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| Dr. Anil Kumar receiving his PhD from the Revered Founder Chancellor on the occasion of the IXth Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning - November 22, 1990 |
The human race today is caught in the crossroads of history. Profound and striking changes are spreading over the whole world. A great cultural and social transformation is taking place. Communism is crumbling and democracy has proven to be a paradise for the rich and the greedy. People are restless, alternating between faith and love, hope and anxiety. Man has become disillusioned with the scientific and the technological developments and the material comforts they offer. As he gazes back across the centuries, he finds his admiration overcast by sorrow. He witnesses the havoc that religious intolerance has caused. Thus mankind having tried religion with its associated dogmas and beliefs, communism with its despotic nature and democracy with its economic imbalance - is groping in the dark not knowing where to go.
At such a significant moment in this chaotic world, like the dawn ushering in its freshness and brightness, Bhagavan Baba’s message brings in the only solace, hope and answer - the message of oneness of the whole creation - “The Message of Love.”
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| Dr. Anil Kumar with Sri Sathya Sai at the Department of Chemistry, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus |
By “love”, Swami does not mean any natural tenderness, which is there in people in varying degrees according to their nature, but a larger principle of the soul, which makes us tender, kind and gentle to all our fellow creatures. This can be achieved by the simple experience of loving Swami, because He is the Purusha of Purusha Suktam and the Purushottama of Bhagavad Gita. Swami has always been revealing His universality and oneness with creation.
When we constantly practice this love, our being will be integrated and will feel caught up in a universal purpose. We will break the bonds that are laid on us by our first birth and by nature and rise above original imperfections. We will apprehend the unknowable and experience a joy so extreme, that no language will be adequate to describe the joy of the soul.
All religions preach that we should love our neighbor. But the ability to love is difficult to acquire. Growth in spiritual life is the only force which will give us the ability to love our neighbor even when we are not naturally inclined to do so. The insight into the reality of every being comes spontaneously when one is in the constant presence of Swami. Bhagavan, out of His infinite mercy and compassion, imparts this wisdom and conveys this message to every person in His own characteristic and unique way.
Every action of Swami is pregnant with meaning. Pure love is the motive, the means, and the goal of all His actions. Every moment with the Lord is an experience in itself. But a few of them stand out as they give us inkling into His majesty and glory. The profundity and the impact of these experiences cannot be aptly described in words. The lesson that God is everywhere, both inside and outside “Antar Bahischa Tat Sarvam Vyapya Narayana Sthitaha” - and knowing all our thoughts and feelings, was taught to me through one such wonderful experience.
In 1980, I was doing my pre-university course in the Brindavan College. That year Swami came to Brindavan on the 3rd of December, after the world conference celebrations. I was overjoyed as my birthday had fallen on the 9th of December, according to the Hindu calendar. On the evening of His arrival, we all prayed to Swami to visit the hostel so that we could celebrate Swami’s Birthday at Brindavan. After prayerful pleading, Bhagavan consented to come and fixed the date as the 9th. My heart missed a beat, since Swami’s visit to the hostel meant preparations right from the morning till the evening and I could not possibly hope to get Swami’s blessing that day. As per schedule, Swami came to the hostel at 4.30 p.m. on the 9th. Swami gave us an inspiring discourse which was followed by a wonderful musical program by the students. It was 9 p.m. I was at the same time sad and happy; sad as I could not even get Padanamaskar, and happy that Swami had come to the hostel and we all had such a wonderful time. When Swami was leaving the hostel all of us ran to the Mandir to have a last glimpse of Him before He retired. I tried to get a place somewhere along the path, but was unsuccessful. Swami came back from the hostel and went into His room and bolted the door. All the students had left and I was still standing in the staircase room, forlorn, dejected and in tears. My birthday was over without Swami’s blessings.
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| Sri Sathya Sai with Students in Brindavan (Anil Kumar on extreme right in the second row from the top) |
Suddenly I heard the door open and the melodious voice of Swami calling out “Aye! I have brought this handkerchief from the hostel. Take it and give it back.” I ran up the stairs to take the handkerchief, when the all-knowing, Hridayavasi looked at me compassionately and with a voice full of love and sympathy said, “Today is your birthday, isn’t it? Take Namaskar.” So saying, He gave Vibhuti Prasad.
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| Anil Kumar taking Padanamaskar |
I pray to the Lord to bless us with incessant, intoxicating Love for Him.
- Dr. Kruthiventi Anil Kumar
Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Alumnus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Former Faculty Member, Dept. of Chemistry, SSSIHL, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus
Currently, Chief Scientist, Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals, Hyderabad
Wow ... it is really very inspiring. just today i was explaining my sister about how swami recognises
ReplyDeletewhen you do something for his sake. when i was in my PG i literally wanted to grab swamis attention and with this intention, i thought to take up one task, i.e. "come what may, LOVE everyone ". i did this for just 4 days, and trust me, swami started looking at me, took letters, and spoke to me twice(it was not at all planned by me ..all was surprise).
now that i am outside and lost that kind of love and wondering how to regain it, and here it is through this experience i am back again into the track. thank you so much swami.
Thank you Brother Sai Krishna for sharing your experience on the Blog. I am sure your experiment and the reward your received from Bhagavan would inspire many others to move ahead on this path of Love.
ReplyDeleteWarm Regards
SSwS Team