For Photos of Swami's Maha Samadhi Programme, Please click the Link Below
:
http://www.sssbpt.org/Pages/Prasanthi_Nilayam/darshanupdateApr2011.html
Puttaparthi that sung lullabies to infant Sathya, that fondled and
nurtured Little Sathya to Sri Sathya Sai and that received the abundance of His
love and care over and over again during the past eight and a half decade
finally earned a day to grieve, though the day will be marked in the annals of
Divine History as the most significant of the day, when Avatar of the age was
laid to rest.
...This is definitely not of her choice, but as fate would have it, a
grieving Puttaparthi had to accept this present as well, as she has been
receiving over the past eight and a half decade, in abundance. It was a Divine
Script that was written by Him alone and executed in His own inimitable
fashion.
For all the glory, happiness and bliss that she has received over and
over again, when the final moment arrived, to bid farewell to the Soul of
entire creation, she grieved and so were millions upon millions around the
world. Bhagawan who left His mortal coil on the 24th April 2011 was laid to
rest in Sai Kulwant Hall this morning in presence of a huge assemblage of
devotees, also attended by a host of political luminaries.
Earlier, the function commenced with an aalaap bhajan by noted classical
vocalist Pt. Jasraj, that was followed by an hour-long bhajan by students. A
host of prayers representing various religions, that included Jewish,
Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism followed before a set of selected
bhajans, that were so dear to Beloved Bhagawan, was rendered by students
bringing tears in the assemblage, taking one and all to nostalgic happy days
with their Beloved "Swami".
The final journey of Bhagawan had the full state honours as both Governor
and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh were present during the occasion. The gun
salute was accorded and the police band played in homage as the final
proceedings were on.
The final rites commenced with physical frame's nephew RJ Ratnakar
performing the rites representing the family. A host of priests guided the
entire ceremony that lasted for 45 minutes.
The Divine Physical Frame was lowered in a specially made pit of 7 feet
by 12 feet on the very podium that Bhagawan used to adorn during His darshan
sessions.
Giant screens were erected at vantage places in and around Puttaparthi so
that the devotees could witness the final rites. The look on the faces of the
devotees was that of a state of shock and sadness and the township is still
coming to terms with the departure of their Beloved.
Among the dignitaries present were both Governor and Chief Minister of
Andhra Pradesh, EVL Narasimhan and Kiran Kumar Reddy, Senior BJP leaders L K
Advani and Venkaiah Naidu, former Union Home Minister and Governor of Punjab
Shivraj Patil , Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, Telugu Desam Supremo
and former AP Chief Minister, Chandrababu Naidu, former Maharashtra Chief
Minister Ashok Chavan, veteran VHP leader Ashok Singhal, AP Ministers Geeta
Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy etc.
The Divine Physical Frame that was draped in Bhagawan's favourite orange
colour was lowered into the Samadhi amidst vedic chanting. In a symbolic
gesture, the ceremony was marked with gifting of a cow and clothes (godhaana
and buudhaana). Special water collected various holy rivers across India was
also sprinkled on the Divine Frame sanctifying the occasion.
Even as the first set of rituals were completed the curtain came down for
the finishing touches of the tomb where Bhagawan was laid to rest. Incessant
Sai Gayathri chanting continued for the next more than half-an-hour before the
curtains went up for the public to have their maiden view of the Tomb of the
Avatar of the Age...
As fragrant Vibhuti smell wafted in the air granting the nostalgia of
golden days when Beloved spent time amidst on the same dais, and announcement
came that darshan would commence at 11:45 hrs.
As is the case in Shirdi, this Tomb of the Avatar of the Age would start
speaking to His chosen devotees now on...and would be the solace for grieving
devotees from around the world. Puttaparthi beckons, with much more intensity
as our Beloved Lord Sri Sathya Sai would speak from His tomb from now on!!!
Source: www.sssbpt.org
