Thursday, July 31, 2008Thursdays, of late have become days of
great joy at Parthi , especially among the gents. With Swami frequently choosing to take a
shortcut to the interview room just after the ladies side, the gents devotees are starved of
close darshan. And so, Thursdays become so important. Not only because of the fact that Swami,
since childhood, has assigned special importance to it, but also because the primary school
children come for darshan! So?....So, the gap between the ladies and gents is filled up by the
children and this seems to "force" Swami to make the complete darshan rounds! And when Swami
came out at 4:15pm, He did exactly that as He took a complete round of the ladies and gents
side on the chair and everyone were happy.
Very often, it is said, "God is everywhere. All we
need is a pure heart and a clean mind to feel Him." Whatever be the statement or the Truth, ask anyone who has just had the privilege of seeing Swami from up close. The thrill that
shoots through ones being at being so close to His Being is something out of the world! His
darshan seems to fill the entire body-mind-soul apparatus with sublime joy and pure bliss.
That effect seems more divine and profound especially when one has been starved of it for many
days! It is not simply that the sages and saints, who were ever immersed in the divine, also
got dumbed into ecstatic silence at the mere sight of that same Divine. When the Lord descends
as an Avatar, His darshan is something that one must experience. And for those who swear by
the "God is felt everywhere" philosophy, please, sit for a moment at a yard's distance from
Him and feel the difference yourselves! Today, Swami was all "randomness" if we can
give another name for His famed "uncertainty" ! He moved towards the interview room, but then
moved along the upper portico and interacted with the devotees there.. He also materialised a
gold chain for a devotee seated there.
Moving down, He went towards the primary school
block. He blessed chocolates to be distributed to all the children and this raised the
excitement levels- slightly in the whole mandir and to extreme levels in the children's
portion of it.. As the chocolates were distributed, another treat too was readied and
choco-cream biscuits soon followed suit, only that this time the beneficiaries were everyone
and not the children alone. Swami slowly travelled down the slope along the primary school
students. He collected letters and blessed the kids as the Veda chanting among them reached
"sonic boom" levels. He retraced the same path and granted the children a bonus 'double'.
Through the veranda, He
moved out to the gents side and this time gave the privileged 'double' to the Higher Secondary
School and Institute students. As He neared the area where the birthday boys were seated, He
told them in a joking- admonishing tone,"Ay I already blessed you all!" He
moved to the interview room and then blessed the group from the United Kingdom to put up the
musical programme they had prepared. Quickly, the marble block was cleared and the group to
perform were seated. Hurriedly, a lamp for Swami to light was prepared. However, Swami came
and straight sat facing the devotees and asked for the programme to begin.
click to enlarge
he beginning of the programme. Beginning with "Brahmaanandam
Parama Sukhadam", the group sang five songs in different styles and different moods. The final
song was a powerful one that had the catch phrase, "onward, forward, godward". As they
completed their five songs, Swami told them to sing bhajans. The youth from the United Kingdom
had come on this visit to Parthi as part of their sadhana camp! They began bhajans and five
bhajans later, Swami had Aarthi and then retired to Yajur Mandir.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008For the last few days, Bhagawan has
been coming for darshan in His chair on most occasions, and going for a second round of the
verandah, sitting onstage for a few minutes and then moving to the interview room.
On Monday, July 28th in Sai Kulwant Hall the group from the USA got a chance to present a
musical programme with enactments by children in Sai Kulwant Hall. At 5.25 pm their programme
got underway when Swami came onstage. Various religions were represented in the group songs
for half an hour. Swami interacted with them, and after a few minutes, they began bhajans.
Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 6.40 pm.Photo slides and report from SSSBPT below
Devotees from the US (Region 10 – Texas, Oklahoma,
Louisiana, and Arkansas) presented a musical offering to Bhagawan on
Monday, July 28th in Sai
Kulwant Hall.
The program depicted Bhagawan’s love for mankind throughout the ages. It showed scenes of His
various incarnations and messengers to uplift man to enable him to realise his divinity. The
entire group of 276 performed a medley of songs in 7 languages, woven together with
narration. 57 Bal Vikas (SSE) children provided a dramatic portrayal through skits and dances.
