Speech of HH on Sankranthi Day – January 15, 2011 – Bangalore
Subbanna’s two songs have inspired me. Subbanna sang two songs on Tatva (Spiritual Truth) composed by a born Muslim Avadhoota who had a Hindu Guru who lived a few centuries ago. He understood Brahma Tatva and experienced Brahmananda, supreme bliss. His songs are now being popularized. They have many spiritual secrets hidden in them. Avadhootas have been born in many different states ofIndia, in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat,Maharashtra, and many others. Avadhootas are born as human beings. They go through all the discomforts of human life and the pains of the human body. They suffer insults and shame. The demonic public have always caused them intense suffering and an enormous amount of trouble. Examples are Annamacharya, Ramadas, Purandara Das, Kanaka Das. We all must follow their example. We must follow the Guru’s words. They are not poets. They are Avadhootas. They taught spiritual philosophy to everyone, in the manner that was required at the time, for the people who lived then, as per their need and requirement. For the experience of Supreme Bliss there is no distinction of caste, religion, nationality or gender. It is an independent journey.
This Earth is not our planet. We are here only to learn Atma Tatva – the Truth about the Soul. That is our purpose. Sri Jayalakshmi Mata used simple language in the songs that she sang, which are now found in the books and CDs ‘Sri Krishna Jaya’. These songs give so much happiness. Sri Swamiji teaches in simple language through the short daily television programs, ‘Datta Mata’ and ‘Datta Nudi’. The devotees must wait for these opportunities to learn and utilize these teachings. People say they have no time. No time to watch these programs, no time to go to the temple, no time to follow the Guru.
A proper use of time is very important. Today will never return. Tomorrow is another day. You must use the present moment, the present day. What was taught in the past was good for that situation and for the people who lived then. The language that was used in those teachings suited that day and that circumstance. You must not criticize and find fault. Jnana Sambandar, Papanasam Sivan composed and sang songs to suit their day. It is all Brahma Vakku – God Word. Do not make judgments. Brahman is One. No one has a special, different Brahma. Truth is One. It is always the same. Sugar is sweet, in your home and in my home, whether it is brown or white. The concentration may be less or more.
In Karnataka, on Sankranti Day prayers are offered to the Sun God. Sesame seed treats made with jaggery (molasses) are offered. When the black outer skin from the sesame seed is removed, for it to be cooked, it denotes the removal of Sani, Kashtam – miseries and difficulties. One should eat this sweet and make a habit of soft speech. Say only good things. I wish Happy Birthday to Sri Bala Swamiji.
It is a tradition. Bhogi pallu ‘regi’ fruits are poured on the children’s heads for blessings. This is not ‘tamasha’ – meaningless fun and games. This is not blind faith. Those who define these traditions as blind faith, indulge in drinking excessive coffee, tea, and other stimulants, gambling, adultery, speeding on the road and dying in accidents – are these good things in your definition? When your perception is bad, you see bad outside. You are jealous and envious. That is why I ignore you. I have X-Ray vision. I know what is in your mind. I see your insides burning with jealousy and your comparisons with other devotees. Does a doctor disclose to the patient the entire truth? If he does, the patient will die of fear. The doctor always gives hope, by diluting the truth to suit the situation.
Saradamma, 15 years ago had cancer all over her body. Her husband was a Director in the Food Corporation. He begged Swamiji to let her live till the two children were married. Swamiji said,”She will live.” He gave her a strange medical treatment. He made her laugh and laugh by telling her vulgar stories. She would only laugh for those. So He would keep telling her such obscene jokes, to the shock of others around. She is still living now. Very strange methods Swamiji employs. Sometimes He gives very simple instructions. You must follow without question. Just do it. Swamiji may simply say, “Ok. I will take care. Chant Datta Stavam or Hanuman Chalisa 4 times”. You will wonder, “ I told my serious troubles for one hour and Swamiji is taking it lightly and is giving me this type of a casual answer”. Swamiji gives easy remedies and subtle treatments. One American devotee could not chant the Datta Stavam three times as ordered by Swamiji. So he simply said three times, “Datta Stavam, Datta Stavam, Datta Stavam”. When Swamiji says that He will take care, that very moment the difficulty is removed. It is vanished. You must have faith. You people have no faith. That is why you suffer. No matter how much money you give me, how many times you come, how many pada pujas you do, if you do not have faith, it is useless.
It is your pada puja money that was used to build this hall, to arrange for food for all of you, to build schools, to help villagers. Swamiji only manages your money. He does not eat your money. Does a bank manager eat the money? Swamiji is not a goat to eat paper money. Everything you give is returned to you multi-fold. I give to the poor. Even the Navaratri sarees are given away. Swamiji only has a loin cloth. I sleep on a rubber mat. That is all. Only two rotis (pieces of Indian bread) I eat. My incarnation is not meant for the enjoyment of luxuries and comforts. I follow my mother Jayalakshmi’s command. I did Madhukaram as a child – I begged for food daily, going from house to house, collecting food. I belong to the people. I laugh and cry with everyone else. The food that I collected, I had to share with others. Only what was left in my hand, what I could hold in my hand that served as a dish, the ‘Kara paatra’, that was all that I was permitted to eat. This happened while I lived for a few years in Proddatur in Andhra Pradesh. I know about suffering because I have experienced many types of suffering. You all make demands from God. I do not. I do not make public my pain or suffering.
Bangaloredevotees are very lucky to welcome Sri Swamiji after the completion of the 108th foreign tour. What great good fortune! Swamiji went for rest. Instead He saw and blessed many devotees. Jitu came. He spent a lot of money. He took good care of me. His wife also declares that only Sri Swamiji is there for them. They spent lakhs. They made good arrangements. Sarada also did a lot.
After Ugadi, the Andhra tour will take place. The voice is still not completely recovered. Sri Bala Swamiji will make a tour. Just like your faithless mind vacillates, Swamiji also vacillated to go or not to go. You must develop strong faith. Do not doubt. By Anjaneya’s grace, it will happen. If you are firm in your faith, then I come running after you. If you leave me, doubting, I will also leave you. If you come one step towards me, I come one hundred steps towards you. I swear by Anjaneya. It is all in His hands. Not in my hands. It is true. Anjaneya is Swamiji. That firm faith should come to you. Do not doubt whether your work will get done.
The consecration at Ganagapuram will definitely happen. It is
God’s work. It is close by. Come. Kriya Yoga classes will be held. It is a good program. After Ugadi inHyderabad, the future program will be announced. Some sanctum sanctorums have to be purified by homa prior to installation of deities. Previously Swamiji used to meticulously do it, on a specific auspicious day, under a specific star.
Crack (foolishness/ignorance)-Cutting is Swamiji’s job. Now we proceed for Cake-Cutting. Free of cost program, Puttu Gam on facebook in English, Kannada, Telugu, and Hindi. Please join. Take help if necessary from authorized volunteers. Now the big program is to eat (prasadam).
Jaya Guru Datta