| Saturday, Sep 11, 2010 Sai News & Photo Updates: Today is the auspicious day of Vinayaka Chaturthi! This evening, emerging from Yajur Mandiram after 1815 hrs., (06:15 hrs. IST) Bhagawan drove down to the western end of Prasanthi to the construction site of the Pilgrims' dormitories. Today was the blessed day Bhagawan chose to bestow upon His sanctifying touch, throwing open the first phase of the dormitories, newly built, to the pilgrims who flock to Prasanthi Nilayam. | 
Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Reaching the venue at 1822 hrs., (06:22 hrs. IST) Bhagawan was received by the former L & T Chief, Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Satish Naik, Chief Engineer of Prasanthi Nilayam along with scores of engineers and staffers amid Vedam chanting. Lighting the lamp, blessing the occasion, Bhagawan went for a round through one of the blocks, flanked by scores of senior administrators and officials. Bhagawan had a detailed look at the facilities being provided and as He was moving past, the former chairman went on explaining various facilities provided and other projects in progress, especially at Anantapur, Muddenahalli and in Prasanthi itself. Completing the round of the twin block, Bhagawan came out to accept Mangala Arathi at 1842 hrs. (06:42 hrs. IST). Leaving the venue, as Bhagawan got into His car, He was greeted by enthusiastic 'shoutings' by hundreds of men and women, the workforce from the L & T, who had been most devotedly awaiting The Lord's arrival for long hours! Moving close to the group as He was driving past, Bhagawan blessed the mini-concourse with His benedictory glance and abhayahastha. Rejoicing the occasion, in response, the enthusiastic bunch shouted yet again rendering the air with louder 'Jaikars'...as Bhagawan was moving off the scene. | 
Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Each of these triple storied dormitories are having twin units holding a capacity of 504. With an total of 10 such dormitories to be completed before the 85th birthday, an estimated more than 5300 devotees can be accommodated once the project is completely operational. Additional features provided includes bunk coats, open shelves for keeping belongings, liberal bathroom facilities, washing facilities, sufficient fanning and ventilation etc. Back in the Sai Kulwant Hall, bhajans went on and Bhagawan drove straight into the hall to go for a full round of darshan. Alighting at the verandah, Bhagawan moved onstage just before 1900 hrs. (07:00 hrs. IST) and soon it was time for Mangala Arathi. Upon accepting Mangala Arathi, Bhagawan sat for some more time as blessed prasadam was being distributed. Moving off at 1910 hrs. (07:10 hrs.) Bhagawan went into the interview room for a short stint before emerging at 1915 hrs. (07:15 hrs.) retiring to Yajur Mandiram. Celebrating the occasion of the 85th Year of Bhagawan's Advent, free north indian style breakfast was served in the Ashram Canteen in the morning. This was a dedicated offering by the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations, Madhya Pradesh. The special service would be continuing on sunday as well. || Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || Friday, Sep 10, 2010:- Sai News & Photo Updates: Indonesia, the land with great cultural heritage, land of many islands, has come as a group on a Parthi Yathra. ...And, the evening was earmarked for the island nation to celebrate the joy of the Advent of 85 years of Divine sojourn. | 
Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Coming up with triple presentations, the island nation was ready on the beautiful evening joining the mass of devotees invoking the Divine. Bhagawan emerged at 1820 hrs. (06:20 pm IST), to the escort of a group from Indonesia, dressed up in colourful costumes reflecting national tradition. As The Lord moved past, Bhagawan blessed many including a group of boys having tiny Ganeshas, meant for different houses in the hostel, seeking blessings. Upon completing a full round of darshan, spending awhile with the tiny tots at the Primary School block, Bhagawan moved further into the ladies' side. Turning about, after a full length, Bhagawan came onto the verandah, moving into the bhajan hall, where the students were waiting for "Swami" seeking blessings for a scheduled presentation on Ramzan. Blessing the boys, Bhagawan emerged shortly to move onstage at 1840 hrs. (06:40 pm IST) and Veda chanting raised into a higher tone. Seniors from the Indonesian group moved towards Bhagawan invoking blessings before the commencement of the programme. At a time when personal interactions become a rarity, in this changing phase of time of the Avatar, every group that flocks to Prasanthi converse with The Lord through its presentations. Quite often, such programmes begin with introduction as a prelude, directly offering love and gratitude, in the process engaging in a sort of conversation with The Lord! Indonesian's followed the pattern giving a fitting intro for the programme bursting into a melodious song, "Gaana Priye O! Bhaava Priye..." in praise of Mother Divine! What ensued was an hour long cultural presentation by the Sai Youth, the Balvikas and the Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, reflecting Bhagawan's teachings, highlighting some of the Sai Ideals! The main programme by the group was a drama entitled "The Search for Paradise" by the Sai Youth of Jakarta. The presentation was an illustration of the story of a youth who comes to terms with life's biggest lessons, ending up transforming himself, airing unconditional love towards his one-time neglected parents. | 
Programs by the groups
Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Vishal, the protagonist, was into the wrong side of life, immersed in materialism, ignoring parents, rocking and rollicking with illusory success in the temporal world, quite ignoramus of the true side of human sojourn. Despite sincere efforts from his good, guiding friend, Ali, who was into Sai way of life, Vishal was not ready to pay heed to the good advice by the friend. When destiny took its toll and he was exposed to adversity, having lost a bet on 'match-fixing' a football game ending up loosing millions, the greedy one came back to his senses and there began his true journey of transformation. Presenting a most prevalent theme of current times, packed with superb dialogue delivery and natural acting, the presentation turned out to be an eye-opener, yet another chapter in the book of "Transformation". The drama concluded with a declaration that true paradise could be found only at the feet of the parents! Earlier, the presntation began with a dance, "Krisnna Rasaleela" by the Balvikas children from Sri Sathya Sai School, Bali. The presentation was a depiction of Madhura Bhakthi exemplified by the gopikas and Radha. Presented in Balinese style, quite alien to Prasanthi, the dance depiction by scores of little children who swayed to the melody of Divine sport, turned out to be an atypical experience for Prasanthi introducing the great Balinese tradition. The final presentation was by the Sri Sathya Sai Study Group of Indonesia, a depiction of Cosmic Divine Dance of Lord Shiva! Marked by colourful costumes, to the accompaniment of typical South East Asian style of music, the presentation was an offering at Bhagawan's Feet, seeking The Lord to shower His grace to help them achieve life's foremost goal! Soon after the presentation, Bhagawan moved down the dais, posing for photographs, blessing all the groups. ...And the character of Ali, the good friend, earned special Divine attention as Bhagawan materialised a golden chain for the youth. |  Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | Bhagawan returned onstage and the session was far from over! As Bhagawan moved off, for a while, into the interview room, the Institute students were readying themselves for Eid celebration on the eve of the Muslim festivity. Wishing Id Mubarak, making a mention of the month long fasting and penance that entitles the community of highest Divine benediction, students burst open into a Qawwali tune in traditional Sufi style, in praise of Allah, The One Lord! The next item to follow was "Namaz", the typical Muslim prayer. At the nightfall, when the silent air in Prasanthi reverberated with the religious, godly tunes of Muslim traditional prayer, the Namaz, with scores of children engaged in praying in the Divine presence of the Mighty Lord, it sent out the sublime message of secularism that Bharat has always been promoting and Bhagawan has been echoing through His maxim, There is Only One Religion, The Religion of Love! |  Photo source: sssbpt.org - web graphic layout - saibabaofindia.com "SBOI" | The programme continued with a skit on the celebration of the festival Ramzan, illustrating the spirit of the celebration, that crosses all religious barriers. Bringing parallels from The Bhagavad Gita and other religious scriptures, the presentation spoke about the true spirit of the festivity divulging details about the importance fasting etc. Expounding on the true sense of the religion, talking on man's follies of projecting his religion to be the only one, the grateful students burst into yet another song of glory in praise of The Only One God! A dedication song followed, before summarising the presentation with a 'thesis' on His all conquering love, singing the popular tune, "Sai Ke Darbar Mein..."calling one and all to the precincts of Prasanthi! Quite a world with "a God" who embraces men from all walks of life and faiths, it may sound 'utopian', yet, Prasanthi lives every moment breathing the life force infused by this "Lord Who Walks The Earth" inviting everyone to witness This Great Grand Happening on Planet Earth! Rightfully, the students concluded, singing, "Aaoji Aao...Sai Ke Darbar Mein..." Bhagawan moved down the dais yet again, posing with His children. Returning onstage, Bhagawan sat for a while flipping through the leaves of "Holy Quran" placed at His hand by the students. At 2055 hrs. (08:55 pm IST) Bhagawan turned to the priest indicating for Mangala Arathi. Blessing the concourse with His abhayahastha, Bhavawan moved off the dais. The time clock was ticking past 2100 hrs. (09:00 pm IST) as Bhagawan was gliding into the western aisle leading to the ladies' side retiring for the day, bringing curtains down on this glorious Prasanthi evening. Special prasadam, Indonesian chocolates packed artistically, were distributed to the entire assemblage. Ganesh Chaturthi is scheduled for the morrow and in the night, hostels and various other instititutions will be quite active, with decorating and housing the Lord, the remover of all obstacles, before the rituals begin on the auspicious Vinayaka Chaturthi morning. Being the week-end, students from the Anantapur and Brindvan campuses have also joined Prasanthi feasting His Divine presence during the twin festive occasion! || Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || |
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