December 18 2008 ,December 17 2008(source:http://saistudents.org/alumni/home/news.php)

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December 18 2008

As Swami had moved towards Yajur Mandir yesterday, He had said not once

but almost 5 times, "I will give photos tomorrow." Every word that the

Lord speaks itself is the Truth it is said. What then to speak of His

promises? The morning seemed to be a test of Shraddha and Saburi , as

Shirdi Baba would put it, for the devotees from Madhya Pradesh and

Chhattisgarh. In the evening, at about 5 pm, Swami came out in the

chair.

As He moved through the ladies side and then through the

students, He seemed so full of anticipative energy. The Lord is pure

reaction, reflection and resound. If the devotee exhibits great

excitement and anticipation to meet Him, He too mirrors those feelings.

There was a huge block of blue scarved devotees from MP and

Chhattisgarh waiting in great eagerness for this would be their last

darshan as a group. Swami halted in front of them and spoke to their

group leader and then, all of a sudden, made a decision. He decided to

move through the devotees and bless them.

The devotees' joy knew no bounds as the tried in haste to make

some sort of a space for Swami to move through. The packing was such

and their longing to touch Him was so intense that Swami resembled a

little saffron boat on a rough blue sea! Swami moved through them and

everyone tumbled towards and onto Him. Swami had only smiles and His

hands went up often in blessings. Swami, while "recovering" from the

fall a few years back, had said,"This body is not mine; it is yours. It

has come for you and will work and perish for you. It is upto you to

take care of it." From that moment on, Swami seems to be absolutely

detached from His body. No matter what happens, only a smile dances on

His effulgent space. His body is a great treasure that He has gifted to

all his dear devotees and it is upto us to care for and tend to it.

Wading through them, Swami went about collecting letters and

speaking to some here and there. At one point, He waved His hand and

materialised vibhuti. That He distributed to atleast 10 people. There

was hardly any space to move but He said that He wanted to move through

them. And thus it was that for about ten minutes, Swami moved through

them showering Love and Grace. Every face was beaming with the joy of

seeing Him and touching Him and at the same time of being seen and

"touched" by Him. Having completed that, when all assumed that Swami

would proceed along with the remaining darshan rounds, Swami called the

head and told him to pull out all the particpants of yesterday's drama.

He said He would give them the promised group photos! There was a surge

of thrill that swept through all the blue scarves.

In the meanwhile Swami interacted with yesterday's singer -

Abhas. He spoke to him and his brother and materialised vibhuti for

them. He also applied vibhuti to the singer's throat and there were

smiles everywhere. It is no surprise that Swami seems to have a special

corner in His heart for the singers. If they have pure feelings, they

sprout Love for God in many hearts. There have been a few instances

where Swami has materialised honey and used it as an ink to write on

people's tongues. Those people fill devotion in millions of hearts even

today with their honeyed voices. Being blessed with the "honeying"

touch, Abhas seemed to be in "ninth heaven" if that exists!

Once the participants had been separated, they could not

arrange themselves where they were seated. So the students vacated an

area in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall and the photo session got

scheduled there. Swami sat sweetly amidst the participants and told

them all to look towards the camera. After the men, Swami called Abhas

and gifted him with a personal picture. Then Swami told the

photographer there that if the gents moved, the ladies too could sit

arrayed around Him in the same place. According to that wish, soon in

the same place were the ladies. The smiles and joy were however the

same. Swami then moved through the students into the interview room.

He came out soon with clothes for the two protagonists of the

drama. Gifting them the clothes, He added to their joy by giving them

prints of the photos taken minutes before! With the Lord, when it

rains, it showers! Moving to the Bhajan Hall where the Bhajans were

going on, Swami moved down the aisle in His chair and gave sarees to a

lady and three of the bhajan singers to give them as gifts of Love to

their mothers! After bhajans, He received Aarthi at 6 pm.

 

Click here to see pictures of the MP/Chhattisgarh events.

 

December 17 2008 Swami

has always stressed on the power of the youth and the wisdom and

experience of the adults. His idea is the harmonious mingling of the

two to usher in the "Golden Age" of wisdom and energy. He has

constantly wanted the students-staff and the elders in the Ashram to

work together more and more each day for the benefit of everyone and

that seems to be the way He plans to take His mission to next gear.

Responding positively to His wishes (and thats how the response is

always anyways!), all the ex-students currently working in His Trust

under His care assembled in the bhajan hall to seek His blessings. In

the meanwhile, the youth from Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were

ready with a music cum drama cum dance programme to be presented before

Swami. The stage and backdrops were set. At the same time, the students

from the University waited in all readiness in their sports gear for

His promised visit to the stadium to watch their matches.

Thus it would have been that any person with the knowledge of

these three would have wondered what on earth was Swami going to do.

The beauty of the whole thing however was that not a soul knew all the

three different venues and planned activities in total. Anyone's

knowledge was at best partial and it is only looking back at the

unfolding of events now that we speak as though we were knowing all

these in advance! So lets now actually go through the blossoming of the

various programmes in the order in which they occured.

It was about 4:10 pm as Swami arrived for darshan. He came in

the car and immediately took the "right" turn after the Yajur Mandir

clearly showing indications that He was visiting someplace outside the

ashram premises. As the devotees swarmed out of the Kulwant hall to

catch a glimpse of Him, all the students seemed focussed in heading

towards the indoor stadium. And this focus quickly rubbed over to the

devotees as well and soon enough there was a huge gathering at the

indoor stadium gates. Swami moved to the Vidyagiri stadium via the

General hospital and Primary school premises. Seeing a solitary squad

of marching students in the stadium, Swami arrived at the indoor

stadium gates. Swami moved straight to the brand new tennis courts

which would be blessed with their inauguration very soon, in a few

minutes to be exact!

Via the lift, Swami moved up to the upper galleries and then

the players took their positions. As soon as Swami came to the balcony,

everyone cheered and Swami raised both His hands as if He was blushing

at the rapturous welcome! The game began. As always, Swami was watching

intensely though the sun was beating down upon Him. Soon a huge

multicoloured umbrella was placed and seeing the boy holding it, Swami

smiled. The game was slow and mistake filled compared to what we watch

on TV and soon Swami said, "They should not hit the ball straight. Hit

it cross and out of reach." The physical trainer propped up, "Swami

they are not yet used to the new court. They will soon improve." Swami

immediately said, "See, the game of tennis has nothing to do with old

courts and new courts. They have to learn to play better." Everyone

around laughed and Swami too joined in the laughter. Sitting there,

Swami's eyes also fell upon some buildings in the distance and He

asked, "Whose are those buildings?" No one knew exactly and the

question just passed. After about 5-7 minutes of watching the game,

Swami decided to leave. Trays of chocolates were brought up to Him and

He threw chocolates to the eager beavers waiting down! That being done,

Swami moved back to the lift and descended.

He then vended His way to the indoor stadium proper where the

basketball and volleyball teams had gathered. Alighting from the car,

Swami sat amidst a joyous sea of students and told the players to

begin. A thunderous chanting of the Sai Gayathri began and the entire

stadium joined in and my God! What a feeling it was! So many

international games have taken place here and not once was the feeling

this way. Everytime, loud and fast paced music dominated the

proceedings to give the "sporty flavour". But today there seemed to be

a divine wafting feeling. Swami seemed thrilled and naturally so too

was anyone in the stadium. These chants have that power and austerity

which make them apt on any occasion for which occasion is not enhanced

by the thrilling of the heart? So, after the prayer, the game began.

The 5-6 minutes that Swami witnessed saw an intense battle between the

two sides. Seven baskets were scored in all - 4/3 being the score.

While watching, Swami said, "When they play, all should not keep

running from this side to that. They should spread out and pass." The

students made frequent changes in the team composition so that every

player gets a few minutes of play in the Divine presence. That ploy

drove home a very important lesson. None of the boys were focussed on

the actual game. Everyone was trying to ensure that everyone else gets

a chance to play in His presence. When the focus is on ensuring that

all are happy- Samastha Loka Sukhino Bhavanthu - the "game"

automatically gets exciting and fantastic. Seven baskets in 5 minutes

was really something and that also included two 3 pointers!

Now His attention turned to the volleyball court. It was

getting a bit late considering the fact that two more programmes

awaited Him. Swami sat and saw a few serves and volleys and then

blessing the boys, started moving towards the mandir. It is fascinating

scene to see the devotees throng around His car. It is also an event of

great profundity. What do we mean by that? Simply that since this is an

opportunity to see Swami from close and study His reactions and

expressions, many an important decision gets made. "Swami if you smile

at me, I shall proceed along with the court case," thinks one while

another may think, "When I throw this rose on to Your car's bonnet, if

it stays there, I shall not leave my hometown and reside there itself."

Amazing how many such vital decisions get made "on the road"! Needless

to say, on the long run everyone has made the right decision! Another

amazing thing about these trips is the number of people. If the Kulwant

hall is packed with devotees waiting for Him, how is it that so many

are on the road too? Wherever the Lord is, the devotees have to be!

Swami reached the Kulwant hall and drove straight towards the

bhajan hall. He entered the bhajan hall and said to all the

"staff-students" assembled there, "Actually I did not plan to come

here." For an optimist, this is a reason to cheer that inspite of

everything, Swami had come while for the pessimist it would be that

Swami was not actually interested! Just like everything the Lord does,

it is always right and whatever is ones attitude towards it, it turns

out to be exactly that. The staff gave Him a letter that conveyed all

their feelings and thoughts. Swami accepted it, opened it and read it

for a while. Making a few remarks about the games He had witnessed,

Swami moved towards the centre stage. Blessing the Veda chanting to a

stop, He quickly asked the programme to begin.

The first fifteen minutes was the traditional Karma dance from

Chhattisgarh. The youth made the displays with cymbals, sticks and long

sticks with attached wooden cymbals. After its conclusion began a Hindi

adaptation of a play Swami had composed as a "child"- 'Cheppinattu

Chestara' (Do you do as you say). Though a little in detail, it makes a

good reading to recollect this story in totality:

The scene opens, revealing a lady reading out the

Bhagavatha (an epic that narrates the story of Lord Vishnu and His

devotees) to a number of other women, and explaining the meaning of the

slokas (hymns). She says that it is the duty of the housewife to give

charity to the deserving, the unfortunate ones who cannot earn by the

sweat of their brow, and not to pretenders who lead idle, parasitic

lives. The women disperse sometime later, and the lady is left alone

with her little son, who has all along been an interested listener.

Presently, a blind beggar comes and makes much fuss to attract

attention but he is rebuked and sent away. Then, there comes along a

hefty mendicant with a pompous paunch and a polished copper vessel

filled with grain and a richly caparisoned Tambura (a stringed musical

instrument), and the mother respectfully welcomes him and offers him

rice and coins, and falls at his feet, asking for his blessings. The

son is nonplussed; he asks the mother why she had not followed what she

had herself preached a few minutes ago and he is dismissed with the

curt answer, "Cheppinattu Chesthara? Can we act as we say?" The mother

is irritated by the impertinence of the son who dared question the

behaviour of grown-ups. She drags the boy to the office room where the

father, an Upper Division Clerk in some Office, is busy with the files.

He gives the son a long lecture on the value of education and

how people should study and get educated whatever may the difficulties.

Suddenly, a schoolboy pops in and asks for some money to pay his fees,

for otherwise his name will be struck off the rolls. The father says

that he has no money with him and shows the boy his empty wallet as

proof. A few minutes later, a batch of young men, all clerks belonging

to his office, thrust themselves in and hold out a subscription appeal

calling for contributions for a 'Welcome Dinner' in honour of an

officer, taking charge of their office in a few days! The father is

very jubilant at the idea, says that it must be done very grandly so

that the new man may be pleased and also offers to make a speech. He

then pulls out the drawer of the table and gives them a substantial

amount.

The child looks aghast at this behaviour and asks the father

why he went against his own words; why he uttered a lie to the

schoolboy? The father turns angrily at the child and asks, "Cheppinattu

Chesthara? Need deeds follow words?" He roars at the child and commands

him to go to school immediately.

The scene then shifts to the school. Sathya, that is to say

'Krishna' of the drama, enters the school. The teacher is in a storm of

excitement because the Inspector of Schools is to visit the school the

next day. He coaches the children intensively for the occasion. He

tells them that the Inspector may ask, "How many lessons have been

completed?" And they were all to say, not "23" the actual number, but,

"32". He says that he will do, when Inspector comes, lesson number 33,

on "Harishchandra," the legendary king who sacrifices everything to

uphold truth. So, he teaches them that lesson so that the answers may

come quick and fast the next day; he threatens them with severe

punishment if anyone so much as whispers that lesson number 33 was

already done in class. "It must all appear as if I am doing it for the

first time tomorrow," he says, and continues with the teaching of King

Harishchandra's sacrifices for the sake of remaining true to his word

that he had given to Sage Viswamitra. When the class is over, all other

boys move out, but Krishna alone remains behind; he asks the teacher

the question he has already asked twice that day; "Why do you not

follow the advice you give?" and he gets the same rebuff, "Cheppinattu

Chesthara? Do you mean to say that the adviser should follow the

advice?" Hypocrisy, hypocrisy, everywhere!

The scene now shifts to Krishna's home. Next day at

school-time, the boy refuses to go. He throws away his books saying

that going to school is a waste of time. The distracted parents send

for the teacher, who comes rushing in. Then, Krishna says, "If all that

you teach, as mother, father and Guru is only to be spoken and written,

if all that is learnt is to be discarded when it comes to action, I do

not understand why I should learn anything at all." This opens the eyes

of all three and they praise the boy as their "Guru," and decide

thereafter to speak the Truth and live by the Truth.

 

Swami was very involved in the drama. Though the sets and

backgrounds were simple and neat, the play was presented very

powerfully. It concluded with a very soulful song which had as a part

of it the Telugu portion the famous song, "Humko Tumse Pyaar Kitna". A

few eyes moistened at the emotion and Swami seemed so very pleased. As

the final foramation came into position, the next programme began.

There were three songs sung by Sri Abhas Joshi, a former Balvikas

student and a top three finalist of singing competitions on national

television. The songs were all wonderful. The first one was, "Baba,

Mein Aaya Dwar Tumhare". There was such a lovely melody coupled with

sheer power in his voice. The second song was a poetry stating, "After

seeing the joy of chanting His name with Love in Fakiri, I see no joy

in riches!" The third song was the popular, "Satyam Shivam Sundaram".

As He completed, Swami blessed prasadam to be distributed. He was all

smiles as He raised both His hands in joyous benediction and then

promised, "I will give you photos tomorrow!" Bestowing a final blessing

as He went into the car too, Swami retired for the day.

 

Click here to see pictures of Bhagawan's visit to the Stadium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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