Installation of Crystal Shiva Linga - West Sunbury, PA

4th April 2010 was a day of packed activity at Datta Retreat Center in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania. Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived at 11 AM for this 24th anniversary visit to this center of universal prayer place in west Sunbury, one hour drive from Pittsburgh. Sri Swamiji offered prayers at the universal Datta temple. There, a young couple from far away Gannavaram village in Andhra Pradesh entered wedlock in Sri Swamiji's divine presence. The parents of the bride and the groom along with their relatives watched this blessed moment.

Datta Retreat Center (DRC) was founded by His Holiness Sri Swamiji in 1986. A Datta temple sanctuary was constructed and Kumbhabhishekam was performed in 1990. Since then, DRC has been a favorite of Sri Swamiji. The all wooden buildings, woods, the quiet, is a time traveler's dream. Mysore Ashrama of the seventies indeed.

DRC received a surprise gift early in the year. It was a large Shiva Linga from Mr. Gopal of Canada. The members of DRC had arranged the shrine for the crystal Lingam and its concrete pedestal on Maha Shivaratri day, in spite of heavy snow fall. Sri Swamiji today performed the energization of this huge crystal Shiva Linga. It was a beautiful sight to watch Sri Swamiji standing aside the huge crystal Shiva Linga and touching it and energizing it. Sri Swamiji was chanting Mantras, touching the Shiva Linga and going around it. About 500 devotees had assembled in DRC for this one day program.

Purnahuti of Ganapathy Homa and Sri Chakra Puja were performed. The devotee children of New Jersey presented a cultural show. A skit of Dashavatara was presented to the Bhajan "Shuddha Buddha Pari Purna" of Sri Swamiji. Dance was performed to the Gujarati Bhajan "Gurujina Namani Ho" and solo violin playing added to the color of the event. Sri Swamiji cut a giant cake in the shape of a piano. Birthday song was sung as Sri Swamiji cut the cake.

In the evening at 5 PM, Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans for one hour.
Sri Swamiji said:
There is misconception about Guru in this world. Everyone is a Guru. Read Guru Gita. It gives more understanding of Guru. This was one of the earliest book read by Sri Swamiji in childhood. I am very happy that this crystal Shiva Linga has joined the 3 healing rocks in DRC. In DRC's history, today is a important day. We already have 3 rocks viz Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Brahma is creator. He creates the thoughts / ideas in us. If we think, I want to drink water, the thought is created by Brahma energy. The Buddhi sometimes misunderstands what Brahma says. The second energy, Vishnu - is the protector. Vishnu creates the process / chain of actions to attain the water. (thought created by Brahma). With eating, the work of Vishnu is over. The water enters our stomach and dissolves in to different energy. That is Shiva energy. This concept is explained by different systems of knowledge in many ways. In DRC, the three rocks, represent this concept of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. The Pujas and worship constitute Brahma energy. The food from kitchen represents Vishnu energy and the destruction of bad thoughts which happens because of Sadhana, is Shiva energy. In DRC, the rocks represent the stillness we should aim to achieve. They are like the idols of God. From Vigraha, we should learn to have Nigraha (controlling of bad thoughts). The idols in temples sit still and show you how to behave in life. Be still to tests and win. Even when volunteers / ushers are shouting "Jaragandi" (move on), you should take the lesson of stillness and move on. The volunteers go about their activity of clearing people for new people to come in. But we should take a photo of the idol in our heart and firmly establish it. It should be so firm, you should be able to recall it when ever you want the energy of God. If you had a fight with the volunteer / usher, then you will get his image when you try to recall the image of Lord. This happens because you were upset for a few minutes when it mattered the most. You forget why you are here and you worry about other things. You comment/ gossip and carry that with you. Your mind should be focused on the Lord. This is your family home. You should not feel strange. This place belongs to everyone. Swamiji is the only cook, manager, servant etc. You must feel that this is your abode and you are your own volunteer.
Anyway today is a historical day . Lord Shiva has come to DRC in Crystal form.

Sri Swamiji sings "Pahi Pahi Gajanana" - a Bhajan on Ganapathy
Sri Swamiji sang "Sundara Sundara Shiva Shiva"
Sri Swamiji played Dance tune
Sri Swamiji sang "Om Mangalam Omkaara Mangalam"

On Monday, 5th April, Sri Swamiji went to the Shiva temple and gave suggestions for its improvement.
Later Sri Swamiji left for Steubenville.