VISWADARSANAM
(Universal
Vision)
“Now I am staying
here. Take along my photo…, the photo of Sridhar Maharaj, give them to
VISWAMBHARA”. Gurudev Sri Dattatreya Wadekar commanded Vidyasagar Sarma in his
dream.
It was in the month of
January 1986, when Vidyasagar Sarma was working as Principal of the Government
Degree College at Mandhani in Karimnagar District. He is not merely brother to
Sri Viswayogi Viswamji Maharaj but was also co-disciple initiated to Mantra
Deeksha at the same time auspicious moment by the same Guru along with him. The
perplexed and confused Vidyasagar Sarma asked, “WHO IS THAT VISWAMBHARA”?.
Staring into the eyes of Vidyasagar Sarma for a moment. Sridhar Maharaj with a
smile said “Don’t you know who is VISWAMBHARA! Your brother –Viswam!”. Then it
flashed to his mind that while they were at Jadcherla, he used to call his
brother Viswambhara. Further to his astonishment he heard some more secrets
from Gurudev.
As soon as the summer
vacation commenced, he went along with family and the photos to the rented room
in Railpet in Guntur, where Viswamji was staying for the last 15 years. Seeing
Vidyasagar Sarma for the first time at the rented room, that too along with
family, Viswamji with pleasant surprise remarked “What! Have you come here”
pretending ignorance. “Guruji asked me to give those photos to you. I have come
accordingly”. Saying thus he gave the two photos to Masterji, he took them with
reverence, performed pooja to them, gave Harati and placed them at the altar.
Feeling the all pervading peaceful atmosphere there and having been aware of
the surging waves of superconsiousness in his heart and the divine experiences,
as soon as he stepped into the room, Sarma understood that it was definitely
the place of his Guru (as his Guru told him) and that every atom there was
completely surcharged with the power of Gurudev. Thereafter in Nov 1987, Sri
Sarma was transferred to Manthena. He took charge there and immediately left
for Guntur to have the darshan of Sri Viswamji for the second time. The second
day of return from Guntur he had a peculiar experience, in a dream Viswamji
gave darshan as Sri Shirdi Sainath; Sarma’s body ……. And he woke up. Though
saidatta disappeared from his vision, the resultant bliss of that darshan did
not dwindle even a little bit and in that ecstasy the following poem rolled
from his lips
“ Anadha nadha nadhya Adhivyadhi Harayacha
Viswandhara
Vasaya Sai Dattayate Namaha
Sidharajaya Sidhaya devaya paramatmane
Viswamandira Vasaya Sai
Dattayate namaha
Satchidananda Bodhya
Nirgunaya Gunatmane
Viswamandira Vasaya Bhakta priyaya Deveya
Baktananda
Pradayacha Viswa………………………………………..
Edam stotram mahadivayam Viswamangaladayakam
Immediately he perused
it and sent it next day by post offering it to the divine lotus feet.
Whenever
Vidyasagar Sarma went to Viswamji, the latter used to give Akshatas to Sarma
and with folded hands bow his head with humility as if to bless him.
Accordingly Sarma used to bless him by placing Akshatas on Masterji’s head. But
Sarma never did Namaskar to Viswamji. As aged and enlightened people were
coming and going after doing Namaskar to the lotus feet of the Master, Viswamji
appeared to Sarma, not as Viswamji but as the embodiment of Gurudeva. In the
very next moment due to the power of Maya-Masterji seemed to be his brother.
Due to the death of his father at an early age, Masterji was reared and bought
up by Sarma. As such his ego stood in the way of prostrating before Masterji’s
feet. At the same time Sarma was eagerly waiting, as to when that fortune of
touching the lotus feet would smile on him, and for that moment when Masterji
appearing, as Sai Datta would bless him and erase his ego. It did not take much
time for that auspicious moment to dawn. It was the month of Ashadha, 1988 when
Masterji sent the invitation to Smt. and Sri Vidyasagar Sarma to attend the
proposed
Hanumath Jayanti. The couple attended the
function at Anna Srinivas Rao Kalyana Mandapam at Guntur. Four to five hundred couples
were seated in rows. Pooja was performed to all the couples on a grand scale.
