August 2023

This month's issue is different from usual: here we focus on last week's UK National Pilgrimage to the Divine Lotus Feet, the holiest of holies, Prasanthi Nilayam. Information about two National events happening next month is provided further below.

Let us experience even a fraction of the bliss through the images below!

After months and months of preparation, the time had come for the pilgrims to step foot in Swami’s sacred abode of supreme peace. 

Having collected their keys from N4 A1 - the all-important base for the organising committee, where the UK banner would proudly hang for the next seven days - the first in-person meeting was held to welcome pilgrims and map out the schedule for the week. Vital information was shared and pilgrims got a chance to collect their scarves ready for the journey ahead. 

With no time to spare, the Vedam chanters began practising, adding to the overall atmosphere of excitement, wonderment and spiritual yearning.

Today marked the first day of the pilgrimage. The eagerness of each devotee could be felt in the first line up! We began, as with every line-up, with Omkaram and Gayatri Mantra. It was a wondrous sight to see all 300 devotees walk to the Ganesh temple to give offerings, praying for Lord Ganesh to remove any obstacles for our group and for us to face any challenges humbly and bravely; and then to Sai Kulwant Hall together for their first darshan of the pilgrimage. 

During the day, pilgrims organised themselves; ironed their brand new saris and whites; and handed in boxes of donated mask and baby packs; all while getting ready for the packed week ahead.

On this day, the UK programme for the week was offered to Bhagawan.

Each morning, pilgrims woke up to attend the UK group’s own Omkaram and Suprabhatam session at 5am. This started off each day with the necessary vibrations for the busy tasks ahead. Many devotees were due to take part in one of the various offerings, being Vedam, bhajans, music or the Bal Vikas play, and so many free periods of the day were spent rehearsing for these items. A lot of hard work, dedication and discipline was needed to ensure that these offerings met the high standards required to perform in Prasanthi. The intense preparations were all worth it!

In the afternoon, the UK group was fortunate to be able to visit the recently inaugurated Sai Hira Global Convention Centre, and to listen to an inspiring talk given by Bro. RJ Rathnakar (Managing Trustee of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust), followed by a tour of the state-of-the-art building. The Centre’s design harmoniously blends traditional spiritual aesthetics with contemporary architecture, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and inspiration. Despite the sun beaming down, group photos were taken outside.

As part of the service opportunities planned for the pilgrimage, 63 devotees had the opportunity to visit and plant trees in three places: Kasturbha Girls’ Hostel in Nallamada, where stationery packs were distributed to 267 girls; a junior college for boys and girls, where 137 students were given stationery packets; and Kutalla Palli Rama Temple, where an electric bell was donated by the UK group, as well as a life size photo of Shirdi Baba. Finally, in a village called Mandha, the devotees were welcomed with a stream of marigold petals and drummers guiding the way to the temple. Bro. Rathnakar, who accompanied the trip, addressed the crowd. All 448 families from the three villages gathered to welcome us all. 250 mango trees were donated as part of the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Tharu project, and another 48 stationery packs were distributed to the children.

A tour was organised for devotees, who were delighted to be able to visit the magnificent Super Speciality Hospital that provides free treatment to all. Devotees spent time in the Ganesh mandir and took a walk around the hospital corridors. All devotees were blessed to spend time in Swami’s room and took home with them divine blessings and vibhuti. Lastly, the devotees visited Swami's birthplace and received darshan at the Shiva temple.

After months of rigorous practice, it was the day of the musical offering. With bhajans sung by devotees from the UK in the morning, lunchtime was a chance for the final rehearsal for everyone involved in the afternoon programme. 

To commence, Bro. Sakthi Shanmugathasan (Joint-National Vice President) and Bro. Jayesh Patel (National Service Coordinator) addressed Sai Kulwant Hall on the activities of the UK Organisation.

The musical programme was performed by some of the best talent in the UK and the six songs displayed pure brilliance from the singers and musicians, who poured their love into their offering.

In the evening, we had the pleasure of hearing the beautiful words of Professor Anil Kumar, Swami’s translator. As soon as he entered, his energy and smile lit up the room, and he reminded us that smiling itself is spirituality. He talked about the changing nature of the Organisation, how different approaches are needed if we are to expand and that youth are the torchbearers. We were humbled by being reminded that the highest position in the organisation is to be a devotee - roles do not matter. What we must remember is that Swami is still present and His teachings will always be with us.

Another much-anticipated talk took place in the evening. Being able to meet Bro. Ravi Kumar, Bro. Siddhartha Raju and Bro. Amey Deshpande from the Prashanti Mandir Bhajan Group was an amazing opportunity for the pilgrims. They gave an insightful talk covering the importance of bhajan discipline, involvement in bhajans and the structure of bhajan sessions. The talk incorporated not only their own personal experiences, but also teachings of Swami imparted directly to others. Overall, it left a lasting impact on all the devotees, particularly the Young Adults, who were eager to take a photo with them at the end!

