Events at Prashanthi Nilayam - Krishna Janmashtami Celebration 19-08-03

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Source:

http://www.kingdomofsai.org/2003/NEWS/NEWS20030819.html

 

Events at Prashanthi Nilayam - Krishna Janmashtami Celebration

19 AUG 2003

 

Morning

In the morning Swami came out at 6.50 am.

 

He asked the boys to start the Bhajans at 6.55 am.

 

Sai Geetha (Swami's Elephant) and the cows from Gokulam were brought

to Sai Kulwant Hall in a procession by the students dressed as

cowherd boys at 7.20 am.

 

Swami fed the elephant and the cows with His own hands. Sweets were

distributed to all devotees assembled in the hall.

 

The hall was about 90% full. Swami asked the Mangala Aarathi to be

performed at 7.55 am. There were no Bhajans at 9 am.

 

Afternoon

In the afternoon, Swami came for darshan at 3.10 pm.

 

There were a group of visitors from an American company who were

called for interview.

 

Swami came out at 4.35 pm after the interview and sat in the

verandah of the hall. There were 2 speakers. One was a faculty from

the collage (an ex-student too) and the other was Dr.

G.Venkataraman.

 

Dr. GV spoke in detail about the Chennai water project which is

nearing completion.

 

Swami started the discourse at 5.35 pm and ended the discourse at

6.55 pm. Almost 1 ½ hrs! He spoke about the birth of Krishna and His

killing of Kamsa, Shisupala and Dantavakra etc. He said normally

Ashtami is considered as an inauspicious day. How could it be

inauspicious if it happens to be the birthday of Krishna, He asked.

He said Krishna had to face a lot of difficulties during His life

right from His Birth, but yet we cannot call Ashtami as

inauspicious. Swami said He too had to face a lot of difficulties

during His childhood and narrated how He was given a poisoned vada

by one Subbamma (Reddy). He concluded the Discourse saying that the

doctors said it will take one year for Him to walk around after the

operation and because of the love and the prayer of the Devotees, He

could start walking normally within a month. He said Devotees are

His property and Devotees' property is Bhagawan. He said He would

start soon move about and go to places to grant Ananda to the

devotees. He concluded the Discourse with the Bhajan "Bhaja

Govindam, Bhaja Govindam"

 

Mangala Aarathi was performed at 6.55 pm.

 

 

Another report from a devotee:

 

Afternoon Discourse.

 

Two speakers preceded Swami. The second man shared with us the

progress of the water project for Chennai. He said that January 19

last year Baba announced the project to us. The people of Madras

(Chennai) had had a chronic water shortage problem for decades.

There had been a government project completed to bring water from

the Kirshna river, but it was a disaster, providing much much less

than needed and at an enormous cost. Swami said that the rich of the

city could easily purchase drinkable water. But what of the

countless poor who had to rely on getting water from filthy sources

such as street puddles. Out His compassion for the suffering He

implemented the water project for the city.

 

When this man began to speak about the water project it began to

rain. It rained moderately heavy, then later rained lightly.

(Interesting parallel between providing water and His love for the

needy. Also the water coming from Krishna river, discussed on this

Krishna Janmastami day. )

 

During Swami's discourse, as you'll see, He narrated the story of

Krishna's life, from birth to His deeds, to His marriage to Rimiki

(?) He added at the end by saying that His rapid recovery from His

recent hip surgery is due only to the fervent prayers of His

devotees. Further, he reassured us that His body will continue to be

healthy and youthful. (However, when departing He "needed" the

assistance of His young attendant to walk. Too, the golf cart backed

up fully onto the veranda to pick Him up. While driving away He

waved to us and waved to us.)

 

During Swami's discourse it rained continuously, but lightly.

Towards the end it began to rain heavier. In fact, it rained so hard

that at low points we had to walk through ankle-deep water. (Divya a

few days ago told of the water shortage here. That the wells are

running dry. Well today Swami gave us plenty of water.)

 

In sum, Swami loves us so much that He showered us with His grace of

water today on His birthday.

 

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