Parthi Update Nov 18th, 19th & 20th 2005 - World Conference, Ladies Day, Rathots

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PARTHI UPDATE

 

20-11-2005

INAUGURAL SESSION OF VIII WORLD CONFERENCE

 

Sairam. The 8th World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations –

Worldwide on the theme Unity, Purity, Divinity got underway this

morning in the Sai Kulwant Hall in the immediate Divine presence of

Bhagawan. Bhagawan arrived in the jam-packed Sai Kulwant Hall at

8:00 a.m., went for a full round before taking His seat on the dais

and signalling the start of proceedings for the inaugural session.

 

Sri Indulal Shah, expressed his profound gratitude to Bhagawan for

involving his fortunate devotees in the execution of His glorious

Mission. Addressing the delegates who have been drawn into the hall

from 180 countries, he reiterated the breathtaking growth of the Sri

Sathya Sai Oganisations, the seed for which was sown way back in

1965, which has now grown into a full fruit laden tree with over

5000 centres in India and over 2000 centres overseas. He outlined

Bhagawan's directive and assurance to the Organisation, that the

whole world will be one huge Sathya Sai Organsation and Sathya Sai

will be installed in every heart. With the help of 'transformation

technology' in a century which has been dubbed as an era of `information

technology' he implored the volunteers of the

organization to plunge themselves into holy task with zeal.

Concluding his speech he gave a beautiful insight into the realistic

functioning of the organization saying that the all the units of

Sathya Sai Organisations are connected through WWW, not world wide

web but, through Work Worship Wisdom.

 

Sri V. Srinivasan, All Indian President of the Sri Sathya Sai

Organisations, who spoke next, reminded the delegates that, Bhagawan

does not expect wealth, position or any material objects from us; he

expects only love for fellow beings. He highlighted that the role of

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in impacting the far reaching

corners of India through service and spirituality by following

Bhagawan's emphasis on quality and not on quantity should be our

guideline. He then assured Bhagawan on behalf of all that the

organization would concentrate on the individual to reach out to the

world. He concluded with offering his gratitude to the Lord for the

unmatched facilities arranged by Bhagawan for the delegates of the

conference.

 

The third speaker, Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman – Prasanthi

Council, overseeing body of the activities of Sri Sathya Sai

Organisations – Worldwide, spoke briefly about the growth and

activities of the organization in overseas countries. He posed the

following important questions relevant to the growth of the

individual and the organization as a whole. We, who are imperfect

join together to achieve perfection in the world. How to realize the

concept of Unity, Purity and Divinity as an organization? He further

prayed at His Lotus feet that His grace is needed to achive the

goals of the organization. He quoted words pregnant with spiritual

wisdom of great scientists like Einstein. He emphasized to have a

perspective of Unity, Experience of Purity & Blliss of Divinity

which is the goal of the conference. He said, in the name of

Divinity work unitedly and with Purity of intention, thought, word

and deed.

 

Mr. Leonardo Gutter, a senior official of Sri Sathya Sai

Organisations – Latin America region, narrated his experience with

Bhagawan, the undercurrent of which was, of course, love and His

assurance, "I will never disappoint my devotees". He mentioned that

there are Sai devotees in every Latin American country, and

recounted his experiences in various countries.

 

We will be back with a more complete update of the days events.

Until then, Sairam.

 

19-11-2005

LADIES DAY

 

Sairam. Just four sunsets to go, as this update is being written,

before we arise to witness the glorious day of the 80th Birthday of

our dear Lord. Ten years ago, our Divine Mother declared that this

day be celebrated as Ladies Day, in honour of The Mother and the

tradition continues with today, 19th November, being celebrated as

the 11th Ladies Day function in the Divine Presence. Let us recall a

few excerpts from His Message that day, a decade ago.

 

"There is nothing greater than mother's love. Mother's words are

always sweet. At times she may use harsh words, but they are meant

only to correct you, not to hurt you. There may be a wicked son, but

there can never be a wicked mother in this world. Today is declared

as mother's day only to make you understand the value of mother's

love and her concern for you. Among mother, father, teacher and God,

mother is given the topmost priority. The modern youth do not care

for the mother. They think they are highly educated and that the

mother does not know anything. It is a great mistake to think so.

Never look down upon the mother."

 

Therefore, let us begin by offering our sincere Pranaams and

obeisance to all the five mothers. The Deha Maata (physical Mother),

the Go Maata (holy cow), the Veda Maata (the Holy Scriptures), Bhu

Maata (Mother Earth) and above all the Supreme Divine Mother of the

world – our Sai Maata. Let us also pay our homage to Mother

Eswaramma who blessed humanity with this most precious gift of Sai.

 

This morning, the Kulwant Hall is decorated very well. A new set of

decorations, different from yesterday. On the wall above the car

shed, near the Krishna statue are huge posters hailing the '80th

Year of Love in Action'. All along the front part of the Kulwant

Hall, at regular intervals, long vertical banners are suspended with

beautiful pictures of our Lord accompanied with valuable messages.

The stage looks gorgeous. Huge brown moulded oval shaped paper mache

figurines, of the Dasha Avataaras, have been fixed on all pillars in

the Portico. They are oval shaped with the idol embossed in it

illuminated by focus lights.

 

Long red tapestry hangs from the top balcony of the Mandir until the

lower balcony. Shorter buntings are suspended from the lower balcony. A huge red

umbrella is erected in the centre. Right opposite, at the rear end of the

Kulwant Hall, on top of the huge gateway, is Mother Eswaramma's portrait held by

two heavenly angels on either side. On it is written, "Viswa Janani Eswaramma".

The entrance to the Ashram at the Ganesha gate and even the entrance to the

Kulwant Hall from PC are all decked with big floral gateways that add a generous

splash of festivity to the whole place. The press gallery, stepped steel

structure, that are normally placed on the Gents side of the Hall next to the

gateway on November 22nd during Convocation, is already set up there today

itself. Close Circuit Television sets to telecast the celebrations are already

in place in the Kulwant Hall right from the 17th. The passage leading from the

rear end gateway of the Hall to the extreme end where the Rama statue is

located, has a beautiful colourful roof that has been strung with layers and

layers of Zari garlands. Looks splendid!

 

At 8.30 a.m. Bhagawan comes out for Darshan amidst Veda chanting and

Naadaswaram. Today, He is led by sisters chanting Vedam and other

Stotrams. His passage through the ladies side is peppered with

flowers as the lucky few flanking the pathway, offer flowers to

Swami as the car passes by. As Swami's car enters the Kulwant Hall,

the Vedam chanting is eclipsed by a beautiful classical invocation

verse that stirs the air and goes on until Swami reaches the dais.

By 8.35 a.m. Swami alights from the car and lights the ceremonial

lamp. The candle to light the lamp is offered to Swami by Smt. Sarla

Ben Shah and Smt. Chetana Raju. The programme for the morning is

announced by Smt. Chetana Raju.

 

It begins with a performance by the young sisters of the Primary

School Band. Subsequently, Bhagawan releases the Bi-annual Journal

`Mother Sri Sathya Sai' and a Souvenir brought out by the Eswaramma

Women's Welfare Trust marking the 80th Birthday of Bhagawan. This is

followed by three speakers sharing their thoughts with all of us, on

this holy occasion.

 

The first speaker is Mrs. Mallika Srinivasan, Director of TAFE

Limited. She is an MBA from the Wharton School of Business, alumnus

of The University of Pennsylvania, Member of the Executive Board of

The Indian School of Business (ISB) and is a member of the Board of

Trade, Ministry of Commerce, and Director General of Foreign Trade,

New Delhi. She talks about the Eswaramma Women's Welfare Trust and

the recently started Mother & Child programme giving all its details

and significance. She also mentions about the mobile medical camps

that have been started recently providing help at the doorstep of

the villagers, especially in cases of expecting mothers and delivery

cases. All this has been possible only by His Grace.

 

The second speaker is Mrs. Gita Mohan Ram, the daughter of Dr.

Padmanabhan whom we know very well as the person who walks behind

Swami during Darshan in Brindavan. She shares two wonderful

experiences with the audience. She comes from a family that has

served Swami for many many years and have been so dear to Swami.

Bhagawan had Blessed her twin children saying that He would always

take care of them. 23 years later she recalls a wonderful incident

that had occurred when her twin children were just 3 months old.

 

During this period, suddenly, due to some reason, the Glaxo Company

(erstwhile Burroughs Wellcome and GSK today, popular as

manufacturers of Baby's food products) went on a strike and

therefore she was unable to procure Glaxo milk food for her babies,

which was very essential for them. Not knowing what to do, she

prayed fervently to Bhagawan. Once her husband had gone out to some

other areas of Bangalore, to try and see whether the baby food was

available in some other stores, but did not succeed. As he was

returning home, at a traffic signal, a car stopped next to his

scooter. When the signal turned green, he wished to move forward but

the car could not. It needed some pushing and therefore at the

request of the driver he got down to push the car aside.

