1st weekly posting of Saudi SAI activities-04 Jan 2008

January 6, 2008

Dear Sai Children, Sai Sisters and Sai Brothers of all 4

Sai SatSanghs in Dammam, Jubail, Jeddah and Riyadh,

Sairam to all of you. This is the first weekly posting of the activities of all four centers

for the year 2008.So, come and let us first pray Swami……

SaiRam hear my call to you,

SaiRam hear my call

SaiRam my lord, you must hear my call

I am waiting, I am praying, I am calling to you.

Dearest Swami,

Our humble pranams at your lotus feet. We devotees of KSA request you, our most beloved Swami, the indweller, motivator & inspirer to guide & be with us in this new year 2008 and all years of our life . I offer this posting at your feet dear Swami.

We start the 1st weekly posting of 2008----

Summary: 1. Total Attendance all over Saudi was more than 100.

2. Study circle note.

3. Sundaram notes.

Details: Jubail

center held the weekly Satsang on Thursday 3rd Jan at 7.30 PM attended by about 21 members at Bro Sunil's

residence. Aarthi was taken by Bro. Anantha from Khobar .There were 7 members from Dammam attended this

bhajan.The report was given by bro Wimal.Thankyou Bro. Wimal.

Jeddah samiti held the weekly bhajan at Bro

Gopi's residence. 30 devotees attended the session. Aarthi was taken by Bro Gopi. The reportwas given by Bro

Ashok Kumar. Thank you Bro Ashok.

Riyadh report-----

Riyadh centre held the weekly Satsang on Friday, 4th

of Jan 2008. About 40 people attended the bhajan session. Session started with Vedam and then Sai Astothram The first bhajan "Ganapati Om Jaya Ganapathi Om…"was sung by Mrs.Akhilesh. There were 14 bhajans in total, ending with "Subramanyam…" sung by the melodious voice of Bro.Gopi. Aarati was taken by Bro.

RajGopal. After bhajan we had study circle.

We had a home bhajan at Bro.Vittals residence on 3rd Jan evening to pray specially for Nikhil (son of Bro.Vittal & Sis.Mala) who is going back to US after vacation.

We also had a special session on 31st Dec night in the centre to give farewell to the year 2007 and welcome the New Year 2008.

As usual this week also we had Vishnu Sahasranama and Sai Sahasranama

..

Study circle was coordinated by Bro.Ravi Chandran. The topic discussed was the discourse by Swami at the valedictory function at Sai Youth Conference on 28 July 07 (this year) with the main theme: "Always be Happy and Peaceful". It was the continuation of last study circle.

Here we discussed how mind is responsible for all sorrows and happiness of human beings. We should try to keep the mind in proper state. We can consider the mind as Divine.

Swami also said us to be always in good company. He said us to eat right food.

Swami also explains here that sitting in meditation and doing japa is not sadhana

..Rather we should contemplate on the truth in us. He explains a simple method—to make our mind steady and still for as short as 11 seconds. Realization can be achieved by this short time too.

So I wish all the best to all of you to practice 11 seconds of steady and still

ness.The topic will continue from here next week.

Dear devotees, Bro .P B V Rajan is in now in India .He had been to

Sundaram of Chennai. He has written us his experience in Sundaram in his usual style of excellence. Please read what he writes-----

Sundaram is a large building on Greenways

road nearAdyar in Chennai. When Swami comes to Chennai he givesDarshan from here and stays here. On entrance there is a large ground where, those not

going inside the prayer hall can sit, during theprayers. Both the men and ladies side can eachaccommodate more than 200 devotees each. On the rightside are various shrines and small shops. After crossing this we come to the main prayer hallthan can accommodate total of 300 devotees. The altar is decorated very well with a high ceilingof over 20 feet. Swami's portrait is in the center andthere are decorative lights which are switched onexactly at the time of prayers. The Ashtothram starts at 5.40 pm. Earlier various

sukthams from Vedas were recited. After Astothram, SaiGayatri is recited with just 2 lines (unlike 4 linesin Riyadh

) 3 times. The prayer starts at 6 pm andconcludes exactly at 6.45 pm with Subramaniam.The prayer quality is quite high. The singers havepracticed their songs well and their voice is also

melodious, almost play singer's quality. The songsalternate between men and women devotees. Theaccompaniments are relatively mild, may be because thehall size is very big unlike in Riyadh

.. One noticeabledifference is devotees do not move their bodies asvisibly as in Riyadh but are more composed. After the prayers, Vibudhi

is given in packets to alldevotees. There are several shops outside sellingbooks, cassettes, Cds and Calenders etc. In the prayer session I attended; it was nearly 70 %

full. There are a number of volunteers in white dresswho actively control the devotees. The place is well known to drivers of cars andauto rickshaws. It is also close to a metro station (Greenways). I recommend those visiting Chennai tovisit the shrine if they get the time. The prayers areheld on Thursday evenings (6 to 7pm) and on Sundaymornings.

We end our 1st posting here with these Divine Words----

"Where ever my devotees sing of me there I will install myself", why, the Lord is always there and every where, whether you sing of him or not. The singing only makes him manifest, as the radio receiver catches the tune from the ether when it is switched to the correct wavelength. The current is flowing ever; when you fix the bulb, you will get the light.

I apologize in advance for any unintentional omissions & mistakes.

Wish You All A Very Happy & Peaceful New Year 2008!

With lots of regards...

Renuka Patra

Riyadh sai centre