Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji after the morning Sri Chakra Puja – July 2, 2014 – Baton Rouge, USA
Jaya Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
Baton Rouge has a special identity. If you search for Datta Temple on Google, you will see this Baton Rouge Datta Temple because we registered this Datta Temple a long time ago. So many people across the world are asking, “What is Baton Rouge?” If we had more space, there would be a beautiful Ashram. We have no space, this was an industrial area. Daulat gave this land back then and we built this small temple. Otherwise, if we had big piece of land, we would have an Ashrama. Now, this is the main center.
Anyway, we don’t understand His leela/divine play. He wanted this industrial area, He is sitting here. Okay, no problem. This industrial area is His blessing. That is why the industrial area is booming. The price is going up. Each inch of this area is valuable. This will be a very famous place in Baton Rouge in the future. We are very happy about this. If we have a big program, we go to Jayalakshmi Mata Hall. Datta’s life is very simple. He is showing His leela throughout His history. It is wonderful. It is simple. He is the incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva – three in one. There is no quarrel. He creates, protects and then destroys our sins. This happens over and over again. This circle goes on. New things, new things, new things. The destruction here is the destruction of ego, of our darkness, our ignorance. He is protecting our soul. This is His quality. He incarnated in the ancient times, in Krta Yuga. He was born to Atri and Anasuya. Lord Dattatreya’s incarnation is a big story. Dattatreya is Guru’s Guru. Vaishnavas believe in Him, Smarthas believe in Him and proponents of Brahma Vidya too believe in Him. Datta is everyone’s Guru. He represents all principles. He is the Trinity- Love, affection and universal protection. Universal friendship and understanding.
If you read Datta’s history, you will want to read it again and again. Datta’s leelas, Datta’s miracles are different. Datta means gift. He is giving himself to people. He gives energy to those who give him devotion. Our only duty is to give devotion. We should always chant Datta Datta Datta Datta, Dram Datta, Dram Datta, Dram Datta, Dram, Dram, Dram. It sounds like Ram Ram Ram. These are seed letters. Keep chanting Dram Dram Dram with your breath – when you inhale and when you exhale, keep chanting. Even Hanuman served Lord Datta in His Ashrama. Rama also wants to have darshana of Datta.
Datta did not want to give an easy darshana. So, people wait wait wait and wait. That is penance. He is testing, testing, testing and finally he gives darshan. It is not easy to get darshana. Suddenly sometimes, he gives darshana without penance. But sometimes, without penance, he may give darshana. Once you believe Datta and follow Datta, you are following Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. It is not necessary to do separate worship and rituals for each. Why are you struggling with separate vows (Vrata) and rituals? You can do only one Vrata – Anagha Vrata. Anagha is one who destroys sins. Anagha Lakshmi. Lakshmi gives wealth. Lakshmi is also Saraswati. Shakti Durgi is energy. Anagha Mata is Yoga Mata/Mother. The first Guru of Yoga is Anagha Mata, Anagha Lakshmi. That is why my mother is Jaya Lakshmi. Our Guru’s name is Jaya Lakshmi. She is Yoga Mata.
Jayalakshmi has so many devotees, so many daughters. One of the daughters is Kaliji. She is the first disciple of Jayalakshmi Mata. It is a beautiful experience. We cannot explain her experience in 2-3 words. I asked her to write a book so people can understand how she became a devotee; how she changed, what was her initial experience with Swamiji, and so on. There were wonderful miracles, very hard to explain. That is why I asked her to write a book so people can understand the miracles, the devotion. Jayalakshmi Mata is such a Guru.
Today, there were Triyoga sessions. You should think that Jayalakshmi Mata is giving you training in Triyoga. Through Kaliji, Jayalakshmi Mata is giving training. I am thinking like that. When Swamiji seeks Kaliji, I don’t see Kaliji. I am only seeing Jayalakshmi Mata’s daughter. You should also experience that.
We need such saints. We should learn from them. We should receive knowledge from them. There’s a Guru for everything. There’s even a Guru to learn driving, to cook, to vacuum the floor. Without Guru we can’t live in this world. Why can’t you take training for good things? Don’t doubt, don’t unnecessarily discuss. Why can’t you take Yoga? You can do as much as possible. We benefit so much from Yoga, Pranayama, and meditation. Kaliji plays Swamiji’s tunes during Yoga. She plays Swamiji’s music, she only talks about Swamiji. We should also go to Triyoga center. Who does Triyoga center belong to? It is mine. Who does JDRC belong to? It is mine. Who does DYC belong to? It is mine? Datta temple? It is mine. Datta Kriya Yoga, Puttugam are all mine. All these are forms of Swamiji. Each one can pursue one thing. No discussion or doubt.
I am announcing today that this temple has its own identity. This temple is different, JDRC is different, DYC is different. This is the first result in Google search for Datta temple. This is a small temple, it is good enough; good programs, good activities from time to time. Everybody should try to help to protect the temple.
If you are sending checks, put the right name in the memo – Datta temple or DYC or JDRC and so on. If you want to send to Mysore Ashrama, write “Mysore Ashrama”. Everybody should try to help with the birds’ hospital project.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda