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November 30, 2007 – Programme by Karnataka Bal Vikas

The devotees from Karnataka had come for a three day Parthi Yathra. In the evening of November 30, the Balvikas children of Karnataka presented a series of folk dances. Swami came out for darshan and took a complete round. Then He came on stage and asked for the programme to begin. The entire evening had been planned along the lines of a rally where at least 11 different types of dances from Karnataka were presented.

	A human pyramid in one of the dances				The annihilation of the ego and six vices

The forty minute programme commenced when Swami came onstage after His darshan round at 5.30 pm. There were about 10- 20 children in each of the dances and they were all decked in the traditional costumes. One by one, each group came ahead, performed for Him, made their bow and left. Karaga and Yakshagana were the very popular dances that were also performed.

	A traditional folk dance in progress				Krishna slays Kaliya in Yakshagana style

At the end of the dances, Swami blessed the dozen groups of children with group photographs, then with prasadam and clothes, too. Swami sat smilingly as each group came up to Him and posed for the photo. The Karnataka devotees sang Bhajans as the prasadam was distributed. Swami accepted Arati at 7 pm and went into the interview room, emerging after ten minutes to retire for the day.

December 2, 2007: Shirdi Nivasa Sai Drama

The first Sunday of the new month witnessed the charming children from the Sathya Sai Vidya Niketan in Bagepalli as they performed the dance drama, "Shirdi Nivaasa Sai" in Swami's presence in the evening. Swami came out at about 4:10 pm and completed His darshan round. He went into the interview room for a short while and then sat outside towards the ladies side of the stage. However, after ten minutes of sitting and listening to the Vedic chants, Swami went towards the interview room again. He spoke to many sitting in the portico and went through a few letters they offered to Him. Then, He came out again, but this time, He moved over to the gents side of the stage and sat there, asking for the programme to begin.The customary card and flower offerings followed and then the drama began.

	"Nana Chandorkar" with his Lord!				The customary offerings

The backdrop was formed by a giant screen and had a movable scroll so that the different backgrounds could just be rolled down as scenes progressed. The drama began with many children rushing to "Pedda bottu" (A great devotee of Shirdi Sai who later came to Swami too. She was called Pedda bottu meaning the lady with the “big red dot on her forehead”) and asking her to relive the divine stories of Shirdi Sai Baba. The whole drama was in the words of the venerable lady devotee as she recounts first how Baba came to live at Shirdi and Mahalsapati recognises Him as Sai Baba. The famous incident when all the shopkeepers at Shirdi refused to give Baba oil and He lit lamps with water itself was narrated next. The incidents of Baba asking for wheat flour to be sprinkled along the borders of Shirdi to keep out cholera; when He recognized the "sugarless" Sadhana of Mr. Cholkar and encouraged the chanting of the divine name - however loud or soft - were the other incidents depicted.

	Pedda Bottu regales the children with tales of Sai				Sai grinds Cholera to dust and throws it out of Shirdi

All the different scenes were interspersed with well choreographed dances which were performed by the sweet children. The drama concluded and the children came into a final formation. Swami very eagerly went down and posed for group pictures with them. He spoke with the main coordinator and asked how many children there were and then blessed pens and chocolates to be given to all of them. As most of the children had letters which they offered to Swami, He smilingly accepted all and then went back on stage.

	With the students of Vidya Niketan				Sathya Sai gifts a saree to Pedda Bottu

He then distributed sarees to all the girls and white cloth pieces to the boys. He also called the teachers involved in the programme and gifted them sarees. They were very touched at this loving gesture from Swami. He then spoke to the main coordinator and also his wife for a while. Then there were bhajans by the Karnataka devotees after which Swami received Aarthi and left.

December 5, 2007: Dramas from Haryana and the Punjab - "God is the Only Creator" and “Glorious Sikh Heritage”

The Haryana programme entitled, "God is the Only Creator" had a unique beginning. All the actors involved came in a nagar sankirtan style Veda chanting. The chantings were very high pitched and all sat up straight to see what was happening! One by one, the members came up to Swami offering roses, cards and the details of the programme. One of them offered cloves to Swami which He accepted. Then the drama began.

	The unique opening nagar sankirtan				The dancer offers the programme card

The story was about a sculptor whose fame spreads far and wide as a person with the ability to make lifelike statues. The top aristocrats and bureaucrats of the region visit and lavish praises on him. One night, on seeing the beauty of the statues representing Sathya, Dharma, Shanti, Prema and Ahimsa, he prays to the Lord for the strength to put real life into the idols! Sure enough, God appears before him and fulfills his desire. But like it happens in the case of every man, ego takes over and the sculptor is on the road to his doom till finally God takes back the boons He granted. Soon the sculptor is reduced to a pauper and has a tough time fending for himself.

	The statues stood still...				...the whole time!

Swami often says that talent is God. It has the capacity to transform lives if utilised properly. It should be considered by everyone as Swami's gift to us. With a single talent, we can bring smiles on a hundred faces and wipe away sorrow and pain from a hundred hearts. Whether it is the skill of painting, music, or athletics - God has gifted that special power to us because He felt that we would be able to wield it best for the betterment of everyone around. Talent is His gift to us and what we do with the talent should be our gift to Him. As the drama portrayed, we ruin our talents if we offer it to the world, to our ego in particular, instead of using it for God.

	The sculptor's ego comes into the 'play'				Service is the best way to wipe out the ego

To get back to the play, the sculptor then gets diseased and is struggling until some members of the Sai Youth find him and tell him about Swami. He learns his lessons and finds solace at Swami's feet. The drama ends with a song of gratitude.

After this was another skit by the youth of the state of Punjab.

	The details of second programme are shown				An offering from the youth of Punjab

The skit was about an NRI (Non Resident Indian) who comes and lands in Chandigarh Airport. There he meets up with some of the Sai Youth of Punjab. He is reeling with negativity about the country in general and the Punjab villages in particular. What begins next is a virtual tour of Punjab - with its great Sikh history and patriotic fervour forming the basis. Coming to know of the great patriots and the glory of the Sikh Masters who shaped the collective consciousness of the people of Punjab, the NRI is bowled over.

	It isn't "Love at first sight" for the NRI				The wide variety that India stands for...

No member of the youth brigade can resist from talking about Swami. The NRI is told about Swami and all that He has done. Wanting to make his life meaningful too, he too joins the youth in their final prayer song to Swami.

All were captured by Swami’s reaction - He seemed to be in a mood to thrill all the youth and set their hearts afire. He literally gave Himself to the youth. He made His way into their midst and using the group photo as an excuse, He spoke and interacted with each and every one of them.

	The final Qawwali calling out to Him				...and His response to their call

He then gifted everyone with white cloth pieces. The joy and enthusiasm were evident on the faces of every youth member. Seeing them one felt that they are ready to do anything for Swami. It thrills the heart to see so many youth coming to Him from everywhere. Definitely a silent, or rather ‘Sailent’, revolution is on. And this is a revolution of Love. Swami then told them to sing bhajans. After a few bhajans, He received Aarthi, blessed the youth with a double handed Abhayahasta and then retired.

	White clothes for all...				..and a shower of blessings too

December 9, 2007: Drama from Srikakulam - "Jagame Sarvam Sai Mayam"

From the district of Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, thousands had flocked to the abode of supreme peace by way of a pilgrimage. On December 9, Swami had agreed for a programme to be presented by them. It was about 4:15 pm when Swami came out to grant darshan. As He went around in the car, the excitement and more importantly, joy was evident in the radiant faces of all the devotees. Swami alighted from the car and there were several rounds of applause.

Swami also stresses a lot on discipline. But on occasions like today, when there is an overwhelming outflow of devotion, it becomes difficult to restrain. The devotee, finding himself in a very difficult situation where he is not allowed either to shout out or get up and dance in glee at the joy he is experiencing seeing the sweet Lord, takes recourse to the 'decent' and more importantly permitted mode of celebration - applause. A round of applause carries many emotions at Prashanti Nilayam, but one thing for certain is that it is a spontaneous, emotional and overwhelming outburst.

Swami went into the interview for a short while and then returned to take His place on the stage. The lamp being brought up to Swami to be lit and mark the beginning of the programme too has undergone a lot of transformations. On that day, it was a beautifully carved Mandir fully in silver that was brought up to Him and He lit it up just as He had lit up the entire hall minutes before with His darshan. The traditional roses and dry fruits plate were offered to Swami. Finally the children, who were part of the drama, offered flowers to Swami. The programme was entitled, "Jagame Sarvam Sai Mayam".

	The lovely silver lamp is lit				The lead dancer offers her bouquet

The drama began with the activities of the Sai Youth in the villages. The joy of everyone sharing the feeling that Swami Himself had arrived to their village was brought out nicely. The father of one of the members of the youth, the hero in this drama, feels that his son is wasting all his time and energy on futile activities. Like all deluded people of today, he measures the success of any activity undertaken from the money it fetches. He tries to drill "wisdom" into his son through a friend of his who has agreed to employ the boy. They are not prepared for a reversal of argument that the boy has in store for them!

	Manava Seva is Maadhava Seva				"Where will all your service lead you to?"

When the eternal values of Sathya and Dharma are attacked, the boy resorts to the example of King Harishchandra. The king never gives up on the Truth even in the face of death saying, "Just because something impermanent is passing away, should I sacrifice the only permanent entity in this Universe?" Quoting Swami's words, he says that it is only adherence to Sathya and Dharma that can provide everlasting happiness and peace for they alone are eternal. "But they will not give you the money needed to live", exclaims the worldly wise uncle. "Swami's name is my greatest treasure. If I call out 'Sai', He will respond with 'Oyi' and if I cry out 'Swami', He will respond with 'Emi'. I may not be able to do anything with so little money, but with Him and so little money, there is nothing in this Universe I cannot attain."

	King Harishchandra chooses dharma over convenience				A child is ready to sacrifice himself for the nation

Listening to the powerfully scripted dialogues, one could not but help marveling at the conviction and faith of the writer. Swami also appeared moved by the words being spoken. The whole drama was interspersed with dances and songs which again were very touching in their emotion and powerful in their meaning. The dialogues had such an impact on Swami that in between the drama itself, He called the hero and materialized a beautiful gold chain for him.

Again, the applause began, as Swami lovingly put the chain around the boy's neck. After that short "break", the drama continued. The final scene of the drama was one in which Mother Eashwaramma came to life speaking of how much Love Swami had showered on her and everyone. She sang out her love for Him and it was such a tender sight to see the one with the Love of a thousand mothers well up with emotion on being reminded of His earthly mother's love. The final song described the beautiful image of Swami gently swinging on the Jhoola. Then all the actors and dancers came close together in the final formation. The Jhoola was also brought as part of the formation.

	Good thoughts and good words....				..are rewarded justly and immediately

Swami called the scriptwriter and created a gold ring for him - an apt reward for the fingers that had created the writing which had moved thousands of hearts. He also told him to be a part of the group for the final photo. Swami went down in the wheel sofa and then to the joyous amazement of everyone around, said that He would sit on the decorated swing! He got up from the chair and walked slowly towards the Jhoola. Then, very gently, He sat on the Jhoola and the people celebrated with another round of applause! Gently rocking Himself, Swami blessed everyone with smiles and loving words and pats. All the children were just diving at His feet and so sweetly Swami was telling them, "Sit down. Sit down. I will come." True to His word, after getting up from the Jhoola, He walked up to the stage, passing in between rows of Love hungry children!

	A ring for the script writer				Delighting hearts by seating on the Jhoola

After going on stage, He gifted every child with clothes. The girls received sarees and the boys had white cloth pieces. He then permitted the Srikakulam group to sing bhajans and they did so with gusto. There were two bhajans new to the Sai fraternity at Puttaparthi. After that, He asked for the camphor to be waved after which He retired to Yajur Mandir.

	Sarees for all the gilrs...				...and suit pieces for the boys

December 11, 2007 – Music Programme by Srikakulam Devotees

December 11 was a day of added Grace for the people from the district of Srikakulam. The previous day, they were sitting with a music programme ready to be presented before Swami but He arrived quite late. So they could not perform. And this day, the lovely Lord sent word that He would like to witness the Music programme by the Srikakulam devotees!

So in a very great hurry, all the singers and musicians involved in the programme took up their positions. Swami came out and took a complete darshan round after which He came out and sat, asking them to begin the programme. It was about 5:25 pm when the singers started. Swami called out for a few students and took letters from them. For the students, it is a very special feeling when Swami calls them and takes a letter, especially when He does it during a music programme. It gives a feeling of being very dear to the Lord that He finds time in between an event too to call and read the letters. At such times, a smile blossoms on the faces of the students thus blessed and an excited anticipation grows in the hearts of the students yet to receive that blessing. And all these get transparently expressed on the faces that an observer sitting metres away too gets a gist of what is going on within!

The songs that were being sung were phenomenal in their meaning and one of the singers resembled the famed Ghantasala in his style of rendering. They were all in Telugu and there were two singers doing the singing. All the songs were semi-classical and light music but were heavily laden with love, devotion and meaning. After about 45 minutes of singing, Swami asked them whether they had more songs to offer. Then the musicians prayed that Swami allow them to present an instrumental ensemble playing Thyagaraja kritis. Swami called and blessed one of the singers with a ring and also allowed them to begin the instrumental piece with more than five violins and mridangams. As the instrumentalists continued, Swami smiled at them telling them to continue and then went into the interview room.

He returned 10 minutes later and gifted everyone with clothes, padanamaskar and also many with an opportunity to speak with Him. Filling all hearts with joy and delight, Swami asked for the aarthi.

There is something very special about the Sai Avatar. When Krishna said that He would take care of everything including liberation of a devotee, He said that for that to happen, the devotee must think of nothing else but Him. In this age, God is very kind. As He had vowed that He would confer Ananda to one and all. No expectations or conditions! Really, seeing Swami give Himself to His devotees, one is reminded of Pure Love. "Whomsoever comes to me, I will fill them with Ananda", seems to be His motto and He has laid no clause and condition! After receiving aarthi, Swami retired for the day.