Sri Sathya Sai Eventful Visit to Chennai (1984); Visits Raj Bhavan

Wednesday, January 18, 1984 to 

Monday, January 23, 1984

Traditional welcome to Sri Sathya Sai at Sundaram

Bhagavan reached Madras from Brindavan at 7.30 pm on 18th January 1984. He was accorded a traditional welcome at Sundaram by the State President of Tamil Nadu and the members of the State Trust. Bhagavan gave Darshan to the devotees assembled at Sundaram.

Sri Sathya Sai Darshan from Sundaram Balcony

Bhagavan gave Darshan during early morning Nagar Sankirtan at Sundaram on the 19th. As it was the anniversary day of Sundaram, Narayan Seva was performed after Bhagavan’s Darshan. 

Sri Sathya Sai Darshan in Sundaram

Bhagavan addressed a huge gathering at Abbotsbury the same evening. Major General Mahadevan gave the welcome speech. 

Gen. Mahadevan addressing the gathering;
followed by the Divine Discourse

In the Divine Discourse He said:

“Dharma and Jnana (fight conduct and spiritual wisdom) are two eyes given to man to discover his uniqueness and his divinity. Dharma indicates the right path which every individual, group or society should follow. Dharma destroys the one who violates it. Dharma also protects the one who protects it. The scriptures have declared, "Where there is Dharma there is Victory". There is no Dharma greater than Truth. The edifice of Dharma is erected on the foundation of Truth. Nyaya (justice) is an essential attribute of Dharma. A society or nation or an individual shines with glory only when they adhere to justice, lust as one acquires wealth by the pursuit of agriculture, business or profession, one must acquire merit and Divine Grace by adhering to Neeti (morality) and Dharma.

However, Dharma alone is not enough. While Dharma leads to right action, it is necessary also to acquire Jnana. True knowledge consists in understanding the unity that underlies the Cosmos. All the sufferings and problems in life arise from the sense of duality. Once the feeling of 'I' and 'mine' is got rid of, consciousness of the all-pervading Divinity will be realised.

Two Greatest Qualities in Life

Today, it appears as if there is a revival of spiritual activity everywhere. Religious associations are coming up all over the world. But much of the activity of spiritual aspirants is motivated by self-interest. Devotees address prayers to God for the fulfilment of their material desires. All the study of scriptures is of little avail if genuine love of God does not flow spontaneously from the heart. It is only through such love that the Divine can be realised. Love and sacrifice are the two greatest qualities in life. It is on the basis of these qualities that our ancients dealt with the problems of society so that the individual, the family, the community and the nation may pursue the path of Dharma.

In the world the progeny of Dharma and Adharma are continually growing. Adharma (unrighteousness) married Mithya (delusion). Mithya is neither truth nor untruth. This couple had two children, a son called Ahamkara (egoism) and a daughter called Moha (infatuation). As both Ahamkara and Moha are the children of Ignorance, with no capacity to judge what is right and wrong, the unholy alliance between them resulted in the birth of Lobha (avarice) and Vanchana (deceit) as son and daughter. From the wrongful union of these two, Irshya (jealousy) and Krodha (hatred) were born. Out of their union, Bheeti (fear) and Mrutyu (death) were born, This lineage is known as Adharma Santati (the progeny of unrighteousness). In this lineage, every union was improper.

The Progeny of Dharma

Dharma married a great soul called Sathya (Truth). Out of the union of Sathya and Dharma, eight children were born. These are Shraddha (Earnestness), Daya (Compassion), Shanti (Peace), Pushti (Prosperity), Shanthushti (Contentment), Vriddhi (Progress), Lajja (Modesty), Gauravam (Honour) and Mukti (Liberation). It is now for each one to determine to which lineage one belongs. It would seem that 90% of the people in the world belong to the line of Mithya and Adharma.

Thousands gather for Sathya Sai Darshan in Madras

When we practice Dharma, the Divinity 'in us will manifest itself spontaneously. One should not limit Dharma to mere words. Man is regarded as the very embodiment of righteousness. But he will not be worthy of this appellation if he does not lead a life of Dharma. Everyone should realise that to attain oneness with divinity is the goal of human life. Hence it is everyone's duty to develop faith in the Divine. With the growth of faith, if one leads a life devoted to Dharma, Sathya and Neeti, he will be achieving the purpose of life. The man who does not follow Dharma is a burden on the earth. All the wealth he may accumulate will not accompany him when he leaves the world. It is more important to earn the grace of God than earn all the wealth in the world. Develop the love of God and realise the bliss that is beyond all words.”

Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan

During this visit, Bhagavan visited Raj Bhavan accepting the request of the Governor Sri Khurana. Bhagavan also visited the Tirumangalam slum adopted by the local Samiti for community service on 20th. He also visited a medical dispensary at Annanagar and distributed clothes and crutches to the disabled. 

Sri Sathya Sai distributing crutches along with Gen. Mahadevan

On His way back to Sundaram, He visited the Mariamma temple that was being renovated by the Sai Samiti. Smt. M.L. Vasanthakumari and party rendered Tyagaraja and Purandaradasa Keertanas at Sundaram that evening.

Sri Sathya Sai at the evening programme in Sundaram

Bhagavan visited Nandivaram village on 21st morning. He talked to the villagers and distributed clothes to the disabled. Bhagavan performed the last ‘Ashtabandhanam’ at Guindy Mandir that afternoon.

Sri Sathya Sai at the Guindy Shirdi Sai Temple

He materialised a ‘Sudarshana Chakra’ with the form of Sathya Sai on its reverse and installed it below the idol of Shirdi Sai. Bhagavan witnessed a cultural programme presented by Bal Vikas students at Abbotsbury that evening.

Sri Sathya Sai with Bal Vikas children

Bhagavan blessed a group of Bal Vikas Gurus on 22nd morning and awarded prizes to the rank holders of the All India Bal Vikas examination. Bhagavan also addressed 750 teachers from the Corporation Schools in Madras who were earlier trained in Education in Human Values. Bhagavan visited the Sathya Sai Nivas at Perambur that afternoon and blessed the large gathering there. He also visited the Trade Union College at Perambur and inaugurated the Industrial Training Centre. He blessed the large gathering of railway workers at the Centre.

Sri Sathya Sai leaving Sundaram

Source: Sri Sathya Sai Digvijayam (1926-1985)