Book excerpt: This volume titled ‘Summer Showers in Brindavan, 1973’ assumes special significance, because it contains explanations on the highly revered Bhaja Govinda shlokas of Adi Shankara by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Himself. It must be said that all the participants of this summer course have been highly fortunate to receive divine explanations on Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govinda shlokas coupled with human values of universal importance on the variegated backdrop of Bharatiya Culture and Spirituality. The teacher-taught relationship has been very sacred in the Indian traditional way of life. Propagation of Bhaja Govindam shlokas (stanzas) had been the combined effort of Adi Shankara, the guru of the highest standard, and His disciples who were totally charged with the sacred spirit of upanishadic philosophy and human welfare at large. These verses carry the very essence of all the vedas, all the shastras and all the puranas. Their meaning and implications assume special significance because of Bhagawan’s unique way of dealing with the subject. Before starting this special course, Bhagawan exhorted all participants to preserve these valuable verses of Shankara in their hearts in a spirit of ‘tapas’ and thus sanctify their lives. The readers of this book will feel that they are at par with the participants of the ‘Summer Course’, in so far as benefiting from these highly erudite teachings; and in obtaining Bhagawan’s divine blessings.