Darshan Update

Archival: Mar '10 - Apr '10 - May '10 - June '10 - July '10 - Aug '10 - Sept '10

Updated on Monday, Oct 11 @ 1400 hrs. IST

Seven-day long Dasara Jnana Saptaaha Yajna got underway in the morning at Poornachandra Auditorium in the immediate Divine presence of Bhagawan.

At the venue in Poornachandra Auditorium, at 11:00 hrs., the dais wore a most solemnising picture, with the Yajna proceedings had just begun. The hall was resonating with the holy vedic chants and students were just filing in.

Bhagawan arrived onstage at 11:00 hrs. and sat on watching over the proceedings. With Bhagawan presiding over the session, the priests lit the sacred homam creating fire by friction, by rubbing two sticks from churning of two wooden pieces. The fire produced was blessed by Bhagawan and shown to the audience before depositing in the sacred sacrificial pit, marking the beginning of the Yajna. Soon other rituals commenced. As one priest went on doing Surya Namaskar, a group of priests got engaged in holy reading.

After sitting for half-an-hour, Bhagawan moved towards the western end of the dais where special Kumkum Archana along with Lalitha Sahasranama Parayanam was commenced by the Head Priest and wife. After receiving Mangala Arathi, Veda chanting was paused for a while when one of the priests offered a bhajan at His Lotus Feet, singing aloud, "Easwaramma Priya Tanaya..."

Soon Bhagawan moved down the aisle at the ladies' end, moving through the pathway at the centre for an entire length blessing the packed assembly with His close darshan. Turning about, Bhagawan returned by the same pathway, before moving around for a while in the front. Coming onstage, Bhagawan retired at 1142 hrs. while the Yajna continued onstage.

Earlier, Bhagawan came into the Sai Kulwant Hall at 1035 hrs. for a full round of darshan. Moving into the bhajan hall, Bhagawan blessed the priests who were engaged in Veda chanting, anticipating and invoking Bhagawan. As commanded by Bhagawan the procession began with the priest

carrying the sanctified Kalasha moved to the Poornachandra Venue. Vedam group by the students followed suit. Bhagawan came out and instructed the boys to move on. He sat for a while watching the students who were filing past to the Yajna venue. Soon, at 10:55 hrs. Bhagawan glided into the ladies' side, moving towards the Poornachandra.

Today, on the 4th day of Grama Seva 2010, students would be serving the villages in and around Puttaparthi.

Sun, Oct 10, 2010: On this weekend Sunday morning, Sai Kulwant assembly wore a contrasting look with the students' block in the gents' side remaining almost empty. The otherwise populated Sunday morning's block turned empty this morning with the men students set out for another field day of service, on the third day of Grama Seva 2010.

Bhagawan emerged at 9:10 hrs. and went for a full round of darshan. Coming onstage at 9:25 hrs., He presided over the bhajan session for next half-an-hour, until Arathi at 10:00 hrs.

Leaving the dais, Bhagawan went into the interview room where He spent an hour before emerging to move into the bhajan hall. Officiating Priests for Dasara Yajna 2010 had been chanting Vedam for almost an hour, awaiting Bhagawan inside the bhajan hall. Bhagawan spent ten minutes inside interacting with the priests before coming out, retiring for the session.

...in the evening:

When man proposes with love for God and God reciprocates accepting the proposal, the show turns out to be golden, growing beyond humanly defined proportions and man-made perceptions.Prasanthi witnessed such an endearing session this evening when Bhagawan's love spilled over, filling and fulfilling many a heart present in the Sai Kulwant Hall.

In the evening, Balvikas children along with students from Sri Sathya Sai School, Anand Vilas, Shimla were ready with an offering representing the state of Himachal Pradesh. Coming in at 1905 hrs. Bhagawan cut across from the centre to come onstage, blessing further proceedings for the evening.

Dressed up in traditional finery, men from the state danced forth to the tunes of vibrant musical score that resembled bhangra producing an ensemble various art forms, showcasing wide range of cultural heritage of the state. Acrobatic dancing movements, exhibiting great balancing skills with dexterity, on the head, on the finger tips and on slim rodes, were added attractions. At the end of this fifteen minute presentation, men along with children that formed the dance troupe were joined by representatives from the rich 'animal kingdom' in the state, paying obeisance to The Lord of Parthi.

Dashavatar, the programme by Balvikas and the students from Sathya Sai School, was the story of ten Avatars of Lord Vishnu. Illustrating their origin, the forty-two minute session produced short episodes highlighting the Avatric Indent, of each of the ten avatars. Theme song with a refrain "Jay Jagadeesha Hare..." echoed the hall at the end of each avataric story. Final scene was on the advent of the contemporary Avatar, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai, that ended up with a refrain, singing "Jay Sayeeshwara Hare...".

