Prasanthi Diary part 1 & 2 - The Chronicles of Heaven on Earth. Latest:

December 3, 2008

Record of Events from October 10th to November 23rd, 2008

Week after Dasara and Program by Kerala Youth

October 10 – 17, 2008 – The Wonderful Week after Dasara

Puttaparthi

too takes its breaks and mini vacations. After a period of hectic

activity, it is usually a period of relative lull and the word "hamlet"

that has been long associated with Puttaparthi seems to make some

sense. The canteens inside and the hotels and restaurants outside

become rather quite and the serpentine queues and the 'bursting at the

seams' are very conspicuous by their absence. It looks like the

inactive stillness of the lake before a maelstrom of activities arrive

again.

But hold on! This may be true of Puttaparthi, but not The Resident of Puttaparthi, the Partheesha as

He is referred to in the Suprabhatam. For Swami there seems to be

nothing like rest! He is ever on the move and at work. The week after

the Dasara celebrations has seen so much that though we have no formal

name for the "activities", we would like to call it the “wonderful

week”.

The

preparations for the Sahasra Chandra Darshanam Yagnam are on in full

swing. A huge and magnificent stage has been prepared at the Vidyagiri

stadium as an extension of the Shanti Vedika to serve as the altar

holding the Yajnakundas on the 15th, 16th and 17th of

November, 2008. Plans are afoot for the Lord to arrive in the golden

chariot on that grand day. The preparations are on at blitzing speed

and Swami regularly visits the stadium charging all those working with

divine energy and vigour. Also being constructed and erected are

special lodging complexes for the comfortable stay of the priests who

would be arriving.

The stage from the ground...

....and the ground from the stage!

Guidelines on the Rudram chanting

And

along with the yagnam, the other buzz word at Prasanthi Nilayam has

been the Rudram. The students and staff are planning to present before

Swami a thousand boys who can chant the Rudram perfectly and

confidently as a birthday gift. Every night, the hostels come alive

with the chants as teachers visit various rooms and share their

learning. Swami too continues to encourage the students. On the October

10, Swami came out and sat listening to all the 11 anuvakas of the Sri Rudram. (Those days invariably the chants of the Rudram alone filled the air as He came out for darshan rounds.)

Then,

as the chant was completed, Swami called for Mr. Ajit Popat, spoke to

him for a while, and then asked him to address the gathering at 5.25

p.m. The distinguished devotee spoke on the need for all of us to be

Grateful, Gracious and Godly. After he concluded at 5.45 p.m., Swami

asked whether any of the students were ready to speak. A boy who went

to Him confidently faced the next question from Him, "Will you speak in

Telugu?Swami I will speak in English....No! Not English." And so,

another student, more fluent in the sweet tongue that Telugu is, went

up to Swami. Swami blessed him to speak and his fifteen minute Telugu

speech was followed by a loving pat and words of guidance from the

Lord.

Most of the

other days were similar in the fact that Swami would take complete

rounds in the chair and the devotees filled their hearts to the brim

with the joy of seeing Him from close quarters. On many occasions,

Swami came out and sat listening to the Vedas being chanted. Midway

through the week, Swami directed that bhajans must begin at

5:00 p.m. instead of the usual 5:30 p.m. For two years now, Swami

shifts the time to 5:30 during the summer and back to 5:00 as winter

approaches! It feels almost like the clock adjustments that happen

between the summer and winter in many nations in the west. One of the

days, Swami completed a full round and as He moved near the interview

room, He suddenly turned towards the ladies side instead of the

interview room. The children from the Primary school had come and Swami

seemed in a mood to cheer them with His presence. He took a round via

the path through which He returns to Yajur Mandir after bhajans,

and then turned towards the gents’ side in the main path. And then,

like the days of yore, Swami mischievously asked for a path to be made

between the primary school children. The little girls on His right and

the little boys on His left rejoiced and rose on their knees at this

unexpected sweet gift that Swami had showered. More sweet gifts

followed as chocolate bars were distributed to all.

"Om Namo Bhagavathe rudraya"

The Guru and His pupils

On yet another occasion, all the M. Phil (Master of Philosophy)

students from the University sought His blessings on the successful

completion of their course. They had made a card and Swami blessed all

of them in the veranda. And thus, the week following Dasara had its own

beauty and joys to offer.

October 20, 2008 – Avatar Declaration Day

It

was 68 years ago on this day that the loving Lord decided to announce

to all mankind that He had indeed come to redeem and uplift them. It

was the first time that He sang out, "Manasa Bhajore Guru Charanam" and

the world found in it an easy path to redemption and liberation. For

the devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the 20th of October is a day of

special significance.

The

Sai Kulwant Hall filled up in the morning and the students were

conspicuous by their absence as they all had exams. Swami arrived for

the morning darshan and took a complete round through the

ladies and gents side. And that made the day truly special! We

ultimately realize that more than the day making Swami special, it is

Swami who makes the day special. When He moves around and decides to

shower His grace in a manner that the physical eye can see, what day

will not be deemed special? The bhajans began at 9:00 a.m. as usual and as expected, the bhajan "Manasa Bhajore…" was sung.

In the evening at about 4:00 p.m., Swami headed towards the Vidyagiri

stadium. The stage being built for the Sahasra Chandra Darshanam Yagnam

(SCDY) had been tiled and the Homakundas (or the holy pits which will hold the sacred fire had also been completed. There were 12 homakundas in

all. What is the SCDY actually? As explained traditionally, it is the

celebration of the completion of 1000 full moon days of the divine

incarnation. (Considering that there is a full moon every 28 days.) But

with Swami, it is more like the moon and all the other heavenly bodies

celebrating the fact that they have witnessed the living Avatar a

thousand times! This sacred programme which is being conducted for the

well being of Mankind and for world peace, is scheduled to commence on

the morning of Saturday, November15, 2008 and culminate with Poornahuti on November 17, 2008. The programme will be conducted by hundreds of Vedic scholars arriving from various parts of India.

Swami

arrived at the Shanti Vedika and via a specially designed lift,

ascended the stage. The main workers were seated on the corners of the

stage and Swami smilingly blessed all of them. Like in the morning, the

Mandir had students missing, and that was not because of exams, it was

because about two hundred of them had gathered around the stage to

watch their beloved Swami supervising the constructions and

arrangements! Some devotees who managed to sneak in through the gates

along with Swami also stood beholding the beautiful sight. Swami went

around the homakundas. He glanced at the roofing and asked

whether it would be completely waterproof; He did not want any leakage.

He was assured that layers of materials were being added and that the

roof would not allow a drop of water. Swami also enquired into the

seating for the devotees.

He is all smiles as He sees the

stage and his boys!

And the stage seems set for the

magnificent occasion!

Going through the plans

"They

must be comfortable and must be able to see everything clearly", was

the instruction. The engineer brought the plans and Swami had a

thorough look at them. As He conducted the checks, He was also involved

in another 'survey'! Every now and then, He would look at the hundreds

who had gathered and His eyes would conduct a quick sweep. Like the

rotating and revolving fan that brings relief and joy wherever it faces

on a hot summer day, Swami's look brought the same if not greater joy

and bliss even on this cool winter evening! And the hands would raise

in prostrations whenever He looked at the students and devotees. Swami

spent 15 minutes on the stage and then moved down the same lift into

the car. He then drove back to the Mandir.

The

students seem to transport magically for by the time Swami reached the

Mandir, they were all there! Swami came out and sat on the stage. He

was all smiles. It looked like one of those "wonderful" mood days when

Swami interacts with everyone who approaches Him. One of the students

holding a letter got that most awaited call from the Lord. He went to

Swami and offered his letter.

Swami suddenly

tells him, "Stay back for the summer vacation." The surprised student

nods and agrees. Then comes the loving shocker.

"Dont worry! Swami will help!"

Swami : "You have a stammering problem, correct?" Again, a nod and agreement.

Swami

: "Not only now, this has been a problem from childhood. All your

friends tease you about it. But don't worry, Swami will help."

The nod and agreement now turn into grateful smiles and childlike wonder.

Swami (continuing with a twinkle in His eye): "In Chemistry class, you were struggling to say 'Sulphuric acid', correct?"

And now only a muted silence speaks for the boy.

Swami : "In another class you had the words in your mind but just could not express yourself...."

The boy seems to be thinking about when that had happened. And then Swami says,

Swami : "In that air conditioned class...."

The Guru's assurance to His student

And

then it strikes the boy! He had encountered that problem in his

awareness classroom and though the air conditioning was not on, it is

the only air conditioned classroom in the Institute for it also happens

to be the multimedia room!

And

when the Lord says such things, how do we answer? The tears of

gratitude and joy battle for expression with the smiles of happiness

and completeness. As the surface of the face simmers with a plethora of

emotions, the depths of the heart experience a serene and soothing

silence of salvation. And it was a small miracle that that day happened

to be the day when six decades ago, Swami promised, "Dusthara Bhava Saagara Tharanam (The

Lord will take you across the ocean of joy and grief)!" It is really

such a blessing to be with the Lord and even to just know the Lord.

Take refuge at His feet and every problem and misery seems to dissolve

away into nothingness.

Swami then called a

few more students and accepting letters from them, spoke to some of

them. The topics of discussion and interaction varied from person to

person but the same result - the person returns to his place with a

satisfied smile and a spark in the eye! The Veda chanting went on. He

called the two American students and asked them about their progress in

the learning the Vedas. He also sent word for the little Iranian kid

from the primary school and he promptly arrived. He too was chanting

the hymn in great vigour and Swami told him to sit with the students

and continue chanting. Apart from these 'special' cases, Swami was

beaming and smiling at all that day. Such was the majesty and beauty

that just looking at him, one felt liberated, or more correctly, felt

no need for liberation, for could liberation be this joyful?

After this, Swami went into the Bhajan Hall for bhajans.

The smiles and blessings continued there too. There is student whose

mother had passed away following a brief period of illness. Swami

called the boy's teacher and enquired about him. Swami had previously

materialised a gold ring to be given to the mother. The teacher asked,

"Swami should the ring be given to the son?" Swami replied, "Anything

that belongs to mother passes on to the son." Swami enquired as to when

the student was returning from home. Bhajans went on in full enthusiasm. In the end, as is the practise, a student performed the aarthi

and gave Him a rose. The boy giving Him a rose also handed over a

letter to Him. Swami read the letter quickly and told the boy, not once

but thrice, "Don't worry! Swami will help." With this promise to help,

Swami retired to Yajur Mandir.

October 21, 2008 – Programme by Kerala Youth

Swami

had permitted the youth from Kerala to put up a programme they had come

ready with as part of their pilgrimage to Puttaparthi. There were to be

dance and music programmes and everyone sat in readiness. Swami came

onstage after His darshan round by 4.30 p.m., and in ten

minutes, asked the State President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva

Organisations, Kerala, Prof. Mukundan to introduce the programme. He

offered the programme with love and gratitude at Swami's Lotus Feet.

The

first programme was a dance performance and it began with the lead

dancer offering a rose to Swami. The performance was by boys and men

clad in white kurta pyjamas with a saffron sash-like cloth

decking them around the waist and the shoulders. It was a

semi-classical type of dance and all the participants seemed to form a

moving human backdrop for the lead dancer. The lead dancer was agile

and swift in his movements and was the highlight of the twenty minute

long dance.

The lead dancer makes the initial offering

All the dancers make their spirited presentation

Swami conferred His abhayahastha

on all the dancers as they concluded, and then the singers from the

gents and ladies sides respectively went up to Swami and offered roses.

They sang alternating with each other and what followed next was a

lovely session of Carnatic and Hindustani songs. While the male singer

seemed intent on exploring various ragas, the lady singer explored

possibilities in different languages. As the singing went on, Swami

went briefly into the interview room but returned soon and sat for the

remaining songs. Swami then asked for bhajans and the ever ready students began singing in duets.

The youth member makes her offering...

....ably complemented on the gents side

As the bhajans

were on, Swami proceeded to the Act-1 of His "Love My Uncertainty"

play! It seemed more like a "You will love my uncertainty" play! First,

Swami called all the birthday and tray boys and blessed them. Then

Swami called the lead dancer and materialized a beautiful gold ring

which had 11 diamonds in it and was shaped like a cross. The lad was

overjoyed and was fully prostrate at His feet. Swami conferred him with

all the smiles and love one can aspire for.

And

then began Act-2. Swami called all the participants, both the dancers

and singers, and began to distribute white safari pieces to all of

them. He specially asked for sarees to be brought and distributed them

to the ladies. As each participant received the clothes, he/she bowed

down and took the special privilege of the padanamaskar. Meanwhile, the bhajans ended with aarthi.

Swami was saying that He was very happy and then He performed the Act

-3 of the play! Swami called all the participants and personally

distributed vibhuti packets to them. The proverbial cups of

joy of the participants would have definitely overflowed and just

seeing the sight filled up the audience's cups of joy too! Swami then

moved to the car and then to Yajur Mandir.

Smiles and tears greet the

materialised diamond ring!

A silk saree to delight the lady performer!

October 25 and 26, 2008 - Swami Encourages Veda Chanting

The evening darshan on October 25 started at about 5:10 p.m. as Swami came in the chair. By then, the bhajans

had already begun and Swami slowly moved around the ladies and then to

the gents side. He passed through the students before coming to the

stage. He came to the stage via the portico and then moved through the

teachers section collecting letters and speaking to many of them. Then

smiling and granting an abhayahastha, He came to the stage. As He sat tapping rhythmically to the bhajans,

He called one of the members of the Vedam tutorial team and asked

whether everyone had given up Vedam practice and chanting. With a

surprised smile he replied to Swami that all were still learning and

practising.

Beauty of darshan during bhajans...

"No Swami! We are having daily Vedam practise!"

Swami

then began collecting letters from various students and spoke to many

of them too. As one student gave Him a letter, he prayed, "Swami let me

keep you in my heart forever and pray to you." Swami said, "Keep me in

your heart; that is enough." The student agreed, "As you say Swami." He

then bent down to take padanamaskar and unknown to him, Swami

materialized a chain for him. Blissfully unaware, the boy was returning

to his place when Swami called him and placed the chain lovingly around

his neck. That being done, Swami started to move towards the Bhajan

Hall after sitting for a while. But changing the route, He came out

again and sat, this time far deep towards the gents’ side of the stage,

almost where the teachers are seated. He accepted another letter and

asked a student as to where the "tall American boy" was? Apparently,

that boy had gone to the hospital for a dental checkup.

Swami then asked that the bhajans

be halted. Soon after the Veda chanting began. He sent word for the

Iranian Muslim kid Sathya. He also called out one of the post graduate

students and asked him to come over to the stage. The standing mikes

were brought. Meanwhile Sathya arrived. The Rudram chanting that was on

had reached the last anuvaka when Swami told all to cease

chanting and the two boys - one standing tall, the other small - to

begin chanting. They did so in tandem and in wonderful

synchronisation. After that was complete, Swami asked them to restart

the chanting and they both did that too confidently. Swami then called

Prof. Anil Kumar and made him announce that Sathya was the first one

from Iran to have so masterfully learnt the Vedas. There was a huge

applause of celebration and congratulation.

After that, the little boy asked Swami about something and also gave him a letter. Swami blessed him and then asked for aarthi.

"Keep me in your heart. Thats enough!"

The "test" of the tandem chanting

The October 26 also saw Swami encouraging Veda chanting very keenly. Swami completed His darshan

rounds in the car and came onstage at 4.30 p.m. The students from the

music college had a programme to present before Swami. Swami seemed to

be in a hurry and all who were watching Him would have known that He

had something planned in His mind. He blessed the card which had the

details of the music programme and also the students carrying it. But

then, if yesterday it was the chance of the Iranian student to chant

Vedam onstage, today it was the turn of the two American brothers, one

in the school and one in the college. He asked Prof. Anil Kumar to

announce that the Vedic hymns are not limited to any country or

religion, and then called up the two American boys to chant onstage.

They chanted the first two anuvakas as an amazed crowd

watched the ease and perfection with which they delivered in a tongue

that was figuratively, ‘Greek and Latin’ for them! After their

chanting, Swami sat for a few more minutes while everyone chanted

together, and then moved to the Bhajan Hall and finally to the

interview room.

During the bhajans which began at five o'clock in the Bhajan Hall, Swami asked for the two bhajans with alap to be sung - 'Sri Raghavam' and 'Allah ho Akbar'. At 5.45 p.m., He accepted arati and returned to His residence_________ Gujarati New Year DayOctober 28, 2008 – Diwali Celebration in the Divine Presence

The legend of the churning of the ocean

Diwali,

the festival of lights as it is often called, arrives at a time in

India when the chills of the winter are spreading their tentacles

slowly over everything. It arrives as a warm thawing influence and

along with the lights and sweets, warm feelings and loving thoughts are

also distributed among all. Across many parts of India and Nepal, it is

celebrated as the homecoming of Lord Ram of Ayodhya, after a 14-year

exile in the forest and his victory over the evil demon-king Ravan. In

the epic Ramayana, the people of Ayodhya (the capital of his kingdom)

welcome Lord Ram by lighting rows (avali) of lamps (deepa), thus its name: Deepavali.

