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November 15, 2008

Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam

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Day 1 : Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Santhi Mahotsavam - 15th November 2008

This is a special one hour highlights of Sahashra Chandra Darshanam Yagnam Mahotsavam as performed in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Baba on the morning of November 15.

Darshan Update:

15th Nov. Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam

Photographic Delight

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Evening Darshan:

When Narayana swayed in the swing, and music flowed…

14th Nov. Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam

Latest Yagnam Update: Photos: Grand Opening for the epochal event Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam

Photos:

Lustre, Grandeur and Heavenly - The Venue a Day before

Reflections of the Township - Roy Christie

Photos:

Setting the Stage for the Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Shanti Mahotsavam

The Lord of Thousand Moons:

Friday, November 14, 2008

A Mirror of the Moon

Sai Baba Darshan News & latest event

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Saturday, November 15, 2008

The venue for the three-day Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam commencing this morning is the extended Shanthi Vedika Stage at the Vidyagiri Stadium. Seating for the vast gathering has been arranged on the ground in addition to the galleries by spreading green matting. Giant LED screens and strategically placed TV monitors helped all to have a ring-side view of the proceedings. At 7.45, the priests began the chants. Bhagawan arrived at 8.45 and was welcomed onstage with the Poorna Kumbham amidst chanting by the priests and the students. After spending more than 90 minutes going around the different parts of the stage and blessing the entire congregation, Swami accepted Arati and returned to Yajur Mandir.

Photos:

Saturday, Nov 15, 08

Grand Opening for the epochal event : Sahasra Chandra Darshana Mahotsava Yagnam

Published on Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 15.00 Hrs. IST

What entails when the Almighty Lord comes out in the open on a fresh morning that is slated to be infinitely auspicious? He spends time oozing compassion, while being dispassionate all along.

This was what Prasanthi had in store when Bhagawan emerged out of His Divine Abode driving down to the venue of the epochal event, Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Mahotsavam.

The day that promised much finally arrived. Much before the golden rays peeped from the eastern sky to the hallowed spiritual township, Prasanthi Nilayam was up on her feet, bustling with joy and enthusiasm at the imminence of the moment much awaited. And every attention was on to the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium, the venue that was finally spruced up to perfection for the formal commencement of the big event.

As the Yajna Vedhi was getting beefed up with final touches before the formal beginning, 150 Rithwiks designated for the yajna along with the crux of the vedam boys from the ashram were readying themselves for the final whistle to blow.

The programme formally commenced at 7:45 am with Punyaaha Vachan followed by Sankalpam by the person designated to conduct the function. Adoring the centre stage on the dais was a replica of the Lord of Seven Hills, Lord Venkateshwara, well decked, matching the pristine splendour and spiritual aura of the presiding deity of Venkatadri.

Morning rituals included chanting of the names of Lord Ganesha, the Lord who removes obstacles, one lakh times followed by Sahasra Modaka Ganapathi Homam by 62 Rithwiks from the Sringeri Sharada Peetam. This was followed by Shatha Rudra Abhishekam and Navagraha Japam — chanting of 10,000 names for each of the nine grahas, which will continue till evening. Of the 12 homa kundas only three were lit for the day, one each for Maha Ganapathi Homam, Sudarshana Homam and Maha Mruthyunjaya Homam. Lakshmi Narayana Puja was performed to the main deity of Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshanam.

The Chief Priest officiating the Yajna, Lakshmi Narayana Somayaji from Sringeri Mutt, was in an ecstatic mood while sharing few words with us. He felt that officiating the Yajna in the Divine Presence was a great fortune and he had got it also because of the blessings of Bhagawan and his Guru, His Holiness Jagadguru Shankaracharya Bharati Teertha Swamiji of Sharada Peetam, Sringeri.

Earlier Bhagawan was given a rousing reception, Poornakumbha Swagatham, at the Shanti Vedhika at 8:40 am and simultaneously crackers went bursting at the Hanuman Top atop the Hill, heralding the auspiciousness of the occasion. Onstage, Bhagawan was taken to the main shrine of Lord Venkateshwara and priests were seen explaining and seeking blessings from Bhagawan. Subsequently, the Yajna fire was generated with the ceremonial churning and rubbing of wooden blocks to produce fire in the most natural way formally commencing the Yajna. The most compassionate Lord moved around the stage several times blessing devotees with His fulfilling presence.

Mangala Arathi was offered to Bhagawan at 10:25 am before the Lord retired to His Divine Abode. Navagraha Japam continued till 12:30 pm. In the afternoon, Sudrashana Japam has been scheduled to be from 3:30 to 6:30 pm, and Sundrashana Homam from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

In the evening, the focus of attention would be shifted to Sai Kulwant Hall as Bhagawata Saptaaha will continue for the sixth day, followed by a cultural programme by the famous carnatic classical duo Priya sisters scheduled for the twilight session.

When Narayana swayed in the swing, and music flowed…

Published on Sat, Nov 15, 2008 at 23.00 Hrs.IST

With each passing hour, every inch of space in Puttaparthi and the Ashram is getting filled with devotees. Yes, it is with each passing hour, instead of the oft repeated each passing day, that multitudes are flocking this spiritual epicentre. All that one sees is a sea of humanity.

Sai Kulwant Hall, the venue of the evening programme was filled to its seams, and many were waiting outside the Hall craning their necks to have a glimpse of the Lord of Puttaparthi, Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

Today also happens to be the penultimate day of the Bhagavata Saptaham. The decoration of Govardhanagiri (Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhana hill to save the cowherds of Vrindavan from prosecution by Indra, the Lord of devas and rain) was done on the idol of Venugopala Swami. The idol was beautifully placed on a swing, with priests continuously swaying the Lord.

The evening talk on 15th November was by Dr Rajagopal Chakravarthi, a scholar. He began his talk by saying that Bhagawan’s abode was the confluence of Puttaparthi and Tirupati.

Throwing light on the Bhagavatam, Dr Chakravarthy said it was first discoursed by Narada, who in turn passed it on to Vyasa and thereafter his son Suka Maharishi gave a sermon to King Parikshit in his final moments.

The story of Ambarisha in the Bhagavatham is very sacred. Sages Vashishta and Gautama once instructed King Ambarisha to perform the Aswamedha Yaga. During the Yajna, Ambarisha forgot his kingdom and even his body. He concentrated only on Lord Narayana. At the end of the Yajna, Lord Narayana appeared and presented His personal weapon, Sudarsana Chakra, to Ambarisha. Armed with this blessing of Sudarsana, Ambarisha was able to enjoy the world and surmount all difficulties in his life. He had no worries, sorrow or desires. He concentrated wholeheartedly on the Lord.

Sometime later, Ambarisha performed the Dwadasi Vratam, a twelve-month vow. After observing certain disciplines for twelve months, Ambarisha was to fast on the day prior to the completion of the one-year period. The fast was to be broken at a particular time the next day, just before the one-year ended.

These were the stipulations of the vow. Ambarisha was getting ready to break his fast on the last day when Sage Durvasa arrived unexpectedly. Ambarisha received him with great respect. Durvasa said, “Oh King, no one has performed such a vow in the world. You will achieve great fame.” Ambarisha pleaded, “Swami, you must accept my hospitality today.” Durvasa said, “With pleasure. But give me some time. I will go to the river, bathe and complete my daily prayers.”

So saying, Durvasa left for the river with his entourage.

The next programme for the evening was a classical Carnatic music performance by the famous duo, Priya Sisters – Shanmukha Priya and Hari Priya.

The first song was an invocation to Lord Ganesh in Raga Naatai – Mahaganapatim Manasasmarami…What followed this was a torrential outpour of mellifluous music. To name a few: Bantureeti Koluviyyavayya Rama… sung in Hamsa Nada Raga, Mudakarata Modakam Sadavimukti Sadakam… in Yamuna Kalyani Raga, Jo Achudananda Jo Jo Mukunda… in Neelambari Raga. This song, which is specifically sung as a lullaby song, had a special significance today evening as the Lord Venugopala Swami was being continuously swayed in the swing.

The soulful renditions also included two bhajans, Jaya Maa Jaya Maa Jagadeeswari Sai Maa and Shankara Siva Shankara Siva Shankara Shambo sung in Darbaari Kaanada and Chakravagam respectively. After the programme, Bhagawan blessed the sisters and the accompanying artistes with clothes. The eventful day ended with offering Arati to Bhagawan at 7.30 pm.

The Lord of Thousand Moons: Avatars of God are spectacular occurrence at any given time in history. But, the triple Avatars of Sri Shirdi Sai, Sri Sathya Sai and Sri Prema Sai are in themselves unique in the history of the known Universe. And now we are living here as contemporaries of the Sri Sathya Sai Avatar, the second in line of three avatars spanning over three hundred years. When Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai is crossing the physical milestone of 83 human years of His glorious earthly sojourn, within all this wonderment, we are about to experience a most auspicious event, commemorating the epoch making occasion, Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Mahotsavam.

Going by the Hindu scripture, a human being crossing 83 years in his physical frame is a remarkably significant occasion. This occasion comes with a greater import when he is supposedly sighting the moon the 1000th time during his physical sojourn. For the mortals it entails a greater significance. But, how does it signify, when it comes to The One who is credited with the onus of entire creation? An answer to this would come when Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Lord walking on two feet is crossing this humanly attributed mile stone, as His physical frame is touching the 83rd year of His glorious sojourn on planet earth.

Commemorating this once in life-time happening, a Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshana Mahotsavam is being organised in Prasanthi Nilayam from 15th to 17th in the immediate Divine Presence. The mysterious significance attached owing to the Divine stature of this festivity does make the event a rarity that goes much beyond human perceptions when it comes to the spiritual import of the occasion.

Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, the Avatar of the age, will gaze upon His one thousandth full moon in His earthly lifetime, an occurrence that is significant from human perspective. This is perhaps for the first time ever in the history that an Avatar grants Poorna Chandra Darshanam! It is time for the humans, lucky being contemporaries, to thank their stars that we are here enjoying this auspicious time with Him.

Marking the symbolic significance of the ultra special occasion, Bhagawan is expected to mount the golden chariot, once again at the Hill View stadium for full public view that would be lead by a cavalcade of glittering combine.

How blessed are we that our Lord would be here among us to bless us with His Darshan on such a cosmically significant moment in history!