THE FINAL JOURNEY... FAREWELL TO BHAGAVAN SRI SATHYA SAI BABA - EL DESPERTAR SAI

Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Samadhi

Hindu priests sit next to the burial place of Indian religious leader Sathya Sai Baba inside the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in Puttaparti, India, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Thousands of tearful devotees, including top politicians, gathered Wednesday for the funeral of Baba, one of India's best-known Hindu ascetics who was revered as a divine incarnation with miraculous healing powers.

Priests sit next to the burial place - Samadhi of Sri Sathya Sai Baba inside the Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram in Puttaparti,

27-04-2011- On this first evening of Maha Samadhi of Beloved Bhagawan, there was a change in programme scheudule. One hour Vedam chanting began at 1600 hrs. followed by bhajans at 1700 hrs. to end with Mangala Arathi at 1800 hrs.

As darshan of Maha Samadhi commenced this forenoon at 1145 hrs. a continuous stream of devotees are pouring in to have a precious glimpse of the Maha Samadhi in Sai Kulwant Hall. Many faces are writ with deep emotion and suppressed feeling burst open at the site of Maha Samadhi.

At the end of Mangala Arathi, an announcement was made on the darshan schedule for the next two days. Darshan of Maha Samadhi, for tomorrow and the day after will commence at 0800 hrs. till 1200 hrs. and in the evening from 1600 hrs. till 2000 hrs.

Swami's Boday was laid to rest

Bhagawan was laid to rest in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in the presence of a huge assemblage of devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries.

Earlier, there were hour-long bhajans and a host of prayers representing various religions, including Jewish, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism

The final journey of Bhagawan had the full state honours as both Governor and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh were present during the occasion. The gun salute was accorded and the police band played in homage as the final proceedings were on.

The final rites commenced with physical frame's nephew RJ Ratnakar performing the rites representing the family. A host of priests guided the entire ceremony, which lasted for 45 minutes.

The Divine Physical Frame was lowered in a specially made pit of 7 feet by 12 feet on the very podium that Bhagawan used to adorn during His darshan sessions.

On this first evening of Maha Samadhi of Beloved Bhagawan, there was a change in programme scheudule. One hour Vedam chanting began at 1600 hrs. followed by bhajans at 1700 hrs. to end with Mangala Arathi at 1800 hrs.

As darshan of Maha Samadhi commenced this forenoon at 1145 hrs. a continuous stream of devotees are pouring in to have a precious glimpse of the Maha Samadhi in Sai Kulwant Hall. Many faces are writ with deep emotion and suppressed feeling burst open at the site of Maha Samadhi.

At the end of Mangala Arathi, an announcement was made on the darshan schedule for the next two days. Darshan of Maha Samadhi, for tomorrow and the day after will commence at 0800 hrs. till 1200 hrs. and in the evening from 1600 hrs. till 2000 hrs.

Bhagawan's physical frame laid to rest amidst state honours....

Puttaparthi that sung lullabies to infant Sathya, that fondled and nurtured Little Sathya to Sri Sathya Sai and that received the abundance of His love and care over and over again during the past eight and a half decade finally earned a day to grieve, though the day would be marked in the annals of Divine History as the most significant one, when Avatar of the age was laid to rest. ...This is definitely not of her choice, but as fate would have it, a grieving Puttaparthi had to accept this present as well, as she has been receiving over the past eight and a half decade, in abundance. It was a Divine Script that was written by Him alone and executed in His own inimitable fashion. For all the glory, happiness and bliss that she has received over and over again, when the final moment arrived, to bid farewell to the Soul of entire creation, she grieved and so were millions upon millions around the world. Bhagawan who left His mortal coil on the 24th April 2011 was laid to rest in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in presence of a huge assemblage of devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries.

Earlier, the function commenced with an aalaap bhajan by noted classical vocalist Pt. Jasraj, that was followed by an hour-long bhajan by students. A host of prayers representing various religions, that included Jewish, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism followed before a set of selected bhajans, that were so dear to Beloved Bhagawan, was rendered by students bringing tears in the assemblage, taking one and all to nostalgic happy days with their Beloved "Sai Maa".

The final rites commenced with Bhagawan's nephew Sri RJ Ratnakar performing the rites representing the family. A host of priests guided the entire ceremony that lasted 45 minutes.

The Divine Physical Frame was lowered in a specially made pit of 7 feet by 12 feet on the very podium that Bhagawan used to adorn during His darshan sessions.

Giant screens were erected at vantage places in and around Puttaparthi so that the devotees could witness the final rites. The look on the faces of the devotees was that of a state of shock and sadness and the township is still coming to terms with the departure of their Beloved.

The Divine Physical Frame that was draped in Bhagawan's favourite orange colour was lowered into the Samadhi amidst vedic chanting. In a symbolic gesture, the ceremony was marked with gifting of a cow and clothes (godhaana and buudhaana). Special water collected from selected holy rivers across India was also sprinkled on the Divine Frame sanctifying the occasion.

Even as the first set of rituals was completed the curtain came down for the finishing touches of the tomb where Bhagawan was laid to rest. Incessant Sai Gayathri chanting continued for the next more than half-an-hour before the curtains went up for the public to have their maiden darshan of the Tomb of the Avatar of the Age...

Among the dignitaries present were both Governor and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, EVL Narasimhan and Kiran Kumar Reddy, Senior BJP leaders L K Advani and Venkaiah Naidu, former Union Home Minister and Governor of Punjab Shivraj Patil, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Telugu Desam Supremo and former AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan, veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal, AP Ministers Geeta Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy etc.

As fragrant Vibhuti smell wafted in the air granting the nostalgia of golden days when Beloved spent time amidst on the same dais, an announcement came that darshan would commence at 11:45 hrs. As is the case in Shirdi, this Tomb of the Avatar of the Age would start speaking to His chosen devotees now on...and would be the solace for grieving devotees from around the world. Puttaparthi beckons, with much more intensity as our Beloved Lord Sri Sathya Sai would speak from His tomb from now on!!!

A zillion Pranams to the Beloved of Lord of Puttaparthi, who pulled the curtains down, in dramatic fashion, on His glorious Avataric Mission on the 24th April 2011 in Prasanthigram. At the stipulated hour at 23:30, Mangala Arathi was offered that was preceded by a round of Rudram. By then it was 54 hours of unending stream of devotional fervour, that Parthi has never witnessed earlier. An unestimated millions over millions would have watched the Divine Form lying in state in the Sai Kulwant Hall for the past more thatn two days.

An announcement on the next morning's programme, that would witness the final journey of the Mightiest Avatar of the Age, who would be laid to rest in the Sai Kulwant Hall with due religious respects and government honour, was made. The programme would begin at 0700 hrs. with bhajans. After the announcement, the Divine physical frame was taken into the bhajan hall. Even as the casket was taken in a procession, thousands upon thousands joined chanting jaikras, hailing victory to their Beloved Bhagawan. Undoubtedly, for Prasanthi and the lakhs of convergence, it was indeed an odd, painful experience, at the midnight hour.

Prime Minister pays homage to Beloved Bhagawan...

Baba was the personification of the highest spiritual values of the human race - Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India.

I pay my pranaams to Sathya Sai Baba in gratitude for giving hope to millions and millions of people - Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson.

Prime Minister of India, along with many other diginitaries, that included UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, External Affairs Ministers, SM Krishna, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni, Panabaka Lakshmi, Union Minister of State for Textiles, Governor and Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, ESL Narasimhan and Kiran Kumar Reddy respectively flew down to Parthi to pay homage to Beloved Bhagawan, this evening in Prasanthi Nilayam.

Arriving in a chartered flight from Delhi, the Prime Minister and his entourage arrived at the Sai Kulwant shortly after 1700 hrs. to spent ten minutes offering homage. He even chose to speak to senior Trust officials in Prasanthi Nilayam, Former Chief Justice PN Bhagwati and SV Giri, formerly Chief Election Commissioner of India.

Other dignitaries visited Prasanthi this morning included Former Prime Minister of India, Deva Gowda, Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Modi, Vishwa Hindu Pardishad leader Ashok Singhal, Swami Nityananda of Nithyananda Peetam, former Sri Lankan Cricketer Arjuna Ranatunga etc.

In the meantime, timings for Darshan of Beloved Bhagawan has been extended till midnight.

As the clock ticks leading into the stipulated hour, before the final darshan possible this evening, there is palpable tension in Prasanthi with every heart and soul weeping within, embarcing the fate, geared up to give a final good-bye to The Lord of Parthi, her Beloved, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

While the unending stream of devotees continue even at this declared final hour, unless an extension comes by, there is a security cordon in Puttaparthi this evening as Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh along with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are expected anytime to pay homage to Beloved Bhagawan. The Prime Minister had visited Puttaparthi twice earlier, as Chief of Annual Convocation for the 69th Birthday followed by during the latest convocation, as recently as in November 2010 on the occasion of 85th Birthday of Beloved Bhagawan.

