Many Hindus are familiar with the story of how the gods and the demons churned the milky ocean. Out came many precious items, such as Sri, the wish fulfilling cow, amrit (nectar of immortality) and so forth. Buit in the process of churning, also poison came out. This poison threatened to destroy the whole universe. It was Lord Shiva who drank the poison and saved the universe. This created a little blue patch on His throat.
Today, we are in much the same situation. Modern man has churned the ocean of technology. Many wonderful things have come out, such as electricity, home mortgages, automobiles, and so forth. But also poison has been created, creating global warming, recessions, terrorists, and so forth. The purpose of the Ati Rudra Maha Yagnam (ARMY) is to invoke the grace of Lord Shiva and counteract these negative influences.
The ARMY being conducted in Kakinada is going very well. Below are photos of the yagna and daily Annadanam, as well as video of homas.
http://picasaweb.google.com/saiaustin.org/AnnaDanamKakinadaAPFeb2009#
http://picasaweb.google.com/saiaustin.org/ADIRUDRAMAHAYAGNAARMYFEB2009#
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMe2PHlH3ws
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rdmli9_Kf2Q