"When is Ganesh Chaturthi?"

September 8, 2002 (Sunday)

Swami came out around 4.25 pm. He called a music college student who was holding a card. Seeing the students getting up to get their instruments, He asked them to sit down. 

Swami : (Prof. Anil Kumar) When is Vinayaka Chavithi (Chaturthi)? I think it is in the morning itself. It is from 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm. Prashanti Nilayam boys will be presenting a programme. There are 11 speakers in total. 

Teacher : Even if they speak for five minutes each, it will take an hour to complete the whole programme. Will Swami give discourse in the afternoon? 

Swami : They are not just going to speak for five minutes. They will speak for much more time. Where is the time for Me to speak? 

Teacher : Swami should give big speech as it is a big festival. 

Swami : (Stretching both His hands wide) How much big? This big? Vinayaka’s stomach is only big. (After a pause) But they have prepared very nicely. The dialogues are very good. The language is very good. I have never heard such a beautiful language. Chiranjeevi Rao, Chakravarthi, Ram Mohan Rao, Mariwala, and Srinivasulu are speaking very nicely. They are practicing on the stage. I am listening from the back (in the Poornchandra Auditorium). In the end, 100 of them are getting together and singing the song “Gangamma Tallini”. (To Prof. Anil Kumar) Even in your Guntur such nice language is not spoken. I feel like listening again and again to the speeches. (To a Music College student) Day after tomorrow I will give you how much ever time you want. That time you can have your programme with mikes and other settings. 

Students : Swami, please come to Hostel. 

Swami : When? 

Students : Swami, after Vinayaka Chavithi. 

Swami : Yes after Vinayaka Chavithi. I will come.

(To Prof. Anil Kumar) Why are you smiling like that? 

Prof. A. K. : Swami, after Vinayaka Chavithi means when? There are so many days after Vinayaka Chavithi, and when Swami will come, nobody knows. 

Swami : Vinayaka Chavithi is celebrated for eight days. But you finish the celebrations early. When are you doing the immersion? 

Warden : Whenever Swami tells. Last year we had immersion procession on the third day. 

Swami : Tuesday is Vinayaka Chavithi, so do the immersion on Thursday. 

Exams are coming near and boys have to study. 

Swami went inside interview room at around 4.50 pm. 

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (2001-2004)