Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the morning – December 31, 2014 – Vijayawada
Jaya Guru Datta
Out of kindness towards me, all of you must clear this area here. You have no discipline. Before the queue forms, you rush forward and block the way. You have been told politely during the past couple days to behave in a disciplined manner. You have not paid attention. When teertham is given in a proper manner with a sacred spoon, you do not accept it with grace. Only if water is splashed on you from a conch shell, even if it is a dirty conch shell, you will treat it as holy. A silver sacred spoon that is reverentially used is disregarded by you.
The first thing that we have to develop is discipline. You do not stop to understand why Swamiji has come here enduring so much difficulty. You do not give Him an opportunity to fulfill the purpose of His visit. As and when you please you approach Him, you offer prostrations, you give your gifts, with no regard to etiquette, or proper time and place. The senior devotees set an example and thinking that it is the norm here, the new devotees follow suit. Shouting slogans of ‘Victory to Swamiji’, as and when you please (at inappropriate times), you make a nuisance of yourselves. I have quietly endured it all these days, wishing not to hurt your feelings. But, I cannot endure it any longer. You do not understand on your own. You do not get the realization of your misbehavior. I do not tell you rudely. I hesitate out of courtesy. As a result, you never learn. Now, it is okay if you feel hurt; it is time that you learn some discipline. If someone approaches Swamiji because someone is hospitalized and is in a life and death situation, it is understandable. But for every minor problem you obstruct Swamiji’s path, even when He is going for the darshan of Mother Goddess at the temple. That is why these days I bend my head down and walk fast without looking at anyone. The negative feelings (curses) of those who are really in a desperate state will affect you if you behave like this. Those in real difficulties wait patiently all day just to have a brief darshan but you people deprive them of their precious chance. Senior devotees behave as if they never get a chance to see Swamiji, or that He is never available for them.
You have no fear or respect. You chase after Swamiji till He gets in the car. You follow Him as He gets down from the car. You senior devotees of 30-40 years behave like this with no shame of fear. The same Telugu people as you who are settled in America follow the discipline followed in that country. Every single person there receives prasadam even if there are thousands of devotees, and everyone feels satisfied and happy. Your selfish and aggressive attitude of hogging all the blessings for yourselves is really disgusting. Please correct your ways hereafter. I request you. Is it decent for all you senior devotees to stand there like that blocking all others? Is it respectful for you to get chased away by Swamiji rudely? VIPs and senior devotees are standing in the way obstructing Swamiji. You may consider Swamiji’s scolding and rude words as blessings but you do not realize how much pain you are causing to Swamiji’s heart. You are incapable of understanding Swamiji’s difficulty and pain. You do not have the patience to listen properly to what is being said by Swamiji. Your applause is misplaced. Are you applauding that I am hurt and am deeply pained?
When my sister (Varalakshmi) passed away, Kuppa Krishnamurthy began by saying that Swamiji’s two sisters were serving him like Lakshmi and Saraswati fanning Mother Goddess. He was going to announce the demise of the older of the sisters, but before he could complete his announcement, the audience gave a loud applause. You are not ready to listen. You are not ready to understand. Leaving aside English where one frequently uses sarcasm, I am telling you directly now in pure Telugu. I am speaking clearly so that you will understand. I am not even speaking in the Telangana dialect.
Today is a very important day. It is the day of transition (between the old year and the new year). Three times during the day, at dawn, noon and dusk we regard as a time of transition. Although Ugadi is our New Year’s Day, since we are using this system in our daily life, we also celebrate this English New Year’s Day.
Book on Numerology has just been released. On television and elsewhere people are always speaking excessively about Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu, sometime creating fear in the minds of people and sometimes dispelling fear, when they make their predictions. No one says that these planets are also good. I have been telling these scientists that they should properly educate the people. This science is ancient, no doubt. Still, Vedanta does not accept it.
Homeopathy is similarly not accepted by some doctors. Sometimes it is claimed that a new medicine has been discovered. In Chirala a rumor begins that someone has discovered an instant cure for diabetes. But such cures are not dependable. Not only does diabetes not get cured, a new disease may emerge out of it.
Our diet, and our daily discipline in recreational activities, and mental attitudes have to be properly monitored. Otherwise, the best doctors also cannot cure us. Even if Lord Dhanvantari Himself administers medicine to us, unless we change our ways and live a moderate life, we will certainly not get cured. This is the absolute truth. We must change our way of thinking, speaking, eating, and behaving. If a proper healthy diet is followed, your health will be maintained. Half your diseases will vanish. Your half-dead nerves will get revived. The nectar of inner juice will get secreted. If not, your inner vitality will get destroyed. The saliva of humans has the power to even dissolve gall stones and kidney stones if proper living habits are practiced. Such inner healing juices will be produced if your daily living style is the way it should be.
