23rd November 2005 14:00
Hrs. IST Reporting from Prasanthi Nilayam
Festival of
Bliss
Finally THE DAY ushered
in! Much before the Sun made its appearance in the eastern horizon, the
chunk of Sai Fraternity from all over the globe thronged to this
Spiritual Capital, occupied their position well in advance to ensure a
rare glimpse of the most beauteous form of the Lord walking on two feet,
whose physical frame entered into the 80th Year of His sojourn on planet
Earth. Yes, it is eighty years now since the world of today began to see
God in human form – a rare privilege that is reported to have been
enjoyed by human race in the Tretha and in
the Dwapara. But today's world is certainly
more fortunate than that in the earlier Yugas, for now only the Lord
chose to move with His creation more freely revealing His identity
occasionally making the coveted access to the Avatar of the Age possible
for all with no discrimination. …and TODAY was yet another occasion to
taste His greater magnanimity, greater benevolence!!! The Lord of
Compassion, Lord of Love…Who is often hailed as …Love in Action…Love
that Conquers…was out there...just for the happiness of His Own…His Own
Reflections!!! …as was reiterated by Him over and over again, to the
tune that there is no birthday festival for Him;
Just for the sake of fulfilling devotees desire and fill them with joy
that He goes on celebrating birthdays.
The overcast conditions
and shower during the penultimate night and another bout of rains during
the previous afternoon cast a pall of gloom on the last minute
preparations at the main venue, Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium. But,
it was indeed His sheer Grace that Willed and made it possible for the
proceedings to continue unhampered, in spite of intermittent drizzle
that was reluctant to stop on a day when sun was forced to take
backstage under the overcast conditions.
The Lord was accorded a
traditional, grand, red carpet welcome that was majestic and just,
unmatched by any, by Bhagawan's pet elephant Sai Geeta., the Veda
Chanting students followed by Bhangra dancers at 7.40 a.m. IST. It was
indeed a sight to see, as the whole of the stadium went agog with
bursting colourful ribbon crackers as Bhagawan made His grand entry in
His open car, in the backdrop of a welcome song hailing His Advent.
Bhagawan went straight on to the specially decorated Shanti Vedika to
occupy the Special Throne to grand His coveted Birthday Darshan. It was
indeed a wonderful sight to see the Lord in His white shining robe
benevolently smiling at the devoted gathering that filled every nook and
corner and galleries of the Stadium.
Soon the stage, which
was specially erected at the western end was taken over by a group of
dancers who were dancing to the tune of a welcome song which was
followed by Telugu film star Sai Kumar who paid glowing tributes
eulogising the Lord on the 80th Year of His Advent on earth. Soon after,
cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar, an ardent devotee of Bhagawan for the
last three decades took over the mike to pay His obeisance on his behalf
as well as all others assembled at the Stadium. Simultaneously, there
was a procession of devotees from different continents with diverse
cultures united with one single thread of Love for Bhagawan paying
obeisance at His Lotus Feet in their traditional style. Sri Gavaskar who
compered the show in English introduced Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore,
India's Silver Medalist at the Athens Olympics, followed by members of
current Indian Cricket Team, namely, V.V.S. Laxman, Murali Karthik, R.
P. Singh, J.P.Yadav, Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Sreeshant, and Sachin
Tendulkar. Maj. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was invited by Sunil Gavaskar
to hoist the Global Peace Insignia for the well being of humanity.
Maj.Rathore after receiving blessings from Bhagawan took it out of
Shanti Vedika went on to the specially erected stage to show the
Insignia to the mammoth gathering before hoisting the same to the high
end near Hanuman Statue. Soon a scroll rolled down on the western slope
with the message, “May there be Peace, Unity and Love in the World”.
Sachin Tendulkar in his prayer to Bhagawan said they are extremely
honoured to be in His presence on this auspicious occasion. He further
prayed on behalf of the entire cricket team members to bless them and
stay with them.
The first speaker for
the session was Sri Indulal Shah, formerly World Chairman of Sri Sathya
Sai Organisations, and currently Advisor to the Prasanthi Council, the
overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Overseas. Mr. Shah
while offering his prayerful salutations at His Lotus Feet mentioned
that he has been under the Divine Grace and Protection for the past
forty years under whose Guidance he could see the birth and growth of
Sri Sathya Sai Organisations. Bhagawan's Message of Love is beyond
countries, culture, religion and race and it is time for all of us to
blend into Brotherhood of Mankind.
Dr. Michael Goldstein,
Chairman, Prasanthi Council, the overseeing body for Sri Sathya Sai
Organisations, Overseas in his exhilarating speech highlighted that the
era of peace is here for us to experience. Bhagawan is fathomless, never
ending Divine Love and we have the golden fortune to be here on this day
of age when God walks on Earth. Talking about the Divine Mystery of
Bhagawan, he said that he had the temerity to ask Bhagawan to see the
world through His eyes for which Bhagawan replied that if he was allowed
to see through His eyes, he would not want his family, his wealth, his
body or anything in life. Dr. Goldstein then prayed to Bhagawan to bless
the huge concourse of devotees with His Divine Benedictory Message.
Bhagawan in His Divine
discourse highlighted the importance of Sathya, Dharma, Shanti and Prema
in one's daily conduct. These seminal values should permeate one's
conduct from dawn to dusk. Man is not 'Manava' if he does not help
fellow humans in distress. Referring to people who involve themselves in
social work, He said that people instead of doing social work do 'show'
work. Realisation of one's innate divinity is one's goal of life. But,
unfortunately man today craves for the deep wine of worldly pleasures
instead of pursuing the path of self-realisation. Bhagawan asked people
to emulate His ideal of selfless love and service for humanity. In all
His Divine discourses He invariably speaks on the values of Truth and
Love. The quintessence of His teachings is Truth and Love. He expressed
His joy at the vast concourse of humanity that throng the Hill View
Stadium and blessed them to enjoy long, peaceful and happy life. He said
that people would derive real ananda by practising His teachings.
After His Divine
Discourse there was display of fireworks and Bhagawan personally
distributed prasadam to each member of Indian Cricket team.
Images From 80th
Birthday Celebrations
