Acknowledgement -
Source: photos, text etc. Our most humble
thanks to all our Sai friends and fellow devotees for Sai Baba photos & textual matter,
particularly to www. sssbpt.org - www. radiosai (Prasanthi Diary) for darshans & photo
material and all the other official
& public domain sources - Also, Various Sai
Baba groups ,Forums & individuals etc. In addition, submitted articles,
Darshan account, photos & Sai news by respective Sai devotees from all
over the globe & SBOI group members to Group Saibabaofindia &
www.Saibabaofindia.com website. Submit Sai news &
Photos: mail to:
saibabaofindia@yahoo.com - source:sssbpt.org
- radiosai.org
Today, the Varalakshmi vratam was celebrated at Prasanthi Nilayam. The Mandir was
decorated with flowers and an icon of Mahalaksmi adorned the centre of the stage.
Bhagavan emerged from His residence after the 8 to 9 Vedam chanting at 9.45 am,
moving straight to the stage on His chair. The ladies doing the pooja, more than
1500 in number, were seated in the front of the entire extent of the hall. The
worship by the priest onstage began at ten o'clock and continued for 45 minutes,
concluding with the traditional recital of the story of the origin of this
celebration.
Swami then went around the hall in His chair for ten minutes before
returning onstage. He accepted Arati at 11 o'clock and prasadam was distributed. As
Swami left for His residence, Prof. Anil Kumar announced that food had been arranged
for all the participants in the canteen and that there would be a music concert this evening.Swami came for evening darshan at 4.30 pm. Once He finished His darshan round, He
asked the artistes for the music programme to be shifted to the stage. Once they
were ready, He came onstage and began their performance at 4.45 pm. After 70 minutes
of soul-stirring songs by Smt. Anuradha Sriram, Swami called her up and blessed her
with a chain. He gave clothes to all the members of the troupe and had a group photo
with them. Bhajans by the students then began at 6 pm. After twenty minutes of
bhajans including some with alaps, Swami accepted Arati and retired for the day.>>> Read more details with
over 30 photos
Posted at 23:15 Hrs.IST on 30th July 2009 - source:sssbpt.org
What is America’s message to the world? What does American sentiment reflect?
Perhaps the American Young Adults from Region 4 and 7 have found an innovative way
of finding an answer to this. They had illustrious Sage Narada on a “fact finding
mission”, to report to the Lord of all Lords about the varied cultural and
traditional civilization of the country. The US, which is often referred to as a
“melting pot” of cultures, embracing people from different countries, races, and
religions welcomes the Sage in his ‘fact finding mission’. The illustrious Sage
Narada whose prolific ways of entering into many a world at ease chanting the name
of Lord Narayana ends up meeting various sects in the states, visiting across the
country finally to submit his report to the Lord of all lords, Bhagawan Sri Sathya
Sai Baba!
With the power packed Rudram filling and sanctifying the air in Prasanthi sending
vibes across the universe calling for greater harmony and unity in diversity, on an
auspicious Thursday evening, the Young Adults from the United States had a depiction
of the illustrious country as a 'United States of varied Cultural Civilizations',
calling upon the Lord to bless the country with His Divine visit.
The presentation started with Sage Narada in the United States, meeting up the
Native Americans, a sect which believed that everything on earth has a purpose. In
their theory of existence, every disease has an herb to cure it, and every person is
on a mission.
His next turn was to visit a class at the St. Joseph Catholic School, where the
students were learning to speak Italian. The sage was won over by their latin hymns
in praise of Jesus Christ.
Destination next was into a Buddhist Monastery. The devotion of a group of Buddhist
monks put Narada into ecstasy and he spontaneously blurted out a powerful sloka on
Lord Buddha. Equally inspired, a monk also recited a chant after which Narada and
the monks prayed together.
The next encounter was with a small group of African-American gospel singers from
The United Church of Christ, assembled for The National day of Prayer. He also met a
Mexican group from El Paso, Texas, presenting a folk dance set to the tune of
Spanish hymns in praise of Jesus Christ. Touched by their devotion, Narada also
offered his heartfelt prostrations to Jesus Christ.
In San Francisco, Sage Narada learned Jewish and Muslim prayers and songs from two
followers of those religions. Narada remarked that though the religions were
different, they seemed to pray for “Peace”.
Narada’s tour of the United States ended at the Hindu temple in Kansas City, where
devotees were gathered to celebrate Rama Navami with Nagar Sankeertan. Narada
recalled that “the Lord does not reside in Vaikunta, nor solely the hearts of great
sages, but anywhere that devotees sing God’s praises”.
Upon his return, Narada expresses his deepest gratitude for the opportunity to learn
from the diverse people of the United States of America. Narada, at the end of his
US sojourn returns and his report reads as follows:
Dear Lord, I have come back from my mission. My heart is filled with joy! Words fail
to express my gratitude to thee, for giving me this opportunity to learn from all
the wonderful people in this great country. The people in the United States of
America, are just like flowers in a garland. Every region in this country emanates a
unique divine fragrance that wafts towards Thee. This country, with its diverse
ethnic groups, echoes the divine statement that…
There is only one religion the religion of love
There is only one language the language of the heart
There is only one caste the caste of humanity
There is only one God, and he is omnipresent.
The people of this land send their prayers for Your blessings and hope that You
visit them soon… Narayana Narayana!
Yes, the American Young Adults seemed to have found an innovative way to impress
upon the Lord for the big happening, the Divine Visit to the United States of
America!…and to turn this utopian to a reality, the Young Adults seemed have a set
in motion a mission to change the United States of America into United Sai America!
The presentation was interspersed with ‘broken’ tunes of the famous hindi Bhajan
“Hey O Vithale, Bhakta Jana Vatsale…” as Sage Narada would sing the tune in ecstasy
glorifying the Lord. Beautiful songs and hymns interspersed depicting various
cultural entities enlivened the programme, especially the Islamic song in praise of
Allah, “Ya Mustafa…” was a treat which was well received with round of applause by
the devotees.
Narada who has been hailed by the Puranas as a great servant of Lord Maha Vishnu has
become a worthy instrument at the hands of the Lord in physical in coming up with a
report on the American Culture and Civilisation, introducing the varied cultural
traditions of the United States, representing the sentiments and supplications of
the country to the Lord in physical to set His Feet in the country.
Bhagawan who sat through the programme with rapt attention called the protagonist
who played the key role of Sage Narada to create a chain for him in appreciation of
his performance. Arathi was offered at the end of the programme at His instance. On
special prayer by the officials, Bhagawan asked the group to have a short stint of
bhajans before calling for Arathi once again. Prasadam was distributed before
Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.
Earlier, Bhagawan came out at 1700 hrs. granting darshan to the concourse of
devotees assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall. Coming onstage after a full round of
darshan, the Lord most lovingly accepted prayerful offerings by the organisers who
came upto Him in groups, one after one, both ladies and gents. Lord seemed to be
interested in minute details as He was seen going through Young Adult Service
programme details, an ensuing project in the african continent etc with meticulous
attention and was even finding out the programe details from the President cum Chief
Organiser Mr. Jack Feely... Before the commencement of the programme Bhagawan asked
Mr. Jack Feely to announce the programme to the audience.
A combined group of 222 from Region 4 and 7, belonged to North Central, Northern
California and Nevada Region of the US joined in this pilgrimage offering this
innovative mode of presentation, presenting to the Lord of the country’s varied
cultural and ethnic civilization invoking Him to set His Feet in…. Meticulous
planning, research and year-long preparation finally found its fruition when the
Lord most benevolently sat through the session with His beautiful face breaking into
smiles quite often!!!
Thus ended the beautiful day with a United America calling the Lord of all Lords to
set His Feet in… !!!
July 27, 2009 –
Essential Items Distribution and Music Programme by Rangareddy District
The way the Lord
works is similar to the principle of the process of nuclear fission. In nuclear
fission, one atom that is bombarded with a particle gives rise to many more such
particles with the potential to bombard many more atoms. This builds up at a rapid
rate till a point when a whole city can be provided power to run! In the similar
manner, Swami invests time, energy and, most importantly, Love into a particular
service idea. That grows exponentially till the idea becomes a plan and the plan
becomes a glorious reality! All the health and education projects taken up by His
devotees the world over and the recent growth in village service activities - all
owe their origins to the seeds planted by Swami.
The distribution of
food, clothing and essential livelihood items was seeded by Swami over the years and
today it has grown into an elaborate service exercise. Every region, as part of its
Puttaparthi Yatra, seems to do its bit in distributing essential items to the needy.
On July 27, the devotees from Rangareddy district had planned a similar endeavour.
