Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Vijayawada – January 6, 1996
Compiled by Radhakrishna
Proofread and edited by Girishwar Brahma Saraboji Kaveripattinam
Shri Mahaa Ganapathaye Namaha!
Shri Saraswatyai Namaha!
Shri Paada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati!
Shri Guru Dattaathreyaaya Namaha!
Sri Swamiji sang “Mammelu Maa Tandri Gana Natha”
Sri Swamiji sang “Palaya Govinda Sheshachalapathi Govinda”
Today the Kriya Yoga course concluded. Swamiji blessed the students with Rudrakshas. People have different notions about Rudraksha. There are different stories for Rudrakshas grown in different places. Even in Hawaii, Swamiji saw a Rudraksha tree. Many wonder how Rudraksha was born. It was born from Shiva’s eyes. There are faces on Rudrakshas. Women should not wear them. They can only worship them. Men may wear them. If a Sadguru gives, even ladies may wear Rudraksha. Even different colors of Rudraksha exist. Water falling on Rudraksha and on the body is beneficial to nerves in the human body. Skin problems, heart problems, blood pressure disorders, imbalanced minds, all get helped by wearing Rudraksha. It helps one’s sadhana. They are as holy as Tulsi Mala (Tulsi bead chain). They may even be kept under one’s pillow, or in one’s pocket. What is the story of Rudraksha?
After the killing of Tarakasura, his wife was very angry and begot three sons. Very powerful sons with an intention of killing Devatas. Funny, they were devoted to Shiva but hated Vishnu and his followers. Vibhishana, (brother of Ravana in Ramayana) though a demon, got a good name because he was devoted to Vishnu. Vishnu Maya and Shiva Maya are the same and they both should be honored and respected. So nobody should belittle either of them. You may worship one but never show disrespect. If one follows Vishnu Tattva and hates Shiva Tattva, he will become a demon. If one follows Shiva Tattva and hates Vishnu Tattva, he will be killed. If you honor both, you get either Shiva Loka or Vishnu Loka. Let us return to the story…
The wife of Tarakasura prayed to Shiva…thus.
Sri Swamiji sang “Namah Parvati Pataye…”
Her sons performed a strict and disciplined Tapas for a long long time. Tapas and prayers should be performed in a disciplined manner and for a good cause. Killing animals in the name of God is not correct. The Lord will not be pleased. Such methods are full of superstition. The rationalists should stop such killings in the name of the lord, not killing the name of lord. Swamiji went to Guadeloupe in 1981. The house owner where Swamiji stayed invited Swamiji for Devi Pooja the next day. The previous night Swamiji had made Satsang in that home. Most of the audience were old people. No young people. Only Murali (Swamiji’s assistant) was a young person in the crowd. Swamiji spoke on Rama’s story. The Devi Pooja next day was in a temple. When Swamiji went there Swamiji saw hundreds of goats standing to be killed. Swamiji was horrified and left immediately without even going inside the temple. The temple authorities were unhappy that Swamiji did not come and asked for the reason. When it was explained to them, they gave up the killings forever. So devotion should be mild, soft and positive. Demonic devotion does not help. In Swamiji’s childhood, Swamiji remembers taming an enraged bull in a soft and mild manner.
If you serve Swamiji in the right manner, certainly you will be blessed. You should also serve Swamiji’s Parivara (entourage). All care only for Swamiji. You should care for Swamiji’s Parivara also. Swamiji remembers a person who was very very poor but brought Chapatis for the boys. His action made Swamiji very very happy. So Swamiji blessed him. If the entourage is taken care of, Swamiji will be relieved and happy. That is good service. You are serving Swamiji by doing and caring for the Parivara.
Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmali were the three sons who prayed and did Tapas. Brahma appeared and asked what they wanted. They asked that they be immortal. Brahma said “Any soul in a body has to die”. Then they asked a boon which was very queer. “Coming in a chariot that is not a chariot, holding a bow that is not a bow…
They started doing mischief and causing chaos. In the night they religiously prayed to Shiva. They even preached Shiva Tattva and ordered that all the citizens in their territory pray and follow Shiva Tattva. But the Angels were tormented by them to no end. Then the angels prayed to Vishnu. (Because the demons were devotees of Shiva, the angels thought Shiva might not help the angels).
Sri Swamiji sang “Bhaje Vrajaika Mandanam”
Vishnu appeared. The Angels explained the situation. Vishnu understood the situation. Vishnu said “Shiva is the first Tattva. Had Shiva not consumed the poison during the Amrita Mathana, no one would have survived. So let us approach Shiva for help”. They went to Shiva. A plan was drawn up. Brahma became the charioteer. Meru mountain became the bow. Shiva became the warrior and held the bow, Vishnu became the Narayana Astra (arrow), sun and moon became the wheels, earth became the chariot, four Vedas became the four horses.
Swamiji sang “Bhumi Rathamuga Chesi…”
Death was destined for them (The three demons). If you ask for immortality, you are only ensuring death. Shiva came in this strange chariot and Shiva killed them. Shiva felt pity for them as they were dying. The demons offered their last prayers to Shiva as they were dying.
Swamiji sang “Shivaya… Gowri Dharaya…”
Shiva then remembered the way they had done penance and sought his grace. They were killed because they would torment the world in future. Thinking & pitying so, three teardrops fell from three eyes of Shiva and those three drops spilled on earth into thirteen droplets. These droplets each formed faces on Rudraksha. So a Rudraksha may have any number of faces from 1 to 13. The name of each face is:
1 – Shiva Swaroopam
2 – Ardha Nareeshwara
3 – Agni
4 – Brahma Amhsa
5 – Kalaagni Rudhra
6 – Shanmukha
7 – Ananga
8 – Vinayaka
9 – Bhairava
10 – Janardana
11 – Ekadasha Rudra
12 – Aditya
13 – Kartikeya
(14 – Shiva)
Each Rudraksha has a different efficacy and story. The three drops became 13 pieces and fell in different places on earth. The three demons found a place in the heart of Maha Shiva. Seeing the demons being eliminated and finding a place in the heart of Shiva the Devatas rejoiced and prayed and prayed.
Swamiji sang “Datta Datta Anukondam…”
See if demons too have good devotion, they find good places in the end. If Shiva has a garland of skulls, it is that of his devotees. Even Kali has a Mala of skulls. All that is created belongs to him and he will protect them in the end.
Sri Swamiji sang “Sarva Karta Mangalam”
“Kaayena Vaacha”
JAYA GURU DATTA