Sri Krishna Ashtami Celebrations - 6th September, 2004

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Krishnashtami celebrates the advent of Lord Sri Krishna, the Avatar of the

Dwapara Era. It is a festival that is marked by fun and gaiety that relives the

Leelas or Divine sport of Sri Krishna's childhood days at Brindavan. For the

devotees of Bhagawan, Krishnashtami is furthermore an opportunity for them to

see the same Lord who has come again as Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba and listen

to the most entrancing narration of Krishna's story in the most vivid manner

that only the Lord himself can narrate.

On the evening of the 5th September, the students of the first year

Under-Graduate class from the Brindavan Campus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute

of Higher Learning presented a programme entitled 'Sri Krishna - the

Heart-throb of Humanity'. The programme consisted of speeches, songs, dances

and a play, all woven around the aspects of Supreme Love and enigma that Sri

Krishna was. The play 'Sri Krishna Kuchelam' depicted the love and the 'Sakhya

Bhakthi' (adoration of the Lord as one's friend) of Sudhama. Sudhama, also

referred to as Kuchela, was the childhood companion of Sri Krishna at the

ashram of their preceptor Sandhipani. Many years later, Kuchela has settled to

a householder's life, but it is one of abject poverty. One day, his wife

requests him to visit Sri Krishna and pray to him for succour and grace for

overcoming their wretched situation.

Reluctantly he agrees to do so and finding nothing else to offer by way of a

gift to Krishna, takes with him a few morsels of beaten rice. When he arrives

at Krishna's palace, Krishna welcomes his childhood friend with great affection

and embraces him. With love and childlike expectation, He asks Kuchela what gift

he had got Him. When Kuchela embarrassedly offers the beaten rice, Krishna with

great relish and delight partakes of it. In the bliss of their reunion, Kuchela

forgets the purpose for which he had come and does not tell Krishna about his

miserable condition. Soon, it is time for Kuchela to return home and the

friends part with a heavy heart.

When Kuchela reaches home, he is astonished to see a magnificent palace in the

very spot where his humble dwelling once stood. He is greeted by his overjoyed

wife who is dressed in expensive clothes and bedecked in glittering jewellery.

He is overwhelmed with gratitude at the abundant grace of His Lord, who unasked

had granted him more than he had ever wished for.

At the end of the programme, Bhagawan granted photographs to the students and

accepted arati before retiring to His residence.

The auspicious day of Sri Krishnashtami dawned with the appearance of Bhagawan

in Sai Kulwant Hall clad in a beautiful yellow robe, the 'Peethambara' which is

characteristic of Lord Krishna. After granting darshan to the waiting thousands,

Bhagawan occupied the chair placed on the dais and the programme commenced. Six

students of the University speaking in English and Telugu, dwelt upon the

similarities in the lives and characteristics of the two 'Poorna Avatars' -

Lord Sri Krishna and our beloved Swami.

Bhagawan then delivered His Divine Discourse in which he narrated the story of

the birth of Lord Vamana and his encounter with King Mahabali where he asks for

a gift of three paces of land. Mahabali, who performed 107 yagnas (sacrificial

rituals) and was now performing the 108th yagna, was pleased to grant Vamana's

wish and also offered him the merit accrued by the performance of all the

yagnas in the form of a necklace. Bhagawan then waved his hand and materialized

the exquisite necklace strung with 108 gold coins that Mahabali had offered to

Vamana, and held it up for the audience to see.

Then Bhagawan dwelt upon the intense love and devotion of the Gopis (cowherd

maids) of Brindavan who visualized the Lord's form in each and every thing they

saw. They sang and expressed their love and yearning for Krishna, and the Lord

in turn was ever attached to them and loved them dearly. Citing the example of

Gopis, Swami exhorted everyone to engage themselves in singing the name of the

Lord and His glory. "Sing in any tune that pleases you, but sing with intense

love and feeling for the Lord; this will definitely take you closer to God", He

said.

The morning programme concluded with Bhajans and Arati.

In the afternoon, the students of the Anantapur Campus of the Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning presented a bouquet of devotional songs in

classical and light classical styles, and in different languages expressing

their love and devotion to their Lord Sai Krishna.

Thereafter, all the students sang Sthothrams (prayers in Sanskrit) and songs in

praise of Sri Krishna.

Then, Swami blessed Sri Ranganath Raju, a final-year student of M.A (Economics),

to address the gathering in Telugu. He said that just as a father is judged by

the behaviour of his son, the glory of God can be known by the exemplary life

of his devotees. He said that we must all hasten the process of inner

transformation and progress on the spiritual path, if not for ourselves, at

least for the sake of our beloved Swami who is painstakingly teaching us the

lessons of spirituality by His example.

Then Bhagawan rose to deliver His discourse in which He stated that it is not

enough merely to know the scriptures by rote or recite them; one must

understand their purport and translate at least one of the precepts into

action. He cited the example of Ravana who although being well-versed in all

the Vedas and the Shastras (scriptures) did not put them to practice.

Therefore, he let his evil propensities get the better of him and consequently

met with a miserable end.

Bhagawan spoke about the greatness of Draupadi in the story of Mahabharata,

where she displayed a remarkable degree of patience, forbearance and

forgiveness when she pardoned Ashwathama who ruthlessly killed all her infants

while they were asleep. She also restrained her husbands who wanted to kill

Ashwathama in revenge, by saying that she would not allow another mother to

suffer the inconsolable grief of losing her children.

Bhagawan then mentioned about the great inner strength that women possess and

praised the virtues of Sathya (Adherence to Truth), Dharma (Righteousness) and

Sahanam (forbearance) that they hold dearer than life itself. He exhorted

everyone to respect women and treat them with the dignity due to them. He

concluded the discourse with the Bhajan "Rama Rama Rama Sita…"

Jai Sai Ram!

Source: http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/janmashtami_04_report.htm

 

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