Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on Vijaya Dasami day – October 3, 2014 – Mysore
Speech at noon
Jaya Guru Datta
Om Ayim Hreem Shreem Lalita Parameswaryai Namaha
I am very happy. I do not wish to say that this is the final day of Navaratri. Those who have come despite many difficulties either out of love for me or for Mother Goddess, I pray to Mother Goddess to bless them all with knowledge, health, prosperity, and the yoga to serve. To do a good deed, many obstacles get in the way.
Similarly, to go on a pilgrimage, there will be many problems. You have overcome the hurdles and you have come here. May you gain good devotion and blessings from Mother Goddess. Only for 3 more years, this type of Navaratri celebrations will take place, till the 75th year, if Mother keeps me here till then. Do not lose the opportunity to attend the celebrations the next 3 years also. It is highly beneficial for you. Navaratri will continue but it may be a shortened version afterwards. Swamiji may or may not spend as much time during the day in puja. I don’t know. The Festival may take place elsewhere, that is also possible.
Sometime one wonders if these are all necessary for us. But this is Karma yoga. Since this life is filled with karma, and this body is filled with life in every limb and organ, we have no options but to perform all these actions.
Chakras, sense organs, through all channels of blood, even from the root of every hair, every cell, in every pore of the skin, in every nerve, although this body will fall one day, there is life force in every cell, in the blood circulation. Even a cut off finger will still move as if it is alive. Inside every hair strand, there is life force. Every part of the body is very important. Even if one part is missing, one suffers and later adjusts about the missing part.
Just as life exists in every part of the body, Mother Goddess is everywhere in Creation. In the body, there is no place where life force is absent. During battles, the body parts get severed and still, for a short time, the limbs function. Even when the head is cut off, the trunk stands up and picks up the sword. Then it will fall down disheartened that it is unable to carry out the order to fight. That is what is called a ghost. Suddenly when an enemy severs a limb during battle, the limb that is cut off cries out in misery, even if we do not hear the sound. The soul suffers a lot at such sudden departure of life energy. That is why for the soul to rest in peace, we have to observe certain rituals. Even atheists observe silence praying for peace of the departed soul. Otherwise, the soul keeps searching for its body. The body will be cremated, buried, or burned with electricity.
The reason for the misery is discontent. That is why it is important not to entertain too many desires during one’s lifetime. As one keeps getting old, desires have to be trimmed.
Some old persons cry about regaining their health. I ask them why they want to be healthy. An old person should stop worrying too much about good health. A 90 year old man came to see me. He wants good health to see the marriages of his grandchildren. That is being greedy.
I asked him: How many discourses of Swamiji have you heard? How much have you understood?
He said: Nothing. I have not understood anything. Since 19 years, I have only been sleeping during the speeches.
Swamiji said: You have done service; you have heard bhajans and speeches. Have you been listening to Guru Gita?
Yes.
You hear every word; you know how the ashrama has developed. What an unfortunate soul, that you have not followed the meaning of Swamiji’s words.
I now understand. I am afraid I will die. I wish to see my grandson’s marriage.
What an unfortunate soul? Should I cry or laugh? We have fallen into Samsara, we have to manage, I agree. Manage your own life. Your spiritual bank balance is what you should be concerned about. Yama will not ask how well you did in share market. This body will go away. A subtle body will be given by Yama and will be dropped in hot frying oil. They will take it out. You have been cruel towards insects. Now the body in hell will be tortured. Chitragupta has the accounts for everything. Your betrayals of trust, your deception, your falsehood, be it even to your own parents.
Have discretion as to what to speak, what to withhold, what to learn from Guru, you have to follow his instructions. You come and go as devotees. Not one song, one word, one good habit you have not learned. Not even the Datta Stavam, or one bhajan, or one story told by Swamiji, have you learned or remembered.
You will remember what food was prepared on a certain day when you were hungry, and the volunteer was rude to you, and the food had less salt. You will mention their faults. You will not say that you broke the line. To cover up one lie you tell more lies. If you tell lies, your opponent will tell more lies. Whatever wrongs you do, you will suffer the consequences. At least Guru Gita you must learn. You see the miracles of Swamiji. A child got married. The wife recovered from illness. The old man acknowledges Swamiji’s miracles. The wife later died. She was old. So it is okay that she died. The man thinks he is very youthful. He took Guru Upadesam/mantra initiation twice, in the Nada Mantapam, he said. But now he does not remember the mantra that he received. Talking to such people who know nothing about the Guru principle, or the ashram, one should not waste time. Their sins will stick to us. Their dirty vibrations will affect us. We ought to be ashamed of keeping company with such people.
