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| Home Sri Sathya Sai Baba MahaSamadhi Day – Prasanthi Nilayam |
| The Live Video Webcast of the evening function of Aradhana Mahotsavam, Day Two will begin on April 24, 2012 at 5 p.m. Go here for the detailed Programme Schedule of ‘Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam’. |
Remembering Sai with love…Tuesday, April 24th, 2012 |
| Can we ever pay gratitude adequately for all that Bhagawan has bestowed upon us? asked His students singing rich tribute to their Beloved Lord this morning on the second day of the ongoing Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam in Prasanthi Nilayam.It was this day an year ago that Prasanthi wailed bidding adieu to its Soul, Beloved Bhagawan, when He chose to transcend into His omnipresent reality.
On this auspicious day of Adoration and special worship, marking the ascent of the Avatar of the Age, special programmes were held in the venue, Sai Kulwant Hall. The proceedings began at 0820 hrs., after 20 mts. of Rudam chanting, with students offering Guru Vandana. It was a collective offering of gratitude to their Beloved Swami Who defined their lives donning the role of Divine Parent. Interspersed with commentary, narrating His glory and grandeur, students produced five gems, including Prasanthi’s evergreen number “Tuu Pyaar Ka Sagar Hey…” bringing nostalgic memoirs of their golden days with Bhagawan. Picking relevant anecdotes from His Story and the lives of some devotees, these grateful students took the audience to the nostalgic world of Sai, showing rare glimpses of the glory of the Avatar. Commenting about the physical proximity they were fortunate to have, students summed up, reminding that they have had their share of His Love, in abundance, bestowed upon by Bhagawan not out of deservedness, but out of sheer Love.
Welcoming the Chief Guest, His Excellency Governor of Andhra Pradesh ESL Narasimhan and other distinguished guests, devotees and students, All India President of SSSSO, Sri V Srinivasan in his address reminded the audience that it was Bhagawan’s Sankalpa that the world witnessed last year when the Infinite One resolved to end His finite state on earth and return to Himself. In His infinite form He continues His Divine Mission, continues to be with His devotees, He continues to manifest Himself whenever and wherever He wills…there is no corner of this universe where Sathya Sai is not…He will be there for time eternal…fortunate are those who had experienced His leelas and blessed are those who continue to enjoy His communion…Truly Sathya Sai is the resurrection and the life…a life of Love, Compassion, Life for Service to the poor and needy…a Life Eternal. This is not an occasion to grieve, but to rededicate in His mission. His mission is ever expansive and each one of us has a role to play, reminded Sri Srinivasan.
Reiterating that all Sai institutions founded by Bhagawan are continuing to function as it were when Bhagawan was physically present, Sri Srinivasan announced the happy news of Muddenahalli Campus of SSSSIHL being cleared by Govt. of India, granting the 4th campus for SSSIHL. He also mentioned about the Trust’s new initiative in expanding its coverage of water project providing drinking water to another 118 villages in Anantapur district costing additional 80 crores. A MOU signed between Radio Sai Global Harmony and Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in disseminating Bhagawan’s Teachings was placed at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet during the occasion. Prof. G. Venkataraman who spoke next, gave an introduction about his treatise on Bhagawan, Miracle of Pure Love, that was subsequently released by His Excellency Governor of AP Sri Narasimhan.
This was followed by the Chief Guest’s address by Governor ESL Narasimhan. Equating Bhagawan with Sun, who shines all the time without any beginning and end, the Governor said, Bhagawan has no beginning and end, He is eternal. Sun grants happiness to everyone without any discrimination and Bhagawan is the same, granting happiness to the entire creation. Referring to Bhagawan’s physical absence, the Governor said, Bhagawan is someone Whom one should experience. He recalled his response to the news of Bhagawan’s physical departure, same day last year. When the message reached him informing that “Light has gone out of our lives”, his instant response was that “Light has not gone out of our lives; light has come into our lives”. By His physical departure Bhagawan made His devotees even stronger, reminded the Governor.
Elucidating on the uniqueness of Bhagawan, He called Him as 3-in-1, as Baba, Swami and Bhagawan. Commenting on the expanse of the service activities being done under Bhagawan’s banner, an inspired Governor promised the audience that the current government will do something for the people of the state. Thanking Bhagawan profusely for the opportunity to be in His presence and for His unceasing grace, Governor ended his inspirational speech with a promise to Bhagawan to deliver his best discharging his duties. Excerpts from Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed. Beginning with the man’s eternal quest, Who Am I? Bhagawan exhorted the audience to give up animality, and transform the humanness into Divinity. His discourse continued with Bhagawan talking on Self confidence, Love etc. Bhagawan ended His Divine discourse with the bhajan “Hari Bhajana Binaa…”
Bhajans continued for a short while before Mangala Arathi offering at 1030 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire audience. On the auspicious occasion Narayana Seva was conducted at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium attended by hundreds of devotees from nearby villages. Free food was distributed to all the devotees inside the ashram. II Samasta Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavantu II
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Soul-stirring Carnatic and Sarod Recital…Tuesday, April 24th, 2012
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Music aficionados were treated to a soulful symphony of music in Sai Kulwant Hall on this evening as part of Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam. The first performance was by the acclaimed carnatic music artiste Bombay Jayashri. The second performance was by Ayaan Ali Khan, younger son of Sarod Maestro Amjad Ali Khan. One can call them purists in Carnatic and Hindustani styles of music.
Bombay Jayashri began her performance with the song Jagadisha Sureesha… and followed it up with Gopala Gokula Vallabheeyam… and then the song that struck the chords in every heart, the melodious Vuyyala Luguma Sri Sathya Sai… One could well imagine our dear Lord Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba swaying in the swing to the song. The artiste topped her performance with the song Krishna Nee Begame Baaru… After this song, Bombay Jayashri and her accompanying artistes were honoured with clothes and mementoes.
The second performance for the evening by Ayaan Ali Khan, who made his solo debut at the age of eight, won plaudits from everyone in the hall. It was a soul-stirring performance from the young artiste. Having performed all over the world in front of varied audiences, the artiste was at ease in handling the Sarod. The recitals were in Raag Shri. One piece after the other had a cascading effect on the audience. At the end of the performance, Ayaan Ali Khan and his accompanying artistes were honoured with shawls and mementoes. After a few Bhajans and distribution of Prasadam, the session ended with Arati at 7 p.m.
II Samasta Lokaaha Sukhino Bhavantu II
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