Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam - 19th November 2005

[Guest guest]

"The day of 19th November is celebrated as Ladies' Day in order to delve into

the sacred qualities of women with a special emphasis on the quality of

motherhood and disseminate them. Women are repositories of Truth and Culture"

declared Bhagawan on 19th November 1995 during the 70th Birthday celebrations.

Bhagawan also said that henceforth 19th of November every year would be

celebrated as Ladies' Day. Ever since, it has been the privilege of women to

celebrate this day as Ladies' Day in His Divine Presence at Prasanthi Nilayam.

Quoting innumerable anecdotes from the lives of women of chastity and virginity,

namely, Mother Sita, Anasuya, Draupadi, Gargi, Mother

Easwaramma and the likes, Bhagawan has been exhorting the women in general to

uphold the great cultural heritage and traditions these noble women upheld

through their illustrious, dedicated and devoted lives. Dedicating the day for

the womenfolk, Bhagawan said, "As today (19th November, 1995) is a sacred day,

dedicated to women, they should change themselves and help to transform the men

and children. They should develop qualities of sympathy, compassion, love and

sacrifice." Urging women to emulate the lives of great personalities in the

past, He added: "Study the lives of great women, who were models of patience,

fortitude, compassion and sacrifice. I desire that you should take the reins of

leadership and bring peace and prosperity to the nation by leading ideal lives."

Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed yet another eventful ladies' day, today - 19th

November 2005; the mark of the day was recognized much before dawn, when the

day started with

Suprabhatam at 5.00 a.m., followed by Vedic chants by the Ladies and by a

resounding Nagar Sankirtan around the Ashram. As the eventful day dawned, the

devotees poured into Sai Kulwant Hall, the beauty of the already ornate hall

was doubly enhanced by the simple yet elegant decorations that comprised of

multi-hued floral decorations, colourful festoons, banners with inspirational

quotes and well-carved statues of Dashavatars. Bhagawan was accorded a

traditional welcome into Sai Kulwant Hall by the Nadaswaram and Special Band

troupe from the Anantapur Campus and by the girls' wing of Sri Sathya Sai

Primary & Higher School, at 8:25 a.m. to the accompaniment of welcome song

tuned to Hindustani style by Ms. Kalpana Sumanth from Bangalore. The function

formally got underway when Bhagawan sanctified the day by lighting the lamp

which was soon followed by a short but spirited display by the girls' bagpiper

band of the Primary School.

Before

the commencement of the speeches for the day, Bhagawan blessed and released a

Souvenir commemorating the 80th Year of Love in action, brought out by

Easwaramma Women's Welfare Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam.

The three speakers for the day were Smt. Mallika Srinivasan, an MBA from the

Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, USA and Director of

Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited (TAFE), followed by Smt. Geeta Rao, a

school teacher from Washington D.C., and Smt. Chetana Raju from Prasanthi

Nilayam. Smt. Srinivasan highlighted Bhagawan's definition of the ever

expanding role of women in the modern world while drawing attention to the

various initiatives undertaken by Bhagawan for the welfare of women. Ms. Geeta

Rao, enthralled the audience with the narration of a few incidents from her

life that showed the sublime, transcendental love of our all-knowing Bhagawan.

Smt. Chetana Raju, the third speaker for the session spoke about the

Mission of Bhagawan while highlighting the need to be responsible enough to not

lose this golden opportunity of deriving maximum benefit of having the Lord in

our midst. As requested by Smt. Chethana Raju, Bhagawan to the delight of all

devotees consented to deliver His Divine Discourse.

For the benefit of readers, we are giving a gist of the Divine Discourse,

Bhagawan delivered this morning.

One should see God in everyone. When one starts looking at others as human,

feelings of hatred, jealousy and anger will arise in one's heart. So, one

should recognise the innate divinity in every creature and every being of the

universe. To reiterate this point, Swami pointed to the tiny sparrows which

were busy picking flower petals from the ground in front of Bhagawan, and said

God is there even in these sparrows also. Always think that whatever happens is

because of the

Will of God and develop love for your fellow human beings Swami then gave a

detailed account of "The Three Promises" He had given to Mother Easwarmma. She

asked for a school to be built. Swami told her, "Wait for the right time to

come. I will fulfill your wish." She saw poor people carrying their sick

children to long distances for medical treatment. Her heart melted at this

sight. So, she asked Swami to build a small hospital in the village. She saw

small girls taking the heavy burden of carrying big pots of water from a long

distance. She requested Swami to make arrangements to dig a well in the

village. Swami said everything would be done at the opportune moment. As

promised by Bhagawan, all her wishes fructified at the right moment. Swami

said that she asked for small things like a small school, a medical dispensary

for immediate treatment and a well in the village. But I have now built a much

bigger university, hospitals and drinking water projects. Apart from all these,

Swami also brought electric supply to Puttaparthi and neighbouring villages.

Develop broadmindedness. All My Discourses, Bhajans are for this purpose only.

What gives happiness to you will give happiness to others too, and what makes

You suffer also gives suffering to others. So realize this Oneness. Go beyond

the concept of the body and see the indwelling God present in everybody.

Bhagawan concluded His Divine Discourse with the Bhajan, "Prema Muditha Manase

Kaho …"

Images

A view of Sai Kulwant Hall – Decorated to the occasion

Simple yet elegant Veda Chanting Bhagawan arrives… Lighting the

Lamp Bagpiper Band Troupe Bagpiper Band Troupe Mrs.

Mallika Srinivasan Mrs. Geeta Rao Mrs. Chetana Raju Divine

Discourse The Ladies' day cake Cake being cut

19th November 2005, 9:00 a.m. IST Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam

A Delectable Chinese Treat

Devotees from mainland China and Singapore were lucky indeed to present a

delectable music feast as an offering at His Divine Lotus Feet on the 18th

November evening as a part of Eightieth Birthday celebrations. It appeared as

though Bhagawan was eagerly waiting

for this occasion, as Bhagawan gave His consent to commence the programme

immediately after His arrival at the podium. Two devotees from the gents' side

offered roses to Bhagawan, while a few ladies and children were lucky to make

traditional Chinese offerings. The programme commenced with the devotees

playing instrumental music on traditional Chinese instruments which comprised

four stringed and two wind instruments. As the entire hall was resounding with

this rare musical feast, midway through the programme, Bhagawan asked the

troupe to sing Chinese songs. The instrumentalists along with the vocalists

sang a few Chinese songs to the joy of devotees filled to capacity in the Sai

Kulwant Hall. Immensely pleased with the performance Bhagawan graciously

consented to pose with these graceful artistes. Prasadam was distributed to all

the devotees; then Bhagawan went near the girl students and lovingly asked the

teachers to distribute saris to the students. To receive a gift blessed by

Bhagawan and that too on the eve of Ladies' Day is indeed very special and worth

treasuring! The Love of even a thousand mother would not be matching THE LOVE OF

BHAGAWAN!

Chinese Music - Images

An offering at His Lotus Feet! For Beloved Bhagawan…with Love from

little hearts A traditional Chinese offering Swami blesses

Prasadam Swami enjoying the Programme Divine appreciation!

Instrumentalists performing in the Divine Presence A pose with the Divine!

A life opportunity! Source:

http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/PrasanthiNews.htm