Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – June 26, 2014 – JDRC, Pittsburgh USA
Jaya Guru Datta
Like Kailasa. The atmosphere here has completely changed. Everything has changed. Feel the vibrations. Lucky devotees who are attending. Very rare. Different karmas in Rudra Homa. Satarudra, Maharudra, Atirudra, multiple times Rudra chanting. Some stars, some Siva devotees are selected. One to preside over the Yajna. Not possible to always witness such a yajna, especially in the USA. In Mysore ashrama it happens off and on. In Kasi and Rameswaram we have performed Rudra Yajna. We plan to do Atirudra Homa in Kasi.
Today I explained about this ashrama. So many Telugu people know about Chandamama and Balamitra monthly magazines for children in India with stories and illustrations about saints and ashramas. This ashrama is exactly like those pictures in the magazine. Deer come here. Wooden structures. Very nice setting. Sun, rain, cool weather, nice bird sounds. Everything like in a drawing, a painting, or a photo. This is a typical ashrama, a real ashrama. I seriously wish to spend 6-8 months here. Swamiji gives permission to some people sometimes to come and do penance here.
In the beginning people were saying, so far this ashrama. Padma, Ramana, and Meera require help here especially during the winter season. Somehow Padma has survived the winter seasons here. The situation is very bad in the winter. Help physically, mentally, and financially. I am concerned about the winter season here. Just sit indoors with heating. Occasionally some friends come to visit. Even for that we need support and protection for this ashram. Many are afraid of the winter season. They go away to warmer climates. How to shift the ashrama elsewhere during winter? We cannot do that. It is not possible Please take the responsibility, like the New Jersey devotees, to offer assistance here. Driving during winter is also difficult. Daily there are risks to be faced and overcome. Only three months in a year it is very severe. Other ashrams do not face such troubles. But this atmosphere is lacking there. Here the ashrama is important. At other places the temple is important.
I expected less crowd here after the Datta Kriya Yoga camp. But even on the first day there is a good gathering. Over the weekend for Saturday and Sunday more people will come driving. My thoughts dwell with all those who drive long distances, both when they are coming here and when they are returning to their homes.
People have conducted yajnas similar to this for one thousand days. They offer worship to one name of the one thousand names of God for each day (Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, Sri Lalita Sahasranama and such). That is why India has survived. Wherever we may be living, since we hail from India, we must continue these rituals, and perform our traditional duties. Those who give up their karma responsibilities will be reborn and will have to go through the entire cycle, by being born again as insects and other living beings and evolve gradually. It is a miserable, critical life cycle, without performing such karma rituals. Some people, who do not care about such karmas will have to suffer. At least ten per cent you carry out. At least attend and participate. At any level you can participate and earn good merit. As a human being, you must experience this karma, and pass it on. Other religions are not aware of these karma procedures. We are very lucky that we know about these karmas and are practicing at least five per cent. Even unknowingly attending, and giving respect to these, through our Guru, brings merit. I follow, I must follow, I do not require, but I believe in this, I participate and experience this karma so that my family members, my followers will also follow, for their spiritual progress.
In Yama Loka a question will be raised, why you do not follow? Be afraid of Yama only, not any other god. He is our good teacher, a tough teacher. Yama means your Fate. You must fear and give respect. Chanting God’s names, feeding the needy, serving the poor are also Karma. Without such karma, you cannot achieve liberation. As a human being, you must face bad situations, swim across this ocean, even without devotion, you must follow. Do not be indifferent. Do not turn away, asking why do I need this? Some have come all the way from UK to witness this ritual. If you participate, it is equal to actually performing it. If there is pain, you go to the doctor. You must follow what the doctor says. With God’s grace you follow. If you have no time to go to the doctor, if you have no faith in the doctor, you have to suffer the pain. Guru treats soul’s karma. Doctor cares about body karma. Without God or doctor, if you are the worst amongst atheists, what punishment you will face, I know. I cannot explain the punishment that awaits you. It will take time to endure the punishment. Prahlada’s father Hirankyakashipu suffered punishment. Prahlada was always chanting ‘Narayana’, God’s name, and his father punished him severely for it. Prahlada happily continued his chanting. After a long time God came and killed Hiranyakashipu. When you read the story, you will begin to doubt God.
Today I saw Lord Narasimha here during Siva Puja. God is one. Beginners get confusion. Listening to the stories is very nice. But the inside meaning creates confusion. Bhagavatam is very confusing about devotion, about karma. Finally you understand. Slowly, slowly you understand. In the beginning there is confusion and doubt. Wait. Be patient. Then slowly you will understand. Only in the end the meaning gets revealed. It requires patience to understand God’s glories.
If possible, attend these programs. The whole atmosphere has changed. Do you feel it? Some people only feel sleepy. Can you find such an atmosphere as this anywhere else? This perfectly fits the description of an ashrama as given in those children’s magazines. Datta devotees are indeed very lucky. We must utilize such occasions. If you spend six months continuously with Swamiji, you will not realize the merit. Protect this place by sacrificing a little bit of your resources. Treat this as your child. Give some financial support. A little bit of money to support this ashram, you set aside.
Jaya Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
Om Namo Hanumate Namaha
I remember Lord Hanuman. Little boys look like Hanumanta, when they puff their cheeks and pout their lips. But little girls should not do that. If they do, they will look like Hanumanti.
Next is Prasadam. For any puja, the ending is with prasadam, meals. Okay now go and receive prasadam.
Sri Guru Datta