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 November 23, 2006
Om sairam to most dearest Sai family and with
Pranams to our beloved Lord a on His 81st birthday…
Don’t know how to and where to start with. The holy land , Puttaparthi was
beautifully decorated to celebrated the Holy occasion of the birth of its
darling SON our Beloved Swamy…… To witness this, I should say at least
QUARTER MILLION devotees thronged to this tiny Hamlet of barely 20,000
population…. It was a heavy task for every one to accommodate this BIG
number of devotees… as we say in Telugu, ISUKA VESTA RALANI ANTHA JANAM…
(if you throw sand on the ground…. Even the tiny sand particle won’t fall
on the ground.. an expression of speech to describe the vast gathering…)
Many were of the opinion that the birthday celebrations should have been
conducted in the hill view stadium as the crowd were little too big for
Kulwanth hall and perfect for venues like hill view stadium..
There were so many activities and Swamy had to personally run here and
there as there was change in venues past two days and added to that so
many restrictions to normal devotees by the police.. thanks to the VVIPS
for the inconvenience… Yesterday (Nov.22) Swamy was scheduled to dedicate
the New Sathya Sai International sports center (the indoor stadium) in the
presence of the President of India, His Excellency Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.
The roads leading to Prasanthi were packed. All the buses were haulted
near the old M.R.O office and people had to take rickshaw to reach
Puttaparthi through another road, along the banks of Chitravathi river,
leaving the main road open for the VIP visit.
No body except the staff and students were allowed into the new stadium
which had a capacity of 4000. Special passes were distributed to the staff
to enter the premises with in the stipulated time. There were few people
who made unsuccessful attempts to get into the stadium without entry pass.
The security measurements were stringent with reports of various Probable
MISHAPPENINGS in Prasanthi. First VIP to come the stadium premises was
Mr.Vilasrao Deshmukh, chief minister of Maharashtra and followed by few
other governors. It was 2 pm by then and President of India, was scheduled
to land at 2:30pm and as we all know VIPs in India always come at least
30mins late and Mr.Kalam’s high security plane landed at 3 at Puttaparthi
airport. As soon as the news was passed, the roads were made clear and
then came the convoy…. And one would be surprised with the number of cars
and vans …. One of my friends counted and they were 60of them.. just
unbelievable…
Dr.Kalam directly went to the ashram and came back to the stadium at 3:30
with swamy in a white Mecedes benz.
Swamy was cheerful so also was Dr.Kalam and the programme started with
inauguration of the stadium.
After the volley ball match the 25th convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Deemed
university started. Dr.Kalam in his key note address stressed the need of
Values in education and appreciated Swamy’s University’s efforts to give
Quality education with Human Values.
Dr.Kalam, an eminent Nuclear scientist by himself, went into technical
details of Bio technology, information technology, nano technology.. He
was of the opinion that if these three fields were explored there would be
miracles in medical field.
 He
being a Professor by profession, requested Swamy to give him a chance to
serve as a professor in Swamy's institute, after his tenure as President
of India, while Swamy looked at him with a sweet smile.
He recalled his father’s words to be good and stay away from bad company.
Referring to students, he said, that’s what Swamy is telling you.. be good
and serve the society.
Swamy rose to deliver His divine discourse… Being a chancellor of the
University, swamy spoke on today’s education and also asked students to
choose the path of TRUTH.. Further speaking about education, swamy said,
If any one asks today's student EMI CHESTUNNAVU (what are you doing?) the
student immediately answers, CHADUVU KONTUNNANU (meaning iam astudying and
it also means, I am buying education). Swamy expressed concern over rapid
commercialization of education. He was of the opinion that education
should be imparted freely and also with a HUMAN touch..
Swamy continued “many people ask me WHO ARE YOU? I tell I and YOU are
one.. Iam God and you are also GOD.. Understand this principle and lead
your daily Life.. consider every one as your own sister, brother and treat
all alike..
If a word has five letters, he is a Great HUMAN BEING who can give the
same meaning to each letter in the word.
He narrated a story as an example.. tenali Ramakrishna (great poet and
highly knowledgeable person in the court of King Krishnadevaraya(?) who
ruled south India long back)… the king asked Ramakrishna to tell him a
five letter word which should make a meaning on the whole and the letters
in the word should have the same meaning individually. Ramakrishna went home
thinking of such a word.. He couldn’t concentrate well in his house, so he
says his wife that he is going to his brother-in-law’s house.. He goes to
his brother in law’s house and prefers to stay in the cowshed to get more
concentration.. The whole night, he stays there thinking of such a word.
