Puttaparthi - 05th August 5th 2008 - Music program in Sai Kulwant Hall yesterday evening

August 5, 2008

Puttaparthi

August 5thNews

Music program in Sai Kulwant Hall yesterday evening The day at Parthi was quite

cloudy and a moisture laden breeze swept through refreshing the otherwise sweltering afternoon. Slowly, more and more clouds gathered and the day grew cooler and cooler. Early evening, the message was that Swami had permitted the youth from United kingdom to sit in front and have a short speech programme. The thick clouds soon gave way and a torrential downpour began. As the rain lashed on the Kulwant hall roof, the movements near Yajur Mandir indicated that Swami was about to arrive. Swami came in the car and after a short darshan round, came on stage. He enquired about the speakers for the afternoon. After a short while listening to the Vedas, Swami went into the interview room. Swami came out and asked for the speeches to begin. The first speaker was an elderly lady devotee by name Josephine. She was helped to the stage and as she slowly walked, Swami was all compassion and love for her. He asked for the mike and podium to be immediately placed and then blessed her to begin. She seemed to be completely drenched in His love and overwhelmed at the wonderful opportunity. She spoke only for four minutes wherein she stated that all she wanted to convey was that everyone must have full faith in Swami and that was enough! As she concluded with "Sai Ram", Swami seemed surprised. He asked her smilingly and jokingly as to why

her speech was so tiny. Blessing her, Swami asked for a chair to be placed for her to sit. The next speaker was Mr.Ajit Popat. In his usual inimitable style he began with a shloka saluting the Lord. Centering his talk on the theme of "onward, forward, Godward", he spoke on a plethora of subjects ranging from faith and devotion to realizing the Self as the Swami within. He

concluded after a little above 35 minutes and then Swami patted him lovingly for the effort. Then He asked for bhajans to begin. As per His command, the first bhajan was "Sri Raghunandana" with the aalaap. The next began with the Aalaap, "Allahu Akbar". As the singer travelled through the highs and extra highs of the opening tune, Swami was visibly moved. He even told Mr. Popat sitting beside him that the boy was singing so very high. Seeing Swami so moved, the youth sitting in front of Him too began shedding tears. The Love that devotees have for Swami is so unique and complete, just like His Love for them. A smile on His face lights every other face similarly. A tear welling up in His eye as He is moved and there is a free flow of tears in all the thousands of eyes watching Him. He reflects the emotions and feelings of the devotees and they in their turn, reflect His emotions and feelings. Indeed beautiful is this unique relationship. As the bhajan reached its crescendo and the zenith of its rhythm, Swami asked for Aarthi. Swami retired to Yajur Mandir after that. Written by Eswarachandra Vidyasagar