ONAM BONUS

Since the past 10 days, Swami has been coming everyday in chair instead of by car. All of us are having such a wonderful time here. we have lost count of how many letters we've given to Him. If our silly letters weren't enough, Swami has to bear with the programmes that are being put up every day.

The programmes aren't bad, but people do not understand; everyone wants an opportuntity to perform before Swami. And our Lord is only too compassionate to listen to them. The past few days witnessed a lot of programmes by the Kerala devotees for the Onam celebrations. At the end of almost every programme, Swami would materialise something for the artist.

Some days ago, a very senior person, an ardent devotee of Swami passed away. He had a very peaceful death. Swami gave him water during his last moments.
The month of September is waiting with festivals one after another.the most exciting part is that the festivals of exams are also scheduled in september!Well, this is the easiest time to surrender to our Lord.

August 22 discourse

Swami was very keen to see us today morning. he wasted no time in coming to the point and "hammering on our wavering minds". Well, it's not the hammering that teachers give to us, but one that is unique, for it shapes our mind to be steady and ultimately transforms our character.Here are many of the points that He spoke of:

"today, this meeting is concerned with business management. what is business? it's not mere transaction, exchange etc. it means the entire world

• everything in this world follows an expected procedure. our students should fully realise what's expected of them in every field
• man has 5 senses. all are constantly engaged in business. every limb follows business. a true manager is one who makes proper use of 5 senses
• reading books, studying forex, comparing foreign and indian environment is not business mgmt. Indian business is unique. you must compare deha with desha and then understand business. foreign business is based on domination and power. do not imitate them. you must design your business model based on feeling, needs, etc of this land.
• true business comprises understanding of caste, culture and country. Today, some have given up caste. but do not give up culture. what is culture? adherence to the path of tradition laid before us is culture. it's not possible to give up culture. Human activity is a blend of these three.
• culture is not obtained from relations but can be adhered through discrimination. Heart is the basis. out of discrimination, u can face changes and trasformations in environment. today, absence of discrimination has resulted in perversions. Since culture is spoilt, the country has become weak. it leads to questionable behaviour. Today, each (political) party has its own doctrine, principles etc. therefore country is weak. the best results will come only if there's unity.
• when Swami was 11 years, a certain Hanumanthappa, a communist came to Swami and requested him to compose a song for his party. the song went like this: a child was crying, mother got a swing and a rubber toy and said, "my child don't cry, people won't call you brave.men and women will together fight for independence. (it was a time when Germany was at war with russia). child, don't cry, to kill Hitler, there's the Red army lead by Stalin." the next day after this composition by Swami, Hitler died
• Since a long time, people have run after different fashions to become modern. From moustache to apparel, they haven't spared anything. these fashions are like passing clouds.
• like this,there are changes in education today. Arjun Singh has many plans. he wants to try many permutations and combinations (of science and commerce disciplines) and introduce inter-disciplinary courses. but there aren't enough qualified teachers to teach them. when teachers are good, students will also be good. So, do not run after these changes.
• because of changes in diet, we fall sick.Earlier things were made of clay (pot). Now, we use stainless steel utensils. Plastic bags, plates etc which are non-degradable cause soil pollution. Similarly, junk food causes food pollution. Thus we see that changes have resulted in pollution of various kinds. Therefore, in the field of education, do not change or imitate the west.
  
• You experience Ananda here. understand that this ananda will follow you in future too. Future is based on past. Do not worry of the future. Past is past. The present is omnipresent. Follow the present.
• Only the Sathya Sai University has got its curriculum based on the present. Do not change this system of education. It will ensure you a bright future.
• Help ever hurt never. Never hurt anyone. Thinking of the past, we ruin the present. Right now, you are in a perfect study mind. Earlier, it was dirty mind. Change in man is because of the mind. Parents also do not understand this truth. Our students came up in life in the present. They are ideals to the world. In present there is “less luggage and more comfort”
• Present means you are there in the classroom. Otherwise you are marked absent. (taken at face value, this statement very relevant to us students as we bunk so many classes. and lack of attendance results in promotion problems). Thus being present is important.
• Elders feel bad that the past days were good, young respected the old, showed courtesy. but the present (situation) is bad. People do not follow the righteous path of their elders. Today there’s no purity or unity but only enmity. Therefore, give u the six vices of kama, krodha,etc….. oly then will there be unity.. Bose was driven out of India because of this enmity and selfishness. But wherever he went he served the society and always thought of motherland.
• Instead of earning Rs 10000 abroad, it’s better to earn even Rs 1000 here. Out of Rs 10000, you have so many expenses like rent, food etc. Thus life abroad is difficult. Even a banana is costly, it costs 10 Rs! How can you afford all that and take care of your children? But you want to strain yourself and go abroad. Swami hasn’t gone abroad.
• Swami went to Africa , but only for a short while. He saw wildlife there. It was very beautiful. The animals were so majestic. The elephants there had he ears, all the mosquitoes would get blown away when those ears would flap! But those animals were harmless. They also have values. They don’t hurt you unless you intend to hurt them. Swami fed fruits to the lions. But the animals wanted more! Swami told them He shall give the next day. Animals react based on feelings. Yad bhavam tad bhavati.
• Have the feeling “I’ve studied in this great University, keep the flag flying high. To get a good name join good company. As is the company, so you are.
• The MBA boys spoke very well yesterday. Swami was touched by their talk. All of you should be good boys. Even a gold may lose its value, but goodness doesn’t. Maintain your goodness.
• First, you must have aatmavishwas. Radha, Dhruva, etc all had good thoughts, so they met with good results. People with faith in God will never fail in life. Where there’s faith, there’s love: where there’s love there’s Atma. All are formless. Love is God, live in love. Truth is God. Recognise this fundamental truth.
• Never lose faith. It is the basis of life. Have total faith. He then narrated the story of Ramdas which had the lesson of faith)
• Foreigners have so much faith and confidence. Inspite of a lower standard of life here and many troubles, they have chosen to settle here. Without self confidence and discrimination, there’s no use of vast knowledge gathering. Self realization starts with discrimination. Discrimination leads to self satisfaction.
• You are all pure gold. But sometimes, clouds do appear. Do not get carried away by the passing clouds. Be steady. Study to be steady. Preserve all this in your mind. There’s nothing great about going abroad. Money comes and goes, morality comes and grows. It is not merely the currency notes, but their use that is important. BE HAPPY.

UNENDING SAGA OF LOVE

Till now, i was only discussing about the joy that Swami showered on various devotees and youth groups by granting them an opportunity to put up programmes and conferences. it was really a bother to us to such an extent that we thought students can stop expecting blessings they had before.
How little our minds are! When the Lord says he spends a lot of time thinking of His boys, how can the boys ever think that He has forgotten them?
the independence day programme as we know, was still lingering in our minds. The next programme would be the MBA anniversary day on 21st august. As a custom, the MBA boys prepare a drama on that day. So, we got our second chance at putting up a programme. The exams just got over and the boys had very little time to prepare this drama. two days prior, the Vice Chancellor came to the auditorium to see the rehearsals. Well, what we put up was more like a spoof rather than play. Lord Vishnu and Narada composed their own lines and Duryodhana forgot his hometown of Hastinapura. However, it was well polished and the VC liked it. He said he would inform Swami the next day.
The next day, we were all very excited as there was apparently a sure chance of putting up drama this time. Around afternoon, we got a heartbreaking news, similar to the one before. Swami said he didn't want the drama, he was bored of them. But he hinted on some kind of a programme on August 21.
thus, on August 21, we were ready with songs and speeches. Swami came in His chair, blessed all of us and came to the portico. it was truly looking like a festive occasion. the inaugral speech was given by our Principal, who spoke of the system of education here, particularly MBA programme. it was then followed with speeches by two research scholars. Since, they were also part of the bhajan group, their talk was interspersed with songs too. This really set the tone for what followed later, even till this day. Swami was moved to tears by their talk. He said "I am very happy", "Manchi boys" . the speeches were followed by songs and Swami was asking for more. Finally, the VC and Principal prayed to Swami to speak to the boys. the boys too shouted "Swami, speak to us". But it was already late and Swami said He'll speak later.
After the programme and aarati, Swami got into the car to return back. He remarked to the Principal "manchi boys, all boys are good"
We were very happy that August 21 did not pass like a stale day. At night, we recieved an exciting news that Swami had called the boys next day morning for darshan. He wanted to speak to us.
the message was probably meant for the MBA boys but the warden allowed all Institute boys for morning darshan. Swami came in the morning in His chair again and again took letters from many boys. he proceeded to the portico and asked for the mikes. We couldn't believe our eyes! Well, in Parthi every day is a festival. Swami spoke for more than an hour about business and similar aspects, which i've dealt in next post. He materialised chains for the two research scholars who spoke on the previous day. in the end, He raised both His hands and blessed us all. Could we ask for more?
The evening of august 22 was again booked with a couple of speeches. it seems Swami wanted the boys to speak everyday. So, since August 21, the norm has been that every evening, one student and one teacher would give a speech in Kulwant hall. We only hope the festival lasts indefinitely so that all th boys may get an opportunity they dream of, that is, to speak in His presence. Sai Ram