You are living as contemporaries of Swamiji. During Rama’s and Krishna’s time, many fortunate souls lived. You are just as fortunate.
Some ask, what is the use of these rituals and pujas? It is my will and pleasure. I like them and so I perform them. If you do not like them, stay away. I do not owe you any explanation. When you trust Guru, you must accept everything as correct. If he calls a buffalo as God, you go and prostrate to the buffalo, without question.
Jnanadev and Namadev story is there like that. The disciple chanted Om Dunnapotaya(buffalo) Namaha. Narada came and questioned who gave this mantra.
The guru was shown, my Guru gave me this mantra.
O that guru is not good. I will teach you a good mantra Om Namo Narayanaya.
Even if it is Narayana, I will not listen to one who blames my guru.
Guru himself came there.
He says, Narada is a great soul. You learn his mantra.
You teach the mantra and I will accept.
I was busy and gave you a bad mantra. That is wrong. Now learn a good mantra.
You are my Guru. Only if you teach me now, I will learn. I will add this new mantra to the old one. Dunnapotu naaraayanaaya namaha.
Now this singer has come. I will even chant it with a tune.
Suddenly a buffalo came there. Both Narada and Guru were surprised to see it. The disciples was delighted and did Pradakshina to the buffalo. Out of the buffalo emerged Narayana Himself. Sadguru’s word you grab with faith and concentration. Never get discouraged. The results will automatically come.
You chant the mantra. Do not chant your complaint. Kashtaya (troubles) namaha. You will die chanting that, drowned in sorrow. You will lose at both ends.
You must strengthen your faith. Mother Goddess Herself sits there at the altar. She accepts Naivedyam, She sings and dances. This is not a doll play. You also must share Swamiji’s experiences. If you think this is meaningless, you are most ignorant. Then if you do not understand, keep watching Swamiji doing the Puja. It is rare to see Swamiji for such long hours otherwise.
Only a few foreigners came this time because I visited their countries recently. I told them not to come now, and to come for Datta Jayanti. Some of them listened to me. Some of them are stubborn and they have come. They do not understand anything. No language, no song, no speech. We see Swamiji. That is great for us. Because of the tradition of puja, he is before us for so many hours. He is not feeling strain. He is doing all this for us with joy. We offer Mother Goddess thanks for keeping Swamiji in front of us for so long. They sponsor all pujas. They come close to Swamiji to collect the prasadam. They gain the rewards from Mother Goddess right then. Even the small prasadam is worth a treasure. You can buy a statue in a market but it has no value. The old man suffered about one grandchild’s marriage. He wishes to see the grandchild have children. I am concerned and make efforts about thousands of grandchildren, not just people but different creatures.
In Shuka Vana so many parrots come and land on me with love. They get upset if I do not visit often. Some of them bite out of anger. Some come and shower me with kisses. They swarm like flies around Swamiji.
One strange fly comes every Navaratri and stays with me throughout the ritual. It will not leave even if I wash hands, apply turmeric, if I try to blow it away, or wave my hands holding the lamps. I keep sugar and honey in the puja, and tell it to stay there. I speak with it. It eats the turmeric and other substances.
Now Swamiji goes to give prasadam. Because it is Vijaya Dasami, I want every one of you to go and have lunch.
Now the deities have descended. They are coming in a procession, children dressed as lots of Hanumans, Sitas, Krishnas, Lakshmi Devis, Radhas, a skinny Bhima, a tall Jayalakshmi Mata, and lots of deities and characters from the scriptures.
Sri Guru Datta
Speech during bhajan evening
Jaya Guru Datta
Harihi Om Tatsat
Om Ayim Hreem Shreem Lalita Parameswaryai Namaha
We remember the Virata Parva in the Mahabharata and the darshan the Pandavas had of Mother Goddess, their retrieving the weapons, their attaining victory over the wicked Kauravas with help from Sri Krishna. Even Sri Krishna received help from Mother Goddess. The trials suffered by the Pandavas during the end of their exile also ended. Draupadi served Mother Goddess very devoutly. By Mother’s grace the incognito part of the exile was accomplished successfully by the Pandavas. Dharmaraja served as an assistant to the king. Bhima became a cook. Draupadi dressed the queen’s hair. During bad times even pillars will heckle, it is said. In good times a pillar will invite you to come and lean against it to share with it your good vibrations. No matter what troubles you may have, you should keep faith in Mother Goddess and Guru. Troubles, false accusations, debts, losses, ill health are not the things one should worry about. Pray to Mother Goddess. Study Guru Gita and Guru Charitra. Read the Bhagavatam and Ramayanam at such times and get peace of mind. Mahabharata, Ramayana, and the Bhagavatam are three shields of protection against danger and difficulties. Everything is here.
During Devi Navaratri study Devi Bhagavatam, keep a dolls exhibit of images from the Ramayana. On Vijaya Dasami day, it is said that Rama won the war. Sundara Kanda Parayana on this day is highly beneficial. Please worship Lord Hanuman and Mother Goddess and all troubles will vanish. Hanuman had darshan of Mother Sita in her cosmic form.
Each one’s karma is in control of each one’s life. Rama and Sita both prayed for Hanuman’s help. Sundara Kanda is superb. Hanuman Chaleesa parayana grants knowledge. Debts and operations are ordinary troubles. Even losing life is ordinary trouble. Real trouble is ignorance. Getting insulted, having to sell off a house, losing wealth, losing reputation and fame, eve losing life, are not major troubles. Only the one who fails to gain spiritual wisdom while still living in this body, is the true loser. Remaining in spiritual ignorance is the most severe of all troubles.
You may ask what is Jnana? Knowing one’s Self is Jnana. Knowingly making a mistake is ignorance. Wishing to still live after being told you will die is ignorance. Knowing that God is guiding, and still stubbornly doing wicked things is ignorance. Many people think that acquiring worldly knowledge removes ignorance. That is not correct.
For many lifetimes you have had contact with Guru. Knowingly and unknowingly do not do wrong.
We have witnessed pujas. We have listened to songs. From amongst billions of people, only you all came. Swamiji was not planning to come this evening. They said take rest. I said No, I am not tired. You must know that I came only to share with you the spiritual knowledge.
Sitting on the sofa, watching television, drinking coffee, are all normal activities. Dirt in your surroundings is ordinary. You must create this atmosphere at your home also; keep home clean and yourself clean. Do not eat garlic. Never eat garlic and then come to Swamiji for an interview. It is a sin. If you eat garlic and sing, the stink will come through microphone, not sound. Garlic smells terrible no matter how many cloves you chew on afterwards to kill the odor. It still overpowers. What about onions? Reduce the consumption of onions. Eat only as medicine. If you eat onions, lust and anger/Kama and krodha will increase. Hot pickles you must avoid. Eating too much of hot spicy pickles will spoils the kidneys. Blockages in heart will occur. Very dangerous. Consume garlic pills only made in the Ayurvedic way, as a medicine if required. Any other way if your consume garlic, you will notice that Swamiji’s photo will vomit. Curry leaves you must eat; you throw that away.
Ask Swamiji for advice on how to maintain body and how to maintain a home. Always make your bed at once when you get up. Otherwise, ghosts will sleep on your unmade bed if you leave it like that. Change bed sheets every two days. Change mattresses every ten years at least. Keep only a minimum number of vessels in the kitchen and keep them always clean and in good condition. I will tell you how to run a household. Vamshi uses five vessels and six vessels –Pancha patra and Shatpatra- his system is different.
Be contented. Do not overspend. Do not waste money and time on cinemas. The mind gets spoiled. Thereafter Swamiji’s discourses will not be grasped. The mind will remain preoccupied with scenes from the cinemas.
Bhajan: Vratapate pramathapate
Bhajan: Bhuvanagala palusuva
Bhajan: Vijayate saa Vijaya Dasami
Sri Bala Swamiji spoke
Victory to Swamiji. Prostrations to Sadgurudeva for a wonderful Navaratri with daily Navavarana pujas. Today we witness the Udvasana worship with Sasya Puja and Sami puja. Swamiji does not get tired. We get tired from watching his tireless activity. Success in the world and success in attaining Self-realization, we all pray for. I have been asked to give the meaning for this new bhajan.
