Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – 10th and last Day of Chandi Yaga – June 15, 2025 – Mysore
On this blessed evening, we are all very delighted to be in Pujya Appaji’s presence. Not just today, but for these ten days, Pujya Appaji as Raja Rajeshwari Mata has taken us all to Maṇidvīpa.
While others have normal desires, Guru has śivasankalpās! This Sahasra Chandi Yaga and Vana Durga Shanti Yagnya is a śivasankalpa. This is not something that any ordinary individual would think of undertaking or be able to perform. The space and resource which are needed for such an event and the scale of this mega event is only possible for Pujya Appaji.
In Vanadurga nāma, we also hear the nāma navadurga. As long as the sun and moon are there in the skies, the ashramas established by Pujya Appaji shall remain; and this event shall remain indelibly not just in our hearts, but also in the history of this Peetham forever.
While the Vana Durga Chandi Yaga was underway, we all were immersed in this maṇidvīpa. All those who are on the spiritual path speak of Naimisāraṇya – which the Shastras refer to as a place where some are frightened, some are content and some are immensely happy.
Those who have no Bhakti but are compelled to be present there, become afraid because of the smoke rising from the continual Yagas being performed there. This is not mere smoke but a great blessing in the form of homadhūli.
If you sit in front of the Homakuṇḍa, you can see the sun’s rays as they fall on Hari Sannidhi. The sun’s rays illumine the smoke emerging from the Yagnya, and it makes me wish the Chandi Yaga could be done everyday.
Everyday, Mother Earth prays that such Yagas be done so that the Devatas could descend to earth and bless everyone. The Devatas always wish that everyone should have food to eat, and enough water to quench their thirst; but the Devatas cannot work independently and bless everyone because then each individual jīvi’s karma would not be reduced.
Guru wishes for the welfare of each jīvi. Guru can see our difficulties but they do not seem as big to Him as they do for us. We are all delusioned into only being aware of this lifetime, but Guru is aware of this jīvi’s journey across lifetimes and wishes to bless us to cross this ocean.
The other day a very strange event occurred. Around the third or fourth day, as the Yaga began, Swamiji like a small child wanted the āsana to be shifted and then changed. He wanted a lower āsana – an old āsana which Appaji used to use many years ago for agni puja. All the people who were opining that Appaji was getting old and cannot sit for so long and take that smoke, were silenced for the remaining days. One woman devotee even cried that she was unable to sit in front of the Homa for ten days because of the intense heat and smoke, but Appaji sat for seven hours everyday for ten days! This is only possible because of Yoga Shakti!
Most people who perform Homas, cannot even sit in front of the homa for more than 3-4 hours, but Appaji sat in front of the Homa and even offered samitas with both hands. One of the scholars even referred to Sri Swamiji as Savyasāchi. Many people cannot even offer ārti without also turning the bell while ringing it. For that matter, many people believe they should not sit and perform a Homa. But Appaji dispelled all such notions and proved that there is no space for untouchability and discrimination. We all must speak about this and share with the world! There are many such revolutionary and beautiful movements which Appaji has started. The seed has been sown by Appaji. We will understand their significance in the days to come.
How many of us know that jyōti or the inner light is within each one of us? If this light is not lit and shown, it is like keeping our eyes closed when the sun is in the skies. If we do not realise and illumine this inner light, then our lives would be in vain.
Imagine a void space where there is no air, can fire be lit there? In the same way, this agni known as analā can only be lit with prāṇāyāma. No matter how many changes occur in us, which impact relationships with others – causing even friends to become enemies and vice versa – the Guru always remains our well-wisher and wants only the best for us.
Those who wish us well and whom we have a thick friendship with, are known as āpta. Appaji has performed this Yaga only to illumine that inner light in countless devotees.
If we do not respect Mother Nature, our nature will not change. Hence Appaji gave utmost importance to Vana Durga Mata and performed this Yaga. Trees bear witness to every event. An ashvattha Vruksha was witness to Venkateswara Swami’s avatara and wedding. When we sit by a river, does the river not speak to us? Mother Goddess is present as vanadurga and jaladurga in nature and as raṇadurga on the battlefield. As human beings, we cannot survive without the elements. We need air to breathe and water to survive. We must pray to Vanadurga Mata for Her Grace. Each one of us must take an oath to plant at least one plant in honour of Sri Swamiji.
We always give excuses that we do not have space or do not know where to get trees. In kshetras, there is a rule that a sthala vriksha must be present. Pujya Appaji has established that not one sthala Vruksha but 10,000 trees are present in this Kshetra – earning Him a Guinness record. This string of beautiful events and experiences is like a beautiful garland strung together like a Dattamāla by Sri Swamiji. Only if we recall and recount these experiences can we consider ourselves to be true devotees.
The mūlamantra in Chandi Yaga is of great significance. This was chanted 16 lakh times during the Sahasra Chandi Yaga this time where Chandi Saptashati was chanted 1000 times. Appaji has a sankalpa to perform āyuta Candi Yaga where Chandi Saptashati will be performed 10,000 times! When and where this will be done has not been announced yet by Sri Swamiji but all devotees are awaiting eagerly.
Life should always be filled with such utsavās and celebrations. We should all await the opportunity to participate in a big or small way and to perform annadānam in every festival.
tyāgāya namaḥ
tyāgakāraṇāya namaḥ
tyāgakāraṇa tyāgāya namaḥ
These were three nāmās of Dattatreya Svami which we heard amongst the thousand nāmās. He is the cause who blesses us to sacrifice and to sacrifice the offering of sacrifice as well.
Today, we were also very blessed to witness Pujya Appaji immerse in the waters and swim from one end of Saptarishi Sarovara to the other.
May all those who were unable to attend this Yaga because of various circumstances be blessed to attend in the future. May those who could attend but did not make the effort to attend be blessed with Sadbuddhi to come soon and have Darshana.
Jaya Guru Datta.