Devotees of the Forderville Bhajan Group celebrated Sri Sathya Sai Baba’s 91st birthday with love, dedication and enthusiasm, which were felt throughout the service hosted at the Sai Clinic in the Forderville Primary School yard.
Prayers, devotional songs, a talk and light meditation were part of the programme to commemorate the spiritual leader’s day of birth. Swami has repeatedly said: “I do not consider one particular day in the calendar as my birthday. When divinity blossoms in your heart, I consider that day as my birthday in you. Therefore, each of you should individually celebrate such a day as my birthday. When you resolve to practice my advice, follow my directives, translate my message into selfless service and engage in spiritual discipline, that day is my birthday for you.”
Devotees were urged to put the above into practice along with Swami’s other teachings. The spiritually uplifting environment and an attentive crowd contributed to the ambiance and bore testimony to the message of the dear Lord, which is ‘love’ and his mission, which is to ‘serve all’.
The main message of the day and the ultimate realisation as stipulated by Swami: “The divine resides within us and we are divine too. We need to understand this and respect each other”.
Also by Swami “There is only one religion, the religion of love; there is only one language, the language of the heart; there is only one caste, the caste of humanity; there is only one law, the law of karma; there is only one God, He is omnipresent.”
And: “Let the different faiths exist. Let them flourish and let the glory of God be sung in all the languages of the world and in a variety of tunes. Respect the differences between the faiths and recognise them as valid as long as they do not extinguish the flame of unity.”
The service ended with a birthday song, lovely appetisers and obviously birthday cake were enjoyed while food hampers where handed to families. All those who attended enjoyed the celebration of happiness, bliss and contentment.