Suddenly a cow gets labour pains and delivers a calf. Rama Krishna runs to
his brother in law to give him the news. Brother in law curiously asks EE
AVU RA BA VA.. (which cow was that Brother in law). Instead of giving the
answer, Ramakrishna jumps in joy... . surprised Brother in law asks
Ramakrishna as what’s wrong with him.. He says.. I got my answer…
Next day the court is assembled and all other poets, ministers of the
kingdom are eagerly waiting for Ramakrishna’s reply to the king difficult
question.. Rama Krishna says King I got the answer and it is EE AVU RA BA
VA … EE (pronounced as A) in Marathi language means COME.. AVU in
Hindi
means COME.. RA in telugu means COME.. BA in Kannada
 means COME.. VA in Tamil, Aravam, means COME.. Thus king was
very happy..
It was around 7:30 pm by then.. and Swamy said, I better close My
discourse now as its getting late and you all are tired. I don’t want to
trouble you further … He concluded saying.. LEAVE EVERY THING IN GOD’S
HAND… amidst cheers from the students, players and other lucky devotees
who could make it to the stadium.
The programme continued further with music programme by Mandolin Srinivas
with his Brother and Shivamani’s drums… There were thousands waiting out
side the stadium having no idea as what was happening inside the stadium.
As the programme was a very lengthy one there was some restlessness
amongst waiting devotees who thought Swamy come out in a hour or two….
There was live telecast of the programme in Doordarshan channel and also
there were Televisions placed in Kulwanth hall.. Kulwanth hall was jam
packed and probably its for the first time that any body is having Swamy’s
virtual darshan sitting in Kulwanth hall….
There were long queues every where.. be it near the food, near the
stadium, telephone, and even walking on the road…. There were so many
devotees inside the ashram that there was no place even to stand…. Some of
them barely slept a hour of two. Seeing the vast crowd, I thought 3am is
the BEST time to come for darshan where there will be very few devotees
and we can easily get into the Kulwanth hall.. I was out side the ganesh
gate at 3:10 am only to be surprised to see the line started from the
ganesh gate through the fruit
stall area up to General hospital… I was
shocked and thought.. O Swamy! Any luck today?? at least let me in the
ashram compound…..
With no other option, I joined the queue near the General Hospital and the
queues were moving very slowly. 2 feet for every 20 minutes…. There was so
much commotion.. Every where you would find just people..people.. some
where still sleeping on the floors of the bus stop…. At 4am I was near
the auto rickshaw stand…. Close enough to the Ganesh Gate but a LONG way
this particular morning…. I was praying to swamy…. And there was man next
to me chanting Vedas, I thought, what an opportunity! Praise the glory of
the Lord early morning, on His birthday.. I joined him and chanted the
Vedas in my mind…
There were loud shouts and vigils by the police to control the
uncontrollable crowds…Around 5am I saw my self just next to the Ganesh
gate… I thought there would hardly be a line or two inside and it will be
a smooth sail once we get in … BUT No… As I entered the gate… I see crowd
all over… there was no place to stand.. The space next to Ganesha was
full… and there were people up the hill and behind Ganesha.. I was
wondering how and why the police let us in… Very slowly.. I went back to
Ganesha.. and from there started the pushing and pulling routine…
The crowd were just going mad….. there were children and few elderly
people in the crowd.. Few South Africans gave up and left for their
rooms.. It was 6am by then.. It took three hours to make it inside the
ashram and now how to get in.. Some people said, the hall is full.. and
some said, its only half full… the police say if you sit down we will send
you one by one and as all of us start to sit down. people from behind fall
on us… Atlast at 7am, I found myself inside the Kulwanth hall and it was
the BEST spot one would ask for considering occasion..
The atmosphere was unusual… There was so much tension amongst people and
every one wanted to get into the hall. At 7:25 the sevadals locked the
gates as it was jam packed. Many unhappy faces were seen outside the hall
clinging to the wall.. Exactly at 8:10am there was some activity near
Swamy’s residence signaling the Swamy’s arrival.
