Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji during Annual GBS conference, June 22, 2013 – Nada Mantapam Mysore
Trustees from all the Datta Peetham branches have assembled here. As we know, Sri Swamiji has established many branches of Datta peetham and gave directions as to what activities are to take place in each of these branches of Datta Peetham.
Our Shastras say that it is important that before the consecration of a new idol in the temple, special rituals should be carried out for the old idol. Any shortcomings that might have taken place during the worshipping of the old idol should be corrected and the arrangements for the mandatory sevas for the old idol should be made. This is very important and all our trustees should bear this in mind. We do not have to start anything new. Sri Swamiji has given us everything that needs to be done. Then, what should we do? What is our duty? We just have to run these programs as per the directions given by Sri Swamiji. Once the ashram is established, what kind of worship should be followed there, the kind of spiritual programs to be run, the way Annadana to be performed, the kind of social and medical activities to be conducted educational services to be rendered to the students, service to the old aged people – every kind of activity has been taken care of and Sri Swamiji provided instructions as to how these activities should be carried out. Sri Swamiji’s words are His instructions. When we walk in the path shown by Sri Swamiji, our life will be worthy and purposeful. We have no reason to emulate the new programs that others are doing. Sri Swamiji has given us everything and blessed us in every way. Walking in the path of Swamiji and in accordance with the guidelines given by Him gives us welfare.
While walking in the path shown by Sri Swamiji if you feel that it would be good to add few things, then first seek permission of Sri Swamiji and then do it accordingly. Sri Swamiji will definitely permit if it is good.
People often say that Sri Swamiji had built the ashram shedding His sweat, but I would say, Sri Swamiji has built this ashram shedding His blood. Sri Swamiji has taken so much of bodily strain and established the ashram. When we plan for big projects or programs, no one should be troubled in the ashram be it the trustees, the people of that area or Matru mandali. The ashram activities should run smoothly without troubling anyone. Salaries should be paid in time to the priests, security staff, managers, the cooks, and all the people who serve the ashram. They should not wait until first day of the next month but they should be paid salaries on the last day of this month itself. Sri Swamiji made all possible arrangements for the smooth administration of the ashrams. Maintain them effectively.
Sri Swamiji has not only sowed seeds called the ashram branches, but also watered them and have grown them into huge trees fully laden with fruits. All we have to do is to take them in right way. Sri Swamiji has blessed us to that extent. If we can take the fruits in a disciplined way, then that would be good. All of you make sankalpa in your mind that you will walk in the path shown by Sri Swamiji, doing Satsang on regular basis and that you will serve Sri Swamiji understanding His heart. Conduct programs frequently that make Him feel happy. Let us all pray to Sri Swamiji to bless us with the energy to walk in such path.
Bhaktimala keeps us in touch with Sri Swamiji. Every trustee should propagate Bhaktimala with determination. Bhaktimala expounds the tattva of Sri Swamiji. It comes to our house every month. Everyone should contribute by way of subscribing to it. Each devotee should try to increase the subscription of Bhaktimala.
Please intimate to the Mysore ashram the programs that are held in your ashram centers. It will be printed in the Bhaktimala. In many ashram centers, many social activities are being carried out silently. Do not think why this propagation? Propagation is needed very much. Sri Swamiji has told on many occasions that the propagation of these activities is much needed as they inspire others to serve. So propagate the activities, inspire others, and send the report to the Bhaktimala. Sri Swamiji has told many a time that one who is keen to know and support all the activities and programs held in the Mysore ashram is a true devotee.
A new hospital has been built, which will be inaugurated today. Sri Swamiji distributes approximately Rupees two lakh worth of medicines in the hospital. We purchase these and distribute free of cost. We must be proud that Sri Swamiji is rendering so much of social service. Many people do not know about it.
Sri Swamiji has started the SGS MMS program. Sri Swamiji would have been more happier if the participation was at greater level. Only 1000 people have joined the SGS MMS program. Sri Swamiji was very sad seeing only 300 people qualify and felt that He might not be truly your Guru. In reality this is a very big curse. We should never get inflicted by the Guru curse. Whatever cause Sri Swamiji takes up, we must propagate and support it. It is real seva. Sri Swamiji has told in many times or instances that I can get my work done with a donkey also. We must not forget this. Sri Swamiji is transforming us from donkey to horses to hamsas – the divine swans. With keen interest you must enquire what programs Sri Swamiji has planned in Mysore or other ashrams and support them. We must serve and support Sri Swamiji in all His endeavors physically, mentally and financially. Propagating Swamiji’s message also is a seva. For all the new devotees who have just come to ashram and do not know about the tattva of Sri Swamiji tell them the tattva of Sri Swamiji. Be part of all the sevas.
Many have not read the life history of Sri Swamiji, so they will not know the tattva of Sri Swamiji. Datta darshan and life history of Sri Swamiji are very important. When you read Sri Swamiji life history, you will know about Sri Swamiji completely. Seeing the glory of ashram now, new devotees may think that the ashram has descended from heaven. True, it has. How much strain of Sri Swamiji is behind it? How many difficulties has Sri Swamiji undergone? Yesterday Ghatam Manjunath has come to me. He has been a follower of Sri Swamiji from Kesare, i.e. from 1963. He had been transferred to Mysore from Hassan. He came yesterday and told me “I was sad for the past one year but today I am very happy. I asked him the reason for his happiness. He said, “Mine is a government job. It makes no difference whether I work in Mysore or Hassan. But I’m happy now because now that I will be in Mysore, I can offer my Ghatam services to Sri Swamiji in His bhajan sessions on weekends. It has been my earnest desire to come to Mysore and serve Sri Swamiji.” He also told a secret.
Their family suffered drought circumstances from the year 1966 to 1980. They suffered severely. All the members of the family are musicians. They did not get invites and opportunities to play in the music programs. No opportunity to do any music programs and hence earnings suffered badly and hence no food. In Sri Swamiji’s ashram, when their elder brother stood first, the other five younger ones would stand behind him like a tail of Hanuman. Sri Swamiji in those times gave the duty of annandanam to Sri Bhagavatar garu. Seeing them, he would, happily say Hanuman tail has come. Once a week if they ate food to the stomach full, it was only in Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda ashram, Mysore. I cannot clear my debt to Sri Swamiji, no matter what I do. I am trying to do my share of service. This is why I was eagerly looking to be transferred to Mysore. Now that I am transferred, I will do service in ashram regularly.” – said Manjunath. Tears rolled down his eyes when he was narrating this incident. Those were the tears of happiness.
99% Of the people sitting here have similar experiences. When new devotees come to ashram, tell them about Sri Swamiji’s tattva. Sri Swamiji often says when you come to ashram leave all the activities outside and step inside the ashram. I will take care of your house, your body and health, but when you are in ashram speak good things and speak about Sri Swamiji’s tattva. Discuss about the ashram, what sevas should be performed? This will benefit you more. Make sure that you explain the tattva of Sri Swamiji to new devotees.
Nama Sankeertana and Nagara Sankeertana are being done in all places. By doing Nama Sankeertana and Nagara Sankeertana, we are propagating the bhajans of Sri Swamiji. All the trustees are supporting the Nagara Sankeertana and Nama Sankeertana group. Do it even more. It is the real service to Sri Swamiji. Once you come to ashram, Sri Swamiji entrusts you with a duty like you be a trustee, give you a particular seva or you take care of the temple, you take care of Annapurna Mandir, you look after dispensary and so on. In such way Sri Swamiji is giving one seva or another. When Sri Swamiji entrusts you with a seva, it is Guru’s order. You must never think I do not like this seva. Thinking so is a great sin. Sri Swamiji has given this seva to you because only that will remove your difficulties. That is why Sri Swamiji assigned that seva to you.
We have not come here for power. We all have come here seeing Sri Swamiji’s spiritual power. There should be no fickleness in your mind regarding this. When Sri Swamiji has given you seva for the year, then you should do it happily. The new devotees who have yet to know about the tattva of Sri Swamiji have left the seva given by Sri Swamiji and stopped coming to Sri Swamiji. The old devotees should take initiative, put the new devotees at ease, explain them about the tattva of Sri Swamiji, and thus prove themselves to be true disciples and devotees of Sri Swamiji. Only then, our difficulties will be solved. Only then, Sri Sadguru’s fullest blessing will be showered on us. Tell this information to the new devotees. May all receive the fullest blessings of Sri Swamiji. Many programs like this should happen. If we can earn a tiny place in Sri Swamiji’s heart then our life is worth fully lived. Do more and more seva and spiritual practice. May you all get Sri Swamiji’s blessing more and more.
Jaya Guru Datta !