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Murali Madhavam - Dance Drama by Srikakulam Youth - 17 Dec 2010

Sambhavami Yuge Yuge - Dance Ballet by Medak Balvikas - 12 Dec 2010

Updated on Thursday, Dec 23, 2010 @ 2040 hrs. IST

Thu, Dec 23, 2010: For the first time this year, ever since winter broke its silence to make it to Parthi in early November, this morning the township recorded the lowest temperature, hit by intense cold weather; but for the determined and devoted bunch of 'Christmas Pilgrims', it seemed, weather was of no concern. Daring the 'onslaught' they were up and had their tasks cut, practising to perfect their throats for the morrow, The Christmas Eve! ...And these practice sessions go on and on, during the day, with 'His Glory' being rehearsed almost incessantly.

Today's 'Live Darshan Story' begins with Bhagawan's entry into the hall at 1850 hrs. in His car. Coming on stage in five minutes, Bhagawan sat through the session for the next almost half-an-hour. Soon after coming on stage Bhagawan beckoned the birthday boys, blessing them one after one, as they made a beeline unto Him.

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When it comes to Bhagawan, everyone and everything wants to have His attention. Christmas decorators from South Africa should be a happy lot as Bhagawan has been quite observant of the aesthetic decorations done in the Sai Kulwant Hall. This evening, with the bhajans on, Bhagawan was scanning through the hall on either side watching over the 'added glow'.

Concluding the session Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1920 hrs. Before leaving the dais, Bhagawan tossed Vibhuti Packets to three of the 'frontbenchers', men behind the cameras, blessing them with Padanamaskar.

Blessing the assembly with Abhayahasta, both gents and ladies, Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram after 1927 hrs.

sourced:

http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/darshanupdateDec2010.html

Our sweet Lord has been most generous to us this Christmas with His Love and His Blessings. We have all had a chance to taste the sweet nectar of His Grace. It is our one-pointed yearning and devotion that has evoked such a loving response from, our dearest Swami. When all we want is He, and when we follow His precepts for living in love and Dharma, then He gives us everything we hope for and fills our hearts with joy. I want to relate a little incident that happened on the Veranda of the Mandir in Prasanthi Nilayam, a few months ago. Swami was walking by a line of devotees sitting there, when He turned quite unexpectedly towards one of them, and asked, "What do you want?" A little surprised at the sudden question, the person being addressed by Swami, answered, "O Bhagawan, I'm very happy. I'm satisfied. I really don't want anything.” Now it was Baba's turn to act surprised, and He said, "You mean you want nothing?" The recipient of all this attention from the Lord held his hands to his heart, and in an emotion filled voice replied, "Dearest Swami, the only thing I want is You! Only You!" At this Baba leaned forward and said quite emphatically, "That's Not Nothing!" Spreading His arms wide apart, He said, "That's Everything!" Then pointing a finger towards the world outside, He added, "Nothing is there!" "Everything is here! Everything is here!” He concluded, waving His hand towards the heart which had just expressed its divine longing, so sweetly. Swami's message is that all the sweetness we can ever garner, every joy, every delight, all beauty, all bliss, all goodness is experienced here inside us when we install the Lord in our hearts. This is also what Jesus proclaimed when he said, "Seek Ye the Kingdom of Heaven within you." This Christmas Swami blessed all with a taste of the joy and the divine love of that Kingdom within. We realize that Christmas is such a happy day because we celebrate the birth of the Divine Child. This Divine Child is not born in some far off place, in some far off time; it is born today itself, inside of us. It is born as pure delight, as pure love, as a bubbling sweetness that leaves an unforgettable taste of joy in our hearts. How can we ever forget fine honey, once we have tasted its sweetness? How can we ever forget the experience of the living Divinity once we have tasted His sweetness? Once we have experienced the Divinity as we did today, it is natural for us to go on with a work for which we have incarnated. We go onto realize our own Divinity, realize our own ineffable joy, realize our own springs of pure, selfless love, realize our own inner beauty, our own innate goodness, our own sweet essence. This very path is the one that Jesus walked long ago, before us. Oneness with Divinity Unfortunately, we know very little about Jesus' life. There are just some glimpses given in the Gospels which were set down many years after his passing away. There is hardly anything to speak of the wonderful good humour that Jesus must have had. We know nothing much of his joy, his Ananda, his laughter, his happiness in the company of his devotees who must have been unable to take their eyes off him for even a moment, lest they miss his look or his smile or some endearing gesture. We know hardly anything of his physical beauty. But we do know that Jesus realized the ultimate goal of human life, he realized his oneness with Divinity, and so he must have completely transcended body consciousness and been filled with Divine Bliss. Even as he sacrificed his life for humanity and his body was undergoing the extreme trial of the crucifixion, he himself must have remained immersed in Ananda and totally unaffected by the physical suffering of his body. Swami says that the first step on the spiritual path is to be happy, to be always contented and satisfied. The spiritual path, He says, is not pressure but pleasure; it is not information but transformation. It is not taking on new burdens but getting rid of old ones, becoming light, giving up all burdens to Him. He says, "Get on My train and I will carry you and your baggage." But first we have to get on His train. That means thinking always of Him, loving only Him, surrendering everything to Him ..... everything we think we are, everything we think we do. A year ago, He gave us this promise, "I will always protect those who are Mine, those who surrender and say, 'Lord, I am Thine'." The Message Today Is this then the full story of the great drama that is now unfolding around us, as the Avatar graces the Earth with His presence during this present time of great crisis? No, the story does not stop there. Swami has revealed to us a destiny which is beyond anything we could ever have dreamed of. Swami was asked the question, "Bhagavan, over 3000 years ago, Moses led the people out of slavery and brought them to the Promised Land. Then 2000 years ago Christ came and taught them the way to the Kingdom of Heaven. Now we pray that another Messiah will come and bring final salvation. Swamiji, are you that Messiah who has come to deliver us all?" We expected that He would answer in the affirmative, since He had previously spoken in this way of His mission; but this time Baba answered differently, and in the process gave His highest teachings. He said, "No, it's not like that. Not one Messiah. You are all Messiah. In truth, you are God. Here and now you have the strength to save yourself and help others also. Live in God. Live in Love. Always think God. As you think so you will be. Dust if you think, dust you are. God if you think, God you are. Think God. Be God. Realize it! Realize it!" This is the inspiring message of the Avatar, bringing to light again the ancient teachings of Sanathana Dharma. This is the fulfillment of all our religions. This is the path of Self‑discovery, which step‑by‑step, leads us to realize that we are the one Transcendental Principle, that we always have been and always will be the Supreme Atma, ever pure, eternal, unchanging. With this revelation comes the mind‑shattering realization that in essence, we and the Avatars and all the great Godmen of history are exactly the same. This is the momentous message that Sai has come to bring, and with it He has lit the light which will forever banish our night of ignor­ance. "I am God. I am God. I am no different from God. Fear and grief can never touch me!" That is the mantra He has given us. It heralds the birth of the Divine Child of peace and love within our hearts. When the birth comes, every day will be Christmas and every day a celebration, for then our star will have risen in the morning sky and will shine as a beacon of hope for all mankind.

“All the 85^th Birthday Celebrations”

November 23rd, 2010

OM…OM…OM…

Sai Ram

With Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan,

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

CELEBRATION OF BHAGAVAN’S 85^TH BIRTHDAY

Sai Ram to everyone!

We are meeting here once again this morning to review the events which unfolded during Bhagavan’s birthday celebrations. After a wedding, we all meet and discuss how nicely the wedding was performed. After a victory, a political party comes together to celebrate and also review the reasons that led to their success.

After every festival we consider how pleasantly those days were spent. Likewise my friends, I would like to share with you the joyful celebration of Bhagavan’s 85^th birthday. They were really happy days indeed. Those ten days passed in a fraction of time, just like a dream. Then the dream vanished.

What kind of dream was this? A golden dream . . . a very sweet dream!

FREE DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD

The 85^th birthday celebrations started on 15^th with the free distribution of food to all devotees four times a day: breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Four times daily!

One day the organisers invited me to visit the distribution venue. I went to the South Indian food area first, where meals were served in a very huge pandal, a large shamiana—very big dining hall where nearly a hundred counters were arranged! I couldn’t believe my eyes.

