A Report on Ashaadi Ekadashi at Prasanthi Nilayam on 29th June, 2004

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram

 

I had been to Parthi for the Ashaadi Ekadashi and I am sending you my direct

report to be shared with all of you.

 

Sai Ram

 

Deepak Bharwani

A REPORT ON ASHAADI EKADASHI AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM ON 29TH JUNE, 2004

The Bal Vikas and the Youth Wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations,

Maharashtra and Goa gave a memorable performance in the Divine Presence of

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Kulwant Hall Prasanthi Nilayam. Approximately

five hundred devotees participated in this programme. Bhagavan Baba arrived at

the Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.25 am. The hall wore a festive look. Banners which

displayed the messages "God is always within you", "God and You are one", "God

is immanent in you", "To see yourself turn inward", "All are the embodiments of

the Divine" etc, were artistically done by the Youth of Maharashtra. On

Bhagavan's arrival at the Sai Kulwant Hall, He raised both His Hands in the

"Abhaya Hasta" form to the entire gathering. It was surprising to note this

gesture from Bhagavan Baba since His Hands movement was restricted during the

last few months. Nevertheless, the devotees who were assembled there were

ecstatic on seeing their Lord showered Blessings on them. It was really a

wonderful sight for everyone. The programme commenced with the Invocation Song

chanted by Ajit Kadkade in his melodious voice. The entire hall was immersed in

the chanting of the name of "Panduranga Vithala", who the people of Maharashtra

revere as their deity. Mr. Indulal Shah (Ex Chairman, World Council, Sri Sathya

Sai Seva Organisations ) was seated next to Bhagavan Baba. Actually, the

programme started on the evening of 25th June, 2004 from Dharmavaram with the

traditional spiritual invocations by the Warkaris covering a distance of about

45 kms. This "Dindi Procession" by the Warkaris culminated on the evening of

28th June, 2004, seeking the Divine Darshan of Sai Vithala at Prasanthi

Nilayam. The youth also rendered service in the villages through Grama Seva,

Narayan Seva, Medical Camps etc. A Sai Katha Sankirtan for participants of Seva

Dindi in the midst of Akhanda Namasmarana and Bhajan were also organized. The

Balvikas children gave a scintillating performance. The significance of the

Ashaadi and Dindi commentary was followed by the traditional Dindi Dance which

set the tempo of this Bollywood like performance. The play was titled " The

Supreme Verdict" and the theme was based on Swami's messages which followed.

The highlight of this programme was to deliver the direct message of Bhagavan

that "Divinity was present not only in each and every one but also in every

atom of the Universe, and true devotion of the Lord was to recognize this Truth

first in their own selves and then through Saguna Bhakti (worshipping the form)

move onto Nirguna Bhakti (worshipping the omnipresent formless) in a spirit of

devotion and surrender". The colorful outfits wore by the performers gave a

professional look to the entire show. The musical background was rapturous. A

song "Kal Ho Na Ho" had a catchy tune. It was a chart buster, since everyone

was humming it afterward. Bhagavan Baba was very happy with the skillful

display by the Bal Vikas children. At the end of the play, Bhagavan Baba

commented to the Bal Vikas children "Very nice....very nice". He was very happy

with the entire show. Thereafter, He blessed the special Prasad, called some

children and handed over this special Prasad to be distributed to everyone.

This Prasad is made out of - Rajgiri - a cereal common in Maharashtra which is

blended with jaggery paste, and then cut into oblong pieces. Rajgiri is

considered to be an auspicious sacred food to be taken on the occasion of

Ashaadi Ekadashi.

A photo session with Bhagavan Baba was also held. Bhajans continued after the

photo session. Ajit Kadkade, Richa Sharma, Uma Bolangdy and others sang a few

bhajans which transported all of us, including Bhagavan Baba, into a state of

bliss. The entire programme lasted about two hours which ended around 9.25 a.m.

The love showered by Bhagavan Baba on the Bal Vikas children left a deep

impression in our hearts. In the afternoon around 3.25 pm there was another

superlative performance by the Bal Vikas children of Navi Mumbai. A musical

drama titled "Garibun Nawaz" was enacted at the Sai Kulwant Hall once again to

a full capacity crowd. This play was based on the life of the Great Sufi Saint

of Ajmer "Khawaja Moynuddin Chisti" also known as 'Garibun Nawaz" whose message

to mankind is very similar to the message of our dear beloved Bhagavan. At the

end of the play a Bal Vikas child was presented a golden medallion/coin by

Bhagavan Baba. Bhagavan Baba once again called for the photo session after the

programme culminated .

At around 5.05 p.m. with the waving of the camphor, the Aarti was done by the

State President of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Sawant and a few Bal Vikas

Children. Baba then retired to His room. Thus ended the eventful day for the

devotees and the performers who would cherish the memories of this day forever.

The entire programme was conducted under the loving care of Smt. Kamala Pandya &

Shri Nimish Pandya and their dedicated team. Kudos to this dedicated team and

the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Maharashtra & Goa for their selfless

contributions which have produced excellent performances in the Divine Presence

of Bhagavan Baba year after year. There was also an exhibition conducted by the

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of Maharashtra depicting the core message of

Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on "Parenting for Bal Vikas". This programme was

held in an exhibition hall next to the Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publication

Trust near the Shopping Complex in Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagavan has oft repeated

that Education is like a bicycle. The rider is the student, the Parents and Bal

Vikas Guru represent the front and the back wheel of the bicycle. If the

bicycle has to move all them must co-operate and further this movement. It is

indeed the need of the hour for all parents to pause for a while and understand

that the Home is the birthplace of Value Education. Once the seeds are sown in

the home by the parents, the Bal Vikas Class provides the right environment for

the flowering of the seeds into healthy saplings. The Bal Vikas Guru like the

gardener, tends the sapling so that it bears beautiful fruits and flowers and

spreads its fragrance in the world around. Jai Sai Ram.

 

website source: http://www.freewebs.com/sairama/ashadha/report-04.htm

[Guest guest]

Nothing is a coincidence any more - while devotees from maharashtra were

celeberating Ekadashi at the Lotus Feet of Bhagwan - all devotees were also

treated to the the year 2000 (?) recording of the Ekadashi Celeberation on

Sanskar TV in a special One Hour Telecast - what we saw in the telecast was

sterling performance and top notch stage management totally immersed in

Devotion - typical of the state where Bolywood is beating like a heart.

 

Our best wishes to all the artists of Bal Vikas who took part and made the event

a success that it was.

 

A special thanks to Devotee Deepak for taking all the pains to file a detailed report.

 

Sai Ram - Be Happy

 

JP

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