Scholarly Exposition and Drama Presentation…

Continuing with the colloquium, “Experiencing the Divine – the Form to the Formless” organised to commemorate Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam, two programmes were slated for the evening session of 23rd April 2012. The first was a scholarly speechby Sri J. Jayaraman from the Ramanashram followed by a play by the youth of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Odisha, “A Pilgrimage to Myself.”

Sri Jayaraman gave a scholarly exposition delving into philosophical truths. Paying his salutations to the Self-effulgent, Self-sporting light Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the speaker spoke of his inner experiences. Sri Jayaraman opined that one cannot expect the form to be always there. One has to withdraw to go to a higher plane. One has to withdraw from the outer and travel to the inner plane. The inner subsumes the outer.

Sri Jayaraman was also blessed with two interviews with Bhagawan. When he asked Swami in one of the interviews for Balam (strength), Swami gave a succinct reply: “Atma is Balam.” He concluded his speech with a Sloka (verse) of Ramana Maharshi.

The second presentation, “A Pilgrimage to Myself” had the pertinent theme of a youth who is distraught at the physical separation of Bhagawan. But he soon realises that Bhagawan has not gone anywhere. He is present everywhere, in the heart of everyone.

The play was a dramatic presentation of some real life incidents of persons placed in different spheres of human predicament. It highlighted how Swami even after He left His mortal coil, continues to perform loving miracles and transforms lives and has become integral to their lives.

A hair-raising incident of a youth who is confined to his wheelchair is cured of his disability when he has the vision of Bhagawan in his sleep.

Another revealing incident of a convict who is transformed after coming to know of Bhagawan is exonerated and released from jail two years prior to his completion of the term for his good conduct was the highlight of the drama. The play was interwoven into eight scenes and ended with the youth breaking into a song. The day’s programme concluded with Arati and distribution of Prasadam.

II Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavantu II