Parthi Update 06th to 11th February 2005

[Guest guest]

Parthi Update

 

06-02-2005 to 09-02-2005

 

Sairam. The past few days, we were hardly able to have Darshan of Bhagawan, for

He was so busy with the preparations for the February 10th function. After all,

He was getting His children married - a spiritual marriage, to usher them into a

new phase of their life!

 

Sunday morning, the 6th of February did not witness Bhagawan’s arrival in the

Sai Kulwant Hall. What could be the reason? We were all getting worried. But

later we came to know that Swami was out in the Poornachandra Hall, guiding and

overseeing the preparations, packing of gifts etc. for the fortunate couples who

would be Blessed with all these momentoes on the 10th.

 

Our students who are currently working in the Central Trust and Book Trust

offices, lovingly called the CTBT boys were bestowed by Swami with the chance

of helping in this grand programme. The staff and students of Anantapur were

also very lucky to be Blessed with the opportunity of helping in organizing the

function. Therefore, that left us all as mere witnesses to sit back and enjoy

the glory and grandeur of this most significant and meaningful celebration!!

 

On the evening of 6th too, Swami just came out only for the Bhajans. He came at

5.10 p.m. and took Aarti and returned at 5.35 p.m. So you can imagine how

involved and busy Swami has been with regard to this programme.

 

On Monday, the 7th, Swami came out for morning Darshan at around 8.45 a.m. In

the evening, He was out by 3.15 p.m. but He went into the interview room as

soon as He came and was inside until the Bhajans began.

 

Tuesday, the 8th of February, turned out to be similar to the previous day.

However, Mr. Shivraj Patil, the Home Minister of India, had come for Swami’s

Darshan and Swami spent a long time with him in the interview room.

 

Yesterday, on the 9th, Swami came out at 7.45 a.m. for Darshan. To the delight

of the devotees seated in the Hall, Swami sat down on the sofa. The Bio-Science

department has organized a National Workshop on “Recent Trends in

Bio-Technology” at our Institute. This is a three day workshop that began

yesterday. The total participants run to almost 60. Most of them being gents,

they were seated in the upper Portico, in the faculty block.

 

At around 8.00 a.m., Dr. Krupanidhi, the Head of the Bio-Sciences Department,

prayed to Swami for departing to the College to commence the Workshop. Bhagawan

gave His consent and all the participants got up and started moving out.

However, one of them made bold and came closer to Swami from the side and

sought His Blessings. Looking at this, the others too were wise enough to not

lose their life time chance! One by one, all of them queued up to seek

Bhagawan’s Blessings. Some bowed down while some others offered their letters.

Swami had a smile for each one of them!

 

In the evening, as we all entered the Kulwant Hall, we could see rows of red

coloured plastic basket chairs arranged in neat rows right at the front, both

on the Ladies and on the Gents side. All the lucky couples were seated on these

chairs. Gents on the Gents side, and Ladies on the other side. Most of the faces

were familiar to us, as all these were revered elders who had left all their

worldly possessions and positions aside and had settled down in

Prasanthinilayam since years, offering their Loving services to Bhagawan! And

here was Swami showering all His Love and appreciation for them!

 

Swami came out for Darshan very soon. He was out by 3.00 p.m. and taking a short

turn between the chairs, the Golf Cart proceeded towards the interview room. The

next few hours, the Mandir was like a busy factory workshop with our CTBT boys

running from here to there, carrying items inside the interview room and

shifting some items outside.

 

At 3.25 p.m. Swami came out of the interview room and went into the Bhajan Hall.

The Anantapur staff and students were inside, arranging all the gifts to be

distributed. Swami spent some time inside the Bhajan Hall giving instructions

and saris for all of them. Then began an endless distribution of gifts to the

lucky couples! On the Ladies side, Anantapur sisters went around not just

distributing but even making the women wear bangles, earrings, etc. Grand silk

saris were then distributed to all the brides. On the Gents side, the CTBT boys

were busy distributing Dhotis with Angavastram (upper garment).

 

This went on for quite a long time. The total number of couples chosen for this

occasion were around 280. After the clothes, the special silk threads to be

tied around the head was given to all. This was followed by beautiful colorful

garlands – not flowers but the plastic zari ones, usually used on such

occasions…….

