Prasanthi Update - Our Divine Lord in Prasanthi Nilayam

[Guest guest]

Wonderful Parthi update sent by a Dear Sai Brother from Prasanthi Nilayam :

The academic year at Prasanthi Nilayam has a beginning and an end like any other academic year in any other place. But unlike any other place in any other part of the globe, the way it begins and ends is so divine and thus unique. The year ends with the Lord telling the students to return home and spread His love and joy to all there. The year begins with the students receiving Him with all their love and joy!

And so today, when the joyous news travelled very soon that Swami would be leaving Brindavan early in the morning and after a few scheduled halts on the way, would arrive to Parthi by 11 am, it turned out to be the actual opening day of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus of the Sri Sathya Sai University for what is the University without Sri Sathya Sai!

Entering the premises of the Sai Kulwant hall, one could observe a huge gathering and one wondered as to where on earth from did so many people come to Parthi from. A gala procession had been arranged from the gopuram gate to welcome Swami. En route, Swami had made stops at Muddenahalli and Bagepalli to bless the people there. That it took more than 20-25 minutes for His car to navigate the last 4-5 kms from the super specialities hospital to the mandir gives an idea of how slow Swami travelled so that His devotees thirsting to see Him may fulfill their desire.

As the car reached the Gopuram gate, so many things began in a synchronised manner. The welcome song went on air in through the speakers beginning with an enthusiastic, "Jai Bolo Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba Ji Ki Jai." A procession of orange clad students began with the high pitched chanting of the Vedas. There were a set of students doing vigorous bhangra dance on both sides of the car. The 8th and 9th class students held and waved balloons and flags to signal the colour and gaiety of the occasion. Handfuls of flower petals were devotionally offered on to the Merecedes Benz that had the privileged fortune of being the vehicle of choice for the Lord.

Swami took a complete darshan round and as throngs of thrilled devotees "rose to the occasion", Swami flashed beautiful smiles to all around. He went to the portico near the interview room and there asked for the Aarthi to be done. Before that roses were offered and blessings sought. A devotional fervour replaced the gay atmosphere as the Aarthi began.

As Swami moved towards the ladies side, the headmistress of the primary school, performed a traditional Aarthi and "warded off the evil eye" with a coconut! Swami smiled through the ritual and the entered the Yajur Mandir. He retired at about 12:00.

In the evening, Swami arrived to the Vedic chantings at about 5:20 pm. Much to everyone's delight, He had decided to come out in the chair. So the summer showers which began in the month of April and continued in full flow through the stay at Brindavan had been extended into the fresh academic year as well! Swami was in those, "I will accept everyone's letter" moods. With a gentle smile he slowly moved through the ladies side. It was reminiscent of the times when Swami would come walking slowly down the path.

As He moved along the path, He slowly alternated His attention and "eye-span" to the left for a while and then to the right as everyone vied and pined for His attention. There was a lot of excitement as He moved through the students. The freshers were being exposed for the first time to an introductory taste of what it means being His students. Swami completed a round through the gents side and then as He moved in the front through the students, He collected letters and blessed the birthday boys. The bhajans began at 5:30 pm .

When there is a lot of joy and fervour waiting to burst forth, the bhajans act as a wonderful release! And adding to the existing enthusiasm, Swami came straight out to the front of the stage and sat there. The difference in excitement levels when one can see Swami and when one cannot could be easily made out from the tempo of the clapping that went on inside the bhajan hall in sharp contrast to the doubled speed one that went on in the Kulwant hall! Swami made a face indicated that the beats were going awry! He also clapped and set the beat so that the exuberance at seeing Him doesn't disrupt the rhythmicity of the bhajans. As He sat outside for 4 bhajans, He called a student and took his letter. The joy of that student knew no bounds and he returned to place, lighter in the hand and in the heart too!

Swami then went into the bhajan hall for the rest of the bhajans.

It was 6:10pm almost when He received Aarthi and retired for the day.

Om Sai Ram