Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji at Datta Retreat Center – July 9, 2011 – USA
Morning
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sri Pada Vallabha
Narasimha Sarsawati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Jesus Datta Retreat Center ki Jai!!
Today, anniversary, silver jubilee, 25 years since we started this ashrama. Very miraculous. Very suddenly, I think Ramana will show a small video – the history of 25 years.
1976, Swamiji came to America, Niagara, took a bath outside in Canada, deep water. That is only miracle. I think you’ve read Swamiji’s biography. How many have read? Go ahead and read biography. If you want good friendship, good help, if you want a Guru, if you want good association with Swamiji, you must read. We have a small version of biography also. Dr. Prof. Nath of London wrote the small version of life history. Very easy English, like American English, England English. Very nice meaning. It can be read in one and a half days. Why not take that book to study? We also have an audio version that Hira Aunty made. Short version. Essence. If you want Swamiji’s blessings, real guru for your family, your life, you must read life history. The more you understand, the more you get good friendship, good association and good understanding with Swamiji. Otherwise, no use.
10-15 years devotees are sitting here. It is in very easy to read Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, Gujarati languages. Very easy language. German, Russian languages. Very small biographies. If you have real devotion, go ahead and read. Otherwise, it is all drama. You also do drama, I also do drama. Both actors, we are acting. Some people find it difficult to read. That is why we have audio version also. When you are traveling, you can listen to it. It is like a novel, a cinema. Go to book stall and collect biography. Then you understand who is this Swamiji? What is the connection in my life? Why we have come here? Why am I here, what is the karma, what is the incarnation, what is the guru, what is the teacher, what is the student, who is this man, who is this soul, what energy is traveling in his body, what kind of blessings, how to follow, how to understand this man, this fellow, this guru, this friend? It’s very necessary for that. Otherwise, no use. Wasting your time. Sometimes you are thinking you know everything about Swamiji. I’m talking to you during interview time. You think you know everything. What is your understanding of Swamiji? Then no good answer. “I have good devotion. I have your picture in my pocket”. That’s it, that is enough. Ta-ta (Good Bye).
To know why we follow Swamiji, you must understand life history. We are cheating Swamiji or Swamiji is cheating me? What is this illusion? What is this maya? Why do we run to Swamiji? Why people running? Of course, he’s like a magical man, circus man, music man, this man, that man. No problem. But you must understand who is this man? You must know. You must learn. Then you can come closer to Swamiji. Even closer. Then you will understand how to fight your problems, how to solve the problems yourself. If you don’t know biography, it’s no use – time waste, money waste.
You explain to your children, to your friends, – he makes music, I got visa, my child got very good seat, he comes in my dreams, he is mahatma. There’s no substance. You do not know the essence about Swamiji to teach your children. First give education to children about Swamiji. Play to them Swamiji’s records (CDs or recordings). Show them Swamiji’s messages, read those messages to kids. We need moral security. This is necessary in our life. This is moral protection, moral support in your life. Like Social Security. It is not great to just say that he’s very attraction, that’s why I’m running, running. That’s not permanent, that’s temporary. That’s only slow Anacin (pain reliever) – like slow sleeping pills, temporary pain relief. Ah, I saw photo, very happy, heard a bhajan, very nice voice, I heard music. Very good. Then I had bhojana (a nice meal that was served), very good food. This weekend is very good. Ta-ta, bye bye…vanish!
You have taught the children bhajans – that is very nice. But, you must teach the children about Appaji. Just say it as is. Don’t tell false stuff. Not necessary. Only Life History. Just tell messages.
35 years Swamiji is making Bhakti Mala magazine. 35,000 people have membership. In 6 languages. How many read? You read and then throw away. Finish. 35 years, Bhakti Mala in 6 or 7 languages. You are only magazine members. No experience. You only look last page. You are only looking for programs/schedule. What is this matter, material? What is this continuation, who is writing, what is the meaning, why Swamiji told like this? Why is this chapter different? No one asks. Because no one asks. So many times I cause confusion. But no one asks. No interest. Small magazine – 15 to20 pages only. Very small. You only read when you drink coffee, tea or Bourn Vita. No time. You have good lunch time, one and a half hour. Dinner time ooh, aah, talking, joking, chatting. Movie time you have. You are wasting 1.5 or 2 hours for lunch or dinner. But Bhakti mala studies, no time. Because we don’t know, we don’t want good friendship. We want only protection. I gave 500 dollars, I am a new devotee, I have life size photos in my house, Swamiji gave name to my daughter, you know? My child name, he gave on phone, my father he protected from accident, you know. That’s why I’m following Swamiji.
Swamiji given moral support, also slowly giving spiritual knowledge. One day you will wonder, Swamiji not given upadesham, no Bhagavad Gita. No purana. He only doing puja, only protectin, only bhajans. But swamiji Indirectly giving Bhagavatam,Viveka Choodamani, upadesham in only one and half or two lines. Simple messages. You have no time. You give excuse, “I am not member, I have no iPhone”. Not necessary member, there’s email. Not necessary iPhone. So many excuses you have. You are ready to give a counter-answer to Swamiji. Ready. Close. Then he won’t ask again. Easy to counter answers these are. Excuses are ready. You keep your counter answers ready. No one agrees about wasting time. No one asks for blessing. No one says, “Okay Swamiji, I will try to get this.” You keep asking, I want baby boy, sons, give my children good college seats, visas, raise in salary, business profit, revenue, big house, older son is not good, can you fix him, you are God, you are Hanuman, namaha, namaha, finish!
Such a relationship I need, it’s not a complaint, it is good, I am happy. Not upset. But, on the side, you must learn spiritual knowledge. We need all those things. But what is the gratitude? What do you give back?
“Who are we? Why are we here?” We need all kind of questions. What do we give back to Swamiji.? We learn something. And we get change in our heart, something. For good fruit, like nectar, like amrita, you change your life completely. Sattvik good food. Happiness, eternal bliss, eternal happiness, bliss. If you take a big bungalow, a big Mercedes car, you say, “I am happy. But that happiness is temporary. One day I may sit in your car, I may come to your bungalow, but that is temporary. Swamiji, last year my mind was bad, dirty mind, now it is better and clean. I had a doubt last year. Now it is clear. Some change. Daily messages you will understand. This is permanent happiness. Swamiji is happy. More and more change. This life is short. 85-90 years. 100 years? Old age, you cannot hear. You cannot eat. No taste. No teeth. Finished. You get irritated with sounds and noise. 4, 5 or 6 operations. We do surgeries to fix, but lastly finish. Different heart, different kidney, hand is different, eye is different. Everything new part, like a car. Vegetable. That’s okay, we want to suffer, we will fight. That is old age dharma. Vriddhaapya dharma. We must face, fight, obey, respect that age. But, before that age, you must learn something, not earn, LEARN. Side by side, earn, but main LEARN. But, we focus on earn and if we have time, we learn. This is not good. There is no taste. That is why we are born. God gave us this birth as a gift. You must learn, think about me, think about this maya. Who am I, who are you? Who is this wife, who is this husband, what is this kaama (lust and worldly desires), how to control this kaama, who are these children, what experiences are these, what connections are these, to the house, wife, village, friend? Carefullly, you study this janma (this birth, this lifetime). Don’t miss (misuse and waste) this birth. Our only aim is ten million dollars money. Lottery. Las Vegas. Such a luck. Then one day death. Finish!
Losers! All losers. We are all born and we die. He is born. He is well-educated. He will get a good job in computers. Then he got married. Then, he got 2 kids – girl and a boy. He bought a house. He cannot take care of his parents. He grew old, then retired and then, died. I feel like laughing at this maya (illusion). Meow meow kids are born, then Kaw Kaw debt grows. I laugh at all this, O Datta! You make this big joke, this illusion. I am sad. Kovvu (arrogance) got to my head.
There is the wick of knowledge with Guru’s words. Light the lamp of spiritual knowledge. Light the candle of Guru’s love.
Anyway, let’s go to the next chapter – 25th anniversary!! One chapter is finished. Now? Happy 25th Anniversary. Happy Birthday! (Cheers! Applause!! Everybody sings It’s a happy happy happy day…)
Don’t worry. No problem. Ramana will show a video in the evening. DRC a very big miracle! I cannot explain this Maya (illusion). I am very happy with devotees. They are protecting this center. Some devotees are pucca Christians. I believe in Datta, but I respect the Bible. Also this is Sarva Dharma. We respect all religions. That’s why I named Jesus DRC. We respect Islam, Buddhism, all kinds of dharma. Our mainstream line is Datta. Dattas’ teachings are different, there’s no religion. Second teaching is music. Music also no religion. Middle we are following some dharma. Swadharma (individual code of following the right conduct and principles).
