Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji (summary) – September 10 , 2013 – Eluru
In Indian tradition, every festival has a deeper meaning. Spiritual, worldly, social, moral, – gives strength of mind, nourishes nature, through teaching, reading, customs, habits, everything in Nature is explained. Every existence, movement, creation, every atom, plant, fire, teaches great things. It is up to us to properly understand and grasp. Without a reason, not even anti moves, no breeze blows, no raindrop falls, not a leaf moves. Every thing has a purpose. You must understand this. There is nothing meaningless. No baby cries or smiles without a reason. Every single creature that is born, through their actions, their being, be it good or bad, does things for a definite purpose. Where it is created, lives, dies, dries up, is with a reason. The cause should be detected and errors should be rectified. Don’t keep questioning Why for everything, even if someone explains the reason, you have not raised to the level of understanding. By the time you feel that you know, something further unknown will come into existence. First poison came into being. Then nectar as an antidote came into existence. Man sees and experiences bad first. A wise one always chooses to finish up with sorrow. Because in grief only God is remembered and lessons are learned. Pleasure that follows pain gives wisdom. Because a fool goes after pleasure first, will get into bad ways. Never crave for joy.
Be ready for misfortunes. They are inescapable. Don’t anticipate wrongly for pleasures. You gave a wrong address and wrong identitiy. That is why you got misfortune. Look in the mirror and place the mark on your forehead, not on your nose or ear. It acts like a signpost. Mirror shows your eye, nose, ear, gives a reflection, it shows the way. When incorrect, it helps your to rectify the action. You don’t have to depend on your neighbor. Because a mark was placed wrong because you did not pay attention, do you break the mirror? you must always look nice. Then your mind will appear in your face through your words, and expression. You should be true to your heart. Your eyes speak for you. You need a guide. Rama, Balarama, Parashurama are all the same incarnation. But if they should meet, the three refelctions are seen and it is difficult to tell them apart. Hanuman had gone underwater to look for a ring for Mother Sita, and when he became arrogant, he got perplexed seeing numerous rings. He had to return empty handed and had to be taught a lesson by Brahma.
Only when you see your reflection in the mirror, you will notice whether the mark is centered or not. A reflection is required. Such a reflection is Guru. Without a proper mirror, you will see two or three reflections and your will get confused. Only one God is there. He may appear in various forms. Rama, Bheema and so on. The True Energy is One. That caste, this caste, that community, this community you differentiate. For worldly interaction, different names are given. But in the deeper sense all are one. As per our past karma, although Nose is one, each one’s nose is different. Same thing with eyes, forms. Shapes are different but soul is one. Our festivities teach us this truth. Varalakshmi Vrata, Satyanarayana Vrata, Anagha Vrata, are not meant only for eating prasadam. You must understand the essence. If not 1000, at least 10 of the rules you follow each day. Gradually you will accomplish all 1000. If you do not even learn the 10 percent, it is futile effort, only physical strain is less. All you remember is receiving a coconut.
Before taking a step forward, you must remember the lesson learned in the previous step. Those who teach are fulfilled only if you learn. The teacher begins with the faith that you will learn and follow. Guru is teaching continuously. Bhakti Mala is teaching always. I feel like I have entered Heaven, when I entered Eluru. You came in spite of rain. I am very happy, not with your numbers but with your devotion. This opportunity will never repeat itself. This day, this time, this evening will never recur in this entire lifetime. The pages keep turning forward. We forget most things, only a fragment is remembered. You only remember the time I scolded, not the 1000 times when I praised. You don’t remember my invitations, only my telling you to leave. Now I neither call you or send you away. It is up to your karma whether you come or go.
Rishi has become Khushee (happy). You are conducting the programs here with great interest. You have earned great merit and that is what is giving you the strength to do these good deeds. By your earned merit Swamiji has come and is showering His blessings upon all of you.
Sri Guru Datta