Yet another article on Pujya Swamiji in Star of Mysore

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

 

How can any describe our very own Appaji? Here is one more another

attempt. Enjoy!

 

http://starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=specialnews & item=2480

<http://starofmysore.com/main.asp?type=specialnews & item=2480>

 

Sri Guru Datta

 

Ravi Renduchintala

 

 

 

SRI GANAPATI SACHCHIDANANDA SWAMIJI'S 65TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

 

 

 

 

If you want to see total dedication, commitment to serve and total

surrender to the God Almighty, Paramatma, you should visit Sri Ganapati

Sachchidananda Ashram these days. The sprawling campus on Nanjangud Road

is virtually a sea of humanity. The devotees transcending all barriers

like nationality, caste, creed and race have converged at the campus

just to feel the magical presence of the Swamiji and steal a glimpse of

him.

 

Divinity is in the air with each and everyone greeting each other with

Jaya Guru Datta mantra before starting a conversation. Men, women and

children, rich and poor, are here in large numbers to celebrate the

happy occasion of the 65th birthday of the Swamiji they love most. You

would certainly be unaware of an IPS officer, an IAS bureaucrat or a General of Police serving you food and water and taking away

your plates after lunch or dinner for wash or cleaning your table after

removing the plantain leaves.

 

The Ashram, which grew from a tiny hermitage in 1966, with a young

Swamiji years ago, to today's gigantic proportion, itself is a miracle.

Come and experience the joy of greeting the Swamiji and seeking his

blessings and learning the true human values. You are not alone or not

even the first. You are one among the devotees' club, which knows no

boundaries and numbers. The ambience is really unimaginable and is to be

seen to be believed.

 

This Weekend STAR Supplement takes you around the mystic world of the

Swamiji whose devotees are celebrating his birthday today with an

infallible faith that he alone is their God. — Ed

 

Amidst serenity and a peaceful atmosphere is the Sri Ganapati

Sachchidananda Ashram, located on Nanjangud Road. The Ashram resonating

with vedic chantings provides a spiritual calm and relaxation to the

minds. A huge, beautifully sculpted Hanumaddwaram (gate) welcomes you at

the Ashram entrance.

 

A carving of the baby form of Lord Dattatreya adorns the inner roof of

the arch. Then comes the gentle welcome by Ardhanareeswara and Lord

Ganesh.

 

Vedic chanting by young boys coming from a thatched hut enchants the

visitors. The ashram contributes greatly to the revival of ancient

studies.

 

It also champions the cause of vedic learning and for this purpose, it

is running a school for Veda and Sanskrit studies.

 

Lord Dattatreya is the presiding deity of the ashram and represents the

Master Teacher (Sadguru principle).

 

The 'Vasishtha Karyalaya' holds the administrative offices of the

ashram. This office takes care of the day to day functioning of the

ashram, while the information center provides details of the activities.

 

An ornamental large building holds the " Universal Prayer Hall " . The

(sanctum sanctorum) is located in the west of the prayer hall. The " Puja

Peetha " where SREE CHAKRAM (MERU) is situated and worshipped in a Mantap

place, is visible to the hall.

 

Worship and meditation are performed at the Datta temple, housed in the

left side of the Universal Prayer Hall.

 

Daily Worship

 

Sri Chakra Archana is performed daily by Sri Swamiji, the chakra being a

symbol or Cosmic Energy.

 

The holy water poured on the Sri Chakra is refined and charged with

spiritual energy and Ayurvedic herbs and is given to devotees.

 

Tailabishekam is a sacred bath given to the deity with oil. It is said

that through this action, the Cosmic Energy focuses itself into the

idol, which is a living entity having unlimited powers. The oil has

therapeutic use in the treatment of body pains etc. Devotees can offer

oil for the tailabhishekam.

 

Homa

 

The Swamiji attributes much importance to the Ganapathi Homa and

performs it regularly, as it is a part of his family tradition. The

performance of Homa assists the self-purification of those attending,

and balances the forces of nature.

 

On Sundays the performance of homas is more extensive than on weekdays.

Navagraha, Mrutyunyaja and Vastu Homas take place in the Ashram as well.

 

Festivities

 

Maha Shivaratri, Sri Swamiji's Birthday, Navaratri, and Datta Jayanti

are the most auspicious events / festivals that are celebrated.

 

Music Therapy

 

Music is a force that unites humanity the world over. Musical Ragas are

said to have therapeutical use and help in treatment of patients with

afflictions of physical and mental nature. Nada Chikitsa (Music therapy)

aims at curing ailments through music.

 

Swamiji himself being a great musician and a composer, has been

conducting Spiritual Music Concerts for meditation and Healing (Nada

Chikitsa) in India and abroad.

 

Sri Swamiji prescribes the melodical medicine for all ailments and

conditions ranging from Coma to Cancer and migraine to mental

depression. This music therapy is combined with Ayurveda, Psychology,

Gemenotherapy and Astrology.

 

Social projects

 

Sri Swamiji makes it a part of the mission of the Ashram, to provide

service to the poor and the needy.

 

Since its inception, the Ashram and its many branches have supported

numerous social projects. These include provision of food, education,

shelter, job training and free medical help to the poor. Currently the

most notable ongoing project at the Mysore headquarters, is the

schooling of over 1800 pre-school and high school students at Nazarbad.

 

The Ashram also takes care of the medical needs of both local people and

remote villagers. In addition to the SGS Hospital at the Ashram, there

is also a mobile hospital which regularly visits villages where no

medical facility is available.

 

Ayurvedic treatment, dentistry, cataract operation programs, free

dispensary, diabetes detection progra-mmes and monthly health checkup

camps are the facilities that the ashram provides.

 

The Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturing Unit of the Ashram prepares

medicines in a traditional way for use in the Ashram dispensary.

 

Nakshatra Vana

 

There is a unique garden where trees are grown for each zodiac sign and

Nakshatra (Star) of a person. The devotees are allowed to stand below

the tree representing their zodiac sign and meditate to seek a boon.