May 2k5.pmd - Sri Sathya Sai Books & Publication Trust

CELEBRATIONS AT PRASANTHI NILAYAMformer Vice Chancellor of Sri Sathya SaiInstitute of Higher Learning gave a brief talkon the values propounded in the epicRamayana. Quoting from the dialoguebetween Sage Narada and Valmiki, theauthor of the Ramayana, Sri Giri observedthat Lord Rama was the embodiment of allvirtues, and model for the entire mankind.Bhagavan giving Discourse on Sri Rama Navami day.After the talk of Sri Giri, Bhagavan gaveHis Sri Rama Navami Message. Narratingsome episodes of the Ramayana in Hisinimitable style, Bhagavan exhorted thedevotees to follow the ideals set by the noblecharacters like Urmila, Sumitra, andthe four brothers Rama, Lakshmana,Bharata and Satrughna. After Bhagavan’sDivine Discourse, the devotees tastedthe sweet melody of Bhajans in praise of LordRama which were led by the Institutestudents. The programme came to a closeat 9.45 a.m. with Arati to Bhagavan.Prasadam was distributed to all in the end.Bhagavan Leaves for KodaikanalBhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba was givena hearty send off in Sai KulwantHall, Prasanthi Nilayam on themorning of 19th April 2005 whenHe left for Kodaikanal, a summerresort in Tamil Nadu. All along theroute of Bhagavan from PrasanthiNilayam to Sri Sathya Sai Airport,Puttaparthi, people in largenumbers were gathered to haveHis Divine Darshan and to offertheir salutations to Him. Some ofthem offered flowers, some wavedArati and some broke coconuts.They hailed “Bhagavan Sri SathyaSai Babaji Ki Jai” as soon as theygot a glimpse of their BelovedBhagavan. At the airport also a large numberof students and devotees had gathered tooffer their Pranams to Bhagavan and wishHim a happy journey. Here, Bhagavan alongwith a group of students and a few seniordevotees boarded the Indian Airlines planewhich left at 12.30 p.m. for Madurai fromwhere Bhagavan travelled by car andreached Kodaikanal in the evening.Seva is twice blessed. It blesses both, the one who does and the one whoreceives. Its blessings are twofold. It eradicates ego and confers Ananda (bliss).- BabaMay 2005 134