Sri Swamiji returned to Mysore
on Sunday – 24th
afternoon from Hyderabad Ashrama. Sri Swamiji cancelled the visit to
Mahur and Tirupati.
It was felt that Sri Swamiji returned
early to be with the family of Varalakshmi (Purvashrama Sister).
While returning, Sri Swamiji fondly remembered the childhood, which
He shared with her and other sister Sarasvati. Sri Swamiji remembered, “Varalakshmi
was more demanding as a young girl. She would sleep on my lap in the night
while I sang a song or told her a Puranic story. I combed her hair and always
wanted her to sport her best outfit. It was a common and shared childhood
memories” said Sri Swamiji. It was touching to hear these from Sadguru
Deva. It was amazing to hear these stories right from the lips of Sadguru
Deva.
The 12 days stay in Hyderabad Ashrama was amazing. The organization there
showed how well prepared they were to host this great event. The divine energy
was swirling in every corner and one met only smiling and happy faces wherever
one went. It was stunning to see 6000 to 8000 persons given food and cared
for. Competence was everywhere.
Many books and CDs were released during the celebration. It was as if there
was something to be released every day.
On
22nd, Maha Navami and Vijaya Dashami were jointly celebrated. Sri Swamiji
performed Visarjana (dissolution) of the 10 Kalashas (nine around and
two inside the Mantapa). The sprouts from various grains that had emerged
were plucked and offered to the deities in the Mantapa. Sri Swamiji performed
Shami plant Puja and witnessed the salute by Volunteers. As a signal
from the heavens above, there was a sudden cloud burst with some
thundering and it poured good amount of rain – to convey the
happiness of the celestial beings.
On 23rd, Sri Swamiji performed Shanti
Homa. About hundred children who had donned the guise of different
Puranic characters came in a queue and offered prayers to Mother
Goddess and Sri Swamiji. Later, Rathotsavam was held in the Ashrama
premises – carrying the Pancha Loha idol of Mother Goddess
in a Chariot that had been taken from Mysore Ashrama. (More than
3 truckloads of materials had been taken from Mysore Ashrama for
this function). In the evening, Mahati Dance academy presented DATTA
GATHA – a dance
ballet, a composition of Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji praised the organizer
Lakshmana Rao for arranging the beautiful program. Sri Swamiji was
then requested to sit on a swing while devotees offered flowers.
Sri Swamiji then gave Sri Yantras to nine persons who had written
the most Sri Mata names. The first prize went to a lady from Hyderabad
who had written 134,000 times. It was amazing indeed. Sri Swamiji
then spoke and said that he was pleased with the arrangements and
the celebrations and Blessed all. It was a moving evening. Without
saying much, Sri Swamiji conveyed the most with a genuinely lovely
smile. Swamiji’s
presence lit up the energy field in the entire audience. It is said
best when nothing is said at all.
Later that night, some firecrackers were lit and the half-moon sky
illuminated. An Effigy of Ravana was burnt to signify the destruction
of evil and the good thumping over it.
On 24th morning, three marriages
were held in Hyderabad Ashrama temples. Mahesh Bhat’s (Sri
Swamiji’s Tabla player) was one among them.
At 11 PM, the last program – yet
one of the most important one was held. – It
was the first program of SERVE organization. SERVE stands for
Scientific Research on Vedas. It was the organization announced
by Sri Swamiji during the last Birthday celebrations in May. It is
headed by Sri. Kuppa Krishna Murthy, Education Trustee of Datta Peetham
and Editor of Bhakti Mala. One of the main objective of the institute
is to – Explore the Vedas and look for scientific
facts mentioned in them and then to get them checked up with
scientists and engineers to see how far that could be understood
in these times of mechanics and electronics. Sri Krishna Murthy had
assembled an impressive gathering of technologists, academicians,
scientists and engineers, Veda scholars and Pundits. Sri Swamiji
lit the inaugural lamp. Sri Krishnamurthy explained in detail the
proposed activities of the institute to the large gathering of press,
devotees and the invited intelligentsia. It was one of the rare programs
where such intelligent crowd came in direct contact with Sri Swamiji.
Prof. Dr. Y. Venkata Rami Reddy, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal
Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Prof. Dr. D. Swaminathan,
Member, National Advisory Council, Government of India, Sri T. Hanuman
Chowdhury, Former Adviser to Govt. on Information Technology and
Telecom & former CMD, VSNL. Copies of rare manuscripts were handed
over to pundits and professors for further studies. Sri Swamiji seemed
supremely happy with the program.
Sri Swamiji departed Ashrama for
Dundigal airport at 4 PM. This historic visit was an event that could
not be forgotten. It was a great treasure. It was like a perfect
song, which could be interpreted, in hundred different ways. It was
beautiful and heavenly.
One could only wish – that
Swamiji stayed longer.
Well
Jaya Guru Datta
Lighting
of the lamp to inaugurate the SERVE organisation - Sri
Swamiji, Bala Swami, Prof. Dr. Y. Venkata Rami
Reddy, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University
(JNTU), Prof. Dr. D. Swaminathan, Member, National Advisory Council,
Government of India, Sri T. Hanuman Chowdhury, Former Adviser to
Govt. on Information Technology and Telecom & former CMD, VSNL and
Sri Kuppa Venkata Krishnamurthy.
Galaxy
of scholars attended the program
Sri Swamiji bidding good bye to the wonderful devotees
*********
