Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshanam

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Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshanam

 

There is a tremendous interest that has been generated by the Sahasra PoornaChandra Darshanam that is to begin on the 15th of November. And why not? For has not the Lord Himself undertaken to perform this Yajnam?

 

The Sahasra Poorna Chandra Darshanam stands as a joyous confluence signifying the completion of 82 years in the divine mission of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai. Sahasra chandra darshanam refers to seeing 1000 full moons in ones life. With a full moon in every month, we have 12 full months every year and with a subsequent inclusion of the extended months; we would have 1000 full moons in 82 years.

 

The nine planets take 120 years to complete a cycle. Astrology assigns 120 years to human life. at the age of 60, people conduct UGRA RATHA SHANTI seeking Divine benediction, popularly known as Shashti Poorthi. When one crosses 70 years of age BHEEMA RATHA SHANTI would be held in honour of "Bheema ratha", Shiva the embodiment of time. When one reaches 82 years of age, Sahasra Chandradarshanam would be celebrated. Vedas refer to this as "ASEETIDVAYAM" and hence it is also called as Vedayushya.

Traditionally, what happens during this Sahasra Chandra Darshanam? A person completing this age would be given ceremonial showers and would be adorned with new clothes. Vedic hymns would be recited by the vedic scholars.A holy vessel signifying the Lord Lakshminarayana, flanked by sun and moon- the symbols of flow of time, would be installed on either side and worshipped subsequently. The holy water collected in the kalasham would then be vitalized with Vedic hymns using different kinds of leaves namely mango, peepal, banyan etc. The presiding deities of the nine planets would then be pleased through a sacrifice.

 

After this holy ablutions would be given to Lord Shiva accompanied by the recitation of the Namakam and Chamakam. The person completing 82 years would then be made to occupy a prominent throne. He would be given a bath with holy waters from all the sacred rivers along with many other precious gems etc. Subsequently all the Vedic scholars would be honored with generous gifts. This generosity is believed to wash away all the sins and grant liberation. The mere sight of the person who undertakes this Vedic exercise is believed to confer immense good fortune. Generally the great grandsons would organize and conduct this ritual in celebration of their great grandfather completing 82 years of age.

The whole ritual is undertaken for ones own benefit.

But today we are going to witness this holy ritual being organized and conducted by an incarnation to bring upon peace and happiness in the world. The purity of human expression makes the grandeur of this spectacle impossible to comprehend. Sages of the yore have transformed themselves as His great grandsons to conduct this ritual. Chandra- the moon signifies coolness and acts as a source of joy to all the worlds.

 

In Krita yuga the mighty king who upheld the truth came to be called as "Satya Harishchandra". In Treta the Lord was called as "Sree Rama Chandra". In Dwapara He was addressed as "Krishna Chandra" and today the same lord has witnessed thousand moons and is extolled as "Sathya Sai Chandra". The effulgence of this "Sathya Sai Chandra" has blessed every nook and corner of the world.

 

The installation of Holy vessels in this case has taken place long ago. With His will He brought the Holy Ganges from the hair locks of Shiva into his own heart and then quenched the thirst of thousands of parched throats. Revitalizing the slumbering lives of rural India and assuring of His grace and support, He has encouraged them to move ahead to touch the horizons of happiness. Blessing thousands of students with the knowledge of the higher Self and sending them forth to this wide world, this unrivalled master of Divine perfection has granted the boon of knowledge and wisdom to the hearts of humanity.

 

Om Sai Ram