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1 January, 2008 – New Year Day Celebrations
The New Year 2008 began on a beautiful note in Prasanthi Nilayam. In the
last few years, the New Year Day programme has been given by Bhagavan to the
former students of His University. It is such a wonderful opportunity for
all the students that the Lord wishes to begin His New Year with them. What
more can be said of Swami's love for the students! As He Himself has said so
many times, "Students are my only property." It is not that the Sai students
are very special and therefore receive so much love from Swami. In fact, it
is because they receive His Love in such abundance that they are a class
apart. Like the thousands of zeroes that have no value if the "1" is
removed, Swami gives all the value in their lives and they know that. So
they take up the first day of the year to express their profound sense of
gratitude to Him who means everything to them.
All the students were seated in the marble blocks in front of the stage.
Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall in His chair at 8.45 am in a procession led
by the Students chanting Vedam, with traditional fans and an umbrella as
paraphernalia to adorn and worship the Lord.
There was a surge of joy throughout the hall and seeing
Swami in His beautiful form on the first day of the year was such a
blessing. Swami went around the hall in the chair granting his Darshan to
the adoring thousands seated there. In the veranda were beautiful,
multi-coloured cakes. Swami went first up to them and after lighting the
candles on them, gently sliced each one to the delight of everyone around.
After Swami came onstage, the Vedam continued for a few minutes. Swami then
signaled the University Brass Band to play a few pieces. The brass band
began with a bang - a grand way to welcome the year. The synchronisation,
harmony and power were so scintillating. Notable among the pieces played
were “La Bamba” and the famous "Love Story" piece. After three pieces, Swami
asked whether it was complete. The band leader then requested Swami if they
could play one more and Swami consented with a smile.
After that Swami beckoned Prof. G. Venkataraman to speak. He welcomed the
alumni and described them as the hope for a troubled world. And then went on
emphatically state that Swami's message was the only solution for all the
worries that plague the modern world. Sri A. V. Gokak, the current
Vice-Chancellor was the next to speak. His talk centered on the
transformational work done by the Sai Students.
After this, Swami threw up a most wonderful surprise!
He called one of the students who had formerly been a band leader and
said, "Ay, band leader. Will you speak?"
The boy was delighted at the opportunity. He came up
straight and began extempore. He said whenever Swami calls anyone to speak,
one need not be nervous for two reasons:
1) It is like opening one's heart to Swami.
2) Though one has to face the entire world while doing so, Swami is always
on one's side.
He then went on
to recollect a few of his sweet experiences while he was a student and ended
on a note oozing with gratitude for Swami. The loving Lord then materialized
a gold chain for him. As Swami slowly put it around his neck, the boy got
the great blessing of almost resting his head on his divine mother's lap.
After the speeches concluded at 10.10, Bhagavan asked the students to
commence their music programme. As the songs began, Swami beckoned the
alumni holding up cakes right in front of Him.
The cakes were
all massive in size. Swami lovingly lit the candle atop each cake and then
cut them too. In the process, a little icing got on to His palms and hands.
The 'icing' must have been thrilled to stay on something that was sweeter
than itself! Swami, again with a smile, took His kerchief and wiped away the
icing.
After a few songs, the alumni presented a song taught to them by Swami for
Ugadi in 1985. At that time Swami was browsing through a book that the
alumni had released on the occasion. The song progressed and Swami looked up
at the students singing. His eyes made a quick scan of everyone seated. One
does not know whether the Lord too, like humans, feels nostalgic. But it
sure seemed like Swami was remembering the time when He had actually taught
the song to them. As that song concluded, it was already nearing eleven
o'clock. Bhagavan said that He would see the other part of the programme in
the evening and next blessed the prasadam to be distributed to all. He then
accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
In the afternoon, Bhagavan arrived in His car at 4.45 pm. On coming to the
stage after a round of the Hall, He noticed the bright coloured Bhangra
dance group of the Sai Students. He called them and permitted them to start
their programme. The dance group was actually not part of the original plan
of New Year Day celebrations. But the alumni had picked up a few very basic
steps in two days and put it up. This once again highlighted the motherly
Love that Swami feels for His students. Truly, just like a mother who sits
appreciating her child mumbling some nursery rhymes, Swami sat watching as
the dancers tried to get some semblance of coordination! To top it all, at
the end of their 'performance', Swami asked, "Is it over already?" There was
loud laughter everywhere and Swami lovingly blessed the 'dancers' and even
spoke to many of them.
