There were no darshan this morning, Swami didn't come out to a "less
packed" Sai Kulwant hall, though many are going back to their respective
places still the crowd of devotees is huge. Also, today's bhajans were
longer than usual. The Yajna ahuti is out and the same priests will
perform the same Yajna in Chennai on Jan. 2007.
There is also a buzz here in the ashram that Swami might leave tomorrow?
:-)
The ornamentations of Yajna from gate and other places has been removed.
Taxi's have raised their fare prices to Bangalore also the local
restaurants are doing good business. All in all an extra ordinary day at
puttaparthi surely it is heaven on earth!
Weather: Hot/Humid
PS. By Swami's Grace, I had the good fortune of attending, along
with my mother,the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam on the last three
days. In a speech by Sri.Vinay Kumar, the fortunate person
whom Swami selected as His instrument to organise the
Yagnam, he said that Swami had Himself selected the place
where the Lingam be placed so that even the last person in
the hall could view the abhishekam done to it.Truely the
Lingam was clearly visible even to those people who were
outside the hall alongside the wall. Swami's planning is
wonderful as Himself. JAI SAIRAM. Suresh
SBOI-Group
( member)
The School of Business Management, Accounting and Finance (SBMAF) at the
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning is hosting a four-day
Management Workshop on 'Financial Services' in connection with their
department's anniversary celebrations, from August 21st to the 24th.
Bhagawan had blessed the Dean of the SBMAF yesterday, while he presented
Bhagawan with the programme sheet. This morning, Swami did not come for
darshan. In the evening, He came straight to the interview room at 3.55
pm. After alighting from His car, He paused for a few minutes talking to
some of the elders seated there, and thereafter went inside the interview
room. At around five o'clock, Swami came out on His mobile chair with Sri.
Vinay Kumar, the leader of the Karnataka Youth, and blessed the youth who
had assisted with the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam arrangements who were seated
together in the Sai Kulwant Hall as a group. Thereafter He went into the
Bhajan Hall where Bhajans had started as usual, sat for around half an
hour, received Arati and returned to Yajur Mandiram.
August 20, 2006
It was the concluding day of the historic and divinely ordained Athi Rudra
Maha Yagnam. By 5:15 A.M, the Sai Kulwant hall was packed to capacity and
the gents side lines had clogged up to East Prashanthi entrance. Those
with a keen sense of imagination and who have been to Puttaparthi could
imagine the number of devotees who had descended here for the last day's
proceedings which culminate with "Poorna ahuti". It was an early start to
the day with 'Aruna Parayanam' beginning at 4 A.M in the morning.
Following the pattern of the last 10 days, this was followed by Mahanyasam
and Linga Abhishekam. Then the last 1331 chants of Rudram of the total
14641, commenced. The Ritwiks sounded all the more energetic, probably due
to the nectarine love that Swami drenched them with in His discourse
yesterday. For them too, it must have been a life fulfilling experience
and a journey over many births that has brought them to chant in the
presence of Lord Siva Himself.
To give a visual description of the decorations, we felt the way a famous
writer once put, "language is short of words to express the experience".
But in those few words that we do know, it was a complete conglomeration
of the best. There were the Chinese hanging lamps, floral bouquets
reminding us of Christmas, and the centre of the hall where the Yagnam was
performed, made as traditional as it could be with coconut leaf buntings
and colourful flowers. A magnificent statue of Lord Shiva standing in all
tranquility had been placed next to the "marble block" pillar, facing the
Yajur Mandiram.
By 6:45 A.M, the Athi Rudra Maha Yagnam was getting closer and closer to
the significant number of 14641 chants and the expectations of the
devotees was also rising along with the Sun God who chose to take shelter
behind the heavy dark clouds. At 7:10 A.M, the final Parayanam was
completed.
With the Rudra Parayanam concluded, the Head priest was preparing for the
last day's Rudra Homam. Almost every neck in Kulwant hall was skewed to
the right with a longing look towards 'Yajur Mandir'. The moment finally
arrived! At 7:32 A.M Bhagawan granted His Darshan to the thousands who
were straining to catch a glimpse of Him. In the apparently quick and
silent round Swami took in the hall, He alone knows the blessings that He
conferred on each and every one. The Lord never misses out anyone! He sat
on the sofa at 7:43 A.M. Though He went back to the interview room in
about seven minutes, He came back with His lovely smile at 8:10. Just
then, the Rudra Homam was nearing completion with the Ritwiks pouring the
offerings to the Yagna Kunda through a long silver spoon (about 4 feet
long).
Swami was informed that the rites had been completed and He said that He
would come down for the Poornahuthi. Swami was wheeled down and one could
see the smile brimming on His face. He was full of eager anticipation. He
sat in between the Lingam and the Yajna kundam. The head priest offered a
bowl that had in it the Navadhanyas (9 types of grains) and also the
Navaratnas (9 types of grains). Swami took fistfuls of them and cast them
into the ceremonial pit. Then He took an hemispherical Copra (dried
coconut) that had been filled with turmeric and then another one filled
with kumkum and cast both of them into the fire. Swami then asked for the
offering that He had personally readied! A big bundle tied in an ornate
golden threaded, green silk sari was brought on a platter. Swami blessed
it and the head priest offered it to the fire. Then a tray about 2 metres
in diameter, filled with rare herbs and plant produce was brought. With
the help of another Ritwik, the head priest offered this also into the
fire as Swami watched on.
