Sun God’s rare privilege of scorching at his best over Parthi
during the summer months of March, April and May is no news at
all. In this edition of 2010, the God of Light advanced his
entry by a fortnight, making it immediately after Sivarathri.
Post Sivarathri days have been simmering with temperature rising
up to nearly 39-40 degrees, at times. And the unprecedented
stream of devotees continued ever since the Sivarathri days with
groups, big and small, making it to Prasanthi Nilayam one after
the other.
The fortnight after Sivarathri has been eventful with Prasanthi
embracing Divinity’s “uncertainty” more than any time before.
The fortnight had glorious “one-week-full” of morning darshans
followed by evening darshans everyday, except for the first day
of the fortnight, Monday, 15 Feb when The Lord decided to stay
indoors, leaving a “blank-day” in Prasanthi Nilayam after many
years. Evenings have otherwise been blessed with glittering
darshans with The Lord coming out “oddly late” at times,
transgressing “man-made” schedules, often prolonging the
sessions beyond the veil of twilight.
Chinese New Year set the trend of morning darshans as Bhagawan
glided into the Sai Kulwant Hall with a ‘surprise entry’ after
half-past seven on the 17th February blessing the concourse of
devotees. While the normal Vedic chanting continued in usual
pace, Bhagawan blessed 36 High Lamas of Tibetan Order from Sera
Jhe Monastery in Mysore to chant Tibetan Mantras for 20 minutes
before the commencement of bhajans.
A total of about 930 Chinese devotees from Malaysia, Singapore,
Indonesia, China, Taiwan and Hong Kong participated in the
Chinese New Year celebrations held in Prasanthi Nilayam on the
6th and 7th day of Chinese New Year i.e., 19th and 20th February
2010.
The theme chosen for this year’s celebration was “Family Harmony
– Peace & Prosperity”. Sai Kulwant had a riot of colours with
“Chinese Red” made it domineering, marking the festive entry in
style. There were also colourful hoardings on the theme of the
New Year celebrations.
19th evening was marked with traditional Chinese offering,
chanting of various mantras by the Tibetan High Lamas
intertwined by Buddhist rituals. The second day of the festivity
was marked with a speech by Billy Fong from Malaysia, Zonal
Coordinator for Chinese New Year followed by two cultural
programmes, a Burra Katha and a Dance Drama entitled “Unity is
Divinity”.
Tibetan High Lamas, the spiritually charged souls from Sera Jhe
Monastery in Mysore who have been regularly featuring the
Chinese New Year celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam over the
years had the taste of Divinity with Bhagawan preferred to
interact with them.
Bhagawan had question galore ‘clarifying’: If the sanyasi knew
how to chant the Vedas?...What food they had in Puttaparthi?…The
type of food they traditionally have?…Where the lamas dined the
previous evening, and if they enjoyed the food at the western
canteen?...Composition of group? 20 teachers, 1 lama, 15
sanyasis? etc… Swami also enquired about the afternoon chanting
and requested that the monks now chant the same prayer as they
would in the afternoon. The monks chanted for approximately
half-an-hour.
Swami too gave His blessings for Tibetan Buddhist Mantra
Offering for World Peace programme.
…And in the afternoon the Sai Kulwant Hall reverberated with the
chanting of “Om Mani Padme Hung” followed by the chanting of the
‘Praise on the twelve exemplary deeds of the Lord Buddha’, which
was chanted in the “voice of the Yama”.
On the 20th morning again Bhagawan blessed the monks interacting
with them. Upon entering the portico, Bhagawan spoke to Sai
Keet, the master of ceremony, and his elder brother, Joon Faii,
sons of Capt. Ong from Singapore, Organiser of the 19th Feb
programme. Bhagawan conversed with the brothers for a short
while before manifesting a gold chain with a pendant of Lord
Hanuman for the younger brother. Bhagawan in His inmitable style
emphasised that it meant strength, with a mock roar accompanied
by hand gestures.
Once seated on the verandah, Bhagawan once again spent a long
while speaking to Lama Sangye and Sai Keet. Subsequently, Swami
proceeded to the interview room to send a minder with a sample
in hand, out to the sanyasis, to enquire if they were permitted
to wear white woolen shawls. Bhagawan also sent egg-shaped
chocolate prasadam and Vibhuti packets to be distributed to the
monks. When the Divine gifts had been properly accorded,
Bhagawan told the monks that the shawls could be worn in the
evenings when the weather was cooler.
Thereafter the monks were called into the bhajan hall to have a
look around of the same. Ever the gracious host, Bhagawan
personally conducted a tour of the bhajan hall. Swami began with
a history of the bhajan hall and the Sai Kulwant Hall, before
explaining in detail about the Ten Avatars adorning the ceiling
of the hall. He went on describing the sculpture on the ceiling,
an elephant, but when viewed from the opposite direction is a
bull, while fondly reminiscing on Sai Gita. Lord Krishna and
Arjuna in the epic Bhagavad Gita and the battle between the
forces of good and bad (Pandavas and Kauravas), etc. also came
for mention during the Divinely guided tour. Pointing to the
plastic cover wherein Bhagawan’s message was printed, Bhagawan
pointing at the same repeated it after “Hands that serve are
holier than lips that pray”.
Throughout the tour of the hall, Bhagawan frequently instructed
that the monks were to have a full lunch at Shanti Bhavan before
their long trip back to the Monastery in Mysore. Moreover, Swami
invited them to visit Chaitanya Jyothi for a private tour,
specially instructing them to see the Tibetan Painting (Thanka)
of Swami offered in 2009, before returning. After more than an
hour and a half of playing host, Swami blessed the sanyasis yet
again before retiring.
Ever since Bhagawan invited Staff and relatives from Bangalore
Hospitals to come on Parthi Yatras, there is newly found
enthusiasm in the fraternity and the same has resulted in
forming a Sathya Sai Samithi over there, as advised and blessed
by Bhagawan. A batch of over 140 members, staff and relatives
from the Hospital Samithi was in Prasanthi seeking Divine
Blessings on the 21st Feb, Sunday. Bhagawan blessed the
contingent spending almost ten minutes inside the bhajan hall
during evening darshan.
Taking a cue from the Bangalore staff, the staff and relatives
from the Super Speciality Hospital, Prasanthigram Samithi, under
the banner, “Sai Sameepyam” also paid a group visit to Prasanthi
Nilayam, on 27th and 28th Feb, staying inside Prasanthi Nilayam
as guests of Bhagawan enjoying proximity (sameepyam). The guests
were given special accommodation and food facility as per the
special instructions from Bhagawan. 114 members from the Samithi
attended the two day Yatra and Bhagawan spent half-an-hour,
moving amidst, guiding, conselling and blsessing the contingent,
on the 28th evening.
Come March and there starts a barrage of gratitude programmes by
the grateful students of Sri Sathya Sai University and Sri
Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School. These programmes are
expressions of greater love and affection towards Mother Sai for
His benevolence in marking and moulding them to become worthy
instruments.
2010 version of the Gratitude Series began with the Higher
Secondary Batch, both X and XII standard students presenting a
programme on the 24th February evening in the Divine Presence.
The programme was a summation of miracle stories happened in
many a life depicting Bhagawan as the One behind their lives
moulding them into worthy instruments. Miracle stories
interwoven with songs of Divine Romance made it a special
evening, especially after the boys were tested by Bhagawan’s
taste of Uncertainty.
On the scheduled evening when these children were ready to
perform, Bhagawan came out at around 5:50 pm for a complete
round…It took longer time for Bhagawan to reach on the dais as
He chose to speak and bless selected senior devotees and some
staff members before making Himself at the dais. Even as the
boys were waiting, Bhagawan sat on stage listening to the Vedam
till 6:45 pm before calling for Arathi. And upon Arathi came His
Divine nod for the boys to pour out with their offering of
gratitude.
Similar story for the girls section of Higher Secondary Wing! On
the 27th evening the girls were ready with their repertoire and
Bhagawan, while blessing the troupe glancing over them during
the darshan rounds, settled on the dais as bhajans were on…Upon
Arathi, while retiring, the merciful Divine Parent acceding to
their prayers settled at the Primary Block to listen to the
girls singing for an “exclusive private session” often
interacting with many girls.
Bhagawan asked the girls to begin their programme even as He sat
in the western corner of the veranda, almost on the slope. The
girls began to sing out their hearts in Telugu, Hindi and
English, the gist of all their songs being, "Swami, You are our
everything; without You, we are nothing and with You by our
side, there is nothing that we cannot achieve; We seek You and
nothing else." The power and thrill of singing in unison could
be felt by all in the hall. They had no mikes to amplify their
voice, but their hearts amplified their rich feelings as Swami
sat listening. This was followed by students’ offering various
things, including soft velvety foot mat, specially made for
Bhagawan. With His permission, some of them raised His feet to
place the ‘mat’ under. The joy and satisfaction writ on their
face was indicative of their love and yearning for Bhagawan.
Many of the girls were blessed with opportunities to interact
with Him in person. Some had letters in hand, some wanted
guidance and some others sought clarifications. Bhagawan also
blessed pens and refills for the set of girls appearing the
ensuing examination.
A group of 175 Australian Sai Youth had been blessed to have a
cultural programme in the Divine Presence on the 25th evening.
“Mother of Mine – Mother Divine” was essentially a reflection
Bhagawan’s own message to humanity, a clarion call to the world
at large to emulate Him respecting and loving one’s own Mother.
Over 3300 devotees from the northern tip of Andhra Pradesh,
Adilabad, have come on a Parthi Yatra camping in Prasanthi for
three full days. On the last day, 26th Feb evening, they staged
a dance drama with an innovative theme bringing to fore the Poet
in Sri Sathya Sai. “Kavim Kavinam” was a portrayal of Young
Sathya, the Divine Poet “par-excellence” whose compositions were
brought to the fore in the presentation with the help of
illustrious poet Karunasri and singer Ghantasala along with
author-biographer Prof. N. Kasturi.
A group of alumni comprising of 130 boys were in Prasanthi
having two-day discussions on would be contribution in terms of
service during the ensuing 85th Birthday Celebrations.
The Sayeeshwara Lingam that was sanctified during the Ati Rudra
Mahayajna in 2006 is being worshipped every day in the bhajan
hall as part of the daily rituals. A new silver base had been
prepared and the same was installed on the new base in the
Divine Presence on the 25th evening in the bhajan hall.
As construction for the new dormitories is in progress Bhagawan
made couple of round of inspection passing by the site, blessing
hundreds of labourers enroute.
Veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal, ace Drummer Anandan Sivamani
were some of the celebrity devotees visited Prasanthi Nilayam
during the fortnight.
Some of Rose Beneficiaries during the fortnight were: Capt.
Sharma, Director, Sri Sathya Sai Airport, Sri CM Prakash,
Manager, Sanathana Sarathi Press, Sri TG Mohan Kumar, Sanathana
Sarathi, Capt. Pradhan, Security Officer, Sri Kameshwar Rao,
PRO, Mr. Ramalingam, in-charge, IT Centre, Mr. Parameshwaran,
Mr. Damodaran, both from Overseas Accomodation Office, Mr.
Raghavendra, SSSIHMS, Bangalore, Mr. Gollapudi Ramdas, Sri
Sathya Sai General Hospital etc.
Fresh batch of Sevadals from Maharashtra took over Prasanthi
Service on the 28th afternoon, replacing the Madhya Pradesh
batch that had been on duty during the second half of February.
***************
Prasanthi This Fortnight...ending 14
Feb. 2010..
Posted at 16:40:30 Hrs. IST on Feb 17, 2010
The fortnight in retrospect reflected the spirit of the festivity,
Shivarathri, auspicious night dedicated to Lord Shiva. The second
part of the fortnight had been rocking with the Anantapur Students
got their dues from the Divine that had been pending for some time.
The first half of the fortnight had been normal except for the
Sunday that found devotees from Ooty staging a folk dance drama
entitled “Sathyavan Savitri”. Six hundred and Ninety devotees had
come from the Nilgiris, the fairyland of Tamil Nadu known for her
marvellous natural wonder. The district organization has been
regularly arranging such pilgrimages to Prasanthi Nilayam every year
around Shivarathri. The group that was scheduled to stay for three
days got its trip extended with Bhagawan’s fore-vision permitting to
have the show on the fourth day, a grace day presented by Bhagawan.
Unprecedented rush has been the hallmark of festival of Maha
Shivarathri. This year was no exception as Prasanthi experienced the
surge of devotees from the 10th Feb onwards. The Shivarathri evening
darshan of the Lord clad in maroon was a rare feast for the eyes of
thousands filled every inch of the Sai Kulwant Hall. Those who
failed to get an entry in to the spacious hall were accommodated in
the Poornachandra Auditorium. Bhagawan, upon coming of His
residence, straight away headed towards the Poornachandra blessing
the devotees before coming to the Sai Kulwant Hall.
The Shivarathri Akhanda Bhajan was preceded by an hour long musical
feast by the students of the University. From Carnatic to
Hindustani, this talented bunch had enough of musical weaponry in
their kitty to enthrall the Divine. The musical feast that started
at 5:45 lasted an hour before Akhanda Bhajan started at 6:45 pm.
When the twilight was slowly giving way to the auspicious night,
boys and girls, in alternate turns continued with the bhajans and
Bhagawan was sitting through for quite long until retiring to Yajur
Mandiram after 8 pm.
An announcement that was made at the instance of Bhagawan about the
Akhanda Bhajan and would be Arathi at 7 am evoked greater interest.
Making the morning uniquely fresh, Bhagawan came out of His
residence at 6:05 am gliding through the capacity crowd immersed in
the bhajans. Consecrating the prasadam Bhagawan came on to the dais
to sit through till Arathi was called for at 7:10 a.m. Post Mangala
Arathi, Prasadam, tamarind rice and Sweet Pudding were offered to
the entire audience before Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.
Earlier, a day before Shivarathri, on the 11th Feb, Bhagawan blessed
and inaugurated a mobile hospital, Sathya Sai Prana Mitra Ambulance
meant for Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, Ch.Pothepally, West
Godavari District. The Ambulance, a Classic I Model ambulance
fabrication on Force Tempo Traveller Vehicle WB 3350 has multiple
hi-tech medical facilities. It would be pressed into service for
24X7 from Shivarathri onwards.
The same evening marked yet another Puppet Show, as He would often
call it…Ajit Popat, the voracious orator devotee from the United
Kingdom was commanded to give a talk. The speaker dilated on the
simple rule to being close to God - Swasth Raho, Vyasth Raho aur
Mast Raho!" (Be healthy, busy and joyous). It was an extemporaneous
speech that evoked greater interest as the speaker in his usual
exuberance was dilating scriptural quotes and anecdotes filling the
hearts and minds with wisdom needed for modern man. Health referred
to both physical and mental aspects. Being busy in contemplating
upon, "Who am I? Where do I come from?" is the way to wisdom. Being
happy by living in the present and not anticipating the future or
worrying about the past was the way to lead a life. The speaker
presented many anecdotes from the fictional life of Mullah
Nasaruddin which is metaphorical of man's life today.
God’s delays are not God’s denials…the student folk from Anantapur
would be humming this as they were the recipient of immense blessing
from Bhagawan on the 14th Feb, incidentally celebrated as
International Valentine’s Day. In Prasanthi the concept gets a
spiritual flavor and love turns into Divine Romance. Having missed
out their dues during the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet, the girls
from the campus were over joyous singing His glory in His immediate
Divine Presence. The forty minute programme had in its repertoire
good variety of songs from light to classical. Starting with a
prayer invoking Lord Ganesha, they went on to songs of Shiva and the
Mother. Interspersed were two excellent renditions on the violins
followed by a solo piece on the keyboard too.
The music session that saw over thirty girls singing in presence of
Bhagawan concluded with the Sports Meet Gratitude Song by the
Anantapur Campus. Bhagawan moving down the dais presented a saree
each to each member of the group before posing for group photo
sessions.
As the programme by the Anantapur was on, another set of boys from
the Brindavan Campus was waiting for Bhagawan’s attention with a
placard, “Swami, Plz come to Brindavan”. It appeared these folks
were reminding the Lord of His trip to Brindavan that has been over
due.
Surge of devotees during Shivarathri had a unique group of 400 from
Orissa. The penultimate batch of Orissa Housing Rehabilitation
Programme was in Prasanthi offering gratitude to Bhagawan. The group
was blessed by Bhagawan in a session held in the bhajan hall on the
13th afternoon. Spending time amidst the women in the group Bhagawan
gave away clothes to these hapless turned “God’s Own” in a gesture
of His all encompassing Divine Love. The gents in the group were
blessed with clothes and vibhuti prasadam in Sai Kulwant Hall
itself.
