Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the morning – July 23, 2018 – Trinidad & Tobago
Sri Mahaganapate Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Dhyayet shaktim gunaatiitam… Ravi bodhitam
Narayana Narayana Narayana Narayana.
Yesterday and today was the first ekadasi of Ashada month. I remember singing the Pandarapuram Panduranga Bhajans. Yesterday afternoon there were millions of people gathered, singing and dancing. I’ve seen on the website. Today also is Ekadashi here. These 2 days are very precious days, I am very happy because we honoured pandits, in this Dattatreya and Hanuman Ashram. Pandits are very necessary not only in this country but all over the world, because we need the Dharma that they are preaching. Pandits preach about Dharma, about devotion, about studying Ramayana, they explain Mahabharata, so we need such Pandits. I remember Krishna Maharaj, Dharmaacarya, He was my best friend. And his son and grandson came also. I am very happy about such a pandit family. We are waiting for them to come to Mysore Ashrama, to Datta Peetham.
Today this is Chaitanya Archana. Sri Maha Vishnu is always taking Nara human form. So it is important for you people to perform Chaitanya Archana because Mahavishnu is everywhere. Mahavishnu means like Datta, because Datta is Brahma, Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Otherwise if you pray Vishnu only, maybe Lord Shiva may scold you. If you pray Lord Shiva maybe Brahma may quarrel, that’s why we pray to Datta.
Yesterday I heard the history about Indians coming to this country about 180 years ago. Chakradhar, one indian living here, was discussing with another dharmic gentleman. So in those days, a few pandits also came to this land {on the ships} to explain to people what is dharma, what is karma, how to perform puja, how to pray, what to do for marriage, for blessing a new house. If a problem comes, what puja to do, on one side they are performing their karma, on the other hand, they were explaining Ramayana and Mahabhaharata, Bhagawatam, Sundara Kanda, etc. I am very happy about this. I have seen early in the morning, they explain the Ramayana in front of Hanuman. Maybe just a few people attend, sometime 100 people may have come, but I am very happy about this. Puja, Japam also at the same time, sometimes they perform in a different way, but it doesn’t matter. North India way is different from South India, no problem. Some mantras are the same, but they are also doing Sama Veda, different Vedas.
My boys are using all Vedas, and we have a big Pandit school in the Ashram from as young as 8 years old. They learn and chant up to 12 years, some up to 18 years. Some of them become big pandits, they learn to speak Sanskrit also. Within one hour, they chant Bhagavad Gita also. They are very disciplined also.
They study Sama Veda, Yayur Veda, Atharva veda and Rig Veda also, and different rituals according to the Sastras. So the pundits brought about, such an energy. Because Dharma is everywhere and came with them on the boat. Great salutations today to their forefathers. I am very happy.
Now their children and grand children are also following such vedantic tradition. Back to Mysore from 8 to 80 years old they keep studying because Vedanta is such a big subject.
Sage Bharadwaja was studying the Vedas and after about 15 years Brahma and Vishnu came and asked what boon he wanted. He said I want 100 years. Why they asked. Because I want to practice more Veda. After that 100 years he asked for another. Then Vishnu came and said Come your time is over, let’s go to Vaikuntha. But the rishi asked for another 100 years, I must learn something, so again I want to study the Vedas. This happened again and again. And each time, Lord Vishnu granted him more time. But still he got no satisfaction because Veda is like a big ocean, like a musical ocean. He was granted more than 600 years, and all deities were thinking “What is wrong with this miserable Rishi?”, then 1,000 years finished. Then Maha Vishnu came and saw that Bharadwaja was very happy. “Why are you so happy?” – Because I’ve learn so many Vedas, he said it proudly. Maha Vishnu said “Oh you have learn so much veda in 1,000 years? Then he pointed to one big hill. Do you see that big hill like the Himalayas? He asked, then He picked up one small stone, this 1,000 years you have learnt only this much, says Vishnu laughing. You cannot learn everything about the Vedas. Veda is Narayana, you can take one Japamala, go into dhyana, chant Narayana Narayana. MahaVishnu Himself is Veda. Veda is in His body. All different parts of Vedas are on the different parts of the body. One section is my hair, one section is my nose, one my ears, one my tongue, etc. You can take thousands and thousands of birth but you won’t finish. Then Bharadwaja realised his mistake, his ego.
There is only one Gayatri Mantra but if Guru gives any mantra you must practice and you will gain the same knowledge as the Vedas. Then you will see the Glory of the Vedas.
I’m very happy about the pundits coming. I’ve prayed for Dattatreya’s blessings on their Karmas. Because they are following their own good Karmas, they are doing good Service, they are spreading the name of God, don’t try to escape from your dharmas. You people must do as the Pandits advise, to help with your Karmas.
At least 25% you can follow, then Dharma will protect you, if you protect that Dharma. … duty, non stealing, forgiveness, cleanliness, control of senses, good strength, sattvic studies and truth. You must practice these qualities, people feel that Dharma means only puja but Dharma is in everything, you must practice dharma, I will post these qualities on Path App, you must also join Path. This is easy, if you don’t have a cell phone, there is no use. Respect Dharma. Following God’s and Guru’s teachings, pandits are our Vidya Gurus, you must do as they say. Knowledge, you want knowledge, OK go and ask them, they will give you a good answer, such that Trinidad can have prosperity (claps). I bless you once gain.
Jaya Guru Datta