Chapter 8. Mission in 2007🔗

In January 2007 Swamiji attended the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad. Over 90 million people gathered for the event which happens once in 12 years. We were miraculously granted a prime spot for Dhyanapeetam's tent. Normally organizations that are 4 or 5 decades old do not have their own facility. They end up sharing with other organizations. It was as if this great event was being planned for Swamiji. I could not attend this event since I was traveling to USA and Europe working with the company I am now helping. I have had to juggle a lot of balls these days trying to use times between events to be able to do justice to the role in the outside world I have taken on.

Swamiji arrived at Kumbh Mela amidst a lot of celebration, dance and kirtans. Thousands of people gathered to receive Him. The mood among the devotees of Nithyananda Mission was festive and full of energy. The group was always in bliss and there was always excitement around in this group. The word of this charismatic young Swami spread widely during Kumbh Mela and a lot of crowd started gathering and sought blessings from Swamiji.

The following are excerpts from Swamiji's talk at the first satsang at the Mela:

Let us offer our gratitude to the devotees who have set up this camp in such a wonderful and comfortable fashion for us to stay. This is a grand event, the oldest festival of humanity, the largest gathering of humanity on planet Earth and the greatest spiritual event that can happen! Please note: this largest event happens with no invitation, no advertising, just a single line written in panchika that says: Maha snan (Royal bath) is on this particular date; that's all! And mind you, this event is a gathering of millions of people in a place where there is not even an airport! Even the railway station is a small one.

This event is a solid and unshakeable display of faith and dedication; faith on Existence as the Life Force that is conducting this entire Universe. It is indeed remarkable that the largest gathering of humanity on planet Earth happens not on account of any other occasion but straightaway on the account of God! People gather on their own, attend the Mela and go back and settle so beautifully and seamlessly into their regular lives once again.

What goes on here during this Mela time is beyond your comprehension. Let me try to briefly tell you a few dimensions of this Mela. First, the scientific dimension of it: Dr. Masaru Emoto, the famous scientific researcher who specializes in the study of water released a book 'Messages from water'. In that, he demonstrated through the study of water crystals, the profound influence of human thoughts on the very chemical composition of water. A glass of water that was subjected to positive thoughts and chants relating to peace and harmony, showed up with a diamond like crystal structure under the microscope. Another one that was subjected to negative thoughts came through with a ghost-like structure. Another one which was subjected to chants from the Dhamma Pada - teachings of Buddha - took on the form of a Buddhist temple! Like this, over 300 times on 10 glasses of water he tried and the results were consistent. Such is the power of energy or thought on water. Now imagine: In this Mela, over 90 million people's faith on Existence is applied to this Triveni Sangam - the confluence of the three rivers: Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. This Triveni Sagam, the water here, is simply amrita (nectar)!

The second dimension of this mela is on a mystical plane: There are so many enlightened masters present here now - ones who are in their body in physical form and ones who have left their body as well. From Buddha to Mahavtar Babaji, the whole Shambala (congregation of enlightened beings) is here for this event. The Kumbh Mela is a reminder to them about planet Earth and the need to bless it. Just imagine the energy field here in this place now.

Thirdly, in this Mela, so many spiritual organizations bring their deities and immerse them in the Triveni Sangam. Although their Masters are dead, the deities are the ones energized by their Masters when they were alive. This Triveni Sangam therefore is energized by deities which have been directly energized by great Masters such as Buddha, Guru Govind Singh, Madvacharya and so on.

This Kumbh Ghat is the space where there is the highest possibility of a quantum leap in one's Consciousness. This Mela happens for Sanatana dharma or righteousness. It happens to spread Nithya Ananda - Eternal Bliss. Can any other field such as Science or Cinema think of gathering 90 million people with no advertising whatsoever?! This Mela is our pride! Let me tell you: It is a commitment on the part of Enlightened Masters to be present here at this time.

These types of gatherings are created to help you to dissolve your identity which you and society have created for yourself. If you look deep inside, you will realize that the deepest craving for man is to go to a place where he is completely unknown by anybody. These Melas are an opportunity to fulfill this. For these few days that you are here, just go around in an un-clutched way not bothering to maintain the usual social protocols, not harbouring the usual thought patterns, not protecting your identity. Just celebrate wildly like the Naga Babas (naked wandering mendicants) who are here! In this space, celebration is liberation! Additionally, you have my presence, the presence of an Enlightened Master. My very presence creates a tremendous possibility for you to take a jump into a higher plane of consciousness.

Let me tell you more about the Triveni Sangam. As I said earlier, it is a confluence of the three sacred rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. While the former two are visible, the third flows underground and becomes visible only at the point of merging. Ganga is the river of Lord Shiva and stands for wisdom or gnana. All Shiva temples are on the banks of the river Ganga. Yamuna is the river of Lord Krishna and stands for devotion or bhakti. All Krishna temples, you will find on the banks of the river Yamuna. When Ganga and Yamuna merge, when wisdom and devotion merge, Saraswati (or knowledge) happens! That is the symbolic significance of Triveni Sangam. Unless this merging happens, you cannot see or experience knowledge. That is why Saraswati remains hidden until the point of merging.

One more significance: During this particular Kumbh Mela, it has been observed that the river Ganges has reversed direction and started flowing against the nature, upwards. The clairvoyance is too much here. You are in an intense energy field. A man who has the three things: Moorti (an Enlightened Master), Sthala (a space which is an energy field) and Theertha (a water body that is energized) has everything and is blessed. Here, you have this Kumbh Ghat which is the energized space, the sthala, you have the Triveni Sangam which is the energized water body, the theertha, and you have the moorti, an Enlightened Master! You have all three here just now. Here, all you need to do is celebrate and you will be liberated.

Experience liberation! You will then be able to go back and live life with a total understanding. You will be able to live in a mould that is liberating and not suffocating. You will know how to live untouched by anything. Let you all achieve and radiate Nithyananda, Eternal Bliss! This is a 4000 acre land. 25,000 spiritual heads are here. Over 1 lakh tents have been spread out. Today alone 4 crore people have taken bath. By next year, we will have an ashram in this sacred city of Allahabad!

This Kumbh Mela was also a historic event for Nithyananda Mission. Kumbh Mela was first organized 12,000 years ago by Kapila Muni. Ardh Kumbh Mela in 2007 was the 1000^th event in recorded history. Ardh Kumbh, is held every 12 years in Allahabad. There are in fact stone carvings in a cave in Northern India that chronicled every Kumbh Mela through stone carvings.

Mahanirvani akkada now responsible for organizing Kumbh Mela, traces its roots back to Kapila Muni. The Mahanirvani akkaada invited Swamiji and honored him by requesting him to be Mahamandaleswar. Swamiji accepted and the Nirvani Peetadhipathi Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Sri Swami Vishwadevanandaji immediately declared Swamiji as Mahamandaleshwar from that moment. All the Mahamandaleshwars present noted that such an honor was previously offered only to Vivekananda Swami. With this proclamation, Paramahamsa Nithyananda became the 13^th Mahamandaleshwar in Mahanirvani akkaada.

Swamiji with Mahamandaleshwars of Mahanirvani Akkaada

As a result of this proclamation, the mahamandaleshwars requested Swamiji to be the first person to enter the Ganga before the maha snaan (the royal bath). This was indeed a historic moment for Nithyananda Mission.

The Secretary of the Mahanirvani akkaada welcomes Swamiji with great joy and pride!

A truly historic moment as Swmaiji is the first to enter the Ganga for the Maha Snaan

Swamiji left for the US tour in mid-February. Ma Sachitananda and I accompanied Swamiji during this tour. Los Angeles Ashram was now buzzing with excitement as Swamiji arrived at the ashram on February 26, 2007 to start the first tour of USA in the year 2007. Swamiji’s said that he would spend a large portion of 2007 in USA since there were a lot of ashrams and temples that will come up in USA that year.

Feb 26 2007: Devotes gathered to meet Swamiji upon arrival in Duarte Ashram meditation hall

Ma Sachitananda, Sri Bhaktananda, Ma Dayamayi, Ma Nithyananda Gopika were members of the crew during this tour. I have been traveling in and out between my corporate work as well as the mission work and joined Swamiji wherever possible during the tour. Swamiji continued to deliver Shiva Sutra discourses and this was followed by Atma Spurana Program (AtSP or Life Bliss Program Level 3). This program dealt with the five koshas or sheaths of our being (annamaya kosha, pranamaya kosha, manomaya kosha, vignanamaya kosha and anandamaya kosha).

Swamiji’s tour of 2007 started in Los Angeles where he continued to deliver Shiva Sutras. This was followed by tour of Vancouver, Seattle, Columbus, St Louis, Oklahoma and Houston.

Swamiji for the first time was invited by the Jain Center in Los Angeles to deliver Jain Sutras. So over a period of six days, Swamiji spoke about the great teachings of the 24ᵗʰ tirtankara, Mahavira.

