Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – December 11, 2015 – Surat
Swamiji visited some ancient ruins in Kutch, a 100 acre site, which was an old kingdom. Near Ahmedabad also there is an ancient site, near Bhuj.
Before Mahabharata time, this town existed. The fort walls are as thick as our Prayer Hall. The walls cannot break. Sturdy homes were built those days with a water storage facility, and excellent drainage system. We should also store rain water, as they did those days. Toilet, sewer facility, attached bathrooms were all there. Swamiji was very happy to see two room apartments. The royal quarters, ministers’ dwellings and tenements for the commoners were all there. Swamiji visited temples. There was a museum which has all the pottery vessels they used, clothes, and ornaments. All from well before Christ.
Also a Ganapati shape was found. Pottery only was used. Air conditioning was there. All clay vessels only. No brass. Brass vessels came much later. There were stoves. Storage urns made of clay to store grains. No bugs. Boilers also were made of clay. Different processes were used to make them. Some to keep hot. Some to keep cold.
Wonderful. Very vivid. It brings their lifestyle to mind very clearly. Go visit. Walk a lot. It is good education. 3 acres each village.
Near Ahmedabad there is one similar site. There is a direct train from here. It is like a pilgrimage. We must learn about our ancestors. At least see the walls and salute.
Ajanta and Ellora are more recent. They came after Christ. Whether puja is conducted or not, food is consumed. Siva is the main deity in Ellora caves.
This earth has seen a lot of history and a lot of glory. Always preserve history in copper or stone. Ashrama also has some archives preserved in copper. You do not know where they are kept.
The 365 stone pillars have immense energy. You should utilize them. Visit your pillar and draw energy from it. Tomorrow I will quiz you on your birthday pillar. I will question you about the location, the inscription, and all the figures carved on the pillar. You must see it daily. It tells the history of the Ashrama. In a few hundred years who knows what calamity may occur? Stones will preserve the history. Stone is permanent. That is why the Mother Goddess temple in Vijayawada was built in stone. Earthquake comes, buildings go under. Safety, joy, and sorrow are not permanent. Everything goes opposite. What is joy today becomes sorrow tomorrow.
Our future generations will speak of Swamiji. When your grandchildren speak of the greatness of Swamiji, you will be happy. You must preserve Sadguru in your heart. Do good things. Then Swamiji will notice you and will remember you.
The other day someone donated bed sheets and blankets which were distributed. Now you see how I remember him and mention that even here. You should always take the opportunity of doing good things. Don’t say why should I?
Stone pillars are for memory. We do now, what was done before.
Only if an answer is there, a question arises. Remember that.
You have to search. Then you will find. If you are hungry, it means your food is there somewhere, waiting for you. No one starves. Only some in deserted areas may die of no food. Where demons are. If you know someone is hungry, give, or be quiet. Close your eyes. Do not ever scold them. If you feel sympathy, give. Some beggars are arrogant. If you give too less, they will throw it in your face. If it were me, I would take it from him and pocket it. Don’t criticize. Don’t analyze whether they work for an agent who gets commission, etc. Give a morsel. Housewives sometimes give food to children and guests, even if they have only water to drink for themselves. The one rupee you give to the needy, saves you. If you falsely say you don’t have, then what you have will go away.
Regi or Elachi fruits, the children were selling there. They would not take alms. I took fruits from them.
At intersections purchase odds and ends from the street vendors. Help them.
Do not leave our old culture. People cannot decipher the script at the archeological sites. Symbols. Stone etchings. What they indicate, we do not know. Different shapes and figures are there. Very important to use stone. It will last. The old Datta temple has inscriptions of donors’ names etched in stone.
Swamiji traveled a lot, walked a lot. Busy trip. Returned to Bhuj town at midnight.
Godavari and Tapati haratis were performed.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri