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Subject:  Talk by Speakers & Divine Discourses (8th Morning & Evening)

 

HIGHLIGHTS OF TALKS BY SPEAKERS

08-03-2005
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TALK BY PROF. ANIL KUMAR – HIGHLIGHTS
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Prof. Anil Kumar began his talk with a unique experience he had in
Kodaikanal. Once while seated in front of Bhagawan, he saw a mark on
the ankle of Swami's left foot. It looked like the imprint formed by
the continuous wearing of an anklet. This is what Swami also said.
After a while out of curiosity, Prof. Anil Kumar observed the right
ankle of Bhagawan but did not find any such mark.

He questioned Bhagawan mischievously whether the right foot ankle had
fallen off during Darshan time. To this Swami immediately
replied, "Don't you know, I am Ardhanareeshwara?" Prof. Anil Kumar
continued giving the example of Sri Ramabrahmam (Former Brindavan
Caretaker) who said that he would always see Swami as the form of
Lingam. He would conduct himself with Swami in this consciousness.

He recapitulated Swami's Sivaratri Discourse in 1972 at Brindavan,
wherein, Bhagawan mentioned that Shiva is truly Cosmic Energy. Shiva
is not a form as we understand. That is why we do not refer to this
energy as Sri Shiva. Shiva stands for Ardhanareeshwara which
represents matter + energy.

Prof. Anil Kumar concluded his talk explaining the relation of the
moon with the mind and its significance with respect to Sivaratri.


TALK BY DR. NARENDRA REDDY – HIGHLIGHTS
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Dr. Reddy, a very scholarly speaker, quoted extensively from the
Vedas, the Gita and also from Bhagawan. He explained how
incomprehensible the Avataric phenomenon is. He struck a personal
note by sharing his own experiences. He spoke about his father who
had a spinal disc problem but was cured by Swami without any surgery.
In fact surgery could have proved fatal and Swami had stopped them
just in time.

His mother too had multiple health problems. She was disabled and
could not even walk. However, this 79th Birthday of Bhagawan, she was
Blessed by Swami and with just a tap of His Hand, she is now able to
walk to the surprise of all!

Dr. Reddy then went on to describe how Bhagawan cures the ailments of
others but does not use this power for Himself. There are two
lessons, Dr. Reddy said, that must be learnt from this episode. One
is the transcendence of body consciousness and the second is living
life selflessly. Bhagawan was setting an example for both. True
renunciation does not mean giving up wife, children, home etc., but
it means giving up of evil qualities.

He narrated a very interesting episode wherein a physician friend of
his, on one occasion felt very much hurt when Bhagawan called two of
his friends for an interview, but left him out. He felt within as to
why Swami was treating him like a step son. The next day, during
Darshan, Dr. Reddy was sitting next to him. Swami came straight to
this man and said, "Why do you look at me as a step mother?" Dr.
Reddy could not understand this conversation but later when his
friend shared this episode with him, he realized how Bhagawan
reflects every thought of ours.

He concluded his talk narrating the story of Sri Kutumba Rao. In his
final days, Sri Kutumba Rao had cancer. He was admitted in a hospital
in Bangalore. His wife, being very disturbed prayed to Swami to
cancel his cancer. Bhagawan said that He would surely do so provided
Kutumba Rao himself asked for it. The wife went to her husband and
narrated all that had happened.

Sri Kutumba Rao said that he would never ask for such a boon. If at
all he would ask, he would seek only for liberation. This body had to
anyhow go one day. The disappointed wife returned for Darshan. Swami
came to her and asked her about her husband's response. Then Bhagawan
said that through this event, He wanted to show the world an example
of a true devotee!


TALK BY SRI S.V. GIRI - HIGHLIGHTS
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Sri S.V. Giri said that the festival of Sivaratri signifies control
of the mind. The moon reflects the aspect of the mind. On this day
when the moon wanes away to a great extent, the mind too must
disappear. This is the key to liberation. Mana Eva Manushyanam
Karanam Bandha Mokshayo. Mind alone is the cause for both bondage and
liberation!

He explained some of the titles given to Lord Shiva. For example,
Lord Shiva as Ardhanareeshwara, is symbolic of gender equality. More
than equality it reflects on the complementarity of man and woman in
this world. This assumes more importance in the context of the role
of women in society.

Lord Shiva as Neelakanta, signifies that the Lord is willing to take
upon Himself any amount of hardship for the welfare of the world.
Hunger and sleep are two animal instincts which must be overcome by
man. This is the qualification that he must gain to move towards the
Lord.

Jagaran (keeping vigil at night), he opined, is to remain awake with
a purpose, with an awareness. Bhagawan has said that all those who
participate in this Sivaratri celebration here will attain Moksha.
However, He has also defined what Moksha is. Moksha is Moha + Kshaya.
Destruction of attachment is Moksha. Incidentally in Ujjain, the
first worship offered to the Lord Shiva, which is the Rudrabhisheka,
is performed with the hot ash obtained from a recently cremated body.
This symbolizes the detachment aspect of the Lord. Shiva is at ease
both on the lofty mountain top and also in the burial ground!

Sri S.V. Giri concluded his talk elaborating on the various projects
initiated by Bhagawan, stressing especially on the Deenajanodarana
Pathakam (orphanage) and the Bheema Ratha Santhi – that targets the
geriatric population and sets an example regarding the respectful
attitude that one must foster towards the aged in society.


TALK BY SHRI ANIL GOKAK – HIGHLIGHTS
------------------------------------

Sri Gokak opened his talk with the statement – The inner core is more
important than the outer shell. He explained that all the rituals are
like a fence that protects the crop. The main purpose is related to
the inner core. For example, the main purpose is control of the mind.
For this we need to remember God and therefore we sing Bhajans.

Sri Anil Gokak went on to elaborate the significance of the
Lingam. 'Li' in Lingam stands for Leeyate which means 'to merge'. All
forms merge into the Lingam. It has by itself, no beginning, no end,
no front or no back. It is a symbol of the formless Divine Essence.

Similarly, he said that Swami too says, "I belong to all forms, names
and religions". The need of the hour today is faith in all the
religions. Intensity of belief, he stated, is the essence of
religion. But many people say, "My religion is true, the other
religion is false". This is called fundamentalism or fanaticism.
Inclusiveness is where one says that one's religion is complete and
he does not need any other religion.

However, the golden mean, Prof. Gokak concluded, was to practice ones
own faith and also respect others faith. He finally quoted Bhagawan
saying that there is only one religion – the religion of Humanity.


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DIVINE DISCOURSE HIGHLIGHTS

08-03-2005 (MORNING)
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No one is able to understand the true significance of Sivaratri. The
meaning is in the word itself. Siva means auspicious and therefore
Sivaratri means the Holy Night, Auspicious Night.

Who is Shiva? He is the Universal Cosmic Consciousness present in all
beings. Not just in humans, but even in birds, beasts and animals. In
fact, every second, every moment is Sivaratri. We do not have to wait
for a whole year to celebrate Sivaratri.

Siva Consciousness is effulgent, radiant and all pervasive. This is
the highest principle of Love. There is nothing else other than this
principle of Love! Shiva is not just a person with matted hair and
ochre robe. Indeed, Shiva is playing Tandavam in one and all. How can
you ever comprehend this all pervasive principle? It is impossible
for anybody to specify a particular place or time for the presence of
Lord Shiva.

We think that Siva Tandavam is similar to the dance performed by the
boys and other dancers. This is only symbolic, not reality. We say
that Shiva has three eyes. What does this mean? This means that Shiva
can see not just the past and present as we normal humans do but even
the future!

Each one of us describes or estimates God based on our own feelings
and thoughts. However, all our descriptions fall short of conveying
the Reality! Whatever form the Divine Consciousness takes, we see Him
that way. It could be a crow or a dog or a human! Esvaratvam means
Divine Consciousness. This Sivatvam is present in all the beings.

This Divine Consciousness is worshipped by people by attributing
different names and forms to it. But the main principle is Love.
However, your love for your father, mother, sister and brother are
all forms of attachment. It is not true love. God is in your own
form. You yourself are witness to it. As is the form so is the
feeling, as is the feeling so is the attribute, as is the attribute
so is the consciousness.

God does not follow daily mundane procedures or sanskaras. He is the
one who subjects others to sanskaras. He is the one who cleanses
others. All that we think of God are based on our own imagination
resulting from our devotion. However, we must not be carried away by
our imagination.

God is always peaceful. We refer to Him as Rudra. But He is not Rudra
Rupa. He is ever smiling. Differences arise on account of our own
thoughts and feelings. Go beyond the diversity and understand the
unity in Divinity. Divinity is only One not two! Today, in this Kali
Age, we think of diversity because we are intoxicated with wine and
not Divine! We can understand Divinity only through the path of Love.

Ravi Verma – (the great painter) may paint different forms of God.
Both Ravi (painter) and Kavi (poet) give rise to diversities.
Sometimes, God Himself wonders where this diversity exists, for
people to speak about. It is our food, habits and mentality that is
responsible for this diversity. If all our habits are good then we
will see only Unity!

You are encouraging too many thoughts and imaginations about God,
leading to Diversity. This is very wrong. Never divide, God is only
One – pure, unsullied, blemishless….We are confused because of our
mistaken identity, super imposition etc. Rama, Krishna, Eswara,
Vishnu all are One! Names and Forms are given only for our
satisfaction!!

You can worship any form of your choice. There is no compulsion.
Never feel that if you worship Rama, Krishna will get angry and if
you worship Krishna, Rama will get upset!! (loud applause). There is
no negativity in God. Even for fun, we cannot say that there is
negativity in God. Worship any name, any form. Never imagine any
differences whatsoever!

Bhagawan sat down at 9.10 a.m. As He sat on the sofa, Swami
asked, "Are you full of positivity or negativity?" There was no
answer. Then Swami asked, "Who among you can say that you are full of
positivity?" He continued, "Can anyone say that you are full of
negativity?" Prof. Anil Kumar translated the question to all the
students and then we all answered in one voice that we are all full
of positivity. Prof. Anil Kumar conveyed the same to Swami.

Swami then asked, "If all of you are full of positivity, then why do
you have differences among you?" Hearing this remark, there was loud
applause. Swami waved His hand and materialized a gold chain. He
asked, "What is in this chain?" All of us answered, "Swami!" Bhagawan
then closed the chain in His fist and when He opened it again, there
was a gold ring. Swami asked, "What is there in this ring?" Once
again all gave the same reply, "Swami!' Swami then said, "In the
ring, you find a diamond. Diamond means - Die Mind".

Swami then called a II PG student sitting in front with a letter.
Bhagawan accepted his letter and placed the ring on his finger much
to his amazement and delight! As the hall was filled with applause,
Swami's Hand again moved in circles and there came a gold chain!!
Again another II PG student sitting in front was called. As the
brother came forward and gave his letter to Swami, Bhagawan put the
chain around his neck! Another round of applause and all were
delighted.


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DIVINE DISCOURSE HIGHLIGHTS

08-03-2005 (EVENING)
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In this sacred land of Bharath, it is forbearance which beings
beauty. In this sacred land, among all the rituals, adherence to
Truth is a penance and is the toughest. In this land, feeling towards
the Mother is the noblest. In this land of Bharath, character is more
important than life itself. Just as an elephant is not ware of its
own strength; Bharathiyas too are unaware of their true might!

Nobody till today has ever understood the greatness, significance and
purpose of this country of Bharath. Bharatiya Sanskruti (culture) is
the noblest of all (cultures). The Bharatiya Culture is present right
from the microcosm to the macrocosm. Today we are forgetting this
sacred culture and are blindly aping foreign cultures.

Truth and Dharma alone can ensure Peace. Nobody can annihilate Truth
and Dharma. They are like our two eyes. Unfortunately today, we are
losing our eyesight. Shanti (Peace) is more important than Truth and
Dharma too. Tyaga is even nobler. Tyaga does not mean giving up your
worldly possessions. Tyaga is spiritual in content, not material. We
can be called true Bharatiyas only if we foster Human Values. True
Tyaga is to imbibe these values in our daily life.

Today it is our bad luck that we are losing such noble values. The
entire Creation comes out of Truth and dissolves in Truth. It is
these Human Values which foster the child right from its birth. The
women of Bharath undergo so many difficulties and teach values to
their children. Swami very well knows the suffering that parents
undergo to bring up their children. Many times they even go without
food so as to feed and educate their children.

Today, students need not acquire great degrees or qualifications.
They should first understand Truth and Dharma and their inner
significance. Satya = Sat + Ya = Sacred sound in Silence. In Satya,
Sa stands for Satva, Ta stands for Tyaga, and Ya stands for Yama and
Niyama i.e. individual and social discipline.

Dharayeti Iti Dharmaha. That which is worn is Dharma. Dharma is the
vesture for man. At this point Swami elaborately described the story
of Markhandeya, until the point where he is given a second birth by
Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is then that Parvati and Shiva give him a
new name of Neelakanta. The significance of this name is that inspite
of having poison within; it is not able to harm the individual. God
alone can save man from such ailments. Doctors only give promises but
many of them are missed. It is God who is the true Protector.
Students, right from this tender age, you must pray for God's Grace.
Once you acquire His Grace, He will always protect you.

There are several names given to God. Achintya means the one who has
no worry at all. Aprameya is the one who can never be measured or
estimated. Amritya is the one who is deathless. Mrutyunjaya is the
one who has conquered death. Today is Sivaratri. Siva – Siva – Siva.
Siva means auspiciousness! On this day, from dawn to dusk we must
sing the glory of the Lord.

You all are children of immortality – Amrutasya Putraha. (At this
point, it was 5.10 p.m. and Swami sat down on the sofa. The mike was
held in front of Him and He continued the Discourse sitting on the
sofa) If you all are immortal, why is it that you encounter death.
Because we think of death, we meet death. We must constantly remind
ourselves that we are immortal!

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan Prema Mudita Mana Se
Kaho….Students be awake throughout the night and participate in
singing Bhajans. I will come out again during the Brahmamuhurtam
period – early in the morning. You must not sing out of force. Sing
with enthusiasm. Participate smilingly and cheerfully. In the
morning, when I come out I must see your bright faces, full of Tejas
(glow).

Sai Ram

A Anantha Vijaya

Online Source: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/saibabanews/message/6547

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