August 7th 8:00 pm - Vice Chancellor farewell ceremony from Prashanthi Nilayam

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August 7th 8:00 pm - Vice Chancellor farewell ceremony from Prashanthi Nilayam

 

 

Today was the scheduled farewell for the Vice Chancellor(VC) of the Sri

Sathya Sai University and also the welcome for the 8th VC. The

Poornachandra Auditorium was the hub of activity as it was being

readied for a big day after a lull lasting months. This was the first

programme being held there after the Convocation drama last year on the

22nd of November! The dais had been set up grandly and there were four

chairs in the centre. But all these lay hidden from the public eye as

the whole stage had been curtained.

At about 9:50am, the huge curtains began to part. It gave the

feeling of the huge doors of some grand temple opening to reveal the

diety. The 'veil' lifted and the Lord was seen. Two huge banners

stating, "Saa Vidya Ya Vimuktaye", adorned the stage. Swami took His

place in the centre and then Mr.Anil Gokak and his wife came on stage

and took their places by Him. Finally, Prof.Vishwanath Pandit, the Vice

chancellor to be, also took his place. The programme began with

Mr.Gokak and his wife being garlanded by the principals of the

Prashanti Nilayam and Anantapur campuses respectively. Then Sri

Rangarajan, a lecturer from the Business school, made the opening

remarks and expressed gratitude to Mr.Gokak. Recounting the instances

where he had shown a lot of care and concern for students just as Swami

wants all His administrators to be, the speaker spoke of the glowing

qualities of Mr.Gokak. Then he invited former VC, Sri.S.V.Giri to

address the assemble after which he requested Mr.Anil Gokak to do the

same.

 

Mr.

Giri spoke of the glory of the story of the Institute. He too spoke of

the sterling qualities of Mr.Gokak as well as those of Prof.Vishwanath

Pandit. There was an applause as he concluded and Mr.Gokak rose to

speak. He was overwhelmed by the nature of the ceremony being accorded

to him. He recounted how his father had experienced Swami's divinity

and had come to Him. He was almost in tears as he gratefully narrated

Swami's love that had and has been bountiful on the family. He said

that wherever he may be, he was sure that Swami would be with him

always and he would work for Him always. He concluded his talk and

Swami asked for the "Suvarna kankanam" (golden bracelets). First Swami

put the bracelets to Mr.Gokak's wife and then calling Mr.Gokak, Swami

placed bracelets on to both his wrists and blessed him. After that,

Swami rose to speak. There was a joyous applause and Swami began with a

poem on the glory of Bharat. A detailed summary of His discourse is

given below:

Bharatiyas are like the elephant. They do not have a measure

of their own strength. An elephant is very powerful, but on man's

command, it moves and sits. That is because it is not aware of its

might. So too, the Bharatiyas do not realize the might they contain.

There is a lot of affluence today. But does anyone have peace

of mind? Money gives worldly comforts but not spiritual bliss. Where

does happiness come from? Bhajana Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi... (Swami sings

the first line). Sing the Lord's name. Today, people study a lot and

gain knowledge to a great extent. Of what use is it if you remain the

same mean person and do not realize who you truly are? What you need

today is the inculcation of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa.

The six vices of desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride and jealousy

are not human at all. You are all experiencing animal qualities today.

Thats why in spite of all the wealthy, there is so much of

restlessness.

 

Move

therefore, from the realms of education to that of Educare. It means to

bring out what is latent within. It is different from education which

is external and worldly. There are so many colleges and professors in

the world. Why is it that there is no peace and happiness? Peace is

missing in the world because education is being used only for a living.

Educare is related to the soul. The soul or Atma is everywhere, in the

hearts of all beings. Remember, man is nothing but the Divine in human

form. Seeing the body which is just a case, do not get deluded. The

body is a case for holding the 5 values.

Sathya has no form and it is invisible. So too is the case

with Dhrma, Shanti and Prema. But though one cannot see Prema, one can

feel the Love. And once one feels this love, there is no scope for

hatred, anger or violence. Then automatically Ahimsa comes. Forgetting

these five values, you keep running behind so many things. Keep telling

yourself always, "I am a man, not an animal." You might have won great

titles, be very rich and might be a scholar, but only the five values

will safeguard and protect you. Alexander the great, conquering most of

the world, landed in India. Crossing the Indus, he had a massive heart

attack. The doctors said that He would not live long. So he expressed

his desire, "When I am taken in the funeral, let my hands be

outstretched. Let the world see that the great Alexander who conquered

everything, is taking back nothing with him." Keep this Truth firmly in

mind. Whoever you may be, you will return empty handed. You cannot take

away even a grain of sand with you.

The inner feelings are most important. The Gayathri mantra

prays for illumination of the intellect. (Swami chanted the Gayathri

mantra here). Even chanting the Aumkara is enough. That is educare.

Acquire that and do not crave only for the secular education.

 

I

knew Gokak even before he came here. He has spent so much time and

learnt so much from me. Whenever I visited their home, they would take

me to the Puja room. V.K.Gokak was the first VC. Students today are

doing very well and are happy because of the good deeds of Gokak. He

would follow Swami fully.Anil Gokak is the worthy son of a worthy

father. He has completed three years and he retires in a worldly sense.

But, both he and his wife, are always with me. Wherever they go, in

their hearts they have Swami and the interests of the Institute. All

their feelings are for me. He is always there for me and I am always

there for him. I and Gokak are one and the same. And that is the TRUTH.

Everything in the creation is nothing but the Creator. All are one, be

alike to everyone. All acts, big and small, happen in accordance to

God's will.

The sun is always present. Even in the night, the sun exists

only that it is on the other side. Days and nights pass but the sun

remains. So too is the case with God. He is above you, below you, in

you and around you. Keep chanting His name. Never ever feel that you

are away from God. If you are so, how is it that you are living? You

and God are one. Lord Shiva is Ardhanarishwara - having both the male

and female aspects. So man and woman too are Shiva. Do not have the

God-devotee feeling. You are also God and God is you.

Do not feel that Gokak is leaving us. He is living with us! If

we remove that I and mine, then you will realize there is nothing like

accepting or relinquishing a post. When you say that,"This is my body,"

you are different from the body. The sun is reflected in the thousand

pots filled with water. But the sun is one. So too, when you empty the

water of feelings that lead to duality, only One remains. God is ONE.

Today Gokak gives the post to Vishwanath Pandit who will be the new

Vice Chancellor from tomorrow. Different people come and go, but it is

only their bodies. They are always with Swami. You are all always with

Swami and there is no coming or going. Do your duty well. This duty

establishes a relationship with God and so duty is God. Gokak has

discharged his duty extremely well.

 

All

the future people who come and those who have come in the past too- all

belong to Swami. I bring such noble and good people here for our

students. Our students are very good. There is no comparison between

them and the other students. They have no hatred or anger. The alumni

have all come up in Life in the spirit of Love. Always keep

spirituality at the head of everything. If the head remains fine,

everything else is fine. Gather knowledge from all the lectures you

hear. Do not distinguish and compare between lectures. Receive

everything with Love. Whatever is thought, said or done must be in

harmony. The heart, word and deed must be one. That is Educare. Your

heart is your textbook. Follow it and then you will be good boys and

good people. Good people become God's people.

Swami concluded the discourse. He asked Prof.Vishwanath Pandit

to speak a few words and the professor did exactly that. Stating that

being a man of few words, he had fewer words on such an overwhelming

occasion, the professor thanked his predecessor for all the wonderful

works done and prayed to Swami to use him as an instrument. As he

concluded, Swami very lovingly blessed him and then Aarti began. At the

same time, Swami blessed prasadam to be distributed to all. He sat for

the complete Aarthi on stage and personally gave the prasadam to both

the ex-VC and the next-VC! As He moved backstage, the new VC took

padanamaskar. It was 12:15 pm as Swami left.

