Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Indian Independence Day – August 15, 2016 – Mysore
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri
Harihi Om Tatsat
Jai Bharata Mata ki Jai
It is 70 years since we got independence. I used to travel around with my grandfather when I was very young. I am remembering one incident. During famine time during the British regime, my grandfather used to take rice grains surreptitiously in a vehicle and travel from village to village, distributing them to the needy. Food was rationed those days. People did not have enough food to eat. They had no access to rice. They were hungry. Earlier, my grandfather Lingannayya had taken part in the Salt Satyagraha, some 10 years prior to this. He must have remembered those days.
He was taking the grains in a vehicle. This same Kanakapura district. This same Mekedatu. It was very difficult to travel. Not some faraway place where this took place. People were dying of starvation in the poverty-ridden villages. He was distributing rice and lentils. One time he took me also with him in the cart. I was a small child. I insisted that I should go with him. He said if I were to be seen in the cart, it would cause trouble. He pacified me by saying he would take me with him in the cart the following day. I kept crying. Then, before the cart was about to leave, I got into the cart and hid in one of the boxes. The boxes contained some grains, some gold, and on the top, they were covered with some papers and miscellaneous things to fool the British inspectors who might check the baggage at the check post. It was not permitted to transport certain types of grain. Some officers were lenient and some were very strict and suspicious. They would cut open the boxes to check. They slit the box in which I was hiding. The cut went right next to my skin. Had I been slashed with the knife that day, I would not be here today. My life was saved. The two cuts from either side just missed me. They would just test to see what kinds of grains were being transported by just checking a small sample. Some grains were allowed to be transported, such as Ragi. Grandfather told them he was transporting Ragi. It was by chance that I was inside the box which contained Ragi (millet). Had the officer found rice, he would have confiscated all the rice bags. Then I don’t know what would have happened. We went through such hard times then.
Today, we are enjoying our independence and celebrating this day in a grand manner. We are able to do this because our elders and ancestors sacrificed so much. They sacrificed their lives to earn us independence. Such great patriots were there who are now in heaven. They are distressed that after getting independence at such a high cost, the people have now become like foreigners themselves. Our language and our culture are being forgotten. Our festivities and our Hindu traditions have been given up. People of other religions never neglect their customs and traditions. Some of them preserve them even at the cost of bloodshed. They force their beliefs upon others. They refer to God whom others worship as Satan. We believe such talk and convert to their faith. We follow them. What a misfortune this is. Those who gave up their lives for our independence suffered torment in their efforts. If we read the history books, some of which have been banned by the British, we realize that they walked on a razor’s edge. That is how our forefathers led their lives.
We put our hair in the grip of foreigners those days like fools, and to this day we are continuing to behave the same way. We have not changed at all, except to become like them now. Our philosophy and lifestyle we have not preserved. It is highly lamentable. Very quickly we follow the paths of others. We mimic others. We become like them in food, habits, and customs. They are happy. If we were to turn back, they will slice us into bits. They are cruel people. No matter what you do, they will always treat you like an alien, a traitor, an untouchable. Is this what we want? When our own children change their religion and go away, we keep quiet and accept their behavior. You should make such children outcasts, never to set eyes upon them as long as you live, be it a son or a daughter.
Just chase them out of the house. Don’t say in America it happens all the time even among Swamiji’s devotees. Their way is different. It is a different country. But this is our country. We must maintain the integrity of our nation. Once a person leaves the country, the chapter is closed. Once you leave the sanctum sanctorum, the story comes to an end. Once you leave God’s presence, it is done. Those who have gone overseas are just people, friends, that is all. Even son and daughter are just acquaintances. Even there, we are not left alone.
The British might have left our country. Others have not. Our own neighbors who pose as friends are doing us harm. We are allowing ourselves to get betrayed. We take them under our roof as honored guests. We evict ourselves and sleep under the skies. This is pitiful. People think that simply shouting slogans of victory on Independence Day means that we have become independent. Slogans are cheap and common. Even a dog can be taught to say that. It is actually an oath, a pledge that you will preserve the honor of the country, that you will protect the nation’s heritage and ancient culture, that you will help the needy, that you will rescue those in trouble and show them a way out, that you will protect yourselves, and the country even at the cost your lives. This type of patriotism must be inculcated in children.
Swamiji, who have given up everything, is still getting involved and doing so much. It is because I remember the sacrifices made by my grandfathers. Although at the time I was only three years old, I remember. A three-year-old has sufficient memory and comprehension to know what is going on. I used to recite from the Amarakosa in Telugu in front of my aunt. I used to recite the Anjaneya Dandaka and other prayers. The villagers used to be thrilled to hear my recitation. Nanjundaiah’s wife who was quite young at that time used to be very happy. They would put me on a rock pedestal and have me recite all the prayers. They would be so happy. They were all very pious and patriotic. They used to encourage me as I was growing up, that I should serve my country. I am now serving in different ways. I am helping those in need in my own way. I do not think that I am doing anything wrong. I may not be like my grandfather. Perhaps his way was also a worthy way of living. My grandfather wanted me to become a soldier. He was very fond of our Hindu dharma. He insisted that our dharma should never be given up. He was dead against superstitions.
I was raised between two opposing beliefs. My mother was an exemplary devotee like Mirabai. She was immersed in divinity. Father was all for Vedas. Grandfather was for patriotism. I grew up amidst them. Different tastes I absorbed as a result. A mix of personalities. Sometimes I used to get angry, a trait inherited from my elders.
It is raining. The rain god is happy with my speech.
Today I am remembering all my forefathers. Subrahmanyeswara was a Chief Minister of Karnataka for a short time. At that time, he had a road built to the Mekedatu region long ago. I have seen that. I have been through many political regimes. I never received favors from any of them. I wished them all well. I never used any political influence. I do not need it. God is there to help me. I give them all respect.
Even today there are those who sacrifice their lives for their country. I am not going to mention any names. I lived in villages. I used to do poor feeding. I used to also question myself why I was doing it. Both contradicting feelings were there in me. But satisfying hunger is my Dharma, whether the recipient was great or ordinary, whether he was of my caste or another caste. But he must also remember his dharma. He should not simply go away scot free. It is his responsibility to feed others as his turn. I have mixed feelings. Some people wonder why Swamiji expresses contradictory feelings, and changes his stance from morning to evening. I cannot do anything about it. Such was my training. I am the same but with many different feelings.
Today is our Independence Day. This day comes and goes. It is not just for celebrating the day. We must serve our society. We must help the needy. Go adopt a street and clean it. Go to a village and with your own hands clean the place. Everyone is ready to go eat a free meal. Would you all come together and clean the ashram? Yes? Because it is already very clean. No one comes for cleaning. Even people from Mysuru. They only come for interviews. Therefore, I clean the people. That is what I do.
Clean the streets. Pick up the trash and throw it in a bin. That in itself is patriotism. Go on a day off to clean a school or a temple. Patriotism may be expressed in many ways. If you have ten rupees, keep two rupees and give away eight rupees to the needy. Do not look for ways to steal ten rupees from others. Think only about giving. Look for deserving persons. Now the sun has come out. He is happy with my speech.
May you all be well. Jai Hind.
Subscribe to Twitter and see what you find. You will be surprised. What has Swamiji done for honoring our country? Look in your own account, not someone else’s account. SGS Birds is on Twitter. You see first, and then tell me. I am so happy. Now chocolates will be distributed. All are ready to eat chocolates.
Sri Guru Datta