October 12, 2015
Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji - October 12, 2015 - Mysore
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namo Namaha
Today is the sacred Mahalaya Amavasya. We are fortunate to be in the divine presence of Sri Swamiji, who, in the form of Mother Goddess, has just now conducted the Ritvikvaranam, which is, spelling out the duties of His chosen assistants during the Navaratri rituals, where each is given a specific portfolio, a mantra, and austerities to follow during the 10 day worshipful festivities.
The devotees should not feel that the restrictions and the austerities apply only to the chosen few who were given the Deeksha apparel. Everyone who is present here now and is witnessing this program has also received Deeksha from Sri Swamiji.
What is this Deeksha? It is for everyone to keep chanting the mantra given by Guru, and to keep writing the mantra, ‘Sri Mata’ as is the custom each year during Navaratri. The ones who write the highest number of times are rewarded with prizes. Those who are unable to write, may chant the Hanuman Chalisa or repeat the Guru-given mantra. Everyone must feel that they are also a part of this Deeksha program and take their responsibility seriously and follow it.
Of the many names of Mother Goddess mentioned in the Lalitha Sahasranama, the names, Deekshitaa, Daityasamanee, Dakshayajna Vinaasinee are also included. Deekshitaa is mother’s name.
You may wonder, what Swamiji’s Deeksha is during this time, while He has given us all the specific austerities or vows to follow. He is of the form of Mother Goddess. His Deeksha is never ending. For Sadguru, for ***, and for Mother Goddess, there is no such thing as commencement and conclusion of a Deeksha. They are eternally in Deeksha.
What is this vow they are bound by? It is to protect the devotees. Sadguru’s birth took place with the vow, for the sole purpose of taking care of all of us. Therefore, whatever rules He prescribes for us, those we should certainly follow. Such ones who do so, will definitely be protected by Him.
In the Maha Yajna now in progress, initiated by Swamiji with the chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa, there are many who lead the effort, and are called Deekshitas. Those who preside over or assist in rituals such as Yajnas, and Yagas are termed differently as Deekshita, Adhvari, Makhi, Suri, and so on. Examples are: Muthuswami Deekshita, Appayya Deekshita and so on. Mother Goddess is under the vow, she is a Deekshita for destroying the demons in the forms of bad thoughts and bad actions. She instills good thoughts in us and spurs us to perform good actions. She removes bad, demonic traits.
Swamiji is Himself the Sri Chakra. He is in the Sri Chakra. He has no need for the performance of this ritual of the Navavarana Puja. He is doing this to make our minds steady. Some stay for three days, and some, for just for a day or more. Some come for attending specific rituals like the Chandi Homa. By performing this strict nine-day worship for us, Swamiji is trying to develop our concentration, our tendency for performing virtuous deeds, and to help us in many ways. This Navavarana Puja, this nine-day Navaratra Deeksha helps to prevent the spread of diseases, of which some new strains are also appearing in the world. During this autumn season it is required that Mother Goddess should be worshiped with sacred materials. By doing so, balance in the world will be maintained.
Mother Goddess is worshiped as Nava Durgas. Our Ashrama’s tradition is to begin the worship on the first day with the worship of Gowri.
Swamiji has composed a beautiful bhajan: Gowri Gowri Gowri Gowri Gururoopini. Gowri is white in appearance. She purifies the mind. She develops one-pointed focus. The Nava Durgas are also invoked into the sacred Kalasas (pots used for sacred rituals).
Prayers are offered that all grains should grow well and provide sufficient food for the beings of the world. The world should be well-fed. There should be no dearth. There should be plenty of food. People should have jobs. Lives should be comfortable and peaceful. The world should be thriving. This is the Sankalpa of Swamiji. He will be commencing the intense worship activity tomorrow. Witnessing this Puja even once in a lifetime is a great blessing.
But many devotees are blessed by Swamiji for years together, some for even thirty years in a row. Those who were unable to witness, need not feel sorry. From tomorrow, utilize the time well, and be in Swamiji’s presence as much as possible.
In Dallas, Swamiji spent 48 days recently. Devotees who experienced His proximity and extended presence comment that they are most fortunate. Swamiji spent several hours each day in the midst of devotees. What different programs took place is not so important. Receiving Prasadams and having interviews with Swamiji are not important. Sadguru’s darshan itself is most important. For how long His glances and smiles fell upon us, and how by His mere looks and smiles He removes our difficulties and conveys His divine messages to us, is important. By seeing His sacred feet what insights we receive in our hearts and how we get transformed, is important. By listening to Sadguru’s words, what knowledge and awakening we experience, how our doubts get cleared, are important.
From tomorrow let these be your activities: Write Sri Mata. Chant Guru mantra. Chant Hanuman Chalisa. Visit the Bonsai Garden. Visit Shuka Vana. Visit the Sri Datta Venkateswara Temple. Do Pradakshina to the ashrama or the Nada Mantapa. Offer Mudupu. Participate in Annadana Seva. All the services which are offered in the 18 Saktipeethams are available for you to offer here, all at one time, at this Datta Peetham. Swamiji has given us all the opportunity. He has made arrangements for these for our benefit.
Do not allow these nine days to simply pass you by. If you follow all the above austerities, all your troubles will vanish. Utilize your time here properly. A devotee mentioned to me earlier: We had not enjoyed good sleep for months. After coming to the ashram, we are sleeping peacefully. I was not able to walk even one step before I came. Now I am walking with ease and even running. I do not know where my pains went.
The energy in the ashram is such. We must utilize that energy.
Deeksha means: Dee is - it gives – everything to us, all our needs are fulfilled, Jnana is granted to us.
Ksha is - destroys: Knowingly, or unknowingly, we commit sins. They all get destroyed when we fulfill the vow with commitment and dedication. It is a promise given.
Sri Rama told Mother Kaikeyi that she does not require any written promissory note from him that he will proceed to the forest for 14 years. If he gave his word, it is as good as a contractual agreement. Rama does not need to repeat his word. His word uttered once, is as good as a strict vow.
Today, we must treat Sadguru’s word as a decree and follow His instructions happily for these nine days without fail and with no wavering. We should all enjoy the darshan of Swamiji, while enjoying the music concerts, writing Sri Mata, rendering the various services, and chanting internally the mantra. We should experience the divinity of this wonderful experience. We should pray for Swamiji’s grace to be showered upon us so that we completely experience his divine grace. We should place our concentration on Sadguru’s divine lotus feet. We should pray for the compassion of Mother Goddess to be directed towards us.
Victory to Sadgurudeva. Victory to Mother Goddess Rajarajeswari.
Sri Guru Datta