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Prasanthi This Week...ending 12 Sept 2010
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Prasanthi This Week...ending 12 Sept 2010

 

Added extra photos & Report from 10th Sep 2010: click below
 

 

Published on Thursday, Sep 16, 2010 at 1700 Hrs. IST
Nothing turns more gratifying than being with Swami.  The week ended at this bright note of silent declaration by a bunch of privileged “SAI” students along with their grateful parents in presence of the Eternal Parent, Beloved Swami!

Week-ending Sunday witnessed yet another Poornachandra Session wherein a group of privileged parents earned the merit of their past deeds, a life opportunity with Bhagawan! It turned to be a honour, an explicit Divine reward in the physical realm, for their rightful decision to educate their children in Sathya Sai Institutions that was followed by a bolder decision, consenting their children to stay back serving in various Prasanthi institutions.

“When the heart is full, words are few”, yes this is the heartfelt feeling of every Sai Sannidhi member and parent. Though the expression may sound clichéd, one has to take recourse to such an expression, because the Lord of Lords chose to bless every family. The group consisting of 191 members along with their parents returned home carrying the heavenly feeling of satisfaction and contentment. “Swami has given me all that I need. This is no sacrifice! It is foolishness for me to leave Swami!”, commented aptly by one of the privileged alumni, echoing the joint feeling of the fraternity.
 

 
 


Of the two hours Bhagawan chose to spend with the group, for one and a half hour, He was moving amongst, virtually granting ‘interviews’ to every family presented.

Summing up, Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal, Brindavan Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning expressed gratitude in short sweet words, “Bhagawan, Your Sannidhi (proximity) is our greatest Pennidhi (wealth)”. When thousands are awaiting for a call to play a part in His mission here is this bunch of privileged youngsters making strides in His mission!

While the Sai Sannidhi Meet was the grand finale for the passing week, there were other cultural outings and activities as well, that included programmes by the Nepalese and the Indonesians, a grand Id-Ul Fitr eve by the students, inauguration of the first phase of the newly constructed dormitories etc.

Over 1800 youth from the neighbouring Nepal had a ten days’ camp in Prasanthi Nilayam celebrating an evening, presenting an hour long cultural programme in the immediate Divine presence. Leaving behind the scars of the political crisis the country has been facing for some time, this enthusiastic group of youngsters from the Himalayan Kingdom prayed to Bhagawan to help salvage the nation from the current turmoil. Presenting three short programmes of twenty minutes apiece, a veda chanting session, a song session followed by an instrumental session, the nation retreated with new hopes of a fresh sunrise of peace in their political backyard.

Indonesia, the island nation from South East Asia and Oceania region had come with a strong 503 member team including a small contingent of youth celebrating the Advent of the 85th year of the Avataric Mission.

Beginning with a "Krisnna Rasaleela" dance by the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali, a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by gopikas and Radha, the presentation drifted into the main item for the evening, a drama entitled "The Search for Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. Portraying the wrong side of the life of an arrogant self-deceived youth, the presentation took a turn with the youth facing the harsh realities and lessons of life before coming to terms with and turning over a new leaf in his life. Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, the drama served a pointer to the human follies immersed in false illusions bringing the golden chapter of transformation. The Indonesians concluded their presentation with a Shiva Thandava Dance leaving the dais for an Eid presentation by the students from the Institute.

 


 

 Tidings from Prasanthi Nilayam on the eve of Eid-Ul–Fitr, the month long Ramzan, was a reverberating echo of the untiring voice of The Lord, echoing His popular adage, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love, calling for greater religious harmony. The fifty minute presentation had all the ingredients to help one to mull over the greater need for a world with religious harmony. Not many times Prasanthi heard or witnessed the Namaz, echoing the hallowed precincts in typical Islamic style, done with precision by the talented bunch of students from the Institute. At the nightfall, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, the Namaz, with scores of children engaged in praying in the Divine presence of the Mighty Lord, it sent out the sublime message of secularism that Bharat has always been promoting and Bhagawan has been echoing through His maxim, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love!

The students summarized the presentation with the popular Qawwali, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." calling one and all to the precincts of Prasanthi!

First phase of new dormitories constructed aimed at facilitating devotees were thrown open to the devotees by the Divine hands on the auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi evening in a special function arranged at the venue at the rear western end of Prasanthi. Blessing the occasion, Bhagawan went for a complete round of a block having twin units.

Each of these triple storeyed dormitories is having twin units, with each unit expected to hold 504 devotees. With a total of 5 such dormitories to be completed in due course of time, an estimated more than 5300 devotees would be accommodated once the project turned operational. Additional features provided includes bunk beds, open shelves for keeping belongings, liberal bathroom facilities, washing facilities, sufficient fanning and ventilation etc.

Earlier, on the 9th Sept evening, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, Bhagawan blessed various Ganeshas outside His Divine Abode before they were sent out to the specified locations.

The week witnessed the unique festive combination, Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid, twin festivities having unique connection with moon sighting, coming on the same day, a rare occasion for those who are promoters of religious harmony.

Evening darshans turned out to become twilight darshans, as during the entire week, Bhagawan turned up granting darshans well beyond the 6 o’ clock mark. Unique Graciousness that He is, anything and everything He does is with significance and thus He continues to leave His Lasting Impressions on each and every soul…!!!
 

|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
 

 
 
 
Eid-Ul-Fitr in Prasanthi Nilayam - 10 Sept 2010
 
 

 


Published on Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 2025 Hrs. IST

Prasanthi’s unique tag of being the strong advocate for Religious Harmony came to the fore once again with the arrival of Ramzan 2010. On the evening of 10th September, with the advent of grand finale of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan, Prasanthi witnessed a unique programme staged by the students from the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning holding aloft Bharat’s sublime message of secularism.

Greeting the assembly with traditional muslim greeting Id Mubarak, the students began in the form of a skit explaining the religious significance of fasting and penance that entitles the community of highest Divine benediction. Felicitating their presentation they burst open into a Qawwali in praise of Allah, The Divine!

The next item to follow was "Namaz", the Islamic prayer. At the nightfall on the auspicious eve, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, evoking the sublime feeling of Unity in Diversity, a group of students were offering the Namaz with Bhagawan sitting onstage, accepting the offering in physical.




The programme continued with the skit on the celebration of the festival Ramzan, illustrating the spirit of the celebration crossing religious barriers. Bringing parallels from The Bhagavad Gita and other religious scriptures, the presentation highlighted on the true spirit of the festivity, divulging details on the significance of fasting during the season.

Expounding on the true sense of the religion, talking on man's follies of projecting his religion to be the only one, the grateful students burst into yet another song “Al Maddat Maula” of glory in praise of The Only One God!

A song of dedication followed before summing up the presentation with a 'thesis' on His all conquering love, singing the popular tune, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." inviting one and all to the holy precincts of Prasanthi!

Quite a world with "a God" who embraces men from all walks of life and faiths, it may sound 'utopian', yet, Prasanthi lives every moment breathing the life force infused by this "Lord Who Walks The Earth" inviting everyone to witness This Great Grand Happening on Planet Earth! Rightfully, the students concluded, singing, "Aaoji Aao...Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."

Bhagawan moved down the ramp, posing with His children. Returning onstage, He sat for a while flipping through the leaves of "Holy Quran" placed at His hand by the students. Festivity’s special sweet dish also came onstage seeking, His sanctifying touch. Muslim students from Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campuses of the Institute participated with religious and devotional fervour, experiencing and enjoying a unique “Eid in The Presence of The One”!

Blessing the concourse with His abhayahastha, Bhagawan moved off the dais, leaving for

Yajur Mandiram at 2100 hrs.

 

|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
  


Indonesian Cultural Presentations 10 Sept 2010


10th September, on the eve of twin festivals of great religious significance, Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid, Prasanthi had twin programmes, by the visiting Indonesian troupe followed an Ramzan Special by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam.

Indonesia, the land with great cultural heritage, land of many islands, was in the township on Parthi Yathra with over 500 devotees joining the group including a Youth group of forty members.

On the scheduled evening, iInvoking Bhagawan, invoking the Goddess of Music, the programme began with a melodious song, "Gaana Priye O! Bhaava Priye..." praising Mother Divine! An hour long cultural presentation ensued, with the Youth of Jakarta, the Balvikas and the Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, reflecting Bhagawan's teachings, highlighting some of the Sai Ideals!

