Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji to Sashwata Seva Members of Datta Peetham on Vijaya Dasami Day – September 28, 2009 – UPH Mysore
Hari Om Tat sat!
Today is a very special day. Sashwata Seva members have assembled here for this meeting. Though you have some problems at home, by the grace of Datta you all are coming to the ashram. For the development of the ashram, Swamiji made a scheme called Sashwata Seva. It started with 2-3 people and today it has reached this stage. This was not publicized with an intention that only those who are devoted should join in this.
All members are like your brothers and sisters. Please support them. Please support the staff. They are not paid employees. They are volunteers. Give human support by giving proper details. Many times Swamiji asks for Sashwata Seva members’ list with photographs. Sashwata Seva is not business. This is only for selected people. This is your gift to Swamiji. You are giving out of love. This is not for free facilities. It is only Sadguru Puja. In Datta system, once you pay, you must forget. Then you must pay for next member of your family or on Swamiji’s name or Jaya Lakshmi Mata name. This is permanent Datta Daanam.
We have invested all these funds in fixed deposits and the interest is used for many social and spiritual activities like supporting poor people’s weddings, Hospitals, Annadanam (feeding the poor) etc. This is Swamiji’s personal support. Many old close devotees gift to Swamiji for personal use. Kitchen expenses of Swamiji are not from trust. Swamiji is giving training for next generation on how to handle trust expenses. Trust funds are to be protected. Now what you have paid is supporting that activity only. Sashwata Seva membership amount alone is saving for the trust. All other donations are spent then and there for various expenses. This is an open office. No secrets. You can come and check for yourselves. Everything works on faith & belief on Swamiji.
Now that you are members of Sashwata Seva, you should not think that this is the end. You should also become members of Datta Seva (5 Rs per day scheme). That is different and you must be part of that also.
You should know the activities of Guru like how you know Guru Charithra. (Life History of Sadguru) So many people don’t want to know all these account details. But it is my duty to let you know because you all are my permanent members. It is not only Swamiji’s responsibility but it is also yours. I’ll be happy if you enquire for information.
Some people suggested having a pay & token system for Annadanam in Annapurna Mandir. I will not do that for my life time. They said other ashrams have their own agricultural lands and so they do it free of cost. Our ashrama may not have lands but we have Datta Krupa – the Divine grace of Lord Dattatreya. Jaya Lakshmi Mata sold her ornaments and performed Annadanam. This is taught by my mother. I’m trained by such mother and am born to her. My disciples also should have the same attitude. If some one donates one bag of rice for Annadanam, I feel very happy. I enquire all the details as to how it can be used. Food is Prana (Life) for Swamiji. Every year Datta Peetham feeds one hundred thousand poor people. All these activities are done by the Sashwata Seva amount that you gave. The merit of these virtuous deeds is distributed to all of you. If you are happy, Swamiji is happy. Only if you are healthy, you come frequently to the ashrama. Ashram will be good only if you are good. This is a circle.
A plant comes out with fruits and flowers only when you water it. You should not cut the plant. Like wise, Swamiji waters and grows your Good Sankalpas (decisions). Swamiji never asks you to donate your entire money. He only blesses and empowers you to do it continuously. So, this Sashwata Seva membership is meant for the development of our ashram.
All of you must read BhaktiMala regularly. You all must slowly turn towards Gnana. You all should learn to win in your lives without totally depending on Swamiji. Read Swamiji’s books. Listen to speeches. Swamiji will bless you with tolerance and adjustments that are required in your families. You should be able to tolerate small difficulties. Big ones, Swamiji will support. For that, you should read good books by which you get energy. Then Swamiji will initiate and it will speed up.
Don’t be afraid of giving your address. If you are really afraid of giving, then do it in the name of Swamiji. But if Prasadam is sent to others who have given their address, then don’t regret. Your id cards are very useful for you. It is a token of respect for you in the ashram. Don’t loose your cards. It is like your passport. You will come to know the value of this meeting after 3 years. It looks very easy. Swamiji’s instructions appear very easy. But these are very valuable in the later days. Paying money is not the criteria. You should know the details. Sometimes, Swamiji asks for photos of the members. If your photograph is not in our records, then it is a loss for you. All of you must register, update your details and collect cards. We are making a website for Sashwata Seva members. (sgsdattaseva.org). This will be linked up to DattaPeetham website.
Everyone must create an email id. You can receive Swamiji’s blessings through email. Swamiji started Dollar Seva program in USA. The same is started as Datta Seva in India. You all must join that also. We are going to stop Sashwata Seva bookings once we reach 1000 registrations. All of you are lucky. You all have joined this program. All of you give your email ids. Sashwata Seva list is my personal group. You will have direct link with Swamiji. Enroll new members into this. Website will start from Datta Jayanthi. We will take suggestions from everyone but Swamiji will finalize. Those who have paid in the name of Swamiji, Jaya Lakshmi Mata and Datta parampara also are required to give their details for records. We will make a separate list for them. Now lets conclude this meeting with Datta Stava.
Jaya Guru Datta !
Compiled by Bala Aati