OM SAIRAM
August 20th, 2006
Athi Rudra Maha Yajna: Day 12 Maha Poornahuthi
The proceedings of this Yajna started as early as 4 a.m. on this day. Chanting of Rudram and Chamakam, Rudrabhishekam went on in the same systematic manner like the other days of the Yajna. Being the concluding day of the Yajna, every inch of space in Sai Kulwant Hall was occupied by devotees and many were waiting outside to gain entry into the Hall. Bhagawan came to the Hall for Darshan at 7.30 a.m. and went a full round of the Hall. One could see people craning their necks to have the vision of the Lord. Bhagawan sat in the dais for some time. In the meantime, a cow and calf were brought to the Hall and a priest performed Gopuja (worship of cow). With the chanting of Rudram, Ghee was offered in the Yajna by the priests. Bhagawan came down the dais to bless the sacred oblations, which were then offered in the Yajna by the chief priest. With this, the Purnahuti of the Yajna was performed. Then Kumbhabhishekam was done to the Linga. Bhagawan blessed the Kalashas containing the holy water. Abhishekam to the Linga was performed with the holy water.
Bhagawan went round the entire Hall sprinkling the Teertha (holy water) on devotees and students. After Bhagawan came to the dais, He had asked Sri V. Srinivasan, All India President, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations to make an announcement that the next Athi Rudra Maha Yajna will be performed in Chennai in the month of January after the arrival of Uttarayana (sun’s northward course). The Youth of Tamil Nadu would take the lead in conducting the Yajna and the head priest Sri Nanjunda Dikshitar would be the officiating priest for the Yajna. Sri G.K. Raman, Tamil Nadu Trust Convener, Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisation said that it was the greatest opportunity for them to conduct the Yajna at Chennai and invited everybody to the Yajna. Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees in the Hall. After Mangalarati, Bhagawan, retired to His abode. The huge concourse of devotees was served Pulihora (tamarind rice) and Laddu after the conclusion of the morning programme. Ladies were served in the South Indian canteen and gents were served opposite to Hall 1 of the Ashram.
In the evening, Bhagawan came for Darshan at 3 p.m. After taking a full round of the Hall, Bhagawan went inside the Bhajan Hall of the Mandir where the Ritwiks (priests) had assembled. Bhagawan was with the priests for more than a hour.
The proceedings for the day ended with Bhajans and offer of Arati to Bhagawan.
Thus, concluded the grand and unprecedented Athi Rudra Maha Yajna, which was conducted for 12 consecutive days at Prasanthi Nilayam.
From a devotees point of view! Read below
Ati Rudra Yagnam Conclusion 20/08/06 - Afternoon
Sai Ram All
Well its over. After this mornings proceedings, I was beat. Meaning, I need a holiday. A quiet place to sit and reflect, what I, and all here, have experienced over the last 12 days. I decided not to line up this afternoon, as usual. But just arrive around 2.30pm and walk straight in, hoping there is a spot for me. The hall was almost full at that time, but there was space at the back. Swami arrived soon after and went straight into the inner Mandir. After a short while, we heard the priest’s chanting Vedic mantrams inside. Swami was obviously giving them private darshan. It was now about 4.30, and He then went straight to the interview room. The fires are still burning. I presume they will let them burn out themselves. Someone told me, once they are extinguished and cool, they do a certain pooja and break down the ash. Hopefully before I come home, I can get some to bring back with me. The Sayeeshwara Lingam was not in the hall. About 5pm, the Sai bhajan group started singing bhajans. About 5.45pm, aarti was sung and Swami was taken away to His abode. That was it. The crowds will probably disperse quickly from here now. Ganesh Chathurti is on the 27th. The day I leave, back to Australia. So I presume the crowds will gather again during the week. I will continue this blog till then, if anything is worth mentioning. I hope at least, I have in some way provided a daily insight from a devotee point of view. And that at least, in part, you have experienced in some small way, what it was like being here during this most auspicious time.
