Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – inauguration – November 6, 2018 – Srisailam
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Morning
Datta Jayanti is approaching. In the initial years, many devotees sincerely completed the Datta deeksha ritual, but gradually they forgot all about it. Hence they, who were leading peaceful lives once again slipped into problems leading to mental agitations, tensions and fear. It is incorrect to forget Datta. Even Lord Rama worshipped Guru Datta. Emperor Yadu, the forefather of Lord Srikrishna, studied under Datta.
Datta Sadguru is thus the Lord for all the Gods. Thinking of Him is equivalent to thinking of all Gods. He is an embodiment of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Instead of worshipping only Shiva, or only Vishnu or only Brahma, if one worships Datta – it amounts worshipping all three. His mother Anasuya is the mother of the universe. During His exile, Srirama at first reached Maharishi Atri’s ashram and spent time with the holy couple.
The book ‘Datta Darshanam’ has undergone many re-prints in various languages, and every time the stock gets exhausted quickly. In many homes this book is read regularly. Reading Datta Darshanam – the stories of Datta- has many benefits. Even a person who is imprisoned can obtain freedom if he reads the book diligently with faith. Such is its power! There are many instances where people have emerged successfully from unimaginable difficulties with the aid of this book. Lord Datta has in Him the ability to dispel our fears.
Before this year’s Datta Jayanti which will be celebrated in December, I wish that all of you must take Datta deeksha. It can be for 16 days, 9 days, or 3 days as per your convenience. Try your level best to take the deeksha for 16 days. The final day of the vrata has to be the last day of Datta Jayanti. On that day visit Mysore ashram and conclude the vrata in the presence of Datta.
During the period of deeksha usage of salt in cooking is prohibited. However, salt can be added to the cooked food in your plate in moderation. Do not use tamarind. Instead use vateka/ vatamba (sour fruit available in Mangalore stores) or lemon as substitutes. Eating onion, garlic or vegetables that grow underground such as potatoes, radish, beetroots, peanuts etc. is prohibited. Wear Datta vastram. Wear clean washed clothes. If possible take head bath daily. Keep a mudupu (which consists of dry coconut, dry dates, coins, etc. tied in a green cloth) near the deity.
The following supreme devotees of the Lord are to be remembered daily. When we remember them, they will shower their blessings upon us.
Prahlāda nārada parāśara punḍarīka
Vyasāmbarīṣa śuka, śounaka bheeshma dālbhyān
Rukmangadārjuna vasiṣṭa vibheeṣanādiṃ
Puṇyānimān parama bhāgawatān smarāmi
On this earth we acquire name, wealth, and power. However at one point or the other we need to let them go. When they are nearing 80, detachment (vairagya) begins in people. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the same feelings had arisen at an earlier age? At that time, they struggle unable to give up attachments. Fear of death torments them. Old-age is the most dreaded stage of life.
After killing Hiranyakaśipu, Lord Narasimha was ready to bestow upon Prahlada monarchy over earth, the position of the Lord of heaven, and other such mighty boons. Prahlada had in him the worthiness to choose any boon including immortality. But he politely refused them all saying,-
‘O Lord, bless me with the ability to help the distressed. I do not seek material comforts. If I am showered with them, then, at every moment I will pester you due to my desire to protect them. I will be trapped in attachment. I will be deluded due to them. Anger and desire will overtake me and I will begin to sin. To ensure my business sails smoothly I will sin. To sustain my family I will sin. To protect my children I will sin. I will cheat others, hurt others, tell lies and abuse women. When angry I will abuse my mother, wife, sister, daughter or any other woman. I will mentally hurt them. They will shed tears and this will destroy my life’.
We live together in close harmony with loved ones but are separated at death. We then travel to hell to undergo enormous suffering. After obtaining human birth no one travels to heavens; everyone travels to hell only. Although you may not have sinned, you have witnessed it, heard it. Hence inevitably you fall into hell.
Hence as far as possible engage in good deeds. Follow a Spiritual Guru. Pray to God. Ensure that auspicious hymns fall into the ears at regular intervals. Learn all kavachams. Chant Datta stavam, Lalita and Vishnu Sahasranamas as many times as possible. Try to increase your concentration levels. Cultivate a charitable disposition. Increase your adherence to righteous (dharmic) activities. Do not hurt anyone. Never hurt the feelings of mother or any other woman.
Prahlada said- ‘So many precautions we need to take to live on earth. Hence all I seek is to serve You. Life on earth is filled with limitless fear, sin and hellish conditions’.
People sin secretively but externally appear like angels. They tell lies, but enact as if they are eternally truthful. They pretend to be chaste when mentally they are sinning. They mentally abuse the Lord; condemn Gurus and abuse their parents. Excessive thinking is a norm in them. The body is engaged in one action while the mind travels elsewhere. They are eternally fickle-minded. In this terrible forest there are many ferocious animals. Neither can we control them nor can we escape them. This world is filled with fear, cruelty and agitation.
Lord Narasimha said, ‘You have no choice but to live here. You need to exhaust your destiny. However complete your karmas with a pure mind and intellect. You will be victorious’.
Lord Narasimha was amused that the tiny 6 year old Prahlada was not terrified of his ferocious form. Prahlada replied, ‘Why should I be scared of you when you are my father, my protector? Protecting dharma is your duty. You know the right action at the right time. You know when to bless one with liberation. My father was truly fortunate. To die in Your hand implies he merged into You. In total compassion You tore apart his abdomen. You retained on Your lap my father who was cruel, who had tortured all inhabitants of this world and who had abused You. I do not know if I am as fortunate as him.
Death has no compassion. It will strike suddenly. But by killing him with utter compassion You have proved that death has compassion. Although the world calls him wicked, I think he was fortunate for he eternally thought of You. Had he focussed upon you with feelings of love, he would have attained immortality. That is what I pity about him. O Lord, I truly fear this earth’.
Prahlada said to Lord Narasimha, ‘O Lord I fear this earth because-
Bhoge roga bhayam- the person who enjoys comforts fears diseases.
Kule cyuti bhayam- Those born in good lineage fear stigma to their clan
Vitte nŗpālad bhayam- The wealthy fear the kings. Wealth itself becomes a cause for trauma.
Shastre vādi bhayam- Learned scholar fears debates. There is fear of loss in debate.
Bale ripu bhayam- The powerful muscular man fears the opponent.
Kāye krtāntād bhayam- The person living in the body fears death.
Māne dainya bhayam- In prestige/ honour, there is fear of falling down.
Gune khala bhayam- In leading a virtuous life there is fear of the wicked.
Rūpe jarāyu bhayam- in beauty there is fear of old age.
Vairāgya eva-abhayam- only in dispassion (vairgya) there is no fear’.
Lord Narasimha said to Prahlada, ‘You have attained dispassion. Hence you need not fear anything. Rule for 10000 years fearlessly. I have bestowed you with vairagya. Enhance dharma. You will become popular and will be known forever.’
Vairagya (detachment) does not mean abandoning everything and everyone and leaving home. It means to not develop attachment over any object. To live without attachment towards body, objects, clan, power, physical might, beauty etc. Every aspect of life is filled with fear. To get rid of fear we need to develop detachment.
Asthiram loke jeevane- this life is unstable and impermanent.
Asthiram dhana youvvana- Wealth and youthfulness are fleeting.
Asthiram dhāra putradi- wife and children are also temporary.
Dharma keerti dyayam sthiram- Only our righteous deeds and fame are permanent. When we donate with a liberal attitude, it gets accumulated in our merit bank account. It will come back to us at some point in future. Hence in this land of action increase the ability to participate in righteous activities.
What is dharma? Dharma has 10 characteristics including undeviating observance of obligated duties, adherence to truthfulness, treading the right path of life. Abiding by the 10 points implies we are treading the path of dharma. He who treads the path of dharma need not fear anything.
When we see the sweets displayed in a shop we lose interest in tasting them. It is detachment. When we see the clothes displayed in the mall we do not feel like buying anything. It is detachment. When we vacillate between the different dresses- unable to decide whether our choice is correct or not- then we lack detachment. If we are content with our initial choice and no longer vacillate, it is detachment.
Detachment does not mean to stop buying from shops. The excessive desire to accumulate objects must be given up. For instance in a restaurant as we are eating, we observe the food ordered by another customer. If we are tempted to taste it, it implies we lack detachment. If we are content with what we had ordered it is detachment. Our lack of detachment is visible when we run to the shop to accumulate dresses put up on sale. It is excessive desire. I am explaining the Vedantic philosophy through day to day examples. Taking as much as needed and being content with it is dispassion. Entertaining extra needs over and above the necessity is greediness.
If you desire to be born as a small child, you will be reborn again. You are responsible for your rebirth. ‘Aha! I wish I could relive my childhood’. That’s it! You have created a new birth for yourself. Not wishing for it is vairagya. If you say, ‘It is wonderful to be born a millionaire’ – then at some point of time in future you will have to take such birth. ‘Aha! I admire this dog. I wish I had fluffy fur like it’- you are booking a dog birth for yourself. If you forever focus about a dog you will be born as one. Hence develop healthy, good desires. You will obtain them.
May you all be blessed with that level of ananda and vairagya that I enjoy!
Evening
Sun-god bestows health. For this reason, our Hindu dharma mandates everyone to perform Surya namaskaras daily. a) Early morning at time of Sunrise b) noon between 12 and 1 and c) evening between 6 and 6.40- during these 3 times we must face the direction of the Sun and offer obeisance to Him.
Sadly, we have not only given up these practices but are acting contrary to them. Sleeping during Sunrise is forbidden for health reasons but we choose to sleep till 8 or 9 AM. Sun-god is the Lord who bestows good health. Those who suffer from chronic illness should mandatorily perform Surya namaskaram early morning during Sunrise. To be accurate, every person must perform 12 rounds- one for each name.
Swamiji has explained the greatness of Surya namaskaras, the method to perform them, the influence of Sun in our lives, the greatness of Sun-god and how he helps us- many times through Facebook posts, TV messages and journeys across the globe. But no one seems to take it seriously. In the absence of Sun, we would not have been living today. Today in many European countries and in Mexico also they perform Surya namaskaras while we, to whom the tradition really belongs, have totally abandoned them.
In Mexico, the ancient Mayan civilization worshipped the Sun-god. Swamiji has visited those places and has once performed the Sankranti ritual there. You would have heard of the Mayan calendar. Even to date there are references to it because in that era, they made accurate scientific predictions which hold good even now. It is said that people of Mayan civilization abstained from eating meat. Around that time there was another clan in that area where they would offer human sacrifice every year. They would pick a healthy man who led a disciplined life and offered him in human sacrifice. It was their custom, although it is not acceptable to us. But they lived on light vegetable diet.
Try to avoid onions and garlic. Garlic must be used only medicinally. If at all you desire to eat onions have them only at night. Excessive onions and garlic spoils health in the long run.
Why are we asked to participate in homa regularly in Mysore ashrama? Just as Sun-god bestows health, Fire-god (agni) bestows material prosperity, happiness and peace. Lord Shiva bestows Jnana. Lord Janardana (Vishnu) bestows liberation (moksha).
As knowledge (Jnana) is very important we are asked to worship Shiva. Knowledge helps us lead healthy lives. Daily before retiring to bed we must sing a few bhajans. Whenever homa is performed we must willingly go and participate.
Why does Swamiji perform homas? Seeking that all of you are blessed with material prosperity, that your lives are filled with peace and harmony He performs daily homas. Every year on Sankranti day (January) He performs Surya worship seeking well-being of others, not His. My prayer is that those who have sought refuge in me, who are following me, who have placed implicit faith in me must be blessed by the Lord. For their good health I pray to Sun-god; for their mental peace and material prosperity I perform Fire-worship; seeking that they obtain Jnana I pray to Shiva and for their liberation I pray to Janardana.
There is nothing that I need to do for my benefit. I have already completed innumerable zillions of japam. There is no end to the number of zeros that can be put to estimate the japam completed by me. In a hundred births of hundred years each, even if every day is spent in adding zeros, then too the person cannot get the count of the japam done by me. Just as the sand grains cannot be counted, the number of times I have chanted divine names can never be counted.
Yet, for your benefit I come down to your level and make you chant divine names. I chant so that you can repeat after me. I teach you as one would teach a small child. When I say ‘Om Namah Shivaya’, you repeat after me. My hope is that some mantra or the other will come to your aid when you are in need. Not all mantras offer eternal protection to us because we lack absolute concentration. When you achieve high levels of concentration, the mantras initiated by me yield complete result.
Swamiji has his own calculations. He knows which mantra will bestow perfect result at which time. Hence He does not operate according to the wall clock, but according to the Muhurtam (auspicious time). As he has the knowledge as to which mantra is appropriate to dispel the sins of the people at that moment, He will chant that mantra and ask devotees to repeat after Him.
Swamiji’s bhajan session is not any orchestra nor music program. It is nothing but Mantra-initiation! During divya nama sankeertanas, Swamiji is initiating you all into divine names. He is initiating you into divine knowledge. The chants selected by him are based on time calculations. Based on those calculations, His initiation could be for mere 10 mins or could stretch for 10 hours.
Without understanding the depth of these calculations made by Him, we foolishly comment, ‘Today Swamiji sang for just 10 minutes’ or ‘He did not even sing today’; ‘He sang only Shiva bhajans today’ or ‘He made us chant only Vishnu’s names today’. Treating Him like a human being we are speaking of Him casually. Due to this outlook, we are unable to fathom the depth in His activities. ‘Swamiji was supposed to come at 6 but He came only at 7.30’- we comment with our limited knowledge. But it is His calculation; His wish. He knows whether the mantra should be initiated at 6 or 7 or 7.30.
Why does Swamiji perform Srichakra archana daily? I have no more karma left. I do not need it. But seeking your well-being, like an instrument I am merely acting. In a huge pot I am cooking this divya nama sankeertana and am serving to you all. You are all drinking it through your ears. You are relishing it and are soaking in bliss. Then you discard the vessel. But what does Swamiji do? He goes in, rests for a while and then, with the intent that some more humans should benefit, once again begins to cook another spiritual dish suitable to those people. Again I cook a new dish and serve them. In this way I go on serving one dish after another endlessly day after day. He is just a vessel that cooks food and serves others. The vessel does not enjoy. You enjoy the dish.
The ladle does not enjoy any dish which it serves to others. Its path of Sadhana is totally different. To get that shape it has undergone limitless hammering and heating. Now its shape allows it to be useful to others.
Even when the ladle serves the food, some eat the served dish while some discard it. Even in this gathering, I cannot guarantee that all are going to absorb the divya nama sankeertana. Only a handful of people are going to absorb it fully. Others will be engaged in idle gossip, their focus will be elsewhere and will fail to absorb it. Not absorbing the food I serve, they will waste it. ‘I dislike sweet or I dislike spicy food’- just like those people, these people too say, ‘I don’t like this particular divine name. I won’t sing it’.
When Swamiji says ‘Śri Ganeshaya nama’- it becomes a upadesha to you. You must not utter that mantra along with Him but after Him. Allow the Guru mantra to fall into your ears. Although Swamiji says the mantra publicly, only 4-5 in the audience absorb it completely. For the rest it will be a mere physical exercise. They would have failed to absorb it. Hence Swamiji again at other times repeats the same mantra hoping they absorb it.
Hence, when Swamiji begins a bhajan, allow Him to sing the verse and thereafter repeat it. If you sing along with Him you lose the benefit of initiation. Listening to Him becomes initiation- Guru mantropadesham. Although you know the bhajan, you must still wait for Swamiji to finish singing.
Speech during Bhajan session as posted in Dattapeetham report
In the evening, Sri Swamiji sang Bhajans on Ganesha, Devi, Dattatreya and Shiva.
We should not sleep during sun rise and sunset Many people suffer from long term diseases. They should make a practice to be up by sunrise and Chant 12 sun god names. I even explained stories on Sun God – Surya Deva . I did Saptaham on Surya Deva also. I recited the greatness of sun god and Surya Namaskara and the yoga of Surya. We won’t exist without sun god. Norway, northern regions of Europe and Mexicans greatly revere sun god. Mayan civilization worship sun god. I performed a Sankranthi in Chichen Itza Sun temple. I climbed the stairs of the temple and offered sun worship. For millennium sunrise I went to Tonga. It is a difficult journey to reach that island. Amazing place it was. It was a 27 hour journey to reach there. That island has no electricity or fresh water. It was difficult trip. On January 1st 2000, I observed new year millennium Sunrise there and performed Surya Homa.
Shriyam ichchet hutaashanaat – Worship fire God for wealth
Jnanamichchet maheshwaraat – Pray Shiva for Jnana
I am just a ladle. I don’t take any taste. I just serve. I am a ladle. All I do is serve you. My only prayer is – you all should be well.
Sun is worshiped for health
Agni for wealth
You will get Knowledge from Praying to Shiva
You will get Moksha from praying to Janardana
I have completed my Tapas and Nama Smarana. I do now for your sake. I sing only to make you sing. I always lead a kindergarten of singing. I always try and teach. At least at one point of singing, you will gain concentration.
I don’t look at time. I know when to lead you to sing. I only do Nama Upadrashta, Jnana Upadesha. Either three minutes or three hours, intention is the same. To show you the bliss of Namasmarana.
If you look at Swamiji as an ordinary human being, I will be so. All I do is for your sake. If it was for me, I don’t have to do it in public. Puja, discourses and Bhajans are the food cooked by me to serve you. You are the recipients, the audience, the beneficiaries of my cooking. I alone know the art of cooking what is needed for you. Some of you eat, some don’t. It is your karma that dictates it. Some eat fully, some are disinterested. What can I do ? I can only cook and serve. If you are a Satpaatra, you will receive my food with gratitude, eat fully, digest well and go towards Moksha.
Let us sing shiva and Hari Nama Smarana.
Bad people, bad habits, bad thoughts, bad life style have to be annihilated. Rama did not preach Shanti and ethics to Ravana.
Did krishna do Abhyangana to Narakasura ? No.
Lakshmi Devi removes inner and outer enemies. Do Lakshmi Ashtaka without fail thrice a day. Morning and afternoon and evening. Memories it. It will help you to remove your enemies.