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PRASANTHI NEWS

In this issue of Prasanthi News, we bring to you the happenings at Prasanthi

Nilayam from 21st to 23rd June 2005. The programmes during this period ranged

from a pulsating tribal dance performance by the devotees from Chhatisgarh to a

nectareous Divine Discourse by Bhagawan on 23rd June 2005. Please read on for

details.

21st June 2005

This morning, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 8.30 a.m. and sat through the

Bhajans till 9.30 a.m. when Ararti was offered to Him.

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

rear end of Sai Kulwant Hall made by devotees from Chhatisgarh. Devotees from

the Durg District of Chhatisgarh were waiting for Bhagawan’s instructions to

start their cultural programme. Swami came and sat on the stage and then

Bhagawan signalled for the Veda chanting to be stopped. 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 lovingly made a few queries

about the programme.

The programme was a tribal dance performed by a tribe called the Satnami

residing in the heart of Chhatisgarh. The dance master Devdas Banjare from the

village Dhanora, around 13 kms from Bhilai, is an internationally reputed

artiste who has won the President’s Award and has visited more than 64

countries. 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 of 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 applause. 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

Chhatisgarh. It included Narayana Seva, medical camps, donating sewing

machines, performing mass marriages, etc. Swami was very pleased with all the

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

details.

In fact, 186 people from all these villages had come for this programme from

Chhatisgarh. These people had performed a number of spiritual activities before

coming and one could see Swami literally responding to their prayers.

The interaction with Mr. Srinivas went on till 4.10 p.m. Then Bhajans were sung

by the devotees from Chhatisgarh. At 4.30 p.m., Ararti was performed to

Bhagawan. Swami went into the interview room and later retired to His abode.

22nd June 2005

On this day, devotees had a long Darshan session. The compassionate Lord was

gracious to grant Darshan for almost 2 hours. Devotees could feast their eyes

continuously on the Lord. Swami came out for Darshan at 7.45 a.m. He sat in the

centre of the stage and the Veda chanting went on. At around 8 a.m., He asked

for the Veda chanting to stop, and told them to go their respective work spots.

Swami sat there looking lovingly at the devotees and showering His benign grace

on them till Bhajans ended at 9.35 a.m. Then He came into the Bhajan Hall where

Ararti was offered to Him and went into the interview room.

In the evening, Swami came out for Darshan at 3.30. Swami sat down at the centre

of the dais, received letters from students, spoke to a few of them and even

took some students for an interview. He also blessed the boys who had their

birthday on this day. At 4.30 p.m., Swami called one of the Veda coordinators

and asked him to chant the Purusha Suktam. Bhajans started at 5.00 p.m. and at

5.25 p.m. Arati was offered to Swami.

23rd June 2005

At 4.00 p.m. one could see Bhagawan’s car meandering its way through devotees to

the Hall. He took a full round, got down near the interview room, and proceeded

towards the centre of the dais. Bhagawan asked the Veda chanting group to stop

at 4.05 p.m. Then Bhagawan asked Prof. Anil Gokak, the current Vice Chancellor

of the Institute to share his thoughts with the audience.

Prof. Gokak started his talk on a nostalgic note by recalling the early part of

his father’s life, Prof. Vinayak Krishna Gokak. How his father had developed

the first streaks of faith in Bhagawan 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.

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

Bhagawan materialised a necklace and an apple for his wife, that he 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.

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 (not for individuals but for the whole world).

He concluded his talk by drawing an analogy between an Avatar and a pilot who

temporarily brings down the 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 asked Sri S.V. Giri, the former Vice Chancellor

to address the audience. Sri S.V. Giri also struck a personal note by talking

about the heart surgery 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 uniqueness and 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 greater heights. He has been given a bigger brain so that he can

think of practical solutions for the burning problems facing 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 everyone’s delight Swami began His Divine

Discourse. Bhagawan spoke until 5.45 p.m. elaborating on the life of Prof.

Vinayak Krishna 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.

Vyashti represents the individual and Samashti stands for society. Only when

Vyashti identifies himself with Samashti can he realise Parameshti. Samatwam

(equality) is very essential to achieve harmony between Vyashti and 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, it becomes apparent

that Samashti is but a manifestation 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).

Prof. Gokak read a number of books but could not understand the principle of

Sathyam and Nithyam. He was trying to differentiate between Atma and Anatma.

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

realised the Truth in depth. I gave him a lot of support then. A true devotee

will be highly benefited by the support extended to him. Divine help is not

temporary or momentary, but is continuous and everlasting.

Once when Prof. Gokak closed his eyes and sat in meditation, I pressed his

Bhrumadhya (point where two eyebrows meet) with My right thumb. He experienced

a state of supreme bliss. All his doubts vanished like thin mist. From then on

he 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 one does.

It is only in the doubtless state that we can understand the principle of

oneness. Mere superficial enquiry will land one 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.

Maya is the root cause of Moha. Keep Maya (delusion) away and allow the Truth

to come forth. Truth cannot be seen or heard. It can only be experienced.

When individual reaches out to society, the society also reaches out to the

individual. Prof. Gokak made an in depth study of Aurobindo’s treatise on

Savitri. However, only after he came to Swami could he understand the principle

of Savitri as Sathya and Nithya. The question may arise, “Is Savitri feminine or

masculine?” Savitri is beyond gender. Gokak became a scholar on Savitri. He

investigated his innermost thoughts and realised the Truth. Finally he said,

“Swami, I am One! God is One! I do not need anything.” 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.

Ararti was offered to Bhagawan after which Swami retired to His abode.

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