Swami's 82nd Birthday Celebrations in parthi (forenoon)

[Guest guest]

Om Sri Sairam to dearest Sai Family, Wishing a very happy birthday to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba,the proud son of this holy Soil, Puttaparthi. The 82nd birthday of the body was celebrated with utmost devotion and love. The streets of Puttaparthi were beautifully decorated, huge banners with nice pictures of Swami with His quotes were hung in the main streets of Puttaparthi. The police department took stringent measures to curb any un wanted anti social elements to disturb the holy festival. The crowd was big enough but still not as expected. Even the little crowd were enough to create lot of commotion and anxiety. There were large number of crowds already lined above the hill top before the gates of Prasanthi Nilayam could be opened and for devotees staying outside the ashram, were asked to queue up along the foot path gents towards the

Sai Towers end and ladies towards the Bus station end. The gents lines went as far as the Gopuram gate and many people were seen lining up from as early as 2am. The Prasanthi Nilayam gate opened sharp at 4am and it was a different scene as soon as one entered the premises. The police were all over the place and all the devotees were asked not to carry bags and surprisingly even foot wear. The Kulwanth hall was already half booked for the students and the VIPs. By 4:30am the hall had its maximum capacity. In spite of the rush nagarsankeertan went on as usual. By then it was 6:30 am and all eyes were glued at our Swami’s residence waiting for His arrival. Keeping us guessing, Will He come

in car, Mobile Throne, open car and etc. it was 7:30 am and every body thought He should be coming out in any second from now on. Atleast 300 students, comprising of 2 diferent kinds of bands, veda chanting were present infront of His house and another 40 or so VIPs. It was 8am no trace of Swami and the devotees waiting for so long started to get bit nervous and uneasy.. 8:30 no Swami.. Now the whole Kulwanth hall was standing. Some one in the crowd would clap and few others joined and the every one were on their feet again thinking Swami had come. It was 8:50 and many started to feel that Swami may not come today. We all know His uncertainity and He many times has said, you should love my uncertainty… In Another 5 minutes some movement was seen near His abode,.. suddenly the music started and there He comes.. It took almost 10 minutes for Swami to enter the hall as all the students lead the darshan.. Surprising every one, and just as He said, love my uncertainty, some thing very certain on this day (birthday) was not seen today.. and that was the colour of His robe. I don’t think He never gave darshan without His white robe morning of birthday but today morning Swami came with His usual orange robe, dazzling in its radiance.. smiling at every one.. The 82 years YOUNG body had the charm of a 1 year old child. Had the look of a sweet sixteen year old child, had the smile of a 25 year old mother and above all the energy of LORD OF THE LORDS.. There He comes blessing every one, smiling, speaking with His eyes accepting birthday wishes from thousands present in His immediate physical

presence and millions who already send their virtual HAPPY BIRTHDAY greetings … Swami always says, I am always happy and does He have any need to celebrate His birthday.. its just a kind gesture to the man kind, to make us happy, to dip all of us in the ocean of happiness, for the modern Man who has miles away from smile…. the God who has no birth or end, has come out to celebrate the festival of His descent to earth.. How compassionate you are dear Lord!!… Swami then went to the verandah and probably cut all the birthday cakes specially made with utmost care and love by His beloved ones. He again took a short round in front of the dais and got back to the dais, as devotees rose on their feet, some saying sairam, some saying happy birthday Swami, some raising their hands above their head saluting the Lord

of the Lords. Unlike last year, there were no monitors kept in the hall which would have been a better idea. It was 9:30 am by then, one group of musicians were seated on the dais and there started the music programme. No announcements were made as who was singing but the singers rendered beautiful songs in telugu, wishing Swami a very happy birthday and some popular numbers from Saint Tyagaraja’s renderings.. It was almost 10:20am by then and Swami called Prof.Anil kumar and after a brief discussion, always alert and joyfull Anil Kumar announced today’s programme. A ceremony which was just a boon for every one of us.. a rare scene which was a ritual in the late

60s . If any one We might have attended many birthdays but this birthday is unique very special.It s all the results of past lives. This event happened in the 60s came into life again in 2007…during the coronation of Rama, all saints came and blessed Rama and a special ceremony where in one applies oil on head and take blessigs from the divine took place... Many of us would have seen old pictures of Mother Eswaramma applying oil on Swami’s head.. Today the same ritual was supposed to be conducted and the chosen devotees for this divine boon were Mrs & Mr.R.J.Ratnakar (son of Late Janaki Ramayya garu, the chosen brother of Swami), Mrs & Mr.Justice Bhagwathi, Mrs & Mr.Indulal Shah, Mrs. & Mr. Showrie, (here Swami called Prof.Anil Kumar and said something and Prof.Anil Kumar

announced that Mr.Showrie is only 99 years old), 85 years old Mrs & Mr.Marga bandu performed the ritual amidst veda chantings and timely commentary in English and telugu by Prof.Anil Kumar. Thus ended a memorable and rare ritual. Prasadam was distributed and as the clock struck 11, Swami asked for Arathi and Swami left to His abode in the mobile throne with all the students and also the little elephant Sathya Geetha followed Swami to His abode… The 82 nd birthday forenoon celebrations thus ended with a happy note even though the most famous Birthday discourse was not delivered but the day is not over yet.. may be in the afternoon we will Hear the nectarine

voice again… Thank you Swami for a wonderful day.. Your birthday always reminds and cautions us that the time is getting closer and closer for us to ignite the divine in us and see YOU in us. Every birthday is a caution and a countdown for us to know your mission and follow your path of love and just love… Swami help us to be your darling children, the children whom you will be proud of. Help us to be the good children who listened to you and practiced your teachings.. Love you Swami.. Love you.. With humble pranams to our Mother Sai, R.Satish Naik..Jai Sai Ramsatish NaikBrahmanapalli Thanda villageNear PuttaparthiAnantapur Andhra PradeshIndia 515134Tel:91-8555-289327 MOB:9440857872