Bhagawan quickly moved down the stairs posing for group photographs, before coming onstage to retire into the interview room. Bhagawan came back in half-an-hour at 2040 hrs. and He was followed by presentation bundles, safari pieces and sarees, for the entire lot of participants. Upon the end of the distribution, Bhagawan once again moved down the dais, posing for one more time. He moved along, spoke to many before sitting "Face to face" giving them the bliss of seeing from the closest quarter.

Ascending the dais, at 2055 hrs. Bhagawan asked for bhajans to begin. As bhajans continued, Bhagawan conferred birthday benediction upon many students followed by blessing some others having some 'offerings' for The Lord! At 2115 hrs. Bhagawan nodded for Mangala Arathi.

Blessing the concourse with abhayahastha, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall where officiating priests for the Dasara Yajna were seated, awaiting His Divine Call. Bhagawan interacted with the priests, blessed them with angavastrams, traditional clothe wear for the yajnam. He also sanctified the Kalasa that was installed on the previous day.

Leaving the hall at 2130 hrs. Bhagawan slowly glided into the ladies' side retiring for the day, leaving sweet memories of one of the longest sessions in Prasanthi. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

Week long Dasara Jnana Yajna is scheduled to begin on Monday morning in the immediate Divine presence.

Sat, Oct 9, 2010: Everytime when Sri Sathya Sai revisits the blessed Sai Kulwant Hall it turns out to be the highest benedictory exercise of the greater heaven, for which, humanity should ever feel indebted and be grateful!

While His direct physical presence brings a rejuvenating and elevating experience for the minds and souls, His absence on a day dampens the spirit, before one gets into the realm of greater wisdom accepting the omnipresence of the Lord of Parthi.

This evening, emerging at 1830 hrs., Bhagawan went for a full round of darshan. The front block opposite to the Seat of The Divine was occupied by a group of over 120 specialist medicos who have come to attend a high-profile Urology Conference at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences at Prasanthigram. As Bhagawan passed by the block many in the group had close glimpse of The Lord. Bhagawan spent sometime at the block before moving past.

Coming on to the verandah Bhagawan went into the bhajan hall. Today was the auspicious occasion for the "Kalasa Stapana" for the ensuing Dasara Saptaaha Jnaana Yajna commencing on 11 Oct. Sanctifying the same Bhagawan came out, coming on to the dais at 1850 hrs.

The session continued for another half-an-hour until Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 1915 hrs. Leaving the dais, Bhagawan blessed a group of students from the Institute with its latest publication "My Dear Students". Leafing through the pages, blessing the students, Bhagawan spent awhile before retiring at 1930 hrs.

On the second day of Grama Seva 2010, students from the Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan Campuses along with the higher secondary boys had another field day today, covering farthest villages, serving thousands with Bhagawan's package of Love!

Thu, Oct 7, 2010: Prasanthi turned lively when the gracious Lord went around granting extra rounds of close Divine Darshan! Today, on the penultimate evening before the commencement of the 'twin events', Dasara and Grama Seva, Sai Kulwant Hall was all abuzz with activities galore.

Bhagawan arrived at 1735 hrs. and went for a full round of darshan. Enroute, there were students with Dasara paraphernalias awaiting Divine blessings. Blessing the students and many enroute, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall where Grama Seva Kits were ready for His blessings. Bhagawan blessed the same before releasing for distribution among students. Research Scholars along with students swung into action, initiating the distribution process. For the next forty minutes, Prasanthi Mandir turned enlivened with the distribution as every student and faculty member got hold of one set each. Emerging in between at 1810 hrs., Bhagawan moved towards the primary block, settling afront, watching over the proceedings.

The special heart shaped kits for men students contained two t-shirts, mini turkey-towels, a cap and a pair of socks. Primary School had special yellow kits while Anantapur students received sarees.

Moving along with semi-circle strip, from the primary block-to-the-vedam-to-the-boys'-side, Bhagawan blessed many a student before coming onto the verandah, advancing further towards the primary block once again. Spending awhile, Bhagawan moved on, finishing another full round of darshan, a bonus on the auspicious Mahalaya Amavasya day.

Ascending the dais from the front aisle, Bhagawan settled onstage, adorning the centre-stage and the bhajans continued with full devotional fervour.

Time passed, and as the daylight slowly gave in to to the nightfall, simultaneously there was another transition happening, as soulful renderings gave way to burrakatha, the forlk art of Andhra Pradesh.

Giving a fillip to the already charged atmosphere, next one hour, Prasanthi witnessed the sublime story of "Shiva Parvathi Kalyanam", as the trio of artistes set in presenting the illustrious, epical saga of the Divine Marriage. Burrakatha sessions in Prasanthi holds a special significance, as, on most occasions, it is Bhagawan who 'demands' the same, selecting the theme and title by Himself. This session was no exception as a couple of days ago Bhagawan had asked the boys to get ready with the presentation.

Singing 'Gowri Kalyana Vaibhavam', hailing The Lord of Parthi who is verily 'Shiva-Shakthi Swarupa', the one-hour programme came to an end at 1950 hrs. The trio received rounds of applause, and topping all was the Divine gesture from Bhagawan, who went clapping immediately after the programme.

The trio along with their master and musical accompanists moved onstage for a close session with Bhagawan. Though a new trio was introduced a couple of months ago, this evening's programme was done by the original trio, Sai Prabhakar, Aravind Sai and Sai Raghuram, at Bhagawan's special instance.

Even after the onstage session was over and the artistes went dispersed, the session continued as willed by Bhagawan. A string of 3 devotional songs, one by the trio followed by 'a couple' by the music troupe before the Arathi offering at 2020 hrs.

Blessing the assembly with twin abhayahastha, ladies and gents seperately, Bhagawan left the Mandir retiring for the day.

Ten day long Grama Seva - 2010 will be commencing tomorrow morning and simultaneously the 'Kalasha Staapana' for the Dasara festival is also expected to solemnise in the immediate Divine presence.

Wed, Oct 6, 2010: Bhagawan adorned the centre stage granting the feast of His Divine Darshan! In an enlivened morning, with students from all the three campuses along with tiny tots of primay school showing up, Bhagawan made His way into the Sai Kulwant Hall just after 9:20 hrs. granting the boon to feast 'the sight', beholding the enlightening beautiful divine form!

After a full round of darshan, Bhagawan came onstage at 9:40 hrs. as bhajans continued with full devotional fervour.

Adding sparks to the lively session, picking up one of the students from the front row, Bhagawan spoke to him for sometime before blessing the boy with a golden chain. The session ended with an 'aalaap' bhajan, "Sri Raghavam...", before Mangala Arathi at 10:25 hrs. Blessing a pair of burrakatha boys, blessing the student beneficiaries, Bhagawan spent awhile onstage before retiring for the session at 10:32 hrs.

Tue, Oct 5, 2010: This evening Bhagawan emerged at 1650 hrs. to the early strains of Veda chanting. Taking a detour from the ladies' side, Bhagawan went into the interview room, while Veda chanting continued. It was still 'early hours' for the students who were just filing in to the hall. Twin states, Bihar & Jharkhand were ready with a cultural programme, Maa, a tribute to the glory of Motherhood.

Bhagawan spent an hour inside before emerging at 1750 hrs. Coming onstage in five minutes He blessed the organisers to commence the programme.

Beginning with an announcement as instructed by Bhagawan, the State President spoke about the greatness of Motherhood in moulding children into virtuous instruments in the society. Greater enthusiastic participation of former students of Anantapur College for Women, in the twin states, came in for special reference.

Mother is referred to as "Shakthi" and the programme began showing Shakthi Durga's manifestations into five mothers, namely, Veda Mata, Bhu Mata, Gau Mata, Desha Mata and Deha Mata.

Parading through each of the four yugas, beginning from Sathya Yuga, the programme presented illustrious mothers of great culture and character, highlighting the glory of Motherhood. Presenting anecdotes from the lives of Queen Madalasa of Sathya Yuga, Mother Sita of Treta Yuga, Mother Draupadi of Dwapara Yuga and Mother Putli Bhai of Kali Yuga, the fifty minute dance drama moved

on to a present day scene, wherein deluded women with high academic qualifications were hankering after name, fame and money. Portraying a central character, a mother who values Bhagawan's principles for modern women, the presentation echoed Bhagawan's message of dignified living adhering to values. Reference to Bhagawan's Anantapur College in character building, laying foundation to Motherhood Principle, was made before the concluding scene depicting the most celebrated revered Mother Easwaramma.

Tiny tots from the twin states ended the colourful presentation with a refrain, "O Sai Maa, We All Love You!". Entire crew of participants, Balvikas Children, was presented with sarees.

Bhagawan moved down the stage posing for a photo session before accepting Mangala Arathi. Some more time elapsed as Bhagawan continued with interactions for sometime before leaving the dais. Moving off the dais at 1910 hrs. Bhagawan went moving into the ladies' side, retiring for the session. With the mid-semester exams for the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning completed, students from the Brindavan and Anantapur Campuses are expected to join Prasanthi, gearing up for the ensuing Grama Seva 010 that is scheduled to begin on 8 Oct 2010.

