Parthi Update 30th, 31st Oct 2004

[Guest guest]

Parthi Update

 

30-10-2004

 

Dear Brother

 

Sairam. On 29th October, the Grama Seva concluded satisfactorily. All

the villages of the three Mandals of Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu and

Bukkapatnam, that come under the erstwhile Sri Sathya Sai Taluka,

were covered in the Grama Seva.

 

Initially, the number of vehicles expected was less and therefore we

had thought that it would take a very long time. However, this time

by Bhagawan's Grace, we had as many as 32 vehicles with us, including

Canters and Tractors. That cut down the time estimates by more than

half!!

 

On 30th morning, all the Drivers, Cleaners and others involved in

providing support services for the Grama Seva were Blessed with

clothes, food and Prasadam. In the evening, the Brindavan students

were ready with a presentation on the life of Sri Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa. They had been preparing for this drama even as the Grama

Seva was going on! Time Management!

 

With Bhagawan's permission, they staged the drama in Kulwant Hall.

The duration was around 40 minutes. It was very well enacted. The

dialogues were in Hindi whereas the voice over was in English. They

depicted the intense devotion that Ramakrishna had for Mother Kali,

how he cried out everyday that he could not get Her Darshan and yet

one more day was lost! Finally, he gets the Divine Darshan of Mother

Kali. The next scene finds Ramakrishna praying for a true disciple

who could spread the message of Love and Devotion among the masses.

Then Vivekananda comes in.

 

The interactions between the Master and the disciple were depicted

very well. One of the scenes was about the story that Swami narrates

very often. It shows how Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was an ideal teacher

and how he tailor made his teachings in accordance with the

temperament of the disciple.

 

The story is about Vivekananda and another disciple traveling by

boat, across the river to fetch some food for the Master. The first

day, one disciple goes in the boat. As he is traveling in the boat,

some of the people over there, start accusing Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa, calling him a false saint. Hearing all these

accusations, the disciple feels very dejected and he returns to the

Ashram with a crestfallen face. Looking at him, Ramakrishna enquires

about the cause for his sorrow.

 

The disciple narrates the happenings in the boat. Ramakrishna

Paramahamsa then chides the disciple for being so passive and

encourages him to be more confident and firm with such people who

insult his Guru. Vivekananda too listens to all this advise. The

second day, it was the turn of Vivekananda to go and fetch food for

the Master. Swami Vivekananda also encounters the same set of people.

But as he listens to them insulting his Guru, he holds them by the

collar and threatens to throw them into the river if they uttered

another word about his Master. Immediately they all keep silent.

 

Vivekananda returns in a very joyful mood for having successfully

obeyed his Master's command. However, when he returns to the Ashram,

Ramakrishna chides him for being so impatient and short tempered. At

this point, Vivekananda gets confused and seeks clarification from

Ramakrishna. Had he not advised the other disciple to be more

confident and firm with the culprits?

 

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa then explains that his purpose was to shape

each disciple according to his needs. The other disciple was very

submissive and timid and hence had to be cajoled to be more assertive

and confident. Whereas, Vivekananda was already over confident and

hence had to be toned down a little!!

 

Swami gives the analogy of an automobile tyre and says that when the

air is too much, we need to remove a little air and when it is less,

we need to pump in more air. The automobile runs properly only when

there is correct amount of air in the tube!!

 

At the end of their presentation, they all stood together in a group.

Swami Himself got up from the sofa and came down to give them a group

photograph. He materialized a ring for the student who acted as

Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. All boys were very happy. After this Swami

took some devotees from the Mandir Portico into the interview room.

Bhajans commenced as usual at 5.00 p.m.

 

 

31-10-2004

 

This evening, Swami was out by 3.15 p.m. He came onto the dais and

sat down on the sofa. After a while Swami asked the Vedam chanting to

be stopped and He gave a nod to the Anantapur Sisters. They were

prepared with a bouquet of songs – all on Mother Goddess – in view of

the just concluded Dussera festival. They started their presentation

at 3.35 p.m.

 

They began with the chanting of Durga Suktam – Jata Vedase Sunavama –

but with music and beat in the background. It was very soothing to

hear. However, half way through, Swami signaled to them to move over

to the next song. They presented a number of songs on Chamundeshwari,

Lakshmi – Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma, O Maa Sai Maa, Govinda Jaya

Gokula Vrinda Pavana Jaya Jaya Paramananda….

 

It was 4.05 p.m. and Swami suddenly asked the boys to sing group

songs. They were caught absolutely by surprise!! But the music group

boys who are ever ready these days with their books and notes, took

off with Kanula Mundara, Sai Mahadeva Mamu Kapadagarava, Aao Sab

Milkar Gaye Ekta Ke geet Doharaye……. It was a true `Crisis

Management'.

 

Again at 4.25 p.m. after we had managed to somehow get through with a

few group songs, Swami smiled and asked one of the primary school

boys to go and find out whether they had any group songs ready.

 

The primary school children would not miss out on such a lovely

chance!! They too sang a Telugu song praising Swami as our father and

mother, in the tune of our National Anthem. However, it was getting a

little too hard on our ears and Swami too knowing our plight, smiled

and stopped them half way through!! It was a very lovely evening.

 

All were heartily smiling at Bhagawan's Leelas! We never know what He

will do at which moment. That is why He asks us to be ever ready!

Bhagawan says that God is like a photographer. Any moment, He may

click our photo. However, unlike a worldly photographer, He does not

say `Cheers' giving us time to get ready for a pose. His is instant

clicking and therefore we need to be ever ready!!

 

After all this, Bhagawan finally chose to have Bhajans!!

 

Till 5.00 p.m. we had wonderful Bhajans. The weather too was joining

us in praising the Lord. The black clouds hung low and a cool current

of air enveloped the whole Kulwant Hall. Swami sat with a `Manda

Haasa Vadana' a beautiful blissful smile on His face, throughout the

Bhajans. At 5.00 p.m. He got up, took Aarti and retired for the day.

 

Regarding our schedule, the Institute classes will be commencing from

Tuesday onwards. We will be starting the second semester. Monday is a

holiday as it is the Andhra Pradesh state formation day. Vacations

will commence after Swami's Birthday, mostly from the 24th of

November onwards.

 

What else Swami has in His Master Plan for the next month, is not yet

known to us. But slowly, we are sure; Swami will unveil His plan to

all of us. Eagerly awaiting the 79th Birthday celebrations of our

most Beloved Bhagawan, we move on from day to day!!

 

 

Food for Thought

 

"What is the secret of success?" asked the Sphinx.

"Push," said the Button.

"Never be led," said the Pencil.

"Always keep cool," said the Ice.

"Be up to date," said the Calendar.

"Make light of everything," said the Fire.

"Do a driving business," said the Hammer.

"Be sharp in your dealings," said the Knife.

 

Sairam

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your day to today updates .

It was mind boggling to see the pictures of Dassera

and Swami among all the renouned pundits.

Brother thanks again from my bottom of my heart.

Let Swami Bless you profusely as the job yu are

doing is unmeasurable.All Blessings to you.

The Ananda which we derived from the Pictures and

updates of Parthi is unfathomable ,may you have

infinite Ananda and Supreme Bliss.

 

Sai Ram

 

SoumendraA Anantha Vijaya <aavijaya > wrote:

Parthi Update

[Guest guest]

Dear Soumendra Da,

 

Thank you very much for your kind words and

blessings. I shall in future also keep posting

Prashanti information that I can lay my hands upon.

 

Being an alumni of SSSIHL, by the grace of Swami,

I get information early.

 

Thank you once again for all the sweet words and

blessings.

 

With lots of Love

Soumendra Bhattacharjee <soumendra_toronto > wrote:

Sai Ram Brother Anantha Vijaya ,

 

Thank you so much for your day to today updates..........