om dram dattaya namaha sri bala datta datta...

SRI BALA DATTA DARSHANAM

DATTATREYA YOGA CENTRE TRINIDAD

Name : ________________________________

Number of Mantras Written : _______

Page 35Issue : No. 3

AIM HREEM SREEM AIM HREEM SREEM AIM HREEM SREEM




OM DRAM DATTAYA NAMAHA

OM DRAM DATTAYA NAMAHA

DATTA-TRE-YA SA-MAA-RAM-BHAAMNA-RA-SIM-HAA-DI-KA MADH-YA-MAM

SACH-CHID-AA-NAN-DA PAR-YAN-TAAMVANDE GURU PA-RAM PA-RAAM

FROM DATTATREYATHROUGH NARASIMHA

ENDING WITH SACHCHIDANANDA I BOW TO THAT LINEAGE OF GURUS

Swamiji has instructed that we chant OM AIM HREEM SREEM every morning for success of all works during the day.

Write the mantra every day to help you remember to chant it on mornings.

Read and enjoy the stories of Lord Dattatreya.

The book also contains fun activities for you to do.

LEARN AND HAVE FUN ☺

OM DRAM DATTAYA NAMAH !!!

Page 1 Page 34

Children Classes are heldEvery Sunday Morning between

8:45 – 9:45amat the Dattatreya Yoga Center





Answer to crossword on page 22

Story adapted from Sri Datta Darshaman

Answer to Cryptogram on page 8 : LET ALL THAT YOU SPEAK, ALL YOU SEE AND ALL YOU HEAR

LET IT ALL BE GOOD, STRAIGHT AND PURE

WRITE AIM HREEM SREEMSay the mantra everyday!

________________________________________OM Aim Hreem Sreem OM Aim Hreem Sreem________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



*** AIM sounds like I’m






Page 32

DATTA TESTS HIS DEVOTEESAfter many years Sage Atri and Anasuya Maataa gave birth to three children.



Lord Vishnu was the third child and was called Datta.

Brahma and Shiva after accomplishing their works returned to their worlds. Dattacombined the aspects of both Brahma and Shiva and remained on earth. He became known as Dattatreya.

Lord Brahma was born as Chandra. He was the lord of the plants and herbs.

Lord Shiva was born as Durvaasa. He was enraged at the misdeeds of King Hairay and was born for the purpose of destroying him.

As a child Datta performed many extraordinary deeds. Even elderly sages came to him to obtain knowledge about “AtmaYoga” (knowledge about union with the Supreme Self).






Page 31





Colour the picture of the Dattatreya

1. The cow represents Mother _ _ _ _ _

2. The four dogs are the _ _ _ _ _ or holy scriptures

3. The trident shows that Dattais beyond qualities of illumination, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

4. The damaru destroys _ _ _ _ _ and gives control of the _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _ .

5. The disc shows that Datta is beyond _ _ _ _, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _ _ _. He controls _ _ _ _.

6. The conch makes the sound _ _ _ . The world is created from this sound.

7. The begging bowl reminds us to share our _ _ _ _ _ _ and _ _ _ _.

8. The rosary or mala reminds us to _ _ _ _ _ the name of the Lord.

Do you remember the meaning of the symbols in the picture?

Page 30

After some time Datta wanted to live in soltitude. He did not want any company around him. He wanted to follow the discipline of Yoga for a long time.





Story continued……..

They approached Datta with their request. Datta thought, “Let me see if these disciples are sincere and serious about getting a Guru or spiritual teacher.”

In their very presence Datta went to a nearby lake and disappeared into it.

His companions did not want Datta to leave. They were worried, “What will happen to us if Datta were to leave and never return?”

His disciples were struck with wonder. They could not leave him because of their interest in yoga and the affection that they had for Datta.

They decided, “Let us go and surround Datta. We must make him accept us as his disciples (students). Then he will have to stay with us.”

HINT :Cryptogram | Message

Letter | LetterI LK EJ SY P

Instructions :Replace the cryptogram letters below with the message letters.

Fill the blank spaces and solve the cryptogram

IKA DII ATDA XGO JYKDS, DII XGO JKK DRB

DII XGO TKDV IKA UA DII WK QGGB, JAVDUQTA DRB YOVK

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _,

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

SOLVE THE CRYPTOGRAM MESSAGE

HINT :Cryptogram | Message

Letter | LetterQ GT HO U

Page 29



Datta is hiding in the lake. Can you help the devotees find Lord Datta?






Page 28






Dattatreya was immersed in bliss resulting from deep meditation at the bottom of the lake. Noticing the disciples were still there after 100 years Datta felt happy.

Still he thought, “I will test them further.”.

Seeing Datta in this situations some of the young ascetics thought, “He may possess a little yogic powers but he has fallen from righteousness.” So thinking they left.

Dattatreya laughed at them and his provoking sports increased to test the remaining devotees.

The disciples remained at the edge of the lake for many years.

Datta emerged from the lake with a damsel on one arm and a wine pot in the other. The very sight was shocking to the disciples.

Datta and the damsel appeared unaware of the onlookers.

Dattatreya is as firm in testing his devotees as He is kind.

Water :I learnt from water to have a pure heart, speak sweet words and to be full of love for everyone.

The natural qualities of water are :purity, smoothness and sweetness.

This is why water can purify other things.

That is why you take a bath with water, to clean your body.

In the same way a student should cultivate a pure heart, sweet words and love for all. Such persons can then purify others by mere sight, touch or remembering the person.

Honey-thief :Bees build hives. The honey-thief tries to smoke out the bees and steal the honey.

Thus the strong rob the weak of their wealth. Just or unjust this is what happens in the world.

I learnt from the honey-thief that if a person is stingy and hides his wealth without enjoying it or sharing it with others. He risks being robbed. to be continued………

Page 27



King Yadu asked Lord Datta, “How do you remain unaffected, happy and calm? Why do you always seems to be floating in bliss? What has

made this state of mind possible?”

Lord Datta replied, “O King Yadu I have observed the world closely and obtained a little knowledge

from a number of gurus (teachers). I have 24 such gurus.

Listen carefully! I will tell you what I have learnt from them.”

The Earth :I learnt forgiveness and doing good to others from the Earth.

Even though people dig into her or kick her, Mother Earth does not wince or get angry. She always remains patient.

I learnt that a student should possess the virtue of forgiveness in the same way.

In addition, I learnt from the Earth, which supports everything, that one’s entire life should be dedicated to doing good to others.






It is impossible to tell all the arts performed by him in the company of the apparently shameless damsel.

Witnessing this state of affairs, many of the ascetics left. Only a few remained. Those who remained were laughing while they witnessed the sports of Datta.

Page 9 Page 26






“Please be merciful, put an end to the testing and save us.”

bad. In the same way O Datta, you cannot be touched by purity from righteousness or impurity from unrighteousness. A few stupid ones have imitated your ways and swerved from righteousness. You cannot be attained by such ignorant persons.”

Dattatreya said, “You are indeed of firm mind and steadfast. You have grasped the meaning of my sports and actions. Behold my Universal Form.”

Then, with folded hands, they began to praise Him, “Lord Datta, O Master take pity on us. You are the Lord of Yogis. The wind that touched the flame of a lamp, touches the burning carcass the next moment. The same wind touches a man of God and a criminal. But the wind is not stained by good or

5. Spead glue all over the side of the cd that everything else is glued to.

Set the other cd on top of the glue and match up all the edges. Make sure you have the side of the cd with any writing facing down into the glue.

6. Glue the wiggly eyes on your fish as shown in figure 6. Glue one on each side of his head.

If you don't have wiggly eyes, you can also use a small white pom-pom and a black bead. This will give your fishes eyes a more 'buggy' look!

