Purushottama’s Concert at the United Nations, 29 August 2007
The evening of 29 August, Purushottama gave a spectacular concert at the United Nations. Sri Chinmoy, as leader of the Peace Meditation at the United Nations, opened the concert with a moment of silent meditation.During the concert, Purushottama said “Thank you” to the appreciative international audience in several languages. After a number of songs, he noted:
Purushottama: I think it is important to remember that there are other languages besides Russian, and other songs!… Every song, indeed every work of art, is a sort of prayer, although it might sound a bit far-fetched when you look at all the songs we listen to. But indeed, they all are prayers. Maybe people do not understand it, but they are.
(Later): I would wish to dearly, from the bottom of my heart, thank Guru Sri Chinmoy, who gave me this wonderful opportunity to sing here, and for everything. Thank you. The first time I met Sri Chinmoy, I was moved to write this song, and I still sing it with greatest happiness. (He then sang “There Are Birds in the Garden.”)
Sri Chinmoy: (garlanding Purushottama at the end of the concert): My dearest Boris, Purushottama, has brought down Heaven for us. We are swimming in the sea of ecstasy. Let us try to remain in this blissful consciousness at least for an hour – at least for an hour! Otherwise the mind may take away our joy.
He is all soul, all heart. We have seen his heart of self-giving. A musician, a singer of the highest order, he has brought down infinite peace, infinite bliss for us. Let us swim in the sea of peace and bliss at least for an hour.
My heart is all gratitude to you and my life is all pride in you – pride, infinite pride; pride and gratitude. I have been serving the United Nations for the last 37 years, but I have never had the opportunity to have this kind of joy. I have offered my service here for many, many years, but today for the first time you have made me and my service happy, hap-pier, happiest. For that, my heart is all gratitude, all gratitude, all gratitude to you.
Ranjana then presented flowers to Bhuvaneshwari, who, along with her daughter, Samragyi, was introduced to the audience.
Afterwards Purushottama was featured at a press conference held in a smaller UN conference room, conducted primarily in Russian.
