Sunday, September 2, 2007 - The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust was founded 35 years ago on this day. To mark the occasion, all of Bhagawan's students working in His various institutions assembled at Prasanthi Nilayam and sat together in the Bhajan Hall in the morning. Swami came into the Bhajan Hall at 8.15 after His darshan round. Some group songs were sung, after which Swami conversed informally with some of the boys. The session lasted till nearly ten o'clock, when Swami accepted Arati after some more group songs.

The afternoon session was in the Sai Kulwant Hall. The programme got underway at four o'clock with Bhagawan seated onstage, with four elders and two former students being introduced as the speakers for the day. Sri V. Srinivasan, Sri S. V. Giri, Sri Chakravarthy and Sri G. Venkataraman followed two speeches by Sri N. Sudhindran and Dr. T. Ravi Kumar. After these speeches, Bhagawan stood up to speak at 5.35 pm.

Swami praised His students working in the Central Trust and allied institutions for their unselfish and pure-hearted approach. He exhorted them to be ideals in their respective fields. He said that Faith and confidence on the Self will tide over any problems. Bhagawan said, "What We desire is not money, but Virtues". After speaking for half an hour, Swami started distributing watches to all the 150 former students working at Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan - as He sat onstage, they went up one by one and accepted the watches from His hands. Then prasadam distribution began, with Sri. Harishankar Bhat giving the vote of thanks, followed by Arati at 6.20 pm.
Friday, August 31, 2007 - The three day All-India conference of District Presidents and State Office Bearers of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations concluded today. The delegates had meetings at the Conference Hall next to the Book Trust building, and were seated together in the Sai Kulwant Hall for darshan sessions. Bhagawan chose to shower His benedictions on the delegates this valedictory day. In the evening, Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair as He has been doing often over the last few days. After His darshan round, He came onstage, and behind Him came students carrying His robes. Swami Blessed the State Presidents first with robes. All the delegates then lined up and came up to the stage, where they received robes from the Divine Hands. The distribution went on for nearly forty minutes till five o'clock, when Bhagawan moved towards the Bhajan Hall and the Bhajans began there.

 Tuesday, August 28, 200 - Balvikas children from Wayanad, Kerala, presented tales from the Shiva Purana in dance form this evening. The half-hour programme concluded by 4.45 pm, and Swami went to the interview room. Later, He came to the Bhajan Hall and Bhajans began there at five o'clock.

  Photos & Discourse: 'Bhagawan visits Book Trust, Images, Report and Discourse,

Monday, August 27, 2007  - On the Thiru Onam morning, Bhagawan was ushered into Sai Kulwant Hall with a colourful procession consisting of a band, small girls with ceremonial plates and Vedam chanting students. In the evening, the first programme was a drama on the life of poet-saint Thyagaraja by students of Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, Aluva, Kerala. After the drama which lasted nearly an hour, Bhagawan went down from the stage to grant group photographs for the children. Bhajans began by the devotees at five o'clock and prasadam of Banana chips was distributed.

Sunday, August 26, 2007 -This evening, the Onam celebrations by the devotees from Kerala continued with musical programmes. At 4.15 pm, the proceedings got underway with a performance by Smt. Ambili and party, following which Prof. Raghunath Sarma gave a vocal concert. Bhagawan then gave a chance for the Telugu professor of the Sai University to give a Veena performance. The performances lasted about half an hour each. Bhagawan Blessed the performers with clothes. Balvikas children sang Bhajans for fifteen minutes before Bhagawan accepted Arati and retired to His residence. Latest Photos: Onam 2007 Celebrations at Prasanthi Nilayam


More: Onam updates from Puttaparthi:  ".The moment Swami entered the verandah, one elderly devotee, aged about 75,...  ...collapsed on the floor no one knew what was going on or what would happen except Swami..." read more

Saturday, August 25, 2007  - This evening, the central part of Sai Kulwant Hall was readied as the stage for a dance drama by Kerala Balvikas children. Bhagawan came onstage and the programme got underway a few minutes after four o'clock. The fifty minute dance drama entitled "Krishna Kripa" depicted the Krishna-Sudama story and was enacted by very small children with colourful dances. Bhagawan was pleased with their performance and came down from the stage to have a photograph session with them. The child who played Sudama's role was also Blessed with a chain. The devotees from Kerala then sang Bhajans with Bhagawan seated onstage till Arati at 5.20 pm.