7. The last thing you need now is a fin on the side of the fish!

You will make these by using a 5 x 6 inch piece of construction paper. Accordian fold the paper. Using figure 7 for an example, you would fold the paper

back and forth on the white lines.

Once it is fold, hold the folds together and slip in through the hole in the center of the cd. Center the paper in the hole and unfold the ends a bit to fluff them out.

Add a little glue to hole of the cd and the paper. You can now hang up your completed fish (figure 8).

Page 25





CD ROM FISHSupplies you will need• 2 Old CDs• Yarn or fishing line• Construction paper• Glue• Large wiggly eyes

1. Cut out the fish’s lips, fins and tail from construction paper (Figure 1).

2. Glue the lips and fins to the side of the cdwith the writing on it. Figure 2

3. Cut a piece of yarn or fishing line 3 to 4 feet long. Tie a knot in one end.

4. Run a line of glue from the hole in the center of the cd up to the top edge of the top fin that is glued onto the cd.

Lay the yarn or fishing line on top of the glue so the knot is in the hole in the cd as

shown in figure 3.

Glue the extra top fin on top of the other top fin to cover the yarn (figure 4).

Figure 5

GAYATRI MANTRA OF LORD DATTACHANT THE MANTRA EVERY DAY

DATTA-TRE-YA-YA VID-MA-HEA-TRI PU-TRA-YA DHI-MA-HI

TAN-NO DATTA PRA-CHO-DA-YAT

Science and knowledge are only a small part of the infinite energy

to be acquired by chanting the Gayatri mantra

• The Cow, which is always with Him, represents the Mother Earth and Dharma (righteousness). She is the wish fulfilling cow 'Kamadhenu'.• The four dogs symbolise the four Vedas – the books of Spiritual Wisdom.• The trident indicates that He is beyond the three states of illumination, activity and inertia (inaction) of this world. He is truth, existence and bliss.• The damaru (drum) produces the sound “Dham” and abolishes anger etc in me bestowing control of mind and senses• The 'Sudharshana chakra' , disc indicates that He is beyond the cycles of time i.e. the past, present and future and His holding of 'chakra' means He is the controller of time.• The conch represents the eternal sound ‘AUM’ – which is the manifestation of the Spirit. It is also the life principle in us and the cosmos.• He always carries a begging bowl so as to teach us the lesson that we will have to share our wealth and food with others.• The japa-mala, rosary beads He wears reminds us that our primary duty is chanting the sacred name of the Lord and meditating on the feet of the Lord, and our redemption depends on this discipline alone.

Sri Dattatreya, in order to bless His devotees and the righteous ones, wanders about in the guise of a random guest at the lunch hour. That's why it is said that a random guest has to be treated as the very embodiment of Lord Dattatreya.

Page 24




Dattatreya told his devotees that the damsel was Lakshmi devi. The doubting disciples had called her Nagha meaning sinful one. Dattatreya named her Anagha, meaning the one without sin.

Dattatreya still has the habit of testing the steadfastness of his devotees in various ways. Those who are of steady mind and hold on to Datta’s feet get great benefits.

OM Aim Hreem SreemShiva Raama Anagha Dattaya Namah

Datta Swami and Anagha Devi






Page 23








Colour the picture of the ChandraThe ruler of plants and herbs

Page 22





Across2. Datta always _ _ _ _ _ his devotees.3. Some devotees were of _ _ _ _ mind and steadfast. They did not

leave Datta.4. Anagha means the one _ _ _ _ _ _ _ sin.5. Datta disappeared into a nearby _ _ _ _ for 100 years. 7. Datta blessed Anasuya Maataa with _ _ _ _ _ and peace.

Down1. Some _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ left thinking Datta has fallen from righteousness.2. Sage Atri and Anasuya Maataa had _ _ _ _ _ children. 6. As the wind is not stained by virtue or _ _ _ _ , Datta is not touched

by righteousness or unrighteousness.

Datta Darshanam Crossword #3Story continued……..

After blessing his steadfast devotees. Dattatreya returned home. Anasuya not knowing where her son had been all these years was anxiously awaiting his return.

Bowing at his mother’s feet, Dattatreyasaid, “Mother for the welfare of the devotees I have to go and stay in the caves of the Sahyadri mountains. Please permit me to do so?”

Anasuya was comforted that her son had finally returned. Now she was shocked that he wanted to leave her again.

Although Anasuya had done great penance for a long time she had developed motherly attachment to her son.

She wept and told him he could not leave them. But Dattatreya obstinately insisted on leaving. She cried and pleaded with him but he would not change his resolve to go to the Sahyadri.

DATTATREYA AND ANASUYA MATA1

2

4

3

5

6

7

Page 21








What to do:1.Glue each shell to the end of a short piece of yarn. Use liquid white glue.

2. Let dry overnight.

3. Punch eight holes equally spaced on the top of a plastic coffee-can lid. Use a sharp pencil or a paper punch.

4. Hold the lid with the rim facing up. Push the eight pieces of yarn through the eight holes of the underside of the lid.

5. Tie the end of each piece of yarn in a large knot. Make the knot bigger than the hole so the yarn will not slip through.

6. Punch two more holes on opposite edges of the lid.

7. Push one end of a large piece of yarn from the top of the lid through one hole. It should come out on the underside of the chime.

8. Tie a large knot.

9. Push the other end of the yarn through the other hole and knot it.

10. Hang the chime on the branch of a tree or in your window.

What You Need:8 seashells (available from the beach, or at craft supply stores); 1 plastic coffee-can lid; knitting yarn scraps; liquid white glue; sharp pencil or paper punch.

SEASHELL WIND CHIME

Page 20






When Anasuya Maataa could no longer control her sorrow or anger she exclaimed, “Datta, you may be a Yogi, even a Guru to your disciples but don’t forget you are my son. Don’t forget that the skin-covered body of yours was given by me. If you want to go, first give me back this skin that I have given to you.”

On hearing this Datta stood unmoved and smiled gently. Anasuya wondered what this meant. Dattatreya peeled off his skin as if he was removing a coat and gave it to his mother.

When she saw the disfigured form of Dattatreya radiating great brilliance, her gazed turned inward. She beheld divine light and thus obtained great bliss and lasting peace.

On experiencing this bliss without any trace of sorrow, Anasuya became peaceful and quiet.

1. Lie flat on your back. Slide your hands under your body.

2. Inhale and raise your head, shoulders, back and upper arms off the floor.

3. Tilt your head back and place the top of your head flat on the floor.

4. Keep your eyes wide open like a fish.

5. Return to step 1.

Fish Pose

Page 19









Dattatreya then left with the blessings of his mother for Sahyadri.

Hereafter, you may dwell in Sahyadri according to your desire and reign over the hearts of your devotees. May the universe attain prosperity.”

Sometimes he would assume a peaceful form. At other times he would appear detestable. Whatever form he took he always remained established in Yoga.

Chanting his name is enough to burn away sins. Listening and reading his stories can make your heart pure.





REVEALED SKIN HUMBLY WITNESS OBSTINATE

ADDRESS CHANT REIGN VIRTUE RESOLVE

PROSPER READ LISTEN TEST SINCERE

TRANQUIL PURE PLEAD HUMBLE DISAPPEAR

Find the words below and Circle them in the puzzle above The words are written in the directions indicated by the arrows


Thus illumined by her son Datta, Anasuya gave him back his skin and addressed him humbly,

“Guru Datta, you are the world teacher incarnated to lead the world from darkness to light.

You are beyond time, birth and death. You have revealed the truth to me.

LLNVNDLTSET

TQNIAUAIDEL

RRPROSPERLY

RNETSILTRBL

EUOUAAIATMB

SAPEERUNBUM

ODLVORQIEHU

LDESSENTIWH

VRAEPPASIDP

EEDETPRBKUS

RSCHANTORIT

BSINCEREIGN

om dram dattaya namaha sri bala datta datta...

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