Images
from 1st Day [9th August, 2006]
ATI RUDRA MAHA YAJNAM
Video clip: Athi Rudra Maha Yagna-Inaugural day,
with
clips from both morning and evening.
Om Sri Sairam to Sai Family,
Rakhi Poornima wishes to all my Sai sisters. The atmosphere in
Puttaparthi, the abode of loving lord is fully charged as part of
the commencement of much awaited Ati Rudra Yagnam, the highest and
ultimate form of worship to Lord Shiva. How lucky we are to witness
this Yagna in the immediate presence of Lord Sai Shiva himself…..
This day is a golden day in each one of our lives, the day for which
we have been waiting for hundreds of births.. the day conferred to
those noble ones, who prayed and prayed and just prayed to Lord
Shiva..
We have heard of and might have witnessed many sacred rituals,
Yagnas, but this particular Yagna is a special one as it is being
conducted in the Abode of peace, Prasanthi Nilayam, in the immediate
presence of Lord of this Kali Age, who out of His Immense compassion
has descended in a human form to restore Dharma and teach us to be
human…. This Yagna, is not an ordinary one….. It is a Yagna
conducted aiming Peace and tranquility in this world, the world
which is in total
confusion, disturbed. In a world in which PEACE is
broken into pieces…in a world, whose people are MILEs away from a
SMILE… and above all, this Yagna is directed by the director of the
Universe….
To witness this ONCE IN A LIFE TIME ritual, thousands of devotees
thronged to Prasanthi Nilayam. Swamy came in the morning and Swamy
had few surprises,after darshan around 9am He came out for street
darshan, amidst cheers from thousands of devotees who didn’t have
the opportunity to have a close darshan inside the hall…..
All the devotees were looking forward to the afternoon darshan when
the actual Yagna was supposed to commense… the queues started very
early around 11am and all the devotees were made to sit in the hot
sun, after a long gap, in the vacant place next to Ganesha,
reminding the days when Swamy used to walk freely and there used to
be packed house darshans… the devotees were let in around 1pm and no
tokens were picked.
Kulwant hall was jam packed and the whole balcony of East Prasanthi
was filled with ladies. The Indian music band was ready at Swamy’s
residence and around 2:30pm amidst Mangala Vadyas, and as the 132
preists who were chosen for the Yagna walked in chanting Vedas,
Swamy’s car followed slowly and drove in to Kulwanth Hall… There
were 11 Homa gundams (the place where the sacrificial fire will be
lit) were prepared under a beautifully built Mandap right across the
dias. After a complete round, Swamy came walking on the stage and
was seated in His thorne..Mr.Vinay the youth coordinator for
Karnataka state and the fortunate one to be picked by Swamy to
oversee the preparations of this Yagna…came forward to Swamy… As he
was explaining the programme list to Swamy, He materialized a golden
bracelet to him…
The programme started with a talk by Mr.Vinay about the importance
of this Yagna and how hard they worked to make it possible.. It
seems Swamy used to tell the minutest things to be done for this
Yagna… when Swamy called the head preist for an interview, it seems
the priest told Swamy that his Yagna will make Shiva very happy …
Swamy then replies…”Iam always happy.. this is an Yagna for
bestowing Peace in the world” a very important statement reassuring
that Swamy is none other than Shiva Himself…
After the head priest finished his talk Swamy rose from His seat….
Every one thought He would go to the Yagna place to bless it.. .but
Swamy always likes suprising devotees and His surprises always bring
smiles on our faces… and this time instead of getting down from the
dias, as we all thought, He asked to bring the Discourse table and
the mike….. The happiness of we devotees knew no bounds…We couldn’t
believe what was going on…..There were notice boards all over ashram
giving the timings and details of the pujas to be conducted on
particular dates and according to the notice Swamy’s discourse was
on 20th very unusual for Swamy to give the date of discourse in
advance….We all were surprised… Is Swamy going to speak?… Wow…. Its
been a looooooong time since we heard His voice, even though we can
see Him every day, didn’t listen to his voice for long… There was
curiosity in every one…. How will He give the discourse…. Standing
or sitting?…. How will He sound like?.. Weak or Normal… Will He
speak about Yagna?.. will He finish with a bhajan?… bla…
He rose up…... amidst claps and cheers….Devotees were shouting,
rasing their hands… thanking Swamy for this double BOON… Suddenly
there was pin drop silence.. what next?.. A sweet verse… or Prema
Swaroopulara…. Swamy raises His hands adjusts the mike… two boys
slightly raising on their knees, with one hand resting on Swamy’s
back… Swamy adjusted his throat PREMA SWAROOPULARA…a big applause….
