| Festive Kerala's festival of great significance, Onam, has come once again to the precincts of Prasanthi Nilayam. When the state of Kerala has come in a joyful mood to celebrate Onam in His Divine presence, today, in the evening, Bhagawan emerged at 1735 hrs. to the tunes of Nadaswaram and Vedic incantations. Coming for a slow, complete round, Bhagawan moved through the primary school block, pausing for a while before moving further into the ladies' side. Turning above shortly, Bhagawan came onto the portico, moving on to the stage at 1755 hrs. from the right of Ganesha. Preceding the Thiruvonam Day, that is 23 Aug, this evening the Youth from the state presented a dance drama entitled "Bharata, The Embodiment of Supreme Love", a depiction of Bharata's selfless and unsullied love for Sri Ramachandra. Showcasing Ramayana scenes leading upto Lord Rama's exile, Dasaratha's demise, Bharata's sorrow and anguish followed by his meeting up with Lord Rama in the Dandakaryana Forest, the drama comes to the climax scene when Lord Hanuman brings the great good news of Lord Rama's return to His Kingdom after vanquishing the Ravana clan.
Presented with great emotional touch aided by superb dialogue delivery, the one hour presentation had an array of melodious songs, thematically entwined, helping the flow of the illustrious epical story. At an age when sibling rivalry gets even to the supreme court for settlement, aeons ago, a great Divine brother had set the finest example of selfless love and sacrifice for His Beloved Brother and Lord Sri Ramachandra...Kerala brought one of the most chosen theme that the Lord of Puttaparthi ever cherishes, presenting it celebrating the advent of Onam 2010.
After the one hour presentation, a ten minutes pause ensued upon which Bhagawan moved down the dais to spend long fifteen minutes among the crew of boys. It was a session between Lord and His children; every individual member got his dues with Padanamaskar followed Laddu Prasadam from the Divine Hands. Returning onstage Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi after which He spoke to the State President, Prof. Mukundan, for a while before sending Safari suits for the participants. ...And before leaving the dais His benedictory palm went up not once, not twice, more times blessing the vast concourse, both ladies and gents and finally to the blessed drama crew seated right in front of the Lord! At 1935 hrs. Bhagawan moved off the stage and as He was gliding past auspicious sounds of Panchavadyam rendered the air, singing "farewell" to The Lord after a most beautiful evening of celebration. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.
Mandir was decorated with typical Kerala themes parading all over. Colourful parasols and flower buntings were seen all over while the stage had a beautiful backdrop of the sanctorum sanctorum of a typical Kerala temple with two hanging lamps, already lit, hanging from either side. Bhagawan had a detailed look at the backdrop before assuming The Seat of The Lord!
Tomorrow, August 23, is Thiruvonam in Prasanthi Nilayam and a || Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu ||
| Text & photo source-copyrights: Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust - sssbpt.org - Radiosai.org Prasanthi Diary - Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - h2hsai.org . | Web layout - Photo design : saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | | | | Sai News Archive 2010: | Jan. | Feb. | March | April | May | June | July | Archive 2009 | | 
click to enlarge Varalakshmi Vratam in Prasanthi Nilayam-20 Aug 2010
| | | | | | Published on Sunday, Aug 22, 2010 at 1618 Hrs. IST
The Varalakshmi Vratam claims its prime slot in the in the Hindu calendar as it is auspicious for Indian women to observe this ritual on the Friday before the full moon in the month of Sravana. This worship is performed by married Hindu women seeking blessings of the Goddess Mahalakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, who is verily the deity for wealth and prosperity. Legend tagged to this festivity says that that this Vratam was recommended by Lord Shiva to His consort Parvati helping her to win wealth and prosperity. Another legend attached to it tells about a very pious lady Charumati who was asked by Goddess Varalakshmi, in her dream, to do the Vratam in order to fulfill her wishes. |  click to enlarge |
Auspicious it is, this Friday, being Varalakshmi Vratam Day, the main seat of the Lord had a decorated idol of Goddess Varalakshmi adorning the centre stage. Adding to the festive flavour, floral buntings were in place with the main stage shining in grandeur and elegance. Women enjoying the special privilege of the occasion occupied a half of the the central marble block in the Mandir.
Emerging at 1715 hrs. to the holy chants of Vedam, escorted by classical Mangalavadyam rendering, preceded by Poornakumbham, Bhagawan moved through the concourse before completing a full round before coming onstage at 1730 hrs.
| | | | | | | | | Upon coming onstage Bhagawan lit the lamp sanctifying and blessing the occasion. Further proceedings began in next five minutes with a specially designated priest taking over, as Bhagawan sat onstage as 'Sai Varalakshmi'. Speaking on the significance of the ritual conducted in the immediate Divine presence, the priest went on extolling The Lord, calling Him to be Lord Dakshinamurthy in physical form. With His presence, Prasanthi is verily the Kailasha and Vaikunta, announced the priest talking on the significance of the ritual in Prasanthi NIlayam. Rituals began with Lakshmi Puja and Shodashopachara Puja followed by related rituals including Sai Ashotathara Shata Namaavali. An elderly longstanding woman devotee performed the rituals onstage, sitting at Bhagawan's Feet, anointing the same with turmeric and kumkum, while in the background the priest went on reciting various names of Mother Goddess.
Twenty-five minutes of rituals ended with three jaikars by the priest that was well received and reciprocated by the capacity audience with devotional vigour. There were a thousand hand raised hailing "victory" to The Lord of Puttaparthi!
While prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage some traditional items along with the "Flowers that fell at His Divine Lotus Feet" were distributed among women devotees who are verily the stakeholders of Mother Goddess' Divine benediction on this auspicious 'august' evening.
A carnatic musical offering by Ms. Bhagyalakshmi of Chennai followed that lasted for fifty minutes. Beginning with Ganesha Vandanam, the artiste went on singing an array of songs including many compositions on the 'Mother' theme covering the next fifty minutes before Bhagawan nodded for Mangala Arathi, at 1850 hrs. Moving off the dais, Bhagawan glided into the ladies' end, at 1855 hrs. retiring for the day. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.
| | | | | | Text & photo source: Radiosai.org Prasanthi Diary, sssbpt.org - Sri Sathya Sai Media Foundation - h2hsai.org . - web layout - photo design : saibabaofindia.com & SBOI group. | |
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