Swami In Brindavan

Sathya Sai Baba

-Staff

By Staff

Friday, June 20, 2008, 14:42

'Brindavan', Bhagavan's ashram in Bangalore , had longed for the touch of the Lotus Feet of the Lord for the last two years. Sai Krishna had visited His Brindavan only in 2006 summer. The next year (2007), even though it looked like Swami would return from Kodaikanal to Brindavan, the Lord decided to go to Puttaparthi in a last minute change of Divine Plan. Sai Geeta (Swami"s late pet elephant) must have prayed fervently for darshan and so, the Lord granted her the boon of His Presence when He landed in Prasanthi Nilayam on May 18, 2007. That was to be Sai Geeta"s last glimpse of the Lord; she shed her mortal coil on May 22. And then, there was the construction of the over bridge which did nothing to bridge the distance between the Lord and the devotees at Brindavan, what with the additional noise and dust with which it surrounded the ashram.

Finally, there were indications that Swami was going to Brindavan..... the mischievous Sai Krishna even asked a teacher from the Brindavan campus “inka polleda" ( You haven"t still gone?). This was April 21, 2008 ; that evening Swami arrived for darshan at 3.15 p.m. So there was a scramble to reach Brindavan. But April 22, 23, 24 and 25 passed with no sign of the Lord leaving Puttaparthi. Finally, on April 26 there were strong indications that Swami was indeed leaving.

It was Trayee Brindavan Day, Swami"s abode in Brindavan, had been inaugurated by Him on this very day in 1984. The entire Mandir was beautifully decorated with festoons and coloured lights. There were floral arches inviting the Lord at many places in the Brindavan ashram; every thing was spick and span. From the morning, all the teachers, students and devotees waited with baited breath. Swami did not leave for Brindavan even after the morning darshan in Puttaparthi! Finally, at 2.30 p.m. Swami did leave for His Bangalore ashram.

The scene in Brindavan was one of joy. Bal Vikas children stood with flowers in their hands to offer as Swami arrived. Nadaswaram music filled the air with sweet notes, and the sun reluctantly had to sign off for the day. When the Lord arrived, it was 6 p.m. And one teacher from Brindavan said, “It was as we stood awaiting His arrival that we understood why He had not arrived in the morning or afternoon. The beautifully lit up Trayee was a splendorous sight at night! Trayee had got its birthday gift and the Lord entered, lithe and lovely, like a fresh lily flower."

On April 27, it being a Sunday, and the news having spread that Swami had arrived, there were long lines of devotees extending up to the Gokulam (where the canteen is located) on the ladies side, and the railway gate on the gents side as early as 7.30 a.m. The Sai Ramesh Krishnan Hall was tastefully decorated with fresh flowers. Swami came out at 9 a.m. and the members of the Brindavan bhajan group sangs their heat out. After giving darshan for about forty minutes, Swami returned to Trayee. The bhajans continued through the day till evening darshan. This has been the tradition on Sundays whenever Swami is in Brindavan for the last four decades!

In the afternoon, at 4.45 p.m. Swami was there in the Sai Ramesh Hall, seated serenely and listening to bhajans. He asked for arathi at 5.25 p.m. and then blessing the student and the sevadal member who offered Him roses, Swami retired to Trayee.