Source: sssbpt.org - web-layout & design saibabaofindia.com |
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Srimad Bhagavata Saptaaham - Inaugural Session -
Morning, 17 March - Day 1
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Inaugural Session - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam | |
The Bhagavatha Saptaaham is famous and performed
in various places (as Suka explained it to Parikshit in 7 days).
These seven days the slokas of Bhagavatham is chanted followed by
stories and commentaries. Bhagavatham itself says about its purpose in the 12th Skanda: Sarva Vedaantha saaram yad brahma aatmaikya lakshanam Vasthu Adviteeyam tannishtam kaivalyam ekam prayojanam In Prasanthi, it is His Story that is retold in His immediate presence…When Bhagavatha Saptaaha happens in Prasanthi, the audience is not alone the devotees, but includes the silent listener of all conversations, The One, who has embodied yet again in human form, Bhagawan Himself! …And here the stories are narrated in a customized style, without going by the slokas as given in Srimad Bhagavatham, instead going by selected stories from the epic with a mix of the story and mission of the life of the present Avatar.
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Scene shifted to Sage Narada narrating the story
of a woman and her two sons to the sages, Sanaka, Sanandana, Sanat
Kumara and Sanat Sujata etc., bringing in the symbolic significance,
summarizing that Sage Narada was instructed by a celestial voice
that he should take up narrating the sacred Bhagavatham, for that
alone would help in reviving and restoring Bhakti, Jnana, Vairagya
to their pristine glory. Next to come was an incident that happened in the banks of Tungabhadra involving Atmadeva, narrating the birth of Dunduli and Gokarna, Dunduli’s evil deeds and atrocities on Atmadeva etc. Upon informing Gokarna about his travails, Gokarna brings greater wisdom by advising his father about the unfortunate family bonding, explaining in detail of the futility of material life, requesting his father to renounce the world and go to forest to and read the Tenth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam every day. The Maharaj used a rare mix of Bhagavatha tales with the present day stories of Bhagawan and His ongoing Divine Mission set in motion for the greater benefit of the world. The morning session came to an end at 11:05 when Bhagawan called for Arathi before retiring to Yajur Mandiram. |
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Thursday, 18, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 2 | |
This morning, on the second day of the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajna, proceedings began at the scheduled hour, at 8:30, after half-an-hour Vedam chanting. After invocatory offering, commenting on the glory of the Avatar of the Age, the Maharaj went on expounding on the greater efficacy of Namasmarana, bursting out with a melodious rendering "Sriman Narayana Narayana Narayana...", a keertan he quite often repeats in between the commentary. Starting from where he had stopped last evening, he further went on elucidating the story of Raja Parikshit, as to how invited the evil deeds of Kali, which finally led him to earn a curse to die in seven days owing to serpant bite, and the king's greater urge to attain liberation in seven days. |
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As the narration continued, Bhagawan arrived at 10:10 for a complete round. After an elaborate, slow round granting Darshan, Bhagawan came on stage at 10:23 and sat through the entire session that ended at 11:30, when Arathi was offered. Subsequently, Bhagawan called an Iranian boy, studying in Primary School, onstage, asking him to chant Durga Suktam followed by Rudram. His little brother, another primary school child, was also called and Bhagawan interacted with the boys for some time. Moving off the dais, Bhagawan blessed sweets for Primary School, and as He was going back, He stopped for a while to watch the distribution, ensuring sweets for every student.. He came back to the Bhajan Hall to spent next fifteen minutes inside before emerging at 12:10 to retire to Yajur Mandiram. | |
In the evening, the proceedings began at 4:15 with presentation of the summary of the storyline for last two sessions, previous evening followed by that of this morning. The Maharaj began his exposition at 4:30, starting from where he had left in the morning, divulging the story of Dhruva, he went on narrating Dhruva's unflinching devotion to Lord Narayana, his desire to sit on the lap of Lord Vishnu and finally how The Lord satiated the little prince's desire that later led him to attain salvation. while the narration had been going on, Bhagawan emerged at 5:17 to take a detour from the ladies' side to land on the dais at 5:20 through the doctors' block. Bhagawan continued to sit through the session till 5:45, when the exposition for the day came to an end. Music Troupe was ready with their presentation of songs and as soon as the Bhagavatha session got over, Bhagawan nodded the boys to commence their programme. What followed was an hour of enchanting music. Starting with the meera bhajan, Payoji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo..., what followed next was Darshan Deejo... to be continued with Purandharadas's carnatic piece, Jagadodhdharana AadisidaLeyshodha. A telugu piece followed before coming up with enna thavam seydaney Yesoda.... Three more songs followed, two on Lord Rama followed by the last piece, Thyagaraja's composition Siva siva ena radha... Arathi was offered at 6:40 before Bhagawan moved towards Yajur Mandiram at 6:45. Prasadam, "egg shaped chocolates", were distributed to the entire assemblage.
