November 19th, 2007 - Sai Students

[Guest guest]

November 19th, 2007 The Ladies Day this year was going to be a little different from the past few years. The morning programme was to be the "Godaan" ceremony where cows would be distributed to the needy and deserving. The cow has been considered as a sign of prestige and more importantly prosperity from times immemorial in India. The ancients would shower their grace on the needy by gifting them with a cow. The gift of a cow meant a gift of food, water and hence prosperity. The cow has also been accorded the place of a mother in Indian scriptures. Deserving ladies had been identified and everything was ready for the arrival of Swami. Swami came out at about 9:15 am after the traditional Raahu Kaalam. He was heralded into the Kulwant hall by a procession that was headed by the Vedic chants with the Poorna Kumbham. The primary school band and the Anantapur band followed after which the beautiful smiling Lord who had

decided to come in the wheel sofa arrived. Swami came up till the marble blocks and halted. He said that the cow distribution should start and that He would supervise it from there itself. Carpets had been laid out for the dual purpose - to give respect to the cows, the queens of prosperity and also to ensure that the floor affords grip to their hooves. As Swami sat, the cows came in from His right while the ladies recipients came in from His left. It was not a cow alone but a mother cow with her newly delivered calf that were being gifted. Swami blessed all the ladies and many of the recipients took Padanamaaskar. After the Godaan ceremony, Swami moved to the stage. He first lit the lamp that had been placed in front of a tastefully decorated portrait of mother Eashwaramma. After that there were bhajans. The bhajans continued for about half an hour after which prasadam was distributed. Swami then received Aarthi and left. The decorations for the evening

programme were very grand. The lighting especially was a notch above the regular standards. Swami arrived and went around for the darshan rounds. He then came and took His position on the stage. The first part of the evening programme was the speeches by two distinguished ladies - Dr. (Mrs.) Hymavathi Reddy and then Mrs. Sowcar Janaki. They both spoke for ten to fifteen minutes each and Swami appreciated their efforts with claps at the end of their speeches. The second programme of the day was a concert by Ms. Nityashree. She bowed to Swami and then taking her place on stage next to the Lord, began the show. It was more of an outpouring of a devotee's feelings for God than a concert. She thrilled Swami and so even the audience who enjoyed journeying up and down the scale along the highways of many a grand Raaga with her voice. It was a touching performance and it lasted 40 small minutes. After the concert came the highlight of the evening, literally and

otherwise too - the dance by the girls of the Primary school. It was an effort of bewitching beauty, gliding grace, sublime synchronisation and co-ordinated control. The special focus lights and soft lights created an ambience like that of the heavens. The costumes caught everyone's eyes and were a class apart by themselves. The theme of the dance was on the leelas and mahimas of Swami in His childhood. They were depicted with such elan that the dances themselves seem to sing out. The songs going on however lifted the overall atmosphere of grandeur and grace. There were girls of all ages and sizes - from the second to twelfth class, from the three footers to the six footers! The Vishwa Roopa Darshanam was very symbolically yet powerfully demonstrated. The myriad colours moving around to the beautiful rhythms of the soulful strains was really something that has to be seen live to be experienced. They say that while humans respond to the results, God responds to the

efforts that have gone in. Today the performance was such that, humans and God alike would have been very pleased and that was evident in the way the Lord and the audience reacted when the dance concluded. The applause seemed never ending and so were Swami's smiles. He rose from the chair and slowly walked down. Seeing this, the little "Sathya" of the dance drama rushed up the stage and in keeping with the nature of her role requested Swami, "Be where you are. We will come to you." Swami was pleased with this noble intention but how can anyone have the capacity to be nobler than the sweet Lord. That statement made is His from eternity till eternity. He replied patting the little one's cheeks, "Be where you are. When you have called, I will come." (That statement carries a lot of profundity.) He walked down and posed for photos groupwise! Each and every child had the lovely opportunity to get a close photograph with Him and also take the coveted Paadanamaskar. After

showering all the children profusely with all His love, Swami came up the stage. He blessed the prasadam to be distributed and then receiving Aarthi, retired for the day.Click here to see photos of Ladies Day 2007. Courtesy: http://www.saistudents.org