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July 14th and 15th, 2005
14th morning was a break for the Music Group. However, in the evening,
Swami came to the Institute Auditorium at around 2.30 p.m. and was
present there watching the rehearsal till 4.00 p.m.
15th morning, we were again lucky to witness Swami's arrival to the
College. However, He came at 9.00 a.m. when the students, except the singers, were busy
in their classrooms. He sat in the Auditorium conducting a Divine
quality audit and fine-tuning the Music Programme to perfection. He
Blessed the singers with a light brown Kurta and Pyjama which they were
asked to wear immediately. The singers went to the backstage, wore the
new dresses and returned to the Hall. Swami Blessed them. Looking like
modern Lava-Kusha, they went on to the stage for another round of the songs.
In the evening, the venue for the Music Programme rehearsal got shifted
to the Sai Kulwant Hall. At 4.00 p.m. the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Gokak
was commanded by Bhagawan to give an introduction to the programme. He
said that all these days we have been hearing the Veda Chanting, but
Swami wishes that we put into practice the sacred teachings of the
Vedas. He then stated that we would hear a Music Programme by the
students of Swami. All the songs were rendered in the planned sequence.
The rehearsal concluded at 5.00 p.m. Bhajans and Prasadam distribution
followed, concluding with Aarti.
July 13th, 2005
This seems to be an 80th year Bonanza for the Institute. Yesterday
was the first time, as far as we can recall, when Bhagawan has visited
the Institute twice on a single day. We could never imagine that we
would get such wonderful chances again.
This morning was another golden day for the College. The Music Group
boys were ready for Swami's visit. They had prepared and rehearsed
yesterday evening and late into the night to put up a perfect
presentation this morning. Bhagawan has been preparing this team for
making a grand presentation. Though Swami has not clearly revealed as to
which occasion this programme is being prepared for, one could guess
that it could be for the oncoming Gurupoornima Celebrations.
21st of July is Gurupoornima day - The day of the Jagath Guru, in the
80th year of His Advent. What an unique occasion! This day also happens
to be the anniversary of the Anantapur Campus of the Sri Sathya Sai
Institute of Higher Learning. Following Gurupoornima, the next two days,
July 22nd and July 23rd, will witness a grand conference on the theme:
'Sai Interfaith Conference - The Religion of Love.' Eminent speakers
from the five major religions of the world: Hindu, Muslim, Christian,
Buddhist, and Jewish faiths, will be making their presentations during
this conference. Therefore, the third week of July will be a very
significant and busy week in Prasanthinilayam.
Coming back to Swami's visit, Swami entered the College premises at 8.45
a.m. just after the Foyer Prayers were over. Even as students were
exiting from the Foyer, Swami's car turned into the gate. All the
students stood in neat rows to welcome Bhagawan and have His Divine
Darshan before starting their classes.
Swami went into the Auditorium and had a long session till 10.00 a.m.
along with the Music Team. They sang all the songs that had been
handpicked by Bhagawan. Towards the end some more songs were added. Two
of our Telugu speaking brothers and very good poets, Sri Ranganatha Raju
and Sri Uday Girish, both from the I Year MBA class, had been selected
for writing Telugu commentary as an introduction to each of the songs.
Both of them presented the intro verses and Swami was very happy.
Towards the end, all the boys and the Warden prayed to Swami to have the
evening practice session in the Hostel Dining Hall. The new Dining Hall
in the senior student's Hostel awaits Blessings of Bhagawan. Swami
smiled and said that He would see...
All preparations were made in the Hostel to receive Swami in the
evening. However, Bhagawan chose to have the practice in the Institute
Auditorium itself. He reached the Auditorium at 3.15 p.m. All the
students proceeded to the College from the Hostel and occupied their
seats in the Auditorium. A full fledged rehearsal commenced in the
Divine Presence. The Vice Chancellor, Principal and several other
professors were also present.
A commentary in Telugu preceded each song, rendered by brothers Raju and
Girish. The lead singers Om Prasad and Sai Krishna filled the Auditorium
with their melodious voice and soul stirring tunes.
It was 4.25 p.m. Swami was about to leave the Hall when the dance group
prayed to Swami to Bless them with an opportunity to present before Him.
Swami gave His consent. A team of 8 dancers then danced to vigourous music...
At 4.30 p.m. Swami left the Auditorium and proceeded to the Mandir. All
of us followed suit. In the Mandir, the car parked near the interview
room. Swami's sofa came out of the car. He asked the boys with Him to
wheel the sofa towards the Ladies side. To their delight, Swami's sofa
was wheeled all the way between the Lady devotees and from there He
proceeded in the same way right until the Poornachandra Auditorium and
retired for the day. It was very amusing to see the empty car starting
subsequently and making its way towards the Poornachandra.
Bhajans went on from 5.00 p.m. to 5.20 p.m.
July 12th, 2005
Today was yet another memorable day for the Institute. Bhagawan had
given a clue yesterday evening to the Music Group students that He may
come to the Institute Auditorium for a practice session. All
preparations were made for Bhagawan's arrival. However, since the agenda
was restricted only to the Music Programme practice, all other classes
were expected to go on as usual. Only the Music Group boys would be
seated in the Auditorium awaiting Swami's arrival.
After the Foyer session, all students went to their respective rooms for
their classes. The Management Workshop was in progress. At 8.40 a.m. our
dear Lord makes His silent entry into the College Campus. He drives down
straight to the Auditorium side entrance and enters.
His sofa was placed in line with the first row of chairs at the centre.
Initially all the Music Group members were seated down in front of
Swami. There were no mikes. The practice session began. Bhagawan was
directing the whole programme, selecting the songs, giving them some
tips, sequencing the pieces, etc. Later, He asked the singers to move
over to the stage and make their presentation. Immediately the P.A.
System boys arranged the mikes. The latter half was heard loudly even in
the Foyer on account of the mikes.
Swami was so concerned about the singers' throats that He asked for warm
water to be served to them. He sat watching the practice session until
9.45 a.m. Then He went to the Mandir where the Bhajans had already
started. He took Aarti and retired to PC.
Come evening and what a pleasant surprise. Is it true or a dream? As we
were proceeding to the Mandir at quarter past three, we find our Lord
proceeding to the Institute Auditorium. He was there in the College from
3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Another hour of Blissful Darshan! Many students
ran from the Mandir and made their way into the Auditorium. Swami sat in
the same place. The singers were seated in front of Swami with mikes.
Two teams of instrumentalists were seated on the stage providing music
support.
Bhagawan was so involved that it appeared as if it were the first time
He was watching the rehearsal. That is Bhagawan. Each session is a fresh
one for Him! The Omnipresent Lord is ever in the Present! It was
wonderful to have such an informal session after so many months. The
singers were truly very lucky to sing His Glory sitting right in front
of Him, looking into His Divine Eyes and He looking at them. Can there
be a better moment in life? At the end of the presentation, Swami spoke
to the singers. He asked the Vice Chancellor for his feedback. Other
authorities, the Principal and some Professors were also seated.
Crowded by students on all sides, Swami made His exit from the
Auditorium and proceeded to the Mandir. He went into the interview room.
Bhajans began at 5.00 p.m. Swami retired soon after. Bhajans continued
and Aarti was offered at 5.20 p.m.
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