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After punctual Prabhat
feri, everyone gathered at the main entrance hall. Men sat on the right
side while ladies on the left. Morning prayer was done. A table and chair
was set in the middle. No one had any idea why! Few minutes later, the
surprise unfolded. Maa's family menbers got together in the middle. Local
youths helped to pull out what we thought was India's flag. After close
observation only we come to know that it was a tri-colored balloon!!!
(Above: A
tri-colored balloon ready to go ! )
Special coated material
was lighted at the bottom of the balloon which generated light air. The
balloon began to grow and slowly begin to rise. Everyone cheered 'Om
Yogeshwarai Namah'. At the bottom of the flag was attached a giant ribbon
written in blue 'Sri Sarvewshawari Sannidhi Parva'. Because of the weight
of the ribbon, the balloon stared to fall so the youths cut the
ribbon. There was almost little or no air movement. Youth took the balloon
to the back of the mandap in the open field and finally were able to send
into the sky. The Tri-colored Balloon went high in the westerly direction
until it was only a dot in the sky!
Inside the hall,
everyone started Mantra gaan. In few minutes, we heard the sound of the
Conch which signaled Maa's arrival. Everyone remained seated but turned
their face in the direction of Maa's Path. Today Radhika and Pooja
performred Maa' Arti. Thereafter it was Pranam session. It is one of the
largest I have ever seen. For those of you who have seen Calgary hall or
the Youth shibir Hall, Kapura's Mandap about 10 times as big if not bigger!
Prabhu is everywhere and is felt more vibrant here in Kapura at the Sannidhi
parva. Never before so many sadhaks have gathered on this scale. In
future much will be written about this 60th birthday celebration of Maa in
Kapura.
After Pranam, Radhika
sang bhajans. Then Maa made everyone do practice of Dhyan (meditation). It
looked like only 15 minutes, but it almost lasted half an hour! Maa sat
down in front of her Hinchkoo in padmasan (Lotus Posture) and asked everyone
to perform the same. After Dhyan it was break for nasto (light breakfast).
Second session of the
morning was also eventful. Minalben, the one who did classical dance
yesterday, sang bhajans in classical ragas. Hemantbhai assisted with Tabla
while Parth played Harmonium. Then we listened to Shri Yogeshwarji's lecture
on tape. The lecture was centered around the importance of a right Guru.
Yogeshwarji also talked about Maa Sarveshwari: "One can learn a lot of
things from her life like her very strong will-power, quality of
fearlessness, determination, etc. Maa was an accomplished soul in her
previous birth and she doesn't need to perform any sadhna, yet she is doing
it to set an example for others to follow."
Dr. Himanshu Pathak gave
an interesting lecture on Yoga. He said mind plays key role in controlling
disease. We should think positively. Among many things that he said, one
was very profound: "I am not even qualified to become a mayor of a small
town, however if I am elected to be the prime minister of India, the first
thing I will do is to remove 'Medo' (white flour) from this country. It has
done so much damage to the health of our nation that not even liquor has
done in its comparison! In short, medo is highly detrimental to our
health. He advised everyone to stay away from it. Thereafter, Pandit
Laxmeshbhai shed light on Sanskrit puranas.
( Above: Tejal (Sitar) and
Pavan(Tabla) - Maa's young artist from LA in action)
In the afternoon
session, young artist from Los Angeles - Tejal played sitar and Pavan played
on Tabla. Thereafter, Sureshbhai Shah from Toronto, Canada recollected his
childhood experience with Yogeshwarji. Vinodbhai Patel from New Jersey
recounted his first meeting with Shri Yogeshwarji and Maa in India and in
America. Then a small but impressive play on Shri Yogeshwarji's life was
presented by Los Angeles group.
The evening/night was
reserved for renowned artist - Ashit and Hema Desai. Maa arrived and took
her seat. Maa's hinchko (swing) was brought down from stage and put on the
ground so Maa could face the stage. The stage was specially set for these
artists. At 7:30 Conch was heard. School girls entered the hall with
rhythmical leg movements with decorated vases on their head. Other girls
did Garba around the three figures. These figure became more clear as they
entered the Mandap. There was a look of awe and surprise on Sri Ashitbai
and Hemaben. Along with their son Aalap, their music party entered.
Everyone got up in the hall to welcome the singers. Maa also got up. The
singers did pranams to Maa. Maa gave her blessings.
(Above: Renowned Gujarati
singer Ashit & Hema Desai with their son Aalap)
The 'Bhajan Sandhya' was
very successful. One by one - they sang beautiful bhajans. Their son Aalap
also sang a bhajan. Maa was so pleased with his singing that she called
Pandit Laxmesh Joshi to do chandlo on Aalap's forehead. Using correct
Sanskrit verbage, Panditji recited mantras and prayed for the success of all
the artists.
As soon as the Ashit
Desai's group sang raas, many got up and started to do garba. In few minutes
many devotees in the hall were on their feet. The whole atmosphere was in
transcendental state. The hall was filled with vibrations and sounds of
music! Music is powerful, but devotional music is definitely enchanting.
Much can be written
about tonight's Bhajan Sandya but there is not enough time to write. Deepakbhai
and Hemalbhai of Surat our doing outstanding job in putting this 60 hours of
the Shibir in multi-shoot camera system. I am looking forward to the Shibir
Video. That's it for now.
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