CHAPTER - 6
GRACE OF THE GURU
Krishnavenamma mother of Sambasiva Rao, lecturer in English, came to Vidyasagar Sarma`s house one evening and said Sarma garu some Maharaj is staying at Dattamandiram. Many people are going for darshan, Why not you couple also go there once? At that time Sarmaji was the Head of the Department of Telugu in Dr. Boorgula Ramakrishna Rao Govt. College at Jadcherla. It was past 12 years they were married, but no progeny so far. It was the fond hope of Krishnavenamma, that they would be blessed with children by the grace of Maharaj.
By nature Vidyasagar Sarma was a theist but usually he would not believe Bairagees and Sanyasins who, by and large had taken to if for filling their belly. But if once he believes he will stick to him with perseverance. He was already in the know of the presence of Maharaj at Dattamandiram and he even had seen him once or twice on his way to college. Why are you silent still? Why don’t you speak out? Get up and let us go to Maharaj, come along with Sarmaji” Krishnavenamma persisted.
Sarma looked at his wife. He could clearly perceive in her eyes the eagerness to go and have Darshan of Maharaj. “What wrong is there if once we visit him? Thinking this hint he went to Dattamandiram along with his wife and Krishnavenamma. The truth that” destiny rules over the power of discretion of man” was once again proved in the case of Sarma. His life turned another corner, which led him to the holy feet of Lord Datta.
Dattamandiram was packed with devotees; Maharaj was distributing, teertham and prasadam to Bhakatas. Sarma along with his wife went to Maharaj, did namaskarams with humility and stood on one side. Maharaj looked inquisitively at the couple and remarked “you have no sons, is it not?” Maharaj hither to conversing in Hindi to devotees there, started conversing in English with Sarmaji.
“Do we have a daughter for that matter, let alone sons? Kamalamma conjectured in herself but she could not realise at that moment the real import of the remarks of Maharaj, till Maharaj himself at a subsequent visit to that place after the birth of two sons to them, reminded them of the remarks he made at the first meet. Maharaj gave one coconut to them and asked them to perform puja to it with turmeric and kumkum daily. Sarma did likewise.
Kamalamma regularly visited Dattamandiram and had the darsan of Maharaj. Maharaj asked her to do perambulations to Dattamandiram for forty days observing certain rules and regulations she did so. At the behest of Maharaj, Sarma took teertham and prasadam from him daily (after Maharaj completed the reading of Dattacharitra daily), on his way to college. On the night of the 40th day Kamalamma had a dream in which Lord Datta in the form of Viswamjee placed a fruit in her palm as prasadam. People who heard about it thought that because Maharaj is a bachelor, he appeared as Viswamjee who is also a bachelor, but none could guess at that time Viswamjee himself is Datta.
It was past two months since Maharaj came to Jadcherla. He had been going to several houses for Biksha. Not even once he stepped into the house of Sarma though Kamalamma eagerly expected him every day. On one day she felt it deeply and with tears in her eyes, she lamented “What great sins we have committed in our previous births! Maharaj is not coming to our house for Biksha”.
The very next day Maharaj came to their house for Biksha. At the very sight of him every one felt glad she felt as if she got hold of a great treasure. Everyone in the house had given Biksha to him along with dakshina. Viswamjee too offered Biksha. But maharaj with a smiling face remarked “ You are a brahmachari, I am a brahmachari. To give Biksha is the privilege of a family man. Today my dinner is in your house”. Saying this he sat in the chair there. Viswamjee too sat on a mat adjacent to his feet.
Soon a peculiar incident happened. Suddenly Viswamjee closed his eyes and went into samadhi. Everybody was looking at Viswamjee with awe. Varalakshmamma, the mother of Viswamjee was much perplexed with the thought “Oh God! What are the fits recurring again? “In a spontaneous movement, Maharaj, with a smiling face, got up from his seat, and covered Viswamjee, with his upper cloth round his arms. He lighted incense sticks, kept his right hand on the head of Viswamjee and stood silently with closed eyes for two or three minutes in meditative mood.
After awhile Viswamjee regained consciousness and opened his eyes Varalakshmamma, heaved a sign of relief. “ What appeared before your vision. When you closed your eyes?” was the inquisitive question of maharaj to Viswamjee
“ Dattatreya swami, Shirdi Saibaba, Gautama Buddha and several other deities” said Viswamjee No sooner did he hear the answer there was effulgence in the face of maharaj, glow in his eyes, and with enchanting smile on his lips, he looked at him and said “ What a wonderful culture of your past births! You just have seen it. Two such experiences occurred previously,” said Masterji.
Sarma thought that such two instances might have happened somewhere with somebody but none could conceive that the two instances related to Viswamjee one at the Anjaneya Temple at Guntur and the other at the time of answering the Maths paper in the BA final examination, to which Maharaj was referring by virtue of his divine vision. Sarma came to know of it in Jan 1986 at Mandhani when he was told of it by Maharaj in a dream .Not only this but several other interesting incidents came to light. During the period of penance by Maharaj at Kadalivanam in Srisailam forest; Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swami went there once and said, “You go to Jadcherla immediately. There in whom you happen to see me, to him you give away all the spiritual power you have” Accordingly he went to Jadcherla, and having seen Datta Prabhu in Viswamjee, Maharaj relegated all his powers to him and became a bankrupt. Therefore, he often addressed Viswamjee as “Viswambhara”. All this and much more, Sarma came to know through that dream.
When Maharaj revealed that he came there to Jadcharla at the behest of Lord Datta, Sarma thought that he had come to bless him with progeny and Ambadoss , the priest at Datta Mandiram thought that he had come to help him at the time of his daughter’s delivery. But later they came to know that the purpose of Maharajas visit was to transform Viswamjee into Viswayogi.
On the day Viswamjee went into Samadhi, Maharaj took meal in their house and asked Viswamjee to sit by his side. Visited Sarma's house both in the morning and evening; chatted for a while and lead Viswamjee to Dattamandiram with all affection placing his arm over the shoulders of Viswamjee
Though Sarma did not have much faith in Maharaj in the beginning , later he gradually felt the greatness of Maharaj and under stood that he was not a common man and days passed by he developed Bhakti and devotion to him On one fine day Maharaj gracefully looked at Kamalamma and in a blessing tone said “Kamalamma to night Lord Datta will appear before you in a dream and initiate you to a Mantra. If you happen to go for urinal, you come back only after washing your feet there. Keep one pencil and paper with you and write the mantra on it. Show the Mantra to me tomorrow morning. But Sarma took it with a pinch of salt.
The same night it happened exactly as was told by Maharaj. While Datta was telling the Mantra to Kamalamma in her right year, she heard the hissing sound of a snake. No sooner did she have doubt whether he was really Datta or not , then Datta who already went up to the gate ,immediately turned sound and appeared before her with three heads, his face turning with lustre, he raised his hand and waved it in blessing and disappeared. She wrote the Mantra on a sheet of paper and showed it to Maharaj, the next morning.
Maharaj took that paper and looked askance at Sarma and laughed ironically .We need not say how Sarma felt at that moment and what kind of Bhakti and devotion were kindled in him towards Maharaj. All the while Viswamjee was enjoying it as entertainment. When occasion arises, Guru will exhibit his capability to bring home the TRUTH to the disciple and dispel his ignorance. This was exactly what had happened to Sarma at that moment.
Maharaj added some suffixes and prefixes to that Mantra and instructed Kamalamma to do Japa with it daily with nista in all earnestness and with all the attention and sanctity that it deserves and said that he would do Parayana of Gurucharitra in their house that night. He went to their house that night and took bath. No sooner had he commenced the “One night Parayana of Gurucharitra” (after Kamalamma lit the holy flame) then he started singing incessantly . From somewhere a winged insect fell on the flame and extinguished it. Immediately Maharaj got up ,took bath and asked Kamalamma to lit the flames with new candles and commenced Parayana with those wet cloths on. A series of obstructions occurred throughout the night and every time such obstruction had come Maharaj got up took bath again and continued Parayana. With great difficulty and perseverance he successfully completed it before daybreak. Even though the Marathi language is not quite understandable to Kamalamma, Sarma and Masterji, they heard it with rapt attention faith and devotion . How much energy concentration , inspiration does one require to complete that Parayana of the 52 chapters of Gurucharitra at a stretch in one night .It is possible only for great souls. At the end Maharaj gave Teertham and Prasadam to all. Afterwards everybody was served with coffee by Smt. Varalakshmamma. Maharaj too relaxing leaned to the wall and sipped coffee along with the devotees squatted round him.
“There is one evil-power in this house, it tried its level best to disturb the Parayana last night. But I did not allow it to wag its tail it fled away for its survival. There won’t be any trouble hereafter. It seems at the time of constructing this house ,a treasure was found here. The owner used it for himself, as a result of which he died by vomiting blood. Is it true?” Maharaj questioned turning to Kamalamma. Whether the treasure was found or not, nobody knows, but Sarmaji actually saw the owner vomiting blood before his death. Everybody was aghast as Maharaj was going on picturing the details of the past incidents. Not only he recalled the past and fore told the future but also he relieved several people of their troubles and incurable ailments. Many couples in their advanced age were blessed with children by his grace. Throughout his stay at Jadcharla he was like a Kalpavruksha attracting people and fulfilling their desires.
On one night after supper, all the members of the house were chit chatting, in the course the conversation Sarma narrated an instance “there was one by name Panumamul Subbaraya Sastry in Rayalaseema. He was a great tantric and also a Dattopasaka. Once he came to Guntur and I went there to have his Darsan. He called me near him and with all affection he said ‘I will give all my tantric weapons to you .The grace of Datta is on abundance over you; you come to my village’. As I went to Hyderabad to study M.A I could not go to his village. Afterwards when I wished to go there, I learnt that he was no more. The desire in me to be initiated to Datta mantra, has remained unfulfilled till now. Now this Maharaj has come. If he by himself thinks, that I deserve to be initiated to Datta mantra and initiates me to it, I will be very glad to receive it . But myself I wont ask him for it. The best way is that Guru must come in search of a deserving disciple”
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The next day Maharaj came to their house. After taking the usual BHIKSHA, he looked around and questioned, “Did not Datta PADUKAS appeared last night in dream either before you or to any one here?” “What is this? Why is Maharaj questioning like this?” Every one was perplexed. But Kamalamma, in whose face the joy of satisfaction was apparent said, “They appeared Maharaj. They appeared as small ones in the beginning, later grew in size. They were flying in the air with a glance overflowing with grace”, You are lucky soon Datta Padukas are going to come to your house. Tomorrow I will do Datta Parayana in your house. Saying this he instructed Sarma to apply for leave and stay at home.
The next day, before the Parayana commenced Maharaj asked Sarmaji and Viswamjee, to take bath and sit before him. After they did so he initiated them to a Mantra, and instructed them to do japa with that mantra ,till the parayana was over. They did likewise. They began to see a bright light before their eyes and felt the lightness of their bodies and their minds were at peace.
“I will initiate you to Datta Mantra on Bhishma Ekadasi day, till that time you chant this sloka daily” Maharaj told them. They followed the instructions of Guru in letter and spirit it was on that memorable Bhishma Ekadasi day of 1967 which incidentally is also the date of birth of Smt.Kamalamma, Maharaj came to their house .They worshipped him with all devotion. Maharaj initiated them to the eight letters Datta Mantra, along with the supplication to the hierarchy of Gurus and also taught them the epitomized version of the worship of Lord Datta. He gave them the silver sandals stamped with one word Datta Mantra along with the photo of the Lord. He made them do that worship in his presence with meticulous perfection and also do japa of that Mantra thousand times. After that he placed his hand over their heads thus blessing them with the transmission of spiritual power. During the above process of initiation, Masterji felt that some power was crawling from toe to the tip of the head. When he was doing japa, rays of different hues passed by before his vision and peculiar sounds were audible. Later when Masterji narrated his experiences to Maharaj, he was overjoyed and “congratulated him” .you are a lucky person . You had the grace of Guru in full.
Days were passing by, every day Masterji was going to Dattamandiram along with Maharaj, devoting most of the time in meditation. One day the daughter of Ambadon, the priest of Dattamandiram gave birth to a male child. Before delivery Maharaj gave her Tirtham and Prasadam and blessed her with easy delivery. On the tenth day, Maharaj gave the priest all the money he got from Bhiksha. On that day samaradhana and the barasala function were celebrated on a grand scale under his supervision. He named the child as “Dattatreya”. The priest Ambadon was overwhelmed by the affection and kindness the Maharaj showered on him. With tears of joy rolling down his cheeks he prostrated and fell on his feet. Indeed it was real Abhishekam to Maharaj!
During the period of stay of Maharaj at Dattamandiram it was practically packed with devotees and was evergreen with various rituals like Worship Abhishekams Madhukaramus and Bhajans during night every day. Also there were worshipful Lullabies at bed time to the Lord and offerings to Maharaj in token of their fulfilled desires by Bhaktas to mention a few Hitherto the dormant power of Datta in the temple was made manifest by the advent of Maharaj. Maharaj used to come to Sarmaji's house everyday spend some time and leave for Dattamandiram along with Masterji. Masterji followed Maharaj like shadow and served him with devotion by fanning him, massaging his feet and attending to every need of Maharaj from moment to moment thus he earned a unique place in the heart of Maharaj.
On one fine morning Maharaj as usual went to Dattamandiram along with Masterji showering all his grace on Masterji, Maharaj asked him to Protrude his tongue. Not knowing why he was asking like that Masterji simply obeyed. With the small trident that was with him Maharaj wrote some basic letters on his tongue and placed his palm over his head, and got absorbed in meditation for few moments with closed eyes. AT that moment Viswamjee felt his hairs raising waves of current passing through every nerve, divine odour pervaded to be floating in the air, thus Masterji had various novel experiences. After some time Maharaj opened his eyes. Masterji prostrated before him. Maharaj lifted him up, embraced him, smelled his forehead with tears of joy in his eyes, and blesses him saying “I did all in obedience to the commandment of Lord Datta. I relegated all my powers to you and have become bankrupt. With all these powers, you reach greater spiritual heights and acquire Yoga Sakthi by doing the Japa of that mantra with strict observance of its rules and regulations and strive for the Universal welfare and deserve the title of VISWAMBHARA”
Smt. Varalakshmamma, the mother of Viswamjee is not a well educated woman, but only had a little elementary education in a street school. Along with others she often visited Dattamandiram .One day when she was there and observing the idol of the Lord Datta, she became unconscious and in her super conscious state ,she sang melodious songs in a continuous stream. She rendered innumerable songs in that way.
Once while singing songs sitting in front of Datta Swami, he asked her affectionately in broken Telugu.
“Aunty sing one more song” Overwhelmed with joy she sang. At that time the face of Maharaj glittered with effulgence .He looked at Varalakshmamma and blessed her. “Your desire will be fulfilled soon, aunty! “Datta will walk in your house”, he said she was overjoyed with that boon. As per the blessing, within two years Datta was crawling in their house. ”Srinivasa Balanaganjaneya Dattatreya Bharvaga” was born as the first son to Sri Vidyasagara Sarma on May 18, 1969. Afterwards on 7th December 1972 his second son Venkata Krishna Satyanarayana Sai Datta” was born.
After discharging his duty as directed by his Guru Maharaj Sarma left Jadcherla in 1967. He again came to that place after seven years in 1974, by which time Vidayasagara Sarma was blessed with two sons.
The original name of Maharaj was Dattatreya and he was called Dattatreya Wadekar. Wadekar means, a person that belongs to Wadi (i.e., Narasobavadi ).Similarly persons belonging to Bombay, Karangee will be called Bombaikar ,Karangeekar respectively, it is customary in Maharastra State as is with several states in India. At Jadcherla he was called as Dattatreya Maharaj, Datta Maharaj, Maharaj, Brahmachari etc. He hails from a Brahmin family in Karnataka. His father was a priest at Narsobawadi Maharaj was a graduate ,and well versed in their traditional education of Vedas, like Sri Pada Vallabha, Dattatreya Wadekar too did not marry and took to the path of vairagya, and went round the country with the permission of his parents. He did severe penance at many holy places. He was initiated to Datta Mantra ,by Samardha Sadguru Sri Sridhara Maharaj, who was considered as avatar of Datta by people at large. He stayed at Sajjangud in Maharastra for sometime serving his Guru and earned his good will and blessings .As a result he could reach perfection in that Mantra, acquired several powers and had the darsan of Lord Datta .He never stayed at one place ,as such his disciples could not know his where abouts ,except to stay in waiting for his arrival.
Within one year after the birth of Dattatreya Bhargava ,Vidyasagar Sarma went on pilgrimage along with family to Kurugadda, Gangapuram, and Manikyanagar and had the darsan of Lord Datta there. Wherever they went they had been inquiring about the whereabouts of Maharaj but in vain. After two years Vidyasagar Sarma was blesses with his second son “Sai Datta”. Another two years passed by, still they could not trace Maharaj. It was seven years since Maharaj had left Jadcherla . After visiting several places he came to Haridwar. While he was taking a dip in Gangajal, the voice of Lord Datta ordered him to go to Jadcharla. Immediately he proceeded to Jadcherla, carrying Gangajal in tins and bottles. He straightaway went to Dattamandiram, did pranams to the lord ,and came to Vidyasagar Sarma's house accompanied by Balu, the son of Ambadon, and the priest. It was about 7p.m Sarma was not in the house. He went out to participate in “Bhajan”. Kamalamma, alone was in the house along with the young children. Thinking that someone as usual, had come to see Sarma ,she said “Please be seated He went for Sai Bhajan. Now it is time for his return.” Looking at her ,Balu said “Aunty! didn’t you recognize Maharaj. AS soon as she heard the name, she was over whelmed with joy and tears rolled over her cheeks, gripped with painful feeling she said “Failed to recognise-Maharaj” and fell on his feet in repentance and respect. Maharaj was all smiles with joy.
There was marked difference in Maharaj over the years. People cannot identify him now unless they observe him carefully. It is natural that people who continuously observe a person cannot notice the change, but those who see after along time, do notice the marked change .At the time of his first coming to Jadcherla, Maharaj was lean, average complexion, had a goats beard, not accustomed to wear a shirt, but wore a dirty lungee, and irritable in temper with perceptible anger. People were much afraid to talk to him , except the members of Sarma`s family. After seven years, now, he was moderately stout, light rose in complexion with smiling face. Now he wore white lungee, a lalchee, an upper cloth and a jole(a bag intended for collecting alms etc.)hanging over his shoulders, with enchanting effulgence in his face, he was blissfully handsome. He was in Sadhaka attire formerly, in the later stage he wore the look of Siddha Purusha.
Immediately after hearing the news of Maharaj`s arrival, Sarma returned home and with tears of joy, commemorating the union after a long pause, he prostrated before Maharaj along with his wife and bid Sai and Datta to follow suit.
Maharaj said in questioning voice ”Gangamai has come to your house searching Who took bath in Ganga among your ancestors?” Maharaj heard from Sarma about his father`s stay at Banaras. Maharaj then remarked that his father was not an ordinary person, he was a Dattopasaka in his previous birth. To substantiate the veracity of it, Sarma had some experience. (it will be remembered that Sarma revealed to the reader in the previous pages how lord Datta blessed Sri Anjaneyulu at different stages of his life).
