Events at Prashanthi Nilayam
13 JUL 2003

Morning Program

Saibaba came out for Darshan at 7:30 a.m. He came out in the cart and got down near the ladies side and walked to the podium by 7:45 a.m.

He was invited by Panchavadhyam  - percussion music by devotees from Kerala.

The program started by chanting of Vedas by students.

A good part of the program was dedicated to felicitating Indulal Shah - a long time member of Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust.

Dr. Goldstein gave an introductory talk and requested Dr. Venkataraman, Bob Bozzani, Chakravarthi and C.Srinivas to talk about Indulal Shah.

After the talk by the devotees, Saibaba was requested to release a book on Saibaba and Indulal Shah. Saibaba gave the first copy of the book to Indulal Shah.

Saibaba then gave a discourse. Saibaba spoke about His injury. He said that He got well so soon because of the prayers of devotees all around the World. He said that there is no Baba without devotees and there are no devotees without Baba.

He also spoke about the services rendered by Sathyajit and Dilip. He said that it is very difficult to find people  like them.

Saibaba then praised the services rendered by Indulal Shah.

Saibaba was then requested to cut a cake, which He did on His way back to Poornachandra at 9:15 a.m.

The entire program was screened live at the Super Specialty Hospital at Bangalore. It was also streamed to an IP address (internet address) in the USA as a test to stream live video of Birthday celebrations.

Sweets were distributed to all devotees.

Afternoon Program

Saibaba came out for Darshan at 3:40 p.m. in the cart and got down as usual at the ladies side and walked to the poduim.

Saibaba asked Dr.Shetty - a cardiologist from California to give a talk. He was instrumental in getting 2 of Saibaba's students trained in a University in California.

This was followed by a talk by Dr. Giri - Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning. He spoke about the dedication of the 2 students.

Saibaba then gave away the US diplomas to the 2 students.

Saibaba then asked one of the two students Sriram Parashuram to talk. He spoke about how Saibaba helped them at different stages to help them complete the training.

This was followed by Bhajans.

Saibaba retired to Poornachandra at 5:10 p.m.

Evening Program

At 6:00 p.m. there was a Music Concert by Holland Choir Group. There were around 40 members in the group. They sang devotional songs. The program ended at 7:00 p.m.

Saibaba blessed the members of the group and presented them clothes.

Sai Ram,

Latest update for Gurupoornima morning celebration 13th July 03.

A little long but worth the read. Enjoy!

Take care and God bless!

yours in service,
lalita
At last more temple music struck up from the boys to our left, near
the
great seated lions at 7.10 as Saibaba came through the gate in the
golf-cart and quickly alighted to walk the entire way to the verandah
with no help at all. He went quite quickly, and we were thrilled to
see Him at such a close distance. It seemed almost like trot, perhaps
a little like walking from the knees and not so much from the hips, in
fast small steps. There was applause, mainly from the men's side, who
always applaud more than the women do, when Saibaba sat in His chair.
Soon we were to know who was to occupy those two other chairs, they
were Sri Indulal Shah and his wife Sarlamma, who both looked, as
always, extremely humble and self-effacing, especially Sarla.

Soon some boys of the Primary School gathered around the lectern with
lowered mics, chanted the opening vedic chants, bowed to Saibaba in turn
and main proceedings began.

This Guru Poornima was to be a major felictation of these two true
devotees, who for forty years have served Saibaba with their heart and
soul, mind and body. Indulal Shah, endearingly know as Indubhai, is by
profession a Chartered Accountant, and he was closely involved with
the fight for Independance early in his life and associated with
Gandhiji. He soon came to Saibaba, and has been working extremely
closely with Him for all these years as a true Indian patriot and as a
whole-hearted devotee. He has been responsible for the setting up of
the Sai Organisation all over the world, which at the time of the
first World Conference, 1968 was in about 30 countries and now is in
around 200! At the same time, his wife Sarla has been responsible for
the Bal Vikas teaching, and this again has spread far and wide both in
India and the many Sai Centres around the world. The two of them think
of nothing but their beloved Saibaba, and have no ego whatsoever.

Tributes to them were paid in speeches by Dr. Goldstein, who told us
that there are always changes in this world and that from now on we
should not be able to look to these two stalwart pioneers for help and
advice though all wished them long life of continuing service to
Saibaba. He recalled an occasion when he, himself had addressed some
members of the organisation who were facing problems of disunity, and
he spoke of Saibaba's teachings. When Indubhai got up to speak he said,"
Dr,Goldstein has taken you all to heaven, now I am going to bring you
down to earth!!" He then spoke, in no uncertain terms, the need for
unity among the memebrs.

Professor Venkataraman spoke of them both most eloquently, and he too
had summed up the outstanding qualities of this perfect husband /wife
team. Sri C.Srinivas spoke as lovingly and thoughtfully as he always
does and gave a marvelous account of their work from the time that he
first encountered them. Much was said about Indulal Shah's hard work
and meeting with all difficulties to build and establish the
Dharmakshetra in Mumbai, then later the Museum in Puttaparthi and
finally the Chaitanya Jyothi Museum. Truly he was said to be a Man of
Action.

Mr. Robert Bozzani from the United States, who has also relied so long
on the guidance of Indubhai in his work with the organisation there
and on and his wife's work in Bal Vikas, gave a beautiful tribute and
mentioned how he had once asked Indulal Shah about how he thought the
organisation should develop in the future and got the immediate
response that it wasn't what was to be done in the future he was
talking about, but what was to be done NOW! After that there was
another heart-warming speech from and Indian Dr. R. Please forgive me,
for it was a name I did not catch.

When all these talks were over, Saibaba gave these two people, who had
never wished for anything but to serve Saibaba, two beautiful presents.
One was a book published for this occasion, which was later
distributed to all of us, about the long service of these two great
people, including a great number of photographs, and the other was a
beautiful engraved plaque of gold metal ( I don't know if it was in
fact gold) and also said He blessed them both with long life of
continuing service to Saibaba. They then stepped backwards in their
self-effacing way, but Saibaba told them both to remain seated there,
while He delivered His discourse.

Saibaba stood for something like an hour speaking in His usual animated
and energetic style, with a clear voice. He too spoke of the service
these two had rendered and then spoke about His own health again and
His gratitude to the doctors, as well as to Sathyajit, who was by His
side sitting close by on the floor, always attentive to Saibaba's needs.
He told how these two ex-students had stayed with Saibaba, thinking of
nothing like food or rest and that even a soft call from Saibaba would
awaken them immediately to whatever help Saibaba was needing. We had
seen Sathyajit asking Saibaba if He needed a cushion at His back, (I had
thought, myself, that a back cushion might be a good idea to help
Saibaba to sit up straight) and Saibaba accepted it. Saibaba said that it
was only because of the help of these two young men and the prayers
and love of all the devotees that He was able today to stand and give
a discourse and to walk about. He said His only medicine was the love
of the devotees and told how he had received telegrams and letters and
cards from all over the world of loving wishes for His swift recovery.
He said how powerful these prayers were.

At the end of the discourse there were several waiting to do the
Aarathi and then Saibaba supervised the distribution of prasadam - the
book and a sweet for everyone, and enjoyed His usual practice of
throwing both the book and also the sweets to a number of those seated
on the verandah. All the time Saibaba was on His feet moving about. When
the golf-cart arrived at the left side of the Mandir near the school
and hospital staff, Saibaba patiently allowed Mrs Muni Kaul and another
lady togive the Aarathi, before He could get into the cart and drive
out, waving to everyone and go back to the Poornachandra.

From:  "Chris Parnell" <chspnll@i...> Date:  Sat Jul 12, 2003  11:27 pm Subject:  Letters from Home 77

