Report on Sri Rama Navami Celebrations: 7th April 2006

[Guest guest]

manifested again in our midst as our dear Lord Sai Rama. The Rama Navami

celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam on the morning of 7th April began with a

Veena recital by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music,

Prasanthi Nilayam. The students delighted the audience with their rendition of

krithis (devotional songs) composed by Saint Thyagaraja, who was a great

devotee of Lord Rama. Following this, students of the Hindustani classical

music stream from this college sang excerpts from the Tulsi Ramayana, the

version of Ramayana composed by Saint Tulsidas, which is very popular in

northern parts of India. Later, students from Bhagawan’s university sang

devotional songs in praise of Lord Rama. In the afternoon, Bhagawan blessed

Sri Anil V. Gokak, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning

to address the gathering of devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall. He observed that the

story of Lord Rama is not only venerated in India but also in many other

countries such as Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, as also the

Caribbean islands where Indians had emigrated to more than two centuries ago,

and preserve the tradition of worship of Lord Rama even to this day. He said

that at the spiritual level, Ramayana conveys many profound lessons. Lord Rama

represents the Atma, the Self in all, while Mother Sita represents Jnana

(Spiritual wisdom). Sita is enchanted by the sight of the golden deer and it is

her desire to possess that deer that leads to her being abducted by the demon

Ravana and thus being separated from Lord Rama. This symbolizes the mind being

led

astray by the lures of the world, and thus losing the joy of divine communion.

He concluded his talk with a prayer to Bhagawan to strengthen our minds so that

it can transcend the mundane and aspire for the spiritual. The talk by Sri

Gokak was followed by a talk by Sri Ajit Popat, an ardent devotee from London,

United Kingdom. He began by saying that his numerous experiences with Bhagawan

have convinced him that the same divinity that had descended as Lord Rama in

the Tretha Era has now come amidst us as Lord Sai Rama in this Kali Era. The

miraculous stories of Bhagawan are so numerous that it would require millions

of Sage Valmikis to record them and millions of Lavas and Kushas to narrate it

(Lava and Kusha were the twin sons of Lord

Rama, who learnt the Ramayana from Sage Valmiki and even as young children

undertook the sacred task of propagating the Ramayana so that all mankind may

derive the bliss of listening to the glories of Lord Rama). He stressed the

need to bring back Rama Rajya (the golden reign of Lord Rama) by installing Him

in the Heart. It is not enough to merely perform worship of the Lord, it is

equally important to do His work. When work is performed as worship, wisdom

will dawn in our hearts, he said. Bhagawan then graciously granted His Divine

Discourse. He said that although the Ramayana took place thousands of years ago,

it is still revered by one and all. The Ramayana demonstrates the importance of

maintaining unity of thought, word and deed and

said this is the highest Dharma. One should base one’s life on Sathya (Truth)

and practice Dharma (Righteousness). If not, one is not deserving of the title

of ‘man’. The root cause of misery in the present day is giving in to

falsehood, He said. He concluded the Discourse with the songs, “Rama Nama ani

mithai idigo randi Bhakthulaara …”, and “Rama Rama Rama Sita …”. Bhagawan

departed for Kodaikanal with an entourage consisting of a few students of His

educational institutions, and some fortunate devotees on the morning of 9th

April by chartered flight. He arrived at Sai Shruti, Bhagawan’s residence at

Kodaikanal, at 4 p.m. the same day. Jai Sai Ram! Source:

http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Events/ramanavami_06_report.htm Images

from Sri Rama Navami Celebrations Source:

http://sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/ramanavami_06_Photos.htm