Over

time, this word transformed into Diwali in Hindi and Dipawali in

Nepali, but still retained its original form in South and East Indian

Languages. Celebrated as Narak Chaturdashi, one day before Diwali day,

it commemorates the killing of Narakasura, an evil demon who created

havoc, by Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama. According to the Puranas, the

goddess of wealth, prosperity and good Luck, Lakshmi was born from the

churning of the Milk Ocean, along with other magical beings and

objects, on this day.

In Puttaparthi,

Diwali is another occasion to celebrate! Any occasion with the Lord is

a reason to celebrate, and so, Puttaparthi has no shortage of reasons

for a celebration. The day at Puttaparthi saw the confluence of people

from various parts of India and the world, especially from Gujarat as

the Gujarati New Year also happens to fall during this period. They had

come prepared with programmes for three days and Swami in all Love and

Grace had permitted them to put it up in His presence.

The evening of October 28 saw Swami go to the Vidyagiri stadium a

little after 4:00 p.m. After having a look at the progress of the

preparations for the Yagna scheduled to start on November 15, Swami

returned in about 25 minutes. Since it was the day of Diwali, the

people from Gujarat had prepared two programmes.

Hanuman seeks Sai Rama's blessings

Another sweet Vanara brings a smile on His face

The

first one was based on the Ramayana. It compared the Sri Rama story

with the Sai Rama story and brought out the similarities between the

two missions. The drama focused on the bridge building episode to

highlight the power of the name. It also highlighted the same with the

example of the great devotee Hanuman - how he crossed the ocean and

overcame all the demonic forces to fill the Lord's heart with hope and

thrill. He also filled Lord Sai's heart with joy as Swami seemed to

nostalgically reminisce on the devotion and Love exhibited by this

great devotee. It had a song cum acting scene highlighting the dialogue

between Ravana and Mother Sita. As the war went on between the forces

of good and the evil, little Vanaras (monkeys) arrived in

clusters holding Swami's picture. It concluded with all the children

coming together in a formation. It was like the aggregation of the

forces of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema.

The bridge built on Rama's name

....and the monster Ravana is annihilated

That concluded and the children dispersed. Then a little boy so

perfectly dressed as the Father of the Nation - the Mahatma, came and

offered his salutations to Swami. Some more participants came up to

Swami with cards, pictures and a specially prepared brochure showing

the various seva activities being carried out in Gujarat.

Father of the nation meets The original "Father"!

Showing Him the work they are doing in Gujarat

Two children then brought a special card which showed symbolically all

the children contributing to the mission by rowing the boat of Sai's

work. All the photos of the participants adorned it and Swami blessed

it. The programme entitled, "The great souls meet" highlighted the

various religious conflicts taking place in the world and attempted to

provide solutions based on the teachings of all the great people of God

- Jesus, Adi Sankaracharya, Prophet Mohammed, Swami Vivekananda,

Confucius, Zarathushtra, Gautama Buddha, Mahatma Gandhi and Abraham

Lincoln. It ended on a jubilant note when the Lord's voice is heard

telling them not to worry for this time He Himself had arrived on earth

for the redemption of mankind.

The Great Souls Meet in progress

The final consoling is done by the Lord

As the final formation came into place, the children came to the front

and rolled out a blue velvety carpet and invited Swami to the centre of

the formation. They also placed a lovely cushiony lotus for Swami to

rest His tender feet on! Swami sweetly obliged them and moved into

their midst. After that, all the children moved back to let the

participants of the first programme have their share of the Lord's time

and Presence in their midst - but not before a quick padanamaskar

or a word with Swami. Swami was all smiles and He called the children

of the other group also to surround Him. After the photo session, Swami

blessed prasadam to be distributed to all and asked for bhajans to begin. As bhajans were on, Swami went for a short while into the interview room.

A velvet carpet welcome is spread out...

....and He obliges them

Coming out Swami asked for the aarthi.

Blessing everyone, Swami moved towards the Yajur Mandir. There some

school children, a few teachers and some other devotees had gathered

with a few fireworks. Swami sweetly held out a sparkler and as it

sizzled on, it appeared so poignant and significant. It was absolutely

significant of His life - burning Himself away to lend light and joy to

everyone around! He then distributed sparklers and other crackers to

some children and the students. A 'garland' type cracker was lit and

the sound it created was such that all devotees gathered at the gate of

the Yajur Mandir. A lot of smoke and sound was created. But again the

sight there embodied what Swami means to the devotees. They are ready

to face any hardship for even a glimpse of His beautiful form - and

when you ask them as to why they are ready to undergo anything, they

just reply, "Who is undergoing anything? We are so happy and Swami is

so sweet and Loving". As the line of a famous song goes, "Where do I

begin to tell the story of how great a Love can be?"

Swami sat a while watching the small display of flowerpots and the chakras

on the ground. He advised everyone to be careful. He pointed out

towards the loose clothing of some people and advised them to be at a

safe distance from the lit lamps. Spending 15 minutes and giving joy to

all who had gathered there, He agreed for a second round of aarthi and also coconut breaking before retiring for the day.

He distributes fireworks

to the children

The area in front of Yajur mandir

ablaze with fireworks

October 29, 2008 – Gujarati New Year Day in Prasanthi Nilayam

October 29 was the occasion of the Gujarati New year. This occasion is synonymous with sudekam of the Kartik

month - the first day of the first month of Gujarati lunar calendar.

Most other Hindus celebrate the New Year in early spring, but the

Gujarati community celebrates the New Year after Diwali to mark the

beginning of a new fiscal year. More than 2500 devotees had arrived

specially for this occasion from the Indian state of Gujarat.

It

was at about 4:30 p.m. that Swami arrived to the chanting of the Vedas.

The youth were seated in neat rows and were distinct by their deep

brown scarves. Swami took a complete darshan round and then

came on stage. He lit the lamp that had been decorated and placed for

the occasion. It is interesting to note that the drama they were about

to stage in a few minutes was called "Prema Jyoti" and here we had

"Prema" lighting the "Jyoti"! Lighting the lamp, Swami went into the

interview room for a short while.

The impressive exhibit of a magnificent exhibition

"Prema" lights the "Prema Jyothi"

As

soon as He came out on the dais again, He asked for the programme to

begin. The opening was a parade of items for Swami to bless. Devotees

from the ladies and gents sections moved up the stage with cards, a

lamp, brochures of the Grama Seva being done, fruit trays and even a

cake. Swami slaked everyone's thirst for His proximity and blessed them

too. Then the programme began.

The New Year Cake is cut...

....and the card for the programme blessed

There

was a 10 minute presentation of welcome songs. After this, the drama

began. It portrayed the manner in which the Sri Sathya Sai Organization

in Gujarat went about organizing the exhibition - Prema Jyoti. This

exhibition had been inaugurated by Swami during the Guru Poornima of

2007 and by His will travelled the length and breadth of India

conferring the joy of witnessing His Life and work to millions. Like

any other noble endeavour, organising the exhibition had its ups and

downs, but 'the Hand of God' was felt in every aspect of the work.

Experiences based on the actual interaction of the volunteers on site

with various people from the different walks of life were shown

dramatically in the drama. Dance and music were embedded into the

fabric of the plot. The conclusion was with a song and dance sequence

and all the participants gathered in the centre, and offered their

prayers and pranaams to Swami.

Swami

appeared very happy and moved during various portions of the drama. In

one scene, when the organisers of Prema Jyothi were facing a very tough

situation with getting the arch and gateway ready in time for the

D-day, they surrender completely to Swami and are fully confident about

His Grace flowing on them for hasn't He said, "If you need me, you

deserve me." Swami seemed so charged during the course of this episode

that when one of the characters fell on his knees and prayed, "Swami

only you have to help", Swami nodded His head and blessed Him saying,

"Yes! I will help."

If you need me, you deserve me

"Swami only you have to help"

And the imposing entrance is made in a jiffy

Even politicians are impressed and inspired

At the end, Swami moved down and posed for group photos with all the

participants. As that was being done, many of them gave letters to

Bhagavan; one little boy, in particular, dug deep into his pockets

trying to extract a card that he had made for Swami. Bhagavan on His

part, sat sweetly and patiently, and accepted the extracted letter!

Then with a lovely smile and a gracious abhayahastha, Swami

moved to the ladies section of the youth. He posed for photos with them

too before moving back to the stage. He then blessed Mrs. Piu Sarkhel

to present Hindustani Classical songs. As the stage was being prepared

for her, Swami went into the interview room and returned with watches

for all the participants.

