Enchanting Krishna's Story - Bhagavata Saptaha concludes in devotional fervour

Published on Sat, Nov 16, 2008 at 23.00 Hrs.IST

The weeklong Bhagavata Saptaha came to a grand conclusion on 16th November 2008. On this evening, Bhagawan came to Sai Kulwant Hall at 4.40 p.m. Needless the say, the number of devotees have swelled to enormous proportions. As Bhagawan came to the dais, the priests started abhishekam (ceremonial sacred bath) of the idols of Lord Krishna and Rukmani and Sathyabhama (the consorts of Lord Krishna). The abhishekam was done with religious fervour, chanting of Vedas by students and priests. As the ceremonial bathing of the idols with milk, curd, honey, diluted sandal paste, tender coconut and Kumkum continued in the traditional way, the students chanted Sri Rudram, Purusha Suktam, Sri Suktam, Bhu Suktam and Narayana Upanishad from the Vedas. After each ceremonial bathing with water, the idols were dried with soft cloth and arati was offered to the Lord. Lord Krishna with His consorts was garlanded with different types of garlands. If it was Tulasi (basil) garland one time, it was a fragrant rose garland next time. With such scrupulousness and devotion, the entire ritual was performed. An LED screen placed at the eastern side of the Hall, gave a view of the entire landscape of the proceedings. After completing the abhishekams, elaborate decoration was done on the idols. It was sight to watch the Lord and His consorts adorned with jewels and gems of exquisite beauty and diadems on the head.

After this, it was the turn of Sahasraavadhani Medasani Mohan, another erudite scholar to conclude the proceedings of the Bhagavata Saptaham. He dilated at length on Sri Krishna Leela, right from the Lord’s birth to His killing of demons and the childhood pranks of Krishna. His narration started from Sri Krishna’s birth in the jail and how he heard an akashvani (audition from the sky), which foretold his end. He continued with how the river parted when Vasudeva was carrying the child Krishna to rescue it from the tyrant Kamsa and the killing of Poothana. He gave a beautiful analogy by saying that Lord Krishna had all the traits of previous Avatars like Matsya, Kurma, Varaha just like human beings inherit the traits of their previous births. The butter stealing episode of Krishna too found a mention in the speaker’s inimitable style. At the end of his didactic speech, Bhagawan blessed the speaker with clothes and materialised a chain for him.

If it was the mellifluous rendition of Priya sisters yesterday, it was the beautiful compositions and their singing in ornate style by Malladi Brothers from Vijayawada today. All their songs were sung in Carnatic classical style. Bhagawan released a DVD “Sai Naada Jhari” sung by the brothers. As it was being released, a song from the album, Sai Namasmaranam Sada Rupa Dhyanam was played on the public address system. Their father who also happens to be their Guru gave a lead to the songs in the form of verse in a melodious manner.

The first song Sri Raghuvara Sugunalaya …sung in Bhairavi raga was preceded by a Sanskrit verse and Telugu verse by their father in Mohana raga. The next song Janulamadhya Tirugadhe Jagapati …was sung in Khamas raga. One song followed the other in quick succession. Janaki Ramana Dasaratha Nandana sung in Kaapi raga was the next Carnatic classical song. The next song was the famous Ramadas Kirtana, Takkuveni Manaku Ramudu Okkadundu Varaku ... sung in Suryakamti raga, Capu Tala had a spellbinding effect on the audience. Disathu Me Sarva Sukhadayi …, a Sanskrit song was the next one sung in Sankara Bharanam raga.

It is worth mentioning here a Telugu poem sung by their father: “Dear Lord, in times of misery and difficulty, I have been fortunate to receive Thy grace without Thy knowledge. So, I have now become a thief. Oh Easwara, it is my humble prayer, please catch hold of me and do not let go off Thy hold.” This was sung in Tilang raga.

Now it was the song for the occasion, Sathya Paritraana, Dharma Paala, Santhi Varada, Prema Swarupa Sai…” This raga “Sai Chandrika” needs special mention here as it was invented by Malladi Brothers themselves. Sai Chandrika is the derivative of Kokila Priya Raga, which is the 11th raga in the list of 72 Mela Kartha Ragas (fundamental ragas) in the Carnatic School of Music. Since it is the 83rd Birthday of Bhagawan, the 11th raga in Carnatic music, i.e., 83 subtracted by 72 Mela Kartha Ragas was chosen as the raga for this song. Their next composition was Sai Namamamrutham Sai Charitamathulitam sung in Yama Kalyani raga. Another composition for this occasion was sung by their father – Sahasra Chandra Darshanam …The raga for this song was Madyhyamavathi. They capped their performance with the famous Mangalam song Rama Chandraya Janaka …Then Bhagawan blessed the singers and the accompanying artistes with clothes. Mangalarati for the day was offered at 7.45 p.m. to Bhagawan.