Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – April 12, 2015 – in the morning – Auckland, New Zealand
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
This is not a discourse. That will take time. This is only a blessing. First thing is, I am very happy. In the beginning I was thinking about how to work this program in. Everywhere somehow things fall in place. I am very surprised at how good this bhajan group is. I am very happy about it. Continue. First, I have seen West Indies. Next, I have seen America. Now, third, I am seeing this very good, strong group. In Europe also, there is a big group. They sing very well, Switzerland, Germany, Holland, and also Denmark. Their pronunciation of Sanskrit and other languages is good. That is okay because it is a very senior group. The group is now singing for thirty years. The New Zealand group is new, tender like flowers. I bless this group to grow very strong.
I like this Mandir also. They have given a good welcome. Very nice devotees. Avadhoota – everyone is an Avadhoota. It means Lord Siva. No separations. There is only one God. Tameka devam sharanam vrajamaha (line in ashrama’s daily prayer).
Swamiji has not yet visited the Shirdi Samsthana. … (words were unclear) I have no time to take the gift. Everything is ready. One day I will go.
Yesterday I was very happy. We speak only heart to heart. Only devotees show discrimination and separation. Amongst Avadhootas, there is no separation. We are only one. You people differentiate between Lord Siva, Lord Vishnu, that Swami, this Swami. Like that.
Alleti namna, Jinadeva namna, Buddheti namna… tameka devam …
Prayer, namaz, archana panktibhiryam …
They say prayer, archana, hymns, different terms are used, but everyone sings only the glories of God. You may do separate pujas but it all goes to the same heart, same God. When you consume different dishes with different tastes, the taste exists only till it reaches the throat. After that, in the stomach, there is no more taste. You are not even aware of taste after you swallow the food. Only the tongue tastes the food. The karma mind alone experiences the taste.
Similarly, all are exercises, Ganapati prayer, Siva prayers, all mental exercises. Why not? You may do mental exercises. All is One. That One is everywhere. One is many. All is one. Life energy is the same. Breath is the same. You and I inhale the same air. There is no separate air pumped for brahmins, and separate air pumped for people of other castes. Everyone has the same life and everyone breathes the same way, young, old, men, and women. Air is not different. It is everywhere. Blood also is the same in everyone. Don’t think that white people have white blood, and black people have black blood. No. It is all the same. In the Creation of God it is all one. God is one. We create the differences. See this garland. Different flowers. But worship is one. So many colorful flowers are here but the offering to God is one.
All cows are the same and give the same milk, although their appearance is different. Just because cows appear different, is the milk different? Does a black cow give black milk, and a white cow white milk, and a red cow red milk? No. Only white milk they all give.
All is one but our traditions are different. We must adhere to our traditions, beliefs, and customs and follow them. Just because Swamiji said everything is the same, can you pick up a fistful of fire and eat it? You will get burned. We make a dosa (Indian pancake) on the pan and eat it. But we do not touch the hot pan. Do we go and sit on the hotplate? We will get scorched. We do not go and sit on the hot pan because it is our friend. If you do, you will also become a dosa.
There you must differentiate. Not with God. God is one. But we have a certain way of life, handed down to us by our parents, and by our karma.
In spirituality, you must consider all as one. God has shown us His Universal Form. Everyone is there in that form. Those who are desirable and those who are undesirable, all are there in that form. Duryodhana, Dusshasana (evil brothers in the Mahabharata), Draupadi, and also Krishna are seen in the same Viswaroopa/the Universal Form of God. Even Kamsa, and demons like Ravana are there in it. But God is one. Once you reach that stage spiritually, then, you stop showing distinctions. You should not then revert back to first grade level. But while you live in the world, even if you understand things at that level, you cannot but act and pretend as if you see the differences. This is a drama. You are forced to take part in the drama. You cannot avoid it.
You should not show off and boast that you have transcended all differences and begin to act in an abnormal manner. You must act according to your level. If you are among first graders, you act as it suits that situation. If you are among the middle level people, adjust to their level. If you are among the spiritually exalted, act accordingly.
Do we not adjust and survive when it gets too hot in the summer or too cold in the winter? Wars come. We still survive. Our neighbors die from starvation. Are we not still eating? We cry and out of exhaustion, we perhaps fall asleep right over their bodies.
We have to follow our Dharma. We have to protect our bodies. We must follow the rules of the land as found suitable. With children, be like a child. With elders, act as the situation demands, be respectful. Don’t look down upon children as if they are inferior. Be like a child amongst them. With millionaires, behave as if you are also a millionaire. With the poor, act as if you are also poor. With scholars, attain scholarship and be one amongst them. Either give them respect, or be humble if you are not a scholar. You should not pick fights with them or criticize. You behave as the situation dictates.
When Swamiji comes, you present a Purna Kumbham (a full pot of water with a coconut on top). It represents Lord Siva. Only a president can receive a president. One in the same level must receive a dignitary. Sadguru is at the level of Lord Siva. Hence, you carry the Purna Kumbham to represent Lord Siva. It is like Lord Siva Himself is welcoming Sadguru. They are both of the same status. That is how Sadguru should be welcomed.
In this world, we must live according to tradition and our karma. Only one who lives like that is a human being. Otherwise, he is not a human being. He does not deserve to be called a human being. You must adjust and act as the circumstance requires.
You should not tell a woman who is weeping inconsolably, having lost a loved one, “Why do you weep? Everyone has to die sometime.” Give her time to overcome her grief in a couple of days, and then you may make the philosophical statements. If you do not show sympathy when you go to console someone in sorrow, they will simply leave your friendship. At that moment, you are everything to them. You must give words of comfort and support. We must learn how to show understanding and sympathy. We must learn how to cultivate friendship. We must learn to empathize and share the other person’s concerns and sorrows. Is it not so? It is difficult to share the feelings of others, I agree. But you must learn that skill.
Swamiji is happy and gives His blessings to you all.
You have all witnessed the Sri Chakra Puja. It is difficult to understand the meaning of this puja. To some, it appears like a dolls play. Pouring water on the images, placing flowers on them, showing lamps and placing the light near the images. It is not just the actions that you witness. You should not take it just at face value. There is a deep meaning behind the actions. This procedure releases the devotees from their karma bondages. Just witnessing the Puja itself is a great privilege and a blessing. It is very difficult to perform the Sri Chakra Puja. We are all one. We are all living like human beings by God’s grace alone. But we must follow according to our karma, the traditions laid before us, using our intellect. The Sri Chakra Puja incorporates the worship of the five deities, the Pancha Devatas. It is a very rare ritual. If you watch Raghu Vadyar performing this puja, you will understand a little more about it. It is not easy to understand fully the inner meaning of the puja. He does not know it. I too do not know it. Even Mother Goddess Herself does not know it. It is only Nature worship. But slowly, you must try to understand it. If you approach Ragh Vadyar, who performs it regularly, he will show and explain some details about this Sri Chakra Puja.
This temple is very nice. Many blessed members are here. They are very friendly. A member has invited me to visit next year. It depends on God’s grace. I cannot give any promise. In India, there are many of Swamiji’s temples (built by Swamiji). There are devotees there who have surrendered their all (the five life energies/Pancha Pranas) to Swamiji. Such devotees are there. Swamiji is everything for them. They have given up going for darshan of Balaji, and Lord Siva also. In Kasi also Swamiji has a small ashram. The devotees follow Swamiji to Kasi, and to Dwaraka. They have blind belief in Swamiji. Datta means gift. Those who follow Datta are members of the families of Siva, Vishnu, and Brahma. Swamiji gives special blessings to all.
Please accept the teertham (sacred water) from the Puja. Please drink it. Some people don’t drink it, but simply pour it on their heads. Do not do that. It is not meant for that. In some Devi temples, or at Guruvayoor Temple, if you do that, you will know that it is a mistake. They give Panchamrit (a mixture of five holy ingredients, such as honey, ghee, milk, etc.). If you apply it on your head, God only knows what will happen to your hair. Teertham is meant for drinking. It is not for pouring on the head. Teertham/Charanamrit – water from washing the feet of the deities, is most precious. If you do not wish to drink it, then do not receive it. It is not to be wasted. Swamiji gives medicinal teertham specially prepared for Sri Chakra Puja.
After this, everyone may come in a line close to Swamiji, and touch the Datta Padukas. Swamiji takes a mental photograph of each devotee. Already a mental photograph has been taken. When you come close, some fine tuning will take place. Each person should come close, receive prasadam and then proceed to enjoy the yummy prasadam (food offered to God) prepared by the temple for your benefit. Yum yum yum.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri