Parthi Update 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th November 2004

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Parthi Update

12-11-2004

 

 

 

Sairam. This morning, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 7.00 a.m. He came and sat

down on the sofa amidst Vedic chanting. Later Prasadam distribution commenced

and subsequently Swami went into the interview room. Bhajans as usual at 9.00

a.m. In the evening, Swami was out by 3.00 p.m. itself. The devotees from

COLOR: navy">Gujarat have arrived at Prasanthinilayam in big numbers to

celebrate their New Year which falls tomorrow.

 

This evening, the Balvikas children and the youth from Gujarat were ready with a

programme. Swami had Blessed them in the morning to go ahead with their

programme. Bhagawan took some devotees for an interview and came out at 4.00

p.m. He came and sat on the sofa that was placed in the middle of the dais for

the presentation.

 

The programme started at 4.05 p.m. The first item was a folk dance from Gujarat.

But my! It was a very fast and rigorous dance that captured everybody’s heart.

They danced to quick beats and every few seconds got into different formations.

The background music was played on traditional drum and other instruments.

 

The second item was a drama by the Balvikas children titled “Transformation”.

The theme was the true purpose of education and the need for good teachers in

the society. A good student changes himself but a good teacher can exercise his

influence on hundreds of students. The play was basically about a School

Headmaster who is a devotee of Swami and runs his school in line with

Bhagawan’s principles and maintains Human Values as the undercurrent in all the

classes.

 

He inspires the students to study on their own without depending on private

tuitions. He encourages his teachers to spare extra time even after the regular

classes, to coach the students in subjects where they found some difficulty.

 

In comes a private teacher, Mr. Nagappa who feels threatened by this headmaster

as no students from this school come for his private tuitions. He comes to meet

the headmaster and places his proposal for his consideration. The idea was to

have a nexus and share question papers in advance to benefit the students and

enable them to score well. The headmaster gives Mr. Nagappa a good lecture on

ethics and asks him to leave the place.

 

Mr. Nagappa feels insulted and arranges two young men to physically assault the

headmaster. The headmaster discovers that this was the doing of Mr. Nagappa.

But still he does not lodge any police complaint and even pardons one of the

young men who comes and confesses his mistake to the headmaster.

 

All this even touches the heart of Mr. Nagappa. He turns a new leaf in his life

and comes to seek pardon from the headmaster. The drama concludes with Mr.

Nagappa visiting the classes at this school and asking several questions to the

students. In the process of answering the questions, the students expound

several teachings of Bhagawan. In fact that was the strategy used in this

drama. Through the headmaster and his students all teachings of Bhagawan

relating to education were clearly highlighted. There were some songs too here

and there to add to the variety.

 

At 4.55 the drama concluded and the sisters from Gujarat started Bhajans. After

a few Bhajans, Swami signaled for the Aarti. As Swami was about to move towards

the golf cart, the actors and dancers came forward and Bhagawan gave them group

photographs. By 5.15 p.m. Bhagawan retired to Poornachandra. All boys moved out

of Kulwant Hall with great excitement for the most thrilling part of the day –

Crackers!! Even as we type this update we can already hear rockets, bombs and

flowerpots going zoooom!

 

Just as Bhagawan was getting into the Golf Cart, Prof. Anil Kumar announced

about the Global Akhanda Bhajans that are to begin tomorrow at 6.00 p.m. Let us

all participate with total devotion and love in this annual offering at His

Lotus Feet!

 

 

 

13-11-2004

 

 

 

This morning marked the new year of the Gujaratis with the arrival of Bhagawan

in the Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.05 a.m. Even as the Golf Cart entered the Ladies

section of the hall, the Vedic chants faded away and in came a melodious

rendering of a welcome song in Sanskrit by the sisters from Gujarat. It was

very soothing and as the Golf Cart reached the Gents side, a Hindustani

classical song began. This was all the more melodious. Good beat and when

Swami’s name came in, all devotees started clapping to the beat.

 

Swami took a slow round and got down in the inner portico and started walking

slowly towards the dais. All were swaying to the lilting tunes and Swami too

was keeping beat with His hands. As He approached the dais, the song came to a

close. Swami was talking to Mr. Narasimhamoorthy, but He turned towards the

sisters and asked them to continue. Well, you can imagine how joyful they would

have been.

 

They started the song once again and throughout, Swami stood near the sofa

swaying to the Svaras and keeping beat with His hands. As the song concluded,

Bhagawan sat down on the sofa. The State President went forward with a rose,

followed by other office bearers. Formalities over, the main programme began.

 

The voice over was given by our dear brother Sri Shaurya Sinh Gohil who

completed his MBA from our Institute in 2001. He spoke with his magnetic voice

in English and his successful attempt at Telugu was also received very well!!

 

The presentation began with a traditional Garba type dance. It was an offering

to Mother Jagadamba – a typical dance popular in Southern Gujarat. This was

performed by the youth – again a very vigorous dance with sticks (as used in

Ras Garba). It ended amidst a loud applause from all.

 

The second item was a play by the youth entitled “Shantinagar – The Sai Gram”.

The play was a story of real incidences observed by Sevadals while doing Grama

Seva in the villages of Gujarat. It was a 35 minute play – simple but profound

in its message. All hearts were churned and touched with the feelings portrayed

in the play.

 

Basically, it was about the transformation that the Seva Dals were instrumental

in bringing about, in a remote village in Gujarat. Prior to their visit, people

in this village lived a pitiable life, whiling away all their time in selling

and consuming liquor. They had no idea of what a cultured life was all about.

 

On their first visit, the Seva Dals meet with tremendous resistance, to the

extent that they were pelted with stones and driven away from the village. But

the Seva Dals do not give up and finally succeed in running a Medical Camp at

the village. This is followed by frequent visits to the village and there is a

gradual change in the villagers. One scene depicts the Seva Dal cleaning the

dirty areas of the village along with the village folk. This stuns the local

people as they realize that these Seva Dals have no selfish motive in their

endeavour. Initially the village men were under the impression that these were

members from some political party who had come as usual to exploit their

poverty and weakness.

 

Several interactions between the elders and the Seva Dals were portrayed very

effectively communicating Bhagawan’s message. The dialogues were very well

written. Finally even the elders of the village get transformed. This happens

when two fathers see the Seva Dal volunteer conducting Bal Vikas classes for

their children. They see their children chanting Sanskrit Slokas. The children

are also taught how to take bath and the significance of hygiene. Looking at

all this, the fathers feel embarrassed as the Seva Dals were doing the duty

which they were supposed to do.

 

The scene ends with the elders apologizing to the volunteers and all of them get

together in the grand finale song. A very beautiful song – “Mana Seva Madhava

Seva Hamara Mantra Hai…”. The recording was professional. The play ended at

8.10 a.m. There was a loud applause. Swami called one of the actors who acted

as the first villager to get transformed and materialized a ring for him. Then

Bhagawan got up from the sofa and signaled to them to be where they were. For

He had decided to go out to them!!

 

Swami got down the steps and went into the group. He showered so much of Love

and Grace and gave them group photographs. At 8.20 a.m. Bhajans commenced and

so did the Prasadam Distribution (a cake of eight small packets of groundnut

Chikki topped with almonds!).

 

Bhajans too were very nice – full of Josh!! Swami sat for a long while and

initially Swami Himself was clapping to the beat of the Bhajans with both His

hands. Looking at this, the entire crowd of devotees also started clapping in

full swing. By 9.15 p.m. Swami signaled for the Aarti. At that very moment, the

men had just begun the Bhajan, “Allah Ho Akbar”. They stopped the Bhajan but

Swami did not want to displease them. He continued sitting and asked them to

sing. They were so thrilled! They sang the full Bhajan.

 

Bhagawan took Aarti and retired for the morning. All were in full praise for the

wonderful programme put up by the Gujarat youth and Balvikas. In fact, the

floral decorations and other decorations in the Mandir were also marvelous.

With a saturated heart we students and staff left for the Institute to get back

to our world of academics.

 

This evening, Akhanda Bhajans start at 6.00 p.m.

 

 

 

14-11-2004

 

 

 

This evening, Akhanda Bhajans concluded at 6.00 p.m. with all the devotees

participating with total enthusiasm, especially the last few Bhajans which are

always the very fast ones with quick beats.

 

Bhajans were conducted inside the Bhajan Hall only. Yesterday, Swami sat in the

Bhajan Hall until 7.30 p.m. For the full night and the next day, we had a new

scheme in place to sustain the enthusiasm and the vigour in singing Bhajans.

Apart from the slots during regular Darshan time when Bhagawan would be in the

Mandir and only the Bhajan boys would sing; the rest of the time was divided

into slots of an hour and a half.

 

Each slot was assigned to a separate class of the Institute. Some slots were

given to Hospital staff, Mandir staff and so on. In this way, one group does

not get over strained and the tempo is sustained. This scheme worked out very

well and each group put in its best for they would hardly get to sing 6 Bhajans

in the given slot, given that every alternate song is sung by our sisters.

 

This morning, Swami came out by 7.00 a.m. for Darshan. Swami visited the

Institute Auditorium in the Prius car to see the Convocation Drama rehearsal.

Swami was very happy with the Drama, and looking at the Band boys waiting to

play their tunes, Bhagawan said that He would come again and left for the

Mandir. He spent almost an hour at the Institute. He returned to the Mandir at

10.00 a.m., had lunch and retired at 10.45 a.m.

 

In the evening, Swami was out by 3.00 p.m. The Kulwant Hall was full for the

occasion. At 6.00 p.m., as Aarti began, Bhagawan gave the signal for Prasadam

Distribution to begin. From 3.30 p.m. itself, all the Prasadam were shifted

from the Canteen to the Mandir premises, as is usually done. This time all were

served Puliyora (Tamarind rice) and Ladoo Prasadam. The distribution was carried

out in a very organized manner and

within an hour or so all were served, and by 7.30 p.m. we wound up the entire show.

 

 

 

15-11-2004

 

 

 

Today happens to be Ramadan. Morning Darshan was as usual. In the evening,

General Vij came to have Bhagawan’s Darshan. Swami was out by 2.50 p.m. itself.

The II PG students were ready with a presentation for the occasion of Ramadan.

They were seated in the first row with their colourful Kurtas and caps on their

heads, looking just like Muslim brothers. Swami spoke to them and also Blessed

the foreign devotees and some village Muslims who were seated in front, as part

of our programme. Bhagawan looked at an Iranian devotee and said “Ramadan,

Ramadan”.

 

As part of the presentation, in a unique endeavour, we had planned to include

Muslim brothers from different countries present in the Mandir to join in

performing the Namaaz along with Muslim brothers studying in our own College

and School.

 

Bhagawan went straight to the General and took him inside for an interview. From

3.10 p.m. to 4.10 p.m. Swami was inside talking to him. It was 4.25 p.m. when

Swami came out and sat down on the sofa. The presentation began with chanting

of the Koran and a student speaking in Urdu welcoming all his Muslim brothers.

 

Let us give you a brief account of the presentation, as it will also highlight

some points which many of us may not be aware of. They defined Islam as meaning

‘absolute surrender to God’. Islam teaches an individual how to lead an ideal

life. There are five pillars on which the religion of Islam rests upon. They

are Namaaz – Prayer, Haj – Pilgrimage, Rozaa – Fasting, Zakha – Charity and

Faith in God.

 

The play basically consisted of a Muslim family. The son raises several doubts

regarding rituals and practices and the father and elders resolve their doubts.

