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| A vatus offering His Pranams to Sri Sathya Sai during the Upanayanam
Thursday, February 10, 2000
A mass Upanayanam for 700 boys was held at Prashanti Nilayam on February 10, 2000. This programme was organised by the staff and the alumni of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning.
On the 9th evening, Bhagavan distributed the new clothes and the Puja materials for the ceremony to the boys in Sai Kulwant Hall. The boys along with their parents came in a procession to Sai Kulwant Hall.
On the 10th, Bhagavan lit the lamps at 7 am in Sai Kulwant Hall and sanctified the sacred threads by sprinkling Vibhuti on them.
Bhagavan went around the entire hall sprinkling Akshata (rice grains) on all the Vatus and their parents and showered His blessings on them after the ceremony.
The ceremony concluded with Bhagavan’s Discourse about the significance of Upanayanam and Gayatri Mantra at 7.45 am. In His Discourse, Bhagavan said:
“Gayatri is Sarvadevata Swarupini and Sarvamantra Swarupini (embodiment of all Gods and all Mantras). It is said, Gayatri Chhandasam Mata, meaning Gayatri is the mother of the Vedas. There is no need to chant any other Mantra if you chant the Gayatri Mantra. Gayatri has three names: Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati. Gayantam Trayate Iti Gayatri (Gayatri protects the one who recites it).
Gayatri is the master of the senses. Savitri is the presiding deity of the life principle. When Gayatri acts as the protector of life force, she is known as Savitri. You might have heard the story of Savitri, a woman of chastity, who brought her dead husband, Satyavan, back to life with the power of her prayer. Savitri protects those who lead a life of Satya (truth). This is the inner meaning. Saraswati is the presiding deity of speech. Man has to earn the grace of Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati to sanctify his life.”
Bhagavan offered a grand feast to all of them.
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Mass Upanayanam at Prasanthi Nilayam
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Thanks for sharing this. In fact, I was one of the Vatus. What a thrilling experience that was! We assembled near the patamandir at about 6.00 am that morning with our parents. Dressed in the clothes that Swami gave the previous day, and flanked by our parents on each side, we were led by Sai Geetha into the Ashram via the Gopuram and into the Kulwant hall. To our utmost surprise, Swami was waiting for us and while we went in lines he directed us to walk into different rows. "Fast, fast! come on boys!" and blessing us.
ReplyDeleteThe next hour was like something out of earth. Swami coming around and blessing us, initiating us with the Gayatri mantra, then later on excitedly telling us of what food awaits us in the canteen. Beckoning us to not leave without partaking the Prasadam! Those three hours felt like a day!
Be it special accommodation, food, or even passes for relatives, Swami took care of everything.
Even after the Upanayanam ceremony, he would ask us in the next days if we were doing the Sandhya Vandanam. In the hostels, we would have some elder brothers teach us Sandhya Vandanam which we performed twice a day. It was and still is a great memory for me.
Sairam Brother.soo thrilled after reading your experience...by Swami's grace we are about to perform my son's thread ceremony in Kulwath hall on fev10,2019. My query is when can we put panchasikhalu for the vatu. We are Telugu Brahmins...if you have any idea about this, please share...Sairam
DeleteDear Brother Prashanth,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your first hand experience of the Upanayanam Programme in 2000 in Swami's Divine Presence. You have made us relive those blessed moments.
Warm Regards
SSwS Team
SaiRam,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this article. Can you please share the sandhyavandanam English chanting content/ link. It will be of grear help as I have lost my book that I received after the initiation/ upanayanam at Puttaparthi.
Sai ram brother... does any one have the video of this programme...? My brother also received the upanayanam... and the trust's website doesn't have it...
ReplyDeleteSai ram, I was one of the vatus on this most fortunate function in my life. Unfortunately I do not have the official video, can I request the source to obtain a copy of it please.
ReplyDeleteMy request to Swami is to have Upanayanam of my son at Puttaparthi. Am waiting for such event to happen there and my wish to get fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteI am also waiting for upanayam for my son in Puttaparthi.
DeleteSairam, My son V. Sairaam who is now doing his Phd at Parthi was also one among the vatus in 2000 upanyanam programme. Very sweet memmory
ReplyDelete