NEW: photos ( part -1) and Report 80th Birthday

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23rd November 2005 14:00 Hrs. IST Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam

Festival of Bliss

Finally THE DAY ushered in! Much before the Sun made its appearance in the

eastern horizon, the chunk of Sai Fraternity from all over the globe thronged

to this Spiritual Capital, occupied their position well in advance to ensure a

rare glimpse of the most 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.

More Photos will follow this after this message or you can always visit:

http://www..com/photos_happy_birthday_sri_sathya_sai_baba_80.htmNote:

Watch out for Sanskar TV around 9 PM (India) and 3:30 PM (GMT) for Telecast of

Birthday Celebrations.

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