Archive for the ‘Prasanthi News’ Category

Diwali Celebrations 2011

Today is auspicious Deepavali, the festivity that is often referred to as The Festival Of Lights! Like many other festivities Prasanthi would also celebrate Deepavali in the past with students rejoicing the occasion bursting crackers in the Divine Presence. Until the inception of the Divine Abode, Yajur Mandiram, the green lawns opposite Poornachandra, where The Divine Abode was built, used to be the venue where students from Prasanthi and Brindavan campuses burst crackers on the auspicious evening in the Divine presence. Deepavali earlier years was also blessed with Bhagawan’s Divine discourses. …And during the occasion last year, all loving Mother Sai drove Himself down to Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium where His grateful students had arranged a ‘multi-colour shower from the heavens’ – a memorable fireworks display, heralding 85 Years of Love…!!!

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Avatar Declaration Day 2011

This day, 71 years ago, in a small and unknown town called Uravakonda in the erstwhile Madras Presidency of South India, a 14 year old boy named Rathnakaram Sathya Narayana Raju returned from school in the afternoon, cast away his books in front of his sister-in-law, Smt. Susheela, and declared most emphatically – “I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai Baba! My devotees beckon me. I have my work to attend to. I am leaving!”  He moved into the garden of a neighborhood house, and to the people gathered there , he sang his  epoch making Bhajan – Maanasa Bhajare Guru Charanam, Dustara Bhava Sagara Taranam (Oh Mind! Worship the Feet of the Guru and cross the turbulent ocean of this worldly existence).

The day was spent in prayer and quiet contemplation by the devotees in Puttaparthi. They spent the day in remembering the often repeated statement by Bhagawan Baba, I am Divine, but you too are Divine. The only difference is that I know about my Divinity and you are unaware of it”. There was an hour long Vedam session from 1630 to 1730hrs in the evening. This was followed by short talk by Sri Anil Kumar on the significance of this day.

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Kerala Youth Parthi Yatra and Sri O.S.Arun Concert

400 Youth from the state of Kerala reached Prasanthi Nilayam yesterday on a 3 day pilgrimage. Apart from listening to talks and sharing of experiences with Ashram elders, the youth also visited the various places of interest in the Global Township of Prasanthi Nilayam.

This evening there was a music concert by Sri O. S. Arun who began his music lessons under the careful ear of his father Vidwan O.V. Subramaniam. He is known for his sonorous voice that he wields with much confidence and musical personality and which he employs in tandem with his superior stagemanship. Sri Arun was blessed with the opportunity of performing in front of Bhagawan earlier during the Ati Rudra Maha Yajnam.

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Odisha Programme

Odisha has had a long and loving relationship with Prasanthi Nilayam with Bhagawan having a special soft corner for Sevadal from the state. The youth and Balvikas from the state have come on a special pilgrimage in which they have volunteered to be of additional service in the way of ashram cleaning and other chores.

This morning they held a rath yatra for Bhagawan from Shivalayam (His birthplace) to the Vidyagiri Arch. The Rath was accompanied by 108 women carrying Poorna Kumbams (sacred pots), a group of conch blowers and Mridangam (percussion) artists among other devotees representing the folk culture of the state.

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London Music and TN Drama

This calm morning after the pleasantly hectic days of Dasara witnessed a soothing performance by youth from United Kingdom who have been part of the Annual Grama Seva ever since its inception. The programme entitled Sai Harmony started at 0800hrs with Vedic recital. At 0815, the youth sang the stotram, “Brahmanandam Parama Sukatam…”. This was followed by a melodius song by Ms. Charlotte who then went on to play a Bhajan Medley in the Accordion and a Sitar rendition by Ms. Rupinder accompanied by Sri Manjeet on the Tabla.

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Dasara – Day 9

“The Yajna that we are performing now is meant for Loka Kalyanam (good of the world). Do not think that we are performing the Yajna just because people are performing Yajnas elsewhere. This Yajna is being performed with total spirit of sacrifice. We have no desires or expectations. Our only desire is that everyone should be happy. People perform Yajnas and Yagas to overcome famine and drought situations. But I don’t take such things into consideration. I do not give scope for such constricted vision. Famine, drought, etc., come and go. Whatever you do should confer everlasting happiness on all. It should help you to attain Divine grace.” – Dasara Discourse, 11 Oct, 2002.

The Veda Purusha Saptah Jnana Yajnam reached its grand culmination today. The ritwiks started their worship very early in the morning and completed their tasks including the study of various scriptures, the allotted number of Surya Namaskars and the chanting of various Vedic Mantras. At 0900hrs they entered the Bhajan Mandir where they accepted the Poornahuti Samagri from Bhagawan. With the chief priest carrying the Dhaarini (a large silver spoon used for feeding ghee to the fire) and his wife carrying the Samagri, the priests went on a procession with Nadaswaram leading the group.

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Dasara – Day 8

Today, the penultimate day of Dasara Celebrations and the last night of Navaratri, is celebrated as Saraswati Puja. The day saw the auspicious proceedings of the 6th day of Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajna and the successful conclusion of the Sri Sathya Sai Grama Seva for the year. Students of Anantapur Campus will distribute Prasadam and Clothes to Prasanthi Nilayam inmates on the 10th day. Poornahuti

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Dasara – Day 7

Durga Ashtami is the day earmarked in Prasanthi Nilayam for Aayudha Puja or the worship of instruments. Bhagawan has often reminded us that “Expression of Gratitude” is one of the most important virtues of man. This value which is ingrained in the culture of Bharat finds expression today when man thanks the tools which have helped him in his profession and his life.

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Dasara – Day 6

Eighteen villages of Puttaparthi mandal was covered by students today even as more and more devotees throng Prasanthi Nilayam to witness the daily Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajnam as it entered its fourth day.

This evening the programme started at 1630hrs with Vedam chanting by the students of the Brindavan Campus of the University. Sri Aman Jhaveri introduced the speakers of the day, Sri Rishabh Sachdeva, a final year MBA student and Prof. Anantaraman, faculty of the university and media coordinator of the trust.

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Dasara – Day 5

The Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajnam graced the Poornachandra Hall for the third day from 0700hrs to 1200hrs. 15 villages of the Bukkapatnam Mandal were covered by students today. The villagers welcomed the students with thoranams and banners of Bhagawan. Chairs with Bhagawan’s photographs graced many streets and presided over the distribution. Children of the villages had a great time as this was a day of festivity for them. Shouts of “Sai Ram” from the sweet voices of the kids, inspired the students with vigor.

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