DASARA - An Exposition
Dashara Or Dasara
Purpose Of Dashara Or Dasara
"Festivals like Dashara are designed
to make man aware of his divinity, to endow him with purity, to become aware of
its holiness, to imprint on his heart the wisdom won by sages after years of
yearning." Sai Baba. SSS, Vol. VIII.
p. 115, Discourse on 17-10-1972
"It is to give
Ananda (bliss) to the Bhaktas
(devotees) that I arrange this festival (Dashara). I have no other wish. Do not
muddy the pellucid waters of your faith by the slightest trace of doubt." Sai
Baba, SSS,
Vol. V. p. 69. Discourse on 29 September 1965
"The Dashara Festival honours the
victory of the Devas (gods) over the Asuras (demons), the forces of righteousness over
the forces of evil. They (gods) were able to win, because Para-shakti, the Dynamic Aspect of
Divinity, the
power that has elaborated God into all this variety and all this beauty, came
to succour them and fight on their
behalf." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. V. p. 43, Discourse on 26 September 1965
"Dashara is the festival that
celebrates the victory of the forces of the good over the foes that resist the
progress of man towards light. The sages who have decided on these festivals
have a high purpose. They want us to imbibe the inner meaning and use each day
as a step in Sadhana, as a reminder of the
journey, which each person has to undertake alone to the Feet of the Lord. The
forces of good (Devas) are combating with the forces of evil (Asuras) in every
living being and if they only rely on Mahashakti,
the great Divine Force that fosters and fends the universe, they can easily win
and reach goal." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol.
V., p. 249, Discourse on 15 October 1966
Importance
Of Dashara
"During the Dashara festival, the
three Goddesses- Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati - are
worshipped according to certain traditional practices. The tenth day of the
festival is celebrated as the victory. The celebration has its roots deep in
ancient history of Bharat. In the Dwapara Yuga,
when the Pandavas had to spend one-year
incognito, they hid their weapons on the
advice of Krishna, in a Jammi tree which is thick in foliage and whose
branches are filled with latent fire. Vijayadashami
was the day on which they retrieved their weapons from the tree and used them
to win victory over the Kauravas." Sai Baba. SS.
12/92. p. 304
"In the Treta Yuga, Sri Rama's coronation, after his victorious
return to Ayodhya from Lanka, was performed on the Vijayadashami day." Sai
Baba, SS, 12/92, p. 304
Significance
Of Dashara
"Today (23 October
1966), Vijayadashami is a thrice sacred day for Prasanthivasis. that is to say, those who live in
Prasanthi Nilayam, here or elsewhere. It is as sacred as, Triveni,
where three rivers commingle their holy waters. Today is the Samapti (Conclusion!
Festival) of Dasara. It is also the Samapti
(conclusion) of the Yajnasaptaha, the
seven-Day-Rite of Puja and Parayana. It is also the Samapti Day of the
Poorva-avataram, the Samadhi
Day of Shirdi Shareeram. Sam-apti also means attainment of Brahmanandaand on this day you have a chance to
the Bliss Indescribable." Sai Baba, SSS,
Vol. V, p. 281
Inner
Meaning Of Dasara
"The term'
Devi'
represents the Divine power which has taken the Rajasic
form to suppress the forces of evil and protect the Satvic
qualities. When the forces of injustice, immorality and untruth have grown to
monstrous proportions and are indulging in a death-dance, when selfishness and
self-interest are rampant, when men have
lost all sense of kindness and compassion,
the Atmic principle, assuming the Form of Shakti, taking on the Rajasic quality, seeks to
destroy the evil elements. This is the inner meaning of the Dasara
festival." Sai Baba. SS. 11/91. pp. 284 & 285
Inner
Meaning Of Devi Worship On Dasara
"When
the
Divine Goddess is in dreadful rage to destroy the wicked elements, she
assumes
a fearful form. To pacify the dreaded
Goddess, Her faminine
children offer worship to her with red kumkum
(sacred red powder). The Goddess, seeing the blood-red kumkum at her
feet, feels assured that the wicked have been vanquished and
assumes her benign form. The inner meaning of the worship of 'Devi' with
red kumkum is that thereby the
Goddess is appeased. During the ten days of Dasara, the demons
(Raakshasas) in the form of wicked qualities have
been routed. Raakshasas do not mean demonic beings. The bad qualities in
men
are the demons. Arrogance is a demon. Bad thoughts are demons." Sai
Baba. SS. 11/91. p. 285
Symbolism Of Ravana
"Ravana
is depicted as the king of Raakshasas. He
is said to have ten heads. He was not born
with ten heads. Who is this Ravana and what are his ten heads? Kama (lust), Krodha (anger),
Moha
(delusion), Lobha (greed), Mada (pride), Maatsyasya
(envy), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect), Chitta
(will) and Ahamkara (the ego) -all these ten
constitute the ten heads. Ravana is of all the ten qualities. Each one can
decide for himself whether he is a Ravana or Rama according to his
qualities." Sai Baba, SS. SS. 11/91.
p. 285
Symbolism
Of Rama
"Rama
is the destroyer of the bad qualities. When engaged in this act of destruction
of bad qualities. He manifests his Rajo-guna. But his Rajasic
quality is associated with his Satvic
quality. Even in cutting off Ravana's ten
heads, Rama showed his love. This was the only way that Ravana could be
redeemed." Sai Baba, SS, 11/91. p. 285
Rama Vs. Ravana
"Ravana was one who was endowed with all wealth and prosperity. He
lacked nothing in terms of comforts and luxuries. He had mastered the 64
categories of knowledge. His capital, Lanka,
rivalled Swarga (heaven) itself in its
grandeur. Instead of showing regard for Ravana,
Valmiki extolled Rama, who gave up the
kingdom, donned the robes of an ascetic and lived a simple life in the forest.
What is the reason? It was because Rama was the very embodiment of Dharma. Everyone of his actions stemmed from
Dharma. Every word he spoke was truth. Every step
he trod was based on Dharma. Hence, Rama has
been described as the very image of Dharma."
Sai Baba, SS, 11/91. p. 298
Teachings From Dying Ravana For
Lakshmana
"When
Ravana lay dying, Rama directed his brother, Lakshamana,
to go to him and learn from him the secrets of successful statecraft. Ravana
taught him that a king who is eager to win glory must suppress greed as soon as
it lifts its head, and welcome the smallest chance to do good to others,
without the slightest procrastination. He (Ravana) had learnt
the lesson through bitter experience. Greed arises from attachment to the
senses and catering to them. Put them in their proper place; they are windows
for knowledge, not channels of contamination." Sai Baba, SS, 3/92, last
cover page.
Lord's Rajasic Acts Are Tinged By Satvic Qualities
"When the Lord metes out a punishment, it may appear
harsh. But what appears extremely as Rajasic is, in reality, Satvic. In a
hailstorm, along with rain there will be hailstones. But both the rain and hailstones contain
water. Likewise, there is Satvic quality
even in the Lord's Rajasic actions.
Similarly, there may be Satvic quality even in Tamasic actions. These depend on the time, place and the circumstances in which
the Lord acts. Butter can be split with finger.
But a powerful hammer is needed to break a piece of iron. The Lord deals with Satvic persons in a Satvic way. He
applies the Rajasic weapon against Rajasic persons." „ Sai Baba, SS, 11/91. p. 285
Roudrakaara Worship Of The Divine
"People
worship the Lord, attributing dreaded forms and qualities (Roudrakaara) to the
Divine. This is not proper. The Divine has only one attribute, the Embodiment
of Love. It has been said: 'Love is God.
Love pervades the cosmos.' Hence, one should
not view the world from a worldly point of
view. It should be viewed from the eye of love." Sai Baba. SS. 11/91.
p. 285
Sai's Divine Will
For Dashara
"The
Maharani of Cutch, who is to preside over the Hospital
Day this evening, was very much agitated whether she could come in time, on
account of the disturbed conditions on the border with Pakistan, or whether
Dashara itself will be cancelled by Me, as so many have been done in Mysore and
elsewhere. But in spite of all obstacles, the fighting has stopped and news has
come that peace is restored. This is another instance of the Grace, which Prasanthi
Nilayam
showers. This is the way Mahima works."
Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. V. p. 46. Discourse
on 26 September 1965
Participation
In Dasara At Prasanthi Nilayam
"This
Prasanthi Nilayam is the Nilayam (abode) of Nitya
(eternal) Shanti (peace), that cannot be
disturbed, because it is based on deep discrimination and on unshakable
renunciation of Vishaya Vasana (vagaries of mind and urges). To be here on
this sacred day is indeed a great piece of good fortune. Thousands of Sadhakas (spiritual aspirants), aspirants and
seekers have assembled here and those who have come into this auspicious
company have to make the best use of chance. Instead of celebrating this
Dashara in feasting and catering to the frailties of the senses, I am happy you
are determined to spend it in holy thoughts." Sai Baba, SSS, Vol. V, p.
43, Discourse on 26 September 1965
Lesson Of
Unity
"Pilgrimages impress on people
the lesson of unity. They bring together people from all comers of the world,
irrespective of language or locality. Festivals like Dashara at Prasanthi
Nilayam bring together Sadhakas from all the
continents, irrespective of religion, caste, creed, and colour. They are
motivated by the same urge, to involve themselves more and more in attempts to
realise their innate divinity. They have met here to enjoy the supreme delight
in the holy presence of the Lord and to recognise the unity of all in the
Divine Atmic Splendour." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. VIII. p. 115
Experience
Of Dasara Festival At Prasanthi Nilayam
"The Dashara
Festival has filled your eyes, ears and minds with Ananda
(joy) for ten days and, with the bodies transformed by this rich experience,
you are returning to your places." Sai Baba, SSS. Vol. X. p. 180.
Discourse on 11 October 1970
Activities
During The Dasara Festival At Prasanthi Nilayam
"You will find in the Dashara programme here various items like
Veda-parayana (recitation of the Vedas), Puja
for Divine Forms, the feeding of the poor, dramas, music, Harikathas (stories about God), reading
Puranas, lectures on shastras
(scriptures), etc.
"This Puja,
this Yajna, and this Homa, are arranged here every Dasara,
in order to help you to leam that other
everlasting, abstract Yajna, which everyone
of you has to do, to save yourselves from fear, grief and anxiety." Sai
Baba, SSS. Vol. VIII. p. 113. discourse on 11-10-1972
Purpose Of Conducting Various Activities On Dasara
"All
activities (on Dashara) are designed for various purposes that may not be
evident on the surface. You may be under the impression that all this is but
customary and traditional. No. Each item has a deeper significance. It is
intended to bring about a definite change for some section or other. The Vedas
are for entire mankind. They have prayers for peace, subjugating the anger of
the elements and of human communities. They invoke the forces of nature to be
calm and beneficent. So, the Parayanam of
the Vedas promotes world peace and human welfare. For those who derive joy when
names of the Lord are recited, each Name invoking one facet of the splendour of
God, we have the Pujas. For those thirsting
for directions along the path of Sadhana, we
have discourses by the Pundits. Musical recitations and discourses transmit the
teachings of the Shastras and Puranas in pleasant palatable ways. The dramas
are visible representations of the essential lessons embodied in our
scriptures. All these unfold the petals of the heart of man." Sai Baba,
SSS, Vol. V, p. 259, Discourse on 17 October 1966
Dasara
Activities At Prasanthi Nilayam
Veda Purusha
Sapthaha Jnana
Yajna
"A Yajna for peace in the
world is performed in Prasanthi Nilayam as part of Dasara and Navaratri celebrations. This year the Yajna
started on 13th October 1999.
After
Puja in Prasanthi Nilayam Mandir,
the Ritwiks went in a procession to Poomachandra Auditorium at 8.20 a.m.to start the
Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajna
in the divine presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Yajnagni
(sacrificial fire) was lit at 9.00 a.m. and placed in the decorated Yajna Kundam with the chanting of the Veda Mantras. The
Yajna continued for six days and concluded on 19th October, the auspicious day
of Dasara with Poomahuti performed by the Veda Purusha
Bhagavan Baba Himself. After Poomahuti, Bhagavan sprinkled Yajna Teertham (sacred water) on the devotees in the entire
Poomachandra Auditorioum and outside it.
With Mangalaarti to Bhagavan at 9.20 a.m, the Yajna came to a happy conclusion."Editor,
SS, 11/99, 343
Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha
"The
programme included the
Discourses of Bhagavan Baba and speeches by scholars and students during
the Navaratri celebrations. With Bhagavan's blessings, three speakers
addressed the
devotees on 13th October 1999.
