Published on Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 14:40.00 Hrs.IST(CELEBRATING THE PRISTINE GLORY OF WOMANHOOD

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Published on Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 14:40.00 Hrs.IST

0Ladies’ 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 Fellowâ€, 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.â€

“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 Vishnumâ€, they sang the famous “Sathyam Sivam

Sundaramâ€, “Jagadi Sigaduâ€, a patriotic piece, “Sri Rama Chandra

Kripaluâ€, “Allah Tero Naamâ€, “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…!!!

 

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