Sai Ram,
Life is wonderful here. Even with the rains causing inconveniences in the late afternoon and evening, it was still a great time to be here.
There was a lot of activity near Baba’s residence. I am not sure what is going on.
Make no doubt about it, Baba is running the place.
One morning as I was concentrating on the MahaSamadhi, the realization came that it was the center of the universe, not just the spiritual universe but also the physical and all other levels too.
Another reason to visit Prasanthi Nilayam.
Saturday – October 22. There was a very small crowd in the morning especially since it was Saturday. In the afternoon more people came but was less than expected for a Saturday evening. However, all is well. Baba blessed us both times, during Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan. It was wonderful to be there.
Sunday – October 23. One month until birthday. A lot of activities ahead. At 3.30, with an empty Kulwant Hall, the Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil and his entourage came up the center driveway to the MahaSamadhi. The curtain was opened. They prayed and went into the Mandir to meditate. After 10 minutes, they left the hall and proceeded to the Puttaparthi Airport.
We had Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan.
Monday – October 24. We heard a story that happened about 2 weeks ago. A seva dal was stationed at the gas pump in the ashram. As he was standing, Sai Baba tapped him on the shoulder, said “Good Job”, manifested vihbuti and disappeared.
Today, I saw something I had not seen before. 2 policemen came into the hall with a boy possibly about 12. One officer went with him as they sat on the floor in the general section. The officer sat behind him. I would have thought that as a special person that he would sit with the vip’s.
The crowds remain small. We had Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan.
Tuesday – October 25. Surprise. By noon it was cloudy. It looked like rain. By 3:00 the rains came. The heavy part lasted until about 4:30 and then light rain for a few more hours. About 1,000 people from Gujarat came today. They will do two musical performances. We had Rudram, bhajans, arati and darshan.
Wednesday – October 26. Deepvali. After starting out with a warm sunny morning we got more rain starting at 3:00. It lasted a few hours and was not as heavy as the previous one.
The Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organization of Gujarat presented the evening program which included a Gujarati folk dance performed by Sai youth boys.
They were followed by an incredible performance by Rajendra D. Raval, a devotee, with a type of dancing that has been handed down for many generations in his family. For about 15 minutes he whirled his body turning around without stopping even when he was handed props.
It started off 1then 2 swords balance against his arms. Later, he made a peacock from a multi colored sari followed by a pigeon and a rabbit without stopping. This unique act was appreciated by all.
He was followed by bhajans, arathi and darshan.
Thursday – October 27. Gujarat New Year. Morning was sunny but the afternoon became cloudy with some rain eventually starting at 4:00.
The evening program by Gujarat start with a dance by Bal Vikas girls. They were followed by a 35 minute drama “Living in Sai Omnipresence”. It was incredible.
The drama which seemed as though it was going to portray some true Baba incidents which I am sure would had been interesting. Then Baba showed up in the form of a young boy wearing an orange robe and black curly wig. Everyone came alive. They all wanted to have his darshan. He did his best to imitate Baba by taking letters, blessing people and healing. His appearance was accompanied by music that was used when Baba entered the hall. Even though we knew it was imitation, it was nice seeing the form move about once again.
The last performer was Chirag Mahida, a devotee and professional entertainer, with his unusual form of dancing which concluded with dancing with pots on his head. Eventually he had about 10 of them stacked up. He even went into the men’s section near the marble area, moving toward the Chair and Samadhi and back to the center area. It was incredible.
There were bhajans, arathi and darshan.
Friday – October 28 to Monday – October 31. Gujarat devotees left. The people in the hall were few increasing just before darshan. In the evening there were more. Rudram, bhajans, arathi and darshan.
The next planned activity is Akanda Bhajans on November 12 & 13. All activities that were done previously will continue to be done. There is a busy calendar for November and December.
Attached are some wonderful pictures of Baba and the story, a story about Baba manifestations in Kuwait and a picture taken by NASA on Diwali.
Also attached is a wonderful article from RadioSai - Part One about Anant Pandey
who is with Anna Hazare, a social-activist. The interviews happened because Anant heard what Anna had to say about Sai Baba. It is an interesting story.
Another wonderful story from RadioSai is about Dr. Wangai Muta Maathai who recently died and has won various awards for her environmental work in Africa and around the world. (Photo)
There is a press release from the Central Trust that I have included as a warning to everyone to be wary about scams concerning Sai Baba and or the Central Trust. The event happened in India but it could be almost anyplace else.
“It has been reported in some sections of the media, that at certain post offices in the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, members of the General Public are opening Accounts expecting that the Trust would deposit cash in their accounts.
The Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust states that there is absolutely no basis whatsoever, for such a rumour. The Trust does not distribute money to the public. Money is received only through check or bank draft and whatever is disbursed is for the Trust operations which are fully accounted.
The public are warned not to be taken in by such false and mischievous rumors and claims.”
There are 4 Seema Messages - An Inner Reflection, The First Light, Holding on to Grace and A Thoughtful Process
Thought for the Day
23 October 2011
"Allaho Akbar; La Illah Ill Allah". This sacred formula signifies that God is the supreme sovereign; He is the undisputed, unexcelled Ruler of the Creation. He alone is worthy of worship. In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna says, "There is nothing higher than Me". The Koran formula says the same. Thus Islam and Hinduism convey the same message. The Holy Koran advises the followers of God to acquire self-confidence and place all burdens on God. One must have implicit faith in the power of God and recognise it every moment to lead a meaningful life. To evidence rectitude in the Durbar (palace) of the Lord, when the end is near, one must follow the straight path laid down by the Lord until the very end. The Holy Koran is the guide till the end. It has to be revered and observed down to the very letter. This is the spiritual instruction observed by the followers of Islam.
Baba
Thought for the Day
26 October 2011
The Deepavali festival teaches a profound spiritual truth. On this day an entire array of lamps is lit just by the flame from one lamp. This act signifies that it is the One that has willed to become the Many. That one lamp symbolises the Supreme Effulgent Lord. The others symbolise the light of the individual selves. As long as the demonic qualities remain in man, he will be immersed in darkness. Deepavali has to be observed as a day for getting rid of all the bad qualities in us, symbolised by the demon Narakasura. The destruction of Narakasura symbolises the destruction of evil and the restoration of what is good. This is the inner significance of the festival.
Baba
Thought for the Day
31 October 2011
There are many snakes of wicked qualities in the anthill of your heart. When you loudly sing the Name of the Lord (Namasmarana), all the ‘snakes’ of bad qualities will come out. Namasmarana should be the very breath of your life. You must repeat God's name in order for you to get rid of evil qualities. Today there are many who do not attach any importance to Namasmarana. It is a great mistake. In this Age of Kali only chanting of the Divine Name can redeem your lives. There is no other refuge. Singing the glory of the Lord is highly sacred. Keep your mind clear of evil thoughts as they will produce discordant notes. Only then will you become the recipient of divine grace and energy. You must sing the glory of God wholeheartedly without any inhibition. Then can you can certainly experience divine bliss.
Baba
No comments:
Post a Comment