Swamy’s special golf car with open seat in the front and driver behind…was
brought.. there were musical bands waiting for Swamy .. first two girls
from Anantapur campus went to Swamy and took His blessings and they slowly
marched into Kulwanth hall.. Band from Primary school followed them and
behind them were primary school boys wearing white shirts and dhoti
chanting Vedas...The boys from Prasanthi Nilayam campus followed them..
and behind all of them was the birthday (boy) our beloved Swamy, clad in
Pure white robe….with His sweet nectarine smile…. Enters the Kulwanth hall
as all the devotees raise their hands, clap, chant SAIRAM loudly….
Swamy looks at every one… the car was bit slow, brother Sathyajit, who has
the reputation of being a devotee friendly driver, drives the car slowly
giving enough time for Swamy to look at every one and to the devotees to
enjoy the blissful form to heart’s content...Swamy comes to the half way
and we were eagerly waiting for a close darshan and definitely not for a
right turn to the dias… Swamy’s car comes straight… as the car comes
closer and closer… the view gets better and better…. Tears flow down my
eyes… as if my tears were more eager to see Swamy than me… I rub my
tearful eyes to enhance colour, brightness and contrast of my eyes…
Swamy had enough time to look at both sides bless all of us…His face
glowing like an apple… Smiling joyfully like a child when it gets a new
dress and special attention on his/her birthday…The devotees waiting
outside chant sairam…. Sairam..bit loudly and Swamy with His sweet smile
reciprocates… waves His hands making equal number of devotees waiting
outside jump in joy….
Swamy’s special car now gets in front of the dias… Primary school boys were
holding a cake and some other gifts for Swamy.. Swamy blesses them and
slowly the car halts at the interview room. President Kalam, who was
already in the hall, goes to Swamy and all his security personnel,
photographers surround Swamy as we all were eagerly looking as what’s
happening… Amidst the crowd (surrounding Swamy) comes President Kalam,
facing us, he waves, as all of us reciprocate… He immediately sits on the
FLOOR… while all the devotees were surprised seeing this interesting
moment, where the Head of the country sitting on the floor… a perfect
example of simplicity…MINUS pomp…
Another VIP sitting next to him offers a cushion and he even refused the
cushion.. the devotees many of them watching this in closed circuit TVs
once again applauds his simplicity.. The President’s security turn back
and see their BOSS sitting on the floor… with blank faces.. they run here
and there… suddenly another student comes running and offers a chair to
him and the President say NO…..
Swamy slowly walked on the dias as two students were holding Him…His
(body) walk showing some discomfort of the previous day’s hectic
schedule…. Very slowly He sits on the Big chair kept at the center of the
dias… another chair was brought and placed next to Him.. He signals, the
President, to sit next to Him.. when the BIG BOSS offers, the poor
President had to accept it… With a smile.. President sits next to Swamy
holding Swamy’s hands he speaks to Swamy.. Both of them went into deep
conversation….. leaving us wondered as what the topic would be.. but our
hearts were full seeing the Head of the country speaking to the Head of
this universe.. what ever may be they would be speaking about our
welfare…..
After about 5 minutes.. Swamy asks President Kalam to speak… with
blessings from Swamy, he starts… “Iam very thrilled to be here.. I have
been to Puttaparthi many times before.. and Its always a pleasure being
here in the immediate presence of Swamiji…I see perfection here..
Perfection in speech and also in action.. In 2002 Swamy declared that He
would supply water (to Chennai) and He did it.. He always declares His
future projects and by next year, He sees that its finished.. the stadium
which was inaugurated yesterday is a beautiful one…
He further added.. I have written a poem on Swamy yesterday and want to
offer it on this occasion”. Taking permission from Swamy, the president
hands over the copy of the poem in Telugu to Prof.Anil Kumar and Prof.Anil
Kumar reads it out..
It was 9am by then and President Kalam, raises form his chair and takes
leave from Swamy….Swamy gave pada
Namaskar to all the security personnel as
each one left with the President…
Later it was announced that Swamy would delver His much awaited Birthday
Divine Discourse…. The discourse table was brought and Swamy looks at
every one and slowly raises from His seat as the boys hold Him… After
adjusting the mikes and after the boys were settled down…Swamy’s melodious
voice was heard…
Swamy started with a telugu poem…a very good one…
Excerpts from the discourse…
Talli Garbhamu nundi janminchu nappudu
(WHEN YOU ARE BORN FROM YOUR MOTHER’S WOMB)
Kanta mala levi kana ravu
(YOU DON’T FIND ANY GARLAND AROUND YOUR NECK)
Manchi muthya pu sarul Machukanu Levu
(YOU ALSO DON’T FIND A GARLAND OF PEARLS)
Rathnala haramul ranjillaga ledu
(NEITHER THERE IS A GARLAND STUDDED WITH PRECIOUS STONES)
Kovedikapu mala Kuda ledu
(NOR THERE IS A GOLDEN CHAIN)
Kaladu
(THERE EXISTS)
Kaladokka mala mee K anta mandu
(THER EXISTS ONE GARLAND AROUND YOU)
Purva Janmalu Ponduga Pondu Parachi
(LISTING ALL YOUR PAST KARMAS IN PREVIOUS LIVES)
Brahma mee kichi pampenu Baruvu mala
(THE HEAVY GARLAND GIFTED TO YOU BY BRAHMA (THE CREATOR)
Karma Lanniyu Cherchina kanatamala
(THE GARLAND LISTING ALL YOUR PAST ACTIONS)
Embodiments of Love, Students, Boys and girls,
The main reason for unrest in today’s world is Greed. Never crave for
wordly things and spoil your lives.. LESS LUGGAGE,MORE COMFORT…Keep the
divine name always in your hearts.. its God who is the doer and he is your
TRUE friend…He is all pervasive.. He is present from micro organisms to
Macro organisms…
The mother of this body is Eswaramma… Her name originally, was not
Eswaramma… Just before my birth she was named Eswaramma, meaning Mother of
Eswaramma.. She used to feel proud of her name and used to say, I am IN FACT
mother of lord Eswara…
She was a devoted woman… Always had God’s name in her heart…She was also
very caring..
Another person is Karanam Subbamma… She knew My mood.. Any devotees coming
to Puttaparthi, in those days stayed at her house.. She used to cook for
them and take care of their wellbeing and also about Me…She is a virtuous
woman
Today’s men are craving for worly education with out morals.. What for is
all your education when you don’t have even one HUMAN quality… I would ask
you for only one thing.. Give up worldly desires… Don’t crave for
materialistic possessions.. its your noble qualities which comes with
after you are gone.. You don’t bring anything when you are born.. nor you
take any thing when you leave your body.. then what for all these wants
and desires?… Its only God, whom your should crave for.. He is Permanent….
Students, you should not waste your time always in reading.. read what you
are supposed to. Do service to society.. you are part of the society and
its your duty to offer your help to the society..
Respect your parents.. They are living God amidst you…
Later Swamy recollected His school days…Right from My school days I used
to say this to my friends… respect your elders.. I used to materialize so
many things to them and all were surprised as from where Raju, brings all
this stuff.. In those days.. I didn’t even have a Penny (naya paisa)…..
One dayI left My school bag in the class room and went out…. All the boys
wanted to check if I had hidden anything in the bag.. they couldn’t even
find a small pin in the bag…]
(by then Swamy was leaning more on His right and His BODY seemed to be in
bit discomfort …)
He sat on His chair and continued His discourse.. His voice further
minimized and was barely audible and more over.. there was lot of
disturbance from people outside….
After another 30 minutes talk… Swamy ended His Birthday Discourse with
Hari Bhajan Bhajan….
Prasadams were distributed and the morning programme came to an end with
Arathi….
Like last year, In the evening Swamy wore a Yellow robe and swamy drove
into the indoor stadium to witness a friendly match between India and
Indonesia.. and later followed the Basket ball by Globe totters (?)....
swamy came back to Kulwanth hall around 6:45 and there was a musical
programme by Mrs.Sultana.. Mr.Mandolin Srinivas and Shivamani...
It was 8:30 by the time Swamy retired to His Physical Abode after a Long
day's HECTIC Schedule..
Thus Ended our Sweet Lord's Sweet Birthday another LANDMARK in the TENURE
of this Avatar...... Another Deadline for us to take an Oath to transform
ourselves into TRUE HUMANS
With Humble Pranams at the Lotus Feet our Our beloved Lord...
Jai Sai Ram
Satish Naik -
Submitted by Satish Naik to SBOI group
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