Prasanthi Update - July 6th

July 7, 2008

Panels for an exhibition on Swami's teachings had been moved into and arranged in the Poornachandra Auditorium by the devotees from USA after Swami had sent word that He would bless the exhibits. Everyone and everything had been kept in perfect readiness in the morning. At about 9:05am, Swami came out of Yajur Mandiram. Swami moved into Kulwant Hall in the Chair. Being a Sunday, the hall was filled almost to capacity. Moving gently, He completed a full Darshan round, collecting letters and speaking to many. After that, Swami granted a few interviews and then moved into the bhajan hall for the remaining bhajans. At about 9:55am, Swami received aarthi and retired.

In the evening, Swami arrived for darshan rounds after 4:45 pm. He took a detour after the ladies side and after a few minutes in the portico, entered the bhajan hall. The bhajan hall had been filled up by the senior-most students of the Institute, the 2nd year post graduates. They had come with a focussed agenda of inviting Swami to visit the hostel as it had been long since He had done so.

When Swami entered the bhajan hall, a few students got up on their knees and prayed to Him for an opportunity to speak and sing for Him. Swami agreed and told them very sweetly, "There is still time for that.. Be ready. I will come" Then in the chair, Swami began to move towards the Yajur Mandiram. Then, as He moved for the second time through the ladies side it looked at though the clouds had decided to come "down to earth" to have Darshan of our Lord as The skies darkened and huge drops of rain began pelting down. Swami reached the ladies side end of the Kulwant hall and immediately a huge colourful umbrella was brought for Him. For all the devotees who had gathered near the western gates of Yajur mandir, it was a lovely sight to behold.

On an evening when everything looked dull and grey, Swami's orange robe topped with His scented mop of hair lent a dash of vibrant colour to the scene To "top" it was the multi coloured umbrella, open wide and full. The sweet fragrance of rain on earth wafted in the air as the breeze caressed and played with His abundant curls and locks. Swami looked so magnificent and grand- an emperor nonpareil in this world! He came out of the western gate and the devotees were thrilled to say the least. Blessing all of them, He moved into the Poornachandra Auditorium. The meaning of the statement, "God's delays are not His denials" would have come to light for the US devotees who had been waiting patiently and lovingly. Swami moved in and many roses were offered. When the lit candle was given to Him, He lit all the wicks of the traditional lamp that had been placed there.

Then began a sort of "guided tour" for Swami! He went around all the panels that had been placed and looked intently at them. He was the perfect observer, asking questions about the message and the pictures on display. A few members of the visiting group got the great wonderful opportunity to explain to the Lord! Every here and there were seated youth members with placards on the section to follow Swami read each and everyone of these and also spoke to some of the lads. Swami spent almost 15 minutes going around the exhibits.

After completing seeing the exhibits, Swami came to the devotees group that had assembled in a disciplined manner in the auditorium. He called out the little children and began asking names. He asked one of them, "Which class?" The boy seemed bewildered till an adult said, "Which grade are you in?" He answered, "Swami I have completed my 2nd.""Why did you come here?", He asked another kid. "To sing for you Swami" was the answer. He sent back the kid after rewarding him with a sort of handshake and a pat on his cheeks. He was smiling and was very happy with them. Blessing all with abhayahastha and many with Paadanamaskar, Swami sat in the car and started for a second time towards Kulwant hall.

This time, He went for a complete round in the hall and those that had missed a close darshan some time back were rewarded for their patience. He entered the bhajan hall and asked for the assembled 2nd PG students to begin their programme. The programme consisted of songs and short talks. The talks were in different languages and were nostalgic speeches on the wonderful times when Swami visited the hostel. Two students recounted and Swami too seemed to be nostalgic.

One of the students said, "Swami we are your dunnapotas forever." Swami then asked " What is meant by dunnapota? "Student " Swami, male buffaloes."Swami then funnily said " Why only male? Not female?Even amidst all the boys, Swami had his children at Anantapur too in mind! He then said, that all were good and none were dunnapotas.

The songs were the popular ones and a few qawwalis were also embedded. It was like a game show at time. Swami was given a list of songs and the boys said, "Swami tell us whichever song you like, we will sing it out for you." And so, Swami kept picking songs and they were rendered.

The Programme was interrupted with persistent pleading to Swami by the Students to visit the hostel! Swami asked where the hostel was and He said that one must never refer to it as your hostel or my hostel It is always "ours"! Letters and cards were given. Finally, the boys showed Him a video clipping on a laptop of His previous visit to the hostel! Finally, one of the students came up to Swami and said, "Swami, it has been very long since you have come to hostel We will do whatever you want. Tell us what to do and when you will come please." Swami said, "I will tell.wait. There is a programme tomorrow. After Tuesday, I will tell."

After Blessing all the students, Swami received Mangla Aarthi and retired to Yajur Mandiram bringing to a close a Delightful weekend Programme.

Om Sai Ram

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