Parthi Update 24th and 25th (morning) December 2004

[Guest guest]

Parthi Update

 

 

24-12-2004

 

 

 

Dear Brother

 

 

Sairam. Let us first of all wish each other a very Happy and Merry Christmas!!

Let us rejoice and sing the Glory of our Lord who is right amidst us!!

 

Christmas is here again, bringing with it bells and candles, cakes and carols.

Our boys have been learning Christmas Carols from the past few days to make our

presentation on the 25th morning. On the eve of Christams, as you know, the

overseas Christian devotees sing Christmas Carols in the Divine Presence. This

evening too, they were all seated awaiting the arrival of the Lord. They were

occupying the centre block in front of the dais and Bhagawan’s Chair had been

placed right at the centre of the dais.

 

Swami came out for Darshan at 3.15 p.m. As the Golf Cart approached the centre

of Kulwant Hall, Swami signaled for the cart to stop. Our Merciful and

Compassionate Lord had chosen to shower all His Love on our Christian brothers

and sisters assembled there. We saw Swami walking on that pathway after so many

days. The last time He walked on that path was during the Convocation ceremony.

 

Swami moved slowly talking to the devotees on either side. On one side were the

sisters and the other side our devotee brothers. Bhagawan ascended the steps

and sat down on the sofa. The small candle to light the ceremonial Candle was

brought to Swami just as He sat down. A little delay and therefore, Swami again

had to get up and walk towards the Candle placed in front of the centre Ganesha

idol. Swami lit the ceremonial Candle and formally ushered in the Christmas for

this year! It was 3.20 p.m.

 

Bhagawan then came and sat down. He asked the Vedam to make way for the Carols.

The chanting stopped and three young kids came forward towards Bhagawan to

place their programme at His Lotus Feet. The sister in charge of conducting the

Carols for the children took her position and there we were – sweet voices of

the children filled the Kulwant air! Star of Wonder Star of Night, Felis

Nevidad, O Come Let us Adore Him, Gloria, When the Saints go Marching By,

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and several other Carols set the stage for a

wonderful Christmas at His Lotus Feet!

 

After 25 minutes of young melodious voices, at 3.50 p.m., the elders commenced

their programme. Again the Carol Conductor went to Bhagawan and sought His

Blessings. She came and took her position. Streams of music charged the hall!!

Soft tones of the trumpet and what do we hear? Not Halleluiahs or Glorias but

Gananaam Tva Ganapatigum Havamahe….My God, believe it or not, they did a

fantastic job! We could see each one of those foreigners chanting the Mantra

full throated! This is the miracle of Bhagawan. After all, has He not come for

Veda Samrakshana and Veda Poshana!!

 

The next one hour or so was a treat to all our ears. Lovely Carols charged our

spirit and transferred us back in time over 2000 years ago – reminding us of

Lord Jesus and His Glory and now here we were seated right in front of the Holy

Father!! Was it a dream or reality? Go Tell it on the Mountains, Remind Me My

Lord You are There and other hymns sprang forth from the devoted hearts of the

singers!! Around 4.30 p.m., they were through, but Swami wanted more! That’s

our Lord. Offer Him anything with pure Love and He is ready to receive more and

more!!

 

They sang the song – Sai You are More Precious than Silver, Sai You are more

Value than Gold, Sai You are more Beautiful than Diamond, Nothing I See in this

World Compares to Thee!! Some more carols were sung. All the while, Swami was

totally involved in the singing, keeping the beat, not with one hand but with

both hands!!

 

At 4.45 p.m. Swami signaled to them to sing Bhajans. Beautiful Bhajans

reverberated in the Hall and in our hearts! At 5.00 p.m., Bhagawan got up and

went into the Interview Room. At 5.15 p.m. regular Bhajans by our boys

commenced. Prasadam distribution also took place simultaneously. Sweets were

distributed to all. Lovely Calendars were served to the overseas singers.

Commanded by Bhagawan, Prof. Anil Kumar made the announcement that the next

day, at 7.30 a.m., the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher

Learning would sing Carols in the Mandir. Wow! That was an assurance for us

that we would, indeed, be having the Carols programme!

