Cheti Chand, Holy Sindhi New Year In Bhagawan’s OmniPresence…
Sunday, April 7th, 2019
The land that boasts of varied cultural traditions is having a packed week of New Year celebrations. Commencing with Yugadi that is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, which is celebrated as Gudi Padwa by the Marathis, as the week advances there comes the Sindhi New Year, Cheti Chand. Today is the Sindhi New Year Cheti Chand, that marks the advent of community’s patron saint and Godhead Lord Jhulelal…and thus today in Prasanthi Nilayam Lord Sai dons the form of Lord Jhulelal.
In the auspicious morning today, in sharp contrast to the simmering summer, the celebrations began with invocation of Lord Varuna, who alone ‘advented’ as Lord Jhulelal. Commencing the session at 0800 hrs with Rudram chanting by the Sindhi Sai Youth, at 0820 hrs. the patron saint was invoked at the Sanctum Sanctorum in a regal procession against resonating background musical notes mingled with the chanting of Varuna Gayatri, “Om Jalabimbaya Vidmahe…”. Traditional offering of ‘Pallo’ and ‘Akho’ followed next, ‘pallo’ being a prayer to the Almighty to fulfil the needs and desires, ‘akho’ being offering to the Lord consisting of rice, sugar crystals, clove and cardamom beseeching blessings. Ms. Renu Gidumal from the UK served the vocal, praying, singing fervently to the Lord, with the august assembly requested to sit in receptive mode. The Sindhi Youth then presented a lively dance offering, dancing to the tune of a number glorifying the great tradition.
Dr. Karishma Mariwala Ahuja, a Sai Youth then introduced the ensuing session, invoking the Lord, greeting the august assembly. The speaker reminded the assemblage of the significance of the day that being to remind ourselves of the great legacy of the tradition, recalling the great works of Sindhi poets and philosophers, to lead a meaningful life. Ms. Hina Shadadpuri from Ullasnagar, Thane, Mumbai, Educational Coordinator and Balvikas Guru with SSSSO, then presented the legend of the tradition, speaking in Hindi.
Addressing next, Mr. Ashok Sakhrani from SSIO, Hong Kong, presented an overview of the significance of the festivity. The purpose of our presence here today is to remind ourselves that salvation can only come when we surrender ourselves to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. The lessons of Jhulelal’s incarnation contain clear signs that point Sindhi community to their destiny as Sai devotees, reminded the speaker explaining the parallels between Jhulelal’s and Bhagawan’s teachings. Lord Jhulel’s incarnation is credited to defeat the tyranny of that time pertaining to a community and Bhagawan has incarnated with the mission of leading the world to the right path. Today, tyranny has taken shelter in human minds and hence Bhagawan’s Presence amidst us. Recalling the Sindhis to dedicate with more intensity in His mission, the speaker asked the community to resolve to serve Him with hearts and minds full.
Sri Mahesh Goklani from Mumbai then presented the Sindhi Stars of Swami’s Mission, paying rich tributes to the blessed souls. The stars included Sarvasree Dr. Narottam Menghraj Alreja, Bhagawan’s personal physical for many years, who was with Bhagawan for 46 long years, Lachman Chaturbhuj Java of the famed Java Ice Cream, who was instrumental in introducing ‘Milky Way’ ice cream, who spent time with Bhagawan for 44 years, Khiyaldas Bherumal Bahirwani, Balram Nichani, Hiru Panjabi, Gopal Narayan, Newandram Shadadpuri and Chaganlal Gaglani.
If music be the food of love, play on… said Shakespeare. True to the poetic saying, the final session of this auspicious morning featured an enthralling musical bouquet by the lady with guitar, Ms. Renu Gidumal from London. With instrumental support of the musical team from Sathya Sai Mirupuri College Of Music, Ms Renu poured her purest feelings unto Him, declaring ‘You Are The Way, You Are The Road, You Are Mercy, Your Voice Is Love…’ and love in reciprocation flowed on… in vernacular Sindhi… as the blessed artist, strumming her guitar sung through the brief session presenting “Ram Toon Rug Rug Mein…” followed by a series of offerings… bhajans and kalams... interspersed with beautiful commentary.
Her inspiring numbers this morning included ‘Nangda Neemareein Da Jeeve Teeve Paalana…’, ‘Kiya Rhijaya Tokhe Kiya Parchaya…’ a song of deep devotional fervour for multi-faiths. The session turned out to be a most beautiful and sacred one, full of purity of faith, love and devotion from the blessed artist and accompanying men. The refrain Lal Jhulelal… Jeyko Chavando Jhulelal… reverberated the hall, time and again, filling hearts and minds many. Ms. Renu Gidumal is an accomplished singer/musician, who first came to Bhagawan in 1983, who has performed over 1000 stages in over 25 countries around the world, also had the privilege of singing in both the Houses Of Parliament in London, accomplished in singing in Chinese, Greek, German, French, Swahili, Sanskrit, Hindi and Sindhi. She was blessed to sing in Bhagawan’s physical presence on numerous occasions and is credited with 8 solo albums.
Bhajans by Sindhi Sai Youth continued and the blessed session concluded with Mangala Arathi to Beloved Bhagawan.
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
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