For us here in Trinidad it is indeed not just a memorable and blessed occasion but also a historic occasion as tomorrow marks the start of Maha Rudra Yagam and next week will be Hanuman Jayanti celebrations. These auspicious occasions are being held in the presence of and with the blessings of His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji, our Sadguru Deva (our dear Appaji) and Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji (our dear Sri Bala Swamiji, junior and future Pontiff at Avadhoota Datta Peetham).
For those who are unaware, Sri Bala Swamiji arrived in Trinidad on Monday night and arrived at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre Ashrama in the early hours of Tuesday morning. On Tuesday evening He delivered a very powerful discourse.
His Holiness Param Pujya Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji arrived on Wednesday evening!
Ram Navami celebrations began early this morning and throughout the day. It began with the lighting of the lamp for Akhanda Rama Bhajana (sun rise to sunset) and continued throughout the day with Homas, Pujas and Satsanga for what was truly a blessed day. As many may be aware, Lord Rama’s story is very important, and He also teaches us many things.
Morning program was followed by evening Satsanga.
Indeed, this is a blessed occasion and a truly memorable one! Thank You Appaji for all blessings! Thank You for all You do for us, minute after minute and day after day!
In closing allow me to share these videos with Sri Ramachandra Ashtakam and the bhajan NamaRamayana!
“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.” Bob Marley
When in just 12 hours over 352,000 people view one man’s funeral, it speaks volumes! When thousands gather to say a final farewell, it tells how great he was and how many lives he impacted and when social media gets flooded with memories, condolences, photos, tributes and people comforting each other, it means that he was a blessing and those who knew him were blessed to have him!
When he could bring so many people together- artistes, politicians, religious leaders and so many others, it shows just how unique he was. When he could reduce so many to tears it shows that we have suffered a great loss and this is the effect of “The Vocalist” Anil Bheem, a man who spent so much of his life doing what he loved and serving others.
More so, when his early song and his last official song sharing similar messages of his views on life, it tells of his wisdom and his humility. With his early Mastana Bahar rendition of Kishore Kumar’s Musafir Hun Yaaron (1972), translated as, “I am a traveller, I do not have home and address” and his recent remake called the Indian Anthem which when translated means, “The beautiful night has slipped away, Throughout the world the seasons have changed,” he has shared very profound life messages with us. Indian Anthem, it should be noted has gotten over 3.3 million views in just five months.
On the morning of February 4, 2023 people across Trinidad and Tobago woke up to the news that Anil Bheem had an untimely death and as the news spread throughout the world, thousands more were plunged into mourning. Hours before he had two shows, one at “The Rig” and the other at “Avala” in Heartland Plaza. Mere hours before his passing, a pinned Facebook post, “Ima band boi for lifeBMRZ yo.Thanks allTheVocalist Anil BheemNirmal Ramdass SinghSuraj Ramdass SinghAmir Amit Ramjattan”
Anil Bheem’s passing is a great loss for our nation and for his many fans across the world, but he deserves every title he has been given. I am sure that many can agree that in his music you could feel the energy and the sincerity. They are always filled with passion and love and surely these videos are just a fraction of his entire music offering to the world. His repertoire speaks for itself, and both his music and contribution tell his story to the world. He was gifted and God’s gift to mankind- an artiste par excellence.
Anil has reminded us of how quickly life can change and how everything is temporary as we all on this journey called life. As he always shared with his audience, “There is a spark of divinity within each and every one of us. Locate that divine spark and everything will just fall into place, it will be just mellow.” He has reminded us of how important it is to value each moment we have and to live well with each other, respecting each other and building people up rather than breaking them down.
He has, through his spark of divinity reminded others of how important it is for them to find their spark of divinity as we are all travellers. Worry and panic don’t help, but everything comes together naturally as it should because nothing is in our hands, but in the hands of the Creator and Master.
To his parents, his wife, his daughters, his grandchildren, members of his band, his 103.1fm family and his extended family, our thoughts and our prayers are with you! We pray for each of you to have courage and strength in this most difficult time. Anil Bheem, “The Vocalist” will not be forgotten! His voice, his music and his messages will live on!
Yesterday, August 25, 2018 marked the official launch of the ‘Shivaaya Rudraaaya Namaha’ Mantra at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre in Carapichaima. The ‘Shivaaya Rudraaaya Namaha was given by devotees on the occasion of Guru Purnima 2018 for the peace and protection of Trinidad and Tobago and also for the peace and protection of the world.
Hundreds attended this function at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre to be a part of this historic occasion and also to join in the Mass Chanting of the Mantra. In attendance were several Pundits as well as members of various temples and other individuals who have heeded Sri Swamiji’s call to chant this very important Mantra. This Mantra will form an integral part of the spiritual build up of to the Maha Rudra Yagna which His Holiness Sri Swamiji announced will take place here in Trinidad in 2020.
The programme began with bhajans by the Bhajan group. Chairing the programme was Dr Ravita Singh who in her opening remarks explained the importance of chanting for the Universe. She said, “He (referring to his Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji) once said that if you pray for happiness for yourself but you are in a home where there is unhappiness it is very difficult for you to be happy. Similarly, it is difficult for there to be happiness in a home if there is unrest or unhappiness in a village.” Dr Singh further explained that achieving happiness in a village becomes difficult if there is unrest and unhappiness in a country which in turn cannot be realized if there is not peace in the world. Peace in the world in itself she explained cannot be achieved if the universe is unsettled.
The Invocation Prayer was done by Pundit Mohana Datta who serves as resident Pundit at the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre and he was later joined by Pundit Abhedanand Persad Sharma for the official lighting of the lamp.
In addressing the gathering Sri Ramesh Persad Maharaj, President of the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre told devotees that Trinidad devotees were not chosen by accident to begin this Mantra Upadesham and stressed that it is “an important duty” and “an important mission to serve the rest of the country and to serve the world.” He further continued by saying that it is a great responsibility to be able to join with followers of Sanatan Dharma throughout the world in an undertaking such as this.
The Mass Chanting of the Mantra produced a total of over 500,000 chants and this was in addition to the devotees who viewed the event via social media who logged their counts separately. Included in the programme was a PowerPoint presentation informing those attending the event and those viewing the live Facebook feed how to register their chanting count on Yoga Sangeeta.
Following the official launch of the “Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha” Mantra one long standing Datta devotee, Amrita Seyjagat remarked via Instagram, “Shivaaya Rudraaya Namaha!!! I felt like Appaji was here physically…such energy and pure happiness…”
This was a reminder of something I mentioned in my post where I described the energy that was created when Uncle Sheetal began the chanting of the Mantra and devotees joined in (Refer to: https://rachaelathomasj.com/2018/08/18/celebrating-appajis-blessings-for-all-datta-devotees.) Sri Swamiji, our Appaji always lets us know He is always with us and undoubtedly, this is another example of His omnipresence.
Akash Vani 106.5 fm carried a live broadcast of the programme but for those who may have missed the official launch please know that there will be a delayed broadcast of this event on 103.1fm on Monday (tomorrow) from 7pm to 9pm. If you would like to view the video from the Sri Dattatreya Yoga Centre please visit https://www.facebook.com/dyctt/videos/245358352831251/
In closing I urge you to continue to chant and to remain steadfast in your commitment to promote peace in our country, our world and the Universe. More so remain steadfast in your commitment to do your part in helping to protect each. Let us keep uniting for a common good and let us serve as best as we can!
Celebrating Existence 