December 22, 2006 Number of Indian
cricketers playing Ranji Trophy are here
in Puttaparthi for Swami's Darshan and blessing.
December 22, 2006
21st Dec.
photos: Music Program:
Education For Human Values , Malaysia
Darshan and
bhajan have been going on at Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagawan has been coming
every day in the evenings, and almost every day in the mornings. For the
last few days, He has been coming at around 7.30 in the mornings and at
around 3.30 in the evenings. This morning, after His darshan round in the
car, Swami came down the upper verandah in His chair talking to many
elders on the way. He came down to the lower verandah, and taking letters
from many seated there took a round of the stage area also before
returning to the interview room again via the upper verandah.
Over the weekend, an
Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Executive Director of the
UN-HABITAT programme, Mrs. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, had visited Prasanthi
Nilayam and had an audience with Bhagawan on Monday. On Monday evening,
Bhagawan
had spent around fifteen minutes
seated onstage as the Vedam chanting went on. Yesterday, Swami visited the General Hospital
where the daughter of one of the faculty members of the SSSIHMS had been
admitted, in the afternoon at around 1.45 pm. Later, He came for darshan
at four o'clock and at five o'clock for the Bhajans.
19th
Dec.
Chennai Online Newspaper Report : Sri Sathya
Sai Baba will participate in the Athi Rudra Maha Yagnam for goodness
and world peace, scheduled to take place here for 12 days from January 19.
Read more
December 12, 2006
This evening the Rishikesh Sathya
Sai School were called to the Bhajan Hall for a group interview. Bhagawan
was with them from 3.30 pm for nearly an hour an a half. After they came
out, while Bhajans were going on, Swami sent clothes for them.
Streaming video of a
documentary
(created in Nov. 06): 25 years of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning 350kb
100 kb
20kb
December 11, 2006
Click on the photos
below to see pictures from today 11th Dec. 06.
This morning, Bhagawan went for a drive after Bhajans, going through the
Primary School and the Hill View Stadium to
take a round of the Indoor Stadium
complex and return.
As usual a large crowd of devotees were present on the both side of the
main road everyone got a good "car darshan" of our beloved Swami.
In the evening, the Rishikesh Sathya Sai School presented their drama,
"Life is a pilgrimage", depicting the story of Nara and Narayana doing
penance for the downfall of the evil Sahasrakavacha. They began with three
older boys playing bhajans on flutes in the centre of the Hall while their
younger brothers offered flowers at Bhagawan's Lotus Feet. Bhagawan
enjoyed their hour-long presentation which ended just before 5 o'clock. He
went down from the stage for a group photograph with the boys, with the
backdrop showing a picture of their school with all the students arranged
in front of it.
Bhajans began in the Bhajan hall soon after. Swami praised the drama to
some of the Bhajan group members seated near Him. He returned to His
residence at 5.30 after Arati.
source
click here to read SBOI-Group messages
December 10, 2006
This evening, Bhagawan came down the upper verandah talking to many elders
on the way. He returned to the interview room before Bhajans began,
walking down the lower verandah.
December 8, 2006
Bhagawan sat outside for nearly 20 minutes this evening at
around 4.40 pm, calling up some students with letters while the Vedic
chants went on. One of the students was blessed with a chain, too. Bhajans
began just after 5 o'clock when Swami reached the Bhajan Hall.
Two groups are seen, standing out with their uniform clothes among the
devotees - one is a group from Singapore with a large number of Balvikas
children, and another is a group from a Sai School in Rishikesh. Both
groups are ready with programmes to present before Bhagawan, but till now
they have not had the opportunity to do so.
source: Prasanthi Bulletin
Dec.
Statement on current
phase of Bhagavan's life and mission by Justice P N Bhagavati & Sri
Indulal Shah
December 7, 2
006
Today morning Swami blessed His devotees with a
gratifying & surprise car darshan outside the prasanthi Nilayam ashram.
