PRASHANTHI NEWS MAY 2010

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Saturday, 1, May 2010


  This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived at 1725hrs while Bhajans where in progress. He went for a complete round interacting with many devotees, collecting their letters and blessing the various articles and invitation cards held by them. Bhagawan then came onto the stage and listened to the Bhajans. He interacted with a few students and blessed one of them who offered Bhagawan a rose with a chain. He accepted Arati at 1810hrs and asked for an encore of "Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavanthu". He then sat silently for 5 minutes enveloping the entire gathering in peace. Bhagawan then proceeded towards the interview room where he spent some 10 minutes after which he entered the prayer hall where he interacted with some university administrators before proceeding back to Yajur Mandir.

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Sunday, 2, May 2010

This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940hrs. In the evening, Bhagawan came by car at 1628hrs and after crossing the ladies side turned towards the portico. Vedam was in progress as Bhagawan descended from the car and came on to the stage. He interacted with a few students and blessed Birthday boys with long conversations and showers of akshata. He then threw a vibuthi packet towards one of the alumni of the university with whom, He then conversed at length. Bhagawan then went to the interview room at around 1700hrs and after some 20 minutes summoned the car. Bhagawan then proceeded towards Mother Easwaramma Samadhi and oversaw the preparations for Easwaramma day which is held on May 6th of every year. Bhagawan returned to Sai Kulwant Hall at a quarter to six and after listening to Bhajans for 15 minutes, accepted Arathi.

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Monday, 3, May 2010

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

In the evening, Bhagawan arrived by car at 1717hrs and turning left in Sai Kulwant Hall and proceeded towards Mother Easwaramma Samadhi. After enquiring about the work going on there, Bhagawan then inspected the painting work going on in the university and school buildings and then granting Darshan to people in the village at their very doorstep, Bhagawan drove towards the dormitory construction site.

After interacting with the engineers there and inspecting the work, Bhagawan returned to Sai Kulwant Hall at a quarter to six and sat on the stage as Bhajans where going on. Bhagawan accepted Arathi at 1805hrs. He then proceeded towards the interview room after which He interacted with some Alumni who are working in Bhagawan's university and hospital and retired to Yajur Mandir at 1840hrs.

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Wednesday, 5, May 2010 - Easwaramma Day Eve

This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs. On the Easwaramma Day Eve, this evening, Bhagawan emerged just before 1645 hrs. to drive past ladies' end, proceeding towards Mother Easwaramma Samadhi where work was in progress for the installation of statues of Divine Parents' of Bhagawan's physical frame. Upon reaching the Samadhi Mandir at 1647 hrs., Bhagawan unveiled the newly carved statues of Mother and Father by pulling the ribbon string, thus sanctifying the same. Inside the Samadhi Mandir, Bhagawan went round raised platform bearing the Samadhi's of "Divine Parents", before asking to break coconuts on all the four corners of the 'Mandir' inside.

Upon reaching the Samadhi Mandir at 1647 hrs., Bhagawan unveiled the newly carved statues of Mother and Father by pulling the ribbon string, thus sanctifying the same.

 Spending almost fifteen minutes at the venue, Bhagawan accepted Arathi before returning to the Mandir just after 1700 hrs.
 


Earlier, Bhagawan was accorded a traditional welcome at the Samadhi Mandir with Vedam and Bhajan troupes escorting Him to the venue. The entire area was spruced up and was covered with flowers and buntings heralding the auspiciousness of the occasion. The function was a private affair and thus general devotees were not permitted inside. On the road, leading to the venue, hundreds were lined up to catch the glimpse of Bhagawan.



Bhagawan was accorded a traditional welcome at the Samadhi Mandir with Vedam and Bhajan troupes escorting Him to the venue. The entire area was spruced up and was covered with flowers and buntings heralding the auspiciousness of the occasion

Returning to Mandir at 1705 hrs. to the chants of Vedam and Nadaswaram recital, Bhagawan came for the "balance round" through the gents' side to come onto the portico through the slope on the gents' side, skipping the Vedam block. Alighting near the interview room, Bhagawan spent sometime outside the interview room before proceeding to the bhajan hall to emerge through the rear door, coming onstage at 1715 hrs. Listening to the holy chants of Vedam mixed with the nadaswaram recital in the background, Bhagawan sat onstage for the next half-an-hour, till 1745 hrs. before moving off the interview room. Bhajans began at 1745 hrs. and Bhagawan, emerging yet again at 1800 hrs. moved through at a snails pace, cutting across the upper portico to come onstage at 1812 hrs. Shortly, He called for Arathi and upon accepting Arathi Bhagawan spoke the priest before calling Mr. Narasimhamurthy,

Warden, Brindavan Campus for the announcement to be made on the next morning's function. The announcement read as follows: Easwaramma Celebrations would be held in the next morning at 1000 hrs. and the idols of the parents of physical frame of Bhagawan would be installed at the Samadhi Mandir during the auspicious occasion.
 

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Thursday, 6, May 2010 -  Easwaramma   Day

On this auspicious  Easwaramma Day morning, Bhagawan emerged in His car at 0955 hrs. to proceed directly to Easwaramma Samadhi Mandir.

 Reaching the Samadhi at around 1005 hrs., Bhagawan was received religiously by Vedam, Bhajan and Nadaswaram troupe. Moving into the Samadhi Mandir, Bhagawan.


As various ritualistic offerings continued inside the Samadhi Mandir with huge garlands being placed on the statues followed by clothes and fruits offering and coconut breaking, Bhagawan went to circumambulate the dais holding the statues of "Divine Parents" before Arathi was offered. Upon accepting Arathi, blessing the mini assembly, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram. Laddu Prasadam was distributed to the assembly at Easwaramma Samadhi.


Returning from Samadhi Mandir at 1030 hrs., Bhagawan went for a 'complete' round through the gents' side, alighting on the portico at 1035 hrs. to move, cutting through the lower portico, to come onstage at 1042 hrs. Sitting for sometime, Bhagawan moved off the stage, to move into the bhajan hall to exit through the rear door to go for a short round of the dais through the Vedam block to come onstage at 1100 hrs. to preside over the bhajan session.

Marking the special occasion, special prasadam, Tamrind Rice and Sweet Rice were distributed to the entire assemblage of devotees. Arathi was offered at 1115 hrs. and upon accepting Arathi an announcement on the evening programme was made, informing that Balvikas children from Bangalore would be staging a dance drama on the life of Bhadrachala Ramdas.

Upon the announcement, interacting with some senior devotees, Bhagawan moved off at 1130 hrs. proceeding towards Yajur Mandiram, not before showing His abhayahasta twice for a round of applause from the capacity crowd of devotees. After the Universal prayer, the normal Jaikar to Bhagawan was followed by a special Jaikar to Holy Mother Easwaramma.

This evening, Bhagawan, upon emerging at 1452 hrs. came for a full round before coming on to the portico, to move into the bhajan hall. In the bhajan hall, Bhagawan interacted with the group of teachers and organisers representing various Sai educational institutions who have come for a workshop on "Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vahini", a nascent project on higher secondary education, under the auspices of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. Bhagawan spent quite sometime in the middle interacting and blessing the group of over fifty, before exiting through the rear door to cut through the upper portico, coming onstage at 1730 hrs. Veda chanting that has been on continued for next five minutes before Bhagawan asked for the cultural programme to commence.

Upon reaching the Samadhi Mandir at 1647 hrs., Bhagawan unveiled the newly carved statues of Mother and Father by pulling the ribbon string, thus sanctifying the same.

Illustrious story of Bhadrachala Ramdas, whose trials and tribulations, that was forced upon him, for having accused of misutilising the treasury funds for temple construction and final redemption was well depicted by the Balvikas children from Bangalore, in the dance drama entitiled, Bhadrachala Ramdas. The fifty minute dance drama ended on a happy note when Lord Rama along with his brother Lakshmana in the guise of servants went to the tax collector to pay and bail out a "surrendered" Ramdas, after 12 years of imprisonment.

At the end of the presentation Bhagawan blessed the cast of the drama with group photos. Bhajans started at 1845 hrs. and continued till Arathi at 1855 hrs. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan sat for some more time onstage, as Prasadam was distributed to the drama crew. Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1905 hrs.

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This morning,  Bhagawan was ushered in to the hall at 1001 hrs. while bhajan was on. Going for a full round of darshan, ascending the portico, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall to exit through the rear entrance to come onstage through the right of Ganesha at 1014 hrs. Presiding over the session for the next ten minutes, Bhagawan called for Arathi at 1024 hrs. before moving off to the interview room at 1030 hrs., not before interacting with two of the students, blessing them with Vibhuti Prasadam. After spending next twenty minutes in, Bhagawan emerged yet again at 1050 hrs. retiring to Yajur Mandiram.

In the evening, emerging at 1645 hrs., Bhagawan went for a complete round to come onstage at 1658 hrs. to the chants of Vedam. Coming onstage, Bhagawan called for Sri Ajit Poppat of United Kingdom, blessing him to address the gathering. Offering Shradhdhanjali on revered Divine Mother Easwaramma, continuing with the spirit of celebration, the erudite speaker spoke on the "Chosen Mother" quoting some of the revealing experiences he had with Bhagawan related to Mother Easwaramma. It was interesting to note that on a day when the world is celebrating International Mother's Day, someone was paying glowing tribute to the most privileged Mother on planet earth, Mother Easwaramma, verily in the Divine Presence of The One's Presence.

The forty minute speech was followed by another one by Sri B.N. Narasimhamurthy, Warden, Brindavan Campus of Sri Sathya Sai University who dwelt in detail on his first darshan of Bhagawan almost five decades ago, and the Prasanthi of those days. Both the speakers made the session quite alive with interesting experiences and revelations and Bhagawan sat through the session, onstage, granting His coveted Divine Darshan. At the end of the second speech at 1810 hrs., Bhagawan called for Arathi. Sitting onstage for some more time interacting with some of the boys, and 'overseeing' prasadam distribution, Bhagawan moved off the stage at 1820 hrs. into the bhajan hall, after blessing the concourse with Abhayahastha. Moving through the bhajan hall Bhagawan emerged through the rear entrance to glide past the lower portico blessing many on His way before setting off to Yajur Mandiram at 1832 hrs.

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Friday,14,May 2010

This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs. This evening, emerging at 1740 hrs., Bhagawan came onstage at 1745 hrs. after taking a quick detour from the ladies' side. Presiding over the bhajan session for the next fifteen minutes, Bhagawan accepted Arathi at 1800 hrs. As prasadam, mango, was being distributed, Bhagawan sat onstage for sometime, post Arathi, watching the proceedings and in between interacting with one of the bhajan boys before moving off the dais at 1806 hrs. to the interview room. Coming out at 1820 hrs., Bhagawan moved towards His Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram, blessing the concourse with a  Abhayahasta while on the move.

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Saturday,15,May 2010

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

In the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1800 hrs. to come for a full round of Darshan. Upon coming on to the portico, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall at 1814 hrs. to interact with the Research Scholars of the University who had assembled seeking Divine Blessings. Blessing the special assembly, Bhagawan spent quite sometime inside before exiting through the rear entrance to move onstage at 1826 hrs. through the right of Ganesha. Presiding over the bhajan session for the next almost twenty minutes, Bhagawan accepted Arathi at 1845 hrs. before retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 1850 hrs., not before blessing the weekend concourse with repeated Abhayahastas, twice, to cheering applause from the devoted assembly.

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Sunday,16,May 2010
Bhagawan emerged at 1012 hrs. coming for a full round of Darshan. Upon completing the round, blessing many, Bhagawan moved further into the ladies' side, before taking a "u turn" to come on to the portico. Interacting with some senior devotee, Bhagawan moved onstage through the right of Ganesha at 1030 hrs. Blessing some of the birthday boys, blessing the assembly, Bhagawan sat through the next fifteen minutes presiding over the soul-stirring bhajan session before accepting Arathi at 1045 hrs.

Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan moved off the stage at 1050 hrs., blessing the morning assembly with Abhayahasta, before moving into the interview room calling an overseas couple for interview. Emerging in fifteen minutes, Bhagawan moved towards His Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram at 1110 hrs.

On this Sunday evening, blessing the weekend assembly of devotees, Bhagawan emerged at 1725 hrs. to the last strains of one-hour Vedam chanting. Completing His round, following this morning's pattern, Bhagawan went bit further into the ladies' side, to return shortly without advancing much, with a "u turn" to come onto the portico.

Upon ascending the portico, Bhagawan had a 'detailed' interaction with two of the visiting doctors of SSSIHMS, Prasanthigram, before coming onstage at 1740 hrs through the right of Ganesha. Sitting through the next forty-five minutes, presiding over the bhajans, often reading letters from devotees, Bhagawan called for Arathi at 1825 hrs.

