13th Feb 2010 - Shivarathri Vigil Concludes in the Divine Presence

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February 13, 2010 –

Shivarathri Vigil Concludes in the Divine Presence

 

Once Swami left the previous night, the

Shivarathri vigil began. It is said that there are as many ways to God as there

are devotees. Each chooses his/her way to worship God and the Lord responds to

each. The vigil too saw varied activities being undertaken. Of course, 'central'

to everything was the bhajan singing that was on, alternating between

the gents and the ladies. Many devotees undertook a night long fast. At about 9

p.m., once the mikes went off, group bhajans began.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A separate group was formed in

a corner of the hall and they began to chant the Rudram. Reading of scriptures

and holy books was resorted to by some; others who were of a strong physical

constitution began circumambulating the Ganesha temple and the various other

temples in the vicinity. Everyone tried to engage themselves in some spiritually

beneficial activity or the other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The night was deep and at the crack

of dawn, the Saishwara lingam was re-adorned with flowers. 6 a.m. saw the mikes

being turned on and once again the glory of Lord Shiva, as bhajans,

echoed everywhere in the Nilayam. Ten minutes later, there was a hush and an

outburst of Joy as the familiar orange of Swami's robe was seen at the western

end of the hall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Swami had arrived and He was once

again on the special throne chair. As He moved through the ladies side and

reached the centre of the hall, He was requested to bless the prasadam

and Swami gladly agreed. Swami moved through the centre aisle to the Northern

gate of Sai Kulwant Hall. Huge vessels holding chakrapongal (sweetened

rice) and pulihora (tamarind rice) had been impressively arrayed.

Swami took the small

" broom " made of sacred grasses and began to gently sprinkle water on

the prasadam vessels; He moved along the entire array doing this. Some

people were concerned about Swami having to go to all the vessels. But Swami

Himself was very keen and He kept sprinkling water on all the containers. After

that was done, He moved back through the aisle and continued to the stage. He

arrived on the dais and sat for the bhajans. Everyone now perked up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sleep was definitely overpowering a

few but it was no match to the glow that Swami brought. Active bhajan

singing resounded in the hall. After a while, Swami allowed for the prasadam

to be brought and kept in the front on the respective sides. Once that was done,

Swami moved towards the Bhajan Hall.

He blessed vessels of food there and

also gave some instructions on distribution. He then had a look at the leaves on

which the prasadam would be served. Some things in life do not change

and Swami's meticulous attention when it comes to devotees certainly tops the

list. He then moved out of the Bhajan Hall from the rear door and made His way

to the side area where the alumni generally sit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He saw the arrangements that had been

made for the prasadam distribution. Satisfied, He took a full darshan

round in the reverse direction and the devotees were simply too happy. Moving

through the gents and students, He went to the ladies too. Now, He arrived on

the stage and once again, after a few bhajans, moved into the Bhajan

Hall. This time, He took another round and traversed the path that had been

neglected till now - the one in the front bordered by students.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was 7:10 a.m. when He arrived on

the stage and midway through a bhajan by the boys, asked for the aarthi.

Even as the aarthi went on, the prasadam distribution began -

leaves followed by tasty pulihora and pongal. And as all the

devotees were being served, Swami moved into the interview room. It was shortly

before 8 a.m. that He retired for the morning.

To view the following Shivarathri 2010 Flash Videos - Download

the files and view the same from your hard disk

Darshan

Flash Video - 13.02.2010

 

sourced:

 

 

http://media.radiosai.org/Journals/Portal/pd-articles/PD-13_02_2010.htm