Prashanthi Bulletin July 21st, 2005 - Gurupoornima special - Excerpts from Divine discourse (Prashanthi Bulletin )

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Prashanthi Bulletin July 21st, 2005 - Gurupoornima On this most auspicious

occasion of Gurupoornima, in the most auspicious year of the Avatar’s 80th

Birthday, let us all offer our sincere and respectful Pranaams at the Lotus

Feet of our Sadguru, Bhagawan Baba. This morning, we were all seated in the

Mandir by 6.45 a.m. Five minutes later, the Naadaswaram team began playing

their mellifluous tunes, starting with Mahaganapatim Bhaje….This Gurupoornima,

there were no floral decorations in the Mandir. Instead, the pillars and the

inside Portico were all decked with pearl garlands, decorative hangings, and

colourful chandeliers. The main Kulwant Hall was shining with the red Chinese

lamp shades. At 7.35 a.m. the Porte car stationed itself in front of PC. All

the lights in Kulwant Hall went on. The Naadaswaram was now accompanied with

Pancha Vadyam played by the Institute students and Vedam chanting. It was a mix

of so many sounds and tunes merging into an indescribable symphony! Swami took a

full round of the Hall. By 7.45 a.m., Swami was seated in the centre of the

dais. The Naadaswaram group stopped playing and Swami was now watching the

students playing the Naadaswaram. After a while He smiled at them and asked

them to sit down. Swami then asked the Vedam group to chant the Rudram. The

Primary School joined the chanting with full enthusiasm. In between, Swami too

was chanting some lines along with the students. A few minutes later, Swami

called the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anil Gokak and spoke to him. He also spoke to

the All India President, Mr. V. Srinivasan. At 8.05 a.m., the mikes were placed

on the dais. Mr. V. Srinivasan was the first speaker. He began by offering

Pranaams to the Jagadguru on this auspicious day of Vyasa Pournami. This is the

day when we pay homage to the Teacher of all teachers. He spoke extensively on

the Universal Love of Bhagawan that encompasses all of humanity. His Love

brings rain to the parched deserts and it is this Love that drives His Divine

Mission. He described how Swami is touching the lives of millions of people all

over the globe, giving several instances of Divine miracles. He emphasized on

the magnanimity of Bhagawan who not only practices and sets an example Himself,

but also exhorts us to follow other good and great leaders like Abraham Lincoln,

Easwar Chandra Vidya Sagar and others. The three most important teachings of

Bhagawan, according to the speaker were, Faith in God and oneself, Service to

humanity and Naamasmaran. There is nothing impossible with His Grace and Love.

The word ‘impossible’ does not exist in God’s dictionary. Swami was very

pleased with the talk delivered by Mr. V. Srinivasan and to his surprise,

materialized a gold ring for him. It was a ring studded with diamonds all

around and a diamond ‘S’ on it. Swami put it on the finger of the speaker. At

8.20 a.m., Prof. G. Venkataraman was summoned to share his views with the

audience. Prof. Venkataraman commenced his talk saying that this most unique

day should be etched in our hearts for ever. He elaborated on the role of a

Guru, stating that the Guru can never give Jnana to any disciple. Jnana is

right within our own self. All that the Guru does is to remove Ajnana

(ignorance) that covers the Jnana (wisdom) in us. However, a Sadguru does

something much more special. The Sadguru, said the speaker, creates a thirst in

us for Jnana. The Love behind every smile of His, and every word of His, propels

us to look within and search for our Truth. This is possible for Him as He is

absolutely selfless from top to toe. There is no word called ‘selfish’ in God’s

dictionary. He also brought to the attention of the audience the fact that, in

1963, it was on this very day that Swami had cured Himself from a paralytic

stroke and declared the secret of this Avatar to all gathered there. Again in

1968, on this very day, the Anantapur College was inaugurated by Bhagawan. That

very day, Swami had sown the seed which today has become a huge Banyan tree.

Prof. G. Venkataraman concluded his talk lamenting over the state of affairs

today where knowledge is being marketed like a product. This, according to him

was the worst sin. Prof. Venkataraman was followed by a student speaker, Sri R.

