by Nitin Acharya
This year’s winter vacation started in Parthi amidst heavy a downpour of rain. I saw students coming out of hostels ready to go back to their homes taking full advantage of their temporary freedom. This scenario is seen in Parthi only twice in an academic year. It reminded me of those two wonderful years of stay in the hostel and in the portals of Bhagawan’s institute.
The grand plans for the winter vacation and its ‘execution’
The end of October 1996, during the first year of my MBA course, was exactly the same. The first semester exam and Dassara celebrations were also over and I had already booked a ‘confirmed’ ticket to Bombay (now Mumbai) – all in pursuit of conventional utilization of the vacation. That was also the time when the Titan Cup Cricket matches were going on and instead of enjoying live Cricket, we used to read the result in ‘The Hindu’ (newspaper) the next day after the match. The print media’s ‘Sultan of the South’ seemed to enjoy the monopoly over other newspapers, such as ‘The Times of India’. Hence, I was looking forward optimistically to watch the remaining matches and the grand finale live on TV at home.
My brother was in the second year pursuing the same degree. He suggested to me that I should take Bhagawan’s permission to go to Bombay. A small argument ensued. I was one among the 400 odd students availing the official vacation granted to us. Why should the matter go to ‘The Chancellor’ only in my case? My brother replied calmly, “That is different, bro. Bhagawan is giving so much attention to you. He appreciated your acting in the MBA drama (21st August 1996). Soon, the Convocation drama preparation will start and He will select boys to perform. You have to be here. Don’t lose this opportunity.” He asserted and snatched my ticket from me.
He also suggested to me to write a letter, hand it over to Bhagawan, take His blessings and only then proceed to Bombay. I nodded reluctantly, wrote a small letter and kept it in my hand during every Darshan for the next three days, before the date of departure. Bhagawan as usual came for Darshan, but I found something unusual. Every time He came to where I was sitting, He seemed to avoid me; He took letters from the opposite side. So I changed my place and tried, but failed in every attempt.
Now that the travel date was just a day away, I knelt and made a frantic attempt to give the letter. Bhagawan turned towards me, looked at me, and shouted, “Bad Boy!” I was embarrassed, because I had interrupted the Darshan of everyone around me by drawing their attention towards me, due to that unsavory remark from Him.
Man proposes, God disposes
I had no alternative, but to cancel the ticket. During evening Darshan, I went to the Mandir and sat in utter dejection. And suddenly, the Darshan became the usual Darshan to me. Bhagawan came looking at me from a distance and asked with raised eyebrows, “Aare? Bombay Nahi Gaya?” (Didn’t you go to Bombay?) This time, everybody around me looked towards me and smiled, some even chuckled. He already knew my grand plans. Our Lord is always ready to dispose all those grand plans we prepare. We have read that and I experienced it. I did not have to reply. I gave an artificial smile and remained quiet. He went back to the Interview room in the Mandir without calling anyone for an interview.
After about thirty minutes, a large figure stood in front of me – Dr. Sandipan sir. He used to teach English for BA and MA courses. Bhagawan used to call him to give speeches and to introduce speakers during festivals. He was also the in charge of the Convocation dramas. He selected me and another student, a second year student, and took us to the interview room.
It was then that I realised – we were chosen to play lead roles for the forthcoming Convocation drama. In those days, dramas were limited to the Convocation Day (22nd November) and the MBA Day held on 21st August. I received Padanamaskar. The preparations started.
Life is joy and sorrow 2-in-1 combo
There are a few instances in our life when we get two types of tears in our eyes – a tear of joy and a tear of sorrow – at the same time. My condition was such on that day. I was ecstatic for having been chosen by Bhagawan for the Convocation drama to play the lead role and yet sad, because I ‘missed the bus’ for Bombay, missed the remaining Titan Cup matches, missed home, parents, relatives, and friends… The list is too big to invite another tear drop in the present situation. Also, I had stage fear. The MBA drama was in front of a few hundred students and teachers from the school and institute. It was held in the Institute auditorium, but the Convocation drama was going to be in the ‘Lord’s’ indoor playground, in Poornachandra Auditorium, amidst lights, cameras, the chief guest, other VVIPs and thousands of devotees from all over the world! I did not realise at that time that Bombay would be too far for me to reach for the next eight years. Thus, the winter vacation started for me and a few other chosen ones and for all those who opted to stay back in Parthi at the Divine Mother’s Lotus Feet.
Preparations under the Divine direction
Apart from me, few other students were also selected and the approval was taken from Bhagawan. Sandipan sir called all of us to the institute auditorium in the evening and gave an overview of the drama theme, the script and the roles assigned to every individual. Drama rehearsals began the very next day. Another fringe benefit of being in the drama was that, we were exempted from attending classes. Attending classes with due attention was a bigger challenge for me than the examination, right since my childhood.
To participate and act in the drama on Convocation Day of Bhagawan’s university is just one of many opportunities that students can get. In addition to our participation, it is a great learning experience to work directly under Bhagawan, our Leader. We could watch closely how He involves Himself in every task. It is a sheer joy to see His involvement and get management and leadership lessons on motivation, inspiration and guidance from Him. He inspires every stakeholder including the drama in-charge and other teachers, the actors, music composers, singers and even backstage boys looking after the sets, costumes, make up, and others.
We were called by Bhagawan half a dozen of times into the Interview room. He enquired about the drama preparation every couple of days. He would receive feedback from us, listen to the dialogues and correct them at appropriate places. Music composers and singers were also called.
At times, Bhagawan Himself would compose a music piece or suggest a dialogue. He instructed me to deliver dialogues slowly, so that viewers could clearly listen and understand the message conveyed.
Every year, it was almost certain that Bhagawan would visit the Institute auditorium on Sunday morning of the Akhanda Bhajan after attending Bhajans in the Mandir. He would either watch the entire drama or completed portions, depending on our progress. He would pick up a VIP and bring him along from the veranda during each such visit and get his expert opinion about the drama and our performance. A couple of days before 22nd November, there would be a complete dress rehearsal with make up in Poornachandra auditorium in front of Bhagawan. This would almost be the final rehearsal before the drama was staged on D Day.
After a grueling preparation, the drama was presented to Him and to all the viewers in the Poornachandra auditorium on Convocation Day. Those were the days when there was no prerecording of dialogues. Only songs and music pieces were prerecorded and played in between and in background as per the sequence. We had to memorise and deliver the dialogues. There was a problem with the sound system. Except that, the drama was appreciated by everyone – and by Bhagawan.
The Convocation drama, Sports Meet and Gramaseva during Dassara celebrations are wonderful examples of teamwork under the inspiring leadership of our beloved Chancellor, Sri Sathya Sai.
Drama review and feedback
On Bhagawan’s birthday, He once again appreciated my acting during morning Darshan in Sai Kulwant Hall. After the Birthday celebrations, He was busy granting interviews to VIPs who swarmed like bees. They gathered in the Mandir veranda in dozens. Many of them would leave only after Bhagawan granted them an interview. Bhagawan also would oblige.
After a few days, Bhagawan seemed to get some spare time after the main interview round and before the commencement of Bhajans. This time gap proved enough for the Interview room door to open for us to make an entry. It was like a bonus round of conversation with Him. Bhagawan called a few of us inside. It was time for us to receive feedback. Bhagawan expressed His happiness with our performance. We attributed the success to Him, His directions, involvement and His Grace. Then, Bhagawan asked us a question, “Who is the best actor?” We all started pointing and appreciating each other’s performance.
There are times, when He poses a question, and only He would have the right answer. This was one such occasion. Bhagawan smiled and pointed at Himself and said “Hamare jaisa acting koi nahi kar sakta hai.” (Nobody can act like Me). Everyone smiled with folded hands and acknowledged.
The entire story repeated for another edition of Convocation drama in the second year of MBA. However, there was no bonus interview during the second year post drama.
The Continuum in eternity …
The Convocation drama and this interview got over and we were busy in the Institute in our respective classes. Time in the Divine proximity lapses mysteriously faster than it actually appears on the clock. My MBA course also got over, but the ‘Drama of life’, where everyone plays his own role as destined, planned and decided by the Divine director, continued.
We are so fortunate to have been on the stage at a time when the Divine Director Himself came on the stage and played a pivotal role. We played our part under His directions in His physical proximity. He was happy with our performance and at times not so happy. Sometimes, just like the VIP, who accompanied Him during rehearsals, the opinion and verdict of people around Him did influence a change in His mood and plans too. We can call it as part of His drama. We laugh, we cry. Who cares? The drama goes on.
During the next one and a half decades in the Divine proximity, there was ample number of occasions, where I could personally experience how the Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent Lord imposed restraints on Himself. He acted and pretended to be just like any other human being – an ordinary person with extraordinary traits. He underwent pain and yet said He has no suffering. He sometimes got emotional and at times even furious. These were all part of His acting, as a part of the role that He chose for Himself.
…With twists and turns, optimism and hope
He gave veiled indications right since the year 2002, when He happily unveiled His statue in Sai Kulwant Hall. Everyone including His family members expressed their displeasure, but Bhagawan installed it on Gurupoornima Day, adjacent to His Mahasamadhi now. Thereafter, ever since His return from Kodai in the year 2003, He further deluded everyone by deliberately ‘diluting’ His Divinity by opting to fracture His Hip and later, His arm and shoulder for the next two years. He chose to confine Himself for years in the wheelchair and then, finally left the stage, which everyone felt like an abrupt end to the entire drama. All those years right from 2003 was a turbulent period for everyone around. Here, I remember another famous dialogue of His, “Test is my Taste”.
I could face all those years by remembering the same dialogue He uttered during the feedback interview, while pointing to Himself, “Hamare jaisa acting koi nahi kar sakta hai”. He always holds His trump cards close to Himself. His next move, the next scene, and the ‘Public’ appearance will reveal and unfold sooner or later. We need to only pray and play our role completely to His satisfaction.
Let us be optimistic about the future without any speculation and live in the present and enjoy life. The situation during this year’s winter vacation is so much similar to the winter vacation of 1996. In 1996, India won the Titan Cup, thanks to Sachin for his highest score in the final and his major contribution throughout the tournament. But there is stark contrast too. In 2013, there is plenty of Cricket, India-Australia series with a torrential rain of runs, Test matches with West Indies and a happy ending, just like the Titan Cup. The major difference is, our Titan ‘Lord Sai’ and the ‘Lord of Cricket’, both are enjoying their vacations and are watching the drama and the game from their respective pavilions.
The Divine Drama and ‘Test’ matches continue. Preparations are going on for every individual in this part of earth and elsewhere for the next edition of the Convocation drama and the next semester for students, the next big innings for Sachin off the field – and a sequel to the Cosmic drama by the Divine Director and for the Divine Actor. We await the completion of His ‘winter vacation’. For His next inning to commence, His next sojourn on this part of His creation. Let us be happy and hopeful.
Sa(i)yonara…
