Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – August 30, 2015 – KSHT Frisco, TX USA
Speech in the morning
Jaya Guru Datta
What a beautiful and wonderful event! Today we are with Sri Tyagaraja Swami and Sri Venkatamakhi. Tyagarajaswami is not only praising Rama. His is Tatva Sankeertana, Tatva Bhajana (Philosophical and spiritual musical eulogy). Wonderful Tatva Keertanas. Venkatamakhi also. He experienced. Go ahead and learn the meaning of the Pancharatna Keertanas. There is a story behind the composition of the Pancharatna Keertanas. I have no time now to explain it.
Today we have made this musical offering to Hanuman, who is Nadanjaneya, who loves music. At musical events we invoke the presence of Lord Hanuman. Today we are already in His presence, therefore, there is no need to specially invoke His presence here. He is the first spiritual guru, yoga guru, and music guru. Sage Narada and Sage Tumburu have propagated this knowledge in the world.
In a short duration, all of you have learned Venkatamakhi’s composition in Saurashtra Raga. I am very happy. Lord Nataraja appeared before him and spoke through him. It is said that even Lord Krishna danced in front of him. Such a great soul, Sri Venkatamakhi, is very happy today. During the Kumbhabhishekam and Mandala Puja occasion, which is the beginning, and not the end of the celebration, where the Temple is opened and made available and offered to the public for worship, this grand event has taken place here, rendered by this group. On the day of the consecration itself, the Temple was inaugurated. Today, the event is completed.
The participants live here in the USA, hold jobs, and sometimes are even required to work during the weekends. For children, school is very critical, cannot take days off, lots of homework, and have to retain so much information in the heads. To help the children keep up with their studies, the parents have to work a lot with them. It is a huge commitment and an exercise, that along with such responsibilities, they are also learning and maintaining their knowledge and interest in music. It is a breathing exercise which improves discipline, health, and memory. During times of confusion, misunderstandings, and health problems also, music helps to solve the difficulties. Bhajans and Sankeertana, Sangeeta sadhana/music practice are most important.
Music is the best and the only friend in life. While singing or practicing music, we forget all our problems. Our concentration will be only on the notes, rhythms, and lyrics. The physicians both western and eastern recommend this as a hobby. Health and budget also get adjusted. Put it to test to personally experience this truth. The closest friend, closer than mother, father, children, or spouse, is music.
There is selfishness in every relationship. There is interdependence based on a selfish interest, be it financial, emotional, or physical. We seek security during times of helplessness. We expect protection in old age from children, which they fail to render anyway.
Worldly life is nothing but selfishness. One should not reject it, however. It gives good vibration to engage in these relationships. While being involved, understand that none of these people are your true friends. None of them will go with you. Nada alone remains with you. When troubled, hum some tune, listen to a song, or sing a bhajan, and you forget your pain, your insult, and the betrayals you have suffered. Even if you listen to someone else practicing music, it will benefit you.
Observe, in any religion, they have grasped Nada as the best deity. There is no need to give a concert. Simply learn some type of music, vocal or instrumental. If an opportunity arises, you may perform. But performing is not the aim. Never feel discouraged that you will not be able to learn. You must begin your lessons with self-confidence. Music satisfies a deep hunger within, a hunger in life. It is breath, a meal, a nutritious snack.
You have practiced Venkatamakhi’s composition well. It is very tough to learn and render. You still need to perfect it. But in a short time, you have made good progress. The Prabandhas of Venkatamakhi are tougher to learn than Tyagaraja kritis. They are more intricate in their rhythms and Sanskrit lyrics, which are not easy to pronounce correctly. It is a major science, it requires deep research. You sang well. I got transported to a different world, listening to your rendition. If next year also, you perform with a better grasp and confidence, without skipping continuity, it will be good.
Pancharatna Kritis bring all the artists together. One gives up inferior and superior feelings and differences of opinion, to come together for a group rendition. There should be unity in performing together.
In the beginning, even among the gods there were differences of opinion. They prayed to different energies. Narada got them all together. It was only when they were all brought together, dropping all difference of favoring either Vishnu or Siva, and all the energies merged together and offered a combined unified prayer, that God decided to descend upon the earth as Rama or Krishna. Until then, He did not respond. Remember that.
This teacher, that teacher, that style, this style, that group, this group, drop such distinctions. Slight variations may be there in the way a song is rendered. But no major discrepancies in lyrics will occur. Dudukugala will never be changed to Kodukugala. Endaro Mahanubhavulu will never be sung as Okkade Mahanubhavudu. It is not possible. You cannot change the notes, the tune, or the tala/rhythm. One may extend a note here, or shorten one there. Even in Chennai, where music flourishes without any hindrance, artists do not entertain such differences. Why should you fight amongst yourselves here? No. You should not do it. Come together amicably. This is your home. If some people are obstinate and do not wish to join the group, let them be. Sooner or later, they will join. This is a temple that is open to all. To go to someone’s personal home, one may refuse, due to personal animosities, but this is a home that belongs to all. Use this opportunity properly. Treat this as your mother’s home.
I am distributing the valuable book, Raga Ragini Nada Yoga to all of you. Normally, we only give them out to VIPs. But it is more useful with musicians. Someday, someone in a future generation may use the information contained in this book for research purposes. It will benefit someone some time. Some miracles happened in different homes where this book was kept.
If you learn the meaning of each of the Pancharatna Kritis, you will benefit and appreciate them more. As you sing each one of them, you will only remember Swamiji. We see it as a living demonstration.
Once again, Swamiji showers His abundant blessings upon all of you. My ancestor, Sri Venkatamakhi is extremely happy today. I have brought him now to America. Without a visa, he has come here.
Sri Guru Datta
Speech in the evening
Jai Veera Hanuman ki Jai
So, today’s Mandala Puja is not the ending day but the beginning day. It is very powerful. Do not miss today’s special Antaralaya Darshan/seeing the deity from close quarters from the inner sanctum. Take thoram. It is your Raksha kavacham/protective shield. Receive the banana, betel leaf, and date prasadam.
During Panchamrita Abhishekam so many colors are seen, emitting so much energy. Vibrations worldwide-spreading Hanuman’s protective energy. We pray to Hanuman to please protect all the 14 lokas and all the living beings. Sarve janaassukhino bhavantu. May everyone be well, all animals, and sadhu/pious devotees. May everyone be practicing Jnana, Bhakti, and Seva/service mentality.
Take the example of nurses working in hospitals. Even mother may feel disgust at cleaning a child’s personal soil, but not them. For personal sustenance and family support, they may receive a salary. But real service they render with selfless interest and commitment.
Vanara Sena volunteers here have washed toilets. Took care of the footwear of visiting devotees. Real Seva. Not in public view, they worked where Swamiji was not physically present. He was present there invisibly throughout. Toilet cleaning is like cleaning God’s home. Disposing of garbage is real seva.
After coming to USA your habits have changed in a good way. You have cultivated a service mentality. Thank you to USA.
In India you are lazy. Never washed dishes or clothes. Always depending on servants. Never helped in tidying up. When you come to India also, show this same attitude.
A Guru was there. A thief stole all his belongings, whatever little he had. Guru, who woke up at the sounds the thief made, voluntarily gave the thief also his bedsheet and the clothes he was wearing, including the mala of rudrakshas. He only kept his loin cloth, saying that it was sufficient for him. The thief got transformed. He gave up stealing and served this Guru thereafter, with loyalty and commitment. He traveled with him. When the Guru got some money, he kept it safely. His old habits of safeguarding things he practiced, with Guru’s possessions. He remained devout.
One night three thieves tried to break the lock of the box containing the precious possessions. They beat the Guru for getting the key. The old thief woke up and saw his old friends. He beat them. Guru scolded him. They beat me. But I did not retaliate. Now you show them what you have learned. The old thief remained calm. He handed them the key to unlock the box and allowed them to take all the cash. Seeing this change in their old friend, they also got transformed. They became good guys. We see others and we get transformed.
In a temple, in an ashram, people learn to offer service by observing the others. Oh, my friends wash toilets. I will also do. If my officer friends serve in the shoe stall, I too will do it. Children will emulate parents. Do not wait to be told. What little service you can do, you render without hesitation. If physically you are unable to offer service, then at least put a dollar in the Hundi. Serve in the canteen. Help in food preparation or serving. Do not eat for free just because you are a volunteer there. Do not give away free food and beverages to friends and relatives. Then the canteen will go bankrupt.
I notice that some of you are still arrogant and proud, and unwilling to serve. A change must come over you.
Debt to God, Guru, and mother, everyone must try to repay. Since it is not possible to repay mother who gave you birth and this precious human life, at least do seva. Be obedient. It is impossible to repay the debt owed to Guru and God. Just keep serving them lifelong, selflessly. That is all.
I bless you all. Watch yoga sangeeta (www.yogasangeeta.org). Do not miss livestream. Also recorded videos are there, if you missed watching the programs live.
I am always with you, always in your hearts. Since you are in a physical form, Guru also appears before you in a physical form. Do not be too attached to the physical form. Do not feel that you will miss Swamiji. Feel with your hearts. Swamiji lives in your hearts. If you miss Swamiji’s physical presence here at KSHT, then see the large photo. In KSHT, this photo is so alive. See it from a distance. Keep chanting the Hanuman Chalisa. See Marakata Hanuman and then see Swamiji’s photo. The clock below the photo reminds you of the passage of time. 48 days just flew by.
Don’t waste precious time, chattering, sitting on the sofa, and seeing cinemas and shows. You must stop that. Your mind then becomes like a stone. Mad, you will become. Be very careful about what you see with your eyes. Listen to good music. Once in a rare while watching a movie for entertainment is okay. Do not indulge in it too much.
Jai veera Hanuman ki Jai.
The video of Mandala Puja highlights is very nice. They are still doing the final editing. Every home must have a copy of it for good remembrance. Do not miss, do not forget.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri