Report and Images from 80th Birthday Celebrations - 23rd November 2005

[Guest guest]

beauteous form of the Lord walking on two feet, whose physical frame entered

into the 80th Year of His sojourn on planet Earth. Yes, it is eighty years now

since the world of today began to see God in human form – a rare privilege that

is reported to have been enjoyed by human race in the Tretha and in the Dwapara.

But today's world is certainly more fortunate than that in the earlier Yugas,

for now only the Lord chose to move with His creation more freely revealing His

identity occasionally making the coveted access to the Avatar of the Age

possible for all with no discrimination. …and TODAY was yet another occasion to

taste His greater magnanimity, greater benevolence!!! The Lord of Compassion,

Lord of Love…Who is often hailed as …Love in Action…Love that Conquers…was out

there...just for the happiness of His Own…His Own Reflections!!! …as was

reiterated by Him over and over again, to the tune that there is

no birthday festival for Him; Just for the sake of fulfilling devotees desire

and fill them with joy that He goes on celebrating birthdays. The overcast

conditions and shower during the penultimate night and another bout of rains

during the previous afternoon cast a pall of gloom on the last minute

preparations at the main venue, Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. But, it was

indeed His sheer Grace that Willed and made it possible for the proceedings to

continue unhampered, in spite of intermittent drizzle that was reluctant to

stop on a day when sun was forced to take backstage under the overcast

conditions. The Lord was accorded a traditional, grand, red carpet welcome

that was majestic and just, unmatched by any, by Bhagawan's pet elephant

Sai Geeta., the Veda Chanting students followed by Bhangra dancers at 7.40 a.m.

IST. It was indeed a sight to see, as the whole of the stadium went agog with

bursting colourful ribbon crackers as Bhagawan made His grand entry in His open

car, in the backdrop of a welcome song hailing His Advent. Bhagawan went

straight on to the specially decorated Shanti Vedika to occupy the Special

Throne to grand His coveted Birthday Darshan. It was indeed a wonderful sight

to see the Lord in His white shining robe benevolently smiling at the devoted

gathering that filled every nook and corner and galleries of the Stadium.

Soon the stage, which was specially erected at the western end was taken over

by a group of dancers who were dancing to the tune of a welcome song which was

followed by Telugu film star Sai Kumar who paid glowing tributes eulogising the

Lord on the 80th Year of

His Advent on earth. Soon after, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, an ardent

devotee of Bhagawan for the last three decades took over the mike to pay His

obeisance on his behalf as well as all others assembled at the Stadium.

Simultaneously, there was a procession of devotees from different continents

with diverse cultures united with one single thread of Love for Bhagawan paying

obeisance at His Lotus Feet in their traditional style. Sri Gavaskar who

compered the show in English introduced Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,

India's Silver Medalist at the Athens Olympics, followed by members of current

Indian Cricket Team, namely, V.V.S. Laxman, Murali Karthik, R. P. Singh,

J.P.Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Sreeshant, and Sachin Tendulkar. Maj.

Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was invited by Sunil Gavaskar to hoist the Global

Peace Insignia for the well being of humanity. Maj.Rathore after receiving

blessings from Bhagawan took it out of Shanti Vedika went on to the specially

erected

stage to show the Insignia to the mammoth gathering before hoisting the same to

the high end near Hanuman Statue. Soon a scroll rolled down on the western

slope with the message, “May there be Peace, Unity and Love in the World”.

Sachin Tendulkar in his prayer to Bhagawan said they are extremely honoured to

be in His presence on this auspicious occasion. He further prayed on behalf of

the entire cricket team members to bless them and stay with them. The first

speaker for the session was Sri Indulal Shah, formerly World Chairman of Sri

Sathya Sai Organisations, and currently Advisor to the Prasanthi Council, the

overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Overseas. Mr. Shah while

offering his prayerful salutations at His Lotus Feet mentioned that he has been

under the Divine Grace and Protection for the past forty years under whose

Guidance he could see the

birth and growth of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations. Bhagawan's Message of Love is

beyond countries, culture, religion and race and it is time for all of us to

blend into Brotherhood of Mankind. Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman,

Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations,

Overseas in his exhilarating speech highlighted that the era of peace is here

for us to experience. Bhagawan is fathomless, never ending Divine Love and we

have the golden fortune to be here on this day of age when God walks on Earth.

Talking about the Divine Mystery of Bhagawan, he said that he had the temerity

to ask Bhagawan to see the world through His eyes for which Bhagawan replied

that if he was allowed to see through His eyes, he would not want his family,

his wealth, his body or anything in life. Dr. Goldstein then prayed to Bhagawan

to bless the huge concourse of

devotees with His Divine Benedictory Message. Bhagawan in His Divine discourse

highlighted the importance of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema in one's daily

conduct. These seminal values should permeate one's conduct from dawn to dusk.

Man is not 'Manava' if he does not help fellow humans in distress. Referring to

people who involve themselves in social work, He said that people instead of

doing social work do 'show' work. Realisation of one's innate divinity is one's

goal of life. But, unfortunately man today craves for the deep wine of worldly

pleasures instead of pursuing the path of self-realisation. Bhagawan asked

people to emulate His ideal of selfless love and service for humanity. In all

His Divine discourses He invariably speaks on the values of Truth and Love. The

quintessence of His teachings is Truth and Love. He expressed His joy at the

vast concourse of

humanity that throng the Hill View Stadium and blessed them to enjoy long,

peaceful and happy life. He said that people would derive real ananda by

practising His teachings. After His Divine Discourse there was display of

fireworks and Bhagawan personally distributed prasadam to each member of Indian

Cricket team. Images From 80th Birthday Celebrations

Text source: http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/PrasanthiNews.htmImages

source: http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/birthday_photos.htm