On 6th evening, at 5.20 pm, Bhagawan arrived in
Sai Kulwant Hall to the accompaniment of Vedic chants and Panchavadyam.
Bhagawan blessed Sri V.Srinivasan, the All India President of Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisations to address the gathering. The learned speaker pointed out
that though ‘Ratri’ or night is usually associated with ignorance, Maha
Shivaratri is unique as it is the night of ‘Shiva’ or auspiciousness, where
the finite individual merges in the infinite Godhead. And the process of
achieving this merger is through singing His glorious names – Bhajans. During
Bhajans one gives up one’s individual differences and sings in unison with
others. Therefore, singing Bhajans is a very powerful means of uniting all
mankind. Sri Srinivasan concluded his speech with a very pertinent quote –
“Where there is great love, there are great miracles.” Indeed, if one
witnesses wonderful miracles in Bhagawan’s presence, it is due to the fact
that Bhagawan Baba is the embodiment of Supreme Love
Following Sri Srinivasan’s speech, Bhagawan
delivered His Divine Discourse. He decried the pitiable scenario in the world
today where man takes great efforts to accumulate wealth but does not take
even half as much for realizing God. Bhagawan reminded everyone that “Brahma
Satyam, Jagath Mithya”, which means that God alone is true and everlasting
whereas the world is but a delusion. Therefore, one must remember God, love
Him and chant His name. God resides in everyone in the form of Love; life
lived without Love is no life at all, Bhagawan said. During His discourse,
Bhagawan also revealed that though He wanted to manifest the Lingam, He
decided against it due to the prayers of so many students and devotees who
submitted to Him that they did not want to watch Bhagawan’s physical body
undergo pain.
Bhagawan exhorted everyone to revere one’s
parents and always be grateful to them for all that they have received from
them. He further said that Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi are the father and
mother of the entire universe. Then Bhagawan, to the joy of the multitudes
present there, proclaimed the phenomenon of the three Sais: Shirdi Sai, Parthi
Sai and Prema Sai Avatars. He added that presently during the life of Sathya
Sai, lot of conflicts and troubles are being witnessed, but during the era of
Prema Sai there will be no more conflicts. The whole country and the world
will be free of divisions based on caste, culture and country, and everyone
would be united in Prema (Love). The devotees were overjoyed at this
stupendous declaration and responded with a thunderous applause. Bhagawan
concluded His Discourse with the song: “Hari Bhajana Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi…”
and reiterated that the only way of attaining peace is through singing
Bhajans. Bhagawan retired to His residence around 7.15 pm. Bhajans continued
with unabated devotional fervour through the night. Many groups took turns in
leading the Bhajans. At around midnight, there was also the Ekadasha Rudra
Parayana where the students chanted the sacred hymns - Namakam and Chamakam
eleven times in worship of Lord Shiva.
At 7.10 am the next morning, Bhagawan granted
Darshan and at 7.45 am, the Bhajans that had been going on non-stop, concluded
with Arati being offered to Bhagawan. After this, Prasadam was distributed to
one and all. In the evening, Bhagawan blessed Sri Ajit Popat, a devotee from
United Kingdom to share his thoughts with the august gathering. Sri Popat said
that there are three Hs that one should always follow: be Healthy, be Holy and
be Happy. Without having a healthy mind in a healthy body, one cannot progress
on the spiritual path. However, being healthy is not an end in itself; we
should utilize the body in the service of society. Deliberating on how to be
holy, Sri Popat remarked that one’s attire or display of religious symbols on
oneself do not make one holy. The secret of holiness lies in maintaining unity
of thought, word and deed. Finally, quoting from Bhagawan’s discourses, Sri
Popat said “Happiness is union with God”. He concluded his speech with a verse
from Koran where he prayed to Bhagawan Baba to lead everyone on the right path
unto Himself.
Then to the absolute delight of everyone, Bhagawan granted His Divine
Discourse. Bhagawan dwelt on the importance of Karma (action) in the life of
man. He said that before one undertakes any task, one should discriminate as
to whether it is good or evil. Having been bestowed with the human body, one
must always undertake only good actions and lead a ‘human’ life as against
resorting to evil deeds and stooping down to bestiality. One must always
remember the inexorable rule that good acts lead to good consequences and vice
versa. It would be foolish to expect beneficial results after having committed
evil actions. Bhagawan then said both bondage and liberation of man depend on
his mind: “Mana Eva Manushyaanaam Kaaranam Bandha Mokshayoho”. Man can attain
divinity only by cultivating unity and purity; unity implying harmony of one’s
thoughts, words and deeds. Bhagawan also exhorted everyone to consume only
pure food that is offered to God, which will lead to good thoughts and healthy
life. He also stressed the importance of maintaining good company and staying
away from bad company. Dilating on the significance and merit of doing
community Bhajans as advocated by Guru Nanak, He said that at least a few
people out of the entire group will focus their minds on God, and that will
benefit one and all. Bhagawan then sang “Hari Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi…”
thus bringing the Shivaratri celebrations to a grand conclusion. Bhagawan
accepted Arati and retired to His residence at 7.30 pm.
Sai Baba Darshan News
+ latest photos March 7, 2008: Mahashivaratri:" Bhagawan arrived in His chair this
morning a few minutes past seven o'clock, and moving through the Hall.
6th March: excerpts
from the Mahashivaratri discourse...Swami started with a telugu
verse depicting the poor state of the modern man who is running after money and forgetting
human values. "...Swami blessed all of us with His divine
darshan as the clock showed 5:15. Swami like last year, preferred to come in His mobile throne
..." read more"
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Maha Shivarathri First Divine Discourse, 06th Mar 2008
