Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Tripura Rahasya introduction – January 3, 2022 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
Today is a very auspicious day. We are beginning Tripura Rahasya which was taught directly by Lord Dattatreya to Parashurama. Parashurama made this knowledge available to the world.
Rahasya does not imply that the subject matter should be kept in absolute secrecy. It implies that the subject is not easy to comprehend. As the subject is filled with many in-depth meanings, it is not easily understood by the ordinary person even after extensive explanation and repeated readings. Unless one has extreme devotion and faith, and puts in the relentless effort, the essence of Mother Goddess cannot be grasped.
Guru Datta revealed this supreme secret to his dearest devotee Parashurama. Making known the essence of the Supreme Self is this sacred treatise called Tripura Rahasya.
Tripura Rahasya consists of 3 major khandas (divisions) of which 1 is unavailable presently while only a half of another is available. Hence only 1 ½ portion of the entire treatise is presently available. Even that is very tough to comprehend.
Those who are not devoted to Mother Goddess can never understand this treatise. Yet, with a prayer to Ganapati let us begin the subject and pray to her to help us understand. The longing and the determination to listen to this text should exist in the listener. Determination should be coupled with devotion. Only then the subject will be grasped.
Tripura Rahasya is one of the texts dearly loved by Swamiji. As this is an initiation given by our Gurudeva Lord Datta to Parashurama, Swamiji loves it. Tripura Rahasya contains a detailed explanation of the entire Navaratri puja performed by Swamiji.
Tripura devi resides as the Self within all beings. She exists in every heart as the Self. She dispels ignorance in the people and fills them with the wisdom to discern right from wrong. She enables them to obtain the vision of the Supreme. This is the subject matter of this text.
The subject should be heard not mechanically but with total involvement. Only those who have heard the Mahabharata, Bhagavatam and more importantly the Bhagavad Gita meanings from Swamiji with total involvement will understand the teachings contained in Tripura Rahasya.
Be it in this birth or in any other birth, it is imperative for every individual to know his inherent form. It is imperative to know the Supreme Self. Precisely for this, Swamiji is making you listen to Tripura Rahasya. In a way, it can be said that He is getting you to perform a sadhana. Even listening is a sadhana.
This treatise is interlocked with Guru’s teachings. Without the explanation from the Guru, one cannot comprehend the secret contained in this text. Hence, with utmost compassion towards you all, your Guru himself is explaining this to you.
Knowledge is always secretive. Through a Guru, one must obtain initiation into the knowledge and then try to bring it to experience.
If an incompetent person administers the medicine, the patient will die. A person who builds a sand house will perish. Similarly, if an incompetent person strives to understand this knowledge, he fails. That is why this subject has been addressed as a secret (Rahasya). Unless a person has the dedication, he cannot understand the secrets contained in it. He will get disheartened.
Many begin Srividya upasana and become disheartened due to their inability in understanding the science behind it. They agonize a lot. Further, there is a risk that they will misunderstand it.
To avoid such mistakes, this treatise stresses primarily on obtaining initiation only from a Guru. Guru helps the disciple by eliminating the obstacles on the path.
Tripura Rahasya destroys ignorance (illusion) which obstructs the aspirant from attaining the knowledge. It dispels all the doubts that exist in the mind. We are being tormented by the fiery fire called ignorance. Ignorance itself is Bhandasura demon.
Only Tripura devi can douse this fire, throw us away from it and fulfill our desires. Hence if we bow to her with total devotion, our mental distress will be washed away. Our devotion will see a spurt. If we seek shelter under Her, all our sins will be destroyed. Illusion will be eradicated.
Hence the humans of Kali yuga must know her greatness. If one listens to this story with devotion, love and dedication, he will realize that She exists as the Self. Thereafter the devotee will see his inherent form. Only then will he attain liberation that is freed from rebirths.
Obtain this knowledge called Tripura Rahasya as an initiation from your Guru. Worship Mother Goddess and render your life fruitful. May the grace of Mother Tripura pervade the entire world.