Maha Sivaratri Ekadasavara Sri Rudra Homa and Abhishekam
Penusila Kshetram, Feb 16, 2007
Before the Ekadasavara Sri Rudra Homa, Swamiji performs sankalpa on behalf
of all the homa sponsors around the world.
Together with the learned Vedic priests, Swamiji performs the powerfully auspicious
Sri Rudra Homa, which removes all sins, heals all diseases, and graces one with
peaceful and profound meditations.
Together with Sri Rudra Homa, Sri Maha Mrutyunjaya Homa was also performed.
This homa heals all diseases and mental disturbances, and also purifies the Earth’s
atmosphere of the pollution caused by negative thoughts.
Our beloved Amma watches the homa.
“See Lord Siva everywhere, in all beings, not just in temples.” ~ Amma
It is a great blessing to breathe the holy smoke which emanates from the homa kunda.
This smoke rises into the atmosphere, carrying the energy of the mantras and sacred offerings
around the entire globe, for the benefit of people, animals, birds, trees, plants,
and Mother Earth herself.
Amma offers purnahuti on behalf of all beings. “Purna” means full or complete; offering
purnahuti means that we offer ourselves completely into the fire of divine consciousness for the
sake of dharma, service to all beings, and moksha, the supreme enlightenment.
As described in a recent Latest News article by Amma, hundreds of special clay Siva lingas
were prepared for Maha Sivaratri this year. It seems that Sri Ganesha also wanted to be a part of this special mandala of lingas. One devotee who happened to visit the ashram felt drawn to create
this beautiful image of Sri Ganesha. Her devotion can be seen in the small details, such as the
small rice grains decorating the umbrella, and the modakas in Ganesha’s hand.
1,500 clay Siva lingas were created by hand in preparation for Maha Sivaratri. Water
from the holy Ganges river as well as dust from holy places was mixed into the clay, along with numerous fragrant and auspicious items, like camphor, saffron and sandalwood powder. 1,116 of the lingas were arranged in the shape of a Maha Siva Lingam. When we perform holy actions with our own hands, our hands become so pure and we receive tremendous grace.
Before the Ekadasavara Sri Rudra Abhishekam, Swamiji performs sankalpa on behalf
of all the sponsors. For any homa or abhishekam performed according to Vedic guidelines,
many special items are necessary. Some of these items may be rare or costly, but they add very
unique and powerful vibrations to the ceremony. Those who sponsor the ceremonies
financially are performing a great service to the world by making these ceremonies possible.
During the abhishekam, the Vedic priests chant the entire Sri Rudram eleven times.
Wherever Sri Rudram is chanted, the atmosphere becomes powerfully charged with
divine vibrations. Many have experienced profound meditations and tremendous
purification during the chanting of Sri Rudram.
The Narmadeswara lingam will be bathed in eleven different items; the first is milk,
which
is like pure nectar. All the malas that will be given as prasadam have
been placed
around the lingam.
This very special photo shows the lingam entirely covered in milk. When we dwell in
constant remembrance of God, we will be completely drenched in nectar and our lives
will be surrounded by the utterly pure energy of divine consciousness.
A garland of pure white lotuses is offered to our beloved Amma. As white is the energy of
sattwa, the energy of purity and truth, we can all offer Amma a garland of our positive
thoughts, our pure and truthful words, and our noble actions.
After milk, abhishekam is performed with yogurt, another
pure and sattwic item obtained from Go Mata—Mother Cow.
“So much energy and divine nectar is embedded in cows. When you
give your seva and take care of cows with your own hands,
you will get so much energy and radiance.” ~ Amma
Another auspicious item offered is pure ghee, or clarified butter obtained from
cow’s milk. Doing Sri Rudra Abhishekam with ghee brings abundant
blessings for good health.
“The practice of “jagarana”, or staying awake, means to have true
awareness towards truth. Wake up from the sleep of maya
and be awake to truth.” ~ Amma
Sugar is offered to Lord Siva. When we offer sugar crystals
during abhishekam, we receive divine blessings for sweet speech.
When we always speak sweetly, we will make friends everywhere
we go, and we will not have any enemies.
After each Sri Rudra Abhishekam, the auspicious harati was offered. Another name
for
Lord Siva is “Hara,” meaning “He who steals” or “He who takes away.” When we pray
to Lord Siva, he takes away our pains and problems. When we offer harati, he removes all
our negativity and bestows absolute purity in return.
All different kinds of sweet fruit pieces are offered to Lord Siva.
The fruits seem to be like a mountain of fragrant, shining gems.
During the Sri Rudra Abhishekam, all devotees had the blessed opportunity to
make offerings to a Siva lingam with their own hands.
Each person offered a pure water and also a sacred bilva leaf. Lord Siva gives so much
grace to us on Maha Sivaratri, especially when we chant his mantras or offer him anything.
Tender coconut water is offered, fresh from the coconut. All natural items are God’s
handiwork. Whatever we are offering has come only from God, as we ourselves are not
capable of making a flower or a fruit. We ourselves have nothing to offer, but God gives us
everything and makes it possible for us to perform these sacred ceremonies, thereby
receiving countless blessings.
Rudraksha, sphatika and navaratna malas have been offered to Lord Siva
during this abhishekam. It is very auspicious to wear these types of malas
during pujas, homas or while doing any form of sadhana.
Sugarcane juice is offered. Sugarcane juice, which is used to make jaggery,
contains many vitamins important for health.
Pure and fragrant vibhuti is offered to Lord Siva. No matter what an offering might
look like, when it is offered into the homa fire, it is completely transformed into ash. Nothing
remains of the former characteristics. When we offer ourselves to God entirely, we will gain
the characteristics of the one and only Atman, no matter what our previous identity
might have been like.
A special golden type of chandanam, or sandalwood paste, is offered. Offering
any gold-colored item helps to attract the positive energy of Jupiter and remove
any negative effects caused by Jupiter’s transits.
Pure water, mixed with Ganges water and other auspicious substances,
is offered as the final offering in the most sacred Sri Rudra Abhishekam.
Lord Siva is decorated with beautifully colored flowers. Different flowers have
special and unique vibrations, and when they are offered in puja, they add their
special vibrations to the energy of the mantras, giving us wonderful blessings.
Many sacred bilva leaves have been offered as well. Bilva leaves come in groups
of three, resembling two eyes plus the awakened third eye. If only two eyes are open,
we see duality everywhere. But when we close our two eyes in meditation, gradually the
third eye will open—the third eye is what allows us to see only oneness everywhere.
After all eleven abhishekas are completed, pink and white lotuses are offered to
Lord Siva, and the final harati is performed.
Harati is offered to Lord Siva, who seems to be smiling gently and casting his
tender glance on all beings. This silver image of Lord Siva’s lotus face has been
placed over the Narmadeswara Linga, thereby giving form to the formless aspect of
the Absolute. “God is with form, and also without form. You can pray to God in any
form,
or also without any form. All prayers, all worship
reaches the Oneness.” ~ Amma
~~~
Om shantih shantih shantihi
May all be in peace
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavantu
May all be happy
