Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam, 22 Nov 2003

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Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam

 

Posted on 22nd November, 2003

 

Sai Ram,

11-22-03

 

Saturday Morning: Baba came out at 7:10 to an almost full hall. A

slight rain did not dampen the spirits of many who lined up as early

as 2A.M. Baba standing looked at the men then holding onto the

railing walked over to the women's side giving them a great view.

 

As he walked passed the center ramp, he walked unassisted. He walked

slowly and surely by himself as he walked on the verandah to guest

who were sitting on the women's side of the verandah. The crowd

applauded.

 

He gave an interview to this group. Meanwhile, prasad was passed out

in the form of sweets and apples. Bhajans started at 8:45.

 

This afternoon everyone must be seated by 2:30 for the commencement

where the vice president of India will deliver an address. Afterward

we are to go into the Poorna Chandra for performances by college

students.

 

11-21-03

 

Friday Afternoon: Baba came out at 2:15 surprising everybody. The

men who sit on the bench were just let in and those that sit on the

floor were coming in. There were only a few women inside. In the

center driveway, people were busy setting up for the play that was

to be performed at about 4:00. The hall was basically empty.

 

The car drove in stopping at the women's entrance for about five

minutes while Baba spoke with a volunteer. The car, instead of

turning in its usual place, turned at the big space in front of

where the Anatapur girls sit. The car proceeded up the verandah.

Baba spoke with a few people.

 

The car continued down the ramp on the men's side making a sharp

left to go in front of the verandah and next to it. Objects had to

be moved for the car to be able to go through. The car went in the

center on the while tile as though to exit. When it got to just past

the center driveway on the women's side, Baba called about a dozen

women over to the car. They went up to the women's side of the

mandir. The car continued to the first aisle where it normally goes

and proceeded to the verandah. Baba went into the interview room. I

am not sure if those women were called in for interviews.

 

About 3:45, Baba came out and the play started. It was put on by the

Sathya Sai Baba Centre of Middlefield in Toronto, Canada. It was

called "Family". It dealt with the importance of harmony in the

family and putting human values into practice.

 

Gerald

 

__________

 

 

Posted on 21st November, 2003

 

Sai Ram,

 

11-20-03

 

Thursday Morning Baba came out before 8:00. He gave great darshan

facing the men then the women for a period of time while the boys

chanted. After Baba sat down, the chanting stopped. Baba asked one

boy to go to the microphone and lead the other boys in reciting

verses. He was supposed to say it in English, line by line, while

repeated it in Sanskrit.

 

At any rate, he couldn't do it. Another boy came up and led the

group through two long verses. I think the first boy got nervous and

couldn't remember. He stood there as the other boy led the group.

 

This continued until 9:00 when bhajans started followed by arathi.

Baba left at 9:30.

 

Thursday Afternoon: Baba came out at 3:30. There was a skit put on

by Bal Vikas of Singapore. It involved dialogue, singing and dancing

with several backdrop changes.

 

It was about a boy who searches for how to have righteous in the

heart. Answer: LOVE.

 

The next part of the program was a professional singer from Southern

India whose name I was unable to learn. It is amazing that all the

people I asked knew that she had won several awards but none could

remember her name.

 

She sang Hindi classical bhajans. A few bhajans were sung by the

boys with arathi at 5:30.

 

I sensed that the singer was disappointed that she didn't do arathi.

I also felt that while her music was great and sang with some degree

of devotion, that love was missing. I do not know if these

impressions are correct. I wanted so much to become her music, I

couldn't . I hope I am wrong about her.

 

Gerald

 

p.s Corrections sent on 21-11-2003 separately

 

Sai Ram,

 

I am happy to announce that I was wrong about the Hindi bhajan

singer. Upon further checking, I learned that she would have had no

expectation of doing arathi. With a few exceptions, men do all the

arathis.

 

Also, what I didn't mention was that she was accompanied by three

men. I am told that although she was singing with intense love and

devotion, it might not have manifested that way. While she was

singing, part of her energy was devoted to being professionally

correct musically and coordinating with the men.

 

This is different from someone who perform alone or who is not a

professional.

 

Gerald