Darshan Update

Archival (2010) : Mar - Apr - May - Jun - Jul - Aug - Sep - Oct - Nov - Dec ----- Jan 2011

Updated 2103 hrs. IST, Feb 14, 2011

Mon, Feb 14, 2011: Amidst bhajans that infused life in to an awaiting devoted assembly, this evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1945 hrs. granting the supreme boon of Divine Darshan. The hall

was full and as Bhagawan's car glided down, moving through the pathway at a slow pace, many in the milling crowd turned thoroughly helpless to suppress their devotional excitement; they were seen saluting The Lord with folded hands raised over their heads.

Coming on to the Verandah after a full round, even as Arathi began at His command, Bhagawan's car moved on, this time, going for a reverse round, ending up at Yajur Mandiram at 2000 hrs.

Sat, Feb 12, 2011: This evening turned ecstatic when Bhagawan emerged to make a lordly entry into the Sai Kulwant at 1917 hrs. Gliding down the pathway as Bhagawan went for His normal round, capacity audience turned unto the moving vehicle, stealing yet another precious glance, silently greeting The Lord!

It's been sometime since Prasanthi last witnessed a 'distribution' programme in the Divine Presence, distribution of implements, serving the needy in the society, a project model familiarised by many Parthi Yatra programmes during past more than a couple of years. With a group of over 653 turned up under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Andhra Pradesh, this evening was to host yet another 'beneficiary' programme, tagged under the popular Sri Sathya Sai Village Integration Programme.

Coming on to the dais, Bhagawan sat for a while before turning His attention on to the Organisers. As the State President along with a couple of senior office bearers of the Organisation and Trust explained as to what entails the Project, Bhagawan blessed the programme giving His 'go ahead'.

As per the programme 653 beneficiaries, 252 ladies, 392 gents along with 9 institutions from various districts of the state were to be blessed with various implements, namely, Computers, Sewing Machines, Lady Bicycles, Wet Grinders, Pesticides, Electrical Kits, Hearing Aid Units, Telephone Coin Boxes, Tricycles etc. The centre-block facing Bhagawan was decked with these implements which were to be distributed to the beneficiaries after the programme.

Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1935 hrs. Blessing the President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad Sri Ashok Singhal near the car Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.

Earlier, upon emerging from Yajur Mandiram, Bhagawan moved in to the Poornachandra Auditorium to bless a group of teachers and volunteers from Team Vidya Vahini, about 320 in number, attending a two-day Content Generation Workshop of Vidya Vahini, online Educational Programme for Sri Sathya Sai Schools. The Workshop is aimed at training the teachers from Andhra Pradesh, Karanataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu in creating respective State Board Syllabus based on the available CBSE Lesson Plans and the SSSVV pedagogy template. The participants have come from the four South Indian States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The two-day workshop would conclude tomorrow.

Coming into the auditorium, as Bhagawan sat on the stage for some time, some of the active volunteers made it on to the dais seeking blessing, showing and explaining the levels of achievement and progress being made in the project front. Bhagawan blessed all of them before coming down the ramp to bless the volunteers with closer darshan. Bhagawan graciously moved among the disciplined rows of teachers and volunteers, both men and women. The session came to an end with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan.

Fri, Feb 11, 2011: Thousands that filled in the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall turned unto Him and prayed fervently, rejoicing in hope...The Mighty Lord, who is ever compassionate, emerged, responding to the call, at 1850 hrs., blooming a thousand heart. Piecing together pieces of emotion and devotion scattered in their minds and hearts, devotees watched Him as His car glided down the pathway, blessing the Friday evening's concourse. Twilight that was fading off too was in bliss having got due share of His blessing, priceless glimpse of The Mighty Lord!

After His full round, Bhagawan appeared on the dais as bhajans rose to higher pitch. Bhagawan sat for full ten minutes before indicating for Mangala Arathi.

Arathi song was on and Bhagawan's attention fell on to the devotees; His palm turned upward and moved in circular; index finger scripted 'something' in God's own language, in the vaccum...Even as Arathi song was coming to an end, His blessing hands went up in abhayahastha, repeatedly. In the meantime boys got laddu prasadam for blessing.

Post Arathi Bhagawan sat on, watching over the Prasadam distribution. There was slight jostle at the gents' side as many were vying for Divine Prasadam. Bhagawan turned His attention, scanning through the section; result was absolute silence; their quench for Prasadam was outdone in no time by His all conquering benevolent glance.

As He left the dais, there was applause from the public. Leaving the dais Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram, at 1915 hrs. ...As He was gliding past, all eyes were riveted on Him, ready to burst into silent rhymes, singing in praise of His all conquering Love!

Wed, Feb 9, 2011: This evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1855 hrs. to come into Sai Kulwant led by a procession of children in various costumes from Chinese speaking countries. After a full round of darshan, Bhagawan came on to the dais lifting soul-filling bhajans to a higher crescendo. The stage was bedecked with symbolic items related to Chinese New Year.

Bhagawan, upon arriving on to the dais, lit the lamp for the New Year celebrations before assuming His seat. As bhajans rose to a higher crescendo entire audience joined in full throat that continued for the next ten minutes before the Arathi offering at 1910 hrs. Loud chanting of "Samastha Lokaah...", the Universal Prayer, reverberated the air around that was followed by three 'Jaikars'. It was time for Bhagawan to leave. Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1915 hrs.

More than thousand devotees have come from chinese speaking countries, especially Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to be in the Divine presence during the auspicious occasion of Chinese New Year. The chosen theme for this year of golden rabbit is Devotion and Dedication.

Devotion and enthusiasm of this group was evident as the venue turned festive with a riot of Chinese decorations, red and gold being dominant reflecting the grandeur and glory of the occasion. The entire hall was dotted with hanging decors, which included good luck lanterns, of Chinese theme. New Year’s greetings wishing "Happy Chinese New Year" was seen hanging all over the central dome, sending out the message of Chinese goodwill. Decoration spree had extended to the precints of Yajur Mandiram as well. The entire area was once again turned doubly colourful, resplendent with red and golden hues.

Upon returning to Yajur Mandiram, Bhagawan blessed the outgoing police security personnel before 'retiring' for the day.

Mon, Feb 7, 2011: This evening Bhagawan arrived at 1925 hrs. and after His usual round came on to the dais in ten minutes. Bhajans continued in full vigour till Bhagawan indicated for Mangala Arathi at 1955 hrs.

Pin drop silence followed post Arathi and it was doubly beautified by Bhagawan's interaction with some of the students. As Bhagawan sat through, He whispered something to the group of boys at the front block followed by hand gestures. A Tabla player came forward and Bhagawan interacted with the boy before blessing him with Padanamaskar. Next was the turn of a bhajan singer. Intimate interaction continued for sometime before one of the photographers took his turn. The two way intimate interaction continued and Bhagawan blessed the boy with Padanamaskar. God's lovely interaction with His chosen ones!

Session came to an end with Bhagawan leaving the dais, retiring to Yajur Mandiram, at 2010 hrs., in His car. Before leaving the dais, Bhagawan blessed the audience with repeated Abhayahasthas.

Chinese New Year will be celebrated in the next three days in the immediate Divine presence, as per the schedule available. Heralding the advent of the colourful religious event, Prasanthi Mandir had aesthetic decorations in place, this evening. The troupes have been engaged in hectic preparations for the past 3-4 days. Tomorrow's schedule includes Singapore based Capt. Aung led team's offerings to Bhagawan, followed by chantings and rituals by Monks of Buddhist order. The Monks, 36 in number, were also present for the evening darshan.

Sat, Feb 5, 2011: Today was yet another day dedicated to "Prema Bandham", Bond of Love between Bhagawan and His Students. A group of 120 students from Batch 2006 of SSSIHL has been blessed by Bhagawan this evening in a session held in the Poornachandra Auditorium, along with immediate family members.

Emerging just after 1805 hrs. Bhagawan appeared in the auditorium, received with Poornakumbham and Veda chanting. Spending more than half-an-hour inside, Bhagawan sat through a session of songs and speeches by students and some of the parents. Moving amongst, through the rows, Bhagawan blessed the entire group of over 300 with Padanamaskar. Watches were distributed to the entire group as a token of Divine Love.

Earlier, commemorating the occasion, the dedicated batch offered a defluorination project in one of the villages in the outskirts of Puttaparthi. The project would serve over 500 people and has a capacity of 15000 litres.

After the session in the Poornachandra, Bhagawan arrived at the Sai Kulwant, at 1845 hrs. Blessing the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services, N.Chandrasekharan, Bhagawan cut across the Verandah, blessing many more before coming on the to the dais at 1900 hrs. from the right of Ganesha. In another five minutes Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi, at 1905 hrs., and retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1910 hrs.

The President of Guyana, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo was in Prasanthi for evening Darshan. Before retiring to Yajur Mandiram, Bhagawan interacted and blessed the President and his escort.

Fri, Feb 4, 2011: This evening, emerging at 1925 hrs. Bhagawan, after His usual round, appeared on the dais shortly for a brief stint before retiring to the Interview Room. Spending next twenty minutes in, as Bhagawan came out, a group of students belongs to 2006 batch was awaiting, seeking blessings for their proposed "Prema Bandham" scheduled for this weekend. Bhagawan spent a while interacting with the group before coming on to the dais to accept Mangala Arathi at 2005 hrs.

Leaving the dais shortly after the Arathi, as Bhagawan took a right turn, audience, in an act of expressing gratitude gave Bhagawan round of applause. As Bhagawan slid past, Chinese New Year coordinators got to interact with Him seeking approval for the proposed New Year celebrations in Prasanthi.

The Chinese troupe has been engaged in hectic practice session for the past couple of days. Blessing the coordinators, tossing Vibhuti packets to a bunch of boys from the 2006 batch, Bhagawan retired for the day in His car to Yajur Mandiram. A two thousand strong group of devotees from Anankapalle, Visakhapatnam district of Andhra Pradesh has been camping in Prasanthi for the past 3 days. The group was scheduled to leave after the evening darshan today.

Thu, Feb 3, 2011: Come Thursday Prasanthi gets a special feeling, a day that earned the special boon of attention from The Avatar, as His chosen day.

This evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1920 hrs. and went for His usual round of darshan. The house was full, enjoying the Thursday ambience of the Abode of Supreme Peace. Coming on, Bhagawan adorned the dais and bhajan was in full swing. After twenty minutes on the stage, at 1940 hrs., Bhagawan indicated for Mangala Arathi. A long pause of silence ensued as Bhagawan sat on. Boys got busied in distributing prasadam.

Watching Bhagawan engaged in silent action is a real treat. His silent gestures are no ordinary acts but suffused with great import. As He sat through after the Arathi, shifting His gaze from one to another, with hands often weaving gestures, the audience turned still with their gaze settling at the crest-jewel adorning the centre-stage. ...And in a blessed moment His index finger scribbled 'waves' in the vacuum.

Bringing the session to a close on this blessed Thursday, Bhagawan left the dais at 1952 hrs. retiring to Yajur Mandiram in His car. Once again the audience gave a round of applause as He was leaving the dais...a human act of gratification. Being Thursday, children from Primary School were in full attendance for the evening darshan.

Today marks the beginning of Chinese New Year 2011. According to the Chinese Zodiac, the Year 2011 is the Year of the Golden Rabbit. Chinese contingent are already filing in to Prasanthi getting geared up for the Prasanthi version of Chinese New Year in the immediate presence of Bhagawan.

Wed, Feb 2, 2011: The day earned its supreme privilege when the doors of Yajur Mandiram turned open at 1845 hrs., this evening, ushering in The Lord to the assembly of awaiting devotees in the Sai Kulwant Hall. Following His usual pattern as Bhagawan's car slid along the pathway, riveting eyes turned chasing the 'moving divinity' with watchful attention. After passing the bhajan block, as His attention fell onto a group of little girls from the Smt. Easwaramma English Medium School, holding aloft their set of 'handiworks', the car took a detour to stop at the block for a while, blessing the children.

Completing the round, Bhagawan came on to the dais at the stroke of 1900 hrs. Bhajans continued for the next fifteen minutes before Bhagawan calling for Mangala Arathi. Even as Arathi song was ending, Bhagawan blessed some of the bhajan singers with Vibhuti Prasadam and Padanamaskar. After a brief conversation with one of the lead singers, Bhagawan left the dais to retire to Yajur Mandiram, in His car, at 1920 hrs. bringing the curtains down on this beautiful Wednesday evening. Interestingly, a group of devotees at the gents' side, orange scarf worn group of Anakapalle from Andhra Pradesh, gave Bhagawan a round of applause as He was leaving the dais for the day.

Tue, Feb 1, 2011: This evening, Bhagawan came in granting darshan at 1940 hrs. in His car. Alighting on the Verandah after a round of darshan, Bhagawan spent awhile with some devotees before coming for a round of the dais. Getting into the bhajan hall, Bhagawan came out through the rear entrance, to the portico, to interact with some devotees before appearing once again on the dais. Waiting for the bhajan, that was on, to complete, soon Bhagawan indicated for Mangala Arathi. Upon accepting Arathi, blessing the concourse with abhayahastha The Lord left the dais retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 2005 hrs.