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Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam

 

Lovingly shared by Gerald of Ojai

 

Posted on 28-10-2003

 

Sai Ram,

 

10-27-03

 

Monday Morning: Baba came out about 8:00. There was chanting and

some bhajans. Baba left about 9:30.

 

Monday Afternoon:Baba came in his car after 4:00. The car stopped

just short of entering the women's side. About 20 boys dressed in

white, probably from primary school, got in front of the car

proceeded, while chanting, into the hall to an area in center front

of the mandir. Baba waited and then proceeded his usual route onto

the verandah.

 

He had two boys start chanting then others followed until there was

a whole group chanting. Meanwhile Baba took letters and read them

while these activities were going on.

 

About 5:00, two college boys got their veena to play several

melodies that were enchanting and beautiful. There were a few

bhajans. Baba left at about 5:40.

 

Gerald

_________

 

Posted on 27-10-2003

 

Sai Ram,

 

I don't know when the tradition started of giving Baba roses. But

presenters have been doing that. One night it was funny to watch as

Baba while seated in the chair facing the women's side when people

gave him roses. He took each one and tossed it over his shoulder to

the crowd that was seated on the front of the verandah behind him.

 

Devali Celebration

 

Devali is the new year for people from Gurajat. But it has a more

important spiritual meaning and is celebrated all over India with

lit candles and fireworks. Two events are: The return of Rama and

Sita to Adyodha and the removal of Kamsa head by Krishna with a

disc. In both cases it is always the victory of good over evil and

light over darkness.

 

Saturday Afternoon:It was about 3:30 when Baba came out. He walked

from the car to the railing where he stood for about five minutes

giving a very good darshan. He called on five boys to chant. They

faced everyone and chanted. Then he had five other boys stand up.

They were in a row perpendicular to the first five. Baba alternated

between the two set chanting. First one set of boys then the other.

It seems as though one group picked up where the other left off. He

had more boys stand. They too chanted and still more chanted

including those seated.

 

Next event was a teacher was asked to ask the boys questions. He was

on the verandah where he asked a question waiting for one of the

boys to raise his hand to answer. After some replies, there was

applauds. After others, nothing. There were about 20 questions. This

went on for about 30 minutes.

 

There were two speakers who praised Baba and his work, bhajans and

prasad. The prasad was barlova. It is not a sweet but a flat cookie

like spicy item.

 

College boys also gave Baba letters while these events were going on.

 

Sunday Morning: The hall had been very nicely decorated giving a

joyous holiday feeling to it. Also, there were banners wishing

everyone a Happy New Year in English and in Gurajati. In the center,

in the driveway were set props for a play that would be performed.

 

Babas car came just before 8:00. As it did a beautiful melody was

sung with lots of feeling and love. It made me want to cry. It was

intense.

 

Baba was in the chair, two men approached bringing objects for him

to bless.

 

The play was performed on the center white tile area by boys and

young adults from Gurajat. They also printed up a four page program

which explained what the story was about and had the words to the

songs.

 

It was called Journey of Life. It starts with birth, the person

getting distracted by the world and life, becoming miserable and

turning to god - Baba

 

The skit involved dancing, singing and dialogue. The whole play was

intense and moving.

 

Baba stood up for pictures. He walked over to the car and stood for

a while enabling the men to have good darshan.

 

Sweets were passed out. They were halvah prepackaged, consisting of

8 small cubes, individually wrapped in each package. The label read

Om Sri Sai Ram, Sai Krishna SSSSO - Gujarat.

 

Sunday Afternoon: There was another play by Gurajat youths but this

time it seemed to be a younger group and a simpler skit. There was a

story and singing. It involved past lives, seva and good deeds. They

had a multicolor flyer distributed with the story and songs on it.

 

There were a few bhajans. Everyone thought Baba was going to leave

at this point especially with more of those sweets being passed out.

He stayed.

 

The boys sang Telegu songs that were enchanting. They were

beautiful, moving and uplifting.

 

Gerald