As per the programme chart, the 45-minute programme would commence at 0945 hrs. with rituals propitiating Lord Ganesha followed by Punyaha Vachana, Circumambulation of the Tree, Recitation of Sai Ashtotharam, Special Ritual called “Vriksha Puja”, Bhajan, Meditation followed by Mangala Arathi and prasadam distribution.

Mentioning the significance of the Meditation Tree, Prof. Kasturi wrote in Sathyam Sivam Sundaram thus:

The Banyan that is growing in the grove has a peculiar sanctity of its own. In April of 1959, while talking one evening on the sands of the Chitravathi River to a gathering of devotees, Baba spoke of Buddha and the Bodhi tree, the “Tree of Wisdom,” and of the Sadhakas (spiritual aspirants) seeking some specially favorable spots for their austerities. Even as He was speaking thus, He “took” out from the sands a thick copper plate about fifteen inches by ten inches in size which contained mystic markings and letters of many known and unknown alphabets! He said that such mystic plates, cryptograms written on copper or stone, are planted under trees where aspirants engage in austerities so that they may be helped to develop concentration of mind and control of the senses. He announced that He would be placing the copper plate under a Banyan tree that He proposed to plant in the grove. This was actually done on the twenty-ninth of June, 1959, and Sai Baba declared that Yogis who have reached a certain stage of spiritual progress will automatically come to know of this tree and this mystic plate, and they will be drawn by the mysterious force of these toward the meditation grove which will then fully justify its name!

…And here comes the Spiritual Significance of the Tree, in Prof. Kasturi’s own words:

The Banyan tree, known as Nyagrodha, “down-grown,” and Vatavriksha, “enclosure tree,” is famous in Indian sacred literature and history. Lord Maha Vishnu, the great God of Preservation, or Siva, God in the Form of the Guru, is described as sitting under a Banyan tree, and expounding by His very silence all knowledge to His disciple. This tree may be said to symbolize Sanathana Dharma, the Eternal Wisdom, for its branches reach out in all directions and draw sustenance from every type of faith and spiritual striving. It is also called Rahupada, “many-footed” in Sanskrit, for the series of roots that its branches send down toward the earth strike the ground and seek food therein and make the branches independent even of the parent trunk. The tree is therefore immortal. There are in India Banyan trees that have been worshipped for thousands of years, such as the one at Triveni at Prayag, Allahabad, or the one called Akshaya-vat, the “Indestructible,” at Gaya.

In the meantime, a steady stream of devotees is expected in the coming days as the Dindi Procession , from Dharmavaram to Prasanthi Nilayam, is expected to arrive tomorrow evening.  With Ashadi Ekadashi scheduled for Saturday, 30^th June, hundreds of devotees are expected to join the Dindi Yatris, with the States, Maharashtra and Goa are set to celebrate the occasion in the immediate Divine Presence.

The Dindi Procession is symbolic of the time tested tradition – Vaarkari Sampradaya – dates back to centuries. Every year lakhs and lakhs of devotees walk on foot in huge processions to Pandharpur, the Abode of Lord Vittala singing abhangas of Sant Thukkaram and Sant Jnaneshwar to have the darshan of their chosen deity.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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The Lord Who wrote a Divine Treatise on Meditation, titled Dhyana Vahini, with His Divine Fore vision had planted a small sapling on the idyllic hillock at the eastern side of Prasanthi Mandir five decades ago, precisely on the 29th June 1959. Bhagawan then declared that Yogis who have reached a certain stage of spiritual progress will automatically come to know of this tree and the mystic plate of inscription, materialized by Him on the Chitravati banks, and they will be drawn by the mysterious force of these toward the meditation grove which will then fully justify its name! This epochal Meditation Tree turned 53 today.

Commemorating the occasion, a function was held atop the Hill, in the Meditation Grove this morning, attended by Senior Trust Members, officials, students and devotees.

With the special ritualistic offering commenced and continued close to 0930 hrs. in the morning, a steady stream of devotees arrived post Bhajans and Mangala Arathi in the Mandir, comfortably occupying slots at various vantage points upon the hill behind the grove, and the area around, watching the proceedings.

After the special ‘Vruksha Puja’ even as Veda chanting by the officiating priest continued, students chanted Sai Ashtotharam that was followed by Arathi to the Tree. Three Bhajans followed, that began specially invoking Bhagawan with the particular Ashtothara Namavali referring Him to ‘Vatavriksha Pratishtapaka’, One Who planted the Meditation Tree. The programme culminated with Mangala Arathi at 10:30 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assembly.

As part of the developmental plan, the first phase of facelift of this grove has been completed. Fenced around with lighting poles, the grove now has a tiled circular space around where devotees can sit and meditate, at ease. Tiled steps have been laid, leading to the grove from the road, and facilitating wheel-chaired as well aged devotees, a tiled ramp has also been provided leading to the grove.

Also read - Lord Ganesha was installed this morning

Also read: Colourful Ashadi Morning…Saturday, June 30th, 2012