Many ordinary devotees were on their way to the Sai Kulwant hall for
morning darshan, but inside Bhagawan surprised many devotees by coming for
darshan at 7.15! He went out of Sai Kulwant Hall for a drive, the
fortunate devotees outside at the main road got a close up car darshan of
Swami, that too so early in the morning. On His early morning drive, Swami
stopped His car for a moment in front of Sai Gita while returning to
Mandir, and going around inside the Ashram also before going into the
interview room. Bhajans were as usual at 9 o'clock. In the evening, He
interacted with some of the students and teachers in the bhajan hall for
ten minutes before the five o'clock bhajans.
December 5, 2006
The large numbers of devotees from Srikakulam
district of Andhra Pradesh who had gathered here were much blessed this
evening. click on the
photo thumbs to see today's darshan pictures from Prasanthi Nilayam -
Srikakulam Program 5th Dec) After Bhagawan finished His darshan round at
around
4.30 pm and went into the interview room, the
Srikakulam devotees came in procession from the front entrance of Sai
Kulwant Hall, with traditional drums and other paraphernalia. Bhagawan
came out and sat onstage as the devotees passed by the front part of the
Hall, with many troupes of dancers in different tribal costumes. Some of the dancers performed acrobatic feats
which were well applauded. The procession was followed by a musical
presentation: more than a thousand teachers were gathered from Srikakulam
along with the thousands of devotees from there, and they presented a
programme of songs. After the half-hour programme, Bhagawan Blessed the
gathering by speaking to them.
It was a Divine Discourse with a difference.
Bhagawan was seated on His chair on the Western side of the stage, and
spoke in Telugu with no translation. He enthused the devotees from
Srikakulam, saying they were
actually from the land of 'Sri' or plenty. Swami
exhorted the teachers to lead their students in the right path in life, by personal example suffused with
love. The real leaders of the country are the teachers, since they are the
ones who mould the youth who are the future of the country, said Bhagawan.
After Swami's fifteen minute Message, He spoke to
the district convener and then Prof Anil Kumar was asked to announce that
all the devotees from Srikakulam
were going to be provided food by Bhagawan
tonight at the Canteen as Prasadam. Accepting Arati, Swami retired for the day at 6.20 pm.
5th
Dec.
pictures from Prasanthi
Nilayam - Srikakulam Program 5th Dec
December 4, 2006
This
evening, after His evening darshan round, Bhagawan sat onstage for fifteen
minutes, granting a long darshan to the large group of devotees from
Anankapalli. He called up some students with letters and later the
'Birthday boys', then asked for prasadam to be distributed to all -
packets of cashewnuts and raisins. Bhagawan walked to the interview room
at 4.15 and later came to the Bhajan Hall for Bhajans.
December 2, 2006
This evening, Bhagawan came into the Bhajan Hall just before five o'clock
and interacted with some people there, so Bhajans began at 5.10. He spoke
to Mrs. Mallika Srinivasan, a devotee who stays at Chennai, asking her if
her house is near Sundaram and so on. During the Bhajan, at Swami's
behest, one of the singers sang a Tamil devotional song also. Devotees
from Chennai are praying that Bhagawan grace their city for the Ati Rudra
Maha Yagnam scheduled there on January 19th, so these are encouraging
signs for them!
November 30, 2006
This evening, Swami went into the interview room
after His evening darshan, but came out at around 4.10 and walked around
the Verandah for a few minutes. He entered the Bhajan Hall through the
rear door, walked up the aisle talking to many people on the way, and
returned to the interview room. Bhajans were as usual at 5 pm.
November 29, 2006
Prasanthi Nilayam has once again quietened down after the Birthday
celebrations. Bhagawan visited the Indoor Stadium once again on Sunday
morning. Darshan and Bhajan sessions go on as usual. The Department of
Physics at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is hosting a
conference on Nanostructured Materials from the 29th of November to the
1st of December - the Chemistry department is also actively participating.
The students of the Brindavan campus are participating via
teleconferencing from the Multimedia Learning Centre inaugurated by
Bhagawan earlier this year.
November 25, 2006
 |
 |
|
Rare moments with
Sai |
click to see large size |
Nov - 2006.
