Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Hyderabad Dance Programme…. Thursday, September 20th, 2012 Colourful children from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Mandir, Moosapet, Hyderabad danced gracefully at the Sanctum Sanctorum offering a Dance Ballet entitled Sri Sathya Sai Natya Malika this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Choreographed uniquely, offering a virtual ritual of Sri Sathya Sai Ashtotharam, the programme was interlaced with thematic dance sequences singing Bhagawan’s Divine glory. The presentation that began with a Ganesha invocation continued with the Ashtotharam that was offered in phases, after every interlude. As the holy chants of Ashtotharam resounded in the vast Sai Kulwant Hall, graceful children danced to a make-shift podium, arranged in front of the Altar, making the offering. Interlacing the Ashtotharam offering, children danced gracefully to the tunes of beautiful songs, regaling the audience for an hour. Earlier, before the commencement of the programme, children along with organisers offered obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum invoking Divine blessings. A brief introduction about the inception of the institution followed after which, Swapna, one of the students from the school spoke in brief reminiscing Bhagawan and His Love. Sai Ashtothara Likhita Japam done 1,17,000 by the devout children of the school was offered at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet before the commencement of the programme. At the end of the programme all the children were presented with special gifts. Even as bhajans continued children posed for photographs. Bhajans ended with Thursday Special “Rama Rama Rama Sita…” The session concluded with Mangala Arathi offering at 1830 hrs. Tomorrow being the third day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, scores of Ganesha’s representing various Prasanthi institutions will be brought to the Mandir, in the evening at 1630 hrs., before ceremoniously taking out in procession for immersion. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/09/sri-sathya-sai-vidya-mandir-hyderabad-dance-programme/ Musical Offering and Divine Discourse… Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 Celebrating holy Ganesh Chaturthi, students from the Institute offered a string of hymns propitiating Lord Ganesha this morning here in Prasanthi Nilayam. Singing special hymns invoking the Lord, Who is hailed as ‘Prathama Vandana’, the students regaled the audience with devotional music interlaced with instrumental and dance for forty-five minutes. The songs were Ganashtakam beginning with Ekadantam Mahakayam, Mein Ganapathi..., Tatwamariya Tarama, a Carnatic piece, Tujhe Kripaa Taari Ya Jaaga, a Marathi Abhang, Aradhanam Abhivandanam, Apni Dil Kee Pukar Aaye Hain Tujhko Sunaane…The dance was to the tune of Mudaakadaara Modakam, the Ganesha Pancharatnam featuring the purport of the hymn. The instrumental piece was a fusion of Sitar, Violin, Tabla, Flute and Electronic Keyboard playing the bhajan Gowri Nandana Gajanana. Bhagawan’s Divine Discourse delivered during one of the Vinayaka Chaturthi occasions followed. Calling Vinayaka as the Lord without an Over Lord, Bhagawan discoursed touching upon the inner significance of the festivity. “Our history is replete with sacred inner meanings. But the modern youth do not pay any attention to our history. They waste their time in reading novels and meaningless stories. These kathas (stories) will give only vyathas (sorrow). Divine story alone teaches you the ideal path” said Bhagawan urging the students to take the right path towards Divinity. Speaking on about Brahmacharya, Bhagawan stressed on the need to lead an ideal Brahmacharya life, practising constant contemplation of Brahma. The Divine discourse came to an end with the bhajan “Hari Bhajana Binaa Sukha Shanthi Nahin…”. A string of Ganesha bhajans followed before Mangala Arathi offering at 0950 hrs. Even as bhajans continued students from the Primary followed by senior students offered festive handmade greetings to Bhagawan at the Sanctum Sanctorum. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/09/musical-offering-and-divine-discourse/ Sathya Sai Parijatalu, Dance Drama by Puttaparthi Balvikas… Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 How the little lad born in a tiny remote hamlet in Andhra Pradesh went on becoming the Beacon Light ‘Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai’ of the world was depicted by the local Balvikas children in a presentation entitled ‘Parthi Parijatalu’ this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. The presentation was based on the story of two youngsters, who were sceptical towards Bhagawan and His Divinity. As their doubting minds needed touch of evidence before accepting Bhagawan as the Avatar of the Age, the youth were taken to a ‘guided tour’ by experienced devotees narrating tales of glory of His Avatarhood and Divine Mission, as experienced by them. Some of the episodes shown were: the story of cholera epidermic being kept away by the Pandari Bhajans led by little Sathya, the episode showing grandfather Kondama Raju hearing ‘Omkara’ from little Sathya’s breath, Bhagawan curing Himself of the paralytic stroke, etc. The presentation had beautiful interludes of song and dance sequences, heralding the glory of Sri Sathya Sai Avatar. This is the maiden cultural presentation by the Balvikas of Puttaparthi that had its inception several years ago. Hundred children from in and around the village participated in the presentation. The presentation ended with the children along with elders taking a vow that they would dedicate themselves to the Mission of spreading Bhagawan’s message of Love and Service. At the end of the presentation all participating children were presented with special gifts. Even as Bhajans continued children formed into disciplined rows posing for photograph session at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Mangala Arathi was offered at 1815 hrs. Tomorrow, students from Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Moosapet, Hyderabad will be presenting a cultural presentation in the evening in Sai Kulwant Hall. II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/09/sathya-sai-parijatalu-dance-drama-by-puttaparthi-balvikas/ What a crow can teach Thursday, September 20th, 2012 When Prasanthi Nilayam becomes a global spiritual workshop, every being coming to this holy land gets the golden opportunity to learn from everything around, from every being around, be it a winged one or an animal or a fellow human. This miniscule world ‘created’ by Beloved Bhagawan has everything in it for humanity to observe, imbibe and practise. One such pilgrim leant a vital lesson during his/her trip to Prasanthi, a lesson learnt by observing a ‘crow act’, sitting in the precincts of hallowed Prasanthi Nilayam. Extracted from Sanathana Sarathi, May 1990. After flying thousands of kilometers to Prasanthi Nilayam, you try to learn something from everything you see there, especially in the courtyard of the temple. One morning during bhajan a crow continued to crouch on the concrete in front of us, long after the rest of his flock had come and gone. He sat and sat, while we sang and sang. You could tell he wanted to take off, but could not pick up the necessary wing power. After sometime he gave a loud “Cawl” which set the other crows in motion. They deserted their posts on temple roof, palms and neem tree, and came whirling down and away again, as if to scoop up their mate. It looked very much as if he had been given the classic crow summons, “Come, fly!” When he did not take to the air himself, some of the flock swooped down again and circled in a puzzled way. Then, one by one, they returned to their perches high above the courtyard, where they hopped uneasily to and fro, apparently unsure what was expected of them. Meanwhile, as if glued to the concrete, the old crow roosted helplessly, his beak opening and closing without a sound. Many suspenseful moments later, he called again, very feebly. This time, only one crow responded, and to some purpose. He took up a challenging stance facing the groundling and set about dealing with the problem. His method was drastic and, eventually, effective. Gentleness would not have worked. The newcomer began a mock attack, peeking at the old one, who tried to defend himself. It looked like a cruel kind of rescue, but no one watching could doubt that a rescue it was. The “rescuer” had to intensify his offensive before the grounded crow was driven to take wing. Hurling himself desperately aloft, he dived under the nearest sunshade canopy, passing over the heads of the ladies as he tried to clear the outside wall, and failed. Instead, he blundered heavily into the top of the wall and flopped back into someone’s lap. After a short but furious flurry of feather and saris, he found himself back in the courtyard, where his rescuer was still waiting and watching. Once again the mock attack was renewed, with such vigour that the old crow rose into the air almost immediately, and soared elegantly under the roof and over the wall. Mission accomplished, the rescuer flew away in turn, leaving us humans to interpret at our leisure what had happened. This example of crow seva—in which some of us had briefly taken an active part—showed one of those predicaments where waiting passively for a “miracle” is not enough. So you cry for help. Having done so, you may have to wait until the right kind of helper appears, one who understands what you need, perhaps better than you do yourself. A true helper will stay and persist until a solution is found; both of you have a part to play in it. One of the teachings that first attracted me to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was that the good is not always the pleasant. We know life is happiest when we are full of bliss, but also that sometimes life has to peck at us with apparent cruelty before we are impelled to summon up strength that we did not know we had in us. Then we soar over what seemed like insurmountable obstacles. Out of helplessness comes new power, and out of pain new freedom. sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/09/what-a-crow-can-teach/ Tanno Dantih Prachodayat… Tuesday, September 18th, 2012 After an interlude, it is time to rejoice welcoming the Prime Deity, Lord Ganesha, The Lord Whom Bhagawan often refers to as The Lord Without an Over Lord. When the festivity, Ganesh Chaturthi, returns to Prasanthi Nilayam with great devotional fervour, let us bask in His glory propitiating Lord Ganesha’s benevolent blessings…a poem from Ms Jullie Chaudhuri. Ganapati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa… …Oh! Dearest Lord, our fervent plea kindly do hear, Return swiftly, quickly, promptly the following year… That is how devotees in vast multitudes, Hail and bid Him a fond farewell, As the ten day festivities conclude, But now…let us shrug off and say farewell to the interlude… Rejoice…let the heart beat in ecstatic exultation, Temple bells peal in euphoric celebration, Joy, joy, joy…what an abundant shower, ‘Pudhchya Varshi’ is here… Heralding the arrival of the dearest of the dear, …the year long wait is at last over… …it’s time to commemorate the Presence, Of the most lovable and endearing diety by far, Of Lambhodara - The most auspicious One – with a belly so enormous, That it can absorb anything in the Universe - The innumerable trials and tribulations, All that is negative or poses a threat or is in any way harmful, For those that call out to Him, Steeped in admirable adoration and true devotion… Om Namaste Ganapataye… Hey Vakratunda, You, with the curved trunk, That does signify and embody the Pranava, Hey Mahakaya…Hey Surya Koti Samaprabha, Indeed Your form is truly gigantic, Verily it does represent the Cosmos… With the radiant brilliance of a zillion Suns, Oh! Beloved Ganesha, So do I beseech You with reverence and humility, …Nirvignam Kurume Deva…Sarva Karyeshu Sarvada… Kindly bestow Your benevolence to ceaselessly eliminate, And forever sever… All obstacles from my earnest endeavour… Oh! Ekadantaya…Lord with the single tusk… What can I accomplish without Your grace and guidance? Help me to break free from the web of maya ever so dense, Hey Vigneshwara, come purify my body, heart, mind and soul, Lead me on towards my spiritual goal… Confer the required wisdom and knowledge, Oh! Granter of Siddhi and Buddhi, Hear my plea…set me free… Oh! Varada Murthaye…Oh! Benevolent Granter of Boons, I salute You – who has a countenance ever so pleasant, With You, one feels an instant and a constant bond, You, who are so amiable, amicable and approachable, You, who are the beloved valiant child of Shiva and Gauri, You fit the picture of a Brother and Ally so perfectly, Oh! My Sweet Friend Ganesha, Hold my hand…guide me, Tvameva Sarvam Khalvidam Brahmasi, Tvam Sakshat Atmasi Nityam, You are the all conquering Formless Supreme, Indeed You are the embodiment of the Eternal Soul… Help me to play my role, With these lyrics I do You intently extol, Sarvato Maam Pahi Pahi Samantat, Protect me continually from any and every direction… You, Who uses the mouse as a vehicle, Denoting a conquest of ignorance, Only You, Can alleviate me to transcend the dark abyss of material existence… Oh! Beloved Lord…Oh! Gajanana, indeed You are the goal and the path… Ekadantaya Vidmahe Vakratundaya Dheemahi, Tanno Danti Prachodayat… II Samasta Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II sourced: http://www.theprasanthireporter.org/2012/09/tanno-dantih-prachodayat/ Latest Videos Update (Updated on 19.09.2012) New Blog titled 'Sathya Sai with Students' was inaugurated by the Warden. http://www.sathyasaiwithstudents.blogspot.in/ Why you should not see the moon on Ganesh Chaturthi - Story of the Syamantaka gem - By AravindB1982 Hari Om Sharan and Sathya Sai - Story of the modern day Abou Ben Adhem - By AravindB1982 News Update from Dharmakshetra - September 2012 Parthi News September 2012 (Updated-20.09.2012)
