Report on Ashada Ekadasi Celebrations 2003

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http://www.srisathyasai.org.in/pages/Ashada_Ekadasi.htm

 

Ashada Ekadasi Celebrations 2003 Report

 

10th of April, 2003. The silence in the colourfully decked up Sai

Kulwant Hall in orange, green and Indigo, the colours of the sun,

was broken. The Nadaswaram resounded heralding the arrival of Swami

into the Hall at 7 am. The devotees applauded as Swami lit the

florally ornamented lamp to commence the celebrations of the

auspicious day of Ashadi Ekadasi, held very sacred by the people of

the Indian state of Maharashtra.

 

Indeed, the celebrations in Prasanthi Nilayam had begun the previous

day itself when the Bhagawan returned to a grand welcome after a

longer-than-usual summer break. The road from the Airport to the

Mandir was lined with devotees, anxious to catch a glimpse of their

Lord. When Bhagawan entered the Mandir, it was as if the entire

congregation erupted in rejoicement to see their beloved Swami back

with them, looking more radiant and happy than ever. It was in the

this background of festivity that the proceedings of the Ashadi

Ekadasi celebrations commenced on the morning of 10th.

 

The programme started with an appealing traditional Maharashtrian

dance glorifying Lord Vittala. As the dance concluded, Kulwant Hall

reverberated with "Jai Jai Panduranga Hari" with the captivated

audience joining in with enthusiastic clapping and singing. The next

item was a dance drama entitled "The Divine Address - Devudi

Chirunama". This hour-long presentation involving song and dance by

the Bal Vikas Students of Maharashtra and Goa was an entertaining

and enlightening experience for each one gathered there. Through

dialogue and dance it sought to remind us all, that while Bhagawan

is the most enchanting divine personality, Wisdom lies in taking

advantage of the Swami's Saguna Rupa (Physical form) to realize the

Nirguna (the formless Divinity). With impressive sets and music, the

programme depicted the spiritual game of Snakes and Ladders and the

mysteries of the Sun god as the The Supreme Teacher and Bestower of

Wisdom.

 

After the presentation concluded, there were a few bhajans led by

Maharashtrian devotees. The morning celebration ended half past

eight with Aarati and prasadam distribution.

 

The cultural programme in the Poornachandra Auditorium that evening

sought to show the unity of the two seemingly diverse paths of

spirituality, worship to the Saguna Rupa and contemplation on the

Nirguna Brahman, through the story of Saint Namdev, one of the

spiritual giants of the Maharashtra State. Sant Namdev was an ardent

devotee of Krishna who is worshipped as Vithobha in Maharashtra. The

saint Jnandev, a contemporary of Namdev, however, held that the path

of Jnana or Wisdom alone was the means to liberation. The drama

staged by the Bal Vikas children of Maharshtra and Goa demonstrated

how Namdev first convinces Jnandev of the efficacy of the path of

devotion or the Bhakti Marga. However, when, one day, the Saint

Gorakhnath, compares him to a pot made of half-baked clay, he feels

hurt and rushes to his Lord in agony. Lord Vithobha then appears and

teaches Namdev to transcend the Form of the Lord and seek the

Formless One instead.