Satya Sai Baba Archives

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – December 2009

- Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Alumni Drama – An Eternal Bond of Love – 31 Dec 2009
• Welcoming The New – 31 Dec 2009
• Christmas Divine Discourse – 25 Dec 2009 (updated on 30 Dec)
• Bouquet of Devotional Songs – Cultural Programme by Indonesia – 30 Dec 2009
• Bouquet of Love – Cultural Programme by Delhi Balvikas – 29 Dec 2009
• Joy of Serving – Music Programme by Southern Europe 28 Dec 2009
• The Revolution of Love – Sunday Special – 27 Dec 2009
• International Children’s Choir and Christmas Drama 26 Dec 2009
• Christmas Morning in Prasanthi Nilayam – 25 Dec 2009
• Christmas Eve in Prasanthi Nilayam – 24 Dec 2009
• A Child’s Christmas Musings – Subash Subramanya
• Sathya Vaani Nrithya Baani – Dance Programme by Prasanthi Dance Group 23 Dec 2009
• Divine Message to Doctors during Doctors’ Parthi Yatra – 20 Dec 2009
• Sri Sathya Sai University Management System Commissioned – 22 Dec 2009
• Recharging Spiritual Batteries – Bhagawan Blesses Medicos from Bangalore
• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 20 Dec 2009
• Sunday Special – The Bond of Love: CBS Mani
• Sunday Special – Singing unto Infinity: K.S.Chitra 13 Dec, 2009
• The Divine Bond – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Singapore SSE Programme Dec10, 2009
• Eternally Grateful – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Decorating Divinity – Christmas 2008 Reflections
• Sai Kiranaalu – Dance Ballet 9 Dec 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 6 Dec 2009
• Punjab Youth – Balvikas Parthi Yatra – 6 Dec 2009
• Sunday Special – With Love Man is God – Sharon Sandweiss Speech, 6 Dec 2009
• West Bengal Parthi Yatra – Dance Drama – 5 Dec 2009
• Ratan Tata visits Prasanthi Nilayam – 3-4 Dec 2009

- Curtesty RadioSai:

Thursday, Dec 31, 2009
The alumni of Prasanthi Nilayam and Brindavan campuses of the Sai educational institutions, the Sai Students, are here in large numbers for their annual meet. This evening, they presented a drama. Bhagavan arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall ten minutes after five and moved to the Bhajan hall after His darshan round. There, He interacted with the participants in the drama who were ready in their costumes. Fifteen minutes later, He came onstage and began their drama at a quarter to six. The innovative 50 minute presentation used a video screen as a backdrop and had mythological characters narrating the story of students and Swami. Bhagavan went down among them for group photographs and accepted arati at a quarter to six as prasadam was distributed. He then interacted with the alumni for a few more minutes before returning to His residence at seven o’clock. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra was also in the congregation this evening.

Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009
This evening, devotees from Indonesia presented a musical programme. Swami arrived for darshan at five o’clock and began their programme twenty minutes later. After their programme of songs, Bhagavan asked them to sing bhajans. He blessed one of them with a chain and went down among them for group photographs. After Arati, Sathya Sai Baba moved to the interview room briefly before returning to His residence at seven o’clock.

Tuesday, Dec 29, 2009
Balvikas children from Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) presented a programme of music and dance this evening. Sathya Sai Baba arrived for darshan at ten to five and He asked for their programme to commence after His darshan round. The children presented colourful dances for half an hour. Swami then asked them to sing bhajans while prasadam was distributed. The children sang for twenty minutes before Swami blessed one of them with a chain and accepted Arati.

Monday, Dec 28, 2009
A large contingent of devotees from Croatia, Macedonia, Serbia, Slovenia and Bosnia-Herzegovina presented a musical programme this evening. Bhagavan arrived for darshan by 4.20 pm and after His darshan round, went among the group, blessing many with vibhuti. He then started moving among all of them when they seated themselves in rows, distributing vibhuti in packets to them. This interaction went on for more than an hour, and it was 5.40 when Swami sat onstage for their programme to begin. The devotees began with five minutes of Vedic chants, mindful of correct intonation and pronunciation. They then sang songs from their respective countries for half an hour. Swami sent clothes for them and asked them to sing bhajans, so they sang with the ladies and gents alternating in leading the bhajans with group singing. It was nearly seven when Bhagavan accepted Arati. He then asked Prof Anil Kumar to announce that He was very pleased with the group’s performance and that He blesses all of them. Blessing the congregation with both hands, Sathya Sai Baba then returned to His residence.

Saturday, Dec 26, 2009
This evening, the children from overseas were to present their choir and Christmas play. The children from Latin America were presenting the play this year. Swami arrived for darshan just before half-past four. The programme commenced at ten to five with Ganesh gayatri and went on for half an hour of lilting Christmas melodies and Sai songs. The half-hour Christmas play then commenced, presenting the stories of Jesus and Sai as told by a mother to her son and interspersed with many songs. Satya SaiBaba blessed the participants with photographs and clothes before Arati just before half-past six.

Friday, Dec 25, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Christmas was celebrated in Prashanti Nilayam with festivity and joy. Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrived in silken white robe in the morning shortly after 9:00am. Cutting the Christmas cakes that had been arranged in the portico, Swami arrived on the stage and there were two programmes. The first was by the University Brass band. This was followed by carol singing by the students. After two Santas added to the festivity of the occasion, Swami received Aarthi and left.The evening programme consisted of two speeches by Ms. Yuliana Pulgar and Mr.Douglas Saunders respectively. This was followed by the Divine discourse at the end of which Swami blessed a few Russian devotees with the joy of His interaction.

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Christmas celebrations at Prashanthi Nilayam got off to a wonderful start with carol singing by the overseas devotees on Christmas Eve. Sri Sai Baba arrived in the evening and took a full round. Coming on the stage, He asked for the programme to begin. the singing went on for almost an hour and throughout Swami was engrossed in the lyrics of each song sung. At the end of the singing, He asked Mr.John Behner to announce the programme for the next two days. He also called a student who expressed heartfelt thanks to the overseas choir on behalf of all the University students. Blessing all the members, Swami retired to Yajur Mandir at 6:30pm.

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The dance group at the Prashanti Nilayam campus of the University completed five years of existence yesterday. Sathya Sai Baba blessed them to put up a performance commemorating this occasion and thus it was that there was a 40 minute long dance performance beginning at 5:15pm. Swami moved down the stage and granted group photographs for all the students involved before receiving Aarthi and retiring shortly after 6:00pm.

Tuesday, Dec 22, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai University had a special agenda with the Chancellor today. The University’s newly developed ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system was blessed and commissioned by Sathya Sai Baba in a small function held in the bhajan hall in the evening at 4:30 Hrs.

The University Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Controller of Examinations and the Principal of the Prasanthi Nilayam campus were joined by a group of faculty members who had been working on the same seeking Divine Blessings on the memorable occasion. This University Management System would facilitate the easy administration, management and communication, both internal and external, of the University. After inaugurating it, Swami moved outside for the bhajans before receiving Aarthi.

Monday, Dec 21, 2009 Full Story With Images »
An exclusive batch of doctors along with families from the twin hospitals in Bangalore, SSSIHMS and Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital in Whitefield, came in with a strength of over 200 to bask in Sathya Sai Baba’s all-conquering Divine Love. As was the case with the previous group, this exclusive group of medicos and families was also blessed by Swami in a most thrilling session held in the bhajan hall that lasted for an hour. Swami spoke to them in Kannada and blessing them with photos moved outside for the bhajans. After bhajans, He received Aarthi and moved to yajur Mandir.

