Shivarathri Akhanda Bhajan Commences…

The sacrosanct darshan ground, Sai Kulwant Hall, that fondled the Ultimate Physical Frame of Supreme Divine time and again, granting the ultimate boon of The Sight Of The Supreme One to humanity turned exuberantly festive this evening as Prasanthi Nilayam geared up for the Holy Night, Maha ShivaRathri in the immediate Divine OmniPresence of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai.

The session commenced at 1620 hrs. amid resonating chants of Vedam coupled with devotional hymns, with the add-on beauty of percussion by the SSSIHL band. A regal palanquin procession amid ‘full-throttle’ chanting escorted The Lord to the venue next that was followed by the royal entry of the SaiEaswara Lingam, that was blessed by Bhagawan’s Divine Touch during the 2006 AtiRudram.

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

The abhishekam then 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 SaiEaswara Lingam.

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

Bhagawan’s Divine discourse followed next played on the public address system. Touching upon the significance of idol worship, explaining in detail, Bhagawan discoursed on the meaning of Sathya Sai, that being the Vedic Essence. Discoursing on Easwara Tathwa and the meaning of Lingam, Bhagawan  said Lingam is verily Sai HimSelf. Advising one and all to desist from criticising tactics, Bhagawan said, ‘paradooshana’ is the worst of the sins and one must avoid the same. Bhagawan concluded His discourse with the bhajan ‘Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Shanti Nahi…’that marked the commencement of Akhanda Bhajan.

Students along with different in-house as well as national groups will sing bhajans throughout the night that will end with Maha Mangala Arathi at 0600 hrs. in the morning.

As the bhajans continued, ‘prokshanam‘, sprinkling of the sanctified abhishekam water, was offered blessing the vast concourse of devotees.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II