Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the evening – January 15, 2016 – Peethapuram
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
The Datta devotees who have gone to America, are memorizing the Bhagavad Gita, especially the ones who live near the Dallas area. There are 300-400 students attending the Bala Datta Classes. Many think that people who go to America get spoiled. It depends on who goes there. They memorize all the slokas. Even college graduates are learning. The Jnana Bodha Sabha people started a Hindu School in a rented house. They moved to a bigger house. Then they conducted schools in different locations wherever there is a large number of Datta Devotees. Bala Datta School is the name of this school. In Music, the children are receiving awards. The children learn on Skype. One child learned the violin over Skype. Sometimes the teacher leaves off. But the child listened to Swamiji’s bhajans on YouTube and now plays them well. Unless you train the children from a young age, the kids will not listen to the parents later. How you bring up the children is what matters. Where you choose to live also makes a difference. Even when there are just a few families, they get together and share their interest. They have satsang, bhajans, and discussions. In Swamiji’s view they are all the same, whether they are big officers or employed in smaller positions. 80% of children growing up in India have no devotion. They do not even know how to do Namaskaram. If you do not teach your children devotion, the parents will go to hell. The parents have to first follow a good habit. You must encourage your children to sing and learn. Education and peace of mind are both required for children. Playing a musical instrument will develop a kind heart. It gives a Satvic temperament. All Hindus who are employed, or are in business, must have children learn music. We are happy when as small kids they clap for Swamiji or sing bhajans. But as they grow up, you must keep up their interest. Some unfortunate marriages occur. But they teach their children to follow our traditions. I am now speaking about the western children. Some children come to the ashrama from Paris. They are named Lava and Kusa. They have memorized the Shatashloki Ramayana. There is no prayer that they cannot chant. Hanuman Chalisa, Datta Stavam, and Sadguru Stavam all they know. All Europeans. They also perform well at school. Just the children and the mother enact scenes from the Ramayana.
In our other families, there is always quarrel, misunderstanding, and selfish expectations for respect and honors. Each person complaining about another family member. Each person must look out for themselves and not complain of loneliness and being isolated. Each one must be independent and must take interest in teaching children.
We must teach the children. We must go from village to village and teach the people. When people are showing a bit of Dharma, you must encourage them to improve. Our inborn Dharma and tradition will never leave us.
We must applaud children when they chant prayers. We must teach and encourage them. That is why I stayed in Dallas for 48 days. There was so much devotion there. The Datta devotees have developed a colony all around the temple. It is very remarkable. Dallas is the name of the city in the state of Texas. You tell your family members in Dallas that Swamiji is remembering them. You must go and visit the Marakata Anjaneya Swami there.
I wanted to have a short program today. My voice is not supporting me. But I feel like singing. Today is the second day. I do not wish for discontinuity. That is why I want to sing. In Bhuj I contracted this cough. Lots of icy, dusty wind there. I do not know how long this will last.
Sloka: chaturvaktram
Bhajan: Vraatapate pramathapate
Yesterday the musicians have rendered some wonderful Abhangs. They serve in Narasimhavadi where Sripada Vallabha was living.
Bhajan: Datta Guruni avataram
I pat my own back that I have been able to sing for so long today without interruption of cough.
Bhajan by guest artist: Vaikunthaachee
Dance by girl to bhajan: Suvarchalamba
Humor program.
Kayena vacha
Sri Guru Datta