Sarma once went on pilgrimage. It so happened that the date of his father`s annual ceremony synchronised with his stay at Gangapur. So he performed it there in the preist`s house. While Sarma offered the “Pinda” to be taken away by crows, suddenly a monkey came and took it away. When he narrated the instance, people there were surprised in askance” How can a monkey come there, when there are no monkeys at Gangapur?”. Sarma thought that his father named as Anjaneyulu came in the form of monkey to take the offering. During his stay at Warangal, Sarma had a volition in which his father appeared and commanded him “Bhima river Pushkaram is coming . I am coming to Gangapur. You perform Pushkaram”(It is belief among Hindus that all Gods will be present in the river waters once in twelve years and receive the offerings made in the name of their ancestors). Sarma never went to any Pushkaram till then even to Krishna Pushkaram though he was very near to the river Krishna The words of his father, “I am coming to Gangapuram” instantaneously reminded him of the words of Maharaj at Jadcharla. Immediately he referred the almanac, noted the time of pushkaram and accordingly went to Gangapur along with family. His second brother-in-law’s family too came there along with him. When he told the purpose of his visit to the priest Sri Dattatreya Sankara Bhatt there, he said that no such custom was prevalent at Gangapur but people will take bath in Bhima river at that time. Some other priests also endorsed the same. Sarma was disappointed and his mind became blank. “Is all the appearance and the commandment of his father, an illusion of mine?” the question haunted him.
The next day evening they all started to go and have a dip in Bhima. On the way they visited the temple and Sarma poured out his heart to the lord thus “I have come at the behest of my father. Now it appears that it was not to be. Tomorrow morning we are leaving. Swamy condone mistakes if any”. Saying thus he did namaskar to the lord and came out. On the way to the river they stopped at a tea stall to have tea. A brahmin who was sitting before the stall, addressing Sarma said ,”I am hungry .Give me meal.” Sarma thought that his father had possessed the brahmin and spoke through him. Immediately Sarma told the proprietor of the tea stall to arrange for his meal tomorrow and paid him the cost. Thereafter they ordered for tea and sat there chit chatting.
Meanwhile a person had come and sat on the table in front of them. He heard their conversation. After while he inquired “Are you Telugu people?” “yes” replied Sarma “Where did you come from?” he inquired “From Hyderabad! Which place do you belong to Sarma questioned in turn.
“I hail from Bhadrachalam and I conduct the performance of puja for the pilgrims at Yagnavalkya Kshetram(center devoted to the promotion of Yagnavalkya culture) there I went to Pandaripuram , as the Pushkaram for Bhima river (it is called Chandrabhaga river at that place) has commenced. The people there told me that there was no tradition here also. Two days back I arrived here. I am thinking of leaving this place tomorrow morning” the brahmin replied in a disheartened tone.
No sooner he heard the words of the brahmin, than Sarma felt that the hidden treasure came searching for him.” I have come here to perform Pushkaram, but as there was no such custom here, as well no brahmin available to perform that ritual, I decided to leave the place tomorrow. You have to us a God sent indeed. Tomorrow you help me in performing pushkaram” requested Sarma.
The next day ,Sarma with the help of that brahmin performed Pushkaram at Sangamam(the place in the river where pushkaram is performed)with the chanting of mantras with proper vedic intonation. Sarma`s brother-in-law remarked,” Sarma no where did I see the pushkaram performed so well. It is a proof of your faith, as well as the satisfaction of your father”. With this experience, it was as clear as daylight to Sarma, that there was a strong bond between Gangapur and his father. Not only that Sarma felt that the penance his father did in his previous birth was the root cause for the birth of Lord Datta as Masterji in his house.
Any person will come to the same conclusion, if he pointedly contemplates on the basis of the principle of cause and effect. His father while he was at Gangapur worshipped Sri Narasimha Saraswati Swamy. As the later became your progeny, he was bestowing such grace over your family .Maharaj instructed Sarma, to bring his mother along with Viswambhara to Jadcherla, and inform them that Gangamai had come to their house. Immediately Sarma gave telegram to Viswamjee to that effect. On seeing it they rushed to Jadcherla for the darsan of Maharaj.
On seeing Viswamjee Maharaj was in bliss and there was glow of effulgence in his face. We felt as he had come to his son after a long gap of separation. Maharaj lifted Viswamjee who prostrated on his feet and took him into his arms and bathed him with his graceful looks. The next day, Ganga puja was performed Gangajal was distributed to all devotees as prasadam. Afterwards he initiated Sri Sarma and Viswamjee to Datta Mala mantra, and to the procedure of performing Datta puja, mentally. For the welfare of all and also to ward off evil spirits, he bestowed some spiritual weapons to them.
Maharaj inquired about the progress in sadhana achieved by Viswamjee over the period of seven years after he was initiated to Datta Mantra. While Viswamjee narrated his experiences one by one such as the vision of red effulgence of light and the peculiar tunes audible at the time of Dhyana to him, Maharaj with his eye balls turned upwards behind the half closed eye lids heard him with rapt attention, and expressed complete satisfaction at the progress made so far.