 

All around the Kulwant Hall, we could see banners with “Bheema Ratha Santhi”

written on them. This was the title given to the celebration to be held

tomorrow. When we asked some of the elders, there were different

interpretations of the title. Some said that Bheema stood for Shiva and

therefore it is an offering to Lord Shiva. Yet others said that Bheema stood

for strength and Ratha meant the human body; hence, the prayer is for giving

strength to the body. The general idea was that it was a celebration meant for

the overall welfare of the old couples. (More of this in the ensuing Discourse

given by Bhagawan)

 

Bhajans started at 5.00 p.m. and by 5.30 p.m. Swami took Aarti. We could see

Prof. Anil Kumar running towards the Bhajan Hall to make an announcement. Swami

had called him a little while ago into the interview room and had given him

instructions about the announcement to be made.

 

Prof. Anil Kumar announced that the ‘Bheema Ratha Santhi’ will commence tomorrow

at 8.00 a.m. with all the couples coming in a procession from the Pedda Venkamma

Raju Kalyana Mantapam in Puttaparthi village. They will be preceded by Veda

chanting and cultural dances of a traditional type and all of them will enter

the Sai Kulwant Hall through the main Gopuram Entrance.

 

After they all settle down in Sai Kulwant Hall, the marriage ceremony will

begin. All relatives of the couples are also welcome. The special wedding feast

will begin from this evening itself and will continue till tomorrow evening. For

the couples coming from outside Parthi, special accommodation has been arranged.

After the wedding tomorrow, there will be a wedding banquet for the couples,

their relatives and all the devotees present here! This is Bhagawan’s Blessings

of Love!!

 

He came outside after the Aarti and stood near the Golf Cart until the

announcements were made both in Telugu and in English. Believe it or not, Swami

was so particular to hear the announcement and make sure that everything was

conveyed. Only after the long announcements were made, did Swami get inside the

Golf Cart and retire to the Poornachandra Auditorium. That is perfection. No

detail is too small for Him!!

 

The distribution of gifts was just completed by then. As we walked out of the

Kulwant Hall, the bridegrooms jubilantly got up from their chairs and walked

past us with Swami’s ‘Gift Bag’ full of loving momentoes! We could see the joy

and cheer on their faces!! What a unique Blessing. Where else in the world

would we find a ritual, conducted to honour old people and pay our gratitude to

them?

 

 

 

10-02-2005 (Morning)

 

 

 

The special day had finally dawned. By 7.00 a.m. we all arrived at the Kulwant

Hall. The entire space was blocked for the ceremony. Therefore, all students

packed themselves tightly near the car garage, where the old students sit.

Apart from that some of us were seated in the Middle Portico and its extension

outside. We could see the entire celebration from there.

 

As we sat down on our mats, we gazed around the Hall and looked at the wonderful

decorations everywhere. Beautiful brass vertical flower vases adorned the dais,

with colourful and fresh flowers shooting forth from them. The centre of the

dais had a very beautiful getup with a white backdrop and colourful flower

decorations on it. The Kulwant Hall area, almost 50% of it on both the Gents

and Ladies side was set apart for the marriage function.

 

The arrangement was fantastic! Elegant enclosures were made for each couple,

with low level (maybe just 1 or 1 ½ feet high) brass railings serving as a

curtain stand. Silk curtains were fixed on these brass stands. The top opening

of these stands also served as a flower vase and had bright red coloured

Dahlias and Zinnias inserted into them. At every corner of these stands, a

plantain trunk was tied to the stand – giving the entire Hall the typical

auspicious and sacred look of any marriage hall!

 

In these small elegant enclosures, were placed two bright red coloured plastic

bucket chairs for the bride and the bridegroom and a low teapoy in front of the

chair to serve as the working table for the marriage. We gazed around to see the

other decorations. The inner portico was decked up just like it is done during

Bhagawan’s Birthday celebrations. Full of pearl garlands and other colourful

hangings! Rich floral garlands were covering the chandelier lights at the base

of the portico in the usual decorative patterns!

 

To sum it up, the entire Hall looked like a beautiful Wedding Hall awaiting the

arrival of the brides and the bridegrooms.

 

At 7.10 a.m., Sevadal people began their task of arranging circular steel plates

on the teapoy kept in every enclosure. At 7.15 a.m., the core Vedam group began

their chanting of the Vedam. Bhagawan had started from PC for Darshan. The

learned Pundits who had come from Andhra Pradesh for conducting the marriage

were inside the Bhajan Hall and they too started chanting Vedam. As the Golf

Cart went amidst the various enclosures, the Sevadal and some of our students

were arranging two small steel cups inside every plate. This was possibly for

the

Turmeric and Kum-kum. A red coloured velvet bag with several Pooja items inside,

was then placed on each table.

 

Bhagawan went by the teapoys watching keenly all the items being placed on them.

He took a full round of the Hall and came to the middle of the Inner Portico.

The sofa was placed outside at the centre of the dais and on either side of the

sofa, were a dozen enclosures for the most lucky couples who would be seated

just next to Bhagawan for their marriage! Swami did not get down from the Golf

Cart but kept sitting inside, listening to the Vedic Chants. After a while, the

Vedic pundits who were inside the Bhajan Hall came out and went towards Swami to

seek His instructions and Blessings.

 

As this was going on in the inner portico, outside, a beautiful framed

photograph of Swami was placed on each teapoy for worship. Next came the

Akshatalu (sacred yellow rice) that was generously poured into each plate for a

lot would be needed during the marriage ceremony! At 7.30 a.m. the Golf Cart

went into reverse gear and proceeded towards the interview room. Swami got down

and went inside the interview room. Still half an hour more for the procession

of the couples to begin from the Pedda Venkamma Kalyana Mantapam….

 

Betel leaves were placed in each plate – a part of any auspicious ritual in

South India. The whole Hall was bustling with activity as a number of Sevadal

and students kept running around arranging the items, some of them checking and

the others shifting the materials. With half an hour ahead of us, we just had a

short snooze. We were woken up with a hush-hush sound, when Swami came out of

the interview room at 8.10 a.m. or so. He stood just outside the interview room

with brother Nitin Acharya and Mr. C. Sreenivas on either side, waiting for the

arrival of the couples.

 

At 8.20 a.m., we saw the devotees running to the back of the Kulwant Hall and

peeping over the wall. Simultaneously, the sound of the Nada Swaram reached our

ears and it rose to a crescendo as the procession came closer and entered the

Kulwant Hall. Wow! What a grand procession. What do we see? The special Pundits

coming in a group, with the chief Pundit and his wife leading them, along with

the Poorna Kumbham. They were followed by a group of Vedam students from our

College. Then came the core Nadaswaram team, followed by the Anantapur sisters

Band and then the Anantapur sisters Nadaswaram.

 

And there we find the Lambadis dancing away to glory!! The main dancer had a

huge pot on her head. The Women folk were dressed in bright red, with white

bangle like rings, covering their full hand. An assortment of ornaments covered

their face and head. The Gent folk wore orange and pink turbans and one of them

was rotating a green cloth in the air, possibly indicating a change of steps in

the dance. These Lambadi folk took the centre of the Hall for their performance.

As the dance went on in full vigour, the couples made their grand entry into the

Hall! What a sight to see all our grandmas coming in with bright red silk saris

and grandpas with Dhotis and an Angavastram on their shoulders, All of

them had silk thread headbands and a garland around their neck.

 

The proceedings were very well organized. Every couple was assisted by an

Anantapur sister who would be like a facilitator for that couple during the

entire ceremony. All the Anantapur sisters were wearing light pink saris to

match the grandeur of the occasion! Each couple waded through the maze of

enclosures, finding their way to their final destination. As they sat down on

their chairs, a mineral water bottle was placed on each teapoy. How thoughtful

of the organizers! Being aged they would feel thirsty and the same water could

also be used for the rituals.

 

By 8.45 a.m. all the couples were seated on their chairs – 275 in all. All the

while, Swami was standing and watching with Love, His children taking their

seats! Normally, the parents of the daughter would be ecstatic at getting their

daughter wedded and the parents of the son would be joyous to receive their

daughter-in-law. Here was a special case, where Bhagawan was the Divine Father

and Mother to both the Bride and the Bridegroom!! How happy and Blissful He

would Be!!

 

The Vedam Pundits started the ceremony. As they knew only Telugu, Prof. Anil

Kumar was very kind enough to become their translator in providing instructions

to the couples about the rituals to be performed. However, having got the mike

into his hands, he took over the Telugu part too! The ceremony began with the

Ganapati Prarthana (Worship). The couples were asked to worship the small

Ganesha placed on their teapoys with Akshatam. As the Sankalpam (Vow) was

chanted, the couples repeated their Gotra (Lineage) and Nakshatra (Birth Star)

in their minds and performed Aachamanam (a ritual) with water.

 

At this point, Prof. Anil Kumar translated the ‘statement of purpose’ of this

function as stated by the Rithwik (Vedic Pundit). This function was being

performed to bestow upon the couples a long, healthy, spiritual life. It was

directed towards establishing the unity of all religions through collective

prayers at His Lotus Feet, for the ultimate goal of peace in the entire world!

 

By this time, Swami had gone inside the interview room and the Worship continued

outside. The next event was the worship of the Raksha Bandhan (sacred protective

thread). It was 8.55 a.m. The couples worshipped the Raksha Bandhan with Dhoopam

(Incense Stick) and Deepam (Lamp). Jaggery was offered as Naivedyam (offering).

As per the instructions, the Gents were to tie this on the left wrist of the

brides and the women had to tie this on the right wrists of the bridegrooms! It

was real joy watching them do this. Humour too was part of the game! Some had

already tied it on the wrong

wrists (confusion between right and left wrist) and they immediately untied it

and placed it on the correct wrist!

 

The Mantras were chanted, describing the location of planet earth in the galaxy

of various Lokaas (worlds). The Mantras went on to state that this ceremony at

Bhagawan’s Lotus feet would draw upon the couples Divine Blessings for the

previous 10 generations and the subsequent 10 generations. It would be even

more powerful than the Aswamedha Yajna!!

 

Then came the very interesting part of the marriage; the oath taking ceremony!

Normally in any marriage the bridegroom and the bride vow to stand by each

other in the three Purusharthas (goals) of life, namely – Dharma

(Righteousness), Artha (Wealth) and Kama (Desire). However, in this spiritual

marriage, as per Bhagawan’s instructions, the Vedic Pundits made the couples

take the fourth vow too – that of Moksha. Bhagawan said that Moksha

(Liberation) too should be uniformly available to all. Hence, the bridegroom

and the bride chanted as follows:

 

Dharmecha, Arthecha, Kamecha, Mokshecha Aham Evam Eesham/Eenam Naati Charami.

Naati Charami is chanted thrice which means “I will stand by, I will stand by,

I will stand by!!”

 

When we heard all these significances and inner meanings, we were so thrilled to

realize that our culture has probed so deeply into all possible aspects of human

life on earth. Marriage is such a great and sacred Institution that serves as

the fabric of society and is in fact the Royal path to liberation as stated by

Bhagawan Himself. Marriage is such a sacred bond between a man and a woman, who

are supposed to stand by each other in all ups and downs of their lives,

assisting each other and prodding each other to move forward on their spiritual

journey, to ultimately reach His Lotus Feet. Unfortunately, marriage is

understood by youth today in such a narrow and perverted sense. Bhagawan is

truly re-educating the world about all these great and noble ancient Truths!!

 

Prof. Anil Kumar again took over and explained to the couples that by taking

this vow, they would be now moving into a new phase of their life with

rejuvenated enthusiasm, and were expected to put in all their best in

fulfilling Swami’s expectations. By now it was 9.10 a.m. The Pundits declared

that the auspicious moment was coming closer and closer! The couples were asked

to hold the cumin seeds and jaggery in their hands for the next ritual. As the

Mantras were chanted, the couples were supposed to place these cumin seeds and

jaggery on each others’ heads. Again it was a sight to see this being

performed! For most of them, the cumin seeds and jaggery would fall down and

they would repeatedly make attempts to place them on each others’

heads!

 

By now Swami had come out of the interview room. He came to the dais and then

what do we see? The ocean of Love and Compassion! He started walking to each

couple on the dais and handed over the Mangala Sutra to each bridegroom with

all His Blessings. Prof. Anil Kumar announced that Bhagawan would distribute

Mangala Sutra personally, to each couple. He said that these were the most

fortunate couples in the entire Universe to have God Himself Blessing them with

the Wedding Chain! We thought that Swami would distribute the Mangala Sutras to

the couples on the dais and then the rest would be given by some other senior

members.

 

But how mistaken we were! The Compassionate Lord got down the dais and went

forward to the first row of couples. My! Was He going to walk all along? The

senior members prayed to Swami and He sat down on a wheel chair placed over

there. From that point, the wheelchair was taken along every aisle and Swami

distributed the Mangala Sutras to each and every couple. It was a sight for the

Gods to see! No eye could remain dry! We were all moved by His Love and Grace!

Who can stop the Divine Mother from showering Her Love on Her son and daughter!

 

Believe it or not, this distribution went on and on as Swami moved from couple

to couple Blessing them with the sacred chain. Meanwhile, some more boxes

arrived outside. The Professors and the senior authorities of the Institute

were marching forward with trays containing honey colored boxes. They started

handing over a box to each couple. Prof. Anil Kumar announced that the Merciful

Lord was now Blessing the couples with watches. We saw the couples opening the

boxes in all delight. Wow! A beautiful watch for the bridegroom and one for the

bride! Prof. Anil Kumar announced that Swami had given them these watches with

so much of Love and they should immediately wear these, and that is what all of

them did!

 

The Anantapur sisters started playing the Nadaswaram. The Mangala Sutram

distribution was still going on. Prof. Anil Kumar standing in the centre of the

Hall in front of the dais and opposite to the Vedic Pundit team, was using this

time very well, by translating some wonderful explanations given by the Vedic

Pundits. He said that elsewhere, marriages are performed bearing the welfare of

the couple in mind, but here the marriages were being performed with the

objective of Loka Kalyanam. (Universal Welfare)! Here every couple was being

worshipped as Laxmi-Narayana Swaroopa (embodiment of Divinity).

 

The Vedic Pundits were praising these couples saying that these couples had

showered their Blessings on so many other people in the past and now they were

receiving the Blessings from Bhagawan Himself for all their good actions. The

couples were asked to worship the Mangala Sutras as Goddess Gowri Herself. Here

in our case the Goddess Gowri was none other than Eswaramma Gowri – the Divine

Mother of our Bhagawan who had gifted the Lord to the Universe!

 

It was 9.50 a.m., almost 40 minutes since the time Swami started distributing

the Mangala Sutrams. It was almost coming to a close and the Worship of the

sacred chain began. O! there was more to come! Every couple was now gifted with

a silver idol of Lakshmi-Narayana to be worshipped by them. This was given to

them in a small red coloured box wrapped in colour paper! The couples were

overjoyed as gift after gifts were poured into their arms by our dear Lord!

 

Bhagawan instructed our core Vedam group of students and staff to start

chanting. We started with Sri Suktam. At 10.00 a.m. the final chanting of

Mantras for the worship of the Mangala Sutra was in progress. Finally at 10.05

a.m. the most auspicious moment arrived! Amidst Nadaswaram, Band, Vedam

chanting and loud claps, the bridegrooms tied the Mangala Sutras around the

necks of their wives! Cameras clicked, smiles burst forth, and the entire

atmosphere was charged with a sense of thrill and joy! The spiritual marriage

was through!

 

The next ritual was Talambralu. This is a ritual where the bride and the

bridegroom are supposed to hold Akshatalu – yellow rice in their hands and pour

them over each others heads. All couples were asked to do this. Swami was

personally supervising this event. He wanted the couples to perform this over

and over again and He was deriving so much joy watching them!

 

He started walking on the dais again, Blessing each couple by showering them

with the sacred rice. But that Blessing was not free! Swami would ask each

couple to repeat the ritual in front of Him. With slight embarrassment and

smiles, they would pour yellow rice on each others’ heads and then Swami would

shower the yellow rice on them! We could see Love emanating from Swami’s face

and He was thoroughly enjoying the event of His children’s’ marriage!

 

It was 10.15 a.m. Swami finally sat down on the sofa placed in the centre of the

dais. Mind you, this was the first time He sat on the sofa, since He came out at

7.15 a.m. That is our Swami! How He involves Himself and conducts the entire

event! The Lambadis took their turn to please Bhagawan. They started dancing

with full vigour and ecstasy. For your information, the Lambadis are tribal

people who originally belong to Rajasthan. Around 300 years back they migrated

to Southern India

COLOR: navy"> and settled down in the outskirts of the villages. Therefore,

their dance and their attire predominantly reflects the Rajasthani style.

 

At 10.20 a.m. the garland exchanging ceremony began. This was truly a great

sight! We are sure that all couples would have been reminded of their marriage

years back when they would have exchanged garlands in a similar manner in front

of their family deity idol. Least would they have expected to do the same years

later, right in the physical presence of their almighty Lord!! What a piece of

luck and good fortune!

