Nov 3, 2015
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - November 3, 2015 - Rishikesh
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
In Kerala ashram, Lord Hanuman had each day a different decoration. One day, as Vanara, then, as Narasimha, after that, as Khagarat (Garuda/eagle), and the following day, as Kroda (Yajna Varaha/Boar), and lastly as Aswa (Hayagreeva).
The Lord’s five energies as Hanuman’s five incarnations are depicted very beautifully in Kerala. Lots of rush, lots of people. Mostly Christians and Muslims. Hindus are less. They come for Hanuman Purna Phala samarpana. On Saturdays and Sundays there are huge crowds. They all say that their work gets done by this worship. Bengaluru also, it is like that. Mysuru and Chennai also, and in many other ashrams. Very powerful Hanuman, He grants wishes. Many people visit. You also should go and visit.
The priests there do puja with great devotion. Then the troubles of devotees are removed. We must take good care of our priests. We must watch out for the priests. If mistakes occur, report them. If the priest needs help, help him. Whether he is good or bad, to observe his rituals, and his conduct, it is our responsibility, the responsibility of the devotees, and the trustees, and working members. Just giving Dakshina/gratuity is not enough. What is his nature, is he good or bad? One must observe his character.
In Kerala, the Pujari/priest is treated like a family member, and not just as someone to do the puja and chant the mantras. In some places, no one bothers about what the priest does, or how he behaves. It should not be like that. We have to be very careful. He has relations with the public. How does the priest interact with them? The entire public is our family. How does he do the puja? You must observe and notice. You cannot just treat him like a Pandit. No. One must watch over him like a family member. Our devotees are our family members.
In Chennai, Bengaluru, Mysuru, and Kochi, the Pujari is treated like a brother. They enquire about his welfare, his behavior, whether he has troubles, financial issues, how his family is, his parents, and so on. Help him if he is facing any problems. If you keep him at a distance, it is difficult. Where Pujari is good, the temple flourishes and develops on its own. You have to spend your time to get involved.
It is all in the hands of the priests. Trustees and other working members are responsible for the performance of the priests. Never neglect the priest.
You people neglect the priest. You do not bother. Then he tells lies. He does bad things. Priests’ misbehavior is our responsibility. We have not taken care. He must do proper puja, develop the Mandir and take care of the devotees.
We have to even make sure that the comforts of devotees are taken care of. Clean bathrooms, good place to sit, and proper arrangement in forming lines for Prasad, all these have to be provided. Devotees cannot simply join hands in prayer for *** and leave. They have to get involved and take care of the temple. Facilities should be proper. It is the responsibility of the devotees to take care. If devotees themselves enquire and help, the temple will be good. You leave it only to *** to take care.
One type of devotees simply offer flowers and leave. Another type come, worship, offer voluntary service, and give donations for improvement. They enquire whether proper materials are available for puja and Prasadam. The third type of devotees are very responsible. They take the burden on their heads. Guru’s reputation gets spoiled if the temple does not run properly, they think. They feel they must get personally involved like inner circle members. Secret family. Where devotees are like that, the temple will thrive. You just observe this everywhere.
From the day the priest is employed, control must be there. Always, I tell all the trustees, you must take control. Otherwise, it is very difficult. Pujas are not done well, the development also is poor.
In Kerala, I have seen. 19 years the same priest. In Bengaluru, 20 years. Hyderabad, 17 years. Mysuru, 23 years. Like that it should be, like a family. SDVT 17 years, same priest.
Do not leave it all to Swamiji to take care. Anyway, it does not matter.
In Kerala, it was very nice. 2.5 acres on the banks of Purna River, like Ganga.
No. 1 ashrama is Haridwar. No problems. Running smoothly.
12 years one cycle completes.
Do some small service. Then Swamiji comes. All of you have come and are supporting. It makes it possible to hold Satsang and programs.
I have not given any publicity. Only facebook and calendar. So many have come. Victory to Mother Ganga.
Do only Prokshana (sprinkling water on the head) at Ganga, all of you. There is very rapid flow. The current is strong. Be careful. You enter, you get quick liberation. But problems for others. I will give the Ganga Teertha to everyone now. Please consume it only after you step away from Swamiji.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri