Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in Trinidad Ashrama – August 10, 2000
Many people confuse about Hinduism. There are too many Gods, So many Gurus. It is natural that they get confused. If you go deeply and understand the happiness that it brings gives much happiness and gives clear understanding. You simply criticise looking in to the outer circumstances. Hinduism is in existence since creation. There is no set date for the religion. Since creation, people who have been following. The word came out from the word “Sindu” a river in Indian subcontinent. If you go to Maha Bharata, there are so many subjects. On politics, economics, administration, Yoga, Sanyasa Yoga. Yoga, Bhoga, Thyaga, Raga, Viraga, all these subjects are covered in it. This knowledge is hidden behind the story of the cousins, Kauravas and Pandavas. Study the Maha Bharata in Vedanta way. It is a message for the world. It applies to all religions. You must give training to your children to study such books. You sit on a sofa watching television and worrying that your children are not religious or spiritual. What a satire. Hinduism means Journey in to the self. Pure realisation. Pure realisation where Gods, Goddess and Idol worship does not exist. But we do these to purify our mind and body. This is first step. The second step is begging the Guru for knowledge. Hindus have so many gods because, it shows that the eternal power can transform in to so many forms to deal and solve different problems.
Your body has two legs, two ears, two nostrils, two eyes and two hands. It is so that the feeling of this world can be more wholesome. So, Hindus have so many Gods to cater to those many sects, and tastes. When the single Atman is all-alone, it can still appear in myriad of forms.
We get varieties of diseases. He gives different medicines to different problems. Like that devotees also come with different Bhavas, vibrations and likes and dislikes. So, Swamiji does so many things to cater to the wide spectrum of devotees. Some come here to get the pure essence of Vedanta knowledge, Some want Yoga teachings. Some want Bhajans, Some want Pujas, Some want mantras. So, come expecting the unexpected. Then you can be more accommodating and can get Blessed.
In India there is a proverb- To know about girl or a boy for your child’s marriage, inquire about that boy / girl in the neighbor’s house. They will have all details. When the girl studied where and when. How she fared in society etc. Many maintain dairy of others and not their own. They are too busy watching horror movies and criticising about Gurus. They criticise that that Guru materialises Vibhooti. What should the Guru materialise? Coffee powder? If you get a glimpse of some Shastras or Puranas, you claim to know everything. Knowledge is a large ocean. It can never end. One life is not enough. First step that is required is killing of ego and humbling yourself. Guru takes devotees’ ego and confusion. That Guru which looks for the money of devotees is a charlatan and a fake.
Hindus believe in five elements of earth, water, sky, ether and fire. Vishnu is the form of earth. Gajanana is the
Skanda is space. Mother Goddess Vayu and Sun power is the Agni Tattva. The greatest of India continue to worship these elemental forces. But they arrive at one conclusion. There is only one Truth. And truth is always one and not two. These five elements became one sound. From diversity, unity was achieved. This is how the process is for the seekers.
By whose command is Sun giving radiation to plants, by whose command is Agni giving warmth to cook food ? Under whose command are they ? Are they under any Government or a committee people ? Only electricity is under governments. If Sun was to be under control ? Then we would be paying bill for Sun shine also. The fan next to me is turning fast to throw air on me. Who is controlling this air ? There is one unique force which controls these forces. My prayers to that force.
Whatever has manifested is supreme. Water, vast sky, mother earth, air, these powers are worshipped. Hanuman is air. Shiva is Agni Tattva. Hanuman is the expanded version of Vayu. These energies are given forms so that limitations of our mind has some form to worship upon.
In the midst of forests, valleys, mountains, deserts, basins of sacred rivers crisscrossing this earth. All for whose sake? I sustain and nourish these things. Worship that power which makes them. I am the one single absolute.
We call him the creator because he caused everything all around us. One who creates and dissolutes all that creation, who is he ? or She ? I worship that force in myriad of forms called Vishnu, Shiva, Skanda, Muruga, Devi, Ganesha, Datta.
Called as Allah in one religion, as Buddha in other religion, Called as GOD in western regions of earth. Beyond this name, amidst the names and in the names I am very much here. From Nirguna, Saguna has come. Saguna (Form) is needed because I have a form. I pray that one force which is beyond all that is created. We have many Gods because of our diverse tastes and requirements. There are many Gods to prove that the ultimate power can have many forms and yet be formless. Dattatreya is all in one.
I am the final word – Says Bible. I am there in Bible. Very much alive in its teachings. I am in Koran’s teachings. I am in the knowledge of Vedas and in the scriptures of 18 Puranas. To what purpose ? To explain my Glory so that you can understand why I have so many forms. I come to feed, nourish and strengthen so that you can divinise your existence.
Different kinds of worship. So what ? I give a chance to pray me. So, I caused a church, a mosque, a Mandir. Some call this prayer, some as service, some as Archana, Some as Namaaz. Some sing my names. All this only shows my diversity. Yet I am only one.
With all the innumerable names and forms with innumerable varieties according to the tastes and temperament, we still admire the creation. We respect the creation. In all the forms that have been created, he is alone. Omniscient, Omni potent. The most profound and powerful him. So, we called him as
Sat – The absolute Truth
Chit – Absolute existence
Ananda – Absolute Bliss
Sacchidananda is the absolute – the call of Vedas.
Guru is the light abundant with radiance to light the intellect. It takes you in to the womb of liberation. It is called as Divya Dham. It is the blissful state. The principle of Guru is full of Love. Love that is self less and no motive. It only loves to take you to your source, the final source Brahma. It gives the understanding to the Vedanta proclamation – TAT TVAM ASI. If one understands this principle, then there will be no conflicting thoughts. Religion is only for practice of Chitta Shuddi or self cleansing. It give moral support. It is Puja, Church Worship, Namaaz etc. The final goal is beyond all these practices. It is reaching the state of Aham Brahmasmi, Tattvamasi. These religions are like schools where you learn, learn and learn. To control our feelings, sins etc. and to get good knowledge. But the final goal is Brahma.
The association with a Sadguru is final truth. Sadguru is the manifested form of the unmanifested Para Brahman. Never think that he is a human being inspite of the fact that he acts like a normal person. Take only knowledge from him and make a self-investigation and find out. Make a journey in to his teachings.
Then you come out in a great field where you fine peace and you can play as you wish. No more torments from troubles. You find the key to face turmoil. Follow the teachings and not the Guru. He keeps on changing his forms and habits to teach or train some one. Sometimes it may not suit you. It is for some one else. Don’t get attracted to the worldly things around the Sadguru.
One devotee prayed Brahma for many years. Suddenly Brahma appears and asks what he wanted. .The person was so shocked by the appearance of Brahma, he asked for a cup of tea. Don’t be like that.
Jaya Guru Datta