Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Tripura Rahasya Day 11 – January 14, 2022 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Chapter 11
Parashurama, who heard from Datta Swami, the supreme story of how Mother Goddess had manifested in three forms, was astonished. He was completely submerged in the nectar called bliss for a while.
A little later, with total devotion, he prayed to Guru Datta, “O Swami! You have narrated a wonderful story of Mother Goddess that leaves us astonished. You are venerable and are filled with compassion. I have never heard such a story about Mother Goddess.
Drinking in through my ears, the nectar called Her divine stories emerging from Your lotus face only increases my thirst to hear more. It does not reduce my thirst. Just as the desire intensifies by the moment in a lustful man when he sees a beautiful woman, my desire to hear Mother’s stories from you is only increasing with every passing moment.
(Why was such a comparison used? We wonder. It appears as if Parashurama’s comparison is not apt. One also wonders whether we can utter such words in Guru’s presence. But what is to be noted here is that due to intense desire, a lustful man does not focus on any other object or any other woman barring his loved one. Parashurama is drawing the parallel with that concentration and he implies, ‘that concentration with which he focusses on his loved one, I have the same concentration in listening to the stories from you’. From that angle, this comparison is not wrong).
O revered Guru! Please narrate to me more stories of Gowri and other partial aspects of Mother Tripura devi”.
Hearing Parashurama’s request, in a melodious but profound voice, Yatishwara Datta Swami said, “O Parashurama! Listen to the stories of Gowri and other Goddesses that purify all the worlds.
After their weddings, Shiva and other Gods could complete their assigned duties happily without any stress. When Brahma and other Gods were executing their tasks of creation etc., the humans created on earth were not of different actions. They were all alike in action and in temperament.
Differences such as rich, poor, sorrowful, joyful did not exist among humans. There was no servant, no master, no king, no citizen, protector or protected. Just like the mind of the supreme Yogi, all the beings were equally balanced in all aspects.
Due to being in this state, on the earth there were no Yagnas performed, no charities were given, no dakshinas given during Yagnas and there was no worship offered to the Devatas. There was absolutely no agitation, no joy, no sorrow etc. The entire world was filled with supreme peace.
With this, Indra and other Devatas were bereft of any work and they were distressed due to this. The thought of worshipping the Devatas did not exist in any human mind and this upset the Devatas.
Along with all other Devatas, Indra reverentially bowed to Guru Brihaspati who was present in the assembly and humbly said, “O Gurudeva! You are the Guru for us, the Devatas. You are the boat that helps us cross the ocean called difficulties.
Vedas say that the humans are the animals for the Devatas. (Just as we obtain foodgrains due to cattle, due to humans the Devatas obtain food offerings made in the sacrificial fire).
O Gurudeva! How can the Vedas, i.e. Brahma’s words be wrong? If the humans fall into our trick, then they will become subordinate to us and we can rule over them. By ruling over them we can make them our animals.
O Gurudeva! Please suggest a plan by which our desire gets fulfilled. The person who restores eyesight to the blind is always revered by the blind man. Likewise in this hour of difficulty, you must protect us”.
Guru Brihaspati reflected for a moment and said, “O Devendra! For the fulfilment of the desire of the Devatas, listen carefully to what I say. Along with the Devatas proceed to meet Brahma. He is the protector and will cause your wellbeing. He has absolute freedom in all aspects concerning creation. He is ever-competent, all-knowing and pervades everything. He will dispel your fear and benefit you. There is no way barring this”.
Indra bowed to him and along with the Devatas, forefathers and Guhyakas went to Satyaloka. There he saw the Brahma’s outer court called Sudharma, which was 100 yojanas wide, 20 yojanas long and 30 yojanas high. It glittered with many pillars made of precious stones. It was beautifully architected. Eminently accomplished souls, Maharishis such as Kapila, Jnanis such as Sanaka and others were seated comfortably there in different seats.
Indra saw Lord Brahma, whose complexion was comparable to a tender sprouting leaf, seated very grandly on a very high throne and chanting the ever-pure Vedas while also giving a commentary on the Supreme Essence.
For the wellbeing of the world, in Satya-loka, Lord Brahma manifests in two forms in the two courts there.
Indra and other Devatas had no entry into the inner court, for, only those who have completely conquered desire, anger and other inner enemies can enter it. In those who enter the inner court, even a trace of delusion and the risk of falling does not exist. They can never succumb to desires or anger. Those who are prone to desire and anger can only see the outer court.
Even from a distance Indra and other Devatas prostrated to Brahma who was seated on the throne in the outer court. Seeing them, the creator Lord Brahma said,
“O Indra! There is no need for you or the Devatas to fear. Get up. Your desire will be fulfilled. Tell me why you have come here”.
Indra then raised his hands over his head and along with the Devatas narrated his entire story and said, “O Lord Brahma! You alone can dispel our difficulty. Based on your orders I am ruling the three worlds. Your grace ensures that I remain the Lord of the ruler of the three worlds when in reality I am a leader only in name while you are the real ruler. Your grace alone ensures that I remain the Lord of the Devatas.
(Laziness is the first step towards reaching hell. Hence it is imperative for everyone to be engaged in some work or the other at all times. Either do japam or write Rama koti or do some Parayana. But do not lazily waste your time. Laziness increases desire. When desire enters, along with it anger also enters. This intensifies irritation & leads to quarrels. This increases the sin. Ultimately the person lands in hell. Just as Sadhana takes us step by step towards liberation, laziness takes us step by step to hell).
While remembering you, our creator, I govern the three worlds. Just as the thunderous sound heard from a blade of grass belongs to the thundering cloud and not to the grass, it is not my greatness but your grace that has bestowed me with the rulership of the three worlds.
O Lord Brahma! Presently we are plagued with difficulty. The humans have stopped respecting, serving or loving me anymore. Neither do they worship me, nor bow to me. They do not perform any Yagnas to appease us.
You had earlier said that animals are subordinate to the Devatas who have sipped the nectar and that they will remain as their servants. But your words have not turned true until now.
I have great respect for your words. Due to their respect for your words, these Devatas respect me. I am in this position of Indra on the strength of belief and not based on authentic authority. O Lord, please instruct to me my duties”.
Hearing Indra’s words, Lord Brahma thought for a while. Then, in a profound voice, he said,
“O Indra! I will tell you the reason why humans do not respect you. In the creation, the living being seeks shelter in another only when there is a selfish gain. Why do the humans, who are devoid of even a trace of selfish needs, need me, Vishnu or Shiva? A human being who is freed from desire perceives the entire world like a straw.
Although every living being is dependent on another at least to a certain degree, humans have nothing to gain from you. Hence, they do not respect you.
Hence through worship and prayers, you appease my sister, the auspicious Lakshmi and wife of Vishnu who is seated on a lotus. Your desires will be fulfilled”.
Hearing Brahma’s words, Indra bowed to him. Seeking Lakshmi’s blessings he proceeded to the Himalayas.
Sri mātre namah
Chapter 12
On the banks of the Ganga in the Himalayas, Indra and other Devatas began penance seeking the blessings of Goddess Lakshmi. They prayed,
“Namō Lakshmaih mahā dēvaih padmāyai satatam namaḥ │
Namō viṣṇu vilāsinyai padmasthāyai namō namaḥ ‖
Salutations to Lakshmi, the great Devi who brings delight to Vishnu, who sits on the lotus and who is the form of the lotus. O Mother! You reside in Vishnu’s chest and are the most supreme among all the Devatas.
Your birth is extremely supreme. Your form is extremely auspicious. Possessing lotus-like eyes, you reside in the lotus, you hold lotuses in your hands and you shower the ultimate bliss.
Merely with your glance, the distress of the people is eliminated. You, who are of Aruna complexion, bring delight to everyone. You are the embodiment of knowledge and the form of the three energies. You shower comforts on everyone.
You are the empress for all forms of prosperity and one who showers wealth. You are worshipped by Kubera, the Lord of wealth. You are extolled by the Vedas themselves and you eternally exist in the supreme state called Brahmapada. You are Rama. You are the protector and the most beautiful of all women. You are the primordial deity. Everyone worships you alone”.
In this way, Indra and other Devatas worshipped Goddess Lakshmi. In this prayer, there are 28 names of Mother Goddess. They chanted the stotra and were completely immersed in meditating upon her.
To fulfil the desires of the Devatas who had sought complete refuge in her, Goddess Lakshmi quickly manifested before them with combined effulgence of crores of lightning flashes. She, whose limbs were glowing like the fully blossomed red lotus, was draped in a golden sari. In her lotus-like hands, she was holding 4 shining blossomed lotuses. Her breasts were like huge pots.
Attracted by the fragrance from her mouth, swarms of bees that were buzzing melodiously surrounded her adding to her glow. With the Kasturi-tilaka on the forehead, her face appeared like the delightful full-moon that had a mark on it. The brightness of the many expensive ornaments worn by her added to her glow.
Seeing the divine, wonderous Mother who had manifested before them, all the Devatas fell to the ground and prostrated to her. Tears of joys flowed from their eyes. With chocked voices, they extolled her profusely.
Seeing their condition, she smiled and in a sweet voice that appeared to be filled with nectar, said, “O thousand-eyed Indra! O Devatas who are the enemies of the demons! With profound seed-syllables and with many secretive names you have all prayed to me. I am pleased with your devotion. Seek any boon from me”.
Indra and other Devatas then said, “O Mother, when you are pleased with us, what is it that we cannot obtain? On attaining the wish-fulfilling tree, will any being seek anything else?
O Mother! Please bless that the humans become subordinate to us and that Indra remains the Lord of the worlds not just in name but in authority. Give us work to do. O embodiment of auspiciousness! May all humans remain eternally subordinate to us! May they perform Yagas to appease us! Please bless this”.
Mother Lakshmi pleasantly said, “O Devatas! Listen to me carefully. I am the Goddess of prosperity. Henceforth, only that human being who, as per the dictates of the Shastras, worships the Devatas with homas and yagas, will fulfill his desires and obtain prosperity. The wealth of a human who is negligent towards the Devatas will deplete like the waters of the pond in summers.
I will be pleased with the person who worships me with the names chanted by you and will eternally remain beside him. O Devatas! The humans who, on Friday evenings, worship me and chant these names 100 times will obtain the following benefit.
For my 108 names, the person should daily worship one married woman for one name. Further, he should offer me food prepared with chickpeas. If this is done for 28 days, the person will obtain inexhaustible wealth.
I shall eternally remain pleased with you all. Now happily return to heaven considering your desire fulfilled”- saying this, Goddess Lakshmi transformed into the vast space. In other words, she vanished.
Indra and other Devatas prostrated in the direction in which she had vanished. Happy that their desire was fulfilled they returned to heaven.
A long time passed. One day, in the court Sudharma when Guru Brihaspati was present, the Devatas addressed Indra and said, “O Devendra! Please listen to our words. Pleased with us, previously Mother Lakshmi has granted us boons. Nevertheless, we are unable to see its effect anywhere on the earth.
Only one in a million or 10,000 worships us in the method specified by her and serves us. All other humans have no desire for sensory comforts. Without any interest in fruitive activities, they remain dispassionate and are filled with inner and outer sense control. Due to this, O Indra, even to date our desire remains unfulfilled. Now think of ways by which our desire gets fulfilled”.
Indra then bowed to Guru Brihaspati and beseeched, “O Guru deva! Why has my desire remained unfulfilled? The words of Vishnu’s wife Lakshmi can never go wrong. Why are the humans not worshipping us, the Devatas, as per the methods prescribed by the Shastras? Please ponder deeply over this.
In the three worlds, there is nothing unknown to you. You are the in-dweller in every being. You know the feelings within every mind. Hence please suggest a way by which we can obtain success”.
Hearing Indra’s request, Brihaspati closed his eyes and contemplated for very long. Thereafter he said, “O Indra! After the passage of a little time, your desire will get fulfilled. Along with the Devatas again approach Mother Lakshmi. Appease her and obtain your cherished desire from her. If you seek to quickly accomplish your goal, this is the only way. Mother Lakshmi fulfils the desires of those who have completely surrendered to her. Knowing her to be the protector, surrender to her”.
Along with the Devatas, Indra again reached the Himalayas. Bathing in the Ganga, they began intense penance to appease her. While meditating on the holy feet of Mother Lakshmi, they repeatedly chanted her 28 names. Standing on their toes and while sustaining only on air, continued their austerities. Due to their intense concentration, they appeared like statues.
In this way, 51 months elapsed. Pleased with their fierce penance, Mother Lakshmi manifested before them. She saw the Devatas who were standing rigidly like huge logs or walls. Without even a trace of fickleness, they were immersed in meditating upon her with total concentration.
Seeing them she said, “O Devatas! I am pleased with your penance. I am here to confer a boon upon you. Stop their fierce penance and tell me what you seek. It shall be fulfilled”.
The Devatas then opened their eyes and saw Mother Lakshmi. They fell to the ground and prostrated to her. They were ecstatic. In faltering voices, they prayed,
“O thunderbolt that shreds mountains of difficulties in those who have surrendered to you! Protect us. O wife of Narayana! O Lakshmi devi! Salutations to you.
Even the blind and the deaf who obtain your grace can compete with Brahma and others. O wife of Narayana! O mother whose glory is extraordinary! Salutations to you.
You are the empress who rules all the universes. You are the form of Parashakti. You are the form of the word and its meaning. You are the form of all objects. O Narayani! Obeisance to you.
You are the creator and the energy behind Brahma’s creative activity. You are the earth, the wealth, protective power of Vishnu and competence. You are the destructive power of Rudra. Salutations to You”.
After extolling her thus, the Devatas prayed, “O Mother! Previously after obtaining a boon from you we went to heaven. But that boon has not yet materialized. The humans are not performing any Yagas to appease us. Hence O Mother! Please bless that the humans remain subordinate to us like animals and diligently worship us through Yagas”.
Seeking to help the Devatas, Mother Lakshmi said, “O Devatas! Listen to my words. The boon that I have given you can never be a waste. However, influenced by time presently the humans are not having any sensory desires. But there is no need to fear. I shall fulfill your boon”.
Saying this, from her mind she created a small boy called Manmatha having celestial radiance. (Manmatha is he who churns the mind or one who is born from her manas (mind)).
She handed him to the Devatas and said, “Use this boy Kāma (Manmatha), who is supremely valourous and brave to accomplish your purpose. He will assist you. Due to his prowess, the humans will become subordinate to you. In this, there is no doubt. Take him with you for the fulfilment of your objective”.
Addressing Manmatha she said, “O little one! For the benefit of the Devatas and for accomplishing their objective you should conquer the humans. Ensure that the humans become subordinate to the Devatas”- saying this, she vanished even as they were watching.
All the Devatas bowed in the direction in which she vanished. They then took Manmatha and reached heaven. There they grandly honoured Manmatha and extolled him profusely.
Thereafter Indra said “O Manmatha! Lakshmi has created you to help us accomplish our objective. But you are just 5 years old. If so, how can you help us to achieve success? How are we to trust you?”
Manmatha believed that Indra was rejecting and insulting him. His eyes reddened in anger. His lips quivered. He said, “O thousand-eyed one! It is unbefitting of you to utter such disrespectful words. Even though it is tiny, the lion cub can hunt elephants. A small spark can destroy the entire power of Indra. If the man is truly powerful, then, neither place nor time can influence his prowess.
O Indra! Tell me what you seek. Within a second, I shall complete it. The only obstacle in this task is your delay in giving the command. There is no other obstacle”.
Indra then said, “O Manmatha! Do not get angry. Seeking to enhance your prowess I uttered those words. Mother Lakshmi’s words can never become untrue. To help me, you have taken birth directly from Mother Lakshmi’s mind. If so, how can anything be unattainable by you?
You have to ensure that the humans perform Yagas to appease us. That is your duty. O Manmatha! When I am the Lord of the three universes, you should remain as my assistant. Humans should remain subordinate to me”.
Then Manmatha smiled and then tactfully but arrogantly said,
Srimatre namah