Aum Sri Sairam
Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations ~ India
The 20th October of every year is celebrated as the Sathya Sai Avatar Declaration Day. It is on this historically significant day in the year 1940 that the young lad Sathyanarayana Raju revealed to the world His Divine identity and the glorious mission on which He has come. The following lines capture the events on that epochal day:
Sathyanarayana started for school as usual. However, within a few minutes, He returned to the house. Standing on the outer doorstep, He cast aside the books He was carrying and called out, “I am no longer your Sathya. I am Sai.” The sister-in-law came from the kitchen, only to be blinded by the splendour of the halo around Baba’s head! He addressed her, “I am going; I don’t belong to you; Maya (delusion) has gone; My Bhaktas (devotees) are calling Me; I have My Work; I can’t stay here any longer.” When the brother hurried home on hearing all this, Baba only told him, “Give up all your efforts to ‘cure’ Me. I am Sai; I do not consider Myself related to you”.
In spite of repeated pleas, Sathya would not step into that building again. He moved in into the garden of the Excise Inspector Sri Anjaneyulu’s bungalow, and sat on a rock in the midst of the trees. People came into the garden from all directions bringing flowers, fruits, incense and camphor to worship Him. The garden resonated with the voices of hundreds singing bhajans (devotional singing) and following the lines of the first prayer that Sri Sathya Sai taught them.
“Manasa Bhajare Gurucharanam Dusthara Bhava Sagara Tharanam “
(O Mind! Meditate on the Feet of the Guru, which will take you across the wearisome sea of Samsara or worldly existence.)
To celebrate this landmark event in Baba’s life, Avatar Declaration Day is celebrated every year with devotion and gratitude.
In 2018, the following events took place across India
- Ekadasha Rudra homam performed at Sri Sathya Sai Centre, Trichy. The chanting of Rudram was mainly done by the Balvikas children of Srirangam Samithi.
- Maharudram offered at the Lotus Feet on Avatar Declaration Day at Nuagaon in Balasore district of Odisha. 121 sisters in 11 groups with each group consisting of 11 mahila chanters offered Ekadasha Rudra Parayanam at the Divine Lotus feet.
- Maharudram offered at the Divine Lotus feet in Goa by 121 chanters.
- In Pandharpur, one of India’s holiest ancient pilgrimage centre, Avatar Day was observed with Vedic chanting and Prayers. Devotees from nearby districts of Solapur, Osmanabad, Sangli, Satara, Barshi and Pune participated surcharging the entire atmosphere with divine vibrations and the feeling of Bhagawan’s presence.
- More than 4000 devotees of Paderu, Andhra Pradesh participated in the Avatar Day celebration which was in the form of a 12km walk. After the peaceful walk along with the chariot carrying the photograph of Bhagawan, a public meeting was held contemplating the divine glory. At the conclusion Mangala Aarthi was offered after which Narayana Seva (feeding the needy) was served to 4500 devotees of Gdudgupalli village.
Jai Sairam
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