Not just on Vijaya Dasami but every day it is success at Avadhoota Datta Peetham. Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavatam are studied on Vijaya Dasami. Good projects, new studies, and new businesses, new agricultural ventures are commenced with Sadguru’s blessings on this day. Whatever is begun today with blessings of Mother Goddess and Sadguru will grant great success. Vijaya Dasami always grants success to Datta Peetham. As ordained in the Vedas Swamiji performs all the traditional worship and other activities and makes us also do them for universal welfare. That effort is succeeding: evening bhajans, healing music, and yesterday’s flute rendering, we have heard. Some power draws us here, away from the world, where devotees are engaged only in doing worthy deeds. This Vijay a Dasami is succeeding. Daily Sri Chakra Puja, special Sri Chakra Puja during Navaratri, Shami Puja with the recitation of the special prayer Shloka, Sri Swamiji Himself performing the daily Devi homa, and the Navavarana Puja which delights Mother Goddess, all of these events give us a fresh boost and benefit in our lives.
This morning we saw how lovely the children of the ashram and from the Veda school dressed as deities. We also kept the Doll festival. These traditions are maintained and encouraged by Swamiji with his radiant enthusiasm, removing lustful/negative feelings and filling us all with joy at our Avadhoota Datta Peetham. This is 9 days of Navaratri festival that we celebrate. Exception to the rule, for those who cannot do worship for all nine days, is to invoke Mother Goddess on the seventh day of Saraswati puja and conclude the ceremonies on Vijaya Dasami. If even that is not possible, at least on Vijaya Day offer worship. Or at least have darshan of Sadguru on Vijaya Dasami day. We are greatly fortunate to completely perform all the celebrations along with Swamiji. All our troubles have vanished. We have that complete faith. Great thoughts and insights we got during the pujas, discourses, bhajans, and homas.
This Navaratri, each day Swamiji’s form is beyond description as He appeared as Mother Goddess in her different aspects. Mother Goddess comes dressed in specific colors each day to remove our spiritual ignorance. She wore white attire on Saraswati Puja day. Today it is all yellow to give us suspiciousness. Do not wonder whether the fabric is Mysore silk, Dharmavaram silk, or Kancheepuram silk. Concentrate on seeing the Mother Goddess in Sadgurudeva in all her Navadurga’s forms. Our Guru Sri Swamiji, as He does throughout His entire life, this Navaratri also gives everyone great joy.
One more Bhajan now for the Kolattam/stick dancers to dance.
Bhajan: Sthapitaa bhavitaa
The daily film for today is about SGS links. It shows all the websites and Facebook pages managed by Sadguru Sri Swamiji. Parrot sponsors are invited as patrons and sponsors. The benefits of feeding the different types of birds are explained at Shuka Vana. Operations/surgeries are conducted for parrots. During puja also one parrot went through surgery. It survived. We have very rare and endangered species. We must protect them by treating the injured, and curing the sick. Take the time to study the birds. Don’t just walk through Shuka Vana in a rush. Take photos and exit. Read the information signs. Observe and see your birthdate parrots. Get the pamphlet for twenty rupees. Date info pamphlet. Offer salutations to the parrot deities. They listen to your words and will respond. They land on you and will tickle you. When Appaji visits your home he should see your photos with the birds. Tomorrow is Ekadasi. Feed the birds. My profession is to feed the birds.
SGS links gives you a directory of all SGS related sites.
Safety video is shown of traffic safety on the roads. Do not overload auto rickshaws with school children. Safety first.
Varam and Meghana are double-yellow headed Amazon parrots under one year old. They started talking recently. It imitates violin tunes played by Jaitra. Kali speaks lots of words. 50 lakhs views on YouTube for Kali’s video. Thousands of requests have come from people wishing to see Kali. This parrot Varam loves everyone. It blows kisses. Varam is a raga, of Sankaram bhajan. First audio recording equipment was shown at the exhibition in Mysore. I was a small boy. Chikkamma took me. Her students also came. I inaugurated the audio recorder with the Sankaram Sankaram song in raga Varam.
Once, Swamiji searched for his mama’s/maternal uncle’s house in Bangalore on Ganesh Chaturthi day at midnight. He sang Sankaram Sankaram song in raga Varam that night.
The parrot asks who is talking? Yaaradu? In Kannada.
Harati song: Jaya Devi Durga
Sri Guru Datta