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PRASHANTI DIARY 1st August, 2007: Music Programme by USA Youth and former students To begin the wonderful blessings for this month,
Swami had agreed for a programme by youth from USA. Many of the
participants of this music programme were former students of the
University. The car was absent when Swami came out for darshan and the
greater proximity was reason for great cheer and excitement among all. He
spoke to a few ladies and collected letters from many of them. As He
passed through the boys in the middle, He took letters from almost
everyone who were pining for this act of grace from their Lord. Then He
went around the gents side and as He neared the birthday boys, He blessed
them also. Finally, having brought so much joy with this unexpected
gesture, Swami went to the dais enjoying the Vedic chants for sometime and
then, He asked for the programme to begin.
What followed next were songs in different languages - Hindi, Telugu and English. There was a plethora of instruments: tabla, harmonium, drums, mridangam, electric guitar etc. and the songs were well distributed between the gents and ladies. In the middle, there was a dance performance too. Two young adults went up to Swami and requested whether they could perform a dance and Swami graciously agreed. They did the traditional Bharatanatyam bow to Swami and then began the dance. The dance was set to the rhythm of the famous song "Bho Shambho" and tuned to Raag Revati. The song possesses the magical capacity to arouse in the listener a great sense of detachment towards the world and an intense reverence for God. The two performers danced gracefully yet powerfully and Swami kept watching them with a mystical smile and great interest.
As they were slowly and gracefully making their way back, Swami lovingly called out to the second dancer. He waved His hand and materialized a ring and there were two sudden bursts - a burst of applause from the audience and a burst of emotion from the artiste!
Then the songs continued, only now they seemed to have greater vibrancy and variety. Swami sat through all the songs, granting a smile, waving His hands and closing His eyes as if in contemplation. The programme ended and Swami told them to continue with bhajans. After the bhajans, Swami blessed Prasadam to be given to all present. He then received Aarthi and left. 4 August: Leipzig Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra The programme scheduled for August 4 was very
unique in the sense that it was part of a foreign government aided tour.
The performers were from the Leipzig Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra,
Germany. The orchestra was on a musical tour of India and the final
concert before their return to Germany was to be performed before Swami at
Puttaparthi. By 2:30pm itself, the members of the orchestra started
assembling in Kulwant hall and began taking their positions.
Heard individually, each instrument seems incomplete and disconnected. But heard along with all the other instruments, the unity seems to conjure up an enchanting and divine melody.
To add to the spiritual undercurrent of the
programme, Mr. Paul Erhard, who trains the Institute Brass band, spoke in
between each song explaining its beauty and significance, relating it to
Swami. The whole performance lasted about an hour. All of us were
enraptured and Swami was there smiling and blessing their magnificent
effort. Swami had sarees and white safari pieces to distribute to them as
a token of His Love and Grace. He even came down from the stage and
personally handed over the clothes. Swami was beaming at each participant.
Many of the musicians had come for the first time to see Swami. It was so
sweet to see them looking at the more 'experienced' members as to how to
conduct themselves in Swami's presence. Hesitating bows and slightly
confused handshakes slowly became devotion filled salutes and namaskars.
7th August – Musical Programme by North East region, USA Today Swami came out at about 3:30pm and went around the darshan hall. Suddenly as Swami went into the interview room, there was some movement on both the ladies and gents side. After a little confusion, we came to know Swami had permitted the devotees from the North East region of USA to sing their offering of songs. Fifteen minutes later after a quick reorientation of seating, Swami came out and sat on the ladies’ side of the portico and immediately asked for the programme to start. They began with a song on the oneness of Love, followed by "Love is My Form" which had a good following from the devotees. In the middle of the programme Swami called the co-ordinator and asked him where his wife was and he pointed to her seated in the second line of the singing ladies.
The programme continued with ten more songs in English all conducted by a very enthusiastic lady orchestrator. She kept smiling at Bhagavan throughout and Swami would lovingly reciprocate. After 45 minutes, the programme was complete. Swami sent word for the student singers also to come and be seated outside. Then He went into the interview room. After 15 minutes, He came out with trays of sarees, watches and silver chains with medallions! He descended from the stage, down to where the USA devotees had assembled. Then He called all the ladies who were part of the music group and handed sarees to them personally. Many of them took Padanamaskar.
Then He came over to the gents’ side and gave watches to all the adult performers and the youngsters all received silver chains. After He had finished the distribution, someone from the gents side said, "Thank you Swami." Instinctively, Swami said, "Why thanks?"
Then they asked Bhagavan whether they could sing bhajans and after gaining Bhagavan’s agreement we were treated to some melodious bhajans from the bliss-filled US singers. After a while, Swami called the students and told them to continue the bhajans and as this was going on, Swami called the lady conductor. He spoke with her for some time and materialised Vibhuti, personally packing it in some paper and giving it to her. After another bhajan, He asked for Aarthi and blessing everyone, He retired. 9th August – Inauguration of ‘Screening and Research Block’ at SSSIHMS
On the morning of August 9, the second Thursday of the month, there was a buzz at the Super Specialty Hospital in Puttaparthi. It was agog with activity and everyone seemed to be engrossed in something or the other. Little wonder when Swami had Himself promised that He would be there to inaugurate the new Screening and Research block. At exactly 9 am, Swami arrived at the new block in the Toyota Porte, accompanied by a motorcycle escort team comprising of the Hospital staff. As Swami arrived, staff and students in the traditional saffron dress chanted Vedas with the PoornaKumbham.
Swami got down from the car looking radiant. Dr. Safaya, the director, welcomed Him with a rose and took Him to the oil lamps at the entrance. Here, was a beautifully decorated altar with a marble statue of Lord Ganesha.
Swami lit the two lamps and then slowly moved towards the main hall. As they were moving in, Swami kept asking Dr. Safaya about the new building. He pointed to the roof at a few places and asked about it. As soon as He entered the building, He was taken to the different rooms for screening. On these short rounds, Swami blessed so many members of the staff who were beaming with happiness at this beautiful opportunity. Bhajans were sung and Swami sat in the chair enjoying it.
However after the Ganesha bhajan, there was silence as Swami began to speak and interact with those around. Dr. Safaya and the others showed Swami a card with various details and Swami went through it in earnest. At this juncture, something humorous took place. Just before Swami's arrival it had been repeatedly announced that cell phones must be silenced. As Swami was speaking with Dr. Safaya, his phone began ringing loudly! The great man, a former director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences who has been serving as the Director of Swami’s Hospital from its inception, was extremely busy till the last second of Swami’s arrival making arrangements.
He was taken aback when the ‘phone music’ started and he quickly brought the culprit out of the pocket and handed it to a person chanting the Vedas. It was soon silenced. Everyone had smiles, but the best part is it looked as if Swami had not heard even the slightest sound! Soon, Swami's attention was diverted to a young doctor who was up in the front. Swami called him and enquired about him. This professional had completed his MRCP from London and was eager to serve in Swami's Hospital at Puttaparthi for more than a year now. Unfortunately, the MRCP is not recognised by the Medical Council of India (MCI). And this had been the reason for the young man’s wait. Swami spoke very reassuringly to him and along with Dr. Safaya, said that something would be done. The MCI doesn't recognise many of the PG courses in India itself! When one wins the Lord's support, the whole universe seems to conspire to help him. A vice president of the MCI also happened to be there in the gathering. Swami called her and spoke to her as to what could be done. Swami, the vice president, the young doctor and Dr. Safaya were in a discussion for a while. It concluded with Swami materialising vibhuti for the young man and the MCI vice president.
Some doctors around Swami told him that the trainees from the hospital were doing very well. Swami said that it was not enough if they do well. It would be a matter of pride if and only if they serve the society. Dr. Voleti Choudhary told Swami, "Swami the poor have been benefited and helped immensely by the hospital." Swami said, "The poor must be served.” He emphasized it again, “The poor must be served." Then there were 4-5 students from other colleges who had been trained in the SSSIHMS at Parthi. They were presented before Swami. Swami accepted cloves and water from them. He was told that some of them had won gold medals in Urology. Swami was not so impressed with those facts. He asked, "Are you going to serve? You need not serve here; wherever you are, you must serve. Service is important." He blessed all these young future doctors and exhorted them again that they should serve the society.
Swami often says that His Life is His Message and
we echo many times, "Swami, our lives are your message." Do we realize the
import of what we say? What it means to make our lives His message? The
passion with which Swami was speaking of service had to be seen to be
believed. For Him, it does not seem to matter what the profession is. The
message is so clear and simple. Anyone can serve and that is what they
must do, especially to the poor. The bhajan rings out, "Deen dukhiyo se
prem karo mera Sai prasanna hoga." Swami was stating just that.
The doctors prayed to Swami to speak and He gently refused. They asked Him again and the discourse table came in His view. He quickly said a sweet but firm ‘no’. He had different plans and said that He would go around the hall to grant everyone the joy of His darshan. There were almost gleeful shouts at this decision! Swami went around slowly, taking letters and even speaking to some of the people along the way.
Then Swami decided to go to the adjacent hall where people had gathered for a Narayan Seva. Swami entered the hall and with a touch converted the food to Prasadam. He blessed all the people there as everyone prayerfully prostrated to Him. As Swami went to the car, the discipline that had lasted till now broke, as devotion poured forth.
Swami sweetly kept smiling and blessed all as they tried to catch a glimpse or touch His feet. After a 45 minute stay, Swami left leaving behind hearts filled with love, joy and inspiration. He was again escorted by the motorcycle team back to Mandir. Reaching there, He granted photos to the escort team and filled their cup of joy too to the brim.
10th August - Drama by devotees of Karimnagar District
While one wants admission for his child so that he becomes a successful money maker, the other wants to discontinue his son’s studies in the same school because it was not teaching him the “true” knowledge (about the world, making money, etc.) Like Prahalada educating his father, the children speak to their fathers and the nobility of their thoughts and grandeur of their vision floors them. The headmaster also quips in with Swami’s teachings and explains the futility of education becoming a commercial industry. Swami sat, fully engrossed in the drama, especially the part where the children convince their fathers. Swami was very appreciative and seemed deeply touched. The beautiful aspect of the drama was that when it came to discussing education, it did not concentrate much on the negative aspects. It only spoke of the golden age that would be possible if one were to follow the ideals of Rama, Krishna, Raja Shibi and Harishchandra. The description of the glory of these noble men made an impression on anyone who could understand Telugu. Everyone felt at least a tinge of that nobility in their own thoughts and hearts.
Returning back to the drama, it concluded with a transformation of all the actors’ hearts. Everyone agreed that education is meant for more than just a living. As the final dialogues of the drama were enacted, Swami called the little boy who had advised his father. He went up to Swami who created a beautiful gold chain for him. He personally put it around his neck and patted the boy lovingly on his cheeks.
He called all the members who had participated in the programme and allowed them to take Padanamaskar. He told them that the drama was very well done. Then they prayed that a music programme was also ready and Swami told them to put that on too. The songs began and were sung with great enthusiasm and gusto. As the songs were on, Swami went into the interview room and arranged for some clothes to be distributed, personally handing over the white cloth pieces to the men and sarees to the ladies who had performed songs and qawwalis. All were so thrilled at this gesture of His. Then He specially called the people playing the harmonium and tabla and gave them clothes too. He also called the main actors of the drama and told them to sit close by in the front and then fulfilling all the participants’ dreams He walked down to pose for photos. Coming back on the stage, Swami asked for the Prasadam to be brought and distributed, retiring to the interview room at about 5:15 pm. Later Swami attended the bhajan hall for bhajans till 5:50pm. Swami then received Aarthi and retired.
12th August - Higher Secondary School Drama: "Living for each Other''
The afternoon of 12 August, was a real roller coaster ride for the students of the 12th class of the Higher Secondary School. The ride had actually started the previous evening, as they sat with a huge card to seek Swami’s permission for putting up a programme. Swami saw the card from the car window but did not tell anything to the boys. The future of the programme thus hung delicately in the balance – an uncomfortable uncertainty, but an uncertainty that He wants us to love!
There was a wave of applause even before any
programme began. As people rejoiced, Swami seems to appear so much more
beautiful. And unlike the air of superiority cast by the mortal beauties
of the world, Swami’s beauty makes everyone who come in its light more
beautiful and sublime. The glow on His face reflects as a glow on the
faces of all those who see Him. Swami went around and patiently collected
letters from almost anyone who had one to offer. He blessed all the
birthday boys and then moved along the lines of the primary school kids.
As He neared the interview room, He saw that there were school boys seated
in the bhajan hall. He went in and enquired into the details of the
programme and with a smile playing on His lips added the beautiful twist
to the tale of uncertainty when He said, “I will see the drama at 4 o'
clock.”
The drama began with a satirical description of ‘present day man’ and ‘futuristic man’. The two keep arguing, with ‘present day man’ mistaking progress to just running around in circles, while ‘futuristic man’ thinks that he is progressing every moment when in reality he is running in the same place. There is then the dramatic entry of a white ethereal being on the stage. This is ‘The Conscience’ who comes out of the depths (from where man has buried it) whenever the heart is touched. It does not prick us as we like to believe; it only expands our Consciousness to a level where we feel very uncomfortable with our narrow mindedness.
Then there was a wonderful stillness as the boys sat watching Swami and Swami sat watching them. He called one or two boys and spoke to them. Then, He asked for the chair to be taken down. As all the boys crowded around Him, Swami raised His right hand in Abhayahasta. It was a superb group picture as Swami also sat posing with His hand in the benedictory pose.
Swami then came on stage for a while and after went
into the interview room. There were bhajans at 5:00 pm after which Swami
received Aarthi. As He was going back, a copy of the group photo was given
to Him and He handed it over to the boy who had come to offer Him a rose.
Then He retired into Yajur Mandir.
The first scene to be depicted was that of Rama proclaiming His love for the mother and motherland being the greatest: "Janani Janmabhoomischa Swargaadapi Gaariyasi." Swami was fully absorbed in the scene. He enquired into the roles of various characters, all of whom were in white dress! He identified characters based on their dialogues and for Him it didn't seem to matter that the enactment lacked lights, costumes, music and settings. He just immediately connected with whatever was enacted on the stage. He also asked why Hanuman was carrying a small mace and not a big one. After that, the scene of Shivaji being blessed by the darshan of the Mother was enacted. It was innovatively done with a horde of Veda chanting brahmins and drum beating warriors. Once again the actors were all in whites but their passion carried the scene and it was as if we were reliving that historic moment when Shivaji picks up the sword to valiantly defend his motherland.
Then was a scene from the life of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. The "Kesari" newspaper which Tilak had started has been branded as negative and has been banned by the British regime. But Tilak celebrates that his paper has finally received its due of attention. Then was a scene from the life of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose.
As the 'white' teacher condemns the Indians and emphasizes the "white man's burden" that has been thrust upon him, Bose responds with a tight slap. Swami later mentioned that the slap must resound and all must hear it! The scene of the martyrdom of Lala Lajpat Rai was also depicted later on. Thus Swami sat watching till about 4:50 pm. After that, blessing all the boys and accepting letters from many of them, He made His way to the car. Everyone was thrilled at this unexpected shower of Love and Grace. Swami returned to Mandir and there was the bhajan session after which Swami left.
The final surprise of the day came in the late evening
when it was informed to the students that Swami would prefer a music
presentation over the drama on Independence Day. Living with Swami is a
constant learning experience and the students displayed this remarkably as
they just jettisoned the drama and went about enthusiastically preparing
for a musical evening tomorrow.
Swami arrived for the afternoon session on the Independence Day of India at about 3:55pm. He went around for the darshan round scanning the stage that had been set for a drama (Pun intended!). He first went into the interview room. After a while, the vice chancellor came out and announced the evening programme. There would be three speakers – Prof. G. Venkataraman, Sri S.V.Giri and Sri V.Srinivasan. Their talks would be followed by a music programme and the final event would be a drama by the Sai Youth from the state of West Bengal. Swami arrived as the speeches began. The elderly and learned speakers spoke on the significance of Swaaraajya (rule by the higher Self) and 'In'dependence (meaning being dependent on the ‘indweller’). They exhorted the important role the youth had to play in ensuring the arrival of Sai-Rajya in India and then in the world. Each spoke short and crisp and by 5:00pm the speeches had concluded.
As the speakers concluded their speeches, Swami
asked for the singers. The music group was just assembling when Swami
suddenly motioned for His mike and the discourse table. This was a bolt
from the blue (a bolt from The Orange actually!). None had been prepared
for this and even the translator was a little surprised. Quickly grabbing
the most easily accessible pen and a scratch pad he went to Swami. Swami
sat waiting for the discourse table to arrive. The music group was ready
with songs and the Bengal youth were ready with their drama. But are we
ready for Swami's drama when He decides to stage it? The simple Truth of
Swami's dramas is that in them, we are not reduced to mere spectators but
transformed into active participants. How willing we are is entirely up to
us.
As Swami sat down concluding His Discourse, His
voice had become hoarse with what we humans would call as emotion. The
first thing He said to the boy next to Him was, "My voice became hoarse.
Do you think all would have heard what I said?"
The final presentation of the evening was by the youth of Bengal - a drama entitled, "Ab tumhare Hawale watan Saathiyo." or 'We now' surrender to You.' The presentation began with the Independence Day celebrations where some members of the youth start a discussion. Suddenly a mysterious being in "fancy dress" arrives. Announcing himself as Time, he tries to make the youth aware of how the eternal values have degenerated in the present age.
To his aid come the heroes of Bharat - Swami Vivekananda, Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Guruji Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi. Now there was something that happened so coincidentally to the 'scientific' mind and so miraculously for the natural mind. As Bose stepped down to speak, the first statement that issued from his lips was, "Is there nobody who is selfless enough to live for the Motherland?" As he mirrored whatever Swami had said about him in the discourse, one could feel goosebumps tingling the skin. Thereafter, it was seen that Bose seemed to speak the most. The other glorious leaders spoke only once - at most twice. Did these youth prepare the drama after Swami's discourse? That could not be possible for it had been pre-recorded! One had to just admire the skill and intelligence of The Script Writer for the visual reinforcement of the audio wisdom that had been received minutes ago!
The whole presentation was interspersed with graceful thematic dances. The messages delivered were mostly in song form and the dance did great good to the message delivery. The music was so beautiful and apt to the feelings and emotions that had to be aroused in each scene. The youth were made aware that only young men and women are capable of restoring the declining human values and they are made to take up this responsibility.
"Strive for that and even if the whole world deserts you, walk the Path alone fearlessly. Arise and awake now and stop not till the goal is achieved", is the message that is given to them. At the end, Time succeeds in motivating them and introduces them to the greatest Hero - our dear Swami. A loud applause rented the hall - so loud that it drowned all the other sounds. Meanwhile, Swami called the youth who were acting and created Vibhuti for all of them.
18 August: ‘Yoga Mandala' programme from Vijaywada devotees Swami came out for darshan at about 3:35 pm on August 18. Thousands of devotees from Vijaywada had thronged to Puttaparthi for seeing Him. The programme by the ‘Yoga Mandala’ had been scheduled. There were pink scarves of these devotees seen everywhere in the hall. By 4:00 pm Swami came out to the stage and blessed the programme to begin. The chief co-ordinator, who seemed to be the Guruji for all the people assembled with Swami being the Sadguru (Supreme Preceptor), went up to Swami and offered his salutations. A roar of applause went around the hall when he prostrated to Him. He showed Swami the programme schedule and offered a rose.
Then two girls went up the stage and offered roses to mark the beginning of the programme. First there were two songs to which "koolattam" was performed. One was a bhajan on Krishna. After these dances, there were group Bharatanatyam dances. This was followed by a dance welcoming Shirdi Baba in a procession.
The song depicted the scene from Shirdi Baba’s life wherein the devotees cry out to Baba when He leaves His body to save a devotee. Finally, Swami Himself asked as to when would the yoga performers arrive. The dance which incorporated in it many difficult Asanas (yogic postures) was also performed. The grand finale was in the form of a human pyramid which offered its salute to Swami.
Swami blessed all of them. One of the co-ordinators and a small girl went up the stage and once again offered a rose as a token of gratitude. Swami waved His hand and materialised a beautiful gold chain for the little girl and He Himself put it around her neck. Then He went into the interview room after which there was bhajans.
21 August – Anniversary of the School of Business Management, Accounting and Finance The 21st Anniversary of the birth of the School of
Business Management Accounting and Finance (SBMAF) was on August 21, 2007.
As per Swami’s request, the students of the MBA programme displayed their
dedication and Love for Swami as they gave up the drama they had prepared.
Swami wanted two speakers in the afternoon.
The next speaker was Sri Ameya Deshpandey - a research scholar of the Sri Sathya Sai University. He spoke wonderfully well with the maturity of a Sai student who had been deeply touched by Swami. Structuring his speech on the popular song, "Hain Aankh Vo Jo Shyam Ka Darshan Kiya Kare", he narrated incidents on what a Sai Student is - and what Swami makes him/her into. Being a student of Sathya Sai University is not enough. One must strive to be a Sai Student too! His mellifluous voice won him Swami's emotional appreciation and the crowd's enthusiastic one. Liberally sprinkled with experiences from the lives of Sai students, the speech demonstrated why Swami means everything to His students.
Once a student, forever a student till He makes us
the Master! There may be miles that separate us from Him, but He is always
near and dear - guiding and comforting us. As He says, "You may leave me
and go, but once I have accepted you, I will never give you up. You are
mine forever." No lover in the history of the Cosmos can ever be like the
Lord - so selfless and sacrificing. All the incidents narrated brought out
these facts. At the end of the speech, Swami blessed the speaker
beautifully and slipped a vibhuti packet into his pocket!
Then Swami was requested to deliver His divine
discourse. Swami said that He was so overwhelmed by what the boys had
spoken that He was unable to speak. He asked for songs to be sung. The
students sang their hearts out for Him which was again a beautiful
experience in itself. After that Swami received Aarthi and left. |
