Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during bhajan evening on fifth day of Sri Devi Navaratri Celebrations – September 29, 2014 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
Om ayim hreem shreem Sri Lalita Parameswaryai Namaha
Lord Dattatreya gave upadesam to Parasurama on how both humans and celestials suffered due to desires. Two sins were committed. Not offering prayers is one. Blaming God is another. How to avoid both is explained. Devi Bhagavatam and the secret teaching in Tripura Rahasya reveal many truths about Mother Goddess.
Today we will learn about how Mother Lakshmi created desires at the very beginning. What was the situation with human beings, and what was the situation with the celestials, is explained. A very strange battle took place between human beings and the celestials. Our scriptures mainly describe battles between gods and demons. Today’s episode is strange and extraordinary. It is mainly the story about Lakshmi, who is the creator of desires.
Bhajan: Srihari hridayanivasini O Mother Lakshmi, you live in the heart of Vishnu. Please bless us with success at every step. Bless us with prosperity. Even Indra cannot survive if he forgets you. O sister of the moon, I prostrate to you. Please give us a steady intellect, O destroyer of flaws, and giver of boons, Mother Jayalakshmi. Grant us the wealth called Satva Guna, keep us firm in truth and peace, O Sachchidanandini, and bless us with enlightenment.
Desires are the illusions are created and nurtured by Mother Lakshmi. By her grace, suddenly the person, who had thousands of desires before, suddenly feels no desires at all. He will say: Just give me what you wish. Vishnu Datta in Sri Datta Darsanam was like that. When Lord Dattatreya asked him to express a wish, he asked wife to name a wish. She suggested that Lord Dattatreya should be invited as a guest at the tithi ceremony, to bless the family’s ancestors. Was that even a desire? By this noble deed, all their forefathers attained liberation. Are all humans so powerfully resistant against desires? No.
The root of everything is desires. The home of desires is Lakshmi Devi. Desires occur because of her. They increase because of her. They are also broken because of her. That means that the comfort and unhappiness resulting from desires are both in her control. Therefore, if her support is sought, all problems will become resolved. Then she will lead us along a path of comfort. Hence, the one who is sheltered by her will not get caught in the wheel of desires. He leads a carefree life.
Once, regarding this issue of desires, a great battle took place between the gods and the demons.
When Tripura Devi assigned all the responsibilities to the Trinity and their consorts, all went well and proceeded smoothly. But after a while, due to humans, the gods began to suffer inconveniences. Amongst the humans, there were no distinctions or conflicts. They all lived in peace like yogis. As a result, they were not troubled by desires. Therefore, they did not engage in any worship of any deities. They did not perform any rituals such as yajnas and yagas. This resulted in the celestials being starved and becoming miserable, since they did not receive any food offerings from the earth, from humans as a part of rituals performed.
Now trouble came to the gods from human beings and not from the demons, as one would expect. Men remained totally contented. When one’s stomach is full, one may save for the next day due to greed, but will not ask for food to eat right then.
Men surround Guru only with desires. Those whose desires are satisfied will leave. They come back only when the next strong desire strikes them. They are the worst kind of people. Those, whose desires do not get satisfied by approaching the Guru, will run away. Their chapter is closed.
Those who do not care about success or failure with desires only will remain with Guru, like many of you here.
Initial fervor is there for fulfilling desires. Slowly with continued association with Guru, love and devotion will develop and the desires diminish, and gradually will vanish altogether. No reward is expected for service rendered to Guru. We want only you. We will follow you to hell or heaven, wherever you may wish to travel, they will declare. Just keep us with you. We will come back if you return here, to serve you here again. This is a very serious subject, although I am speaking of it so casually. Such devotees know that Liberation means Guru will be there. Here also, and there also Guru will be present, in whichever plane of existence Guru chooses. Please don’t allow us to get separated from you, they pray. Guru gives keys to the chest and also gives treasures to keep in the chest. You must safeguard the treasures. That is your responsibility.
Naivedya goes to gods in subtle form when it is offered with devotion. In physical form if they consume, you will stop offering.
One British officer questioned the priests in Tirupati and challenged. He insisted that God does not accept the food that they offer Him. Risking the acquisition of sin, the priest allowed the Britisher to taste the food before offering it to God, saying that once the food is accepted by God, the taste will change. The white collector had to concede defeat. He ate before offering to God. The taste changed and was different afterwards.
Whatever is offered in worship is accepted by the gods, the incense, lamp, flowers, food, your prostration; everything has to be pure and full of devotion; only pure water should be offered; only cow’s milk should be offered. That is why I keep saying that do not offer damaged or wilted flowers, do not keep the better quality materials for yourselves and offer to God what is inferior. It is a sin to do so. All materials offered must pure for God. I offer you the best that I can give, should be the sincere attitude. There is proof that they receive in subtle form your offerings. When you show to God, He accepts. Then you eat the prasadam.
Demons who created trouble for the celestials perished. Humans did not perish. Your prayers God consumes. Rituals certainly are beneficial to the gods.
Under the guidance of the preceptor of the gods Brihaspati, all the celestials, including Indra, approached Brahma with their prayers. Brahma said to them, “For you to be free from your troubles, jealousy and envy should be created in the minds of men. Selfishness should be instigated. This job is beyond the capacity of the Trinity. It can be accomplished only by Lakshmi Devi.” Already now, selfishness arose in the minds of the gods. They decided to approach Lakshmi Devi with their wish for comfort.
Learning that Lakshmi Devi at that time was on the banks of the River Ganga, Indra and the celestials proceeded there and offered her their prayers. Understanding the predicament of the gods, Mother Lakshmi assured them, “Humans will offer you worship. They will perform fire rituals and offerings to gods. You will receive your nourishment. Your troubles will end.” Blessing them thus, she disappeared. She gave the assurance, but she did not satisfy their desire at once.
Much time elapsed. The troubles of the gods did not diminish one bit; in fact they increased multifold. No disturbance occurred amongst the humans. No desires stirred in their hearts. They remained totally contented. How to make them pray and offer worship? Not one soul rang the prayer bell; not one person performed any ritual.
The celestials returned to the banks of the River Ganga and prayed once again to Mother Lakshmi, explaining to her their troubles. Lakshmi said, “I remember very well. We can manipulate those who have desires. Nothing can be done by anyone to those who entertain no desires. Now even I am at a loss as to what to do. But rest assured that I will find a way to solve your troubles.”
This time Lakshmi did not postpone her efforts. She created a boy and said to them, “This is my darling son, Kama. Take him with you. He will fulfill your desire.” Leaving the boy with them, Mother bid them farewell.
Indra felt very happy. He told Kama, “Create desires in the minds of humans,” and sent him down to the earth. At that time the earth was under the rule of King Veeravrata. Kama came to the earth and began propagating to everyone that they should begin performing the Satyanarayana Puja, the Anaghashtami Vratram, perform this homa, and that austerity. He began telling everyone to worship the deities and perform rituals like yajnas and yagas. But no one paid any attention to his words. Nobody listened. All his efforts were wasted.
This made Kama angry and he imprisoned the people. Learning this atrocity, some of the king’s officials fought with Kama and lost their lives at the boy’s hands. This news reached the king. He shook with fury that a mere five year old boy had killed some of his greatest warriors. As he was about to go to war against the boy, his wise minister Vardhana stopped him. He described to the king the might of the little boy, and requested that the king should first offer prayers to Lord Siva. He said, “Don’t go. You will also die.” This suggestion appealed to the king. He proceeded to the forest and performed penance addressed to Lord Siva. For the first time, desire entered the king’s heart to kill Kama. With that desire he prayed to Siva.
Siva is quickly pleased. Siva appeared before the king and assured him success in his battle against Kama.
In the meantime, under the attack of Kama, people began running away. King Veeravrata’s army commander Sudhriti commenced a battle against Kama.
Sage Narada, observing this, went to Indra and said, “How can you simply sit here and remain smiling, when the five old boy, the beloved son of Lakshmi is engaged in a serious battle over there? Is this how you show your courage and valor? Go and help the child and win the grace of Mother Lakshmi.”
With these words, Indra stirred and along with the rest of the celestials descended to the earth to give support to Kama. Then the sons of Veeravrata, and Ranadheera, the son of the commander, and other ministers began fighting against the celestials. A terrible battle ensued between the celestials and the humans. In that fray, not only the gods of the eight directions, but even Indra suffered great insults and humiliation. Indra fell unconscious several times. His crown fell to the ground repeatedly. The celestials began to lose ground. Kama observed these bad omens. If gods fall, then what would be the future fate? Noticing the dire situation, Kama fought with increased vigor.
Ranadheera, the son of the commander hit Kama hard with his mace and made him fall unconscious. He too lost his consciousness. In a short while, Kama recovered and began slaughtering the humans. By this time King Veeravrata entered the battlefield and fought against Kama ferociously for three days. On the fourth day, by the grace of Siva, he used an arrow that was as powerful as a trident and killed Kama with it.
As the victorious king was entering the city with Indra and the other gods as his captives, his guru Vidyavati ordered the king to release all the prisoners. Guru said, “How can you imprison the gods?” As commanded by his guru, the king released the gods, and offered them worship. The King apologized for his deed. Indra and the gods returned to heaven.
The agents of Lakshmi took the dead body of Kama that had fallen on the battlefield and showed it to her. Mother Lakshmi then prayed to Tripura Devi, who revived Kama and told him to pray to Siva. Kama, the small boy was obstinate, and he refused. Then Mother Lakshmi herself prayed to Tripura Devi. Gowri was sent by Tripura Devi, who cajoled and tried to coax Kama into praying to Siva. Instead of offering prayers, Kama heaped abuses on Siva. He refused to pray to Siva who supported the humans.
How will Gowri keep quiet if Siva is insulted? Gowri Devi got angry at Kama’s attitude and cursed him, “By the fire of Siva’s eye you will be burned to ashes.” Hearing this, Lakshmi Devi got furious and cursed Gowri, “You will get separated from your husband, and you will suffer at the hands of his other wives.” Their anger did not end with these curses. They both got into a huge fight. In this battle, Siva and Vishnu also fainted. Lakshmi made Gowri lose consciousness. Finally upon fervent prayers offered by Brahma and the other celestials, Lakshmi Devi cooled down.
Once she regained her composure, Lakshmi showered the nectar of immortality through her glances and revived everyone.
Lord Dattatreya declared to Parasurama, “Those who hear this story will profit from all types of wealth and boons showered by Lakshmi Devi.”
Because of desire, a great battle took place and great souls suffered insults and ignominies. In the end they even exchanged curses. Since no one knows what to expect in this journey of life, one should pray to Lakshmi Devi, who is none other than Tripurambika, thus: “O Mother, I seek your protection. Please destroy my desires, infatuations, jealousies, and dislikes, and lead me by hand.”
By the grace of Mother Goddess, may all of you rise to the level of offering prayers in this manner.
This story may raise certain questions. When humans were living without desires, why did the celestials pray that desires should be created in the minds of men? Why did Mother Lakshmi accede to their prayers? Why did she create Kama?
These are not clever questions.
Men cannot live without desires. Perhaps, during the reign of certain great souls, like the kings Divodas and Veeravrata, it was possible for humans to carry on their lives without desires, but such a thing is not possible in the long term. It cannot happen everywhere all the time. Desires will certainly be generated in the minds of beings. When one desire is fulfilled, another will stem from it.
Entire human lives will be wastefully spent merely in the fulfillment of these endless desires. Men have to perform sacrificial rituals such as yajnas, and yagas and satisfy their deserving needs on earth. Thereafter, by the grace of the divinities, they have to travel the path of knowledge. This is the intention of Mother Lakshmi. That is why she created Kama and advised that noble desires should be inculcated. Because Lakshmi Devi’s intention should not go in vain, Mother Lalita Tripurasundari supported her resolve and revived Kama. By the remembrance of Mother Goddess, good desires will crop up and spiritual wisdom will be attained.
Many times people forget their old desires whether they are fulfilled or not. It is only through excessive desires and the trouble that they cause, that finally dispassion comes to people. For how long can one continue to desire bad things? After a while, one gets sick of it and stops desiring things. How long can you crave for eating fried snacks? Only until you get sick.
Bhajan: Amba Pahi jagadamba Pahi
Shuka Vana video documentary will be shown now. It is very nice. Only patrons will be able to acquire a copy of the video. But now, every one of you will get a chance to view it.
Shuka Vana is a refuge for injured, disabled, abandoned, and neglected birds. Sponsors have helped to establish a fund. Many have taken photos with Swamiji several times. Photos are displayed on the SGS Birds website. Facebook page is there also by the same name. Patrons and chief patrons gave huge donations. This is a big project.
Everyone has the opportunity to support this. Feeding birds is very important. The Ramayana is there for us because of birds. Without birds, we would not have the Bhagavatam. Because of parrots, because of Sage Suka we have the Guru Gita. Suka is responsible for Lord Venkateswara coming down to the earth. So many links we have with Suka Brahma. Today is Shuka Jayanti. We are celebrating it during the Navaratri Festival.
We may be born again as birds. It is good to feed the birds now while we have the chance. The birds we feed now may be reborn later as your children or grandchildren. Always Swamiji had this bonding with these parrots. It is just that he has made it public rather late, which is perhaps a good thing. If he had developed this association with the birds much sooner, he perhaps would not have visited so many places around the world to be with so many devotees. These parrots here will be born as human beings to become devotees of Swamiji to serve him in the future.
Sri Guru Datta