The six episodes focused on the majesty of Rama, the mischief of Krishna, the serenity of the
Buddha, the compassion of Jesus, the glory of Allah, and the grandeur of Bhagawan Baba. The
first scene was set to a backdrop of uplifting songs, which described the glory and might of
the Lord, and illustrated the power of the vanaras’ devotion to Lord Rama as they built the
bridge to Lanka. Our prayer is to be, likewise, humble instruments in Lord Sai Rama’s mission.
The second episode focused on the mischief of Krishna, who charmed Mother Yashoda and the
Gopis as He stole yogurt and butter. His leelas, dramatized to a bhajan, inspire us to awaken
the God within who will steal our butter-soft hearts. This scene was followed by a song that
reminds us to remember Hari (Lord Krishna) in all that we think, say, and do.
Set to a traditional chant followed by a bhajan, the next scene depicted the Lord Buddha’s
peaceful aura. His presence was enough to calm the restless minds of spiritual aspirants
depicted by SSE students. By controlling the senses and purifying their intake, the heart
shall become Prasanthi Nilayam and Sai will reside within.
The fourth episode showed Jesus showering His unconditional love and compassion on the blind,
the hungry, the sick, and the needy. Seeing Jesus' loving service, others, who previously were
unwilling to serve, follow suit and therefore are transformed themselves.
The fifth episode showed a traditional Sufi dance set to an uplifting Qawwali praising Allah.
The songs of Allah demonstrated that Bhagawan (in all His forms) is the ultimate embodiment of
All that Is as He is the One behind everyone and everything.
For the grand finale, the boys and girls created two hearts at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan Baba
while the entire group sang “Hum Ko Tumse Pyar Kitna.” This represented that the whole world -
all faiths, religions, castes, and sects - is arriving at the Lotus Feet of Bhagawan to
participate in His Divine Mission.
Swami responded to this outpouring of love by coming down into the group of children for a
photograph. He granted padanamaskar to several of them, materialized a gold chain for one boy,
and distributed prasadam to everyone.
Swami’s pleasure was evident as He invited the group to sing several bhajans in His Divine
Presence. After accepting Arathi, Swami raised both hands in blessing to all.
Submitted Sai
news & Photos - SBOI GROUP- saibabaofindia.com
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
This evening, devotees from Italy presented a musical programme. Bhagawan
came in His golden chair, reaching onstage at 5.25 pm to start the proceedings. After 45
minutes of traditional Italian music, Bhagawan asked them to sing Bhajans. At 6.30 pm, He
accepted Arati and moved to the interview room. When He emerged a few minutes later, some
students from the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School were waiting with a card and a tray
of sweets, on the occasion of their Hostel anniversary. Swami asked the student with the tray
of chocolates in the shape of gold coins to follow Him, and moving to the ladies' side,
distributed the sweets to many devotees and even moved among the ladies on wheelchairs giving
them the sweets personally. Then He returned to the centre of Sai Kulwant hall, had a set of
photographs with the youngest member of their group who had recited Vedam and played a guitar
solo, and asked the students to sing Bhajans. At a quarter past seven, Swami moved towards His
residence, and the session concluded with Arati once again.
Photos below: July 23, 2008
- Read more details from 23rd click here
Tuesday, July 22, 2008This morning,
the Bhajans began in Sai Kulwant Hall at 9 o'clock, and Bhagawan arrived in His chair at 9.50
am. After He sat onstage for a few minutes and interacted with the conference organisers, He
moved to the interview room and called in a few lady
delegates for an interview. Once He emerged from the interview, He came onstage and accepted
Arati before returning to His residence at 11 o'clock.
The final session of the conference got underway in the evening when Bhagawan came onstage
just before five o'clock. The three speakers for the session were Dr. Narendra Reddy, Sri
Nimish Pandya and Dr. Michael Goldstein. Once the speakers summed up the conference
proceedings
and outlined the course of future action, Bhagawan delivered His benedictory message. Swami
stressed the importance of Unity and the feeling that all are the children of one Father. At
the end of His Discourse, He went to the interview room briefly, and returned with Dr.
Goldstein in tow. Bhagawan took the lingam He had given to Dr. Goldstein last evening and
displayed it to everyone, then created vibhuti and sprinkled it on the lingam. He announced
that He's giving the lingam to Dr. Goldstein for him to distribute the water from washing the
lingam to those who are unwell. He then asked for the evening's cultural programme to begin.
Children from the Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, Alwaye, Kerala, presented an hour-long dance drama on
Bhaktha Jayadeva. Bhagawan's face was wreathed in smiles, watching the small children make
their presentation. As they concluded, He got up from the stage and walked down to take group
photographs with them. He then sat onstage and distributed laminated photographs to each of
them as they came up one by one, while prasadam was distributed to all the devotees. He also
threw a couple of sweets to some of the drama participants. It was 8 o'clock when Swami
accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
Three Divine Discourses
Education Conference 20 -22 July 2008
Monday July 21, 2008-
Prasanthi Bulletin: This
morning, the morning plenary session of the Education conference was to be held in the Sai
Kulwant Hall, so the Bhajans did not commence at 9 o'clock. Bhagawan arrived at 10.30 in His
chair, and when He reached the stage, Prof. David Gries, the Zone I chairman of the Sathya Sai
Organisation, introduced the speakers. Dr. Tom Scoville, Dr. B. G. Pitre, Dr. Dalton de Souza
Amorim and Sri Srinivasan Srirangarajan were the speakers for the morning, representing the
Sri Sathya Sai Organisation and the Sri Sathya Sai University. They spoke on the techniques
and impact of Sathya Sai Education, with illustrative anecdotes. Bhagawan accepted Arati after
the speeches and returned to His residence at noon.
The delegates for the conference gathered at various venues in the Ashram for their respective
post-lunch sessions and returned to the Sai Kulwant Hall for the afternoon plenary session.
Bhagawan arrived in His chair and moved to the interview room after four o'clock. At 4.30 pm,
the speeches for the afternoon commenced. Mr. Victor Krishna Kanu, Mr. Jeremy Hoffer, Mr. M.
K. Kaw and Sri Sanjay Mahalingam spoke on the inspiration and activities of the Sathya Sai
Education programme. Bhagawan then graciously consented to speak to the delegates. Bhagawan took the sheet
of questions posed by the delegates and clarifications desired by them, and
reading out the questions one by one, answered them for an hour till 6.30 pm.
Swami stressed on the need for parents to take proper care of their children,
and for the children to love, obey and respect their parents. The students sang
Bhajans for 10 minutes after Bhagawan's Discourse while the delegates moved out
from the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall to make way for the devotees from the CIS
(former USSR) who were to make a musical presentation. Bhagawan returned to the
stage after a brief visit to the interview room and the music program began with
a brief introduction. Songs from Russia, Georgia, Belarus, Azerbaijan,
Kazakhstan and so on kept the packed hall enthralled with their catchy tunes and
lively beat.
After their half-hour programme, Swami asked them to sing one more
song, so they sang the popular "Kalinka" and had the audience clapping all
through. Bhagawan interacted with the organisers, and then, waved His hands to
materialize a large golden lingam. Wrapping it in a small bag, He handed it over
to Dr. Goldstein with some instructions. Blessing all the devotees, Bhagawan
accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 7.30 pm while prasadam was
distributed. Photos: July
20-22, 2008:Report & Photos: Divine Discourse and Music Programme
-Sri Sathya Sai World
Education Conference - Golden Lingam Photos
Sunday, July 20, 2008 Bhagawan opened the Sai Vidya Jyothi Educare exhibition this morning at 11
o'clock For photos from
Sai Vidya Jyothi Educare exhibition
Click on the following link
Photos :Inauguration of "Sai Vidya Jyothi" - an exhibition on Educare
- Exhibiting the Sai Effect on Education
20th July 2008- The Sri
Sathya Sai World Education Conference 2008 was inaugurated this afternoon. Bhagawan arrived in
Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair after four o'clock, and when He came onstage, He lit a lamp to
begin the proceedings. Dr. Michael Goldstein spoke first, followed by Sri. V. Srinivasan.
Their introductory remarks for forty minutes was followed by Bhagawan's Discourse at 5.20 pm.
Swami spoke for fifty minutes, mentioning at the end that within twenty to thirty years, the
whole world will be one, united in love. The Saisymphony orchestra was to perform next. The
centre of Sai Kulwant Hall was cleared and the musicians arranged their places there, with
more than seventy-five instruments. Bhagawan returned to the stage after visiting the
interview room, and the musical session began just before 6.30. After forty minutes of the
symphony, Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence as prasadam was distributed.
World Education Conference Report & Photos :It was during the evening session on 20th
July 2008 when Bhagawan formally inaugurated the World Conference by lighting the lamp on the
dais. Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman, Sathya Sai World Foundation, the official body
overseeing the activities of Sri Sathya Sai International Organisation, addressing the
delegates acknowledged, referring to the entire contingent for the conference and devotees in
general who were assembled,
that they were all there because they
were drawn to the basis of love and light, the spiritual source. In an attempt to give an
overview of the conference as an official responsibility, he said, the conference having bore
the Divine Name should have a spiritual overview, and Bhagawan only could give it as it was
conceived and created by Him alone. “Let us apply His Divine Name and Teachings seriously and
responsibly to all aspects of education, Let us apply His Divine Name and Teachings reverently
and lovingly to all aspects of our lives;
The Divine Name is sacred, it is powerful, it is
our salvation”. The spirit of Unity emphasised by Bhagawan should be
inculcated in practice and precept as Spiritual Unity is Divine and it is Heart to Heart,
exhorted Dr. Goldstein claiming that the participants from different parts of the world, were
able to sit together and discuss in Spiritual Unity in a common platform for a common goal.
Referring to the two fold instructions received from Bhagawan in their run up to the
Conference, Dr. Goldstein said, Unity, the first command received from the Lord has been put
in practice to the best of their ability. With reference to the second command
that all the participants should come prepared in their respective countries before coming
over to Prasanthi Nilayam for the conference and 86 pre-world conferences were conducted in 73
countries in a six month period, questions were generated from participants and
would be discussed during the conference in Prasanthi Nilayam.
The theme of the conference is principles,
authenticity, accountability....
become physical and more outward, the suffering meted out at the poor
all around the world. and service to mankind... - Bhagawan in His
Divine Discourse highlighted on the shrunken society, selfish bend of human mind, education
that has...
Saturday, July 19, 2008This evening, devotees from Austria presented a
choral programme. Swami came for darshan at 5 pm, and He took a round of the Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair
before coming to the verandah. Before the programme commenced, He once again took a round of
the ladies' side in His chair before moving up the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall and coming
onstage to start the proceedings at 5.25 pm. Bhagawan asked them to sing some more after their
half-hour of songs, so an encore followed. Swami asked the devotee who
introduced the songs whether he
wanted water, and referring to their tears of joy, he said, "Yes, Swami, so much water has
come out, now some water must go in also!" The students supplied them with water followed by
Prasadam distribution while Bhajans were sung for half an hour with Arati at seven o'clock.
Austrian Hallelujah: -
Sai Choir Austria sings in praise of the Divine! God’s love and
magnanimity has something that is mysterious
and thus difficult to fathom. One can only keep thinking of Greater Heaven for all magnanimity
that is bestowed upon the entire creation with grateful thanks. "Hallelujah" is considered as
a joyful word of praise to GOD which comes for several references in the bible, especially in
the book of Psalms. Sai Choir from Austria had the rare privilege to sing this song of praise
to Lord along with a bouquet of nine other songs in the immediate Divine presence of Bhagawan
on the twilight of 19th July 2008 on the sidelines of the Sri Sathya Sai World Education
Conference.
Read more from 19th Darshan news & about Sri Sathya Sai World Education Conference
Friday, July 18, 2008
Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant hall at 8.50 am on this Gurupoornima morning resplendent in a
yellow robe, in a special gold-coloured chair,
preceded
by His baby elephant which was bedecked in festival finery. After a full round of the Hall, He
came to the veranda and blessed the
Gurupoornima cake arrayed there. When He came onstage, He blessed the congregation with both
hands and sat for a while listening to the Vedam chanting along with the Nadaswaram and
Panchavadyam performed by the students. Sri Shivraj Patil, the Union Home Minister,
presented a book to Bhagawan for release. This tome on the Bhagawad Gita was written by him
and was made available in English, Hindi, Marathi and other languages. Bhagawan asked Prof
Anil Kumar to announce the details of the book and then Sri Shivraj Patil was asked to address
the gathering. In his short speech, Sri Patil thanked Bhagawan for inspiring the book. Swami
then indicated that His mics be brought.
Bhagawan spoke for nearly an hour, seated onstage, outlining the story of Ekalavya and
commending Sri Shivraj Patil on his book. He then mentioned that one of the lecturers of the
Sai University was going to Hungary for a presentation, and that He wished that in this way,
the ideals of the Sai
University be propagated
in all countries. The students sang a couple of songs after Swami's Discourse as prasadam was
distributed. Bhagawan
accepted Arati and returned to His residence in the chair after eleven o'clock after listening to a few more minutes to the students' Panchavadyam troupe. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 5.10 pm, once again in the
gold-coloured chair. After His darshan round, when He reached the verandah, He asked the
Malladi brothers to sing. Some of the students and staff accompanied them on harmonium, tabla
and mridangam. The stage was prepared and their concert began at 5.25 pm. Bhagawan Blessed the
singers with shawls and clothes,
and the accompanists
received
clothes too. Swami accepted Arati at 6.40 pm and moved slowly towards His residence in the
chair, interacting with many devotees on the way, while prasadam was distributed. Also:
Read
more Gurupoornima update from Sai Students Darshan18th July 2008 click here -****-
Read
the full Report from SSSBPT Prasanthi Nilayam "Guru Purnima in Prasanthi
Nilayam"
This evening, Bhagawan arrived after the Bhajans began in the Bhajan Hall at 5.30 pm. He
entered the Bhajan Hall in His chair from the rear door after moving around in the verandah,
and moving up the aisle, went out of the front door. On the verandah, He interacted with Dr. Jum Sai of Thailand, and consented to have a violin recital by the boys from Sathya Sai
School, Thailand. The boys moved to the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall where place had been left
for them, and with the Bhajans coming to a halt, their programme commenced at six o'clock.
After fifteen minutes of playing, their conductor arrived! So, they began playing the pieces
once again. At 6.40, once the violins concluded, Swami asked for Bhajans to commence in the
Sai Kulwant Hall.
Photos: July 17, 2008
click to enlarge
As the students sang Bhajans, Swami asked them to
sing specific Bhajans, and also the songs which the Thailand boys had played on the violins.
He also asked for a Meera Bhajan. At 7.10, He asked the Thailand boys also to sing a Bhajan,
and they all sang in chorus. Bhagawan called them up for a group photo beside Him onstage, and
interacted with them for nearly twenty minutes there before accepting Arati at 7.25 pm and
returning to Yajur Mandir while prasadam was distributed.
Read more :
Photos & Report July 17, 2008: Playing for their dreams
String Orchestra by Sathya Sai School, Thailand
"...There was a mobile Medicare
van parked in front of Yajur Mandir at about 8:30am. It was part of the
ongoing efforts by the Mumbai Sai organization to provide better medical
facilities to inaccessible places..."Read More- click
here
"...Swami saw the vehicle through
the front door and then again went to the rear and peered through that door
too. He inquired about the procedure in which it would be operated...."Read
More- click here
This evening, Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall just before 4.30 pm and moved to the interview
room. The stage had been arranged for a concert by Dhrupad singer Sri Falguni Mitra. Once
Swami came onstage, their programme commenced just before 5.30 pm. After an hour and more of
songs, Swami accepted Arati at 6.30 pm after Blessing the artistes and returned to His
residence while prasadam was distributed.