He starts.. “Due to rapid modernization.. People are no longer
attached to our culture Indians have forgotten the values.. Gata
Jeevudagu patin batikinchi yemu gelche Savitri Bhrata Sadvi kade
Savitri, the great lady, who brought back her dead husband into life
after successfully confronting Lord Yama (the god of Death), is she
not an Indian?…In which country will you see a woman who brought
back her dead husband to life?…Tana Sathya Mahimache Davagni
challarchi chandramati Bharateeya Vanita kade… (Damayanthi who
estinguished the fire with the power of her truth, was she not an
Indian Woman? Sita who bravely entered into the fire.. was she not
an Indian? This land of Bharat, is a Karma Bhoomi, Punya Bhoomi…. A
sacred land… That’s the reason why Shiva was born in this holy
land..akhila desala kidi upadhyaee kade…. This land of Bharat is the
teacher to the whole world… Born in such a sacred land, even Indians
are not behaving like human beings..
TEACH VEDAS TO CHLDREN AND LEARN VEDAS:
“All the parents should teach their children to learn Vedas and
understand their importance. Those are the FORTUNATE ones who learn
Vedas and remaining are the most UNFORTUNATE ONES… Swamy then called
two overseas boys who are in Swamy’s school and asked them to chant
Vedas, After they chanted a hymn, Swamy interferes and continues….
“These boys are studying in our institute… Recently there were
devotees from Iraq and Iran who visited to Puttaparthi village… Even
today there are few Iran devotees living in puttaparthi and who
chant Vedas like any person..
Understand the essence of Vedas..out of the four Vedas Rig Veda,
Yajur Veda, Sama Veda and Adharvana Veda, Rig Veda is very
important…
He again asks the boys to chant another Hymn..Swamy continues “the
essence of Vedas is LOVE ALL SERVE ALL.. HELP EVER HURT NEVER…
ABOUT ATI RUDRA YAGNAM
This Yagna is not a simple ritual.. this is being conducted for Loka
Kshema( for wellbeing of the world)… Today’s world there is no peace
There are Yagnas conducted at many places…. Any one can do Yagnas,
but none can match this particular Yagna being conducted in
Prasanthi Nilayam… those who participated in this Yagna and those
who turn their entire concentration on this Yagna are the BLESSED
ONES….(He also gave some technical details and some calculations
about this Yagna which unfortunately I don’t remember)
Appreciating Mr.Vinay.
Swamy then turned to Mr.Vinay, who was sitting next to the table..
this boy Vinay has worked very hard for this Yagna to be
successful.. this yagna is a very expensive affair… Many people came
forward to donate rice, ghee etc..but he very politely denied all…
He just said.. for me Swamy is enough.. He will take care.. That’s
TRUE DEVOTION… He and his wife participated very actively for this
Yagna..They are married for 10 years…I (Swamy) even asked Vinay, if
he wants a son.. He said.. I want only YOU Swamy… Swamy continued… I
have never seen such a devotion
Swamy continued” I never charge any money for anything.. In Sathya
Sai Organisation there is NO VALUE for money… Education is free of
cost… from class one to PHd the education is absolutely free…even in
general hospital and in the super speciality hospital there is no
charge what so ever… Swamy continued “For a open heart surgery one
has to spend 3 to 4 hundred thousand rupees.. how can a common man
afford the price?.. what will happen to them if they don’t have the
money for operation? In our hospital a patient walks in with plain
clothes and walks out with brand new ones… This is the speciality of
our hospital added Swamy..
(The above discourse was based on memory…pls read theofficial
version)
It was 4:15 pm by then and Swamy sang Hari Bhajana Bina Sukha Santhi
Nahin bhajan… His voice sounded very strong…After the bhajan He was
about to sit down but stood again and continued… May all of you be
blessed with happy life, healthy life..long life and divine
life….(loud applauds)
Swamy spoke for 45 minutes… After which the Yagna commenced while
Swamywatched it from the dias...
It was such a blessed day for all of us … made us very very
happy…According to sources. Tomorrow morning (10th aug) Swamy would
be installing Shiva Lingam which is a part of the Ati rudraYagna…
After the programme Prasadam was distributed to all the devotees and
interestingly even to the devotees who were out side the whole.
