The poster in Russian language announcing the visit of Sri Swamiji to Russia

Biography of Sri Swamiji released in Russian language. Smt. Tanya (center) is the translator.


The organizers with Sri Swamiji - from left - Varada Thatachar, Alexey Lukutin (Sarathy) and Sergei Markitchev (Uttama). The person in green shirt, Mr. Svyatslav Dubyansky translated Sri Swamiji discourses in Russian

Sri Varada shows to Sri Swamiji Bhojpatra tree which has immense medicinal value

Sri Swamiji in the town hall of City Tver on 29th July

Sri Swamiji in the hospital in Tver listening to the proposed Ayurvedic hospital project

Sri Swamiji spent one hour in the garden in the house in Tver enjoying its blooming, vividly colorful flowers and vegetables. Here we see a plant which has fruits nestled on its leaves. Click here for larger photo (opens in a new window.)




Sri Swamiji in Volga river. Click here for larger photo

The magnificent scene of Sri Swamiji standing in Volga River, City Tver, Russia

The concert in Moscow on 31st July 2004

Sri Swamiji holds crystal in left hand has the right hand plays the synthesizer.

PUJYA SRI SWAMIJI IN RUSSIA

Sri Swamiji’s second place of visit in this historic Nada Prasara tour has been Russia. Sri Swamiji had traveled from Paris to Moscow.This was Sri Swamiji’s second visit to Russia, the first one in 2000. On 26th July 2004, anxious devotees warmly received Sri Swamiji at the airport. Most of the persons who had come were seeing Sri Swamiji for the first time. But it did not feel like the first meeting because they appeared to have firmly placed Sri Swamiji in their hearts and the physical meeting was only an important extension of the relationship that already existed. The humility, devotion and respect they showed signified their mature spiritual sense. Russia and Russians have a deep rooted spiritual core. Indian civilisation, Indian spirituality has been of great interest in Russia since time immemorial.

27 July 2004 – Tuesday:
In the morning Sri Swamiji visited the Satsang center. There, Uttama (Sergei Markitchev) sang some Bhajans and showed Sri Swamiji the small studio where they work.

In the evening, a welcome function was held in the Kurkino auditorium in Moscow. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja and was welcomed by Uttama. He also presented to Sri Swamiji for release – the Russian translation of Sri Swamiji’s Biography. The condensed life history is the translation of the English book. Sri Swamiji was surprised, as it was not announced before. Tanya, the translator of the biography was honored. Sri Swamiji then spoke and said “I was first informed about the greatness of Russia by Sri Gidaturi Suryam, a noted film director in South India. He suggested that Sri Swamiji should visit Russia. I was quite impressed when I first visited Russia in 2000. We had not inform the devotees. I wanted to come and feel how the country was and how it felt. Russia is a great country and Russians have good spiritual background. I am very happy that I am here at the invitation of devotees. I am not here to preach any religion. I am here to spread the happiness I get when music is played. I want you all to listen to this music and get goodness.

28th July 2004 – Wednesday:
Sri Swamiji traveled to the city Tver – about 2 hours away from Moscow. Sri Varada, who practices Ayurveda and yoga therapy in a hospital there had requested Sri Swamiji to visit. While traveling we passed through the birth town of the legendary Russian composer Tchaikovsky. Sri Swamiji practiced Music later in the day

29th July 2004 – Thursday :
Sri Swamiji visited the hospital of a doctor who intends to start an Ayurveda Hospital and requested for Blessings of Sri Swamiji. Later Sri Swamiji went to the hospital where Sri Varada practices Ayurveda and Blessed him. River Volga flows just outside the hospital. Sri Swamiji walked to the river and offered Arghyam.

In the evening Satsang was held in the city town hall. Sri Swamiji spoke about Jaya Guru Datta and said that JAYA GURU DATTA – is a salutation and greeting and it is universal and does not connote any religion.

30th July 2004- Friday
Sri Chakra Puja was performed in the house of stay. Sri Swamiji left Tver city at 10 AM and arrived in the city of Moscow at 1 PM, after visiting and Blessing a place where an Indian temple is proposed, Sri Swamiji arrived in Kurkino guesthouse.

In the evening a short concert was held in Magdazave hall in Moscow. For two hours Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans and gave discourse.

31 July 2004 - Saturday:
The important concert in the PAVLA SLOBODKINA CONCERT HALL, downtown Moscow. The 600 capacity hall was full when the curtains opened to reveal Sri Swamiji entering the stage along with the accompanists, Jaitra (Violin), Mani (Harmonium), Ramesh (Mridangam drum), Mahesh (Tabala) and Swami Manasa (support vocals). Alexey Lukutin (who received the spiritual name “SARATHY” from Sri Swamiji a day before) welcomed the audience in Russian and spoke about Sri Swamiji’s music. Mr. Iliya lit the lamp, Kali Ray, founder of the Tri Yoga method who has a number of students in Russia, presented the Vastram.

Sri Swamiji spoke in English about the music and that He was happy to be in Russia.

Sri Swamiji played the Alapana of Pranava Swarupam extensively (considering that Sri Swamiji said it was a small Kriti - composition to test and heal the sound system). At 7.30 The Kritis commenced.
The compositions were:
Palaya Mamiha (Hamsanandini Raga) (singing and playing)
Raga Brindavani
Gauri Taye (Raga Chakravaka)
Tani Avartana
Italic Tune (Raga Madhuvarshini) – I don’t know why it is called so
Raga Ragini Mangala – (Raga Sama)

Sri Swamiji’s brisk playing of certain passages – especially in Chakravaka Raga Alapana was both a visual and audio feast. Sri Swamiji showed several new styles of playing and improvisational techniques. For the first time I saw, Sri Swamiji playing in a unique fashion where he held a large crystal in the left hand while playing the instrument with right hand and then reversed it. During Tani Avartana, which was a dazzling performance, Sri Swamiji walked amidst the audience.

The arrangements of the concert were one of the best to date. The first timer Russian devotees deserve applaud.
After the concert, a well-known painter, Mrs. Andreev, presented Sri Swamiji with a large painting. A blind author of well-known spiritual books who is attributed to have kindled interest in spirituality during a whole generation was honored after the concert. Later, Sri Swamiji sat at the edge of the stage and received flowers and autographed life history books and Datta Darshanam books published in Russian.

1st August 2004-Sunday:
At 9 Am, Sri Chakra Puja was held in the auditorium in Kurkino guesthouse where Sri Swamiji was staying. After the Puja, Sri Swamiji answered a few questions on spirituality. Many questioned about the personal beliefs with which they were raised and the new beliefs that they encountered later in life. Sri Swamiji said that which ever is the personal faith of a person should be strictly adhered to while equally respecting other faiths. Sri Swamiji said that, Datta and Jesus willing, he would return to Russia again. Sri Swamiji stressed that love and respect for the country, family, parents and work constitute the most important duties of a person and following these duties properly are the first step in spiritual practice. Sri Swamiji also said that the Indian civilization and Russian civilization have several commonalities and that Sri Swamiji was born in Russia once. The Russian language has several features common with the Sanskrit language. Sri Swamiji stressed that he is not in Russia as a Hindu spiritual head but was there as a good friend. Sri Swamiji said " I am not here to convert you. I want you to find faith in yourselves first. I want to rebuild and energize your beliefs. I personally believe that all great spiritual masters were powerful souls who came to help those in need, irrespective of the nationalities and religious affiliations. "

Sri Swamiji then performed Purnahuti of the Ganapati Homa, which was held in a tent outside. At 1 PM, Sri Swamiji traveled to Domodedovo airport and emplaned to England.

NADA PRASARA EUROPE TOUR MAIN PAGE

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