Hari Narayana

[Guest guest]

Sai Ram Embodiments of GodThis morning I was feeling truly exhausted from the Himalayan adventure. Our Swami gave me a sweet surprise, token #1 I took my place in the exit aisle and waited with the other devotees.Then much to our supreme delight our sunrise phoenix spread his brilliant plumage over our humble gathering. A burst or orange like the primary rays of the dawn sun broke throughthe mandir flooding every heart with undiminished rapture, Vedic chants reverberated through the hallowed halls of Prashanthi.Our lovely Lord cast His gentle smiles all around as He drifted down the center aisle, into the gents area and thru the soft white bustle of eager students. He disappeared for awhile granting interviews to some gents on the veranda and later joined us for inspiring morning bhajans. As He left the mandir His eyes appeared like

eagle eyes, points of light scanning our upturned gaze.Needless to say I left darshan thoroughly rejuvenated and energized.This afternoon darshan more than rain poured from the Sai heavens. Mangoes, nectarine manna, splashed from the Divine Hands of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, The giver of Life, Dispenser of Immortality.Although I received the last token, I found suitable seating in the exit aisle with a wonderful view of our Lord. He was all Krishna smiles this evening, expressing His Love for us as He came early into the mandir and through the massive throng of devotees and students.He blessed us with divine mango prasadam, drfiting amonst the devotees on the veranda, speaking with a group of young men and materializing vibhuti for them.We all enjoyed rousing bhajans, and after aarathi our Beloved Baba floated off the veranda down through the main gate to devotees outside, showering His golden blessings on

all. He returned to His residence via the main aisle in the mandir sans the car. Saturated and dazzled by His amazing grace, every face glittered with love and peace,Jai Sai Ram!I will now share some of my experiences from the Himalayan adventure:God Hills - Part 1On May 21st, early morning we left Parthi and flew into Delhi. My friend, Padma and I could not find any prepaid taxis available so we took the public bus to Haridwar. It was a lengthy, bumpy journey. We arrived at the Yoga Tripura center late and was greeted by Swami Amlananda, who made us comfortable offering shelter and food.This lovely ashram situated in the reknowned city of Haridwar was quite self sufficient.Supplying strictly organic (non GMO) food, garden grown fruits and vegetables, and pure milk from a preserved breed of cows.Swami Amlananda was compassionate and thoughtful treating us like a kind father.We decided to tour a

few holy places the following day and then made plans to travel by car to Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedernath and Badrinath.Swami Amlananda sat us down and briefed us on the arduous nature of this pilgrimage.He seemed very concerned about our well being and gave Padma and myself warm orange caps, vests and thermals.The following day we traveled to Yamunotri. It was about a 9 hour journey, extremely rigorous and scary, traveling for hours over bumpy, steep, narrow mountain roads and ridges. If you are familiar with driving in India it shouldn't be hard to imagine what it was like flying around blind mountain curves, with constant prayers on our lips :)Despite the difficulties the mountain vista was absolutely stunning and majestic. The Himalayan mountain range inhaled and exhaled God's splendor and beauty with every breath.Yamunotri was a 5km climb, by then I was feeling altitude sickness and lightheaded, so after a

short climb I opted for a human horse. These were actually very nimble mountain boys carrying people in baskets on their backs to the top of the summit.We reached the breathtaking zenith with bright faces and happy hearts.More later.Lots of Prema sonya ki