Prasanthi Update - Janmastami Celebrations

August 26, 2008

The day dawned to usher in the birthday of the most mischievous avatar of the Lord - Krishna. The Kulwant hall was brimming with people Many devotees who were supposed to leave had decided to stay back to witness the splendour of the Krishna avatar with their dear Sai Krishna. So full was Prashanti Nilayam that the main gate carried a notice," Sairam! No accommodation available inside." Well there was dearth of accommodation in the ashram but no dearth of accommodative people! People had settled in the corridors of the Southern blocks and had spread sheets and mats wherever there was a little free sheltered space. It has been some time since the Nilayam has been so full but well, maybe now its high time we start getting accustomed to such crowds.

The red rays of the early morning sun turned golden and began to filter and flow into the Kulwant hall lighting up the central area especially. Krishna Gita, the elephant, the Gokulam cows, deer, peacocks, doves and rabbits accompanied by the students too had arrived to the mandir in procession. They too had been bedecked and some of them appeared to be in bridal finery. It was at this moment that the sweet Lord too arrived covered in the golden yellow robe!

There was an applause of thrill as He entered the Kulwant hall. We have only heard about the beauty of Lord Krishna in the pitambara (yellow dress) but we are indeed blessed to see Him in the splendid yellow robe! HE moved slowly down the aisle and a sweet smile adorned His beaming face. He blessed all as He arrived.

As He neared Krishna Gita, she stretched out her little trunk to touch Him. Smiling to Himself, Swami slowly waded into the confluence from the animal world. He fed the cows with bananas. There was a suckling calf. Today it was blessed to receive milk from two mothers as Swami too fed it with milk from a feeding bottle. Gently moving amidst the animals, He ensured that everyone was fed at least something in His divine presence. Two whit pigeons had the special privilege of being released into the free skies from His divine hands. As the pigeons soared skywards, the decibel levels in the hall also soared as people joyously clapped at the happy sight. Moving ahead, Swami lovingly fondled a baby deer that was brought up to Him. He fed the mother of that deer with a biscuit which she quickly gobbled. He not only blessed the animals but their caretakers too.

Many of the members of the Sathya Sai Gokulam offered roses to Swami. It was as if a bouquet of roses had been presented to Him. He patiently and lovingly accepted all of them and then moving through the students, He went up the stage. It was then that two children decked as Krishna and Balarama went on stage. Swami blessed them and the sweets they offered to Him.

Swami sat listening to the chants that were on. He sat that way for about 20-25 minutes. In between, He told the caretakers to take all the animals away, back to their lovely homes that He so lovingly has gifted them. It is really wonderful how much concern Swami has for the animals. Normally any of us feel that though the animals do not know, it is their privilege to be in Swami's presence. However, on the smooth marbled floors of Kulwant hall, the animals find it a little tough to get a grip. It was not so before when the hall had concrete floors and before that when there was sand. So Swami sends back the animals as soon as possible so that they remain on firm footing!

Once the animals left, Swami asked the students to put up their programme. The card was shown to Him and the programme started with a group song, the Pandurangashtakam. Since it is a popular one, even the children from the Primary school joined in the singing. After that, two students sang the song, "Govardhana Giridhara" in all its majesty and grandeur.. This was followed by a novel programme.

A group of students at the Institute have been working hard at picking up playing the flute. All these students with their teacher, put up 1 15 minute recital in His presence. Swami kept tapping in beat as they played on the flute. And therein lies the beauty of being a student! Any talent that one has or any skill that one acquires, one gets the wonderful opportunity to present before the supreme Lord Himself! After they finished their presentation, it was back to songs.

A Telugu song recounting the leelas of Lord Krishna as a child was sung and Swami was so involved in the song. He seemed to be drinking in every word of the song and appeared very touched at times. As that song was completed, Swami decided that it was best that all leave in that frame of mind. He asked for the Aarthi.

As the Aarthi was nearing conclusion, Swami called the students who had arrived with a cake. He cut the cake and naturally so for was it not His birthday? Many Krishnashtami cards had been made by students from the Institute, school and primary school too. Swami called them all and began to slowly and patiently go through the works of art that His children had designed. Some were huge, others were three dimensional structures, some others were fine carvings while some others were simple sketches and paintings depicting the episodes in the life of Krishna. But all of them were prayers addressed to Swami.

As Swami was going through these cards, the "Krishna" and "Balarama" moved up on stage again and offered chocolates to Swami for giving the Primary school children who had made the cards. Swami seemed to like the idea and He gave a chocolate to every child who came to Him.

In this manner, Swami spent more than 20 minutes seeing and blessing the cards with their creators. Then raising both His hands in benediction, He retired for the morning.

Om Sai Ram