The Orchestra
prepared by the alumni was the next item, performing from the centre of the
Hall with loudspeakers facing Bhagavan who was seated onstage. The most
memorable piece they played was the one from the famous album, "Vishwa
Vinayaka". After the band, the alumni seated began to speak. Short speeches
followed, recollecting the golden years the students had spent with their
Lord.
There were
recollections of the special things that Swami had done for each student and
continues to do so daily in their lives. All of a sudden, Swami asked for
the programme to be stopped. Swami then asked for the microphone and
prepared to get up to speak. Immediately everyone realized the magnitude of
His magnanimity in deciding to speak to them spontaneously of His own
volition. Listening to the pleas of the students, He decided to remain
seated and spoke for an hour.
The sun appears serene and peaceful. The days
have become shorter, and the cool wind is blowing. The fields are ripe with
golden crops. Marigold flowers are blossoming like garlands of pearls on the
banks of rivers. The farmers are rejoicing and singing. The sweet festival
of Sankranti comes in the month of Pushya (a month in Indian calendar),
filling our homes with the newly harvested grain. (Telugu Poem)
Man needs several objects in this world; yet, none of them is permanent. All
are like passing clouds. What you think permanent in this world is, in fact,
impermanent. Hence, one has to strive to achieve that which is permanent,
real and eternal.
The Bhagavad Gita declares, "Mamaivamso Jivaloke Jivabhuta Sanathana"
(the eternal Atma in all beings is a part of My Being). I am
in you, with you, around you, above you, below you. There is no place in
this Universe where God is not present. Similarly, there is no name or
object that does not belong to Him. The Upanishads proclaim the same truth
in the declarations, "Easwara Sarva Bhutanam"(God is the Indweller of all
beings) and "Isavasyam Idam Sarvam" (the entire universe is permeated by
God). Unable to realise this truth, a human being laments, "Wherever I see,
I find only human beings; I am not able to find God". "Yad Bhavam Tad
Bhavathi" (as the feelings, so are the results). Suppose you wear a
particular dress and stand before a mirror, you will find the same
reflection in the mirror. Similarly, your own thoughts and feelings reflect
in the outside world. Everything is reaction, reflection, and resound. Your
own life style is reflected in the outside world. Whatever you speak comes
back to you as a reply. But people think that it is someone else who is
speaking these words. This is the truth. However, different people explain
this truth in different ways in keeping with the aphorism, "Ekam Sath Viprah
Bahudha Vadanti" (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names).
Every form you see in the outside world is in fact your own reflection.
Several thousand people are gathered in this hall. But there is only one
heart in all of them — that is, the spiritual heart. I am not referring to
the physical heart. Unfortunately, people are unable to repose their faith
in this spiritual heart, in spite of their best education. You are all
educated, well educated.
In spite of education and intelligence, a foolish person will not know
their true Self and a mean-minded person will not give up their evil
qualities. (Telugu Poem)
(Addressing the old students) when do you propose to
leave for your places? Wherever you go, Swami's grace is with you in
abundance. I will distribute prasadam to you all tomorrow. May you all
return to your places with joyous memories of this divine congregation.
Swami then received Aarthi and retired for the day.
4 January 2008 – Maharashtra and Goa Youth
Present Music and Dance Programmes
The schedule of youth arrival in the new year began with youth from Mumbai -
the "stomach" of India as Swami had once alluded to it and youth from Goa.
The whole of Kulwant Hall seemed to wear orange scarves. Swami had consented
for a three day programme schedule that they had come prepared with. These
days, the way Swami smilingly consents to every devotee's requests for
programmes, one is reminded of Swami's statement, "Saiki sarvam yes,
yes, yes.(For Swami everything is yes, yes, yes.)" No Avatar in the
history of this universe would have seen more programmes than the current
Sathya Sai. He seems to find new joy every moment, every programme. He knows
only involvement and inclusion. Living every moment to its fullest or as
some people call it, "realizing the power of Now" - one gets a feeling of
what it is by just seeing Swami.
At about 4:30pm, Swami came out for darshan. He went all around and one
could see the enthusiasm and joy that a mere glimpse of Him was conferring
on all assembled. He alighted in the portico and went into the interview
room. After a short while, He came and sat outside and asked for the
programme to begin. Right in the beginning, as is the Puttaparthi
"tradition'', many members of the youth came up to Swami and offered Him
roses and cards and booklets.
There was first a procession that symbolically offered prostrations from the
different districts of Maharashtra and Goa at His feet. Youth members
holding up boards marched before Swami and bowed down to Him.
After the procession, the choir struck up the right chords. It was an
offering of songs in choir style! The background tunes and music had been
pre-recorded but the singing was live and lively too. They sang about 5-6
songs and Swami kept beat for most of them. The songs were in varied tunes
and had different beats and tempos. The songs concluded and the next part of
the programme was a small dance by tribals from one of the remotest corners
of the state, where "even sunlight found it hard to reach" as the organisers
claimed! With three drums providing both the rhythm and tune, the dancers
began. They danced in circles and it was an energy filled 10 minute session.
Swami blessed them as they lay prostrate at the end of their dance. The next
was a special kind of "Aarthi" typical to temples in Goa. It began with a
song in which all the participants got very energetically involved. Some
played customary drums while others played custom-made drums. There were
also cymbals and drums played with sticks.
Then as that concluded, the "choir" continued. That concluded and then Swami
was requested whether "chain" bhajans could be sung. "Chain bhajans" is a
style of singing wherein there is no gap between bhajans. The bhajans of
similar tunes and beats are stiched almost seamlessly so that it appears
like one long bhajan sung in glory of all the Gods. The transitions are so
smooth and nice that it almost appears like the shades of the sky in a
painting or in real life itself! The whole audience joined in this novel
singing style and all were very happy and clapping. Swami too sat enjoying
the session. After that concluded, Swami asked for Aarthi. Then He retired
for the day.
5 January , 2008 – USA and Mumbai Youth
Programme
Swami had permitted multiple programs on January 5. One was a group from
USA, another was by the Ladies Wing of the youth group from Maharashtra and
Goa and the third was by singers from Mumbai. He arrived at about 4:30 pm,
completed a full darshan round and then sat on stage. The devotees from USA
were the first to get the chance to perform. Their musical presentation on
Unity of Faiths got underway in five minutes. They went through the songs
representing all the major religions of the world.
After listening to them for twenty minutes, Bhagavan asked for the next
programme to commence. The Ladies wing of the youth began a presentation on
the life of Meerabai. The great saint’s story was narrated in dialogue form
with no acting involved. But all throughout, there was a screen that was put
up next to Swami to depict the various stages and incidents in the life of
Meerabai. Swami sat for about half an hour and then told them to just sing
the songs without the commentary in between as there were some more people
wanting to put up a programme.
Swami never disappoints anyone. He is the most practical and yet whenever He
tells someone to stop or cut short a part of their programme, the sweet
manner in which He says itself brings a smile on the faces of everyone. And
then, the lovable and sensitive Sai did something that thrilled all the
girls. He first blessed Sri Raviraj Nasery who was to perform next. As He
went back and taking position on the stage, He told the girls to quickly
sing another song! How overjoyed were they! They sang one more and the
volume now had gone up a few decibels. Sri Raviraj Nasery and party then
presented a couple of devotional songs, which were very lively. Everyone was
clapping in rhythm as Bhagavan accepted Arati at ten minutes past six and
retired for the day.
11 January, 2008 – Annual Sports Meet of the
Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions
Even the sun seemed to rise early with all vigour on January 11! Before 7
am, a beautiful golden hue enveloped Puttaparthi. The Vidyagiri stadium wore
a festive look. People began filing into the venue for the 2008 Sports and
Cultural Meet in thousands. The Sports Meet is a wonderful conglomeration of
feelings, actions and thoughts. For the students, it is an opportunity to
please their dear Swami and dedicate the day specially for Him. For the
parents, it’s a time when their chests swell with pride watching their
children's capabilities on display. For thousands of devotees, it’s an
opportunity to witness another facet of the unique love-story between the
Lord and students. For the thousands of villagers, living in and around
Puttaparthi, it is the same as the Olympics are for the so-called
"developed" world - a venue to make them gape in awe and wonder.
The stadium seemed painted in millions of colours as the galleries filled up
much before Swami's arrival at 8:10 am. Swami too resembled the golden sun
in His Golden Yellow Robe! A thrill of joy seemed to pulsate through the
entire audience even with the mere sight of their "Bangaru" in the
covertable car. The welcome song went on the air and the brass bands from
the Anantapur and Prashanti Nilayam campuses struck the right chords. The
zoom bikes thundered down the road powerfully heralding Bhagavan's arrival.
The motorcycle escorts going wheel to wheel in front of the majestic horse
escorts was a sight to see. An arch of flags was formed through which
Swami's car passed and reached the dais.
Swami alighted and went onto the lift; and now, any little difference that
existed between the rising golden sun and Swami was gone, as Swami slowly
rose up much to the gleeful delight of all the assembled devotees. As Swami
came on stage, He lit the lamp and thereby opening the Sports and Cultural
Meet. Then He went and took His position in the centre of the stage (similar
to always being in the centre of our hearts!).
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