AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Day 1 – July 13, 2014

Jaya Guru Datta

I had the wish to record as an audio book the entire Life History of Swamiji, but the timing did not work out for me to be able to spend so much time in the studio during my Chaturmasya Deeksha that year. The same year Sri Krovi Parthasarathy from Vijayawada completed such a recording. I am very happy.

Life History episodes in English (YouTube and vimeo.com) using different voices, and the entire Life History Audio Book in Telugu with voices to match the age and gender of the characters was prepared by our Hira Duvvuri (Nada Katha Sudha). Many have listened to it. Those who have not, please listen to it. It is very nice.

Many of us have heard the story here and there, or in its entirety. But speaking of the biography as a saptaham (7 day event) is something very special. Therefore during this 11tth Chaturmasya austerity time, we are embarking on this.

There is nothing greater than the story of Guru. It is imperative that we all fully understand Guru’s miracles, glories, compassion, kindness, yoga, power, and knowledge. It is our responsibility. All Sastras ordain it. Those who do not do this are not true devotees. A true disciple earns a place in Guru’s heart. That is the mark of a genuine devotee. Let us make an attempt to learn about Guru.

We are in Mysore. Hence, I have the responsibility of speaking in Kannada. I will also explain in Telugu. It is good if Telugu people learn Kannada and the Kannada people learn Telugu. Kannada is Swamiji’s mother tongue. It is important to learn it.

Our life, our breath is our Sadguru’s Life History. It is the story of our soul. How to begin the story? His birth is the beginning. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata is his mother.

Swamiji’s biography appears as if it has been composed by a poet, namely, Sri Kuppa Krishnamurthy, who was honored yesterday with the title, Sri Sachchidananda Prasasti. But it is an autobiography. It is fully the narration given by Swamiji himself. It began as a narration given to Srikanthayya. Many persons in the audience have seen Srikanthayya.

The biography begins with the story of the lineage of both the Gandluru family (father’s side) and Lingannayya’s family (mother’s side). Sri Krishnamurthy, although he collected information from many sources through personal interviews, verified and authenticated everything with Swamiji before inclusion in the book. Therefore, it is truly a story that is autobiographical.

We will begin with the story of Mother Jayalakshmi. Since she herself had announced that Ganapathy was going to be born to her and since she was most fond of Ganapathy, we will begin with a prayer to Lord Ganapathy.
Swamiji’s birth is a result of the confluence of two rivers. Krishna river in Andhra and Kaveri from Karnataka – when the two merge, it becomes the holy Ganga itself.

Chikkamma (Srimati Parvatamma, aunt of Swamiji) is here now listening to this Saptaha. I am very happy. She is a direct witness of Swamiji’s Life History. Mother (Srimati Saraswati, Swamiji’s younger sister) is here. Sri Subramaniam (Srimati Saraswati’s husband, Sri Bala Swamiji’s father), who has seen Swamiji since his childhood is also here. Many intimate devotees of Swamiji, who have enjoyed the divine nectar called Swamiji, are present here. Not everyone regards Guru in the same way. Many descriptions are given. We accept those but we develop our own experiences. We are now sharing our common experience of Sadguru. Guru has the capacity of appearing to each devotee and disciple, the way each devotee and disciple visualizes him. That is the attribute of the Paramatman.

Many senior devotees are here, like Satyanarayana, Murthy, Kailas Talwar, T.R. Krishnappa and devotees from Hyderabad and Vijayawada, Venkataram from Kesare days, and many devotees are watching on Yogasangeeta. I pray for Swamiji’s blessings upon everyone.

The moment we have darshan of Sadguru, our history begins. Even those who have led unworthy lives before, become worthy after meeting Sadguru. They become transformed.

In this vast Universe, as we gradually zoom in, we arrive at the Gandluru family. Swamiji began his story there, narrating it to Srikanthayya.

Gandluru family is a great family. All families are great. How each one of us builds up the reputation of our family determines its importance. Gandluru family began with Sage Bharadwaja. We must never forget our Gotram, our lineage, our elders, and our Guru. That will be a great sin.

Here, he, who is granting eternal glory to the family lineage, Swamiji, is speaking about it. That is its specialty. Sri Nanjundayya (Swamiji’s step brother) who belongs to that family did service at the ashrama.

Many new devotees claim Swamiji to be an Andhra. But I declare that Swamiji belongs to Karnataka. His mother tongue is Kannada. He is like Ardhanaareeswara, or Siva/Sakti Sangama – a blend of Siva and Sakti in equal measure. When Yamuna and Ganga rivers meet, only the name of Ganga continues thereafter. But here, Krishna and Kaveri have merged to create a new river called Ganga.

Sadguru’s Life History flows like the river Ganga.
Sri Swamiji’s Life History is as sacred as the river Ganga.

Gandluru is the name of the family (father’s side). Normally Ooru in Telugu refers to a town. But ‘Uru’ as in Urukrama is a reference to Vishnu, who is all-pervading. Uru perhaps later became Ooru for easier pronunciation. Uru belongs to God. Let us not become arrogant that the town belongs to us. It belongs to God.

Ganda is Gandasthalam/neck or voicebox. Ganda reminds us of Ganapati. When Ganapathy himself incarnates in the family of Ganda/Ganapathy or great voice, how to extol the voice of such a one? That is why Swamiji’s voice attracts everyone. Ganapathy with the elephant’s head secretes the intoxicating juice from his Gandasthala. Amrita/divine elixir flows from the Gandasthala of Ganesha.

We are led by our minds. When we see some horrific scene, the picture makes an impression on the mind, like a layer. It never leaves. We keep recollecting it and suffering the scene repeatedly. The incarnation of Lord Narasimha is very significant. To punish the wicked and to protect the virtuous, God took that frightful form of Man-Lion. But his favorite descriptive name is Prahlada-varada/one who gave a boon to Prahlada. No matter how many other names he might have, when He is addressed by that name, He is most pleased. That protective element in his incarnation overshadows the dreadful feature.

Similarly, the intoxicated elephant head of Ganesha secretes the amrita to help us. It flows down from the Sahasrara Chakra. Ganesha is within us. He is our Kundalini Shakti. The family that was engrossed in the deep meditation of such a deity is the Gandluru family. Swamiji was born into this great family. This is the subtle history of the lineage of Swamiji (on the father’s side).

Swamiji himself has given this history to Srikanthayya.

A condensed life history of Sri Swamiji was composed in 108 shlokas and it begins with the word ‘Tapasvi’ just as the famous Ramayana begins with the word ‘Tapasvadhyaya niratam’.

Sage Bharadwaja is the root for this family. Gandluru family members belong to this gotra – Bharadwaja gotra.
The names of sages, trees, towns, hills, and so on are given as gotras for different families. They have to be remembered.

Narasimha Sastry (Sri Swamiji’s father) was born in the family of Gandluru. There are great spiritual seekers, enlightened souls, ascetics, yogis, scientists, musicians, and religious story-tellers in that family. Children should remember the lineage of their families and especially of the lineage of Guru.

The history should go back at least four generations. It is important to remember the names of the ancestors so that prayers can be offered in their names when one visits pilgrimage centers.

Swamiji explained to Srikanthayya how this family developed and preserved its religious and spiritual practices in secret when required, due to the Muslim invasion and the restrictions imposed thereby. They never gave up their beliefs or austerities. When it became impossible to offer worship openly, they resorted to mental worship.

In many families we hear the complaint that the spouse or the in-laws do not encourage religious worship. What is stopping anyone from doing it privately, internally? This technique is given to us in this narration.

The reward for such perseverance is the preservation of this revered family. One of Swamiji’s ancestors Jalappa Sastry was an Ashtavadhani/one who has the expertise to conduct 8 different activities simultaneously. Our Swamiji does countless activities simultaneously. There were ancestors in this family who worshiped Lord Narasimha, the Sun God Surya, Lord Subrahmanya, and Lord Ganapati, among others.

Seshappa, Swamiji’s paternal uncle (father’s eldest brother) was a devout and impressive singer of the sacred stories of God.

We are now discussing the story of Guru. During Guru Purnima we worship Lord Krishna because He is Jagadguru/Universal Master.

On stage while narrating the glories of Lord Narasimha, Seshappa used to practically turn into Lord Narasimha, it is said. Such was his involvement in the story. Subrahmanya Bhagavatar, his younger brother was a great devotee.

Venkamma, their sister (Swamiji’s aunt), played an important role in Swamiji’s life. Narasimha Sastry is Swamiji’s father, the youngest among the brothers. We must remember all these names.

I have seen Sri Narasimha Sastry. Many senior devotees of Swamiji would have seen him. He was quick tempered but his anger was short-lived. He would scold someone severely and a few minutes later laughingly would ask us on the side, “Did I not admonish him squarely?” He was very elusive. He engaged in penance with the utmost seriousness.

His obsession for doing japa is noteworthy. Swamiji describes how his life took different turns and how it ultimately led to be the doorway for Swamiji’s entry into this world. There are many extraordinary events in Narasimha Sastry’s life, just as we see now in Swamiji’s life. He was a staunch worshiper of Lord Narasimha. He would always associate with people whose friendship would benefit him spiritually. One of his close associates was Sri Hampapuram Dasambhotlu (Sri Bala Swamiji’s paternal grandfather).

Swamiji always used to tell me when I was a child that I should become a great scholar like Sri Dasambhotlu, because he said I reminded him of him. Those words keep ringing in my ears. He was a great Jnani. He taught Narasimha Sastry the entire Yoga Vasishtha. The two of them would discuss spiritual matters for hours on end, forgetting the passage of time and the whereabouts. Because of the influence of Sri Dasambhotlu, Narasimha Sastry developed an interest in taking up Sanyasa (the vow of asceticism). We are all under the control of time.

Narasimha Sastry learned many things from this guru and received initiation in mantras. But unfortunately, Sri Dasambhotlu did not remain in Narasimha Sastry’s life for too long. Losing him was a big blow to Narasimha Sastry. While he was still a youth, Sri Dasambhotlu left his mortal frame. Although Narasimha Sastry had the wish to become a sanyasi, he was made to marry his cousin Lakshmi Narasamma. After many years of marriage, Nanjudappa was born to them. He lived here in the ashram until recently. I knew him very well. We owe it to him the knowledge of Swamiji’s date of birth as May 26, 1942. We must be thankful to him and must ever remember him. When he was a child, he lost his mother. After the death of his wife, Narasimha Sastry’s interest in renunciation became strong again. He became the disciple of an aged ascetic who lived near Kurnool (in Andhra Pradesh). This guru was more short-tempered and rude in speech than even Narasimha Sastry.

Now, Swamiji proceeds to give the family’s history on his mother’s side.

Now we will see what was said about the river Kaveri, Swamiji's family from the mother’s side. Kaveri’s flow is very beautiful. Kaveri is the daughter of King Kavera. She is a princess. She flows through mountainous regions and finally concludes her journey in Tamil Nadu. She is Jayalakshmi Mata. The bliss we feel in describing mother is indescribable. Sage Vamadeva remembered the time he spent in his mother’s ***. Great souls shed tears when they remember the discomfort that they had given to mother during their stay inside their mother’s ***. That is why they do not wish to take another birth. When Swamiji speaks about his mother also, I can sense a certain streak of emotion choking his voice. We can feel that in the Life History.

Where should the narration begin? It begins with the history of Lingannayya, not Jayalakshmi Mata’s father, but grandfather. The son was named after the father. It is good to remember the forefathers' names.

Once Chikkamma gave me a few details. Hoysala kings made the state of Karnataka thrive. They took great pains to protect Dharma. The burden for doing this lies on the shoulders of kings and ministers. Where no sacrificial rituals such as Yajnas, and Yagas were conducted, where cruelty was on the rise, the kings brought some 40 families from Tamil Nadu and settled them in an area between Bangalore and Mysore, in a region close to Channapatna. The Hoysala kings took the initiative to do that. Venkata Makhi and Govinda Deekshitulu were relocated like this. It is an exchange of cultures for mutual benefit. For the protection of dharma this was done. Those kingdoms and kings perished in course of time.

Lingannayya settled in a place called Sogala.

Some devotees purchased the old family home and gifted it to Sri Swamiji. I made inquiries about the origin of the town’s name, Sogala. I gave it some thought also. A very elderly man once visited Mekedatu. When I questioned him, he said that Saga Galava is considered to have something to do with the name Sogala. Upon deep thought it occurred to me that Sage Galava must have done the Soham japa there. Soham Galava. It is no ordinary place. The story of Sage Galava is extensive. We will learn it when the time comes. Soham is the root or seed for the Hamsa Gayatri. Only after obtaining initiation from Guru one should chant this. Parama Hamsas are those who are like free-flying spiritual swans and who also make those around them get transformed to be like them and take them along to higher regions. Sogala is a place that is so spiritually exalted.

Orugallu eventually became Warangal. Mysore, they say originated from either Mahishmati puram or Mahishapuram. Bandakallooru became Bengaluru.

Sogala is where Sage Galava performed penance. Lingannayya was a farmer who owned lots of agricultural land there. He lived in dignity. He was an advocate of physical labor. His philosophy was to work hard, help others and be happy. He used to carry a gun for protection against wild elephants which roamed in the area. He had a regal bearing giving impression to the people that he must have some royal blood in him. Suddenly one day no one knew what came over him, but he renounced everything and became a Sanyasi. Everyone was astonished that someone who seemed like an ordinary person like them should suddenly get transformed like that. Some felt very happy. One never knows how drastically life can take a turn. Suddenly the compassionate glance of Guru fell on him. Why it happened right at that time is not known.