The Guru Pournima program continued on Saturday with Saibaba arriving for bhajans at 7.45AM. The darshan hall was full. Saibaba entered the darshan hall in the cart, left the cart just inside the gate, and walked to the Porch, after speaking with some ladies on the way. When Saibaba arrived near the porch, students with trays of prasad hopped up to their knees and Saibaba blessed prasadum, and distributed vibhuti to students. A large brown leather chair was on the porch for Saibaba. Bhajans commeced immediately Saibaba took his seat. Darshan and bhajans went for one hour, with many bhajans sung. Saibaba took arathi, and prasad was distributed to all present. The cart reversed all the way back into the darshan hall to collect Saibaba for his return to his residence in Poornachandra. All day, the red and cream buses of the Andhra Pradesh Rural Transport Corporation plied to the ashram depositing pilgrims to Puttaparthi. Cars, two wheelers, devotees everywhere. Ashram crowded, amid a humid afternoon, where even the locals were wiping their faces of sweat. Afternoon darshan was a program similar to the day before was conducted, wherein Saibaba went directly to the porch, and took his seat. The gates were closed prior to darshan commencing, the hall being full. Several speakers gave talks; C. Srinivasan referred to the hereculean task that Indulal Shah had undertaken with the development of the Sai Organisation. Bhajans and arathi were taken, whereupon devotees moved helter skelter to the Poornachandra Hall for the Kuwati Bal Vikas children's cultural program. Guru Pournima day dawned bright and sunny. It had rained the evening before, leaving wet sand and puddles in many places. Bhat, the mandir pujari, is doing puja at the Ganesh Temple as I arrive. Crowds line the walkway in East Prashanthi. The darshan hall is brightly decorated, the arch is up in the driveway, "Holy Guru Pournima" and Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling. Bunting and many other decorations grace the darshan hall. Saibaba arrived at 7.05 AM, progressing slowly through the crowds. Mr and Mrs Indulal Shah were seated on chairs to Saibaba's left. Very small students from the Primary school, dressed as brahmins, took the microphone and chanted slokas. Dr Michael Goldstein took the lectern and introduced the morning's program, which was to include a felicitation of Sri Indulal Shah. Dr Goldstein is a moving speaker with a rich vocabulary, which he uses to advantage. Prior to introducing the other speakers, he spoke of Sri Indulal Shah, as a man with a center of dignity, and also a center of responsibility and resolve. Dr Goldstein told of a visit to Washington to meet with the Vice President of the US, with Indulal Shah in the party. Whilst giving a presentation on the work of the Sri Sathya saibaba Organisation to the Chief of Staff of the White House, Sri Indulal Shah spoke only briefly, but when he spoke, the Chief of Staff of White House leaned forward and listened very intently to his words. Such was the centre of dignity emanating from Sri Indulal Shah. Dr Goldstein also spoke of a visit to a war-torn country to address the devotees in that troubled country. Goldstein admitted to the gathering that an earlier visit had produced less than desirable results. In this second visit to this country, with Sri Indulal Shah, Dr Goldstein illustrated Indulal Shah as a centre of responsibility and resolve: When Sri Indulal Shah spoke, he addressed the gathering of devotees thusly: "You have been taken up to heaven. Now, I am going to bring you back to Earth". Dr Goldstein related to the gathering that Sri Indulal Shah only desires that the Organisation which bears the name of Sri Sathya saibaba be competently managed. Thereafter, Dr Goldstein relayed to the gathering that Sri Indulal Shah only had three requests. 1. That Bhagavan Sri Sathya saibaba be more closely involved in the management of the Sai Organisation. 2. That devotees should spread the name of Bhagavan Sri Sathya saibaba world wide for the moral and spiritual upliftment of humanity. 3. That devotees pray earnestly to Saibaba to visit all countries of the world. (Prolonged Applause). These are the only things that Sri Indulal Shah wants. Dr Goldstein then introduced the morning's speakers. G.Venkatraman, Mr Robert Bozzani of the U S, Sri Chakravathy and Sri C. Srinivasan. Venkatraman, former Vice Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, and member of the Prashanthi Council, spoke of the contributions of Sri Indulal Shah. He related of Sri Indulal Shah's training and work as a charted accountant, and his early practice of yoga and meditation culminating in a strong spiritual discipline. Venkatraman then spoke of Sri Indulal Shah's first meeting with Saibaba at Malleswaram in 1955 and thereafter becoming fully dedicated to the mission of Sri Sathya saibaba. Due his signal efforts over many decades, Sri Indulal Shah was literally worn out like an old tyre. (Applause). Venkatraman went on to mention Sri Indulal Shah's first book, 16 Spiritual Summers. Venkatraman gave an overview of the expansion of the Sai Organisation from 1980 - 2003 under the leadership and guidance of Sri Indulal Shah, delineating the notable achievements that had been milestones of his far-sighted yet ever planted in the moment of now leadership. It was an inspiring narrative of expansion under Sri Indulal Shah's leadership. Venkatraman finished referring to Sir Winston Churchill, speaking of the Battle of Britain during World War II. With respect to the leaderhip, devotion and dedication shown by Sri Indulal Shah, "Never has so much been owed by so many to so few". Mr Robert Bozzani then took the lectern. Mr Bozzani spoke of his first visit to Prashanthi Nilayam in 1974 when he heard of the Sathya saibaba organisation, which, in those days, had very few devotees. It was shortly after that he heard of the name of Sri Indulal Shah. Mr Bozzani then went on to tell that he heard that "Saibaba will be known through his devotees, and the work of his devotees". Bozzani then went on to say that Saibaba was now known world wide through the work of Sri Indulal Shah. Bozzani spoke of a meeting at the first World Council of the Sai Organisation, where he raised a matter that would require a lot of work in the future. Indulal Shah corrected Mr Bozzani saying, "Sir, the need is now, not the future". Such was the tenor of the service and leadership given by Indulal Shah; he always served Saibaba NOW and never waited. Mr Bozzani spoke of Sri Indulal Shah's leadership as one which deftly encouraged others to follow. Mr Bozzani recalled the last world conference where flags from countries all over the world were flown. Sri Chakravathi then took the lectern and paid tribute to the three decades of service given to Saibaba by Sri Indulal Shah. In those three decades, Sri Indulal Shah was by profession a chartered accountant, by dedication a member of the Central Council of the Sathya Sai Trust, and by vocation a devotee of Bhagavan Sri Sathya saibaba. Sri Chakravathi then told a startling thing; he said that Sri Indulal Shah was one who always made the best use of Saibaba's time. Sri Chakravathi reminded the gathering that it was a priviledge to serve Saibaba in the Sathya Sai Organisation, wherein one met many great and distinguished persons, which Sri Indulal Shah always did with proper dignity and decorum. Sri Chakravathy described Sri Indulal Shah as "the quintessial man of action". Sri Chakravathi concluded by saying that Sri Indulal Shah would be remembered as a source of inspiration and comfort to devotees. C. Srinivasan then took the lectern. Srinivasan referred to a letter written by Saibaba where Saibaba told that there was only God, Man and the everchanging realities between God and Man. He went on to describe Sri Indulal Shah as a man who held the Sathya Sai Organisation dear to his heart, and only wanting to serve mankind, to serve humanity as a whole. Srinivasan then paid tribute to the noble service done by Mrs Indulal Shah. Srinivasan repeatedly affirmed the contribution and service done by Mrs Shah and stated that devotees offer fulness of veneration and respect to them both. Srinivasan then called upon Venkatraman to offer the first copy of the Felicitation Volume to Bhagavan Baba for presentation to Sri Indulal Shah. When Saibaba gave the Felicitation Volume to Sri Indulal Shah, there was long and fulsome applause. Srinivasan then prayed to Saibaba to present the Plaque of Honour of Sevice and Devotion to the Lord to Sri Indulal Shah. Again, tumultuous applause. It was then prayed to Saibaba to grant Divine Discourse on this sacred day of Guru Pournima. The table was brought out, microphones place, the handkerchief placed between the double mike, and Saibaba took water, and stood to chant. The SadGuru of All Humanity then sang a short sloka in a strong, clear and tone true voice. *Saibaba told that God is the origin of the entire humanity, the sustainer and preserver. *The universe is a manifestation of God's will. *The correct name for the universe is that which is ever expanding, expands, expands, expands. *The aim of God, the purpose of God creating the Universe has not been correctly translated in the life of man. *God is the final cause behind the universe, creation and creator are not separate. *Its is God's will that decides the name and form for everyone. *Name and form are only temporary. *Spiritual path is meant to explain the significance of the inner Divinity and the name that Divinity is attached to . *Sri Indulal Shah was responsible for Dharmakshethra foundation and its coming up. Saibaba told something to the effect that Dharmakshethra has become a beacon of light to all. *Sri Indulal Shah has spent his life totally working for the Sai Mission. *All should know they are sparks of the Divine and experience it. *Saibaba mentioned the churning of the ocean of milk, and the ejection of poison. Every heart is an ocean of milk, the poison should be ejected. Seek the golden nectar of immortality. *Pilgrims visit many places, but there is a lack of unity. *Human life is most sacred. *Only difficulties bring happiness. *Saibaba spoke of his body, and the devotion of the devotees, and the role of the devotees and doctors in his recovery. He is walking about so much, after one month only due the devotion of the devotees and the doctors. *One should think of Saibaba only, no one needs to fear. ***You may read the proper full translation in the official discourse, I risk heresy conveying any more. Saibaba spoke a long time, and finished the discourse with Hari Bhajana bina sukha shanti nahi. I was listening to Saibaba's voice, and I was struck by how clear his voice was, and how well he hit the notes, strong, clear, he went right up, loud and clear to Bhagavan Bina koi apana nahi, and I was somewhat astounded and in admiration of how much stronger Saibaba's voice sounds. Saibaba took the microphone again and spoke on for several minutes. He then called for arathi, lit the lamps and took copies of the Indulal Shah felicitation volume out of the box and began distributing them. He even tossed them at the boys doing arathi. Saibaba then stood at the desk, receiving arathi. He called Anil Kumar back during Naryanana Narayana Om Sathya, and again, spoke at the microphone after Loka Samasta. Anil Kumar announces the evening choir program. One last thing. Several days ago I visited the Samadhi of Saibaba's Parents, Pedda Venkama Raju, and Easwaramma. The Pujai was there, the shrine was open and the tombs were lit and many garlands and flowers were draped just so. I took pradakshina of of the Samadhi, for in honouring Saibaba's parents, I was honouring my Guru, and also, intentionally honouring my own departed parents. I did so chanting Sai Gayatri as I circumamabulated. After completing circumambulation, the inner voice piped up, "How about doing one for all people who read "Letters from Home"? For all their parents? I replied yes, and kicked my chappals off again, and circumambulated the Samadhi, chanting Sai Surya Gayathri, Om Bhaskaraya Vidmahe Sai Devaya Dheemahi Tanno Surya prachodayat. Sai Ram, your correspondent departs sunny Puttaparthi today for the US, and points beyond. May you all have a sacred and holy celebration of the Guru, the light within you.