Day 2 – July 14, 2014
Jaya Guru Datta
Bhajan: Kaanabanni kaanabanni
During Swamji’s 70th birthday celebrations this song was composed. The meaning is: Let us all get together to have the darshan of our Sadguru who is the jewel of Karnataka. It is our duty to tell others about our Sadgurudeva. At least a few people should respond to our effort of spreading the news of our Sadguru and should benefit by his association. Why do people make advertisements? It is for people to know about and take advantage of a great resource.
In the cradle of Karnataka, in the lap of the river Kaveri, in the home of Mother Jayalakshmi, let us visit the baby who is swinging in the cradle. He is a medicine to those whose hearts are suffering with pain. He feeds the hungry and then gives them spiritual guidance. He is mother and father to everyone. He can be obtained by disciples and devotees only through love and devotion. He gives education to children in Vedas, Sastras and academic education as well in the SGS schools. He even educates the highly qualified scholars who hold Ph.D. degrees, teaching them things they do not know. For Sadguru all are children. He cures diseases physical, mental, and spiritual. He spreads joy to everyone. Everyone, come along eagerly to see the jewel of Karnataka. His name is Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda. Victory to Sadguru Sri Swamiji, our Dattatreya Sadgurudeva.
We learned about the birth of Jayalakshmi Mata, and her stay in Mekedatu. We learned about her tutelage under gurus Sri Karapaatra Swami and Phakir Thatha. We learned about Linganna, her father, his philosophy in life, his beliefs about devotion, hard work, religion, and spirituality and the principles that he lived by. Whatever anyone in trouble asked for, Linganna would give away at once. His trait is seen in Swamiji, the grandson. Once, a poor man in town was shivering with chills and fever. Linganna simply gave away his shirt to him and walked home bare-chested. His wife was surprised and got angry and concerned at his generous nature. What if someday because someone asked, he gives away his dhoti and comes home in just his loin cloth? Linganna had the faith that whatever he needed would be given to him. He would keep giving away. He had no worries or insecurities. He was a Karma Yogi. He believed in the merit of hard work.
The merit earned by his generosity was inherited by Jayalakshmi Mata. She chose to be born in that home, in Haritasa gotra. She did her sadhana in Mekedatu. The place changed after she arrived there. She grew up and was ready to be married. In Telugu, a girl is called Aada pilla. A girl who belongs elsewhere. Naturally, it was a concern for the parents how to find her a suitable partner. The nearest town was Kanakapura. The nearest city was Bangalore. Where to search? Perhaps they would be required to even search in Mysore.
Datta appeared to Jayalakshmi and told her that the Brahmin who would arrive at her home that night would be her husband.
The brother and sister arrived at Linganna’s house that night under the most unexpected circumstances. Prior to that Savitramma had told Linganna that Jayalakshmi had a meeting with the Risheeshwara/Lord Dattatreya. Only Jayalakshmi Mata knew that the Rishi was none other than Lord Datta. Savitramma said Jayalakshmi will not lie. Overnight the marriage proposal was made. In one day, the marriage date was set and in the month of Sraavana, the marriage took place. Victory to Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Sri Narasimha Sastry.
Vetury Sundararama Murthy has composed a song about the marriage between Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Sri Narasimha Sastry. It took place for the glory of the Universe. This marriage not only merged two states by the marriage of strangers, but it also merged earth and heaven and merged into them both the world of liberation. It was history made in heaven, well before the bride and groom were even born.
The marriage took place. As per tradition, the bride was sent to the husband’s home.
Sage Kanva had to send his adopted daughter Sakuntala to her husband’s home. Teary-eyed, he gave her great advice. Your husband is a king. Treat the elders and gurus with respect and reverence. Heed their words. Kanva was an Atma Jnani/an enlightened soul. Yet, he shed tears to send Sakuntala away.
Why do the bride’s parents cry when the daughter leaves home, even if she is just moving next door? It is because she no longer belongs to this family. Another personal observation of mine is that daughters have more affection towards parents than sons. Daughters know what it is to feel mother’s love. Daughters both nourish and protect and their hearts are filled with compassion. Swamiji praises women in the bhajan, “Sakaladhara roopini tum”. Daughters feel a certain responsibility towards their elders. Motherhood and the tenderness that comes with it, are feelings not experienced by men.
Linganna, who always remained strong as a mountain, also shed tears. It is true that the parents were not too happy with Jayalakshmi’s association with ascetics and spiritual seekers. Yet, reluctantly they bid farewell to their daughter. That was Jayalakshmi’s power and attraction. It is true that Linganna had visited Bommeparti and made the required inquiries about Narasimha Sastry prior to the marriage, as expected of him. Everything was satisfactory with the situation. Still, with difficulty they sent her away. Savitramma was consoling and comforting Linganna, strangely. Now, Linganna understood the reasons for Savitramma’s concerns about their daughter. Jayalakshmi always had a certain divine aura about her.
Narasimha Sastry was reputed for his short temper, although he was a good person. He was known to suddenly take on the incarnation of Lord Narasimha, and throw in fury whatever came to his hand.
Linganna and Savitramma escorted their daughter to Bommeparti.
When you feel like crying, even if you are required to maintain a facade of dignity and seriousness, it is best to give an outlet to your feelings, at least in private. Linganna, being the boss to several farm workers, had to preserve a certain air of strictness, control, and solidity.
During the Sraavana month, although it is the rainy season, it never rains in Anantapur. It is an arid region. But the moment Jayalakshmi entered the village, there was a heavy downpour. The villagers at once believed that Ramulamma had entered their hamlet. They are illiterate folks who only know of their local deity Ramulamma and are not familiar with names of deities occurring in the scriptures, such as Maha Lakshmi and Sri Rajarajeshwari.
Jayalakshmi was young but very mature and knew how to conduct herself with others. Her smile itself would solve many problems. The farmers in the area were very happy with this new addition of a wonderful person to their midst. In the beginning, Venkamma helped her out with her unfamiliarity with Kannada, until Jayalakshmi mastered the language.
Narasimha Sastry was serving as the only priest for several villages. He was the only one performing all religious rituals. What was his greatness? He chose to work there because such services were needed there. He was not after money. He had great memory. He remembered all the verses in the Bhagavatam. His earnings were good. He could have built a big house and could have lived in luxury. But his greatness is misunderstood by many who misinterpret his life’s philosophy as foolish. Such people are foolish. He used to walk to the different villages instead of spending money on transportation. 10-20 km. he would walk. There is a Hanuman temple in the village. He lived next door to it. He led a very simple, frugal life.
Jayalakshmi arrived in the village in 1936. The face of the village changed with her arrival. The entire place glowed by her radiance. Narasimha Sastry’s face blossomed with new life and cheer. Earlier, he had fasted regularly desirous of renunciation. Now, in his married state, he shared his bride’s divine effulgence. Jayalakshmi assumed her main role as the helper and supporter of her husband.
Some women these days when they seriously take up a career, begin to neglect their homes. Jayalakshmi has shown us the way that home should take first priority. You may follow a career but not at the expense of neglecting the home. Once the home situation gets out of control, it is very tough to regain control over it. The two have to be properly balanced. Jayalakshmi Mata’s intellect was so sharp that while handling all her chores, she was able to keep up her spiritual sadhana in tact. That is something that we have to learn from her. We complain that we are overburdened with too many tasks. She never complained. She served her husband and secretly carried out her spiritual practice.
Those who exhibit their piety and spirituality are given to vanity. Jayalakshmi did her penance in secrecy in a cave, even in Mekedatu. If it has to become public, it will happen by God’s will when the time comes. Her spiritual powers remained hidden.
Narasimha Sastry did not have any family support from his relatives. His side of the family lacked unity and harmony. Jayalakshmi decided to set things right in that area. She was only 22 (born in 1924). Only Adi Parashakti (Mother Goddess) could have accomplished it. She alone does Creation, Sustenance, and Dissolution. She has the capacity to do Pancha Kritya as Panchakritya parayanaa (name in 1000 names of Lalita). In addition to the above three she also does anugraha/blessing and tirodhaana, adding up to five functions.
Jayalakshmi began visiting in her husband’s company, the relatives on her husband’s side. They were so impressed by her ways and her manner that they praised her that she was a jewel added to the family. Earlier, her relatives were taunting her for choosing not the best candidate as a husband. But now, by her virtues, she increased the esteem of her husband. This is something wonderful. A housewife must protect the integrity of her husband’s reputation and the tightness of the family. Jayalakshmi harmonized also the relationship between the states of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh in her own unique way.
Jayalakshmi remembered the words of Karapaatra Swami that she was to be instrumental in gifting to the world our Datta Sadguru. Her mind was busy trying to find the right way to fix her mind on Lord Dattatreya. The intensity of her focus on Lord Dattatreya grew over the years and in the year 1941 Jayalakshmi sensed with certainty that Lord Datta had entered her womb. She felt a certain transformation within herself. Generally, a pregnant woman places her hand on her belly and chants mantras and prayers to help her yet-to-born child. Here, since Datta Himself was inside her womb, there was no need for her to do that. Her child was the Sadguru to all the worlds. So she concentrated on intensifying her own spiritual practices.
The facts about life in Mekedatu are given in the Life History in the words of Linganna. The importance and the power of the place are described, which explain why the Rishi chose that spot to make his appearances.
Jayalakshmi Mata had the intelligence to finish in 10 minutes what would take 10 hours for a normal person to complete these days. The sadhana, which was most challenging and exacting, she managed to successfully complete while managing all her tasks, without complaining. The one who complains never accomplishes anything. She carried out her sadhana in secrecy.
Not a second soul needs to know what mantra you are chanting. You know it and your God knows it. That is enough. There is no need to exhibit. You may do a few things openly so that your children will watch you and learn. But is God fooled by your pretense and your ostentation? Certainly not. Jayalakshmi Mata never let others know about her spiritual practices. She kept her spiritual powers hidden.
Jayalakshmi Mata realized that she was carrying Lord Dattatreya in her womb. We need to know the specialty of the place chosen by Datta as His place of birth. This we learn through the description given by Linganna in the Life History. We need to know the childhood events in Swamiji’s Life. Linganna raised cows. He was very fond of animals. Linganna did farming and some coal production. How Jayalakshmi managed to control the herds of elephants, and other wild animals is described by him.
Recently Narasimha from Bangalore and other devotees planted a vegetable garden at the Mekedatu ashrama. They built an electric fence around the acreage. They hired a watchman. But overnight all the vegetables vanished surprisingly. A wild boar came from underground from across the river, making a huge hole in the ground, ate all the vegetables and disappeared. These types of difficulties are faced in forest farming. That is why when we enjoy our food, we must remember the farmers who have struggled to raise the crops and pray for them that there should be timely rains. The Rigveda tells us to do so. Otherwise the food will not be properly digested by us.
Jayalakshmi Mata used to sprinkle at the edge of the farmland some sacred ash and some sacred sand given by her gurus and that would keep the wild animals out, surprisingly. They would not enter the property to cause any damage. Herds of elephants would come thus far and then beat a retreat. Linganna described the troubles he faced with wild monkeys and serpents. Jayalakshmi Mata offered different kinds of protection. She served her parents, her gurus, and the community where she lived. Many ascetics and spiritual seekers came there and she served them all. She even had the darshan of the Rishi. Jayalakshmi was called Puttu. She actually interacted with Lord Dattatreya.
Bhajan: Guruttama Datta guruttama
In the year 1942 for the delivery of her first child, Jayalakshmi Mata was taken to her mother’s home. There were no buses those days. She traveled by a bullock cart on a bumpy path while she was pregnant with her first child.
During Jayalakshmi Mata’s absence, while she was away at her husband’s home, Linganna suffered a lot due to harassment by wild animals. The moment Jayalakshmi returned home, the atmosphere in Mekedatu became peaceful again. The cruelty of the animals subsided. Two major incidents which occurred when Jayalakshmi was with her parents prior to the childbirth, we must recollect. Chickamma herself had narrated these incidents which were included in the Life History.
The villagers reported that during Jayalakshmi’s absence, even the visits to the region by the Risheeshwara had reduced. Earlier he was known to give darshan on every full moon night or on any special festive occasion. All the spiritual seekers would eagerly wait for such times. In the form of a light, or in some other manner, his energy would manifest itself and those present would recognize it. But while Jayalakshmi Mata was away, the Rishi’s presence was not felt frequently and as a consequence, even the number of ascetics visiting the region declined. On Kartika month’s full moon night the Rishi was reputed to certainly make his presence felt. When Jayalakshmi returned to Mekedatu, even from the Himalayas sadhakas began to come down once again to wait to see the Risheeshwara.
Krishnappa, Jayalakshmi’s older brother was more of an atheist than his father. He was a non-believer inside out. He would get irritated at all this talk of the seer and his mystic presence in the region. When he verbally abused the Rishi and those who believed in him, Jayalakshmi would get upset with him. It pained her that his attitude had not changed in all these years. The two of them would frequently discuss and argue about these things. Jayalakshmi would sing devotional songs, and she would offer worship at the temple of Lord Sangameshwara. Krishnappa would disturb her, scold her, and try to obstruct her pious activities. Jayalakshmi tried her best to convince her brother about the existence of the divine Risheeshwara.
Once, when Krishnappa stubbornly refused to believe her words, and challenged her to show him the Rishi to prove that the Rishi was indeed Lord Datta, Jayalakshmi challenged him that she would show him the Rishi if he had the strength in him to withstand the experience. He nonchalantly accepted the challenge, refuting all her affirmations of the rishi’s existence and his divinity.
Jayalakshmi specified the date and time when the darshan would occur, and cautioned her brother that he should remain self-restrained. He could only pray silently and he should not make any sound or exclaim loudly when he saw the Rishi. He should not call it a lie or run away from the spot. If he does any of these things, the angered Rishi will disappear. After all this prior warning and cautioning, Jayalakshmi took her brother along to the banks of the river Kaveri. It was her intention that the Risheeshwara should come and her brother should develop devotion in his heart. The Rishi came in the form of a divine light floating in the air and gave His darshan.
Krishnappa, the atheist could not withstand the presence of that powerful energy. He screamed loudly. Jayalakshmi had told him that if he had to open his mouth to say something, he could only call out the name, Datta Datta. But Krishnappa forgot and screamed wildly not even aware of what he was uttering. Thereafter he lost his faculty of speech. Venkata, the cowherd, hearing the screams came running to see what had happened. Krishnappa fell down unconscious. He was taken indoors and placed on the bed. The family feared that Krishnappa would not survive. There was no medical help there in the deep jungle.
A stranger in an unusual attire came to the door at night blowing his conch. The family thought that he might have come begging for alms. But the man announced that he had come to solve the problem the family was facing just then. He said someone is seriously ill here. Give him the juice of this herb. But it should be administered to the patient only by the pregnant woman who resides here. They extracted the juice and it was given to Krishnappa by Jayalakshmi as instructed by the stranger. The man mysteriously vanished.
Jayalakshmi assured her father that the stranger was none other than Lord Dattatreya come to rescue his son Krishnappa. At that time, Linganna, who had never prayed in his life before, ran to Lord Sangameshwara and prayed fervently that his son’s life should be saved. He had lost a daughter Sitamma just prior to that. He was already grieving on that account. He could not bear this second jolt in his life in a quick succession.
Bhajan: Unnadi Okade Sivudegaa
Krishnappa recovered. He began to speak somewhat but his speech remained blurred. A slight change came over him because of Jayalakshmi’s effort, but it was only a slight improvement. We know this because of the way he treated Satyanarayana when he visited him in Bangalore much later. Krishnappa’s cruel nature subsided.
The second incident concerns Parvatamma. There used to be wild monkeys in the Mekedatu forest. There was an airgun at home. Jayalakshmi would sometimes go out carrying it but she never used it. When there is a weapon at home, the hands will itch to use. it. It is the fault of the weapon. It happened one day to Parvatamma. When the monkeys were making a racket she took the gun and pulled the trigger. The shot hit a monkey on its leg. The monkey ran away. Jayalakshmi, who witnessed this, lamented that because of this act, Parvatamma would suffer dire consequences. She told her so. Chickamma herself has told us this incident. This is not a made up story.
Jayalakshmi was looked upon by the family members as a divine person who always tried to help avert any danger or unfortunate incident.
Jayalakshmi was now carrying full term. The Hindu month of Adhika Jyeshtha had arrived. Jayalakshmi felt one day that the time had come for Lord Dattatreya to make his appearance on earth.
Dattatreya samaarambhaam …
Sri Jayalakshmi Mata intuited that the auspicious moment had arrived. Datta was going to be born soon. The fully pregnant Jayalakshmi was very daring. She never felt any strain of the pregnancy because it was Lord Dattatreya who was growing inside her womb. She walked with ease, crossed the river, and climbed down the steep rocks at Brahma Kunda effortlessly. She resolved that this was the correct time for Datta to incarnate on this earth as per His statement made to her earlier, to eternally remain as the Universal Guru to guide mankind. That moment had finally arrived.
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Sri Jayalakshmi Mata sat absorbed in meditation on a rocky platform at Brahma Kundam. Mother Kaveri began to rise slowly with the tide. The sun also began to rise at dawn as the darkness dispersed.
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The members of the household never expected that Jayalakshmi would venture out of the house at such an early hour while at such an advanced stage of pregnancy. She must have left the house perhaps around 4 or 4:30 AM. She never felt any inconvenience because of her pregnancy. Unmindful of her condition she walked to the sacred spot on the river bank.
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In the Krita Yuga Lord Dattatreya appeared on earth for the first time. That event is described in the Bhagavatam. In the Treta Yuga it was He, who incarnated again as Sri Rama. In the Dwapara Yuga He incarnated again as Sri Krishna. Again in Kali Yuga, Datta has come to live amidst us as Sadguru Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. I offer prostrations to Sadgurudeva.
It was the year Chitrabhanu. What a beautiful name for the year, glorifying the Sun God who is compared to Sadguru! It was a Tuesday. It was the Adhika Suddha Ekadasi in the month of Jyeshtha. a very special day indeed. That particular Ekadasi in the month of Jyestha is called Nirjala Ekadasi. If one fasts on that day, one earns the merit of fasting on all the 24 Ekadasis in the year. It is no ordinary Ekadasi. On such an auspicious day, the Lord was born.
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The Sun, the friend of the world, with his soft, warm, radiant rays, and Mother Kaveri with her damp shower of tiny droplets were performing abhishekam to Mother Jayalakshmi. ‘Go’ means rays. Two types of abhishekam were taking place simultaneously.
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According to the Panchanga, there are five aspects for each day. Tithi, vara – day of the week, nakshatra, yoga, and karana are the five features for each day as listed in the Hindu almanac every single day.
Hereafter, if anyone asks about your birthday, tell them the birth date as per the Hindu calendar. Tithi is the lunar phase of the day. Nakshatra is the birth star. Never say that you do not know. You should know the name of the year, the month, and the other details of the day you were born. Swamiji has taught us that we should all know the details of the day of our birth.
Those who are born on February 29 get a birthday only once in four years. I do not agree that the western calendar is better than our almanac. How can one month have 30 days, another 31, and another only 28 days? It is very irregular. Our system is far superior.
Datta was born during Vanik-karanam, a day most auspicious for the commencement of any endeavor. Swamiji began the endeavor of sowing the seed of devotion in the hearts of devotees. He was born in the great Siddhi or Siddha yoga. He was born under the Hasta star, whose presiding deity is Savita or Sun God. Tuesday is Mangalavara, one that is auspicious to all. He was born during the Vrishabha Lagna. Vrishabha stands for Dharma. He was born to establish Dharma. Lord Dattatreya was born in this Kali Yuga at Brahma Kunda, as the son of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata to later become Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.
Sri Jayalakshmi Mata was unaware of what was happening. It is said that labor pains are severe and unbearable. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata was not even aware that the child had been delivered. Mother Kaveri gave the child the first bath. It is a great art to bathe the tender child the very first time without getting any water into the ears, mouth, or the nostrils. As Mother Kaveri gently bathed the newborn infant, the fine spray woke Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and brought her back to consciousness.
