Ananda Vahini Issue One Hundred and Eighty Second

Everyone eagerly awaited the arrival of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai for the evening programme. Vedic invocation was offered by the lady volunteers of the Annapoorna programme who chanted the Durga Suktam. Inspiring talks were then delivered by two speakers who shared their experiences of growth and learning from their journey with Annapoorna. Smt Gayatri Sundar and Sri Santosh Allath, have both been associated with the Annapoorna breakfast initiative ever since its inception, and they shared their unique perspective and their humble gratitude to Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai for the opportunity to share love with the children. Thereafter, volunteers of the breakfast programme who had provided not only outstanding service, but also demonstrated exceptional leadership, were felicitated. The first recipient of the Annapoorna Award for Excellence was Ms. Monisha Ranjan, Corporate Relations Manager, who has initiated institutional collaborations which are actively participating with the Annapoorna Trust today. The award was accepted on her behalf by her two daughters, Gayathri Ranjan and Savitri Ranjan. The next Award for Excellence was given to Ms. Gayatri Sundar, a very active and spirited volunteer who also oversees corporate relations of the Trust. Representing the ground transportation team, the next award was received by Sri Naveen Kumar B K, and Sri Manjunath T S, in honour of their dedicated efforts to assure the timely delivery of fresh, hot breakfast to children every morning The Trust then proceeded to honour all the other volunteers who are part of this important programme from Visakhapatnam, Prakasam, Telangana, Chennai, Krishnagiri, Sivakasi, Jharkhand, Mandya, and Tumkur. A special mention was made about Sri Subhajit Mukherjee from West Bengal for his selfless service in both the Annapoorna Breakfast programme, and for taking the lead to provide relief healthcare measures for those affected by the recent cyclone in the coastal areas.

The revered Chancellor of the Sri Sathya University for Human Excellence, Sri B N Narasimha Murthy then addressed the august gathering. He began by congratulating all the participants of the Annapoorna programme who demonstrate that the purpose of life is a life of purpose. He emphasised that dedicating “one’s service to the Lord is important, but self-realisation happens only through vichara, or enquiry. We must understand the higher teachings that Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai has imparted to the world in the last eight to nine months, and endeavour to practice those principals in daily life by applying both viveka (discrimination) and vairagya (detachment). This brings us to the state of realising that we are the eternal atman, which is pure consciousness. Even the great masters continue to work to alleviate the suffering of others and help us to reach a state of Atma Jnana. Having been bestowed with the glorious opportunity to have the darshan of such a Sadguru, listening to His teachings, we should be looked upon as examples of people who are evolved, and understand the spiritual purpose of life. Practicing these teachings, we look forward to the next anniversary that we may have taken the next step in our own growth in realising that we are divine, and that everything is divine. Aham Bramha, Sarvam Bramha is the new mahamantra for the modern age given by Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, which will allow us to become beacons of light in this world!”

The eager audience were then blessed with the divine discourse of Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai. He started with a quote by Lord Krishna from the Bhagavad Gita, “I have no duty whatsoever in all the three worlds, yet even though I have nothing to attain, or there is nothing that I have not attained, I engage myself in activity.”

Sadguru said, “All avatars come to the world with only a single purpose, to teach man how to realise his own divinity. This seva is one of the surest and shortest methods, a shortcut to divinity. When we do seva, we forget the identification with our individual self, the ‘I’ that binds us down. In that moment of nothingness, everything is present. If we then can expand that experience to every minute of our life, then every moment will be an experience of divine realisation. Seva is the easiest, fastest, and surest path to Divinity. Seva done selflessly and without any desire for any acknowledgement is the right seva. The first beneficiary of the seva, is always the person who is performing the act of seva, which is making a promise to God to be less and less of yourself, and more and more like God. The body is nourished by food, but the soul needs to be nourished too, and that nourishment comes through these acts of service. Many governments are taking notice of the Annapoorna activities now and many requests are pouring in from all sides. We will need more dedicated volunteers from all parts of the country in the times to come. The joy that people see in the volunteers who participate in the programme will inspire many others to join in this seva. Serving breakfast from the heart to the needy children will make them happy, as they will be inspired by the happiness of the volunteers. A heart full of love, a mind that is sensitive to the hunger and needs of the children, and hands that are ready to participate and act, are the only qualification required.

When Sri C Sreenivas met with the Prime Minister, he was told that it hadn’t occurred to the government that breakfast was so important for the school-going children. Now in the National Education Policy 2020, it is mentioned that primary school children should be given breakfast because it improves their cognitive and developmental capabilities. We now have a proven model of how we can work with the government and inspire and engage the teachers and the local people to take responsibility. The government, the society and the institutions must all participate. Two years from now on the seventh anniversary, Annapoorna should be present in every single State, and every Union Territory. It should have its office, people, and at least a few schools in every area. This service makes all other services more efficient, and the money that the government spends on the child will be more effective because the child will learn better, is happier and more knowledgeable. The Annapoorna Trust will become one of the largest private Trusts in the country. No one needs any degree or special certificate to be a part of this programme; you must only be a humble, loving and willing volunteer, who is willing to dedicate a little time and energy for the sake of children. The prayer to Mother Annapoorna asks for the bhiksha of the wisdom that ‘I am divine, and everything is divine,’ and for detachment from selfishness. This will be the gain of the volunteers in this opportunity. I am with you all the time, in the act of selflessness, divinity is always present, and each person is equal to Me; not a piece of Me, not a part of Me, not a parcel of Me, but equal to Me! Therefore, each of you is capable of such great things.” Swami then concluded by bestowing His blessings on all the volunteers and devotees.

After a brief intermission, the audience happily reconvened for a musical offering by the children, both boys and girls, of the Sathya Sai Grama Ashram. The group offered a garland of nine devotional songs at Sadguru’s lotus feet. The songs were interspersed with short videos of the children sharing the meanings of the songs and expressing their love for Him. Before beginning their concert, the children presented Sadguru with garlands and gifts which delighted both Him and all those present. The cultural offering was a wonderful performance filled with sincere devotion for their Lord and the demonstration of the vocal, acting, sincerity and simplicity of the children. Sadguru then proceeded to the stage for group photos, and distribution of prasad and gifts for the children. A beautiful anniversary cake was then presented, and as Mangala Arati was offered, Sadguru proceeded to feed each of the children a delicious bite of the cake with His hands! The children and audience were filled with joy and delight, as they departed from the Premamrutham auditorium with a heart full of love as the memorable day concluded.