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“BHAGAWAN IS IN US AS THE DIVINE SPIRIT”
- Address by His Excellency Mr. K. Rosiah on the morning of Bhagawan Baba's
86th Birthday,
November 23, 2011
The beautifully and elegantly decorated Sai Kulwant Hal, 23 november 2011
Om Sri Sai Ram!
I extend my good wishes to all the devotees of Sathya Sai, to my friends,
sisters and brothers, and all respected elders on this auspicious occasion.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu, Mr. K. Rosiah offering his respects in the
Sai Kulwanth Hall
on the morning of 23 November, 2011
This is the first birth anniversary of Bhagawan Baba, celebrated today without
His physical presence. Even though He is physically not present amidst us,
spiritually He is residing in all our hearts in full measure. Those who wish to
see Him and crave to listen to His voice, He always makes it possible. However
those who think otherwise, they are wasting their time as Bhagawan will never
appear to them.
Today Puttaparthi is transforming itself into a pilgrimage centre. This is
because Bhagawan has taken birth here; such is the sanctity of this place. From
the scriptures we know of the birth place of Sri Krishna to be Mathura; we go
there, see and feel ecstatic. In the same way, scriptures declare Ayodhya to be
the birth place of Sri Rama. Even now people go to Ayodhya with yearning in
their hearts and return with a new experience.
In the same way Puttaparthi, the birth place of Sai Bhagawan, is so sacred for
all of us. This land is so holy as God was born here, moved amidst us and
granted His Divine Darshan to all of us. Without desiring anything for Himself,
He wished that the entire mankind should live in harmony and happiness. On my
part, I always feel that I am very fortunate not because I became a minister,
Chief Minister or Governor, but because I have been in the vicinity of
Bhagawan’s grace, and am one among the millions of Swami’s devotees.
Mr. K. Rosiah, the chief guest for the morning ceremony, addresses the
gathereing
Bhagawan used to affectionately call all of us, “Bangaaru”. Today we are
deprived of that, but if you can touch your inner consciousness and think for a
while, you can still hear such a lullabical sound incessantly ringing in your
ears. Such is the greatness of Bhagawan.
In Puranic age also, there were many who criticized and in fact, suspected the
existence of Divinity. We need not care for them. Let us accept the good
wherever it is. We need not consider the other aspects which are trivial and
trash.
Some people still wonder whether Sai is Bhagawan or not. These words have no
relevance. Keeping Puttaparthi as the centre for His activity Bhagawan wished
that the State, the Nation, and also all other countries should receive the
seva activities with equality. This is possible only because Swami is God.
Is it not a proof and incredible truth that in 151 countries the chanting of
the name of Bhagawan is heard! Today, in the physical absence of Bhagawan, the
celebrations are on. To the multitude of devotees who congregated here, the
conviction prevails, “Bhagawan is seated in each one of us as the Divine
Spirit.”
Let us move forward with the same belief and engage in good activities. While
walking the well-lit path as shown by Bhagawan, let us redeem ourselves and
strive hard for the uplift of society. I appeal to all of you in all humility
that I will also participate along with all of you in carrying out the seva
activities. I feel immense pleasure in listening to good words during this
celebrations and take leave of you with utmost happiness in my heart.
Sairam.
sourced:
http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Vol_09/01NOV11/03_governor_talk.htm
View the Video:
http://vimeo.com/32620257
Grand 86th Birthday Celebrations
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
People wish Me Happy Birthday…why specially happy birthday today? I am ever
happy…Happiness is union with God, echoed Beloved Bhagawan in Sai Kulwant Hall,
when an old video of Bhagawan’s Birthday Divine discourse was telecast in the
concluding moments of a glittering Birthday function in Prasanthi Nilayam, on
23rd November morning in Prasanthi Nilayam.
23rd November is known the world over for one main reason, that it earned a
date with Divinity, welcoming the Almighty in human form. Today, when the most
fascinating morning dawned in this South Indian hamlet turned International
Spiritual Centre, the village that did penance turned nostalgic of her golden
past, where she could vividly recall all those precious priceless moments of
unceasing love of Beloved Bhagawan, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Proceedings for the morning session commenced at 0900 hrs. with Veda chanting
when the curtains went up grantng the beautific darshan of the Sanctum
Sanctorum that was adorned with flowers and buntings along with a magnificent
silver throne for The Presiding Lord.
Chief Guest for the day was an ardent devotee, currently Hon’ble Governor of
Tamil Nadu, His Excellency, Konijeti Rosaiah, who was earlier the Finance
Minister and later Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
First programme for the morning was ‘Guru Vandana’ by the students of SSSIHL.
Beginning with invocatory Sai Gayathri, these grateful students sang in a
united voice a composition, ‘Easwarammba Sutam Venkavadhoota Sampreetam’ that
was tuned to original ashtakam style. Couple of more compositions followed that
included the one of the evergreen melodies of Prasanthi, “Madhura Mohana Ghana
Shyama…”.
View Flash Pictures/Slideshow
http://www.sssbpt.org/images/birthdaymorning2011.swf
A music concert by the Malladi Bros. duo followed. Malladi concerts have been a
regular feature during Guru Purnima and Birthday celebrations for the past 3-4
years, when Bhagawan would listen to them with earnest attention. This
morning,the duo reproduced some of Bhagawan’s favourite numbers that included a
Birthday Greeting Song.
A welcome speech by Sri V.Srinivasan, President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva
Organisations – India followed. Reiterating his firm faith that Sai is with us,
here and everywhere, now and forever, the speaker lavishly praised the students
who presented a thematic convocation drama on the eve on 30th Annual
Convocation of SSSIHL. Hoping that Bhagawan would guide these shining stars who
are future ambassadors, the speaker urged the devotees to rededicate themselves
following Bhagawan’s ideals. “Why Fear When I Am Here”, the famous Sathya Sai
axiom is a statement for eternity, said Sri Sinivasan.
Referring to the glittering musical show of Dana Gillespie that rocked the
house in Prasanthi a couple of days ago, quoting her famous number, I Sigh For
You…Love For Love…he said, when we follow His ideals and make our lives His
message, Sai will be pleased. Our work has to continue till of our last moment;
we have to be workers first, then leaders.
He thanked Governor Roasaiah for rescheduling his day’s programme at Coimbatore
to make himself available for the function in Puttaparthi.
Reiterating the Central Trust’s resolve to continue the legacy and mission set
in motion by Bhagawan, the speaker requested the Governor to release the annual
statement of the Trust’s activities.
Some of the new initiatives by the Trust were also announced during the
occasion. Additional mobile hospital, Assistance to various Sathya Sai Schools,
Additional advance medical equipments for hospitals, Additional staff
infrastructure and facilities for research in the Insitute, Digital archiving
facility, Revamping and modernisation of the South Indian Canteen, Assisting
the ongoing Teachers Training Programme, Expansion of Vidya Vahini Project etc.
are some of the initiatives.
Subsequently the report on the Central Trust activities and that of SSSIHL was
released by the Governor.
Chief Guest for the morning, K. Rosaiah who addressed next, with utmost
humility and devotion, affirmed that, though world over people discuss whether
Sathya Sai is God nor not, the very fact that the organisation He has founded
is spread over 160 countries having millions of members is a testimony to the
unparalleled influence of Sathya Sai Baba. Expressing great satisfaction for
being in Prasanthi Nilayam in holy company on the holy occasion the Governor
said, for him, it is not the positions that he had held and is holding
currently that make him proud, but the fact that he is a devotee of Sathya Sai.
Prasanthi Nilayam is a Holy Abode on part with Dwaraka of Bhagawan Sri Krishna
and Ayodhya of Lord Sri Rama, said the Governor.
Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed. Illuminating on the theme ‘Happy
Birthday’, Bhagawan said, during ancient times, people practised sacrifice,
love and truth and thus could attain Divinity. He urged the current generation
to follow the same path. One should exercise equanimity in pleasure and pain.
For the Pandavas, God was their first choice, the world next and themselves
last and thus, practising this ideal, they were fortunate to have Lord Krishna
always with them.
Bhagawan does not criticise anyone, and when Bhagawan follows something,
devotees also should follow suit, said Bhagawan urging the students to develop
Love For God, Fear Of Sin and Morality In Society. Control of mind is to be
achieved, said Bhagawan discoursing about the worried minds of present time.
Develop Love…Love Bhagawan more and more…that is the only solution…Prayer is
the only solution…concluded Bhagawan singing the bhajan, “Hari Bhajana Binaa
Sukha Shanti Nahi…”
As Birthday Cake by the Italian group followed by various Prasanthi
Institutions made a beeline to the Sanctum Sanctorum, various Band Troupes,
from the Primary School, both boys and girls, Anantapur Girls’ Band and
Prasanthi Nilayam Band played thematic tunes befitting the occasion. While the
Anantapur Band played the ‘Love Story’song of 1970s “Where do I begin To tell
the story of how great a love can be…”Prasanthi boys played the famous birthday
tune, Happy Birthday to You…”
Dignitaries present during the occasion included former Maharashtra Chief
Minister, Ashok Chavan, Andhra ministers, Raghuveera Reddy and Mrs. J. Geeta
Reddy.
Mangala Arathi was offered at 1100 hrs. and Laddu Prasadam and Italian
chocolates were distrubuted to the entire assembly.
Food Prasadam was arranged in the morning and afternoon for all devotees
attending the 86th Birthday Celebrations.
Evening Function:
Prasanthi has endearing memories of this day, 23rd November, and in the saga of
His Story, evenings of this day would often reach zenith of excitement as,
invariably on every Birthday evenings, her Beloved Lord ushered in granting
coveted darshan, revealing rare facets of His Divine majesty.
On 23rd November the schedule for the big evening was ‘Jhoola Mahotsavam’,
where The Lord was to swing to the accompaniment of music by renowned artistes.
The function commenced at 1730 hrs. with the unveiling of the Jhoola and the
Sanctum Sanctorum. The Jhoola that had been profusely blessed by Bhagawan on
many earlier occasions was bedecked with flowers and buntings and was a rare
beauty to watch.
As the packed Sai Kulwant Hall witnessed the unveiling, for the audience, it
turned out to be a transition from ‘i’ to “we’, a feeling of Oneness, as the
grandeur and the beauty and the pristine powerful vibrations emanating from the
Sanctum Sanctorum, where Beloved Bhagawan’s physical frame was interned,
touched every heart and soul, spreading into the blessed amphitheatre that
looked resplendent with heavenly beauty.
The first programme for the evening was a Mandolin Concert by maestro U.
Srinivas and U. Rajesh. At the outset, offering Pranams and gratitude at
Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet, reminiscing the priceless opportunities they had with
Bhagawan, the duo began invoking Lord Ganesha with a piece in Hamsadhwani
Raaga, in Tala Roopakam.
…And the Jhoola carrying Bhagawan was pushed into swinging…a rare sight to
see!!!
With the music on, and the Jhoola kept swinging, LED screens in the spacious
hall telecast clips of Jhoola Mahotsavam from earlier days.
View Flash Pictures/Slideshow
http://www.sssbpt.org/images/birthdayeve2011.swf
The duo continued with a couple of Thyagaraja compositions before concluding
with a bhajan “Shankara Shiva Shankara…”.
The second part of the programme was a vocal concert by renowned Ghazal and
Bhajan singer Anup Jalota who carved a niche in devotional singing with his
self adapted style.
In an introductory talk, he spoke about his first ever meeting with Bhagawan 48
years ago, at the age of 10, in Lucknow. Revealing that he has had many
blessings from Bhagawan over the years, the singer confided that Bhagawan had
even taught him nuances in the art of singing. With the blessings of Bhagawan
he earned an opportunity to do playback for the famous Manoj Kumar movie,
Shirdi Ke Sai Baba, where he sung with the renowned Mohammed Rafi. This turned
out to be the biggest blessing as it changed his life and thus made his life,
recounted Jalota, gratefully remembering his association with Bhagawan.
Sending ecstatic waves in to the audience when he began with Aisi Lagi Lagan,
the packed assembly went into raptures. The singer continued for the next 75
minutes regaling the audience, producing some of his famous numbers, that
included, “Man Mein Ram…”, “Sai Baba Bolo” from the film ‘Shirdi Ke Sai Baba…’,
“Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo” and some bhajans, “Mera Jeevan Tere
Hawale…”, Govind Jai Jai…Gopala Jai Jai, sang with a customised style coupling
with Jhoola melody, Dum Dum Dum Dum Damaru Bhaje etc.
It turned out to be virtual reality for the audience as the video screens
splashed Bhagawan swinging on the Jhoola, in synchronisation with Jalota’s
singing. With his inimitable style of singing, singing from the depth of his
heart to the heights of exalted heavens, completely immersed in his art, as he
engaged in his inimitable ‘twists and turns’, highs and lows, harmoniously
blending with tabla, the evening turned out to be a rare musical treat for the
packed audience.
At the end, the artistes and accompanists for the evening were felicitated.
Bhajans continued that ended with Subramaniam…Subramaniam in Bhagawan’s
mellifluous voice, a perfect finale to the grand and glorious day, 23rd
November.
sourced:
http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2011/11/grand-86th-birthday-celebrations/
Aum Sri Sai Ram
