A Most Memorable and Divine Maha Shivarathri - 1

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The whole of Prashanti Nilayam seemed to have a very serene yet powerful aura about it. This is that time of the year when so many subtle changes begin to appear in the otherwise steady state Parthi. A kind of an austere aura enveloped the atmosphere and there were mystical and powerful vibrations in the air.Everyone seemed to be charged with some mysterious energy and there was bubbling enthusiasm everywhere. Very early in the morning itself, even the birds and bees seemed to prepare for the holy night. The fragrance of incense pervaded the air and all the temples within the Nilayam were the locii of intense devotion.

 

People began to file into the Kulwant Hall with the great desire of having a glimpse of their Sai Shiva on this very special day. A novel and huge LED screen had been erected near the Ganesh temple so that the darshan-hungry devotees, not able to pack themselves into the hall, could be satiated. It measured 14 ft by 30 ft and was perfectly visible even in the broadest of daylights! In the morning, everyone waited for the Lord to arrive but for reasons best known to Him, Swami did not come out. From 10:45 am itself, devotees began to queue up for the afternoon and evening session. The emptiness from not having Swami's darshan in the morning had intensified everyone's desire and will to see Him. At about 4:30 pm, a wave of applause burst forth and seemed to travel through the length and breadth of the NIlayam. Swami had not only come, He had arrived on a special high

chair that had been specially designed so that all could see Him even from a distance.

 

Like every Shivarathri,Bhagawan exuded a halo of sheer power and Grace as He moved gently through the surging and revitalized assemblage. The energy and Joy that He radiated sent people into raptures. There were people wherever the eye could see. The balconies and lanes outside the hall and every inch of space in the hall had been taken up. Swami did not collect any letter or speak to anyone. A gentle smile danced on His lips and He conferred benign blessings of bounty and beauty to all as He passed by. He reached the stage and took up His place behind the discourse table. He beckoned the vedam to stop after a while and then the All India President, Sri. V.Srininvasan addressed the august gathering. Explaining the significance of Shivarathri, he reminded everyone of the great good fortune to be in Swami's presence on the day when all the sages and saints are in intense

penance. After him, Swami rose to speak. And a mere sight of that was enough to erupt goose bumps on every body assembled. The chair was new and so a it was a little difficult for Swami to stand. But He just rose unmindful of any suffering or pain and as He began with the nectarine poem, it was an experience to be felt and cherished.

 

Given below is a summary of Swami's discourse:- Today, right from the morning till night, people always run behind money. Money seems to be everything in the world today and everyone is asking for money. Is there anyone who asks for God with the same fervent intensity. It is only God who can give peace and happiness.

 

That is why it is stressed that one must engage in bhajans and singing God's glories always. Love is ONE and though it is one it is expressed in many ways betweenmother and son, husband and wife and between friends. Take for instance the demise of Mr.Shourie. Many came to see him. There were the police too standing guard there. But what happened there was that fire merged into fire, water back with water and air back with air.

 

All the elements returned to their original state. Nothing but ash is left there. Everything returned to nothingness. Gone back to the source. That is the Truth that all must realise.There was a certain Yogi who had learnt various forms of knowledge - the Vedas, the Shastras, the Upanishads, the Puranas and Itihasas. He heard the sound of the cosmic damaruka. (the drum that Shiva holds) There is great power in the beat of the damaruka. It is the one that destroys and burns. There is only one Truth. Brahma Satya, JagannMitya. The world is all illusory. Today as I look around I see only two forms. Those are the forms of Eashwaramma and PeddaVenkamma Raju, the parents of this body. Even as I came out for darshan, they were there dressed in yellow. Yellow is a very auspicious colour It represents Vaikuntam. They were telling me that they were waiting for me to return to them.

Swami sees yellow everywhere. All of you are in yellow now. Carry this yellowness with you always. Bhagawan wanted to also bring forth the lingam which is golden yellow in colour. But as I came out, all the children and the devotees were all praying, "Swami do not do so. We cannot bear to see you in pain." They want me to be with them in a very relaxed and tension free manner. The nature of Bhagawan is mysterious and un-understandable. Once He has decided, His sankalpa will happen. Why should the Truth remain shadowed? Itis the nature of the human mind to keep changing and not Sai's nature. (At this point Swami sang the Telugu song "Tandava Keli Salpeni" . He explained that it was only Shiva had the beat, "Dhimiki Dhimiki" and none else.)Whenever we have difficulties, we cry out to God. Once Shiva and Parvati were passing over a hill when they saw a man on a tree

about to fall. Shiva told Parvati to save him while she told that Shiva should save him. They agreed that if he calls out, "Appa"(Father) thenShiva would go to his aid and if he called ,"Amma"(Mother) then Parvati would rush to rescue him. As he fell, the man screamed,"Ayyo"(meaning" woe upon me") ! That is the fate of man today. When you are in trouble you must always remember Amma or Appa. Your parents are your Gods. The mother bore you for 9 months and father took all the trouble to bring you up. Worship your parents as God - remember that for this world, Mother is Parvati and father is Parameshwara. The amma(mother) of Eashwara(God) is Eashwaramma. The Avatar came as a trinity. The first was Shirdi Sai, the second is Parthi Sai and the third will be Prema Sai. The complete unity among all will be achieved when Prema Sai comes. Today there is absolutely no Unity. There are only

differences and fragmentation. When Prema comes, there will be Unity. The Caste, Culture and Country should all be one. When I had visited East Africa, the prime minister there, Idi Amin asked me, "Where do you come from?" I did not say Andhra Pradesh. I said India. There should be no such division based on states.Today Andra will be broken for telangana. tomorrow there will be a demandand break up for Rayalseema too.. These things should not happen. Similarly Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada - such divisions are bad. There is only one country - India.(Swami narrated about the Unity that existed between the 3 wives of King Dasharatha- Kousalya, Kaikeyi and Sumitra and the unity between Rama and his brothers as an example. ) All the disunity is due to selfishness. A fish is better than selfish. Be and remain united always. Bharathi means Bha- God and Rathi- intense love for. He is

a true person of Bharat who has intense Love for God. The only way to attain joy and peace in this world is by singing bhajans. Never give up that.Bhajan Bina Sukh Shanti Nahi.With that Divine Bhajan, Swami kindled the night-long vigil of bhajan singing. He sat for the first bhajan that was singing. It was not a surprise as it turned out to be,"Dhimiki Dhimiki Dhim". After that, Swami slowly moved back to Yajur Mandir. It was about 7:30 pm andSwami retired.

 

Om Sai Ram

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