Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Speech at the conclusion of 48 hours ‘Akhand Granth Sahib’ Paath (recital) – December 24, 2010 – Mysore
In Sanskrit, we say “Jaya”, in Guru Nanak Saheb words, we say, “Wahe Guru.” “Jai Guru Datta,” in our words. Daily rotation, like in our breath, Uchvaas (breathing in) & Nichvaas (breathing out) Kriya (action). In the spiritual way, the Uchvaas & Nichvaas Kriya sounds like, ‘Soham’. (HH demonstrates the breathing pattern) – So…Ham…
I want Brahma, I am a Brahma. So, Guru (Master) is the teacher of all tatvaas (philosophies), teacher of all bhutas (elements), teacher of the buddhi(mind), Aatma(soul) & Indriya(senses). There are three parts in the body -buddhi(mind), aatman(soul) & shareer indriyaas (sense organs). These three flow from Brahma. Brahma leads, like in the flow of the Uchvaas & Nichvaas Kriya in our Ida & Pingala Naadis (Nadi = energy channels in our body, Ida & Pingala are the names of the Nadis). This truth is called Yoga Sutra – The Chandra Nadi, the Surya Nadi & in the middle is the Brahma Nadi. It leads the Niraakar Roop (the formless form), the Nirguna Brahma Tatva (the philosophy of the attributeless form of the Supreme Reality).
The three always say & teach to believe in the Guru Gita. In The Guru Gita, Lord Shiva taught Mother Goddess Parvati & solved her queries. Lord Shiva answered all the doubts of Mother Parvati. Without knowing about Guru Tatva – the philosophy of the Guru (Master), one cannot attain liberation (moksha). Guru is everything, Guru is Brahma, Guru is Vishnu, Guru is Shiva, Guru is Shakthi Swaroop (Mother Goddess). Without Guru, one cannot have the sight (darshan) of Lord Govinda. In all subjects (Vidya), one must contemplate on the Guru. One must learn about the philosophy of Guru. Understand that Guru is the Living Lord. In English language it is put as, “Follow the Master.” Follow the Guru, follow the Guru Tatva (philosophy of Guru), contemplate on the Guru. You have had the sight of Guru, You have seen Guru, you haven’t seen the Lord.
Through(dwara) Guru, you understand & know about the Lord. That is why, it is Gurudwara (the place of worship for the followers of Sikhism, meaning the Gateway to the Guru. HH explains, Guru = Master & Dwara = through, meaning ‘through Guru’ & that is why sikh temple is called the ‘Gurudwara’.) Like one attains Liberation by visiting Haridwar (Place of Pilgrimage in North India; Hari-dwar), through Gurudwara also one attains liberation. Through Lord Shiva (Shiva-Dwara) Mother Bhagavathi understood the philosophy (Tatva). Likewise, Guru-Dwara (through Guru), we attain liberation & real joy.
It is difficult to know the Light of the Lord. The light of the Lord can be like the Solar Eclipse.
We can view the solar eclipse, using black spectacles. If we don’t use black spectacles or black glasses, we may hurt both our eyes. Both the eyes are important to us & therefore, we use black glasses to watch the solar eclipse. Similarly, through Guru Tatva (philosophy), through the devotion towards Guru (Bhakthi) & through the speech of Guru (Vani), all Datta Devotees seek to know more about Guru Tatva, Datta Tatva (philosophy of Lord Guru Dattatreya). They keep saying,” Jai Guru Datta, Jai Guru Datta.” Sri Guru Gita is of foremost importance. Similarly for Guru Nanak Saheb (Sikh Guru). Guru Granth Sahib (sacred text of the followers of Sikhism) is the Living Lord.
(Jagat = universe; that which moves)
It contains the secrets of the creation of the universe, the key to the secrets of the universe, the secrets to have the sight of the Lord through the soul (Atma Darshan) & the secrets to the characteristics of various incarnations of the Lord. It also teaches the duties of a human being & how persons must execute their duties. To understand the three philosophies (Tatva), one must seek to read The Guru Granth Sahib, Like The Bhagvat Gita, like The Guru Gita. Many people believe in The Bhagvat Gita. Through the Guru Granth Sahib, we can know & understand the glory of The Bhagvat Gita, The Ramayana, The Bhagavata & the glory of Lord Vishnu. The entire philosophy of the universe (brahmanda = biggest egg) is written in the Guru Granth Sahib. The philosophy of the universe, the philosophy of creation, the philosophy of the duties of man is contemplated upon in the Guru Granth Sahib. Guru tatva & Brahma Tatva is written in every verse, in every phrase, in every letter of the Guru Granth Sahib. I have firm faith in The Guru Granth Sahib. During my childhood days, I listened to the Guru Granth Sahib in Prodattur. I still remember the experience. Therefore, Swamiji has a lot of belief & interest in the Guru Granth Sahib. I teach the Guru Granth Sahib in the form of The Bhagvat Gita, The Guru Gita. It contemplates on the glory of the Lord. Very difficult, we can’t understand the Lord’s play (leela), the illusion (maya) He creates.
Reciting the Guru Granth Sahib washes away all your sins. The washing away of sins may lead us to liberation & bless us with knowledge. Is washing away all sins sufficient to attain salvation? No, one needs knowledge also. To give birth to a child, one not only needs food, but, also good health, a whole health. One needs to consume a healthy diet. In the Guru Granth Sahib, along with attaining salvation, one is also blessed with knowledge. One also attains the fruits of the duties performed in lieu of devotion & reverence towards the Lord (Bhakthi karma). The Guru Granth Sahib is a protection of duty & the moral law, a protection for the duty of the role one plays in the society. Protection of ‘the duty assosciated with the roles played by us’ in the society (swa-dharma) is important.
Each & every subject is covered, every page is a different page, every alphabet is a different alphabet in the Guru Granth Sahib. Every time one reads the Guru Granth Sahib, a different meaning is portrayed… Different meaning, different meaning, different meaning. The Guru Granth Sahib is infinite, it is infinite knowledge. One attains the knowledge of infinite actions (akshaya karma gyana). I think, Guru Granth Sahib emits knowledge (gyana). If you listen to it once, with the meaning, the next time you listen/read you get different knowledge. It’s like nectar. In Sanskrit language, we will say, “Akshaya Patra” (akshaya = infinite, Patra = vessel). How much ever you withdraw, one item will still remain, how much ever money you withdraw, 1 note will always remain. Similarly, Sri Ramachandra travelled in the pushpak viman (mythological flowery aircraft) on His return. Even though, many many persons were seated in the Pushpak Viman, there would always be one more place, one more place vacant. Such is the nature of the Guru Granth Sahib. Today, you understand one interpretation, tomorrow you come across another meaning. Therefore, it is infinite.
So, Swamiji had a dream to organise for a recital of the Guru Granth Sahib. The day, He had the dream & sight of the Guru Granth Sahib, some devotees, some friends, brought the Guru Granth Sahib. They won’t understand, they ask silly questions. I happily remember that day. In the morning, I received the Guru Granth Sahib. The Guru Granth Sahib came to the Ashrama, after the celebration of the three days (Datta Jayanthi).
Guru Nanak Sahib (The Sikh Guru) has come here in the form of the Guru Granth Sahib. I am having His sight (Darshan), I am listening to the Guru Granth Sahib. Please continue with the recital.
Jai Guru Datta, Sri Guru Datta.
Courtesy: Y.S. Swarnaprabha