Sri Sathya Sai Trust For Universal Welfare

Day 7: Dasara Mahotsavamulu

Saraswati Puja: Wednesday the 9th October 2024, the 7th day in the Sharannavaratrulu marks the worship of the Universal Mother in the form of Mahaa Saraswati – the Goddess of Knowledge and learning; for Vidya-for worldly living as well as for transcending beyond.

Gou puja was performed after which the Lord was received by the children with a Poornakumbha Kalasam at the Yaga Shaala. Kumkumaarchana was performed while the Vedic rituals of Rudrahomam and Saraswati Puja were performed.

On this day, a special one for the children, large numbers from 1 year to 15 years old gathered to receive the blessings of the Lord. Many children accompanied by their parents received the Grace of their Lord for initiating them into Aksharaabhyasam. The Lord was gracious enough to gift them with Slates and Slate pencils while showering the Akshatalu (sacred rice grains) on them.

Bangaru Naidu; a sr retired Head Master in his ardent devotion to Swami elucidated the initiatives undertaken by Sri Sathya Sai Trust for Universal Welfare in the service of children by distributing Note books: meeting the education fees commitments of some needy and above all inculcating discipline in the children of surrounding villages so as to ensure their upbringing in the right direction that would mould them into citizens of virtuous character. He commended the fortune of children who were initiated into Aksharaabhyaasam in the Divine Presence.

A special invitee from VijiniGiri Ashram Sri Narasimham garu in his talk, highlighted the need to develop Chitta Suddhi by participating in Nishkaama Seva which in turn would help one in the spiritual evolution of oneself as well as of others. Highlighting Babas’ guiding principle of

“Help ever-Hurt never” widely accepted by the people across the continents he said following such a path would confer on those present with

Sameepyam Sarupyam Saalokyam and ultimately Saayujyam of the Lord.

In His Divine discourse Swami highlighted that Veda Purusha Saptaha Jnana Yajnam is meant to bless the seekers with liberation. Swami also urged upon everyone to invest their time in Divine contemplation recalling that even Narada and Prahlaada had to go through many a birth and rebirth before they attained Self realisation.

In the Evening after Laghu Poornahuti

Was offered at the Yaaga Shaala Swami proceeded towards the Prahlada Varada Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Aalaya praanganam where Vedic rituals of Ankurarpanam was initiated for Nitya Homam for the installation of Jaya Vijaya idols Garuda Vaahana; dwajastambha Sthaapana; Kalasa Staapana and the installation of Mother Annapoorna Devi idol at the Divya Prasada Seva Kitchen on the Vijaya Dasami day.

The ritwicks following the Vaishnav order of worship enlightened the assembled that Jaladhivasam; (placing the idols etc in water on the first night)Ksheeradhivasam (placing them in milk for one night)and dhaanya-vaasam (placing them in paddy for one night) would be performed over the next three days to comply with the Vedic prescription required to be complied with before Prathistaapana I.e., before their installation.

The Cultural program for the day was performance over musical instruments by Sri Mandapaka Ravi a Mridangam player, an AIR artiste accompanied by a team of other instrumental artistes also from the AIR. Layananda Lahari played on Hamsadhwani raga and various other raagaas were performed on the instruments as Offerings to their Master that enthralled the audience.

Arati was offered to Swami at the end of the day before serving Divya Prasadam to one and all blessed to be present.