AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Pujya Sri Swamiji's speech on December 22, 2007

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji speaks on Dattatreya Jayanti

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji was in a relaxed and humourous mood. He was cracking several jokes and the devotees reeled in laughter. The message He chose to say:

“Flowers are of myriad colors and fragrances, but all of them end up at the altar of the Lord. So, flowers are of different hues, but Pooja is One. In the same way, the cows are of different colors, but milk has to be of one color – white. So also, so many languages are used to convey only one meaning, one theme, one idea. If you are able to digest the idea and live by it, then the language does not matter. There are impressive speakers, orators, linguists in this world, but I am of the category to give the essential theme, which is worth practicing. So the Truth is only One, though it is driven home by a variety of ways.

Tameka Devam Sharanam Vrajaamaha
It means there is only One Truth, One God, but the paths suggested are many. It is better to speak less and act more than to make confusing speeches. We are living in a caste-ridden society. People politicize the caste issue to serve their personal end because there are so many angles by which people approach an idea. There is so much of confusion regarding caste, rather than the welfare of the people. Sometimes it is a curse on all of us to deal with things based on caste, creed, race and discriminative society. Many foreigners and angels who come to India wonder and are bewildered.

In the Teppotsavam, yesterday evening, there were some large dolls and people wearing masks. Similarly, for babies and young children, the mothers apply a black dot on the side of the face. This is to ward off the evil eye. The human mind works like that. In movies too, there is a lot of (unnatural) beauty, but the viewers mind picks up faults there too – saying the actress is good-looking, but has a very short or long nose!! Similarly, if Swamiji speaks endlessly in a soothing tone, people do not care, but if He says a few words in anger, they remember it for hours together.

Today, you listen to the good advice. People have the bad habit of reading between the lines and making unnecessary critical comments. Some people want to imitate others and they are not ready to accept the reality of life. Last night, I was going through a book called Parashara Samhita. Sage Parashara has laid down a lot of rules for human conduct. The aim of man is to seek the Truth within first and then outside. There are various angles from which people look at life (Drishti Dosha). Here, negativity should be avoided as far as possible. Our mind is like a monkey with some ugly character. When you are caught up in the play of the Indriyas (sense organs), you forget that the Lord Himself rules us. The sense organs are all directed outwards with the power of Nature and the only possibility is to withdraw them inwards with the support of Satsangh. Last evening, we witnessed the beautiful event of Inaguration of the Saptarishi Sarovar and all the sacred waters of India have been poured into it. That event is unforgettable. So today and tomorrow, we shall have the same Raft festival in which all of you will participate. This evening, I am going to sing the favourite Datta Bhajans and what is life without Namasankeertana?

Swamiji is very meticulous and observes perfection in what He does, and He expects others to be perfect too. Any insignificant work should be perfect too. Swamiji was making a joke of short-cutting His conversation with devotees due to bad breath and avoiding people with unwanted aromas. He said "some V.I.P.s come to me very often to spend a long time, but when they are in the vicinity, I feel like covering my nose or mouth or resort to a Pranayama. Swamiji advises you to be pure and clean internally and externally by bathing twice a day (Deha Shuddi and Chitta Shuddhi). The body has nine apertures, called the Nava Dvaras, and all the ‘malas’ (impurities) come out through them. So, there are physical and subtle methods of cleansing them – like a car wash. So, Aadhyatma Yoga is like washing yourself. You should have a lot of Shraddha (interest) to learn a lot of things everyday. Transform and change yourself". In a humourous way, He said that "not changing oneself fully is like the half-shaving at the Tirupati temple!! You have to wait, wait, wait till your shave is completed. For seeking and living in wisdom, the Sadguru’s Grace is absolutely necessary. That is why you are all here on Datta Jayanti".

Accumulating knowledge for the sake of release from bondage is the ideal. Many people are so vascillating and temperamental and they don’t listen fully any thing. They have little patience. They are ready to take a single lie and not fully understand. They end up in terrible confustion. Systematic way and disciplined way is pleasing to Swamiji. Many devotees cannot figureout what Adhyatmic life means. It is a natural change that occurs for every man in the journey. A sacred masterly principle guides and protects you. The five kinds of UTSAVA ( celebrations) that you witness in Datta Peetham like Dolotsava, Teppotsava, Pallakki Utsava, Rathotsava and Mantapotsavas are like and comparable to treatment of five Karma Indriyas and five Jnaneindriyas. There is ample scientific reason behind all these Utsavas. Because we have incarnated with a body of flesh and bones, we need to perform these Karmas to release ourselves too. We have to observe physically. Every created object reflects the power and energy of PARAMATAMAN, the Absolute Being. Vigraha is idol or image and Nigraha is by controlled circumsrtances, realize the Ideal of Lord being in us. Only Lord can grant us that Nigraha Shakti and yoga energy. Lord Dattatreya is the source of that energy. I am reminded of JNANA DEV, a devotee of Lord Vittal and saints like Khanopatra of Maharashtra – Sandeha Vrithi Vinalire, remove my doubts and make me have firm faith in you, to love you, to understand you. This is what I seek. Swamiji is struggling only for you and your sake. He does not need to establish and run this paraphernalia. Karma Sharira Acharana is in the mind of people.

You witnessed Abhishekam for Lord Datta today. Milk represents dedication of intellectual pursuits to Lord and submitting to His will. Tailabhisheka means getting rid of Karmic influences by Lord power. Each Dravya has a principle. We acquire debts in each life by our acts. Pitru Runa, Matru Runa and Guru Runa - we must clear these debts.

Lord Dattatreya is the repository of wisdom. That is the tool for release from bonded life. He is the Lord. Do not wonder as to how Lord Datta manages with three heads and six hands and paraphernalia. He is Nirguna (unseen power of the universe). He is a realised Rishi and a gift to all humanity. He is Veda Purusha (essence of Vedas). It is worth to remember the Vedic congregation that took place four days ago. Hundres of scholars, Pundits and men of knowledge gathered here to celebrate.

Then, He said "all of you devotees who have gathered here for Datta Jayanti 2007 are here because you have great unconditioned love form Swamiji. Even when we do not understand and know Datta, we have an opportunity to develop devotion (Bhakti) to lord Datta. Pujas, Ekagrata, Dharana - all these are important in Datta worship. Like wood worms eating up the timber, Kaala, the time gulps everthing. You all believe that Swamiji will heal and help you. Yes, I will, subject to my own conditions. Puja, therefore is not a toy play. It is a Yoga and meaningful activity. So, all festivals have meaning and enrich our spiritual experience and our duty is to be of some service. Lord Datta is the supporter of our cause".

Sri Guru Datta

TEXT BY SWAMI MANASA DATTA