Sri Swamiji in Andhra Pradesh, Report, 6-13 Feb 2009
Pujya Sri Swamiji in Andhra Pradesh - February 2009 - Report
REPORT
Trip to Kama Reddy
Sri Swamiji started the second leg of the Andhra Tour with Hyderabad on 5th February 2009.
6th February 2009
First of the programs was the inauguration of Silver Jubilee Programs of Friends Bonsai Society at Kamma Sangham Building, Hyderabad. Mr. Peter Chang, London, RP Sisodia – Horticulture Commissioner (Government of India) and other office bearers participated in the program. Speaking on the occasion, Sri Swamiji made an emphatic speech, which was well received.
Important points:
Bonsai is not alien to our culture. The word Bon – signifies comfort and the term Sai – symbolises effort and movement.
It reminds us of our duty to be friendly to the nature.
We have come across differing views about Bonsai, maligning it as a restrictive practice, which curtails the growth of the plant. But, at the same time, the same set of critics is oblivious to the drastic reduction of forest cover.
Hence, it is my hobby and passion to resurrect plants, which are in dying stage due to malnourishment/ uprooting/ chopping; in Bonsai form.
We have to do away with euphemism and nurture the bondage and affection towards plants. Raise at least a plant in your home, in pots, if you do not have back yard.
Make your children feel that the plant is an inseparable part of your extended family. In a society depending on apartment complex for its habitation, Bonsai is the minimal solution.
Induru - Nizamabad
In the evening, Sri Swamiji reached Induru (Nizamabad) city. Evening Sri Chakra Puja was performed at H Gangaram’s new building complex.
7th Feb 2009
Sri Swamiji visited the site for Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashrama at Gangasthan -2, at Gupanpally village on the outskirts of Induru (Nizamabad) town. Designs were finalised for the construction of a community hall and a Temple Complex, comprising of Sri Venkateswara, Padmavati, Dattatreya, Ganapati and Hanuman temples. A water tank with a capacity of 60 KL to cater to the needs of the locality (built by the Government of Andhra Pradesh) with the efforts of Sri Dharmapuri Srinivas, a prominent politician was also inaugurated.
Kama Reddy
Sri Kodanda Raama Pratishtha and Inauguration of Sabari Amma Vodi Old Age Home
Sri Swamiji arrived in Kamareddy town, a town in the hinterland near Hyderabad. This Ashrama, started with the efforts of Late Sri Syama Sundar and developed by a team of doctors, led by Dr. B Iswar Das. Sri Swamiji consecrated Ganapati, Gouri and Daam Datta Natha Dattatreya Temples (7th of the series of Navanatha Kshetras) in the year 2000. This is one of most admired Ashramas, known for its simplicity and quite management as well as cohesion.
Two years ago, it was decided to build a Rama Temple and an old age home. Sri Swamiji contributed Rs. Three Lakhs towards the Old Age Home, named Sabari Amma Vodi and asked the family of Dr. Chandra Sekhar and Bharati to construct the Rama Temple and its prayer hall. As the edifice was ready for its inauguration, Sri Swamiji made this visit.
Trustees and devotees welcomed His Holiness with reverence in the noon.
In the evening, a booklet of Bhajans composed by Sri Vijay Kumar was released after Sri Chakra Puja. Sri Mani of Datta Peetham rendered few composition with able support of Sri G Satish Kumar (Violinist).
8th Feb 2009
After Morning Puja and Pratishtha Rituals, Sabari Amma Vodi old age home building was inaugurated by Sri Swamiji in the presence of Sri Mohammed Shabbi Ali, Electricity Minister (Government of Andhra Pradesh), who had actively supported its construction.
The story of Lord Hayagreeva, the horse headed incarnation of Lord Vishnu was narrated by Sri Swamiji for two days on Sunday and Monday. Text of the Songs and story would be separately published.
9th February 2009
On the occasion of Maagha Poornima Mahaa Maaghi, an auspicious day, Yantra Pratishtha for Sri Rama Temple was performed at 9.02 AM. Speaking on this occasion, Sri Kuppa Krishna Murty explained that this is the first time Sri Swamiji is consecrating an independent Temple built for Sri Rama in any of the branches of Datta Peetham and drew the attention to the infant brother of Sri Swamiji, called Kodanda Raama who died in his infancy chanting Raama Naama (name of Lord Raama). (Devotees, who read the biography, may recall that the demise of this infant ushered the torrent of philosophical thoughts in Sri Swamiji)
Later, Sri Swamiji has announced that Sri Rama in this temple would be called Sri Kodanda Raama. (Kodanda connotes the mighty bow). Philosophically, bow stands for Pranava – Om. Raama is Aatmaaraama, the omni present divinity, present in each being. This explains the inseparable connection between the Jeevaatma and the Pranava Upanasa (present in the overlooked breathing process in creatures).
All the donors, team of Pundits led by Sri Gattu Narahari Avadhani and Sri TVS Raghavendra Avadhani were honoured on this occasion. Later Kumbhabhishekam was performed for Sri Rama Temple. During the program – the chant Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama reverberated. In the evening, discourse on Hayagreeva continued, in which Sri Swamiji narrated story and its correlation with Yagna, Vishnu and philosophy. This was followed by Bhajans on Sri Rama in Hindi and Telugu.
10th February 2009
Starting early in the morning, Sri Swamiji reached Vijayawada by road. Enroute, devotees in Siddhipeta were blessed.
In the outskirts of Vijayawada, devotees welcomed Sri Swamiji upon the successful completion of His 100th Foreign Trip.
Annual Music festival was conducted by Saama Gaana Lahari Trust, run by Sri Malladi Suri Babu and his sons (Malladi Sri Rama Prasad and Ravi – more famous as Malladi Brothers); in association with Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Ashrama. It is decided to annually conduct the festival as part of the Anniversary Celebrations of Sri Maraka Rajarajeswari Temple at Vijayawada Ashrama.
This year’s edition started on 6th February and the Music finale was slated for the evening program, which included the vocal recital by Malladi Trio (Comprising Father and sons). Sri Swamiji gave the musicians a fresh composition in Hindi in praise of Rama, and ask them to set tune and sing the Bhajan. It was excellently rendered by them in Tilang Raaga.
His Holiness blessed the program and directed the members and devotees to institute a corpus fund for the Annual Music Festival. City Police Commissioner, Sri Rajendranatha Reddy, honoured the artists. Earlier, Kuchipudi Dance Recital was rendered by Kumari Challa. Commissioner of Income Tax Sri Pramanik honoured the danseuse.
Gangadhareshwara Shiva Linga Pratishtha in Vijayawada Ashrama
11th February 2009
Pujya Swamiji had decided last year that a Shiva Temple be built with stone, adjacent to Sri Marakata Rajarajeswari Temple. Smt. Nirmala Chowdary had sought the permission to sponsor the Stone Temple, in memory of her husband Sri T Chowdara Rao. (Sri Tummala Chowdara Rao, was a noted Physics teacher and a long time devotee and Trustee of Vijayawada Ashrama. He was an active proponent of Vedic Rituals and lead organiser in many activities of Vijayawada Ashrama. He wished to build the Shiva Temple in the premises of Ashrama, before he reached his heavenly abode, few years ago.)
The construction was assigned to well-known sculptors from Allagadda Sri Durugadda Rama Krishnamacharya and his sons. As per the unique design, the Temple is built in the shape of a Shiva Lingam, in which a special crystal Shivalingam was to be consecrated. Further to the delight of the devotees, a system of Abhishekam was arranged, where by devotees can pour water (into a container, connected to a steel channel leading to the Dhaara Patra) on top of Shiva Lingam.
Pratishtha Rituals, were conducted from 9th February 2009, in Yagasala by the team of scholars from Datta Peetham led by Sri Vedantam Lakshmi Sri Krishna Chandra Sekhara Sarma and Vishnubhatla Venkata Narayana Avadhani.
In the evening discourse, Sri Swamiji spoke about the philosophy of Shiva.
Sadyo Jaata, Vaama Deva, Aghora, Tat Purusha and Eesana are the five names, describing the five facets of Lord Shiva.
These were the five forms of Shiva, that gave Lord Brahma the capacity to create the Universe.
Linga Puraana enlists the merits associated with the consecration of Shiva Lingam.
Pancha Brahmaanana Vibhraajin, Bhajan gives the insight of the five facades of Lord Shiva.
12 Feb 2009, Magha Krishna Chaturthi - Thursday
Early in the morning Rudra Homa was conducted in Yagashala, followed by Ratna Nyasa, Dhanu Nyasa and Beeja Nyasa rituals. Sri Swamiji arrived at 8.40 AM to consecrate the Sphatika Shiva Lingam (Crystal Shiva Lingam), Nandeeswara and 12 Smaller Lingas to symbolise 12 Jyotir Lingas (12 Famous Shiva Temples in India).
After Sri Chakra Puja, Maha Linga Abhishekam was conducted along with Brahma Kalasa Abhishekam. Thousands of devotees had the privilege of offering the sacred Abhishekam on the first day. The Sphatika Lingam has some much inherent energy in it. The special composition of the natural formation of the Lingam, gave different visions to many devotees. In the evening, when two lamps were placed on either side of the temple, hundreds of variable visions, which include the shape of cloud, bull, star, lingam, human face, mountain in the shape of Kailasha etc. were visible. (In fact, Sri Swamiji stated on the next day, that the energy was too awesome for him to leave the place. He had the vision of the ecstatic Shiva, inviting the devotees with an embrace of affection.)
In his Kumbhabhishekam speech atop the Temple, He called this Shiva – Gangadhareswara and further explained that offering pure water would calm any person in abject distress as well as remove agony and affliction in the mind.
He blessed Smt. Nirmala Chowdary and her relatives and other donors of the Temple.
Evening Discourse
Before the commencement of the evening program, Sri Swamiji arranged a brief presentation about Road Sense and Responsible On – Road Behaviour. The program was conducted by Vijayawada Police Department. Sri Swamiji wanted all the Datta Devotees to adhere to common civil code and responsibilities, so that His responsibility and spiritual prowess is reserved to mitigate unforeseen difficulties, rather than utilise the grace to undo the silly mistakes. It was cryptically announced that the Shiva Mantra Chant is necessary as Mrutyunjaya Japa; where as Responsible On – Road behaviour is equally required for Apa Mrutyu Jaya (Conquer the Untimely Death).
Later commencing the discourse on Shiva, Sri Swamiji beautifully explained a story involving Trinity.
Lord Brahma was briefly exuberant and arrogant about his new found powers. He disregarded every one including Vishnu. To put things in right perspective, Lord Shiva enacted a special sequence, where in he appeared as a monolith Maha Linga (Jyotir Linga). Vishnu taunted Brahma to find the edge of Shiva Linga. In spite of his inability to locate the top, Brahma lied and got a flower (Ketaki Pushpam) and a cow for false testimony.
At this instance of immoral conduct, Shiva appeared in an angry mood and amputated the 5th Head of Brahma and banished the Ketaki Flower for worship. Cow also had to face the wrath, but later excused to some extent, as it wagged its tail to expose the lie of Brahma. Later, Shiva pardoned Brahma and appeared in one form (in Vishnu), to symbolise the oneness of divinity. Brahma praised –
(Bhajan) Harim Shambu Roopam, Haram Vishnu Roopam – Namaami Namaami ……..
Thus, the delightful musical discourse session, which was further enlivened by the musical chorus by Malladi Brothers, concluded. Sri Vasudeva Deekshitulu, noted journalist spoke about the discourse of Sri Swamiji and significance of the occasion.
13th February 2009, Friday – Lalita Peetham Inauguration
Sri Swamiji reached the outskirts of Guntur, at Chowdavaram village. At this place, Sri Mellacheruvu Subrahmanya Sarma (Known as Sarmaji) hasd constructed one Ashrama and Temple dedicated to Lalita Devi. The Temple, Guru Nilayam, Annapoorna Mandiram and utility structured were built by Sri Sarma, who hailed from a humble family.
It was the blessings of Sri Swamiji, which alone caused the establishment of this impressive institution. Many of the local devotees had actively supported this project, which was executed under the guidance of Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji arrived at 9.50 AM to perform Yantra Pratishtha of Goddess Lalita Devi. Later the new Guru Nilayam named Sachchidananda Nilayam was inaugurated with Pada Puja to His Holiness. After Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Sarma explained his humble beginnings, dire straights of poverty, association with Sri Swamiji and expressed his resolve to dedicate the institution to the mission of Sri Swamiji.
After unveiling the inauguration plaque and Bhajan Book in praise of Goddess, Sri Swamiji narrated a few interesting facts that happened in recent weeks.
During Datta Jayanti, Japam of Datta Raksha Mantra – Om Aim Hreem Sreem Shiva Rama Anagha Dattaaya Namaha; was launched.
DVD explaining the Mantra was released on the first day of this year.
In Machilipatnam, 3 Day discourse about Datta Raksha Mantra was conducted.
In one week, Sri Swamiji consecrates all the deities listed in the Mantra.
Om – Aim – Hreem – Sreem (Ganapati, Saraswati, Lakshmi and Lalita Devi at Lalita Peetham, Gunturu); It was His long cherished vision of consecrating a full fledged Murty in the form of Lalita, which bore fruit on this day.
Shiva – (Gangadhareswara Shiva Lingam in Vijayawada Ashrama)
Raama – (Kodanda Raama Temple – Kamareddy)
Anagha Dattaaya (Anagha and Dattatreya Idols were to be re-consecrated in Gunturu Ashrama on the day next).
After Kumbhabhishekam, Sri Swamiji alighted in a hydraulic lift to the delight of thousands of devotees and performed Brahma Kalasa Samprokshanam to the Mother Goddess Lalita Devi and stone Sri Chakra.
Evening discourse was about the incarnation of Sri Lalita Devi and first few stanzas of Lalita Sahasra Naama; which is the description of the marvel and beauty of the mother and her valour.
Jaya Guru Datta
Report by Vamshi Krishna Ghanapathi
*********