Sep 16, 2015
Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - September 16, 2015 - Vijayawada
Speech in the morning
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Swarna Gowri Vrata is performed more in Karnataka State. Ganesha is said to come to take Mother Goddess back. Mother Goddess Gowri grants auspiciousness. She gives good harvests, and plentiful resources and blessings to all. Ganesh gives us blessings when worshiped. His idol is made with clay or some appropriate metals. After Puja, the clay image is dissolved in water.
Worship of Ganesha with Puja with 21 or 32 leaves is very significant. These specific leaves are all of medicinal value. During this month, these leaves are available. The message here is that we must preserve and protect nature. If trees are destroyed, rainfall is disturbed. Only when necessary, trees may be removed, such as at the times of building structures and laying roads. Such trees are removed on condition that an equal number of trees are planted elsewhere. Forests must be preserved.
Authorities permit the immersion of the clay idols of Ganesha in particular water sources. Artificial dyes used on idols pollute the waters and harm people and other creatures like fish. Natural dyes are permitted for use on Ganapati idols. Without dyes to use the images, is best. In olden days, only such images were used. These days, for political reasons the Ganapati festival is utilized with huge figures made of improper materials. It is best to perform a family worship at home.
The Andhra state is just now trying to establish itself. I pray to *** that leaders should have good minds. I pray that everyone should be well, healthy, with good minds, and free from illness and poverty. Andhra region is rich in spirituality, fine arts, and many other worthy things. I pray that all mistakes should be forgiven by ***.
Swarna Gowri Puja is sometimes conducted in Tamil Nadu, Andhra and Telangana also. We are fortunate. These festivals are not based on blind beliefs. We have no time to understand the deeper significance of these. When we have a problem, we ask for advice, but we lack the patience to listen to the answer given. Those who have no patience to listen to the answer, have no right to ask spiritual questions. They have to have faith. Whether the answer is accepted, is favorable to their mindset or not is immaterial. But it is one’s duty to learn the facts. If a question is stuck in your mind, regarding ***, Guru, festivities, or traditions, the answer would have reached you but you would have ignored it. Those who are not interested in the answers have no eligibility to ask questions. Whether journalists, TV or press personnel ask questions, Swamiji asks them first whether they are really interested in the answers. Questions come quickly. Answers take time to give. They have to be given with examples which will make an impression on the mind. Only those who have the inclination to listen and understand will make progress in the spiritual field. Others are only bothered about their own affairs.
People are not observant about Swamiji’s activities, situation, or gestures. Swamiji’s glance upon you is itself very powerful. But you lose the opportunity of receiving it when you pounce upon Him to present your personal problems. As He is entering the car, you mention that you have no children. For forty years you have had a problem and you mention it to Swamiji as He is walking towards the dais. You expect instant solutions and remedies from Swamiji. Mother cannot prepare a meal instantaneously just because it is time for the child to go to school. She needs time to plan and prepare a meal. Only when Swamiji is in a calm mood, you should approach Him. That is why Swamiji says, pray in your heart seeing Swamiji residing there, and Swamiji will listen to your questions and will give answers. You have no devotion in your hearts. You say something when the place is noisy, and Swamiji cannot hear your question. You do not communicate properly. You have no time to spare. You say you had asked Swamiji a question and never received an answer. How can Swamiji possibly give a proper answer? Do not ask questions while Swamiji is walking, and people are shouting slogans, the musicians are playing musical instruments like trumpets, and people are all jostling and milling around. Your question posed at such a wrong moment, will not get you a proper answer. Swamiji will get irritated. Your work will not be successful. You have chosen a wrong moment and a wrong method of communicating with Swamiji. But you are a senior devotee. You have not learned your lesson.
With patience, discretion, and devotion, you must pray. To the invisible omnipresent *** you may pray at anytime, anywhere, and ask your questions. Here Swamiji is in a physical form. You must behave in a proper manner. You do not stay for puja, or bhajan, but come only to ask a question. That is why Swamiji puts you in the back seat, so that you will learn to offer some form of service to Guru. You will learn to sit and observe His puja, and listen to His words. You will then forget your troubles. You will gain peace of mind. That is the power of Guru Sannidhi, the proximity of Guru, being in the presence of Guru. Otherwise, you come in the queue and pour out your problems and go away, without attending a single puja or bhajan or discourse. Swamiji has to say, come back next week, pay for this puja, sponsor that homa, and that makes you happy. These devotees do not need Swamiji’s company, or his words of advice, or His yoga. Fortunately, only a few devotees are like this. They just come, ask their questions and leave. They have no interest in Guru’s principle, in the teachings of Vedanta, or Swamiji’s instruction, religious rituals, or devotional music. They come in line, place some coconuts before Swamiji, ask questions, and leave. Should I follow this procedure from tomorrow, to teach you all a lesson that I just tell you to pay for this or that puja? I should perhaps post a sign, stipulating so much cost for each question asked.
