Parthi Update - December 25, 2007

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Tuesday, December 25, 2007 A MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS Things seem to be getting better in mandir day by day. As Swami started coming late for darshans since last month, His interaction with us was limited to a few occasions. Christmas has truly brought the yonder days back. I’ve already discussed about the drama episode before. A couple of days before, Swami asked a boy whether students are practicing any carols for Christmas. He was enquiring as to what songs were being practised for the 25th. The boy replied that Christmas programme was ready and mentioned the various carols. He said even the Jingle Bells song was ready. Swami was pleased. On the Christmas morning, all of us were ready and seated in Kulwant hall by 7 am. However, Swami arrived only at 8.30. In the beginning, there

was a violin recital by a group of kids from Primary School. The boys played three beautiful pieces including the jingle bells song. As soon as that piece began, four tiny tots dressed as Santa appeared. They went to Swami and got their sacks blessed. Swami was very amused; He even joined them in throwing the chocolates to the students! Soon after, there was a programme by the Institute Band group followed by carols sung by students. Swami was indeed enjoying the music and songs; He patiently waited till 10.00 am so that students could sing all the songs. The evening session was no less exciting. Though Swami came a bit late at 5pm, the programme went on as planned. There were four speeches, first being a talk given by a youth wing member from Argentina. She narrated experiences from her life and how Swami brought her back into His fold. Swami was pleased with her and materialized a chain. The next speaker was

another youth, originally hailing from Fiji, now settled in Mumbai. He too spoke on similar lines and His talk was interspersed with some melodious songs. Later, there were a couple of speeches by senior overseas devotees. First was Mrs. Hilcott who spoke about the various episodes in Prasanthi Nilayam during Christmas in the past. Her talk was very interesting and transported us to those wonderful days of the seventies and eighties. After the four speeches, the master of ceremonies requested Swami to give His Christmas message. It was already 6.30 in the evening, so Swami said that devotees have been sitting for long, He does not want to trouble them more. However, He consented to give His discourse the next day. This year’s Christmas was special for more than one reason. The huge gathering of devotees made the environment look as if it was Sivaratri. The decorations in mandir were fantastic. There was a

special huge candle brought from Georgia, a statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe besides many other fancy items. The mood of Swami was something that struck me the most; because of late, there were hardly any interactions with Him to talk about. Today, he looked like a proud father celebrating His son’s birthday. The bottomline remains; we are all truly merry this Christmas. Posted by Saiks at 9:17 PM Sunday, December 23, 2007 Christmas Gifts from Sai It’s been quite a dreadful time for me in the past few weeks. To meet the project deadlines, we (MBA) boys were cutting all corners out, even to the extent of going late for darshans at times. Our Mother Sai knows it all, for He has changed the darshan timings these days. It’s all His grace that made us complete our projects on time. Though He arrives late, Swami makes it a point to bless all of us, sometimes by spending time in the portico or watching the programmes put up by the various groups of devotees. Parthi always seems crowded as every other day, new groups of devotees land here. Though it’s Christmas time now, the huge crowds make us feel it’s Swami’s birthday festival coming soon!!! For the past one week, Swami had been enquiring as to what the boys were doing, why they were not putting up any programme. “So many groups put up drama, when will our boys present one?” he remarked. Therefore, a Burrakatha (folk song) was presented by three boys few days back. As Christmas is a couple of days away, the decorations in Kulwant hall have already begun. Yesterday, Swami sat in the portico for an hour and blessed us all. He asked a professor to give a speech in telugu. There is a statue of an angel kept near portico along with other

decoration items. Swami kept looking at it (with an expressionless face), turned towards a student and asked, “what is all this? Is Christmas round the corner?” In matters of humour, none can beat Him. Some boys showed a card to Swami yesterday, regarding the drama. He was pleased and consented to see it the next day. I can say He was more than just pleased because He kept on enquiring today afternoon whether the actors are ready. The Vice Chancellor came running to Kulwant hall and told the boys, “Swami is waiting for you. Get your make up done as soon as possible.” Our lord finally arrived at 5 pm and went straight to the bhajan mandir where the actors were waiting. He said, “I was waiting all this while for you to get ready. Is your make up over?” He spent quite sometime talking to the actors and then came to the portico. At this juncture, I must mention about one of the actors. This boy was initially

dejected when he got a small role (as Sravankumar’s father). He was praying desperately that Swami should look at Him. As Swami sat in Bhajan mandir before drama, a boy pointed out the main roles of Rama, Lakshmana, Sita etc. Swami looked at Him and replied, “ But where is Sravankumar’s father?” That actor’s happiness knew no bounds. Since he was also one of the few who could speak telugu, Swami preferred to ask him most of the questions too. The drama was very brief and very beautifully enacted. It had incidents from Ramayana like the devotion of Sravankumar, Shabari and Guha. The songs were well sung, which was one of the main reasons that made Him happy. After the programme, Swami blessed all actors with photographs. He materialized vibhuti and surprisingly, rolled it in his palms to make a lump before giving it to every boy. He materialized a chain and gave it to the student who acted as Shabari. Swami looked very happy and stayed on till

Aarati was given to Him. He said, “I am very happy with your drama. You should have portrayed how Sravankumar’s parents curse Dasaratha after knowing about their son’s death. Anyway, next time, I want you to put up this drama in Poornachandra Auditorium with all the sets and costumes. I will personally come and direct it.” Well, that’s our Director Divine, the Will behind Ramayana as also behind each of our lives. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Posted by Saiks at 7:32 AM Courtesy: http://parthiupdate.blogspot.com/