Dianan Earle Chandool, Trinidad

Sri Swamiji knows everything, past-present-future, everyone, dead-born-unborn. He knows all the karmas of each individual and how to alleviate the suffering of His devotees.

I am originally from Surrey Village, Arouca, a little village nestled in the first set of mountains that forms the Northern Range. In this village there might be the oldest Shiva Temple, with a Bilva tree and a Lingam, which exist in Trinidad. This tree and the Lingam were brought to Trinidad in 1859 by my fore parents. There is a claim that this lingam has miraculous healing powers and this was confirmed later by His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji on one of His visits there. Also during the years this Lingam has been continuously growing.

I met His Holiness on His first visit to Trinidad in 1976. I was not part of the planning committee but I knew that He was coming. I went to the airport to see Him but I did not go into the building. The planning committee received Him and when they came outside He approached me and said “let’s go home”. I was taken back, but I brought my car, He sat in the front seat and we started for the house. I cannot remember if anything was spoken, and as we got to the house He walked straight into the main bedroom and sat down. It seemed as though He knew the layout and arrangement of the whole house. Then He said, “It’s good to be home”.

Incidentally, my family was in London on vacation, so the whole house was available for His use. He seemed to be very comfortable in the surroundings and He started to talk to me as if we had known each other for a very long time, maybe through many births. He told that the main purpose for His being here was that; firstly, there are some souls that were waiting for Him, and secondly, He had to pay respect to a river that He left many generations ago. These two activities were to be done as soon as possible.

Plans were made and early the next morning we set out for wherever we were to go. Sri Swamiji was directing the trip and He was the one in control. We were traveling eastwards on the highway while enjoying the spectacular sunrise over the trees. When we were nearing the Mausica River, Sri Swamiji cautioned me to pull over and stop. I did as was told and He got out of the car. He took with Him some water which He had brought from India and looking at me He said. “You know but the others don’t”. With that He walked into the waters and did some rituals and left. We then continued traveling eastwards under His directions.

Some years ago there was a great flood and the bridge over the river was washed away. At the point where His Holiness got into the river; two cars plunged into the swollen waters and all the occupants were drowned. I was one of the divers who retrieved the bodies from their waterery graves. Sri Swamiji had gone there to release those souls and set them free. Thousands of miles He traveled to come to perform this spiritual act of humanity. What a venerable saint.

The car reached into Waller Field, a disused American Military Base, and we pass the first river there. Sri Swamiji said that we must continue as we were not at the place as yet. From the Highway we entered the Eastern Main Road and Sri Swamiji was acting rather mysteriously. At the junction, He suggested that we should proceed northwards along the Aripo Road. After a short drive He directed that I should turn right and drive down the hill towards the river. We got there, parked the car and Sri Swamiji alighted and headed up stream to where a large stone was in the center of the water. He mounted the stone and performs some pujas and rituals. He then said that He had paid respect to this Mother River whom He had left many generations ago and the first part of His mission is completed and He was now free to continue His work here.

He then informed me that this area is very sacred, but it was not the spot He was accustomed to. The area, He said, will be located on His third visit. The first visit had just started and He was already thinking about the third visit. Without any directions from the local Trinidadians Sri Swamiji was moving as though He knew all the places and how to navigate without disturbances. He was in tune with nature and everything seemed to bow to His presence.

How effectively the turn of events were taking place; firstly, Sri Swamiji wanted to come Home, then He went to the river for those souls and He performed pujas on to stone in the river. For five years before His coming to Trinidad, I would religiously come to this spot, in the early hours of the Sunday mornings, sit on that stone and perform pujas and do my meditation. Even in the darkest of nights when I came there that area will always be lighted. In His wisdom Sri Swamiji knows your heart and graces you with His unwavering love.

As if by divine intervention, I had known of a location that was high up in the mountains of Cerra del Aripo, where there was a confluence of rivers; a place where it is rumored that in ancient times, a great sage had performed penance there. Is this the place of which He speaks? On His third visit, His Holiness was taken there and He identified that this was the place He was seeking. Today that place is known as the Aripo Datta Ganga and a Shiva Temple is constructed there for all. I realized that I was related to Him in two ways; as the ancient Rishi, and in this incarnation.

During His third visit also, Sri Swamiji advised us of His intention to construct an ashrama in Trinidad. A plot of land was located in Arima and He laid the foundation stone. However, He intimated to me that He was doing this because of His love of His devotees, but nothing will come out of this, and this was not the place for the ashrama. That place will come later. It would be some years later, but a five acres parcel of land was presented to His Holiness during His 1986 tour. Two years later after performing the Bhoomi Puja and laying the foundation stone; a Datta Temple was constructed on the site within fourteen days and the Kumbha Abhishekam was performed.

Up to 1990 I headed the organization as the President. During my tenure we constructed the temple structure and the Guru Nihliyam. We turned, what was once a rice paddy into buildable lands. Sri Swamiji’s mission in Trinidad had taken full roots. Today, as I look at the administration, all I can see is individuals jostling for power, with the notion that I am this and I am that. The real intent of the mission is being lost. Over the years I have traveled and spend a lot of quality time with His Holiness but I sincerely believe that my formidable relationship with Him was to set down the foundation for His Mission in Trinidad, and through His grace and divine will, we were able to do that. I still visit the ashrama periodically, and only in a private capacity. There are a few very important incidents that happened in my life that I would like to relate.

Several years ago I attended a conference in the Philippines and at the conclusion I thought that I could go the Mysore Ashrama for the Shivaratri festival. I had difficulties in getting a flight, but then I learnt that Air India was having one flight to Chennai. I managed to get a ticket on a plane that was named Shivaji. I arrived in Chennai and again I had problems for transport to Mysore. A family I knew, and who were great devotees of Sri Swamiji, came to my rescue and took me to hotel, and later arranged a flight to Bangalore. During the flight the person seated next to me started a conversation, and I intimated to him that I was traveling to Mysore. In Bangalore he had his driver take me to the bus depot where I got a seat on a tourist bus that was leaving for Mysore City. I traveled to the Ashrama and was well received by the ashramamites.

Later, during a conversation with Sri Swamiji, He said, “I know that you want to visit the Divine Mother, come and let’s go”. His Holiness got into the driver’s seat, and Krishna Kishore Persad, another Trinidadian, and I got into the car along with Him. He started driving towards the roads leading to the Chamundi Hills. From the main road there were narrow one-lane roads that led up to the Chamundeshwari Temple on top of the hills. On our way up, with only room for one vehicle we saw a lorry shooting down the hill towards us. I closed my eyes and prepared for death. A few moments later I opened my eyes and I saw the lorry barreling down the hill and the car cruising up the hill. I did not record even a shake that the vehicles passed each other.

Sri Swamiji drove into the temple’s compound and there were literally thousands of people there. The chief priest noticing Sri Swamiji approached and motioned Him to come forward. With compassion Sri Swamiji motioned for me to follow Him. Once inside the Sanctum Sanctorum, I was given a basket filled with fruits and flowers and was asked to perform pujas to the deity. After that we left and went back to the Ashrama. Sri Swamiji granted me the seva opportunity of feeding the members of the leper colony and in assisting another person with his developmental project; a person who Sri Swamiji saved from impending death.

In 1990 I was sent to Switzerland, on a program, sponsored by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). While I was coming down the western ramp of the airport, Sri Swamiji was coming down from the eastern ramp. We met in the immigration area and greeted each other. I was not aware of His program in Switzerland. Sri Swamiji invited me to join His group, an invitation which I embraced. I was able to complete my program and join His Holiness for a few days. At that time, the Jammat al Muslimeen had staged a coup in Trinidad and was holding the duly elected government hostage. I sat in meditation and asked His Holiness if He would allow His group to pray with me to seek redemption for the country.  Sri Swamiji agreed and we started performing some pujas. At the end of the pujas, when the coconut was broken, we heard that the leader, Yaseen Abu Bakr had laid down his weapons and surrendered.

Another time, I had gone to New York JFK airport, and after clearing my luggage, involuntarily my eyes moved to a notice board where I saw a note addressed to me for me to visit a particular person at his place, so I took a taxi to the location. Meanwhile, Sri Swamiji had informed Sri HV Vishvanath that someone was coming to see Him and he should wait outside for him. When I got there Sri Vishvanath and I introduced ourselves. Then he told me that Sri Swamiji was waiting for me. I had no idea that Sri Swamiji was visiting the USA. No one knew how this note got there. But it directed me to where Sri Swamiji was at that time.

If one goes to His Holiness with an open mind, and without the thought of wanting or receiving something from Him, that person will definitely benefit from His association. He is the benevolent being that does not see beyond the real; He is the humane majesty that takes care of all His subjects according to His will. When He gives a command, we are to follow it without adjustments to our meaning, we must do it without recourse or refrain.

During a visit to Trinidad, Sri Swamiji told me, “Boysie, I have to go to Guyana as soon as possible, tomorrow”. Arrangements were made; we left the next morning, and stayed at the home of my friend, Dr Rama Sahadeo. Sri Swamiji informed me that another one of my friends was coming to visit Him. To my amazement, I saw my driver, Mohammed ‘Dooks’ Yusuff and his family coming towards me and he said in a very compassionate tone, “Sir, I would like to see the boss man”. Arrangements were made and he was taken inside to meet with His Holiness.

The family sat and had a hearty conversation with Sri Swamiji, and at the end He said to Mr. Yusuff, “Dooks, I want to talk with you”. The family came outside and the two souls were left inside for about three hours. At the end I jokingly told Him that I have now realized the reason for His coming to Guyana. Sri Swamiji then ask me about my realization, I told Him that I recognized that that person was a devotee from a long time ago. His Holiness confirmed this and started to laugh and told us that He owed this to him. The next morning we were informed that the gentleman had expired during the night; although a Muslim by birth, he was buried with full Hindu rites later. Sri Swamiji said that not only was this person a great devotee, but he was also a good friend. After that we returned to Trinidad.

On another occasion He wanted to go to Surinam. I recognized that His Mother from a previous incarnation had now taken birth in that blessed country. With great excitement all arrangements were made for the trip. When we got to Surinam, I was directed to approach a family. I did as was told and I also advised the lady of the home that Sri Swamiji will be performing a Homa the following day and she should supply all the necessary materials needed. She must also prepare seven headbands; each of a different color for the program. Everything was prepared and Sri Swamiji came to the Homa Kunda.

Sri Swamiji knows everything, past-present-future, everyone, dead-born-unborn. He knows all the karmas of each individual and how to alleviate the suffering of His devotees. To our amazement we witnessed, for the first time, Sri Swamiji bowing and touching the feet of someone, that lady, His relation. That lady started to weep and explained that when He touched her she felt that she had intimately known Him before. I explained the relationship and the lady was very happy.

When the priests of the Surinamese Temple heard that Sri Swamiji was coming to perform the Homa at the temple they became very irate. They viewed Swamis coming from India as people who came begging for money instead of teaching spirituality. For them this Swamiji was no different. On the morning of the Homa, as Sri Swamiji entered the temple premises, the Chief Priest started to confront Him, but as he approached His Holiness, unconsciously he prostrated before Him. Where his hands touch the ground two coins appeared in his palms, one with the Devi and the other with Lord Shiva. He were mesmerized, then Sri Swamiji invited the Chief Priest to help with the Homa offerings.

My relationship with Sri Swamiji goes back many thousands years ago, through several of His incarnations. In one incarnation I made a promise that I would help Him with His mission in Trinidad, and I have fulfilled that promise. Our relationship has been a joyous and memorable one. It has nothing to do with personal wants and gains. He is my mentor, and as such I share a high level of comfort with His cosmic being. As a child I was blessed to have the guidance of spiritual giants and was tutored by two great sadhus. Neither of them became my Guru as they saw that I had come from the linage of Lord Dattatreya. Only when I came in contact with Sri Swamiji was this reinforced in me. Jaya Guru Datta.

Maurice Clarke, Trinidad

I attribute all these incidents to the grace of Sri Swamiji. What would have been my life without Him? I don’t know and I have no interest in knowing. All I know is that I have Him and He has me.  

In the early years of my life I was brought up and lived in Belmont, a suburb of Port of Spain where the population was primarily Afro-Trinidadians, secular in reasoning, and Christianity was the popular religion. My family belonged to the Roman Catholic Church and as such there are priests and nuns who are members of my immediate family. However, my father was open to different religions and cultures. So with my father’s influence, in my youth I felt the need to see a connection between religions and a validity of all religious expression.

