Veda Examinations: The annual Veda Examinations will be held on 8,9,10 and 11th June. In addition to Rigveda, Krishna Yajurveda, Sama Veda, Sri Swamiji has ordained that Shukla Yajurveda should also be included in the list. Hundreds of students and erudite scholars are going to participate. This is a project that requires huge financial inputs. The devotees are called upon to contribute as much as possible. The contributions can be sent through M.O, Cheque or Draft favouring "Veda Nidhi, ADPT, Mysore" and sent to the following address:

Veda Section,
Sri Avadhoota Datta Peetham
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashrama
Datta Nagar, Mysore 570 004.

First anniversary of Datta Venkateshwara Temple: Brahmotsava of Lord Datta Venkateshwara, consecrated on 23-6-1999 is scheduled to take place in Datta Peetham. The devotees may recall that Sri Swamiji had mentioned that the Lord would immensely bless those who enroll as Sevakartas during the first year of consecration. The devotees are requested to enroll themselves for Brahmotsava Celebrations or for Shashwata Pooja (permanent Pooja) or for Nitya Seva (routine Pooja).

{Brahmotsava: Rs. 10,116=00, Shashwata Pooja: Rs. 10,000=00, Nitya Pooja : Rs.2,500=00}

Money Order/Cheque/Draft should be drawn in favour of
"Sri Datta Venkateshwara Nidhi" and sent to
Nitya Pooja Section
Sri Datta Venkateshwara Kshetra,
Sri Avadhoota Datta Peetham,
Mysore 570 004

Sarpa Dosha Pooja: Those who want to perform Sarpa Shanti rituals can participate in the programmes to be conducted from 19-6-2000 to 22-6-2000. The programme is as follows:
1. Sarpa Samskaara: (4 day-programme 19th-22nd June. Costs Rs.6000)
2. Sarpa Shanti: (1 day-programme- 20th. Costs Rs.1600)
3. Naga Pooja: (1 day-programme-20th. Costs Rs.600)

Those who wish to participate should send the remittances before 1-6-2000. Drafts should be drawn in favour of Avadhoota Datta Peetha, Mysore.
Sadguru Paadukaa Seva:

Many devotees have expressed desire to have Sri Swamiji’s used Padukas. Sri Swamiji has graciously consented to give away His used Padukas. This announcement came during the 1999 Datta Jayanti. Those who participate in this Seva will be blessed with a pair of silver Padukas used by Sri Swamiji. In addition, the following Sevas will be conducted in Datta Peetham, Mysore in their name.

1. Nitya Poojas (includes Srichakrapooja, Maha Ganapati Homa, Sevas in Datta Temple, Abhisheka to Sachchida-nandeshwara, Ganapati, lakshmi Narasimha, Vishweshwara, Vishaalaakshi 2. Datta Bhiksha, 3. Sadguru Deva Bhiksha, 4. Gopooja and 5. Pada Pooja to Sri Swamiji. Those who take part in this seva will be conferred permanent membership.

Those who wish to participate should get in touch atleast one month in advance.

Other programmes

The following events have been scheduled to be conducted in connection with the Birthday Celebrations of Poojya Sri Swamiji.

• Vidyarthi Jnana Bodha Sabha: 6-10 June. Last date for enrolment is 15th May. Contact person: Sri C.S.Radha Krishna, Secretary
• Volunteer Camp: 8-10 June. Last date for enrolment is 15th May. Contact person : Sri G.S.Seetaram, President, SGSDGBS.
• Bhajan competition: June 15th and 16th. Last date for enrolment is 10th June. Contact person: Gayatri Akka.
• Healing bath: Sri Swamiji has advised healing bath to many devotees. They may avail the opportunity of healing bath between 6th June and 10th June.

---

OCEAN OF COMPASSION (Divine experience of a Devotee)

My name is Sekhar Anumolu and I come from a middle class family in Andhra Pradesh State in India. My family is very religious and always worshiping one Guru or the other. Coming from a middle class family with limited resources I came to this country on a student visa in 1981. My close relatives in Vijayawada mentioned few times about Sri Pujya Swamiji but I did not make any effort to know about him. As soon as I came to this country my mother visited Sri Pujya Swamiji in Vijayawada. She sent me a small picture of Swamiji to cope up with homesickness. I was attending West Virginia University and being close to Pittsburgh I was fortunate to visit Balaji temple on a regular basis. My uncle was a doctor in West Virginia and helped me financially to go to school. When I was doing my second Masters degree, my uncle died in an accident. I was helpless financially and I was preparing to go back to India. My mother wrote a letter to me saying that Pujya Sri Swamiji’s blessing’s will be with me always but I did not pay much attention. At the last minute the dean’s office called me and offered me a scholarship for which neither did I apply nor qualified to get it. Even then I did not think much about Swamiji. I was constantly praying to all the gods so that I can get a job in this country with a green card. I was offered job as an Instructor in a Vocational School in Savannah, Georgia. I did M.S. Mechanical Engineering and M.B.A. in Finance. I know I will be leaving this job as soon as I get my Green Card to big companies like GE or GM. Those were my ideas and thoughts. Also I wanted to get married as soon as possible before I turned thirty, as I was the eldest son. Otherwise people in my village will make fun of my family if I did not get married before thirty years of age. As soon as I get my Green card I wanted to go India and marry a suitable bride through arranged marriage. As I look back now, I feel that Pujya Sri Swamiji was playing a role even though I did not realize at the time.

My Green card was getting delayed and I had already turned twenty-nine and it had been six years since I saw my parents. I requested my parents to visit this country. As soon as they came in July 1986, my mom started requesting me to take her to visit Swamiji who was visiting USA at the time. As they are new to this country, all she could provide me with was the address and telephone number of Padma in Pennsylvania. I called her, got directions to West Sunbury and the dates of Sri Swamiji’s tour. I told my parents that he would take them to see Sri Swamiji.
We went to West Sunbury and met Sri Swamiji. There were only few people. Pujya Sri Swamiji talked to my parents as if they are his close friends from back home and my mother introduced me. I felt as if I knew Him for long time and felt comfortable. My mother mentioned to Swamiji that she is worried about my Green card and marriage. Sri Pujya Swamiji blessed me and told everything will happen soon. Sri Pujya Swamiji plucked one flower and materialized a Rudraksha and gave it to me. My parents were wonder struck and my mother told me I should wear it around my neck and she said she would make one gold chain to wear it. We took leave from Pujya Sri Swamiji and went to Maryland to visit my parents’ friends and also museums in D.C. The day after we returned home I came to know I will be getting my Green Card within couple of months. I was in ecstasy. Without my knowledge my parents and their friends were busily discussing marriage alliance with their daughter. She is beautiful and everything was ideal. We liked each other and we decided to proceed with the match. As predicted, my two major concerns were solved within three days after Sri Swamiji’s blessings.

We got married in court-house in Savannah exactly on my thirtieth birthday. I thanked Swamiji for fulfilling my wish. We went to India in December 1986 and got married according to our Hindu custom and met Sri Pujya Swamiji with my new bride. I asked him, "Swamiji you fulfilled all my wishes. I got green card and got married. What do you want me to do now." Sri Pujya Swamiji said, "stay in your present job in Savannah." I do not know why he said it. Then I returned to USA. After two years I met Swamiji alone in Pennsylvania in August 1988. Due to number of reasons I had stopped praying Sri Swamiji daily but I knew He is safeguarding me every step of the way. Without any restrictions I ate every type of meat, smoked and drank beer occasionally and years went by. I was visiting temples and participating in every type of religious activities but Sri Pujya Swamiji was no longer given importance. I know at the back of my mind that I remembered him. I knew Swamiji’s visit to USA and I even knew he visited Augusta, GA, which is only 100 miles from Savannah. Circumstances did not allow me to worship Swamiji at my will. After having two children and settled in a newly bought house, I started experiencing problems at work place.

I became target for racial discrimination and I was experiencing harassment at the work place. I became helpless and did not know what to do. I am already at middle aged person with no marketable skills and dependents to support. I felt like I am in the middle of ocean and did not know how to swim. In March 1998 I was told my job contract from July 1,1998 will not be renewed. Suddenly I remembered what Pujya Sri Swamiji told me twelve years ago: "stay with your present job in Savannah." Then I started wondering why He instructed me like that.

I decided it is time for me to free my self from the circumstances that prevented me from worshiping Sri Swamiji. Then I started praying to Sri Pujya Swamiji every day and started chanting Datta Stavam after ten years again. My youngest brother is a staunch devotee of Sri Swamiji from his childhood and I know how Swamiji is blessing my parents and my brothers over the years in every aspect.

On June 10, 1998 I was officially informed that I do not have a job starting from July 1, 1998. June 19 (Friday) was my last day at work. I went to my office praying Sri Swamiji for His help and cried. I had kept a small picture of Sri Swamiji over the years in my office. I asked Sri Swamiji how can I leave this office as I have worked for fourteen years and today is my last day. Within fifteen minutes my telephone rang and I was informed that my contract would be renewed. I was speechless and I know it was His doing, His blessings and His grace. Thank you Swamiji!

I visited my brothers in New York early part of 1998. My youngest brother told me about Swamiji’s visit in July 1998 and he told me that he is buying a ticket to go to Baton Rouge and asked me to visit too. I said I will think about it. I joined work again on July 6, 1998 and my brother called every night for next two days and asked me to come and visit Swamiji. I said within three days how can I get a ticket to go to Baton Rouge from Savannah and it will be very expensive. Then I told my brother that I will go to nearby big city like Jacksonville, Florida or Atlanta and fly from there. I told my brother if it is around three hundred dollars I can afford. Also I did not want to give bad impression at work place by requesting leave. I decided to visit on the two-day weekend of July 11 to Baton Rouge. But how could I? Whether I fly or drive, I had to leave Friday afternoon and be back to work by Monday morning. The distance is approximately 700 miles. On Wednesday night I told my brother that it was not going to work and that he could go ahead with his plans. I thought that was my fate. But the desire was very strong to go and meet Sri Swamiji. As if somebody prompted, I called Delta Airlines and asked them jokingly how much it would cost for a round trip ticket from Savannah, GA to Baton Rouge, LA flying Friday afternoon and coming back Sunday evening. The agent told me it will be $349 and I was stunned? Then I could know it was all Swamiji’s Maya. The trip went well for my brother also. We rented a car, stayed in a near by motel, and visited Swamiji Saturday morning. I was ashamed that exactly after ten years I went back and if Swamiji happened to ask what answer I can give Him?

As soon as I saw Swamiji, I fell at his feet. Sri Pujya Swamiji recognized me and scolded me: "What happened to you? Why are you away from Swamiji all these years?" I mumbled something like "domestic problems." His speech that morning was addressed to me. In the evening Sri Pujya Swamiji blessed me by allowing me to pray at his feet. He knew why I did not see Him for ten years and He knew my predicament. Still He accepted me. He blessed me with Sri Lord Ganesha locket. Thank you Swamiji for your compassion and endless grace. I am praying to you everyday. You are everything to me. Swamiji you have so many children like me. But I am selfish. You are my father, mother, teacher, and you are everything to me.

All I want from you is your blessings and chance to pray to your lotus feet.

Sekhar Anumolu (Savannah, Georgia) in Wonders of a Holy