PRASHANTHI NEWS APRIL 2010

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Day 7 -  15th April  2010 Sathya Sai Baba Darshan in Delhi & Shimla
        
     

In the morning, at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre, Bhagawan came out at 9:15 granting darshan for five minutes before accepting Arathi. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan left for Indira Gandhi International Airport. Bhagawan would be taking off for Shimla after 10 to reach Shimla Airport by 11. From the Shimla Airport Bhagawan would be motored to His Divine Abode, Anand Vilas, situated 35 kms apart



Shimla finally had her hunger satiated! After 35 long years of waiting, when Bhagawan's plane landed at the Shimla Airport just after 11:30, it was a dream come true for many and for the hill station, it was her destined and defined moment, for the sanctifying touch of her Beloved Lord. Entire stretch of thirty five kilometres, from the Shimla Airport to the newly built "Anand Vilas", the Divine Abode in Shimla, thousands upon thousands on the road satiating their lives desire, stealing a glance of the Lord. There was a riot of colours all along, with flowers and buntings welcoming the Lord all over, with rangoli adorning the floor at every every important locations and thousands upon thousands vying for a glance lined up all along the way.


There were devotees showering flowers, dusting the ground that touched the "Feet of The Lord", falling at Him in sasthtanga posture, many with moist eyes, but all with their hearts full of Love with beaming faces of having satiated their hunger to have Him in their midst, yet again. It appeared as if entire Shimla township came to standstill welcoming The Lord!


The original convoy of around 15 to 20 vehicles multiplied in to huge proportions, crossing the hundred mark and Bhagawan motored the entire stretch of 35 kms in over 80 minutes, blessing the thousands on His way, to reach "Anand Vilas" at 12:50. At the "Anand Vilas" there was a huge gathering of devotees. Upon arriving, Bhagawan entered His latest of the Abodes, inaugurating and sanctifying the same. Thereafter, Bhagawan moved onto the balcony at the second floor granting Darshan to the devotees assembled inside. It was a moment of great satisfaction and joy for the devotees of the state, a moment to cherish and a dream come true and for The Lord, it was His Sankalpa that materialised.

Earlier, at the Shimla Airport, Bhagawan was welcomed by the Himachal Pradesh Governor, Ms. Urmila Singh along with scores of other dignitaries. A mention should be made of the active participation of the Alumni of Sri Sathya Sai University, contributing their might, making Bhagawan's long pending visit a most memorable one.

On the first evening at the new Divine Abode, Bhagawan emerged for darshan at quarter to six while bhajan was on. As bhajans continued, Bhagawan sat through for almost an hour, blessing the vast assemblage of devotees before accepting Arathi. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan retired for the day.

in Shimla, at Anand Vilas, what one would witness and appreciate is the highest reverence and devotion of the devotees over there that was on exhibition ever since Bhagawan arrived at the Divine Abode. When The Lord emerged in the evening, granting darshan, one could see thousands of hands going up, in pure devotional ecstasy, greeting The Lord. ...And as the assemblage glued their eyes on the beauteous form of the Lord, it was nothing, but bliss of being in the immediate presence of the Lord that was reflecting on each and every face. The huge darshan ground outside Anand Vilas could easily accommodate thousands, almost the capacity that the Sai Kulwant Hall of Prasanthi would hold.

In the twilight, this exquisite architectural marvel situated at Pujarli in Shimla district was shining in splendour as a beacon of Love and Peace. The building that was constructed in the most hostile and harsh climatic conditions prevailing in the cold arid zone in the high altitude mountain ecosystem was executed by Sai Engineering Foundation, a voluntary organisation working for the welfare of humanity without the distinction of caste, colour, creed, region and religion. The construction work was ably supervised by Sri Raj Kumar Verma, a long-time devotee and CEO of the Sai Engineering Foundation, as an offering at His Divine Lotus Feet. Devotees from various parts of the states would come in batches, on every Sunday, to contribute their might in the construction work as their loving offering to Bhagawan.

Greeting and housing The Lord, Pujarli in Shimla is presenting pleasant weather, a marked change for everyone, especially at a time when Puttaparthi and Delhi are under severe summer onslaught.

Today is Vishu, the Kerala New Year, a day when devotees from the state would celebrate in the immediate Divine Presence of the Lord for past many years.

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   Latest Sai News from Shimla: 16 April 2010
 


This morning, Bhagawan came out at 11 while bhajan was on. Upon emerging granting Divine Darshan, Bhagawan went straight to sanctify the Ganesh Temple at the entrance. After sanctifying the temple, Bhagawan further proceeded to the hostel building adjacent to the school. At the hostel, Bhagawan was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the children with "welcome" song. Inaugurating the hostel building by pulling the ribbon string, Bhagawan sat for sometime listening to the children singing before returning to "Anand Vilas" to accept Arathi at 12 noon.

Earlier, recording of bhajans and devotional songs had been on at "Anand Vilas" from 9 onwards until bhajans began at 10:40. Union Steel Minister, Veerabhadra Singh, who hails from the state, was at "Anand Vilas" seeking Divine Blessings.

Photos

As Projoli's exquisite architectural marvel, Anand Vilas, the Divine Abode in Shimla is marvelling at her great good fortune, for a mortal, whose search for his immortal identity has taken him to this very picturesque location that has a widespread of panoramic canvas with guardian hills around, for this mortal seeker, the sight at Anand Vilas is verily the meeting of Prakruthi with Purusha, the seeker and that which is sought!

As the penultimate evening (darshan session) before Bhagawan's departure to Delhi arrived, there was greater expectation and excitement in the air as the news of Bhagawan's departure was flashed and confirmed by then. Bhagawan was ushered in at 5 granting Divine Darshan. At 5:10, Bhagawan asked the Music Troupe of students accompanying Him to have their maiden music presentation during the trip. What followed was a half-an-hour scintillating musical shower that lasted at 5:45. The programme had two carnatic pieces written by Saint Thyagaraja, one Quawwali, followed by the popular devotional number, Mahapraana Deepam Shivam Shivam...This was followed by a short stint of bhajans by the same troupe.


After 3-4 bhajans, Bhagawan moved into the newly constructed Auditorium wherein children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Shimla and Balvikas Children of Himachal Pradesh had a combined cultural programme. The programme that started at 6:15 continued upto 7:30. The presentation, a drama on Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was followed by an array of dances depicting culture and tradition of the state.

The second programme, "Sai Sanrachna" was a depiction of glimpses of rich cultural and Divine heritage of Himachal Pradesh in the form of music and dance. The programme that commenced with a Ganesh Stuthi, invoking Lord Ganesha had nine songs depicting various cultural traditions of the state. The second piece to follow was a Shiva Stuthi followed by Duru Dance. The forth depiction was on Fairs and Festivals of Himachal Pradesh, consisting of Nagada, Turi, Narashinga etc. What followed next was a Shakti Dance, depicting various mudras of five main Shakti Peetas of Himachal Pradesh believed to have orginated from Maa Sati. This was followed by Kinnuri Dance of tribals of Kinnore, celebrating Bhagawan's arrival at Anand Vilas, describing the beauty and splendour of Sanga Valley of Konnore. Lahaulspipi is supposedly a cold district of Himachal Pradesh and the next dance was a tribal dance from Lahaulspipi invoking Divine Grace of Bhagawan. Jamakra folk dance of Kangra district followed before winding up with the familiar gratitude song, Yentha Hai...Yentha Hai..thanking Bhagawan for His greater benediction. .Bhagawan was extremely pleased with the presentation and with the children who excelled in appeasing the Lord. In between the programme, Bhagawan was seen asking the photographer, indicating at the beautiful smiling children, to take proper snaps.

The Union Steel Minister, Mr. Veerabhadra Singh, who was at the Divine Abode for morning darshan continued to stay for evening darshan as well. Another noted personality who was present during the evening was AP Minister for FDC, Information Public Relations and Tourisms, Dr. (Mrs.) J.Geeta Reddy.

Bhagawan will be taking off to Delhi tomorrow forenoon to reach Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at 12 noon. Bhagawan is expected to take off to Puttaparthi on Sunday afternoon. An official communication from sai delhi.org indicates that Bhagawan will be arriving at the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at 12 noon tomorrow and there will be evening public darshan at the Centre at 1700 hrs. IST. On Sunday, Bhagawan is expected to grant darshan at 0930 hrs. IST followed by special darshan for Sevadals at 1300 hrs before His scheduled departure at 1330 hrs. IST from Indira Gandhi International Airport. 

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At Anand Vilas, Bhagawan emerged at 0845 while bhajan was on. After one bhajan, Bhagawan accepted Arathi before proceeding to the Airport at 0850 hrs. After an eighty-minute drive, Bhagawan reached the Airport at 10:20 and His flight for Delhi took off at 1045 hrs. IST.
        
   
               
     

Bhagawan's flight touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport at 12 noon and Bhagawan reached His Divine Abode, Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at 12:40 hrs. Public Darshan is scheduled in the evening at 1730 hrs. IST. -  (Swami's darshan schedule in Delhi after Return from Shimla)

As Bhagawan is set to return from the National Capital to the Spiritual Capital, this previous evening prior to His departure to Puttaparthi, Delhi earned the rare grace of having her "Divine Guest" moving through landmark locations in the city, blessing the city in general with His Divine Presence.

Reports from Delhi indicates that, Bhagawan emerged at around 6 and set out moving through the Delhi lanes, glancing and blessing the environs of the Capital City. Bhagawan moved through the Rashtrapathi Bhavan, The Parliament House, India Gate till Amar Jawan Jyothi (the flame of the immortal warrior) and many an embassy building including the American and Australian while moving through the road leading to Connaught Place, New Delhi. The more than half-an-hour "Divine Safari" was at a slow pace and no doubt, the fortunate ones would be at the right place at the right time receiving blessings that came most unaware.

In the meantime, bhajan was on at the International Centre and Bhagawan upon returning, spoke to His boys who had just returned from Shimla in a bus. After five minutes Bhagawan accepted Arathi before retiring for the day.

Director of The Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, one of Delhi's most important tourist destination, was at the Centre seeking Divine Blessings, inviting Bhagawan to the Temple complex.

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After nine days of North Indian visit, to Delhi and Shimla, Bhagawan returned to Prasanthi Nilayam this evening at 1616 hrs. IST to a religious devotional welcome. Bhagawan was received with Poornakumbham and Veda chanting by the students from the University along with thousands of devotees in the Sai Kulwant Hall.



The Kingfisher VT-KFK Airbus 320 carrying the Lord landed at the tarmac at Sri Sathya Sai Airport at 1559 after 140 minutes onflight journey between Delhi - Puttaparthi. Bhagawan received at the Airport by Secretary, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, Sri K. Chakravarthi and Airport Director, Capt. Sharma.

Enroute to Prasanthi, covering the three kilometer road stretch, it was celebration all over, with hundreds lined up at vantage points to have a glimpse of The Lord on His return journey. There were many a folded hand, there were flower showers with colourful petals strewn at the “Divine Chariot”, there were arathi offerings, there were coconut breakings and there were another hundreds silently glancing at Him, all in merriment of His return. . The joyous ride took almost fifteen minutes with Bhagawan reaching the precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam just after 1616 hrs. for a traditional welcome with Poornakumbham and Veda chanting. Heaps of flowers strewn on the windshield was reminiscent of the merriment of the occasion and behind the beauty of these flowers was hiding the beautiful charming Lord of Puttaparthi.

Upon entering the hall, Bhagawan came for a half round through the gents' side to ascend the verandah, to stop for a while at the lower portico outside the interview room receiving Arathi. Upon Arathi, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1625 hrs.

Roads were yet again spruced up to welcome the Lord, with banners and flower decorations heralding the “Advent” of the Divine. Linking to Delhi news updates were pouring in hinting at the exact hour of Divine arrival. Entire Airport vicinity was spruced up to welcome the Divine and escort vehicles were set in position well in advance.

Earlier, back in Delhi, Bhagawan took off from Indira Gandhi International Airport at 1345. In the afternoon, Bhagawan left the Sri Sathya Sai International Centre at 12:20 heading towards the Indira Gandhi International Airport. Bhagawan was accompanied by his entourage of boys and senior officials including Mr. Jitendra Cheema, State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Delhi.
In the morning, Bhagawan blessed the Sevadals who have been on duty throughout His stay in Delhi. Blessing them profusely, hearing State President's prayers to visit Delhi every year, Bhagawan replied in Hindi: Zaroor Aaoonga, meaning will definitely come. Before leaving, Bhagawan spent ten minutes amidst devotees blessing them profusely. Arathis were offered at Bhagawan's residence, then onstage and the final arathi just before departing, near the car. The Lord whose maganimity and love encompassed Delhi and its envirosn for seven full days has been given an emotional farewell at the Centre. As the wheels rolled over carrying The Mighty Lord, the "Farewell Song" was still heard, mellifluously rendering the air, and many souls were trying to cover up their emotion with those beauteous momentous moments filling the vaccuum created with His departure.

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Monday, 19, April 2010

On this first morning after His return from Delhi, Bhagawan emerged at 1015 hrs. to come for a full round of darshan. Upon completing the round, Bhagawan went further to make one more round, this time taking a detour at the ladies' end to come on to the verandah. Five minutes after moving into the interview room, Bhagawan emerged to come through the upper portico, to come onstage via the right of Ganesha. Sitting through the bhajan session till 1040 hrs., Bhagawan accepted Arathi before retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 1045 hrs.