His son was also named Lingannayya. His wife was Savitri. Savithri is the energy of the Sun God. The two of them lived like ‘Adi Dampatulu’ – the First couple. He continued like his father, taking care of lands and doing farming. He cannot be branded as a total atheist. At the same time he was not a believer in God. He was not interested in performing ritual worships and prayers. I offer my respects to him. To this couple, the firstborn was Puttu Gowramma. Then was born Saradamma, followed by Krishnappa. Then followed Jayalakshmi Mata.

Sri Swamiji has purchased the house where Jayalakshmi Mata was born, in Sogala. Earlier everyone assumed that she was born on Sankara Jayanti and also left her body on that day, since that is how it is sung in her Suprabhatam recording. In recent times, Swamiji has revealed a secret to us. He announced that Jayalakshmi Mata was born during Navaratri on Durga Ashtami day.

I asked Swamiji why there is this confusion. Swamiji knew that Sankara Jayanti was stated as her birthday in the Suprabhatam. But now he is giving a different date as her birthday. He confirmed that she was actually born on Durga Ashtami. She merged in God on Vaishakha Suddha Panchami (Shankara Jayanti). Swamiji said that in their family tradition, birthdays were not celebrated. Jayalakshmi Mata never celebrated her birthday. Now, inspired by Sri Jayalakshmi Mata, Swamiji has revealed to the world her actual birthday. She was born on Durga Ashtami day during the Navaratri festival for the purpose of uplifting the world and for the purpose of gifting to us Lord Datta in the form of Sri Swamiji.

Bhajan: Jayalakshmi Talli

Puttu Gowramma, Saradamma, Krishnappa, Jayalakshmi Mata, Parvatamma (Chikkamma), and Sitamma were the children born to Lingannayya and Savitramma. Once I asked Chikkamma to describe her childhood and her association with Jayalakshmi Mata. How did she perceive Jayalakshmi Mata and how did Jayalakshmi Mata interact with her? What was their relationship like, their friendship and their mutual affection?

Chikkamma spoke very gently that she knew nothing about yoga and spiritual matters. All she knows is the she always felt like being with Jayalakshmi Mata. Whenever she was with her, she felt very happy. Those words are enough to confirm that Jayalakshmi Mata is a storehouse of power. The one whose presence and proximity drench us in bliss and remove all our sorrows is none other than Parashakti, Adi Shakti, the source of Supreme Energy. No other questions and proofs are required. If you are happy, free from anxiety and sorrow in her company, that is proof of the pudding. One need not dig deeper into the source of Guru or Ganga. Then Chikkamma told me of some of the miracles performed by Jayalakshmi Mata, and some of her extraordinary features.

In Sogala, Jayalakshmi Mata attended school up to the second grade. It was probably a very small village school. She was born in 1924. 1942 is when Swamiji was born. The same numerals show that they are one and the same.
In 1936 the family moved to Mekedatu. The reason was famine. Irrigation depended on the one and only water source, which was a lake. There were no rains. The lake had dried up.

In the year 2000 many farmers came here describing the dire situation there in Sogala. There were no rains for 3 years. The lake had dried up. There was no possibility for any farming. Swamiji then told them of the Adhishthanam (sacred grave) of Subbayya Yogi. He asked them to renovate and take care of the place which had been lying neglected, and it would bring rains to the region. Some took his words seriously and some paid no attention.

Swamiji noticed the situation and took charge of the situation by sending Siddhartha from the ashram to attend to that work. The place was fixed up and Swamiji also went there. Some devotees also visited the place. When devotees began making visits to the town, it brought profuse rains and the lake was filled with water.

Temples and sacred spots in a town have to be well maintained. It is our duty. If they are kept up, the town will flourish.

When famine struck, Lingannayya was forced to leave. But where could he go? He was blessed with a charitable nature. He gave away all that he owned. He gifted his house away to the grandfather of the person who sold it back to Swamiji.

Mekedatu was a jungle. It was not like what it is now. There was no farmland there. The reason Lingannayya thought of the place was that there was ample water supply. The rivers Arkavati and Kaveri were flowing there.

Land was inexpensive. The family with all the small children moved there. The elders taught the children at home whatever they knew. There was no school there. Kankanahalli was the name of what is now Kanakapura.

Farming was tough in that region. Lingannayya struggled hard. As a cat moves its young ones frequently, Lingannayya moved his family frequently as the situation demanded. He would construct a hut and live there for some time. Then he would dismantle it to build a home elsewhere. They lived close to the riverbank.

After moving to Mekedatu, a total transformation took place in Jayalakshmi. She turned totally spiritual. It was perhaps for her own sake that she manipulated the situation so that they would move to this sacred place.
Krishnappa had studied up to the 10th grade. He was the one in the family who received the highest level of education. Puttu Gowramma and Saradamma got married.

Jayalakshmi Mata felt very happy to live in that region of the two rivers. It is a mountainous region belonging to the Sahyadri mountain range. Many ascetics and holy persons frequented the place and stayed there not just for days but for months on end. They lived under trees. They begged for food at the different homes. Lingannayya inquired into the reason for their visits and their stay. He learned that according to their belief, the region was visited at unpredictable times by a great rishi and all these spiritual seekers wait eagerly to have his darshan. They sleep when the rest of the world is awake and stay up while the rest of the world sleeps because it is at night that the great rishi would make his appearance there. In areas where we are ignorant, the great souls are well versed. In areas where we think we are knowledgeable, they are ignorant because they totally ignore such subjects.

Jayalakshmi Mata made friends with these ascetics and mendicants. She participated in their discussions on spiritual matters and learned about their methods of spiritual pursuits. She learned mantras from them and other spiritual techniques and secrets. They all unanimously told her that singing the names of God is the best spiritual practice.

Jayalakshmi was young. Yet, she gathered the children of the tribal folks and taught them devotional songs. She led the singing. She told them stories from the Bhagavatam in simple words. She turned the episodes from Krishna’s stories into simple lilting songs and sang to them. Swamiji has now handed us all the songs that she used to sing as a child in the book and CD Sri Krishna Jaya, such as:

Bhajans: Katheya keliramma, Dwarakadheesana, Govinda jai jai, Kalige gejje katti, and so on.

Jayalakshmi Mata used to forget herself in singing the glories of Krishna and Rama. Her talent for singing was exceptional. Lingannayya used to feel bad that he could not afford to give her the type of training and encouragement that she deserved. He could not send her to famous schools of art and music like the Shanti Niketan run by Sri Rabindranath Tagore. He wished the she were born in a wealthy family where her golden voice and her skills would be recognized, developed, and appreciated. In this jungle, there was no recognition for her talent and expertise. He lamented his situation that he was not able to help her. Jayalakshmi Mata had no such regrets or expectations.

Chikkamma told me of some amazing situations that she experienced in Jayalakshmi Mata’s company. Jayalakshmi Mata would take a whole collection of clean pots and pans convincing others that they were dirty and needed to be washed again. She would go to the river along with Chikkamma and ask her little sister to wash them all.

Chikkamma would be unwilling and hesitant to commence the job afraid that her little hands would hurt.

Jayalakshmi would urge her to just commence washing them and would sit close by and begin singing bhajans. Once the singing started, all the pots would get washed by Chikkamma effortlessly and she would wish there were more pots to wash. She did not want the singing to end, that is why. Does that not show the power of the devotional singing of Jayalakshmi?

Jayalakshmi showed the powers of meditation, penance, and austerities. She would wander about in the woods freely as and when she pleased. The children led a life free from strict schedules. It was not anything like the city life of today. Jayalakshmi would sit for hours on end with the ascetics and observe and learn from them their practices of yoga. She would rarely come home even to eat her meals on time. Parents began to get concerned about her habits and wanderings. Jayalakshmi was a teenager.

Savitramma felt very happy when the ascetics would come to the door asking for alms and food. She loved to feed them. Lingannayya was also happy about it. But he did not appreciate their presence in the forest.

The great rishi that the ascetics talked about was none other than Lord Dattatreya. Jayalakshmi also developed an eagerness to see Him.

Many who live in the ashram do not come to the Universal Prayer Hall. Many times they get scolded by Swamiji. They claim that they are too busy.

Many yogis were coming all the way down from North India. Jayalakshmi Mata’s curiosity increased about Lord Dattatreya. At that time Karapatra Swamiji arrived there. The name Karapatra Swamiji indicates the tradition of a sect of yogis who will only eat as much food as their palm would hold. (kara is hand; patra is container). We may beg for food like that repeatedly for twenty times; but not he. He would only receive it once, just as much or as little as was given by the householder. He became Jayalakshmi Mata’s guru. We include him in our worship at Guru Purnima as one in the lineage of gurus.

When he ate, what he ate, where he lived, no one knew. Lingannayya did not care for any of the other ascetics or yogis who visited the region. But he had great respect and liking for Karapatra Swami. He was happy that Jayalakshmi Mata was associating with him.

