The "Ati Rudra Maha Yajna" for peace and prosperity for the benefit of humanity will be performed in the Sai Kulwant Hall from 9th August, 2006, to 20th of August, 2006, for twelve days, in the Divine Presence of Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.

The following information on the Rudra Yajna has been shared by brother Kumar Mahadevan:

Dear brothers and sisters,

Om Sri Sai Ram. Prayers to Our Beloved Bhagawan that His Grace and Blessings are always with you and your Dear Ones at all times.

The Most Wonderful "Rudra Yajnam" is to be performed in Prasanthi Nilayam next month. Here are some facts about the Yagnam; it has been performed only once before by Shiva for the Good of the World, Now it is performed by Sai Shiva.

The Rudra Yajna is the Most sacred and powerful among all the Maha Yajna's encompassing two Nishkama Karmas, namely, Deiva Yagna (worship of Shiva and Other divinities), and Manushya Yajna (performed with Large devotees who partake prasadam or grace of the Lord). It is very rare that a Yagnam of this significance and magnitude can be witnessed. Equally rare is the opportunity for the people to actually participate in the worship. This most powerful Yajna is done only with the Presence of a Divine Being and done in a most serene environment for meditation, spiritual study and practice. It is also done particularly for the sake of washing away ones sins and afflictions, for bringing peace, prosperity and happiness, along with family togetherness.

The Sri Rudram chant is an ancient Vedic hymn, and is the oldest example of a listing of various names of Lord Siva. Through the chanting of Sri Rudram, Lord Siva's various attributes and aspects are invoked and worshipped. Chanting the Rudram is considered to be of great benefit. The Rudram chanting can be done with or without the accompaniment of a Vedic yagna ritual. When accompanied with the Vedic fire ritual, it is called the Rudra Yagnam.

It is said that Lord Shiva after Basmasura was killed with the Help of Lord  Maha Vishnu performed the Tandava Dance and then Performed the "Rudra Yagna"  for the Betterment of Humanity, this Place where the Rudra Yagna was  performed is where the "Sri Kalahasti" Temple*** stands now, this temple also has one of the 12 Jyothirlingas of Parameshwara.

There is no other mention of this Rudra Yagna ever been performed after that as this Maha Yagnam has to be performed in the Presence of Divinity itself, Our Sai Shiva is performing it now. That is the significance of this Rudra Yagnam and we are about to witness something Divine and which has happened only once before.

What a great and wonderful event this Yagna promises to be in Parthi.

Om Sri Sai Ram

Mahadevan

More details share by Kumar Mahadevan about the Ati Rudra Yajna (emailed on 18.07.2006)

The Rudra Yagnam is going to be a most wonderful Event, An event not to be missed. What Makes this Most Wonderful Rudra Yagnam performed in Prasanthi Nilayam with Bhagawan as its “Karta” so wonderful and Special.

Rudra Literally means that "Fire comes from the Bowels of the earth spreading God's Grace all over the world".

1. This Great Maha Rudra Yagnam brings together the Most Scholarly Vedic pandits ever Assembled anywhere in the world, Never have so many Vedic Scholars are going to assemble in a single place, It is believed that Not since Maharaja Parikshit got a Big Congregation of Vedic Pandits to recite the Bhagavatham to him in the mahabarata, have so many Vedic Scholars congregate in one place.

2. Major Portions of All the Four Vedas have to be recited everyday during all the 12 days of the Maha yagna , This Is not done in any other of the Yagnas,

3. This is the Only Maha Yagnam among all the other Great Yagnas that is done for the Good of Humanity as a whole, all the other Yagnas are done for a Specific Reason.

4. This Wonderful Maha Yagna was done only ever before By Lord Shiva after Slaying Bhasmasura.

5. This is the Only Yagna which MUST HAVE a Divine Personality as Its KARTA or the Head of the Yagna, This Yagna cannot be done without Divinty as Its KARTA, This is a must for this Yagna, That is why Perhaps this Maha Yagna has not been done before.

6. This is the only Maha Yagna which is Done for 12 days as all the other yagnas are done for a Maximum of 10 days or less. This makes the Rudra Yagna "The Single most Wonderful and Divine Yagna of all times" .

We are going to Witness the Greatest ever Yagna to be performed in the History of Mankind by Our Lord Sai Shiva.

Om Sri Sai Ram

Mahadevan

Note: More information about Rudra and Kalahasti Temple

Rudra is evolved from the combination of Rud (in Sanskrit means Sin) and Dravayati (means washed away). Thus the process involved or to say the Shanti performed to wash away our sins is called Rudra.

The underlying principle is that we, human beings, knowingly or unknowingly commit sin in our day-to-day life. There are various types of sin we commit, for say, verbally, (abusing or being harsh on someone), through our thoughts (ill feeling towards someone) and physically (forcefully).

We need to aplogise towards this and as such Rudra is performed. There are several types of Rudra of which Rudraikadashani (Laghurudra swahaakaara yagna)/ Maharudra swaahaakaar yagna) are generally performed to purify ourselves by apologizing for our sins.

**Maragatham Lingam is very powerful in increasing our brain power & memory power.

***Sri Kalahasti is the Vayu Kshetra (Wind Representation) among the five places dedicated to nature. It is situated in Chittoor District, in Andhra Pradesh. The light in the sanctum sanctorum is always seen gently swaying as if blown by a wind. The blowing is caused; it is said, by the breath of Lord Shiva. The linga was worshipped by a Spider (Sri), snake (Kalash), and an elephant (Hasti), hence the name as Sri Kalahasti. Maha Shivaratrhi is celebrated with great reverence and fervor in the temple.

Further email received on 18.07.2006

The entire 12 days programme will be conducted in the divine Presence of Bhagawan and will Include the following:

i) Rudra Parayana by 140 learned priests for 14641 times with chanting of 21,43,58,881 Rudra Anuvakas and 1331 chamakas.

ii) Rudra Abhishekam to a specially installed Maragatham Lingam** in Sai Kuwanth Hall.

iii) Rudra Homa done in eleven specially made Homa Kundams in Sai Kulwanth HAll.

iv) Sai Gaythri Homa daily morning and afternoon.

v) Special Talks by Learned Speakers on the Glory of Lord Sai Shiva.

vi) Musical progammes by artistes from all over India.

A point of interest to all seeking to know more about Ati Rudra Mahayagna has been elaborated by G Balasubramaniam via his email sent on 19.07.2006

.....Atirudra Mahayagnams are held for 11 days . The number 11 has a significance in Srirudram. Nowhere Atirudram is held for 10 days or less. It has to be for 11 days.

Srirudra Patam contains 11 Anuvakas. Ater Each chanting of One round of Rudram one Anuvaka Each of Chamakam (out of 11 Anuvakas of chamakam) is chanted. Eleven recitations of Rudram followed by one recitation of Chamakam is called Ekadasa Rudram. This constitutes one unit of Rudra Homam. Eleven rounds of Ekadasa Rudram makes one Laghu Rudram. Eleven Laghu Rudra Chantings make one Maharudram and eleven Maharudram recitations is the Atirudram.

Everyday One Maharudram is completed and in eleven days an Atirudra Mahayagnam is completed. Thus in the Atirudra Mahayagnam, the Srirudram hymn is chanted in all 14,641 times by 121 Ritwiks in 11 days with the performance of 1331 rudra Homams simultaneously.

Before commencing the first Rudra Homam a number of Poojas,Japas and Havans Like Mahaganapathi Homam etc. are performed. The Vasoddhara Homam performed everyday is the climax of the daily and final Day Homams. This is the way an Atirudra Mahayagnam is normally held.

Frankly, I do not know as to how the Yagnam will be done at Prashanti Nilayam. Swamy is Omniscient and He knows what is the correct way of performing the Yagna.

I thought I may share the available information with you. This is in continuation of my earlier mail of date on this subject.

With Loving SAI RAMs,

G.Balasubramanian

Importance of Ati Rudra Yagan...as shared by Balachander (click here)

Please watch this space for the official news about the Yajna....we will make it available as soon as it is officially released.