Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – October 7, 2011 – Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
“Sheetala Devi (cold) had invited me. I have kept her inside. Now she has turned into Ushna Devata (fever). Normally it is the reverse. Fire is born in the ocean. People are afraid of Fire. That is why instead of Agni Pralaya they call it Jala (water) Pralaya (deluge). Floating on the waters at that time was a child lying on a banyan leaf. He puts his big toe in his mouth. It is symbolic. At the beginning of the Pralaya, all the seven rishis are safely placed in a boat, to help with the new Creation. Then once again new Creation begins. This is not a story. It is the truth.
All old things get destroyed. Everything must be got rid of. No sentimental attachments. People give away or sell (if they are miserly), all the books of the first class (grade) when a child enters the second class. Many people keep everything until final graduation. Then, they sell as paper for a small amount of money with which they buy a cinema ticket. Used clothes should be given away to the poor, not sold. Give them to those who can use them. InAmericathey hold Garage Sales. It upsets me. They even bargain for broken furniture and old jars. What they earn is so little.
Whether we do it wisely or foolishly, we must go through the cleaning process. Shanti Homa at the end of Navaratri is for cleansing purposes. It is still the same Homa Kunda. We use the same dinner plate, even if it made of silver, to eat both a feast and simple food like dry bread (phulkas). This Homa is for shanti, peace. Pray for peace for all, everywhere; even inside the mind. On this Ekadasi it is good to fast. It will clean the system. Even the mind gets cleansed and peaceful.
We are all students, every moment of our lives. Jnana (spiritual knowledge) does not come quickly. It takes several lifetimes. Nobody here is a yogi, even if he thinks of himself as one. This Navaratri festival clears doubts and gives knowledge. Just because we do not understand something, we should not treat it as trivial. It is like the story of the fox and sour grapes. If it is beyond our reach, then we do not believe in it. We belittle, if we do not understand. But if the sour grapes are reached, we hail them that they are full of vitamin C.
Penance is concentration in learning. If you stick your hand inside a snake pit, even a snake is not there, the ants will get you. It will still hurt. The snake may be in a subtle form. You will never know the source of a river, a rishi, God, or a guru. Do not try to explore too deep. You should only enjoy the experience that you are blessed with. Enjoy the fruit. If you dig up the whole tree to find the end of the root to see where the sweetness of the fruit is coming from, then you have destroyed the tree and deprived yourself of the fruits henceforth.
You must still be alert and try to understand. Every moment that you are in the ashram, you should keep learning. You must give up your bad habits of criticizing and gossiping. Give those up. Go inward. Then the outside world will disappear for you. You clean yourself inside. All that you think you know is only half-knowledge. Even Brahma and the Sapta rishis still chant the Vedas, still engage in endless penance in trying to learn. When you have Jnana, then you know that there is always more to learn.
I was given permission to speak only for five minutes. I have already spoken for 8 minutes. I wanted to explain about Shanti Homa.
In Andhra there is chaos. No milk. No electricity. In Tirupati, there are tremendous crowds. Here it is so safe, as if we are kept in a safe chest. It is peaceful; we get good food; good rest.
Ayodhya is a pilgrimage center. You will not get private rooms. Coffee, electricity are all uncertain. The ashrama is not responsible. Faizabad has hotels. You have all come here out of love for Appaji. You adjust with whatever amenities are provided.
Listen. Follow with good buddhi, with a good responsive mind. You did Shatashloki parayana. You did mantra parayana with whatever mantra the Guru gave you. Penance is to follow the Guru without questioning. You people even question your doctor. Then your fate is ‘Govinda!’. When you don’t need an injection, you demand one, with a golden needle. The doctor will then offer you a thick iron needle. Whatever the guru says, whether it is to read books, do dhyana, or do mantra japa, simply follow. I have not written any bond. I am not responsible for your karma. Your karma is your karma. I only give suggestions and advice. I am not married to you. Even married people divorce. Even mother and father do not take complete responsibility. Only some guidance Swamiji gives.
Like the game, ‘Swamiji says’ (like Simon says). Only do what Swamiji says, not what Vamshi says (in the game that he had us play).
Shatashloki Ramayana views have exceeded 9 lakhs. We are receiving comments and questions even from countries likeJapan,Haiti, andBrazil, asking who is Rama, who is Ravana, please give more information.
First understand the parivara (those who assist Swamiji in the ashram). Then you will understand Swamiji. You argue with them because of your ego. When you try to show your importance, you will lose all that you have. If you disobey their instructions, then I also get upset.
Now they are snatching the microphone away.”
Sri Guru Datta
Courtesy: Smt. Hira Duvvuri