Published on Thursday, Sep 16, 2010 at 1700 Hrs. IST
Nothing turns more gratifying than being with Swami. The week ended at this bright note of silent declaration by a bunch of privileged “SAI” students along with their grateful parents in presence of the Eternal Parent, Beloved Swami!
Week-ending Sunday witnessed yet another Poornachandra Session wherein a group of privileged parents earned the merit of their past deeds, a life opportunity with Bhagawan! It turned to be a honour, an explicit Divine reward in the physical realm, for their rightful decision to educate their children in Sathya Sai Institutions that was followed by a bolder decision, consenting their children to stay back serving in various Prasanthi institutions.
“When the heart is full, words are few”, yes this is the heartfelt feeling of every Sai Sannidhi member and parent. Though the expression may sound clichéd, one has to take recourse to such an expression, because the Lord of Lords chose to bless every family. The group consisting of 191 members along with their parents returned home carrying the heavenly feeling of satisfaction and contentment. “Swami has given me all that I need. This is no sacrifice! It is foolishness for me to leave Swami!”, commented aptly by one of the privileged alumni, echoing the joint feeling of the fraternity.
Of the two hours Bhagawan chose to spend with the group, for one and a half hour, He was moving amongst, virtually granting ‘interviews’ to every family presented.
Summing up, Sri Sanjay Sahni, Principal, Brindavan Campus, Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning expressed gratitude in short sweet words, “Bhagawan, Your Sannidhi (proximity) is our greatest Pennidhi (wealth)”. When thousands are awaiting for a call to play a part in His mission here is this bunch of privileged youngsters making strides in His mission!
While the Sai Sannidhi Meet was the grand finale for the passing week, there were other cultural outings and activities as well, that included programmes by the Nepalese and the Indonesians, a grand Id-Ul Fitr eve by the students, inauguration of the first phase of the newly constructed dormitories etc.
Over 1800 youth from the neighbouring Nepal had a ten days’ camp in Prasanthi Nilayam celebrating an evening, presenting an hour long cultural programme in the immediate Divine presence. Leaving behind the scars of the political crisis the country has been facing for some time, this enthusiastic group of youngsters from the Himalayan Kingdom prayed to Bhagawan to help salvage the nation from the current turmoil. Presenting three short programmes of twenty minutes apiece, a veda chanting session, a song session followed by an instrumental session, the nation retreated with new hopes of a fresh sunrise of peace in their political backyard.
Indonesia, the island nation from South East Asia and Oceania region had come with a strong 503 member team including a small contingent of youth celebrating the Advent of the 85th year of the Avataric Mission.
Beginning with a "Krisnna Rasaleela" dance by the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali, a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by gopikas and Radha, the presentation drifted into the main item for the evening, a drama entitled "The Search for Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. Portraying the wrong side of the life of an arrogant self-deceived youth, the presentation took a turn with the youth facing the harsh realities and lessons of life before coming to terms with and turning over a new leaf in his life. Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, the drama served a pointer to the human follies immersed in false illusions bringing the golden chapter of transformation. The Indonesians concluded their presentation with a Shiva Thandava Dance leaving the dais for an Eid presentation by the students from the Institute.
Tidings from Prasanthi Nilayam on the eve of Eid-Ul–Fitr, the month long Ramzan, was a reverberating echo of the untiring voice of The Lord, echoing His popular adage, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love, calling for greater religious harmony. The fifty minute presentation had all the ingredients to help one to mull over the greater need for a world with religious harmony. Not many times Prasanthi heard or witnessed the Namaz, echoing the hallowed precincts in typical Islamic style, done with precision by the talented bunch of students from the Institute. At the nightfall, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, the Namaz, with scores of children engaged in praying in the Divine presence of the Mighty Lord, it sent out the sublime message of secularism that Bharat has always been promoting and Bhagawan has been echoing through His maxim, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love!
The students summarized the presentation with the popular Qawwali, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." calling one and all to the precincts of Prasanthi!
First phase of new dormitories constructed aimed at facilitating devotees were thrown open to the devotees by the Divine hands on the auspicious Ganesh Chaturthi evening in a special function arranged at the venue at the rear western end of Prasanthi. Blessing the occasion, Bhagawan went for a complete round of a block having twin units.
Each of these triple storeyed dormitories is having twin units, with each unit expected to hold 504 devotees. With a total of 5 such dormitories to be completed in due course of time, an estimated more than 5300 devotees would be accommodated once the project turned operational. Additional features provided includes bunk beds, open shelves for keeping belongings, liberal bathroom facilities, washing facilities, sufficient fanning and ventilation etc.
Earlier, on the 9th Sept evening, ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, Bhagawan blessed various Ganeshas outside His Divine Abode before they were sent out to the specified locations.
The week witnessed the unique festive combination, Ganesh Chaturthi and Eid, twin festivities having unique connection with moon sighting, coming on the same day, a rare occasion for those who are promoters of religious harmony.
Evening darshans turned out to become twilight darshans, as during the entire week, Bhagawan turned up granting darshans well beyond the 6 o’ clock mark. Unique Graciousness that He is, anything and everything He does is with significance and thus He continues to leave His Lasting Impressions on each and every soul…!!!
