Sai Sannidhi Retreat by the Alumni Working in Sai Institutions

SSSCT/2016/098
Prasanthi Nilayam 04 09 2016

Today is Sai Sannidhi Day in Prasanthi Nilayam. The forum of former students turned staff members celebrate this day to rejoice, reminisce and bask in the unmatched glory of Sri Sathya Sai, in Whose Love they are blessed to glow as shining stars, as His instruments. The morning session of the programme was conducted in Poornachandra Auditorium where representatives from various organizations set up by Bhagawan shared the developments that took place over the past year.

‘You have touched me and thus I have grown” – this turned out to be the tone and tenor of the colorful evening programme that was held at Sai Kulwant Hall. Students lined up at the podium, narrating, expressing and then collectively singing the saga of the Supreme Bond Of Love, unmatched ever in the history of mankind and in His Story.

Speaking on the occasion, Sri Satyajit Salian, who heads the Sri Sathya Sai Vidyavahini Project recalled his golden and memorable experiences with Bhagawan. Sannidhi day reaffirms the closeness and dearness still strongly with Swami by HIS abundant Love towards HIS students. Speaking with great conviction, the speaker shared some of the beautiful moulding lessons he had at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet. To be able to give the bliss of satisfaction to the Lord is the greatest boon we have, echoed the grateful speaker reminiscing on the golden opportunity of being His instruments.

Sri V Karthik from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Medical Sciences Whitefield who spoke next, recalled his student days and desired to be in proximity with Swamy always. He remembered the divine directions to cherish the memories of Swami and HIS advice to share the happiness, with all. While speaking about the times when He was fortunate to hold Swami’s feet physically, he said that he now understood that we need to hold on to His Feet so that we may not slip – indeed, a powerful message for all His devotees to absorb!!

Sri Aravind Balasubramanya from Radio Sai spoke next on Sri Krishnamurthy of Mysore, who had not seen Swami and had his devotion with great faithfulness, as written by Late Sri Kasturi in Sathyam Sivam and Sundaram.

Sri Chandrasekaran from Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, Muddenahalli campus narrated an experience where he gave up the mango that he received as Prasadam at Mandir to Sai Geeta. Though he felt a sense of satisfaction at having done a good deed, he was also ruing the fact that he would not be relishing the sweet mango himself. When he reached hostel and unlocked his cupboard he was stunned to see a juicy mango right there, which could not have been placed there by anyone else but Bhagawan. He realized that Swami was teaching him that “In serving Swami’s devotees, we are serving Swami Himself”.

Sri Jaiganesh shared his experience of Swamy’s love and blessings on his father, with his dedicated prayers. He has also mentioned about the reflection of HIS blessings while chanting Veda during his student days.Sri Aravind Balasubrmania explained the different stages of prayer we had.

I Stage – Devotees spoke and Bhagawan listened
II Stage - Bhagawan spoke and Devotees listened
III Stage – God and Devotees spoke and Both listened
IV Stage – No one speaks but everyone listens - This is the present stage.

He also assured that heart to heart prayer with Swamy would become stronger and stronger to be more near and dear to Swamy. In his closing remarks, Sri Aravind Balasubramanya recalled the story of Chi Krishnadasa, about whom Lord Krishna declared to the priest of a Temple that He was dwelling in his heart.

The session was interspersed with beautiful songs, solos and group songs – reflections of the Bond of Love. Bhajans continued and the session came to a close with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan, after the Golden voice aired onto the Public Address system.

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Public Relations Officer
Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust
Prasanthi Nilayam 515134
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh
Tel: +91 8555 287390 Extn 209