Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji arrived for the historic Kashi (Banares, Varanasi) visit on the 3rd November 2009. A three days (4, 5 & 6 November 2009) program of Maha Rudra Yaga and discourses on Kashi Khanda (Kashi Chapter) from Skanda Purana is on the anvil. Elaborate arrangements for the programs had been planned and prepared in the Chet Singh Maidan near Shivala Ghat.

Since it was still Purnima tithi (Full moon day) of Kartika Month, it was considered extra ordinarily auspicious and pious day. Kashi is termed as one of the most ancient place of human habitation. Bala Swamiji said that stories from Kruta Yuga Age mention Kashi and even the Vedas (considered world's oldest literature) mention Kashi. Kruta Yuga was the eon before Krishna Avatara (Dwapara Yuga) and Rama Incarnation (Treta Yuga) which is older than Krishna Avatara. Such an ancient precinct is Kashi. Just entering the area of Kashi gives a special feeling and the energy of Lord Shiva permeates.

At 3.30 PM, Sri Swamiji arrived at the "Sampoornanand Samskruta University" to inaugurate the All India Bruhat (large) Shastra Sabha. Seated on the dais were H. E. Sri. B. L. Joshi, Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Sri. Kutumba Sastry (Shastra Nidhi awardee) Vice Chancellor of the university, Pro Vice Chancellor, Sri Tripathi and others. The audience was largely composed of eminent Samskruta scholars and Kashi Pandits. Sri Swamiji in his speech called on the institute to devise ways to bring its world renowned manuscript library to understandable Public knowledge so that the love for Samskruta by public is natural and genuine.

At 6 PM, Sri Swamiji came to "Chet Singh Maidan" where a large Pandal had been erected to host the four day programs of Sri Swamiji. A large Yaga Shala, Puja and discourse stage had been arranged. More than one thousand devotees had assembled from all over India and world. Sri Swamiji gave a brief message saying this visit was a pilgrimage and not a fun seeking trip and devotees should be as prayerful and spiritually disciplined and inclined as possible.

In the evening, at 9 PM, Sri Swamiji accompanied by Pujya Bala Swamiji visited the "Kashi Vishvanatha" temple and partook in the Abhishekams, Prayers and Shrungara Arati. The long and winding labyrinth of alleys leads one to a small group of Shrines and the shrine of Kashi Vishvanatha stands tall. The shine itself is about 10 feet by 10 feet and everyone is allowed to personally go inside and worship. The shrine has four door ways. Sri Swamiji entered from the southern door way and "lo and behold" - the Lingam of Kashi Vishvanatha was in the north-eastern part of the shrine and not in the middle. The priests received Sri Swamiji. The Governor of Uttar Pradesh, H. E. Sri. B. L. Joshi and his wife performed Abhishekam and Pujas in Sri Swamiji's presence. After chanting of Rudra Mantras, holy and Blessed Puja Prasad was given to all.

Thereafter, Sri Swamiji was invited to the Shrungara Puja to Lord Vishwanatha Shiva Lingam. Sri Swamiji sat at the threshold of western doorway facing east and watched the detailed abhishekam to the Shiva Lingam. Milk, curds, Ghee, Honey, Sugar, Fruit mix, sandal paste, Vibhooti, Bilva leaves were plentifully offered. It was a sight to see the large shiny brass pots sporting the Vibhooti Tripundra being carried in and out of the temple. It was a sight to see when two huge brass pots of milk was simultaneously poured on the Shiva Lingam, The gush of white milk falling on the Shiva Lingam creating streams of milk beads in the air around the Lingam. The Lingam is not at the floor level. On the north eastern corner is a square pit measuring three feet by three feet and in its center stands the 18 inches tall black stone Shiva Lingam. After the Abhisheka, the entire Shiva Linga was smeared with sandal paste. Small flower garlands of marigold flowers, Bilva leaves, Jasmine flowers were placed atop the Shiva Lingam. A smack of green grass (Garika) was placed in a blob of freshly ground sandal paste that looked like Krishna sporting peacock feathers on his head. Vibhooti was sprinkled on the Shiva Lingam. A deep red color cloth cover with glowing gold embroidery was put on the lingam masking it fully. Several hundreds of various colored Malas were put around the cloth, that now looked like a flower Shiva Linga. A big silver raised hood serpent was placed around the Lingam as Naga Bharana (snake jewel). A silver umbrella was placed on top of the silver serpent. The Pundits all the while chanted the Shiva Sahasranama (1008 names) and other Mantras. Inside the sanctorum, a small silver cot was carried and placed in the southwest corner. A soft bed and a pillow was placed. Kashi is known for its traditional artisans, greatly skilled in rich embroidery work. The bed cover, pillow cover was dazzling with the best of the Kashi embroidery work. A footstool with a set of silver Padukas, a tumbler of milk, a small hand fan and a plate containing cashews, dry grapes, dates and pistachio was placed near the cot. This was for the Shayana Puja (putting the Lord Shiva to divine - Yoga Nidra). Bhog (Naivedya) was carried in three large silver plates in to the sanctum and curtains were drawn. After offering the food, Aratis were prepared. Nadaswara players started playing music, drummers drummed and large bells of various tones were struck, it was a melodious divine frenzy. The curtains opened and the priest started to wave Arati. First was the tiered Arati (one wick on the top and three, five, seven and nine wicks one below the other). Next came Naga Arati. A serpent with seven hoods sporting wicks on all hoods was waved. Finally a plate with a large piece of camphor was waved. The richly decorated colorful Shiva Linga of Kashi Vishwanatha dazzled and glowed in the golden lights of the Aratis. The north Indian system of Mantra Chants, the frenzied drumming, the golden hue and most importantly the Kashi Vishwanatha image whipped up a never before felt divine Shiva Frenzy. Sadgurudeva Sri Swamiji sat folded hand and occasionally closing eyes in deep meditation.

The Pujas concluded with prayer seeking pardon for mistakes committed unintentionally and unwittingly (Aparadha Kshamapana Stotra). The priests brought the Puja Prasad of Vibhooti, Sandal Paste, Bilva leaves and offered to Pujya Sri Swamiji. Offering a standing folded hand Namaskara to Lord Kashi Vishwanatha Shiva, Sri Swamiji took leave of Sri. Joshi ji and left the shrine and walked out to the alleys. Pujya Bala Swamiji walked along with Sri Swamiji.

Thus started the four days Kashi Program of Pujya Sri Swamiji.

On 4th morning, Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived for the program. Sri Swamiji was ceremonially received at the Kanchi Kamakoti Matham entrance. Sri Swamiji went inside the Matha for Darshana of the Panchayatana Devatas. From there, Sri Swamiji was taken in a twin horse drawn chariot to the program venue. Lots of Band, live music, bhajan singing and dance by devotees preceded the chariot to the program venue - Chetsing Maidan on Shivaala Ghat on Ganga banks. The venue, a month ago, had a dejected look and was a deserted wild growth barren piece of land. Now it looked proper and fit to host the three day of mega festivities. A large Pandal had been erected to hold about three thousand people. At the far end (east end) was the stage of Pujya Sri Swamiji and to its right was the Yaga Shala Vedika. There were two dining halls, a large kitchen. Everything that is needed to host a three day fest was in place. As Sri Swamiji walked into the Pandal, thousands of faces lit up.

The Kashi programs had commenced.

First was a function to welcome Sri Swamiji. Among those on the stage were Prof. S.K. Mishra, Secretary, Rashtreeya Veda Vidya Pratishthan, Ujjain, Prof. Devi Prasad Dwivedi, Acharya of Kashi Vishvanatha Temple, Sri. Radha Vallabha Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, Delhi, Swami Brahma Deo Upadhyaya from Trinidad, Pt. Gagan Kumar Chattopadhyaya, Principal, Pattabiramasastry Veda Memaamsa Anusandhana Kendra, Kashi.

Prof. Mishra and Prof. Dwivedi welcomed Sri Swamiji in chaste Hindi and in glowing terms on hosting a program of such gigantic scale in Kashi.

Sri Swamiji immediately started the discourse in Telugu Language on Kashi Mahatmya (Greatness of Kashee) as discussed in Skanda Puraana. The Rudra Homa and Shatarudreeya Parayana also commenced. At noon, Sri Swamiji concluded the discourse. Purnahuti of the day was offered. In the evening, Sri Swamiji returned to the dais and continued the discourse. Before returning to camp residence, Sri Swamiji spotted a marble idol shop in one of the busy intersection of Kashi and ordered the convoy to be stopped. Sri Swamiji toured the unkempt shop and asked the owner to show the special Shivalinga. He was bewildered. Upon insisting, he hesitated and went upstairs and brought with his assistants a Shiva Linga that has a serpent type twist on the Shiva Lingam and offered it to Sri Swamiji. Devotees had the opportunity to perform Abhishekam to this very special Naga Shivalingam - the next two days.

On 5th November, Pujya Bala Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja. Sri Swamiji arrived for the discourse and explained the story of Agastya learning from Lord Skanda, the greatness of Kashi. The discourse, as usual, was interspersed with Bhajans. The vocal support of "Malladi Brothers" added effervescence to the chorus singing and support singing. After the discourse, Sri Swamiji released two books in Braille. First was Telugu Gangavatarana and the second Hindi version of Shiva Katha.

At noon, Purnahuti was offered. In the afternoon, Sri Swamiji visited "Vishvanatha Mandir" again and performed Pancha Amrita Abhisheka to the Shiva Linga. While Abhishekam was going on, Datta devotees streamed through the shrine having simultaneous Darshana of Vishvanatha Shiva Linga and Sadgurudeva. The Devotional ardor was there. And it was felt. Thousands had queued up outside Gate # 4 when Sri Swamiji had entered the temple. Thousands were still there when he left the temple complex two hours later. Before leaving, Sri Swamiji visited the shrines of Annapurna, and Dhundi Ganapathy. The lanes that lead to the temple are extremely narrow, barely two persons can walk along. Sri Swamiji smilingly went along.

In the evening, Sri Swamiji went on a boat ride on Ganga..... randomly selecting a few from the crowd that had assembled near the boat dock at Shivaala Ghat. The one hour boat ride showed the different Ghats (there are over 80 Ghats in Kashi... the boat man told). Sri Swamiji witnessed the Ganga Arati at Rajendra Prasad Ghat and left a oil lamp afloat in Ganga. While returning, Sri Swamiji instructed the boatman to take boat up to Assi Ghat and thence we returned to Shivaala Ghat. Sri Swamiji, seeing the vast Shivaala Ghat, made a Sankalpa to hold a Ganga Arati the next day there and gave instructions for arranging the same. Seeing a few hundred devotees who had assembled in the tent, Sri Swamiji addressed them for a while.

6th November 2009 was the final day of public programs in Kashi. Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja. By 8 AM itself the tent was teeming with devotees. After Puja, Sri Swamiji sang scintillating Bhajans like Vande Mukundam, Annapurna Jnana Purna, Shankaram Shankaram, Vishala Lochane Vishuddha Bhavane. Sri Swamiji composed a new Bhajan for Ganga Arati in Telugu language. Sri Swamiji sang that Bhajan in Shankarabharana Raga. Malladi brothers gave able vocal support to Sri Swamiji.

Several Dandi Sannyasis of Kashi were invited to stage and were offered respects.

Atharva Veda pundit, Sri Ashok Mishra, an associated scholar with Datta Peetham offered to Sri Swamiji the "Atharva Veda Pippalada Samhita". This rare text will be published by Datta Peetham.

The Vasordhara and Maha Purnahuti of Maha Rudra Yaga was performed in the three Homa Kunds specially constructed for this program. Pujya Sri Swamiji offered the Purnahutis as the Mantras related to the final Ahuti was chanted. Later, Sri Swamiji sprinkled water of Ganga mixed with the Homa Kalasha water. Sri Swamiji patiently sat through for three hours, sprinkling water on the thousands who came. It was a long and detailed act. Sri Swamiji's compassion was unmatched. In spite of the long duration that it took, Sri Swamiji took happiness in doing it. He smiled at everyone who came, sprinkled the holy water on their head. Many said that their entire Kashi tour was for this singular and significant moment - getting Ganga water sprinkled by Sadgurudeva, in Kashi. That summed up the three days activity.

In the evening, Ganga Arati was performed as planned the previous evening. The Shivaala Ghat, dusty and had not been cleaned for years, sport a swanky brand new look. Volunteers had scrubbed and washed the entire ghat area. With the assistance of Sri. Mani, Manager of Kanchi Matha, Ganga Arati was organised by the specialists who do it in Kashi. First Sri Swamiji got into Ganga river and performed Ganga Puja. Later, while Sri Swamiji stood in Ganga, Sankalpa for Ganga Arati was done. Then, Sri Swamiji came to the specially erected platform and sat while the seven Arati kaars went to their respective platforms. The newly composed and sung "Ganga Arati" was played. Mother Ganga heard Sri Swamiji's new Bhajan about her. Then the Arati kaars waved different types of Arati while their band mates sang Bhajans and Kirtans. The seven persons who performed the Arati hailed from seven Gotras and is called "Saptarishi Arati" to Ganga Maata. It was a lovely sight to watch the seven large Aratis being waved to Ganga river with the distant Kashi city line, mostly made up of temple domes, twinkling in dusky sun light...

7th November - Sri Swamiji had Darshana of Kala Bhairava, Dattatreya, Sankat Mochan Hanuman and Naleshvara Ganapathy - all in ONE HOUR FROM 8 am to 9 am. Kala Bhairava temple is situated in a small street in central Kashi and is the Kshetra Palaka (protector of Kashi region). The red vermillion smeared deity was decorated with conch. Sri Swamiji offered prayers. While exiting the temple, Sri Swamiji took some "Kaashi Daara", a black thread, one is supposed to bring home, after Kashi tour, to distribute among family members and friends. Some also perform "Kashi Samaradhana" where they invite friends and family to the house and perform Ganga Puja and then distribute the Ganga water they would have carried home. From Kala Bhairava temple, Sri Swamiji went to Dashashvamedha Ghat to visit "Dattatreya temple".  The temple was reached after climbing a flight of stairs. A brass idol of Dattatreya was installed in one of the cave like pockets in the shrine. Sri Swamiji said He could feel the vibrations of many "Avadhootas" who had visited and meditated in the shrine. From there Sri Swamiji went to "Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir, a famous Hanuman temple worshipped by Saint Tulsidas, the author of epic "Ramacharita Manas". Hundreds of monkeys inhibit this temple, where thousands of devotees visit daily for Darshan and Prayers.The Hanuman is a solid rock on which are two eyes (as black dots) and a half circle mouth that looks like a smiley. The place has powerful Hanuman energy.

After Hanuman Mandir, Sri Swamiji went to Naleshvara Ganapathy temple near Assi Ghat. This Ganesh shrine was installed by Nala Maharaj of Nala Damayanti fame. Sri Swamiji went inside the shrine and offered flowers and Arati. Around the shrine are ancient paintings of Dashavatara of Lord Vishnu. Sri Swamiji spent some quiet time in this shrine.

Later Sri Swamiji traveled to Kanchi Kamakoti Matha to distribute certificates to meritorious and successful students in the "Pattabhi Shastry Veda & Meemamsa Samanvaya Kendra". Many Kashi Pundits had assembled and they respected Sri Swamiji with a citation. Sri Swamiji also released three Sanskrit books penned by a lady pundit.

Sri Swamiji postponed departure from Kashi by a day (to leave on 8th instead of 7th).

On 8th morning, Sri Swamiji visited Sampoornananda Samskruta Vishwa Vidyalaya to see the ancient instruments of Astronomy. The array of instruments to measure time, the movements of Sun and planets were amazing.

With this the public programs of Pujya Sri Swamiji concluded in Kashi.

It is amazing to remember that Sri Swamiji had visited Kashi in 1972, 1982 and in 2009. In 1972, it was with a small group of devotees from Mysore. Prof. Krishan Kumar who had organised the visit then reminisced the stay of Sri Swamiji in an Ashrama and a brief visit to meet Anand Mayi Maa in her Ashrama on Ganga in Kashi. Sri Swamiji sat on a stone floor in front of the Vishvanatha temple and sang "Namah Paravati Pataye". The four days of stay in 1972 was mesmerizing - Swamiji says. 1982 visit to Kashi was to participate in a large Rudra Yaga. The present visit was to sing and discourse the greatness of Kashi and Rudra along with thousands of Datta devotees.

Kashi... one of the most important pilgrimage town of Lord Shiva... where Ganga.. the eternal river flows...
Kashi... one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world
Kashi... where stories of the legend and mythology intertwine with stories from all Yugas
Kashi.... where the beautiful and voluptuous Ganga, daughter of Himalayas, marches mightily and quietly....
Kashi..... where the dying get deliverance....

Kashi... where Datta Sadguru brought thousands of devotees for a three-day unforgettable experience of Shiva and Ganga energy....

Om Namah Shivaaya

 

3rd November 2009 - Inauguration of All India Bruhat Shastra Sabha at Sampoornanand Samskruta University in Kashi.
Pujya Sri Swamiji Speaks as His Excellency Sri. B. L. Joshi, Governor of Uttar Pradesh & others listen

4th November 2009 - Pujya Sri Swamiji in the horse chariot

Ashva Rathotsava

Sri Swamiji releases the book "Kashi Khanda" in Telugu which outlines the stories from Skanda Purana. Swamy Shashi Shekhara Bharati
offers the book to Bala Swamiji. He has been praying for Sri Swamiji's Kashi visit for over two decades.

Audience at Chet Singh Maidan

Kashee Khanda discourse by Sadgurudeva

Naga Shiva Linga. The serpent like design is naturally ingrained in the black granite

Mahesh & Kailasnath Agarwal honored for Kashi Seva

Purnahuti on 5th November

Several Dandi Sannyasis of Kashi were invited to stage and offered respects

Stage view

Atharva Veda pundit, Sri Ashok Mishra, an associated scholar with Datta Peetham offers to
Sri Swamiji the "Atharva Veda Pippalada Samhita". This rare text will be published by Datta Peetham.

Maha Purnahuti of Rudra Yaga

Ganga Sparshana - Pujya Sri Swamiji sprinkles the holy Ganga water

Ganga Puja on 6th November evening

Seven Arati kaars (Saptarshi Gotrees) perform Ganga Arati as Gurudeva watches (bottom right)

Ganga Arati

Dattatreya temple at Dashashvamedha Ghat

Naleshvara Ganapathy

Sri Swamiji visited the Astronomy field in Sampoornananda Samskruta University.
The professor of the department shows Sri Swamiji the ancient mechanism of measuring time.
There were several other instruments to measure the movement of Sun and other celestial bodies.

Hustle bustle of Kashee Ghats

The beautiful Ganga, an immersion in it in Kashi guarantees sinlessness and salvation

Kashee - one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world exists since 2000 BC

Om Namah Shivaaya

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