After the first day of the Yagna…. It rained in Puttaparthi,
signifying the blessings of the Gods in the heavens showering their
love and grace on this Holy Land
Swamy Sata Koti Pranams for this DIVINE BOON…
BLESS all those who made it to the Yagna
DOUBLY BLESS those who feel they are little bit UNLUCKY for not
being the LUCKY ones who witnessed this Moment of this Yuga….
Swamy in your DIVINE DICTIONARY… there is no word like UNLUCKY..
Just knowing your Omnipresence and Omniscience is the Luckiest
Luck…..
Bless us all Swamy…… May your blessings be always with you….
Jai Sai Ram
satish Naik [SBOI Group member]
Prasanthi Bulletin
August 9, 2006
This morning Bhagawan came for darshan at 7:10 AM.
The priests of the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam were seated in the Bhajan Hall.
Swami went in to the Bhajan Hall and interacted with them. We could hear
them chanting mantras for quite a while. Before Bhajans Swami went for a
drive upto Gokulam and returned.
In the afternoon, there was a lot of excitement and anticipation in the
air as today would mark the beginning of the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam. The
Kulwant hall was tastefully decorated and a pandal with 11 Yajnakundams
(sacrificial pits) had been put up. The pandal was almost entirely made of
"coconut tree items". It was supported by pillars which had a huge pot at
the base and a first tier of coconuts. The second tier consisted of
arecanut bundles, followed by holy ferns and then coconut leaves
decorations. The leaves had also been intricately interwoven to form a
fabric sheltering the whole pandal. Yellow coconuts with little yellow
arecanuts hanging below adorned the whole pandal. The holy water from the
rivers of Bharat had been placed in one corner and the vessels numbered
more than 100. The main stage had also been decorated with flowers and a
flower arch had been placed over the Ganesha idol. A metre high Lingam
surrounded by three smaller Lingams had been placed.
Swami came out of the Yajur Mandiram at 2:35 pm. The car was led by a
procession of 132 Rithwicks (the pundits to perform the Yajnam) and other
people holding different paraphernalia. Swami got down in front of the
pandal next to the steps leading to the main stage. He sat on the sofa
smiling and listening to the chants by the students. At 3:00 pm He told
Shri Vinay Kumar, the chief organiser, to begin the proceedings. Firstly
there was a song entitled "Athi Rudra Maha Yajna Purusha Sai". At 3:05 pm
Shri Vinay Kumar spoke. He related as to how when Swami was told that the
Yajnam was being performed for Rudra's joy and satisfaction (Trupthi),
Swami said, "But I am always joyous and satisfied!" Then Swami had
continued to say that people often mistake Rudra to be an angry God with
fiery eyes, but 'Do I look angry? I am full of love'. He said that our
great fortune was that Rudra Himself had decided to perform the Athi Rudra
Maha Yajnam. (when 11 priests chant the Rudram and Chamakam 11 times
around 11 sacrificial fires for 11 days- a total of 14641 chants- it
becomes an Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam).
Shri Lakshminarayanan, one of the organisers of the yagnam, was the next
speaker. He was followed by the Pradhamacharya (head priest), Shri.
Nanjunda Dixit. He said that Swami was the force behind everything as
without His will even a blade of grass could not move. He also said that
the Lingam would be installed as an object of focus and that God is in
fact One.
He concluded his speech and bowed to Swami. As the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam
preliminaries were about to start, Swami sprang a pleasant surprise on all
of us. He got up and began to move towards the microphone. Sensing an
imminent discourse, the table and His mikes were quickly brought. Given
below is the summary of the Divine discourse -
" Embodiments of Love. With the introduction of the English language, love
for one's own language has gone down. There is no refinement and culture.
Human Values are fast disappearing. This Bharat is a land of merit,
sacrifice and purity. Men and women of highest character have treaded on
this soil and made it holy. Savitri revived her dead husband by sheer
power of her chastity while with the same power Chandramati could put out
a fire. Sita came out unscathed from the fire only because she did not
even look once at Ravana. Do you find such people anywhere else? No woman
here ever confronts her husband. Bharat is the teacher for all nations.
Where else will Shiva take birth?
Remember God will not manifest by mere rites. God responds to those with
virtues and a pure heart. God is in all people and all material. Eashwara
Sarva Bhootanaam. (picking the kerchief)This cloth is made of threads and
that in turn is made of cotton. God is the basis for everything and is not
ephemeral. Body and the mind are gifts of God no doubt, but do not carry
on the sojourn of life making them your basis. Anything you do, do it as
an offering to God. Attain God with Love and Truth. Rudram has two parts-
the namakam and the chamakam. While the latter desires, the former denies.
What is the significance? One must desire the good and deny the bad.
Vedas today have been neglected. Veda is the richest of all. It makes no
differences of caste and creed. (At this point Swami called out two
students who were from USA and Lithuania and told them to chant the Sri
Suktam.) Swami's decision is that everyone in all the countries must chant
the Vedas. It is not to be limited to the Brahmins and India alone. There
are people from places like Iran here who chant the Vedas. Veda is the
relief and remedy for all and not only for getting power or children.
Fortunate are those who learn the Vedas and unfortunate are those, who,
having learnt it, do not make efforts to spread and teach it to others. I
am sending my students as my emissaries to spread this knowledge. (Swami
now made the two students chant the Rudram) Do not neglect the Vedas. They
contain the mysteries of nature in all totality.
Rudra is often mistaken as Shiva. Rudra is the essence of all the 4 Vedas.
Yajnam or sacrifice means to sacrifice the fruits of action- not running
away from home and responsibilities in the name of sacrifice. Why were you
born? Not to eat, sleep and roam. You must help ever and hurt never. Do
not hurt or use harsh words against anyone. To criticize is the worst sin.
Today's education is useless. The manifestation of divinity within is
possible only by Educare. Educare makes patent what is latent. You can get
Educare from God and God alone. And God is one. Jewels are many but gold
is one. Cows are of many colours but milk is one. The truth is one but the
wise call it by many names. We need an open heart to understand the unity
in Divinity. Do not praise one God and criticize another. This message is
not for the youth alone but for all. God's name is more powerful than even
the mightiest of bombs. It will annihilate all the bad. Athi Rudra Maha
Yajnam will uphold righteousness. Everyone can do it.
Vinay Kumar and his wife have given up all desires and they want only
Swami. Vinay is the youth leader. Leaders like him are needed. Today there
is a lack of leaders. Everywhere it is only money and business. But here
everything is free. Education and hospitals - People come as patients with
torn clothes and go back with new ones. All the seva dal members and
students must render service. Then Swami's grace will be ensured.
(Swami then sang 'Hari Bhajan Bina')
Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam is noble and sacred. Those who perform it are
blessed. The key is to do it with unity. This will lead to purity and then
to divinity. The 6 vices are your enemies. Keep them away. You are all
embodiments of the ATMA. Be happy, healthy peaceful and spiritual. But one
cannot be happy without devotion. Immerse yourself in devotion and not the
deep ocean (of Samsara).
Swami then sat down and the Athi Rudra Maha Yajnam began at 4:30 pm. It
began with the Ganapati pooja and the Sadguru Prarthana. "Bhadram karne"
and "Na Karmana" were vigorously followed by all. Then the Sai Gayathri
was chanted and the Sankalpa and Pravara were done (where the space and
time co-ordinates of the Yajnam were mentioned.) Swami in the meanwhile
had the prasadam distributed to all people including the pundits. Then a
cow and calf were brought and worshipped as part of the Godaan or the
gifting of the cow. At about 5:00 pm Swami got up and went into the
interview room. After a short while, He left for Yajur Mandiram. The Athi
Rudra Maha Yajnam continued in all elaboration. The installation of the
Kalasha and the Vaasthu Rakhoghna homam were also performed. The peetham
(base of the lingam) was unveiled and it was about a foot high and
completely silver. The Bimba Shuddhi pooja to wipe out all the mistakes
committed while the lingam was sculpted was then performed. The Lingam was
treated as a living God. Water, fruits and flowers were offered to it. The
abhishekam was done with milk and water. After all the elaborate rituals,
at about 5:45 pm, they began to prepare the "bed" for Rudra. As if to act
as a natural air conditioner, it rained for the next 3 minutes! The
Shayyadheevasa ('sleeping' of the Lord) was performed. The Lingam was
literally placed in a cozy bed with fruits, flowers and incense. Lullaby
was sung and music played in 5 ragas as the two chamargrahas (Fan bearers)
gently fanned the Lord. Sentries - Indra on the East, Agni (S.E), Yama (S),Nirariti
(SW), Varuna (W), Vayu (NW), Kubera (N), Shiva (NE), Brahma (above) and
Ananta(below)- were posted to ensure a peaceful rest to the Lord!
Offerings in gold and silver were made before the Deepam (100 wick lamp)
was waved. As the Lord retired, Aarthi was sung and the eventful evening
came to a close at 6:45 pm.
Images from the first day of the Yagnam are available at the Book Trust
site. During the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam, Radio Sai will be broadcasting
special half-hour capsules daily: The schedule page lists this programme
as "Sounds from the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam being conducted at Prasanthi
Nilayam."
9th August
ATI RUDRA MAHA YAJNAM 1st Day: "...The much awaited Athi
Rudra Maha Yajna aiming at World Peace and Prosperity to the World
at large begins in the Holy Abode of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba at
Prasanthi Nilayam in His immediate Divine Presence this afternoon at
15:00 Hrs. IST...."read moreYajna
Programme Schedule & Radio Broadcast
Latest: Sai Video clip - streaming video
of Ashadi Ekadashi play on
the Ten Commandments:
350kbs100kbs20kbs
8th
August Sai News Update-
"...This morning, Bhagawan came for darshan at 7.50 am. and during
His Darshan round in the car, spoke to the Karnataka Youth co-ordinator
and the organiser..."
read more
4th August Sai
News Update-
today morning the "Vara Lakshmi Vratham" started out with Lakhsmi
Puja in Puttaparthi. The traditional ritual of puja (pooja) was
performed to Goddess Lakshmi by Sai Baba devotees in huge numbers.
The pooja to Goddess lakshmi was incomparable and very auspicious
since it was preformed in the holy presence of Sathya Sai Baba.
Swami attended the puja and granted wonderful darshan & blessings to
all the devotees. read more
Latest Sai News from
Prasanthi Nilayam, Puttaparthi-
"...This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan at three o'clock, and
after spending a few minutes in the interview room, came outside and
sat onstage for an hour to the accompaniment of Vedic chants..." Read more
Latest Sai
Vichaar:Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi
-Weekly newsletter- 3rd,August 2006 EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES: Nishit:
I am here sharing my experience with you all. My sister is a strong
devotee of Sai Baba and I also used to believe in him but was never
a very staunch follower. I wanted to go to Shirdi since long but
could never make it as I believe that he call us but can't go at our
own will. " Read more
2nd August: Video clip of The Sai Intl Symphony Orchestra -
The Sai International Symphony Orchestra again performs in Sai
Kulwant Hall, with a stunning array of beautiful classical works,
with appropriate and helpful introductions to each piece. The
musicians come from 22 countries. They start off with a bhajan that
was arranged by a member of the orchestra --can you recognize it? - 350kbs100kbs20kbs
30th July: Filling The emptiness: Miracles - "Actually His miracles that are really
wonderful are the ones He performs in the consciousness and lives of
His devotees. He changes you so gently and gradually that you do not
even realise that anything is happening until one morning you really
take a good look at yourself and see that you have changed..." read more
27th July Sai News Update:
"
This evening, Bhagawan came for darshan just after 3 o'clock, and
alighting from the car, went into the interview room. After a few
minutes, He came out and walked up to..."
read more
23rd July, Sainews in
brief :
Devotees present at Kulwant Hall today
enjoyed the wonderful and long darshan of Swami since there was a
program by devotees [singers] from Karnataka state, Swami was out on
the veranda between 3 p.m -5 30. p.m. giving us blissful darshan for
nearly 3 hours.
Pictures and details later.
What is life about..?
" Life is not about keeping score. It is not about how many
friends you have..." read
more
Talks with Pedda
Reddy Garu, the caretaker of Planetarium and Sai Geeta:
Q:
Tell us about Sai Geeta's early days.
A:
Sai Geeta was very close to Swami those days. Everyday her
duty would be to wait outside the Mandir in the morning and she
would be ready with a garland..."
read
more
21st July: Puttaparthi Update & Photos:
"..large number of devotees from Japan had assembled in Sai
Kulwant Hall as early as 2.20. Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall for
Darshan at 2.30 and went outside the Ashram in the car...."read
more
20th July- Poem: "Om Sai
Ram Baba"
submitted by Sussana from Hungry Also download: wallpaper of Sathya Sai
Baba "Sathguru"
Latest Sai
Vichaar:Shri Sai Baba of Shirdi
-Weekly newsletter- 20th July, 2006 " EXPERIENCE OF DEVOTEES:
Sumesh- Dear all Sai devotees, I would like to share a recent
experience in my life where Baba played a major role. I am working
in a company in Bangalore and have been posted to Singapore as
regional manager. But I faced lot of difficulties "Read more
19th July -Latest Prasanthi Bulletin :
"This morning also, the Sai Youth from
Australia were called by Swami and had the chance to sit in the
Bhajan Hall during Bhajans...." read
more
Swami's Profile: 18th July: "Just imagine how Swami
would write His profile" read more