April 6, 2016
Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji - April 6, 2016 - Pamidi
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri
Sri Ganeshaya namaha
Sri Saraswatyai namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya namaha
This pilgrimage center in Pamidi was consecrated by Swamiji despite the intense heat, dust, and physical discomfort caused by the above. He put His heart, mind, and soul into it. It is because of your pure minds, and your adherence to Dharma. Despite difficulties and losses, you have placed the burden on Datta and have carried on. Human beings experience countless problems brought upon themselves by their own doing. It is wrong to blame *** for those. *** always shows us the right path. But we only see the wrong paths before us and follow those more effortlessly. *** only remains as a witness. Both good and evil options are before you. He merely watches which path you choose, because you are granted free will. Since you exercise your freedom, you cannot escape from experiencing the results of your actions. It is only in childhood that persons make mistakes unknowingly. Adults show children the good path to follow. But if you insist on burning your fingers, in spite of warnings given by elders, it is your fate.
Children must place faith on the words of mother, who is a well-wisher. You must not disobey and disbelieve mother. Mother will never say, okay, go ahead and burn your hand. Guru will say that. He will say, okay, place both hands and if you wish both your feet also in the fire. If a child stubbornly does wrong and burns himself, the husband will scold the wife for not preventing his action. From both ends, the mother suffers. The child rebels, and the husband scolds. Does she not love her child? It is our own stubbornness. Elders may advise you against starting a certain business. But if you stubbornly venture into it against wise counsel, you will lose everything. It is important to seek and follow the advice of experienced elders. They give you timely caution and warning. You must not blame your losses on ***. When you praise *** does he rejoice and smile? Does He appear in your dream and compliment you for your praises? No. When you blame Him, is he pained? No. He is not affected whether you praise or blame. It is only at your level that you react to such things. He is not affected.
Scientist release a rocket into space. Here we put fuel to get it going. But once, it is in outer space, it moves on its own energy or solar power. Now they are making solar powered lamps, and other implements, even automobiles. The sun’s energy is very powerful. The earth revolves and we see day and night. We see light and darkness. Who is responsible for this phenomenon? The earth, to protect itself, rotates around itself. We cannot live without sunlight. When it gets too hot also, we complain. This whole natural occurrence happens by itself. Man acts on his own initiative. He sits, stands, talks, and experiences problems and joys, all on his own initiative. Man grieves as if he is going to live forever with his problems. Man is not immortal. His stay here is not permanent. As long as you are alive, try to keep your mind calm and happy. We cannot understand ***. He is invisible. We cannot see Him with our eyes, showing a gesture of protection, we do not see Him with the conch shell and the disc, or with a powerful tail. He does not approach us like that. Because of the immense power people had, during the Krita and Treta Yugas they had certain experiences. Rama also said, he had to go to Brahma Loka or Go Loka. He also referred to Adi Parasakti. People who lived in those Yugas/eons also believed in, and spoke of ***.
Adi Parasakti, Mother Goddess declared that she is everywhere in this world, as an all-pervasive energy. She also is invisible. We may keep images of Mother Goddess as our Mother. We may keep images of *** as Father or Grandfather. But that does not mean that *** has such forms. It is the power of our own Soul. With our Soul, we believe. Others may disagree, disbelieve, and criticize. But we have faith in our own inner power which prompts us to build a temple and to offer worship. That is how we should believe. We must accept whatever *** has given us. We must not go against it.
A couple had the habit of daily inviting the travelers at midday and offering them cool water and some food. The guests would accept the hospitality and go away laughing. The couple would feel bad at their attitude. They observed this for five or six years, but the behavior of the guests did not change. They would simply eat and go away laughing at the couple. Finally, the husband and wife looked at themselves in the mirror to see what made the others laugh at them. They realized that their noses had funny shapes. To look at such faces, would make anyone laugh. The couple had no children. They were very innocent. They treated the travelers as their own children.
Finally, they prayed to Brahma. Brahma came, because their devotion was strong and sincere. Brahma offered them a boon. They had plenty of fertile land and food to spare. They were very healthy. What did they lack? People made fun of them, that is all. Brahma granted them beautiful noses as per their wish. The next morning, they discovered that they were filled with noses from head to toe, beautiful noses. Thereafter, even as they entered the home to have the meal, the travelers would laugh at the funny sight. The situation was now worse than before. If they got a cold, it became a terrible problem. They prayed to Brahma again. He appeared. They prayed that all their noses should be removed. He did so. The next morning, they had no noses at all. Their faces looked like they were pressed smooth. Absolutely flat. They continued to feed the people. Now even before entering the home, the people laughed, ate the food and left. They did not care who fed them, as long as they got their food. Who cares who built or managed the temple, as long as the devotees got their prasadam. Who cares, which Swami comes here or what he does.
People will only complain that they did not get enough prasadam or that it was not good. They will suggest that more services should be rendered by the temple. They have the resources to help and donate. But they do not serve or give. They will only demand and complain. Why not they have a beverage stand to serve cold water or buttermilk to the passersby? I have seen many people who are like that. I make them execute their suggestion, by their own expense and effort. After all, why did *** give them the wealth and the ability to serve others? No one takes anything back with them when they leave this world.
The couple prayed to Brahma again. He came again. They asked that their original noses be restored. Brahma granted their wish. What do we learn from this story? We must be satisfied with whatever *** has given us. Couples should not quarrel or complain lifelong about what is lacking. What is the use of living such a life and dying in the end? No one lives forever. We all have to die. We should die peacefully. We are here only for a few years.
In Dwapara Yuga, people lived for thousands of years. How did they live? It was a Dharma Yuga. This is Kali Yuga. Our lives are short. Therefore, those of you who believe in Swamiji, you should protect Dharma. Protect this temple. Make improvements. Conduct good programs. Happy Ugadi to everyone. May you all develop strong devotion towards Datta. All of you take the blessed Ugadi Chutney, ahead of time. If possible, come to Hyderabad. It is just driving distance for you.
Sri Guru Datta