Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Ganapathy Festival – September 5, 1997 – London
Sri Ganeshaaya Namaha
Sri Sarasvatyei Namaha
Sri Pada Vallabha Narasimha Sarasvati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Ganapathy is present in all the yugas, Krita, Treta, Dwapara and Kali Yuga. In each Yuga, there were different aspects of Ganapathy energy. In one Yuga Ganapathy had only two hands. In Another Yuga he was a beautiful child. In other Yuga there were four hands. In another Yuga he had elephant head and four hands. The name of Ganapathy is in Lalitha Sahasranaama too. The word “Lambodari” comes in Lalitha Sahasra Naama. This denotes that Ganapathy is in the form of a female deity too. He is worshipped as goddess. Mother goddess Parvati created Ganapathy and transferred vibration to her creation. Even Buddhists believe Ganapathy. One Chinese God resembles Ganapathy. Tibetans too have a Ganapathy like deity. Ganapathy is popular and worshipped all over the worlds in places like Java, Sumatra, Thailand, Singapore, Nigeria etc., In Thailand we can see Ganapathy in Buddhist temples. Swamiji has been to Thailand twice. There is a Golden Ganapathy. Ganapathy is not a religious symbol. It is the symbol of power, sound, love and compassion. He is the symbol of Naada. He is a savior. Ganapathy played a very important role in many of Vishnu’s incarnations. We see that in Shiva Purana it is mentioned that Ganapathy took a important role in Shiva incarnations. Ganapathy has the three Beejaaksharas A, U & M in him and has blessed us with those letters which is popularly called AUM or OM. These three letters denote the three levels of frequency. Even in nose he controls the three nerves or Nadis Ida, Pingala and Sushumna Naadi. When you are sitting in Padmasana, the fifth and sixth rings on the back bones are important. If you misuse the body, the rings get broken and causes great pains. Too much Kaama (desires), eating, too much sex, too much greed, anger, disappointment are examples of misuse of body.
Since Ganapathy is the deity of our back bone, if you have pain, you should chant “Gam Ganapataye Nama”. You can check the results through any scientific means. Your back will improve.
Today being Bhadrapada Chauti, we all have assembled here and have performed the Siddhi Vinayaka Vrata. We also had a Ganapathy Homa. You all are blessed. Swamiji has come from India where if this festival was performed in Vijayawada, thousands would have come. But today only about two hundred have come. I am happy with even just five persons. Numbers do not matter. It is all heart to heart.
You all are lucky. Swamiji is close to you and is talking to you. Dont expect me to stoop down to your level to please you. It is impossible. You cannot expect me to hug you or exchange pleasantries with you whenever you come to me. In India Swamiji is worshipped. In India people are happy if Swamiji just smiles at them. Learn from them.
Mudgala Purana and Ganesha Purana have important stories on Ganapathy. Tomorrow we are releasing a new compact disc containing ten wonderful Bhajans on Ganapathy. Swamiji sang these Bhajans in California and they were recorded. Today’s Puja was not a public programme. My boys wanted to do this Puja. Anyway you have witnessed and are blessed.
Jaya Guru Datta
Courtesy: Avadhoota Dattapeetham