In HIS Durbar

[Guest guest]

Sairam to dear brothers and sisters,

 

Following the captain that read on the entrance to the Brindavan Asram, as well

as inside the Ramesh Hall, I too take this opportunity to wish all brothers and

sisters "Wish u a very HOLY and HAPPY VISHU"

 

The people of Kerala, I mean the devotees from there, are simple and great.

They do everything with a purpose. Today I was amazed to see the pain they had

taken to dress up our Lord's Durbar. It was too good. Excellent green

festoons, natural decoorations and the like, covered the entire Brindavan Asram

Area. Majority of devotees wore their traditional Dress(ladies) and thus they

stood out from the masses. This is unlike others, where there is not much of

traditional dress seen.

 

Crowds had assembled as early as 6 AM inside the hall, and obviously all Kerala

devotees and guests were given the topmost priority to sit inside. There was

absolutely no place and people were standing and craning their necks to catch a

glimpse of our beloved LORD.

 

Bhagavan arrived around 8.15 AM and entered through the Ramesh Hall through the

ladies side. Today He walked so fast even though holding the hand of possibly a

teacher. He went straight to the first block where the musicians and bhajans

singers had assembled, and was immediately offered Poorna Kumbham on behalf of

the Kerala State Devotees, invoking the blessings of Bhagavan for their New

Year Day (Vishu). Thereafter He spoke with Sundaram Bhajan group singers from

Chennai and then moved on to students block and spoke to students, who were so

eager to have the attention of their Lord and Saviour. Then He spent a lot of

time with the Kerala Youth, talking to many of them and accepting lots of

letters. He equally visited the Kerala Ladies side along the center aisle and

made them happy too, taking letters from them. Nearly at the end of Ramesh

Hall along the center aisle, He got into the car and drove slowly out to Trayee

Brindavan, and then re-entered the stage and took His seat to listen to some

Excellent Bhajan singing by Kerala singers. Then He took Aarti, saw through

prasadam distribution and left the stage slowly.

 

The Hall had one particular banner that said "We Love You Swami" besides other

eye catching banners and festoons. Most of Swami's teachings were on display.

Center stage where Swami normally sits was decorated beautifully.

 

There was no discourse today also in the morning.

 

However there was a pleasant surprise in our Prime Minister making a visit to

the asram to seek Swami's blessing.

 

Devotees from Kerala thronged the Snacks counter and stores, and enjoyed lovely

snacks provided by the asram and reduced costs. Particularly Ice cream,

Buttermilk, juices, coke etc., were their favorite because of the hot sun.

Many devotees were observed to purchase the audio CDs to take back home.

 

The Books center was equally crowded. Since the crowds were unprecedented, it

was a tough time for Gokulam to manage the breakfast and lunch and thus many

preferred to eat the snacks at the snacks counter.

 

By 3.30 PM the hall was once again full for the Afternoon darshan. Everyone was

eagerly waiting for the discourse atleast in the evening. What is in store ?

 

Swami arrived only at 4.45 PM. As soon as He came, Bhajans started but the

Kerala State President signalled to stop after two bhajans, after speaking to

Swami and now came the surprise.

 

An excellent Karnatic Classical Flute music treat was granted to the devotees

and the program was simply superb.

Swami enjoyed every bit. The high light of the program was the jugalbandi of

nine percussion instruments and they were obviously experts. Swami enjoyed it

so much, that He clapped like an ordinary mortal when the Jugalbandi ended.

"Bolanath" was in bliss throughout the program. The program lasted nearly 45

minutes and Swami in between spoke to staff, and it emerged that Swami was

going to honour the musicians.

 

Swami finally got down from the stage, walked right into the musicians and

bhajans singers block much to the delight of these performers and individually

gave dress to deserving musicians. There were overjoyed. It was wonderful to

see Swami tossing the Dhoti and Angavastra (dress set as worn by the people of

Kerala).

 

Swami also sprang a surprise. After presenting dress to Classical artistes, He

walked to a particular musician, and possibly told him to sing ? because

suddenly the musician who sang yesterday presented a song only for Bhagavan,

with Bhagavan standing right over him. Staff brought a chair for Swami to sit

right amongst the group of people in the first block, but Swami elected to

stand and listen. He then affectionately caressed the young artiste, blessed

him too with a dress.

 

Thereafter He got into the car and slowly drove away through the ladies wing and

into Trayee Brindavan. Thus ended a grand New Year day of Vishu.

 

Now what is next in store ?

 

Jai sairam

 

 

Raja