FUNCTIONS AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM FROM 17TH NOVEMBER 2005

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MASS MARRIAGE AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM

17TH November 2005, Thursday

Of the four ashramas or stages of life, Grihastha is the stage of the

householder, when a student is ready to take up duties of family life after the

completion of his studentship. This is supposed to be the most important of the

four ashramas, as all the other orders exist with the support of Grihastha

order.

Marriage is a sacrament for all and it does signify a lot in the life of a

couple. The wife is his partner or Ardhangini. The husband cannot do any

religious ritual without wife as she stands by his left side when he performs

any religious performance. In spiritual parlance husband and wife keep Rama and

Sita as their ideal for their life ahead after tying the knot.

It is at a time when performing marriages is a costly affair and beyond the

reach of common man, all merciful Bhagawan, in a gesture of His Divine

benevolence, decided to bless eighty selected couples from the downtrodden

families in and around Puttaparthi, in a function organized in Sai Kulwant Hall

marking the beginning of the celebrations of 80th birthday of Bhagawan.

Here is an instant report on the function held this morning in Sai Kulwant Hall.

Bhagawan arrived in the ornately decorated Sai Kulwant Hall with a makeshift

Marriage Pandal - a virtual bower of flowers at 7.30 a.m. to the accompaniment

of Veda chanting by students and Nadaswaram recital by the special troupe. Soon

the couples were accorded a grand welcome into the Hall preceded by Veda

chanting priests and followed by a dance group. One could see serpentine,

long-winding queues of devotees, waiting to enter the Hall, even long after the

function started. One can very well imagine the coming days when such sights

will become a common feature since Prasanthi Nilayam is witnessing an ever

increasing number of devotees.

The fortunate couples were in for a shower of divine grace, when Bhagawan in His

infinite compassion distributed various items for the couples. It all started on

the 16th evening, when Bhagawan personally gave saris, shirts and silk dhotis to

the would-be brides and grooms.

On the day of the function, i.e., 17th, Bhagawan went round the Hall

distributing Mangal Sutra. Oh! What a great fortune, even the wealthiest would

pine for such an opportunity. The showers of grace did not stop with that,

Bhagawan instructed the organizers to bring the brides to receive a silver lamp

from His Divine Hands. Then the couples went through the rituals performed

during a marriage function. With Bhagawan, every moment is a surprise! He

distributed watches to both the brides and grooms, utensils for running the

household and blankets. When Bhagawan gives, it does not come in droplets, but

in torrents. After the tying of the nuptial knot, Bhagawan again went round the

couples, not once, but twice and blessed them with Akshata (yellow rice). Like a

doting mother, Bhagawan made it sure whether all the couples received all the

items. After the grand function, the couples with their parents were treated to

a sumptuous feast in the South Indian Canteen.

It is said, marriages are made in Heaven. Indeed, this mass marriage function

that Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed, officiated by the Eternal Divine Himself, is

indeed heavenly for those lucky couples as they enter the wedlock, a new life,

with the Divine Blessings of none other than the Ultimate Lord. Yes, Prasanthi

Nilayam is verily Heaven and everything that happens in His Divine Presence in

this holy land is not by coincidence …but, at His Divine Will…and thus heavenly

indeed …and beyond all a Wonderful Act by the Divine for everyone to emulate …to

serve the society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FUNCTIONS AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM FROM 17TH NOVEMBER 2005

17th November ..........................Mass Marriages

18th November ..........................Rathotsavam

19th November ..........................Ladies' Day

20th, 21st and 24th Nov................8th World Conference of Sri Sathya Sai

Seva Organisations-Worldwide

22nd November.......................... 24th Annual Convocation of Sri Sathya

Sai Institute of Higher Learning

23rd November........................... 80th 'Birthday' of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba

 

Who is Sathya Sai Baba?

I have come to light the lamp of love…

“I have come to light the lamp of love in your hearts, to see that it shines day

by day with added luster. I have not come to speak on behalf of any particular

dharma (religion), like the Hindu Dharma (Hindu religion). I have not come on

any mission of publicity for any sect or creed or cause; nor have I come to

collect followers for any doctrine. I have no plan to attract disciples or

devotees into My fold or any fold. I have come to tell you of this Universal

Unitary Faith, this Aathmic principle (principle of the spirit), this path of

love, this dharma of prema (nature of love), this duty of love, this obligation

to love.”

- Bhagawan’s Discourse on 4th July 1968 in Nairobi (Kenya, East Africa)

There are certain periods in the history of mankind when the mortal beings of

this earth witness epoch-making divine events with their own eyes. By far the

most astounding event of this century is the Advent of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba.

Late Sri V.K.Narasimham, Former Editor, Sanathana SarathiEminent Journalist of repute

Who is Sathya Sai Baba? a Messiah, a Social Reformer, a Philanthropist, a

Miracle Man, a God Man, a Saviour, a Spiritual Leader…He has been all these,

and has been walking on two feet, adorning roles draped with righteous, loving

Divine attributes, still nonchalant, touching, healing and consoling the

hearts, slowly elevating them to a higher state of nothingness. Millions all

across the world has teamed up with His being in His tireless crusade to bring

Unity in diversity. …And He has summed up the situation to achieve this end

with His famous aphorism, Love All Serve All…Help Ever Hurt Never. …And He has

always remained an open book, for every one to copy, emulate as He symbolically

claims, My Life is My Message

To them who still waver, who are yet to hear about Him and for every other

doubting Thomas, He has most emphatically, in no uncertain terms, unequivocally

made it clear saying:

“See in Me yourself, for I see Myself in you all. You are My life, My breath, My

soul, My forms, all. When I love you I love Myself. When you love yourselves,

you love Me. I have separated Myself from Myself, so that I may love Myself. My

Beloved ones, you are My own self”. His words ring like that of the Creator in

person and He asserts things that can be attributed to the Eternal Heaven.

A Movement by Himself and phenomenon by His superhuman activities, He has been a

tireless saga of pure, selfless love and millions join His brigade believing

beyond doubts that He is God in human frame. For our records He was born on

23rd November 1926 in a tiny, remote, under developed village by name

Puttaparthi in the Anantapur district of the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. A

western author, Arnold Schulman, who visited this hamlet in late sixties

described this cluster of scattered huts as "ten minutes past the Stone Age".

Bhagawan has transformed this so-called Stone Age village into a modern

township with a unique educational complex and a university, a super speciality

hospital with all modern facilities and an airport of its own. The crest jewel

of this now world-known place is Prasanthi Nilayam, where millions come every

year from all corners of the world to receive the blessings of the Avatar.

Birth and FamilySathya, as He was called in His teens, was born in the

Ratnakaram family of Sri Kondama Raju, who was the grandfather of Bhagawan's

physical frame. Sri Kondama Raju, who lead a secluded life in solitude

contemplating on God day in and day out, had unflinching faith in the prophecy

of his guru Venkavadhoota that God would incarnate in his family. A centenarian

who lived out his 112 years of earthly existence in the unceasing contemplation

of God had the rare fortune to experience the divinity of his grandson, who was

by his side to fulfil his last wish of pouring water into his mouth when he

breathed his last in 1950. He had two sons, both named after his guru

Venkavadhoota, Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Sri Chinna Venkama Raju. The divine

child Sathyanarayana Raju (called Sathya or Raju in childhood) was the fourth

child of the devout couple, Sri Pedda Venkama Raju and Srimati Easwaramma.

ChildhoodSathya as a child was enchantingly charming. The entire village was

enthralled by His unearthly beauty and majestic demeanour. Even at the age of

five, He earned the titles of Brahmajnani (one endowed with the knowledge of

God) and Biddalaguru (child teacher). He was a born renunciant and never let a

needy person go empty-handed. He was a vegetarian and abhorred cruelty to

animals. He spent most of His time in the house of Karnam Subbamma, who lived

in the next house, and whose boundless motherly affection for Sathya was

reminiscent of Yashoda's love for Krishna.

