Prema Yajna 19-22 August, 2010

With the Grace of Bhagavan, the Sri Sathya Sai Prema Yajna commenced at 5am - the auspicious ‘Brahma Muhurtham’, on Thursday 19, August. After Aumkaar and Suprabhaatham, the congregation joined in calling upon Baba for His benediction (for his benediction alone would be sufficient to confer auspiciousness upon, and guarantee success of, the undertaking of the Yajna). Following this, the Sri Rudram (Namakam and Chamakam) was chanted by all. Except for the short prayer offered before the formal inauguration of the Yajna, this routine was to become a daily feature of the prayers, with the addition of jyothi meditation and reading of the Thought for the Day on subsequent days, as well as Namaz on the Friday, in honour of the holy month of Ramadaan.

The Pranapratishta and Agnipratishta, the sacred lighting of the homam fire, were then performed by the presiding priest, using materials prescribed by the scriptures and sent from Bengaluru. It was upon the completion of this rite that the mantra recitation began in earnest. For the next 85 hours (85 hours being in honour of the 85th Year of Advent of The Avataar), the Maha Mrutyunjaya mantra:

Om tryambakkam yajamahey,
Sugandhimpustivardhanam
Urvaarokameva bandanaan
Mrityormooksheya maamritaat

(listen to the Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra)

Lord Shiva is the three-eyed god. Shiva is always perfumed. He fosters all the creatures of the Universe. Lord Shiva releases from death for the sake of immortality, as cucumber detaches its bondage of the vine. We worship Lord Shiva to liberate us from death
was recited constantly; pausing only for the morning prayers and chanting of Vedam. Engrossed in chanting the Mantra, the devotees of the United Kingdom (Sai Kingdom!), were praying in earnest for the welfare of the physical health of the body which the Lord has assumed for the Mission of Compassion, for which He has Descended.

At approximately 7pm, sonorous chanting of Sri Rudram once again electrified the atmosphere; following which, the repetition of Maha Mrutyunjaya mantra resumed- lasting throughout the night. Remarkably, the chanting, now without microphones, was no less intense than it had been during the day. In fact, the vibrations of the Mantra seemed to resonate more in the stillness of the night; for, is not Lord Shiva the presiding deity of the Thamasic aspect? The generosity of the devotees ensured that refreshments and snacks were always available and that meals were served to all. Prasadam packets were also distributed. Furthermore, each day, some devotees from the congregation were invited to perform Abhishekam of the Sai Lingam resting on the main platform. This was, in short, the general sequence of events for the first three out of the four days – Thursday 19 August to Saturday 21 August – over which the Yajna was held.

The last day, Sunday 22 August, witnessed a culmination of the efforts invested by the devotees; the Mantra recitation had by now gained significant momentum and the attendance was at maximum capacity. The Sri Rudram was now being chanted almost every three hours and more and more devotees were being called to bathe the Sai Lingam with water. Needless to say, the Mantra chanting intensified as one and all eagerly anticipated the arrival of the 85-hour landmark, which seemed to beckon ever nearer; until the moment finally arrived.

The revered priest returned to perform the Poornahuthi, in which the Yajna is consummated and its fruits offered entirely to the Lord. A Sai student ably assisted the priest in ensuring that the rituals were conducted seamlessly, whilst the youth chanted several Vedic hymns during the performance of the rituals. Hearing the repeated declarations of the priest (as part of the rites of worship) that this Yajna was being performed in honour of “Saishwara Swami of the Bhaaradvaja Gotra” was a sharp reminder of the truth that here, perhaps for the first time, the Lord was both the ‘prayed for’ and the ‘prayed to’. The Poornahuthi was concluded with the offering of various items into the homam fire by a group of male devotees, attired in ochre garments, to the sound of ‘Svaahaa!’.

With great surrender and an overwhelming sense of dedication, the ceremonies reached their climax as Mahaakumbabhishekam was done for the Sai Lingam to the strains of none other than the Namakam, following which Aarathi of the Lingam was taken. Mangala Aarathi was performed. This was a very moving moment for all, as it marked the official end, at a physical level, of this Prema Yajna. But Baba decided to show His appreciation with the same Leela that He had sported on the first day. Though He had been sitting on it all throughout, following Mangala Aarathi, the Jhoola which had been placed for Baba to recline on began to sway gently of its own accord!

Mangala Aarathi was followed by a charged 9-bhajan medley of Lord Shiva bhajans; after which, two speeches were given. The first was by Sri Ajit Popat (affectionately known as ‘Puppet’). Inspiring and heartfelt, Swami’s Puppet related some of his experiences with Baba, particularly in relation to the Yajna, and outlined his humble vision for the future. He expressed at the outset his profound gratitude to Baba for being the sole factor in making this Yajna possible and successful and stressed that its sole purpose was for the ‘Sampoorna Aarogya’ of our Dearest Sai Mata. For, when the Lord of Universe is happy, so too will be all of His creation. The priest and the devotee who principally assisted him, a student of the SSSU, were then honoured for their service.

Popat Sir was followed by Brother Charles of the ‘Sai Circle of Love’. Brother Charles reiterated the purpose for doing this Yajna and told the gathering of how the Yajna managed to combine worship (in what was done) with pure love (why it was done), and thereby please Baba. After reciting the food prayer (Bramharpanam), Mahaprasadam was served to all. Bhaktha Vatsala that He is, Baba had personally blessed 2000 packets of vibhuti which were distributed to the devotees, as well as 1000 packets of kumkum for the Sisters to treasure. After partaking of the sacred items, the devotees left for their respective homes- their hearts full of joy and love.

This, above all else, is a fitting testament to the selflessness and compassion of our Lord: His resolve to confer ananda (bliss), unconditionally, on all those who approach Him ensured that we left the Yajna site in peace and bliss, though truly, for the last four days, we had been praying only for Him. When the Lord of the Universe is happy, how can His creation not be?

submitted to SBOI
 

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