March 20, 2007
 UGADI Photos  - Excerpts from Swami’s Ugadi discourse & Eye witness account of Ugadi celeberations sent by a devotee in Puttaparthi "...Swami first mentioned the names of years in telugu. Few more years are there for Akshaya year. There are 60 years between Prabhava(first year in the telugu calender) and akshaya(the last year in telugu calender). This body has witnessed two akshayas. God incarnates in human form in the year Akshaya....." read more

March 20, 2007 Sarvajithnama Samvatsara…Ugadi…
Prasanthi embraces the dawn of a most promising new year…

21st March 2007…Prasanthi Nilayam: Ugadi…the festive New Year of remarkable metaphorical significance, heralding auspiciousness and prosperity was celebrated with gaiety, piety and religious fervour in Prasanthi Nilayam in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan on 20th March 2007. A tastefully decorated Sai Kulwant Hall, bedecked with blend of multi-hued flowers and festoons bore testimony to the grandeur of the occasion and the arrival of a much promising New Year…and it was that promising feature of this New Year, christened Sarvajith that caught the limelight on this most auspicious morning.

Dwelling upon in detail on this ‘impending’ New Year Sarvajithnama Ugadi, Bhagawan, much to the delight of the thousands gathered in Prasanthi Nilayam declared the conferred boon, that the New Year would be a promising one that could fulfill all of humanities ambitions and aspirations. He further added that one should develop right thoughts and with good thoughts one is bound to be successful…

Earlier in the morning Bhagawan emerged out from Yajur Mandiram at 8:40 a.m. moved into the Sai Kulwant Hall for a full round filling the hearts and minds of thousands thronged for the coveted New Year darshan. Prof. Anil Kumar, who was ordained by Bhagawan to share his thoughts on the festive occasion, was at his poetic best recapitulating the immortal lines coined by Mahakavi Devulapalli Krishasasthri Garu. Recalling those immortal poems on the Love between God and a devotee, Prof. Anil Kumar emphasised that Bhagawan is The Magnet…If there is any magnet that attracts devotees from all over the world, it is Bhagawan…voiced Anil Kumar thunderously, received with rapturous applause by the concourse of thousands.

Talking on the greater significance of the festivity, he recounted a memorable Ugadi morning in Brindavan in the year 1989, when the then President of India, Shankar Dayal Sharma who was commanded to address the gathering of devotees begged to Bhagawan with atmost simplicity and sincerity that he has not come to give a speech, rather he was there to listen to Bhagawan…and he was there to have His Divine Darshan with the belief that all auspicious things on that doubly auspicious Ugadi day would repeat manifold throughout the year…The president who was requested to sit on a chair chose to sit at His Lotus Feet and even refused to accept a garland that was offered to him…and instead went on removing the petals to be offered to Bhagawan at His Lotus Feet. Prof. Anil Kumar concluded his rhetoric excellence expressing gratitude on a personal note, narrating how Bhagawan’s Love and Grace has conferred his aged mother a peaceful end, remembering the Beloved One in the last moment…ultimately reaching the Divine Lotus Feet.

Prof. G. Venkataraman who spoke next said among the various regionally celebrated New Years of Indian tradition, Ugadi is different as is evident from the very name itself. Talking about the Mobile Dispensary that is completing a year of yeomen service, Prof. Venkataram was lavish at praising the entire team of doctors and paramedicos who have been actively engaged in rendering medical service to the poor village folk in selected areas of Anantapur District. Switching over to the Drinking Water Project for East and West Godavari, Prof. Venkataram, who had been there personally to study the project activities narrated the thrilling experiences and encounters he had during his visit. Referring to an incident wherein a tribal lady had donated an acre of land for the water project, and another incident where village women expressed their contentment and gratitude to Bhagawan for the boon of elixir divine, he said he was astonished to find such fine qualities in ordinary village folks, that is surprisingly and unfortunately missing in educated urban class. Talking about the role of youth in carrying Bhagawan’s Mission he added that the soul of India finds expression through the youth…Victory is here…Krishna is here…and we are all Arjunas…by obeying His Divine Command the whole world can become a better one…

This was followed by Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse…Talking on the significance of the New Year Sarvajith, Bhagawan said…of all the years this year is significant to recognise the innate Divinity…this year indicates the fulfilment of all our desires and ambitions…Urging one and all about the importance of developing right thoughts, Bhagawan said, by developing good thoughts one is bound to be successful.

Discoursing on the origin of the name Sarvajith, Bhagawan narrated the story of Mother Parvathi’s severe penance finally winning the hand of her Lord, Shiva…Pleased with Parvathi’s unquenching thirst for Divinity the Lord appeared to her conferring the bliss of Divine Union…Thus achieveing her foremost goal, Parvathi named the year Sarvajith, meaning ‘all conquering’…Ugadi signifies the day of celebration when Mother Parvathi surmounting all obstacles won the hand of her Lord…

Talking about various Ugadi New Years with significant names, Bhagawan said: following this year Sarvajith, after a gap of some years, will come the year Akshaya, the year of plenty. Divinity incarnates in the year Akshaya and Bhagawan also has incarnated in the Akshaya year…thus His physical being has seen two Akshaya Years…added Bhagawan.
 

		Ugadi Morning Photos
		Click to enlarge
		Ugadi Evening Photos

Referring to the East and West Godavari Water Project, and related affairs, Bhagawan reiterated that responding to the prayers of the devotees from the region He would soon undertake a trip to Rajahmundry. Bhagawan further announced the Rural Development Programme that would commence on this auspicious day to be completed in a year’s time.

Students have power…physical health, mental power, spiritual power…They should achieve sense control and should be careful not to pervert themselves so that they can do better service, exhorted Bhagawan.

Talking about His foster Mother Karnam Subbamma, Bhagawan gave a beautiful insight into the final moments of the pious lady. Subbamma, just before leaving her mortal coil after sipping water offered by His Divine Hands, told Bhagawan’s mother Easwaramma with great feeling, sincerity and conviction that Easwaramma has given birth to God…but she was privileged to take care of the Godly child. Easwaramma was like Devaki and she herself was like Yasodha. Saying so, she urged Mother Easwaramma to take care of Sathya well.

The Burra Katha recital, a folklore art form of Andhra Pradesh staged by the students a couple of days before on the theme Mother Easwaramma, came in for a rave review from Bhagawan. Extremely pleased with the classic staging of the programme, Bhagawan felicitated Mr. Krishna Bhaskar, the trainer and three student participants. Bhagawan even asked the students to recite some ballads form the Burra Katha.

Prasadam was distributed to one and all and Bhagawan received Managala Arathi before leaving for Yajur Mandiram at 11:30 a.m. after spending nearly three hours on the dais, granting the coveted New Year Darshan to the thousands…indeed a great beginning for the vast concourse of devotees on a doubly auspicious Ugadi morning.

As if taking a cue from the announcement made in the morning about the Rural Development Programme, there was enough of action wating in the Sai Kulwant Hall in the evening. Bhagawan arrived at 4:10 p.m. to the hall that had, apart from the huge gathering of devotees, Love in kind waiting for Bhagawan to bless and launch.

Service to Man is service to God, says Bhagawan. Following this dictum of Bhagawan, the Anantapur wing of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations organised a programme of distribution of various ‘bread-winning’ articles and equipments to the selected folks from various villages of Anantapur district...As names were called out every privileged candidate came one after one offering salutations to Bhagawan partaking His blessings alongwith the blessings in kind…71 sewing machines, 22 grinders, 12 pushing carts, 6 carts with Iron-box, 2 Iron-Boxes, 7 sprayers for spraying pesticides, 1 Tea Set, 1 Reeling Machine, saree design cords (10,000 already distributed in a village), 8 bicycles for children to reach distant schools on time were distributed to deserving candidates. This was followed by a musical bouquet by 124 Bal-vikas children, boys and girls from the district who melodiously sang, effectively depicting Bhagawan’s Messages…

God’s compassion knew no bounds…and any offering that come with a heartful of love would earn the merit…Moved by the words spoken with a touch of melody by these tiny tots, innocent at heart, and service rendered with great love, compassion suffused with great unity by the elders Bhagawan, addressing students and citizens of Anantapur district, said that the words they spoke and their presentation got imprinted in His heart...adding a note of appreciation, he further said that we do not need to doubt any longer the potential of the citizens of Anantapur…all your utternances and presentations are ideal and commendable that set a model for other districts to emulate. Bhagawan has got only one desire that all should be drowned with bliss in their hearts and bliss in their hearts should be unfolded…He futher spoke about the greater need to develop Love…developing love as one’s own breath. Once love is established all tendencies would cease to exist. To the delight of one and all Bhagawan declared that accepting their love and fine sentiments He would soon visit Anantapur…

Before concluding His Divine Discourse Bhagawan lavishly praised Mr.Ashwathanarayana and family for spearheading the service activities with selfless motive, with love for Bhagawan…and appreciated the residents of other towns also who have joined hands with Mr. Ashwathanarayana in rendering service to the poor and forlorn.. God does not leave you…He is always with you…strengthen this feeling and lead a happy life...He stressed the need to develop sacred thoughts within.

Prasadam was distributed and Mangala Arathi was offered before Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.

A most memorable and special Ugadi New Year…with God spending a most magnanimous five hours conferring the Divine Bliss of coveted darshan…Indeed a dream beginning for a New Year...Sarvajithnama Samvatsara. Ugadi Prelude 

source

March 18, 2007 This Sunday morning, Swami came to the Sai Kulwant Hall at 7.30 am and after His darshan round in the car, went into the interview room. A few minutes later, He emerged, and after talking to a few devotees near the interview room door, called a family for interview. At 8.30, Bhagawan emerged in His chair and went on two extended darshan rounds, going around the whole Sai Kulwant Hall and collecting letters from a large number of devotees. He also presented a chain to a post graduate student who was sitting in the second half of the Hall.

In the evening, Swami's students presented a 'Burrakatha', a traditional folk art of Andhra Pradesh, on the story of Eshwaramba. After His darshan round, Swami came to the Bhajan Hall and conversed for a short while with the students making the presentation. In a few minutes, He emerged from the interview room and proceeded to the stage, where He asked Prof. Anil Kumar to announce the programme, and the proceedings got underway just before four o'clock. At the end of the hour long Burrakatha, Swami went into the interview room and sent word for prasadam to be distributed and for Bhajans to begin in the Sai Kulwant Hall itself. Soon, He came onstage, and after forty minutes of Bhajans, accepted Arati at 5.20 pm and retired to His residence.

March 17, 2007 This evening, the final year post graduate students of Prasanthi Nilayam were to present a programme as their final offering to Bhagawan. Swami came for darshan by 3.15 pm. Right in the middle of the Sai Kulwant Hall was a water tanker truck, with many taps on it's sides, and "Sri Sathya Sai Drinking Water" written on it in many languages including Telugu and Tamil.

Swami's car paused near the truck, on which was emblazoned and Swami Blessed the devotees from Bangalore instrumental in bringing the truck. A coconut was broken, camphor was lit, the taps on the truck were symbolically opened to mark it's inauguration, and Bhagawan moved on to complete His darshan round. After reaching the verandah, Swami came to the Bhajan Hall where the students were getting ready in their costumes. He enquired about the various characters in the skit they were to enact. Then He went out again in His chair, on an extended second darshan round. First, He moved to the Western side of the Mandir off the verandah and spoke to some ladies there, then moving in front of the students and collecting many letters, took a round of the verandah and then another full round of the ladies' side in His chair, pausing many times on the way.

After Swami came back to the verandah, the programme by the students began, just before four o'clock. The students expressed their love and gratitude to Bhagawan who showered them with so much love during their stay here, through songs, short speeches and poems in many languages. A demonstration of the pot-breaking pyramid formation as done during Krishnashtami added to the excitement. Swami went into the interview room briefly near the end of the hour long programme, and then returned to the stage in five minutes' time. A humourous skit concluded the proceedings with the message that all the wealth and auspiciousness in the heavens were embodied in the sweet form of our Lord. The students had a banner behind them, praying to Bhagawan to visit the Hostel, as they gathered together in front of Swami at the end of the presentation. Swami told them, while granting them group photographs classwise, that their exams were approaching and that they should concentrate on their studies. Laddoo prasadam was distributed to all.

After the photo session which lasted around 20 minutes, Swami asked for a bhajan, after which He accepted Arati and moved to the interview room. He retired to His residence half an hour later, at around 6 pm. Read more details from SBOI group mail 17 MARCH 2007 in Prasanthi Nilayam......

March 14, 2007 This evening, after His darshan round and going into the interview room, Swami came into the Bhajan Hall at around 4.30 pm. The senior students presented letters and a card to Him, praying that He visit their Hostel. Bhagawan read some of the letters and asked them about the programme they had arranged there. He then called some ladies for interviews, and later came again to the Bhajan Hall during Bhajans.         

March 11, 2007 This morning, Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall by 7.15 and directly went for a drive. On His return after 40 minutes, He went into the interview room and later came to the Bhajan Hall for the nine o'clock Bhajans.      

March 10, 2007 This evening, it was the turn of the Kerala Youth group to be called into the Bhajan Hall. A few minutes after His Darshan round at 4.30 pm, Swami sent word from the interview room that He would speak to the Kerala

 Youth in the Bhajan Hall. They had just finished entering the Bhajan Hall when Bhagawan entered in His chair.

Seated at the centre of the Hall, Bhagawan spoke to them in Tamil, with the State Sai Organisation President Sri. Mukundan translating into Malayalam. He stressed on the need for them to encourage villagers to keep their environment clean so that children, elders and even the farm animals will be healthy and happy. When the State President prayed that Swami grace their State with a visit, saying that many people in interior regions are waiting for Him, Swami replied that He knows much more clearly than Sri. Mukundan can report, and that He would surely come if the Youth made everyone joyful by following His instructions.

Swami went among them in His chair up to the end of the Hall, granting many of them the Blessing of Sparshan and Sambhashan. Then, Swami asked them to sing, and they broke into an enthusiastic rendering of the Bhajan "Jai Jai Prabhu Giridhari" while laddoo and vibhuti prasadam was distributed to all. Swami Blessed them all profusely before going out at six o'clock. Five minutes later, He came to the Bhajan Hall door and accepting Arati, returned to His residence.

March 9, 2007

Bhagawan was to speak to the final year students of the Anantapur womens' campus of the Sri Sathya Sai University this evening. As Swami came for darshan at 3.15, the students filled the Bhajan Hall. Bhagawan entered soon after, and asked them to sing group songs. After two songs, Swami started conversing with the senior teachers seated near Him, and began addressing the students as their Principal translated. He stressed that they should first set right their homes before venturing to work outside. Cautioning them to be very careful in their behaviour, He told them to be mindful of both their (future) husbands and their mothers-in-law; otherwise they would come to grief. He wanted them all to uphold the good name of the Institution and be ideals in their behaviour.

After the 45 minute session, Swami went into the interview room and later returned to the Bhajan Hall for the five o'clock Bhajans.
source

March 7, 2007: Bhagawan came onstage after His evening darshan round this evening by 3.40 pm. Then, Blessing some of the students with letters, the "Birthday boys" and so on, He called up the senior student leading the dance group of students and asked for a programme then and there! The students scrambled to get costumes and music ready while Swami went into the interview room briefly.

 In just twenty minutes, they were ready, and Bhagawan came onstage again to see their presentation. Even then, He kept the dancers on their toes by rearranging the order in which they were planning to present the dances! He also asked the singers to sing some devotional songs after the dancers concluded. The songs merged into Bhajans at 5.20, and by 5.30, Swami accepted Arati and retired to His abode.
8^th March. Download  wallpaper "Light of Life"
 

March 6, 2007: Both yesterday and today, Bhagawan went around the Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair in the evening for an extended second darshan round, much to the delight of all. Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed two celebrations over the weekend. The presentation by the Deena Janoddharana children from Andhra Pradesh on Saturday and the Holi celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam on Sunday. February 27, 2007

This evening, the final year post-graduate students were getting ready with costumes for their last programme of this academic year in front of Bhagawan. But when Swami came to the Sai Kulwant Hall, after His darshan round, He alighted from His car near the Primary School X and XII class girls who also had their final exams coming up. He saw their cards and Blessed them, then granted each one padanamaskar, moving in His chair among all of them. The X and XII boys were also not left out - after moving among the girls, Swami came across to where the boys were seated and moved among them, too. Then all of them were called into the Bhajan Hall.

First, Swami asked for songs - girls and boys alternately sang group songs. Then, Swami spoke to them for nearly an hour, giving them advice on how they should become ideal boys and ideal girls. Blessing them all profusely, getting vibhuti and sweets distributed to all, the Loving Lord left them filled with joy at their unexpected Blessing. Bhajans began at 5.20 pm as Swami moved to the interview room. After half an hour, Swami accepted Arati and retired for the day.

March 4, 2007: Sai Bandwagon moves on with Holi Message… Holi greetings & wallpapers    Holi Photos

 Prasanthi Nilayam’s festive exuberance got a fillip when devotees from the states of Bihar and Jharkhand, the land acclaimed as the land of Lord Gautam Buddha, assembled to celebrate the ‘holi’day in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba on Sunday, 4th March 2007.. The festivity that was celebrated as a Festival of Love indeed had a riot of colours, colours of devotion on display. The children from the state joined in chorus to sing, “…the colourful holi has come to the sacred land of Parthi; play holi with us; Easwaramma’s Beloved has created a stir in the whole of the universe; the nectar of love is flowing all through”. It was this love and devotion that was reciprocally on display from the Lord and His devotees on this day that was made doubly auspicious with the colourful holi celebrations.
Photos & Report March 3, 2007: Cultural Programme by the Students of the Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanodharana Project of Andhra Pradesh and the Balvikas Students 
Holi is the festival of colours; supposedly a fun-filled and boisterous festival in the Hindu Calender, heradling the joyous arrival of winter season. Every year it is celebrated on the very next day after the full moon in early march glorifying good harvest and fertility of the land. A festival of letting go of the past with fresh hopes in the future strengthening ties with friends and loved ones, this festivity has a tag of love and friendship attached to it. Colours represent the exuberant show of goodwill and cheerfulness. Riot of colours follow reverlry of colour play…unmatched display of boisterousness…smearing and squirting each other with colours, of course with a goodwill and message of greater love and friendship.

On the beautiful morning Bhagawan arrived at the aesthetically decorated Sai Kulwant Hall just before 9:00 a.m. Thousands of devoted souls joined the hundreds from the states of Bihar and Jharkand greeting Bhagawan on this holi day…Colourful balloons and hoarding with His Divine Messages were seen hanging welcoming Bhagawan, metaphorically signifying the colourful nature of the festivity coupled with spiritual significance…

Ekohum Bahusyam, a dance drama, showcasing the cultural heritage of the twin states was the highlight of the morning session; a powerful presentation phased in coining several dance-song sequences, effectively communicating the life and teachings of Bhagawan. Meaningful melody, colourful dances with kavvali and bangra, and above all the dedication and unmatched devotion of the little hearts…made the event a memorable one…serving a reminder of the metaphorical significance of the festivity, that is often taken for granted for the boisterous nature of the festivity in the rest of the world. Bhagawan most graciously posed for a group photo session with the participants and curtain was drawn for the session with Arathi offered to Bhagawan.

In popular usage mind is frequently synonymous with thoughts. Best definition on the nature of the mind can be attributed to Bhagawan who described the same as a bundle of thoughts…Immense, unbounded possibilities and vistas of this rare faculty of man has been debated all-through and it is indeed proved to conviction that ‘mind makes the man’. The afternoon programme, a play titled Man Darpan was a portrayal of the mind and its greater vistas.

The storyline goes as: Five friends assemble to celebrate Holi and exchange notes boasting their professional achievements. A common friend who misses the celebration with them narrates his Holi celebration at an Old Age Home and the satisfaction derives out of the same. Five friends who are worldy in their outlook express their dissatisfaction and unhappiness inspite of having all worldy achievements. The common friend, Veda, says that true happiness can be found only within and will not be available outside. And to experience the same one has to have control over the mind, which comes only from the control of the senses. While wisdom advises the mind to control the senses, vices pulls the mind towards the other extreme…Selfless Service suffused with Unconditional Love is the only remedy to control the senses…Witnessing these scenes brings the essential transformation into the five worldly men and they decides to make amends…Veda, the wise friend declares that Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba best exemplifies the spirit of selfless service…Only unconditional Love for God will purify the mind and Love is the ultimate solution for all the problems of the World. At the end of the programme Bhagawan blessed the participants with a group photo session.

Indeed, a marvellous Holi Day with a ‘holier’ message; Message of Unconditional Love. The Sai Bandwagon moves on with His Message of Selfless Service and Unconditional Love…     source

 

March 3, 2007:    Photos & Report March 3, 2007: Cultural Programme by the Students of the Sri Sathya Sai Deenajanodharana Project of Andhra Pradesh and the Balvikas Students

 March 1, 2007: Today morning Swami came at 8.50.a.m. after taking the full round of darshan Swami lessed the MP Seva dal and also told the state coordinator that Swami was very happy with their seva and His blessings are with all. Swami also took letters from Mp sevadal. Swami  directed prasadam of Poorn Poli to be distributed to  students and sevadal, also two packets of Vibhuti and a picture of Swami was given to outgoing batch of sevadal. At 9. 00 p.m Swami went inside the bhajan hall, after the morning bhajans Swami was offered aarthi at appx.9.45. Swami drove back to His abode after receivng aarthi.
Heart2Heart March issue - selected articles:
1. THE CHENNAI CITIZENS’ CONCLAVE 
2. PRASHANTI DIARY
3. Love Flows... in Chennai - Photo Album

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