Sai Gayatri Mantra: Its Origin And
Significance.....
NOVEMBER 30, 2011:
Om Sairam dearest Sai Family
Greetings and loving Sairams
to all from our Lord's Abode, Puttaparthi. After a very busy and exciting 86th
Birthday Anniversary celebrations Parthi is quiet now. There are still quite
of a few Devotees from overseas and many more are expected for the Christmas
celebrations. Even though there is no official word yet but according to some
friends the Christmas programme would be just as before with Choir practice
scheduled to start from 15th of December (or may be later).
SAI REFLECTIONS:
A new innovative website has
been started by the Books are Publications Division. This website has two
categories one is Programme Photos (where all the photos during your earlier
Parthi visits are uploaded) and Bhagawan's photos (where one would have the
choice of selecting various photos of Swami and buy them online). I guess this
website is still WORK IN PROGRESS so all the programme photos are not uploaded
yet. There is also one more section in this website where any one can UPLOAD
their photos like the ones of Swami taken during those good old days or the
recent trips which you think needs to be archived by the Books and
Publications Trust...
On a similar note, if any one
from the Books and Publications Team is reading this email, a small
suggestion/request is to re-do/take a look at the www.sssbpt.org website. If
one has to buy some Sai Books online it is very difficult as the list of books
are given in an order with no description of the contents or no mention of the
author and not even a photo of the front cover. For example, if i am
interested to buy a book written by Sri. Kasturi there is no way i can do so
unless i know the title of the book. It would be easier to have a list
uploaded according to the AUTHOR"S name as well. For example if you look at
the website of Sri Sathya Sai Books & Information Center of Canada
http://www.sssbic.org/catalog/index.php?cPath=1 it is beautifully done
website with very user friendly options. They even have the pictures of the
front cover which is very unique and modern.
NEW SANATHANA SARATHI WEBSITE:
Another feather in the crown of Publications Division of Sai Trust, a new
website completely dedicated for the monthly Magazine from Parthi, "Sanathana
Sarathi" has been launched recently. This website is helpful to those who want
to subscribe for Sanathana Sarathi ONLINE. There is also an option of
subscribing to an INTERACTIVE E-COPY for those GO GREEN devotees who would
rather prefer an E-Copy than a physical magazine.
Talking of GO GREEN, a
welcome move in the recent past by the Puttaparthi Muncipality is that the
local muncipal officials have banned the usage of plastic bags in Puttaparthi
since 24th November 2011. The other day, the officials raided all the shops in
Puttapathi and took away all the plastic hand bags with a stern warning to
every one. As we all know sale or consumption of non-vegetarian food and
alcohol is already banned in Puttaparthi.
So next time when you shop,
do carry a cloth/jute bag with you and co-operate.
SWAMI'S STATUE PROPOSAL:
As most of you already know
about this, at the cost of repetition there is this proposal from the Sri
Sathya Sai Central Trust asking Devotees to send their views/suggestions on
the statue proposal of Swami by His Mahasamadhi. Like in Shirdi, many devotees
expressed their desire to have a statue of Swami by His Mahasamadhi. If you
have any designs/ideas in mind you may do so. You may also mention as how the
statue should look like, standing, sitting, one hand blessing, double hand
blessing etc.. etc..
There is another section of
Devotees who DON'T want any statue by Swami's Mahasamadhi as again it would be
like going back towards the FORM when Swami has decided to give us darshan in
His FORMLESS form. Such devotees may also express their views in support of
their argument.
FOR or AGAINST the statue,
those who want to write may do so to "The Chairman, Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana
Trust, Prasanthi Nilayam--515134, and those who want email please note the
email id coordinator@sssmt.org.in
SAI ACTIVITIES:
Almost all over the world the
Sai Activities are picking up with a very healthy pace. The number of new
devotees in various centers has gone up quite convincingly. This is the time
when the Center heads/top brass of the Sai Organisation should think of
welcoming such devotees with open arms. Let every new comer feel at home
during center visits and satsangs. Keeping aside unnecessary politics, ego,
lets move further in fulfilling His mission. There are quite a lot of people
who are still talking about the "rings"and "chains' they got from Swami. All
these will have no effect to a new comer other than satisfying your own EGO.
Let there be some quality discussions, let His story be told in HIS own style.
The other day some one emailed me and said the seniors in his Center are going
and telling the public to come to the Centers and Baba will create miracles.
This might be very well received by Devotees but to a new comer this would
sound other wise. Let our approach change. Lets speak about the "Values" Swami
taught us, let us speak about the "service" He did to the Mankind, let us
speak about His "value based education system" instead of promising some
miracle or other by following Swami...
There are few others who say i have been visiting Prasanthi when there was
just sand and hardly any body there. Some others say i have visited Prasanthi
some X number of times. All this again is just to appease your EGO and would
not do any good to your spiritual upliftment nor benefit the society. Our
lives are already blessed by Bhagawan. It is infact a "very rare" opportunity
given to us, probably for all the good merits accrued for several lives. Let
us not waste this once in a life time chance. " UNITY OF RELIGIONS" is only to
be seen in Sathya Sai Organisation. SERVICE as Sadhana is our SUPER
SPECIALTY.... Lets not forget the role given to us by Swami...
SAI GAYATRI MANTRA:
Sharing with love a short video explaining the origin and significance of SAI
GAYATRI mantra. For the benefit of Devotees Sai Gayatri has been subtitled and
translated into English. Special thanks to Brother Veda Narayanan for
explaining the significance of this new mantra of Kali Age...
Please click the following link to watch this 6 minute video:
http://www.youtube.com/user/satishfromparthi#p/u/0/ylHijjvC0t8
With Pranams at the Lotus
Feet of our beloved Lord,
R.Satish Naik
Sathya Sai Gayatri Mantra: Origin &
Significance (with English subtitles).
SAI GAYATRI: One of the most
powerful mantras of Kaliyuga is explained in detail in this video with a short
intro by Brother Veda narayanan and 9 Chants of Sai Gaythri. For the benefit
of all devotees this mantra is subtitled and translated into English...
These messages was posted by Sai Graduates..worth reading...
Sai Ram,
No matter how hard one tried to be accurate, somehow false information creeps
in. Several people said that the Baba statue was under construction.
Even last week people in authority advised me that it was being worked on but
not yet completed.
Now comes the news that it hasn’t even been started. Sanathana Sarathi
announced that the Central Trust was taking designs and ideas for a Sai Baba
statue which will be placed with the Samadhi. It will be dedicated on Guru
Poornima.
The Trust is accepting proposals complete with preliminary designs and
sketches from artists, sculptors and other creative people. They want the
inner spirit of Sai Baba to come through the physical beauty.
Such proposal should be sent to the chairman of the Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana
Trust in Prasanthi Nilayam – 515134 (coordinator@sssmt.org.in) by the end of
November 2011.
The decision of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust will be final.
If you go to
http://www.saireflections.org/index_inr.html, there are many photos of Sai
Baba that you can use to get ideas. Furthermore, you can sent an email with
the picture that you like telling the Trust that it what you would like in the
statue.
At this point, you only have until November 30th.
Monday, November 28, 2011
SAI Convocation
Sai Ram,
The excitement was of convocation and birthday next to each other. The crowd
had increased to where Kulwant Hall was full. People from all over the world
were there. This was the place to be. It was nice having so many people in the
Hall again.
The culmination of a week of festivities honoring the one that was and is
responsible for all.
There will be more great events which will fill the Hall until eventually it
will be filled always.
Monday – November 21. On the day leading to convocation one wondered what this
years events would be like. But for this evening, students presented a drama
about the importance of the Guru - “Gurue Mahima”.
It started with a special dance. After which, Baba spoke to us over the public
address system from a discourse about character and values
A play about the relationship of 3 youngsters, staying in an ashram, to their
guru was explored. In this case, the guru was a musical maestro and the
student were there to learn the intricacies of music from him.
The drama showed how a true guru helps those who are dedicated and devoted.
And how the whole area prospered from his presence.
The comparison to Sai Baba was inevitable. It was really about Sai and the
messages were his. Stories from epics and of great souls added to the depth of
the story. (Photos)
Shirdi Sai came to mind when the Guru who had went away for a few days
reappeared saying, “Where did I Go?” And Sathya Sai said he is forever “in the
hearts of devotees.” “Their joy and sorrows are his”.
Another point that was emphasized was that change was always happening.
Music added to significance of the drama. It emphasized the special spiritual
connections that exist between Master and Disciple. His influences always work
through the disciple even if the Master is not physically present.
The finale was the highlight. When the electric lights were turned off, many
people sat with lit candles illuminating the Hall. The candles had been lit
from one candle. The light spread. The divine spirit permeates everywhere.
Baba is everyplace. He is the light which removes all darkness. We will keep
Sai name in our hearts always. (Photo)
Before the drama several faculty members received Sai Krishna Awards for
excellence in research.
Tuesday - November 22. The big day for the 30th Convocation of the Sri Sathya
Sai Institute of Higher Learning took place mid-morning. Following the brass
band was a procession of officials. (Photos)
The Vice Chancellor was confident that Baba was watching the proceedings (He
was). He explained the many achievements of Sai’s university and added the
university will continue to follow the ideals that Baba wanted.
Gold medals for academic excellence was awarded to 22 students.
The chief guest was Professor Balaram, director of the Indian Institute of
Science in Bangalore. He hailed the Sai University as unique especially with
the discipline that Baba required. Balaram emphasized the importance of hard
work regardless of failures. Failures are common but should be treat with
equanimity. He wished the students success by using discipline, commitment and
hard work.
The Chancellor of the University, Sai Baba, spoke next through video. He
emphasized the importance of knowing thyself and the need for introspection.
Real knowledge is beyond science. You need to understand the spiritual
principles behind your work.
Baba also mentioned the importance of service to the motherland. He blessed
the students to proceed along the path of self-realization.
It was 11:40 when the national anthem was sung followed by arathi.
The evening program was to top all previous events. First, there was the
celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Super Speciality Hospital with the
showing of a video about how the hospital came into being including the
construction Actual footage was used. The video was called “Praying Hearts
Serving Hands”. If you get a chance to watch it, you will be fascinated by it.
Emphasis was made about how quickly it was done from start to finish in one
year, that it was completely free and that more free hospitals were needed.
The second program was beyond words. It truly defies description. It was
“Taala Vaadya Kacheri” by Mridangam maestro Karaikkudi Mani. His specialty was
percussion with a special beat. The others in the group were Jazz musicians
from Europe and Asia. (Photo)
Their world music band is known as Shanmakhaa. They played compositions based
on Carnatic, Hindustani and Classical folk melodies combined with the
influence of the West. Their underlying theme is World Peace.
Rhythm and melody in a harmonious blend wove the music into an ecstasy that
uplifted anyone that could hear or feel the music including the hall itself.
To make the experience richer, screens and monitors that had been set up
showed close-ups of the actual playing. It was unbelievable the dexterity of
the hands and how quickly they moved.
A feast of ears and eyes for the body and the soul.
The one hour performance was constantly greeted with applauds from everyone.
If they continued playing longer, probably no one would move.
Baba who was sitting in the chair enjoyed the performance. At times, he closed
his eyes as to go somewhere else in bliss.
We left flying out of the hall after arathi. Certainly all of us felt better.
Sai Ram Swami's Birthday
It was birthday time. A great occasion to be here. All the love coming from
everyone and from Baba. He was happy that we came and blessed everyone.
The curtains surrounding the MahaSamadhi were changed from maroon to orange.
The bunting on the first level of the Mandir were changed to white with
orange. Many flowers were placed on the Samadhi.
An addition to the streamers over the center white marble was falling lights
where the light travels down the streamer.
Kulwant Hall was filled. Everything went smoothly.
Security had increased in the past several days as some government officials
and other people arrived. There were many officers outside the ashram and
extra one inside. To get into the ashram there was police security and the
usual one where the seva dals checked you over. Police were watching them.
Furthermore, to get into the Hall, there were also 2 layers of security check.
The first one was police and the second was seva dals.
Wednesday – November 23. When the curtain parted at 9:00, the MahaSamadhi
looked absolutely splendid radiating the Love of the people who arranged it.
Replacing the regular Baba chair was a big silver one which Baba had used. It
added to the grandeur of the days. (Photo).
The chief guest was Governor Konjeti Rosaiah who held several offices in
Andhra Pradesh and is now the governor of Tamil Nadu. As a long time devotee
of Sai Baba, he has made many trips to the ashram.
The first program was “Guru Vandana” love songs from the students to Baba.
After about 30 minutes, it was time for the 2nd Program.
It was the Malladi Brothers who performed regularly at Baba’s request, such as
on Birthday and Guru Poornima, for the past several years. Today they
performed some of Sai favorite compositions including the Birthday Greeting
Song. Their father was with them. He sang a solo in Telegu. Their last tune
brought many people to tears as it spoke Baba not being in the physical
anymore.
After which, there was a speech by V. Srinivasan, president of the Sri Sathya
Sai Seva Organisations – India. He affirmed that Sai is with us, here and
everywhere, now and forever. After praising the students for their wonderful
drama of the eve of the convocation, he hoped that Baba would continue to
guide these future leaders.
He asked them to rededicate themselves to following Baba’s ideals.
He pledged that our work has to continue until the last moment. We are workers
first and later leaders.
Srinivasan explained the Central Trust determination to continue the legacy
and mission of Sai Baba. The governor was asked to release the Trust’s Annual
Report. There will be additional mobile hospitals, equipment for hospitals,
staff infrastructure and facilities for research. Assistance to various
schools, digital archiving facility and modernization of the South Indian
Canteen and maybe other canteens too.. There are other projects that will
happen including expansion of the Vidya Vahini Project.
It is exciting to hear all this. It shows that the ashram is doing well and
that there is no funding problem. There are rumors to contrary. It is obvious
that they are false.
The report will be on the internet soon. When it is, the report will be sent
to you.
All of this was followed by a short talk by Governor Rosaiah. He spoke with
humility and devotion. He made a point that whether people felt Baba was god
or not, there is still this wonderful organization spread around the world in
over 160 countries and millions of members. Baba was and is the force behind
all of this. Rosaiah said his greatest achievement was not in the political
arena but being a devotee. Prasanthi Nilayam is the holy abode of Rama and
Krishna.
Next, it was time for Baba to speak. In ancient times people practiced
sacrifice, love and truth to attain divinity. We should do the same as well as
exercise equanimity with pleasure and pain.
Since Baba does not criticize anyone, we should do the same. We should always
follow Sai’s teachings. We should have Love for god, fear of sin and morality
in society.
Develop Love. Love is the only solution. Prayer is a solution.
The various bands played their music. Anantapur played the theme song from
Love Story “Where do I begin to tell the story of how great a Love can be…”
Prasanthi boys played “Happy Birthday to You”. Also playing were the primary
school-both boys and girls.
Arathi was at 11:00.
Attached photo shows the special cake that Italians made for this occasion.
There was free food for everyone at the tents for lunch as there had been for
breakfast.
The afternoon was even better. As we entered the Hall there was a big red
enclosure on the center while marble floor. It was beautiful. We knew that the
Jhoola was inside waiting for just the right moment to be revealed. The Hall
was once again full.
The singing began for the curtain to open at 5:30. At the same time, the box
came apart revealing the silver swing jhoola that Baba used to sit in. It was
strategically placed so that it looked as though Baba was reclining on the
swing. Also placed on the seat of the swing was a photo of Baba sitting on the
same swing. (Photo 1). There were flowers and other items around the Jhoola.
It was awe inspiring. Everyone clapped and burst into joy. It was a
reconnection of the past with the present. Baba was there sitting in the
Jhoola. All were blessed.
People sat behind the Jhoola to push it as was done in previous years. As the
swing moved back and forth, at intervals, a special video was shown of Baba
sitting on that same swing enjoying the program and blessing us.
It was like we were transported to another era, another place. It was
wonderful and it lasted until the music program was over.
The first program was a Mandolin Concert by maestro U. Srinivas and U. Rajesh.
Their music was perfect. It was instrumental and raised our level of
consciousness. The precise sounds of each instrument added to the joy of
listening and feeling. They concluded with “Shankara Shiva Shankara”. (Photo
2).
The second program was a vocal concert by Ghazal and bhajan singer Anup Jalota
whose specialty was devotional singing that he adapted to his special style.
(Photo 3).
He met Baba 48 years ago as a 10 year old. Baba was responsible for him
becoming a singer. The audience was ecstatic as he played and sung for the
next 75 minutes.
The many twist and turns blending perfectly with his other players made for
incredible listening and a special state of being.
The audience loved him and joined him with clapping or singing. Here was an
artist who fine-tuned his abilities to perfection singing from his soul
through his heart.
To end the evening, the grand finale was Baba singing “Subramaniam …Subramaniam”.
Arathi and darshan followed.
Attached are photos of Baba serving food to people and animals.
My eldest son, Sri. Venkatesh
was just one year old, and he had an attack of diphtheria. Till late on that
fateful night, we were not aware of the seriousness of the disease. We had
recently shifted to a new new colony, which had been developed in a new
location that was far from the city, and was a good 6 kilometers away from
Thane and there was no hospital or clinic in our vicinity. The place is called
Vartak Nagar, in the Pokhran Road No.1. It was raining very heavily. The child
was running high fever and he was unable to take any milk. He was not even
able to swallow his saliva and it was continuously coming out of his mouth. We
got panicky.
There was a family from the South India, living in the colony. Ms.Tara as we
knew her at that time was quite a young girl, living with her parents..We knew
her as a most devoted follower of Bhagavan Sathya Sai Baba and we took the
child to their house not knowing what to do. Whenever we faced any problems,
my wife used to rush to her for solace and blessings. She had immense faith in
Ms. Tara.
We could only pray. It was late in the night and still raining. We had no
money whatsoever with us. My wife was inside their house and I was standing in
the verandah though getting wet in the rain. When we really feel that we are
helpless, the helping hand of Swami reaches out. I could not believe my own
eyes. I found a scooter coming in front of the house and a man covered with a
raincoat stepped down. He was a doctor from Thane City Civil Hospital. Indeed
he was God sent, at the crucial time! I rushed to him and explained the
situation saying that my child was unwell and it seemed that something was
seriously wrong with him. The doctor immediately attended to my child,
diagnosed it to be a case of diphtheria, and advised immediate
hospitalization. It was a very serious case, needing constant medical
attention. I explained to the doctor of my helpless situation without any
money with me not even for hiring a vehicle at this hour, leave alone medical
expenses. He looked straight on my face for a while. In fact we were totally
strangers. He advised me not to worry any more. He administered some
medicines, for temporary relief and said he would come back immediately as he
had to go to the city to get the necessary medicines. He spent his own money
for purchasing the injections and other medicines. He said he would stay the
whole night with us since medicines had to be administered periodically and
the progress of the child had to be monitored.
My wife firmly believed that Swami had heard the supplementing prayers of Tara
Mataji, and to draw the grace of Bhagavan Baba. We could only surrender and
pray to Him. We believed that Swami had heard our prayers and sent a Doctor to
us at the time of crisis, a doctor with a heart to spare his own money and
time and who stayed throughout the night. This is the story of the child
begotten by His Grace and protected by His mercy.
Sri Maa went to Puttaparthi on her maiden pilgrimage. My younger sister was
also mercifully included in the group. Mataji had taken with her a wooden
Padhuga to get blessed by Bhagavan Baba. Inside Interview room, Tara Mataji
placed the Padhuga under Divine Lotus feet. Instead of blessing and giving it
back, Swami walked out of the room wearing the padhuga. And Swami was wearing
this Padhuga for few days. However, before the group was about to leave
Puttaparthi, Swami called them for yet another interview.
Swami smilingly returned the Padhuga as Divine Prasad. I believe that this
Divine Padhuga is still worshiped in Her Ashram in Thane !!!!
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
Swami's 86th birthday celebration
links and reports of all GOA Sai Samithi's.
To
Mr.Kingshuk Nag,
Editor,Times of India
Hyderabad
Dear Sir,
I write this with reference to your report published under the headline ”Sai
Anniversary without pomp” in your edition dated 24th November 2011. Unlike
other editions of Times of India, your edition has several inaccuracies.
Everyone is welcome to perceptions, even reporters. But when these are at
variance with facts they need to be pointed out and corrected. That is normal
journalistic ethics.
(1) You say that the celebrations were a lack lustre affair with hardly 10,000
in attendance.
We are not in the game of numbers here. And we do not count the number of
people who come to Prasanthi Nilayam. It does not make any difference to us
whether there is a solitary devotee or a million people. But on this Birthday,
the main Sai Kulwant Hall was full and overflowing,with the disappointed
devotees who could not find place inside spilling onto sidewalks and the
adjoining halls. Our best estimate is about 90,000 people were in attendance.
For a non-decennial Birthday, in the opinion of several others who have been
attending birthday celebrations for the past thirty years, this was a record.
We enclose some photographs taken that morning for your reporter probably an
absentee that day, to see for himself.
(2)Your reporter says that last year the President and the Prime Minister had
come, thereby implying that this year no President or Prime Minister came
here.
To the best of our knowledge, the same President and Prime Minister are in
office this year and surely he does not expect the Head of the country and the
Head of the Government to visit us on consecutive years.
(3) Your reporter says that there were no “bigwigs” in attendance.
We are not in the habit of soliciting the presence of prominent people in
particular.They arrive here on their own. For Bhagawan Baba then, and for us
now, it does not make any difference whether the visitor to Prasanthi Nilayam
is a prince or a plebian. But if your reporter considers a State Governor, an
Ex Chief Minister, several State Ministers and other prominent public men who
were among those present as “nobodies”, perhaps he needs to restudy the
constitution of India
(2) Your reporter says that the cultural fete “was a lackluster event”!
Internationally famous Blues singer Dana Gillespie, Mandolin prodigy Srinivas,
spiritual music maestro Anup Jalota, the Hindustani music virtuoso Sumitra
Guha and Carnatic music exponents Malladi Brothers performed during the
celebrations.
Shall we send the recorded CDs from these world renowned artistes to your
absentee reporter for his listening?
We have experienced irresponsible journalism from some papers. We have been
victims of this phenomenon for the past six months.
But from the Times Group?
I believe we deserve both an apology and a retraction.
Yours Sincerely,
Prof A. Anantharaman
(Media Coordinator, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust)
Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi,
Anantapur, AP - 515134
Telephone-08555-287369
Posted on 27.11.2011 - Mannar K
Swamis 86th Birthday Celebrations --Ch.Pothapalli
On the most auspicious day
marking the 86th anniversary of the Divine Advent of our beloved Lord,
Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, villagers of Sri Sathya Sai Model village,
Ch.Pothapalli offered their loving and prayerful gratitude to Him by
celebrating His 86th Birthday for His Love, Grace, and Guidance.
Distribute Thousands of Laddu Sweet,Vibhuthi & Swamis Photos to the children
of 9 near by villages and served Food to 500 poor people & Children.
Images of
Bhagawan's 86th Birthday Celebrations yesterday.
Attached are some Wonderful Photos of the
morning and evening Programmes of Bhagawan's 86th Birthday Celebrations
yesterday.
Sai Ram-Mannar Krishna - 24.11.2011
23 NOVEMBER 2011, EVENING PROGRAMME
Om Sairam dearest
Sai Family
As it was already announced that there would be JHOOLA Mahotsavam where a
swing made of silver would be placed just before the Mahasamadhi. little did
we knew this would be so wonderful and mesmerising. I remember witnessing
Swami in Jhoola when I was a child and later on, for reasons best known to
Swami we didn't get to see this much during His birthdays.
Not sure whose idea was it infact it is not that important but it was indeed a
novel idea to have this episode for the 86th Birth Anniversary celebrations.
In the jam packed Sai Kulwanth hall when the Jhoola was unveiled every one
watched it with rapt attention with hearts filled with devotion. An ecstatic
feeling where you feel as if you are seeing the Lord Himself swinging.
The music programme by the two legends was just icing on the cake. The first
one was Mandolin Srinivas and U.Rajesh. and they were followed by the
legendary Bhajan singer and also play back singer Sri.Anup Jalota. It was a
news to many of us when he said he first met Bhagawan 48 years ago, when he
was just 10 years old.. what a blessing indeed.He continued to say that Swami
even taught him the art of singing.. His famous song "Sai Baba Bolo"which he
sang along with late Mohammed Rafi was just fantastic.
After the felicitation and a fantastic commentary by Prof.Anil Kumar the
programme came to an end with a recorded bhajan "Subramanyam Subramanyam" sung
by Swami.
Even though the country name is not important but many inquiries were made if
a birthday cake can be cut for Swami or not. the other question was now that
Swami is no more in His body can we sing birthday song? Both of them happened
this morning. A huge cake prepared by the Italian group which read KEEP US AT
THE DIVINE LOTUS FEET ALWAYS...
The Band also sang
the birthday song at the end while the Chief guest of this morning Sri.Rosiah
cut the cake for Swami.
Over all, Swami's Divine Hand was seen in the entire festivity. Mother Sai!
who patiently watched all the happenings all these months, showered so much
grace on all of us and thus this was indeed a fitting reply to the people with
vested interests who were after Swami and His Devotees. This was indeed
Swami's grace that there was this "Team Spirit" which made the whole programme
a grand success. It is very clear that Swami even chose the invitees for the
programme right from the VIPs, artists to common man. The whole campus was
full. The food arrangements were fantastic.
Of all the festivals after the Divine Departure, birthday was the best. In
fact the celebrations were getting better and better. Lets all have this
strong faith in Swami that He will be taking care of all the things. As we all
know, our beloved Lord will never leave us.. Lets hold His hand and let Him
take us where He wants to with no questions asked and with out an iota of
doubt in our MONKEY MINDS..
Every thing is going to be all right. Lets stop talking about the future of
the Trust, future of bla..bla..bla.. It is all Swami's DIVINE WORK. Lets just
be His instruments. Let us help Him to use this INSTRUMENT in a proper
way.....
Wishing every one a great Life ahead, offering humble pranams at the Lotus
Feet of our beloved Lord,
R.Satish Naik
Posted on 24.11.2011
Original, handwritten,
unpublished letter written by Swami decades ago
Had to share this.
An Alumnus of Sri Sathya Sai university shared today this original,
handwritten, unpublished letter written by swami decades ago.
A Unique 86th Birthday Gift, A Profound message, A handwritten, unpublished
Original letter (with english translation) written by Swami expressing His
wish as to How he wants devotees to conduct themselves shared by Mayur Pandya,
A former Brindavan student of swami (1981 Bcom Batch), currently the president
of the Vancouver sai centre (canada).Translation of Swami's Letter
English translation
Sai Devotees and Members attending the meeting,
Accept My Blessings.
On this 17th anniversary occasion, I am witnessing the happiness being felt by
the Sai Devotees, though not present physically with you. Direct physical
experience and indirect experience are the same. Attributes could be many but
they are imaginary. Paddy and rice are different for name sake but the
difference is only in the husk. If you remove the husk, it is rice only. As
long as the rice is covered with husk, it has to germinate. When there is
moisture paddy has to germinate and sprout into a plant. If you remove the
husk, it can only be used as food and so loses the potential for rebirth.
Worship of the All-Pervasive Sai Rama is to experience the physical body
outside and the astral body inside. Bodily illusion belongs to man (Nara) and
atmic illusion belongs to God (Narayana). So if you continue to be enveloped
by bodily illusions and earthly attachments of this world, when do you
experience atmic illusion and see the cosmic form of God? Search for truth
should become a daily ritual for Sai Devotees. Love is the quality that
endears you to Parthivasa. Inferior qualities should be discarded as superior
human qualities confer divinity. So first devotees should develop a clean and
clear conscience and shed external pomp and show. You should remain unattached
to everything, because this is the truth. Devote all your time and actions to
God. Realize time as the vehicle of Sai and do not count the amount of time
you spent in prayers as the quality of devotion is more important.
Instead of expressing your devotion towards Sai in words and songs, express
them through your deeds. That is the truth. If you say something and do
something else or sing one thing while meaning something else, this show
becomes a no-show and harms Sai’s fame. So Sai Devotees should exercise
restraint in their behaviour. Your heart should melt like butter, looks should
shower cool moonlight and the words should be sweet like honey – that pleases
Sai.
Selfless devoted love and passion-free balanced love are the two eyes of Sai.
Sai likes practice and not publicity. Sai can be captured with love but not
treasures. Only when Sai devotees treat these principles of truth as a command
will the whole world become Saimayam (permeated by Sai) and Brahmamayam
(permeated by Brahman). When our vision is turned towards divine knowledge,
the world becomes an abode of God (Brahma). If you want to see the world in a
particular colour, you have to wear glasses of that colour first. So all of
you start experiencing Sai in your own way and reform yourselves with
acceptable behaviour. That is my wish.
- Baba
How this letter was discovered -
"Dear Brothers,
I am thrilled to share a letter written by Swami which, to the best of my
knowledge, has never been published but contains a profound message, a wish
from Swami, as to what His expectations are from His devotees.
Just before the 1984 Dussera celebrations, Swami called some of us senior
students upstairs to clean the store rooms situated on the left side of the
Prasanthi mandir. It was one of those thrilling chances to be close to Swami
for several hours while He supervised the project. While cleaning the rooms I
came across several interesting items reminiscing the old days of the Paatha
mandir and the events that took place then.
One such item was the pot held up by Prof.N.Kasturi while Swami performed the
vibhuti abhishekam to the silver Shirdi Sai statue in Poornachandra
Auditorium. Though I have never witnessed the abhishekam in my life it was
thrilling to touch the pot. I also came across a packet which contained
several old letterheads that Swami used over the years to write letters to
devotees. It also contained Swami’s old passport that He used to travel to
East Africa. When I approached Swami with the packet, He kept the passport
aside and then instructed me to cut off the top part of all the letterheads
and distribute the blank paper to the research scholars for their use. Later
in the hostel, I carefully went through the pages of each pad before cutting
the sheets and was delighted to find two invaluable documents: One, a letter
written by Swami in His own handwriting which was perhaps for an article
written for the Sanathan Sarathi. The second, a poem written by Swami about
Himself entitled “Udayamu”. Swami permitted me to keep these documents and a
few copies of each of the letterheads as souvenirs.
The message contained in it is profound. Swami actually expresses His wish as
to how He wants devotees to conduct themselves. I am excited to share the
original letter and the English translation with my alumni brothers.
I hold this letter dearly to my heart as a family heirloom but felt impelled
to share both the original as well as the translation with you all. So far
only a handful of people have seen this letter. I am sure each of us will take
away a unique message from this letter as if Swami wrote it just for us.
Please share freely with one and all.
shared by MM -
24.11.2011
23 November 2011 News From
Parthi
23rd NOVEMBER 2011:
Om Sairam dearest Sai Family
Greetings to one
and all on the holy occasion of our Lord's 86th Birth anniversary. What a
beautiful and SAI FUL day it was.. Every one behind the success of this
beautiful day worked very hard to make this day a grand offering at the Lotus
Feet of our beloved Lord. Since Swami's Divine departure we have been saying
the first festival in the physical absence, yet another memorable and
important day of our life has passed without the Divine presence and so far
every festival had its share of joy and happiness.
Like it always happens the night before birthday, this year also i had to
spend sleepless night. Not sure why but there is always so much anxiety in
heart. In the past, the night before the birthday, i used to think what would
be happening in Swami's Abode, how would Swami spend His night before His
birthday, How would He select the kind of robe He would be wearing, what time
would He wake up (even though we all know Swami hardly sleeps) and so on. This
year as well, in spite of His physical absence, my thoughts were still the
same. Before i could go back to sleep, it was 5 am and it was time for me to
leave home. It was a beautiful morning, very serene, bit cold. Prasanthi
Nilayam was beautifully decorated and all arrangements were made for the grand
day. The Sai Kulwanth hall was draped with yellow decoratives, the yellow
curtains, yellow flowers hangings with the falling lights put up for last
year's Christmas decorations by SA. The Main curtain which is used to close
the Mahasamadhi was bit orangeish in colour. There were thousands of devotees
thronging into the ashram right from the morning. Every one were holding a
coconut and a garland for Ganesha. Watching there i was thinking today would
be a big RECORD for the number of coconuts that were broken for Ganesha..
The Devotees were lining up by 6 am and at 7.30am without any rush or pushing
every one of us entered the beautifully decorated Sai Kulwanth hall. The very
moment of entry into the hall gave us that Divine Energy and Aroma which is
very special for Swami alone. The morning being quiet and calm made the
experience much sweeter. Almost half of the hall was kept vacant for all the
VIPs and students. In no time every one were seated and in less than 30
minutes the hall was full.
Every one were eagerly awaiting for the curtains to be pulled aside. At 8 am
the curtains were pulled and then came this beautifully decorated Maha Samadhi
of our beloved Lord, with huge garlands placed on Mahasamadhi and a huge
silver chair placed to His right. Tears rolled down to see Our Lord's
Mahasamadhi more over on His birthday. It will take a long time to come back
to the reality. Looking at the huge garlands, with tears in eyes, i said, O
Sai Ma, hope the garlands are not too heavy for You? Swami's body is very
delicate, more softer than butter. Over the years we all were used to see our
beloved Lord clad in Pure white robe with Golden border on His birthday, this
year and probably from now on it would be Swami's white Mahasamadhi with
golden border.
All these years, we were waiting for a glimpse of Swami's beautiful form but
from now on Swami Himself would be waiting for us, ready to bless us, guide
us, console us, correct us. This is how compassionate our Lord is. Brother
Veda Narayana who had a slipped in his home came in wheel chair and started
the proceedings with Ganapathi prarthana.
Later Prof. Anil Kumar started the proceedings briefing the programmes
scheduled for this morning. The first programme was "Guru Vandana" a musical
programme by the students. As soon as the second song "Madhura Mohana Ghana
Shyama" song started there was no way one could hold back the tears. By then
the Chief guest of this morning His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu,
Sri. K. Rosaiah was also seated next to Maha samadhi. Along with him were Mr.
Ashok Chavan, former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Sri. Ashok Singhal, Viswa
Hindu Parishad, Ministers from the state of Andhra Pradesh that attended were
Sri. Marri Sashidhar Reddy, Sri. Raghuveera Reddy and others.
Born in Andhra Pradesh ,Sri. Rosaiah had Swami's darshan on various ocassions
in various positions. Every time he came to Parthi Swami used to shower so
much love on him. Listening to the heart warming songs, Sri. Rosaiah tried his
best to control his emotions. After three songs Sri. Rosaiah released a new CD
sung by Malladi Brothers. Walking upto the Mahasamadhi Sri. Rosaiah after
releasing the CD placed the first CD at Mahasamadhi and later Malladi Brothers
had a 20 minutes musical programme.
As we all know Swami showered so much love and blessings on Malladi family
that for the past 4 birthdays or so, they were given chance to perform in the
divine presence. Born with a legacy and rich tradition accrued through their
grand father Late malladi Sri Rama murthy and through their father Sri.
Malladi Suri Babu. On the ocassion of 84th Birthday, they literally made Swami
cry by singing the song "Puttu leni Swami Puttaparthilo Puttenu" (Swami who
has no birth took birth in Puttaparthi). This morning the father of the duo,
Sri. Malladi Suri Babu started this song with a small alaap where he said
about PUTTA (ant hill). How Shiva was connected to Putta (as He has snakes
around His neck) about Lord Subramanya. and the next line goes thus: "PUTTA
meeda prema poledu Swamiki" (even to this day Swami's love for Ant hill didn't
go away ) Puttparthilo Puttenu (so He is born in Puttaparthi). Inspite of his
age, his voice had a fantastic melody and devotion. Every one who understood
Telugu cried listening to this beautiful song.
The last rendering "kanumarugai Poyava Karuna Sindhu ( O Ocean of compassion
have You really vanished from our eyes?) was just too much for us to control
our emotions and made us cry again. Sri. Rosaiah and other ministers along
with Brother Ratnakar were seen wiping their tears for this particular song
which was sung with so much devotion and feeelings..
