The five senses were to be regulated. Each of them should be
used in the way intended. God doesn't give either good or bad -
He is just a witness. Both happiness and sorrow are the results
of what Man does - reflection, reaction, resound. Just like you
get an arrogant response if you speak arrogantly to an
associate, and a friendly response if you speak in a friendly
manner, the world also reflects the thoughts you have within.
When your mind decides something is bad, give it up immediately.
Act with this discrimination, and then you can be a devotee.
One cannot escape the consequences of one's actions. As the bard
sings, "Even such a one as Rama wept at the loss of His
Beloved..." Why did Rama cry? Because He declared that She is
His wife: that is, because of attachment.
The noble wife is one who understands the difficulties of the
husband and adjusts accordingly. This means not desiring a saree
worth Rs. 800 when the salary is only Rs. 100!
It is only our delusion with the form that leads us astray. This
is the quality of a fool. Only a fool is witness for a fool! If
you do not know your own true nature, how can you know the true
nature of someone else? First let us know our own mistakes. Once
you do that, you will be a Mumukshu - one desiring Liberation.
Rather than going through religious rituals, it is better to
control the mind. Control your mind, you can become an ideal
man. Atone for your mistakes by sincere repentence. Or else, all
rituals will be in vain. First find your mistake, then rectify
it. That is the royal path.
Be good, do good see good. This is the way to God. Students are
good, but some are without virtues. Arjuna won many battles, but
he was defeated in a small matter. Pramila on one side and
Arjuna on the other, prayed to Krishna to achieve both their
ends. Finally Krishna appeared, asked Arjuna to wed Pramila.
Both can be devotees, but if they are of different minds, it
cannot lead to harmony. The body may be imprisoned, but not the
mind. So, students, control your mind. Offer it to God. God can
do anything. With the feeling that He is everywhere, do your
duties and get a good name.
Students, you have finished this academic year and are going
home. Now your thoughts will be on your results - "Will my
number come or not?" In fact, you should be the judge of that -
enquire within. If you have written your exams well, you will
surely pass. If not, even if you do pass, you should not be
joyful. Don't put your hopes on the number, but become the
"Number One" man!
Bhagawan sat down at this point and then continued.
Our dance students performed to the song,
"We should have a son like Rama, a daughter like Sita." Yes, you
should. But for that, you should have the good character of Rama
and Sita. You should take care to see that bad qualities like
those of Ravana and Surpanakha don't enter into you!
How will you get peace? Only if you control your senses.
Otherwise you will get only pieces, not peace. If anyone
criticizes you, realise that you are different from the abuse.
If someone beats you, say he has beaten the body only, not the
real you. Then, you will remain unaffected. Just like Draupadi
was unruffled by calumny and continued to worship the Lord
wholeheartedly, you too will not be affected by slander if you
have God's grace. Thyagaraja prayed, "Lord, will you not show
mercy on me?" Just saying is "Protect me!" is not enough. The
heart should be offered to the Lord.
Many have doubts - there are so many names and forms, but none
for the Atma? Why is it deemed to exist? Each likes a different
name and form. When the names and forms are different, none may
believe. But all will believe the Atma. "My Atma is my Witness".
It has no form, all will necessarily follow. Some may believe in
Rama, some in Krishna; the common name is Atma - nameless
formless Divinity. Have faith in this Divinity and then you can
experience it.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan Prema Mudita
Man se Kaho Rama Rama Ram. By the time Bhagawan completed His
Discourse, it was past 6.15 pm. Then prasadam was distributed to
all, and Bhagawan retired to His abode.
March 29th, 2006
The last few days saw several programmes put up by the students
at very short notice. This evening witnessed a drama by the
school boys, Bhaktha Chaitanya, on the life of the poet saint
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. After the Chaitanya drama, Swami asked for
an impromptu dance by the dance group, with the song 'Ramanna
Ramudu' being sung live.... And then a speech in classical
Telugu by one of the Institute students, followed by songs and
bhajans. On the 27th the school boys of the X and XII classes
who had finished their exams presented some skits interspersed
with songs, based on Swami's Chinna Kathas.
Source:
http://radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm
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