September 24 and 25, 2009 – Third and Fourth Day of Dassahera Yagnam

Anything that is written or spoken about Swami definitely has the narrator bias! Swami Himself says that none can understand Him. They can only experience Him. And when any attempt is made to translate this experience into an explanation, the pristine glory is definitely lost to an extent. It becomes like the famous story of the six blind men feeling different parts of an elephant and attempting to describe the elephant in its entirety!

So, with an apology for the interpretive and narrative bias that sets into our narratives too, we proceed to the events of the third day of the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yagna. It was immediately after 8:40 in the morning that Swami arrived for darshan. He completed the full darshan round and as soon as He arrived on the stage, He asked for everyone to proceed to the auditorium where the Yagna was being held. After the proceedings there, He received aarthi and blessing everyone in the auditorium and outside it too, Swami retired for the morning.

The evening session which belonged to the 'Prashanti Vidwan Mahasabha' began with Swami's arrival at 4:35 p.m. There were four speakers scheduled to speak that day. Prof. Anil Kumar in his introductory speech spoke on the glories of Mother Saraswati and then presented the four speakers of the evening to the assembly.

The first speaker, Mr. Shashank Shah from the School of Business Management and Finance, spoke on the glory of the Divine Mother peppering his half an hour long speech with students' experiences of Swami. Towards the end, Swami said, "Bas" (meaning enough) and moved towards the interview room. The speaker concluded and waited till Swami arrived and apologised to Swami for having taken so much time. Swami lovingly patted him and blessing him with padanamaskar, asked for the next speaker.

Mr. Shashank Shah speaks eloquently about the Love of Mother Sai		Mr. Akshay Kamath, a student of MBA, shares his heartful feelings to the DIvine Mother

The second speaker, Mr. Akshay Kamath, a student of MBA at the University, again spoke on Swami's love as a mother and His omnipresence and omniscience as the Divine Mother. It was also the outpourings of the heart of a student to his dear Swami.

The third speaker was a lecturer from the Sri Sathya Sai University, Dr. Subash Subramaniam. Using the verse, "Anapeksha Suchir-daksha Udaasino gathavyathah; Sarvaarambha Parithyaagi Yo madbhaktah sa me priyah" from the Bhagwad gita as the backbone of his speech, the speaker went on to illustrate each of these qualities dear to the lord with an example. Thus, it was that the experiences of Mrs. Sakamma, the Rajmata of Nawanagar, Prof. N. Kasturi and Mr. Rama Brahmam regaled and touched Swami and the audience.

Dr. Subash Subramaniam elaborated on one hymn of the Bhagavad Gita beautifully		Mr. V. Srinivasan, All India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations

The final speaker was the All India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Mr. V. Srinivasan. He spoke on the "take home" message from the Dussahera and Navarathri celebrations. The evening had progressed quite late when Swami asked the speaker to conclude. Swami then said, "Tomorrow, I will speak." It appeared like Swami was very eager to speak but then it had got too late. After this, receiving aarthi and blessing everyone, Swami moved towards the residence at 6:40 p.m.

The Friday morning on 25th turned out to be a different one in the sense that Swami did not come out. The Yagnam proceeded like the previous day but one surely missed that lovable form in Orange that is so very enrapturing. The evening session began with Swami's arrival and the Lord took a complete round. As Swami arrived and sat on the stage for a while, the Veda chanting continued. Swami went into the interview room for a brief while before coming out, and getting the proceedings started.

Mr. V. Srinivasan offers His grateful salutations		Mr. Bhabhani Shankar is blessed by the Lord

After a very elaborate introduction on Devi Durga by Prof. Anil Kumar, the three speakers of the day were introduced.

The first speaker was Mr. V. Srinivasan. Beginning from where he left off the previous day, his speech primarily concentrated on trying to remind everyone of the great good fortune to be with Swami during the Navarathri.

The second speaker, Mr. Bhabhani Shankar from the University, spoke in Hindi. The speech was rousing and sprinkled amply with humour as he described the glory of the Mother and Swami quoting extensively from many a great people.

Mr. G. S. Srirangarajan, the Controller of Examinations, enlightens all with his presentation

The final speech was by the Controller of Examinations of the University, Mr. G. S. Rangarajan. He spoke on the evolution of man as he asks the three "Why"s. The first one being "Why me" which evolves into "Why not me?" and grows to just "Why" before culminating in the ultimate answer, "Sai".

Again the clock showed 6:30 p.m. and Swami said, "Bas". The erudite speaker immediately took the hint and it must be said that he concluded so wonderfully and quickly. Swami seemed happy but still He motioned saying, "I never get to speak." That was the continuation of the drama that has been on from the past two days. How else would one speak in the Divine Presence if not for Divine permission? But then, everyday Swami says that He never gets His chance to speak! It is for each one to retrospect and learn whatever lessons are being taught and enjoy the Divine drama.

One of the students moved to the stage to Swami and said, "Swami please! We want You to speak!" Swami said, "Its too late now. I will not." Another student now moved up the stage and all the others too joined in appealing to Swami to speak the next day at least. "Swami everyone is here only for you. They will rejoice at the prospect of Your discourse." Swami smiled. He alone knows His plans and everyone just plays their "roles" in the divine drama! He said that He would speak the next day and retired to Yajur Mandir.

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