In the evening, emerging at 1705 hrs., Bhagawan went for a complete round of darshan to come onstage at 1725, interacting and blessing many on His way. As Bhagawan continued to sit onstage listening to the chants of Vedas, that commenced at 1630 owing to a change in schedule, the chanting session continued till 1800 hrs. when Arathi was offered. Interestingly, there was a second round of "Samastha Lokaaha...." chanting at His special instance after the first round of chanting. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan moved off the dais at 1805 proceeding towards Yajur Mandiram.

Owing to intense summer, there was a change in the evening schedule in Prasanthi Nilayam with effect from today. Veda Chanting would commence at 1630 hrs. to continue for an hour and Bhajans would commence at 1730 hrs., until further announcement.

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Monday, 26, April 2010
This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.

In the evening, Bhagawan, upon emerging at 1713 hrs., came for a full round of darshan. Coming onstage at 1734 hrs. through the right of Ganesha, Bhagawan sat through the next almost 45 minutes before moving off the stage after receiving Arathi, at 1821hrs. Moving into the interview room Bhagawan emerged at 1830 hrs. to retire to Yajur Mandiram.

During the bhajan session Bhagawan was seen going through the letters and at times He was engrossed, with His eyes remain closed. In between, Bhagawan 'threw' two vibhuti packets, in His inimitable style, to the bhajan boys, blessing two of the boys with Vibhuti and Padanamaskar. Laddu prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage before Arathi was offered.

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This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.
In the evening, emerging at 1715 hrs. to the chants of Vedas, Bhagawan moved past the ladies' side to the gents side and instead of going for a complete round covering the Vedam block, Bhagawan took a detour from the ex-students' block, moving on to the portico, to proceed further towards the interview room at 1727 hrs.

SAI DARSHAN - VISHU


Interacting with many on His way, Bhagawan spent sometime outside the interview room talking to senior devotees before coming onstage at 1734 hrs. to preside over the bhajan session. Sitting through the bhajan session for the next half-an-hour, often seen immersed in,, Bhagawan accepted Arathi at 1804 hrs. After Arathi, Bhagawan sat for some more time, this time glancing through a letter in His hand, before moving off the stage at 1812 hrs., heading towards Yajur Mandiram. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage before the offering of Mangala Arathi.


The greater importance that Bhagawan is giving to Veda Chanting and chanting of Universal Prayer is to be specially noted and imbibed upon. As He was coming onstage through the slope on the gents' side, Bhagawan was seen chanting the Vedam as was going on in the mandir; and once again the Universal Prayer, "Samastha Lokaaha..." was heard repeating for a second time, after the regular chanting, at His special instance.

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This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.
In the evening, emerging at 1825 hrs. to the invoking bhajan, "Govinda, hey Gopala...Aao Aao Prabhu Aao Aao, Muche Aakar Darshan Dikhao", Bhagawan came for a full round of darshan to come onstage through the right of Ganesha at 1837 hrs. Sitting through the session presiding over the bhajans, Bhagawan called for Arathi at 1855 hrs. before moving off the stage at 1900 hrs. through the right of Ganesha to retire to Yajur Mandiram, not before asking to repeat "Samastha Lokaaha..." one more time.

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Thursday, 29, April 2010
This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.
In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 1810hrs and went round the hall collecting many letters and blessing lot of devotees with akshata, vibuthi packets or the even more precious, beatific smile. Many children sitting on their mother's laps were blessed with love of their Divine mother. Swami gave vibuthi packets to some of them even as the mothers of others produced cups of akshata, praying to Swami to bless their wards. How can one mother not respond to the pray of another. Bhagawan readily obliged. Bhagawan then came onto the stage and listened to the Bhajans and accepted Arathi at 1845hrs.

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Friday, 30, April 2010

This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs.

In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 1650 hrs amidst vedic chanting. He came for a full round of darshan collecting letters and blessing some devotees with vibuthi and akshata. Bhagawan then came into the prayer hall where previously Bhajans used to be held and interacted with a few students seated there. Bhagawan exited from the rear entrance of the prayer hall and came onto the stage. He encouraged all the students to join in and chant the suktams loudly and with enthusiasm. Even as 1730hrs, the usual time for Bhajans, approached, Bhagawan indicated to the Vedam group to continue. Bhagawan spent a lot of time reading the letters of the Devotees he collected during Darshan after which he called on to one of the students in the Bhajan group to come forward. Bhagawan spoke to him at length and materialsed a gold chain for him. Bhagawan accepted Arati at 1755hrs and returned after "Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu" was chanted a second time. Bhagawan blessed the prasadam for the outgoing batch of sevadal from Andhra Pradesh. Volunteers from Tamil Nadu will start their service in the ashram from today.