Parthi Update 22nd, 23rd, 24th Oct 2004

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Parthi Update

 

22-10-2004

 

Sairam. On the 22nd Swami did not give any Discourse. We just had two

programmes from the Ladies group. The first one was a panel

discussion by the faculty members of Anantapur Campus and the Primary

School of Prasanthinilayam Campus. The theme was "Upanishadic

Messages in the light of Bhagawan's Discourses". It was indeed a very

informative and thought provoking panel discussion. Surely, a lot of

R&D must have been done to collect so much of information and present

it so comprehensively.

 

After the panel discussion, there was a Carnatic music recital by the

famous Carnatic music singer, Ms. Anuradha Krishnamurthy, a winner of

the D.K. Pattamal Award, well renowned all over, having presented

programmes in several countries. She sang a number of Tyagaraja

Kritis, a Sai Bhajan. After her presentation, Swami blessed her with

a grand silk sari. Then He called all the members of the panel

discussion and also Blessed them with grand silk saris!

 

23-10-2004

 

This morning, we all assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall. Swami sat on

the dais until 8.00 a.m. after which we all proceeded to the

Poornachandra Hall for the Yajnam Poornahuti. Meanwhile, Swami

distributed gorgeous silver bowls and silver glasses to all the core

Vedam group students and teachers. These were the same momentoes that

Swami also distributed to the Vedic Pundits later. What a privilege!!

 

Poornahuti was conducted in a very simple way. By the time we all

assembled inside the hall, the Poornahuti was already over. It was

just 8.20 a.m. Of course, Swami sat on the specially designed low

chair, in front of the sacred fire for quite some time, blessing all

the Pundits and completing the formalities of the Poornahuti.

 

Subsequently, some of us proceeded for the Seva. Grama Seva was

within the Ashram as usual. Prasadam, Ladoos and clothes were

distributed to all the residents of the Ashram. Anantapur sisters

carried out the distribution with some support by our boys and staff.

 

In the evening, Swami came out very early, at around 3.00 p.m. First

we had two speakers sharing their thoughts with us. The first one was

Sri Bharath a student of the II MBA class followed by Sri Sanjay

Mahalingam, a Research Scholar in the School of Business Management.

 

At 3.35 p.m. Bhagawan commenced His Divine Discourse. The highlights

follow:

 

Many feel that Iswara is a special Form with a mop of hair –

interlocked, decked with snakes all around the body! This is not so.

Though in reality, God is present everywhere; to satisfy the concept

of the devotee, He comes down with a Form that suits the taste of the

devotee!

 

Bharath is a great Nation. There is a weakness among Bharatiyas to

consider worship of idols as a form of begging. It you correctly

analyze, you will find that there are no beggars in Bharath. It is

only a mental weakness to consider the other person as inferior.

Because of this temperament, foreigners consider those who approach

them for money as beggars. This is not true.

 

Considering Bharatiyas as weak is a psychological weakness. This is a

big mistake. We portray ourselves as beggars though we are not.

Merely asking for food or money does not make one a beggar. All

should be convinced that there are no beggars in Bharath. Some even

go to the extent of considering God as a beggar! This is a great

weakness. Man praises God saying that, "If you fulfill my wishes,

then you are great and noble!"

 

People created by God cannot be poor. We consider them as poor, take

them close to us and keep giving them money. This bad habit of

begging should be slowly given up. Never consider God as a beggar.

God is your own Father!! Develop Love for God and for the whole

humanity. Love all those who suffer and are in pain. Develop Love for

God and fear of sin. Never consider anybody as helpless and do not

humiliate them.

 

When we practice this Atmic principle, God will surely materialize

before us! All are brothers and sisters. It is a mistake to consider

that we serve others and feed others.

 

We also have these businessmen! They bribe others and get work done.

There are others who accept these bribes. This is a sin! One who begs

and one who encourages this begging – both are wrong.

 

In reality all are One! You may serve food to the needy and make them

happy but never look down upon them. Just because they plead for some

food, do not tag them as beggars. And just because you serve them

some food you do not become great or superior. Serve food and satiate

the hunger of the needy but never insult and humiliate.

 

The glory of Bharath is lost as we encourage begging. If Bharath were

to be truly poor, why did so many foreigners invade Bharath and steal

away all Her riches? Bharath is a rich nation and She is not poor.

This feeling of poverty is born out of comparison!

 

If you find somebody begging, you must advise them, "You are not a

beggar. I am not a rich man. It so happens that at this moment in

time, you do not have money. That is all." We must uphold the pride

of Bharath. Declare proudly, "Bharath is my Motherland. She is a

Glorious Country!" Bharath has been a Teacher for all other nations.

 

Yesterday the women discussed the Upanishads at length. Bharath has

been extolled at all times. Considering your country as so great, you

cannot behave in a cheap and low way. You must have the feeling that

Bharath is my Mother and my Mother is very rich. The sweetest feeling

is that towards the Mother!

 

We must treat our Motherland with all dignity and honour! Bharath is

the treasure house of all epics, scriptures and sacred texts! The

physical mother may be poor but the Motherland can never be poor!

Bharath is the highest among all the nations! The morality and

integrity in this country can never be seen anywhere else in this

world!

