Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – May 2010

Sathya Sai Baba

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – May 2010

– Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Buddha Purnima Celebrations…May 27 & 28, 2010
• Lava Kusha Ramayana – a Dance Drama by Bhagawan’s Students…May 25, 2010
• Sai Geetanjali – Music Programme by Balvikas Gurus, Karnataka…May 23, 2010
• Divine Discourse May 18, 2010
• Ugadi Divine Discourse….May 16, 2010
• Remembering Sai Gita – A Poetic Expression….May 22, 2010
• The Month that was……Apr 19 – May 19, 2010
• Sai Bhakta Samrajyam – Musical Dance Presentation …May 17, 2010
• Easwaramma Day Celebrations 2010…May 08, 2010
• Easwaramma – The Mother of God…a Poem… May 06, 2010

– Curtesty RadioSai:

Thursday, May 27, 2010
The Buddha Poornima celebrations by overseas devotees at Prasanthi Nilayam got underway this evening with Bhagavan entering Sai Kulwant Hall in a procession led by traditional dancers from Sri Lanka just after 5.30 pm. Before that, Swami had gone to the hall next to Yajur Mandir and blessed the teachers of the Sai University who had gathered there for the preliminary session of a two-day orientation course for new teachers. Moving among the faculty members, Bhagavan interacted with some of them informally for around 10 minutes before He left for Sai Kulwant hall.

The programme got underway shortly after Swami came onstage. Various items were presented to Him, including Sai Literature from Nepal and Sri Lanka. The Zonal chairman Dr. Ravindran introduced the two speakers for the evening, Dr. Art-Ong Jumsai, the Sai educator from Thailand and Mr. Sudhamek of Garuda Food Indonesia. After their brief talks, a drama entitled ‘Yashodhara’ got underway at half-past six. After the 35 minute drama, Swami sent clothes for the participants and accepted Arati. He went down for group photographs and blessed prasadam for distribution before returning to His residence at 7.30 pm.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010
This evening, Bhagavan emerged from His residence a few minutes after the bhajans commenced at half-past five. He sat onstage after His darshan round and accepted Arati at 6.10 pm. After Arati, He called up a couple of Professors from the University and asked Prof. Veerabhadraiah who teaches Telugu at the Prasanthi Nilayam campus to speak. In his fifteen minute Telugu talk, the speaker conveyed what Swami has spoken about Lord Buddha and His teachings. Bhagavan blessed him with a chain after his speech before accepting Arati once again and returning to His residence.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Students of Swami who had stayed back during their vacations presented compilation of dance and music this evening, ‘Lava Kusa Ramakatha’. Bhagavan came for darshan at a quarter past five and sat onstage for ten minutes after His darshan round listening to the Vedic chants. He then moved to the bhajan hall where the students were ready in costumes and spent ten minutes with them. Returning to the stage, He began the programme just after six o’clock. The 45 minute presentation of dances and songs on Lord Rama was narrated by ‘Sage Valmiki’. Bhagavan went down from the stage for group photographs and sent clothes for the performers. He also blessed ‘Mother Sita’ and ‘one of her sons’ with a chain and a ring respectively. It was a quarter past seven when Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence.

Sunday, May 23, 2010 Full Story With Images »
This evening, Balvikas gurus from North Kanara of Karnataka presented a music programme. Bhagavan arrived for darshan at ten to six and came onstage after His round of the hall. The group had prepared an album of 85 value songs and were ready with a selection to sing in the Divine presence. After listening to them for half an hour, Swami asked the students to sing bhajans. Ten minutes later, He accepted Arati. After a brief interaction with some of the students, He returned to Yajur Mandir.

Thursday, May 20, 2010
The weather at Prasanthi Nilayam has cooled down a bit, with overcast skies and brief showers bringing the temperatures down. The lists of provisionally selected students for the new academic year have been announced on the University website. Bhagavan came for darshan this evening as the Vedam went on and came onstage after His round of Sai Kulwant hall just as the 5.30 pm bhajans began. He blessed some of the students and teachers sitting in the front with vibhuti packets before He accepted arati at 6.15 pm and returned to His residence.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010 Full Story With Images »
Swami came for evening darshan today after the bhajans began. After His darshan round, He sat onstage for a couple of bhajans before asking for His microphones to be brought. From 6.10 pm, Bhagavan addressed the gathering, narrating the stories of Savitri and Harishchandra. He stressed the importance of chastity, harmony and fidelity in the family and that these are as important for men as for women. The students sang a bhajan before Swami accepted Arati at a quarter past seven and returned to His residence after blessing the congregation with both hands.

Monday, May 17, 2010 Full Story With Images »
This evening, the students of the Sri Sathya Sai University presented a programme of songs and dances. Bhagavan came for darshan at half-past five. After His round of Sai Kulwant hall, He came into the bhajan hall and interacted with the students in costumes there for ten minutes. Moving to the stage, He began the programme at ten to six. The fifty-minute programme had semi-classical devotional songs and dances and was narrated by ‘Sage Narada’. Bhagavan went down from the stage and blessed the participants with group photographs before accepting Arati and returning to His residence at seven o’clock.

Sunday, May 16, 2010
Last evening Bhagavan had come for darshan at six. Research scholars of Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the Sai University were seated in the bhajan hall. After His darshan round, Swami spent ten minutes interacting with the PhD students, moving among them and speaking to many of them. He then moved to the stage as the bhajans went on and accepted Arati after twenty minutes. He came for darshan this morning at 10.10, returning to His residence an hour later. In the evening, He accepted Arati as prasadam was distributed at hal-past six. He then blessed the staff member who came up to Him with a chain and later with vibhuti. Then it was the turn of a student who came up to receive a ring. Then He blessed the ‘Birthday boys’ one by one. It was nearly seven when Bhagavan returned to His residence.

Thursday, May 13, 2010
Swami has been coming for evening darshan over the last few days. Last evening as well as this evening, He went into the interview room after Arati. After remaining there for a few minutes, He had made another extended round of the verandah and even moved briefly onstage before returning to His residence at ten to seven. This evening also He moved around the verandah for a second time before returning to Yajur Mandir.

Sunday, May 9, 2010 Full Story With Images »
Mother’s day is celebrated today, the second Sunday of May, in many parts of the world. Bhagavan asked Sri Ajit Popat of the UK and Sri B. N. Narasimhamurthy, Warden of the Brindavan Hostel, to speak this evening about Mother Eswaramma. After He arrived for darshan at a quarter to five, Swami sat for a few minutes onstage before calling up Sri Popat. After the two talks, Bhagavan accepted Arati at a quarter past six and prasadam was distributed to all.

Thursday, May 6, 2010 Full Story With Images »
On this Eswaramma Day morning, Bhagawan emerged in His car at just before ten o’clock to proceed to the Samadhi of His parents. There, a private function was held inside the inner sanctum with a song being sung on Mother Eswaramma. Half an hour later, Swami returned to Sai Kulwant hall. There, He sat for a while onstage before moving through the bhajan hall for a second round of the gents’ side in front of the students. Prasadam of Tamarind Rice and Sweet Rice was distributed to all in leaf plates. Swami accepted Arati at 11.15 am and an announcement was made about the evening programme. It was half-past eleven when Bhagavan returned to His residence.

In the evening, Swami came for darshan at ten to five. After His round of Sai Kulwant Hall, He came into the bhajan hall and interacted with a group of educators seated there who are to begin a new project based on Sathya Sai Education along with the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation. Spending half an hour with this group, Bhagawan came onstage to begin the balvikas presentation after 5.30 pm. The story of Bhadrachala Ramdas was presented through many songs and dances in the fifty minute English drama by Balvikas children from Bangalore. Swami sent clothes and vibhuti prasadam for the children and they came onstage batch by batch for group photos with Him. The students sang bhajans for fifteen minutes before Bhagavan accepted Arati at seven o’clock. He then interacted some more with the Karnataka state Sai Organisation President onstage before returning to His residence.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010
On the eve of Eswaramma Day, this evening, Bhagawan came for darshan 4.45 pm in His car. He moved to the Samadhi through the central gate of Sai Kulwant hall. Statues of Mother Eswaramma and Sri Pedda Venkama Raju garu were readied there. Swami formally unveiled these statues and asked for coconuts to be broken. Spending almost fifteen minutes there, Bhagavan accepted Arathi before returning to the Mandir just after five o’clock. Alighting near the interview room, Bhagawan spent sometime outside the interview room before proceeding to the bhajan hall. He then came onstage as the Vedam went on and sat onstage for the next half-hour. When Swami moved to the interview room, Bhajans began at a quarter to six. When Swami returned to the stage after half an hour, He accepted Arati. An announcement was then made about the Eswaramma day celebrations tomorrow.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Bhagavan came for evening darshan at ten to five. After a full round of Sai Kulwant hall, He went on a second round of the ladies’ side before coming onstage. He sat listening to the Vedic chants there till nearly 5.30 pm, when He moved to the interview room. Emerging half an hour later, Swami moved to the Bhajan hall briefly before returning to the stage to accept Arati a few minutes later.

