Baton Rouge function

[Guest guest]

Jaya Guru Datta

 

Dear Devotees

 

On the instructions of Swami Manasananda Datta Padarenu, I am

preparing this brief report on the proceedings at the Datta Temple in

Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA on July 14 and 15th, 2001.

About two hundred fifty devotees gathered for the weekend per the

email from Prasadi urging everyone to go to get the blessings from

the special Shiva Lingam sent by Sri Swamiji; as most people have

dropped plans after learning About cancellation of Sri Swamiji's

trip. Devotees came from Canada as well as Trinidad and from all

across the USA.

 

Everyone was anxious to hear from Swami Manasanda first hand account

of the events that transpired in the last few weeks at the Mysore

Ashrama leading upto the accident and very concerned and worried

about Sri Swamiji. As the description unfolded, most of us became

teary and emotional with genuine gratitude and heart felt distress,

for Sri Swamiji having to go through this experience for the sake of

His devotees and taking their karma. It is even more hard hitting

as Sri Swamiji was concerned very much about the devotees in North

America. We all felt relieved and happy after watching video

message and the phone call from Sri Swamiji.

 

On saturday morning homa was performed followed by Anaghashtami

Vratham in the Afternoon. Both were conducted beautifully and all

the devotees took part in the proceedings. Mahanyasam done by Sri

Sanakaramanchi was particularly inspiring. Later in the evening,

students from the local university presented a cultural program of

classical music and devotional singing. This was followed by bhajan

singing by canadian devotees as well as Swami Manasananda, and as

usual this was captivating and left the audience wanting more.

 

On sunday morning, Abhishekam was performed for the dieties and the

Sphatika Shiva shakti lingam. This particular pooja was spectacular

and Swami Manasananda and the priest Sri Sankaramanchi did a

magnificient job and left a lasting impression and made it a

unforgettable event. Everyone felt Sri Swamji's presence and looked

like Datta was going to appear in front of all of us, as the

atmosphere was electrifying and the vibrations were so powerful. All

the devotees felt as if they were transported to another realm. All

recieved the teertham and offered pranams to Swamiji's padukas.

 

We all left with complete satisfaction of witnessing a wonderful

spiritual event and knowing that Sri Swamiji is okay and His

blessings are with us always.

 

We were also pleased to know the new priest Sri Srinivasa sastry and

welcomed him to the Baton Rouge fold.

 

I want to express my sincere appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for

Swami Manasanada and the priests for doing such a wonderful job and

ofcourse to Sri Swamiji for making this happen.

 

Jaya Guru Datta

Mahipal Ravipati