Sri Krishna Janmashtami in Prasanthi Nilayam…
Saturday, August 11th, 2012
Prasanthi Nilayam celebrated the Advent of Bhagawan Sri Krishna on 10th August 2012 in Bhagawan’s Divine omnipresence, marked with Cultural Programmes, Gokulam Procession of quadrupeds and birds and a scintillating Divine discourse.
The Mandir premises were tastefully decorated with flags and festoons on the occasion and on the cool morning thousands of devotees had gathered enjoying Bhagawan’s Divine omnipresence, tasting the fun-frolic and love of the Avatar of Dwapara.
The programme commenced at 0830 hrs., after half-an-hour Veda chanting with the melodious recitation, by the Music troupe of students, of the Vallabhacharya composed Madhurashtakam beginning with the line: “Adharam Madhuram…” ending with the refrain in each stanza, “Madhuraadhipatherakhiam Madhuram”. Adi Shankaracharya’s Achyuthashtakam followed, recited faultlessly in Carnatic style and the session continued with an array of well conceived programme of songs in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi.
The songs were, Ghana Gana Sundara Karuna Rasa Mandira, Mohana Murali Nooruchunaka Hari…, both an often heard numbers in Prasanthi, Muddugare Yashoda by Annamaya, Manasa Sancharare by Thyagaraja, , Chandana Charchita Neelakalebhara in Malayalam. The programme was rounded off with a lilting Hindi devotional, Aao Chale Hum Sai Ke… a clarion call to march unto Bhagawan to sanctify our lives. The refrain Sai Mana Praanamu, Sai Mana Gamyamu…Sai Mana Jeevithadharamu… (Sai is my Life, Sai is my Goal, Sai is my Basis Of Life) echoed and vibrated the hall with great sense of devotion. Each of the songs was well received with loud applause by the morning assembly.
Even as the songs continued, the colourful procession of quadrupeds and birds from Sri Sathya Sai Gokulam arrived at the Mandir escorted by the Nadaswaram troupe from the Institute. The quadrupeds included cows and calves, deers, rabbits, peacocks, doves and the canine ‘Jolly’ from Senior Hostel. The cows had been covered with newly made embroidered, multi‑coloured silk duppattas, and were led by batches of students.
Senior administrators of Ashram, including Trust Members and Secretary of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, fed the animals and birds, a tradition set by Bhagawan, before Mangala Arathi was offered to Bhagawan with the quadrupeds and birds standing witness the scene.
Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse followed with the audio clip airing the Divine Voice erupting nostalgic memoirs. Discoursing on Radharani’s single focused devotion with complete surrender, Bhagawan sang to the tune of “Pata Paduma Krishna …” lucidly narrating the story of Krishna’s Final Flute Play. Krishna went on sacrifising things for His devotees, and for Radha, He sacrificed His flute and never ever He touched the same again, said Bhagawan. The song that He sang for Radha was Krishna’s final song.
Krishna principle is verily Love principle. Dwapara Yuga was full of devotion and women stood tall with their unflinching supreme devotion towards Lord Krishna. Women symbolize devotion while men symbolize knowledge. Knowledge takes on to the place of God while devotion reaches the Heart of God echoed Bhagawan, adding that Gopikas with their exemplary devotion taught the world that Hari Nama Sankirtan is the most suited form of worship in Kali Age.
Shifting the topic unto His own life Bhagawan narrated how He gave a promise to His worried mother, that He would settle in Puttaparthi, while would move around other places.
Back to Krishna’s time, narrating an incredible Krishna leela, of transporting Gopikas of Repalle to Dwaraka, thousands of kilometers apart, Bhagawan said, this sort of Divinity is not witnessed anywhere. Krishna’s Divinity is unfathomable. God can do anything and can change anything. Never entertain any doubts. Develop complete faith. By following God all goods will be conferred.
Let All Worlds Be Happy, concluded Bhagawan, singing the bhajan Govinda Krishna Jai…
With bhajans continuing, primary children offered greeting offerings at the Sanctum Sactorum followed by a set of senior students, carrying quadrupeds and birds, namely deers, white doves, rabbits, peacocks and the hostel canine Jolly, seeking blessings. The white doves were released subsequently symbolising peace unto the world. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage before Mangala Arathi offering at 1005 hrs.
Later in the evening, thousands of devotees took the main road in Parthi, taking out a huge procession exhibiting great devotional frenzy. The procession commenced at the Venugopala Swami Temple, at 1900 hrs. and ended in a hour near the Ganesh Gate.
Evening Programme:
Musical Dance Drama by Visakhapatanam Devotees:
In the evening devotees from Visakhapatnam, on a Parthi Yatra, staged a Musical Dance Drama entitled “Sai Krishnaya Charanam Namo Nama:”
A magnificent backdrop of Bhagawan flanked by Little Krishna on one side and Lord Krishna playing flute on the other side adorned the central part of Sai Kulwant Hall facing the Sanctum Sanctorum.
At the outset, the district president of SSSSO, Visakhapatanam gave an overview of the service activities in the district. Commemorating Bhagawan’s visit to Yellamanchili in 1965, a Sarva Dharma pillar was built a few metres away from the place where Bhagawan presided over Prasanthi Vidwan Mahasabha and addressed a large gathering of about 50,000 devotees. Some of the other activities include a water project to aboriginals in various villages, English medium education to children, health services with the help of mobile medical van, computer education to children, etc.
The presentation was based on the theme, drawing similarities between the two Avatars, Bhagawan Sri Krishna and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. Interspersed with colourful dances by children, elucidating on the glory of both the Avatars, the presentation illustrated wondrous tales from Bhagawan’s Avataric life, as to how devotees have been saved from dire life-threatening situations, most miraculously.
The presentation opened with a peacock dance celebrating Krishna’s birth at Repalle. A dialogue ensued between two narrators about the misfortune of not having witnessed Krishna’s enchanting form and His miracles. The other narrator said that such an Avatar was born again in the form of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Continuing with miracles, a narrator described a wonderful experience of a devotee in Machilipatnam wherein Bhagawan assumed the form of Sesha Sai in sea and gave Darshan.
Kasturi ji’s episode from Sathyam Sivam Sundaram saving a military man was also narrated. The man who wanted to commit suicide, but when he was to about to press the trigger, Bhagawan assumed the forms of his friends and family members including the suitcase carried by them. When they left his house, he wanted to commit the act, but his revolver was missing. Then he received a telegram from Bhagawan stating: “Your instrument is with Me.”
Another stunning miracle of an overseas devotee by name Mrs. Anderson who had come to witness Bhagawan’s Birthday in the year 1968; she saw the anointing of Bhagawan by the divine parents from her wheelchair. It was then that Bhagawan walked up to her, gave her the chance to anoint Him and to the surprise of all, made her get up and walk. Her disability was completely cured.
The dance drama came to a close with another beautiful dance by the children at 1800 hrs.
Even as bhajans continued, the cast was felicitated with special gifts and prasadam was distributed. The session came to a close at 1815 hrs. with the offering of Mangala Arathi.
The Youth from Visakhapatanam continued with their cultural presentation on the second day, August 11 evening, presenting a musical evening entitled Sri Sathya Sai Sangeeta Sudha, singing Divine glories of all the three Avatars, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna and Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. The hour-long programme had nine songs, all in Telugu interspersed with commentary detailing each song.
II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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