Prashanthi Bulletin July 21st, 2005 - Gurupoornima

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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!

 

With love and Light

Deepak

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