Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – January 24, 2017 – Nellore
Compiled by: Smt Hira Duvvuri
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
I gave you time thus far to talk. Now let me talk. After visiting all the temples at this center and meeting all the old and new devotees, I am very happy. You have come to Swamiji’s concerts, and discourses. Many spiritual programs are taking place here. Sometimes we are more active, than at other times. It is all by the energy and grace of Mother Goddess Swarna Mahalakshmi. She blesses us as per the service we render to her without any calculations and restriction. I have not seen this type of hesitancy at the other centers in conducting social service programs, or religious and spiritual programs. I am trusting that you also give up your reservation and become generous like that.
If you make promises in my presence to sponsor Nitya Puja you will be abundantly blessed. Please raise your hands. I am happy. The funds will be placed in a fixed deposit.
Another project, after this Brahma Kalasa Abhishekam after a cycle of 12 years, is that we wish to build priest quarters. Their residential facility is not satisfactory. We are enjoying good facilities in our homes. Our priests are suffering, living in dilapidated homes. These priests are very loyal to this temple and are serving for many long years, by the grace of the deities here. In many temples, the priests do not stay for this long.
Whatever you can afford, please give for this project. This is a Yajna, a meritorious charity. It grants great glory.
In your pockets, you have Smart Phones. Once you install SGS Posts, you will have the Bhagavatam discourses of Swamiji in your pocket. Thousands are benefiting. For those with 3G or 4G, Internet is free. Daily listen to the Bhagavatam also read the English translations given at the bottom. Read the messages.
All those with IPhones and Android phones may download the free App. These days everyone has at least one phone, if not more, one in the pocket, one in the bag, and one at home. You will receive a raksha, a photo, and a chocolate if you download the app.
You may also swipe your card to offer a 75th Birthday gift to Swamiji. Many great events will be conducted yearlong using your contributions. Render help to the best of your ability. Do not shortchange Swamiji. Charity gives immense benefits, which are indescribable.
Raghu dynasty is very famous. I am explaining the greatness of charity. Sri Rama was born in the Raghu Dynasty. Rama, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Satrughna were born in that lineage. Why? What was that family’s greatness? Lakshmana was the incarnation of Adi Sesha. The name of Raghu Dynasty, when uttered, all sins get destroyed. Our intellect is inherited from that family. Dilipa was a great king. He conducted many very great Yajnas, extending over many years, with the sacred fire protected 24 hours each day. All great scholars, and deities and sages are invited to these yajnas and they stay on the premises for years on end, conducting the powerful rituals.
These days many yajnas are conducted in name only. But at least they are doing. I appreciate that. For 16 years or 12, 7, 5, 3, or 1 year duration for each yajna, where the ritviks remain in the same place, yajnas are conducted, of different types. Only in some states in India, there are a few elders who have the qualification to perform such yajnas. The mantras are heard, which are most powerful. In Krita, Treta, and Dwapara Yugas, Yajnas were common. In this first pada of Kali Yuga, people are going for modern education and not many are learning about conducting yajnas. A Yajna is no ordinary event. Even a small annadana (charity of food) or vastra (clothing) dana or vidya (education) dana is also a yajna. Building homes for the deserving, is also a yajna. Griha (home) dana is great. Godana (cow) is great. Pranadana (life) is great. Jnana (spiritual wisdom) dana is great. Offering water to the thirsty is Dana.
Many hungry devotees receive a fruit as prasadam here after Puja, and feel very happy. Even receiving a flower from puja makes one happy. Helping beggars and the disabled is also yajna. Helping someone on the stairs, or opening the door for Sadguru is a yajna. Offering a garland to Sadguru is a yajna. Organ donations are a yajna. We never know when we will die. The wise people write a Will well before, and stipulate organ donation. Within 1-3 hours after death the body is taken away to conserve the usable organs.
Dilipa performed many Aswamedha Yajnas. During the last one, Raghu, the son of the king was sent to protect the horse. Most kings simply accepted the supremacy of the emperor. The yajnas were meant only for the welfare of the subjects, not for amassing wealth.
The elected officials today should also be loyal to the public. They should not amass personal wealth, abusing their power. The emperors improved living conditions in the kingdom, dug wells, laid roads, arranged for water supply, and drainage, Now, excavations reveal their advanced civilization. Now people are surprised at the methods used then for agriculture, drainage, conservation of water, city planning, and lifestyle. I saw in Peru and other places. We have so many facilities, but we do not know how to live properly.
Dilipa’s remarkable and enlightened son Raghu followed the horse. The subordinate rulers supplicated. Indra felt jealous of the greatness of Dilipa. If Dilipa were to succeed in this last yajna, Indra felt that he would lose his power and position. Dilipa would replace him as Indra.
Indra saw Dilipa’s army following the horse. Raghu, who was very devout, was chanting God’s name. Even while walking, Dilipa was chanting. Walking through forests, with eyes closed, he was chanting God’s name. Indra took this opportunity and quickly stole the horse. Raghu was baffled when he opened his eyes and saw the horse vanish. He then prayed to Kamadhenu. Up in the sky, Kamadhenu, the celestial wish-yielding cow passed urine. The drops fell on the king and enlightened him. Cow dung and urine are highly effective in granting spiritual wisdom. Cow urine must be devoutly sprinkled on the head. One must never kill a cow. One who kills a cow will never get enlightenment. The tradition of worshiping a cow existed since time immemorial.
Many of my devotees are dedicated to protecting cows. They even go begging for funds to help in their service. Many Marvadis and other businessmen set aside funds for Gorakshana, for the protection of cows. Keep a Hundi and give your collection there along with a photo of Swamiji, to whoever in your neighborhood is taking care of cows. Once a month or once in 3 months, hand over your collection. Daily give at least one rupee. It is a very important and significant seva. Go Mata is Mother, the Sacred Cow. Don’t give only to Venkateswara Swami. Also, give for the protection of cows. Kamadhenu has cursed that those on earth who torment cows will suffer from agony. Family relationships, health, security will all get destroyed for such people. Everyone is sharing this sin of killing cows. Everyone must help eradicate the sin of killing cows.
Begin a movement to protect cows. Why hoard this money? You will not take a single penny with you, not your body, your jewels, your new car, nothing goes with you. You spend on worthless and needless things. You buy more and more of what you already have. It is most foolish and idiotic. Wake up from this sinful dream. Nellore devotees are intelligent. May every word of mine get hammered into your heads. I pray to the Lord to hammer my words into your heads.
Dilipa’s son Raghu was enlightened with the shower of urine from the sky. Cow is not an animal. It is divine. Its urine is medicinal. Human urine is acid and harmful. Cow urine can cure cancer. Human urine stinks and causes disease. Human feces ruins the soil. Whereas cow dung fertilizes the soil. Human body and its excretions and its dead skin are all useless. Only a few donated organs may be useful. No one will accept human urine and feces. No use. Waste.
Dilipa’s son Raghu knew that Indra had stolen the horse. He fought with Indra with Astras. Even Indra’s Vajra weapon failed. He came to the earth defeated, and returned the horse. Raghu asked Indra. Do not prostrate to me. Why did you steal my horse?
Indra said, now your father is performing the last Aswamedha Yajna. With this, I will lose my position as Indra. Ask your father whether he desires Liberation or to become Indra. Raghu, Dilipa’s son had learned Brahma Vidya from his father. He closed his eyes and knew what would benefit his father. He asked for Liberation for his father, not the position to be Lord of Heaven. All the 333 crore deities blessed Raghu. Raghu knew that father would approve of his decision. Indra kept the horse and Dilipa was liberated.
Raghu was coronated as king. He also performed many Yajnas. He was fully qualified for Liberation. He could have gone with body to heaven. Such great souls would take their subtle body and leave it in the cosmos. Raghu wished to perform Satra Yaga. It required that he should donate everything, absolutely everything, including clothing, home, and wife’s ornaments. Sleep on the floor, bathe only in rain water, use palm for accepting food and for eating. He wore only garments made from bark. One doing that austerity could pick fallen grains to eat.
When a man goes bankrupt, he feels so ashamed and imagines that everyone is laughing at him. No one on the street knows your situation or cares. Why hang on to house and reputation? Just rent a smaller place and live.
Raghu continued to rule, living in a hut, and his wife brought fallen grains and cooked them in mud pots. He spent time like that.
Varatantu, a sage, had a grudge against Raghu, that during some previous Yajna, he was not given a proper seat. He sent his disciple Koutsa, to go and test Raghu. He asked as guru Dakshina, 14,000 crores gold coins. Guru said, go ask Raghu to the boon, since he is king.
Raghu was inside a hut, no throne, he was seated on the floor. No royal palace. Only mud pots. Koutsa was wondering how this king could provide the wealth he needed to please his guru. He turned to go away. But Raghu asked why the Yati came and why he was going back emptyhanded. Koutsa was shy to ask, seeing Raghu’s condition. He saw the Satra Yaga in progress. Upon insistence, Koutsa mentioned his desire.
Raghu decided to fight against Kubera, the god of wealth to acquire the needed treasure to satisfy the yati, the disciple. He prepared for war. Kubera got scent of this intention. Kubera showered all his wealth on Raghu, frightened of the intending attack.
Raghu offered the wealth to Koutsa. Koutsa counted and took only 14 K Crore gold coins that he needed to give to his guru. Raghu refused to keep for himself the rest of the money. His intention of fighting against Kubera got Raghu this wealth, which he rejected as not his own.
That is Dana. Raghu, the emperor did the greatest charity. This is a true story. It is not a fairytale. It is our history. Such is the greatness of Raghu. We are only talking about the importance of charity. Because of his greatness, Rama was born in his lineage.
I am asking the Nellore devotees to contribute funds to construct the priest quarters here. Come to Mysuru for the 75th birthday of Swamiji. Now the Golden Jubilee celebration of the ashrama is taking place. Diamond Jubilee birthday is coming up. Daily spirituals programs will be conducted as a special austerity. Have darshan of Datta, the Moola Virat Datta, Kala Bhairava temple, Bonsai garden, and of course, Swamiji’s favorite Shuka Vana, the parrot garden with talking parrots. Stay for a few days. Do not wait for personal interviews. I am saying you may come, it is up to your will, your choice, your fortune, and your yoga.
Nellore ashram is very nice.
Jaya Guru Datta Sri Guru Datta.