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PRASHANTI DIARY |
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June 8, 2008 – Swami Returns to Prasanthi Nilayam The academic year at Puttaparthi may have a beginning and an end like any other academic year elsewhere, but unlike any other place, the way it begins and ends is truly divine and thus unique. The year ends with the Lord telling the students to return home and spread His love and joy to all there. The year begins with the students receiving Him with all their love and joy! And so on June 8, 2008, when the good news came that Swami would be leaving Brindavan early that morning, and after a few scheduled halts on the way, would arrive at Puttaparthi by 11 am, the events that followed later made it the actual opening day of the Puttaparthi campus of the Sri Sathya Sai University (though the college had started on June 2). For, what is the University without Sri Sathya Sai! Entering the premises of the Sai Kulwant Hall, one could observe a huge gathering waiting eagerly in anticipation. One could not help but wonder as to how on earth did so many people come to Prashanthi Nilayam! A gala procession had been arranged from the Gopuram gate to welcome Swami. En route, Swami had made stops at Muddenahalli and Bagepalli to bless the people there. That it took more than 20-25 minutes for His car to navigate the last 4-5 kms from the Super Specialty Hospital to the Mandir would give an idea about how slow Swami was travelling. He was moving slowly so that His devotees who had gathered on the way to catch one glimpse of Him could fulfill their desire. As the car reached the Gopuram gate, many things began in a synchronised manner. The welcome song went on air through the speakers beginning with an enthusiastic, "Jai Bolo Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Ji Ki Jai." A procession of orange clad students began with the high pitched chanting of the Vedas. There were a set of students doing vigorous bhangra dance on both sides of the car. The 8th and 9th class students held and waved balloons and flags to signal the colour and gaiety of the occasion. Handfuls of flower petals were devotionally offered onto His car that had the privileged fortune of being the vehicle of choice for the Lord.
Swami took a complete darshan round and as throngs of thrilled devotees "rose to the occasion", Swami flashed beautiful smiles to all around. He went to the portico near the interview room and there, asked for the aarthi to be done. Before that roses were offered and blessings were sought. A devotional fervour replaced the gay atmosphere as the aarthi began. As Swami moved towards the ladies side, the headmistress of the Primary School, performed a traditional aarthi and "warded off the evil eye" with a coconut! Swami smiled through the ritual and the entered the Yajur Mandir. He retired at about 12:00 noon.
In the evening, Swami arrived at about 5:20 pm. Much to everyone's delight, He had decided to come out in the chair. So, the summer showers which began in the month of April and continued in full flow through His stay at Brindavan, had been extended into the fresh academic year as well! Swami was in those, "I will accept everyone's letter" moods. With a gentle smile, He slowly moved through the ladies side. It was reminiscent of the times when Swami would come walking slowly down the path. As He moved along the path, He slowly alternated His attention and "eye-span" to the left for a while and then to the right as everyone vied and pined for His attention. There was a lot of excitement as He moved through the students. The ‘freshers’ (newly joined students of the college and institute) were being exposed for the first time to the taste of what it means to be His students. Swami completed a round through the gents’ side, and then as He moved in the front through the students, He collected letters and blessed the birthday boys. The bhajans began at 5:30 pm.
When there is a lot of joy and fervour waiting to burst forth, the bhajans act as a wonderful release! And adding to the existing enthusiasm, Swami came straight out to the front of the stage and sat there. The difference in excitement levels when one can see Swami and when one cannot, could be easily made out from the tempo of the clapping that went on inside the Bhajan Hall in sharp contrast to the doubled speed one that went on in the Sai Kulwant Hall! Swami made a face indicating that the beats were going awry! He also clapped and set the beat so that the exuberance at seeing Him doesn't disrupt the rhythm of the bhajans. As He sat outside for four bhajans, He called a student and took his letter. The joy of that student knew no bounds and he returned to place, lighter in the hand and in the heart too!
Swami then went into the Bhajan Hall for the rest of the bhajans. It was 6:10 pm when He received aarthi and retired for the day. June 15, 2008 – Bhangra Dance by His Students The greatest fruition of any talent is when it is offered to the Lord, said a wise man once. He must have been really wise because that is exactly what even Bhagavan Baba says. On one occasion in Trayee Brindavan, when a teacher said, "Talent is a gift of God", Swami corrected him and said, "No! Talent is God." This awareness makes it easy to understand why each and every bit of talent that is latent in anyone tries its best to become patent in front of the Lord. The talent bustling in the students of Swami’s University was also no exception to this!
On June 15, 2008, the students of His college were all ready and eared up with a Bhangra dance programme. The dance was to be presented before Him. The Bhajan Hall was filled with students in their costumes awaiting the divine command to go out to the Sai Kulwant Hall and dance to theirs’ and their Lord's hearts content! Swami came for darshan at about 4:10 pm and to everyone’s surprise drove out of the main gate into the Puttaparthi township. And when He returned, He went straight to the Bhajan Hall without even going for a complete darshan round. Inside the Bhajan Hall, He collected letters and spoke to the student participants. When Swami enquires into the details of the programme, know that it is definitely not His inquisitiveness about the programme. What is there that He does not know? It is but an enthusing dose of Love and affection that charges the participants to do better than their best in front of Him. After the short interaction, Swami told the boys to go out and start the programme. He too moved to the centre of the stage in Sai Kulwant Hall. As soon as Swami asked for the Veda chanting to be stopped, two students came to Swami with a card and planned programme proceedings. Swami blessed them and they took the much sought after Padanamaskar. Then, the programme began. Two boys compered the show bringing to light the teachings of Guru Nanak and the other Sikh gurus. One of the comperes played the role of a disciple of the Sikh gurus while the other acted as a devotee of Swami! Beautiful comparisons and blends in the teachings of both the spiritual masters were then brought about. The atmosphere in a Gurudwara was very well depicted and the sheer numbers of the participants - 64 in all - was enough to make everyone feel as if they were seated in the heart of Punjab. There was a singer and another person who provided the music for the entire programme. But that was only the audio over the public address system. The chorus of the 64 students energetically exercising their lungs in the heights of excitement and feverish devotion was so loud that at times it overpowered the blast of the Bose speakers hanging high above in the hall. Bhangra is a dance with a lot of colour, energy and life. The swirling turbans added the colour; the boys gave the energy and the sweetly smiling and engrossed Swami lent life to the performance. The tempo and rhythm went on building up as is the wont of any Bhangra performance. Huge formations, criss-crosses and human pyramids came up.
Various instruments and tools used in Punjab were on display too - swirling wheels, wooden stretches, poles and bare hands and legs combined in an amazing array of sequences to add spice to the fervour of the dances. Many of these visually attractive steps and items were performed right in front of Swami, close to the stage. Once the dance concluded, all of participants came right up in the front and collected themselves in front of Bhagavan. Swami was in all smiles as He watched them.
Any art form needs patronage to survive, and more importantly, thrive. Who can give better patronage than the mother? And which mother is more loving than the Divine Mother? Swami indicated that He would Himself come down the stage to be with all the boys. The next moment, He stood up and walked down the dais! All the students thronged around Him. Like a lotus surrounded by buzzing bees, Swami blossomed as cameras clicked and videos whirred. More than once He told all of them, "Very very good programme." When in a burst of emotion, the boys thundered, "Swami, we love you", He smiled and whispered back, "I love you too!" One was reminded of the statement, "In the depths of silence, the voice of God is heard." And here, in the deafening enthusiasm of the boys too, the sweet mellifluous voice, "I love you too" was heard so well. Clearly, the silence in that statement refers to something deeper than mere absence of sound! It is more a 'sound' state of perfect harmony with oneself - the way one is when in the Presence of Swami.
Swami spoke to the boys as He posed for pictures and returned to the stage. Once on the stage, He beckoned a few and took their letters. Some of the ‘freshers’ (boys joined in the new academic year) were thrilled when Swami called them near and spoke to them. The end result of the interaction were 64 faces that beamed in unison after receiving the divine outpouring, and the many other happy faces that had witnessed the divine outpour! Swami then moved into the Bhajan Hall and the usual evening bhajans began. At about 6:00 pm He received aarthi and left. June 21, 2008 – Inauguration of Two Ambulances for Prasanthi Nilayam Ashram Two Tata Winger vans stood majestically in front of Yajur Mandir on the afternoon of June 21. Quick enquiries revealed that the Puttaparthi ashram, by Swami’s blessings would be receiving the two fully equipped state-of-the-art Tata ambulances. Though formally attached to the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, these ambulances would be available for all Sai Institutions in Puttaparthi, including the schools, colleges, hostels, stadiums, hospitals and staff quarters. It was another yet another gift of Love and Grace from Bhagavan.
That evening Swami came out at about 4:45 pm. The vans caught His attention the moment He came out of His residence. Swami asked about the vehicles and it was promptly said, "Swami these are the well-equipped ambulances for the ashram." He then went closer to have a better look. The oxygen cylinders and the stretchable and retractable bed looked elegant and professionally compact in the vans. Where Swami is concerned, the unexpected is something that has to be expected. Swami enquired about the drivers' place. The front door was opened and Swami was shown the drivers' seat. He scrutinised it carefully. He seemed fully satisfied with the new powered twins and blessed them for their "release". As He was moving towards His car, He saw coconuts on the ground. He told the students and security personnel there to break them as signs of auspiciousness in front of the van. As they were about to do so, Swami, with a sweet smile told them, "Wait! I will go for darshan. Then you break the coconuts."
That statement from Swami was so wonderful for many reasons. For ages, Swami has been breaking coconuts. One of His favourite styles is to hold a coconut each in both His hands and then crack one against the other, using one of them as a breaking instrument. Both the coconuts were thus easily halved. On other occasions, Swami throws the coconut to the floor and as it shatters, devotees make a rush to collect the pieces as holy prasad. But nowadays, Swami often asks the people near Him to enjoy the privileged honour of breaking the coconuts. On many such occasions, when people throw the coconuts to the ground, some pieces fly towards the Lord. Though Swami is always amused by this, it is not the case with many devotees. Their Lord for them is the most powerful but He is also the sweetest and the most delicate. So when the coconut pieces fly towards Swami, while the coconut breakers are rewarded with a smile from Swami, they also got glares from the devotees! And so this time, when Swami was just beside the vans said, "Wait till I go for darshan and then break it," one could not help but suppress a smile.
Swami moved into the Sai Kulwant Hall on the chair itself and there was a surge from all sides. The Sai Kulwant Hall was almost filled up because of the week long parayanam of the Ramayanam was scheduled to begin the next day. Added to that, it being a "weekend", devotees had gathered in good numbers for darshan. Swami went about collecting letters and blessing everyone. His progress was slow and gentle. The bliss on the faces of the devotees showed that by His touch, smiles and Grace, their "progress" had been made rapid and huge! When Swami moves amongst the devotees in the chair, He is often covered by the lapping waves of the devotees with hearts flooded with devotion. And on such occasions, one can easily see Swami reflected so beautifully in the faces of all His devotees. If you want to know who Swami is, you just need to look at the devotees' faces. A mere look will make you realize that Swami is an embodiment of Joy, Peace and Love! Swami then collected letters from all and then moved into the students' zone. Blessing everyone, He slowly waded through them. He blessed all the birthday boys and then went into the interview room. Bhajans began at 5:30 pm and concluded at around 6:05 pm. And thus ended another wonderful day. June 22 and 23, 2008 – First Two days of Rama Sudha Sapthaha in the Divine Presence On 22nd of June, the entire Kulwant hall appeared in a different light altogether. It looked as if the legendary "Rama Rajyam" had descended on earth. Well, it certainly was not ‘as if’, Raama Rajyam had indeed descended! Our Lord Sai Rama often speaks about Lord Rama and the way He had lived and conducted Himself. But, more than anything else, when you listen to Swami describe Lord Rama and narrate His various experiences; you are always reminded of the daily activities of Swami Himself. In line with the mood of the day, the stage was rightly occupied by the three beautiful statues of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Mother Sita. Hanuman however was conspicuous by his absence. It later came to be known that these statues were only a temporary arrangement; the actual idols would be brought in a procession in the afternoon! And so in the afternoon, the Yajur Mandir was bustling with activity. A gaily decorated procession stood in readiness to escort the two Ramas from different Yugas! Swami came out at about 4:30 pm and the procession started.
The grandly decorated palanquin bearing the idols of the Lord was carried by priests chanting hymns and mantras in praise and glory of the "perfect man" of the Treta age. The Sanathana Dharma, the most ancient Indian religion and culture, is so glorious and grand - while in many places, God is reduced to a mere book, idol or picture, the Sanathana Dharma, uplifts everything - idols, pictures and everything to the level of God! The "Gaja Nade" as it is called is the traditional elephant walk that the priests simulated while carrying the idols. This meant that Rama seated atop the palanquin would have felt as though He is seated on an elephant! The movements were such and the priests undulated and gracefully twisted their bodies to exactly replicate that walk. Swami in the meanwhile, sat just at the threshold of the Sai Kulwant Hall entrance from Yajur Mandir, and said that He would prefer to wait for the idols to be taken in procession completely, before He began His darshan round.
That was so sweet and understanding of Swami. Imagine the state of mind of people if both Swami and Rama came for darshan together! The two eyes will never be enough to immerse one’s self in the beauty and glory of both the forms at the same time. After all what can one do when the tastiest of dishes and the best of desserts are placed simultaneously in front for the feast! So, as Swami sat sweetly allowing the palanquin to proceed, all the assembled devotees had a wonderful darshan of Rama, Lakshmana, Seeta and Hanuman. Towards the later part of the procession, the "Hamsa Nade" or the gait of the majestic swan was adopted and the palanquin proceeded and came to a halt at the stage. Then Swami sweetly began His darshan rounds. It was a double delight. It was as if even if we were not yet spiritually evolved to see and feel the divinity in the idols, here was the same Lord in flesh and blood! The thought that the Avatar was in our midst in physical form, heightened by the presence of the idols atop the palanquin was so elevating that we all felt very privileged that we were actual contemporaries of God in human form. Bhagavan glided through the hall in the chair and was all smiles towards the assembled devotees. He went through the gents’ side and then came to the students section of the hall. Blessing the birthday boys and collecting letters from many, Swami went on stage. There He lit the lamp and with that officially declared open the "Srimad Ramayana Sudha Pravachana Saptaham"! The Kalashasthapana and Shodashopacharapuja to the idols were performed and everyone awaited the next part of the programme to begin. Swami sat listening to the Vedic chants as He gently fondled and played with a yellow rose bud in His hand. He opened up the petals slowly. It was so symbolic of what He was doing to all the children seated in front of Him. They come to Him as buds and with His touch; He makes them bloom into fully blossomed flowers.
At 4.45, Bhagavan, seated on stage, asked for the programme to commence. A learned scholar, Sri Vidwan Nidumamidi Srikanta Rao, spoke in Telugu for about 45 minutes, introducing the Ramayana Saptaham, and stating that each day, one Kandam (section) of the Ramayanam would be expounded by a scholar, till the last day, which would be dedicated to the Pattabhishekam or Coronation ceremony. The scholar then spoke about the first part of the Ramayanam, the Bala Kanda and the inner significance of many events narrated there. As he went about the narration of the events of the planned coronation, the initial exploits of the young princes, Swami listened appreciatively with rapt attention. At the end of his talk, Swami looked at the bhajan group and signaled them to begin with a hint word, "Shlokam". And so began "Shree Raghavam…" the aalap for the bhajan "Shree Raghunandana". Bhajans continued after that and everyone clapped and sang enthusiastically. All the bhajans were on Lord Rama with special emphasis on the initial phases of Rama's life - to the events of Baala Kanda in particular! Prasadam was distributed while the bhajans went on. Bhagavan accepted arati at 6.10 pm before returning to His residence.
The afternoon of 23rd too began on the same auspicious note as Swami came for darshan at 4 pm. However, Swami cut short His rounds and moved to the stage after the ladies side. After sitting on the stage for a few minutes, He went inside the interview room, and emerged half an hour later. The proceedings for the evening began at 5 pm. The talk for the day was on the Ayodhya kandam by the scholar, Mr. Malla Pragada Sriman Narayana Moorthy from Guntur. He spoke very beautifully on the inner significance of the kandam, stating that Ayodhya means, "Where no one wins". This part of the Ramayana, expounded the scholar, was the portion where everyone - King Dasharatha, the queens, all the four brothers and everyone in the family is defeated. Yet, all of them lose so that Dharma or righteousness can win. And that was the significance of that Kandam. He further explained that the kandam also highlighted the beautiful congruence between Sathya and Dharma. Like the two feet which are perfectly in sync and make movement possible, only when Sathya and Dharma are in sync is progress possible.
Swami was very moved at many instances during the narration. The speaker too spoke very powerfully on the Ayodhya Kanda and the entire audience listened in rapt attention. After the stirring hour long Telugu speech by the learned scholar, bhajans commenced at 6 pm. But this time, even Swami sang softly the lead for some of the bhajans along with the main singer. Needless to say, that only catalysed a more devotional and enthusiastic singing by everyone assembled! After bhajans for half an hour, Swami received Aarthi and left. June 24 and 25, 2008 – Third and fourth Day of the Rama Sudha Spathaham
Tuesday or Mangala varam (literally meaning ‘auspicious day’), as referred in many Indian languages, dawned in Prasanthi Nilayam with the chanting of the holy Vishnu Sahasranaama in the Mandir. All the devotees who had assembled offered the holy akshatha (rice) grains to a picture of Swami's cosmic form that had been so efficiently distributed to all of them. At about 8:45 am, Swami came for darshan in the chair. He directly went to the interview room after passing through the ladies side. The bhajans began at 9 as usual and then happened a very beautiful incident. Swami came in for bhajans and noticed that a student was seated in the front with a bowl of Akshatha grains as it was his birthday. Swami called him and blessed him profusely. But, the magical moment came when the student asked for paada namaskar and Swami consented. At that time, there was a sudden momentary silence as the bhajan that was on had just concluded. And when the student placed his head on the Lotus feet, the next bhajan began - Sathya Sai Paadaambujam, Bhajore Manasa Nirantaram (Oh mind! Dwell incessantly on the Lotus feet of Sathya Sai). A thrill went through all who were a witness to this poignant scene, and the student must have been overwhelmed for he stayed down on His feet for more than 10 seconds. Even Swami appeared to be enjoying this “coincidence” and smiled very sweetly! The bhajans concluded and Swami left after receiving Aarthi. In the evening, Swami arrived at about 4:30 p.m. He completed the darshan rounds and came onstage. Then, He called a boy and took his letter. Opening it, Swami saw that the letter was a full page long. He made a face of mock anger and then asked, "Why do you write so much? Write a few lines - that'll suffice!" The boy returned with a smile on his face. He was so happy that Swami spoke to him that maybe that advice went unheard! Immediately, Swami called another boy to take his letter. This time, as He slowly opened it, all watched in bated breath! Swami Himself seemed to open it with an expectant anticipation. Seeing that the letter consisted only of a few lines, He smiled and so did everyone around. After this, Swami went around the upper stage and then via the inner portico, went into the interview room. Swami later returned to the stage from the interview room to start the proceedings at 5.15 p.m. The speaker on June 24 was Sri S. Ranganath garu from Bangalore, who spoke in English about the Aranya Kanda for 45 minutes, noting various points of interest in Valmiki's poetry. It was more of a Sanskrit scholars' delight with the erudite speaker outlining the beautiful grammar and perfect language employed by the sage Valmiki. He also drew out examples from the works of various modern and contemporary writers where they had been influenced and inspired by the Ramayana. Therefore, he stated, that the epic Ramayana has a great relevance irrespective of the age or era! At the end of his talk, Swami saw that one of the students was clicking photos prolifically. Swami asked him if there was a film in the camera. The student, on his knees, cheekily pulled out the memory chip from the camera, showed it to Swami and said, "No film, Swami!" Swami smiled and asked for the bhajans to begin. The bhajans began and they were all specific to the episodes and the characters of the Aranya Kanda of Ramayana. After bhajans, Swami enquired whether any prasadam was available! When it was being checked, He said that prasadam may be distributed the next day. Smilingly He asked for Aarthi and then left.
June 25 was the day dedicated for the Kishkindha Kanda. Swami arrived in the evening before the students had come in. He completed His darshan rounds on the ladies side and took a detour, as there was a huge empty space since the students had not yet filed in, and then cut across the marble blocks. He then spoke to the two sevadal youth who were seated near the pillar as part of the security measures to ensure that no one rushes upto Swami out of the blue to touch His Feet. The youth were taken aback, but were nevertheless filled with joy as Swami spoke to them.
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