 

At that time the gentleman in the car asked him whether he could

deliver an urgent parcel to a particular address as he would be

unable to do the same on account of the car breakdown. Mrs.

Mohanram's husband agreed to help and the gentleman gave him a

parcel and a slip with the address. Unable to interact any further

as the police came onto the scene to clear the way, the husband

returned home. He then opened the slip of paper to see the address

where he was supposed to deliver this parcel. To his amazement he

found his wife's name written on it with their own house address. He

immediately called for his wife and checked about this. She too was

perplexed. When they finally opened the parcel, they found 24 cans

of Glaxo Baby Food in it. Later when they came to Parthi, Swami

enquired whether the milk food had reached her children. That is The

Divine Mother's Care.

 

In another incident, Swami had given Mrs. Gita Ram a packet of

Vibhuti in the interview room. She tucked it away in her purse and

somehow forgot about it. A few months later, when she and her

husband visited New York to celebrate their Wedding Anniversary,

they went to a temple in New York. After this, they attended a Music

Concert in a theater. During the intermission, she went to the

Ladies Room. There, a Hispanic Woman who was cleaning the bathroom,

came forward and asked Mrs. Gita whether she was an Indian. Then she

asked her whether she knew about Sai Baba. On getting a `Yes' for

both these questions, she asked her whether she had any white powder

with her.

 

Upon enquiring her about the details and the reason for these

questions, the Hispanic woman said that she had an eight year old

daughter who was seriously sick. Both her kidneys had failed and

chances of survival were very less. Transplant of the kidneys would

mean a lot of money which she could never afford. All she did was

pray to her Lord Jesus. After few hopeless days, suddenly three days

back, in her dream she saw this man with an orange robe and afro

type hair style who called himself Sai Baba and told her – I am Sai

Baba. You will meet an Indian in your work place, ask her for

Vibhuti – white powder. Give it to your daughter. She will become

better.

 

Hearing this, Mrs. Gita Ram opened her purse and the silently tucked

away Vibhuti packet suddenly revealed itself. She handed over the

same to the woman, thrilled with the mysterious ways of Bhagawan.

Later when the couple arrived at Parthi and Swami gave them an

interview, He told them, "The girl is fine. Both her kidneys are

okay. No surgery!" These narrations strike a special chord in all

our hearts as we hear them in first person.

 

This talk is followed by the talk by Mrs. Chetana Raju. She speaks

of Swami as being beyond time and space and highlights the quantum

jump in Universal Consciousness that is being brought about by the

Avataar. After her erudite and insightful talk, she fervently prays

to Swami to deliver His Divine Message. Swami smiles and concedes.

Swami stands up amidst loud applause and begins His Discourse.

 

Bhagawan concludes His Divine Discourse with Prema Mudita Mana Se

Kaho Ram Ram Ram. He receives Aarti at 10.10 a.m. and Prasadam

distribution takes place. To the greatest delight of all assembled

in the Hall, Bhagawan stands up from the chair again and with the

help of the students who attend to Him, He walks all the way from

the dais to the car parked near the interview room. There is loud

applause. After a while He retires and Prof. Anil Kumar announces

that the eminent vocalist and playback singer Smt. Kavita

Krishnamurthy will present a bouquet of songs in the Divine Presence

in the evening at 4.30 p.m.

 

In the evening, Swami makes His entry at 4.15 p.m. As He passes

through the Hall making His usual round, He sees the Mobile Clinic

Bus, decorated with flowers, parked in front of the rear gateway of

the Hall adjacent to the pathway. He proceeds towards the stage,

moves out from the car and sits on the dais. Vedam chanting and band

goes on. Band is played by the Primary School children and students

of the Anantapur Campus. At 4.30 p.m. Swami gives the green signal

for the Music Programme to commence. Smt. Kavita Krishnamurthy along

with her husband Dr. L. Subramanian, the violin virtuoso and other

members of the family and accompanying artistes are seated on the

right side of the dais while Swami is seated as usual on the left

side (gents side).

 

The next one hour and twenty minutes takes us away to the world of

soul stirring music and melody. The scintillating voice of Smt.

Kavita Krishnamurthy accompanied by the violin of Dr. L. Subramanian

fills the Sai Kulwant Hall. All are spellbound and listen with rapt

attention. She delivers one hit after another and the devotees

respond with loud applause. She begins with the well known and

relevant for this occasion – Janama Diya Tune Sai Ko. This is

followed by Om Namah Shiyaya, Mein Ayi Thi Darashana Pane, Mene

Prema Se Jyoti Jalai (all from her album Sai Darshan), Sri Rama

Chandra Krupalu Bhajamana, Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram, Dhanya Bhaaga

Seva Ka Avasara Paaya, and Mere Ranaji Meine Govinda Ke Guna Gaana.

She also intersperses these songs with wonderful Bhajans rendered

with such finesse. She leads with Nandaa Nandana Hari Govinda

Gopaala and Antaranga Sai Anaatha Naatha Sai, with all the devotees

following her. In the course of her rendering the pieces, Swami goes

in for a short while and spends some time interacting with devotees

in the inner portico and in the Bhajan Hall.

 

He again comes out at 5.45 p.m. and finds the Primary School sisters

standing all dressed with dance costumes. A dance performance is

slotted after the music programme. Swami interacts with the

coordinators and after a while gives His consent. The children

immediately spring forth into their dance accompanied by a very

catchy song – folk music type giving a beautiful narration of

Swami's life. There are several groups of girls and sub-groups

within them marked by different costumes and performing different

parts of the dance. It appeals to everybody and is received with

very loud applause.

 

It is already 6.05 p.m. but our Lord wishes to shower all His Love

on them. He agrees for a photograph and all the girls come in groups

according to their costumes and pose for the photographs. The band

girls too take this opportunity and come forward. Finally, Smt.

Kavita Krishnamurthy, Dr. L. Subramanian and the others also hurry

forward not wanting to miss this lifetime opportunity. Swami gives

them group photographs and interacts with them for a long time. He

Blesses Dr. L. Subramanian with a ring. Having saturated all hearts

with immense joy and Bliss, He turns to move towards the car.

 

Meanwhile Prof. Anil Kumar jubilantly moves towards the mike ready

to commence his announcement. The first announcement is about the

Sri Sathya Sai Mobile Clinic inaugurated by Bhagawan today. This is

an air-conditioned mobile clinic equipped with the latest gadgets

like the Ultrasound Scanner, Auto Film Processor, Chemical Analyzer,

Retinoscope, Ophthalmoscope, X-Ray machine, Public Address System, a

Screen and even a Video Projector. This mobile clinic is offered for

the service of the villages by Bhagawan on this day marking the

beginning of yet another noble initiative for Loka Kalyanam (global

welfare).

 

The second announcement is about the 8th World Conference of the Sri

Sathya Sai Seva Organizations which will commence tomorrow in the

Divine Presence at 8.00 a.m. It is 6.20 p.m. as the Porte car glides

towards PC amidst the chanting of the Aarti.

 

We'll see you tomorrow again with further details. Sairam.

 

18-11-2005

RATHOTSAVAM

 

Sairam. The countdown begins. Five sunsets to go. The official

celebration of the 80th Birthday of Bhagawan Baba commences today

with the Rathotsavam festival. As we all know this is the day when

the idols of Lord Krishna and those of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshmana

and Hanuman, which used to be worshipped in Swami's childhood house

by the family members (that is what we hear); are brought out in a

procession. Decked with wonderful silk clothes and with flowers all

around, these idols are taken in two open palanquins from the Mandir

Bhajan Hall to the Old Mandir (which is now the Kalyana Mantapam).

 

This morning, Swami was again out by 7.30 a.m. As He was taking a

round of the Kulwant Hall, dear Sai Gita irresistibly came forward

to seek Swami's Blessings. The merciful Lord fed her with some

apples and moved on. He came right onto the stage, came out of the

car and sat on the dais for quite some time. The core Vedam group

along with many other Vedam students in red Dhotis and Angavastrams

were seated inside the Bhajan Hall facing the idols of Rama and

Krishna that were kept ready for the procession.

 

Swami sat outside until 8.00 a.m. and then went into the Bhajan

Hall. After a few minutes, we guess that Swami would have given the

signal, for the palanquins were brought out. Out came the long line

of Vedam chanters and Bhajan singers. Led by Sai Gita the entire

troupe went along towards the Gopuram gate of the Mandir to proceed

to the Kalyana Mantapam.

