Wednesday, July 14, 2010 - Sai News & Photo Updates : Today, this evening, emerging at 1715 hrs. to the chants of Vedam, Bhagawan went for a complete round before reaching the Vedam block to have a detailed look at the dais that was decked up to grandeur, being the first day of the "Alwar Mahotsavam".
Coming onstage through the front aisle, Bhagawan continued to have the 'in detail' look at the various arrangements onstage before lighting the ceremonial lamp!
Entire Mandir including the dais was nicely decorated with big hoardings, flower buntings, billboards displaying details on various Alwars etc. The dais, the main venue, had a big statue of Lord Ranganathar or Sri Rangam (Lord Vishnu) along with that of Lord Ganesha and the 12 Alwars, with flowers and other ritualistic items spread all over.
Moving off into the interview room Bhagawan spent sometime inside before emerging at 1747 hrs. to come onstage, round of Ganesha, marked by a crescendo in chanting, joined by the Easwaramma English Medium children.
Sitting onstage, diagonally facing the gents' side, Bhagawan sat through as the chanting continued to 'beat the air', rendering subtle vibrations bringing in great sanctifying touch. The chanting ended at 1805 when the further proceedings with reference to the programme commenced with a scholarly elucidation by Vidwan Nidumamidi Srikanta Rao or Bengaluru who spoke on three alwars, Poigal Alwar, Bhoodattalwar and Periyalwar. His 45 minutes exposition in Telugu was full of profundity educating the audience on this select class of great devotees of The Lord. The speaker chose to dwelve in detail on some of the interesting episodes happened in the life of Lord Rama, involving King Bali and Lord Hanuman, to the great delight of the august assembly.
One particular episode narrating the story of Kulasekhara Alwar from Kerala, who was the ruler of the land. The Aklwar would be so immersed in the story of Ramayana that when the story depicting Lord Rama stood facing the demonic hordes the Allwar would invariably stop, quite instinctively, the narrative. He would then command the general to have the armies ready for battle on Rama's side!
Another narrative, this time that involves Lord Hanuman! It was an interesting story set during the construction of the great bridge across Lanka. All the boulders on which the name of Rama was written floated miraculously to set the bridge. When Lord Rama threw a rock, it went straight down! Lord Rama was 'perplexed' and asked Hanuman about his explanation on the the same. Hanuman replied, "Lord! The power of your name works to make the boulder float. When You don't hold on to something and drop it, what else can happen other than sinking!"
One more episode was lucidly narrated that illustrated Bhakti, devotion as the highest and biggest thing in this world.
Earlier, in the morning, the Mahotsavam proceedings began at 0600 hrs. with Shuddha Pravachanam followed by consecration of Ranganatha Swami and Alwars. Chanting of Sri Sathya Sai Ashtothara Satha Namavali followed before continuing the session in the evening with Nithyapuja.
Mangala Arathi was offered at 1855 hrs. and upon accepting Arathi off He moved into the interview room. Emerging shortly, He spent sometime outside the interview room interacting with some seniors before gliding down to the ladies's end at 1920 hrs. retiring for the day. Laddu prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.
Ahead of the ensuing Ashadi celebrations, scheduled for the next week, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Maharashtra & Goa are organising a Jaipur Foot Camp as a part of their Medical Seva activities, in Prasanthi Nilayam. The main objective of the camp is to help rehabilitating physically challenged to live a life of dignity. Over 200 selected men and women from three districts of Andhra Pradesh will be benefited out of this service. They will be aided with artificial limbs, calipers, modified footwear, special shoes etc. This camp will be continued till the 18th of this month. Being the first day of the camp, Mr. V. Srinivasan, President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations gave away the related items to the first batch of selected beneficiaries. Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavantu
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