DASSERA EVENT REPORT 


I day : 9 October 2002

The Veda Purusha Saptaha Gnana Yagna began in the Divine Presence of
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba in the morning at 7.00.a.m. The Vedic
Pundits performing the Yagna came to the auditorium in a procession from
Sai Kulwant Hall, before starting the Yagna. Bhagawan presented the
pundits with silks before starting the procession. The elephant, Sai
Geetha, whose love for Swami was for all to be seen, was present as part
of the procession.

The students of the Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions started
leaving for the Grama Seva after doing a Pradakshina around the Mandir,
with the blessings of Bhagawan. Bhagawan broke a few coconuts to mark
the beginning of Grama Seva.

In the afternoon was the first session of the Prasanthi Vidwan
Mahasabha. It began with Veda Chanting by the students. Dr.M.Sainath
introduced the speakers who were to precede Bhagawan's Divine Discourse.
They were Sri.G.V.Subba Rao, a former head of the Energy Division of the
UNO and the son of Late Sri Gandikota Subramanya Sastri. He spoke about
the significance of the Yagna and his experiences of Bhagawan as the
Divine Mother Principle. He was followed by Dr.G.Venkataraman, former
Vice-Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, and
a renowned Indian scientist. He spoke about the five mothers of Man,
Dehamatha (mother who gives birth to the physical body), Deshamatha
(one's motherland), Gomatha (Cow as Mother), Vedamatha (the Vedas) and
Bhoomatha (Mother Earth). This was followed by Bhagawan's Divine Discourse.

II day :10 October 2002

After the continuation of Yagna and the Grama Seva in the morning, the
second session of the Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha was held in the
afternoon. Dr.M.Sainath introduced the two speakers who were to give
talks before Bhagawan's Discourse. Sri.R.Srikrishna, a student of the
Master of Science programme of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning spoke first. He elaborated on the love of Bhagawan is
unconditional and selfless like that of a mother. He observed that, one
should develop good virtues so that the Divine Mother will be happy
about the children.

The second speaker was Padma Bhushan Sri.Rasagotra, a former foreign
secretary of the Government of India and a devotee of Bhagawan for three
decades. He spoke about the magnificence of Bhagawan's Mission and the
phenomenal way in which Bhagawan's Name and Message has spread to the
far corners of the world without any publicity of propagation. He
mentioned that the Government of India and the world should learn from
the models of education and healthcare setup by Bhagawan. He hoped that
the world would change
due to the younger generation being trained by Bhagawan and India would
lead the world in the path of goodness. Bhagawan delivered his
Benedictory Address later.

III day : 11 October 2002

In the morning, the Veda Purusha Saptaha Gnana Yagna continued in the
Poornachandra Auditorium, while the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Learning were engaged in Gram Seva in the surrounding villages.

In the afternoon, there were two speakers before Bhagawan's Divine
Discourse. Sri.Deepak Anand, a student pursuing the Ph.D. programme in
International Finance, in the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning, spoke about the uniqueness of education imparted at the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, where Education is for Life and
not merely for living. The Love of Bhagawan inspires and purifies the
students, He said.

Dr.Goldstein, a cardiologist from the United States and also the
Chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva rganisations in USA, Canada and West
Indies, was the second speaker. He spoke about the spread of Bhagawan's
Message of Love and Faith, far and wide in 135 countries. He spoke about
the lakhs of devotees in different countries who prayed and loved
Bhagawan but could not afford to come to India. He prayed to Bhagawan
that He should permit them to prepare an itinerary for Bhagawan's visit
to the various foreign countries. His speech was followed by Bhagawan's
Divine Discourse.

IV Day : 12 October 2002
The morning programme consisted of the Veda Purusha Saptaha Gnana Yagna
and the Grama Seva by the students taking place in parallel.

In the afternoon, Sri.Indulal Shah, the International Chairman of Sri
Sathya Sai Seva Organisations and a devotee for 45 years, spoke about
the activities of the Organisation in far off countries in the various
continents. He mentioned that many governments had adopted the Educare &
EHV programme of the Organisation in their educational systems. He urged
all devotees to strive towards following Bhagawan's Message.

Sri S.V.Giri, Vice-Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning and former Central Vigilance Commissioner of the Government of
India, spoke about the aspects of Shraddha and Devotion. He described
the significance of the word Yagna, which means sacrifice. He narrated
the story of a devotee of Lord Shiva, whose devotion could turn a New
Moon Day into a Full Moon Day, ultimately saving his life.

Vineet, a student of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning,
spoke about the uniqueness of education at the Institute, and how the
Institute imparts Education for Life rather than Education for a Living.
He compared the education to a jam sandwich which consists of two bread
slices, viz. the Education for Life and that for a living, and jam, i.e,
Bhagawan's Love which makes the education sweet. He also spoke about the
Love and
Care that Bhagawan takes in teaching his children, thus making education
as EduCare. He mentioned an analogy that individuals are like pencils.
Pencils have their best expression when held by able hands, they have to
be sharpened for better use and pencils of different sizes have the same
ingredient such as lead. Similarly,
Beings are many, breath is one, human beings need sharpening, they have
to reduce the ego and instil in themselves good values and be useful to
society. Human beings, just like pencils, carry value only when they
become ideal instruments in Divine Hands.

After the three speeches, Bhagawan gave His Divine Benedictory Discourse.

V Day : 13 October 2002
The morning's programme began with Bhagawan's Darshan at 7.a.m. The day
also marked the Ayudha Pooja (Worship of Equipments and Vehicles). Swami
sat in a few cars and drove a few metres to mark the Puja. He then broke
coconuts in front of them. After this, Bhagawan gave away peppermints
and toffee to the devotees, which was indeed a spontaneous expression of
Love to all the devotees. The students proceeded for Grama Seva after
the Ayudha Pooja programme. Since it was a Sunday, in addition to the
students and
teachers, Doctors and Staff members of the Super Speciality Hospital,
also joined the Grama Seva. They also conducted a medical camp as part
of the Grama Seva.

In the afternoon, the proceedings of the Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha
consisted of three speakers before Bhagawan's Divine Discourse. The
proceedings started with the Veda chanting by tiny tots from the Sri
Sathya Sai Primary School followed by that of the college students.

Sri.G.V.Subba Rao, former Chief of the Energy Division of the U.N. and
the son of the Late Sri.Gandikota Subramania Sastry, the composer of the
Sai Gayathri, spoke about the powers of Divinity and the Mahasakthi, the
Divine Mother. He described the mysterious powers of Divinity. He
narrated the different facets of Divine
Powers of Bhagawan, like Wonderful Creations, Metaphysical
Manifestations, Perfect Management both at the Macro and Micro levels,
Medical Miracles etc. He mentioned about the association of the Number
7, to the Indian religious tradition while speaking about the week-long
Yagna.

He was followed by Dr.Ravikumar, Lecturer, Department of Chemistry,
Brindavan Campus of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He
spoke about the endless Love of Bhagawan, which had 'cancelled' the
Cancer of his father, who had been given up by doctors after performing
many operations. Bhagawan had cured his
father from many ailments including a paralytic stroke and a nervous
disorder.

Dr.Jayalakshmi Gopinath, Principal & Warden of the Anantapur Campus for
Women, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, in her speech,
narrated an incident which occurred many years ago, when Bhagawan had
manifested as a 'Sumangali' to bless a Puja performed by the Late
Sri.Subbamma. She narrated the Vision of
Devi, which Bhagawan had granted to the Late Sri.Venkamma on Dasara,
during the 1950s. Her lucid and vivid narration filled everyone's heart
with joy for the great fortune of being in Bhagawan's Presence and to
take part in His Mission.

VI Day : 14 October 2002

In the morning, the students of the Anantapur Campus for Women, of the
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning distributed Prasadam and
Clothes to all the inmates of Prasanthi Nilayam.

In the afternoon, the proceedings of the Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha
started with Vedam Chanting by students of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher
Secondary School. Dr.N.Sainath introduced the speakers for the afternoon.

Sri.Anil Ahuja, who is currently pursuing the Ph.D. programme in
International Finance Management at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of
Higher Learning, spoke of the Bhagawan's Concern, that equals that of a
thousand mothers, which aids in the manifestation of Inner Beauty of
each child. He spoke about the various projects of
Bhagawan in the areas of Health and Education, narrating interesting
experiences. He concluded with a prayer to Bhagawan to make each one
beautiful from within, with the inculcation of Purity, Patience,
Perseverance and Divine Love.

Mr.Sanjay Sahani, Lecturer, Department of Commerce, Brindavan Campus of
Sri Sathya Sai Insitute of Higher Learning spoke about the good fortune
that has been bestowed on mankind to be blessed with Divine Darshan,
Sparshan and Sambhashan, which is yearned for, by sages and seers. He
explained, with example, how Man's adversity is God's opportunity. He
emphasised the importance of good actions. One should put into action
immediately, any good thought that arises, while one should discriminate
and refrain from acting on any bad thought, He said.

VII Day : 15 October 2002 : Vijaya Dasami Day

The Vijaya Dasami Celebrations started with Bhagawan's Divine Darshan to
all in the morning at around 7.a.m. During Darshan, Bhagawan blessed the
beautifully decorated elephant, Sai Geetha and fed the elephant. Swami
later went to the Hill View Stadium for the unveiling of a new statue of
Shirdi Sai Baba, next to the
statue of Lord Shiva. He went up to the pandal, and when He pressed a
remote button to unveil the statue, the crowd cheered in joy. The
melodious music, fresh air, serene surroundings and above all, the
Lord's Presence made the place elevating and spiritually vibrant.
Bhagawan spent some time with the devotees and blessed
the sculptor, before returning to the Mandir.

The Vedic Pundits came from the Poornachandra Auditorium, to take the
plate of final offerings for the Yagna in procession. In the
Poornachandra Auditorium, Bhagawan made the sacred offerings to the
Yagna fire, that also included the precious stones which He materialized
for the offering. The auditorium reverberated with Vedam chanting by the
students and the Pandits. Everyone present partook of the joy that the
great occasion conferred. After the Poorna Ahuti, the Final Offering,
the Pundits finished the Pooja, which was followed by the much-awaited
event of the morning, viz., the sprinkling of the Sacred Yagna Water on
the devotees by
Bhagawan.

Devotees had been gathering since 3.a.m. in the morning, to be blessed
with a few drops of the Sacred Yagna Water, which Bhagawan sprinkled on
them. He moved between the masses untiringly and sprinkled water on each
and every devotee, bestowing on them Bliss and Peace. It was a sight for
the Gods to see, the Lord showering Benediction of His Devotees. The
programme ended with Aarathi and Distribution of Prasadam.

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