Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – May 25, 2014 – Mysore
Speech at Sri Datta Venkateshwara Temple in the morning
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Om Namo Venkatesaya
Today we are celebrating the Brahmotsavam of Sri Datta Venkateswara Swami. In the earlier yugas and in this yoga also, we feel that we are ever in His presence, and as if His Kalyanam took place just yesterday. Seeing Him in every one that we see, in the presence of all the deities here, Ganapati, Dattatreya, Karyasiddhi Hanuman, Subrahmanya, Sachchidanandeswara, Dhanvantari, the Navagrahas, and Mother Chamundeeswari, we are gathered here to perform once again the divine Kalyana Mahotsavam.
To remove the sufferings we incur in this Kali Yuga, we worship the Lord. Only a few amongst billions of people on this earth have this good fortune. Not everyone can climb a hill. Only a few are selected. He picks only a few people to draw close to Him, to destroy their sins, cleanse them of their ego and all demonic traits. He frees them from these and absorbs into Himself. If an ant has fallen into milk, it is removed. Milk is once again boiled and used. Milk is not thrown away. Only the bad part of an apple is cut out and thrown away. The rest of the fruit is eaten. He also cuts away our bad features and takes only our good qualities. Apples get spoiled for different reasons. We also get spoiled without realizing. He removes the bad parts and consumes the rest. He does not throw us away. Why only we are picked? He needs us. We need Him. There is a mutual connection and that is why we all gather in one place. Into the River Ganga so much sewer and factory waste is mixed. And yet we bathe in it to get completely purified. If the mind should be in doubt, if that thought comes to the mind that the water is filthy, then we gain no merit by bathing in the Ganga. We ignore the filth, take a dip and gain merit. We are like that River Ganga, like the water with contaminants and fresh water mixed. He forgives us all, once we seek refuge in Him. Once we submerge in Ganga we get totally pure. Those who bathe become pure. We have sought refuge with Guru and God. Hence, never entertain any doubts.
Swamiji visited Shuka Vana before coming here. Sage Shuka was the mediator for the marriage alliance of Lord Venkateswara. Lord Venkateswara took His blessings prior to His marriage. Sage Vasishtha advised Him to do so. The sculptor made a lifelike image of Sage Shuka. It was installed in Shuka Vana. These words are spoken wholeheartedly. My mind is bubbling with joy. Hanuman, Suka, Mother Goddess Chamundeshwar, all surround us. We are immensely blessed.
We consult elders when we are in trouble. Some past sin has caused this difficulty, they tell us. The say that unknowingly you might have done some wrong. When we enjoy sudden good fortune also, we wonder why this has happened to us. It is because of some previous merit that was earned. It is the same with good things and bad things. Nothing is coincidental. It is all pre destined.
This is an immensely great event. Now feel the great opportunity that has been given. Each one here has gained some merit and some sin, All have come together here. This place is one of tne of 18 Sakti Peethas. We celebrate 15th anniversary if this temple. All illusions will get destroyed here as if we have bathed in Ganga. In the presence of Shuka we perform this wedding. It is fresh in our minds as if the original event took place just now. At that time we did not have the awareness of the great divinity of the event. Then we sat in the marriage feast that extended all the way from here to Srisailam. All gods were there. We did not recognize their presence. We focused only on food and the grandeur of the event. We failed to realize the divinity then and that is why we have returned to witness the event again. Now we regret that we have misused our previous chance. Now let us not waste this chance. God has given us repeated chances through repeated births. We only were distracted by the superficial aspects. We did not realize that it was meant to give us liberation. Those who had the awareness got liberated. Those who did not, are here again. You have earned the eligibility to take the exam. But we did not pass earlier, and so repeated chances are given. Because we attended that first time, we got this chance now. Think about it. Improve your spirituality. You will get fed up with difficulties in life. But you must endure your karma. Who will take the responsibility? You correct yourself. He only keeps giving chances. You keep misusing them endless times. It is not good for you to be fighting against God.You are misusing your thoughts, words, and actions. No purity. That is the answer for repeated janmas. You were there then. You gawked at decorations and focused on food. Be happy you got so many chances. But even now you are misusing your opportunity. In every lifetime you are concentrating only on body. You like your ego. Your mistakes. Your friend is ego. Your friend is jealousy. You love your misunderstanding of yourself and your Guru.
At that time we fell into the flour mill. We are helpless. I only show the way. I point the right direction. This is exit. This is the entrance, like a watchman. Do this. No don’t do that. Because I have orders from God. Praise you get. Thank you. Blame. Also thank you. Good and bad is not bank funds. I do not consider them so. Only because you react you get pain in any situation. If you remain neutral, the other person will be shocked. Praise or blame. Smile. Joy only. No response. I gave one lakh. Okay. I took away one Lakh. Okay. I do nothing.
Why this game? Talk to me, you demand. I scold. I praise. I give money. I refuse to come tomorrow. I come daily. Still, no matter what you do, there is no response from Guru. Looks like a mad man. I believe you. I do not believe in you. Guru is not bothered. Your karma leads you. It is only your karma. No answer for any of your questions or demands. The purpose if my incarnation is to awaken you. Stop blaming others and God. You have no right to do so. Confusion is caused for a few minutes. I do my job correctly. Only you do not do your job properly. If you do, you will be happy like me. Use your life for a good purpose. You build a dam to conserve water. Your heart is like dam. Use the water properly. Do not just let it gush out and be wasted.
4 pm Gnana Bodha Sabha. Submitting reports, showing whether they have followed Guru’s instructions or not. Everyone is required to pay their tribute to Sage Shuka. You must sponsor the free tickets for Shuka Vana. You cannot escape. You cannot fly away. I have poured mud here. You are stuck in it, till you pay.
Sri Guru Datta
Speech in the evening during Gnana Bodha Sabha Conference
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Very enthusiastically today all the delegates from all the branches of Avadhoota Datta Peetham are participating. Only the trustees have to come. Only from a couple of branches, substitutes were sent due to unavoidable circumstances.
To the best of our ability we all have rendered service to offer worship and spread spiritual knowledge and improve the existing facilities. With faith, love, devotion and dedication you are doing great service. You must now train the youngsters to take the lead in the future. Today’s young girl in the future will be the Matru Mandali president. Do not dismiss the youngsters that they are not qualified or too young. Encourage everyone to wear the volunteer uniform if they show interest. Give them responsibilities to handle. If you encourage them, they will come to assist. Never complain that so and so has not come or participated. Whatever guidelines Swamiji has imposed, please follow. Follow all rules and stipulations. Give respect to those in authority. Do not try to bypass the local leaders to approach Sri Bala Swamiji or Sri Swamiji directly. You have to submit the required reports to the authorities.
The first duty is to protect and preserve what we have. Keep everything in good repair and proper condition. You must collect more funds for proper maintenance. That is more important than embarking on new projects. Maintain the required services, such as worship, annadana, and spreading of spiritual knowledge, especially amongst the youth. Promote the reading of Bhakti Mala. Propagate the messages conveyed there.
Sri Swamiji’s MMS messages sent to 30,000-40,000 persons daily, must be viewed and the advice should be applied in your daily lives. It must become a daily habit to read these and follow the guidance given. You must share these messages with others. They are personally formulated by Sri Swamiji, taking the essence of all the teachings of our important scriptures, like the Vedas, and Puranas.
This year SGS Vidya Samsthe got a facelift with new improvements. Veda Nidhi must be supported by all of you. Recently the programs of Veda Sadas and Veda examinations have concluded.
Take membership in all of Swamiji’s projects. The children will help you to enroll. SGS Birds should have your photo. Bhaktimala site should have your photo. You may be a senior devotee coming frequently to the ashrama, but only participating in Sri Chakra Puja and Homa, eating prasadam and staying here, but your photo will not be there if you do not register in the various projects and support them. How important it is, to be involved in every one of Swamiji’s projects, you do not realize. Every GBS member should sponsor 1000 free tickets to Shuka Vana. This sponsorship will prevent many dire calamities in your lives. People come here. They receive Swamiji’s grace and many benefits. But when Swamiji suddenly asks to see their picture, to avert some major difficulty in their lives, the photo will not be found anywhere, because they had failed to participate in any projects. When Swamiji personally searches for your photo and it is not found in any Datta related project file, His mood will change. The assistant standing next to Swamiji may show a personal photo of the devotee that is in his personal possession. Swamiji will say, My blessings. Have them place trust in their doctor. That is all. He will be indifferent. His personal enthusiasm to help you will not be there. If your participation is there in Swamiji’s projects, the benefit you will receive is immeasurable. Extend yourselves beyond your means if necessary, you must make your offerings. That is because this is Dattatreya’s program. A small Annadana trust participation with a nominal membership payment will save you major losses elsewhere. Without question, placing faith that Swamiji will provide the required resources, you must participate. Only if you feed Datta, only if you place faith, only if you worship and offer salutation, Datta will take up your responsibility. God, who created you, will protect you no doubt. But, if you want Datta’s protection, you must, without fail, maintain your ashramas, support the schools run by the ashrama, the annadanam, Hospitals, Shuka Vana, Veda Nidhi, and all other projects here. This is your bank. The Hundi is your bank. It will always protect you.
My ashrama will run regardless of your support. I will always flourish whether you give or do not give. It is for your benefit that I tell you to offer support. You have all brought your reports. I am happy. You are all following the advice of Sri Bala Swamiji. I am happy. It is the same as following Swamiji’s advice.
Many people want to accompany Sri Bala Swamiji to Manasarovar. It is not as easy as going to Chennai. I have ordered Sri Bala Swamiji not to take the responsibility for a large crowd to accompany Him. I speak with a double tongue; I tell the bus driver there, take them if there are seats. I tell people, go if you find seats. After I made the trip, now the travel has become much easier. New roads have been laid and it is more comfortable to travel. Wherever Swamiji had gone with much trouble, now facilities have been provided.
Gnana Bodha Sabha delegates, you must come quietly and submit your reports. You have to invite Sri Swamiji to your ashramas. Swamiji may refuse to come. He may argue with you. But it is your duty to invite Him.
Sri Guru Datta