Guru Poornima celebrations commenced on the eve of 2nd July 2023 at Sri Sathya Sai Vaatsalyam. The serenity of the ashram was furthered by the happy faces and joyous atmosphere leading up to the event that kickstarted the festivities.
The evening began with volunteers, brother Giri and sister Sai Lakshmi offering a newly designed scarf at the lotus feet of Bhagawan. This scarf, a reminder of the volunteers offering themselves to the service of all humanity, shall henceforth adorn the necks of all volunteers.
Brother Keertan Bhat, an IT professional and a full-time volunteer, then took the stage to share his experiences as a spiritual aspirant. He spoke about how mere proximity to our beloved Bhagawan brings about great inner transformation. He went on to extoll the virtues of our Guru – our Bhagawan and how His infinite love for His children guides them and keeps them on the path to self-realization.
With the stage set all so beautifully for the evening, what followed was the perfect segway to the essence of Guru Poornima. A musical ensemble of virtuosos – Vidushee Shrimati Suma Hegde on the Santoor, Vidushee Shrimathi Vijetha. M. Hegde and Vidwan Shri Santosh Hegde on the Tabla, and Vidwan Shri Gajanan Sabhahit on the Flute enthralled the audience with their nearly perfected craft. Each artist, trained in the traditional Bhartiya Guru-Shishya Parampara was there to pay their tributes to their gurus.
A rich alaap, jod and jhaala in raag Rageshree was followed by the popular composition Bhagyada Lakshmi Baaramma in raaga Madhaymavathi. The captivated audience seamlessly followed the ebbs and flows of the musical notes. The final presentation for the evening was the bhajan, Srinivasa Venkatesha. The program was brought to a conclusion with a Mangalam. It was a concert peppered with countless rounds of rapturous applause.
The resplendent evening came to a close with Mangala Aarthi.