Monday, May 3, 2010
This evening also Bhagavan came for evening darshan in the car. Moving through the centre gate of Sai Kulwant Hall, He left for a drive through the village before returning after nearly half an hour at 5.40 pm. He then sat onstage till Arati just after six o’clock. He then had some interactions in the interview room and later in the the Bhajan hall, returning to His residence after half-past six.

Sunday, May 2, 2010 Full Story With Images »
This evening, preparations were made at the Samadhi of Swami’s parents for His arrival. Bhagavan arrived for darshan in the car just before half-past four and directly came to the stage. He sat there as the Vedam went on for half an hour. Spending the next fifteen minutes in the interview room, He went to the Samadhi and saw the arrangements made there for the Eswaramma day celebrations on May 6th. Returning to the Mandir as the bhajans went on at 5.40 pm, He sat onstage till Arati at 6 pm.

Saturday, May 01, 2010 Full Story With Images »
Bhagavan came for darshan by five o’clock last evening. He sat onstage listening to the Vedic chants till He accepted Arati at six. Before Arati, He called up one of the students in the bhajan group and blessed him with a chain. This evening, He came for darshan just before half-past five. Half an hour later as Arati concluded and one of the students came up to Him with a rose, Swami blessed him with a chain. He then sat onstage interacting with the students for ten more minutes before moving to the interview room. At 6.30 pm, He emerged to return to His residence after a short visit to the bhajan hall.

– Official Sri Sathya Sai Baba Website

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – December 2009

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – December 2009

– Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Alumni Drama – An Eternal Bond of Love – 31 Dec 2009
• Welcoming The New – 31 Dec 2009
• Christmas Divine Discourse – 25 Dec 2009 (updated on 30 Dec)
• Bouquet of Devotional Songs – Cultural Programme by Indonesia – 30 Dec 2009
• Bouquet of Love – Cultural Programme by Delhi Balvikas – 29 Dec 2009
• Joy of Serving – Music Programme by Southern Europe 28 Dec 2009
• The Revolution of Love – Sunday Special – 27 Dec 2009
• International Children’s Choir and Christmas Drama 26 Dec 2009
• Christmas Morning in Prasanthi Nilayam – 25 Dec 2009
• Christmas Eve in Prasanthi Nilayam – 24 Dec 2009
• A Child’s Christmas Musings – Subash Subramanya
• Sathya Vaani Nrithya Baani – Dance Programme by Prasanthi Dance Group 23 Dec 2009
• Divine Message to Doctors during Doctors’ Parthi Yatra – 20 Dec 2009
• Sri Sathya Sai University Management System Commissioned – 22 Dec 2009
• Recharging Spiritual Batteries – Bhagawan Blesses Medicos from Bangalore
• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 20 Dec 2009
• Sunday Special – The Bond of Love: CBS Mani
• Sunday Special – Singing unto Infinity: K.S.Chitra 13 Dec, 2009
• The Divine Bond – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Singapore SSE Programme Dec10, 2009
• Eternally Grateful – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Decorating Divinity – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Sai Kiranaalu – Dance Ballet 9 Dec 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 6 Dec 2009
• Punjab Youth – Balvikas Parthi Yatra – 6 Dec 2009
• Sunday Special – With Love Man is God – Sharon Sandweiss Speech, 6 Dec 2009
• West Bengal Parthi Yatra – Dance Drama – 5 Dec 2009
• Ratan Tata visits Prasanthi Nilayam – 3-4 Dec 2009

– Curtesty RadioSai:

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009
The alumni of Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campuses of the Sai educational institutions, the Sai Students, are here in large numbers for their annual meet. This evening, they presented a drama. Bhagavan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall ten minutes after five and moved to the Bhajan hall after His darshan round. There, He interacted with the participants in the drama who were ready in their costumes. Fifteen minutes later, He came onstage and began their drama at a quarter to six. The innovative 50 minute presentation used a video screen as a backdrop and had mythological characters narrating the story of students and Swami. Bhagavan went down among them for group photographs and accepted arati at a quarter to six as prasadam was distributed. He then interacted with the alumni for a few more minutes before returning to His residence at seven o’clock. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra was also in the congregation this evening.

Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009
This evening, devotees from Indonesia presented a musical programme. Swami arrived for darshan at five o’clock and began their programme twenty minutes later. After their programme of songs, Bhagavan asked them to sing bhajans. He blessed one of them with a chain and went down among them for group photographs. After Arati, Sathya Sai Baba moved to the interview room briefly before returning to His residence at seven o’clock.

Tuesday, Dec 29, 2009
Balvikas children from Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) presented a programme of music and dance this evening. Sathya Sai Baba arrived for darshan at ten to five and He asked for their programme to commence after His darshan round. The children presented colourful dances for half an hour. Swami then asked them to sing bhajans while prasadam was distributed. The children sang for twenty minutes before Swami blessed one of them with a chain and accepted Arati.

Monday, Dec 28, 2009
A large contingent of devotees from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina presented a musical programme this evening. Bhagavan arrived for darshan by 4.20 pm and after His darshan round, went among the group, blessing many with vibhuti. He then started moving among all of them when they seated themselves in rows, distributing vibhuti in packets to them. This interaction went on for more than an hour, and it was 5.40 when Swami sat onstage for their programme to begin. The devotees began with five minutes of Vedic chants, mindful of correct intonation and pronunciation. They then sang songs from their respective countries for half an hour. Swami sent clothes for them and asked them to sing bhajans, so they sang with the ladies and gents alternating in leading the bhajans with group singing. It was nearly seven when Bhagavan accepted Arati. He then asked Prof Anil Kumar to announce that He was very pleased with the group’s performance and that He blesses all of them. Blessing the congregation with both hands, Sathya Sai Baba then returned to His residence.

Saturday, Dec 26, 2009
This evening, the children from overseas were to present their choir and Christmas play. The children from Latin America were presenting the play this year. Swami arrived for darshan just before half-past four. The programme commenced at ten to five with Ganesh gayatri and went on for half an hour of lilting Christmas melodies and Sai songs. The half-hour Christmas play then commenced, presenting the stories of Jesus and Sai as told by a mother to her son and interspersed with many songs. Satya SaiBaba blessed the participants with photographs and clothes before Arati just before half-past six.

Friday, Dec 25, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Christmas was celebrated in Prashanti Nilayam with festivity and joy. Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrived in silken white robe in the morning shortly after 9:00am. Cutting the Christmas cakes that had been arranged in the portico, Swami arrived on the stage and there were two programmes. The first was by the University Brass band. This was followed by carol singing by the students. After two Santas added to the festivity of the occasion, Swami received Aarthi and left.The evening programme consisted of two speeches by Ms. Yuliana Pulgar and Mr.Douglas Saunders respectively. This was followed by the Divine discourse at the end of which Swami blessed a few Russian devotees with the joy of His interaction.

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Christmas celebrations at Prashanthi Nilayam got off to a wonderful start with carol singing by the overseas devotees on Christmas Eve. Sri Sai Baba arrived in the evening and took a full round. Coming on the stage, He asked for the programme to begin. the singing went on for almost an hour and throughout Swami was engrossed in the lyrics of each song sung. At the end of the singing, He asked Mr.John Behner to announce the programme for the next two days. He also called a student who expressed heartfelt thanks to the overseas choir on behalf of all the University students. Blessing all the members, Swami retired to Yajur Mandir at 6:30pm.

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The dance group at the Prashanti Nilayam campus of the University completed five years of existence yesterday. Sathya Sai Baba blessed them to put up a performance commemorating this occasion and thus it was that there was a 40 minute long dance performance beginning at 5:15pm. Swami moved down the stage and granted group photographs for all the students involved before receiving Aarthi and retiring shortly after 6:00pm.

Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai University had a special agenda with the Chancellor today. The University’s newly developed ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system was blessed and commissioned by Sathya Sai Baba in a small function held in the bhajan hall in the evening at 4:30 Hrs.

The University Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examinations and the Principal of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus were joined by a group of faculty members who had been working on the same seeking Divine Blessings on the memorable occasion. This University Management System would facilitate the easy administration, management and communication, both internal and external, of the University. After inaugurating it, Swami moved outside for the bhajans before receiving Aarthi.

Monday, Dec 21, 2009 Full Story With Images »
An exclusive batch of doctors along with families from the twin hospitals in Bangalore, SSSIHMS and Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital in Whitefield, came in with a strength of over 200 to bask in Sathya Sai Baba’s all-conquering Divine Love. As was the case with the previous group, this exclusive group of medicos and families was also blessed by Swami in a most thrilling session held in the bhajan hall that lasted for an hour. Swami spoke to them in Kannada and blessing them with photos moved outside for the bhajans. After bhajans, He received Aarthi and moved to yajur Mandir.

Thursday, Dec 17, 2009
There were no special programmes at Prasanthi Nilayam over the last week. The political disturbances in the rest of the state have not significantly impacted the Ashram and its immediate vicinity, though the travel plans of many were affected by the cancellation of bus services in Andhra Pradesh. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai baba has been coming before the evening bhajans commence on many days, and went for a drive a couple of days ago in the forenoon. Last evening, He had come for darshan before half-past four, and had blessed the ladies’ side with a second darshan round before five o’clock. Functionaries from the defence services of Sri Lanka and India had visited Prasanthi Nilayam over the last few days, and today the Chief of the Army Staff of Nepal had an audience with Bhagavan. Swami blessed many of the members of his group with vibhuti and also asked for distribution of a booklet and prasadam before He accepted Arati. After Arati, He blessed some of the birthday boys from among the students and returned to His residence at a quarter-past six.

Tuesday, Dec 10, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Devotees from Singapore presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrived for darshan at a quarter past four and after His darshan round, began their performance. The forty minute drama presented the concept of the Spiritual Bank which was based on a Discourse given by Bhagavan in 1966. At the end of the performance, Bhagavan blessed the group with photographs and gave a chain to one of the children. He then allowed the devotees to sing bhajans, which continued till ten past six when He accepted Arati and retired for the day.

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar of Visakhapatnam celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The children and teachers of the school were gathered at Prasanthi Nilayam and presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba came for darshan a few minutes before five and after His darshan round sat for a couple of minutes onstage before moving to the interview room. It was 5.20 pm when He came onstage and began their performance. The hour long drama showed the positive impact of Sai students on society. There were several dances punctuating their performance which ended with a group song. At the end of the performance, Bhagavan blessed the children with group photographs. This was followed by bhajans for twenty minutes following which Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at seven o’clock.

Sunday, Dec 06, 2009
As announced yesterday, this evening the Punjab youth were ready with their drama and a backdrop was set up in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after five o’clock and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the programme. A half-hour drama ‘Vande Sai Mataram’ was the first presentation, followed by a short music programme. Swami blessed the participants with group photographs and gave a chain to one of them. It was half-past six when He returned to His residence after accepting Arati and blessing the singers.

Saturday, Dec 05, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, youth from Bengal presented their programme. Swami arrived at half-past four and after His darshan round, came onstage to begin the presentation. A forty-minute drama ‘Transformation from Individual to Global’ then began. Swami sent clothes for all the actors and moved down from the stage to interact with them, asking for bhajans to begin after He returned onstage. Accepting Arati after fifteen minutes of bhajans, Bhagavan returned to His residence at six o’clock after an announcement about the cultural programme to be presented tomorrow by the Punjab youth.

Thursday, Dec 03, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of India’s largest business group, visited Prasanthi Nilayam today, along with his colleague Mr. Krishna Kumar, Vice-Chairman of Indian Hotels Company. Before evening darshan, all the college students and the visitors from the Tata group were seated in the College auditorium. Bhagavan came for darshan at half-past four to Sai Kulwant Hall in the car and directly moved to the College auditorium for a drama presentation by the students there. After the drama, Swami interacted with the participants onstage for more than half an hour before returning to the Mandir where the bhajans were going on. He accepted Arati from inside the Bhajan Hall after getting down from the car at a quarter to seven and then interacted with Mr. Tata and Mr. Krishna Kumar for fifteen minutes there before returning to His residence in the car.

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009
Swami was coming before the evening bhajans began for the last few days, and returning to His residence in the chair itself. Yesterday, He came for darshan at 4.45 pm and moved to the interview room. After the five o’clock bhajans began, He went in the car to the college auditorium and saw a drama rehearsal by the students there. Returning after an hour, He accepted Arati at 6.20 before returning to His residence. Today, darshan was at 5.15 pm, after which Bhagavan gave interviews till past seven when He came onstage to accept Arati. He then asked the students to chant ‘Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu’ three more times before He blessed the congregation and returned to His residence.

– Official Sri Sathya Sai Baba Website

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – November 2009

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – November 2009

– Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 29 Nov 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 15th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 8th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 1st Nov 2009
• The Privilege of Being His Student – Reflections on Pune – Mumbai Trip
• The Inner Circle – Bhagawan Blesses Whitefield Hospital Staff – 13/14 Nov 2009
• 84th Birthday Celebrations – Evening 23 Nov 2009
• 84th Birthday Celebrations – Morning 23 Nov 2009
• Light of the Cool Night …23 Nov 2009
• When L’ll Champs Regaled…22 Nov 2009
• Emergence of another Pandharpur – Reminiscence of Bhagawan’s Hadshi Trip
• Convocation Address by Dr. Samuel Sandweiss 22 Nov 2009
• Vice Chancellor’s Address – 28th Annual Convocation 22 Nov 2009
• 28th Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai University – 22 Nov 2009
• Vidya Amritam – Convocation Drama – 21st Nov 2009
• Ramayana – Dance Drama by Primary School Children – 20th Nov 2009
• Ladies’ Day 2009 in the Divine Presence – Evening Programme – 19th Nov 2009
• Ladies’ Day 2009 in the Divine Presence – Morning Programme – 19th Nov 2009
• Blessed Blissful Twilight – 18th November 2009
• Ratotsavam in Prasanthi Nilayam – 18th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 15th November 2009
• Tamil Nadu Youth Pilgrimage – 13th to 15th November 2009
• Becoming a Flute in His Hands…15th November 2009
• Akhanda Bhajan in Prasanthi Nilayam
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 8th November 2009
• When Heaven came down to Mumbai – 31st to 2nd Nov 2009
• Hadshi Prayed and The Lord Responded – 28th to 31st Nov 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 1st Nov 2009
• The Return of The Lord – 3rd Nov 2009
• Sathya Sai Students take Brabourne to Heavenly Rapture – 1st Nov
• Power Inc takes a breather, gets down to spiritual biz – ET Report (abridged) – 1st Nov
• Bhagawan at Jamboori Maidan, Worli – 1st Nov 2009

– Curtesty RadioSai:

Monday, Nov 23, 2009
Prasanthi Nilayam was brimming with devotees and people from the nearby villages on Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 84th Birthday. Tea and tiffin was being served at many counters all over the Ashram as a service by Maharashtra devotees. Arrangements were made to seat devotees in the Poornachandra auditorium also, with a large screen set up there. CCTVs and projectors were arranged in Sai Kulwant Hall for devotees to have a closer darshan. Swami emerged from His residence clad in a white robe seated on the white chair just after ten o’clock. He first moved to the Poornachandra to grant darshan to those seated there. The procession then began five minutes later, moving to the Sai Kulwant Hall from Yajur Mandir. The Anantapur brass band, the Primary school girls bagpipes, the Primary School boys recorders and drums, the University brass band and vedam chanting students led Bhagavan to the Mandir. After blessing the large cake kept on the verandah, Swami came onstage and sat there for fifteen minutes as the Vedam chanting went on and the bands played one after another. He then asked for the Malladi brothers to sing. Their vocal concert was for 45 minutes. Swami then asked for the evening programme to be announced, and blessed prasadam for distribution as the bands played again. Arati was offered at 11.45 am. Bhagavan then moved to the bhajan hall where cakes by the various institutions were arranged. He blessed all the cakes and returned to His residence at noon.

In the evening, Sathya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at half-past five in a golden robe and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the programme by English singer Ms. Dana Gillespie at 5.45 pm. After her 45-minute performance, the Malladi brothers again sang for an hour. Swami blessed them with shawls and gave clothes to all the artistes, and they sang one more song before Swami accepted Arati at 7.30 pm before returning to His residence.

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
The 28th annual Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai University was held today. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came to Sai Kulwant hall in His car to oversee the arrangements at 8 o’clock and the congregation was allowed into the hall half an hour later as announced yesterday. The Convocation procession got underway from Yajur Mandir just before 10.00 am. Bhagavan, wearing a maroon robe and seated on the special white chair, was led into the hall by the University brass band and students bearing the ceremonial mace and insignia. The Vice-Chancellor’s address was followed by the presentation of gold medals and PhDs. The Convocation address was by Dr. Samuel Sandwiess from the United States. At 11.15, Bhagavan began His hour-long Benedictory Address as the Chancellor of the University. He exhorted the students to never forget Divine Love wherever they may be. Before concluding, He once again asked them to uphold the ideals of the institution and to love and respect their parents. After His Discourse, Swami asked the students to sing a group song before the proceedings concluded with the National Anthem.

