Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh
The sacred darshan ground, Sai Kulwant Hall that fondled the Ultimate Physical Frame Of Supreme Divinity turned exuberantly festive this evening in anticipation of the grandeur of the Holy Night Of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivarathri.
The holy evening session commenced at 1620 hrs amid resonating chants of Vedam coupled with devotional hymns. A regal palanquin procession to the accompaniment of ‘full-throttle’ chanting escorted The Lord to the venue next, followed by the royal entry of the SaiEaswara Lingam, that was blessed by Bhagawan physically during the 2006 AtiRudram.
Maha Rudrabhishekam next featured eighteen distinct offerings, namely, milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, gandham, five types of cut fruits, five types of dry fruits, tender coconut water, special flowers, akshata, vibhuti, rudraksha leaves, sacred grass, gold, turmeric, kumkum and pure water.
Full-throttle Rudra Parayanam followed before the Alankaram offering, decorating the Lingam, next to the accompaniment of sacred chants. Sri Sathya Sai Ashtothara Shata Namavali offering followed before the final offering of Maha Mangala Arathi.
The Maha Rudrabhishekam is aimed at Universal Peace.
Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed next played on the public address system. Surrender facilitates direct connection with God, said Bhagawan explaining the Godly departments of creation, sustenance, destruction. Narrating the story of Bhasmasura, Bhagawan cautioned the devotees not to go against the God-laid disciplines. God HimSelf has to follow His path, reminded Bhagawan saying He does and makes others to do it. His Life Is His Message, reminded Bhagawan. God has the supreme authority of cancel any affect, as He can create, sustain and dissolve. Once one is surrendered he can connect directly to Him. Time swallows the body, but God swallows the time. God is The Master of time. Exhorting devotees not to stop half-way, but to move on with perseverance, with full-time devotion. Bhagawan concluded His discourse with the bhajan ‘Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahin…’ that marked the commencement of Night-Long Akhanda Bhajan.
The bhajan sadhana will continue through the night with different devotee groups taking turns until Mangala Arathi at 0600 hrs.
Prokshanam (sprinkling of abhishekam water) was offered to devotees en masse, blessing them with the sacred abhishekam water, amidst bhajans.