Source: sssbpt.org -  web-layout & design saibabaofindia.com 

Srimad Bhagavatham is one of the most sacred and important of the Puranas present. It is considered as the Mahapurana amongst the 18 Puranaas.

The very word Bhagavatham means Song about the Lord, who is filled with Bhaga or aishwaryaas or auspicious qualities (astha aishwaryaas). Bhagavatham is not a mere epic that speaks just about the Lord and His leelas or plays, but it is an epic in which one can find the ultimate reality embedded in the form of stories. Each of the chapter in Bhagavatham, each story in the Bhagavatham has some deep import to be told with respect to the ultimate reality of Brahman or Consciousness or Self – one without a second. This makes Bhagavatham a very important work for ardent seekers of the reality.

Srimad Bhagavatham has a total of 18000 slokas split across 12 Skandaas. Each skanda is further split into various chapters. These chapters have slokas which explain the ultimate reality through various stories, descriptions of the Lord, His sportive plays among other things.

Srimad Bhagavatham is in the form of a dialogue between Suta and Saunaka Sages. Suta was the disciple of Vyaasa to whom Vyaasa taught the Puranaas and Vedas along with his own son Suka. Suta tells that Bhagavatham was taught by Suka to King Parikshit in 7 days learning which Parikshit attained the immortal state of Self or Consciousness here in this world itself (before being bit by the snake Takshakan).

On the scheduled morning, Bhagawan emerged at 9:27 to the chants of Vedam. Being the inaugural day of the week-long Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam, Vedam continued even after the scheduled hour at 9. The proceedings for the morning began with lighting of the lamp by the Divine Hands, after which, the Pandit, Sri Ritu Raj ji Maharaj, and his escorts sought Divine Blessings to commence the commentary.

As a prelude to the Commentary, invocatory prayer was offered to Bhagawan followed by various other Mantras invoking various "Gods and Goddesses". Beginning his commentary with an intro on Bhagavatham, the Pandit attributed the epic to Bhagawan hailing Him to be the Soul of the Epic.

Maharaj began the story with a dialogue between Bhagawan Sri Krishna and His devotee Udhdhava. When Udhadhava asked as to how he could offer worship to the Divine form of Krishna after He departs from physical form, Bhagawan replies that by worshipping and studying the Bhagavatham one would get the fruits of worshipping His Divine form.

Further elucidating on the greater efficacy of the epic and the greater importance of the event happening in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan Himself, Maharaj in his inimitable style went on narrating the birth of Sage Suka and the story as to how he was endowed with wisdom before his birth.

This morning, on the second day of the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajna, proceedings began at the scheduled hour, at 8:30, after half-an-hour Vedam chanting. After invocatory offering, commenting on the glory of the Avatar of the Age, the Maharaj went on expounding on the greater efficacy of Namasmarana, bursting out with a melodious rendering "Sriman Narayana Narayana Narayana...", a keertan he quite often repeats in between the commentary.

Starting from where he had stopped last evening, he further went on elucidating the story of Raja Parikshit, as to how invited the evil deeds of Kali, which finally led him to earn a curse to die in seven days owing to serpant bite, and the king's greater urge to attain liberation in seven days.

In the evening, the proceedings began at 4:15 with presentation of the summary of the storyline for last two sessions, previous evening followed by that of this morning. The Maharaj began his exposition at 4:30, starting from where he had left in the morning, divulging the story of Dhruva, he went on narrating Dhruva's unflinching devotion to Lord Narayana, his desire to sit on the lap of Lord Vishnu and finally how The Lord satiated the little prince's desire that later led him to attain salvation.

while the narration had been going on, Bhagawan emerged at 5:17 to take a detour from the ladies' side to land on the dais at 5:20 through the doctors' block. Bhagawan continued to sit through the session till 5:45, when the exposition for the day came to an end.

Music Troupe was ready with their presentation of songs and as soon as the Bhagavatha session got over, Bhagawan nodded the boys to commence their programme. What followed was an hour of enchanting music. Starting with the meera bhajan, Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo..., what followed next was Darshan Deejo... to be continued with Purandharadas's carnatic piece, Jagadodhdharana AadisidaLeyshodha. A telugu piece followed before coming up with enna thavam seydaney Yesoda.... Three more songs followed, two on Lord Rama followed by the last piece, Thyagaraja's composition Siva siva ena radha... Arathi was offered at 6:40 before Bhagawan moved towards Yajur Mandiram at 6:45. Prasadam, "egg shaped chocolates", were distributed to the entire assemblage.

Friday, 19, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 3

With the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajna continues in Prasanthi, every morning begins with a fresh note, with the Maharaj, the commentator, infusing and kindling greater awareness on the beauty, glory and grandeur of being in the Abode, listening to His stories, enjoying the Divine Sports of the Lord, in His immediate Divine Presence. The narrator quite often bursts into melodious tunes singing on the glories of the Lord and one that heard quite often is "Sriman Narayan...Narayan...Narayan..."

This morning's proceedings began at the scheduled hour at 8:30, after half-an-hour Vedam, with usual invocation. Exponation on the epic continued till 10:30 upon which bhajans by students continued for half-an-hour before Arathi was offered at 11, as Bhagawan did not come out.

In the evening, Bhagawan emerged just after 5 while the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Pravachan was on. Taking a detour from ladies' side, Bhagawan came directly onstage through the doctors' block. Bhagavatha Pravachan continued till 5:40 and evening's theme was centred around Ajamila's Story, as to how he earned liberation, despite having attachment with his child, just by calling out his son at his dying moment, who was a namesake of the Supreme Lord Narayana...

Upon the conclusion, Music Troupe from Sai Sannidhi, a forum of grateful alumni working with various institutions run by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, and the organisers of the Saptaaha Yajna, presented a musical offering bringing out the similarities between the two Avatars, Sri Krishna and Sai Krishna, culling out songs and poems from Bhagawan's Divine Discourses and from the drama "Radha Bhakthi" written by Bhagawan in 1960's. The forty minute programme had been interlaced with apt commentary on the significance of the composition and rendition and was laced with some of the original pieces in Bhagawan's own voice.

At Bhagawan's instance three more songs followed, namely, "Deva...Namo Deva......", "Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama Sundara Sai...Ananda Pradayi" followed by "Namo Sathya Sai Baba...". Arathi was offered at 6:40. Bhagawan chose to converse with the singers for the next ten minutes before retiring for Yajur Mandiram at 6:50. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

Saturday, 20, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 4

Nectarine story of Lord Sri Rama was expounded as part of the ten incarnations apart from other tales, namely, that pertaining to Vamana Avatar featuring Emperor Mahabali followed by Gajendra Moksha etc. on the morning session of 4th day of the on going Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam. After the scheduled hour at 10:30 bhajans continued for next fifteen minutes when Arathi was offered at 10:45, as there was no "Divine Darshan".

In the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 5:26, to take a detour after completing the ladies's side, to come onstage at 5:35. Upon ascending the verandah through the ladies' side, He had a detailed look at the portraits depicting some scenes from Bhagavatham, installed at the right end of the Prasanthi Mandir.

Coming on to the verandah, Bhagawan interacted with the singers of the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe before coming onstage. Maharaj continued with his exposition of the Bhagavatha, that began at 4:20 after the summary presentations for the last two sessions. Maharaj's exposition continued till 6:10. Tales from the times of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna dominated the days' proceedings.

Essence of Krishna devotion, in the form of Mother's call for Little Prankster Little Krishna, Gopikas' all-conquering love for Beloved Krishna that came out of complete surrender and Radha's quest for her inseparable Beloved Bhagawan Sri Krishna formed part of a thematic music presentation by the Students from the Sai Sannidhi group that lasted for fifty minutes. The Programem entitled "Radha Bhakthi" comprised of poems and songs composed and even tuned by Bhagawan during the early 60's. The presentation was compeered and interlaced by the original pieces in Bhagawan's own golden voice.

The presentation was concluded with a final song, a prayer to make 'their' lives an "Aradhana", as exemplified by the epitome of love and devotion, Radha towards her beloved Bhagawan Sri Krishna. At the conclusion of the programme Arathi was offered at 7:05. Bhagawan moved into the interview room for ten minutes upon which He came out to move towards Yajur Mandiram. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

This morning, Bhagawan emerged at 10:25, to come for a complete round granting Darshan to the sunday audience. Upon coming on stage, Bhagawan sat through the session till 11:30 when the morning commentary was over and Arathi was offered.

Earlier, the morning's proceedings began at 8:30, after half-an-hour Veda chanting, with the Maharaj expounding in detail, on the childhood pranks of Little Krishna, narrating the 10th canto of the epic. Upon Arathi at 10:35, Bhagawan moved into the Interview Room, to spent inside for the next half-an-hour granting two mini-interviews and interacting with the singers outside, before moving towards the Yajur Mandiram at 12:05. Being sunday, student fraternity was also present listening to the nectarious stories of Little Krishna while stealing glances of their Beloved Sai Krishna.

PHOTO GALLEY

In the evening, Bhagawan, upon emerging at 5:25, took a detour to come on stage at 5:30, after having a brief interaction with the Sai Sannidhi singers about the evening's scheduled programme.

As Bhagawan sat through the session, the Maharaj continued his exposition on the nectarious tales of the Lord of Dwapara, Bhagawan Sri Krishna. By blending "His Stories" with the Bhagavatha tales, the Maharaj often burst into some familiar tunes, like the one he sung in the evening, "Sai Hamara...Hum Sai Ke, Aisa Prem Hamara....", the familiar student bhajan. Earlier in the morning, narrating the childhood pranks of the Lord, the Maharaj bursted into the, "Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Baal...Navneeta Chora Gopal...", singing for a long spell, transporting one and all into the world of the Little Krishna. The commentary for the evening concluded at 6:30.

Lifting the twilight to devotional ecstasy, the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe presented a light "devotional" music programme, singing through for the next forty minutes, sitting face to face with the Divine. Arathi was offered at 7:05, upon which Bhagawan moved into the interview room to spend the next twentyfive minutes inside, before retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 7:30.

Emerging at 10:25, Bhagawan came for a full round to come onstage at 10:35. While ascending the verandah Bhagawan had a detailed look at the portraits featuring Bhagavata stories installed at the extreme right of Prasanthi Mandir. Maharaj's exposition on the Bhagavatha, Bhagawan Sri Krishna's leelas, narrating Holi celebrations in Brindavan and Bhagawan's arrival at Mathura etc., was on and continued till 11:20 when Arathi was offered. In between Bhagawan had moved off to the Interview room for 15 minutes to come out at 11:15.

Upon Arathi, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall to speak to the boys from Sai Sannidhi. After spending 15 minutes interacting with some boys, Bhagawan moved towards Yajur Manidram at 11:40.

In the evening, Bhagawan emerged relatively early, at 4:30. Coming for a full round of Darshan, Bhagawan came on stage at 5:45 through the right of Ganesha. While ascending the verandah, again He had a detailed look at the portraits of Bhagawata tales depicted at the right-end of Prasanthi Mandir.

Bhagavata Saptaaha session had been on and the evening's narrative was centred around the Krishna Saga involving Rukmini Swayamvaram. Maharaj ended his exposition at 5:30 upon which the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe presented a light music session that lasted for half-an-hour, till 6:00 when Arathi was offered.

Bhagawan spent some more time on the dais, blessing the Music Boys as well as the accompanists of the Maharaj granting them Padanamsakars. Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram at 6:20.

Ritual pertaining the the Saptaaha has been going on at a separate location from the day-1 of the Saptaaha Yajna. Six Purohits (priests) who accompanied the Maharaj have been conducting these daily rituals, every day morning from 6:30 to 8:30. Bhagavata rendition in original, has also been happening simultaneously at this location from day-1.

A unique thing about the Saptaaha Yajnam is the Maharaj's inimitable style of referring to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai as first person, quite often during his narrative,replacing Bhagawan Sri Krishna with this form of the Avatar, walks the earth in present times.

Bhagavatha Saptaaham - concluding session - 23 Mar 2010

Alone I Am God

Final scene has to be climactic, and so was on the final day of the Bhagavatha Saptaaham as well. Maharaj’s final session's exposition had the tale of Bhagawan Sri Krishna's emotional meeting with his childhood friend, Sudhama. The Maharaj gave a scintillating narration of the meeting of the two friends that, The Lord, the narrator and the entire assemblage were literally transported into the days of Dwapara, 'visualising' the nostalgic magic moments in the life of Bhagawan's ‘dearmost’ friend, Sudhama. Choked with emotion, Rituraj Ji’s eyes were moist with tears of love and so was the Lord in physical frame. …And the wavelength spread the entire Sai Kulwant airing emotion bringing in a unique feeling of greater peace and love.

Raja Parikshit's final moments, wherein he liberates his soul to attain "Moksha" (liberation), was the final episode that brought the curtain down for the Saptaaham. Listening to the epical exposition for seven continuous days, finally the king leaves his mortal coil, voluntarily releasing the 'life force' through the "Sahasrara Chakra", the 7th energy channel.

In an emotional final narration, the Maharaj offered the entire seven days’ Saptaaha Yajna at the Feet of “Divine Parents” of Bhagawan, Mother Easwaramma and Pedda Vankamma Raju, whom he credited to bring The Divine Form into physical frame. Opining his simplicity and greater good fortune, the Maharaj went on further telling that, the preceptor of the Devas, Brihaspathi himself would have come at Bhagawan’s command, but Bhagawan has chosen him, bestowing upon him the opportunity, a unique opportunity that redeems many a birth. Offering “Koti Koti Pranams”, millions upon millions of salutations, the Maharaj prayed for Divine Forgiveness for any errors that he would have committed, most inadvertently.
 

Adding charm to the Bhagavatha stories, there were musical delights as well. Grateful Alumni working with various institutions under Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, presented thematic musical offerings for five consecutive days, as if endorsing that Music and Divinity are inseparable!

Bhagavatha was narrated…and thousands upon thousands have heard the same… Bhagawan’s sumptuous presence was very much there for thousands to steal a glance and more…the stories and melodious tunes would ring in many ears…feeling them nostalgic of the Divine stories of the Lord!

Kasturi ji hailed Bhagavatha to be a Ganga, emerging from The Lord, and merging in Him, after a long journey through geographic descriptions, historic annals, philosophic disquisitions, hagiological narratives, epistemologic enquiries, fertilizing the vast valleys of human minds with the pure pellucid waters of Krishna stories. Prasanthi witnessed this with the Eternal Witness sitting and watching over!!!

Current Sai Baba News

Source: sssbpt.org -  web-layout & design saibabaofindia.com 

Photos - Ugadi Celebrations...15th and 16th Mar 2010