Only a few people follow Swamiji properly.
The moment Swamiji gets down from the car, you pounce upon Him with your personal questions. Can you not wait for a while, for a day, until it is the right time to ask questions? Will Swamiji not be available to you for the rest of your lives? Can you not approach Him later when it is appropriate, in a manner which is appropriate? This is our situation.
Now Swamiji has just returned from teaching a Datta Kriya Yoga class. How many are interested in learning Kriya Yoga? No. They do not want to learn Kriya Yoga. All they need is for their diseases to be cured, so that they can live longer to only eat and eat, and roam and roam some more. They have no need for Swamiji. They will sponsor one puja, get well, abuse the body, and return once again to ask Swamiji to solve their problem or cure their disease. This is a more lucrative method for Swamiji. Should I follow this approach from now onwards? I will post a sign board, Rupees one thousand per question.
I attempt to go for darshan of the deities and there is a line of devotees just waiting to fire questions to Swamiji. If the volunteers stop them, they get angry at them, who are you to tell me? So, today Swamiji offered His prayers to the deities from afar, instead of dealing with all these people waiting in line to ask questions about personal problems. I voluntarily left my chance to go near the deities. I explained to the gods that my devotees are blocking my way to the sanctum sanctorum. I prayed to them to take care of my devotees.
I am feeling so much pain at this situation. Are you not earning sin by doing this to your Swamiji? Do you not accumulate sin in hurting Swamiji like this?
Why can’t you offer your prayers in your heart? Swamiji is now afraid of coming out into the public. He is thinking of ways to avoid them. Once upon a time, Lord Venkateswara used to speak with the devotees. Suddenly he turned into a statue. Kama Kameswari Devi used to talk at one time. There are 18 Shakti Peethams. She used to speak with the priests and the devotees. But due to the mistakes of some priests and some kings, she turned into a ruby image. They offer worship there.
Unable to endure the trouble caused by devotees, Lord Venkateswara turned into an idol. He is Lord Maha Vishnu. He has the power. Had I similar powers, I too would have turned into a wooden statue a long time ago. I felt like that. I feel now that it is better not to see people. No Swamiji’s darshan to devotees. Then they will pray in their heart. I could not see Swamiji. I could not speak to Swamiji. I now pray in my heart. But there are those, who do not keep Swamiji in their heart, because they are upset they did not receive an answer from Swamiji. Is that not true? You tell me, how can I give an immediate answer? Do I not need at least a minute’s time to study your past lives, before giving an answer to your question? Is this like water to keep sprinkling as I walk along?
Since the olden days, even the deities, even in Treta and Dwapara Yuga used to speak and appear before sages. End of Dwapara Yuga, they learned their lesson. In Kali Yuga, the first part, many great souls came and left, having got frustrated. Due to our Karma, some obstinate souls like us, remain with you here, suffering insults and abuse from you. You tell me. How should you treat me? Like a newborn baby, as tenderly as that. When you do that, your troubles will dissolve. You must learn to pray in your heart. If your bad karma is so intense, how can Guru remove all your troubles? He will only help you a little. He will not remove all your problems.
Rama was a divine incarnation. Yet, he had to see his own mother Kausalya as a widow. Why? It was her karma. She had to endure it. Rama could not witness his father’s death. He could not even offer the final rites at his death. Rama was the would-be emperor. Yet, he could not do it. Why? What happened with Krishna? Did he have to be born in a prison? Did he have to live in secrecy? Did he not have the power to *** Kamsa with a finger-snap? Why did he not do it? He had to endure karma along with the rest of the persons living around him.
Sankara Bhagavatpada had no father. He had passed away. Sankara was a great soul. Why did that happen? Those who read the Life History of Swamiji will wonder at the difficulties he had to endure. One would think, you suffered so much in your childhood, how can you remove the troubles of other people? When his own troubles were so great, how can he help others? We must believe in the karma theory. We cannot just blame the situations. Karma is there for everyone. Just pray for the strength to bear your troubles. What did Uddhava ask for? No matter what troubles may face me, let me always remain with you, Krishna. He suffered so much despite always being so close to Krishna.
What was Lakshmana’s plight? Rama was required to go into the forest on exile. Was Lakshmana crazy? He said, I will go with you. Sita could easily have gone to her parents’ home to live comfortably there, during Rama’s exile. A modern woman would do that. She would not bother about Rama’s troubles. She would even divorce him. This is Kali Yuga. That was a different age. Barefoot they traveled in the forest. Bharata took away even Rama’s sandals. What was their life like? Rama suffered so much. Did he have to eat roots and sleep on the bare ground? He had to converse with a demon, Ravana, exchanging frivolities.
