Lord Dattatreya and 24 Gurus…

The sublime story of Sadguru Dattatreya was retold this evening as the Balavikas children from Karnataka staged a drama on the Supreme Guru’s life this evening on the second and final day of their 2-day Parthi Yatra here, in Prasanthi Nilayam. The presentation entitled “Guru Brahma Neeve…” was based on the epic “Uddhava Gita”, Lord Krishna’s preachings on Uddhava on the life of Guru Dattatreya, that form part of the sacred Srimad Bhagavatam.

… I have taken shelter of twenty-four gurus, who are the following: the earth, air, sky, water, fire, moon, sun, pigeon and python; the sea, moth, honeybee, elephant and honey thief; the deer, the fish, the dancing girl Pingala, the kurari bird and the child; the young girl, arrow maker, serpent, spider and wasp…” repeats the epic Srimad Bhagavatam.

This evening’s presentation illustrated how the 24 ‘natural elements’ turned out to teach the Supreme Guru finer lessons of life.

Yadu, son of Rajarishi Yayati (ancestor of the Yadu clan to which Bhagawan Sri Krishna belonged) was disinherited by his father, thanks to Yadu’s enlightened spiritual standing and subsequent refusal of an odd submission from Yayati. Wandering in the forest aimlessly, already brimming with Mumukshutwa (intense longing for liberation), Yadu ‘accidentally’ bumped into Guru Dattatreya and thus the story of ‘Uddhava Gita’.

Subsequent scenes illustrated, how, beginning with the 5-elements followed by Sun, Moon, and many of the creatures, helped the Lord to imbibe greater spiritual lessons to become His Own Self.

Everything in nature has something beautiful to teach …says Lord Dattatreya, Who claimed to have learned from the nature the best to get ‘enlightenment’.

Universe is the best University and Nature is the best Teacher… the presentation ended on a high note quoting Bhagawan as above, speaking on the supreme significance of ‘Natural Learning’.

The theme song Guru Brahma Neevey Param Jyothi Neevey… followed next bringing curtains down for a most enlightening evening at the Divine Lotus Feet.

Earlier, the session commenced with a soul-stirring Ganesha invocation dance, to the tune of “Gananayakaya… Ganadevataya…” by the Balavikas children.

Bhajans by the Karnataka contingent continued and the session ended with Mangala Arathi to Bhagawan.

II Samastha Lokah Sukhino Bhavantu II