Sai Baba News: February 13, 2008 - Sai Students

[Guest guest]

February 13, 2008 The whole of Prashanti Nilayam seemed to have donned red vestures. The devotees from Indonesia, China and Malaysia had all gathered to celebrate the holy Chinese New Year in Swami's physical presence. The preparations had been made on a grand scale. A colourful and cheerful procession had been arranged to lead Swami from His residence to the Kulwant hall. A beautiful and ornate altar with Buddha had been made on the stage to mark the occasion.The minute Swami came out of Yajur Mandir, there was an explosion almost! Oriental trumpet blasts and Chinese drum bongs reverberated in the whole hall as two stately lions sprang up majestically forming the pilot of the welcome procession for the Lord. Lamps and the devotees' hearts alike lit up. Very soon a thrill of joy and surge of devotion coursed through the whole assembly as it came to be known that Swami was coming on the chair. One could not have

hoped to welcome the New Year in a better fashion. Swami seemed to continue exactly where He had left off yesterday! He was beaming and the smiles were spread all around. As He completed the ladies side and moved on to the gents side, the welcoming procession with the lions reached the central marble block.Swami went around the densely packed gents side and as necks craned to glimpse Him, His right hand went up frequently in benediction to all. Taking a round of the portico, Swami came on the stage and lit the candles to be placed in the specially decorated altar. Sitting on the ladies side of the stage, He asked for the programme to begin. The Veda chanting ceased and the drum beating reached a new crescendo. The lions came up front and displayed the famous acrobatics of the renowned lion dance. They ended with a stretched out standing salute to Swami and were accorded a huge round of applause. A whole lot of traditional items were presented to Swami and He very

smilingly blessed each one. The first item of the evening was a performance by a lady on a very ancient Chinese traditional instrument. She came up to Swami and offered a rose with her salutations. Then she began. The instrument was very rich and filling all by itself. The melody seemed to transport everyone into some ancient Chinese empire - say to the decked corridors of the Ming dynasty! The sight to behold was also so rich, filling and colourful. Swami sat - an Emperor on His throne- and all around the tapestry, lamps and festoons built up a vibrant court hall.On an earlier Chinese New Year, Swami had asked, "Where are the Chinese?" The Truth was that though Malaysian and Indonesian Buddhists had gathered, the Chinese devotees were almost non existent. So the announcer said and proclaimed, "Now we have an original Chinese quintet performing for us." The five of them offered their salutations to Swami and then began playing on the instruments. Two looked like

modifications of the violin. There was a Xylophone like instrument and the tambourine They played popular Sanskrit and Chinese bhajans and received Swami's and the crowd's appreciation in turn.The final and major programme of the evening was a drama depicting the ancient values of the Chinese culture. But before that, there was a short talk which highlighted all the service activities that were being undertaken in the respective Sai Samithis of the different regions. Commendable service had been rendered in village service, education and health. A PowerPoint presentation was also made depicting the various facets of the above mentioned service activities. At the end of the speech, a book was brought up to Swami and Swami most lovingly and graciously signed it! After that, the drama began.The drama began with the discussion between a mother and her son. The mother is inspiring the son with stories from the Chinese culture that show the efficacy and power of

service done to parents. There was the story of the boy who would run to comfort his mother who was scared of the thunderstorms. Even after her death, whenever the lad heard thunder, he would rush up to his mother's favourite spot and speak to her and console her! This went on till one day, his mother is really there telling him that she is no longer scared of the thunderstorms! There were stories of valour and bravery. The most touching one however was one which had occurred very recently in a samithi. One son, in trying to save his mother from an accidental gas cylinder explosion, gets hurt badly and is in deep coma. All the doctors have given up hopes of recovery of any sort. At this time, all the devotees from the samithi, led by his mother gather at the hospital and sing out bhajans to Swami. The boy, to the stupefaction of all the doctors, recovers in record time! And this was an incident that occurred very recently! There were also stories to show that those who

care for their parents are placed automatically under the Lord's protective umbrella.As the drama concluded with a grand flood of colour, Swami seemed so happy. The final formation was full of energy and enthusiasm. It looked marvellous and other worldly. Swami came down the stage and waded directly into the actors. He saw the boy who had almost sacrificed his life for his mother. He waved His hand and materialised a chain for him. Soon afterwards, He materialized another chain for another "ideal son" of the drama. He spoke to many of them and blessed them. He moved through their entire group and they were all so thrilled and happy. They began chanting, "We love you Baba! We love you Baba!" Swami smilingly looked at them and kept telling, "I love you too!" The Truth of the statement that God is a pure mirror who just reflects our feelings was easily understood by all those who witnessed this loving spectacle. He granted group photos and almost everyone had the

chance to touch His feet. He went back on stage and then blessed the prasadam to be distributed to all. He then asked for bhajans and needless to say, the volume and tempo of the bhajans sung were sky high. Swami kept rhythm tapping His hands. After 15 minutes of sheer enthusiastic ecstasy, Swami received Aarthi, blessed all with the Abhayahastha and retired for the day.Click here to view pictures of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Source: http://www.saistudents.org/