On the 5th Evening of October, 2001 the holy atmosphere of Tirupati was sanctified with the advent of Guruji Sri Chandra Bhanu Satpathy, the Torch Bearer of Sai Movement.To listen to the divine Sai's message from Guruji all the devotees thronged at the venue MAHATHI (Sri Venkateswara Kalakshetram of TTD, a majestic auditorium), despite heavy rain. The hot air gave way to cool breezes and at once the whole town turn cool to welcome the devotees who came from different places like Banglore, Chennai, Delhi, Nellore, Karim Nagar, etc., to seek the benediction from the holy hands of Guruji.
Sri Sainath came on to the dias in the form of a life size Dwarakamai photo and He was decorated beautifully by the devotees. At 6.00 P.M the whole auditorium MAHATHI attained a holy tranquility, when Sri Chandra Bhanu Setpathiji came on to the dias with his unfolding smile of divinity. Compassion was showering from his serene eyes. He was welcomed by the devotees in an earnest way. He touched them all, patted some on the back, cajoled some by touching their heads and consoled those who were crying.
He was welcomed on to the stage by small angelic children in song and dance.
When they tried to offer him flowers, he directed then to offer them at the feet of Sai. The prayer was sung by Dr. Dwaram lakshmi, Asst. Professor of Music, Tirupati. It was followed by the release of Sai Kiranalu (Vijaya Dasami issue), published by Sri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust, Tirupati.
GURUJI then spoke in his own inimitable style about creation, the nature of God, the secret behind His taking various avatars, the kind of puja and the real meaning of the word `SURRENDER' (Saranagathi). Guruji repeatedly explained the significance of a Guru and the need for our surrendering to him. He said that absolute surrender (sarvasya saranagathi) will only redeem our souls. There should not be any ego, any pride or any feeling of materialistic or spiritual greatness. We should surrender overselves as we are created by Him. Guruji also spoke about the Blue Print of the Creation which occurred in the mind of God before creating this universe, which is guided by two principles - Law of Justice and Law of compassion.
Just actions receive just reactions and unjust actions, unjust reactions, what you sow, you reap. What you give, you get.
Then Guruji explained the subtle and intricate relationship between Physics and Metaphysics. Many people feel that these two branches are just contradictory to each other. Guruji explained that `Physics' - the Science of the seen thins can be linked to `Metaphysics' - the Science of the unseen things. He described vividly how Newton's third law works connecting Physics and Metaphysics.
Guruji poured out various examples to describe how God will come on to the earth whenever there is a need and crises . God can come as God (King Rama), as disciple or as Bhakta (Hanuman), as a devotee or as a poet-singer (Tukaram) and as a Sadguru (Sri Shirdi Sainath). All these are manifestations of God. People of ordinary nature may get surprised to see how God can be God and at the same time a Bhakta (Rama-Hanuman). But to state the greatness of all noble qualities, God comes down in various forms. He manifests in various ways. The Sadgurus also are his divine manifestation in the service of the individual and society at large.
Guruji in his own way with a smile commented gently that real sadgurus need not demonstrate miracles. He said that Miracles are never the visiting cards of saints. The real saint does not have the need to shower vibhuthi or flowers from photoframes. But in the case of Sri Sadguru Sainath, they were only displayed only to dispel darkness from the ignorant people and to convince those who did't believe the existence of divinity. Sri Sainath watned to create spiritual awakening, some chetana, through His miraculous deeds; He did not use them to display His greatness. Sri Guruji explained elaborately the Law of compassion and how it rules the world. He stated that the life of Sri Sainath itself is a recod of events of compassion.
He then elaborated the three kinds of worship
the Saakaara,
Niraakara or Atma Pooja
And the Thureeya Sthithi.
`Saakaara' worship is the worship of God through some image or idol. `Niraakaara' worship is worshipping God, without any image - that is realising the self - trying to see God through Self-consciousness (Aathma Pooja)
For this Aatma Pooja, there is no need for any form of God.
`Threeyasthithi' is a sort of `Tapas' where the seeker becomes one with the God i.e., Paramahamsa.
Then Guruji made the whole audience know about the secret in God's taking different manifestations on this earth. He revealed that after every 600 yrs, there will be an advent of Almighty on to the earth in a divine form- Moses, Christ, Buddha, Prophet Mohmmed, Hazarat Baba, and in 1800 Sri Sadguru Sainath. The divine spirit comes down to reform the whole earth whenever there is a decline in moral values and to uphold Dharma.
Guruji elaborately defined the word `Surrender'. This is very important in the life of a devotee. `Sur' Plus `render' is `surrender'. `Rendering' is giving - submitting one self - you can render Him with some Pooja or Dhoop or a flower or a fruit - But that is only rendering. `Surrender'-is `Surrealism' i.e., `Sur' plus `Realism' - (superior realism) has that concept of superiority. Superior surrendering, superior giving of one self totally, unselfishly, unconditionally, abjectly - that is surrendering. Guruji pronounced the word so emphatically to give its real meaning.
He then made the listeners know about a Guru. If we take the feet of a Guru, he will lead us - he will lead us on the spiritual path of enlightement to the world of God. Sri Sadguru Sainath had been at Shirdi to enlighten, to lead people from darkness to light, from ignorance to wisdom, and from the world of death to the world of immortality. Hence we should keep our faith in Guru-Shri Sainath. Be patient. He will belss us all.
Finally Sri C.B. Satpathyji blessed the family of Smt & Sri Raghunadha Reddy, founders of Shri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust for all the hospitality extended and for all the work that is being done by them in spreading the Sai Philosophy and His teachings. He congratulated all the active members who are involved in this movement.
The whole speech of Sri Guruji was translated from English into Telugu by Sri Samudrala Lakshmanaih, which was appreciated by Guruji. He also uttered a few Telugu words "Naaku Telugu Vachandi" (I also know Telugu).
Soon after that Shri Shirdi Sai Kalyanam Trust distributed prizes to the children in connection with the conducting of various competitions on Shirdi Sai like, Essay Writing, Elocution, Painting etc. Guruji with all enthusiasm sat through the whole programme smiling all through and encourasing the children with his own and typical sense of humour.
Soon after devotional songs were rendered by Dr. Dwaram Lakshmi, a group of Blind children of Nav Jeevan School, Smt. Lalitha Nagarajan and Smt. Moushmi. Very surprisingly, as the devotional rendering by the blind children was going on, Guruji rose from a corner and offered a shawl to the (Blind) Master of the group of blind children. He was seen speaking to all the people who had gathered around him. He consoled many. He touched many to remove their grief. He blessed many for their upliftment. He touched not only their bodies but their hearts too. His voice was so mellifluous; His looks were so benign and his presence was so majestic divinely.
The Editor of Sai Kiranalu, provided a rare opportunity to the active members associated with the trust of getting the benediction of Shri Sai through Sri Guruji. The whole programme which was conducted by Mr. Gulzar came to an end at 9.00 p.m. with distribution of Udi Prasadam. All through Sri Sadguru Sainath's presence was felt by the congregation in their souls. `MAHATHI' the divine Veena of Tirupathi sang on its thousand strings the divine name of Sainath.
Om Sai Ram - Peace Be to all
(Contributed by Vijaya Babu, Karimnagar, A.P., India)
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