Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji
Avadhoota Datta Peethadhipati Jagadguru Parama Pujya Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji was born at Mekedatu in southern India on May 26, 1942. A Muslim saint had predicted to Sri Swamiji’s parents (Sri Narasimha Sastry and Sri Jaya Lakshmi Mata) that their child would have supreme wisdom and knowledge and was destined to uplift mankind.
Sri Swamiji’s actual birth occurred on a rock in the Kaveri river. Sri Swamiji’s mother Jayalakshmi Mata was in deep meditation and the child was born covered with holy ash. The child was named Satyanarayana. Sri Swamiji’s mother, whom His Holiness calls his first Guru, initiated Him into spiritual life before her passing away in 1951. The Child, Satyanarayana completed his education like other children, but found that school had nothing to offer to Him. Sri Swamiji was endowed at birth with great knowledge and power. Even as a child, Sri Swamiji organized satsangs and taught bhajans to Sri Swamiji’s friends.
Sri Swamiji had been serving fellow humans, helping them with their problems since Sri Swamiji’s childhood. Through miraculous powers, Sri Swamiji was able to understand their situations, knew their past, present, and future and helped them to overcome difficulties. Some of them became Sri Swamiji’s first disciples who were soon to be followed by more. Sri Swamiji sang bhajans and kirtans for them and started giving yoga classes in small village huts or on river banks, while wandering the countryside as a monk. Sri Swamiji acquired a large following, which demanded all of his time and attention.
In 1966 Sri Swamiji moved to the present site of the Mysore Ashram on Ooty road, which in the early days was only a straw hut in a field. It was there, at Mysore, that Sri Swamiji became Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Since then Sri Swamiji has been helping people in his unique way. People come to His Holiness for help with their worldly affairs, or to get healed of physical afflictions, or for guidance in their spiritual practice. Many come to hear Sri Swamiji’s beautiful and powerful songs, which draw the heart and mind to God or to celebrate the special festivals in the ancient and eternal vedic traditions.
Transformation of the mind is the greatest miracle, Sri Swamiji says. Innumerable devotees from all walks of life ranging from a peasant or a daily wage labourer to Heads of States and Government follow His Holiness and look forward to Sri Swamiji’s spiritual guidance for peace. Pujya Swamiji has inspired and encouraged thousands of devotees to start various socially beneficial activities such as educational institutions, relief to poor and Annadanam across the Globe. It is a matter of pride that such relief centers are functioning in Trinidad, Venezuela, Peru, Europe and of course in India.
Sri Swamiji is a great composer of Bhajans/songs. Sri Swamiji has written more than 2000 songs in Samskrit, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi in praise of various deities. Sri Swamiji is endowed with a gifted voice. Sri Swamiji’s bhajan session enthralls a layman and a scholar alike. Sri Swamiji’s collection of poems, Sachchidananda Neeti Mala, Chutuku Sahitya, Vedanta Geetalu in Sanskrit, Kannada and Telugu have been a beacon of light for seekers. They illustrate the essence of life in a very simple and lucid language. More than fifty albums containing speeches and Bhajans of Sri Swamiji have been published so far.
Dharma Prachaara (Self Consciousness)
Dharma is the eternal principle, which differentiates humans from other creatures and Dharma alone upholds the peaceful coexistence of various beings in the creation of God. Though many pantheons (different from each other) prevail universally, the principle remains the same. Lord Dattatreya, (Incarnation of the Trinity viz. Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva), has preached the essence of Universal Brotherhood - in the following simple sentences.” Do all such deeds to others, which you expect from others.” “Try to identify divinity in every being”. “Observe any object or creature, try to emulate the good in them or shun the evil aspects evident; you can always add value to your life”.
Espousing this great philosophy of our Sanatana Dharma, as preached by the first teacher of the universe - Lord Dattatreya, His Holiness Sri Swamiji has relentlessly toured the length and breadth of India, establishing various Ashramas (Branches of Datta Peetham also called as Gnana Bodha Sabhas) in many states. Each Ashrama consists of a temple for Lord Dattatreya, Annapoorna Mandira (Free Feeding Hall), Community Hall for bhajans, prayers, meditation; a charitable clinic and important public utility activities. Till date, Pujya Swamiji has consecrated more than 80 branches in India including 16 Ashramas dedicated to the 16 incarnations of Lord Dattatreya; Datta Kasi; Datta Rameshwaram; 9 Kshetras dedicated to Navanathas; Sripadavallabha Anagha Datta Kshetram in Pithapuram (AP) dedicated to Sripadavallabha Swamy, the first incarnation of Datta in Kaliyuga and Sri Narasimha Saraswati Guru Paduka Kshetram dedicated to Swamy Narasimha Saraswati in Ganagapura (KA). Sri Swamiji’s mission has required him to undertake 83 foreign trips to many countries. In due course of time, His Holiness has established 15 centers abroad in UK, USA, Malaysia, Europe, Trinidad, Canada and Australia.
Viswa Manava Dharma
Most important feature of Sri Swamiji’s mission is to preach and make people realize the oneness in them. Thus Sri Swamiji always emphasizes the sentence – Practicing Humanity (Maanavataa) should be our motto. Accordingly, Sri Swamiji’s message has been widely appreciated in many communities of both eastern and western hemispheres. Therefore, nationality, creed, sect, caste and religion never meant a barrier for Sri Swamiji, across the globe. All community leaders, including High priests of Roman Catholic order, Granthis of various Gurudwaras, Imams, Jain Monks, Scholars and Intellectuals have welcomed His Holiness to their respective places, where Sri Swamiji’s discourses, sessions of Music for Meditation and Healing, Yoga classes and other beneficial activities have been conducted in countries such as Holland, Romania, England, USA etc…
Sri Swamiji’s generosity too has transcended all limitations of language, faith or region. Sri Swamiji is equally at ease while raising donations for the renovation of a cathedral in Romania, or for free feeding hurricane ravaged localities in US, or to rebuild ancient temples, or to provide stipend to impoverished students among Moslem brethren or to organize Orphanages in Peru and Trinidad. Sarva Dharma Samanvaya seminars and prayers by various communities in Datta Peetham - are regular features of Sri Swamiji’s activities.