SRI GANAPATHI SACHCHIDANANDA
SWAMI JI’S VISIT REVERBERATE IN ATLANTA

By Ravi R Ponangi

Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji is the pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore, India. Sri Swamiji is renowned for His Meditation and Healing music and he is considered to be a divine guide who promotes the ancient Vedic traditions.

Atlanta, GA: His Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji’s 3 day stay in Atlanta from July 12 to July 14 was a hectic one. Swami Ji on his 156th world tour and the tour of summer 2019 began in Houston followed by Washington DC, Atlanta, Chicago and Seattle. Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami Ji attended in a series of events organized by the Datta Yoga Center (DYC), Atlanta. People from various cultures and backgrounds had the opportunity to listen to Swamiji and to speak to him one-on-one. Swamiji addressed social workers, community leaders, businessmen, professionals, students, and spiritual seekers. Many benefited from 3 day stay of Swami Ji.

On Friday, July 12 in the evening, ‘Bhajan Sandhya’ (Divyanama Sankeertana and discourse) was organized by DYC Atlanta at Swaminarayan Gurukul. Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami Ji rendered scintillating bhajans. In between Swami Ji exhorted devotees to teach children their mother tongue, culture, customs, festivals and heritage. Swami Ji asked the gathering to talk to their children in their mother tongue. Swami Ji expressed his happiness and commended Indians staying out side of India for their love to their mother land. Swamiji blessed the gathering. Being Sayana Ekadasi on July 12, Swami Ji spoke on the importance of Ekadasi, emphasizing that the perception that mere fasting is the goal of the auspicious day, should be erased. Sayana Ekadasi signifies when Lord Vishnu closes His eyes after four yugas, before the start of a new cycle of creation. Sri Swamiji sang various bhajans, including the Marathi Abhang “Pandarinivasa, Sakha Panduranga.

On Saturday, July 13th morning group Lakshminarayana Kalyanam was performed in Swaminarayan Gurukul by married couples. In the evening, music for meditation and healing concert “Swara Sudha Raga Sagara Concert” was held at Infinity Energy Center, Duluth which went on for more than 2 hours 20 minutes. This is the second concert in Atlanta, after the initial Nada Prasara concert in April 1993, drew more than 1000 attendees.

Next day, Sunday, July 14, Swami Ji performed Sri Chakra Puja for the benefit of devotees at Swaminarayan Gurukul. After Sri Chakra Puja, Swami Ji blessed all with a spiritual discourse. Swami Ji stressed that all should sing at least bhajans; the singing ability is refined when coupled with devotion. Swami Ji appreciated and commended the efforts of Dr. Prasad Garimella and his team of devotees in bringing Sri Swami Ji to Atlanta again after 26 years. Dr. Prasad shared his experiences with Sri Swami Ji and gave thanks to His Holiness on behalf of DYC Atlanta. Every one attended got an opportunity to see swami Ji personally and obtained swami Ji’s blessings and received prasad from swami Ji.

Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at Swaminarayan Gurukul in Atlanta on 14 July 2019

Datta Yoga Center, Atlanta is the American branch of Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Mysore, India which was established by His Holiness Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji in 1986 to foster unity, peace, and spiritual/religious fulfillment of humanity through ancient teachings. U.S., devotees follow His teachings by singing His bhajans, holding satsangs, celebrating important religious festivals and helping those in need. For the past few years, DYC Atlanta is organizing classes imparting training to children in reciting slokas from Hindu scriptures, chanting Hanuman Chalisa, Bhagavadgita chanting classes. Two teams of both children and elders memorized all the 18 chapters comprising of all 700 slokas. These regular training classes prepare the children to retain their identity in this world and become worthy disciples of their divine Guru.

His Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji is the pontiff of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Mysore, India. Sri Swamiji is renowned for His Meditation and Healing music and he is considered to be a divine guide who promotes the ancient Vedic traditions. Sri Swamiji believes and propagates the message of universal love and wellbeing without discrimination. His teachings are not confined to any particular doctrine or faith; instead, they are universal and relevant to day-to-day life. He advocates comprehensive synthesis of all paths and stresses the values of sacrifice and service towards the upliftment of humankind.
His Holiness Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swami Ji of Mysore, a master music therapist with a garden of music medicine performed music for meditation and healing concert “Swara Sudha Raga Sagara concert at the prestigious Infinity Energy Center in Duluth on Saturday, July 13 at 7PM. Swami Ji introduced the ancient technique Raga Ragini Vidya before the concert began. Swami Ji explained that the healing music played is closely related to herbal medicine, astrology, gemology (Mani Shastra), and yoga. Swami Ji has been researching Raga Ragini Vidya and its usage in healing the 72,000 bodily nerves for 18-20 years, writing the huge magnum opus, “Raga Ragini Nada Yoga”, which has even been used as the main body of research for aspiring PhD. scholars. Swami Ji recommended the audience to sleep during the concert, as the vibrations work better to heal the body when the mind is not calculating and analyzing the music. The concert started off as customary with Swami Ji playing Raga Rushyaketupriya (Pranava Swarupam).

His Holiness continued to Raga Vagadheeshwari (Dasoham), and Swara Sudha Raga Sagara consisting of the three main ragas: Raga Kashyapi (Mayatita Patu Mam), Raga Yogini (Vande Shivam), and Raga Mayamamalavagowla (Kasi Kasi). Before the final raga, Mayamalavagowla, Swami Ji briefly described the upcoming raga’s effect on all nerve systems through its range of soothing to harsh sounds. Swami Ji played solo for almost twenty minutes before the musicians joined in to conclude the raga. Swami Ji was in a meditative state and held the healing crystals to the audience for many minutes during this time. After tani avarthanam by the percussionists, Raga Dheerasankarabharanam (Happy Tune) and Raga Sama (Raga Ragini Devi Mangalam) were played to conclude the evening. The large crowd enthusiastically cheered and gave a rousing round of applause as Sri Swamiji asked if they were happy!

Raga Chikitsa means healing through the use of raga (melodies). Sri Swamiji explained that His method of healing through music is a lost ancient art and that he is reviving this knowledge in the modern times. Identification of Indian Classical Ragas (Carnatic) and their consonance with the five elements of the nature (Pancha Bhootas) helps Swamiji trace the concept related to “Music for Healing and Meditation”. Sri Swamiji says, “My way of rendering music and treatment of ragas in general is not outside the frame of orthodox tradition. Music is considered as an Upaveda, the Gandharva Veda in addition to Dhanurveda, Ayurveda and Artha Shastra. I use devotional music as means of spiritual energy transformation. Some Higher Force takes care of my process, once I decide to heal through music. Swara Shuddhi (Pure Notes) is held in great veneration and is considered as a standard of musical truth. Melody (Raga) is the result of Swara Shuddhi; there is clarity and pure energy in such a melody”.

Swami Ji adapted music as a medium of communication and His meditation and healing concerts are well known. The mystic nature of His music is such that it is not aimed at the creation of harmony of musical notes but at the harmony of the human mind, body, and soul. Swami Ji has two PhDs in music and language. His Holiness is a recipient of nine Guinness World Records for the valuable contributions towards religious and social welfare of mankind.

Sri Swamiji gifts a Saree to the chief guest of concert Ms.Renee Unterman, State senator from Georgia

Georgia State Senator Ms. Renee Unterman welcoming the Swami Ji on behalf of Georgians offered a garland. Ms. Shirley Wynn also offered a garland to Sri Swamiji.
Sri Swamiji has been performing Meditation and Healing concerts in prestigious concert halls all over the world for over three decades and has received numerous awards and honors. These concerts promote harmony and focus on bringing inner tranquility and peace.