Dattajayanthi, 1997
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Dattatreya Jayanthi - December 12, 1997 - Mysore
Today morning Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra puja and Ganapathi homa. Thereafter Panchamruta abisheka i.e. bathing Kalagnishamama Datta in the Ashrama with five materials like cow milk, cow curd, cow ghee, sugar and honey was performed. Sri Raj Narayan and party rendered a fine flute recital in Madapotsavam i.e. the special decoration of Datta in a specific altar of worship. Thereafter Sri Swamiji gave a sonorous musical discourse.
* Conquer fear :
Sri Swamiji recited a Sanskrit sloka and explained its meaning in detail as follows:
Life is difficult, old age is difficult, childhood is difficult. It is difficult to face the various problems arising out of the government as aslos one's desires. Illness and diseases cause difficulties. Hunger is more difficult to bear.
Singing another song, Sri Swamiji described the problems of life and suggested a way out as follows:
Oh! *** of gods! I am afraid of the ocean of worldiness with deceit as its water and relations as the crocodiles. I am unable to understand the treacherous ways of the world. The pongs of birth and the problems of childhood are unbearable.
Oh! Datta, kindly enlighten me with an easy way out of this devil. Enable me to realise the oneness of you and me i.e. bestow salvation's to me. I am helpless, please protect me. Oh Sadguru! guide me as compass. This bhajan is like an Upanishad. The entire concept of spiritualism is contained in it in a nutshell. It is easy to understand.
* Bheeja akshara :
Reciting the second verse Sri Swamiji revealed its meaning as follows:
The huge tree exists unmanifested in a seed. It manifests if the seed is worn in earth and if due care is taken to nurture the plant. Similarly the power of the bheeja akshara - seed leeter manifests by japa(repetition) of the divine name in a proper way with tapt attention, firm faith and deep devotion.
Elaborating the significance of bheej akshara(seed letter) Sri Swamiji sang a bhajn and explained its meaning :Bheeja askhara is the genesis of the entire creation. It is permanent and immortal. It uplifts the people who are shackled by the bondage's of the world. Sages attained supernatural powers and became famous only by repetition of mantra consisting of bheeja akshara. These powerful seed letters were bestowed by Lord Siva in his cosmic dance. Bheeja akshara is colorful i.e. it has multi faceted brilliance. Another form of bheeja askhara is Nada - the divine sound given out in various forms like mantras and epics by the noble sages for human well being.
Om indicates the supreme lord
Gam indicates Ganapathi
Nam indicates Supreme
Kleem indicates Kalika Devi
Dram indicates Datta
* Right path
Reciting a Sanskrit sloka, Sri Swamiji explained its meaning as follows:
Whether scholars praise or blame, whether prosperity comes or goes, whether death occurs today itself or after many decades the really heroic people do not go astray even a bit from the right path.
Conveying the same message, Sri Swamiji sang a song and described the attitude of a person of firm faith and staunch devotion as follows:
It is due to the effect of meritorious and pious deeds of their past birth that some people continue to be firmly devoted to ***, whatever be the difficulties or losses that may occur. Great souls like Dhruva, Prahalada of ancient ages and Meera, Avvayyar always of recent times are grand examples of firm faith and devotion to ***. Only due to the such pious people, righteous continue to flourish in the world even now. They are so much attached to the spirit of pure love of *** that their fumness is unshakable - whether all the relativesdisource them, whether friends and sons leave them, whether the entire world heckles them, whether great grief affects them, whether they fall sick or even if they do not have any yoga.
All the difficulties arise due to desires. Problems are caused by the world and worldiness. Too much eating results in stomach pain. Hearing something evil, as a practice causes lack of mental peace, it upsets the mind. The more one tries to contact the senses by force, the more unruly they become. Hence adopt proper diet to chasten the tongue. Listen to bhajans, bhagavad gita and such sacred literature to purify the ear. Instead of forceful control, divert and properly channelise your powers of senses. Exhort your senses "Don't deceive me". By continuous satsang - linking our mind and senses by something noble, one can be purified. The devotion should be firm and continuos.
