Video clipping of Music for Meditation and Healing Concert at KKL, Luzern on Aug 11, 2001
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Sri Swamiji visits the church of St. Nikolaus in Sarnen
Sri Swamiji in Hasliberg
Music for Meditation and Healing concert in KKL, Luzern
Krishna Janmashtami in Hasliberg

The decision of unexpected and miraculous visit to Switzerland was taken just five days before the journey. Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji agreeing to the request that renowned hand surgeon will check on Sri Swamiji's hand, visited Switzerland for five days. 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 introduction to Indian music course.

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 met 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 Gnana Bodha Sabha in place of Sri Raja Rao, who was leaving Bombay to settle down in Tirupati. That night, Sri Swamiji left for Zurich by Swissair 192 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, Dr. N.Nithyananda Rao was of international standard and that Sri Swamiji’s hand was very fine and that Sri Swamiji has to exercise caution for one year to let the full healing process occur.

That evening, Sri Swamiji played piano for a while and the right arm was finding its agility and dexterity. Sri Swamiji's right arm fingers started to find itself on familiar territory of the piano key board. Starting slowly, Sri Swamiji played the Raga Lathanta Priya. Sri Swamiji after the play said that this Raga is 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. Here is a dress worn by the saint. Sri Swamiji stood in front of that dress for about ten minutes and closed his eyes. There after 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 a old bond reconnected.

Sri Swamiji arrived in Hasliberg at 12 noon . The jubilant and over joyed participants of various courses and devotees joyfully welcomed 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. Prasad 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 with a garland , who performed the surgery on Sri Swamiji’s hand.

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 after the morning Puja let people come close and 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 grace indeed 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 was narrated as in the book “Life of a Mystic” and was 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 accident. Sri Swamiji waved back to the crowds . Then Sri Swamiji proceeded to sit behind the Roland synthesizer. Hans Imesch introduced the artists and explained the many confusions that had arisen because of the cancellation announcement by Sri Swamiji and how the organizers had proceeded with the preparations for a concert by Dr. L.Subramaniam. 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 inspite of limited mobility of the right arm, played for over two hours starting with Pranavaswarupam. The second composition was announced by Sri Swamiji as Lathanta 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. Sri Swamiji was in tears to listen and shed many tears during the playing of Kiravani 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 to Sri Swamiji’s playing gave long breaks to Sri Swamiji. Tani Avarthanam (rhythm solos) were performed and the 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 it was expected that Sri Swamiji was to play just one or two compositions and Dr.L.Subramaniam 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 the accident. It was enthralling to watch Sri Swamiji perform the Abhishekam, Arati and the like, normally. Krishna Puja was performed to the melodious Vishnu Sahasra Nama.. An idol of baby Krishna was put in a swing. Sri Swamiji sang a few Krishna Bhajans. Prasadam was offered as the programme ended at 1.30 PM.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji went on a cable car ride up the mountain Magisalp. The panoramic view from the top and the crisp and fresh 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 programmes in Hasliberg.
Sri Swamiji left Switzerland for Mysore on 13th August at 12 noon.

Jaya Guru Datta