AvadhootaDatta Peetham

His Holiness Sri Swamiji arrived at Datta Temple and Hall of Trinity, Baton Rouge, Louisiana on 29th July 2008 at 10 am. Devotees collectively performed Puja to Lord Hanuman in the presence of Sri Swamiji and chanted Hanuman Chalisa.In the evening, His Holiness Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja in the Annapurna Mandiram, opposite the Datta Temple and Trinity Hall.

30th July 2008, Morning, Datta Temple and Hall of Trinity, Baton Rouge.

After the Sri Chakra Puja, Smt. Hira Duvvuri and Sri. Suri Duvvuri offered garland to Sri Swamiji on behalf of all the devotees, commemorating the 11th Anniversary of the Datta Temple and Hall of Trinity. His Holiness blessed the devotees with the following message.

We were talking yesterday about the inner meaning of Puja. We saw the butter decoration for Lord Datta yesterday. Many people do not understand the inner meaning of such decoration, and offering ablutions with Panchamruta (cow’s milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar). Each of these has a sacred meaning and is performed while chanting the Veda mantras, which are code letters of conversation between the God and the Devotee. There are four Vedic chants – Rug, Yajur, Saama and Atharvana. Each conveys different meaning. Water ablutions gives knowledge because of the code words recited. Milk ablution reveals the truth. It heals skin disorders. Curd ablution enables our forefathers to attain Heaven. Such is the meaning of the code letters that are chanted during the Abhishekam. It helps to alleviate stomach ailments and kidney disease. Ghee ablution is useful for control of Kaama (desires), Karma (fruits of any action) and Krodha (anger). Ghee ablution to Lord bestows intellectual power and knowledge. Honey helps to understand the relationship of body, mind and soul. It promotes good physical and friendly relationship, also strengthens the mind. Sugar ablution with proper Vedic chants builds the relationship between Sadguru and devotee. These five types of ablution give good energy. Abhishekam is like a big celebration in many Hindu temples.
 

Sri Swamiji recollected and narrated some interesting anecdotes from His first visit to the US in 1976. When Sri Swamiji first visited the US with a team of 11 people including Rajaram Naidu, Arokya Swamy, Radhakrishna (Manasa Datta) and others, Swami Atmananda and His 40 followers were to receive Sri Swamiji at the airport, but due to some confusion they did not reach the airport. Mr. John (Ramana) had come to meet Sri Swamiji. All of them helplessly waited with all their luggage and instruments on the streets not knowing what to do. Mr. Rajaram, their sponsor had lost his money and there was nothing to eat, drink or bath. Just then, Ramana came in to Swamiji and said, I shall take you to one of my friends Mr. Michael who will provide residence for you for the night. We will find a better place tomorrow. On the request of Ramana, Mr. Michael offered a small room to Swamiji and his Parivara, gave a few bananas and some water to drink. Everybody was hungry. There was no current, no water to bath and no money to eat. Arokya Swamy the Harmonist started crying, “What is this arrangement Swamiji. You are taken care of like a prince in Mysore. I am feeling very bad for the arrangements made for you here.” Swamiji laughed and said, “This is also good karma only. Don’t worry. Wait and watch.” It was already late night. What to do? Suddenly, Swamiji and all others started singing Bhajans along with the instruments. Mr. Michael came rushing inside and initially rebuked every one for the disturbance they were causing but he was very appreciative of Swamiji’s enchanting voice. He owned a Studio and expressed his desire to record Swamiji’s voice and Bhajans, the next day. It was already 3 am. The recording was supposed to take place at 5 am. So, everyone got ready and rushed to the studio. In a hurry they forgot to take the Tabla and Harmonium. They returned back, brought the instruments and gave the recording. As soon as Swamiji completed his recording of “Divya Nama Sankirtana”, He received a grand ten thousand USD. The next day morning, Swami Atmananda also came along with His disciples and apologized for the confusion that they had gone to some other airport. A Rolls Royce car was brought to take Swamiji. Swamiji’s mellifluous voice had by then already shown the miracle. Everyone was happy.

During the Bhajans in the evening, Swamiji started with “Om Om Om Gam Gam Gam” song, a composition on Lord Ganapati. He mentioned that this wonderful Bhajan was full of seed letters. Later, Sri Swamiji continued with a composition on mother goddess – “Devi Vande Sri Lalite.” Swamiji said that Sri Chakra worship is a worship of Universal energy. There is a great philosophical meaning embedded in this eight line Bhajan. Many people seek Mantra initiation from Swamiji. These Bhajans are itself initiations. No separate initiation is required. These are like Sri Vidya Upadesha. Each Bhajan has a strong energy. Sri Swamiji then sang the Hindi Bhajan “Datta tuhi vidhi tu hi vidhaan” and said that this is a Bhajan implying self surrender of the devotee considering Datta as the highest principle. The popular Hanuman Bhajan, “Hey Hanuman”, followed this. The function came to an end with the devotees collectively singing the Kakada Arati of all the seven days, while Arati (ghee lights) was being performed to Lord Datta. Sri Swamiji instructed the devotees and members to make some special arrangement for the parking place and not to cause any inconvenience to the neighbors.