|
Thursday, Apr 25 2024
EASWARAMMA
DAY
Purpose:
6th May 1972 was the day when Mother Easwaramma
left her mortal coil. This day is dedicated to the memory
of Easwaramma, the Chosen Mother by our beloved Swami,
Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Swami's Message:
Swami emphasises the need to love and respect one's
parents. He also explains how much Mother Easwaramma
used to love Bhagawan and His Devotees when she was
alive. He elaborates on the greatness of Motherhood
and their influential role in shaping the lives of their
children:
"Embodiments of Love!"
It is your foremost duty to love your mother. As soon
as you wake up in the morning, the first thing you should
do is to touch your mother's feet and offer your salutations.
Such a noble practice will protect you always and bestow
on you all types of wealth.
He is a true human being who loves his mother and becomes
the recipient of his mother's love. One who cannot earn
his mother's love is verily a demon. Hence, respect
and revere your mother. Experience and enjoy your mother's
love. Dedicate your life for the happiness of the mother.
You may acquire any number of degrees; you may undertake
any number of sacred activities; but all of them will
prove futile if you do not please your mother. There
is none superior to the mother in this world. The Veda
has accorded the place of highest prominence to the
mother when it declared, Matru Devo Bhava, Pitru Devo
Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere
your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God). There
may be a son in this world that does not love his mother,
but there cannot be a mother who does not love her son.
There may be differences of opinion between them, but
the motherly love will never diminish."
"Students, Boys and Girls!"
You are going to be fathers and mothers in future.
You will be loved and respected by your children only
when you love and respect your parents now. You are
bound to face the reaction, resound and reflection of
your actions. When you respect your parents, there will
be rich rewards for you in the future.
Today we are celebrating Easwaramma Day. I want to
tell you an incident that speaks of her immense compassion
and love for children. In those days, students from
various States and countries attended Summer Classes.
Gokak, who used to conduct the classes, was a strict
disciplinarian. He was a man of great character and
sacrifice. He was a great academician too. He was conducting
the classes in an exemplary manner. One day, the students
were having lunch in the dining hall. One of the boys
got up and went outside before others could finish their
meals. Gokak, who watched this through the window, called
him and chided him for his act of indiscipline. "When
your fellow students are having their food, you should
not get up in the middle even though you have completed
your meals. It amounts to insulting them." Saying
so, Gokak suspended him from the classes. The boy was
in tears, but Gokak was not moved. The boy came to Mother
Easwaramma's room, fell at her feet and started crying.
He told her about the harsh punishment meted out to
him by Gokak. He pleaded with her to come to his rescue.
Easwaramma consoled him and sent him away. She was sitting
on the steps where Gokak would pass by. After a while
Gokak came there. She offered her Namaskar to him and
he reciprocated the same most reverentially. Then she
said, "When I did Namaskar to you, you reciprocated
the same. In the same manner, if you punish others,
you will be punished in return. The boy out of his innocence
has done a mistake. Please forgive him and allow him
to attend the classes." Then Gokak replied, "Mother,
if I forgive him, it would set a bad precedent for others.
Anyway, I will forgive him only for your sake."
In this manner, she would go out of her way to help
and provide comfort and solace to others.
Many students do not pay heed to the words of their
mother. It is a grave mistake. Mothers speak from their
heart wishing the welfare of their children. You should
understand their feelings and give due respect to their
words."
"Embodiments of Love! Boys and Girls"
Obey the commands of your parents. You will certainly
be blessed with all types of education and strength.
You do not need to make any special efforts to acquire
them. Discharge your duty sincerely. Never disregard
the words of your parents. Follow them with love and
sanctify your life. Wishing that you give happiness
to your parents and thereby set an ideal to your children."
How is the festival celebrated
in India:
Every year since then, the day is observed as Easwaramma
Day by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. It is
celebrated as the culmination of a week long Festival
of Children at Puttaparthi, and all over the world.
This day is marked by charity to the poor, with Bhagawan
distributing food, clothes and blankets to the weaker
sections of the society.
How is the festival celebrated in Singapore:
It is celebrated on a national level and attended
by all the Sai Centres in Singapore. The half day programme
would usually consist of performances put up by the
SSEHV students from a few of the Centres. Dramas, songs,
dance and recitation of poems in praise of mother would
be put up, in addition to bhajans by the children.
Jai Sai Ram
Sis Sukanyaa
SSEHV Group 3
|
