When man proposes with love for God and God in turn reciprocates accepting the proposal, the show turns out to be golden, growing beyond humanly defined proportions and man-made perceptions. Prasanthi witnessed such an endearing session on the evening of 10th October when Bhagawan's love spilled over, filling and fulfilling many a heart present in the Sai Kulwant Hall. In the evening, Balvikas children along with students from Sri Sathya Sai School, Anand Vilas, Shimla were ready with an offering representing the state of Himachal Pradesh. Bhagawan came at around 1905 hrs. to cut across from the centre, coming onstage, setting the stage to commence the proceedings. An announcement on the programme was followed by initial blessings before the commencement of the presentation. Dressed up in traditional finery, tribes from the state presented a folk dance, Karyala, showcasing glimpses of the rich tradition of the state. Acrobatic dancing movements, exhibiting great balancing skills with dexterity, on the head, on the finger tips and on sticks, were added attractions. The feat had dancers balancing turning plates on upraised sticks and often tossing the same up in the air catching back on the sticks! At the end of this fifteen minute presentation, men along with children were joined by representatives from the rich 'animal kingdom' in the state, paying obeisance to The Lord of Parthi. Dashavatar, the programme by Balvikas and the students from Sathya Sai School, was the story of ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu. Illustrating their origin, the forty-two minute session produced short episodes highlighting the Avatric Indent, of each of the ten avatars. Theme song with a refrain "Jai Jagadeesha Hare..." echoed the hall at the end of each avataric story. Final scene was on the advent of the contemporary Avatar, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, that ended up with a refrain, singing "Jai Sayeeshwara Hare...".
Bhagawan quickly moved down the stairs posing for group photographs, before coming onstage to move into the interview room. He came back in half-an-hour at 2040 hrs. and was followed by presentation bundles, safari pieces and sarees, for the entire lot of participants. Upon the end of the distribution, Bhagawan once again moved down the dais, posing with the group for photographs for the second time. He moved along, spoke to many before sitting "Face to face" giving them the bliss of darshan from the closest quarter. As He came back on to the stage, bhajans began as indicated by Bhagawan. A typical replica of a twilight session ensued with Bhagawan conferring birthday benedictions upon many students. Accepting Mangala Arathi at 2115 hrs., blessing the concourse with abhayahastha, Bhagawan left the dais into the bhajan hall. Officiating priests of the Dasara Yajna were seated inside, awaiting His Divine Call. Bhagawan interacted with the priests, blessed them with angavastrams, traditional clothe wear for the Yajnam. He also sanctified the Kalasa that was installed on the previous day. Curtain for the eventful evening, which went on record for the longest session perhaps Prasanthi ever had, was drawn with Bhagawan leaving the premises after 2130 hrs. |