Text & photo source: sssbpt.org -
Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation -
Radiosai.org Prasanthi Diary,
h2hsai.org . - web layout -
photo design : saibabaofindia.com & SBOI group.
Published on Thursday, Sep
16, 2010 at 1700 Hrs. IST
Nothing turns more
gratifying than being with Swami. The week ended at
this bright note of silent declaration by a bunch of
privileged “SAI” students along with their grateful
parents in presence of the Eternal Parent, Beloved
Swami!
Week-ending Sunday
witnessed yet another Poornachandra Session wherein a
group of privileged parents earned the merit of their
past deeds, a life opportunity with Bhagawan! It turned
to be a honour, an explicit Divine reward in the
physical realm, for their rightful decision to educate
their children in Sathya Sai Institutions that was
followed by a bolder decision, consenting their children
to stay back serving in various Prasanthi institutions.
“When the heart is full, words are
few”, yes this is the heartfelt feeling of every Sai
Sannidhi member and parent. Though the expression may
sound clichéd, one has to take recourse to such an
expression, because the Lord of Lords chose to bless
every family. The group consisting of 191 members along
with their parents returned home carrying the heavenly
feeling of satisfaction and contentment. “Swami has
given me all that I need. This is no sacrifice! It is
foolishness for me to leave Swami!”, commented aptly by
one of the privileged alumni, echoing the joint feeling
of the fraternity.
Of the two hours Bhagawan chose to spend with the group, for one and
a half hour, He was moving amongst, virtually granting ‘interviews’
to every family presented.
Summing up, Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal, Brindavan Campus, Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning expressed gratitude in short
sweet words, “Bhagawan, Your Sannidhi (proximity) is our greatest
Pennidhi (wealth)”. When thousands are awaiting for a call to play a
part in His mission here is this bunch of privileged youngsters
making strides in His mission!
While the Sai Sannidhi Meet was the grand finale for the passing
week, there were other cultural outings and activities as well, that
included programmes by the Nepalese and the Indonesians, a grand Id-Ul
Fitr eve by the students, inauguration of the first phase of the
newly constructed dormitories etc.
Over 1800 youth from the neighbouring Nepal had a ten days’ camp in
Prasanthi Nilayam celebrating an evening, presenting an hour long
cultural programme in the immediate Divine presence. Leaving behind
the scars of the political crisis the country has been facing for
some time, this enthusiastic group of youngsters from the Himalayan
Kingdom prayed to Bhagawan to help salvage the nation from the
current turmoil. Presenting three short programmes of twenty minutes
apiece, a veda chanting session, a song session followed by an
instrumental session, the nation retreated with new hopes of a fresh
sunrise of peace in their political backyard.
Indonesia, the island nation from South East Asia and Oceania region
had come with a strong 503 member team including a small contingent
of youth celebrating the Advent of the 85th year of the Avataric
Mission.
Beginning with a "Krisnna Rasaleela" dance by the Balvikas children
from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali, a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi
exemplified by gopikas and Radha, the presentation drifted into the
main item for the evening, a drama entitled "The Search for
Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. Portraying the wrong side of
the life of an arrogant self-deceived youth, the presentation took a
turn with the youth facing the harsh realities and lessons of life
before coming to terms with and turning over a new leaf in his life.
Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, the drama served
a pointer to the human follies immersed in false illusions bringing
the golden chapter of transformation. The Indonesians concluded
their presentation with a Shiva Thandava Dance leaving the dais for
an Eid presentation by the students from the Institute.
Tidings from Prasanthi Nilayam on
the eve of Eid-Ul–Fitr, the month long Ramzan, was a reverberating
echo of the untiring voice of The Lord, echoing His popular adage,
There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love, calling for
greater religious harmony. The fifty minute presentation had all the
ingredients to help one to mull over the greater need for a world
with religious harmony. Not many times Prasanthi heard or witnessed
the Namaz, echoing the hallowed precincts in typical Islamic style,
done with precision by the talented bunch of students from the
Institute. At the nightfall, when the silent air in Prasanthi
reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional
prayer, the Namaz, with scores of children engaged in praying in the
Divine presence of the Mighty Lord, it sent out the sublime message
of secularism that Bharat has always been promoting and Bhagawan has
been echoing through His maxim, There is Only One Religion, The
Religion of Love!
The students summarized the presentation with the popular Qawwali,
"Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." calling one and all to the precincts of
Prasanthi!
