|
Home |
SBOI-Group|
Pictures
|
Audio-Video
|
Wallpapers|
Greeting-cards
|
Ashrams Info.
Sai news
Clapping. The car is visible at the threshold of Sai Kulwant hall from the ladies side. Vedic chanting has been going on for a minute or so; we knew that Swami was on His way. But when the car is finally sighted, only then are we sure He is coming into the hall. The car slowly makes its way round the hall. Three days have just concluded on the Bal Vikas program for the whole country. 3000 students from all 19 states. The delegates from far-off Sikkim took five days to arrive here by train.
Clapping. The car is now on the veranda and the door on Swami's side has just begun to slide backwards. The chair with Baba contained within turns 90 degrees to the left.
More clapping. The robe of His legs can now been seen emerging from the auto as the chair is smoothly projected outside. The wheels of the chair lower and an attendant wheels Him onto the veranda center stage. Clap. Clap. Clap.
These next two days are set aside for a conference of Bal Vikas gurus. The television monitors are still in the hall. As the car passed by the central driveway the window on Swami's side was down and the camera captured a great shot of Swami. His face was beaming with a smile. This was projected full-screen on the monitors. But it was fleeting. The car moved on.
Two speakers gave introductory remarks. Then Swami called for a gentleman from the inner sanctum of the veranda. He is one of the few VVIP's. The man appeared a bit flustered after the brief interaction with Baba. Shortly, the mics were arranged in front of the guardrails from where Swami sat. The chair was moved forward.
Clapping. Swami was attempting, with aid from two attendants, to stand up. It was tentative. He was not fully upright at first, the knees still slightly bent. But the two attendants were there to support Him from behind with their hands. Soon He was holding firmly onto the rails and began with His sweet melodic voice to sing the introduction to His talk.
The VVIP (I shall give no names) was instructed to translate. He was clearly nervous. This was his first time, to my knowledge and from his outward countenance, to be asked to do so. Many times previously I had heard him speak with confidence, intelligence, and clarity. This morning he was another person. At first it went well. He translated with apparent ease. But he seemed to have difficulty hearing or understanding Swami's words for he would lean towards Swami as Baba spoke. Laughter! He hesitated at translating: the word was English; we all understood it but it took a while to register to him. Soon He took out his handkerchief and was wiping his face. Swami was talking about Educare and how the process of education should come from within, from the heart, from the atma. One should also be an example of the things they are teaching, to practice and not just preach. Many are educated in world matters, to earn a living, yet are lacking in character. He concluded by advising the gurus present to ask for His guidance from within to help them in their endeavors. The translator, relieved that his task was completed, walked slowly away, still wiping sweat from his brow.
Next Swami signaled for chanting. Soon a student was called up. This boy was familiar to us. He is American. He and his younger brother study in Swami's school here. Over the past two years this particular youngster had been given lots of attention by Swami. Today He was commanded to chant in front of mics a meter and a half away from where Swami sat. It soon became evident the reason for all this. Swami had earlier talked about the materialism of the west. Here was a boy from America whom He was bringing up as His own. This boy, now tall and lanky, is a living example of Educare in action. He stood straight and confident, but also respectful with hands prayerfully placed on his chest. To underscore this point further, another boy was called forward. A Russian boy who just last year had joined the Music School. He had relatively recently joined the special group of chanters. I remembered him. Before becoming a student of the Institute he was a bit wild, running here and there, to get closer and closer to where Swami was passing. Here he now was, another example of Swami's loving care, not just Educare.
The contrast was stark. The translator was called up on the spot, unexpected. He is, I am sure, a tireless and enthusiastic worker for Sai. But he did not have the benefit of Educare. The boys, on the other hand, though still quite young are direct products of Swami's Institute. Also called forward on the spur of the moment, they performed impressively. More clapping.
Swami is so clear. It is amazing. First He teaches. Shortly thereafter follows the example.
A side note. The tv monitors showed good close-ups of Swami. Sometimes we could see him chanting the Vedas along with the chanters. Nice, huh? The Lord, Himself, doing what He tells us to do. HE is the best example of Educare.
Subscribe to saibabaofindia Group
|
Swami's Darshans 25th Oct,2005