Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Inauguration of the book Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu – November 7, 2010 – Hyderabad
Jaya Guru Datta
“Sree Maha Ganapataye namaha Sree Saraswatyai namaha
Sreepaada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sree Guru Dattaatreyaaya namaha
Many great musicians, musicologists and devotees of music have gathered here today. Valmiki, Vyasa, Tulasi Das, Jnana Dev and such poets expressed their thoughts as and when they were inspired using palm leaves. Their disciples later on conveyed their messages to the public. In Vyasa’s time there were no computers. Now it is easy to type. There are even voice sensitive programs that automatically transform verbal messages to script. I am not calling myself a poet. Like Narada or Anjaneya, when a poet gets the inspiration, he has to express himself. He cannot suppress it or hold it back. He will burst. Not all expressions may be great. Not everything may become famous. Still, they have to spit it out. When a musician goes to give a concert, he goes with a plan for the program. He goes prepared. Then if his freedom is thwarted, and the organizers tell him to stop after two songs and disconnect the microphone because the time is up or some other program is about to commence, he gets very frustrated. He may receive good remuneration and honors and felicitations with shawls. Do you know what he does when he goes home? He will go into the room, shut the door, and sing to his heart’s content. He has to get it out of his system. The people at home may wonder why he is giving a concert after returning home! The musician may simply tell them that he was practicing. It is the same case with poets. They cannot withhold their songs or poems. Bhoomayya had to sing his poem just now.
When Swamiji was writing his Chutuku Sahityam, the short couplets – sometimes two lines, sometimes three or four lines, all through the U.S. tour it was like that. Somebody had to listen to the poems as they were streaming out. The boys were afraid to come into my room because they would get stuck there forced to stay and listen to my poems while they had other business to attend to. Finally it got to a stage where they were running away from me. I had to tell them, when they brought me a fruit or tea that I would only accept it if they listened to my poems. Sometimes they show such funny scenes in movies where a poet goes chasing after people who would listen to his poetry. If they cannot find a listener they will tell a tree, a cat, dog, or even a mosquito their poem. They feel satisfied if the tree happens to sway in the breeze imagining that it is nodding in appreciation. Why do poets behave like that? I will tell you. If the first verse is not spoken out, the second verse will not come out. It will painfully get stuck inside. When the refrain comes, the stanzas have to follow. They cannot be stopped. Whether it is a curse or a blessing, we have to think that it is a boon for us.
Vyasa who is none other than Vishnu asked Brahma for a scribe. Brahma said Ganapati is the only one qualified. He is the computer of computers. He is Omkara, without form. Only sound. Nada. The sound that you hear now through the speakers as sound waves is Ganapati. You imagine him with an elephant’s trunk. Yes, he can take a form if he wishes. He can also remain without a form. Anjaneya was subtle and invisible as air when he gave darshan to Sita. Ramayana happens in our body. The story that happened ages ago also happens all the time inside of us. Suddenly it will strike you. Like when you sometimes visit a new place or see something in a museum, you feel that you were there before. It belonged to you. It was yours, in a past life. The mind travels even if the body is stationary.
Vyasa said I have to express. Ganapati said you have to keep speaking and not allow me to put my pen down. Then Vyasa was smart. He told Ganapati that he had to understand everything that was said, before he could write it down. That took some time for Ganapati and gave time to Vyasa to think about what he had to say next.
I feel very happy when you ask me for my music. I will sing or play only if you are prepared to listen paying full attention. One day a devotee complimented me on “Pahi pahi Gajanana”. He told me that I sang it beautifully. That is a song that I have been singing all my life. This devotee heard it for the first time with full attention only on that day.
Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu has been called Raga Ragini Nada Deepamu (Light) by Sri Bala Swamiji. I like that. It is like Light. When you see an earthen lamp what do you have there? There is a mud saucer made by a potter. There is the wick made from cotton grown by a farmer. There is the oil that came from the oil extractor. It has been touched by persons of three different castes. No pure pedigree. By lighting such a casteless Light (jaati chedina jyothini veliginchi) in front of the deity, you reach Paramatman, the Supreme Reality. Do not worry about Raga and Roga (disease) and what Raga cures what disease and how. Do not explore to find the source of a flowing river. It may lead you to a sewer. You go to the holy river Ganga. You see corpses floating on the water. What you need is faith. “This raga will cure me”. Have faith. It will cure you. This is not an injection. For someone in a coma, you have to make them listen for forty days continuously. The Governor has asked for that cassette.
Do not say it is only a synthesizer. This is not an ordinary synthesizer. Do not look. Do not analyze. Simply listen or go to sleep. Hundreds of thousands of people have benefited.
A team of people have worked hard to put this book together – Dr. Swarna Prasad, Dr. Phanishree, Rukmini, Ramana, Subbu, Dr. Padma Murthy, Sachin – I had tears in my eyes when I saw the finished work. I did not sit down and write this book. I gave verbal instructions by the command of my mother Jayalakshmi Mata. By her order all this information came out.
An atheist opened this book. The sound of veena nada emanated from the book. The same experience was had by a devotee in America. This is an ancient tradition. It started with veena because the veena represents the spinal column. I worked with veena, then a sitar. The Raga Ragini deities, my Guru Sri Jayalakshmi Mata and Goddess Saraswati, they all made me do this. I have no time to even listen to the good news of people wanting to thank me that they got healed with my music. I have time only to listen to the people who have problems.
Music is always a festival for my Datta devotees. Once you start listening to Swamiji’s music you will get addicted. Datta devotees have had lots of experiences. Istanbul express has sought permission to play Swamiji’s music to reduce crime. In Switzerland they play Swamiji’s healing music in telephone booths. It has reduced thefts.
I am very happy that Swamiji has first written this work in Telugu. There are lots of photographs and pictures. I wanted the pictures to speak and reveal lots of secrets about Nadis. There is a diagram of Kala Purusha – Time Personified. You have to read this book repeatedly.
Kuppa Krishnamurthy told me when I visited him that this book was very good, but. When I insisted on knowing why he kept saying ‘but’, he told me that it was too heavy. If you make a book without all those pictures, and only the text and a couple of pictures, then we can make it affordable to the common man. Then it will reach the general public, he said.
This book is being translated into English and Kannada. The English version will be released in June during the Birthday celebrations. Datta Darshanam book has now come out in sixteen languages. If you listen with your heart, each picture is a raga. You will understand. You will feel Sri Swamiji’s presence there. Language is not a barrier. If you have any doubts, you ask me. I will clear your doubts. Please do not talk about it frivolously. Bhajan is for buddhi, the intellect. Bhojan is for the body.”
Sri Guru Datta
Jaya Guru Datta
English summary – speech by Nada Nidhi Sri Nookala Chinna Satyanarayana 2010 – at Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu book release by the Governor of Andhra Pradesh
Jaya Guru Datta
‘I offer my prostrations to Nada Brahma Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji and Sri Bala Swamiji. I begin with Saint Thyagaraja’s Kirtana ‘Nada tanumanisham’ (ever the personification of divine sound)’ Ganapatim (instead of Shankaram) modified for this occasion to honor Sri Swamiji.
Many great persons are present today on this momentous occasion, including His Holiness Sri Swamiji, Sri Bala Swamiji, the Governor of Andhra Pradesh Dr. E.S.L. Narasimham and other great devotees of music.
To describe this book in one word, it is an extension of Sama Veda. If Sama Veda is one half, this is the other half. Raga Ragini is not merely seven musical notes.
‘Sa’ stands for Parameshwara – Form
‘Pa’ stands for Shakti – Energy
The entire Creation including us is nothing but a combination of Form and Energy. Of the rest of the five notes, there are not just five.
There is two of each;
Suddha ‘ri’ which is Ragini and Chatushruti ‘ri’ which is Raga
Suddha ‘ga’ which is Ragini and Antara ‘ga’ which is Raga
Suddha ‘ma’ which is Ragini and Prati ‘ma’ which is Raga
Suddha ‘da’ which is Ragini and Chatushruti ‘da’ which is Raga
Kaisiki ‘ni’ which is Ragini and Kakali ‘ni’ which is Raga
The entire secret of Music is in Raga Ragini. Behind each Raga there is a Ragini. The entire essence of Sama Veda is here.