Satish of the II MBA (Finance) class. Finally, we had the Vice Chancellor, Sri

Anil Gokak speaking to us. Sri Anil Gokak, elaborated on the meaning of the

word Guru. ‘Gu’ stands for Gunateeta (Attributeless) and ‘Ru’ stands for Rupa

Varjita (Formless). In olden days, it was a matter of shame for any person to

be without a Guru. That is how the word ‘Anatha’ came into existence. He then

went on to differentiate between an ordinary teacher and a Guru. The teacher

provides Shiksha but a Guru provides Diksha. A teacher imparts knowledge while

a Guru imparts impulses. This day is celebrated as Gurupoornima. Purnima means

a full moon day. The full moon has significance for both the Guru and the

disciple. The cool light of the full moon symbolizes the serene and fully

illuminated mind of a Guru. The full moon also symbolizes the inner awakening

in a disciple. There are 4 ways in which a Guru impacts the Shishya, according

to the speaker. They are: Look and Touch (illustrated by Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa and Vivekananda), Thought (as in the case of Ramana Maharishi) and

Word (Mantra). Transformation of the disciple is the Guru’s task. Transforming

involves two aspects: Unmaking and Remaking. It is a journey from Sensuality to

Spirituality. The speaker drew a very good analogy, stating that God is like a

generator, the disciple is like a lamp and the Guru is like the wire which

connects the generator to the lamp. He then went on to give the examples of

disciples like Hanuman who stood for obedience and servility, Arjuna who stood

for Nishkama Karma and Svadharma, and Vivekananda who propagated the Unity of

all religions. He concluded his talk on the note that today we have only

transmitters of information and not initiators of transformation. Educare, he

said, is the only solution to this problem. Educare comes from the root word,

‘educe’ which means to develop the latent (Divinity within) and make it patent.

At 9.00 a.m., Bhagawan’s Discourse table was arranged. They tried to place the

stand mike next to Swami’s sofa, so that Swami could speak while sitting, but

Bhagawan was particular that He should stand and speak. Therefore, the normal

mikes were arranged. Swami stood up with the help of our brothers who assist

Him, amidst loud applause. All devotees were delighted to see Swami standing

after so many days. Bhagawan then smiled and began His Divine Message. Who can

estimate the consequences of our actions in life? It is as strange as an

inverted bat. The bat flies around like other birds but at night, when it

retires, it hangs upside down on the branch. Is it not its destiny to be like

that? Each one has to face the consequences of his/her actions. No one can

escape destiny. Actions are therefore very important. Be it a saint or an

ignorant one, no one can escape the results of their actions. The consequences

of your actions will follow you like a shadow. Bear in mind the good and bad

that you have done. One may live long, but he will have to face the results of

his actions. So be it, so be it….is continuously being repeated. Ignoring this,

we keep acting the way we like. Knowing what is good and bad, we still are not

able to give up the bad. It is all our own making, just as the bat’s life too

is of its own making. None can gauge the Divine Will. You can cover your

mistakes at a human level, but the consequences will never leave you, be it

good or bad. A man may look mighty and talk in a bombastic manner, but when

faced with the consequences of his actions, he is unable to show his face. At

such times the true colours get manifested. You may not be able to understand

all that I am saying. But your own experience will reveal the Truth to you.

Results of your actions are inevitable. In fact, the consequences come back

with ten fold intensity. The only way out of this cycle is to be the recipients

of God’s Grace. With God’s Grace, the consequences will not cause any pain to

you. For example, the medicine in a bottle will have its effect only within the

expiry date, beyond which it ceases to make any impact. So too, God’s Grace can

postpone the Karmic consequences to a date after which, they will have no

significant impact on you! At this point, Swami described the case study of

Maarkandeya, whose life story is an ideal example of God’s Grace modifying the

destiny of an individual. With Divine Grace, you can win over any obstacle in

life. The noose of death will fall only on those, who yet have to face the

consequences of their actions in this world. It was after the episode of

Maarkandeya, that people started praying to the Lord as their final days

approached. In the case of Maarkandeya, Eswara Himself appeared and said, “I

gave your parents that boon in an emergency, now I am withdrawing the same.”

Thus God can give boons and can also cancel the same. God has removed obstacles

from the lives of so many devotees. But some people try to test God. This is a

mere waste of time. God will never yield to such tests. Deserve God’s Grace;

then nothing in this world can touch you. Animals, birds, and all beings can

escape the consequences of their actions by God’s Grace. Whatever Sadhana you

may do, never forget God at any moment of your life. Life is very important,

even more than the human body. With prayer, you can sustain this life. You need

not pray loudly. Even a silent prayer will do. God is in the heart of man. Life

may come and go. Worldly difficulties will come and go. But never disconnect

yourself from God. To deserve God’s Grace, chant His Name. Nothing can happen

to you if you keep singing His Bhajans, singing His Glory. All of you who have

assembled here today have earned the highest profits. Retain it safely with

you. Swami is aware of the fact that you students are always thinking of Him.