Upon accepting Arathi, an interesting session had been ensuing with Bhagawan appeared to have settled for a series of blessings and interactions. Beginning with the day's Rose Beneficiary, a staff working with North Indian Canteen, for whom Bhagawan materialised a Golden Chain followed by Vibhuti Prasadam, Bhagawan had a series of interactions with number of boys who were arrayed seeking Divine Blessings. Interacting with motherly concern, sitting quite patiently often seeking clarifications, Bhagawan materialised a golden ring for a boy, blessing the student profusely. The session continued with many more boys taking their turn until Bhagawan finished blessing the last boy in waiting before moving off the stage at 1856 hrs. For the weekend assembly, it was indeed an interesting session, especially watching The Lord interacting with His chosen instruments, in between materialising gold on the most auspicious Akshaya Trithiya, a very auspicious day as per the Hindu almanac.

With the summer's fury grips the whole nation, this "Divine Valley of Peace" is also having her due share bearing the brunt of the sweltering summer. With the temperature mark crossing 42°C, for the devotees' benefit the adjustable roof of the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall went rolled open during the evening bhajans bringing respite from the intense summer.

Prasadam was distributed to the assemblage before Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1857 hrs. after a brief one-minute interaction with representatives of "Sai Sannidhi", an in-house alumni group.

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Monday,17,May 2010

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

In the evening, emerging at 1729 hrs. to the chants of Vedam, Bhagawan went for a full round granting Divine Darshan. As Vedam continued beyond the scheduled hour at 1730, owing to a proposed cultural programme by students, Bhagawan upon completing the round moved into the bhajan hall where a group of 19 boys in their costumes with an additional band of a dozen backstage boys were invoking Divine Blessings for the ensuing presentation.

Blessing the participating students after spending sometime amidst, Bhagawan exited through the rear entrance to come onstage at 1747 hrs. through the right of Ganesha. Veda chanting continued for some more time, till 1752 hrs., when the participating students exited from the bhajan hall seeking Divine signal for the commencement of the presentation.

The programme entitled "Sai Bhakta Samrajyam", a collective effort of singers, dancers and actors was the depiction of Bharat's glorious devotional tradition presented in dance form entwined with lucid narration. Set against the backdrop of Saint Vyasa's predicament seeing the disastrous Kurukshetra scenes, Sage Narada advises him the right antidote, to embark on compiling Lord Hari's story.

What followed was an array of glimpses from the lives of past masters depicting devotional trails, namely that of, Saint Thyagaraja, Saint Annamacharya, Saint Thukaram, Sadashiva Brahmendra (an Avadhoota lived in Tamil Nadu), Saint Tulsidas, Sakkubai, Bhadrachala Ramdas etc., brought in with devotional fervour intertwined with narrations of their heroics with Divine Name.

It was the wandering saint, Sage Narada's privilege yet again, donning the role of "interlude presenter cum commentator" to "introduce" these foremost devotees of yester years to the presiding deity, Lord in physical, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!!!

The fifty minute programme came to an end at 1840 hrs. with the the cast of Narada profusely thanking Bhagawan for the great good fortune Bhagawan bestowed upon them, the students, to learn at His Divine Lotus Feet! They concluded the programme bursting into a group song "Madhurama Amrithama Dharicherchu O' Nesthama..." , afterwhich Bhagawan moved down the aisle to bless the participants with a coveted photo session. Arathi was offered at 1846 hrs. and Bhagawan moved off the dais at 1852 hrs. not before blessing the concourse with repeated Abhayahastas.

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Tuesday,18,May 2010


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

Emerging at 1730 hrs. in the evening, Bhagawan, upon completing a full round of Darshan, went for another round, to take a detour from the ladies's end to come onstage at 1752 hrs. through the right of Ganesha. As Bhajan was on, Bhagawan continued to sit presiding over the session. At 1805 hrs., most unexpectedly Bhagawan gestured to stop bhajans, calling for mike to be brought. After a brief pause of 3-4 minutes, at 1810 hrs., to the surprise and delight of the august assembly, Bhagawan started an 'impromptu' Divine Discourse.

Dwelling on the greatness of 'celebrated women', Savitri, Chandramathi, Mother Sita, Panchali and Damayanthi Bhagawan discoursed for next fifty minutes that was translated by Prof. Nanjundaiah, formerly, Controller of Examinations at Sri Sathya Sai University (who was also a translator to Bhagawan during earlier years) in the absence of regular translators, Prof. Anil Kumar and Sri Narasimhamurthy.