 

The final ritual was the wearing of toe rings, which is again a very important

part of the marriage ceremony in India. The husbands put these toe rings onto

the toes of their wives, assisted by the Anantapur sisters. The final icing on

the cake was a photograph of the couple taken earlier for the occassion, merged

along with Swami’s photo and laminated as a memory for all of them. The couples

received this photograph with reverence and gratitude.

 

At 10.25 a.m. the Vedic Pundits started chanting the concluding Mantras for the

ceremony. By 10.30 a.m. the wedding came to a close. Prof. Anil Kumar made the

happy announcement that the Wedding Banquet was ready. All the brides and

bridegrooms would first proceed to the canteen followed by their relatives and

then all the devotes too would be served the special Lunch!!

 

Thus the grand ceremony came to a grand end leaving all of us overjoyed! The

couples were saturated with Bhagawan’s Love and Bliss! They were in the seventh

heaven of delight! All of them proceeded towards the canteen to partake of the

sacred Prasadam.

 

 

 

10-02-2005 (Evening)

 

 

In the evening, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 4.00 p.m. He took a full round

in the Golf Cart and got down on the dais and moved towards the sofa. It was

4.05 p.m. and Swami called Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar and Prof. Anil Kumar and told

them something. They ran immediately and arranged the mike. Somebody would

possibly give a talk – we thought. But Swami again called them and told them

something more. This time the communication was clear. Bhagawan was going to

Bless us with His Divine Discourse. What a surprise! The table was immediately

arranged and the mike was placed on the table for

Swami.

 

In the Kulwant Hall, the chairs were arranged as it was done yesterday, with all

the Gents and Ladies seated on them, just like the Reception programme in any

Wedding. At 4.11 p.m., the Vedam chanting stopped. Bhagawan began the

Discourse. The highlights of Swami’s Discourse will reach you in our next mail.

 

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse at 5.11 p.m. He then called the three birthday

boys seated in the first row and Blessed each one of them with Akshatas. After

they returned to their seats, Swami playfully waved His Hands and out came a

gold chain with a locket! Swami held it in His hand and asked them, “Where did

it come from?” One of the boys dared to go in front and replied something.

Swami called him in front and to his amazement, Bhagawan slipped the chain

around his neck. As usual, a perfect fit. It just went over his head and onto

his ears, after which the boy took over and wore it around his neck. He was

thrilled!

 

Prof. Anil Kumar, then, as per the instructions of Bhagawan, invited the singer

for the evening, Smt. Sudha Raghunathan to offer her songs in the Divine

Presence. He announced that Smt. Sudha Raghunathan was a ‘Padma Shri’ and her

family were devotees of Bhagawan from the last 60 years. In fact, Swami had

saved this singer in her childhood and that is how, Bhagawan got the name “Jodi

Adipalli Somappaya Namah”, which appears in the Ashtotra Shata Naamavali of

Bhagawan.

 

In case you are not familiar with the above story – here it is….. Long ago in

1958, the parents of Smt. Sudha Ragunathan had come to participate in

Bhagawan’s Birthday celebrations at Prasanthinilayam. As they were returning

after the Birthday celebrations, on the way, the child took seriously ill. The

parents were very worried and were praying to Swami to provide some solution.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a villager appeared over there with two more men. The

villager asked the mother to hand over the child to him and said that he would

cure him. The mother was perplexed, but finding no other way out, she acceded

to his request.

 

The villager took the child into his arms and then after a while, returned the

child to the mother. Lo and Behold! The child was perfectly fine. The parents

wept with gratitude and asked the villager who he was. To this the village man

replied, “I am Jodi Adipalli Somappa”. Months later, when the parents returned

to Parthi, they narrated this story to Bhagawan. Swami smiled and confirmed

that it was none other than He, who had appeared as Jodi Adipalli Somappa.

 

Years later, when Prof. Kasturi once asked Swami as to why He had given Himself

that name, Bhagawan replied, “Jodi means ‘Couple’ – the ‘Divine Couple’; Adi

Palli means the ‘The Eternal Village’ and Soma means ‘Sa + Uma’ the One with

Uma as His Consort”. Thus He came to be known as Jodi Adipalli Somappa.

 

Smt. Sudha Raghunathan came forward and took Swami’s Blessings! Again Swami

waved His Hand and here was another gold chain for the singer. She was dazed.

