PRASHANTI DIARY
Chronicles of heaven on earth
<<Previous PRASHANTI DIARY
- Next PRASHANTI DIARY>>
29 October, 2007: Nizamabad
Musical Dance - 'Deva Devuni Deenajana Seva'
Swami had permitted the devotees from the
Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh to put up a cultural programme as part
of their Parthi Yatra on November 29. Swami came out at about 4:40 pm and
completed the darshan rounds. Then alighting near the interview room, He
went in. At about 5:25 pm, there was a lot of hustle and bustle as it became
evident that Swami was coming out to sit for the programme. The district
president presented Swami with the programme schedule and Swami studied it
with all interest. The customary lamps and flowers were brought to Him and
patiently as ever Swami blessed the more than fifteen or so people who came
to Him. A white marble Shivalingam was also brought to Him and very sweetly
Swami placed the bunch of flowers on the lingam! It was then that another
charming incident took place.
A little girl, barely 3 feet in height, came forward with a bunch of roses.
She stretched herself to her full "fingertips to toes" height to offer Him
the roses. Swami flashed a beautiful smile in appreciation of her efforts.
Finally, identical twins came up to make offerings to Swami to mark the
beginning of the programme. Swami treated them with "identical" love and
showered holy grains on them. The programme that began was entitled, "Deva
Devuni Deenajana Seva."
|
|
|
Swami lights up the lamp before lighting up the evening
|
|
Reaching out for the Lord!
|
There was an opening dance which was
followed by a scene where the compere of the programme, a school teacher,
was introduced. She narrates to the children of her class how the Lord came
in different ages of time to serve people. In the Treta age, it was in the
form of Rama as He redeemed Ahalya and Sabari.
|
|
|
The multi-coloured opening dance
|
|
Sabari's pure love for her dear Rama
|
Then it was Lord Krishna who demonstrated
that ‘once His friend, always His friend’, as He washed the feet of His dear
Sudama. Shirdi Baba too always insisted on service to the poor and needy. To
save the child of a poor blacksmith, He plunged His hands into the blazing
flames of the Dhuni in the Dwarka Mai. It concluded on a note of wonder and
appreciation at what Swami has been doing. The whole programme was
interspersed with dances and at the end there was a beautiful formation.
|
|
|
The Lord gives the world a lesson in Friendship
|
|
"Why fear when I am here"
|
Swami said that He would go down and pose
for a photograph with the children. The innermost desire of every human
being gets expressed in the act of a group photograph. To stand close to the
Lord - near and dear to Him - and freeze that moment for eternity should be
the goal of every being. Swami got up and slowly descended the steps to go
to the group. He stood and smiled as group photos were taken. He then slowly
came back on stage. He congratulated the actors. All of them kept falling at
His feet. Then He permitted them to sing out a few songs. After that, He
received Aarthi and left.
|
|
|
The children gather around their dear Swami
|
|
Aum Jai Jagadeesha Hare...
|
November 5, 2007 – Orissa Sai
Youth Pilgrimage, Day One
The first week of November will always remain ingrained
in the heart and memory lanes of 1400 youth from the length and breadth of
the state of Orissa, in North East India, who had gathered in Prasanthi
Nilayam. It was a feast of nectarine flow of Divine Love. Their pilgrimage,
they said, “starts from our hearts and ends too in our hearts – a journey
from I to We to He”. They celebrated it with glimpses of cultural
excellences from different regions of Orissa, in the immediate Divine
Presence. Accompanying the youth were many cabinet ministers and senior
bureaucrats from the state Government of Orissa.
A lot of preparation and hard work preceded this glorious event. The Sri
Sathya Sai Seva Organization, Orissa, had organized several youth programmes
for the youth at various places in cities, towns and villages of the state.
On the morning of November 5, thousands of youth, with hope in their hearts
and prayers on their lips, sat in the Sai Kulwant Hall awaiting the Lord.
When the chants of the Vedic hymns rented the air and His car glided by, the
Benevolent Lord looked at the youth from the window of the car and beckoned
them. Among the youth were also a few former students of Bhagavan’s
University and with excitement and joy, they showed a card to Swami seeking
His blessings for commencing the programs. The card was a portrait of
Bhagavan with the program under leaf. As He was looking at His portrait,
Swami asked, “How many of you have come?” They replied, ”Swami, we are 1400
youth on this pilgrimage to You.” The Lord replied, “Chala santhosham”
(Very happy). Then the State President of Sathya Sai Organizations, Orissa,
Prof. Harekrushna Das along with the State youth co-ordinator, Sri Ashok
Hota showed the program details to Swami which He accepted and blessed. The
youth also took the opportunity to present to Swami a souvenir “Sai Katha”
made specially for the occasion. Swami gracefully blessed this too and saw
through the pages with a smile on His beatific face.
|
|
|
"Chaala Santosham!"
|
|
The details are presented to the Lord
|
Orissa is famous for its famed Rath
Yatra (Chariot Festival) that happens every year in the pilgrim town of Puri
when the statues of Lord Jagannath along with those of His elder brother
Balarama and younger sister Subhadra are taken out in a grand procession to
enable thousands of devotees to see the Lord to their heart’s content at
least once a year. “But in Prashanti,” the devotees from Orissa, say, “Every
day is a Rath Yatra with the Lord of Lords, our Sai Jagannath, coming out in
His ‘Car Chariot’ to grant His Divine Darshan to every soul.”
As the Orissa Youth basked on that beautiful Darshan, a few former students
of Bhagavan’s Educational Institutions from the state of Orissa, also
presented to Him the details of a small initiative they have undertaken
called “Sai Anandam” (Sai’s Bliss). It’s a home for the destitute and
orphans started four months ago having 8 little boys near the capital city
of Bhubaneshwar. Swami enquired eagerly about this work and seemed very
pleased. He, then, blessed them lovingly to go ahead with zeal in this
endeavour.
In the evening of November 5, nearly
5000 devotees from Orissa had filled up a large part of the Kulwant Hall and
the stage had been set for their cultural presentation. After completing His
Darshan rounds, Swami took in some of the people involved in the Convocation
drama (performed by His students on November 22 every year) for an
interview. He came out at 5:10 pm and everyone was eagerly awaiting Him.
Swami, ever gracious that He is, smilingly came out and took position at the
centre of the stage and asked for the proceedings to begin. At first there
was a theme song that expressed the spontaneous feelings of love and
reverence oozing in the hearts of the Orissa youth towards Swami.
After the initial song, the Drama that began was entitled – “The Secret of
Happiness” depicting the eternal pursuit of happiness by mankind. It
brought to light the Truth that permanent joy as an end can never be
achieved through means of pursuing happiness that are temporary and
ephemeral.
|
|
|
The opening song of welcome
|
|
Swami gifts a ring to the chief co-ordinator
|
The story revolved around a family
where the patriarch, who is the grandfather of the child hero, is an
aspiring politician nursing the ambition of winning a seat in the next
election. Both his sons are readying themselves for lucrative and
limelight-capturing careers, one in athletics and the other in research,
which, they feel, will make them the happiest persons on earth.
|
|
|
They seem all set to conquer the world...
|
|
...yet to learn the greatest Secret from the youngest in the
family
|
Soon they all achieve their goals but
sadly find that happiness and contentment are totally absent in their lives.
But the grandson, in spite of any hardship or difficulty, seems to have a
permanent smile plastered on his face – the smile of a contented soul. He
enlightens the elders of the fact that bliss lies in God alone who is the
indweller of all beings. Service is the sure shot way to tap this source of
bliss that lies within. And the inspired family begins its journey along
these lines. The scenes were interspersed with beautiful songs and dances.
One of the striking songs had the line “Khusiyan! Khusiyan! - aye kaisi hoti
hai?” meaning “Happiness? Or what is happiness and where does one find it?”
It beautifully summarized the essence of the drama.
Swami, who was so pleased with the
performance of the Youth, came down the stage, spoke to a few of them and
then blessed all the participants with the coveted group photograph. But the
programme for the evening was not over yet. After Swami returned to the
stage, began another scintillating performance, with His divine permission.
|
|
|
"I realize that bliss lies in God alone"
|
|
Swami with the thrilled participants
|
It was an amazing dance performance called
“Gotipua dance”. “Gotipua” is an Oriya etymon, meaning, “a single boy”. This
dance form, which is a recast of Odissi Dance (the famous dance form of
Orissa), is performed by boys who dress themselves as dancing girls.
|
|
|
Flexibility and finesse at their best
|
|
The Gopuram formation
|
Patronised by King Rama Chandra in the 17th
century, since then this dance form has become an integral part of the
temple culture of Lord Sri Jagannath at Puri, Orissa. Performed by 6-10
young boys, the themes of this dance generally revolve around the Divine
love of Lord Krishna.
After the dancers took their positions in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall,
Swami gently nodded and then the sound of Mrudanga, cymbals,
harmonium, flute and the voice of the accompanying singer reverberated to
the anklet sounds from the feet of the dancers. The dancers demonstrated
great feats of acrobatics constructing multi-shaped and multi-storied human
pyramids which were so seamlessly and gracefully weaved into the dance.
|
|
The Dance Master - Nataraja
|
The regal spire
|
The audience was left spellbound and the applause
never seemed to die down. Every next minute it was an ever louder
approbation as the dancers so effortlessly created another remarkable
formation or feat. It was truly a sight to behold, a feast for the soul, a
festival of colours and sounds, drums and costumes, dances and choruses that
was the reflection of the rich culture and tradition of Orissa. For the
onlooker it looked so physically exhausting and seemed to push the
children’s strength, flexibility, endurance and awareness to the limit, yet
on the children’s faces were spontaenous smiles and they were performing as
if it were as easy as breathing! You could see they were ecstatic! Untill
now they had performed in front of the Lord’s idol but now He was sitting in
flesh and blood in front of them.
|
|
|
The Kalasham formation (Sacred pot with coconut)
|
|
A feat of grace and strength
|
The dancers concluded their performance to a
thunderous applause. There was no soul that did not join his/her hands to
applaud the young artists. But for the children, the greatest moment arrived
when Bhagavan called them near and with a bright smile on His face started
gifting them saris! But the mysterious and unique ways He blesses His
children is what makes His love so special. The all-knowing Lord, next asked
for white safari suits and again blessed every boy with the second gift from
His Hand. So, one gift was for their roles and the other was a token of love
from the lord to his children. But Swami did not stop with this that
evening. He was at His love-showering best and called all the performers to
sit near Him for a group picture. The dancer’s performance was stirring
enough to even win a group photograph for the drama actors too! The Lord was
all the while speaking to the young actors lovingly, patting their cheeks.
|
|
|
Sarees too for the boys!
|
|
This time it is Swami who seems thrilled!
|
And then He gave the teachers and the
instrumentalists another kind of prize and appreciation. He beckoned them
forward and asked the young singer to sing bhajans. “Jaya Jaya Ganapathi
Deva…” filled the air and as the bhajan reached a crescendo, Bhagavan’s
eyes, radiating so much compassion and love, were fixed on this boy. It was
a look suffused with a million mothers' love. Only the Divine knows the
destiny of every soul. This young singer, a 14-year old boy, was actually a
destitute orphan who used to survive by singing and begging inside Indian
trains. It was during such routine begging round in one such train that the
Gotipua dance teacher heard him and recognized his latent talent. Inspired
from a voice within, the teacher not only brought him home but also adopted
him as his son. From that day, the orphan had a family and a music teacher
too. The Lord, for whom every life is an open-book, was perhaps too happy
and showering His choicest blessings through those endearing looks to the
talented youngster. And the singer, was of course, overjoyed singing in
front of His Maker, Master and Redeemer.
