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July
7, 2006
Today was the holy day of Ashaadi Ekadashi- celebration time for
Maharashtra. Ashadi was being celebrated over three days this year at
Parthi - yesterday there were bhajans by the Maharashtra devotees, and
tomorrow some musicians are to present concerts. Today was to be a very
special day for the students too. Swami had agreed to perform the bhoomi
pooja for the 5 acre indoor stadium to be built opposite the senior boys
hostel.
Swami came out at 7:30am. There was a Bal Vikas band leading Swami from
the Yajur Mandiram. Conches too were blown announcing His arrival. Swami
went all around blessing everyone with the gift of Darshan. He came out
walking from near the interview room. He lit the lamp to mark the
beginning of the morning's proceedings. There was thunderous applause as
Swami lit the lamp. After the dignitaries and office bearers from the
state of Maharashtra offered their pranaams and roses to Swami, the
programme began.
The programme was a musical entitled "The Divine Commandment". Animals
decry how similes based on animals are being used to describe man's
negative qualities. A conference of animals convened by the king lion
unanimously condemn the overtures of man and put forth their case that
they follow their Dharma while man does not. Man has no reason or season
for anything. The colourful musical concluded with the wise elephant and
sage Narada extolling man as a reflection of God. It is high time that
he realizes "Aham Asmi Aham".
Swami went into the interview room after the programme. Then getting
into the Porte car, He headed towards the Bhoomi pooja. He first went to
the Planetarium where an elaborate shelter for Sai Gita had been
planned. As soon as she saw Swami, Sai Gita offered a salute and offered
a garland to Swami. (Swami had said earlier that Sai Gita must get an
ornate and well designed new shelter.) Swami wanted to perform the pooja
for her shelter before that of the colossal indoor stadium! Swami
blessed the building blocks and had them laid along with cement,
flowers, navadhaanyam (9 types of food grains) and other articles of
worship. Coconuts were broken and Aarthi offered to Swami. Then Swami
went to the site designated for the indoor stadium. The plans and all
the details had been put up. The stadium would have an 8 metre-wide
jogging track of 400 metres length, 2 shuttle badminton courts, 2 squash
courts, a basketball court, 8 table-tennis courts, 2 volleyball courts
and a lot more facilities and amenities. Swami performed the Bhoomi
pooja and blessed the project. He showered the nine grains and had
coconuts broken at the site. He also went out (in the sun!) on the
wheeled chair to survey the area to be covered by the Satya Sai Sports
Centre. It was about 10:30 am when Swami finally drove back and retired
to Yajur Mandiram.
In the evening Swami came out at 3:20 pm. He went for a full Darshan
round and came out walking from near the interview room. After a few
minutes He asked for the programme to begin. The Balvikas children put
up a programme on the life of Moses entitled "The Ten Commandments". It
showed that when God is the focus of our lives, we become perfect
instruments in His hands. The scene where the Red Sea parts to give way
to Moses was very well depicted and drew applause from all. Swami was
very happy with the programme. After the programme Swami went into the
interview room. Then there were bhajans. At about 5:45 pm Swami received
Aarthi and retired to Yajur Mandiram.
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Source: radiosai.org |