Swami is not concerned about the volume of your prayers. You sing Bhajans

perfectly. Swami will listen to it and protect you. Never give scope for any

weakness. Your life is Blessed by Sai. You may sing any name, but God is One. I

have no objections even if you do not call Me by any name. You may also call me

as the one with a huge mop of hair. I have no objections! The East and West

Godavari Water Projects are through. Officials from L&T and Mr. Kondal Rao have

gone into the forests areas, to identify the villages deep inside, and plan out

the water supply for them. They encountered the Naxalites in those areas. But

when the Naxalites came to know that they have come from Swami, for helping

them in providing water to them, these same Naxalites took them around and

guided them. All of them will be coming to Puttaparthi shortly, to share their

joy and Gratitude with Swami for the great boon that He is showering on them.

Water is very important. It is life itself. I do not want their prayers,

worship etc. I will provide whatever you need, even before you can ask Me. No

government has come forward to take up such tasks, but Sai alone will provide

water to all countries of the world. Swami wants all of you to pray for the

welfare of all people around the world. Never give up this prayer. Many are

worried that Swami is not able to walk. But remember, I have nothing to do with

this body and these legs. Swami is beyond and transcends all these. In fact, the

devotes from East and West Godavari districts have arranged a helicopter to take

Me around to their places. Very soon I will Bless them with My visit! (Loud

applause) Bhagawan concluded His Discourse at 10.00 a.m. Bhajans followed. At

10.15 a.m. Aarti was offered. During the Aarti, Mr. Narasimhamoorthy – Warden

of the Brindavan Hostel of SSSIHL and Mr. Rajan – Convenor of the Sri Sathya

Sai Books and Publications Trust, offered the fifth volume of ‘Sathyam Sivam

Sundaram’ at His Lotus Feet. Swami Blessed His biography penned by Sri

Narasimhamoorthy, with His autograph. Sri Nagananda, Central Trust member

offered to Swami the set of five souvenir volumes on Swami and His Mission

called the Pancharatnas prepared by the Prasanthi Digital Studio , on the major

projects of Bhagawan that have been great boons to humanity – Education,

Healthcare, Water Supply, and Grama Seva and the fifth one being Divine

Glories. These too were Blessed by Swami. In the evening, Swami was out by 3.00

p.m. He went into the interview room. The Music Programme produced and Directed

by Swami was to be presented this evening by the Institute students. The two

singers, Om Prasad and Sai Krishna were Blessed to have their make up done

under the direct guidance of Swami. The Costumes team and the singers went into

the interview room. Swami wanted the singers to be dressed as Lava and Kusha

(Children of Lord Rama). He had made arrangements for their Dhotis and Shawls.

The entire make up was done right under His supervision. Who else than Lord

Rama alone, can perfectly guide the make up of His Lava and Kusha? Swami came

out at 4.25 p.m. The initial plans were that Swami would be seated down, next

to the Vedam group, to watch the programme. However, out of His compassion for

the devotees, Swami chose to sit on the dais on the extreme right side. The

Music group members took their seats. At sharp 4.30 p.m., the charming young

students dressed as Lava and Kusha made their appearance on the stage. Seeking

Swami’s Blessings they took their seats and the Presentation began at 4.30 p.m.

Though we had witnessed the rehearsals a number of times with Swami, the

experience today was totally different. The sacred atmosphere of the Kulwant

Hall, the cool breeze caressing our faces, our Divine Lord seated in front of

us and the yearning hearts of devotees all around, made the setting totally

unique. As the singers presented their songs one after the other with

commentaries interspersed, devotees were charged with ecstasy. Every song was

followed by loud applause. It was a soothing and soul stirring experience! The

programme concluded at 5.45 p.m. Swami spoke to the singers and Blessed them.

This was followed by Bhajans rendered by the lead singers themselves. Aarti was

offered at 6.00 p.m. and Swami retired for the day. Our Sadguru had saturated

our heart with Love and joy and filled our lives with hope and light. Even as

the Porte car moved towards His abode, the faces of all the devotees shone like

the full moon of the Purnima, reflecting the splendour of our Divine Sadguru!

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