One question that comes up is why should a Muslim pray five times a day. Where

is the time for it? The elder replies that when we receive anything from any

person, we say ‘thank you’. But do we count the number of times we say thank

you in a day. In that case, what about God who has given us everything in this

world; should we not express our gratitude to Him?

 

Another question that came up was, why should a Mulim go for Haj? God is

everywhere, then where is the necessity to go to a particular place for

worship. However, there is power in united worship. We see thousands of

pilgrims moving in whites, in one direction, with the name of the Lord on their

lips. Can there be a more sacred event than this?

 

Then, they move on to give some basic facts about the festival. Ramadan happens

to be the 9th month of the Lunar Calendar. Id-ul-fitr falls on the 1st day of

the 10th month. This is the day when Angel Gabriel revealed the Koran to

Prophet Mohammed. This is also the day when the month long fast of Ramadan is

broken. Fasting again is meant for developing self-control which is the key to

God-realization. Rozaa or fasting does not merely mean abstaining from food but

also includes abstinence from slander and mud-slinging.

 

There were a few skits, further expounding the inner significance of Ramadan,

fasting and other rituals. Very good songs on Haj piligrimage, Grace of Allah,

kept up the tempo of the play. The play concluded with a Hindu and a Christian

also entering into the scene. They draw parallels between all the religions and

show how the essence of all religions is the same. They are different paths

leading to the same goal.

 

A unique module in this play was the involvement of the local village Muslim

brothers and also some of the Muslim devotees from Iran and Argentina who

happened to be here. They were also seated in front in the students block. All

of them performed Namaaz as part of the play (full four minutes!!). It was a

unique sight to witness the Sai Kulwant Hall getting transformed into a Masjid

with devotees offering Namaaz, but with a difference. Elsewhere it is to the

formless God but here it was in the Presence

of the Divine Incarnation!! It was a moment of great joy and thrill for all of us!

 

Next, a young boy named Sathya from Iran was interviewed. This boy, hardly six

years old was able to chant verses proficiently from the Koran! There was a

loud applause from the audience! But then they did not know what was in store

for them. After chanting the Koran, this young boy was asked whether he knew

anything about the Vedas. Nodding his head, our dear Sathya started chanting

the Narayanopanishad with perfect fluency!! It was just stunning!

 

Swami was very very happy and He kept on smiling at the boy. Next, one devotee

from Iran was interviewed, who shared his experiences with the audience in the

Divine Presence. The first time he came to Swami, he was not convinced about

his own religion. But then in the first Darshan, his wife heard the chanting of

Koran in her ears and an inner voice asking her to read a particular passage in

the holy text. Surprisingly, a devotee next to her, from Algeria, happened to

have that very text and she opens the book randomly. Lo and behold, the very

page

mentioned to her comes up in front of her eyes. Since that day, they have become

true Muslims and have learnt about their true religion through Swami’s

teachings.

 

Finally, the programme ended with the Qawalli – Shirdi Wale Sai Baba Aya He Tere

Dar Pe Savari…The entire Kulwant Hall was clapping with full vigor and then

Swami showered infinite Love on all the participants. He gave them photographs

and said that they were very good boys. The young child from Iran became the

hero of the day. Swami spoke to him, patted him a number of times and gave him

a special individual photograph.

 

Bhagawan signaled for sweets. One boy ran in with a box of sweets and Swami

personally distributed sweets to all the student participants and also the

Muslim brothers from the village and overseas. It was possibly a life time

chance for them to receive Prasadam from Bhagawan’s Hands, that too on the holy

day of Ramadan!! One could clearly see the joy and thrill on their faces!!

 

Swami kept standing there for a long time. His Love and their devotion kept Him

stuck at that place!! Slowly, He moved towards the Golf Cart and glided towards

the Poornachandra Abode. A milestone had been achieved in the Divine journey of

the Muslim community towards the embodiment of Allah!!

 

 

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