INDEPENDENCE DAY DISCOURSE

August 15, 2007

• I never intended to speak today. Purely out of love towards you, I got up and decided to speak.
• Swami felt bad that none of the previous speakers mentioned about Bose. Thus I felt you must all know about him.
• Bose was a virtuous man. He passed the ICS. He had an excellent and ideal character.
• The situation made him leave the country and today, he is treated as an enemy.
• There are rumours that he died in plane crash. No, he did not die in the crash.
• He was extremely patriotic and had immense love for the nation. He married a woman who translated his book “My country” and had a daughter by the name Lalitha Bose.
• Lalitha Bose strained and struggled a lot to come to Partthi and see Swami. She followed Swami everywhere, from kodai to whitefield, ooty and so on.
• Lalitha was an ardent devotee till her last breath. She died recently.She had a lot of respect and love for her father.
• Bose had sharp faculties. Very few people know of his intelligence. He always wanted the country to prosper. No one at that time was as patriotic as him.
• Today, people only know to speak. Bose not only spoke, he practiced it too. It is sad that no one remembers him today. Sarojini Devi was also a patriot. But no one remembers her today.
• Lalitha came to Swami and said to Him that she was sent by her father.
• All of you must have such kind of national pride. If you don’t love your nation, you consider yourselves as good as dead.
• Swatantra, Swaatantra and Swaarajya
• Life of Bose should be known to all.
• Love all and serve all must be your guiding principle.
• Today, there are many rich people but many more are poor. The rich should serve the poor. You should follow Dana and Dharma. You say “brothers and sisters”. You should really mean it and put into practice
• Bose came to parthi and had Swami’s darshan. He said, “Bhagawan, how is this that you have undertaken this selfless service at such a young age?”
• Today, it is love, not money that is important. You are all embodiment of the divine.

• Youth should understand the meaning of Swaarajya and inner divinity. Only then will India become number one in the world

INDEPENDENCE DAY

August 15, 2007

The morning of 15^th was a very quiet affair as Swami spent most of the time in interview room. We did not expect much from the afternoon darshan as well . First of all , the mood was off as our drama was cancelled. So,we were busy preparing for the evening programme in hostel. But Swami always likes to surprise us so much.

He came in the afternoon at 3.30 pm and asked for the programme to begin. The list was so long that we wondered when the session would get over. There were 3 elderly speakers for the afternoon. This would be followed by a music programme by the institute boys (it was a consolation that Swami gave for not having the drama). This would then be followed by a drama by the youth from West Bengal (imagine how jealous would we feel). But then, guests should be given priority at home, isn’t it?

The speakers spoke of Swarajya and such other concepts. After that, the music boys came forward and sat for the programme. But our Lord was in a different mood. He asked for the mikes to be called, got up and began to speak!

