Report on Onam Celebrations: 26th – 28th August, 2004

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Report on Onam Celebrations26th – 28th August, 2004

Bhagawan granting Darshan on Onam Day. The floral decoration Pookkalam is seen in the background

The people from the state of Kerala proudly describe their land as ‘God’s Own

Country’. It is a land of great natural beauty that has cherished and preserved

its rich cultural heritage to this day. It is home to varied forms of art, music

and dances that enchant and captivate one and all with their beauty. So, when

the people of Kerala gather at the Lotus Feet of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

on the occasion of Onam, it is indeed a grand cultural feast. This year, the

Onam celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam were held over three days, from 26th to

28th of August.

The festivities commenced on the evening of 26th with the rendition of ‘Sai

Katha’ – the beautiful lyrical narrative of Bhagawan’s childhood penned by

Bhagawan Himself in Telugu. The singer enthralled the audience by recounting,

in his mellifluous voice, various incidents from Bhagawan’s childhood days

culminating in the historic declaration of His Avatarhood. He embellished the

recital with a commentary and a few related experiences of devotees narrated in

English. Following this, there was a music concert of devotional songs in

Malayalam.

On the evening of 27th August, the Bal Vikas children of Ernakulam, presented a

play titled ‘Bhaktha Sakha Bhagawan’ (God is the True Friend of His devotees).

The play depicted episodes from the life of three devotees of God – Draupadi,

Kururamma and Shyama, who experienced Him as their only saviour and friend.

Shyama, who was a close devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi, was once bitten by a

venomous snake. When some passers-by offered to take him to the Vithobha temple

nearby, Shyama said that he considered Sai Baba as his Vithobha and asked to be

taken to Him instead. But, when they reached the Dwarakamayi mosque where Baba

resided, they were shocked to see Baba turn upon them and shout at Shyama

saying, “Devil! Get out of here. I don’t want to see you again”. Shyama was

dismayed and prayed to Baba that he knew no other refuge and continued to

importune Him to save him. After a while, Baba softly called Shyama near.

Shyama asked Baba why He had to shout at him in such a harsh manner. Baba

replied that He had not shouted at him, but at the venom that had entered him,

so as to drive it away and thus save him. Shyama fell at Baba’s feet

overwhelmed by Baba’s love for him and understood that the Lord would never

forsake His devotees and always acted for their welfare.

Shyama praying to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba: a scene from the play Bhaktha Sakha Bhagawan

At the end of the programme, Bhagawan blessed the participants and graciously

allowed them to stand with Him for photographs. The next programme was a

musical offering of devotional songs by renowned musicians from Kerala, who

expressed their love and gratitude to Lord Sai through their soulful

renditions.

The traditional Panchavadyam welcoming Bhagawan into the Sai Kulwant Hall

On the morning of 28th, the day of Onam, Bhagawan was welcomed into the Sai

Kulwant Hall, amidst Vedam chanting and Panchavadyam music, by colourfully

dressed children holding lamps and performing the traditional ‘Kavadi’ dance.

Thereafter, the Bal Vikas students of Thiruvananthapuram presented a tableau

entitled ‘Kerala – The Sai Samrajyam’ (Kerala – The Kingdom of Sai) which

celebrated the rich cultural tradition of Kerala with a display of the various

dance forms, folk as well as classical, that are popular in Kerala. One of the

participants was dressed as Mahabali, the legendary king of the Kerala country,

who is believed to visit his beloved subjects on the Onam day. This time he had

chosen to visit Prasanthi Nilayam also, the narrative explained, as he wanted

to be in the presence of Sai Vamana.

Emperor Mahabali offering his salutations to Lord Vamana come again in the

tableau Kerala - The Sai Samrajyam

Prof. Mukundan, the President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, Kerala,

then addressed the audience and reminded them that Bhagawan’s descent amongst

mankind is His greatest gift to us. He expressed his gratitude to Bhagawan,

mentioning that Bhagawan’s message and example are today transforming the

attitudes and outlook of the people of Kerala. He then introduced the next

speaker, Sri Balakrishna Pillai, the Honourable Minister for Transport,

Government of Kerala. Sri Pillai said that it is our great fortune that we are

contemporaries of the Avatara Purusha. He prayed that Kerala be blessed by the

divine touch of Bhagawan’s holy feet.

Thereafter, Bhagawan delivered His Divine discourse, in which He enjoined the

devotees to make ‘Atmanveshana’ (the quest for the Self) one’s goal instead of

frittering away one’s life in ‘Annanveshana’ (eking out a living). Difficulties

and troubles may assail one, but one should face them boldly and overcome them

instead of tamely yielding to them like a coward. The virtue of courage will

certainly take one closer to God, He said. During the discourse, Bhagawan

praised the performance of one of the children who had participated in the

dance programme and said that she had carefully watched the other participants

as they danced and moved in step with them. He then called her to the dais and

materialized a gold chain and placed it around her neck. He exhorted everyone

to be like a child, atleast for a minute each day, full of love and innocence,

and devoid of any traces of envy or hatred. Bhagawan concluded His discourse on

the note that we

should develop love towards everyone and ended with the Bhajan “Prema Muditha Man Se Kaho”.

That evening, the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth, Srisailam staged a

play titled ‘Pithru Bhakthi of Adi Sankara’, which demonstrated his devotion

and obedience towards his father. The play drove home the point that by

pleasing one’s parents, one can earn the grace of God. This was followed by a

dance ballet ‘Ambarisha Charitham’ performed by Bal Vikas children from

Malappuram district. The story depicts how Lord Vishnu protects his devotee,

King Ambarisha, from the curse of sage Durvasa by releasing His weapon, the

Sudarshana Chakra (discus) upon Durvasa. When Durvasa rushes to Brahma, Shiva

and Vishnu, all of them in turn express their inability to come to his aid.

Finally, as per Lord Vishnu’s advice, Durvasa falls at the feet of Ambarisha

and asks for his pardon, and only then does the Sudarshana Chakra retract. The

presentation held the audience spellbound with its music, dance choreography

and colourful costumes.

A scene from the dance ballet Ambarisha Charitham

The three day Onam celebrations concluded with a rendition of ‘Abhangs’,

devotional songs in Marathi in praise of Lord Vithobha, whose rhythmic beats of

cymbals and drums made the devotees lose themselves in the ecstasy of the music

and devotional fervour. Bhagawan then accepted Arati and retired to His

residence.

Jai Sai Ram!

Source:

http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/onam_04_report.htmDo

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