Sri Swamiji visited Detroit on 5th July 2000. There was Pada Puja in the house of Sri Mahaddur, son of the former manager of Ashrama, Sri Dodda Urs, who was a close disciple of Sri Swamiji.
Arriving
at the Bharateeya temple at 6.30 PM, Sri Swamiji was warmly received by
the temple members.
Sri Swamiji gave Arati to the idols in the sanctum sanctorum Then he proceeded
to the main hall where Lalitha Sahasra Namam Parayanam was being conducted.
After giving Arati to the Sahasra Nama Programme, Sri Swamiji came to
the Bhajan dais.
Excerpt of Sri Swamiji's Speech :-
Why am I here? Not because of your devotion. No. Not certainly. But I had promised Nalini Bapuji in her marriage 20 years ago that I would visit her house. That is why I am here.
All of you must have the doubt about the healing aspect of music. Can Nada cure disease? Does it have the power to heal? Can Deepak Raga light lamps? Can Megha Malhar Raga bring Rains? These questions must be common among you. You have the luxury of health and spare time to worry about all these. If you were the sufferer you would have kept quiet and would have yearned for anything that would have brought relief. Only a person who is hungry can appreciate the value of food. Only a person who has bathed in Ganga River can truly appreciate its greatness.
Suspecting nature is like a big ghost. Many people have this doubting nature. They doubt about the existence of God, the existence of evil, the existence of super natural powers etc., Why God, they even doubt their parents and finally doubt themselves. Faith is important. Many times the suspicious nature develops because of pride and ego. This doubting when coupled with the nature of criticising, becomes a double-headed monster. This doubting nature is a big curse on humanity. It is important to inquire. Doubts that develop during the course of inquiry is common and understandable.
To develop faith, our tradition has many avenues. One of them is the path of Nama Sankirtan and Mantra chanting. Mantras are science. They are like code words. One can attain greater understanding of the Atman just by proper chanting and understanding of the popular Lalitha Sahasra Namam. Yes. It is true. Good company, Good tradition, Good ties, Temples, Sadgurus are important and have to be believed. Listening to Omkara for 5 Minutes brings wonderful feeling. This is also called as peace. We claim that we are busy and have no time of just 5 minutes. But we find time to chat and chat and chat. Though everyone cannot be branded under this category, most can be. Rituals are stepping stones for higher realms of spirituality. But many people get stuck here and think and fell that performance of rituals are the end journey. It is very wrong. Every thing has its limits. You should have proper limitations in place, should you plan to have a contended life. So, even worshipping has limitations of performance and results. Donšt over react or over expect.
Life in America should not mean money or materialism is the end. Name, fame and money are not enough. Belief in the power of peace, Love for other beings, service mindedness are very important in life. We have to try to achieve them. One cannot be sure that he or she will get them. But an honest effort is important. I can say with certainty that our tradition has immense power. I can also certainly say that mass praying is beneficial. Many good things can be achieved with mass praying. Vishnu incarnated as Krishna only after 33 billion angels prayed together. Today I am in this Bharatiya Temple in Detroit. I do not know if it is my good or bad Karma that has brought me here. But it is your Good Karma that has brought me here. I wished to be here and I am here. Donšt expect miracles to happen in your life just because you met me. Our meeting here is the greatest miracle. I may travel like this for another 3 or 4 years. Swamiji gave a great mantra to the people of Trinidad in the year 1995 when the Vishwa Shanti Maha Yagna took place there.
The
Mantra is OM AIM HREEM SHREEM SHIVA RAAMA ANAGHA DATTAAYA NAMHA.
Chant this Mantra. May good happen to you all.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Swamiji
arrives in the Bharatiya Temple in Detroit
Sri Swamiji
with Lakshmi Narayana idols in the temple
Sri Swamiji
sees a mural of the Brahma from Ellora caves.
Bhajans
in Progress
Sri Swamiji
arrives for the house opening of Mahesh Lunani in Detroit.
He is the son of Sri Venu Gopal Lunani of Eluru, ardent devotee of Sri
Swamiji