Friday, August 24, 2007 - Varalakshmi Vratam was observed at Prasanthi Nilayam today. More than a thousand ladies were seated in the front part of Sai Kulwant Hall with their puja materials, and the stage area had been decorated with an altar for Devi. Bhagawan arrived after 8.30 am in His chair, and coming onstage, started the proceedings. As the priest began the rituals onstage, Swami got into His car in the verandah and drove to the Sri Sathya Sai Books and Publications Trust building at the Southwestern end of the Ashram. Yesterday had been the fifth anniversary of the inauguration of the new building, and while Blessing some of His students working there, Swami had said that He would visit them the next day. Swami sat in the entrance hall of the Book Trust office and spoke to the small gathering there, exhorting them to work with unity and lauding their efforts. Before leaving at 10 o'clock, Swami went around all the rooms in the office. Bhagawan then returned to the Mandir, took a round of the Hall in His car, spoke to the organizers near the verandah, accepted Arati from the car itself and returned to His residence. Photos: August 24^th Vara Lakshmi Vratham - The speeches in the afternoon session continued today at 3.50 pm, but with a difference - both the speakers were elders. The first speaker was Prof. G. Venkataraman, former Vice-Chancellor of the Sai University. The second speech was in Telugu, by Dr. Veerabhadraiah, who is a member of the National Sahitya Academy and currently teaches Telugu at the Sai University. After seventy minutes of speeches, Bhajans began in the Sai Kulwant Hall itself at five o'clock.

Thursday, August 23, 2007 - The speeches by students and teachers of the Sai University continued today. Bhagawan, seated onstage, began the proceedings at 4.10 pm. The speeches were by a student of the MBA (Finance) class and a faculty member who had earlier studied at the Sai University. Bhajans began in the Sai Kulwant Hall after the speeches concluded, and Swami accepted Arati after half an hour.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007 - The Sai University students and teachers were asked to come to the Mandir for morning darshan today - usually they come only for evening darshan except on holidays. Swami arrived on His chair and directly came onstage. The Vice-chancellor was asked to speak a few words, and he began at 8.30 am. In his speech, he mentioned how Bhagawan was very happy after yesterday's speeches and songs, and had called them all out of His boundless grace. After the Vice-Chancellor's ten minute address, Bhagawan conferred gifts of grace on the two research scholars who spoke yesterday, presenting them with chains and later with clothes. He stood up to address the students at 8.50 am. In His Discourse, Swami exhorted the students to adhere to cultural values and always engage in fundamental discrimination - whether their actions were good or bad, right or wrong. Bhagawan deplored the current trend to add more and more institutions of higher education without regard to availability of teachers of the required standard. He advised the students that developing Self-confidence is more important than acquiring vast amounts of knowledge. He praised the overseas devotees who were leading blissful lives at Prasanthi Nilayam even though their accommodations were meager, because of their faith and confidence. After Bhagawan's 70 minute Discourse, the students sang the group song "Hum ko Tum se Pyar kitna...". Swami then accepted Arati and left for His residence.
In the evening, Bhagawan came to the stage area at 4.30 pm, and the Vice-Chancellor was asked to make some introductory remarks. He said that Bhagawan had asked for talks by students and teachers in the evenings and introduced the speakers for the evening, an MBA student and a senior member of the MBA faculty. Their speeches lasted till 5.15 pm, and Swami came into the Bhajan Hall for Bhajans. After forty minutes, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 -The School of Business Management and Finance of the Sri Sathya Sai University was founded 21 years ago on this day. To mark the occasion, talks were held in Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagawan came for evening darshan on His chair, and after a few minutes in the Bhajan Hall and in the interview room, came onstage to begin the proceedings. The Vice-Chancellor announced the speakers: the Dean of the Business School Prof. U. S. Rao, followed by two research scholars. The three speakers described the various aspects of the value-based education of the Business School, stressing Bhagawan's intimate involvement. The two student speakers also included many songs in their talks. Prasadam was distributed after the speeches while the students sang group songs for twenty minutes. The songs were followed by ten minutes of Bhajans till Bhagawan accepted Arati at 5.20 pm. As Swami left for His residence in His car, the heavens opened up in a brief shower of cooling rain.
Photos: Anniversary of the Sri Sathya Sai School of Business Management. August 21-22, 2007

Photos: August 21, 2007 Cultural Programme by the Children of Vijayawada District, AP

Sunday, August 19, 2007-  The Sai Kulwant Hall was filled to capacity on the gents' side, with five thousand youth from Tamil Nadu occupying most of the Hall. The central part of the Hall had more than fifty musicians with nadaswaram and tavil, whose music reached a crescendo as Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair at 3.40 pm. After His darshan round in the chair, Swami called in the chief minister of Maharashtra state for an audience. Later, He came into the Bhajan Hall for Bhajans at five o'clock, retiring after Arati at 5.35 pm.
Saturday, August 18, 2007 -The members of Dhyanamandali, Vijayawada, who had been here for the last few days in large numbers, presented a cultural programme this evening in Sai Kulwant Hall. After Bhagawan's darshan round, He came onstage at 3.40 pm, and shortly thereafter, the programme got underway. It consisted of dances by children from the Yoga learning institution run by them. At the end of the 50 minute programme, Bhagawan blessed one of the children with a chain. Bhajans were in the Bhajan Hall as usual. After Arati, while returning to His residence, Bhagawan stopped near the new elephant calf who had come to Yajur Mandir and fed her before retiring.
Friday, August 17, 2007 -This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan on His chair instead of in His car. After reaching the interview room, He continued down the verandah and took a second round near the students. The former chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri Chandrababu Naidu, had an audience with Swami before the five o'clock Bhajans.
Thursday, August 16, 2007 -This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan at 4.30 pm. After His darshan round, He sat onstage for nealy half an hour while the Vedam chanting went on, granting a long darshan and Blessing several students who came up to Him with letters. As He moved towards the Bhajan Hall, He interacted with several devotees on the way, and the five o'clock Bhajans began.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007-  The 60th anniversary of Indian Independence dawned with the students of the Sri Sathya Sai University, the Music College and the Higher Secondary School saluting the national flag at their respective institutions before coming to the Mandir for morning darshan. In the evening, several programmes were ready. Bhagawan went into the interview room after His darshan round, and at 4 pm the Vice Chancellor came onstage with an announcement.

He introduced three speakers for the evening, the former Vice-Chancellors Dr. Venkataraman and Sri Giri, followed by the all-India Sai Organisations President Sri V. Srinivasan. Bhagawan came to the dais as the first speaker began, and heard through the three speakers' talks on the Nation's independence or Swarajya vis-a-vis the rule of the Inner Self, Swaarajya. Then, at five o'clock, Bhagawan stood up to speak.Swami said that He was pained that the august name of Subash Chandra Bose was being forgotten in all the speech-making, hence He was speaking a few words out of love and regard for Bose. Bhagawan mentioned that Bose had come up to Bukkapatnam and had met Swami in His young days, and that later, Bose had sent his daughter to Prasanthi Nilayam. Bhagawan noted that Bose had not died in any accident. Exhorting the youth to live up to Bose's ideals, Bhagawan concluded in fifteen minutes. Swami had spoken without leaving time for any translation. After He concluded, Prof Anil Kumar took Bhagawan's permission to give a ten-minute English summary to the audience.

The next item in the evening's programme was a musical presentation by the Sai students. After twenty minutes of patriotic and devotional songs, the drama prepared by the West Bengal Youth was staged. The West Bengal Youth are at Parthi for a retreat, and their 30 minute play depicted the ideals of five great leaders of the Indian nationalist movement presented by the narrator who personified Time. Bhagawan was pleased with their performance, called up the main characters and gave them vibhuti, and stood up for group photographs. Soon after, Arati was offered, and Bhagawan left for His residence at 6.30 pm.

Tuesday, August 14, 2007 -This evening, after reaching the Verandah after His darshan round in the car, Bhagawan indicated that He would be going to the college campus to view the preparations by the students for Independence day celebrations tomorrow. The post-graduate students had prepared a drama, and Bhagawan watched a rehearsal of the entire drama at the College auditorium. Some elements of the drama were not to Bhagawan's liking - He wanted the amount of violence in the drama to be toned down. He gave the students a blueprint they could work on, and told them to practise for a few more days. Swami returned to the Mandir around fifteen minutes before the five o'clock bhajans commenced.
Sunday, August 12, 2007 - The XII class students of the Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School presented a play this evening. Bhagawan came to the Bhajan Hall after His darshan round and seeing the students there with costumes, had a brief interaction with them. Shortly thereafter, He went to the stage and the programme got underway just before four o'clock. The forty minute play had the Conscience of Humanity as the main character, and depicted how the karmic consequences of actions of the past can affect us. Swami had a photo session with the students after the drama and then moved to the Bhajan Hall, starting the Bhajans there and accepting Arati after 40 minutes at 5.30 pm. Photos: "Living for Each Other " Prasanthi Nilayam August 12, 2007

Friday, August 10, 2007 - This evening, the devotees from Karimnagar district got an opportunity to present their programmes. (Photos: Cultural Programme by the District of Karim Nagar, A P, India ) They began with a Telugu drama called "Chaduvu" - Education. The twenty minute play depicted the misguided ambitions of modern parents, and how Bhagawan's teachings on true education bring about a reform in the students. After the drama, the programme continued with a musical presentation. Bhagawan went into the interview room and returned with clothes for the performers, and distributed them even as the songs went on. Bhagawan then moved to the Bhajan Hall, and starting the Bhajans there by the students, accepted Arati after half an hour at 5.30 pm.
Tuesday, August 9, 2007  - This morning, Bhagawan went to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Prasanthi gram and inaugurated the newly constructed Screening and Registration Block. Starting from the Mandir at around 8.45 am, Bhagawan returned after more than an hour. At the Hospital, Swami first lit a lamp and then went into the new block, where He spoke to a few doctors, went around and Blessed the facilities and the doctors and nurses seated there. Just before leaving, He visited the patients' canteen where Narayana seva for the construction workers had been arranged. When Swami returned to the Mandir, the Primary School children were seated there waiting for Him. Alighting from the car at the verandah, Swami sat onstage while prasadam was distributed to the children, and returned to His residence in the chair. Photos: Bhagawan's visit to the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences
Three thousand devotees from Karimnagar district of Andhra Pradesh have come to Prasanthi Nilayam on a Parthi Yatra. In the evening, Sai Kulwant Hall was dominated by the pink-scarved Karimnagar group. After His darshan round, Bhagawan chose to once again enter His car and go on a drive. He went up to the Planetarium, fed the elephant calf there and returned after half an hour, taking another round of the gents' side in His car. As He passed the Karimnagar group, they prayed for a chance to present their programme, and Swami saw their card twice as He passed by them. Reaching the verandah, Swami came onstage and sat there for nearly twenty minutes while the Vedam chanting went on, and the thousands of devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall were blessed with a long darshan. Later, Bhajans were in the Bhajan Hall as usual.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007  -  PHOTOS: The Northeast Region devotees from the United States were blessed to perform this evening. After Swami finished His darshan round, the devotees were asked to come to the central part of Sai Kulwant Hall and their programme began at 3.45 pm when Bhagawan came onstage. After their 40 minute song presentation, Bhagawan went to the interview room and emerged a few minutes later with gifts of love for the group - sarees, watches, gift boxes... He went down to where they were seated, they came up one by one and received the items from His hands. After the distribution, at five o'clock, the group sang bhajans for twenty minutes, then the students continued for another ten minutes before Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
PHOTOS:  Music Programme by the North East Region, USA

Sunday, August 5, 2007 - The Himachal Pradesh youth had gathered at Prasanthi Nilayam for a retreat, and they were ready with a dance and song programme.

Since they had not yet got direct word from Swami, the performers with costumes were seated among the others in the darshan lines in Sai Kulwant Hall when Swami came for evening darshan. Passing by in His car, Bhagawan paused near the Himachal group and had a brief interaction, and after reaching the interview room, sent word for them to be ready with their programme. The centre area of Sai Kulwant Hall was cleared and the Himachal youth took their places, Bhagawan came onstage and the programme got underway immediately at 4.10 pm.

The first item was a Bhangra dance with young men in colourful costumes energetically performing for twenty minutes. Songs to the Lord followed. Bhagawan was pleased with their performance and blessed one of them with a chain. He then gave all of them clothes, calling them up one by one and speaking a few words, and also having a photo session with the group. The Himachal group sang bhajans as chocolates were distributed as prasadam, following which Bhagawan accepted Arati and retired to His residence after brief trip to the interview room.

Saturday, August 4, 2007 - This evening, the Leipzig Philharmonic Chamber orchestra performed at Prasanthi Nilayam. The musicians were seated on chairs at the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall and the programme got underway at 4.20 pm with Bhagawan arriving onstage. The Leipzig Philharmonic has been touring India, and this is the last concert of their two week tour. The concert lasted an hour and ten minutes, and included the first two movements of "Spring Rhapsody" by Indian violinist L. Subramaniam who was at Prasanthi Nilayam yesterday. Swami went into the interview room as the last piece commenced, and emerged after 10 minutes to come onstage and present the performers with clothes. He went down amongst them in His chair, and later stood among them with their instruments for group photographs, interacting with them for nearly twenty minutes before accepting Arati at 6 pm. Photos: August 04, 2007:  ALEIPZIG PHILHARMONIC CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, GERMANY - The Final Concert of The "Musical Tribute to India" Tour 2007.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007  -  Bhagawan's bounty of grace for the youth continued today. Some youth from the USA were blessed to perform in the Divine presence, at very short notice. The performers scrambled to get ready at 3 o'clock, and Bhagawan arrived for darshan by four. Bhagawan came in His chair instead of the car, and collected a large number of letters on His darshan round. At 4.15, Swami came onstage and the programme commenced. The group sang songs in English, Hindi and Telugu, in classical and modern styles. Near the end of the programme was a very impressive "Shiva-Tandavam" dance by a couple of youth to the song "Bho Shambho". Swami was very pleased with the performance and Blessed the dancers with a chain and a ring. Later, He asked for Bhajans, and the same group sang Bhajans till Swami accepted Arati at 5.20 and retired to His residence. Photos: 'Cultural Programme by US Youth'


Tuesday, July 31, 2007   - This morning, Bhagawan arrived for darshan and later came into the Bhajan Hall a few minutes before nine o'clock. There, He interacted with some of the overseas youth for nearly twenty minutes, and gave them all His robes. He also told the rest of the youth that He would give them all robes in the evening. Swami went into the interview room and Bhajans began soon after, at 9.20 am. Bhagawan returned to the Bhajan Hall and returned to His residence after Arati at 10 am.

In the afternoon, the Sai Youth from all over the world were once again seated separately with their orange scarves. A few minutes after 3 o'clock, Swami's robes were brought from the store-rooms, and distributed to all of the more than thousand youth who remained after the conclusion of the conference two days earlier. Bhagawan arrived at around 4 pm, and came onstage on His chair after His darshan round in the car. Youth from the UK presented their signature musical medley, with a short introduction by Sri Ajit Poppat. At 5 o'clock, while the medley was still going on, Swami went to the interview room, and sent word for Bhajans to begin by the students in the Bhajan Hall. Bhajans began, and Swami arrived in the Bhajan Hall. He asked for some Bhajans with Aalaaps, and sang along with the singers at times. At 5.30 pm, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

Monday, July 30, 2007  - Click here to read the report with pictures on the programme presented by Sai Youth from Europe and Sri Lanka today - Also: Bhagawan with Sathya Geeta' &  Divine Discourse...26 & 28 July

Sunday, July 29, 2007  - Bhagawan was welcomed into the Sai Kulwant Hall this Gurupoornima morning with a colourful procession led by Swami's new elephant. Bhagawan, resplendent in a yellow robe, arrived in His custom-made Lamborghini darshan vehicle, granting Blessings to the thousands craning to catch a glimpse of the Guru of Gurus.

Walking to the stage after reaching the verandah, Swami fed the young elephant calf before He sat down. The Alladi brothers, who had performed earlier at Kodaikanal, were asked to present a Carnatic vocal concert. The songs began at 8.10 am and continued till 9 o'clock, mesmerizing the vast gathering. Swami then called up the students who were ready with a music programme of stotrams and discussed the songs they planned to sing. Distribution of apples as prasadam commenced. Swami asked the senior students to take their places, and called up the children of the Primary School to present the cards they had made for their Lord. As the prasadam distribution drew to a close, Bhagawan accepted Arati at 9.10 am and returned to His residence after Blessing the Gurupoornima cake prepared by the overseas devotees on the verandah. The afternoon programme commenced at 4.10 pm on Bhagawan's command. Earlier, Swami had given darshan in the car and then had come onstage while the Vedam chanting went on. Former Indian Prime Minister Sri. Deve Gowda was also among the audience in the overflowing Sai Kulwant Hall. Youth from Latin American countries performed a selection of Native American dances and songs for Swami for half an hour. Bhagawan granted the performers group photos with Him. Next was the performance of the Sai International Youth choir. After a few minutes of the choir, the Malladi brothers were again asked to sing onstage. After half an hour of their Carnatic vocals, Bhagawan Blessed them and their families, accepted Arati and returned to His residence, moving slowly in His car and stopping to talk to many people on the way. A detailed illustrated report on the Gurupoornima celebrations  is available at this link " Photos & report: GURUPURNIMA 2007 IN PRASANTHI NILAYAM" >>

Saturday, July 28, 2007 The World Youth conference concluded today, with Bhagawan delivering His Valedictory message in the evening. The European Sai choir presented songs after Bhagawan's Discourse. Click below for:
- Photos & report part 2 Sri Sathya Sai Third World Youth Conference
- Photos & report part 1: Sri Sathya Sai Third World Youth Conference July 26-28, 2007
- 29th July: CLOSING CEREMONY OF YOUTH CONFERENCE excerpts from Swami's discourse sent by a devotee

Thursday, July 26, 2007  - The Sri Sathya Sai World Youth Conference began with a procession of all the Sai students and Sai Youth led by flags of all nations coming from the Hill-view Stadium to the Sai Kulwant Hall. The procession reached the Hall just as Bhagawan came to the Mandir at 8 o'clock, and in an hour, all the youth in the procession were seated in the Hall. Bhagawan came onstage and lit the ceremonial lamp and the delegates were welcomed by Dr. Michael Goldstein, Chairman of the Prasanthi Council. The next speaker was Sri. Shitu Chudasma of the UK, Youth activities co-ordinator. Bhagawan then Blessed the gathering with His Divine Messge.

After Bhagawan's Discourse, Arati was offered and He returned to His residence. The first workshop of the conference was then held at the Sai Kulwant Hall. Prominent businesswoman Mrs. Mallika Srinivasan and Sri Sanjay Sahani, Principal of the Brindavan Campus of the Sri Sathya Sai University, were the the two speakers of this session. A question-answer session followed, with the two speakers answering queries which had earlier been collected from the delegates. The Conference adjourned for lunch at noon.

The venue for the afternoon events was the Indoor Stadium, with all the delegates gathering there at 2.30 pm. Bhagawan started from the Mandir and arrived there at 4.30 pm to witness an international basketball match between India and Sri Lanka. Uday Shankar's dance troupe provided introductory and half-time visuals. India won the match, Swami left for His residence at 6 o'clock and the proceedings concluded a few minutes later with the players being presented with mementos.

27th July Darshan mail & excerpts from Swami's discourse sent by a devotee " Swami slowly rose from His throne...As Prof.Anil got closer to Swami, Sweet nectarine voice, "Prema Swarupulara emerged from our sweet Swami...Sathyambu nandunde Sarvambu Shristinche (the whole universe is born out of Sathya (truth)" read more

Wednesday, July 25, 2007 - The Sai Kulwant Hall was colourfully decorated for the Ashadi Ekadasi programme. Bhagawan arrived at 8.30 am to the sounds of traditional Maratha horns and Vedam and came onstage after His darshan round. The programme commenced with a Dindi song, and then a song welcoming Ashadi. Next, two children introduced a song commemorating Sai Geetha. The main programme of the morning, an hour-long programme entitled "Master the Mind and be a Mastermind", followed soon after. The programme was presented in the format of a Quiz show, with the value-based questions and answers being discussed by a panel of role models like Swami Vivekananda. The programme concluded with the ultimate question we must all ask and get an answer from Bhagawan within us, that of "Who am I?". The participants were Blessed by Bhagawan who came down from the stage after the programme for a group photo session.

The evening programme was a musical drama "Jai Jhulelal" by the Balvikas and Youth wing of Thane. The Sindhi community reveres Lord Jhulelal of the 10th century as their saviour, and this year marks the 1000th anniversary of the advent of Jhulelal. The play depicted how Jhulelal, through miraculous interventions, saved the Hindus of the Sindhu region from an intolerant ruler who wanted them to convert to Islam or die. Bhagawan Blessed one of the followers of Jhulelal with a chain at the end of the performance. Prasadam was distributed to all while Bhajans were sung by the Maharashtra devotees. Bhagawan returned to His residence after Arati at 5.30 pm.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007   -This morning, a dance performance was arranged, themed on Purandharadasa songs. The central part of Sai Kulwant Hall was arranged as the stage for the dance. Bhagawan arrived onstage at 8.40 am after His darshan round, and the programme got underway with a speech in Hindi by Sri Rituraj Maharaj, a young speaker on spiritual topics. His 20 minute speech was followed by the dance recital, which went on till 9.45. Bhagawan Blessed the participants and granted them photographs with Him, and spoke to them for a while onstage while prasadam was being distributed to all. Then He moved to the interview room and emerged after a few minutes to accept Arati and retire to His residence.

The evening programme was a musical feast by the renowned vocalist Sri Hariharan. Bhagawan walked to the interview room after His darshan round, and few minutes later, emerged for the programme which was onstage. After a short introduction by Sri Nimish Pandya of the Maharashtra Sai Seva Organisation, the concert got underway at 4 pm. Sri Hariharan sang some songs in Carnatic style and some in his signature Hindustani style, and also sang his famous fusion remix of "Krishna Nee Begane Baro" from the album 'Colonial Cousins'. After an hour of musical pleasure, Swami called him up and Blessed him and his accompanists. The vocalist got a ring, and the tablist got a chain. The programme continued, with Sai Bhajans this time. Bhagawan went into the interview room and emerged a few minutes later, blessing the whole troupe with shawls. Hariharan's mother too was Blessed with a saree from the Divine hands, after which Swami accepted Arati.

Monday, July 23, 2007 - This morning, Bhagawan paid a second visit to the new elephant calf at the Planetarium. The shed of the four-year old calf had been decorated, and it was hoped that Swami would (re-)name her. But the christening was not to be today; Swami watched her for a while and returned to the Mandir a few minutes before 10 o'clock.
Photos: July 23-25, 2007 'Ashadi Ekadasi Celebrations'
The festival season of Gurupoornima got underway in the evening with the first programme of the Ashadi Ekadashi celebrations from Maharashtra with Sri Sumeet Tappoo presenting a vocal concert. Beginning his hour long concert at 4.50 pm when Swami came onstage from the interview room, Sri Tappoo sang many Hindi devotionals, some of which were made popular by his mentor Sri Anup Jalota. Bhagawan was very pleased with His performance and stood up onstage to take photographs with him. Later, He came to the Bhajan Hall and accepted Arati there, once again calling up Sri Tappoo and commending his performance.

Sunday, July 22, 2007 - This evening, Bhagawan Blessed everyone with a second darshan round in His chair, and afterwards asked for sweet lime fruits (mosambi) to be distributed as prasadam to all the students and Youth Conference delegates.

Saturday, July 21, 2007  - Bhagawan came to the Planetarium this morning around 8.30 and spent nearly 45 minutes there. A devotee had brought a small elephant for Swami. As soon as Swami emerged from His car at the rear of the Planetarium, the elephant touched His feet with its tiny trunk! After feeding the elephant with some sugarcane while some priests chanted mantras, Bhagawan returned to the Mandir.
Also read SBOI group mail: ...another tiny elephant calf, landed in the holy soil of Puttaparthi brushing aside all the probabilities and surprising every one of us.....

Friday, July 20, 2007 -This morning, Bhagawan graciously inaugurated the 'Prema Jyoti' exhibition presented by the Prasanthi Digital Studio at the Poornachandra Auditorium. Swami spent more than 90 minutes going through the entire expo viewing each exhibit in all detail and then proceeded to the Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair to accept Arati at 9.45 am. The exhibition opens tomorrow for viewing, initially in the mornings for Ladies and in the evening for Gents after Arati at the Mandir.
 
