Speeches of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – Guru Purnima – July 10, 2025 – Piṭhāpuram
Speech in the morning after Guru Parampara puja
Remembering Pujya Gurudeva on this most important of all festivals. There is no festival without the festival of Guru Purnima, for if the mind and intellect have to flourish, this festival is important. The great Mahatmas said that if Guru and Govinda were to appear before them, they would prostrate to Guru, for He is the one who shows us Govinda.
Amongst all the greats in Sanātana dharma, today we celebrate and remember Vyāsa Maharshi who has bestowed jñāna and the path we must all follow. He is without birth or death, but on Vyāsa Purnima, we invoke and pray to the Guru Parampara for the guru’s grace. No tapas will bear fruit if we do not follow the path shown by Guru. It is not possible to attain the Devatas without the grace of Guru. And for us, Guru is Sri Ganapathy Sacchidananda Swamiji.
Maha Vishnu Himself took avatāra as Veda Vyāsa Maharshi. But Lord Shiva Himself had to take avatāra as Shankarāchārya Svāmi to help us understand the Bhagavad Gita, the Brahma sūtrās and the Upanishads. If not for Shankaracharya, the scholars would not be able to understand nor explain these scriptures.
Today, we are very blessed to sit in the presence of a scholar of Sri Viswanadha Gopalan’s stature who explained four of the Brahmasūtrās in a most succinct manner in Telugu.
Mother Goddess asked which nāma amongst all the thousand names in the Vishnu Sahasranāma grants the benefit of chanting all thousand names? Lord Shiva then spoke of the greatness of ‘Sri Rāma Rāma Rāma’ nāma.
Introspect on every karma that you undertake from the point you wake up till you sleep. Do these karmas help you detach from bonds? Or do they entangle you further? While we may seem detached, that is where we are getting entangled further. All these karmas are only resulting in more bondage. The karma which frees and rids us of bondage is Guru karma, Guru seva. This is why it is so important to tread the path shown by Guru, even if done so selfishly because it helps us attain the most supreme goal. Such selfishness is not bad as it only helps us when we follow the path shown by Guru and God in the Bhagavad Gita.
We can see how many educational qualifications, specialisations, degrees, curriculum and courses are mushrooming in the world. Now a simple MBBS has no worth, one has to specialise and then go for super speciality. These studies help us survive and live well in the material world, but Brahmavidya alone grants us the ability to attain paralōka, and to know Brahman. The one that frees us is known as Vidya. In fact, the other studies make us veer away from Brahmavidya. Know that to be māya.
Today, as this scholar spoke, didn’t many of you wish to learn more? But how long does this yearning last? Till the bell rings at Annapurna Mandiram. Then māya takes over and we forget everything.
Guru alone is the One who keeps uplifting all those who are falling into māyā. In Guru Sannidhi, one never feels tired and exhausted the way one does when one does a day’s work outside. This is why Guru karma is the most supreme karma. When we think about this we understand how karma must be undertaken.
Whatever talent or skill or knowledge one may possess in this world, it will not follow into the other world. We leave all these behind when we leave this world. To know what is vidyā, the jignyāsa – spirit of enquiry must develop in us. This will happen only if such samskārās exist in us.
From the time children are small, parents give examples of other children instil the idea of good education and earning well so that we may thrive in this world. In the same way, Guru too wishes to instil good in us. When manaha is reversed, it becomes namaha. Gurave namaḥ – in Guru Sannidhi, we wish to listen and glean important lessons. Chaturmasya is an opportunity to prepare the body, mind and intellect to learn what is useful. Since we cannot do so for four months, we observe Chaturmasya for four fortnights or two months.
Just as you have all observed Guru puja and Chaitanya Archana, it is equivalent to performing this worship. In the same way, you all must also observe Chaturmasya vratam.
This is the kshetra of Pādagaya, Kukkuṭeshwara Swami, Puruhūtika Devi, Anagha Devi and Dattatreya Swami, and Sri Pada Sri Vallabha Swami. Tapas and Japa done in this kshetra by controlling the tongue and refraining from speaking or eating unnecessarily, helps us gain immense benefit. Observe āhāra niyamās when possible and chant mantra with focus and devotion about 1000 times a day. This will purify the mind and speech.
Each evening, we shall discuss some important aspects in Jaimini Bhāratam which is replete with Krishna Bhakti, including the Lord’s cosmic form.
Chaturmasya is the confluence of many programs and sevas. Chandi Yaga, Annadana and the 9th crore Datta Homa will also begin along with Panchōtsava sevas to Datta Svami.
The rice grains used in the Guru Parampara puja will be distributed. Keep these at home in the jar where rice grains are kept. Never empty the jar completely. Then the blessings and grace of the entire Guru Parampara, the thought to do good deeds, and jñāna shall be upon all in your home at all times.
This evening, after Sri Chakra puja, the Ganapathy Sacchidananda Prashasti award shall be conferred on this year’s award recipient. This will be followed by Teppotsavam.
Speech in the evening
Today is a very important day. Pīṭhikāpuram or Piṭhāpuram is where Puruhūtika Devi resides. Today, on guruvāram (Thursday), if we are able to celebrate Guru Purnima in this sacred kshetra, it is only Pujya Sadguru’s grace.
Today, you all witnessed Guru Parampara puja, unmindful of the heat. When we sit like this, we attain siddhi. With Pujya Appaji’s blessings we are about to undertake the Chaturmasya vrata Deeksha in this Kshetra. This evening, Guru Gita parayana was offered by devotees from Hyderabad.
tatah kim comes thrice in the Guru aṣṭakam given by Shankarabhagavadpadacharya to say what is the point if despite all that you do with mind, body and spirit, your mind does not focus on Guru’s feet.
Today, we are conferring the Ganapathy Sacchidananda Prashasti award on Sri Praballa Subrahmanya Shastri garu.
Is there anything as strong as an atom? The entire creation is contained in an atom. Such an atom is this year’s recipient. If vidya has flourished in our country, it is because of the sacrifices made by Gurus and teachers who have forgone eating for the sake of their students and fed them while imparting knowledge to them.
Shastri garu not only travels everywhere to impart teachings to elders and children alike, but has also advised the Peetham on vastu matters. Shastri garu has a very close association with Pithapuram kshetra, and it is therefore even more significant that he receives this award here at Pithapuram.
He spoke four very important words today – which if we all remember everyday, then our lives will be fulfilled.
mātṛdevo bhava
pitṛdevo bhava
ācāryadevo bhava
atithidevo bhava
Seeing this couple today makes me feel that Tatagaru and Jayalakshmi Mata have come here today. May Sri Swamiji bless this couple with more strength to do more Guru Seva.
In this sacred kshetra, if one merely chants Datta, it is enough. Datta is the One who has given us everything – every grain we eat, every second we live and every breath we take.
In Datta stavarājam, in Rudrayāmale, the greatness of Datta is narrated to Shuka Maharshi by Lord Shiva. In this great work, it says that by chanting Datta, one gains the merit of taking a dip in all the holy rivers and of visiting all the sacred kshetras.
Everyday, pancōtsava has to be performed to Svāmi. This evening, we shall conclude with Teppotsava and Dolotsava followed by kākaḍārati.
From tomorrow evening, in this very Mantapa, the discourse on Jaimini Bhāratam shall begin. It bestows Krishna Bhakti on those who listen to it. Hindu Dharmam channel shall also telecast the discourse.
It is very important to perform Anaghavratam in this Kshetra. Around the temple, one can see the aṣṭasiddhīs in the form of Kalashas. This year, at Ahobilam, Sri Swamiji has established a school for the tribal children. The proceeds from this year’s Chaturmasya donations will go toward fees for teachers, school bus charges, and mid-day meals for the children at this school.