The members of her household were shocked to find that Jayalakshmi was not there at home when they all woke up. Where could she have gone? Her mother Savitramma followed Jayalakshmi’s footprints in great anxiety, and walked all the way to Brahma Kundam, where the footprints ended. She looked down at the deep ravine. She could not descend the steep rocky slopes. She was astonished as to how Jayalakshmi could have gone down the hill slopes to where she was seen seated at the bottom of the hill with an infant in her lap. Some tribal women followed Savitramma and reached the spot. Looking down at Sri Jayalakshmi Mata from up above, the group created a commotion, hearing which, Sri Jayalakshmi Mata opened her eyes.
She was amazed to find a child on her lap, glowing like the full moon, yet, bright as the Sun. He was radiant smeared all over with Vibhooti, and decked with strings of rudraksha and saligrama crystals. Mother felt overjoyed at the sight. Her first word was, “Datta”. She knew who the child was. Once the child heard that sound, the infant began to cry.
Sri Vetury Sundararama Murthy, the great poet, went to Mekedatu, and returned to the ashrama and stayed here for a few days discussing the strange circumstance of Swamiji’s birth and life’s events. He wrote songs about Swamiji, describing His birth as well. He personally experienced the event in his mind when he wrote: Who was the midwife who cut the cord attached to the navel? Sri Vetury has Mother Saraswati dancing on his tongue; there is no doubt about it. At once, he composed the song and discussed the lyrics with me. I was thrilled with his choice of phrases. Who attended upon the new mother?
The tribals quickly prepared a contraption like a cot that could be carried by them. They placed Sri Jayalakshmi Mata on the cot. They placed the child in her lap. They carried the cot as if it were a royal palanquin.
Savitramma’s anxious words of caution and firm instructions sounded like the trumpets and drumbeats to accompany the palanquin. They carefully brought the mother and child home. They spread soft blankets on the ground and placed the child on the mattress. Linganna had built the home on the banks of the river Arkavati. Inside that home, the infant Sadgurudeva was placed. Those who gave their assistance were none other than the messengers of God, I firmly believe. Now, Savitramma could finally breathe with relief.
The tribals offered the young mother some herbal drink – Kashayam. The mother showed no signs of tiredness or exhaustion from childbirth. Savitramma prayed wholeheartedly that all the tribal folk should live happily and comfortably for their wonderful services rendered in such a timely manner with such great affection. Let us also pray for them. They still live in that region. Their lives are rough and hard. They are dedicated to their culture and their simplicity. They are not money-minded. Their nature and habits have not changed. They wear lots of bangles made of ivory. Their skirts are studded with small mirrors. There is a Vedantic principle there that because of the mirrors each of us will appear to them as many. The one God appears as this infinite Creation. Their role in Swamiji’s Life History is very significant. They must not be forgotten. We must remember them and speak proudly of their part in our Sadguru’s life.
How worthless our lives are, if we do not study the Life History of our Sadguru, if we do not listen to it, or share the information with others, and if we do not understand the significance of the events of His life! Reading any number of other biographies or books is worthless if the study of Sadguru’s Life History is neglected. By studying deeply the biography of Sadguru, we begin to understand the essence of several other books also. Even if no other books are studied, it does not matter, if the Life History of Sadguru is thoroughly studied and understood.
Brahmakundadalli kande – Sri Jayalakshmi Mata’s musical composition (from Sri Krishna Jaya). Victory to Sadgurudeva.
The planetary positions are properly aligned when great personages incarnate. This is true of great souls like Adi Sankara, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, and Basavanna. Sadasiva said: The five planets have come together and this is the time for Adi Sankara to be born. And the saint was born exactly at such a time.
In the Life History of Swamiji, the planetary positions and their significance are explained in detail. It is important to understand it.
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As the crowning glory to mankind, as Lord Datta emerged into this world, the nine planets were perfectly positioned. The Sun was in Vrishabha Lagna. Sukra/Venus ascended. Knowing that Sadguru is going to suppress all enmities, Saturn/Sani decided to share his dwelling with his enemy Ravi/Sun. Generally the two do not live together in harmony.
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Guru, Budha, Kuja (Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars) were together like the three eyes, depicting the Trinity form of Lord Dattatreya. Datta was called Trinatha, Swamiji shared this secret with me. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata was very fond of this name. Trinetra or the third eye of the three eyes signifies the eye of wisdom. That is why Lord Dattatreya chose such an auspicious time to be born.
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To declare the state of enlightenment of the newborn Sadguru, the two shadow planets Rahu and Ketu also occupied favorable positions, one above and one below. The negative effects of those planets were thus avoided. Generally, Kalasarpa doshas are caused by Rahu. Ketu causes problems such as speech and hearing disorders and Atmapeeda. That such afflictions should not trouble this child, all the planets aligned themselves favorably. Those who take refuge with Sadguru will also be spared from all such troubles as mentioned above.
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The Moon is the presiding deity of the mind. He assumed a strong position to be of assistance to the newborn Gurudeva. Sadguru gives protective shade to His followers. He provides solace. To help Him in this aspect, Moon, Rahu, and Ketu assumed their proper positions at the time of the auspicious birth of our Sadgurudeva. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata gave birth to Lord Dattatreya Himself on that auspicious morning.
Every one of us must learn about this event in detail. Everyone says that Sri Jayalakshmi Mata has gifted this child to us. I always ask this question: Who has given us Sri Jayalakshmi Mata? How many are there in this world who can declare that their mother is Mother Goddess Parashakti Herself? Almost none. Swamiji categorically states proudly and with conviction that His mother is His Guru, and that she is none other than the divine Mother Sri Rajarajeshwari. He has gifted to us Sri Jayalakshmi Mata. Who is greater between the two of them? They are one and the same. They are inseparable. That is why we see the form of Mother Goddess in Sri Swamiji during the Navaratri Celebrations.
The child was born. The Namakarana – naming ceremony was the next important event. It was the prerogative of father Sri Narasimha Sastry. Should the child be called Datta, or Sangameshwara, or Risheeswara since Mother had His darshan?
Narasimha Sastry was very fond of performing the Satyanarayana Vratam. It is normally performed on Ekadasi day or on full moon. At least once in a lifetime this austerity must be performed. It is generally performed by newlyweds. We pray while doing this puja that we should be led on the path of Dharma and Truth – Satya by Lord Satyanarayana.
Narasimha Sastry named his son Satyanarayana. Jayalakshmi Mata probably wished to name him as Trinatha Datta. She might have called Him Datta. The father later explained the significance of the name Satyanarayana.
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Both the parents liked the name Satyanarayana. It is a wonderful name. But most people shortened the name as Satyam. That is the name that is mentioned often in the Life History.
We will continue the story tomorrow. Although we know the story, we still relish listening to it again and again.
Do we stop eating tomorrow because we have eaten a meal today? No. We feel the hunger to eat again. Similarly, we relish listening to the story of Sadguru again and again. We are hungry for it. We should be. Then we detect new meaning and a new taste each time we listen to it.
Tomorrow we will try to narrate some childhood events in Sadguru’s life. I consider this to be my great privilege to be able to narrate the story of Sadguru’s divine birth today.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Sri Bala Swamiji was presented a new Veena by the maker of the Veena.
Veenas are made in three places, Nujiveedu, Tanjavur, and Bobbili. Most renowned are the Nujiveedu Veenas. His father began making veenas there. This family’s profession is making Veenas. It is not a lucrative profession. But it is a sacred profession. Although he is born in a Muslim family, he plays the Veena beautifully. It is very special that he has brought me this Veena today. I strum the Veena off and on. I am a beginner. My Veena required some repair. I mentioned that to my assistant Suribabu and asked him to inquire about getting it fixed. When he approached this gentleman, he decided to personally come and offer me a new Veena personally built by him. Recently he was given a state award for his meritorious work. I bless that he should receive a national award next for his wonderful effort. I bless that he should receive the darshan and blessings of Swamiji soon.
Veena is a divine instrument. Veena, violin and venu are three most important musical instruments in our musical tradition.
Swamiji’s Life History is closely connected with Muslims. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata’s Guru was Phakir Thatha, a Muslim. Swamiji’s Guru Nilayam in Mekedatu is constructed in the Islamic architectural style.
Sri Guru Datta