Photos: 'Prema Jyothi Inauguration' An exhibition on the Life, Message and Mission of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba July 20, 2007

Thursday, July 19, 2007 -The central part of Sai Kulwant Hall was made up to look like the sea-shore, with boulders and trees scattered around. A group of Canadian devotees were presenting a short drama, 'The Sacred Bridge'. Bhagawan came for evening darshan in the car at 3.30, and after a few minutes, went around in His chair between the students and the stage for nearly 20 minutes, pausing often and taking letters from many. Then, He came into the Bhajan Hall and sat there for a while, talking to some students and teachers there. Then He went to the interview room, and emerged after five o'clock to move to the stage. The Canadian programme got underway at 5.10 pm with Veda chanting. Their skit depicted the sacred name of Rama making the rocks float and hold up the bridge to Lanka, with Sri Rama installing Lord Shiva as Ramalingeshwara. Bhagawan gave clothes and padanamaskar to the participants at the end of the drama and asked them to sing bhajans. After twenty minutes, He asked the students to start leading the Bhajans. At 6.30 pm, Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

Photos: 'The Sacred Bridge' Skit by the Youth of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Canada - July 19, 2007

Tuesday, July 17, 2007  - All the devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall were Blessed with a long darshan this evening, too. After 10 minutes in the interview room after His darshan round, Swami emerged at ten minutes past four and went around in His chair for half an hour.

Starting with the lady delegates for the upcoming World Youth Conference, Bhagawan moved in front of the students and then took an anti-clockwise round of the gents' side before moving once again through the students to the ladies' side. He returned to the students' block and came up to the stage using the central ramp, and then moved through the Bhajan Hall from the rear before returning to the interview room. The School of Business Management, Accounting and Finance of the Sri Sathya Sai University is conducting a Workshop on the effect of Globalization on Human Resource Management in India. Many leading lights from Indian Industry are participating in the Workshop being held at the Prasanthi Nilayam campus.


Monday, July 16, 2007  - Bhagawan granted an extended darshan session this evening. After alighting from the car near the interview room, He came down the upper verandah in His chair and moved slowly around the Sai Kulwant Hall between the stage area and the students, moving about for more than half an hour.

Sunday, July 15, 2007 -The Music college students were ready with a presentation of songs this evening, and Bhagawan came directly to the stage after His darshan round in the car. The hour-long presentation included a sitar recital and also short solo pieces by the Tabla and Mridangam. As the programme concluded at 4.45, Swami presented a chain to one of the students who played the Tabla. Bhajans were in the Bhajan Hall soon after.


 Sunday: 15th July Puttaparthi - Darshan mail sent by a devotee   "... Today was yet another beautiful day courtesy of our beloved Lord for showering His love and bliss. The streets of Puttaparthi are filled with youth from all corners of the world...." read more

Friday, July 13, 2007  -After evening Bhajans, Swami Blessed the Prasanthi Digital Studio team who had set up a preview of the 'Prema Jyoti' exhibition in the Poornachandra Auditorium. After Arati, Bhagawan returned to His abode, and almost immediately came in His chair to the Poornachandra, entering by the stage entrance. He pressed a button to light up the first few glow-signs. The water-project panels were set up for viewing, and Swami went around them for more than twenty minutes while the Digital Studio team narrated the background of each panel. The Poornachandra is being readied for the exhibition which is likely to commence next week.

Thursday, July 12, 2007 -This evening, the devotees from Medak presented a musical programme. Bhagawan granted Darshan in the car and was at the Verandah by 3.30 pm. After a fifteen minute interaction there with the Prasanthi Council chairman Dr. Michael Goldstein, Swami moved to the stage. He called up a small girl from the group and materialized a chain for her. The programme got underway soon after. At 4.40, the songs concluded, and bhajans began at the Sai Kulwant Hall itself. Once again, Swami indicated to the students to sing bhajans with Aalaaps, and later a couple of Meera bhajans, too. Aarathi was offered at 5.30 pm and Bhagawan returned to His residence.


Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - Five thousand devotees from the Medak district of Andhra Pradesh had arrived yesterday on a Parthi Yatra, and half of Sai Kulwant Hall was packed with the orange-scarved group. This evening, they were to present a dance drama and have a procession in the Divine Presence. Bhagawan arrived onstage after His darshan round, and the programme got underway at 3.45 pm with the dance-drama "Amma" portraying the divine qualities of the Mother. Swami came down from the stage after the forty minute drama and had a group photo session with the Balvikas children who participated, and then went to the interview room. At five o'clock, He emerged, and after coming onstage, Blessed the presenters of the drama with clothes. A half hour rally procession followed at 5.15, with small groups coming up from the Sai Kulwant main entrance, presenting dances or songs in front of Bhagawan who was onstage, and then moving to the side of the Hall. Various themes like grama seva and Swami's water project were presented in the rally. As the rally went on, the heavens opened up with a quick downpour. Bhajans were sung for fifteen minutes after the rally with Bhagawan seated onstage after which Arati was offered and Bhagawan returned to His residence.

Monday, July 9, 2007 - Bhagawan chose to walk this evening, instead of moving about in His chair after His darshan round in the car. He walked to the interview room at four o'clock, and a few minutes later, walked to the Bhajan Hall. After a few minutes seated there, He walked to the stage area and sat there for around twenty minutes, listening to the Vedic chants and interacting with some students who offered Him letters before walking back to the interview room. Bhajans were as usual at five o'clock.

Photos: 'Education as a means to Liberation'Cultural Program by the students of Sri Sathya Sai University July 8, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007  -A three-day conference on the role of Women in Information Technology was being hosted by the Anantapur campus of the University, and today the valedictory day of the conference was held at Prasanthi Nilayam. The Anantapur students were ready with a musical presentation in the evening, and the first year MBA students of Prasanthi Nilayam were ready with a skit, too. But after His darshan round, Swami went into the interview room and called in many small groups one by one for interviews. As five o'clock neared, the chances of the students' programmes dimmed. Finally, Swami came out of the interview room to the Bhajan Hall, and asked for Bhajans to begin. As Bhagawan came into the Bhajan Hall, He saw the card about their programme offered by one of the MBA boys and also some of the students dressed in costumes, but after a brief word or two, asked them to sit down. Bhajans commenced. After the first Bhajan, Swami indicated that He wanted Bhajans with Aalaaps to be sung. Accordingly, the Bhajan singers sang "Mohabbat ki kami...", "Madhava Mohana Shyama Gopala...", "Tum ho Ananth Nath Bhagawan..." and so on. Halfway through the Bhajan session, Swami called up the Vice Chancellor and had a discussion with him. Then, five minutes later, He asked for the Bhajans to stop and for the drama students to go outside!

The MBA students began their skit at 5.30 pm. Their skit brought out the importance of humility in a truely educated person, and highlighted the nature of true progress as against mere accumulation of material tinsel and trash. After their forty minute presentation, Swami Blessed them with group photographs. Next was the turn of the Anantapur students. They prayed to Bhagawan to come to Anantapur in their melodious thirty minute presentation, through songs like Meera's "Mhare Ghar Aaoji". At 6.45, Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

Thursday, July 5, 2007 -This evening, after His darshan round in the car, Bhagawan indicated that He would be speaking to the remaining members of the group from the Southeast region of the United States. The group were called into the Bhajan Hall and Bhagawan was with them for more than an hour. Bhajans were as usual by the students, later.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007 - Today morning Swami drove outside the ashram at 9.00 a.m. the crowd of devotees ran outside the Sai Kulwant hall to catch a glimpse of Bhagavan in His car. Swami returned back after a 25 minutes car trip outside.

Tuesday, July 3, 2007 - Bhagawan Blessed everyone with another long session of darshan this evening. After His round in the car, He emerged from the interview room a few minutes past four o'clock, and made a round of the upper verandah on His chair, entering the Bhajan Hall from the rear and going up the aisle. Later, He moved to the stage area from the front door of the Bhajan Hall, and sat there interacting with a few students while the Vedam went on. At 4.50 pm, He asked for the Vedam to stop and for the Bhajan to begin in the Bhajan Hall. He sat onstage for ten minutes more before moving to the Bhajan Hall for the rest of the Bhajans.

Monday, July 2, 2007 - This evening, the devotees from the Southeast region of the USA who had come on a Parthi pilgrimage presented a musical programme. They were seated in the centre of the Sai Kulwant Hall before Bhagawan arrived for evening darshan, and Swami came onstage after His darshan round in the car. Their forty minute presentation got underway with a short speech of introduction wherein they pleaded with Bhagawan to visit their country and appease their spiritual hunger. Some of the songs were sung mainly by young children, and some by the whole group. Bhagawan was very pleased with their performance and asked them to sing bhajans after the songs were completed, at 5.15 pm. He then went into the interview room and emerged half an hour later with students carrying brilliantly coloured sarees for the ladies and safari cloth for the gents. Swami sat and watched the distribution, and went around the entire group in His chair. Once He returned to the stage, Arati was offered and Bhagawan returned to His residence.

Sunday, July 1, 2007 - This evening, the Bhajan group students were ready with a music programme. When Bhagawan came on a round of Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair, He interacted with them, and shortly afterwards, at 4.10 pm, the programme began when Bhagawan was seated onstage with a short introduction by the Vice-Chancellor. "Vighna Vinashaka Lambodara" in Hindustani style began the presentation. A few Meera bhajans which had not been sung here before were interspersed with some evergreen numbers like "Shankara Nadashareera Para" and others. Fifty minutes later, they concluded with "Manishini Madhavuni Cheya". Bhagawan called them up one by one and Blessed them with clothes. Swami then asked for an encore: they sang "Madhura Mohana", following which He accepted Arati and retired for the day.
June 30 , 2007  - Today morning Bhagawan came by chair at 8.40 a.m.  Morning bhajans started after Swami's darshan round at 9.00 a.m. Swami received the aarthi  at 9.30 a.m.  In the evening Bhagawan  came at 3.40 p.m. after His darshan round Swami went inside the interview room, later again Bhagawan came out and gave darshan from the verandah &  blessing the people on the way.  Bhajans were as usual,  Swami accepted the evening aarthi at 5.30. p.m.  After reciveing the aarthi Swami drove outside the ashram.