By Sathya Shivakumar, India
A Divine Dance “Tunga Teeram Nayanandam!”: Our Journey to Mantralaya – Sri Raghavendra Swamy Matha
An invitation from the Divine
Recently, Radha (Artistic director HSTD) and I (Sathya Shivakumar Mohanji Acharya and Global member HSTD), along with the students of Himalayan School of Traditional Dance (HSTD), embarked on a deeply personal and memorable trip to Mantralaya for a special dance program. This journey began a few months ago when one of our students visited Mantralaya and discovered that dance performances are organized in the temple.
When Mohanji visited Kurnool, Radha traveled to Kurnool, while my parents went to Mantralaya. Though I couldn’t join them, my father had a wonderful darshan and submitted an application form for us to perform at the temple. He was told that the selection was based on Guru Raghavendra Sankalp, with the final decision left to the Mutt head who would randomly choose the applications. We left it to divine sankalp, trusting in the process. Last month, to our delight, we received a call from the office informing us that our application had been selected. They extended an invitation for Team HSTD to perform at Mantralaya, and we felt a surge of excitement and gratitude.
Overcoming challenges with grace
The coordinator from the Mutt informed us that we would have to perform on the given date July 25, 2024. A change of date would mean that we reapplied. There was no looking back! Preparing for a program of this kind involves many challenges, such as coordinating kids’ holidays, managing schedules, and ensuring timely travel. Additionally, the monthly cycles of the female performers added another layer of complexity to the planning. With Mohanji’s blessings, all these issues were miraculously resolved. We performed on July 25th, a Thursday, and the day unfolded like a beautiful symphony of divine grace and blessings.
A program to remember
The touching scenes from the Ramayana moved many people, both old and young. Adding to the beautiful experience, was the unexpected presence of a monkey at the end of our program. According to scriptures, wherever the Rama Mantra is chanted, Hanumanji shows his presence. To see this divine guest in the audience was a sign of blessings beyond words.
The local newspaper captured the event, highlighting our performance.
The dance production created a feast for the eyes of devotees. “The Bangalore-based Himalayan School of Traditional Dance academy, founded by Mohanji – a world-renowned humanitarian and Spiritual Master – performed at the temple. Famous Danseuse Radha Subramanian and her troupe of 12 dancers presented traditional Bharathanatyam. Their repertoire included Todaya Mangalam, Dashavatar, Ramayana, Dolayam, and Sri Raghavendra Stuti. Appreciating the dance, the Matadhipathi Subudhendra Tirtha Swamiji blessed the artists with Phalamantra Akshatas.”
During our special darshan, we were asked to write our names along with our star and Gothra on a stone by the Brindavan. Without speaking to each other, we instinctively wrote Mohanji’s name, feeling a deep connection to Mohanji and the “Unity of Consciousness.” The students received certificates and “phala mantrakshatas” blessed by Acharya Shri Subudhendra Teertha. We also enjoyed prasad at the VIP hall and had the privilege of a special darshan of the Rayar Brindavana. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience, one that felt guided by unseen hands every step of the way.
A touch of the Divine
After the program, I had the opportunity to visit the deity Sri Srinivasa Perumal, installed by Guru Raghavendra himself, and also the sacred Padukas treasured by the family.
Mohanji’s words flashed in my mind:
“If you love one Master, all the Masters will get that love because all Masters are one!”
This experience reaffirmed this, leaving us feeling deeply blessed. Mohanji’s presence was palpable throughout our journey, guiding and protecting us every step of the way. Our recent trip to Mantralaya was more than a performance; it was a journey of faith, devotion, and divine grace. The successful performance, the overwhelming response, and the spiritual experiences we had were all manifestations of grace and blessings.
Three elderly mothers – my mother, my mother-in-law, and Meera’s mother – traveled with us to Mantralaya. Coincidentally, they had been reading books on Mantralaya Mahima (greatness of Mantralaya). The trip allowed them to see the sacred place in person, bringing the stories alive. These books, written by Amman Sathiyanathan, capture the miracles and life story of Sri Raghavendra through great effort and arduous journeys. This reminded us of the importance of sharing true incidents when we connect with a Master like Mohanji and experience blessings in our lives.
My mother-in-law shared that her twenty years of prayer to visit Mantralaya had been answered. My father mentioned that he always connected visually to the Brindavan whenever he offered water to the Tulsi and the culmination was the actual darshan and blessings at the Brindavan. Upon our return, a student’s mother expressed that she wanted to take her daughter to Mantralaya before she started her professional course, a wish fulfilled by this trip. Another parent mentioned that her daughter, years ago as a little child, had expressed a desire to dance after seeing a dancer’s banner in Mantralaya. All these deep wishes were fulfilled with grace and blessings.
Our heartfelt gratitude goes to Mohanji for this blessing and for allowing us to be the instruments through the Himalayan School of Traditional Dance as he fulfills the aspirations of budding talents and each one of us.
|| JAI BRAHMARISHI MOHANJI ||
Edited & Published by – Testimonials Team, 8th August 2024
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