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Importance of this Year's
Mahashivaratri Celebrations
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On the morning of March 4th, Swami proceeded to the area behind Premamrutham Hall where He had performed the Bhoomi Pooja last year for the upcoming Shiva statue. Swami performed the Pooja and initiated the construction work to begin in this area that He has named ‘Shivoham’.
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Artist's Rendering of 'Shivoham'!
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The auspicious occasion of Shivaratri occurs once every month, but the festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated as one of the most sacred events of the year. With the word Shivaratri itself meaning ‘auspicious night’, the celebrations could not have been more auspicious and sacred as it was being spent in the Divine presence of the Parama Shiva Himself! Swami arrived at Premamrutham Hall on the morning of Shivaratri where the proceedings for the Linga Abhishekam were underway. The Pooja was interspersed with beautiful Vedic chants and devotional songs by the students and alumni of the Sri Sathya Sai Institutions. He then lovingly walked among the devotees, showering sacred Pooja water on each and every one.
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As the intensity of the bhajans and vibrations increased, the golden lingam emerged around forty-five minutes into the overnight Bhajans. The Lord used Brother Madhusudan’s persona to manifest His will of Lingodbhavam! This is truly an unprecedented account in the history of humanity where human and divine merge as one, to achieve the Divine Will! With great love and compassion for His devotees, Swami then immediately took the Lingam and went around the entire hall to show and even allow devotees to have a view of the sacred Lingam.
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Bhagawan returned to Premamrutham Hall during the final hour of the Akhanda Bhajans on the morning of March 5th. After about twenty minutes, another Lingam emerged and to the joy of all present, Swami went around again, bestowing all with the opportunity of seeing and touching the pair of Lingams. Devotional songs were offered including a most beautiful rendition of the Nirvana Shatakam composed by Adi Shankaracharya. Explaining the Nirvana Shatakam, Swami spoke of the last verse which serves as a reminder of our true nature as being all pervasive, attribute-less and formless Self. Urging everyone to keep the feeling of ‘Shivoham’ strong in the heart.
Please see below for lyrics and meaning of Nirvana Shatakam along with the March 16th Singapore Satsang where Swami spoke to the Singapore devotees about Nirvana Shatakam.
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Nirvana Shatakam - Discourse in Singapore
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Nirvana Shatakam, composed by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, around 788-820 CE, is one of the most well known among Sanskrit chants through which he declares his own direct and intimate experience of the bliss of Realization. Also known as 'Atmashatakam', Nirvana Shatakam is a composition consisting of six fold śloka (and hence the name Ṣaṭ-ka to mean six-fold) summarizing the basic teachings of Advaita Vedanta, or the Hindu teachings of non-dualism. 'Nirvāṇa' is complete equanimity, peace, tranquility, freedom and joy. 'Ātma' is the True Self.
Swami stressed that all should learn the Nirvana Shatakam chant as in a year or so He would have all the countries of the world chant it together!
Here are the links to the chant, Swami's discourse in Singapore March 16th and a document of the words and meaning:
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DWF Accelerates Support
to Get Rural Children Educated
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Each One Educate One
Each One Educate One (E1E1) is an initiative to bring quality education to Rural India. It is anchored in the ideal of education as a service to society and every individual in society as a stakeholder in rendering this service to children who would otherwise have little access to education. It is a character based educational system incorporating the ancient traditions of India’s Gurukula. This unique form of education includes a clear focus on quality education for the rural poor which lays equal emphasis on the body, mind and spirit and is renowned for its transformative work in society. It upholds the ideal of education as a service to society and provides state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities free of cost. The campuses are beautiful and inspirational, set in the wholesome environs of nature.
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The initiative is driven by the alumni and alumnae of the various Educational Institutions founded by Narayan Bhat and his Thyaga Jeevis based on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Having been beneficiaries of this unique form of education, they have stepped forward to support the continuing mission of providing free values-based education to future generations. DWF is partnering with this program to support the Prashanthi Bala Mandir Trust (PBMT) which is the funding source for the campuses.
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Everyone is welcome to participate and join in this transformative program. On an average, it takes $300 to provide free education to one student for a year and an additional $300 to provide room, board, clothing and other necessities for students in residence. Effectively, a child receives this high-quality, residential education for less than $700 per year. One can choose to take up the responsibility of the education of one or more children and give this gift of education.
For more information contact SLN at contact_usa@e1e1foundation.org or call (818) 724-7269
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Divine Will Foundation is also supporting the construction of a beautiful new campus in the rural village of Tumkur, about 80 Miles from the city of Bangalore. This campus is a special program of the USA region which is building the infrastructure of this much-needed campus. It will provide 6th to 12th grade education and will feature all needed facilities to provide the highest level of character and academic education including the most up to date computer labs.
Named Sri Sathya Sai Karunya Niketanam (Abode of Compassion), this campus will be located on over 40 acres of land. The 120,000 square feet of buildings will provide classrooms, living accommodation for students and staff, conference halls, dining facilities and a kitchen for food preparation. Additionally, there will be parks and a number of sports fields for the student’s physical development.
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The SSS Karunya Niketanam is already in operation. The land has been purchased and temporary structures housing and educating 53 students and 10 staff are in use. The first phase of the permanent school/hostel construction has begun. The final phases are estimated to be completed in 3-5 years. As in all of their institutions, education will be imparted free of cost. Additionally, all students from lower income will be given room and board, clothes, books and other necessities free of cost.
For more information, contact: Shivaram at shivaram@divinewillfoundation.com
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Youth Meet
(Ages 18-40)
Date: June 17, 2019
Location: Center for Human Development, Carlisle,
Massachusetts
Airport: Boston Logan International
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Northern California Event
Date: June 24, 2019
Location: Los Gatos, California
Airport: San Jose International
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Important Links
There is so much happening in the world of Sai that it is almost impossible to keep up with everything. Below are a few links to sites that provide updated info, videos, summaries of talks and much more. What a delight it is to be a part of Swami’s ongoing mission of love and service.
- New Divine Will Foundation Facebook page: Facebook
- Updates of events at the Muddenahalli Ashram/Campus: Muddenahalli
- Latest photos and summary articles about Swami's travels: Travels
- Videos of events at Muddenahalli and around the world: Videos
- Electronic Divine Booklets of Swami's international travels: Divine Booklets
- Subscribe to Muddenahalli Free Newsletter: Ananda Vahini
- Divine Will Foundation previous newsletter list (right click on links to open in new window): Previous DWF Newsletters
- Information about local Satsangs in the USA: USA Local Satsangs
- US Academy for Human Excellence Website: USAHE Website
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