SURPRISE VISITS IN THE PITTSBURGH REGION

[Guest guest]

Dear Datta Devotees, Jaya Guru Datta

 

This week held two surprise programs from Sri Swamiji and Sri Datta Vijayananda

Teertha, which a few lucky souls were able to attend.

 

The first event was a first time ever visit by Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha to

Datta Retreat Center, West Sunbury, PA. As most of you know, Sri Datta

Vijayananda Teertha (Sri Bala Swamiji) has been ordained as Sri Swamiji's

successor to Datta Peetham. It was a very great honor to have His Presence

here. After being welcomed by the devotees, He visited the Temple, healing

Rocks and performed Arati, and then took a brief tour of the ashram premises in

spite of the severe cold conditions and snow all around. After spending a short

time in the Guru Nilayam, He proceeded to the newly constructed building where

the devotees were waiting. After an introduction by Ramana Laird, each of the

devotees could have His personal Darshan. Sri H.V. Prasad then spoke a few

words about Sri Bala Swamiji, and Ramana presented a photo to Him which he had

snapped in Mysore Ashram in the mid 80's. In the photo,Sri Bala Swamiji could

be seen as a child worshipping the brass idol of Lord Datta, which

Sri H. V. Prasad explaind had just been donated to Ashram by Bangalore Devotees

and which is still worshipped in the ashram to this day. Sri Bala Swamiji

responded that this may have been His first occassion of performing worship of

Lord Datta, and He recalled the specific event, having been instructed by Sri

Swamiji to do that worship. Next He spoke a few words about the Center,

commenting on the wonderful nature of the ashram, seeming to Him like the Rhishi

ashrams of old, and how lucky the devotees are to have been given this place by

Sri Swamiji, and praised their seva here. Next a heart shaped cake was offered

by Meera Laird, and Sri Bala Swamy cut the cake and it was distributed as

prasadam. After a tour of the new building with Rick Steigerwald explaining the

various technical details, Sri Bala Swamiji proceeded to the car to the ardent

Jaya Guru Datta's of the devotees. Those present expressed their wonderment and

delight at His Presence, and His kindness, gentleness

and Holy spiritual vibration.

 

A few days later, another surprise function was held at the home of Drs. Ramana

and Indubala Murty of Steubenville, Ohio - Sri Swamiji Himself performed puja on

the auspicious occassion of Ratha Saptami. A few devotees were gathered to

witness this detailed and interesting puja, which Sri Swamiji performed after

completing the daily Sree Chakra Puja. Sri H.V. Prasad then spoke a few words

explaining the significance of the day and the puja. (Briefly: the Sun on this

day moves into its new phase for the year.) The puja place was decorated with a

big colorful graphic of the sun, and lights. Very significantly, the local

weather, which had been continuously gray and cold for many days in a row, on

that particular day became very sunny with a temperature increase of nearly 20

degrees. After the puja, the devotees present came forward one by one for

personal darshan. Sri Swamiji then delighted everyone by remaining present for

some time longer, speaking to a few individuals and

responding to the devotees' thirst to bask in His Presence.

 

Both of these events provided incredible blessings for the devotees and the

Pittsburgh region, and we are very grateful.

 

Sri Guru Datta

Padma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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