Darshan News: Oct.23,07 & Summary of Divine Discourse - Dasara . & Report

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Tuesday, October 23, 2007 - This evening, after a few minutes in the interview room after His darshan round in the car, Swami came down the upper verandah and through the Bhajan Hall to the stage area at five o'clock, where He sat listening to the Vedic chants. He called up some young Primary School boys and asked them to chant Vedam. After ten minutes, He moved to the Bhajan Hall and the Bhajans began there. Half an hour later, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence. Bhagawan’s Dasara Discourse (Summary) Monday, October 22, 2007 - This morning, Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall as the morning

Bhajans went on, at 9.30 am. The priests who participated in the Veda Purusha Sapthaha Yagnam were seated in the front of the Bhajan Hall, and Swami Blessed them with watches, vibhuti and other gifts. The bhajans stopped at 10.10 and the priests chanted some Vedic hymns for a few minutes. Swami then went into the interview room and emerged half an hour later to accept Arati and return to His residence after 10.45 am. Evening darshan was at 4.30 - Swami moved straight from the ladies' side to alight from His car on the verandah and enter the interview room. He came into the Bhajan Hall while the Bhajans went on at 5.15 and accepted Arati at 5.40 pm. Latest: Dasara Photos &

Report - - Latest: "Moon Darshan Oct.22nd, 07": Eye witness account /messages/post from devotees all over the world : "We had the opportunity of seeing Swami's image on the moon today at Bahrain"... read more Excerpts from Dasara Divine Discourse By Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai BabaNote: Discourses of Sri Sathya Sai Babaon this SBOI - website/group are unedited, authentic & only sourced from the official Sai baba Org. Dasara 2007 Photos & Report Excerpts from Bhagawan’s Discourse“(Given below is a summary of what He spoke)Vijayadashami is a festive day for all but for a few it is also a very sad day. (overwhelmed with emotion) That is because, on this day, the old body is given up. But, the body is only physical and is impermanent. Laxmibai came to the previous body (Shirdi Sai) and He materialised two gold coins for her and giving it to her said, "Keep these with you always." (At this point, Swami materialised two gold coins and gave them to the translator.) These coins are made of gold and have that date embossed on them.These are the coins of Sathya and Dharma and they will support and guide everyone. Truth is God. If one follows Dharma with Sathya, all problems will be solved. With Truth in heart and Dharma in hands, march ahead. No other sadhana is needed. If Dharma follows the principle of Sathya, all sins will be gone."Mamaivamsho Jeeva Loke Jeeva

Bhootha Sanatanaha." God is one and everything and everyone are reflections of God. Rama, Krishna, Allah, Jesus - all these are only names of the same God. To know this Truth is more important than doing all sadhana, charity etc. Follow this Truth and victory is certain. "Ekam Sath Viprah Bahuda Vadanti ." The Truth is one alone. All the rest will pass away like clouds. And anything done with the changeless Truth in heart, becomes Dharma.Nowadays, the times are such that we notice a new trend. Boys falling in love with boys and girls falling in love with girls. They live and behave like husband and wives. But how long is this? Maybe one or two years. Later all will change. It is only for temporarily satisfying the senses. This trait is seen right from the primary school till the Institute. When you love anyone, know that you are loving God. But that love is not permanent. It will change. True Love is changeless. The moment body is gone, who is related to whom? The

body has senses and it is bound to fall. It is never permanent. But the Dehi, indweller, is permanent. The indweller has no birth or end; no bondage or liberation. This Dehi is Sathya Swaroopa. While leaving the body at Shirdi, Baba said, "Do not take this body as the basis. It will be gone. And then, none should cry. It is but natural that it will perish. Experience it as long as it lasts and then remember, it was only a dream." After Baba left His mortal coil, the body was kept for three days with the hope that He may come back. It was Abdul Khan who reminded, "Let us all remember what Baba told us." It was then that the body was taken from Chaavadi to the Samadhi. Remember, the body has its limitations. Each day, we are moving closer to the end of the body. So keep Love as the most important and fill your hearts with the Truth. Follow Dharma. These are the coins given by Baba. Sathya and Dharma are the most important. Keep them with you day and night - in all the three

