Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – May 23, 2012 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
(All the devotees turned around 180 degrees after Sri Chakra Puja and Purnahuti and were facing the Brahma Darshana balcony expecting Sri Swamiji to come through that door to give darshan since that door was opened. After a long wait with everyone chanting ‘Om Namo Hanumate Namaha’ in unison, suddenly Sri Swamiji appeared on the Vishnu Darshana balcony. All the devotees had to turn around again 180 degrees to face Him.)
This reminds me of Udipi Sri Krishna. There is a special window there through which one has the darshan of the Lord. Kanaka Dasa, a very strong devotee of Lord Krishna was denied entry into temples because he was born in a low caste family. The priests looked down upon him, insulted him, and gave him a lot of trouble. One day Kanaka Dasa went to the temple very eager to have the Lord’s darshan. The priests shut the door on his face denying him entry. In despair he went to the backside of the temple and prayed to the Lord. Suddenly the Lord turned around and an opening formed in the wall through which Kanaka Dasa was able to have the darshan of his beloved Sri Krishna. All the priests were aghast at this occurrence. Then the Peethadhipatis, the persons in charge of the eight religious organizations there came to know of the happenings, as to how Kanaka Dasa had been persecuted and how the Lord showered him with mercy. After that they began to treat Kanaka Dasa with respect. The Lord has remained in that position since then, inside that temple and devotees have darshan through that opening. The way all of you had to turn around reminded me of that episode.
Many great devotees throughout history have suffered great difficulties. Such difficulties occur to them by God’s grace only to reveal to the world the strength of their devotion and the purity of their souls. So many such occurrences happen now also to sincere devotees. Although we witness and acknowledge them, with time they get forgotten and after a while they all appear as made up stories and people stop believing them as real happenings.
It is important to teach ourselves and our children these stories. Even events from Swamiji’s Life History, after a while people may stop believing, unless they are often talked about and discussed amongst devotees and their families. These days parents do not take the time to explain to their children the glory of the Guru. They do not give their children the required attention. That results in the children not respecting the beliefs of the parents. The parents most often show irritation and impatience towards the children rather than sharing with them important values through personal discussions. It is very important to do so. If such a close interaction is maintained with the children, then the children will appreciate the devotion and sacrifice of their parents and their reverence to their Guru. Otherwise they will consider the parents as mad people for throwing their wealth and their services on a guru.
Many devotees have started coming to the ashram now, a few days before the Birthday Celebrations. They want to give Swamiji some gifts and they want personal interviews, especially the senior devotees. There is a special allotted time for gift giving. You should wait and make your offerings then. Every time they come to the ashram the senior devotees expect, nay demand, that Swamiji should give them immediate personal attention. Otherwise they are disappointed and they complain. They come with tight schedules, come storming in, demand rooms, interviews, and instant attention. Swamiji does not like it. Behaving like that is a sin. It gives pain to Swamiji. You must learn patience. You must control your desires and demands.
You must understand and respect the Guru Principle. Swamiji already knows who has come and for what purpose. He already knows everyone’s problems. Your quiet prayers from a distance will bear fruit. It is not necessary for Swamiji to greet you in person and speak with you individually every time you visit the ashram. If you have darshan from a distance, that is enough. All the devotees should develop that attitude. You should pray for a change in your attitude through spiritual growth and a better understanding of Guru Tattva. Stop demanding for special blessings and powerful blessings. I do not understand such differences in blessings such as ordinary and special blessings. Touching a devotee on the head or on the shoulder are all very rare and done only when there is a specific need for such an action. Normally darshan is sufficient. Silent prayers are sufficient. What do you mean by powerful blessings? Should I hit you with a stick or pour a pot of water on your head? What will you do? You cannot even scream because you would be right in front of Swamiji. Please learn to be humble, courteous, and patient. Develop your understanding of the Guru.
You should develop your behavior such that Swamiji Himself should call for you and inquire after your welfare and your family’s welfare. Such behavior Swamiji likes. He detests demanding attitudes, strong expectations, and expressions of frustrations and disappointments. You have to consider it a great fortune that Swamiji appears before you and talks to you like this. You should learn to recognize and appreciate your blessings.
Sri Guru Datta