Parthi Update 22-11-2005 - Convocation

[Guest guest]

Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"> 23 – 22 ONE TO GO……..

Sairam. It is 8.30 p.m. and we have just 9 hours to go before the sun will

showers its rays on planet earth heralding the most auspicious 80th year of the

advent of the Kali Yuga Avataar – our beloved Swami. We enter the

Mandir this morning and find a totally new set of decorations, each one more

breathtaking than the other. Today there are floral Toranams in grand designs

hanging from the balcony of the Portico and also from the roof of the first

floor. Inside the balcony on the first floor, huge floral arches having a mix

of red and yellow flowers have been placed on either side of the dais. Lord

Ganesha is surrounded with a grand floral arch filled with pure white roses and

a thick bunch of red roses at the centre. The background is provided with green

leaves. The two pillars on the stage on either side of Swami’s Chair and also

the two

pillars facing the stage are decorated exquisitely with broad green leaves and

light rose-coloured huge petal-like flowers. These are wound spirally on the

pillars like a creeper and give a very grand appearance. Balls of roses of

different colors hang from the top roof of the Portico. All along the railings

of the Kulwant Hall colourful umbrellas have been fixed in the typical Kerala

style. Outside the Mandir, the Parthi township has been transformed into a

dream world. The entire road from the Mandir leading to the Hostel

and beyond is decorated with series lighting on the stadium side of the road.

Yesterday, we also saw the Laser Beams reaching out into the sky from the

Hanuman hilltop. There is going to be a laser show on the 23rd night. There is

series lighting all along the path leading to the Hanuman top. Series lighting

is also spread across the hillock itself and right on the top there are some

coconut trees created with lights, some sparklers (effect created by lights).

The stadium looks just out of the world. Huge speakers are placed for the Music

Programme. High wattage stage lights illuminate the entire ground at night. The

pathway that has been made for Swami in the middle of the stadium ground is now

covered with a red carpet. Looks royal and befits the occasion. Swami comes

out for Darshan at 9.15 a.m. after the commencement of the Bhajans. He takes a

full round and goes inside the Bhajan Hall. Hardly a few minutes pass by and He

comes out again and gets into the car. The car proceeds not towards PC but

towards the Shanti Vedika grounds. Possibly the final supervision round…

Bhajans go on. After a long wait, Swami returns only at 10.00 a.m. But He goes

straight to

PC. There He gets down from the car and moves into the new building to supervise

the Hall where the Governing Body members for the Convocation procession, will

be assembling in the afternoon. After a few minutes of supervision, He comes

out and goes inside PC. We assume that He has retired but that is not the

case. The car again parks itself outside the PC door. At 10.30 a.m. Swami again

comes out, gets into the car and drives to the Kulwant Hall. He goes inside the

Bhajan Hall. But again a few minutes later He comes

out and sits outside the interview room talking to some VIP’s seated over there.

Bhajans go on uninterrupted. At 10.50 a.m. He asks Aarti to be given and retires

for the morning. It is afternoon. The programme is scheduled to start at 2.45

p.m. as per the announcement made in the morning. The Hall is jam packed

and there are people all over the Ashram and even on the road outside, yet

waiting to come in and maybe at least have a glimpse of the Lord from some

corner. The Alike students have just transformed the dais into an Indra Loka

(the world of the Gods). The floral arch in the centre has been enhanced with a

Simha Dwaram (typical temple type entrance gate) in the centre. The openings on

either side of the dais are covered with a floral curtain, literally looks like

a floral wall, again with a Simha Dwaram in the middle for enabling movement

from the inner Portico. Silver Coated Podiums are placed on either side and 3

Thrones have been placed for the Revered Chancellor, Vice Chancellor and the

Chief Guest.

FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> At sharp 2.35 p.m. the Band begins at the PC gate. This

time a very unique feature of the Convocation is that all the College students

of the three campuses are not wearing just sashes but they are wearing a full

fledged gown and a cap – the normal Convocation costume. The Post Graduate

students have a maroon gown with yellow border while the Undergraduates have a

light blue gown. The front part of the Kulwant Hall is filled with all these

students and it gives a majestic appearance.

Arial"> 2 wooden vases almost 5 feet high, are placed on either side of the

dais and are filled with colorful flowers. The band is coming marching in. It

takes a turn in the centre of the Hall and proceeding towards the dais moves on

to the gents side of the Hall near the Krishna statue. The band is followed by

the Registrar and two student representatives of the Institute holding the

silver mace, conch and the discus mast. They are followed by all the Governing

Body members and the other administrators who join the Convocation Procession.

Behind all of them comes the Toyota Porte, the lucky car to join the

procession. In it

are seated our beloved Bhagawan and His Excellency, T.N. Chaturvedi, the

Governor of Karnataka. All the members stand next to their chairs and then

Swami emerges from the door at the centre of the floral curtain. To our

greatest delight, we see Swami walking and coming to His Chair. Of course He is

being assisted by the students. Swami is all smiles. He asks the Governor to

take his seat and then sits down on the centre throne. The garlanding ceremony

takes place and is followed by the chanting of the Convocation Vedam. They

chant the full Mantra and sit down. At the prayer of the Vice Chancellor,

Swami stands up and speaks into the mike, “I declare the Convocation open”.

Next is the turn of the Vice Chancellor to speak. He introduces the Chief

Guest, Sri T.N. Chaturvedi and then furnishes the audience with the highlights

of the Institute, the achievements in the past one year and also the future

plans. He stresses on the necessity of Value Based education especially in the

current scenario. He talks about

the ancient Gurukula system and its immense benefits. He also talks about the

primacy of the role of the teacher in any education system. He states that

education must be balanced and should be based on spirituality. He quotes from

Swami Vivekananda and Mahatma Gandhi while elaborating on this aspect. He

then substantiates on the topic of Educare saying that education and educare

are like the two wings of a bird. He explains the role of Grama Seva in our

curriculum. He also gives the significance of the compulsory residential system

that is followed here. He calls the Mandir as the temple of worship, the

Institute as the temple of learning and the Hostel as the temple of Living. He

says that the students of Bhagawan are very lucky to witness a spiritual

revolution along with technological revolutions. He concludes saying that Swami

is like a Divine Magnet and the graduating students are doubly lucky to receive

their degrees on the auspicious occasion of the 80th year of the Avataar. He

appeals to the students to be the torch bearers of the ongoing spiritual

revolution. It is 3.05 p.m. All students rise to take the Convocation pledge.

This is followed by the Gold Medals awarding ceremony. This time, Swami gives

the medals sitting on the throne. He also allows the boys to have a photograph

with the medal and certificate. In the Parthi and Brindavan Campus, the gold

medalists are as follows:

justify">MBA – D. Kiran MBA(F) – Satish Narayan M.Tech. – Sanjit M.Sc.(Chem) –

Sivaramakrishna M.Sc.(Phy) – D.V. Hemant M.Sc.(Maths) – K.S. Naresh M.Sc.(Bio)

- Premananda M.A. – Amrit Thapa

justify">B.Sc.(Maths) – S. Anand B.Sc.(Chem) – Shyamal Narayan B.Sc.(Bio) –

Abhay Gautam B.Sc.(Eco) – M. Ratnakar B.Com. – Harshavardhan DIPINCAP –

K.V.S.K. Ganesh Swami talks to a number of the medal winners and Blesses them

profusely. It is 3.30 p.m. by the time all the medals are awarded. It is now

time for the Governor’s Convocation address. The Governor

delivers a very scholarly and insightful talk, quoting extensively from Swami’s

literature. At the outset, he congratulates the graduating students. He says

that this day is a day of prayerfulness and thankfulness. He prays to Bhagawan

to continue to show us all the way and bestow on us the moral courage at all

times to walk the right path. He brings to attention the fact that this

Convocation marks the entry of the Institute

into its 25th year of existence. He reminds the students that they are very

fortunate to be under the benign Guidance of Bhagawan Baba. He appreciates the

motto of the Institute, “Satyam Vada – Dharmam Chara’, saying that this is the

best motto an Institute could have. He states that education needs to be

imparted at all levels and a fragmented approach cannot be adopted. He says

that Bhagawan Baba believes that opportunity must be made available for all.

There should be leveling up and not leveling down. He also talks about the

dignity of individual and the dignity of labour that is inculcated in Swami’s

educational Institutions. It is Bhagawan’s Love for the students that truly

moulds them. Charity, compassion and all other noble qualities become part of

their being. In his opinion, education must purify the heart and clarify the

vision. He hails the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning as an

illustrious example to show what education is in need of today. Faith backed by

moral courage will remove the black clouds that hide the vision. He concludes

saying that today the students are proud of belonging to this Institution.

Tomorrow the Institute will be proud of the students when they live up to the

Convocation oath taken by them today. As

he concludes his talk, Swami also claps and tells him, ‘Very nice’. It is 3.55

p.m. Swami gets up to deliver His Divine Message. The highlights of Swami’s

Discourse: The end of education is Truth. Education without Truth is no

education at all, it is merely secular. There are so many educated people

today. What are they all doing? There is no iota of selflessness in them. But

education is going on as usual. True education is spiritual education. That

alone points us to God. Secular education is

only for a living. The end of education is character. Without character,

everything else is useless. Today, we have distanced ourselves from this goal.

The heart will become pure only when we give up selfishness. We must focus on

the ‘Self’. This must lead to ‘Help’ and finally to ‘Sacrifice’. The true Self

is Atma – Chaitanya Shakti. Every human has this power. Eswara Sarva

Bhutaanaam. Mere education cannot make a person a human being. Study for

character, not merely for money. However, today’s world appreciates only people

with status and position and does not give any weightage to character. Such

people are not human beings at all. Even animals are better. They have a reason

and a season. But human brings do not seem to have any. Satya and Dharma are the

foundation for a good character. Satyam Naasti Paro Dharmaha. Here both get

united. There is no higher Dharma then Truth itself. Satya is the foundation

and Dharma is the building. These two are very important. Put together, they

give rise to Prema. Ask anybody at random and they will say that they have

everything in life but no peace of mind. One you have peace, you will not face

any difficulties. The human birth is so valuable. It is only because of great

merits in the past that one is born as a human being. Without Satya and Dharma,

man is not a man; he is a demon or an animal. In the word ‘Manava’, Ma means

‘attached’, ‘Na’ means ‘not’ and ‘Va’ means ‘to live’. To live a life without

attachment is Manava. To gain peace, we must discard the pieces of materialism

collected in the world. We must strive to acquire the freedom of oneness.

Swami then goes on to narrate the story of Ubhaya Bharati and Mandala Mishra.

How Sankaracharya has an argument with Mandala Mishra and Ubhaya Bharati, the

wife of Mandala Mishra becomes the judge. Finally, she declares Sankara as the

winner and accepts Sanyasa herself as per her pledge. Sanyasa = Shun all Aashas

(desires). For students Brahmacharya (celibacy) is most important. When you

come to Swami, you say that you do not want anything else, you want only

devotion; but once you leave the boundaries of this place, desires overwhelm

you in bounty. Sthaana Balam is very important. The story of Rama and

Lakshmana is very well known. At one point in the forest, Lakshamana starts

behaving in a very strange way and starts talking against Rama. Later Lord Rama

reveals to Sita that this is on account of the bad vibrations in that place as

it was inhabited by a demoness. Therefore, we must be very selective of where

we live. Your qualities will depend on your friendship. As your friends, so

will you be. Good company is very important. Be friendly to all but once you

identify bad qualities in somebody, be away from them. There is no inherent

fault within anybody. It

is all the effect of company, which is more pronounced in this Yuga – the Kalaha

Yuga. Today, bad books and novels are also on the rise. This promotes more

evil and bad qualities. It looks as though students read good books but they

actually read dirty books. Even well educated people do this. The publishers

and authors have no concern at all about the impact that this can have on the

minds of the youth. So long as you do not engage in self-enquiry you will

continue to cherish bad company. One’s conduct must be very good. What is the

use of mere high designation and high pay? How long will it last? Money earned

by bad means will get wasted away by bad means. We must be cautioned in

this regard. Many students talk sweetly but their action is poisonous. Earlier

the Guru used to mould the disciple and the disciple had great regard for the

Guru. Today, the disciple betrays the one who has sheltered him and given him

food. There are six qualities that a student must possess – good mind,

steadfastness, adherence to duty, devotion…. Without these, he is not a student

but a stupid. Leave such stupid people alone.

Arial">Love is the greatest education. Today we need good students and that is

the purpose with which I have started this educational Institution. In our

Institute Library, there are no bad books at all. Our students will never

entertain bad thoughts. They set a good example even to their family members,

advising even their mothers not to eat Rajasic food. When food and head in

combination take us in the wrong direction, we forget God. We must eat a lot of

vegetables as they are very good for a healthy body and mind. Today, all

people praise Sai students. Even if our students act in a wrong way, people

themselves will correct them saying, “See, you are a student of Swami’s Hostel.

How can you eat such food?’ Never give scope to anybody to correct you. Some

students who are very devoted when here get transformed into bad students once

they go outside. However, these are very few in number. Majority of them are

very good. Especially, the students who have now joined the College and Hostel

are very good. Sai students should adhere to the rules and be an ideal for all.

It is 4.45 p.m. and Swami brings His Divine Discourse to a close. All arise

for the National Anthem. At 4.50 p.m. the procession begins its return to PC.

Prof. Anil Kumar makes an announcement about the evening drama in PC and also

announces that the Birthday Celebration will commence tomorrow in the Hill View

Stadium at 8.00 a.m. Swami also moves to the car and proceeds towards PC. All

of us go into the Poornachandra Auditorium. After a long wait, the Music starts

playing on the sound system. At 6.20 p.m. the dignitaries come out from inside

the PC and take their seats in the D-Circle. We have the Finance Minister of

A.P., Sri Rosaiah Garu, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri Vilas Rao Deshmukh

and H.E. Sri T.N. Chaturvedi. The drama to be presented by the students of the

Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is titled ‘Prem Ki Jyoti’ – ‘The

Light of Love’. The drama begins in the office of Viswakarma Constructions.

This well known construction company has just been awarded the contract for

building a Sarva Dharma temple. But now the dilemma is whether to build this

massive temple in Jyotir Gram which will cause a number of people to be

displaced or to build it on the Devagiri Hills which will incur a significant

additional expenditure to the company – in terms of leveling the land etc. They

try to justify the case of using the Jyotir Gram land, saying that the

inhabitants are in any case illegal occupants of the land. But the hero of the

drama, Praneet feels that they must consider the case of the villagers on

humanitarian grounds. Scene 2 shows the occupants of Jyotir Gram crying out

and lamenting over the heartlessness of the construction company. Scene 3 comes

after the company has been convinced by Praneet that it is better to go for

construction on the Devagiri Hills. Praneet, a great architect, convinces the

management that he would come up with a plan that would be cost

effective. This scene, therefore, shows the villagers rejoicing over the

company’s decision in their favour with a vibrant dance. The dance is very well

presented. Scene 4 again takes us back to the office. There is a heated

argument as the costs have escalated. Praneet is accused for being impractical.

Not disturbed by their accusations, Praneet asks them to pray for a solution. He

narrates the story of Vibheeshana surrendering to Lord Rama saying that they too

must surrender to the Lord in a similar way. He says, ‘Let us not look at God

and say that we have a problem, but let us look into the problem

and sat that we have God with us’. Scene 5 transports us into the Treta Yuga

and the Vibheeshana surrendering scene is enacted very well. Scene 6 begins

with the positive note that God can be made a part of the Corporate Philosophy.

