Ritual of Seemollanghana

After Chaturmasya Vrata Deeksha, Saints fulfil their vow (of Chaturmasya) by performing 'Seemollanghana', literally meaning to 'pass a frontier'. This is done by travelling to a riparian town. Mekedatu, in Karnataka, the divine birthplace of Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji and the hometown of His mother and Guru Sri Jayalakshmi Mata, was chosen for this year's Seemollanghana, the Vishwaroopa Vijaya yatra of Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji's Chaturmasya Deeksha. Located at the confluence of the three rivers Kaveri, Arkavathi and the underground river Guptagamini, Mekedatu is of great historical and spiritual significance for the devotees of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji and is worshipped as 'Datta Kasi.'

As prescribed in our holy texts, on September 18, Sri Swamiji gave a discourse on Vishwarupa-Darsana Yoga, the eleventh chapter of Bhagavad Gita, in Mekedatu. Sri Swamiji also performed the unique Bhagavad Gita Pustaka Puja. The holy book of Hindus, revered even by the judicial system of our secular country, is truly the holiest and greatest of all works as it summarises the teachings of the plethora of Hindu scriptures and presents them in a format that is comprehensible to the common man. During this event, puja was performed to Panchamukha Anjaneya Swamy with hundred thousand betel leaves. Several homas were also performed in an elaborate manner on this occasion.

During His benedictory address, signifying the role of Sadguru in our lives, Sri Swamiji drew a comparison between the life of a human being and a river, albeit small. Small rivers that flow during the rainy season dry up and become trickling streams during other seasons. Unlike the perennial rivers, the course of these small rivers does not extend up to oceans. Such rivers, known as tributaries, merge into a bigger river through which they reach their final destination, the ocean. Similarly, our lives that are significantly small in the big scheme of things need direction and support. Sadguru acts as the river, by merging into which, we reach our final destination of realising the true Self.

After Seemollanghana in Mekedatu, Sri Swamiji proceeded to Tirupathi for the divine darshan of Sri Venkateswara Swamy in Tirumala. Enroute, Sri Swamiji visited the small town of Thondawada, a developing centre of Datta Peetham where a beautiful idol of Lord Dattatreya, Lord Ashtabhairava, and 30 feet tall statue of Panchamukha Hanuman have been consecrated. Devotees received Sri Swamiji eagerly and were overwhelmed with joy when Sri Swamiji inaugurated the Sri Datta Govind Vanam.

Visit to Bangalore Ashrama

Avadhoota Datta Peetham organised several cultural events as part of the annual Chaturmasya Deeksha of Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, the junior Seer of Datta Peetham.

As part of the Deeksha, on September 13, students of Sri Umamaheswara Nritya Kalakshetra, a prominent dance academy, gave a scintillating dance performance. On September 15, Nada Yogi Amba Prasad, a renowned violinist, enthralled the audience with his performance. Ananta Padmanabha Vratam was performed on the same day under the auspices of Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji in Mysuru ashrama.

Having concluded His sojourn during Chaturmasya at Mysuru ashrama, Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji, en route Mekedatu, briefly visited Bangalore ashrama and performed Srichakra Puja in the morning, in the evening, Pujya Sri Swamiji led a wonderful session of Divya Nama Sankeertana.

Sadguru says

If the disciple wants to reap the benefits of Sadguru's presence all through, His Darshan, His speech, His divine glances, His Bhajans, the devotee needs to follow His teachings and experience His silence so that Sadguru can drive away the darkness in a devotee, thereby helping the devotee to reap the benefits of His supreme personality.

Hridambuje karnika Madhya Samsthe

Once a devotee meditates on Sadguru by offering a seat in His heart , Sadguru moulds a disciple's personality, removes pitfalls and obstacles, eradicates hatred , eliminates prejudices minimises ego, wipes off selfishness and finally showers His blessings by inducing positive attitude in that disciple. Sadguru always advices to listen, understand, comprehend and nurture Sadguru's most valuable words, His divine glances, His smiles, His seriousness, His movements and finally His silence. This is the spiritual practice that helps a devotee climb the steps of liberation.

Vaidyo Narayano Hari

A new TMT (Treadmill Test) unit, donated by a dedicated devotee, was inaugurated on September 16 at the SGS Hospital. Located on the campus of Mysuru ashrama, SGS Hospital has been providing free medical assistance since several decades.

As part of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji's efforts toward holistic healing, Sri Swamiji established the SGS Vagdevi Integrated School, an initiative for children with communication impairment where Sri Swamiji's healing music is used to treat children. During His short stay in Bangalore, Pujya Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji visited the school to inaugurate the newly constructed soundproof rooms for Speech therapy.

On the occasion of Sri Swamiji's Seemollanghana celebrations in Mekedatu, a free medical camp was conducted under the able guidance of doctors who regularly volunteer in the frequent medical camps organised by Avadhoota Datta Peetham.

Raga Sagara flows eastward

After the historical consecration of Lord Karya Siddhi Hanuman in London, the first temple complex of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Europe, Parama Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji will be performing a “Music for Meditation and Healing” concert in Darian, China, on September 24. Updates on Sri Swamiji's first concert in China will be covered after the event. For further updates on activities of Datta Peetham, stay tuned to our weekly column.

Compiled by - Nagini Nagamani