Published on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 1030 Hrs. IST

Nov 18, 2010: This evening the students of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School presented a dance drama in the Divine Presence. The speciality of this drama was a backdrop of LED screen which beamed crystal clear visuals to the audience. Added to this were two LED screens, one on the gent’s side and the other on the ladies side telecasting the proceedings in real time to the audience. These screens were in fact installed as early as 15th November 2010 when the “Festival of Love” music programmes started.

Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 6.40 p.m. to the chant of Vedas. A long procession of Primary School students preceded Bhagawan – the Veda chanting students, the Primary School Band, students dancing Bhangra steps deftly and two students holding umbrella in their hands. All along a welcome song was played in the background. After Bhagawan came to the dais, the students of Primary School presented the programme for the evening to Bhagawan.

The programme started with a dance by the students. The leading cast or the narrator of the dance drama announced that such universal acceptance of God in human form has never occurred in the annals of history. A divine declaration by Bhagawan on who is He was then screened to the audience which set the benchmark for the dance drama. There were two short episodes in the drama, the first was the episode of Upamanyu from the Sivapurana and the second was the episode of Uddhava counselling the Gopikas after being sent by Lord Krishna.

Upamanyu, a young lad had the desire to drink pure milk just like any other child of his age. But their family was on the brink of penury. So, his mother was unable to give him pure cow’s milk. All that was able to give was rice powder mixed in water. Since Upamanyu had tasted pure milk in his uncle’s house, he wanted the same milk from his mother too. When Upamanyu repeatedly entreated his mother for the milk, she asked him to pray to Lord Siva and gave him the Panchakshari (five-lettered) Mantra Namahsivaya. Upamanyu too started praying to Lord Siva in right earnest chanting the Panchakshari Mantra. Rain and shine did not disturb him. He is surrounded with water, engulfed in flames, but Upamanyu hugs the Siva Linga chanting the Panchakshari Mantra. Lord Siva protects him from all calamities. Lord Indra decides to test Upamanyu by saying that he would grant him better boons than Lord Siva. But Upamanyu was adamant in his resolve to have the vision of Siva. At last, moved by Upamanyu’s severe penance, Lord Siva manifests and blesses Upanmanyu with His vision. A declaration was made that there was only one Upamanyu in Krita Yuga, but there are many Upamanyu’s here.

The next episode was of Uddhava, a great devotee and friend of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna sent Uddhava with a letter to Gopikas. When the Gopikas came to know that Uddhava had come from Lord Krishna’s place, they surrounded him and asked him about the well-being of Krishna. The Gopikas were unlettered, so they could not read the contents of the letter and they wanted Uddhava to read the letter for them. The Gopikas love for Krishna was of the highest type, it was unsullied and ultimate. Uddhava tries in vain to discourse the Gopikas on the path of Jnana and Yoga. He even tries to impress upon them that the path of Jnana was the noblest one and that they should desire for Moksha. But the Gopikas knew only to love Krishna. They wanted only Krishna and His love. They knew nothing but love. Constant contemplation on Krishna was Dhyana (meditation) for them. The song “Pata Padu Ma Krishna …” (Oh Krishna sing for us in Your sweet voice, talk to us, Oh Krishna…) is now played. An announcement is made that Sathya Sai has come in the form of Krishna propagating the principle of love. A clip from Bhagawan’s Discourse with visuals is played in the background, “I want only Love”.

The drama ended with a dance while the students in the audience waved a wand with colourful lights. This gave a colourful visual spectacle. Bhagawan went down the dais and gave a prolonged photograph session to the cast, followed by the Veda chanting students, Band boys and Bhangra dance boys. The cast arranged themselves in small groups for the photograph session with Bhagawan. Bhagawan then directed the Institute students to distribute clothes and sweets to the participants. After group Bhajans by the Primary School students, Bhagawan was offered Arati at 2010 hrs. Then Bhagawan retired for the day to Yajur Mandiram.