September 25, 2013
Speech by HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on day 4 of the 5th Volunteer camp – September 25 , 2013 - Mathura
Harihi Om Tatsat ! Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha ! Sri Saraswatyai Namaha ! Sri Pada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati, Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha ! Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum !!
As we discussed yesterday and day before, we all are currently in the birth place of Sri Krishna, whose incarnation is said to be 'poorna' - the complete one. His incarnation wasn't too long ago from this yuga. According to geographic calculations, it is said that it happened during 8000 to 12000 years ago. Krishna's incarnation is the most recent incarnation of God. Born in human form, He showed His leelas to all those who lost human values and taught them the purpose of life. As per history, He is said to have lived for 120 years. Even during His old age, He fought with Baana for the sake of His grandson. Entire Krishna avatara is full of difficulties although people have an opinion that He lived a luxurious life.
Because He incarnated as a human being, His life was full of troubles. Rama’s life was even harder. The incarnations as Matsya -Fish, Koorma - Tortoise, Varaha - Boar, Naarasima - Man/Lion, and Vamana - Dwarf were even more painful. All these incarnations are a few of those mentioned. There are countless such incarnations and the incarnation of Lord Dattatreya is a prime one of them. Datta appeared as both Yogi & Bhogi – an ascetic and that of luxurious. He is Guru to even Gods. He still remains the same and will remain the same forever. Sri Rama and Sri Krishna too had darshan of Datta and so did Anjaneya, Prahlada, and others. Brahma and others also were disciples of Datta. Hence, He is called Deva Deva Datta. He assumed the form of Brahma, Vishnu & Maheshwara. Hence, remembering Datta is remembering those three. So, it is said that story of Datta is to be read repeatedly. Guru Gita is to be read repeatedly. No matter how many times you read His history, it is not sufficient. It carries the essence of all the incarnations.
All noble men spoke about the story of Datta. We may think why so many incarnations ? There is no second thought that all these are as significant as Datta’s incarnation. For fulfilling different purposes, to subdue different types of evil, the different forms had to be taken. Parashurama killed evil kings by assuming a furious aspect. As per the strength and aspect of the demons to be subdued, God assumes different forms.
South denotes death. But Sadasiva balances it and protects it. That is why Ravana, the demon worshiped Him. All demons became devotees of Shiva. But no one can conquer death. Earlier, Northerners were hesitant to travel southward for the reason that it denotes death. But Rama went against that belief and proved that such a false belief has no significance. He expanded His kingdom till south and declared that all the directions are one and the same. He also consecrated the Siva Linga on His name at Rameswaram. He established a belief that unless the northerners travel to the south, there is no liberation for them, To get liberated from the chain of birth and death, one should be born in the south and merge in Siva. Rama has done this great favour to the country.
On the whole, this entire earth is only one for us. Water and Light are the same everywhere. There is nothing called southern light or eastern light. The wind blows equally everywhere. The five elements fill this entire creation with no distinction. The gods and earthly creatures experience them the same way. Lord Siva, as Nataraja danced stepping from one sphere onto another celestial sphere. Even Nandi, and Bhringi had difficulty following Him. Only Hanuman, who became the disciple of Sun, was able to follow Siva, playing the drum for Him. He had the capacity to keep pace with Him. When Siva questioned the reason for this extraordinary ability, Hanuman declared that Siva and He were one and the same and were inseparable.
Where ever you go, your body is there. You and your body are inseparable. You are not different from your hand or your eye. Your head is there wherever you are. Similarly, God is everywhere and He is inside us also. Hanuma established this theory of oneness of the Lord.
So, on the whole, we have so many gods with so many names. We should not question why ? Like we have different parts in the body, yet the body is one, we have different forms of God with different names, yet paramatma is one. Why do we differentiate between the right and the left hand, or right and the left ear? Why not treat them the same even if one of them hurts? When stomach hurts, if anyone’s stomach is examined and treated, will it help? Although God takes different forms, He remains the same. He assumed different forms to unite the bits and pieces of this world. Be it Brindavan, Ayodhya, Rameswaram, Mount Kailas, the ocean, or whatever, it is all the same. We only speak of the clothes, the footwear and so on, that they wore. But He is the same.
All of you have come for this trip. I am not certain whether I will make another trip like this. Discipline is fast dwindling here. A volunteer in a uniform must behave like a volunteer, not like a devotee acting of free will. You must give respect to the uniform. You must be systematic. When in uniform, if you forget that you are a volunteer, what is the use ? It is natural that on seeing Swamiji, you tend to forget yourself. I agree. But, you must not forget your duty. Your disorderliness creates tension to Swamiji. If you are systematic, we may conduct any number of camps. For example, Kusumakka’s helpers may go wherever, it is not my concern. But volunteers in uniform, although it is natural to lose your heart to Swamiji, must remain controlled and follow the stipulated rules.
Some persons did not join the bus groups, but stayed separately to follow Swamiji without permission. This is wrong. Perhaps hereafter we will have these camps in Mysore only. The responsibility is too much otherwise. In the upcoming trip to Rameswaram, it will be only for devotees strictly, not for volunteers. Cooks will be hired. In Kasi we handled differently, because it was the first time. If you come to Rameswaram, you come only as devotees. You may take a bus, or auto rickshaw. You may pull the chain in the trains or behave like monkeys. I will only select ten volunteers, by personal merit and dependability. Others are all too independent and many senior volunteers are out of control. If one misses the bus, how much we have to search for them. Sometime back few people from Gujarat came to Mysore for a trip. They were very systematic. I can never forget that.
Swamiji visited Prema Mandir here today. They had an excellent volunteer system. Their Guru is 20 years older than Swamiji. They are in perfect control, Even their breath is so rhythmic. I am accessible to you and that is why you take liberties here. He is not accessible and hence they are in perfect control. For one year perhaps I will behave like that, distancing myself to prove to you. You will not be able to withstand it. You take the scolding of Swamiji and Narayana Rao too lightly. How can you be so irresponsible even after experiencing Swamiji’s fury yesterday? It is very wrong. Swamiji will ask who gave them permission to come here? Who is answerable? You have devotion, faith and love for Swamiji. But keep them under control. Restrain their expression. If water is allowed free flow, it becomes useless. If you channel it and use it for agriculture, we can fill our stomachs with proper food. You waste your own energy. It is not a loss to Swamiji. You are the losers. You must question yourselves for your behaviour. Do not poke your own eyes. Keep your distance. Build a dam to your impulses. That other Guru was born here. He did not descend from heaven. Same with his volunteers. Then how is that they are so systematic and why not you all ? Devotees like you have helped him to build such a grand organization worth 150 crores. You cannot estimate its value. It did not happen overnight. It took 40 years. Each volunteer strictly gives 3 month salary each year. Such support they give him. What can I say about all of you? Swamiji will be only as much to you as you are to Him.
It is like serving an empty plate and asking to eat. I already gave, you declare. So many days ago I paid for homa. You feel satisfied with it. Even American devotees are building temples at their own places. But what about parent ashram ? Mysore ashram is mother of all ashrams. It is Swamiji’s heart. Should we not nourish and protect Swamiji’s heart, His home, His stomach? They forget their mother.
You require that kind of discipline as you see here at Prema Mandir. You must support Mysore ashram in funding. Some devotees do not even agree to pay the room maintenance fee.
Have you all seen Prema Mandir? At least take a look now and see for yourselves whether you are doing justice to the Mysore ashram. At least on alternate occasions, conduct your camps there. What you spend here, spend there. It would benefit the organization. Kaveri water was given this year. But last year we had not enough water. No good crop. We had to purchase rice. From Andhra we used to get earlier but due to floods, last year their harvest was spoiled. We faced difficulty for performing Annadanam.
Why does Swamiji travel abroad for 3-5 months? If you support the mother ashram, would Swamiji be required to travel for 19-20 hours each time? The foreign devotees are increasing in number now, because Swamiji is visiting them so often, but they are preoccupied with building their own temples and forget Mysore. People come to Mysore with ten family members, pay 300 rupees for homa and eat 500 rupees worth each. Where do I bring the deficit of 200 rupees from? I try my best to maintain your reputation. I keep saying, they are not rich, they do not have money. Do not demand etc etc. I only expect you will voluntarily donate whatever you can and placed Hundi system. People do not even use them. Learn from disciples of other Gurus at least. They keep their one month’s salary aside without fail. We too must follow this kind of system. If at least 100 Datta families do this, it is great. Earlier, devotees used to pay monthly maintenance. The money orders that old devotees send regularly since the inception of the ashram are used to pay the electricity bill. They do not even expect prasadam in return. They have declared that we send without expecting any return. Those devotees are providing me light, by way of providing electricity. I bless them all. May all of them become richer. I keep seeing their names. I see that list every month. People who are not part of this, start at least now.
Jaya Guru Datta !