When I was about seventeen years old, one day I walked in front of the television on which a program on Sri Sathya Sai Baba was being broadcast to commemorate His birthday. This telecast had a strong influence on me, and there and then, a thought that came deep with me that almost instructed me, that someday I had to study this Master.

Later on, when I started engineering school at the University of the West Indies, my mind could not settle to normal studies. While perusing books in the library, I came across a whole shelf of books on Sri Sathya Baba. This led me to start a project on studying His life. It changed my life. I was provided with a completely new foundation with which to see the world. Sai literally opened up my mind. I read all those books without stopping and literally abandon the study of engineering. In fact, my friends grew very concerned as I was failing my courses. But for me this was more important that engineering.

In one of those books, ‘Sri Satya Sai Speaks’, I found a chapter titled, Yoga Marga; the yoga path. By this time I was head over heels in love with Baba and I expected and wanted Him to be my Guru. However while reading this chapter I came across a sentence that said “I am not your Guru and you must have a Guru”. With that, another thought or a feeling from deep inside me came, a feeling of the knowledge that I wanted a Guru, I must have a Guru. With that thought my body became electrified and started to shake involuntarily. This shaking was quite surprising to say the least.

I had known that my elder brother, Richard, was involved in some type of yoga, so I went to him for advice with my dilemma. I showed Richard the book with the passage where it said that “I am not your Guru…………….”. He did not say much, but directed me to Sri Swamiji’s Kriya Yoga classes conducted by Sri Krishna Maharaj at the California Hindu Mandir. Within three weeks I was enrolled and started attending the sessions there. During the sessions I was slowly being introduced to a formidable Guru, Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore,

At about the same time that this happened, I travelled to a tiny island off the Trinidad mainland a few days before I was to start a holiday job, while waiting for University lectures to start back. While walking around the beach there, I stepped on a piece of broken glass and received a severe painful cut on the sole of my foot and I was taken to the hospital for stitches. This was a great setback, as I should begin working in less than two days. The very next day, while lying on the couch in the living room contemplating what excuse I can give to my new employers, I suddenly felt a wave of heat entering into my back moving slowly down my leg and into the wound in my foot. The pain that was there before had vanished and I was able to stand erect without any discomfort. I was amazed at this occurrence, and I was able to start the job as scheduled. I attribute this to Sri Swamiji looking after me.

In March or April of 1990, I saw this gigantic personage for the first time. By this time I was doing Kriya yoga for nearly a year and a half and I was full of excitement and anxiety to see Him. I remember He looked at me for not more than two seconds expressionlessly and turned away. That’s all that was needed.

After my meeting with my Sadguru, many incidents kept playing in my everyday life. For instance, I would be driving down the road listening to Swamiji’s music and get the beautiful smell of vibuthi or another time, roses.

Three times Sri Swamiji has materised objects for me: once it was a little Siva linga crystal; once it was a nine stone navgraha amulet and another time a pearl. That last one, he gave me a putty-like substance and when walking back to my seat, the substance began to get warm and vibrate in my hands and when I re-examined it a pearl was there! Another time, much earlier, a similar event happened. He was graciously giving the congregation amethyst stones which were loosely threaded. He put one in my hand and again I was walking back to my seat, what was put in my hand got warm and vibrated slightly. When I checked it out again, a complex set of knots were artistically holding the gem that were not there before. Actually, the automatic knoting occurances happened several times during this period with other gems that He gave me.

The wondrous thing my life was turning out to be made me re-trace the steps as to how it all began.  In fact I had an exact copy of the Sai Baba book with the chapter on Yoga Marga. I have read it over and over again, but the lines “I am not your Guru. You must have a Guru” are just not there in the book. I was confused for a while, but I have to conclude that those sentences were put there only for me. To such an extent my Gurudev had come to collect little me, has me in awe even today. I guess the introduction to the Kriya Yoga was His way of bringing me to Him so that I can finally be with my Guru.

I attribute all these incidents to the grace of Sri Swamiji. What would have been my life without Him? I don’t know and I have no interest in knowing. All I know is that I have Him and He has me. When I wanted to get married, I consulted Him and He approved and blessed the marriage that produced His two beautiful daughters. They are two healthy and bright children growing up in His being.

Once, I was playing with my younger daughter, spinning her around, when suddenly I felt that I would smash her head into the stairs. With this thought I stopped swinging her and placed her on the floor, then there was a missing period of time; a period I cannot account for. To my amazement I saw a scar on her forehead that was completed healed and I know that there was no scar there before. I became very remorseful at the incident for I understood that that incident could have been fatal, however I know that in His grace, Sri Swamiji prevented that fatality for I know that He is always with me.

In 1993, during Sri Swamiji’s visit to Trinidad for His fifty-first birthday celebrations, we were given a mantra, a peace mantra; ‘Om Aim Hreem Shreem Shiva Rama Anagha Dattaya Namaha’, which we were supposed to chant for ninety million times. My brother and I would go to the Datta Yoga Center on Saturday mornings and sit and chant with other devotees. On one Saturday, a terrible hurricane was heading towards Trinidad. The metrological office was watching this phenomenon; they were forecasting that this storm could totally wipe out the island. Richard and I decided to hazard the risk and still go and do the mantra. But with the threat of the storm, nobody else was present. The ashram was peaceful and quiet. Notwithstanding the impending impact of the storm, we sat there chanting the mantra with only the thought of Sri Swamiji. He had said that if the targeted sum was reached, He will perform a Maha Shanti Yagna in Trinidad; a sacrifice for world peace. While chanting, a third and distinct voice was heard. The voice appeared in the same accent as Sri Swamiji. We were thrilled, but we were not scared and continued in an even happier mood than before. Incidentally, the storm miraculously changed direction and bypassed Trinidad with very little damage to the island.

In 2001, Sri Swamiji sent a message to all devotees, that those who can make it to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at a specified time, should make it there. Two other devotees from Trinidad and me journeyed to Orlando, Florida to the home of Mr. Edward Bharath. From there the four of us traveled by car to Baton Rouge. This was just three months before the 9/11 incident in the US. When we got there we were told that His Holiness was traveling to the US and had met with an accident on His way to the airport. We were stunned and there were no words to explain or express our feelings.

When we got there I wanted to have the darsan of Sri Datta Murti, so I went to the temple entry. As I opened the door, I felt as though something “physically” pulling me towards Datta. I felt the warmness of an unseen being and my body was being guided to the Datta Murti in front of me. I could not explain what was happening, but I was in imperial bliss with my Datta Guru. One year later the phenomenon repeated itself in the Mysore Ashrama. To this Datta Guru I offer my revential pranams.

These incidents, I jokingly tell myself, had their genesis in an earlier happening in the Trinidad Ashrama. During one of Sri Swamiji’s visit to Trinidad I was becoming so attached to His physical form that I was not leaving the ashrama as long as He was there. I started identifying myself with Sri Swamiji and all that I thought He stood for. The evening before He would leave us, I was very sad that He was leaving.  I was standing some distance from the base of the stairs leading up to His quarters and Sri Swamiji was ascending the stairs and was almost to the top of the landing. I was thinking, ‘how can He leave, He must not leave’. With this thought I felt as if my heart leapt out of my chest, and I grabbed Him. He almost toppled down, but in His benevolence Sri Swamiji looked at me and was just smiling.

I believe that He constantly reminds us that when we pull Him towards us He will definitely pull us towards Him. With or without His physical presence I can feel His energy permeating the makeup around me. Even if He screams at me or doesn’t look at me; if He presents me with things from the void, even if I think that He ignores or avoids me, I find solace in Him. He is in everything.

The greatest gift that I have from Sri Swamiji is the knowledge and forbearance that have made me who I am. Frequently too, I am so, so filled with happiness, I cannot explain. His mere acceptance of me, being a non-indian with a non-hindu upbringing is in itself a miracle. I understand that far from our thought train, He sees only our soul. He preaches that one must not change his countenance, no matter what, in order to be with Him. By probability, I can assume that I should not be here, but His wonders are endless and glorious.

Other salient things have kept me married to Him; some can be explained and some cannot. I believe He is always teaching and testing me. Many questions I think are answered silently. Many questions I would have in mind, would be answered within a discourse with Him looking directly at me at that point in the discourse. For instance, I was confused by how the devotees greet each other with ‘Jaya Guru Datta’. This was not explained to us but we did it involuntarily. I wondered about this for a long time. Then In 1995, when He came to Trinidad to do the Maha Shanti Yagna, amidst all the rituals, I believe He gave me the answer silently. I summed up that ‘Jaya Guru Datta’ was the same as saying ’Lord, thy will be done’. This I understood from a Christian upbringing. It was a reference to surrender. I was ecstatic and thanked Him profusely for the answer. These little things have created great impacts in my mind.

He has taught me how to surrender, and what to surrender. How can I define my life without Sri Swamiji? My future is defined by Him; He is the precursor of my existence. One of my most treasured relationships with Sri Swamiji, particularly, is my practice of Kriya Yoga. When I practice the Kriyas I feel very, very happy and feel a sense of accomplishment. It is an intense happiness that emanates from within, notwithstanding the outward tragedy or comedy movie that is being played before my eyes.

In 1993 Sri Swamiji was conducting a Kriya Yoga class in the Trinidad Ashrama, and He was complaining about a particular Nadi that causes anger. Then His Holiness vehemently commented that He has to talk to Brahma as to why he created the Nadi. To me this statement was both hilarious and ridiculous so I was laughing. To my knowledge; how can Brahma complain to Brahma? I know that He is everything that I can think about, and therefore He will have the solution. Then as if to vindicate myself, Sri Swamiji looked at me and started laughing also. He knows my every thought.

Another interesting episode happened when Sri Swamiji was in Toronto for a program. I wanted to attend that program to be with Him. However, it did not worked for me. This program was supposed to be telecasted and Trinidad would be able to receive it. Although I was not in the habit of making tea or chai, I made a cup of chai and sat to watch the program. As the program got underway, Sri Swamiji looked into the camera and said, “Okay, so you are sitting with your chai and looking at the program, go ahead relax, drink your chai and watch the program”. I was surprised, but this reinforced my conviction that Sri Swamiji knows all the thoughts of His devotees and that He is aware of everything in their lives.

After my introduction to Sri Sathya Sai Baba I saw a world that had more questions than answers. I saw Baba as Jesus, and at a family gathering I showed how I realized my beliefs. Then when I came in contact with my Sadgurudeva, I came to the realization that if I can try to live my life to the dharmic qualities of Sri Rama, then Jesus is everywhere. In the book, Heart to Heart, Sri Swamiji has exposed the ‘big secret’ that “Sri Datta is Verily the Lord Jesus”.

How many births I have traveled with Him and how many more I will be with Him, I do not know; and I do not want to know, but for now, all I want, is to ‘Follow Him by Following His Words’, enjoy the sublime bliss that He bestows to His devotees and to be ever in His company. Jaya Guru Datta

Sri Swamiji Says:

All ponder over and over sorrowfully about their past and bad experience and are afraid of what is to befall tomorrow. They always carry their past into the present. That should not be so. Even during visits to the temple, they cry over yesterday’s happenings. You should neither pity the past nor fear the future. Think of the present and learn to face it courageously.

Vasudeva and Pushpa Goplani, Surat

I get His inspirations and still cannot believe the solutions I get, or the end results I achieve. He is the one who guides me through all these difficult situations.

Sometime, between the years 1994-1995 I was introduced to Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji by Mr. Niranjan Parekh, a ‘Revenue Collector’ in Surat. After my first meeting with Him I felt that His religious beliefs and His way of teachings can benefit us a lot. I started going to temple and following Sri Swamiji; His works and His mission. In 1997, When Sri Swamiji visited Surat He offered me the position of Executive Trustee to the Ashrama. Mr. Niranjan Parekh, then the current executive trustee was a government officer, so by Law he could not be appointed as Executive Trustee. I requested some time to make a decision, but Sri Swamiji told me not to worry and assured me that I would be able to fulfill my duties, so I accepted his order (Aadesh).

I feel very lucky and blessed to be associated with Sri Swamiji. Whenever He is visiting Surat and Gujarat, I personally drive His vehicle and take Him everywhere He wants to go. Sometimes I drive 4 to 8 hours. For me, it’s an honor to travel and sit next to him for four to eight hours at a time. Once he mentioned to my wife, Pushpa that He wanted to go and do the “Bhagwat Katha” in Telugu in Dwarka. So we took Him there and He did the Katha in Telugu. That was a big and blessed experience with Him.

Once, when He announced that He was coming to Surat, I had big problem. There was a very important business project underway and my presence in the negotiation was absolutely necessary. However, Sri Swamiji insisted that I accompany Him during His visit. He gave my name and mobile phone as contact person during the visit, so I had no choice. We traveled to different places and different cities during visit and I could not attend my business meetings. On Sri Swamiji’s departure, I learned that my business project was executed perfectly without my presence and we made better deal and more profit from that project. I sincerely believe that Sri Swamiji wanted me to be away from that project for my own benefit and His blessings worked in the deal.

In my day to day life I get lots of inspirations from Sri Swamiji. During very difficult situations; in business, with devotees or finishing my duties at the Temple, I get His inspirations and still cannot believe the solutions I get, or the end results I achieve. He is the one who guides me through all these difficult situations. Sri Swamiji has created a very good atmosphere for us in Southern Gujarat. He has achieved a very good following. Lots of devotees follow His teachings.

Sri Swamiji is very important in my day to day life. He has inspired so many good books for the guidance of the devotees. I just follow Him and His teachings. He is our Guru, Master and Father. I believe in His guidance and I follow completely. He becomes a child with children and an intellect with intelligent people. I have seen Him with people who do not believe in Him or in God. They also say that He has some power and spiritual knowledge. They are also influenced by Him and believe in His power.

Sometimes He will assign different tasks to different people and we believe that is our duty and religion (DHARMA) to follow His directions and complete the tasks. I believe that we will be able to build a big cultural and social center for local community if He creates an oath to have it done. He instituted that we conduct “Medical Tents” where we offer free medical services, eyeglasses and other medical tests to poor and needy people. He believes in social services and helps the unfortunate and the poor people.  He is very instrumental in these kinds of events and works. My wish is to conduct these kinds of services and help poor people with His help. He energizes people during His visits by fulfilling the dreams and internal wishes of His devotees without they asking Him. He just knows of their wishes problems and He solves them. He communicates with them through mind and soul. He does not need to speak. He just knows and fulfills.

Whenever Swamiji announces His visit, we start stressing that things are not ready and he will not be happy. We always think that we will not be able to prepare for His visit in time. However, by the time He arrives, everything falls into place and somehow we complete all the preparations. It is a true miracle. Once, just two days before He arrived, the air conditioning unit at His place caught fire. The whole unit was destroyed and walls and ceiling were blackened with the smoke. We were worrying how we are going to fix everything in such a short space of time. With His grace, we were able to repaint the room and replace the unit with the help of many devotees who came without being called; everything was finished in time and with perfection. I believe that it was a big miracle.

Every devotee believes that Sri Swamiji has a hand in our good fortune and we feel blessed

in our daily lives and we thank Him for the progress we make daily. Before meeting Sri Swamiji, my wife, Pushpa, used to pray to God about her health telling Him, “When am I going to see you, when are you going to help me and guide me, for I need your help and guidance.” Then, that very first night that she saw Sri Swamiji she was convinced that her prayers were answered; she knew that she was seeing the living, walking God and her mind was at ease.  He was the one who she was looking for and since then she have devoted her life to Him and accepted Him as her Guru, Father, Mother and God.

Eight years later she was diagnosed with cancer and started using some Ayurvedic medications. Not long afterwards, we learnt that Sri Swamiji will be visiting Surat shortly. She went to have His darsan, but she did not tell Him about the cancer. She just felt that she was a sinful person and would not be able to see Him during His visit. However, He just knew about it and asked about her health. She told Him about the diagnosis and asked His permission for treatment. He blessed her and asked her to go for treatment on Thursday.

It may be unbelievable, but her checkup, radiation treatment and surgery were all performed on a Thursday and she was even discharged on a Thursday. After that she never had to go back to a hospital again. She believes that Sri Swamiji came into her body as “Dattatreya” and relieved here from the pains and suffering. He killed the cancer and made her feel better. Whatever He said to her turned out to be true. She is living the bonus life blessed by Sri Swamiji. Each pulse and each breath that she is taking is His blessings.

Whenever she sees someone in pain or in a difficult situation she would ask them: “Do you want to see God?” If they say, “Yes!” she will take them to the temple and show them the “Paduka” of Sri Swamiji. She would ask them to touch the “Paduka” and pray for solutions to their problems. She sees it as her work and duty to bring them to the “Paduka” and the rest is in Sri Swamiji’s hands. He helps them and solves their problems. He takes away their pain and suffering. He cures them; she is just the observer.

I cannot describe Him. He is the ocean of knowledge. Have you seen the limits of ocean? He is limitless. He is our Mother God. It is beyond our capacity to describe Him. When we go to Mysore, we sit in His temple and listen to His discourse, even though we do not understand Telugu language, but it gives us a lot of peace in our mind and soul. It gives us happiness just to see Him. Our hearts get drenched with emotions. Whenever He talks to us we are very happy.

Every devotee has different experience with Sri Swamiji. He provides different unique solutions to each situation. He is like doctor and treats each devotee for his own situation and issues.  If someone gives one rupee, He will not be satisfied until He returns ten times that amount to that devotee. We do not think about what will happen in future. We are just happy to follow His teachings and rules of life. He knows our needs and our lives are fulfilled by Him. I can keep talking for one month but my stories will not end. He is our life.                                                                                                 Jaya Guru Datta.

Krishna Maharaj, Trinidad

What impressed me though was the human side of Him; every now and then He will stop teaching and He would ask, in a soft way, if anyone had questions.

In 1986, as per His divine sankalpa, I met my Sadgurudeva Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji for the first time in the physical frame; that we see and adore. However, there is a sustaining force that is unseen, a force that draws souls to this being at His cosmic command. First He prepares you and then He cleans you to make you fit for the ultimate physical meeting.

