Speech by HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji on Christmas eve – December 24, 2014 – UPH, Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha.
Merry Christmas.
In Sri Swamiji’s vision, we are all angels, as Sheetal has mentioned. In our ashram we celebrate Christmas every year. I am proud to say that ours is the only ashram that celebrates Christmas every year. Sri Swamiji would participate in the Christmas event every year. Although this year He is in Hyderabad, His heart is here with us. He always remembers all the angels. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Christ. Every society needs a teacher, a master, a preacher. Without such a master, a society will not be a good society. God Himself comes as a teacher to teach us. Jesus did not teach anything. He fought for society. He fought for peace. Now we all need peace. His teachings are on maintaining peace. Don’t hurt anyone mentally, physically or verbally, He taught. He was praised for His teachings. Jesus never said He was God. He came to convey the word of God. He delivered the word of God. We should follow His words by understanding them. Such a one who understands and follows is a good Christian.
Sri Swamiji says: Follow your dharma. Respect other religions. But follow your own religion. It is a sin to blame other religions. That is why it is our tradition at Datta Peetham to celebrate Christmas every year. Not only Christmas, we also celebrate Buddha Jayanti, Mahavir Jayanti, Guru Nanak’s Birthday, and so on. All religions merge in one Supreme God as all rivers merge in the ocean. We must never forget the teachings of our saints and our Sadguru. In my opinion, we celebrate His teachings.
Our concentration is also on cake. At Christmas we also enjoy cake eating. I wish all the angels who are in the ashram and in their own homes, a very Merry Christmas. Always Christmas comes in Margasira Masa and Dhanurmasa, a good time to do penance. It is a very important month for all Datta Devotees. Datta Jayanti also comes in December. We should do more sadhana. The Christmas tree is full of stars. By doing sadhana, we will reach the stars. The goal is to reach the highest star, the Paramatma. The Christmas tree is holy like the Audumbara, and the Aswattha. We must respect nature and do something good for nature. Our nature should be to protect and preserve Nature. Let us all take an oath to grow more trees, water plants, and protect Nature.
I am very happy to participate in this Christmas Eve event. Our ashram children also have participated in the program. We sing Dola lullaby songs. The sound of jingle bells is also soothing to our hearts. It is a good culture to sing songs and praise God with songs. I am happy with that tradition. The children sing Swamiji’s bhajans, many of them. Every Navaratri, on the final day, they sing all the new bhajans of the year’s Navaratri celebrations.
He is great, who always thinks about the Lord. Respect all human beings and earn good blessings from Sadguru.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta