After Swami left Kulwanth Hall last night after the Evening Programme,
the Shivarathri vigil began for everyone. At around 9pm,when the mikes were
switched off , the Group bhajans began. A separate group was formed in a corner
of the hall where the Rudram was chanted.Also Reading of scriptures and holy
books was resorted to by some. It seemed that everyone seemed to do some
Spiritual act or other on this most Holy and Sacred night.
As Dawm broke today, the Divine Saishwara lingam was again decked and
adorned with flowers. Bhajans again echoed everyhwere in Prasanthi Nilayam when
the mikes were turned on at 6pm.
At around 6.10pm, Swami arrived on the special throne chair. As Swami
reached the centre of the hall,Bhagawan blessed the Prasadam which contained
Huge vessels of Chakrapongal (sweet rice) and pulihora (tamarind rice).
It was a wonderful sight to see Swami holding the small "broom" made of
sacred grasses and sprinkle water on all the vessels containing the Prasadam.
Swami then sat on the stage and Bhajans were on in full swing, After a Few
Bhajans,Swami asked for the Prasadam to be brought and kept in the front on the
respective sides and then Bhagawan moved into the Bhajan hall. Once that was
done, Swami moved towards the bhajan hall.
Bhagawan then blessed the vessels of food there and gave some
instructions on distribution. He also had a look at the leaves from which the
prasadam would be served. Swami's attention as always is most meticulous.
Bhagawan then to the great happiness of everyone took another round of Darshan
It was around 7:10am when Swami arrived on the stage asked for Mangala
Aarthi to be taken Even as the Mangala Aarthi was going on, the Prasadam
distribution began. As the Prasadam was being served, Bhagawan moved into the
interview room and it just before 8am that Bhagawan retired to Yajur Mandiram
thereby bringing the Shivarathri Celebrations to a close at the Divine abode.
Om Sai Ram
