(Baba - Athi Rudra Maha Yajna)
Athi Rudra consists of many Namakas and Chamakas. They sustain the human life. From where did this power come? The Namaka and Chamaka are taken from the Krishna Yajur Veda Veda. It is an all-inclusive Veda, from which the other Vedas, Shastras (scriptures), Itihasas (ancient legends) and Puranas emanated. Unfortunately, today, the Vedas have lost their pre-eminent position due to poor patronage. People who take to a serious study of the Vedas and chant the mantras contained in them regularly have become rare. A regular study of the Vedas and practice of Vedic injunctions confer all forms of wealth on the human beings. The fundamental principles governing human life and destiny are contained in the Vedas. The Vedas are the gift of God for the welfare of the entire humanity. The Vedas make no distinction whatsoever on the basis of religion, caste, nationality, etc. The Veda mantras can be chanted by one and all. (Swami then called two boys from abroad studying in Prashanti Nilayam and asked them to recite Shri Suktam).
(Shivalinga of Athi Rudra MahaYajna)
It is Swami’s wish that the Vedas shall be spread to every country, so that every human being irrespective of religion, caste, nationality, etc., learns Vedas and chants them. Some people from Iran and Iraq have come to Puttaparthi, day before yesterday. The devotees from Iran are still here. We are making efforts to teach Vedas to all people. The Vedas remove all types of sorrow. The yajna that is being performed now is different from other rituals like Putrakameshti Yajna or Ashvamedha yaga. It is for the welfare of the entire humanity. A few fortunate ones are learning the Vedas and propagating them. But, unfortunately many people are making no efforts to teach the Vedas, though they have studied them. Today, all the students in Sri Sathya Sai Educational Institutions are being taught Vedas. As a prelude to the learning of the Vedas, one has to acquire knowledge of Sanskrit, the language of Vedas.
(Athi Rudra MahaYajna: Baba with Vinay Kumar)
Nowadays, people of every country are making efforts to learn Vedas, especially the Rig Veda. Along with it, they are also learning the Yajur Veda, SamaVeda and the Atharvana Veda. Vinay Kumar has been appointed as the youth leader of Karnataka State. He is entrusted with the responsibility of bringing together all the youth in Karnataka on one platform and make them learn the Vedas and spread the message of the Vedas. Similarly, youth leaders have been appointed in all the states of India like Andhra, Kerala, etc. Not only that, youth leaders have also been appointed in the Sri Sathya Sai Seva Organisations in all the countries of the world for the propagation of the Vedas and Vedic chanting.
The Vedas are not to be neglected. The secret of the entire creation is contained in the Vedas. The Vedas establish the goal and purpose of human life. Everything concerning creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe is contained in the Vedas. The Brahmacharya (celibacy), Grihastha (householder), Vanaprastha (recluse) and Sannyasa (renunciant) Ashramas are rooted in the Vedas. People are able to realise the glory of the Vedas now. Wherever you go, even in the villages, you will find the ladies also chanting the Veda mantras. There may be difference in the body structure between the males and females; but, so far as the Vedic learning is concerned, there is hardly any difference.
The Veda is very sacred. Especially, the Athi Rudra part is a very important: section. ‘Rudram’ is generally understood as a synonym to Lord Ishvara. In fact, it is the essence of all the Vedas, namely, Rig, Yajur, Sama and Atharvana Vedas. Another important feature of Rudram is theEkatva (oneness) between the two parts, namely; Namakam and Chamaka(m). The Namaka emphasises on the aspect of detachment whereas Chamaka stresses on the aspect of desire. But, the essence of both aspects is one. What is to be discarded and what is to be desired? The evil is to be discarded and good is to be desired. Both are essential. Whereas Namaka lays stress on Virakti (detachment), the Chamaka speaks of desires for this and that.
(Athi Rudra Maha Yajna)
This Yajna is being conducted for the welfare of the world. There is a very important aspect of this Yajna. The Athi Rudra Maha Yajna protects and fosters the divine nature in the human beings, while rejecting and diminishing the demonic qualities. Thus, it works for the welfare of humanity. This Yajna can be undertaken by anyone interested in the welfare of humanity.
The material and other resources for conducting this Yajna have been arranged by the efforts of Vinay Kumar alone. He undertook the job lovingly and performed it almost single-handed. Several people had come forward to donate rice, fruits, vegetables and other materials, but, he did not agree to their requests. The expenditure for conducting this Yajna involves a large amount of money. He went round all alone and arranged for the materials for conducting this Yajna. I wish that every state should have such dedicated sevadal leaders. He is doing a lot of service. I am very happy about his service. He spurned all offers of help for conducting this Yajna saying ‘Sai is with me; He alone will help me.’ He was married ten years ago. Both he and his wife are in the service of Swami. When the proposal to conduct this Yajna was placed before Me, I asked them ‘Dear ones! You propose to conduct this Athi Rudra Maha Yajna in Prasanthi Nilayam. Do you wish to have a son?’ They replied in one voice that that was not their desire and motive for their prayer. Then I enquired what else they wished to have. Their reply was ‘Swami! We want you only!’ I have not heard such a reply so far from any couple. True to his name, Vinay Kumar is doing a lot of good work, with love and humility. His father was an Income Tax Commissioner. He was a colleague of Laxminarayana. Even now, Vinay is associated with Laxminarayana. Vinay Kumar treats him as his own father. There should be many more such souls, which should be increasing.
(Homakundas at Athi Rudra Maha Yajna)
The Athi Rudra Maha Yajna is great, most sacred and highly efficacious. The lives of the people who perform this Yajna, will be sanctified. There will be eleven Ritwiks performing the rituals at each Homakunda. There are eleven such Homakundas. Thus, there will be 121 Ritwiks in all performing the various rituals in this Yajna. For each Homakunda, there will be one person-in charge, who will look after everything concerning the rituals. Thus, all people connected with the Yajna work in unison to make the Yajna a success. It is only by unity, anything can be achieved. From unity comes purity and Divinity manifests from purity. Hence, all should conduct themselves as brothers and sisters. If, for any reason you get angry on a particular occasion, consider anger as your enemy and get rid of it. The Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (pride) and Matsarya jealously) are the six enemies that trouble the human being.
You are not ordinary human beings, you are Embodiments of Divine Self, verily. Each individual is given a particular name for the purpose of identification. But, you are all Embodiments of Divine Self, Athi Rudra Maha Yajna is great, most sacred and highly efficacious. The lives of the people who perform this Yajna, will, be sanctified. There will be eleven Ritwiks performing the rituals at each Homakunda. There are eleven such Homakundas. Thus, there will be 121 Ritwiks in all performing the various rituals in this Yajna. For each Homakunda, there will be one person-in charge, who will look after everything concerning the rituals. Thus, all people connected with the Yajna work in unison to make the Yajna a success. It is only by unity, anything can be achieved. From unity comes purity and Divinity manifests from purity. Hence, all should conduct themselves as brothers and sisters. If, for any reason you get angry on a particular occasion, consider anger as your enemy and get rid of it. The Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Mada (pride) and Matsarya jealousy) are the six enemies that trouble the human being.not mere human beings. I wish that all of you should lead a happy, peaceful, contented and blissful life. You will not be able to lead such a life, if you are not really devoted. Hence, develop devotion Bangaru! (golden ones!) you must be immersed in devotion, not deep ocean. It is only such devotion that takes you to the Divine. ( DD on 09-08-2006, pp. 4-7)