LATEST SAI PHOTOS & NEWS: Tamil New year Celebrations - Speeches, Divine Discourse and a skit entitled, 'Prema Vahini'

April 14, 2008

Tamil New year Celebrations Speeches, Divine Discourse and a skit entitled, 'Prema Vahini'April 14, 2008 Sunday, April 13, 2008 This morning, the Tamil Nadu devotees, including thespian Rajnikanth, were ready to greet their New Year with the Lord. Swami arrived at the decorated Sai Kulwant Hall at 8.45 am to the music of Nadaswaram and the Vedic chants. After a round of Sai Kulwant

Hall in His chair, Swami came to the verandah and went around there before moving to the stage area. The Vedam chanting stopped in a few minutes, and Mahila singers from Tamil Nadu began with devotional songs. After a couple of songs, Bhagawan asked the students to continue with Bhajans. After half an hour, Prof. Anil Kumar was asked to announce that this evening, Bhagawan would Bless the gathering with His Divine Message. At 9.45, Swami accepted Arati and returned to Yajur Mandir. Photos: April 14, 2008: Tamil New year CelebrationsSpeeches, Divine Discourse and a skit entitled, 'Prema Vahini' In the evening, Bhagawan arrived for darshan in His chair at 4.10 pm, and after a round of the Hall, once He came onstage, the proceedings got underway with an introduction by Sri. V. Srinivasan, All-India President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations. The speakers to follow him were Justice Ramasubramanyam of the Madras High Court, and Dr. V. Mohan, Convenor of Tamil Nadu State Trust. After their speeches which recollected many Sai experiences, Bhagawan rose to speak. Swami started by mentioning the greatness of Bharat, with many perennial rivers. Unfortunately, in spite of all these, men today struggle to fill their bellies. Feelings of mine and thine are responsible for this unfortunate state

of affairs. After stressing the oneness of all creation, Bhagawan moved to the Ramayana story, to commemorate Ramanavami. Bringing out the ideals exhibited by the characters in the Ramayana, Bhagawan concluded His hour-long Discourse by mentioning the drama to be presented by children from Tamil Nadu. The drama "Prema Vahini" then got underway. Interspersed with a few "Burrakatha" songs, the drama presented the story of the Chennai Water project as seen by one of the managers of the construction team. After the 45 minute drama, Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence after 6.30 pm. Saturday, April 12, 2008 The celebrations of Vishu, Tamil New Year and Rama Navami began this evening, with Bhajans and songs by Balvikas children from Kerala. Bhagawan arrived in His chair at 4.45 pm, and after His darshan round, came to the stage area and asked the children to begin. After half an hour of their songs and Bhajans, He asked the students to continue Bhajans, accepting Arati at 6 pm after prasadam was distributed. While the Arati was being done by two small girls, the camphor fell down and the younger girl started crying. One of the elders retrieved the camphor and they finished the Arati. Then Swami called up the small girl and Blessed her with a chain! Thursday, April 10, 2008

Bhagawan had said He would inaugurate the new canteen complex at the Super Speciality Hospital at Prasanthi gram today. In the evening, He came in the car into Sai Kulwant Hall by 4 pm and moved out through the main gate. Proceeding to the Hospital, He formally inaugurated the new complex and moving through the kitchen and the dining rooms in His chair, spoke a few words to the staff members seated there. He also Blessed some of the food items prepared for Him. After the programme there, Swami returned to the Mandir at 5.30 pm as the Bhajans were going on. Accepting Arati at 5.45 pm, He returned to His residence.