Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – February 24, 2018 – Malaysia
Compiled by: Gopi Shanmugam
Speech in the morning
HH asks the devotees present to chant the Tvamasmin Karya Niryoge mantra
Jai Veera Hanuman Ki Jai!
When you say Veera Hanuman Ki, you will gain immense strength and courage to face life’s challenges. The feeling of “Come what may, I will be able to face and overcome it” will set in. This has been stated in the Sundara Kandam (section of Srimad Ramayana). When the Sundara Kandam is chanted with devotion, solutions to problems are revealed; just as they did in Datta Darsanam. The meaning of Sundara itself is Happiness (Sukham). It is called “Sundara” because it brings happiness to the one reading it. “Sundara” does not refer to decoration, it refers to happiness. It gives courage to complete tasks, just as Lord Hanuman completed many tasks in the Ramanyana. Completing Sri Rama’s tasks (Rama Karyam) was very important to Lord Hanuman. So, whoever chants the Sundara Kandam, will be granted the strength to complete their tasks.
During the great war between Sri Rama and Ravana in the Ramayana, Indrajit who possessed the ability to cast spells had caused everyone to lose consciousness. Even Sri Rama and Lakshmanan were rendered unconscious. The great warriors like Jambavanta had lost consciousness too. This was the doing of Indrajit. This weapon – Brahmastra – that Indrajit wielded was very powerful. It had even rendered Lord Rama unconscious. At one point, Jambavanta regains consciousness briefly, and asks Angada, how Hanuman is and where he is. This is after Jambavanta realizes that Sri Rama was intermittently regaining consciousness and looking all around for Hanuman before losing consciousness again. Jambavanta informed Sri Rama that Hanuman was not affected by Indrajit’s spell and that he was not unconscious. Hearing that Hanuman was not affected by Indrajit’s weapon, they felt they had won the war. The power of the Brahmastra weapon that Indrajit deployed was immense; yet it had not affected Hanuman.
Sage Dhanvantari, then appeared in disguise to tell Hanuman that the Sanjeevani herb could cure those affected by Indrajit’s weapon. Hanuman immediately went in search of the herb. He found the herb in the Himalaya region. Not knowing how to harvest the herb, Hanuman picked up the entire mountain and returned to Lanka. Upon smelling the fragrance of the herb, those affected by Indrajit’s weapon, started regaining consciousness. There was no need for the herb to be administered. Even Ravana’s army were affected by Indrajit’s weapon. If they remained where they fell, the smell of the Sanjeevani herb would have cured them. Instead, what Ravana had done was to drop members of his army, who had lost consciousness, into the sea. The reason he did this was to prevent Sri Rama from finding how many casualties Ravana’s army suffered. He presumed Sri Rama would become arrogant on seeing the casualties in Ravana’s army. The bodies dropped into the sea were consumed by the sea creatures. So, they were no bodies left to be treated by the herb. However, Sri Rama’s army had gained full consciousness when Hanuman brought the mountain with the Sanjivani herbs. That is the power of Hanuman.
Lord Hanuman is able to grant wishes. But that too is not important, believing in Hanuman would give one the strength to face any situation. The Karya Siddhi Hanuman in Malaysia is very powerful. So, please make use of Him.
You are misusing Him. You are misusing because you do not understand the energy. So, let me tell you again, pray to Hanuman, share this information with your family and friends. Let them come and see Him. They will see immediate results. You do not realize His power. You have gold in your hands and are looking all over. This is like a parent is holding a child, yet looking all over for the child. It is like looking all over for the car keys that are in your pocket. If left in the hands of Telugu devotees, they would make full use of Hanuman. Tamil devotees don’t seem to want to make use of Hanuman. In that light, I have created a new Facebook page. Now I am going to inaugurate the new Facebook page. What makes this page special? It will allow membership to as many people as needed. Sri Swamiji Facebook page has eight million people. Another advantage is that Mysore ashram has means to monitor the posts and update as necessary. We will be able to monitor how many people like a particular post. So, I am inaugurating this page today. Everyone should like the page.
Speech in the evening
Sri Ganeshaya Namah
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreya Namah.
Are bhajans conducted here (Kuala Lumpur, Gnana Bodha Sabha Ashram) every Saturday?
Crowd responds saying that bhajans are conducted on Sundays
Sunday mornings are when bhajans are conducted? Very good.
We give God very little. But what does God do for us? He gives us plenty. We only offer Him a Namaskaram (putting hands together in respect). In return, God gives us immense strength. Even when we make a small offering, He gives us great strength. He doesn’t hold anything back. He gives His devotees everything. He always gives multiples of what we offer Him.
Initially, our devotion (Bhakti) can be described as challenged; and in some cases, we are void of any devotion. We have no belief. So, in the beginning, we find it difficult to believe that things we need will happen. How will they happen? What should we do for them to happen, what efforts should we undertake? Can we trust in the glory of the Lord? These are common questions that will arise in the minds of devotees in the beginning. There will be a thousand problems that will come up. At that time, we will feel very challenged and tested. We will not have faith in anything. So, we have to understand that devotion comes in three forms; similar to the three states of water – solid (ice), liquid (water) and finally gas (vapor or steam.)
The solid state has water, but its form is hard and very rigid. Then after some time, it melts and takes a liquid form. Unlike ice which is fixed in its form, the liquid can take any form. Once in liquid form, water is no longer situated in one spot. The ice that gradually melts turns into a stream, and then a river and then moves on. The gaseous form of water is steam. This form is able to move far more freely than water because it is not bound by gravity. It does not have a form. So, just like there are three forms of water, we have three forms of devotion.
First is unwavering devotion and faith; solid like a block of ice. Then, with circumstances, like experiences and challenges, doubts and suspicion, the unwavering devotion starts to weaken. This is like when the ice starts to melt and become water when exposed to external forces like heat. A person who once had strong devotion will face a situation where his devotion is weakened by circumstances in life. So, he starts to look for answers to find a stable ground, much like water does. The now troubled individual starts looking to different Gods, temples and prayers for answers, for peace and happiness. They procure amulets, charms and blessed strings of all kinds. They spend a lot of money and time looking for that elusive peace of mind. Then, after further intense experiences and challenges, trials and tribulations, the individuals’ devotion is transformed further. The begin to understand that the life experiences are what they are and begin to understand and accept them. Their mindset becomes more settled.
It is not possible for someone to remain steadfast in their beliefs forever. They will face difficulties and challenges in life. They will eventually become like water and start looking for answers. This is the cycle of life. Their devotion will finally will become like steam and rise up. That is how devotion transforms. First it is very rigid, then with experiences and circumstances, it becomes more fluid and change when deeper, more spiritual questions arise. I need to know more about God, I need to know more about myself. Why does the cycle of life work the way it does? Why are we born, why did mankind happen? We start questioning these things. With the guidance of a Guru, one slowly starts to accept spirituality (step by step) as a guide to answering the complex questions surrounding our existence.
With the Bhagavad Gita project, step by step the participants are accepting the importance of spirituality. Previously, if you were asked to read the Bhagavad Gita, you would have found it challenging. The shlokas will not be absorbed or understood. Then, through devotion the spiritual journey is realized. Now Sri Swamiji’s instructions are easily understood and carried out. There are many devotees who have just joined us and are in the ice cube stage. They will eventually melt, guaranteed! Why? Because there is a small calculation; the calculation of life. One starts to wonder about mortality, and starts realizing the need for spirituality in their life and the purpose of their birth. They start with the basics: What is God? What is Homa? Why do we perform pujas? Initially there are many personal questions. Then, eventually the personal questions vanish and the spiritual quest begins. They look for answers, solutions, medicine. They will definitely find what they are looking for. This is because they are constantly moving and looking; the soul is searching. Once it finds what it is looking for, it will hold on to it. What happens then? The devotion in the heart becomes like steam and rises. The water that was rigid in the form of ice, becomes water. After many processes, it becomes weightless like steam. It rises to the clouds and get processed again and returns to Earth as water. What a wonderful process that is? The water had gone to the domain of the Gods. It had risen to great heights because of its experience. One’s devotion travels like water. All forms of the water have their destiny; ice, water and even steam has its path to travel. Likewise, our devotion also transforms like water through experiences. When one has a lot of experiences, one will transform from water to steam and rise. Without much experience, one would remain in the ice-like form; rigid. This is a circle. So, we must all be prepared to melt and transform to be with God.
That is all achievable through experiences: Why perform pujas, why is devotion to Guru important, why use flowers for puja, why is decorating the idols an important process of prayer and so on. We give very little in the form of offerings to the Lord. Say an ascetic were to move into the house next door. If we offer him food, he will bless that our entire family be well and protected by God’s grace. This is an immense blessing. What we offered Him was very small. We may have given him a small piece of clothing that may have cost only ten dollars. When we offer the Lord something worth ten dollars, He will in return give us blessings worth ten million dollars. We are not even aware that his blessings are the reason the sadness in our lives diminish. Do you see that we got rid of our sadness with something worth ten dollars? That is because it was done with devotion. Our devotion came from life experiences. A small offering like a fruit or a simple meal will make the ascetic very happy. As a result, He will grant you blessings that will be valuable to you. You may win the lottery. You may not need the lottery, but that is the magnitude of the blessing one can receive for a simple act done with devotion. The blessing is immeasurable, but it was given for something we measured and gave. We may be very calculative with what we offer. “Should we give ten, eleven, twenty or a hundred dollars?” What you consider offering is very small. “Should we offer a tray of fruits for Sri Swamiji? Maybe chocolates, He likes chocolates. No, no, we can give Him pens; so, He can give it to others. Maybe we give Him vastram (clothes)”. You are so calculative. “It would be better if we give Him money. That way Swamiji can buy whatever he needs”. Why spend so much time thinking about what would be the best gift? Of if you do not have anything to offer, you think “Maybe I will just prostrate to Swamiji. That should suffice”. You spend some much effort calculating what you are going to give. No matter how much you calculate, the offering is miniscule compared with what the Lord or your Guru gives you. Swamiji’s blessing are more valuable than anything else. I bless your family to be safe and healthy, that you would get a good job, that you would get your travel visa quickly, etc. The blessing may not be immediately realized. But one day it will materialize. There is no doubt. You should have no doubt about it. The blessings are a great gift; a miracle.
My devotees are mostly in the second stage of devotion (like a fluid.) Sri Swamiji wants you to go to the third stage; to be closer to the Lord. That is the devotion we need. When we are in the third stage of devotion, all our actions will be fulfilling, there will be completion to our tasks. Because Swamiji has given His blessings, you have to complete this course; quitting is not an option. Hanuman completed all of Sri Rama’s requests till the very end. He worked very hard to successfully complete the bidding of Lord Ramachandra. We have to face challenges and difficulties to achieve our goals. We must not keep an account of what we have done for Guru or for the Lord.
Yesterday I chanted Hanuman Chalisa a thousand times, I sang ten thousand bhajans, I spent twenty thousand dollars, etc. This should not be the case. The moment you keep track of the sacrifices you make, the good will be lost. The devotee should think that the Guru has granted him strength, the knowledge and the opportunity to perform service (Seva), or participate in a ritual (Yagna). I am lucky to be given this opportunity to spend ten thousand dollars for a good purpose. If by Guru’s grace and blessings, I am given the strength to do more, I will be able to give twenty thousand dollars next time. You have to keep looking forward to the next Seva and the next good deed. You should not break out of it. You should not get complacent today just because you did it yesterday. A good devotee should not get complacent thinking, “I have given to Swamiji yesterday”. What was done yesterday, was for yesterday. Today is a new day. It is like our life. Just because you took breaths yesterday or earlier today, does not mean you can take a break from breathing now. Why keep breathing? Can you not stop? Why do you eat daily? When you eat in the morning, do you also eat in the evening? Why? Going by your calculative thought process, you should not eat; but you do. Likewise, you should not keep count of the Seva that you do. Every day is a new day.
Everything you do is independent of what was done the previous day. That is how we have to learn to progress. That is how our devotion will grow. That is the example I gave you: one must go from ice to water to steam. You progress to a weightless state; closer to God.
As you participate in satsangs and bhajans, you will feel a sense of peace that you will never get with anything else. The sense of peace when you think about God, when you are with Swamiji, when you travel with Him, when you think of Him is not available through any other means. That state and feeling is very different. Do you not feel it as different? The feeling when you shrouded in illusion (Maya) is different. The feeling when you travel with Swamiji is different from the feeling when you travel for other purposes. The feeling when you think of God and Swamiji is different from when you think of a common man. When you drive Swamiji in your car, the feeling is different from when you drive with anyone else. Even when Swamiji is not physically here in this Ashram, versus when I am here, the feeling is very different. But the peace you feel when you are with me, will not be felt anywhere else. When a mother is delayed preparing a meal, she offers a snack or a biscuit in the meanwhile. That is for temporary relief from hunger so that you can have the proper meal when it is ready. It is the same with seeing Swamiji. Seeing Swamiji is like having a full meal. We have to strive for that sense of peace. That is how devotion should be. We should perform seva, bhajans, pujas and other spiritual activities to generate a special energy in this place. This hall has an energy. This invisible energy is able to attract Swamiji. How auspicious it is! When ten people prayed for Sri Rama to incarnate, nothing happened. But when the millions of Gods and devotees prayed together, the incarnation of Sri Rama took place. Such a circle needs to happen here. The energy field created will make Swamiji want to visit and give Darshan. That is the fruit that we should seek. We always need a reward or an incentive to work. If not in person, Swamiji will come in your dreams. Many people have experienced Swamiji in their dreams. How many people have experienced Swamiji in their dreams? Please raise your hands. In your dreams, you may be talking to Swamiji, traveling with Swamiji, or even having a heated discussion with Swamiji. There is a connection with Swamiji; even though it is not physical. We have to become strong, for that you have to continuously have Swamiji in your thoughts. There is no other way. On that note, the new year is upon us (for the Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam speaking devotees) you all have Swamiji’s blessings for the new year.
Now, please come one at a time and receive a Raksha from me. Remember to subscribe to the new Gnana Bodha Sabha Facebook page.