During the tour of Columbus, Ohio we had our first kumbabhishekam (inauguration of temple) in USA. It was the inauguration of the Columbus temple. Devotees from all over USA gathered for this historic event. Columbus ashram is located on the banks of two rivers where there is a confluence, similar to Triveni sangham in Allahabad. Swamiji declared this place to be the Paschim Prayaag (Western Confluence) for our mission.

The ashram location is the confluence of 2 rivers - Nithya Jamuna and Ananda Ganga. Future plans for the temple include a ghat to be built at the confluence and Sangameshwara (Siva Linga) will be installed and consecrated at this site.

Columbus Kumbabhishekam program started with mahasapthayagam where Swamiji conducted the homa in the yagasala (a place where fire rituals are conducted) which was erected for the inauguration event. The seven deities representing the seven chakras (major energy centers) in the human system were worshipped in the yagasala. Homas were performed for each of the deities individually as part of the Sapthayaagam. During the second day, additional rituals were performed and on the third and final day Swamiji did the pranapratishtha or installation of the spiritual energy into the deity. It is a deeply esoteric process where Swamiji connects the deity to the cosmic energy and with the chanting of the mantras locks the connection. It is after the pranapratishta by an enlightened master that the deity now starts to radiate spiritual energy in the space where it is installed. This is the reason why so many devotees coming to temples where the deities are installed by Swamiji feel the sudden calming of the mid and the feeling of this spiritual energy. This is also the reason why when we go to major temples in India, such as Thiruvannamalai, Madurai, Kanchipuram or Tirupathi we also feel the same stilling and calming of the mind.

During Columbus trip we saw the announcement of the formation of the Nithyananda Community. Swamiji announced that every temple would be surrounded by a community of homes where people can live and experience the Vedic lifestyle. There were 15 families who instantly wanted to join the Nithyananda community in Columbus. As of the date of writing this book, Columbus ashram planning is going ahead in full swing and construction work of the homes and the community is expected to commence very shortly.

During this tour of USA, news of the Vedic community spread rapidly among all devotees and now Nithyananda Vedic community is being planned in Los Angeles, San Jose, Seattle, Phoenix, St Louis, Columbus and Houston. It has been truly been magical to see the excitement building in all cities as the organizers and devotees are now keen to start living the Vedic lifestyle centered around a temple and a meditation hall. This concept of living together in a Vedic community was talked about for quite some time now in USA. I know a lot of times when I visited my cousins living in US, they felt they lost connection with their tradition and wished they could have lived close to friends and family in their later years. Also, as our children were growing up in the US, we too felt the need to bring up children in a pure environment, free from media influences, peer pressure, fantasies and other problems facing society. However this concept could not become a reality since there is invariably groupism and power struggle that follows when a group of people try and organize such a community. However, now, with the presence of an enlightened master, this was happening effortlessly. Swamiji along with His Swamis and Swaminis of the Nithyananda Mission would help run the temple and meditation hall. This seemed to be the necessary catalyst.

Swamiji spent most of 2007 in USA. After the spring tour in 2007, Swamiji came back to India for Himalayas Yatra and Gurupoornima. Indian devotees were very anxious to see the master since he was out for more than four months in 2007. Swamiji was also out of India for a large portion of time in 2006. They complained that Swamiji is not spending much time with them. It almost felt like they were all children seeking attention (which it was!) from the parent. Swamiji assured them that he will spend most of 2008 in India. Gurupoornima celebrations in 2007 was conducted in a very large scale to accommodate the thousands that were expected to come to Bidadi. Over 25,000 people came to Bidadi ashram where Swamiji gave blessings continuously for almost 14 hours to each and everyone.

After Gurupoornima, Swamiji left for the US. During this trip Ma Sachitananda and I stayed back and the new crew members from Los Angeles Ashram, Ma Nithyananda Gopika started traveling along with Ma Dayamayi, Sri Sahajananda, Sri Paramananda and others. Swamiji told Ma Sachitananda that she needed to focus on children’s education as Nithyananda Sree and Sri Nithya Chinmayananda (Bhaktananda and Dayamayi’s son) were getting ready to take the 10ᵗʰ class examinations. I was juggling between my corporate travels and Los Angeles ashram in 2007.

Swamiji spent time in Los Angeles between August and November 2007. He spent a lot of time with the ashramites and conducted the first living enlightenment program with a small group of ashramites in September 2007. I will write more about this program in the following chapters.

As Swamiji returned back to Los Angeles in August 2007, He said we needed to start a Vedic Temple in Los Angeles. He said the time was right and that we were running out of space in being able to accommodate the large crowds coming to the Duarte Ashram every evening. So a small group of ashramites (Sri Sevakananda and Sri Sahajananda) and devotees started looking at various properties for the Vedic Temple. Simultaneously work was going on in full swing to procure and ship the deities. Over 300 deities were ordered for the temple. This was going to be the largest temple in the United States the first day it opened. Normally when temples start in USA it takes 4-5 years before all the deities and their jewelry and other worship items are procured. But here work was going on in full speed in all directions at once – granite deities were being carved in Mahabalipuram, marble deities were being carved in Jaipur, five metal deities were being made in Tamil Nadu and the Bidadi ashram, metal works and prabhavalis (the arches that surround deities) were being made in Kumbakonam and Bidadi ashram, Jewelry was being made in Chennai. Work was going on at an unprecedented scale and speed. And yet we did not have a temple or property identified. The master knew exactly how the temple would be and what he needed for it! It was quite clear that He knew the end state and was merely waiting for the drama to unfold!

There were several properties that LA Ashramites looked at. They came across a beautiful property that was shown to Swamiji in Montclair. The place seemed like a perfect fit for our needs. We had a large area for the temple, large room for public events that could accommodate 500-600 people, classrooms and other facilities which made it an ideal place to start the city temple for the Nithyananda Mission in Los Angeles. Swamiji instantly said this is the place and that we needed to get the transaction done at any cost. Sri Sevakananda and Sahajananda along with local devotees immediately sprung into action and after many trials and tribulations succeeded in closing the deal. The facility was right off the highway with a large parking area and over 25,000 square feet of area.

As soon as the commercial transaction was put together, work started towards the inauguration of the Vedic Temple at a feverish pace. In 15 days, ashramites, ananda sevaks and devotees came together and worked around the clock, and had the place ready for Kumbabhishekam. As with everything else that Swamiji does everything fell in place at the last moment and fit like a glove. It almost feels that he is making it happen this way to make sure the devotees are aware, alive and they are having fun and growing amidst this chaos the Master creates.

The Kumbabhishekam for the Vedic Temple in Montclair, California was set for November 9-11,

2007. A lot of festivities were planned for this event. Luckily I was able to take off a week before this event and made myself free. There were so many festivities and cultural events that were planned. Cultural groups from the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Muslim, Sikh and Jewish faiths from all over the world came and performed on this occasion.

On the morning of November 9, 2007 the temple opened with over 300 deities and pranapratishta was done for all the deities. The temple area was packed. Devotees filled up the meditation and conference halls where the event was carried live through closed circuit television. This event was webcast live and thousands of ashramites and devotees from all over the world were able to see this event live. This was history in the making in front of our own eyes. It was quite magical to see how all of this came together beautifully. A lot of hard work went into this but everything happened in such a blissful and beautiful manner. In most temples in North America a project of this magnitude would take 3-5 years and committees after committees and meetings after meetings would take place to come to a consensus. In the case of the Vedic Temple, all the activities came together within 2-3 months and the biggest and the grandest Vedic temple in North America happened beautifully in front of our very own eyes.

This is the magic of the master. I have no other words to describe how these events were accomplished in a picture perfect manner! I would also go on to say this is true hyper-efficiency at work. I know this for a fact since the company I serve takes years to accomplish their agenda and strategies. It is taking them years to transform. Here, with the Master, there is one head and hundreds of hands. So there is no questioning and arguments since everyone knows Master knows what is best. It does not mean it is a dictatorial model. Swamiji in fact is always open to suggestions and new ideas. However once he tells us what he wants, the thousand hands jump right in to get the work done!

Swamiji arriving at the Vedic Temple for inauguration and being welcomed in traditional way

Devotees packed in the temple to witness the historic moment

Swamiji begins the Grand ceremony with Prana Pratishta (infusing life energy in deities)

Swamiji offering the holy bath with the energized water

The Vedic temple project was a very large undertaking for the mission in terms of the costs. Ashramites were beginning to feel nervous about the financial load to the mission. After the inauguration of the Vedic temple, Swamiji conducted a month long series on the last remaining Shiva Sutras. He wanted to complete the Vignana Bhairava Tantra series with the 30 day discourse series. He said one day, “the complete temple will be paid for before I leave to India. You will see!” He then went about delivering one of the most profound series of discourses for one month – non-stop.

Half way through the discourses, one of our close devotees, Ma Ahimsa (Dr Kalpana Savla) and Sri Maheshwara (Popat Savla) came and offered a check at the feet of the master and paid up the loan for the temple in full. They told Swamiji that what they are doing is the least they could do. Swamiji completed the discourses and came back to India to prepare for 2008 Jayanthi celebrations.