It had been a case of rejoicement, great merriment for Parthi, over and over again, welcoming The Lord every morning and evening and even during His staying away at Bangalore or Kodaikanal, welcoming her Beloved back to her precincts, every time when He returned. It is indeed hard for this privileged land to bid fare-well to this most 'loving persona', Who lived a life sticking to His preaching. His Life has always been His Message and it is time for everyone who loves Him to follow the path shown by Him, and the legacy left behind by the Sri Sathy Sai Avatar.

On the second day of grieving, after enduring the separation of Her Beloved in the physical sense, the Prasanthi Nilayam township is gripped in sorrow as pall of gloom descended on Puttaparthi. Lakhs and lakhs of devotees are streaming into the Ashram, in unending lines, day and night, to have a priceless glimpse of The Lord who enthralled millions over millions during His earthly sojourn that spanned over eight and a half decade, with His Divine Darshan!

Frenzy gripped the township with the unexpcted turn of event, and Prasanthi Nilayam, that has been the cynosure of eyes for all the epochal spiritual happenings over the years, is once again in the limelight, this time for a different reason, the sudden departure of her Beloved Lord.

Devotees, some with unshakable faith, ever hoping against hope and not ready to accept the happening, some resigned to accept the happening and many more dwelling upon the glorious saga of Love Incarnate form a diversified feeling at the unexpected departure of Beloved Bhagawan. Regional, National and International Channels are camping in the township, capturing the events from Prasanthi Nilayam.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in His condolence to the bereaved Sai fraternity described Bhagawan as a spiritual leader who inspired millions to lead a moral and meaningful life even as they followed the religion of their choice. "Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a preacher of the highest human values was an iconic figure for over five decades. He endeared himself to the people through various institutions, with headquarters at Prashanthi Nilayam, that promoted egalitarian values, education and public health," said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Mr. Manmohan Singh is expected in Prasanthi Nilayam, in the afternoon, today.

Former Cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and the current icon Sachin Tendulkar joined the unending list of dignitaries paying obeisance to Bhagawan, in person. Cricketers VVS Laxman, S. Sreesanth, Telugu Film Actor Arjun, Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev etc. also had been to Puttaparthi paying tributes to Bhagawan.

Unending lines of devotees are streaming even at late night into the wee hours of Tuesday morning, to catch a precious glimpse of Beloved Bhagawan.

In and around Parthi, many shop keepers and individuals are engaged in philanthropic, service activities, serving food and essentials to visiting devotees.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who has been admitted in Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, Prasanthigram for the last 28 days breathed His last this morning, at 0740 hrs., as per the Medical Bulletin released by the Director, SSSIHMS, this morning. After His admission into the hospital on the 28th March with cardiac related problems, Bhagawan has been on ventilator support for many days.

The official bulletin reads as follows:
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more with us physically. He left His earthly body on 24th April, 2011, at 0740 hrs. due to cardio-respiratory failure.

Bhagawan Baba's Body will lie in state at Sai Kulwant Hall for two days (Monday and Tuesday). Arrangements will be made for Darshan after 1800 hrs. today, at Sai Kulwant Hall.

As the news spread, thousands upon thousands are flocking into the Prasnathi Nilayam to have the darshan of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. This includes commoners to celebrities to government dignitaries. As per the announcement, Bhagawan’s physical frame would be lying in state for two days, Monday and Tuesday, allowing devotees to have darshan of Bhagawan.

The Divine Body was taken out of the hospital after 1400 hrs., brought to The Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram at 1425 hrs.

As announced, Bhagawan’s physical frame was brought into the Sai Kulwant Hall after 1815 hrs., in a glass cascade, in a procession led by Vedic chanting and bhajans by students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.

With Bhagawan’s physical frame lying in state for the next two days, bhajans will continue throughout, as thousands upon thousands are expected to flock into the township to have the darshan of their Beloved “Swami”.

State Governor and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh air-dashed to Parthi after hearing the news of Bhagawan’s passing away. Many other prominent figures have also joined in, offering condolences at the grave happening.

Elaborate arrangements have been made with thousands of police men keeping a vigil around the township, ensuring avoidance any untoward incident.