13th
February 2007 Prasanthi Nilayam: Devotees from Adilabad had a
date with Divinity in Prasanthi Nilayam, on 11th February
2007. More than 3200 devotees came as a part of
Adilabad Parthi Yatra
from this northern district of Andhra Pradesh were blissfully
basking in the Divine Love of Bhagawan on a day that was most
benevolently bestowed upon them. This Parthi Yatra was
organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations marking the
culmination of year-long spiritual sadhana and service
activities, begun in Feb 2006. On this memorable morning
Bhagawan most benevolently chose to sit on the dais for more
than ninety minutes at a stretch, listening to the musical
rendering by the group that was followed by Bhagawan’s Divine
Discourse. In the Divine Discourse that was delivered more on
an informal style without translation into English, Bhagawan
exhorted them to follow the five human values. Bhagawan said,
the practise of one human value would lead to other values and
thus we would finally able to achieve Peace unto the world.
Expressing immense satisfaction and happiness at the service
activities taken up by the devotees from the district,
Bhagawan urged them to continue the good work. The Divine Pat
came in the form of materialisation of two chains for two of
the singers and a ring for the music composer, Bhantaru
Chittibabu. The troupe had undergone extensive rehearsal
sessions for almost three months fine-tuning to perfection
before the final show at Prasanthi Nilayam
Scroll
down to see slide show of today's pictures from Prasanthi Nilayam
or
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Procession and Skit by Adilabad
Devotees
Evening
The music programme in
the morning was followed by an exhibition of tribal culture of
Andhra Pradesh, especially those from the district of
Adilabad, in the evening. This was indeed a cultural treat to
the mini-world that congregated in Sai Kulwant Hall which was
doubly privileged to witness the staging of various folklore
art forms of the district in the immediate Divine Presence of
Bhagawan. The folk art forms that were staged included,
Gussadi, the dance form of Gonds, an aboriginal tribes of
Adilabad, supposedly the most significant dance among all the
types of dances of Gonds; Dhimsa, a traditional folk dance of
Andhra Pradesh; Mathuri, a folk dance generally performed
bythetribals of Umji and Indravelli forest areas of Utnoor
Taluk of the district, Oggukatha, a folk art originated among
Kurumas (Yadavas) who devoted themselves to the singing of
ballads in praise of Lord Shiva, Yakshaganam, a theatrical
folk performing art form in which music, dance, and speech are
harmoniously blended; Kolattam, a dance form in which two
sticks are used for producing rhythmic sounds while in motion
coupled with singing, Burra Katha, a prominent folk art form
of Andhra Pradesh, a variation of ‘Hari Katha’; Bonalu a short
form for Bhojanalu which means "meals", a ritual offering of
meals to the mother Goddess, a female-folk art of the
Telengana region of Andhra Pradesh; Bathakamma, a female-folk
dance prevalent in the Telengana region which is usually
performed by newly married women with a feeling of peace and
success in their married life. An immensely pleased Bhagawan
sat through the entire session for more than ninety minutes
encouraging the folks in their endeavour to excel in their
traditional art. This tribal folk along with the other members
of the group took out a procession to the
Shivalayam, the
birthplace of Bhagawan later in the evening.
Another
attraction of the evening was a skit presentation by the
Youth of Adilabad ably portraying the predicament of
present day youth. The presentation titled,
"Sai Hain Jeevan"
(Sai is Life) started with a group of boys belonging to
various faiths joining together and deciding upon the
mode of New Year Celebrations. While the paltry
suggestions of partying, drinking and making merry came
forth from some quarters, there was one youth who
suggested to stop thinking unholy of such a stupendous
occasion wasting their precious time; instead should
ponder over something that would yield permanent
happiness. With some interesting episodes from the lives
of some devotees who were recipient of Bhagawan’s
blessings, the boy then spoke about service activities
rendered by Bhagawan stressing on the famous adage
Help Ever Hurt Never.
Doubly inspired by this impressive narration, the
tranformed youth decided to celebrate the advent of the
New Year conducting Bhajans and participating in service
activities instead of satisfying petty interests. At the
end of the skit Bhagawan blessed the youth with a group
photo session that they richly deserved.
This devoted
group of over 3200 have been constantly engaged in a
year-long Spiritual Sadhana and Service activities
covering 405 villages in the district. Their activities
included, Namasmarana, distribution of Bhagawan’s
Literature and propagation of Divine Message, Medical
Camp for the poor and needy, Veterinary Camps, Likhita
Japa Sadhana, Sadhana Shibirams, etc. Just before
embarking upon their journey to Puttaparthi, the group
of over 3000 had taken up Deeksha (spiritual vow) for 27
days, wearing special kankanams (sacred wrist band
serving as reminders of the spiritual vow) clubbed with
continuous non-stop ‘Akhanda Nama Sankirtanam’.
Bhagawan, in a
gesture of compassion and love for the devotees from the
district, most benevolently lit a lamp that these
devotees would carry to every village in the distrcit,
symbolically signifying the love of Bhagawan engulfing
the entire region. Sri P. Venkata Rao, District
President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra
Pradesh who spearheaded the year-long activities in the
district narrated how they experienced Bhagawan’s
presence throughout their sojourn. The group that had
requested for 22 special railway coaches were informed
that they would be given a maximum of 18 coaches only
and were asked to make alternate arrangements to meet
their demand. But, true to the dictum, “Why Fear when I
am here”, out of the blue, towards the last lap of their
preparations, they got intimation from the railway
officials awarding them full 22 special coaches against
their original request. And as against the regular
practice the special train was carried by a goods
engine…an expensive affair by the government to meet the
urgency of the occasion, said Mr. P. Venkata Rao, the
District President. These too being insufficient to
accommodate the 3200 devotees surging to see Bhagawan,
20 special buses were employed for the purpose.
Bhagawan was
most benevolent in offering His Divine Blessings. The
District President prayed for extended rail facilities
from Prasanthi Nilayam to the Adilabad District.
Bhagawan, then lovingly enquired about their drinking
water availability.
It was indeed heartening and encouraging to see an
entire district with huge tribal population that reel
under political violence and poverty ably organising and
engaging more than 3000 devotees for year-long service
activities as an offering to their Beloved Bhagawan. No
wonder the Lord heard the prayers of these innocent
souls and reciprocated in the most benevolent fashion.
Bhagawan was almost giving Himself away…to those
innocent hearts…apt reward for those crying souls.
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