Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Welcome Ceremony – March 15, 2018 – Hyderabad
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda
We are saying farewell to one year and welcoming another with a similar name. So, just as last year was a good year, this year will also be good. We should be proud that Sun will be the Lord of the year. We hope that the Sun God will bestow his grace on us like he did on Sri Rama’s kingdom. We have faith that we will experience balanced results this year. That faith keeps us going. Since we are moving forward with faith, seated on the chariot of true devotion propounded by Sanatana Dharma, we will definitely be victorious.
Many feel that the people of Tamil Nadu are lacking a little in devotion. But in fact, there is a lot of devotion there. I completed 3 consecrations (kumbhabishekam) there within 20 days. One consecration happened in Nadupalani for Marakata Subramanya Swamy. There is a temple on a big hill. A 45-foot form of the Lord has been built outside the temple. There were thousands of people pouring their devotion at the event. We think they have no devotion, but they have plenty of devotion. Because they are villagers, their expression of devotion may be a little loud. People thronged to the event from 40-60 villages. They performed the event really well. Lord Subramanya removes all kinds of difficulties. We survive because of his power. He protects our body. The Lord of the Sattva guna (purity based) in us is said to be Subramanya Swamy. He is Lord who removes Rajo Guna (action based) and Tamo Guna (inertia based) in us.
We are establishing Naga Devata (performing Naga Pratishtha) here. That is your good fortune. We have been thinking about it for a long time. Everyone partake in the rituals. The event will include Subramanya Swamy Yajna. Consecration of Naga is considered very good. The specialty is that this is taking place in the presence of Guru. Do not miss the opportunity. Who is our Guru? It is Lord Dattatreya. It is taking place in the presence of Hanuman, Who is our protector. Hanuman has great affection for Nageshwara. All of them – Hanuman, Subramanya, Naga, Datta – may look like deities to us but they are code words for God. Everyone must take the initiative to participate in the programs here.
We had another consecration in Chennai. The floods that ravaged Chennai three years ago submerged half the temple. We decided then to elevate the structure. We now increased the elevation of the temple 4-5 feet and made it larger. You all have seen the Chennai Ashram or will see in the future. It is beautiful.
The other consecration was at Aaleshwara. The temple is 250-300 years old. The unique feature is that the Shiva temple was renovated by Vaishnava devotees of Swamiji. The temple sits on a 5-acre stretch of land. It is a temple with great history and reputation, even though it is not very large. It has many Banyan trees (vata vrksha), that are regarded as Lord Shiva himself. He is called Vateshwara. It has several large trees including Fig trees. One can hear the delightful chirping of innumerable birds in the evening. This is a village that between Chennai and Nellore. It’s a suburb, an hour rom Chennai. The temple was given away to Dattapeetham. We established a trust and are doing all programs through the trust. I entrusted all the activities and undertakings to the devotees there. All those Vaishnava devotees strictly follow Swamiji instructions. They did consecration of all shrines there. We completed that consecration just yesterday.
So, those were the three consecrations we completed recently. The villagers there are very devoted to Swamiji. They refer to Swamiji as “avaan…”, an informal reference (in Tamil). They have such great devotion. They ask Swamiji for the svetarka Raksha. They are always looking forward to seeing Swamiji. When I sent Pujya Bala Swamiji there, they expressed their desire to see Swamiji instead. I chided them saying that was wrong for them to say and they should have Darshan of whoever it is that visits. Swamiji’s representatives will have to visit. They are so devoted to Swamiji that they only want Him to visit. They were so happy to see Swamiji. They celebrated it like a big festival. They feel like Swamiji is an immediate family member like a father or a brother.
People in Tamil Nadu perform spiritual programs really well. When I saw that, I felt we in Andhra fall behind. We do not commit to and execute programs with the alacrity they do. We deliberate and discuss a lot. We look for auspicious times before undertaking anything. They do not do that. They dive into it right away. Once you dive into it, you will not give up come what may. But although they dive in immediately, they will give up when they encounter obstacles. People are different in each place. Overall, this year, we are celebrating two festivals here in this Ashram. In addition to Ugadi, we are performing Naga Pratishtha and celebrating Sri Rama Navami.
Why did Swamiji decide to do Rama Navami here? I want to show you Rama saligrama (saligrama, a naturally occurring sacred stone is an object of worship) – the one that displays Rama’s coronation (Pattabhisheka moorti). You will all get to see and be blessed. Even hearing about it is rare. But you will get to actually have Darshan of it. It is very special because the coronation images are all in the saligrama itself. We cannot call them moortis or statues. They are just in the saligrama.
Participate in all programs. What’s special this time? You usually get Paduka Darshan (Darshan of Pujya Swamiji’s Padukas/footwear) during Ugadi, but the host committee members will get Pada Darshan (Darshan of Pujya Swamiji’s Lotus Feet) this time. This is special this year. Therefore, make use of this opportunity. Like we heard in the (welcome) songs, there will be many programs with Swamiji. From tomorrow again, we will resume scheduled programs. I am very happy to see you all. I am feel like I am seeing my family members. I feel like I have come home. I feel like I am in a big house. I am seeing all my sons, daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law, grandfathers, brothers etc. Everyone shows up for the welcome ceremony. From tomorrow of course it will be a different story. On welcome day, Appaji’s family members converge here. Only those who feel close to Swamiji and feel like Swamiji is your Guru and family member show up. That is why, I like seeing you on welcome day. Set aside the concept of Guru and God. First you must feel that love. You must understand Guru. Understand Guru’s history. When you have a guest at home, you must first get to know the guest. Then, you can accord other honors. That kind of familial feeling is what I am getting, as if a family member is visiting from another country after a long time. I feel that kind happiness seeing you all. You must also get the same feeling.
When they asked me to speak, I said I have nothing to say. I have come home. We are all gathered here, that is all we need.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta