Laksha (100,000) Om Sri Sai Ram Chanting  | Aradhana Day Prayers – 9:00 AM to 12:30- Sun, Apr 23 – Flushing Sai Center

Sathya Sai Baba says “You are unnecessarily struggling and planning several schemes, thinking about them day and night. In spite of all your struggles, what has to go out of your hands will go. The body is like a water bubble. The mind is like a mad monkey. If you follow this mad monkey, you will get into trouble. In the same manner, if you believe in the body, you do not know when this body, which is like a water bubble, will burst. Nothing is permanent. Only the Atma (Self) is eternal and immortal. ‘I’, ‘Self’, ‘God’ are all different names by which the Atmaswarupa is called. God incarnated as Rama, Krishna, and the like, and underwent several difficulties to demonstrate great ideals. Finally, they too left the mortal coil. The physical bodies of the Avatars undergo changes, but the Divine Atma in their bodies remains the same. It is omnipresent, eternal and changeless. Divinity in all the human beings is one and the same.”

Devotees all over the world would commemorate the great opportunity they had in listening and following the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba during the month of April every year in the form of Aradhana Mahotsavam Sadhana.

Sri Sathya Sai Center of Flushing will be celebrating the Maha Samadhi Aradhana Mahotsavam this year dedicated to World Peace and Health.

• During this month we will have activities that include All Families United Bhajan Offering, Service Activity, and SSSE offering
• Sunday April 23 we will have Special Aradhana Day Prayers including Laksha (one lakh or 100,000) chanting of Om Sri Sai Ram mantra.
• Aradhana Mahotsava Service by Center Members.

Aradhana Day Prayers – Laksha (one lakh or 100,000 (hundred thousand times)) Om Sri Sai Ram Chanting:

Swami says “When you meet each other, do not shout hello or bye-bye, or some silly chatter. Let the moment of meeting be sanctified by the remembrance of God.Say, Ram Ram, or Om, or Hari Om, or Sai Ram.” – Sathya Sai Speaks X, Chap. 14

“Sai Ram” is the divya mantra and just by uttering once with purity and love is enough to give you protection and liberation. We heard many stories about the significance of saying “Sai Ram” through various talks by Swami devotees. As part of the ongoing 1008 Sadhana we will be observing prayers day on Sunday, April 23 2023. Let’s immerse ourselves in the sacred mantra “Sai Ram” by chanting it non-stop for One hundred thousand times (100,000 or One Lakh or Laksha (telugu)). As part of Swami’s 98th Birthday celebrations we will plan to observe “Laksha Sai Gayatri Chanting” in September this year if possible with His grace. 

How can one participate?
We encourage everyone to participate and chant along. You can join the ongoing chanting by repeating along. We are anticipating to cover this in about 1 1/4 hr or so. We will maintain tempo. We request you and your family members to join at least for 1/2 hour (children at least for 15 minutes) and if possible plan to chant during the entire time. We recommend you to be available during the entire chanting. The primary goal is unwavering focus on Swami and only Swami during the chanting. No multi-tasking (if joining on Zoom) or In person as possible. 

What is the process?
We will constantly count the number of devotees who are participating for every Japa Mala count (108). The total count for each japa mala is calculated by multiplying 108 times the number of devotees present during that time. The goal is to reach 108,864 (that will be about 1008 times of a Japa Mala (108)). Once we reach the target we will conclude. 

Preparation?
If In Person, we will give you rice to offer during chanting… and after the chanting that will be the prasadam to take home and cook for your entire family. For those joining us via zoom, please take your own rice and offer during the chanting. 

Let us know?
Please let us know if you are planning to join us for In Person (recommended) and if not via Zoom ahead of time. Br. Amit will reach out but this is open for all to join. But do let us know your presence on Zoom chat if you are going to join via Zoom (number of members joining) as Br. Amit will be requesting this information on the day of chanting for those who are present on Zoom. 

Why?
We can question why do we need to do this in the first place? Swami says ” If not now when? Namasmarana of the powerful mantra “Sai Ram” will be enough to cross one from this ocean of life and birth saga… ” So dear brothers and sisters, please take a moment to remember Swami and only Swami on the occasion of Aradhana Mahotsavam. What best can we do but just to remember him only. 

Please do join us to remind ourselves that Swami resides in each and every one of our hearts and to commemorate His love and teachings.

We will conclude with bhajans, closing prayers and lunch prasadam for those who will be joining us in person at brother Mallik’s  / Sister Radhika’s Home. 

Note: see tentative agenda below.

Aradhana Day Service Activities:
Also we are fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in the service activities throughout the weekend of Aradhana Day. We will be holding special narayana seva at thompskin Park and as well as Ronald McDonald Kitchen Service on Saturday April 22nd 2023. On the actual day of Aradhana April 24th Monday, we will as well be offering service to homeless people at Rufus King Park, Jamaica. Please reach out to Mrs. Manorama Saxena Aunty for more details. See the flyer below.