Bhagawan's 81st Birthday
Discourse
This evening, after Bhagawan came for darshan, He
enquired about "the drama" from Dr. Michael Goldstein, the Prasanthi
Council chairman. The Italian group had been told that their drama would
not be staged today, so now that Swami had asked for it, they had to rush
to dress up and assemble in the Sai Kulwant Hall.
At 5.15, Bhagawan came out of the interview room, and five
minutes later, the Italian group started their presentation in which some
Argentinean devotees also participated. The 40 minute presentation was on
Dante's La Divine Comedia, with a voice-over of the English translation of
selected extracts. The participants did an admirable job of presenting the
abstract themes with expressive gestures. At the end of the programme,
Bhagawan gave some of the members chocolates, and then asked for the rest
of the chocolates to be distributed. As prasadam was being distributed,
Bhagawan retired for the day with Arati.
Photos &
Discourse Excerpts from
25TH Annual Convocation of SSSIHL By Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba
November 24, 2006 This morning,
Bhagawan did not come for darshan. In this evening, the Sai Symphony
(picture slide bleow)
This morning, Bhagawan did not come for darshan. In
this evening, the Sai
Symphony Orchestra presented the 81st Birthday Concert. The programme was
presented by 45 musicians from 16 countries. Just like for Gurupoornima,
Klaus Maurer conducted and Paul Erhard introduced each piece.
Beginning with a Ganesha bhajan, the Symphony moved on to Tchaikovsky and
then played pieces by Haydn, Strauss, Beethoven, Verdi and others,
including some where the guitar featured prominently. Bhagawan asked for
prasadam to be distributed after the hour-long concert. Coming down from
the stage, He had a photo session with the performers before He retired
after Arati.
Also read: 24th
Nov.
Darshan Mail: Eye witness account of 81st Birthday celeberations sent by
a devotee in Puttaparthi
"I thought 3am is the BEST time
to come for darshan where there will be very few devotees and we can
easily get into the Kulwanth hall.. I was out side the ganesh gate at 3:10
am only to be surprised to see the line started from the ganesh gate
throught the fruit stall area up to General hospital… I was shocked and
thought.. O Swamy! Any luck today??atleast let me in the ashram compound…
read more
November 23, 2006
The Mandir was filled by devotees from very early in the morning.
Thousands of devotees who were not able to enter the hall packed all the
approach roads. The Mandir verandah was lined with birthday cakes of
different sizes and designs.
At 8.10 am the procession began from Bhagawan's residence - the Anantapur
girls' band, the primary school girls' bagpipes, primary school boys
chanting vedam, primary school boys' recorders and drums, the Institute
band and finally the Vedam group with Poorna Kumbham leading in Bhagawan,
dressed in a white robe, in His special Lamborghini open vehicle. After a
full round of the hall, Bhagawan reached the Mandir verandah and was
greeted by President Abdul Kalam there. At 8.30, Bhagawan sat onstage with
the President beside Him. Swami indicated that the President could address
the gathering. Dr. Kalam greeted everyone on Bhagawan's 81st Birthday, and
presented the Telugu translation of a poem written by him to be read out
by Prof. Anil Kumar.
Earth shining in Glory
Our Milky Way is shining, with millions and millions of stars.
Our beloved star Sun, along with eight other planets around.
Orbits the Milky Way, finishes one orbit in two hundred and fifty million
years.
Somewhere in the galaxy, echoed a voice in surprise. "See there the Earth
shining in glory: how come it got its light?"
A sweet and soft reply comes:
"It is not the mere light, It is the light of knowledge, It is the light
of service, It is the light of peace.
Specially radiating from Prasanthi Nilayalam When Earth completes its
eightieth orbit Carrying a great soul in its bosom"
After the reading, President Kalam took his
leave. The function continued, with All India Sai Organisations President
Sri. V. Srinivasan praying for Bhagawan's Birthday message. Bhagawan stood
up at 9 o'clock and began His hour long Discourse. Bhagawan spoke about
the devotion and love of Mother Eswaramma and Karnam Subbamma. Swami told
the students that whatever they did in life, they should never forget God.
After Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with 'Bhajan Bina', He accepted
Aarati went into the interview room. Emerging in a few minutes, Swami cut
cakes on the verandah and retired to His residence.