Mahabharata war happened just five thousand years ago. How much the Pandavas had to suffer. They were close to Krishna. He did not prevent their troubles. It is history. It is the history of our nation. All five Pandavas had to suffer. Their karma was such. Despite having Krishna’s company they faced difficulties. But they had the confidence to overcome them. They were able to forget their troubles. Pain was there. But it was forgotten.
During Swamiji’s music therapy, there is pain. But the music draws your attention and makes you forget the pain. You feel as if healing has occurred. Pain remains right there. Slowly the mind gains enough strength to endure the pain. Resistance grows. That in itself is healing. It is not ordinary, frivolous music. That is why Swamiji exerts Himself so much.
We must use discretion. In your heart, you may pray at anytime. No one will object. Just keep a photo of Swamiji. Whether He asks you to come, you do not know. You have no devotion, no focus, you do not meditate, and you do not contemplate upon Swamiji. You sleep, you wake up, and you eat, get dressed and go. No lamp is lit even. No time to think about Swamiji. No dot is placed on the forehead. You do not have a steady mind. You do not contemplate for even ten minutes. You must do it, even if others at home object. They will also do it, sooner or later. They will realize the taste of it later. Singing bhajans without feeling is useless. Just ten minutes is enough. I do not ask for more. Early morning how many of you sit for ten minutes thinking of Swamiji?
Do not be shy. Be truthful. That dhyana saves you. Swamiji’s words will be heard in your mind. You will recollect Swamiji’s words spoken ten years ago. Sit one day and wait to listen to a bhajan. The entire scene will come before the mind’s eye. You will hear the bhajan. No need for cinema ticket, no need for television. When you experience that, how much peace of mind you experience, how much devotion and faith you feel in your heart! Do you know? With that faith, you will forget all your troubles. This is different from problems getting solved.
The doctor lady from Machilipatnam has countless problems. Her hair has turned gray. But she has not left Swamiji. She keeps her faith in Swamiji. She is so bold and confident. There are many like that amongst you. Only a few are wavering in their faith. On this Gowri festival day, I wanted to make them understand. Do not think that Swamiji is upset.
I spent forty days in America. They are so disciplined. Many Telugu devotees are there, from Vijayawada. They are now following that system. They do not disturb Swamiji as He come or goes. Only they shout slogans of victory, Jaikaram. When Swamiji left, there was much sorrow. They had no questions to ask. There was a system, where they could write down their problems. If you go to America, you will also develop that same discipline. It is in the water. It is the system in that country. You will automatically acquire it. There were only a few Americans. Telugu devotees there are so disciplined and hard-working, especially the volunteers. Here they used to argue with Shivaji for wearing their uniform.
There, engineers worked as attendants at car parking, and at the shoe stand. The first day, police help was hired. They wanted to save money and so dispensed with that service. They themselves did all the work, including preparing and serving meals. Everyone was well fed. Parking was orderly. You must see it on the video. I cannot describe.
Like an Agraharam, all the devotees live all around the temple. When the bell rings, they come running. You ask your relatives. They will tell you. They now regret their mistakes committed in their youth. They cannot live without seeing Swamiji, they said. Swamiji has established a system of personal communication daily. They are all our children. I feel sad to leave them and come away. Once, I used to feel sad about leaving Vijayawada. At every place, I feel the same. This is Maya. Never feel that I do not miss you when I leave you.
This Hanuman Vastra, is small, fits in your pocket. Some cotton material. The profit from sales of these will go toward support of an organization, Amara Jyoti in Delhi, supporting the disabled children. This is Hanuman age. Datta is our Guru. He is also Hanuman’s Guru. This is in Kasturi/Orange color. Please get these.
Jai Veera Hanuman ki Jai.
All of you please wear. Only a few are available. This money will be kept separate. It will be sent to Delhi. Children without hands and feet have helped make these. It is hard to believe. I will not give this for free to anyone. Everyone must pay.
Sri Guru Datta
Speech in the evening - Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Kalyanam
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Today we performed the Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Kalyanam. Jayalakshmi is Jaganmata, the Universal Mother descended to earth in a human form. Many extraordinary events have occurred in her life. Today’s Kalyanam Festival in Vijayawada is yet another remarkable event. Great souls live forever amidst us. They have only given up their bodies. Their life energy is ever with us. They are showering their blessings upon us. They were born with a purpose.
A small incident in Swamiji’s life, that has made a firm impression in his mind that shows mother’s compassion towards the destitute and the disadvantaged. She did Sapaatra Bhiksha – offering food to a beggar along with the vessel. Such recipients would not return to her street, afraid that once again she would give the food along with the container. Such people would give up begging and go for Unchavritti, picking up left over grains from the fields, or later go for manual labor to make a living.
