Pilgrimage by Tamil Nadu Devotees

Over thousand devotees from Tamil Nadu arrived in Prasanthi Nilayam in two contingents on Feb 10th and 11th 2012 to pay obeisance to Bhagawan. Over 300 village leaders, devotees, balvikas children, parents and gurus from Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam on the 10th morning. The mother tongue of the people of Nilgiris is Tamil and their introduction to Telugu is only through Sai Bhajans. Out of their love to Bhagawan, they have learnt Telugu, the language of the Avatar, and presented the play “Sathya Harishchandra” in the Telugu language this evening in the Sai Kulwant Hall.

The moving and inspiring story of the 36th Scion of the Solar Dynasty, Sathya Harishchandra and the legend of his ideal life was presented with powerful dialogues interspersed with melodious poetry. Harishchandra is famous for always keeping his word and always speaking the truth. Tested by Sage Viswamitra, he renounces his kingdom to him and to offer the promised Dakshina, he even sells his wife, son and himself.

Content on this page requires a newer version of Adobe Flash Player.

Get Adobe Flash player

His trauma does not end there. When his son is killed by a poisonous snake, he refuses to cremate him without the fee being payed to the master. Pleased with his steadfastness, he is given back his kingdom by Lord Siva and his glory restored. During the concluding scene of the drama, when the son of the King is resurrected, the audience were moved to applause displaying the energy of the play. The participants were honoured with clothes while Prasadam was distributed to the assembly. Arati was offered at 1800hrs.
The second contingent of 700 devotees, Balvikas children, parents and gurus from the districts of Chennai Metro ( South ), Coimbatore, Vellore and Tiruppur districts of Tamil Nadu arrived at Prasanthi Nilayam on 11th morning. The Pancharatna Kritis (five of the most outstanding compositions) of Saint Tyagaraja were performed by eminent Vidwans and Vidhushis led by Sri. Trichur Ramachandran (Padma Bhushan Awardee).

They started the concert by paying obeisance to Lord Ganesha with the kriti, ‘Sri Ganapatini’ in Saurashtram ragam and Adi Talam. As per tradition they next paid respects to the Guru with the composition ‘Guruleka’ in raga Gaurimanohari and tala Khanda Chapu.

With this they began the rendition of the first of the pancharatnas namely, ‘Jagadananda Karaka’ (raga: Nata, tala: Adi) in praise of Lord Ramachandra. In the second Pancharatna kirti ‘Dudukugala Nanne’ (raga: Gaula, tala: Adi), Tyagaraja lists all the errors he has committed in his life including wandering without purpose, giving sermons to people uninterested or incompetent, self styling oneself as a great person and mistaking the dross for the real thing.

“Saadhinchene” (raga: Arabhi, tala: Adi), a kriti considered sweetest among the Pancharatnas finds Tyagaraja extolling the greatness of the Lord in a lucid manner most enthusiastically. “Kanakana Ruchira” (raga: Varali, tala: Adi), describes the great pleasure experienced by beholding the beautiful form of Lord Rama.

The musicians concluded with the one of Bhagawan’s favourite compositions, “Endaro Mahanubhavulu” (raga: Sri, tala: Adi), where the blessed saint salutes the countless great personages who have attained immense heights in their spiritual experience and have continued to live in all ages and then goes on to describe those whom he considers great.

The artistes expressed their gratitude for the privilege and honour of rendering the Pancharatna Kritis of Tyagaraja at the Divine Sannidhi of Bhagawan. Trustees of the Sri Sathya Sai Central Trust and Ashram Elders honoured them with shawls and sarees. Prasadam was distributed to the gathering.