South Africa

Another unusual week. There were many surprises. Three performances, one morning appearance and several evening darshan without the physical presence of Baba.

Tuesday - September 28th.The highlight of this week was South Africa who came with over 2500 people including hundreds of children who were part of “Ubuntu” a 50-minute musical drama which has won several awards in its 9 month run. The casts consisted of over 350 students from 4 Sathya Sai schools in South Africa along with SSE and Bal Vikas children.

While waiting for Baba to arrive, South Africans were seated on both side of the white tile near the mandir. The men sat where the students usually sit. Rudram ended as usual at 5:30. While we sat in silence waiting for Baba’s arrival, we wondered when he was coming. As it got dark, the question was more pressing.

At 7:00 the hall lit up by his presence came to life. Everyone energized, awoken to eyes front. When Baba came in front of the backdrop, he saw some of the performers that were in costumes.

When Baba arrived at verandah center, he smiled and said to some students that “They have come from South Africa”. The program got underway with offerings. In the process Baba looked at 2 albums with pictures. He viewed each page. One album contained letters written by the children.

More than the healings and materializations that Baba does, His taking time to read each letter is a better sign of divinity.

Ubuntu was the story of South Africa from the time the first inhabitants came through the arrival of Europeans and Indians as well as its apartheid years and struggle for freedom with Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. All of this brought these people to Sai Baba who was credited with making the success of liberation possible.

It consisted of singing, dancing and acting using people dressed in period costumes and some dressed as animals and plants to convey the message of Unity in Diversity. The story was told by 5 jungle animals: elephant, buffalo, rhino, lion and leopard engaged in conversations with a tribal chief.

The presentation had two adult choirs and 2 children choirs. Two on each side.

There were four conductors. I only saw two but the reports say there were four. They did a terrific job. The children choirs also waved different flags when necessary.

African drums and instrument were used. In addition, classical Carnatic music was played when the Indian arrived in South Africa.

The entire performance held everyone’s attention.

Perfection was seen. Outstanding, magnificent, incredible, excellent acting and singing and a night to remember would be just some of the ways to describe it.

Baba was moved. He was engrossed in it. After which, he went to the white tile spending about 15 minutes with the several hundred performers and additional crew.

When Baba came to the white tile, a little miracle took place. A boy who had difficulty walking got out of his wheelchair to walk to Baba. He bent down to take namaskar.

He had a big smile on his face. Baba called him to come closer and when he did Baba touched his head. When the boy got up, he sort of danced his way back to his wheelchair. The fact that he was able to get to Baba was a display of intense will and love for God.

After arathi, Baba presented a crying girl with a photo that had been taken of the group. She walked over and gave Baba a bunch of letters.

It was 9:00 when Baba left. Reports are that he didn’t want to leave but had to so people would eat and get to sleep.

It was a blessing and grace that made it possible for us to be there. The intensity of Love that flowed both ways affected everybody.

However a fine performance was given on:

Saturday – September 25th. It was Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand turn to present a musical drama. When Baba came into the hall at 5:35, the Vedic chanting was accompanied by the beating of traditional drums from this region.

After spending a few minutes reading letters at verandah center, Baba gave the signal for the drama to begin. Some children dressed as priest brought a temple structure to Baba which represented the spiritual and cultural heritage of the area.

The play was “Syan Sya Aradhana”, a dance drama based on the cultural traditions

in the northern part of Uttarakhand. It was actually a tribute to the Supreme Lord which is Sai Baba. The folk songs and dances were performed in traditional ways.

One highlight was the harvest dance, Krishi Nritya, which consisted of a farmer and 2 bullocks. The human bullocks with their mask and movements had Baba laughing.

As the desperate farmer tired to get his bullock under control, Baba turned to his side to laugh with the students.

The Jodha Dance to the Mother Goddess (Sai) was very warmly received.

The finale was a commitment to continue to follow Baba’s teachings.

After which, Baba posed for pictures with the boys and then the girls as well as allowing padanamaskar.

When shirts and pants were being given out to the men and sari’s to the girls, Baba teased as to whether the dancers (boys) who were dressed as girls should get sari’s.

The style of dancing was different from what I had seen before. However, the crowd enjoyed it. I think because they understood the words.

Arathi was at 7:15.

Another wonderful performance was given on

Thursday – September 30th. It was the youth from Maharashtra turn to perform.

Baba came to verandah center at 6:45. At 7:20 the first part of the program started. First boys and later girls representing Maharashtra districts came before Baba presenting album and other mementos of their seva activities while other youths were singing songs.

After 15 minutes, the drama entitled, “Anjaneya Veera” began with Lord Rama telling a devotee that it was His Will that He would narrate the story of Hanuman this day instead of Hanuman singing about Rama's glory.

The story began with the tale of Hanuman's mysterious birth with the blessing of Wind God, his tutelage under Sun God, his wrangle with Lord Indra, initiation into the Rama Mantra, and meeting up with Valmiki, etc.

The narration was highlighted by dramatic scenes such as when Valmiki told Hanuman that he wrote about his feats in his Ramayana. An infuriated Hanuman tore the manuscript to pieces saying only Rama deserves name, fame and glory.

The play continued with Hanuman's meeting with Sugreeva, slaying of Bali, crossing over to Lanka to fight for Sita and the post coronation of Rama where duties were being divided.

As told by Baba in his Rama Katha Rasavahini, Hanuman got the responsibility for watching Rama for when he yawns.

The final scene was of Hanuman refusing Rama offer of liberation. To him the chanting of “Rama” was more precious. Hundreds of Maharashtra youth waved saffron flags, showing their allegiance to Hanuman's exemplary devotion. Anecdotes from the lives of Bhadrachala Ramdas, Goswami Tulsidas and Samartha Ramdas were also illustrated.

After the presentation, Bhagawan went to the performers to pose for photographs. Arathi was at 8:40.

It was a good way to end the month.

Wednesday – September 29th. When Baba came into the hall at 8:15, he went through the women’s and men’s section till he got to center white tile where he proceeded down the center driveway. His car was called for and met him at the gate. Baba went for a ride till about 2km away in the direction of the Super Speciality Hospital.

When he returned at 8:45, Baba went into the interview room after a brief darshan. At 9:55 Baba emerged. Arathi was at 10.

Sunday – September 26th. Baba came into the hall at about 9:30 reaching verandah center at 9:45. After arathi at 10:05, Baba sat for another 10 minutes before going to the interview room. He left for his residence at 10:35.

In the afternoon, during bhajans we wondered as to whether Baba was coming. It seemed as though he wasn’t. Suddenly, security got very busy. Baba entered the hall at 6:38. He gave a very nice darshan. When he reached verandah center at 6:50, bhajans got peppier and intense.

After arathi at 7:20, Baba remained 5 minutes to bless birthday students.

Monday – September 27th. Baba came at 6:35. When he reached the verandah, Baba went into the interview room for 40 minutes. Afterwards, when he reached verandah center at 7:50, bhajans became very intense. Arathi was at 7:50. It was nice to see Baba. There were fewer people with the hall being a bit quieter.

Attached are several photos from Ubuntu including the one of the boy getting out of his wheelchair and being blessed by Baba.

The roads are better but work is still being done in the Hanuman Temple area.

New signs have been put up at different places in the ashram. The Ganesh Gate has an exit sign while the entrance is clearly identified.

The people at the entrance are enforcing dress codes. I saw one man had to open his backpack to get pants and shirt as they would not let him in shorts. I have heard of woman being stopped too.