SAI BABA PHOTO UPDATE WITH REPORT - Avatar Declaration Day

October 24, 2008

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It was 68 years ago on this day that the loving Lord decided to announce to all mankind that He had indeed come to redeem and uplift them. It was the first time that He sang out, " Manasa Bhajore Guru Charanam " and the world found in it an easy path to redemption and liberation. For the devotees of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the 20th of October is a day of special significance.

The Kulwant hall filled up in the morning and the students were conspicuous by their absence as they all had exams. Swami arrived for the morning darshan and took a complete round through the ladies and gents side. And that made the day truly special! We ultimately realize that more than the day making Swami special, it is Swami who makes the day special. When He moves around and decides to shower His grace in a manner that the physical eye can see, what day will not be deemed special? The bhajans began at 9:00am as usual and as expected, the bhajan " Manasa Bhajore " was sung.

In the evening at about 4:00pm, Swami headed towards the Vidyagiri stadium. The stage being built for the Sahasra Chandra Darshanam Yajnam (SCDY) had been tiled and the Homakundas or the holy pits which will hold the sacred fire had also been completed. There were 12 homakundas in all. What is the SCDY actually? As explained traditionally, it is the celebration of the completion of 1000 full moon days of the divine incarnation. (Considering that there is a full moon every 28 days.)

But with Swami, it is more like the moon and all the other heavenly bodies celebrating the fact that they have witnessed the living avatar for a thousand times! This sacred programme which is being conducted for the well being of Mankind and for world peace, commences on the morning of Saturday, 15th November 2008 and culminates in Poornahuti on 17th November 2008. The programme will be conducted by hundreds of Vedic scholars arriving from various parts of India.

Swami arrived at the Shanti Vedika and via a specially designed lift, ascended the stage. The main workers were seated on the corners of the stage and Swami smilingly blessed all of them. Like the morning, the mandir had missing students and that cannot be blamed on exams. The students, about two hundred of them, gathered around the stage to watch their beloved Swami supervising the constructions and arrangements! Some devotees who managed to sneak in through the gates along with Swami also stood beholding the beautiful sight. Swami went around the homakundas. He glanced at the roofing and asked whether it would be completely waterproof.

He did not want any leakage. He was assured that layers of materials were being added and that the roof would be completely waterproof. Swami also enquired into the seating for the devotees. " They must be comfortable and must be able to see everything clearly " , was the instruction. The engineer brought the plans and Swami had a thorough look at them. As He conducted the checks, He was also involved in another 'survey'! Every now and then, He would look at the hundreds who had gathered and His eyes would conduct a quick sweep. Like the rotating and revolving fan that brings relief and joy wherever it faces on a hot summer day, Swami's look brought the

same if not greater joy and bliss even on this cool winter evening! And the hands would raise in prostrations whenever He looked at the students and devotees. Swami spent 15 minutes on the stage and then moved down the same lift into the car. He then drove back to the mandir.

The students seem to transport magically for by the time Swami reached the mandir, they were all there! Swami came out and sat on the stage. He seemed all smiles. It looked like one of those " wonderful " mood days when Swami interacts with everyone who approaches Him. One of the students holding a letter got that most awaited call from the Lord. He went to Swami and offered his letter.

Swami suddenly tells him, " Stay back for the summer vacation. " The surprised student nods and agrees. Thencomes the loving shocker.

Swami : " You have a stammering problem correct? " Again a nod and agreement.

Swami : " Not only now, this has been a problem from childhood. All your friends tease you about it. But don't worry, Swami will help. "

The nod and agreement now turn into grateful smiles and childlike wonder.

Swami (continuing with a twinkle in His eye): " In Chemistry class you were struggling to say 'Sulphuric acid', correct? "

And now only a muted silence speaks for the boy.

Swami : " In another class you had the words in your mind but just could not express yourself.... "

The boy seems to be thinking about when that had happened. And then Swami says,

Swami : " In that air conditioned class.... "

And then it strikes the boy! He had encountered that problem in his awareness classroom and though the air conditioning was not on, it is the only air conditioned classroom in the Institute for it also happens to be the multimedia room!

And when the Lord says such things, how do we answer. The tears of gratitude and joy battle for expression with the smiles of happiness and completeness. As the surface of the face simmers with a plethora of emotions, the depths of the heart experience a serene silence of soothing and salvation. And small miracle that this happened to be the day Swami promised, " Dusthara Bhava Saagara Tharanam! " It is really such a blessing to be with the Lord and even to just know the Lord. Take refuge at His feet and every problem and misery seems to dissolve away into nothingness.

Swami then called a few more students and accepting letters from them, spoke to some of them. The topics of discussion and interaction varied from person to person but the same common result - the person returns to his place with a satisfied smile and a spark in the eye! The Veda chanting went on. He called the two American students and asked them about their progress in the Veda chanting He also sent word for the little Iranian kid from the primary school and he promptly arrived. He too was chanting the hymn in great vigour and Swami told him to sit with the students and continue chanting. Apart from these 'special' cases, Swami was beaming and smiling at all today. Such was the majesty and beauty that just looking at him, one felt liberated or more correctly, felt no need for liberation for could liberation be this joyful?

Swami went into the bhajan hall for bhajans. The smiles and blessings continued there too. There is student whose mother passed away following a brief period of illness. Swami called the boy's teacher and enquired about him. Swami had previously materialised a gold ring to be given to the mother. The teacher asked, " Swami should the ring be given to the son? " Swami replied, " Anything that belongs to mother passes on to the son. " swami enquired as to when the student was returning from home. Bhajans went on in full enthusiasm. In the end, as is the practice, a student performed the Aarthi and gave Him a rose. The boy giving Him a rose also handed Him a letter. Swami read the letter quickly and told the boy, not once but thrice, " Don't worry! Swami will help. " With this promise to help, Swami retired to Yajur Mandir.

Monday, October,20,2008 Avatar Declaration Day

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Alsoe read - Avatar Declaration Day: It is on this historically significant day in the year 1940 that the young lad Sathyanarayana Raju revealed to the world His Divine identity and the glorious mission on which He has come.

Read the full article submitted by Prof. Anil Kumar

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