She had not even begun and there she was already Blessed! She settled down on

the dais with her accompanying artistes. For the next 50 minutes, we had such

beautiful rendering of classical songs that lightened our hearts and lifted our

souls! If the marriage in the morning, transported the couples into a spiritual

world, these songs in the evening ushered all of us into a world full of

spiritual Bliss and joy!

 

Song after song flew from her mouth as the Ganges, and flooded the Kulwant Hall

with its potent meaning and vibrating tunes. She started with a song on

Narayana:

 

1) Sriman Narayana Sriman Narayana Sriman Narayana Sripadame Charanam…..

 

2) Brochevaaevarura Ninuvina Raghuvaraa…..

 

As she kept us busy hearing to these songs, the couples were kept busy with hot

coffee served sugarless (very thoughtful of the organizers to consider the age

of the couples and ailments like diabetes etc.). Sugar was offered separately

to those who wanted it. ‘Marie’ Biscuits went along with the coffee. Meanwhile

the melodious music from the singer continued:

 

3) Sita Kalyana, Rama Kalyana, Vaibhogame….

 

4) Adisidala Yashoda Jagadodarana…..

 

5) Korai Onrum Illai Malai Murti Kanna….

 

6) Pyare Darsana Deejo Tuma Bina Rahyo Na Jaye…..

 

When she sang songs 4 and 6, it was wonderful to see Swami also singing along

with her. In fact, song 6 which is a Meera Bhajan was very lucky to have the

Lord singing it fully line after line!

 

7) Bho Shambho Shiva Shambho Svayam Bho…..

 

8) More To Giridhara Gopala Dusaro Na Koi….

 

9) Mana Ki Ankhein Kholo Sairam……

 

The song on Swami, praying Him to open the eyes of our minds was a befitting

close to the day’s programme. For was this not the true purpose of all our

endeavours in life? The song ended with fast beats that found all the devotees

clapping along with the song. Swami stood up and was swaying to the beat. Our

hearts too were swaying to the melodious rhythm and beat.

 

Smt. Sudha Raghunathan got up and went to Swami to take His Blessings. The other

accompanying artistes too went forward and sought Bhagawan’s Blessings. Aarti

commenced and Swami turned and moved towards the inner Portico to the Golf Cart

stationed over there. Slowly the Golf Cart made its way towards the

Poornachandra Auditorium. A new Milestone was crossed in the life of the

Avataar. A new meaning was communicated to all of humanity and a new initiative

was set into force to revive our ancient practices and highlight the importance

of the role played by senior citizens in our lives and the need for expressing

gratitude to them.

 

More of this will become clear when you read the content of Swami’s Discourse.

We will get back to you soon with Bhagawan’s Discourse highlights.

 

 

 

 

11-02-2005

 

 

 

Today is a very auspicious day. Bhagawan had given permission to go ahead with

the Bhoomi Puja for the construction of the new Building at our Institute

premises. You may recall that on the 2nd of this month, Bhagawan had driven

down to the College at 5.30 p.m. in the evening after the Bhajans, to survey

the land on which the new Building would come up.

 

This morning, the students and staff proceeded to the plot in front and to the

left of the Library Building, for the prayer session. A makeshift altar was

already arranged over there. A photograph of Swami accompanied by photographs

of Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Ganesha were placed on the table. A Pujari

was performing the relevant rituals. We started Bhajans and Vedam chanting.

Between 8.15 a.m. and

red">8.30 a.m., the Puja was completed. The Vice-Chancellor Sri S.V. Giri placed

the cement in the pit made ready for the purpose. Subsequently, Prof. G.

Venkataraman – the former Vice-Chancellor of our University, Sri

Lakshminarasimham Garu - the Registrar, Sri Nanjundaiah Garu - the Controller

of Examinations, Prof. U.S. Rao - the Principal and other professors broke

coconuts and offered flowers to the Bhoomi Puja site.

 

The ceremony concluded with Aarti. Maybe, the Building will be ready by

Bhagawan’s 80th Birthday! Let’s wait and see…

 

 

SairamA Anantha VijayaManager (Sales & Mktg.) Dhara Vegetable Oil & Foods

Company LtdC/o National Dairy Development BoardNear Mahananda DairyWestern

Express HighwayGoregaon (East)Mumbai - 400 063Ph: (off) 26850459 (res) 26850458

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[Guest guest]

Thank you for the wonderful experience and narration.

Its like beeing an eyewitness to the whole marriage

ceremony. may swami bless u always