November 5, 2010
Sri Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji – Speech Deepavali – November 5, 2010 - Hyderabad
Jaya Guru Datta
"Happy Deepavali to everyone! We have offered prayers to mother Goddess and Lord Vishnu. We pray for their blessings to free our hearts from darkness. May only auspicious things happen from now till the end of the year. Let bad thoughts and qualities be destroyed. Again Happy Deepavali to everyone. We watched Lakshmi Puja. It is a wonder that I am with you all today. I wanted to go back to Mysore two days ago. The flight was arranged. I stayed back for you all. In spite of being tired, I am here today. In spite of rains and all inconveniences you all have come here today out of your immense love for Sri Swamiji. I am very happy.
Let all demonic qualities which arise from Tamas go away. Let us all travel to the city of Sattva Guna and Truth. To really understand Truth, we need to look inwards. The sage Kashyapa had two wives. Devatas were born to one and Rakshasas were born to the other. They are cousins. They are also the mind-born children of Lord Brahma. The demons are not strangers. They are not inferior. It is Dharma that we should help and protect Sattvic qualities. Some from superficial reading of the Puranas, write nonsense. Treating them lightly like novels and television programs will not help us. There are those who waste their time like that, scratching themselves, picking their nose, biting their nails, who engage in such *** pursuits. Slowly they will change. They will also come to our side. The puranas are not mere stories. When studied in-depth our scriptures will reveal the Truth. Datta devotees are always busy. They have no time to waste on trivial activities like that. They are busy raising children, teaching them how to live, how to protect the earth and the environment. Your intense devotion and faith in your Sadguru Sri Swamiji will save and protect you. Such strong faith itself is a penance. That is Truth. We will journey from Rakshasa (evil) city to Sattva (peaceful) city. We pray that our faults are forgiven. We want to be spared from untimely earthquakes, rains, and natural calamities.
Pray for a long life with good health. Without good health old age is a curse, with uncertainty and death always imminent. Yama, the Lord of Death is always searching. We must learn not to simply pray for a long life. A long unproductive life is very boring. Old age can be very difficult, being scolded by children and grandchildren, not getting food, coffee, and medicines on time. Practice devotion to Guru while you are young. Do not wait to begin it in old age. If you practice it from now, then you will be comfortable in your old age.
I wish you all a Happy Deepavali!"
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Hira Duvvuri