Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Datta Kshetra Yatra 2025 – Swagata Sabha – SGS Ashrama, Gannavaram, AP – December 27, 2024
Swamiji started Sri Hanuma Datta Yatra, the main reason is that I cannot repeatedly travel to some kshetras. Our time is getting shorter every day.
In the past, processions would pass through villages. During one such procession, the villagers were jumping in excitement and the new priest, seeing their devotion, express his surprise to the old priest. The old priest said that was not devotion. In those days, there was no electricity.
During processions, a 100 lamps would be lit. They would use castor oil for the lamps. The procession would move slowly.
Then, the villagers brought their plates and sat down to eat before they even paid respects to god because they wanted to eat while there was light. That was the reason for their excitment.
So, we always seek our own interest. Instead, we should try to get rid of our inner darkness with God’s light. That is why we are doing this Raga Sagara.
Someone remarked that there are not many devotees here for Raga Sagara, I told I was doing this for the Padukas. We have already done several Raga Sagaras where hundreds of thousands have experienced it.
Vedas, songs, dance, Puranas, music are all presented as seva to God during worship at the conclusion. Men offered nritya seva (dance) more than women did, unlike today. Traditionally, men should offer the dance seva per scriptures. Initially, the dance by women was always in the presence of the king and that had a different connotation. But in the presence of God, men would dance. Mother would also then dance with Shiva and He would be pacified.
Bhagavan Narasimha Swamy was very fierce and slew demons because Prahlada, His dear devotee, was being tormented. Bhagavan was present every step of the way even before the danger struck Prahalada. He would be there with weapons before the danger, ready to protect. The demons’ time had to be ripe for death, until then the suffering had to happen. There are several conditions that have to be met for great events to take place.
Demon Hiranyakashipu had several conditions laid down for death. He was die neither at day or night, be killed neither by man nor animal, neither inside the house nor outside, etc. These boons were granted by Brahma. The demon’s older brother Hiranyaksha, was killed by Varaha Swamy in a different manner. Hiranyakashipu laid several conditions, but Bhagavan knows to find loopholes.
When we run into troubles, we must withstand them. Do not flee from them. We run at small troubles and forget God. We even take down His photo. What can God do? If you do not worship Him, what does He care? He created countless beings, if you get derailed from your devotion, you alone suffer. You should never link devotion with difficulty. Do not let doubts creep in.
You say you broke so many coconuts, yet God did not help you. Did God ever eat your offerings at your homes? You ate them, not Him. Would He care if you stop offering to Him? Did He ever take money from the Hundi?
We hear about the story that Lord Venkateshwara has to pay back the loan incurred for this wedding. Did the Lord ever pay money to Kubera? The Lord never takes them. It is the committee using the funds. Once we donate, we should forget about it. Do not think it is yours. The committee has dharma and fear, and they do seva with that money. If anyone misuses the money, God will take care.
There are so many expenses to take care of, so they use that money for all that. One pillar is not enough to stand up a place. You need multiple pillars. In that manner, trustees are the support for a temple. Our Guru built this place for us and we should protect and nurture the place. We cannot keep going to Guru for seva, daily. That is why, Swamiji put Panchabhuta Padukas here.
We are all alive due to panchabhutas (5 gross elements). It is not easy to worship the 5 elements. This is not just for Gannavaram, it is for all. This temple will surely be very famous one day.
You just need to have strong faith. Prahlada had so much faith, he knew the Lord was also in the pillar. The Lord rushed to His devotee, He did not even inform Lakshmi. He emerged from the pillar. His father, demon Hiranyakashipu too was a supreme devotee and wanted to be slain by the Lord so he could merge into the Lord asap.
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Do not criticize the impaired. You are seeing them struggle, what is the problem in giving them a little money from your charities?
What will come with you is what charity you do, for example at this Kshetra. The money you spend on sales etc can be spent in charity instead. Businesses announce clearance sales and claim they sell at heavy discounts. No one sells without profits. You are wasting your money on such sales, and the things you buy. Those things will not come with you.
You are tempted by that new sari that you will not even use. We neither give away the donate old clothes, nor use the new ones. If we have money left, let’s instead give it to the Lord instead of splurging on such sales. No one sells for loss. The sale is a facade. God is friend, our family member, we should remember this and never deceive ourselves
Do not link difficulties in life with devotion! That is the subject I am talking about. Giving up worship or chanting or puja during difficulties is foolish. You are only reaping the fruit of your actions.
Whatever differences you have, you should NOT decrease your devotion toward Guru even a bit. You must make this pledge. This has no benefit for Me. It is for you welfare.
I just asked a while ago if I should come for Swagata Sabha. They said there were only 10 people. I said I was coming for the Padukas, but now the chairs are filled up.
So I came here for the Lord, for Datta, for Mother.
Once, a big program was arranged in the US (New Orleans). We traveled a long distance by road to get there because of storms and the lot of luggage we had. The organizer had arranged a big hall with his own money. This was in 1993. The hall capacity was about 2000 people. We went to see the hall and stage.
Stage was grand, the seats were big, and a storm was brewing outside. Someone said there was no audience. I said there were so many seats, that was good. I said (it was okay that the seats were empty) I would consider it a practice session and still play. Within 15 minutes as we were getting ready, the big curtain was drawn on the stage. As we took our place on stage, and the curtains were raised, the entire hall was filled. What happened?
In America, people are very punctual. Indians go there and become punctual. They all arrived at exactly the time they are supposed to. Like Maya Bazaar (a type of market in rural India, where till the last minute there won’t be any sellers’ tents or buyers, and when it starts there will suddenly be all the sellers’ tents appearing with goods and there will also be a crowd of buyers), the whole hall got filled. Prior to their arrival, when someone commented that the hall was empty, I said I would be happy practicing music whether there was an audience or not.
It’s how the mother always cooks food. We should always do our duty. Does the priest not do puja regardless of visitors? Do you stop breathing if you have no work? You don’t stop eating or drinking because you have no work.
I have good devotees in Gannavaram. The 10 families or how many ever there are, are very devoted. They are doing good programs here at the scale they are able to. Support each other.
I was to go to Vijayawada today, but decided to stay here for the night. May God bless the devotee who arranged this Ashrama for Me. Many others also have supported this place. I know who supported this place. Do not expect recognition from Swamiji. If you do, that removes your merit. Swamiji knows; that is enough.
This Ashram is very good, it is small, but has all amenities. I’m doing the Raga Sagara for the Panchabhutas (the five elements). If you have the panchabhutas in you, come to the Raga Sagara. We are all together making an offering to the panchabhutas.
The temple belongs to all. We’ll see you all here tomorrow at 10am. Archana will be done by Bala Swamiji. And then I’ll come and do Raga Sagara for the Lord. You may come too if you are fortunate and wish to.