From the life of Shankaracharya to the life of Sant Thukkaram, from the doctrine of Advaita to the efficacy of Namasmarana…On the 1st September evening, it was Maratta flavor all over in the first half of the second day's programme. The evening witnessed a dance drama on the life of Bhakta Thukkaram, staged by the students of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Peeth, Sri Sailam, Calicut.
The drama was a depiction of Thukkaram's unflinching devotion and faith in Lord of Pandharpur, Lord Vittala. The saint who led a devoted life, singing abhangs in praise of the Lord of Pandharpur was oblivious of worldly life and responsibilities.
The drama began with Namadev seeking a special boon from Lord Vitthala to bless him to compose hundred crores of hymns in praise of the Lord. Pleased by Namadev's immense faith and unflinching devotion, Vitthala Himself took upon the task of taking down the notes completing 94 crores and 60 lakhs of hymns followed by another five crores and forty lakhs in Namdev's next incarnation as Durgadas who later became Samarta Thukkaram.
When the house was in distress with the children put to suffer without proper clothing and food, Thukkaram always had one answer to his grieving wife that His Lord Vitthala would take care of everything and he went on singing abhangs propagating the greater efficacy of Namasmarana. To a distressed Dharmapatni, better half, he told in certain terms that he would be ever ready to relinquish anything and everything including his wife and advised her to be ever ready to sacrifice anything that come in between she and her Lord.
When he was caught in a storm in the forest, having lost everything, he cried out to his Lord to come to his rescue and in a trice he was transported back to his place, with abundance. Back home, Jijabhai was happy and was wondering at the miraculous deeds of Lord Vitthala. When she went to her brother's house to repay the debt due to him, she was informed that Thukkaram had already paid off the debt due, with fairly good percentage of interest. To an inquisitive Jijabhai, who suspected unfair means by her husband, Thukkaram convinced her that it was his prayers in distress that brought His abundant grace upon the family.
Tuesday, Sept 01, 2009 - Bhakta Thukkaram, Dance Drama and Music by KS Chitra - Onam 2nd Day This morning, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to nine, and in the evening at ten minutes to five. He came directly to the stage and asked for the drama of the evening to begin. The children from Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth of Srisailam, Kerala, presented a half-hour play on the saint Tukaram. After their play, the famous playback singer Smt. Chithra presented a 45 minute programme of songs. After her programme, she brought up her child also for Bhagavan's blessings. Swami created a chain for the child and put it on her neck. Swami had a group photo with the singer and accompanists and Arati was then offered while prasadam was distributed. Bhagavan then asked the students to sing a couple of songs with Alap after which He left for His residence just before seven o'clock.
To an emotional Jijabhai, Thukkram advised her to maintain her state of steadfast devotion in surrender to the Lord. However, hard times hit the family once again. Seeing her husband completely oblivious of family responsibilities, always engaged in Namasankirtana, Jijabhai grew ever more anxious and worrisome.
On an Ekadashi day when a distressed one came and asked for alms Thukkaram gave away the lone spare sari belonged to his wife in charity. An enraged Jijabhai questioned her husband's motives, hurling abuse at Vitthala. Abusing that His name was heard and overheard over and over again and that He had bestowed upon them nothing but perennial poverty. She had decided to put an end to her husband's madness. In a fit of rage she wanted to break the idol of Lord Vitthala.
Back in God's realm Lord Vitthala was narrating His consort the drama at Thukkaram's house and advised her to pacify Jijabhai giving her pearls of Divine Wisdom. The Divine Mother came wearing the same sari that was given in charity by her husband telling Jijabhai that she had come to bless her and she was blessed to be the consort of such a great devotee, Thukkaram. Nightingale Special for The Lord Music Concert by K.S.Chitra
She is K.S.Chitra, popularly known as the "Nightingale of South India" who lends her voice in the South Indian Film Industry, whose foray into the field of playback singing earned her a distinct name in the Indian Music Industry; The stage was the seat of the Lord in physical, the dais in Prasanthi Nilayam; The occasion was Uthradam, the day preceding to Thiruvonam, Kerala's most important festivity.
…And the popular playback singer would never forget the day when she was abundantly blessed by Bhagawan. On the beautiful evening that preceded the auspicious Thiruvonam, K.S.Chitra was fortunate to share the stage with her Mighty Lord, who was onstage enjoying the programme, to sing a collection of selected devotionals.
Starting off with Ganesha Vandana she had a string of ten songs that included one bhajan, a fruitful mix of variety songs including carnatic pieces that exhibited her rare talent of weaving vocal magic.
The songs included, Madhura Mukhada Sai Natha…, Bhaavayami Gopala Baalam….. Jai Jai Jai Jai Sai Janani…, Aalarey Giridhara Gopal…, Pashupathi Thanaya Vighna Vinashaka…, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Koi Kahiyo Re Prabhu Awan Ki etc… followed by the popular Prasanthi Bhajan "…Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal, Navaneeta Chora Gopal"…
Tuesday, Sept 01, 2009 - Bhakta Thukkaram, Dance Drama and Music by KS Chitra - Onam 2nd Day This morning, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to nine, and in the evening at ten minutes to five. He came directly to the stage and asked for the drama of the evening to begin. The children from Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth of Srisailam, Kerala, presented a half-hour play on the saint Tukaram. After their play, the famous playback singer Smt. Chithra presented a 45 minute programme of songs. After her programme, she brought up her child also for Bhagavan's blessings. Swami created a chain for the child and put it on her neck. Swami had a group photo with the singer and accompanists and Arati was then offered while prasadam was distributed. Bhagavan then asked the students to sing a couple of songs with Alap after which He left for His residence just before seven o'clock.
During one of her earlier visits to Prasanthi Nilayam, in the mid nineties, she had an opportunity to sing in His Divine Presence, in an unscheduled programme held in the Poornachandra Auditorium. And along with many other popular devotionals she had sung the same bhajan, "Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal…"
Hers was melody that sounded soothing, often touching lower tones, suddenly pitching up to ecstatic heights, a sign of devotional ecstasy, bringing the audience spellbound with what one could call the 'Nightingale Special' for The Lord. The packed audience gave the singer rounds of applause when, one after one, she came out with a variety mix sung with elan.
After the programme Bhagawan spent quite some time with the singer talking and blessing her. Her seven year old child, Nandana, was specially called on stage at the instance of Bhagawan. Bhagawan materialized a gold chain for the little one and presented sari to the singer and safari pieces to the accompanying artistes. Bhagawan most lovingly posed for photo session making the day a most memorable one in her life.
Dance Drama on the life of Jagadguru Shankaracharya
Posted at 2210 hrs. on 1st Sept 2009
In a dampened evening that appeared to have lost its natural splendor when rain clouds concealed heaven in the sky, The Heaven on planet earth did not relent.
Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala, celebrated by all communities with secular feeling beyond religious boundaries. It is supposedly the harvest festival of the state and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. Thiruvonam is the day when Keralites, according to the legend, welcoming their erstwhile King Mahabali whose story is tagged with the story of Vamana. Mahabali, shunning his ego, while returning to the neither world as per the command of Lord Vamana was blessed with a boon to return to the state once in an year, and this return is celebrated throughout the state as Onam.
Adi Shankara's illustrious story is quite familiar to the Sai Fraternity as his story comes quite often, referentially, in Bhagawan's Divine Discourses. The day's evening programme was on the life story of the illustrious philosopher saint, Adi Shankaracharya who was the most authoritative proponent of the Advaita philosophy.
The Balvikas children from the district of Trivandrum had a simple yet thematically rich presentation, "Shankara Digvijayam" that covered the life story of the great saint. The drama began with a backdrop wherein an inquisitive little mind, a little boy, who, during the last leg of his lengthy pilgrimage, to various holy places along with his father, meeting up with someone to open up a conversation on the holy life of Shankaracharya. The inquisitive mind who already nurtured a desire to lead the path of an ascetic posed a vital question. "…How did an eight year old boy who left his home became Jagadguru Shankaracharya?" and there unfurled the story of the illustrious life of one of the greatest Saints of Bharat, Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya.
The first scene depicted Shivaguru, father of Shankaracharya narrating a dream to his better half, Aryamba. The dream was about a promise by Lord Shiva to end their long agony of not having progeny as Lord Shiva Himself would be taking birth as their son.
Monday, Aug 31, 2009 - Shankara Digvijayam - Onam Day 1- Dance Drama 31st Aug 2009
This evening, a backdrop at the centre of Sai Kulwant hall announced the beginning of the Onam programmes by devotees from Kerala. Bhagavan arrived for darshan at 4.30 pm and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the programme ten minutes later. The hour-long drama by Balvikas children 'Shankara Digvijayam' portrayed the story of Adi Shankara. Swami blessed "Shankara" with a chain and sent clothes for all the participants as bhajans by the devotees began. Prasadam was distributed and Swami accepted Arati just before six o'clock before returning to His residence.
But, Aryamba's joy was short lived as Shivaguru, after seeing the child's horoscope revealed that the child was destined to take up sanyasa. Shivaguru in his attempt to pacify his wife went philosophical telling that ignorant, myopic vision of the ordinary could not fathom Divine Foresight. "If God has a different plan, we should accept it".
Shankara was extraordinarily brilliant and intelligent in the Gurukula and his inner thirst to embrace the life of an ascetic was burning with intensity. But, in the meantime his father passed away. His mother, who was ever reluctant to part away her son by permitting him to become an ascetic finally had to yield when she was caught in a fixed situation, as her son was caught in a crocodile's clutch and she had to pledge her son to Lord Shiva allowing him to become a Sanyasi.
To a worried mother who raised her concern that she would be missing her son during her last moments, the young Shankara promised that he would be at her "beck and call" in her final moments and would perform her last rights.
Shankara moved on, travelling extensively. He met his guru, Govindacharya on the banks of Narmada under whose tutelage he was trained to become a great scholar. Later at the instance of his guru, Shankara left the holy city of Kashi and wrote commentary on Brahmasutra and several strotras including Kalabhairava Strotram, Annapoorna Strotram. While in Kashi, he initiated his first disciple Sanandan, who later came to be known as Padmapada. In Kashi, the seat of knowledge, great scholars and saints conceded to Shankara's great wisdom who thus earned the title Shankaracharya.
The next episode showed great wisdom dawning upon Shankara wherein he was made to learn the oneness of all, by lifting the veil of illusion. While on the move he was encountered by a beggar who came on his way. Shankara's disciples with the thick veil of illusion tried to drive away the beggar who in turn retorted asking Shankara, questioning him as to whether the person who wrote "Brahma Sathyam Jagad Mithya" could command the soul to move away. With wisdom dawning upon, Shankara sought to touch the feet of "The Lord" conceding that his veil of illusion was removed.
In the meantime it was emotional scene back at his home in Kaladi, Kerala. Mother was wailing as she was waiting to breathe her last and fondling memories of her beloved son was haunting her soul. She was expectant and as per the promise given, Shankara finally reached home to an emotional scene. Imparting wisdom to the departing soul, telling her that she was not the body, but was the fearless refuge, Shankara helped her to regain her composure to become courageous to face death without any worries. Accepting her last wish Shankara recited Govindashtakam to liberate her to the ultimate freedom.
In an emotional scene, tiny tots, the narrators of the dance drama, remembered Bhagawan and Holy Mother Easwaramma singing the glory of the illustrious mother telling that no son could repay a mother for all the sacrifices and pains she endured.
In the meantime Shankara Digvijayam was already a happening and there were real concerns from some quarters who feared that Shankara was converting everyone into Advaita philosophy. Kapalika, a cruel king belonged to a sect which had been worshipping Goddess Kali, had been nursing a grievance against Adi Shankaracharya, whom he viewed as a potential threat to his faith and sect. Obtaining consent from Shankara in the name of Lord Shiva, Ugrabhairava, the lieutenant of Kapalika, wanted to behead the wisest man living on earth, who was supposedly Shankara. He took the Acharya to a nearby cave, made necessary arrangements for the sacrifice-ritual and prepared himself to behead Adi Shankaracharya. The Acharya agreed that Ugrabhairava could behead him once he entered in trance.
However, when the Kapalika lifted his sword and readied himself to chop off his head Sankara's disciple Padmapada, envisioning this murderous scheme rushed to the cave. Having possessed by Lord Narasimha, he verily, became the man-lion Lord himself to save Shankara.
The Digvijayam was on and Shankara was on the move across the length and breadth of Bharat. Thousands followed him abandoning worldly life. Finally he summoned his four major disciples, Padmapada, Hasthamalaka, Thotaka and Sureshwara, asking them to travel to the four corners of Bharat spreading the Advaita philosophy, empowering generations with the light of Advaita. He declared that he would be going to Kedarnath and would never return.
The drama ended with a declaration that Advaita philosophy was as popular and effective even today and one should serve the society with selfless love and service, as desired and willed by Bhagawan. The final scene showed the little ascetic aspirant desired to have the darshan of Bahgawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi.
The presentation by 54 Balvikas children from Trivandrum had emotion packed scenes, powerful dialogue delivery and to top it all, scores of beautiful songs, intertwined, some from original Shankara composition in Sanskrit. Shankara Digvijayam was the portrayal of one of the greatest saints of India, whose doctrine of Advita stands in good stead for the days to come.
Towards the end of the presentation Bhagawan distributed clothes to all children participants. Prasadam was distributed and Arathi was offered before Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram.
Eariler Prof. Mukundan, State President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Kerala introduced the programme stating that it was due to the greater love and compassion that enabled the state to organise Onam 2009 in Prasanthi Nilayam, in the immediate Divine Presence. Subsequently he announced the programme for the evening, Sri Shankar Digvijayam which was corrected by Bhagawan...He made yet another announcement admitting that he was under Divine Correction as Bhagawan said, the drama title was Shankara Digvijayam...
Onam Greeting cards
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Onam Wallpapers
Onam Resource & more
Every year Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, Kerala organises the Onam festival at Prasanthi Nilayam with great devotional fervor. The entire Mandir would be aesthetically decorated and wears a festive look. The Onam festival will be celebrated for about four days with the entire Sai family from Kerala and from around the world making it to the Lotus Feet of Swami. The festivities begin in Sai Kulwant Hall with Mangala Vadyam by well-known Nadaswara Vidwans in the Divine Presence of Bhagawan Baba. Thereafter, Sai Kulwant Hall reverberates with NadaswaraVadyam and Pancha Vadyam music on all subsequent days of celebration. Cultural programmes by the Balvikas Children from the state of Kerala would mark the festivities. On the day of Onam Bhagawan would be received in a traditional Procession from Poornachandra Hall with Poorna Kumbam amidst vedam chanting Bhagawan blesses the gathering with His Divine Message exhorting the devotees to emulate and imbibe the sacrificial qualities of Emperor Bali . The four-day festivities transform Prasanthi Nilayam into Kerala what with the entire Kerala assembling at Prasanthi Nilayam for Divine Blessings on the auspicious day. Emperor Bali performed the action of supreme surrender to Lord Indra at the end of the battle by offering him all his possessions, body, mind and soul on this day in the sacred land of Kerala. The battle between Bali and Indra represents the mind battling to control the senses. Vamana opened Bali's eyes to help him realize the Divine and Bali sought a boon from the Lord that He should visit Kerala every year on this day of Shravan. This day is celebrated as Onam by Keralites. This day also extols the merits of gifts, renunciation, charity, however little, to any one, for all are reflections of God Onam is the harvest festival of Kerala. On this day, homage is paid to their illustrious king Bali, who had surrendered himself to the mighty little god Vamana. It is believed that Bali re-visits his empire that day. It is an enchanting sight to see the Keralites in their traditional dress offering their worship to the Lord. They are blessed with the privilege of touching the lotus feet. Swami graces the occasion and showers his blessings on them. source: srisathyasai.org.in
Onam: The Harvest Festival, is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee. Year after year, for centuries, the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join together to celebrate Onam. The ten-day Onam festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning of the harvest season. According to local belief, in a war that took place between the gods and the demons, the demons won. Deeply hurt by the defeat of the gods, Aditi, their mother prayed to Lord Vishnu to destroy Mahabali, the Demon King. Consequently, Lord Vishnu, in the guise of a Brahmin boy, Vamanan, went to Mahabali and asked him to grant him three steps of land. The wish was granted and Vamanan covered the whole land with his two steps and then he came back to the King asking him where can he place the third step. The King to honour his word, offered his head as the third step. Vamanan pushed Mahabali deep down into the earth. Pleased by his honesty and generosity, the lord in turn granted him a wish that he could visit his kingdom and people on a particular day once a year. Preparation of a floral carpet called "Athappookkalam" in front of houses, from the first day of 'Atham' to the tenth day of 'Thiruvonam' is part of the festivities, which is a symbolic gesture to welcome King Mahabali. The state government conducts Tourism Week celebrations in connection with Onam, showcasing the gems of Kerala's culture. Onam resonates with Carnivals, Boat Races, Dance, Music and Feast. A sumptious meal on plantain leaf and the traditional sweet dish of Kerala 'Payasam' etc are served in every house.
The Bhagwat Purana (ancient Hindu scriptures) tells the engrossing story of Mahabali. He was a noble and virtuous king. Although he was an asur (demon) king, he was known far and wide for his generosity and good sense. It is said that if a person asked Mahabali for something, he never returned disappointed. The story goes that once Mahabali decided to perform the Ashvamedha Yagna (a horse-sacrifice in order to be proclaimed the most powerful and distinguished king in the three worlds – heaven, earth and the nether world). The devtas (gods) felt especially threatened by this ritual for as noble as Mahabali could be, he was after all an asur. The devtas rushed to Lord Vishnu (the Preserver in the Hindu Holy Trinity of Creator-Preserver-Destroyer) imploring him to rein Mahabali in.
The Interesting Tale of Mahabali And The Dwarf
These are celestial matters and we should leave the gods to work in their own mysterious ways. Coming back to Mahabali and the elaborate preparations of the Yagna; the venue of the Yagna was to be the banks of the holy Narmada River. It is believed that while Mahabali was proceeding to Narmada, a charming little boy holding an umbrella stopped him. Seeing the boy who was actually a dwarf, Mahabali realised that this was no ordinary fellow. Mesmerised, he told the dwarf to ask him for anything he desired. The dwarf simply asked him for the measure of area he would cover in three strides. Taken aback by such a trivial wish, Mahabali asked him to demand something more substantial. The dwarf did not change his mind and again repeated his wish. Mahabali had little choice but to agree. The dwarf assumed his original self – Lord Vishnu who had appeared in his fifth avatar or manifestation (the fifth reincarnation of Vishnu in the form of a dwarf is called Vamana).
Assuming gargantuan proportions, he took his first step on earth, the second foot was leisurely placed on the heavens and well, you could say that not much was left for the third step! So Mahabali, the magnanimous king that he was, rose to the occasion and offered his head for the last stride of the Almighty. Vishnu promptly obliged, thus pushing Mahabali into the realms of the nether world. Moved by the nobility of this demon king, Vishnu proclaimed that even after losing every worldly possession, Mahabali would earn eternal wisdom and the love and affection of Vishnu. Mahabali accepted his fate unflinchingly and only asked for one wish in return. This wish, more than anything, proved how worthy a king he was. He asked for the chance to come back to his cherished land and people at least once a year. It is believed that since that day, Mahabali comes every year to visit this sun-dappled land of coconuts and his beloved people. This day is called Onam.
Onam falls, on the 12th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Bhadon (around August September) once the golden yellow rice fields have been harvested at that time of the year. There is no specific god associated with Onam. Neither is any special puja (a ritualistic prayer ceremony) performed.
The celebrations of Onam start ten days before the big day. The first thing people do is decorate the gates or main doors of their homes. No balloons or festoons for these folks. They adorn their homes and gates with fresh branches of red coconut (red coconut is considered auspicious on Onam), banana leaves and coconut fronds.
If you happen to be in Kerala around Onam, you will see banana and coconut fronds just about everywhere, sometimes even popping out of trucks and buses or tied to the horns of the neighbourhood cow, all with a pinch of the auspicious vermilion powder.
The first day of Onam is called Attam. Women get up earlier than usual, have a bath, wear fresh clothes (women wear off-white cotton saris with a zari border on festive occasions), neatly pin strings of jasmine and other seasonal flowers in their long black tresses and adorn themselves with jewellery. Children get dressed and go to the market to buy flowers and flower petals which they bring back to their mothers and sisters. The 'mummies' prepare a small part of the ground on the eastern side of the house (east is considered sacred because the sun rises in the east and Hindus have worshipped the rising sun since time immemorial).
The Attam
The House Yards are smoothened out, and cow dung spread evenly on it. Flowers are placed over this patch in beautiful patterns. These patterns are generally circular and a lump of cow dung is placed in the centre symbolising Ganesha (the elephant-headed god - see Ganesh Chaturthi).
The creation with dung and flowers is called Attam. Once the Attam is completed, the women sing songs in praise of Mahabali and perform a lovely dance of simple but graceful steps around it.
The Attam is considered very sacred and a fresh decoration is made everyday till Onam. The old decoration is not removed, instead the cow dung is moistened with water, then a thin layer is spread over the Attam and a new pattern is made. People sing and dance around the Attam everyday and remember Mahabali, who perhaps watches them from somewhere. These days, community Attam where all the members of a community come together and rejoice around the sacred spot, is becoming quite popular. These very members take turns to keep a constant vigil over the Attam.
On the third day, people hold big feasts in their homes and invite their relatives and friends. The feast is strictly vegetarian and consists of rice, which is eaten with various curries, curds, vegetables, crisps, pickles, and sweets (see Cuisine).
organises the Onam festival at Prasanthi Nilayam with great devotional fervor. The entire Mandir would be aesthetically decorated and wears a festive look. The Onam festival will be celebrated for about four days with the entire Sai family from Kerala and from around the world making it to the Lotus Feet of Swami.
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