Prasanthi News 21st June to 23rd June 2005

[Guest guest]

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 2005This 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

2005On 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 2005At 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.JAI SAI RAM

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Book and Publication Trust Website - June 26,

2005http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/News_23-06-05.htm