PRASANTHI NEWS

In this issue of Prasanthi News, we bring to you memorable moments the students of the Institute had with Bhagawan. Swami went to the Institute auditorium almost every day and directed the music group students in the nuances of music. These immortal moments will be cherished by them for a long time to come.

12^th July 2005

Today was yet another memorable day for the Institute students. Bhagawan had given a clue yesterday evening to the music group students that He may come to the Institute Auditorium for a practice session. All preparations were made for Bhagawan’s arrival. However, since the agenda was restricted only to music programme practice, all other classes were expected to go on as usual. Only the music group boys were seated in the Auditorium awaiting Swami’s arrival.

After the Foyer session (before the classes begin, the students and teachers have a solemn session of prayer), all students went to their respective rooms for their classes. The Management Workshop was in progress. At 8.40 a.m. Bhagawan made His silent entry into the College Campus. He went straight to the auditorium side entrance and entered the sprawling auditorium.

His sofa was placed in line with the first row of chairs at the centre. Initially all the music group members were seated down in front of Swami. There were no microphones. The practice session began. Bhagawan was directing the whole programme, selecting the songs, giving them some tips, sequencing the pieces, etc. Later, He asked the singers to move over to the stage and make their presentation. Immediately, microphones were arranged. Swami was so concerned about the singers’ throats that He asked for warm water to be served to them. He sat watching the practice session until 9.45 a.m. Then He went to the Mandir where the Bhajans were in progress. Then Bhagawan was offered Arati after which He retired to His abode.

In the evening the students had a pleasant surprise. As they were proceeding to the Mandir at quarter past three, the Lord was proceeding to the Institute auditorium. He was there in the College from 3.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. Another hour of blissful Darshan! Many students ran from the Mandir and made their way into the auditorium. Swami sat in the same place. The singers were seated in front of Swami with mikes. Two teams of instrumentalists were seated on the stage providing musical support. The same set of songs was presented. The well known ones were Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama Sundara Sai (the Lord’s form is full of sweetness and is beautiful and captivating), Rama Katha… (the story of Rama)

Bhagawan was so involved that it appeared as if it were the first time He was watching the rehearsal. That is Bhagawan. Each session is a fresh one for Him! The singers were truly very lucky to sing His glory sitting right in front of Him, looking into His Divine Eyes and He looking at them. Can there be a better moment in life? At the end of the presentation, Swami spoke to the singers. He asked the Vice Chancellor for his feedback. Other authorities, the Principal and some professors were also seated.

Swarmed by students on all sides, Swami made His exit from the auditorium and proceeded to the Mandir. He went into the interview room. Bhajans began at 5.00 p.m. Swami retired soon after. Bhajans continued and Arati was offered at 5.20 p.m.

13^th July 2005

This morning was another golden day for the Institute students. The music group boys were ready for Swami’s visit. They had prepared and rehearsed the previous evening and late into the night to put up a perfect presentation the next morning. Bhagawan has been preparing this team for making a grand presentation. Swami entered the College premises at 8.45 a.m. just after the Foyer session was over. Even as students were exiting from the Foyer, Swami’s car entered the Institute premises. All the students stood in neat rows to welcome Bhagawan and have His Divine Darshan before starting their classes.

Swami went into the auditorium and had a long session till 10.00 a.m. along with the music group boys. They sang all the songs that were selected by Bhagawan. Towards the end some more songs were added. Two of our Telugu speaking brothers and good poets, Sri Ranganatha Raju and Sri Uday Girish, both from the I Year MBA class, had been selected for writing Telugu commentary as an introduction to each of the songs. Both of them presented the intro verses and Swami was very happy. Towards the end, all the boys and the Warden of the hostel prayed to Swami to have the evening practice session in the hostel dining hall. The new dining hall in the senior student’s hostel awaits the blessings of Bhagawan. Swami smiled and said that He would see…

All preparations were made in the hostel to receive Swami in the evening. However, Bhagawan chose to have the practice in the Institute auditorium itself. He reached the auditorium at 3.15 p.m. All the students proceeded to the college from the hostel and occupied their seats in the auditorium. A full fledged rehearsal commenced in the Divine Presence. The Vice Chancellor, Principal and several other professors were also present.

A commentary in Telugu preceded each song, rendered by brothers Raju and Girish. The lead singers Om Prasad and Sai Krishna filled the Auditorium with their melodious voice and soul-stirring tunes. Namo Sathya Sai Baba, Kondala Nellakonda, Dheera Sameere Yamuna Teere, Madhura Mohana Ghana Shyama, Challa Gallilo, Rama Katha Series, Sri Rama Parandhama, Ramanna Ramudu Kodanda Ramudu… were the songs rendered by them.

It was 4.25 p.m. Swami was about to leave the auditorium when the dance group students prayed to Swami to bless them with an opportunity to present before Him. Swami gave His consent. A team of 8 dancers danced to a melodious song.

At 4.30 p.m. Swami left the auditorium and proceeded to the Mandir. In the Mandir, the car parked near the interview room. Bhajans went on from 5.00 p.m. to 5.20 p.m.

14^th & 15^th July 2005

This morning was a break for the music group. However, in the evening, Swami went to the Institute auditorium at around 2.30 p.m. and was present there watching the rehearsal till 4.00 p.m.

15th morning, the Institute was blessed with another Bhagawan’s visit. However, He came at 9.00 a.m. when all other students were busy in their classrooms. He sat in the auditorium fine tuning the music programme to perfection. He blessed the singers with a light brown Kurta and Pyjama which they were asked to wear immediately. The singers went to the backstage, wore the new dresses and returned to the Hall. Swami blessed them.

In the evening, the venue for the music programme rehearsal got shifted to Sai Kulwant Hall. At 4.00 p.m. the Vice Chancellor, Sri Anil Vinayak Gokak was asked by Bhagawan to give an introduction to the programme. He said that all these days we have been hearing the Vedic chants, but Swami wishes that we put into practice the sacred teachings of the Vedas. He then stated that the students of Swami would present a music programme. All the songs were rendered in the planned sequence. The programme concluded at 5.00 p.m. Bhajans and Prasadam distribution followed, concluding with Arati.

JAI SAI RAM