May 3, 2015
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - VGBS Valedictory Function - May 3, 2015 - Mysore
3 days went by so fast. Time goes by without our awareness. The Wheel of Time is such. The clock also keeps rotating. Some clocks run on batteries. Some by winding the key. Some on electricity. But the Wheel of Time is self propelled. A rocket goes into space and keep going round in orbit on its own energy generated by solar energy. They are discovering satellites which can also use the energy of darkness to get recharged. This is something new. Such satellites will send us important messages in the future. The way we take oil and water from the earth, and how we now use solar energy, how they produce petrol even from water, these are all indications of the power of the human intellect. In science, man makes great discoveries. But still, he cannot go beyond a 100 year lifespan. He has to achieve what he can, while he lives. He can create a robot. But he cannot create another human being. God is invisible, and He alone can create living beings. He is called by many names. He is formless and invisible. What is visible is not God. He may come close to divinity but he is not the Supreme Entity. But our search for God must begin with what we can see. We cannot directly jump toward comprehending what is formless and invisible. What is more powerful than us and is visible to us is the sun. We begin our lives with discoveries of all kinds. But it is most important that we discover ourselves.
Even children are surprised at the sun, the moon, and their qualities, not just the adults. How dreams occur, what their meaning is, and how different types of dreams come to us, is also very puzzling to many. Why do we even dream? Many people also never dream. They are surprised when others speak about their dreams. When we think about our dreams, more dreams come. Once in a while a dream may come true but it is rare and to trust dreams is wrong. Dreams are make-believe. We dream of achieving many goals and leave most of them half done. We think a lot, imagine, visualize, and build sand castles, or castles in the air. You dream because some day you imagined that something which appeared in your dream.
Suppose you think only good things all day, then you will get a good dream. But sometime during the day if you think a bad thought, you will get a bad dream.
Despite science explaining many things, we still wonder at the stars, the ocean, the mountains, and the forests. Surprise and wonder about Creation is universal. But we must follow our aims till we reach our goals. The student in the 9th grade should focus on his present situation. He should not build dreams about the distant future. If you wish to become a doctor eventually, you have to properly plan towards it.
Lohit sang so beautifully. We all wish to sing like that. But we cannot reach that level overnight. The person who prides himself about his talent, will not progress much further. He should always aim much higher and try harder without succumbing to the need for applause. Tabla is being played. We also feel that we can play as well. You have to systematically learn to be able to play properly.
The player and the listener must both follow a systematic procedure. If teacher, student, and the parents or whoever supports them, all have to work together with a sensible attitude. The student must adhere to the subject that he has chosen. If you see a cricketer, you feel like playing cricket. You see an actor, you wish to become an actor. You see a dancer and you want to dance also. It requires effort and dedication to master any subject.
We have all gathered here in the ashrama. A-shrama means, no stress. No mental stress. Swamiji is here. Students, teachers, and parents are all here. All should think along the same lines. Only then everyone gets benefited.
Tomorrow others will question you about what you have learned during your stay at the ashram. What can be learned in an ashram? People will ask and wonder. You just not simply gape and be lost for words when asked that question. You must eloquently reply: I have gained confidence, determination, ways to develop my concentration and memory, and have learned moral, and spiritual values. Do not look lost when you are asked by others. You must be firm and definite in your answers.
In Creation so many things happen. We are born. We will also exit. We must learn not only our academic subjects, but also must gain knowledge about this Creation, and the Creator. Only then, life is fulfilled.
Many requirements you have satisfied during your stay here. You had to develop concentration. You had to learn to sing bhajans. When you learn something successfully, over confidence must not be felt. Then you will become complacent and it will stunt your progress. Fear must be given up. There is no need to fear failure. Practice balance. You focus on learning English and forget your mother tongue Telugu. You must balance all the subjects. Don't only concentrate on social studies or only mathematics. Learn all the subjects. Never be indifferent or disinterested in any subject. What you do well now, will serve and support you in the future. You may become poets, businessmen, or professional persons.
You should remember these three days of training, which will serve you for the next thirty years to come. Remember every second that you have spent here, remember every little thing that you have learned. Every single thing is significant. You woke early and worked hard. I am happy. Next time you should also do some physical service, like cleaning, gardening, watering plants, and so on.
In the ashrama no mental stress is there. No fear, and no anxiety. But when you donate your physical service, it will make your stay here more worthwhile.
I am very happy. Mostly Telugu, and many Kannada, and many of other languages have come. You have behaved well. I am now confident that in the future we can continue this program. Remember all the advice that you have received from the different speakers. Sri Bala Swamiji, Vamshikrishna Ghanapathi, Phanishree, Gopalakrishna, and Meera Datta have all addressed you and given you great input. In your tiny tape recorder minds, you have recorded a great deal. Teacher has taught you Bhajans.
During many previous years we had successful VGBS sessions. Nectar is good, every drop of it. You cannot say that one drop is sweeter than another. However, I feel that this year there has been more knowledge imparted and grasped by you. Only one thing was omitted. Physical service. Also knowledge about trees and greenery, how to protect and preserve our vegetation. Next time we must include those topics and activities also. In the future years also I will see you. Senior students are also allowed to attend with special permission. We need senior students also to help out and guide others.
You must see Swamiji in Facebook. May Swamiji appear in your dreams.
All those who have sung bhajans, cracked jokes, acted, have done mono-action, and done various other cultural activities, such as two dances, and even I felt like dancing - you have all performed well. I will dance, certainly, only my belly will also dance. After all It is Ganapati's belly. Someone asked me why I have a big belly. I said because I am Ganapati.
In spite of rain, our audio and video team was troubled by shifting venues, but they cooperated and worked hard. I give them my blessings. We are all family members. I should not give a vote of thanks. The meals were most delicious. You are lucky that your program has coincided with Narasimha Jayanti. Saraswati here and Narasimha there, each conducted the programs successfully.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri