|
PRASANTHI NEWS
(11th -14th April 2005)
 Prasanthi Nilayam was teeming with thousands of
devotees from Kerala, especially the Sai Youth numbering about 1300 young
men and women from different districts of Kerala. They got the coveted
opportunity to sit in the front rows of the Hall during the Vishu
celebrations, which was held for four days. A Youth Conference on the theme
“Able and Noble Instruments of Bhagawan” was held in the 1st floor of North
Indian Canteen on 11th, 12th and 13th April 2005. Speakers from the
Institute and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation addressed the youth. Bhagawan
graciously blessed the youth with two discourses, one on the inaugural day
of the Conference and the other on the concluding day of the Conference.
During these days, members of the Sai Youth had the opportunity to share
their experiences with the audience in the Divine Presence. There were also
music concerts by eminent singers from Kerala. On 14th April 2005, which
happened to be the New Year Day for Keralites and Tamilians, singers from
Kerala and the Sundaram Bhajan group from Chennai, Tamil Nadu enthralled the
audience with their soul-stirring musical performances.
11th April 2005
This morning, Swami came out for Darshan at 7.40 a.m. As
Swami took a full round of the Hall in the golf cart, He observed
the youth sitting at a distance in the Hall. Swami called the State
President of Kerala, Sri Mukundan and asked him seat the youth, (both in the
gents’ side and ladies’ side) in the front rows of the Hall. Swami was so
keen to give the youth a vantage position that He asked the students to move
to one side.
By 7.50 a.m. Swami was sitting on the sofa placed at the
centre of the dais. After 5 minutes, the Veda chanting stopped. Sri Mukundan
went over to the microphone and made a few introductory remarks. He declared
the theme of the Youth Conference as “Able and Noble Instruments of
Bhagawan”. Referring to the loving act of Bhagawan in calling the youth to
sit in the front, Sri Mukundan recalled Swami saying, “Take one step towards
Me and I shall take a 100 towards you.” But this step should be in the right
direction, he added. He further said that as youth, not only should we
remember ‘ABC – Always Be Careful’ but should also keep in mind ‘DEFG –
Don’t Ever Forget God’. He recalled how once Swami while speaking to some
devotees asked them what gift He should give them. Then Swami Himself said
that there could be no greater gift than His coming down here to be with
us!!
At 8.05 a.m. Hon. Justice Radhakrishnan from Kerala took
over the microphone and spoke a few words. He was followed by Sri
Raghavendran in Malayalam. At 8.15 a.m. Bhagawan blessed the youth by
consenting to deliver His Divine Message. (Full text of Divine Discourse is
given elsewhere.) Bhagawan concluded the Discourse at 8.50 a.m. Bhajans
began and Prasadam was distributed to all. At 9.15 a.m. Swami stood up and
went towards the interview room while Bhajans continued with devotional
fervour. At 9.40 a.m. Swami was offered Arati and then He retired to His
abode.
 In the afternoon, Bhagawan blessed everyone with
His Divine Darshan at 2.30 p.m. A group of ladies singers presented a
bouquet of songs at Swami’s Lotus Feet. This went on till 3.35 p.m. after
which the gents from Kerala commenced Bhajans. They sang devotional songs as
well as Bhajans. At 4.10 p.m. Swami stood up and walked into the interview
room asking the singers to continue their songs.
What followed was a most inspiring session. In fact, this
Vishu celebration and the Youth Camp was a unique music treat for everyone.
Every session, Swami would signal to them to begin their performance, which
would continue for hours. They had a wide variety of songs to offer to
Bhagawan, namely, Thyagaraja Kritis, Light Devotional Songs, Bhajans sung in
Carnatic style, etc. Each song was vibrant with feelings and enraptured the
heart of one and all! The singers kept up the tempo till 4.35 p.m. when
Swami went into the Bhajan Hall. There, He asked the students to start the
Bhajans! At 5.00 p.m. Arati was offered to Bhagawan and then He proceeded
towards the Poornachandra Auditorium.
12th April 2005
This morning Swami came out for Darshan at 7.40 a.m. Four
youth participants addressed the audience, two each from the gents’ and
ladies’ side. They shared their ineffable joy to be part of this unique Youth Camp. They were followed by an elderly Bal Vikas
Guru who delivered an insightful talk giving wonderful tips to the Youth
Camp participants. From 8.40 a.m. to 9.20 a.m., mellifluous Carnatic music
recital filled the air with spiritual vibrations.
In the afternoon, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 2.50
p.m. At 3.00 p.m., the Kerala Youth presented a professionally choreographed
drama – “Uthisthata Jagratha” (Arise Awake). The play portrayed several
scenes from the life of Swami Vivekananda – depicted as flashbacks in the
course of a grandfather advising his grandson who had come from USA to India
– his homeland for the first time. The play ended at 3.35 p.m. The
participants were blessed with photographs with Swami. Bhagawan was very
happy with their performance and spoke to each one of them.
 A very touching incident occurred at
this point. A youth prayed to Swami asking for something. He kept pointing
at Swami’s sofa. Swami asked him again what he wanted. He again pointed at
the sofa. Swami looked at Sri Mukundan and Sri Nitin. On prodding him
further, the youth hesitantly prayed to Swami asking for His handkerchief
which was kept on the sofa! Instantly, with a loving smile, Bhagawan took
the handkerchief and gave it to him. As the youth were settling down in
their places, Bhagawan signalled for the Music programme to be started. The
programme which started at 3.40 p.m. went on till 5.25 p.m. In the course of
the songs, Bhagawan called the lead singer in front and materialised a gold
chain and placed it in his hands! The delighted singer went back and started
singing Bhajans in Carnatic style and Marathi Abhangs. Swami got up at 5.00
p.m. and went inside the interview room, but asked the singer to continue
singing. At 5.25 p.m. Swami was offered Arati.
13th April 2005
Swami came out for Darshan at 7.25 a.m. Swami took a full
round of the Hall in the golf cart and then walked towards the sofa. This
morning too there were two gent speakers and two lady speakers. As
the Gent speakers came forward to offer their rose to Swami, Sri Mukundan
signalled to them to wait until Swami sat down on the sofa. Watching this,
Swami immediately told Sri Mukundan to allow them to come forward. Swami
exclaimed in Tamil – “Neengal Chuma Irango …” (you keep quiet). They have
come from far off places – why do you stop them?
The second speaker got a chain from Swami and then
Bhagawan called for the first speaker who was seated on the dais, and
created a ring for him. Their joy knew no bounds. After the lady speakers,
Swami delivered His Divine Discourse. (Full text of Divine Discourse is
already given.)
 It was 8.40 a.m. and Swami asked for the music
programme to begin. As the participants were getting ready, the main singers
in front looked for some water to wet their throats. Observing this, before
water could reach them from behind, Swami told Sri Nitin to give them His
glass of water. By then, a bottle of water had arrived, but Swami offered
His glass of water!
The singers would not miss this great opportunity at any
cost. One of them came forward with a tumbler and Sri Nitin poured out the
sacred water from the tumbler into their tumbler! What a blessing! Each one
took a sip of the Prasadam. But that was not the end of it. There was some
water left in the tumbler. Bhagawan asked for it and He drank the remaining
water! That is the pure Love of the Lord!
The singers were again at their best. A couple of
devotional songs and Bhajans kept everyone spellbound. At 9.25 a.m. Swami
got up and went inside the interview room. Bhajans continued as usual! At
9.50 a.m. Arati was offered to Swami.
In the evening, Bhagawan’s golf cart glided its way to
the Kulwant Hall at 3.15 p.m. Swami asked for the cart to be turned
towards the interview room. His Excellency Sri Narayan Datt Tiwari – the
Chief Minister of Uttaranchal had come for Bhagawan’s Darshan. Swami spoke
to him for some time in the portico and then came out and sat down on the
sofa. It was 3.25 p.m. The Veda chanting stopped and a new set of virtuoso
singers from Kerala held the stage today with their Carnatic classical
music! Bhagawan sat there till 4.15 p.m. Sri N.D. Tiwari was seated behind
on a chair along with the Vice Chancellor. The singers rendered Bhajans,
songs, Tukaram Abhangs, a steady flow of sweet spontaneous music, making
everyone forget themselves. At 4.15 p.m. Swami went in and blessed the Chief
Minister with an interview. Even after Swami went in, the music continued as
per His command. At 5.15 p.m. the Bhajan group from Kerala took over. By now
Swami had come out and was seated again. They sang for 5 minutes and at 5.20
p.m. Arati was offered to Bhagavan. As Bhagawan’s golf cart was moving
towards Poornachandra, Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam music alternately made
their entry as it was the eve of the Tamil New Year and Vishu.
14th April 2005
 First of all, we wish everyone a happy Vishu and
Tamil New Year! Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam music were reverberating in the
Hall, and at sharp 7.30 a.m. Bhagawan made His grand entry in the Hall. The
Mandir was decorated with banners of Swami’s sayings.
Colouful umbrellas stood erect along the outer wall of
the Darshan Hall, giving a typical Kerala ambience! At 7.45 a.m. Swami was
on the dais, blessing the Kerala and the Tamil Nadu State Sai Samithi
presidents. Then the Veda chanting stopped. Singers from Kerala began their
scintillating music. After a while, the Sundaram Bhajan group took over with
their Bhajans. Swami was standing all the while giving wonderful Darshan to
all the devotees!
Bhajans went on till 8.15 a.m. Mr. G.K. Raman from
Chennai, was the first speaker. He prayed to Bhagawan for a peaceful new
year, and then specifically addressed the Kerala Youth stressing on the
importance of character. Practice of Truth, Integrity and Honesty, he said
was the only way to become a good human being. Finally, he offered gratitude
to Bhagawan on behalf of all the people from Chennai for the gift of
life-saving water bestowed by Him on the city!
 The speaker recalled his unique privilege of being
a student of the first set of Bal Vikas students in Madras in 1969. He also
happened to belong to the first batch of Seva Dal and the first batch of the
Bal Vikas Gurus in Chennai. Swami had performed his Upanayanam (sacred
thread ceremony) when he was just 10 years old. Bhagawan had then asked him
the meaning of Upanayanam. Swami said that Upa means ‘near’ and Nayanam
means ‘eye’. Therefore Upanayanam means one is taken near the eye of wisdom!
Bhagawan had cautioned him that even if he was not be
able to perform Sandhyavandanam everyday, he must never give up chanting of
the Gayatri. Gayatri Mantra can be chanted at anytime, Swami had said. It
can be chanted while bathing – this would become an Abhisheka to the
Goddess. It can be chanted while eating too.
In 1985, Swami had given his family an interview where
Bhagawan asked him what job he was in. When he told Swami that he was a
lawyer, Bhagawan smilingly told him, “Be a lawyer and not a liar”! He
recalled some more teachings of Swami that have helped him extensively in
his life.
It was 8.30 a.m. and Sri Mukundan came forward to address
the audience. Sri Mukundan shared the joyous feelings of the
Kerala Youth with Bhagawan and said that they had resolved to do Grama Seva
in each and every village of Kerala. He prayed to Bhagawan to give them the
strength to undertake this massive Labour of Love!
He recalled an instance where some devotees travelling
with Swami, looking at the evening sky exclaimed – what a beautiful sky it
is! To this Bhagawan told them that they were so lost in the painting and
they were forgetting the Painter Himself! Never forget the Creator! Creator
is more important than Creation!
Once as Swami was approaching the students, they
immediately cleared the way for Swami. Looking at this, Swami said, “What is
the use of making this way. Make a way in your heart for Me!” In yet another
episode, Swami was supervising the drama troupe just before their
performance. He asked all the students who was their director. All said ‘no’
and finally the teacher in charge said that he was only the assistant
director because Swami Himself was the actual Director. To this, Bhagawan
replied that the Avatar needs no assistant directors. He needs only
instruments!
 Praying to Swami to bless all the 1300 youth from
Kerala to become able and noble instruments in His Divine Mission, Mr.
Mukundan concluded his inspiring talk. It was 8.40 a.m. The Sundaram Bhajan
group started singing Bhajans. At 9.00 a.m. Bhagawan received Arati and
retired for the morning.
In the evening, Swami came out at 2.50 p.m. He cut across
the Hall and came onto the dais. He spoke to Sri Ramani, the State President
of Tamil Nadu, enquiring about the evening programme. Three members from the
Sundaram Group came forward with a card. They started their programme
at 3.00 p.m. and it went on continuously till 4.45 p.m. In the course of the
programme, Swami called one of the singers and materialised a ring for him.
The programme for the latter half of evening was a set of songs by ladies
from a Chennai Samithi. Throughout, Swami was very much involved and kept
beat with His fingers. At the end, the Sundaram Group members got the
opportunity of being photographed with Bhagawan. Swami also spoke to many of
them. Arati was performed to Bhagawan. As the golf cart moved towards
Poornachandra, once again Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam music filled the Hall.
The past four days were truly filled with great devotion
and noble feelings. Time ticked away so fast and Bhagawan gave Himself
totally to saturate the devotees and the Youth with His Love and Grace! Sri
Rama Navami is fast approaching. We will get back to you soon with Rama
Navami news!
JAI SAI RAM |
