Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji on the occasion of Pujya Appaji’s 7th Jovian birthday – 3rd Day of Chandi Yaga – June 8, 2025 – Mysore
Today, on the 3rd day of the Chandi Yaga, our Gurudeva has offered worship to Surya Deva. Today, we are also fortunate to celebrate Pujya Gurudeva’s 7th birthday.
This may seem strange, but for those who do Yoga and who know Yoga, they understand this Tattva. In Veda, there is a tradition of referring to a stay of nine days in Kashi as garbhavāsam. How can nine days equal spending time in the womb when a foetus is not even formed in nine days?
In Vedas, twelve days are considered to be indicative of twelve months. In the same way, we have to understand these seven years to be equal to 84 years.
Sri Krishna says ‘patram puṣpam phalam toyam yo me bhaktyā prayacchati’ to say offer whatever little you have to the Divine. This will greatly please Paramatma. Offer a leaf, a flower, a fruit or even a drop of water. Pujya Appaji accepts even this Jovian birthday offering of ours and is greatly delighted.
There is a very close correlation between trees, planets and the scriptures. We just recently witnessed an event of immense spiritual magnitude. The Maha Kumbh Mela left people around the world stunned as Indians from all around the globe congregated just based on the words of one Maharshi.
What is Kumbh Mela and why must it be celebrated? As Brihaspati transits from one zodiac to another, it takes one calendar year. The Sun takes a month to transit from one zodiac to another. As Brihaspati completes one cycle and transits back into each zodiac, we celebrate the Pushkaram of a specific sacred river. When twelve years go by, Brihaspati completes one complete cycle known as a Kumbh. Every six years marks ardha Kumbh. When Brihaspati completes twelve such cycles, after 144 years, it is known as Maha Kumbh.
Astrologers mark time as per the movements of Brihaspati. We see the sun and moon directly, but it is difficult to view Brihaspati. One could use apps like Skyview to look up at the skies and find Brihaspati. Our elders were so great that they even marked time based on Brihaspati who could not be seen. That is the greatness of Sanātana Dharma.
Brihaspati is Guru and also known as Jīva – the one who enlivens all beings. As Pujya Appaji completes six Jovian years, He completes ardha kumbha and steps into Maha Kumbh. This means Appaji is now beginning His second innings.
sānkhyāna sa gāyatri – Mother Goddess is also known by this name because in one instance, She was born as the daughter of Sānkhya Maharshi.
Brihaspati blesses us with wisdom, while Mother Goddess as Vanaspati blesses us with abundance. With Bhakti, Gnyana and Vairagya, we realise that Guru is not a mere vyakti (person) but Shakti. And when we contemplate on this Shakti, with Bhakti and Gnyana, we attain Mukti.
All of you participate in Chandi Yaga. Do not miss this opportunity to perform Homa with Pujya Appaji. One lady mentioned that 40 years ago, Pujya Appaji had said she must perform homa alongside Him, and today that has come true.
During this Chandi Yaga, keep offering mantra japa. Shastras mention that whatever one desires shall be granted by Gururūpini in the form of Chandi Mata.
Tomorrow marks Chaturdashi when Shiva and Parvati come together. Do not miss this opportunity to participate in the Chandi Yaga.