The human body is a junction box, like a major railway junction where the different railway engines, trains, compartments, schedules, and tracks are constantly organized and monitored. In spite of that, accidents occur. People commit suicide on the tracks, or an animal obstructs the path. As a result, the innocent Railway Minister is forced to resign. He would be entertaining great ideas of reforming the system but before he can even begin to put his plans into action, he will be forced to resign. That is why in the Central Government officers pray not to be posted in the railways. Just like in our bodies, unless proper remedies and practices are put in place, the railways in our country will not function efficiently.
Why does Swamiji compare the body to the railways? Yes. This is a good example. There are many similarities. There is blood circulation, the nervous system, and inner communication and supplies. Daily exercise, and parayana (daily study of scriptures and chanting of prayers) are most important. If you keep sitting on sofas, keep watching TV and eating vadas and other fried snacks, and drinking several cups of coffee daily, of course you will develop blockages in your bloodstream. You will require angiograms and extensive treatment. This way you will successfully support all the new doctors who are being produced regularly. You cannot sit or walk in comfort. You have knee pains and back pains. Unless you take precautions, you will die early of diseases. Like beasts, people keep on chewing and eating. You will die an early death after suffering from illnesses if you live such lazy lives of indiscipline.
If you do not care to listen to my advice, you stuff your ears with cotton. You do not walk or climb stairs even at home. You do not sit on the floor. You insist on having furniture and lifts/elevators. It is only when you come to the ashram that you sit on the floor out of necessity and limited space. You must get accustomed to sitting on the floor and exercising daily. If you sit daily in Padmasana, you will be healthy. These days medical advances allow for organ replacements. Knees, heart, kidney, eye, nose, hand, leg, intestines, liver, and every imaginable organ is replaced. You increase longevity but how do you utilize those extra years of life granted to you? You merely continue to sit on the sofa and overeat. Yes, Swamiji has extended your life. But what service have you rendered to Sadguru in return? How have you progressed spiritually? There are gurus to teach you. But you have no inclination to listen and learn, or to practice their advice.
Whoever expresses gratitude verbally to Sadguru must begin that very instant to render selfless service to Guru and to the community. Instead, they continue to indulge in the bad habits of eating the wrong kinds of foods, indulging in vices, passion, lust, drinking alcohol, overeating, and bad behavior. What is the purpose of your living? Are you an asset to the country or to your family or society? What is the use of claiming that you are a Swamiji devotee? Do you meditate upon Swamiji? No. Why should Swamiji protect you when you pester Him with requests every time He gets in and out of a car? In what way are you being beneficial?
Your family takes loans to get you medical treatment. Do you do anything worthwhile to them in return, or to Sadguru? Why should Sadguru protect you? Why do you keep chasing after Guru with requests for protection? Swamiji does not give you permission to acknowledge the help given by Swamiji, unless when Swamiji cures your pains, you discontinue your bad habits of overeating, eating junk food, going to cinemas, quarreling, gossiping, and wasting time. You do not change your ways. You do not give service. Simply announcing in the microphone that Swamiji has saved your life is not enough. Now that you are well, have you taught your children and grandchildren about God and devotion? Do you write or chant God’s names repeatedly? Do you visit temples? Simply speaking in public of Swamiji’s greatness puts me to shame because you stop with mere verbal expression. You do not change your habits. You do not learn any spirituality or make any progress. Your nature and habits do not seem to improve.
You interpret this speech as anger on the part of Swamiji. No. It is not anger. It is deep pain in the heart of Swamiji that He is expressing. Once you claim that Swamiji has saved your life, your life must become dedicated to Swamiji’s service. Some feel that just because they gave a cash donation, they have fulfilled their obligation. It is not correct to think so. Swamiji is only pleased to the extent that as a very minimum you have done that. Yes. If you give for a temple, some others benefit by that donation. Sometimes, Swamiji is afraid that you will misuse your assets and so prevents you from getting any excess amounts of profits. What He wishes to see is a positive transformation in your lifestyle. If Swamiji has given you good health and strength, what is it that you are doing with that health and strength, to make yourself worthy and useful? You grin a foolish grin. If Swamiji makes your kidney function properly, and all you do in return is continue to eat more pakoda fried snacks, what is the use? If you remember Guru, you are adding to your own bank balance of merit. It does not help Swamiji in any way. It does not benefit Guru. In a way I am happy for you that you are earning some personal merit. But that is not sufficient. What have you learnt? What good things have you taught others? Have you written the Hanuman mantra in a notebook thousand times?
Datta is making me speak these words. So I am speaking them. It is not anything great to praise Swamiji in the microphone and boasting about yourself. I lament your pitiable state. I feel pained to see your deplorable condition. At least pay attention to the family members and encourage their devotion and discipline, now that your health is restored, instead of making demands upon them to feed you treats. My anguish you must understand. My agony you must feel. Giving one lakh is not sufficient. What have you done with your time and life? Have you done japa? No. You watch TV sitting on the sofa, eating and drinking excessively as per your whim.
This coming year is a tough year. 2 is followed by a O. Then it is 1 and then 5. 2 is moon. It is a tough stage. 0 is unpredictability. 1 is Sun. Heat. Ice is melting. It will cause calamities. 5 is the only ray of hope. What does it total up to? 8. It is a sign of positivity. We must pray for the cooperation of all the planets. That is why Swamiji is showing all the parrots representing all the planets. This is the western New Year. But since we are following it, this science will certainly affect us. The Sun’s impact will be strong.
You must pray to Lord Siva and please Him. Siva is the Lord in control. To achieve that you must pray to Lord Hanuman. You must praise Hanuman. That is why Hanuman has been consecrated here. If Hanuman is pleased, Vishnu is pleased and Siva is pleased and appeased. If Hanuman is pleased Rama is pleased. Rama Chiluka, the parrot is the form of Rama, who comes to Hanuman to listen to him chanting the name of Rama. That is why the first word that parrot speaks is Rama. Hanuman’s arm or shoulder is decorated by a parrot. Hanuman alone is the one who constantly chants the name of Rama in this Kali Yuga.
Hanuman Chalisa has been composed by Swamiji is simple Telugu to make it easy for everyone to chant. This year, we must engage in the chanting of Hanuman Mantra, Hanuman Chalisa, and Hanuman’s name. Listen to Vanara Gita. I am telling all Datta devotees to listen to Vanara Gita. It is my duty to tell you. The year begins nicely but takes a negative turn later.
When cool breeze first blows, it feels pleasant. But too much of it will make you sick by freezing the blood. Hot breeze also causes illness by thinning the blood. We must protect ourselves from all extremes. We cannot withstand extremes. When there is too much heat, we keep taking bath. We sweat. Then with breeze, we cool off. God has made our bodies like a refrigerator.
There is no need to be afraid. New states have been formed, Andhra and Telangana. Andhra represents our ancient, great culture. The brothers have split. Let us pray that all should be well, healthy, and prosperous. Let us all perform Hanuman Yajnas, Hanuman prayers, Hanuman Mantra, Hanuman worship, and Hanuman contemplation. I request every one of the listeners to pay attention to my sincere advice. I speak from experience. Let us sing the glories of Hanuman. Let us study the story of all the miracles of Hanuman.
Chaturveda Bhashyam (commentaries on the four Vedas) is now being released in four volumes. Dr. Krovi Parthasarathy has written many great spiritual books, and has created audio and video products of many spiritual discourses. These are of easy access to everyone. He is doing it as a penance. I pray that he be blessed amply.
Just remain silent. I wish to personally give prasadam to all those who have participated in the Pradhana Homa today because this is an important day of transition. I wish to give everyone prasadam along with a photo of the parrots at Shuka Vana. The collection of parrots at Shuka Vana in Mysore is simply amazing. I cannot describe it adequately.
Please remain in your seats and be quiet.
Swamiji conveys blessings to the newly formed state. After two years Swamiji is once again seeing here many old friends, and devotees. The press personnel are here.
Message to the press
Harihi Om Tatsat
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
We welcome the New Year with good wishes. Although Ugadi is important for us, since we also follow the English calendar, we welcome the year 2015. As per numerology this year is considered to be fifty-fifty (favorable and unfavorable). Still, we wish for success and wellbeing to persons in all fields and professions.
Andhra Pradesh has a great history since ancient times. It is home for a great culture, by way of language, literature, and heritage. All other states acknowledge its greatness.
Many people are scared of natural calamities. They are unavoidable. There is no need to fear them. In the organization of the new state, I pray to the government and I pray to God for great progress, fame, and longevity for this new state. I pray that Lord Hanuman should grant the required strength to all those in authority. Hanuman will certainly remove all diffidence, doubt, and uncertainly. On this last day of this year I offer my prayers.
In this new year, over a hundred thousand devotees are going to chant en mass the Hanuman Chalisa. I pray for success to all. Happy New Year. The whole world celebrates the New Year’s Day. I pray that Lord Hanuman should bless that all should forget all troubles and remain happy.
Om Namo Hanumate Namaha is a powerful mantra. All cultures, even those who consider Hanuman as Monkey God, respect and pray to Him. Vijayawada is particularly the recipient of the grace of Mother Kanaka Durga.
I pray that all farmers should be righteous and happy. Many have donated their ancestral lands to the state. A farmer feeds the population. He should be protected and supported. I pray to Hanuman to help all the farmers.
All of you are coming and are invited to come to Tenali to participate in the great Yajna of mass chanting of Hanuman Chalisa. I pray to Lord Hanuman and Lord Datta that this should be a Happy 2015 for everyone.
Sri Guru Datta