Events at Prashanthi Nilayam, 11-13 August, 2005

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Morning

 

In the morning, Swami went out before Darshan time. Bhajans started at 9:00 a.m.

Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 9:15 a.m. He made a full round around the

ladies and men's side and pulled into the Verandah of the Mandir. Swami all the

while was enjoying the Bhajans. The Car (these days Swami invariably used the

Toyota Porte car) pulled back in front of the interview room. Everyone expected

Swami to come out of the car. Instead, he stayed inside the car and enjoyed the

Bhajans for a full 15 miutes. Swami then went back to Poornachandra through the

ladies side. On the way, he spoke to a couple of ladies probably school teachers

(about 300 students from primary school had assembled right in front of the

mandir).

Bhajans concluded at 9:45 a.m.

 

 

Events at Prashanthi Nilayam - 12 AUG 2005

 

Morning

 

Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 7:30 a.m. led by Nadaswaram (traditional South

Indian auspicious music) players. About 900 ladies had assembled in front of the

mandir in Kulwant Hall for Varalakshmi Vratha Pooja (Prayers to Goddess

Lakshmi). Entire Sai Kulwant Hall and the Madir wore a festive look with flower

decorations galore.

 

Several pictures of Goddess Lakshmi made out of flowers adorned Sai Kulwant

Hall. All the ladies participating in the Pooja wore similar sarees. Items for

the Pooja were provided for them. Veda Chanting began when Swami entered Sai

Kulwant Hall.

 

Swami went around the devotees in the car and got down in front of the Mandir in

the Portico. Two little children presented flowers to Swami.

 

At that time, Swami signaled for the Pooja to begin. The pooja started around

8:00 a.m. and went on till 8:50 a.m. After the end of the Pooja, Swami came

around the ladies participating in the Pooja and blessed all the participants.

All the participants got very ecstatic that Swami came very near them and

blessed them all.

 

Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees and in addition oranges were

distributed to the participants of the Pooja.

 

Bhajans started at 9:00 a.m. and went on till 9:40 a.m. Aarathi was performed

after the Bhajan. Swami accepted the aarthi and left for Poornachandra.

 

Afternoon

 

Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 3:15 p.m. Nadaswaram players started playing

as soon as Swami entered Sai Kulwant Hall. At the same time Veda Chanting also

began (Veda chanting is pretty much usual these days when Swami is giving

Darshan). Swami's car pulled inside the portico right beside the Lion statue.

Swami listened to Veda chanting for a full 45 minutes!

This afternoon, Smt. Nithyashree (an eminent Carnatic Music Singer) was to sing

in front of Swami on the occasion of Varalakshmi Pooja. At 4:00 p.m., Swami

signaled for Nithyashree to sit in the portico along with other musicians in

her group and start her concert.

 

Nithyashree enthralled Swami and the audience with her concert. Swami clapped

His hands after many of her song renditions. At 5:00 p.m., Swami called

Nithyashree to come near His chair and He materialized ear rings for her and

presented her with a silk saree. He also blessed her and her husband.

 

Swami let her sing until 5:15 p.m. Swami then went inside the interview room.

Around 5:20 p.m., Bhajans started. Swami left got Poornachandra around 5:45 p.m.

Bhajans ended around 5:50 p.m.

 

 

Events at Prashanthi Nilayam - 13 AUG 2005

 

Morning

 

Swami came for Darshan at 7:40 a.m. and went around both men and ladies side

veryy fast, not stopping anywhere. He pulled inside the mandir and after a

couple of minutes, pulled out and started towards the Gopuram Gate. Volunteers

had a tough time catching up since they had no prior warning. Dozens of

volunteers scrambled towards the front gate (Gopuram Gate) for crowd control.

Swami's escort jeep was already positioned there and led Swami's car. Devotees

aligned themselved on either side of the car and threw flowers at the

motorcade.

Swami returned to Sai Kulwant Hall around 8:35 a.m. Bhajans started at 9:00 a.m.

and went on till 9:30 a.m. Swami left for Poornachandra around 9:25 a.m.

 

 

Events at Prashanthi Nilayam - 13 AUG 2005

 

Varalakshmi Puja Celeberations

 

Today Bhagwan arrived for Darshan amidst loud Nadaswaram music. As it was

Varalakshmi Puja day, the stage had been decorated beautifully with a lot of

flowers and the idol of Goddess Lakshmi adorned with shining clothes and jewels

added to the beauty. There was some newsabout a Carnatic music concert by a

famed South Indian classical singer.

 

As devotees and students craned their necks towards Swami's residence and

praying for his arrival, Bhagwan entered Kulwant Hall in His Car around 3:15 pm

and he briefly paused at the Ladies side to talk to the singer and her music

group0 who were about to perform. He then entered the Verandah and came up to

the Stage.

 

Bhagwan was listening to the Vedas for half an hour and there was no sign of His

alighting from the Car. Amidst the chanting, He suddenly called one of the old

students who leads the Veda chanting and asked for a particular Mantra to be

chanted.

 

Suddenly Bhagwan asked his assisting students to ask the singers to come to the

stage. As the singer and her troupe approached Bhagwan for seeking His

Blessings, he indicated that He would come to them and bless them. True to His

words, Bhagwan moved towards the troupe and gave them His Blessings while

accepting a Rose from the lead singer.

 

The singer then expressed her gratitude to Swami for having given her an unique

chance to perform before Him and offered her Koti Pranams to the Sakshat

Parabrahman Sri Sri Bhagwan Sathya Sai Baba and thanked Swami for giving her a

chance to sing in Vaikuntha on earth, namely Prashanti Nilayam.

 

Bhagwan was moved at each song rendered and the audience was equally touched by

her soul stirring Bhajans. It was really sweet to see the Lord applauding each

and every song sung with the audience. Towards the end, Bhagwan waved His hand

thrice and materialized silver jells (not sure what it was) and profusely

blessed the singer. She expressed her gratitude to Bhagwan for having given her

a chance of a lifetime.

 

The evening concluded with around 8-9 Bhajans by the Students and Bhagwan left

for His Residence around 6:00 PM. What a wonderful evening it was!

 

Source: http://www.kingdomofsai.org/Copyright Kingdom of Sai © 2005