Puttaparthi 1st August 2008 - Update on July 28th programs by devotees

August 1, 2008

Puttaparthi

August 1stNewsUpdate on July 28th programs by devotees

Today the devotees from USA region 10 had the permission to put up their programme in front of Swami. They were all seated in the marble block by 3:00 pm itself. A sea of blue scarves occupied the most coveted spots of the mandir. Swami arrived for darshan in the chair. He took the round along the ladies side. In between the marble block, He turned and moved towards the stage. He took mini rounds of the portico and the bhajan hall. He came out for the programme at 5:25pm. There were many offerings to Him - flowers, cards and booklets. Swami sweetly and smilingly blessed everything.

The programme was based on the concept of the Lord's descent in the world for man's ascent. Like always, the tradiional "opener's" slot was alloted to Lord Ganesha. The episode of the bridge building to Lanka by the monkeys led by Lord Rama was depicted by children as songs went on in the background. Moving into another age, the next episode depicted the pranks of

Lord Krishna and His leelas among the cowherd boys and girls. A traditional Sufi dance set to the lively rhythms of a qawwali was next and it focussed on the grandeur of Allah. The next Avatar to make the appearance was Lord Buddha and the vanquishing of the negative emotions that he embodied. The fifth theme was On Jesus Christ and his all encompassing Love. And finally, just all roads lead to Rome in the past, all paths lead to Sai today. The final few songs were on the glory of Swami and His projects for the welfare of mankind.

Towards the end of their programme, all the children who had acted in the various tableau came forward and sat down. Swami called a photographer and told him to take a snap of all the children seated down. The He moved down the stage and sat amidst them too. All the children sat close around Him and the picture was complete. He moved back on stage as the children kept touching His feet and seeking blessings. Then they

began bhajans. After the bhajans went on for a while, Swami received Aarthi and retired to Yajur Mandir at 6:40pm.

Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar

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