Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – December 3, 2014 – Msyore
Speech in the morning
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
From tomorrow there will be a larger crowd.
There are people who speak in different languages. English translation is provided for everyone through the earphones for those who know only English. Later the translation will come out on Face book and at the website (dattavani.org).
Viswatma is the main topic today. About idol worship, examples given from the Bhagavatam.
Bhakti Yoga is there in Mimsa Sastra and Veda.
Different scholars spoke. We feel that we do not understand the language and think that they are arguing. They are not arguing. Yesterday about ‘Sri’ there was a discussion about how it should be pronounced. Finally they came to a conclusion. It is unavoidable. One has to finally agree.
Sanskrit is the mother language for India. Hindi is the aunt language. The spoken, popular language is the language that we normally speak. Language is constantly evolving. There are some languages without a script. They write the words borrowing from the English language. Many such regional languages are there.
People say that it is so difficult to just lead life. How to learn more languages also in addition to that? The speakers here are all Vedantic scholars, That is their life. They are great souls. They are not much concerned with other preoccupations like worldly affairs or family.
We also can easily learn. Simple people have to be reached somehow. These tough languages are frightening. Experiments are ongoing to make easy communication through languages. The government and some other institutions are making an effort. It would be so nice if everyone spoke in Sanskrit, we feel. But we do not learn the language.
At any age one can learn a new language or a new subject. One can keep learning until the last breath. One can be a student at any age. The mind and soul do not age. We learn with the intellect. It does not age.
A man remembers the names of distant relatives and where some treasure have been hidden even while on the deathbed. At any age knowledge can be obtained. The body may be weak but the mind can be kept active. Many have written so many books at a very advanced age. Those who cannot write will dictate and get books published. Blind people also have written. We are lazy.
Many people learn Kannada after coming to Mysore. Many Kannada people speak in Telugu. They learn.
The other night I walked over to a neighborhood across the street, to Datta Nagar. People were afraid when I said that I am going to go there to pick up a fight. I said No. I insist that I have to go fight with them. At 10:30 in the night they were bursting loud fire crackers. I felt. If I get frightened, then the patients in the hospital will certainly get disturbed, and the birds here will be harmed. Some birds will even die because of those sudden bursts of loud noises. Chickens eat insects and will withstand the sounds. They are no Satvic. But our Satvic birds which say Rama, and Krishna, the parrots here will die with such loud, abrupt sounds.
I sent word. They stopped doing the fireworks on the street. Then I kept quiet. Again I heard the sound of fire crackers. Then Swamiji angrily set out walking. I said I will fight and beat them up. Everyone said. no, Swamiji please. The security guards and also and lots of other people followed Swamiji.
Swamiji went there and they gave Him a garland. Swamiji went straight to the temple. Swamiji was not fighting. I took the garland and flung it at the idol of Mother Goddess who was beautifully decorated. I picked up a fight with her. I told her, the hospital is close by. Don’t you have control over these people? They have devotion. But they make a racket at this hour. They have mothers, wives, children, and daughters. Will they not be harmed by their behavior? I argued with Mother. All the people than came in and cried. They apologized.
I had so much anger. I slapped some of them. They were my disciples. They were laughing. With the slapping, they became relieve of their long term diseases, pains and aches.
One old woman was surprised and said, this Swamiji knows Kannada! She comes here to the ashram all the time, and eats here. I had seen her many times. Then I really got angry. Every day you come for prasadam but don’t know how many languages Swamiji speaks. Why don’t you speak Telugu? I scolded her.
We need language. At least we must be willing to listen without getting irritated. Sit and listen stubbornly and I challenge that soon you will understand the language. The first half an hour you will be restless and will find it difficult to endure. After 40-45 minutes, you still persist and listen. You will find that the words are familiar. Then you continue to listen. They you will know the subject that is being spoken about.
You have to sit and listen with determination. At least 20% you will understand. Next time 30 then 50-60 per cent you will know. Then you will have the interest to learn the language because by then you will get interested in the topic.
Is God there? Why do people break a coconut to offer to God? Because God is invisible, we worship Him. If He were visible, we would not attribute much value to Him and will treat Him lightly. He is all-pervasive. He will test us until we accept the He knows every single thing that we think, say, and do. He can hear my call, the moment a person realizes that, he becomes a true devotee.
Will He become visible? Does He hear us really? I did puja, but never got a reward. One who complains like this is wasting time. At least he can play some games instead. He is punching the air. Punch a wall instead and at least fell some pain.
Bhakti Yoga will be discussed in the evening.
Sri Guru Datta
Speech in the evening
Jaya Guru Datta
So many people asking about Sri Ganesaya Namaha. Sri Saraswatyai Namaha. Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha.
Once upon a time Kuppa Krishnamurthy and Swamiji argued about its special meaning. Why? Ganapati is okay. Saraswati is Jnana. Ok. But not the correct answer. Sripada is different. Narasimha is different. Again Saraswati. Why? Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha. What is this upadesam? Unknowingly Swamiji is giving upadesam’s essence. In every word. Every syllable. Lot of meaning is there. With a determination, each time a program commences, this prayer mantra is chanted. He is just praying is what all the people think. What is the actual summary? Write a summary and post it on Face book. Every syllable must be explained.
It is wrong to sit in the sides and back during Swamiji’s programs. Swamiji’s mind and vision get distracted. Do not do it. All of you come and sit in the front where you can be seen. Don’t be like ghosha persons, concealing yourselves.
Yaa devi … shaktiroopena … Bhetala …
Bhajan: durgi lakshmi devi Namah karpoora gaurasya
Bhajan: Jagadeesha guru datta
Niroshtaka. Very special composition. No ‘ma’ no ‘pa’ musical notes in this raga. It must be sung very carefully. Otherwise it creates a very big problem. It will become a different raga.
Oshta means lips. Niroshtaka is where the lips do not meet at all during the enunciation. Sa ri ga da ni sa – is the scale of this Putrika Raga. Here, the lyrics are also niroshtaka. The lips do not come together during the entire song. Lips do not join. Knowingly, deliberately, Swamiji has composed this. There is a lot of information in this. Not only lyrics. It is a mantra. Not a bhajan. Pundits can write two volumes on Datta as described here. It is about Jnana. Our destiny. Our mistakes. How Datta protects. Six lines have described the entire Vedanta.
Many people wonder what Swamiji does when He is inside. 10-20 years ago He watched movies made by devotees, because they would beg him to watch them. To bless them He would watch bits and pieces. Later He began doing compositions of bhajans, keertans and poems about devotion and karma thinking about how to protect all the devotees.
I thought initially these compositions were meant only for you. Later Swamiji realized they are for Him also.
Swamiji would write half a song, and then later add more stanzas. Add, revise. Mind was busy thinking about ways of solving the problems of devotees. Swamiji was also concerned about ashram development. As Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity gave, Swamiji followed her plan. He never went against her plan. Whatever she gave, is she gave only a little, only small scale projects were taken up. Never went beyond the budget, always planning new blessings for devotees. New projects. New bhajans.
Only watched half a cinema. Never wasted time. Never engaged the mind in unnecessary activities. When Swamiji was a youngster in Proddutur, one cinema theater owner used to invite, to come and see the cinemas. Swamiji never indulged in entertainment. Either sleep, or use the time fittingly. He always felt guilty to think needless thoughts or say needless words. If it ever happened, He would blame himself. This was His training since childhood.
I share your thoughts because you are my friends. I should not waste time and should not destroy time. Good deeds must not get spoiled. With knowledge there never was a wastage of time. For everything, I caution you not to waste time. Keep chanting mantra. You have chanchala, unsteadiness of mind. If you are sincere in your mind, I greet you and talk to you. Only for courtesy I speak otherwise. Not even one second should be wasted. Swamiji does piano or flute practice if there is any spare time. Or write poetry. There was a time when even inside a car or on bits of paper Swamiji would write songs and poems. On clothes. Cannot stop the flow. Pallavi is a key point. Then Bala Swamiji had to complete the song. Kuppa Krishnamurthy used to do it before. Or I did it myself. Taped it. That is how this mantra was composed. It is not a bhajan nor is it a keertana.
Thatha Is brahma. Babies say that word as one of the first words. Attha is guru. Not aunt. My aunt was my guru in my life.
For Amma and Appa the lips meet. But in this song there are no such words. No ma or pa or any sounds where the lips join.
Words reveal one’s feelings. Body language also reveals what is one thinking or feeling. Facial expressions disclose the feelings of a person. Some people are cheats. They hide their feelings and speak. Hypocrites. With a blank face they speak. Speaking of death, a lottery win, or a birth they keep the same expression. They never have a cheerful expression. It is so nice when people look cheerful.
Some people’s verbal expressions are always negative. Why do such people live? They have owl-like eyes. No feelings. One must be happy, cheerful with family. Not morose. Like dead. Not irritated or depressed. No brightness in the eye. Some sadist husbands torture their wives. They show their bad attitude on innocent people. If one is happy, Lakshmi and Saraswati will reside in their homes.
Tvamekaha sarva jagatah iswaro bandha mokshayoh You alone are The Lord of the universe which consists of bondage and release. What is this universe? One must surrender to God. Now Bala Swamiji will explain the meaning of this sloka.
Tvamekaha… Sivaya Gurave Namaha in the Guru Gita means there is no difference between Guru and God. Loka – the singular form Swamiji has used. It is about us only. Plural refers to all. We come to the ashram to pray for ourselves and for those who are dear to us. You alone are the Lord. You are not giving us bondage and release. You are teaching us about them. Who are the benefited? We are benefited. Sadguru is the benefactor. Kaushala is expertise. Yoga is. Expertise. Efficiency in karma. Such is kushala buddhi. Guru is like that. He gives us a good intellect. Swamiji first wanted to save all the souls. It says so in the Life History. Then he changed his plan to save only the virtuous souls. We seek refuge at Guru’s feet. The Sastra says the foot is what takes us to our destination. We must thank our feet for bringing us to the ashram. Those who surrender to Guru will be released from sorrow.
ID cards must be worn by all who reside in the ashram. It is mandatory. Those who stay in Mysore are exempt. Out of towners staying in hotels also must wear when you come to the ashram. One devotee fell in the bathroom and could not be identified. Some go across the street tempted for unhealthy food and beverages. The traffic is bad and dangerous. Not wearing identification will cause problems. Angels (devotees from foreign countries) must wear. Otherwise not allowed on the premises. During functions especially. Mysore citizens are exempt. All VIPs are required to wear. If you do not wear. I will not come. I will stay with my birds in the Vaikuntha. ID must have photo, and phone contact. Saswata seva cards must be worn. From now on follow strict rules. Wear it on the neck like dogs which represent the Vedas, according to Datta. Faithful. Swamiji compares you to the Vedas. It is a great honor. Even birds wear ID cards. When Swamiji goes abroad, He shows His voters ID. I love to follow rules. That is yoga penance. Each one should cooperate. Encourage others. Wear like a necklace. I am ready to wear. Nothing shameful in it. Even dignitaries wear ashram ID. You must recognize its value and utility. Then Mysore citizens also will wear.
Do Datta Darsana parayana within the three days of Datta Jayanti. It is very good.
Tomorrow after Datta abhishekam and punya smarana and Hanuman Archana, Swamiji is dedicating a hall for Flight.
Many wish to see Swamiji’s personal parrots, not just the ones kept in Shuka Vana. Yesterday Raman had the fervent desire during Krish Raman’s anniversary, to see the Shuka brahmas in Swamiji’s private chambers. They hesitated to ask. I sensed and asked them their wish. They gave 40 Lakhs for Shuka Vana. Father got Vaikuntha. We are now in Vaikuntha, and you also returned in two days to witness the Bhagavata Parayana, Raman said. He said we want to see your birds. They all came. They saw their flight. Their speech. Their colors. It was incredible. They said the public should get a chance to see these. I said the Telugu people will always ask for interviews. They do not see the birds.
A new enclosure is now prepared with just the special birds. 1000 rupees for one day viewing in the small hall. 31 date birds as per Numerology will be introduced. The auditorium is called Flight Vana. Flight used to whisper Rama and Datta in Swamiji’s ear. It would place flowers in puja. It would keep chanting the name of Datta. Appaji’s leftover food it ate with relish. It had so much devotion for Appaji. Waited patiently always for Appaji. Is it a bird or a deity?
Because of it Shuka Vana was built. It used to hide behind the beard of Appaji. When I raised my voice while singing, it would raise its head. Never soiled on me. Suka brahma himself came to give me friendship and company. On Pundit Jasraj’s concert day a civet cat bit off its leg. There was so much blood, and Flight was swimming in it. Some vibhooti and turmeric were applied to the wound along with some tincture. In one week it recovered. Cannot say enough to describe the great qualities of Flight.
One day at 7:30 in the evening, while Swamiji was walking in the bonsai garden, it flew off. Tension for all. Searched frantically. It gave so much tension. I failed to take it for darshan or Lord Hanuman as promised. So it went on its own. Had Hanuman’s darshan. Brought me back a toram. This was the 5th time that it flew away. On each building in the ashram it would land and bless it. Viswam Museum also. Now it is getting expanded. It is under renovation. Well. It landed on the well where the water level had fallen. The water level increased after that. I praised it. It laughed in my ear.
Double mesh was placed on all the cages since the day Flight lost its leg. It was also called Chakra, the Ever-moving bird.
After it lost its leg, a body guard Conure was placed in its cage to give it support while it slept. It acted like a Security guard. This would escort Flight back if it flew away. Daily I swim for exercise. Both birds came that day. It was the day of the inauguration of Shuka Vana. I had told Narayana Rao to be careful with Flight. Something will happen today before this evening. It was placed on the Dasavatara door. It rested. It came for saligrama abhishekam. Both the birds took the flowers. There is a Sri chakra. Put flower properly, I told Flight. Flight balanced on the beard and placed the flower on the saligrama. Said Datta in my ear many times. The last word it uttered was Datta.
Nidhi, the golden bird also came Suddenly.
Neela said Flight is no more. It was wrapped in a cloth. It merged in Datta.
rekka tegina pitta koraku vekkivekki edchenu – is a description of how Rama wept uncontrollably when Jatayu died, in the Ramayana. Like Rama, Swamiji sobbed uncontrollably. In the Ramayana, Rama did not do for his own father the funeral rites. He did them for Jatayu. How he cried. I sobbed. Prasad said the dignitaries are waiting. I had to come and smile. Can you even guess my mental state? I lost my good friend. You showed me Shuka Vana, I told Flight. At 3 PM a ritual was performed and Flight was buried in the Shuka Vana right behind Sage Shuka. It has a Brindavanam now with a light. Those who listen to this Shuka’s story will be freed from all sins. Flight Vana’s inauguration will be open only to those who take the DVD. It will not be available in the market.
Only 400 can be seated there. There is not sufficient room. Others have to stand. May repeat the show later of Swamiji’s personal bird collection and the 31 birth date parrots. In Shuka Vana we have birds with an astrological significance. You all must see the birth date birds.
Bhajan: Tvameva mama sharanam Krishna is in all living beings. His form is the entire Universe.
Sri Guru Datta