Sri Sathya Sai Summer Courses in Indian Culture and Spirituality (1977-1979)

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks at the Brindavan Campus Auditorium

Thursday, May 19, 1977 to 
Sunday, June 19, 1977

Fifth Summer Course

The Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was held at Brindavan between 19th May and 19th June 1977. Swami arrived at the College Auditorium in a procession. The function started amidst Vedic chants. Prof. V.K. Gokak delivered the welcome address. Swami lit the lamp at 10 am on 19th, and inaugurated the Seminar on Ramayana. After Swami’s Inaugural Discourse, Dr. Diwakarla Venkatawadhanulu, Dr. Raghavan and Sri Nakul Sen spoke on the Ramayana.

Brahmasri Pandit Kooganti Seetharamacharulu, Dr. Kulasekhara Rao and Brahmasri Ramabhatla Lakshmi Narayana Sastry spoke on the same topic that evening. Sri Venu Mukund, the Veena artist, performed in the Divine Presence. Swami then gave His Message. The seminar on Ramayana concluded on 26th May. Thereafter, the programme of lectures designed for the Summer Course started. 
Sri Sathya Sai with the Summer Course Students in the Brindavan Campus Hostel - 1977
The summer camp concluded on 16th June 1977. The Convocation of the Summer Course was held in the College Auditorium on 19th June 1977. Swami came in a procession accompanied by the Members of the Central Trust, Members of the Education Foundation, the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, and the participants of the Course. Swami distributed the certificates and prizes to the winners of various competitions held during the Course. He blessed the students with His Valedictory Message.
Summer Course students leaving for Nagar Sankirtan from the Brindavan Ashram
The Divine Discourses can be accessed here.


Friday, May 19, 1978 to 
Tuesday, June 20, 1978

Sixth Summer Course

Swami arrived in a procession to the Sri Sathya Sai College, Brindavan, at 9 am on 19th May 1978, and inaugurated the Saraswati Statue installed at the centre of the college building. Swami then proceeded to the College Auditorium accompanied by the Governor of Karnataka, Sri Govind Narain; his wife Smt. Chandra Narain; and Sri Subbbaiah Setty, Minister for Education, Karnataka. Smt. Narain lit the lamp at the auditorium and inaugurated the Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spiritualiy. Sri Subbaiah Setty, Smt. and Sri Narain addressed the gathering prior to Swami’s Discourse. The summer course was held at Bridavan from 19th May to 20th June 1978. Dr. Benito Reyes, President of the World University in Ojai, California, was one of the course participants. He commented in high appreciation of the benefits derived from the course by westerners who had no knowledge of the spiritual wealth of Bharat that was so vividly perceptible in Swami. He quoted T.S. Eliot and asked, “Where is the wisdom we have lost in knowledge? Where is the knowledge we have lost in information?’ and answered ‘It is here’. He had found the answer in Swami!
Sri Sathya Sai with a batch of Summer Course Students from Andhra Pradesh - 1978
During the course, Swami revealed that Krishna Avatar drew away from this world His physical form at midnight between 17th and 18th February in the year 3102 BC.
Sri Sathya Sai with a batch of Summer Course Students and volunteers from Tamil Nadu - 1978
The Divine Discourses can be accessed here.

Sunday, May 20, 1979

Seventh Summer Course 

The Summer Course on Indian Culture and Spirituality was held at Brindavan from 20th May 1979. Swami went in a procession to the College auditorium in His car with the Judge of the Supreme Court, Sri V.R.Krishna Iyer and Sri M. Santhappa, Vice Chancellor of Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati; and all the participants of the course at 8.30 am on 20th morning. The Judge inaugurated the summer course and gave his inaugural address. Sri Santhappa presided over the function and then Swami delivered His Inaugural Discourse.
A packed auditorium of Brindavan Campus during the summer course sessions - 1979
On the 21st, Swami inaugurated a 5 day central camp for 190 District Conveners of Seva Dal from all over India and Addressed them at the College auditorium. Prof. V.K. Gokak gave an illuminating talk on the inner significance of Seva at the College auditorium. Swami addressed the participants on all the 30 days of the course.  
Students of Sathya Sai College presenting a music programme during a Summer Course session
As soon as the summer course ended, Swami returned to Prashanti Nilayam with a large number of students from various colleges who desired to spend a few more days in His Presence at the international temple of the Sai Avatar.

The Divine Discourses can be accessed here                                                         

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