I have rarely seen and heard anything like that.He straight away began with the story of Subhash Chandra Bose. Swami was completely in tears while he spoke of him. He didn’t even give Anil Kumar a chance to translate! I have noted down a few thoughts in the next post which were summarized and translated by Anil Kumar after Swami’s discourse.

After the discourse, there was music programme where patriotic songs were sung by our boys. When, the boys sang Vande Mataram, Swami too joined them! The youth from Bengal were waving flags during the songs. Swami notice them and became emotional.

Later on, the Bengal youth presented a drama. Swami liked it very much and gave vibhuti to a few actors. All of them got group photographs as Swami stood up in their midst.

It’s truly amazing to see the love that Swami is showering on the youth these days. And I’m sure it’s just the beginning. Sai Ram

THE DRAMA BUBBLE

August 14,2007

Our batch “Sarvajit” is known for extraordinary events, both on positive and on not-so-positive side. It was truly a thrilling day with so much of excitement and drama that I have to devote an entire post for this purpose.

As a custom, every year, final year PG students present a drama before Swami on independence day. It’s a great opportunity and an exciting event as an entire class gets totally involved in preparing for this play. This year too was no exception to this. What follows now will surely be an exception as you read along.

The midsemester exams got over last week and the students wasted no time in plunging into drama preparations. Two days back, Swami they presented a card to Swami about the drama. He looked into it and showed a keen interest. He asked if Siubhash Chandra Bose was there. when the student replied in the affirmative, he said “ I know, even Tilak is also there”. after dinner, all of us assembled in the Shanti Vedika for a rehearsal as Vice Chancellor was coming to see the practice. The VC said that Swami had specifically asked him to go and see the drama practice. It seems he was continuously enquiring about it and was saying that the drama must be good, the sets also should be good. As the practice was in progress, our warden received a message that Swami had, before retiring upstairs, again asked about the drama and wanted it to be good. You can well imagine that we were in Seventh heaven.

The drama actually portrays bharatiya culture and has scenes from Ramayana, Shivaji, Bose, Tilak , and Lala Lajpatrai. I’ll be mentioning in detail as there were comments by Swami on each scene later.

The next day, as usual most of the boys took leave from classes to prepare for the drama. In the afternoon, some of us went with another card. Swami arrived at about 3.45 pm, but he turned left from the ladies side and went to the portico. As soon as He got down from the car, he asked where is the drama going on. One of his attendants replied that some actors had come with a card. Swami called immediately for the car and said that he wants to see the practice! We couldn’t believe our eyes. Actually, we didn’t have time for that as we immediately ran back to the hostel to inform others.

We expected Swami to come to hostel but instead he went to the auditorium. So, very few boys were present. We again ran to the auditorium and the actors went one by one to seek Swami’s blessings. There are two Bose characters in drama, one younger and the other older. Both went to Swami and His attendant interoduced the older bose saying he is the bigger Bose. Swami looked at the actor and remarked “older bose? When did you get married?”

The drama began with the Ramayana scene.

Scene 1: Rama wins battle but refuses to preside over Lanka as king

The scene was in telugu. Swami turned to warden and said “ is the drama in telugu? Warden said “ yes Swami, this scene”. The scene had nice patriotic dialogues and Swami was visibly very moved. He was shedding tears like a child

Scene 2: Shivaji prays to Durga for the battle sword.

This scene was in English. Swami again turned to warden “you said drama was in telugu.” Warden replied “Swami, only first scene, not the entire drama” Swami kept pulling warden’s leg (as usual) on this issue later on.

Scene 3: Younger bose in class. He slaps his teacher.

The scene was well enacted. the actor was short. Swami asked “ Bose was big. Why is this boy short?” Warden replied “Swami, this is college scene”. After the slap, we all looked at Swami for His reaction. He turned to Warden and said “ call the boy . there is slap, but no sound.” The boy came down and Swami told him “ slap harder. Sound should come” our warden added “Swami, on final day we’ll have extra keyboard effects”

Scene 4: Tilak scene. Kesri paper is banned

Swami had a special interest in Tilak, we don’t know why. The scene went on well.

Scene 5:. Simon go back scene. Lala lajpatrai is killed

This scene had a good amount of violence, something that Swami doesn’t like. It was very well enacted though. The songs were also good.

After the drama got over, Swami came out of auditorium and went to the restroom. When he came out, one of the boys went ahead and asked him if we could name the drama “Janani janma bhoomischa Swargadapi gariyasi”. Swami replied sarcastically “ mother is fine, motherland is also fine, fighting is also fine”. He looked at VC and said, “ I told you to look at the drama, didn’t I?” VC replied “Swami I did and I pointed out about the violence too”. Swami repeated his words in a teasing manner. It was 5.00 pm and he went straight for the bhajans.

If there was a heaven beyond seven layers, we were surely up there. never before did a low key drama like this get so much attention from Swami that He came even for the rehearsal. We were scheduled to have a practice with mikes in kulwant hall after bhajans. So we proceeded to mandir at 6 pm. After an hour, the VC came and said Swami decided not to have drama tomorrow! Well, does even a stock market crash sound so bad?

However, there was a silver lining as the VC told us that Swami wants us to prepare another drama in a few weeks on the topic “love all, serve all” (that’s underlining non-violence for us).But to say the last word, Swami did see our drama, didn’t He?

Programmes galore

The busiest person in Parthi today is Sri Sathya Sai Baba. i sympathise with Him for, he's been bugged by so many dramas and music programmes, inaugrations etc. as i'm writing this sentence (it's 7.30 in the morning), Swami has already left outside the mandir gate in car and is proceeding towards the Institute hostel.

I hope Swami wouldn't read this post or else i'd be in trouble. Like most people here, we take Swami to be a 5 foot 4 inch human who's 81 years old and needs help to walk around. But how wrong we are! Can we ever compare our Lord or limit Him to any form? The past week was an indication of just this truth.

Let me begin with the programme put up by Himachal youth a week ago. there was an excellent bhangra dance followed by a qawwali. Swami was extremely happy with them. He materialised a chain for a youth and asked him to apply for MBA here next year (he's already done an MBA). He distributed clothes to all present and while doing so, He spoke to each and every member of the group. the distribution perhaps took more time than the programme itself. at that point i remembered what he said last year "call the youth from india separately and i shall speak to them"


Over the days, programmes have been put up by devotees from the US, the people from Karimnagar district and so on. Swami has been benevolent in attending to each one of them and showering His love.A few days ago, Swami visited SSSIHMS to inaugrate the renovated reception block.

Yesterday morning, Swami did not give darshan in the morning (the usual Sunday morning blues). In the afternoon, students from class 12 were ready with a skit. to everyone's amazement Swami came out in chair, blessed all the devotees and even took letters. He sat through the entire drama.

The next few days are packed with more programmes as the youth conference is about to begin. on the other end, the final year students of intitute are preparing a drama for the independence day. i guess it just doesn't get any bigger than this! Sai ram

Bonus rounds of blessings

i felt that this week would be very dry and Swami would keep indoors most of the time. The conference was really a hectic affair. But our Lord doesn't know what's rest. He was only too willing to give joy to His devotees. We feel ashamed at times, because to be frank, the conference tired us a lot. we wanted some rest!
On tuesday, there was a music programme by the devotees of UK (Popat group). They tried their best to please Swami by remixing His own songs! it was really very boring. Swami seconded this opinion as He soon moved inside the bhajan hall and immediately asked the boys to start bhajans. The following day too, there was a music programme, this time, by the devotees of US. i wondered what they were up to ths time. Swami came in the afternoon in chair, blessed all devotees and took letters. The US group had a mix of english songs and hindustani music. but no remixes, all were original and surprisingly very well sung. In between, there was a dance by two boys on the song "Shambho Shiv Shambho". it enthralled one and all. Swami was very pleased, He called them and materialised a ring and chain for both.
On Saturday, there was an orchestra by a German troupe who were on tour in India. Swami was very pleased with their performance and distributed clothes to the artistes. The youth form various parts of India have started coming now. There are some programmes scheduled between 11th and 15th August. Right now, the students are suffering from exam fever. as they say, pleasure is an interval between two pains. Sai ram.