Blessings of bliss for the drama troups

....same for the girls' singing group

At

this time, the lady began her songs and Swami noticed two primary

school children right up in the front. He called them on stage and

began to see through the card that they had made for Him for the

occasion of the Gujarati New Year. One of the boys also gave Swami an

invitation to the ground breaking ceremony of the land for his house.

Swami had a detailed look at it. He also played with the boys with

comments about the card that they had made. Blessing both of them, He

sent them to their places. Then again, as if like an afterthought,

Swami called both back on the stage and materialized vibhuti for them.

Putting spots on their foreheads, He put the remaining into their palms

and told them, "Eat it now itself!" And immediately, the boys stuffed

the Vibhuti into their mouths much to the glee and amusement of all the devotees assembled. Playfully patting them, Swami sent them back.

The two specially blessed Gujarati

children from Primary school

The ultimate blessing

from the Lord Himself

Mrs. Piu Sarkhel then presented Hindustani classical songs and bhajans on the stage for half an hour. Swami blessed her and her group with clothes and photographs. Soon after, bhajans by the devotees commenced at six o'clock. Ten minutes later, Swami asked the students to sing the 'Allah ho Akbar' bhajan with alap. After this, He accepted arati and returned to His residence.

Mrs. Piu Sarkhel lost in Music

Swami sees and listens to her keenly

October 30, 2008 – “Vision of the Divine” Drama by Gujarat Devotees

The

concluding programme of the devotees from Gujarat was based on real

life experiences at Navsari in Gujarat in a drama entitled "Vision of

the Divine". It was 5:10 p.m. when the programme began in the true

sense as Swami came out to grant darshan! As always, the

central area was kept empty and free, and the backdrop stood majestic.

Swami looked at it as He slowly passed by it and it was wonderful

moment - Swami looking at a majestic backdrop that proclaimed, "Vision

of the Divine". Completing the round, Swami moved to the stage. Once

again, there was a parade of lucky souls who went up to Swami seeking

blessings before the programme. This is a great opportunity and

everyone utilises it to the full. Swami blessed all the people who came

up the stage and then the programme began.

God's vision on the Vision of God!

The details of the programme are presented

The

drama had as its theme the “cataract surgery” Seva activities done in

Navsari district of Gujarat. The region, being backward, was infested

with many self-proclaimed quacks who always attributed the eye problems

of the suffering masses to the curse of God for all the sins they had

committed. The story, that was portrayed, could have been the story of

any one of the hundreds of tribals treated and nursed by the doctors

and devotees of Swami. It showed how a poor man is deprived of his

sight by a cataract and of hope by a local "witch doctor" wielding

peacock feathers and chanting mumbo-jumbo. It is firmly ingrained in

the minds of the affected person that he has been cursed by God. When

the volunteers from the Sai Organisation arrive to help and treat the

people of the area through eye camps, everyone at first eyes them

suspiciously. [isn't it funny that nowadays we accept selfishness as

natural and are unable to believe that selflessness exists? Else how

can one explain the amazement that we express at Swami's Love and

Grace? As Bhagavan aptly puts it, "What is aascharyam (surprise) for you is sahajam (natural) for me."]

A local quack tries some whacky remedy...

The patient gets professional treatment by His Grace

The drama was very simple but powerful in showing how a little care and

love coupled with the Lord's grace can literally help thousands to see

more clearly! The drama was backed with the power of Truth and though

no 'flashy' miracles seemed to happen, the miracle wherein the patients

were blessed from seeing through the milky fluid of the cataract to the

clear fluid of grateful and joyous tears was awe inspiring in itself.

The eye camps in this region have been vastly successful and have

covered more than a hundred villages and more than four thousand

operations have been successfully conducted. The drama was

short and sweet and at the end of it as all the participants gathered

in a formation, Swami called the "tribal" who had been "cursed" by God

according to the "village quack" and blessed him with a gold chain.

Everyone burst in applause and Swami blessed the participants with abhayahastha. He then told all of them to sit in their places and the next part of the evening's programme began.

Mr. Devesh Dave sang some popular songs and bhajans.

Before the performance, he and the other artists bowed to Swami and

that included a small kid who was to play the cymbals. Swami smilingly

kidded with the kid asking him, "Are you going to sing?" The smile was

returned by the apparently startled kid. The concert then began and

went on for about half an hour. At the end of it, Swami accepted aarthi.

It was 6:30 p.m. and Swami started moving towards Yajur mandir in the

chair itself! Now this was a bonus for all the ladies and they rejoiced

at the close darshan.