Heart to Heart - A bouquet of songs offered at the Lotus Feet

[Guest guest]

An article from the latest issue of the SYAN Newsletter (http://www.syan.org).

 

Om Sai Ram

 

Heart to Heart

A bouquet of songs offered at the Lotus Feet

Music Boys of NJ, NY

Growing up in the Sai organization, a group of us Sai brothers have always

shared a heartfelt connection with each other which stemmed from our mutual

love for Swami and a passion for music. Swami has always said that Keertanam

(singing) is one of nine forms of Bhakti (devotion). We felt driven to follow

the path of music to reach Him. Our blessed experience began early, around

January of 2002. At this time, one of the members of our music group from New

Jersey got the sudden idea to attempt to perform a musical program for our

dearest Swami. Although all of have always wished to perform for Him, the

actual thought of doing it had somehow never occurred to any of us. When it was

discussed, we naturally agreed and soon informed all known singers and musicians

who could make this a dynamic performance. Our group consisted of two

main singers, one harmonium player, two tabla players and a dholak player. We

frequently sent registered letters to Swami, praying to Him for an opportunity,

each of us signing our letters as "Music Boys". We wished to establish a

heart-to-heart connection with Swami, using letters as a vehicle to His Lotus

Feet. As musicians, singing His praise to Him is the greatest form of worship

and love that we could offer to Him. As always with Swami, we were not sure

what to expect. With His Grace, five of us arrived in Parthi by the first week

of July; the plans of the sixth were a bit disturbed. There was a great deal of

uncertainty whether the sixth member of the group, who was a lead singer, would

come or not. Moreover, when we arrived in Parthi, he reconfirmed his inability

to come to Parthi. Although initially dejected, even shocked at the

circumstances, we kept strong, sturdy faith that he would indeed come.The first

morning that we

sat together, wearing gold-colored scarves, we proceeded to Darshan and sat in

the second and third row. Bhagavan came over, glanced at us, casting a look of

recognition and sending a signal that things were soon going to be in motion.

He took our letters and sweetly said "Choostanu" ("I will see") before He

walked off… Practices began, although incompletely manned and spirited without

the other singer. Overall, all were worried and unsure, as he was not only the

lead singer, but also the leader of our group. We became more and more

concerned as the days rolled by. On a brighter note, Darshans were absolutely

spectacular. Bhagavan looked more and more reminiscent of the God Supreme than

ever before, glowing in ecstasy and shining brilliantly in beauty. While in

Parthi, we called the missing member of our group and we learned that he had a

beautiful experience. While meditating, he saw

us sitting in Darshan lines, wearing gold-colored scarves, the very color that

we selected!! We knew that Bhagavan had a plan for us, only time could unveil

it to us. We daily flooded Bhagavan's mailbox with our prayers. He heard our

prayers. We were thrilled when we received word that our group leader had a

miraculous change in plans and was on his way to join us in Parthi. Our

leader's boss was extremely insistent that he should not leave because of major

layoffs and two major projects that needed to be completed. If he left, his job

would be in danger. However, if he was able to finish his role in the two

projects, he would be able to leave for Parthi. On the 12th, he went to his

boss, asking what additional responsibilities he had to take on while his boss

was on vacation. The boss immediately told our leader that there was no need

for him to take on any responsibilities; he did not

understand why he was talking as though he wasn't going on vacation. Our leader

then reminded his boss that it was the boss who told him not to go, but his

boss was insistent that he did not recollect any such statement. Furthermore,

he told our leader to "modify his plans" and leave immediately, reminding him

that he must be back by July 25th for an extremely important meeting. In a

fluster of confusion, he immediately left and instantly saw Bhagavan's

intervention in the whole process. Practices continued and on the 16th, at

about 3AM, our group was finally united, donned in our gold-colored scarves,

ready to draw our Lord through our love as best and as fast as we could, for we

only had four days together as a group. It didn't take too much of an effort on

our part- He did it all. We sat in two rows of three's, three in the front and

three in the back, in both the second and third lines.

With bated breath we waited for Bhagavan to come, praying, crying and begging

for His mercy to be showered on us. Finally, He did come, slowly and

magnificently. He saw us from a distance and came closer and closer, and as He

did, the prayer in my mind and heart grew louder and stronger and more

vigorous! He accepted our group letter and then looked at us and asked one of

the other main singers where we were from. He replied "USA, Swami." Swami took

a few steps to our right and then turned back and asked "Music Boys?" Our

hearts jumped and our joy was obvious. He asked, "When is the program?" We

replied, "As You wish, Swami.What is the time?At Your Will, Swami." He

turned for a moment and then turned back and asked our leader: "When are you

leaving?On the 19th, Swami.All?No, Swami. Boys are leaving later.

Swami, should I change my plans?Very happy. Good boy," as He patted his

cheek, "No, no. President Srinivasan se pucho (ask) I will

also speak to president.We love You, Swami.Yes, yes. Very happy." He

continued to walk towards the verandah. Half of us broke down into tears, half

of us were starry-eyed, all of us were overwhelmed. In a few seconds, Swami

summoned Mr. Srinivasan from the verandah and told him to speak with us, that

we were the Music Boys and that we were from USA. Those words were simply

ringing in our ears, minds and hearts. Mr. Srinivasan came over and called us

aside. Mr. Srinivasan asked us when we wanted to perform, suggesting the 17th

evening in Poornachandra Auditorium, upon Swami's approval. Srinivasan also

insisted that we get the approval of Dr. Bill Harvey, an official

representative of USA. Further, he also suggested that we perform for Mr.

