Dasara
Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yajna - Day 1
Oct. 15, 2007 Next>>
The seven-day Veda Purusha Sapthaha Jnana Yagna got underway at
Prasanthi Nilayam this morning. The priests for the Yagna
were seated in the Bhajan hall of the Mandir and Bhagawan
arrived in Sai Kulwant Hall to Vedic chants at 9.15 am. He
proceeded to the Bhajan hall and presented clothes to all
the priests. The priests sat next to Bhagawan and chanted
for a while, then moved to the Poornachandra in procession
preceded by Nadaswaram. In ten minutes' time, Swami asked
the students also to move to the Poornachandra, and ten
minutes later still, Swami arrived onstage there - it was
just past ten o'clock. The priests brought up for Bhagawan's
benediction the ceremonial material used to create the fire
for the Yagna, and in a matter of minutes, held up the fire
created by the rubbing of two pieces of Arani wood.
The Yagnam then proceeded with Swami seated onstage. You can see detailed
reports of the Yagnam in earlier
issues of Prasanthi Diary. At 10.30,
the students moved out and proceeded for Grama Seva: today's Seva was in
Puttaparthi village. A few minutes past eleven, Bhagawan moved backstage,
and half an hour later returned to His residence.
The evening session had speeches as is customary during the Yagnam.
Bhagawan arrived at Sai Kulwant Hall at 5.20 pm, and moved to the stage
after His darshan round in the car. The two speakers of the evening were
introduced by the Vice-Chancellor Sri Gokak. Prof G. Venkataraman, former
Vice-Chancellor of the Sai University, spoke first for twenty minutes on
the symbolic meaning of the annihilation of Mahishasura. The Professor of
Telugu at Prasanthi Nilayam campus, Sri Veerabhadraiah, was the next
speaker. He narrated many Sai experiences in Telugu till Bhajans began at
6.30 pm. The bhajans were again "group bhajans": Swami had told the bhajan
group yesterday that He approved of their group bhajan singing. After ten
minutes of Bhajans, Bhagawan accepted Arati and returned to His residence.