In
the evening, the Sports programme was to be in the Indoor Stadium,
followed by musical performances in Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagawan arrived at
the Sri Sathya Sai Sports Centre at 4.15 pm, resplendent in a yellow robe.
As He entered the stadium, a song performed by the students filled the
air, and all Swami's students joined in the chorus as Bhagawan alighted
from the car and went towards His right, where the Badminton courts were
ready for the first match - a forty minute doubles exhibition match
between India and Indonesia. India recovered after losing the first game
to take the match by two games to one. Bhagawan then moved in His chair to
the other half of the stadium which had the basketball court, for the
entertaining display by the Harlem Globetrotters.
The Harlem Globetrotters are a band of highly talented basketball players
who tour the world as Ambassadors of goodwill. This evening, they played
the New York Nationals in a friendly demonstration match. The proceedings
opened with the mascot Globie (dressed up in a costume with a globe of the
Earth as a head) endearing the audience with his antics. He arranged a
musical chairs contest with some primary school boys and made everyone
laugh.
The
Nationals and the Globetrotters then took over, dancing with the
basketball as if it were glued to their hands. After a few minutes of
demonstrations set to music, the game play began. During timeouts, the
players kept up interest by getting some children also involved. First a
small girl from the primary school was picked up and given a chance to
shoot, and later a small boy, too. The players also created humorous
interludes, horsing around with a pail of water which finally landed on
the referee! Their programme concluded after an hour, and Bhagawan had
group photos with them and also presented them with watches. Then Bhagawan
left for the Mandir.
Arriving at the Mandir at 6.45 pm, Swami asked the artistes Parveen
Sultana and Mandolin Srinivas if they were ready for their programme.
First was Begum Parveen Sultana's forty minute Hindustani classical vocal
concert. Mandolin Srinivas, once again accompanied by his brother and A.
Shivamani, came next. The musical fete concluded at 8.20 with Arati to
Bhagawan, bringing the curtain down on Bhagawan's 81st Birthday.
Photos
23rd
Nov. Birthday
Evening darshan photos
Photos
23rd
Nov. Birthday
Morning darshan photos
November 22, 2006
Photos
22nd
Nov.
Inauguration of the Sri
Sathya Sai International Centre for Sports
Today the new indoor stadium is inaugurated by president Kalam who
is also presiding over the 25th anniversary celebrations of the
university.
The
University Convocation is being held inside the indoor stadium. Nadaswaram
music filled the Sai Kulwant Hall as devotees waited for Bhagawan to
appear for morning darshan. Some of the volleyball players were seated in
white tracksuits. Volleyball players from India and Sri Lanka, Basketball
players from India and Indonesia, along with Olympic athletes and gymnasts
from Greece and Switzerland are some of the participants in the inaugural
function of the Sri Sathya Sai Centre for Sports this afternoon.
Bhagawan arrived at 8.20 and sat onstage for half an hour listening to the
Vedic chants. Then He slowly walked towards the interview room, glancing
benignly at all on the way. Bhajans began at nine in the Bhajan Hall, with
the UK youth group singers alternating with the regular bhajan singers.
The afternoon programme was the inauguration of the Sri Sathya Sai
International Centre for Sports, continuing with the 25th Convocation of
the Deemed University Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. CCTVs
had been arranged in the Sai Kulwant Hall, the Higher Secondary School and
the Hill view stadium so that all those who could not be in the Indoor
Stadium could witness the events. The Chief guest for the function was the
President of India, His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Dignitaries
present included Governors of the States of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
along with the Chief Minister of Karnataka.
At 3.30 pm, Bhagawan arrived at the venue accompanied by the President.
The Centre for Sports has a domed building at the entrance, commemorating
25 years of the Sathya Sai University. The first event was the
inauguration of the Commemorative building by the President, pressing a
button and cutting a ribbon. Swami and the President then got into a golf
cart and took a round of the Commemorative building, and then entered the
stadium, taking a full round there as a special song was played. As Swami
and the President approached, distinguished sportsmen and the teams
participating in the inaugural functions were introduced - cricketer Kapil
Dev, Olympic shooter Rajyavardhan Rathod, Badminton whiz Prakash Padukone,
the basketball and volleyball teams and officials. The Institute brass
band played as the convocation procession joined the Divine Chancellor.
Bhagawan and the Chief guest went up to take their seats in their special
stands above the entrance. After a few words of welcome by the master of
ceremonies Sri Sanjay Sahani, Principal of the Brindavan campus of the
Institute, as the main guests were garlanded. The Vice-Chancellor then
spoke a few words about Dr. and Mrs. Ram Setty who had endowed the indoor
stadium. Then Dr. Ram Setty expressed his gratitude to Bhagawan. Sri Kapil
Dev, the Wisden Indian cricketer of the century, gave a brief talk,
complementing the world class facility built in just 120 days. The
function got underway with a 10 minute video presentation by filmmaker
Manishankar, "Life is a game". Then the sports events began. First there
was a short gymnastics display by the Greek and Swiss athletes. Next was
an international volleyball match, India vs Sri Lanka - the second match
in Sri Lanka's tour of India. The match, which lasted from 4.30 to 5.10,
was speeded up by having points scored regardless of which side was
serving. India won 25-15, 25-13. The Indonesian and Indian basketball
teams offered their pranaams to Bhagawan - their match was slotted for
later.
The 25th Convocation of the Institute began at 5.35 after a short break
when refreshments were served to all and the students seated themselves in
the centre of the stadium in their ceremonial robes and hats. Waiting for
Bhagawan to arrive, our irrepressible President took the few moments to
interact with the students onstage who were to start the proceedings with
Vedam.
As Bhagawan declared the Convocation open, a short animation prepared by
the students was shown on the large projection screen. After the
Vice-Chancellor's address, the Chief guest gave his 35 minute convocation
address at 6.15 pm. As mentioned by him,
his convocation address is
available on this link! Bhagawan then delivered His 30 minute
Benedictory message, in which He exhorted the students to emulate Tenali
Ramakrishna and know the inner meaning of the letters, words and phrases
they use. As Swami said, the main root words we must learn are just five:
Sathya, Dharma, Shanthi, Prema and Ahimsa. After Bhagawan's Discourse, Sri
Mandolin U. Srinivas accompanied by his brother U. Rajesh and the
illustrious drummer A. Shivamani gave a half hour concert. The function
concluded with the National Anthem at 8.05 and Bhagawan returned to His
residence after 10 minutes.
November 21, 2006
Bhagawan's car came into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 4.10 p.m., Swami took
seat at the centre place of the veranda, after a few short minutes
onstage, Swami went inside the mandir. After the Bhajans conclusion &
customary Arati to Bhagawan the evening darshan ended. There were no
dances, drama or other programs today. Seva dal and many Sai sevaks are
working hard and around the clock to make tomorrow a day to remember.
Tomorrow, November 22nd 2006 is University Convocation and also the indoor
stadium’s formal inaugural day. President of India Abdul Kalam is expected
to inaugurate the Indoor Stadium, officially
called
Sri Sathya Sai
International Centre for Sports. Over 150 athletes of Indian
fame as well as world renowned sports men from around the world are
expected to perform in there respected sports & athletic field in the
divine presence of Sathya Sai Baba and the august
guests.
November 20, 2006
Photos
20th
Nov.
Easwaramma Women's Welfare Trust Program &
Dance Program by Students of SSSIHL -
Report on the 81st Birthday Celebrations
At 8.30 this morning, Bhagawan went for a drive along the road to the
airport, taking a look at the flags and other decorations on the way.
While returning, He dropped in at the Indoor Stadium for half an hour
before returning to the
Mandir at 9.30.
In the evening, the annual day of the Eswaramma
Women's Welfare Trust was to be celebrated. As
Bhagawan's car came into
the Sai Kulwant Hall at 3.45 pm, the village drum troupe positioned near the central lotus gate
started their loud drumming. Bhagawan went into the interview room and
emerged after half an hour to more drumming till He reached the stage
area. Then the drumming stopped and the bicycle distribution began. Bhagawan moved down from the stage and
sat in the centre of the hall and watched as bicycles were given to
economically disadvantaged girls. The next item was a
Chakkabhajan dance
by small children from the village. Bhagawan called up the smallest boy in
the group and gave him a chain. One more village dance followed - by
elders this time, dressed in black costumes fringed with peacock feathers.
By 4.40, the dances concluded, some of the village women presented short
speeches and songs, expressing their gratitude to Bhagawan for all that He
has done for them. Mrs. Chetana Raju, the organiser of the function, then
announced the distribution of material for mothers and mothers-to-be in
the surrounding villages, a thousand of whom had gathered in Bhagawan's
presence, symbolically handed over by Bhagawan to representatives from
each village. These consisted of water purifiers and bags containing
utensils and toys for the children. The doctors who were working for
mother and child welfare with the Mobile Hospital were then presented with
gifts of grace by Bhagawan.
The next item in the
EWWT celebrations was to be a
video projected on a large screen in the centre of the hall. But this
required the daylight to dim further. So, Bhagawan instructed His students
to present their dance. A few days previously, Bhagawan had told the
Institute dance group to be ready to dance on the 20th, so they were
dressed in costumes ready for the Divine command. Bhagawan came onstage
and watched as the boys danced for the next 40 minutes. Praises to Lord
Ganesha followed by a Yakshagana presenting the Krishna story, Dashavatara
dance and finally a dance on Bhagawan's glory. Swami graciously called up
the boys for a group photo. Just before six o'clock, the video began -
"The One Sri Sathya Sai." Beginning with the story of creation, the 20
minute film traced Man's fall from his divine origins and his final
redemption by Mother Sai's Love. Bhagawan accepted Arati at 6.20 pm and
returned to His residence. Prasadam was distributed as the devotees left
the Hall.
source: Prasanthi Bulletin
November 19, 2006
Ladies Day PHOTOS 2006 - Morning & Evening
The Sai Kulwant Hall was decked with floral decorations for the Ladies'
Day celebrations. Bhagawan came to
the Hall at eight o'clock in a procession led by the Primary School
Bagpipes band with young girls holding plates with lamps welcoming the
Lord chanting Vedam. As Bhagawan entered the Hall, the strains of the song
"E Malik Tere Bande Hum" filled the air. Once Bhagawan was seated onstage,
the programme began with a Bagpipes display by the Primary School band.
Next was a ten minute choir medley by Sai youth from the UK. Two speeches
in Telugu and English followed by Mrs. Vasumathi Bhaskar Rao and Dr. Ronne
Marantz respectively.
Mrs. Vasumathi is a Mahila Seva dal convener from
Andhra Pradesh and spoke about her experiences doing seva shoulder to
shoulder with Smt. Easwaramma garu. Dr. Ronne is a member of the
international Sri Sathya Sai Education Committee and Principal, Scarsdale
Public Schools, New York. She spoke of how her interactions with Swami and
His EHV programme helped her to implement value education in her school.
It was nearing nine o'clock as these speeches concluded, and Bhagawan
asked for Bhajans and prasadam distribution. Accepting Arati from the
ladies at 9.15, Bhagawan retired for the morning.
November 19, 2006
Evening: Bhagawan arrived for evening
darshan at 3.10 pm. After a few moments onstage, Swami went into the
interview room. From there, a large number of sarees were brought out and
kept near the front part of the stage. It was to be yet another saree
distribution. Bhagawan came onstage at 3.20, and a small girl from the
Primary school dressed for their dance programme later in the evening went
up to Him and gave Him a card. Bhagawan responded by giving her a chain!
Then the saree distribution began. Bhagawan was seated near the steps
leading down from the stage, and the ladies came up one by one and
collected sarees from Him. This went on for the next 45 minutes. Then
Swami stood up and gave some sarees. Later He sat again and continued.
Finally, after an hour, He left that spot and went to the centre of the
stage, indicating the Primary School children to begin their dance. After
the picturesque dance by the girls, some of whom were really tiny tots,
Bhagawan came down from the stage and gave group photos to all of them,
including the students in the band that performed in the morning. When
Bhagawan came back onstage, the Priya sisters went up to Bhagawan for His
blessings for their concert. The Carnatic vocals of the sisters
Shanmukhapriya and Haripriya wafted in the Sai Kulwant Hall for the next
hour. Bhagawan went into the interview room halfway through, and when He
returned at six o'clock, He asked for the Arati. Just as the Arati was
drawing to a close, students brought prasadam for Bhagawan's blessings,
and the distribution began. Swami continued to sit onstage for the
distribution, leafing through a photo album presented by Dr. Voleti
Choudhary of the SSSIHMS. After fifteen minutes, Swami entered His car and
left for Yajur Mandiram.
Photos: Rathothsavam (Chariot
Festival) - 18th Nov 2006
November 18, 2006
This morning, Bhagawan came for Darshan
at 7.30 am. The procession with Sai Gita, Bhagawan's elephant, was waiting
at the front gate of the Sai
Kulwant Hall for the Rathotsavam. As Swami's car reached her, He
paused, fed her with apples from the car, and then continued on His
darshan round. Swami's car came to the Verandah and He alighted, went to
the stage area and sat there for ten minutes listening to the Vedic chants
and the Panchavadyam by the students along with the village band. Then He
came to the interview room and later came into the Bhajan Hall where the
palanquins with the
Rama-Lakshmana-Sita-Hanuman and Krishna idols were kept ready decorated
with flowers. The Vedam group sat chanting in the Bhajan Hall in
orange
dhoties.
The priest brought the ceremonial thread to be blessed by Bhagawan, and
then adorned Sita devi with it, waving camphor in front of the palanquins.
This marked the beginning of the procession, and the Vedam group led them
out with the palanquins hefted by specially trained Sevadals from
Hyderabad, followed by the Bhajan group. Bhagawan sat on His chair and
went to the Gopuram gate to see off the procession which goes to the Pedda
Venkappa Raju Kalyanamantapam and returns with the idols lifted atop the
ceremonial temple car (Ratham). Bhagawan returned to the interview room
till the procession returned a few minutes after nine o'clock. The Bhajan
group members started singing into the mics once the
Rama statue was kept back in the
Bhajan Hall. Bhagawan came to the Bhajan Hall soon after, sat for a
few Bhajans, accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 9.45.
Sai Gita's new residence, located
next to the Sri Sathya Sai Space Theatre (Planetarium), was being
inaugurated today. The Planetarium grounds were decorated with buntings
and flower arrangements. Bhagawan arrived at 10.40 and alighted right next
to Sai Gita who was standing at the entrance of her new building. After
feeding her, Swami went in His chair into the building and sat there while
some people connected with the construction like the contractor and so on
presented Him with bouquets. A
priest did a puja, broke a coconut in front of Sai Gita, and some of
the elders also broke coconuts. Bhagawan blessed clothes and food prasadam
for the workers who did the construction and were now sitting in the
garden area, and also sent watches to be distributed to them. Sai Gita was
then invited inside her new abode, and Swami fed her again with apples and
sugarcane. Bhagawan finally left at 11.10 accepting Arati and blessing
some ladies who were seated near the entrance.
The evening session was to have a
Russian programme of
songs and some chairs with mics were kept in the centre of the Sai Kulwant
Hall. Bhagawan arrived in the Sai Kulwant Hall and proceeded to the stage
area. After a few minutes, He called up the organisers who began the
programme at 4.10 pm. The rare traditional instrument psaltery was used
for the programme, which featured an eleven-year old soprano along with
other singers, an accordion and guitars. Bhagawan enjoyed the 40 minute
programme ending with the boy's rendering of the catchy "Kalinka". He
blessed them with group photographs, after which He asked for Bhajans to
be sung in the Sai Kulwant Hall itself. At 5.30, He accepted Arati and
returned to His residence. Also read:
devotee's experience of 18th Nov. A mail
sent to SBOI group by a devotee
Also see:
Sai Geeta's New Home's ceremonial
inaugural by Swami
18th Nov 2006, Images from today
Photos
18th Nov:
A Cultural Program of
Russian Folk Music
Rathothsavam (Chariot Festival) - 18th Nov 2006, Images
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preceding darshan news from November
