CHRISTMAS 2009 IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM

December 26, 2009

Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,

Christmas is always a very special event in Prasanthi Nilayam the abode of ourbeloved Lord. Every year there is some kind of freshness and it is all our Swami's grace that makes us feel so special.

For this holy festival, many overseas devotees make sure they make it to Prasanthi to enjoy the festivity and gaiety in this tiny hamlet of Highest Peace and joy. This year Puttaparthi was jampacked. The accomodation in the ashram was full by 9th december. All the hotels booked in advance, many were denied accomodation inspite of booking and it was a very interesting situation in Parthi where every thing was so full. Many devotees who came without preparation had to face lot of difficulties especially with accomodation but its all Swami's little tests and it is only to strengthen our faith..

The christmas eve was full of joy and bliss. This year's choir had about 950 devotees from all the countries in the world and it was definitely a BIG ask for sister sylvia who was again blessed to conduct the choir and she had only 10 days for the final big day..

Swami was very very happy with this year's choir . The Sai Kulwanth hall and infact the whole mandir was beautifully decorated

with christmas trees erected here and there and it was very very beautiful. Swami blessed the august gathering with His divine

darshan at 4pm and Swami smiling and blessing every one reached in the center of Sai Kulwanth hall and all the sisters and brothers who could make it for this year's christmas were in paradise after seeing our beloved Lord upclose and the 10 days of intense practice was going to be fructified in no time..

Swami after listening to veda chanting asked for the choir to start.

There were 18 songs in this year's choir and after the 17th song, sister Sylvia went upto Swami and Swami asked her to sing the last song as well.. The choir with 45 musicians, people from various cultural back grounds and traditions was a perfect one depicting Unity in Diversity and it can only happen when our prayers are sincere and thoughts pure.

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

Who ever missed birthday and had an urge to see Swami clad in white robe were thrilled to see Swami in the white robe this

christmas morning. Many tiny tots dressed up in a traditional dresses entered first and then our beloved Lord wearing the world's most beautiful smile followed..Swami seated in the white chair made a full round and it was the time of Swami's students from Sri Sathya

Sai University to steal the show.. The one hour thrilling session came to an end when two students dressed as Santas moved around in Sai Kulwanth hall throwing sweets on devotees while our beloved Lord watched smiling at those who raised their hands high up to reach those sweets.

The evening session had two speakers and as promised Swami very kindly delivered His divine discourse which was full of Divine knowledge.

Seated on His Mobile throne Swami started with a sweet verse,

Dinakarudu shanthudai toche,

(The sun is looking serene)

Dinamulu intha kurucha layyenu

(the days have become shorter)

Chali gali churuku heche

(the cool wind is blowing to maximum)

This is the season where the days are shorter and nights seem longer. The farmers are rejoicing in their fields looking at the crops.This is a

very happy season for farmers.

God is everywhere:

Every one say where is God? God is every where. God is in you, above you, around you, below you. But unfortunately Man

is not understanding the basic quality of life. Bharath is a holy land. Saints and sages were born in other countries but only in Bharath Avatars in human form were born. This is the birth place of many incarnations. Today Man wants everything except God. He is also ready to leave the mother land in search of wealth. It is only God that gives, gives and gives and never takes anything. GOD WANTS YOUR LOVE ONLY. Today the culture of Bharath is forgotten by people. God expects only pure heart from you.

If you follow truth Dharma will come then peace is manifested.Where there is peace there is love and when love manifests there is non violence.

God is selfless. He is beyond human thought. He ispresent in every one. God has no form. All the drawings by Ravi varma are only an imagination. God has neither end not beginning. Your eyes are given to you, only to see GOOD. Ears are to listen what is GOOD.

THIS LIFE IS A DRAMA

It is only the Man of wisdom that believes that Iam not the mind. When the central line in the cross, is cut across it becomes cross.That I is EGO. Every one say Iam the BODY. After its death where does this body go. Where do you go? THIS BODY IS LIKE A ROBE. a simple dress. There are three kinds of awareness. The one others think you are, the one you think you are and the one who you really are. Never have any identification with your body.THIS LIFE IS ALL A DRAMA. You are just playing your role assigned to you. You should play the role properly but DO NOT GET INVOLVED AND THINK THAT IS REAL.

Swami then asked all of us "Do you have any doubts?"There was no response from the devotees. Swami then said,if you ever have doubts you will become mad. You don't know your own self and how can you know GOD.Remember you are DIVINE. After marriage you say she is my wife. Who was she before marriage. You don't know the past. Future is uncertain. DO NOT BROOD OVER PAST. past is past. Future is unknown. There fore live in the present. This existence is a reality.

Swami then called one devotee who was sitting right infront of Swami and asked where are you from. Swami then asked Do you like Sai Baba and the brother said yes Swami. Swami then materialised a ring to him. Swami again asked one more brother as where he is from and the answer came Russia. Swami then asked how many Russians are there in the group and the answer came so many.

Swami then sang Hari Bhajana Bina bhajan and arathi was given to Swami. After the arathi Swami stayed on stage for more time and then asked the students to sing bhajans. Allah o Akbar alaap was sung and Swami then signalled the students to give the microphone to overseas devotees.. It was a very rare chance and as Swami always says, love My uncertainity. A brother sang Manasa Bhajare Guru Charanam. The DIVINE COMMAND came so suddenly but that brother did a very good job and his bhajan sounded like that of a village bhajan session where the voice doesn't matter but the devotion matters.Swami then asked for arathi and thus there were two arathis to end this most beautiful christmas which will be remembered for its beautiful decorations, beautiful people and also beautiful choir..

26th December afternoon will be yet another busy day as the Children's choir is scheduled and under the divine command, Father Charles from Nigeria would be doing a Mass this time it will be in Chaitanya Jyothi Museum for which all are welcome..

Jai Sai Ramsatish Naik