Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – March 22, 2018 – Warangal
From Avadhoota Datta Peetham Facebookpage
Blessings to all of you in this new year.
Each of you, are gifted with many bounties in life. But you are not content. Cravings are increasing. Each service rendered is bartered for a favour from God. Is it fair to have business deals with the Almighty?
Does He aspire for your coconuts? No. He only values your sincerity. Without the genuine devotion, no amount of offerings or breathing exercises would yield the Divine Darshana.
The unkempt desires would instigate a series of new action pulling you into the quagmire.
A legend would prove this point.
A young cattle herd was sitting on the banks of a pond. He saw a Pundit dip in the Pond repeatedly, come out to do Prana Aayaama and offer a prayer. Again in the noon and evening he did the same.
Curious to learn the process the young cattle grazer asked the reason. The Pundit was reluctant to explain the process of Sandhya Vandana. Hence, he just said that Krishna gives Darshana and keeps company.
The young lad was amused. He blindly mimicked the action. Luckily God was pleased with his innocence and devotion. Krishna descended to bless the boy.
However he could not recognise who he was. He tied the form of Krishna tree and rushed to the house of the scholar seeking the details and form of Krishna.
The scholar learnt the reason and was astonished with the arrival of the God. Both of them rushed to the pond. The scholar could not feel the presence. Then the shepherd requested the God to appear before the scholar so that he would get convinced that he was not lying. God obliged and gave Darshana to both of them.
Such staunch devotion is required to realise the impact of divinity. When you come here to the temple, aspire to realise the divinity here invoked by SadGuru, Archakas and Scholars.
Another story of Tukaram is worth a mention here. Tukaram, a great devotee was prostrating in a different direction from the sanctum. Whenever the Archaka moved into the Temple, Tukaram knelt in the opposite direction. Whenever the priest moved out of the Temple, Tukaram used to bow to the sanctum.
The priest group was annoyed by these actions. The intrigue was unbearable. Elders assembled in the Temple one day and questioned the rational behind this strange act of Tukaram, widely known as a great devotee.
Tukaram smiled and sought pardon from the Temple staff before revealing the actual reason. God was displeased with the mechanical and insincere rituals offered by the staff. Hence, whenever they entered the sanctum he used to come out in a subtler form. He recognised the movement, bowed down and sought pardon for the mistakes of his children and servants.
The staff of the Pandarapura Temple were ashamed with their indecent attitude and dishonesty. They promised to mend their ways and offer services with devotion.
This proves the point of sincerity and devotion.
Here Varada Datta is present to take care of your needs and families. The illustration of Tukaram is relevant here again. He explains that the Tongue and larynx are similar to a couple. The teeth are like children. Mouth resembles the home. The activity of speech is Nama Sankeertanam. All your speech should be directed towards the praise and worship of God.
That would keep your speech, thoughts and body pure. If you keep them clean, God would certainly dwell in your mind and body. You need not travel anywhere.
You need not pester Guru. You need not pressurise for special Darshan. Those who jump the lines to seek personal audience hardly get any benefit from Guru. From a distance observe the discipline taught by SadGuru.
I will always look at those pious and sincere souls. You need not even mention or send a word. The prayer sincerely submitted in the heart would be heeded by SadGuru.
I am not interested in the fruits or flowers brought by you. Fighting for a space in the front row, taking a selfie, yelling to grab attention, whispering a secret in the ear – are the common follies of devotees.
Learn discipline. I am also not fully satisfied with this short trip. Let us plan a longer visit. Take care of your Ashrama.
Jaya Guru Datta