Parthi Update 30th Jan 2005

[Guest guest]

Parthi Update

30-01-2005

 

Sairam. Today being Martyr’s Day, let us all silently bow our heads in fond

memory and honour of our dear freedom fighters who laid down their lives to

bring us the freedom that we literally take for granted now. Let our hearts cry

out for them and let us express our gratitude to them by upholding and

continuing their efforts in leading Bharath from Physical Independence to the

Svarajya that Swami talks about – the true Inner In-Dependence – that will make

us free eternally!

 

We begin this update by paying our sincere respects to the great soul Saint

Thyagaraja who, having captured the Heart of Sri Ramachandra Himself, has

established a permanent seat in the hearts of all those seekers of Truth, on

the path of devotion, especially through the channel of music. Yes, today is

the Thyagaraja Aradhana Day – the 158th anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja – the

great Saint composer, singer and musician from Tanjavur – being celebrated all

around the country.

 

If that is so, would it not be celebrated in Prasanthinilayam, where the Ishta

Devata – the very Diety of Thyagaraja lives in flesh and blood as our most

Beloved Sri Sai Rama! The Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music, staff and

students have been putting in a lot of effort for this very day. As we entered

the Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.00 a.m., we found a beautiful portrait of Saint

Thyagaraja adorning the dais on the left side of our Ganeshaji (i.e. towards

the Ladies side). In the centre, right in front of Ganeshaji, and to the right

of the portrait of Saint Thyagaraja, was a beautiful photograph of Sri Rama,

placed on a platform and decked with flowers. A thick Jasmine garland with

intermittently woven Marigold flowers enhanced the beauty of the painting of

Saint Thyagaraja! A simple cut-out of coconut trees were placed, resting

against each pillar on either side of Swami’s sofa, in the centre of the dais.

 

At sharp 7.15 a.m., the Omkaram of the Vedam group broke the silence in the Hall

with music from the speakers overlapping the chants. This is the way it goes on

everyday. The Darshan Music continues until the Golf Cart reaches the turning

to the interview room. Then the Music stops and the Vedam continues. Swami took

a full Darshan round, Blessing many on the way and taking letters from a number

of devotees and students.

 

As the Cart glided by, Swami looked at one student and smiled – saying,

“Everyday….Will you give letter everyday?” Hearing those few words from

Bhagawan’s mouth, filled all of us with joy! Adharam Madhuram, Vachanam

Madhuram, Madhuradhipate Akhilam Madhuram!! Everything that He does, everything

about Him is so Sweeeeet!!

 

It is very nice to observe Swami taking letters from devotees. Whereas some are

able to kneel down and reach out to Swami’s Hands, some others are not able to

do so. In such cases, Swami just stretches His Hand a little or signals with

His eye, and immediately our most sharp and witty brothers moving with Swami,

take the letters from the concerned devotees and hand them over to Swami. How

sharp and quick they have to be! We are always filled with wonder at the

dedication and sincerity with which they serve Bhagawan. They need to be at His

wavelength all the time!! Definitely not an easy task!!

 

At 7.25 a.m., Swami was out from the Golf Cart stationed near the interview

room. Oh! Would Swami go away inside, we wondred. But there He was, walking

along the dais, with a smile on His face and looking so fresh, so beautiful!

There is something about Bhagawan, you know, which can never be described! He

looks so new, fresh, Divinely attractive – just as a Magnet drawing all of us

close to Him!

 

The Principal of the Mirpuri College of Music, Prof. P. Krishnamoorthy Garu, who

was sitting along with the students in the first row in front of the dais, got

up and went to Swami to offer the rose and pray for the programme. Swami

Blessed him profusely and spoke to him for a few seconds. The Principal came

and sat down, signaling all the other teachers of the Music college and the

boys to get ready.