During those days of Maharaj`s stay at Jadcherla, Sarma's house was the center of activity with various functions and steam of visitors. Maharaj occasionally said jocularly “Sarma what is the specialty to day. There is so much of festivity in your house?” with a blissful smile. Every day he took Viswamjee along with him to the Datta Mandiram. Maharaj had affection too to the two sons of Sarma and often indulged in play with them. He affectionately called the eldest boy as” Datta” and the second one “Sainath”. They too developed intimacy with Maharaj and called him “Maharaj Uncle” and particularly the younger one “Sainath” when prostrated at the feet of Maharaj stayed there in the position for long as if an iron piece stuck to that of a magnet. After two or three minutes Maharaj would lift him up with a smile and take him into his lap.
The love of Maharaj towards his disciples cannot be described in words. How much he wished for their spiritual growth? How he was above likes and dislikes?-An avadhuta! How much piety he had? After the performance of Ganga puja, Sarma offered costly pair of dhoties and lalchee's(a kind of shirts) to maharaj at the time of Guru Pada Puja. But after three days, the cloths were not there with Maharaj. He might have given them away to a poor man on the road shivering in cold. When Sarma inquired Maharaj about the new cloths, Maharaj with a blissful face, said “you have given to Datta. He took them away?. Maharaj poured into a heap before the idol, all that he got from Bhiksha every day. When questioned by any body “What is it Maharaj, you emptied the jole completely he used to say” My jole(cloth folded as a bag for receiving alms) is an akshyapatra(a divine container, which will get automatically filled up when emptied).
One day at noon, all sat for lunch in Sarma`s house. Srimati Kamalamma was serving food with pure mind, clean body and washed clothes(a Hindu tradition it is called MADI) Chy. Dattu the eldest son of Sarma sat next to Maharaj. Dattu was not doing well on that day. While taking lunch, he vomited food there itself A part of it fell on the leaf in which Maharaj was eating. Kamalamma, saw it and tried to replace the food and leaf in which Maharaj was eating and replace it by another one. Maharaj did not permit her to do so, on the other hand he took the same food in that same leaf. That act of Maharaj stunned the people there, it connotes how he, treats food as Parabrahma Swaroopa and himself beyond the realm of likes and dislikes. Later when inquired why he did not permit to serve food in a new leaf, Maharaj explained that it would have the same effect if an invited pious guest, during the course of taking food gets away in the middle without taking food or if the leaf and food was replaced by another leaf with fresh food, while the guest is taking food and that sin will accrue to the host. A person who was in the position of Guru should act in such a way so as to lift the disciple to higher realm and not cause downfall to him. That is why he did not move away from that leaf and food. “Moreover would Datta get the chance of eating food that was thrown off !”Maharaj quipped in enchanting smile.
On another occasion Maharaj went to Bugga Rameswaram, which is at a distance of 20 Kim away from Jadcharla, along with the family members of Sarma, and other disciples in the town. Though Bugga Rameswaram is so near to Jadcharla, Sarma did not know about its importance but Maharaj had somehow had the scent of it. The Altar of Manikya Prabhu was there. Manikya Prabhu installed the idol of Datta before the Altar and did so at several places. Nobody knew that there was one Datta idol there. Abhishekam was not being performed to it. The un cared for idol collected dirt, and looked oily. The Poojari formally lit up the lamp there and offered naivedyam daily the temple was on the top of a hillock and by the side of the hillock there was one Siva Temple. In that temple there was one big stone in the shape of a heap of paddy. People worshipped it as Siva Linga. Lord Rama installed it on his way in search of Sita, so goes the story of the place. That Linga grows every day, the circumference measured by a thread after one year substantiates it. There was one water spring near the Siva temple. That is why it is called Bugga Rameswaram. Maharaj after coming to the place, performed Abhishekam to Datta and in the process coached the priest as to how to chant the Mantras in the correct intonation. After the Abhishekam was over Maharaj wiped the idol with a clean cloth. Oh what an effulgent idol it was! That idol was a peculiar one and had a special importance. It has one face and four hands. Rarely we come across such an idol when questioned why this idol was like that Maharaj told them that it was the true shape of Datta with only one face and four hands. The idols with three faces and six hands had come up into Datta cult just two or three century’s back. Even today some devotees of Datta do not worship the three face Lord Datta. Vasudevananda Saraswati worshipped one faced Dattatreya. The three faced and six-handed idol, which we are worshipping, was that of “Athrivarada”.
After reciting the two slokas, Maharaj offered Namaskaram to the Lord in all humiliation. He further told that Manikya Prabhu installed only the one faced Dattatreya wherever he established the Altar. He explained that the intention of either the sculptor or the painter artist, in giving shape to Datta with three faces was only to convey to the devotees, that Lord Datta was embodiment of the great trio, Brahma, Vishnu, Maheswara in one i.e. the Para Brahmam. After the Abhishekam was over and just before leaving the place, Maharaj called the priest and gave away all the money and the contents in his Joele. The priest was surprised to see that so much money being given to him. How Maharaj appeared to him, nobody knows, but the priest wept with hiccups and prostrated on the feet of Maharaj. Maharaj lifted him up and blessed him thus “there won`t be any for any one who believed in Datta. Without any default on your part, you worship the Lord with blind faith; all good will happen to you” On the way back to Jadcherla Maharaj took them to the temple of Amba Bhavani in Kaverammapeta. Maharaj had no money with him, he took two rupees from Sarma as Bhiksha and offered it to the Goddess as Dakshina.
Kamalamma, on a fine day prayerfully said to Maharaj, “everybody at Guntur is asking about you. We do not have a single photo of yours, to show them. We want it . We will arrange for it” Maharaj after looking into the face of Kamalamma for a while, said “Acha” and nodded his head in acceptance. She was overjoyed One photo was taken when Maharaj, after he did puja and gave away Teerdham and Prasadam to devotees there, was sitting on a Puja Peetam(seat earmarked for puja). Another photo was taken at the studio in the evening, with his shirt and joele on. Now the first photo is with Sarma and the second is in the Pooja mandiram at Viswambhara. After he left Jadcherla, trials were made to have more copies of the photos but in vain, as the negative could not be traced however much they tried. Who knows where he was, to have him photographed once again? No trace of his track till now. May be it was the wish of Maharaj, that photos should be with his trusted disciples only.
The reader knew that Maharaj, when he came to Jadcherla for the second time, called Viswamjee and Varalakshmamma to Jadcherla from Guntur by sending a telegram. At that time Viswamjee stayed at Jadcherla for over o month. During that time, one day the proposal for marriage of Viswamjee had cropped up. The marriage issue of Viswamjee had become a problem in their house. Several parents had offered their daughters in marriage to Viswamjee, thinking that he was a good descent, well behaved, educated and fair looking youth. Above all he was earning as a teacher. “At present I have no idea of marrying. The moment I wish to marry, I will send word to you” was the stock reply of Viswamjee to all of them. Some lured him by offering 1 lakh rupees of dowry but Viswamjee was made of different stuff. He was from the very beginning keeping himself away from women and money. His mother was pained every time he turned down an offer. Fear gripped her that her son might finally join the tribe of Sanyasins. She requested Sarma to prevail on him to agree to. He too got the same stock reply and kept content by thinking that he might change his mind in course of time. But mother would not give up so easily. She raised the topic again in the presence of Maharaj, hoping that her son would definitely respect the word of his Guru. She pleaded “ Maharaj he will certainly heed your word tell him to marry anyhow .At that time Ambadon the priest of Dattamandiram, his wife Smt.Sakuntalamma and some others also were present.
Maharaj knew fully well that was in store for Viswamjee and why he came to this world and yet to test the disciple he advised Viswamjee thus, “It is not good to hurt the mother`s feeling. Marriage make one a complete man. Among all the stages of life, the stage of married life is unique one. You hear me, get your self married”.
Viswamjee, who till then seemed to be in deep contemplation over something, suddenly lifted his head and questioned Maharaj “If the stage of married life is such a great one, why have you not married?” Nobody thought that Viswamjee would question his Guru in such away. Everybody was surprised to witness that fearlessness, stable conviction, blunt straightforwardness and untainted innocence of a child in Viswamjee
With a smile of applause Maharaj said “there is no other god than the parents who gave us birth. If we cause pain to them God will not appreciate. If you take the consent of the parents, you may avoid the marriage, you may leave the family and you may take to Sanyasi. Those who wish to leave off the family should be able to treat the whole world as his family and incessantly strive for the welfare of it, one should not forget the truth. If one has the grit to carry such a responsibility, he may remain as a Brahmachari like Dattatreya . my parents concurred with my views. You too take the blessings of your parents, then you will not be at fault.
“Baba don’t say no to marriage? Look at your mother! See how much she is feeling! As is told by Maharaj the marriage will transform both male and female as responsible individuals. You too know it. Marry Baba mother will feel glad” Suseelamma began pleading with Masterji. Masterji glanced at her steadily for a moment and said firmly “You are pressing me to marry, in the presence of so many people, alright! Will you give your fourth daughter “Vizzu”?, I will marry. Suseelamma was taken aback to hear him speak thus, her face became pale. Recovering from that shock she said, “What is that Baba! The marriage betrothal of Vizzu is already over and the marriage day also is going to be fixed. You know it. How is your proposal possible in these circumstances”.
The match that was fixed for Vizzu is in no way better than Masterji. Really one should be lucky to have Masterji as son-in law. Be as it is, she would have jumped at the proposal and accepted it, had it not been decided otherwise earlier. But she is a woman, who will give respect to the work, respect to the opinion of the society and respect to friendship more than life. Just for a moment different thoughts of ifs and buts passed through her mind.
Observing her perplexed state Masterji said, “if not Vizzu, give your last daughter Rama, I will marry”.
Who knows what would have happened if she agreed to the proposal? May be Masterji would have married the girl and then what shape the life of Masterji would have taken. But how could that word “yes” come from her mouth, when Masterji was ordained by his supreme Guru, to get transferred into Viswamjee and strive for universal unity and universal welfare!.
“What is that Baba! Rama is very young, there is much difference in age between you both. You marry my second daughter “Meera”. Meera was not yet married at that time.
“when you are not agreeable to give the girl whom I wished to marry, why should I marry the girl you are prepared to give? In fact I don’t like to marry at all. To convey the will of God to you, I said so. If I were ordained to have marriage, you would have agreed to my proposal. I am not destined for that. That is why that volition has not come to you. Hereafter don’t press me.” Saying thus he prostrated at the feet of Maharaj.
Maharaj was very much pleased to see that his disciple stood the test, as he wished it to be. Maharaj felt glad for the staunch conviction of Viswamjee He was convinced and had firm faith in Viswamjee, that in the days to come he would work for the welfare of man in the world. Looking at him with elation, he said in an assertive and dignified tone, "Do not press him when he is not willing. In future he is bound to work for Universal Welfare”. A smile encompassing the limits of time adorned his lips.
That was the last meeting Viswamjee had with Maharaj and Viswamjee left for Guntur
When Maharaj came to Jadcherla he did not stay there continuously as he did in his previous visits. He stayed there in spells of 10 or 15 days. Thus he came to Jadcherla 10 to 12 times. During one such sojourn on a lunar eclipse day, he took Sarma to the “Minaabara” riverside and gave him some divine Astras and Mantras.
“People may think why I am coming here so frequently. Hereafter it may not be possible for me to come to this place. Though I may not be physically in proximity to you , mentally I will be with you”, Maharaj said on one occasion. Sarma thought that some one might have disparagingly remarked about his frequent visits to this place, which provoked Maharaj to say so. “How could the affectionate Maharaj keep away without seeing us?” Sarma thought. Since then however much they tried, nobody new where he was, Sarma is now spending his days with the fond hope that one day Maharaj would come to see them and getting satisfied by having the Darsan of Maharaj in Viswamjee turned Viswayogi.
During the period of stay at Jadcherla, on the Holy festival day, Maharaj accompanied by Sarma and his family went to Dattamandiram, which was packed to capacity with devotees. Maharaj squatted before the idol with jole in his lip. He closed his eyes and went into deep dhyana. After awhile he opened his eyes, then abruptly started speaking with emotion, detailing and castigating the behaviour of each devotee, one by one, as if he was in a trance. As he went on revealing the secrets of each devotee in minute detail, every one trembled to listen to him. He also talked about the family of Vidyasagar Sarma “Sarma`s family has earned the grace of Guru in full”. Saying thus he narrated one of such incidents that happened in order to substantiate the validity of his statement. He narrated, “Once on way to Gokarnam during my stay in a devotee’s house in Bombay.
My Guru Sridhara swami appeared in a dream and said “Go to Jadcherla at once and take 2 kilos of broken rice from Sarma`s house, and then go to Gokarnam. With that rice cook food and offer it to me daily”. Thinking that it would be better to take that rice from here itself without going all the way to Jadcherla, he procrastinated the commencement of journey. Again the next night the same thing happened. Still he was lazy enough to take the clue. The next day it came to pass that, the house owner’s young son came near him and waving a small broomstick chided him, “Why are you still here, even after being told to go to the place? Go immediately” So he could not stay any more and immediately came to Jadcherla. Maharaj gave the photo of Sridhara swami to Sarma and said, “Even though you have not seen him he very much likes you and your family. He did not keep quiet, till I started for this place; he literally drove me here with a stick”.
During the course of conversation when Kamalamma said “Maharaj! the total salary is being spent as soon as it is received. We are hard put to money”; He laughed and exhorted “Money is labour in shape. Desire not for it. For those who keep faith in Datta, there won`t be any want. Now and then they have to stand some tests!” He then recited some sloka from SRIDHRASWAMI PANCHAKAM.
He asked her to chant it 108 times daily, for forty days. Smt.Kamalamma did so, as a result of which she was relieved of the financial stringency, but instead ill health courted her. Then she understood the importance of the words of Maharaj “Money is labour in form”, by dint of personal experience. Of course, she recovered from ill health soon by the grace of Guru. Subsequently Maharaj pointing out to Viswamjee, said “your family had the full blessings of Guru. This Viswambhara is born for a purpose .In future, he will strive for Universal Welfare. It is not an ordinary diamond, it is an Anargha Diamond”. Saying so he unveiled the future.
Because of the abundance of the grace of the Guru, Maharaj came to Jadcherla in search of Masterji, in obedience to the commandment of Guru Datta! Because of the abundance of the grace of Guru only, Masterji within a short period turned Viswayogi, given clarion call for the establishment of Universal Unity!
Thus Masterji metamorphosed himself into Kalpa Vriksha(as the one who can satisfy the desires of his devotees) an embodiment of love; and finally Lord Datta himself with full effulgence.
Ohm! Sri Viswa Dattaya namaha