|
Index of earlier Bulletins
Friday, November 30, 2007
Devotees from Karnataka are here in strength for three days on a Parthi Yatra. Bhagawan went on a drive this morning at around ten o'clock, beyond the Gokulam and back. In the evening, the Balvikas children of Karnataka presented a series of folk dances. The forty minute programme commenced when Swami came onstage after His darshan round at 5.30 pm. At the end of the dances, Bhagawan Blessed the dozen groups of children with group photographs, then with prasadam and clothes, too. The Karnataka devotees sang Bhajans as the prasadam was distributed. Swami accepted Arati at 7 pm and went into the interview room, emerging after ten minutes to retire for the day.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
This evening, two speakers were asked to be ready before Bhagawan arrived for evening darshan, so the Bhajans did not begin at five o'clock. After Bhagawan arrived in His car and completed His darshan round, He asked for the Croatian devotees to come to the verandah. There, He sent watches for all of them and sat there watching as the watches were distributed, moving around in His chair and interacting with some of them. After 5.30 pm, Bhagawan went into the interview room, and the Bhajans commenced in the Bhajan Hall.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall as the evening Bhajans went on, at around 5.20 pm. After a round of the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami also moved around the verandah and the stage area before moving to the Bhajan Hall. Then, He came out and called some of the Croatian devotees for interviews. Bhajans continued till Bhagawan accepted Arati at a quarter past six and returned to His residence.
Sunday, November 25, 2007
The four hundred strong Croatian group got a chance to sing in front of Bhagawan this evening. Just before the five o'clock bhajans were to commence, word was sent for the group to be ready with their songs, so they took their places in the centre of the Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagawan emerged from His residence a few minutes after five o'clock, and when He reached the dais after His darshan round, the song programme got underway with some Vedic chants. Bhagawan showered His Love on the group after their 45 minute programme by going down among them in His chair and interacting with some of them, asking for sarees to the distributed to the ladies and safari suit material for the gents. After getting wafers also distributed among the group, Swami went inside the interview room calling in some devotees. He emerged at 7 pm to accept Arati and return to His residence.
Friday, November 23, 2007
Bhagawan's 82nd Birthday celebrations began just after 9 am with the procession starting from Bhagawan's residence to Sai Kulwant Hall. The Bands of Primary School girls, Anantapur girls, Primary School boys and Prasanthi Nilayam boys led the Vedam chanting students who preceded Bhagawan who arrived in His chair. After a full round of the packed Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami came onto the verandah where He Blessed the various Birthday cakes till He came onstage at 9.35 am. The Malladi brothers sang for Bhagawan accompanied by their father. After a couple of songs, Prof Anil Kumar was asked to make an announcement. The anointing ceremony which Bhagawan had discontinued long back was being reinstated. Six distinguished couples were called up to the dais one by one and anointed Bhagawan's hair with flowers dipped in scented oil with the accompaniment of Vedic chants. The vocal concert of the Malladi brothers continued after the anointing. Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence along with the four bands at 11 am.
The evening programme commenced with Bhagawan arriving in His chair into Sai Kulwant Hall to the accompaniment of Vedam chanting and Panchavadyam. After His darshan round, Swami came onstage and asked the Malladi brothers to sing again. Their hour-long Carnatic concert commenced at 5.45 pm. During the concert, Bhagawan came down from the stage and Blessed the six ladies of the morning anointing ceremony with magnificient sarees, taking a photograph with them before returning to the stage. At the end of the concert, Bhagawan Blessed the father of the Malladi brothers with a chain. Next was the turn of Sri Hariharan to sing. He sang some ghazals and some Carnatic songs too. Bhagawan Blessed him with a ring after an hour of singing, then asked him to sing a last song. Concluding with the Bhajan "Janani Maa", Sri Hariharan's concert was followed by Arati. Bhagawan took group photos with both the groups of singers as Arati went on and returned to His residence after 8 o'clock.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
This morning, Bhagawan came to the Sai Kulwant Hall as the Bhajans went on, after 9.30 am. After sitting in the Bhajan Hall for nearly half an hour, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence. At 1.45 pm, Bhagawan once again came to the Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair to check out the preparations made for the Sri Sathya Sai University's 26th Convocation. After fine-tuning the arrangements, Swami returned to His residence and emerged later for the convocation.
The Convocation procession was led by the University Brass band into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 3.30 pm. Bhagawan was resplendent in a white robe for the occasion. Sharing the stage with Bhagawan and the University governing body members and deans was Justice Bhagawati, former Chief Justice of India. The Vice-Chancellor delivered his welcome address, Bhagawan stood to say "I declare the Convocation open", and the graduands of the year were administered the Convocation Oath. The gold medal winners and PhD recipients came up to Bhagawan to receive His benediction and their medals. Bhagawan stood up to deliver His Convocation Address at 4.15 pm.
Swami exhorted the youth to never hate anyone, to greet even those who are considered as enemies, to win over enmity with Love. Bhagawan concluded by saying that the way the students can make Him happy is by making their parents happy. Bhagawan commended the service activities being done by the alumni of the University in the USA, and called up Dr. Michael Goldstein, chairman of the Prasanthi Council, to speak a few lines on the activities of the former students of Bhagawan in the International Sai Organisation. The National Anthem concluded the Convocation. Before leaving the dais, Swami spoke a few words about Sri Bhagawati's faith and love for Bhagawan, and also made him speak a few words into His own microphone. The Convocation procession then moved out of the Hall and Bhagawan returned to His residence at 5.30 pm.
The drama presented by the students of the Sai University was the concluding item of the day. Bhagawan arrived onstage at the Poornachandra auditorium by 5.45, and in ten minutes' time the drama was underway there. Bhagawan was very pleased with the hour-long drama which had several songs and a dance sequence, which depicted the transformation of hearts through grama seva, Bhagawan's Hospitals and Radio Sai Global Harmony. Coming onstage in His chair after the performance, Swami Blessed the participants with a group photograph before accepting Arati and retiring for the day.
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
This morning, Bhagawan showered abundant grace on the ladies. Arriving at Sai Kulwant Hall a few minutes after the Bhajans began at 9 o'clock, Swami started distributing sarees, moving around the ladies' side in His chair. And the distribution went on for nearly an hour! At the end, Bhagawan moved to the Bhajan Hall, sat there for a couple of Bhajans, accepted Arati and returned to His residence. Later, at 11 o'clock, Swami arrived at the Poornachandra auditorium to watch the final dress rehearsal of the convocation drama to be staged tomorrow. It was 12.45 when Bhagawan returned to His residence.
A vocal concert by Sri T M Krishna was the programme of the evening. Swami came onstage after His darshan round in the chair, sat there for ten minutes listening to the Vedam chanting, and moved to the interview room via the Eastern side of the stage. He emerged a few minutes later and came onstage once again, and the programme commenced at five minutes to five. As the concert went on, Swami moved to the interview room. The singer noticed Bhagawan's absence and started singing Carnatic songs with lyrics like "When will we have the darshan of the Lord of Chidambaram", "Mother, will you not listen to my call and talk to me?" and so on. Swami returned onstage, called up the singer and his accompanists and showered a lot of Love them. He gave rings to three of them, gave them shawls, gave them prasadam, took photographs with them, talking to them for more than ten minutes before accepting Arati. He then called up some of the student singers and introduced them, then asked them to sing! The students sang three songs and a bhajan as instructed by Swami, then again came onstage for more interaction, after which Swami returned to His residence at 7.15 pm. Prof. Anil Kumar made an announcement about the 26th convocation ceremony of the Sai University to be held tomorrow.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
This morning, Sai Kulwant Hall witnessed the inauguration of the two day Workshp on Parenting organised by the Education wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation. Swami came onstage and lit the ceremonial lamp at 9.30 am. A vedic invocation and three short speeches followed, by ladies who spearhead the Balvikas and Parenting initiatives of the Sai Organisation. At 10 o'clock, the speeches concluded, Bhagawan asked for Bhajans to begin in the Sai Kulwant Hall itself, and He accepted Arati after twenty minutes. During the Arati, Bhagawan Blessed the speakers of the day with sarees.
The evening programme was a music concert by renowned vocalist Sri Pankaj Udhas and party. Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.30 pm, and after a round of the Hall in the chair, came onstage and the concert commenced. The ninety minute concert concluded with a spirited instrumental piece after Bhagawan Blessed the artistes with shawls. Swami accepted Arati at 7.10, but instead of directly going to His residence, made a second slow round of the students accepting many letters and then moved through the ladies to reach His residence at 7.30 pm.
Monday, November 19, 2007
This day is celebrated as Ladies' day at Prasanthi Nilayam every year, with all the programmes and daily activities being carried out by ladies. The Suprabhatam was chanted by Smt. P. Susheela, the early morning Veda Parayanam was by the Anantapur women students. Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair a few minutes after 9 o'clock, preceded by the Primary School and Anantapur bands. When Swami reached the centre of the Hall, He stopped there and asked for the "Go daan" ceremony to begin. 150 cows were being gifted to deserving families from nearby villages. The cows came up to where Swami was seated, the recipients also came up to Him, received His Blessings and moved out of the gate. Twenty minutes later, the function concluded, Swami arrived onstage and asked for the Bhajans by the lady singers of Sundaram to begin. After 40 minutes of Bhajans, Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence. On His way, at the Mandir verandah, He Blessed the giant cake made for the occasion topped with Goddess Saraswati.
The stage was decorated with pillars of mirrors with candles providing illumination. Banners with flower motifs and cloth buntings lent colour to the Sai Kulwant Hall. The evening programme of ladies' day got underway with Bhagawan arriving in His car at 4.20 pm with the two bands preceding Him. Swami asked for the car to stop near the stage and came onstage in His chair. The proceedings consisted of two talks followed by a vocal concert and a dance by Primary School students. The first speaker was Dr. (Mrs.) Hymavathi Reddy from the USA, and the second was renowned thespian Sowcar Janaki. Smt. Nithyasree Mahadevan sang for Bhagawan for 40 minutes before the young Primary School girls enthralled the audience with their dance depicting the story of young Sai. At the end of their dance, Swami had group photos with the group, flanked by two "Sai"s who depicted Him in the dance. Blessing everyone with His Abhayahasta, Bhagawan left for His residence after Arati at 6.35 pm.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
This morning marked the Rathotsavam, the first item in the Birthday week. You can read about Rathotsavam of 2006 and see pictures in Prasanthi Diary of last year. This year, Swami's new elephant calf led Bhagawan into the Sai Kulwant Hall and the procession started from inside the Bhajan Hall after Swami reached there. Bhagawan moved up to the main gate of Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair to flag off the procession.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
The convocation drama students had been praying that Swami come and see the rehearsal of the drama. This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan at 4 pm, and after a round of Sai Kulwant Hall, proceeded to the college auditorium for the drama rehearsal. Swami was happy with the drama presentation and noted certain points which needed attention. The Bhajans had begun in the Mandir when Bhagawan returned at 5.15 pm. After a few moments in the Bhajan Hall, Swami took a round of the verandah and the stage area, returned to the Bhajan Hall, accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
This evening, Bhagawan arrived just after the Bhajans began, and went into the Bhajan Hall after His darshan round in the car. At 5.15, He asked for the Bhajans to stop and for Dr. G. Venkataraman to speak on the significance of Bhajans, standing next to Him. After the Professor's extempore fifteen minute talk on the importance of Nama smarana, Bhagawan Himself asked for the mic and started to speak.
Swami stressed that we should not just limit Bhajans to set times, but should remember the Name of the Lord at all times and at all places. Just as Krishna exhorted Arjuna, "Remember Me and fight", we should remember the Lord even as we do our day-to-day chores. Let it be any Name, but we should remember it at all times. Bhagawan illustrated the elevating nature of Namasmarana by a story of how a bird goes through higher and higher births on chanting Rama's name. After His 40-minute Discourse, Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
The Akhanda Bhajan continued, with many groups singing together throughout the night, with the mics coming on at 8 am. Bhagawan arrived a few minutes before 10 o'clock and sat in the Bhajan Hall for nearly an hour. He moved through the Bhajan Hall aisle and also moved through Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair. It was nearly 11.30 when He returned to His residence. In the evening, Swami again went around the Bhajan Hall and the Sai Kulwant Hall several times. He sat inside the Bhajan Hall from 5.45 onwards, listening to the spirited singing, and did not ask for the Arati at 6 o'clock. So the Bhajan "Subramaniam..." was started by the lady singers, and towards the end of that Bhajan, Swami waved His hand to produce a chain. He called up the lady singer, a former student, and Blessed her with the chain. Swami asked for the Arati shortly thereafter, but continued to sit in the Bhajan Hall as the prasadam of tamarind rice and sweet rice was served. The Divine Mother watched Her children eat after 'Brahmarpanam' was chanted, and moved out only after everyone in the Bhajan Hall had been served. Moving to the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami watched the prasadam distribution going on there for a while and then moved to His residence in the chair.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Bhagawan emerged from His residence this morning as the bhajans went on, and after accepting Arati after ten o'clock, went on a drive outside the Ashram. In the evening, the Global Akhanda Bhajan was to commence at six o'clock. Swami came for evening darshan after 5.30 pm, came into the Bhajan Hall from the rear door and saw the arrangements made there for the Bhajan. He interacted with some of the lady singers and co-ordinators and moved to the interview room. Just before six, He came into the Bhajan Hall, and lit the lamp to signal the start of the 24 hour Bhajan. Bhagawan sat in the Bhajan Hall till 7.20 pm and then went to His residence. After about an hour, He again came to the Bhajan Hall, sat there listening to the Bhajans till 8.45 and then retired.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Bhagawan made a second darshan round in His chair this morning as the Bhajans went on, moving through the entire Sai Kulwant Hall and later the Bhajan Hall. Deepavali and Gujarati New Year celebrations by the Gujarati devotees continued this evening. Swami came onstage at 5.30 pm and the programme got underway in a few minutes after offerings by the devotees with a welcome song followed by Dandiya dance. A drama entitled "From in dependence to independence" was the concluding offering, depicting the joy derived from service. Bhagawan Blessed one of the lead characters with a chain and walked down from the stage to give group photographs to all the participants. Prasadam was distributed and Bhagawan returned to His residence after Arati at 6.40 pm.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Devotees from Gujarat are here in strength to celebrate Deepavali and their New Year in Bhagawan's presence. This evening, they presented two dance programmes and a drama. Swami came onstage a few minutes before 5 pm, and the programme got underway after Swami Blessed various items including a Poorna Kumbham brought up to Him by the devotees. The first Garbha dance presentation had a Ganesha stuti followed by a dance in praise of the Mother Goddess. The next dance was themed on "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" and brought out the tolerance and inclusive nature of Bharatiyas. The concluding programme was a half-hour drama which highlighted the transitory nature of the pleasure gained from power and pelf using the story of a retired IAS officer. Even as the drama in its last stages, Swami Blessed the main character with a ring. Bhagawan came down from the stage after the drama and gave group photos to the participants. Then He Blessed all the other children who participated in the dances with group photographs, too. Prasadam was distributed, and Swami accepted Arati at 6.10 pm before returning to His residence.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan a few minutes before four o'clock. From the verandah, He commenced a second round of the Hall in the chair, moving in front of the students. Entering the Bhajan Hall from the rear door, Swami had an interaction with the students and teachers seated there, clarifying some points about the songs to be sung in the Convocation drama. When the time neared five, He sent word for the Orissa youth to be ready with their music programme. But then He asked the students to start Bhajans inside the Bhajan Hall. After half an hour of Bhajans, Swami told the students to stop, and sent word for the Orissa singers to begin their programme in the Sai Kulwant Hall. While the half-hour of songs went on, Bhagawan sat engrossed in the music, in the Bhajan Hall itself! At six o'clock, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence as prasadam was distributed.
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
The Orissa devotees had their second day of programmes today. Bhagawan came onstage at 4.50 pm, and after He Blessed the articles brought up by the devotees, the drama "Bhaktha Dasia" got underway. The atmosphere of Jagannath Puri was recreated in Sai Kulwant Hall with the large idols of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra kept as the backdrop. The Lord accepts the offering of the humble Dasia and sanctifies his life. Swami granted group photos to the participants after their 45 minute presentation and briefly visited the interview room. The next dance programme got underway once Swami returned. Fifteen minutes of Ghumura dance, traditionally in praise of the Mother Goddess, with acrobatic drummers, who were Blessed by Bhagawan with clothes after their performance. At 6.10 pm, after prasadam was distributed, Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Devotees and youth from Orissa are here in thousands, and this evening they presented a cultural programme. Some legislators and State Ministers from Orissa are also here. Bhagawan came to the stage area at 5.10 pm and the devotees brought up some items for Blessings, following which the programme began with a theme song on Bharat. A half-hour drama entitled "Secret of Happiness" followed, portraying the dictum that one gets joy by giving joy to others. Bhagawan came down from the stage to stand among the participants and grant them group photographs. Gotipua dance followed. This is traditionally performed by young boys dressed as Odissi dancers, performing many breath-taking acrobatic feats in their portrayal of the eternal Love of Radha and Krishna. Bhagawan Blessed the performers with group photographs and clothes. Ten minutes of Bhajans by the Orissa devotees followed as prasadam was distributed, and Swami accepted Arati at 6.30 pm.
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Bhagawan Blessed a devotee's car this evening by coming for darshan in that car - a silver coloured Merc - instead of His Porte. Later, Swami made a second darshan round in His chair, Blessing many and accepting their letters. Just before the Bhajans began, Swami made a round of the Bhajan Hall and the verandah before returning to the front of Bhajan Hall for the Bhajans.
Friday, November 2, 2007
This evening, after His darshan round in the car, Swami made a full round of Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair, starting with the upper verandah. He returned to the stage area and sat for a few minutes as the Vedam went on. One of the students got the opportunity to present a photo album to Swami, and after seeing many of the pictures, Bhagawan graciously Blessed him with a chain.
|
