Report by Sri.H.V.Prasad

Sri Swamiji made the annual visit to Jayalakshmipuram (erstwhile Bommeparthy) to participate in the Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana (The birthday of Jayalakshmi Mata it incidentally is also the death day). On the way to Bommeparthy, Sri Swamiji gave programmers in Hindupur and Dharmavaram. The Arya Vysya Sangham, a merchant organisation, which invited Sri Swamiji to Hindupur, made elaborate arrangements for the visit. Sri Swamiji arrived in Hindupur just after noon on 6th May 2000. In the evening

Sri Swamiji offered special prayers in the Kanyaka Parameswari temple that was celebrating its 60th year.

Here an interesting incident took place. The priest at the Temple, Sri Nagaraja Sastry hails from Mysore. He narrated the following incident that unravelled that Pujya Swamiji had given a Bhu Prastara Sri Chakra to Smt. Tarabai, an old devotee in Mysore. That lady, at the time of immigrating to USA had given this Srichakram to her tenant. That tenant, father-in-law of Nagaraja Sastry, gave that holy Srichakram to his son-in-law, who in turn has kept it in Archana (worship) in this temple. Thus after 18 years or more, Sri Swamiji was attracted by the power of that Srichakram, which SRI SWAMIJI worshiped today.

Rayala Seema (The geographical area in which Hindupur, Dharmavaram, Anantapur and Bommeparthy are situated) is traditionally a drought-prone area and is known for water scarcity. This season, being summer, it was expected to be very hot. Heavy rain lashed the region on the eve of Sri Swamiji’s visit. While inviting Pujya Swamiji, the committee members, sought His Holiness' help for the region in respect of water scarcity. At that time itself, Sri Swamiji Sri Swamiji made it very clear that, He is not the person to be approached for water supply schemes. The sufferers should pray for augmentation of resources, which is beneficial in long-term perspective. Sri Swamiji chided the public for expecting the Government or others to come for rescue in drought situations and other calamities. Instead, pray to the Almighty. This will result in all-round benefit. Without ample ground reserves water supply schemes cannot deliver. Instead of pipe laying and other activity, pray for sufficient rainfall. Needless to say, unprecedented thundershowers in summer accompanied by gutsy winds either preceded or followed Sri Swamiji’s visit or followed it.

Sri Swamiji proceeded to Dharmavaram on 7th morning. Dharmavaram, is a medium town, known for its silk and sarees. Here, the devotees have built a Guru Nilayam and Sri Swamiji was invited to inaugurate it. Another important event was the Bhumipuja for Sri Datta Venkateshwara, Lakshmi, Ganapati and Navagraha temple complex proposed at the Ashrama located on an 87 cents (cent is a unit of measure) place.

7th May 2000 - 9 .00 pm - Arrival at Jayalakshmi Puram

A warm welcome a small procession for quarter a Kilometer comprising Bhajan by Kadri Saxophone group, Jaya Guru Datta chant by hundreds of devotees and villagers eagerly awaiting Sri Swamiji's arrival ad Purna Kumbham was accorded. The rain that lashed provided succor and solace to thousands of devotees, otherwise reeling under severe heat. The next morning, Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Jayanti day was indeed very cool.

8th May 2000 - Monday - Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Jayanti.

7.30 am Inauguration of Sri Narasmiha Nilayam Thousands of devotees swarmed the narrow streets of Sri Jayalakshmi Puram, formerly Bommeparti. Sri Swamiji ascended the colourfully decorated Bullock cart, driven by Sri Venkata Reddy, an ardent devotee.

The village reverberated amidst the varied drumbeat and Nada Swaram, chants of Jaya Guru Datta, Sri Swamiji proceeded to inaugurate the rebuilt ancestral house of Sri Swamiji, Jayalakshmi Mata and Narasimha Shastri Sri Swamiji posed for photographs with all the family members present, and with the donors. This place will serve as a museum and will be an interesting place for pilgrims visiting Jayalakshmipuram. The Puja Mantap used by Jayalakshmi Mata for daily prayers returned to the same house.. courtesy of a charitable minded person. The house also houses vessels used by Jayalakshmi Mata. For many elders of the village it was a moving incident to watch the boy Satyanarayana who lived in the same house now re-entering as Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.

At 10 am, Archana was done at Brindavana, Darshanam and Puja at Narahareeswara Temple, Sri Ganapati, Datta, Raja Rajeswari Temples.

After the Pujas, Sri Swamiji, in His discourse, spoke about the dignity and discipline imbibed by Jayalakshmi Mata. Thereafter Sri Swamiji distributed sarees to near Six hundred women of the village. Anna Prasadam was given to the tens of thousands of people who had participated in the festival.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji gave a three hour-long discourse, which was listened to in rapt attention by thousands of villagers from the surrounding villages. Sri Swamiji gave away the secret of keeping the dilapidated house for such a long time since its fall in late seventies.

Sri Swamiji said, " I come to places where only love and affection permeates. Hatred and jealousy pervaded Bommeparthy in the previous years. I don’t care even if it is my mother’s place. All I want is peace and harmony. I don’t know long do we live " 100 years? No, a resounding No. We consciously live for about 30 years and why should we waste it? Just follow the simple thinking that your child exhibits and you will find contentment. You constant squabbling will keep Swamiji away. Positions and authority or hierarchy and ego can never find place near Swamiji. Just two-quarrelling faction can cause cancellation of Swamiji’s visit that will be a great loss to the hundred others whose curse will certainly affect the quarrelling factions. Now that peace and harmony prevails in Bommeparthy, I was moved to rebuild the house in which my holy parents led their family. I have very fond memories of this house and two years ago I mentioned this idea of rebuilding the same house. It was felt that it would be like a museum where one can go through the surroundings in which Sri Swamiji grew up. Today it has happened and I commend the devotion, dedication and mutual respect and understanding you all show to each other. See Mata in every other person and respect him/ her. It will be of immense merit to you. Fighting for Swamiji’s attention will only take you farther and farther away".