Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – Day 10, Vijaya Dashami – Goddess Pūrana Kala Rāja Rājeswari Māta – Namasankeertana & discourse in the evening – October 24, 2023 – Mysore
You all noticed that Swamiji has brought special mūrtis and placed them in our midst for us to behold them during Navarātri.
We have witnessed Kumāri Puja. We saw the Sri Chakra that will be established in the Rāja Rājeshwari Māta temple in December. Swamiji also did Aparājita Māta and Shami Tree Puja. Swamiji prayed for universal welfare. We had Dolotsava and Swamiji blessed all those writing Lalita Sahasranāma, as well as those who had creative presentations with Sri Mata Writing. Swamiji gave Prasadam to all, looked at everyone and then went to Guru Nilayam.
Devi Navarātri is very special for us. Especially, Vijayadashami grants victory upon us all. It is our great fortune that we are worshiping Mother in the presence of Guru. We all believe and experience that we are in Mani Dvīpa all these days. It is transcendental bliss that cannot be explained in words. Each one has to experience for themselves. We are all witnessing directly or online, and immersing in the Pujas.
In Psychology, it is said that if we do something for 9-10 hours a day for 10 days, that will stick with us for the entire year. That is why, during these 9-days festival, Swamiji spent 10 hours a day with us; so we spent 100 hours with our Guru – Sri Swamiji. When we do something for 100 hours, our mind becomes that and that becomes the mind.
This Navarātri has become our mind and our mind has become Navarātri. Even when we go home, when we sleep, this will keep ringing in our head – these sights, these mantras, these sounds, even the sound of Appaji’s anklets. This is the greatness of Guru Sannidhi (being in Guru’s presence). The concentration that usually evades us, comes to us in the presence of Guru. We get everything else outside, but focus/concentration is hard to achieve while being in the outside world. We strive so hard, and yet the mind ignores our striving. But in the presence of Guru, it falls on track. That is why Sādhana (practice) in the presence of Guru, Sādhana as per the Guru’s words, are very special.
Mūka Kavi (mute poet) extolled the experience he gained with Guru. He was called Mūka Kavi because he did not talk to anyone, not because he was mute. (Mūka = mute, kavi = poet). These days too, we are labeled mute or dumb if we don’t speak or if we just listen to others. This poet was doing circumambulation to Kāmākshi Māta when Mother entered him and inspired in him this thought perhaps: Do not keep this experience (bestowed by Guru) to yourself, it will be nice if others are made aware about it too.
The compositions that Swamiji blesses us with are not mere words, they are the experiences of Swamiji. We should also experience the devotion when we sing those Bhajans, that is when we can connect with Swamiji’s bliss.
So the poet was perhaps inspired by Mother to have the urge to spread the word about the experience he had. Spontaneously, poems began flowing from his lips. Many thought he was mute until then. But there are some others who would not leave his side because they saw something remarkable in him. Those disciples penned down whatever he was reciting. They were surprised too to hear him recite spontaneously 500 verses all of a sudden.
The poet said – Where did I get this Vidya from? From my Guru Maharaj – from my Guru who is like a King (Guru has no kingdoms and crowns, but He rules over our heart’s Kingdom, hence He is the King) Guru has given me Upadesha of a Vidya, which starts with ‘a’ and ends with ‘ksha’. (This is nothing but the letters of the language. What are the letters or aksharas? Khsara is something that dwindles and A-kshara is what does not get destroyed. Devi is Akshara)
That Vidya is described by the poet thus:
In her hands is a staff that is delicious i.e. the sugarcane stalk. This represents the mind. “Mother is very far away beyond all the worlds residing in Mani Dvīpa, how will we know her?”, many wonder. But Do not think so! The great mother holds the sugarcane stalk in her hand, and there is no one closer to us than Her. She is nearer to us than anyone. She resides in Kama peetham (seat of our desires). This is nothing but the mind. Such a Vidya has been given to me by my Guru”, said the poet.
Swamiji, yesterday, sang the bhajan – ‘Sri Chakra Sanchārini’ and spoke about how Mother manifests in each Chakra. If Mother is so close, who can be closer? With Akshara Vidya, this knowledge was taught to the poet. As the poet said: Guru gave us Upadesha. Swamiji taught us how to observe Navarātri. “What should we do Swamiji?” He says, “Nothing! Just sit and watch!” “Sit and write Lalita”, “chant Sri Mata”, “do Pārāyana, bring the mind into stillness.” When there are so many people around, we can’t fall asleep. Swamiji casts his divine glances on various people during each round. We may be sleeping during the first couple of days due to the strain of travel, but we get used to the schedule soon. For 9 days, we were immersed in the same feeling.
Why should Navarātris be observed only during this time? Shouldn’t Mother be worshiped everyday? some people raise these questions. That is true. But can you do so much worship everyday? Can you get vacation like you get for Navarātri, can you take time off from work like you do for Navarātri?
So, when you take a vow to do something for 9 days and do it for 9-10 hours each day, steadfastly, without wavering and do the sādhana thereof, you can examine for yourself that your mind will be lingering in divinity. It’s how the kitchen smells of food even after all the cooking is done. The mind comes under control a little and slows down after Navarātri puja.
