Index of earlier Bulletins

August 15, 2006

Swami came out at 7:30 am to the blowing of conches and the playing of the Naadaswaram. He went around granting Darshan to all and came out directly and sat on the sofa. Then began our Yajnam - of absorbing His presence into our beings.

Sitting for the Yajnam in Swami's presence has such a magical calming effect. The chanting that goes on acts as a hypnotic and the eyes are filled with His beautiful form. The tongue keeps rolling about His name and holy fragrances waft the air. Truly this must be Satsangathi (spiritual company). Even the most vacillating mind is numbed into a silence and even thoughts of thoughtlessness do not arise! It is indeed fantastic what Swami does to us by His mere Presence. As Swami sits silently, a tranquil descends in our hearts. It is said that only in the depths of silence the voice of God is heard. In the presence of Swami, though there is chanting going on, we hear the depths of silence! As Swami glances this way, a thousand pairs of eyes light up - a million hopes come alive. Then He looks the other way. Hands go up in prostration. Oh! The soothing feeling that is felt in His presence has to be experienced - no amount of writing will do it justice.

Swami called out for the "birthday boys" and blessed them. He showered Akshatha grains on a few of them and also, to our delight, threw chocolates to the boys! At about 8:25, Swami went into the interview room to give us a little break. But He had no respite. As we stretched our legs, He granted interviews. The Saieeshwara homam began and the chant of Sai Gayathri filled the hall. It was in this vibrant atmosphere that Swami came out again at 9:00 am. As soon as He came, He called the student who is the lead dancer and enquired about the readiness of the dance programme scheduled this evening. Satisfied that all was well, He sat on the sofa. The rites and rituals began at 5:15 am itself today with the hope that everything could be completed by 9:30 am and Swami would be there to receive the Maha Mangala Aarthi. Swami sweetly and patiently sat till 9:45 am. Then the rites concluded and Aarthi was taken. Swami then retired to the Yajur Mandiram.

The sixth day’s evening of the “Athi Rudra Maha Yagnam” was a feast to the eyes, ears, mind and the heart, in more ways than one. With the crowds swelling up and the news spreading among devotees to make a beeline towards Puttaparthi for the Athi Rudra Maha Yagnam, every inch of Sai Kulwant Hall was taken and packed to capacity, much before Swami’s arrival.

It was 5 minutes to 3’o clock and just then there was a rise in the crescendo of chanting of the Mantras and was accompanied by the ‘Nadaswarsam’ recital. This signaled the arrival of our most beloved Lord. He took centre stage on the sofa at 3:15 P.M. After the last session of the rituals of the Yagnam was completed, Swami called Vinay Kumar and asked him for the programme for the evening. Sri.Vinay Kumar introduced the speaker for the evening, Dr. Easwaran, a professor at St. Stephen's College, Delhi. He spoke on the topic, “Sai is Siva”, citing various instances from the past where Swami Himself had revealed that He is indeed Lord Siva. He illustrated his talk beautifully by narrating various mythological stories of Kannappa Naayanar, Maarkandeya and Sage Bhardwaja.

After he concluded his speech, there was an electric feeling in the air and everybody was anticipating a signal from Bhagwan calling for His translator, Prof. K. Anil Kumar. Out of His infinite love for devotees, Swami did not disappoint us. For the 6th day on the trot, Bhagawan rose to deliver His Divine message.

Karma is action that we do. Human life is a result of action. Man grows by action. Birth and death are due to action. The whole of humanity is non-existent without action. Yagnas, sacrifices rituals etc. are also due to action. The whole world solely rests on action. So everyone must undertake action. Realize the latent innate Divinity. As is action, so is the result. Everything is action. Eating, sleeping, walking etc. everything is action. Even breathing is action. So before performing any action, think whether the action befits you.

Embodiments of Love!
Action verily is God. God is present subtly everywhere. He is "Anoraneeyam Mahato Maheeyam". Every action must be offered God. Then you will not be affected by your actions. God is present in all. Do not spoil your mind with unnecessary thoughts. Do not get into those fields where you have no knowledge. Men and women should go to action which favours them. Whatever is good for them. In Balyam (childhood) - it is games. In youth - it is the attraction to the opposite sex. In middle age- it is earning and making money. In old age - it is repentance. Time is spoilt and wasted today. Human is divinity in a form. Today you may be a Purohit, tomorrow student and next you become a householder. But in old age we feel bad. What is the use? Investigate in the beginning itself.

Vinay asked, “What should youth do?” Youth should remain young. The day energy is spoilt, you age, you become old. See My form, can you tell My age? This body is 81 years old. But it does not look so. I am fine, but I fell as a boy came in the way once. This body had incurred the fracture. Inside I move about freely, but outside doctors are there. Therefore to satisfy them, I take the support of the boys while walking. Actually, I keep telling these boys not to hold Me. NONE CAN UNDERSTAND MY NATURE! I never had any head ache, fever, cough cold etc. I am healthy and wealthy always. All the while I observe and hear. (Swami pointing towards the boy and rithwiks) These boys here and see that boy (purohit) keep conversing to each other. They think it is going unnoticed. But I know everything! It may be wrong. In fact, the truth is that there is nothing called right or wrong. I keep seeing everything. What appears to be good a one time becomes bad some other day. Good and bad is just a matter of time.

Krishna ensured victory for the Pandavas. Abhimanyu was forced into battle. He was just a lad in a tender age of sixteen. He was forced to battle in the Padmavyuha. Abhimanyu went to Dharmaja and asked, “May I go into it?” Dharmaja replied, “It is not ordinary! Dronacharya has decided it himself.” Abhimanyu approached his mother Subadra and sought her permission. Subadra replied, “This is not right! You need an auspicious time to get in. Your wife is Garbhavati, (in the family way) Krishna and Arjuna are also not here. So do not go.”

Abhimanyu got angry that the son of Arjuna is being obstructed. He spoke with conviction, “I will never disobey father.” But Subadra said, “Do not go.” Abhimanyu replied, “Drona has devised this. He maybe an expert but you must bless me that I get in like a tiger. As a mother, is it right on your part that you do not permit me?” So Subadra blessed him,(just like Kousalya blessed Rama) applied turmeric to his feet and sent him. But as Abhimanyu entered the Vyuha, he realized that he did not know how to get out. Since when he was in the womb of Subadra he had heard the story of how to enter the Vyuha but the story was left unfinished so he did not know how to get out. So Abhimanyu lost his life inside the Padmavyuha. Therefore never neglect the word of elders. Always listen to the words of parents. Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava (Mother is God, Father is God) Hence at any time follow their advice.

When Arjuna returned he felt very sad. He cried out, “Where is Abhimanyu? He would rush and hug me as soon as he sees me. Something seems to be wrong Krishna.” Krishna told Arjuna not to be weak. Krishna said that the Kauravas cheated and got him killed. Arjuna got very angry. He cried out, “Krishna why did you not tell me before?”

Later, due to a twist of fate, Abhimanyu’s wife Uttara delivered a dead baby. All the Pandavas sat and cried. All of Draupadi’s sons and Abhimanyu were gone. So there was no one to continue the clan of the Pandavas. When Krishna entered the scene he was criticized as Vamshanashi (Destroyer of the clan.) Krishna was smiling, “Don’t be in a hurry. It leads to worry.” He asked Draupadi to get the child in a plate. Then Krishna exclaimed, “Ah! He looks just like Abhimanyu. See the nose, the eye, the mouth… All the features are like Abhimanyu.” The Pandavas in all agony said, “Not worried about the lives of people, Krishna, you are talking of the dead. Even the baby is dead!” Krishna tapped the baby's thigh, the stomach and the back. The baby sprang back to life and started wailing. Since the baby was tested by God Himself, he was named Parikshit.

