Parthi News (updated 30 October 2003)

[Guest guest]

Posted on 31-10-2003

Sai Ram!

 

Greetings....some news from Parthi from a USA devotee currently

residing in the Ashram.

 

Take care and God bless!

 

yours,

lalita

 

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I had to work late most days in the past 10 days or so, so I haven't

been able to go in the afternoons for Darshan. I just hear the

program from the speakers (remember I'm right behind the Canteen, so

hear the speakers near it). I listen to the echo of the talks, or to

the lovely classical Indian singing, while eating lunch in my room

(4-5 PM)!

 

In the mornings, Swami generally comes out after bhajan - straight

out, He is not going in for lunch lately - and I see Him go by then.

He is using the small, electric red car (I hear that it is the same

type that disabled people are us ing in Western countries, and that

is now to be seen on the streets of Bangalore too). He keeps the

window down though, leaning His hand out. Still, there is definitely

even less opportunity than before, for Him to talk to people or take

the occasional letter. All He can do is wave or raise His hand to us

in blessing, as He silently speeds by! Wonder if changing to this

safe, enclosed car has anything to do with the occasional devotee

who tries to run up to Him!

 

He comes twice a day, but when He comes and when He returns is

anyone's guess! Sometimes He comes and leaves before bhajan,

sometimes He ends bhajans right in the middle of a bhajan or calls

for arathi still in the middle of the Vedic chanting. Thank

goodness, from the little I've seen, He seems to be walking better

lately. He is still supported by one assistant, but He is standing

up straighter and looking more comfortable taking those few steps

(chair on verandah to car).

 

There was the 'Grama Seva' conference, and now (28th-30th) the Vice

Chancellor's conference, so Swami's program is still fluctuating. (I

hear that the Vice Chancellors from all over India hold their

conference in different places every year, and this year it is

HERE!) Swami gave one discourse for this conference.

 

Yesterday (Wednesday) morning, Swami stopped the car just off the

verandah and called to his poor brother's widow. It was heartrending

to see her wiping her face, crying and crying, while she tried to

answer whatever Swami was asking. The final 11th-day ceremonies

(when the soul is said to leave the earth-region and go to a more

subtle abode) were over on Tuesday evening. His widow had to remove

her kum-kum dot on her forehead and take off all the colourful glass

bangles (widows are only allowed to wear gold bangles), as well as

other jewelry.

 

http://pavanaputra.tripod.com/news/parthi_news.htm