"...Live In the Present this present is in fact Omnipresent ..."

Everyone is afraid of death; however Yama goes everywhere discharging his duties, said Bhagawan in an apparent reference to Savitri's victory over the Lord of Death who with the Power of her Chastity won the Lord's grace to bring her dead husband back to life. Lavishly commenting on the Power of Chastity of Savitri, Bhagawan said, nowhere else in the world, other than in Bharat, one could find such stories of revival of a dead person, and hence God's special love for the land of Bharath. Power of Chastity is equivalent to Power of Penance. Scary God of Death, Lord Yama is scared of Chaste Woman, said Bhagawan emphasising on the greatness and power of Chastity.

Shifting the story to Raja Harishchandra, Bhagawan dwelled upon the story in detail emphasising how the Eashwara Himself was pleased with Harishchandra's adherence to Truth that finally won him everything. Harishchandra was totally selfless, said Bhagawan urging one and all that 'i' and 'mine' should be eschewed to understand the Self.

Dwelling upon the story of Mother Sita and Her Power of Her Chastity followed by that of Damayanthi and Panchali, Bhagawan said, all of them were known for the great Power of Chastity, who lived their life for their ideal husbands; with unity between husband and wife anything could be achieved.

Power of Chastity and Dharma is not confined to women alone, man equally has to follow the same, said Bhagawan further commenting that women should never transgress their limit, disobeying their husbands. Referring to Bharath's greatness, Bhagawan cautioned that opting to leave the nation and moving out of the country is a waste.

Bhagawan concluded His Divine Discourse at 1905 hrs. with a promise to discourse in detail the following day. One Rama Bhajan followed upon which Arathi was offered before Bhagawan moved off the stage at 1915 hrs. Spending next five minutes inside interview room, Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram at 1920 hrs.

As if celebrating the unexpected 'bonus', the Divine Discourse, as Bhagawan moved off the stage after ending His Divine Discourse, outside Sai Kulwant Hall, Wind God was in a celebrating mood as he was blowing across the hamlet with unusual force.
 

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Wednesday,19,May 2010

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

In the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1710 hrs. to come for a full round of Darshan. Coming onstage at 1725 hrs., as Bhagawan sat through glancing over the letters, Veda chanting continued beyond the scheduled hour until Bhagawan asked for the bhajans to commence at 1745 hrs.

Bhagawan sat through the next fifteen minutes before calling for Arathi just after 1800 hrs. Upon accepting Arathi, blessing the rose beneficiary, blessing the student beneficiaries, conversing with one of the bhajan boys for sometime, Bhagawan moved off the dais at 1810 hrs. not before blessing the concourse with double abhayahasta, ladies and gents separately.

Bringing respite from the scorching summer, Parthi, for a change had a different experience with the day's complexion turning from bright to gloomy. The inclement weather owing to a cyclonic storm in the bay of Bengal has come as a great relief with temperature dropping from a scorching 42 to 25-27.

 

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Friday,21,May 2010 :
 

This morning, there was no Divine Darshan and Arathi was offered at 0940 hrs. After a two-day spell of gloomy inclement weather, Parthi experienced rainfall last night, maintaining the temperature at 25°C - 27°C range.

On this gloomy day when Sun remained hidden behind the "passing clouds", this evening, upon emerging from His Divine Abode just after 1800 hrs., Bhagawan was ushered into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 1804 hrs. to the more than soothing invoking bhajan, "Aao Pyaare Nayan Hamare..." Taking a detour from the ladies' side, Bhagawan came directly onstage through the right of Ganesha at 1810 hrs. officiating the bhajans for the rest of the session.

With bhajans, some high pitched and some fast paced calling out His various forms one after another, filling the air with potent vibrations, Bhagawan sat through the next twenty minutes receiving the 'chants' directly, glancing at the twilight's assembly that in turn was glued at His beauteous form shining resplendent under the bright light. Accepting Arathi just after 1830 hrs., Bhagawan sat through for the next ten minutes, blessing the rose beneficiary, blessing the student beneficiaries, reading their letters and attending to them with "Divine Whispers". Calling the priest and whispering something in his ear Bhagawan moved off the dais at 1840 hrs. to glide past the ladies' side moving unto His Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram, not before blessing two senior devotees just before leaving the verandah.