This is just one tale and when you saw the eyes of every performer there,
you knew each one had a moving tale and in front of Swami, their hearts were
all laid bare. The compassionate Lord blessed them all again, asked for
prasadam to be distributed, accepted arathi and finally retired for
the day.
6 and 7 November, 2007 – Orissa Sai Youth
Pilgrimage, Day Two and Three
On the evening of November 6, the Sai Kulwant Hall looked like the Sanctum
Sanctorum of Lord Jagannath of Puri. The very name “Jagannath” signifies
‘The Lord of the Universe’. A beautiful shrine with the idols of Lord
Jagannath, His elder brother Lord Balabhadra and sister Goddess Subhadra
was created for the drama “Bhatkta Dasia” to be staged by the Bal Vikas
children of Orissa.
The programme started after Swami came onto
the stage after spending a few minutes in the interview room. The story of
Bhakta Dasia has inspired the people of Orissa for generations to shape
their lives on the twin bed rocks of Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of
Man.
|
|
|
The children get the coveted contact with Swami
|
|
Bringing out their own spiritual heritage for the world to see
|
Dasia Bauri, a poor man born in a low caste
with no knowledge of scriptures was one such devotee of Lord Jagannath, who
could win His Grace by incessantly chanting the Divine Name. Scorned and
ridiculed by society, he suffered untold misery and yet remained steadfast
in his devotion to the Lord. His pure love and intense longing at last
melted the Lord’s heart and He accepted his Naivedya (offering) of
a coconut fruit directly from the hands of the village priest who
disdainfully had offered the same to the Lord given to him by Dasia standing
outside the Temple.
From the dualistic state of Lord and the
devotee, Dasia reached the non-dualistic state of Oneness with the Lord
though his devotion. He saw the Lord pervade the entire universe, even in
the food served to him by his wife. When his devotion to Lord Jagannath
reaches its sublime heights, the Lord out of His infinite compassion
vouchsafes to him His much coveted Darshan, clears all his doubts
and invites him to visit the pilgrim town Puri to witness His festival.
|
|
|
His devotion wins the vision of the Lord
|
|
Dasia seeing Oneness even in his food
|
The realistic portrayal of the story by the
children moved Swami as well as the audience. And as the curtain
drew over the drama, another drama unfolded. But now, it was no
show. This was a love story happening then and there between
Lord Sai and His children. As the actors of the drama sat in
final formation after their performance, Swami called the little
girl who played the role of little Krishna in the “Bhaktha Dasia”
drama.
And then, with a wave of His hand, created a golden necklace
with a locket which had “Om” inscribed on it. The child was so
perplexed that she stepped back as Swami beckoned her. She
couldn’t believe Swami was calling her! When she finally went
near Swami, she innocently asked, “Swami, why are you giving
this to me?". The loving Lord, the Indeweller of every heart,
looked into her eyes, smiled and said, “My dear, I am giving you
My life.”
|
|
|
|
|
“My dear, I am giving you My
life.”
|
And then He walked down the steps to bless
the children with group photographs. The Bal Vikas children could not
believe their good fortune; their tiny hearts overflowed with emotion and
you could see tears streaming down every cheek. The Lord was very touched.
He lovingly spoke to each of them and cheered them up with His warm love. He
blessed them saying, “Be Happy, Be Happy.” But, the innocents with their
unsullied love couldn’t hold back their flood of tears. And now you could
see moist eyes in the audience too. The love that suffused that evening was
overpowering for everyone present.
The enormous amount of work and preparation
that had gone into the drama was evident in the sets, music, customes,
dialogue, recording, and every aspect of the presentation. It was a united
effort and every one, which included a Muslim sound recordist, had worked
feeling the cosmic rhythm of His love swelling in their hearts.
|
|
|
“Be Happy, Be Happy” - in response
to their 'tears'
|
|
The group's unity and devotion to Swami was plain to see
|
After this drama was a tribal folk dance
called ‘Ghumura’. The folklore of rural life occupies a vivacious and
scintillating stand in the annals of India’s rich cultural tapestry. The
simple inhabitants lead a rustic life of eternal communion with the nature
and glorify their guardian God and Goddesses with dance. ‘Ghumura’ dance is
a centuries old tradition of extolling the Mother Goddess in the form of
dance and songs.
The youth in exotic costumes that reflected
their association with nature had small drums tied onto their waists. They
broke into a ritual that was a celebration of the Avatars from times
immemorial. Through their songs, expressions, postures and formations they
exhibited the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. And then when they depicted
the Avatar of the Kali age, Bhagwan Sri Satya Sai Baba, the devotees
ruptured into claps.
|
|
|
Presenting the dance piece
|
|
Another offering with love
|
The rhythmic drum beats with the vigorous
dance movements reverberated in the entire Sai Kulwant Hall. After the
program Swami distributed safari suits to all the dancers like the ever
bountiful Mother Goddess. After blessing all, Bhagavan took arathi and the
curtain drew for that day.
|
|
|
The energetic and exciting ‘Ghumura’ folk dance...
|
|
They covered all the incarnations
of the Lord
|
On the evening of November 7, the youth took
His blessings for presenting the ‘Sai Symphony’ program. It was a musical
offering to the Lord composed of songs which exalts the Lord and proves that
there is no greater joy than singing His glory. Their theme song was a
spontaneous feeling of Love and reverence oozing out from the hearts of Sai
Youths of Orissa.
Apart from the programs being conducted in the divine presence of Swami in
the Sai Kulwant Hall, the Youth also had morning and evening sessions
conducted in the Human Values building at Prashanti Nilayam campus where
distinguished elders like Sri G.V. Sathyanarayana (former All India
President of Sai Organisations), Sri B. N. Narasimha Murthy, Sri Sanjay
Sahni and Sri Rangarajan of the Sri Sathya Sai University shared their
experiences and inspired the youth. Many of the youth also undertook seva
activities inside the ashram, Super Speciality Hospital Campus and the
International Centre for Sports for five days.
On the evening of November 8, as all the youth sat for His Darshan, they had
a beautiful and huge ornate card which said, “Thank You, Sai Maa.” When
Swami came, He looked at it and smiled. The youth said, “Swami, how can we
thank you for showering on the youth of Orissa so much of love and grace. We
all are very happy.” Then Swami too said, “I am also very happy.”
In the same night, an amazing incident
occurred. As the programme for the youth that night ended a little late,
some could not partake dinner as the canteen was closed by then. So they
went to bed on empty stomach. But around 10 pm an unknown person reached the
shed with steaming hot rice, dal, etc. Handing over the food to one
co-coordinator, he said, “Some youths have not taken dinner and are hungry.
Swami cannot sleep if they are hungry. Please, distribute this among them.”
About 12 to 15 youths shared the meal with all joy and thanked the Lord for
taking care of their smallest of needs. Even astounding fact is this: One
youth amongst this group, as a practice used to fast on Thursdays and eat
only fruits in the night. As he was wondering if he should also be eating
the rice-dal, to his utter surprise and delight the packet handed over to
him also had two fruits! Indeed the ways of the Lord are absolutely
unfathomable.
As the youth pilgrimage came to a close in
Prasanthi, the Youth knew that a new pilgrimage has to begin now when they
return - a pilgrimage of service and love to the homes and hearts of many
who are deprived in their towns and villages.
9 November 2007:
Diwali Celebrations
The Kulwant Hall was bursting at
its seams on November 9. People seemed to have flocked from
everywhere to celebrate the festival of Lights with their
beloved Swami. November 10 also happened to be the Gujarati New
Year day and so discernibly there was a Gujarati bias in the
crowd. Bhajans began at 9:00 am and it appeared as though Swami
may not come out to grant darshan at all. But at 9:15 am, there
was a tremendous wave of excitement as Swami came out and slowly
moved through the people in the Porte. There were smiles
everywhere and they blossomed like sunflowers do with the rising
of the sun. The beautiful property of these sunflowers is that,
they start the day facing the sun and keep moving along with the
sun throughout the day and at the end of the day, they are still
looking at him. Watching the devotees look at their beloved
Swami, one cannot but help thinking of the beautiful, bright and
budding sunflowers! |
|
|
|
|
The "sunflowers" always follow the "sun"
|
Swami completed the rounds and then
descended near the interview room. He was about to go inside, but then He
suddenly paused. Diwali morning must be lit up and what a better way to do
that than grant more darshan! On the wheelchair sofa, Swami came slowly down
the portico. He was beaming and smiling. Now the progression of the
"sunflower blossoms" was very evident for one and all to see. From the
portico, Swami went for another darshan round in the direction opposite to
the standard one. He was collecting letters and looking at people on both
the sides. The East Prashanti balconies began to swell with ladies, mostly
those too old to sit long hours on the floor. They were having an aerial
view of Swami’s divine darshan! The thrill was obvious on their faces. Swami
moved through the gents side and then, cutting through the students, He
moved on to the ladies side too. He granted darshan from close quarters and
after going through the whole path, returned to the bhajan hall for the
bhajans which concluded with Aarthi after a while.
The schedule for the evening was a programme by the youth and Bal Vikas
students from the state of Gujarat. Swami came out at about 4:30 pm. He
completed the darshan rounds and as soon as He got down near the interview
room, He enquired from the Brindavan campus warden about the preparation for
the Convocation Drama to be staged by His students on November 22. He then
took him and a few other boys to the interview room to guide them on the
drama. At 5:35 pm, Swami came out and asked for the programme to begin. The
formalities (actually great chances in disguise) of the flowers and card
offerings were completed. A cake was also brought up to Swami which He
kindly cut and then the programme started, first with a song by the youth.
|
|
|
A western style beginning as Swami cuts a cake
|
|
The singers offer their salutations
|
|
|
|
The programme details are shown to Him....
|
|
....and the offering of the customary flower made
|
This was followed by a dance on the glory of
Bharat which was a colourful and grand spectacle.
|
|
|
The opening dance sequence
|
|
"All ye men and women of Bharat - Unite"
|
The final presentation was a combo effort by
the Bal Vikas and the youth. It was a drama depicting the right way to do
service, and more importantly, brought out the true meaning of independence.
India has become free in the political sense. But everybody is still a slave
to the six vices of desire, anger, greed, attachment, pride and envy. True
freedom can only be achieved when these are overcome. The drama portrayed
how an NGO plans to shift its focus of activities from the village to the
city in order to get more visibility. But when a flood destroys the village,
the plight of the villagers moves the concerned officials. Further, the
inspiration from the Sai workers to do service opens their eyes to the true
meaning of Seva. Service needs no visibility and when done in the true
sense, it escapes nobody's attention.
|
|
|
"India lives in her villages and it is there that we must
serve."
|
|
The "live" building of the hospital with Unity and Love
|
|
|
|
The hospital is ready and standing...
|
|
United we can change the world we live in
|
The drama was filled with many popular songs
and well-choreographed dances. The final song and dance drew appreciative
applause from the audience and the grand appreciation came from Swami when
He materialized a gold chain for the actor playing the role of "Man". Swami
then very graciously walked down to pose for group photographs with the
Gujarat youth and the Bal Vikas children. After the pictures were taken,
Swami blessed prasadam to be given to all present and finally granted His
benediction in the form of Abhayahasta (raised Hands in blessing).
After that, He received Aarthi and retired.
|
|
|
"Man" is rewarded by "God"
|
|
Even the Aarthi seems to portray Unity!
|
10-11 November
2007: Global Akhanda Bhajans
There was a lot of devotional fervour in the air in anticipation of the 24
hour Akhanda Bhajan that was scheduled to begin on Saturday, November 10,
evening. Prashanti Nilayam in a few minutes would be transformed into the
nucleus of a global sadhana in namasmarana which would
continue through all the parts of the day and night. When Swami came out, it
was very evident that the event would be a very special one. He was looking
so beautiful and each of His smiles was so radiant. Swami completed His
darshan rounds and then for a short while went into the interview room.
He came into the bhajan hall well
in advance. He went around the bhajan hall suffusing everyone
gathered with enthusiasm to participate in the bhajans about to
begin. As the clock struck six, Swami lit the beautiful and big
lamp set in the centre of the altar to mark the beginning of the
global Akhanda bhajan. The Ganesha bhajan began with great
gusto. A few bhajans later, Swami wanted to go out for granting
darshan to the singing masses!
Every path that existed in Kulwant Hall was
traversed upon and every being that was present there was
immersed in joy divine. Swami had said long ago, "This sugar
mountain will not travel to feed the ants; the ants themselves
can come here." Seeing Him that evening each one could feel that
the compassion for the tiny ant had dissolved that resolution of
the merciful Divine! |
|
|
|
|
The Akhanda Jyoti is lit and the bhajans begin
|
After the round, He came back into the
bhajan hall. He sat, not in the traditional corner on the gents side, but
right in the middle, next to the Jyoti (lamp) He had lit minutes
ago. Litres of oil had been poured into the lamp for its night long vigil
and it shone brilliantly. And beside the lamp was Swami - the ocean of Love
in His Heart reflected in His beaming and bright face. As the bhajans
progressed, the fervour doubled. Swami struck a divine pose and hearts
surged with joy. If He would keep rhythm with His hands for the bhajans, the
beat would echo in the clapping of the enthusiastic devotees. The bhajans
continued alternating between the men's side and the ladies' side. At about
7:10 pm, Swami returned to Yajur Mandir.
With Swami's departure, people to rose to leave. But many stayed on,
digesting the joy of the multiple close darshans that had been so graciously
conferred. Shraddha (Faith) and Saburi (Perseverance) are
the only offerings that the Lord asks for. Those who offered these to Him
tonight, He granted them a special blessing. At 8:15 pm, a time when
everyone expects Swami to have retired, He showed that the Lord never rests.
"Mad Bhakta yatra Gaayanthi, thatra tishtaami Naarada" (Oh Narada!
I install Myself wherever my devotees sing my glory) the Lord had revealed
to the great sage Narada. On His second visit in the evening, Swami suddenly
came into the Kulwant Hall in the wheelchair sofa! Audible gasps and
thrilled exclamations made their rounds as Swami went about granting all
with the bounty of His darshan, slowly and calmly.
|
|
He, then, came into the bhajan
hall and all the singers, especially, were ecstatic. As He sat
for bhajans, He exchanged loving comments with some of the
singers. After a very long time, one could see Swami out so late
in the night. Swami sat till almost 9:00 pm before retiring. But
as He went out, He promised, "I will be coming again."
Swami was there again in the next morning at
9:45 am. But those words inspired everyone to stay awake in
anticipation of further blessings. The Lord's benediction is
such that every endeavour with Him as the goal always finds
fruition. However we seem to forget that and so He resorts to
words of encouragement and allows everyone to experience the joy
of making efforts. The night long vigil might have tired the
bodies but the recharge the spirits got is something that must
be felt and cannot be adequately captured in words. Swami came
in the wheelchair sofa once again and suddenly the bhajan
singing became louder! The devotees thirst for their Lord. But
if we just pause and ponder, the reality of how the Lord too
hungers for His devotees will strike us. As He says, "Your bliss
is my food." |
9:00 pm and the Lord is still there!!
|
|
|
It is so fascinating to see Swami seeing His
devotees. He seems to look deep into them, sampling their thirst and purity.
Once he tastes these qualities, He cannot resist. He moves towards them and
both the Lord and the devotees drink deep the ambrosia of bliss. Swami came
into the bhajan hall and sat; but only for a few bhajans. He began to move
again amidst everyone seated in the bhajan hall and then went out too. He
not only traversed all available paths but also exhausted the different
possible directions of moving along them! It would hardly be an exaggeration
to say that after a while, the students and devotees alike ran out of
letters and prayers to offer Him! The gushing flood of Love and benediction
was so immense that they just sat and saw Him. Swami must have completed at
least three rounds on the wheel sofa on November 11 morning. He even went
around the portico and bhajan hall a few times. He sat listening to the
bhajans till almost 11:15 am and then He retired.
In the evening, the crowds had swelled and the hall was packed for the grand
finale of the Akhand bhajan. Swami came out at about 4:40 pm. For the third
time in a row, the car had been dispensed with. So dear are His devotees for
Him and that dearness seemed to translate even into nearness. Years ago,
fears had been expressed that Swami, in times to come would become
physically inaccessible and very distant. Swami had replied, "For those who
hold me close to their heart, I will never be far." Well, the veracity of
that statement was there for all to see, as Swami satiated everyone to their
hearts content. He came into the bhajan hall and as He started tapping His
hands on the arms of the chair, the bhajans picked up speed moving towards a
glorious climax. Swami then continued His traveling spree as He went out
again. It is really not possible to describe each of His trips around the
devotees for they were so many in number and so enriching in experience.
Nostalgic memories came flooding
as Swami in His inimitable style stopped near a block of boys
and told them to make a path between them so that He could move
over to the other side. He then went all the way to behind the
main gate where all the vessels containing prasadam were kept.
He blessed them and spoke to the people in charge as to how the
distribution must be done. Then He came back to the bhajan hall.
The final part of the bhajan session was filled with deafening
clapping, vociferous singing and ever increasing tempo.
To one lady singer who enthralled everyone, and
more importantly, Swami with her bhajan, Swami immediately
materialised a beautiful necklace in gold! He gifted it to her
and continued smiling. As Swami concluded the bhajans with
"Namah Parvati", the Aarthi was lit. What followed next was a
rare scene as Swami sat for the complete Aarthi song. During its
last stanza, the priest waved the camphor at the altar by the
sheer force of habit and Swami seemed to look at Him and smile!
|
|
|
|
|
The concluding Aarthi
|
As the aarthi concluded, Swami took up the
role of the host ensuring that the sweetened rice (chakra pongal)
and tamarind rice were distributed to all. He personally supervised the
manner in which leaves should be distributed and the food served. Once the
serving had been fairly accomplished, the food prayer, Bhramaarpanam,
began. Swami too joined in chanting the prayer! At the end of it, He said,
"Now all eat nicely." He kept smiling and telling everyone to eat well.
Finally at 6:35 pm Swami left bhajan hall and moved to the Yajur Mandir.
|
|
|
Swami inspects the prasadam to be distributed!
|
|
Prasadam is served in the bhajan hall in His presence
|
November 13, 2007 –
Divine Discourse on Namasmarana
Something very unique happened on November 13, a day
after the conclusion of Akhanda Bhajan. Swami came out to grant darshan at
about 5:05 pm as the Bhajans were on. He went into the bhajan hall and after
the fourth bhajan, He called Prof. Venkataraman and told him to speak on the
significance of the Akhanda bhajans. After he had spoken for a while, Swami
asked for the singers' mike and began delivering His divine discourse seated
in the bhajan hall itself! He said:
Every name of God has power.
But that power should be utilized properly. Each name has a
power. Once upon a time, a king told his parrot to go and chant
the name of Rama to the crow and make it too repeat the name.
The parrot dutifully went to the crow and said, "You may be
black, Oh crow! But listen and chant Rama's name. It will make
you bright." Doing so, the crow fell down dead. The parrot felt
very sad at this and reported to the king as to what happened.
But the king told the parrot to do the same task to the peacock
this time. "Oh peacock! You are beautiful and grand. Chant
Rama's name and your glory will grow," said the parrot. The same
thing repeated there too. The parrot was now worried.
Understand the significance of Akhanda bhajan. There is a
difference between Akhanda and Khanda. The latter is to think of
God momentarily alone. Akhanda bhajan is to think of Him always,
every time and at all places - in all three levels of
consciousness. There are three needles to tell the time. If one
moves, all others also move. |
|
|
|
|
|
One round of first makes the
second move one unit and so on. The hour hand is given most importance. So
also, the longer variant of the bhajan – in the morning, afternoon, evening
and night is more important.Both birds had died. But now the king told the
parrot to tell the same to a new born calf. "Oh King! Let me not get an
additional sin now. I will not kill a baby," pleaded the parrot but to no
avail. With trepidation, the parrot requested the calf to chant Rama's name.
Doing so, the calf too breathed its last. Finally, it came to be known that
the prince was born. What was the reason for the human form that the prince
had. The Lord's name liberated the soul from different bodies, of the crow,
the peacock and the calf to finally gift it a human birth. This news spread
all over the kingdom. Rama's name made the crow a beautiful peacock. The
peacock evolved into the calf and the calf in turn got a human birth.
Everything is divine. God is in every creature. But God specially takes
a human form and so the human body is very special. It is God's grace that
results in human form. But inspite of repeating the Lord's name, there is no
transformation in man. This is because there is no understanding, faith and
Love. Faith is love. That love is needed. Man is not uttering the name with
Love. He is on the lookout if the tune, beat, etc. are all fine. The mind is
wavering. Thus we see no transformation. The mind should be kept steady on
the name. When a song is being sung, the others (especially the singers) are
planning for next song. Thus, man remains man and does not evolve. Change
can come about within with thinking of God alone. The sacredness that one
attains by chanting and thinking of the name is not noticed by others but
the individual knows it.
|
|
It is not possible to attain totality by uttering the name
once. Do your job but keep in mind that it is God's work. Thus
think of Him always. When women cook, they add pulses, salt,
spice, etc. While doing so, if they say, “This is for God”, then
it gets sanctified. Don't degrade it by offering it to members
of family, cook, guests, etc. At every step, think of God. God
is in every cell and atom. But man does not realize this and
feels that he is moving forward. All progress is worldly if one
is unaware of the inherent divinity. Consider all your actions,
words and thoughts as that of God. The feeling behind the
chanting is most important. If you say whole heartedly once,
that's enough. It is equal to hours of chanting. The feeling
makes it like the hour hand of the clock. It has value.
Otherwise you can keep chanting like the seconds hand of the
clock, which goes on moving but with little value. The feeling
is like the hour hand which is most important. Don't bother
about what people say. Nowadays none say His name from the
bottom of the heart. People say that they cannot sing His name
because of cold, cough and voice not being fine, etc. Atleast
sing within yourself. That will give strength. God's name is
matchless. It can bring back the dead to life.
|
|
|
|
Savitri was sad when the husband
was gone. But Satyavan came back to life. It is only in Bharat that
resurrections have occurred by Lord's name. Bharat is very special. No place
is like this. A pure mind is important. Meerabai also finally said, "Oh
Lord! From the depths of the ocean, I have collected the pearl. Let me not
drop this back into the ocean." If you need liberation, God's name is
needed. You are all sparks of Divine. And so you must all be like how I am.
The same purity of Love of God must be in you too.
The whole creation is reaction, reflection and resound. So realize that
you are Divine. Never forget this. If this is remembered, it amounts to
reading Bhagavat Gita fully. Be Godly. "Mamaivamsho Jeeva Loke, Jeeva Bhoota
Sanatanaha." I am you and you are me in qualities and righteousness. Dharma
arose from feeling which came of Faith. Faith is Truth. Truth, Dharma, Faith
and Love are all God. Live in Love. You may have many difficulties. Don't
waver and change mind due to them. All these will pass easily. Waves keep
coming but water is still. Have the steady waters of Faith. Thoughts are
waves like the passing clouds. They are not permanent.
Develop Love and nothing will remain that you cannot attain. Earth and
sky can be transformed into one another. That Divine power is in you. Never
neglect God's name. The power in it is known to all those who have
experienced. All that glitters is not diamond. Die - mind is diamond. Do not
chase temporary pleasures. You will be cheated if you chase them. Once you
have decided to hold on to the Lord, hold on to His feet firmly. They will
be with you always, everywhere. Install the Lord's name in your heart
permanently. Your life, then, will be sanctified. That is your shakti,
bhakti and mukti. Never catch passing clouds and pass out.
To teach this we have the Akhanda bhajan - to sing for 24
hours. In between if you keep going and coming, that is Khanda bhajan. It is
tough to connect the pieces. Even if you go home or for food, keep singing
His glory. God never said to give up everything.
Just think of God as you do
your activity. krishna said, "Oh Arjuna! Fight thinking of me.
Then that is true war." War is not shooting, killing and
bombing. There is nothing great in it. Doing your work and think
of Lord, you will survive and live smilingly. A smiling face is
needed. Do not have a castor oil face. True happiness lies in
union with God. When you get some worrying thoughts, do not kill
yourself. Especially those that think of marriage, this thought
disturbs. Even if it comes, tell yourself, "It is not marriage
but 'my-rise'!"
Singing the name is liberating. You needn't worry about tune
and beat. The beat and tune of the heart is one - So Ham - "I am
that". Keep that tune, its enough. It is a great fortune to do
namasmarana. We have bhajans here everyday. That is a great
fortune. Do not miss and spoil that fortune granted to you. It
will lead to fulfillment of your lives.
After that, Swami asked the boys to sing. It was nearly 7 o
clock when He called for the Aarthi and retired. |
|
|
|
|
|
November 14, 2007
All over India, everyone observes November
14 as Children's day. It appeared as though Swami had also decided to spend
the evening, if not the whole day, with His children! The students who were
part of the Convocation drama were practising in the Institute auditorium.
At about 4:05 pm, Swami started moving towards the Institute. Much to the
glee of the students in the auditorium, they realized that Swami was coming
to see their practise. The Vice Chancellor, Principal, Controller of Exams
and other senior members of the Institute were also present.
|
|
|
Swami arrives at the Auditorium
|
|
"I have been waiting till 4 o clock!"
|
Swami came into the auditorium to the warm
welcome of the students. He sat in the centre and asked for the practise to
begin. The drama which began with a dance was a beautiful blend of emotion,
suspense and devotion. Look for the story of the Drama in the November 22
update. Swami sat for the entire practise session and was correcting a few
scenes here and there. He became quite emotional in some of the places
especially when He heard the devotee cry out to the Lord for help. As the
drama progressed one could see tears even in the eyes of many of the elders
too who had come along with Swami. At one point when a song started and
gained momentum, Swami identified the singer and exclaimed, "That is Ravi!"
He kept enquiring about the different boys in various roles. He said that a
few more lines of a song could be added and also advised on the placing of a
few sets and the costumes. He even made few rearrangements in the final
formation after the drama.
|
|
|
All actors only in whites!
|
|
Some watch Swami while others watch with Swami
|
At the end of the drama, Swami told all the
actors that it was good. He spoke to the costume boys too, especially about
a turban that was to be used. Then He made enquiries about the music boys
and the set boys. He expressed immense satisfaction and joy at the fact that
everything had been done by the boys themselves. As He went out of the
auditorium, He took letters from many boys and spoke to a few of them. The
brass band of the Institute had assembled outside and they played a
beautiful piece as Swami got into the car and left for the Mandir.
|
|
|
Letters galore - as many as He can take
|
|
The Brass band strikes up a lively tune as Swami leaves
|
November 18, 2007 – Rathotsavam Celebrations
From years, the Rathotsavam has been a very important event
held during the Birthday week. The bhajan Mandir wore a very austere and
holy look as it seemed to prepare for the impending procession. The
beautiful idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, Mother Sita and Hanuman, and the
idol of Lord Krishna were ready in decorated palanquins. The floral
decorations adorning them were also so immaculate and pleasing to the eye.
Swami came to the bhajan hall after completing His darshan rounds in Kulwant
Hall.
|
|
|
The beautifully decked idols of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and
Hanuman
|
|
Swami arrives and moves amidst the boys.
|
Swami had the camphor waved at the idols in His presence. He
watched intently as the priest performed Aarthi in the ceremonious manner.
After that He directed the Seva Dal volunteers privileged to have been
selected for the task to carry the palanquins and begin the procession. It
included students vociferously vocalising the Vedas and the bhajan group of
students singing songs in synchronisation. It was led by the elephant calf,
Krishna Geeta, who seemed to be strutting around like a
little child that had been told to head the Republic Day parade!
|
|
|
The elephant calf heads the procession...
|
|
The seva dal volunteers are privileged to shoulder the Lord
|
The entire procession headed through the Kulwant Hall main
gate out of the Gopuram gate. There stood the empty chariot, fully decked
with flowers, waiting to receive the Lord. The previous year, the chariot
had been unexpectedly blessed by the presence of a Lord it did not expect -
Swami! But this year, along with the chariot stood throngs of devotees with
the fervent hope that Swami would re-confer the blessing of the previous
year. Every building in sight seemed to be painted with humans! Balconies
were bursting at their seams and every possible vantage point had been over
occupied by people in a devotional zeal.
|
|
Swami comes out of the Gopuram gate...
|
The chariot awaiting the Lord
|
Swami did not disappoint anyone. After a few minutes, one
could see the sweet form clad in Orange, held dear by all hearts making way
towards the Gopuram gate. Swami came out and blessed the coconuts to be
broken in front of the chariot. He saw the statues being placed into
position and blessed all the hundreds who had assembled very expectantly
with His darshan. Then receiving Aarthi He slowly made His way back to the
Mandir. He went into the bhajan hall and sat waiting for the procession to
return. He spoke to a few boys there and took letters from many. Then He
went into the bhajan hall to continue His wait. Later, receiving Aarthi, He
retired to Yajur Mandir.
|
|
|
Blessing everyone on the way back
|
|
Speaking to boys in the Bhajan Hall
|
November 19, 2007 – Ladies Day Celebrations
|
|
|
|
An original mandir design, featuring 'glass windows' with
candles
|
|
The Ladies Day in 2007 was different from the past few
years. The morning programme was to be the "Godaan" ceremony where cows
would be distributed to the needy and deserving. The cow has been considered
as a sign of prestige and more importantly prosperity from times immemorial
in India. The ancients would shower their grace on the needy by gifting them
with a cow. The gift of a cow meant a gift of food, water and hence
prosperity. The cow has also been accorded the place of a mother in Indian
scriptures. Deserving ladies had been identified and everything was ready
for the arrival of Swami.
Swami came out at about 9:15 am after the traditional Rahu Kalam.
He was heralded into the Kulwant hall by a procession that was headed by the
Vedic chants with the Poorna Kumbham. The bands from the Primary
School and the Anantapur Campus followed. After which was the beautiful
smiling Lord who had decided to come in the wheel sofa.
|
|
|
The special ladies Veda chanting contingent
|
|
The magnificent Anantapur campus brass band
|
Swami came till the marble blocks and halted. He said that
the cow distribution should start and that He would supervise it from there
itself. Carpets had been laid out for the dual purpose - to give respect to
the cows, the queens of prosperity, and also to ensure that the floor
affords grip to their hooves. As Swami sat, the cows came in from His right
while the ladies recipients came in from His left. It was not a cow alone
but a mother cow, with her newly delivered calf that was being gifted. Swami
blessed all the ladies and many of the recipients took Padanamaaskar.
|
|
Swami comes straight for the Godaan ceremony
|
Dedicated at His Lotus feet
|
|
|
|
A cow with a suckling calf for every woman
|
|
An overwhelming shower of Motherly love for the calves
|
After the ‘Godaan’ ceremony, Swami moved to the stage. He
first lit the lamp that had been placed in front of a tastefully decorated
portrait of Mother Eashwaramma. After that there were bhajans which
continued for about half an hour. Later there was prasadam distribution and
Swami received Aarthi and retired.
|
|
|
|
The lovely, luminous, lighting spectacle the mandir presented
|
|
The decorations for the evening programme were very grand.
The lighting especially was a notch above the regular standards. Swami
arrived and went around for the darshan rounds. He then came and took His
position on the stage. The first part of the evening programme was speeches
by two distinguished ladies – Dr (Mrs) Hyma Reddy and Mrs. Sowcar Janaki, a
renowned thespian. Swami appreciated both these short talks with claps at
the end of their presentations.
|
|
|
Dr.Hyma Redddy offers a rose to the Lord
|
|
Mrs.Sowcar Janaki offers her salutations
|
The second programme of the day was a concert by Ms.
Nityashree Mahadevan. She bowed to Swami and then taking her place on stage
next to the Lord, began the show. It was more of an outpouring of a
devotee's feelings for God than a concert. She thrilled Swami and the
audience who enjoyed journeying up and down the scale along the highways of
many a grand Raaga with her voice. It was a touching performance
which went on for 25 small minutes.
After the concert came the highlight of the evening, literally and otherwise
too - the dance by the girls of the Primary school. It was an effort of
bewitching beauty, gliding grace, sublime synchronization and co-coordinated
control. The special focus lights and soft lights created an ambience like
that of the heavens. The costumes caught everyone's eyes and were a class
apart by themselves. The theme of the dance was on the leelas and
mahimas of Swami in His childhood.
|
|
|
The tiny tot on behalf of the Primary School
|
|
Colourful and beautiful!
|
They were depicted with such elan that the dances themselves
seem to sing out. The songs going on however lifted the overall atmosphere
of grandeur and grace. There were girls of all ages and sizes - from the
second to twelfth class, from the one and a half footers to the six feet
ones! The Vishwa Roopa Darshanam was very symbolically yet
powerfully demonstrated. The myriad colours moving around to the beautiful
rhythms of the soulful strains was really something that has to be seen live
to be experienced.
|
|
|
Devaki and Yasoda for Sathya - Eashwaramma and Subamma
|
|
The "Vishwa-Roopa" darshan
|
They say that while humans respond to the results, God
responds to the efforts that have gone in. The performance was such that,
humans and God alike would have been very pleased and that was evident in
the way the Lord and the audience reacted when the dance concluded. The
applause seemed never ending and so were Swami's smiles. He rose from the
chair and slowly walked down. Seeing this, the little "Sathya" of the dance
drama rushed up the stage and in keeping with the nature of her role
requested Swami, "Be where you are. We will come to you." Swami was pleased
with this noble intention but how can anyone have the capacity to be nobler
than the sweet Lord. That statement made is His from eternity till eternity.
He replied patting the little one's cheeks, "Be where you are. When you have
called, I will come." (This carries a lot of profundity, isn’t it?)
|
|
|
Sathya, Sathya and Sathya!
|
|
The Lord with Gods and Goddesses
|
He walked down and posed for photos groupwise! Each and
every child had the lovely opportunity to get a close photograph with Him
and also take the coveted Paadanamaskar. After showering all the
children profusely with all His love, Swami came up the stage and blessed
the prasadam to be distributed. Then receiving Aarthi, He retired for the
day.
November 20, 2007 –
Parenting Workshop and Concert by Mr. Pankaj Udhas
On the morning of November 20, Sai Kulwant
Hall witnessed the inauguration of the two-day Workshop on Parenting
organised by the Education wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation. Two
huge banners adorned the roof of the Sai Kulwant Hall announcing the
Parenting Conference. Swami came out for darshan after 9:00 am and after
completing His rounds, lit the ceremonial lamp at 9.30 am. A vedic
invocation and three short speeches followed. The speeches were by ladies
who spearhead the Balvikas and Parenting initiatives of the Sai
Organisation. The content was mainly based on inputs that Swami had given at
various times on the Bal Vikas programme and the role parents have to play
in bringing up their children.
|
|
|
Inauguration of the seminar on Parenting...
|
|
...in the presence of the Divine parent.
|
At 10 am, the speeches concluded. Bhagawan
asked for Bhajans to begin in the Sai Kulwant Hall itself, and He accepted
Arati after twenty minutes. During the Arati, Bhagavan blessed the speakers
of the day and also the other dedicated members of the Bal Vikas programme
with sarees.
|
|
|
Swami got sarees and...
|
|
...personally distributed to the Bal Vikas Gurus
|
The scheduled evening programme was a music
concert by renowned vocalist Sri Pankaj Udhas and his team. Swami came out
for darshan to Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.30 pm. He went around the devotees in
the wheel sofa itself. The devotees were very happy at this shower of Grace.
He then came on stage and asked for the concert to begin. What followed were
devotionals and gentle ghazals in typical Udhas fashion. The famous, "Chitti
Aayi Hai" also featured in his selection of songs.
|
|
|
The maestro at the concert
|
|
Pankaj Udhas is very happy and so is Swami
|
At the end of his concert, Swami
called all the accompanying artistes along with Mr. Pankaj and
blessed them. The ninety minute concert concluded with a
spirited instrumental piece, a jugalbandi, after Bhagavan
blessed the artistes with shawls. Everyone was mightily
impressed at the speed and finesse of the artistes. Swami
accepted Arati at 7.10 pm but instead of directly going to His
residence, He had another element of uncertainty up His sleeve -
that variety of uncertainty which all of us love!
He came down the stage and made
a second slow round of the students accepting many letters. He
neared the area where the birthday boys sit and asked for a path
to be made amidst the boys! Like the Red Sea giving way to the
white robed Moses, the "white sea" of students paved a way for
the red robed Lord! Swami slowly and smilingly went through them
and then via the ladies side, returned and retired to Yajur
Mandir.
|
|
|
|
|
Swami takes a very long detour to Yajur Mandir.
|
November 21, 2007 – Convocation Drama
Rehearsal
On November 21, the day before the
Convocation, Swami arrived for darshan at 9:00 am as the bhajans began. The
students involved in the Convocation drama, to be staged the next day, had
all assembled in the Poornachandra Auditorium and Swami had agreed to see
the final dress rehearsal. The bhajans concluded at about 10:10 am and Swami
went into the Yajur Mandir directly. However at about 12:00 pm, Swami came
in the wheel sofa to Poornachandra auditorium to see the drama as He had
promised.
All the sets boys were present in black, they were the ‘men in black’ so to
say! Everyone associated with the drama were present - the actors, sets
boys, music group, the recording team, costume boys and the maintenance
crew. As Swami came, a path, flanked by boys on both sides, was created from
the stage till the place in the ‘D’ from where He would see the drama. Swami
sat and then told that the drama could begin. The drama looked so much more
colourful in the costumes. It was also now being viewed in 'new light'! As
the characters came alive on stage, Swami was fully immersed in the drama.
He too went through the ups and downs of the emotions and feelings of the
actors on stage.
|
|
|
The whole world is a stage and all men mere actors!
|
|
Backstage all the actors show their true colours - of being His
students
|
When Swami watches a drama, especially the Convocation drama, there is more
drama and message in watching Him than the drama on stage. Well, one may say
that is the case anytime, but it becomes physically more evident in case of
the Convocation drama.
|
|
As He sees the pains of Ramadas, He seems to
feel for His devotees. When the hero is in a crisis, Swami too
seems apprehensive as to what will happen and when He reassures
himself and his father that God will be there for them, Swami
too relaxes. It is a beautiful example of how the Lord is a pure
mirror, reflecting to each one whatever faith and feeling they
possess. The practise session is something that goes on daily
and so sometimes it cannot be helped if the actors just go
through the motions, but Swami seems to go through the emotions
each and every time He sees the drama. He knows the plot, the
story and every other aspect of the drama. And yet, He is
involved - a glimpse of the way the Divine Director conducts the
human drama too! And one other important observation here is
this.
There is a poem in Sanskrit that compares Lord
Shiva and Goddess Parvati to be united like the word and its
meaning. It also refers to the fact that for the Lord, either
the word or its feeling and meaning is the same. That was very
evident from seeing Swami's reactions during the rehearsal on
November 14 as well as on Nov 21.
|
The drama in progress...
|
|
|
There is a poem in Sanskrit that compares
Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati to be united like the word and its meaning.
It also refers to the fact that for the Lord, either the word or its feeling
and meaning is the same. That was very evident from seeing Swami's reactions
during the rehearsal on November 14 as well as on Nov 21. The drama now had
a lot of background music. So emotions were more powerfully evoked in all.
But for Swami, His reactions were almost like the way He had reacted on the
14th. He needs no special effects, lights, costumes and background music to
"evoke" emotions. He seems to spontaneously identify with the words and
feelings of the actors - even if they are in whites and are just speaking
out their dialogues. One was reminded of how Swami had almost shed tears a
few years ago when the actors selected to play the role of Pandavas had just
read out their dialogues in front of Him. It was the day the scripts had
been just handed over to them and yet Swami's reactions were like that of a
person who would react to that piteous condition of the Pandavas when viewed
only on the final day with all the add ons and effects!
