Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sri Chakra Puja – April 1, 2026 – SGS DYC, Burlington, NJ, USA
Some people are asking about the latest news from the Ashrama. Latest news is that Swamiji is advising you on your health through yoga. Swamiji recommends flute lessons, not for performing, but for your personal benefit to your prana. Kriya Yoga students are asking about Pranayama. Everyone needs to practice Pranayama, it is important for health.
In India these days, people get sudden health issues – heart or lung issues, or vocal cord issues, because they are not practicing Pranayama properly. Give Pranayama importance. This will improve meditation, and grant good heart health. It’s good exercise for the body. That is why Swamiji’s latest preaching is to do Pranayama through the flute. We have a YouTube channel – SGS Datta Venu – you can see and understand. Subscribe to the channel and you will see how to hold the flute and how to play it. It will help you learn Swamiji’s bhajans. You must learn to play bhajans. It may be a bit tough in the beginning to blow, but it gets easier.
There are so many teachers. We also published an app recently for iOS and Android. If you register, I can send some flutes to America. You must learn the flute, it’s an easy instrument. You can carry it wherever you go. Do daily practice and slowly, you’ll play the basic notes and then gradually play bhajans as well. The bamboo flute is easy to play. The PVC flute is weather resistant. You can get both flutes. You can keep the flute with you always.
If the mind is troubled, you can play the flute for 30 minutes and slowly, you’ll play the 7 basic notes. Flute plays the Pranava Nada. The flute, the Ramayana, Hanuman and Krishna are strongly related. I have already given the stories about the flute, the incarnation of Hanuman and it is connected to Lord Rama and Lord Krishna. The flute is a wonderful instrument that can teach you Atma Jnana. Swamiji gave a beautiful story about flute. I will explain tonight if we have time, I will give the flute story.
Why the flute has six holes – they are like the six chakras from Mooladhara to Sahasrara. The flute itself is Vedanta. Lord Krishna gives Atma Jnana through the flute. Through the flute, Krishna gave Atma Jnana to thousands of Gopis.
In the incarnation of Rama, Hanuman promised the saints that he would request Rama to give them Atma Jnana. But slaying Ravana, Sri Rama was in a hurry to head back since Bharata was about to entire the fire. He stopped for a few minutes at the hermitage of Sage Bharadwaja when the saints reminded Hanuman to ask Rama for Atma Jnana. Hanuman saw that Sri Rama was tensed, He wanted to go back to Bharata as soon as possible, there was not much time left.
Bharata had decided to enter the fire if Sri Rama did not return by a certain time. Sri Rama then dispatches Hanuman to convey the news to Bharata. Sri Rama, as promised to Sage Bharadwaja, stopped at the hermitage to accept the sage’s hospitality.
Those from this gotra/lineage are known to generous with hospitality. Their mind is always given to doing more Annadana. It’s a beautiful connection with Sage Bharadwaja. You go ask them, and they will psychologically always want to do Annandana.
Hanuman has some courage, so he approaches Sri Rama and said the saints were seeking Atma Jnana. Sri Rama is very kind, and he says – I will give you a lecture later on Atma Jnana. This is not a time bound 1 minute or 10 minutes of 6 hours lecture. It takes days and months together. Sri Rama promised that he would give Atma Jnana during the next incarnation of Sri Krishna.
All those gosayis took the form of women and surrounded Krishna as gopis. Hanuman took the form of the bamboo and turned into Venu/flute. Krishna held the flute and gave Omkara through it. That is why Flute always generates Pranava Nada/Sound. This is important for the incarnations of Rama and Krishna. Also, the flute itself is Hanuman. I have different pitch for the flute – B. Normally, flutes are made in A or C; B is rare, but will match the singing pitch of Pujya Dattaji.
One day, when Swamiji sings, you may also join with the flute. Now, even 95 year olds are practicing flute. They are playing bhajans. It is a wonder! Small children are also playing. Vishal Datta has a small daughter and she plays the flute too. So, why not, you can play too? You need dedication.
Also, it’s a great friend. If you sit alone in the room and play, you will feel it. Once you are able to catch a. pitch, you will want to play more. It’s a great friend. Instruments need a bag and paraphernalia to carry, but flute is so easy to carry anywhere. When you are alone, you can play. Our teachers are also very easy. They give free lessons, they don’t charge money because we need pranayama for all Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, Hanumanta and Tataji devotees. In the beginning, you may be a big shy, but afterwards, you will be fine. Do not be shy. Just be mindful of disturbing neighbors. Close your room and practice, so the neighbors don’t call the police.
Everyone must register for the flute, compulsorily. Subscribe to this YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@SGSDattaVenu
One day, we will do a meditation concert with the flute.