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Happy Eid-Ul-Fitr - Ramadan

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Prasanthi echoes Ramadan Mubarak…

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Celebrating the grand culmination of the holy month of Ramadan and the advent of the new month, Eid-Ul-Fitr, postgraduate students of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Prasanthi Nilayam gave a comprehensive presentation this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.

The presentation entailed discussions on the holy concepts and significance of the festivity, intertwined with songs, singing paens to Allah. How the month-long penance help the seeker to turn in, purifying his heart, seeking ‘Allah’ within was lucidly explained, stressing on finer details, by way of discussions involving a fresher, from outside the religion, with different religious men having Islamic background. Discussing what entails the festivity, a group of turbaned boys clad in typical Islamic wear performed ‘Namaz’, the Muslim prayer, to the backdrop music of holy religious chantings from the Holy Qur’an.

Airing the essential message that all religions leading to the One Goal, One God, the presentation ended with a concluding remark that Prasanthi Nilayam, the spiritual capital of the world, wherein Bhagawan delivered the most simplistic message of oneness of all religions, is the final destination for the entire mankind.

The entire programme was entwined with beautiful songs, singing paens to Allah.

Bhajans continued for sometime before Mangala Arathi was offered at 1805 hrs.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

Previous Update from Prasanthi Nilayam

Also read : Independence Day in Prasanthi Nilayam

Wednesday, August 15th, 2012

Mother India’s patriotic refrain ‘Vande Mataram’ resounded in Prasanthi Nilayam this evening when the II Year Post Graduate students presented a patriotic drama entitled Bharatiya Samskruti Atma Samskruti on the occasion of 66th National Independence Day here in Prasanthi Nilayam.

The 85 minute presentation in 12 episodes was based on the theme, as the title goes, ‘Freedom Of The Soul’ as the key for real freedom, as preached by legendary Swami Vivekananda. ...Read more

Gratitude Galore From Team Radio Sai…

Sunday, August 19th, 2012

Commemorating the 10th anniversary of Bhagawan’s Divine visit to the studio of Radio Sai Global Harmony, in August 2002, Team Radio Sai presented an absorbing two-hour programme in the Divine omnipresence of Beloved Bhagawan this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.

Gratitude Galore From Team Radio Sai…

Beginning with an ‘in-detail’ introduction by Ms. Karuna Munshi on the mission entrusted by Bhagawan, detailing numerous milestones, including the commissioning of Radio Sai Global Harmony, the presentation drifted into reminiscence galore wherein grateful staff members shared interesting tales of Supreme Divine Guidance that made Radio Sai a reality.

Gratitude Galore From Team Radio Sai…

Intertwining with heart-rendering melodies, as the presentation went on, a foursome from Team Radio Sai continued with the narration, mixing stories with some of the interesting responses received from Radio Sai listeners around the globe.

Gratitude Galore From Team Radio Sai…

A couple of speeches followed, first one by Prof. G Venkataraman, the mainstay behind the mission, followed by Sri SS Naganand, Member Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation. Sri Bishu Prusty offered vote of thanks, not before narrating some of the interesting revelations from Bhagawan, delivered in advance, about the evolution of Radio Sai mission.

Team Radio Sai signed off, singing two more songs, ending the programme that lasted for two hours.

Bhajans continued that ended with Sunday Special in Bhagawan’s voice, “Hari Bhajana Binaa Sukha Shanti Nahi…”

Mangala Arati was offered at 1905 hrs. and Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

Tomorrow being Eid-Ul-Fitr, students from SSSIHL would be presenting a musical offering in the evening in Prasanthi Nilayam.

“EID MUBARAK”

May Eid-Ul-Fitr bring abundant joy and happiness in your life!

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Study The Holy Qur’an and Hold Its Teachings…
Upon finding that the Muslims of Puttaparthi had to trek about four miles to Bukkapatnam every time they had to pray in a mosque,

since they did not have a place of worship in their own village, in 1978, Bhagawan built a mosque in the village to help the Muslims to worship in Puttaparthi itself. The mosque was completed and consecrated in time for the Ramzan festival in August 1978. Sanctifying the newly constructed Mosque, blessing the Muslims Bhagawan paid a visit to the Mosque, on the Id Festival day, finally delivering a Divine Discourse. A large assemblage of Indian and Foreign devotees and also villagers of all faiths were present to share in the joy of the Muslims. Sri G. Fakhruddin, the Convener of the village Mosque committee while paying welcome homage said that the Light and Love that shone in and through the founders of all religions were physically present in Sathya Sai Baba today. He expressed eternal gratitude to Bhagawan for showing the Muslims the Pathway to God and for re-enforcing their belief in the universal aspects of all religions. Bhagawan then granted His discourse in Telugu which was understood by all the Muslims present there.

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Ramzan is the month when the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It was a Divine communication, a Bhagavad Vani, reaching him through waves or tarangas of Divine vibrations. The Vedas too were revealed in the same manner by God to the Rishis. The Bible, the Avesta, and the other great scriptures of other religions also had similar Divine inspiration as the reason for their validity. Since the Qur’an originated from God, it cannot be changed or modified, to suit ‘changed’ conditions. They are all eternal verities. The Qur’an contains expositions of the five vital principles or pancha-prana of human life: mercy, truth, sacrifice, love and tolerance. These principles, really basic to the good life are emphasised in all religious texts of humanity. If one assimilates the truths declared in the Qur’an, they can live in full concord with all others. No religion praises violence or falsehood.

Fasting was laid down during the Ramzan, in order to make people experience the benefits of sense control and in order to cleanse the spirit and the passions of man, so that he may be rendered fit to approach God. Fasting is also referred to as Upavas; Upa means ‘near’ and vas means `living’. So, Upavas means, living very near God. The Ramzan fast is intended to enable Muslims to set aside all sensory desires and to spend an entire month in the Holy Presence of God. As man gets the cool heartening breeze when he approaches the air conditioner, or fan, so too when man approaches God, his sorrows will vanish and he will have his good aspects flourish by His Grace. Cultivate during this Month of God all the Godly qualities, charity, unity, love, service, detachment, tolerance. And, see that you practise them, not only at home, but, spread the joy outside your household also.

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Fasting entails not merely abstaining from food and drink from sun rise to sun set, but, the mastery of the more difficult discipline of giving up violence, falsehood, anger, envy, and the maligning of others. One may have to face ridicule and persecution, obstructions and troubles when he decides to lead the good, holy life. Prophet Muhammad was persecuted thus and he had to leave Mecca for Medina. Jesus was crucified for the meek and the mute. As the Lord’s Will assumes the form of a tree—the Kalpavriksha—in order to be a perennial source of sustenance and sweetness to others, great persons have suffered voluntarily, for the sake of their beneficent beliefs. In spite of hurdles and handicaps, Prophet Muhammad did not give up his conviction; He declared that there was only One God and that His Name was Allah. He commanded his disciples to serve mankind, and treat all others as fellow beings, children of the same God. Study the Gift of God to man, namely the Qur’an and hold its teachings as valid for all time, because they are universal and basic.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II

The very root of Islam has been based on Love and Surrender, echoed Prasanthi offering a comprehensive presentation on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr on August 20, 2012 in Prasanthi Nilayam. Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

Wishing the august assembly greetings on the holy auspicious occasion, the presentation began with postgraduate students enacting a conversation involving an enthusiastic and curious youngster by name Hemant with some of his Muslim acquaintance. As an innocent Hemant grew curious to know the finer aspects of Ramadan festivity, the conversation prolonged converting Sai Kulwant Hall into a ‘virtual’ classroom, where ‘Ramadan and its finer aspects’ was discussed most comprehensively, helping the august gathering enlightened about the subject.

The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word Ramida, meaning scorching heat and dryness, symbolic of fire of hunger and thirst at a physical level while spiritually it connotes to intense spiritual yearning. It is only when one is turned away from senses, he is turning towards God; main principle behind Ramadan is the control of the mind.

Discussing what entails the festivity, a group of turbaned boys clad in typical Islamic wear got into offering ‘Namaz’, the Muslim prayer, to the backdrop of recital of Holy Qur’an.

The ambient chanting that emanated with a soothing and heavenly touch wafted like a rhythmic music lifting every ‘heart’ presented in the august assembly.

Ramadan is a penance that is undertaken to make it habituated in life, firmly engraving the same in character. Fasting is the external side of the festivity, while real significance lies in the transformation within. Mind should be singularly focused like the star on the crescent, said an enlightened Ahmed Bhai answering the curious youngster. Fasting entails crossing the gross ‘body’ aspect to get the mind absorbed in peace, get it fixed on Allah, the Almighty. A beautiful story about a painting competition was quoted from the Holy Qur’an, illustrating this point.

Singing His glory, the students soon burst into a Quwwali ‘Rahanuma Rahanuma Thujhse Roshan Hey Jahan…,” accompanied by soulful musical score.

The five pillars of Islam, the five important tasks Allah has instructed for every true Muslim to adhere to, were discussed next. The five pillars are: Shahada, declaration of faith in Allah, as One God and Mohammed as His final messenger, Salah, the five-time prayer offered as per Islamic faith, the 3rd one is the month-long fast observed, and Hajj, the fourth pillar, holy pilgrimage to Holy Mecca. Fifth and final Pillar is Zakat, charity offered during the holy month as the very religion is based on love and surrender.

Enacting an episode involving two youngsters, Faizal and Rafeeque glorifying the fifth pillar, Zakat, the musical troupe burst a soul-stirring rendition, singing the popular Quwwali, Parvar Digare Alam…

Depicting the most important virtue desired by a Muslim, Faith, an anecdote from the life of Mansoor, great saint from Benares was enacted next. When the young lad Mansoor, refraining from going for academia, moved around the streets shouting Analhaq, Analhaq, meaning ‘I am God…” none could understand his holy nature. When the lad was taken to the king, despite the king’s wise counselling, Mansoor declared that he knew he was God and so was with the king and everyone else. An enraged king ordered to take Mansoor to the ordeal room to chop his organs and limbs one by one as an act of punishment. At the end, when the king entered the room to assess the situation, he was shocked to see that every drop of blood of Mansoor’s body was chanting Analhaq…Analhaq…”I am God…I am God.”

Singing paeans to Allah, the programme reached its final phase declaring: Each individual is a spark in the Supreme Consciousness and different religions are different paths leading to that one destination. Today’s world is divided into many by people who have not understood the purpose of religion.

The presentation ended on a glorious note affirming that Prasanthi Nilayam endorses the sentiments of Oneness of all Religions, Oneness of Humanity; Prasanthi Nilayam is the destination of all our destinies.

Singing the final song, Shirdiwale Sai Baba aaya hai tere dar pe sawali the students wound up the fifty minutes presentation.
Bhajans continued for sometime and Mangala Arathi was offered at 1800 hrs.

II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II