As they are worried about the cost escalation, the village people of Jyotir Gram

come forward and volunteer to offer two hours of additional labour free of cost

as a mark of gratitude to the company that has decided not to replace the

occupants of the village. This comes as a pleasant surprise. But slowly, as

depicted in scene 7, all the company managers get convinced that

there is a higher power that is guiding the construction of this company.

Scene 8 brings in a totally new turn to the drama. Praneet who has been the

strength behind his colleagues all this while, now starts behaving in a very

strange way. No one is able to understand the cause for this change in

behaviour. Hr refuses to divulge any reason. One day, He comes to the manager

of the Company, Mr. Christopher and submits his resignation. His boss is

furious and after a little bit of cajoling, the boss gets wild with him. But

Praneet walks away for good. Scene 9 finds the other two executives in low

spirits. However, Mr. Christopher exhorts them to continue without giving up

hope. They remind themselves that there is a higher power guiding the destiny

of this temple. At this moment, Mr. Saket Sharma, a world renowned architect

comes to their office and volunteers to offer his services totally free of

cost. He comes just in time to replace Praneet at no additional cost. All are

stunned at this Divine intervention.

FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Scene 10 depicts video clippings of the construction of the

temple. These are clippings shot at some construction site along with the

actors with their costumes. It gives a very authentic touch to the whole

presentation. Scene 11 brings in one more twist. The cement prices have gone

up. Once again they are faced with a dead end. But Mr. Santosh comes in at the

right time. He owns a cement company and offers to supply the entire

requirement at cost price. Scene 12 is the final scene. The temple has been

completed and it is time for inauguration. Mr. Christopher is requested to

,light the lamp but he in turn feels that it is the

architect Mr. Saket Sharma who deserves this honour. Saket in turn remembers Mr.

Praneet. The rest of them wonder as to how Mr. Saket knows about Praneet. Saket

Sharma then reveals that Praneet was his best student in college days. However,

Praneet’s colleagues speak very badly about him. Hearing all this, Mr. Saket

Sharma is unable to keep the secret to himself any more. He reveals the whole

mystery about Praneet. Six

months afer Viswakarma Construction Company had won the contract for the temple,

Praneet was diagnosed as having a very critical ailment. Not wanting to

disappoint his colleagues who were depending on him so much, he resigns from

the company. It is he who inspires his Professor, Mr. Saket Sharma to come over

and offer his services for building this temple. Again it is at his behest that

Mr. Santosh too offers to supply cement at cost price. Praneet as of now is

spending his final days with his spiritual master. As they all hear this

story, they repent

for all the misconceptions they had about Praneet and miss him very badly on

this occasion. But to their surprise, Praneet arrives on the scene. He says

that, His Master, Bhagawan Baba had been giving him succor and comfort all

these days. Just two days back, he had got an interview with Swami. When Swami

asked him as to what he wanted, he had just prayed for the successful

completion of the temple. Looking at his selflessness, Bhagawan had pointed to

his heart saying that, his heart was Swami’s true temple. He Blessed him and

said that, ‘Go, both the temples will stand, this one as well as that one too.’

Thus Praneet is given a new lease of life. The drama ends with a group song

and when all his colleagues request Praneet to take them to Swami, he says that

incidentally Swami had asked him to bring all of them to Parthi to be a part of

the 80th Birthday celebrations., This gives a very happy end to the drama.

There is loud applause from the devotees and the actors sing a nice Birthday

song for Swami. Swami goes up onto the stage and sits in their midst for a

nice photograph. He interacts with all the actors and slowly moves into the

backroom as Aarti goes on. The drama makes

a strong impact on the audience. It is a short and sweet play with a powerful

message. It is 7.35 p.m. and we all hurry back to our Hostel. Finally, we

have reached a point in time when we wish time to stop still. How we wish that

tomorrow may dawn and continue to remain so for ever so that we may bask in the

Glory of our beloved Lord Sai. Let us all get ready to witness the greatest

event of all times to come. The 80th Year of the Advent! We’ll get back to you

with the exciting moments tomorrow. Sairam. A Anantha

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