 

Swami too appeared very eager to listen to the Keertanas of His most beloved

Tyagaiah. He walked briskly and sat down on the sofa, followed with an

immediate signal to stop the Vedic chanting. The presentation began with a

rendering in Telugu about the significance of this occasion. This was followed

by a brief talk by Prof. P. Krishnamoorthy Garu who spoke, sitting in his place

itself. He gave a short but informative and insightful talk glorifying the doyen

of Carnatic Classical Music – Saint Thyagaraja. He said:

 

Saint Thyagaraja born in the year 1767, left his mortal coil 158 years ago on

this very day. He was a Divine Musician with unique qualities that made him a

composer par-excellence of South Indian Music. His steadfast and consuming

devotion to his favourate Divine Form of Sri Rama elevated him to a sublime

state. Though faced with ordeals throughout his family life, Thyagaraja lost

himself in devotion to Rama. His very breath was Rama. The Chakras in his frail

body vibrated with the Sapta Swaras and his heart beat with rhythm and ecstasy

of his musical creations!

 

For Thyagaraja, the very physical Form of Sri Rama was the embodiment of all

music. He sang a Keertana in the Arabhi Raga – “Nada Sudharasambilanu Nara

Kruthiyaye….”; meaning: The Nectar of Naada, which is the basis of all the

Vedas, Puranas, Agamas and Sastras, has taken human form in Sri Rama!

 

The Seven Swaras have become the Seven Bells of His Bow; the Ragas have become

the Bow itself; the Styles in singing – Dura, Naya and Desya have become the

three strings of the bow, the Steady Rhythmic Pace has become the Arrow and the

Melodious Variations of Musical Art have verily become His Speech!!

 

Saint Thyagaraja proclaimed, “Rama, the body that does not float on the ocean of

ineffable Bliss of Brahman called Sangeeta Jnana, which abides in all the Vedas,

is a burden to this earth. “Ananda Sagara Meedani Dehamu Bhoomi Baramu….”

Thyagaraja was a Nadayogi, Atmajnani and a ‘Vairagya Mahapurusha’. His songs

are the essence of the Upanishads, Gita, Ramayana and the Bhagavatam.

Therefore, they are called Tyagopanishad.

 

Rama was to Thyagaraja a child, a hero, most dearest and nearest, a master, a

friend and Parabrahman Himself! Rama, moved by the deep anguish of His devotee,

appeared before Thyagaraja and assured him of Moksha (Liberation). Thyagaraja

himself sings about this vision in the Raga Sahana – “Giripai Nelakonna Ramuni

Guri Thappaka Ganti…”, meaning “Unerringly, I have seen Rama who is installed

on the hill. My body was thrilled, tears of joy rolled down my cheeks and I

merely mumbled, unable to

give _expression to my thoughts!”

 

Lord Rama did grant him Moksha as promised on this Bahula Panchami day, 158

years ago. On this occasion, his Samadhi is worshipped at Thiruvaiyaru, by all

Musicians, lovers of Music and Bhaktas, as a musical tribute. Saint

Thyagaraja’s name will shine till the Sapta Swaras exist on this earth!

 

Prof. P. Krishnamoorthy Garu concluded his talk by saying that these young

musicians (students of Swami’s Music College) were most privileged to sing the

compositions of the great composer in the very Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba. “Dorakuna Ituvanti Seva….”. He prayed to Bhagawan to Bless

these young artistes with a glorious musical career.

 

At 7.35 a.m., the first song commenced, making an offering to Lord Ganesha.

Subsequently, Keertana after Keertana filled and charged the air with a

spiritual current that sent out waves of devotion and love spreading all over

the Hall, engulfing every heart that came its way and moving outwards,

stretching out till the horizons! They sung in all 15 Keertanas of Saint

Thyagaraja. They were:

 

 

1) Sri Ganapati Nee Sevimpa Raray – Rag Saurashtra

2) Melukovaiyaa Mammeluko Rama – Rag Bhouli

3) Sadinchane O Manasa – Samayaniki Tagu Mataladane – Rag Arabhi

4) Orajupuchu Chedi Nyayama – Rag Kannada Gowla

5) Narayan Hari Narayan Hari Narayan Hari – Rag Yamuna Kalyani

6) Yendaro Mahanubhavulu Andareeki Vandanamulu – Rag Sriragam

7) Maru Balka Kunna Vemira – Rag Sriranjani

8) Nitya Sopane – Rag Pantuvarali

 

All along, Swami seemed to be lost in the Love for Saint Thyagaraja. How nice it

would be if we too could sing with such purity and love for the Lord to win His

heart as Tyagaiah did!

