LATEST: SAI BABA PHOTOS 11TH SEP. 2008 WITH UPDATE

September 13, 2008

It was 3:45pm when Swami came out for darshan rounds. Many were taken by pleasant surprise for Swami usually comes out nowadays at after 4:00pm. Swami completed the rounds quickly and then moved on stage. He asked for the Veda chanting classes to begin. He said that come rain or shine, the classes must proceed and all must make efforts to learn the Namakam. And so, the class began and as it went on, Swami went into the interview room.

Soon He came out and once the lessons for the day had been completed, He asked all the students to get up and clear the area for the drama to begin. This was a fantastic scene. There is very little space even to walk as all sit huddled and close with the desire of maximum divine proximity. At the same time, when Swami tells to get up and clear the area, everyone does it with the greatest enthusiasm, for is that too not a chance to directly follow His command? However, as these two feelings combine, the apparent confusion it creates is hilarious at times! And Swami sits enjoying every bit of it. As the students cleared the area, Swami once again went into the interview room. He asked for the programme to begin. On His return after a few minutes, He sat watching the proceedings.

The drama that was being performed was derived from the immortal epic, Ramayana. Its focus seemed to be on three characters whose lives were intertwined since birth - Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman. While Lakshmana was born of Kausalya's portion of the potion given to Sumitra, Hanuman too was born of the same potion which an eagle carried away and dropped in his mother's hands. The drama opened with the incident where Rama is so happy that Lakshmana won the game but Lakshmana is crying because Rama had lost the game purposely in his favour. Rama is the apple of the eye of every queen. Seeing this scene, the Lord's eyes brimmed with tears. Seeing Swami at such times is such a revealing experience. Nobility has the power to arouse the pure heart very easily.

Photos 11th Sep.08

Read more details from 11th Sep. (enriched with occasional remarks and directions from the Lord

Fast forward to the trio of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita in the forest. Rama tells Lakshmana to set up a hut in the place of his choice. This brings Lakshmana into tears! He asks, "Oh brother! What do you mean by the place which I like? My likes are exactly whatever You like. Dont you know that?" That sort of brotherly Love existed between them. Once again fast forward to the search for Mother Sita. Lord Rama places all his faith in Hanuman. It showed so beautifully that the amount of faith the Lord has in His devotee is the reflection of the faith that the devotee has in the Lord! Hanuman completes the mission successfully by meeting Sita, conveying her Lord's message to her and then strikes terror into the hearts of the demons. Vibhishana comes over and surrenders to Rama. And Rama accepts him wholeheartedly saying that He will give refuge to anyone who asks for it irrespective of any distinctions.

The drama concluded with the famous pearl necklace incident where Hanuman breaks Mother Sita's gift to him saying that it is worthless as none of the pearls chanted Rama's name! When the courtiers think that it is the monkey in him manifesting, he plucks out a hair from his body and the resonant name of Rama is heard.

The drama closure took place in the grand palace. As all the participants gathered in a formation, Swami sat watching them and smiling. He told the two Ramas and two Sitas to come in the front separately. Then He moved down and stood amidst them posing for group photos. He patted many a child and said, "Very nice drama, very nice drama."

Then He had sarees and white pant-shirt pieces distributed to all the participants. Prasadam also followed very soon. As all this was going on, singers from Kerala began bhajans. The bhajans were in a different style in the fact that they had portions which only the lead singer would sing and those demonstated his hold over the ragas and they also had portions which

gave a chance for all the following devotees to sing out and vent their devotion and Love! After two bhajans, Swami received Aarthi. He sat through the entire Aarthi on the stage itself.

Swami was so happy with the drama that He called the Kerala state president and using him as a translator for Malayalam said," I am very happy with this drama. This drama gets first prize. The dialogues, script, acting, role selection and dresses were all very good. The people who have trained the children have also done a fantastic job. When I come to Kerala, I will surely stay in your school. And when I come I will come walking! Sita especially did very wonderfully. She performed with a lot of feelings." At this time, very understandably, the girl who had donned Sita's role broke down and let a free flow of tears. That started tears from almost all the other actors' eyes too. Swami immediately said, "One should not cry! Swami is overwhelmed with joy and so all of you should also smile and not cry!"

Leaving all in a state of great satisfaction and happiness Swami retired for the day.