Prasanthi News: 8th - 17th November 2005

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Posted on 17th November 2005MASS MARRIAGE AT PRASANTHI NILAYAM

17th November 2005, Thursday

Of the four ashramas or stages of life, Grihastha is the stage of the

householder, when a student is ready to take up duties of family life after the

completion of his studentship. This is supposed to be the most important of the

four ashramas, as all the other orders exist with the support of Grihastha

order.

Marriage is a sacrament for all and it does signify a lot in the life of a

couple. The wife is his partner or Ardhangini. The husband cannot do any

religious ritual without wife as she stands by his left side when he performs

any religious performance. In spiritual parlance husband and wife keep Rama and

Sita as their ideal for their life ahead after tying the knot.

It is at a time when performing marriages is a costly affair and beyond the

reach of common man, all merciful Bhagawan, in a gesture of His Divine

benevolence, decided to bless eighty selected couples from the downtrodden

families in and around Puttaparthi, in a function organized in Sai Kulwant Hall

marking the beginning of the celebrations of 80th birthday of Bhagawan.

Here is an instant report on the function held this morning in Sai Kulwant Hall.

Bhagawan arrived in the ornately decorated Sai Kulwant Hall with a makeshift

Marriage Pandal - a virtual bower of flowers at 7.30 a.m. to the accompaniment

of Veda chanting by students and Nadaswaram recital by the special troupe. Soon

the couples were accorded a grand welcome into the Hall preceded by Veda

chanting priests and followed by a dance group. One could see serpentine,

long-winding queues of devotees, waiting to enter the Hall, even long after the

function started. One can very well imagine the coming days when such sights

will become a common feature since Prasanthi Nilayam is witnessing an ever

increasing number of devotees.

The fortunate couples were in for a shower of divine grace, when Bhagawan in His

infinite compassion distributed various items for the couples. It all started on

the 16th evening, when Bhagawan personally gave saris, shirts and silk dhotis to

the would-be brides and grooms.

On the day of the function, i.e., 17th, Bhagawan went round the Hall

distributing Mangal Sutra. Oh! What a great fortune, even the wealthiest would

pine for such an opportunity. The showers of grace did not stop with that,

Bhagawan instructed the organizers to bring the brides to receive a silver lamp

from His Divine Hands. Then the couples went through the rituals performed

during a marriage function. With Bhagawan, every moment is a surprise! He

distributed watches to both the brides and grooms, utensils for running the

household and blankets. When Bhagawan gives, it does not come in droplets, but

in torrents. After the tying of the nuptial knot, Bhagawan again went round the

couples, not once, but twice and blessed them with Akshata (yellow rice). Like a

doting mother, Bhagawan made it sure whether all the couples received all the

items. After the grand function, the couples with their parents were treated to

a sumptuous feast in the South Indian Canteen.

It is said, marriages are made in Heaven. Indeed, this mass marriage function

that Prasanthi Nilayam witnessed, officiated by the Eternal Divine Himself, is

indeed heavenly for those lucky couples as they enter the wedlock, a new life,

with the Divine Blessings of none other than the Ultimate Lord. Yes, Prasanthi

Nilayam is verily Heaven and everything that happens in His Divine Presence in

this holy land is not by coincidence …but, at His Divine Will…and thus heavenly

indeed …and beyond all a Wonderful Act by the Divine for everyone to emulate …to

serve the society.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on 13th November

With the Global Akhanda Bhajan on 12th and 13th and proposed mass marriage of

eighty couples scheduled on the 17th in the Divine presence the spiritual town

is all agog and is literally gearing up for the big occasion of Bhagawan’s 80th

Birthday. The entire town is agog with activity, making preparations for the

80th Birthday celebrations of Bhagawan. Vidyagiri stadium, the venue of the

function is being spruced up. Flags of different countries are being put up and

elaborate decorations are being done in the Stadium. Scores of Seva Dals are

engaged in this task. The local district administration is also not lagging

behind in the preparations, roads are being re-laid and the entire town is

being tidied up. Please read on for details …

8th and 9th November 2005

On 8th and 9th November 2005, Bhagawan visited the Vidyagiri stadium at around

11.30 a.m. He spent more than half an hour in the stadium, supervising all the

Seva going on there. A lot of decoration and other arrangements are being made

in the stadium.

Flags of different countries have been fixed vertically on poles along the

railings on top of the stadium. Bhagawan has been entering the stadium through

the huge entrance on the Primary School side. A wide space has been marked on

the grounds on which Bhagawan’s car can move straight towards the Santhi Vedika

in the stadium. It just passes by the pitch on the cricket ground. Subsequently,

Bhagawan went up to the Hanuman statue and as He returned, all the students

stood along the road had a beautiful Darshan.

The Santhi Vedika stage has been completely tiled now. All the sports meet

structures that had been fixed on the ground earlier have been removed and this

makes the ground appear very spacious.

Slowly, devotees in large numbers are coming to Puttaparthi. Very soon a huge

group of Seva Dal Volunteers and a large number of police teams (for crowd

control and maintaining order) are scheduled to arrive at Puttaparthi.

12th November 2005

Being the second Saturday of the month of November, Akhanda Bhajans began at 6

p.m. in the Prasanthi Mandir. The family of Dr. Padmanabhan, whom we often find

walking behind Bhagawan at Brindavan Ashram, came into the Divine fold of

Bhagawan way back in 1944. A year later, to commemorate their entry under the

Divine umbrella, they had planned to have a long, non-stop Bhajan at their

house in Bangalore. When they informed Swami about this, Bhagawan immediately

responded saying that He would come over there to bless the occasion.

The family was taken by surprise. They had hardly made any arrangements and it

was meant to be just a small family affair! They sent back a message informing

Swami about this, but even before their message could reach Bhagawan, they

received a telegram stating that Bhagawan had already started for Bangalore!!

Rest is history…This is how the concept of Akhanda Bhajans began.

Years later, when the International Sri Sathya Sai Organisation came into

existence, the Akhanda Bhajans became a global affair. On the 12th at 6.00 p.m.

Bhajans commenced at Prasanthi Mandir. Samithis in respective nations start the

Bhajans at 6.00 p.m. according to their local time. Therefore, at some point,

the sacred vibrations of Bhajans will envelope the entire globe, initiating a

massive cleansing of the minds.

This evening, Swami came out at around 3.30 and proceeded to the grounds. He

returned at 4.10 p.m. and went to His abode. The Bhajan Hall was packed to its

full. At 5.45 p.m. Swami’s car glided into Sai Kulwant Hall. All the lights

came on instantly, including the chandeliers and the series lighting across the

roof of the Hall. The entire place was shining brilliantly welcoming the Lord.

Swami went straight into the Bhajan Hall. Swami stood up from His chair and took

a few steps to light the ceremonial lamp. A few minutes later, the Omkar began

marking the commencement of Akhanda Bhajans. Swami sat in the Bhajan Hall until

7.00 p.m.

13th November 2005

This morning, Bhagawan came out for Darshan at 7.20 a.m. Bhagawan sat inside the

Bhajan Hall for some time and then went into the interview room. At 8.30 a.m.

Bhagawan retired to His abode.

The Hall was packed to its capacity in the evening. Bhagawan came out for

Darshan by 3.30 p.m. Swami sat inside the Bhajan Hall for most of the time and

at sharp 6.00 p.m. Arati was offered to Bhagawan.

Few minutes later, Prasadam distribution began. Large number of students spread

themselves across the neatly arranged rows of devotees in Sai Kulwant Hall,

distributing Prasadam. As the distribution was taking place, Bhagawan came out,

moved across the portico and proceeded towards the gents’ side of the Hall. He

moved along the rows of students who were seated in the Hall receiving

Prasadam. As He approached the Primary School boys, the young children who were

waiting for His Presence, spontaneously started chanting Brahmarpanam

Brahamahavir Mantra… Following this, they partook of the Prasadam. Watching

this, Swami was overjoyed!!

We will be back with more updates.

Source:

http://www.srisathyasaipublications.org/PrasanthiNews.htm