We observed silence this time during Navarātri. You gave a very good gift to Swamiji – you observed Mauna. You must preserve this. Even the shouting into mics, asking people to stay silent, is also noisy. So, be silent. Observe the grandeur of this festival. Being in Swamiji’s presence for 10 hours a day, and keeping our mind from wavering enables us to do our Sādhana.
We do Navarātri during this time because the planetary movements and cosmic events at this time are unusual. This happens in the space, as well as, on Earth. Some of the changes that occur on Earth are invisible. Sharad rutuvu – early autumn occurs after the monsoons – varsha rutuvu. The Puja we do to Mother Goddess in this season gives merit until the end of Kalpa. You may commit other sins during future births, but the merit of this Puja done at this time will accompany you till the end of kalpa. That is why Swamiji directs you to come and witness the Puja, because we can’t do such elaborate Puja at home. We get sleepier during Shivaratri and we get hungry early on Ekadasi day, so when we do something steadfastly for 10 hours a day, that is Sādhana. We sat down, we watched all the Pujas, we witnessed the close ups on the screens, Swamiji gives us Darshana in a different form each day. Unbeknownst to us, all this is making us do sādhana. Everyday, we have Darshana of Swamiji and Devi, and today we had Darshana of Swamiji as Devi. That is perhaps why Swamiji did not physically come here in the evning. He is present here.
The sunlight of Bhakti should touch our hearts. The Andhra folks used to bring blankets with them to Mysore Ashrama when they visited during May (summer). (Mysore weather used to chill even during May). When the warm sunlight of Bhakti touches our heart, the stone cold heart that is usually indifferent to the suffering of others, that mins that wallows in selfishness, that is only hankering after ‘I’ and ‘Me’ and seldom thinks about the welfare of others, starts melting. Swamiji’s thought is – people suffer with so many problems, all these people must be uplifted and helped to rise above their mundane existence. (That thought gets rubbed off on us a little bit too) Many think Bhakti is selfish. It is not. When you teach children to pray, you teach them to pray for Vidya and Buddhi. You don’t teach them to pray for cars and bungalows. Vidya and Buddhi are not selfish, everyone needs them. Since we want it by the grace of God, we pray to God for it.
Why is there a God? To remove your grief? No, to reveal to you who you are. That is why we need Bhakti. The massive glacier does not melt very easily due to regular sunlight. Only when the Sun is intense will it start melting just as the stone cold heart will melt when the warmth of Bhakti falls on it. Now what do you do with a melted heart? With that, do Abhishekam to Mother. What should you do at that time? It is normal for us to seek boons when God blesses us. Vishnu Datta was asked by Lord Datta to ask for boons. He had no idea about asking for boons, he asked his wife and she had no desires either! When Lord Datta insisted, they only requested Him to visit them at home. So, whatever you ask from the Lord, ask very carefully. O Mother, we perform Abhishekam to you with the water we have. But you transform that into Jnānāmrita Shakti – the nectar of Jnāna. The lotus of heart has withered away. Remember the mind has melted from Bhakti.
This is Appaji’s bhajan, one of the stanzas says – “The arrogant Manmatha, who was reduced to ashes, has regained life due to Your compassionate glances!”
Bhajan ID 463: śrī bhavānī bhavuni rāṇī
Such a wonderful Bhajan.
Who can we seek refuge with? Who do we pray to when everyone else abandons us? It is Guru alone who cares for us. Any difficulty, any secret can be shared with Guru. Others share our joys, but not our sorrows. But Guru is always with us. Rathi Devi was grieving that her husband Manmatha was turned to ashes due to Shiva’s fiery third eye. Mother, you are the consort of Bhava/Shiva. Bhava is also this samsara. Because he is burned by Bhava, Mother is the only one who can give refuge. The withered lotus of the heart when sprinkled gently with the mind made molten by Bhakti will regain life.
I had a blissful experience: A speck of sandal paste flew and fell on my hand as Appaji was smearing some sandal paste as part of the Puja. I felt the 9 days Puja gave fruit as this blessing from Swamiji.
Lalita Sahasranāma has the name Prasavitri – “You are the mother who birthed all creatures. I pray to you Mother, O Prasavitri, May the lotus of the heart blossom.” Isn’t that what happened during Navarātri? You may not realise it. You can put your focus on it and you’ll see. The sunflower seems to be falling towards the Earth, but turns towards the Sun when it rises. After Chandi Homa, we all got Prokshana – we got the holy water sprinkled on our head by Swamiji. One tiny droplet is enough, even if we don’t feel the drop on our heart.
We pray to Mother as the form of Nature. We pray for the well being of all beings. Giving up wars and battles, everyone can follow their own Faith and Belief and live harmoniously. When we pray for everyone, we are also included in that ‘everyone’. We may have prayed for ourselves each day, but on this day – Vijaya Dasami – we pray for all. The letters in Dasara switched around also sound like Sarada which means entertainment in Telugu. We had such good time everyday.
Swamiji doesn’t need to do this Puja. Mother is in His heart at all times. Guru is the Shakti who is the cause of everything. But the Guru does this for the welfare of all beings. The Guru brings all beings together and helps to uplift us. If we cannot come next year, Swamiji will keep us in His heart.
This shloka chanted everyday is adequate, it is said. Chanting the divine names is very meritorious. Even saying the names like Annārchana, Namārchana, Navāvarana Puja, Divya Nama Sankeertana etc – of all the events that take place, is very meritorious. We saw the Nava Avarana puja every day. All the vices we have are all also given by Her. Without hunger how will you eat? If you don’t eat how do you live? But lack of contentment after you eat heartily is the flaw. That, Mother does not like. Mother gave you food so you can remove hunger and live. If there is no hunger and thirst, why would we even have this world? There would be neither government nor servant. This is her Creation. We submerged our mind in the 9 days while watching.
We worship Aparājita Mother on this day. Aparājita Māta is in Shami Tree.
Bhajan ID 2266: aparājitē hari pūjitē
Today is worship of Prakrti – Nature. Swamiji has placed Kalashas around the altar with water in them, and on top of them a coconut and mango leaves. Under the kalasha are rice grains and other grains as well as rangoli. The grains sprout. This symbolises the blossoming of the intellect. That is a prayer to Mother – may every being get food. You saw the program today. The sprouts are offered to Devi at the end. Then, the water from the Kalashas was used to do Abhishekam to Mother.
Emperor Raghu was an ancestor in Sri Rama’s lineage. Mother’s worship happened in all four Yugas – Sri Rama and then Sri Krishna also did it. This Puja of Mother is very important. A disciple Kautsa completed his education and asked his Guru what he could give for Guru Dakshina. The Guru did not want anything, but the disciple kept insisting. The vexed Guru said he wanted 7 crore gold coins. Where would this poor student get that from? The student was wondering how he can get this done. He went to emperor Raghu, but Raghu had already given away all his wealth and was doing his Puja using earthen puja articles and items! The disciple was about to turn back, when the King called him. The disciple told him about his predicament. These days, a King would’ve said there’s not much he could do. But that King said he would get the money from Lord Indra and even wage a battle if needed.
Indra did not give the money when asked. The King waged a battle. Indra too did not back down. He fought with his entire Devata army. The battle happened during Navarātri. Indra then backed off due to the onslaught of the king. The King asked Indra to give the disciple the gold he needed. Indra gave away all the wealth of Devatas and Svaraga loka in abundance. He also sent Parijata and Shami trees from heaven. Shami tree spread throughout the Kingdom. When the Devatas all came down to Earth to see the grandeur of the King, the Earth was unable to withstand their weight. Devatas thought: May be the Earth will be able to withstand our weight if we land gently on Shami trees. That is why all Devatas reside on Shami tree. Those who see, worship Shami tree, or witness Swamiji doing it, they will get blessings of all Devatas. When we prepare a food item, we should offer first to the source – that is what Naivedyam is. Swamiji too offered all the shami leaves to Mother first.
Today is Vijaya Dashami. Whatever work you undertake on this day will be thunderingly victorious. Pray in hearts for Karya Siddhi, whether that is in your daily life, or yoga sadhana, or spiritual pursuit or anything else. We pray that all obstacles and difficulties be removed and you be successful. We pray to Mother for success.
Śamī śamaya te pāpam śamī śatru vināśinī
Arjunasya dhanurdhāri rāmasya priyadarśini
Mother removes all inauspiciousness, destroys all our fears and bad dreams. We pray to the Shami tree and seek refuge with Mother Aparājita who is in the tree. Protecting Nature and the Nature in us, we seek refuge with Guru.
Tomorrow, all new Navarātri bhajans will be sung. We will have Shanti Homa tomorrow. Swamiji was with us with so much energy and enthusiasm. Swamiji did not want to leave us. We pray to Mother and to Appaji that we have Navarātri Pujas like this for a hundred years.
In December, we’ll have prathishtta of Raja Rajeshwari Mata and Hari Sannidhi.
Collect the Ashrama books for your homes. Participate in Satsangs. Swamiji sends special blessings for those who send money orders to Swamiji every month. You are doing it out of good will for Ashrama and love for Swamiji. Nearly 700 people do this each month. We should think about how the Ashram runs and how it is managing everything. A devotee once said – we turn on the switch and the light works in the Ashram, we go to Annapūrna mandir and get hot food. I was very happy to hear the devotee think about the ashram in this manner. We should not come and leave like devotees. We are all Datta family. You must have that feeling. Swamiji always has that feeling. Go to your local Ashramas and do Satsangs. We should do both spiritual and social activities in every Ashram.
Whatever sankalpas you came to Ashram with, may those be fulfilled. May Mother’s grace be fully showered upon you.
Prasadji announces: It’s very special that one takes dharshan of Swami Venkateshwara on Vijayadhashami Day, today! So, all the devotees go to Lord Datta Venkateshwara Temple and take dharshan before it closes at 9pm. Tomorrow the programs start in the morning by 9am, Shanthi Homa, etc. Please be here at the earliest.