Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam, 22-24 Nov 2003

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Latest News from Prashanti Nilayam

 

Posted on 25/11/2003

 

Birthday News

 

Sai Ram,

 

Medical camps were set up at Round Building 5 for various

treatments. Also, there were aryuvedic and homeopathic camps.

Opposite the North Indian Canteen, food to go was setup. I believe

it was free. The lines for this were very long.

 

Western Canteen continues to be served by Italian cooks who will be

here until the 6th.

 

_____

 

11-22-03

 

Saturday Afternoon: The hall was decorated with flowers on the

verandah, red carpet from women's side to center and from center to

verandah and white chairs near the verandah men's ramp. On the

verandah were wooden chairs with marooned padding on the back and on

the seat. Two lecterns were set up: one in the center with the other

on the women's side.

 

At 2:00 Baba came out in a silver car. There were very few people in

the hall. He drove around checking the setup and had a long talk

with the boys. After about ten minutes, he returned to the Poorna

Chandra.

 

The hall filled to capacity with people watching from outside.

Baba's boys sat down in the driveway. Behind them were more people.

Television set remained set up helping all of us with the view.

 

In the center, on the men's side next to the driveway, was a

staircase structure where photographers took pictures.

 

Because the vice president of India would be a speaker, there was

extra security. Indian security men, many, dressed in suits and

immaculately groomed were present as well as other men dressed more

casually.

 

Commencement began with the college boys band leading the way

followed by three men carrying what I believe are called standards.

 

Next was a convertible with Baba and the vice president in the back.

The car drove up the center toward the mandir where both Baba and

vice president got out to walk up to the verandah. The vice

president sat in a chair on the left of center and Baba sat on the

right. Both faced forward. Behind the vice president were security

people.

 

Special recognition was given to students from Brindivan,

Puttaparthi and Anantapur who excelled. About thirty or forty

students received a parchment from Baba. Students wore color banners

across their chest indicating their field of study.

 

The vice president praised the Sathya Sai Institute of Higher

Learning and its students. They set an example for the world.

Teaching values as part of education is what needed everywhere.

Students should listen to Baba.

 

Baba spoke about the important of values.

 

The evening ended with the singing of the India national anthem.

Everybody rose. Baba emphasized the India needs unity.

 

_____

 

11-23-03

 

Birthday:

 

Many people lined up as early as midnight. The hall was fully packed

with a tremendous crowd outside between the hall and West Prasanthi.

At times, this crowd created problems. At one time, security lost

control.

 

At 7:30, the vice president visited Baba in the Poorna Chandra

briefly and then left.

 

The procession started with two different women's bands followed by

a men's band and pundits chanting

 

Baba came out in a red golf cart with no top and that had been

decorated. The driver was in the back. Baba sat in the front giving

us full view of him.

 

Seva dals and security was not prepared for what Baba did. The cart

entered the women's side, continued following the white to the men's

side turned right. It entered the verandah from the men's side and

exited to the women's side going straight turning right until it got

to entrance/exit where it turned right again going down the white

center line back to the men's side. Here it turned right and instead

of going back up onto the verandah went in front and next to it to

the women's side where it entered the verandah. The cart moved at

about 5 miles per hour.

 

It is always amazing that no matter how unruly the crowd is before

or after Baba comes, His presence always calms them.

 

The crowd was happy. He gave great darshan and blessed everyone with

his hands and smile. Many felt the energy of his love.

 

Three people spoke in tribute to Baba: The former chief justice of

India, Jumsai from the Thailand Sai school and Michael Goldstein.

 

Baba gave a discourse for about an hour. He retold the story of his

life with special emphasis on certain events and on his divinity.

 

An older man was honored by Baba. He has known Baba all his life and

dedicated his life to Baba. He told some stories about Baba.

 

There was prasad for everyone. Baba left.

 

Birthday Afternoon:

 

Full length calendars was passed out to everyone as was prasad.

 

Baba came out at 4p.m. in the same cart wearing a yellow gown. He

was blessing everyone. The cart went across the hall on the white

line to the men's side turn right twice to enter the verandah from

the men's side. It continued to the women's ramp where it turned to

come on front of the verandah stopping by his chair on the men's

side.

 

Baba blessed everyone. The crowd was a bit smaller. We were

entertained by a famous Indian classical singer, Parveen Sultana and

Dana Gillespe.

 

Afterwards, Baba blessed a poet who had written poems in Telegu

about Baba and read a few. He was presented with a shawl.

 

_____

 

11-24-03

 

Monday Morning: Baba came out at 8:30. We thought he wasn't going to

come. He gave good darshan. There were bhajans, arathi and Baba left

at 9:50.

 

Monday Afternoon: At 2:55 Baba came out for the 3:00 performance by

students from the Sathya Sai Primary School. They enacted a skit

with words, singing and dancing. It involved the five elements, Baba

and how his message and love is spreading around the world. About

fifty students were involved. Flags from various counties were also

used. They are very much devoted to Baba. It showed in their actions.

 

Before them, there was a performance by the drum band of the primary

school consisting of about 15-20 girls.

 

Anantapur girls told a story in English which was emphasized by a

vedic chants. They were wonderful. It was moving.

 

A college boy recited verses in English with the other boys

repeating in Sanskrit what he said.

 

Last, there was a poem read.

 

A few bhajans, arathi and prasad. It end about 5:20.

 

Gerald