 November 18 to December 6 - 2004 |
Mumbai
18-21 November
2004
Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji’s north Indian tour commenced from Mysore on 17th evening by driving to Bangalore. In the evening, Sri Swamiji held a review meeting of the proposed large universal prayer hall in Bangalore Ashrama. This 8000 square feet hall will be the new venue for the activities of Bangalore Ashrama.
On the morning of 18th November 2004, Sri Swamiji flew to Mumbai. In the evening, a welcome function was held in the Shankaralayam in Chembur area. Sri Jayant Lapsia, President of the Gnana Bodha Sabha, Mumbai, gave an emotional welcome speech. The Matru Mandali which was formed exactly 4 years ago offered a Puja Peetham (seat) to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji spoke about Deepavali and exhorted people to refrain from using fire-crackers. Earlier in the day, Sri Swamiji visited the special Bonsai garden of Sri Sujed Shah and was impressed with his skills.
On 19 November, Music for Meditation and Healing was held at the Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi area. It is right next to the world famous Siddhi Vinayak temple of Mumbai. The newly furbished auditorium had wonderful sonic quality. Before the concert commenced, Sri Swamiji said that the Dharma and spirituality were facing testing times in India and prayed Datta to Bless the situation.
Sri Arun Gujarati, President of NCP inaugurated the concert by lighting the lamp. After the concert, Sri R. Chidambaram, Chief Scientific Advisor to Government of India, a greatly honoured scientist and Sri Balan, Managing Director of RCF (Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers), gave flower bouquets to the participating artists.
During the concert, Sri Swamiji played the Shadvidha Margini raga extensively and wonderfully. Sri Swamiji said that this particular Raga had special healing effects on Sri Swamiji. (Sri Swamiji has composed "O Janani" Bhajan, in the same raga, which was sung during this year’s Navaratri celebration in Hyderabad). Apart from the regular Celestial Message music troupe, Sri Mysore Nagaraj (violin), Sri Thyagarajan (flute), Sri R.Ramesh (Mridangam) and Sri Manjunath (Ghatam) accompanied.
On Saturday and Sunday, Sri Swamiji performed Pujas in the morning and Satsang were held in the evening. Speeches given by Sri Swamiji during those sessions are below.
On Sunday night after the Satsang, marriage
of Ram Janardan and Jayalakshmi was held in the temple premises. Though
hailing from Andhra Pradesh state, they came all the way to Mumbai on
this auspicious day to wed before Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji attended
the Muhurtam at 9.10 PM.
The journey to Baroda was postponed by a day and Sri Swamiji remained
in Mumbai on the 22nd. In the later part of the day Sri Swamiji visited
two Datta temples. The first was the Dattatreya Mandir in Naupada of
Thane region and the second was Datta Paduka Mandir in Sanpada region.
The sudden visit of Sri Swamiji brought much happiness in the devotees
there. Sri Swamiji also visited some houses of devotees.
Sri Swamiji left for Baroda on the morning of 23rd November (Tuesday).
Sri Swamiji’s speech on 20th November 2004 at Shankaralayam,
Mumbai. 7 PM.
Sri Swamiji has sung many Shiva Bhajans in a discourse session called
SHIVA JYOTI. Lord Shiva discoursed Bhagavatham and Guru Gita to Goddess
Parvati. Hence, He became the Guru for Parvati.
Many of you have fixed idea about Gods and beliefs. It is not correct.
The World is a vast place to hold many belief systems and traditions.
We have to respect all.
Sri Swamiji sings – Dishi Dishi Sam
(before singing Sri Swamiji plays the Raga exquisitely).
Singing should never be sung to enhance one’s
personal image. They should not be misused. Singing in a Satsang is not
one’s fiefdom. If one does that, then it can be concluded that
the person is under the spell of Maya.
Sri Swamiji’s speech after Sunday morning - Ganapathy Homa at Shankaralayam
in Mumbai on 21st Nov 2004 – 11 AM
This is not the real house (Pointing to the body). Plans to go to the
real house must be in place. This house has too much confusion and there
is no Shanti. We are here only on a rental house. All the billions of
houses on this earth are only for rent. Many of you always pray that
you want a house. You have to give up all these material wishes should
you wish for a good after life. This is mine – that is mine – I
want this – I want that – All these averments have no meaning.
Be good and Do good. That alone will help you. Respect the social regulations
and at the same time practice non – attachment. If you get too
deeply attached to all that on earth, you will become a diseased person.
Don’t
fear death. It is actually a growth. We don’t know where we will
take birth next time. But this is the most secretive thing on earth.
Where and how and when you will take birth again. Had you known that
secret, imagine, you would have spotted a donkey in the field and immediately
recognize that it was your aunt in some births ago. Imagine such situations
– that too in hundreds. You would have cursed God for giving this
special memory. This is apart from the sometimes bitter memories you
already have from relatives in this present life. So, be thankful to
God that he decided to keep it secret.
Sometimes I smile when I hear boys and girls tell each other – I want you to be my wife in all my lives. I tell them, first lead this life properly without any misunderstandings, and then only think of other lives. This is nothing but Maya. I am using this jovial statements to drive home the important point of truth. There is that hidden truth in our life, which we have to discover and then learn to become better.
I wanted to convey this very important Upadesha to you. You must imbibe the feeling that the Sadguru is SARVANTARYAMI. You should respect all but follow one. Many ask me if they can follow me if they have already received Mantra Upadesha from some other Guru. I only say – see your Guru in me if he is no more. This is a Rahasya (secret).
Our Hindu Dharma is eternal and no force can threaten it. It may get small afflictions life a man gets cold. Just because a person has cold, it is not advisable to cut the nose. So, don’t over react. Just treat it simply.
Mumbai Gnana Bodha Sabha is running well. I am happy.
21 Nov 2004 - Evening Satsang Speech by Sri Swamiji at Shankaralayam
in Chembur, Mumbai
Sri Swamiji sings Bhajan - Jai Jai Ganapati
Sri Swamiji sings Bhajan - Manasa Mandira
During the Nava Avarana worship in Navaratri festival, Swamiji composes
and sings Bhajans. This is one among them.
Sri Yantra is a representative diagram of
the entire creation. The inter linked and over lapping triangles represent
it. Sumeru Sri Chakra and Ardha Meru Sri Chakra. Bhagavati is not just
a female deity. It is neither male nor female. It is a mass of Shakti.
It gave itself out in a feminine form. That energy came out of Chidagni
fire pit. That energy came out from the fire pit in a feminine form
because of a special boon, which the demons had taken from Brahma.
Nine is very important in Navaratri – it means nine nights. Nine
represents complete or full ness. To study the formation of Sri Chakra
is good. It is dealt in some length in the life story of Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji sings “Hara Hara Bhaja”
I will now sing a Tukaram’s Abhang. My singing style is quite different
from that of the local artists. The Bhajan says
“O’ God, your qualities are innumerable. You are greatly compassionate
to your creation. I am greatly privileged to sing your names. I know that
my mind is very small to conceive even the smallest part of your great
qualities. But my urge to sing your names is making me sing it. I am an
atom in your creation. Please give me an opportunity for me to offer my
Seva. I find this opportunity to sing your names and extol your qualities
– the best opportunity of my life. I don’t want wealth. I
want the companionship of good persons. Give me the company of Saints
– Sadhu Sangha. Saints are not only those who don orange robes.
There are many saints in family life too. One who lives a simple life,
speaks simply and plainly is a great SADHU or Saint. Tukaram continues
and says – I am finding it difficult to understand this Karma system
and the rituals. All I know is to sing your names. It is my wish that
I should sing your names in all my coming lives. Please give me the habit
of sacrifice. I don’t want to come to Vaikuntha because they will
ask me to remain silence. I cannot stop singing your names. I don’t
know if they will allow me to sing your names.
Sri Swamiji sings Hechi Dana Deva Deva
Singing with devotion and love is very important. Number does not matter.
Quality matters. Calling God with love and affection is most important.
You have to feel that love for God in every cell of your body. Just singing
dramatically does not work. The energy should come from the naval region
and come out as the sound from your mouth.
Sri Swamiji sings “Jeevache Jeevan”
I am greatly pleased with the social activities the local trust has engaged
itself in. Especially helping the poor who come to Mumbai for medical
treatment. Helping the poor is like direct worship to God. Some don’t
help thinking that they cannot do enough. But remember that for those
in difficulties, even the smallest help will be like a boon from God.
So, be charitable in words, compassion, kindness and deeds.
Matru Mandali members offer Puja Peetham to Sri Swamiji
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Sri Arun Gujarati light inaugural lamp in the Music
for Meditation and Healing concert in Mumbai on 19th November 2004 at
Ravindra Natya Mandir in Prabhadevi
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Sri Swamiji and the musicians
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Panoramic view of the stage
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Sri Mani, support keyboard player is honoured by
Dr. R. Chidambaran and Sri Balan.
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North
India Tour -2004
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