By
Sri R.Venkataraman,
Former President of India
Perhaps the most ancient temple with any record of existence even during
the pre-Christ era is the venerable temple of Lord Venkateshwara at
Tirumala. Early Sangam literature dating back to B.C. refers this famous
temple. So does the Tamil classic Shilpadhikaram of around 3-4 century
after Birth of Christ. Measured by the attendance of pilgrims it has
no parallel. Everyday Lord Venkateshwara is worshipped from 2.30 a.m.
till 2 a.m. next morning. The frenzied invocation of Govindaš not only
pierces the air but also pushes upward to the heaven itself.
Parama
Poojya Swami Sachchidananda of the Datta Peetham has set up a lovely
Ashram in Mysore which attracts devotees from all over India and from
countries abroad such as United States, West Indies, Latin America,
Europe and Asia.
The Ashram
is engaged in multifarious activities, imparting education in Vedic
scriptures, engaging itself in all the religious sacraments like Poojas,
Homas, Havans on the one side and with social services like development
of Ayurveda, free medical aid to poor, needy and the deprived. He is
a multi-faceted personality who combines spiritualism with human welfare.
Ancient
Indian scriptures (Rig-Veda) preach that the whole world is a family
(Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam). The daily prayers invoke the Supreme Being
to bless all beings with happiness. Sarve Janaah Sukhino Bhavantu (let
all men be happy). Lokaassamastaah sukhino bhavantu (let the entire
world be happy). Swamiji is an emblem of this noblest ideal. Americans,
West Indians, Europeans, Asians all feel that they are in a rare brotherhood.
In fact, all these different nationalities participate in the Poojas
without any distinction.
Swamiji
has some occult powers as well, though He never claims them Himself.
A large number of devotees have expressed how they have been saved from
misfortune, cured of diseases and restored to normal physical conditions.
The medicines he administers or the surgery He performs are not with
conventional chemicals and pills or with sophisticated instruments,
but by His music. A talented expert in vocal and instrumental music,
He uses it for Healing and Meditation and transports the audience to
realms of charm and beauty.
Swamiji
conceived the idea of building a temple for Lord Venkateshwara in His
Mysore Datta Peetha Ashram complex so that the devotees may have added
advantage of worshipping along with their other activities. He decided
that the Datta Venkateshwara should be an exact replica of Tirupati
Venkateshwara. The idol, the Garbha Griha (sanctum sanctorum), the Vimanam
(dome over head of the main deity Venkateshwara) and all other structures
are of the same dimension as at Tirupati. The massive task involved
selection of competent architects, engineers, masons and stone sculptors
and coordinating all their activities. Within three years, a magnificent
replica of Tirupati has sprung up. It looks as if the magic lamp has
worked this wonder. It is common knowledge that devotees who had seen
Lord Venkateshwara at Tirupati desire to see the deity again and again.
The Datta Venkateshwara has the same magnetism. When I saw Datta Venkateshwara
fully adorned in the same manner as in Tirupati, I felt for a moment
as if I was seeing his counterpart in Tirupati. The exquisite workmanship
of the deity inspires awe and reverence.
Ancient
India had advanced so much in astronomy and engineering that they arrange
that on particular days when the Sun crosses the temple, the Sunšs rays
fall directly on the deity. This represents the extraordinary skill
of the builder. Not all temples are able to catch the rays of Sun. it
is a unique feature of the Datta Venkateshwara Temple that through an
aperture designed in the eastern wall of the temple, the Sunšs rays
will fall on the deity!
Unlike
the Tirupati Venkateshwara who stands in solitude without the consort,
the Datta Venkateshwara has a separate temple for Padmavati. The idol
is a marvel of perfection and lends charm and grace to the complex.
The ancients
believe the planets had influence on both man and the country, the good
one being Jupiter (Guru) and the evil one being Saturn (Shani). The
planets bring joy and sorrow during their transit through the star of
onešs birth. Propitiation of the planets by worship and offerings has
been an immemorial custom. A separate niche has been created for worship
of the planets (Navagraha) with the sun in the centre. This facility
is not ordinarily provided in Vaishnava temples. But as explained earlier,
Swamiji is no follower of the routine. His eclectic approach to divinity
has been his valuable contribution to spirituality.
The Alayaš
(temple) for Dhanvantari, the God of health is another unique feature.
Very few temples have an Alayaš for Dhanvantari. But Swamijišs approach
is a total one and He puts in all that count for human welfare in a
holistic manner.
Above
all, there is Alayaš for Ganapti and Dattatreya, the guiding deities
of the Complex. One has the rate opportunity to worship all Gods in
one complex and elevate onešs soul.
We are
familiar with the expressions Teacher, Acharya and Guru. Though all
of them teach, not all of them are Gurus. Adi Shankara in Viveka Chudamani
gave Guru Lakshana (the attributes of a Guru) in Verse 33. Shankara
said, that a Guru should be well versed in the Shastras, sinless, unsmitten
by desire (Kama) and a knower of Brahma (the Supreme Being) etc. Sri
Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji approximates to the stringent requirements
of a Guru enunciated by Shankara. He has made all His devotees from
all parts of the world realise the ultimate unity of all religions.
In Bhagavad Gita, the Lord says:
Yo yo
yaam yaam tanum bhaktah
Shraddhayaarchitum
ichchati Tasya tasya achalam
shraddhaam Taameva vidadhaamyaham (VII-21)
Whatever
form any devotee with faith wishes to worship, I make that faith of
him steady.
And the
Vedas state:
Aakaashaat
patitam toyam yathaa gachchati saagaram
Sarva deva namaskaarah keshavam pratigachchati
Even as
every drop of rain that falls from the sky goes to the sea, worship
of all gods goes to the Supreme Being.
Swamiji
has taught His devotees these noble thoughts and sentiments. He is indeed
an ideal Guru.
Jaya Guru
Datta.