July 14th 7:30 pm - Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam

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July 14th 7:30 pm - Ashadhi Ekadashi celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam

 

Evening program

 

Goddess Tripura was the drama this evening is Sai Kulwant Hall.

Devotees from Maharashtra did a wonderful drama with the theme of

getting to know Self. By the end of the drama they showed that it can

be achieved only with devotion to God. It was beautifully enacted with

many sets, props and songs.

They ended the drama praying to Swami saying that He is their

Tripura and they are very fortunate to be in the Divine presence of our

beloved Swami. And asked Him to guide them.

 

They ended the program with a beautiful song that went like this.

 

 

 

Sai mere Sai, Hrudaya Nivasi

Raja onke Raja, Sai Maharaja

 

 

All the performers gathered and offered their

pranams to Swami. Then Swami came down from the veranda and took

pictures with the performers. While going back Swami walked back on to

the veranda with the help of two performers. Swami also presented one

of the performers with a golden chain.

Then the bhajans began and prasadam was being distributed to

all the devotees. As the bhajans were going on Swami called some of the

performers individually and took pictures with them and blessed them

with padanamaskar. Swami was calling the children by making gestures

with his hands about the head gear they were wearing during the drama.

Swami showed the sign of a thrown with both hands to call the boy who

played the role of rakshasa with a beautifully decorated throne.

Then Swami went inside mandir as the bhajans were going on and

as soon as Swami came back Aarthi began and the programs ended for the

evening. Mandir in Sai Kulwant hall was beautifully decorated with

flowers hanging from the ceiling. And big boards with beautiful saying

like "Be good See Good Do good" were hung near the place where the

drama took place.

 

Morning program

 

This

morning there was drama about Ramayana by the bala vikas from

Maharashtra. Ramayana was beautiful shown with some wonderful costumes

and props. After the drama Swami came down the veranda walking and

blessed the performing children. Then Swami presented the boy who

played the role of Lord Rama with a golden chain and walked back to

veranda with that child. There Swami took photos with the performers.

Swami called both the boys who played the roles of Lord Rama and took

pictures with them.

After the drama, Swami went inside mandir and bhajans began.

Swami was giving interview to some devotees so the bhajans continued.

 

After Swami came back to veranda, Aarthi began and bhajans ended at 11:00 am and prasadam was distributed to all the devotees.

 

This evening at 6:00 pm there will another program by the devotees from Maharashtra.

 

 

 

 

July 14th 6:30 pm - Music Program by Kunal Ganjawala from Puttaparthi

 

 

As part of the Ashadi Ekadasi function, the introductory

honours had been gifted to Sri.Kunal Ganjawalla and his wife Gayatri

Ganjawalla. Swami had agreed to a concert by the musical couple and the

whole stage had been set and kept ready for them. Swami came out at

about 3:45pm and in the car took a round in the Kulwant hall. Swami is

called "Nitya Nootana" meaning the ever new. No two days are ever

similar in the things He does. Today, He took the route via the portico

from the gents side and then moved to the ladies side again. From there

He went back towards Yajur Mandir and via the passage between the Yajur

Mandir and the Kulwant Hall, He drove out! He went for a darshan

granting ride in Puttaparthi and then returned to the mandir.

 

 

This time, He came straight to the portico and then soon onto

the stage. He called the artistes of the day and asked them to begin.

The veda chanting came to a halt and the artistes sought His blessings.

The first song by Sri.Kunal was on Lord Ganesha and it was an

auspicious beginning. He and his wife kept alternating between

themselves in the songs and it was a treat for the ears and more so for

the eyes - the music was so good and Swami's reactions and responses to

the songs were so sweet and full of Love. When Gayathri began the song

"Thumak Chalat Ramachandra" after saying that it reminds her of the

beautiful days when Swami would come glidingly walking down for

darshan, Swami seemed to get overwhelmed. He began singing along with

her. In fact at one point, when the singer stopped singing to allow the

flute to play a piece, Swami continued singing and was apparently

surprised as to why the singing had stopped! He looked at the singer

and gave vigorous rhythm on His lap indicating her to begin singing.

Kunal then sang the song, "Sainath Tere Hazaro Haath" from the movie

Shirdi Ke Sai Baba. Being a very popular song, the members of the

audience too began to sing along with him. At the end of that song,

Swami looked at the artistes and lipped, "Very very happy!"- and that

was exactly the feeling shown on the faces of the artistes too for what

can be greater reward than being able to make the Lord happy. A Meera

bhajan followed next and the audience lapped it up as it went through

the highs and lows of pitches and loudness! As the songs continued,

Swami called Kunal and made some enquiries of him. Then taking leave

for a few minutes, Swami went into the interview room. He returned soon

and sat on the stage. One other lady too sang the song,"Oh Rama! Nee

nama yenta ruchira" and Swami sat swaying to it and enjoying it.

Really, the only tunes the Lord dances to are the tunes of Love from

the heart.

 

 

Every action of Swami has so much of meaning to some people. It

may appear that it means nothing for the world, but it definitely means

the world to somebody! Knowing the story in the background sometimes

helps one in appreciating the actions He does. And in today's case,

having met the artistes and got a chance to interact with them, the

writer is able to enjoy and share some of these stories. Some time

back, Swami had appeared in the dream of Kunal's sister telling her

that Gayatri must sing the bhajan -"Sri Venkatesha Saishwara" - and

very soon she began that bhajan. It appeared as if Swami had been

waiting for that bhajan. As soon as it concluded, Swami called Kunal

and began waving His palm. At this juncture, it is necessary to reveal

another part of the story in flashback. As Gayatri put it, "It was our

dream that we get married in His presence. It did not happen that way,

but He knows every desire in the heart!" Swami created a golden chain

and instead of putting around Kunal's neck, gave it to him and told him

to tie it around his wife's neck! Then immediately, He materialised a

ring and gave it to the wife to put it on the finger of the husband!

Both man and wife broke down. Showers of Grace and showers of tears are

often synonymous. And thats what happened on stage as Swami fulfilled a

deep desire in the devotees' hearts without them even telling Him

physically. Seeing them in tears, Swami also momentarily was overcome

with emotion. He presented sarees to the ladies and shawls to the

gents.

 

 

As this shower of Love came to a pause, Swami asked Kunal to

sing a bhajan. He started, "Bolo bolo Sab mil bolo"- a bhajan which

urges everyone to sing out the name of the Lord. Having witnessed all

that happened on the stage, nobody needed any urging, only an excuse

was needed, to sing out the divine name! The bhajan had a whole hearted

and vociferous following. At the end of that, Swami told the artistes

that He would come to centrestage and pose with them for photographs.

They were all thrilled and overjoyed. When Swami wants to make you feel

special, He goes all out to do so. As the pictures were being taken,

Swami looked at the lad shooting the video and told him, "Move your

fingers! Don't block the video!" everyone smiled in merriment. Then,

Swami spoke to almost every member of the performing troupe. He blessed

the prasadam to be distributed to all. Then as Aarthi began, He called

Prof. Anil Kumar and told him to announce the next day's programme He

also blessed a couple of books that the state president of Maharashtra

presented to Him. After Aarthi, giving the abhayahastha blessings to

all, Swami retired to Yajur Mandir.

Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar, Sent by Saikrishna Bharadwaj

 

 

 

 

July 14th 9:30 am - Cultural programs by devotees from Maharashtra

 

 

 

 

Yesterday evening there were cultural programs by devotees from

Maharashtra as part of Ashadi celebrations. There was a beautiful music

program too. After the program Swami presented one of the performers

with a ring.

After the event prasadam was distributed and after Aarthi with

Swami�s blessing an announcement was made by Anil kumar about today�s

programs by the devotees from Maharashtra.

This morning there is musical program about Ramayana at 9:00

am and later in the evening at 6:00 pm there will be another program.

 

There was also a pada yatra by devotees from Maharashtra. More

than 1000 devotees took part in the pada yatra and they reached

Puttaparthi yesterday and entered mandir just in time for Ashadi

celebrations.

 

 

July 14th 9:00 am - Update on Swami's visit to inaugurates new facilities at hospital

 

A

new Gastro-intestinal (GI) endoscopy department had been furnished and

kept ready for opening with Swami's blessings today. Swami too had

graciously consented to inaugurate the new department blessing the Sri

Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences with His divine

presence! Everyone thought that Swami would go to the hospital in the

morning, but that did not materialize. At about 2:45pm, message from

Swami came that HE would be blessing the SSSIHMS at 3:30pm. Everyone

immediately swung into action and in a matter of minutes, everything

was readied for the divine visit.

 

Escorted by flag bearing bike riders, Swami arrived to the south

entrance of the hospital at about 3:40pm. He had send a delegation of 6

guests too as an advance party and they were also waiting in readiness

for Him. As soon as He descended from the car, many roses exchanged

hands and Swami blessed all the heads of the various offices. The Veda

chanting began and lead the procession of which Swami formed the

"completion" at the end! The central corridor of the SSSIHMS had been

lined by nurses, ward boys and helpers in the hospital. Swami moved

through the corridor and He seemed so happy looking at all the people

who were serving Him so lovingly and selflessly. What followed next

were Abhayahastas galore as Swami kept glancing to His right and left

blessing everyone seated reverentially there. The GI exhibition was on

the way and as Swami passed by it, He displayed a lot of interest in

visiting it. That would materialize very soon anyway.

 

He

entered the new GI endoscopy department and the bhajans began there. He

spoke to and blessed the doctors and devotees who had been directly

responsible in setting up the department. Then moving inside to the

area of the main altar, He lit the lamp. Each and every wick in the

lamp received its share of attention and Swami lit up each one. Then He

was taken into the upper GI endoscopy room where the doctors had

thoughtfully and creatively arranged a demonstration of the

capabilities of the department. A small flower bud with its stem had

been placed in a long roll of white cloth to simulate a cyst/tumour in

the digestive system. As Swami sat seeing the demonstration, the

doctors inserted the endoscopic camera tube and showed the proceedings

on the TV screen. They then literally nipped the makeshift cyst "in the

bud"! Swami saw that and as the flower bud was put in a jar and

presented to Him, He asked whether the tumours would be that size. The

doctor replied that these outgrowths vary in size from a minute dot to

the size of a ball also sometimes! Swami blessed the doctors and seemed

impressed! The same thing happened in the next lower GI endoscopy room

too. The equipment had been connected not only to the TV screen but to

a computer too so that the processor gave the doctors far greater

diagnosis and analysis ability. This was shown to Swami and there too

He asked a few practical questions. The doctors found great joy in

answering them and said, "Swami this department is a fruition of your

Grace on us."

 

Whenever Swami listens to either the doctors or students or the

scientists or primary school children, it brings to mind the mother and

child analogy. The mother knows everything that the child knows and in

fact much more too. Inspite of that, whenever the child gurgles or

recites its little rhymes, the mother listens with all appreciation and

wonder. That is not an indication of the mother's ignorance, but a

powerful reminder of Her great love for the child!

Swami was next taken to the GI-endoscopy ICU room. The various

facilities there and the conveniences for the patients were shown to

Swami. Swami was very happy with all that and said that there was no

need to show him all the little details and that they should proceed

and make the patients comfortable and happy. He trusts His doctors. His

faith and Trust in man is so much more than man's faith and Trust in

either Him or himself too! And thats what makes Swami so special and

divine. Blessing everyone who had gathered, Swami moved out of the

department. On the way out, He passed by Veda chanting staff and He

pored over each and every face that was flexing with the twirls and

turns of the Vedic hymns. Outside the department, a very warm and

devoted assemblage of devotees formed a reception for Swami. Swami then

went to the GI exhibition that He had noticed during His entry.

 

In the beginning, there was a small video presentation on how endoscopy

actually worked. After that, Swami was given a "guided" tour of the

various afflictions that tormented the human digestive tract and Swami

listened with all interest. At one point when the explaining lady spoke

of some problems, Swami said," That comes due to hurry and more

importantly - Worry. If worry is avoided, many problems will

disappear!" A wonderful banquet had also been kept ready for Swami.

When Swami was requested to have something, He said, "No! Not now. The

devotees will be waiting there!" Though He was in the heart of the

SSSIHMS, He had not forgotten the devotees squatting in the Kulwant

hall. He completed a full round in the exhibition. At the end of it,

many of the doctors took padanamaskar. He was then requested to bless

the ongoing orthopedic conference with His presence. He agreed and the

conference hall was on the way itself.

 

Swami's

entrance into the conference room was in the middle of a presentation.

But when the Lord arrives, everything comes to a standstill. He lit up

the conference, literally and figuratively, when He went to the lamp

placed in the corner and lit all the wicks. A few distinguished doctors

were to receive citations and they were indeed fortunate to receive

them from the divine hands. Swami was literally surrounded by the

doctors and in midst of that too, He materialised a ring for one of the

doctors. At this point, the whole assembly came down to its knees in

humble prayer. All the delegates came to the aisle and knelt down on

either sides with a prayer that Swami traverse that path. Swami obliged

happily and very soon all the discipline seemed to vanish as devotion

took the driver's seat. Swami moved gently through the eager beavers

and blessed them all. All were thrilled at this act of Grace. As Swami

exited the hall, there was an orthopedic endoscopy device too. As

Dr.Sundareshan demonstrated with a dummy bone in a cast as to how the

instrument could be used, Swami looked on. But by now, the people

around Swami were swarming and the mass of devotees around Him was

swelling to huge proportions. Swami started moving a little quicker

now.

 

As Swami moved out to the main corridor and back towards the side door,

people took all the vantage points available to have a glimpse of Him.

By now, news of the Lord's presence in the hospital had spread all

around and doctors, nurses, helpers, patients and relatives alike

gathered in a hurry to see their sweet Lord. Swami was all smiles and

blessings as He moved out. Some of the sisters from the dietary

services had books and cards blessed. They tried to invite Swami to the

dietary department too. Swami very sweetly told them that He had to

rush back to the mandir too as devotees were waiting there. Aarthi was

taken as Swami came out and entered the car. Before leaving, Swami

waved out to all who had gathered around the car and it was such a

wonderful and poignant moment for everyone. Swami was then escorted

back to the mandir.

 

Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar, Sent by Saikrishna Bharadwaj

 

 

 

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