Pujya Sri Swamiji in Datta Retreat Center
Pujya Swamiji in JDRC ~ 7th-11thJuly, 2019
Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived to DRC in West Sunbury, Pennsylvania, from Washington D.C. after sunset on July 7th for a planned quiet rest period of three days amidst the hectic tour. With Pujya Swamiji’s grace and compassion, fortunate devotees were still abundantly blessed with Sri Swamiji’s darshan and discourse everyday.
July 8th at around 10 a.m., Pujya Swamiji visited the Universal Sanctuary with the Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva healing rocks and spent time with devotees. The resident white peacock of the ashrama, Neela, roamed about nearby, amidst the, chirping birds, and lush greenery, turning the scene into one of the imagery used to describe rishis’ hermitages in ancient times.
In the evening on July 8th, Pujya Swamiji blessed devotees with an energizing bhajan session over 90 minutes long filled with many bhajans on Lord Shiva, on account of it being Monday, and for being in the presence of the Crystal Shivalingam in Unity Hall. Sri Ramana Laird requested the gathering to observe a moment of silence for Swami Manasa Datta, Nancy “Kalyani” Murray, Dr. Joseph “Chandra” Panebianco, and Carol “Girija” Capy, all of whom were devotees who had served DRC ashrama during its inception and infanthood and had recently passed.
In the evening on July 9th, Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja. Sangeeta seva was performed by Chi. Aravind of New Jersey, accompanied by Chi. Namana Datta on mridangam. Drs. Lakshmi and Veeraiah Perni offered garland to Pujya Swamiji. Sri Panduranga Rao of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple, Pittsburgh, offered vastram. Drs. Indubala and Ramana Murthy offered vastram and garland to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji blessed all annadana and puja sponsors with a darshan line to receive prasadam before the bhajan session began. At this time, JDRC caretaker Eswari Chaitanya of JDRC offered Guru Dakshina and dakshina received from ongoing kriya yoga classes at the center. For a second day in a row, Sri Swamiji blessed devotees with a marvelous bhajan session.
As the ultimate token of Sri Swamiji’s remembrance and care for them, Sri Swamiji visited the house of Smt. Gowramma and Sri Channarasappa in Pittsburgh, more than an hour’s drive from the center, in the afternoon on July 10th. They had served Sri Swamiji by offering their home for Sri Swamiji’s three week stay in 1980 and again in 1986. They had also supported JDRC in its formative days.
Upon return from Pittsburgh, Pujya Swamiji proceeded to the Unity Hall where a number of devotees had been eagerly awaiting darshan. His Holiness instructed everyone to close his or her eyes in meditation for some time. Sri Swamiji’s presence, the powerful energy of the crystal Shiva Lingam, the silence pervading the hall, and the tranquil environs ensured devotees concentrated and peaceful meditation.
At 9 a.m. on July 11th, Sri Swamiji cut the halwa “cake” and blessed all with darshan. By 10 a.m., Pujya Swamiji proceeded to Pittsburgh-Butler Regional Airport to continue on to the next leg of the tour: Atlanta.
Annadanam was performed to all visitors on all days of Sri Swamiji's visit.
