Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Deepavali – October 23, 2014
Speech in the morning – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
Sri Guru Datta
Jaya Guru Datta
Today is a very happy day. It is Deepavali. Swamiji is very happy to be here. Happy Deepavali to everyone. SriRam Ram Ram. I told my parrot, if you chant Rama Rama Rama Rama, I will take you to Sri Datta Venkataramana Temple. It at once chanted Rama Rama Rama Rama. I said, okay, all other parrots are saying Good morning to Swamiji but you are not saying it. If you say Good morning, then I will show you Lord Hanuman. It at once said, Good morning Rama, combining both the words. I placed it on my shoulder. It balanced beautifully as I walked up and down the steps. When it saw the Lord, it exclaimed, Oh… at the beautiful decoration. It was speechless. Then it said Datta Datta Datta. I took the parrot to see Lord Dhanvantari. I told the parrot to pray for good health, because sometimes it suffers from problems. It responded by saying Datta Datta Datta Datta.
I bless everyone and their families. It is the day when the light of Knowledge is lit within us. In north India today they celebrate a festival Rama as Rama Vrata. The people of Brij region worship Lord Rama today. There are two types of celebration.
Today is when Rama re-entered Ayodhya after killing Ravana. The Pandavas also are said to have returned to Hastinapura today after victory. Only Bhima and Arjuna did not return because they had some unfinished affairs to attend to. Yudhishthira entered the city. These three days beginning with Naraka Chaturdasi are extremely auspicious for performing worship and austerities. This body is itself Ayodhya. It is also Hastinapura. Dharma Raja and Rama both represent Dharma. Today is when Dharma makes its entry into this body.
Rama Vrata, Hanuman Vrata, and Rama Kalyanam are all performed. In astrology there are 4 aspects. You take the most suitable date as per the almanac to perform these austerities or functions. Sometimes all 4 aspects may not concur. But you take the best combination and yet follow the rules. There are some dates that are categorically forbidden. We must respect those rules.
We are excited about fire crackers. Narakasura had appeared before Krishna in various illusory forms, here, there and everywhere in multi-varied shapes and Krishna finally killed him with his Chakra. That sacred chakra we depict as the fire crackers, Vishnu chakra and Bhoochakra. The forms Narakasura assumed, we fashion those into firecrackers and burn our money on them. They appear here, there, and everywhere making loud noise. It is our karma.
Firecrackers cause kidney problems and heart problems. Those with birds and dogs as pets suffer a lot due to the noise producing firecrackers. Even cows yield less milk due to fright because of the loud noise. The fireworks producing light are acceptable, but not those making loud sounds. Even the fireworks that go way up in the sky and blast with a sound will harm birds which may be flying home or have lost their way. It will be as if we are killing creatures for our fun. It should not be done in forests, or deserted places, and certainly not on our rooftops. We have to restrict ourselves only to the harmless small light sparklers. Last night driving through Chamundipuram I got so frightened and was asking Murali to get me back fast because what if some firecracker bursts and hits our car. All the stores are open and people are milling about and people do not protest and the government does not protest at this dangerous activity. It should be restricted to some isolated places only.
Instead of wasting money on such firecrackers, why don’t you come spend your time here at the ashram? Why don’t you make delicious treats and enjoy them instead? Or, prepare oil lamps or ghee lamps and light them. Make lamps with 100,000 wicks and light them. Narakasura imprisoned thousands of princesses and Krishna killed Narakasura and released them all. To celebrate, all households lighted lots of lamps to celebrate the end of tyranny and the end of battle.
We light lamps to signify the removal of the darkness of Maya. Afraid of Narakasura’s attacks at night, people were afraid of lighting lamps in their homes or cities at night. It is like a blackout for protection and self-defense during times of war, as in World War II, to avoid enemy attacks. Even to catch a thief, it is easier to do it in the dark, because he will be hiding in the dark.
In the darkness of ignorance and in real darkness also we stumble and fall. We need light to show us the way. Narakasura lived in the darkness of ignorance and tormented people. He imprisoned thousands of innocent persons.
A lamp gives light. Light represents knowledge of Truth. Truth gives happiness, the meaning of the word Rama. There is significance to the events such as Rama returning to Ayodhya and the Pandavas returning to Hastinapura.
The city represents the human body. This is the day when knowledge entered this body. That is why we have to remember Lord Vishnu. Knowledge gives us health and prosperity. That is why we worship Lakshmi. Everything is interconnected. On the surface they may all appear like cock and bull stories. But hidden behind the stories are spiritual truths. Removal of ignorance is indicated by the lighting of the lamp. Ignorance is darkness. What do we do when it is totally dark? One thing that we have learned, is to remain still and go to sleep. The limbs of the body also are not active and that is why you do not feel hungry. But during the day if you lie down, every now and then you feel like munching something or drinking something or eating a laddu. Like a cow or a buffalo we want to keep chewing. Whereas if you eat a small meal and go to sleep at night, you remain comfortable till morning. What a wonderful system God has created. His ingenuity is amazing.
It is my good fortune that I am here today to celebrate this festival. My movements and travels are very unpredictable. Where I will be, when, is always uncertain. If someone asks me whether I will still be here the day after tomorrow, all I can say, is I will be there somewhere, not necessarily at this ashram. If you are asking whether I will still be living the day after tomorrow, I cannot give you the guarantee. I cannot give you any promises. I am here today. Only that, I can ascertain. About tomorrow I cannot give you any guarantee. If I had given someone an appointment for the 3rd, then, certainly I will be here on that day. Sometimes when I tell some devotees that I will visit them the following year, they dance with joy because it is an assurance that all will be well for a whole year. Some others cry that they had made arrangements for the following day and I am unable to visit them on that day. Perhaps the following year their situation will be different. That is why sometimes it is better if things get postponed. It is a guarantee that Swamiji will be there and the devotees also will be there till that time. Many people mistake my statement when I tell them that I will see them tomorrow and not today, and feel disappointed. They in fact should rejoice that my words guarantee that nothing untoward will happen between now and tomorrow. They stubbornly insist that things should go only according to their way.
Swamiji has put a video about Flight on YouTube. Please everyone watch it and write good comments. Flight is a friend, like anyone else. Do we not write and share stories about our friends?
What if God had given us wings? What would have been our lifestyle then? We would have no need for auto rickshaws or cars or airplanes. We could visit any place we wished, freely without any hassle. In your next life may you all be born with wings! What kind of blessing is this? I do not mean that you should be born as birds. No. A very strange time is ahead of us. You write it down. Document these words. It may sound amusing now. But you will know the meaning later.
Someone gave me this saree. So I have worn it. Someone else also has given a saree. So I will wear that also. Please, I request that no one should give me skirts.
Sadgurunatha Maharaj ki Jai
Sri Guru Datta
Speech in the evening – Chennai
Jaya Guru Datta
Namo Narayanaya
Harihi Om Tatsat
Om Namo Hanumate Namaha
If I chant the names normally, you are repeating them feebly. If I should say them softly, then you will perhaps just mumble. You must repeat loudly and vigorously. It is not as if God is deaf. He will hear it whether you say it loudly, softly, or even silently in your heart. He loves silent prayers also. He likes all types of prayers. But we must not become lazy. We should not call His name as if we are on our last breath. So, chant loudly.
Today is Worship of Light. That is why it is called Deepavali. It is not a festival of firecrackers, but a festival of lights. Burning firecrackers was never our tradition. I don’t know how or when it got started. Since the inception of this firecracker tradition, heart blockages have increased because of the loud sound. For 10-15 days old infants, there is a chance of their getting fits (convulsions). Birds actually die. There are three drums inside the ear. The last drum will burst and hearing will be lost. Many people lose hearing in the right ear. Then they cannot hear stereo sounds. Some people lose two ear drums. Even a door banging in the house can break an ear drum. That is why one is not supposed to stand near a Chendai Kerala drum when it is being played.
The drummers are accustomed to the sound since their childhood. For them the three drums have become hardened. Otherwise those with kidney, heart, or sugar complaint, after the age of 60, will certainly lose their hearing because of the sound of firecrackers. I want all of you to take an oath that you will not bring firecrackers home, and that you will not burn them. Give that promise to me as a gift. You must not bring home any sound producing fire crackers. This is for the benefit of your health and the health of your family members. Our heart problems and sugar complaints should be controlled. If small children insist, you can have them use the sparklers. Otherwise, as in the olden days, keep ghee lamps in front of the house. It brings good fortune to the home. If anyone is sick at home, their health will improve. Sri Krishna and Satyabhama, Lord Narayana and Lakshmi will give their blessings to you if you do that.
Today, if you watch the TV news you will know how many people in Andhra, and in Sivakasi have perished, how many lives have been lost, how much investment was lost. So much of unhappiness is there in the world right now. There are floods and tsunamis occurring. A new disease is emerging. We are praying for our protection. This is a time for offering prayers. It is not a time for jubilation. Make it only a private domestic festival. Keep lamps.
Contemplate on Lord Krishna. Share nice information with children. Purchase new clothes. Eat a nice meal. Do Satsang. Go to the temple. Enjoy good company. There was a time when people had the strength to endure the sound of the firecrackers. Our sense organs were strong then. Now they are not. If a window bangs shut due to sudden breeze, we get frightened. If anyone bangs on the door, we get frightened. Tell me, am I right or not? When you are sleeping and at 2 AM the phone rings, how frightened you get. That is why it is better to switch off the phone when you sleep. You can worry about things in the morning. If you lose one night’s good rest/sleep, you lose the equivalent of ten years of your lifespan. It is not worth it. It will give you a stomach ache, and kidney stones due to constant fear. They even made a movie called Bhayam/Fear.
Horror movies give you so much pleasure. But each time you gasp in fear, the food you eat will turn into a kidney stone. Then you get a real cause for fear. Now we purchase artificial fear which will later turn to permanent fear. Give up for health’s sake, firecrackers, horror movies, and 2 AM unexpected phone calls. I am giving you this advice for your health benefit. I have done research. You may say that you consume very little food and wonder why you have acquired this health problem. Unknowingly some mistake has occurred in your habits. You are not aware of it. You seem well, you smile, the family is fine, and yet, there is some inexplicable problem.
Nobody will be able to diagnose that problem; even doctors will fail to detect it. In your daily routine, a change must occur. You have developed some bad habits. You must observe yourself for 40 days, what you are routinely doing. You will recognize the problem and you have to set it right. There is no need to tell anyone else because that will lead to arguments and criticism. You eat well, but you cannot sleep. You analyze the problem yourself. Is it psychological? Even a counselor cannot help. Anyway you have paid for the consultation.
You might as well enjoy the air conditioning and the soft bed that has been provided by the counselor and so you go to sleep when he tells you to do so. He asks: Where are you going now? What are you going to do? “I am thinking that the weight from my pocket has shifted to your pocket”, is your response. I am just making fun. What is the use of all those consultations with allopath doctors, yantra, mantra, and tantra, and all types of rituals, and breaking of so many coconuts, and doing so many circumambulations? None of those will work. You must listen to me. Only then things will improve. I challenge. You must be your own psycho-analyst. Physical problems have to be treated by a doctor. Do not literally take every word of Swamiji. Superstitions have to be given up.
Do not get obsessed and overdo things. Or, you say you have given up all that. What have you given up? You have no self-respect. You have not given up anything. The way you observe yourself in the mirror when you are getting ready, similarly, you must observe your daily routine. Remain natural. Some small touch up is okay. But going to the beauty parlor every month and spending so many hours, and spending so much money, what is the use? Without make up you will look normal and naturally beautiful. Do not spoil what God has given you.
If your daily routine is very irregular, how does it help your health? You get up late, you do not take a bath, you eat, and you use the toilet only at noon, and then you brush your teeth, and how do you expect to remain healthy? If you follow a proper timetable, you will be healthy. You have time only for eating. You have no time for taking a bath or to brush your teeth.
Deepavali means leading a systematic life. Deepam/lamp, means Light. Today is the day light has entered into your life. Today is the day Rama has returned to Ayodhya. Pandavas returned to Hastinapura. The body is Ayodhya. Rama represents spiritual enlightenment. What will remove darkness? Light. Keep a light to remove all darkness of ignorance. Ego is ignorance/darkness. That should be removed. Three years ago Swamiji composed a Telugu bhajan.
The clay saucer was made by a potter. The oil was prepared by an oil presser. The wick was made by a weaver. Fire lights the lamp. The devotee offers the lamplight to God. This makes five participants, the five elements. This lamplight constituting the five elements removes the darkness of ignorance.
Narakasura imprisoned many princesses in an underground cellar. Krishna and Satyabhama killed the demon and released them all. That is why we light lamps to celebrate. Till then, to escape from the tyranny of the demon, people remained in darkness to hide from him.
If you are meditating and suddenly you hear the blast of a firecracker, you certainly will jump with fright. I wish the government would impose some restrictions on the use of firecrackers. I am happy that it has been raining for three days, making all the firecrackers damp and useless. I keep praying for continued rain. The money spent on them could be spent on feeding the poor or helping needy students, or considering yourself an orphan and stuffing yourself with food. How much does a firecracker cost? 300 rupees? Same amount as sponsoring a Pradhana Homa.
Today we had the Light Worship/Deepa Puja, and then Sri Chakra Puja. Swamiji has come here specifically for celebrating the Silver Jubilee of the ashram. It is getting late now. Sounds are getting produced inside the stomach. Now it is time for distributing prasadam.
Sri Guru Datta