Leonardo, who was in charge of all of the cultural programs during the Seva

Conference, which was around the corner. Somewhere in the confusion, Mr.

Leonardo mistakenly assumed that we wanted to be apart of the cultural programs

and wished to be slotted into the timings. In any case, we performed for Mr.

Leonardo and Dr. Harvey, who both gave their approval, most graciously. Mr.

Leonardo immediately informed Mr. Srinivasan of his approval also taking with

him to Mr. Srinivasan, the book that we prepared for Swami with our request.

Mr. Srinivasan took with him the consent of Leonardo and the book to Swami that

afternoon for lunch. That evening, we met Mr. Leonardo and Mr. Srinivasan, who

informed us that Bhagavan took the book, looked through it and told Mr.

Srinivasan that He would personally inform the boys of His decision and give us

His instructions, directly. Thinking beyond the words that were used, we felt

completely confused and anticipated the worst. We stepped up the power of our

prayer and each of us gave it every ounce of intensity that we had in our

capacity.The next morning, we sat again in the same

place, but a little more towards the front. Swami came by and asked: "Did you

speak to Srinivasan?""Yes Swami.When is the program?""As you wish,

Swami.""No, no, that is not my business, sir!""No, Swami, only heart-to-heart

connection, Swami. No one else. Please tell us, Swami.Yes, yes, very happy.

Okay. Tomorrow evening. Here, [pointing to the dais] in the front.Thank you,

Swami. We love you.Yes, very happy." Our hearts were filled with elation.

Once again, the tears, the smiles, the joy was uncontainable. But at the same

time, we knew to maintain discipline and therefore closed our eyes and sat

quietly after Swami went inside. After the Darshan Srinivasan descended from

the verandah and approached us. He told us to come up and follow him and he sat

us at the front of the verandah, in front of the Interview Room. He stepped

inside for two to three seconds and summoned us inside.

As we filed into the small room, we were simply taken aback by the sudden

proximity to our Dear Lord, whose bright orange robe caught our immediate

attention. He was standing there, in His full glory, the essence of purity,

beauty and wonder, with His thumb, index & middle fingers atop the bridge of

His nose- totally lost, absolutely not there; revealing His innate Divinity,

exploding and transcending all worlds before our very eyes; an image, forever

the screensaver of our minds. Among other things, Swami asked us to sing the

songs for Him, so that He could get a preview! We did and He seemed pleased. He

went through each song and selected the ones He wanted us to perform. He

reminded us that it was a public performance and that we must have a group

name. We of course requested that He Himself give us a name. And so He named

us, "Music Boys of New Jersey…New York." He advised us to

practice well in preparation for the next day's performance. He most sweetly put

us all at ease by calling us in, talking to us, asking each of our roles and

discussing the songs, He was concerned about our health and made us some

Vibhuthi, which seemed to have a medicinal effect. We repeated over and over

how much we loved Him and He reciprocated that love a thousand fold! After the

interview, some of us were crying, others could not wipe the smiles off of our

faces! But we still had work to do. We practiced to our best ability all day

and the following morning. Finally, afternoon Darshan on July 18th approached

and we were all jittering with joy. We arrived well before Darshan and put our

instruments in the Mandir, all instruments, voices, minds and hearts tuned to

Swami's rhythm and rhyme. After Swami came out for Darshan and called some

people for an interview, He came out and told us to come to the dais and

commence the program.

We prepared a bouquet of flowers to offer to Swami and He graciously accepted

them. Before we began, Swami asked us where we were from and then announced to

the students and to the rest of the gathering that we were the Music Boys from

NJNY; what a grand way to begin by having the Lord of the Universe as our

Master of Ceremonies! We were and still are eternally honored and grateful, for

we may never know for what reason we were given such an opportunity! His love

and kindness transcends anything that we have ever experienced. The program

went over well and when we finished, Swami most graciously gifted us with white

clothes and even allowed us to be photographed with Him. He then asked one of

our boys to speak to the gathering. He spoke about Swami's infinite love and

compassion, how Swami brought us here and allowed us to perform, simply by

being pure love. He mentioned that we knew no one

coming to Parthi and came with no connections, only our heart-to-heart

connection with Him. Indeed, it was that heart-to-heart connection that brought

us to Swami and that allowed us to perform. It was Swami who prompted us to

desire to perform; it was Swami who encouraged us to write letters to Him; it

was Swami who drove us to love Him. Undeniably, it was Swami who arranged for

the entire program, from the first practice, down to the details of the songs.

We can do no more than humbly submit ourselves at His Lotus Feet and thank Him

for all of His Love. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank Swami for the pure

love He showered on us. This experience will always remain as a precious and

indelible mark in our memory.

Source:

http://www.syan.org/Sum2004/article_heart2heart.htmlDo

You ?

 

[Guest guest]

***

Moderator's Note

All the English and Hindi songs of the program by Music Boys of NJ, NY

can be downloaded from the 'Sai Music Network' website at this address:

http://music.sshvosc.org/

 

Om Sai Ram

***

 

 

Sai Ram,

What a great experience. I would love to listen to

your bhajans. If you happen to upload your bhajans to

the server, please provide us with the URL.

Sai Ram,

Soundharya

 

--- saibabanews <saibaba_news wrote:

 

> Heart to Heart

> An article from the latest issue of the SYAN

> Newsletter (http://www.syan.org).

>

> Heart to Heart

>

> A bouquet of songs offered at the Lotus Feet

> Music Boys of NJ, NY

> ......