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Parthi Update - Jul-Aug 2004
On Wednesday, 28th of July, during
evening Darshan, Swami asked for boys who play the violin. The
Warden came towards the boys and was trying to locate few of our
violin maestros. One boy from the Music College and another from
the Institute got up. Meanwhile Swami had asked Arun to get
something from the room. Arun returned with two violin boxes. They
were brand new violins from Korea. Swami called the two of them
and after holding the violin with His Divine Hands and inspecting
it, He handed it over to them. As they went and sat down with
delighted hearts, Bhagawan asked them whether they could play on
it. It is purely by Divine Grace that within five minutes they
were able to tune the new violins and what followed was a
wonderful Ganesha song. Swami was very happy and gave them a
beautiful smile.
The next day, these two boys and two more good violin players
prepared a string of pieces to be offered at the Lotus Feet. When
Swami came and sat on the sofa, He saw these boys and called them.
They told Bhagawan that they were ready with some pieces. Swami
granted permission. The next half an hour or so was a musical
treat to all of us seated in the Hall. Four of them played with
such coordination and finesse that we were all left mesmerized.
Bhagawan kept asking for more and more and soon their quota was
getting exhausted. Then Bhagawan asked them to stop. However,
after a while Swami sent word through Arun asking them to play
“Endaro Mahanubhavulu…”. My! They were not totally prepared for
it. But how can you say no to Bhagawan. Placing their faith in
Swami they let go and He did it through them!! There was loud
clapping from the audience and Swami gave them all a wonderful
smile.
The 31st of July and 1st of August was full of programmes and
events. The Ladies wing of the Sri Sathya Seva Organisation
conducted a “Festival of Indian Culture & Spirituality” in the
Divine Presence, on these two days. On the 31st July, morning, we
could not be present in the Kulwant Hall, as it was a Saturday.
But what I could gather from others was that there were talks by
some Ladies. In the evening, there was a music programme – vocal –
by the Priya Sisters. The Kulwant Hall was filled with soothing
and melodius songs from the pair. Wonderful Carnatic recitals were
offered by them at the Divine Lotus Feet. Swami was enjoying the
music throughout. These two days, Bhagawan has been showing His
kindness towards the Ladies by allowing His chair to kept inclined
i.e. sideways towards the Ladies. Usually at other times they
never get this privilege. Towards the end of the programme, Swami
blessed the sisters with beautiful silk sarees and also
materialized two gold chains for them. They were very happy. Swami
stood for some time and then asked them to sing a particular song.
Bhagawan sat down again and they rendered the song. Subsequently
we had Vedam chanting for a while after which Swami retired for
the day.
On the morning of the 1st of August (Sunday), Bhagawan came out
for Darshan at 7.20 a.m. He cut across on the Ladies side and
proceeded towards the stage. The morning programme began with a
Veena recital by a faculty member – Smt. Padma Krishnamurthy (wife
of the Principal of the Music College) – of the Sri Sathya Sai
Mirpuri College of Music. After she rendered a few pieces to
everybody’s delight, the next event began. This was a panel
discussion on the topic of Mother Sita – a Role Model for the
Women. This panel was moderated by Smt. Chetana and the
participants were faculty memebers of the Anatapur Campus of the
Institute. It was a very well structured presentation, revealing
the various facets of Mother Sita’s life and their relevance to
women today. It was backed up by modern day statistics and
findings. Another point to be appreciated was the way in which
they linked the aspects of Mother Sita’s life with the teachings
of Bhagawan.
The discussion came to a close around 8.45 a.m. Bhagawan stood up
for Aarti. He then moved slowly towards the panel members and
started speaking to them. He materialized a gold ring for one of
the panel members and then created Vibhuti and applied it on their
foreheads. There was a loud applause from the audience. Meanwhile
we could see Rajanikant – the famous Tamil film actor coming
towards the Portico and taking his seat. However, Swami went
towards the interview room and went in for lunch. By 9.45 a.m.
Swami came out and got into the golf cart. All the while the
Naadaswaram group was entertaining us with beautiful pieces that
kept our hands tapping in rhythm. Slowly Bhagawan’s golf cart
glided towards the Poornachandra Hall. Just as it disappeared out
of our sight, there was a tap on the mike and our dear Prof. Anil
Kumar was performing his favorite duty – Announcement. “This
evening by the Grace of Bhagawan Baba, the Balvikas children from
the city of Hyderabad will be putting up a drama – Maha Sadhvi
Sita in Sai Kulwant Hall in the Divine Presence at 4.00 p.m.” Then
came the Telugu translation as usual....Eee Roju Sayankalam....!!
