Aug 20, 2016
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - August 20, 2016 - Mysore
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri and Archana Penukonda
Note from Hira: This is a summary from memory of what I heard, and from information provided by Meera Datta. Jaya Guru Datta
Swamiji is doing the Bhagavatam recording daily for ETV. (the episodes are being telecast daily). Prahlada’s devotion is exemplary although he was born in the family of demons or Rakshasas. The practice of Dharma/right conduct and Swadharma/adhering to one’s own stipulated duties and Self-realization are most important. It is not enough to do good to others. Goodness has to emerge from within you as a result of Samskara or past tendencies inherited from before this birth.
Once, Sanaka, Sanandana and other mind-born sons of Brahma placed a curse upon Jaya and Vijaya, the gatekeepers of Lord Vishnu. To overcome the result of the curse of being banished from Vaikuntha, the abode of Vishnu, the brothers opted to endure three bad janmas/lifetimes or births as evil persons to suffer on earth for their misdeed. Therefore, they were born as the brothers Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakasipu in Krita Yuga, as Ravana and Kumbhakarna in Treta Yuga, and Sisupala and Dantavaktra in Dwapara Yuga.
Hiranyakasipu’s pregnant wife was initiated into various mantras by Sage Narada, for the protection of the woman and her child in the ***. This intervention by the sage instilled strong Hari Bhakti/devotion to Vishnu in the heart of Prahlada, the fetus in the ***. The guidance of Guru in the form of Sage Narada helped to develop Satvic or noble traits in Prahlada. Due to his devotion to Vishnu, the Lord incarnated as Narasimha to *** his father Hiranyakasipu to end the first evil birth, just as he incarnated as Varaha to end the first evil birth of Hiranyaksha. Because of Vibheeshana’s devotion to Vishnu, Rama ended the evil births of Ravana and Kumbhakarna. As Krishna, he ended the evil births of Sisupala and Dantavaktra, thus allowing Jaya and Vijaya to speedily return to their divine post of guarding the gates of Vishnu in Vaikuntha.
A woman can be dangerous if noble qualities are lacking in her and if she is endowed with a demonic nature. Her father, husband, and son are there to take care of her. She needs to respect them and accept their help and protection. Couples sometimes divorce in their old age. It is foolish. They then become orphans with no one to take care of them. It is best to tolerate, adjust, and compromise in marriage. There is no need to always have one’s own way. It is best to avoid comment even when provoked. Just be silent and get along. People need one another. Even with friends and outsiders, it is the same thing. No one can live without the help of others. We are all dependent on others for assistance in times of difficulty, and so we have to maintain good relationships with others. Do not break relationships for insignificant reasons. Tolerate the faults of others because you need those people to help you when you are in need.
Many young women these days are highly educated and are financially independent. They do not wish to be subservient to men. It is wrong for them to think that they are unfairly bound to men. Women do not have to be afraid of anyone. Stand on your feet and assert yourselves. But do not fight and separate if you are married. Be independent. But also adjust and compromise. Many young men are unable to find suitable girls who are willing to marry them. It is true that in the ancient Manu Dharma Sastra it was said that a woman must marry. That rule cannot be applied in modern day. Many women remain unmarried. That is quite acceptable. It is not required that women must marry. But highly educated women professionals need not be rigid and arrogant. Women need protection in society although they are independent. A husband provides such protection. Husbands also have to be flexible and understanding towards the wives.
….
(Archana: The posted video recording only starts from here.)
That is why Satsanga is very important. It has benefits for life. In a family, amidst bad people, a good child is born sometimes. That child saves the family. Prahlada was like that. Hiranyaksha had stolen the earth and the Vedas. Lord Vishnu incarnated as Varaha and rescued them. Sisupala and Dantavakra were evil. They were killed and given moksha by Krishna. Among the three brothers Ravana, Kumbhakarna, and Vibheeshana, the former two had wicked demonic nature, but Vibheeshana was filled with devotion and the desire to serve Sri Hari. That is also a big story. Vibheeshana was born a devotee of Sri Hari.
Expectant mothers, especially in India, should listen to good stories. You must listen only to stories about ***. Listen to stories about the *** you believe in. It will be recorded inside you. But instead you do random activities and talk about various useless thing such as going to the movies, going out somewhere else, talking about others, gossiping etc. All that is recorded inside. That is why in the olden days, expectant mothers did not wish to get out and meet people. For the 9 months, they did not want to see other people.
There are some practices even today where they do not mingle with people until the new born has grown up a little. They will only see sun rays for the vitamins and health benefits. They will pray to the sun. So, all these were practices done by our elders, but we have given them up. We think we do not need them.
So, before I start the bhajans, Prasad will tell us about the program for tomorrow and where I am going to be tomorrow. After that, I will quickly sing a couple of bhajans and conclude the programs.
Just as Narada talks about Lord Maha Vishnu, Prasad will talk about Swamiji’s recent and upcoming travels.
Prasad talked about Pujya Swamiji’s recent 138th foreign tour and the upcoming tour to Vijayawada for Krishna Pushkaras. This is followed by Mr. C.M. Ibrahim, Deputy Chairman of Karnataka Planning Board, getting blessed by Pujya Swamiji and addressing the devotees upon Swamiji’s instruction. Ibrahim talked about patriotism and the need for unity between Hindus and Muslims.
See, up until now, I had been speaking about inborn tendencies, or culture that one is born with. Did you understand, Meera Datta? The point I made, has been proven just now.
How does it matter, who the person is? May be Ibrahim was born into a Brahmin family in his previous life. We don’t know how much he had learned then. What made him take the Bhagavad Gita as an example? He quoted from the Bhagavad Gita when he was talking. Even people who immerse themselves in the Bhagavad Gita cannot recall like this. That is his good fortune. His mother must have done a lot of Satsang when she was pregnant with him. She must have heard a lot of good things. She must have listened to good scriptures or records. That is why she has a son like this. She must have had a certain sankalpa/resolution in her mind to have a child like this. I am very happy. This is an example.
Indra attacked Hiranyakasipu’s home, seizing the opportunity in his absence, and abducted Kayadhu, Hiranyakasipu’s wife who was pregnant at the time. At this point the divine sage Narada intervened to protect Hiranyakashipu's wife Kayadhu, whom he describes as sinless.
Sage Narada was taking Hiranyakasipu’s wife in a chariot. He knows everything. He wanted to speak to the child in her *** of good things so the mother would beget a good child and good things would come upon that child. Whatever one talks about to the child in the ***, that becomes the child’s purpose in life. That is why Satsang is very important. There are many benefits of a Satsang, not just in this life, but afterwards as well.
Prahlada was a gem among Sri Hari’s devotees with his satvic nature even though he was born in a demon clan. Narada would not be quiet, he is full of Nada. After saying everything he wanted to, he sang praises of the Lord for the child in the *** to hear.
Bhajan: Govinda sananda mananda
Bhajan: Govinda Govinda Govinda
Everyone sing along clearly
Bhajan: Om Namo Narayana Krishna
Kayena Vacha
Sri Guru Datta