ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I was handed a copy of Datta Darshanam by my uncle Sheetal Persad. From this book came a series, “Bala Datta Darshanam” in which were included the lessons from the twenty-four Gurus of Datta. Those books were presented in 2010 to Swami Dattananda (more fondly known by Trinidadians as Swami Datta Pada Renu).
“Why don’t you do a book on Gurus of Datta?” softly spoken by Swami Dattananda in a small room at the headquarters of Datta Peetham in Mysuru, was more of a command than a suggestion that has blossomed into much more than I could have ever imagined.
The guidance of the Sadguru, His Holiness Dr Sri Ganapathy Sacchidananda Swamiji, has resulted in the culmination of a website, curriculum and associated yoga exercise routines based on the twenty-four Gurus of Datta.
None of these works would have been possible without many good hearts and helping hands who gave selflessly in the journey. Family and friends have given of their time to provide the photos, proofread documents, help with the design of the web pages and give moral support and guidance.
In 2016 the website was abysmal to look at, I requested my friend Corine Dougdeen to please sit with me and help me with the web page design and fonts of the web pages. She readily agreed and as a cartographer came up with a design that was approved in that year itself during Datta Jayanti celebrations of 2016.
The information from the web pages were used to instruct yoga classes on the twenty four Gurus of Datta at the Pranavanada Educational Institute. Over the years that followed many changes, additions and updates were made to already written documents and to the web pages to better meet the needs of students.
The management, staff, parents and students of the Pranavananda Educational Institute (PEI) have been instrumental over the years providing;
Leadership in teaching techniques and needs of students,
Acquiring permissions from parents for use of photos of students,
Teachers have actively participated and included the curriculum (drama on lessons learned, yoga skits and physical education) into their class based assessments.
I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the parents of PEI who willing gave consent for use of photos and videos of their children in this endeavor.
In the early years of teaching, Corine suggested that I put the yoga exercises into a story form for the students. I took her advice and the student loved the “yoga skits” that followed.
Shanta Ramroop and her daughter Sadhana Ramroop in this regard deserve special mention and appreciation for showing to me a larger than life picture for moving the teaching of twenty-four (24) Gurus of Lord Datta into a mainstream school system. This can benefit the next generation and future generation of youths.
I have had the blessings of wonderful yoga instructors, Krishna Maharaj from whom I was first introduced to Datta Kriya Yoga and the importance of Pranayama or the breathing techniques. He would also expound on the seed sounds of mantras and their importance. I have tried my best to capture some of these valuable teaching as an integral part of the teachings associated with each of twenty-four teachers of Datta. Taramati Narayansingh from the Yasodhara Ashram instructed me for five years in Hatha and Kundalini Yoga, the inspirations from that journey can be seen in the reflections on the Hatha Yoga poses.
Too many are the names of those who rendered help on this Holy Journey! Thanks are too less to express my deepest and heartfelt gratitude. May the Sadguru shower his bounteous blessings on you and your families.
The lessons learned from the twenty-four Gurus of Datta, that are found in the web pages of this site are meant to; stir thoughts, improve focus and bring a sense of energy while maintaining an internal calm and balance in the youths and those interested in practicing the teachings.
I humbly ask for pardon for all errors or omissions that I would have made in capturing the teachings of the twenty-four Gurus of Lord Datta.
Once more with the Grace of His Holiness Dr Sri Ganapathy Sacchidananda Swamiji, may all benefit from the lessons and practices that was initiated by Lord Datta Himself.
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore India, Propagating the teachings of Dattatreya in this modern age