Discourse on Sivananda Lahari
Day 23, August 24
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Avadhani is doing great service in promoting the Vedas. He is a walking computer. He is a great scientist who, with faith, devotion, and dedication is teaching youngsters Math, Physics, and other subjects through Veda. By Guru’s grace he is reaping bountiful success in his efforts. Sri Chalapati Sharma has conducted many Chandi Yagams here. Aslesha Bali on the day with star Aslesha was conducted today from sunrise to sunset, invoking all the deities, chanting fully the Saptasati, performing the homa, and doing all the pujas such as Suvasini Puja and Kumari Puja as stipulated in the Sastras. Sri Swamiji also surprised us by his divine presence there. Over 30 books have been published by his effort. 3000 more are in his plan. Mother Goddess has given promise that she would protect us. This book has been proofread and made error-free for those who wish to use it for repeated chanting/Parayana. BDL devotees are actively participating during this Sravana month rituals. I pray for blessings upon all these devotees.
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
asato ma sadgamaya
tamaso ma jyotirgamaya
mrityor ma amrtam gamaya
Om Santissantissantihi
Please lead me from untruth to Truth, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. We pray for peace.
Bhajan: Jai jai Ganapati Mangala kaarin
Verse 45:
Chandha śhāki sikhānvitaih dwija varai samsevithe sāśwate
Sowkhya pādini kkheda bhedini sudha sāraih phalai deepite
Chetha pakshi sikhā manih tyaja vrithā sanchāra manyai ralam
Nithyam sankara pāda padma yugali neede vihāram kuru
As we had mentioned earlier, the heart is compared to different objects and creatures. Unless there is a heart, one cannot experience bliss. If one is heartless, if the mind is elsewhere, bliss or any feeling cannot be experienced. One needs to develop a sensitive, compassionate heart that can feel the pain of others. When there is pain, it is good to express it and give it an outlet. Otherwise, the suppressed feeling will harm the person. A person, whose heart does not melt at the suffering of others, has a hard heart.
The heart is now compared to a great, remarkable bird, not an ordinary bird, but a regal bird. The bird is suffering, parched with thirst, is searching for water, a suitable place to build a nest, some good shade, and proper food. The bird is offered prayers. I will show you a great place for a nest. You need a tree to build your nest. This tree that I recommend will never perish. The lotus feet of Lord Siva is the place where you should build your nest, where, O my heart, I pray that you go and rest as a bird.
Shuka Vana is here; please make your residence here to be living in luxury in Guru Sannidhi/presence. Thanks to Sadgurudeva, we are all now learning many valuable things about birds.
Chandaha is Veda. We have a great Veda School here where many students are learning Vedas. We must serve wherever Vedas are learned, chanted, or taught. We must support the activity.
The branches of the Veda, the Upanishads are most precious and they are a part of this tree called Lord Siva’s lotus feet.
Dwija is a Veda scholar and also a bird. They are both born twice. As an egg the bird is born and when a bird cracks the shell and comes out, it is its second birth. As a child a brahmin is born, and again after obtaining the sacred thread and dedicating his life to the chanting of mantras for universal welfare, he is born again.
The topmost branch of the tree called Vedas is what is offered to you here for building your nest. All great souls take shelter at this tree called the lotus feet of the Lord. This tree is eternal. It will never perish. It has neither a beginning nor end.
There is a beautiful song in Tamil language: When I have you, there is nothing that I lack. You are without beginning or end.
A bird is most essential for nature to survive. Many devotees are surprised that an Audumbara plant is growing in their yard by itself. It happens because of birds. They carry the seeds and drop them here and there for the trees to grow. How beautifully the birds preserve nature and protect us. The role played by birds in nature is phenomenal. Our Sadgurudeva has incarnated to preserve and protect the birds, it seems. How to protect the birds?
Just sprinkle a fistful of birdseed daily outside the home. Slowly the birds will come. Different species of birds will come on their own to partake of this food. Cooked rice can be placed. Some grains can be placed, or seeds that are normally eaten by birds. In the olden days, rice flour was used to make the rangoli designs in the front yard. The birds enjoy the food and water that you place for them. Turmeric is placed on the doorstep to keep out the ants. Now people have forgotten the old valuable practices.
The birds work harder than computer personnel. They cannot work at night because they cannot see. They have to leave their eggs and little ones in the nest for long hours, to go out and search for food. They are afraid of cats, snakes, and other predators.
Jatayu gives the history of birds in the Ramayana. Sage Vasishtha gives the lineage of birds. Why? Birds are important for human survival. We must protect nature. Now the fish are over-harvested and it is leading to a shortage in their numbers. Fish are consuming plastic thrown into the waters and are becoming victims to new diseases. Plastic usage must be reduced. Otherwise the entire earth will soon get covered by plastic. The rain water will not penetrate into the ground. Bore wells will not be effective. In the name of progress, man is ruining the health of this planet. Instead of blaming others, let us all do our part to protect the earth.
One person throws his litter outside the dustbin on the street. The next one will follow suit. Soon there will be huge garbage dump there outside the garbage container. The first man who threw his litter on the ground will blame the city for garbage on the streets. We each must take the responsibility of maintaining cleanliness.
Teach your children about nature. Get them introduced to the care of birds. Have them feed food and supply water to the birds.
Will anyone’s heart turn into a bird? Does not Sri Bhagavatpada know? In so many ways, he is teaching us to love birds. Even before sunrise, the birds wake up and begin their daily duties. Roosters crow to announce daybreak. The birds return at sunset, flying in beautiful designs decorating the sky. They do not fly alone. United we stand and maintain our strength – is a lesson they teach us by their communal living and mutual cooperation. In the shape of a V denoting victory, the birds fly. Sometimes even eagles fly in patterns, although usually y they fly alone. 9 eagles did Pradakshina to Lord Karyasiddhi Anjaneya during the Deepotsava/Lights Festival. We took a video of the event.
This nest built upon the feet of the Lord will give you nothing but happiness. What is the use of giving happiness along with sorrow? Unadulterated happiness alone is given to you at this divine nest. Food is also provided for you here, as delicious as nectar.
Sometimes the presentation of food makes it very palatable. How you serve food is very important. How much to serve, and what to serve where on the plate, is very important to know and to follow. Each item has a specific place on the plate. There is a science of serving. A dry crisp item should not be placed next to a liquid item. A hot pickle avakai should not be placed next to a liquid sweet dessert like payasam.
All sciences/efforts are geared towards earning food/Koti vidyalu kooti korake. Food enjoyment is important in life. It is like offering food Naivedyam to God who resides within each of us.
Here there will be plentiful food with glorious fruits that this tree is filled with. You will get exhausted running here and there. You will have no need to search anywhere else for food hereafter. This tree yields the best fruits.
Swamiji said, tear up all your travel tickets and remain here restfully. We must all thank Swamiji for giving everyone a day’s holiday to enjoy here.
The two feet of Lord Siva are placed close together. We remember a lotus when we see the two feet placed together. Where they both meet, you build your nest and rest there. Here the nest is so big that you will not feel cramped. You can move freely inside it.
The first engineer is a bird in this Creation. Civil engineering originated with birds. We cannot build a home so perfectly. Just go to the Internet and view some images of bird’s nests. It is amazing to see. They make the nests water tight. The birds know from which direction the rain will come. They will choose the best location to build their homes.
Rest your heart in the lotus feet of Lord Siva.
The birds have a hard time finding suitable food. That is why we are asked to share our food with the birds. They will bless us with gratitude. It will promote our wellbeing. We see how much birds suffer to find food. The birds always live in anxiety.
This tree is full of juicy fruits; the juice is like nectar. Please stop your constant search here and there and please repose in the nest that is in the tree called Lord Siva’s feet.
The heart burns without fire. Such a bird-heart is offered prayers to find the cool resting place available at Lord Siva’s lotus feet.
Bhajan: Unnadi okade Sivudegaa
Namassivaya Namassivaya Namassivaya Namassivaya Namassivaya
Bhajan: Chandi chandasura damani
Victory to Mother Chandi.
Bhajan: Bahuleyam bhaavayaami
This year we are blessed with 5 Sravana Somavaras/Mondays. We begin and end the month with a Monday. Everyone please witness the Ekadasa Rudrabhishekam on Monday morning. Please chant or write Om Namassivaya. We wanted to complete at least one a half crores of Lalita Sahasranama Parayana. The BDL devotees made it 2 crores. I am very happy. The more we do, the more benefit for the world.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta