August 5, 2009 – Musical Presentation by Himachal Pradesh Sai Youth

The trend of the darshans and bhajans in the first week of August was more or less the same in terms of timings. The Veda chanting begins at 4:00 p.m. and continues till 5:00 p.m. The bhajans then begin and Swami arrives at about 5:30 p.m. He sits for about 4-5 bhajans after the darshan rounds and then receiving aarthi, retires into Yajur Mandir. On August 5, the youth from Himachal Pradesh were blessed to put up a musical programme. In their bright costumes, they sat in the marbled blocks and everyone awaited Swami's arrival. The Veda chanting halted at 5:00 p.m.

Swami arrived at about 5:20 p.m. and took a complete darshan round. As always, He spoke to some people, collected letters from some more and blessed everyone. Taking a round in the portico, He arrived on the stage. The Veda chanting had restarted with Swami's arrival. Swami too was chanting the Vedic hymns in the darshan rounds! From what can be observed, it seems as if the Shivopasana mantram is a favourite; He invariably begins to chant in unison when that is on and never halts the chanting when it is going on! After this mantram, the Sri Suktam began and soon Swami commanded the chanting to a halt and asked for the programme to begin.

The presentation was in three parts and the first part was a performance by the men. It was entitled, "Sai Naam Tarakam". It was a collection of verses and songs sung by great devotees of Lord Rama. The youth had compiled them into one medley and two members came forward to offer the programme at His lotus feet.

Then the programme began at around 6:00 p.m. There was a costumed "Hanuman" who sat amidst the singing youth and it was apt that all songs were on Rama.

Swami sat listening to the programme, almost still and non-moving. He seemed to be observing the many people - some filing into the hall, some others leaving. It was such a profound scene.

People were coming in, they were going out. Here and there maybe some were sleeping while some others were weeping (for whatever reason it may be). And the Lord sat, expressionless and not exhibiting any emotion, like the eternal witness that He is.

Some people in the front rows also began to leave. A whole group of visiting small school children got up to leave. Maybe they had a bus to catch or a train to board. Wherever the space was freed up, someone or the other inevitably came forward to occupy the vacant seats.

One could not help but think, "For God, all are valuable but no one is indispensable. It is an opportunity to be with Him or serve Him for if we are not ready to do so, there are hundred nay thousands to take our places."

After about half an hour, Swami moved into the interview room and soon the men's programme concluded. The women started singing as theirs was the second part of the programme. Swami arrived from the interview room and told them they could sing some other time. He smiled at them as if to assure them that it was not their fault in any way but He desired their programme on some other occasion. Then He received aarthi and blessing everyone, moved to Yajur Mandir.

Dear reader, how do you like this section? Does it help or inspire you in anyway? Please share your reflections with us by writing to h2h@radiosai.org mentioning your name and country.
Thank you for your time.