THEMES FOR ARIPO RIVER BOOK

108 Steps to Spirituality

Introduction

1. The Beginning in 19762. Events of 1986 and 19903. The Assets4. NSSO 20005. Filling the River6. Sightings of His Holiness7. The Mystical Music8. World Water Day 20109. Baby Kaitlyn10.Swami Bramhadeo

11 March 2013

Introduction

The Holy Sararipu Nadi

Jaya Guru Datta

His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji explained that since His youth He had been introduced to the Bramhananda Purana by His grandfather. This text spoke of a holy river in India as well as one particular river in the western hemisphere named the Sararipu Nadi (or Saptarishi Nadi) whose water had great powers of physical and spiritual healing.

A few years later, Sri Swamiji set off to the West in search of this holy river. The journeys covered eleven years and took Him to North America and Europe, where He took a bath in several rivers. When finally His Holiness visited Trinidad for the first time on the 12th August, 1976 one of the first things He did the very next morning was to proceed east of Arima, and upon reaching the Aripo Road, embarked upon that route. Shortly thereafter, He arrived at the river and proceeded to announce that this was indeed the Holy Sararipu River. The search was over and Trinidad was blessed for it.

In the sacred Bramhananda Purana, the Saptarishi Nadi was described as the confluence of five rivers. It was described by the poet Kalidas in the Puranas. Here seven great Rishis came to take bath, meditate and do penance. This site was the abode of the ancient Rishis. Sri Swamiji would later explain that over 25,000 years ago this river carried the name Sararipu Nadi and was connected with the holy Ganges at the time when the Earth was one geographical land mass. Although our scriptures cite so many rivers, this was the chosen one in the West.

In the early stages of development of life on Earth, lower life forms like insects and monkeys evolved, followed by humans (Aarya). The Holy Sararipu River came side by side with the Aarya development. There is an intrinsic link between the river and our dharma. Sri Swamiji says without the river there is no dharma, without the river there is no human body.

In His Holiness’ autobiography, it is stated that in His first journey to Trinidad, Sri Swamiji envisioned seven mountains and the Datta Ganga. “I have an ancient connection with all of you. I was here 25,000 years ago and many times more. It

was Lord Dattatreya and Ganapati who goad me to come to this country. Whatever happens here through me is Datta’s great Grace. This is the land of the Trinity.”

Ten years later, in 1986, Sri Swamiji led His devotees to a point higher up the river where three streams (triveni) and five waters (pancha Ganga) converge. This was the actual site where He had incarnated many generations ago. During that era, great Yagnas were performed on the banks of the Sararipu River, and He was known to the natives as the Aripo Muni Raja. His Holiness renamed the river as the Aripo Datta Ganga.

Sri Swamiji indicates that although the Aripo River is small, it consists of five lines or pancha nadi. This river originates from the highest point in Trinidad, from the summit of the Cerro del Aripo mountain peak at 3,084 feet (940 metres) elevation. The flowing water is highly medicated because of its passage through the forest and mineral rocks. Its water is of a different colour and its taste unique, having high medicinal value. Even scientists admit that its water has very special qualities.

Sri Swamiji continued to visit this site regularly on subsequent visits to Trinidad, and directed His devotees to construct a Lord Shiva Temple there. On March 10, 1990 His Holiness consecrated the Vana Shiva Mandira and named the site Aripo Datta Shiva Linga Shetra. This site has become a major pilgrimage centre for thousands of local and foreign devotees who come to pray, meditate and take a spiritual bath. Monthly poojas are performed by the Pundits of the Datta Yoga Centre and annual Ganga Dashaharaa and Kartik Snaan celebrations are conducted annually with great pomp and ceremony.

Devotees attest to miraculous healing powers experienced at Aripo. Many who had serious ailments and had expected to undergo surgery have been cured mysteriously after bathing in the Holy Aripo Datta Ganga. Childless couples who were unsuccessful for years had their prayers answered after circumambulating the holy Audumbara tree. And countless others have traveled from foreign countries to receive Sri Swamiji’s divine blessings at Aripo.

Trinidad and Tobago has benefited immensely as a result of the Aripo Datta Ganga being located here. Sri Swamiji has made this country the major centre of the Dattatreya Yoga Centre in the west. Ashrams have been constructed at Carapichaima, Princes Town and Penal, and the world famous 85-foot tall Lord

Hanuman Murti has been installed here. The Jana Samrakshana Maha Mantra (Peace Mantra) Om Aim Hreem Shreem Shiva Rama Anagha Dattaya Namaha was launched in Trinidad in 1993; the Yagna for World Peace was conducted in this country for the first time outside of India in 1995; and the Lord Hanuman Nagar and World Conference was held here in 2008.

All of these miraculous and significant events have taken place through the divine grace of Sri Swamiji in the land of the holy Sararipu River.

Sri Guru Datta.

Chapter 1

The Beginning in 1976

Abstract

Sri Swami Ganapati Sachchidananda arrived in Trinidad on August 12, 1976. He came in search of the Holy Sararipu River which was described in the Bramha Purana. The next day His Holiness identified the Aripo River as the one he was searching for. On that inaugural visit, He saw Boloji and Saroop on the other side making a cook. They called out to Him and exchanged greetings. Later they would both become major devotees of Sri Swamiji, serving Him in many special spiritual ways. As a result of finding the Holy Sararipu River here in Trinidad, Sri Swamiji established His mission here which has flourished over the years.

(Balroop and Boloji to supply articles)

Chapter 2

Events of 1986 and 1990

Abstract

Ten years later, in 1986, Sri Swamiji journeyed further up the Aripo Road and identified the site where the Triveni Sangam was located, where He lived in a distant earlier life as the Aripo Muni Raja. Those who were present described His feeling as ecstatic on arrival at this point. He instructed that a Lord Shiva Temple be constructed here. This is done by the Saroop family and consecrated on March 10, 1990.

(Saroop and Balroop to supply articles)

Chapter 3

The Assets

The Steps

Many local and foreign devotees characterize the Aripo pilgrimage site as the place with 108 concrete steps. This was one of the first projects undertaken by devotees following the consecration of the Vana Shiva Mandir by Sri Swamiji on March 10, 1990. During those early years, it was extremely difficult for Sri Swamiji and worshippers to access the river and Temple from the road. The landscape was precipitous which resulted in many persons slipping and sliding on the way down. It was even more challenging to climb to the top on the way back.

In 1993 a number of devotees approached this problem with a plan to carve out a staircase from the road to the river. It was a challenging engineering feat, not only because of the steep topography, but one also had to acquire the appropriate material and skilled labour to achieve the goal. Many prayers were offered at Aripo for Sri Swamiji to bless this project, and when the work started, all of the obstacles disappeared, almost miraculously. At the end of two months, 108 concrete steps were installed and awaited Appaji’s presence.

Sri Swamiji visited the site on May 29, 1993 and was very pleased to be the first to utilize the staircase, following which He blessed the devotees who had contributed labour and material for its development. This staircase has been revealed in several devotees’ dreams all over the world, and epitomizes the dedication and devotion of a handful of volunteers in the humble service of Aripo Muni Raja. Significantly, most of the workers on the project who were on the verge of losing their government jobs around that time due to a recession in the country retained their jobs and became permanent employees just after completing the Aripo staircase project. The blessing of Sri Swamiji knows no bounds!

The Lease

Hindu scriptures are replete with examples of Ashrams being constructed on the banks of holy rivers, especially in India. Trinidad and Tobago is very fortunate to have the only mystical river in the western world with the identical healing powers of the Holy Ganges within its realm, as described in the Bramha Purana, and described to us by Sri Swamiji.

The process of legitimizing the land ownership at Aripo took over 10 years. The aim was for the DYC’s compliance with the laws of the land, and to have a permanent claim to it. Several Government agencies were involved in the approval process. At the end of it all, the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago presented the original lease to Sri Swamiji.

Many developments took place on the 19 acre site to facilitate devotees coming on pilgrimage to pray at the Holy Aripo Datta Ganga. Many thousands of local and foreign devotees have since visited the Aripo River and had their wishes granted.

Electricity

During the period 1990 to 2006 many new buildings and facilities were established fat the Aripo Temple site for the convenience of the devotees. Some would overnight occasionally but had to suffice with light of deeyas to read and perform their rituals. The need to have electricity was identified. Through the divine grace of Sri Swamiji, the Government provided the entire electrical infrastructure and eventually gave a reliable supply to the Temple and surroundings.

The Kitchen

Feeding is a major activity in Sri Swamiji’s mission. In 1993 His Holiness had instructed that a kitchen be constructed for devotees visiting the site. Although it took some time, this project was eventually completed by devotees from the Lopinot village. At the same time a humble Nilayam was built for use by Appaji when at Aripo. The kitchen has facilitated many cooking events for locals and foreigners, thereby satisfying Appaji’s requirements. The labour force to construct it and the other facilities also came through the divine grace of Sri Swamiji.

Chapter 4

Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra

In 1999 Sri Swamiji indicated His desire for a Trinidad steelband orchestra to perform in Mysore. When word reached me in January 2000, I immediately took steps to make this a reality. I had recently met two pan players, and together with Crusher, we visited the Aripo Datta Ganga on a weekly basis, praying for the sponsorship and right players to form the orchestra. As time progressed, both came forward, and miraculously, when Appaji visited Trinidad in June 2000, He was greeted by the Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra performing upon His arrival at midnight in the Ashram. His Holiness immediately invited the band to come to perform in Mysore at His 60th birthday celebrations in 2002.

After a few days, the band performed the first six Datta tunes we had learned when Appaji visited the Aripo River on August 10th, 2000. Thereafter the miracles associated with Nada Sangama and the Aripo River continued for many years. The orchestra found a comfortable home to practice its music and received sponsorship for sixteen airline tickets to Mysore in 2002. There they were accommodated at a fine hotel at no expense to the members of the band.

The Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra performed on the opening night of Sri Swamiji’s 60th birthday celebrations in Nada Mantapa, playing a combination of Appaji’s bhajans, film songs and happy birthday music for our Lord of Music. At the end, we were blessed by His Holiness and presented with gifts by the former President of India, Sri Venkataraman. We were further overwhelmed when Appaji arranged for us to stay an additional week to entertain Him and visitors to Mysore. All of this had its genesis at the holy Aripo Datta Ganga where we prayed for the ability to serve Sri Swamiji on this musical and spiritual journey, and where our prayers were answered many times over.

Chapter 5

Filling the River

When Sri Swamiji visited the Aripo River in November 1994, it was at the height of the rainy season. The usually placid river carried a lot more water and its flow was more rapid than normal. After the usual prayers conducted in the river, Appaji decided to take a swim. It was noticeable how differently He navigated the current. Later, as His Holiness was about to depart, He indicated that the river was too deep and that it should be filled. This instruction was both divine and confusing. The Aripo team acknowledged this instruction without hesitation and during the ensuing months, embarked upon a project to raise the level of the river.

This unusual project required proper planning and precise execution to make it work. It was decided by the Aripo Team that a number of baskets would be constructed, to be submerged at the deepest points in the river, then filled with rocks and boulders. That way, bathers could stand on this elevated platform for their safety while still enjoying a river bath.

The execution of such a plan required innovation and perseverance. The baskets were constructed using a steel frame and wire mesh, which were then submerged to fit into the contours of the river bed. Accessing the rock material to fill the baskets, however, was very challenging. Every possible source of manpower was accessed over a period of months, and at the end of it all, over 10,000 rocks were brought in and placed in the baskets to meet the target.

When Appaji returned the next year, He put on His goggles and swam under water to inspect the finished work. It seems that the Aripo team had thankfully passed this test of Lord Dattatreya, to fill a flowing river for the safety of Appaji and His devotees. During the more-than-twenty years since devotees have been visiting the holy site, no one has drowned due to the safety measure which were put in place by Sadguru Sri Swamiji.

Chapter 6

Sightings of His Holiness

In Sri Swamiji’s autobiography as well as in Bhakti mala and other DYC publications, we read of Appaji manifesting Himself to His devotees in some mystical way while He was actually thousands of kilometers away. There are several devotees who have experiences this phenomenon at Aripo River over the years. The Aripo Muni Raja has appeared on the rocks above the waterfall, in the vicinity of the Lord Shiva Temple as well as in devotees’ meditation while performing homa.

Once a married couple who had heard about the Holy Aripo River visited the river for the purpose of offering their pooja samagri. It was a Sunday evening and after making their way to the river, found the Vana Shiva Mandira Temple locked. They came to the river where they realized that they were alone and offered their flowers with devotion. They returned to the Temple and stood at its entrance praying, but still wishing they had the opportunity to be inside the Temple to make an offering to the Lord Shiva lingam. Just at that time a bearded figure wearing ochro-coloured robes approached them from out of nowhere. He asked about their situation upon which they expressed their disappointment at not being able to enter the Temple.

They reported to a packed congregation at the Ashram a few days later that the person who had met them simply waved His hand in front of the lock on the Temple door without even touching it, and immediately it snapped open! He invited them inside where they conducted their prayers. Then when it was time to leave, this mystery person offered to accompany them back up the 120 stairs to the roadway where their car was parked.

They were in front and he followed. Some conversation took place between them along the way. As they reached to road and turned to thank him, he was no longer there. He had completely disappeared, although there was no other way out.

When the couple visited the Ashram a few days later, they stared in disbelief at the lifesize photo of Sri Swamiji. They quickly realized that it was Swamiji Himself who had met them at Aripo River on that previous occasion, had spoken to them, opened the lock on the Temple gate and then accompanied them to their car before He disappeared into thin air.

They were invited to make this story public and had no hesitation in sharing the details of their miraculous encounter with Sri Swamiji at Aripo Datta Ganga.

On another occasion a devotee of Sri Swamiji came to Aripo to meditate and practice mouna or silent worship for forty days. It was his custom to also perform hawan on a daily basis, making offerings to the holy fire accompanied by the recitation of mantras mentally. On one such occasion while the hawan was in progress, Sri Swamiji appeared to the devotee and pointed out the need for certain modifications to the process, thereby correcting the ritual. The devotee was certain of Appaji’s presence and his direction, and took His advice with devotion and humility.

(Nanhoo to write)

Chapter 7

The Mystical Music

Sri Swamiji is renowned for His musical prowess across the globe. His musical ragas, bhajans and music for healing and meditation have enthralled millions of listeners, especially those who have attended live performances. There is another avenue through which His Holiness performs His divine music, and a few fortunate devotees have witnessed the sounds of Sri Swamiji at Aripo Datta Ganga. On several occasions, a Yogi who was staying at Aripo heard Sri Swamiji’s distinctive voice singing at night from the river, sometimes accompanied by a chorus of accompanying singers. However, whenever he ventured to have a look at the point where the music was originating, there was no one to be seen.

The rural Aripo village and its residents have benefitted significantly from the presence of Appaji’s pilgrimage site located close by. The Government has spent a lot of resources in maintaining the access road which was previously falling apart and obstructed by landslides. A multi-million dollar school was constructed in the village, partially through the influence of Sri Swamiji’s mission at Aripo. And many employment opportunities have been provided through the Temple and its influence on the country’s top decision makers.

One morning in August 2012 some Aripo villagers who were at the Temple site had the privilege of hearing beautiful melodic sounds originating from Appaji’s nilayam. They proceeded closer to the building which was locked as usual and obviously unoccupied by anyone. Still, the sweet sounds continued to emanate from this source. The music continued for several minutes, after which it subsided and ended just as mysteriously as it had begun.

Although they could not see anyone, even from close up, they had no doubt it was the Aripo Muni Raja performing for them that day while they worked to clean and beautify the river environment.

Chapter 8

World Water Day 2010

The United Nations has designated March 22 as World Water Day. Activities to commemorate this day for the world population are undertaken by Governments and leaders in order to sensitize the population and encourage better water conservation practices. As fate would have it, Sri Swamiji visited the Aripo Datta Ganga on that auspicious day in 2010 and gave His discourse along the water theme. His Holiness emphasized the importance of conserving water which was becoming a scarce commodity worldwide. He advocated the value of individual households trapping rain water and storing potable water for their use. Appaji also remarked about the need for forest conservation as watersheds, such as at Aripo.

Water is arguably the most precious natural resource in the world. It forms the basis for life in plants, animals and humans. It is essential for agricultural production, hygiene and sanitation, and has a major effect on the quality of human life. Over the past fifty years, there has been a dramatic increase in global population levels resulting in accelerated deforestation, industrialization and demand for housing. The net result of all of this has been a decrease in watershed production from the forest and aquifers. Several countries have had to resort to desalinization plants and recycled water to satisfy their needs.

Trinidad is fortunate to have the Aripo Datta Ganga flowing naturally from the highest mountain peak in the country, similar to the Holy Ganges which originates from the summit of the Himalayas. Due to the history and spiritual significance of the Aripo River, Sri Swamiji has renamed it the Aripo Datta Ganga. Taking a bath with faith and devotion in this holy river at the point described by Appaji provides the bather with physical and spiritual healing. Devotees come from all parts of the country and from abroad to offer prayers and take a holy bath at Aripo, thanks to the revelations of the Aripo Muni Raja. Equally, devotees have come to realize that there is no gift more precious than a bottle of Aripo river water when visiting Sri Swamiji in India or elsewhere.

Chapter 9

Baby Kaitlyn

Over the years, numerous devotees have attested to the miraculous powers of the Aripo Datta Ganga where they have had their prayers heard and wished granted. On August 2nd, 2011 Sri Swamiji visited the Aripo Datta Ganga where He blessed a new modern shala for devotees to use for prayer. His Holiness was also treated to the melodious music of the Nada Sangama Steel Orchestra which Appaji Himself had created a few years ago.

A married couple requested an audience with Appaji which He kindly granted. They were loyal devotees and had gotten married in the Ashram almost three years before. They explained that it was their wish to have a baby and sought Sri Swamiji’s blessings. Appaji smiled and placed his left hand lightly upon the lady’s belly. He assured them that their wish would be granted. Within a few weeks the doctors confirmed that she was pregnant. Their joy knew no bounds.

After a full term, baby Kaitlyn was born on May 2nd, 2012, exactly nine months to the day when Sri Swamiji had blessed the couple at Aripo. To some this might appear as a coincidence. But for devotees of the Lord, there is no mistaking Appaji’s influence in this miraculous birth. Sri Swamiji’s love is truly infinite and enduring.

Chapter 10

Swami Bramhadeo

Abstract

Trinidad and Tobago have been blessed to have Swami Bramhadeo Upanya resident in this country for 30 years. During that time, Swami Bramhadeo established local Temples and also traveled worldwide spreading the message of Sanatan Dharma. Swami Bramhadeo came to learn of the divine presence of Sri Swami Ganapati Sachchidananda when His Holiness visited Trinidad from time to time. Swami Bramhadeo became a staunch devotee of Swami Ganapati and experienced many fascinating spiritual miracles which he willingly shared with his followers. In 2010 Appaji instructed Swami Bramhadeo and ARR to write a book about the Aripo Datta Ganga. This has been a labour of love which we are undertaking with devotion and humility.