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February 26, 2008 – Programme by Ooty Devotees

There was a small sea of turbans in Sai Kulwant Hall as devotees from the Nilgiris and Ooty had been given permission by Swami to put up a programme on the evening of February 26. A huge backdrop with the Sai Mandir in Ooty painted on it had been raised. The participants of the programme were all members of the Badaga tribe living in the Nilgiris. When Swami came out for Darshan and went through the Kulwant Hall, His eyes seemed glued to the "visitors" from the Blue Mountains.

After the Darshan round, He alighted from the car and came straight to the stage and asked for the programme to begin. There was eager anticipation in His face. The elders from Ooty came and offered roses and other items for His blessings. He blessed them all and then the programme began.

	The seniormost devotee from Nilgris offers a rose				The Akshatha (holy grains) blessings

It was the drama “Markandeya” in traditional tribal art form. There was a narrative in the beginning that explained the whole drama in detail. Then the drama began with a dancing Lord Ganesha. It was like a complete dance drama and it consisted of only a few very simple steps. Swami seemed to watch the drama in all attention. The narrative was in the form of a song sung loudly in Tamil accompanied by basic beats on a percussion instrument. The manner in which Markandeya's parents long for a son was depicted very elaborately, and for almost 20 minutes after the drama started, Markandeya had not made his appearance. Swami was explaining the scenes to the boys seated next to Him. Truly, Swami is the greatest patron of folk arts and rural talents. For a sophisticated mind, the depictions may not have seemed "up to the mark", but they communicated the eternal values, and these folk arts are, in fact, strong binding forces in the communities and the villages. This unity is what Swami always emphasizes and likes to see in any presentation.

	The Ganesha Vandanam dance				The parental penance of perseverence for a pure son

Swami was very moved when Lord Shiva appeared from the Linga to annihilate death itself, and save his devotee Markandeya. As the drama concluded, and the actors bowed to Swami, He called the actor who played the role of Markandeya, and created a 108 beads japamala (rosary) for him. After that, the floodgates opened. Swami said He would go down from the stage and interact with the devotees. Next He got up from the chair and walked down. 

	Markandeya seems to be rewarded for his devotion				The much desired group photo

He blessed all the actors and told them to cluster around Him so that all would fit in the frame for the group picture. Everyone was so simple minded that they did not seem to understand what to do; they were just overwhelmed by His Presence. Everyone was looking at His Face and prostrating at His Feet. Swami, then, asked for sarees to be brought. He went to the ladies side and distributed them to all the Ooty devotees. There was a huge onrush to receive the Divine Gifts. Almost everyone received paada namaskar. He then gifted all the gents with dhotis and sat watching as the distribution went on. He spoke leisurely with many of the devotees and also said that He would visit them all soon. Conferring joy on all, Swami received Aarthi and left.

	Safari pieces for all the actors				Swami goes to the ladies side and gifts sarees

March 1, 2008 – Gratitude Programme by Final Year PG Students

When the first day of the new month dawned on March 1, there was a huge gathering of devotees from Hyderabad who had come with the single pointed motive of inviting Swami to their city. Swami came out at 3:15 pm and seeing all the Hyderabad devotees, asked them to sit in front on the raised marble enclosure where the Institute professors and teachers usually sit. He then turned and drove out. He returned in a very short while and then went for the Darshan rounds. After completing it, He alighted in the portico and then went into the interview room. He took many senior members of the "visiting Hyderabad Team", if we may call it so, for an interview.

	The delegation of devotees from Hyderabad				Swami grants bonus blessings to them

As the interview proceeded, word arrived that Swami had permitted the II PG students, the outgoing batch from the Prasanthi NilayamCampus to put up their “Gratitude” programme. All the students began to take their positions and waited eagerly for Swami to arrive. Swami completed the interviews and came out at about 5:15 pm. In spite of the long session inside, Swami looked so fresh and cheery. As soon as He sat on the stage, He asked where “Krishna” was. A boy who was donning Krishna's role as part of the program, came walking out majestically from behind. Swami asked him to be seated in front of the marble block. Then He asked for Sudama (Krishna's friend). Sudama came forward and Swami blessed him by touching him on the head, and then asked for the programme to begin.

	The Lord sends word for Krishna......				...and His friend of the previous age - Sudama

The programme began with a visitor in heaven being introduced to the three major departments - the ‘Prayer and Petition Receiving Department’, the ‘Blessing Packaging and Processing Department’ and the ‘Gratitude Receiving Department’. For a change, the third department is most busy! And that is because gratitude has been pouring forth in plenty from the students of Swami! At this point, students carrying pictures of each boy with Swami on decorated hearts, came to Swami and the Lord lovingly blessed them all, holding and viewing a few of them. The children then began to attempt to express the rich myriad feelings and emotions that were coursing through them. Many students spoke their heart out. Orators, poets and singers seemed to emerge by the minute as each student used different methods and means to express the same sentiments of Love.

The first song was a beautiful melody in Telugu which stated that the Love received from Swami during their stay was more than enough for births together, and there remained no other desire in the boys' hearts. They offered gratitude to Swami for having guided them to take their first few steps in Life. Comparing Swami to the Gardener who has nourished them in His Nursery, they prayed that they spread the fragrance of His Love to all who come in touch with them. The songs were soulful and one could see tears streaming down many a face as they realized the apparently bitter truth of physical separation from someone who has been a Mother, Father, Teacher and Friend, all rolled into one. For Swami's students, instead of the mother, father and Guru being God, God becomes the Father, Mother and Guru.

	A visitor to the "heavenly abode"				The offering of decorated "hearts"

There was a small dance sequence for a song composed by Swami Himself. The gist of the song was that irrespective of what you do, whether you wear ochre robes, smear the holy ash, turn rosary beads or even visit Puttaparthi, the only way to get sanctified is by imbibing Love and compassion for all. The students recollected memories of how some boys had not eaten for two days as Swami was not speaking with them. Swami, then, told the teachers that they must be fed, and then it came to be known that even Swami had not eaten for the past two days! There was not a single dry eye in the gathering. If we just sit back and think of how Swami has beautifully moulded our lives, nay has become our very lives itself, there will not be a single moment when our eyes will remain dry. Life without God is full of tears. Life with God is also full of them - only that, this time, they are tears of Love and Gratitude. Why is it that these tears flow down when we are with Swami? When there is someone so beautiful in our eyes, where is the place for the tears to remain!

A student then narrated how he, a bordering failure in academics, was resurrected by Swami. When his parents had asked Swami in an interview, "Swami, will this boy ever change?" Swami had emphatically replied, "When Valmiki himself transformed, will this boy not change? Tell him that Swami has called him with Love, He will come to me!" As he narrated this, the boy broke down, and Swami too appeared quite emotional as he blessed the boy. To highlight the experience of friendship with Swami, the Krishna-Sudama episode was enacted. Swami seemed to become nostalgic as the play was enacted and was touched.

	The only true friend is the Lord Himself...				An emotional moment captured for eternity

As emphasised before, the Gratitude Programmes are events that can never be adequately captured in words. The beautiful and emotion filled evening concluded with an energy-filled song addressing Swami as the heartbeat of each and every child. There was Love, Grace and magic in the sweet evening air as the fragrance of gratitude wafted, scenting everything in its wake. As the programme concluded, Swami came walking down the stage to pose for pictures with His Dear Children. What ensued next was a loving exchange of words and feelings. After spending time with them, Swami blessed prasadam to be distributed to all. He, then, retired to Yajur Mandir.

	Swami goes down to bless all the students				The Mother with her children

March 2, 2008 – Songs by Hyderabad Youth

On the evening of March 2nd, the youth, who had arrived from Hyderabad with the intention of inviting Swami to their wonderful and bubbling city, had been permitted to put up a programme in front of Swami. Swami came for Darshan at about 5:05 pm and He alighted near the interview room after completing Darshan rounds. He immediately came out and took a small round on the stage granting beautiful Darshan to all who had gathered. Then He went into the interview room for about 10 minutes and sent word for the programme to be started. The youth began their presentation with Omkar.

		We forget the world looking at Him

First, was a welcome song on how fortunate they were to be able to offer their salutations in His Divine Presence. The song had a slow waltzing melody in the beginning and then it picked up momentum and speed as they called out to Swami as their Father. It turned out to be a real welcome song, for, as they completed singing it, Swami came out of the interview room onto the stage. There were commentary pieces in between, explaining the gist of the songs. There was a song on how sweet and beautiful is Swami's Name, Form and everything associated with Him. As Swami sat, swaying gently to the tunes, it was really a sight for the Gods to behold, and everybody present there felt supremely blessed with the opportunity to be there. On one occasion, speaking to a person, who was a chain smoker, Swami had said, "If you do not give up this bad habit, I will not think of you and I will ensure that you too do not think of Me!" Even the fact that we are able to think of Swami is His Grace and Blessings that we ought to be grateful for.

The songs continued. The commentator said, "Swami, if we look at You, it is enough, we'll forget the world." Swami nodded and seemed to say, "Oh yes! Why not?" Everyone smiled and the songs continued. There were songs dripping with gratitude for His Compassion and Love. "The eyes never tire seeing You and get addicted to Your Graceful Form; the ears ache to hear Your Sweet Voice; the temple of our minds is complete only due to Your Form being installed." There was another song that described the glories of the Ten Avatars that Lord Vishnu assumed to protect the world. The songs began to gather momentum, and the enthusiasm remained on the high that it always was.

Swami kept responding and emoting to the noble feelings and thoughts being expressed in the songs. As a fast paced song on the ideal way for the individual to conduct himself concluded, Swami called the violinist and materialized a gold chain for him. He was, naturally, overwhelmed as he delicately touched His Feet, and accepted the gift of grace. The songs continued. Requesting the Lord never to forget them, the devotees sang out a composition by Swami Himself unto Him. From Him, for Him unto Him! There was a very innovative composition that incorporated popular bhajans, "Govind Krishna Jai", "Prema Muditha" and "Shivaya Parameshwaraya". It was a devotional outpouring where the devotees said that their only refuge was His Feet. All those seated in the Hall were washed pure and joyous by this spontaneous flow of devotional songs, and the silent shower of Love seen from the twinkle in Sai's Eyes. The last song was a patriotic one with a marching beat.

	A sudden outburst of Love......				...the beneficiary this time is the violin artist

As they concluded, Swami called the harmonium player cum singer, who had performed exceedingly well. He had a slight difficulty standing due to a hunched back. Swami showered all Love on him, and materializing a gold chain for him, put it around His neck and granted paada namaskar. After that, Swami stood up and walked down to the group that had clustered by now. He spoke to them and almost satiated everyone's pangs to have a few precious words of Sambhaashan (conversation) with Him. He posed for group photos, and after that, went into the interview room. He returned with white cloth pieces and personally handed them over to each and every participant. As the Aarthi went on, Swami granted the Abhayahastham with both His Hands raised. The devotees shouted Jaijaikars at the end of the Aarthi. Leaving everyone in this blissful frame of mind Swami retired to Yajur Mandir after blessing the prasadam to be distributed.

	A chain to the melodious singer and composer				The final act of Love and Benediction

March 5, 2008 – “Churning of the Ocean” Dance by the University Students

A dance ballet had been planned by the students of the University for the Shivarathri celebrations which was the next day. Swami planted a pleasant surprise for all when after completing His Darshan rounds, He sent instructions that the ballet be performed that evening itself! All the bhajan singers were seated, not in the bhajan hall but in the marble block of the Sai Kulwant Hall. The bhajans began and Swami came outside and sat on the stage, much to the thrill of all the devotees assembled. But as Swami sat for the bhajans, all the while He was enquiring whether the dancers were ready. Since the dance involved elaborate make up and costumes, it took a while for the students to get ready.

In the meanwhile, as the Bhajans continued in the Sai Kulwant Hall, Swami visited the Bhajan Hall twice and interacted with the performers who were getting ready there. He asked about the various roles in the dance and blessed all of them to perform the dance. With blessings abounding on them and smiles adorning their faces, the dancers made their way to the Sai Kulwant Hall. Swami too arrived on the stage. The marble block was cleared of student occupation. As Swami watched on, a huge 25 x 12 feet backdrop was brought in. It was a very innovative and creative painting of Lord Shiva consuming the deadly Haalahala poison to save the world from total destruction.

	The traditional Rose offering...				A few loving words as the screen is put in place

The half-hour dance programme in Telugu depicted the Puranic episode of the churning of the Ocean, with Lord Shiva consuming the poison to save the world. The ocean is churned with the devas (angels) on one side, and the asuras (demons) on the other. The serpent king, Vasuki is the rope. When the mountain is sinking into the ocean, Lord Vishnu assumes the form of a huge tortoise and holds up the mountain.

	The churning of the ocean begins				And the yields are many and forthcoming

This is the famous Kurma Avatar. This was so gracefully and beautifully depicted. The celestial sage Narada was the narrator for the entire episode, and that role was played by the lead dancer. As the dance progresses, various things emanate from the ocean. They are evenly distributed among the Devas and the Asuras. Lord Vishnu takes the form of Mohini to ensure that the immoral demons do not become immortal by drinking the nectar that comes forth as the final item from the churning. The whole dance was wonderfully choreographed and the thrill of the entire Puranic story was experienced by everyone in the audience. Swami too seemed so happy at the effort. He was engrossed watching the dance all the while. The singing was really phenomenal and more than anything else, it was done live and no pre recorded Cds or DVDs were used.