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Prashanthi Bullettin -
January 1st, 2006
New Year's Day and
Alumni programme....
January 1st, 2006
Let us begin with wishing each other a very Happy and
Prosperous New Year that brings us closer and makes us
dearer to our Beloved Swami.
The day at Parthi began with a long but most fruitful wait
in the Kulwant Hall for the Darshan of our Bhagawan. Swami
came out for Darshan at 9.20 a.m. The Kulwant Hall was
packed to its capacity. The dais looked very colourful with
bouquets hanging all around the centre Portico. The elegant
floral decoration was done by the Sri Sathya Sai Students.
As we all know, the 1st of January every year has now
emerged as the ‘Alumni Day’ for all the students of Swami’s
Parthi and Brindavan Educational Institutions. Over 300 Sai
Students were able to make it for the Meet this year.
Yesterday, they all successfully conducted a Medical Camp –
an annual feature, in a village named Puluru in the Gorantla
Mandal – around 44 kms. from here.
When Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 9.15 a.m. and took a
full round in the car, it slowed down as He approached the
Sai Students. Few representatives, seated in front, knelt
down and showed Swami the Music Programme card that
contained the list of all songs to be offered to Swami in
the evening along with the names of the singers. Swami, very
keenly went through all the details and said ‘Manchidi’.
Then, the Sai Students also prayed to Swami to permit the
Vice Chancellor and the former Vice Chancellors to address
the Alumni during the formal Meeting in the College
Auditorium. Again, Swami nodded His Head and said
‘Manchidi’. The car moved along. Thus the Music Programme
was Blessed to be put up in the evening.
The front pillars in the Hall had vertical banners along its
length that read – Sri Sathya Sai Students. On other pillars
there were banners wishing all devotees a Happy New Year in
English, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi. The wide pillars
on the dais had spiral windings of beautiful colourful
flowers along its full length.
Swami got down from the car and moved onto the dais. He sat
at the centre of the dais listening to the canting of the
Vedic Mantras. At 9.50 a.m. He called the Institute Band
Leader and his colleague forward. They came walking briskly
to Swami. While one of them offered the programme card, the
other student offered a flower bouquet to Swami. Blessed by
Bhagawan, they returned to their team and commenced their
presentation. The next 20 minutes was a treat to all ears
and a boost to the soul. Lovely band pieces filled the Hall
with a feel of joy and cheer.
At 10.10 a.m. they bowed down to Swami. Swami acknowledged
with a smile and they sat down next to their instruments.
Next came the Music group Students. They moved towards Swami
and prayed for His permission to offer a few songs. Swami
conceded to their prayer. The students sang three songs –
Sai Naam Sumiran Jo Bhi Karein, Brahmam Okate Parabrahmam
Okate, and Sri Ramji Ki Mahimaa Apaar. Swami, then spoke to
the singers and at 10.35 a.m. He took Aarti and retired for
the morning.
In the evening, Bhagawan emerged from His abode at 4.00 p.m.
He sat on the dais watching all the Sai Students seated in
the block right in front of Him. It was a full one hour of
silent but so meaningful Darshan pregnant with so many fond
memories and golden moments of student days at His Lotus
Feet. At 5.00 p.m. Swami signaled to the core music group
members of the Sai Students to come forward. A group of four
to five members went forward and offered to Swami the
Programme Card and flower bouquets.
Swami spoke to them for a while, enquiring about the songs
they were going to sing and other details. The programme
commenced with an English song Om Sai, We all have come to
say, We Love You Sai. There was a commentary that interluded
the songs now and then. Other songs included Sai Natha
Bhagawan, Paala Kadali Pai Pavalinche…, Tumse Achha Kaun Sai
Maa, Jagadabhi Rama Raghukula Soma, Naa Sai Nannu Chera
Radaye, Shambho Shambho Sankara….The presentation went on
for a full 55 minutes lifting our souls. Melodious voices of
a number of Bhajan singers Blessed by Swami over the years
and lilting songs charged the Kulwant Hall with devotional
vibrations. Swami often kept beat with His Hand.
At 6.00 p.m. Swami took Aarti and the singers rushed forward
to seek His Blessings. One of the Sai Students mentioned to
Swami about the Silver Jubilee celebrations being planned by
the Alumni. Swami said that He was very Happy and would see
them the next day. That was great news and thus leaving the
Sai Students with this bright hope, Swami retired to the
Poornachandra.
December 28th, 2005
This morning, Swami came out around 9.30 a.m., sat for a
Bhajan and then went out again on the chair. He went along
the gents devotees, hand picked up a big group for interview
and was inside the interview room talking to them until
10.30 a.m.
In the evening, Swami came out for Darshan at 4.30 p.m. He
took a full round and went into the interview room. At 5.00
p.m. Swami emerged from the interview room and there was
loud clapping. What could it be, we were wondering. There
was Swami, not on the chair, but walking with just one
brother holding His Hand. Swami went straight into the
Bhajan Hall and sat down on the throne. After such a long
time, one could see Swami sitting on the Bhajan Hall throne.
He spent around 15 minutes talking to some boys acting in
the Drama to be presented on the 11th of January evening. He
also spoke to Sri S.V. Giri, the former Vice-Chancellor.
Then He stood up and came out walking, once again amidst
loud applause. We hoped with all our hearts that He would
come onto the dais so that all of us could see Him walking.
How could He not answer the prayers of so many people? We
were getting more and more excited as all the students
sitting on the extreme corner, who could see Him near the
interview room, were smiling with Bliss radiating from their
faces.
Within minutes, Bhagawan stepped onto the dais. Brother
Divij was holding Swami's right Hand and Swami came walking
so smoothly, with hardly any limp. He was radiating with joy
and Bliss and was holding letters in His left Hand that kept
tapping on His left thigh - as though keeping beat to some
silent Cosmic rhythm. He walked so fast and so nicely that
we were taken back in time to those good old days - just a
few years back...... Those days must come back again!
He walked all along the dais and approached the other end.
Over there, He stood and asked - How is drama? Of course
after a while, Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar did come and give an
update of the drama practice going on. But the way He asked,
it appeared as though He was referring to His drama... Who
can understand God's Drama - it is all a mystery.
After this brief conversation with Prof. Sudhir Bhaskar
about the 'drama', Swami walked further up the slope onto
the middle Portico and went walking adjacent the VIPs seated
over there. He spoke to a few devotees and then went into
the Bhajan Hall. He again sat on the throne even for the
Bhajans. It's truly a dream come true for all devotees.
After Aarti, we could see Swami coming out walking. The
chair was placed near the interview room. He sat down and
then the usual pattern was repeated - the chair going into
the Porte and driving back to Poornachandra.
Source:
http://radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm
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