In the evening, Bhagawan came out at around 3.30 p.m. Swami
beckoned towards the Ladies side. He called for the faculty
members who had presented the panel discussion in the morning. He
Blessed them with gorgeous silk sarees.
The Balvikas children were all ready with their costumes. The
programme began around 3.35 p.m. The story was about the post war
period of Ramayana. It started from the phase when Lord Rama rules
the kingdom and goes on to depict how based upon the accusations
of a Dhobhi, Rama sends Mother Sita to the forest. Then comes the
scene of Lakshmana and Mother Sita in the forest, where he reveals
to her the truth. A series of songs and thenValmiki comes in and
takes her to his Ashram. The drama then jumps to Lava and Kusha.
They are taught Ramayana by Sage Valmiki.
Then the story goes on to show how Lava and Kusha go to Ayodhya,
how they develop anger towards the king Rama who abandoned his
wife Sita at a crucial stage. Then Mother Sita explains to them
that they should not develop such feelings. They sing a beautiful
song to console their mother. Finally the Ashvamedha Yajna and the
fight between Rama and His sons, ultimately concluding with the
grand scene of Mother Sita merging into the earth!! Though the
play was full of wailings of Mother Sita and explicit accusations
to Lord Rama, it was acted out well and touched all our hearts!!
It was a very beautiful play – almost a copy of the old Telugu
Ramayana film – all with the same songs. It was very rich in
costumes and good acting. After the drama, Swami got up and walked
all the way to these children to Bless them. The children were so
emotionally charged and Swami showered so much Love on them that
we could see all of them burst into tears. Especially the girls
who acted as Rama and Sita were sobbing uncontrollably. Swami
spent a long time with them and then returned to the sofa. We sang
Bhajans subsequently. After a few Bhajans, Swami asked the boys to
get apples. He again stood up and went walking right unto these
children and personally distributed apples to each one of them.
Again we could see the children shedding tears of joy!!
By 5.15 p.m. Swami retired to the Poornachandra Hall and thus the
Festival of Indian Culture and Spirituality came to a close.
Sairam
Dear Brother
Sairam. Here are some of the happenings back at parthi.
Parthi Update
Vedam Chanters turn Bhajan Singers!!
Yesterday evening, after the Vedam chanting, Swami asked the
Bhajans to be started. As the mikes were being shifted towards the
Bhajan singers who were sitting next to the Vedam group, Swami
signaled for the mikes to be kept back. They did not know what to
do.
Assuming that Swami wanted the Vedam to continue, Sri Vedanarayana
- the Vedam in-charge started chanting Vedam again. Swami
immediately said, "Aye, Bhajans not Vedam".
So there, the Vedam group turned into a Bhajan group. Sri
Vedanarayana started with "Govinda Krishna Jai Gopala Krishna
Jai..". Full Josh!! and we all enjoyed following. Each Vedam
student got an opportunity to exercise his vocal chords at our
cost!! Some did well while some muffed. Swami was just sitting
silently without any ex-pression (embodiment of forbearance).
However, Sri Vedanarayana made up with his wonderful Bhajans. He
sang "Subramanyam Subramanyam Shanmukhanatha....". One more boy
sang very well.
So that is the Leela of our Lord!! Every day is uncertain and so
is every moment. However, it was very good for a change and there
was total participation from the entire Kulwant Hall.
Day before yesterday, we had a music programme from another U.K.
group which is now here. About 75 of them. After their Music
Programme, they sang Bhajans which went on for about 45 minutes.
They sang to their hearts content and filled our hearts too!! Very
good Bhajans.
Today the Orientation Course in Value Education for in-service
teachers was inaugurated in the Institute A.V. Room at 9.00 a.m.
The Vice Chancellor delivered the key note address followed by
various sessions.
This evening, Swami asked our Prof. V.E. Ramamoorthy to talk about
Human Values. In fact he had just spoken to the members of the
Course about it in the afternoon session. He again shared his
thoughts in the Divine Presence (Swami’s reinforcement strategy).
This was followed by our dear Prof. Anil Kumar who gave a very
inspiring talk, focused on the participant teachers of the Course.
We had Bhajans subsequently, by the Bhajan Group - thankfully!!
Swami retired at around 5.05 p.m.
Sairam.
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