The marbled areas of the Mandir had been filled with these items to be distributed
to 85 beneficiaries, 32 gents and 53 ladies, chosen from the districts. The
implements included sewing machines, embroidery machines, iron boxes, barber’s kit,
telephone coin boxes, agricultural sprayers, wet grinder, carpenter kit, scooter
mechanic kit, electrician kit, plumber kit, amplifier sound system unit, etc.
Swami arrived
shortly before 5 p.m. for darshan. On the ladies' side, it was the birthday
of a kid. She seemed so happy and excited to see Swami and the Lord reflected and
radiated back the same. He blessed her by sprinkling the holy grains and granting
her and her mother paadanamaskar. He had a look at the items in the centre
before moving over to the gents’ side.
Blessing the birthday boys seated in the front, Swami moved to the stage and
arriving there, asked for the programme to begin. Once again, there was a long line
of offerings to be made. It took some time and even Swami said, "That is enough.
Otherwise it will become late." Soon, the coordinator began to call out names of the
beneficiaries. These beneficiaries, both men and women, some handicapped, came one
by one to receive the implements in His Divine Presence, paying prayerful obeisance
to Bhagavan.
It is said that
chanting the Divine Name is a sure way to salvation. It is really a special
privilege for the beneficiaries that their names are read out in the Divine
Presence! A plate had been placed in the centre into which they offered roses of
gratitude. Soon enough, the plate was full and overflowing too - symbolic of the
feelings in their heart!
The entire distribution was complete in a matter of fifteen minutes. Then, Swami
permitted the presentation of "Sangeeta Vibhavari" - a bouquet of songs at His lotus
feet. The songs were beautiful in their meaning and Swami seemed so happy with the
effort. Then an interesting anecdote occurred that kept all the viewers occupied and
happy.
Swami had a
trifoliate stem of the Tulsi plant, maybe offered to Him by one of the devotees.
Every now and then, during the programme, Swami would raise it and study it deeply.
Then, as if suddenly becoming aware of the staring audience, He would drop the stem
back on His lap, looking up with a sheepish but very sweet smile! This happened a
couple of times. Then slowly, Swami raised it to His lips. Smiling at those who were
watching, He put it in His mouth and nibbled it! The sight was so sweet and it was
so childlike of Swami to do that.
Throughout the
period of the songs, Swami kept rhythm and kept smiling. Towards the end, He moved
into the interview room and brought safari pieces and sarees to be distributed to
all the participants.
He specially called
out for the harmonium player and the violinist and created golden rings with emerald
for them! Both of them were naturally thrilled. The violinist offered his violin to
Swami and the Lord so sweetly strummed a string. That act seemed to tug at the
heartstrings of the artist as his face was overcome with joyous emotion.
Swami asked
for the aarthi after blessing prasadam to be distributed.
Continuing the trend of offering a flower by the senior honorary staff, that evening
it was the turn of Prof. Ram Murthy, a distinguished professor from the School of
Business Management Accounting and Finance of Sri Sathya Sai University.
Swami then
accepted a letter from the harmonium player and read it for almost 3-4 minutes!
Blessing the congregation, Swami retired for the day at about 6:30 p.m.
The drama began with tiny tots dancing to a song saluting the compassionate Divine
Mother. The Gopis and Gopalas are agog with excitement on hearing the news that
their Krishna was coming to Repalle the next day to be amidst them. It was indeed a
sacred opportunity. The Gopis and Gopalas make elaborate plans to welcome Him with
all grandeur. Radha too is very happy about Krishna’s visit. The two consorts of
Lord Krishna, Rukmini and Sathyabhama converse with each other of Krishna’s visit to
Repalle, as to whether Radha would be present then. Sathyabhama feels that Krishna
does not care for her as He bestows more attention on Radha. She feels left alone.
At this point of time, Narada enters the scene and opines that Lord Krishna makes
one happy, while another is immersed in grief. That is His Leela (divine play). He
talks high of the devotion of Radha for Krishna. There is no Krishna without Radha
and no Radha without Krishna, says Narada.
The drama was punctuated by beautiful dances of small girls in colourful costumes.
In the next scene, it is shown that people feel jealous of Radha and try to harm
her. A person tries to hit her with a stick, but on the contrary he gets harmed and
suffers with severe pain in his hand. They narrate all that happened to Narada.
Narada immediately asks the affected person to ask forgiveness from Radha. When the
person does so, he is relieved of the pain.
As Krishna enters Repalle, He enquires about the whereabouts of Radha. He sees a
house and asks them whether Radha stays in that house. The people accompanying
Krishna lie to Him that she has left the house and gone out of Repalle. The
all-knowing Krishna then tells Rukmini of people’s cunningness to hoodwink even Him.
Rukmini eulogises the devotion of Radha for Krishna.
At this moment, Radha enters the scene and entreats Krishna to have mercy for her.
Then Krishna tells Radha, “I am giving Myself to you, what more do you want!” At
this high note, the drama comes to a close.
The cast of the drama express gratitude to Swami for granting them this wonderful
opportunity to stage this drama in His presence. Radha was the paragon of virtues.
Her devotion was unparalleled. Let us also cultivate such devotion. They pray to
Swami to instill such devotion in them. Let us also offer ourselves to You like
Radha offered herself to Krishna, they pray in unison. The drama ended with another
lively dance. As all the cast converged, praying to Bhagawan, He went amidst them,
posed for photographs and also gave clothes to all the participants with His own
hands. Prasadam was distributed to everyone present in the Hall. Arati was offered
to Bhagawan at 7.10 p.m.
Earlier, on the 25th evening, the group of over 3000 took out a rally outside the
ashram, a customary procession showcasing cultural traditions enriched with
devotional fervour. Jazzed up with Bonalu, traditional folk festival popular in the
Telengana region, the procession that started bit late, due to the overlapping of
the programme in the mandir, at the old mandir near the Kalyana Mandapam ended at
the Ganesh Gate granting the onlookers a feel of age old traditions of the state.
Normally during the festival, `Ghatams' or decorated pots that are filled with
flowers would be carried by female dancers in procession accompanied by men playing
drums.
Continuing the trend of offering of rose by senior honorary staff to Bhagawan, this
evening it was the turn of Sri Ram Murthy, who has been doing selfless dedicated
selfless leading the South Indian Canteen operations. After offering the rose to
Bhagawan, he offered his tears of gratitude for this wonderful opportunity bestowed
on him. Read more Prasanthi This week with
photos
It became a historical day as Swami stayed in the Sai Kulwant Hall for a record
number of hours. How many? Read on to find out. Also, this special day turned out to
be a day of changes. One, chanting of the Vedas with emphasis on the Rudram from 8
a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. got regularized.
Apart from that, Swami also instructed that the Universal Peace prayer be reverted
to "Samastha Lokaha Sukhino Bhavanthu" from its recently modified form, "Samastha
Jeeva Sukhino Bhavanthu." There was also another new practise that began that day
and you will know about it as you read along.
Now, going through the day chronologically, at 4 p.m. sharp began the sonorous
chants of the RudraPrasnah. The devotees from the Glendale & Arcadia Sadhana Group,
Southern California, USA were seated in the marbled blocks as they had been
permitted to put up their song cum skit programme.
At 5 p.m., the Veda chanting ceased and the whole Mandir became silent. It was a
marvellous feeling and has to be experienced. More than 8,000 people congregating
and not the least bit of noise! A miracle indeed for it reflects the inner stillness
that comes about so naturally in the proximity of God. At about 5:20 p.m., the
chanting resumed to signal the arrival of Swami.
Bhagavan moved through the ladies side and as He arrived in the center, asked one
of them, "Where do you come from?" Swami speaks so softly and soothingly that often
times it is easier to lip read Him rather than hear Him! The lady chose the latter
and could not make out! Swami repeated His question and seeing the same response,
seemed to smile to Himself.
He later got that answer from a little boy who was seated on the gents’ side! Swami
moved through the packed gents’ side and soon was in the front. Taking a round in
the portico, Swami arrived on stage.
The co-ordinators for the programme offered their presentation to Swami and
Bhagavan seemed to say, "Things have been mixed up." Sitting for hardly a minute,
Swami asked to be taken to the interview room. Then began what can be termed as the
great wait for the Lord! It is often said that God's delays are not His denials.
There were two ways in which the above sentence got aptly demonstrated. On one hand
there were those devotees whom Swami had assured that He would grant an interview
and they had been waiting. It didn't seem that even today they would get their
promised interviews, for a programme was in waiting. But Swami began to call them
in, one by one. On the other hand were these devotees from USA. As the interviews
got underway it did not seem plausible that they will get their chance to present
their programme before Him.
The chances of the programme seemed to move from low to bleak as the clock showed
7:30 p.m. Rarely does Swami stay out so long and even when He does so, it is for
occasions like Shivarathri. But any day Lord Shiva decides to grant His Grace that
day becomes Shivarathri. This got proved with a thumping authority as Swami arrived
on stage at 7:35 p.m. and asked for the programme to begin!