One of the favourite activities of child Sathya was Bhajan singing. He not only

sang and composed Bhajans, but also organised a children's Bhajan group in

Puttaparthi even at the age of ten. Later, in old Mandir as well as in New

Mandir (Prasanthi Nilayam), Bhajan singing became an essential part of the

daily programme. Who else but Divinity could know that one day Bhajans would

become one of the main instruments in Divine hands to put the deluded humanity

on the path of devotion and spirituality? No wonder, today Sai Bhajans are sung

in all parts of the world and in all the languages as a means of elevating and

ennobling human nature.

PuttaparthiNestled in the heart of a cluster of bald hills with a scant

population of less than a hundred, this unknown, unnoticed, unrecognised and

undeveloped village awaited the Advent of an Avatar for centuries. The result?

Fulfilment! The bald hills put on green caps; the dry tree tops put up green

leaves; the plants prepared colourful bouquets; the bees hummed to collect

honey for the Lord; and sands collected and spread themselves to soften the

path and River Chitravati began the muse on a tune-all to greet the Divine on

holy 23rd of November 1926. The one time sleeping village is now agog with

multitudes from every nook and corner of the world drawn by the fragrance of

His Glory, Word and Deed.

Located in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, this tiny village has now grown

into a full-fledged township with all modern amenities that would suit a fast

growing population of multinational texture. It has now the distinction of

being the seat of a world class Super Speciality Hospital - Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Medical Sciences, a Deemed university - Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning, comprising three campuses, This tiny, but most

privileged village turned township also houses a planetarium of international

standard, two Museums - Sri Sathya Sai Sanathana Samskruti (Eternal Heritage)

Museum, a spiritual museum, where one can see a depiction of timeless panorama

of seers and sages of all faiths and religions, Chaitanya Jyoti Museum,

dedicated to the depiction of Life, Mission and Message of the Avatar of the

Age, not to speak of an Air Port and modern Railway Station.

The original name of this village was Gollapalli - a village of the cowherds, as

many of them lived here eking their livelihood by tending the cows. The hasty

and revengeful action of one of these cowherds drew a curse from a dying

serpent whom he had stoned to death as it was seen sucking milk from the udder

of his favourite cow. The curse began to operate in due course virtually

eliminating the cowherds and the cows. The entire area was covered with

anthills with snake pits housing serpents. Gollapalli thus became Puttapalli

(village of ant hills) and in due course Puttaparthi. Concurrently the cowherds

were replaced by tribals, who, in turn, by some Brahmin families and, later, by

Kshatriyas including the Ratnakaram family of Bhagawan. With regular worship of

deities, especially the stone that was flung on the serpent, in the nearby

Venugopala Swami Temple, the village again began to flourish.

Puttaparthi is now adored the world over as the birthplace of the Avatar of the

Age, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. It has assumed the position of the foremost

pilgrim centre of the country as the Abode of the Living God is located here.

Yes, as was rightly sung:

Covered by a ring of hillsStands tall as if to protect the precious With

natives... innocent and God fearing Whose world never crossed their village

boundariesPuttaparthi, a remote village in Anantapur was awakened by the call

from greater heaven! to repeat the Ayodhya of Treta and Mathura of DwaparaThe

call to host the divine advent! ! Puttaparthi of the old folklore was never the

same again! and so was our beloved mother earth!She was never the same again!

BukkapatnamAfter finishing his elementary education in the school in

Puttaparthi, Sathya was admitted to the Higher Elementary School in the nearby

town of Bukkapatnam at the age of eight. Bukkapatnam is about 2 1/2 miles from

Puttaparthi across the river Chitravathi.

Sathya was a role model to everybody in the school. He excelled in studies,

games, sports, plays etc., and invariably sang the prayer song at the start of

the school everyday. He earned the love and admiration of not only his

classmates, but many teachers also. Janab Mahbub Khan was one of those teachers

who adored and loved Sathya and recognised His Divinity. After the famous

incident of a teacher getting stuck to his chair as he made Sathya stand on the

bench, Sathya came to be recognised as a divine child not only in the school,

but in the town also. Another fortunate teacher of Sathya was Sri B.

Subbannachar. Since the entire family of this teacher adored Sathya, He often

lived in their house. He also visited the house of another teacher Sri V.C.

