Charukeshi Raga Sagara - Sydney, Australia

Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji arrived in Sydney from Melbourne on Friday, 18th March 2011. In the evening, Sri Swamiji visited the Sharada Mandir in Dural suburbs of Sydney. Sri Swamiji performed Arati to the idol of Sharada Devi and Blessed the expansion plans of the temple. Sri Swamiji spoke on the Datta Tattva. Smt. Mala Srinivasan, President of the temple offered temple Prasadam to Pujya Sri Swamiji. Swami Manasa Datta sang “Amba Bhavani Sharade” Bhajan. He was accompanied on violin by the temple priest, Mr. Sudheer.

On 19th Morning, Sri Chakra Puja and Ganapathy Homa was held in the Red Gum function center in Wentworthville. After Puja, Sri Swamiji gave a discourse on the importance of the day, Phangunu Uttaram. Sri Swamiji explained – Bala Swamiji was in Nadu Palani where the Phanguni Uttaram was celebrated by thousands of enthusiastic Muruga devotees. Lakshmi Jayanti is also celebrated today – said Sri Swamiji. Later, Sri Swamiji made a sudden decision to hold Bhajan session in the evening, The organizers arranged the same venue for evening Bhajans. In the afternoon, Kriya Yoga was conduced by Sw. Kaliji in the same venue. In the evening, Sri Swamiji sang Muruga Bhajans, Devi Bhajans and Marathi Abhang. Sri Swamiji said today being Holy Poornima, news reports are saying that Moon will be closest to earth in 19 years. As Sri Swamiji was leaving the venue, Sri Swamiji caught a glimpse the moon in the cloudy sky.

On 20th morning, some devotees assembled in the home of Sri. Vikas and Lakshmi Mohta, the Gurunilaya. Lakshmi applied Holi powder to the feet of Pujya Sri Swamiji and devotees had a go with Holi colored waters.

In the evening, Charukeshi Raga Sagara – music for meditation and healing concert was held in Marana auditorium in Sydney.. Sri. Bhogiraju Rao gave the welcome speech. Sw. Kaliji introduced Sri Swamiji and Sri Swamiji’s music to the audience. The concert was fantastic. Sri Swamiji played amazingly melodious, blistering fast movements of several Ragas. The concert started with the regular “Pranava Svarupam” in Raga Rushyaketu Priya. Next was Raga Manavati. The composition was a improvisational tune. (No Bhajan). Sri Swamiji had played Manavati Raga in couple of concerts earlier. But this concert’s Raga development was amazingly colorful and brisk. Next was the main part of the concert – Charukeshi Raga Sagara which comprised of three Ragas. The first was Raga Patalaambari – The Bhajan Ishaavaasyam Jagatsada was played. The second Raga was Neelakanthapriya & the Bhajan played was Shiva Shiva Shiva Dhava. The third and the main healing Raga of the day was Charukeshi. Sri Swamiji played the Bhajan – Jaya Jaya Vindhya Vasini. Sri Swamiji closed His eyes and meditatively played many parts of Charukeshi Raga. Before playing, while giving introduction, Sri Swamiji remembered the Inner Healing CD, which has Charukeshi Raga and the Bhajan Shanti Rastu. Sri Swamiji’s development of the Raga and the play of the Kriti was fantastic. The Tani Avartanam in Shankar Ramesh saw the best of his skills that day. The audience ecstatically applauded his extended and rollicking Mridangam play. Sri Swamiji then played “raindrop tune” in Raga Madhuvarshini. The concert concluded with Raga Ragini Mangala in Sama Raga.

After concert, Sri. Vikas Mohta & Lakshmi Aditya presented to Sri Swamiji a commemorative souvenir book published to celebrate Sri Swamiji’s third visit to Sydney. Sri. Vikas proposed vote of thanks. Sri Swamiji and the accompanying musicians, Sri. Jaitra on Violin, Sri. Mani on support Keyboard, Sri. Ramesh on Mridangam and Sri. Mahesh on Tabala were honored.

On 22nd, Tuesday, Sri Swamiji visited Nan Tien Buddhist Temple in Wollongong. Sri Swamiji offered prayers and lit a incense stick. Sri Swamiji made a contribution to the Japan Tsunami victims. Later Sri Swamiji visited blow hole in Kiama town. This town’s rocky sea cost is littered with black rocks and when sea surges with powerful waves, water gushes and sprays through a rocky hole. This is called as blow hole. The pictures below give a graphical representation of that.

In the evening, Sydney committee members took Sri Swamiji’s Darshana. Sri Swamiji’s single advice to them (which is applicable across the globe) was:

Conduct monthly Satsangs.
Group Satsangs have greater energy.
Regular Satsangs alone can bring Sri Swamiji back to your city again and again
Do not gossip when you come for Satsang. Its efficacy is immediately lost.
Do not disturb the household where the Satsang is held. Do not venture in to other parts of the house. You are there for Satsang alone.
Do not worry if Prasadam is served or not. It is not important part of Satsang.
Respect the wish of everyone to sing. Not everyone is a melodious singer. Intent is important. Encourage children to sing.

Sri Swamiji travelled Sydney – Singapore – Kuala Lumpur on 23rd March 2011, leaving Sydney at 12.40 PM and reaching Malaysia at 9 PM.

Sri Guru Datta