worlds and the three periods of time.It is of no use to just verbalise all this. it is most important to work. No use speaking with the mouth, speak with your heart. Then alone will all this get imprinted. Lakshmibai's daughter asked her for the coins but she said, "It has to go back to the giver." All the activities that are done are only to sanctify time. But if you want to sanctify your life, you have to follow these two - Sathya and Dharma. Remember that you are all sparks of God. No other sadhana is as important as following these. Turning beads without transforming the mind is of no use. Whatever you say or do, base it on Truth. Discourses and the study of scriptures are only for "Kaala Sarthakam" (sanctifying time). For "Janma Saarthakam" (Life's fulfillment) develop a relationship with God. God's Love will never change. It is permanent. Develop that. Do not have any differences. Do not differenciate based on religion. All the different names and forms

belong to the same God.Matham (religion) is never bad. It is the Mathi (mind) that makes all the confusion and negative. Matham is that which purifies the Mathi. Very soon the whole country is going to be united. All will live as brothers and sisters for that is the Truth. Swami often tells "Lead your life with Sathya and Dharma"( sings the song Sathya Dharmamu Santhi Premalatho) Thats all that needs to be done. The Vijayadashami day is one to begin a new life.Swami concluded His discourse with the song "Bhaja Govindam". He then settled in the chair and asked for bhajans to be sung.Two bhajans were sung after which Swami received Aarthi and left. http://www..com/darshan_news_2007_6.htm --------------------------- Dasara Report "Jaago Maa! Tumi Jaago!” Sathya and Dharma was the centre topic of Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse on the Vijaya Dasami day on 21st October 2007. True Dharma is acting in accordance with the feelings within; All are embodiments of Truth…all are verily the form of Sathya Sai. For the world to unite as a single large family Sathya and Dharma will have to get due attention and reverence and for that one needs to awaken the Divinity within, the Mother, and take refuge in Her, “Jaago Maa, Tumi Jaago” The festival of

Dasara, atypical in Prasanthi Nilayam by its conduct and style, brings nostalgic memoirs of the grand festivity of olden days in the immediate Divine Presence. The festivity would get much deserved majesty and grandeur those days with an array of activities tagged to it, apart from the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna that has been a traditional practice once the same was a revived after a short breakage. Dasara of olden days would be a grand spectacle with the spiritual fervour of tens and thousands of devotees thronged to Prasanthi Nilayam met with the benevolence of Greater Heaven resulting in shower of Supreme Benediction. Hoisting of Prasanthi Flag, a symbolic representation of Harmony and Regeneration and Reconstruction of Humanity, annual conferences of All India Prasanthi Vidhwaan Maha Sabha, where scholars would speak on various spiritual topics, grand feast to tens and thousands thronged to Prasanthi, and not the least, series of Divine Discourses suffused with

Ultimate Wisdom allied with an array of other activities, all would render resplendence to the week long affair. "This Prasanthi Nilayam is the Nilayam of Nithya Shanthi - of the peace that cannot be disturbed - because it is based on deep discrimination and on unshakable renunciation of attachment to sense objects. To be here on this sacred day is indeed a great piece of good fortune. Thousands of aspirants and seekers have assembled here and those who have come into this auspicious company have to make the best use of this chance. Instead of celebrating this Dasara festival in feasting and catering to the frailties of the senses, I am happy that you have determined to spend it in holy thoughts". This is a piece of Divine Counselling given by Bhagawan during the Dasara Festivity four decades ago, in the year 1965 and these above lines herald the significance of this grant Dasara festivity, also known as 'Devi Navarathri'. Over the years millions of

devotees have witnessed this festivity at Prasanthi Nilayam with the Lord in His physical frame accepting the offering of Poornahuthi as Veda Purusha, rarest of the good fortune bestowed upon by the 'Greater Heaven'.Veda Purusha Saptaaha Jnana Yajna 2007 got underway on the 15th October in Prasanthi Nilayam in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan. The Ritwiks officiating the Yajna were exclusively blessed by Bhagawan in the Bhajan Hall on that day that was followed by a procession wherein the Kalasha blessed by Bhagawan on the previous day was taken by the Rithwiks to the venue Yajna at Poornachandra Auditorium witnessed by a capacity crowd, marking the beginning of the weeklong Saptaaha Jnana Yajnam.The legend has it that Dasara signifies the victory of Devas over Asuras, i.e., Righteousness over the forces of evil. Vouching for this mythical belief, thousands have gathered at Prasanthi Nilayam to celebrate the festivity in the very Divine Presence of Bhagawan,

Beloved Mother Sai. With Bhagawan presiding over the Yajna as Veda Purusha, ritwiks lighted the sacred homam creating fire by friction, by rubbing two sticks from churning of two wooden pieces. The homam was carried on by pundits chanting Vedic mantras and making offerings of ghee to the sacred fire. Besides the homam, there were pundits engaged in performing Suryanamaskar, reading holy epics, the Ramayana and the Bhagavata, worshipping thousand lingas of Lord Siva, worship to Lord Ganesha and the Hindu Trinity and other rituals related to the Yajna.As the Yajna had been continuing every morning and with Bhagawan blessing the occasion with brief darshan at the Poornachandra Auditorium, evening sessions witnessed Prasanthi Vidhwaan Mahasabha, an archetype assembly of the learned that got to share spiritual and practical wisdom in the immediate Divine Presence, a practice that has been there from the Dasara of olden days in Prasanthi Nilayam wherein senior devotees,

faculty members and students from the three campuses of Sri Sathya Sai University shared their thoughts in the Divine Presence.Dr. G. Venkataraman, former Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University and Prof. M. Veerabhadraiah, faculty member, Dept. of Telugu from the University were the two speakers for the 15th evening of Prasanthi Vidhwan Mahasabha. Dr. Venkataraman who dwelt on the significance of the festivity in bit detail, spoke about Bhagawan’s Pure Love; Bhagawan’s Love is the lone hope for the new world. The world is full of problems and these problems are so strongly interconnected that no solution seemed comprehensive enough. Telling that Bhagawan's message of Love alone is the solution for all problems ridding the world, he urged the students to make the world conscious of Bhagawan’s Love. Mother is not just one, but is a comprehensive entity with core components and hence one should remember not to forget his or her duty towards anyone, urged the

speaker concluding his speech. The second speaker, Prof. M. Veerabhadraiah, who chose to speak in Telugu narrated how all merciful Bhagawan has been showering His grace on him ever since he came into His fold and how he considers Bhagawan as the foremost parent. Talking about Bhagawan’s omnipresence, the speaker narrated a beautiful incident happened very recently in the United States. One fine morning, a friend of the speaker who was in the United States, was passing by a shop wherein he happened to see a big photograph of Bhagawan in black and white hanging on the wall. Curious he was, upon enquiry, to his utter amazement he was informed by the shop owner that the person in the photograph had come to his shop very recently with another person, spoke to him nicely with compassion leaving lasting impression on him…and the other person acknowledged the shop owner that the person with him was a popular figure in the country…and to keep those who come to his shop the

shopkeeper had decided to keep the photo of him hanging on the wall.On the 16th afternoon Sri Anil Kumar Kamaraju who spoke in Telugu, narrated the three aspects of Mother Divine Durga, Lakshmi and Saraswati. Recounting his personal experiences with Bhagawan where he has seen Bhagawan granting supreme strength to His devotees as Maha Durga, Maha Lakshmi and Maha Saraswati, the speaker went on narrating an incident that had happened in Kodaikanal where Bhagawan miraculously made vessels get filled up with food during Narayana Seva and drawn attention into the magnetism of Bhagawan that draws devotees from all corners of the world to Prasanthi Nilayam.On the 17th afternoon, the first speaker was Sri Srinivasan SriRangarajan, faculty, School of Business Management Accounting and Finance who spoke on grand "Karma Yajna" that was happening simultaneously with the “Jnana Yajna". Narrating an incident from the life of Prof. N. Kasturi, the speaker highlighted

