PHOTOS AND UPDATE
 

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.

February 12, 2010 – Holy Shivarathri in Prasanthi

His devotees consider Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba as the Shiva-Shakti avatar (the embodiment of Lord Shiva and Mother Shakti). So it is no surprise that Shivarathri sees an influx of devotees in huge numbers to Prasanthi Nilayam. The resources and energies of the volunteers at Prasanthi Nilayam are tested to the last sinew and there are devotees everywhere.

The corridors of all the residential complexes too are filled to the brim and people spread sheets wherever they find a little space and spend time there. Long serpentine lines to enter the hallowed precincts of the Mandir are a common feature and people endure standing for 3-4 hours on the end with a smile.

Screens are erected and televisions placed at strategic positions to enable the devotees a good glimpse of their Sai Shiva. The Poorna Chandra auditorium becomes a theater with a giant screen where the marvel of technology brings the live happenings at the Sai Kulwant Hall.

The Shivarathri (literally translated as the night of Shiva) morning saw the Rudram being chanted with added fervour followed by bhajans. The Saishwara lingam that had been blessed with pranaprathistapana at the divine hands during the Athi Rudra Mahayajna in 2007 adorned the front area of the marbled blocks. Aarthi was taken at 9:40 a.m.

In the evening, Swami arrived at 5:20 p.m. He was dressed in a beautiful maroon robe and gasps escaped the lips of those thrilled devotees the moment He made His appearance. Before heading to the Sai Kulwant Hall, He moved into the Poorna Chandra auditorium. The hall was full and everyone seemed crazed with joy at the mere sight of Swami. They raised their arms as if grabbing and applying the love and grace that was exuding from Him. Swami took a gentle round on the stage.

Reaching the eastern end, He asked a photographer there, "Are there steps to go down?" The ramp to go down was at the western end and Swami expressed the desire to go down! Ah! The excitement of the devotees there should be seen to be believed. Swami was smiling, raising His hand in blessings and benediction. Reaching the centre, He moved through the path. People were shouting, "Sairam! Sairam!" and almost jumping in joy. When it looked people’s enthusiasm might make it difficult to manage them, Swami turned around.

As He ascended the stage, the photographer told Him that all that was happening live in Sai Kulwant Hall would be relayed to the auditorium. The lights were turned off and Swami saw the larger than life image of the Saishwara lingam on the screen. He appeared moved at this and then blessing the devotees assembled for one last time, He moved out of the auditorium into the hall.

The Veda chanting was on and the nadaswaram and panchavadyam by the students began to perform. Swami moved through the ladies side. He was on the special throne chair and was clearly seen by all as it has good height. Completing the round through the gents and students, Swami arrived at the centre. He had a look at the lingam that had been installed there facing the east.

Then He moved on. The warden of the Anantapur campus of the University sought Swami’s permission for the girls too to lead the bhajans during the night long vigil that was to follow. Swami nodded. The tiny tots from the Primary school had prepared a plethora of cards for Swami for the occasion of Shivarathri. Swami looked through all of them and then arrived at the portico.

There He lit the candle on a huge cake specially prepared for the occasion. Cutting the cake, He moved through the portico and arrived on the stage. He sat listening to the Veda chants for about 15 minutes. He then asked for the stotrams to begin.

The next 45 minutes, one felt as if Kailasa had travelled south to meet its Lord! Beginning with the Lingashatakam, the students sang the song Prabhum Prananatham. Many more stotrams and songs followed. They were so enthralling and hearing them and seeing Swami was such a profound spiritual experience. The song, Mahaprana Deepam raised the rhythmic energy levels in the entire hall and all those who could not sing along began to enthusiastically clap.
 

The song "Om Namah Shivaya" rendered in Hindustani style with all the variations and in depth knowledge of the raaga was a treat to the ears. This was followed by a Carnatic song. It was so impressive that Swami called the two singers to stage.

He told them to sing another song in the "thillana" style. They obliged and pleased Swami and also the thousands who had gathered. As they concluded, Swami told the students to begin bhajans.

And thus the bhajans began. It was almost 6:50 p.m. The boys and girls began to sing alternatively. Swami sat in His seat and it was such a wonderful darshan. The night arrived and truly Shivarathri was on at Prashanti Nilayam. Swami drank a glassful of water or two.

Everyone sat up alert as this was one of those signals which precede the lingodbhavam. The signals ended with that, thankfully, as devotees experience so much pain seeing their beloved Swami in pain during the lingodbhavam. The bhajans continued. After a while, Swami moved to the interview room.

Coming out, He continued to sit for the bhajans. After a few minutes, He asked for aarthi. Some people attempted to tell Him that bhajans would be on for the whole of the night. Swami nodded and called Prof. Anil Kumar. He had it announced that there would be bhajans the whole night and aarthi would be taken at 7 a.m.

the next day. Then, looking at the priest, He asked him again to do the aarthi. The priest was very hesistant but one more look from Swami and some forceful prodding had him waving the camphor. Swami called one of the teachers of the music group and said, "After aarthi, do not chant the Shanti mantra. Restart the bhajans instead."

That was done to the word and bhajans went on. After a couple of them, Swami told the Carnatic pair to sing the next bhajan. As they started to sing, Swami began to move towards Yajur Mandir. It was almost 8:15 p.m. when He retired.

source:h2h.org