May 16, 2011
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji after Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamiji Puja – May 16, 2011 - Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
25-30 years ago this small temple was built.
Since he was a child, Swamiji was doing Lakshmi Narasimha Puja.
The uncle of one Narasimha Iyer used to come to the ashram. He loved Swamiji. That year, the day before Narasimha Jayanti, Narasimha Iyer came to the ashram. He said that his family owned a Lakshmi Narasimha temple that was 150-200 years old, in their native village. Somehow the family had managed to maintain it all those years but now it became difficult to handle. There were thefts. Some idols got stolen. The temple was in a wooded area, near the river. It was difficult to find priests who were willing to stay there and take care of it. Swamiji heard his story and asked him what he wanted. He wanted Swamiji to take the temple. You cannot move a temple. Swamiji told him that as per rules pertaining to Indian Heritage, idols that were more than a hundred years old could not be moved. This was a private trust, Iyer said. It had nothing to do with the government, Iyer told Swamiji. He came back after 3 months. He said there were no government records pertaining to the temple. He had searched. Swamiji asked if there was a Will. Narasimha Iyer said there was no will. Swamiji did not commit himself. One year went by.
After one year suddenly Swamiji went to that temple one day, and told them to move the temple toMysore. Bring the entire temple. How? It was no joke. Swamiji said bring all the idols in a truck. They have to reach within 24 hours. By the time the truck reached the village center, it got stuck. It did not move for 24 hours. The entire village prayed that the move should be completed smoothly. Swamiji left on hisUSAtour.
During his absence, the idols arrived at the ashram. The newspapers boldly printed the news that Swamiji took with him some ancient idols abroad (National Heritage property). Lord Visweswara, Sri Lakshmi Narasimha, and Mother Vishalakshi. This Ganesha was given by Prasad’s father later. Mysore Patrika journalist, Narayana Rao came, a devotee of Swamiji. He assured Swamiji, I will take care. You do as per your sankalpa. A big Muslim officer came to investigate, appointed by the government. When he searched all the files, he found one small piece of paper, declaring that the family that owned the temple was donating and moving the temple which was their private property to Swamiji’s Ashram.
Who wrote that note? How did it find its way into that file folder? Lord Narasimha Himself wrote it. If you have faith, you will believe it. God Himself wrote the note and placed it there. When one is helpless and has faith, God will come to the rescue. If you have no faith, you will not believe. That name, Rehman is there, inscribed on the wall plaque, the Muslim family. They declared that Swamiji is their God. It is all maya, illusion. Before Swamiji’s return, everything was straightened out. There was no blame on Swamiji.
But Swamiji got angry at the mischief that occurred. He locked up all the idols in a room in Rama Shankara Kuteera, the old building that has now been demolished. He placed them all on some dried grass. Narasimha Iyer came. Swamiji told him to take the idols back. He refused. He told Swamiji that he could do whatever he wanted with them. They belonged to him. He could throw them in the well. He could break them into pieces. He could grind them, mix in water, and drink, if he liked. We gave them to you. You are our God. They are yours. You know how sometimes Swamiji talks. Worse than human beings. Narasimha Iyer simply closed his ears.
The rooms on either side of this room where the idols were kept remained vacant. After some months one wealthy devotee came from Tadipatri. His name was Narasimham. All the people connected with this whole episode had names connected with Narasimha, including even the truck driver. This man came with family, wife and children. He was used to luxury. Yet he slept in the room next to the idols, on a torn straw mat. Swamiji gave him special permission to sleep in that room. That was very rare. Those days, it was very difficult to get Swamiji’s permission to sleep in the ashram. There was no running water, no electricity, and no phones. They were all fast asleep by 9 PM.
With a start they all woke up at 1 AM. They heard talk from the next room, and sound of bells. They insisted and woke Swamiji up. Swamiji said, may be they heard sounds from some radio. He told them to go back to sleep. They refused. He said ok; keep the door open and sleep. They said no. Okay, close the door and sleep. They tried. Again they heard noises. It was impossible to sleep. Someone was talking inside the room where the idols were kept. There was someone there, the family insisted. Swamiji said, yes. Husband and wife. Wife only sleeps on husband’s lap, does not need a bed or mattress. She is Lakshmi. Husband is Narasimha. Siva is there, watching as a witness. When Swamiji came and opened the door, there was a bright light. Narasimham told Swamiji that he would give the money if Swamiji would build a temple for the deities. Swamiji said, I will tell you tomorrow. But not in this room.
This whole area was a garden then. Tulasi plants were here. There was no thought of building any temple here. Datta Venkateswara, he stole 8 acres of land from Swamiji. Happily occupied and is very comfortable. Let Him be.
Venkataramaiah, the famous astrologer (he passed away just a few days ago), came with his friend, Chakravarthy. Swamiji told the boys of the ashram, they have to leave by 10 AM. They cannot stay for lunch. The boys refused to tell them that. The old man told Swamiji I feel as if there is aNarasimhaTemplehere. Tadipatri Narasimham said, See, and listen to what he is saying. Build the temple here. Swamiji said, only a small temple. Very simple structure. Narasimham gave the required amount, which is like ten times more in worth now. Swamiji gave permission to build the temple. Blessings poured in from all Vaishnava organizations, temples, and Mathas, such as Srirangam, and Sringeri. It was a very traditional consecration. The Lord became bound within this small space. He is never bound. He binds us with Kama and Krodha. He is always free. But still He is fixed here to fulfill the wishes of the devotees.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta