AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Devotees assembled at the residence of Smt. Kusum and Sri. Ashok Patel to offer prayers to Swami Narahari Teertha, Pujya Sri Swamiji’s father. In the holy presence of Pujya Sri Swamiji, Sri Srinivas Shastry, priest from Datta temple, Baton Rouge performed Abhishekam to Lord Shiva followed by Puja to Sri Narahari Teertha’s photograph. Devotees chanted the 108 names of Lord Shiva and Narahari Teertha followed by chorus singing of Pujya Sri Swamiji’s composition “Sundara Sundara Shiva Shiva” in Raga Abhogi. G. Sumitra, great granddaughter of Sri Narahari Teertha rendered Sangeeta Seva and sang ‘Sabhapate” a kruti in Raga Abhogi. Swamini Kali Ray was also present for the Puja.

 

His Holiness Sri Swamiji shared with the devotees a few of His reminiscences with Swami Narahari Teertha, father of Pujya Swamiji. In His childhood, Swami Narahari Teertha, then Narasimha Shastry was very closely associated with Ramana Maharshi and Swami Abhedananda, whose association influenced him a lot. The friendship was so strong that He would eat in the same plate as Swami Abhedananda. Narasimha Shastry was a great priest and was the only priest for nearly 20 to 30 villages in and around Bommeparti (present day Jaya Lakshmipuram). He was very famous for his valuable advice. People always sought his blessings for marriage, house warming ceremony, special Pujas and festivities and other auspicious functions. People were very fond of him. He was always having an attitude of giving to the people. His life was always like that of a child. He never liked to keep himself attached to or bound to anything or anyone. He truly believed and practiced Vairagya (Detachment). There was nobody like him in the entire village. People of that part of the country are generally very rugged and harsh, and non-yielding; however they would listen to his advice with rapt attention and follow His advice sincerely. He would keep them under total control. He would teach them the philosophy of Hindu religion and was successful in helping them to understand the greatness of Hinduism and prevent conversion to other religions.

 

He was always Swamiji’s friend and Guru. He taught Swamiji may things in life. He predicted many things in Swamiji’s life. He also told that something unusual would happen during the sacred Upanayan (thread ceremony) to Swamiji. Many years later, during the thread ceremony, Swamiji had the divine Darshan of Lord Ganapati in the huge fire of Homa and the divine Mudgala Purana chants were being continuously heard within (elaborately described in the biography of Sri Swamiji). That was the time when Swamiji was a priest boy in the Chamundi temple. Swamiji was staying with Seshagiri Shastry, the priest of Chamundi temple. The king of Mysore, Jaya Chamaraja Wodiyar would come to the temple often. He would not leave until he took the sacred ablutions from Swamiji only. He would wait till boy Swamiji came and give the sacred ablutions. Many years later, the king wrote a book on Lord Dattatreya also. He had seen Dattatreya in Swamiji.

 

One day, while Swamiji and his father were discussing Vedanta, Swamiji’s father told that he wanted to take Sanyasa Deeksha (oath of renunciation), not from Swamiji, but from a blind Sanyasi, who was always involved in penance, and would not touch anyone. So Swamiji searched for such a Sanyasi and finally Narasimha Shastry became Swami Narahari Teertha. He actually led a life of renunciation and detachment all through. He is one with Shiva now. I offer my respects to Him. During His last days, He wished to stay in a separate room with His daughter Varalakshmi. He always wanted to see Swamiji with a Crown on a Silver throne. He would say, “You are Vishnu, not an ordinary person. You don’t know.”

 

One day, He called Swamiji and said, “Cancel all your programs and stay back for 40 days.” He would sit in meditation for hours. While in meditation, chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ He left the mortal body. There was no ailment, no doctors and no medicines. Till the end, He would do his routines on His own. He cherished the Rava Laddoo (a kind of sweet) very much. I miss him very much, but I know He is in my heart. He was a very nice person. He liked very much his grandson, Srinivas Shastry, the priest who came to perform the Abhishekam and Puja today. Kusum Patel’s family is having some connection with Narahari Teertha. That is why this event today here. Please pray for your desires and offer your respects.

 

Lankas sisters from New Jersey cooked the Prasadam for the Naivedyam. Young boys and girls, grand children in Kusum’s family played a few Bhajans on the sitar, flute and Tabla.

 

HIS HOLINESS SRI GANAPATI SACHCHIDANANADA SWAMIJI’S
INSTRUCTION TO ALL DEVOTEES REGARDING PHOTO SESSIONS WITH PUJYA SRI SWAMIJI

 

Following Narahari Teertha Aradhana Celebration, His Holiness announced that:

It is a sin to demand for a photo with Guru, except in the following special situations.

a. While performing Pada Puja.
b. While offering a garland, Vastram, Purna Kumbham or Arati.
c. When asked by Swamiji himself.
d. A group containing members with more than three Gotras (family names) with permission.

 

The photo should convey the message that the devotees are taking a picture with a divine incarnation. Demanding a photo with Swamiji, like posing with a family friend, invites great demerit to the devotee because the divinity aspect of Guru is being undermined. Furthermore, when people look at the picture of Pujya Swamiji, they draw energy from Him. He being a divine incarnate, can readily replenish His energies drawn by others. When people look at a picture of Swamiji with you, they will not only draw energy from Swamiji but also deplete your energies. Since we are lesser mortals, we cannot easily replenish this loss of positive energy. An informed video session with permission is however permitted.

 

Devotees are requested to take note of these instructions seriously and put them into practice.

 

 

The program started with Sri Chakra Puja by His Holiness Sri Swamiji. Sri Raman from Chicago welcomed Pujya Swamiji and briefed the audience about the various activities taking place at the Avadhoota Datta Peetham established by Sri Swamiji and how meticulous Swamiji was in conducting these activities. He also emotionally narrated a few of his miracle experiences with Sri Swamiji that included the incident about how Sri Swamiji had cured the brain tumour of Gauri, Raman’s brother-in-law. Amy and Monika sisters presented a specially decorated crown to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji later blessed the pure coral rosaries presented by Smt. Smita. Sri Swamiji mentioned that using these coral rosaries during meditation is very helpful. Swamini Kaliji presented the ‘YOGATUNES’ T-Shirt for release to Pujya Swamiji. Later, Sri Prakasa Rao, President Datta Yoga Center, USA, gave brief information about the upcoming Hanuman temple at Dallas inviting sponsorships. Pujya Sri Swamiji gave Prasadam to the Pradhana Sri Chakra Puja Seva Kartas. This was followed by an exciting and scintillating Bhajan session.