Rama Navami - Report From Parthi Dham

Sai Ram,

This was just supposed to be a special report so you can get a lot of Sai Photos. But it was decided to bring you up to date.

Sunday – April 1st. It was a great day to be a fool for God especially Rama as it was Rama Navami. Rama was born about 20,000 year ago, give or take a few thousand.
Because of his purity, he is still remembered.

In the morning, after 20 minutes of Vedic chanting there was a 40 minute musical program by university students of songs dedicated to Rama and Sai Baba with commentary.

Baba gave a discourse about the ideal life led by Rama and his brothers as well as
emphasizing the grandeur of the Ramayana.

In the evening music college students displayed their range of talents with Carnatic and Hindustani music and instrumental tunes.

Outside of the ashram, there was free food, Rama and Sita marriage was preformed and there was a procession in the evening.

Meanwhile Saturday – March 31 and Sunday – April 1 was the occasion of the first national retreat for all national and state office bearers of the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation in India. It was held at Brindavan.

150 delegates convened to listen to suggestions and proposals from youth around India as to how to move forward.

This conference will lead to the strengthening of the Sai organization and the spreading of Baba’s messages.

Monday – April 2 and Tuesday – April 3. Rudram, bhajans, arathi and Darshan.

Part of the South Indian Canteen is being renovated. It remains open. We will have to wait to see what the improvement will be. There are rumors circulating about the canteen. They are just rumors.

Water – There is a severe water shortage in many parts of India and even where there is water some people are not getting enough. The Governments has asked businesses and organizations to help people receive water. In Puttaparthi, merchants have placed water containers outside with cups so that people can help themselves. I saw one merchant fill a Baba bottle with water.

Seema message: “The Smile of Faith”.

Thought for the Day
3 April 2012

As the heart is to the body, so is the place of worship (Temple, Mosque, Church, etc.) to the community. Worship of God through various festivals, construction of places of worship, etc. are all good deeds (Sath Karma). They provide training in service and create opportunities for sacrifice and detachment. However be aware that when there is the anguished cry for food and shelter, money should not be spent on construction of new places of worship; this is not to be encouraged. The same Lord is worshipped everywhere, and you need not build a temple for every new Name or Form. Tell people to see in all Forms and under all Names the same God. That is the training they need.

Baba

Thought for the Day
1 April 2012

Thousands of years have passed since the Treta Yuga (second quarter of time, the age in which Lord Rama was born), yet even now everyone, right from children to elderly people, remember the name of Rama. The glory of Rama's name has not diminished even a bit with the passage of time. This truth should be recognised by all. Rama is the name given to a form, but is not limited to a form. Rama is the never changing Divine Principle (Atma). Therefore, wherever and whenever you remember the name of Rama, He is there with you, in you, around you. Rama is the personification of righteousness (Ramo vigrahavan Dharmaha). You should also follow Dharma (righteousness); not the principle of Dharma that comes from the mind but one that originates from your heart.

Baba