Christmas in Prasanthi Nilayam

Watch the Recorded Video Webcast of

Christmas Celebrations at 6.30 a.m. (IST) - 25 Dec 2014
 

Christmas Choir by Overseas Devotees Evening Program - - 25 Dec 2014

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Offering gratitude galore, expressing greater joy at the holy occasion of Christmas, International Sai Children numbering 49 presented Children’s Christmas Choir at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet this auspicious evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. The Children Choir was followed by two speeches by International guest speakers followed by an audio relay of Bhagawan erstwhile Christmas Divine discourse.

Commencing the programme with Vedic incantation, invoking Primal Deities in typical Indian style, the programme that followed had the enigmatic story of the Divine Child, born under most mystically Divine surroundings in Bethlehem, encapsulated in a series of hymns.


Singing at a rhythmic pace, in a united voice, the International Sai Children spelt their hearts out in expression of love and gratitude to Beloved Mother Sai… and the final piece for the evening vouch for their intentions.


Swami We Adore You… Lay Our Lives Before You… How We Love You!!!


Conducted by Ms Gesine Strohmeier from Germany, who took over from the seasoned Alma Badings of The Netherlands, the Choir had 9 hymns, interspersed with commentary by the children. The songs were Veni Veni Immanuel (O Come Come Immanuel) talking of Immaculate Conception, Way To Jerusalem, Once in Royal David’s City (about the holy birth in the Manger), Silent Night…, King Of Kings and Lord Of Lords…, Little Drummer Boy…, We Three Kings Of Orient Are…, When A Child Is Born… to conclude with the Gratitude Song to Swami.


Jesus is a mystic enigma, Greater Heaven’s stamp of Love on the face of Earth and the International Sai Children rightly echoed the feeling of humanity, pouring out love and gratitude in a united voice.

Music accompaniment included Violin, Guitar, Keyboard and special African ‘Jemba’ by Sai Gith from Switzerland.

 

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Seasoned Conductor over the years, Ms Alma Badings from The Netherlands was then felicitated by the International Christmas Committee in appreciation of her dedicated service to the International Children’s Choir.


Two speeches by two International guest speakers, Ms Jyoce Darlene Barker and Mr Neville Fredricks, of Canada and Australia respectively, followed next.

Speaking first, Ms Joyce, author of 9 books on Swami, began with her childhood journey into Jesus and later unto Bhagawan Sathya Sai. Expounding on the essential message of Christmas, Unity with Divinity – I and my Father Are One, the octogenarian speaker stressed on the importance of Embarking… embarking on the path of Self Enquiry, stressing on the importance of C-I-A, Constant Integrated Awareness, being the essence of spiritual enquiry. Baba Is my very Breath… my Reason… my Joy for living, concluded Joyce on a high note.
 

The next speaker Mr Neville Fredricks, Chairman for Zone 3 of Sri Sathya Sai International Organisations spoke on his personal story, speaking about his first meeting with Bhagawan at Whitefield on a beautiful, fateful evening. Where logics and reasoning gave way to faith and belief, it was a story of ‘head-to-heart’ transformation for the long time devotee of almost three decades.

An exhilarating Divine discourse, of Christmas 1999, was next aired in the public address system, with Bhagawan lucidly narrating the holy birth and related events. Bhagawan ended His Divine discourse with the song “Love Is My Form… Truth Is My Breath…”


Earlier, Tom Lehoy, International Christmas Decorations Committee Director from Australia had the honour of introducing the session and speakers to the august assembly.

Bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1855 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Exhilarating Christmas Eve…

Wednesday, December 24th, 2014

Apart and quite distinct from celebrations galore around the world, Prasanthi Nilayam has a unique style of celebrating the grand Christmas occasion. In Prasanthi Nilayam, in Bhagawan’s Presence, everything earns a unique Divine Touch and Christmas is no different. Christmas in Prasanthi always begins in typical Indian style, with 3 Omkars, only to evolve into gentle ‘Western’.

Yes, it’s western time again here in Prasanthi Nilayam. No folks, no country and Western but Western Carols for Christmas. It’s the time of the blessed birth of the Baby Jesus and it means a lot for Westerners… and so with the entire ‘Prasanthi Folks’.


The programme in this beautiful Christmas Eve commenced with the lighting of the Christmas Candle at the Sanctum Sanctorum. International Christmas Committee Coordinator John Behner from the US along International Christmas Decorations Committee Director Tom Lehoy from Australia shared the unique honour, this evening here in Bhagawan’s Divine Presence.
 

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There was a pause of stillness…and in the stillness of silence was His Presence, as the organizers followed up, presenting the programme at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet.


International Christmas Choir followed next. Sitting upfront, facing the Sanctum Sanctorum, an all white-clad-team of men and women choristers from over 24 nations, presented an hour long concert, offering 18 hymns – a bouquet of carols, devotional and prayers, singing paeans to The Divine Father-Son duo. 430 strong International Choir was led by Ms Gisela Sebastian from Germany, accompanied by a host of ‘musicians’ from around the world.


Beginning with a Ganesha offering, “Vakratunda Mahakaya…” the hymns followed are “Ding Dong Merrily…”, “Christmas Pipes…”, “Be Still For The Presence Of The Lord…”, “The Message Of Love Goes On…”, “Gaudete…”, “Hallelujah…”, “Open The Eyes Of My Heart…”, “There Is Only One Religion…”, “Sanctus…”, “Silent Night…”, “So This Is Christmas…”, “Joy To The World…”, “You Are My All In All…”, “Only You Are Holy…”, “Just To Know You…”, “Above All Powers…” to conclude with “With All I Am…”. Concluding poetic lines summed up the “Bond Of Love”, that runs as…


I’ll walk with You wherever You go

Through tears and joy I’ll trust in You

And I will live in all of Your ways

Your promise forever…


With rich memoirs of Sai’s Golden Presence enriching their minds, hearts and souls, the choristers sung with great devotional passion enlightening the packed Home on the beautiful Christmas Eve.

The programme concluded with “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti!!!”

 

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Bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1850 hrs.


Thousands of devotees from many overseas countries are camping in Prasanthi Nilayam, partaking and spreading ‘Joy For All’.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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It is Christmas time again… celebrating the birth of the Holy Son. Time and again Bhagawan has spoken of the Ideal Son, inciting the ‘devotees’ to raise themselves, to a higher levels of awareness, making Jesus – The Ideal… Read on what Bhagawan has to speak about Jesus and Holy Christmas. The Sai Spiritual Story for Christmas Day from The Prasanthi Reporter.

If each one does his duty, in the spirit of dedication, the Light can illumine all; but, if the doors of the heart are shut against the Light, how can darkness disappear? You cannot sit back, and expect the Incarnation to bring Peace and Joy into you. The Incarnation comes to warn, to guide, to awaken, to lay down the path, and shed the light of Love on it. But, man has to listen, learn and obey, with hope and faith. There is a tale told of old that Wisdom and Wealth once quarreled loud and long, about their relative importance. Wealth argued that without it, the body will be weak, the brain hazy and wisdom a `will of the wisp’ (will-o’-the-wisp). Wisdom retorted that, without it, man cannot even distinguish wealth from non-wealth or know how to earn it and use it. The Soul intervened and told them that they were both equally important, but, only when they are properly used. Wealth without Wisdom becomes an instrument of exploitation and tyranny; Wisdom without Wealth becomes mere fantasy and a bundle of blueprints. Use makes them worthwhile; misuse makes them disastrous. It is like the knife; in the hands of a maniac, it becomes an instrument for murder; in the hands of a surgeon, it becomes an instrument which saves life! Are you doing good with wealth? Are you benefiting others by means of wisdom, that is the test. This day, Christmas, when you celebrate the birth of Christ, resolve to lead lives of Loving Service of the weak, the helpless, the distressed, and the disconsolate. Cultivate tolerance and forbearance, charity and magnanimity. Hold dear the ideals Jesus laid down and practise them in your daily lives.

