Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji during Swagatha Sabha in the evening – March 4, 2014 – Rameshwaram
Om Namah Shivaya !
Sri Rama Jaya Rama Jaya Jaya Rama !
Om Rameshwaraya Namaha !
Om Namah Shivaya !
In a Kshetra, Om can be chanted. That is why Swamiji said ‘Om Namah Shivaya’. The famous epic Ramayana is the evidence for Rameshwaram. This place also proves that there is no difference between Shiva & Keshava. They both meditated upon each other and worshipped each other. Many of our puranas advised us that both Siva and Rama are one and the same. That is why in Hari Nama Shiva Nama is there and in Siva Nama, Hari nama is there. Many people differentiate between them. That is a big sin. They are like Jeevatma and Paramatma. There are so many different stories about Rameshwaram. All are true. One cannot judge about them and say a certain story is true and another is imagination. Everything is true. Nothing is illusion. Some say it is a magazine or cartoon story. That is not good. In all yugas, different plays of Siva and Rama existed. There were so many yugas and Rama was there in every Yuga. Hence, so many Ramas. Similarly Siva also. Only one Siva, but different forms in different times.
In Olden days, if you witness the village dramas, they run it for 12 hours, from 6 Am to 6 PM. Stories of Sampoorna Bhagavata, Sampoorna Ramayana and Sampoorna Maha Bharata were played. The character of Krishna is played by many different people. Young Krishna is played by one artist, fighter Krishna by another, married Krishna by one more artist and so on. But the character Krishna is only one character. Only the actors are different. Right from the young Krishna, the character of Krishna keeps changing as He grows. Even the grown up Krishna, the actors changes as per the story. But Krishna is one. Similarly, Ramayana also. Young Rama, Kodanda Rama, Pattabhi Rama, Bala Rama. But Rama is same. Because in 12 hours drama, it is difficult for one actor to play through out the drama. So, after 2 or 3 hours, the actors keep changing. One krishna after a certain portion of His character vanishes, and another actor comes in the place of same Krishna. He might be little tall or short. But Krishna, Rama and Siva are same. Siva Purana also is like that with different kinds of Siva, but there is only one Siva. We people are seperating them. That is not good. Jeevatma and Paramatma are the same. Jeeva+atma. Parama+atma. Atma means Brahma. The bhajan says Unnadi Okade Sivudega, Sivude Sivude Sivudega ! There is only one Siva. Another song says Brahmamokkate – only one Brahma. One more bhajan says, Dattude Daivam Janulara, Tappaka kolavandi Janulara. All these are the Keertanas that teach us morals. They were not written for fun. A message was given in these songs. Swamiji’s ashram prayer also says ‘Tameka devam sharanam vrajamaha’. God is one.
In movies they take gap and shoot. But in drama it is not possible. Different moods are expressed immediately. In our family relation also, there is only one father and one mother, one brother, but different actions and moods. Early morning, your mood is different. After meals it is different. Evening you have different mood. Mother will be in different mood and grand father will be in another. The mood goes up and down. Why ? Suddenly your mood is off. It is illusion. During this time many actions will take place. You talk many things. Then later, you realise and repent. So, control your tongue, control your mind, control your sense organs. Instead of talking something, it is better to be silent. When a person talks, his knowledge is known. If you are silent, everyone will be scared. Once you talk, they can make out that you do not know anything. Similarly the Lord also is acting in various forms. In the form of Brahma, He is bestowing boons and in the form of Vishnu, He is taking trouble to fulfill them. Shiva is calm and silent. The special meaning of the word Shiva is Silence. Shiva also means the one who does not have any feelings. You cannot limit Him to the five elements. He is above the five elements too. He is endless.
Today we have come to a very nice place. All this is due to the merit that you carried from your parents. We think it is due to our merit we have come. No. It is wrong. We have carried the merit of our parents and only because of this we are here. You must thank your parents for this. But for their merit, we cannot assemble here for such an occasion. It is because of their blessings that you came here with Swamiji. You know, this year, I sacrificed complete Shivaratri to come here to Rameshwaram. I promised to come and I fulfilled. I protected myself and saved this energy of Sivaratri so I can spend this energy here in Rameshwaram. Never in my life time I wanted to save my energy because I know, this body is different. I have come here due to your fortune and you have come here due to your parents’ fortune. You may think that your parents are bad. Never think that way. If not for your parents, their parents must be fortunate. We never know who performed good deeds among your ancestors. Don’t say your father is not good. May be your forefather’s merit brought you here. Otherwise it is not possible. Three days back also, they said let us cancel the program. I told them to not even utter the sound of cancellation. I promised in Ayodhya and Kasi that I would come to Rameshwaram. I said, if the promise given by me is true, may my body be fit to reach Rameshwaram. That became true. Hence I have come here. For so many years I never missed Shivaratri because I’m Shiva Myself. I didn’t sing bhajans also. Because I know, if I had used that energy there, this program would be cancelled. So, I saved my energy and am happy about this. I’m happy about the arrangements. Many devotees were so determined to come to Rameshwaram along with Swamiji. You have overcome many obstacles to reach here. All that is the grace of Shiva. We have many programs to come. It is going to be like Shiva lokam with archana, abhisheka, rudra homa, prokshana and many more. I will conclude by asking one question. Because I want to save energy for tomorrow. I’m not habituated to conclude. I can speak continously. None can stop me.
Where did we come now ? Rameshwaram ! Are you sure ? Yes ! Why do you doubt ? We have come. What did Rama do here after killing Ravana ? Did He take rest ? Had food ? Yes ! Installed Shiva Linga here. What is its name ? Rameshwaram ! Why was Shiva installed here ? Just like that ? To remove the sin of Brahma Hatya – killing a brahmin. But why Shiva Linga is installed ? Why not other dieties ? Because Shiva is Nirvikara – formless. He is present in all the five elements and in all the atoms. Since He is present in all the atoms, Sita mata made a Shiva linga with minute particals of sand. It is called Saikata Shiva Linga – made of sand. Innumerable particles form this Saikata Siva. This was installed to to remove the sin of Brahma Hatya. Who is Brahma here ? Ravana ! It is actually not hatya – murder. It is giving salvation to Ravana. Inspite of this, to wash away His sins, Shiva linga is installed. During this incident, a major thing happened. What happened ? Hanuman was sent to Kailash to bring a Shiva Linga. What happened in the mean while ? Shiva Linga made by Sita mata was installed. This was what had happened. Right ? But, why was Hanuman, the most beloved for Rama was sent to Kasi during such an important occasion ? It is a festival time. An important occasion. This is the question. Think about it and who ever gives a beautiful answer will get Pada Namaskaram.
Jaya Guru Datta !