Glittering Ladies Day Evening…

The unmatched glory of womanhood enveloped Prasanthi and the Sai fraternity today. On the auspicious Ladies Day occasion, after an enlightening morning session, a beautiful multi-hued evening ensued here, studded with a scholarly speech and two cultural offerings.

The session began at 1700 hrs with a most unassuming, scholarly address by a dignitary par-excellent, Chief Guest for the day, Her Highness Princess Ashwathi Thirunal Gowri Lakshmi Bhai of the Travancore Royal Family, from God’s Own Country, Kerala. The family is known for their absolute servitude to Lord Sri Padmanabha of the famed Sri Padmanabha Swami Temple, Thrivanantapuram.

The Princess began her address with a hymn in praise of Lord Padmanabha, introducing herself as the “Child Of Good Fortune’ having been born in the family of Sri Padmanabha, as servant of Lord Padmanabha.

Referring to the much discussed gender equality, the  learned speaker observed that the term ‘equality’ is an utopia. As is the case with the five fingers, which are unequal in size, yet working in tandem, there should not be any inferiority or superiority complex. Showing glimpses of her scholarship mixed with unmatched simplicity, the Princess spoke about her chosen path, Bhakti Marga, hailing the same as the simplest and most beautiful. It is a contract with the exhilaration of our heart.

In conclusion, she touched upon a couple of inspiring tales of Bhakti, that of Gajendra Moksha and Draupadi Vastrapaharana not before narrating a modern-day Gajendra Moksha involving her son, 30 years ago, who was miraculously saved from a certain cancerous ailment, owing to the unbounded love and protection of Lord Sri Padmanabha. The Royal Princess concluded humbly, royally, religiously and most traditionally chanting “Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare… Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare…” three times followed by “Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu” and three Omkars.

A Carnatic concert by the famed sister-duo, Priya Sisters ensued next.  Flowing through the next 70 minutes, filling the hall with the pristine beauty of melody mellifluous, the sisters presented an interesting compilation of songs, that included a couple of meaningful Telugu compositions, popular Carnatic classicals, not the least a couple of interesting Sai Bhajans. The duo with their professional excellence mixed with devotional simplicity made the silent evening turned twilight more resplendent, filled with the exuberant charm of Carnatic beauty.

Marking the grand finale, beautiful girl children from Swami’s Primary School presented a most absorbingly enchanting thematic multimedia based dance medley, entitled “Premaswarupini Sai Maa” presenting Bhagawan’s teachings galore. Bhagawan’s simple yet profound teachings came to the fore in the next 40 mts., as the girls in glittering costumes danced to the centre-stage illumining the already lit up hall with the unmatched splendour of the Beauty Beyond Compare, Sri Sathya Sai.

Bhajans continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi at 1930 hrs.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II