Day 4 (evening) proceedings of Athi Rudra Maha Yagna, Navarathri Homa and Durga Puja
Friday, October 16, 2015 – Evening: Soulful bhajans filled the air, as Bhagawan entered the Yagna Shaala for the evening program. A group of ladies from India, Italy, Singapore, Malaysia and UK chanted veda in the Divine presence. Swami blessed them profusely with padanamaskar and gifts. The ladies were undoubtedly ecstatic and tearful with gratitude!
Ladies from India and Overseas chanting the Vedas
The evening commenced with a musical offering by the current girl students of Prashanthi Niketanam. It is said, next to deep prayer or meditation, music is of paramount importance, and soulful music immediately elevates our consciousness to the Absolute, to the Highest. This was precisely the undercurrent running across all gathered.
Students from Prashanthi Niketanam enthralling one and all with their melodious singing
Sri Badri Narayanan enthralled the audience thereafter with his insights into the Bhagawatham thereafter. He narrated the story of Daksha Yagna, and pointed out how a desire that arose in the heart of Dakshayani to attend the Yagna of Daksha Prajapathi, despite not being invited, lead to her separation from Shiva Himself! Next was a scintillating mandolin performance by Sri U Rajesh, a mandolin maestro and younger brother of Late Sri U Srinivas. It was indeed a feast for the ears! Swami showered His blessings on him and the accompanying artists.
Sri Mandolin U Rajesh performing in the Divine Presence
Sri K H Muniyappa, member of the Lok Sabha was the first speaker of the evening. He vividly narrated his experiences with Swami, both while He was in the physical frame and now. He said, "We have heard of Deva Loka or seen some interpretation in films. But, today we can experience it right here!" His humility and devotion inspired everyone.
Sri Muniappa narrating his experiences with Bhagawan
A talk by Dr. A R Manjunath, Director of Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Human Excellence followed. This institute was set up by Bhagawan two years ago to train men of character, who will adorn the role of teachers and administrators in His institutions. Dr Manjunath spoke about how he came to Swami during the high point in his career, when a high profile job in the Government awaited him. But, Swami asked him to join as the Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Muddenahalli campus, which he graciously accepted. Swami's departure from His physical body deeply disappointed him, but now it is a different story! He submitted to the audience saying the Satya Yuga was upon us, and we should not waste any time, rather take the advantage of this opportunity and prepare for the advent of Prema Sai.
Sri Manjunath addressing the gathering
Swami gave a brief discourse thereafter.
Summary of Divine Discourse:
This sacred land of Bharat has given birth to many great men and women. Having been born in this great country, it is your responsibility to uphold and safeguard the treasure and wealth of dharma of this country.
Our scriptures have revealed that it is very difficult for any human being to gain three things, which lead us to attaining divine grace – the first is human birth, second is desire for liberation and third is great company of realised souls or men of wisdom. The goal of human life is nothing but developing aspiration for liberation and nothing else.
There are four goals of human life –Dharma, right conduct; Artha, earning wealth and treasure; Kama, fulfilling our physical desires; and finally, Moksha, liberation. But what it actually means is you have to earn money through righteous means and then utilise it for moving forward on the spiritual path and attain liberation. It is a mistake if we think that we will gain liberation only after we drop this physical body. Even when you are living, if you can give up attachment to this world and worldly desires; that is liberation. When we make good use of the opportunity to be with noble and great souls and learn the lessons taught by them, then our life will find fulfilment.
Bharat is a divine, sacred, glorious land, a land wherein we can attain the highest goal of life. Even the great divine incarnations are born in the womb of this great mother, Bharat. A Bharatheeya is one who derives great joy in bliss, in divinity, in God – one who takes delight only in God.
Today, all the educational institutions, which should become Saraswati Mandirs (temples of learning) are becoming temples of Lakshmi (temples of wealth). When a boy or girl purchases education spending one lakh of rupees, the only desire they will have is to earn ten lakhs of rupees; they will never think of the welfare of the world or service to society. What is the use of an education, which ultimately leads you to death? The kind of education you should get is the education that will lead you to immortality. Today, the educational institutions in Swami's name are multiplying. It is because of the selfless prayers done by Narayan Bhat. With the prayer of world welfare, he offered all his wealth and properties at the Lotus Feet of God and they are finding fulfilment because of divine grace today.
You cannot cross over the ocean of samsara just by penance or going on pilgrimages or studying of scriptures; only by service to noble souls can you attain liberation. Yajnas and yaagas are a part and parcel of our Indian culture; therefore, we are performing these yajnas. But yajna has another name – that means sacrifice. There is no greater sacrifice, greater yajna, than offering one's own body, mind and soul to the service of society. Sacrifice is not giving up your wife and children and going away to the forest; real sacrifice is the sacrifice of selfishness within your own mind and that becomes yoga.
Watch the proceedings below:
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