Sowmya Roopa
(Sowmya Roopa
completed her B.A in 1987 and B.Ed in 1988. She received her gold medal for
distinction in B.Ed from the Sri Sathya Sai University. She taught at the Sri
Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar Ootacamund from 1989 till 1991. From 1991 till 2000, she
taught at the Sai Sathya Sai Primary school, Puttaparthi. Sowmya Roopa was
invited to the Sai Sathya Sai Schools, Rishikesh and Kathmandu in 2000 and
2001. There she shared her knowledge about value-oriented education with the
teachers and students through talks, poems, songs, charts and demonstration.
Currently, she writes value-based skits and paints quotation boards. She
attempts to spread Bhagwan’s teachings and the wisdom of different religions
through her brainchild ‘Project Suvichar’.)
The Shri Guru Gita say’s
“Salutations to Shri Guru, by whose joy people are joyous”, Bhagawan, the
source of joy gave each of us joyous Golden moments. It is our pleasure to
share those memories with each other. In these series of articles entitled
‘Golden Moments’ I share some joy- filled memories with all of you. The joy
came when Bliss incarnate Bhagawan, answered a question, alloyed a fear, showed
His unseen presence, wiped a tear, taught a profound truth…endless are His ways
of giving joy.
It was 1984, I had just joined the Sri Sathya Sai college for
women at Ananthpur and was in first year B.A, It was a Thursday, we were assembled
for prayer in the college auditorium, as we finished praying, there was a
sudden hush, then a few whispers “Bhagwan has come”, we turned in amazement to
see Bhagwan walking into the auditorium. Then Bhagwan gave a discourse. He told
this chinna katha- little story.
Once upon a time, a king held a special exhibition. It was an
exhibition in which visitors could take anything they liked. There were many
expensive and beautiful articles from all over the world. The king observed
people happily taking whatever caught their fancy. Then , the king noticed that
a young girl looked at each article but did not take anything. The king was
surprised , he sent word for the girl to be brought him. He asked her, ‘Madam,
there are many beautiful things in the exhibition, everyone is permitted to
take , whatever they like, why haven’t you taken anything? The girl answered,
‘O King, I don’t want any of these things’. The king insisted that the girl
should take something. The girl said, “alright, will you give me whatever I ask
for?” The king said, “yes, I will, please tell me, what do you want? The girl
said, ‘I want you’, I want to be your queen’. So, the king made her His queen.
Bhagwan explained to us that if we link ourselves to God in any relationship,
son, daughter, friend, wife, etc, then we become His forever the whole world
becomes ours. The creator is more important than the creation. After the
discourse Bhagwan blessed us all to be
good girls and to study well.
While this was an unexpected visit, we were fortunate to welcome
Bhagwan in to Ananthpur college on other occasions too. Those were well planned
since we had prior intimation. We were divided into groups, each group did an
assigned task like rangoli group made large intricate designs on the road,
portico, prayer hall with rice flour, flowers and colourful powder. The
cleaning group cleaned every nook and corner of the campus. The gardening group
spruced up the gardens, the serving group got ready to serve food. The cooking
group prepared the festive menu. The welcoming group practiced vedic chants to
welcome our Lord. Sports and cultural programmes were well practiced.
D-day arrived. As Bhagawan’s red entered, girls holding the
kalash, plates with lamps and flowers welcomed our Lord with the blowing of
conches, vedic chants and scattering flower petals. His car moved, blessing rangolies lovingly and painstakingly
from 1am till 7 am! A little band of girls playing musical instruments led Him to the
sports ground. Two girls led the procession holding nearly 7 pots each on their
heads, doing the Gujarati garbha dance.
After lighting the lamp, Bhagwan hoisted the flag. Then there was the march
–past drills, a few sports events, a group Japanese fan dance, butterfly dance
and the prize distribution ceremony. This was followed by a cultural programme
in the auditorium. After which, there was, the much awaited festive lunch with
Bhagwan. Chanting Brahmarpanam (the prayer before meals) while looking at the
giver of food was a unique experience. Bhagwan used to finish His lunch in
minutes! Then, He used to walk in the dining hall looking at us. He used to
tell warden,” give this girl more rice she is thin”, “give this girl another
papad,she likes papad”, “reduce oil in the curry, it is not good for
health, give her another sweet, she
likes sweets”.
Mother Annapurna inspecting
the lunch of her Daughters!
We ate the huge lunch as
quickly as we could spend more time with Bhagwan. Once, in my second year, He
gave a discourse in the prayer hall of the hostel, the only simple part which
got etched in my memory was Bhagawan’s tip to us regarding time of prayer. He
had said, it is good to pray in the silence of the night after 10 pm. when there are lesser disturbing sounds and
vibrations. He always advised us to talk less, to talk softly and sweetly,
Bhagwan wanted us to sleep early and wake up early. Bhagwan firmly told us not
to read novels or see films. He said that we should be so busy with studies,
sports, hostel duties and hobbies that we should not have time to waste time in
brooding or purposeless talk and imaginations. After arati when Bhagwan got
into His car to return, each of us wished time could be chained! Tears filled
our eyes and silence fill the air when He left… each girl treasuring her
moments of joy with Lord.
( To be continued in the next article in the Golden
Moments Series)
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