Celebrating His Day Of Appearance…

All heavenly eyes were glued on Puttaparthi…and now, all eyes from everywhere are fixed on Prasanthi too! 23rd November – The Day Of His Splendorous Appearance Day has arrived once again. This being the 90th year of His Supreme Advent, its proportional significance is boundless, simply infinite.

As all hearts, hearths…as well as public places are commemorating that sacrosanct day and that holy year…even as Earth celebrates…Prasanthi Nilayam, the Holiest of the holies stands apart as the cynosure of all eyes, being His Chosen Homeland, then, today and forever.

Befitting to a mile stone occasion, this special morning dawned with a ‘double bonanza offering’, with four sessions, two apiece in both the sessions, ensuring a fully packed festive day.

…And, Rain God relented after a threatening spell during the run-up to the day, holding back its enthusiasm. Dot at the moment, when the Golden Chariot moved past the welcome arch at the stadium, the first rays of the morning Sun beamed through, saluting the Supreme Master, after almost a full day lay-off.  

‘As Divinity deserves’- thus goes the expression, an expressional phrase of human perception. True to this expression, this morning, Bhagawan, enthronedthe epochal Suvara Ratham, was accorded a grand ceremonial welcome, with a huge convoy of tableaus escorting the Golden Chariot. The contingents included Vedam, Cultural segments, University Bands, Flag bearing squad, etc.  

Even as the Chariot with Bhagawan made its way through the stadium, ‘Garuda’ from the heavens, showered flower petals of obeisance at the Supreme Personification of Divinity.

“He did not belong to anyone, at the same time He belonged to everyone’ said Sri SS Naganand, Trust Member, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, welcoming the concourse of devotees to the joyous celebrations.

Speaking on Bhagawan and His Supreme Aura Of Divinity, the speaker reminded the audience that, 90 years have gone by from the day of 23rd November 1926, highlighting on the significance of the day. He then extended a warm welcome to His Excellency Sri ESL Narasaimhan, Hon’ble Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana States, a visiting Japanese delegation, a host of dignitaries and devotees in general.

All India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations and Trust Member at SSSCT, Sri V. Srinivasan then presented a ‘customary’ annual report of the activities of  Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Highlighting on the transparency of the Trust activities, which is published on public domains, Sri Srinivasan hailed the unbeatable and incomparable track record of the Trust founded by Bhagawan. On the leadership transitional front, the All India President announced the appointment of Sri Nimish Pandya as the next President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations – India. Sri Srinivasan, the current President will continue to serve the Organisation in an advisory capacity.

Prasanthi Nilayam stands for Unity, Peace and Prosperity of the entire Universe. Making this holy desire explicit, a brief stint of Sai Gayathri followed next, as the devotees en masse repeated the Mantra in united voice.

Chief Guest’s speech followed next. Recollecting his connection with Anantapur District, way back 45 years ago, when he was first appointed as an ASP in the State Police Dept., the Governor echoed in a grateful tone that, today, after exactly 45 years, he is here as Chief Guest for such a holy occasion.

I think appearance and disappearance are for us mortals, Swami is Eternal, hinted the distinguished guest, reasserting his faith in Bhagawan’s ‘Eternal’ Presence. ‘Today, we are meeting here to rededicate ourselves to follow the path set by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Himself, of Love, Compassion and Service.”

Recollecting his humbling, educating and enlightening experiences with Bhagawan, the Governor recollected Bhagawan’s words of assurance given to him in person that he will never do any wrong at any time in his life. As a bureaucrat he carries this message throughout, the speaker added. ‘So what I am doing is obviously the Divine Order and I am carrying out my responsibilities.’

In a world being marred by strifes Bhagawan’s watchwords of Unity, Purity and Divinity would be relevant to bring peace unto this world, expressed the Governor concluding his inspirational speech.

Bhagawan’s Divine Benediction followed, played on the public address system.

Mangala Arathi at 1045 hrs marked the end of the first session of proceeding on this auspicious morning.

Session – 2 continued in the Sai Kulwant Hall, at 11 am, with a soul-stirring Avatar Symphony, conducted by Dr Michael Koehler, composed by Dr L Subramaniam, legendary Violinist. The composition is done on the concept of Raga harmony, a genius creation of Dr L. Subramaniam in the 1970s.

The presentation with much of innovative musical intricacies, going into finer precision, was arranged in three distinct movements, the first one being a Ganesha Stuthi and a tribute to Bhagawan, the second one, with a special piece, one of Bhagawan’s favourite bhajans and the third one in Raga Hemavati. This third movement had two different canons of different lengths, followed by a cadenza, ‘rhythmic free movement’.

Over 100 musicians from 16 countries participated in the concert, titled ‘Avatar Symphony’. Expert hands include Dr L Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam on the Violin, Kavita Krishnamurthi Subramaniam and Bindu Subramaniam on the Vocal, Tanmay Bose on Tabla, DSR Murthy on Mridangam, N Radhakrishnan on Ghatam and G Satya Sai on Morsing.

Mangala Arathi at the end marked the end of the special session.

Rejoice! Come, let us all rejoice…exult with great glee and gaiety…for it is indeed a Global Event…and then some more…a Cosmic Episode that is perhaps keenly watched and honoured by myriad divine, heavenly and celestial beings…for they too long for such a sight…and let’s be immersed in the ardent adulation of the ever Resplendent One!

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II