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Report on Onam Celebrations
26th – 28th August, 2004
Bhagawan granting Darshan on Onam
Day. The floral decoration Pookkalam is seen in the background
The people from the
state of Kerala proudly describe their land as ‘God’s Own
Country’. It is a land of great natural beauty that has cherished
and preserved its rich
cultural heritage to this day. It is home to varied forms of art,
music and dances that enchant and captivate one and all with their
beauty. So, when the people of Kerala gather at the Lotus Feet of
Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on the occasion of Onam, it is indeed
a grand cultural feast. This year, the Onam celebrations at
Prasanthi Nilayam were held over three days, from 26th to 28th of
August.
The festivities
commenced on the evening of 26th with the rendition of ‘Sai Katha’
– the beautiful lyrical narrative of Bhagawan’s childhood penned
by Bhagawan Himself in Telugu. The singer enthralled the audience
by recounting, in his mellifluous voice, various incidents from
Bhagawan’s childhood days culminating in the historic declaration
of His Avatarhood. He embellished the recital with a commentary
and a few related experiences of devotees narrated in English.
Following this, there was a music concert of devotional songs in
Malayalam.
On the evening of
27th August, the Bal Vikas children of Ernakulam, presented a play
titled ‘Bhaktha Sakha Bhagawan’ (God is the True Friend of His
devotees). The play depicted episodes from the life of three
devotees of God – Draupadi, Kururamma and Shyama, who experienced
Him as their only saviour and friend. Shyama, who was a close
devotee of Sai Baba of Shirdi, was once bitten by a venomous
snake. When some passers-by offered to take him to the Vithobha
temple nearby, Shyama said that he considered Sai Baba as his
Vithobha and asked to be taken to Him instead. But, when they
reached the Dwarakamayi mosque where Baba resided, they were
shocked to see Baba turn upon them and shout at Shyama saying,
“Devil! Get out of here. I
don’t want to see you again”. Shyama was dismayed and prayed to
Baba that he knew no other refuge and continued to importune Him
to save him. After a while, Baba softly called Shyama near. Shyama
asked Baba why He had to shout at him in such a harsh manner. Baba
replied that He had not shouted at him, but at the venom that had
entered him, so as to drive it away and thus save him. Shyama fell
at Baba’s feet overwhelmed by Baba’s love for him and understood
that the Lord would never forsake His devotees and always acted
for their welfare.
Shyama praying to Sri Shirdi Sai Baba: a scene from the play
Bhaktha Sakha Bhagawan
At the end of the
programme, Bhagawan blessed the participants and graciously
allowed them to stand with Him for photographs. The next programme
was a musical offering of devotional songs by renowned musicians
from Kerala, who expressed their love and gratitude to Lord Sai
through their soulful renditions.
The traditional Panchavadyam welcoming Bhagawan into the Sai
Kulwant Hall
On the morning of
28th, the day of Onam, Bhagawan was welcomed into the Sai Kulwant
Hall, amidst Vedam chanting and Panchavadyam music, by colourfully
dressed children holding lamps and performing the traditional
‘Kavadi’ dance. Thereafter,
the Bal Vikas students of Thiruvananthapuram
presented a tableau entitled ‘Kerala – The Sai Samrajyam’ (Kerala
– The Kingdom of Sai) which celebrated the rich cultural tradition
of Kerala with a display of the various dance forms, folk as well
as classical, that are popular in Kerala. One of the participants
was dressed as Mahabali, the legendary king of the Kerala country,
who is believed to visit his beloved subjects on the Onam day.
This time he had chosen to visit Prasanthi Nilayam also, the
narrative explained, as he wanted to be in the presence of Sai
Vamana.
Emperor Mahabali offering his salutations to Lord Vamana come
again in the tableau Kerala - The Sai Samrajyam
Prof. Mukundan, the
President of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, Kerala, then
addressed the audience and reminded them that Bhagawan’s descent
amongst mankind is His greatest gift to us. He expressed his
gratitude to Bhagawan, mentioning that Bhagawan’s message and
example are today transforming the attitudes and outlook of the
people of Kerala. He then introduced the next speaker, Sri
Balakrishna Pillai, the Honourable Minister for Transport,
Government of Kerala. Sri Pillai said that it is our great fortune
that we are contemporaries of the Avatara Purusha. He prayed that
Kerala be blessed by the divine touch of Bhagawan’s holy feet.
Thereafter, Bhagawan
delivered His Divine discourse, in which He enjoined the devotees
to make ‘Atmanveshana’ (the quest for the Self) one’s goal instead
of frittering away one’s life in ‘Annanveshana’ (eking out a
living). Difficulties and troubles may assail one, but one should
face them boldly and overcome them instead of tamely yielding to
them like a coward. The virtue of courage will certainly take one
closer to God, He said. During the discourse, Bhagawan praised the
performance of one of the children who had participated in the
dance programme and said that she had carefully watched the other
participants as they danced and moved in step with them. He then
called her to the dais and materialized a gold chain and placed it
around her neck. He exhorted everyone to be like a child, atleast
for a minute each day, full of love and innocence, and devoid of
any traces of envy or hatred. Bhagawan concluded His discourse on
the note that we should develop love towards everyone and ended
with the Bhajan “Prema Muditha Man Se Kaho”.
That evening, the
students of the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth, Srisailam staged a play
titled ‘Pithru Bhakthi of Adi Sankara’, which demonstrated his
devotion and obedience towards his father. The play drove home the
point that by pleasing one’s parents, one can earn the grace of
God. This was followed by a dance ballet ‘Ambarisha Charitham’
performed by Bal Vikas children from Malappuram district. The
story depicts how Lord Vishnu protects his devotee, King
Ambarisha, from the curse of sage Durvasa by releasing His weapon,
the Sudarshana Chakra (discus) upon Durvasa. When Durvasa rushes
to Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu, all of them in turn express their
inability to come to his aid. Finally, as per Lord Vishnu’s
advice, Durvasa falls at the feet of Ambarisha and asks for his
pardon, and only then does the Sudarshana Chakra retract. The
presentation held the audience spellbound with its music, dance
choreography and colourful costumes.
A scene from the dance ballet Ambarisha Charitham
The three day Onam
celebrations concluded with a rendition of ‘Abhangs’, devotional
songs in Marathi in praise of Lord Vithobha, whose rhythmic beats
of cymbals and drums made the devotees lose themselves in the
ecstasy of the music and devotional fervour. Bhagawan then
accepted Arati and retired to His residence.
Jai Sai Ram!
Source:
http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/onam_04_report.htm
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