Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in Hindu Collage Grounds evening – January 23, 2005 – Machilipatnam
I don’t like building new temples. I would concentrate on renovation old and needy temples. Likewise, we have renovated a temple today in Machilipatnam. In Datta Rameshvara too we rebuilt an old temple. Till now Kandarpa spoke about my connection with Machilipatnam. We all are Karma Yogis. Steeped in non-belief in popular beliefs. They believed in reality. They believed in helping poor and needy.
Raja Rao and his group of followers came to me in that manner in early seventies. He was a great Yogi. My heart weeps when I see a poor person or a person with hunger. Because I too suffered with stomach warping hunger in my childhood. I believe in evolution and not spiritual revolution. Because it is wrong and short lived. I strongly believe in my mother’s words “Music helps and heals”. I try to connect music and spiritual life. It is my breath and my mission. We are not a family that believes in sentimental life, blind beliefs and un understandable spiritual or religious beliefs. We look for reality and real life solution thru spiritual practices. My connection with Machilipatnam is more than 30 years old. Most of those serving me are from Machilipatnam.
We are not pessimistic. When you tell a pessimist that a glass is half full of milk, he says it is half empty. If we say the door is half open, he would say it is half closed. There was one person who was a die-hard pessimist. His friend wanted to prove him wrong. Once that person took this pessimist to a forest to show an amazing happening. He took this pessimist to a lake in the forest. The friend threw a stick in to the lake. The friend called his dog to go and fetch the stick. Instead of swimming, the dog WALKED on the water and brought the stick back. The pessimist did not say anything. After returning home, the friend could not control his anxiety. He asked if he saw anything unnatural with the dog. The pessimist said “yes. I saw that the dog couldn’t swim”. This is our state today. We are not moved by God’s majesty and beauty. We are moved only by the nature’s terror and calamities.
Many people claim to be pessimists. I would rather call them hardhearted persons.
Today’s Kumbhabhishekam of Karya Siddhi Hanuman in the Ramalayam was wonderful. It was such a crowded space. So I left in a hurry. For three days we had Kriya Yoga course in Manginapodi Datta Rameshvara Kshetra. Kriya Yoga is nothing but learning of Pranayama (breathing techniques) which improves health. It also involves teachings about good and moral based life, developing love for nation, developing a spirit of sacrifice to help others, developing Sattvic eating habits. It is very good for today’s tension filled lives.
Hanuman is a good character to emulate. He was a great Sanskrit Grammar scholar, full of servitude, great Dharmic warrior. Ashrama has published two books on Hanuman story. I urge you all to read those books. In Trinidad, a far away country in the Caribbean, people have installed a 85 feet Hanuman idol. That is the love for Hanuman the countrymen have. I would not call it an act of blind belief. It is something the entire country rallies around. Swamiji has established several Karya Siddhi Hanuman temples. Karya Siddhi Hanuman means Hanuman who gets your work done. Karya means wish or act, Siddhi means realizing. So, Karya Siddhi Hanuman means Hanuman who fulfills your wishes.
In today’s world, a person is labeled BAD PERSON if he gives unsolicited advice. If we say, it is wrong to go to temples with footwear, they think it is bad. If Swamiji says don’t do this, the person would think more on why Swamiji said so than leaving it. I am worried at times.
Let it be so. Let us sing now.
Sri Swamiji sings” Gam Gam Ganapati”
Sri Swamiji sings “Vande Santam”
Hanuman is a great Saint. That is what this Bhajan says. Hanuman is the greatest of DASAS (person with humility and self surrender). Hanuman brought Seeta and Rama together. In Yogic parlance, he brought MANAS and BUDDHI together. How can it be brought together? By Pranayama and Yoga Sadhana. In Kaliyuga, breathing properly is very important. I attribute many health related problems and Mind related problems with improper breathing. As you grow, different assets start coming in your body. They are Blood pressure, diabetes, heart problem, etc etc., I understand that modern life style is stressful. But you can combat with proper mind techniques.
Coming back to Hanuman story, The Pancha Mukha Anjaneya (five faced Hanuman) gave first Darshana to Seeta Devi in Ashoka Vana. He offered Seeta to carry her back home. But Seeta refused and said that she wants Rama to come, fight with Ravana and take her home. Ravana (the villain of Ramayana) had three forms. One lives in the skies. One on earth and the other in the nether world. Hanuman killed one such form of Ravana called as SHATA KANTHA RAVANA.
Another important Mantra that Shukracharya gave to the world is called CHINTAMANI Hanuman Mantra. Chintamani means – ridding of worries. It is also good for times when you are depressed. Let us chant this Mantra. Chant along.
VANDE VAANARA NAARASIMHA KHAGARAT
KRODHASHVA VAKTRANCHITAM
NAANA LANKARANAM TRIPANCHA NAYANAM
DEDIPYA MAANAM RUCHAA
HASTAABJAI RASI KHETA PUSTHAKA
SUDHA KUMBHAAM KUSHAADREEN HALAM
KHATANGVAM PHANI BHURUHOW CHA DADHATAM
SARVAARI GARVAAPAHAM
Sri Swamiji sings “Pancha Mukha Sri Anjaneya”
Never pray that your enemy should vanish. Pray that the thoughts about that person whom you consider as enemy should vanish in you. That should be the prayer. When you don’t feel him as your enemy, 90% of the problem is solved.
Another Important Mantra. Chant with me.
tvamasmin kaarya niryoge
pramaanam hari sattama
hanuman yatna maasthaya
dukha kshaya karo bhava
It means “O’ Hanuman, Please put efforts and remove my sadness, affliction, difficulties.
Sri Swamiji sings “Pavana Nandana Sundara”
All of you close your eyes and meditate on Hanuman for five minutes.
Jaya Guru Datta