The
Italian team (consisting of four children) comprised professionals like
teachers, doctors and engineers. All of them had undergone a basic
course under Raja Sastrigal in Vatican, before coming here. It all began
with one Italian man, Flavio, who got influenced by the Hindu way of
life, came into contact with Raja Sastrigal, way back in 2001. Sastrigal
went to Vatican and stayed there for three months to teach Flavio, and
his wife Stepano, the basics of Sanskrit hymns and Vedas. Over the
years, the couple has gathered followers, who were
also influenced by Hindu spirituality.
The couple developed their diction and pronunciation over the years. The few loc...
al
people assembled were astonished to hear the Italians’ near-perfect
rendering of Sri Rurdram Chamakam, Rudrajapam, Srisuktham, and portions
from Upanishads.
Flavio and Stepano even changed their Italian
names, adopting Hindu names Shivananda Saraswati and Savithri. Aurora,
an Italian team members, told Express that she believes India is a
Karmabhoomi and the Hindu way of life has led to understanding herself
better.
The Italian lady, who is now known as Lalitha, said she
would follow the footsteps of her Guru Shivananda Saraswati. The
training for chanting the mantras and hymns lasted for about three hours
and Raja Sastrigal performed kalasa theertha (sprinkling of holy water)
on the trainees as per the rituals of the Hindu religion at the end.
The team members would spend a couple more of days in Puducherry, before returning for more learning after a few
months.