Aug 22, 2012
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during the Ayur-Nada conference - August 22, 2012 - Mysore
Ayurveda is a subject that is difficult to fully comprehend. Ragas appropriate for different times of the day and used for different purposes, is a very deep subject. It is difficult for the youth to choose their field of study because parents, friends, and their own inclinations suggest different options. They get confused and frustrated.
You should consult your parents, teachers, and learned scholars before making a final decision. Go for counseling from qualified persons, so that your own interest and inclination, your health, your subject background and aptitude are all properly considered, in addition to what is appropriate for your age. Once you take their advice, you must stick by it and not waver again in your decision, based on what other friends may casually say.
What is the connection between Ayur-Nada and the choice of subjects to study for children? All these are the foundations for us. I tell I-SERVE that regardless of whether you have these sessions once or four times a year in English, at least once a year you should have a conference where the youth studying in PUC can participate. It will be very beneficial for them. You must sow the seed of this knowledge with the youngsters. Have at least one meeting at the level of pre- University students. The rest of the seminars may be had for experienced senior scholars. Many children of devotees suffer from psychological trauma because they are unable to decide on their further course of study. No proper guidance is given to them. Let 4 professors get together and offer counseling service to such upcoming students. One day should be dedicated towards helping them. Principals, student leaders and experienced professors should help them out. Also you should have a cultural program along with it with some good music. These young people who will benefit from such a service, in the future will support and help organizations like I-SERVE.
Sri Bala Swamiji’s Chaturmasya Deeksha could be a good occasion to hold such a program. Raga Ragini Trust organization can be a sponsor for this so that the young students will learn the value of music as therapy. I have been telling Prasad, Swarna Prasad and Sri Bala Swamiji but my suggestion has been neglected so far. They always write it off as not feasible. Please be bold enough to take this step and organize a proper program along these guidelines. It is difficult to please everyone. Such a program may not appeal to the public. But still we must do it in such a way that all are attracted to this concept. Include some musicians also. They do not come for money. Whatever is offered, they will accept. They love to sing. If they are not given an opportunity, they feel frustrated. It is okay if the audience is not receptive. Make a compromise. Santhanam used to sing some songs to please himself, and some to please the audience. He told me that himself. Divide it in half and half. Nada and Ayurveda should both be presented in a manner that is appealing, with some change in format. Make sure that the young audiences do not get restless. Adults behave in a certain way. Their interests are different. Children cannot remain patient for long. By the end only 3 or 4 participants will remain, if from boredom they begin to leave. I request Krishnamurthy to produce useful books. No matter how much research you engage in, some results must be published and made available to the public in a manner that they can understand.
Bhajans I sing, because they appeal to the ordinary man. Just because I am enlightened, if I keep talking about Upanishads and Vedanta, it will appeal to some but not to all. I tell musicians that they should not sing only Swamiji’s bhajans, because Swamiji and his devotees may be pleased if they do so. But the serious musicians wait to listen to traditional compositions. Hence such items also should be included in the program.
I tell Swarna Prasad that he should have a factory, in addition to doing research. Discover an oil that is suitable for bath and then attract the common people with it. Thereafter proceed with serious research. Items that have an immediate benefit should be presented to the public.
It is very good that this program is occurring at the ashram during Chaturmasya Vrata Deeksha of Sri Bala Swamiji. Nadayoga Raga Sagara is also receiving recognition.
I am only like a iron box. That is all. The tape recorder box does not sing. It just plays music when you press ‘Play’. I am like that.
Jaya Guru Datta