Friday, Sep 10, 2010:- Sai News & Photo Updates:  Indonesia, the land with great cultural heritage, land of many islands, has come as a group on a Parthi Yathra. ...And, the evening was earmarked for the island nation to celebrate the joy of the Advent of 85 years of Divine sojourn.



Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Coming up with triple presentations, the island nation was ready on the beautiful evening joining the mass of devotees invoking the Divine. Bhagawan emerged at 1820 hrs. (06:20 pm IST), to the escort of a group from Indonesia, dressed up in colourful costumes reflecting national tradition. As The Lord moved past, Bhagawan blessed many including a group of boys having tiny Ganeshas, meant for different houses in the hostel, seeking blessings. Upon completing a full round of darshan, spending awhile with the tiny tots at the Primary School block, Bhagawan moved further into the ladies' side. Turning about, after a full length, Bhagawan came onto the verandah, moving into the bhajan hall, where the students were waiting for "Swami" seeking blessings for a scheduled presentation on Ramzan.

Blessing the boys, Bhagawan emerged shortly to move onstage at 1840 hrs. (06:40 pm IST) and Veda chanting raised into a higher tone. Seniors from the Indonesian group moved towards Bhagawan invoking blessings before the commencement of the programme.

At a time when personal interactions become a rarity, in this changing phase of time of the Avatar, every group that flocks to Prasanthi converse with The Lord through its presentations. Quite often, such programmes begin with introduction as a prelude, directly offering love and gratitude, in the process engaging in a sort of conversation with The Lord! Indonesian's followed the pattern giving a fitting intro for the programme bursting into a melodious song, "Gaana Priye O! Bhaava Priye..." in praise of Mother Divine!

What ensued was an hour long cultural presentation by the Sai Youth, the Balvikas and the Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, reflecting Bhagawan's teachings, highlighting some of the Sai Ideals!

The main programme by the group was a drama entitled "The Search for Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. The presentation was an illustration of the story of a youth who comes to terms with life's biggest lessons, ending up transforming himself, airing unconditional love towards his one-time neglected parents.


Programs by the groups
 

Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Vishal, the protagonist, was into the wrong side of life, immersed in materialism, ignoring parents, rocking and rollicking with illusory success in the temporal world, quite ignoramus of the true side of human sojourn. Despite sincere efforts from his good, guiding friend, Ali, who was into Sai way of life, Vishal was not ready to pay heed to the good advice by the friend. When destiny took its toll and he was exposed to adversity, having lost a bet on 'match-fixing' a football game ending up loosing millions, the greedy one came back to his senses and there began his true journey of transformation.

Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, packed with superb dialogue delivery and natural acting, the presentation turned out to be an eye-opener, yet another chapter in the book of "Transformation". The drama concluded with a declaration that true paradise could be found only at the feet of the parents!

Earlier, the presntation began with a dance, "Krisnna Rasaleela" by the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali. The presentation was a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by the gopikas and Radha. Presented in Balinese style, quite alien to Prasanthi, the dance depiction by scores of little children who swayed to the melody of Divine sport, turned out to be an atypical experience for Prasanthi introducing the great Balinese tradition.

The final presentation was by the Sri Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, a depiction of Cosmic Divine Dance of Lord Shiva! Marked by colourful costumes, to the accompaniment of typical South East Asian style of music, the presentation was an offering at Bhagawan's Feet, seeking The Lord to shower His grace to help them achieve life's foremost goal!

Soon after the presentation, Bhagawan moved down the dais, posing for photographs, blessing all the groups. ...And the character of Ali, the good friend, earned special Divine attention as Bhagawan materialised a golden chain for the youth.

Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Bhagawan returned onstage and the session was far from over! As Bhagawan moved off, for a while, into the interview room, the Institute students were readying themselves for Eid celebration on the eve of the Muslim festivity. Wishing Id Mubarak, making a mention of the month long fasting and penance that entitles the community of highest Divine benediction, students burst open into a Qawwali tune in traditional Sufi style, in praise of Allah, The One Lord!

The next item to follow was "Namaz", the typical Muslim prayer. At the nightfall, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, the Namaz, with scores of children engaged in praying in the Divine presence of the Mighty Lord, it sent out the sublime message of secularism that Bharat has always been promoting and Bhagawan has been echoing through His maxim, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love!

Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

The programme continued with a skit on the celebration of the festival Ramzan, illustrating the spirit of the celebration, that crosses all religious barriers. Bringing parallels from The Bhagavad Gita and other religious scriptures, the presentation spoke about the true spirit of the festivity divulging details about the importance fasting etc.

Expounding on the true sense of the religion, talking on man's follies of projecting his religion to be the only one, the grateful students burst into yet another song of glory in praise of The Only One God!

A dedication song followed, before summarising the presentation with a 'thesis' on His all conquering love, singing the popular tune, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."calling one and all to the precincts of Prasanthi!

Quite a world with "a God" who embraces men from all walks of life and faiths, it may sound 'utopian', yet, Prasanthi lives every moment breathing the life force infused by this "Lord Who Walks The Earth" inviting everyone to witness This Great Grand Happening on Planet Earth! Rightfully, the students concluded, singing, "Aaoji Aao...Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."

Bhagawan moved down the dais yet again, posing with His children. Returning onstage, Bhagawan sat for a while flipping through the leaves of "Holy Quran" placed at His hand by the students. At 2055 hrs. (08:55 pm IST) Bhagawan turned to the priest indicating for Mangala Arathi.

Blessing the concourse with His abhayahastha, Bhavawan moved off the dais. The time clock was ticking past 2100 hrs. (09:00 pm IST) as Bhagawan was gliding into the western aisle leading to the ladies' side retiring for the day, bringing curtains down on this glorious Prasanthi evening.

Special prasadam, Indonesian chocolates packed artistically, were distributed to the entire assemblage.

Ganesh Chaturthi is scheduled for the morrow and in the night, hostels and various other instititutions will be quite active, with decorating and housing the Lord, the remover of all obstacles, before the rituals begin on the auspicious Vinayaka Chaturthi morning. Being the week-end, students from the Anantapur and Brindvan campuses have also joined Prasanthi feasting His Divine presence during the twin festive occasion!

|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 

 

Ganesha Immersions - Prasanthi Nilayam - Puttaparthi

Monday, Sep 13, 2010: - Sai News & Photo Updates: The festival of great religious significance, Ganesh Chaturthi culminates in Prasanthi Nilayam with the symbolic immersion of the Ganeshas as directed by Bhagawan.

...And there came His word and the Ganeshas retreated. Today on this 13th Sept, on the holy Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada, Ganeshas were taken out of the pedestals of respective worshipping houses for immersion in a grand procession held in the immediate Divine presence.

On this scheduled evening the spacious Sai Kulwant Hall was taken over by a fleet of Ganeshas, numbering over twenty five, representing various institutions, followed by scores of mini Ganeshas, occupying the main pathway invoking The Over Lord for blessings…and throughout the entire stretch of the pathway, scores of students and staff were seated carrying paraphernalia related to the ritualistic offering seeking His sanctifying touch…


Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

 

Bhagawan arrived at 1835 hrs. (06:35 p.m.) escorted by a colourful religious procession led by ochre robed tiny tots from the Primary School holding little Ganeshas along with Vedam and Nadaswaram troupe. Completing a slow round of darshan Bhagawan, as usual, moved into the ladies' side before coming on to the verandah. Spending awhile with a 'combined hospital team' including directors from the twin super specialties hospitals, Bhagawan moved further to come onstage at 1900 hrs. (07:00 p.m.). Veda chanting ceased in due course of time as two " Lord Shiva along with son Lord Ganesha" moved unto Bhagawan seeking blessing for further proceedings. The higher secondary children burst into a dance song singing the glory, Ganapati Bappa Moriya..., hailing The Lord. This was followed by the colourful procession of retreat.


Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

 

This is the occasion when Prasanthi showcases Ganeshas in varied theme, displaying colourful innovative ideas with the enthusiastic devoted bunch of students putting their best to impress upon The Over Lord of Prasanthi. As the

 


Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

retreating procession began, there appeared vivid colourful patterns, as Ganeshas emerged donning different colours, mounted on different vehicles and chariots. While there was a Shirdi Sai Mandir replica housing the main Ganesha from the hostel, there was a Ganesha found atop the sacred bull, Nandi and another one enjoying the shelter under the Seshnag (the Divine Serpant of Lord Vishnu) and the list goes on...The procession of retreat took more than half-an-hour.

 


Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI"

Bhagawan sat on for some more time, interacting with boys and blessing them, seeing their handiwork of tiny Ganesha structures. At 1950 hrs. (07:50 p.m.) Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi. Sitting for some more time, blessing the assembly of devotees, Bhagawan left dais at 2000 hrs. (08:00 p.m.) retiring to Yajur Mandiram.

|| Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || 

 

Ganesha Chaturthi wallpapers & greeting Cards

Ganesha Chaturthi wallpapers & greeting Cards

May Lord Ganesha shower you with success in all your Endeavours

Happy Ganesha Chaturthi

 

 

***SBOI***