Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Sri Jayalakshmi Mata Aradhana – April 23, 2015 – Mysore
Harihi Om Tatsat
Jayalakshmi Srimatre Namaha
It was an order received from Mother Jayalakshmi that during her Puja today, we should have Hanuman Chalisa Chanting in different languages, since there is a big group and we will get a significant count.
We are doing the Hanuman Chalisa Vrata for our protection. We are doing this Vrata in many ways. No matter in how many ways we worship Lord Hanuman, with how many mantras, chants, or japas, it is still not enough. So many mantras and chants Swamiji has given you. Hanuman is the future Brahma, who will re-create this Universe after the deluge that destroy everything. It does not matter which mantra you choose to chant, but it is important that you keep chanting. There is Karyasiddhi Hanuman Mantra, Tvamasmin karyaniryoge, there is Om Namo Hanumate Namaha, and there is Vande Vanara ..
Hanuman Chalisa has the entire Sundara Kanda in it. Tulasi Das himself was an incarnation of Hanuman who came to describe the glories of Rama in the Ramayana, and of Hanuman in the Hanuman Chalisa. He wrote this prayer on palm leaves in the Sankashta Mochana Hanuman Temple in Kasi, to conquer his enemies. There were many foreign rulers who were tormenting devotees. Tulasi Das in his life was protected from his enemies by Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman is so powerful. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa will help the world. That is why Swamiji gave it to you in many languages. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa is very easy. Chanting the Hanuman Chalisa once is equivalent to chanting the entire Sundara Kanda from the Ramayana, of doing that entire Sundara Kanda Parayana daily. Chanting it with proper rhythm is important.
First Swamiji said we need 130 crore repetitions. Now he says we need 700 crores. This is the new target to be reached. People ask, “How is it possible?” The whole world is doing it. People from different countries are participating in this Yajna and are sending in their counts. There are so many followers of Hanuman who may even belong to other religions.
When you submit your count, inclusion of your photo is a must. It is very important. For just submitting the count, the photo may not be important, but to be a part of Swamiji’s Yajna, your photo is a must. It is an essential requirement. When this Hanuman Chalisa Parayana Yajna will conclude is not known yet. Hanuman is a great protector from all difficulties. You may submit your count on the website or to sgshanumanchalisa@gmail.com. Swamiji will see all your photos posted on Facebook.
Today there will be a gathering of at least 2000 – 3000 people at Jayalakshmipuram. I wanted to go. It was widely announced in all types of media that I would be present there for this occasion. It was all planned long ago, but after returning from the long trip to Australia and New Zealand, Swamiji required some rest. Because it is my Mother’s own ritual, I am able to beg her for forgiveness for being absent there. She will understand because I have a good reason. There is a Healing Music Concert in Pune this weekend. This was planned five years ago. I cannot excuse myself from it. It cannot be cancelled. So I requested Bala Swamiji to go in my place to Jayalakshmipuram for today’s program. If I had missed attending the function there because of tiresomeness after my recent long journey, it is not a mistake. If out of laziness one misses an important event like this, it would not be right. After Bala Swami left on his journey, and was half way through the trip, I felt better. Then I was tempted to change the plan and I wanted to go. But Bala Swamiji was already almost there. He was surprised to hear of my desire to travel there. He said it would be a pleasure to have me also there at Jayalakshmipuram. But then, I decided to stay back. So I am performing the ritual here.
Swamiji’s Life History book has given many details about His life, but not all. It is not a full coverage of Swamiji’s life. The Upadesam given to Swamiji at age 3 in Mekedatu by Sri Jayalakshmi Mata was not disclosed in the biography. The great devotion of my grandfather to Lord Hanuman was not mentioned. There was a Hanuman Temple where worship was offered. The forefathers had renovated that temple. Jayalakshmi Mata also was a great devotee of Lord Hanuman. She was born in Karnataka, the land of Hanuman. Hanuman is from the shores of the river Pampa, located in Karnataka near Hampi. Hanuma Nadu was a name given to Karnataka state. Many people may say that Hanuman is from the Gandhamadana Mountain area. May be so. It may also be true. There are nine different forms for Lord Hanuman. In Karnataka, Hanuman was born as Rama’s devotee, with a gentle aspect.
An incident that was not made public before was, that Sri Jayalakshmi Mata gave Upadesam of Hanuman Mantra to Swamiji when He was a child of 3 years. How can a child that small be given spiritual initiation? It happened. When I was 3 years old, one day Mother applied black Collyrium (a specially prepared sacred black waxy paste that is applied inside the lower eyelid for healthy eyes) all over my body. She placed me on a dirt-bed on the terrace under the open sky for 3 days. She would not allow me to come downstairs. Food was served there for me. No activities occurred during those three days. Not even going to the bathroom. During those three days, Swamiji allowed them to do with him whatever they wished to do. After 3 days Swamiji received Hanuman Mantropadesam from Jayalakshmi Mata inside the Hanuman Temple. Swamiji had the experience of the darshan of one brilliant ray from Lord Hanuman’s one thousand brilliant rays. That bright ray entered into me. Mother then gave me a bath and cuddled and pampered me a lot afterwards. She expressed great fondness towards me thereafter. All the discomfort suffered during those three days disappeared in an instant, when she spoke to me very comforting words. I had great devotion towards my mother.
Swamiji has performed 25 Hanuman Temple Kumbhabhishekams (consecrations) in India and in several other countries, like Malaysia, West Indies, USA, and so on. All these are shown on the Hanuman Chalisa video. You might have seen all the recorded events.
Ganapati’s Bhajans and Hanuman’s strength I have. I will always enjoy the strength and power of Hanuman.
Many people come with their troubles to Swamiji. Devotees tell their troubles for one hour. They expect that Swamiji’s advice to be given to them to solve their problems should take two hours. But Swamiji’s advice is given to them in one minute to overcome their troubles. He tells them to either chant a Datta prayer or chant the Hanuman Chalisa or do the Karyasiddhi Hanuman Mantra japa. The devotees are surprised and disappointed at this simple suggestion for a quick cure for their troubles. They are not convinced. They do not realize that this simple discipline will solve their problems. If they follow the instruction sincerely and with faith, their troubles will vanish. Instead of taking the Upadesa (spiritual advice) of Sadguru seriously, they argue proudly that they have been chanting the Hanuman Chalisa all their lives. But they have not done it with devotion or sincerity. Many take Swamiji’s advice lightly. Some neglect to do any Hanuman mantra while there is a choice of several of them. Many boast to Swamiji nonchalantly about all the chants they already do daily. It is of no use. One must be very careful about how they speak to Sadguru. When one speaks to Swamiji, they have to use great caution and discretion. They should not argue or brag or press their own point. It is very wrong to do so. Swamiji is like a burning coal covered with ash (Nivuru kappina nippu). If you think that it is just ash and you handle it carelessly, you get burned. Here with these people, I am speaking about the reverse situation. There appears to be fire on the surface but actually there is nothing there but ash. Once you conquer that external heat, the ash within will remain cool. That they must achieve. Control their outer hot attitude. Fools. They say they already do chants daily. But there is no sincerity in their hearts.
Now with Kunkumarchana let us chant the 108 names of Sri Jayalakshmi Mata. I feel as if we have omitted something important. Let us make amends and chant the prayer now. It will only take five minutes.
There is an upcoming annual group marriage ceremony to be conducted in Mysore for financially and socially underprivileged couples. Mangalya (sacred marriage necklace), new clothes, and a feast will be offered to them all the ceremony. I invite Datta devotees to come forward and offer the required materials for a successful group marriage ceremony.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri