Trinidad Hanuman Datta Mala

26/05/2025

HAPPY 83RD. BIRTHDAY ! DEAR APPAJI;
Poojya BalaSwamiji; Offering prostrations at the Lotus Feet of Pujya Sadgurudeva...on this auspicious evening, just as we pray that Swamiji shine for 100s of years, Suttur Sri Swamiji is also here with the same wish. Suttur is very dear to Dattapeetham. They always enquire about the Ashrama and its activities, where Swamiji is, how Swamiji's health is etc.
If there's any information that Swamiji is slightly unwell, they come running to see Swamiji. His Guru too was the same way.
“We don't need anything else, it's enough to have Darshan of the pious”,He says . Suttur Sri Swamiji said he was happy to just come to see Swamiji, when Prasad invited him. But Swamiji wished that devotees have his darshan too and therefore arranged for this evening.
Everyone knows about Nada Mantapa, there is no renowned singer or musician who is not performed here. 26th Brahmotsavas are taking place and the 27th anniversary of Nada Mantapa is taking place, but Sri Suttur Swamiji said he will be here solely for Swamiji's birthday. So he is here on May 26th for this auspicious event. He maintains very good relationships with Dattapeetham. Suttur Muth will always be a friendly Muth for Dattapeetham. i have been seeing this since my childhood.
Swamiji is doing a Vana Durga Yaga soon. Brahmotsavas are going on. We are very happy that Suttur Swamiji is here at such time. May the relationship between the two Peethams always be like this and always continue to grow.
Shivaraja Desikendra Swamiji of Suttur Muth speaks -
On Pujya Swamiji's birthday, we are all gathered here. This is a very special occasion.
Dattapeetham is very known all around the world. It is no exaggeration. Our country has a rich heritage of 1000s of years, and has great spiritual wealth. Many believe Greece was the source of philosophy with the likes of Socrates. But our sages were meditating for thousands of years before that. It was India that gave to the world, the subtle knowledge and spiritual wisdom.
The dharmic tradition flows uninterrupted in this country like the rivers of the world. Swami Vivekananda said that the world is safe today despite all the anger and the untoward happenings due to the penance of the sages protecting the world. Swamiji is protecting devotees in so many ways directly and indirectly. 1000s of families have gained so much peace and welfare due to association with Swamiji.
Swamiji has established so many centers around the world, they have bhajans and so many other activities that give them so much joy and happiness. So many devotees around the world have said that they received bountiful blessings from Swamiji. You have all noticed all the happenings in the world lately. You know about the recent regrettable attack on the country. We have witnessed so many families getting hurt. If the world learns to follow the Gurus, these kind of things will not happen. The Gurus turn the mind towards a Sattvik way of living. We offer our gratitude to the defense forces protecting our country. It is our duty to do so.
26th Brahmotsavas are going on, 27th Nada Mantapa anniversary is taking place. Swamiji performed Dhanvantari Yaga for 5 days. That is not an ordinary Yaga. It is very special and bestows health and prosperity. Pujya Swamiji's words are very easy for everyone to understand. There are 100s of Ashramas around the world Swamiji has developed, the main ashrama is here in Mysuru. I wished to actually arrive on the 25th itself, but my schedule did not allow. I could only come on the 26th and heard that that was the day of the main program. I was very happy.
The Ashramas are relatively close, and the relationship between the two Ashramas is heart to heart. Both Ashramas are one. Swamiji travels the world a lot. I am always very happy to hear from Swamiji, or when Prasad calls me saying Swamiji had asked him to call me. I am very happy to be part of this event, it's like our homely function. I feel like I am also a member of this family. Swamiji always blesses. His grace is always present. We pray that God give us the strength to continue serving Swamiji.
Poojya Swamiji;
Hanuman is very dear to me! We observed Dhanvantari Homa, Hanuman Jayanti etc in the presence of Hanuman.
We observe Hanuman Jayanti in December as well. About 5-6000 people join the celebration. The most recent Hanuman Jayanti is observed mostly in Andhra Pradesh. We observe Hanuman Jayanti about 6 times in the year. Taiwan, Sumatra, Thailand, Myanmar and other countries observe Hanuman Jayanti in various ways, based on their own history.
We have been observing Hanuman Jayanti and Dhanvantari Jayanti in the presence of Hanuman, so that is why the Lord came to me again. Some ask if we should observe all 6 Jayantis. I think we should observe his Jayanti every day, not just 6 times a year. For whatever reason, due to history, we observe the event on different days in different parts of the world.
A small story comes to mind. A Shiva devotee went to Ganga with a pitcher. He liked the pitcher and didn't want to lose it. He placed it in the sand and made a shiva linga around the pitcher and went to dip in the river. A few buses of devotees came to that spot and assumed it was tradition there to make shiva lingas before dipping. They all made their own shiva lingas. This shiva devotee came back to the shore and couldn't find his pitcher. He found shiva lingas everywhere. Even today, people make that shiva linga in the sand and then go to bathe in the river. The man breaks some of the shiva lingas to find his pitcher, but people reprimand him saying it was tradition there to biuld shiva lingas before dipping.
Traditions sometimes get handed down this way. That is why we adopted the practice to observe Hanuman Jayanti during each of the 6 times in a year, because people from all those countries visit the Ashrama.
Swamiji's Guru's used to write the divine names lacs of times. I used to walk 6 miles to school and 6 miles back near Kesare. I traveled many places even while in school. Normally, kids got transferred to other schools due to the parents job, but I used to keep transferring myself. Their Ashrama used to be near Mysuru Palace. The then king of Mysuru used to keep writing pages upon pages. I was a child, but they would always welcome me in. When he used to turn the pages, he would lift his eyes and look at me and smile. Everyone used to be surprised about that. He was not able to see very clearly.
I went to Suttur many times. They have a Shankara Narayana to represent the oneness of Shiva and Keshava.
Hanuman is Shiva's incarnation and he served Sri Rama who is Vishnu's incarnation. Vishnu slew the demon Gardabha who was a Shiva devotee, but was also wicked. Shiva was very happy and promised to serve Vishnu as Hanuman.
We spoke about Kashmir. Innocent people were killed there recently. We used to have an Ashram there, that my old devotee Wanchoo gave to the Peetham. I also wanted Ashramas in Haridwar, which we have.
What happened was that 6 devotees in a truck met with an accident. I told them not to travel, but they did and all of them died on the spot. I was there and the first thing I saw when I arrived was their bodies. After that, I decided not have an ashrama in Kashmir. I took some water and sprinkled water on them and chanted Hanuman mantra and they all got up. Kailash Talwar was one of them. He is a live witness. All six of them lived.
Since that day, Kashmir feels like a bit of danger. We are all safe here, but since then, I feel like I must support the army every year. We do this every year! I like this very much. If the child falls from a height, the mother first whacks the child demanding why the child had to climb to that height. A part of me wished those tourists did not travel to Kashmir. We have very close relationship with Kashmir. I visit the Himalayas. There are many devotees along the border, many soldiers too received Upadesha from Swamiji. We pray for the country's welfare.
We are doing Vruksha Shanti Yaga soon. This has never taken place before. May many such yaga take place in the future! We did not have a big evening program. We only had a concert by Nellore sisters, but I wanted to have a special event as Suttur Swamiji is here.
Courtesy Avadhoota Datta Peetham ; 83rd Birthday Celebrations of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji • 26 May 2025

26/05/2025

Jaya Guru Datta! Happy Birthday Pujya Srī Appaji!!!

25/05/2025

Vruksha Yajna –A First in this era!
Jaya Guru Datta. Om Sri Datta Venkateswara Govinda Govinda Govinda Namah
A matter of great grief in the recent conflict between India and Pakistan is that the terrorists first asked about the religion of the victims first before killing them. The Quran does not say that non muslims must be killed. I read the Quran before, I even read it last night. That is wrong. No religion says that the other religions must be killed. I read the original Quran and it does not say that killing people of other religions leads to heaven. Yes, they do say that Mohammad is the only messenger and their god is the only God, but they do not recommend that others be killed.
We (Indians) like guests a lot, we gave give them our house to stay. That's what we did. The guest came to stay and then claimed our house. The guests who got served food in our plate took the plate away. The government is doing good work. A war is not a joke. This is not a duel of roosters that we can all get involved. We should not just declare wars. I had gone to the India border. The soldiers showed me the Hanuman temple in Bhuj and they chant Hanuman Chalisa there. I had chanted Chalisa with the soldiers then. Again I had recently also visited the border. I am familiar with the difficulties and challenges there.
One of my close devotees Wanchoo was the first engineer who worked on the road between India and Pakistan. He gave a big building there for Swamiji to stay. I am remembering the grandfather of the current Member of Parliament (the king of Mysuru) used to be the king when I was a much younger. He used to insist that the young Swamiji give him Teerthan with his own hands. The relationship between him and Swamiji is known only to Datta. The queen also adored and respected the Ashrama. She was present when Datta was consecrated. We have very close ties with the royal family.
The Brahmotsavas are starting now. Not even 2 minutes, or 30 minutes is enough to talk about the greatness of this Yajna we are doing. We took some land in Andhra, and in the Bannur farm and are growing some trees there. This kind of Vruksha Yajna is unprecedented. This does not mean we will do the Yajna with those trees. We will get other trees. In the presence of Lord Datta, this yajna takes place from June 5-15. You can also take part in the Yajna.
My advice to all visitors! Keep some eucalyptus oil and keep sniffing it intermittently. Covid cases are rising. Boil drinking water. If you get cold or cough, do not do your own treatment. Go to the doctor, especally young children and old people. The rest of you should also be careful. Stay nightly wherever you have been allocated rooms. If you have some means, you can stay nearby the Ashrama in a hotel room just to sleep at night.
Do not take too much food served that you have to throw the food. Instead, get a small amount served and go back for as much as you need. But I know you don't want to go back in line, so you get your plate stuffed with food and if the salt is a bit much, you throw the entire food. Don't eat too spicy. Its science! It is not craziness.
Various naivedyams are offered. To Venkata Ramana Swamy too, we offer different Prasadams. Some are distributed to devotees and some are not. Lord is the deity of Time. He has incarnated on Earth.
Courtesy Avadhoota Datta Peetham;
Inauguration of 26th Brahmotsava of Sri Datta Venkateshwara Kshetra, 27th Anniversary of Nada Mantapa and 83rd Birthday Celebrations of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji • 25 May 2025

24/05/2025

Pujya BalaSwamiji; Chant Om Namo Dhanvantaraye!
Pujya Appaji is conducting Dhanvantari Yaaga. Let us pray for the good health of His Holiness (HH). HH is conducting this Yaaga for the good health and welfare of all. Chant Om Namo Dhanvantaraye and pray for the health of HH. If HH is good, all of us will be good. The mantra , japa and austerities for Guru has always borne great fruits.
We will be celebrating HH English birthday day after tomorrow(26th ). On 6th June, we will celebrate on sukla ekadasi the Tithi birth day of HH.
Very soon, Chandi Yaaga will commence. Let us pray all these events are conducted very well.
Chant OM Namo Dhanvantaraye and watch the Yaaga. This is a chance to pray for the health of HH. HH is healthy but we should make use of this chance. May you all have good health and Dharma shraddha to do more seva.
Courtesy Lakshmi Sindhuri Gullapalli: From Yoga Vasishtha • 24 May 2025

22/05/2025

Appaji’s musings!
Hariom. Jai Bajrangbali Ki! Jai Shree Ram!
Why do we worship with Betel leaf? It pleases Rahu. It bestows victory and auspiciousness. It also fosters friendship. It is a sign of auspiciousness, as described by Ramayana. Santosh Bhagavatar has described in detail in Telugu in his video - why do we worship Hanuman with betel leaf. Betel leaf cultivates good relationships. Giving a betel leaf brings inclusion and friendship. This is mentioned in Mahabharata.
You can check the Youtube channel of Santosh Bhagavatar - Hindu Dharma .... Vana, Hanumanji became very subtle (thumb sized) and gave darshana to Mother Sita. The thumb size is just a representation, it is only to say how subtle Hanumanji became. In that form, Hanumanji hid himself in the Ashoka Vana. He could also become formless too. He had that ability. In the betel creeper, Hanumanji hid himself.
Ravana once cheated Sita Maata, disguised as Sri Rama. So, whom could she believe? Hanumanji became very very subtle by hiding himself in the betel creeper. He rubbed his hand on the betel leaf and blessed it to remain in all auspicious events. Do not question where all this is mentioned. It is in Sachchidananda Ramayana. We use betel leaf for ailments, in marriages, auspicious events etc. Since betel leaf has hidden the body of Hanumaji in Ashoka Vana, the leaf was blessed by Hanuman, out of gratitude. It is like a token of love and seva. This is how we should be in front of Guru. We should never go empty handed when we go to Guru.
Betel leaf also destroys the inner enemies. When we try to chant verses, our mind gets distracted. There are many ways to serve Guru.
When Hanumanji saw Sita Maata, betel leaf had covered Hanumanji.
We use betel nut as a symbol of Lakshmi. The betel leaf - Narayana and the betel nut represents Lakshmi. So, when we give betel leaf and nut, we are giving Lakshmi and Narayana. Hanumanji did not want to become visible although he is capable of slaying Ravana. He must be slayed by Rama only. So, he had hidden himself subtly in the betel leaf. There are many details in Puranas. We may not know all of them. Moreover, many details are coded in the Puranas. Based on commentary, we must decode those. So, he had hidden himself subtly in the betel leaf.
Hanumanji appears in subtle form on this leaf. Dhanvantari has installed this creeper on Earth. Do not ask me where these details are mentioned - they are in my head - Sachchidananda Purana. Worship with betel leaves to Hanumanji destroys all joys and sorrows. So, that leads to Vairagya (detachment).
Once our sorrows are destroyed, we are left with joys only. But Hanumanji gave the boon that both joys and sorrows will be destroyed with the worship of betel leaves. The subtle aspect here is - if we are always happy, we will make some mistakes and then have to be born again and again. If both joys and sorrows are destroyed, then we will become closer to Lord
Mahatmas never curse in a cheap manner. They curse only to uplift the devotees. Those who are devoted never curse anyone. They may blame God, but they never curse anyone. They never curse anyone to die; if anyone says so, they are only demons.
In Bhagavatam it is said - Lord takes everything from us to take us closer to God. In the beginning, God gives everything - money, wealth etc. Then, he takes back that wealth only to make us focus on God. In that state, due to lack of wealth, we admit our mistakes internally and seek refuge in God. If God blesses us with only joys, then we will develop ego. Joys will deplete eventually anyway. Once joys and sorrows both are destroyed, Bhakti and Jnana follow.
Since betel leaf has protected Hanumanji, it was blessed by him with the boon. After the boon, it became a part of our lives in many ways. No auspicious events happen without betel leaves and betel nuts. They are Lakshmi and Narayana. That is why, we worship with betel leaves.

Why do we use sindoor? Why do we use Parijata flowers? There is Vedantic reasons behind this. It is a sin to dismiss these as superstitions. Why tie a coconut? Paramatma directed Hanuman to bring Sita and asks him to bring back good fruit (good news). Make me happy, Sri Rama asks Hanuman. We want relief from the bad, we want victory! We pray to the Lord to give us some victory, some health or, we can say, it is up to you Oh Lord, you may give us whatever you wish.
There is a meaning behind offering coconut, sindoor, bananas, betel leaves. Coconut has three eyes. When we remove the tuft from the coconut it's like removing our own tuft of hair, representative of the destruction of ego. Puja is all science, it is not random. Prasadam/Naivedyam is all science - what is offered at each hour of the day, to each deity - all this is science. Many Prasadams are not shared with public. Venkataramana swamy is offered a wide variety of Naivedya.
The Lord is the direct visible God of Kaliyuga. We are fortunate the Lord is here in Dattapeetham.
This is all science, you will not understand even when I tell you. You ask what books this documented in.?Some proofs you might get, some are impossible to get. Why do we worship with lotuses? It's all in my brain, I will not reveal everything. I am taking the brave step of sharing Potana Bhagavatam (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam has released Shri Bammera Potana Bhagavatam books in 8 complete volumes.) At this age, I am taking this brave step.
I wanted to talk about Bhakti Prahlada yesterday. I am a child talking about Prahlada, whether correct or wrong it doesn't matter, God will guide. Gajendra Moksha- how will Gajendra sing? He's an elephant king. Whatever story I tell, I will become the form of that character. Don't find faults with how Swamiji sings, you can replace with the correct syllables. When I sing as part of Gajendra Moksham, I become Gajendra (elephant king).
Do you think the Vyasa Peetham is a joke? It is extremely powerful. Rani Subbaya Deeksh*tulu ji would translate into Telugu anything I sang or chanted and the same with Sri Kuppa KrishnaMurthy. Everyone was ready yesterday for Prahlada discourse. Pujya Bala Swamiji came to get me, but I said I was not in the mood. Prahlada did not come yesterday, what should I do?
Why we should offer incense, why ring the bell, all this is science. Each instrument represents one part of the body. There was even discussion on why we chant Om Namo Hanumate Namaha, or Om Namo Hanumateshvaraya Namaha. This is all mantra. They are hidden/secret.
Courtesy: Avadhoota Datta Peetham
Sri Hanuman Jayanti • 22 May 2025

18/05/2025

Analysis of Appaji composition on Balakrishna
Many will regret not doing the Bhagavad Gita after 4-5 years. You should not be afraid, you can keep trying again and again. In today's program, Annadana cost has been picked up by Gita foundation in the US, plus some other devotees here. We are building Venkataramana Swamy temple in Dallas. We also sang a bhajana on that Lord recently. Construction started at that place. I am very happy. Swamiji is visiting during Guru Purnima in July and will see all the US devotees then.
Since we had Bhagavad Gita event, we'll sing a bhajan on Jagadguru Krishna.
Krishna Krishna hari Kesava: pallavi :
kr̥ṣṇā kr̥ṣṇā harī kēśavā
jiṣṇō viṣṇō sadā māmava
caraṇaṁ :
dēvasandīpa guru śiṣya vidyāmayā
dēvakī putra vasudēva puṇyōdayā
nanda nandā yaśōdā satī nandanā
sundarākāra balarāma bhavyānujā ...1
pūtanā rākṣasī māra līlāparā
ghōra śakaṭāsurōtsēka nirvāpakā
puṇya mūrtē tr̥ṇāvarta nirmūlakā
aṅgaṇa sthārjuna dvandva vidhvamsakā ...2
vatsa daityāpahā dēva bakasamharā
nāśi tāghāsurā dhēnurakṣō harā
dhēnu vatsāpa hr̥ti śīla vidhi śikṣakā
kāḷiyāhīndra śīrṣātta nāṭyōtsavā ...3
dīpta dāvāgni paripāna caṇavikramā
gōpikā sundarī varga vastrāpahā
yāmunārāma rasakēḷikā sundarā
bāla gōpāla gōvardhanōddhārakā ...4
vēṇu nādāpa hr̥ta sarva cētō bharā
gōpagōpī janōdāra kēḷīparā
mauni br̥ndaika vijñāta nija tatvakā
saccidānanda saundarya sārātmakā ...5
This meaning is related to Bhagavatam. This bhajan is at par with chanting the entire Bhagavatam. Swamiji has composed this in a way it's easy for everyone to understand. It is hard for us to chant the Bhagavatam everyday, so the entire essence is in this composition.
A synopsis of the meaning of this composition, explained by the scholar per Swamiji's instruction is given here:
Yoko Saraswati: “ From Bhajan Mala, Krishna = Sattva and Ananda, Hari = Destroyer Kesava = Brahma and Shiva are present in him. Vishnu = Victory, Vishnu spreading victory , O God, please protect me.
Verse: Devasandipā guru shishya vidya maya Devaki putra Vasudeva punya odaya Nanda Nanda Yashoda sati nandana sundarākara bala rama bhavyānuja ...
1 )) Krishna, the disciple of the Guru, Vidya swaroop, Devaki putra, born by the merit of Vasudeva, Nandānanda Yashoda sati nandana, beautiful one, worthy brother of Balarama, mamava = protect me - with the verb mamava = protect me - without first saying that Devaki is the child of Vasudeva, raised and ruled by Nandāyashoda in childhood, and then saying that Sandeepa is a great person from whom Krishna has acquired knowledge in the Guru's school,---- what is the meaning of saying that you are a disciple of such and such a Guru? Since the knowledge he got from his Guru is so great, Sri Krishna is praised as Vidyamaya and then the names of his parents are mentioned. If he was not Vidyamayi, how did he become the world guru?
Wasn't it the Gurukul of Sandeep that gave him the education that made him the world guru?
Isn't that the source of the Bhagavad Gita, which offers alms of knowledge to all the worlds? The whole meaning is resounding in this. Showing his poetic talent by changing the front and back, Swamiji gave the message, "Recognize Shri Krishna as Vidyamayi.”
The demon Putana --the childlike pastimes began with the killing of the demon Putana. O God who destroyed the three-fold path, and the two-fold path. 'Mamava'. "Rishinampunaradhyanam vacamardhonudhavati," said the great poet Bhavabhuti. Ordinary people compose words with the meaning in mind. (Nanrishih kurute kavyam ) A person who is not a sage does not compose poetry. The words of a sage go before, and the meaning follows - that is the opinion of Bhavabhuti.
2 Here, in the second verse, Swamiji talks about the destruction of Trinavartu and the destruction of Shakatasura. What actually happened is that Yashoda left Balakrishna/ Baby Krishna lying in the shade under the cart and went to work. There were containers filled with milk and curds on the cart. In the meantime, a demon (with a body of air) seized the cart. When he seized it, the wheel of the cart moved on its own and came towards Balakrishna. Without saying anything, Balakrishna showed that Yashoda's baby was not helpless.
The baby kicked the wheel of the cart that was coming towards him with a foot like a twig. With that blow, the cart overturned, all the axles, bolts, nails were blown away, and the body of the cart destroyed. The demon who had taken possession of it through the medium of wind escaped with his life. So here the demon who had taken possession of the cart was deprived of his life, but his life was not taken away. The body of the demon, Shakatasura, did not come out like the demon body of Putana, or Trinavartu.
This is the proof! What was said with the Ardhapatti oath in the Srimad Bhagavatam, Swamiji has made it resound for the devotees with the anupada 'Utseka Nirvapaka'. The slaying of the demon Vatsa, the destruction of the demon Bakas, the destruction of the demon Dhenuraksh, the one who is capable of saving the people of Gokula from the fire (Karchirchu), the one who bathed the Gopis in their robes, the one who played the rasakritha on the banks of the Yamuna, the one who protected the Govardhana—all were the leelas or plays of Sri Krishna!
The one who stole everyone's minds with the sound of the Venu, the one who was ready to play with children in the villages, the one who had a transcendental essence known only to groups of sages, the one who incarnated as the essence of true grace, that is the form which Swamiji beautifully presented to us.
Any kind of worry remains a burden on the mind. - To get rid of it, one must find joy in listening to music - is the message of the Venu! Swamiji is putting it into practice!
Courtesy Avadootha Datta Peetham: Divya Nama Sankeertana • 18 May 2025

16/05/2025

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07/05/2025

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04/05/2025

04/05/2025

May there be peace everywhere!
Sri Narhari Teertha used to always worship Narasimha Swamy. He was very innocent. He used to come to Mysuru Ashrama and loudly declare that he brought be 5 lacs. Everyone would assume it was about money. He would come with a big bag and then empty the bag and tell me he chanted the mantra 5 lac times for my benefit. He could come back in a few more months and do the same with 15 lacs. I never saw him as a father. I felt he was a friend.
He would tell me that he saw me as Narayana in his dream. He would say: You will wear a diamond crown tomorrow. I saw it in my dream. I did not care for a diamond crown. The next day, a devotee from Hyderabad Jaganmohan Rao brought the diamond crown for Swamiji. I told him I didn't need one, that money could be put to better use, but the devotee said he wanted to see me as Vishnu.Tatagaru (Sri Narahari Teertha) saw me and said I should look in the mirror if I wanted to see Maha Vishnu.
Mother was born near the Brindavana of Subbaya Yogi. He would throw stones in the air and they would turn into sugar candy. He was a great yogi. The Ashrama acquired some barren land - there's limestone up to 8 feet deep. We want to plant some medicinal trees for the benefits of people to help with their heart, kidney, lung health. We want to grow those trees that are not found in this region.
We are losing trees to urbanization. We are only breathing air conditioned air. We must get fresh air! Swamiji is doing Vruksha Shanti Yajna in June. 8000 plants are being used in this yajna alongside Chandi Yaga. I will not ask you all to come since there will be a lot of crowd if I do.
Infant Krishna was found sucking on his big toe while lying in the dark cold water on a banyan leaf. After a long time, he heard a voice that said it was one Krishna. Krishna wanted to see that light, but that light (Mother) said she would appear later when all the gods did yajna.
I bless you again and again. Play music when you go to bed. Get regular medical checkups. Exercise regularly. Eat moderately. Walk everyday. Swim if possible. Breathe fresh air from trees. Do not doubt your family members. Be friendly. God brought us all together, so we should be cordial with each other. There is a fear of war, may that be calmed down as well. May God give sense to the foolish! May there be peace everywhere.
Courtesy Archana Penukonda ; Inauguration of the newly built Hospital complex, Annapurna Mandiram & Veda Patha Shala • SGS Ashrama, Jayalakshmi Puram, AP • 4 May 2025

03/05/2025

Ganga Saptami
Ganga Saptami day is dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This day is also known as Ganga Pujan and Ganga Jayanti as Ganga was reborn on this day.
Today is the day the holy river Ganga emerged. Yesterday also counts. Bhagiratha's 100 ancestors were burned to ashes due to the curse of sages. Sage Narada and others advised that for his forefathers (pitru devatas) to attain felicitous worlds...
(Appaji reminds devotees that teertham should be consumed not poured on the head. That teertha can absolve one of all sins. The water must reach the throat, that is why only a small quantity is given to you). There is a salagrama in the Vishnu granthi near the navel. It is enough if the water finally falls on it.
We should always ask the priests for teertha, we should chase after them for teertha. We should be like ordinary people in a temple, not like VIPs. I don't know why some Andhra people act like VIPs. Real devotees will refuse VIP treatment. Many come here as regular people, not as VIPs. We should not go to Guru's Peethas and Guru’s temples as people of authority. Where is devotion in such an action?
There are some who have darshan while seated in a car. They don't want to even walk even though they are able to. You've seen young children as well as 90 year olds climb the hill to Tirumala. That is real devotion. You must stand in the queue and have Darshana, not pay money for fast darshan. This is okay for old people to do, but not for youngsters.
You must not crowd around Swamiji for teertha. The more you wait patiently, the better for you. You can go patiently in the queue, not rush worried that prasadam that HH is giving may be over, or that HH may leave. Those two demons are with you. Get rid of them. Swamiji gives to everyone once He starts, otherwise, He will not even start. Why do you rush. You can just be in Swamiji's presence for longer if you are patiently waiting.
Since we cannot go to Ganga everyday and bathe in it, we think of Ganga every day when we bathe. (Mantra while bathing) This very cruel body, when it bathes in ganga, gets rid of all its sins. Salutations to Bhairava who takes us to higher worlds.
atikrūra mahākāya kalpānta dahanōpama
bhairavāya namastubhya - manujñāṁ dātu marhasi॥
When we go to other worlds, it is Bhairava who is there helping us. All the vehicles we take then are his. The 8 river names we chant during our shower are also Ganga. Even if bathe in the swimming pool or a tank, that is akin to Ganga. If we are able to dip fully so our head is fully in the water, that is like Ganga Snana. We are arranging for pools in all Ashramas. Whatever water we draw from the borewell, is Saraswati river. Where Saraswati is, Ganga and Yamuna are too. So, don't regret that it is bore water. The water in the faucet too is coming from a pure source, that too is Ganga. Impure water also becomes pure when the sun rays fall on it. According to science, water gets filtered a lot. The water under earth flows over stones and gets purified. We consume that as bore water. It may contain some salt, but we can fix it.
In the beginning Bhagiratha dug the earth for water. That is what is said to have turned into oceans in one kalpa. When Bhagiratha prays, Ganga says that he is ready to flow to earth, but no one can withstand her force. When he prays to her for advise, she gives him the clue to pray to Shiva. Bhagiratha does so and then Shiva assures him he will take care. Shiva knew of Ganga's ferocity. Ganga had waxed eloquently about her own prowess that Bhagiratha shared with Shiva. Shiva stands ready with his tresses open. Ganga starts at Vishnu's feet. Shiva is very dear to Vishnu, so he places his feet in the path to reduce the speed of water. But Ganga flowed over his feet with great speed. Then, Ganga falls on earth. Shiva is not an ordinary man. Shiva imprisoned her in his tresses and tied up his hair.
Bhagiratha felt helpless and again does penance to Shiva. Shiva is immediately pleased. He always grants your boons immediately. But you must pray to him wholeheartedly, not mechanically. Bhagiratha then pleads with Shiva to let Ganga flow. Then, Shiva lets out one single stream of ganga (there are many in Shiva's tresses). Mother Ganga falls on the cold mountains. All of those mountains cooperate and turn into Ganga too. It was as if all those cold mountains suddenly came to life. Mother directs Bhagiratha to run ahead as she follows him.
Ganga is flowing over all the beautiful places and ashramas and is devouring (drowning ) them. Sage Jahnu gets angry and he turns Ganga into a tiny bit of teertha and drinks it up. Bhagiratha turns around to look for Ganga when he stops hearing the sound of water flowing. He does not find Ganga. He sees that everything behind him was destroyed due to Ganga. He also realizes that the sage had drunk up Ganga and sat down to meditate again. Bhagiratha again prays to the sage
The sage asks him what he wants. Bhagiratha narrates his story and how Ganga started with Vishnu and then flew to Shiva and is now with Sage Jahnu. The sage then releases the water through his ears. Ganga again starts running. Bhagiratha leads the river to nether world where his ancestors ashes lay. As the river flows there, all the minerals there were churned and those became the oceans. It is due to those minerals that the ocean water is salty. One stream of Ganga uplifted Bhagiratha's forefathers, while another stream is here to uplift us.
Sage Kumbha sprinkles holy water on Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and that place become sanctified and that is why we celebrate Kumbhamela. Where at least two rivers merge, that is a sangama. Saraswati is antar-vahini - it flows underground. Bathing where two rivers meet is very sacred. Swamiji was born in a sangama kshetra too. Kaveri, Arkavati rivers meet there. Also Saraswati river is there.
So, Swamiji was born in that Ganga. For those who listen to this story and receive it in their heart, sins of 7 births are destroyed. This instance is explained with great importance in Bhagavatam.
Since it's hard to listen to the entire Bhagavatam, we will do saptaham of Bhagavatam. The process of creation as well as all incarnations will be described during the saptaha. I am planning to do this in Eluru, Gunturu, Hyderabad. We want to do this when it cools down a bit. That will fulfill your lives.
Swamiji is playing only the ragas from Mother's bhajans this evening during Nada Chikitsa Mother inspired me to compose Bhajans. I will pick three such keertans from Mother and play them. Healing ragas were there already. She declared a long time back that I would play these for my children and grandchlidren.
Annapurna Mandira, Hospital, Dormitory are getting inaugurated tomorrow. Eye surgeries were done by Sankara Netralaya here. They did it wonderfully. So many were happy. 240 surgeries were done to restore eyesight Madras Ashrama does many such programs. The doctors there go to various villages every month and serve there. Along with that, there are devotees who do Annadana and other charities. Of course, Andhra people also do charity. You can offer things that the hospital need - you can bring dentist chairs or the small appliances that the hospital needs.
We should do these kinds of sevas too, not only Annadana. When you are coming to the Ashrama, try to bring some rice. You must mentally want to share with a couple people. "I eat food, I want to feed two others". If you don't share food with others, it is only Atma Dana - donating to oneself. You can participate in Nitya Puja for Mother.
Avadhoota Datta Peetham; SGS Ashrama, Jayalakshmi Puram, AP • 3 May 2025