Prasanthi Update - July 5th

July 7, 2008

Sent by a Very Dear Sai Brother from Prasanthi Nilayam :

Swami had very graciously agreed for a Music programme by the devotees of the zone 1 of USA. The men women and children alike were seated in the marbled block in front of the stage with their characteristic blue scarves. Swami came for darshan at about 4:50 pm. Swami went straight to the stage and immediately told the Veda chanting to be stopped and then asked the devotees as to what was the programme.

A few Devotees from the group came up to Him and showed the programme schedule The women and children representatives too came to Him with roses and offerings He blessed them all and spoke to them. The programme was introduced with a heart to heart talk with Swami. The speaker on the mike said," Swami to finish the required course to graduate from the attachment to the world, for nine months, our centers in USA have collectively studied the true flowers of non violence, sense control, forbearance, penance, peace, meditation and Truth." As he spoke, Swami looked intently at him and kept nodding. The first song was entitled, "Who am I". It was followed by a song in Spanish.

The songs were simple in their tunes and rich in their meaning. Each song had a small introductory talk which was very apt and Swami listened and appreciated each of them.

Swami also seemed particularly impressed with the person playing the violin in the first line. In fact His gaze went on him for quite a number of times during the programme. There were more songs on the divine romance between Swami and His devotees. The only prayer embedded in every song was, "Swami let our Love for you grow stronger with every passing moment." Swami often says, "The Lord knows what you need. You do not have to ask Him for anything." It is so true that any prayer we make may not be "appropriate" in a sense.

When we pray for either wealth, material comfort, good health, more time- anything - for either ourselves or for others, how do we know that it is for the Good? God is all wise and it is nothing great to admit that His wisdom is absolute and complete compared to our tiny minds and brains. It is better to just keep shut and Trust and Love Him with all our hearts. In this context, the prayer, "Swami let our Love for you grow stronger with every passing moment.", becomes very perfect. For there is absolutely nothing wrong or bad about loving God and though anything we pray for may not be good for us in the long run, Loving god more intensely is always beneficial, irrespective of time and circumstances!

The final song was the realization that, "I am God! I am no different from God." As the song concluded, so did the programme.

Swami asked them to sing bhajans and they began. One particular bhajan was, "Sai Mata Pita". A line in it goes, "Mujhe Bhakti do....Mujhe Shakti do" culminating in "Mujhe Mukti do" As the first two lines were being sung, Swami kept mouthing the word, "Mukti do." It was a nice sight to see Him smilingly do so. He then looked at the violinist and told him to accompany on the violin for the bhajans too. As if awakened from a divine stupor, the devotee began to play for the rest of the bhajans.

After a few bhajans, Swami asked HIs boys to sing bhajans.. After two more bhajans, with a quick sideward glance and a lovely smile, He said, "Shlokam". The next bhajan was "Sree Raghunandana" and it was rendered beautifully with a prelude chant or "sloka" as it is called.

After that, Swami asked for the Mangala Aarthi to be taken and then retired to Yajur Mandir. On the way, He spoke to the principal and a few Anantapur college teachers of the Sathya Sai University.

Om Sai Ram

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