OM SAIRAM
August 19th, 2006
Blog by Mark
Athi Rudra Maha Yajna: Day 11 -Morning
Sai Ram All
This morning, my alarm somehow did not work. So my usual time of getting up at 2.45am, was not to be. But somehow I awoke at 3.15. So being the case, I realised I could not make the Omkar line, which I usually go to every morning. The line that allows you to go inside the inner sanctum. By the time you shower, dress and do your morning prayers, I would be too late. So resigning to this, I took my time. Taking things slowly was quite refreshing. I had time to go to the Gayatri Temple to do the 3 rounds and also the Laxmi Temple next to it. The ladies at the Gayatri Temple, were chanting Gayatri mantras and distributing prasad in the form of kumkum. It was now about 4.30, so I slowly walked to the Kulwant Hall. Did pranams to Rama, Sita, Laxman and Hanuman on the way. The hall was full when I reached the gate, so I decided to do pranams and the 3 rounds around Ganesh Temple. It was 4.55am, when I entered the Hall to sit down. Right at the back, but nice. The bell rings 12 times at 5.00am, then about 10 minutes later it rings another 5 times. Now usually the place is very quiet at this time. You can even hear the birds singing. But not during these past 10 days. The Vedic priests also start at 5.00am with the horns blowing and drums in full throttle and straight into the Rudram chants. Very loud. Just a note. Wherever you are in the ashram you can hear the chants. There are loud speakers everywhere. Even in the village you can hear it. So maybe if you all listen deep within, you might be able to hear it too. It eminates throughout the universe. Just need to tap into the right wavelength. Exactly at 5.20am, another bell rings and Omkar is chanted 21 times. You can’t hear it over the loud speaker because of the loud chanting going on at the same time, unless you are inside the mandir itself. After Omkar, Suprabhatam begins. Just another note. Two ladies chant this prayer to wake up Swami, in such a way that we can’t follow it ourselves. We are even told not to. Beautifully rendered. If your inside the mandir you quickly leave after and line up for Nagasankirtin (singing bhajans around the whole Sai Kulwant Hall). Starting at the Ganesh Temple and finishing up there. About 6.20am finish, and its light now. This morning, I did all this and slowly walked back into the hall to be seated. The pundits were now doing abhishekams to the linga and chanting the Rudras. Swami arrived about 7.20am, and went straight to His chair. He watched the proceedings with such a loving gaze. He left for the interview room about 8.00am. He came back just as the Rudra Homa began. He left again soon after back to the room. Sai Gayatri Homa just finished and then there was a pause, during this time prasad was distributed to all. Swami came back for aarti and left in the car. Begins again at 2.00pm. Crowds seem to have swelled again? The weekend, the final day tomorrow, maybe. Its quite hot here ,with clear blue skies. Last two weeks its always been cloudy.
Mark
Jai Sri Sai Ram
[© 2006 Innersky at Prashanti]
http://www.saibabaofindia.com/11th_day_ati_rudra_maha_yajnam_2006_18th_august.htm
