Datta Kalpana Krishna, Hyderabad

I was thinking death is inevitable for me, but my brother insisted that if anyone in this world can save me, that would be only Sri Swamiji. So that trust and faith had started developing in me.

I have been a homeopathy medicine practitioner in Hyderabad since 1983. I came from a communist family that believed in the ideology of serving the poor and needy people. It was my father’s wish that all of his children become medical doctors and serve poor families. We are two brothers and three sisters. I have always been service oriented, worked with many community parties and provided services.

In September of 1996, I suddenly fainted, had a head injury and had two bone fractures in my face. After a major surgery I had several complications. I used to vomit continuously. I could not even take a spoonful of food. I was living just on the IV fluid. Numerous medical tests were done and all results came out normal. I was not responding to any medicines. Several psychiatrics were also consulted to determine if the problem was psychological rather that medical. All the doctors had given up the hopes that I would survive. After more than three months, my brother Dr. Sudhir Gurram, from Indiana, US called and asked to take me to his Guru, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji in Mysore. He said that no one else other than Sri Swamiji can save me. He would call repeatedly throughout the day telling us to go to Mysore and seek Sri Swamiji’s blessing.

We called Mysore an d were told that Sri Swamiji was coming to Vijayawada, and that a photograph of me should be sent to Vijayawada if I cannot travel. But my brother, Sudhir insisted that I should be taken to Vijayawada physically and should have Swamiji’s darshan, even if I was to die during the journey, the body should then be taken back. He was so confident that Sri Swamiji will save me and nothing would happen.

On January 2, 1997 I was taken to Vijayawada by car. I lay down in the car for eight hours without IV fluid. My brother had asked me to continuously chant the mantra “Om Dram Dattatreyaya Namaha” that was given to him by Sri Swamiji, throughout my journey. I chanted the mantra all the way to Vijayawada. To my surprise, I did not even feel the vomiting sensation in the car during this long journey, even though I forgot to take my daily medicines as well.

We made a reservation in a hotel for our stay in Vijayawada and when we reached the hotel, we came to know that the elevator was not working. I climb the stairs and walk to the room without any trouble. Prior to that day, I was unable to take even two steps by myself. I was already experiencing all these miracles, even prior to meeting Sri Swamiji. Despite the long journey, I woke up at 4.00am the following morning, took a shower and dressed myself. Later we went for Sri Swamiji’s darshan.

We waited for over two hours as His Holiness was in a Kriya yoga class. While we were waiting I saw some devotees going and doing namaskaram, and I asked what was there. I was told that Sri Swamiji’s padukas were placed there and devotees were paying their respects. She mentioned I could also go, touch them and get His blessings. I went and as I touched His padukas, I started crying incessantly.

After about another two hours, we were told that it would not be possible to meet Sri Swamiji that day, but within five minutes, Sri Swamiji called us inside. In the room with Him, He asked what the problem was. My husband told Him about my head injury and the surgery. I was thinking death is inevitable for me, but my brother insisted that if anyone in this world can save me, that would be only Sri Swamiji. So that trust and faith had started developing in me. I saw His padukas in front of Him, and I immediately touched them and started crying.

One devotee, who was nearby, told me afterwards that I had been on His padukas crying for more than seven minutes. After that, Sri Swamiji asked me what had happened. I said that I had been without food and sleep for over three months by then. He looked at me from head to toe and said that I did not have any sickness; it was just a means to come near to Sri Swamiji, and that I will be alright. He asked that someone should be sent to collect the Sri Chakra teertham the following day after puja and asked me to take that teertham every day. He gave me a raksha.

It was all surprising to me. I was in His presence for just ten minutes, but right after coming out I could eat half an apple, some rice and milk as well. I felt very happy and went on a trip on the river Krishna. Next morning again at 4:30 am, I went to the ashrama by myself, took the Homa ticket and sat for almost four hours waiting for His arrival. Sri Swamiji came, looked at me again and smiled a little. When I went to Him for darshan, in the line, He again gave me a raksha and said that I will be alright.

We went back to Hyderabad, called my brother and told him that I was feeling very happy and I had no vomiting sensation, or nausea. However, within an hour I started vomiting again. I was feeling nervous and called my brother again. He said it was all my Karma and I have to go through it, but He will give to me the Shakti and I will definitely survive, as He said that I will be alright. With these comforting words, I gained some confidence that I would live. I started taking about half a cup of rice with milk and each time I considered that as the Bhiksha from Sri Swamiji, as He was giving me another life. Gradually the severity and the frequency of the vomiting reduced.

While we were in Vijayawada, we found out that there is also an information center in the Begumpet area, in Hyderabad. I asked my husband to take me there. I saw His photograph and padukas there and I felt His presence. When I had my first darshan He was in white clothes. Again I saw Him in those white clothes in that picture. I was not able to stand and I started crying uncontrollably. Afterwards we started going there daily.

After about ten days, we found that the ashrama runs two charitable clinics, Homeopathy and Ayurveda, providing medical services to the poor locals. We heard that the homeopathic doctor had recently left the position and they were looking for a replacement. My husband and I then decided that we would come and do some service in this charitable hospital. On February 12^th, the following year I started going to the clinic. Prior to my determination to do service in the clinic, I could not even wear a sari, such was my physical condition. Now I was able to go and see the clients for an hour. Gradually I was able to recover about fifty percent.

Later in March, Sri Swamiji came to the Begumpet information center. We were told that He was busy with some German devotees and Sri Vamshi Krishna Ganapati would be leading the Pradhana Anaghastami Vratam puja. However, to everyone’s surprise, His Holiness came and stood right beside me. I started crying. I listened to His entire discourse and went in the line for darshan. When I reached Sri Swamiji, I thanked Him for giving me the life and started crying. While I was doing namaskaram with my hands folded, Sri Swamiji touched my ring and my forehead saying that nothing will happen to me and that Sri Swamiji is with me.

I did not know what happened, for that one second when Swamiji touched me, I felt very energetic. I went right to the clinic after having His darshan, I started feeling very hungry, and had been drinking cool drinks, eating fruits, ice creams etc. I was eating even while seeing patients. Within one month I gained normal health. Prior to Swamiji’s darshan I had been a diabetic and had hypertension for two years. But since Swamiji said that I did not have any sickness during my first darshan my blood sugar levels and blood pressure levels all went under control without any medications. After three months, everything came to normal. I recovered and continued to serve in the Begumpet Ashrama.

I read His life history. It was mentioned that any type of problems can be overcome by chanting a mantra with Swamiji’s beeja akshatas. I believed in that very much. I used to get severe headaches. Whenever I had any suffering, I used to sit and chant the mantra ‘Om Dram Dattatreyaya Namaha’ for thirty minutes, and all suffering used to subside. My husband used to say that I should not waste Sri Swamiji’s yoga Shakti for simple matters like that. I have experienced His energy so many times.

My son was preparing for IIT exams while he was in 12^th grade and during this time Sri Swamiji blessed us with a house visit. When we asked for His blessing in regards to my son’s education, He called him, touched and asked him to chant Datta Stavam nine times a day. On his Chemistry exam day, he was having very severe abdominal colic pain and could not move much. He also had to go for IIT entrance exam the following day. We had no idea what to do. I was just chanting Datta Stavam throughout the night. Miraculously, the next morning, he got up and we took him to the examination center.

I waited outside chanting Datta Stavam for the whole period that he was in the room taking the exam. My husband had left for the ashrama clinic saying that Sri Swamiji was taking care of the boy and he would go and serve in the clinic. My son came out after completing the exam and said he did well on the exam.

However, he got the pains again and we took him for the scanning. It was diagnosed as Acute Appendicitis and should be operated immediately. We sent a message to Swamiji and He had sent blessing for the surgery. After the third day he started sitting for all the other exams. We were under constant pressure and tension each day, as he used to vomit and was not well throughout period. I used to chant Datta Stavam continuously. He was able to write all his exams, get into IIT, won the best student award from Benares Hindu University and is currently doing his fourth year of PhD studies at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, US.

My daughter also prepared for IIT. When she asked Sri Swamiji if she should go for IIT, He told her to go ahead and fulfill her father’s and Sri Swamiji’s wish as well. But she did not get the admission into IIT. We had no idea why or how she missed that. But then she just went for the BITSAT exam (admissions test for BITS Palani University) without any prior preparation. She did not get admission into that either. I was praying to Sri Swamiji to give strength to her so that she would not go into depression.

Exactly after forty days it was announced by BITS that there were some sort of inaccuracy with three of the questions and whoever had attempted to answer those questions would get the full ten points. My daughter had attempted one of the questions and therefore she got ten points added to her overall previous score; that helped her to get accepted into the BITS.

She sent an email to Sri Swamiji notifying of her admission and received a response within twelve hours from Prasadanna conveying Sri Swamiji’s blessings and informed her that Sri Swamiji said “Patience is the greatest penance”. We felt very happy. We thought that maybe Sri Swamiji was cleansing my daughter’s ego; over confidence, and teaching her patience.

I always get answers to all of my questions through Bhakti mala or Sri Swamiji’s discourses broadcasted in various TV channels. One time, I was feeling bad that we were not able to go to Mysore that frequently like many other devotees do, due to our financial or health reasons. The very next day, on the TV channel Sri Swamiji was saying “Why do you feel bad that you are not coming to Mysore, I am there with you in your house.” I have had various experiences where He would give answers to my questions.

After being in His association for a while, I stopped looking at any external things. I believe in doing service. I have been serving in the ashrama clinic since 1994. It is His blessings that I am living now and able to do seva. My life itself is a miracle. Now my children are grown up and I am free of any family responsibilities. I am now mentally ready for Him to take my physical body anytime. Sri Swamiji is everything for me! Om Dram Dattatreyaya Namaha!

Jaya Guru Datta

M Bala Reddy, Anantapur

Once, when Sri Swamiji came to Bommeparthi Ashram, while passing us, we all bowed to Him and did namaskarams and on His return we also did namaskarams. Then He said, “You do namaskarams only one time, which is enough”.

I am a Telugu Pundit from Anantapur, retired from the Municipal High School, after thirty-five of service. I had my first darshan of His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji in 1973, but that time it did not made much of an impact on me. For me, He was just an ordinary spiritual being moving in time. Later, while He was visiting the Anantapur Ashrama, during the ‘Gnana Sagara Prathista’, as I was walking in ‘nethra darshan’ queue, Sri Swamiji appeared just beside me and looked deeply towards me. I was surprised, but with that vision from Him I had lot of energy transmission.

After having ‘Gnana Sagara’ darshan I went back home and I found myself in bliss with His energy. My body, my heart, my pulse and everything came to a peaceful state and since then every morning and evening I would go to Gnana Sagara Temple. When I didn’t go I used to feel a great loss. During that time there was a devotee, Mallikarjuna Shastry, who is of my age, who would come every morning to the temple. He used to observe me and I was surprised about what he had to say.

After five days, he came, greeted me and told me about his sankalpa to the Gnana Sagara Temple; that he wants to collect some money for Sri Swamiji. He also said that that kind of sankalpa is coming in his mind only by Datta Guru’s grace. He encouraged me, saying that we both can do this seva. In my mind, I felt there are so many senior and other devotees who are doing this kind of seva, so before starting this work we should get permission from Sri Swamiji.

Mallikarjuna Shastry, a sturdy devotee, approached Sri Swamiji’s brother, Nanjundappa, in regard to this aspect. Nanjundappa was happy to help and along with him we went to Mysore to seek the permission of Sri Swamiji’s. After listening to our proposition Sri Swamiji gave His permission and blessed us. An auspicious day was chosen for the start of the project, before which we made a condition to ourselves; that we should only ask people whom we both like, even if one amongst us does not like a person we should not ask them. With this in mind we started our seva. After receiving some collection we deposited that money in bank; even the bank staff offered money for the seva. In total we were able to collect seventy-two thousand rupees. We covered almost seven hundred houses in the whole town to collect this amount.

When Sri Swamiji came to Anantapur for Jayalakshmimata’s Jayanthi, we got a chance to meet Him and we gave the money as a bank form document. Sri Swamiji felt happy, accepted our work and gave His blessings. He then gave Poorna Phala prasadam to each of us. Seeing Sri Swamiji in His joy, we were also very happy. After that we started doing seva in Bommeparthi ashram.

There is another incident that happened in March, 1989. One day in the Gnana Sagara Temple, after the programs were completed and all devotees had left, only Sri Swamiji, the priest and I remained. I was doing some volunteer service when Sri Swamiji called me near to Him. He suddenly gave me “Swasa Deeksha”. I felt as though I was fainting and I got mesmerized. I felt so blissful and contented

After this I started having doubts whether He is a Guru for my lifetime or not; for I wanted Him to be my Guru. I thought that I should go to Shirdi and ask Sai Baba about my dilemma, wishing that Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji should be my Guru. In this way I went to Shirdi, I went into temple and had darshan of Sai Baba, while receiving His blessings, all I could see and feel was the presence of Sri Swamiji there. I felt happy and cried for more than half of an hour continuously.

In this way Sri Swamiji after giving energy transmission through His Swasa deeksha, He also rectified my doubts regarding Guru and gave His darshan at Shirdi. Since then I am completely immersed in His seva. Even now I have energy from His “Swasa Deeksha”. Whenever I go to any religious or holy place, I feel so happy, contended and peaceful. But if I happen to go any bad place I realize it instantly and immediately I would leave that place.

Six years before this incident I met a Digambara Swamiji who was visiting at my friend’s place. He called me near to him and gave me Swasa Deeksha. Again after one week I went back to him, but this time he shouted and scolded me. When I bend down to touch his feet, he kicked me away and I emotionally fell apart. Later I understood that he has given me some energy through his swasa deeksha, but I could not keep it due my sins; I lost that energy, so by kicking me he kicked my sins. Six years later I got this opportunity from Sri Swamiji, and by His grace I was able to keep this energy even till now. In Dhyana Yoga I use this energy with His blessing and all the programs get completed easily.  It is the greatest state.

Even now I do not have interest in materialistic things. In 1992, at the Bommeparthi Ashram, after completion of a program, four volunteers remained. Sri Swamiji called us and asked us to wish for anything. Three members made their wish and left with only I remaining. Initially I do not want to wish anything, but Sri Swamiji knows everything. He asked me to wish for anything, then I asked Him to bless me to be in yoga state when my soul is leaving my body; without saying a word He then blessed me with His hand.

With these three incidents, I have definitely received energy transmission. Even if I pray to Sri Swamiji from afar I would feel so happy and I will do all the work and seva without any obstacles. During His presence we should surrender to Him mentally. He will be there with us always and gives His blessings; this happens to me daily. I want to be at His Feet always for He is always guiding me in my life path, in a spiritual way; even in my food habits, my thinking, and in every instance, He is with me. If I commit any mistakes He will correct me immediately, and I can visualize the scene when He is scolding me. I know it to myself; I cannot even explain it to others.

I like going to the graveyard for walks in the evenings. Once while returning from my walk it became dark and intuitively I made a sankalpa to “Datta Parameshwaram” saying that this graveyard with its vairgya, how can I do yogam and when can I get energy. I was thinking in this way, and then suddenly I could see behind me, a sixteen year old boy clapping his hands and dancing. I was surprised; I got goose bumps. I just turned and bowed to him. I felt that Sri Datta had blessed me directly. Sri Swamiji is always there with me for my life goal; to obtain moksha in any way through Japa, Mantra, Bhajans, yoga etc; He is always along with me.

 I am always in His seva. If I do not go to Bommeparthi ashram I feel as if I lost something. Sometime I would share some divine thoughts with other devotees and I would explain about Sri Swamiji and Jayalakshmimata to new ones. Once, when Sri Swamiji came to Bommeparthi Ashram, while passing us, we all bowed to Him and did namaskarams and on His return we also did namaskarams. Then He said, “You do namaskarams only one time, which is enough”.

In 2005 I suffered from Chikungunya, an insect-borne virus that is transmitted to humans by virus-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. My family members also suffered from the same disease, and I felt that if I could recover I will be able to take care of them. I did sankalpa, in my mind, and prayed to Sri Swamiji for His protection. During the mid afternoon an extraordinary large person with a big mustache came for alms and asked “Roti Dehi”. I gave him some rotis and he went away. Later my body pains reduced. He took the rotis and purifies us by taking away this sin. I understood that He is none other than our “Lord Datta”. Jaya Guru Datta

Yalamanchi Ram Mohan Rao, Vijayawada

Sri Swamiji is my mentor, Guru and everything. He is a part of my family. Once Sri Swamiji told me that I must think of Him as my family member who took Sanyasi. From childhood I followed the rules of the society, since meeting Sri Swamiji I follow Him.

I used to work with a Coal Mine Company in the Adilabad and Khamam before retiring. Between the years1979 to 1980, my brother, Nehru, who subsequently stayed in Mysore Ashrama from 1985 to 2006, began sending me the Bhakti Mala Magazine which was published at the Mysore Ashrama. I began reading the magazines as they came every month.  My interest in Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji grew daily. Then in May, 1982 I took my parents and family to Mysore Ashrama during Sri Swamiji’s fortieth birthday celebrations. At that time there was an old thatched chopuram which housed the celebrations. We had Sri Swamiji’s darshan and returned to our home.

I kept on reading the Bhakti Mala which taught me a lot about Sri Swamiji and His teachings. The Bhakti Mala became my Guru. My brother, Nehru, used to contact me frequently from the Ashrama and inform me of the happenings there. The new Ashrama was being constructed around that time. My brother used to enquire about our personal problems also. In 1993 I brought my sister, who was residing in New York, to India. While she was in New York she developed psychiatric problems and tried to commit suicide by jumping off the thirty-sixth floor of her apartment building. As she was about to jump someone pulled her back, but she did not see anyone.

Because of her mental condition I brought her to India and took her to Sri Swamiji. He gave her a Yantra to wear on her neck and arranged for her to do Mrityunjaya Homa. After spending three days in the Ashrama I returned to home with her. She spent a little time with me and recovered from her illness; then she returned to the USA and joined her husband. Sri Swamiji had indeed blessed my sister.

In 1988 I developed an infection in my right ear and it was oozing fluid. I went to an ENT specialist in Hyderabad and the doctors did various tests and told me that I had a small perforation in the ear and surgery may or may not correct it. He prescribed some medicine, which I took. Later, the Dassera Festival was to be celebrated in Mysore Ashrama so I attended it. On the final day of the poojas someone announced that a temple in Mekadatu was to be consecrated and volunteers were needed for the function.

Along with seven other people I volunteered. Before we left Sri Swamiji called us and briefed us on what we should do there. When the briefing was over I began telling Sri Swamiji about my ear and He interrupted me by telling me what the doctor had said to me. He then told me not to worry about the ear for I had to focus on the Mekadatu trip. I did just that and did not think of the ear infection. After about four days, the oozing stopped and the perforation healed. Sri Swamiji healed me.

My elder son had completed his MBA degree and wanted to join the Government Civil Service. We consulted Sri Swamiji and He advised my son to study and apply for the exam. My son did the exam three times and was successful on the third attempt. He was assigned to work in the Railway Department. Before starting work I took him to Sri Swamiji for His blessings. Sri Swamiji gave him a Yantra and told him to wear it on his neck and never take it off. My son went for training in Simla, which included a lot of mountainous trekking and he ended up on top of a mountain. While standing there he lost his balance and was about to fall in the valley below. Suddenly he felt someone pull him back. He realized that it was Sri Swamiji who saved his life.

On one occasion I attended a marriage function in Rajahmundry by car. On my way back, driving at about eighty kilometers per hour, the brakes on the car failed and it was heading for a ditch. I immediately called Sri Swamiji’s name and the car swerved itself away from the ditch and went on the road and stopped. Luckily no other vehicles were around.

On another occasion I was travelling by bus to Mysore. On the journey from Tirupati to Bangalore, the bus driver was driving at a very high speed and he lost control of the bus. I saw the bus heading for a big tree on the side of the road. I immediately called out Sri Swamiji’s name and the bus stopped just a few inches from the tree. When I got to the Mysore Ashrama and I told Sri Swamiji about the incident, He said to me, “This is the second time you have escaped.”  How blessed I am to be protected by Him, the Lord of the Universe.

Two years before my retirement I went to Sri Swamiji and told Him that after I retire I want to serve Him and I will go to serve wherever He wants me to. He told me to wait. Following this, I asked Him the same thing again about three to four times on different occasions and He would give me the same answer. On the last request He told me to forget about this request and don’t ask Him again. From then I kept quiet and did not ask Him anything on this retirement matter.

After my retirement in 2002, my daughter developed psychiatric problems due to family troubles. I told Sri Swamiji and He advised me to bring her to the Mysore Ashrama. I took my wife, daughter and granddaughter and we spent one month in the Ashrama. Sri Swamiji did not do any thing for us to see, but after the month was over my daughter was much better, so we left the Ashrama and returned to our home. My daughter was completely cured and later got a teaching job. If Sri Swamiji had not changed the course of my daughter’s life she would have ended up in a mental home.

Later, on the 31^st of December in 2002, Sri Swamiji visited Vijayawada and was doing house visits. My daughter who lived in Vijayawada was on the list for a visit so I went to her house. My daughter and her family did Pada Pooja for Sri Swamiji; I stood at the back as it was for my daughter’s home. Sri Swamiji called me and said, “Why are you standing in the distant? Come near to me.” I went before Him and He told me, “You have been asking to serve for a few years, the time has come now, and your work will be here in the new Rajarajeshwari temple coming.”  I was happy indeed. On His way out He briefed me on my duties at the new temple. I began doing seva at the Vijayawada Temple since that day and I am still here in His service. When I meet with difficulties I consult Him mentally and He always give me a solution.

Once there was a request by a couple to perform Girija Kalayana. I got the time set for 10.30 am on a particular day. The manager came to me with a request to do another Girija Kalayana on the same day in the afternoon. Another couple had contacted him and he made the arrangements. I told him that as per the custom I know; only once a Kalayana ceremony can take place on any given day. He consulted the Trustees and told me that I have to follow their guidelines. I was in a dilemma. I went into the temple and sat before Sri Swamiji’s picture and prayed to Him to help me do the right thing. Within one hour the manager came and told me that the couple he had scheduled for the afternoon had called and cancelled. I felt relieved; Sri Swamiji helped me out, I did not disobey the Trustee and I did not go against the religious custom. In this way He guides me for my personal problems and the Temple affairs. I just pray to Him and He responds.

In 1990, I got an opportunity to serve in the Mysore Ashrama. The old Annapurna Mandir was being re-constructed and volunteers were needed to empty the old building. Seven other devotees and I left from Vijayawada and Nuzividu and went to Mysore to offer our services. At around 7.00 pm on the day we were emptying the old building, everyone left to get dinner. I had one room left to empty and I wanted to stay and finish it. I tried to get help, but no one was available. I worked until 11.00 pm and got the work done. I had my bath and went to bed. At 3.00 am my brother sent a message for me to come to attend the Bhoomi pooja. I took a bath and went to the place. None of the other volunteers were there. Sri Swamiji did the pooja and laid the first stone. He then called the manager of the Annapurna Mandir and two other devotees to lay the other stones.  Then He called me and asked me to lay a stone. I was so happy, I felt honored that He made me a part of this historical event.

 In 2009, my wife had accompanied Sri Swamiji on His trip to Kashi. When she returned she got ill with the fever and cold and it was not going away. She went to the doctor and after many tests she was diagnosed with a tumor and a biopsy had to be performed to determine whether it was cancerous. Because of the location of the tumor, the biopsy was a risky procedure. I advised my wife and son to go to Mysore. They went there for 2010 New Years darshan. They told Sri Swamiji about the situation and He advised her to see another doctor and inform Him before any biopsy is done. My wife did as Sri Swamiji said and we informed Him that a biopsy was recommended again. Sri Swamiji told us to go ahead and do it. My wife went to do the biopsy, but the radiologist could not find any tumor; the tumor had disappeared. Sri Swamiji had saved my wife. She is now at home living a happy, healthy life.

Sri Swamiji is my mentor, Guru and everything. He is a part of my family. Once Sri Swamiji told me that I must think of Him as my family member who took Sanyasi. From childhood I followed the rules of the society, however since meeting Sri Swamiji, I follow Him only. Whenever anyone comes to me for advice, I give them guidance only from my experience with Sri Swamiji, His discourses and books. Many times people tell me that my advice had helped them. I told them that it is not me giving the advice, but Sri Swamiji. He has given me this opportunity to serve, for serving others is serving Him. All this is His grace on me, helping me on the journey of life; the journey, which ultimately ends in liberation.                                                                          Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji Says:

Datta is unique. He is Guru to all. He shows no distinctions of caste, creed, race, color or gender. He is accepted by all religions. He accepts and transcends all religions. The ancient scriptures mention him, including the most ancient Vedas. The agama shastras acknowledge him.  Many saints and composers have sung about him  ncludingAnnamacharya, Purandaradasa, Kanakadasa, and Tyagaraja

Only with Saadhana, Shraddha (interest), Love and Affection, God comes out.

C Muthulachimi Gunasingam, G Logasundari Ravi, Malaysia

He picked up this family when we had no sense of direction in our lives and He guided us each one of us for our own benefit. He leads the way on this spiritual journey and sometimes He even walks with us.

In 1982 Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda visited the Sri Rajarajeshwari Temple in Malaysia, upon an invitation from its committee members. Mr. I K Moorthy, a devotee of Sri Swamiji, invited my family to the functions at the temple.  At the temple he introduced us to this Indian mystic from South India. My father, Major K Gunasingam told Sri Swamiji that my mother was a heart patient staying in India, at that time. Sri Swamiji told him to send her to visit Mysore Ashrama in India. After this meeting we began attending bhajans at Uncle I K Moorthy’s house

My mother, Muthulachimi, who was already in India, was told by my father to visit the Mysore Ashrama as requested by Sri Swamiji, so she went to the Ashrama for the Shivaratri Festival in the same year. There she met Uncle and Aunty I K Moorthy and they introduced her to Sri Swamiji. He blessed her and she left. She returned to Mysore later in May, In 1985 during His birthday celebrations. Sri Swamiji told my mother, “If I tell you, you will get scared, but you must return in October for the Navaratri Festival.” My mother did not tell my father about this nor did she take it seriously and she came back to Malaysia.

The month of October came and she did not go for the Navaratri festival. After the first day of the celebrations she suffered a stroke on the left side of her body and became unconscious. We admitted her to the hospital and informed Sri Swamiji by telephone through Sri Ramesh. Sri Ramesh advised us that Sri Swamiji had asked her to come for Navaratri, but she did not come, anyway He sends His blessings and she will be alright. When she became conscious she had lost her memory and could not speak. Sri Swamiji advised us to play His bhajans for her to listen to, every day.

My brother-in-law Mr. Arputham who was in Mysore Ashrama for Navaratri, brought back some prasadam; a raksha, oil, and turmeric root for my mother from Sri Swamiji. With His instructions we applied the oil on my mother’s tongue; she drank the turmeric water and wore the raksha on her hand.  One day while she was listening to Sri Swamiji bhajans she suddenly sang a few lines from the bhajan ‘Amba Bhavani Sharade’. The words came out a little broken and the doctors were astonished for they did not expect her to speak in such a short time.

Within one month due to Sri Swamiji’s grace my mother was out of the hospital. This experience gave us all a glimpse into the greatness of Sri Swamiji and strengthened our faith in Him. This time when Sri Swamiji asked us to send her to the Ashram, we sent her immediately. She was walking, talking and doing everything by herself. Sri Swamiji told her that He had given His life to her and she must be in the Ashrama every year for the Navaratri Festival. Since then to this date she has been doing that. Sri Swamiji had told her not to worry about her family and she does not. He has taken care of her husband, her four daughter’s marriage.

After this experience with my mother and Sri Swamiji, my entire family became very involved in Sri Swamiji’s work. My father, a founding member, became President and Advisor of the ‘Gnana Bodha Sabha’ in Malaysia and served diligently.

Being with Sri Swamiji we experience many miracles: In 1985, during Sri Swamiji’s visit  to Malaysia, He cancelled His programs on a particular day and told my father that He wants to visit Genting Highlands. My father did not question anything and made the arrangements. Three cars were arranged; one with Uncle I K Moorthy and Sri Swamiji, and the others with my father and a few others. When they reached Genting Highland, Sri Swamiji sat down for a few minutes and then said that it was time to leave. They all left, with Uncle Moorthy driving in front of my father’s car.

While driving through a tunnel suddenly those devotees who were in my father’s car saw that Uncle Moorthy’s car was going on the opposite side of the road and would collide with an oncoming bus. Everyone panicked and screamed.  However, somehow Uncle Moorthy’s car did not hit the bus and it stopped on the side of the road. My father and the others rushed to the parked car. There they saw Sri Swamiji touching Uncle Moorthy telling him to wake up. My dad asked Sri Swamiji, “Why is Uncle sleeping, and who was driving the car?”  Sri Swamiji replied, “I don’t know, maybe Datta was driving.”

After a while Uncle Moorthy woke up and asked what was happening and Sri Swamiji said, “Come on, let’s go.” We all drove to Uncle Moorthy’s house and Sri Swamiji went inside. He said to Aunty Moorthy, “Your prayers are strong; your husband has got a second life now.”  Sri Swamiji blessed them both and told Uncle Moorthy that He had extended his life for another ten years.  In 1995, Uncle I K Moorthy passed away, just as Sri Swamiji had predicted.

In the following years, my father developed Glaucoma and had undergone many operations, but the problem always came back. Then, one day he went completely blind. We informed Sri Swamiji and He said that everything will be all right. An operation was scheduled and we got news that Sri Swamiji was coming to Malaysia. My father said that he wants to meet with Sri Swamiji before the operation. There was a problem in re-scheduling the surgery date, but luckily, by Sri Swamiji grace, the doctor himself postponed the operation.

Sri Swamiji came to my sister’s; Sundari Ramesh, house and we all went there. My father approached Sri Swamiji and He said, “Can you see me?”  My father replied, “Yes I can.” My father could see Sri Swamiji faintly. Sri Swamiji advised him to go ahead and do the operation. My father did the operation and it went well. Then later on he became blind due to problems in the other eye. By Sri Swamiji’s advice and guidance we took him to Singapore and he did an operation which was successful and he gained back about eighty percent of his sight. Then he began working again and got back to his usual routine. On March 8^th, 2011 my father passed away; he was 80 years old.

Sri Swamiji has become a part of my family. Over the years we have learnt to trust in His words, for He never speaks anything in vain. We listen to Him and follow Him. He picked up this family when we had no sense of direction in our lives and He guided each one of us for our own benefit. He leads the way on this spiritual journey and sometimes He even walks with us. Thanks Sri Swamiji for being in our life.

Jaya Guru Datta

Daulat Stankhi, Baton Rouge, LA

“If you ever get money where would you put it?”  Stuttering, I said maybe in a draw Swamiji, so He opened the draw, threw in those three quarters, closed the draw and said, “Watch how these will grow.”

In July, 1988, I was asked by my brother-in-law, Narendra Dave, to accompany him to Bay City, Texas to meet and drive back to Baton Rouge, a south Indian Swami, who was visiting the USA. Narendra and my sister, Nalini, had recently met Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji in London, at his parent’s home, and were very interested in His teachings. Narendra, Manish, (my son) and I set out on this hot summer day to start on a very special journey.

My family migrated to East Africa from Gujarat and later we migrated to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. We understood the Guru concept, as we had known about the Datta Avatars of Sri Alkakot Maharaj Swami and Sri Ranga Avadoot Maharaji. Narendra explained to me, in details, about the incarnation of Sri Swamiji and I was intensely interested to have His darsan. With excitement we made our journey to Bay City. When we got there and I laid my eyes on Him, I became mesmerized by His physical countenance. His smile and gestures were very inviting

We brought Sri Swamiji to Baton Rouge and He stayed at my sister’s house where a few programs were arranged. Narendra and Nalini invited some family members and a few acquaintances to have His darsan at their home. Those of us who were fortunate to be there saw His Holiness manifesting small metal objects and vibhuti, which He gave to us. Some of the people, who came during that time, became His ardent devotees and continue to spread His Mission.

Anyhow, from the exposure I experienced, I figured that Sri Swamiji was beyond any normal human being; He represented a form that was beyond our comprehension. I had just bought a new house, so I requested Him to come and bless the house, and He agreed. He came and we received Him as per our customs. Sri Swamiji seemed to be and He felt at home here. I introduced everyone and He said that we are His family. Little did we recognize what role we had to play in His works and mission.

We had a small, struggling business with an office in a newly developing industrial park, in the city. I thought that I could invite Him to visit and bless this place also. As I started to make the request, Sri Swamiji, with His infinite wisdom and grace agreed, without me completing the sentence. The warehouse in which I had my office was almost empty; except for a small, old desk and some used pac-man video game machines. I used to repair these machines. I didn’t have anything, just an empty warehouse, nothing in there.

Sri Swamiji came in and looked at the machines, and maybe He just wanted to look at them, or maybe He wanted to bless the machines. Finally He said “okay”. I had prepared a place for Him to sit at my desk, He sat there and then He spoke to His assistant, Prasadi, who was very young at the time, and asked him to give Him three quarters. Looking at me, He asked, “Where do you put your money, where do you keep your cash for the business?” Honestly, I didn’t have anything. I really didn’t have that much money coming in. I had no safe, no particular place.

I told Him that I didn’t have any safe or other place. Then He asked, “If you ever get money where would you put it?”  Stuttering, I said maybe in a draw Swamiji, so He opened the draw, threw in those three quarters, closed the draw and said, “Watch how these will grow.” Laughing, I said okay, I didn’t take Him seriously at the time, but that money blessing really helped. My business grew tremendously and I benefited a lot out of His blessings.

In 1995 when I went to Trinidad, for the fifty-first birthday celebrations, many things happened there. Sri Swamiji said, “Daulat, you have to build a temple in Baton Rouge and don’t ask money from anyone, do it yourself.” If anybody wants to give a donation, that’s fine, but you must build it. I agreed and with a firm commitment in my heart I set out to accomplish what He had asked. The next time He visited Baton Rouge I showed Him some lands that I had in back of my office, and I took Him to another location not too far away from there, which had three vacant lots

Two alternating lots were owned by my family and the middle lot was owned by an American person. Sri Swamiji identified these lots as the location for the Temple, so I purchased the middle lot from that person, after convincing him that we wanted to build a temple. Afterwards, Sri Swamiji walked unto the property and said that this was the place for the temple to be constructed.  Building plans, for a basic building, was approved by Him and we started the construction. From outside the building looks like a warehouse but the inside was good, nicely done with Indianization features. That’s how Baton Rouge Temple came into being.

Just around the time that the construction was getting started I decided to go to the Mysore Ashrama for the Shivaratri festivals. Across the street from the construction site, the family had purchased another three lots. I thought that if we were constructing a Temple, then lots of devotees will come and we will need a place for us to cook food and feed them, this was a custom which we practice.

I told the contractor of my plans and informed him that by the time I came back, I wanted him to construct a similar building, on that property. I made it abundantly clear that this building should be ready within thirty days. He took the challenge and had the building ready for me, on my return. I named it after Jayalakshmi Mata, who is the divine mother of Sri Swamiji. That building now serves as a community hall and it is being used by the general public.

The main experience I had was when He blessed me and I was really laughing. When He asked me where you put your money, I asked, “What money Swamiji,” I don’t have any money. That was drawn into my life, as far as the money was concerned, because really, I didn’t have any money. I figured that this was His money and I was just the medium between the money and Him. I was awake to do whatever His mission was, and to do whatsoever was His will .That’s how the money, and as far as the temple was concerned, happened.

I come from a very spiritual family where my grandfather and those before him, belong to a line of saints. Somehow in 1972, when I came to this country I lost my spiritually. However, after Sri Swamiji came into my life I started changing myself, and whatever His blessings was doing to me, I started going back to my spiritually. Two things happened to me; financially, I was better, and spiritually, I became better. It was only through the grace and blessing from my Master and Guru, Sri Swamiji.

Sri Swamiji is the most powerful being in human form there is. He changes people, He does things that people can’t comprehend, no one can figure out what or who He is. He is so important because there are things which we can buy with money, but when you acquire His blessings, what it does to you, no amount of money can buy that. He never told me to do anything special or to change. I know that whatever I do, the right thoughts will be coming in my mind about spiritually, I am in touch with Him

When I went to Mysore at the Venkatesha Temple inauguration, Sri Swamiji was doing poojas. A few people were inside and I met another devotee, Agastya, from Denmark. He said; let’s go outside for Kumbha Abhishekam. When we ascend the scaffolding we saw many birds, like Garuda, circling the sky above the temple; they would come and then go away for some time, and then we saw a rainbow formed over the area. This experience I will never forget. There is no science required to prove this phenomenon; it was just the best experience of my life.

Sri Swamiji, my Guru, is like an ocean and we, his kids and like the droplets of His being. I have been naughty, but he forgives me. He is so soft, softer than a cotton ball. He is tough but He loves us all.  Jaya Guru Datta