Sri Guru Datta Vaibhavam
Day 4, August 4
Jaya Guru Datta !
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Saraswathyai Namaha
Sri Pada Vallabha Nrusimha Saraswathi
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namo Namaha !
Yesterday we spoke about Sadhu Sangama and Satsangha, keeping ourselves in association with noble people. The bhajan Dattamaashraye Sadgurottamam talks about this satsanga.
Tatvaatmakam tatvadeham
brahmatejah prakaasakam
dattatreyam gurum vande
sachchidananda roopinam
Tatvam is His form. Tatvam is His body. He radiates with Brahma Tejas. Prostrations to such Datta Guru murti ! Praying Datta will remove all obstacles, diseases and poverty. He will reside in our houses and protects not just us, but also our family for generations togther.
Yesterday we spoke about transformation and purity of thought. Purity of thought is possible only by the grace of Datta and Sadguru. Karma leads to purity. Attaining purity of thought is not simple. At the same time, karma should not be avoided for lack of purity. Karma has to be performed continously. Satkarma leads to Chitta Suddhi and there by to Bhaava Suddhi. This bhaava Suddhi leads to concentration of mind. This concentration of mind itself is Salvation. Hence Dattatreya Swami in the form of Guru is leading to Salvation.
Satkarma has to be done continuously. People say, I can’t chant Hanuman Chalisa now. I’m in bad mood. You must chant definetely during bad mood. Then you will become alright. There is no link between devotion and mood. Never say no mood. What if the lord also says I have no mood ? Do we accept ? Why should He come whenever called when we only pray occasionally ? We must get used to constant chanting, and constant nama smarana. Swamiji loves those who does Nama smarana constantly. Sadguru is always with them. Where ever they are, how ever far they are, His protection shield is always with them. His focus is always there on them. No doubt about this. You may test if you want.
Nama Smarana purifies thoughts. The whole intention of satkarma – good deeds is to purify thoughts. Karma is physical strain. We may not do Karmic deeds like Anagha vratham, Sathyanarayana vratham etc. every day. It is difficult. We may perform these vrathams may be once a month or once in six months or once in a year. It is not possible to perform this daily. Our body doesn’t support. But there are devotees who performed Anagha vratam every day for 18 long years. They knew the puja procedure by-heart. But Nama sankeertana involves no strain. This chanting can be done mentally to avoid physical strain. There are people who do Aho Ratra parayana – day & night for 40 days. This also is strain. Then do Nama Smarana mentally. It will automatically gives you devotion and inturn leads to bhava shuddhi. In this context, I will tell you the shloka that I mentioned about, yesterday.
Meenashwasa paraha
Phanee pavana bhuk
meshosthi parnashanaha
neeraashi khalu chatakaha
prathidinam shaile bile mooshakaha
bhasmoddhulitha vigraha khalu karaha
dhyanadhirudo bakaha
tath tath karmakrutham yadeva munibhihi
bhaavam vina nishphalam
Meena is fish. The fish in the acquarium frequently comes out of water and inhales. Some snakes survive only with air. Goat is surviving by consuming leaves. Chataka pakshi is a bird that consumes only the rain droplets and does not touch any other food. Rat is surviving in its hole. Donkey smears ash all over its body. It likes vibhuthi. Crane also does Japa. Crane puts one of its leg in water and does Japa but only to attract other small creatures in water to eat. The karmas that sages do are also done by these creatures as mentioned. All these creatures may get salvation in some circumstances but if man does any karma without concentration and involvement, it is of no use and he cannot attain salvation. Never show demonic devotion. Demons perform homas day and night. Homa is prohibited during night time. Demons do it even in night. This is demonic devotion. You hurt and abuse people and do some seva. Sadguru will not be pleased with such seva. You need not do any deed forcibily. It should be coupled with bhavana.
tapascha danam vipulam dhanadi
sheelena heenam narakam dadhathi
pranena heeno bahu sundaropi
kim poothi gandham na dadhathi dehaha
Any karma done without involvement may take you only to Naraka. Lack of bhavana is lifeless. We must practise involvement in doing any Karma. They are like twins. Simply doing just for the sake of doing goes in vain. Any karma must lead to knowledge. How long will you keep doing just Karma ? Your Karma should gain you knowledge. The path to such knowledge is shown by Sadguru. How ? With Satkarma. Doing good karma is like passport and VISA. Sadguru helps you to gain Gnana through your Satkarma.