* Guru Deepa - Sadgur's light divine
In the fourth topic Sri Swamiji explained the meaning of a Sanskrit sloka :
I prostrate and surrender to Datta, who shines in the core of my heart like a bright light who removes the darkness of my egoism and worldly attachments, who wipes out t all miseries of my life,who is pervasive in all my nerves and who always enrgises them and who resides in the lotus of my heart in the exquisitely fine form of my guru, the perfect master.
Dining deeper into the significance of this song, we observe the gradual development in the path divine one can experience this:
1. Meditate upon the divine light in Anahata chakra - the spiritual center in the core of heart.
2. Then the brilliance spreads out to all the other chakras - the spiritual center, With the increase of th brilliance of this divine light, the effect of the sinful deeds of the past diminishes and one experiences the coolness of real peace within.
3. The first and foremost indication to confirm that such practice is going on right lines is the reduction of one's own worldly desires and caring. hereafter egoism and attachments diminish (if ant thing else results, it is rue that the spiritual practice is going astray)
4. Next observe the external conduct of such a sadhaka (practicing) Sadgur himself approaches the disciple in the form of divine light. Hence perfect obedience to the master is a must. The same brilliance spiritual has taken the form of veda. Hence one must not serve from the path of righteousness.
5. The same light has taken the form of countless creatures. Hence develop sympathy towards the distressed and suffering, Help them.
6. There is a lurking danger of loss of concentration in spiritual practice while one is engaged in the struggles of life, only inner urges develops spiritual progress. Develop love for the light divine - that is devotion.
7. Only Vedas can explain the various aspects of the light divine. Hence visualize the brilliance of SAT-CHIT-ANANDA i.e. truth-knowledge-bliss in accordance with the dictates of vedas.
The ideas of the above sloka were dealt within theform of a song, "Guru Deepam". The limitless grace of Sadguru washes our sins, removes our grief. Meditate on him, Maya (illusions) is very powerful. It wont leave even sages. Obedience to Sadguru definitely uplifts you. Be lawful and righteousness in your worldly life. Sympathize with the down trodden. Help them with kindness. The Vedas are the wicks and Sachchidananda's gospel is the oil - which makes the light of knowledge glow with more and more brilliance in your own heart.
* Goodness and Humanism
Sri Swamiji gave a very fine description of the ideal intellectual attitude after reciting a verse:
The intellect one is really noble and great - if one considers even the mountains of other's defects as specks, without any ill will, such consideration should not be caused by one's own need to deal with the other. The attitude should not be tainted by selfishness. That is superb.
In conclusion, Sri Swamiji sang a bhajan elaborating the principles of goodness and humanism and explained the meaning thus :
Only goodness is your true friend. Never leave humanism in your thought, word and speech.
Don't be harsh on helping the people in trouble, saying simply "Oh! it is due to to effect of sins of their previous births". Have mercy on them. Help them even a bit.
Never antagonize any one, even in your heart. That is never feel bad of any one. Always cherish the well being and safety of all.
Entertain noble, pious thoughts. Render good service to one and all. Surrender to Datta whole heatedly. Attain SAT-CHIT-ANANDA i.e. Truth-Knowledge-Supreme bliss.
Don't entertain doubts. Don't find fault with others. Be a friend of all. Don't entertain thought of enmity towards anyone.
Some people never help others, but they expect help from all. They do not like anyone, but they wish to be like by all. How is that possible? This is not a proper demand. Give respect and take respect. Let these be reciprocal exchange of good thoughts, words and deeds. Have faith in ***. He blesses you. If you take medicine properly, doctor treats you. Nurture the trees and plants, they give you fruits and flowers. *** pardons. He will also punish you. Be prepared to undergo the punishment of *** and guru. Do not crave after protection always even Inspite of sins. Punishment by guru and *** purifies you.
Don't magnify others faults and defects. Instead magnifytheir good deeds and their acts of love. If you behave like that, others will surely be transformed and improve their good conduct. You also will definitely get spiritual enlightenment and peace of mind. Your mind becomes purer and you obtain spiritual experience.
Jaya Guru Datta