No one needed to wait more than one or two minutes to collect their plate. Everything was so efficiently organised, so neatly arranged. There were tables holding all the items, with sevadal members wearing scarves and standing behind the tables, ready to serve. There were also barricades on all sides.

As lines of visitors arrived, volunteers served each devotee with a plate. There was no waiting at all. Other volunteers stood outside these queues, guiding people where they should go and telling them what was available. I tell you, my friends, it was a sight for the gods!

People serving the food were smiling, and those receiving food accepted it as prasadam. The faces of the volunteers were so cheerful as they guided devotees to different queues. I did not see one serious face.

BABA’S PRASADAM IS VERY, VERY DELICIOUS

All the visitors were very, very happy. Those who were comfortable with buffet-style ate standing up. But some are not used to that. They would squat on the ground and start eating with their hands in typical Indian style!  

I asked many of them, “How do you like the food?”

They told me, “Excellent!” Some told me they had never had such delicious food until this day.

I asked some others how they liked the food. “Sir,” they replied, “This is prasadam of Sai Baba. You don’t need to ask; it is excellent!” I can also certify the same, having tasted the food. It was very, very delicious. Very nice! 

And you could ask for seconds. They will serve you any number of times that you wish. The food supplies were not limited. No! They will give you a paper plate and serve food generously. So there is no confusion at any stage.

SPECIAL FOOD COUNTER FOR SECURITY PEOPLE

What is very interesting is this: they have a special counter for security people and policemen on duty. This year we have had unprecedented numbers of VIPs in Prashanthi Nilayam. We have had about four chief ministers, three governors, plus the Prime Minister and the President of India.

With so many distinguished, high-profile guests, adequate security arrangements had to be made. Therefore, the whole area of Puttaparthi was full of policemen and security officers. So they needed a separate food counter, where food was provided especially for them. Pukka! Very nice! 

There were also a few counters for senior citizens, arranged so they could have a table in front of them as it is more convenient for the elderly to eat. Another counter was for handicapped people and other counters for ashram staff. This was professional organisation in action!

This is MBA, Master of Business Administration in action! I cannot say business administration, this is management—to quote Swami, this is man-management! Having seen all the arrangements for food distribution on the occasion of His birthday, I can say it was all done with such perfect discipline.

VOLUNTEERS FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF INDIA

Then I went to the ladies’ side. The ladies’ side was equally busy. Among those serving there, I found some of the girls to be former students of Anantapur campus, serving as volunteers, serving the food.

I was asking them all, “Where do you come from? Madhya Pradesh?”

“Where do you come from? Uttar Pradesh?”

It seems different parts of India were serving in the South Indian canteen, while other places of India served in the North Indian canteen. If you want to see national integration, you will find it here in Prashanthi Nilayam. If you want to see unity, you will find it here in Prashanthi Nilayam. If you want to experience purity, it is here in Prashanthi Nilayam. I do not exaggerate. Such wonderful arrangements!

SERVING GOD CHEERFULLY, WILLINGLY AND JOYFULLY

On the ladies’ side I saw cheerful faces at all the counters, all happily serving. A vast area, such a vast area!

On the men’s side, I met a group of people who sang and danced, each holding two sticks: it was Dandia, a Punjabi dance. Seeing this group, I called to them: “Come on, dance here at the centre of the dining hall.” Oh! Everybody joined in. They were all clapping.

Then I took the same group to the ladies’ side; the dancers entertained them also. Nowhere else will you find such cheer!

You may have distribution of food at several places on different occasions: that over-flowing joy is always present. I also understand, my friends, that the food distribution went on till eleven o’clock at night! Then, the next day’s work for breakfast starts at midnight in order to be ready for morning. So around the clock they were working. Some of the ladies I met were on duty for about twelve hours each day!

I met some of our brothers who had been working in the canteen for fourteen hours. But I didn’t find a drop of sweat on their foreheads; I didn’t see any signs of stress or tension. The workers were very free and happy—singing, singing, and smiling.

STOCKS OF PROVISIONS ENOUGH FOR SIX MONTHS

It appears to me that they considered it a chance of a lifetime—an opportunity to serve God, to know God is One, and to serve Him—such a great chance! Serving willingly, joyfully, smilingly, that is the greatest service of all.

Then the volunteers took me to a big shed, where they kept food supplies including bags of rice, dal, and flour—whatever was required for these dining halls.

Oh! I saw mountains: mini-mountains of vegetables, heaps of brinjals (aubergines), mini-mountains of onions, bigboulder-mountains of chillies. Array! What’s all that?

It was so satisfying to see, like looking at a whole mountain range of food: brinjal mountain, tomato mountain, chillies mountain and so on.

I went to another side, where you find bags, bags and more bags filled with rice, dal, and flour. The volunteers told me there were enough provisions there for six months!

I also visited another area, another big shed, where ladies were cutting vegetables. Their knives went so fast—tac,tac, tac! Very fast, very fast work! They worked like a machine, just like a machine. Unless they did it that way, it was impossible to meet the heavy demand. 

Then I went into the kitchen. The cooking area stretches from one corner to another. Oh, oh! Fuel and all the cooking fires ablaze, and volunteers with huge utensils stirring cauldrons of boiling water. “Here we cook rice,” they told me. At another place I saw very big pots where they make sambar. You will find two or three cooks stirring each mixture with huge spoons.

Array, array! Unbelievable! And all the surroundings are so clean and so perfect. The floor is not wet; it is dry. “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I saw the kitchen and also the godown (storage shed) where the provisions were kept. I was very, very happy. I visited these areas three times!

Suddenly, another gentleman said, “Mr. Anil Kumar, I am in charge of North Indian canteen. I want you to visit us.” There they showed me some pans that make a thousand chapattis at a time. One thousand parathas or one thousand chapattis at a time! Unbelievable!

How do they do it? I do not know. One thousand chapattis at a time! In the North Indian canteen we find people so busy in the kitchen. Since I am quite new to North Indian food, I am not able to name all the foods they are preparing. But I feel their enthusiasm, how happy they are to cook food, how they approach their work as service to God. The spirit with which they do their work is a matter of blessing and privilege.

The North Indian gentleman in charge, the State President from Punjab, wanted me to dine there on the twentieth of November. I sat with them and enjoyed two sweets and two parathas. I liked very much, very much, very good.

This sort of food service went on for ten days, four times each day. On enquiry I was told that on average around fifty thousand people dined every day in South Indian canteen, while around forty-five thousand people had their food in the North Indian side. About twenty-five thousand people had their food in the Western canteen. All food everywhere was totally free of charge.

Any number of words is inadequate to describe the perfect arrangements for so much food. There were also trucks loading food from the kitchens to the distribution counters and trucks taking the empty vessels away. Meanwhile, everywhere you find people singing bhajans as they work. Everywhere! It was truly a sight for the gods!

DECORATIONS ARE BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION

Another highlight of this 85^th birthday celebrations are the decorations. Everyone worked as if they would not have a chance to perform this kind of service again. The arrangements, the decorations and illuminations are superb, magnificent, beyond our imagination. The ultimate! They have excelled themselves. They have broken their own records. That’s all! No one can equal them. It is of the highest standard, those decorations.

As I enter Sai Kulwant Hall, it has taken on an altogether different look. What wonderful decorations! How am I to describe it? I cannot find the words. I was told that some particular flowers cost about five hundred rupees. They are very rare flowers I believe. So the floral decorations are superb!

And then there in the hall, how nicely they arranged special colourful flags. In the corners, the workers arranged so beautifully flags of all nations. These combined with the colours of Swami’s pictures in the hall and the decorations on the main stage where Swami sits on His chair.

BHAGAVAN BABA IS EMPEROR OF EMPERORS

Those who are familiar with the stories and history of the monarch emperors of India, their durbar halls, the open courts—that is the scene in Sai Kulwant Hall for this 85^th Birthday Celebration. It is not a meeting hall; it is a royal hall where the emperor sits at the centre with subjects all around. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is an Emperor of emperors.

Parama Pavana Moorti, Puttaparthi Shatchakravarthy

Parama Pavana Moorti, Puttaparthi Shatchakravarthy

 Emperor of emperors: those words describe that feeling, that dignity, that majesty, that grandeur which resounded throughout these celebrations.

THE HILLVIEW STADIUM

The Hillview stadium, Sri Satya Sai Vidya Giri, is where the birthday celebrations on the twenty-third November were held. How did it look?

On that day, I asked myself, ‘Is this the Hillview Stadium I know? Is this the Hillview Stadium I remember when I moved here twenty years ago? What is all this I am seeing? It has had a facelift! Such beautiful decorations!

The entrance looked something like the gateway to a royal palace. It was something like Red Fort of India; something like the gateway of India in New Delhi, an enormous archway. It formed the main entrance for Swami to come into the stadium.

At night there were changing colours at the entrance gate, just like a shadow play of light. Beautiful, I tell you. So beautiful! 

NATIONAL FLAGS AND PICTURES OF SWAMI AT HILLVIEW STADIUM

Hillview Stadium was decorated at regular intervals with all the flags of different nations alongside big pictures of Swami. They featured the latest pictures of Swami. There on the mountaintop, very close to Lord Shiva’s big statue, was another special picture of Swami.

As you gazed upon the national flags and pictures of Swami, you were lost for words. You forgot where you were. You were in bliss, you were in ecstasy because you are here, face-to-face with God. That was my experience.

All decorations were simply excellent. The main dais was in white, with its central dome and stage decorations in the art which is typically that of the dais at Mysore Palace. Such great architectural beauty! So attractive! The white dais for Swami’s birthday had a special entrance-cum-exit. It was specially made for these celebrations. Such nice decorations, all in gold, including the roof and the sides—a handsome entrance and exit for all the guests.

At the centre was a very big circle with petal-like structures, fitted with brightly shining bulbs. At the centre, within the circle of petals, were pieces of rose-coloured cloth on all sides. They were perfectly matching colours—a very, very extraordinary high standard of decorations. 

It was the handiwork of true professionals. Any experts from Hollywood, Bollywood and Tollywood would be able to do that. I suspect that their hand must have been there, because they are also among Bhagavan’s devotees. Devotees have come here all over the world.

In front of the stage, there is a special platform. That platform features electronic equipment to shoot films as events unfold on the dais. Plus when Swami comes, all arrangements are in place to take Him over onto the dais.

BHAGAVAN COMES IN THE GOLDEN CHARIOT WITH GOLDEN DRESS

On November 23^rd, Bhagavan approached the venue sitting on the Golden Chariot, wearing a gold-coloured robe. I have not seen this colour of robe before. Swami entered, passing that main arch, the specially-erected decorated gate.

In front of Him are the Ananthapur girls’ orchestra, with the girls playing nadaswaram. Right in front of Him are also boys, playing Kerala-style music known as panchavayidyam. Also in front of Him are boys playing nadaswaram, followed by the boys’ orchestra. Then in front of them there is some bangra dance. Bangra dance!

Swami, seated on the magnificent Golden Chariot, comes in that long procession, surrounded by authorities and many others. He is received close to the dais: a platform arises so that Swami’s chair can be taken straight from the seat on the chariot to the centre of the dais.

At the centre of the dais there is a silver throne for Swami. It is a silver throne that Swami used to sit upon in those good old days of yesteryear. The silver throne was very beautifully decorated with a special umbrella installed above it. Swami gave darshan from there.

DIGNITARIES COME FORWARD WITH OFFERINGS AT THE LOTUS FEET

On that day, the 23^rd of November, on the dais were seated the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Central Government Minister Susheel Kumar Shinde, Central Government Minister M.S. Krishna, Chief Minister from Himachal Pradesh—all such people were seated there. They humbly came forward one after one, offering flowers at the Lotus Feet.

PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS SING FOR SWAMI

And then there were top professional artists from North India. They all sang for Swami in perfect unison and harmony.

I asked the singers, including the artist Shankar Mahadevan, “How would you describe your experience here today? How do you feel?”

They said, “Sir, we sing for people every day; we sing for audiences everywhere. But we have come here to sing for Swami. It is for Swami we are here.” That is what they said. Very nice!

Some of the beneficiaries of Sathya Sai welfare schemes also spoke. Swami, as you may know, liberally granted the supply of drinking water to the Ananthapur District. One gentleman representing that district spoke for a short time in Telugu.

PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT DISTRICTS EXPRESS GRATITUDE TO SWAMI

Bhagavan extended a massive drinking water supply to Chennai. The mayor of Chennai acknowledged and thanked Swami for His help. Swami was also of immense assistance to flood victims. He was of immense help to those who suffered because of the earthquake in Gujarat.

Sathya Sai is always in the forefront when it comes to helping the poor and needy. You will recall the havoc created by the Gujarat earthquake, the huge amount of damage that happened. Swami constructed thousands of new houses there, sent them food and all manner of clothes in many lorries, which were despatched to the State of Gujarat. A gentleman came from there, and expressed everyone’s gratitude to Swami.

There is one area which we call Godavari District. Godavari is in Andhra Pradesh. In that district there are some neglected areas, where hill tribes live. They do not have drinking water at all. Swami supplied drinking water to them also. A gentleman from Godavari District came to express everyone’s gratitude to Swami.

Recipients and locals came forward in this way during the 85^th Birthday celebrations to thank Swami with folded hands, in total gratitude, for all the help they received from Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

On behalf of many devotees and the government of India, Honourable M.S. Krishna, Cabinet Minister for External Affairs also spoke. Swami blessed everybody on the stage. He was so happy.

VIDYA VAHINI – EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM IS LAUNCHED

On the same day, 23^rd November, a major project under the title ‘Vidya Vahini’ was launched by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. ‘Vidya Vahini’ is an educational programme involving teachers and students, where the essentials of Educare are brought out and disseminated on a large scale. This project is duly supported by Ratan Tata from Bombay.

All these developments were announced from the dais. Also on this day the Sri Sathya Sai Organisation unveiled another website, which includes the addresses and phone numbers of ten lakh devotees. There you will have full information of all activities of all Sai centres around the world. That programme was also launched by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

MOBILE MEDICAL CAMPS UNDER THE BANNER OF EASWARAMMA TRUST

Thirdly, we also have mobile medical camps. The mobile van serves about 45 villages surrounding Puttaparthi on a regular basis. Doctors also reach these places and serve everybody living in those areas which are not touched by the government. It is so wonderful to see this service.

The camps are conducted under the banner of the Easwaramma Women’s Welfare Trust. The mobile medical team, who make weekly check-up trips, also came forward to express their gratitude to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Finally the Birthday program concluded with arati that morning.

DRAMA: “PREMA DHARA”

In the evening we had a special drama, a program presented by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai University. The title of the drama was “Prema Dhara: The Incessant Flow of Love”. The students depicted scenes in the life of Swami from His early days. They also made a nice presentation covering His service projects: water projects, educational programmes, and adoption of destitute children. All the Sai activities were very well portrayed. As the slide show was going on, singers on the dais also sang in perfect tune and narrated the text to accompany the pictures. 

During these ten days of celebration in Sai Kulwant Hall, we had programmes every evening. One evening, Swami suddenly asked two boys to sing; they sang very well. The Carnatic music was of professional standard. He then asked some others to speak. They spoke very, very well. During the evenings, importance was given to the Carnaticmusicians.

MUSICAL CONCERT BY SRI AMZAD ALI KHAN

Many people got so many chances to sing in front of their dear God. We had top artists known all over the country, like Sri Amzad Ali Khan with two of his sons who presented a wonderful musical concert.

Unexpectedly, Swami called on two students to sing. They did amazingly well. Amazingly well!  Swami was very happy; He was very much pleased with their performance. Another day we had a programme of flute music. The one who played on the flute was excellent. He sang effortlessly. Effortlessly!

PRESIDENT OF INDIA PRAISED PROGRAMMES TAKEN UP BY WOMEN

The nineteenth of November, Ladies Day, was attended by the Honourable President of India, Mrs. Prathibha Patel, the First Lady of this great nation, the largest democracy in the world.

Mrs. Prathibha Patel praised Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s service programmes, expressing her deep appreciation in particular for the programmes undertaken for and by women—namely, the Easwaramma Women’s Welfare Trust. At one stage, she said such programmes should be conducted all over the nation. She was immensely happy to attend Ladies’ Day.

Mrs. Patel mentioned the medical camps conducted by Swami’s Easwaramma Trust under the banner of ‘Mother and Child’, which cares for needy expectant mothers and their infants. These mahila programs taken up by women brought the deserved attention of the President of India herself, who praised them to the skies.

MUSIC CONCERT BY MRS. SUDHA RAGHUNATH

On the evening of 19^th of November, we had a music concert by Mrs. Sudha Raghunathan. She is a recipient of both State and National Awards and tours widely. She is also a close devotee of Bhagavan, and a singer of national repute and stature. How nicely she sang, full-throatedly. She just allowed her voice to soar!

I was told that when she was a baby, she visited Prashanthi Nilayam along with her parents. They presented three oranges to Baba. Swami received two fruits and returned one fruit to little Sudha.

When the parents were on their way back home, the little child began to develop a health problem. Her body turned blue; she was nearly lost to them! The parents were crying helplessly. They were returning from Prashanthi Nilayam, and Baba had blessed them! They kept asking themselves, “How can our child be in such bad shape now? How can she be in such a critical condition?”

While they were on the street praying, an old man came up to them, accepted that blessed fruit and said, “Don’t worry.” And the child started improving. The child started moving the limbs of her body, and came back to life. The parents of this child asked this old man, “Who are you?”

The old man said, “I am Jodi . . . Jodi Adipalli Somappa.” Jodi Adipalli Somappa! So who is Jodi AdipalliSomappa? So mysterious! He was the man who brought this child back to life!

And that child today is Mrs. Sudha Raghunathan, a well-known and much respected singer, who tours widely all over India and goes to western countries as well. This I particularly wanted to share with you.

PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA PRAISES THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

The Prime Minister of India also gave an address. He said that he visited Prashanthi Nilayam to deliver his Convocation Address about ten years ago. “What changes that have taken place here in Prashanthi Nilayam!” he remarked.

He was full of wonder for the service projects undertaken successfully by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He was extremely happy and full of praise for Swami’s system of education. At the end of the Convocation, after the National Anthem, Swami gave an interview to the Prime Minister. Then after the interview, the Prime Minister and Baba came back and occupied their seats on the dais. 

SWAMI SPOKE OF UNITY IN THIS COUNTRY AND HARMONY AT HOME

Swami delivered His address. Array, array! One-and-a-half lakh devotees cheered, thunderously applauded, clapped and clapped and clapped. They were so happy that our dear Lord was speaking to them.

What did Baba say on that day of the Convocation?

He said unity is important in this country; it is the lack of unity which is responsible for so many problems.

Secondly He said, “There should be harmony, an understanding between the husband and wife at home. Where there is peace at home, there will be peace in the society. Today, there is no peace at home, so be peaceful.  Live in perfect harmony.”

“Husband should know the likes and the dislikes of the wife. The wife should know how to follow her husband. They should live together in peace and harmony. They should be amicable to each other. They should co-operate with each other.”

“The wife should follow the husband and the husband should take care of the wife in such a way that she does not shed a tear. She should enjoy the company of the husband like a paradise on earth. The husband should not give any room for any misery or suffering to his wife.”

That is how Swami spoke.

He also said, “Unity is possible only on spiritual grounds. Understand that there is God in you, and there is God in everyone. If you know this, you don’t need to visit temples. You don’t need to go on pilgrimages. Experiencing God in everyone, the Self within everyone, is the height of spirituality.”

SWAMI SAID CULTIVATE THE HABIT OF SACRIFICE

He also said that the students should cultivate the habit of thyaga or sacrifice. His instruction to the students and message to the devotees was a call to the universe for its betterment and advancement. As always, Bhagavan’s message was really wonderful!

DRAMA PRESENTED BY SRI SATHYA SAI UNIVERSITY

On the evening of the twenty-first of November, the students of Sri Sathya Sai University presented a drama. The drama was so nicely written.

It depicted the story of a tailor. The tailor was a great devotee and his son was a very obedient and disciplined son. The villagers all lived in awareness and in brotherhood. This tailor stitched garments. Suddenly the local villagers came and asked him to get twelve pairs of garments ready because they wanted to visit Prashanthi Nilayam.

The tailor said, “Yes.” But he couldn’t do all twelve, he just couldn’t. He could stitch only about eight of them.

“But what about the four others we need?” cried the villagers. The tailor had promised he would do it!

Then this tailor cried in front of the picture of Bhagavan. “Vittal!” Suddenly, to his surprise, he noticed all the other four pairs were already stitched!

SAKKUBAI, AN ARDENT DEVOTEE OF LORD KRISHNA

Another scene depicted an incident from the life of Sakkubai. Sakkubai was an ardent devotee of Lord Krishna.

When Sakkubai’s termagant mother-in-law wanted her to grind bags and bags of grain into flour, which was not possible to complete in one night, Sakkubai fell at the feet of the Krishna.  Krishna appeared and He grinds all the grain. He grinds it well.

Like this, the students connected this incident with other similar episodes of surrender. But the main theme is this tailor. Finally the tailor said to the villagers, “I too will join you. Let us go to Prashanthi Nilayam.” They all reached Prashanthi, and Swami spoke to this tailor.

The people asked the tailor, “What did Swami say to you?”

“No, Swami didn’t talk to me; I only talked to Swami.”

“What did you say?” 

“Swami, I want to stitch a robe for you.” Baba said, “Okay!”

In the next scene, the tailor comes with a stitched robe for Bhagavan. All proceed towards the dais and present this garment, the robe for Swami. The tailor says, “Swami, this is for You.” Array, array, array! It was beautifully connected, beautifully linked.

The drama staged by the students contained episodes of India’s past history with images of the present generation as an ideal village. The role of the tailor depicted total devotion and surrender to God. It was really excellent.

On the evening of the twenty-second of November, most unexpectedly, Swami called two boys. They renderedCarnatic music, par-excellence. Those professionals sitting in the veranda were thrilled, surprised, excited. The boys’ presentation was a very high standard of classical music.

In this way, the Birthday Celebration was one of grandeur, wonder and revelation: grandeur from the viewpoint of decoration, wonder from the viewpoint of food distribution, revelation from the viewpoint of the educational institutions, water projects and medical service programmes undertaken by Bhagavan.

It was lot of information to take in, many sights to see, and many more things to remember for one’s life time. On the final day, all students came in procession. Swami gave them degrees. Ah, wonderful, wonderful!

“I HAVE COME TO TRANSFORM AND REFORM THE EDUCATION FIELD”

How the days passed like this is a great miracle. We had no strain, we had no stress. All ten days passed like a flash. That is the miracle of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Bhagavan made a particularly enlightening remark during His most unexpected discourse. What did He say?

He said clearly one day before Convocation, “These days, education has become a matter of priority, of business. I have come to transform and reform the field of education.”

See that! We find a kind of transformation, a change occurring even now in the different cross sections of society. And the different fields, the different aspects of the Sathya Sai Organisation are very well taken care of and blessed by Baba in a multitude of ways. This was so evident in all the various activities which unfolded during these most auspicious Birthday celebrations.

POLICE ARE INVOLVED IN THIS HOLY YAGNA - BABA’S BIRTHDAY

The police were so very happy that they are also involved in this holy yagna. Baba’s Birthday was yagna—the best, most ideal yagna of this century. We clearly find that all participants feel immense satisfaction, happiness and joy. 

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba satisfies everybody. He is the All-Satisfying Baba. He is heart-to-heart, love-to-love, a pure and holy connection between a deity and devotee. That is what we notice in Him.

May Bhagavan bless you for this lovely opportunity conferred, so that we can again and again relive and remember this momentous occasion in His holy life.

Jai Sai Ram!

Om . . . Om . . .Om

Asato Maa Sadgamaya

Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya

Mrityormaa Amrithamgamaya

                                                                                                       Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

     Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!

Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai!

    Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Babaji ki Jai! 

 © Copyright Prof. Anil Kumar Kamaraju – Puttaparthi. All rights reserved.

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