17 March 2007 in Prasanthi Nilayam......

[Guest guest]

Om Sairam to the noble hearted members of my beloved Sai Family, The atmosphere in Puttaparthi is hot and infact very hot… but the good news is that the Darshans are just so soothing and cool. Swami out of immense mercy is granting beautiful darshans and thus rejocing the bunch of devotees assembling every day. If one would ignore the mercury level touching almost 40 degree celsius this infact is just the BEST time if any one longs for quiet and close darshans.. There is not much

rush these days, as even to a TOUGH LUCK person will find himself atleast in second line …as this being the exam season for students in India and for overseas devotees it’s the scorching sun. This afternoon as we all were waiting for Swami, here came a brand new, large water tanker with Sri Sathya Sai Water Supply written on it. There were taps on the rear end and on the sides. This is for the first time, that I saw a Large lorry, driving into Kulwanth hall. It had to take so many turns and atlast settled facing Swami’s residence for Swami’s blessings.. After everything was settled, Swami came out from His residence at 3:15 pm. As the car got close to

the tanker, Mr.Sreenivas, went to Swami and spoke to Swami and was seen describing the tanker and Swami blessed two coconuts, which were later broken. Later the car moved ahead towards the gents side. Swami was cheerful and was blessing all the devotees even though He didn’t take any letters. Swami later came down the dias and He preferred to spend more time with the students. He blessed all the birthday boys seated on the right side of the dias, as we all thought He would come towards gents lines, He took a right turn and went to the verendah. After talking to some elderly devotees, Swami was wheeled towards the ladies’ side, the happiness of the ladies knew no bounds. After blessing the lady

devotees, Swami took a right turn and went back to the dias, skipping the gents rows. Swami, as He came on the dias, this time preferred to walk, He slowly raised from His wheel chair, with His beautiful shiny smile, walked on the dias, as the devotees clapped out of joy. Swami cheerfully acknowledged by raising His hand. At one time, He walked few steps without any support, slightly, holding His long robe with His left hand and waving His right hand. It was a beautiful sight and made us feel very very happy. A play by the final year post gradute boys, who would be finishing their course in 14 days, was scheduled this afternoon and all of us were eagerly looking forward to that.Swami slowly sat on

His thorne placed on the dias and as the clock striked 4 Swami signaled to stop veda chanting. The programme titled “sparks of love”, a bundle of speeches, dances, songs, music and plays started at 4pm. The whole programme was a tribute, thanks giving to Swami, for all that He did, the out going students, for His love, encouragement, forgiveness and blessings. The whole programme was an emotional one, as every one were feeling the pain of separation. Each boy from the group, stood up and thanked Swami for every thing, in their own mother tounges. When one boy, spoke in Kannada and at the end, said, Swami bless us so that we will have all the strength and courage to face the world, Swami very

kindly raised His hands and blessed the boy. There was a 5 minute dance programme by the boys, the boys, many of whom knew that this would be their last chance, and also the pain of separation was clearly visible in both Swami’s face and the students’ There was another boy who spoke in tamil, another one in Malayalam, Bengali, oriya, telugu and English. When one boy, raised and said, Swami, how can we forget the days of grama seva, the days of your guidance during sports meet, the Shivarathri night, the festivals celebrated, the discourses you delivered for us… as the boy was saying all this Swami was nodding His head, as if saying yes.. yes..

yes… One boy, in kannada said, Swami we want you.. all our life.. and Swami signaled with His hand, take me… Iam yours…… The whole programme was so touchy, that even the audience, felt the pain of the students. A bunch of boys, then portrayed the Krishna and gopalas play where Krishna climbs on the gopalas and grabs the butter pot. Later there was a play by the students who were dressed as Narada, Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu.. It was a fantastic play that brought smiles on Swami’s already, smiley face….. Swami seemed to so happy with the boys…. and Swami called each one of them and spoke to them, and took photos with them thus ending the fare well party with arathi to the Chancellor . to our BELOVED SWAMI…. Thus ended another beautiful day of my life in the Land of our beloved Swami… Jai Sai Ramsatish NaikBrahmanapalli Thanda villageNear PuttaparthiAnantapur Andhra PradeshIndia 515134Tel:91-8555-289327 MOB:00-91-9440857872