Guru Pournima!

Today is Guru Pournima, also known as Vyasa Pournima. It is called so
because it happens to be the birthday of the respected sage Vyasa.
Vyasa, you will appreciate is the one who is solely responsible for the
documentation of every scripture we know of today. Perhaps he had a
premonition that in the age to come, the Guru-Sishya parampara will be gone and these things cannot spread by word of mouth any longer.
Whatever the reason, we are beneficiaries of this wonderful work that He has done for us.

I have read one book in particular, the Krishnavatara by K.M.Munshi which comes in seven volumes. The sixth one deals in detail about the life and times of Veda Vyasa. He had a very tough life. All the sages of His time were divided and nobody had the courage or vision to put them all together. Worse, everybody tried to resist Veda Vyasa's efforts to unify the Vedas and document them. So, it is to limitless credit of Vyasa that He persevered and achieved the unification of the Vedas and passed it on for generations to come. As you would expect, Vyasa had to sacrifice a lot and work very hard towards this supreme goal. Little wonder then that, we equate Him to Lord Vishnu HIMSELF!!

With that note, may I urge you all to fondly remember this great architect of our way of life and pay obeisance to the one who almost single handedly rescued all the scriptures that we know from relegation into oblivion.

Finally to quote Him, as also Baba does

Ashtadasa puraneshu Vyasasya vachanam dhruvam
Paropakaraya punyaya papaya parapeedanam.

Brindavan News 11.06.'05 -- Samoohika Upanayana Mahotsavam!

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations of Karnataka are performing Samoohika
Upanayana Mahotsavam on 12th June '05 with the blessings of Bhagawan.
About ten days back, before HIS one day trip to Parthi, Swamy had
approved the programme and personally chose 12th June for the sacred
ceremony. Accordingly Brindavan decked up to host this grand ceremony
tomorrow. When I reached in the afternoon, there were people everywhere
wearning different badges, viz. Vatu (the boy whose Upanayanam will be
performed), Parent, Relatives. There were registration counters
operating in the space between the boys' hostel and the old boys' hostel.

Post registration, the Vatus occupied the space behind the students'
block in the Sai Ramesh hall. The Parents were seated behind this block.
Other relatives, three of whom were allowed per Vatu were also seated in
a special block. The organizers had planned to brief the Parents about
tomorrow's programme in the Kalyana Mantap after the darshan.

4PM. The chandliers on the stage lit up. Omkar starts, followed by
bhajan. It is 2/3 songs before Bhagawan appears on the stage in HIS
mobile throne. Heart leapt in joy to have caught a glimpse of That
beloved form after about two weeks. Bhagawan is seated in the middle
and was taking notice of the preparations of the grand ceremony
tomorrow. The Brindavan students had prepared a small programme
highlighting the significance of Sandhyavandanam. Bhajan was stopped and
Swamy commanded to start the programme. While some boys chanted the
different mantras associated with the Sandhyavandanam, there were two of
them narrating the significance of each. This was well done at a very
short notice and very appropriate. Swamy was keenly observing this
holding the railing with both HIS hands and inclining forward with great
interest! HE enquired about the Vatus and wanted to see them all! What a
day it is turning out to be in the lives of these young children!!

The programme is presently paused and the Vatus form a line, nay a
beeline, go till the Ganesha idol and take a left to the Kalyana mantap.
They are all seeing Swamy at an incredibly small distance of less than
10 ft. Swamy is happily smiling at them all and watching them all with
great keenness. There were about 500 of the vatus to be initiated the
next day in to a new life in which Gayathri will bve their Mother.

All the Vatus have now gone to the Kalayana mantap. Swamy now commands
the Parents of the Vatu to follow suit! A thousand of them cannot really
believe their good fortune!! As they troop past Swamy into the Kalayana
mantap, Swamy is looking at all of them. This is definitely going to be
a day which will be etched in the memory of many of these parents. In
this age when Swamy is most of the time busy with HIS various
humanitarian projects, HE has taken time out to bless even the parents
with a close darshan.

The parents and the vatus assembled in the Kalayan mandap. Meanwhile the
pasued programme resumed and completed at the Sai Ramesh Hall in Swamy's
presence. The Vatu and the parents were called one by one and given
clothes, a sari for the mother, dhotis for the vatu and the father. And
now, Swamy has sent word from Sai Ramesh Hall that all the Vatus with
their parents go back to SaiRamesh Hall. The front space in the Hall was
cleared as Vatus with their parents and the clothes run and occupy a
closest available space in the Sai Ramesh Hall. Once all of them
assemble back, the chief priest read out the programme of tomorrow with
Swamy's permission. All the Vatus and parents will assemble at Sri
Sathya Sai Gokulam gate at 6:15am, from where they will come in
procession to SaiRamesh Hall. At 7:30AM, the ceremony will start with
Sankalpam and various homams and then around 9AM is the time
Brahmopadesam and Yagyopavitadhaaranam.

Bhagawan commanded that all the students should chant all the mantras
they know tomorrow. On HIS direction, the chants started immediately and
Purusha suktam, Sree suktam, Sivopasana mantram were chanted in unique
Sai Student style -- high pitched! Swamy thoroughly enjoyed it and even
showed HIS own eyes when the chant went as 'Chaksho suryo ajaayate', a
chant from Purusha suktam. Now it stopped. And Swamy called for the
warden. HE conveyed some message through Sri. Narasimha Murthy. It was:

** Sai's home is your home. Sai's dwelling place is your dwelling place.
You might find some discomfort in your stay tonight. Please bear with
it. I will make you happy tomorrow. **

When the warden announced it, Swamy called him again and said something.
This was

** If you want anything in life pray to SAI. HE will grant it. **

And he was called yet again! This time it went like:

** All the Vatus, their parents and relatives will be served a sumptuous
lunch after the ceremony is over. **

I could not help marvelling at the meticulousness of the Master
Organizer. There were huge cheers everywhere and my eyes went moist at
HIS infinite love. I am sure it was an extremely touching moment for
most of the devotees present there.

Having drenched us with HIS love thus, Swamy retired to Trayee at around
06:30PM or so. There was no mood to look at time. We only wished, it
stood still frozen, supplying us with constant bliss which we tasted
just now.

Thank you Bhagawan. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Jai Sai Ram.

The archives can be found at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sreebhagawanuvacha/

--
:-)
Ramesh K. Sistla

http://manmeram.blogspot.com

May the wicked become good, may the good attain peace
May the peaceful be freed from bonds, may the freed set others free
-- Rig Veda

Swamy!

<img src="http://mohanrajyam.tripod.com/75bday22.jpg" alt="Swamy" />

The Lord of Puttaparthy will always protect you.
HE is the ocean of compassion.
Holding your hand, HE will take care of you.
HE will NEVER forsake you.
Recognise this truth.

-- Sri Sathya Sai Avatar

Brindavan Darshan News 10th May '05!

Morning Darshan:

Swamy was coming for darshan at around 8:30AM by walk. As HE was
approaching the Ramesh hall, HE had a fall on to HIS left side! HE
landed on HIS left hand and the hair almost touched the ground. We all
lost a couple of heartbeats! Immediately HE got up as if nothing has
happened and started walking a few metres!! The golf cart came and HE
sat in that. Entering through the ladies' side, HE came towards the
gents' side. HE now took the central avenue and kept going towards the
end of the hall, at which HE took a left and yet another left to reach
the stage. Now HE took one more left and straight away went out of the
hall. It must have lasted about ten minutes. It was all happening too
fast, the fall..., the rise... , the Darshan...., the exit...!

Afternoon: Reached Ramesh Hall by about 3:30PM and waited for an hour.
Swamy sent word through Warden Sir that HE wouldn't be coming for
Darshan. HE also said, "Nothing has happened to ME. I am fine, happy
and blissful. Be happy. The happier MY students are, the faster I will
recover".

Let us all pray from the innermost recesses of our heart to HIM to
stop this drama of falls. The more intense our prayer is the healthier
Swamy will be.

Jai Sai Ram

By A Sai Brother

Brindavan Darshan News 08th May '05!

SaiRam All!

Morning Darshan:

It is a very quenching darshan, this, coming after a long wait. The
crowd there was always gathering. By 6.30 am Ramesh hall was full and
there were more people coming towards the Ashram. After a long wait
SWAMI's arrival was heralded initially by nadaswaram and later by the
music with a jazzy sort of a beat. Soon there was din all over the place
and people stood to have a glimpse of the Lord even as hair stands on
end for a person in a blissful state.

The best part of the darshan was to see SWAMI walking down from
Trayee Brindavan to the ladies-side entrance of Sai Ramesh hall.Infact
he walked up to the elevator and went up the stage. After some time he
came down by the gents side elevator and boarded his old Golf car which
was often the 'chariot' the year before the last. He took the lane in
front of the students' block and took left near the Ganesh idol and went
straight down the central aisle till the 'erstwhile end' of the Ramesh
hall(not the extension). There He took left and turned again to come
straight and turn left again in a position to exit through the passage
He had entered. Earlier, He was welcomed with a 'Swaagatam' song by the
Bangalore devotees which was followed by bhajans.
(By A Sai Brother)

Afternoon Darshan:

Failed to make myself ready for the Sunday morning darshan. Sundays are
beautiful in Brindavan. A sea of humanity in silent anticipation is a
rare thing in this world. Only Swamy could make it possible! I didn't
want to miss such a beautiful day and reached Brindavan by 2:30PM for
the evening darshan.

I surrender my 'luggage' of mobile phone in the cloak room. Free now, I
think and reach the entrance. There is a beautiful arch made of flowers
that said 'Welcome to the Lord of Brindavan'! How sweet!! I pass through
the security and get into the Ramesh hall to find it completely full by
then. Bhajans are going on without the speakers. Despite the fact that
they have been on since morning, there is quite a tempo in the Bhajans.
Devotees start sitting in the extension. We reckon that Swamy might not
come for rounds in the afternoon and take vantage positions from where
we could comfortably see the Lord when HE is seated on the stage.
Following the bhajans that I know and chanting HIS name while I can't
make out some of the bhajans. I cast my eyes around. It really looks
festive. 'Thoranams' all around, marigold garlands spiralling round the
pillars, banners that read '80 years of Love in Action, Bhagawan Sri
Sathya Sai Baba', Saraswathi idol painted, hostel gets a facelift.....
my eyes slowly move towards the stage. The Muralidhara idol has been
decorated with arches of flowers and the stage bedecked breathtakingly
with flowers. All this coupled with the Bhajans reaching their crescendo
and the eager anticipation for the Lord of Brindavan, altogether
elevated the mind to a different(higher) state!

3:30PM, the wait continues.....

4:00PM, no luck yet. But by now the hall looks completely full even on
ladies' side. Bhajans are on in full swing. I couldn't help noticing the
Bhajans that beseeched the Lord to appear soon, such Aao aao Sainatha,
Mandir mein Aao madhava and many more, the whole Aao series was there! I
tell myself this is the tapas that we need to do in this age to have a
glimpse of HIM.

4:30PM, suddenly the audio speakers go live and resting backs get erect,
necks craned... I focus on the Trayee gate. I could see two boys
carrying buckets, presumably containing prasadam, going towards Trayee.
I think, they are going to get blessed, the Lord must be on HIS way...
The boys go back and before long, the curly hair, the red robe is
seen....The Lord is here! HE is coming by walk!! The golf cart following
at a distance feels left out... As Swamy comes near, I see HIM more
clearly... holding Dr. Jain's hand for some support, HE is coming, it
looks from this distance of about 50m, as floating.... HE enters the
hall from the ladies' side. And keeps walking towards the stage..... on
the way, HE speaks to someone briefly. Soon HE is on the elevator. Swamy
is on the stage and soon assumes HIS throne. Devotees express their
happiness by loud claps. All eyes focussing on HIM, the Bhajans are
stepping up tempo. Swamy listens to all Bhajans and timing them. HE must
have sat for 5/6 Bhajans. At 5:05PM, HE signals it is time for Arati and
gets up from the chair and stands holding the railing. Beautiful!!
Immediately Arati comes and we sing 'Om jai Jagadeesha hare...'. Arati
over and an army of youngmen in whites are trooping out from behind the
stage. They are holding prasadam in bucketfuls. Swamy stands holding the
railing and watches devotees receiving the prasadam. And then slowly
walks out, this time through the backdoor on the stage.

I thank the Lord for HIS darshan and the prasadam. Very happy at having
spent a wonderful afternoon at the Brindavan. I just prayed, oh Lord
please compensate for your late arrival this year and bless us with
extended rain of your grace in this Summer!

Jai Sai Ram

--
:-)

Archives at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sreebhagawanuvacha/

Sathya Sai Ganga

SaiRam All,

Last night (23rd Jan 2005) there was a special telecast on Sanskar TV on
the Sathya Sai Ganga reaching Chennai. It was a 45 minutes telecast that
started with the reasons behind the water problems in the city of
Chennai. In 1983, work started on Telugu Ganga project under which water
from the Krishna river would be sent in the Telugu ganga canal and
quench the thirst of Chennaites. Canal was done, but there was immense
loss of water due to seepage and evaporation, so much so, less than a
third of water that left Andhra reached Chennai.

In 2001 January, Bhagawan made a dramatic declaration at the Anniversary
function of the Sri Sathya Sai Super Speciality Hospital at Whitefield,
Bangalore. In that Swamy said "In Madras, there has been an acute
shortage of drinking water. The rich have been able to buy water in
tankers, but the poor have been suffering. I have decided to provide
drinking water to Madras. No matter how difficult it is, how expensive
it is, it shall be done". Soon, the central trust swung into action and
made a plan of concrete lining the canal which till then was just a
drain. 4000 people worked day and night. This has been very well
documented elsewhere. And water was released on 23rd November, on 79th
birthday of our dearest Lord. And the water reached TN on 27th November
which was the birthday of Swamy as per the Telugu calendar.

I think, we all must think about what Swamy has accomplished here. It is
very easy to explain it away as an act of the Divine. But I have known
that Swamy has been very busy in the last 2/3 years, and personally
taking note of the progress of the project and guiding everyone.
Everybody in this land must think what made Sathya Sai Baba do this?
There was no written request whatsoever from anyone in Madras! If
someone finds the right answer to this, it will be this -- that HE loves
the humanity and for its welfare, HE will do anything.

Let us keep in mind this great job done and also realise our
responsibility towards the society.

Jai Sai Ram

--
:-)

Archives at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sreebhagawanuvacha/

May the wicked become good, may the good attain peace
May the peaceful be freed from bonds, may the freed set others free
-- Rig Veda




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