It is true that without testing there can be no promotion. But the test must be taken as your taste. It was later Parikshith who became King, the one who was protected by Lord Krishna. It was later a testing period for Pandavas when Krishna left his mortal coir. All the Pandavas broke down and Dharmaja decalared that it was time for them also to leave for the final journey. So all the Pandavas accompanied by Draupadi embarked upon their final journey. At that time even the Pandavas had to spend some time in hell. The great Yudhistira also had to suffer the consequences of his actions. He uttered the words, “Ashwattama Hataha Kunjaraha” but made the Kunjaraha soft. (The truth was that Bheema had killed an elephant named Ashwattama, but to demoralize Drona such a method was used. Drona was aghast and lost his life after refusing to fight since he had lost interest in living as he believed that his son, Ashwattama, was dead.) This was the reason they had to spend some time in Hell.

Hence none can escape the consequences of actions. Everyone is bound to the actions, defects and mistakes. Pandavas were embodiments of justice, love and Dharma. But even then they could not escape the consequences of their actions.

Draupadi was the greatest Pativrata(one devoted to husband). When there was a contest between Lakshmi, Saraswati and Parvati, Krishna said that Draupadi was the greatest Pativrata. Imagine managing five husbands' commands. She was dedicated to all and had time for all. She was satisfied with whatever they got for her. Nowadays women want sarees which cost greater than that of the husbands’ salaries. Padavas are immortal because they upheld their honour. Men should be like them. Men should show love, foster compassion, speak the truth and follow Dharma. Without these, they are lifeless. These Sathya Dharma Shanthi Prema and Ahimsa are the very breaths of human existence. Never speak the untruth. Never make fun of anyone. Criticism is the worst sin. Love is God and God is Love. (Swami asked the students to sing the song, “LOVE IS MY FORM, TRUTH IS MY BREATH…) There is no reason or season for love. Develop that unsullied and unconditional love. Whether one is in city, village, forest, space or deep sea, only love is the refuge. Never hate anyone. If you come across even your enemy, you must not hate him. Then alone man can become Divine. Foster this LOVE. Vinay Kumar you are the President of the Youth in Karnataka. You should make it your responsibility to spread this message to all the other states. Man should first take care of himself, his family and then go out to society. Tomorrow I will tell you most important things.

Swami sat down and asked for the music programme to begin. The four Khan brothers, sons of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, grandsons of legendary Ustad Rehmat Khan, were scheduled for a sitar programme accompanied by Sri Ankush Naik on the tabla. Swami was all smiles the moment He saw them. After prostrating to Him, they took their positions and the programme began. Swami had His sofa turned towards them and began to keep beat with the songs being played. As they started “Payoji Maine”, a smile blossomed on His face. Today being the 60th anniversary of Indian independence, the third piece was “Saare Jahan se Achcha”. After the 4th piece on Lord Shiva, Swami asked them to play a Meera Bhajan. Caught unawares, they seemed to be lost but the tablist with great presence of mind, took the mike and began to lead a Meera bhajan and the Sitarists provided the accompaniment. After the concert, Swami got up enthusiastically and walked to the centre stage. There He called the youngest of the Sitarists and said, “Come for photos.” Swami then presented all of them with clothes and returned to His sofa.

The next programme was a dance programme by the students. Two students gave a wonderful commentary, both in English and Telugu. The first dance was for “O Rama nee naamam yenta ruchi ra”. It was followed by “Chandana Charchita” displaying Krishna with the gopalas. There was also variety in the form of a Yakshagana piece and the Shiva Tandavam for the song “Bho Shambho”. Swami was extremely pleased with Shiva Tandavam. After an extremely joyous 25 minutes, the dances concluded. Swami posed with them for group photos, blessed them, received Aarthi and then retired to Yajur Mandiram.

Images from 15th August as well as the text versions of Bhagawan's Discourses on the 9th, 10th and so on are available at the Book Trust website.

During the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam, Radio Sai will be broadcasting special half-hour capsules daily: The schedule page lists this programme as "Sounds from the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam being conducted at Prasanthi Nilayam." We have also started a download service, with these programs forming a pilot run: these programs are available for download from http://stream.radiosai.org/ our download site.

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