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2006 - Vara Lakshmi Vratham 8th
August Sai News Update-
"...This morning, Bhagawan came for darshan at 7.50 am. and during
His Darshan round in the car, spoke to the Karnataka Youth
co-ordinator and the organiser..." read more
click on the photo thumbnails to see large size
VARALAKSHMI VRATAM AT
PRASANTHI NILAYAM (4th August 2006)
Speaking on the significance of Varalakshmi Vrata in the year 2000,
Bhagavan said,
“Since ancient times, the women of Bharat have upheld the dignity
and honour of the family and the community at large. The worship of
goddess Varalakshmi earned them Her grace and they could accomplish
all this. Varalakshmi is one who grants all the boons that women
pray for. She confers on women all the eight types of wealth. Noble
women like Savitri, Damayanti, Chandramati and Sumati accomplished
mighty tasks only due to the grace of Varalakshmi. Worship of
Varalakshmi confers wealth, prosperity and bliss.”
Varalakshmi Vratam is a festival to propitiate Sri Varalakshmi (Mahalakshmi)
- the consort of Lord Vishnu, who is the abode of all
auspiciousness, prosperity and wealth. The Vratam is performed on
the Sravana Sukla Sukra Varam, that is, the Friday immediately
following the full moon day (Purnima) in the auspicious month of
Sravanam (corresponding to August - September). This Vratam is
undertaken by the Sumangalis (whose husbands are still living) for
good progeny, good health, and wishing long life for the husbands.
click on the photo thumbnails to see large size
On this auspicious day,
Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.30 a.m. , while a Nadaswaram
troupe of musicians followed Bhagawan playing sonorous notes
befitting the occasion. The Hall was aesthetically decorated for the
festival. A beautifully decorated idol of Varalakshmi adorned the
dais of the Hall. Before the Puja commenced, Bhagawan went amidst
the seated ladies in the Hall. The head priest elaborated on the
significance of the occasion.
He informed the gathering of ladies
that to perform this Puja in the immediate Divine Presence of
Bhagawan was a great boon for all of them. The Puja commenced with
worship of Ganapati. Then the priests enunciated the Mantras which
were repeated by the vast gathering of 1,600 ladies. All along, the
Sri Suktam, which forms an important part of this Puja was chanted
by the priests. The ladies tied Toram (sacred yellow thread) on each
other's wrist as a mark of protection and blessings of the Divine
Mother. As instructed by the priests, they sprinkled Akshata (sacred
yellow rice) on each other and also exchanged the customary
winnowing pan, which symbolises charity.
The priest then explained
the legend behind this Puja (mentioned in the next paragraph of this
report). At the end, Bhagawan was offered Arati after which an
announcement was made that a sumptuous lunch was arranged for the
participants in the South Indian Canteen.
SBOI recent updates
4th August Sai
News Update-
today morning the "Vara Lakshmi Vratham" started out with Lakhsmi
Puja in Puttaparthi. The traditional ritual of puja (pooja) was
performed to Goddess Lakshmi by Sai Baba devotees in huge numbers.
The pooja to Goddess lakshmi was incomparable and very auspicious
since it was preformed in the holy presence of Sathya Sai Baba.
Swami attended the puja and granted wonderful darshan & blessings to
all the devotees. read more
Latest Sai News from
Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi-
"...This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan at three o'clock, and
after spending a few minutes in the interview room, came outside and
sat onstage for an hour to the accompaniment of Vedic chants..." Read more
Latest Sai
Vichaar:Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi
-Weekly newsletter- 3rd,August 2006 EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Nishit:
I am here sharing my experience with you all. My sister is a strong
devotee of Sai Baba and I also used to believe in him but was never
a very staunch follower. I wanted to go to Shirdi since long but
could never make it as I believe that he call us but can't go at our
own will. " Read more
2nd August: Video clip of The Sai Intl Symphony Orchestra -
The Sai International Symphony Orchestra again performs in Sai
Kulwant Hall, with a stunning array of beautiful classical works,
with appropriate and helpful introductions to each piece. The
musicians come from 22 countries. They start off with a bhajan that
was arranged by a member of the orchestra --can you recognize it? - 350kbs100kbs20kbs
30th July: Filling The emptiness: Miracles - "Actually His miracles that are really
wonderful are the ones He performs in the consciousness and lives of
His devotees. He changes you so gently and gradually that you do not
even realise that anything is happening until one morning you really
take a good look at yourself and see that you have changed..." read more
27th July Sai News Update:
"
This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan just after 3 o'clock, and
alighting from the car, went into the interview room. After a few
minutes, He came out and walked up to..."
read more
23rd July, Sainews in
brief :
Devotees present at Kulwant Hall today
enjoyed the wonderful and long darshan of Swami since there was a
program by devotees [singers] from Karnataka state, Swami was out on
the veranda between 3 p.m -5 30. p.m. giving us blissful darshan for
nearly 3 hours.
Pictures and details later.
What is life about..?
" Life is not about keeping score. It is not about how many
friends you have..." read
more
Talks with Pedda
Reddy Garu, the caretaker of Planetarium and Sai Geeta:
Q:
Tell us about Sai Geeta's early days.
A:
Sai Geeta was very close to Swami those days. Everyday her
duty would be to wait outside the Mandir in the morning and she
would be ready with a garland..."
read
more
21st July: Puttaparthi Update & Photos:
"..large number of devotees from Japan had assembled in Sai
Kulwant Hall as early as 2.20. Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall for
Darshan at 2.30 and went outside the Ashram in the car...."read
more
20th July- Poem: "Om Sai
Ram Baba"
submitted by Sussana from Hungry Also download: wallpaper of Sathya Sai
Baba "Sathguru"
Latest Sai
Vichaar:Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi
-Weekly newsletter- 20th July, 2006 " EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Sumesh- Dear all Sai devotees, I would like to share a recent
experience in my life where Baba played a major role. I am working
in a company in Bangalore and have been posted to Singapore as
regional manager. But I faced lot of difficulties "Read more
19th July -Latest Prasanthi Bulletin :
"This morning also, the Sai Youth from
Australia were called by Swami and had the chance to sit in the
Bhajan Hall during Bhajans...." read
more
Swami's Profile: 18th July: "Just imagine how Swami
would write His profile" read more
Latest Sai
Vichaar: 
23rd July, Sainews in
brief :
Devotees present at Kulwant Hall today
enjoyed the wonderful and long darshan of Swami since there was a
program by devotees [singers] from Karnataka state, Swami was out on
the veranda between 3 p.m -5 30. p.m. giving us blissful darshan for
nearly 3 hours.
Also see car
darshan photos from 17th July