Brindavan News 11.06.'05 -- Samoohika Upanayana Mahotsavam!

Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations of Karnataka are performing Samoohika
Upanayana Mahotsavam on 12th June '05 with the blessings of Bhagawan.
About ten days back, before HIS one day trip to Parthi, Swamy had
approved the programme and personally chose 12th June for the sacred
ceremony. Accordingly Brindavan decked up to host this grand ceremony
tomorrow. When I reached in the afternoon, there were people everywhere
wearning different badges, viz. Vatu (the boy whose Upanayanam will be
performed), Parent, Relatives. There were registration counters
operating in the space between the boys' hostel and the old boys' hostel.

Post registration, the Vatus occupied the space behind the students'
block in the Sai Ramesh hall. The Parents were seated behind this block.
Other relatives, three of whom were allowed per Vatu were also seated in
a special block. The organizers had planned to brief the Parents about
tomorrow's programme in the Kalyana Mantap after the darshan.

4PM. The chandliers on the stage lit up. Omkar starts, followed by
bhajan. It is 2/3 songs before Bhagawan appears on the stage in HIS
mobile throne. Heart leapt in joy to have caught a glimpse of That
beloved form after about two weeks. Bhagawan is seated in the middle
and was taking notice of the preparations of the grand ceremony
tomorrow. The Brindavan students had prepared a small programme
highlighting the significance of Sandhyavandanam. Bhajan was stopped and
Swamy commanded to start the programme. While some boys chanted the
different mantras associated with the Sandhyavandanam, there were two of
them narrating the significance of each. This was well done at a very
short notice and very appropriate. Swamy was keenly observing this
holding the railing with both HIS hands and inclining forward with great
interest! HE enquired about the Vatus and wanted to see them all! What a
day it is turning out to be in the lives of these young children!!

The programme is presently paused and the Vatus form a line, nay a
beeline, go till the Ganesha idol and take a left to the Kalyana mantap.
They are all seeing Swamy at an incredibly small distance of less than
10 ft. Swamy is happily smiling at them all and watching them all with
great keenness. There were about 500 of the vatus to be initiated the
next day in to a new life in which Gayathri will bve their Mother.

All the Vatus have now gone to the Kalayana mantap. Swamy now commands
the Parents of the Vatu to follow suit! A thousand of them cannot really
believe their good fortune!! As they troop past Swamy into the Kalayana
mantap, Swamy is looking at all of them. This is definitely going to be
a day which will be etched in the memory of many of these parents. In
this age when Swamy is most of the time busy with HIS various
humanitarian projects, HE has taken time out to bless even the parents
with a close darshan.

The parents and the vatus assembled in the Kalayan mandap. Meanwhile the
pasued programme resumed and completed at the Sai Ramesh Hall in Swamy's
presence. The Vatu and the parents were called one by one and given
clothes, a sari for the mother, dhotis for the vatu and the father. And
now, Swamy has sent word from Sai Ramesh Hall that all the Vatus with
their parents go back to SaiRamesh Hall. The front space in the Hall was
cleared as Vatus with their parents and the clothes run and occupy a
closest available space in the Sai Ramesh Hall. Once all of them
assemble back, the chief priest read out the programme of tomorrow with
Swamy's permission. All the Vatus and parents will assemble at Sri
Sathya Sai Gokulam gate at 6:15am, from where they will come in
procession to SaiRamesh Hall. At 7:30AM, the ceremony will start with
Sankalpam and various homams and then around 9AM is the time
Brahmopadesam and Yagyopavitadhaaranam.

Bhagawan commanded that all the students should chant all the mantras
they know tomorrow. On HIS direction, the chants started immediately and
Purusha suktam, Sree suktam, Sivopasana mantram were chanted in unique
Sai Student style -- high pitched! Swamy thoroughly enjoyed it and even
showed HIS own eyes when the chant went as 'Chaksho suryo ajaayate', a
chant from Purusha suktam. Now it stopped. And Swamy called for the
warden. HE conveyed some message through Sri. Narasimha Murthy. It was:

** Sai's home is your home. Sai's dwelling place is your dwelling place.
You might find some discomfort in your stay tonight. Please bear with
it. I will make you happy tomorrow. **

When the warden announced it, Swamy called him again and said something.
This was

** If you want anything in life pray to SAI. HE will grant it. **

And he was called yet again! This time it went like:

** All the Vatus, their parents and relatives will be served a sumptuous
lunch after the ceremony is over. **

I could not help marvelling at the meticulousness of the Master
Organizer. There were huge cheers everywhere and my eyes went moist at
HIS infinite love. I am sure it was an extremely touching moment for
most of the devotees present there.

Having drenched us with HIS love thus, Swamy retired to Trayee at around
06:30PM or so. There was no mood to look at time. We only wished, it
stood still frozen, supplying us with constant bliss which we tasted
just now.

Thank you Bhagawan. Looking forward to tomorrow.

Jai Sai Ram.

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--
:-)
Ramesh K. Sistla

http://manmeram.blogspot.com

May the wicked become good, may the good attain peace
May the peaceful be freed from bonds, may the freed set others free
-- Rig Veda