The ways in which Christmas is celebrated show how far men have moved away from those ideals, how much ignominy they are heaping on his name! The midnight hour is revered; illumination is arranged; the Christmas Tree is set up; and then, the night is spent in drinking and dance. It is a day of Holy Ananda, but, the Ananda is reduced to the level of the poisoning excitement of intoxication! Drink is so pernicious an evil habit, that when man puts the bottle in, he gets himself into the bottle and cannot escape. First, man drinks wine; then, the wine drinks more wine; and finally, the wine drinks man himself. He is sunk and drowned in drink. Liquor destroys the humanity in man! How then can it develop the Divinity in him? One must dance in Divine Bliss; instead, sensual dance is indulged in, as a deleterious substitute! Make your hearts pure, your activities holy, and your feelings beneficial to all. That is the best way for celebrating the Birth of Christ.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Joy To The World…Let Earth Receive Her King

Thursday, December 25th, 2014

Celebrating one of the most charismatic event in the history of ‘His Story’ when man celebrates the Holy Advent Of His Son today should not man look within recapitulating the ideal life of Son Of God, making his life worthy by emulating his feats…it is time for everyone to arise and awake…On this holy Christmas let’s take a peek into the illustrious life and message of Lord Jesus Christ…a poem by Sri Jullie Chaudhuri.

Hark the herald angels sing…
Glory to the newborn King…
Peace on earth and mercy mild…
Born so that no one may die…
Born to raise the sons of earth…
Born to give them second birth…
Bless us all, sweet Jesus, to you we pray,
With an iota of your care and concern bless us this day,
From the Ocean of Cosmic Compassion,
May we receive a celestial spray…

Oh! It’s that enchanting time of the year once again,
The captivating charm of that amazing advent,
Can never wane,
Christmas Carols reverberate in every heart,
What wondrous sentiments they do impart,
Come, let us hear these particular lines,
That ring with delight across countless miles…

‘No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow…
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy…’

Oh! The all encompassing, supremely unique compassion of Christ,
Into every soul may it be distinctively franchised,
He bore everyone’s travails upon the cross,
Much later and much too late,
With deep remorse and anguished pathos,
Humanity regretted its horrendous folly and colossal loss…

He represented hope for the hopeless,
That glistening dawn in the darkness of distress,
An abundance of pristine noblesse,
That would provide ultimate relieve from menacing duress…
Oh! that infinitely kind heart that had no constraint,
And that divinely invigorating beatitude,
That radiates only from a true messiah or saint,
That sought no personal gain,
Yet endlessly echoes this wholesome refrain -
Man with his divinity must reacquaint…
About the baptism of Jesus,
That wondrous scene,
Let us read what says Matthew 3:16 -
As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. And, lo, at that moment the heavens were opened unto Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.
And a voice from heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Unsurpassable is the compassion of Christ,
He never lets his Father down,
Ever so limitless his empathy…his melting heart,
That won for him a Cosmic Renown,
Forever the obedient Son,
Consciously proving true the statement -
I and my Father are One…

“Blessed are you who are poor,
For yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who hunger now,
For you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
For you will laugh….in times to come…”
Such are the benedictions from the Son of God,
A pledge…that eventually,
All would receive their just reward…

And so the carols ring out,
Sung fervently by souls devout,
Thus, love returns to rule hearts gone dry,
Benevolence, sympathy, humaneness and mercy,
That had hitherto been driven out,
A mere thought of the sacrifice of Jesus,
Eradicates completely this dreary drought…

‘He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove,
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing…’
There exists a Jesus in each one of us,
The plus beyond the minus,
Awaiting its debut to come to the fore,
The inner recesses of our core we need to explore,
No more time to procrastinate or ignore,
That sublime intrinsic identity,
It is imperative to posthaste restore…

Let every heart prepare Him room,
For the ‘Him’ embodies all things glorious,
Ageless, Boundless and Changeless,
Let heaven and nature sing,
And Earth get ready to receive her King,
For once we all transform,
Into a true son and daughter,
Of the Supreme Creator,
We will the Lord’s heart stir,
To appear,
We will find Him near,
One with Him in the vast expanse of effervescent light,
When we bless ourselves with the Compassion of Christ,
We will with the Beloved One unite…

Joy to the world, Joy to the world…
Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas,
And a Christ Conscious New Year,
Oh! That tender spirit of Christmas,
Let us Beloved Bhagawan’s values adhere,
Growing in Christ Consciousness,
Let us augment in and magnify an eternal Sai’s Sphere…
And then,
All will be calm and all will be bright,
Glories will stream from heaven afar,
Heavenly hosts will proclaim – ‘Alleluia!’
Hark the herald angels will sing…
Oh, Come all ye faithful,
Come and behold Him,
Come, let us adore Him…
Joy to the world, Joy to the world,
Along with a myriad sparkling beings…
Let Earth once again receive her Beloved King…

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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Watch the Recorded Video Webcast of the Drama by Children from Sathya Sai School, Toronto, Canada as part of
Christmas Celebrations at 5 p.m. (IST) - 26 Dec 2014

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The presentation in the backdrop of Great Canadian outdoors, with Christmas Eve and Winter Solstice aligning together, was a depiction of the essential characteristics of a true spiritual seeker, underlying theme being ‘Unity In Diversity’.

The drama opens up to the Great Canadian outdoors with the First Native Chief, Chief Ailen pondering over the best virtuous gift as an offering to Great Spirit, Kitchi-Manitou. His Grandfather’s wisdom responds to his call, advising him to offer Non-violence as one, in a pack of eight virtues, as the best possible offering… Practising Non-violence by living in harmony with all beings, being alike to everyone and everything. The Grandfather further advises the Chief Ailen to seek the counsel of various religious heads in the State on the subject.

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Subsequent scenes open up with various religious heads coming up with their perspective and ideology on the subject.

A Zoroastrian Priest shows up first with a ‘Peace’ offering, backing up his claim with the story of the Parsi community in Gujarat, India, that successfully settled in the State, sharing love, sweetening lives with their innate love.

Muslim community comes next with the idea of Sense Control being the best offering. Sense Control is more than just controlling the temptations of the tongue as the community follows during the Ramadan month, enlightens the Imam.

The Buddhists project Meditation as the best gift, as peace and sense control can be achieved through Meditation and…

The Hindu Priest talks about Penance as the finest virtue, recounting the story of Hanuman who demonstrated great harmony in thought, word and deed by being an exemplary servant of Lord Rama, thus winning Divine Friendship.

Finally arrives a Christian Priest talking high about Jesus and his virtues. Showing up the nativity scene, of the birth of the Divine Baby, the Priest extols Jesus’ extraordinary Compassion for all, his supreme Forbearance, facing up oddities all through his life successfully, finally to proclaim the virtue of Truth that Jesus realized.

At the conclusion, the drama crew came forward offering maple leaves of virtues at The Lotus Feet of Beloved Bhagawan.

Earlier the programme commenced at 1700 hrs. with an introductory ‘appreciation’ speech by Mr John Behner, International Christmas Committee Chairman. Mr Behner highlighted on the Pure Love in all hearts, being the rich experience of thousands assembled in Prasanthi Nilayam for the Holy occasion. Referring to Laing Ron’s writings about his Interview Room experience with Bhagawan, wherein Bhagawan acknowledged Himself as ‘The Cosmic Christ’, the veteran speaker then appreciated the various components of the Ashram and overseas delegates in making the Prasanthi Christmas a grand success.

Mr Nathan of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Canada spoke next, explaining in brief the salient features of the role model Sathya Sai School, Ontario, Canada.

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Post the drama presentation Bhajans continued and ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

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The session commenced at 1700 hrs. with hundreds of men, women and children, holding aloft placards of Values marching into the Sai Kulwant premises, in the backdrop of a commentary on the programme.  The “Walk For Values” is aimed at promoting Bhagawan’s message of five cardinal Human Values… Sathya, Dharma Shanti, Prema, Ahimsa into the masses, praying and hoping for a United World of Peace. The programme had its inception in the year 2003 and has been a regular affair in Canada.

The Multi-Faith programme followed next began with Indian incantation, “Gananam Thwa…” prayers from major world religions, Christianity, Judaism, Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Islam to end with “Asathoma Sadgamaya…”.

The final presentation, a Canadian Youth Musical Offering, was an assortment of devotional members, singing paeans to Bhagawan. The numbers were… Sathya Dharmamu…, Guru Deva Sai…, Au Rivage…, Easwaramma Nandana…, The Reason…, Swami Oh Mere Sai.

Bhajans continued and the programme ended with Mangala Arathi at 1830 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

At the first private interview the Masons had, Baba materialized a rosary of 108 crystal beads and put it around Peggy’s neck. He also produced a Baba ring and put it to Ron’s finger. He let the aged couple to embrace Him, and spent almost a full hour with them, speaking kindly and enlightening them on many spiritual points. Man and wife were overwhelmed with His vast love. The realization that Baba was God they had been seeking for years gave them the ecstasy of spiritual joy. They were satisfied that their journey to India, so difficult at their age, had been more than fully rewarded. After that, they had many more private interviews with Baba, each one as thrilling as any other. How did the Masons come to merit such Grace? Some years ago, Peggy got ill. She felt great pain in her left leg, and was unable to walk more than a few yards at a time. Her doctor advised a major operation. He did not guarantee a cure by the operation; on the contrary, he told her frankly that, if it failed, her legs would have to be amputated.

Peggy had a photograph of Baba, which she had cut out from an issue of Psychic News. It was always on the table by her bed. One night after the doctor’s advice, she sat contemplating on the photo. The photo suddenly jumped up an inch or so, to one side and back again. When it did so, a glimmer of light fell over the table with a strange iridescence. Peggy had the above experience on many following nights. Meantime, the pain in Peggy’s leg was getting worse. One night, when it became unbearable, she cried out: “Oh, Baba, I wish you could do something about my leg!” The next day, Peggy got a copy of the book, Sai Baba and the Psychiatrist. She was looking at the picture of Baba in it, when her telephone rang. A man’s voice came through: “I’m ringing on behalf of Swami Ganesha Ananda. She is very much interested in your writings, and would like to meet you.” Peggy told the caller that the Swami was welcome to her place any time.

Three weeks later, Swami Ganesha Ananda came. She said she lived some fifteen miles away. She appeared to be a well-travelled person, and said that she had been to India and seen Sathya Sai Baba. And, quite simply, she gave Peggy a packet of Vibhuthi which she said would cure Peggy’s ailment. Peggy rubbed the Vibhuthi to the paining leg regularly every day, and prayed before Baba’s picture. In a few days, she was cured of the pain in her, leg, so well that she could dance all night at a ball. This established the Masons in their faith for Baba. They made a continuous study of Baba, reading all the available books on Him and questioning people who had seen Him. Before long, the desire which had been growing in their hearts to see Baba with their own eyes became uncontrollable and they had to come to Prasanthi Nilayam.

The Masons knew that Jesus Christ had said: “I and my father are One. He will come.” At the last interview they had with Baba before leaving for their home, Ron asked Baba: “Are you the Cosmic Christ of Whom Jesus spoke?” Baba’s answer was instantaneous, and simple, “Yes.” The way He said it, the way He looked straight into Ron’s eyes while saying it, was enough to convince Ron, and Peggy too. They now say: “We are all very fortunate to have Him, the Cosmic Christ, with us, moving about like an ordinary man, giving us the chance to hear Him speak, sing and laugh. We are indeed blessed!”

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Carnatic Music Presentation by Smt. Sai Swaroopa at Prasanthi Nilayam
Sunday, December 28th, 2014

Presenting her own compositions, Smt Iyer began with a Sankirtan, Chitravathi Nadhi Theerana, to continue with Mana Sayeeshwarku Janmanichu… a composition on Mother Easwaramma. Sayeeshwarude Avatarinchinu… a composition on the auspicious Birth of Sri Sathya Sai followed next, in Anandabhairavi. The next one in Mohana Raga was inspired by Bhagawan Himself, in Person, Who had blessed the artist once in the Interview Room. The composition Hey Sayee… Hey Sayee Nin Divya Roopamu… was borne out of the bliss of being in His Presence. A composition in Shanmukhapriya Raga, Nee Naama Naamaamrutham next was followed by a piece in Rag Vasantha, on Sai Rama… singing Saketha Raama Sri Raama… Yatra Yatra Raghunatha Keerthanam… wherever Rama Nama Is there, Hanumantha is there and vice versa was the next piece, a composition of Annamacharya in Dharmavathi Raga. Next to come was the title song of the Album dedicated to Bhagawan, a song summarizing all of Bhagawan’s projects. The song “Dola loogu Sai…” was a lullaby invoking The Lord to swing in the heart and was a mesmerizing devotional composition. The versatile artist ended with a traditional Mangalam song, Easwaramma Suta Sathya Swarupa… Jaya Mangalam Subha Mangalam… Singing straight from her heart, in her simple traditional style, the artist for the evening was given a round of applause by the Sunday evening’s appreciative audience.

Smt Iyer was accompanied by Sarvasree Anand Narayan on Flute, Mohan Dora on Tabla and Sudheer on Mridangam.

The artist and accompanists were felicitated at the end of the session. Bhajans continued and ended with Bhagawan singing Hari Bhajana Binaa…. Mangala Arathi at 1820 hrs. marked the end of the proceedings.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Presenting a 50-minute all-Carnatic-Instrumental Concert the group played some of the popular numbers of the past masters, paying rich gratitude to Bhagawan for Him being the Mainstay, moulding their lives under His personal supervision.


The Music College has completed 14 years of commendable service, in spotting and moulding rich musical talents, under the direct blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Bhajans continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

It is at this very portals that these students learnt the Art Of Living and finer aspects of the Art Of Being.

The programme commenced with an initial invocation followed by an introductory talk, introducing the speaker and the rest of the programme.


The speaker, Ms Bharatilakshmi, a former faculty at Bhagawan’s Primary School and an award winning teacher with great credentials, spoke of her interesting journey unto Swami, concluding in a convincing tone restating that ‘Sai Is Everything’.


Skits followed next, illustrating Swami’s messages on Vedas, Virtues etc. Explaining in detail the efficacy of Veda chanting and It’s universal application, skits followed next dealt with a question and answer session between a teacher and a group of students, educatiing the youngsters on the importance of Sense Control, Gratitude, Narayana Seva and Selfless Service.


The final phase of the programme was a presentation on the epic Ramayana. Presenting the topic innovatively, with a mix of video caricatures, Ramakatha songs and snippets of Divine discourses, the presentation concluded with an assertion by the alumni that as in the Ramayana Story, involving Gurukula education, imparting finer teachings of the Art Of Being, Bhagawan’s Primary School also provided them with the same basis, providing the best of moulding, under Bhagawan’s direct guidance. The grateful alumni ended the programme with a group song “Sai Darbar Hey Jag Sara…”

Primary Higher Secondary Alumni Offer Gratitude…

Bhajans continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi at 1850 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II