The Shivarathri 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. Mangala Aarthi was taken at 9:40am.
In the evening, Swami arrived at 5:20pm. Bhagawan was dressed in a Wonderful Maroon coloured Robe. Before heading to the Kulwant hall, Bhagawan moved into the Poornachandra auditorium. Swami took a slow and 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 jumping up. When the scenario looked like it would turn unruly, Swami turned around. As he ascended the stage, the photographer told Him that all that was happening live in 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 very moved at this and then blessing the devotees assembled for one last time, He moved out of the auditorium and 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 requested Swami permission for the girls also 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 the cards 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 Lingashtakam, 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 the thousands who had gathered. As they concluded, Swami told the students to begin bhajans. And thus the bhajans began. It was almost 6:50pm. The boys and girls began to alternate and sing. Swami sat in His seat and it was such a wonderful darshan. The night arrived and truly Shivarathri was on at Prashanti Nilayam. Swami began to drink glassfuls of water. 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 bhajans, He asked for Aarthi. Some people attempted to tell Him that bhajans would be on the whole 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 7am the next day. Then, looking at the priest, He asked him to do the aarthi. The priest was very hesistant but some 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 pm when He retired. Om Sai Ram
