A Visit with Purushottama Robert Muller, Former UN Assistant Secretary-General, and His Wife, Barbara

Sri Chinmoy played the esraj, and the Singers performed two songs Sri Chinmoy had written in his honour, as well as four songs in which Sri Chinmoy had set music to Purushottama’s words. Sri Chinmoy then lifted the couple, presenting them with a trophy and gifts after they had garlanded each other with the special medallions.

The song entitled “Robert Muller” was published in Sri Chinmoy, Blue Waves of the Ocean-Source. New York: Agni Press, 1979.

Purushottama Robert Muller: Dear Sri Chinmoy, I was grateful to you for many, many years, when in the United Nations I discovered that you have a great love for the United Nations, and that the officials in the United Nations who were the most devoted, the most wonderful, the most helpful, were all officials who loved you and whom you helped – the staff who are part of Sri Chinmoy: The Peace Meditation at the United Nations. Indeed, you have fulfilled many dreams of my life – the United Nations, the dream of peace, the dream of spirituality. You cannot imagine the influence you have had during my life.

During the War, I had promised to 20 young people that they would not be killed. Later I learned that they had all been shot. It was horrible. I promised to those 20 young people that I would spend the rest of my life for peace. You are fulfilling this, here again, with this beautiful ceremony that encourages me to continue to live as long as possible, to do everything I can, to wake up in the morning with new ideas for peace.

And since you have such beautiful representation of the art of music, I will make a little contribution also on the musical side. I was not allowed to learn music by my parents because we were very poor, and they wanted me not to be a poor musician. But my grandfather taught me the harmonica. In his memory – he who had changed five times his nationality in three wars between France and Germany, without leaving his village – in his memory I will play the “Ode to Joy” of Beethoven, in which all humans become brothers and sisters through my little ten-hole harmonica. (Plays the harmonica.)

Barbara Muller (presenting some posters and literature to Sri Chinmoy): You have opened yourself to the planet, and that is why we are here. God bless you for the work you are doing.

After the ceremony, Sri Chinmoy accompanied his guests to the Pilgrim-Museum. A few excerpts from their conversation follow.

Purushottama Robert Muller: Quite a beautiful museum! And very warm, very personal, not extravagant.

Sri Chinmoy (after hearing they had been married for seven years): Seven is a most significant number. In the occult world the number seven has a very special significance. There are seven higher worlds and seven lower worlds. When we leave the body, according to our – we cannot say achievements – according to our conduct, the way we behaved on earth, we go to the higher worlds. If we live a good life, then the higher worlds welcome us. If we do not, then there are the seven lower worlds to welcome us.

Purushottama Robert Muller: I want to reach a hundred years. What is your advice about how to do that?

Sri Chinmoy: God will definitely keep you on earth. You have sincere hunger, not for name and fame, but for service. You want to serve God, God the creation. God the Creator has inspired you, and God the creation is now utilising you. You want to serve God the creation, so God the Creator will definitely keep you on earth to serve Him here in His own Way because this world needs only one thing: peace, and you are the supreme messenger of peace on earth. God has not given up on it, although some governments do not believe in peace at this moment. But God knows unless and until this world is flooded with peace, God will have no peace. God Himself will have no peace if this earth planet is not inundated with peace.

Purushottama Robert Muller: What a wonderful message! I will remember it. You have done a wonderful job in the United Nations by believing in peace and making all the staff members believe in peace.

Barbara Muller: And lifting us up, and lifting up the planet for the higher elevation, for the higher goals. You’re doing your job well. God bless you for this wonderful event and your wonderful people. I don’t know of anything better that we have done in New York except to be here, and I thank you for that. We both thank you for that.

Purushottama Robert Muller: Maybe someday you can come to Costa Rica and you could speak at the University for Peace. This would be wonderful.

Barbara Muller: You should just have your music all over the planet. When you enter an airplane, your music should be playing.

Sri Chinmoy: Quite a few airlines have my flute music, my Western flute.

Barbara Muller: I’m writing (in the guestbook), “May God continue to bless and keep you strong…”

Purushottama Robert Muller: You must reach a hundred, too.

Barbara Muller: “…and long on this earth, this precious earth.”

Sri Chinmoy: It is a continuation of the journey. We call it death and life, only two terms. Life starts and death continues, and then again life comes back. It is a game going on: life and death, life and death. It is a continuous journey.

Barbara Muller: Well, God bless you all, and thank you, each and every one of you. It’s been our honour and pleasure. Thank you, Sri Chinmoy.

Purushottama Robert Muller: Thank you very, very much. And God bless you for your wonderful activities.

Sri Chinmoy: We are grateful to you for having blessed our Aspiration-Ground.

Following are two songs composed by Sri Chinmoy in honour of Purushottama Robert Muller, as well as four songs with music set to Purushottama’s inspiring words.