A Special Report from Swami's Abode in Brindavan - Part II of IV

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PRASHANTI DIARY

CHRONICLES OF HEAVEN ON EARTH

A SPECIAL REPORT FROM SWAMI’S ABODE IN BRINDAVAN

PART II - May 2nd-11th, 2006

 

MAY 2nd: A DIVINE DISCOURSE

Unexpected and inexplicable are the ways of the Lord. Seeing the devotion with which the people of Bangalore had received Him on his return to the city, the Lord felt moved to address them. So an announcement was made a day prior that Swami would be addressing everyone on the evening of May 2nd at 4 PM. A very big crowd had collected to listen to this unexpected but very welcome benedictory message from our dear Lord.

Swami first blessed Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal of the Brindavan campus of the SSSIHL, to address the crowd prior to His Divine Discourse.

Sri Sanjay Sahni said that coming to Bhagavan is like a homecoming. The greatest adventure in life is to seek God, and the greatest fulfilment in life is to attain Him. Just as we mark our progress in a journey by the milestones we pass, in the spiritual journey of life too we have several milestones, milestones that Bhagavan has beautifully elaborated as Salokyam,Sameepyam, Saroopyam and Sayujyam.

Sa means divine. Hence Salokyam refers to the divine loka (planet). Sri Sahni said that once the late Dr. Hislop asked Swami what the 14 lokas are. Swami replied that the 14 lokas are the 14 levels of thought – 7 levels of thought towards the divine and 7 levels of thought away from the divine.

 

Sanjay Sahni addressing the crowd

Sri Sahni further added, “If we think of Bhagavan, we are in His presence. How much of our thoughts we give to Him? In the beginning even 10 minutes may take a lot of effort, but with persistent practise soon our thoughts flow naturally towards Him”. He then said that the next stage is Sameepyam or proximity of the Lord. If you want to have sannidhi (nearness) of the Lord, you must participate in His mission. The third stage is Saroopyam, the stage of dearness to the Lord when you acquire His characteristics. This was the stage reached by Bharatha, who contemplated so deeply on the Lord when Sri Rama was in exile for 14 years, that He looked just like Him and the people of Ayodhya could not differentiate between them. In conclusion, Sri Sanjay said that even Saroopyam is duality. The last stage is Sayujyam or merger with the Lord. This final stage is attained only with the Lord’s Grace.

Swami in His Divine Discourse chose to speak on a topic dear to His Heart – the 4 Human Values of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema. He said that the result of attaining high levels of education, the value of noble and charitable acts and the reward for all kinds of good deeds all come to naught if man is bereft of these 4 human values of Truth, Right Conduct, Peace and Love. These 4 values are the pillars which support the mansion of Sanathana Dharma (the Perennial Philosophy), He asserted.

He next touched upon the meaning of the descent of the Avatar. The descent of God is the act of coming down to the world with love for man, and He becomes one with him. God comes down to earth in order to set ideals for mankind and to lead them on the righteous path. And to achieve oneness with man He chooses to come down in a human form. For any achievement in the world, wealth and property is required as nothing can be accomplished without worldly instruments and implements. God however, is beyond the desires of the body and the mind and free of qualities like anger. Everything He does and says is only for the redemption of man.

The Divine Discourse

Swami next emphasized that all of us are divine. He said, “If somebody asks – Who are you? – then you have to answer, “I am I” and not with the name given to the body”. He further said that except for the entity ‘I’ in everyone, everything else is imaginary. God resides in all and He is the one that has become the many. The ‘I’ exists in everyone; society itself is a conglomeration of individuals; the individual is God and God alone and hence society itself has emerged from God. He said that God is in our own heart and by practising the 4 human values, we can recognize God. First and foremost we have to understand that we are God. Till we attain this divine experience, we will be unable to give up body identification.

On a cautionary note, Swami said that God Himself has prescribed limits for every man. In this world everything is limited and it is only when we cross these limits that we undergo difficulties. It is because of a lack of control that we have no limits for our desires. He exhorted all to reduce sensual desires and to cultivate patience and courage. “Whatever may change, Truth will never change”, He said. He further added that Truth and Love are both within you. So by developing Love we will always be peaceful. Swami ended His discourse by singing the bhajan - “Prema mudhitha manasa kaho….”

MAY 6th: EASWARAMMA DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Morning Programme – Bhajans By The Bala Vikas Children and Narayan Seva

Traditionally, Easwaramma Day celebrations in Brindavan are essentially a children’s activity. Leading up to the special day, the Bala Vikas children belonging to the Education Wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Organizations of the Bangalore Urban District enjoyed a variety of activities in their centres like a Sports Meet and other cultural functions. On May 6th, however, about 60 children (both boys and girls) were blessed with the coveted opportunity of singing bhajans in the divine presence of Swami on the morning of May 6th, 2006.

The picture of Swami's parents on the dais

The Bal Vikas boys waiting for Swami

Apart from the singers, about 500 children from the different Bala Vikas units of Bangalore had also assembled in Sai Ramesh Hall to sing along with main singers and celebrate this special day commemorating Mother Easwaramma. 200 Bala Vikas Gurus from Bangalore and other districts of the state of Karnataka also attended the programme. Needless to say the parents and other family members of all these children and about 5000 devotees were also present and this expectant crowd sat waiting patiently to have the special darshan of the Lord on this holy day. The dais was specially decorated with floral garlands and pictures of Swami’s Parents were also placed on the dais and decorated with garlands.

The children sang about 28 bhajans in the morning. The bhajans were very well selected and rehearsed and the young children sang with aplomb and enthusiasm. The girls lead the morning program with the bhajan Gowri Nandana Gajanana and the boys followed with Sri Sai Natha Guru Govinda.

Then as Swami entered Sai Ramesh Hall, both the boys and the girls sang Dhanya Ho Easwaramba in unison. Bhajans followed in quick succession with the boys and the girls alternating - Jai Jai Janani Sai Janani, Jai Hari Bol Jai Sita Ram, Govinda Krishna Jai, Bhola Bhandari Baba, and Namah Parvati Patale Hara Hara quickly reverberated through the Hall without anyone realizing the passage of time. Other bhajans like Rasavilola Nanadala, Sathyam Gnanam Anantam Brahma, Sundara Vadani, Sai Humara Hum Sai Ke quickly followed and soon about 16 bhajans had been sung.

The BV Girls sing for Swami

At this time, Swami asked the leaders how many bhajans were left as His eyes were drawn by the preparation activity along the side of the Hall where the morning’s Narayan Seva was going to take place after the conclusion of the bhajan singing. After all, the activity most dear to His Heart is to bring succour to the poor and the suffering. So clearly He wanted to be there among the poor bringing joy and happiness to them.

The children continued singing. Bhajans like Ayodhya ke Sita Ram, Radhe Shyam GopalaRadhika Jivana, Om Namo Bhagavathe Vasudevaya, Dhim Dhim Dhimi Dhimi, Shivaya Namah Shiva and Dum Dum Dum Dum Dhamaru Bhaje were sung with élan and enthusiasm by all the kids. Finally the kids completed their 28th bhajan – Chitta Chora Yashoda Ke Bal and Swami rose gracefully from His seat. He profusely blessed the boys and girls on both the sides of the aisle and slowly got down from the stage and proceeded towards the Kalyana Mantap entrance where the poor had assembled to be blessed by Him.

They had gathered early in the morning and were waiting patiently, for it was also their day. The unfortunate, the destitute, those living on the fringes of society with nothing much to call their own except perhaps the clothes on their backs, their homes on the pavement with the sky as the roof on their heads, had as their sole friend only the Lord Himself.

And they waited patiently, alongside Sai Ramesh Hall while the Bala Vikas children were singing bhajans, waiting patiently for the Lord to become free for they knew that He would then bestow His grace on them, bearing uncomplainingly the Sun beating down mercilessly on their backs - for on this day they were going to be blessed by the Lord Himself.

 

Swami with the people He likes best

And then suddenly without much fanfare the Lord was amidst them. Quickly He blessed the food that was going to be served to them - consecrating it as prasadam – a wholesome South Indian fare of sambar (thick lentil soup) rice cooked with vegetables; and also curd (yogurt) rice. He waited and continuously cast His beneficent gaze on all while the seva dal lovingly served these Narayanas, seated in rows with the ladies on one side and the gents on the other.

Blessing the clothes

Placing the chain around the baby’s neck

After the food service was well underway, Swami enquired about the clothes that were going to be distributed – dhotis for the gents and saris for the ladies. He personally inspected and approved the clothes and blessed that they also be distributed to all.

While the clothes were being distributed He also went around them and blessed everyone. He made a chain for a baby that was lying on its mother’s lap and instructed that the chain be placed around its neck, a talisman that would afford lifelong protection to the young one.

Ladies waiting

A gent with his dhoti

This distribution of food and clothing is a tradition in Bangalore on Easwaramma day and the word of this event is spread far and wide. But as always happens, there are a lot of people who hear about this late, so do not come in time to be accommodated in the premises before Swami’s arrival. While Swami was blessing everyone assembled in the Ashram premises, a good crowd had also collected outside at the gate and were milling around eager to go in – for a glimpse of the Lord, and also to have His prasadam of food and clothing. And the ever so-patient seva dal volunteers let them in also later and served all of them till everyone was satisfied. Mother Easwaramma surely would have been very pleased at their selfless service! All the Bala Vikas children assembled there also partook of the prasadam later.

The Evening Programme – The Divine Discourse And A Bala Vikas Drama

Swami arrived in the evening to the melodious sounds of the bhajans by the Institute boys. Starting with Sundara Sundara Vinayaka, the boys sang a bhajan next in honour of the Divine Mother – Easwaraamba Priya Tanayaa. These were followed by Raghuk ula bhooshanaa, Giridhaari laal Shyama Gopal, Raama Raama Jaya Raghu kula and Allah Ho Tum. After the end of this bhajan, Swami signalled for Sri Sanjay Mahalingam, who had addressed the crowd a few days earlier to speak again this evening.

Sri Sanjay Mahalingam chose to talk this evening about divine love and its manifestation. He said that beauty, fame, wealth, knowledge of the Vedas, proficiency in poetry and prose, all are of no avail if your mind does not dwell on the Lotus Feet of the Lord! He said, “Pure love for God is immortal, transcendental and eternal. Once divine love is realized, the heart seeks nothing else; it seeks only love, love, love!”

He also recounted a story of how once Swami asked him about his future plans after his completion of his MBA. Sri Sanjay replied, “Swami, Your wish is my command”. To this Swami replied that He was his servant. Naturally Sanjay replied, “No Swami, I am Your servant”. Swami then explained, “I always think about you all. My only wish is your joy. And I am always thinking how I can make all of you happier. Are you also always thinking of me and ask what does Swami want? Hence I am your servant”. Sri Sanjay ended his speech by exhorting everyone to love God with all our heart, mind and soul so we can be claimants of our own heritage.

 

Sri Sanjay Mahalingam talking to the crowd

After Sri Mahalingam’s talk Swami gave His divine discourse. He said that man comes out of his mother’s womb not with a garland of pearls, rubies or precious stones but with one heavy garland that Brahma gives and that is the garland of the consequences of our good and bad actions (karma) done in previous lives. Hence in our lives we have to discriminate between the good and bad.

We can find fulfilment in human life if we utilize the 5 elements in the right way. This world is called prapancha (a conglomerate of the 5 elements) of sabda (word), sparsa (touch), rupa (form), rasa (taste), and gandha (smell) and these should not be used in an unholy way. We should only perform good deeds with the 5 senses.

Swami said that human life is given to conquer illusion (Ma – Maya, Na – not, and Va – to conduct). At birth, one is free from impurity, but with growth desires also increase. There should be a limit on desires, but man today is crossing all limits without regard of humanness.

Indian principles are noble, but today we are trying to emulate the Westerners. In India, a woman is placed on a pedestal. There is no love higher than a mother’s love. When we love our mothers we achieve great power. Mothers should be well cared for in their old age. Today the children are sending their mothers to old age homes; remember tomorrow you will also be sent there by your own children.

Humanity can blossom only when there is truth and love. Today everyone thinks in a mean way, not a cultured way. We must always think what is good for the society and the country. Culture emerges from the heart. Many great souls have made sacrifices to foster Bharatiya culture like Savitri, Draupadi, Sitadevi and Damayanthi. They looked like ordinary ladies but had great divine power.

The Divine discourse

Truth and divine love are changeless. Love with desire is like a passing cloud, whereas divine love is eternal. Hence keep love as foremost in your life. Truth should be your ideal. You attain sacredness and your life will become fulfilled.

Swami also recounted in detail the story of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. Born in poor circumstances, through hard work he obtained a good education and later got a very good paying job. He then wanted to buy his mother new clothes to wear. She agreed to wear the sari only after two of her desires are fulfilled. She asked Vidyasagar to build a small school for the children of the village and then to dig a well so the women did not have to walk long distances to fetch water. Vidyasagar fulfilled his mother’s wishes. Later Vidyasagar became very famous and thousands flocked to hear him speak.

Once he was travelling to another place to give a speech. In his coach was a Government officer. After reaching the destination, the officer started looking for a porter to carry his luggage but did not find any. Vidyasagar volunteered to carry the same and even refused to accept the money for carrying the luggage telling the officer that he did it as an act of service. The same officer felt contrite when he later found out that the same person on the stage and the person who carried his luggage was Vidyasagar himself. Swami again reiterated that we should always do service to others, and not receive service from others.

Accordingly, said Swami, Sathya Sai also fulfilled Mother Easwaramma’s 3 desires and had a school, a hospital and a well built in Puttaparthi. These have now become a University, a Super Speciality Hospital and a Water project.

Arathi at the end of the Discourse

In conclusion, He said that making mothers happy is the duty of all children. Hence on this Easwaramma Day, cultivate the principle of helping others and find joy and fulfilment in your lives.

A little while later, everyone assembled in Sai Krishan Kalyana Mantap for a drama entitled Bhaktha Sudama presented by the Bala Vikas children of Bangalore. This is a well known story from the Bhagavatham recounting an incident from Krishna’s childhood. The story begins with Sudama (one of Lord Krishna’s playmates at the ashram of their guru) eating Sri Krishna’s share of beaten rice when they were in the forest tending cows. Years later, Sudama (also known as Kuchela) remains a poor man, barely making ends meet. His wife asks him to go to Krishna who is rich and a king and ask him for help. She also gives Kuchela a handful of coarse beaten rice to give as an offering to Krishna.

Sudama eats Krishna's rice

Krishna receives Sudama with honour in His court

Krishna receives His childhood friend with great honour and seats him and washes his feet. Though a king, He eats with great relish the poor fare sent by Sudama’s wife. Krishna takes good care of Sudama and the friends spend a lot of time recounting the old days. Soon it is time for Sudama to leave and in his happiness he forgets to ask Krishna for help. Sadly he walks back home wondering what he would tell his wife. When he reaches the place where his humble hut stood, he now finds in its place a big mansion and his wife and children are living in abundant prosperity. Krishna had eaten the beaten rice and showered His grace. Unknowing to Sudama, He had made him prosperous. Such is the way of the Lord.

The whole play was well enacted in Kannada, the local language in Bangalore and contained a lot of meaningful and soul stirring songs. Not knowing Kannada, your correspondent requested the Co-ordinator for a detailed English synopsis of the drama so we could fully bring the pleasure shared by the audience for the benefit of the thousands of readers worldwide also. Unfortunately, she was unable to comply with our request in time.

[Heart2Heart requests all people who put up programs in regional languages to please provide us a detailed English language synopsis of the programme. We all try to please Swami but His joy is only in the joy that the audience feels when they witness the glory of God that is portrayed in the drama. Help us share the same joy, enjoyed by the audience witnessing the drama in Swami’s divine presence, with our readers and devotees world-wide also by this thoughtful gesture of providing us with a decent translation.]

Swami with the children at the end of the play

MAY 9TH AND 11TH: PRAVEEN SULTANA SINGS IN SAI RAMESH HALL

On May 9th, seeing Ms. Praveen Sultana, the doyenne of Hindustani Music seated amidst the crowd, Swami asked her if she would like to sing to the crowd. Naturally being very delighted at this unexpected blessing, Ms. Sultana sang Meera bhajans. But Ms. Sultana being one of the topmost performing artistes in the country was used to singing with the best accompaniments. Swami asked the students of the Sai Mirpuri College of Music to accompany her. The students (Sri Sanket Modi on the harmonium, Sri Shivakumar on the tabla and Sri Niranjan on the mridangam) were absolutely thrilled to be playing for a singer with such a world-wide reputation. Ms. Sultana then sang 4 Meera bhajans in her own inimitable style for the benefit of the audience – Sakhi ri main to Govind ke guna gaoo (O friend let me sing of the qualities of my Govind); Main to lino Govind mole (I have bought my beloved Govind); Payoji maine Ram rathan dhan (I have attained the incomparable wealth of Rama) and

finally Mere to Giridhar Gopal (Beloved Krishna is mine).

Begum Parveen Sultana in concert in front of Swami...

Sanket Modi receiving a ring

On the 11th, Swami again blessed Ms. Praveen Sultana to sing to the devotees gathered in Sai Ramesh Hall. Choosing to sing the classical Hindustani ragas – she first sang the raga Hamsadvani followed by the raga Bhairavi which included a bhajan to the Goddess Mahisasuramardini. She then concluded her short concert with the Meera bhajan Bhaja Mana, Nanda Nandana Giridhari.

After the concert Swami asked her if the accompaniments especially the harmonium were good. She replied that it was very good (a good harmonium accompaniment is very necessary for her to keep time). Swami beamed like a proud mother on hearing this signal praise of his students performing well in such a setting. He immediately called Sri Sanket Modi, a Music College Diploma student, and manifested a navarathna (nine-gem) ring for him. Truly if you sing solely for the Lord, worldly recognition will follow of its own accord without any seeking.

 

- Heart2Heart Team.

 

 

Source: Radio Sai E-Magazine June 2006

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_04/01JUN06/Prasanthi-Diary.htm