After their programme, Sri. Srinavasan, Member Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
addressed the gathering. Sri. Srinivasan thanked Swami for His love and
blessings and for making this birthday celebration a grand success. Sri.
Srinivasan said, Swami has not gone any where but very much present with us.
He appreciated the Radio Sai team for making efforts to get the LIVE video
streaming of the birthday programme. He said the students of Sai would be
playing a key role in the years to come and Swami has told the same on various
occassions.
ANNUAL REPORT OF SATHYA SAI CENTRAL TRUST:
Sri. Srinivasan released Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust annual report which
would have all the financial details and it is noteworthy to be one of the
very few charitable institutions to do so. The first copy of the report was
handed over to Sri.Rosaiah and the same would be made public on the official
Sai website.
Sri.Srinivasan also
said that all the institutions started by Bhagawan are functioning very well.
He said the Trust would be adding few more advanced Mobile Hospital vans in
various cities of India. They would also have highly advanced equipment in the
cardiology wing of Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality hospital. He also said that
all the Sathya Sai schools would be given enough support on various aspects to
improve the quality and funtion in line with Swami's teachings also
continuation of the Teacher training programme. He also said there would be
some major developments within the ashram which includes modernisation of
canteens.
Later he thanked His excellency Sri. Rosaiah for taking time to come over to
Puttaparthi on this memorable day and asked him to address the gathering.
GOD OR HUMAN:
Sri. Rosaiah in his usual and natural state after bowing down to Swami's
Mahasamadhi thanked Swami for blessing him to attend the Birthday
celebrations. Going to back to his memorable moments with Swami he said Swami
used to call every one "Bangaru"and He didn't have anything to keep for
Himself. He always cared for the world and was always thinking about various
projects to be taken up for the upliftment of the poor and needy along with
spiritual growth. The world might keep arguing whether He was God or not but
all the good work that He did in such a short span, is not possible for mere
humans and only God can do such work.
He continued saying: Swami may not be with us physically but He is very much
with all of us. You can talk to Him, see Him provided you are IN TUNE with
Him. If one has foolish and evil thoughts in his mind, Swami would say let me
not disturb this man and He would never be seen or felt by such a person. Lets
not talk about all the rumors. Lets live the life of Sathya Sai. He has left
treasures of knowledge for all us which needs to be put into practice.
GREAT BLESSING TO BE A SAI DEVOTEE:
With a heavy heart, Sri.Rosaiah said I am a very happy man now not because i
was a Minister, chief minister and now Governor of Tamil Nadu but to be one
among His millions of His devotees is a real blessing. It is very painful to
know that we can no longer see His beautiful form but we shouldn't not forget
that God comes in Human form to restore Dharma and He is not just the form.
He said we have heard and read that Krishna was born in Dwaraka and Rama in
Ayodhya. Just as these blessed lands, Puttaparthi is a blessed land and would
be visited by millions over the years. It is the great fortune of the people
of this land and this country that Swami chose to make this the spiritual
capital of the whole world.
Later a birthday
discourse probably 77th or 78th Year was played on the huge screens where
Swami said He is always happy happy happy. Only a unhappy man needs to be
wished Happy birthday.
Arathi was given to Swami at 11 am thus pulling curtains down to yet another
beautiful day..
This morning, there were two things that were felt simultaneously one was
Swami's PRESENCE and the other was Swami's ABSENCE...
This is Life, Mix of PLEASURE and PAIN..
Let this birthday
remind us the REAL PURPOSE of Swami's Descend... Let make use of His DESCEND
for our ASCEND in our spiritual growth. Let us all be His chosen instruments
to play one role or other in His Divine Mission as no role is big nor small..
Sumptuous lunch was arranged for every one behind the North buildings compound
and an estimated 70,000 people would have had breakfast and lunch this
morning..
We Love You Swami....
With Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,
R.Satish Naik
23.11.2011
21st NOVEMBER 2011
Om Sairam dearest
Sai Family
The 86th Birth
Anniversary celebrations of our beloved Lord is in full Swing and very
interesting programme happened yesterday and that was none other than Ms.Dana
Gillespie who made every one dance in ecstasy with her characteristic sweet
voice. The London Blues fame singer started the programme with "We all are one
under the sun"and went on to sing a dozen songs.
She did a fantastic
job with a short commentary in between the songs and it was very nice to
listen to those interesting stories and conversations with Swami.
CAN WE MOVE OUR BODY WHILE SINGING BHAJANS:
Just before she
sang this bhajan "Prem Eswara Hain" she very politely said (not the exact
words), "some where 30 years ago i once read in a bhajan book, which in those
days was one of the very few or may be the only one in circulation and in the
rules it read the body should be straight and without showing any excitement
or movement." As we all have seen, like it happens to many singers, Ms.Dana
also rhythmically moves her body to the tune while she performs. Very politely
she said i have broken the rule, please excuse me. Continuing on the same
topic she remembered one incident where apparently Swami said thus in the
verandah "Dana moves her body while singing bhajans". She continued to say,
Swami didn't say don't move while singing bhajans, so I hope it is fine.
She later sang one
of her favourite bhajan ALLAH HO AKBAR and here again she said, I am not sure
how and why the line "La Ilaha Illa alla" has been omitted from this bhajan in
the recent past. Apparently she even asked Swami about this in the interview
room and Swami asked her to SING those lines when this bhajan is sung... The
whole Sai Kulwanth hall started tapping, clapping while she sang this song. So
next time this song is sung in your center, make sure you add this line...
Before her perfomance Mr.Goldstein and Mr.Sheetu of the UK addressed the
assembly.
SECURITY BEEFED UP:
Meanwhile all the
arrangements are being done for the Birthday festivity. Ample parking places
on all four corners of Puttaparthi have been arranged. Sri Sathya Sai Water
Supply Project has put up free drinking water counters on every strategic
point of the town. The potholes on the roads have been covered up and the
local municipality has brought in more number of cleaning staff. Every
evening, mosquito repellents are being sprayed in the streets of Puttaparthi
and the main arch by the Ganesh Gate and Gopuram gate where it said 85 years
of love has been replaced with Swami's photograph. A veteran devotee of
Bhagawan, the present Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr. K.Rosaiah would be the chief
guest for this year's birthday celebration
SEVA BY THE SAI YOUTH OF PUTTAPARTHI.
On another interesting development, the local Sai Youths of Puttaparthi have
come forward in cleaning the banks of Chitravathi river. As we all know, Swami
as a child used to take the hand full of Devotees to the banks of Chitravathi
river and did innumerable leelas while giving them all the spiritual riches.
Infact this river, is one of the holiest rivers as the Avatar of this age
walked here and due to mis-management and negligence it has become a DUMP YARD
in the recent past. The Youths hired few JCBs to remove all the dirt from the
river bank. The local authority including the police have given strict orders
to refrain from dumping the waste into the river.
PUTTAPARTHI GIRI PRADAKSHINA:
In the recent past this new concept or ritual has gained momentum and
attracting large numbers. When we visit a temple, after offering prayers, we
circumambulate the Altar, because the Lord is the center, source and essence
of our lives. Recognising Him as focal point in our lives, Pradakshina is
done.
On the full moon
night Devotees have started going round the whole ashram township, starting
from Ganesha gate, petrol station, west gate, Shiva temple, Hanuman temple and
end at Ganesh gate. This huge circle which comes upto 7 kilometers had 90
devotees the last Poornima as against 8 people before.
All the way long, singing bhajans devotees walked around the Holy hamlet
carrying photos of our beloved Lord. As you can see in one of the attachments
there was also one Dog with one leg amputed go around the whole 7 kilometers,
motivating, filling confidence amongst the Devotees.
FREE FOOD COUNTERS:
As part of the 86th
Birthday festivity and also to be of help to the visiting devotees, the
Puttaparthi Youths are also having free food counters most probably near the
Gopuram. As we pass by the Gopuram one can see barricades in the middle of the
road. As more number of people are expected, Devotees would be let to have
Mahasamadhi darshan along these barricades. Being a strategic point,, the free
food counters by the Puttaparthi Youths would be put up here. I also heard
that the ashram is also making arrangements for free food in the Prasanthi
Nilayam premises for all the visiting devotees.
MORE OVERSEAS DEVOTEES;
Inspite of Swami's
physical absence, large number of overseas devotees have turned up for the
Birthday festivity. As usual there are also some media personnel with camera
and mike interviewing Devotees coming out of the ashram. Even though the names
of the channels are not important, standing there, i was watching them keenly
and there was this reporter interviewing Devotees especially from overseas and
the question was (in completely broken English) Now Swami not available(not
present Physically) why you still coming to Puttaparthi? This devotee, who
probably was a Russian (who spoke little English), did understand his question
walked away saying: you TV people don't come to Puttaparthi.
The same fellow started interviewing another Devotee and now it was a Chinese
origin Devotee and the same question was put and the reply was very touching.
"This is My Mother's place. I don't need any body's permission to come here. I
don't care if I will see MY mother or not, but I know this for sure, My mother
will definitely look at me and this is a great blessing". (over) hearing this
reply, I was bit shocked and the reporter was doubly shocked.
