April 14th, 2004 - Vishu Festival - An Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

[Guest guest]

Who Celebrate The Vishu Festival?

"Today (15 April 1999) is the holy festival of Vishu. All the Indian festivals

are sacred and demonstrate great ideals. The Keralites (people from the State

of Kerala, India) celebrate their festivals ONAM and VISHU in the most sacred

way." Sai Baba. SS, 5/99, p. 135

Purpose

With each festival one should cultivate divine feelings. When you contemplate on

God with all sincerity and devotion, you become God yourself. This is what The

Vedanta says: 'Brahmavid Brahmaiva Bhavati (the knower of Brahman becomes

Brahman himself). You will become what you think" Sai Baba. SS. 5/99, 134

The Inner Significance

"Today the people of Kerala are celebrating the festival of Vishu. The inner

significance of Vishu is to cultivate sacredness. It does not end with

preparing Payasam (pudding) and partaking of it. Sanctifying your heart is true

pudding. You will be celebrating Vishu in a true spirit only when you make

efforts to purify your heart." Sai Baba, SS. 5/99, p. 136

Sai Messages Delivered On The Vishu Festival Day

"Every festival in India is suffused with divinity. On each festival day, people

go to temples and offer their prayers to the Almighty. This is a positive trait.

Forgetting God and always thinking of the world is a negative quality." Sai

Baba, SS. 5/99. p. 134

"You may undertake any Sadhana, but never forget the Principle of Love. Never be

afraid of troubles; sanctify your life with love. Love everyone. Where love is,

there God is. Love is God. God is love. All the time we should think of God and

contemplate on Him." Sai Baba, SS, 5/99, p. 136

Glimpses Of Vishu Festival Celebrations At Brindavan - 2000

"The festival ofVishu, the Kerala New Year, was celebrated with gaiety at

Brindavan on 14 April 2000. This was the third consecutive function in the last

three days at Brindavan in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Baba. On the .day of

Vishu, Sai Ramesh Hall bore a special festive look as the Hall was decorated in

the traditional Kerala style with buntings offender coconut leaves.

The morning Bhajan started at 7.05 a.m. As soon as Swami came inside Sai Ramesh

Hall, Nadaswaram music started to welcome Bhagavan. Bhagavan showered divine

bliss by His Darshan to all the assembled devotees. Bhajan continued till 7.45

a.m. At the conclusion of the Bhajan, Mangalarati was offered to Bhagavan. The

morning programme came to a close with the distribution of Prasadam.

In the afternoon, Bhagavan came to Sai Ramesh Hall at 3.25 p.m. and sat in the

chair at the decorated dais. The Kerala devotees led the Bhajan, which

continued from 3.25 to 3.50 p.m. After Bhajans, the programme started with Veda

chanting by Institute students. Thereafter, the State President of Kerala Sri

Sathya Sai Organization, Sri T.R. Natarajan,-introduced the two speakers of the

afternoon after seeking blessings of Bhagavan.

The first speaker of the afternoon was Justice Sridharan, Chief Justice (Retd.),

Gujrat. Justice Sridharan narrated two incidents from his life to show how the

omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent Lord, Bhagavan Baba, helped His devotees

in several critical situations.

The second speaker was Professor E. Mukundan, one of the State Coordinators of

Kerala State Sathya Sai Organization and member of its publication division.

Professor Mukundan stated that the joy of Bhagavan s Darshan was incomparable

and that Bhagavan had incarnated to give joy and bliss to everyone.

Bhagavan then gave His Discourse at 4.25 p.m. With Mangalarati to Bhagavan, the

programme ofVishu came to a close." Sai Baba, SS, 5/2000. p. 159

Glimpses of Vishu And Tamil New Year Day Celebrations At Kodaikanal - 1994

"The Tamil New Year Day and Vishu, the Near Year Day, observed by Keralites,

synchronized on 14 April 1994. Prodigious crowds from Tamil Nadu and Kerala,

apart from a large number of overseas devotees, lined up near 'Sruti' from the

early hours of the morning, to celebrate the auspicious day in the divine

presence of Bhagavan Baba.

The premises of 'Sruti' presented a gay and festive look with extensive floral

decorations, buntings and banners carrying New Year greetings in Tamil and

Malayam. Colourful umbrellas from Kerala lent additional charm to the

picturesque beauty of'Sruti', which stood out against a background of lush

green lawns and the fine foliage of flowers-bearing trees.

The programme for the day started with melodious Nadaswaram music at 7.00 a.m.

followed by Vedic chants by Metro Vedaparayanam group from Madras. Bhagavan

Baba came out at 8.30 a.m. and gave Darshan to the vast multitude of eager

devotees, moving around them and blessing them all.

The band students of the Satya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, who accompanied

Bhagavan to Kodaikanal, gave a devotional treat to the gathering with select

songs in Tamil and a few English Bhajans.

Major General S.P. Mahadevan, President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization in

Tamil Nadu and Professor Sampath, former Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning, spoke about the significance of the New Year Day

and expressed gratitude to Bhagavan for His gracious presence on the auspicious

occasion. They also spoke about the glory of Bhagavan's mission, which was

encompassing the entire world.

Bhagavan then delivered His Divine Discourse in which He mentioned that the New

Year day underlines the importance and the sacredness of time, which should be

utilized for unselfish and divine pursuits.

After Aarati to Bhagavan, sweet Prasadam was distributed to all the thousands

who had assembled there." Editor, SS, 5/94, pp. 127 & 128

>From the book - Festivals at Prasanthi Nilayam and Their Significance - An

Exposition by Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba - Compiled and Edited by Suresh C

Bhatnagar

Text Source: http://aumsairam108.tripod.com/tamil/vishu-festival.htmSai Ram

Website: http://web1.mtnl.net.in/~sairam/

 

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