Sri Sathya Sai Summer Courses on Indian Culture and Spirituality (1972-1974)

Monday, May 01, 1972 to 
Wednesday, May 31, 1972

First Summer Course

Sri Sathya Sai sitting with the student delegates of the First Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality at Brindavan, 1972

A month-long Summer Camp for college students was held at Brindavan for the first time between the 1st and the 31st of May, 1972. More than 300 college students from all over India gathered at the Lotus Feet to be ‘transformed’ into true inheritors of the great Indian culture (‘Pavithramaina Bharatiya Samskruti’). Five lectures a day, 6 days a week with a Discourse by Swami every evening, formed the core of the course. The presence of a galaxy of educationalists from various fields of education enriched the proceedings. Students were taught the practical aspect of Seva through service activities under the guidance of Swami. The camp was declared a unique one in the history of modern Indian Educational Reconstruciton, by all who participated in it, as well as by every one of the distinguished visitors. Swami proceeded to Anantapur on the 2nd of June accompanied by 50 participants of the camp. He later took them to Prashanti Nilayam. 

The Divine Discourses delivered during this course can be accessed here.

Sunday, May 21, 1973 to Thursday, June 21, 1973

Second Summer Course

Sri Sathya Sai addressing the Inaugural Session of the Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality, 1973

A month long Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality for college students, at Whitefield, was inaugurated by Swami at Brindavan on 21st May, 1973. A large number of students and devotees from America attended the course. The students were blessed with elevating Discourses by Swami on each day of the summer course. In His Discourses, Swami elaborated on the Bhaja Govindam Shlokas (verses).

Prof. V.K. Gokak, Vice Chancellor, Bangalore University addressing students at the Valedictory Session of the Summer Course, 1973

The Convocation of the Summer Course was held at the Amphi Theatre at Brindavan on 21st June. Prof. D. S. Kothari (Chairman of the University Grants Commission, New Delhi) presided over the Convocation. Swami walked in a procession accompanied by the faculty members, Prof. V. K. Gokak, Dr. Bhagavantam, Justice Eradi, Sri K. Guru Dutt, I. A. S.; Sri Kapur, ICS (retired); Professor Mugali, Professor Madhavarama Sarma and the participants of the course. Prof. Gokak read out the course report. Swami distributed prizes to the winners of the elocution competition and the rank holders in the examination held at the completion of the course. A few students, Prof. Bhatnagar of Delhi and Prof. Kothari spoke on this occasion. The function concluded with Swami’s Valedictory Message.

The Divine Discourses delivered during this course can be accessed here.

Monday, May 20, 1974 to Thursday, June 20, 1974

Third Summer Course

Sri Sathya Sai awarding prizes to the winning delegates during the concluding session of the Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality at Brindavan, 1974

The Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality was inaugurated at Brindavan by Sri Gorpade, the Finance Minister of Karnataka, on 20th May, 1974. Swami came in a procession accompanied by the Finance Minister at 9.30 am. Prof. V. K. Gokak, the Director of the Summer Course, welcomed the Minister and spoke to the delegates. Sri Gorpade then delivered his Inaugural Address. Thereafter, Swami lit the lamps and addressed the vast gathering. Swami spoke about the aim and methodology of the course.

This year, the State Presidents of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations selected 500 students who had qualified themselves in essay competitions held in their respective states to attend the 1974 summer course. In addition, Swami blessed a batch of students from the U. S. A. and Fiji to participate in the summer course.

Session of the Summer Course - 1974

Swami arrived at the venue in a procession on 20th June, accompanied by the members of the Faculty, General Cariappa, Dr. R. R. Diwakar, Dr. B. R. Bendre, Prof. V. K. Gokak, Dr. S. Bhagwantam, Prof. S. K. Chatterji, Sri G. P. Rajarathnam, Dr. D. Venkataavadhani, Sri Nakul Sen and many distinguished scholars. Prof. V. K. Gokak presented a brief report of the course. Swami awarded the prizes to the winners of the elocution competition, held as part of the course. This year as a new feature, the participants were administered an oath of affirmation by the Principal Sri Bhatnagar from Delhi.

Thereafter, Swami blessed the assembly with His Valedictory Message. 

The month-long summer course came to an end with an English Bhajan (Love is My Form) sung by Swami, a very pleasant surprise to all the participants.

Sri Sathya Sai with Summer Course Students (batch-wise photo session)

The Divine Discourses delivered during this course can be accessed here.

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926 – 2005)