A Report on Ashaadi Ekadashi at
Prasanthi Nilayam on 29th June, 2004
The Bal Vikas and
the Youth Wing of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations,
Maharashtra and Goa gave a memorable performance in the Divine
Presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Kulwant Hall
Prasanthi Nilayam. Approximately five hundred devotees
participated in this programme.
Bhagavan Baba
arrived at the Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.25 am. The hall wore a
festive look. Banners which displayed the messages "God is
always within you", "God and You are one", "God is immanent in
you", "To see yourself turn inward", "All are the embodiments of
the Divine" etc, were artistically done by the Youth of
Maharashtra.
On
Bhagavan's arrival at the Sai Kulwant Hall, He raised both His
Hands in the "Abhaya Hasta" form to the entire gathering. It was
surprising to note this gesture from Bhagavan Baba since His
Hands movement was restricted during the last few months.
Nevertheless, the devotees who were assembled there were
ecstatic on seeing their Lord showered Blessings on them. It was
really a wonderful sight for everyone.
The programme
commenced with the Invocation Song chanted by Ajit Kadkade in
his melodious voice. The entire hall was immersed in the
chanting of the name of "Panduranga Vithala", who the people of
Maharashtra revere as their deity. Mr. Indulal Shah (Ex
Chairman, World Council, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations ) was
seated next to Bhagavan Baba.
Actually, the
programme started on the evening of 25th June, 2004 from
Dharmavaram with the traditional spiritual invocations by the
Warkaris covering a distance of about 45 kms. This "Dindi
Procession" by the Warkaris culminated on the evening of 28th
June, 2004, seeking the Divine Darshan of Sai Vithala at
Prasanthi Nilayam.
The youth also
rendered service in the villages through Grama Seva, Narayan
Seva, Medical Camps etc. A Sai Katha Sankirtan for participants
of Seva Dindi in the midst of Akhanda Namasmarana and Bhajan
were also organized.
The Balvikas
children gave a scintillating performance. The significance of
the Ashaadi and Dindi commentary was followed by the traditional
Dindi Dance which set the tempo of this Bollywood like
performance. The play was titled " The Supreme Verdict" and the
theme was based on Swami's messages which followed.
The highlight of
this programme was to deliver the direct message of Bhagavan
that "Divinity was present not only in each and every one but
also in every atom of the Universe, and true devotion of the
Lord was to recognize this Truth first in their own selves and
then through Saguna Bhakti (worshipping the form) move onto
Nirguna Bhakti (worshipping the omnipresent formless) in a
spirit of devotion and surrender".
The colorful
outfits wore by the performers gave a professional look to the
entire show. The musical background was rapturous. A song "Kal
Ho Na Ho" had a catchy tune. It was a chart buster, since
everyone was humming it afterward.
Bhagavan Baba was
very happy with the skillful display by the Bal Vikas children.
At the end of the play, Bhagavan Baba commented to the Bal Vikas
children "Very nice....very nice". He was very happy with the
entire show. Thereafter, He blessed the special Prasad, called
some children and handed over this special Prasad to be
distributed to everyone. This Prasad is made out of - Rajgiri -
a cereal common in Maharashtra which is blended with jaggery
paste, and then cut into oblong pieces. Rajgiri is considered to
be an auspicious sacred food to be taken on the occasion of
Ashaadi Ekadashi.
A photo session
with Bhagavan Baba was also held. Bhajans continued after the
photo session. Ajit Kadkade, Richa Sharma, Uma Bolangdy and
others sang a few bhajans which transported all of us, including
Bhagavan Baba, into a state of bliss.
The entire
programme lasted about two hours which ended around 9.25 a.m.
The love showered by Bhagavan Baba on the Bal Vikas children
left a deep impression in our hearts.
In the afternoon
around 3.25 pm there was another superlative performance by the
Bal Vikas children of Navi Mumbai. A musical drama titled
"Garibun Nawaz" was enacted at the Sai Kulwant Hall once again
to a full capacity crowd. This play was based on the life of
the Great Sufi Saint of Ajmer "Khawaja Moynuddin Chisti" also
known as 'Garibun Nawaz" whose message to mankind is very
similar to the message of our dear beloved Bhagavan. At the end
of the play a Bal Vikas child was presented a golden
medallion/coin by Bhagavan Baba. Bhagavan Baba once again called
for the photo session after the programme culminated .
At around 5.05
p.m. with the waving of the camphor, the Aarti was done by the
State President of Maharashtra, Shri Ramesh Sawant and a few Bal
Vikas Children. Baba then retired to His room. Thus ended the
eventful day for the devotees and the performers who would
cherish the memories of this day forever.
The entire programme was conducted under the loving care of Smt.
Kamala Pandya & Shri Nimish Pandya and their dedicated team.
Kudos to this dedicated team and the Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organisation of Maharashtra & Goa for their selfless
contributions which have produced excellent performances in the
Divine Presence of Bhagavan Baba year after year.
There was also an
exhibition conducted by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation of
Maharashtra depicting the core message of Bhagavan Sri Sathya
Sai Baba on "Parenting for Bal Vikas". This programme was held
in an exhibition hall next to the Sri Sathya Sai Books and
Publication Trust near the Shopping Complex in Prasanthi
Nilayam. Bhagavan has oft repeated that Education is like a
bicycle. The rider is the student, the Parents and Bal Vikas
Guru represent the front and the back wheel of the bicycle. If
the bicycle has to move all them must co-operate and further
this movement. It is indeed the need of the hour for all parents
to pause for a while and understand that the Home is the
birthplace of Value Education. Once the seeds are sown in the
home by the parents, the Bal Vikas Class provides the right
environment for the flowering of the seeds into healthy
saplings. The Bal Vikas Guru like the gardener, tends the
sapling so that it bears beautiful fruits and flowers and
spreads its fragrance in the world around.
Jai Sai Ram.
Deepak Bharwani
website source:
http://www.freewebs.com/sairama/ashadha/report-04.htm
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