Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Janmashtami – August 30, 2021 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
In every part of our body is Lord Krishna, as our senses, our mind, as Atman. Our body is Krishna Himself. Krishna here means Paramatman. There are infinite forms of that Parabrahman. The real Paramatman is formless and without attributes. The Lord has taken countless incarnations, not just the Dashavataras (the ten well known ones). The Lord incarnates in various forms to uplift beings, all of whom are born from Him, and to establish Dharma and undertake good deeds. Lord Krishna’s story among them is special. Krishna and Rama and all incarnations are Paramatman. But the root of it all – the formless One – is present as Pranadeva in all names and all forms.
Every part of the body, every sense organ has its function. How wonderful is this creation!
When all functions work collectively, it makes the complete human form. When any function is impaired, man suffers a lot. If he cannot hear well or see clearly or breathe well or move well, he suffers a lot. It is body’s nature to have aches and ailments. It goes without saying that Krishna’s, Rama’s and Narasimha’s incarnations are complete. We struggle to repair this body when it is unwell. Sometimes it is not possible to repair. We have to work very hard to remove the diseases in this body. Until then, life is miserable. Once we get well, some other body part develops an impairment. Still man continues functioning even when the body parts are impaired. And if the body is functioning well, the mind is unwell. For body and mind and intellect to function well, we need to seek refuge with great souls. Sometimes despite seeking refuge, the body still suffers. When all body parts function well, the person is truthful and dharmic, then with the grace of Guru/God, the person attains godhead. This is not simple, it is exceedingly difficult. If the past and present cooperate, the future will cooperate with us.
Rama is often said to be Dharma himself. Was Krishna not? Krishna had a lot more responsibilities. Sri Rama was king and carried out his duties. Sri Krishna was not king, but undertook actions a hundred fold more than kings did. Each incarnation acted in accordance with the Yuga they were in. We need to imbibe Rama’s qualities. Sage Valmiki stated in the Ramayana that no one else had all the virtues that were found in Sri Rama. Everyone listens to king as his word is final. But Krishna did not pass decrees. He gave Upadesha to those who surrendered to him. His incarnation is very special, He was born under very difficult conditions. He was born in the form of the Lord. But Sri Rama was born as a human child, from a human womb. Krishna is no less in Dharma than Rama, nor is Rama greater than Krishna in Dharma. Sri Krishna protected and uplifted those who surrendered to him. Sri Rama uplifted them and took them all with him at the end of his life, in accordance with Dharma. Sri Krishna would right then and there forgive and uplift those who sought refuge.
If you studied Mahabharata and Ramayana in whole, you will understand the principle of Sri Krishna and Sri Rama. It is impossible to understand the principle of God in total. We experience bliss thinking of it, but it is impossible to fully understand it. The principle of Sri Krishna is impossible to grasp. I cannot extol the greatness of Sri Krishna enough. Sri Hari is the one that pervades all parts of our body. that is why the divine name Krishna is enough to drive away all difficulties. We pray for that all the time – for difficulties to be removed. This is all we do. May the Lord bestow pure knowledge on us.