Thursday, Dec 17, 2009
There were no special programmes at Prasanthi Nilayam over the last week. The political disturbances in the rest of the state have not significantly impacted the Ashram and its immediate vicinity, though the travel plans of many were affected by the cancellation of bus services in Andhra Pradesh. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai baba has been coming before the evening bhajans commence on many days, and went for a drive a couple of days ago in the forenoon. Last evening, He had come for darshan before half-past four, and had blessed the ladies’ side with a second darshan round before five o’clock. Functionaries from the defence services of Sri Lanka and India had visited Prasanthi Nilayam over the last few days, and today the Chief of the Army Staff of Nepal had an audience with Bhagavan. Swami blessed many of the members of his group with vibhuti and also asked for distribution of a booklet and prasadam before He accepted Arati. After Arati, He blessed some of the birthday boys from among the students and returned to His residence at a quarter-past six.

Tuesday, Dec 10, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Devotees from Singapore presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba arrived for darshan at a quarter past four and after His darshan round, began their performance. The forty minute drama presented the concept of the Spiritual Bank which was based on a Discourse given by Bhagavan in 1966. At the end of the performance, Bhagavan blessed the group with photographs and gave a chain to one of the children. He then allowed the devotees to sing bhajans, which continued till ten past six when He accepted Arati and retired for the day.

Wednesday, Dec 09, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar of Visakhapatnam celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The children and teachers of the school were gathered at Prasanthi Nilayam and presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba came for darshan a few minutes before five and after His darshan round sat for a couple of minutes onstage before moving to the interview room. It was 5.20 pm when He came onstage and began their performance. The hour long drama showed the positive impact of Sai students on society. There were several dances punctuating their performance which ended with a group song. At the end of the performance, Bhagavan blessed the children with group photographs. This was followed by bhajans for twenty minutes following which Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at seven o’clock.

Sunday, Dec 06, 2009
As announced yesterday, this evening the Punjab youth were ready with their drama and a backdrop was set up in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall. Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after five o’clock and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the programme. A half-hour drama ‘Vande Sai Mataram’ was the first presentation, followed by a short music programme. Swami blessed the participants with group photographs and gave a chain to one of them. It was half-past six when He returned to His residence after accepting Arati and blessing the singers.

Saturday, Dec 05, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, youth from Bengal presented their programme. Swami arrived at half-past four and after His darshan round, came onstage to begin the presentation. A forty-minute drama ‘Transformation from Individual to Global’ then began. Swami sent clothes for all the actors and moved down from the stage to interact with them, asking for bhajans to begin after He returned onstage. Accepting Arati after fifteen minutes of bhajans, Bhagavan returned to His residence at six o’clock after an announcement about the cultural programme to be presented tomorrow by the Punjab youth.

Thursday, Dec 03, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Mr. Ratan Tata, Chairman of India’s largest business group, visited Prasanthi Nilayam today, along with his colleague Mr. Krishna Kumar, Vice-Chairman of Indian Hotels Company. Before evening darshan, all the college students and the visitors from the Tata group were seated in the College auditorium. Bhagavan came for darshan at half-past four to Sai Kulwant Hall in the car and directly moved to the College auditorium for a drama presentation by the students there. After the drama, Swami interacted with the participants onstage for more than half an hour before returning to the Mandir where the bhajans were going on. He accepted Arati from inside the Bhajan Hall after getting down from the car at a quarter to seven and then interacted with Mr. Tata and Mr. Krishna Kumar for fifteen minutes there before returning to His residence in the car.

Wednesday, Dec 02, 2009
Swami was coming before the evening bhajans began for the last few days, and returning to His residence in the chair itself. Yesterday, He came for darshan at 4.45 pm and moved to the interview room. After the five o’clock bhajans began, He went in the car to the college auditorium and saw a drama rehearsal by the students there. Returning after an hour, He accepted Arati at 6.20 before returning to His residence. Today, darshan was at 5.15 pm, after which Bhagavan gave interviews till past seven when He came onstage to accept Arati. He then asked the students to chant ‘Samasta Loka Sukhino Bhavantu’ three more times before He blessed the congregation and returned to His residence.

- Official Sri Sathya Sai Baba Website

Alleged Sexual Molestation Victim Of Sai Baba Comes Forward With A Shocking Revelation

Ex-Devotee’s of Sathya Sai Baba, (particularly Robert Priddy, Barry Pittard, Brian Steel, Conny Larsson, Timothy Conway, Alan Kazlez and Sanjay Dadlani) are in complete denial about the allegations against Sathya Sai Baba and continue to babble incessently about “sexual abuse” despite the fact that no one has yet to file a basic police complaint, court case or public grievance in India against Sathya Sai Baba. Despite these irrefutable facts Ex-Devotees continually demand legal investigations be made against the Sathya Sai Organization although no legal complaints have ever been filed against the Sathya Sai Organization by any alleged “victim” or by any alleged “victim’s” mother or father!

Ex-Devotees laughable and ridiculous legal demands are akin to accusing a person of theft based on internet complaints, demanding that the thief be punished although there are no basic police complaints or court cases alleging theft! If anyone should have legal investigations brought against them, the legal investigations should be brought against the mothers and fathers of alleged victims who have all (without exception) ignored and dismissed the alleged molestations of their children! When parents have not sought legal action against the Sathya Sai Organization, who do Ex-Devotee’s think they are to be demanding legal action?

Alleged ‘Sexual Molestation’ Victim Claims He Was NOT Molested!

Robert C. Priddy (a caustic critic and defamer of Sathya Sai Baba and others) is a pathological liar of the worst order who cannot be trusted to tell the truth. The same holds true for Ex-Devotees who adamantly refuse to disassociate themselves from Robert Priddy’s malicious defamation campaigns. Robert Priddy has openly libeled Gerald Joe Moreno as being “molested sexually” by Sathya Sai Baba.

Gerald Joe Moreno (one of the alleged and so-called “sexual molestation victims” of Sathya Sai Baba) has courageously come forward and PUBLICLY DENIED that he was “molested sexually” by the Guru. At no time did Moreno ever imply or suggest that he was “molested sexually” by Sathya Sai Baba. When Ex-Devotees lie about and libel Gerald Moreno as being “molested sexually” by Sathya Sai Baba, what does this say about Ex-Devotee”s self-professed “integrity” and “crediblity”? Ex-Devotees are obviously a small and vocal group of fanatics in pathological denial who thrive on self-imagined, self-created and homoerotic conspiracy theories not rooted in fact.

The Failed Court Case Against The Sathya Sai Baba Society Of America

It is amusing to note that Robert Priddy said the following on his Anti-Baba blog:

Robert Priddy: If such a trial were to occur, the full facts and testimonials – and affidavits which are still held – would come to light, and witnesses claiming they were abused by him could then stand forth under foreign ambassadorial protection. Of course, he would have to try to prosecute those who testified against him in their own countries, which would give him and his organization media coverage they evidently cannot risk and also considerable legal difficulties.

Needless to say, such a trail was set to go to court in California in the USA via Alaya Rahm vs the Sathya Sai Baba Society of America. The end result?

• Alaya Rahm self dismissed his own lawsuit with prejudice.
• Not even one alleged victim was named as a witness on behalf of Alaya Rahm.
• Not even one deposition was taken on behalf of Alaya Rahm.
• Not even one “affidavit” was submitted into evidence on behalf of Alaya Rahm.
• Not even one “testimonial” was submitted into evidence on behalf of Alaya Rham.