Bhagawan’s revelation that human life is the greatest miracle, the greatest gift that Bhagawan has bestowed upon…and one should not take the same for granted. In “Vasudaiva Kutumbakam”, conglomeration of society in unison, we must offer our heart, mind, body and all skills and talents bestowed upon by God for the society, for humanity at large…and one need not wait for auspicious time to initiate such an action…said the speaker referring to the Grama Seva activities that was going on. Outlining the essential features for every action to become Karma Yajna, he listed out five quality standards that qualify ordinary action into Karma Yajna, namely, offering should be done as an offering to God…offering should be perfect…offering should be done with a sense of equanimity…intend of the offering is important and not the content…one must offer every act to God and can never be selective…The speaker briefed all these points with convincing anecdotes from the life of devotees. Sri

Rangarajan concluded his speech on a high note with a prayer to initiate the process of Karma Yajna and harvest the crop of peace and harmony in the hearts, in the society and world at large. The second speaker, Sri Natesh Shankar Shetty, 2nd Year M.Sc. student of the University spoke on Bhagawan’s Motherly Love. Revolving his talk around the bhajan, "Janani Maa" the speaker narrated various aspects of Bhagawan as was portrayed in the bhajan. Concluding his speech the student expressed grateful thanks to Bhagawan saying that the opportunity to speak was the best gift Bhagawan could give him on a day happened to be his birthday.Sri B.N. Narasimha Murthy, Warden, Brindavan Hostel of Sri Sathya Sai University, first speaker for the 18th evening, spoke about the various phases of Bhagawan’s Divine Mission. Talking on Sanathana Dharma, the supposedly sixth phase of Bhagawan’s Mission, Mr. Murthy exhorted that Sanathana Dharma is not any religion, but, is the eternal

religion, the universal religion. A speech suffused with an array of interesting incidents from the lives of various devotees, the speaker took the entire audience into an interesting ride on to various facets of Bhagawan life and mission, tagging interesting incidents in between, appropriately. Narrating a Kodaikanal incident involving former caretaker of Prasanthi Nilayam Col. Joga Rao and the setting up of the Super Speciality Hospital at Prasanthigram in record time, whom Bhagawan had said, this country of Bharat is a Karma Bhoomi, Thyaga Bhoomi, Yoga Bhoomi, Punya Bhoomi…If any one takes up any work in this land with a pure and selfless motive, all the men money required for that work will come to him…19th October was Durgashtami and Ayudha Puja was performed on this morning in the Divine Presence at Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagawan who came into the hall bit late at around 11:00 p.m. blessed the vehicles that were parked in line for the occasion, as a symbolic

gesture signifying the occasion, amidst veda chanting, bhajans etc.Smt. Anjali Devi, an ardent long time devotee of Bhagawan and a veteran actress of fame from South India was the first speaker for the evening. She had come to Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet 46 years ago, she said, 46 years ago, but said 46 years have passed like 46 minutes. Referring to Mr. V. Srinivasan’s introduction to her, wherein he made a mention about her contribution to Sundaram, Chennai, she asked: Who am I to contribute anything? Everything belongs to Bhagawan. When we (with husband) suffered a heavy loss out of a movie we produced, it was Bhagawan who saved us. He has been protecting us in a number of ways. There are many experiences to narrate. I am sure, each one of you will have an experience of Bhagawan's Divinity. Or else, how can lakhs and lakhs of people from all parts of the world gather here? paused the veteran devotee. Talking about Bhagawan’s recent visit to Chennai she said, the whole

city was sanctified by the Divine Visit. Mentioning about her much famed serial Shirdi Sai Parthi Sai, she revealed that it was after twenty years of repeated prayers, that Bhagawan granted her permission to make the movie. She was fortunate to play the role of Mother Easwaramma and also that of Mother of Shirid Sai in the serial which brought her great name and fame and a great sense of fulfilment.Prof. Anantaraman, faculty, Dept. of Business Management Accounting and Finance in his rhetoric excellence coupled with beautiful tales of experiences of Sai fraternity, spoke of various hues of Bhagawan’s all conquering love narrating each one in detail. “The day I became a teacher here, I also became a student. You can drink in the esoteric wisdom presented in the afternoon so creatively by several of the students and you can watch Swami and observe this many faceted gem shed hues in the colours of the rainbow, each hue more resplendent than the others…” Emphasising

the point that under the umbrella of One God there should not be any scope for the feeling of individual ego in the hearts, and the greater need to understand and internalise His teachings, Prof. Anantaraman exhorted the audience to live with the teachings of Bhagawan, reading at least one page or volume of Sathya Sai Speaks, and resolving to live the rest of the lives as per the tenet of that page or volume. Ending his speech on a high note, referring to Arjuna’s predicament during the Dwapara, the speaker made the audience to do a repeat of Arjuna’s promise to Lord Krishna, ‘Karishye Vachanam Tava’…I will give You my word, to Lord Sai Krishna.Earlier, commencing his speech with a reference to the humbling experience of listening to a veteran long time devotee, the learned speaker, Prof. Anantaraman with rich corporate and academic experience said: “over the last few years that I have been staying here one of the most resounding experiences that I have had is

rather than what Swami was Swami’s devotees. Calling Smt. Anjali Devi’s devotion a humbling experience, he went on…as the Avatar reaches another threshold each one of us carry His message and we may find eminent devotees carrying His message with all their eminence and humility and devotion they have for Bhagawan, as a standing example for other mortals to follow.The 20th evening, there was an enthralling clarinet concert by Pandit Narasimhulu. Bhagawan came onstage at 5.45 pm and the concert began after a few minutes. At the end of the programme Bhagawan blessed the artiste with a chain and clothes.It was on a Vijaya Dasami day the previous body of the Avatar, Shirdi Sai Baba left His mortal coil popularly known as Seemollanghan. And Bhagawan aptly made a mention of the same commencing His Divine Discourse.Recalling Bhagawan Shirdi Sai’s final day before His popularly known Seemollanghan on a Vijaya Dasami day Bhagawan made a mention of an

incident, wherein Bhagawan had called Lakshmi Bhai, an ardent devotee and gave her two coins on which the date of His passing was inscribed, commencing His Divine Discourse. In an enriching Divine Discourse where Sathya and Dharma took the centre stage, Bhagawan exhorted the jam packed audience to do one’s duty based on the principle of Truth; Sathya and Dharma are the true Sadhana; never give up Sathya and Dharma. True Dharma is acting in accordance with the feelings within; All are embodiments of Truth…all are very form of Sathya Sai. This was preceded by two speeches by Sri Ajit Popat and Mr. S.V. Giri, former Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University. Earlier in the morning, the seven day long Yajna came to a grand finale with Bhagawan receiving Poornahuthi as Yajna Purusha, witnessed by thousands in a jam-packed Poornachandra Auditorium. Bhagawan who presided over the Yajna blessed the occasion while the final offering were being made in to the pit; later,

blessing the pundits, Bhagawan sprinkled the sanctified holy water on each one of them that was followed by Prasadam distribution to all devotees.This was followed by the final lap of Grama Seva 2007, wherein women students of Sathya Sai University along with staff members from the University and Primary School distributed Prasadam to all inmates at their door step inside the ashram. …Yet another memorable occasion in the annals of Prasanthi Nilayam!!! http://www..com/dasara_discourse_21st_ovt_2007.htmGrama Seva Report Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva…a taste of Practical

