Samadi Mandir Visit, Narayana Seva, Speech and Divine Discourse
May 06, 2008
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was in Prasanthi Nilayam this year for the Easwaramma Day Celebrations after a gap of many years. Easwaramma Day is an important day in the calendar of Sai devotees because it commemorates the grand and glorious finale of the simple and devout life of Smt. Easwaramma, the blessed lady who was chosen to play the role of mother of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of Kali Yuga. This day offers us a chance for expressing our gratitude to her for bringing Bhagawan in to our midst, and for imbibing lessons from her virtuous life.
At 9 a.m., amidst chanting of Vedic hymns and singing of Bhajans, Bhagawan arrived at the Samadhi (holy mausoleum) where the mortal remains of Bhagawan’s earthly parents Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Smt. Easwaramma are interred. After having paid His respects to them, Bhagawan returned to Sai Kulwant Hall at around 9.30 a.m. He sat on the dais and listened to Veda Chanting by His students. Then, as Bhajans were being sung, Prasadam and clothes were distributed to thousands of needy people seated in the hall who had come from Puttaparthi and surrounding villages for this occasion. At around 10.40 a.m., Bhagawan accepted Arati and retired to His residence.
In the evening, Bhagawan blessed Dr. G.Venkataraman, Former Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University to address the gathering. Dr. Venkataraman began his speech with a few sentences in chaste Telugu and then proceeded to address the gathering in English. He said that in the entire history of mankind, only three people had the unique privilege of being the mother of God: Koushalya for Lord Sri Rama, Devaki for Lord Sri Krishna and Easwaramma for Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. All the three of them sacrificed their attachment to their Divine sons for the sake of the whole world, for which we have to be ever grateful to them. Quoting from Bhagawan’s teachings, Dr. Venkataraman said that one should never forget or disrespect one’s mother, motherland and mother tongue. He also added that everyone must respect four mothers: the one who gave birth to us, the earth that sustains us, the cow that nourishes us by providing milk and the Vedas that show us the way to reach God. He concluded his speech by saying that one should follow Bhagawan’s teachings, emulate His example by revering one’s parents and make them happy.
Following this, Bhagawan delivered His Divine Discourse. Narrating the last moments of Mother Easwaramma’s life, Bhagawan said that she called out to Bhagawan and breathed her last holding Bhagawan’s hands and seeing His beautiful, divine form before her eyes, and thus merged in Him. It was during the time when the Summer Course in Spirituality was being conducted and many college students from across the country were attending it. While everyone thought that Bhagawan would not be able to attend the day’s proceedings due to the demise of Mother Easwaramma, Bhagawan surprised one and all by walking in to the auditorium with a smile and attending the entire programme as if nothing had happened at all. Bhagawan then explained that the physical body made of the five elements was bound to perish one day or the other and one should not grieve over the death of one’s parents. Though their physical bodies may have gone, they are ever with us and we can never get separated from them. Truly speaking, God is our eternal parent, and to Him we owe all our love and affection. However, as long as our earthly parents are alive, it is our duty to serve them diligently with love and respect.
Bhagawan then called a Sri
Sathya Sai Primary School student who hails from Iran and
asked him to chant Vedic hymns. Though a Muslim, the student
amazed everyone with his flawless chanting with perfect pronunciation
and intonation. Bhagawan was mightily pleased and materialized
a chain for him and put it around his neck. Bhagawan then
declared that the Vedas are the fountainhead of all forms
of knowledge and wisdom, and one should not restrict it merely
to the Hindus. In fact, the essence of the holy books of all
the religions of the world is one and the same, and that is
found in the Vedas. Hence, everyone irrespective of their
nationality or faith should chant the Vedas.
Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan – “Hari Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi”. After a few Bhajans by Bhagawan’s students, Bhagawan accepted Arati and the day’s proceedings came to a conclusion.
