Conversations on Convocation Drama...

November 10, 2000

Darshan was at 2.40 pm. Swami took the drama boys for interview. After the interview, Swami came to the Ganesh Portico. The students sitting in the third block rushed forward. Seeing them…

Swami : (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Why did you allow them to come in the front? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, they came on their own. 

Swami : But you removed the brake. (One School student showed Swami an album of ‘Grama Seva 2000’ photos. Swami enquired with the teachers about the arrangements for tomorrow’s Prasadam distribution. To the Brindavan Warden) How many of you are going? 

B. Warden : Swami, all of us are going. 

Swami : All of you should go. The work will get over fast. (Mentioning about the Convocation Drama) In the drama, Yama tells Markandeya, “You foolish fellow!” Is it right? 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami. 

Swami : He should tell politely. What should he tell?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Yama should tell, “Your life is over”.

Swami : No. It should be “Your time (Kalam) is over”. (Then Swami narrated the story of Prahalada, where he gifts his character to Indra. Other attributes like Rajalakshmi, etc. go away from him.) When he gets back his character (Sheelam), others also come back. (To the teachers who went to Penukonda) How was the meeting with the Deputy Collector? 

Teacher : Swami, it went on well. First we went to his house. Then we went to his office. There was a meeting with the Police and other revenue officials. 

Swami : How long?

Teacher : Swami, nearly three hours. Sri Chiranjeevi Rao told them that it was not an official meeting, but a meeting of Sai devotees. 

Swami : Chiranjeevi Rao always does his job well. Did they give coffee?

Teacher : Swami, they gave coffee twice. (The teacher showed the Penukonda Town map.)

Teacher 2 : Swami, they announced through local cable T.V. and also through slides in Cinema halls and Dandora (beating the drums and announcing) that tomorrow Swami is sending Prasadam to them. Swami, in the college, there was a photo of Swami giving shields. (Swami acknowledged that He had visited the High School long back.)

Swami : Those days there were no roads. If you start in the morning, you will reach there in the evening. (To Brindavan Warden) When are you going (to Brindavan)? (Brindavan Warden replied something.) After 23rd! You have to prepare for Sports Meet.

Prof. A. K. : Swami, in Sanathana Sarathi there was an article about Bangalore Super Speciality Hospital, but there were no pictures.

Swami : It came in newspaper too. Pictures also were there. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, in one college, they are charging ` 1.2 lakhs as donation for a B.Ed. (Bachelor of Education) seat. 

Swami : Who was your college principal? 

Prof. A. K. : (After mentioning a name) Swami, it is a Christian college. Many of the teachers from that college came here. I took them to all places in Puttaparthi. Their views about this place changed after coming here. They were impressed with the picture of Christ in the Poornachandra Auditorium. 

Swami : Did you give them anything to eat? 

Prof. A. K. : Yes, Swami. I gave them both liquid and solid food. (Swami smiled.)

Swami : When are the Bhajans?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, they will start in about half an hour. 

Swami : Music?

Prof. A. K. : In another 15 minutes. 

Swami : Do you like flute or Sitar music?

Prof. A. K. : Swami, Sitar. Familiar songs are played.

Swami : All the songs in the drama are having the same tune. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, who is Yama? (When Swami pointed out a particular student.) Swami, he is very thin. You have to put many clothes on him to make him look like Yama.

Swami : You are telling based on what you have seen in cinema.

Prof. A. K. : Swami, we come to know only through that. Swami, is the role of Dhruva played by a small or big boy?

Swami : He is from third class. 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, ‘Shirdi Sai–Parthi Sai’ people told me that the Primary School children picked up their acting roles very fast. They needed to tell them about their roles only once.

Swami : He is also like that only. Before he was told what to do, he knew what to do. Small boys act well. But big boys are not doing well. They have Ahamkaram (ego) from top to toe. Degree boys are playing the roles of father, grandfather and grandson. (Swami pointed out the students who were playing these roles.) Do you know to play Tabla? 

Prof. A. K. : No, Swami. I can play only on the Daph (also known as Kanjira). I will be useful only for Nagarsankeertan, not for regular Bhajans. 

Swami smiled. After Bhajans at 5.30 pm, Swami retired to Poornachandra residence.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2000-2001)