Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Bhajan session – Significance of Nitimala – June 9, 2018 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
During the recent birthday celebrations, we had a Nitimala symposium. Although it was composed 25 years back, it appears as if it was recently completed. It elaborates in detail the Guru principle as well as the lessons taught by the Sadguru. It incorporates newer ways to counter the present-day situations and as such is useful for all ages and all time periods. It teaches ways in social living and helps us understand the way to live in this world.
A person’s mental maturity begins even when he is a student. It can be confidently stated that all of you are still students, who are still evolving. During this period of learning, the Sadguru imparts knowledge to the student. The term ‘initiation’ should not be limited to only mantra-upadesha. Irrespective of the lesson being taught, it must be understood that He is giving upadesha (initiation).
The directives given by the Sadguru regarding the way of life, the future course of life’s journey all constitute Guru upadesha. Such lessons on various subjects are covered in Nitimala, which can be termed the present day Bhagavad Gita. Let us now understand one verse from Nitimala.
Gurupadeśe tu sadādhikāra Vantoyathaiva śvasane samasthāh
Vucchairgatim tatra bhajanti kecit ghanāh paratha pravaṇā yathakhyaih
Meaning: Just as every living entity has a right to breathe, every person has the right to follow a Guru and to abide by His dictates. Yet, among those who take Guru’s initiation, only a few work towards the well-being of fellow living entities and as such, they alone reach the highest planes like the rain-bearing clouds located in the skies.
It is imperative for all those who have obtained initiation from a Sadguru to lead their life in a way beneficial to the society. Just as the clouds in the sky exist for the benefit of the world, these people who have studied under the Sadguru must serve the world. It is a very important message contained in Nitimala.
Among all the various births, the birth as a human being is the most superior one. It is also a very rare fortune to obtain a human birth. After completing the various other types of births, say after 70 or 80 lakhs of births, a living entity gets one opportunity of human birth. After every one cycle of 80 lakhs of births, the Lord gives one chance to be born a human. The living entity who obtains human birth and who thereafter wastes it is more degraded than an animal.
In this human birth, the living entity must work towards selfless action (karma), intensifying devotion (bhakti) and supreme knowledge (jnana). To master these three, it is imperative to seek refuge under a Sadguru. Sadguru, who is impartial, teaches everyone – be it a householder, a sanyasi, a pauper, an ignorant person- or anyone who seeks knowledge. He teaches in accordance with the needs of the person. He punishes when necessary, reforms the fallen and teaches them too. He cajoles them too.
Just as breathing is crucial for existence, associating with a Sadguru and learning under His tutelage are extremely critical for life. However, it is by far very difficult to obtain a Sadguru. He will not easily associate with you. Even though He is available, He makes it appear as if He is not. To earn His grace you must strive to increase your devotion. Only when true devotion exists, Guru’s teachings can be imbibed, not otherwise. Not realizing the value of His initiation, may condemn Him, leave Him and go away.
Pretentious devotion has no place in Guru’s presence. Pretentious devotees obtain pretentious blessings. Only when the person whole-heartedly surrenders, he gets true blessings. There are many who are fortunate to obtain upadesha from Guru, but unable to fathom its significance. Every day they listen to His teachings, but fail to grasp the essence.
Discarding selfishness and living only for the well-being of the world is the real essence of life. Sadgurus, who are the embodiment of the Supreme Lord, lead by example and teach that life is meant to be used in the service of others. Only those who have totally abandoned selfishness and who have sought total refuge under a Guru are entitled to receive initiation from Him. Such devotees remain forever in Sadguru’s heart.
As students, all of you must remember that the knowledge you are obtaining from the Sadguru must be utilized for the betterment of the society and for yourself. Only then this life attains fruitfulness.
Such important initiation is contained in Nitimala and as such each one of us must make it a point to read and understand it. Read one verse a day.
Remember an important point. All those who seek to obtain a place in Sadguru’s heart must strive to increase their devotion. They should develop pure love devoid of selfishness. Following Guru only for fulfilment of certain wants is not true Guru-disciple relation. At best, it can be classified as a relation between God and devotee.
All those who follow me with some desire in mind can be classified as devotees and not as disciples. A disciple never craves for anything. He faces every situation as it arises. He only craves for Guru’s initiation/ lessons. In this assembly, there is not even a single disciple. All of you are only devotees. Only that person who from beginning to end follows Guru solely for Supreme knowledge is a disciple. But all of you entertain worldly desires and seek Swamiji’s blessings towards their fulfilment.
If you desire to be classified as a disciple, then work hard towards increasing selfless devotion, knowledge and dispassion. You must not expect Swamiji to fulfill even one material desire of yours.
Only when our wealth, knowledge and life turns useful for the society, life becomes fruitful. Nitimala, which contains such treasures, is Kaliyuga Bhagavad Gita. Even if occasionally one verse is read and its meaning grasped, your life will see significant improvement. Every reading gives newer insights. It takes us towards goodness.
Govinda Hari Govinda.
A professional story teller (Harikatha-artist) was once narrating the glories of Lord Srihari, ‘Chanting the names of Lord Srihari, one can easily cross the ocean. Simply chant Govinda Hari Govinda. This is my dictate. You will definitely cross the ocean. Have faith in my words’.
A milkmaid who needed to cross the river in order to supply milk was delighted. Chanting the mantra ‘Govinda Hari Govinda’ she began to cross the river, supply milk and return home safely. A fortnight passed by. When it was time for the Harikatha-artist to leave the village, the lady thanked him, offered him milk and curd in gratitude and extolled him for showing her the way to cross the river.
Astonished that his technique had truly proved effective, the Harikatha-artist eagerly hurried to the river bank and commanded, ‘O river, please make way for me’. Chanting, ‘Govinda Hari Govinda’ he stepped into the waters, only to sink into it.
Here, it was his ego ‘I am making this statement’. He was filled with ‘I-ness’.
Only when faith is infused into the words spoken and beliefs entertained, they yield fruit. Devotion towards the Lord was lacking in him. He lacked conviction in his own statements. Had his conviction been strong, he would have crossed the river. Devotion and faith help accomplish anything.
Lakhs of devotees approach Swamiji and express their gratitude saying, ‘Swamiji with faith in You we could accomplish even this impossible task’. I reply, ‘It is your devotion. I have no role in it.’ Swamiji does not bloat with pride, ‘Oh, did you succeed? Did I not assure you earlier of your success? It is my idea that has enabled you to enjoy success today’. Such feelings do not arise in me. ‘It is your devotion that has yielded fruit. Latch on to that devotion and continue further’ I say.
When any devotee says, ‘Swamiji you came in my dream’, I do not turn egoistic. I think, ‘Aha, the Supreme Lord has taken my form and visited him in dream. He is so fortunate. I am fortunate to see this fortunate man’.
When people are ecstatic that their task was successful I say, ‘I have no role in it. Lord Datta and my Guru Jayalakshmi mata were responsible for it’. If I don’t acknowledge my Guru I will be a sinner. Hence, I give them all the credit. ‘Please visit my Guru and offer pradakshina to her. Please thank Her. It is Her greatness. Serve Her’.
Why should I take the credit of having visited the devotee in the dream when I know I have not? It was his faith, his devotion and his knowledge that blessed him with this positive result. With a pure mind he worshipped me and as such he obtained success. The Supreme Lord is using me as a tool to connect to you all. I consider this a chance He has bestowed upon me.
Even Krishna conveyed a similar message to Arjuna. After teaching entire Bhagavad Gita, the Lord said, ‘Arjuna I have no role. It is your devotion and your karma which determines outcome. If you offer all your actions to me you will reach the highest state’.
Use me as a tool and as a channel to connect to that Lord who remains invisible. Don’t hold on to the channel, hold on to that goal which is being shown by the channel. The signboard only directs the way- if we follow the path shown by it we will reach the destination. If we hold on to the signboard we will remain where we are. In order to reach the destination you have to abide by my advice. Contrary to that if you merely hold on to me what will you gain?
Whatever I have explained until now were the words of Krishna. They are not my statements. This was the advice given by Krishna not only to Arjuna but to everyone. Throughout His lifetime He gave the same message. ‘Offer all your actions, especially the best ones, to me’. After preaching Bhagavad Gita He said- ‘these words are not mine. They are the truthful words which are in existence since beginning of creation. They are the statements contained in Veda. If you follow them you will reach the goal. However you are free to choose’.
Krishna also emerged from that Supreme Lord who remains invisible. Krishna was the visible form of that Lord. In reality, everything and everyone has to reach that invisible Supreme Lord.
In Bhagavatam, while displaying His transcendental traits, the Lord simultaneously narrates His sorrows and through this confounds us totally. So far as appreciating His transcendental deeds goes, we have no problem. But then, when He begins to show us His sorrows and difficulties, He causes us to stumble. The devotee must remain extremely vigilant at this point. Thereafter, the same Lord, in different stories warns us not to be cheated by His words/ actions that cause us to stumble.
‘Do not fall into the trap. Worship Me alone. Beg from Me alone, if at all you seek to beg. Meditate upon Me alone. Your life will be fruitful’- says the Lord at one point. The same Lord at another point says, ‘There is no use of worshipping Me’. What are we to do to remove this confusion? Read Bhagavatam end to end. Then you will understand for yourself as to what is right and what is correct.
Half-baked knowledge is always harmful. Reading a few stanzas of Bhagavad Gita confuses us completely. Read until the end and all confusions vanish. In every bhajan, Swamiji has incorporated a clue.