Sathya Sai with Students: Sri Sathya Sai visits Kodaikanal

Sunday, April 20, 1997 to Sunday, May 11, 1997

Sri Sathya Sai at the entrance of Sai Sruthi Mandir, Kodaikanal

Bhagavan along with a group of 10 Institute students visited Kodaikanal from the 20th April to the 11th May 1997. In His Discourses spread out from 23rd April to 9th May, He related episodes from the lives of great devotees like Tyagaraja, Surdas, Tulsidas and many others. The main theme of His Discourses was the power of Love. On 23rd April, during the dinner session Bhagavan went around the devotees in the dining hall. He went near a devotee and said, “Break the puris before you eat”. The person did as suggested and found to his surprise a golden ring inside the Puri. Bhagavan said, “That’s for you. Have it”. Everyone was pleasantly surprised. Prof. Anil Kumar was also there eating Puris. Bhagavan asked him to eat fast. “Swami, who knows what You have put in which Puri!” said Anil Kumar. He further added, “So I am checking every Puri and eating carefully.” Everyone had a hearty laugh.

Sri Sathya Sai at Kodaikanal - April-May 1997

The anniversary of Trayee Brindavan was celebrated in Sai Sruthi on 26th April in the Divine Presence. Easwaramma Day was celebrated on 6th May 1997 at Kodaikanal. During the Divine Discourse He highlighted the importance of the Mother with examples of Kaushalya and Rama, Anjana and Hanuman, and Aryamba and Adi Shankaracharya. He said:

“There is no nobler quality in the world than love. It is wisdom. It is righteousness. It is wealth. It is Truth. Everything is permeated with love. Everything in the cosmos arises from love, grows by love and merges in love. Every human being is born from the mother's womb. He is fostered by the mother's love and enjoys many things in life because of the mother. He enjoys, all happiness in life because of the mother's love. Hence, there is no higher divinity than the mother. But this divinity relates to the body alone.

Man has to recognise the truth that the food which sustains his body is derived from the sun. The sun helps food crops to grow. Hence, without the sun man cannot have food to sustain life. The term Satyam (Truth) is made up of three syllables which represent life, food and the sun. It follows that man is inherently an embodiment of truth. As such, he should lead a life based on truth. Unfortunately, man today leads a life divorced from truth. Consequently, he becomes a prey to innumerable troubles. He has no peace. He is racked continually by many afflictions. Man has to recognise the significance of Love and Truth, which are fundamental to human existence. The mother represents these two basic qualities.

Rama attained godhood because he was the son of Kaushalya. Lava and Kusha became heroic children because of their great mother, Seeta Devi. It is the noble thoughts of the mother which make the children great. A mother may go wrong in other respects, but she will always strive for the well-being of her children. Hence every son has to love the mother as the primary duty. Then he should 1ove the father and revere the preceptor. The mother confers the body. The father protects it. The preceptor imparts knowledge and wisdom. For every human being all three are essential for getting on in the world.

Sri Sathya Sai conversing with students during the Kodai trip

Many great men have embarked on noble deeds after securing the blessing of their mothers. For instance, before going to battle to fight against the demon, Tarakasura, Sanat Kumara got the blessings of his mother, Gowri. Similarly, Parashurama received his mother's blessings before he went to fight his foes. Likewise, Vinatha blessed her son Garuda. Every mother similarly blesses her son by saying: “Shri Rama Raksha” (May Shri Rama protect you always.)

It is because of the blessings of noble mothers, the wives of great sages, that many men were able to perform heroic deeds. Shankaracharya taught that sons who did not get the blessings of the mothers suffered from various vicissitudes in life. Those who had the blessings of their mothers often secured freedom from rebirth. Many high-souled men have extolled the greatness and power of mothers. It is the foremost duty of children to secure the blessings of their mothers for their worldly well-being.

However, spiritually man's obligation is different, according to Vedanta. Here, there is room in the heart only for the love of God. Affection for the mother and reverence for the father are necessary. But parents and preceptor are transient. Even friends are impermanent. God alone is permanent and unfailing and God alone should have the permanent place in the heart.”

During Narayana Seva clothes, blankets and food were distributed to the poor. Bhagavan supervised the entire function which lasted for over 2 hours. Bhagavan’s Discourse in the evening was an exhilarating exposition of the role of the mothers and moulding the character of their children. On 7th May, Bhagavan made a lightening trip to Madurai and blessed the devotees there with His Darshan. He along with His group left Kodaikanal for Brindavan on 11th May and reached there that evening.