Excerpt from the Evening of Sri Chinmoy’s Birthday, 27 August 2007

Purushottama (before the last song in his performance): And one more song. It’s hard to believe that we met you only one year and a half ago, and I was blessed enough to write this song the first time we saw you. I think it’s a fitting song for a birthday. (Purushottama sang “There Are Birds in the Garden” to great applause.)

Sri Chinmoy: (at the end of the evening): Happiness is Heaven, Heaven. Happiness is not somewhere else. Wherever you can establish happiness is Heaven, Heaven. This whole week has been nothing but happiness, happiness, happiness. And it has not ended! [turning to Purushottama] It will end only after the 29th, after your performance at the United Nations. Then our happiness for some time will take rest. But still it will continue, continue until your super-performance at the United Nations. Our birthday celebration is not over. It will be over only after the 29th, after your performance at the United Nations.