19th November 2008 - Ladies Day at Prasanthi Nilayam

[Guest guest]

Ladies Day at Prasanthi Nilayam

 

From the Vedic ages to the Greek civilizations, from the Renaissance

era to the 21st century, women have been known to mould the minds of

millions. Assuming different roles from that of a mother to a teacher

to a leader, they are known to be the backbone of a nation.

 

Indian scriptures have also worshipped the feminine in five forms:

Desha Maata (motherland) , Deha Maata (physical mother), Go Maata (the holy

cow), Bhu Maata (mother earth) and Veda Maata (mother of all knowledge).

 

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba has also emphasized in His teachings

that women must be honoured and revered and often referred to Anasuya

and Sita as women of extraordinary character. He has paved way

towards success and glory for thousands of students by instituting

colleges and schools pan India and the world.

 

As women from the world over assembled at Prasanthi Nilayam to

celebrate its 13th ladies' day in the midst of their creator, the Sai

Kulwant Hall glittered in the festivity and fervour dotted by throng

of devotees in their colorful garbs. Thus to achieve a sense of

wholeness fostering the virtues of faith, fortitude, and wisdom,

ladies gather to offer their selves to Mother Sai.

 

Reflecting sheer aesthetic beauty matching the grandeur of the

occasion, Sai Kulwant Hall was a scene of gracefulness on the

scheduled morning, 19th Nov 2008. Shining under a perfect backdrop

of rising sun, with flowers strewn around parading hues and

freshness, the dais for the Lord had the regal touch, a perfect

setting to host Divinity encased in human frame. Festoons, buntings

and special chinese lanterns added glitter to the packed Sai Kulwant

Hall housing multitudes crossing language, national and religious

barriers.

 

Bhagawan was accorded a traditional welcome led by the Institute

girls' brass band followed by girls from the college chanting Vedic

hymns. The morning programme got off to a colourful start with

Bhagawan lighting the lamp on the dais officially commencing the

function.

 

Ms. Chetana Raju delivering the introductory speech dwelled upon the

mystery of Divinity encased in human form. Most of us live and carry

upon the surfus the wondrous workings of Bhagawan remarkably unaware

of the levels upon levels with which so much is going on. Who is His

instrument and who is not? What is God's work and what is not? asked

the speaker. Reflecting on the right perspective one should inculcate

with our approach to Bhagawan, the speaker further added: we are

opportunists whom Bhagawan give 101 chances to serve and becoming a

servant. Our stay on earth is like a flicker of a candle placed

against eternity. It is He what He is today, and shall be Sri Sathya

Sai what He will be tomorrow. His name will echo in the heart of

creation for ever and ever, for eternity, concluded the speaker.

 

The second speaker for the session was Dr. Ankhi Mukherjee, an

alumnus at Anantapur Campus between1984- 1991. She was the recipient

of the All Rounder Gold Medal in 1989, and the University Gold Medal

in English literature in the year 1991. She is currently serving as

a " College University Fellow " , Lecturer in the faculty of English and

Fellow of Wadham College, University of Oxford.

 

Ankhi Mukherjee started with a meditation on knowing Bhagawan through

the register of " vidya " and spoke of " vidya " as the " portable

property " she has carried away from her years at the Institute.

Describing her relationship with Bhagawan as one of telepathy – both

distant and intimate, from " tele " and " pathos " of the same word, she

discussed the implication of Women's education for not just self-

improvement, or the improvement of a class of women, but for the

overall improvement of women.

 

The last speaker was Sylvia Alden, from the US, a retired teacher,

holding a Masters in Special Education. In a moving speech packed

with emotion and devotion, she prayed to Swami: Swami, I pray that

the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart will be

acceptable to You, my Lord and my All. Dwelling upon the

concept " Universal " and its dictionary meaning, the speaker credited

Bhagawan to be the universal solution. He is that which exists and is

true in all places and at all times and in all situations as justice

and beauty. Talking about the Divine Wonder encased in human frame,

the speaker said:

 

There are over six billion people on the earth at this time. Each and

every one of them is held in the heart of love that is Bhagawan Sri

Sathya Sai Baba. They need not have heard His name or accepted Him to

qualify for His love and protection. All are His children. Even those

who revile Him are held in that same heart of love. He cannot do

otherwise. It is His nature to love and He bids us all to do as He

does. He does not say love those you like and serve those who may

reciprocate. He says, " Love all, Serve all. "

 

" We must count as our greatest blessing that He allows us to know His

name, hear His teachings and permits us to enter this most holy and

sacred place where we see His Divine form. Who among us could ever

have fathomed the immensity of the love and Grace that would bring us

to His Lotus Feet? asked Ms. Sylvia.

 

Commemorating the occasion, the Easwaramma Women's Welfare Trust

organized distribution of solar lamps, water filters and blankets to

the selected families from Puttaparthi and neighbouing villages.

 

Bharat, the land acclaimed to be God's Own, rich with Gods and the

godly has the name against her, the Land of Avatars. These Avatars

have come in different times with different mission and their glory

and their story have become the life breath for multitudes across the

land and the world over. Is it ever possible to bring these Gods on

to one stage depicting their glory narrating stories? There was an

attempt towards this end by the tiny tots from the Primary School

through a dazzling display of light, music, dance and drama on the

twilight of the ladies' day, in His immediate Divine Presence.

 

The theme for the dance music extravaganza was His Glory, His Story,

a fine portrayal running through the history of `His Glory'

effectively conjuring up beautiful anecdotes, weaving the story in

absolute élan. Over 150 children in glittering costumes, showcasing

their acting prowess made the evening a wondrous one in an effort to

please the Lord of their little hearts. …And the Lord was pleased. At the end

of the session Bhagawan chose to come down the dais granting coveted group photo

session.

 

Earlier the evening session started off with a soulful rendering of

devotional music by Sunita, Surabhi Shravani and Smita. While it was

a home coming for Sunita after a wonderful opportunity during the

Guru Purnima, for the other two, it was their maiden venture, an

opportunity they cherish and fail to express. Starting with an

invocation prayer to Lord Ganesha, " Shuklambharadharam Vishnum " , they

sang the famous " Sathyam Sivam Sundaram " , " Jagadi Sigadu " , a

patriotic piece, " Sri Rama Chandra Kripalu " , " Allah Tero

Naam " , " Vendi Ginneluka " and " Eashwar Hey Allah Ek Pukaar… " receiving applause

from the packed Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagawan gave away sarees to the three

artistes and safari pieces to the accompanying artistes.

 

Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram after receiving Mangala Arathi.

 

At the end of the day, while leaving, the packed audience had a

message to cherish and carry on, and that was the final message by

the children from the primary school, He alone exists; He alone is

God¦God¦God!!! Mother Easwaramma's soul would be happy, watching the

drama from her realm of immortality, as it was she, the Divine Mother

and the Divine Wonder who has taken the human initiative to set up

the first school in the village of Puttaparthi that has grown into a

gigantic educational institution. And now, the children from the same

school coming out in open declaring to the world that He alone is

God...It is time for the world to take a cue from these tiny tots and

move ahead!!!