Chapter 10: Rudra Parayana and Rudra Abhishekam

Rudra Parayana

On the Morning of the Sixth, session began at 04:30 AM with preparations for Aumkaram and Suprabhatam. After which priests performed Sandhya Vandanam. At 06:00 the all the ritwiks wore beautiful Yellow Panchi and Angavastram.

Morning prayers commenced with Maha Ganapathi puja, Vasthu Homam, Praana Pratistha, Netronmeelanam and Fixing the Lingam on to the pedestal with a sacred gum that was prepared with appropriate mantras accompanying its preparation.

The Lingam was named after the Presiding Deity, Sayeeshwara. Henceforth the lingam is no more an idol but a Living Deity, with Lord residing in it, accepting our prayers and blessing the devotees.

All the rituals were performed strictly performed as prescribed in the Shastras.

After the connected rituals of Praanapratistha were concluded, the Lingam was established on to the platform, right in front of Swamy’s Regal Throne , just as it was in 2006!

Chanting of Aruna Parayanam commenced. The sonorous chants were followed by personal purification through Maha Nyasa Parayana. Maha Nyasa Parayana was followed by chants from various portions of the Vedas and Upanishads.

After this session Mama gave us a fifteen minute break to have coffee and breakfast.  

All of us were eagerly waiting for the next session. The Rudra Parayana. Swamy has spoken about Rudram at length, and this is one chant that appeases Him very much. Every one charged to commence the parayana for the Preethi of Sathya Sai Parameshwara.

Aum Namo Bhagavathe Rudraya!  And it commenced. The prayer for universal Peace and Prosperity, the Highest Prayer, the prayer to appease Sayishwara had started.

It was a four hour continuous chant. Mama performed abhishekam to the Lingam as the iterations proceeded.

Abhishekam was performed with pure water that was purified with mantras. The Lingam that Swamy had blessed Mama with was also placed on the Paana vattam and abhishekam was performed.

The sacred baths offered to Sayishwara are as follows:

1. Sudhodaka snanam  - pure water bath
2. Pachamrutha Snanam – Bath with five nectarine fluid
3. Ksheera snanam – Bathing with Milk
4. Dadhyaa Snapayami – Bathing with Yogurt  
5. Aajyena Snapayami – Bathing with Ghee
6. Madhuya  Snapayami – Bathing with Honey
7. Shakkaraya Snapayami – bathing with Sugars
8. Phala Snanam – Bathing with variety of fruits
9. Divya Parimala Gandhokadakena Snapayami - sandal water
10. Pushpodakena snapayami – Water scented with the fragrances of flowers
11. Akshatodakena Snapayami  - Water charged with the powers of Akshata
12. Nava Ratna Khajita Suvarnodakena Snapayami - golden water
13. Divya Parimala Bhasmodakena snapayami – Water with divine fragrant ashes
14. Spatika- Rudrakshaodakena snapayami  - water charged with spatika and rudraksha
15. Bilvodakena snapayami – water charged with the efficacies of Bilwa leaves
16. Doorvodakena snapayami - water charged with the efficacies of Doorva leaves
17. Haridrodakena snapayami – bath with turmetic water
18. Kumkumodakena snapayami  - bath with Kumkum water

After this the Dhaara Pathra was plaved over the Lingam from with a steady torrential stream of water or milk was poured on to the Lingam. Haarati was offered and a flower was placed on the Lingam, to soften the effect of the current of water bathing the Lingam from the pot above.

It was a wonderful sight for the Gods to watch, every time a fresh flower was placed after every iteration and the Lingam appeared in the shade of the flower, so beautiful with each flower. I guess we all too are like that, each a flower, with Swamy, and He is unique with each one Us!

It was an altogether different feeling to chant Rudram in a group of over 150 ritwiks. I observed that I was not getting tiered even after the 6th iteration! , whereas my vocal chords would start to complain after third iteration elsewhere. It was definitely a sign of immense energy being generated during the prayer. As Rudram was being chanted, Abhishekam with Milk continued. The pace kept going faster with each iteration, but the clarity of the pronunciation was never compromised upon.  

After the Rudraparayana and Rudra Abhishekam, the Lingam was cleaned, wiped cleaned with a soft towel, like a baby, and was decorated with flowers and various designs of Tumeric and Vermillion. It was a surprise every time to see a beautiful decoration of the Sayeeshwara.

In the mean while, Bhajans were sung for the pleasure of the Lord and preparations for the Yagna were quickly made.