Mon, Oct 4, 2010: Today, blessing the fresh week, conferring morning benedictions, Bhagawan emerged at 9:55 hrs. coming for a full round of darshan.

Moving into the bhajan hall, Bhagawan moved past to come out through the rear entrance. Moving into the lower verandah, Bhagawan came onstage at 10:11 hrs., from the left of Ganesha.

Bhajans continued for the next ten minutes until Mangala Arathi at 10:20 hrs. Leaving the dais Bhagawan spent awhile outside before getting into the interview room granting a group interview. The interview lasted for twenty minutes. Emerging at 10:50 hrs., Bhagawan spoke to the Ashram Administrator for a while before retiring to Yajur Mandiram at 10:55 hrs.

Sun, Oct 3, 2010: Every fresh day's script in 'His Story' is well written by Him much in advance, we believe. As time rolls by, bringing along with fresh dawns and dusks, The Lord who is Illimited, unbounded by time, often confines 'His Self' to the physical, acting human. This human face of The Lord often comes with a tinge of illusion. ...And with this human phase, at times, the 'unbounded one' is seemingly awaiting the time.

This evening, embracing His glorious uncertainty, when Prasanthi relayed into the third hour of bhajan session, there emerged Bhagawan at 1932 hrs. The hall turned ecstatic as many were seen kneeling, trying to catch a better glimpse. Bhagawan moved past completing a full round before coming onto the verandah. Spending awhile near the interview room, Bhagawan moved past the lower verandah to come onstage at 1945 hrs., from the right of Ganesha.

The session continued for the next half-an-hour until Bhagawan accepted Mangala Arathi at 2015 hrs. Blessing the assembly, ladies and gents with abhayahastha, Bhagawan left the dais to retire to Yajur Mandiram at 2020 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

Sat, Oct 2, 2010: Granting second successive morning darshan, today, Bhagawan emerged at 09:40 hrs. and the Sai Kulwant was brimming with joy to receive The Lord, after missing out on the previous session.

Being "Gandhi Jayanthi", birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, a national holiday, students were in full attendance adding fillip to the multitudes gathered in the morning.

Bhagawan completed a full round of darshan before coming onstage at 10:00 hrs., from the right of Ganesha. Bhajans continued for the next forty minutes. Accepting Mangala Arathi at 10:40 hrs. Bhagawan left the dais, leaving for Yajur Mandiram at 10:50 hrs. Prasadam was distributed to the entire assemblage.

In the evening:

God He is, when He comes down to walk among men, man is often put to His test of uncertainty. Bracing His glorious 'Divine Uncertainty', when man gets ready to embrace Him, there comes The Lord moving into the multitudes.

This evening, emerging at 1842 hrs.(6:42), Bhagawan went for a full round of Darshan before moving into the bhajan hall just before 1900 hrs. (7:00). Team Vidya Vahini, educational promotional wing of Sathya Sai Seva Organisation, was seated in the bhajan hall. Bhagawan spent

twenty five minutes in, moving among the members, interacting and blessing them. Over 130 activists of Team Vidya Vahini were present during the occasion. The Team with volunteers from across India had been attending a workshop on the project for the last two days in Prasanthi Nilayam.

After the twenty 25 minute session inside, Bhagawan came out at 1925 hrs. (7:25) through the rear entrance. Coming onstage, as He settled, bhajans raised to a crescendo with the whole of Sai Kulwant joining en masse.

As His 'white army' of students got busied with Prasadam distribution, Bhagawan sat on scanning the assembly, showering blessings.

Mangala Arathi was offered at 1945 hrs. (7:45) and Bhagawan left for Yajur Mandiram at 1950 hrs. (7:50).

Prasanthi moves on, with her unquenching thirst for His presence, awaiting the morrow, weekend Sunday, anticipating to watch Him granting yet another Divine Darshan!

Fri, Oct 1, 2010: God's Lordly entry into the assembly of multitudes granting the benefit of redeeming glance of the beautiful Divine is every dawn's dream in Prasanthi. Fulfilling such a dream, this morning, Bhagawan emerged at 10:00 hrs. coming into the devoted assembly.

Completing a full round of darshan, Bhagawan moved into the bhajan hall for a shortwhile before getting into the interview room.

Bhajans continued in lowered tone with Bhagawan spending next 70 minutes in. Coming out at 11:25 hrs., Bhagawan came onstage shortly, at 11:32 hrs, soon to return to the interview room granting a group interview.

After the interview Bhagawan emerged yet again at 1152 hrs. The Lord who came granting morning darshan returned at 12 noon after accepting a 'Noon Arathi' at 11:55 hrs.