Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahothsavam - Morning

Prasanthi Nilayam: The Supreme Resolve when 'resolved' to embody in physical as Sri Sathya Sai with His matchless supreme potency, The Resolve had willed His script to be full of mystery-tales, true to the attribute -Anantam, Ajnaatam, Avarnaneeyam - Infinite, Mysterious and Indescribable. ...And in the process, the day of 24th April earned its due, not for a very savoring reason, but by hosting His exit from the physical plane. Ever since that day in April 2011, for the past five years, 24th April has been the day of Sri Sathya Sai Aradhana Mahotsavam.

The Aradhana morning today witnessed a host of activities in the immediate Divine Omni Presence with Hon'ble Union Minister of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty, Sri A Venkaiah Naidu as the Chief Guest.

The proceedings began early at 0750 hrs with an offering of “Sai Pancharatnas” by a band of over 200 selected music talents from across the country. Sai Pancharatna Kritis, fashioned in the popular Thyagaraja Pancharatna tradition, as the name indicates is a compilation of 5-gems set to five different ragas, focusing on different tenors. The five gems were composed by Dr R Vasanthalakshmi of Sri Sathya Sai Mirpuri College of Music and music was scored by Sri Raj Kumar Bharathi, great grandson of illustrious freedom fighter and Tamil poet Subramanya Bharathiar. The Kritis were: Pranamaami Sayeesha… in Ragam Gambhira Nattai, in Adi Taalam, Sadaa Bhavayami in Ragam…Mayamalava Gowla, in Adi Taalam, Charana Sevanam… in Ragam Arabhi, in Adi Taalam,Kaliyuga Avataari… Ragam Todi and Sathya Sai Avatara Vaibhavam… in Ragam Madhyamavarthi, in Adi Taalam.

Delivering his welcome speech, Sri S S Naganand, Member Trustee, Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust, asked the audience to reflect and remember, reflecting on the hard yet, blessings-galore period of five years with the physical form absent, remembering all that Bhagawan has done, especially during the five years. Exhorting the audience to repay, toeing the line, Sri Naganand, before concluding, sent a SaiLent reminder on the Cosmic MahaMantra "Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu", wishing peace and happiness for all the worlds.

All India President of Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organizations, Sri Nimish Pandya, speaking next, mentioned about the month-long penance of ‘Sadhana Aradhana... Giving And Forgiving' announced by the Sathya Sai Organizations, both India and Overseas, being practiced by devotees all over the world. The AIP then announced the launch of a new initiative, Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyothi, a project to inspire children across India, empowering schools, following Sathya Sai Curriculum. Subsequently, Sri Venkaiah Naidu dedicated the project at Bhagawan's Lotus Feet.

Addressing the Prasanthi assembly of devotees, Sri Venkaiah Naidu, a disciplinarian with passion for Seva, hailed various Organizational and Trust initiatives rendering all-round selfless service affecting common man. I am a devotees of Sathya Sai Baba's Seva, claimed the Chief Guest, speaking passionately on Bhagawan's selfless 'service' mission. Proud of having been a part of today's function, the Minister expressed profound satisfaction, narrating how he chose to skip a crucial parliamentary session scheduled for today, sensing the pulse of the grand occasion at Prasanthi Nilayam.

I had the Darshan of Baba in 40000 Narayanas, the Minister said, referring to his visit at the Maha Narayana Seva site at Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium earlier in the morning. The minister expressed immense satisfaction at the new Sathya Sai initiative of Sri Sathya Sai Vidya Jyoti. Government alone cannot achieve it, public cooperation is also required, said Sri Naidu.

About Spirituality, the minister chose to quote Bhagawan’s pronouncement that He has not come to create a new order... Highlighting the same, Sri Venkaiah Naidu spoke on Bhagawan and spirituality, exhorting fellow travellers to be good human beings. Quoting Bhagawan in between, Sri Naidu sent invaluable pointers to fellow pilgrims saying 'Baba has come and delivered His message, showing the path for all'. The minister was accompanied by Sarvasree Kamineni Srinivas and Pallela Raghunatha Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Ministers- for Health & Medical Education and for I&PR and Information Technology, respectively.

Bhagawan's Divine discourse next was followed by Bhajans and the session concluded with Bhajans and Mangala Arathi.

Earlier, a Maha Narayana Seva was organized at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, serving food and clothing to thousands marking the occasion. The Union Minister along with his entourage also attended the function.