Through music all diseases can be cured. Raga removes Roga. By Sri Swamiji’s grace I gave a discourse for five days in Chicago on the Healing aspect of Music. Music has no boundaries. These 12 swaras or musical notes are universal and common to all systems of music. One’s nature is revealed through music.
The deities of the musical notes are decorated differently in different regions of the world. The way they are embellished is different and that is what makes them distinct systems such as Carnatic music and Hindustani music.
Nada is Yoga. We are living beings like all others, except that we talk. Music is common to all living beings. Music rules the world. It protects the world. It removes dis-ease.”
Sri Guru Datta
Jaya Guru Datta
English summary of Sri Bala Swamiji’s speech at Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu book release, Nov. 2010
“I offer my prostrations to Nada Brahma Guru Sri Swamiji. We are participating here in a Maha Yajna. It is our great fortune. Sri Swamiji prepared the book and set it aside. I had the chance of reading it three times during its preparation. As Nada Brahma, Sri Swamiji removes physical and mental ailments. Nada which is as powerful as a mantra is utilized by Sri Swamiji for this purpose. No words can describe the power of Music. Nada is the source of the entire Creation. That is why Sri Swamiji has captured this powerful tool. Nada is the beginning and end of Everything. Through Nada the world is being protected.
The Mother Goddess is three in One, Iccha Shakti, Jnana Shakti, and Kriya Shakti – the energies of Determination, Knowledge and Execution. This work is a result of all three, especially Kriya Shakti since a great effort has gone into it.
Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu should really be called Raga Ragini Nada Deepamu (Light). That is the name that rings in my heart. Through this book Sri Swamiji has lit the Lamp of Nada in our hearts.
The Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Sri Nookala, an intimate devotee of Sri Swamiji have enthusiastically come forward to hold this function.
In the vast book that contains the Universal Plan of Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji, this book is perhaps just one page. In his life, ever since he was born, he has given SO MUCH to the world.
We had to beg Sri Swamiji to give us the honor and privilege of having this inauguration function. I urge all experts and research scholars to explore this treatise and reveal all the secrets that are contained in this magnificent work.”
Sri Guru Datta
Jaya Guru Datta
English Summary of the speech by Dr. E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Nov. 7, 2010
“On behalf of all the people of Andhra Pradesh I offer prostrations to His Holiness Sri Swamiji. Many great people are gathered here. Since all names are God’s names, when I say the name, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda it includes everyone.
Today this Raga Ragini Nada Yogamu book is released. The main objective of Sri Swamiji is to rid our society of all ailments. We are under a lot of stress, pressure and tension. Health is affected. When we listen to Sri Swamiji’s healing music the roga (disease) of society is removed and it becomes Raga (melody). It is the purity of Sri Swamiji’s heart that brings bliss to the music. Listening to beautiful music is healing. Sri Swamiji told me, “What I want is not applause. I want my music to touch their hearts and transform them”.
Listening to good music takes you to a new world. You will realize that it is a stress buster. I have no devotion. I have no knowledge of music. But from listening to Sri Swamiji’s music devotion swells up. This is a great gift to Mankind.
We go after name, fame and material comforts. These do not give permanent peace. Money, name and fame are not enough. A healthy mind is required. Our environment sends out a lot of negative signals. Sri Swamiji’s music cancels these out and puts out positive signals.
People are so busy. They have no time to sit and listen to music. Swamiji says, “No time? Don’t waste your time. Listen during sleep. In the subconscious state, there is no resistance. It is recommended that you turn the CD on and go into sleep mode.
Danam, Yajnam, Tapam, and Japam (charity, rituals, penance, and turning the beads) only give you the first three purusharthas, good conduct, prosperity, and fulfillment of desires. Moksha or liberation is possible only through music and its healing touch.
Sri Swamiji with his pure heart gives happiness away. He transfers his bliss to us. We are greatly benefited by his presence, his music, and his blessings.
Eight crores (80 million) of population of Andhra Pradesh state have received your blessings today. We will ever remain in a state of happiness. You have gifted us your today for our tomorrow.”
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Smt. Hira Duvvuri