| Saturday, Aug 7, 2010 - Sai News & Photo Updates: This morning, making an early entry at 0733 hrs. to the chants of Vedam, Bhagawan went for a quick round of darshan before getting into the interview room at 0740 hrs. With Vedic chants continuing, Bhagawan spent next more than half-an-hour inside granting interview to some Italian devotees. In the meanwhile bhajans commenced at the scheduled hour, at 0900. Emerging at 0915 hrs. Bhagawan glided through the upper portico, conversing and blessing some, before 'turning above' from half way stage, to come onstage, via doctors' block, past 0920 hrs. A crescendo in bhajans marked His grand entry and the happiness of the multitude was evident from the extra smile lit on many a face present. Soon it was time for Mangala Arathi. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan moved off the dais to glide into the ladies' end, at 0925 hrs., moving slowly, blessing many, towards Yajur Mandiram. Bhagawan was onstage just for five minutes, but that was enough for this multitude to get charged awaiting their next blessed opportunity. This evening, emerging at 1754 hrs. to the holy Vedic incantations, Bhagawan wafted among the multitude, slowly, glancing upon many and blessing before completing a full round. Men and women seated from Northern European countries and the tiny tots from Easwaramma English Medium School earned special attention as Bhagawan spent quite sometime attending to these groups. Coming onstage in sixteen minutes, at 1710 hrs., Bhagawan sat on, watching over, listening to the Vedic incantations enhanced by the tiny tots from Easwaramma English Medium School. Taking their turn, Northern European Choir comprising of 12 countries from European Zone 7 of Sri Sathya Sai Organisations, Overseas was blessed by Bhagawan to stage a Choir programme entitled ALL ARE ONE. Participating countries were Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Denmark, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary, Poland and Sweden. Over three hundred men and women from these countries have joined this pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam lasting for ten days. While the Veda chanting continued some of the men from the group got special attention from Bhagawan as He chose to interact with them. Familiar figure during Christmas Choir and singer of repute, Gisela Sebastian from Germany won special Divine attention as Bhagawan materialised a golden chain for the blessed artiste, well received with roar of applause. Veda chanting ceased at 1735 hrs. and following initial invocation and an announcement on the scheduled programme by the programme co-ordinator, the choristers began their 'journey' with a piece of Indian incantation, Ganesha Prarthana, invoking Lord Ganesha. Continuing with the Indian tongue, this all 'European Choir' sang two more pieces, one from The Bhagavad Gita followed by " Bhumi Mangalam" before switching over to its comfort zone, English and some regional languages, namely, German, Lithuanian and French. Accompanied by fine piece of music, generating harmonious rhythm, at time fitting synchronised clapping, more of Indian style, the choristers produced a musical evening of dedication and devotion to the delight of the evening's capacity audience. The Choir was ably conducted by Ms. Alma Badings from The Netherlands, a familiar face in Prasanthi during X-Mas Children Choir, with Ms. Gisela Sebastian leading 'the singing' from the front, laying extra hands on the keys of harmonium. Musical pieces for the evening included Hallelujah from Handel's Messiah, Ode to Joy, a customised Beethoven classic etc. Many hymns had interesting refrains, direct prayers unto Him and some of them were quite noteworthy for the manner in which they were produced, which were typical, loud, fast and quite abrupt erupting greater enthusiasm and joy. Final pieces were one on "Unity" followed by a "Wishing Happy Days" to The Dearest Lord. Fifty minutes' programme was followed by twenty minutes' bhajans by the choristers. As they began to sing, Bhagawan blessed singer Gisela Sebastian with a print of her blessed snap with Bhagawan, materialiasing the chain. Prasadam got sanctified by His touch and as the distribution went on, after 5-6 bhajans, sung with elan suffused with devotion, Bhagawan called for Mangala Arathi. Upon accepting Arathi, Bhagawan spent another five minutes onstage, glancing at the choristers, blessing two of the men, including the youngster who was on the harmonium, before leaving the dais at 1855 hrs. Moving off the dais, Bhagawan interacted with many before drifting into the bhajan hall for a round of inspection. Spending ten minutes inside, Bhagawan emerged yet again and The Divine Chariot, His car was ready. Opting out the car as Bhagawan glided towards the ladies'' side, a loud cheer emanated from the section, a natural expression of greater joy at getting one more close darshan. Time clock showed 1910 hrs. when Bhagawan left the portico gliding towards Yajur Mandiram, bringing curtains down on this blessed Saturday. || Samastha Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavanthu || |
