Sri Swamiji in Datta Kshetra Yatra, Sri Pada Vallabha, Gannavaram, 03 Jan 2003
Datta Kshetra Yatra - Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh
Sri Pada Vallabha
Gannavaram is a tiny village 19 kms away from Vijayawada. It is 200 yards from National Highway number 5 connecting Madras to Calcutta. There is a big airport right in front of the Ashrama ( It is perhaps the only Ashrama in the world which is nearest to a airport). Ashrama here started in 1990 by late Ekambareshwara Rao. It has a prayer hall, Guru Nilaya (1998), priest quarters, watchman quarters, Bore well, Garden, Children play area. Moolika Vana (herbal garden) is being developed.
Datta Padukas were established in 1992. Sri Swamiji called it Sri Pada Vallabha Datta Kshetram. The present activities in this Ashrama include Annadanam program, Anaghashtami Vratam every month, Important festivials are observed. Abhishekam and Kakadarati every day. Anybody can perform Abhishekam to the Padukas.
Sri Swamiji visited this Ashrama on 3rd January 2003. Arriving at 4 PM, Sri Swamiji permitted few devotees to perform Pada Puja. Sri Swamiji inaugurated a free weekly dispensary on 3rd January 2003.Later there was Sri Chakra Puja. Bhajans were performed thereafter. Sri Swamiji spoke thus"
Sri Swamiji’s Speech – Gannavaram Ashrama – 3 January 2003
Don’t demand. Don’t worship with desires. Worship with the prayer that God gives you what you deserve. Devotion is not business or barter oriented. Pray for more devotion. Learn from the devotion of Savitri of Mahabharata story. When you have full and proper devotion all your life’s requirements are met automatically because he takes full charge of your life. That happiness and solace is unmatched. That is the type of devotion proposed in Guru Gita. Don’t pepper your devotion with Desired. It is my wish that all the devotees in this Gannavaram village develop such devotion. Many here don’t have it still. Many still harass the priest here with more Prasadam to be given. Many look at others how they pray. When you come to pray here, don’t look where your flowers were decorated by priest or where he kept your coconut. Many worry about the baskets they bring Puja materials. Some worry about the footwear they left outside. They come, pray and worry about chappals. This is wrong. Why come for this? God is in your house also. Worship there and enjoy life. Don’t go to temple because others go. Or don’t stop going because some people you don’t like go there. Go there and pray that they get good mind to heal relations. Don’t entertain conservative mind. Don’t entertain inauspicious mind. Come without expectations and enjoy what you get. You don’t need Pada Puja, Homa or Sri Chakra Puja. Some do it because they want it. Don’t worry that you cannot do it. You too get the same Punya (merit). I wish that the Gannavaram devotees get this devotion. May the Datta Guru Padukas in this Kshetra get more devotion. Come and use this Ashrama and its facilities. It is meant to assist you with your spiritual journey. You all must have heard that Sri Swamiji is establishing a very special Devi Temple in Vijayawada. It will be inaugurated on 6th February. The idol of Mother Goddess Raja Rajeswari is made of an emerald type green stone. There will be Rahu Kaala Deepa Dana every Friday morning.
I remember the services and dedicated mind of Ekambareshwara Rao who donated this place and developed it.
The more you sing the better you sing. The Prana leaves without notice. So sing and enjoy. We indulge most of the time in worries. Worthless worries. Develop a habit to be happy. You feel unhappy if your TV does not work or if electricity goes off during an important cricket match. We live in a world of artificial worries. Saint Ramdas said that the name of Lord Rama is greater than that of sweetest grapes. Shall we enjoy the sweetness of Datta Nama? Sing along
Sri Swamiji sings “Datta Mithai”
This fruit of Datta Naama is abundantly available in the world. It is also a great succor. The more you chant the purer it becomes. Nobody can steal it from you. Not even your husband. That is why we have introduced the writing of mother goddess name “SRI MATA”. Books are available and write as many possible before the Devi temple inauguration in Vijayawada Ashrama. Utilize all available free time for this purpose. Introduce this to others also.
Sri Swamiji sings “Gundeyenadi Gootilona Datta Deepam”
Devotion is a pre requisite to any Yoga program. It is like salt in food. Devotion is the pinnacle for knowledge. Knowledge without devotion is like salt less food. What is Idol worship? How does an idol look? It stands there motionless. It stands in the same posture since its installation. It does not move or change its posture. If it really happens, people think it is evil possessed and stop coming to that temple. God in the idol form never eats the banana you keep for Naivedyam The poor tiny banana. You take it back home after Puja, mix it with honey and eat it. Why do we do it? Why do we go and stand in front of an idol? There is a principle in this concept. Vigraha Aradhana gives you Nigraha. Nigraha means containment. Containment of your desires and the like. We go to a temple because we are not given any another attention there. There is nothing but God related activities there. There is a less chance of you doing something else. Most of your life is spent in sleep. Many sleep in cinemas too. Many go to cinema theatres to escape from visits of relatives. We have more probability of attaining concentration in a temple than in any other place. Going to a temple should be a weekly or daily event. You should feel guilty when you don’t go. You go there to attain concentration. The Bhajan just sung speaks about the greatness of this concentration.
Sri Swamiji sings “Shankaram Shankaram”
The devotees of Gannavaram had made 2000 oil lamps and had arranged them in the SGS logo pattern and a gaint OM. Upon conclusion of Bhajans, the lamps were lit.
Sri Swamiji announced the Sankalpam to construct a Datta temple in Gannavaram Ashrama in future. Devotees showed enthusiastic support to the project. Sri Swamiji left Gannavaram Ashrama by 8 PM and returned to Vijayawada Ashrama
