Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the morning – November 30, 2014 – Msyore
Blessings, discourse, and keertanam are all different. The Lord read His own Bhagavatam. Vishnu alone is capable of rendering His own story. Vishnu Himself, as Suka and Vyasa narrated the story of God. Parikshit was tested by Vishnu and shown what Kali Yuga was going to be like. Whatever yogis, kings, bhogis (persons who relish worldly enjoyments), artists, and traders should get, is all in the Mahabharata. But without devotion – all yajnas, bhajans and Jnana are futile. Debate, grammar, arguments are all a waste of time without devotion. They will not give liberation. The ID card or Passport for entry into liberation is devotion.
Even to buy your food rations, you need a ration ID card. To withdraw your own money from the bank, to vote, you need your ID card. Even if you are a great dignitary, if you have not followed Bhakti Yoga, Chitragupta (assistant to Yama, the God of Death), and the door keepers to Vaikuntha Jaya and Vijaya will demand to see your ID card regardless of how great your scholarship may be. Even after being a president for 10 years you will still need to show your ID card with your address. At least a fake ID you will need to gain entry. They may make an enquiry later to verify if the card is genuine. No entry or recognition will given to you anywhere without your ID card. Fake devotion will be tested and exposed later.
Bhagavatam is the ID card. Out of 100 persons only 10 limited audience will appreciate scholarly lectures or classical music programs. People get bored. Even Smt. M.S. Subbalakshmi and Sri K.V. Narayana Swamy would ask prior to getting on the stage: Will Swamiji be there when I sing? It is sad that only if Swamiji is present all the Datta devotees will sit contentedly throughout the program, simply looking at Sadguru. Otherwise, the moment they begin to sing the alapana, they will all leave. For fashion, for only two songs, some hypocrites will stay, so that they can tell others that they attended so and so’s concert. Otherwise, all of you simply keep seeing Swamiji. You don’t listen to the program. The audience also asks, as a condition for attending a program whether Swamiji will be there. 20 Years ago, people used to ask whether there would be prasadam served afterwards, like Chakkara pongal or Iyengar Pulihara or laddu. Then they would stay. They would then watch the clock and chant, waiting for the prasadam. Time is Yama.
The body stays but the mind wanders towards various sounds, thoughts, pains in the body here and there. Restless. No practice to sit. Want to leave, and go inside. Wait impatiently for the final harati. Why another chapter of Bhagavatam? Why not finish now itself with mangalam?
One must sit like it is a penance. Mouna class was conducted in Germany and Switzerland. They do it like penance. Our merit has gone there. Their sin came to India. Six hours they sat; not a word, not a cough; not a sneeze. We adjust our positions too much. To breath evenly is also difficult for us. India has lost yoga. Respect and courtesy are seen only in Japan. Be born in Japan next. See the Europeans for silence. We are cursed. We have exchanged their sin for our merit. There are so many Tamil devotees in Mysore. Why is it no one came to the Bhagavata Saptaha? No yoga for them. God’s name must fall in the ear. Smell the flowers offered in worship. Visualize the Vishwaroopa (Universal Form) bhava in the mind. How much was the cost for building this temple? That is what people talk about when they visit the Datta Venkateshwara temple. They miss seeing the beauty of the Lord. People see only the outer decorations in the temple and do not see the God inside. They don’t enjoy or experience the divine presence. They say they don’t understand.
Even all scientists, and Ph. Ds require the Bhagavatam ID. At least listen to Krishna Leela. In the Kali Yuga many people read only the 10th chapter because that is more likely to appeal to ordinary people. By hearing the sound of the name ‘Narayana’ even the mosquitos and ants in the hall gets liberation. Germs inside any food particles lying there will gain liberation. Hearing the powerful and pure Narayana sound they will be reborn as humans. They will get a promotion the way Narada got a promotion to become a sage by hearing the name of God constantly. Just hearing God’s name grants liberation. For birth, for death, to buy food, you need an ID card. Otherwise a person is not recognized as an individual. One must always carry an ID in the pocket. Otherwise, if something happens to a person, how will the doctors know how to treat in an emergency? Wrong treatment may be given to a diabetic and make the situation worse. One should wear on the neck an ID with information. A famous person may be recognized. But to an ordinary person, if a dog bites or a snake bites, then what happens? Everyone must carry an ID.
Same way. Today Bhagavatam ID is mandatory to get liberation, no matter how much Jnana one has acquired. No liberation without devotion. No peace of mind. Only after writing the Bhagavatam Vyasa got peace. The sound of God’s name and stories is very important. In Sri Vishnu Sahasranama, each syllable gives Jnana and liberation.
Never say I don’t understand. Krish Raman got liberation and still arranged this seva. This is real seva to Sadguru. Atirudra yaga he sponsored and then merged in God. He had all types of illnesses. Still, without much suffering and without receiving services from others, he got liberation. He is Kali Yuga Rajarshi. He donated all his wealth. I speak the truth. Without a second thought he would serve Swamiji. How much Sadguru tests! He squeezes. We must develop such a generous nature. I promised. So I will get the money. He had such confidence. Crores and crores he give. I have 4 such Rajarshi devotees. Like all celestials who came to the earth before itself, to serve Rama, all these people also came. Many also came later. I am very happy. Do listen to Swamiji’s Bhagavatam series in Telugu on television without fail. It is elaborate and it detail. It will take two years to finish.
Sri Guru Datta