In “Response To Form Interrogatories” in Alaya Rahm’s self-dismissed lawsuit against the Sathya Sai Baba Society (Form Interrogatory No. 6.3, Set One) Alaya Rahm fully admitted that he had been a daily user of illegal street drugs and alcohol from 1995 – 2005. Consequently, during Alaya Rahm’s “Divine Downfall” and India Today Anti-Sai interviews and during the filming of the BBC Documentary “Secret Swami” and the “Seduced By Sai Baba” Danish Documentary, Alaya Rahm was under the influence of illegal street drugs and alcohol while relating his alleged sexual encounters with Sathya Sai Baba. This crucial information wholly undermines Alaya Rahm’s credibility and irreparably compromises the integrity of his claims. Needless to say, Alaya Rahm’s alcoholism and drug addiction have been purposely suppressed from the general public by Anti-Sai Activists, the Rahm Family and the media (Ref).

Supporting Alaya Rahm’s involvement with illegal street drugs and drug addicts is a secondary court case in November 2007 where Alaya Rahm testified on behalf of his friend Valdez T Woods who was arrested and convicted for possession of crack cocaine and marijuana with the intent to deliver (PDF Reference). As a matter of fact, Valdez T Woods was arrested within a mile of Alaya Rahm’s then current residence (as revealed in official court records). Alaya Rahm was identified as a “friend and associate” of drug dealer and drug addict Valdez T Woods.

These are irrefutable facts supported by official court records. Robert Priddy, on the other hand, cannot source his arguments to any official court records or to any legal documentation whatsoever. Robert C. Priddy not only acts as a proxy spokesperson for alleged victims, he also acts as a “proxy guardian” because alleged victim’s mothers and fathers have all (without exception) failed in their moral, ethical and legal duties by ignoring the alleged molestations of their children. The reason why Robert C. Priddy does not shut up is because if he did, the silence would be deafening because no one else besides critics are making all the fuss.

Robert C. Priddy and Ex-Devotees need to shut up and let the alleged victims and their mothers and fathers talk for themselves. The fact that alleged victims and their mothers and fathers are not talking strongly suggests that Sathya Sai Baba did nothing wrong. Robert C. Priddy and Ex-Devotees should take their gripes to the parents of alleged victims and should be castigating them for ignoring their children’s alleged molestations.

Concluding Statement: Robert Priddy The Con Artist

Needless to say, LSD advocate Robert Priddy has a long and established history of distortions, lies, defamations and libels.

• Robert C. Priddy is a laughable pervert who had the audacity to fabricate sexual molestation claims against Gerald Joe Moreno.
• Robert C. Priddy is a laughable con-artist who published fraudulent screencaps against Gerald Joe Moreno and adamantly refuses to vindicate his claims by publishing full screencaps to Moreno’s vishvarupa.com domain.
• Robert C. Priddy is a laughable stooge who attributed his own computer’s IP to Gerald Joe Moreno.
• Robert C. Priddy is in perpetual denial and publicly defends his laughable SheilaWaring Lie even though other critics have distanced themselves from that controversy.
• Robert Priddy is a laughable LSD Advocate who even cited a Pro-Drug Forum intended for Drug Users to defend his LSD-induced hallucinations.
• Robert Priddy is a malicious defamer who was sent packing with his tail between his legs when Leo Rebello Threatened Him With A $1,000,000 Lawsuit For Defamation.
• Senile Robert Priddy stated that Moreno claimed he was sexually abused under his Joe Apodaca SaiPetition.net Submission even though Moreno never made such a claim.
• Robert Priddy is a Pseudo-Moralist Clown who loves to attack others for composite images while endorsing and publishing composite images himself!
• Robert Priddy delusionally claimed that Sathya Sai Baba Personally Invited Him To India.
• Robert Priddy formerly Worshipped & Kissed Sathya Sai Baba’s feet.
• Robert Priddy Maliciously Lied About Joy Thomas and refuses to retract his bold-faced lies.
• Robert Priddy claimed he had a Telepathic Connection To Sathya Sai Baba.
• Robert Priddy documented a Homoerotic Dream With His Former Guru that involved the guru sucking up and swallowing a substance associated with his sex chakra!
• The list goes on and on.

Of course, none of these things are surprising considering that Robert Priddy is an LSD Advocate who is thoroughly obsessed with genital oilings and who relishes projecting his homoerotic fantasies onto Moreno. Robert Priddy is allied with Bisexual & Psychic Trance Medium Conny Larsson and Child Porn Purveyor RFJ Sandt and Perverted Fetishist Sanjay Dadlani. Robert Priddy is also a staunch promoter of New Age Advocate & Reincarnator Alan Kazlev and Guru & UFO Promoter Timothy Conway (who actually believes that Sathya Sai Baba may have molested alleged victims like aliens are alleged to do through abductions!).

The only people guilty of running “massive disinformation and cover-up campaigns” are Robert Priddy and Ex-Devotees who have attacked hundreds of Sai Devotees & Non-Devotees alike and who have created hundreds of webpages to defame, libel and smear Gerald Joe Moreno. What more can one do but laugh at loud at Robert Priddy and his hypocritical finger-pointing?

Truth Prevails: Anti-Baba Video Withdrawn By Channel Nine MSN

Within 48 hours of Gerald Joe Moreno (a Pro-Sai Activist) sending Channel Nine MSN a scathing response to their biased and poorly researched Anti-Baba broadcast, the video was promptly withdrawn from their official website.

About the withdrawal of the Anti-Baba Channel Nine MSN video, Robert Priddy (a caustic defamer and critic of Sathya Sai Baba) said on his Anti-Baba WordPress blog:

robertpriddy.wordpress.com/2009/03/12/proxy-defender-of-sai-baba-and-swara
Robert Priddy: NOTE: A reliable source from within the media has confirmed that Channel NineMSN withdrew the presence of its ‘Infiltrating a cult’ segment because the Sathya Sathya Sai cult threats of legal action. Media around the world, including SBS and The Age in Australia have refused to be intimidated by the powerful Sathya Sai Organisation. We will not be intimidated and continue to make available the footage!

Needless to say, a large & national news broadcasting company such as Channel Nine MSN (which is far larger and more viewed than SBS or The Age) would not have removed the video had there not been legitimate complaints about the content and disinformation in their video.

It is also important to note that if Channel 9 MSN was truly threatened with legal action, they (and their world-class legal reps) would not have discussed this information with (or divulged this information to) any casual outsider. This type of legal information (if true) would only have come from someone within the NineMSN company, thus proving (once again) that NineMSN A Current Affair was directly involved with Anti-Baba Critics, contrary to Robert Priddy’s claims that they were not.

Thank you Mr. Priddles for yet another confirmation of behind-the-scenes scheming and subterfuge between NineMSN A Current Affair and Ex-Devotees.

Also see:
- NineMSN A Current Affair Australia, Moiya O’Brien, SWARA, The Sathya Sai Organisation And Cult Accusations

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – November 2009

- Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 29 Nov 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 15th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 8th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 1st Nov 2009
• The Privilege of Being His Student – Reflections on Pune – Mumbai Trip
• The Inner Circle – Bhagawan Blesses Whitefield Hospital Staff – 13/14 Nov 2009
• 84th Birthday Celebrations – Evening 23 Nov 2009
• 84th Birthday Celebrations – Morning 23 Nov 2009
• Light of the Cool Night …23 Nov 2009
• When L’ll Champs Regaled…22 Nov 2009
• Emergence of another Pandharpur – Reminiscence of Bhagawan’s Hadshi Trip
• Convocation Address by Dr. Samuel Sandweiss 22 Nov 2009
• Vice Chancellor’s Address – 28th Annual Convocation 22 Nov 2009
• 28th Convocation of Sri Sathya Sai University – 22 Nov 2009
• Vidya Amritam – Convocation Drama – 21st Nov 2009
• Ramayana – Dance Drama by Primary School Children – 20th Nov 2009
• Ladies’ Day 2009 in the Divine Presence – Evening Programme – 19th Nov 2009
• Ladies’ Day 2009 in the Divine Presence – Morning Programme – 19th Nov 2009
• Blessed Blissful Twilight – 18th November 2009
• Ratotsavam in Prasanthi Nilayam – 18th November 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 15th November 2009
• Tamil Nadu Youth Pilgrimage – 13th to 15th November 2009
• Becoming a Flute in His Hands…15th November 2009
• Akhanda Bhajan in Prasanthi Nilayam
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 8th November 2009
• When Heaven came down to Mumbai – 31st to 2nd Nov 2009
• Hadshi Prayed and The Lord Responded – 28th to 31st Nov 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – ending 1st Nov 2009
• The Return of The Lord – 3rd Nov 2009
• Sathya Sai Students take Brabourne to Heavenly Rapture – 1st Nov
• Power Inc takes a breather, gets down to spiritual biz – ET Report (abridged) – 1st Nov
• Bhagawan at Jamboori Maidan, Worli – 1st Nov 2009

- Curtesty RadioSai:

Monday, Nov 23, 2009
Prasanthi Nilayam was brimming with devotees and people from the nearby villages on Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 84th Birthday. Tea and tiffin was being served at many counters all over the Ashram as a service by Maharashtra devotees. Arrangements were made to seat devotees in the Poornachandra auditorium also, with a large screen set up there. CCTVs and projectors were arranged in Sai Kulwant Hall for devotees to have a closer darshan. Swami emerged from His residence clad in a white robe seated on the white chair just after ten o’clock. He first moved to the Poornachandra to grant darshan to those seated there. The procession then began five minutes later, moving to the Sai Kulwant Hall from Yajur Mandir. The Anantapur brass band, the Primary school girls bagpipes, the Primary School boys recorders and drums, the University brass band and vedam chanting students led Bhagavan to the Mandir. After blessing the large cake kept on the verandah, Swami came onstage and sat there for fifteen minutes as the Vedam chanting went on and the bands played one after another. He then asked for the Malladi brothers to sing. Their vocal concert was for 45 minutes. Swami then asked for the evening programme to be announced, and blessed prasadam for distribution as the bands played again. Arati was offered at 11.45 am. Bhagavan then moved to the bhajan hall where cakes by the various institutions were arranged. He blessed all the cakes and returned to His residence at noon.

In the evening, Sathya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at half-past five in a golden robe and came onstage after His darshan round to begin the programme by English singer Ms. Dana Gillespie at 5.45 pm. After her 45-minute performance, the Malladi brothers again sang for an hour. Swami blessed them with shawls and gave clothes to all the artistes, and they sang one more song before Swami accepted Arati at 7.30 pm before returning to His residence.

Sunday, Nov 22, 2009
The 28th annual Convocation of the Sri Sathya Sai University was held today. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came to Sai Kulwant hall in His car to oversee the arrangements at 8 o’clock and the congregation was allowed into the hall half an hour later as announced yesterday. The Convocation procession got underway from Yajur Mandir just before 10.00 am. Bhagavan, wearing a maroon robe and seated on the special white chair, was led into the hall by the University brass band and students bearing the ceremonial mace and insignia. The Vice-Chancellor’s address was followed by the presentation of gold medals and PhDs. The Convocation address was by Dr. Samuel Sandwiess from the United States. At 11.15, Bhagavan began His hour-long Benedictory Address as the Chancellor of the University. He exhorted the students to never forget Divine Love wherever they may be. Before concluding, He once again asked them to uphold the ideals of the institution and to love and respect their parents. After His Discourse, Swami asked the students to sing a group song before the proceedings concluded with the National Anthem.

In the evening, Swami came for darshan at 5.10 pm and after His round of the hall, He blessed a cake presented by the Hospital staff on the 18th anniversary of the Super Speciality Hospital here. He moved to the bhajan hall where the “Little Champs”, the singers for the evening were seated and then to the interview room. He emerged from there to take a round of the verandah and sit onstage, talking to the Maharashtra Chief Minister there and calling up singer Smt. Bombay Jayashree to give a performance at 6.20 pm. After her half-hour performance, Swami blessed her and the accompanists with clothes and called up the five children who were to sing next. These children had sung before Satya Sai Baba at Hadshi on His Maharashtra trip last month. After they sang for 50 minutes one by one, He asked for some songs with Swaras, and the two boys obliged. He then blessed them with shawls and the girls with sarees, interacting with them and listening to two more song by all of them together. After blessing the artistes with clothes and apple prasadam, it was half-past eight when Swami returned to His residence.

Saturday, Nov 21, 2009
This evening, the students of the Sri Sathya Sai University presented their Convocation drama. Bhagavan arrived for darshan at ten minutes to five and came to the bhajan hall where the students were seated in costumes. Interacting with them for a few minutes, He moved down the aisle and up the verandah to go to the interview room. From there, He emerged to come onstage and begin the presentation at a quarter to six. The hour-long drama ‘Vidyaamrutam’ brought out Swami’s ideal of providing education free of cost, against all odds. Swami blesssed the participants with group photos and clothes at the conclusion, He had blessed the protagonist of the play with a chain during the drama itself. He asked for some songs to be sung, so the students sang a bhajan and a group song before Swami accepted Arati. He interacted with the students for some time even after Arati and it was past 7.30 pm when He returned to His residence. An announcement was made about the 28th Convocation of the University which is to be held tomorrow morning.

Friday, Nov 20, 2009
This morning, Bhagavan Sri Sathya SaiBaba came for darshan an hour after the nine o’clock bhajans began. He moved to the bhajan hall after three rounds of the ladies’ side of Sai Kulwant hall selecting ladies for saree distribution, sending them to the bhajan hall. In the Bhajan hall, He gave sarees to the ladies gathered there. The students of the music college got a cake blessed since it was the anniversary of the inauguration of their institution. It was half-past eleven when He accepted Arati onstage after the distribution.

In the evening, the students of Sri Sathya Sai Primary School presented a drama on the story of Mother Sita. Swami was welcomed into Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.10 pm with the bagpipes band of the Primary School along with students dancing and chanting Vedam. Once Bhagavan reached the stage after His darshan round, a brief round of distribution of mementos was done on behalf of Eswaramma Womens’ Welfare Trust. The fast-paced forty-minute Primary School drama commenced at 5.40 pm. After the drama, Swami called up the participants onstage to have group photographs with them and sent them prasadam. The bagpipes band then performed a couple of pieces before Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at a quarter to seven.

Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
November 19th has been celebrated as Ladies’ Day by Bhagavan and all activities are done by ladies on this day. Smt. P. Susheela began the day by chanting the Suprabhatam at half-past five and the Vedam chanting before the Nagarasankirtan was also by Swami’s girl students as on earlier years. The programme in Sai Kulwant hall began ten minutes after nine with Swami being welcomed by a procession consisting of the Anantapur brass band and Vedam chanting students. After His darshan round Swami lit a lamp onstage just before 9.30.

There were two speakers, with an introductory speech by Mrs. Chetana Raju. Mrs. Sharon Sandwiess of the USA and Mrs. Harriet Tay-Agbozo of Ghana spoke of their experiences with Bhagavan. The speeches were followed by five-minute dances by children from the Sai schools of India, Indonesia, Mexico, Fiji, Thailand and South Africa. After their presentation, Swami went among the participants and gifted them with photo frames. It was 11.15 when He came back onstage and asked for bhajans by the ladies to begin. Ten minutes later, He accepted Arati and left for His residence after blessing the giant cake placed onstage.

In the evening, Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at 4.45 pm, led by Vedam chanting students and the Primary school bagpipes band, flanked by small girls bearing welcoming plates with lamps. The programme commenced at five o’clock with choirs by devotees from Greece and other European countries. The music was followed by a 70 minute Telugu drama ‘Draupadi Charitra’ by devotees from Hyderabad. After the drama, Swami blessed “Draupadi” with a chain and went down for group photographs. He then called them up one by one to the stage to receive photo frames. It was past seven o’clock when Swami left for His residence after Arati. Sri Ashok Singhal of the VHP and Malayalam film star Sri Mohanlal were also among the congregation.

Wednesday, Nov 18, 2009
This morning was the traditional Rathotsavam from Prasanthi Mandir to the Pedda Venkama Raju Kalyana Mantapam (Old Mandir), celebrated over the years on November 18th. Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after nine o’clock as the Vedam chanting went on, and came to the bhajan hall after His darshan round in the chair. The idols of Gopalaswami, Rama, Lakshmana, Sita and Hanuman were kept there decked with jewels and flowers, ready on palanquins for the procession. Sathya Sai Baba blessed the procession of Vedam and bhajan chanting students, and they began at a quarter-past nine. Once the procession reached the Gopuram gate where the decorated chariot (Ratham) was waiting, Swami went there and started the procession. When He came back onstage, the students chanted Vedam for a while, and later sang bhajans. The procession returned from the Kalyana Mantapam at 10.20, and Swami accepted Arati.

In the evening, Swami emerged from His residence at half-past five as the bhajans went on and went to the Poornachandra auditorium to see the dress rehearsal of the Convocation drama by the University students. After spending more than an hour there, He came to Sai Kulwant Hall and moved to the interview room after His darshan round. Moving down the verandah, Swami sat for a few minutes onstage before accepting Arati after seven o’clock. An announcement regarding tomorrow’s Ladies’ Day celebrations was made before Bhagavan returned to His residence in the car.

Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009
Last evening, Bhagavan had blessed the intra-mural captains of all the campuses of the Sai educational institutions at His residence after the bhajans. He had also asked for a Burrakatha presentation this evening. Accordingly, the Burrakatha students were ready in their costumes in the bhajan hall when Swami came for darshan at 5.30 pm today as the bhajans went on. Once He reached the stage after His darshan round, He asked for the Burrakatha to begin, and the Burrakatha group went onstage to commence their hour-long presentation on Mother Eswaramma and Karnam Subbamma at ten minutes to six. Swami also sat onstage watching them, and accepted Arati immediately after the programme.

Sunday, Nov 15, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, the youth from Tamil Nadu presented their drama. Bhagavan Shree Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at 5.50 pm and after His darshan round, began their 45-minute drama entitled ‘Sathya Kathalu’. After the drama, some small girls who took part in it came up to Him with a card, and He blessed one of them with a chain. Clothes were sent for all the participants and Swami went down from the stage for group photographs. Even after He returned to the stage, He continued to interact with them till 7.15, when He asked for two bhajans to be sung with alap and then accepted Arati at half-past seven. He then visited the interview room for a short while before returning to His residence in the chair itself.

Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The staff and their families from the Bangalore Super Speciality Hospital plan to come every month in batches for Bhagavan’s darshan. This weekend, the first batch of 120 members had come and were seated inside the bhajan hall for evening darshan. Swami came for darshan at ten minutes to five and after His darshan round, came into the bhajan hall as the bhajans went on in the Sai Kulwant Hall. He spent more than half an hour with the group, moving among them down the hall several times and later sitting in front of the hall to interact informally.

After a short visit to the interview room from where He sent prasadam for the group, He moved to the stage area. The Tamil Nadu Youth who are on a Parthi pilgrimage then presented a half-hour music programme. Concluding the session with several bhajans, Swami interacted with several members of the youth group even after the Arati, returning to His residence at a quarter to seven.

Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, some cows to be donated to the Mantralayam temple were brought to Sai Kulwant Hall. When Bhagavan came for darshan during the bhajans, He blessed some of the cows. Later, after He came out of the interview room, the cows again came forward and Swami went down to bless them in the centre of the hall. This evening, He came for darshan in the car at a quarter to five and moved out to go to the college auditorium for watching the rehearsal of the Convocation drama by the students. Returning at 6.15, He moved to the interview room and bhajan hall, coming to the stage area after 6.30 to accept Arati.

Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Akhanda bhajan continued throughout the night and the loudspeakers were switched on at eight o’clock this morning. Sathya Sai Baba came to the bhajan hall at a quarter to ten. He moved down the aisle, sat for some time outside on the Sai Kulwant Hall stage area, and returned to the Bhajan hall, remaining there till half-past twelve! He went to Yajur Mandir and returned at half-past five. Once again He moved down the aisle and sat for a while outside, then returned to the bhajan hall before six o’clock. Even after six o’clock, He kept indicating for bhajans to be sung, till He finally asked for the Arati ten minutes later. Prasadam of tamarind rice and sweet rice was then distributed to all on leaf plates even as Swami watched. He then interacted with some of the lady teachers who lead bhajans, gave them sarees, then gave sarees to some of the married men from the bhajan group for their wives. The interaction continued for more than half an hour, and it was 7.10 pm when Bhagavan returned to Yajur Mandir, blessing the devotees on the way.

Saturday, Nov 07, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Last evening, the Karnataka Education Minister was here for Swami’s darshan. The 24-hour Global Akhanda bhajan began this evening at six o’clock. Today was also Bhagavan’s birthday by the Telugu calendar. While He came for darshan at 4.20 pm, Swami called up several ladies and sent them to the bhajan hall. He moved twice around the ladies’ side doing this selection before completing His darshan round. Coming to the Bhajan Hall, Swami distributed sarees to all the ladies, more than fifty of them. He then moved to the verandah and later to the stage area as the Vedic chanting went on.

At half-past five, He came into the packed bhajan hall readied for the Akhanda bhajan. Interacting with some of the teachers and students there, He moved down the aisle and sat there till nearly six o’clock when He asked for the bhajan to begin and lit the 24-hour lamp. At half-past six, He returned to His residence, only to return to the bhajan hall at a quarter to eight. Once again He blessed the singers in the bhajan hall with His presence, moving down the aisle and taking a round of the Sai Kulwant Hall also. Finally, it was a quarter to nine when He returned to Yajur Mandir. From nine o’clock, the bhajan continued without microphones.

Wednesday, Nov 04, 2009
After returning from His Maharashtra visit, Bhagavan has been coming for darshan after half-past five as the evening bhajans go on. This evening, after Arati, prasadam was distributed to all. As Swami got into His car to return to His residence, He blessed the group of people who co-ordinated the Maharashtra visit and gave them vibhuti prasadam.

Monday, Nov 02, 2009
Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba arrived back at Prasanthi Nilayam this evening after His five-day Maharashtra visit. The Books and Publications website has updates on the visit. Bhagavan’s chartered plane landed at the Sri Sathya Sai airport here just after five and He arrived in Sai Kulwant hall half an hour later to a colourful procession with Vedic chants and a couple of welcome songs by the students. Swami moved to the interview room and the evening bhajans went on till He came onstage five minutes later to accept Arati and return to His residence at ten minutes to six.

- Official Sri Sathya Sai Baba Website

Recent Events At Prashanti Nilayam – Sathya Sai Baba Ashram – October 2009

- Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Comments from the Press on Bhagawan’s Divine Visit…31st Oct 2009
• Bhagawan in Pune – 30th Evening Report
• Bhagawan in Pune – 30th Morning Report with Images
• An Enlighening Evening at Panduranga Kshetra – 29th Oct Evening Report
• Panduranga Kshetra – Inauguration – 29th Oct Morning – Images with Report
• Glittering Musical Twlight – 28th Oct Evening – Images with Report
• Bhagawan in Pune – 28th Oct Morning – Images with Report
• Bhagawan begins His Maharashtra Sojourn – 28th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Fortnight – 25th Oct 2009
• Gujarathi New Year in Prasanthi Nilayam – 19th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 11th Oct 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 4th Oct 2009
• Sant Tulsidas – Dance Drama by Kerala Youth 3rd Oct 2009
• Adi Shankara – Dance Drama by Japanese 2nd Oct 2009

- Curtesty RadioSai:

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2009
Last Friday, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Sri K. Rosaiah came here for an audience with Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. For the last couple of days, Swami has been returning to His residence in the chair itself, with the car having been sent to Pune in preparation for His visit there. This morning, Swami left for Pune by air on a short Maharashtra visit. Accepting Arati from the car itself, He left the Mandir for the airport just before 8 o’clock. There, He unveiled a small Hanuman statue before boarding the chartered flight which took off at half-past eight. From Pune, Bhagavan will move to Hadshi, around 40 kilometres away and stay there for a couple of days.

Monday, Oct 19, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The devotees from Gujarat celebrated their New Year today. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was welcomed into Sai Kulwant Hall just before half-past five this evening as the bhajans went on with a small girl in traditional dress holding auspicious items. After Swami completed His darshan round, He came onstage and sat there till ten minutes to six, when He permitted the musical performance by the Gujarat devotees. Santoor and Jal-tarang recitals for twenty minutes were followed by a half-hour drama by the balvikas children based on Adi Shankara’s Bhaja Govindam based on Bhagavan’s Chinna Kathas. Swami sent clothes for the participants and accepted Arati at 7.10 pm as prasadam was distributed after He went down from the stage and blessed the group with photographs.

Saturday, Oct 17, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Yesterday, the Union Civil Aviation Minister Sri Praful Patel and cricketer Sri Sunil Gavaskar were here for darshan. Deepavali was celebrated today in some parts of the country, and will be celebrated tomorrow in some parts. When Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan at a quarter to five this evening, He asked for silver lamps to be distributed to more than a thousand ladies. After the evening bhajan when He returned to His residence at a quarter to six, fireworks and lamps were readied outside Yajur Mandir. He sat outside His residence watching the fireworks being lit for half an hour before retiring for the day.

Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009
The last few days have been quiet at Prasanthi Nilayam. The students have their end-semester or end of term exams and there have been no programmes in Sai Kulwant Hall for the last two weeks. Bhagavan Sri Satya SaiBaba has been coming for evening darshan, and occasionally for morning darshan too. This evening, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra was among the congregation for evening darshan. The Maharashtra devotees are hoping for a Divine visit in the last week of this month. Preparations are being made to welcome Swami to a village near Pune called Hadshi and the Dharmakshetra website has pictures of the Sri Sathya Sai Pandurang Kshetra there.

Thursday, Oct 8, 2009
This morning, Swami came at 9.30 as the bhajans went on and granted an audience to the former Chief election commissioner Sri T. N. Seshan and the Governor of Rajasthan Sri Shilendra Kumar Singh who have been here for the last couple of days. In the evening, He came for darshan at half-past five and accepted Arati at six o’clock after prasadam was distributed.

Sunday, Oct 4, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The Sri Sathya Sai General Hospital at Prasanthi Nilayam celebrated its anniversary today. Sathya Sai Baba came for morning darshan after 10.15 while the bhajans went on. After accepting Arati onstage after half an hour, Swami went to the Hospital and spent more than an hour interacting with the staff there. In the evening, He came for darshan at 5.50 and went to the interview room after a few minutes onstage. He emerged at seven o’clock and blessed prasadam for distribution before again moving to the interview room. At 7.15, He came onstage to accept Arati and return to His residence.

Saturday, Oct 3, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The youth from Kerala who are on a pilgrimage to Prasanthi Nilayam in large numbers presented a drama this evening. Bhagavan came for darshan just before five and went to the interview room after His round of the Hall. Emerging at 5.40, Sathya Sai Baba asked for the hour-long drama on Saint Tulsidas to begin. After the drama, Swami sent clothes for the participants and called up some of them for photos onstage before going down for a group photo with all of them. Prasadam was distributed and Swami interacted some more with the youth, asking them to chant Vedam. After a bhajan by the students, He accepted Arati and returned to His residence at seven o’clock.

Friday, Oct 2, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Last evening, Prof. Anil Kumar announced that today the Japanese devotees would be presenting a drama. Accordingly, this evening they were seated in the centre of Sai Kulwant Hall with some space left for their drama. Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan just before five o’clock and started their programme after His round of the hall. They began with five minutes of music on traditional Japanese instruments followed by some Vedam chanting and twenty minutes of bhajans, mostly in Japanese. Then their half-hour English drama on Adi Shankaracharya got underway. Swami blessed “Shankara” with a chain as the drama concluded with a recording of Swami singing “Bhaja Govindam”. He then went down from the stage for group photographs. Prasadam was distributed as the devotees sang some more bhajans before Swami accepted Arati at at 6.15 pm.

- Official Sathya Sai Baba Website

Sathya Sai Baba

Once a Student who had joined the College a Few days back asked Sathya Sai Baba as to why God does not prevent cruelties in the world and why people should suffer so much.

To which Sri Sathya Sai Baba said wonderfully:

God is only Sakshibhoota (witness) for everything that happens, God never acts. Every single person acts according to what his intellect says to him and he himself suffers the consequences of his actions. Never ever think at anytime that there is anything like good or bad for God. A knife is used differently by a murderer, cook, and a surgeon. But if a magnet is placed near all the knives that all these people use, it attracts them equally, not according to the tasks that each of them perform.

God is exactly like the magnet. Every knife like every person in this world are the same to him, there is no difference between one person and the other, but the hands that operate the knives have to bear the consequences of their actions, dependent on right and wrong.

So also Sathya Sai Baba wonderfully said suffering is not based on God but on our own actions.

Om Sai Ram

Bala Sathya Sai Baba

- Curtesty Sri Sathya Sai Sadhana Trust:

• Prasanthi This Week – 27th Sept 2009 (28th Sept)
• Ayudha Pooja, Poornahuthi – Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajnam – 23rd – 28th Sept 2009
• Dasara Jnana Saptaha Yajnam – 22nd Sept 2009
• Id-Ul Fitr in Prasanthi Nilayam – 21st Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 20th Sept 2009
• Warangal Parthi Yatra – 20th September
• An Encore of Ramayana Burrakatha…16th Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 13th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 3rd day -11th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 2nd day -10th Sept 2009
• Andal Kalyanam & Thiruppavai Mahotsavam – 1st day – 9th Sept 2009
• Prasanthi This Week – 6th Sept 2009
• Onam Divine Discourse – 2nd Sept 2009
• Onam – Divine Discourse and Bhakta Nandanar – Dance Drama -2nd Sept 2009
• Bhakta Thukkaram, Dance Drama and Music by KS Chitra – Onam 2nd Day 1st Sept 2009

- Curtesty RadioSai:

Monday, Sept 28, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the seven-day Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yagna was coming to a close. The priests concluded their rituals by nine o’clock and went for their ceremonial ablutions. Bhagavan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at around half-past nine and after half an hour, all gathered at the Poornachandra for the conclusion of the Yagna. Sathya Sai Baba sent for the large silver ladle through which the final offerings were to be made, and at a quarter past ten, the final offerings were made with Bhagavan sitting next to the sacrificial fire. Swami then moved to the Western end of the stage and accepted the Arati there. The Grama Seva also concluded today, with the students of the Anantapur campus serving food and clothes to the Ashram residents. In the evening, Bhagavan arrived just before the five o’clock bhajans began and sat onstage for a while after His darshan round. He then moved to the bhajan hall where the priests who officiated at the Yagnam were seated. He blessed them profusely with clothes and other gifts, interacting with them for more than fifteen minutes. It was a quarter past six when He accepted Arati, and He left for His residence after a brief visit to the interview room.

Sunday, Sept 27, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Sathya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant hall around half-past nine and later moved to the Poornachandra to accept Arati there after ten o’clock. From Sai Kulwant hall, He had blessed two Primary School boys with chains. In the evening, Swami came just before five o’clock and began the speeches after He sat onstage. Prof. Anil Kumar introduced Prof. G. Venkataraman as today’s speaker. Following his speech, Swami started His Discourse at 5.40 pm. Bhagavan began His Discourse with the mysteries of Nature, and it began to rain heavily. After asking those who were getting drenched in the rain to move inside the hall, Swami moved on to speaking about His childhood days at Kamalapuram, Puttaparthi and Uravakonda. Prasadam was distributed following the Discourse, and Swami gave the prasadam Himself to some of the students nearby before Arati at a quarter-past seven.

Saturday, Sept 26, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Bhagavan Sri Satya Sai Baba arrived in Sai Kulwant hall just after 9 o’clock this morning. He moved to the Eastern side of the hall where His vehicles including the Golden chariot were parked. The Ayudha pooja was done for all of them and Swami moved to the stage to sit there for a short while with the Vedic chants before accepting Arati at half-past nine. He then moved to the Poornachandra where He sat onstage before accepting Arati there after ten o’clock.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived for darshan just after half-past four and began the programme of speeches just before five. Prof. Anil Kumar spoke in Telugu, followed by Prof. Anantharaman of the MBA faculty and Sri K. Chakravarthy, Secretary of the Central Trust. Prasadam was distributed when the speeches concluded at 6.10. Swami went to the interview room briefly before returning to accept Arati and retire for the day.

Friday, Sept 25, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Sathya SaiBaba did not emerge from His residence but sent word for the students to move to the Yagna venue in the Poornachandra hall at 10 o’clock and for the Arati to be offered there at 11.30. In the evening, He came before five o’clock and began the programme of speeches at 5.20 like on the last few days. Prof. Anil Kumar’s introductory Telugu speech was followed by the All India Sai Organisations President Sri V. Srinivasan, an M.Phil. student Bhabani Shankar in Hindi and the University’s Controller of Examinations Sri Srinivas Srirangarajan. The speeches concluded at 6.30 and Arati was offered as prasadam was distributed.

Thursday, Sept 24, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today’s proceedings were similar to yesterday’s in the morning, with darshan at 9 o’clock and Arati at 9.30. In the evening, Sathya Sai arrived by 4.35 pm and began the programme of speeches just before five o’clock. Prof Anil Kumar gave a short Telugu speech and then introduced the speakers for the evening. A research scholar Sri Shashank Shah was followed by MBA student Sri Akshay Kamath and lecturer Dr. Subhash Subramaniam. All India Sai Organisations President Sri V. Srinivasan was the last speaker, with the session concluding with Arati at 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the students proceeded for Grama seva at 8 o’clock and Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba came for darshan half an hour later to Sai Kulwant Hall. Sending the students to the Yagnam venue at the Poornachandra hall, Swami also moved there, coming onstage in a few minutes. Spending nearly half an hour observing the Yagnam in progress, Swami accepted the ceremonial Arati in the Western corner of the stage at 9.30 am before returning to His residence.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived at 4.45 and after His darshan round, began the speeches for the day just after five o’clock. Two student speakers Aman Jhaveri and Robin Sharma were followed by Sri Narasimhamurthy, Warden of the Brindavan hostel. As the speeches concluded at 6.20, the students sang a bhajan following which Arati was offered.

Tuesday, Sept 22, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The seven day Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yagna commenced this morning. Sathya Sai Baba came to the Sai Kulwant Hall and after blessing the priests in the bhajan hall, asked the procession to leave for the Poornachandra auditorium at 9.20 am. After the students and priests reached the Poornachandra hall, Swami also arrived onstage and watched as the priests started the sacrificial fire in the ceremonial manner. Watching the proceedings onstage for a few minutes, Bhagavan returned to His residence at 10.10 am.

In the evening, Swami arrived for darshan by four o’clock and sat onstage after His darshan round as the Vedic chants went on before moving to the interview room. At half-past four, He came onstage and began the evening’s programme. Prof. Anil Kumar introduced the three speakers for the day: Prof. Vishwanath Pandit, the Vice-Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai University, former VC Sri. S. V. Giri and Dr. T. Ravi Kumar, faculty in the Chemistry department at Brindavan. As the third speaker concluded, Swami asked for Arati at six o’clock and returned to His residence. The Yagnam evening puja privately in the Poornachandra before concluding at 8 pm.

Monday, Sept 21, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today, the Grama seva and morning darshan proceeded like yesterday. In the evening, the students and some of the Muslim devotees were ready with a musical programme celebrating Id, the last day of the holy month of Ramzan. Sathya SaiBaba arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.30 pm as the bhajans went on. After His darshan round, He took a round of the verandah and came into the bhajan hall where the priests for the Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yagna were seated. Swami blessed the priests and gave them some instructions for the Yagna which is to begin tomorrow. He then came onstage and asked Mr. Ajit Popat of the UK to speak. After Mr. Popat’s speech, it was the turn of young Sathya from Iran, studying in the Primary School here, to say a few words. The students then sang a couple of songs following which Swami accepted Arati at half-past six.

Sunday, Sept 20, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the students left for Grama seva at 8 o’clock after going around the Mandir. Satya Sai Babaji came for darshan after ten as the bhajans went on, and sat onstage for more than half an hour before Arati after eleven. In the evening, He came at 5.30 as the bhajans went on. Devotees from Warangal district prayed that Swami permit them to present a drama, and He acquiesced. The centre of the Hall was cleared and the devotees arranged the sets. The bhajans were stopped at 6.15 and the 45 minute Telugu dance-drama began after a short introduction with devotees getting many items blessed. The importance of the Mother was stressed in the drama which included a vignette from Pothana’s life. Swami blessed them with group photographs and sent clothes for the participants, interacting with some of them for several minutes. He then asked the students to sing a couple of bhajans following which He accepted Arati at 7.30 before returning to His residence.

Saturday, Sept 19, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning marked the beginning of the 10 day Dasara celebrations with the students embarking on the Grama Seva programme. The village service will continue for these ten days, covering more than 150 villages in the neighbouring mandals, distributing food and clothes to every household at their doorstep for a population of more than 250,000. Swami came for darshan at 10.15 am as the morning bhajans went on. When He completed His darshan round and sat onstage, the students began their circumambulation of the Mandir before proceeding out through the main gate to board the vehicles parked there for today’s Grama seva. Bhagavan accepted arati at 10.40 and then moved to the bhajan hall where the Kalasa puja for the Navarathri was to begin. Blessing the puja, He returned to His residence in the car at 11 o’clock. In the evening, Swami came to Sai Kulwant Hall just after half-past five and sat onstage as the bhajans went on till 6.15. He then moved to the Bhajan Hall where He blessed the Kalasa puja again before returning onstage to accept Arati after prasadam distribution.

Friday, Sept 18, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This evening, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to five and came into the bhajan hall after His darshan round. T-shirts and caps for the men students and sarees for the women students were kept there, for use during the village service programme starting tomorrow. Inspecting the clothes, Swami gave instructions for the distribution. In the next hour, as the bhajans went on, all the materials were distributed to the students and teachers by the Registrar and former Vice-chancellor Sri S. V. Giri before Swami accepted Arati at six o’clock.

Wednesday, Sept 16, 2009 Full Story With Images »
After the evening bhajans yesterday, Swami had asked Prof Anil Kumar to announce that this evening, there would be a Burrakatha by the students. Accordingly, the costumed performers were not ready in the bhajan when Bhagavan came for darshan just before five o’clock. He came to the bhajan hall, and after a couple of minutes of interaction with the group, came onstage to begin their performance. The hour-long Burrakatha concluded with Swami interacting with all the artistes and accompanists, blessing them with clothes, with Prof Anil Kumar announcing that they represented a “Bharat darshan” with students from all parts of India. Swami then asked for a bhajan with alap following which He accepted Arati at half-past six. He moved to the interview room, and after ten minutes returned to His residence in the car.

Friday, Sept 11, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, the preliminary worship for the Kalyanotsavam was held. As on the last two days, the worship included the chanting of the thousand names, and today it was the Lalita Sahasranamam. When the worship of the deities onstage reached the point of closing the curtain at 9.20 am, the lady singers of the Brindavan bhajan group started leading bhajans. Just after 10 o’clock, the curtains were opened again and more Vedic hymns were chanted before Maha mangala Arati at 10.20 am.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived by 4.10 pm. He was preceded into the Sai Kulwant Hall by the priests waving Chamaras bringing the idols in a procession for the marriage ceremony onstage. The hour-long ceremony began soon after. Swami moved around the verandah and bhajan hall and from the stage, moved down to sit facing the stage while the rituals went on. After the Aandal Kalyanam concluded, Swami asked the students to sing bhajans at 5.40 pm. A couple of bhajans later, He permitted the group of devotees to sing some songs relating to the Aandal Kalyanotsavam. After half an hour of songs, Swami accepted Arati. Prasadam was then distributed to everyone in the hall – tamarind rice, sweet rice, laddoo and obbattu.

Thursday, Sept 10, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Today, the morning rituals proceeded like yesterday, with the Sathya Sai Sahasranamam being chanted for the worship. Bhagavan came for darshan at 5.10 pm and sat onstage listening to the Vedic chants after His darshan round. At 5.50 pm, the speeches for the evening commenced. Sri Mylavaram Srinivasa Rao spoke on today’s verses of the Thiruppavai in Telugu for 50 minutes. Swami then accepted Arati as prasadam was distributed.

Wednesday, Sept 09, 2009 Full Story With Images »
The three day Thiruppavai celebrations got underway at Prasanthi Nilayam this morning. The idols of Ranganatha, Bhoodevi (Andal) and Garuda were installed onstage and the worship began in Sai Kulwant hall just after seven o’clock. Yesterday, Swami had blessed the people conducting the rituals with ceremonial clothes which they wore today. On completing the rituals, a short introduction to the three day programme was made in Telugu. Collective worship with sacred rice grains on the plates supplied to all the devotees chanting the Vishnu sahasranamam completed the morning rituals. The proceedings concluded after morning bhajans with Arati at 9.35 as Bhagavan did not emerge from His residence. Later, He went for a drive at half-past eleven.

In the evening also, Swami came from Yajur Mandir in the car at 4.15 and went for a drive to the Indoor Stadium before returning to Sai Kulwant hall after an hour. From the interview room Swami came onstage 10 minutes later to begin the proceedings. Sri. N. Srikanta Rao delivered a half-hour address in Telugu about Aandal (Godhaa devi) and her devotion. Bhajans then commenced at 6 o’clock and prasadam was distributed before Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence at half-past six.

Monday, Sept 07, 2009
This evening, the idols for the Thiruppavai Mahotsavam and Aandal Kalyanotsavam to be held at Prasanthi Nilayam from 9 to 11 September were arranged in the Bhajan hall. Swami came for darshan ten minutes after the bhajans commenced at five o’clock and completing His darshan round, sat onstage. At six o’clock, He accepted Arati and then came into the Bhajan hall. He saw the idols and later interacted with some of the teachers there before returning to His residence in the car.

Sunday, Sept 06, 2009
This evening, Swami’s students who are working in His institutions were gathered in the Bhajan Hall, praying to Him to bless them with an interaction. This ‘Sai Sannidhi’ group is now 175 strong and has been meeting on the Sunday near September 2, which is the anniversary of the establishment of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust. Swami came for darshan just after five o’clock and after His darshan round, came to the Bhajan hall where the gathering welcomed Him with group songs. As the songs went on, Bhagavan went around the hall, interacting with many of them. After a couple of songs, Swami spent 45 minutes speaking informally to many of His former students, who are now teachers and administrators. Sending clothes for all of them, Swami moved to the stage as the bhajans began after the session just after six o’clock. After half an hour of bhajans with prasadam being distributed, Swami accepted Arati and returned to His residence, blessing all with both hands.

Wednesday, Sept 02, 2009 Full Story With Images »
Thiru Onam dawned at Prasanthi Nilayam with Sai Kulwant hall and Yajur Mandir decked in festoons and floral decorations. Swami was welcomed into the hall with resounding Panchavadyam by the students and devotees and the girls’ brass band of the Srisailam school as the bhajans went on at 9.30 am. Small girls with traditional lamp plates lined Bhagavan’s route. Once He sat onstage after His darshan round, He listened to the bhajans for half an hour more before asking Prof. Anil Kumar to announce that He would address everyone in the evening. Accepting Arati, Swami went to the interview room for a few minutes before returning to His residence at half-past ten.

In the evening, Bhagavan arrived for darshan at 4.20 pm and after His darshan round went into the interview room. A few minutes later, He came onstage and began the programme. The Kerala state President introduced the speaker for the evening, Sri Jayakumar IAS, in-charge of arrangements at the Sabarimala shrine. After his short speech, Swami commenced His Divine Discourse at 4.45 pm. Reminding all of the story of Mahabali, He exhorted the people of Kerala to follow Emperor Bali’s example in upholding values. The 45-minute Discourse was followed by a drama on Bhaktha Nandanar by the children of Sri Sai Vidya Vihar, Aluva. As the drama came to a close at half-past six, Swami blessed one of the participants with a chain. Prasadam was distributed after Bhagavan blessed the children with a group photograph. He then asked them to sing a bhajan, following which He accepted Arati and returned to His residence at 6.45 pm.

Tuesday, Sept 01, 2009 Full Story With Images »
This morning, Bhagavan came for darshan at ten minutes to nine, and in the evening at ten minutes to five. He came directly to the stage and asked for the drama of the evening to begin. The children from Sri Sathya Sai Vidyapeeth of Srisailam, Kerala, presented a half-hour play on the saint Tukaram. After their play, the famous playback singer Padmashree K. S. Chithra presented a 45 minute programme of songs. After her programme, she brought up her child also for Bhagavan’s blessings. Swami created a chain for the child and put it on her neck. Swami had a group photo with the singer and accompanists and Arati was then offered while prasadam was distributed. Bhagavan then asked the students to sing a couple of songs with Alap after which He left for His residence just before seven o’clock.