Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Dattatreya Jayanthi – 2008 – Mysore
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s discourse on December 10 – Wednesday – Bharani Nakshatra
Namah Suryaya Chandraya Mangalaya Budhaya cha
Guru Shukra Shanibhyascha Rahave Ketave Namaha
Today we have all together completed 18 crore (180 million) chants of this verse from all over the globe. Still it is increasing, more and more numbers are pouring in. I am very happy about it. This year until December 2009, more so the next eight month is a bad period. There is a calamity for all creatures on this planet. There is a lot of negative impact of many planets on the whole Earth itself. We have to chant the peace mantras for Navagraha (mentioned above) to redeem from the ill effects of the planets.
People are always curious to know the reason for everything, especially for bad things. They always ask the question why? This is not a good question. Swamiji asks them why you are asking such a question? Many times there is no answer to this question. In fact you will get different kinds of answers and it will confuse you even more. Experience itself is the real answer to such questions. If you ask about Swamiji, so many different opinions are coming. You will get confused. Best thing is don’t ask. What connection you have with Swamiji, develop that. If you are a mature devotee you will understand Swamiji’s actions but some devotees, who are new, are like kids they will not understand. Their faith becomes disturbed. This will change their feeling and moods. Many people say feelings are for body and mind but Vedanta says feelings are the result of Karma. We follow the Karma path, with that Swamiji leads you to Gnana path and uses Bhakti path also. Some questions about family life, spiritual life are in fact better answered by silence. Time will set everything right. Time is the real Guru, Time is like energy. Time is Datta. Take it as it is. Don’t cry. Forget about Indriyas. Then there is no depression. However you should respect this body because it is a like a ship for Aadhyatmik Sadhana (spiritual practice), but don’t get carried away by feelings and confusions. Control your senses. Believe your heart, not the mind or body. Three days we have Datta Jayanti. Later we have the ritual of homa for Navagrahas. Don’t ask why? I am capable of answering all your questions but there is not time and also it is a futile exercise. Your questions are silly. My time is for a different purpose. Don’t waste time in trying to find the roots. Concentrate on the purpose for which you have come. If you try to seek the roots then your feeling and devotion will get spoiled. You want to bathe in the pious Ganga, take a divine dip and enjoy the spiritual bliss, if you try to search for the root of Ganga, it is good that you will find it comes from Gouri Shankar mountains, you might find some tributary that is a drainage or factory water is also getting mixed with Ganga. You will loose faith and devotion. What will happen to your feelings on Ganga. You start thinking about infection. What about your respect for Ganga? It will diminish. Don’t search Ganga root. Don’t search Sadguru Root also. You will get confusion. The light, energy and truth that is emanating is the food for you. Eat and enjoy this pure food. Drink the pure water and enjoy. Even if you go to the best of the hotels and see the kitchen, you will not be able to eat the food there because of clumsiness and lack of cleanliness. So, don’t go. If your mind is clean, even poison becomes food. If your mind is unclean, nectar will become poison. If you have a pure heart everything appears pure. Concentrate on the purpose of your visit. If you like Swamiji dedicate your self. Don’t talk or listen to rubbish. You discuss about the programs of Datta Jayanti, Bhajans, Social activities, Navagraha Yagna, read Datta Darshana and support your Swamiji as a friend, child, brother or with any feeling.
Even great Seers like Ramana Maharshi, Shirdi Sai, Dayananada Saraswati, Paigambar, Jesus faced problems. Dharma always wins. This is Kaliyuga – even zero can become hero temporarily, but some day it will definitely become zero. Hero is always a Hero.
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s discourse on Bhakti on December 11 – Thursday – Kruttika Nakshatra
The ultimate goal of all spiritual practices is salvation. There are however several paths to reach this ultimate goal. Of the several paths that lead to liberation, Bhakti (devotion) has been given a very important place. Bhakti connotes different meanings to different people. Going to temple, chanting divine names, performing Homa are all examples of Bhakti. Some feel why so many programs? Is it to get fame? To know the answer we must understand what Bhakti is?
Amongst so many great seers who defined and explained about Bhakti, sage Narada is considered foremost. Who else but a person always immersed in chanting the name of Lord Vishnu is capable of explaining about Bhakti? His teachings are called Narada Bhakti Sutras (Tenets of Devotion by Narada). While knowledge of Shastras is understood only by the learned, the experience of Bhakti is not dependent on scholarliness and therefore everybody can experience it. It is a path of experience in accordance with the Upanishadic teachings. In the presence of Lord Datta we shall today in this Gna Na Bha Yoga conference learn more about Bhakti.
Athato bhaktim vyakhyasyaamaha
This first word statement implies the qualities of the recipient of this knowledge. It states the requirement of a mature state of mind. This suggests that we need to be humble and not egoistic. To achieve a goal we need to have a strong conviction, faith, dedication and also the right circumstances. There is also an essential qualification for the student depending on the subject. For example, if you want Brahma Gnana (knowledge of the supreme Brahman), you need four attributes.
1) Nitya- Anitya Vastu Viveka: The knowledge of the eternal and the perishable.
2) Renunciation: Not expecting fruits of action.
3) Shamadi shatka sampatti: The six merits like sham , dam, uparati, titeeksha, shraddha, samaadhana relating to self control, restrain , patience, faith and tranquility.
4) Mumukshutva: Deep desire to attain salvation.
This are together called as Sadhana chatushtaya (four cardinal requirements).
Jaimini Maharishi described about Mimammsa Sutras. Scholars opine that, to understand that text one must have studied the Vedas in detail. For studying Vedas some essential disciplines like Upanayana, learning from Guru have been described as essential. Similarly study of every Shastra needs a basic qualification. This is true even with modern education system also.
However, the essential qualifications required for the path of devotion are not so rigorous as those for the path of knowledge. Everybody is eligible for this path. No one is forbidden to this path. The sheet anchors for this path are untainted devotion, non-dwindling faith that this path will allow one to cross the ocean of life. It is not necessary that one is a scholar. Even an illiterate is having the freedom and capacity to become a devotee. Irrespective of ones past Karma it is possible that a spark of divinity may blossom in their heart that will transform them completely. A sinner may be transformed into a noble soul with the dawn of devotion. He will attain peace, tranquility and redemption from the deeds of the past. What if a person commits sin knowingly that it is a sin? What will be his fate? To understand this we must first analyze what makes a person a sinner? – Family, Environment, Impregnations of the past (Samskara), and bad friendship.
Some people are born in wicked families. Some others are those who are not undergoing the prescribed rituals; don’t practice austerities and daily-recommended chores of spiritual practices, not following the teachings of Guru, not reading scriptures etc. Both these categories can be transformed by devotion to the almighty. If you see the stories of great devotees, you will see many such examples and transformations. Ahimsa (non violence), truth, and devotion are not anybody’s sole property. Everyone has a right to it. This is reiterated by Suka Maharshi in Bhagavata. Devotion is beyond the barriers of cast, creed, color, gender and religion. Some are born devotees while others are initially very wicked persons who get totally transformed. The best example is Ratnakara who became Vaalmiki. Others are Ajamila, Tondarappodi Alvar, Narayana Bhat etc. Kabir and Nanak were not formally educated. Their literary works are amazing. Everything is the result of devotion.
However, if devotion is added to adjectives like knowledge, character, Yoga it is a double blessing. It is even more meritorious. The story of Dhruva also tells us this.
Atha atah bhaktim vyakhyaasyaamaha
The second word in this quote is atah. It means ‘therefore’. Why did Narada write about devotion when He could have written about Jnanayoga or Karma yoga? This is explained by this term. The path of devotion is the easier path for the commoner than the other two paths mentioned above. This is a path accessible by all and it also leads to the path of Jnana (knowledge). Even Adi Shankara, who wrote commentaries to great spiritual texts ultimately said Bhaja Govindam (sing the glory of the lord) and composed many devotional verses.
The last words in the quote above describe Bhakti. Narada has put in this, His experience of Bhakti. Therefore it became an authoritative text for the future generations.
In the second tenet, He tells us that true devotion does not expect anything in return. It is an immeasurable love to divinity. Bheeshma, Prahlada, Uddhava and Narada demonstrated their devotion in this manner.
Surrendering all your senses in service to the God without expecting any thing in return is devotion. Bhakti means service. Bhakti is deeply attaching your mind on the supreme principle. Bhakti is offering your heart to almighty. Contemplating on the inner self, I, is Bhakti. Bhakti is different from worldly love. It is a blissful communion with the supreme. It is beyond the senses. There is no place for ego. There is no chance of hate at all in this. It is not emotional also. It is the divine link that makes you forget yourself.
Pujya Sri Swamiji’s discourse on December 12 – Friday – Rohini Nakshatra
Datta means Gift. The devotee gifts himself to Datta. Datta gifts himself to devotee. What does this mean? It means that the devotee has surrendered his body, sense organs and mind to Datta. Datta in turn gives off himself to the devotee.
There are essentially three qualities that we come across- the Satvik (pure temperament), Rajasik (egoistic temperament) and Tamasic (demonic temperament). We always want to remain in the Satvik temperament. Most of the time our feelings are Satvik but our actions are demonic (Tamasik). Not only thought, our words are also very polished and Satvik, but our actions are however demonic. Sometimes even feelings are also demonic in addition to the actions. We must learn to control this Tamasik tendency. It is difficult because we have accrued these tendencies over several births, the animal nature and feelings is the result is our Karma (fruits of previous actions). How can these Karmic tendencies be removed? The Karma theory says that these tendencies can be removed only through Karma just like the same key is used to lock as well as unlock; only the key is turned in the opposite direction, i.e. surrendering the fruits of your action to the almighty. This is Datta (giving by the devotee). Swamiji believes in the Karma philosophy. So, He makes you participate in so many Poojas, rituals, Homa, meditation, Satsang (association and friendship with the noble people) to redeem you of your Karma. Because you like Swamiji you are all following. We have completed 25 crore (250 million) Navagraha Japa till yesterday evening as a part of such activities. There are different types of individuals and different types of actions, so many methods of worship and rituals.
Many people think Swamiji is Avataar (incarnation). Actually everybody is an Avatar. We have taken birth due to our previous Karmic actions. Pure Avataar (real incarnation) is Satvik in nature. Such people are Mahatamas (great souls). On the contrary ordinary human beings are born with Rajasik and Tamasik tendencies. Some times even Sadguru displays Rajasik and Tamasik tendencies in order to fight the Karma of the disciples. If you practice Satvik qualities there is no complication with Sadguru at all. If you practice Rajasik and Tamasik qualities, how can you befriend Swamiji? If you talk of Satvik Guna but behave like Rajo or Tamo guna (mood fluctuations). Two minutes you are good with your family, friends, government etc. Next moment you are angry with everyone. This is Rajoguna. Tamoguna is always hatred. No satisfaction with wife, husband, children or Sadguru also. It is often very difficult to practice pure Satvik temperament. At least practice Rajasik temperament. Some day you will be promoted to Satvik temperament. Never practice Tamasic tendencies or Rakshasa Gunas (qualities of demons). Rajo Guna is excusable but Demonic qualities (Tamo guna) are not. Even while you are having Rajo Guna, your thought must be Satvik. Your file will be taken up by Sadguru for reformation. You will be gradually uplifted to Satva Guna. In case of fully demonic qualities- Sadguru will not care unless He wants to because it requires a lot of time. Then you are no longer in His account. Satvik temperament does not need accountability; it is always there in Guru’s heart. A person with such temperament usually does not seek anything from Swamiji. He is always happy. He doesn’t ask for anything. He asks for Moksha and Ananda (salvation and Bliss). People with Rajasic temperament are accounted for because Sadguru decides to rectify them. People with Tamasic temperament are also left alone unaccounted unless Sadguru decides to reform them. For the Guru to consider uplifting any person intense faith and dedication towards Him are essential.
The Satvik man is not attached to his physical body, its’ pleasures and pains. He regards this body as a rental house with five owners (Panchabhootas). Your body may become old, sense organs weak, ready to wither off but inside you are always young. You are experiencing the body feelings because you are giving too much respect to the body not realizing its limited nature. When in pain you started to chant the divine name and the pain vanished. This is because you let loose your attachment for the body and involved your thought in divine principle. If you attach a lot of importance to the physical and Karmic feelings you will suffer pain. Therefore involve yourself in actions that take you close to the divine. The merit of friendship with the Guru cannot be explained. It will develop good habits, Yoga, breath, meditation. Bad habits will disappear. Good habits will develop.
Satsangatve Nissangatvam, Nissangatve Nirmohatvam,
Nirmohatve Nischala chittam, Nischala chitte jeevanmuktihi
(With the association of the Noble, one gets detached form the evil associations, from this unattached state one gets stability of the mind which in turn leads to Salvation)
Your 30 years of seniority as a devotee is futile if you do not develop this non-detachment. What have you achieved in your association with Sadguru if you have not conquered your ego, your sense organs, and your six enemies within? You have achieved a wife and few children. But this is not the purpose of your association with Sadguru. All these feeling are the result of the Rajasic and Tamasic tendencies in us.
Our thoughts actions and deeds should be uniform and pure. Start today. Past is past. One day you will attain blissful state. Many people always think Datta is testing very rigorously but this is not true. Datta is always blessing because he is pleased just by thinking about him and He offers himself as gift to you. Many people give lame excuses to worship God. They say Lord Rama had to undergo lot of trouble in this life. His wife was kidnapped. He was an emperor. He could have married many others. Why should he cry for that Lady? How can I worship him? Lord Hanuman is celibate, He has monkey face, I don’t worship. Narasimha is ferocious, I cannot worship. Krishna is a cowboy and trickster, He has so many wives, I cannot worship. Jesus was a shepherd and crucified. Dattatreya has three heads. We don’t know which of his nose has caught cold. Oh Mahavir does not have clothes. Buddha divorced his wife and sitting under tree with closed eyes. I cannot worship so on and so forth. Finally you invest your faith in believe in Share market and money. We are always criticizing like this. How will we attain salvation with such an attitude? Don’t try to find out the root of Guru or Ganga. Experience the divinity. If you share your love, respect, affection with Sadguru, He will share His Happiness with you. He will give His Guna (quality) to you. Sadguru treats different people differently like a doctor treating people with different diseases. He treats people with Tamasic and Rajasic temperaments also. You should not ask why Swamiji is talking to that fellow. He is treating him. When your turn comes you will also be treated. You need to undergo some investigations before a surgery; just like that Sadguru has a plan of treatment for everyone. Everyone will be blessed when his or her turn comes. What ever he is doing is for your protection only.
Jaya Guru Datta