Akhanda Bhajan Commences…

Amid electrifying chants ‘full-throttle’ of Aum Namah Shivaya mixed with percussion and Vedam that rendered the Prasanthi air in fullness, a grand palanquin procession of Beloved Bhagawan circumambulated the Mandir precincts at around 1625 hrs., marking the commencement of the evening proceedings of the Maha ShivaRathri celebrations today in Prasanthi Nilayam. The procession was escorted by Poornakumbham and Vedam chanting.

Continuing further with the proceedings at the scheduled hour at 1630 hrs., the famed SaiEeswara Lingam, sanctified by the Divine Hands during the 2006 Atirudram, was escorted to the venue in a regal palanquin procession, from the Bhajan hall amidst Vedic chanting.

Mahaganapathi Prarthana and Swasthi Punyaha and Avahana (purificatory rites) followed for the next five minutes before the commencement of Maha Rudrabhishekam.

The abhishekam was performed with eighteen different items. The eighteen items offered to the Lingam are: 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.

Alankaram, decorating the Lingam, followed along with Sri Sathya Sai Ashtothara  Namavali.

Dhoop (Fragrance) Arathi, Offering of Naivedyam and Ashirvachana, seeking blessings from The Lord, followed before Mangala Arathi offering to Sayeeshwara Lingam.

The Maha Rudrabhishekam was conducted for World Peace and the whole proceedings lasted ninety minutes.

hagawan’s Divine discourse followed next played on the public address system. Bhagawan discoursed on the Purusha – Prakruti principle in the human body.

This was followed by the commencement 12-hour Akhanda Bhajan.

During the bhajans  sanctified Abhishekam water was sprinkled on the large concourse of devotees assembled in the Sai Kulwant Hall. The night-long Akhanda Bhajans will continue until morning 0600 hrs when Mangala Arathi will be offered.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II