Baton Rouge Datta Temple - August 15, 2002
Swami Narahari Teertha Aradhana

Today is a holy day. Narahari Teertha Aradhana day. Jayanti Day. Utsava Day. His forefather was a Sanyasi after completing household duties. He had two brothers. One of them was a Bala Sanyasi (Ascetic from child hood). The other son married and later accepted the ascetic hood. The present generation stopped and the Parampara (lineage) broke. The other son is the one speaking now (Swamiji points to himself). He was a Chaturveda Scholar (Scholar who knew the four Vedas). He was a Siddha Mulika doctor (Herbal medicine doctor). One day he was experimenting with some medicine and Swamiji as a nine year old boy consumed a mixture of the medicine there. It was a poison and Swamiji almost died. Narahari Teertha was so shocked that from that day onwards gave up that branch of medicine. The Sringeri Peetha wanted him to come there to be trained as a possible Peethadhipati. But his sister (Venkamma) wanted him to marry and she stopped him. He always wanted to be given the Shankaracharya of Sringeri. He married and had a son and then the wife died and he became mentally deranged. Then his sister took him on a pilgrimage. They somehow ended up in Mekedatu and he married Jayalakshmi Mata.
Has anyone seen Narahari Teertha? (Narendra Dave seated in the audience rises hand). You are a lucky person. One day Swami Narahari Teertha asked for a boon. When I asked what he wanted he replied that he wants to get Sanyasa (Ascetic initiation) from a Sanyasi from Sringeri Sharada Math order. The then Shankaracharya of Sringeri Swami Chandrashekara Bharati had given Sanyas to some selected persons. One of then was a 100-year-old Saint. When I went to him and begged to come and give Deeksha to my father, he readily agreed and came and gave the Sanyasa. Later he disappeared and was not found. I feel that Lord Shiva himself came and gave the Deeksha. He lived for many years in Mysore. In 1991, he asked me to stay in Ashrama for one year. While in meditation one day, he attained Yoga Samadhi. He was smiling in his death. He always used to chant Namashivaya. He would chant a couple of millions and then come to me and convey all the merit of the chanting to me. He also used to say that he wants to give his remaining Ayushya (Life time) to me. He used to call me Datta and Narayana.

I like him very much. He was a great Guru and gave Sidhha Mulika lessons to me. His father was a great doctor. I am happy that we are celebrating his anniversary in this American center. He is your Sadguru too. He had many land possessions. Nobody knew where all they were. Even today many villagers come and offer lands saying it belongs to Swami Narahari Teertha. Many villagers from different villages followed him. There is a Brindavana (sacred tomb) for Him. It is a great place. People liked him because he was child like. He always liked to be empty handed. He had complete detachment in life. He prayed for world peace.

Once again I bow down to my Sadguru. The 5 Brahmins of today’s functions are lucky ones. We will now feed these 5 Brahmins and then distribute Prasadam for all.

Sri Guru Datta.