Maha Shivarathri in Prasanthi Nilayam…
Saturday, March 1st, 2014
Auspicious night of Shiva, Maha Shivarathri bhajans commenced in glittering fashion with much religious fervour this evening here in Prasanthi Nilayam. Prior to the commencement of the night-long vigil, Akhanda Bhajan, a Maha Rudrabhishekam to ‘Saieeswara Lingam’ was offered commencing the evening proceedings.
At the scheduled hour, at 1600 hrs., the famed Saieeswara Lingam, sanctified by the Divine Hands during the 2006 Atirudram, was brought to the venue in a regal palanquin procession, from the Bhajan hall amidst Vedic chantings.
Lord Shiva Who is hailed as Abhisheka Priya is mightly pleased by sacred offerings. This evening’s Maha Rudrabhishekam had 18 types offerings to Saieswara Lingam. The offerings included milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, fruits, tender coconut water, flower, yellow rice, sandalwood paste, vibhuti, bilwa leaves, sugarcandy juice, rudraksha, darbha grass, gold, turmeric, kumkum (vermillion) etc. with each individual offerings bear spiritual religious significance. These 18 offerings are meant to appease the Indweller within, Who is verily Sai Shiva. Laghu Arathi was offered intermittently during the Rudrabhishekam.
After the abhishekam offerings even as the Saieeshwara Lingam was being decked up, Rudram, Chamakam chantings continued followed by Sathya Sai Sahasra Namavali before the final offering of Mangala Arathi marking the end of the Maha Rudrabhishekam.
Satsangha is the identificaion with the Oneness, echoed Bhagawan ‘delivering’ His Shivarathri Divine discourse elucidating on the real meaning of Satsangha. Bhagawan ended His Divine discourse with the bhajan “Sathyam Jnanan Anantam Brahma…” that marked the commencement of Akhanda Bhajan.
During the bhajans the 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.
Earlier, reminiscing the great good fortune of celebrating Shivarathri in the immediate Divine Presence students from SSSIHL offered a musical devotional offering at Bhagawan’s Lotus Feet on the morning at Sai Kulwant Hall in Prasanthi Nilayam.
Interspersed with commentary on the significance of Maha Shivarathri, the morning offering had eight musical gems, including some hymns, sing with professional elan mixed with great devotional fervour. The songs included Viswanathashtakam…, Hara Hara Shankara Parthi Pureeshwara…, Lingashtakam…, Shambho Mahadeva…, Natanam Aadie Njaan…etc…
II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II
Posted in Prasanthi News |
