Divya Yatra – The Journey Inward…

‘Beyond the shores of Shanti is Prasanthi’ was the catch-phrase that echoed the holy precincts of Sai Kulwant Hall when the students from SSSIHL presented the annual Convocation Drama this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.

The drama entitled Divya Yatra – The Journey Inward was a presentation par-excellence portraying man’s illustrious journey to his Final Goal.

If man’s life can be compared to a train journey, he is sure to meet and mix up with many co-passengers while on travel and will also be passing through many stations before reaching his final destination.

Symbolically enacting a train journey, that commences its journey from City Station to pass through Daulat Nagar, where man gets caught up with the temptations before crossing over to Parivarthan (transformation), the presentation brings in the testing phase, Imtihan Ganj Rly Stn before the final phase begins towards Shanti Kunj.

The presentation takes a parallel from Bhagawan’s Own Life,  depicting Margadarshi, meaning mentor or guide, who guides, helps and does everything possible to his fellow travellers who are bound to Shanti Kunj, the final station where the train was bound.

Presentation reaches its climax when at the Imtihan Ganj Railway Station, travellers get forced to alight owing to unforeseen circumstances that stops the train, 108 Pragati Express, to its final phase towards Shanti Kunj. Adding to the predicament Margadarshi disappears from the scene.

No sooner some passengers get caught by the ‘Chanchal Express’ that came along, representing ‘fickle or doubting mind’, than the 108 Pragati Express also gets ready, finally taking only the deserved passengers to the final destination.

The above scene was presented as a parallel to the present plight of devotees of Bhagawan, Whose disappearance from the physical plane was a jolt to their spiritual quest. Even as they alight at Shanti Nagar optimistic and faithful passengers call Margadarshi out reposing full faith and responding to their prayer there appears the guide.

Educating them that beyond the shores of Shanti is Prasanthi, the presentation with united voice declares that the final destination for man ends at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet at Sri Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam.

The presentation was entwined with beautiful flashback scenes from the lives of Lord Rama, Lord Krishna and Jesus, with beautiful meaningful songs.

At the end of the presentation, all the participating students were felicitated and prasadam was distributed to the capacity audience. Bhajans continued and ended with Bhagawan singing Prema Muditha Manasey Kaho… before Mangala Arathi offering at 1925 hrs.

Earlier, the programme commenced with Sai Krishna Award felicitation ceremony, honouring selected faculties from the three campuses, for excellence in Teaching.

Sri Srirangarajan, the Controller of Examinations of the Institute gave a outline of the research activities of the Institute before calling out the three candidates, Ms. U Suma, Asst. Professor, Dept. Of  Commerce, Anantapur Campus, Sri Ruchir Desai, Associate Professor, Dept. Of Commerce, Brindavan Campus and Dr. R. Gowri Shankar, Asst. Professor, Dept. Of Physics, Prasanthi Nilayam Campus. Hon’ble Mr. Justice (Retd.) A.P. Misra, formerly Judge, Supreme Court Of India gave away the awards, constituting Rs. 25,000 and a citation.

Tomorrow, the D-Day, 23rd November, programme commences at 0800 hrs. with Veda chanting. At 0810 hrs. students from the Institute will present a musical bouquet followed by a Carnatic Concert my famous duo Malladi Brothers. Sri TKK Bhagawat, Trust Member, SSSCT will deliver the welcome address followed by a talk by Phil Gosselin representing International Sathya Sai Organisations. This will be followed by Chief Guest’s address.

Chief Guest for this year’s Birthday Celebrations is His Excellency Governor of Tripura Dr DY Patil. Upon his speech, the Governor will release a book marking the occasion which will be followed by Bhagawan’s Birthday Divine Discourse. A short Brass Band display will follow before Bhajans and Mangala Arathi.

In the evening, the session commences at 1730 hrs. with Vedam recital. Jhoola Mahotsavam will commence at 1800 hrs. with two musical concerts, first by a Carnatic Concert by Abhishek Raghuram followed by Debhashish Bhattacharya on a unique string instrument. The session will conclude with Bhajans and Mangala Arathi.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II