In the evening, Swami came for darshan at 5.10 pm and after His round of the hall, He blessed a cake presented by the Hospital staff on the 18th anniversary of the Super Speciality Hospital here. He moved to the bhajan hall where the “Little Champs”, the singers for the evening were seated and then to the interview room. He emerged from there to take a round of the verandah and sit onstage, talking to the Maharashtra Chief Minister there and calling up singer Smt. Bombay Jayashree to give a performance at 6.20 pm. After her half-hour performance, Swami blessed her and the accompanists with clothes and called up the five children who were to sing next. These children had sung before Satya Sai Baba at Hadshi on His Maharashtra trip last month. After they sang for 50 minutes one by one, He asked for some songs with Swaras, and the two boys obliged. He then blessed them with shawls and the girls with sarees, interacting with them and listening to two more song by all of them together. After blessing the artistes with clothes and apple prasadam, it was half-past eight when Swami returned to His residence.

Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
This evening, the students of the Sri Sathya Sai University presented their Convocation drama. Bhagavan arrived for darshan at ten minutes to five and came to the bhajan hall where the students were seated in costumes. Interacting with them for a few minutes, He moved down the aisle and up the verandah to go to the interview room. From there, He emerged to come onstage and begin the presentation at a quarter to six. The hour-long drama ‘Vidyaamrutam’ brought out Swami’s ideal of providing education free of cost, against all odds. Swami blesssed the participants with group photos and clothes at the conclusion, He had blessed the protagonist of the play with a chain during the drama itself. He asked for some songs to be sung, so the students sang a bhajan and a group song before Swami accepted Arati. He interacted with the students for some time even after Arati and it was past 7.30 pm when He returned to His residence. An announcement was made about the 28th Convocation of the University which is to be held tomorrow morning.

Friday, Nov 20, 2009
This morning, Bhagavan Sri Sathya SaiBaba came for darshan an hour after the nine o’clock bhajans began. He moved to the bhajan hall after three rounds of the ladies’ side of Sai Kulwant hall selecting ladies for saree distribution, sending them to the bhajan hall. In the Bhajan hall, He gave sarees to the ladies gathered there. The students of the music college got a cake blessed since it was the anniversary of the inauguration of their institution. It was half-past eleven when He accepted Arati onstage after the distribution.

In the evening, the students of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School presented a drama on the story of Mother Sita. Swami was welcomed into Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.10 pm with the bagpipes band of the Primary School along with students dancing and chanting Vedam. Once Bhagavan reached the stage after His darshan round, a brief round of distribution of mementos was done on behalf of Eswaramma Womens’ Welfare Trust. The fast-paced forty-minute Primary School drama commenced at 5.40 pm. After the drama, Swami called up the participants onstage to have group photographs with them and sent them prasadam. The bagpipes band then performed a couple of pieces before Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at a quarter to seven.

Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
November 19th has been celebrated as Ladies’ Day by Bhagavan and all activities are done by ladies on this day. Smt. P. Susheela began the day by chanting the Suprabhatam at half-past five and the Vedam chanting before the Nagarasankirtan was also by Swami’s girl students as on earlier years. The programme in Sai Kulwant hall began ten minutes after nine with Swami being welcomed by a procession consisting of the Anantapur brass band and Vedam chanting students. After His darshan round Swami lit a lamp onstage just before 9.30.

There were two speakers, with an introductory speech by Mrs. Chetana Raju. Mrs. Sharon Sandwiess of the USA and Mrs. Harriet Tay-Agbozo of Ghana spoke of their experiences with Bhagavan. The speeches were followed by five-minute dances by children from the Sai schools of India, Indonesia, Mexico, Fiji, Thailand and South Africa. After their presentation, Swami went among the participants and gifted them with photo frames. It was 11.15 when He came back onstage and asked for bhajans by the ladies to begin. Ten minutes later, He accepted Arati and left for His residence after blessing the giant cake placed onstage.

In the evening, Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at 4.45 pm, led by Vedam chanting students and the Primary school bagpipes band, flanked by small girls bearing welcoming plates with lamps. The programme commenced at five o’clock with choirs by devotees from Greece and other European countries. The music was followed by a 70 minute Telugu drama ‘Draupadi Charitra’ by devotees from Hyderabad. After the drama, Swami blessed “Draupadi” with a chain and went down for group photographs. He then called them up one by one to the stage to receive photo frames. It was past seven o’clock when Swami left for His residence after Arati. Sri Ashok Singhal of the VHP and Malayalam film star Sri Mohanlal were also among the congregation.

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009
This morning was the traditional Rathotsavam from Prasanthi Mandir to the Pedda Venkama Raju Kalyana Mantapam (Old Mandir), celebrated over the years on November 18th. Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after nine o’clock as the Vedam chanting went on, and came to the bhajan hall after His darshan round in the chair. The idols of Gopalaswami, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman were kept there decked with jewels and flowers, ready on palanquins for the procession. Sathya Sai Baba blessed the procession of Vedam and bhajan chanting students, and they began at a quarter-past nine. Once the procession reached the Gopuram gate where the decorated chariot (Ratham) was waiting, Swami went there and started the procession. When He came back onstage, the students chanted Vedam for a while, and later sang bhajans. The procession returned from the Kalyana Mantapam at 10.20, and Swami accepted Arati.

In the evening, Swami emerged from His residence at half-past five as the bhajans went on and went to the Poornachandra auditorium to see the dress rehearsal of the Convocation drama by the University students. After spending more than an hour there, He came to Sai Kulwant Hall and moved to the interview room after His darshan round. Moving down the verandah, Swami sat for a few minutes onstage before accepting Arati after seven o’clock. An announcement regarding tomorrow’s Ladies’ Day celebrations was made before Bhagavan returned to His residence in the car.

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
Last evening, Bhagavan had blessed the intra-mural captains of all the campuses of the Sai educational institutions at His residence after the bhajans. He had also asked for a Burrakatha presentation this evening. Accordingly, the Burrakatha students were ready in their costumes in the bhajan hall when Swami came for darshan at 5.30 pm today as the bhajans went on. Once He reached the stage after His darshan round, He asked for the Burrakatha to begin, and the Burrakatha group went onstage to commence their hour-long presentation on Mother Eswaramma and Karnam Subbamma at ten minutes to six. Swami also sat onstage watching them, and accepted Arati immediately after the programme.

Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, the youth from Tamil Nadu presented their drama. Bhagavan Shree Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at 5.50 pm and after His darshan round, began their 45-minute drama entitled ‘Sathya Kathalu’. After the drama, some small girls who took part in it came up to Him with a card, and He blessed one of them with a chain. Clothes were sent for all the participants and Swami went down from the stage for group photographs. Even after He returned to the stage, He continued to interact with them till 7.15, when He asked for two bhajans to be sung with alap and then accepted Arati at half-past seven. He then visited the interview room for a short while before returning to His residence in the chair itself.

Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The staff and their families from the Bangalore Super Speciality Hospital plan to come every month in batches for Bhagavan’s darshan. This weekend, the first batch of 120 members had come and were seated inside the bhajan hall for evening darshan. Swami came for darshan at ten minutes to five and after His darshan round, came into the bhajan hall as the bhajans went on in the Sai Kulwant Hall. He spent more than half an hour with the group, moving among them down the hall several times and later sitting in front of the hall to interact informally.

After a short visit to the interview room from where He sent prasadam for the group, He moved to the stage area. The Tamil Nadu Youth who are on a Parthi pilgrimage then presented a half-hour music programme. Concluding the session with several bhajans, Swami interacted with several members of the youth group even after the Arati, returning to His residence at a quarter to seven.

Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, some cows to be donated to the Mantralayam temple were brought to Sai Kulwant Hall. When Bhagavan came for darshan during the bhajans, He blessed some of the cows. Later, after He came out of the interview room, the cows again came forward and Swami went down to bless them in the centre of the hall. This evening, He came for darshan in the car at a quarter to five and moved out to go to the college auditorium for watching the rehearsal of the Convocation drama by the students. Returning at 6.15, He moved to the interview room and bhajan hall, coming to the stage area after 6.30 to accept Arati.

Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Akhanda bhajan continued throughout the night and the loudspeakers were switched on at eight o’clock this morning. Sathya Sai Baba came to the bhajan hall at a quarter to ten. He moved down the aisle, sat for some time outside on the Sai Kulwant Hall stage area, and returned to the Bhajan hall, remaining there till half-past twelve! He went to Yajur Mandir and returned at half-past five. Once again He moved down the aisle and sat for a while outside, then returned to the bhajan hall before six o’clock. Even after six o’clock, He kept indicating for bhajans to be sung, till He finally asked for the Arati ten minutes later. Prasadam of tamarind rice and sweet rice was then distributed to all on leaf plates even as Swami watched. He then interacted with some of the lady teachers who lead bhajans, gave them sarees, then gave sarees to some of the married men from the bhajan group for their wives. The interaction continued for more than half an hour, and it was 7.10 pm when Bhagavan returned to Yajur Mandir, blessing the devotees on the way.

Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Last evening, the Karnataka Education Minister was here for Swami’s darshan. The 24-hour Global Akhanda bhajan began this evening at six o’clock. Today was also Bhagavan’s birthday by the Telugu calendar. While He came for darshan at 4.20 pm, Swami called up several ladies and sent them to the bhajan hall. He moved twice around the ladies’ side doing this selection before completing His darshan round. Coming to the Bhajan Hall, Swami distributed sarees to all the ladies, more than fifty of them. He then moved to the verandah and later to the stage area as the Vedic chanting went on.

At half-past five, He came into the packed bhajan hall readied for the Akhanda bhajan. Interacting with some of the teachers and students there, He moved down the aisle and sat there till nearly six o’clock when He asked for the bhajan to begin and lit the 24-hour lamp. At half-past six, He returned to His residence, only to return to the bhajan hall at a quarter to eight. Once again He blessed the singers in the bhajan hall with His presence, moving down the aisle and taking a round of the Sai Kulwant Hall also. Finally, it was a quarter to nine when He returned to Yajur Mandir. From nine o’clock, the bhajan continued without microphones.

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
After returning from His Maharashtra visit, Bhagavan has been coming for darshan after half-past five as the evening bhajans go on. This evening, after Arati, prasadam was distributed to all. As Swami got into His car to return to His residence, He blessed the group of people who co-ordinated the Maharashtra visit and gave them vibhuti prasadam.

Monday, Nov 02, 2009
Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba arrived back at Prasanthi Nilayam this evening after His five-day Maharashtra visit. The Books and Publications website has updates on the visit. Bhagavan’s chartered plane landed at the Sri Sathya Sai airport here just after five and He arrived in Sai Kulwant hall half an hour later to a colourful procession with Vedic chants and a couple of welcome songs by the students. Swami moved to the interview room and the evening bhajans went on till He came onstage five minutes later to accept Arati and return to His residence at ten minutes to six.

– Official Sri Sathya Sai Baba Website

Seeing Sai Baba

Seeing Sai Baba
VASTHU SASTRA
By T.SELVA

Our columnist has a spiritual time in a remote village in India.

INTRIGUED by his teachings on human values and the fact that he has followers in 170 countries, I travelled to Puttaparthi, India, last weekend to experience Sathya Sai Baba’s darshan (blessings).

Puttaparthi is a remote village in Andhra Pradesh state in India’s south-east that has been placed on the world map as a top pilgrimage centre owing to the presence there of Baba, who is considered a living god by more than 100 million followers worldwide.

The shops, hotels, banks and other business outlets in the village all depend on the floating population of thousands who come there from all over the world throughout the year to seek Baba’s blessing and peace of mind.

My first glimpse of Sathya Sai Baba is when shopkeepers rush out of their stores to join the crowds lining the main street – Baba is passing by in a car escorted by police and volunteers, returning to his abode.

He’s returning from a visit to the Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital, which treats the poor for free and also handles cases related to cardiology, urology, nephrology and ophthalmology.

I later discover that to get into Baba’s Prasanthi Nilayam (Abode of Peace), one must go through airport-style security checks, including going through a metal detector and being frisked. And just like on an airplane, cameras, mobile phones, pens and sharp objects were prohibited. Men and women are separated to opposite sides of the huge hall.

The day that I’m here, Nov 7, is special because on the second Saturday of November every year, devotees in Puttaparthi and at Sai Baba centres worldwide sing bhajans (devotional chants) continuously for 24 hours to confer peace, joy, harmony and bliss to all of mankind.

Thousands of vocalists sing with full devotion and the divine vibration is said to have the power to remove negative thoughts, soothe the nerves, purify the mind and heal those within earshot.

I am overwhelmed by the vibrations of the sacred sounds the moment I step foot into the holy space.

Seated in a lotus pose in silence, I feel a sudden surge of energy rushing into my body when Satya Sai Baba arrives in a wheel chair.

Wearing a saffron coloured robe, Baba seems, to me, electrifying – so much so that I feel goose pimples, and tears well up in my eyes.

Some of his devotees tell me later that such experiences are common in the presence of a “realised master” because his mind is saturated with “God consciousness” and a great ecstasy will develop within any individual close by, without any mental or intellectual effort.

Sathya Sai Baba is pushed slowly along an aisle lined on both sides by over 10,000 devotees; he stops occasionally to receive letters and wedding invitation cards from his followers, and some cry with love and joy when he’s close.

He does not speak but gazes deeply into the eyes of everyone he comes into contact with; when he reaches the dais in front, he sweeps his eyes over all his devotees. His disciples clasp their hands in prayer and bow, while the crowd basks in the peace he is emanating.

Sathya SaiBaba was born on Nov 23, 1926, and, right from his childhood, there were consistent manifestations of his divinity. For instance, his birth was accompanied by strange phenomena – like the musical instruments in his house playing on their own and a cobra lying unthreateningly under his bed.

Even as a small child, he was against violence and refused to touch meat; by the age of four, when most children have not learnt to share yet, he began displaying compassion and generosity.

At the age of 14, he declared to his family that he did not belong only to them and set out with others who believed in him to launch his divine mission in the service of mankind.

He would enchant his followers by doing things like distributing sweets from an empty bag, plucking a variety of fruits from a tamarind tree, and creating holy ash in his hand.

One of his strongest messages then was to surrender completely to him, that he would take over his followers’ worries and fears.

According to Baba, surrender means not having expectations, not being upset if the outcome of events is different than anticipated. He says he can only help when an individual completely entrusts him or herself to him totally.

Baba says energy passes from him to devotees in his presence, and that whatever his eyes see will be vitalised.

In the meeting hall, I am five rows away from Sathya Sai Baba and cannot pass him the letter I am carrying for a Malaysian devotee – but Baba stares at me and then at the letter I am holding, and, somehow, I feel that he knows its contents.

Baba does not perform any miracles that day but some of his devotees experience visions and say they feel a sensation of relief and contentment in his presence.

I feel lighter and almost blissful after the two hour session in Sathya Sai Baba’s company.

Many who arrive there come “expecting” but return “accepting” the true purpose of life and of the power of love and compassion.

Vasthu talk
The columnist will present a talk on how to choose an auspicious property and create a happy home following Vasthu Sastra principles at 2pm on Nov 27 at The Star Property Fair at Hall 4, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Admission to the talk is free. To register, call 012-329 9713.

Senior News Editor T. Selva has spent years researching and writing about the ancient Indian science of construction, better known as ‘Indian feng shui’. He is the first disciple of 7th generation Vasthu Sastra Master Yuvaraj Sowma from Chennai, India.

The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, usefulness, fitness for any particular purpose or other assurances as to the opinions and views expressed in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses suffered directly or indirectly arising from reliance on such opinions and views.

The Star Reference

Prithvi Datta, of Castlefields, Runcorn, visits Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, in India, to promote green energy

Prithvi Datta, of Castlefields, Runcorn, visits Prasanthi Nilayam, Andhra Pradesh, in India, to promote green energy
Oct 29 2009 by Oliver Clay, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

AN INVENTOR from Runcorn has visited an Indian holy site to promote his green ideas to businessmen.

Last week Prithvi Datta, a retired refrigeration engineer from Castlefields, and his son arrived in Prasanthi Nilayam – a remote village in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, to gather support for his carbon-cutting ideas.

While in the holy village, also known as Place of Peace, Mr Datta will propose a ‘solar dome’ invention to a team of social entrepreneurs from around the world.

Mr Datta, who tests some of his inventions at his son’s Xpress laundry business in Widnes, said his Evergreen Model 18 Regenerative Energy System combines solar, greenhouse and chimney effects.

Mr Datta hopes private and public bodies will back the project and a working prototype near Prasanthi Nilayam.

He said the solar dome is more efficient and affordable than wind turbines or solar panels used alone.

He said that with patents in place, he hopes the technology will be exported around the world.

The trip to the holy village kicks off a five month tour for Mr Datta.

The majority of the tour will be spent in India, where he is advising the West Bengal Regeneration Energy Development Agency on green energy. He will also visit Canada.

