Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – May 11, 2020
Sookti
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla
Prārabhyatē na khalu vighnabhayēna nīcaiḥ
Prārabhya vighnanihatāḥ viramanti madhyāḥ
Vighnaiḥ punaḥpunarapi pratihanyamānāḥ
Prārabhya cottamaguṇāḥ na parityajanti
Those who do not begin any task fearing obstacles are the worst. Those who begin the task but abandon it midway when obstacles arise are mediocre. Those who take their task to completion overcoming every obstacle that arises in their path are the best. No obstacle can ever stop them from reaching their goal!
In other words, those who are in the lowest levels do not even begin any task fearing obstacles. Mediocre begin but stop the moment obstacle arises. Those belonging to the highest category want to complete the task taken up. They are determined to reach the goal. No obstacle can ever stop them from reaching their goal!
Vighna or obstacle is that which especially spoils the task. When we begin any new task we may or may not be faced with obstacles. But, how can obstacles arise if we do not even begin the task? For this reason, the virtuous neglect all the obstacles that arise in the path and teach how one can deftly accomplish the task. They are filled with enthusiasm to reach the goal. Similarly, irrespective of the number of obstacles that arise on the path, wise people continue their work with renewed enthusiasm and accomplish their task.
The mediocre are the second best. Publicity is more and work is less in them. They make tall claims that they can complete even the most hazardous jobs in a jiffy. The fact is that they sincerely believe in their abilities to complete that task. They are filled with many desires. But, when small obstacles come their way, they are petrified. They quickly drop the task. Their deeds do not benefit the society in any way. But their boastful words are hilarious to others.
Prince Uttara, the son of King Virata of Mahabharata fame is the best example of this. The Pandavas who were spending their one year of incognito in King Virata’s kingdom were suddenly faced with a new problem from the Kauravas. The Kauravas guessed that the Pandavas were residing there and hence decided to attack the kingdom. It was the time when all the warriors of Virata’s kingdom had gone elsewhere for war.
Only Virata’s son Prince Uttara and Arjuna, who was disguised as dancer Brihannala, were present in the assembly. Prince Uttara boasted a lot. He said he could defeat Bheeshma, snatch away the Kauravas crown and the like. He was lamenting that it was a misfortune that he did not have a charioteer. At that time, Arjuna, who was present there as Brihannala, offered to be the charioteer. Prince Uttara jeered at him. But then Arjuna convinced him and they both left for the battlefield.
But, upon reaching the battlefield, when he was face to face with the Kuru warriors suddenly he was nervous and petrified and began running from there. This is how mediocre people behave. They begin task with great enthusiasm and fanfare but abandon it midway fearing obstacles or repercussion.
The last are the worst of the lot. They do not have any self-respect. They do not know reverence and respect. They are filled with inertia and laziness. They fear beginning any task as they would have to face the obstacles that come on the path. They have great belief in their intelligence and capacities. They boast a lot. They believe that instead of finding ways to solve the obstacles that come on their path, it is better to find ways by which obstacles do not arise in the first place. With this thought, they do not even begin the action. If they see anyone eager to begin the task, they try to dissuade them too.
Thus this sookti teaches us that human behaviour can be classified into 3 major divisions- best, mediocre and worst.
Message in Bhakti TV Program telecast on May 11, 2020
Compiled by: Jaya Akkanapragada
agastya iti vikhyāto
loké svénaiva karmańā
āśramo druśyaté tasya
pariśrānta śamāpahah
With the powers obtained from performing tapas, He was able to stop the Vindya Mountain from moving. He gained great fame and glory and was known by the name Agastya Maharśi. Sri Rama told Lakshmana that the Maharśi’s ashrama could remove the tiredness of any weary traveler.
Some great souls are born only with the intention of caring for the world. They only care about the well-being and happiness of all the beings. When there is a problem affecting the world, they immediately jump to the frontline and assure everyone not to be afraid. They not only remove difficulties, but also bring about happiness. Since Paramātma is all pervading, and this entire world is His body, Maharśis are always focused on the all-encompassing One and remain every steady.
Agastya Maharśi was such a great soul. Once, He quelled Vindya mountain’s pride, and another time, He drank up the entire ocean. We may have heard about these two incidents, but there are many deep meanings hidden. We must learn these secrets. Why did Vindya mountain become angry? Why did it grow to such a great extent? Why did Agastya Maharśi drink the entire ocean in one gulp? How did the world benefit from these acts? There are many secrets behind every act of a Mahātma related to His past life.
Agastya Maharśi was a great Śiva bhakta and Devi upāsaka. He propogated Sri Vidya to the world.
eśalōkārcita sādhuh hité nitya rathah satām
asmānabhigatānéśah śreyasā yoja yiśyati
When Sri Rama and Lakshmana were in the forest during exile, Sri Rama praised the Maharśi “This great Mahātma who is worshipped by all the worlds is constantly praying and working to protect good and righteous people. Now that we have reached His ashrama, He will definitely help us.” Saying these words, Sri Rama felt extremely happy. With Agastya Maharśi’s blessing, Sri Rama received Sri Mahaviśnu’s bow and arrows.
When Sri Rama was waging war against Ravana, Agastya Maharśi appeared on the battleground and initiated Him into the Aditya Hrudaya stotram, and was responsible for Sri Rama emerging victorious.
One can be blessed with wealth, knowledge and science, but when they feel pride, they should just look at the Sun god – the One who was Guru to Anjaneya Swami Himself. At sunrise, the Sun looks red and again at sunset also, the Sun looks red. Therefore, One who is filled with knowledge always remains the same. This is why when we start feeling proud, we must look at the sun and remember this.
Vindya was born in the devaloka and was considered a deity. He wanted to accumulate knowledge equivalent to a large mountain and just the thought of that accomplishment filled him with a lot of happiness. After some time, Vindya began to feel that he was just as accomplished in tapas and knowledge and greatness as Meru, and became very arrogant. Vindya looked at the Sun in the sky and said “O Bhanu, just as you arise each day and pay your respects by going around Meru, you may circumambulate me also. I am equally accomplished and great. Please recognize my accomplishments too.”
The Sun god said “O Vindya, Brahma who is Our God has ordered me to proceed like this. I am simply following His word. if you could talk to Him and get His approval, I shall circumambulate you as well.” Saying so, the Sun moved ahead.
Angered that no one was recognizing his greatness, Vindya then spoke to the nakshatra devatas (Stars). When even that did not work, Vindya became very angry and losing all his wisdom he decided to teach the planets and stars a lesson. He grew to immense proportions and kept growing. This affected the earth’s balance.
Mountains ensure that the earth around them does not move. It is only when the fire inside mountains erupts as volcanoes and earthquakes occur that the earth around starts shaking and breaking up. The earth is able to stay afloat on the water only because of the mountains which help strike a balance. When mountains shift, climatic changes occur. Volcanoes and earthquakes result in the earth’s plates shifting and cause cracks to develop. This is why we must not blast mountains and pulverize them.
Many people are breaking mountains so that they can settle there. They then shift all the debris to another place, but this affects the balance. The earth is very finely balanced. By breaking mountains, we have obtained marble and granite. Quarrying for gemstones and minerals and other treasures buried in the earth’s core is what is causing earthquakes. Even though modern scientists and western civilization are aware of all this, they still continue breaking down mountains. Now because the entire world has come to a standstill (because of this disease), the trees and the environment are thriving. You just feel like standing and admiring nature. We must never destroy mountains.
When Vindya mountain started growing at such a rapid pace, the sun started setting early, so the people who lived around the Vindyas had to perform daytime activities at night and vice-versa. Creation which had been naturally progressing so far started facing many challenges now. Even if there is a change by a fraction of a second, we will not be able to survive. These drastic changes had the entire devaloka worried.
All the gods descended and beseeched Vindya saying “O Vindya, what you have done is not right. The world and creation are suffering. You may be very great and accomplished, but we must all follow the rules laid down by our Lord Brahma. Everyone has rightfully earned the position which they are in. Right now, Meru is in a position of authority. Until he finished his rule, you must patiently wait. You cannot try to dethrone him and rise to that position. If this is what you truly want, why don’t you pray to Brahma deva so that you may be in that position in the next kalpa?”
