Prasanthi Update - July 7th.

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Prasanthi Update - July 7th.

Men and Machines filled the central blocks of the Kulwant hall today. The devotees from the Anantapur district had arranged for the service activity wherein they would distribute implements to the needy to provide a source of livelihood. Many devotees from the surrounding villages and from other rural areas of Anantapur had gathered for the occasion. Swami had very graciously agreed to preside over the distribution. And so stood an impressive array of tools, machines and implements. Sewing machines, carpentry kits, sowers, tillers, Insecticide sprayers, wet grinders, cycles, pushcarts, embroidery machines, handlooms and irons constituted this array. Swami came a bit early and went into the interview room.

Later, at about 3:55pm, He came onstage to begin the proceedings. The District President of the Sai Organisation began with an introductory talk in Telugu. Prof Anil Kumar gave a short introduction in English and Telugu, and what an introduction it was! He spoke of how Swami was an ideal to all the leaders for He, like a magnificent tree, had stood rooted at His home village and brought the whole world to HIm rather than travel around the world. "Anantapur," he said, "stands for the meaning 'every body'. Pura is the body and Ananta means infinite."

As he was speaking of Swami's shower of Grace and Love, a steady drizzle began and soon it turned into a tremendous and wonderful shower. It began to beat down so much that the rain 'drowned' the professor's talk in volume.. The thrill of joy surging in every soul assembled was such that very soon, the sound of the rain was drowned in the thunder of the applause. The professor then started to read out the names of the recipients and the implements they were being gifted. Sewing machines, bicycles, push-carts, grinding machines, electrical kits and other such items were duly passed on to the beneficiaries from the rural areas of the district. In the beginning as the various heads came to Swami to take padanamaskar, Swami created vibhuti for all of them and blessed them.

Each recipient had been chosen and all of them were gifted items of work at which they were skilled. It was indeed a very noble endeavour. Silently an economic revolution was on! Swami, with His spontaneous and loving action had created more than 500 jobs in an hour! A little common sense and some basic awareness of secondary and tertiary beneficiaries- and anyone will understand the magnificent entrepreneurial implications of this "simple" deed. And no big fuss made about it. "Instead of giving bread, teach a man how to make bread," was seen in its full meaning as Swami lovingly blessed the recipients as they came forward and placed a flower of gratitude at His feet. In about half an hour, the whole distribution was complete. After that, Swami permitted the children of Anantapur samithis to put up a cultural programme in his presence.

Four children came up to the front with roses, bouquets, cards and dry fruits. Swami was so happy seeing them and He spontaneously materialised a gold chain with a locket for one of the girls! Then the programme began. It was in Telugu and based on the vows of Swami to protect the vedas, the wise people, the suffering and all the devotees.

A major portion of the programme was via various colourful and rhythmic dances. The music and composition were all very good and heart-warming. Swami saw the entire programme and as it concluded with a final formation, He blessed all of them with the Abhayahastha. Swami went into the interview room, and emerged after a few minutes to come down from the stage in His chair and distribute saris to the children who participated in the programme.

The children sat in disciplined rows and Swami gifted each child with a beautiful violet saree. Once that was done, He asked whether all had received the saree. Then, with a smile of satisfaction, He looked at all the assembledchildren. He called them to come to Him and pose for group photographs! Again, in disciplined groups, the children came to Him and photos were taken. After Blessing the participants with group photos, the Balvikas children began bhajans.As bhajans went on, prasadam was distributed, and Swami accepted Arati at six o'clock.

Om Sai Ram