 

As this was going on, Swami was sitting near the Primary School end

of the dais and hearing very joyously the loud chanting of His young

children. The children were chanting with all gusto. Accompanying

the procession were the Naadaswaram group and also the Panchavadyam

team from our Hostel. A few minutes after their exit, Bhagawan most

surprisingly asked His chair to be moved towards the devotees. To

everyone's amazement, He went right towards the Gopuram gate

Blessing all devotees on the way. Around 8.30 a.m., He returned into

the Kulwant Hall again. Passing along the centre of the Hall, He

came right till the front and then turned towards the Gents side.

All the students seated along the path had a fantastic chance of His

close Darshan. Swami even spoke to a few boys.

 

Having showered His Love and joy thus, Swami moved into the

interview room. Boys in the Vedam block were chanting Vedam though

the mikes were now switched off. All were awaiting the return of the

procession. They came back at around 9.30 a.m. Immediately, Bhajans

began and even before the first Bhajan could get over, Aarti was

given.

 

Many students rushed to the Portico entrance to see Swami getting

into the car. But we were in for another surprise. Swami asked the

Vedam students inside the Bhajan Hall to chant Vedam. As they

chanted the Rudram, Swami moved in His chair along the central path

of the Bhajan Hall, Blessing all along the path. Then He came out

from the rear door and went along the upper VIP Portico talking to

all the gentlemen seated over there. By 9.50 a.m. He got into the

car and retired for the morning.

 

Just before entering the car, He had given some instructions to

Prof. Anil Kumar. Prof. Anil Kumar came over to the mike and as

Swami's car glided towards PC, he made the announcement that from

today onwards free food (Prasadam) will be distributed to all

devotees – Breakfast, Lunch, Tea and Dinner – till the 24th of

November.

 

The doors of Mother Sai Annapoorneshwari have opened and it is just

Akshayam for all. This morning, we tasted the first Prasadam for

breakfast. It was Semiya Upma and Chutney.

 

As the front end looks so fantastic and wonderful, the back end is

equally amazing! There is so much of effort being put in, back-

stage, to make all this happen. And the uniqueness of it is that all

this goes on so silently – no noise, no chaos. Silent service for

the Lord!

 

In the evening, even as were proceeding to the Mandir at 3.15 p.m.,

Swami was already out in the Shanti Vedika grounds. He returned to

the Mandir by 3.30 p.m. and arrived straight on the dais. The chair

rolled out and Swami sat on the stage. He signaled the Vedam group

to stop the chanting. In font of the dais, on seven chairs, artistes

from China were seated – all adept at playing musical instruments of

Chinese origin. Swami asked them to begin the programme.

 

Two young children, one - a boy wearing a Chinese cap with a long

pony tail and another a young girl compered the show. They presented

some of the popular Chinese rituals to Bhagawan. It started with the

typical Tea ceremony followed by offering of prayers for welfare of

parents, for longevity and culminating with offering baskets of

gifts to the Lord. Swami was very kind and put His Hand into the

basket and picked up an item. All of them were overjoyed.

 

The next item was a musical offering by the artistes. There were 7

in all, four of them playing string instruments and the other three

playing wind instruments. The next one hour, was a treat to our

ears. The Chinese instruments produce very melodious music that is

so soothing. They played a number of Bhajans like Hara Shiva

Shankara, Murali Krishna Mukunda Krishna….and many others. All

pieces were received with loud applause. The Ladies also

participated and sang a few Bhajans both in Chinese and Sanskrit /

Hindi.

 

At 4.30 p.m. Swami Blessed them with photographs. After the gents

and the ladies had their turn, Swami called the artistes again and

asked them to pose with their musical instruments. How thoughtful of

Swami! After all it was those instruments that brought them so close

to Swami. Therefore, the instruments also deserved a snap with the

Lord! Prasadam (Halva – sweet) was distributed to all.

 

Swami went into the interview room. At around 5.00 p.m. Swami went

out in the Chair towards the ladies side. From what we could see He

was getting saris distributed to all the ladies for their Ladies Day

celebrations tomorrow. This went on for quite some time and Bhajans

began only at 5.25 p.m. At 5.45 p.m. Swami received Aarti and

retired for the day. Prof. Anil Kumar announced that the Ladies Day

celebrations would begin tomorrow in the Divine Presence at 8.00 a.m.

 

Visit us at this site again tomorrow for details on the Ladies Day

celebrations.

Sairam.