Vindya very stubbornly said “No matter what anyone says, I must have what I asked for.”
The gods tried many ways to beseech and convince Vindya, but when he did not relent, they went to Brahma deva and prayed to Him. After hearing them out, Brahma deva said “Agastya Maharśi is the only one who can solve this problem. Go to him.”
Learning that the Maharśi was in penance in Kashi, the devatas went to him and prayed asking him to help them. Agastya Maharśi said “O Devatās, it is only for the world’s well-being that I perform pujas, yagñas and tapas. I will go and talk to Vindya.” Agastya Maharśi with a very heavy heart left Kashi with his wife Lopāmudra devi.
Seeing the Maharśi approach with Lopāmudra devi, Vindya became very worried. He could see the tapas śakti of the fourteen worlds when he looked at the Maharśi. He realized that his powers were not even like a blade of grass in front of that tapas śakti, and he started shivering. His peak which was touching the skies was immediately bent in reverence to the Maharśi. As Vindya prostrated to the Maharśi, the mountain came back to its original height. With the balance restored, the earth no longer shook and became steady once more.
Vindya: O Munīndra, I am your servant. Please order me as to what I should do.
Agastya Maharśi: O mountain king, even I want to grow as tall as you. But what can I do? He has made me short. I realize that this is all I am supposed to be. Only then will He be happy with me. Therefore I walk the path shown by Him. Anyways, I am getting old, so do not worry about my words. My wife and I are planning to go on a tīrtha yātra for a few years. Could you help us by bending a little and staying like this till we return? I do not know when I will return, so please give me your word that you will stay this way.
Vindya learnt his lesson. He realised that he must never go against Bhagavān’s wishes. Agreeing to the Maharśi’s request, Vindya remained like that.
Atyunaté patanéhutu – when pride rises, fall is inevitable. Therefore, pride is useless.
Having left His beloved Kashi, Agastya Maharśi decided to visit the land south of the Vindya. He is greatly revered in South India especially in Tamil Nadu. As He kept traveling along the Cauvery river, He established many Śiva kśetrās.
He composed ‘Sri Chakra Rāja Simhāsaneśwari’ which we shall listen to now.
O Lalita Devi, who is the very embodiment of the Sri Chakra, O Bhuvaneśwari, my prostrations to you. The āgama śāstrās and the arts are Your manifestations. You are the basis for the existence of the moving and unmoving world, and adored by Lord Natarāja, and the repository of knowledge and wisdom. O Nārāyańi, may You be ever-compassionate to all the beings. The One with the lotus eyes who resides in Kanchipuram, may You fulfil our desires and consider us as lotuses at Your feet.
Please bless us with your pādabhakti (devotion of Your feet) so that we may be blessed with the knowledge to recognize Your śakti residing in the beings of all the worlds. You are All auspiciousness. With your compassion, purify this sinner. O Mother, with your compassion, please remove all my sins accruing from past lives and bless me with Satsanga. O Kamaleśvari, O Bhavāni, please protect me. I am burning with the fire of desires, please bless me with Your cooling gaze so that I may be worthy of attaining moksha. Please remove all the bad thoughts in my mind, and fill me with good tendencies and take me into Your fold. You are my only savior. Protect me O Akhilāndeśvari.
This is such excellent composition, and the Sri Chakra upāsana mentioned in this composition is followed at Datta Peetham, as you all know.
Every day, Sri Chakra puja is performed at this Peetham. Aggastya Maharśi is connected to this Peetham. it is with Agastya Maharśi’s blessing that Your Swamiji has learnt Vaidya śāstrās – the scriptures dealing with healing and medicine. You have all read in Swamiji’s life history about how Agastya Maharśi appeared in the forest and about His blessing.
When we pray to Agastya Maharśi, Mother Goddess’s Grace shall be upon us, and the medicines we take will also have beneficial powers. When we pray to Agastya Maharśi while taking a dip in the Cauvery river, diseases will never affect us. Your Swamiji was blessed by such a Maharśi’s Grace. I shall narrate this incident also another time.
Sri Hare Krishna. Sri Hare Krishna.