May 9, 2008
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Jayalakshmi Mata Jayanthi - May 9, 2008 - Mysore
On 9th May 2008 Jayalakshmi Mata Jayanti was celebrated in Mysore Ashrama. Sri Swamiji chose to be in Mysore and sent Bala Swamiji to Jayalakshmipuram instead.
Being a Friday, Sri Swamiji performed the Abhishekam in Datta Venkateswara temple. The temple was gearing up for the upcoming 9th Brahmotsavam celebrations. After the Abhisehkam, Sri Swamiji visited the vacant land behind Ashrma's herbal garden and planted sugar cane saplings. Later, Sri Swamiji arrived in the Jayalakshmi Mata Annapurna Mandira. The Puja to Jayalakshmi Mata was in progress. Sri Swamiji sat in the specially decorated seat in front of a large painting of Jayalakshmi Mata. After the chanting of enmasse Lalita Sahasra Nama, Arati was performed. Prasad spoke about the life and times of Jayalakshmi Mata.
Pujya Sri Swamiji in His speech said
"Some people are eternal grumblers. The whine at every available opportunities. They say I was un cared for since birth. I was not given good education. Even the teachers looked down on me. *** has been setting me up against all odds unlike my friends who are having good times. When the second child was born, the hospital too was reckless. They live in their past times. Their life is full of only past events. One has to weigh if their experience is worth telling others. Everyone has to research if telling their life stories to others is worthwhile or a waste of time. Every person's life is full of events. Some are publicly tellable and some are not. By telling some events to others, their lives gets motivated. We have to be prudent in what to tell and what not. Sometimes just telling the moral one learns from a experience is enough. Dragging reluctant listeners to the soggy details of the experience will spoil the moral of the experience. Whether you tell others or not, once a while remember them so that you can check if you learnt a lesson or not.
Some events of great persons are not publicised because the event might have happened for a particular set of persons and at a particular time, which could be grossly misunderstood when told later. But in the life of Jayalakshmi Mata, there were no such hidden or private events. All that happened in her life, known to us has been in public. Even her family life she led in Bommeparthy was considered a model lifestyle. Grihini Dharma or the Dharma of a married lady has some facts which though everyone knows is not discussed. That's the perimeter fence. What to serve during lunch in which place on a Banana leaf is an art. Take coconut for example. We break it open and take the kernel and use the water. We don't eat the hard shell in cooking saying everything is important. We are choosy there. We use curry leaves while cooking Rasam (Saaru). But when eating Rasam with rice, we take the curry leaf out. Its usage is for the smell factor, not for eating. Likewise, a good house wife knows when to fight with her husband and for what reasons. I heard that there are training centers which teaches about to be married girls about running a good house hold and rising children. Jayalakshmi Mata did not need any such training. She knew when to talk and what to talk. Just remembering her makes me feel as if she was with me couple of years ago. I learnt the most in my life by observing her. Her attitude towards family, how she treated visitors, how she performed her acts of Puja, literature, cooking, cleaning, all these left a lasting impact on my mind.
Today we are observing the birthday and the passing day of such a great Guru - Jayalakshmi Mata. We also observe her birthday once during Navaratri. Devotees should not call this day as Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana. They should instead call it as "Jayalakshmi Mata Jayanti". Only Swamiji has the authority to call this day as Aradhana day.
Jayalakshmi Mata inspired the entire community that lived with her. Thousands got her Blessings. Many people feel her energy even today. She has entered our hearts and lives deeply and effectively. You may not have seen her physically. See her in me.
Those in Jayalakshmipuram will be missing Swamiji's presence there. They should thank that I have sent Bala Swamiji. But still, they will miss me. Like I miss them".
I am Happy.
Sri Guru Datta
Seven married ladies, symbolic of the Sapta Matrukas (nine divine mothers) were performed Suvasini Puja.
Sumptous and tasty lunch was served to all.