Prasanthi Bulletin, January 1st, 2006

[Guest guest]

1st of January every year has now emerged as the ‘Alumni Day’ for all the

students of Swami’s Parthi and Brindavan Educational Institutions. Over 300 Sai

Students were able to make it for the Meet this year. Yesterday, they all

successfully conducted a Medical Camp – an annual feature, in a village named

Puluru in the Gorantla Mandal – around 44 kms. from here. When Bhagawan came

out for Darshan at 9.15 a.m. and took a full round in the car, it slowed down

as He approached the Sai Students. Few representatives, seated in front, knelt

down and showed Swami the Music Programme card that contained the list of all

songs to be offered to Swami in the evening along with the names of the

singers. Swami, very keenly went through all the details and said ‘Manchidi’.

Then, the Sai Students also prayed to Swami to permit the Vice Chancellor and

the former Vice Chancellors to address the Alumni during the formal Meeting in

the College Auditorium. Again, Swami nodded His Head and

said ‘Manchidi’. The car moved along. Thus the Music Programme was Blessed to be

put up in the evening. The front pillars in the Hall had vertical banners along

its length that read – Sri Sathya Sai Students. On other pillars there were

banners wishing all devotees a Happy New Year in English, Telugu, Kannada,

Tamil and Hindi. The wide pillars on the dais had spiral windings of beautiful

colourful flowers along its full length. Swami got down from the car and moved

onto the dais. He sat at the centre of the dais listening to the canting of the

Vedic Mantras. At 9.50 a.m. He called the Institute Band Leader and his

colleague forward. They came walking briskly to Swami. While one of them

offered the programme card, the other student offered a flower bouquet to

Swami. Blessed by Bhagawan, they returned to their team and commenced their

presentation. The next 20 minutes was a treat to all ears and a boost to the

soul. Lovely band pieces filled the Hall with a feel of joy

and cheer. At 10.10 a.m. they bowed down to Swami. Swami acknowledged with a

smile and they sat down next to their instruments. Next came the Music group

Students. They moved towards Swami and prayed for His permission to offer a few

songs. Swami conceded to their prayer. The students sang three songs – Sai Naam

Sumiran Jo Bhi Karein, Brahmam Okate Parabrahmam Okate, and Sri Ramji Ki

Mahimaa Apaar. Swami, then spoke to the singers and at 10.35 a.m. He took Aarti

and retired for the morning. In the evening, Bhagawan emerged from His abode at

4.00 p.m. He sat on the dais watching all the Sai Students seated in the block

right in front of Him. It was a full one hour of silent but so meaningful

Darshan pregnant with so many fond memories and golden moments of student days

at His Lotus Feet. At 5.00 p.m. Swami signaled to the core music group members

of the Sai Students to come forward. A group of four to five members went

forward and offered to Swami the Programme Card

and flower bouquets. Swami spoke to them for a while, enquiring about the songs

they were going to sing and other details. The programme commenced with an

English song Om Sai, We all have come to say, We Love You Sai. There was a

commentary that interluded the songs now and then. Other songs included Sai

Natha Bhagawan, Paala Kadali Pai Pavalinche…, Tumse Achha Kaun Sai Maa,

Jagadabhi Rama Raghukula Soma, Naa Sai Nannu Chera Radaye, Shambho Shambho

Sankara….The presentation went on for a full 55 minutes lifting our souls.

Melodious voices of a number of Bhajan singers Blessed by Swami over the years

and lilting songs charged the Kulwant Hall with devotional vibrations. Swami

often kept beat with His Hand. At 6.00 p.m. Swami took Aarti and the singers

rushed forward to seek His Blessings. One of the Sai Students mentioned to

Swami about the Silver Jubilee celebrations being planned by the Alumni. Swami

said that He was very Happy and would see them the next day. That

was great news and thus leaving the Sai Students with this bright hope, Swami

retired to the Poornachandra. December 28th, 2005 This morning, Swami came out

around 9.30 a.m., sat for a Bhajan and then went out again on the chair. He

went along the gents devotees, hand picked up a big group for interview and was

inside the interview room talking to them until 10.30 a.m. In the evening, Swami

came out for Darshan at 4.30 p.m. He took a full round and went into the

interview room. At 5.00 p.m. Swami emerged from the interview room and there

was loud clapping. What could it be, we were wondering. There was Swami, not on

the chair, but walking with just one brother holding His Hand. Swami went

straight into the Bhajan Hall and sat down on the throne. After such a long

time, one could see Swami sitting on the Bhajan Hall throne. He spent around 15

minutes talking to some boys acting in the Drama to be presented on the

11th of January evening. He also spoke to Sri S.V. Giri, the former

Vice-Chancellor. Then He stood up and came out walking, once again amidst loud

applause. We hoped with all our hearts that He would come onto the dais so that

all of us could see Him walking. How could He not answer the prayers of so many

people? We were getting more and more excited as all the students sitting on

the extreme corner, who could see Him near the interview room, were smiling

with Bliss radiating from their faces. Within minutes, Bhagawan stepped onto

the dais. Brother Divij was holding Swami's right Hand and Swami came walking

so smoothly, with hardly any limp. He was radiating with joy and Bliss and was

holding letters in His left Hand that kept tapping on His left thigh - as

though keeping beat to some silent Cosmic rhythm. He walked so fast and so

nicely that we were taken back in time to those good old days - just a few

years back...... Those days must come back again! He walked all

along the dais and approached the other end. Over there, He stood and asked -

How is drama? Of course after a while, Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar did come and give

an update of the drama practice going on. But the way He asked, it appeared as

though He was referring to His drama... Who can understand God's Drama - it is

all a mystery. After this brief conversation with Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar about

the 'drama', Swami walked further up the slope onto the middle Portico and went

walking adjacent the VIPs seated over there. He spoke to a few devotees and then

went into the Bhajan Hall. He again sat on the throne even for the Bhajans. It's

truly a dream come true for all devotees. After Aarti, we could see Swami coming

out walking. The chair was placed near the interview room. He sat down and then

the usual pattern was repeated - the chair going into the Porte and driving

back to Poornachandra. You can see

an illustrated version of happenings at Prasanthi Nilayam in the Prasanthi Diary

of our monthly e-Journal Heart to Heart. The previous issue of Prasanthi

Bulletin is available here. The Photo album contains photos of events of past

Prasanthi Bulletins. Index of past Prasanthi Bulletins... Source: Radio Sai

Websitehttp://radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm