On the 18th February 2023 Leicester Sai Centres with support from Wolverhampton Sai Centre celebrated Maha Shivaratri at the Wanza Community Centre, Leicester from 6 pm Saturday 18th to 6 am Sunday 19th. The programme was organised by the young adults of the three Centres with support from volunteers and devotees.
The programme started at 6 pm on Saturday 18th February with the offering of card and flowers at the lotus feet of our beloved Swami by Bal Vikas children, followed by prayers to Swami and then a welcome by Manish Thakrar. Then we had Swami’s discourse on the significance of celebrating Maha Shivaratri, followed by over an hour of inspirational bhajans which led us nicely to one of the key events of the programme, the Rudrabhisekam. This was performed by Brother Chirag and consisted of offering 18 sacred drayas to Saieshwara lingam.
Each offer of the sacred draya to Saieashwara lingam was accompanied by the meaning of the offering both in English and Gujarati.
Aum Sri Sai Ram
To the one who personifies the very essence of beauty. To the one who bestows joy in every heart with his enchanting smile. To the one who is worshipped and adored by all. Let us offer salutation to our most beloved Saieeshwara. On this most holy and auspicious occasion of Maha Shivratri, our beloved Lord Sai Shiva, has conferred upon all of us this unique opportunity to witness the grand and glorious Maha Abhishekam, where 18 sacred dravyas will be offered to Saieshwara lingam.
KSHEER ABHISEKAM (MILK)
First, we will witness the holy Ksheer-Abhishekam, the milk abhishekam, the sacred milk is given to us by mother cow, considered to be eqvalent to Mother Earth herself. So, the milk represents the element of Earth – Prithvi.
DHADHYA ABHISEKAM (CURD)
Next, we will witness the holy Dhadhya Abhishekam, where we will be offering curd. Curd is derived from milk by adding sour water, the milk is thus transformed to a nature which is closer to water and hence the curd represents the element of water.
GHEE
We will now witness the holy Gritabhishekam, the offering of sacred Ghee, the clarified butter. Ghee is derived from milk. By heating, it involves fire and hence Ghee represents Tejas or the element of fire, the Agni.
MADHVA ABHISEKAM (HONEY)
Next, we will perform MadhvaAbhishekam, by offering madhu – the honey. Honey is collected by a flying being, the honeybee, hence it represents vaayu – the element of air.
SUGAR
The river water is sweet because it gives itself completely to the ocean. The ocean water is salty because it only takes water from the river. Hence the secret of sweetness in life lies only in giving. A message taught and lived every moment by our most beloved Swami. As we witness the holy Sharkarabhishekam where the sugar, a representation of grosser level of sweetness strives to merge with the pristine pure Saishwar lingam. The orange fruit placed above the Saishwar lingam reminds us of our beloved Bhagawan whose Grace alone can bless us to successfully merge with the divine.
FRUIT /DRY FRUIT
Every ripened fruit has to undergo the initial stage of bitterness which transmutes into sweetness over time. Similarly every Sadhana requires one to surrender with patience to the test of time till it ripens into a sweet fruitful life, A life worthy to be offered to the Lord. Let us now witness the holy Phalamrit Abhishekam.
SUGARCANE
We will now perform the IshwamritAbhishekam , where we will be offering the sugarcane juice to Saieshwara . Sugarcane represents abundance and prosperity with the innate sweetness derived from sincere and consistent hard work.
COCONUT WATER
Coconut tree is also known as the kalpavrksha, the wish-fulfilling tree. Every part of this tree has got a unique utility for mankind. We’ll now offer the tender coconut water to our Lord, who is verily the kaplavrksha, the ever-benevolent wish-fulfilling Lord.
KUMKUM
KUMKUM represents blood and blood verily symbolises life. Offering Kumkum is the symbol and reminder of offering our life in dedication to God in thought, word and deed. Kumkum also symbolises the shakti aspect of Lord Shiva, Sadasumangali mother Parvati. We will now perform the Kumkum amritam abhisekam, offering Kumkum, the Vermillion powder.
TURMERIC WATER
We will now witness the Haridhra-amrtha Abhishekam, offering the holy turmeric water. Turmeric represents goodness, health and wellbeing. Hence, this abhishekam is prayer for the wellbeing of all the beings of the world.
CHANDAN
The divine presence has a unique magnetic fragrance that attracts everyone. We will now offer Gandha Abhishekam, with Chandan or sandalwood water, which represent fragrance, yet another sweet and attractive characteristic of our beloved Lord.
AKSHATA – RICE
We will now offer Akshatamrut Abhishekam , the turmeric rice will be offered to our lord. Akshata literally means indestructible, the turmeric or yellow rice represents mangala or good fortune. This abhishekam invokes God’s benovelance in bestowing upon all of us good fortune.
GOLD
Kailasha the abode of Lord Shiva is considered to be a Golden mountain. We will now perform the Swarnamrita abhishekam offering Swarna, Gold to our beloved Lord. This abhishekam represents offering Kailasha to Lord Shiva.
VIBHUTI ABHISEKAM (VIBHUTI)
Bhasma symbolises the impermanent nature of life, reminding us to take the path of inner renunciation , born out of the fire of wisdom. Hands in the society and head in the forest , thus saving us from the clutches of maya or delusion. Vibhuti also symbolises Bhagawan’s omnipresence, protection and divine healing powers. We will now witness the holy VibhutiAbhishekam.
RUDRAKSHA
We will now offer Rudrakshaamrit abhishekham where we will be offering the holy Rudraksha. Rudraksha Represents the eyes of Rudra. We pray to our most beloved Lord Sai Shiva to bless all of us with the inner vision.
BILVA ABHISHEKAM (BILVA PATRA)
Tidalam , Trigunakaram, Trinetram cha trayayudham, trijanma Pap samharam , ek bilvam shivarpanam.
The one who embodies the three gunas, the one with the three eyes, knower of past, present and future. The one who destroys with his trident , our spiritual ignorance, which is greatest of all sins. We invoke Him with the sacred three-petaled bilva leaf, as we witness the holy Bilva Abhishekam.
DURVA
We will now witness the holy Durvabhishekam, it is believed that the Durva Grass has the ability to attract the principles of adishiva , AdiShakti and AdiGanapati. The mind soaked with divine thoughts has the ability to attract the divine energy like the Durva Grass. Durva is also known for its medicinal and the healing properties.
FLOWERS
Pushpaamrtha Abhishekam (Flowers)
Flower represents beauty and tenderness, which are the basic characterises of our most compassionate Lord. We will now perform Pushpaamrtha Abhishekam, offering flowers and praying for a tender, devotion-filled heart.
Conclusion
All these abhishekam is meant to appease the in dweller of our body, who is the form of our most beloved Saisheewara, whom we worship on this most auspicious Maha Shivratri day
Following the completion of the sacred draya to Saieswara lingam, a series of prathanas, vedic chanting and musical instruments were played, which led to the Diva Aarti by Manharbhai.
Devotees and volunteers were then given the opportunity to offer Abhisekam to Shiva Lingams managed by the sevadals and accompanied by Ashtakams and Bho Shambho.
Thereafter bhajans continued throughout the night, with Anga Pooja offered by Nareshbhai Pancholi, 108 Sathya Sai names, Mahadev Aarti by Minesh and Hansaben, Suprabhatham at 5am and then bhajans continued until Bhagawan’s Mangala Aarti and closing prayers.
During the 12 hour programme the volunteers served hot and cold drinks, light meal at the start, dinner in the evening and breakfast in the morning.
Jai Sai Ram