Today evening you will see birth of DRC video. I am very happy, nearly 108 people – they are protecting this center. No restriction, any amount – $25, $50 anything. We got a special group, time to time Swamiji giving advice, some messages in English to you. Also, DRC programs, schedules you will get in the news. That is why we made a special group. More new people joined today. We need electricity, this city, that city. Expenses. Now more members have joined. Now a total of 116 members. We need good support to this center. More people, students also can join with their small earnings. Give good support. We need maintenance. No big doctors. Only daughters. We have no millionaires. Only ordinary people. We have no funds. We need protection. Contribute what you can.
Dallas has become a big center. We don’t want to ask– they have their own programs, their own problems. We don’t want any funds from Dallas, but if they give we’ll take. Otherwise, they’ll feel bad. DRC should be independent. This is the mother ashrama, it is the first ashrama.
In the shiva temple, touch that center point. It has very powerful vibrations. Today. Forget everything, all your problems, just touch and feel. It heals all our problems completely. Concentrate and feel.
New people also join. Anyone that knows IT in Pittsburgh can support Ramana and Padma. 2 or 3 people together that live close by should take on IT to help Ramana, Meera, Cindy, and Padma. They do all the work – cleaning, decoration, cooking. It’ll be nice if you help. As new members join, the money should go to the bank, the account information should to go Swamiji. Everything is done on the computer, there’s no need to come here all the time. One person must take the responsibility and be accountable.
Swamiji will send messages, may be daily, may be once in three days, may be once a week, may be three times a day! . But, someone needs to be responsible to collect information from here.
(A T-shirt was released with caption, “Bhaktireva Gareeyasee” printed on the back). This saying is from Narada Bhakti Soothras, also from the Viveka Choodaamani. The Bhagavad Gita has dedicated an entire chapter for Bhakti (devotion). The saying means, “Devotion is Supreme”. The one who wears the shirt, the owner of the shirt does not see the message. It is in the back. Those others who read the message will gain devotion. Good for them.
Today evening Bhajans. Tomorrow morning, Homa, puja. For those who have to drive back tomorrow, I will be there with you, in the car. If you don’t pack up and go to office on Monday, who will give donations?
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Evening
Jaya Guru Datta
The program began with a book release – a picture book for children and adults about Sri Swamiji’s selfless service as the child Sathyanarayana, with lovely digital color pictures, prepared by Meera Laird.
The art seva, the pictures speak the Life History. I have seen the rough work in Mysore. Very nice. Not gigantic. For Datta devotees, it is gigantic. We need. Videos, photos, songs, books, DVDs, CDs, it is your duty to teach your own children. Don’t say, “I have no time. I have no time. I have no time. I have no time. I have no time. I have no time.” Once they have this, after ten years, there will be no problem for future. It is very important to teach children Appaji’s life history through such videos and pictures. This age for kids is the turning point. You (parents) must talk frequently about Swamji with the children. Show the DVDs, listen to bhajans all the time. Let them grasp like the tape recorder. Then, there’s no problem in the future. Example, see this child born three years back. Mother is always speaking about Swamiji. Very safe future for such children. Trisha, says shlokas. I am surprised. Swamiji sent a verse in email. In Baton Rouge everyone knows. I am very happy. You just say Hanumanta, and the Telugu Hanuman Chaleesa she chants fully. (The child chanted clearly in the proper tune in the microphone for the entire audience, to a loud applause). She has learnt it while in the womb itself. In the womb, the children should be made to listen, like tape recording. Instead, husband and wife quarrel.
See Bhargavi (a little girl 4 yrs. Old), she’s always saying I love swamiji, I love swamiji. She is ready.
SGS – “Will you come away to Mysore?” Bhargavi – “Yes.” SGS – “Why?” Bhargavi – I will come to marry you!” SGS –“I would have to carry you around. Why do you like Tataji?” Bhargavi – “I love you Tataji.” SGS – “Who is Tataji?” Bhargavi – “You. God. You are Datta, Krishna, Hanumanta.”
Sri Swamiji went through a few pages in the book with the children and they readily identified the characters in the book, the different deities, Sri Jayalakshmi Mata, Satyanarayana, and aunt Venkamma. Swamiji auctioned the first copy of the book. It was autographed and given to the Chandru Chaganti family.
No reprinting. This is a collector’s item. JDRC has only 100 copies. More copies will be available in Dallas.
One more miracle with another book. Very big artist, gif photographer. Swamiji saw the pictures at Grand Canyon bridge walk when he went there from Las Vegas. In one minute, things can turn. I was in Grand Canyon on the sky bridge and I saw this picture.
(V.R. Raman spoke about a photograph of Mt. Rainier that looks like Hanuman doing japa. During Guru Purnima Sri Swamiji will release the book with photos by the famous photographer Jeff Mitchum, with Swamiji’s sayings on each page. The picture is titled, King of the World. Swamiji commented that Hanuman is the next Brahma. That is why. www.jeffmitchum.com has the photograph for devotees to view. Appaji saw this picture and was in the room for some time. This photographer was there and will be in Dallas for GP. The photographer explained it was Mt. Rainier. But, Swamijji pointed out that there was Hanuman in the middle of the picture prostrating. Swamiji then asked Raman to call Jeff Mitchell about the photos. Jeff was not in town, but suggested that DYC release these pictures if they like the pictures. Appaji then told Raman that that’s exactly what he had intended. There will be a book released with Jeff’s pictures on one side and Swamiji’s messages on the other side. This book will be released in Dallas and will sell for $175. It’s a great coffee table book. If you want a copy, give your name to Raman to reserve it. There will only be a 1000 copies and no reprint).
Sri Maha Ganapataye namah
Sri Saraswatyai namah
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya namah
Bhajan: Modal modal vanakkam (tamil)
Tamil is the language next to Sanksrit, followed by Telugu and then Malayalam. Tamil has a lot of Sanskrit words. Telugu is easy to explain about Gods and Goddesses. Very easy to pronounce and understand. Kannada is kasturi. Kasturi means it has a nice smell. Musk. With good fragrance.
Bhajan: Gauramma talli
O Mother Goddess, your husband is Lord Siva. How to worship, praise the energy. What is the conversation between the two, the husband and wife? What about the children? This is a song on Mother Goddess, what villagers sing as a folk song while doing “kolattam” – a dance they do with sticks in their hand – like dandiya.
This is the history of mother goddess family. This is a very nice song. “O mother goddess, protect me. Please forgive and protect. I have little knowledge, please forgive and protect.
Bhajan: Sundara sundara siva siva
If you got to ragasagara (www.ragasagara.com) you will see all bhajans with meanings. If you go there, you will see.
Bhajan: Naav chal padi, datta naav chal padi
Bhajan: Re mana, re re mana, jhoom ke gavo hari ke guna
This is like a spiritual advice. Talking in the inner mind. With inner sounds. In our soul, mind and soul talking. Listen to the buddhi or the atma. The ears want to hear bad things, but you must listen to the soul. The hands want to do bad things. The tongue wants to say bad things. Listen to the soul. The mind says don’t hug the Supreme. But, the atman says to embrace the supreme. Body is only witness. Body causes so many problems. Soul and mind friendship is only temporary friendship. Again soul will have problems. Only a couple of moments friendship. Then after a couple of moments they quarrel. That is this bhajan. Always argument between mind and soul.
Hari ke gun means about Hari, Lord Krishna. Not your ‘hurry, hurry’.
Soul says, O eyes, see Hari. Mind says, “NO!”. Soul says listen to good music, good sayings. Mind says, don’t listen. Heart says, Do puja. Hands are itching to serve Guru and God. Mind says, NO. Only listen to and do bad things. The Heart believes. The mind says, doubt. Don’t believe. The soul says, hug tight, hold tight. Mind says, no, no, no.
Bhajan: Sreem Sreem Sreem
Harati song: Gavo harati Visweswara Siva ki”
(Appaji said that anyone who gives Appaji an iPad 2s will get Appaji’s iPad with all the bhajans. When many devotees volunteered, Swamij offered to do a lucky draw to give away three such, that are being used by the musicians).
Sri Guru Datta