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Friday, 19, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 3 |
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With the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajna continues in Prasanthi, every morning begins with a fresh note, with the Maharaj, the commentator, infusing and kindling greater awareness on the beauty, glory and grandeur of being in the Abode, listening to His stories, enjoying the Divine Sports of the Lord, in His immediate Divine Presence. The narrator quite often bursts into melodious tunes singing on the glories of the Lord and one that heard quite often is "Sriman Narayan...Narayan...Narayan..." This morning's proceedings began at the scheduled hour at 8:30, after half-an-hour Vedam, with usual invocation. Exponation on the epic continued till 10:30 upon which bhajans by students continued for half-an-hour before Arathi was offered at 11, as Bhagawan did not come out.
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In the evening, Bhagawan emerged just after 5 while the Bhagavatha Saptaaha Pravachan was on. Taking a detour from ladies' side, Bhagawan came directly onstage through the doctors' block. Bhagavatha Pravachan continued till 5:40 and evening's theme was centred around Ajamila's Story, as to how he earned liberation, despite having attachment with his child, just by calling out his son at his dying moment, who was a namesake of the Supreme Lord Narayana... Upon the conclusion, Music Troupe from Sai Sannidhi, a forum of grateful alumni working with various institutions run by Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, and the organisers of the Saptaaha Yajna, presented a musical offering bringing out the similarities between the two Avatars, Sri Krishna and Sai Krishna, culling out songs and poems from Bhagawan's Divine Discourses and from the drama "Radha Bhakthi" written by Bhagawan in 1960's. The forty minute programme had been interlaced with apt commentary on the significance of the composition and rendition and was laced with some of the original pieces in Bhagawan's own voice. At Bhagawan's instance three more songs followed, namely, "Deva...Namo Deva......", "Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama Sundara Sai...Ananda Pradayi" followed by "Namo Sathya Sai Baba...". Arathi was offered at 6:40. Bhagawan chose to converse with the singers for the next ten minutes before retiring for Yajur Mandiram at 6:50. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage. |
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Saturday, 20, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 4 |
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Nectarine story of Lord Sri Rama was expounded as part of the ten incarnations apart from other tales, namely, that pertaining to Vamana Avatar featuring Emperor Mahabali followed by Gajendra Moksha etc. on the morning session of 4th day of the on going Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam. After the scheduled hour at 10:30 bhajans continued for next fifteen minutes when Arathi was offered at 10:45, as there was no "Divine Darshan". |
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In the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 5:26, to take a detour after completing the ladies's side, to come onstage at 5:35. Upon ascending the verandah through the ladies' side, He had a detailed look at the portraits depicting some scenes from Bhagavatham, installed at the right end of the Prasanthi Mandir. Coming on to the verandah, Bhagawan interacted with the singers of the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe before coming onstage. Maharaj continued with his exposition of the Bhagavatha, that began at 4:20 after the summary presentations for the last two sessions. Maharaj's exposition continued till 6:10. Tales from the times of Lord Rama and Lord Krishna dominated the days' proceedings.
Essence of Krishna devotion, in the form of Mother's call for Little Prankster Little Krishna, Gopikas' all-conquering love for Beloved Krishna that came out of complete surrender and Radha's quest for her inseparable Beloved Bhagawan Sri Krishna formed part of a thematic music presentation by the Students from the Sai Sannidhi group that lasted for fifty minutes. The Programem entitled "Radha Bhakthi" comprised of poems and songs composed and even tuned by Bhagawan during the early 60's. The presentation was compeered and interlaced by the original pieces in Bhagawan's own golden voice. The presentation was concluded with a final song, a prayer to make 'their' lives an "Aradhana", as exemplified by the epitome of love and devotion, Radha towards her beloved Bhagawan Sri Krishna. At the conclusion of the programme Arathi was offered at 7:05. Bhagawan moved into the interview room for ten minutes upon which He came out to move towards Yajur Mandiram. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage. |
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Sunday, 21, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 5 | |
This morning, Bhagawan emerged at 10:25, to come for a complete round granting Darshan to the sunday audience. Upon coming on stage, Bhagawan sat through the session till 11:30 when the morning commentary was over and Arathi was offered. Earlier, the morning's proceedings began at 8:30, after half-an-hour Veda chanting, with the Maharaj expounding in detail, on the childhood pranks of Little Krishna, narrating the 10th canto of the epic. Upon Arathi at 10:35, Bhagawan moved into the Interview Room, to spent inside for the next half-an-hour granting two mini-interviews and interacting with the singers outside, before moving towards the Yajur Mandiram at 12:05. Being sunday, student fraternity was also present listening to the nectarious stories of Little Krishna while stealing glances of their Beloved Sai Krishna. |
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In the evening, Bhagawan, upon emerging at 5:25, took a detour to come on stage at 5:30, after having a brief interaction with the Sai Sannidhi singers about the evening's scheduled programme. As Bhagawan sat through the session, the Maharaj continued his exposition on the nectarious tales of the Lord of Dwapara, Bhagawan Sri Krishna. By blending "His Stories" with the Bhagavatha tales, the Maharaj often burst into some familiar tunes, like the one he sung in the evening, "Sai Hamara...Hum Sai Ke, Aisa Prem Hamara....", the familiar student bhajan. Earlier in the morning, narrating the childhood pranks of the Lord, the Maharaj bursted into the, "Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Baal...Navneeta Chora Gopal...", singing for a long spell, transporting one and all into the world of the Little Krishna. The commentary for the evening concluded at 6:30. Lifting the twilight to devotional ecstasy, the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe presented a light "devotional" music programme, singing through for the next forty minutes, sitting face to face with the Divine. Arathi was offered at 7:05, upon which Bhagawan moved into the interview room to spend the next twentyfive minutes inside, before retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 7:30. |
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Monday, 22, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 6 | |
Emerging at 10:25, Bhagawan came for a full round to come onstage at 10:35. While ascending the verandah Bhagawan had a detailed look at the portraits featuring Bhagavata stories installed at the extreme right of Prasanthi Mandir. Maharaj's exposition on the Bhagavatha, Bhagawan Sri Krishna's leelas, narrating Holi celebrations in Brindavan and Bhagawan's arrival at Mathura etc., was on and continued till 11:20 when Arathi was offered. In between Bhagawan had moved off to the Interview room for 15 minutes to come out at 11:15. Upon Arathi, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall to speak to the boys from Sai Sannidhi. After spending 15 minutes interacting with some boys, Bhagawan moved towards Yajur Manidram at 11:40. In the evening, Bhagawan emerged relatively early, at 4:30. Coming for a full round of Darshan, Bhagawan came on stage at 5:45 through the right of Ganesha. While ascending the verandah, again He had a detailed look at the portraits of Bhagawata tales depicted at the right-end of Prasanthi Mandir. Bhagavata Saptaaha session had been on and the evening's narrative was centred around the Krishna Saga involving Rukmini Swayamvaram. Maharaj ended his exposition at 5:30 upon which the Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe presented a light music session that lasted for half-an-hour, till 6:00 when Arathi was offered.
Bhagawan spent some more time on the dais, blessing the Music Boys as well as the accompanists of the Maharaj granting them Padanamsakars. Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram at 6:20. Ritual pertaining the the Saptaaha has been going on at a separate location from the day-1 of the Saptaaha Yajna. Six Purohits (priests) who accompanied the Maharaj have been conducting these daily rituals, every day morning from 6:30 to 8:30. Bhagavata rendition in original, has also been happening simultaneously at this location from day-1. A unique thing about the Saptaaha Yajnam is the Maharaj's inimitable style of referring to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai as first person, quite often during his narrative,replacing Bhagawan Sri Krishna with this form of the Avatar, walks the earth in present times.
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Tuesday, 23, March 2010 - Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam - Day 7 - Concluding session | |
Taking a detour after emerging at 10:30, Bhagawan
went straight into the interview room, to come out 11:00. Arathi was
offered at 11:05. Bhagawan chose to sit for some more time on the
dais, blessing the accompanists of the Maharaj, before retiring to
Yajur Mandiram at 11:15, but not before blessing the audience with a
"double abhayahasta". Following this morning's penultimate session,
the seven-day-long Saptaaha would conclude this evening in the
immediate Divine presence. Seven-day-long Bhagavagtha Saptaaham that
has been on from the 17th March concluded at 5:45, this evening, in
the immediate Divine Presence of Bhagawan. Final session's exposition had the tale of Bhagawan's Sri Krishna's emotional meeting with his childhood friend, Sudhama. The Maharaj gave a scintillating narration of the meeting of the two friends that, The Lord, the narrator and the entire assemblage were literally transported into the days of Dwapara, 'visualising' the nostalgic magic moments in the life of Bhagawan's dearmost friend, Sudhama. Raja Parikshit's final moments, wherein he liberates his soul to attain "Moksha" (liberation), was the final episode that brought the curtain down for the Saptaaham. Listening to the epical exposition for seven continuous days, finally the king leaves his mortal coil, voluntarily releasing the 'life force' through the "Sahasrara Chakra", the 7th energy channel. Dedicating the entire Saptaaha Yajna at His Divine Lotus Feet, the Maharaj sought for Divine forgiveness for any errors he would have committed, most inadvertantly, during his narration over the days. He exhorted the assemblage to come to Prasanthi Nilayam to have the Holy Darshan of Bhagawan, calling Prasanthi Nilayam, our "Own Home". He ended the session chanting Sai Gayathri five times that was attended by devotees enmass. |
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Earlier, Bhagawan emerged at 5:05, to take a detour to come directly
on stage. Upon the end of the Saptaaham, light music session, by Sai Sannidhi Music Troupe, followed for the next fifteen minutes till Arathi at 6:06. Bhagawan blessed the Maharaj profusely, who fell at His feet to take a Saashtaanga Namaskaaram. Stroking his throat lovingly, blessing the Maharaj with His Divine Palm on his head, Bhagawan commented on the melodious rendering he has been giving all these days. Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram at 6:15, bringing the curtain down for the week-long Bhagavatha Saptaaha Yajnam that had literally converted Prasanthi NIlayam into Brindavan. |
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Bhagavatha Saptaaham - concluding session - 23 Mar 2010 |
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The Bhagavatha Saptaaham, the dialogue between a person under the sentence of death and a great saint who prepared him to meet the eventuality, is over. Howmuchever, one extols on the greater significance of the epical rendition, Prasanthi Nilayam holds the unique, ‘one of its kind’ significance, with the Avatar Himself in physical frame sitting and listening to the same, the exposition, on all the seven days. The erudite young scholar’s seven day’s exposition had been a treat for thousands of minds and souls in Prasanthi Nilayam. With a rare mix of stories from Bhagavatham with that of the stories of the present day Avatar, bringing in anecdotes from various other sources, the young “Maharaj” literally transported Prasanthi Nilayam into Brindavan, wherein The Lord Himself dwelled on the tongue of the “Maharaj” singing His glories, often bursting into melodious tunes bringing greater joy to thousands upon thousands. A unique thing about the Saptaaha Yajnam was the Maharaj's inimitable style of referring to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai as first person, quite often during his narrative, replacing Bhagawan Sri Krishna with this form of the Avatar, who walks the earth in present times. With his storyline go expounding into the rare gems hidden within the epic, with Bhagawan sitting onstage, Prasanthi Nilayam literally became, as the scholar often mentioned, the Kaliyuga Vaikuntam, the Vaikunta of present days, where Lord Maha Vishnu Himself dwells.
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Source: sssbpt.org - web-layout & design saibabaofindia.com
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