Makara Sankranthi 2005 Celebrations

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Makara Sankranthi: January 14th, 2005

Makara Sankranthi is the day on which the sun moves into the region of the

zodiac sign Capricorn, and marks the migration of the sun towards the northern

horizon. This movement of the sun is held to be of great spiritual significance

in the scriptures. It is also the time when farmers rejoice after the toils of

the year result in a bountiful harvest in the fields, and is celebrated all

over the country. Indeed, the harvest festival is common to many cultures all

over the world and is an occasion of joyful celebration and warm conviviality.

In Prasanthi Nilayam, the festival coincides with the valedictory function of

the Annual Sports and Cultural Meet of Bhagawan’s educational institutions,

when the prizewinners of the various events and competitions held during the

year are felicitated.

On the morning of 14th January, Bhagawan entered the Sai Kulwant Hall in a

procession led by captains of the various sports teams of Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning and by the brass bands of the Anantapur and

Prasanthi Nilayam campuses of the Institute. After Bhagawan ascended the dais,

the programme commenced with a talk by Sri S.V. Giri, the Vice-Chancellor of

the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, who congratulated the students

for their splendid performance during the Inaugural ceremony of the Sports and

Cultural Meet – 2005, that was held on January 11th at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill

View stadium. The speaker commented that the broad spectrum of events that were

witnessed that day, ranging from the artistic to the adventurous, were a

testimony to the wonders that can be achieved under Divine guidance. He said

that the sports meet, that may appear as a mere physical activity to many, is

imbued with a deep spiritual significance. The weeks of practice that precede

the programme bring about concentration of the mind, which can then be

chanelled towards spiritual pursuits during the auspicious period of Uttarayana

that follows the Makara Sankranthi festival. He also revealed to the students

how much concern Bhagawan had been evincing regarding the safety and welfare of

the students during the practice sessions.

The talk by Sri S.V. Giri was followed by speeches by two students of the

Institute, Kum. E. Thomas of the Anantapur Campus and Sri Arvind

Balasubramaniam of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus. The first speaker viewed the

annual sports meet as a time when one absorbs everlasting lessons of endurance

and fortitude. She said that the eagerness to please Bhagawan transforms even

the most timid of individuals into brave lions on the grounds of the Hill View

stadium on January 11th. The next speaker, Sri Arvind, said that there is only

one objective to the sports meet, indeed of every activity the students

undertake, and that is to bring a smile on Bhagawan’s face. He related an

incident that took place a few months ago during one of the presentations put

up by students in Bhagawan’s presence at the Sai Kulwant Hall. After the

presentation, as Bhagawan was blessing the participants, he materialized a

chain for one of the students who played the role of King Parikshit. In the

scene, King Parikshit gets separated from his party while hunting in the forest

and after hours of roaming in the forest is tortured by thirst. This role was

only a minor one in the presentation, and the speaker wondered what was it

about the performance that had pleased Bhagawan. It was only later that he came

to know that the student had kept off water for one full day so that he could

give a convincing performance of a thirsty man in front of Bhagawan. This

instance, the speaker observed, was an example of the love and the spirit of

sacrifice that Bhagawan inspires in His students.After the talks by the

students, Bhagawan presented trophies to the captains of the various campuses

of His educational institutions and to the children of the “Deena Janoddharana

Pathakamu”, the scheme set up by Bhagawan for destitute children belonging to

the weaker sections of society.

Bhagawan then granted His Divine Discourse, which He began by describing the

beauty of the festivities associated with Makara Sankranthi. He said that the

festival of Sankranthi brings joy to man and Nature alike. But man today has

forgotten that the fount of all happiness and peace lies within him and so

seeks it in the outside world and thus brings sorrow upon himself. The term

“Kranthi” signifies change, and so the festival reminds man that he must change

his outlook and turn his vision inwards. Referring to the recent Tsunami

disaster that caused devastation in many countries in South Asia, Bhagawan said

that such disasters are wrought about by man upon himself and are a direct

result of his impure thoughts and actions. Man must develop the forbearance to

ford over the difficulties and disappointments that life presents us with, and

realise his true nature as being one of unceasing bliss.

Bhagawan concluded His Discourse with the Bhajan, “Hari Bhajan Bina …” and after

accepting arati retired to His residence.

In the evening at 5.00 p.m., at the Poornachandra Auditorium, the students of

Sri Sathya Sai Primary School presented a drama entitled “Sai Bhagavatam” which

depicted many episodes from Bhagawan’s childhood and how three small wishes of

Mother Easwaramma for improving the living conditions of the residents of

Puttaparthi have taken the form of the Drinking Water Supply Projects, the

educational institutions, and the super-speciality hospitals that today benefit

millions of people. The presentation was quite innovative with the use of a

projector to project appropriate backdrops for the scenes. At the end of the

programme Bhagawan blessed all the participants and accepted arati, and with

this the Sankranthi celebrations drew to a close.

“Annamacharya” – Drama presented by Brindavan Campus: 13th January:On the

evening of 13th January, the students of the Brindavan campus of Sri Sathya Sai

Institute of Higher Learning presented a play titled “Annamacharya” based on the

life of Annamayya, the musician saint of Andhra Pradesh. Annamayya was born in

1424 A.D. in Tallapaaka village in Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh. He was

rescued from the snares of worldly life by Lord Venkateswara (one of the forms

of Lord Vishnu), who appeared to Annamayya in the form of a sanyasi (a

renunciant) and weaned him away from a life of sensual pleasure to the worship

of the beautiful form of the Lord enshrined in the Sri Venkateswara temple at

Tirupati. He was initiated into Nadopasana (worship of the Lord through

devotional music) by none other than Sage Narada himself. During his lifetime,

Annamayya composed around 32,000 kirtanas (devotional songs) that are popular

even to this day. He merged in the Lotus Feet of the Lord in 1503 A.D.

With magnificent backdrops, elaborate costumes and scintillating music and

dances, the drama surcharged the atmosphere with feelings of devotion towards

the Lord who was then worshipped by Sri Annamacharya as Lord Venkateswara and

today is worshipped by millions all over the world as Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai

Baba. At the conclusion of the programme, Bhagawan profusely blessed the

students and stood for photographs with them and after arati retired to the

Poornachandra residence.

Jai Sai Ram!

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