The first speaker, Sri G.V. Subbarao, told
that Yajna meant sacrifice.. The purpose of
holding the Yajna was to transform us, so that we could imbibe the virtues of
Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema, Ahimsa. The second speaker, Sri Sanjay Sahni,
narrated a few incidents to show how Bhagavan Baba revealed His identity in an
extremely subtle way. The third speaker of the afternoon was a senior student,
Sri Y. Arvind.
He noted that sometimes
Bhagavan did not accept a devotee's letter or respond
to his prayer immediately. He said that by doing so, Bhagavan gives us an
opportunity for self-introspection and purification.
The
first speaker of the afternoon on 14th October was Sri Sudhindran, a student of
Brindavan
Campus. He said that the Vedas bring home
the immense importance of Yajna as means of liberation and immortality.... The
second speaker, Sri V. Ashwin, a student of M.Sc II year, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus, made a
beautiful analogy between his mother and Mother Sai. While his mother gave him
physical sustenance, Sai mother gave him physical as well as spiritual
sustenance. The third speaker of the afternoon was Sri B.N. Narsimha Murthy,
Warden of Brindavan Campus. Dwelling on the concept of Avatarhood,
he said, 'An
Avatar is divine mystery. It is therefore futile to try to understand the
Avatar. In the end, Sri Narasimha Murthy
prayed to Swami for His Divine Discourse as
the devotees were thirsting for His nectarine words. Thereafter, Bhagavan Baba
blessed the devotees with His discourse.
On the afternoon
of 15th October 1999, the third day of the Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha, the programme started at 3.50
p.m. with Veda chanting by the students. Sri Ram Parsuram,
a student of M.Sc 1st Year, was the first speaker of this session. He
lamented that modem man had forgotten to love.. .The second speaker.
Dr. T. Ravi Kumar, a faculty member of Brindavan Campus,
narrated some of his personal experiences as to how he had lost his eyesight
twice in accidents in the Chemistry Lab and how Bhagavan showered His grace by
restoring his eyesight to the surprise of the eye specialists. The third
speaker of the session was Dr. G. Venkataraman, former Vice Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He said,
Navaratri was celebrated to worship God as Shakti or Divine Mother, who was not only the
ocean of compassion, kindness and love, but also energy. After these brief
speeches, Bhagavan Baba
blessed the devotees with His Divine Discourse. The programme came to a close
with Aarati to Bhagavan at 5.40 p.m.
On
the afternoon of 16th October
1999, the first speaker was Sri. T. G. Krishanamurthy, President,
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Tamil Nadu. Referring
to the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna,
Sri Krishnamurthy said that Bhagavan Baba
Himself was Yajna Purusha to whom all the
sacrificial offerings were being made. The second speaker of the session was
Sri K. Raghupati,
a B.Com (Hons.)
student of Brindavan Campus. He told that God
was the only true friend of man and all other worldly friends were not
dependable... The last speaker of the
session was Sri Sandipan Chatterjee, a faculty member of Prasanthi Nilayam
Campus. Sri Chatterji narrated several
incidents of Bhagavan's miracles and
exhorted the devotees to follow the teachings of Bhagavan to raise their
consciousness to a level where their will and Bhagavan's
will would become one. After this, Bhagavan gave His Divine Discourse. The
programme came to a close with Mangalaarati to Bhagavan at 4.15 p.m.
On the afternoon
of 17th October 1999, Sri V. Srinivasan,
All India President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization and Central Trust Member,
was the first speaker. Sri Srinivasan dwelt on the auspiciousness
of the Navaratri festival and said that Bhagavan Baba Himself was
auspiciousness personified. The next speaker. Major General S.P.Mahadevan,
said that science had brought about material progress in the world, but it
could not give peace of mind to man. The last speaker was a member of the
Faculty of Commerce, Brindavan Campus, Sri Ruchir Desai.
Sri Desai said, 'Bhagavan
Baba has incarnated to teach the message of love.'
After these brief speeches, Bhagavan narrated some of His childhood Leelas in His Divine Discourse. The programme came
to a close at 4.35 p.m. with Mangala-aarati
to Bhagavan.
In the afternoon of the
18th October 1999, the first speaker, Sri S.V. Giri, Vice Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of
Higher Learning, spoke about the importance of nine days' festival of Navaratri. The second speaker of this session was Bhattam
Sri Rama Murthy, a former Minister in the
state of Andhra Pradesh.