Then came a lady devotee probably in her 50s probably from Africa and the
question this time was do you think Puttaparthi will have any future? The lady
raised her eye brows and said, O! can you predict your own future? Swami
always says not to think of the future. Puttaparthi is a place where God has
chosen to take birth. He has built this spiritual capital hand picking each
and every minute aspect of this place right from the bricks to be used to the
kind of people He would bring to this place. There is no doubt the glory of
Sathya Sai Avatar and Puttaparthi will stay for ever and ever.
Standing there i was watching all this drama and by then the reporters were
getting frustrated and the camera man said softly, why are we not bumping into
some one who would speak something negative? Looking at the Ganesha statue, I
said Thank You Ganesha!! and I left the place.
i am sharing this only to let every one of us know the real intentions of one
section of the media and how they are desperate to malign Swami's name and His
institutions. We as the CARE TAKERS of His property, have to be extra cautious
and more vigilant.
Attached here are some photos (flash slidesshow) which would interest you..
With Pranams at the
Lotus feet of our beloved Lord,
R.Satish Naik - 21.11.2011
Schedule Of Telugu Stream Of
Radio Sai On 23 November 2011
Sairam
Attached is the schedule for the 86th Birthday celebrations of our most
Beloved Bhagawan in the Telugu stream of RadioSai.
We are really overwhelmed by the number of programmes that we have got for
this occassion. It was almost close to 18 hours. We tried to accommodate most
of the programmes. Whichever are not broadcast now will be broadcast at a
later date.
We offer our gratitude to our Most Beloved Swami who gave us this opportunity
to present these programmes on His Birthday.
We also take this opportunity to thank each and every one of the Radio Sai
Telugu team across the state of Andhra pradesh who made this day most
wonderful with such beautiful programmes.
We really look forward to your active contributions in future too.
Every year, the Birthday celebrations of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai is a great
spiritual event in Prashanthi Nilayam. There will be various programmes
planned out for 4 or five days, and draw huge crowds of devotees in the Divine
presence.
Invariably, these celebrations conclude with the :Jhoola Programme” on the
last day. The locations may change. It could be in Poornachandra Auditorium,
or Hill view Stadium. But the jhoola programme is the last programme. .Ddevotees
believe, that Swami is swinging the Jhoola and is also showering His grace on
those who had gathered there. After hectic celebrations, Swami is a in a
relaxed and pleasant mood. He listens and enjoys good music, and at the same
time, gives joy to the multitude of devotees who flocks to His abode.
Groups and groups of devotees would arrive by availing various available
transportations. Many devotees from long distance places arrive by special
buses, to attend the Birthday festivals. They all wait till Bhagavan Baba
takes his seat in the Jhoola, and starts swinging. As soon as the devotees
sight swami in the Jhoola, the devotees believe that the pilgrimage is
fulfilled, and start leaving Prashanthi Nilayam, only to come back very soon.
I wish to share some import information on Jhoola programme.
When Bhagavan takes His seat on the jhoola, it is the turn of devotees to
gently push the jhoola, for achieving the swing. After senior devotees turn is
over, the seva dals are given this special privilege.
They stand in queue behind the stage, and one by one, they move forward, and
give a hand to gently push the jhoola.
From the days of
Sri. Raja Reddy and other old time singers, the main song for this programme
is Jhoola songs, composed in beautiful Telugu Language. The song “Pavalimbu
Sayee Deva……” was very famous. Later on came Srimathi M.S. Subbalakshmi and
other great singers, who started rendering wonderful classical songs and other
devotional songs.. Gradually the “Pavalimbu Sa yee deva…. song, had become a
rare product. The song starts with the first line as , “Laali, Laali, layya
Laali, Lavanya Guna seela……”
A very old sai devotee from Chennai, Sri, “Sai Premi” made it a point to
conclude all his bhjan programmes with the rendering of the old Jhoola song.
For the past 50 years. He had never missed singing this Laali songs at the end
of every Bhajan.
I wished to record this wonderful composition, so that this song will be
etched in the memory of all new sai devotees, who had not heard this song.
This effort took shape, by shooting a video programme on this subject, in the
residence of Sri. Sai Premi” who is very soon going to celebrate his own
“Sahasra Chandra Darshana Vaibhavam”.. Yes, he is now past 80 plus year old. I
dedicate this Wonderful video to commemorate His Sathabhishekam functions.
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
Posted on
22.11.2011
Picnic organised for special
need children
Sairam
As a part of swami's birthday celebrations a Picnic was organised for special
children of Keshav Sadhna School, Bicholim. The venue was Bhagwan Mahavir
Park, Panaji, Goa. Around 150 special children enjoyed today. Sairam!
November 19th 2011,
proved to be a very memorable day for all the ladies (and few gents!) gathered
at Dharmakshetra. The programme started at 5:30 pm and after a powerful veda
chanting and invigorating bhajans all led by the ladies, a small discussion on
the importance of Swami's teachings in a lady's life was discussed by Smt.
Munira Banatwalla & Smt. Aarushi Pandit.
Two dramas were then presented by Mulund & Shivaji Park Samithi. The gathered
audience were thoroughly entertained by the dramas that depicted the "Role of
a woman in the house, society & in the Sathya Sai Organisation"
After tasting the tears of laughter it was soon time to taste the tears of
ecstacy & joy as all the gathered ladies performed Aarti to Dear Sai Ma, from
their respective places each one having a "Aarti thaali" in their hand! It was
a sight to behold.
As a part of Swami's
86th birthday celebration a special Health care awareness program was
conducted by panaji and karmali samithi , Various doctors gave talks on health
care and Mother and Child Care..Program was a huge success with full packed
hall
Story behind these Photos - (Massive
Nagar Sankeertan in Mumbai)
Massive Nagar Sankeertan in
Mumbai
The celebrations of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai baba is in full swing all over the
world. The great city of Mumbai is also taking a big lead in organizing
various programmes on this Holy occasion.
Today, the 20th November saw a massive congregation of devotees is various
parts of Mumbai city. The Nagar sankeertan was slated to start from three
different parts of the city. The devotees from the North Mumbai, the devotees
from Eastern suburbs, and the devotees from the western suburbs collected
themselves in three different locations and marched along the street, singing
Sai Bhajans. Even though it was very early morning, the traffic in some places
had to be regulated to allow smooth march of the devotees.
All the three different groups converged in city’s central location, Shivaji
Park, and concluded in front of a Ganesh Mandir bordering the Maidan. True to
the Maharashtra tradition, the first Arathi was, “Sukha Kartha, Dukha Hartha”…
the most popular Ganesh arathi. This was followed by Sai Arathi.
This unique programme of Nagar sankeertan from three different parts of city
and converging in a common place, enabled maximum devotees to participate in
this massive programme. Sri. Anoop Saxena, the District President of Sri
Sathya Sai Seva organizations, Mumbai, claimed that over 750 devotees
representing Sai Samithies from almost all parts of the city had participated.
The devotional fervor, and great enthusiasm among the devotees had to be seen
to believe
For anybody, Swami would seem to have left His physical Body. But the devotees
believe that Bhagavan Baba is still with them. They demonstrated this faith
and devotion, by the way they participated in the early morning massive Nagar
sankeertan Programme.
Sai Ram
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
Akhanda Bhajan 2011 culminates with
devotional fervour
Jai Sai Ram
See the photo below.
Vibhuti Darshan at
approximate 2.45am in London UK. ( Ilford Sai Centre) 2011.
Baba has never left us. His omnipresence is felt. He has promised that
wherever His glory is sung, He will be there.
Let us Glorify His Love. Let us live in Love and give a gift to Swami on this
birthday.
Narendra Lodhia
Posted on 20.11.2011
16 NOVEMBER 2011, News from Parthi
Om Sairam dearest Sai Family
The 86th Birth anniversary of our beloved Lord has started and this evening it
was the turn of Brother Sumeet Tappoo to steal the show. An ardent devotee of
Bhagawan who was blessed with so many interviews performed this evening with
some soul stirring songs.
Brother Tappoo controlling all his emotions made every one of us emotional
with the right and apt song selection raising to the occassion. All the
renderings had so much and love and feelings for Swami and when he sang the
sabse achi Sabse pyari Sai ma it was just fantastic.
Brother Tappoo who started his career as a bhajan singer, with His infinite
grace is now started singing for Bollywood movies and has been touring
extensively all over the world, especially visiting various Sai centers
singing His glory. He is also scheduled to sing in Sai Shivam, Hyderabad in a
day or two.
Brother Sumeet was also one of the blessed singers to sing in the morning
session of Swami's 85th Birthday in the Hill view stadium. It definitely would
have been a very emotional outing for him.
17 NOVEMBER 2011
This day, in the year 2009 is also remembered to be the blessed one to witness
Swami's 1000 full moon year (Sahasra Chandra Darshana Yagnam) and today
evening it was the turn of the Muddenahalli campus where in they had this
beautifull programme Sri Rama Naamamrutam. The two tiny tots who sang live
were worth mentioning for their devotion in their voice, melody and
dedication.
