Film taken in Madras (today's Chennai), India, during some of the
earliest meditation and bhajan programs conducted by Shivabalayogi. We
can see Swamiji putting vibhuti (blessed ash) between devotees' eyebrows
(the third eye), blessing them in this way so they in turn could use the
Yogi's vibhuti to give his initiation to large crowds of people.
Shivabalayogi's programs generally consisted of an hour of meditation
followed by an hour of bhajans. He never gave any discourse. He taught
in silence.
There are also scenes showing mass feeding. Shivabalayogi, like other
great spiritual masters, places a great emphasis on the importance of
feeding people prashad (blessed food).
The soundtrack is a bhajan, "Shiva Shiva Shankara" recorded in
Adivarapupeta. It is a well known Telugu bhajan written for a movie
about the life of a yogi.
Madras, 1970
Various programs were organized for
Shivabalayogi in Madras over the period of December 10th to 15th of 1970.
The color film entitled, "Sri Sri Sri Balayogi Maharaj Camp at Hemamalini,
No. 155, Lloyds Road, Madras 14", shows a robust and radiant Swamiji
giving darshan at public programs.
There is no soundtrack in the original films. Music in these video
clips is by Madhu Murthy.
The clip on the left is the first of three excerpts.
The complete film is part of the "Shivabalayogi Movie Collection" DVD
video.
Shivabalayogi Pada Puja, Madras 1970
Pada puja means worship of the feet. The tradition is that the
spiritual powers of an enlightened being flow from the head to the feet, so
it is most auspicious to touch the feet of a Master.
Puja (worship) is an expression of devotion. It is the practice of
love. The mystical core of each spiritual tradition is love.
Music by Madhu Murthy.
Shivabalayogi Darshan, Madras 1970
Shivabalayogi gives darshan at a public
program in Madras.
Darshan refers to the blessings of
being in a sacred presence. Just to be in Shivabalayogi's presence is a
transforming experience. By 1970, as this early color film shows, Shri
Swamiji had a robust form. The tradition is that a yogi carries the universe
in his belly. Devotees say his body was muscular and firm. He used to
exercise daily and eat very little, but still his physical body took on such
large proportions.
In this film (there is no original soundtrack), devotees are playing bhajans
(spiritual song) and one can see other devotees in bhava samadhi, spiritual
trance.
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