Sri Sathya Sai reminisces His Hyderabad Visit

August 30, 1992

In the evening, Swami went to the auditorium where some idols of Lord Ganesha were kept. After a short moment, He came out and signalled four students to come there. While the work was progressing there, Swami also narrated to them what had happened at Hyderabad. As soon as they entered the Poornachandra auditorium, Swami showed them the Ganesha idol and instructed them as to which one must be taken to the Primary school and which to the Hostel. There was yet another statue of Ganesha seated on a swan, which Swami instructed should be sent to the Anantapur students. One boy asked Swami to come to the hostel to install the Ganesh idol there.

Swami: It is not correct of you to ask Me like this. There are so many devotees waiting here. Moreover, you are having music programme here.

Swami then asked one of the elderly persons there if he had heard about the function at Hyderabad. (Read more about the event that was presided by Prime Minister Narasimha Rao here.)

Sri Sathya Sai in Poornachandra Auditorium

Swami: It was a beautiful programme. There was an enormous crowd, but no untoward incident took place. Not a chappal was lost. The police there did not have to use any force. Everywhere one could hear the chant of ‘Sai Ram.’ The city was filled with the chant of Sai Ram wherever I went. There was a group of students from some of the city colleges who escorted Swami’s car in Hyderabad. They were immaculately attired in whites with caps and whistles. Not even a cycle could enter the path of Swami’s car. Wherever a crossroad approached, one of them would speed up and stop all the traffic, hence allowing Swami’s car to go through without hindrance.

Swami then mentioned that He had created a chain for the leader of the team of motorcycle escorts. The crowd was so much that even if one person moved, the entire crowd had to move. Yet Swami did not take any ‘security’. I used to leave the car and walk through the crowd. But the crowd behaved so well and none rushed forward or caused disturbances.

A devotee, who is the Principal of a Hotel Management College, sent her students to serve food for the guests and Swami. They were dressed very well and had flawless manners. They worked so well and with such devotion that the Prime Minister was amazed at their work. They even requested for an opportunity to serve food to Swami. The cutlery was so well laid out that the very sight would fill the stomach.

Bhagavan then narrated about the Kalyana Mandapam (Sri Sathya Sai Nigamagamam). 

Sri Sathya Sai Nigamagamam, Hyderabad

People came flocking to have a look at the Mandapam. There is no Mandapam on par with it in India!

A Devotee : Swami, even in Asia, there is no building like this!

Swami: It is only in India that such structures are built! Throughout Swami’s stay, people chanted ‘Sai Ram’ and kept up the tempo till Swami left for Puttaparthi.

Swami then spoke about the school at Hyderabad. 

Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar, Hyderabad

The Sathya Sai Vidya Vihar in Hyderabad is as good as our Secondary School here. The youth in Hyderabad used to pick up the soil after Swami passed by and rub it on their heads, such was their devotion. It was a sight worth seeing. Nothing like it in 30 years.

Source: Students with Sai: Conversations (1991-2000)