April 15th, 2005
Swami came out for Darshan at 7.20 a.m. and went into the interview
room. Bhajans were held from 8.45 a.m. to 9.15 a.m. followed by Aarti.
In the evening, Bhagawan came out at 3.10 p.m. He got down and went
walking across the dais to the interview room. He came out only at 4.40
p.m. and went into the Bhajan Hall. Swami retired by 5.15 p.m.
April 16th, 2005
Morning Darshan was at 7.30 a.m. followed by interviews and Bhajans from
9.00 a.m. to 9.25 a.m. In the evening, Darshan was at 2.30 p.m. followed
by interviews and then Swami came into the Bhajan Hall at 4.30 p.m.
Bhajans were sung from 4.45 p.m. to 5.25 p.m., followed by Aarti.
April 17th, 2005
This morning, Darshan was at 7.40 a.m. Bhagawan got down on the dais and
went walking across, to the interview room. He stood for a long time on
the dais, listening to the Vedam chanting by the few Primary School
children who had stayed back during the vacation. He called one of the
boys and materialized a chain for him. Bhajans started at 9.00 a.m.
April 18th, 2005
We wish all of you a very Happy Ramanavami. At 7.45 a.m. our dear Lord
Sai Rama entered the Kulwant Hall in the Golf Cart. Swami got down near
the interview room and came walking onto the dais. At 8.00 a.m. Bhagawan
asked the general Vedam chanting to stop and called a small group to
come and chant on the dais, as the practice was in earlier years. A few
students went over to the mike and chanted Narayanopanishad. This was
followed by a talk by Sri S.V. Giri. At 8.10 a.m., Swami gave His Divine
Ramanavami Message.
Bhagawan said that the name of Rama is sweeter than sugar, tastier than
butter, sweeter than honey and in fact the sweetest of all. Therefore
sing the Glory of the name of Rama. Ramayana, Swami said, represents a
sacred path, a door to Divinity. It is not the biography of just one
individual but every character has a very significant role.
Bhagawan went on to elaborately describe the Putra Kameshti Yajnam, the
manifestation of the Payasam (pudding), the episode of Queen Sumitra
losing her cup and the other two queens sharing their pudding with her.
He then spoke about the birth of the four sons, their naming ceremony
and moved on to Sage Viswamitra taking Rama and Lakshmana for protection
of the Yajnas. Following this came the picturesque description of Lord
Rama’s wedding with Mother Sita.
Swami’s narration was so vivid that it literally transported us to the
kingdom of Ayodhya and we felt as though we lived the entire story. As
usual, Swami sang the songs describing the marriage of Rama and Sita.
Bhagawan concluded saying that Rama Kalyanam actually meant Atma
Kalyanam, i.e. the mergence of the Atma with the Paramatma.
It was 9.30 a.m. Deep red apples, sweet puris and chocolates were
distributed to all as Prasadam. At 9.45 a.m. Swami took Aarti and
retired for the morning. In the evening, Bhagawan came out a few minutes
after 3.00 p.m. He spent the full session in talking to the boys whom He
had selected to accompany Him to Kodaikanal. A lot of preparation was on
since a few days. Around 34 students have been Blessed by Swami to go
with Him to Kodaikanal.
April 19th, 2005
This morning, Swami came out for Darshan at 7.30 a.m. All the Kodai
members assembled in the Bhajan Hall, where Swami gave them some final
instructions. By 8.45 a.m. the group left for the Hostel to proceed to
the Airport. Bhajans were as usual from 9.00 a.m. to 9.25 a.m. Swami
took Aarti and proceeded towards the Poornachandra. Most of us stayed back to have Bhagawan’s Darshan as He
left for the Airport. At 10.45 a.m. the Toyota car glided into the
Kulwant Hall. Coconuts were broken, Aarti was offered and Jai Jai Kar
filled the air!
As we are typing this update, it is 12.30 p.m. and we just heard the
flight take off. The flight will take the party to Madurai from where
Swami and the boys will proceed to Kodaikanal by road.
We hope that we will be able to update you with some brief about the
happenings at Kodaikanal. Till then….Sairam.
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