Puttaparthi - 18th August 2008 - Drama By P.G. Students of Sri Sathya Sai University on August 14th

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Puttaparthi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 18thNews

Drama By P.G. Students of Sri Sathya Sai University on August 14th

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

India and Pakistan, countries which were Siamese twins at birth, were separated by a political cesarean operation. And so it happens that while India celebrates its rebirth as a free nation on the 15th of August every year, its separated twin, Pakistan, does so on the 14th of the same month. Whatever be the date, it is indeed in "august" company that the celebrations occur! 15th of August 2008 had both celebrations, of the national Independence and the Varalakshmi Vratam. Swami never allows anyone to go disappointed. And thus, Swami instructed the students to put up their traditional I-day drama on the 14th evening itself so that the very elaborate preparations that had gone into the Vratam could continue into fruition the next day.

 

The stage was set and all the boys in their costumes were seated in the bhajan hall. Swami moved along the lines as He came out for darshan and then as He reached the central block, He looked admiringly at the simple yet elegant backdrop that had been constructed with the Indian tricolour on it. He cut through the central area and moved straight into the bhajan hall. All the actors were waiting. Swami seems to be fascinated by good colourful costumes. And like a child, He seemed so happy seeing the 'various colours' of the boys! He was 'introduced' to Gandhiji, Subash Chandra Bose and Bhagat Singh. He looked at a bearded person sitting nearby and asked him what he was doing. He turned out to be Harishchandra and his wife Chandramati too was nearby in a blue saree! Swami was also very happy to see Krishna and Arjuna figure in the scheme of things. He enquired into the duration of the programme. 1 hour was the answer. Similarly, Vasishta and

Vishwamitra were introduced to Him. Swami blessed all the actors and told them that He would soon be out to witness their programme.

 

As per His word, He soon came out and asked for the Veda chanting to give way to the programme. Krishna and Arjuna came up to Him and offered roses. Swami appeared very touched seeing Krishna in all splendour. The programme started with the Sootradhaari or compere introducing the drama. Then all of a sudden, he asked, "Why are you proud to be an Indian?" Everyone were taken by surprise. A few tense moments passed when it seemed that no one wanted to voice an answer! Then a hand went up and a student rose saying, "There are many reasons why I am proud to be an Indian. But the greatest and the most heartfelt is because God has taken birth here over and over again through the ages!" The crowd burst into a joyful applause and Swami was very touched. He called the student and told him to announce that the programme was being done by the 2nd year post graduate boys and he did as asked. The programme continued with another student, a lad from the 8th

standard getting up and stating that he too was proud to be with the avatar and for the reason that Bharat has such a glorious culture. Swami was deeply touched to see the fire in the belly of that child.

 

The drama was weaved into a fine brocade of a story by the threads of little known individual patriots who gave their all for the sake of Poorna Swaraj. The story coursed alongside the lives of two young men who dedicate their lives for the freedom struggle under the leadership of the Mahatma, Gandhiji. They rise against the British non-violently, trusting the power of their immortal spirit rather than relying on the strength of the mortal body. They receive the blows rained by the British joyfully knowing that each blow that seemed to crush their body actually developed their resolve to be free into an indomitable and unbreakable one. They go to jail and there too experience the joy of Unity and oneness as people of all religions and strata in society rub shoulders, united in the common cause of freeing Mother India from the fetters of foreign rule. Gandhiji motivates them by his mere words which are laced with Truth.

 

The episode of Sathya Harishchandra was depicted very aptly at this point. Being a king, Harishchandra is reduced to a poor undertaker at the cemetery. His legendary adherence to Truth is seen as he refuses to be bound by bodily attachments and bury his own son for free. His wife pleads and the king's heart bleeds. But he remains firm in his resolve to be on the path of Truth. As Swami saw the episode of Harishchandra, He became very emotional. It seemed as if His heart too bled and tears were shed at the memory of a person who always adhered to the path of Truth and righteousness. Especially when Chandramati, the wife, pleaded for the son, the divine mother that He is, Swami felt the pangs of another mother's heart.

 

When the protagonist of the play loses his son to police brutality, he is a broken man. With tears he goes to his Guru, Sri Aurobindo. His brother and comrade too is there and he is just unable to understand why people meekly receive blows and think that it is bravery to be non-violent. Did not the Lord Krishna in the Bhagwad Gita too urge Arjuna to rise in arms? The Guru clears all the doubts by taking both the disciples through the Bhagwad Gita. The Krishna Arjuna dialogue ensues and message becomes very clear. Krishna, though apparently urged Arjuna to wage war, wanted him to actually give up body attachment. And war was the means of doing it then for Arjuna did not want to fight because he thought he was killing his own people. Non violence was the means now for the revolutionaries wanted to fight because they thought they were killing enemies! Whatever be the means, the end must be to annihilate body consciousness and then alone can one be

truly free.

 

Towards the end, the heroes, Gandhiji, Bhagat Singh and Subash Chandra Bose made their brief but very inspiring appearances. Patriotic songs were liberally sprinkled all over the drama and all the singing was being done live. Rather than using recorded tracks, the boys wanted to get immersed in the feelings of the day and occasion and sing the songs live. It had the desired effect as each song touched the people in some deep recess of the heart. There were no spectators or audience today as all felt one with the feelings of patriotism and true love being depicted at the centre. The drama concluded with all the students coming forward in the crescent formation. Then in military style, one by one, they all stepped out of line, stated loudly and proudly what the Bharata Bhagya Vidhata, Swami, had done for them and then stepped back in line. As this concluded, it was so clear for all in the hall that if at all there is a True Patriot, then He sat right

before them robed in the saffron of sacrifice! This final portion elicited a lot of applause from everyone.

 

Swami called all the actors to Him. He was very happy and He congratulated everyone. A 'muslim' from the drama was called onstage and Swami spoke a few words with him. He however commented that the Bhagwad Gita was the greatest treasure from India and more time should have been spent on dilating its teachings. He then moved down to the performance area to grant the students the privilege of group photos with Him. He materialised a beautiful and thick gold chain for the student who played the role of Krishna.

 

A point to be noted here is that Swami always seems to gift those actors who do positive roles, however small their actual roles may be. It is not that He is not rewarding talent and making a bias or anything of that sort. Swami believes that the only way to spread goodness and 'Godness' in the world is by embodying those qualities. Whenever the students put up a drama in front of Him, they involve themselves so deeply in their roles so that they can do their best. It is but natural that the ones who get so involved in the roles that are divine, Krishna in this case, really embody that divine spirit, even if its for a short duration. Swami rewards that noble effort and feeling.

 

Swami accepted all the letters the boys had to offer. He moved back on stage slowly and then very patiently and lovingly posed for group photos with all the boys. He Himself called on the groups. "Krishna and Arjuna", "Bose and Gandhi", "Harishchandra and Chandramati", "the sepoys", "the red clothes sepoys" (British soldiers), and son on He would call and they would go on stage to pose for photographs with Him. He blessed lush red apples to be distributed to one and all. As if that were not enough, He personally distributed watches to each and every member of the 130 strong team that had made the presentation. As this distribution went on, each student interacted with Swami in his own way and Swami responded to every one of them and made them feel special. One of the students gave a golden ring to Swami and requested Him to put it on his finger. Swami smiled and obliged. All the students prayed that Swami visit the hostel and Swami said, "I will

come". Then Swami asked for bhajans to be sung as He continued to distribute watches ensuring that He missed no one. The bhajans began and after two bhajans of vociferous and enthused singing, Swami received Aarthi. It was past 7:00 pm when He retired to Yajur Mandir. Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar

 

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Sai Venkatesh Mahadevan