Sai Pilgrimage

It is wonderful to be back. HOME. The weather is cool because of the rain and cloudiness. Baba lights up the world. The Sun is out when he is around.

My trip which lasted 60 days took me to Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Every place there were wonderful Baba devotees and centers that were filled with Love. Everyone was doing their best to exemplify Baba’s teachings.

The Jakarta Baba Center has many activities including prayers, chants and bhajans on Sunday at 6 a.m. After which many members left for seva activities. They also had activities almost every night.

I was fortunate to stay with someone who conducted weekly yagnas in his house. We also went to various temples for their weekly ceremony.

In Malaysia, SS3 Sai Baba Center has been spearheading a drive to plant saplings in an area where there was a forest fire. With other centers helping about 20,000 trees has been planted. It is arduous work. The big group does the planting on Saturdays. Some other people go on Friday.

The big news is that a special Ati Rudra Maha Yagna will be held in Kuala Lumpur from August 7-12. I hope I can be there. All of the original priests,130, that conducted the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna in Puttaparthi and in Chennai will be there for the 6 day event.

A structure similar to what was used in Chennai will be put up. Food, medical care, transportation, security, toilets, accommodations and many more items have been planned for.

There will be special speakers and entertainment in the evenings.

Water from the original sources such as the Ganges and other items are being obtained.

This will be the first Ati Rudra Maha Yagna outside of India. It is being done exactly as the others were done with the same sacred items. Baba has blessed the event.

While no one can say whether Baba will be there in the physical, I am sure his presence will be felt by everyone. People from many countries are coming.

Sai Nivas Center is coordinating the event. Contact Jullius Tan at juls_my@yahoo.com or Billy Yap at 60196691268 and email of Billy@SathyaSaiNivas.Net

Jullius Tan has been going to different places in Malaysia giving a 5-day workshop on chanting the Rudram. I was with him at two of those locations. It was powerful. All of these people will be chanting the Rudram along with the priests.

He has also been teaching grade and high school age students with amazing results as they learn faster than adults.

In Penang the Gelugor Sai Baba Center was unusual in that in a small room behind the altar enclosed in glass were pictures, paintings and figurines with vihbuti and other items. Originally, this was a private house when these happenings occurred.

The house was brought by a committee that added the Baba Center onto the original house.

In Langkawi, I was fooled by their altar. It was 3 levels each with a string of small electrical bulbs on the outside and candles in other places. As I looked at it, it seemed as if there was water on each level and that some of the candles were floating on it.

There was no water. It was solid but I experienced an illusion. It seemed so real that I had to take a look to be sure.

In Phnom Penh, Cambodia there was a nice Baba center with small group of devotees who were very intense at their weekly meeting on Thursdays. If you go to Phnom Penh, do plan to spend time at the center.

I will be happy to supply information about Cambodia, Phnom Penh and the center.

I do not like being away from the physical form of Sai Baba. However, it was nice to get out of India. Places where people obeyed the traffic rules was comforting. Food was a challenge as I am on a special diet. I survived.

The trip, which was because I had to be out of India for 60 days due to Visa rules, gave me a chance to develop a different perspective on many things that go on here.

I was granted the opportunity to speak about Baba on several occasions. Besides writing this report that is certainly my favorite activity. There is nothing like writing and/or speaking about Love Incarnate.

I was also given a chance to give a motivational talk to some high school students on 3 different occasions.

I am still a bit surprised at all speaking events. Baba was doing something to me.

There is more by I am doing my best to keep it short.

I appreciated that my being in Puttaparthi was the results of amazing grace. I felt

Baba presence with me in many ways.

While I was disappointed that I didn’t get the visa I wanted, Baba let me know through someone here that he was taking care of me and not to worry. The person who conveyed a message did not know about my visa issues.

I am readjusting to be back. The first day Baba didn’t come out.

The next day, Wednesday,10^th, Baba came at 9:40, made a full round and went to verandah center for a few minutes before arati just past 10. Kornelius Keur, Consul

General of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad spoke with Baba and received his blessings.

In the afternoon, Baba came at 5:28 in his car. He was about to go down the center driveway when there was a change of direction. The car and Baba came onto the men’s side and when it got to the front cut through the student section to the driveway. Baba headed to the university auditorium where Professor J. Sashidhara Prasad became the 9th vice chancellor of the university. (Baba is the Chancellor).

Several people gave speeches which were broadcasted to Brindivan and Anantapur Campuses by Radio Sai.

Meanwhile back in Kulwant Hall as we waited, a brief shower reminded of the season. Baba returned at 7:35 going through the women’s section up the women’s ramp to the verandah. As he did so, arati was started.

Baba came to verandah center as prasad was distributed. At 7:41 Baba left verandah center.

On Friday,11^th, morning there was no darshan.

In the afternoon as we waited we wondered if Baba will give darshan. As bhajans were continuing, I decided to tune into his vibration. I felt his presence, blessing all of us, smiling and wanting everyone to be happy.

Then came the familiar sign that Baba was coming. At 6:55, Baba came into the hall in his white chair. He used to come always in the orange chair except for special occasions. Now it was the white one which I like better as it is more regal.

Baba was very interactive taking many letters and talking with many people especially on the verandah.

He reached verandah center at 7:21 with arati a minute later. However, Baba remained speaking with students. He left verandah center at 7:28 but spent another 10 minutes speaking with people on the verandah before leaving.

On Saturday, 12, there was no morning darshan.

Baba came at 6:16. He looked to his right a lot interacting with students from Anantapur and Brindivan as well as Puttaparthi.

When he came to the women’s ramp, he turned away from the mandir as though he was leaving so he could interact more with Anantapur students. He made a u-turn to the mandir where he went along the wall before going inside using the back door. After coming out of the front door, Baba went behind the Ganesha statue to come around front.

He was at verandah center at 6:41 looking majestic in the white chair. Arati was at 6:51. It was a good darshan.

Several boys came to Baba. The last two had a long discussion with him. At 7:02, Baba left the verandah.

It was great watching Baba in silence with no bhajans or chanting as he sat there quietly.

On Sunday, 13^th, we had sunshine for a while. Still there was no morning darshan.

The temperature was pleasant with a slight breeze.

At 6:37 Baba came into the hall in his white chair. He made a full round but before going onto the verandah, Baba made another round of the women’s section cutting through on the white tile separating the boys as he headed toward the mandir.

Baba was once again very interactive, spending much time with the students from the campuses and the primary and secondary students. Long talks were held with them.

Great darshan while raising the energy level.

Baba reached the verandah at 7:01. After speaking with more people, reached verandah center at 7:08 with arati at 7:14.

Baba lingered for a few minutes as students came to speak with him. He went into the interview room for 15 minutes before heading toward his residence.

It should be noted that this weekend was the first weekend that new and old students were able to get Baba’s blessing since the new term just started. Brindivan and Anantapur were there for his blessings.

The same was true for the primary and secondary pupils as their school year just began.

Attached is a report about the new business school in Puttaparthi started by graduates of Sai University. The report is also about Kornelius Keur, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate in Hyderabad visit to the school.

In addition,

The Western Canteen has been closed for several weeks as it receives a complete

paint job inside and out. It is expected to open after the 20^th. New equipment will be coming next month.

The North Indian Canteen which has been closed since April 9^th will open on the 16^th.

Some of the N buildings have been painted white. At this point I am not sure if all the N building or even if the other residential buildings will be repainted.

Rumor has it that the sheds near N9 will be torn down to be replaced with residential buildings. I do not how reliable this source of information was.

I haven’t checked on the progress of the new 10 dormitory/shed buildings. They are supposed to be completed by Guru Poornima next month.