Also most humble loving Pranams to our beloved Lord, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, for allowing me to daily keep you all up to date and a special thankyou to Chris Parnell for setting this whole blog up. And to you all for the encouragement to continue. Swami, forgive me if any of my information was not correct.
May Swami bless you all in abundance.
Mark
Jai Sri Sai Ram
Yagna Poornahuti at Prasanthi Nilayam
Rudra Yagnam Conclusion. 20/08/06 - Morning
Sai Ram All
Swami blessed us all with a free lunch, under a huge canopy near the sheds. Sweet, spicy rice with ladoo on a bed of vine leaves. So after the morning’s proceedings, I decided to go for lunch first. The lines were enormous. So I am writing this a few hours after the morning programme.
Well, what can I say! Trying to remember all what had transpired since 2.00am this morning, is a bit difficult .Yes, I arrived at the Kulwant Hall, passing the enormous line of women reaching up to the North Indian Canteen. Thats long! Oh no! I said to myself, I didn’t get up early enough. What will the men’s lines be like. Sure enough ,when I turned the corner to go up the side of the hall, at least 20 seated lines already there and as you go further, more lines near the Ganesh Temple. Then the thought arised, I might not even get into the hall. Anyway, I did manage to get in. About two thirds way back. We were all so squashed in by the Seva Dals. There was no room to even move your legs. The thought of sitting in that position for the next 5 hours at least, daunted me. Well it wasn’t five hours. It was about 7 hours straight. Thats staggering to contemplate, but thats what happened.
We were in the hall by 2.30am and waited cramped till 4.00am for the priests to start the Rudra chants and abhishekams. Swami arrived around 7.45am, I think. Went to His chair. When He goes to His chair, He walks very slowly with the aid of a few students. He told us last week that one leg is shorter by an inch, due to the operation. He left shortly after to the interview room. Rudra Homan was going on. He came back about 20 mins later, at the start of the Sai Gayatri Homan. Once this finished, the priest’s started the Jayati Homan. A cow, in dress, came and the priests gave it milk and fruits etc. Swami was wheeled down in His chair to perform the Maha Poornahuthi. He offered rice etc, I believe, into the main kunda. Couldn’t really see all this from where I was seated. At this time people started getting up to see all this. Mayhem followed. Everyone got up suddenly and pushed towards the front. Shivaratri revisited. I was literally squashed with no where to move. We were forced to sit immediately in a space of a foot. I ended up behind one of the pillars. I couldn’t see a thing now. All that time and effort gone in a thrice. Oh yes! They closed the hall gates about 3am, as it was full to the brim. A lot of loud yelling and scuffles outside. People desperate to get in. Anyway I could see some of what was going on on the Tv. The priest’s were now pouring the water from the containers over the linga, that were placed there during the whole period. Forgotten the word. The coconuts sit on top of them. Kumba’s, thats it! Then Swami was wheeled around the hall, ladies side first and blessed a few with Kumbabhisheka. Then briefly around the men’s side. During this time, the Sai bhajan singers sang Shiva and linga bhajans. Everyone was again eventually seated, by the Seva Dals. Swami came back to His usual seated position. He asked the priests to chant the Sri Rudram. After this, someone got up and mentioned that Chennai will host another Ati Rudra Maha Yagna in January next year. Sankranthi, I think. To be organised by the Tamil Nadu youth and conducted by the same priests. He said this will be one of many to be performed all over the world. Imagine one in Australia. Get the youth onto this. Aarti then Swami left. Program starts at 3.00pm for the people involved and 4.00pm for the rest of us. We all got the water from the Kumba. I managed to get a few teaspoons in a bag. Hope I can bring it back, so you can all partake. PHEW! This is a bit long. Forgive me once again for any errors. Its hot and humid again with that blazing sun.
In Sai
Mark
Jai Sri Sai Ram
[© 2006 Innersky at Prashanti]
http://www.saibabaofindia.com/12th_day_ati_rudra_maha_yajnam_2006_20th_august.htm
