Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam, 19 Nov 2003

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Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam

 

Lovingly shared by Gerald of Ojai

 

Posted on 19th November, 2003

 

Sai Ram,

 

11-19-03

 

Ladies Day Afternoon: The program was in the Poorna Chandra. Baba

came out at 3:30 in a wheelchair. He went down the ramp on the

ladies side to the front of the stage where he spoke with some women

and returned the same way to behind the curtain.

 

At 4:00, Baba walked over to the lift on the men's side and

descended into the orchestra pit where about a dozen dignitaries

were sitting. Baba sat in a big chair slightly on the women's side

where his eyes were probably at stage level.

 

The first performance was western type music performed by about 20

women who seemed to be non-Indians. They were followed by six women

giving speeches. The sound system was not loud enough for everyone

to hear them clearly.

 

The last performance was by Uma Subha, professional, accompanied by

three men on instruments, who did ragas. Her performance was for 40

minutes. It was heavenly.

 

Arathi was at 6:10 with the women assisting.

 

Ladies Day Morning: As we entered the hall in the early morning

hours, we were greeted by banners, flowers, netting and lights that

were added during the night. One banner on each side on the hall had

a message in Hindi about the importance of women. There were flowers

on the mandir second floor level, on the columns of the mandir as

well as on the columns on each side of the white tile area. Over

this center area were four clear nettings that went from the center

on the ceiling to four columns.

 

Outside, surrounding the Sarva Dharma statue, a fence had been up

with lights in a decorative fashion, some of them were flashing.

 

Ladies did all of the morning prayers. It sounded nice. At one point

about 50 ladies marched singing from the women's side in front of

the mandir to the men's side, around back and exited to return

through the center driveway.

 

Baba car was in front of the Poorna Chandra at about 6:50. A

procession started with a group of women marching into the hall,

followed by a band consisting of Anantapur students and the car with

Baba. The path in the hall on the women's side was lined with small

girls and small lite candles on the floor. The car went its normal

path to the verandah, while the band continued playing. They were

powerful, terrific, and wonderful. They marched to the center and

maneuvered into a space on the women's side by the driveway. The

bandleader had a five-foot baton-like object. She marched up to Baba

and presented him with a parchment paper that was rolled up.

 

Baba's chair was on the women's side. Just to the right and behind

his chair was a five-foot picture of his mother, Easwaramma. He lite

a candle in front of her picture.

 

There were program pamphlets. A two-part play entitled "Shakti Ek

Roop Anek" was presented by the Delhi, educational wing of the Sai

Seva organization. It involved singing, dancing and storytelling.

One part dealt with the creation and importance of the female aspect

of creation. The second part was about several important woman

including Yashoda, the Queen of Jhansi, Florence Nightingale and

Easwaramma.

 

Several times girls that seemed younger than five presented

something to Baba for his blessings.

 

The play ended with a tribute to Sai Baba. Baba, at times, moving

his hands to the music. The women did arathi on Baba. He spoke with

some men and left at about 8:30.

 

The play was very powerful and moving. At times, I was brought to

tears, not by the skit but by the love and devotion that emanated

from the players. Their love and devotion for Baba and their message

was overwhelming.

 

Television sets around the hall carried the play to those who had

trouble seeing.

 

Tuesday Afternoon: 11-18-03. The performance was announced for 4:00

but Baba came out shortly after 3:00 catching everyone off guard.

The set for the play in front of the driveway. It seemed that when

Baba saw that, he commented on them blocking people's view. There

were televisions for people to watch the play.

 

The play was about Saint Panduranga. I am not sure about the

spelling. He developed a big ego and Narayana taught him a lesson.

There were several backdrop changes. After the performance, Baba had

his picture taken with the casts who were bal vikas children from

Kerala.

 

Arathi was about 4:45 with Baba leaving.

 

On Wednesday 11-19-03, Jack Hawley gave another talk at the North

Indian Canteen. He and Louise spoke about detachment and surrender.

 

Gerald