The main programme by the group was a drama entitled "The Search for Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. Portraying the wrong side of the life of an arrogant self-deceived youth, the presentation took a turn with the youth facing the harsh realities and lessons of life before coming to terms with and turning over a new leaf in his life. Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, the drama served a pointer to the human follies immersed in false illusions bringing the golden chapter of transformation.

Vishal, the protagonist, was into the wrong side of life, immersed in materialism, ignoring parents, rocking and rollicking with illusory success in the temporal world, quite ignoramus of the true side of human sojourn. Despite sincere efforts from his good, guiding friend, Ali, who was into Sai way of life, Vishal was not ready to pay heed to the good advice by the friend. When destiny took its toll and he was exposed to adversity, when he lost a bet on 'match-fixing' a football game ending up losing millions, the greedy one came back to his senses to begin his next phase of life, living with ideals.




The final presentation was by the Sai Study Group of Indonesia, a depiction of Cosmic Divine Dance of Lord Shiva! Marked by colourful costumes, to the accompaniment of typical South East Asian style of music, the presentation was an offering at Bhagawan's Feet, seeking The Lord to shower His grace to help them achieve life's foremost goal!

Earlier, the presntation began with a dance, "Krisnna Rasaleela" by the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali. The presentation was a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by the gopikas and Radha. Presented in Balinese style, quite alien to Prasanthi, the dance depiction by scores of little children who swayed to the melody of Divine sport, turned out to be an atypical experience for Prasanthi introducing the great Balinese tradition.

Soon after the presentation, Bhagawan moved down the dais, posing for photographs, blessing all the groups. Cast of the good friend, earned special Divine attention as Bhagawan materialised a golden chain for the youth.

Even as the Indonesian troupe was retreating the stage was being set for theRamzan programme by the students of the Institute.

|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 
  

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ganesha Immersion - 13 Sept 2010
 
The festival of great religious significance, Ganesh Chaturthi culminated in Prasanthi Nilayam on Monday, 13th September with the grand procession of Ganeshas that was followed by immersion.

On the scheduled evening, the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall was bustling with activities galore, bearing the festive look with students and faculties got busied in finalizing the last minute arrangements for the grand procession. The entire stretch of Bhagawan’s pathway in the hall was taken over by a fleet of Ganeshas from various Prasanthi institutions flanked by scores of boys and men representing each one.

 



Bhagawan arrived at the twilight hour, at 1835 hrs to the escort of a colourful religious procession led by ochre robed tiny tots from the Primary School along with Vedam and a special band troupe from the institute. Coming onstage at 1900 hrs. after a full round of darshan, Bhagawan blessed the boys to commence the procession. In the meanwhile symbolically representing the occasion, "Lord Shiva along with son Lord Ganesha" moved unto Bhagawan invoking blessing before further proceedings.

The programme commenced with a dance in praise of the Elephant God by the cherubic children from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School, rejoicing singing Ganapathi Bappa Moriya…, hailing The Lord. The fast song with high beats suffused with devotional fervour literally lit the twilight, with the students eager to make their presentation of their creativity.


This is the occasion when Prasanthi showcases Ganeshas in varied theme, displaying colourful innovative ideas with the enthusiastic devoted bunch of students putting their best to impress upon The Over Lord of Prasanthi. As the retreating procession began, vivid colourful patterns came forth, with Ganeshas emerging donning different colours, mounted on different vehicles and chariots.

The procession had all the variety of craftsmanship, representing greater spiritual truths of yore to the present day representation of racing cars, Ganesha mounted on the Seshnag to the sacred vehicle of Lord Shiva etc. Lofty universal theme of religious harmony was represented by the main structure from the Senior Hostel with a all religious temple housing the Lord. As the procession continued Bhagawan sat through gazing and blessing each one of them. The whole programme was compeered by the students detailing various structures and significance.

Even after the procession as Ganeshas retreated for immersion, Bhagawan sat through interacting with some of the students who were having beautiful handiwork of Ganesha greetings. Blessing and encouraging the good work, Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1950 hrs. before retiring for the day at 2000 hrs.

 
 

Text & photo source: sssbpt.org -  Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - Radiosai.org Prasanthi Diary, h2hsai.org .  - web layout - photo design : saibabaofindia.com & SBOI group.