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Prashanthi Bullettin -
September 7th-9th, 2005
September 9th, 2005
Bhagawan had permitted the Ganesha immersion ceremony to
take place today. The main Senior Students' Hostel Chariot
was a huge platform with Ganesha seated on it and
surrounding Him were music instruments of all types - the
Gaana Priya Ganesha. The II PG had a well decorated chariot.
The I PG had a huge pigeon flying towards its nest as the
backdrop and right inside the nest was seated our dear
Ganesha! The III UG students had two swans decorating the
front of their chariot and at the back were two butterfly
wings - huge in size - going flip flap as the chariot moved.
The main chariot of the School had a Tirupati touch, with a
huge Shankha and Chakra on either side of the Lord.
The procession began at 2.00 p.m. from the Hostels and by
3.00 p.m. all were inside the Kulwant Hall. The chariots and
palanquins were slotted in their respective places with core
groups seated around them. It looked like a Republic Day
Parade, with all squads standing in a straight line, from
the Poornachandra entry along the ladies side right until
the East entrance of the Mandir on the Gents side.
Bhagawan came in at around 3.15 p.m. The car went slowly in
front of the chariots. As the car moved in front of each
group, the Pujaris came forward and received Blessings on
behalf of the others. Swami looked at each piece of art with
an appreciative smile. This went on until He had crossed all
the two dozen and odd groups which included General
Hospital, Super Specialty Hospital, Airport, Ashram, Primary
School, Eswaramma School, etc.
Swami then came and sat down on the dais. All this time
Vedam and Bhajans were going on in the background. Mr.
Chakravarthi received some instructions from Swami and spoke
to the Warden. The two Wardens then came running to pass on
the instructions to all the groups. Swami had permitted all
to go for a Pradakshina (circumambulation) around the
Mandir. One by one all the students and staff went in a
single line for the Pradakshina. The line would move close
to the dais, cross Swami with Pranaams and then move on to
complete the circle around the Mandir. Swami was keenly
watching every student and staff member who passed Him with
a loving smile.
The whole process took quite some time. It was a wonderful
event to watch as a spectator. Huge lines of people moving
in and another moving out after the Pradakshina, with all
criss-crosses, and loud Vedic Chants and Bhajans... This is
typical of any celebration in the Divine Presence. It gives
so much joy and happiness to one and all. After this, the
Pujari, Sri Bhatt Garu was asked to give Aarti to all the
Ganeshas. He lit the camphor, started with Swami and then
went to the middle of the Hall and started giving Aarti to
each chariot.
One by one, each group came to the centre with its chariot /
palanquin, placed it in front of Swami for a while, offered
Pranaams and then moved out through the Eastern Gate of the
Mandir. The Aarti went on and on, with camphor supply coming
in from behind until all the Ganeshas had moved out! Some
students accompanied the procession while others stayed back
in the Mandir. Swami sat outside with the Vedam chanting
going on for a long time.
After a while, at around 4.30 p.m. Bhagawan asked whether
the immersion was over and the boys were back. Soon, all the
students started returning. As they came and sat down in
front of Swami, He looked at each and every student, without
exception, and smiled at them; literally energizing all of
them. Surely, all the exhaustion that the students would
have had in preparing for the occasion would have
disappeared in a trice! At 5.55 p.m. when most of the
students had returned to the Mandir, our dear Mother was
satisfied and signaled for Aarti to be given. He retired
early so that all could rest for the day. We remembered how
last year, Swami had asked the Vice Chancellor to make an
announcement stating that all students are very tired and
Swami wants them to have an early dinner and go to sleep!
That is the Love of a thousand Mothers!!
September 8th, 2005
This evening was a very special day for all the Ashram,
Institute and Administrative Block workers. All of them were
invited to Sai Kulwant Hall to receive Blessings from
Bhagawan. This included the sweepers, gardeners,
electricians, plumbers, attenders, etc. All of them were
seated in the 4th block of the Hall. There were nearly 250
of them. Around 80 ladies were also present, seated in the
adjacent ladies' side block.
When Swami finished His Darshan taking a round in His car,
instead of stopping at the inner Portico, He asked for the
car to be taken near the group. The car was taken there and
turned around so that Swami, seated on the left side of the
car, was facing them. Then He got down, went around all of
them till the very end, speaking words of love and
encouragement to all. It was something very new to all of us
- Swami moving so freely amidst all of them, as though He
knew each one of them personally. That is Heart to Heart!!
A mike had been placed nearby for some of them to speak a
few words. At 3.30 pm, this extempore programme commenced at
Bhagawan's command, with one of the longest serving members,
Kashiappa (working for the past 30 years in the Ashram) of
the Accommodation office speaking in Telugu, expressing his
love for Swami, describing how the Ashram has evolved over
the years, and how Bhagawan has been with him every moment
of his life. Next to speak was Sakharam, in Hindi. He has
been an employee for the past 25 years. After him, Swami
granted the chance of speaking to some more members. One of
them narrated how by Swami's Grace he could join the
Pathashala at Prashanti Nilayam many years ago, how he was
crippled and Swami had made him walk, how doctors told him
that he could not have children, but Swami had granted him
children and named them too!
Subsequently, all of them requested for an opportunity to
sing some songs. Swami gave His consent. They started with
'Rama Kodanda Rama', and continued with Bhajans like 'Rama
Rama Sai Rama', and 'Deenadayalu Sai Rama Ram'.
Bhagawan then distributed clothes and watches to all of
them. As He remained seated there amidst them, the workers
came up and received the bounty from His hands. After the
distribution to the gents was completed, Bhagawan moved over
to the ladies' side and once again individually gave each of
them saris and watches with His own Hands. He also asked for
apples to be distributed to all of them. It was a sight to
see Swami showering so much Love on people whom we generally
take for granted. But for their sincere and dedicated
service, a comfortable life for us would never be possible.
Even when Bhagawan came to the Bhajan hall before the
Bhajans, He lovingly recollected some of the points
mentioned by the speakers. Bhajans commenced at 5.10 pm and
Bhagawan left at 5.40 p.m. after Aarti.
September 7th, 2005
Sairam. First of all, we wish you a very happy Ganesha
Chaturthi. The entire Parthi is full of joy and cheer
celebrating the festival of our most dear Lord Ganesha. Most
of the roads are decorated with buntings and flowers. Altars
of Ganesha are seen almost everywhere. At the Hostels too,
students worked hard the whole night, decorating the Main
altar and altars in every floor of the Hostels.
This morning all of us were seated in the Kulwant Hall by
7.15 a.m. Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 7.55 a.m. After
taking a full round of the Kulwant Hall, Swami sat on the
dais in the centre, amidst loud Vedic Chants. Obviously 'Om
Namaste Ganapataye' was the first Vedic Mantram to be
chanted.
At 8.25 a.m. Swami went inside into the Bhajan Hall and
asked the Pujari Bhat Garu for the Ganapati. Bhat Garu went
outside and brought a medium sized Ganesha idol which Swami
blessed and asked to place near the altar. Then the Vice
Chancellor interceded praying to Swami about the boys
program etc. To this Swami said, "Cheskondi" - "Go Ahead".
Students started chanting the Ganesha Stotrams.
Surprisingly, Swami chose to remain inside as the Stotrams
were sung. Vakratunda Mahakaya, Jai Ganesha Jai Ganesha
Deva, Sai Mahadeva Mammu Kaapaadaga Raava, Panduranga
Naamam... were some of the Stotrams that were chanted.
At 8.55 a.m. all ran into the Bhajan Hall for the Bhajans.
At 9.20 a.m. Swami retired while Bhajans concluded at 9.40
a.m. with Aarti
In the evening, Swami was out by 3.15 p.m. After the car had
parked inside the inner portico as it usually does, the
chair rolled out and then Swami came on His chair along the
Gents side of the Kulwant Hall. It has been a long time
since we had this type of Darshan. Swami in the Chair
without the car. Brother Divij Desai, who wheels Swami's
Chair, moved the sofa slowly amidst the devotees and as
Swami came to the centre of the Hall, He indicated to be
taken to the Rama Statue Block towards the Gopuram Gate. As
He moved further towards the Gopuram Gate, the car was
summoned and off went Swami outside the Mandir.
We all sat ignorantly, inside the Kulwant Hall without the
least idea about what our dear Lord was up to. Out there,
Bhagawan went past the Institute and the School and
approached the Senior Hostel. The Warden somehow managed to
reach the Hostel in time. He prayed to Swami to Bless the
Hostel. Afew of the students by now had managed to reach the
Hostel and some who were delayed in coming to the Mandir
were also there.
To their great delight, Swami entered the Hostel and the car
drove straight into the Hostel on the ramp specially built
at the entrance. From there, the car moved straight forward
into the Hostel Dining Hall. Sitting in the car itself,
Swami had a look at the Dining Hall. A model of the newly
built Hall that was prepared earlier was brought to be
Blessed by Bhagawan. A plate of Akshatas (yellow rice) was
held out. Swami took some Akshatas and Blessed the model and
the Dining Hall. Vedam chanting went on in the background.
Later Swami also lit a lamp marking the inauguration of the
Hostel Dining Hall. Aarti was offered and Swami left the
Hostel and moved towards the Mandir.
Bhagawan returned to the Mandir at 4.05 p.m. Around 4.30
p.m. Swami came out and sat on the dais giving beautiful
Darshan to all of the devotees and students. At 4.55 p.m.
Bhajans started and went on till 5.35 p.m. Prasadam was
distributed to all. Swami took Aarti and retired to the
Poornachandra Auditorium.
Source:
http://radiosai.org/pages/PB.htm
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