Aum Sri Sai Ram. What a day. By his sheer sankalpa , my work was manageable so that I could take a day-off today , on the glorious occasion of the birthday of the Sathya Sai Physical form of the Parabhrama. My Mother co-operated with me , as I got up in the wee hours of the day to take part in the NagarSankeerthanam planned in the Chitlapakam Samithi , Chromepet at 5.00 am. The unpredictable rains were temporary sent to the sheds by swami , as he was well aware of kids rolling over to him on this day at all places. Like ants surrounding a piece of sugar candy, as the seva dals started the rangoli , decoration and other tasks to be ready for the occasion devotees ( Samithi members) started getting pulled into the ambit of the Samithi , as mother Sai was expanding her love to accommodate all of her children who came running into her lap. The Ashtothram and Sai Gayathri chanting , the Jyoti meditation and other preliminary agendas were duly executed as a group of 20 , almost equal number of gents and ladies took to the streets , singing out their hearts with clash-cymbals and hand beats.
Youtube Link : NagarSankeerthanam Part 1
But the highlight before all this is , as I entered , near the gate of the Samithi , the bhajan that most affects me for its tune and rendition was being played . Bhajan Link : Gopala Giridhara Bala .This particular bhajan always moves me into tears and when I heard it being played in the mobile phone by a member , I just couldn't think of anything else other than feeling grateful of how individually , distinctly , he welcomed me for the day. I literally read it as : " come vignesh , ra ." Best feeling . Many drops of tears slowly found their way down my chin, unnoticed by others as bhajans ensued.
The nagarsankeerthanam ended on a blissful note as prasad and swami's pictures were distributed and we all dispersed. We also got a chance to circumambulate the Shiridi Sai Mandir opposite to the samithi , which was not opened fully to public due to the pandemic . My sentiments with Swami's previous avatar are as deep and as high as my love for swami. What I enjoy with the Sai Avatar is a Blessed Amalgamation of Avataric Love and when people ask me are you Shiridi Sai devotee, Sathya Sai devotee , my first reaction will be a smile. I try to read if the person is asking out of idle curiosity or real interest and respond accordingly.
The next interaction was at 10.00 am, for physical bhajans. So , 3 hours forward , devotees and members thronged the premises of the Samithi as resounding , pining , blissful bhajans were going on. I had taken my own self made copy of my favorite bhajans , which rang a deep note on my system. I wasn't technically prepared or rehearsed for a bhajan , but I noticed one gent and one lady sairam were alternatively singing bhajans in a packed Samithi. One elder Sairam then prompted me to sing an Anjaneya bhajan and somehow I sought Bhagwan's assurance to sing without messing up the rising up spirit of the gathered souls. I opened my note and selected Jaya Vijayi Bhava song and it came out well. I mentally made a note that , for such impromptu occasions , I should practice well a bhajan of all deities for all occasions. If possible, 2 for each god as well , when there is a bhajan requirement at any context. Ah , as I lead the bhajan and the chorus of the audience followed , I felt so blessed for his involvement of me.
Senior devotees offered their presence inspite of their challenges and working folks too parked their personal - professional work to not miss this opportunity to be with swami at his function. The Bhajans were so intoxicating , sairams distributed sweets , udi with the udi manthra. Cake cutting was performed with kids of sairams and it was a combination of physical and mental satisfaction of senses of sorts. I think , among the 1000 + thoughts that we get while on service / seva / Samithi duty , at least a couple of them should only be ones of gratitude for having been enrolled in a Satsang such as the Sai Fraternity . Looking at each one of us , with our individual karmic journeys , we should mentally at least wish each other the very best , in our journey towards Swami and bow in gratitude for offering each other company. Due to the long gap , fellow Sairams exchanged pleasantries , enquiries on each other and embraced each other. The next and final interaction on the joyous occasion of Swamivaru's Birthday will be at 6 pm evening , where the traditional Online bhajans will be done , slowly ending the day on a note of nothing but Swami , our everything .