 

Bhagawan was keeping beat with His hands. One Hand on His lap and the other on

the armrest of the sofa, with fingers tapping in sync with the lilting beats of

the Keertanas! A soft smile on His face – Mandasmita Mukha – as they describe

Him! We wondered how fortunate we were! Did Thyagaraja himself get such an

opportunity. He cried out with so much of devotion to the Lord but with all

that He could just win a few glimpses of the Divine Form! Here we were just

listening to those soul- stirring outpourings, and feasting on His Divine Form

non-stop! What a Blessing!!

 

The next song was the most favorite Bhajan cum Thyagaraja Keertana, often sung

by Swami: Rama Kodanda Rama Rama Pattabhi Rama Kalyana Rama Raghava……sung in

Rag Bhairavi. They sang in the classical style and towards the end, the entire

audience clapped with gusto along with the Mrudangam and the symbals.

 

Even before we realized, it was 8.35 a.m. More than an hour since the music

presentation began. Bhagawan got up and moved towards the interview room. He

asked the group to continue their performance. The boys continued singing some

more Keertanas like:

 

 

10) Ksheerasagara Aparimita – Rag Ananda Bhairavi

11) Nee Daya Raada – Rag Vasantha Bhairavi

12) Sarasa Sama Dana Vedanta Chatura – Rag Kapi Narayani

13) Brova Ba Rama Raghu Rama

14) Taleyaledu Rama Bhakti Margamu

 

 

Finally, at 8.55 a.m. they concluded the music presentation, as is usually done,

with the Mangalam – Jaya Mangalam Nitya Shubha Mangalam.

 

At 9.00 a.m., Bhajans commenced. The Bhajan singers assembled outside and sat

next to the Music College singers, to continue with the Bhajans. Half way

through, instructions came for Prasadam Distribution. As the Prasadam was being

distributed, Swami came out of the interview room and walked again onto the

dais. The Principal and the teachers of the Music

14pt; COLOR: navy"> College went forward to seek Bhagawan’s Blessings. Swami

Blessed all of them and spoke to a few. He was very happy and was showering lot

of Love and joy on all of them. Next, the student singers and participants too

went forward with roses in their hands. They also received a downpour of Love

from Bhagawan!

 

Swami came walking further and crossed all the way to the other side of the

dais. The Golf Cart stationed itself near the rear end of the Main Portico.

Swami was smiling and walking. He talked to a few VIP’s seated in the Portico.

As He approached the Golf Cart, the Principal of the Music College went closer

with the Aarti. Again Swami spoke to him for quite some time. It was clear that

Swami was appreciating the effort and was also encouraging them to do better,

and the Principal was praying to Swami for Blessing the

students with a bright future enabling them to brighten the wonderful culture

and traditions of our country with their music!

 

Swami took Aarti and retired to the Poornachandra Auditorium. The Keertanas were

still ringing in our ears for they had left an indelible impression in our

hearts, reminding us of what our great Bharath stood for, of what life stood

for and inspiring us to seek for the ultimate goal of merging at the Lotus Feet

of Thyagaraja’s Hero – our Hero and the Hero of the whole world – Sri Sathya Sai

Rama!!

 

In the evening, Swami came out for Darshan at 3.00 p.m. He got down near the

front steps of the dais and climbed onto the Marble slab. He sat on the sofa

for a few minutes and at 3.15 p.m. He got up and went walking, catching the

brass railings on the dais, towards the interview room. As He walked past the

portrait of Saint Thyagaraja, He looked at it keenly for quite some time. Maybe

He went back in time to live those moments with His beloved devotee again! At

3.25 p.m.

14pt; COLOR: red">, He went into the interview room. He came out at 4.10 p.m.

and started Bhajans inside the Bhajan hall. We had a long Bhajan session this

evening until 4.50 p.m. Then Swami took Aarti and retired to His Abode.

 

We’ll get back to you again next week.

 

Sairam

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