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June 23rd, 2005 Bhagawan was out in the evening at 4.00 p.m. He took a full

round, got down near the interview room, and proceeded towards the center of

the dais. The freshers among the I Year Post Graduate students were ready with

a presentation this evening entitled 'Sevanjali'. However, Swami had other

plans. He came and sat outside. The Vedam chanting was stopped at 4.05 p.m.

Bhagawan commanded Prof. Anil Gokak - the current Vice Chancellor of the Sri

Sathya Sai Institute to speak a few words. Prof. Gokak stated his talk by

recalling the early part of his father's life - how his father had developed

the first streaks of faith when in Edinburgh, the Oxford University had given

him exemption from the oral test keeping in view his ill health and on account

of his excellent performance in the written test. He went down memory lane and

stated that Bhagawan had extended his mother's life by 18 years and his

father's life by 5 years. It was in 1965 that Swami had first visited their

house, but then Prof. Anil Gokak had not developed strong faith in Swami. It

was only in 1969, when Prof. Anil Gokak went along with his wife to Swami and

Bhagawan materialized a necklace and an apple for his wife, that he slowly

started developing faith in Bhagawan. Initially he was focused on Swami's

miracles but later being an administrator himself, he started taking interest

in Swami's social activities. He aptly referred to Bhagawan as a 'Vedantic

Socialist'. Prof. Gokak said that he was very much moved by the book 'A

Catholic Priest Meets Sai Baba'. In 2002 Prof. Gokak delivered a talk in the

Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality. By now he was convinced that

Bhagawan alone is the saviour of this world. He said that Swami always laid

less emphasis on mere rituals and directed all to go towards the core. He

stated that Bhagawan was not a Vyaktinath but a Lokanath. He concluded his talk

by drawing an analogy between an Avataar and a pilot who temporarily brings down

his plane to the ground to take a few passengers and then fly back to the skies!

It was 4.30 p.m. and Swami now commanded Sri S.V. Giri, the former

Vice-Chancellor, to share his thoughts with the audience. Sri S.V. Giri also

struck a personal note talking about the heart surgery that he had for the

first time in 1989. Within 3 years, 4 of the 5 bypasses had been blocked. On

praying to Swami, Bhagawan had said there was no need for any further surgery.

Though the doctors said that there was no way out other than a surgery, Sri

S.V. Giri has been continuing since then, discharging all his responsibilities

- purely on account of Bhagawan's Grace! He expressed his immense gratitude to

swami for this benediction. He then shared how Swami had facilitated his smooth

exit from the post of the CVC (Central Vigilance Commissioner) - Government of

India. Swami had made sure that his resignation was accepted without any

complications. Sri Giri stressed on the three most important facets of this

Institute - Service, Society and Faith. He concluded his talk by stressing on

the Truth elucidated by our scriptures that all is one. Man and even the fruit

fly are equally Divine, but man has evolved to great heights. Man's hands,

unlike his ancestral species are free and this is because he is expected to

serve others with these hands. He has been given a bigger brain so that he can

think of practical solutions for the burning problems facing the society today.

He has been bestowed with the rare gift of speech (unique only to the species of

human beings) so as to express himself and speak obligingly! It was 4.50 p.m.

and suddenly to our surprise and delight Swami started giving His Divine

Message. Mikes were soon kept in place. Bhagawan spoke until 5.45 p.m. and

elaborately sketched the life story of Prof. Vinayak Gokak - the father of the

current Vice-Chancellor and the first Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning. The highlights of Bhagawan's Discourse are as

follows (This is based on notes taken during the Discourse and may not cover

all the points). Vyashti and Samashti and the link between them are very

important. Transcending both these is Parameshti. Samatvam (equality) is the

link between individual (Vyashti) and society (Samashti). What is the role of

an individual in society? No one is able to totally understand the spirit of

society. As one enquires deeply, Samashti too fades away and gives way to the

transcending factor of Parameshti. We find it very difficult to understand this

transcendental picture. This was the position of Prof. Vinayak Gokak in the

beginning. (So saying Swami went on to describe the life of Prof. Vinayak Gokak

in very elaborate terms giving details of his spiritual journey to Swami). He

read a number of books but could not understand the principle of Satyam and

Nityam. He was not able to differentiate between Atma and Anatma. However,

there is nothing like Anatma. There is only Atma. Later, Prof. Gokak realized

the Truth in depth. I gave him a lot of support then. Sometimes continued help

may lead to confusion. But a true devotee will be highly benefited by the

support extended to him. Help is not the one that is temporary or momentary,

but it must be everlasting. Gradually, Prof. Gokak got rid of all doubts and

held on to the Eternal Truth. It is not easy for everybody to understand this

Divine Principle. Those who depend on Truth remain changeless. The rest keep

changing. One must necessarily face the consequences of whatever they do. It is

only in the doubtless state that we can understand the principle of oneness.

Mere superficial enquiry will land you in confusion. Truth represents

doubtlessness. Such Truth is the royal path to Mukti (liberation). Moksha means

Moha + Kshaya. So long as there is Moha one cannot attain Moksha. Once Prof.

Gokak came to Me and asked a question. "Am I the knower or is the conscience

the knower?" Maya is the one that comes in between the Conscious and the

Conscience. It is the main cause for delusion. Keep Maya (delusion) away and

allow the Truth to come forth. Truth cannot be seen or heard. Beyond Conscious

and Conscience, there is Consciousness. Truth is closest to Consciousness. Thus

his doubts got cleared. But then, once again he had another fundamental doubt.

He asked, "Swami, all my doubts have been cleared but where from did these

doubts come?" He kept enquiring deeply in this way. When individual reaches out

to society, the society also reaches out to the individual. Finally, Prof. Gokak

was able to understand the principle of Satyam and Nityam through Aurobindo's

Savitri. The question may arise, "Is Savitri feminine or masculine?" Savitri is

beyond gender. Gokak became a scholar on Savitri. He investigated his inner most

thoughts and realized the Truth. (Swami continued His Discourse on the same

lines, describing several instances where Swami had Blessed Prof. Gokak by

touching his head and once even placing His finger on the Brumadhya Sthanam -

point in the middle of the brows). Since then, Prof. Gokak was in Bliss and his

interaction with Swami reduced. All his doubts vanished and finally he said,

"Swami, I am One! God is One! I do not need anything." Ultimately, he

visualized Savitri. As we proceed along the path of Sadhana, we will acquire

certain spiritual powers. But do not allow the mind to waver. Hold on to the

fundamental principle. Truth is One, not two! Bhagawan concluded His Message at

5.45 p.m. Bhajans began and at 5.55 p.m. He took Aarti and retired to the

Poornachandra Auditorium. June 22nd, 2005 This morning was a Darshan Bonanza.

Swami came out at 7.45 a.m. He sat in the center of the stage and Vedam

chanting went on. At around 8 o'clock, He asked for the Vedam chanting to stop,

and told the teachers in the Vedam group to go for their classes. Swami sat

there till bhajans began at 9 o'clock, in Divine silence. In fact, He continued

to sit there till 9.35 a.m. Then He came in, took Aarti and went inside the

interview room. People had a wonderful Darshan this morning! In the evening,

Swami was out by 3.30 p.m. Swami sat down at the center of the dais. He

received letters from some students, spoke to quite a few students, and then

even took some for an interview. He Blessed the Birthday boys too! At 4.30

p.m., Swami suddenly called one of the Vedam coordinators and asked then to

chant the Purusha Suktam. At 4.40 p.m., He went inside the interview room with

some students. Bhajans started at 5.00 p.m. and this evening we were all

privileged to hear brother Ravi Kumar singing at Swami's command, the Quawalli

- Sai Bin Raha Na Jaye.... Bhagawan took Aarti at 5.25 p.m. and retired for the

day. June 21st, 2005 This morning, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 8.30 a.m.

and sat through the Bhajans until 9.30 a.m. when Aarti was given. In the

evening, Swami came out at 3.20 p.m. There was a huge backdrop at the rear end

of the Sai Kulwant Hall made by devotees from Chhattisgarh. There was going to

be a cultural programme by devotees from the Durg District of Chhattisgarh.

Swami came and sat down on the stage. Vedam stopped at 3.30 p.m. Two members

from the coordinating group came forward to Bhagawan. One offered a rose while

the other unfolded a scroll containing the programme for the evening. Swami

very keenly went through the contents of the scroll and then made a few queries

about the same. The programme was a tribal dance performed by a tribe called the

Satnami residing in the heart of Chhattisgarh. The dance master named Devdas

Banjare from the village Dhanora, around 13 kms. from Bhilai, is an

internationally reputed artist who has won the President's Award and has

visited more than 64 countries in the last few years. Being a devotee of

Bhagawan, his intense desire was to perform in the Divine Presence. The dance

was a rigorous, vibrant dance with loud drum beats and cymbals being played by

the dancers themselves. All the postures of the dance represented forms of

worship to the saint - Sant Ghasi Das. This dance form is known as Panthi

Nritya. The dance went on non-stop for around 20 minutes and included a number

of formations, pyramids, etc. At 3.50 p.m. the dancers moved out of the

performing area amidst loud claps. Subsequently, Swami spoke to the event

coordinator Mr. Srinivas for a long time. He showed Swami an album containing

photographs of the different types of Seva that they were performing in the

villages in Chhattisgarh. It included Narayana Seva, Medical Camps, Donating

Sewing Machines, Performing Group Marriages, etc. Swami was very pleased with

all the service activities and He kept on enquiring with Mr. Srinivas about all

the details. In fact, 186 people from all these villages had come for this

programme, from Chhattisgarh. These people had performed a number of spiritual

activities before coming and we could see Swami literally responding to their

prayers. Swami asked the coordinator how they were able to get funds for all

these service activities. Swami then asked him to build a community hall in the

village for performing marriages and other functions. Bhagawan said that the

Central Trust would sponsor this project. Bhagawan called Mr. Chakravarthi, the

Vice-Chancellor Sri Gokak and Sri S.V. Giri and asked them to look into the

details of all the activities performed by them in Chhattisgarh and provide all

the necessary support! The interaction with Mr. Srinivas went on till 4.10 p.m.

Bhajans were sung by the devotees from Chhattisgarh. At 4.30 p.m., Aarti was

performed and Swami received the rose offered by one student and tucked it into

the hands of Mr. Srinivas! Bhagawan went into the interview room and later

retired to the Poornachandra. <<The

previous issue of Prashanthi Bulletin Source: radiosai.org

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