Swami then just sat gazing at the fire. The one making the offerings and
the one receiving it were one and the same! The 'Orange' that offered was
watching the 'Orange' that received! The head priest began pouring ghee
and added logs into the fire. The ghee was again offered through the
special silver spoon. The tongues of the flame rose higher and higher till
they were almost 3 metres high. Swami seemed fascinated with the flame and
though it was very hot near the Yajna kundam, He sat blissful. Then the
pots containing water to be poured over Saieeshwara Lingam were brought to
Saieeshwara. He blessed them and the water was used to perform the
Abhishekam.
Swami was presently sitting with His back to the Lingam. A beautiful scene
occurred. From the gents' side, Swami was at such an angle that it looked
as though Swami's hair was the base for the Lingam and the Abhishekam took
place. That sight thrilled us and filled our beings with joy.
Swami was then turned so that He too could 'see' the Abhishekam being
done. Swami looked at Saishwara and a satisfied smile danced on His lovely
face. Even from that position, He turned towards His right and kept gazing
at the fire that was raging. A cool breeze began to blow and offerings had
been made to the Yajna kundam. It was as if the five elements were dancing
to the tunes of the Cosmic dancer. Ah! It was indeed a sight fit for the
gods of highest heaven. As the head priest put it, "Even the gods will be
jealous of us." The Abhishekam continued with the waters from the 100
rivers that had been placed for worship for all the 11 days. The chants
reached a crescendo and then gave way to a beautiful song on the glory of
Sankara. Saishwara looked resplendent - both the Saakara (one with form)
and the Niraakara (formless one). It was at this time, that Swami decided
to go around for the Prokshana( sprinkling the holy water). Swami started
with the Ritwiks and then went around the Sai Kulwant hall for a complete
round. People told Swami that He should rest and that the priests would do
the needful. Swami was bursting with enthusiasm and He personally went
around everywhere, sprinkling water and pouring love. The Prokshana
complete, Swami sat on the sofa again. He was radiant and smiling. Each
one of us seemed to reflect His bliss and joy. He then looked at the head
priest and in a manner so natural to him, said- "You have conducted it
very well. All is good." So characteristic of God isn't it- to do
everything and then give us the credit? He then told the head priest to
begin chanting. The whole hall began to reverberate with the chanting of
the Rudram. All joined in unison and in those vibrations radiated the
underlying cosmic harmony of creation. As the children of the same God,
people of all castes, creeds, races, religions and countries joined the
chant. Some of the devotees offered their personal Abhishekam- that of the
eyes brimming with tears of joy and fulfilment. Swami sat swaying gently
to the chants. As the line "Namaste Asthu Bhagawan Vishveshwaraya
Mahadevaya" began, Swami too joined the chanting! Marvellous! The chanting
now became enchanting!
Swami then called the All India President and told him something. When Mr.
Srinivasan got up and came to the mike, his face was bursting with news to
be shared. He said, "Swami has declared that the next Athi Rudra Maha
yajna will be held in Madras in the month of January during the holy
Uttarayanam." The whole hall now reverberated with applause! Swami also
called Mr. G. K. Raman of the Sundaram group of companies, Tamil Nadu seva
convener. He too offered his gratitude at Madras being conferred the
honour and requested the head priest to guide the proceedings there too.
Swami also got it announced that the Prasadam lunch would be given to all.
He also promised to speak to the Ritwiks at 3:00 pm. Prasadam was
distributed to all in the Sai Kulwant Hall, and food was served in the
South Indian Canteen for the ladies and in the shamiana in front of the
Shed No. 1 for the gents. The morning's proceedings ended on that happy
note.
In the afternoon, Bhagawan interacted with the priests from 3 o'clock to
4.30 in the Bhajan Hall. Later, He went to the interview room, and asked
for Bhajans to commence in the Bhajan Hall at 5.15. After nearly half an
hour of Bhajans, Swami took Arati and retired to His residence.
-Sairadio.org
Since yesterday afternoon, things have changed for me here. Bro.Khamseng
left to go to Tiruparthi Venkateswara. So I would need to move back to the
sheds. A elderly lady, I met last week from Russia, offered me a flat
above hers, which is above a cousin of Swami’s. Sri.R.Satyanarayana. Just
behind the Shiva Temple (Swami’s birthplace). When you go out on the
balcony, you look staight down on Lord Shiva. My other intention, when I
came here was to film. What! I wasn’t sure. So I have moved there. She is
very well known among the relatives of Swami. She took me to a wedding
yesterday morning and today she is taking me across the river to
Easwarrama’s House etc. She is also taking me to a place where they sing
traditional bhajans. So hopefully I can film these. So the limited time I
have here, I feel I need to concentrate doing the filming. Swami is still
giving darshan. Last afternoon He was quickly wheeled around the men’s
side. This morning, I missed the darshan, due to moving.
