Sai Ram,
This was Onam week. As usual this meant people from Kerala where it is probably there biggest celebration after Ganesha and New Years.
Four hundred people came who were part of a unique Sri Sathya Sai Rehabilitation Program where after having a heart operation at the super specialty hospital they were part of a special follow up program. Post Operative care was done in Kerala. Ex-patients and family celebrated “Hridaya Sangamam” which was a special get together in Parthi.
There were also about 500 teachers in addition to family members that came. Special meetings were held for the teachers and ex-patients in the conference hall on September 5, 6 & 7.
Monday – September 5. The crowd was small. However, the Kerala group was here out of gratitude to Sai. A nice group.
The evening was the usual great chanting of Rudram and singing of bhajans and arati as well as darshan.
Tuesday – September 6. The decorations were down. The evening program consisted of 4 people who all spoke in Malayam. However, They were good speakers. There was a woman who was intense with gratitude and Love about what had happened. Her words were unnecessary to communicate the message.
The program was about 35 minutes. It was great as each speech was short and to the point but filled with love and gratitude to Sai.
Wednesday – September 7. The big excitement was just after 4:00 with few people in the hall. Several policemen from Andhra Pradesh entered the hall. The lead officer was Dinesh Reddy who was the Director General of Police located in Hyderabad.
He evidently had not been here since the dedication of the MahaSamadhi. He was taken behind the curtain. After a few minutes, he and the others came to the front. The curtain was opened. After a few more moment, everyone went through the women’s section (no women seated yet) to the driveway passing the residence and other buildings as they left by the driveway gate.
The state was placed on alert after the bombing in Delhi earlier in the day and trouble elsewhere. Accompanying the DGP was the Rayalaseema inspector general, Govind Singh, and DIG, Ms Charu Sinha.
His family has a long relationship with Baba who stayed for a week in his uncle’s house.
Even though we were expecting a musical program for the evening, it was uncertain as to what was going to happen. It was great. Lively music with soothing sounds and an elevating spirit that placed me elsewhere. Don’t stop. But time was up.
The evening performance was spellbinding. The singing of bhajans in Sampradaya style by Vinaya Chandra Menon had everyone joining in. These simple bhajans were more energetic and very popular in South India. The energy of the place soared.
He sang 12 compositions in several different languages.
Thursday – September 8. Again the evening performance was outstanding. However the artists was a 12 year old girl who voice had us in a trance state by it beauty and perfection. Mahadevan, who comes from Kerala and has performed in many places in India, sang 6 Carnatic pieces during 45 minutes.
Afterwards, there was a solo by TS Radhakrishnan who usually performs at Onam celebrations. Bhajans which continued for 10 minutes ended with Baba singing Subramaniam … Subramaniam.
Friday – September 9. Kulwant Hall had more decorations today including banners that said the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization of Kerala wishes a “Happy and Holy Onam 2011”. Today is the most auspicious day of the 10 day holiday. There were small banners in red, yellow, white and green with bigger ones at several locations. The perimeter of the hall was decorated and several places had the “Happy and Holy Onam” banners. It was a cheerful atmosphere.
The MahaSamadhi was decorated with beautiful flowers under the coffin area. It was pretty.
In the morning we were treat to bhajans led by people from Kerala. It was a nice change of pace.
At 4:00, which is usually a quiet time until 4:30, a small band in the center driveway started playing lively music from percussion instruments. At 4:30 Rudram started. At this time the band came out of the driveway to the men’s side. They stood in format and started playing a different type of music while Rudram was being recited.
This was not that unusual. Even in Baba’s processions on Birthday, Guru Poornima and other times, there would be maybe 2 bands playing different tunes and 1 or 2 groups chanting at the same time.
They continued for 15 minutes before stopping. The Rudram group kept going until the 5:00 stopping time.
The program for the evening was a drama and some other activities. At 5:00 there was some Vedic chanting followed by 2 speakers. The president of the Sai organization for Kerala, Mukundan, spoke briefly about all the activities that were happening within the state.
The special speaker for the evening was K. Jayakumar, the Additional Chief Secretary with the government of Kerala. He said that Baba showed what was possible by having lived his life as his message. His actions showed how we could reciprocate his message.
Two things that Sai left us to complete were to purify our hearts and to Love All-Serve All. He acclaimed that Prasanthi Nilayam will lead a worldwide revolution of Love.
At 5:40 the 55 minute drama entitled “Krishna Kripa Sagaram” began with a cast of Bal Vikas children and students from the Baba school in Aluva, Kerala. The drama which told many stories from Krishna’s life was mixed with songs. The finale was an intense prayer to Sai.
As usual they did a captivating job displaying love and devotion to Krishna and Sai. It was an enjoyable uplifting evening.
The crowd was very large. The hall was about more than half full. Considering the number of people we have been seeing, it was great to see a burst in the numbers.
Arati was just before 7:00.
Saturday – September 10. Most of the Kerala people left. The decoration had been taken down. The crowd was smaller today. There was Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan in the morning and evening. A good day. Wonderful vibrations.
Attached is a small part of the Onam discourse given in August 1988.
Signs have been posted saying No Offerings. I guess people have been trying to leave money or even food at the Samadhi. Flowers are permitted as are letters and invitations.
A group of devotees from Indonesia – Jakarta and Bali did seva at the Western Canteen for about a week which included some Indonesian dishes each day.
Veda - Kamavadhani Garu, who was a great exponent of Vedas, lived many years in Prasanthi Nilayam and was close to Baba as was Dr. Bhagavantam served as a translator
Dr. Bhagavantam, out of curiosity asked Kamavadhani Garu “Swami quite often quotes many things in His discourses claiming them as said in Vedas. Now my doubt is whether all those what is Swami quoting as said in Vedas is really contained in Vedas”?.
Kamavadhani Garu replied “not only what Swami quotes as said in Vedas is there in Vedas but also what ever Swami says is also Veda”.
A Temple dedicated to Sathya Sai Baba has opened in Coimbatore, India at Swagatham Sai Mandir premises. The consecration of the statue which was made of 'makrana' marbles of Jaipur had been performed with all traditional Hindu rituals. The Sathya Sai statue was three feet and nine inches tall and weighed nearly 600 kilograms (over 1300 lbs).
I believe this dedication happened this weekend. At the same time, news comes that the Sri Sathya Sai Mandir in Uttarakhand was dedicated last Spring. It seems that there are at least 2 temples dedicated to Sathya Sai.
Seema had 2 messages – “The End of Misery” and “The Honorable Choice”.
Thought for the Day
3 September 2011
The sacred Veda instructs everyone, all that is required for one’s spiritual advancement. It also instructs one in the means and methods to overcome all sorrows and grief, and attain peace. Since the spiritual quest was sincerely pursued along with material objectives, the sages of the past had the good fortune of receiving the Vedic message. Those ancient masters were so selfless and full of compassion and love that they shared what they had heard and enjoyed with all who approached them. Vedas are like the force of gravitation, present everywhere, at all times. Vedic Message can be received by anyone, as a result of their Sadhana (spiritual practices) as well as their capacity to concentrate and to experience the bliss resulting from practising it.
Baba
Thought for the Day
8 September 2011
The giant tree called mind has two seeds, Vasana (impulse) and Prana (breath). The seed becomes the tree; the tree yields the seed. The breath moves because of the impulses; the impulses operate because of the breath. If one of these is destroyed, so is the other. So, to purify the impulses and make the mind free from negative influences, Ajnana (ignorance) has to be transformed. Ignorance does not exist alone; it has an offspring: Ahamkara (ego or selfishness), a demon. That demon has two children, Raga (attachment or passion) and Vasana, (impulse). They are closely interrelated sisters. Through attachment, one gets the feelings of me and mine, the feelings provoke desire, and desires breed worry. Therefore, you must remove ego, attachment and the impulses have to be annihilated. Through meditation and spiritual practices, you can conquer ignorance, ego, attachment, and purify the impulses. This will make you liberated.
Baba
This was Onam week. As usual this meant people from Kerala where it is probably there biggest celebration after Ganesha and New Years.
Four hundred people came who were part of a unique Sri Sathya Sai Rehabilitation Program where after having a heart operation at the super specialty hospital they were part of a special follow up program. Post Operative care was done in Kerala. Ex-patients and family celebrated “Hridaya Sangamam” which was a special get together in Parthi.
There were also about 500 teachers in addition to family members that came. Special meetings were held for the teachers and ex-patients in the conference hall on September 5, 6 & 7.
Monday – September 5. The crowd was small. However, the Kerala group was here out of gratitude to Sai. A nice group.
The evening was the usual great chanting of Rudram and singing of bhajans and arati as well as darshan.
Tuesday – September 6. The decorations were down. The evening program consisted of 4 people who all spoke in Malayam. However, They were good speakers. There was a woman who was intense with gratitude and Love about what had happened. Her words were unnecessary to communicate the message.
The program was about 35 minutes. It was great as each speech was short and to the point but filled with love and gratitude to Sai.
Wednesday – September 7. The big excitement was just after 4:00 with few people in the hall. Several policemen from Andhra Pradesh entered the hall. The lead officer was Dinesh Reddy who was the Director General of Police located in Hyderabad.
He evidently had not been here since the dedication of the MahaSamadhi. He was taken behind the curtain. After a few minutes, he and the others came to the front. The curtain was opened. After a few more moment, everyone went through the women’s section (no women seated yet) to the driveway passing the residence and other buildings as they left by the driveway gate.
The state was placed on alert after the bombing in Delhi earlier in the day and trouble elsewhere. Accompanying the DGP was the Rayalaseema inspector general, Govind Singh, and DIG, Ms Charu Sinha.
His family has a long relationship with Baba who stayed for a week in his uncle’s house.
Even though we were expecting a musical program for the evening, it was uncertain as to what was going to happen. It was great. Lively music with soothing sounds and an elevating spirit that placed me elsewhere. Don’t stop. But time was up.
The evening performance was spellbinding. The singing of bhajans in Sampradaya style by Vinaya Chandra Menon had everyone joining in. These simple bhajans were more energetic and very popular in South India. The energy of the place soared.
He sang 12 compositions in several different languages.
Thursday – September 8. Again the evening performance was outstanding. However the artists was a 12 year old girl who voice had us in a trance state by it beauty and perfection. Mahadevan, who comes from Kerala and has performed in many places in India, sang 6 Carnatic pieces during 45 minutes.
Afterwards, there was a solo by TS Radhakrishnan who usually performs at Onam celebrations. Bhajans which continued for 10 minutes ended with Baba singing Subramaniam … Subramaniam.
Friday – September 9. Kulwant Hall had more decorations today including banners that said the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization of Kerala wishes a “Happy and Holy Onam 2011”. Today is the most auspicious day of the 10 day holiday. There were small banners in red, yellow, white and green with bigger ones at several locations. The perimeter of the hall was decorated and several places had the “Happy and Holy Onam” banners. It was a cheerful atmosphere.
The MahaSamadhi was decorated with beautiful flowers under the coffin area. It was pretty.
In the morning we were treat to bhajans led by people from Kerala. It was a nice change of pace.
At 4:00, which is usually a quiet time until 4:30, a small band in the center driveway started playing lively music from percussion instruments. At 4:30 Rudram started. At this time the band came out of the driveway to the men’s side. They stood in format and started playing a different type of music while Rudram was being recited.
This was not that unusual. Even in Baba’s processions on Birthday, Guru Poornima and other times, there would be maybe 2 bands playing different tunes and 1 or 2 groups chanting at the same time.
They continued for 15 minutes before stopping. The Rudram group kept going until the 5:00 stopping time.
The program for the evening was a drama and some other activities. At 5:00 there was some Vedic chanting followed by 2 speakers. The president of the Sai organization for Kerala, Mukundan, spoke briefly about all the activities that were happening within the state.
The special speaker for the evening was K. Jayakumar, the Additional Chief Secretary with the government of Kerala. He said that Baba showed what was possible by having lived his life as his message. His actions showed how we could reciprocate his message.
Two things that Sai left us to complete were to purify our hearts and to Love All-Serve All. He acclaimed that Prasanthi Nilayam will lead a worldwide revolution of Love.
At 5:40 the 55 minute drama entitled “Krishna Kripa Sagaram” began with a cast of Bal Vikas children and students from the Baba school in Aluva, Kerala. The drama which told many stories from Krishna’s life was mixed with songs. The finale was an intense prayer to Sai.
As usual they did a captivating job displaying love and devotion to Krishna and Sai. It was an enjoyable uplifting evening.
The crowd was very large. The hall was about more than half full. Considering the number of people we have been seeing, it was great to see a burst in the numbers.
Arati was just before 7:00.
Saturday – September 10. Most of the Kerala people left. The decoration had been taken down. The crowd was smaller today. There was Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan in the morning and evening. A good day. Wonderful vibrations.
Attached is a small part of the Onam discourse given in August 1988.
Signs have been posted saying No Offerings. I guess people have been trying to leave money or even food at the Samadhi. Flowers are permitted as are letters and invitations.
A group of devotees from Indonesia – Jakarta and Bali did seva at the Western Canteen for about a week which included some Indonesian dishes each day.
Veda - Kamavadhani Garu, who was a great exponent of Vedas, lived many years in Prasanthi Nilayam and was close to Baba as was Dr. Bhagavantam served as a translator
Dr. Bhagavantam, out of curiosity asked Kamavadhani Garu “Swami quite often quotes many things in His discourses claiming them as said in Vedas. Now my doubt is whether all those what is Swami quoting as said in Vedas is really contained in Vedas”?.
Kamavadhani Garu replied “not only what Swami quotes as said in Vedas is there in Vedas but also what ever Swami says is also Veda”.
A Temple dedicated to Sathya Sai Baba has opened in Coimbatore, India at Swagatham Sai Mandir premises. The consecration of the statue which was made of 'makrana' marbles of Jaipur had been performed with all traditional Hindu rituals. The Sathya Sai statue was three feet and nine inches tall and weighed nearly 600 kilograms (over 1300 lbs).
I believe this dedication happened this weekend. At the same time, news comes that the Sri Sathya Sai Mandir in Uttarakhand was dedicated last Spring. It seems that there are at least 2 temples dedicated to Sathya Sai.
Seema had 2 messages – “The End of Misery” and “The Honorable Choice”.
Thought for the Day
3 September 2011
The sacred Veda instructs everyone, all that is required for one’s spiritual advancement. It also instructs one in the means and methods to overcome all sorrows and grief, and attain peace. Since the spiritual quest was sincerely pursued along with material objectives, the sages of the past had the good fortune of receiving the Vedic message. Those ancient masters were so selfless and full of compassion and love that they shared what they had heard and enjoyed with all who approached them. Vedas are like the force of gravitation, present everywhere, at all times. Vedic Message can be received by anyone, as a result of their Sadhana (spiritual practices) as well as their capacity to concentrate and to experience the bliss resulting from practising it.
Baba
Thought for the Day
8 September 2011
The giant tree called mind has two seeds, Vasana (impulse) and Prana (breath). The seed becomes the tree; the tree yields the seed. The breath moves because of the impulses; the impulses operate because of the breath. If one of these is destroyed, so is the other. So, to purify the impulses and make the mind free from negative influences, Ajnana (ignorance) has to be transformed. Ignorance does not exist alone; it has an offspring: Ahamkara (ego or selfishness), a demon. That demon has two children, Raga (attachment or passion) and Vasana, (impulse). They are closely interrelated sisters. Through attachment, one gets the feelings of me and mine, the feelings provoke desire, and desires breed worry. Therefore, you must remove ego, attachment and the impulses have to be annihilated. Through meditation and spiritual practices, you can conquer ignorance, ego, attachment, and purify the impulses. This will make you liberated.
Baba
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