Letters from India

59. Evening Programs in Brindavan - Dec 1986

Evening Programs in Brindavan

December 1986

Whitefiel, Karnataka

Peoples,

I am so happy here and fine, in good health etc. I got my first cold two days after B-day (joining 90% of the ashram cuz of the dust I guess). Luckily I didn’t miss any Darshans because of it.

After rumors had circulated for several days (mentally preparing us), we left Prasanthi Nilayam on December 1st at 10:30AM. He went to Brindavan ashram. I took the cheap, fast bus and we all arrived by 3:45 pm that same day. In the evening was the usual far-off “gate Darshan,” and we were thus ushered back into the Brindavan Darshan routine!

I got a room in the Guest house, C-5. I had that room before when I was with “Bombay Auntie”. Now I am with three others: Tacy; a lady from the Philippians living in San Francisco; and a lady from Sri Lanka (an Indian lady living in UK). This is one of the rare rooms in the Guest House with bed, chair, table, screens, even clothes lines (!).

Of course, it was devastating (to be dramatic) to leave Prasanthi Nilayam – but I am happy in Brindavan with Swami. Now that “resident” Susan isn’t here, there’s no morning Omkar program in the Guest House. I have to be at Darshan at 8 AM instead of Prasanthi Nilayam Omkar at 4 AM – some difference! Maybe Swami comes here so we have a break from the intense sadhana of Prasanthi Nilayam. Oh, how I loved going around the Mandir in the morning, and going inside for Omkar! Then singing bhajans around the ashram, in Prasanthi Nilayam. I was kept constantly busy from 3:30 AM till 8:30PM, except a small break of one hour in the afternoon. Now in Brindavan, there are hardly any activities at all. What to do.

Ah! Swami has answered all of our earnest prayers!! In the evening there was usually bhajans for students and VIPs only. When He called the students inside, that’s when we had “gate Darshan” from afar. Well, from the first full day in Brindavan (December 2nd), Sai stopped the bhajans inside and is holding them instead in the large “Marriage hall”, and we are all invited! (We are about 250 people.)

Every evening we go in the hall (ladies go by disciplined lines with tokens). First Swami usually walks all around talking and asking questions - it’s almost like an interview! The first night we had bhajans; the second night Sai had a few boys make short speeches, then there were bhajans and Swami played the cymbals! The third night one gent sang sweet, funny poems in English, then a Sadhu spoke in Telugu; then Swami gave a discourse in Telugu with English translator. Very clear sound system, I could hear every word. He stressed that we should making progress day by day; don’t just stay in the same old state. We should practice PEACE. Our character should be cultivated. Good qualities should be developed and mastered. He said in English, “See/hear/talk/think/do no evil; see/hear/talk/think/do what is good – this is the way to Swami.” This was thrilling because He usually says, ‘This is the way to God.’

The hall only seats around 250 people, and all of us fit in. Sunset is during the program and it’s very dark by the end. The hall is at the far end of the ashram - there is no one outside wandering around, so it seems as if we are just a small gathering of people in the middle of nowhere. Just God and the tiniest bit of His creation, in an intimate gathering!

Every evening there is nothing planned. Swami directs the entire thing. He decides how long to wander around talking to the crowd, He directs people to speak or sing, He tells when bhajans should begin, and when arathi should begin to end it all.

How wonderful and blessed is Brindavan now! We have been given new life! I remember how in Prasanthi Nilayam we’d all moan to one another, “Oh! I hope Swami doesn’t go to Brindavan!!” Now I have a feeling that, if this wonderful night program continues, these moans will be heard no more. Thank you so much Swami, for fulfilling our greedy wishes!

(11 December) Moan! There have been troubles in Bangalore and Swami has announced that He doesn’t want people coming in from Bangalore in the evening – so as of 10th December He’s stopped the night program!

Anyway, I feel as if our souls have been nourished for some time, from the past days.

Jai Sri Sai Ram,

Love,

Eileen