 

At 5.45 p.m. Bhagawan took Aarti, got into the Golf Cart and retired for the

day. As Swami glided by in the Cart, He was watching the colourful decoration

in the Kulwant Hall. There were silver stars hanging everywhere. A red shining

cloth covered the front of the projected roof above the dais. In front of the

three Gopurams were two angels heralding the arrival of the Lord! Large

cut-outs of angels were placed across the first floor facing of the Mandir.

Photos of Mother Mary and infant Jesus could be seen decorating some windows!

 

All of us dispersed, waiting anxiously for the next morning!

 

 

 

25-12-2004 (Morning)

 

 

 

Very Very Happy and Merry Christmas once again. Right from 3.30 a.m. there was

so much celebration in the Hostel. As is the trend, the senior boys went around

singing Carols and playing music, waking up their juniors into the holy and

sacred morning! All of us got ready, had breakfast at 5.00 a.m.(!!!) and rushed

to the Mandir. Of course, we were not sure whether Swami would give the early

morning Darshan or not, but still all of us were here! The same excitement, the

same joy! That is the spirit!

All of us could feel His Eternal Presence even in His Physical Absence!

 

However, unfortunately, the candle light Nagarsankirtan was not there this time.

So none of us had any candles in our hands, nor did the overseas devotees. We

truly missed that joy. As the Nagarsankirtan started outside, the overseas

devotees who were again seated in front like yesterday commenced their humming

of the Carols.

 

Two Christmas trees decorated the stage on either side of Ganesha. They were

sparkling with cottony snow, gifts of empty colourful boxes and stars!! In

front of the dais, across the railings, on either side, were idols of Joseph

and Mother Mary ion the Manger, watching with awe their Child and our Saviour!

Very few lights were on in the Mandir. The few lamps that shed light spread a

warm glow all around. Silent Night Holy Night – rendered by the devotees added

to the serenity of the surroundings. It was a beautiful experience that went on

for some time until the Nagarsankirtan group ended their Bhajans outside. With

that the overseas devotees dispersed.

 

We continued to be seated there and changed our positions to suit the Carol

singing programme. It was 7.25 a.m., when our Lord was seen in His orange robe,

adorning a beautiful, sleek, red colour Golf Cart! Yes, it was a new Golf Cart –

looks gorgeous and elegant. And Swami seated in it – what to say! He took a full

round of the Kulwant Hall. The cart being very open with no coverings, all were

able to have very good Darshan of Swami.

 

It was 7.30 a.m. as Swami sat down on the sofa. The Institute Brass Band leader

went forward and sought Blessings for the programme. The Vedam chanting

concluded and the Band boys arose in their starch white – red streaked dresses

and shining instruments in their hands. They played several pieces including

Jingle Bells Jingle Bells. Each performance was received with loud applause.

 

At 7.55 a.m., the Primary School boys started their violin presentation. As part

of their performance, we had five to six young Santa Claus suddenly appearing.

Seeking Blessings from Bhagawan they ran around all over the front part of the

Hall showering chocolates and sweets on the lucky ones!

 

It was 8.10 a.m., when we Institute students commenced our Carol Programme. We

sang around 8 carols that kept the programme going till 8.40 a.m. We too had

our own Santa Claus running all around the place. Next came Prasadam

Distribution. Dates, Chocolates, even Lollipops for students!! Bhajans started

at 8.45 a.m. All the while Swami sat on the sofa generating waves of Love and

Bliss that swept us away in its infinite tidings!

 

An announcement was made that Bhagawan would Bless us all with His Discourse

this evening at 4.00 p.m. Bhagawan took Aarti at 9.15 a.m. He then went walking

around the portico towards the interview room where the cakes were kept for the

Divine Cut! Bhagawan Blessed the cakes and then got into the new Vahana that

took Him away into His Abode even as the multitudes dispersed away to cherish

the bounty of Grace that had been showered on all this morning!!

 

We’ll get back to you with another update on the celebrations in the evening.

 

 

 

SairamA Anantha VijayaManager (Sales & Mktg.) Dhara Vegetable Oil & Foods

Company LtdC/o National Dairy Development BoardNear Mahananda DairyWestern

Express HighwayGoregaon (East)Mumbai - 400 063Ph: (off) 26850459 (res)

26850458Tired

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