Dattatreya Jayanti - Jupiter, the biggest planet
in our solar system is called as 'Guru Graham' in Sanskrit.
This planet is related to the intellect of humans. Hence it is called as
Guru (Budha Graha). The planet Jupiter, changes from one Raashi (12 astrological
signs. Aries, Capricorn etc) to another every year. During the period of retrograde
it slows down but still it makes up for the slowness and on an average it changes
the Raashi house every year. This change generally happens in the last week of the
month December. This type of calendar system is connected with the movement of the
Sun and is called as Solar Calendar.
Since the Lunar movement and the Solar movement do not coincide (match), the Lunar
calendar has extra months and extra days to make it coincide with the Solar calendar.
In the Lunar calendar, the movement of moon in the star 'Mrigashira' happens in
the month of December. Dattatreya was born on Wednesday, the fourteenth day of the
Full Moon in the month of 'Mrigashira'. That is why Datta Jayanti happens in December
only.
It is on this Datta Jayanti day that the main deity of 'Datta Peetham'
- 'Kalagni Shamana Datta' was installed. Hence Datta Jayanti carries
a unique connection with Datta Peetham.
It is on this day that devotees can have a glimpse of Sri Swamiji
peforming puja to the sacred 400 year old "Moola Virat Dattatreya"
which was was earlier worshipped by the Dattathreya Avataara - 'Sri Narasimha Saraswati'.
Devotees from all over the world gather to witness this Divine Celebration of the
Birth of Lord Dattatreya.
This two day long divine celebration includes many auspicious events which may be
generalized as follows:
- Sri Chakra Puja in Nada Mantapa.
- Sri Swamiji's Bhajans in Nada Mantapa
- Panchamruta Abhishekam to Kalagni Shamana Dattatreya followed by Maha Mangalarati
- Pavamana & Dattatreya Homa followed by Purnahuti by Sri Swamiji.
- Tailabhishekam (Oil Abhishekam) to the Utsava Murti of Dattatreya by Sri Swamiji.
- Tailabhishekam to the Utsava Murti of Dattatreya by all the devotees.
- Teppotsava (Raft festival) to Sri Dattatreya Swamy in SaptaRishi Sarovara.
- Kakada Arati to Lord Kaalaagni Shamana Dattatreya.
Devotee's Experiences
Swami Sahaja Datta Pada, Mysore
"Swamiji, you give so many things to your devotees, how come you never give me anything?"
He looked at me and said in the most compassionate voice, "I don't give you anything,
for I have kept you in my heart"
Swamy Vishnudatta Padarenu, Russia
Sri Swamiji addressed me by my name, Varada Raja, greeted me, allowed me to do Namaskaram,
and then began speaking with me as though He had known me for several years....
Mysore Patrike Venkatramu
"I bless all those who come to me irrespective of their caste or religion. If a
Christian comes to me I tell him to believe in Jesus and continue to have faith
in his own religion. Likewise, if a Muslim comes to me I stress upon the importance
of being a good Muslim and follow his own faith..."
S Dwarkanath, Mysore
"Your friend Satyanarayana has become a Swamiji, I went and paid my respects, you
also go and do the same", I did not pay any attention to this talk so she hit me
on the head....
C S Venkatesh, Bangalore
"Wherever you work, as a clerk or an engineer, be honest and sincere and pray to
God and your Guru. You will come out good in life".....
Krishan Kumar, Mysore
Then He took me to His room and showed me a map of India, showing certain places
saying that He wanted to go there. "Will you take me? Will you take me?"....
Sheetal Persad
"Don't worry; Sri Swamiji will take care." I realized at that moment that he was
answering my thoughts. He knows everything for He is omniscient, omnipotent and
omnipresent. He is my master.....