STORY BEHIND THE PHOTO – 12 (Kanakabhishekam)
I t was a Padhuga Pooja Day in Prashanthi Nilayam, which was being
conducted every year, by Sri Sai Padhuga Trust, Madurai. This particular event
happened during the Pooja in the year, 1992 or 1993.
Padhuga Pooja was arranged inside the Poornachandra Auditorium,
where only the family of Padhuga trust members had assembled to perform the
rituals of pooja.
Normally, Padhuga Pooja celebrations were conducted for about 4
days, with various functions. (Late) Sri Subramaniam Chettiar, the founder
President of Sri Sai Padhuga Trust, had listed many programs for this function.
All other programmes other than Padhuga Pooja were conducted in the Mandir
premises.
One such function was to perform “Kanakasbhishekam”. This means,
showering of gold coins on the Divine Head. Swami was seated in His Throne.
Shri Chettiar brought a large silver bowl, filled with gold coins. Though
Bhagavan had given prior approval for all the function details, innocently He
enquired what was happening. Sri Chettiar explained that He is going to
conduct abhishekam to Swami with these gold coins. Swami exclaimed,
“Kanakabhishekam to Me? “
The Darshan area, in front of the Mandir, was full of devotees
who had gathered to witness this holy event. There was no Sai Kulwant Hall on
those days. Devotees used to sit in the vast open area filled with soft sands.
Swami instantly got up from His throne, and directed Shri Chettiar
to follow him, carrying the bowl filled with gold coins. Swami moved towards
the devotees, picked up handful of gold coins and showered them over the heads
of devotees. The gold showering happened in few spots. This reminded devotees
of Swami throwing chocolates over them.
Swami made it clear, that Gold has no particular value for Him. The
gold and pebbles are same in the Divine view.
Lucky were many a devotee who got gold coins, which they could pick
up from the sands. Needless to say, I too got such gold coin embedded with
Swami Figure on it, which is put on a chain.
With Love & Regards,
"Mumbai" Srinivasan