Durlabho vishaya tyagaha
Durlabham tatvadarshanam
Durlabha sahajaavastha
Sadguro karunaam vinaa
Sacrifice and tattva darshana is not so simple. Self realisation is not so easy without the grace of Sadguru. We must pray for Sadguru’s grace upon us.
Many question – what do we get out of devotion? If anyone is asked as to what they need from bhakthi, they say, me and my family should do good. It is natural that we think of our family. Few of them, who are at a higher level say, it is ok even if I’m not good, may my children and grand children be good. It is natural that we earn for our children and we leave our property for them. Similarly, Bhakthi also should be for the betterment of our next generations. We must give bhakthi as wealth to our next generation. This is real wealth. You may give your properties to them, but along with it, pass on devotion also. Many pray Swamiji that their children should also be inclined towards path of devotion. We must lead our children in righteous path. That itself is social service. One must marry , have children and put them in the right path. Sadguru raises thousands of people and puts them in right path, thus doing the greatest social service. If anyone asks, what does your Sadguru do, say that He brings change in people and in their hearts. He brings great changes in our life. You also must have that faith in Him that He can bring that change in you. This is what we must say.
There is a story in Narada Purana. There is a devotee who did Datta smarana and propagated it.
Guru charithra says :
Anubhutham mayaa satyam
srothrum samprarthayeth tathaha
sridatta smaranam satyaha
ishtadam yanubhuyatam
I have experienced the bliss of devotion. The name of Datta fulfills all our desires. It has that power. So, you also experience it – says the above sloka.
In Maharashtra, even today there is a tradition of seeking Nama Smarana as alms. It is good to chant Names sitting at one place. Along with this, we must also do Nagara Sankeerthana. Go to new places, new temples and sing the names of God. This is true seva. Not just doing in our homes, go to others’ houses, ask them to allow you to do Nama Smarana in their house. There is no need for them to make any arrangements for Naivedya or Prasada. Do some satsanga. If someone is in trouble, go and perform Guru Gita Parayana or Hanuman Chalisa parayana in their house. Ask them for this and do it. Just do parayana, no gossipp.
When some one is in hospital, offer purnaphala to Hanuman and pray in their name. Give the sacred thread of purnaphala to that hospitalised person. Apply the given kumkum or Vibhuti to the patient and pray for them. This is the real service. Do not worry even if that sick person does not recover. You do your job of praying and chanting Hanuman chalisa. That person may also die despite our prayers. But do not worry. That is not in our hands. Every one must die some day or the other. Sometimes, it is possible that they might die right in front of you as you chant. Don’t feel bad. It is his fortune that he passes away while listening to Hanuman chalisa. This gives him salvation. The kith and kin may also say that only because of our prayers, he passed away. Be prepared for that also. Don’t feel bad. Continue to pray and serve. Do not cry for them. Instead pray in their name and infront of them. Simply weeping does not yield any result. Chant Hanuman Chalisa infront of the patients. This is true propagation of Bhakthi. Due to this, Sadguru will bless you also with good health.
Please experience Datta Nama. How can we say that the food is tasty just by its smell ? We have to eat it. Even if it is nectar, you will not know untill you taste it. Sometimes, when you are sick, your taste buds wont work and you may not know the actual taste. Sickness here is your doubtful nature. If you are doubtful, you will not know the taste of Nama Smarana. Have faith in it. You have a tasty food in hand. You are not sick. Everything is fine. But the food is extremely hot. Will you know its taste if consumed with such heat ? You will spit it out of heat. Likewise if you are dubious , then also you may not experience the power of Nama Smarana. Calm your mind first and then put Datta nama on your tongue, chew it properly and then swallow.
A cow eats grass all that is found first. Later, when it rests, it brings back the cud to the mouth for further chewing. Similarly, one must listen everything that was told by Guru. Later, remember all that was heard and ponder over it. Listen from both ears and fill it in the heart. You should listen not just hear. Even a Single word may help us a lot. So listening is very important. Hence we are provided with ears. Simply doing nama smarana without experiencing it is of no use. Jai guru datta should be experienced from within. Is it possible to do it every time with heart ? Yes ! It is. You should remember my words when ever you say Jaya guru datta. Datta sits inside the heart and He Himself chants sitting on our tongue if you involve yourself.
Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama Rama…….
Tyagaraja Swami chanted Rama Nama for 108 times and then used to swallow that saliva every time he took the saliva inside. He did the same before beginning any work. He chanted numerous crores of times Rama Nama and then wrote all the bhajans, Nauka Charitham & Prahlada Charitha. That is why we are still singing them till today. That is the power of Nama Smarana. When Swamiji has written all the bhajans, they were written from His soul, not just with a pen and paper. So, when we sing them, we experience its power.
Datta Datta Datta Datta Datta Datta Datta
Count the number of times you can chant Datta or Rama in single breath and then take in the saliva. Chant for 36 times, 45 times, 72 times, 108 times. No antibiotics are equal to its power. This is very good. You experience this and tell me. This itself is Yoga, Sadhana. Actually the saliva should not fall on parents, elders,books etc. It is a sin. But, it is said that if the saliva while chanting nama even if falls on the books will not result in sin. We do not sit on the paper because we respect it as Goddess Saraswathi. It is a part of Guru priciple. We do not stamp on paper or books. We should lend books to the people in need.
Back to story, that devotee is chanting Datta smarana and making every one do the same in that village. Many people in their old age worry about their children. Same is the case with that devotee here. He was praying Datta that his child should be taken care of. Datta will not usually speak. He just smiled. We see the same with Swamiji also. That devotee died that day. His child spent all the welath that was given to him by his father. In order to survive, he opted to rob. We should not even think about others’ articles. If we feel so, it indicates that you have no balance of mind. Why is my mind thinking that some thing that is not mine is so dear to me? Keep questioning. We should not let that happen.
The child grew up, got married and now is fully engaged in robbery. He even started to kill people and rob. This is because of desire. One who leaves desire becomes yogi. This child once went to Vishnu temple. He thought of robbing the wealth in the temple so he can get settled in his life. Guru’s/Lord’s/Other’s wealth should not be desired. It is equal to fire. It is equal to snake.
One midnight he planned to rob. That was an Ekadashi day. Continuos prayers are going on in the night. Somehow this man could enter into the sanctum sanctorium to rob. Everyone was busy chanting Om Namo Narayanaya. After some time they left. This man tried to open the lock of the temple and suddenly heard someone chanting Narayana Mantra. He looked around and found an old man sitting across him and chanting Om Namo Narayanaya.
That old man wanted the thief also to sing the name and waived at him constantly. The thief got irritated. Why is he creating impediments in my path to rob – he thought. He started to hit the old man. The old man continued to chant and smiled at him. After sometime the thief pondered over as to why he was unable to kill the old man despite so many hits. The thief was surprised that despite hitting so much the old man is not resisting instead preaching him with good words. The thief sat in front of the old man and started listening to him. The old man explained about the sins that the thief would accrue with these bad deeds. The thief was attracted to the old man wanted to accept him as his guru. The old man gave him the duty of taking out sandal paste for the lord in the temple. But the condition is that he should do it chanting Datta nama. The thief was very happy doing this and is engrossed completely in this activity. One day, he wanted to apply the sandal paste to the feet of the old man and seeked his permission. The old man accepted for this. As the thief was applying this sandal paste to the feet of the old man, chanting Datta nama and died at his feet. The old man is none other than Lord Datta Himself. As desired by his father, Datta blessed the thief, put him on right path and gave him salvation. Once we hold the feet of Datta, He will never leave us. It may appear sometimes for us that he left us but He will not.
Abhyasannimisenaiva samadhimadhi gacchati
Janmakoti krtam papam tatkshanadeva nasyati
As we practice continously, we attain siddhi within a minute. But we must keep doing it for that one minute. We do not know when it comes. As it comes, the sins perpetrated over crores of births will be destroyed that very moment.
This story tells us the power of Nama Smarana. This is Sri Guru Datta Vaibhavam – the glory of Lord Datta ! Tomorrow we shall continue further. Sri Guru Datta !