Divine Memories - A Wonderful account of Shivarathri 1970

[Guest guest]

More than 50,000 persons arrived at the Nilayam by the morning of the 6th; a long unbroken train of hundreds of omni buses, and cars, scooters and motorcycles, brought thousands in. There were thousands who came by rail, and trekked the distance from Bukkapatnam or even boarded trucks to reach the place in time. When the Sivarathri Day dawned the gathering cheered in joy when Baba gave Darshan prior to the Hoisting of the Prasanthi Flag on the Nilayam.

 

Dr.Diwakarla Venkatavadhanulu, Prof. of Telugu, Osmania University, addressed the gathering on the significance of Sivarathri. Bhagavan discoursed on the basic faults that corrode into individual and social life. He stressed that greed is the root of all the banal competitions in the current world, greed for riches, for power, for authority over fellowmen.

 

He said this can be overcome by the cultivation of detachment, of tolerance, of the spirit of service and the deepening of Faith in an Ever-present Immanent God. He referred to the narrow-minded promotion of one’s language, community, province or religion, and the exaggerated emphasis on the Love for the Nation. The loyalty to the Nation is built on the loyalty to the village, the family, the language spoken at home, the religion learnt at the mother’s lap etc. “You cannot separate the limbs and name the trunk as the source of all strength!†Baba said.

 

Baba also emphasised the inherent excellence of the customs, conventions, ritual and ceremonies laid down by the Sages, for limiting the vagaries of the human mind, besides regulating and educating the emotions and impulses. He said that the Prasanthi Flag has on it the symbol of the Sadhaka, struggling to attain self-realisation.

 

At 11 A.M. Baba proceeded to the Auditorium, for the Abhishekam. Bhajan from 50,000 throats filled the air with the Divine fragrance; the path was a lovely carpet of flowers. The richly caparisoned Sai Geetha (elephant) walked majestically in front. To the right and left, priests chanting Vedas moved with Baba. During the Bhajan, Baba gave the gathering the unique chance of witnessing the creation of a nine-jewelled locket for Sai Baba’s silver idol, and when He placed it on the forehead, between the eyebrows, it stuck! Then, He poured from a wooden pot an unbroken stream of sacred ash on the idol, precious stones too falling from the pot, when His palm drew the sacred substance created by His touch.

 

In the evening, devotees gathered before the Santhi Vedika, and the vast expanse of open space was tight packed with men and women, eagerly awaiting the Discourse, the emergence of the Lingam, and the night long vigil and Bhajan. Dr.V.K.Gokak, and Sri.Nakul Sen. I.C.S., Lt.Governor of Goa spoke in English on Bhagavan and His Universal Message of Love. Dr.Divakarla Venkatavadhanlu spoke in Telugu. Then, Baba delivered His Divine Discourse.

 

He said: Sai Bhakthas have to be pioneers in a new revolution, a transformation of the character and endeavour; so, they have to fill themselves with Love so that the shower of unselfish Universal Love can scotch the flames of anger, hatred, fear and anxiety that are consuming the world today.

 

After the Discourse, which lasted for one hour, Bhagavan sang a few Namavalis and enthralled the huge gathering into ecstasy. Meanwhile, the first indications of the emergence of the Lingam became apparent, and Baba sat in the Silver Chair. The gathering sang in chorus, in anxious expectation of the Miracle, the uplifting song, Om Sivaya, Om Sivaya. About fifteen minutes later, a heavy oval Lingam, glowing with the Divine effulgence, composed of a substance very much akin to opal emerged and manifested its splendour to the vast multitude, making it soar in a wave of adoration and Bliss.

 

On the morning of the seventh, when the all-night Bhajan session ended, Bhagavan gave Darshan at the Santhi Vedika and He blessed the mass of devotees with a short Discourse. After the Discourse, Baba blessed the devotees and had Divine Prasadam distributed to every one of the 50,000 persons, so that they may break the ritual fast they had vowed the previous day.

 

On the previous evening of the 7th, the Meeting held in the Auditorium was addressed by Kuppa Bairagi Sastry and by Swami Karunyanandaji of the Jeeva Karyunyasangha, Rajahmundry. Bhagawan spoke about the Guru and His responsibilities. Instead of elevating the Guru, who is only a sign-post to God, as God, it is much better to accept the God resident in you as the Guru and pray to Him to guide you and take you nearer to Him. You cannot cross a river sitting in a boat of stone! You must surrender completely to His Will and dedicate thought, word and deed to Him.

 

On the 8th, Baba blessed the thousands of eager visitors from all the States of India, and from all the continents, giving to each one of them the coveted Vibhuthi and the chance of Namaskara. On the 9th, 10th and 11th March, Bhagavan selected from among the thousands the old, the sick, the maimed and the afflicted, for being blessed with special interview with Him and He gave them the consolation, courage, and the cure they longed for.

 

On the 12th, He left for Anantapur, where the Building for the Women’s College is fast coming up. He will be at Whitefield for a few days, before proceeding on Tour.

 

Source : Source: http://www.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_02/04Feb15/10_Down_Memory_Lane/memory.htm

 

Om Sai Ram