Kondappa, to whom He used to narrate the story of Shirdi Sai Baba. On this

basis, Sri Kondappa wrote the life story of Shirdi Sai Baba in 102 Telugu

verses and published it as a small book entitled "Sree Sayeesuni Charithra".

UravakondaAfter completing His studies at Bukkapatnam, Sathya went to

Kamalapuram (Cuddappa District) with His elder brother Seshama Raju for further

education at the age of ten. The fame of the wonder child Sathya reached

Kamalapuram also. In school, He earned the love and admiration of His

schoolmates and teachers. While Sathya continued His studies at Kamalapuram,

Seshama Raju went elsewhere to undergo training. After completing his training,

Seshama Raju was posted as a Telugu Teacher in a High School at Uravakonda, a

town in Anantapur District. Naturally, Sathya accompanied His brother to

Uravakonda, where He was admitted in the same school where His elder brother

worked. Stories of Sathya's manifestations and miracles were already on the

lips of not only the students and teachers but all over Uravakonda. As in

Bukkapatnam school, Sathya's proficiency in music, dance, drama, poetry was

immediately recognised in the Uravakonda school also.

When Sathya turned 13, history took a sharp turn. Divinity of Sathya as an

Avatar was in full readiness to bloom, but mystery of the Divine is impossible

to fathom. The effulgence of the Supreme Being comes only after the darkest

period. The body of the tender child Sathya had to undergo a terrible

persecution before the rays of Divinity could spread in the universe in full

effulgence from it. On the 8th March 1940, a shocking news spread in the town

of Uravakonda that Sathya was stung by a big black scorpion, as Sathya shrieked

and held His right toe at about 7.00 p.m. on that day. Nobody saw the scorpion,

but exactly after 24 hours, Sathya became unconscious and remained so

throughout the next night. On regaining consciousness, Sathya behaved in a most

extraordinary way as if possessed by a spirit. Alarmed at the condition of

Sathya, His elder brother Seshama Raju called the parents who brought Sathya to

Puttaparthi. After consulting doctors and other village healers, the parents

took the tender child Sathya to the house of a terrible exorcist at

Brahmanapalli, who put the child to such horrible treatment that every onlooker

was moved with fear and shock. The dismayed parents could not bear all this and

brought Sathya back to Puttaparthi.

Early Declarations of AvatarhoodExactly after two and a half months of the

scorpion incident, Sathya made His first declaration of Avatarhood on 23rd May

1940. The household of Pedda Venkama Raju was crowded with people as Sathya was

materialising flowers and sugar candy and distributing to the amazed villagers.

Pedda Venkama Raju was informed about what was happening in his house. Enraged

and puzzled by the behaviour of his own child, he threatened him to disclose

his true identity. And pat came the reply from Sathya "I am Sai Baba" in the

form of the first declaration of Avatarhood. Later when He was asked to give

proof of what He said, He threw a handful of jasmine flowers on the ground

which formed into Telugu letters "Sai Baba". Not impressed by these

extraordinary acts of Sathya, Seshama Raju stuck to his plan of giving Him

higher education to make him fit for "Public Service". So, only a few days

after this incident, he took Sathya back to Uravakonda in June 1940 and

admitted him in the same school. Sathya was already a celebrity in Uravakonda.

Crowds of pilgrims started coming to the miracle boy's house to seek his

blessings. The headmaster of the school and several teachers recognised the

divinity of the child Sathya. His teacher Thammiraju adored and worshipped Him.

Sathya provided another proof of His Divinity to His unbelieving elder brother

when in Dasara holidays they all went to Virupaksha temple in Hampi near

Hospet. When Seshama Raju and party entered the sanctum sanctorum of the

temple, they found to their utter amazement, Sathya standing in place of the

Lingam, though they had left Him outside. Baffled by this extraordinary

happening, Seshama Raju rushed out and found Sathya leaning against a wall.

This in fact was the prelude to the momentous declaration the Avatar wanted to

make about His Divinity, as He seemed to have resolved to declare to mankind

that God had come on the earth in human form to usher in the promised Golden

Age.

After their return from Hospet, Sathya went to school as usual, but returned

soon from midway. It was 20th October 1940. History of mankind was rewritten on

this glorious day when Sathya, throwing his school bag in the house, cast away

the veil of Maya and assumed the role of Sathya Sai Baba to start His mission

of transformation of mankind which He has been performing for the last 60 years

for the benefit of the beleaguered humanity in all corners of the world.

>From Uravakonda, Baba was brought in a grand procession to Puttaparthi, where He

first took residence in the spacious house of Karnam Subbamma who served Him all

her life with devotion and dedication. This old lady served Baba with tender

care and looked after all the devotees who came to meet Him. Bhagawan stayed at

her house for several years after declaring His Divine Mission in Uravakonda

before He shifted to the old Mandir.

Old MandirWhen the number of devotees increased, need for a Mandir was felt by

the devotees. Thus, the Old Mandir was constructed at the place between

Sathyabhama and Gopalaswami temples, which was inaugurated by Bhagawan Baba on

14th December 1945. The Old Mandir had four rooms. Bhagawan shifted from Karnam

Subbamma's house and occupied one of the rooms to the left of the verandah. One

room was used as a store room and the other two rooms were for the devotees.

Divine Leelas on Chitravathi SandsAfter the inauguration of the old Mandir, the

daily flow of devotees to Puttaparthi increased substantially. During those

days, devotees would get ready at 3.00 p.m. in the afternoon to witness

Bhagawan's Leelas (divine pranks) on the sands of Chitravathi. By 4.00 p.m. all

would reach there. Baba would ask the devotees to choose the place of ther

liking and all would sit in a circle. Baba would then start playing with the

sand while eager eyes of the devotees watched His divine play. From the mounds

of sand, He would bring out idols of gods and goddesses, sweets of various

kinds and numerous other objects. In fact, anything He willed would come out of

the sand. From 1946 to 1949, this was almost a daily event. On certain special

days, Baba would take out a Kalasha (vessel) full of nectar from these sands

and distribute this ethereal liquid to devotees. At other times nectar would

flow from His fingers and the fortunate devotees would receive it. In later

years also some devotees were privileged to see such Leelas of Bhagawan.

The tamarind tree, now called Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) standing on

the hill on the west bank of Chitravathi, was another object of Bhagawan's

Leelas. Sometimes, Baba would take the devotees to this tree and ask them what

they wanted. And in an instant, Baba would pluck them from the tree and give

them.

Prasanthi NilayamThe number of devotees kept on increasing with the result that

in a few years the Old Mandir could not accomodate them. Even sheds and

makeshift Pandals around the Old Mandir were inadequate during festivals. In

answer to the prayers of the devotees, Baba agreed for a more spacious place.

Thus, the idea of New Mandir was conceived and the same was constructed at a

place to the south of the village of Puttaparthi. Bhagawan Baba inaugurated it

on 23rd November 1950 on his 25th birthday and named it Prasanthi Nilayam (the

abode of supreme peace).

Prasanthi Nilayam, the abode of Bhagawan Baba, bears testimony of Bhagawan's

Divinity. The millions who throng this small township in a remote part of

Andhra Pradesh in India experience its divine vibrations, which are soaked in

its atmosphere. They come from all parts of the world, from nearly 180

countries spending their money and time to have Darshan and blessings of

Bhagawan. When they return to their countries and places, they carry with them

numerous stories of experiences, which describe the divine love of Bhagawan for

the entire mankind. Bhagawan's presence has made Prasanthi Nilayam a township of

love and peace. It is a different world altogether where Sathya, Dharma, Santhi,

Prema and Ahimsa permeate the entire environment. Though there are crowds

everywhere, there are no jarring noises. There is cleanliness, order,

discipline, courtesy and humility everywhere. This is a mini world in itself.

People from different countries following different religions, speaking

different languages live together, dine together and mingle with each other

with sacred feelings of love and brotherhood. If one wants to see "brotherhood

of man and fatherhood of God" not merely in theory but in practice, one can see

it in Prasanthi Nilayam.

the bottom line...

When we introspect, look deep wthin, in the deep recess of our hearts, we can

see the light, we can feel the warmth and we can find His lasting

impressions...but, we have to ask ourselves the question...Who...? What...?

Where?...

courtesy :sssbpt.org ()

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