Generally, people are afraid of beggars, or they get irritated with them. I have often witnessed this. Mother would specially cook for them and offer them food with the dish in which it was prepared.
Mother used to play the Veena beautifully. When some proficient Veena players came to visit, she would tune the instrument beautifully, replacing any broken strings, with expert precision. I cannot forget that in my life.
Elephants used to come while we lived in Mekedatu. My grandfather had homes on both sides of the river Arkavati. When I was about three years old, elephants used to come near the property. I am recollecting events as time goes by. If I close my eyes, the scenes re-emerge before the mind’s eye. The homes were built with mud walls. If an elephant should kick the wall, it would collapse. My grandmother Savitramma used to grow vegetables in a half acre land within the property, with someone’s help. She grew all types of vegetables. The elephants, wanting to eat the pumpkins growing there, would intrude into the property. They also came to eat coconuts because there were some coconut trees also. Daily they would come.
One night, I woke up and noticed my mother going out into the yard at midnight. I followed her. She tried to prevent me. She threatened that there are wild animals out there. I pretended to go back inside, but due to intense curiosity as to what is happening outside, I slipped out again and watched. Every night, some 10-12 elephants would come. I don’t know what she would say to them, but the elephants would turn back and go away. Daily this happened. The elephants never damaged the vegetable patch.
There were many cows, good breeds like Kapila Govus, all cows native to India. They would give 3-4 buckets of milk daily. Even when they returned from grazing, they would be dripping out milk from the udders. The calves had to be sent to them so that the milk would not be wasted. Big pots full of yogurt were there, and grandmother used to churn butter.
Mother would converse with the cows also. I do not know what she spoke to them. They would only make a noise and go away.
Grandmother would mention to others, such as the neighbors that elephants had come the previous night and show them their droppings. I used to be very curious. How can elephants just walk away listening to mother’s words? Does she do something else to them? There were indications that the elephants actually had come. Foot prints could be seen. I could never understand. I was afraid to ask mother. The daily ritual was that mother would wake up around 3 AM, go outside and return after half an hour. I too would wake up and wonder. Was she telling them to go away, or leave her garden alone? There was a big forest all around, with lots of trees and flowers. Now the forest is mostly gone, this being Kali Yuga. Much has been destroyed. But still, to this day, there are elephants, foxes, and lions in that region. Deer are very common. After about 10-12 days, my curiosity could not be suppressed any more. I had to either ask mother what she was doing or listen in to her conversation with the animals.
It was Vinayaka Chaturthi day that day, just as it is today. We made a clay Ganesha for worship. I was determined to find the secret that day. I was a small 3 year old child, with half knowledge. Mother told me before I fell asleep that night, “They will not return hereafter.” I was surprised. I was afraid to ask her what she was referring to. What was she saying? She spoke Kannada, Telugu, and many other languages. I went to sleep and as usual woke up at 3 AM. Mother did not go out. I stayed awake and waited. I watched for several days and she never went outside. Finally I asked her why she stopped going outside. She said, I already told you they would not return. To this day, I do not have the answer. I was afraid to ask her, and so never did. This incident I can never forget. Maybe in some dream she will reveal to me some day, who those 12 elephants were, and what she conversed with them about. If they were ordinary elephants, they would have trampled the plants. Every morning Savitramma would comment with surprise, the elephants did not come. They kept away. I wonder what mantra was employed. She would say, I wonder who the great soul is, who has prevented them from coming and destroying my vegetable garden. She was so happy that the vegetables were saved. This was the way of Savitramma. I could not ask her either.
That was the way of my mother to simply be quiet about the whole affair.
The grandeur of Mekedatu is extraordinary. Mother is very fond of Mekedatu. There is a beautiful ashram there now.
In Sogala, where mother was born, the villagers are building a temple. They are re-building the place like a prayer hall where bhajans will be conducted. The grandchildren of Jayalakshmi’s contemporaries are now excited about this project. They have no reason to show so much interest. They did not even know her. Perhaps they are her contemporaries now reborn in the same place. You also may participate. Every day a lamp must be lit for Sri Jayalakshmi Mata. Those who worship her will be freed from troubles and poverty. Daily 108 names of Mother Goddess (not necessarily only Sri Jayalakshmi Mata’s, Lakshmi, or Lalita are also permitted) must be chanted. On every full moon donate a blouse piece to a poor woman and feed five persons, to be rid of your difficulties. Today I disclose that secret procedure to you.
Today’s is the 4th time we are celebrating this wedding. We were going to have the function outside but the rain *** was not for it. Here, only the family members got together and celebrated it. Had we held it outside in a larger arena, there would have been more commotion. We are lucky. May you all be blessed. May your children thrive at studies. May you all enjoy good health, and peace of mind. Tomorrow we will celebrate the Ganapati Festival.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri