Tuesday, Jan 6 2009  

JOURNEY TO LOVE (December 2002)

Temple in Puttaparthi Click here for more pictures from Journey to Love

In truth, this journey to love began much before Dec 14th 2002. Its planning process and implementation started as early as January of that year. The registration process took many tedious months and it was only a few months before Dec that the total number of devotees participating in this journey was confirmed. Since many of the devotees were first timers, the organizers made a conscious effort to make this trip as hassle free as possible. Ticketing for air travel, transport from Bangalore to Parthi, accommodation in Parthi, conditions of the rooms, supplies in the rooms and even drinking water was made available for the devotees from Singapore. It was Swami who infused in the organizers, the motivation and zeal to make this trip as memorable and spiritually fulfilling as possible.

On the 12th A few devotees left for Parthi as the advance party for the whole group, which was expected to be about 140 strong. From that day onwards it was perfectly clear that Swami was guiding us and making sure that every aspect of our trip was as sweet as nectar worth remembering. When we first arrived at Parthi, we were told that there would not be enough accommodation available for all the devotees from Singapore and that some of them would have to sleep in the sheds! But this was all part of Swami's leela . On the 14th morning about 300 devotees from the UK left the ashram unexpectedly, this cleared about 90 rooms and effectively one whole block in the north section. And thanks to Swami, this whole block was given to the Katong devotees. Also it was expected that there would be a total of 300 plus devotees from Singapore at that particular time, not just from katong. So, upon our request, the ashram staff allocated all Singaporeans to that one particular block in the north section. This privilege made it possible for us to go for Swami's darshan as "Singapore" and not just as individual centers. With this Swami clearly sent us a signal that we should all be united under the Singapore flag and not be disjointed and disorganized.

It was truly a wonderful sight every morning, to see hundreds of Singaporean Sisters and Brothers assemble every morning to proceed for the darshan. This congregation of all the red scarves was truly a sight to behold. Some foreigners even questioned, "Is there anyone left back in Singapore?"

In Parthi, things have an uncanny knack of falling right into place, undoubtedly due to divine intervention. We Singaporeans also had this privilege of experiencing some of His divine grace there. Before journeying to Parthi, there was a dilemma about where to hold our daily meetings. We knew we would be hard pressed to find a spot that would accommodate our numbers comfortably. Then miraculously, we were allowed to occupy the hall above the Punjabi canteen, with the microphone and carpeted floor, which was indeed a royal comfort that Swami presented us. Even more miraculous was the fact that no foreign group had been allowed that privilege before!

Since many of us were first timers, we wanted to visit the places of interest in Parthi. Thanks to the Ashram Staff, they arranged special visits for us to the Chaitanya Jyothi and the Planetarium. This was again an example of Swami's grace!

Entrance to Sai Kulwant Hall - Puttaparthi Click here for more pictures from Journey to Love

Perhaps the best exhibition of Swami's grace and love for the Singaporean devotees was the opportunities he presented us with during Christmas. Initially, many of the Singaporeans were interested in joining the Christmas choir. However, the response for the choir was overwhelming and the Christmas committee was short of sevadals, hence the Singaporeans volunteered to be sevadals. Both Sisters and Brothers were involved in the Christmas seva. On some days even, the western canteen allowed Singaporean ladies to cook the dinner! Such was Swami's grace on the Ladies. Some of the Aunties also helped out with creating the decorations that were to be put up in the Kulwant hall. Then there were those of us, brothers and sisters, who were given the responsibility of being sevadals during the various choir practices and satsangs. These sevadals also had the responsibility of taking care of the overseas devotees on both Christmas eve and Christmas day in the Sai Kulwant Hall. And here is a short experience of one of our brother who was part of the sevadals. (Read it here)

Undoubtedly the highlight of this whole Journey to love was the Christmas celebrations in Parthi. To top it all, Swami blessed all the devotees by his divine speech. Really we could not have asked for anything more.

This Journey to Love, true to its meaning, was a divine experience for all of us who were fortunate enough to be part of it. First timers or not, we learnt a great many new things that we would otherwise not have. Simple fundamentals like, punctuality, discipline and camaraderie was further instilled within us. The heartening aspect about this trip was not the fact that 300 odd Singaporeans journeyed to His Divine Feet. It was the fact that we exhibited unity in diversity whilst we were there. Regardless of the race, creed or center, we were united in all our activities ranging from Darshan to the Seva we did.

That was indeed the biggest lesson Swami taught to us. Swami encourages us to take Prashanti back home with us. True to his word, we should try and bring back and implement the same behaviour we had in Parthi.

Jai Sai Ram

Bro Arun
Bro Varun
Young Adults