Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the morning – June 3, 2014 – Shuka Vana, Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Every one, please repeat:
Sabdaroopaaya Vidmahe Satyaroopaaya dheemahi
Tannah Shukah prachodayaat
As long as you were making sounds, the parrots also made sounds. When you stopped, they also stopped. Sabdamaya brahma (divinity filled with sound) is their form. The more silent we are the more grace they shower upon us. We are in the presence of Sage Shuka Brahma this morning. These are not just birds. They are divine beings. The more reverently silent you are, the more gladly they will greet you. If you are noisy they will be noisier. This is Shuka Vana’s Shuka Brahma. He is Jnana. He puts an end to repeated births. He taught to great rishis the highest philosophy in a very profound and appealing manner. You are most lucky to witness today’s Sri Chakra Puja performed in His presence.
Why are parrots so close to Swamiji?
Only 2 per cent of all Datta devotees are really interested in knowing the facts about Swamiji’s relationship with the birds. Many just consider them as just colorful birds that speak. As they like, people talk and comment. Now, take My Parrots books. They are available in English and Telugu. They are being translated into many languages. Spend time to read, with respect, sufficient time, genuine interest, and sincere devotion and a desire to obtain the correct vision about them. Please read to attain knowledge. To be rid of troubles. Why are birds so important for Swamiji? The answer will come to you if you read the book carefully.
In 1964 itself Swamiji sang about birds in a very popular bhajan. Many of you know the bhajan and sing it all the time. Yet, you have not observed carefully to see the connection. Indiresa Govinda song speaks about Pakshi Vahana Govinda, Pakshi rakshaka Govinda. Swamiji is always a protector of birds. With parrot sounds Shuka granted liberation. He gave the Bhagavatam to mankind. Mother Meenakshi has a parrot in her hand. Unable to remain separated from her, in a parrot’s form Siva landed on her arm. Rama similarly perched on Hanuman’s arm to listen to the chanting of the name of Rama from Hanuman’s lips.
Tarakasura was a terrible demon who was tormenting all the celestials in heaven. By then they had not consumed amrita that would later protect them from death. To avoid the attacks of the demon, all the deities turned themselves into birds and escaped from him. They flew away. All these birds here are Satvic divine birds. The demons at that time also turned to different types of Tamasic birds and attacked them. Birds with Tamo Guna eat meat, like hawks and eagles. These parrots will get harmed if they get exposed to such birds. Birds have 3 Gunas. Garuda has Rajo Guna. Here all have Satva Guna. I am of that form of a parrot. I am one amongst them. That is why I like them. I am the moon. Hence, I like the moon. When I look in the mirror the beauty of the moon is seen.
You think your bad thoughts will reflect in the mirror in your face. That is why you are apprehensive about seeing your faces in the mirror. The mirror does reflect the inner thoughts through facial expressions.
Swamiji is Himself parrot as Siva was. Not able to leave Mother Goddess, he became a parrot to be with her. I am also a parrot. Devatas (deities) have the ability to assume any form at will. For them the easiest form to assume is of a parrot. Then it is easy for them to enter into other bodies as well through Parakaya Pravesa (transmigration of soul from one body into another).
Hawks are more in number. They only kill. Parrots do not have large populations. The hawks and other birds of prey kill and eat parrots. This is Shuka Upanishat, Bhagavatam. Only if you understand it, you will gain benefit. This is your utmost good fortune to witness this Sri Chakra Puja today in Shuka Vana. For Swamiji there is no difference between sitting on a gold throne or a dirt floor. For me Sri Chakra Puja is a daily puja. For today’s puja in Shuka Vana all the deities are present here. Peacock to crow all forms were taken by the deities when Tarakasura was harassing them. This is history. Valmiki wrote the Ramayana because he was inspired to poetry on account of birds. Guru Gita was heard by Sage Shuka who was hidden inside the egg. Once he heard the entire secret message of the Guru Gita, the egg broke and the chick came out. Siva burnt it to ashes in his anger that the secret was no longer a secret. At once Mother Goddess, out of compassion, sent him to the fire pit near Vyasa for him to be rescued. She is Shakti Mata, the invisible highest, most supreme power. With form the egg listened to the secret. Siva narrated the secret in an invisible form. Suka revealed the secret to the world. See him facing south. Revering parrots is different from raising them. Keeping them as pets is different. We may make a mistake in our treatment of the birds if we keep them in our homes. This is not anything new for Swamiji, this passion for birds. Being amongst birds is as natural for me as having a nose, mouth, ears, and eyes like the rest of you. Yet, you question me about it. It is just natural, most natural for me to have this affinity with all creatures. Do not ask me crazy questions.
People are lazy. They will not read the big book My Parrots. For their sake, I ask that a small booklet about parrots with 72 pages be prepared in different languages to mark this 72nd birthday. Keep very few photographs. Make it in a Q&A format. I am asking Meera Datta to prepare this small booklet.
Datta devotees also talk nonsense. They ask, why should Swamiji raise parrots? Why should he cage them? Other people raise goats and chickens. I only cage them. You kill, cut them up and eat them. You eat eggs, not even allowing the bird to take birth. You Datta devotees must learn to shut the mouths of people who speak ill of your Guru. Many blindly follow Swamiji. Today he is showing us birds. Today we will go and see the birds. Tomorrow we will go and see donkeys if Swamiji begins to rear donkeys and keep them in the ashram. Even senior devotees from 30 years come only for interviews. They come because their daughter is not married.
You do not give proper answers to opponents. You quarrel, you give rude answers. You make the detractors angry. They do not know any better. So they speak like that. You should be well informed and you should educate them.
We are here in a garden that Lord Hanuman likes. Here we have Parijata, Sampenga (sacred tree with fragrant flowers), and Banana trees. Hanuman and Shuka are one and the same.
All of you are now members of Shuka Vana. I am very happy. Here there are 7 gardens. Sari Vana has talking parrots. It is very close to Swamiji’s living quarters. Those birds are shy. They do not like crowds. They will get scared. So they are not exposed to the public. At 5 A.M. daily I talk to them. Rida Vana is gift shop with souvenirs for you to take home. Gari Vana is the photo center and museum. Mari Vana is a big hall with a theater that will show educational documentaries about birds and environment, about parrots and their significance. Next to it is Dari Vana which is a clinic and hospital for sick and injured birds. There are hospitals for all other creatures, but not for birds. This is the first such hospital in India. We only keep them in a cage and treat them with medicines and love.
There are billions of birds in the world requiring care. We do what we can. Recently one eagle fell here inside the ashrama premises, injured. We treated it. It became well. Its wings grew back. We released it. But it came back. It now eats curd rice. Earlier the Government had said that we could keep an eagle in the ashram, but on the condition that we had to feed it meat, its natural food. I refused. Now, when this injured eagIe fell here, it put me in a dilemma. I cannot give it meat. I cannot release it outside because it is injured and helpless and the dogs will eat it up. What can I do? How to kill some other creature to save the life of another life? How to save its life?
My bird trainer tried to feed it mice secretly, while I was out of the country. But the eagle ignored the mice. Seeing that the eagle was not going to kill and eat them, they set the mice free upon Appaji’s instruction. The ashram transformed the eagle. The caretakers of the birds apologized to Swamiji over the phone for their unauthorized attempt. After the mice were released and set free, now the eagle is eating curd rice and chapatis. It was released after it gained strength and became well, but it came back. In the evening, it fell again in the Bonsai Garden. Prasad saw it and alerted the caretakers. It meekly allowed them to pick it up and offer it loving care. It did not resist. I spoke to it today. “You are my guest”. It is a continuing story. In a Satvic place, even demons turn Satvic. If they do not change, they will go to hell.
I will myself give Teertham to everyone today.
Please study the Bhagavatam and the Ramayanam. Also keep chanting the Shatashloki Ramayana. Those who came to Ayodhya and Rameswaram are very fortunate. How many came with Swamiji to Kasi? You should not lose your opportunities to travel with Swamiji to sacred locations.
May Sage Shuka bless all of you. Your speech should always be gentle and truthful. I give you order. I am a teacher. I use both gentle and harsh words as required. You must take whatever is intended for you.
There are a total of 1060 birds here consisting of 271 species of parrots. These are record breaking numbers. The zoo gardens in the world do not exceed 100 species. We have here endangered species, and rare birds. Our children perhaps will never see them. There are some critically endangered species. In our own generation there is a danger of their becoming extinct. There are only 40 such birds in the entire world now. We have 2 of them. Their bite is venomous. They love Swamiji and play with Him.
Two macaws, large parrots, with central govt.’s permission we got. After 50 years such permission was given. With the cooperation of the Philippines govt. we got two blue Hyacinth Macaws.
Samrat Macaw is also endangered. It really appears regal, a very beautiful parrot. 4 species we have that are endangered.
These precious birds are given measured food as per their age. Regular health maintenance is given. All are taken care of by dedicated and loving volunteers.
Injured and sick birds are kept in Niri Vana. It is a very pitiful sight. You will not be able to bear seeing them minus legs, or wings, or eyes. But they are thriving. They greet Appaji very lovingly. They eagerly come hopping towards Him.
Dama Vana is for birds that eat only Sajjalu/Millet.
There are birds that limp on one foot. One such bird I gave to Murali to take care of, for some time. Another small parrot keeps saying softly, Jaya Guru Datta, Rama, and Datta. It makes kissing sounds when it comes to me. Another eats idli with me and drinks tea from my share. It eats avakaai annam (rice with hot mango pickle). Even I do not eat it. Its name is Sadhu.
These parrots are just like humans. It is incredible. They interact just like humans. Enemies (persons with ill will, when they approach me in the queue) they detect and warn me by poking me in the neck. If a noble soul approaches me, the parrot kisses me. I am sharing with you some Muchchatlu (interesting tidbits of information) as requested by Chandramohan.
You have the option here to adopt a parrot for a year by providing the finances for its upkeep. You cannot choose the bird to adopt. Hyacinth has to get fruits from Singapore. Per year it cost one lakh of rupees to maintain that parrot. I love it. I play with it. One calls me Nanna Datta. I just called it Nanna (a term of endearment) the day it arrived. It picked it up just like that and repeated the word to me.
Some are freely moving about here. Please be watchful. They are scavenger birds. They keep the place clean. We are training some lorikeets. To make this garden very green, Jagadish helps a lot, leaving his own farm. Volunteers are educated, many are graduates. Many are like that. Two doctors are there. 60 per cent helpers are Muslims, who help us here. Govindaraj, Veeresh, Koti are contractors. Jayant is the architect engineer.
The moment you offer services I make demands. I will ask you to first clean the toilets. Swamiji is very harsh, and yet very gentle, like butter, and also like a diamond. Many stay away. Visit Shuka Vana at leisure. Read all the informative boards/signs. It is all free. Many of you have sponsored the free entry tickets. Keep coming. Sit here and enjoy.
Venugopal Reddy and Sarvani requested this puja here. I have satisfied their desire. Do not drink the Teertham in front of Swamiji. Step aside and consume. Postal stamps with bird photographs are available. Purchase gifts from the gift shop and take home as souvenirs. Take two and give me one. I will either recycle them or else I love to surround myself with toys also. More than me, my toys live in the Guru Nilayam.
Sri Guru Datta