April 10, 2013
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - April 10 evening - Hyderabad , 2013
Today’s book and CD releases took place in the year Nandana to which we are now bidding goodbye. The list of the books and CD’s that get released on any day should always be in our memory. We should purchase them and retain them as collector’s items in our house. Later on, they will be the treasures that we have set aside for our children. They will be of great use even to us. On some day, we can go through them, read our Guru’s Charitra (story), watch those DVD’s and listen to those CD’s. If we develop these healthy habits of listening (to good music) or reading good books, our children will imbibe them. In those families, where such habits are practiced, every member will begin to follow them. Our children, (who watch us read) will begin to wonder, ‘why is my mother showing so much interest in this book?’ and with that inquisitiveness, will one day begin to flip through it or read it.
If we are desirous of imbibing good traits, increasing the goodness within us and acquiring good knowledge (jnana), then it is imperative that we should read good books, listen to good CD’s and watch some useful DVD’s. In the same pattern, we should also practice to recite a few namas (names of the divine). We should write a few namas. In this lies the welfare of our children. This brings about the welfare of our family. It will cause the well-being of our building, our street, our city, our universe and of the entire human race itself!
One small good deed performed by us benefits the entire human race. It is said that one small herb, Sanjeevani, restored Paramatma Himself to life. You may perhaps wonder- how can Paramatma die and how can He be resorted back to life again. It is said that in Ramayana this Sanjeevani, revived Him when his human body collapsed.
In the similar manner, even a small good deed performed by us will have unfathomable and infinite results. It is said that if Rama’s name is used even jocularly, it can grant liberation. Even a person who comments about another, “Why does this person always repeat the word ‘Rama, Rama’?” will be adding a little meritorious balance (punya) into his account for having uttered this sacred Rama nama.
Guru always showers kindness (karuna) irrespective of whether he is worshipped or abused. In the introductory speech now, the person said that amongst his two younger brothers, Dattatreya favoured and helped only Chandra (moon) while there is no mention about his other younger brother Durvasa. Why is it so, he asked?
Dattatreya, Durvasa and Chandra were the three siblings amongst them Durvasa was actually the eldest and Chandra (moon) was the youngest. Dattatreya, with his Vishnu aspect, resolved the problems of both his elder and younger brothers. In the olden days, all those who had acquired the knowledge were addressed as ‘anna’ (elder brother) even though the person was younger in physical age. This was merely out of respect. The elder brother in such cases, referred to his younger brother as ‘anna’.
In this case, Durvasa had developed limitless pride and arrogance that he was a exalted tapasvi (ascetic). In his pride he insulted the Emperor Ambarisha, who was an ardent devotee of that Lord. Lord Vishnu, who was deeply pained to see the arrogance displayed by Durvasa, sent forth his Sudarshana chakra (discus) to shred the arrogance of this sage. The discus relentlessly chased the sage. The sage approached Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva and did not get any relief. He thereafter fell at the feet of his brother Datta, who was predominantly an aspect of Vishnu.
Datta then said to him, “You have gone and insulted my ardent devotee. You have caused him deep pain. You have caused a break in his religious observances. Therefore I cannot help you in any way. Only that devotee of mine can give you relief. You go back to him. In his happiness lies your safety. He can relieve you from this curse, if he wills. This Sudarshana chakra is a boon that I have given him. I cannot withdraw it now. This sin will chase you for seven births. It will eat you away. You will suffer in Rourava *** for seven births. Hence, without any delay, go back to him and beg forgiveness.”
Durvasa then went back to the emperor and prayed to him. At Ambarisha’s request, the discus set the sage free. The sage’s arrogance was shattered.
We should never hurt the feelings of a true and sincere devotee. This is because the devotee has firmly consecrated (installed) his Guru, in his heart. Even the Guru cannot shake the foundation of that installation. It is so rigid. That is why Datta said to Durvasa, “You have hurt the feelings of my sincere devotee and caused him deep pain. Therefore now you yourself have to pacify him”. In this way, Datta took care of this brother also.
We should have a intense burning desire to know which small offering of ours will be pleasing to our kula daiva (family deity) or our Swami. Like this, today’s each program was an offering (archana) to the Lord. We can offer any flower as offering. So many CD’s were released. In these days, we are spoilt for choice- we can choose which song, or which CD we choose to listen to. We can choose what we wish to watch/see. Within all this facilities available in today’s modern world, we should not waste the time.
R K news channel has made the beginning. I had never enquired what RK stood for, but whenever I hear this acronym, in my mind the words ‘Rajeshwari Karyasiddhi’ appear. To me, K is always Karyasiddhi.. Therefore in this project, I always visualized Anjaneya Swami (Hanuman).
They are taking this Karyasiddhi out into the world. I am very happy with this news today when I received the news that we have received permission for airing of the Charitra. All of you should watch the Guru Charitra (life history) when it shown on this R K News TV network.
It is very difficult to read the entire life history of our Guru. Lakhs of copies of the life history were printed so far. What yogam and what penance (tapas) Kuppa Krishnamurthy has put into this project! Personally he visited every house and every kshetra (sacred place) and spoke to each and every devotee (to compile the matter for the life history). Many of the old devotees were alive at that time. Kuppa Krishnamurthy willingly and joyfully took up this penance (tapas). To him it was not a burden but a joy. He thereafter wrote it. Each and every word in this life history is like a koti archana (one crore (10 million) offerings to the Lord.
At every second during this project faced obstacles. Ill health and difficulties plagued everyone who was involved in this life-history project. Every person who had some matter to contribute would face some obstacle or the other when he wanted to share it. Yet, he would be able to make his contribution. It could be said that light would seep in suddenly and the darkness would be wiped away.
This life history is not a novel. Eminent film directors like K. Vishwanath approached Swamiji and sought permission to make a movie on this subject. He wanted to offer the movie as a seva to Swamiji investing his own money into it. He wanted to make a movie for the story at least up to the wedding of Swamiji’s parents. What a wonderful story it is! Like a wonderful novel. Yet Swamiji did not oblige. Like this, many film directors, music directors from various states approached me but Swamiji always put it on hold. One person came to me with 2 crores in hand seeking permission for this project. Swamiji asked him to use it for some other welfare measures or build a hospital with that money, but did not permit him to make a movie out of his life story.
Some devotees created idols of Swamiji. Swamiji went to their house and broke those idols. Those devotees are still in Chennai. They made idol of Swamiji in gold. I said to them, “Since you have made the idol in gold, it will be good for you if you offer the idol (samarpan) to Swamiji.” I made them offer it, had those idols melted and with the gold obtained, got some lockets made and given away.
For a very long time, I stayed away from Newspapers and TV. I was not very keen to even have pamphlets printed. For a very long time, my mother did not permit me to even allow a photograph of mine taken. People, who took my photo, would see a blank space in my place after they developed it. This devotee who had this experience resides today in Vijayawada. Go and approach him and hear from him the entire story. A very long time after that, I permitted him to take my photo. He then began to take my photos. The beginning was in Dr. Krishnamurthy, homeopathy doctor’s house in Vijayawada. In those days, Swamiji used to impose many conditions upon those who wanted to take his photos. He would not like if he was asked to pose for it.
The days have changed now. Every minute someone or the other is clicking and taking photos. In everyone’s hands there is a camera. From the time these cell phones were invented, Oh my God, people want to take snaps indiscriminately at all times. It has become worse. Since everyone is simply clicking away at all times, I said to my team to release official photos itself. So now I call them myself and ask for the photo to be taken. ‘You want a photo when I am bathing’, Ok take it. You want when I am eating, ok, no problem. Maybe the sight of my big tummy may bring good fortune to you”. Finally the photographers are fed up and they say, “Swamiji, it is not nice to take photos in all situations”. I said, “no problem. You can take. May be the sight of my shoulder, my neck, my chest, my tummy, my back may bring good luck to someone. So take photos”. With this they are fed up and now these photographers are running away from me. I was very happy with this trick. I thought that I should have implemented this trick long ago.
Datta is a witness for every happening. Even if a person offers an insignificant seva to Swamiji, his name is noted down. At times devotees, who arrive and take a puja ticket, think, “Oh I paid Rs. 1000/- and bought a ticket. Yet Swamiji did not even notice me”. It is wrong to think in this way. Please remember, whatever you do, wherever you sit and even what you speak in your house, Datta comes to know. If Datta knows, it is as good as me knowing about you. You may think, “Oh, He asked me to come and after my arrival, He has not even noticed me.” Your job was to fulfill what was asked of you. You had to come and you came. That’s all. Did I tell you that I would meet you? Your responsibility ends by coming to the ashram.
Likewise, if I say that you should sleep here for one night then simply obey it. That’s all. You will not understand the type of shaktipatam (transfer of energy) that is taking place. If He asks you to listen to a particular CD, then simply listen. Don’t question. You should obey with devotion and faith. Our problem lies in our unnecessary doubts and questioning. When such doubts exist our tasks remain incomplete. When it is done with faith, God takes on our responsibility and solves all our issues.
Today, being the last day of the year Nandana, it would have been nice if you had sung the Nandana Ugadi song. It would be a perfect farewell to the outgoing year. Tomorrow morning we will sing the new song for the year Vijaya and welcome it. Just as we welcome it warmly we should also see it off reverentially. The outgoing officer should be given due respect and warmth. Then the incoming officer will think, “Oh, end of the year, when my term is complete I too shall get a similar farewell”. Being thus satisfied, he will attend to our tasks and resolve our problems enthusiastically. He will also try to be better than the outgoing officer. May be from next year you can follow this practice.
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla