Puttaparthi 5th AUG 2009 DARSHAN UPDATE AND PHOTOS

August 6, 2009

Wednesday, August 5, 2009Om Sairam dearest Sai Family,Swami didn't come out for darshan this morning. It was a beautiful evening in Sai Kulwanth hall. All the devotees were seated with utmost devotion waiting for Swami. At 4pm the Rudram chanting started and the Himachal Pradesh Sai Youth (sisters and brothers) were seated on either side right in front of the dais. This time we all were very much sure that they will be singing this afternoon unlike yesterday afternoon. The Rudram chanting went on till 5pm and the bhajans didn't commence . It was very silent time and every one of us were looking at the entrance of Sai Kulwanth hall near Swami's house, hoping He would come at any moment to grant us His divine darshan. It was 5:30 pm and then came our beautiful Lord, seated in His mobile throne, just before He entered the hall,

a mild wind blew over Him and His beautiful hair, as if jumping in ecstasy, reminded the beautiful dance of Lord Shiva. Swami entered the hall and had a small conversation with a Sai Sister and then it was turn of a little girl, to go upto Swami, so shy but full of reverence to Swami.

Swami smiled at her beautifully as she handed over a letter to Swami and in no time she quickly ran back to her seat. Swami slowly moved on and blessed another Sai sister, she had a saree for blessing and Swami blessed her with akshintalu (turmeric rice grains) Swami then made a full round in Sai Kulwanth hall.

Swami came on the dais and listened to the Veda chant. It was a beautiful scene when Veda Purusha, our beloved Lord Himself, joined us in Veda Chanting. After about 20 minutes, Swami signalled for the programme to start and there was a musical programme by devotees of Himachal Pradesh entitled "Sai Naam tarakam". Sai Brothers rendered about 6 songs and Swami went into the interview room during the sixth song. Swami was seen blessing Sri. Srinivasan, the head of TVS motors.

He also blessed Sri.Pusthi, a humble and down to earth sevadal who has been serving in the ashram for many years now. When the brothers finished singing, it was the turn of the sisters to start their musical offering. There was little bit of confusion here. Swami who was in the verandah had send a word for the arathi to start but it was un noticed by the sisters and they started their programme. Swami then came on to the dais and two sisters went upto to Swami for blessing and the programme started again. Swami, cut short the programme and asked for arathi thus ending a beautiful day.For the past few days, during arathi, senior devotees who are serving Swami for many years, are being allowed to offer rose to Swami and take His blessings. Yesteday it was Sri.Nanda's turn and today it was Mr. Janakiram, head of the security's turn to offer flower to Swami and take His blessings.

Today is Raksha Bandan day, a day dedicated to sister brother relationship. A day where the brother re assures that the sister would be taken care by him, come what may, and the sister ties a rakhi around the wrist of the brother.

The UK group had this programme in their meeting hall. All the sisters tied the rakhi to the Sai brothers in the group and Swami had send special sweet vibhuthi and amrit for the group on this holy occassion and also expressed happiness for conducting this kind of ritual to the group. Swami being our Father and Mother, the only relationship we can have is a brother and sister relationship and this was shown by the group and that impressed Swami immensely..The Prasad was distributed to every one and the day came to an end around 7pm...With humble pranams at the lotus feet of our beloved Lord,