The group comprising of 84 members, including children had a small skit entitled
“Mother’s Blessings” based on the inspirational life story of the 16th President of
USA, Abraham Lincoln. Swami often narrates the story of Lincoln to exemplify the
spirit of Self-Confidence and the power of the mother's blessings.
The programme started with a few kids and elders offering the programme and roses to
Swami. Chanting shlokas from the immortal Bhagawad Geeta, the group depicted through
the skit how Lincoln followed those very principles as stated in the shlokas. The
skit lasted about 15 minutes and the kids participating in it offered their
pranams to Swami.
The devotees then requested Swami for permission to sing bhajans and Swami
permitted them to do so. In accordance with the theme of the day, all bhajans
sung were on the glory of Mother Divine. Swami sat listening to and enjoying the
bhajans till almost 8:30 p.m.!
Then came the cherry on top of the icing on the cake for the US devotees. Swami
said that He would move down the stage and grant them Divine proximity and group
photographs. Oh the thrill of that move! They became exuberant! All the tiredness of
being seated for nearly five and half hours evaporated into thin air. They welcomed
Him in their midst and Swami blessed them.
He spoke to a few of them and accepted one or two letters. Moving back on the
stage, Swami asked for the aarthi to begin.
Now, coming to the change that was mentioned in the beginning: Swami had blessed
all the elders working in the Ashram, some of them for more than 30 years now, with
the opportunity to offer a rose to Him, one elder per day! And so that day, Mr. Ram
Mohan Rao, Head of Finance and Accounts Section of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
offered a rose to Swami. Swami was all smiles as the octogenarian moved to Him and
bowed at His lotus feet. Swami then retired for the day, moving to Yajur Mandir in
the car.
"on 23rd July 2009 there was some work being done in one farmer's field just
behind Swami's ashram in Peddakammavari Palli road and the work men found this less
than 3 feet Shivalingam.... read more
Yesterday, Bhagavan had a twenty minute darshan round, spending a few minutes with
His students currently working at the Super Speciality Hospital at Bangalore, and
later with some Primary School students. This evening, He came for darshan a few
minutes before five o'clock in the special white chair. The Chief Minister of
Maharashtra was also part of the congregation in Sai Kulwant hall. The evening
bhajans began as Swami completed His darshan round and Swami sat onstage,
making a
brief round of the verandah. At 5.40, He asked for the microphones to be brought,
and asked Prof Anil Kumar to speak. Following his twenty minute impromptu talk, the
former Vice-Chancellor Sri. S. V. Giri was asked to speak. Then Bhagavan began His
Divine Discourse at 6.20 pm. In His fifty-minute Discourse, Swami touched upon the Upanishadic truth of the Unity of all creation. Following the Discourse, the
students sang a bhajan while prasadam was distributed, and Arati was offered. At the
end, while 'Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu' was being chanted, Swami called up the
lead singer and asked him to chant 'Samasta Jeevah Sukhino Bhavantu' -
he chanted
this thrice and the session concluded at 7.20 pm. with Bhagavan returning to His
residence in the car. Later in the evening, Swami sent word that tomorrow onwards,
Vedam should be chanted in the Sai Kulwant Hall from 8 am to 9 am and from 4 pm to 5
pm before the bhajan sessions.Read more
including Gist of Divine Discourse:>>
"...Om Sairam dearest Sai family
It was a very sweet and memorable evening for all of us today. It all started at 5pm
when Swami blessed us with His divine darshan as the bhajans were being sung. Swami
today preferred to come in a bigger chair. After taking a full round Swami went on
the stage. For on lookers it seemed as if there was some kind of surprise coming up
and to confirm our thoughts, Swami called upon Prof. Anil Kumar and as we all
thought we would witness a divine discourse, Prof. Anil Kumar was rather asked to
speak. An able speaker he is, gave a very nice talk on Swami and the need for the
man kind to be united and God centric. Prof. Anil Kumar in His usual style, narrated
slokas, verses from Swamis discourses and asked all of us to be reminded as how
lucky we are to be born in this age when the Avatar of this Kali Age is amongst us.
We all are blessed to be born in this age and it is our duty to make use of this
golden opportunity. After 20 minutes of talk Swami signalled to bring His mike and
every one of us got more curious and excited as Swami was going to speak.
Another surprise from Swami, this time He called upon Sri. S.V.Giri former Vice
chancellor of Swamis university. A highly knowledgeable person, Sri. Giri also looks
like one of the fittest person, slim and trim, among elite devotees of Swami. I have
seen Sri. Giri many a times giving a talk in Swamis presence, and every time he
speaks, he makes it very simple but the content will be of deeper spiritual
significance. Sri. Giri stressed upon mind control. On many occasions Swami has
asked the students to control the mind. It is more essential than sense control. We
can keep our eyes shut, ears closed but the mind can't be closed. He appealed to all
the devotees not to ask God for immediate physical pleasures.
Be patient and positive only then the result will be a positive. Purity, Unity and
Divinity are most essential for conditioning the mind. Don't underestimate the gift
of darshan. In the recent past you may not have physical proximity with Swami like
before but Communion is most important. Swami will answer all your questions, clear
all your doubts, solve all your problems when you have perfect communion. Sri Giri
also narrated the story of Nachiketa and Yama from the Katha Upanishad. Sri. Giri
asked all of us to be more into communion with Swami, as it is a rare opportunity
and make best use of your time in Swami's presence. So saying Sri.Giri completed his
small talk and all eyes were on Swami now.
The mike was still there before Him. Will He speak or ask to keep the mike in the
shelf. Swami signalled Prof. Anil Kumar to stand next to Him, Swami after adjusting
His mike, majestically seated on His throne, looked at every one of us with full of
love, looked at Prof. Anil Kumar very slowly without moving His Head (only Swami can
demonstrate such minute wonders), made sure he is ready and started His divine
discourse saying Prema Swaroopulara (embodiments of Love) Swami's 45 minutes divine
discourse was centered on the Atmic principle, love, Karma and Namasmarana ...."
Bhagavan went for a drive at 11.40 this morning, returning to His residence after
noon. In the evening, the devotees from Medak district presented a drama 'Devudu
Unnadu'. After His darshan round when Swami came onstage, some of the devotees came
up to Him for blessings and the drama got underway at 5.30 pm. The forty-five minute
Telugu play showed the transformation of two youths to theists with many quotes and
poems from Swami.
After the drama, Swami went inside the interview room for five minutes and emerged
with clothes for the participants. He went down from the stage and moved among the
children while bhajans went on, and took group photographs with them. He blessed one
of them with a chain, and gave them the clothes Himself. After nearly half an hour
of interaction, once He came onstage, He accepted Arati at seven o'clock. He
interacted some more with the devotees before returning to His residence ten minutes
later.
With the Parthi Yatra season on and the serial pilgrimage gains momentum as
districts after districts from Andhra Pradesh make their presence in huge numbers,
Prasanthi Nilayam often gets to enjoy the pristine touch of Andhra flavor in
variance. Adding to this list of Andhra flavor came a huge contingent of devotees
numbering over 2100 from the telengana district of Medak. This is the third Parthi
Yatra by the district organized in three years, a show of gratitude for the greater
boon bestowed upon the district by Bhagawan. Expressing grateful thanks, rejoicing
at the shower of special grace, Sathya Sai Organisation in the district has been
organizing various cultural, spiritual and service oriented programmes essentially
spreading the message of Bhagawan.
Everything that begins with Sai, moves on with Sai and culminates at Sai often with
a grand finale loaded with hues of various cultural and spiritual dimensions having
subtle import. Imbibing the message of reforming the society through selfless
service to humanity, the district Sathya Sai Organisation organized distribution of
implements for selected beneficiaries from the districts. The implements included
Iron Boxes, Coin Boxes, Water Purifier, Tea Drums, Drums, Tea Stall, Kirana Shop,
Vegetable Shop, Sprayer, Foot Sprayer, Cycle Repair Kit, Gold Polish Material, Cloth
Merchant Material, Drilling Machine, Vegetable Trolley, Welding Machine, Wet
Grinder, Cycle, Tri Cycle, Sewing Machine along with a sponsorship of college study
for one student.
Thanking Bhagawan profusely for the “Elixir Divine”, Drinking Water supplied in the
entire district, Mr. Jagannadham, the district president of the Organisation, made a
mention of the various service and spiritual activities taken up by the Sathya Sai
Seva Organisation. As the names were called out, 85 beneficiaries, both men and
women, some handicapped, came one by one to receive the implements in His Divine
Presence, paying prayerful obeisance to Bhagawan.
And the finale was tagged with soul rendering devotional numbers and it made the big
difference! Lighting the evening to its transitional twilight effect was this
musical offering titled, Hrudaya Kusumanjali. The offering composed and music
arranged by former students from Sathya Sai University, sung by both men and women
had a bouquet of over nine songs covering various themes, namely, His Glory, Service
Activities, Navavidha Bhakti, Glory of Sai’s Name, Shodasopachara Pooja, Mother
Easwaramam and her greater glory etc. Songs packed with emotion and devotion reached
the crescendo when a Jhoola Song (lullaby) on the Child Divine hailing Mother
Easwaramma was sung rendering the air to nostalgic heights of the childhood days of
the Little Divine, Child Sathya!
The singers were blessed with Sarees and Safari pieces, men and women respectively.
Towards the end of the Programme, Bhagawan blessed a tiny tot from the group with a
chain. Minister for Information and Tourism J. Geeta Reddy, who hails from Medak was
also present during the programme. Arathi was offered just after 6:30 before
Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.
This morning, Bhagavan sent word that the students of the Higher Secondary School
and the University should come for morning darshan - usually they come for morning
darshan only on Sundays and festival days. Clothes were to be distributed to them.
Swami came at half-past nine while the bhajans were going on. After inspecting and
sorting the cloth material in the Bhajan Hall, He came onstage and watched while the
cloth pieces were distributed to the students and teachers. At a quarter past ten,
He accepted Arati. USB memory sticks were also distributed to the senior students.
In the evening, Swami came for darshan at 4.30 pm and moved to the Bhajan Hall,
where He distributed sarees to the family members. Once the evening bhajans began in
Sai Kulwant Hall, He came onstage and had a brief interaction with one of the Music
college teachers, blessing him with a bracelet. Swami then moved to the interview
room and returned after half an hour to sit onstage for a couple of bhajans and then
accept Arati.
This evening, the doctors attending the Orthopaedic conference at the Sri Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Medical Sciences were seated in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall
on chairs. Bhagavan arrived for darshan at 4.25 pm, and after His darshan round
moved to the interview room after a brief interaction on the verandah. After the
five o'clock bhajans began, Swami came to the stage. He asked for a bhajan with
alap. Bhagavan moved down among the doctors up and down the central path as the
doctors crowded around Him. Once He returned onstage, prasadam was distributed.
Arati was offered at 5.45 pm.
This evening, Swami went to the Super Speciality Hospital at Prasanthi gram at
around 3.45 pm - the Hospital is hosting a two-day
international conference in Orthopedics. The Biosciences department of the Sri Sathya Sai University is also
hosting an international conference in Diabetes research. Bhagavan returned to the
Mandir while the bhajans were going on. He moved to the Bhajan hall and inspected
some items kept there before coming onstage. Sri Sunil Gavaskar, the cricket legend,
was here to celebrate his 60th birthday. Swami interacted with him for a few minutes
before coming to the stage and accepting Arati at 5.30 pm.
Photos and more details >>:
Batting maestro Sunil Manohar Gavaskar celebrated his 60th birthday in
Prashanti Nilayam, the abode of Satya Saibaba at Puttaparthi in the district on
Friday without fanfare. Only his family members and a few relatives accompanied him
on the occasion.
Presents book
Sunil Gavaskar seeking the blessings of Satya Saibaba on his 60th
birthday in Puttaparthi on Friday.
Mr. Gavaskar sought the blessings of Satya Saibaba in Sai Kulwanth Hall auditorium
in the evening and presented the latter a copy his book titled `Straight Drive'.
Saibaba spoke to Gavaskar for about five minutes and blessed him.
The cricketing great reached Prashanti Nilayam along with family members and
relatives including wife Marshaneil, son Rohan, brother-in-law G.R. Vishwanath and
others on Thursday night. Speaking to media persons in the morning Mr. Gavaskar said
he was fortunate to celebrate his 60th birthday at Prashanti Nilayam.
`Spreading peace'
Explaining the reasons why he was celebrating his 60th birthday at Puttaparthi, the
batting legend said Saibaba had been spreading peace and love across the world with
spiritual and social service activities.
Saibaba taught the world the real value of peace and love in the lives of human
beings, Mr. Gavaskar said. Source: Hindu online edition
African Love for Lord Sai
Sai African Adult Choir 2009 - source:sssbpt.org
An ensemble of 45 well disciplined Africans with an aptitude for music descended in
Prasanthi Nilayam with an earnest desire to sing in praise of the Lord walks this
earth. And what Prasanthi witnessed on the 9th July was an unprecedented evening
turned twilight wherein these Africans courted the Lord with their unsullied
devotion weaving love with music.
Africa earned a special distinction in the Sathya Sai History as this was the only
overseas land, whereupon the Avatar of the Age walking the earth set His Feet,
outside India. It was East Africa’s finest even boon, way back in 1968, when
Bhagawan visited the land, blessing the continent and people profusely, travelling
wide over. …And ever since, this has been the highest inspiration for the entire
African continent, which has, of late, taken giant strides in spreading God’s words
of wisdom.
An idea conceived by central co-ordinator for Africa Region 93, Victor Krishna Kanu
during the World Conference on Sathya Sai Education 2008, Sai Adult Choir was an
offshoot of many a music presentation over the years by countries and continents
from the world over in the Divine Presence at Prasanthi Nilayam. The Choir is
largely made up of Nigerians, Ghanaians, Cameroonians and Ivorians, while the songs
are drawn from Nigeria, Ghana, Congo Brazaville, South Africa and Zaire.
The group of forty five members was led by Sir Jude Nnam, the first young man to be
knighted from the Roman Catholic Church. He was trained at the Trinity College of
Music, London and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He had the rare distinction of
directing the “Papal Choir” during the visit of Pope John Paul II to Nigeria in 1998
and was also the recipient of second prize, for the Choir from Nigeria, in the Music
World Catholic Festival held in Rome. He has over 1000 musical master pieces to his
credit and his songs form over 75% of all the songs used in Catholic Liturgical
worship all over the country.
What appeared to be a prospective 45 minutes choir was made into a much longer
session wherein Lord was seen interacting in person at the second half of the show,
asking in between, “one more song”. Transition of these ‘descended’ Africans to the
Indian culture was swift as they started off their session with three omkars and in
between sang two Sai Bhajans, “Ananda Shyam Ananda Ram….” followed by, “Guru Baba,
Guru Baba…” with utmost élan. With the help of local musical instruments, namely,
Bass Pot (udu), Wooden Gong (ekwr), Small Wooden Gong (okpokovo), Tambourine
(Shaker), Talking Drum-Small (gangan), Big Drum (Igba), they sang a total of nine
compositions, three thanks giving songs from north, west and east Nigeria, in Hausa,
Yoruba and lgbo languages respectively, two love offering songs from Congo and
Ghana, primarily on Lord Jesus, a communion song from South Africa and a song on the
Holy Spirit from Zaire. This was followed by the song of the day, a prayer song to
Swami by name “Sai Baba Great Navigator” finally to draw the curtain with a
gratitude song, a unified song of praise from the three major ethnic groups in
Nigeria. This thanksgiving was, of course, not only for fulfilling their dream of
singing in the Divine Presence, but primarily for fulfilling the African dream of
having Sai African Adult Choir. Yes, it was an African dream that was fulfilled by
Sai Sankalpa and the bridge was the bond of unsullied love.
Devotion brings the Lord to manifest in physical…and for the manifested Lord already
walking the earth, He can come still closer watching you intently and this was what
the conductor experienced on this beautiful twilight. Extremely happy with the show
in progress, Bhagawan came down the stage, intently watching the conductor Sir Jude
who was on the keyboard weaving rhythmic rhapsody, who was equally on the mike,
thundering his devotion leading from the front and who was in absolute control,
efficiently conducting with his dancing right hand. Swaying to the beats, radiating
smile all over, the Africans sang…”Great Navigator Oh! Sai Baba! Navigate us through
this path of life.” Coming closer to Sir Jude Bhagawan asked him twice…no thrice, as
to what he wants followed by His typical hand wave, He materialized a green emerald
for the staunch catholic conductor!
A special mention should be made of the Navigator song that was sung, while Bhagawan
most inadvertently received a “guard of honour” from the choir; Bhagawan chose to
move along the semi circle, as the troupe was arrayed, blessing the entire troupe
radiating His Divinely beautiful smile all around. The song that was composed by Sir
Jude Nnam was Divinely prompted; while on travel, flying from the Nigerian Capital
city of Abuja to Lagos for the rehearsal session, sometime in the month of June, his
plane caught into turbulence in the midair and all on board were worried. Out of the
blue, the message flashed into him, like a Divinely prompted intuition, “I am the
Navigator” and needless to say that the plane had a safe landing. Sir Jude, a
staunch catholic having no Sai background and not inclined to accept any other faith
outside the scope of Catholic Church had a deep introspection. Finally greater
conviction dawn unto him and he blurted out, composing and singing, ”Great Navigator
Oh! Sai Baba! Navigate us through this path of life, Teach us the secret of love,
joy and peace, Navigate Oh! Sai Baba”. Yes, it was Swami who introduced Himself to
Sir Jude Nnam, and the staunch catholic was drawn to Prasanthi Nilayam in the
pretext of conducting the show!
Earlier the central co-ordinator for Africa Region 93, Victor Krishna Kanu gave an
introductory speech, mentioning the African history of struggle and the ever growing
Sai Mission in Africa. He thanked many a hand that helped in making the choir a
reality. Before the conclusion he introduced, Bro. Okwudiri Nduka Imo, Chairman
National Coordinating Committee, SSSS Organisations, Nigeria and Sir Jude Nnam, the
Conductor for the show, to Bhagawan and to the capacity audience.
“Wonderful…so, wonderful…to be in the presence of the Creator and to be so close to
Him”, said, Bro. Okwudiri Nduka Imo talking about the twilight’s ecstatic
experience. “The experience was a confirmation of what we already have…we have
planted Swami in our hearts….coming over to Prasanthi Nilayam gives us the physical
experience of the Lord”, said Bro. Imo reminiscing the blissful moments with
Bhagawan. Talking about the lone overseas trip made by Bhagawan, he said, “it is not
for nothing…it is with a purpose…and it will unfold…I know it…I know it…!!!”
The entire troupe was blessed with sarees for ladies and shirt pieces for gents.
Special mementos were given to each and every troupe member individually by the
Divine Hands; while presenting mementos Bhagawan was seen interacting with each and
every member in the group, often enquiring much in detail. Before the curtain was
drawn the troupe had a fabulous photo session with Bhagawan. Arathi was offered at
1900 hrs. IST before the Lord retired to Yaujur Mandiram.
Yes, the African’s came and conquered!!! - source:sssbpt.org
This evening, the bhajans began at 5 pm, and Bhagavan came to Sai Kulwant Hall ten
minutes later. While He was on His way, He granted permission for the group from
Brazil to present their bhajans. The students made way for the Brazilian group to
sit in the centre of the Hall, and at 5.15, they began their programme of Bhajans,
many of which were in Portuguese. At six o'clock, they concluded, and made way for
the Indonesian group. The devotees from Bandung presented a traditional Sundanese
Angklung ensemble with the bamboo instruments playing a couple of bhajans and a
traditional melody. After their presentation, Swami accepted Arati while prasadam
was distributed and returned to His residence at 6.20 pm. -
radiosai.org
With Love for The Lord! Musical Offering by Brazil and
Indonesia -
source:sssbpt.org
Music is verily Divine! …and to entrap the Divine there is no better tool than
music. You sing your heart out adding music for rhythm and there gushes forth the
innate feeling of Love for God! The Brazilians had it for display on the 8th July,
on a beautiful evening turned twilight, in the immediate Divine Presence of Bhagawan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
They have come from the far off South American continent, some in search of God,
some with love for God and some others with profound sense of gratitude. A group of
about 300 from the Latin American country, Brazil has been camping in Prasanthi
Nilayam from the 25th June and they had a clear cut agenda, to sing and experience
Divinity! …and they have been practising rigorously to perfect the art before the
final show in the Divine Presence.
Thanking Bhagawan profusely for the great grand opportunity, Sergio from Brazil, the
conductor gave a brief intro on the musical performance for the evening, ending the
same with a thunderous, yet mellifluous “WE LOVE YOU” that was mimicked by over 300
collective vocal cords “raising hearts” symbolically spelling their Love for
Bhagawan. The cloud of uncertainty over the programme that was not in the schedule
for the evening wafted in the air, slowly to disappear, when the all knowing
Bhagawan, upon His arrival just after 1715 hrs., gave His Divine nod, acceding to
their heartfelt prayers.
They tuned, beats followed, rhythmically harmonizing to the conductor’s finger
baton, spelling their all out love in unison, resulting into a Western Bhajan
Sandhya. Portuguese being the official language in Brazil, the troupe sang eight
bhajans in Portuguese and one in Sanskrit, Bhagawan’s own, Manasa Bhajare Guru
Charanam…. Some familiar tunes, if one could call it, were heard echoing, that were
heard even before in Prasanthi, especially the second bhajan, Sai, Mae e Pai Divinos
meaning Oh! Sai! Divine Mother and Father, that raised the tempo in unison taking
one and all to ecstatic level of devotional excellence. In fact, they commenced
their programme invoking Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, chanting Om
Gananam Thwa Ganapathikum Havamahe… followed by three Omkars.
From South America to South East Asia…From Brazil to Indonesia…Goal was same, the
Lord walks the Earth! … and the tool as well was the same, Music Divine! The
Brazilian Bhajan Sandhya was followed by a short programme titled Sundanese
Parahyangan, a traditional music programme called “Sai Angklung” (Sai Angklung for
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba) by the Sai Study Group, Bandung, Indonesia.
Angklung is one of the most famous Indonesian traditional musical instruments made
from bamboo. An ensemble of Angklung weaves beautiful music. Originally invented and
developed in West Java, Indonesia, this instrument was familiar in the country for
Hindu rituals early in the 14th century. Angklung was also played in the Royal
Ceremony, used to play to escort the soldiers and warriors before they went to the
wars. Anklung is one instrument that cannot be played by single person; it consists
of set of tones and thus should be played by a group of people to weave musical
harmony.
The group belongs to West Java, a province where the instrument was originally
invented believes that harmony of sound that has been created by the angklung
instruments can only be reached through the unity of the angklung’s players and the
unity of the players can be reached only with practising and spreading the supreme
human value of all the values, Love.
The group had a mix of traditional tones of angklung into bhajan songs, namely,
“Gopala Sai Gopala” and “Jai Ho Sai Ram” and a sundanese traditional song, by name
Es Lilin... The group of 27 played for 15 minutes with the help of instruments,
namely, Angklung, Guitar, Drum, Tambourine, “kentongan”, all essentially sundanese
percussion made from Bamboo. The troupe had hectic practice sessions under trainer
Nana Sutisna for three months with utmost dedication and love for Bhagawan. The
transition from the Western Bhajans to the South East Asian Traditional Music was
swift as essentially it was music that was the component which is verily Divine!
They have come from far end of South America and from the South East of Asia,
essentially to sing and experience Divinity and they had it in ample measure on this
beautiful evening turned twilight!!!
source:sssbpt.org
Tuesday, July 7, 2009 -
Click here to view Gurupoornima 2009 Photos
& Discourse
This Gurupoornima morning, Bhagavan came into Sai Kulwant Hall at ten o'clock clad
in a yellow robe, seated on a special white chair, welcomed by the students'
Panchavadyam band. The stage was set for a felicitation programme. Once Swami
reached the verandah, He blessed the cakes arrayed there and then came onstage to
begin the proceedings at 10.15 am. Prof. Anil Kumar announced the programme and
called up the distinguished persons with brief introductions to sit beside Bhagavan.
There were three brothers: Sri Appa Rao - outgoing
Finance Controller of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Sri
Sathyanarayana Murthy - Engineer in charge of the Air conditioning of the Sri Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Dr. A. V. Lakshmi Narasimham - outgoing
Registrar of Sri Sathya Sai University. Along with them was Sri M. Nanjundaiah -
outgoing Controller of Examinations of Sri Sathya Sai University. Mrs. Appa Rao and
Mrs. Nanjundaiah were seated beside their husbands. After the distinguished persons
were garlanded by their junior colleagues, there were a couple of speeches by Dr. A.
N. Safaya - Director of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences and
Prof. Vishwanath Pandit - Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University. Arati was
then offered at 11.30 am. While Arati went on, prasadam was distributed, and Swami
blessed the persons onstage with mementos and clothes. The function was brought to a
close with a collective 'Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu' chant at 11.45 am following
which Swami left for His residence.
In the evening, the bhajans began at 5 pm, and Bhagavan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at
6 pm. Once He reached the stage after His darshan round, He asked for the chairs to
be arranged on the stage like in the morning, and asked the personalities of the
morning felicitation ceremony to once again come onstage. At 6.30 pm, the bhajans
were stopped and Bhagavan began to speak, seated between Sri Appa Rao and Prof.
Nanjundaiah. Swami commended their services and exhorted the youngsters to follow
their example in selfless service. After His Discourse, Swami asked for a couple of
Bhajans to be sung and prasadam was distributed. It was 7.45 when He accepted Arati.
After Arati, He sat onstage and interacted some more with the gentlemen and ladies
before slowly moving to His residence in the car at 8 o'clock.
Click here to view Gurupoornima 2009 Photos
and detailed update
This evening, the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall was set up as a stage for a musical by
the Tamil Nadu Balvikas and youth. But when Bhagavan came to Sai Kulwant Hall and
came onstage after His darshan round, He indicated that the microphones be brought.
At 5.25 pm, He commenced His Divine Discourse. The fifty-minute discourse had the
triune fear of sin, love of God and morality in society as the theme. Swami stressed
the need for individual transformation before attempting to change society.
After His Discourse, Swami asked for the programme by the
Tamil Nadu children to begin. The hour long drama had many songs and a couple of
dances, and brought out the message of various saints and sages culminating in the
golden age of Sai. Swami went down from the stage for group photos with the
participants before returning to the stage and accepting Arati at 7.30 pm. He then
moved to the interview room for a few minutes before returning to His residence at
7.45.
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Divine Discourse and Dance Drama
SAI YUGAM SWARNA YUGAM BY TAMIL NADU YOUTH AND BALVIKAS
July 06, 2009
Love my uncertainty, said the Lord time and again, indicating of the greater
importance of the time when humanity is blessed to be with the physical frame of the
Lord walks the earth. Just a day before only Prasanthi witnessed a taste of this
uncertainty, when out of turn Bhagawan called the Chicago, Region 5 devotees for a
private informal session to bless the contingent that missed out the physical
presence just the other day, when their turn came to sing in Prasanthi Nilayam.
On the 6th evening, the penultimate day of Guru Purnima, Bhagawan came after a long
wait just after 1700 Hrs. and coming on stage after taking a detour, He asked for
the mike and there started the Divine Discourse.
In the Divine Discourse that lasted 50 minutes Bhagawan
stressed on the greater need to develop Morality in Society. Discoursing
on the present day’s plight of deteriorating morality in society, Bhagawan said,
Today, man has lost the fear of sin. Man has to understand the consequences of his
sinful acts. Sans fear we lose morality in society that tempts man to behave
egoistically. One should take every care to ensure that no bad looks, bad actions,
bad thoughts are committed as consequences have to be faced. Morality in society is
of prime importance. Man without morality in society is no human being at all, said
Bhagawan stressing on the greater importance of righteous living.
Man should be careful in following the three principles given by God, namely, Love
for God, Fear of Sin and Morality in Society. Love for God is essential. Pointing
out at the current day tendency among the generation to question all sorts of
things, as to why to develop Love for God and why to follow Morality, Bhagawan
exhorted to: BE GOOD, SEE GOOD AND DO GOOD; without these three all our spiritual
endeavours would be futile.
Earlier, starting His Divine Discourse with a reference to the Trinity Godhood,
Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara, Bhagawan said, names and forms differ, but Divinity is one
and one alone. There should be only one name, Atma, that is, consciousness. Same
consciousness indwells in all, added Bhagawan. Brahman and Atma have no beginning
and none can qualify these two as they are blemish less, resplendent and radiant
without any attribute. Atma is existential in nature. It never goes. One who has
complete faith in consciousness will never face any loss and failure, added
Bhagawan.
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Intermittently when it rained lashing from the ‘heavens’ causing disruption in the
audio due to the thud it made on the roof, Bhagawan urged that one should not be
afraid of rains, hailstorms etc. Drifting His Discourse into the devastating flood
that caused havoc in the state of Orissa, Bhagawan said that He had sent His Divine
Assurance to the bereaved, affected people of the state; and the assurance was
“Don’t Worry; Be Happy”;“I will feed you and take care of you”. He even made a
mention of the grateful act of the ill-affected people of the state that made them
to travel all the way to Prasanthi Nilayam expressing grateful thanks.
Once again referring to the main theme of the day’s discourse, Morality in Society,
Bhagawan said: You may escape from the sight of the society, but one should not try
to escape the eyes of the God. If you want to do something, do good or else one can
keep quiet. Referring to the Upanishads, He said, once we come to know as to who we
are in reality, then we will know everything.
Claim of mine is illusion; everything is God’s Gift, Property; none has any right on
these properties; We are wasting our time. Time waste is life waste. Bhagawn
concluded His Divine Discourse making a mention of the anticipated Musical Drama
presentation by the Youth and Balvikas from Tamil Nadu.
Imagine a single stage where world’s celebrated masters and apostles appear
preaching good old principles and philosophies aimed at the emancipation of mankind.
On the 6th July evening Prasanthi Nilayam was set to witness such an imaginative
utopian scene wherein greatest preachers and masters of world’s foremost religions
along with exalted devotees came onstage in the immediate Divine Presence of the
Master of all Masters, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
As a prelude to the big day, Guru Purnima, the day dedicated to the Sadguru, Sai
Youth and Balvikas Children from Tamil Nadu presented a Musical Drama entitled, Sai
Yugam Swarna Yugam. The presentation was essentially a journey through time, from
the twilight of Dwapara unto the present age of the Kali Yuga Avatar Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba, essentially the Timeless Divine Phenomenon.
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Though the Song Celestial Bhagavad Gita was sung in the Dwapara Yuga, the present
age of Kali was set to reap the benefit in full essence. It was not a mere
coincidence that made the Lord of Dwapara to sing the Song Celestial, but was
essentially for the people of Kali age, that would be badly afflicted with all evil
propensities.
From the Dwapara to Kali and from the Kali to the present age of Sri Sathya Sai, the
drama was set in the backdrop of Dwapara Yuga that was in its twilight where Sage
Vyasa contemplated on the great good fortune of the Kali Age for having been the
recipients of the Song Celestial. The sage who went into the future of Kali Age,
with his Divine Vision, was appalled at the evil propensities it had in the offing.
Prompted by his greater compassion to mitigate the evil effects, He went on
compiling 551 Brahma Sutras followed by 17 Puranas. Still not satisfied at his own
solution for the Kali’s evil affects, he fervently prayed to his guru Sage Narada
for guidance. In response Sage Narada appeared and advised him of the one and only
solution that was to write the Story of the Lord.
Thus he compiled the Srimad Bhagavatham as was christened by Lord Krishna Himself.
Vyasa who was in deep agony, explained the Lord the evil propensities in the offing
praying Him to view the horrendous scenes of the ensuing age. The Lord in turn
invited the sage to look into the positive side of the Age, wherein one could see
the advent of many an apostle, saint…finally blurting out the Truth of all Truths
that He sung through the Song Celestial, the Truth of His Advent as Lord in the Kali
Age.
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The Musical drama moved through the times of great masters, namely, Zoroaster, Lao
Tse, Buddha, Jesus, Prophet Mohammed, Adi Shankaracharya, Ramanujacharya,
Madhwacharya followed by the times and teachings of the great devotees of the Lord,
namely, Kabir, Nanak, Chaitanya, Mira Bhai, Purandara Dasa and Kanakadasa conveying
their eternal messages. The greater teachings of these masters and great devotees
would be handy when the Lord comes in physical again in the Kali age, ensured Lord
Krishna to Sage Vyasa who was already brimming with greater eagerness to visualize
the form of the Avatar of the Kali Age.
Moved by the sage’s fervent prayers, the Lord described the features of His future
incarnation, in the Kali Age, who would be having a crown of hair, complexion on the
face that varied at times from copper to that of golden, feet that would be tender,
with a mole on His cheek, and with a name that would be Truth. Finally He asked the
sage to look on to the dais on his front to have the darshan of the beauteous form
of the Avatar of the Kali Age, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!
The drama interlaced with musical pieces coupled with dance sequences in tandem was
a portrayal of the story of Divinity through the passage of time often bringing
nostalgic memories of those wonderful times of the great masters. At a time when
Sathya Sai Speaks the Words of Wisdom, one would know that the masters preceded the
Advent of the Avatar had similar teachings and preaching for the humanity,
essentially indicating the Oneness of Godhood!
Bhagawan had often mentioned of the exalted status of Sage Vyasa and his connection
with Guru Purnima. “Vyasa was born on this full moon day. He completed the
codification of the four Vedas on this day. He completed the writing of the eighteen
Puranas on this day. Owing to the passage of time, Vyaasa Purnima came to be called
Guru Purnima”. Thus the presentation was an apt offering to this great master whose
bubbling enthusiasm towards the end of the drama to have the vision of the Lord of
Kali was nothing, but the world’s collective offering at Divine Lotus Feet of the
Master of all Masters on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima.
Indeed it was a clarion call by the Youth and Balvikas children from Tamil Nadu
reminding one and all that we are very much in the Golden Age when Sai walks the
earth, walking His talk!!!
Extremely happy with the presentation, Bhagawan came down the stage to pose for a
photo session presenting them yet another priceless ‘memorabilia’. Prasadam was
distributed and arathi was offered to the Lord before He retired to Yajur Mandiram.
This evening, Swami came for darshan by 4.10 pm and after His darshan round, took
another round through the verandah and in front of the stage area. After more than
half an hour, He went into the interview room briefly. At five o'clock, He came to
the Bhajan Hall and called in the group of devotees from the USA.
In a half-hour interaction, He granted them padanamaskar and
group photos, with vibhuti prasadam being distributed. Bhajans in the Sai Kulwant
Hall began when Swami emerged from the Bhajan Hall at 5.30. As Swami sat onstage,
prasadam was distributed to all before Arati was offered at six o'clock.
Devotees from the USA sang bhajans this morning. In the evening, the Balvikas
children and youth from Mumbai presented a drama. Bhagavan arrived at five minutes
to four and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the proceedings at 4.15
pm. The musical was based on the life of the saint Gajanan Maharaj of Shegaon. After
the hour-long performance, Swami went down from the stage for group photographs with
them. When He returned onstage, prasadam was distributed and Arati was offered.
Photos below click to enlarge
Maharashtra Bhakti Gaatha, the scheduled programme for
the morning of Ashadi Ekadashi was shifted to the evening session as per the Divine
command. The postponement came as a blessing in disguise as the tenor, the colour,
the act, everything related to the show bloomed to boom into a wonderful showpiece
on the twilight of the auspicious Ashadi Ekadashi Day in the immediate Divine
Presence. Maharashtra is a rich saga of Bhakti and the presentation titled
Maharashtra Bhakti Gaatha was a saga of song, dance and melody with the central
theme revolving around the rich religious tradition of the state.
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Presented by the Bal Vikas students and Gurus of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations
of Mumbai, Nasik and Pune, the Musical Drama was a walk through to the times of
great spiritual masters of the blessed state. Tablets inscribed with Bhagawan’s
quotations highlighting the greater importance of Namasmarana were displayed in
vantage points in the hall while the sprawling stage which was the centre of
performance on the previous day was again put to use as the music artistes played on
their instruments on the two levels of the stage.
Mumbai, the capital city of Maharashtra is popularly known as the financial capital
of India. At a time when the world is reeling under economic recession, the Bal
Vikas children from the twin states had some important message for the world that
often tend to run after money. Presenting the greater importance of Namasmarana and
the folly behind running after “dabbu”, the children aptly conveyed the message
running through the great lives of saints of Maharashtra, through dance, dialogue
interspersed with commentary. The world is caught in the grip of economic recession,
but in Maharashtra, there is only “Sai Session”. This is true because Maharashtra
believes that to enjoy continuous peace and happiness, simplicity must be the way of
life.
The great saints of Maharashtra have proved from their own lives that even a humble
householder by chanting the name of the Lord and doing his daily duty with sincerity
and devotion would be able to scale great spiritual heights. The time spent in
Namasmarana alone is the time rightly and worthily lived.
Earlier, on a day that had a long waiting for Bhagawan to come out, He was accorded
a conventional Maratha welcome by the men dressed in traditional attire, typical of
Maharashtra, blowing conch shells, surcharging the surrounding with spiritual
vibration, while taking one and all to the nostalgic past of Maratha legacy.
After
the artistes and organisers offered their obeisance to Bhagawan, the programme
started with the collective chanting of Pandurangashtakam:
“I worship that Panduranga, who is the absolute Brahman,
Who is the source of immense happiness,
Who stays in the great seat of yoga, in the banks of Bheema,
Along with great seers to fulfill the boon to Pundarika …”
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As the song “Jai Jai Vitthala Jai Hari Vitthala …” (Victory to Vitthala) was sung to
the accompaniment of sweet music, two youth blew bugles to signal the formal
commencement of the programme. At the outset, Dindi procession group members offered
their humble salutations to Bhagawan to the song, “Maze Mahe Pandhari …” (my native
place is Pandhari).
Why was this theme chosen? As the announcer went about explaining the concept of the
musical, it became clear that the only solution for the present economic crisis was
constant contemplation of God, chanting His name incessantly. People want Dabbu,
Dabbu, Dabbu (money, money, money). Money is everything, money is life for them.
They struggle day in and day out for earning money. The world is caught in the
vortex of economic crisis. The only way out is chanting of God’s Name. Namam is
Dharma (righteousness), Jnanam (wisdom), Santhi (peace), Sukha Pradayakam (bestower
and happiness and welfare). The only way to peace and happiness is simplicity in
life. In Maharashtra, great saints have proved beyond doubt that by chanting the
Name of God even a householder can scale great heights in life.
Songs accompanied with deft movements of dancers provided the perfect relief and
acted as interludes to the musical.
Maharashtra is home to illustrious saints like Sant Tukaram, Sant Ramdas, Sant
Jnaneswar, Sant Namdev, Sant Sakkubai, Sant Eknath etc… These saints took refuge in
the Name of the Lord. What saints did was “Sai Session”, but now because of misuse
of money there is economic recession. The name of the Lord must dance forever on the
tongue. It is because of these saints that Bhagawan visited Maharashtra a number of
times in the past. He visited Satara, surcharged the idols of Vitthala and Rakumai
at Pandharpur. He would visit Dharmakshetra quite frequently. Maharashtra is the
State where the earlier incarnation of Bhagawan lived. Shirdi Sai Baba gave the
message of Sraddha and Saburi (steadfast faith and patience) to the whole world from
Shirdi. The depiction of famous Chavadi Procession of Shirdi Baba with the
accompaniment of the Bhajan “Dham Dham Dham Damaru Bhaje” evoked nostalgic memories
of those glorious days of the previous incarnation.
Interestingly, as if evoking a positive response from Bhagawan, the narrator in his
innocent, childish voice posed a question to Bhagawan, “Swami, is it true what we
heard that Swami would again visit Dharmakshetra?” and pat came His answer, when He
smilingly nodded indicating His positive response.
This offering of song and dance concluded with earnest entreaties by the cast to
Bhagawan to visit Maharashtra again…they sang in chorus… “Raava Raava Rakshimpaga,
Kapadaga, Palinchaga, Paripalinchaga …” (“come, come to protect, to save, to look
after …”). Yes the old memories will come alive again was the chorus. After the
distribution of Prasadam, Arati was offered to Bhagawan at 6.50 p.m.top
Music is verily Divine! In olden days, there used to be the tradition of court
singing wherein celebrity singers would perform in presence of Kings, royal family
members and invited guests of honour. Now with the tradition of court singing no
more in practice, Prasanthi Nilayam brings a new dimension to this older version of
court singing, wherein devout artistes of greater talent come and sing in the
immediate Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba! Verily this has been
happening when troupes after troupes, singers after singers, artistes after artistes
visited Prasanthi Nilayam over the years, tagged to various festivities to sing in
His immediate Divine Presence!. …and Prasanthi’s music tradition is on…
2nd July 2009, the second day of Ashadi Ekadashi celebrations, after a morning
session when Bhagawan chose to sit on the dais for quite some time graciously
blessing the packed gathering with His Divine Darshan, the stage was set in the
evening for a musical extravaganza.
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An elaborate stage approximately 10 ft. x 10 ft. consisting of two levels laid with
metallic frames having an equally grand acoustics, the first of its kind in Sai
Kulwant Hall greeted the devotees and students to the Hall. The stage covered the
entire stretch of the central part of the Hall horizontally. Eight big focus lights
gave a good view of the artistes on the stage. What was in store was a Tala
Kutchery, as one could call it, by 12 artistes led by Taalyogi Pandit Suresh
Talwalkar. Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar is one of the greatest Tabla exponents
of the present times, synonymous for the untiring efforts, devotion, and endless
passion in pursuit of promoting Indian classical music. Pandit Sureshji belongs to
the illustrious “Keertankar” family of Sri Dholebuva.
“Keertana” being a classical form of devotional and musical discourse, a liking for
the classical music was inculcated in him right from his childhood. Pt. Sureshji
introduced for the first time, the novel concept of taking vocal accompaniment and
added a new dimension and direction to the solo playing of tabla.
ASHADI CELEBRATIONS - 2nd DAY
a virtuoso musical concert
by pandit suresh talwalkar and group
The artistes after offering their obeisance to Bhagawan took the stage for the
performance and anannouncement was made that they felt they should enhance their
efforts in the path shown by Bhagawan, the path of Namasmarana, to understand
Nirguna Nirakara Swarupa. The Pandit, introducing the programme to Bhagawan and the
audience, said that he was most privileged and fortunate to do Seva (service) after
having his maiden opportunity to sing in His immediate presence, way back in the
year 1973. The percussion based performance had five tablists, including a lady
tablist, a flautist, two vocalists, one on sarangi, an artiste on dholak, one each
on harmonium and keyboard. The Sarangi is a bowed, short-necked lute of the Indian
subcontinent. It is an important bowed string instrument of India's Hindustani
classical music tradition. Of all Indian instruments, it is said to most resemble
the sound of the human voice – able to imitate vocal ornaments such as gamakas
(shakes) and meed (sliding movements).
The twilight’s music extravaganza was a continuous stream of music, with a
harmonious blend, at times reaching a crescendo. Weaving musical waves on the
combined percussions, often building up to bring it down in the next, most
meticulously perfecting the beats, was indeed a treat to the ears; with the lights
on, and the Sun that was setting was overshadowed by an emerging twilight, with
Bhagawan on stage, it was the perfect stage for Easwara, the Nataraja, the Lord of
dance, to dance listening to the beat of music. …and the first song was on the Lord
of Dance, “Shankara Mahadeva…”, right tribute to the Musical Divine!
The songs “Ananda Lahari Bhajave …” and “Dheem, Dheem Dama Damaru Baaje …” by the
two vocalists and the taals (vocal beats) by the Panditji kept the appreciative
audience riveted to their places with intermittent applauses for more than an hour.
There were also interludes in the form of performances by the flautist, one each on
the tabla, on the Sarangi, on the harmonium and on the keyboard that added variety
to the performance. The whole concept was designed in an innovative way as the
Panditji was well known for it, to make it an apt offering to the Musical Divine in
physical frame.
At the end of the performance, Bhagawan asked the State President, Sri Sathya Sai
Seva Organisations, Maharashtra and Goa to honour the artistes with shawls and white
safari suit pieces. Bhagawan also blessed the artistes with Padanamaskar and a group
photo session. Prasadam was distributed to the entire congregation of devotees.
After Arati, Bhagawan retired for the day at 6.45 p.m.
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This morning, the devotees from Maharashtra commenced their three-day Ashadi Ekadasi
celebrations, welcoming Bhagavan into Sai Kulwant Hall in a procession with Vedic
chants. The Balvikas children, youth and devotees chanted Vedam for nearly an hour
as Swami sat onstage, with Arati being offered at five minutes to ten.
In the evening, Swami came for darshan at 4.30 pm and sat onstage for a few minutes
after His darshan round before moving to the interview room. He emerged at five
o'clock to begin the programme - a Hindustani vocal concert by Ms. Kalapini Komkali,
the daughter of renowned musician Kumar Gandharva. After the hour-long concert,
Swami blessed the artiste with a chain and a pendant and the accompanists with
clothes. He then asked the students to sing some bhajans with alap, and at the end
asked for a song on Vithala to be sung. It was 6.30 when Arati was offered. Swami
moved to the interview room for a few minutes before returning to His residence in
the car. More details with photos below
Ashadi Ekadashi...
Ashadi Ekadashi
Veda Chanting Procession and Hindustani Musical Concert
Ashadi Ekadashi, one of the most auspicious days in the Maratha vernacular calendar
brings the legacy of Maharashtra along with the state’s devotional fervour for her
presiding deity, Lord Vittal Rakumai of Pandarpur. In fact, Ashadi is the day, when
lakhs and lakhs of Varkaris from all parts of the country, especially from the state
of Maharashtra throng the spiritual capital of the state, Pandarpur to have darshan
and blessings of their chosen deity, Vittal Rakumai.
Ashadi Ekadashi marks the beginning of the Chaturmasa and ends with Kaarathik
Ekadashi. It is celebrated during the months of June-July, known as Ashada Shukla
Paksha in the vernacular calendar. People consider the two eleventh days,
“Ekadashi”, of every month to be of special significance. The eleventh day of Ashadi
is known as the great Ekadashi or Maha Ekadashi. This is the day on which people go
on walking in huge processions to the Abode of Lord Vittala in Pandarpur, which is
popularly known as Vaarkarari Sampradaya. This is a time honoured cult and an
important landmark in the colourful history in the state of Maharashtra. According
to historians devotees have been performing Vaari long before the advent of Sant
Jnaneshwar in the 13th century and the current practice of carrying the paadukas of
the saint in a palki from the Samadhi of the saint to Pandarpur for the holy darshan
of Lord Vittala was started by the son of Sant Thukkaram by name Sant Narayan
Maharaj in 1685.
Like the previous years at Prasanthi Nilayam, a large contingent of devotees from
the twin states of Maharashtra and Goa arrived at Prashanti Nilayam to celebrate
Ashadi Ekadashi in the Divine Presence. The celebrations that began this morning
would conclude on 3rd July 2009, the day of Ashadi Ekadashi. Bhagawan was accorded a
traditional welcome with Poornakumbham by Veda chanting Bal Vikas children and
Youth. Chanting of the Vedas in unison by about 300 people, young and the old
surcharged the atmosphere with divine vibrations. Bhagawan listened to their Vedic
chants for about an hour before retiring for the session.top
Speaking on the preparations and the hard work
put in by about 300 people ranging from 8 to 72 years of age in learning the Vedic
Mantras, one of the core member of the group who is also a former student of
Bhagawan, said that Veda chanting classes started in the scorching summer month of
April in the twin states of Maharashtra and Goa. The classes were held in different
parts of these two States, namely, Nagpur, Akola, Amaravati, Goa, Sholapur, Parbani,
Bhiwandi, Thane, different parts of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, Nasik and Pune. The
classes would commence at 11 a.m. and would go on till 8 p.m. in the night; such was
the dedication of the group, said the leader. The group members were supplied with
Veda Mantra books and CD. At each and every stage of their learning, Bhagawan’s
presence could be felt. Speaking on a wonderful experience, the leader said that on
one of these classes which was held in a temple, there was a secluded cloud cover
over the temple which proved that Bhagawan’s unseen hand was guiding and guarding
them. After the primary preparations, combined practice sessions for the whole group
were held in Dharmakshetra, Mumbai.
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Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all the beings of all the worlds be happy!).
Peace and welfare of the world was their motto. Even the Samana Suktam, which they
chanted at the end of the morning session speaks of Unity, Purity and Divinity, said
the team member.
The evening session
The programme for the evening session was a Hindustani classical concert by Kalapini
Komkali, the daughter and disciple of Pandit Kumar Gandharva and Vidushi Smt.
Vasundhara Komkali.
Pt. Kumar Gandharva was a Hindustani classical
singer, famous for his unique vocal style and innovative genius. The name Kumar
Gandharva was a title given to him when he was a child prodigy; a Gandharva is a god
of music in Hindu mythology. Kalapini could be said to possess an Alto just a little
husky but true as a blade. Her Akar is perhaps the closest yet to that of Kumar
Gandharva, a magical mixture of the five vowels that make language ring true and
unforgettable. She uses much the same technique her father used to do, that lets you
hear the Swara as part of the Raga and the Swara also as pure Swara kindled
separately and individually.
Smt. Kalapini, after offering her obeisance to Bhagawan said that all the songs that
she was going to sing during her concert were sung by her late father Pt. Kumar
Gandharva. Beginning with a Tukaram Abhang: “Lakshmi Vallabha …”, the songs of Smt.
Kalapini grew from strength to strength both in terms of tenor, pitch and clarity.
Singing in her booming voice Kabir Das’s Nirgun Pad, “Sunta Hai …” Nirgun Pad is a
form of devotional song which believes in formless God. After singing a Mira Bhajan
she concluded the concert with a Gorakhnath Bhajan. Bhagawan blessed the singer by
materialising a chain and presented her with a Sari. The accompanying artistes were
also presented with clothes by Bhagawan.
It was the turn of the students of the University to take over; they not only sang
bhajans in tandem, but also sang solo songs. When Bhagawan asked a student to sing a
Hindi song, he sang the evergreen composition, “Hey O’ Vitthale Bhakta Jana Vatsale
…” with such beauty and mellifluousness that the entire audience was enraptured at
the devotional height combined with artistry. At the end, Prasadam was distributed
to the entire congregation and Arati was offered to Bhagawan at 6.30 p.m. before He
retired to His “Divine Abode”, Yajur Mandiram. source:sssbpt.org
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Acknowledgement -
Source: photos, text etc. Our most humble
thanks to all our Sai friends and fellow devotees for Sai Baba photos & textual matter,
particularly to www. sssbpt.org - www. radiosai (Prasanthi Diary) for darshans & photo
material and all the other official
& public domain sources - Also, Various Sai
Baba groups ,Forums & individuals etc. In addition, submitted articles,
Darshan account, photos & Sai news by respective Sai devotees from all
over the globe & SBOI group members to Group Saibabaofindia &
www.Saibabaofindia.com website. Submit Sai news &
Photos: mail to:
saibabaofindia@yahoo.com - source:sssbpt.org
- radiosai.org
Portuguese. At six o'clock, they concluded, and made way for
the Indonesian group. The devotees from Bandung presented a traditional Sundanese
Angklung ensemble with the bamboo instruments playing a couple of bhajans and a
traditional melody. After their presentation, Swami accepted Arati while prasadam
was distributed and returned to His residence at 6.20 pm. -
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