He narrated a few touching personal experiences to bring home the point that Swami'
s life
was only for devotees. The third speaker was a Sanskrit scholar from Rajamundry, Dr. Rama
Somayajulu.
He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Bhagavan for this opportunity to speak
in His Divine presence. After these speeches, Bhagavan Baba showered bliss on
the devotees by speaking about His childhood in His Divine Discourse for the
second consecutive day. The programme came to a close at 5.10 p.m. with the
offering of Mangaaarati to Bhagavan.
The first
speaker on 19th October 1999 was
Sri Indulal Shah, Chairman, Sri Sathya Sai
World Council. Sri Shah referred to the significance of Dasara and said, 'It
reminded us of the victory of the good over the evil. It
also brought home the message of self-transformation through genuine spiritual
practice."
The second
speaker, Sri V. Srinivasan, All India
President of Sathya Sai Seva Organization, referred to the Navaratri festival which was celebrated to
commemorate the destruction of demons by the Mother Goddess. He said, 'Bhagavan Baba,
who is the embodiment of all gods and goddesses, destroys the demons of greed,
ego, hatred and attachment through the weapon of love.'
The third speaker
was Sri C. Srinivas,
Member, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Sri Srinivas said that one was filled with awe and
wonder when one thought how Bhagavan had
totally changed this small hamlet of Puttaparthi
into one of the biggest pilgrimage centres of the world. He referred to a book
published in America, which gave the designs
of 100 best-designed hospitals of the world, in which Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Medical Sciences had been given on the first
page.
After these brief speeches, Bhagavan delivered His
Dasara Sandesh.
The programme came to a close with Mangala-aarati
to Bhagavan." Editor. SS. 11/99, p. 346
Glimpses
Of Dasara Celebrations At Prasanthi Nilayam (1998)
"Dasara and Navaratri
celebrations started at Prasanthi Nilayam on a grand note on 25 September (1998).
Bhagavan Baba came to the fully-decorated
Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.00 a.m. and took a
round of the rows of the vast gathering of devotees to shower the bliss of His
Divine Darshan on them on the auspicious
Navaratri day. After a brief round of Darshan,
Bhagavan Baba ordered the distribution of Prasadam. Mangala-vadyam started about 7.45 a.m. Then
at 8.00 a.m., all eyes turned towards Veda chanting Pundits, who came to the
Sai Kulwant Hall in a procession followed by
a group of Veda chanting students. They all came to the Mandir and received the blessings of Bhagavan before getting
ready for starting the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna.
Soon
after that the venue of the programme was shifted to Poomachandra
Auditorium, where Veda Purusha Bhagavan Sai inaugurated the Saptaha
Jnana Yajna.
The ceremonial
lighting of the sacred fire was done by rubbing two pieces of wood against each
other by the Pundits amidst the chanting of Veda Mantras.
After the fire was
lit, the priests sat around the beautifully
decorated Yajnashala and started the Yajna. While some Pundits sat near the Vedi and performed the Yajna by putting
Ahutis (offerings) of ghee and other sacred
articles in the sacrificial fire amidst the
chanting of Veda Mantras, some other Pundits were engaged in performing
Surya-Namaskaar, reading the sacred epics,
worshipping Shiva, Devi, Ganesha and other related rituals.
At 11:30 a.m.,
Aarati was offered to Veda Purusha Bhagavan by the
Pundits. The first day's Yajna programme concluded at 12:00.
The
auspicious day of Vijayadashmi, 1st October 1998 marked the completion of the
Veda Purusha Yajna
with Bhagavan offering Poomaahuti (final offerings) in the sacred fire. In the end, Bhagavan showered His blessings
by sprinkling sacred water on all devotees inside and outside the Poomachandra Auditorium.
While
the performance of Yajna continued for seven days in the morning, Bhagavan
delivered His nectarine discourses in the evening. Bhagavan also showered His
love and blessings on a galaxy of speakers by permitting them to make brief
speeches before His Divine Discourse. Thus, while the Yajna fumes and Vedic chanting sanctified
and spiritualized the atmosphere, the Divine Discourses and other speeches
provided a veritable feast for the soul." Editor, SS, 11/98, p. 303
"The
first speaker on 30th September (Dasara
Festival Day), Prof. G. Venkataraman explained the significance of Veda
Purusha Jnana Yajna by saying that this Veda
Purusha Jnana Yajna assumed importance
because it was willed, organized and performed in the year 1998, which was
being celebrated as the year of peace. He said true peace could be established
on the foundation of Sathya, Dharma and Prema.
The present Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Sri S.V. Giri was
the next speaker.
Explaining the significance ofNavaratri,
Sri Giri said that the nine days of Navaratri, devoted to the worship of Durga,
denoted the principle of energy; Lakshmi
symbolized power and prosperity and Saraswati
granted intellectual illumination. So, the last day of Navaratri marked the
culmination of nine days of penance, dedication, devotion, intellectual
illumination and mental purification." Editor, SS. 11/98. p. 305
Dasara
Celebrations At Prasanthi Nilayam - 1988
"The
Dasara celebrations began with Kalasha Sthaapana in the Prasanthi Mandir
on 11th October 1988. Devotees had started streaming into
Prasanthi Nilayam from the beginning of the month.
Narayana Seva
There
was Narayana Seva on 13th October on the spacious grounds of the
Hill View Stadium. Nearly fifteen thousand men,
women and children from all the surrounding villages had gathered on the
grounds. As in previous years, Seva Dal
volunteers and students of the Institute arranged for their sitting in orderly
rows for the feeding.
Bhagavan arrived exactly at 9.00 a.m. and went to the rooms where the food was kept. Swami blessed the
Prasadam
and Himself inaugurated the Narayana Seva by serving food to some of the men
and women. Scores of students from the Sathya Sai Institute and the Higher
Secondary School served food to the thousands with remarkable speed and
enthusiasm. Swami was on His feet for over half an hour attending to every
detail of the Narayana Seva, inspiring the students and the Seva Dal by His
presence.
Feeding the poor was
followed by distribution of clothes (saris and dhotis)to thousands of men and women, with
Bhagavan Himself presenting saris to a few women
and dhotis to some men. Some overseas
devotees participated in serving food and
distributing clothes.
Veda Purusha
Jnana Yajna
On the 14th, Bhagavan
came in a procession, headed by a large
group of students chanting Vedic hymns, and Ritwiks who were officiating
in the Yajna. Leading the procession was Bhagavan's Sai Geetha,
followed by a band troupe.
Bhagavan inaugurated the
Athirudhra Homa.
Besides the Ritwiks officiating at the Homa,
there were others chanting the Vedas, an old
couple doing Linga Archana
and Devi Puja,
a Purohit who performed Surya Namaskar,
and two pundits who were doing Parayana of
Devi Bhagavatam and Valmiki Ramayana.
Bhagavan Darshan
And Discourses
Bhagavan gave Darshan to thousands
of devotees in the Auditorium every morning. In the afternoons, during six
days, there were discourses by Bhagavan, preceded by speeches by some old
devotees and by research scholars and post-graduate students of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute.
Students'
Testimonies
The speeches of the students not
only testified to the extent to which they had imbibed the teachings of
Bhagavan, but also revealed numerous
instances in which Swami had given
protection to the students or other devotees in critical situations. A common
theme for all of them was the infinite love of Bhagavan, which they had
experienced in innumerable ways. All of them pledged themselves to live up to
the ideals of Bhagavan and dedicate themselves to His global mission for the transformation
of mankind.
Conclusion Of The Yajna
The Yajna
concluded on 20th October 1988, with Pumaahuti
and adoration of Bhagavan as Veda Purusha by the Ritwiks. Bhagavan came to the
auditorium from Prasanthi Mandir in a procession led by a large number of
students reciting Vedic hymns.
Discourses
Bhagavan delivered His concluding
discourse, emphasizing the inner significance of festivals like Navaratri and exhorting all devotees to rise above
barriers of caste and creed, language and
nationality and develop love towards each other as children of one God.
Swami later went round the
auditorium sprinkling the mantra-charged Yajna-tirtham on all devotees and conferring His
benediction on them.
Jhoola Festival
The crowning event of the celebrations was the Jhoola
festival in the evening (20th October),
when Swami, wearing an immaculate white
robe, showered bliss on thousands in the Poomachandra
Auditorium from the glittering silver Jhoola. The Institute's students' orchestra provided a concert for the
evening's function, which concluded with Aarati
to Bhagavan." Editor, SS. 11/88, pp. 287 & 288.
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