| Issue Fourteen - March 10, 2016 | | | | "There is no point in blaming others for our sorrows and miseries, and saying that you are experiencing misery because of others. Your sorrow, your grief is because of your own ego and attachment. When you set right the cause, then you will be able to attain happiness and joy. If you want to transform your future into a happy and joyful future, you have to put in the right effort today."
- Baba | | |  | | With the Blessings of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, we are delighted to present our fourteenth issue of Ananda Vahini. The weekly newsletter includes interesting musings and short excerpts from the week's events.
In this week's issue, we bring you highlights of the last three days of the Divine Visit to Ooty and Mandya, along with a special update on the grand inauguration of the Sri Gavi Siddheshwara Temple and Dhyana Mantapam in Mandya, which was held on Saturday, March 05, 2016, in the divine presence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Shivaratri was indeed a blissful experience with the nigh-long bhajans and nectarine discourse of Bhagawan. We bring you highlights of both the days, Monday, March 07 and Tuesday, March 08, 2016.
- Sathya Sai Grama Communications Team | | | | Divine Visit to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya
Day Three - March 02, 2016 Day three of the trip started early, as the group got ready and headed to the Connoor railway station, for the much anticipated ride with their beloved Swami in the 'The Nigiri Mountain Railway' or 'the toy train', as it is fondly called by the locals and visiting tourists. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway, built in the 1908, has now been designated as a World Heritage Railway, and is very popular for the scenic ride it offers, along with an opportunity to be part of the history of the region, for the duration of the ride. As the group assembled at the station awaiting Bhagawan's arrival, they had a chance to read the story of the Nilgiris Mountain Railway depicted on the various posters which dotted the station. As the time for the train's departure drew close, the group were ushered into their compartments. A few minutes before the scheduled time of departure, the moment arrived! Swami entered the station and walked up to the first compartment! A few of the fortunate senior devotees of the entourage settled in the compartment with Bhagawan. As the train started to resounding 'Jai Kara' by everyone, the mountains showcased their bounty and beauty, as the train chugged through its ranges to Ooty. Sitting in the train that was commissioned more than a century old , Swami commented..... To read more click here
| | | Swami fondly remembered the first time he had travelled in a train from Penukonda to Bangalore. "That was the first, and this is the second train journey after a long time...", He mused! | | | Divine Visit to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya
Day Four - March 03, 2016 - Ooty Day Four of the trip to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya was set in Ooty, a region blessed by the Lord's bounty in the form of nature. After a hearty breakfast, the group got into their vehicles and headed out. The destination was a mystery to all, and no one seemed to know where they were headed. Added to it, was the conspicuous absence of Swami's car. The long drive through the winding roads brought the entourage and students to the foot of a hill, with a winding road, that would lead to the top. The tip of the gopuram of a temple was visible, right at the hill top. It was the Annamalai temple, dedicated to Lord Subramanya. One could feel the serenity of the surrounding area, which overtook everyone to a state of bliss. Back in Muddenahalli, Swami had asked Sri M G Anand, the host for the Ooty visit, about an old Shiva Temple in a small village, which Swami had visited earlier during his trips to Ooty. After a little enquiry he found out about this little village 20 kms away from Connoor. Swami immediately recognised and said, "Yes, we must go there!" So the first visit of Bhagawan that morning was to the Shiva temple, which He had graced earlier, and supposedly the only place with an idol of Swami...... To read more click here
| |  | | Annamalai temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya in Ooty | |  | | Evening satsang at the terrace of Yashodamma's mandir in Ooty | | Divine Visit to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya
Day Five - March 04, 2016 - Mandya It was time for Swami and the entourage to leave Ooty and head to Mandya on Friday morning, where the last part of this divine trip was to unfold. After breakfast, the group got into their vehicles and started their descent from the hills, where they had spent the most wonderful three days in the Lord's company, and witnessed the deep love that bound the devotees of Ooty to their Sai! There was much to reminisce – the sweet hospitality, the ride in the 'toy train' with the Lord, the visit to the Annamalai temple, and Ofcourse, all the wonderful revelations and instances of Bhagawan's omnipresence! En-route to Mandya, lunch had been organized at the Aranya Bhavan – the sprawling campus and guesthouse of the forestry department. Again, it was Sri Rajshekhar who had the good fortune of hosting Bhagawan, and His students that afternoon. Later, Bhagawan and His entourage stopped at the residence of Prof Shashidhara Prasad, former Vice Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, and Mysore University, who has now settled in Mysore after his retirement, for afternoon tea. The host family had organised..... To read more click here
| | Divine Visit to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya
Day Six - March 05, 2016 (Morning) - Mandya Even a minute gesture of Bhagawan is laden with great significance; what to say of an event like the consecration of a temple, and a place of meditation, for the betterment of mankind! Bhagawan had given glimpses into the larger significance behind the construction of the temple at this sacred place. The Lord revealed that 180 years ago there was a yogi or Saint, Chennabasappa, who lived in the cave next to the temple (even now one can see the cave while in the temple). He had an earnest desire to build a temple for Lord Shiva at that very spot. He went around securing money for the same, and gave up everything that he had, in order to build the temple. Soldiers had harassed him, and he lost his life. But, due to his untimely death, his desire remained unfulfilled. Bhagawan revealed that the yogi continued to reside in his subtle form in the very cave, next to the temple, and wanted a temple to be built for his dear Lord Shiva! Swami said he had come to fulfill the yogi's wish.
The morning of Saturday, March 05, 2016, began with all the auspicious signs in the air. As the devotees, staff and students
started gathering at the Dhayana Mantapa at around 8:30 a.m, bhajans and the sacred chants of the vedas....
To read more click here
| |  | | Bhagawan unveiled the statue of Saint Chennabasappa | |  | | Mangala Arathi to the Shivalinga in the presence of Sai Shiva | | Divine Visit to Bandipur, Ooty and Mandya
Day Six - March 05, 2016 (Evening) - Mandya The evening program was a formal function which was well attended by devotees from India and overseas, senior staff from the various Sathya Sai institutions, local residents, and the students and staff of the host campus.
The welcome address was given by Sri Anantha Murthy, Chairman of the Mandya campus who gave a brief background of the place –
Maradevanahalli, which had enjoyed a spiritual past, and which was
again seeing its spiritual core being recharged by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba. He welcomed the Chief Guest of the evening – Sri Chowdaiah, former Member of Legislative Assembly Karnataka and all the other dignitaries and devotees present.
This was followed by two talks straight from the heart, by students of grade nine of the SRI SATHYA SAI SARASWATHI BOYS HIGH SCHOOL, Mandya Campus. They spoke of Bhagawan's expanding mission in the field of education. The two students spoke of their good fortune to have had a chance to study in Swami's educational institution, where they receive high quality education.
Chi Devendra said, "Devotion to God is the panacea for all the problems of world at all the times, and this panacea is the best gift that we receive in Swami's school. We start our day with prayers to God, retire for the day with prayers to God, in between too – God is the centre of our system!! After having received so much from Swami, rather everything from Him, I want to offer my everything to the betterment of the world in Swami's name."
To read more click here
| | Maha Shivaratri Celebrations at Sathya Sai Grama
Monday, March 07, 2016 - Morning Maha Shivaratri is an auspicious festival in the Hindu calendar in reverence of Lord Shiva. It is observed on the Krishna Paksha Chathurdasi in the month of Magha. Shiva verily meaning – 'The Auspicious One' is most often worshipped in the form of the Lingam. Although it is easier for one to connect and worship God when attributed with a name and a form, the Lingam symbolises the formless aspect of Divinity, thereby enabling man to transcend from the Sakara (form) to the Nirakara (formless).
The morning session of the Shivaratri celebrations at Sathya Sai Grama, Muddenahalli began with Bhagawan's arrival at the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium at 9 AM. He was led by a ceremonial procession of Poorna Kumbam and Veda chanting by the students of the Sri Sathya Sai Loka Seva High School. Melodious bhajans on Lord Shiva....
To read more click here | |  | | Linga Abhishekam in progress at Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham | | Maha Shivaratri Celebrations at Sathya Sai Grama
Monday, March 07, 2016 - Evening There was palpable excitement in the air on the auspicious evening of the Maha Shivaratri festival. Akhand Bhajans, or devotional singing throughout the night, was a much-awaited event by all alike.
Bhagawan arrived at the Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutham auditorium amidst the sacred chants of Vedic hymns. Soon after, the evening programme commenced with a mellifluous Sitar recital by Pandit Shubhendra Rao (disciple of the Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar). He was accompanied by Shri Sunil Narang,(alumnus of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning) on the Tabla. The gathering was enthralled with the talent on display, and often broke into spontaneous bouts of applause for the duo....
To read more click here
| | | Pandit Shubhendra Rao (disciple of the Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar) enthralling the audience with his wonderful performance. | | | Maha Shivaratri Celebrations at Sathya Sai Grama
Tuesday, March 08, 2016 - Morning Chandrama Manaso Jataha'. It means that the Moon is the presiding deity of the mind, and therefore exerts a great influence on it. The moon has sixteen kalas or aspects, similar to the human mind. But on the holy day of Maha Shivaratri, 15 of these aspects are absent, leaving just one behind, which can easily be merged in divinity, by diverting the mind towards God. It is a significant day for spiritual aspirants, as the Universe literally conspires to make union with God easier. It is said that on this day the planetary positions act as potential catalysts to raise one's spiritual energy effortlessly. Unlike other nights, this night is of consecration, dedication and illumination. Bhagawan therefore has always encouraged a night-long vigil, contemplating on the Lord's name and form through devotional singing.
Devotional singing throughout the night
The 12- hour Akhanda Bhajan which began at 6 PM on March 7, continued until 6 AM on Tuesday, March 08. Active participation by all who had gathered at Muddenahalli to celebrate this auspicious festival made the night-long vigil....
To read more click here
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Our mailing address is: commsmdh@gmail.com | | Copyright © *2015*
*Sri Sathya Sai Premamrutha Prakashana*, All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is: commsmdh@gmail.com | | | | |
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