28th -Swamiâ€™s Visit to Hadshi - Day One - 28.10.2009

November 9, 2009

Swamiâ€™s Visit to Hadshi-Mumbai â€“ Day One, October 28, 2009

This is the first person account of the trip from one of the students who had the blessed opportunity to be a member of Swamiâ€™s party.

And finally the day dawned â€“ a day in anticipation of which I had spent some sleepless nights and allowed the butterflies free airspace in my stomach. By 6:15 a.m. we were all in the hostel and by 7:00 a.m. in the airport completing all the formalities of check in. A Jet Airways Boeing 737 was to ferry us along with our Lord to Pune. Soon, we entered the craft and took our allotted seats. Within ten minutes, news reached that Swami was on His way

The Lord arrived and through the huge vestibule lift, boarded the craft. I was right in the front with another colleague of mine shooting Him. I actually moved near the window of Swamiâ€™s seat in the executive class. As Swami was seated all the cabin crew began to take namaskar one by one and I went to a prime position to take photos. Finally when all were done, I asked Swami whether I could take a picture of Him and felt that the absence of resistance meant permission, I went ahead and took two snaps. Oh! How lovely He looked! Everyone readied for takeoff and I returned to my seat.

The safety precautions to be taken on the flight were being explained. It was an interesting sight to see the usually featureless face of the steward get tensed in awe at The Presence by whose side he was standing and making his demonstrations. As we taxied down the runway, we saw hundreds of people wave to us from the road. Of course, the â€œusâ€ here means Swami! Then we were airborne! Up in the skies with Swami. The very thought excited me. I have traveled 30 times in flights maybe. But never have I been so excited. The time now was probably a few minutes past 8:40 a.m.

Soon the drinks and eatables arrived but all the while, my concentration was at the front end of the aircraft where the goal of my life was seated. The All India President (AIP) and Mr. Balaram who were in the front where sharing with Him snippets of news from magazines and newspapers. Blessed was that Jet Airways in-flight magazine. Unable to hold back any longer, I went ahead and took a few snaps from behind Him. I returned to my place and now breakfast had been served.As I was eating, I saw that the cabin crew was making best possible use of their flight time to get pictures with Swami - and they were shooting with measly cell phone cameras! I called my colleague and went ahead to shoot. In the meanwhile, Prof. Venkataraman moved to the front and told the AIP and the people in the seats behind to shut the windows (and mentally told himself I am sure, â€œThere, I have taken care of the backlight

problemâ€) and took a picture. Sensing the opportune moment and to utilize the Professorâ€™s settings to the maximum, I too moved forward and took snaps of Swami with the whole cabin. It was another nice picture.

After the photo shoot, it had taken so much time that it was announced we should be ready for landing at Pune. At Pune military airport, there was a plethora of VIPs to welcome Swami. I prominently saw Mr. Shivraj Patil. The elder Jadhav, Mr. Uttam, was held hostage literally as the back exit of the plane was not available due to security reasons. He too had to alight after Swamiâ€™s had deplaned and got into His car. This proved a blessing for me as I joined them in their Innova to move towards their residence where Swami was going. All the other boys in the meanwhile were being readied for transport to Hadshi.

By the time we reached Jadhavâ€™s home, Swami was already there having lunch. I saw my colleague there in a corner with the video camera. I too moved in slowly and took up the opposite corner in the home. I have not had many chances to see Swami eat but had known that He ate very little. But to my delight, the Lord was indeed eating well here. He was happy.I felt very special when He saw me and a smile lit up His face. Swami was asking about different items and eating them. He was interested in a particular type of vada and so many more of it was brought, but Swami did not take anymore, instead He was asking others to eat. As we were shooting, both of us were offered fruit salad. We politely declined and all through this, His gaze was on us. He seemed satisfied and happy at the way we had conducted ourselves. Swami soon finished his meal and blessed all the members of the family.

To one member who wanted to pursue MBA after B.Com, Swami advised him to do CA (Chartered Accountancy) as that would be very useful and needed for the familyâ€™s business. From there He slowly moved out and was told that all would be going to Hadshi. Next Swami accepted aarthi. And so began the drive from Pune to Hadshi. I was in Mr. Uttam Jadhav's car and as I talked to him I found out that they were the ones who had organised the Latur-Chakur trip as well. He said, "This visit to our home was a last minute job. See the arrangements we have made at Hadshi." He also confessed to me, "Swami was so very happy when He saw you boys. You students are loved so dearly by Him!"

Mr. Jadhav seemed to have gained a new respect for our ilk! We could see the beautiful Mandir atop the hill when we were a few kilometres away itself. All along the way, there were villagers who stood in awe and devotion as Swami's car passed by. Many of them did not seem to know which car to look, thanks to the ten cars of the Jadhavs which were all similar to Swami's Estima. Once the climb began, we glimpsed the arrangements. The entire road to the top was lined by children and devotees holding flags, banners, placards and ribbons in welcome. At every hairpin bend on the road were beautiful posters of Swami carrying His message. All along the way were many banners welcoming Bhagavan to Pandurang Kshetra.

Soon we arrived at the main entrance to the grand "fortress-temple". I jumped out of the car to move in front of Swami's car on foot. Little did I realize that there was almost half a kilometre to be trudged! Little boys wearing orange turbans and cymbals in hand, welcomed Swami who was given a real "red-carpet" welcome as the entire stretch till His to-be-residence had been carpeted. There were also musical bands playing. The entire path had been barricaded but nothing could prevent the fervent prayers and longing looks of the people from reaching Swami.

Traditionally dressed Maharashtrian village women with pots balancing delicately on their heads too were part of the welcome team. Everyone was so thrilled at the mere sight of His car. The red carpet welcome gave way to a green carpet one and a congregation of Veda chanters began to lead the procession.Soon we arrived at the Residence. A shehnai artist was playing welcome tunes with percussion accompaniment. He turned out to be a daily feature thereafter. The members of the Jadhav family had lined the final stretch before the residence. A beautiful huge rangoli adorned the entrance. It had the mantra, "Aum Sri Sai Ram" in the Devanagiri script written in it.

A pink ribbon across the door awaited His Hand to inaugurate it. I wanted to rush in and take pictures from the inside but was rudely objected. The power of the smile that I had received from Swami at the Jadhav residence in Pune did the trick as the younger Jadhav brother issued instructions that I could be given complete access! So it was that I could get a picture of Swami inaugurating the Mandir and moving in.

Someone had offered a golden rose to Swami and it lay on His lap. As soon as Swami came into the Mandir, His feet were washed and the sacred water was collected into a silver plate to be taken as teertham by the lucky family. Aarthi was then performed as all the members of the family gathered.

A note here about the Jadhav family will be most appropriate. The total number of members ran beyond two hundred and the family tree proved to be one with multiple branches, twigs and leaves! They seemed to be harvesting the fruits of joy and satisfaction which the Gardener had delivered to them.Since this was a huge family only the 'trunk' and 'primary branches' were in the Residence and they numbered almost twenty to thirty! The Residence was large and airy. It had four guest rooms at the four corners of the rectangular hall. Towards the Northern side was Swami's dining table and about half a dozen dining tables for the guests stood on the Southern side.

Swami moved through the entire hall and had a look at the four rooms. He was immensely pleased with the meticulous care and effort of the Jadhavs. The room in the South Eastern corner was the kitchen and it was filled by the youth from Mumbai and Maharashtra who had been chosen to serve Swami and His guests for the trip. Swami blessed them.

In the meanwhile, the rest of the students who had driven by bus straight from Pune airport arrived. Swami seemed very happy seeing them. He had their darshan on the way to the lift. The lift was a small one with a grilled gate inside and a wooden door outside. It was just sufficient for Swami's chair and one other person. Swami went up and retired in His room which was in the Northwest corner.There was a huge rectangular gap in the floor on the first storey to allow natural light from the sky to fill the home. And there was wood parapet all along this opening. Swami saw all of us gathered below from the parapet as He moved to His room. He retired for the afternoon. All of us then sat down and ate a hearty meal after a silent Brahmaarpanam. After lunch, we were all shown our living quarters. Ah! The beds were so inviting. There were three double rooms and each room contained 6 cots - 36 in all. There was a leather toilet kit awaiting all of us and it contained, shampoo, soap, hair oil, Mach 3 razor with spares, shaving gel, tooth brush, paste, powder and all of the best quality. After an hours rest, we were all back in the Mandir (I call the Residence as the Mandir for that is where God resides!).

We waited down in the verandah-like area and soon, Swami came down the lift. He called all the elders to have tiffin with him on the table. And so, Prof. Venkataraman, Mr. S. V. Giri, Dr. Dash, Mr. Gokal Das, Mr. Balaram and Mr. Nagananad sat along with Swami. After they had finished tiffin, Swami told all of them to rise. He asked for the eaten plates to be cleared and fresh ones laid. He then supervised the servings to be put on the plate.

Then, He looked at me and asked me to come! I was taken aback and I realized with excitement that Swami was inviting me to eat at His table. I was so thrilled that I quickly moved towards the table. He continued, "Mugguru Mugguru ikkada kuchondi (Three each sit on either side)â€. I called out to a few others and soon a few of us were at His table seeing Him for most of the time with momentary glances at the items served in the plate!

All the other boys were asked to be seated at the other tables and soon a thundering Brahmaarpanam began. Everyone at my table seemed to close their eyes. I opened mine as wide as possible and drank in deep the darshan of sweet Swami. I was feeling so thrilled and privileged. I am sure I have done nothing to deserve this but as He says, "If you love Me, You deserve Me!" I was feeling such a surge of happiness welling in me. I managed to look at another boy and asked him to take a snap of that glorious moment! Swami then told us to start eating. As I began to eat, Swami asked me, "Ay photographer, nee video cameraman ekkada?" I quickly rose and called out to my colleague who was at another table. He came forward. Swami saw him and asked him to go back and eat well. Again I was so overjoyed that at the physical level, Swami had identified me as something -

photographer! He told all of us that we would not eat well if He was seated! He said He would go and then come by later so that we eat well. Swami then went back to His room by the lift and all of us continued to eat. I ate with trembling excitement. Soon the tiffin session concluded and all of us were ready once again to receive Swami.

Within a few minutes, Swami came down again. The time was about 5:50 p.m. and there were some guests who had come to meet Swami. Notable among them were Mr. Shivraj Patil, currently member of Rajya Sabha and Mr. Subrata Roy, the Managing "worker" (as he calls himself) and chairman of the Sahara Parivar. The latter invited Swami and told Him that he had built huge estates. Swami smiled and placed His hand on his head. Blessing all those who had come, Swami moved out of the Mandir.

As Swami moved down, the bands and people dressed in various costumes were there lined all along the way. The temples had been lit and presented a beautiful sight. Bhajans were being sung by Raviraj Nasery, Kunal Ganjawalla and a few others. As Swami approached the huge stage that had been set up, now Marathi songs replaced the bhajans. All the students were presently running behind the car. I ran up the stage beforehand to take shots.

As Swami was coming out, the first thing He did was to tell Nishikant, who was at the lead of all boys, to go up the stage. And so it was that the students moved up the stage and took positions behind Swami's chair. Swami took a quick round of the stage so that the gathered thousands could have His darshan. Swami then sat in the centerstage. After a few songs, permission was sought to invite the artists on stage and Swami agreed. The performers for the day were Mr. Nikhil Mukesh, Mrs. Kavita Subramaniam and Ms. Sapna Mukherjee.

They bowed to Swami and began their performance. Nithin Mukesh was holding on dearly to the rose that had been blessed by Swami. He started the session with a Ganesh bhajan â€˜Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Jai Ganesh Devaâ€™. He was followed by Sapna. The crowd was overjoyed for they were having His beautiful darshan. About 9 songs later, Swami blessed the artists with sarees, shawls and white safari pieces.

Aarthi was performed and as Swami moved down the ramp to the car, hundreds dived for an opportunity to touch His lotus feet. Swami sat in the car and drove back all the way to the residence. All the boys got a good chance for close darshan as they lined up from the car till the main door of the Mandir. I entered the Mandir before Swami to take a few pictures. Swami had dinner with the elders and then He saw that all of us were seated. He called out, "Ay boys! Go and sit at the tables."

As He was going after dinner, the inimitable Prof. Anil Kumar complimented the food saying that the quality of mango pickles and Gongura were unmatched! Swami was so happy and they had a small private conversation. The AIP, V. Srinivasan, asked Swami whether the boys should go for morning walks. Swami said that there was no need to do so. Entering the lift, Swami retired for the day. After this, we had our dinner and moved to retire. It was a heavy meal and a few of us went for a walk.

We saw the temples were being prepared for inauguration the next day and the whole area had been beautifully lit. The night air was cool. One experience that we felt throughout the trip was the "oneness with God"! Let me clarify. All of us received the same love, reverence and devotion from people that Swami receives, and all this because we had on us the badge that proclaimed, "Bhagavan's guest".

People would rejoice when they saw us for that was a sure indication for them that Swami was coming. In fact, even in our nightly walk, we encountered a few people who asked us whether Swami was coming down for darshan in the night! I could also see what our true status was by observing how a guard just brushed me aside and told me that I had no permission to enter a gate. I was in my T-shirt and trackpants and had forgotten my badge. That behaviour suddenly metamorphosed into one of humility and love the minute another boy flashed his badge and stood by me! Wow! It is Swami and Swami alone who means everything to everyone. Else all of us are nothing!

As we returned to the rooms, another boy came running to me and said that five of us can have the privilege of sleeping just outside Swami's door in the Mandir. I hurried and picked up my pillows and bedsheets to move towards the Mandir. It was beyond ten p.m. and the Mandir still breathed of The Presence. The senior teacher who was shepherding us confirmed from all of us that we did not snore! That condition woke me up intermittently in the night to check if I confirmed to the â€˜disciplineâ€™, nevertheless, I along with the others had a blissful sleep. And thus ended the most memorable day one with Swami in Hadshi.

With love and light

Sai Ram

Deepak

http://www.ssso.net/

sourced:

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Portal/pd-articles/PD-28_10_2009.htm

Aum Sri Sai Ram

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