December 9th, 2007 (http://saistudents.org/alumni/home/news.php)

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Login Welcome to our new website..! Any suggestions/comments are always welcome. Please forward them to: mail Register for2008 Meet Article Submission Home About Us Mission Institutions News Archives Newsletters Patrons Feedback Links FAQ December 9th, 2007 From the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, thousands had flocked to the abode of supreme peace by way of a pilgrimage. Today, Swami had agreed for a programme to be presented

by them. It was about 4:15 pm when Swami came out to grant darshan. As He went around in the car, the excitement and more importantly, the Joy was evident in the radiant faces of all the devotees. Swami alighted from the car and there were several rounds of applause. Puttaparthi is a place that has grown with a lot of emphasis on discipline. Everyone is expected to be seated in their respective places and in this beautiful temple, the Lord Himself comes to each devotee to grant Darshan. Swami also stresses a lot on discipline. But on occasions like today, when there is the overwhelming outflow of devotion, it becomes difficult to restrain. The devotee, finding himself in a very difficult situation where he is not allowed either to shout out or get up and dance in glee at the Joy he is experiencing seeing the sweet Lord, takes recourse to the 'decent' and more importantly permitted mode of celebration - the applause. A round of applause carries many emotions at

Prashanti Nilayam, but one thing that is certain is that it is a spontaneous, emotional and overwhelming outburst. Swami went into the interview for a short while and then returned to take His place on the stage. The lamp being brought up to Swami to be lit and mark the beginning of the programme too has undergone a lot of transformations. Today it was a beautifully carved mandir fully in silver that was brought up to Him and He lit it up just as He had lit up the entire hall minutes before with His darshan. The traditional roses and dry fruits plate were offered to Swami. Finally the children who were part of the drama to be presented offered flowers to Swami. The programme was entitled, "Jagame Sarvam Sai Mayam". The drama began with the activities of the Sai Youth in the villages. The joy of everyone sharing the feeling that Swami Himself had arrived to their village was brought out nicely. The father of one of the members of the youth, our hero in

this drama, feels that his son is wasting all his time and energy on futile activities. Like all the deluded people of today, he measures the success of any activity undertaken from the money it fetches. He tries to drill "wisdom" into his son through a friend of his who has agreed to employ the boy. They are not prepared for a reversal of argument that the boy has in store for them! When the eternal values of Sathya and Dharma are attacked, the boy resorts to the example of King Harishchandra. The king never gives up on the Truth even in the face of death saying, "Just because something impermanent is passing away, should I sacrifice the only permanent entity in this Universe?" Quoting Swami's words, he says that it is only adherence to Sathya and Dharma that can provide everlasting happiness and peace for they alone are eternal. "But they will not give you the money needed to live", exclaims the worldly wise uncle. "Swami's name is my greatest treasure. If I

call out 'Sai', He will respond with 'Oyi' and if I cry out 'Swami', He will respond with 'Emi'. I may not be able to do anything with so little money, but with Him and so little money, there is nothing in this Universe I cannot attain." Listening to the powerfully scripted dialogues, one could not but help marvelling at the conviction and faith of the writer. Swami also appeared very moved by the words being spoken. The whole drama was interspersed with dances for songs which again were very moving in their emotion and very powerful in their meaning. The dialogues had such an impact on Swami that in between the drama itself, He called the hero and materialized a beautiful gold chain for him. Again,the applause began, as Swami lovingly put the chain around the boy's neck. After that short "break", the drama continued. The final scene of the drama was one in which Mother Eashwaramma came to life with how much Love Swami had showered on her and everyone. She sang

out her love for Him and it was such a tender sight to see the one with the Love of a thousand mothers well up with emotion on being reminded of His earthly mother's love. The final song described the beautiful image of Swami gently swinging on the Jhoola. Then all the actors and dancers came close together in the final formation. The Jhoola was also brought as part of the formation. Swami called the scriptwriter and created a gold ring for him - an apt reward for the fingers that had created the writing which had moved thousands of hearts. He also told him to be a part of the group for the final photo. Swami went down in the wheel sofa and then to the joyous amazement of everyone around, said that He would sit on the decorated swing! He got up from the chair and walked slowly towards the Jhoola. Then, very gently, He sat on the Jhoola and the the people celebrated with another round of applause! Gently rocking Himself, Swami blessed everyone with smiles and

loving words and pats. All the children were just diving at His feet and so sweetly Swami was telling them, "Sit down. Sit down. I will come." True to His word, after getting up from the Jhoola, He walked up to the stage, passing in between rows of Love hungry children! After going on stage, He gifted every child with clothes. The girls got sarees and the boys got white cloth pieces. He permitted the Srikakulam group to sing bhajans which they did so with gusto. Two bhajans new to the Sai fraternity at Puttaparthi were sung. After that, He asked for the camphor to be waved after which He retired to Yajur Mandir. Click here to view pictures of the Srikakulam programme. December 3rd, 2007 Here is a narrative about Bhagawan Blessing the programme for the January Alumni Meet:The meet proposals are listed here... This morning He came out around 9 40 am and took a short round (no gents' side) and went in for Bhajan Mandir. He came on the chair itself so it was a nice darshan. After couple of bhajans He took Aarthi and came out. Some guests were waiting for him near the door. He started talking to them there itself, for more than five minutes. We were just waiting to catch another glimpse of Him. He choose to go back to Yajur Mandir on the chair itself. He took a round of the ladies' side, stopping at a couple of places to speak to devotees and collect letters. Then He turned towards the Yajur Mandir. There again He called a lady from overseas, spoke to her and took her letter. The crowd was on

their feet -- ladies and gents. Something happened and gents side devotees started clapping. There was no apparent reason for the clap. But it might have been the prayer which translated into the clap and drew the attention of the Lord. And we saw His chair doing a 180 degree turn. There was loud applause as the Lord came gliding towards the gents' side. He stopped at a few places to take letters and also to speak to the groups. It was a full round of darshan. As we were very few in number at that time, we went and sat towards the students side at the corner in front of the pillar, carrying the tentative program schedule with us. As Bhagawan approached our side we showed Him the programme sheet. He gave a very nice smile of acknowledgment. It was enough for us to get up and go over to Him. Placing the folder in His hand we said "Swami, we need your permission and guidance for our Annual programme on January 1st." He nodded and started looking at the programme

sheet. We took the chance and started going over each and every point of the programme. "Swami on 31st we are meeting for the village activities. We have identified cluster of 5 villages where we would be doing the camp". He smiled and nodded in approval. Moving to the next line: "Swami we need Your permission to do flower decoration of the Mandir". He again smiled and nodded "Yes, Ok." Moving to next line: "Swami on 1st morning after darshan we would be doing tree plantation work on the mountains here. Our brothers in Parthi have been planting trees in order to make the whole area green." Swami nodded: "I know". And next was "Yes" to this too. He was also moving His fingers with the lines as we were moving along. "Swami, we would like to again receive You at Yajur Mandir and bring You in the procession". There was a beautiful smile acknowledging our prayers. "Swami we have a few offerings which we would like to make

to you – Vidyullekha, Bridge across time and a magazine of articles (gratitude.... I mumbled softly) .. "Then we have a short presentation by our Band boys".. He nodded. "Swami, we would be presenting our service reports... all the activities from all around the world." Bhagawan's expression became very happy. "Swami, we need to put a big screen for projection." Swami: "Where do you want to put the screen?" "Swami here in front of you". We pointed the place. Bhagawan nodded in approval. On to the next line: "Swami we will have songs in between." After getting another smile we moved to the next line.. interestingly His handkerchief fell on the paper and Swami removed it to read further. "Swami, this is a group presentation (pointing to "Our Swami... Our GOD") we need your permission for this. Few boys would be speaking Swami. Moderating…." Bhagawan approved it with eyes, nod and smile.

"Swami, boys have also prepared kind of play/burrakatha in Telugu." Swami: "Ok" "Swami we need permission to do that... When can we do ... on 31st?" Swami: "1 & 2" (indicating that have it on 1st or 2nd) "Ok, Swami". Swami: "What is on 2nd?" "Swami, with you." We turned to the next page to show Him that the time was all for Him. He looked at the sheet with all smiles. "Swami on 2nd we pray to be with You, Your interaction with us." He expressed His happiness but did not say anything. His approval came through His eyes and awesome smile. 2005 - . Sri Sathya Sai Students.

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