Then Phakir thatha arrived in the region. I ran to Chikkamma to ask her about him. He came to Mekedatu for all outward purposes as a goldsmith or one who gives gold polish to ornaments. But he had a special skill that only a few people knew of. He could produce gold with his special powers and techniques. People felt envious about this and begrudged him this skill because when asked, he would not give them the gold. He led his life and internally carried out his spiritual practices. He and Karapatra Swami became friends. They would sit facing one another and go into deep meditation. Jayalakshmi Mata would join them and engage in penance herself. They formed a triangle like a three river confluence. The energy and power of the two great souls was absorbed by Jayalakshmi Mata.

On one occasion, Savitramma expressed her concern and anxiety to Lingannayya that sometimes for a couple of days Jayalakshmi would not return home. "I see her frequently conversing with Karapatra Swami. She is associating closely with Phakir Thatha. The people in the neighborhood are claiming that Jayalakshmi has supernatural powers and that even dirt given by her hand is turning into effective medicine. How did she gain these powers?" Savitramma felt very afraid.

Lingannayya accused her that it was she, Savitramma, who in the first place allowed Jayalakshmi the freedom to roam about freely among these ascetics and yogis. Jayalakshmi would nonchalantly go up and down the hills and even go down to the Brahmakundam.

Savitramma was anxious to know what her daughter was up to. One day she stealthily followed her. She found the two gurus and Jayalakshmi engaged in conversation inside a small cave. Savitramma overheard their words. The gist of it was that the gurus had completed whatever instruction they had intended to give to Jayalakshmi. She had attained all the siddhis (supernatural powers). She was worshiping Lord Sangameswara and had completely earned His grace. Now it was time for her to use her powers to help and uplift the world. Both gurus were saying the same things to her.

Hearing this, Jayalakshmi Mata expressed her question whether she should remain a virgin to carry out her duties in the world as a yogini. Phakir Thatha and Karapatra Swami realized that she had not properly understood the situation. Karapatra Swami told Jayalakshmi that she should not entertain any plans of her own because the journey of her life is not going to go according to her wishes. She was born to fulfill a specific divine purpose. She was not an ordinary person. There were certain things that had to be accomplished only through her. She had to fulfill them.

Jayalakshmi totally surrendered to the will of her gurus and said so. Savitramma got frightened listening to all this from her secret hiding place outside.

Jayalakshmi prepared daily a garland of ‘Tummi’ flowers to offer to Lord Sangameshwara at the temple. These flowers are most favored by Lord Siva. Once, in an assembly a question arose whether anything or anyone is greater than Siva. One person said Yes. Tummi flowers. People were surprised to hear this. These flowers have no fragrance. Yet, they are very pure and are most favored by Lord Siva. They are identified with Lord Siva.

Swamiji likes this garland very much. It is a very painstaking task to prepare this. The family of Janakamma who live in the ashram has the blessings to prepare this every day for Swamiji.

Narasimha Sastry served with great dedication, the aged ascetic who lived near Kurnool, unmindful of the severe scolding dealt by him daily. He was eagerly waiting to get sanyasa deeksha and be enlightened. Six months rolled by. Suddenly one day, most unexpectedly the ascetic left his body and merged in God. It was a terrible shock for Narasimha Sastry. It struck him like a thunderbolt. He could not get over it. Losing his wife did not pain him so much, or having to leave his son with the boy’s grandparents. He had reconciled to those. But he could not bear to lose his Guru.

He stopped eating and he was not sleeping properly. He would sit in a corner simply doing nothing. He went into depression. He stopped his japa and rituals. He began acting strangely. His sister Venkamma came to know of this. She herself was going through a bad time. She had just lost her husband. Of course, she was a great yogini and nothing really perturbed her. She had to deal with the gossip of the folks around her.
Venkamma went to visit her brother to console him. She said that may be he was not destined for sanyasa right then. She persuaded him to go with her to visit his parents in-law and son. They did not receive them with respect. In fact, having lost their daughter and feeling that the son-in-law was to blame, they flung insults at him and his sister. Harsh words were exchanged. Venkamma tried to ease the situation. She appealed for their sympathy and sought their assistance in getting her brother married again to cure his depression. The grieving parents were offended by the suggestion and taunted that no sane person would offer him a bride knowing that he would slit her throat. Narasimha Sastry, who had all along been desiring to become a sanyasi, heard these harsh words and enraged, stomped in and declared that he would greet them the next time accompanied by his wife.

Who made him speak those words? I don’t think they were spoken by him.

Venkamma was happy to hear his declaration. Her intention was fulfilled because that was what she wished for her brother.
Narasimha Sastry stomped out of their house and headed back home at a fast pace. Venkamma picked up their bags and followed him, running to catch up with her brother.
When she caught up with him, she began a discussion on scriptural rules.
Venkamma: See how God decides for us. Without your knowledge you spoke some words. Did you hear what you said?
NS: I just blurted out something in anger.
V: No. You took a vow.
NS: Oh, I take back my words.
V: You cannot do that. You vowed that you would return here with your bride.
NS: Well. Earlier I said I would get sanyasa. That never happened.
V: Did not your guru say that sanyasa is not something that is either given or taken?
NS: Yes. He did.
V: What about marriage? Is that something that is possible for you?
NS: Yes.
V: Therefore, you must remarry.
NS: What should we do now?
V: Let us go on a pilgrimage.
NS: You go home and I will go on a pilgrimage. I will visit all the places and bring you back prasadam.
V: I would like to go also. Why don’t you take me along? Who else is there to take me?
NS: If it were just me, I would walk. If I have to take you, it means expense. Where will I find the money?
V: You have the money collected from those who owed you.
NS: Yes. I forgot. Okay, let us pick up the cash and proceed.

They visited many pilgrimage centers. Ahobila Narasimha Swami was their family deity. They went there.

We have Lord Narasimha consecrated here. Swamiji has given us that blessing. Victory to Lord Narasimha.

They had darshan of all the nine shrines of the lord. It is a very tough climb in a forest area with wild animals. The gypsy guides tried to deter them from spending the night in the jungle. But the siblings insisted. In the night inside a cave a lion’s roar was heard. Venkamma was deep in meditation.

Then they visited Srisailam and other places like Rameshwaram. They saw places in Karnataka like Nanjangud, other places along the Kaveri river and finally arrived at Bangalore on their way back to Anantapur. At the Bangalore bus stand they were waiting for the next bus which was not scheduled to leave until the following morning.

As they waited there, one small boy like a little Ganapati came along and insisted that they should visit Sangameshwara in Karnataka at the three river confluence in the forest region where great rishis are said to be present. He convinced them. As they were leaving early in the morning by the specific bus, he blessed that they will obtain Goddess Lakshmi by making this trip.

Had that boy not insisted, they would not have gone to Sangama. He planned the marriage. He sent them by a bus knowing that they will not return the same day. The brother and sister have the tendency to lose themselves in meditation even at the sight of a pillar. What do you expect them to do in a sacred place like Sangama? Side by side they sat like stones after taking a dip in the river. They were lost to the world, in a state of ecstasy. They knew that the same bus which had brought them in the morning would have to take them back in the afternoon.
They felt their feet getting wet and opened their eyes. It was dark. The river had risen because it was near full moon. The bus had left for the day. What were they to do? Where to take shelter for the night? They climbed up on a mound and spotted a light far away. They decided to proceed in that direction.
In the meantime there was a discussion going on here at Jayalakshmi’s home. The tribals were praising Jayalakshmi as if she were a goddess, for her possession of supernatural powers of healing. Savitramma, filled with anxiety, narrated to Linganna the goings on about Jayalakshmi. They decided to get her married quickly. Jayalakshmi told them that she had darshan of Lord Dattatreya and he had told her that her would-be husband would at their home that very night. She said with certainty that she would marry him and no one else.

Linganna was convinced that there was no possibility of anyone arriving that night at their home. The river was flooded. Even the tribals were not stirring out. There was no bus arriving that late at night. There was no way anyone could cross the river that night. Linganna was a non-believer in divine predictions. When you reject the words of the divine, what happens?

Savitramma had faith in the words of the rishi. That same night the brother and sister arrived at their home. Just prior to that, Jayalakshmi was singing to her parents that night a song that she had composed, describing the marriage of Mother Gowri to Lord Siva. She described how Gowri chose to marry Siva who had no home, no clothes, and no parents or relatives. He was known to go around with ash smeared all over his body. Gowri performed great penance with a wish to marry this bridegroom who owned nothing. That Siva is none other than the Supreme Soul/Paramatma. Hearing this description, Linganna and Savitramma who were mesmerized by her singing, had tears in their eyes with concern about the future of their daughter. Finally when she described how Sage Agastya and his wife Lopamudra who were residing in Southern India were praying to the newly-wedded divine couple in Kailasa not to forget them in their wedded bliss, they felt tickled at the humor and the atmosphere lightened up.
I am searching for that song. I am unable to find it anywhere.

Suddenly some visitors arrived at the door and were speaking in Telugu. No one responded to their call. Then Venkamma spoke in Kannada. When the door was opened cautiously, Venkamma explained their situation and sought permission for them to sleep that night on the porch outside. She said the hosts could go ahead and lock their doors. Venkamma was very worldly-wise and knew how to impress people with her courtesy and diplomacy. Narasimha Sastry was not like that. Venkamma volunteered that they would sleep outside in the cold and would remain hungry because they did not wish to trouble their hosts.

It embarrassed the hosts enough that they insisted on the strangers coming inside and joining them for dinner and also sleeping indoors. (Narasimha Sastry retired for the night). The rest of the elders mutually exchanged all the news about themselves engaging in conversation until late at night.
Linganna and Savitramma remembered Jayalakshmi’s words. Linganna was not in control of himself. Venkamma’s narration about their situation and about her brother’s mental state was very touching and melted his heart.

This entire episode occurred by divine will.

Suddenly the words came out of Linganna’s mouth, offering the hand of Jayalakshmi in marriage to Narasimha Sastry. He is a man who never rescinds his words. Savitramma was surprised and shocked to hear her husband making such an offer.

They all retired for the night agreeing to continue the discussion in the morning. During the night Linganna noticed Venkamma sitting bolt upright, lost in meditation. He felt comfortable that this behaviour was in keeping with the habits practiced by Jayalakshmi of engaging in contemplation and penance.

Narasimha Sastry was an astrologer. He was approached the following morning to set the marriage date for Jayalakshmi. He readily did so, not realizing that he was the intended bridegroom. It was up to Venkamma to convince her brother to accept the marriage offer. She had to take the place of his mother and persuade him after a prolonged discussion of scriptural injunctions.

Narasimha Sastry gave all the details about his life, his previous marriage, his wife’s death, the son, and so on. He was surprised that despite his history, they were willing to give him their daughter.

At the Sangameshwara Temple, Narasimha Sastry noticed the Tummi flower garland made by Jayalakshmi the previous day and was highly impressed by the skill and patient devotion that went into its preparation. Linganna felt proud to claim that it was Jayalakshmi who had strung it. There was no priest at the temple. There were no materials to offer worship. Narasimha Sastry offered a silver coin to the Lord and announced that the coin was the substitute for abhishekam, naivedyam and all other worship procedures. Linganna was impressed at this and felt that he could relate to that sentiment.

The discussion ensued about fixing the date for the marriage. Linganna was eager to get the marriage performed quickly. A suitable date was available in a fortnight’s time. Narasimha Sastry insisted that Jayalakshmi’s consent had to be sought for this alliance before it could be finalized. Linganna assured him that she would be agreeable. However, upon the insistence of Venkamma, they went home and approached Jayalakshmi. Jayalakshmi said that her mind had been made up much earlier to go through with this marriage.

She knew that Ganapati/Datta would be born to her.

Narasimha Sastry and Venkamma had also heard Jayalakshmi’s singing the night before. They were very impressed with her voice and rendering of the song. They fixed the marriage date and returned home agreeing to return for the marriage ceremony accompanied by their relatives.

The marriage was set. The relatives of Jayalakshmi arrived. They made fun of her choice of the bridegroom. He was much older, and was a widower with a son. Jayalakshmi categorically declared that her family would be far superior to any of theirs and her children would bring name, fame, benefit, and glory to the entire world. Savitramma chided the relatives for their irreverent remarks.
Narasimha Sastry arrived for the wedding perfectly attired and looking very sharp. It surprised everyone that he not only brought his parents-in-law but his son as well for the wedding.

Unfortunately we do not know the exact marriage date.
Mr. Ramaswamy, a cousin of Jayalakshmi brought for the bride an expensive marriage saree as a gift sent by his father. It was so lavish that the entire village came to admire her saree which was taken out in a procession. Jayalakshmi was immensely pleased with this gift and blessed all her relatives.

Mother Jayalakshmi is extremely beautiful as we can judge from her photograph. She appeared like the bride Rukmini approaching Lord Krishna or as Mother Goddess Parvati, or as the combination of the three Mothers.

We only have a brief description of the wedding as given by Linganna. On a most auspicious date the marriage took place. Narasimha Sastry tied the sacred necklace/Mangalya. Let us all visualize the marriage ceremony. Swamiji had performed the ceremony here recently. Soon it will be performed on a grand scale at Jayalakshmipuram. Let us all attend it and joyously celebrate the event.

We have entered this ocean (Life History). We have travelled only a short distance although we feel that we have covered a great distance. We cannot cover all the details.
I pray that every one of you should enjoy the blessings and grace of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Sri Narasimha Sastry.
We seek refuge at the lotus feet of our Sadgurudeva.
This concludes the discourse of Day 1 of the Saptaha/seven day event.

Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta