Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 20th Anniversary of His Sanyasa Deeksha – May 29, 2024 – UPH, Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Today, according to the Gregorian calendar, is the day I was blessed with Sannyasa deeksha. This is the real birthday. Sankranti is the day this body came and today is the day guru Kripa was bestowed. It is tradition that a Sanyasi’s age be measured in terms of the number of Chaturmasyas. This year’s Chaturmasya will mark 21 years.
Pujya Appaji has been very busy with so many programs for over a month without any break. The body has been working non stop. Appaji is healthy and is resting upon doctors’ request.
According to the lunar calendar, the deeksha took place on Jyeshtha Shuddha Dashami. Everyone in the spiritual path should refer to almanac/Panchangam everyday. The lunar year of Tārana was the year of deeksha. Tārana means to get uplifted. Vishnu Sahasranāma says, “sanyāsakrtchama shanto…” and this phrase always falls on my ears whenever I go to Sri Datta Venkateshwara Temple and they are playing Vishnu Sahasranama. You are all gathered here on this auspicious day.
Saraswati from Netherlands sang Sanskrit compositions of Appaji as part of Sangeeta Seva. Normally, it’s hard for them to chant the names or Krishna or Rama. This is Appaji’s grace. This is what Appaji does when he goes abroad. Blessings to all who did Sangeeta Seva.
June 17 is Jyestha Shuddha Ekadasi, so you can celebrate Appaji’s birthday with noble activities such as satsang, medical camps etc. in your local Ashramas.
Everyone who’s had the thread ceremony should do Gayatri mantra. On June 2nd, 1000 people will do Gayatri Yaga in the Ashrama. Those who’ve had the sacred thread ceremony, chant the mantra 1000 times and offer some water as Tarpanam to dedicate the mantra to Guru. Or chant 300 times or at least 108 times.