Report by Sri H.V. Prasad
The
unexpected and miraculous visit to Switzerland was planned just five
days before the journey. This trip also coincided with the dates Sri
Swamiji was scheduled to be in Switzerland as planned earlier. However,
the disciples of Sri Swamiji had left for Switzerland to conduct the
planned events of Kriya Yoga course, Vedanta course and introductory
course on Indian music.
Sri Swamiji left Mysore on the 8th August (Wednesday) at 4 PM by helicopter.
Arriving at Bangalore Airport at 5 PM, Sri Swamiji left for Bombay
at 6 PM and arrived at 7.45 PM. Sri Swamiji gave Darshan to hundreds
of anxious devotees in the Sheraton conference room. Sri H.V.Prasad,
traced the events leading to the accident. Then Sri Swamiji gave the
first public speech after the accident. Sri Swamiji nominated Shri
Jayant Lapsia as the new President of Bombay Jnana Bodha Sabha in
the place of Sri Raja Rao, who was leaving Bombay to settle down in
Tirupati.
That
night Sri Swamiji left for Zurich at 01.25 AM. Arriving on the 9th
August (Thursday), Sri Swamiji was received by Hans Imesch and a protocol
officer from Kloten Airport. Sri Swamiji proceeded to Gurunivasa.
That afternoon, a world renowned hand surgeon examined the right upper
arm of Sri Swamiji and said that the procedure and method adopted
by the surgeon at Mysore, Mr.N.Nithyananda Rao, conformed to international
standards and that Sri Swamiji’s hand was healing well. However
he made it clear that Sri Swamiji needs to exercise caution for one
year so that the healing process would be completed without any disturbance.
That
evening, Sri Swamiji played piano for a while and the right arm was
finding its agility and dexterity. Sri Swamiji's right hand fingers
started to find itself on familiar territory of the piano key board.
Starting slowly, Sri Swamiji played the Raga Lathanta Priya. Sri Swamiji
said that this Raga was good for nervous system in the body.
On
10th August, Sri Swamiji left for Hasliberg where different courses
were taking place. On the way, we stopped in Sarnen. There Sri Swamiji
visited the church of St. Nikolaus von Flue. Swiss people revere this
church very much. Here is a dress worn by the saint. Sri Swamiji stood
in front of that dress for about ten minutes with His eyes closed.
Thereafter Sri Swamiji instructed a message to be written in the guest
book kept next to the dress. Sri Swamiji lit a lamp and toured the
church. Sri Swamiji later said it was an old bond reconnected.
Sri
Swamiji arrived in Hasliberg at 12 noon. The jubilant and overjoyed
participants of various courses and devotees joyfully welcomes Sri
Swamiji. Mohan offered Mala and Shabari gave Purnakumbha. Sri Swamiji
was taken to the hall where course participants whose hitherto worried
and sullen faces were replaced by that of happiness and eagerness.
I spoke on the various happenings and connected them to the way the
accident had taken place. Sri Swamiji then spoke and said that the
accident was due to the Karma that was due and that Sri Swamiji was
expecting a major accident before 60th birthday and that once a soul
embraces a human body, it had to go through the travails and tribulations
of human life that ensues the process. Pulastya Muller honored Dr.Nithyananda
Rao, who performed the surgery on Sri Swamiji’s hand with a garland.
That evening Sri Swamiji visited the Kriya Yoga class’ final
session and spoke on the increasing relevance of Kriya Yoga in these
times of modernity.
In
the evening Sri Swamiji played on Roland synthesizer and finalized
the list of compositions for the next day’s Music for meditation
and healing. Dr.L.Subamaniam and other musicians participated.
Sri
Swamiji attended the morning Puja let people come close to offer their
respects.
In the evening Music for Meditation and Healing concert was held in
the prestigious KKL (Kultur and Kongress Zentrum Luzern)
in
the historical town of Luzern. This epoch making concert had been
carefully planned by Hans Imesch and Barbara Imesch for over one year.
Strong publicity had been given about this concert all over Switzerland.
It was a shock for Hans Imesch when he was informed about the accident
and the cancellation of all programmes. But his steadfast approach
and staunch belief in the healing powers of Sri Swamiji had seen him
through the trying times of reconciliation with the fact that after
all Sri Swamiji may not come.
But
Sri Swamiji’s decision to come and participate in the programme
had only highlighted the fact that faith in Sadguru’s graceindeed
matters and that he would not leave any one middle journey.
Prior
to the concert a multi media presentation was held in which the life
story of Sri Swamiji has been narrated in the book “Life of a
Mystic” had been carefully and judiciously presented. A huge
projector beamed gigantic and wonderful black and white images of
Sri Swamiji from child hood through to the times in Kesere and to
the early and middle years of Ashrama development in the present place.
A cool and sober voice gave appropriate commentary in German. .
Sri
Swamiji entered the stage at 7.35 PM. There was a thunderous applause
from the 850 strong audience many of whom had come to hear Sri Swamiji’s
first concert after the concert. Sri Swamiji waved back to the crowds.
Then Sri Swamiji proceeded to sit behind the Roland synthesizer. Hans
Imesch introduced the artists and narratred the many confusions that
had risen because of the cancellation announcement by Sri Swamiji
and how the organizers had proceeded with the preparations for a L.Subramaniam
concert. Mr.Desai, Ambassador of India in Switzerland lit the inaugural
lamp. Then started the music of Sri Swamiji, which enveloped the audience
and transported them to celestial heights.
Sri
Swamiji, in spite of limited mobility of the right arm, played vewry
fluently. He began the concert with Pranavaswarupam. The second composition
was announced by Sri Swamiji as Lathantha Priya and was said to be
listened by Sri Swamiji during the days of accident recovery for the
strengthening of nervous system. This new raga gripped the audience.
The other compositions were Amba Bhavani Sharade (Raga Shanmukha Priya),
Bhajan singing of Lanka Shankari Palaya Maam, Dancing tune. The healing
Raga of the day was “Keeravani (Achyutha Anantha). Sri Swamiji
played this Raga very extensively and L.Subramaniam developed and
painted this wonderful Raga with all its hues and feelings. Tears
of joy flowed from Sri Swamiji’s eyes, who appeared to be in
a state of trance while playing this Raga. This sudden tearful playing
gripped the audience. Sri Swamiji continued playing while L.Subramaniam
with his dexterous and fantastic bowing of the violin produced some
of the most memorable phrases in the evening. His timely and able
support of Sri Swamiji’s playing gave long breaks to Sri Swamiji.
Tani Avarthanam (rhythm solos) were performed and the last Mangalam
in Sama raga ended this most memorable of all concerts this writer
had attended. It was amazing to see Sri Swamiji play the whole concert
while one expected that Sri Swamiji to play just one or two compositions
and Dr.L.Subramaniam to play the rest.
On
12th, Krishna Jammashtami was held in the Kongress house in Hasliberg.
Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja for the first time since accident.
It was enthralling to watch Sri Swamiji perform the Abhishekam, Arati
and the like normally. Krishna Puja was performed while Vishnu Sahasra
Nama chanting was going on. An idol of baby Krishna was put in a swing.
Sri Swamiji sang a few Krishna Bhajans. Butter Prasadam was distributed
to all. The programme ended at 1.30 PM.
In the evening Sri Swamiji went on a cable car ride up the mountain
Magisalp. The panaromic view from the top and the crisp Alpine air
was refreshing and infused fresh energy.
Later
in the evening, Sri Swamiji blessed the members of Datta Yoga Center
who had arranged the wonderful programme in Hasliberg.
Sri
Swamiji left Switzerland for Mysore on 13th August at 12 noon.
Jaya
Guru Datta