Sai Darshan: Guru Poornima Darshan News - Friday, July 18, 2008

Friday, July 18, 2008 Bhagawan arrived in Sai Kulwant hall at 8.50 am on this Gurupoornima morning resplendent in a yellow robe, in a special gold-coloured chair, preceded by His baby elephant which was bedecked in festival finery. After a full round of the Hall, He came to the veranda and blessed the Gurupoornima cake arrayed there. When He came onstage, He blessed the congregation with both hands and sat for a while listening to the Vedam chanting along with the Nadaswaram and Panchavadyam performed by the students. Sri Shivraj Patil, the Union Home Minister, presented a book to Bhagawan for release. This tome on the Bhagawad Gita was written by him and was made available in English, Hindi, Marathi and other languages. Bhagawan asked Prof Anil Kumar to announce the details of the book and then Sri Shivraj Patil was asked to address the gathering. In his short speech, Sri Patil thanked Bhagawan for inspiring the book. Swami then indicated that His mics be brought. Bhagawan spoke for nearly an hour, seated onstage, outlining the story of Ekalavya and commending Sri Shivraj Patil on his book. He then mentioned that one of the lecturers of the Sai University was going to Hungary for a presentation, and that He wished that in this way, the ideals of the Sai University be propagated in all countries. The students sang a couple of songs after Swami's Discourse as prasadam was distributed. Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence in the chair after eleven o'clock after listening to a few more minutes to the students' Panchavadyam troupe. Read more about Guru Purnima in Prasanthi Nilayam Thursday, July 17, 2008 This evening, Bhagawan arrived after the Bhajans began in the Bhajan Hall at 5.30 pm. He entered the Bhajan Hall in His chair from the rear door after moving around in the verandah, and moving up the aisle, went out of the front door. On the verandah, He interacted with Dr. Jum Sai of Thailand, and consented to have a violin recital by the boys from Sathya Sai School, Thailand. The boys moved to the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall where place had been left for them, and with the Bhajans coming to a halt, their programme commenced at six o'clock. After fifteen minutes of playing, their conductor arrived! So, they began playing the pieces once again. At 6.40, once the violins concluded, Swami asked for Bhajans to commence in the Sai Kulwant Hall. As the students sang Bhajans, Swami asked them to sing specific Bhajans, and also the songs which the Thailand boys had played on the violins. He also asked for a Meera Bhajan. At 7.10, He asked the Thailand boys also to sing a Bhajan, and they all sang in chorus. Bhagawan called them up for a group photo beside Him onstage, and interacted with them for nearly twenty minutes there before accepting Arati at 7.25 pm and returning to Yajur Mandir while prasadam was distributed.

Photos: July 16, 2008 For more Ashadi Ekadashi Photos click here

Wednesday, July 16, 2008 This evening, Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall just before 4.30 pm and moved to the interview room. The stage had been arranged for a concert by Dhrupad singer Sri Falguni Mitra. Once Swami came onstage, their programme commenced just before 5.30 pm. After an hour and more of songs, Swami accepted Arati at 6.30 pm after Blessing the artistes and returned to His residence while prasadam was distributed. Read more details from 16th July 2008 click here