 

When you have gold with you, why settle for copper and other cheap

metals? Educated people must decide to make this country a golden

country. But educated people are unable to understand this. They

encourage begging by giving money. When you find somebody begging,

ask them, "Do you want clothes?" Give them clothes, give them food,

and give them in kind. But do not make it a habit.

 

Accepting and giving bribe is a sin. The government must also be

cautioned about this. Is the government here to encourage begging?

Even when we go to a temple, the priest expects money, Chhi-

Chhi..This is very bad; One must never accept such Bhiksha. One

should stand on one's own legs. All cannot be equal in this world.

Therefore, certainly love those who are under privileged.

 

If you come across a beggar, you must explain to him, "O man, you are

a son of Bharath. You are not a beggar. If you beg, you will bring

down the honour of this nation." You are born to keep up the prestige

of your country. Never shed a tear and bring down the honour of your

country. Be ready to even give up your life for the Motherland!

 

Whatever we have in this world must be shared by all. Never give way

to the feeling that we are superior. Foster a sense of sacrifice.

Then alone can you become great. People give talks on sacrifice but

are not ready to part with even one rupee! Today, there is no unity

of thought, word and deed.

 

Today, it is these beggars who are responsible for the downfall of

the Nation. And it is the educated people who have created these

beggars in the first place.

 

The son of Bharath must be ever ready to sacrifice. Today Bharath

stands at the top of all countries only because of Her sense of

sacrifice! So many Mothers, Fathers and Sons have sacrificed for this

country! There can be no greater sacrifice than that for the nation.

 

Talk lovingly. Mere charity is not great. Consider everyone as

yourself. Sacrifice selfishness. Love all. No one is separate. With

Love you can win anybody!

 

True education lies in developing Love for God and removing the

suffering of the people. Students do not consider others as low, as

beggars or as poor people. Serve them with Love. Your feelings may be

poor but there is no poverty at all in this nation! O Bhara-theeyas,

you must be sweet…(O Bharathiyulara Meeru Theeyaga Undali)!!

 

Students, what all you have learned today, you must practice from

tomorrow. Be smiling when you serve. Do not put on a castor oil face.

Never consider anybody as low. Move together, cooperate and make

everybody happy. Then there will be "Nitya Kalyanam Pachha Toranam"

(Auspiciousness and festivity everyday)!!

 

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with this note and sat down on the

sofa. The mike was held on the arm of the sofa and Swami sang the

Bhajan, "Ram Ram Ram Seeta…". All joined in full swing!

 

Meanwhile, the Hyderabad youth were ready for presenting their

programme, for which Bhagawan had granted permission in the morning.

In fact, three days before, they had come to Kulwant Hall with all

preparations and costumes, expecting Swami to give a green signal.

That did not materialize. Even today, Swami started Bhajans after His

Discourse. Bhagawan concluded His discourse at 4.40 p.m. and Bhajans

went on till 5.35 p.m.

 

The Hyderabad youth were crest-fallen. They were truly anxious.

Chances for presenting their programme were nill and many of them had

tickets for the evening train and hence had no choice but to leave.

Yet, maybe there was just one last chance. That ray of hope too

vanished when Swami got up and took Aarti and proceeded towards the

Golf Cart parked near the interview room. Just as Swami was about to

board the Golf Cart, He looked at the organizers and asked them about

the programme!!

 

These are the mysterious ways of the Lord. He immediately gave a

green signal. Prof. Anil Kumar made an announcement. The youth rushed

making their arrangements with ecstacy!! The backdrops were brought

in. Music instruments were rushed in just like rushing a patient into

the ICU. Within ten minutes all was ready and to the delight of all,

Swami walked back towards the sofa. He took His seat and the

programme began.

 

The drama was titled, "Lakshala (or) Lakshyalla" (Money vis-à-vis

Ideals). It started at 5.35 p.m. and went on till 6.15 p.m. A very,

very good drama. It highlighted the true ideals of life, stressed on

service to society and the role of youth in the same. It had

wonderful dances, songs, very good dialogues and music!! Towards the

end, they raised the tempo so well with dance and music and all

possible masala – like crackers, colour strips showers, foam etc…. It

was a wonderful climax!! All were so struck that there was a loud

applause. Bhagawan got up and gave all of them photos. By 6.30 p.m.

Swami retired to the Poornachandra Auditorium.

 

24-10-2004

 

This morning, we completed the Grama Seva in Kothacheruvu Mandal too.

Tomorrow onwards we will be covering Bukkapatnam Mandal villages.

 

In the evening, Swami came out at 3.15 p.m. Singers from Vizag made a

presentation. Wonderful songs were presented. Lovely, well

coordinated voices – only men. Melodious tunes and striking lyrics

made the evening a very memorable one for all of us. It went on from

3.30 p.m. till 4.30 p.m.

 

Then Bhagawan asked Bhajan boys to start Bhajans. They too sang very

nice Bhajans. Special selections, including those sung often by

Swami. Weather too was very soothing. Cool air blowing. Swami got up

and went into the interview room with a group of devotees. The

Bhajans went on. He came out around 5.00 p.m. and again sat down on

the sofa. The Bhajans went on until 5.20 p.m. Swami was also enjoying

the Bhajans keeping beat with His hand. At 5.20 p.m., Swami took

Aarti and retired for the day.

 

Sairam