First phase of new dormitories constructed aimed at facilitating
devotees were thrown open to the devotees by the Divine hands on the
auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi evening in a special function arranged
at the venue at the rear western end of Prasanthi. Blessing the
occasion, Bhagawan went for a complete round of a block having twin
units.
Each of these triple storeyed dormitories is having twin units, with
each unit expected to hold 504 devotees. With a total of 5 such
dormitories to be completed in due course of time, an estimated more
than 5300 devotees would be accommodated once the project turned
operational. Additional features provided includes bunk beds, open
shelves for keeping belongings, liberal bathroom facilities, washing
facilities, sufficient fanning and ventilation etc.
Earlier, on the 9th Sept evening, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi
celebration, Bhagawan blessed various Ganeshas outside His Divine
Abode before they were sent out to the specified locations.
The week witnessed the unique festive combination, Ganesh Chaturthi
and Eid, twin festivities having unique connection with moon
sighting, coming on the same day, a rare occasion for those who are
promoters of religious harmony.
Evening darshans turned out to become twilight darshans, as during
the entire week, Bhagawan turned up granting darshans well beyond
the 6 o’ clock mark. Unique Graciousness that He is, anything and
everything He does is with significance and thus He continues to
leave His Lasting Impressions on each and every soul…!!!
Published on Friday, Sep 17, 2010 at 2025 Hrs. IST
Prasanthi’s unique tag of being the strong advocate for Religious Harmony came
to the fore once again with the arrival of Ramzan 2010. On the evening of 10th
September, with the advent of grand finale of the holy Islamic month of Ramadan,
Prasanthi witnessed a unique programme staged by the students from the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning holding aloft Bharat’s sublime message
of secularism.
Greeting the assembly with traditional muslim greeting Id Mubarak, the students
began in the form of a skit explaining the religious significance of fasting and
penance that entitles the community of highest Divine benediction. Felicitating
their presentation they burst open into a Qawwali in praise of Allah, The
Divine!
The next item to follow was "Namaz", the Islamic prayer. At the nightfall on the
auspicious eve, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the
religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, evoking the sublime feeling
of Unity in Diversity, a group of students were offering the Namaz with Bhagawan
sitting onstage, accepting the offering in physical.
The programme continued with the skit on the celebration of the festival Ramzan,
illustrating the spirit of the celebration crossing religious barriers. Bringing
parallels from The Bhagavad Gita and other religious scriptures, the
presentation highlighted on the true spirit of the festivity, divulging details
on the significance of fasting during the season.
Expounding on the true sense of the religion, talking on man's follies of
projecting his religion to be the only one, the grateful students burst into yet
another song “Al Maddat Maula” of glory in praise of The Only One God!
A song of dedication followed before summing up the presentation with a 'thesis'
on His all conquering love, singing the popular tune, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."
inviting one and all to the holy precincts of Prasanthi!
Quite a world with "a God" who embraces men from all walks of life and faiths,
it may sound 'utopian', yet, Prasanthi lives every moment breathing the life
force infused by this "Lord Who Walks The Earth" inviting everyone to witness
This Great Grand Happening on Planet Earth! Rightfully, the students concluded,
singing, "Aaoji Aao...Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."
Bhagawan moved down the ramp, posing with His children. Returning onstage, He
sat for a while flipping through the leaves of "Holy Quran" placed at His hand
by the students. Festivity’s special sweet dish also came onstage seeking, His
sanctifying touch. Muslim students from Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campuses
of the Institute participated with religious and devotional fervour,
experiencing and enjoying a unique “Eid in The Presence of The One”!
Blessing the concourse with His abhayahastha, Bhagawan moved off the dais,
leaving for
10th September, on the eve of twin festivals of great religious
significance, Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid, Prasanthi had twin
programmes, by the visiting Indonesian troupe followed an Ramzan
Special by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam.
Indonesia, the land with great cultural heritage, land of many
islands, was in the township on Parthi Yathra with over 500 devotees
joining the group including a Youth group of forty members.
On the scheduled evening, iInvoking Bhagawan, invoking the Goddess
of Music, the programme began with a melodious song, "Gaana Priye O!
Bhaava Priye..." praising Mother Divine! An hour long cultural
presentation ensued, with the Youth of Jakarta, the Balvikas and the
Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, reflecting Bhagawan's
teachings, highlighting some of the Sai Ideals!
The main programme by the group was a drama entitled "The Search for
Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. Portraying the wrong side of
the life of an arrogant self-deceived youth, the presentation took a
turn with the youth facing the harsh realities and lessons of life
before coming to terms with and turning over a new leaf in his life.
Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, the drama served
a pointer to the human follies immersed in false illusions bringing
the golden chapter of transformation.
Vishal, the protagonist, was into the wrong side of life, immersed
in materialism, ignoring parents, rocking and rollicking with
illusory success in the temporal world, quite ignoramus of the true
side of human sojourn. Despite sincere efforts from his good,
guiding friend, Ali, who was into Sai way of life, Vishal was not
ready to pay heed to the good advice by the friend. When destiny
took its toll and he was exposed to adversity, when he lost a bet on
'match-fixing' a football game ending up losing millions, the greedy
one came back to his senses to begin his next phase of life, living
with ideals.
The final presentation was by the Sai Study Group of Indonesia, a
depiction of Cosmic Divine Dance of Lord Shiva! Marked by colourful
costumes, to the accompaniment of typical South East Asian style of
music, the presentation was an offering at Bhagawan's Feet, seeking
The Lord to shower His grace to help them achieve life's foremost
goal!
Earlier, the presntation began with a dance, "Krisnna Rasaleela" by
the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali. The
presentation was a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by the
gopikas and Radha. Presented in Balinese style, quite alien to
Prasanthi, the dance depiction by scores of little children who
swayed to the melody of Divine sport, turned out to be an atypical
experience for Prasanthi introducing the great Balinese tradition.
Soon after the presentation, Bhagawan moved down the dais, posing
for photographs, blessing all the groups. Cast of the good friend,
earned special Divine attention as Bhagawan materialised a golden
chain for the youth.
Even as the Indonesian troupe was retreating the stage was being set
for theRamzan programme by the students of the Institute.
The festival of great religious significance, Ganesh Chaturthi
culminated in Prasanthi Nilayam on Monday, 13th September with the
grand procession of Ganeshas that was followed by immersion.
On the scheduled evening, the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall was bustling
with activities galore, bearing the festive look with students and
faculties got busied in finalizing the last minute arrangements for
the grand procession. The entire stretch of Bhagawan’s pathway in
the hall was taken over by a fleet of Ganeshas from various
Prasanthi institutions flanked by scores of boys and men
representing each one.
Bhagawan arrived at the twilight hour, at 1835 hrs to the escort of
a colourful religious procession led by ochre robed tiny tots from
the Primary School along with Vedam and a special band troupe from
the institute. Coming onstage at 1900 hrs. after a full round of
darshan, Bhagawan blessed the boys to commence the procession. In
the meanwhile symbolically representing the occasion, "Lord Shiva
along with son Lord Ganesha" moved unto Bhagawan invoking blessing
before further proceedings.
The programme commenced with a dance in praise of the Elephant God
by the cherubic children from Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary
School, rejoicing singing Ganapathi Bappa Moriya…, hailing The Lord.
The fast song with high beats suffused with devotional fervour
literally lit the twilight, with the students eager to make their
presentation of their creativity.
This is the occasion when Prasanthi showcases Ganeshas in varied
theme, displaying colourful innovative ideas with the enthusiastic
devoted bunch of students putting their best to impress upon The
Over Lord of Prasanthi. As the retreating procession began, vivid
colourful patterns came forth, with Ganeshas emerging donning
different colours, mounted on different vehicles and chariots.
The
procession had all the variety of craftsmanship, representing
greater spiritual truths of yore to the present day representation
of racing cars, Ganesha mounted on the Seshnag to the sacred vehicle
of Lord Shiva etc. Lofty universal theme of religious harmony was
represented by the main structure from the Senior Hostel with a all
religious temple housing the Lord. As the procession continued
Bhagawan sat through gazing and blessing each one of them. The whole
programme was compeered by the students detailing various structures
and significance.
Even after the procession as Ganeshas retreated for immersion,
Bhagawan sat through interacting with some of the students who were
having beautiful handiwork of Ganesha greetings. Blessing and
encouraging the good work, Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1950
hrs. before retiring for the day at 2000 hrs.
Text & photo source: sssbpt.org -
Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation -
Radiosai.org Prasanthi Diary,
h2hsai.org . - web layout -
photo design : saibabaofindia.com & SBOI group.
