PRASANTHI UPDATES

Monday , December 17,2007

The talk in the air was that Swami would maybe see a "Burra Katha" programme by the students of the University. The students concerned were dressed and ready. Swami came out for darshan after the bhajans had begun at about 5:10 pm. Everyone had the feeling that He would go straight into the bhajan hall for bhajans. But as Swami got down from the car, a gentle smile danced on His lips. People had already started streaming in steadily into Prashanti Nilayam for the impending Christmas celebrations. Hungarians, Australians, Singaporeans, Americans...name them and almost all were present. Swami asked for the wheel sofa to be taken outside directly.He came and sat just next to the teachers block on the gents side. As would be expected, the enthusiasm levels of the bhajan singing shot up so much that the clapping outside began to dictate the rhythm to the singers inside. Swami was all smiles. He asked for Prasadam to be distributed. It was the ber fruits(medium sized reddish berries). Swami picked up one from the vessel an gifted it to the boy holding the vessel who accepted it gleefully. He also picked up one and kept it clutched in His palms. As the distribution went on, Swami threw the fruit in His hand to a boy sitting in the first line. The ber reached its initial destination of the boy's hand after bouncing off the steps and then in a short while reached its final destination into his stomach too! He then beckoned to the birthday boys who were sitting with hopes of sparshan and sambashan. He blessed all of them by sprinkling grains on their head and taking their letters. Swami, at about 5:40 pm, sent word for Prof. G. Venkatraman to speak a few words to the audience.Clearly taken aback by the sudden opportunity, the professor reiterated Swami's message in the previous discourse on how Love and pure Love alone is the panacea for all the ills of the world. He said that in reality there were no problems in the world and that everything arises because man is not able to understand the inherent unity and underlying divinity of the entire creation. His talk was about 25 minutes in duration. After he concluded and bowed to Swami, Swami asked for the veda chanting to begin. It was a beautiful evening and seeing Swami gave it a touch of sublimity too. Swami too joined in the chanting at a few points and this acted as a trigger for very vigorous chanting all around. The piece selected was also the very popular Purusha Suktam and so everyone joined whole heartedly and full throatedly.After about 10 minutes of the chanting, Swami waved the chanting to a gentle stop. Then with another smile, He asked for Aarthi. It was about 6:40 pm when Swami finally retired into Yajur Mandir.