IN the evening, Swami had agreed for a music programme by

Ms.Sunanda Sharma. It was being placed at the lotus feet as part of the

Parthi yatra by the youth of Himachal Pradesh. They were all seated in

the centre of Kulwant hall. Swami arrived close to 5pm and taking a

detour between the youth from HP, He moved into the interview room.

After a brief stay there, He came out. He sighted one of the lad

sitting in the first row and asked him, "You were playing the dholak

last time right?" That lad was really touched and thrilled. He nodded

an affirmative. Swami also said, "That small boy was sitting in that

corner last time. Now he is in the third line there." After a while of

Veda chanting, Swami asked for the programme to begin.

Ms.Sunanda Sharma, an MA in Indian classical music from the

Punjab University, went onstage and offered a rose to Swami. Taking

namaskar, she came back and began the presentation with three Aumkaras.

The first song, a Chota Khayal actually, was in raag Madhuvanti

entitled,"Sai Gun Gao". She showed what nine years of rigorous training

under an able guru in the Guru-shishya tradition can do to groom one's

talent. Her performance was scintillating to say the least. She

continued in the same vein as she sang "Bhool Jaave Sab Dukhve" (I

forget all my sorrows). Then she shifted over to singing Meera bhajans.

She enchanted the audience with "Jogiya Tu Kabhahu Miloge" in raag

Sindhubhairavi and then with another Meera bhajan in raag Kaapi. As she

concluded, Swami called the 'Dholak player' and told him to find out

how many songs she had still. When HE was told that she had sung her

quota, He asked, "One more song?" She was overjoyed and she responded

with a song that seeks refuge at His lotus feet to cross the ocean of

life. As she completed her rendition, Swami called her to the stage and

materialised a gold chain for her. She was so happy and excited that

she ran to the stage with the tambura still in her hand. It brought to

one's mind the images of saint Mirabai running to her beloved Krishna.

Swami was all smiles as He quickly placed the chain around her neck.

Another lady came walking to the front and Swami told her to sit down.

The singer told Swami, "My mother Swami." Swami said, "I know. And that

is father..." He pointed to the person playing the harmonium and the

parents were so very happy.

Swami then asked the students to start bhajans. As it went on,

Swami asked the HP youth girls whether they were ready to sing as a

group. So one bhajan later, they were asked to sing. Swami meanwhile

called the artistes who accompanied the singer and gifted them clothes

and paadanamaskar. He called the singer too and gave her a wonderful

saree. The HP youth girls sang two songs, one on Lord Ganesha and the

other on the mother goddess. Then Swami, the divine orchestrator that

He is asked the students to continue. As bhajans of a very pacy nature

went on, Swami asked for prasadam to be distributed. Chocolates went

around sweetening the mouths after the ears had been sweetened by the

musical feast. On the ladies side, the people distributing the

chocolates to the youth, got back the box half full stating that

everyone had received prasadam. Swami said, "Take it back and finish

it. Its yours!" And through that simple act, all understood what it is

to give wholly, the way God always does- no restrictions.In Hindi it is

said, "Jab Bhagawan Deta hai to chappar faad kar deta hain" which

somewhat translates into the famous English quote, "When it rains, it

showers!" After two more bhajans, Swami received Aarthi and retired to

Yajur Mandir at about 6:30pm.

Click here to see more pictures from the program

Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar

 

 

August 5th 8:00 pm - Hrudaya Tarang program by Himachal Pradesh Youth

 

 

The marbled blocks in the mandir today wore a festive look. It had been

occupied by the youth from Himachal Pradesh, clad in creamish Sherwanis

with a maroonish dupatta. They were seated neatly in four rows and then

there were also the men in red scarves from the same state. The ladies

side also had devotees from Himachal sitting in a separate area. They

were to present a musical entitled "Hrudaya Tarang"- a collection of

Himachali folk songs and qawwalis.

Swami arrived in the chair and as He neared the devotees in

the centre of the hall, He asked, "Himachal Pradesh?" As they nodded

and answered in all eagerness, Swami's face too seemed to light up. In

fact, twice He asked the devotees whether they were from Himachal

Pradesh. He went into the interview room for a short while and then

came out. He sat listening for the Veda chanting for a while and soon

asked for the youth to begin the programme. After the customary flower

was offered to Swami, the programme began.

 

The

third row of youth went up on their knees while the fourth row stood

up. The first song was in praise of Lord Shiva, the emperor of the snow

covered kingdoms of Kailash! The second song was a song of dedication

by the youth of Himachal Pradesh which is also called Dev Bhoomi(Land

of the Lord). Both the songs had a wonderful and soulful Aalaap which

was sung so beautifully by the lead singer playing the harmonium. Just

as the Aalaap filled the soul with sweetness sublime, the song, once it

began, filled the mind with melody musical and the body with energy,

bold and beautiful! The thirst for God was almost visible on the faces

of the youth as they moved in perfect rhythm and the harmonious

movements made the entire area look like a colourful, gently fluttering

brocade. Their body language was such that it looked like with His name

on their lips and the deep contemplation of His form in their hearts,

they were promising to spread His message with their sterling character

and exemplary conduct.

The third song was a qawwali full of heartfelt prayers to the

Lord for spiritual upliftment in the sojourn of life through the path

leading to Parthi, the abode of the avatar of the age. "Lord, we are

not in search of worldly companions or fellow travellers in this

journey, but only you, who are our only solace and refuge", was the

repeated refrain of the song. As they let their feelings flow in a free

torrent towards Him, Swami reciprocated with sweet smiles and a

rhythmic sway and clapping on the lap throughout. The fourth song was a

qawwali of total surrender to Swami. The final song was on the glory of

Sai as He marches ahead inspiring millions to strive for the welfare

and emancipation of the world. As they completed, Swami asked them to

sing one more song. They immediately began another song, not in the

original "schedule".

 

As

they were singing, Swami asked the student sitting beside Him,"What is

the meaning of that line?" The answer came, "Swami they want to be at

your Lotus feet always!" Swami smiled and nodded. At many points during

the programme, Swami kept speaking a few words here and there. One was

not able to make out the exact things He spoke about, but anyone could

easily see that He seemed to be enjoying Himself and was very happy

with the songs (with the "dances" too!) As the programme concluded,

Swami called the lead singer who was playing the harmonium and created

a gold chain with a pendant for him. The lad playing the tabla came up

to Swami and offered gratitude to Swami on behalf of all the youth.

Swami asked for special sweets to be brought and distributed to all the

participants. Then, He called Mr.S.V.Giri, the ex Vice Chancellor of

the Sathya Sai University, and told him to distribute safari pieces to

all of the participants. He also ensured that all of them had received

the sweets and the cloth pieces. The concern was very evident, as He

told a student to distribute in the far corners too and asked another

student to find out personally whether everyone had received the gifts

of Grace.

 

Then,

turning around, Swami said, "Get prasadam." Vibhuti packets were

brought from the interview room and distributed to the participants.

They sought permission to sing bhajans and they were granted that.

After a few bhajans, Swami asked for the students to sing a bhajan.

They began with the Aalaap, "Allahu Akbar", a sarvadharma bhajan. Swami

was drawn into it and He to began to lip the words of the song. What a

supreme joy it is to see Swami singing to your "tunes"! It is an

overwhelming and humbling feeling at the same time! As that bhajan

concluded, Swami asked for Aarthi. A few lads from the HP youth group

moved up to Swami and spoke to Him. Swami patted each on eof them

lovingly on their cheek. One of them seemed to be following Christ's

dictum. When Swami patted him on one cheek, he had the 'cheek' to show

his other cheek too! Swami obliged him by lovingly patting his other

cheek also. Blessing everyone Swami left for Yajur Mandir Meanwhile, it

was announced that a special farewell ceremony for the Vice Chancellor

of the Institute had been arranged by Swami in th Poornachandra

Auditorium for 10am tomorrow.

 

Click here to see more pictures from the program

Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar

 

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