Smt. and Sri Vidyasagar Sarma were seated in the first row. Masterji went
round, line after line, performing pooja with all devotion and meticulous care
to each couple by placing flowers, Akshatas and sprinkling scented rose water
on them. Oh! It was an exhilarating sight for everyone to see and feel Lord
Datta himself in human form performing pooja to couples, as an ordinary human
being! It was reminiscent of that scene when Lord Krishna presiding over
Rajasuyayaga of Pandavas, worshipped the groups of Brahmin visitors by washing
their feet! some praised Viswamji’s action on “Yogah Karmastu Kowsalam” meaning
“Skill in action is Yoga” and applauded it as the Divine play. Some others
began to think that Masterji was performing this only for being emulated by us
“Yadat acharate Srestahah, Tattadeve taro Janah”(People will follow what the
best among them do). After going through all rows worshipping all the couples,
Masterji came to the first row. On one side a volunteer was standing with a
plate full of flowers in his hands, while on the otherside karunasri Dr
Jandhyala Papaiah Sastry was standing with all devotion. Karunasri took the
flowers from the plate with both the hands and started sprinkling them on
Masterji’s head. Masterji was all divine bliss with closed eyes. The flower
bath thus performed on Masterji, was feast to the eyes for the spectators
there! “Oh! You are proud of your pilgrimage from Cape Comarin to Himalayas!
Your ego knew no bounds with the pride of having visited all Datta Kshestras
and having done the Datta Mantra Japa with all severity and intensity! Alas!
You are not able to recognize the person visible before your own eyes and see
what is happening to your gnana? Getup open your eyes and see what is happening
before you.” Datta Prabhu warned. Thus felt Sarma at that moment. With a sudden
jerk he stared at the Master. His eyes were unusually and infinitely bright
(studded with lightening of thousand rays of crystalline brightness). That was
all. He was neither physically conscious nor in a position to be aware of what
he was doing. An emotional super consciousness- an inexplicable and unpreached
divine experience-a state of unmatta possesses him-His entire body was in
ecstasy. Immediately he got up from his seat in a spurt, went to the Master
suddenly embraced him and with a shriveling voice saying “DATTA DATTA” with
tears rolling down his cheeks, he dropped down on Master’s feet. H got up after
a while took the remaining flowers from the plate and placed them on the head
of Masterji. Doing thus he again dropped on Master’s feet. This peculiar
behavior of Vidyasagar Sarma was being watched by all the people there.
Meanwhile Sarma’s emotional fervor subsided and he became a normal man. He felt
shy at what he did in the presence of so many onlookers with head bent, he
slowly walked to his seat and sat there. It is indeed a memorable occasion for
Vidyasagar Sarma who shedding the ego of brotherhood, touched the Master’s feet
for the first time. Inspite of such a happening, the thought that his actions
on the occasion might be a result of illusion or temporary mental imbalance did
not, however, leave him. The unstinted faith that Masterji is an Avatar of
Datta did not yet take deep roots in him. On the one hand he thought that he
was none other than his younger brother. Thus he was in two minds being unable
either to compromise or to decide one way or the other. As a last resort he
wanted to test Masterji and get his faith confirmed. In responsive sequence
Masterji exhibited several divine actions.
One night when
Vidyasagar Sarma was fast asleep in his house at Madhira, Masterji patted him
and woke him up and said “Get up compose poetry on me. I wish to hear”. In that
dream itself Sarma composed extempore some poems and woke up. Masterji
disappeared. Afterwards he wished to compose a poem with the theme contained in
the Mantra “Om Sri Sai Ram Gurudeva Datta” that Masterji gave to the world with
all obliviate all ills and bestow the fulfillment of all desirable desires.
Alas! He could not conceive a poem. “Om Sri Sai Ram Gurudeva Datta” did not fit
in any poetic meter. Sarma who is capable of composing with ease 10 to 15
verses an hour could not compose even single line in a poem, inspite of his
struggle for three days. He was bewildered at his stance. He began to search
for the cause and at last, it became vaguely perceptible. The verses were
composed in the dream were not by him. Viswamji, the metamorphosis form of the
trio i.e., the combination of the powers of volition, knowledge and action,
articulated the verses through him. With the disappearance of the form of
Viswamji the power that composed the poems too vanished. He could not get at
the truth that the ego “I am composing the poems” was the hurdle. Realizing his
misconception, he went to the photo of Masterji and lit up a scented stick.
Immediately the verse involuntarily gushed out from his voice in extempore as
follows:
‘Priyam Sreyam Gurpanichitive “Om Sri Sai Ram” Mantram
Dayathodan “Gurudeva Datta” Nanu Sandhaninchi Bhaktalikin
Bhayamul Vedenu, Neevugalga Gurudevaa! Lotu Vatillunei”
He named his verses as
“Pushpanjali” and offered them to the lotus feet of the Master. Those whose
wish to read them may see “ Sri Viswadatta Vrata Kalpaka”, a booklet released
on the 48 th birthday celebrations of Viswamji.
He retired from
services in 1990 and returned to Guntur to his own house. The Jayanti of Sri
Vasudevanada Saraswati (popularly known as Tombay Swamy) falls on Ashda Bahula
Panchami- Vidyasagar Sarma translated the Marathi version of Tombay Swamy’s
biography into Telugu. A volition occurred to him after he came to Guntur to do
Saptha Parayana of that biography completing it by the Jayanti day. Even though
it was four years since he had translated that book, at no time the thought of
Saptha Parayana occurred to him. Thinking that it was the volition given by
Datta himself and that Viswamji was but the Avatar of Datta, Sarma went to
Masterji and after expressing his desire, prayed “Grant me permission”. “Where
do you wish to do that Parayana?” questioned Viswamji, Sarma replied “When ever
you wish me to do it”. Then do it in the morning at your house and in the
evening at Viswamandir”…. Masterji told Sarma.
Accordingly Parayanam took place from 4 th to 10 th Aug both at his
house as well as at Viswamandir. On 11 th of Aug Masterji celebrated Sri
Vasudeananda’s Jayanti at Viswamandir and Sri Acharya Kathapalli Subrahmanyam
…..presided over the meeting. During the days of parayana a peculiar incident
happened. On 9 th Aug when Sarma was doing parayana of the 31 st chapter at his
house in the morning, in that Vakratunda was giving exposition on a scripture at
Unnamala village in Narasobawada. By the way he said that in Kaliyuga there are
three Dattavatars, one that of Sri Pada Vallabha, the other Sri Narasimha
Saraswati and the third Yogiraj among the three, two there already over and as
to the third one-“he is in front of us” he said pointing out to Sri
Vasudevananda Saraswati who was seated in front of him. Then Vasudevnanda said,
“Much time has to pass away before the advent of Yogiraj Avatar. Don’t make
such wild remarks on me”. While reading this part of the biography thus, he
felts that somebody questioned him “ Do you know who is Yogiraj”, “Myself” the
word flashed in the mind itself. “Viswamji is the Avatar of Yogiraj” again the
divine voice was heard. The astonished Vidyasagar Sarma questioned “How to believe
it when so may Siddha Purushas, Yogis, Mahatmas are there?”. No answer came
from above. Then Sarma decided to test the Master and judge for himself the
validity of the above statement.
While he was doing
Parayanam at Viswamandir, Masterji used to sit in front of him and listen. “If
Masterji comes and sits on the dais while I am reading this part of the
chapter, then I would believe Masterji as the Avatar of Yogiraj”. He made up
his mind thus.
On that day when he
commenced Parayanam at Viswamandir, Vsiwamji who used to sit in front of him
was not present in the Viswamandir. While going out he instructed the persons
there “Tell him to start Parayanam as usual”. Even after one hour there was no
trace of his coming. That part of the chapter at which he contemplated so much
to happen had come up for reading. He read “The Avatar of Sri Pada Vallabha is
over” Viswamji entered, from the back room of the dais in the hall where
Parayanam was going on. He read “The Avatar of Sri Narasimha Saraswati also
passed away”-Viswamji came to the dais and sat by the side of Vidyasagar Sarma.
Sarma’s joy knew no bounds-in an excited mood Sarma with full-throated voice
shouted out “Viswayogi is the Avatar of Yogiraj-the avatar, which Vasudevananda
said that it was yet to come, had indeed come. Dattavatar Vasudevanda Saraswati
had come again in the form of Viswayogi –“Satchitananda Swarup Sri Viswayogi
Maharaj Ki jai”. Then and there Sarma was blessed with the understanding of the
secret, not only that, Sri Viswamji was the divine aspect of the joint of the
ten Avatara of Datta i.e., Yogiraj, but also the truth that Gurudev Dattaraya
Wadekar on one day at Jadcherla, by way of initiating Viswamji to the Mantra
embedded meditative sloka “Namaste Yogi Rajendra……..” had practically
transmitted divine power of Yogiraj to Masterji.
The experiences of Sri
Vidyasagar Sarma did not come to an end with that, another incident happened to
substantiate that Viswamji was in truth Datta Prabhu himself. In the previous
Ashram Masterji used to come to his house every year on Vinayak Chaviti,
Mahalaya Amavasya and on the anniversary day of his father. On Vinayaka Chaviti
day Masterji performs pooja in the house, gives satisfaction mother and receive
her blessings. That was when mother was alone his house. Now all were there in
the house. There was a lingering doubt whether Masterji would come to the house
even now. So Sarma went to Masterji and entreated him “Do come, to the house on
Vinayaka Chavati as usual. Mother will be eagerly awaiting your arrival. That
day is your Jayanti too” recalling the fact that the birthday of Sri Pada
Vallabha falls in Vinayaka Chavati. Masterji nodded his head in token of
acceptance but did not indicate at which time he would be present nor did Sarma
raise that point. On Vinayaka Chviti day after making the preparation required
for pooja, they were awaiting the arrival of Masterji Sarma was in a dilemma
whether to commence pooja or not. He did not commence it lest he should have to
get up in the middle of the pooja to receive Masterji. In the meanwhile his
eldest son Dattu started playing a cassette on Datta Vishnu Sahasranama. Even
that was over. It was 10’o clock past. At that moment Sarma had a volition.
“Start pooja” as if somebody was telling him like that. Pooja was started. It
was over. After reading the Vinayaka Vrata Kadha, they were waiting for
Masterji’s arrival for Mahanaivedyam. Suddenly it flashed to their memory, the
cassette, they brought from Gangapur. So they played it on. Sarma willed “If
Masterji is really the Avatar of Datta, he would come before cassette is over”.
The last song “Digambara, Digambara” was commenced, a car stopped at the gate,
while the song Digambara Digambara” was going on Masterji stepped into the
house along with Acharya Sri Gogineni Kanakaiah, Sri Ramakoteswara Rao and
Kumari Madhuri. On seeing the power of Sri Pada Vallabha while the whole house
was reverberating with Namasankeetrtan of Sri Pada Vallabha, Sarma’s body, he
said to himself “Dhanysome” (I am blessed) with this instance Sarma’s faith
that Masterji is Datta Avatar became firmly stabilized Even after that Masterji
several times by several means both by percept and example brought home to
Sarma about his all knowing, all pervading and indwelling nature in all living beings.
Thereby he increased the faith in Sarma. One day along with other devotees
Sarma was squatting in Viswamandiram awaiting the arrival of Masterji. By his
side were seated Sri Valluru Jagannadha Rao, Sri Akella Manikya Murthy and some
others, who are the subjects of special grace of Masterji. For timepass,
conversing with them Sarma said “This is my Guru’s abode. Viswamji was speaking
out what I was contemplating in my mind. He was fructifying my wishes. One year
back I contemplated and thought that it would be in the fitness of things if
somebody designs a picture of Viswayogi in a meditative posture with the
backdrop of Shirdi Sai Baba and Datta Parbhu. Before the lapse of two months
from that date, there was such a photo in Viswamandir. He continued further. At
one time our people never believed the existence of subtle body does exist
every one had had to believe it. Our casual body exists in Devaloka. Well in
advance of few months before the diseases attack the other body. Thereafter
only the physical body falls down. In Bhagavat Geeta, Lord Krishna said to
Arjuna “The warriors like Bhisma were already killed by me”, it amply endorses
the above concept. The novel experience in this context was that after half an
hour Masterji came there and squatted on the dais and exhorted the people
there, on casual, subtle and physical bodies and Kirlian photography exactly on
the same lines Sarma talked about just before. Not being able to get satisfied
with the series of experiences he had one after another, Sarma was enthused to
know the experiences of some of the co-devotees. He interviewed some of them.
As he was doing on hearing their experience, layer after layer of his ignorance
began to peel off. He arrived at the truth that the gist of all their
experiences is one and the same. The hitherto lingering doubt that if he starts
writing Masterji’s biography people may think “Because he is his brother, he is
analyzing much” was shattered and enlightenment dawned on him. Who is the elder
brother? Who is the younger? At one time he may be elder to him. Today he is a
humble disciple of Viswamji enjoying the bliss at his feet with rich
experiences. There were none who were more informed about the details of the
biography of the Master of his past Ashram than him. It is not only that Sarma
felt that Viswayogi Viswamji willed to have his autobiography and for that
purpose he made him an instrument for the same bestowing fresh energy to Sarma.
Feeling thus Sarma bundled out all his doubts, shed off his ego, placed all the
burden on the shoulders of Viswamji, with humble submission and humility
commenced working of the biography. This is the true biography of an younger
brother written by his elder brother. This is the biography pertaining to a
co-disciple who got transformed into embodiment of power by dint of his severe
and intense Sadhana. This is the biography told by a co-disciple who after
extensive and deep search brought forth the rich diamonds of the sacred secrets
of spiritual life. This is the successful expedition of a disciple who pined
for Darshan of his powerful enlightened Guru. This is an Akshayapatra, filled
with Ambrosia of bliss enjoyed by a devotee by the Darshan of Bhagawan. This is
“THE VISWA GURU CHARITRA” presented to the world as a worthy memoir by Vidyasagar
Sarma who is altogether a different personality today. Those who go through the book, will have
the understanding to some extent of what Viswayogi is and shall have to accept
him as their path tender.