Read more details from
16th July 2008 click here
Tuesday, July 15, 2008:
This evening, Sri Kailash Kher the sufi artiste was to present a musical programme.
Bhagawan arrived by 3.50 pm and moved straight to the interview room. Within ten minutes, He
emerged and moved around the verandah, interacting with the organisers and the singer for the
evening. He then sat onstage for a while as the Vedam went on, Blessing the 'Birthday Boys'
from among the students. At 4.45. He again moved to the interview room, and when He returned
to the stage area at 5.10 pm, the concert got underway. Sri Kailash Kher sang for an hour and
ten minutes in his energetic style, and Bhagawan Blessed him with a chain and a ring, and the
rest of his group with clothes. He accepted Arati at 6.20 pm before returning to His residence
while prasadam was distributed.
Monday, July 14, 2008:Just as the month of December instantly triggers the thoughts of
Christmas, the month of July is intimately linked in
the Ashram with the celebration of the
Ashadi Ekadashi and the Guru Poornima Festivals. It is a mega event that triggers the first
big celebration of the new academic year. It is the devotees from the States of Maharashtra
and Goa that kick-start this event with the two-day long celebration of the Ashadi Ekadashi
festival by hundreds of Bala Vikas children from these States. On this Ashadi Ekadasi morning,
Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at 8.50 am to a welcome song by the devotees from
Maharashtra. As He reached the stage, their traditional Dindi programme began. After the ten
minute Dindi, the drama for the morning, Atma Ramayana, got underway. The musical, presented
by Pune Balvikas and youth, brought out the inner significance of the Rama story with a
dialogue at a Balvikas class, based on the Eka-sloki Ramayana. Bhagawan went down from the
stage to go amidst the performers after the hour-long programme, and then sat onstage while
the devotees sang Bhajans for half an hour till eleven o'clock when He accepted Arati and
returned to His residence.
Photos:
Sunday, July 14, 2008:
click to enlarge
In the afternoon, Bhagawan arrived at 4.45, and
the evening drama got underway soon after He came onstage at five o'clock. The hour-long
programme by the Balvikas and youth of Maharashtra and Goa was based on the Tripura Rahasya, a
text which stresses the ultimate truth beyond the Trinity, bringing out the way to be rid of
ignorance through a series of parables. Bhagawan called up the protagonist of the play as the
concluding song began, and Blessed him with a chain. He once again went among the participants
in His chair and interacted with them. As Bhajans went on, Swami sat onstage and called up
members of the cast one by one for photographs with Him. After twenty minutes of Bhajans,
Swami accepted Arati at 6.30 pm and returned to His residence. Read more details from
14th July 2008 click here
Sunday, July 13, 2008:As part of the Ashadi Ekadasi function, the introductory honours had been gifted
to Sri.Kunal Ganjawalla and his wife Gayatri Ganjawalla. Swami had agreed to a
concert by the musical couple and the whole stage had been set and kept ready for them. Swami came out at about 3:45pm and in
the car took a round in the Kulwant hall. Swami is called "Nitya Nootana"
meaning the ever new. No two days are ever similar in the things He does. Today,
He took the route via the portico from the gents side and then moved to the
ladies side again. From there He went back towards Yajur Mandir and via the
passage between the Yajur Mandir and the Kulwant Hall, He drove out! He went for
a darshan granting ride in Puttaparthi and then returned to the mandir.
This time, He came straight to the portico and then soon onto the stage. He
called the artistes of the day and asked them to begin. The veda chanting came
to a halt and the artistes sought His blessings. The first song by Sri.Kunal was
on Lord Ganesha and it was an auspicious beginning. He and his wife kept
alternating between themselves in the songs and it was a treat for the ears and
more so for the eyes - the music was so good and Swami's reactions and responses
to the songs were so sweet and full of Love. When Gayathri began the song "Thumak
Chalat Ramachandra" after saying that it reminds her of the beautiful days when
Swami would come glidingly walking down for darshan, Swami seemed to get
overwhelmed. He began singing along with her. In fact at one point, when the
singer stopped singing to allow the flute to play a piece, Swami continued
singing and was apparently surprised as to
why the singing had stopped! He looked at the singer and gave vigorous rhythm on
His lap indicating her to begin singing. Kunal then sang the song, "Sainath Tere
Hazaro Haath" from the movie Shirdi Ke Sai Baba. Being a very popular song, the
members of the audience too began to sing along with him. At the end of that
song, Swami looked at the artistes and lipped, "Very very happy!"- and that was
exactly the feeling shown on the faces of the artistes too for what can be
greater reward than being able to make the Lord happy. A Meera bhajan followed
next and the audience lapped it up as it went through the highs and lows of
pitches and loudness! As the songs continued, Swami called Kunal and made some
enquiries of him. Then taking leave for a few minutes, Swami went into the
interview room. He returned soon and sat on the stage. One other lady too sang
the song,"Oh Rama! Nee nama yenta ruchira" and Swami sat swaying to it and
enjoying it. Really, the only tunes the Lord dances to are the tunes of Love
from the heart.
Every action of Swami has so much of meaning to some people. It may appear that
it means nothing for the world, but it definitely means the world to somebody!
Knowing the story in the background sometimes helps one in appreciating the
actions He does. And in today's case, having met the artistes and got a chance
to interact with them, the writer is able to enjoy and share some of these
stories. Some time back, Swami had appeared in the dream of Kunal's sister
telling her that Gayatri must sing the bhajan -"Sri Venkatesha Saishwara" - and
very soon she began that bhajan. It appeared as if Swami had been waiting for
that bhajan. As soon as it concluded, Swami called Kunal and began waving His
palm. At this juncture, it is necessary to reveal another part of the story in
flashback. As Gayatri put it, "It was our dream that we get married in His
presence. It did not happen that way, but He knows every desire in the heart!"
Swami created a golden chain and instead of putting around Kunal's neck, gave it
to him and told him to tie it around his wife's neck! Then immediately, He
materialised a ring and gave it to the wife to put it on the finger of the
husband! Both man and wife broke down. Showers of Grace and showers of tears are
often synonymous. And thats what happened on stage as Swami fulfilled a deep
desire in the devotees' hearts without them even telling Him physically. Seeing
them in tears, Swami also momentarily was overcome with emotion. He presented
sarees to the ladies and shawls to the gents.
As this shower of Love came to a pause, Swami asked Kunal to sing a bhajan. He
started, "Bolo bolo Sab mil bolo"- a bhajan which urges everyone to sing out the
name of the Lord. Having witnessed all that happened on the stage, nobody needed
any urging, only an excuse was needed, to sing out the divine name! The bhajan
had a whole hearted and vociferous following. At the end of that, Swami told the
artistes that He would come to centrestage and pose with them for photographs.
They were all thrilled and overjoyed. When Swami wants to make you feel special,
He goes all out to do so. As the pictures were being taken, Swami looked at the
lad shooting the video and told him, "Move your fingers! Don't block the video!"
everyone smiled in merriment. Then, Swami spoke to almost every member of the
performing troupe. He blessed the prasadam to be distributed to all. Then as
Aarthi began, He called Prof. Anil Kumar and told him to announce the next day's
programme He also blessed a couple of books that the state president of
Maharashtra presented to Him. After Aarthi, giving the abhayahastha blessings to
all, Swami retired to Yajur Mandir.
Bhagawan
visit to Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical SciencesInauguration
of Gastrointestinal Unit and Sri Sathya Sai First Annual CME Conference
Saturday, July 12, 2008 :Over the last few days, Bhagawan has been coming
to Sai Kulwant Hall and moving to the interview room after crossing the ladies' side. He has
also been moving about on the verandah and sitting for a brief while onstage with prasadam
being distributed. This evening at 3.40 pm, He went to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Medical Sciences to inaugurate the Gastrointestinal Unit there. He also Blessed the ongoing
conference of Orthopedic specialists there before returning to the Mandir at 4.40 pm.
Read more details
of inauguration of the Gastrointestinal Unit by Swami
- click
here
Monday, July 7, 2008:
This evening, the devotees from Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh had prepared a programme
of distribution of items
of livelihood to the needy. (Photos left, click to enlarge) Many devotees from the surrounding villages and from other rural
areas of Anantapur had gathered
for the occasion. Bhagawan arrived
in Sai Kulwant Hall by 3.40 pm, and within ten minutes, came onstage to begin the proceedings.
The District President of the Sai
Organisation began with an introductory talk in Telugu. Prof Anil Kumar gave a short
introduction in English and Telugu, and then started to read out the names of the recipients
and the implements they were being gifted. Sewing machines, bicycles, push-carts, grinding
machines, electrical kits and other such items were duly passed on to the beneficiaries from
the rural areas of the district. A forty-minute cultural presentation by Balvikas children
from Anantapur followed. Swami went into the interview room, and emerged after a few minutes
to come down from the stage in His chair and distribute saris to the children who
participated. After Blessing the participants with group photos, the Balvikas children began
bhajans. Prasadam was distributed, and Swami accepted Arati at six o'clock.
Photos: cultural presentation by Balvikas children from
Anantapur
Sunday, July 6, 2008:This evening, the first year post-graduate students of the University were gathered in the
Bhajan Hall, ready with some group
songs. Swami came into the Bhajan Hall after His darshan round, and seeing them ready there,
said He would return, and went to the Poornachandra auditorium, where the group from the
US had
arranged an exhibition. After Blessing the exhibition, Swami returned to the Bhajan Hall and
asked the students to commence their programme. Their hour-long song programme was marked with
short speeches by students speaking a few heart-felt lines in their mother-tongues. They
prayed to Swami to visit the Hostel, and in-between songs showed various cards and other items
to Swami. While Swami accepted Arati at 6.20, He watched a video presentation of His previous
Hostel visits on a laptop and
Blessed the students who prepared the
show.
Read more click
heredetails of Swami's Darshan & exhibition "...Swami spent almost 15 minutes
going around the exhibits. After completing that, Swami came to the devotees group that had
assembled in a disciplined manner in the auditorium. He called out the little children and
began asking names. He asked one of them, "Which class?" The boy seemed bewildered till an
adult said, "Which grade are you in?" He answered, "Swami I have completed my 2nd....".click here
Saturday, July 5, 2008: Bhagawan had permitted a group from the USA - around 200 strong - to perform music in the Sai
Kulwant Hall this evening (Photos left, click to enlarge) The programme got underway just before five o'clock. Their songs
were interspersed with a few lines of commentary and the programme concluded in half an hour.
Bhajans then commenced, and after twenty minutes of their Bhajans, the students sang some more
bhajans while prasadam was distributed. Bhagawan returned to His residence after Arati at 6.15
pm.
Read moreclick here
details of Swami's Darshan from Sai students alumni:
"...One
particular bhajan was, "Sai Mata Pita". A line in it goes, "Mujhe Shakti do....Mujhe Bhakti
do" culminating in "Mujhe Mukti do" As the first two lines were being sung, Swami kept
mouthing the word, "Mukti do." It was a nice sight to see Him smilingly do so. He then looked
at the violinist and told him to accompany on the violin for the bhajans too..." click here - Photos:music programme by the devotees
of the zone 1 of USA .
The True Flowers of
Worship
Music Program and Exhibition by
Devotees from North East Region, USA
July 5 & 6, 2008
The Devotees from the Northeast region
of the United States of America presented a selection of songs
based on the True Flowers of Worship namely Non-violence,
Sense Control, Compassion, Forbearance, Penance, Peace,
Meditation and Truth.
The exhibition had as its theme the SPI-ritual
(Spiritual Power of Individual) challenge of the pilgrim. It
had four parts namely External and Internal Resolves of a
Pilgrim, The Sathya Sai Path and finally the Challenges.
