The crowd grows larger, more security, more incredible decorations and Baba remains Loving and unpredictable. The sun has been present with rain a memory.
There is plenty of water in the Chitravathi.
With all the people that are here, the organization has been perfect.
There are numerous information places to help with everything. Book stalls in many places. Seva dals were available to assist in many situations including personal ones. The free food tent has numerous counters to minimize waiting time. There is an international medical camp and an Indian medical tent.
The decorations have been unbelievable. Photos can do it some justice.
The police of several different types and rank have been numerous. Numbers range from 2500 to 4000. Everything is orderly. The Ganesh entrance has received an airport type scanner for x-raying luggage.
The planned closing of Main Street hasn’t happened because the by-pass road hasn’t been completed.
The shed area on the western side has been transformed. Five new double 3-story building have been completed. One building A4-A5 has been reserved for foreigners.
The others are for local people of India. The 2 DD buildings that had been used for foreigners are now for local people.
The area has been transformed and made wider. By DD2 there is a Ganesh statue.
In one area behind some of the new sheds hugh tents have been put up which holds several thousand people. The toilets and showers are outside the tents. This group was for men.
On the road leading away from the book store past the food plaza big tents but smaller than those just mentioned have been placed for women seva dals.
The grassy area by the food court and shopping center has been paved with a big fountain in the middle.
The General Hospital has been decorated outside with streamers hanging down. The Shirdi Sai Statues area has be fixed up.
In the ashram as you go to N1 to N2 are several models of various temples in India.
Thursday – November 18th. In the morning was the Rathotsavam. The evening was pure joy as the children from the Sri Sathya Sai Primary School enacted their drama.
As Baba entered the hall at 6:40, a song about the love between Baba and his students was sung. It was a blend of Veda chanting, music and song. There was a procession led by the children’s band, children chanting Vedas and boys dressed in kurta and turbans. Baba was also preceded by 2 boys carrying umbrellas.
The backdrop for the play was the digital screen that was set up in the driveway by the lions. The screen kept changing with very interesting photos. Some of which were of Baba at different times. What made this play even more special was that
It was broadcasted from the verandah so we were able to see the action and the screen change.
The drama called, “Sai Avataram” was about the various prophets that have walked the earth including Sankara, Mohammed, Buddha and Jesus. The story of Upamanyu was told with Shiva appearing. There was also a scene involving the debate about the paths of Wisdom and Love as to which was better. One person endowed with wisdom came to realize that the gopis with their love and devotion for Krishna were in a higher state of wisdom than he was.
The finale involved students in the audience waving color lights. Their plead was for Baba to grant them hearts like the Gopis.
Baba came to the white tile for photos. He was pleased with their discipline as the format around him changed. As he distributed shirt and pants to them, he asked them to sing bhajans.
Arathi was at 8:20
Friday – November 19th. This was ladies day. Men were not allowed in before 10:00. President of India, Pratibha Patil, flew into Prasanthi Nilayam airport where she was greeted by several dignitaries. Her car came to Baba residence from the west end of the driveway.
At 12 noon, the President with Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh; Shivraj Patil, Governor of Punjab; and Geeta Reddy, Information and Tourist Mininster for A.P. came with Baba into the hall preceded by a procession of Vedic chanting girls and the Anantapur Brass Band.
Chetana Raju, Managing Trustee of Easwaramma Women Welfare Trust, spoke about the various activities of the trust.
Mallika Srinivasan, Director of Amalgations Group and CEO of TAFE India, talked about the chaotic condition of the world and that Love was the answer. She praised Presdient Patil.
Geeta Reddy spoke about how Baba with his grace has great affected her life. She also spoke about Mother Easwaramma selfless ambitions. Baba’s life for 85 years has been one of selfless service.
President Patil spoke next. See attached for the text.
By the way, this date is the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi
Hyma Reddy from U.S. A. thanked everyone.
After which there was a dance drama “Mahishasura Mardhini”. It was very powerful and kept everyone’s attention. Great performance. The drama was about the annihilation of demons by Durga.
After arathi at 1:00 Baba went to the interview room with President Patil. A luncheon followed before she left around 2:30.
Security was very tight for her visit. Stores along Main Street were checked even with a sniffer dog.
In the evening Baba came into the hall at 7:00 preceded by the primary school band and the Anantapur band. After completing a round of darshan, Baba arrived at verandah center with the program starting immediately.
The students from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar in Hyderabad performed beautiful dances for 3 songs. Next, was a music performance by Sudha Raghunathan who did 5 songs. Baba gave her a sari while the men in her group received silk dhotis.
After which there were 2 bhajans followed by arathi.
Saturday – November 20th. This is the day for the 9th World Conference which was held in the Poornachandra consisting of about 400 delegates. Speeches were made by Dr.Goldstein. David Gries and Narendra Reddy followed by study circles. A different format was used this year in selecting delegates which restricted the numbers to that lower than previous years.
The focus was on how to make the Sai organization better and how it can help bring man closer to God.
In the evening, Baba came into Kulwant Hall at 6:40. When he arrived at verandah center, Baba continued to listen to bhajans. However, the Sathya Sai Symphony Orchestra of about 50 people from around the world had set up on the center white tile with instruments including a piano and big drums. They waited for Baba to give the signal to play Mozart and Bach.
However, Baba was engrossed in the intense singing and love pouring from his students singing bhajans. Baba fingers and hand moved to the beat. Baba seemed to be in another dimension as they played.
Just before 7:30, when he was reminded of the concert, Baba said something to Dr. Goldstein before asking for arathi at 7:35. Baba spent another 10 minutes talking to students and official before leaving.
Attached are photos of Chariot Day which was on the 18th, President Patil Speech, a photo of President Patil and Sai Baba.
There are 2 Thoughts of the Day.
Thought of the Day
18th November 2010
Every concrete manifestation of God is significant. There can be no higher or lower. The story of each one of them is elevating. Each is a complete manifestation. Listening to their stories may make you feel that one manifestation is grander and more sublime than another. It would appear as if you get more inspiration from one Avatar (Divine incarnation) than another. But all are equally Divine and enigmatic. Every manifestation is suited to the time, the task, the circumstance and the need. Its form is in accordance with the purpose.
Baba
Thought of the Day
20th November 2010
For the protection of the world, for upholding Dharma (righteousness), for fulfilling the yearnings of devotees, He wills and assumes a special Form and moves in the world. He confers joy on the devotees by His Divine acts, which convince them of His Advent. They are thus confirmed in their faith and prompted to dedicate their activities to God and thus save themselves, and liberate themselves. On certain occasions, for resolving certain urgent crisis, God has incarnated with Forms embodying only a part of His Divinity, with some Divine powers and potentialities.
- Baba
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