Mr Datta said:

“With blessing from Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the proposed dome will offer nine to 18 kilowatts of usable regenerative electrical power for a longer part of the year, than individual solar or wind turbine system.

With Sathya Sai Baba’s Grace a great reduction in carbon emissions and burning fossil fuels will be possible when the power is not used from the national grid or standby generators.

My family are happy that I am able to make a small contribution to others and the environment.”

Runcorn & Widnes Weekly News Reference

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – October 2009

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – October 2009

– Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Comments from the Press on Bhagawan’s Divine Visit…31st Oct 2009
• Bhagawan in Pune – 30th Evening Report
• Bhagawan in Pune – 30th Morning Report with Images
• An Enlighening Evening at Panduranga Kshetra – 29th Oct Evening Report
• Panduranga Kshetra – Inauguration – 29th Oct Morning – Images with Report
• Glittering Musical Twlight – 28th Oct Evening – Images with Report
• Bhagawan in Pune – 28th Oct Morning – Images with Report
• Bhagawan begins His Maharashtra Sojourn – 28th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 25th Oct 2009
• Gujarathi New Year in Prasanthi Nilayam – 19th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 11th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 4th Oct 2009
• Sant Tulsidas – Dance Drama by Kerala Youth 3rd Oct 2009
• Adi Shankara – Dance Drama by Japanese 2nd Oct 2009

– Curtesty RadioSai:

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009
Last Friday, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri K. Rosaiah came here for an audience with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. For the last couple of days, Swami has been returning to His residence in the chair itself, with the car having been sent to Pune in preparation for His visit there. This morning, Swami left for Pune by air on a short Maharashtra visit. Accepting Arati from the car itself, He left the Mandir for the airport just before 8 o’clock. There, He unveiled a small Hanuman statue before boarding the chartered flight which took off at half-past eight. From Pune, Bhagavan will move to Hadshi, around 40 kilometres away and stay there for a couple of days.

Monday, Oct 19, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The devotees from Gujarat celebrated their New Year today. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was welcomed into Sai Kulwant Hall just before half-past five this evening as the bhajans went on with a small girl in traditional dress holding auspicious items. After Swami completed His darshan round, He came onstage and sat there till ten minutes to six, when He permitted the musical performance by the Gujarat devotees. Santoor and Jal-tarang recitals for twenty minutes were followed by a half-hour drama by the balvikas children based on Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam based on Bhagavan’s Chinna Kathas. Swami sent clothes for the participants and accepted Arati at 7.10 pm as prasadam was distributed after He went down from the stage and blessed the group with photographs.

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Yesterday, the Union Civil Aviation Minister Sri Praful Patel and cricketer Sri Sunil Gavaskar were here for darshan. Deepavali was celebrated today in some parts of the country, and will be celebrated tomorrow in some parts. When Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at a quarter to five this evening, He asked for silver lamps to be distributed to more than a thousand ladies. After the evening bhajan when He returned to His residence at a quarter to six, fireworks and lamps were readied outside Yajur Mandir. He sat outside His residence watching the fireworks being lit for half an hour before retiring for the day.

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009
The last few days have been quiet at Prasanthi Nilayam. The students have their end-semester or end of term exams and there have been no programmes in Sai Kulwant Hall for the last two weeks. Bhagavan Sri Satya SaiBaba has been coming for evening darshan, and occasionally for morning darshan too. This evening, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was among the congregation for evening darshan. The Maharashtra devotees are hoping for a Divine visit in the last week of this month. Preparations are being made to welcome Swami to a village near Pune called Hadshi and the Dharmakshetra website has pictures of the Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra there.

Thursday, Oct 8, 2009
This morning, Swami came at 9.30 as the bhajans went on and granted an audience to the former Chief election commissioner Sri T. N. Seshan and the Governor of Rajasthan Sri Shilendra Kumar Singh who have been here for the last couple of days. In the evening, He came for darshan at half-past five and accepted Arati at six o’clock after prasadam was distributed.

Sunday, Oct 4, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam celebrated its anniversary today. Sathya Sai Baba came for morning darshan after 10.15 while the bhajans went on. After accepting Arati onstage after half an hour, Swami went to the Hospital and spent more than an hour interacting with the staff there. In the evening, He came for darshan at 5.50 and went to the interview room after a few minutes onstage. He emerged at seven o’clock and blessed prasadam for distribution before again moving to the interview room. At 7.15, He came onstage to accept Arati and return to His residence.

Saturday, Oct 3, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The youth from Kerala who are on a pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam in large numbers presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan came for darshan just before five and went to the interview room after His round of the Hall. Emerging at 5.40, Sathya Sai Baba asked for the hour-long drama on Saint Tulsidas to begin. After the drama, Swami sent clothes for the participants and called up some of them for photos onstage before going down for a group photo with all of them. Prasadam was distributed and Swami interacted some more with the youth, asking them to chant Vedam. After a bhajan by the students, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence at seven o’clock.

Friday, Oct 2, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Last evening, Prof. Anil Kumar announced that today the Japanese devotees would be presenting a drama. Accordingly, this evening they were seated in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall with some space left for their drama. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan just before five o’clock and started their programme after His round of the hall. They began with five minutes of music on traditional Japanese instruments followed by some Vedam chanting and twenty minutes of bhajans, mostly in Japanese. Then their half-hour English drama on Adi Shankaracharya got underway. Swami blessed “Shankara” with a chain as the drama concluded with a recording of Swami singing “Bhaja Govindam”. He then went down from the stage for group photographs. Prasadam was distributed as the devotees sang some more bhajans before Swami accepted Arati at at 6.15 pm.

– Official Sathya Sai Baba Website

Chavan To Tee Off After Sathya Sai Baba’s Intervention

Chavan To Tee Off After Sathya Sai Baba’s Intervention
28 Oct 2009, 0502 hrs IST, Girish Kuber, ET Bureau

MUMBAI: This sunday, Varsha, the Maharashtra chief minister’s official residence, will have a rather unusual visitor. The house that’s familiar with political bickering and has witnessed many a deal, will wear a saffron, spiritual look as Sathya Sai Baba will visit Varsha to bless his disciple Ashok Chavan. It’s the first time that the state will officially host a guru.

Chief minister Ashok Chavan has always been very forthcoming about his admiration for the Baba. Every time he finds himself in a crisis, Mr Chavan makes a trip to Puttuparthy in Andhra Pradesh, the Baba’s abode. This time, too, soon after votes were polled for the state assembly election, Mr Chavan was at the Baba’s doorstep to seek his blessings for a political battle that later went in his favour.

As a mark of gratitude, the state chief minister is learnt to have invited Baba to his official residence. Top officials from the state administration confirmed this to ET, requesting anonymity. A dedicated website, which tracks Satya Sai Baba’s movements, has also announced a meeting of a spiritual sect head with the head of the state this Sunday. “On November 1, Sathya Sai Baba will give a discourse at Gandhi Maidan, Worli Naka, South Mumbai at around 11 am and then lunch at the residence of Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan, who was blessed to be the CM again as his Congress won with a big margin,” the website proclaimed.

Before arriving at the state’s centre of power, he will also bless the newly-constructed Bandra Worli Sea Link by travelling over it. “Bhagawan’s car will also definitely grace the new Bandra-Worli sea link where balloons will be released by the Balvikas children of Mumbai. South Mumbai being the financial hub of the city, many top businessmen and corporate leaders will grace the occasion at both the venues in Mumbai,” the website said.

This may be Sathya Sai Baba’s first visit to the state’s chief minister’s residence. But he is no stranger to Congress politicians. In fact, former prime minister the late Narasimha Rao was one amongst his most prominent devotees.

Economic Times Reference

Also see:
– Sathya Sai Baba To Visit Hadshi And Mumbai

AP Gets Rs 800cr From Centre

AP Gets Rs 800cr From Centre
Express News Service
First Published : 24 Oct 2009 04:03:52 AM IST

Chief Minister K Rosaiah seeking the blessings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at Prasanti Nilayam in Puttaparti on Friday

PUTTAPARTHI: Chief Minister K Rosaiah today said the State had received Rs 800 crore from the Centre towards crop insurance for the last Kharif season and an order was issued for payment of Rs 386 crore to the affected farmers.

Addressing a gathering at Satyasai Airport, the Chief Minister thanked the people of Anantapur district for their help to flood victims. At a time when the government had declared 981 mandals in the State drought hit, unexpected and unprecedented floods wreaked a havoc.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi visited the flood affected areas and announced an immediate relief of Rs 1,000 crore, he said.

Rosaiah who arrived here from Bangalore, drove straight to Shanti Bhavan enroute Sai Kulwanth Hall in Prashanti Nilayam. The Chief Minister touched the feet of Sri Satya Sai Baba and sought his blessings. Sathya Sai Baba gave a private audience to the Chief Minister in the Green Room for about 30 minutes.

Earlier, he was received by Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy, former minister JC Diwakar Reddy, ZP Chairperson T Kavitha, Anantapur Mayor R Parasuram, Anantapur MP A Venkatarami Reddy, Hindupur TDP MP Nimmala Kishtappa, TDP legislators P Raghunatha Reddy, Abdul Ghani, Congress MLAs B Gurnadha Reddy, K Madhusudhan Gupta, K Venkatarami Reddy, District Collector B Janardhan Reddy, SP MK Singh, Joint Collector Anitha Ramachandran, Congress leaders T Bhaskar Reddy, Y Visweswar Reddy and others.

Later, Rosaiah left for Bangalore.

Express Buzz Reference

The Mystery Of Karma

Sathya Sai Baba

The Mystery Of Karma

Once a Student who had joined the College a Few days back asked Sathya Sai Baba as to why God does not prevent cruelties in the world and why people should suffer so much.

To which Sri Sathya Sai Baba said wonderfully:

God is only Sakshibhoota (witness) for everything that happens, God never acts. Every single person acts according to what his intellect says to him and he himself suffers the consequences of his actions. Never ever think at anytime that there is anything like good or bad for God. A knife is used differently by a murderer, cook, and a surgeon. But if a magnet is placed near all the knives that all these people use, it attracts them equally, not according to the tasks that each of them perform.

God is exactly like the magnet. Every knife like every person in this world are the same to him, there is no difference between one person and the other, but the hands that operate the knives have to bear the consequences of their actions, dependent on right and wrong.

So also Sathya Sai Baba wonderfully said suffering is not based on God but on our own actions.

Om Sai Ram

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – September 2009

Bala Sathya Sai Baba

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – September 2009

– Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Prasanthi This Week – 27th Sept 2009 (28th Sept)
• Ayudha Pooja, Poornahuthi – Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajnam – 23rd – 28th Sept 2009
• Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajnam – 22nd Sept 2009
• Id-Ul Fitr in Prasanthi Nilayam – 21st Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 20th Sept 2009
• Warangal Parthi Yatra – 20th September
• An Encore of Ramayana Burrakatha…16th Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 13th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 3rd day -11th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 2nd day -10th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 1st day – 9th Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 6th Sept 2009
• Onam Divine Discourse – 2nd Sept 2009
• Onam – Divine Discourse and Bhakta Nandanar – Dance Drama -2nd Sept 2009
• Bhakta Thukkaram, Dance Drama and Music by KS Chitra – Onam 2nd Day 1st Sept 2009

– Curtesty RadioSai:

Monday, Sept 28, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the seven-day Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yagna was coming to a close. The priests concluded their rituals by nine o’clock and went for their ceremonial ablutions. Bhagavan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at around half-past nine and after half an hour, all gathered at the Poornachandra for the conclusion of the Yagna. Sathya Sai Baba sent for the large silver ladle through which the final offerings were to be made, and at a quarter past ten, the final offerings were made with Bhagavan sitting next to the sacrificial fire. Swami then moved to the Western end of the stage and accepted the Arati there. The Grama Seva also concluded today, with the students of the Anantapur campus serving food and clothes to the Ashram residents. In the evening, Bhagavan arrived just before the five o’clock bhajans began and sat onstage for a while after His darshan round. He then moved to the bhajan hall where the priests who officiated at the Yagnam were seated. He blessed them profusely with clothes and other gifts, interacting with them for more than fifteen minutes. It was a quarter past six when He accepted Arati, and He left for His residence after a brief visit to the interview room.

Sunday, Sept 27, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Sathya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant hall around half-past nine and later moved to the Poornachandra to accept Arati there after ten o’clock. From Sai Kulwant hall, He had blessed two Primary School boys with chains. In the evening, Swami came just before five o’clock and began the speeches after He sat onstage. Prof. Anil Kumar introduced Prof. G. Venkataraman as today’s speaker. Following his speech, Swami started His Discourse at 5.40 pm. Bhagavan began His Discourse with the mysteries of Nature, and it began to rain heavily. After asking those who were getting drenched in the rain to move inside the hall, Swami moved on to speaking about His childhood days at Kamalapuram, Puttaparthi and Uravakonda. Prasadam was distributed following the Discourse, and Swami gave the prasadam Himself to some of the students nearby before Arati at a quarter-past seven.

Saturday, Sept 26, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant hall just after 9 o’clock this morning. He moved to the Eastern side of the hall where His vehicles including the Golden chariot were parked. The Ayudha pooja was done for all of them and Swami moved to the stage to sit there for a short while with the Vedic chants before accepting Arati at half-past nine. He then moved to the Poornachandra where He sat onstage before accepting Arati there after ten o’clock.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after half-past four and began the programme of speeches just before five. Prof. Anil Kumar spoke in Telugu, followed by Prof. Anantharaman of the MBA faculty and Sri K. Chakravarthy, Secretary of the Central Trust. Prasadam was distributed when the speeches concluded at 6.10. Swami went to the interview room briefly before returning to accept Arati and retire for the day.

Friday, Sept 25, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Sathya SaiBaba did not emerge from His residence but sent word for the students to move to the Yagna venue in the Poornachandra hall at 10 o’clock and for the Arati to be offered there at 11.30. In the evening, He came before five o’clock and began the programme of speeches at 5.20 like on the last few days. Prof. Anil Kumar’s introductory Telugu speech was followed by the All India Sai Organisations President Sri V. Srinivasan, an M.Phil. student Bhabani Shankar in Hindi and the University’s Controller of Examinations Sri Srinivas Srirangarajan. The speeches concluded at 6.30 and Arati was offered as prasadam was distributed.

Thursday, Sept 24, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today’s proceedings were similar to yesterday’s in the morning, with darshan at 9 o’clock and Arati at 9.30. In the evening, Sathya Sai arrived by 4.35 pm and began the programme of speeches just before five o’clock. Prof Anil Kumar gave a short Telugu speech and then introduced the speakers for the evening. A research scholar Sri Shashank Shah was followed by MBA student Sri Akshay Kamath and lecturer Dr. Subhash Subramaniam. All India Sai Organisations President Sri V. Srinivasan was the last speaker, with the session concluding with Arati at 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the students proceeded for Grama seva at 8 o’clock and Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan half an hour later to Sai Kulwant Hall. Sending the students to the Yagnam venue at the Poornachandra hall, Swami also moved there, coming onstage in a few minutes. Spending nearly half an hour observing the Yagnam in progress, Swami accepted the ceremonial Arati in the Western corner of the stage at 9.30 am before returning to His residence.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived at 4.45 and after His darshan round, began the speeches for the day just after five o’clock. Two student speakers Aman Jhaveri and Robin Sharma were followed by Sri Narasimhamurthy, Warden of the Brindavan hostel. As the speeches concluded at 6.20, the students sang a bhajan following which Arati was offered.

Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The seven day Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yagna commenced this morning. Sathya Sai Baba came to the Sai Kulwant Hall and after blessing the priests in the bhajan hall, asked the procession to leave for the Poornachandra auditorium at 9.20 am. After the students and priests reached the Poornachandra hall, Swami also arrived onstage and watched as the priests started the sacrificial fire in the ceremonial manner. Watching the proceedings onstage for a few minutes, Bhagavan returned to His residence at 10.10 am.

In the evening, Swami arrived for darshan by four o’clock and sat onstage after His darshan round as the Vedic chants went on before moving to the interview room. At half-past four, He came onstage and began the evening’s programme. Prof. Anil Kumar introduced the three speakers for the day: Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University, former VC Sri. S. V. Giri and Dr. T. Ravi Kumar, faculty in the Chemistry department at Brindavan. As the third speaker concluded, Swami asked for Arati at six o’clock and returned to His residence. The Yagnam evening puja privately in the Poornachandra before concluding at 8 pm.

Monday, Sept 21, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today, the Grama seva and morning darshan proceeded like yesterday. In the evening, the students and some of the Muslim devotees were ready with a musical programme celebrating Id, the last day of the holy month of Ramzan. Sathya SaiBaba arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.30 pm as the bhajans went on. After His darshan round, He took a round of the verandah and came into the bhajan hall where the priests for the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yagna were seated. Swami blessed the priests and gave them some instructions for the Yagna which is to begin tomorrow. He then came onstage and asked Mr. Ajit Popat of the UK to speak. After Mr. Popat’s speech, it was the turn of young Sathya from Iran, studying in the Primary School here, to say a few words. The students then sang a couple of songs following which Swami accepted Arati at half-past six.

Sunday, Sept 20, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the students left for Grama seva at 8 o’clock after going around the Mandir. Satya Sai Babaji came for darshan after ten as the bhajans went on, and sat onstage for more than half an hour before Arati after eleven. In the evening, He came at 5.30 as the bhajans went on. Devotees from Warangal district prayed that Swami permit them to present a drama, and He acquiesced. The centre of the Hall was cleared and the devotees arranged the sets. The bhajans were stopped at 6.15 and the 45 minute Telugu dance-drama began after a short introduction with devotees getting many items blessed. The importance of the Mother was stressed in the drama which included a vignette from Pothana’s life. Swami blessed them with group photographs and sent clothes for the participants, interacting with some of them for several minutes. He then asked the students to sing a couple of bhajans following which He accepted Arati at 7.30 before returning to His residence.

Saturday, Sept 19, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning marked the beginning of the 10 day Dasara celebrations with the students embarking on the Grama Seva programme. The village service will continue for these ten days, covering more than 150 villages in the neighbouring mandals, distributing food and clothes to every household at their doorstep for a population of more than 250,000. Swami came for darshan at 10.15 am as the morning bhajans went on. When He completed His darshan round and sat onstage, the students began their circumambulation of the Mandir before proceeding out through the main gate to board the vehicles parked there for today’s Grama seva. Bhagavan accepted arati at 10.40 and then moved to the bhajan hall where the Kalasa puja for the Navarathri was to begin. Blessing the puja, He returned to His residence in the car at 11 o’clock. In the evening, Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall just after half-past five and sat onstage as the bhajans went on till 6.15. He then moved to the Bhajan Hall where He blessed the Kalasa puja again before returning onstage to accept Arati after prasadam distribution.

Friday, Sept 18, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to five and came into the bhajan hall after His darshan round. T-shirts and caps for the men students and sarees for the women students were kept there, for use during the village service programme starting tomorrow. Inspecting the clothes, Swami gave instructions for the distribution. In the next hour, as the bhajans went on, all the materials were distributed to the students and teachers by the Registrar and former Vice-chancellor Sri S. V. Giri before Swami accepted Arati at six o’clock.

Wednesday, Sept 16, 2009 Full Story With Images »
After the evening bhajans yesterday, Swami had asked Prof Anil Kumar to announce that this evening, there would be a Burrakatha by the students. Accordingly, the costumed performers were not ready in the bhajan when Bhagavan came for darshan just before five o’clock. He came to the bhajan hall, and after a couple of minutes of interaction with the group, came onstage to begin their performance. The hour-long Burrakatha concluded with Swami interacting with all the artistes and accompanists, blessing them with clothes, with Prof Anil Kumar announcing that they represented a “Bharat darshan” with students from all parts of India. Swami then asked for a bhajan with alap following which He accepted Arati at half-past six. He moved to the interview room, and after ten minutes returned to His residence in the car.

Friday, Sept 11, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the preliminary worship for the Kalyanotsavam was held. As on the last two days, the worship included the chanting of the thousand names, and today it was the Lalita Sahasranamam. When the worship of the deities onstage reached the point of closing the curtain at 9.20 am, the lady singers of the Brindavan bhajan group started leading bhajans. Just after 10 o’clock, the curtains were opened again and more Vedic hymns were chanted before Maha mangala Arati at 10.20 am.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived by 4.10 pm. He was preceded into the Sai Kulwant Hall by the priests waving Chamaras bringing the idols in a procession for the marriage ceremony onstage. The hour-long ceremony began soon after. Swami moved around the verandah and bhajan hall and from the stage, moved down to sit facing the stage while the rituals went on. After the Aandal Kalyanam concluded, Swami asked the students to sing bhajans at 5.40 pm. A couple of bhajans later, He permitted the group of devotees to sing some songs relating to the Aandal Kalyanotsavam. After half an hour of songs, Swami accepted Arati. Prasadam was then distributed to everyone in the hall – tamarind rice, sweet rice, laddoo and obbattu.

Thursday, Sept 10, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today, the morning rituals proceeded like yesterday, with the Sathya Sai Sahasranamam being chanted for the worship. Bhagavan came for darshan at 5.10 pm and sat onstage listening to the Vedic chants after His darshan round. At 5.50 pm, the speeches for the evening commenced. Sri Mylavaram Srinivasa Rao spoke on today’s verses of the Thiruppavai in Telugu for 50 minutes. Swami then accepted Arati as prasadam was distributed.

Wednesday, Sept 09, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The three day Thiruppavai celebrations got underway at Prasanthi Nilayam this morning. The idols of Ranganatha, Bhoodevi (Andal) and Garuda were installed onstage and the worship began in Sai Kulwant hall just after seven o’clock. Yesterday, Swami had blessed the people conducting the rituals with ceremonial clothes which they wore today. On completing the rituals, a short introduction to the three day programme was made in Telugu. Collective worship with sacred rice grains on the plates supplied to all the devotees chanting the Vishnu sahasranamam completed the morning rituals. The proceedings concluded after morning bhajans with Arati at 9.35 as Bhagavan did not emerge from His residence. Later, He went for a drive at half-past eleven.

In the evening also, Swami came from Yajur Mandir in the car at 4.15 and went for a drive to the Indoor Stadium before returning to Sai Kulwant hall after an hour. From the interview room Swami came onstage 10 minutes later to begin the proceedings. Sri. N. Srikanta Rao delivered a half-hour address in Telugu about Aandal (Godhaa devi) and her devotion. Bhajans then commenced at 6 o’clock and prasadam was distributed before Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at half-past six.

Monday, Sept 07, 2009
This evening, the idols for the Thiruppavai Mahotsavam and Aandal Kalyanotsavam to be held at Prasanthi Nilayam from 9 to 11 September were arranged in the Bhajan hall. Swami came for darshan ten minutes after the bhajans commenced at five o’clock and completing His darshan round, sat onstage. At six o’clock, He accepted Arati and then came into the Bhajan hall. He saw the idols and later interacted with some of the teachers there before returning to His residence in the car.

Sunday, Sept 06, 2009
This evening, Swami’s students who are working in His institutions were gathered in the Bhajan Hall, praying to Him to bless them with an interaction. This ‘Sai Sannidhi’ group is now 175 strong and has been meeting on the Sunday near September 2, which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Swami came for darshan just after five o’clock and after His darshan round, came to the Bhajan hall where the gathering welcomed Him with group songs. As the songs went on, Bhagavan went around the hall, interacting with many of them. After a couple of songs, Swami spent 45 minutes speaking informally to many of His former students, who are now teachers and administrators. Sending clothes for all of them, Swami moved to the stage as the bhajans began after the session just after six o’clock. After half an hour of bhajans with prasadam being distributed, Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence, blessing all with both hands.

Wednesday, Sept 02, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Thiru Onam dawned at Prasanthi Nilayam with Sai Kulwant hall and Yajur Mandir decked in festoons and floral decorations. Swami was welcomed into the hall with resounding Panchavadyam by the students and devotees and the girls’ brass band of the Srisailam school as the bhajans went on at 9.30 am. Small girls with traditional lamp plates lined Bhagavan’s route. Once He sat onstage after His darshan round, He listened to the bhajans for half an hour more before asking Prof. Anil Kumar to announce that He would address everyone in the evening. Accepting Arati, Swami went to the interview room for a few minutes before returning to His residence at half-past ten.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived for darshan at 4.20 pm and after His darshan round went into the interview room. A few minutes later, He came onstage and began the programme. The Kerala state President introduced the speaker for the evening, Sri Jayakumar IAS, in-charge of arrangements at the Sabarimala shrine. After his short speech, Swami commenced His Divine Discourse at 4.45 pm. Reminding all of the story of Mahabali, He exhorted the people of Kerala to follow Emperor Bali’s example in upholding values. The 45-minute Discourse was followed by a drama on Bhaktha Nandanar by the children of Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, Aluva. As the drama came to a close at half-past six, Swami blessed one of the participants with a chain. Prasadam was distributed after Bhagavan blessed the children with a group photograph. He then asked them to sing a bhajan, following which He accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 6.45 pm.

Tuesday, Sept 01, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to nine, and in the evening at ten minutes to five. He came directly to the stage and asked for the drama of the evening to begin. The children from Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth of Srisailam, Kerala, presented a half-hour play on the saint Tukaram. After their play, the famous playback singer Padmashree K. S. Chithra presented a 45 minute programme of songs. After her programme, she brought up her child also for Bhagavan’s blessings. Swami created a chain for the child and put it on her neck. Swami had a group photo with the singer and accompanists and Arati was then offered while prasadam was distributed. Bhagavan then asked the students to sing a couple of songs with Alap after which He left for His residence just before seven o’clock.