VedantaHands that serve are holier that the lips that pray - Sri Sathya SaiWith Bhagawan practice precedes precept. He Himself would serve food with the love of a thousand mothers to the poor and the distressed on special occasions in Prasanthi Nilayam during the olden years that passed by. And His chosen Mother, Mother Easwaramma always did it with gusto even in the nineteen sixties, when she chose to distribute clothes to the poor villagers around who assembled in the premises for this tender care of the loving mother. Bhagawan has now directed the students to do both (serving food and distribution of clothes) at the very doors of the needy in the villages.The beginningThe real wealth of our country is in the villages which play the role of the provider. It is the rural India that feeds the entire country. Not only

that, Bhagawan exhorts His students: “Indian culture and civilisation have been built up from ancient times on rural communities. Even today this culture survives predominantly in villages…When the villages grow the states grow and the nation on the whole prospers. The prospect of the nation is based upon the progress of the villages. Everyone should be interested in the welfare of the villages.” Bhagawan therefore wanted the student community in general and the alumni of the Institute in particular to be meaningfully associated with the rural uplift programme in a big way. He therefore decided that the seeds of service to the rural areas must be sown in the minds of the young men and women before they left the portals of the Institute. A new service campaign thus got initiated in 2000 which deployed His students in the filed of operation. As is the case with every activity undertaken by the Lord, for serving food and clothes to the rural needy also called for meticulous

attention to many details from gathering material to preparing road maps and obtaining population statistics. Trucks and tractor – trailors were mobilized and equipped with wireless sets. From the year 2000 this service campaign has been a happening in Prasanthi Nilayam during the Dasara week, covering nearly a 100 thousand people living in over a hundred villages and an equal numbers of hamlets. It was indeed a new ‘Mantra'. And He enjoined upon His students – His sole property – to march forward in their purity as ambassadors of peace and love to the villages with food and clothes – the first of His lessons in Practical Vedanta, the adwaita philosophy in practice. This year's Grama Seva was planned to cover 150 villages in the three Mandals of Puttaparthi, Kothacheruvu and Bukkaptanam forming the unit that was called earlier as Puttaparthi Taluka.How it happens…The students are associated with the work at all stages right from the beginning. The cooking

that starts the previous evening goes on till about midnight. After cooking comes packing that goes on till the wee hours. The food packets are then loaded (after sorting out) in the trucks and by the time this is completed it will be 5:30 a.m. The students and staff set out from the mandir after circumambulation at 8:15 a.m. heading towards that line up ready to start. It is to be noted that the sanctity and spiritual ambience have been maintained all through these entire set of activities. Bhagawan prefers to call this service not ‘Poor feeding or feeding of the poor’, but “Narayana Seva” i.e., Service to the Narayana in every being. The convoy of trucks now head for the villages, carrying sweets, food packets and clothes. The villages thus visited are some thirty km or so from Puttaparthi. On arrival, at the villages, the gifts are unloaded and

readied for house to house distribution...on to the villages…Bhagawan is very particular that all good activities must start with prayer. So, before distribution students and teachers march in procession singing devotional songs, with villagers also participate in the bhajan singing. The distribution parties are invariably headed by teachers and senior students. The different parties then fan out and go to different parts of the village to commence distribution. Care is taken to ensure that no family is missed out. Service is done door to door. A question may arise in the minds of people as to how does this solve the problem of rural India? Baba has the answer. Briefly the idea is to sensitize the students so that the seeds of compassion are sown in their hearts.One will not fail to observe that moving about in the rural areas might give a culture shock to others, but not to Bhagawan’s students, charged as they are with Bhagawan’s love. The serving

of food packets and other gifts is done methodically. At every house they first offer greetings and say that they are privileged to convey Baba’s blessings, after which they hand over with love, the gifts He has sent. The distribution over, students and staff eat the same food for their lunch. It is thus a great spiritual exercise of love and devotion than a mere distribution of food packets. Both the giver and the receiver thus experience that goes deep into their hearts. The real giver is Bhagawan and all they do is a courier’s job. Yet how great it is even to be a mere courier for the transmission of the selfless Love of Bhagawan.It is obviously a fact that the problems of the villages are too massive to be solved by such short service campaigns. But, Bhagawan’s approach to the subject is different. He says that in the first instance, the

service programmes convey to the villagers that there is someone who loves and cares for them. Secondly, they give students an intense exposure that they would otherwise never get. And what is more important is that, in the process they get highly sensitized. By going to the villages day after day the students learn to feel in their hearts, the pain constantly suffered and endured by these poor villagers. This sensitization would remain with the students for ever and one day when they occupy positions of authority with leverage, would induce them to do something to change the face of rural India. In this context one should not miss to remember that the One who facilitated this unforgettable experience for them, the Eternal Witness, sits in their hearts to watch and prompt action at the appropriate moment. Off and on Baba tells the students “Do not see the person as different from yourself. In a spiritual sense, that person is none other than you, the Universal Self. When

you serve in this spirit, you would discover your true nature.”Bhagawan has said: "If you pour spirituality into the ears of those who are tortured by hunger, it will not be assimilated. First satisfy the hunger. "Give them God in the form of food; Give them God in the form of clothes; Give them food in the form of Peace to those afflicted with anxiety; Give God in the form of medicine to those suffering from ill-health; Give God in whatever form which will assuage fear, pain and sorrow. It is only when this is done that spirituality can soak into the heart", said Bhagawan. Further, in His discourse of 16th February in 1992 He opened His mind in unequivocal terms that "Grama Seva is Rama Seva. You need not strive for salvation as a separate goal. Service to village will itself ensure mukti (liberation). Bear this truth in mind and act upto it in your daily life."Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva 2007It had indeed been a hectic week for the students of all the three campuses who were ordained to carry out the task of reaching out the villagers with His food and cloth packets of Love. This lucky lot with minds fresh and enthused and hearts vibrant and expanded set out with "Sai Ram" on their lips…went to the door steps…and conquered.It was not the sweets, food packet or clothes distributed that mattered, but the feeling behind the action, that was the message of this Grama Seva which Bhagawan has been stressing, all through, to reach out the needy with His Divine Love, true to His saying, Grama Seva is Rama Seva… Jana Seva is Janardhana Seva.Over 470 Students from the Sri Sathya Sai University, Anantapur Campus for women and over two hundred senior girl students from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School with faculty members and staff from

both the campuses had been engaged in packing the food and cloth materials. With the Puliyora rice cooked and handed over for further processing by expert sevadal group of devotees and Laddu Prasdam coming in huge numbers from the South Indian Canteen, prepared by devoted Mahila Sevadals with the help of Higher Secondary students, these girls students and staff from the campuses were getting busier during the night hours from 10:00 p.m. till early morning at 3:00 engaged in phased activities, namely, mixing of the rice to perfection, packing appropriate quantity to cater to the villagers the next day. Boys from both Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan Campuses along with faculty members and staff would go out everyday to various villages with meticulous plan to carry out the task within the schedule. Three mandals of Puttaparthi, Bukkapatnam and Kothacheruvu covering approximately 150 villages had been covered serving over 2,50,000 village population. With the entire bunch of students and staff divided in to six groups of 120 each with 15 of them staff members, assisted by over 40 vehicles at disposal, the entire Grama Seva had been organized in a most meticulously under His Divine guidance. Every day they would serve over 30,000 people in 6,000 households to complete the task in 8 days time. Each household was given one dhothi, one sari apart from Puliyora rice and Laddu Prasadam counting heads. The last day was reserved for distribution within the ashram by girl students of Anantapur Campus assisted by staff members from Anantapur and Primary School. As per divine command, Puliyora Rice and Chakkara

Pongal (sweet dish made out of rice and jaggery) were distributed at each and every door step inside the ashram along with Sarees and Dhothis.Indeed, an act worth emulating and one would wonder whether the Gods of highest heaven would be watching this "White Army" of students who were immensely lucky and privileged to carry out the task at the direct command of God walking on two feet.The Programme that was launched in the year 2000 as a role model operation setting an ideal has come to stay as an annual feature – a practice to be carried out throughout one’s life wherever he/she goes. Indeed, Practising the Precept as inspired and taught by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba!!!http://www..com/uk_grama_seva_2007_saibaba.htm