From the early 1950s, throughout my high school days, up till 1985, I had taken a dislike for religion and all that it stands for. My family was a very religious one; performing pujas and rituals religiously for all my life, but I was not akin to their beliefs and traditions. For me these were a lot of mumbo-jumbo activities without any explanations. My High School religious classes only seem to reinforce these beliefs, as they were meant to indoctrinate the students into the teaching of church policies and theological views; things that they wanted you to know and believe.

Systematically I tried to resolve within myself the nature of a higher good. Then in 1985, during my dilemma, a friend invited me to attend a course, supposedly on healing principles. Being a skeptic, I decided not to attend. After the program, she came to me full with excitement and made many exaggerated claims as to the results of her exposure, however I dismissed her claims as pure trash. With this discrimination she offered to pay for me to attend the next workshop.

Seeing her persistence, I reluctantly decided to accompany her to the session on condition that I would pay my own way. My motive was to have a first hand look of the situation. At the introduction of the session, what was told, further reinforced my anti religious beliefs, but I thought that as I was already there I will continue for the entire weekend program.

At the end of the course, participants were put through an exercise where they had to identify the general characteristics and medical ailments of an unknown person who was initially interview by the program coordinators. The results were supposed to match the likeness and treatment for the person, and to the amazement of all, I was one hundred percent correct on my subject. I was viewed as a hero, but more than that, as a marketing ploy for the organizers. Realizing this gimmick I understood that this was more of a marketing phenomenon rather than being Holistic. I wanted no part of this project.

Anyway, after analyzing the program I decided to move further and scientifically discredit the project although I did not dismiss the true purpose of their intention. I put together a group to collect data for my project and after awhile I found that I could not disprove their theory. I was also becoming convinced that there was some relevance in their procedure. Also I was noticing some fraudulent misgivings with my co-workers and this gave the impetus to abandon the research.

My appetite was being wetted for more knowledge and information was coming to me unasked for. A friend, who has been encouraging me to read some books on spirituality, which he was willing to loan me, thought that these would help with my skepticism. Although I kept refusing his pronouncements, he kept insisting that I should borrow and read some. Finally one day I decided to take one of his books; one written by a Yogi, Paramahamsa Yogananda – Autobiography of a Yogi.

While reading the book, I was amaze to realize how riveting I was to the contents and writings of this Yogi. One process however held me in awe; that of Kriya Yoga. This process was new to me, but something in my psyche was making me to want to know about it. It seemed as though every atom in my body was awakening to this Kriya Yoga. So I started to seek out all the authorities that I could on this subject. There were lots of answers, but nobody knew anything about it. It is said that only when the sishya is ready, the Guru will definitely come.

Then one day, one of the persons whom I had asked for information approached me and informed me that he had heard on the radio that a Swamiji from India was coming to Trinidad to teach the Kriya Yoga. My excitement stirred and I wanted more information. I found out that David Mukunda Balroop was one of the coordinators and I went to see him at his home. Mr. Balroop informed me that the list of names was very long and that I can add my name. The final list will be at the discretion of Sri Swamiji.

With my brash attitude I told Mr. Balroop that I did not care for his list, even if it did exist on not, but I will attend that class and do that Yoga, whether he likes it or not. He then gave me a contact for Sri Swamiji and he asks me to write a letter to Him. As far as I know that was the only letter I had ever written to Sri Swamiji, but I never received a reply. A few weeks later, as if by magic, while tumbling through my pockets I found the piece of paper with Mr. Balroop’ telephone contact.

I called him to get an update on Sri Swamiji’s trip, he told me that Sri Swamiji was arriving that Friday and He will be at the St James Mandir. He also advised that it will be beneficial if I attended the program there. All the markers seemed to be moving in the same direction and I attended the program. This was the first time I was going to see Sri Swamiji in the physical frame; I just looked without trying to speak to Him. Then I was told that He will be at a program in Hindustan Village, South Trinidad.

In my mind, I wanted to know who this Swamiji was and what He stood for. I wanted to have a close-up look at Him. So I traveled to Hindustan and prepared myself for a meeting. Mr. Balroop introduced me to His Holiness but I could not feel a connection to this being. There was no extraordinary feeling with Him. However, I did learn that I was accepted into the class. Twenty seven participants were chosen and we all attended the sessions. I sat in the front row, very close to Sri Swamiji with a motive of finding out what was so special about Him. I saw Him materialized things, but I was not impressed as I see them as gimmicks.

What impressed me though was the human side of Him; every now and then He will stop teaching and He would ask, in a soft way, if anyone had questions. I believed that I asked more questions than all the other participants combined. Still there was nothing significant in the way I felt about Him. One of the questions I asked was; was it okay for me to continue with my healing practice? He did not respond.

At the completion of the program, His Holiness was having a one to one interview with all the participants. I prepared a long list of questions that I wanted answered, when it was my turn. As I entered into the room Sri Swamiji was looking at me and smiling, and before I could take my seat in front of Him, He said, “the Mother said that you should not worry, that you should continue with the healing and She will take care of you, She will bear the karma”. I was stunned with that statement and all my queries and questions literally went out of the window. I failed to ask anything that was on the list.

The next day the students had planned a cultural program for Sri Swamiji’s entertainment, and to offer it as a token of appreciation for His benevolence. I preferred not to be a part of this and stayed as far back as I could without leaving the compound. To my amazement, one of Sri Swamiji’s assistant came to me and said, Mr. Krishna Maharaj, Sri Swamiji wants you to give the closing speech” that was all. I became confused and was stuttering to myself, ‘why me, why me, out of all the people here, why me?’ I considered that my purpose of being there was to learn the Yoga and I have done that, why me, to give the closing speech? Thoughts like these were wandering through my mind.

I thought that if Sri Swamiji says so, then I must give the speech. After my delivery, I experienced an outpouring of emotions that I could not explain. Everyone was congratulating me on the contents of the speech and I was totally bewildered; I was wrestling with my emotions and I couldn’t speak with anyone. My concerns were; what might have gone wrong? After that I became conscious that His Holiness was keeping me away from Him and I could not understand why. Sri Swamiji’s visit continued and I attended all the programs.

Then on the final day of His tour, after He had gone to His room, I was standing there recounting my experiences since I met Him, when suddenly a person who I recognize as a fellow student from the Kriya Yoga class, approached and started talking to me. He said that he realized that I had asked a lot of interesting questions, and to my surprise he was giving the answers to the questions I wanted to ask Sri Swamiji. I was dumbfounded with this person’s bold countenance.

I became very interested in this person and wanted to know about his spiritual progression. To my amazement, he confided that he was not a spiritual person but he believed that Sri Swamiji was speaking to me through him. He did not know or understand what he was telling but the speech was flowing so casually. Then he said that the only spiritually he had known was from a book he recently read, Autobiography of A Yogi; the same book I had read earlier. I just started to laugh at this coincidence. What a game the Guru plays?

I told him that I had recently read that book and nowhere in there was the information you were giving, however he firmly believed that unconsciously he was propelled by His Holiness to relate this to me. This revelation startled me, it jolted me. Gaining composure of myself, I accepted this as a fact. The wonderment of this being was subjecting me to His call to His mission. Before he left I was given an instrument of maintaining the practice, and the teaching of Kriya Yoga. During this period and later, on several trips with Sri Swamiji, I had many experiences which I cannot discuss because I cannot prove them.

Since knowing Him, I have tried not to form a close relationship with Him, however I would listen to His words and see how closely they fit into my everyday life, and how does it apply to me. And although I have had, what others will term, major conflicts with His Holiness, I see every instance shared with Him as a part of my learning process, as part of my growth. To alleviate this doctrine, I will cite one instance; a period when Sri Swamiji visited Trinidad.

His Holiness had visited Trinidad and in the first week or so, He seemed to be very furious. He was chastising the executive committee, the trustees and everyone else, or so it seemed. As head of the Kriya Yoga classes, I was called upon to submit a report, but I had not prepared one. So I had nothing to submit. I told Sri Swamiji so and He was furious. My peers were asking that I apologized to Sri Swamiji and prostrate to His Feet. I thought the punishment was not justified so I did not do as I was asked. Then His Holiness walked away and held a short conversation with His assistants.

After that conversation, He returned to His seat and a big change had come over Him. He said to us that from this point onwards all the infighting will stop and calm will come to the place, and the meeting ended. Sri Swamiji walked towards me and embraced me with the biggest and softest bear hug that I ever experienced, something which I will never forget, and then turning to the other members He apologized for His personal behavior. This situation bothered me and I was questioning myself as to what had changed for Him to return to His old self.

Later that night, Sri Swamiji sang some very sweet melodious bhajans and the audience was in a state of spiritual ecstasy. After the bhajans session Sri Swamiji gave a small discourse, in which He said; “When Swamiji wants to pour milk into a bowl, He first has to wash the bowl to remove all the impurities so the milk will not turn”. I interpreted this statement as how it applied to me, as it was having a profound impact on my psyche.

In 2000-2001 while traveling through India with His Holiness, I was becoming impatient with Him, as I thought He was making and breaking commitments to me. He will tell of some program and within a short space of time He will cancel altogether. This infuriated me and I decided that I should write to Him about my predicament. One day, on His return to the Mysore Ashrama, I joined the queue to offer my pranams and have His darsan. Instead of offering flowers and fruits like the others, I handed Him a six pages letter, which I had written about my feelings. I was convinced that as soon as He touched the letter He will know what the contents were. He took the letter and He remained unmoved.

The next day He left for Bommeparthi by helicopter and returned the same evening. On His return He called for me to come to His quarters. When I arrived there He was smiling at me and He said, “Krishna Maharaj you are a good writer, you write very well, you are a lawyer, and Swamiji is a liar”.  What I wrote in that letter was what I believed. Then Sri Swamiji went on to explain as to why I thought I was being dismissed by Him. He related this experience to that of Kabir Das. At that moment I wanted to grab at His Holiness Feet, but He said that I should wait a little longer for what is to happen will happen in a few weeks.

The result of this situation culminated with Sri Swamiji initiating me in the waters of Mekadatu early one morning. After the initiation I looked up into the hills surrounding the rivers and I saw three suns shining into the waters. This phenomenon expressed to me that this was indeed a very special occasion indeed. The Guru verily knows when and where a disciple would receive His Grace.

This has been my filial relationship with His Holiness Parama Poojya Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. I am fully convinced that the Guru is nothing but my conscience. I understand that the body of the Guru is there to help and guide you to get to the point where you can hear the voice of your conscience. If you can hear the voice of your conscience then you are in constant contact with the Guru. And as such, even if Sri Swamiji exists in the body or not, He will always remain an inseparable part of me. This has nothing to do with temples, churches, mosques, synagogues, or as a matter of fact, religions. This is the way I see it, and I believe that I cannot lie nor deceive my conscience; neither will my conscience misguide me. I know that my contact and relationship with my Sadguru is permanent and without end.  Jaya Guru Datta.

Harry Roodal, Trinidad

Before this, I used to think that I was a strong, hard person, but in His presence I became a humble, soft, meek and gentle being. In the matter of a few moments my whole psyche was changed.

I was first introduced to His Holiness, Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, in 1988. My family own and operate a hardware business in Freeport, a village not far from the present day ashrama in Carapichima. Sometime before this, Three persons, two of whom I remember; Randolph Chandrakate and Ramkisson ‘Boloji’ Ramnarine, introduced me to ‘what Sri Swamiji was all about’ according to their knowledge of Him.

However, during that time I still was not sure what Sri Swamiji was about. Maybe I did not want to understand, as I pride myself as being a rough-edged street person. I was an egomaniac who questioned everyone except myself. Therefore, trying to understand His awareness was not one of my thoughts. These gentlemen tried to explain what a great soul He was and about how it felt to be in His presence. But try as I may I could not understand. At that time too, I was not at all interested in religion, I stayed away from all religious activities and persons; this was me, this was my way of life. So the introduction was startling, revealing and intriguing, in the sense that I wanted to know, but skepticism was standing in my way.

I was told that the organization had gotten a parcel of land on the Orange Field Road, Carapichima,  and they wanted to construct a small temple to Lord Dattatreya, a prayer hall and a house for Sri Swamiji. I was asked to supply the materials needed for the construction, on an account, which I did.  Intuitively I was doing His work without realizing the impact.

During the introduction period of 1988-90, with the help of Pundit Boloji and others we organized a Ramayana Yagna at my residence. The influence of Sri Swamiji was being nurtured and the seed was sown. At the conclusion of the program, all donations collected were transferred to the Datta Yoga Center and the Divine Life Society. However, my relationship and association with the Datta Yoga Center, was growing at a tremendous pace. I would visit the compound frequently and make contributions as needed. Also trustee members would come to my home and discuss Sri Swamiji’s purpose and incarnation with the family and my interaction got deeper.

In 1990 when His Holiness came to Trinidad I was invited to meet with Him by the trustees. Because of my stubbornness I refused to adhere to the solicitations of these persons. Finally, upon their insistence, I decided to meet with His Holiness with conditions; that I will do it my way and not to His dictate. I also informed them that I will not prostrate to Him, although they were asking me to do so. Upon these conditions arrangements were made for me to visit with Him.

I arrived at the time that I was told and prepared to meet with Him. I was told that I must remove my shoes to enter into His interview room, and I flatly refused. I wanted to do this interview my way or not at all. A ‘better judgment’ prevailed and I remove my shoes and entered the second floor of His residence. My first meeting with Him was mind altering. When I entered the room Sri Swamiji was sitting in padmasana in a well-made stately chair with only His face exposed. His presence was that of distinct royalty, something that was taught to us from childhood.

As I stared into His eyes, I could feel resplendent warmth and comfort. His Lips were like that of a luscious ripened fruit and His Face showed compassion and tranquility. A charm was emanating from His being; a charm that was comforting even to me. In my satiable confusion He beckoned me to come and involuntarily I prostrated before Him, although I had previously indicated that I wouldn’t. On my bended knees I raised my body and with tears in my eyes I was sleeplessly looking at Him.

Before this, I used to think that I was a strong, hard person, but in His presence I became a humble, soft, meek and gentle being. In the matter of a few moments my whole psyche was changed. We spoke very few words, more like a question-answer session, but they were assuring and with a very civilized tone. He thoughtfully presented Himself with regality. He was the most civil and humane being I had ever met.

After the meeting I left for my home where I indicated to my wife what had happened, and to my utter amazement she was very comfortable with it. A little while later we put a request for a house visit from His Holiness, to which He obliged. The visit was scheduled late one evening and Sri Swamiji arrived in His royal splendor. About one hundred and fifty persons including family members invited and uninvited came for the program, most of whom were seeing Him for the first time.

Not understanding or knowing that Sri Swamiji meals were pre-prepared by others, as was the custom, sumptuous meals were prepared for the occasion. Meals were prepared for Sri Swamiji, His entourage, and invited guess. At that time it never occurred to us that there were so many others and that we must also serve them.

On His Holiness arrival, He was taken to a private room where for the first time my family will perform Pada Puja, a ritual we had never known previously. When the Pada Puja was completed, some of my immediate and extended family members, some of whom had some kind of afflictions, were given permission to speak with Sri Swamiji. He spoke with them, blessed them and in His Grace relived them of their problems. Even my wife, Ms Roodal, was assured by Him that “He will take care of us, and that He will look after us”. Since then, that simple phrase have kept, my wife, two children and myself bonded to Him.

Then as if He was taking a break from tradition, Sri Swamiji informed us that He will have Bhiksha and asked that we all leave the room. After Bhiksha Sri Swamiji left and returned to the Ashrama. Now reality started to hit home as we now had a large crowd to serve. We were astonished to see that the prepared food was enough to feed all the people who were there. More amazing was; Sri Swamiji had drunk some juice that was filled in a small vessel and without refilling, the remainder was used to fill the cups of all attendees.

This incident confirmed to us as to who Sri Swamiji was, and the power that He possesses. Moreover, for about three months after this incident, the aromatic smell of vibhuti was lingering throughout the compound. Sri Swamiji presence was felt by many persons, and all our affairs, physical and otherwise had taken a positive turn. This was so profound.

My experience with Sri Swamiji is a personal and unique one; not one of spirituality and religiousness, just person to person. It has been a personal interaction between Him and I. Mainly; it has been with things that concern matters of the ashrama and its physical representation. Others are what His beliefs and concepts are. All in all it is only about His mission. My family and I are only concern with what He wants and how to get it done.

To this end, there is a group of senior devotees who consults with each other as to what His Holiness will want to enhance the physical appearance of the Carapichima Ashrama. We will not wait for His dictates, but will ask in a modest way and perform the designated task. Some others will get confused by our doings and try to hamper the projects. But when this group comes to know of Sri Swamiji’s thoughts for a project; it remains fixed within those thoughts and accomplishes that thought without the distinction of a reward.

We believe that His expectations are; that true devotees will rise to the challenge of performing the task of fulfilling His thoughts and needs. This group has worked assiduously, and in a timely manner to produce what is known today as the Dattatreya Yoga Center, Trinidad so that the membership of the Ashrama can worship comfortable without cause of concern.

Working with His Holiness projects, I have learnt that I had to change the way I conducted myself. I realized that my personal behavior that I possess before meeting Him; that of being brutish, callous, egocentric, and otherwise had to be modified. I also realize that my likeness for alcohol and meat had to end. To emulate Him was the process needed to be with Him. To change is the challenge at hand. So to represent Him, first you must look within and without.

The results of my experiences with His Holiness throughout these years have been in the simple indications of His being. Once He indicated that He has the power to change people’s lives for the betterment of their good. However, this can only come about if the recipient is ready for that change. They must indicate their readiness and acceptance.

Finally, taking a pattern from my life, what I can say is that; for those who follow Him or would want to follow Him genuinely, you must follow His teachings and His sayings, no matter what. You must create that link and connection, and Sri Swamiji will ensure that He will protect you. In my discussion with Him in March, 2010, Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, my Sadgurudeva, assured me that wherever I go He will always come and be with me. He will always take care of me and He will always be with me.             Jaya Guru Datta.

Sri Swamiji Says:

Perform actions, speak and move about in the world in an appropriate manner. But never get attached to any thing. A spy who lives in the place of an enemy king pretends as though he belongs to the place but desists from developing mental attachment with any of its inmates. From time to time, he finds out the secrets of the enemy emperor. You should follow this example and find out the secret of this world.

We have to develop liberal attitude. When we say “universal brotherhood”, it should not stop in the speech and should be translated to real life. I am sure every one of you in this mammoth crowd can help one other person in their lives.