November 21, 2013
Summary of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji's visit to Panvel Ashram, November 21, 2013 - between Mumbai and Pune
Poojya Sri Bala Swamiji said He felt very good seeing all the devotees in this Month of Kartika. HH Sri Bala Swamiji said Panvel Ashram is very beautiful. All must go there for the Sunday Satsang. If not once a week, atleast we should go there once a month. Take part in the Annadaan there, This Datta Ashram is very dear to Sri Swamiji. All the devotees are family members hence Sri Bala Swamiji called us to the Guru Nilayam.
Sri Bala Swamiji did Kartika Poornima at the beautiful Cochin Ashram and then had to pass through Mumbai Airport to catch the connecting flight to Bhuj, Gujarat. At Mumbai Airport Bala Swamiji saw a Bomb Squad searching for a bomb. There was very high tension there as they found a bomb and diffused it. No life was taken and no one was put in danger. Perhaps, the divine presence of Pujya Bala Swamiji at Mumbai Airport prevented a great danger and that everyone are safe due to His presence.
Sri Bala Swamiji visited Bhuj and Kala Dongar nearby. Here there is a beautiful Datta Mandir. Sri Bala Swamiji narrated this story - In Treta yuga, after completing 300 years of penance Datta Bhagavan was passing through this totally arid desert region near Bhuj. Suddenly, Lord Datta hears someone crying. Lord searched and found a fox crying in hunger, for food. The Lord gave the fox HIS bhiksha but the fox did not touch it, it wanted flesh. So, the Lord offered His own limbs to the fox saying, "take my limbs, eat them, be happy". Seeing this great sacrifice of the Lord, the fox now genuinely cried! Hence this place is so great. At this place total transformation of the mind and nature of the fox took place. Such a change and transformation of the mind can only be brought about by the Grace of Sadguru.
Sri Bala Swamiji then proceeded to Dwarka. He had beautiful Darshan of Dwarkadheesh, Thakur Ji (as Lord Krishna is known here). Sri Swamiji said that Ayodhya, Avantika, Mathura, Kashi etc are all Doorways to Liberation. A priest at Dwarka narrated to Bala Swamiji how they felt the presence of Lord Krishna in Dwarka. It rains once in few years in this region, once in 5 years. There is no vegetation, nor fruits, nor drinking water. The conditions are very severe and very difficult, yet people stay here. What greater miracle than this to show Lord Krishna's presence here?
In 2001 an earthquake devastated this region of Bhuj. As the earth quake was going on, the priests were at that point of time, sat inside the Dwarkadhesh Temple and prayed with full faith and devotion to the Lord. There was total destruction to people and property all around, but not a single brick in the Temple had fallen! The Temple remained as it is, totally intact. This is another experience of the priests which indicates that Lord Krishna is Present in Dwarka.
Sri Bala Swamiji re-iterated, He was very pleased that annadaanam was conducted every Sunday at the Sahyadri Datta Ashram, Panvel. He urged everyone to do Seva, social service. In this cold weather we can give clothes, blankets to the poor and needy people. Seeing the Ananda on their faces will give us Ananda . . . and THIS Ananda is true Sat Chit Ananda.
Jai Guru Datta
Compiled by Shehnaz Thanawala