Michael Gurudas James, Trinidad

A being that will be my guide and mentor;one who in my belief is the head in a hierarchy of divine beings and is equipped with the tools of spiritual development.

We are born as individuals, and we are taught to identify with the objective world, in the context of consensual acceptance. However, there is the preponderance of certain elements in the make-up of each individual which takes precedence in the development of every person and finds expression as the individual grows. The preponderance is responsible for the likes and dislikes in expressions.

In order to give reasoning for this, I cite one opinion; that of the Hindus and the doctrine of their souls taking successive births in order to work out the accumulated Karmas of previous births. This notion brings forth the encounter of three souls; Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, Mr. Anthony Alphonse, and I. What started out with humble and honest beginnings grew into a colossal organization absorbing the souls and minds of many persons who all claims to have spiritual endeavors.

Firstly, Sri Parama Poojya Swamiji is an enigma and cannot be calculated in mundane terms. However, His works can be seen on the mundane level, as He beckons His devotees to the higher plane. This works is describable; He is indescribable. As a young man growing up in Trinidad, I had the yearning to explore the unknown. As a result I became involved in occultism and mysticism. I understood that there was a far greater force to that which we were allowed to know. A few friends and I were involved in the reading of tarot cards as a way of finding these unknown. To our amazement we found that one card, the magician, kept surfacing. Our knowledge was that this represented ‘the greater good’.

Our search got started. During this time the preaching of Sri Sathya Sai Baba was taking a big hold on the Trinidad populace. Satsanghas were being held all over the country. We all attended these satsanghas and were thrilled at the way things were happening. Somehow, as much as we tried, we couldn’t see ‘this greater force’.One day, a member of the group, Anthony Alphonse, a young man of Afro-Trinidadian descent, in his early twenties decided that he wanted to go to India and search for ‘this greater force’. Anthony quit his job and went to India in 1975. Because of his experiences with the Sri Sathya Sai Baba satsanghas, he readily went to the Puttaparthi Ashrama. There he didn’t find his calling, but he was given direction. He was advised that a young Guru was gaining prominence in India and His Ashrama was in Mysore.

While in India, Anthony got married and was traveling all over the south. Finally on arriving back to Bangalore, the home city of his wife, he remembered the direction of the devotee in Prashanti Nilayam. He then discussed with the family, and he and his wife set out to Mysore to visit this Guru. In his short stay there he was mesmerized to find that ‘the greater force’ that for which he searched existed in this place in the form of Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.

With excitement Anthony returned to Trinidad and with a few persons that he knew, he organized for the physical introduction of Sri Swamiji to Trinidad. Those persons that were instrumental were; Mr. Roderick Noel (late), Mr. Basil Pitt (late), Dr. Dianan Chandool, Sri Krishna Kishore Persad (late), Mr. David Balroop, and myself. On August 14^th 1976 the primordial Guru set His Body on the soils of Trinidad. It was a joy to all of us as we were witnessing the re-establishment of the King Purusha to His Kingdom. The foundation was set and the doors were now open for the introduction to His subjects. The Trinidad Gyana Bodha Sabha was formed.

Witnessing what we had earlier encountered as the spiritual premonition of this Maha Purusha, we did not hesitate to receive this Great Spiritual Giant, Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, into the parameters of our psychological/spiritual framework. Seeing His physical stature, I immediately had the mental confirmation that this was the ‘Greater Force’ that was sustaining all of creation.

In the chain of spiritual events in my life, every link fits almost perfectly; from the séances that revealed the visits of Sri Swamiji to Trinidad to the many visions that I have had of a spiritual being. A being that will be my guide and mentor; one who in my belief is the head in a hierarchy of divine beings and is equipped with the tools of spiritual development.

Inherently, my relationship with Sri Appaji is that of a paternal nature. During His visits to Trinidad or whenever I would travel to India there is always a sense of compassion from His presence. There is no doubt that He is the guiding light in all my endeavors; in all trials and tribulations. He is the expert draughtsman who understands the all the intricacies in the blueprints of my everyday existence. He is the prime remover of all obstacles.

My humble advice to true seekers of the spiritual path is that they should find a Sadguru as His Holiness, surrender to His Feet and follow His instructions, making all the efforts you can and your success will surely emerge. Jaya Guru Datta.

Gopalakrishna Pandravada, Vijayawada

Sri Swamiji was very happy on the presentation and we requested that it should be distributed to several people. That was the first kriya yoga printed version.

I am a second generation devotee of His Holiness Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji. My parents came to Him during His inaugural trip to Vijayawada in 1969. Although I was not an atheist, I also, was not a seeker of spirituality. However, at that time, He did post an indelible portrait in my mind and slowly a seed of spirituality was planted.

I was the manager of a newspaper/publication in Vijayawada and I would work fourteen hours a day. The results of my hard work enabled my family an upper middle class standard of living. I will make time to have His darsan when He came to Vijayawada, and on certain occasion, visit the Mysore ashrama for festivals. Unknowingly the seed of spirituality was growing stealthily.

In 1981, His Holiness invited a group of people to attend a Kriya Yoga program. Without realizing to what it may lead to I became a part of that group. For ten days we were taught personally by Sri Swamiji, and we were made to write all the information that was given. After the program, under the guidance of a senior scholar, Shad Darshanam Somasundara Sarma, we compiled the information in book form and presented it to His Holiness sacred feet as Guru Samarparana. Sri Swamiji was very happy on the presentation and we requested that it should be distributed to several people. That was the first kriya yoga  printed version.

I became an ardent participant in the practice of kriya yoga but had no idea to move further. However when His Holiness sees me He will always hint that I should get more interested and involved in kriya yoga. On Januaray 1^st,2000, after doing Pada Namaskaram, Sri Swamiji called me and directed me that I must write a book on kriya yoga in Telugu. Although Telugu is my native tongue, I am more proficient in the English language; I would even write letters to my wife in English only. So His order to me was very confusing and astonishing. Never I wrote any prose or poetry, not even stories.

The ways of Sadguru is with a purpose foreseen by Him only, but we must follow His dictates; so says our scriptures. In my confusion, during one of Sri Swamiji’s telecast, I was taken aback when I heard Sri Swamiji saying “that to undertake any task, you must seek knowledge and help from other sources, one must not think that the other person is not his guru, or the other path is not his path”. Immediately I realize that I must equip my potential, overcome my difficulties and plunge forward. To follow the Master’s directive I must seek the necessary knowledge and help needed.

While browsing through several spiritual magazines, I came across an article in the Rama Krishna Prabha periodical where it states that ‘serious seekers must come and seek the practice of the YOGA’. It stated that the practice was rigorous and disciplined and therefore only those who could manage should apply. Unhindered I applied and was accepted almost immediately. To my surprise I understood that my Guru’s mission must be carried out and every action is His action.

I travelled to Sivananda Ashrama in Hyderabad, where the program was to be conducted for ten days. The program started with forty persons and completed with fifteen graduates. In the beginning, the rigors and diet of the program were very difficult. One has to do sadhana for fourteen hours daily and to sit firmly for three hours at a time. There is no cooked food, no breakfast etc. Only rice flakes and milk/buttermilk and two fruits per day and most people quit within the first five days. However, with the grace of His Holiness and my will to get His work done the remainder of the course went without failure. On completion, the Guru of the program advised tht we should continue to practice the procedures as taught. Explicitly as told I practiced. Due to that I realized the energy in pranayama & concentration.

On Sri Swamiji’s next visit to Vijayawada, He commanded me to come to Mysore, stay for some time and commence the writing of the book. When I was having doubts and confusion in my mind, He directed that I should seek the assistance of Kuppa Venkata Krishna Murthy, a scholar on the Mysore campus, and then come to Him. Sri K.V. Krishnamurthy was my guide and inspiration throughout the writing on the book. In His wisdom, His Holiness used my mind and body to complete the works that He has ascribed to me. He had made one step and He completed the other nine steps.

Kriya yoga is a simple, yet comprehensive book. Sri Swamiji’s willed that the book be printed and offered to Him on His 60^th birthday celebration in 2002. His Holiness said “you have done sadhana, it is an accomplishment”. He also blessed me that I will be teaching Kriya yoga to hundreds of people in the future, sometimes in His presence. That fortunate grace was showered on me and now in His service, I perform Guru’s  ‘seva’ by teaching the art and aspect of Kriya yoga.

Before I left for Kriya yoga camps in  Europe with His Holiness he has told “try to convey to the participants with new methods” and it resulted into “Flash presentation” method. His Holiness one day told “translate the Telugu Kriya yoga into English” and the English book was produced. Similarly he told “plan for younger generation to learn yoga” and it has resulted into “Kumara Kriya yoga”. I am an instrument of my Master.

His Holiness communication with me be sometimes, by one word or one sentence. But whatsoever it is, it creates a burst of energy in my psyche and brings in several thoughts of activities. And although my life now does not reflect my past, I am at peace and I wouldn’t trade it for any other thing. The Guru has given to me; patience, tolerance, satisfaction, peace of mind, and most of all; acceptance of all beings. All my wants, in this existence is to be ‘at the Feet of my Sadguru, Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.

The messege of this episode of mine is to make it clear that Sadguru can make an ordinary man do extraordinary things. All that happened to me is his wish to reform me firstly and make me useful to others. The result of the service above is – myself and my wife are placed in the abode of His Holiness feet at Mysore Ashrama. Jaya Guru Datta.

Sri Swamiji Says:

Do not develop ego knowledge. Develop devotional knowledge. The fire of true knowledge reduces to ashes the sins and previous deeds and Karmas.

Anthony Alphonse, Trinidad

I was surprised as to how He knew my inner feelings, because outwardly I thought that I had masked any form of disappointment. He then told me that I was very close to Him and that was what counted.

In my early years I had very much taken to Eastern Mysticism, especially that of the Indian sub-continent. The turmoil in my mind resonated with thoughts and questions that I could not share with many of my friends. Was it possible for anyone to experience the pure divine Self? Is it the preserve of only the hoary ascetics? Were there even today knowers of the Atman, accessible to the ordinary seekers, and willing to provide compassionate guidance? Where to look? How to proceed? The visions of India conjured in my young mind by the writings of spirituals giants such as Swami Vivekananda and Swami Yogananda beckoned with an irresistible force. So in 1975 I told my friend, David (Mukunda) Balroop, that I was making a journey to India. Although being a non-Hindu and non-Indian, I thought that if the teachings of the sages were truly universal and all-embracing then barriers such as language, culture and race would not prove insurmountable.

In 1975, I quit my job and set out alone on a journey that was to have a profound and life-altering effect on me. At about that time the fame of Sri Sathya Sai Baba had reached Trinidad, and everyone was agog with accounts of his “miracles”. Although inwardly averse to ostentation and flamboyant display I thought that Puttaparthi might be a good place to begin my search. My intention was to spend about four days there, but hindered by destiny I remained there for a few months. During this time I met and married my wife. However, in Puttaparthi, a friend from England told me about a saint he had met in Mysore and suggested I make the time to visit him there. This saint was known as Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.

I traveled through South India with my wife and her parents visiting relatives, returning to Bangalore in the middle of 1976. We then traveled to Mysore to visit the Ashrama of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. We spent about two days there and we had a very cordial and amicable reception by the Swami and His followers. However, at that time the Ashrama management was busy preparing for Sri Swamiji’s first trip to the United States of America. I was advised that if I were to extend an invitation to Him to visit Trinidad, He would probably accept.

At the spur of the moment, I went and made the invitation to His Holiness and, as had been suggested, He accepted without hesitation. He said “yes, you make the arrangements and I will come”.

My impulsive invitation was not well thought out. I had been in India for almost a year and all my savings were depleted. In the first place, I had quit my job to go to India, and with the added responsibility of being a married man, I now had the duty of taking care of a wife. Having to make all the arrangements for the Swami’s visit, with no resources, and further more still being in India, I was caught on the horns of a dilemma. Throwing caution to the wind, I returned to Trinidad leaving my wife with her family who were looking after procuring her passport and travel documents.

On my return, I approached Mr. Roderick Noel, a senior attorney whom I had first met in Puttaparthi, and a friend, Mr. Michael James, with the proposal. Mr. James in turn introduced me to his long-time friend Dr Dianand Chandool who pledged his full support. We were supposed to provide visas, return tickets and accommodations for Sri Swamiji and His entourage of five from New York to Trinidad. It has to be said that without these people the whole venture would have fizzled.

Mr. Noel provided most of the money for the trip, and Dr Chandool offered to host the guests at his spacious home in Valsayn. Everything came together at the last minute and Sri Swamiji’s first visit to Trinidad was a great success. The small but appreciative group that attended these early sat-sanghas was enthralled by His style of bhajans and His lectures in what He called His “child’s English”. After this, a core group comprising of Mr. Roderick Noel (Swamiji called him Gurusarkar), Dr. Dianand Chandool (Dhyanand), Mr. Michael James (Gurudass), Mr. David Balroop (Mukunda) and his wife, Mr. Krishna Persad of Arima and I (Guruprasad) became very involved in Sri Swamiji’s mission and managed all local activities and planned all His subsequent trips to Trinidad until 1984.

After 1984 I withdrew from the organization for personal reasons. I had been searching for a guru and had harbored a wish to receive formal Diksha, or initiation into personal sadhana, from Sri Swamiji. During those early years with Him I felt that He was very accessible, and I observed how He dealt personably with people. I spoke with Him several times about initiation, but the formal initiation did not take place. This eventually gave rise to some doubts. During my last visit to the Mysore Ashram in 1984 (Sri Swamiji visited Trinidad in 1984 and I followed him back to India about a month later) there were some incidents that were personally un-settling for me. When I raised these during a private interview with Sri Swamiji He told me that I should either have 100% faith in Him or make a clean break. Confused and disappointed with the outcome of the discussion, I decided on the latter course of action. Since then I slowly came to realize that Sri Swamiji knew that He was not to be my guru, and was kindly guiding me to continue my search for the guru that my heart desired.

However, there are some interactions with Sri Swamiji that I would always remember and cherish. He could show unexpected kindness to people, and at times exuded warmth that could make your troubles seems insignificant.  A notable incident occurred when my in-laws were going through some difficult times. I had written to them from Trinidad asking them to go visit Sri Swamiji confident that He would offer them relief of some sort. When they arrived at the Mysore Ashram Sri Swamiji was mediating a rather loud argument between two of His devotees. They waited for a while but eventually had to return to their place without being able to speak with Him. They did not have a good experience and naturally my wife and I felt badly about it. On the occasion of Sri Swamiji’s next visit to Trinidad, referring to the incident He offered His regrets saying that the time my in-laws had chosen to visit Him was astrologically inauspicious. My wife and I were not expecting any kind of apology from Him but we felt comforted by His words and the hurt feelings disappeared.

In 1984, during the Swami’s visit here, I organized the first Kriya Yoga course in Trinidad. During those years your course work would be graded, and at the end Sri Swamiji would comment on students’ readiness for spiritual progress. As I had scored the highest grade, I was feeling elated and sure that my prospects were good. However, in His comments Sri Swamiji said that I had a lot of work to do to progress spiritually, and that it would take a lot of effort. Students who had scored lower than me were treated with more favorable comments. It did not take long for my bubble to burst.

Later that day when Sri Swamiji was preparing to have His bath He sent for me and during the conversation He told me that I shouldn’t be feeling badly. I was surprised as to how He knew my inner feelings, because outwardly I thought that I had masked any form of disappointment. He then told me that I was very close to Him and that was what counted.  Needless to say, I came away from that encounter feeling immensely comforted.

A great yogi once said, “Men meet as in a mart, and then, when their trading is done, they part.” The trading means, of course, the working of karma. For a while Sri Swamiji and I interacted; I was able to offer some small service to Him and He in turn blessed me. I have learned much from the encounter. Today, whenever I visit the Dattatreya Yoga Center with its magnificent, towering Hanuman murti, I feel pleased and humbled to have had some small part in bringing it about. Jaya Guru Datta!

Ramkisson ‘Boloji’ Ramnarine, Trinidad

After that drink, I told them that was the final and it was my turning point. Many people say that it is difficult to give up vices but since I met my Sadguru I have not touched alcohol or meat, because of Sri Swamiji’s intervention in my life.

I was the first pundit of Dattatreya Yoga Center, Trinidad, from 1990. I have been doing all the pujas at the temple until professionally trained pundits from India took over.

Ever since I was five-six years old I have been involved in religious ceremonies like pujas and sandhya vandanam. In 1956 a group of Swamis came to Trinidad from Guyana and I got attached to these Swamis. As I grew up I became critical of pundits as I thought that they did not want to divulge general information to the public. I was very involved with a Surinamese Saint, Swami Purnananda who founded the Divine Life Society and I would attentively listen to his discourses to get more knowledge. This continued up into the 60’s.

In 1968 I graduated from college and I started working a year later. At this time I made many friends and would partake in the consumption of meat and alcohol. In 1976, the first year that Sri Swamiji came to Trinidad, I was at a teacher’s training college. As was usual, I had gone to the Aripo River with some friends; we were drinking alcohol, eating meat and having a merry good time. On the other side of the river a saintly person was there with some devotees. I did not know who He was but I knew that I had to show respect for this Swami. I raised my hands and He raised His to acknowledge me and left. We continued to have good time.

Ten years later I will meet the Swami again, personally. As I was involved in the Hindu Seva Sangha and I was told that I should go and serve a Guru that was coming to Trinidad. This Guru wanted to have a program at the California Hindu Temple and two devotees, Mukunda Balroop and Randolph Chandrakate were sent to locate the manager. I was told by the devotees that their Guru, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji was visiting Trinidad and He wanted to visit the temple.

At that time I could not believe that someone, in a spiritual form, could leave India, visit a place and return and give me a message. I was a bit annoyed with these devotees when they said that Sri Swamiji did not want the program on Thursday but instead He wanted to have the final program there on Sunday. I did not realize that he had visited the temple spiritually. I put aside my aggravations and vexations and agreed to have the program.

I was given a copy of the schedule for His 1986 itinerary and one of the programs was to be held at Mr. Doolchan Ramdath’s residence in Princess Town, where the current Princess Town temple is located. I went there as an arrogant fellow as I may have had a few drinks beforehand. I told the organizers that I wanted to be seated in a specific area, but was told that I could not sit there as it was reserved for the Satsangha group. Without consideration, I sat down amongst the satsangha group. Then Sri Swamiji came and sat in His chair which was not more than ten feet away from me. Intuitively when everyone stood up I followed and stood up also, just to follow the crowd. Then Swamiji called out the dates of birth for the devotees around me but pointedly excluded mine. I felt very embarrassed and wanted to know why he was doing that to me.

That embarrassment should have been a good thing for me but I did not know Him then. Now Sri Swamiji laughs at me. In retrospect I know that Swamiji knows everything because he knows everybody’s date of birth and he knew mine but he did not call it. That night Swamiji performed many miracles and I watched him and thought that he was a good magician. He also showed the film Datta Darshan. On the completion of the program, I approached Mr. Balroop and asked if I can borrow the film but was told that I could not as I was not a member. I told him to tell that “bearded-man” that I wanted to borrow the film. However, before Mr. Balroop could enter the room where Sri Swamiji was sitting, He said “give him the film.” I don’t know how it came about but it could be that Swamiji was attracting me to him by giving me that film. I came home and recorded that film and was amazed to know what was on there. In fact, my attachment to Swamiji is based around that film.

The Kriya Yoga initiation program was held at the Palmyra residence of Dr Khemchand Ramdath. The Hindu Seva Sangha had scheduled me for seva for Sri Swamiji at this venue. I pretended to keep the darsan line straight, and although this was not needed, I continued to do it just to see what Swamiji was doing. He was materializing things from everywhere; under his beard, under his feet, from the palms of his hands etc. As I was the last person in the line, I said to myself, “Well Swamiji, I don’t want any gold, silver, pendants or anything like that, I just want a mala.” Swamiji must have read my mind for when I reached him he slipped a mala on my neck; then and there I knew Swamiji could read your mind. I was really dumbfounded by this incident and all the questions that I had was being answered, but I was still doubtful.

That day when I reached home I was smelling vibhuti throughout the house, which continued for three months. As I felt there was a divine presence in my house, I had no choice but to give up the use of meat and alcohol. Later when my friends came to visit I gave them all the alcohol that was in the house and I had a soda. After that drink, I told them that was the final and it was my turning point. Many people say that it is difficult to give up vices but since I met my Sadguru I have not touched alcohol or meat, because of Sri Swamiji’s intervention in my life.

At the California temple, there was a room that was not cleaned so we locked it. Swamiji requested the room to be opened and that I should come there and sit with Him. Sri Swamiji sat on some old paper and looked at me and said “Boloji, I want a temple like this.” The California temple was just a bit smaller than the size of the main temple at the Dattatreya Yoga Center. I told him that I could not do it as I know what a hassle it is to try and get funds. Swamiji repeated “I want a temple like this, I want my own home, and Datta wants a home too.”

Incidentally, in 1986, an attorney, Ramesh Persad-Maharaj had donated around three acres of land to Sri Swamiji for the construction of the Datta Yoga Center, and by 1988 I was placed on the executive committee. Initially all meetings were held at members home to formulate plans for the center. People like to say that Sri Swamiji has “rich devotees” but I am a poor devotee, and members would find time to come to my home to have meetings.

In 1988 at a meeting, with Sri Swamiji, was held at the residence of Dr. Ralph Sieupersad. It was churning in my mind as to how I could go about building this temple. I kept thinking about this and was wondering if I should ask Swamiji if He was ready, not knowing that he was just waiting for me to ask. As the meeting was closing I said “Swamiji are You ready to build the temple.” Then Swamiji told Prasadi and Radhakrishna “get the Panchamgam” and after thorough checking, they informed that today was a very good day.

We headed to the donated property in Carapichaima to identify the location and to start setting the points for the temple. There was not a road, just a dirt trace to the property. We took out the sticks from some pea trees and staked out the location where the posts will be made. Buntha, a nearby villager, assisted in the excavation for the foundation as Sri Swamiji had said that in a couple of days he will come back to lay the foundation stone. Two days later we performed the pujas and laid the foundation. In fourteen days we had completed the frame of the inner sanctorum and a homa was held. For the first time there were two homas that day, one in California temple and one at Dattatreya Yoga Center. This was how the Dattatreya Yoga Center in Trinidad began.

Funds for the temple construction were not easy to come by. We also had to construct a home for Sri Swamiji. It took us two years to raise the necessary funds. This is why Sri Swamiji says that devotees from these years love Him, as they know what it was like, and that they are His family because there were so much trials and tribulations to get the temple and house built. Even the people in the village were skeptical about Sri Swamiji and His devotees and were scoffing at Him. Now you can see what we have done with His Holiness mission.

In 1990 with little funds and an impending consecration, all we had was faith. The roof of the Datta Hall was incomplete and some devotees from England were asking as to where the consecration was being held. Silently, I went to Sri Swamiji’s photograph, as I had no other means of communication with Him, and told Him that there was no money for the roof. Miraculously, the next day we got fourteen thousand dollars and the roof was covered. For the construction of the house, some people made pledges but were unable to supply the funds.

For those who does His work intently Sri Swamiji will always be there with them. During the construction of the house the floor and beams started to buckle. I informed the workers that they should leave the building immediately and only the main carpenter should remained with me. I told him to block the entrance to avoid anyone from getting in. The following morning when we came to the building, believe it or not, the two floors from a hammock state came back almost straight. I knew that, whit His grace; Sri Swamiji had realigned the building. I told the workers to get back to work as we had to get the building ready for Swamiji’s arrival in 1990.

When Sri Swamiji came in 1990, as the temple had no walls, we used coconut leaves for barricades, to prevent wind and rain, and to prepare an interview room. There were no carpet or cushion, and people had to sit on the bare floor, but it was a very enjoyable place. Sri Swamiji’s home was not ready, some people were saying that He would not sleep there, but I told them that He will sleep in His house. While He was walking from the temple to His home, the room was being painted. He asked where His home was and I said upstairs. There were no beds, television, air condition, refrigerator or anything. However, He went upstairs, called a few people and by the next morning everything was installed. This is His miracle. He wanted to stay in His home even though there were other places prepared for Him, but He decided to stay there.

At the consecration Sri Swamiji was joyfully and ecstatically dancing on the stage; only when warned by Radhakrishna that the stage was not strong did He ease the jumping.  When Swamiji went to the Datta temple to do the Kumbha Abhishekam, only a few people were allowed to go as it was not very stable. Sri Swamiji, a few others and myself went to do Kumbha Abhishekam. Unbelievably, directly from the sun in the sky a cone-shaped halo came to touch the Datta temple. Swamiji told us that all three hundred and sixty-six thousand saints, sages and all deities would have come to witness this consecration that had taken place. The day before that we had gone to consecrate the Aripo River and the same thing happened.

There were many events in my life that Sri Swamiji has helped me in. In 1986 I was driving on the fast lane of the highway and suddenly I tipped the brakes but did not know why. At that moment a tire with a rim flew out of a car and if I did not apply my brakes then, it would have hit me in the temple which is deadly. The car was demolished. That was one of my first experiences knowing that Swamiji had saved my life.

Before we were told that Sri Swamiji was indeed Lard Datta, I had photographs of Sri Swamiji and Lord Datta and I would tell people that they were the same person. I understand that Sri Swamiji knows everything and He can read your thoughts. There were many times when I was in doubt as to what would happen next, as was the case with the building of the temple, and I would come to the photograph and talk to Him; about not having funds and then we would get some almost immediately.

Another incident where Sri Swamiji knows everything that is happening was when we began building the temple. The Ramdath family had given thirty five thousand dollars and other people giving small donations. I also started an account, of ten thousand dollars in credit, with a hardware store owner, Mr. Harry Roodall, who at this time did not know about Swamiji, with the hope that one day this money would be repaid. I told him I needed for the Dattatreya Yoga Center. He said sure but wanted to know who would be responsible for paying. I told him that I would find a way even if the money was not coming from the members.

He did open the account and give me the in credit. This was not sufficient and I asked him for a further ten thousand dollars limit and he gave it again. Like this the amount went up to forty-four thousand dollars. This gentleman came a few days before the consecration and brought all his trucks and workers and said “they are at your disposal.” However, just before the consecration he asked if he can meet Sri Swamiji. I made the arrangements and Mr. Roodall had an audience with His Holiness. Afterwards he came out smiling and said to me that no money was owed. I don’t know what happened in that room but the total bill was completely written off after that meeting.

Swamiji used to come into my dreams and tell me what I should do. After the consecration in 1990 we used to have satsangha and service and there were many people who were still skeptical to what this Dattatreya devotion was about until Swamiji came into their lives. One such person was called Brocko. One day he was cutting the temple’s grass and hit a nest of deadly African bees. His body was covered in bee stings and he thought that he was going to die. I told him that he was not going to die, that Swamiji will save him. He is not a Hindu but was still saved. There are other people who had skin diseases and they have been given relief by Swamiji.

In 2005 I had a head operation. A cyst was removed from my head and I had three operations. Swamiji has said that he has given me a second life. Swamiji has said that he will help those who help themselves and who would do work if given a second chance, and I am such persons. I have served Swamiji for fourteen years in the first temple and since the operation I am thankful that I am living by His Grace.

In 1988, peculiar forces led me to attend the Academy of Hinduism Punditry class. For two years I studied with Pundit Khemraj and his pundits. After the consecration of the temple, Swamiji told me to get two young people to be trained to become pundits so they will run the ashram. I looked but could not find anyone so asked for more time but when Swamiji saw that I could not find anyone he assigned me to go to the temple to be the pundit.

My satisfaction in the position was; that there were so many devotees with problems and doubts about Swamiji, and it was my duty to speak with them. I did not know what I should tell them, all I knew what was to be said was coming out of my lips. Many times people would ask for help, and after saying the Datta Stavam, the right words would come to provide satisfaction to them. I used to read the Guru Gita every night. There are times where members would come and I would know their problems and when asked how, I would tell them that when I opened the Guru Gita I was guided to read that part. People were finding solace in Dattatreya Yoga Center. Swamiji was putting the words in my mouth to help people and help the temple membership grow. Swamiji gave the advice and explanations to people’s problems. I consider myself an instrument. Even today when I do mantra pushpa I tell people I cannot do this part, you must pray for yourselves.

People have come to say that it is Swamiji that has helped them and that I am just the instrument. Carrying about Swamiji’s mission is something that I enjoy. I maybe one of the few pundits in Trinidad that do the South Indian style of puja and I make sure that Datta puja is always done. This way I know that Swamiji is helping everyone that asks me to do puja for them. The mission of carrying out Swamiji’s work is not only in the temple, it’s at people’s home as well, and it is spreading far and wide.                         Jaya Guru Datta.

Christian Chaitanya Feistner, Germany/New Zealand

He said, “you people talk about intuition, you talk of inner voice, don’t listen to it, it’s only your ego. You don’t even know what intuition is, you don’t know what inner voice is, this is your entire ego. Just face your problems and finish the game”

Over the years I became very dissatisfied with the knowledge I was getting in Germany.  At that time, it was becoming increasing popular to investigate yoga and Indian culture. For me and my brother, Janardhana, Indian music was becoming popular as an alternative to western music. This new revelation led us to search for a guru.  In 1982, I migrated to New Zealand where I met some very interesting people.  One of those people kept telling me that I should read the book by a Hindu Yogi, Paramahamsa Yogananda, entitled “Autobiography of a Yogi”.  Without looking at it thoroughly I thought to myself that this were all stories and make believe, but with the insistence of my new found friends, I began to read the book.  I became very interested in its contents, and my mind became bothered and I wondered sincerely about whether there is a guru to guide me and how to find him.

My life in New Zealand became very rocky, and things that I thought were meant to last, rapidly fell apart.  First and foremost, I was away from my family in Germany and with me living on the other side of the planet it felt as if we were worlds apart. During this time my brother had been to India and met his guru, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji.  In 1988, he was about to visit the ashram again and suggested to meet in India as it is the midpoint between New Zealand and Germany. In this way, I arrived in Mysore, ahead of the Shivarathri celebrations and due to the availability of flights two weeks earlier than my brother. This was my first trip to India, with so many new impressions and challenges. On my arrival in Mysore I became very excited as I made my way to the ashram. On approaching the main gate I noticed everyone was smiling and welcoming me.  They were saying “Jaya Guru Datta Janardhana!” Apparently, they mistook me for my brother.  This welcome was very encouraging and heartwarming and I felt as if I belonged to this ashram already for a long time.

There is a saying “you can’t find a guru, you can’t even go to a guru; it is the guru who finds you and it is he who comes to you”.  This was confirmed by the fact, that when I arrived at the ashram, Sri Swamiji was not there as He was on a tour through Andhra Pradesh. However, the ashramites were ever so kind and made me feel welcomed.  When I told them that I felt that this ashram felt like my true home, they said that this was a good sign for Sri Swamiji to accept me even though at times He can be very strict and would send people away from the ashram.  I was very concerned about this but at the same time I prayed that He would not reject me.

Meanwhile my brother had arrived from Germany and took me up the Chamundi Hill. Finally, one evening, the ashramites were expecting the return of the Guru and they were very busy cleaning the entire ashram compounds.  Someone told me to do some seva and to go to the dining hall and clean the pictures there. After I finished with my task, I was standing in anticipation to the arrival of the Guru, along with the other devotees from abroad, outside the prayer hall as instructed by Radhakrishna. However, a telephone message came announcing that Sri Swamiji would be delayed for another day. Allthough the ashramites were disappointed, I felt a secret relief, because somehow I wanted to see Him and not see Him at the same time, fearing that He would not permit me to stay in His ashram that had become so precious to me.  As the delay of the Guru’s return went on for the following two days, I began to relax thinking “Oh maybe He would not come today also, so without being nervous I can enjoy another day in this ashram”, which felt more and more like my true home.

Then suddenly that evening there was a big commotion as people started to flock along the dirt road entrance, I saw this German made car coming towards me. I saw onlyHis hand waving out from the open window at the people. The car stopped outside the gate  close to where I was standing and I saw Sri Swamiji getting out and walking towards us. I looked at His physical frame thinking that He is rather small. I had always imagined Him as much taller. But lo and behold as He approached it appeared to me as if  His form was growing taller and taller with each step He came closer until He reached a  supernatural size like a huge stature of the Trinidad Hanuman, and I fell in a swoon.

When I came to, I found myself sitting with all the other people from abroad on the ground in a semi-circle at Sri Swamiji’s Feet who was sitting on a chair. Looking at His face, I saw all the likable features that I have ever seen in the faces of different men throughout my life: the color of His skin; the long, black beard, the lush lips, the dark, sparkling eyes, the whiteness of His teeth, the shape of His nose and the long, black, shiny hair. It felt, as pieces of a jigsaw puzzle effortlessly formed a picture that I knew, but had forgotten and I felt that indeed that I had known Him for a very, very long time. As if mesmerized, I couldn’t take my eyes away from Him while a warm sensation of love for Him overwhelmed me.

Prasad, then a young devotee and secretary of His Holiness, was introducing everyone to Sri Swamiji who silently smiled at each and everyone. Then Sri Swamiji pointed at me and asked “And who is this?” Prasad said, “He is a newcomer, the brother of Janardhana”(who was sitting right next to me). Sri Swamiji moved His head in a typical Indian way and smiled at me, like only He can smile, before He got up and proceeded to His room.

Before the small crowd, who were all in a state of mild ecstasy could disassemble; Prassad returned to tell us, that Sri Swamiji was calling each of us for a personal interview.  We all rushed back to the old angel’s hall where we were staying and I had to queue up to take a bath as instructed. Then we gathered, sitting silently waiting outside the interview room. Along with my brother, I was the last one to have Sri Swamiji’s darshan. He looked very radiant and majestic to me, just like a king and the entire room was charged with His incredible energy. Entering the room we both fell flat at His feet.

I had intended to ask  a whole catalogue of questions  regarding my challenging  life circumstances, but when I came  so close in front of Sri Swamiji I felt an incredible heat rushing through my body and my mind got completely blank. I had only one desire: to make myself as flat as a thin sheet of paper on the ground at His feet. Only then I was able to speak again and could ask, if He would allow me to be His disciple.

I didn’t even know the difference between a devotee and a disciple then.  But He only smiled at me lovingly and said “Yes”. Then I asked if He would initiate me with a new name.  Again He said “yes”, asked for my date of birth and said:  “Chaitanya”.  The only other thing left that I could say was: “Please come to New Zealand one day”. “Definitely Swamiji will come” He replied. After this, I had the urge to get out of that room as I was overwhelmed with His divine radiance. There was nothing more to say, I felt like intoxicated and shy at the same time, almost unable to bear His strong energy and mesmerizing smile. Overcome by a strong feeling of respect for Him, I did not dare to waste any of His precious time.

Later, when I got out of this state; a state of ecstasy as I have never felt before, I realized that I forgot to ask all the questions which were part of the reason that I had come to India in search of the guidance of a guru.  As I could not approached Him again, because the preparation for Shivarathri had become very intense, I wrote a desperate letter to Him of my immediate problems and gave it to one of the ashram boys. Later, another of the ashram boys came and asked “you wrote a letter to Sri Swamiji?” I said “yes”. He smiled and left without another word.

Shivaratri day had arrived. Sri Swamiji was performing Agni puja by entering into the homa kunda. I cannot describe what took place on seeing Sri Appaji climbing into the fire, but the atmosphere around the devotees that were around Him, was very tensed. After the program, I left as a completly different person.

One day, after Shivaratri a lady devote from Germany, bought a large wooden Ganapati with five heads in the city. She wanted Sri Appaji to bless it before she was going to send it to Germany. She told us, that Sri Swamiji had requested for all of us to participate and so we waited for His arrival in the old Dattatreya temple.

When we saw His Holiness, He appeared to be in a totally different mood. His face looked very strict and He was talking sternly to us.  He said, “you people talk about your intuition, you talk of your inner voice, don’t listen to it, it’s only your ego in disguise. You neither know what intuition is, nor do you know what the inner voice is, this is your entire ego alone, your desires! Just face your problems and finish the game”.

As He was speaking like this, my mind was shrinking for I was convinced He was referring to all my questions in my letter in which I have used exactly such phrases like “my inner voice is telling me…” and “my intuition says…”. I realized that I must have made a complete fool of myself, that I was absolutely wrong as how my worldly problems would be solved and was convinced that He has spoken to me alone.

After Sri Smamiji had blessed the idol, He got up and left immediately without another word. When I walked out of the room I felt bashed and noticed that all the other devotees had a similar solemn look.  “What He said was exclusively meant for me” I said to them. But to my great surprise each of them insisted that all His remarks were addressed to them alone.

In 1989, I visited the ashram again for Sri Swamiji’s birthday celebration. After the celebration, He left for Germany and I also went to Germany to see my parents. As it turned out I was blessed to participate in the entire tour of Sri Swamiji in Germany.  All the same, the questions about my worldly life, my future, profession, and relationships were still pressing in my mind.  Because of this, I couldn’t bear to be physically close to Sri Swamiji, but instead felt an incredible urge to envelop myself in seva.

I would always go the next town where His concerts were scheduled, handed out and flyers and put up posters in shops and other appropriate places announcing His arrival. I also read the road map for the driver of the vehicle carrying the musical instruments and puja materials. As this vehicle was very slow I guided the driver away from the highways along smaller country roads.

Although many devotees would be traveling to these towns in speedy cars via the motorway, we happened to be always the first ones to reach the next venue and able to set up just before Sri Swamiji’s arrival.  Because of this the problems in my mind were being put on hold.  Just before the last concert of the tour in the south of Germany in Heidelberg, I help with setting up of the stage and suddenly became very hungry. I was told to go to an Indian restaurant where food had been prepared especially for all the helpers and so I proceeded there. On the way I continued with the distribution of posters and flyers for the concert in the evening. When I finally arrived at the restaurant it was already closed.  With an empty stomach I returned to the music hall and had just sufficient time left to take a shower and to put on fresh clothes before the program started.

During the concert, I sat about twenty-five meters away from Sri Swamiji, got completely enshrouded in His enchanting music and I fell into a kind of meditative state. Concentrating completely on Sri Swamiji I was inwardly talking to Him: “Appaji, I don’t want any wants anymore. I surrender my will at your Feet. Whatever it may be, it should be Your will, not mine; not I, but You will decide”.

At that instant, I felt a never-known sensation of happiness, of being at perfect peace with myself.  Something seemed to touch me ever so gently on my forehead at the point of the third eye just as if a butterfly had landed there. Intoxicated by this blissful experience, I opened my eyes and realized that Sri Swamiji was looking straight at me while He was playing the music.  I felt a rush of energy flowing through me; an energy that was capable of achieving anything, no matter how difficult the task.

As soon as the concert was over, Prasadi came rushing towards  me and said that Sri Swamiji wanted me to drive the vehicle with all the instruments and pooja items to the next destination, which was about three hundred kilometers away, so that I would have to start immediately driving throughout the night  to arrive there on time.

Without hesitation I said, “No problem.” I told the owner and driver of the vehicle, who was just getting ready to go to sleep, about this, but he felt uneasy letting me drive his huge van. So we agreed that he would drive, as long as I would read the map and made sure to keep him awake.

To date, this was the most secretive silent communication with Sri Appaji and it cannot be compared with any level of meditation.  Back in 1988 when I met Sri Swamiji, I was very naïve as I was innocent. I had no understanding about anything regarding the proper behavior towards the guru. I had heard that Sri Swamiji likes places of pure nature and I knew such magic spots in New Zealand. Only because of this, I had been asking Him to come to New Zealand. Back then, Sri Swamiji had said: “Definitely Sri Swamiji would come”. Little did I know then that this was going to happen twelve years later!

In late 1999, Sri Swamiji declared that He wanted to perform a special Surya Homa to greet the new millennium on the land with is nearest to the international dateline, the land on which the sunrise of January 1^st, 2000 would hit first. Until then New Zealand was that country, so I informed Mysore Ashram and started planning for that event.

Meanwhile, the Kingdom of Tonga put their clock forward by one hour so that Tonga would be the first country on earth to see the sunrise of the new millennium. I became very distressed, but then I was informed that Sri Swamiji would secretly proceed to New Zealand with His entourage only, after visiting the Kingdom of Tonga. So it happened that Sri Swamiji kept His word to come to New Zealand.

In my little mind, I wanted Sri Swamiji and His entourage to stay at the same venue.  I found a beautiful house in the mountains that would accommodate everyone.  However, as it happened, a considerable number of devotees followed Sri Swamiji to New Zealand. My brother had been granted permission to come straight from Germany  to help with the preparations and we hired a nine-seater especially for Sri Swamiji and His pariwara.

I was driving my vintage Vauxhall Victor station wagon to the airport to collect the luggage ahead of my brother, who was driving the van. Just as we approached the airport at a round-about, a car in front of me suddenly changed the lane without indication so that my car accidentally hit it. I quickly talked to the driver and we exchanged phone numbers as there was no time to negotiate for damages. There was a small dent on the left side in the front and the indicator lens was broken. Knowing never to let the Guru wait we rushed to the airport by breaking all traffic rules and finally arrived at the pick up waiting area.

Like most New Zealanders the airport staff was very forgiving. After criticizing our inappropriate behavior, they told us that if we had informed them before hand, they would have made all arrangements for us. Then they told us to rush inside while they were guarding the vehicles. When we reached the terminal Sri Swamiji was already waiting along with His followers.  He saw us and embraced us just like Rama embraced Hanuman, an act which He rarely does. Before we could take Him to His proposed accommodation, we had to organize taxis for all His followers who were determined to follow Him wherever He goes.

It is said that Sri Swamiji controls even the weather as He must have done in this instance because, although it was early summer in New Zealand, the weather was rainy, foggy, and a cold wind was blowing, mercilessly.  Because of this, the owner of the house had lit the fire in a wood burner which had a fireproof window, so that the fire was visible.  Sri Swamiji came into the house and made Himself comfortable in an armchair right beside the fireplace, and joked saying that ths fire place was a modern homakunda. Then He said: “And Now let’s of us have nice cups of coffee!” which is a typical custom of coming together in New Zealand.

As is the custom of India’s holy men, normally wouldn’t eat or drink in public.  However, Sri Swamiji was about to drink His cup of coffee right in front of us and in awe, Kussumaka instructed: “Now everyone, close your eyes!” But Sri Swamiji said to her cheerfully: “No, no, no, you just close your mouth!” Later I understood that if one looks innocently and without desires at Sri Swamiji while He eats or drinks, it will not have any negative effects on Him. However, generally He does not allow anyone to look intentionally at Him in such situations. After the coffee, Swami Manasa Datta, Purvasharam Radhakrishna, took me aside and said very strongly and sincerely:  “Chaitanya, Sri Swamiji has come here only for you and your daughter.” This confused me. Little did I know how true this statement was which I was able to understand only in the near future.

Sri Swamiji blessed the owner of the house saying:”Where I stay once I will always be!”  He explained that He would not be able to stay, as there wasn’t enough room for all the devotees who had followed Him and that He would take lodging in a hotel in the city so that His devotees could be near to Him. The free standing house was situated right on top of a mountain overlooking the harbor. As the weather was still very rough my brother tried to back up the van on the steep and slippery driveway. However, the wheels were spinning and Sri Swamiji told him to stop and wait there, as He walked towards the vehicle with tiny steps.

Worried that His footwear was unsuitable for this terrain I hastily rushed to His side and offered to Him my left arm in support. But to my utter amazement He did not accept my offer, but instead stopped and grabbed my arm very firmly. He looked at me with very serious concerned eyes for a long while, touched my arm up and down as if He was examining it and said warningly: “Be careful!” For the remaining distance He continued to hold my arm as if to support me until we reached the vehicle.

During His stay in New Zealand, Sri Swamiji expressed his wish to go whale watching  and  instructed the devotees to hire a mini bus with sufficient room for the entire group so that we all would travel together “like a family.” However, the respective devotees who made their inquiries thought this option to be too expensive and as a result the devotees and pariwara went in separate vehicles. Seemingly upset Sri Swamiji said: “Ok, keep your money and keep your karma! But from now on no one is permitted to pay for anything on behalf of Sri Swamiji!”

In total thirteen people wanted to go whale watching including Sri Swamiji. To secure the tickets, I booked the boat tour over the phone for a total of thirteen participants. The officer said: “It is our policy that if twelve tickets are purchased you will receive an additional one free of charge. Please tell us the name of the lucky recipient. We will be delighted to hand out the ticket to him personally”. Overjoyed I said: “The name is Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji!” In this way Sri Swamiji’s sankalpa came true as nobody could pay for his ticket, which was gifted to Him personally by the tour operators on our arrival, which Appaji accepted with a knowing smile.

During the boat ride most of the Indian passengers got sea sick, but Sri Swamiji remained unaffected. He was very alert and silent and appeared to be concentrating on something. He stood firmly on the rocking boat with His gaze fixed on the blue waves and I thought to myself: “Although He doesn’t steer the boat, He is the captain here”.

As no whales were in sight, the skipper was trying to explain that sometimes this does happen and apologized that he can give no guarantees for any whale to surface. By then we had been out on the sea for more than half of of the tour already and the skipper announced that unfortunately we were obliged to return back to the shore. Obviously everyone was disappointed except for Sri Swamiji who continued with His concentration, silent gazing at the blue water.

Then all of sudden, a large school of at least twelve whales surfaced, swimming majestically with a crowd of dolphins jumping up and down amongst them. The whales stayed for a very long time at an almost touchable distance from the boat blowing fountains up high in the air. Everyone got very excited and rushing to the railing with their cameras, the Indian devotees had forgotten about their sea sickness. Unaffected by this commotion, Sri Swamiji stood still in anticipation with His typical smile of supremacy.

The skipper shut down the engine and we waited until the last whale had dive back to the depth of the ocean, gracefully displaying his huge fin. On the way back to shore the dolphins followed our boat while the skipper told us, that this type of whales normally feed on dolphins but miraculously they all had been swimming together peacefully this time which even he had never seen before.

The following day, Sri Swamiji wanted to visit the botanical gardens in Christchurch. With His typical pace, He went ahead of us straight to the bonsai section as though He had been to this place many times before and looked at the small trees with great admiration. “Swamiji likes bonsai trees very much”, he said.

Another German devotee, Joe Krishna, asked boldly: “Swamiji, why do you like bonsai so much?” Sri Swamiji calmly replied “because Swamiji Himself is like a bonsai”.  Joe, who obviously thought the Guru was joking, laughed and stated: “No Swamiji, You are the biggest and the tallest tree in entire universe.” But Swamiji was not at all joking and insisted: “No, Swamiji is a bonsai, because I have to make myself so very small, otherwise you would not be able to see me. But this is the limit. I cannot make myself any smaller than this”.  Little did we know then that Sri Swamiji would establish the bonsai gardens in Mysore several years later, which by now are among the greatest and most probably the most beautiful ones in India.

After the New Zealand program, Sri Swamiji left for Mysore. Two days later, in the evening, I went back to the house where Sri Swamiji had visited initially to have coffee.  My Vauxhall was an old yet reliable collectible car from the early sixties. I had gone to the house to remove the items that I had brought for Sri Swamiji’s visit.  As already mentioned, the house was way on top of the mountain with a long and very steep curving driveway.

After putting the items in the car, I tried starting the car, but although there was battery power, the ignition was dead. When I had asked for help in moving the items to the car, the people of the house flatly refused so I was already fuming with anger and did not even think to ask them for help with the car. Instead I was determined to jump start the car. In order to do this, I first had to push it backwards into a small turning bay. Then I tried pushing the car downhill, which was very difficult, as the car had to be steered at the same time to prevent it from crashing into the retaining wall on the opposite side.

Again and again I had to push the heavy car backwards and forward to get it into motion. After countless attempts, it finally started to roll downhill, but it picked up speed so quickly that I had to run to jump into it and slammed the door. By then the car was rolling at such a rapid speed that I could neither reach the brakes nor had I sufficient time to control the steering wheel.

Instead of following the path of the driveway the car went straight over the edge of the precipice and down a rocky cliff.  Everything happened so incredible fast and unexpected that I could not even think of the mantras that Sri Swamiji had given to us for our protection.  All I knew was that this must be the end to my tragic existence and my mind went blank.

The next thing I remember was being no longer inside the car,  but it was rolling down the cliff like a log, until my body got caught by a sturdy brush that had been growing there. Lying there I could hear the thumping of the car until it crashed noisily onto another driveway some thirty meters below and got stuck there. Shaking, I scrambled back up the cliff. Miraculously, I had only a few scratches on my leg, my clothes were torn, and one of my shoes was missing.

People from the house came running, thinking that I was surely dead. In my mind, I did not want to see them nor did I want to stay there. I only had a longing to walk straight to my house where just two days ago Sri Swamiji had allowed me to do Pada puja and where He had been performing the first Ganapati Homa of the millennium, after which he had tied the raksha on my wrist.

Much later, when my brother showed the slides of this homa to the devotees in Germany, they discovered that during this Homa the flames of Agni formed a perfect image of the Omkara at the instance of Appaji offering the poornahuti.  However, before I could leave the scene of the most horrific experience of my life, I had to walk down the driveway then take a left turn to reach the other driveway where the car had crashed onto its left front with the rear sticking up in the air.

To my utter amazement I observed, that all the doors were shut and all windows wound up.  How on earth was it possible that I had been catapulted out of the car as it shot over the edge of the cliff? I was anxious to open the driver’s door as my dog was still inside and most probably dead. With some effort I managed to open it and to my great joy the dog jumped out happy and very alive as if nothing had happened at all. Inside the car everything was upside down and disheveled.

Previously I had converted the ashtray on top of the dashboard into a little altar with Sri Swamiji’s photo and a small Ganapati idol. Incidentally, only these two items were still in their place and completely untouched. Carefully I removed them to take them with me, and walked back to my house along with the dog.

The following morning I went back to look at the scene in broad daylight. Only then I realized that the car had left the path of the driveway at the very spot where Sri Swamiji had have been touching my arm, so seriously warning me to be careful on the day of his arrival.

Now I was facing the difficult task to get the car removed since it was blocking the pathway. The first two mechanics who looked at it said that is was beyond repair. However, the third one who was specialized in rebuilding accident-cars said: “Don’t worry, mate, I‘ll fix her up, but I can only do it after hours.” He organized a truck with a crane attached and supervised the lifting and transport of the wreck to his workshop.

For several months he worked repairing the car in his spare time and to his own amazement the more he worked on it he realized that no parts had to be replaced except the letter ‘A’ for the Vauxhall Insignia on the bonnet, which was missing after the accident. Amazed at this miraculous turn out of his repair efforts, he refused to accept any payment for his work in the end.”I can’t claim this as my doing”, he said.

As far as my body was concerned, it was my left arm which turned black and blue two days after the accident and my neck and left shoulder were in permanent pain. A thorough medical examination established that there were no fractures. The doctor ordered rest, physiotherapy, therapeutic massages and acupuncture.  For several months I had to lie down on my back as even the easiest chores would exhaust me. The only thing I could do was to lie down and read Sri Swamiji’s books.After I had finished reading them, my condition was still not satisfactory and so I read them over and over again.

This incident happened in January 2000 and if it wasn’t for the grace of Sri Swamiji, I would not be here to tell you about it. That I survived contradicts all laws of physics and I am convinced that my survival was only due to Sri Swamiji’s divine intervention.  Only then I understood Swami Manasa Datta’s statement on the day of Sri Swamiji’s arrival: “Chaitanya, Sri Swamiji has come here only for you and your daughter”. How naively we think that we are supporting the Guru and His work while in fact it is He who protects and supports us.

My neck pain and back pain only vanished completely when I reached the ashram in Mysore for Guru Poornima in August of the following year, as instructed by Sri Swamiji. There I worked in the ashram gardens and decorated their statures of Dattatreya and Sri Mulikeshwara. Over the years I visited all Kshetras of the Datta Peetham throughout India to gather information and take photographs. Most of all I became addicted to take pictures of Sri Swamiji.

He taught me so many things externally and silently. Actually, there is no way of reaching Him. There is no point in trying to understand Him. No one can understand the Guru. For me, there is no doubt whatsoever, that Sri Swamiji knows everything. When he talks of things to us, He explains them to us like to a child. It is not theoretical knowledge that Sri Swamiji expounds, but He is actually giving us knowledge through experiences that is coming from the inside and that is what makes it so very precious.

Anybody who questions my devotion, or Sri Swamiji’s genuine capacity, leaves me untouched. I have no other way. I simply must follow Him, and I enjoy it.  Even if my life’s circumstances change this way or that way, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, will be the anchor in my life, be it, to keep me on or above the ground. He is always on my mind…Anything else is meaningless. Jaya Guru Datta.

Sri Swamiji Says:

Where there is God, there is His devotee; and where there is a devotee, there is God. There is no divergence between the two. Likewise, where there is a disciple, there is his Guru; and where there is Guru, there is bound to be His disciple. Do not get deluded by this duality. Try to realize that this is the same Supreme Reality which pervades the entire Universe.