Chapter 14: Purnahuti Celebration

Ati Rudra Maha Yagna’s poornahuti was a grand celebration. Poornahuti celebration surged energy and vibrations that were very new and thrilling to us.  the sacrificial flames consuming the sacred offerings were rising and higher with the torrential flow of arghya from a specially esthetically carved long wooden spoon.

The Poornahuti offerings were too many. A few that I remember amidst the excitement were a saree into which several sugandha dhravyalu were bundled. There were rows of plates containing herbs and spices. Cloves, Cardamom, Camphor, Joss sticks, Sandal woods,  Oranges, Bananas, Huge Pineapples, Sugarcanes, Lotus flowers, Bilwa Leaves, Cotton cloths, Various grains, and tin loads of Ghee.

As the various ingredients were offered into the sacred flames, the flames raised higher and higher and fumes and smokes of the burning of the herbs and grains filled the atmosphere, or should I say the entire cosmos. Raw offerings even fruits and cane sugars got consumed into the flames. The heat was evolving was intense.


After all offering were made, then a the huge spoon was held over the Homa gunda, to which the dhaara pathra was hung. Ghee was filled into the Dhaara pathra. The heat from the home gunda liquefied the Ghee inside the Dhaara pathra, and stream of it flowed into the flames accompanied by the heightened chorus of sacred manthras of poornahuti.

For the final iteration, cupfuls of ghee were poured from the swan shaped opening of the spoon. Grand celebration came to grand conclusion as all the offerings were consumed by The Divine.

There was a deep sense of peace and cosmic silence dawning in my heart. It all appeared like creation…of a universe, may be only He knows. The flames raised higher and consumed everything offered. The flames did not burn, but cooled and cleansed. The vedic recitations were at the top pf our voices and the peace was sinking deeper and deeper.

Culminating part of Ati Rudra Maha Yagna was the Maha Kumbhabhiskekam. The sacred vessels that represented the sacred rivers of all lands, enshrined the presiding deities of the sacred waters were waiting for their turn to serve the Lord. Rudra Parayana was started on one more iteration.  Saayeshwara was bathed with the sacred waters from the Kalasams, I was reminded of the gangavatahranam scene, where in Mighty torrential flow of Ganga flowed from the matted locks of the Cosmic Shiva standing on the Himalayas.

In 2006, after poornahuti, Swamy was on stage and was in front of the Sayeeshwara Linga, while Kumbhabhishekam was being performed. The scene was inexplicably beautiful and the following photograph illustrates it.

Kumbhabhishekam was followed by chanting of santhi mantras, decorations and asthavadhana seva and Maha Mangala harathi. Shanti Mantras prayed for peace to all beings, in all worlds. It was not a coincidence at all of us felt Swamy’s face in the main alter shone with peculiar luster. He looked so very Handsome and charming. It takes one to be Adi Shankacharya to describe the Soundarya in a Lahari (torrential waves of beauty).

Maha-Mangala Harathi was offered Sri Sathya Sai Paramatma.

Mama addressed us all after the conclusion of the Ati Rudra Maha Yagna. He reminded us how fortunate we all are to be a part of a such a beautiful and sacred Yagna conducted in the Cosmic presence of Swamy. The distinction was the previous yagnas were performed in the Physical Presence and this was Blessed by the Cosmic Omnipresence of Swamy.  He gratefully thanked everyone who supported the event.  The loving food served, the immense back stage support, continuous supply of essential items like Logs and pooja items, Hospitality… everything.

He lovingly asked us to go and take prasadam and rest fully and assemble in Swamy’s residence as late as 0800 AM the next morning.  We were so touched by His particular remembrance and expressing gratitude to each and everyone of the coordinating team. 

The celebrations here not yet over. Chinese lanterns were ready! Kids and Veterans enjoyed flying them alike. Bold messages were written on them and were flown up to make it loud and clear. Everyone jumped and squeaked and yelled and enjoyed thoroughly. All the lanterns flew towards Esanya, in the direction of Kailasam, one after the other like army aircrafts. 

Dinner was waiting for us. Poornahuti Prasadam was served and  a deep sense of joy and satisfaction was immanent on the face of all. We couldn’t get sleep, we were too excited to rest. Each one was talking about his personal experience during the yagna. It was already the early hours of the next day by the time we retired.