Many of the songs were taken from the historic movie of yesteryears LAVA KUSHA
which i think is still watched with rapt attention. Atleast three generations
especially those from Andhra Pradesh would have fond memories of watching this
movie right from their childhood days. Coincidentally the main actors of this
movie like Smt. Anjali Devi, Sri. Kanta Rao and others were ardent devotees of
Bhagawan. Swami, in the recent past also seemed to like the songs from this
movie and there were quite a few occasions where the Prasanthi Bhajan singers
dressed like Lava and Kusha sang in the Divine presence while Swami enjoyed
every bit of it. Though not present physically, Swami did enjoy this evening's
programme as well.
GOPURAM GATE:
On a different note, it is a happy news that since Karthik Pournami, (the name
of the current Lunar Month) and also a holy celebration to both Lord Shiva and
Lord Vishnu Devotees, the Gopuram Gate of Swami's ashram was opened around 4am
in the morning of November 10,2011 amidst Vedic chants by Sri.Ratnakar. As you
all know this door used to be opened only for Swami when He was going out for
a drive in His car. The last time this door was opened was when His divine
body was brought in the Ambulance from the hospital.
Even though we are not allowed to enter or exit from this door, standing
outside there is a beautiful view of Swami's Mahasamadhi and many devotees are
feeling happy about it.
LIVE TELECAST FROM RADIO SAI
After this evening's programme Prof.Anil Kumar announced that Radio Sai would
be carrying a LIVE STREAM of all the programmes in www.radiosai.org which is a
very good initiative even though it seems that this should have done way back
when Swami was physically present but all happens according to His divine
will..
With Pranams at the Lotus feet of our beloved Bhagawan
Satish Naik - 18.11.2011
Dear Reader,
Sairam!
Here is a good news from Radio Sai!
The 86th Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan Baba can now be watched Live from
Prasanthi Nilayam on
www.radiosai.org.
The Live Video streaming
from Prasanthi Nilayam will begin from the morning of November 19, 2011 and
will continue till the evening of November 23, 2011.
See below for the detailed schedule of the programmes for all these five days.
November 19, 2011 (Saturday)
9:00 a.m.
Ladies Day Celebrations
5:00 p.m.
Cultural Programmes
November 20, 2011 (Sunday)
5:00 p.m.
Cultural Programme by International Sri Sathya Sai Organisations
November 21, 2011 (Monday)
5:00 p.m.
Drama on Convocation Eve by Students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning
November 22, 2011 (Tuesday)
10:30 a.m.
XXX Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.
5:00 p.m.
XX Anniversary of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,
Prasanthigram.
5:30 p.m.
"Tala Vadya Kutcheri" by Sri Karaikudi Mani and Party
November 23, 2011 (Wednesday)
8:00 a.m.
Panchavadyam and Bhajans
8:30 a.m.
Bhagawan’s Birthday Celebrations.
5:00 p.m.
Vocal Concert by Sri Anup Jalota and Party
5:45 p.m.
Instrumental Music Concert by Padma Shree Mandolin U. Shrinivas and U. Rajesh
and party.
Therefore no matter whichever corner of the world you are in, visit
www.radiosai.org
and be a part of the holy celebrations unfolding in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Let us fill our lives with His Love, His Message and His Glory!
Thank you,
Loving regards
Radio Sai team
Radiosai in the Air
Dear all,
We all know about how World
Space shut down. For a few weeks after that Radiosai streamed through the
Worldspace sets and then it too was out.
Radiosai was then restricted to the realms of the internet. And now, Swami has
showered His immense love in ways only He is capable of.
Radiosai being streamed on the net, is being beamed to the satellite and that
is now reaching radiosets around the globe! Good news in the air.
As we put on the radio set in the studio, Swami's sweet voice singing Govinda
Krishna Jai filled the air....
Celebrate and spread the news.
In Sai Love
AB -17.11.2011
Come, Let's Celebrate Our Lord's 86Th
Year Of The Advent
NOVEMBER 13, 2011
Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,
Greetings from the holy land of our beloved Lord. The 86th Birth Anniversary
of our beloved Lord has officially started with Akhanda bhajan starting at
sharp 6PM (IST) with a short introductory note from Prof.Anil Kumar. The
Akhanda Bhajan started with Shuklam baradaram and Maha Ganapathey namostuthe
bhajan.
In a beautifully lit evening
with very pleasant temperature seated in the most beautiful Sai Kulwanth hall,
watching our beautiful Lord's beautiful Mahasamadhi, my thoughts went to
exactly 12 months ago when this place was buzzing with thousands and thousands
of devotees. Every one were busy in some way or other. The Prasanthi
Management was literally walking on their toes with so much of work to
complete and since it was the 85th year, there were high expectations on the
whole event. With His immense grace it was a grand grand success and a perfect
gratitude to the Avatar of this Age.
REAL TEST:
Going back to my thoughts, i
was saying, Swami! With Your immense grace and compassion You have given us
everything that we asked for, every thing that we couldn't even think of
having, came in our way, At one stage, With all Your pampering we even forgot
that the real purpose of Your DESCEND was for our ASCEND. We all became so
selfish that we were asking "what is that You will give us when we come to You
and what is that You will bring for us when You come to visit us".We
completely ignored the real thing that You wanted from us. To be precise we
haven't done anything that would please You...
Before we could realise our shortcomings, Swami decided to leave His body.
Post Mahasamadhi the REAL TEST started. Every Devotee was in some kind of
stress or other. There were many of our own non-devotee friends laughing at
us, why friends, few members of our own family who didn't follow Swami made
fun of us and let us feel that we were completely wrong in choosing the Sai
Path which indeed was a REAL test for all of us.With His grace we were able to
overcome this crucial period of our lives quite successfully but it is still
"work in progress"..
In my own example, Pre-Mahasamadhi, where ever I went when i tell them that I
am from Puttaparthi even non-believers said O How lucky you are!! We haven't
seen Sai Baba yet but we adore His simplicity and the great work He did for
the society. Literally the same people Post-Mahasamadhi said, O we have to
change our opinion and then they start bombarding with so many irrelevant,
useless, inconvenient and unwanted questions about all that happened or was
misinterpreted by some vested interests in the society.
Be it because of the strong attachment we had for Swami or to His
organisation, all of us, at one stage or other became bit emotional and also
bit disturbed with all that was told and shown in the Media.No matter what
happened, how it happened, for us Swami was/is our beloved Mother, Father and
a dear friend. What ever we are today is His mercy. Without His divine love,
we wouldn't have been what we are today. Every problem that we faced He taught
us to just say "passing clouds". He reminded us that there is just PIECES
outside and PEACE is within.
To be born in His time is verily a sign that we all are His beloved ones no
matter how close or far we were to His physical form, but we have a very
crucial role to play in His mission in our own humble and simple ways.
SWAMI AND THE TRUST:
Pre-Mahasamadhi, for us only the TRUST on Swami mattered a lot than SWAMI'S
TRUST. We all came to experience that TRUST through His love and compassion.
Atleast 99% of us didn't have any clue about the Trustees or the Trust. We
were TOO BUSY in intensifying, strengthening our TRUST on Swami, now we all
know it has turned the other way round. Knowingly or unknowingly we have put
Swami on the back seat and have been flooded in the WAVE OF DELUSION and mis
interpretation of various facts.
This again was/is Swami's TEST.. a real test which we never thought of. It was
a thorough FILTRATION process to retain the real devotees and this time
Swami's filter had very big holes and many of our own Sai Family members
either left the organisation or started to stay away from various Sai
Activities. Sisters and Brothers, i heard so many such incidents that happened
post Mahasamadhi where some one had to leave but one thing is very clear Swami
will never ever leave us. Only a OPPORTUNIST, Selfish and Egoistic person will
leave the Sai organisation. The one with strong faith will never part his way
no matter what is told and seen.
Very interestingly, on the other hand, double the number of new devotees have
come into Sai fold. Those are the people who had never been to Parthi nor seen
Swami in His physical form. A fortnight ago, I was seated next to a Brazilian
devotee and he was telling, out of 25 members in his group 23 of them have
come to Parthi for the first time and every one of them were experiencing
immense happiness and peace in Parthi. He himself being a first timer said,
Baba is very much here, i feel His presence, I feel His energy and this is
just fantastic place and I thank Baba for letting me to come to His abode.
OMNIPRESENT SWAMI:
All of us have to agree the fact that Swami is seen and felt in various places
to many many devotees after He left His physical form which reiterates the
fact and also reminds us that He is very much with us and even if we try to
leave Him, He will never part from us. In the recent past there were so many
instances where many devotees saw Swami's physical form in Sai Kulwanth hall.
The other day a poor girl and her family from West Bengal came to Sai Kulwanth
hall for Mahasamadhi darshan. It was their maiden visit to Parthi. The
following day she was scheduled to see the doctors in Swami's Super Speciality
hospital for her heart problem. The little girl saw Swami (in Sai Kulwanth
Hall) very clearly and apparently He even spoke to her in Bengali language and
asked her to go back to home and there is no need for heart operation.. The
parents who were initially bit apprehensive decided to go back home and the
medical check ups later confirmed that the hole in the heart was completely
cured. Now what can we say about the great compassion of our Lord. We can see
Him every time we want to, provided we are in the RECEPTIVE mood.
Last month when Sri.Puppet from the UK was here in Parthi, said thus which
made me say how true?? I asked him as how he felt about Puttaparthi post
Mahasamadhi and he said "Satish! how unfortunate I am that our Lord is able to
see me but I am not able to see Him" how true is that statement which is
applicable to many of us. We didn't understand Him while He was around
physically and before we realised it was too late...
Sisters and Brothers, close to 7 months have passed now. So much has said and
done about Swami leaving His form. Even we devotees discussed a lot about it.
Many of our discussions were of no use as they were all based on the imaginary
media reports. What happened, why it happened is not possible for our limited
minds to interpret. Rather let us show the same concern for our own spiritual
well-being. It is also high time for us to give up grieving on His Physical
departure. Swami would never like that. Our beloved Swami's name has to shine
like Him, His glory has to be sung in every nook and corner of this Universe,
His mission is now in our hands.
Now the whole world is watching the Sai Family. Many evil minded and narrow
minded people have already written off about the future of our organisation.
Little do they know that Swami has very clearly said that His Trust would stay
till the sun and Moon exists in this Universe and with His divine blessings
devotees would take His mission forward with much more intensity.
Come lets celebrate this 86th Birth anniversary of our beloved Lord by
visiting Parthi, to promise Swami that we will re-dedicate ourselves in
Swami's divine mission. Let's pledge to our Sai Ma that we will never do
anything that would make Her unhappy. Let this 86th year of the Advent be a
very grand success like the 85th Birthday. Lets use this as an opportunity to
SILENCE the vested interests who made fun of us, who underestimated our love
for Swami who defamed us, questioned our integrity. No matter how busy you are
in your personal and professional life, spare a day or two to take part in the
86th Birth anniversary of our beloved Lord. Make this pilgrimage to Parthi as
a THANKS GIVING to our beloved Lord for all the sacrifice He did for us, Make
this pilgrimage to Parthi to promise our beloved Lord, that we will take His
mission forward according to the Divine Plan, Make this pilgrimage to Parthi
to feel and experience our beloved Lord's Love and Compassion.
Just as He wore white robe with golden border during His birthdays, quite
coincidentally He is now watching us from His white with golden bordered
Mahasamadhi, ever loving, ever giving, ever compassionate Lord is waiting for
us to bless us with His divine grace so as to make us worthy enough to be His
chosen instruments.
Sisters and Brothers, come to Parthi, our beloved Lord is waiting for you..
Hand in hand, lets move to
FOLLOW OUR MASTER, FACE THE DEVIL, FIGHT TO THE END, FINISH THE GAME....
With pranams at the Lotus
feet of our beloved Lord,
R.Satish Naik
Updated on 16.11.2011
SRI. V. SRINIVASAN, ALL INDIA PRESIDENT,
IN DHARMAKSHETHRA – 11/11/2011
Sri. V. Srinivasan, All India
President, and a member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust visited Dharmakshethra
in Mumbai, to day the 11th November 2011.
A special gathering of senior office bearers from Mumbai District Sathya Sai
Organizations, greeted Sri. Srinivasan, in the magnificent Shanthi Deep Hall
in Dharmakshethra. Sri Nimish Pandya previous District President, and
presently a Trustee of Maharashtra, welcomed Sri. Srinivasan, and invited him
to speak and give guidelines to the devotees.
Sri Srinivasan began his address, taking reference to the events of Bhagavan’s
leaving His physical body, which shook devotees around the entire world. He
claimed the words; “Sraddha & Saboori” could only hold them fast to our
Beloved Bhagavan. It was a testing time, and a chance created by Bhagavan
Himself to test our Faith. He urged the devotees to carry on, engaging
ourselves in our spiritual sadhana and service activities. He himself had come
out of the trauma and had started engaging himself, by attending to his duty
as a responsible office bearer of the Organization.
He advised the gathering that
all our actions should be based on the values of humanity as preached by
Bhagavan, and all our actions be on the basis of Love, which is Divine.
He is now feeling happy when he travels to various parts of this country, and
meets the devotees in many areas. He said that by these meeting, he is trying
to infuse confidence and re-establish the confidence level of the devotees, to
push them further in their spiritual sadhana and seva activities, as ordained
by Bhagavan. He recalled to his recent visits to Jharkhand and Orissa states,
where he had witnessed immense enthusiasm in seva activities. Shortly he is to
visit Kerala and few other states. He said that he is planning to undertake
intensive travel all over India.
Sri. Srinivasan made a surprise announcement. He said that if invited, he is
willing to travel in Maharashtra state, and that during that visit he would
like to tour the rural areas, and meet devotees and speak to them. He feels
that travelling all over the country and meeting devotees will give him
immense pleasure and that his interaction with them will also help the
devotees to develop more faith in Bhagavan baba.
Sri. Srinivasan made everybody very happy with his interaction with those who
had gathered. He moved freely among the devotees, and discussed one to one
with many office bearers, on various points raised by them. He had few
suggestions to make when some devotees apprised him of some seva activities
especially in the field of medical aid.
The visit of Sri. V.Srinivasan to Mumbai had definitely made a very big impact
in the thinking of the office bearers from the district. A new energy and
enthusiasm is seen visible amongst them, when he was taking leave of every
one.
Sai Ram.
Bombay Srinivasan
INSIDE INTERVIEW ROOM: SWAMI SPEAKS ON
LOVING GOD!
Swami asked us, “Whom do you love most? All the relatives in the world are
bound to depart from this world one day or other and the love towards them is
also a passing phase. Before we marry, there is no wife and until we beget
child or children, there is no father or mother. All the relationships got
evolved one day or other during this lifetime and your love with such persons
are also developed through attachment and selfish desires. This love is not
permanent. However, one should remember that God is with you through and
through, your past births as well as in this birth and the forthcoming births
too. Therefore, if you love God without any condition, it will be pure and
selfless love. We should develop constant faith and love towards God who alone
is eternal.”
Swami was giving us lots of such advices and in the end He directed me to come
again with my wife on 4-11-1995 when I was to step into my sixtieth year of
existence by His Grace. It was another blissful event when further grace of
Sai was showered on us with yet another interview on that auspicious occasion.
Om Sai Ram.
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
Posted on 09.11.2011
Programme Details of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba's 86th Birth
Anniversary Celebrations:
Prasanthi Nilayam, November 10th, 2011:
Below is the Programme for the coming fortnight:
12th November, 6.00 p.m. to 13th Nov. 6.00 p.m.: GLOBAL AKHANDA BHAJAN
16th November to 23rd November : Bhagawan's 86th Birth Anniversary
Celebrations
Programme Calendar
Wed Nov 16, 2011
5:00pm
Vocal Music Concert by Sumeet Tappoo and party
Thu Nov 17, 2011
5:00pm
"Sri Rama Nama Amrutham", a musical dance drama by Muddenahalli Students
Fri Nov 18, 2011
8:45am
Rathothsavam
5:00pm
Vocal Music Concert by Ms. Sumitra Guha and Party
Sat Nov 19, 2011
9:00 am
Ladies Day Celebrations
5:00 pm
Cultural Programmes
Sun Nov 20, 2011
5:00pm
Cultural Programme by International Sri Sathya Sai Organisations
Mon Nov 21, 2011
5:00pm
Drama on Convocation Eve by Students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning
Tue Nov 22, 2011
10:30am
XXX Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning .
Chief Guest - Prof. P. Balram, Director, IISc, Bangalore
5:00pm
XX Anniversary of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences,
Prasanthigram.
5.30 pm
"Tala Vadya Kutcheri" by Sri Karaikudi Mani and Party
Wed Nov 23, 2011
9:00 am
Panchavadyam and Bhajans
9:30 am
Bhagawan’s Birthday Celebrations;
Chief Guest – Hon Governor of TN, Sri K. Rosaiah garu.
5:30pm
Jhoola Seva
Instrumental Music Concert by
Padma Shree Mandolin U. Shrinivas and U. Rajesh and party.
Miracles in the home of Sri. T.N.Seshan,
Chennai
In this photo you find Sri. T.N. Seshan with Bhagavan baba, inside the
Interview Room. You are also seeing me aside Sri. Seshan, Sir. My wife is also
peeping from behind. In another photos, the manifestation of Vibhuthi.
Now the story.:
I am pleased to report that for the past few days, plenty of vibhuthi is
oozing out from Baba’s Photo in their pooja room, in Chennai. The Amrutham,
the holy amrut is also oozing from the photo of Lord Guruvayurappan. Two days
back I phone up and spoke to Sri Seshan Sir, to know more about this Divine
manifestation. Sri. Seshan was kind enough to confirm the Divine miracle.
These photos are also attached. Please see the beautiful face of Bhagavan
Baba, embedded in the heap of vibhuthi. Looks very beautiful! Sri T.N Seshan
and his wife had been blessed on the eve of Divali this year.
Post Mahasamadhi of Bhagavan, reports of innumerable such Divine
manifestations are coming from various parts of the world. Who said Bhagavan
Baba had left us???
Parthi News
Update-November 2011