A video presentation that would be a part of the drama was also played and
Swami expressed His appreciation at the way it had been made. On the whole,
Swami was very happy with the drama. He expressed His happiness in absolute
silence. It is said that when the heart is full, words are few. Then what to
say when there are no words at all! It was almost 1:15 pm as Swami returned
to Yajur Mandir.
|
|
|
Satyam Shivam Sundaram-6 shown to Swami
|
|
Two heroes of the drama with THE Hero of THE Drama
|
For the evening, there was a concert
scheduled by Sri T. M. Krishna. Swami came out after 4:30 pm. He came
onstage after His darshan rounds in the chair, sat there for ten minutes
listening to the Vedam chanting and then moved to the interview room. He
emerged a few minutes later and came onstage once again, and the programme
commenced at five minutes to five. The singer began his exploration of the
ragas and the scales of Classical Carnatic music. As the concert went on,
Swami briefly moved into the interview room. The singer noticed Bhagawan's
absence and started singing Carnatic songs with lyrics like "When will we
have the darshan of the Lord of Chidambaram", "Mother, will you not listen
to my call and talk to me?" and so on. There was a loud applause as Swami
returned onstage, called for the singer and his accompanists and showered a
lot of Love on them. He gave rings to three of them, placed shawls in their
hands, gave them prasadam and took photographs with them, talking to them
for more than ten minutes. It was a wonderful sight to see the Divine
romance between the Lord and His devotee.
|
|
|
T.M.Krishna lost in devotional fervour during his concert.
|
|
Rewarded with a green diamond ring by Swami
|
It was then that Swami called a few of His
singer-students on stage and asked them to sing. Being a bit taken aback,
the student asked Swami whether he could sit down along with the bhajan
group and sing instead of sitting onstage! Swami smiled and agreed. The
students began their renderings one by each. Each one seemed to better the
other. The final one was a real classical masterpiece. As they sang, the
artistes on stage were whole heartedly nodding their approval and Swami
seemed so very pleased. Swami, the proud mother always, did not let go of
the opportunity to ‘sing the praises’ of His dear boys to the artistes.
After the songs there was a bhajan as Swami instructed. Prasadam was served
to all and Prof. Anil Kumar announced that the 26th Convocation of the
Sathya Sai University would be held the next day. Swami then received Aarti
and retired at about 7:15 pm.
22 November, 2007 – XVI
Convocation of SSSU
On the morning of November 22, Bhagavan came
to the Sai Kulwant Hall as the Bhajans went on after 9.30 am. After sitting
in the Bhajan Hall for nearly half an hour, He accepted Arati and returned
to His residence. At 1.45 pm, Bhagavan once again came to the Sai Kulwant
Hall in His chair to check the preparations made for the Sri Sathya Sai
University's 26th Convocation. After fine-tuning the arrangements, He
returned to His residence and emerged later for the convocation.
|
|
|
|
A grand view of the stage set for the 26th Convocation of the
Sathya Sai University
|
|
The Convocation procession was led by the
University Brass band into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 3.30 pm. Bhagavan was
resplendent in a white robe for the occasion. Sharing the stage with
Bhagavan and the University governing body members and deans was Justice
Bhagawati, former Chief Justice of India. The Vice-Chancellor delivered his
welcome address, Bhagavan stood to say, softly and sweetly, "I declare the
Convocation open", and the graduates of the year were administered the
Convocation Oath. The gold medal winners and Ph D recipients came up to
Bhagavan to receive His benediction and their medals.
|
|
|
The ceremonial procession with members of academic council
|
|
"I declare Convocation open"
|
|
|
|
The all rounder gold medallist with Bhagawan
|
|
A gold medallist from the Anantapur campus
|
Bhagavan stood up to deliver His Convocation
Address at 4.15 pm. Here are the highlights of the discourse:
”From the time one gets up from the
bed till he goes to bed again, why should one waste all his time in earning
money?
|
|
Embodiments of Love!
It is not good to waste
one's time and energy in vain pursuits without attending to
one's ordained duties. Time is sacred and valuable. Time waste
is life waste. You are all students who have to lead others in
future. Every individual has some desires. But, students
especially have to control their desires. This is their duty…
The word 'Vidya' (education) has its root in the word 'Vid',
meaning light. It means that education illumines our path to
progress.
Dear students!
You must stand as an
ideal to everyone. It is only with this hope that we are
bringing you up with great love. You all know that the
educational institutions in the outside world charge money for
everything. But, we are not collecting any money from our
students towards fees. On the other hand, we ourselves are
incurring huge expenditure on students' education. Also, we are
helping a number of destitute children in so many ways by
providing them material support, free education, financial help,
etc. You must realise this truth. Education is your property.
Education is not merely to help make a living in the world.
|
Bhagavan's Convocation Address
|
|
|
There is a higher purpose to
education - providing an inner life based upon the five human values, viz.,
Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Love and Non-violence. These human values
provide a secure, real and meaningful life to us. Sathya (truth) is the
basis for everything in the Universe.
The creation emerges from truth and
merges into truth,
Is there a place in the cosmos where truth does not exist?
Visualise this pure and unsullied truth. (Telugu
poem)
God is the creator of all living
beings right from a tiny ant to a mighty elephant. Nothing in this universe
will move without His Divine Will. Even tiny ants that you see are born out
of God's will. The same truth has been explained in Saint Thyagaraja's
famous Kirtan “Cheemalo Brahmalo Siva Kesavaadulalo Prema Meera Velasi Unde
Birudhu Vahinchina Rama Nannu Brovara” (Oh Rama! In Your pure and unsullied
form of love, You indwell all beings from an ant to Brahma as also in Siva
and Kesava. Please be my protector too).
No doubt we are aware of it, but once an ant bites us, we immediately kill
it. On the other hand, when Lord Brahma appears before us we offer our
pranams to Him with folded hands. Though the names and forms are different,
the same Atma permeates all living beings. One who develops faith in this
Truth will not hasten to cause any harm to any living being.
Every individual develops desires
to satisfy himself. He always chants 'self, self, self'. Every individual
repeats 'this is my body; this is my mind; this is my head', etc. But who is
'my'? When you say 'this is my body', perhaps it may be true for today or
tomorrow. But, where is your body day after tomorrow? What happens to it
then? You are nourishing this body with great love and care. But, this body
is not yours. It is a gift of God. In fact, everything in this universe is
God's gift. For instance, this is a handkerchief. From where did it come?
Has it fallen from the sky? No! It has come from cotton.
From cotton came the thread and the
thread is woven into a cloth. Hence, there can be no thread
without cotton and no cloth without thread. Thus, everything in
this universe has a basis and a source. Unfortunately today we
are forgetting this fundamental principle. That is the reason
why we are experiencing several difficulties. When you hear the
word 'God' repeatedly, you are tempted to enquire 'where is
God?' "God is with you, in you, around you, behind you." In
fact, "you are God!" Develop that firm faith. The same God as
Atma Thatwa permeates all the millions of human beings in this
world; nay every living being in the world. We are witnessing
millions of living beings with different names and different
forms in this Universe. Though the names and forms are
different, the Atma Thathwa (indwelling spirit) in them
is only one. Ekam Sath Viprah Bahudha Vadanthi (Truth
is one; the wise say it in different ways). Gold is one, the
jewels are many. When the different ornaments are melted, what
remains ultimately is only gold!
|
|
|
|
|
'The whole world loves Me and I
love all'
|
Hence, oh embodiments of Love! You
try to realise the source and sustenance for all objects in this universe.
You consider you are different from your father and mother. Again, you treat
your mother as different from your father. No; this is not correct. Both
father and mother are one. You are part of them. Hence, the question of
difference does not arise. A man with dual mind is half blind. You should
not have a dual mind. All the education you pursue is not for you only. It
is for helping your fellow human being; fellow living beings like birds,
animals and insects. Then only the education you have acquired becomes
meaningful. Whenever you encounter a person whom you consider as your enemy,
say "hello". You love everyone. Never hate anybody. You might have noticed
that no one hates Swami and all people love Him. You may ask Me whether
there are people who really do not deserve Swami's love. I wish to emphasise
that all people deserve Swami's love. I love everyone. I do not hate
anybody. I do not cause trouble to anyone. I do not offend anyone. Since the
feeling of Ekatma bhava (one Atma permeating all living beings) is
so strong in Me, so many people love Me. The whole world loves Me and I love
all. My word, My song and My divine leelas are all dedicated to
your welfare. You must therefore try to understand My real nature. You
develop faith in the Atma Thathwa. From faith comes love. When
faith and love go together thus, your desires will be fulfilled. Both faith
and love are most important for a human being. All others are like passing
clouds which just come and go in between. You should not attach much
importance to them.
In fact, faith is the reflection of
love. And love is the very form of God. Hence, Love is God, Live in Love.
Truth is truth for all times - past, present and future. It will never
change. That is why it is said "Truth is God". We should not think that God
is present somewhere in a distant place. God is not separate from us. The
entire universe is an embodiment of Divinity. You should therefore
constantly contemplate on that Divinity who is none other than Unity.
|
|
Dear Students!
You read several books.
However, all those books have been written with the help of only
26 letters. There are a number of lawyers. They carry books
which are very bulky in size. But, all those books contain only
letters ultimately. Health, wealth, happiness and bliss - the
source and sustenance for all these things is only God. Good or
bad, everything is God. You cannot find bad anywhere separately.
Wherever you see, it is only good. But, you are not able to
realise that good. You are confused. The bad, if any is only a
manifestation due to the difference of time. Today we partake a
variety of tasty dishes. But, the next day they are transformed
into excreta. Today's phala (fruit) is transformed into mala
(excreta) tomorrow. Divinity is present in all things - both
good and bad. There is no place or object in this world where
God is not present. No one can say with any authority that God
is "nowhere or only here". Several names and forms are ascribed
to that Divinity and a lot of confusion is created thereby. The
reason for this confusion is based on how one relates himself to
God at the individual level. We should therefore try to set
aside this individual relationship at least to a certain extent.
It is only for this purpose that we are pursuing many types of
education. The moment the individual relationship merges into a
feeling of oneness with God, what remains is only Divinity
everywhere. |
'There is no place or object in
this world where God is not present'
|
|
Religions are many but goal is
one.
Clothes are many but yarn is one.
Beings are many but breath is one.
(Telugu poem)
You must preserve this truth that
“Truth is One” in your heart safely and securely. You consider someone as
your enemy. No, no; this is not true. It is only a change in your attitude
and love towards him that made him your enemy. There is no change in him at
all. Everything in this world is reaction, reflection and resound. However,
reality is only one. If you develop such an attitude, you can experience any
amount of happiness. You think: "Swami is always cheerful and smiling. How
is it possible?" Yes, I am always smiling! The reason being I treat all
people as one. The happiness of all of you is My food. Hence, you also
develop that attitude.
The other day, the children put up
a play. I felt very happy on witnessing that play. The children put up the
show unitedly. We use the words 'I' and 'We'. From where did the word 'we'
come? It has come from 'I'. Without 'I', there can be no 'we'. Thus, 'I' is
the one and only one entity. It is like a vertical wooden pillar. When
another piece of wood is nailed across in the middle horizontally, it
becomes a cross. It means that when 'I' (ego) is broken, it becomes a cross.
We must always endeavour to keep 'I' as only one. You consider all people as
your brothers and sisters. All are one. If you thus make an enquiry,
everything in this universe represents only the principle of oneness. If you
establish this truth firmly in your heart, the same feeling will reflect
everywhere.
Suppose you love a girl. Who is
that girl anyway? Yourself only. It means you loved yourself! The girl is
not separate from you. When you treat her as separate, you refer to her as
'wife'. On the other hand, when you treat her as one with you, you become
one. You realise this unity. What could be the reason for such great
diversity in the living beings in the world? They are a manifestation of the
same divine principle.
Embodiments of Love! Dear
students!
You must all become ideal men and
women. It is only when you lead an ideal life, the whole society will become
ideal. Do not entertain any differences. "All are one; be alike to
everyone". This, you must remember always. Then only can you become ideal
students. Otherwise, you remain merely as educated people. Who is an
educated person in the real sense? One who has realised that all are one.
Education implies only learning. On the other hand, Vidya is one that
symbolises oneness. Vidya spreads the light of oneness with God. If you lose
this enlightenment, you have to live in darkness.
Embodiments of Love!
Let your love be
diverted towards God and it will confer bliss upon you. If you
direct it towards worldly objects and persons, it is likely to
change every now and then. Whomsoever you come across, develop
the feeling that they are all your brothers and sisters.
I am quite well. No one
needs to worry about My health; not only My body, everything is
alright. My mind does not waver. I have a steady and ever alert
mind. The body may undergo some changes; but I am always My own
Divine Self. People enquire, "Swami! You are always smiling!
Did you not ever encounter sorrow?" No. Not at all! Sorrow is
nowhere near Me. Whatever has to happen will happen. If you go
on worrying about it, will it be warded off? That will lead to
much more worry. Hence, one should not give scope for worry at
all. Once your mind starts worrying, it will never end. You
worry, "Examinations are nearing; Oh! God! How do I prepare
myself!" What is all this worry about? Why do you fear to write
answers for those questions which you already know? Surely you
will fare well in the examinations. Do not develop any fear of
examinations.
No one can measure the
distance of the sky from the earth. That is the reason why it is
said that the sky is blue. Similarly, none can describe the form
of Divinity. In order to portray God, artists started using the
colour of blue. In fact, God has no colour at all! |
|
|
|
'Your Atma will never undergo
any change'
|
If God were to be born with a blue
colour, He would have been put in an exhibition as an object of wonder!
Divinity cannot be changed. You may change; but your Atma will never undergo
any change.
You earn a name for yourselves as
good boys. Bring honour to your parents. Also, let the society be proud of
you. If the society is to be transferred into a good society, it can happen
only through the students. Today wherever our students be, people say they
are very good. I am getting the news. You try to live up to that name. I
don't aspire for anything else. I will give you whatever you want. In fact,
I gave Myself to you. May you all be happy! Do not quarrel with anybody. Do
not abuse anyone. May you all live like brothers and sisters! That is the
fruit of education. That is real education. First and foremost, make your
parents happy. If you cannot make your parents who brought you up happy, how
can you make Me happy? Hence, you all go to your homes and live happily with
your parents. Then, I will also be happy. When people praise you that so and
so is a student of Sri Sathya Sai University, it is a matter of pride to you
as well as to the Institution.
The University Grants Commission in
New Delhi did not recognise several educational institutions in the country
for a long time, whereas the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning was
conferred the status of a Deemed University within the second year of its
inception. Dr. Madhuri Shah was the Chairman of the University Grants
Commission then.
|
|
She
visited Puttaparthi then and put forward a proposal to make our
Institute into a Deemed University. Several objections were
raised to her proposal on the ground that it was still a nascent
Institute in its second year and it would not be proper to
confer the status of a University on it in such a short time.
Dr. Bhagavantham was with us at that time translating My speech.
He confidently said, "This is impossible; impossible". I told
him very emphatically that it is possible. The U.G.C. committee
visited our Institution thereafter in the second year itself and
unanimously recommended to confer the status of a Deemed
University on Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. As
per the committee's own admission, "This is the first college"
to be conferred a Deemed University status within the second
year of its starting. Later Dr. Madhuri Shah came here to
formally open the Deemed University. She openly said in a
meeting, "Dr. Bhagavantham! You said it is impossible to make it
into a University in such a short time. How had it been possible
now?" |
Swami calls Justice Bhagawati unto Him
|
|
|
The Sri Sathya Sai Institute of
Higher Learning, a Deemed University has since been made into a full-fledged
University with the combined efforts of all people.
All our students are men of noble
character. They are well behaved and well educated. You may not perhaps know
how famous is our Sri Sathya Sai University all over the world, especially
in the United States of America. There are about 180 past students now
working in America in different fields. Recently, they all came here in a
group. They prayed to Swami, "Swami! We do not wish to go to our homes here.
We will go back direct to America from here, after this visit." Such was
their love and dedication to Swami and Sri Sathya Sai University."
(Bhagavan then called Dr. Michael
Goldstein, Chairman and Director, Sri Sathya Sai World
Foundation and asked him to speak for a few minutes about the
former students now working in America.)
After that, the Vice Chancellor announced that the Convocation
had ended and that a drama would be held shortly in the
auditorium. The academic council members all left the stage when
Swami got up again and spoke! He praised Justice Bhagawati for
his devotion and dedication.
”I told Bhagawati that he should be ready to leave to Delhi.
Soon the orders came and he came to know that he had been
appointed as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is very
dear to Swami and Swami is very dear to him.”
|
|
|
|
|
Commanding Dr.Goldstein to speak out his feelings
|
Then Justice Bhagawati expressed his deepest
sense of gratitude to Swami. It was after that Swami blessed him and made
His way to Yajur Mandir. Soon after that, Swami came into the auditorium. He
took a complete round before taking His place in the centre of the ‘D’ to
watch the drama. Here is the complete story of the drama:
|
|
|
|
Obeisances to the Sun God
|
|
Sudheer is a student of Vidya Mandir Junior
College. For the past 12 years he has been traveling a distance
one hour daily to this school from his village – Anandgram. The
drama opens as the farewell programme instituted by the twelfth
class boys is being presented which has a dance highlighting
values such as patriotism, sense of responsibility, etc. After
its over, the junior college principal Mr. Vishwanath Verma
speaks to the students highlighting the need the dream big and
noble. He has been the iconic figure of the school ever since he
took the position of principal 7 years ago. The school has seen
many feathers being added to its cap under his leadership.
Sudheer has been adjudged the best student of the school and is
being felicitated. During the felicitation ceremony, Sudheer is
asked to speak. After paying gratitude to his teachers and the
principal in particular, he unfolds his vision of becoming a
doctor. His father, Mr. Purushottam is a proud man as he watches
his son receive accolades. Mr. Purushottam, a post man, has
toiled his entire life to see that his motherless child gets the
best that he can give.
|
|
|
|
|
Sudheer with his father and the best student award
|
Back home, Sudheer is excited about his
joining a good medical college to pursue his dream. But his father alone
knows the truth about their predicament. He tries to persuade his son to
choose another line. Purushottam could hardly afford to pay Sudheer's school
fees for the past few years and today he is expected to fund Sudheer's
medical degree. Moreover there is a secret which Purushottam has kept from
Sudheer. Sudheer has been suffering from a hole in his heart since
childhood. Even as Purushottam is dissuading his son, he blurts out this
fact and tells him the whole truth. Sudheer is at first shocked but he is
boy of character and passion. He consoles his father by assuring him that
the Lord will take care, as he has been, for all these years.
|
|
|
" My heart yearns for a medical education!"
|
|
"But sadly, it also has a hole in it!"
|
He recounts the story of Bhadrachala Ramdas. The story brings out the
episode of the unjust punishment meted out Ramdas and Shri Rama, Himself,
paying the debts to Tanesha. Even as he narrates the story, the father is so
proud of his son and prays intensely to the Lord to save them from this
predicament.
|
|
|
Ramadas is wrongly accused
|
|
Redeemed by his Lord
|
The faint strains of the bhajan 'Rama
Anarada Mari Okka Sari Rama Anarada...' are heard. Soon they see men clad in
white, singing bhajans enthusiastically passing in front of their house.
They wonder who they are. The Sai Students (old students) have come to serve
the village. They hand over Swami's prasadam to Purushottam and Sudheer.
Purushottam realises that God has sent help. The one packet of food is
really a reminder that He Knows, He Cares, He Supports and will never
forsake. This prasadam itself gives his great assurance.
They reveal their objective of serving the people. Even as they talk about
the medical camp that they have organised, Purushottam reveals to them that
his son needs medical attention. They immediately decide to bring Sudheer to
the Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital.
|
|
|
"For whom else has Swami built those marvellous hospitals?"
|
|
The video presentation on the treatment in the hospital
|
Sudheer is admitted into the Sri Sathya Sai
Super Specialty Hospital. A song here narrates the unending saga of love
which has touched and healed the lives of thousands. Sudheer has
successfully undergone surgery and is on the path to leading a normal life.
The visual here is a wonderfully made video which depicts Sudheer's journey
from illness to health through the SSSIHMS. As the song finishes, a team
from Radio Sai walks in to interview Sudheer about his experience in Baba's
hospital. He tells them that if given a chance to become a doctor, he would
come to serve many more like him. That was his dream. But he understands
that reality bites. Deep in his heart the desire to become a doctor
persists. He prays in front of Swami's photo.
The scene shifts to America where the friend of a doctor Ashutosh tells him
that he was leaving everything and going back to his hometown to stay and
serve his parents. Ashutosh is shocked at the suddenness of the decision and
becomes nostalgic about his own father and mother. His father had always
advised him to stay back and serve his fellowmen. Contrary to his father's
wishes he had deserted his parents for all for greener pastures. He had
conveniently forgotten his life here until today when he hears The Voice –
Bhagavan Baba's Voice over the radio via Radio Sai Global Harmony. His life
then changes for ever.
|
|
|
The Radio Sai team interviews Sudheer
|
|
Ashutosh is shocked at his best friend's decision
|
A gentleman walks into the home of
Purushottam revealing his identity as Mr. Ashutosh from America. He had
heard Sudheer's story on Radio Sai and had determined to help Sudheer become
a doctor. He had come to sponsor his entire medical education. Sudheer and
his father have seen miracles work but this is something unimaginable. Who
can ever fathom the network of God? Where is Anandgram and where is America?
One more miracle has been orchestrated to perfection by the lord.
Ashutosh confesses the reason for his benevolence. Even as he continued to
hear Radio Sai, he heard the story of Sudheer and felt the inner compulsion
to take up this act. Ashutosh wishes that his father was there to know that
he loved him and the wonderful childhood days at Shripuram haunted him
nostalgically. At that moment, Purushottam recollects a very curious
incident that had taken place in the Mandir when he had been for Darshan
during his stay. Swami had thrust a letter into his hands, and said, "Aye
Postman, yeh letter Shripuram doctor ko deliver karo"(ye postman, deliver
this letter to the shripuram doctor). Purushottam did not know what to do
with it since it had no address until this moment. When he brings the letter
and hands it over, Ashutosh is now shell-shocked. He opens in utter
amazement and finds that the letter was written by his father to Swami. The
letter contains the pangs of a father's heart praying Swami to guide his son
onto the right path. Father had written that he would continue to love his
son despite the happenings.
Even as Ashutosh's eyes are brimming with tears, Vishwanath Verma the
principal walks in to enquire about Sudheer's health. Vishwanath Verma is
none other than Ashutosh's father. There is joy all around and everyone
cannot but help marvelling at the master play of the Divine scriptwriter.
|
|
|
The mysterious letter
|
|
The "joyous-tearful" reunion
|
After the drama, Swami went on stage. On the
way there were many in the ‘D’ with tears in their eyes. Swami asked almost
everyone whom He saw, "How was the drama?" He posed for pictures on stage
and then blessing everybody, retired for the day.
|
|
|
Swami blesses the actors...
|
|
...and the dancers
|
November 23, 2007 –82nd
Birth Anniversary of the Avathar
|
|
|
|
An overflow of colours, flowers and streamers, celebrating our
most wonderful, beloved Bhagavan
|
|
The day finally dawned! It was the glorious occasion for
which thousands had waited with anticipation and joy for days and weeks.
From the previous night 11:00 pm itself, serpentine lines of devotees had
begun to form outside the Nilayam amidst heavy security. The fact that there
were not too many high profile guests did not make security any lesser from
the previous birthdays. We came to know that the Anointing ceremony which
used to be the highlight of birthday celebrations of the yore would be
revived this year! It filled us with ecstasy and we could not wait for Swami
to arrive!
Swami emerged at about 9:00 am. And it was a grand and gorgeous procession!
The Primary school band led the way, and it was followed by the Anantapur
band, the Institute brass band, Veda chanting 'tiny tots' pundits followed
by the stalwarts of the Institute. And then it was of course the charismatic
little beloved of the Lord, Krishna Geetha. And after that was the Charming
Sai, that too in the wheel sofa filling every heart with delight! Like the
sunflowers which celebrate the sunrise, the assembly of devotees celebrated
His arrival with loud applause. To see God on the day He decided to take up
a human frame to redeem all and confer joy is indeed a privilege which is
most unique.
|
|
|
The bagpipe band from the Primary School
|
|
The grand procession of the various bands!
|
Swami's face lights up as He sees the devotees. He appears
very touched. He makes everyone feel that the privilege is His to see all on
this special day. But then that is the way the Lord always looks at His
devotees. As He mentioned in the discourse the previous day, His entire life
and being is only for the devotees.
Swami slowly moved through the ladies side. Towards the end
of the ladies side were ladies from His family who had brought all the items
considered auspicious to be placed near Swami during the anointment
ceremony.
|
|
|
Six year old children and a three year old calf too are part of
it.
|
|
All the members of His "family"
|
Swami went on to the gents side. A Mexican wave ran through
the crowd as they rose to various heights so that they could fill their eyes
with His Lovely Frame on this day. One could see the uplifting influence of
the Lord as people rose wherever He went. A plethora of cards had been made
by the students from KG to PG to wish Him on His birthday and the whole
portico was filled with cakes of varied colours, shapes and sizes. Swami
went into the portico and then began a massive exercise in cake cutting.
With great patience, Swami went around to each of the cakes that had been so
lovingly made and made His 'mark' on them after 'lighting' them up. Then He
went into the interview room.
|
|
|
Swami starts cutting the first cake.....
|
|
...and smilingly finishes with the fifteenth cake!
|
Meanwhile the stage was being set for the ceremonies to
follow. The celebrated Carnatic vocalists, Sri Rama Prasad and Sri Ravi
Kumar, known as Malladi Brothers, took their positions on stage. The oil to
be used for the anointment was brought in a special silver bowl and placed
on a highly decorated pedestal.
Swami came out of the interview room and took
position in the centre of the stage. The devotees burst into an
applause seeing their Lord again after a brief pause. Swami
asked the Malladi brothers to begin their concert and they
brothers, who sat facing Him, began on a wonderful note with the
joyous celebration of His birthday.
The songs were actually the poetic compositions
of Karunasri Paapayya Shastri who was a great devotee of Swami.
They comprehensively captured the beauty and divinity of Swami.
Swami was deeply touched as He heard every song. After
glorifying the Sai Avatar, they made scintillating comparisons
between Swami, Lord Rama and Krishna. Another musical
composition was filled with puns on the word "Putta" of
Puttaparthi (as “Puttu”, in Telugu, means birth). It was so
poetic to the musicians' ears and so musical to the poets' ears!
The Lord was enjoying it and it was so wonderful to see Swami so
happy on His 'special' day.
|
|
|
|
|
The Malladi brothers sing a Carnatic birthday song
|
In the middle of the concert, Swami called Prof. Anil Kumar
and asked him to make the announcements. It was then that the entire
Birthday assembly came to know of the Anointment Ceremony. The Professor
introduced the ceremony in its true grandeur making allusions to the
birthday of Lord Sri Rama when Kausalya and the sages with their wives would
perform the anointment, applying sacred oil to the Divine Locks. The first
couple to get the privilege was that of Sri Ratnakar and his wife. They came
up the stage and after prostrating to Swami, applied turmeric and kumkum
to His feet. Then, they took a marigold flower, dipped it gently in the bowl
of oil, and placed the flower on His Hair. The most benevolent Lord sweetly
bent His head. The next couple was justice Bhagawati and his wife. Swami was
all smiles as He gently bowed to accept the oil that was being applied. Mr.
Indulal Shah and his wife were on stage next and Prof. Anil Kumar introduced
him as the “Bheeshmacharya” of the Sai Mission and Swami asked Prof. Anil
Kumar to repeat for all to hear again. Three more couples followed, Mr and
Mrs Shourie, Mr and Mrs Gangadhar Shetty and finally Mr and Mrs Margabandhu.
All of them were well above 80 years of age.
|
|
|
The eldest of the Ratnakar family anoints Swami
|
|
Swami blessing Justice Bhagawati and his wife
|
|
|
|
The Shourie couple anointing Swami
|
|
A proud and privileged moment for the Yadalam family
|
Swami's feet were so wonderfully decorated with flowers and
turmeric. When one looked at them, it reminded of the Sadguru's redeeming
Feet. After the ceremony, Swami permitted the Malladi brothers to resume
their concert. They sang beautiful songs apt for the occasion. The concert
went on and Swami sat relishing every word and tune of their soulful music.
After a while, Swami asked for the prasadam to be distributed to all and at
about 11 am, Swami indicated them that it was lunch time and that the
devotees would be hungry! He told the brothers that He would give them a
chance to perform in the evening again. Receiving Aarthi, He retired at
about 11:15 am. More than two hours in this blissful morning passed like two
seconds!
23rd November 2007- 82nd Birthday Evening
|
|
|
|
A bird's eye view of the decorated mandir on the Birthday
|
|
In the evening there was an air of
excitement about the concert by Mr. Hariharan, a popular vocalist,
especially among the younger generation. Swami came out at about 5:15 pm in
the wheel sofa. He went around gently granting beautiful Darshan, and as
soon as He came on stage, He beckoned the Malladi brothers to do an encore.
|
|
|
Swami decides to abandon the car and be amidst His devotees
|
|
Accepting all the cards made so lovingly for Him
|
Taking from where they had left off in the
morning, the brothers’ duo, accompanied with their father, continued their
soulful performance picking perfect tunes and tones matching the occasion.
They sang the glory of Rama Avatar and then described how that same grandeur
was being reflected in the Sathya Sai Avatar. Swami was truly ‘lost’
listening to their rendering so filled with love, and whenever He opened His
eyes, conferred immeasurable blessings on the father and the sons with
beatific smiles, encouraging nods and elevating blessings.
As the concert proceeded, Swami suddenly
decided to go down the stage and blessed the six elderly ladies on whom he
had conferred the privilege of anointing Him in the morning. He had with Him
magnificent sarees, rich in colours and design. Like one honours eminent
people by draping shawls on them, Swami lovingly placed on each of them
beautiful sarees! As each one received and bent down to touch His feet, the
Lord blessed them profusely. And after He returned to the stage, He posed
with them for a group photograph and filled their hearts with joy. All the
while the concert was in progress and after nearly an hour, Swami called the
extremely talented singers and blessed their father, who is also their
teacher, with a chain. The father was now smiling from ear to ear. After
this they sang a song or two, and then concluded their performance.
|
|
|
A gift of Love for all those who anointed Him
|
|
Sarees woven in the finest of silks
|
The light had faded and it was nearly seven
now. But Swami’s face was brilliant! He next asked for the famous Ghazal
singer, Hariharan, to begin his presentation. He prostrated to Swami,
offered a tiny bouquet and took his place on the stage. He sang such a wide
repertoire of songs that the sheer variety itself thrilled the audience.
|
|
The veteran of variety begins his show
|
Sharing a lighter moment with the Malladi brothers
|
There was light music, Hindustani, Carnatic
and ghazals. As He sang, Swami was conversing off and on with the Malladi
brothers whom He had asked to be seated by His side. You could see Swami was
cheerful, smiling and joking with them. As Hariharan went on regaling the
audience, it was a joy to see Swami in such a lighter mood. After he
completed his concert, Swami told him that the boys seem to enjoy his songs
a lot! Then He asked him to sing something that all could follow too. And
Hariharan sang the bhajan "Janani Maa" which everyone present in the hall
followed with a lot of gusto. The Lord sat encouraging the boys to sing
louder and faster! At the end of the bhajan, with a wave of His hand, He
gifted the singer with a ring and also blessed the entire troupe with a
group photograph.
|
|
|
A ring for Hariharan
|
|
The Master and the maestro
|
It was 8 pm by the time the Lord received
arathi and retired. It was an elaborate and extended blessing of Divine
Darshan by the Lord on this very special day. No one present in the
gathering could have asked for more.
|
|
|
|
With Sai's Love and protection,
the coming year is assured to be divine
|
|
- Heart2Heart Team
- Heart2Heart Team
Dear reader, do you like this
section? Does it help you? What improvements do you suggest to make it more
informative and inspiring for you? Please tells us at h2h@radiosai.org
|