At lunchtime, the ladies who were part of the UK Vedam group invited Bro. Vednarayan to hear them chant. He stressed the immense importance of chanting Vedam and how fortunate we are even to be able to utter a word of Vedam; such an opportunity only comes after millions of lifetimes.

Devotees ardently awaited the evening’s programme which commenced with a talk by our very own Bro. Pratap Thakkar (National President), who expressed how the UK is honoured to part of the Global Council; how the UK proudly instils values and moral in the young minds of over 1,000 Bal Vikas children; and prayed that the devotees of the UK honour Bhagawan's legacy through every act of selfless service and by being the living embodiments of Swami's teachings.

The Bal Vikas drama entitled, “Pancha Maha Bhooth” (The Five Elements) showcased the tremendous talent of the children. They beautifully depicted a variety of short skits to highlight the importance of the five elements and the relevance they have today. Children from all around the UK took part, of all ages, the youngest being 4 years old. The coordinators, gurus and parents all worked extremely hard alongside the children; the UK was definitely very proud of their achievement!

After evening darshan, the UK Media Team were fortunate enough to be able to visit the Sri Sathya Sai Media Centre. First, a tour of the recording studios, production and mixing rooms and the sets in which they film a multitude of videos, discussions, dramas and musical programmes. The Centre was inaugurated by Swami Himself in 2001 and has since been the hub for technological excellence. We had the chance to meet the Director of the Media Centre, as well as several key members who were appointed by Swami to lead the media team, whose remit has exponentially grown since its inception.

A few Young Adults had the opportunity to be interviewed by Bro. Bishu Prushty at the Sri Sathya Sai Media Centre. It was a beautiful chance to contemplate on the past week, their connections with Swami and the teachings that help them to navigate through life. These interviews will be available on YouTube soon!

The last day of the pilgrimage meant that devotees were starting to say their goodbyes to one another. The majority of devotees walked to morning darshan for the last time and there was a subtle feeling of sadness to be leaving, but also hope for returning again. Other devotees partook in the final service opportunity which was serving food to patients waiting outside the Super Speciality Hospital in the morning. It was such a meaningful experience, as this would be the only meal of the day for some of the patients.

After morning darshan, we had our final sadhana meeting. Reflecting on the past week, it has been a challenging journey for us all, but one that we will remember for a lifetime. The friendships made and, more importantly, the spiritual teachings learnt, have been merely a spark that has lit the journey ahead.

The Scriptures lay down Bhajan (group devotional singing), Naamasmaran (remembering God's Name) and Sankeertan (devotional music) as the Saadhanas (spiritual practices) of this Age. Bhajan is the process of singing your prayers to God, praising His glory and compassion, and pleading that He may fill you with His Grace.

Sri Sathya Sai Speaks, Vol. 11, Ch. 37

With the Grace of Bhagawan, we are delighted that we will once again be holding this wonderful event of singing His Divine Name at Sai Smaran bhajans. A day filled by singing, listening, remembering and contemplating on His Glory and Majesty.

Let us all join together on Saturday 2nd September with family and friends in Watford, to share the joy of offering our deep gratitude and love in the form of bhajans (devotional singing) to our Beloved Bhagawan, so that we are all recipients of His Love and Blessings.

• Date: Saturday 2nd September
• Time: 10am - 4pm
• Venue: Oxhey Wood Primary School, South Oxhey, WD19 7SL

If you wish to sing (and are a regular lead bhajan singer at your Centre or Group) or play an instrument at this year’s Sai Smaran, please submit your recordings by 12th August to your Regional Spiritual Coordinator, who will collate and pass on the recordings to the Sai Smaran team. Please note that submission of recordings does not automatically mean that the singer/musician will be selected.

For singers, please submit 2-3 bhajans with only the sound of the pitch in the background. If you are an instrumentalist, please send a recording from a live session you have played at.

We look forward to seeing you on the day.

Please accept this message as a personal invitation to the National Prayers for Universal Peace, also known as Rudra Ekadashi.

On the auspicious grounds of the Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, the day will be filled with divine grandeur, auspiciousness and sounds of spiritually uplifting Vedam chanting; devotees from across the United Kingdom will have the opportunity to come together and pray for Universal Peace.

• Date: Sunday 17th September 2023
• Time:  8.30am–4.30pm
• Venue: Shri Venkateswara (Balaji) Temple, Dudley Road East, Tividale, Oldbury B69 3DU

To register for the event, visit the link below.

We look forward to seeing you and your family on the day.