Easwaramma Day - Report from Prasanthi Nilayam

May 13, 2008

Easwaramma Day Report

Sent by a Dear Sai Brother from the Divine Abode:

It was a very very special occasion in Prasanthi Nilayam for more than one reason. Firstly was most wonderful fact that Swami was physically present in Prasanthi Nilayam for Eashwaramma Day after a gap of more than 20 years which is a long long time. Swami had been to Brindavan for about a week and had returned to Prasanthi Nilayam. The important question which was doing the rounds was, "Why did Swami go suddenly to Brindavan for such a short break?" As the sun rose to usher in a beautiful morning on the 6th, it became evident that the question should have been, "Why did Swami leave Brindavan so suddenly?", for which the answer seemed to be, "To be at Puttaparthi for the day commemorating His beloved Divine mother." The past few days had seen a lot of activity gearing up for Eashwaramma Day which is also celebrated as Mother's Day in Sai families the world over. Swami had expressed His wish to Grace the Samadhi of Mother Eashwaramma on

the occasion. The narrow alley leading up to the Samadhi had been cleaned and paved on either sides with decorations and Seva Dal volunteers. All the shops were closed as the owners all lined up along the lane to glimpse their beloved Lord who would be Gracing their Divine Lane after such a long gap. The Samadhi wore a wonderful festive look with decorations and buntings suspended everywhere. A huge portrait of the blessed Mother adorned the wall in the Samadhi and there were multicoloured flowers everywhere.

At about 9 AM Swami set out to the Samadhi. Swami was received at the beginning of the Samadhi road by a procession consisting of students chanting the Vedas and ladies carrying holy items of worship. Swami drove gently into the Samadhi premises and then came out of the car. The path leading into the samadhi had been filled with flowers on a red carpet. The students' bhajan group had assembled and they continuously were singing bhajans which highlighted the grandeur of mothering the Avatar of the age. In the chair, Swami went in.

Once inside the Samadhi Swami first told the priest to light the lamps that had been placed there. As they were lit, Swami the Maryada Purusha as always, moved to the 'gents' side of the Samadhi as all the ladies moved on to the side where Mother Eashwaramma's remains had been buried. Swami then handed over a silk Dhoti and a silk saree to be placed on the Samadhi. All the elders and seniors then paid their respects to the divine parents. Swami sat watching as one by one, the elders came forward and placed garlands and silk clothes. As per tradition, the priest also placed a leaf with sweetened rice and tamarind rice and ladoos on the samadhi.

Swami kept watching all the proceedings with a glisten in His eye and once in a while, He seemed to be overwhelmed with the sweet emotion of maternal Love and affection. There were kids who were four to five generations down the line from the Divine Mother prancing about the Samadhi. In their childlike innocence, they were blissfully unaware of the gravity of the proceedings going on. A smile flowered on His face as He saw them. Their parents tried to restrain them and that made Him smile even more. As time passed, Swami sat there, the diamond of the Ratnakara clan, non chalantly watching everything that was going on. He was like the calm in the centre of a storm. Some members of the family came up to Him and sought blessings which He liberally showered. The proceedings inside went on for about 15-20 minutes. The priest then brought sweet pongal, tamarind rice and laddoos for Swami to bless as prasadam to be distributed to all.

Swami looked at the photographer who had been shooting pictures and told Him to cover photos of the ladies assembled too! He guided the priest on what had to be done to the last detail. Swami was personally so involved in everything that went on. Finally, Swami told the priest to take Aarthi. After that, Swami came out and the procession began once again from the Samadhi to the mandir.

Swami entered the mandir to the great joy of everyone present there. The visit to the Samadhi had been made into a private affair for obvious reasons that it would be unable to hold the crowds surging in it. And so everyone were assembled in the mandir thirsting for His darshan. Swami did not disappoint anyone. On arrival,Swami took a complete round and granted darshan. He then came to the stage which had been aptly decorated for the occasion. There was a huge portrait of Mother Eashwaramma and Swami sat on the ladies side of the stage.

Swami then went into the bhajan hall briefly to oversee the sarees and other clothes being set for Distribution. He gave instructions as to how the distribution should go on. Then going on to the stage once again, HE asked for the prasadam to be brought. In His presence, everyone was served tasty Pongal, Tamarind rice and laddoos. Swami specially instructed that two leaves must be given to all as the food would slip through if only one leaf was given. As soon as the food was served, Swami kept gazing intently at the leaves of the Primary school students. When an Institute student in the front row tried adjusting his leaf, Swami signalled to him saying, "Food is coming- be patient", much to the mirth and merriment of all there!

Swami told the children to begin eating and the primary school children, as obedient as ever, immediately put His command into action. As they ate mouthfuls, Swami seemed overcome with motherly Love. When a lady from the security came up to the children to ask them for a second helping, it looked just like a mother feeding her children. Seeing this, Swami was overcome with emotion. It was such a beautiful scene made more poignant with Swami adding His 'emotion' if we may be allowed that usage. The distribution went on smoothly and there was joy and satisfaction everywhere.

All the while, as Swami sat outside, bhajans related to the divine Mother were on. Whenever the word,'Eashwaramma' came up in the bhajans, Swami would be touched - an ideal for children the world over. How many are there that feel so much even at the mere mention of one's mother's name? The Lord is an ideal in every aspect of Life and it was so touching and inspiring to see the demonatration of His love and reverence for the mother. Swami then received Aarthi and left for the Yajur Mandir. It was then announced that there would be a public meeting at 4pm

Evening Programme

In the afternoon, Swami arrived shortly after 4pm. He came onstage as the Vedam chanting went on. He sat for a few minutes listening to the chantings. Then He began to call students who had letters with them, one by one to the stage. He took letters and spoke to a few of them. He called on primary school student who hailed from Iran and asked him whether he knew the Veda being chanted. With utmost confidence, the boy chanted and Swami was very pleased. He told out loud,"That boy is from Iran and he chants so well."

After a few minutes, Swami called Prof.G.Venkatraman and asked him to speak. The ways of the Lord are indeed mysterious and inscrutable. No one knew that Swami had instructed the dynamic professor, currently the director of Radio Sai Global Harmony, to speak in Telugu. In his inimitable frankness and sirect style, GV as he is popularly called, started his speech in Telugu. A short while and six sweet sentences later, he requested Swami permission to speak in English as he had been better equipped with it. Swami smiled sweetly and allowed him to do so. He dilated on length on how Swami was eduacting the modern youth with the eternal message of Mathru Devo Bhava, revering the mother as God. After a 20 minute speech he took leave. Swami then looked around and seemed to ask, "Who will speak next?" The students in the front said, "Swami, you must speak." A blushing sort of smile came on His face and then He asked for the mike.

As the mike was placed before Him, Swami sat silent for about half a minute. That was such a beautiful period of complete silence. It was followed by a more beautiful period where there was a honeylike flow of His words. He began by asking "What can I speak of the mother? Where can I begin?" He spoke a bit on the last days of mother Easwaramma and emphasised that though the bodies may come and go but Love is eternal. The mother is always with the child for love is immortal and permanent. Swami exhorted the students to serve their parents as they would serve God. He told all as to how one can serve and please the parents. He also spoke at length on how it is the same God that resides in all. One must always speak softly and sweetly. He talked about the universality and greatness of the Vedas. Everyone, irrespective of caste, religion, nationality or sex can learn and chant it.

Swami then called a primary school boy from Iran, Sathya, a muslim by birth, and asked him to chant different mantras. The boy did so with elan and correctness of elucidation. Swami was very pleased with his chanting and created a gold chain with a Ganesha pendant for him. Swami continued saying that it was God and God alone who can give peace and happiness. And that too, one must always sing His name and glory.

Swami has said many times, "My boys are my voice!" Today, it was literally given shape as Swami started to sing the bhajan, "Bhajan bina sukh shanti nahi" and told the boys to lead the entire bhajan. Swami joined in the lead once in a while! At the end of the wonderful evening, Swami blessed the prasadam to be distributed, received Aarthi and retired for the day to His Divine Residence - Yajur Mandiram leaving everyone with unforgetabble memories from a most Divine Day.

Om Sai Ram