Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Bhajan session – March 26, 2016 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namah
Sri Saraswatyai Namah
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namah
It is a surprise that Swamiji is here for bhajans today. It was difficult to even open my mouth. Since yesterday, I’ve had dust allergies from the construction work. This will last 2-3 days. They are laying the road, and all the dust comes my way. I wanted to get away for one week, but then thought I’d see how it goes. So, if I cough in between, you can close your ears, don’t feel bad. Or just consider it another raga/tune. Or, consider it a rhythm. The cough is strange. Cough from infection sounds different from the cough due to allergies. I feel like I should just sing instead of talking so much because there’s so much cough whenever I open my mouth. This cough has derailed all programs.
I came for Mr. Kuchi today. I’m planning to have him do a big project, so I wanted to do this small sample first. Let’s see if we have Lord Hanuman and Lord Datta’s grace. You already know there are 5-6 painters. One of them is a reputed artist in Bangalore who always asks to do work for Swamiji. He did the paintings for Venkatamakhi Aradhana. He is so famous, he may be in America right now. It’s hard to get hold of him. Such a reputed artist used to visit the ashram often with his wife for a long time. He asked many times to draw while Swamiji sang. That somehow hasn’t happened. Even though he was here for many years, it hasn’t happened. Gangadhar got that good fortune. When Swamiji recited Shiva Purana and Ramayana, he (Gangadhar) sat right here and did all the drawings. He did the Shata Shloki Ramayana and other drawings. But his son Somu hasn’t yet gotten that good fortune. He’s been asking Swamiji for permission to draw while Swamiji sings. But today, Kuchi has the good fortune. It is not the reputation that is important, it is the commitment that’s important. Many people in the Ashram want to learn to draw. Every time I look around, people are drawing something. They write on slates, in their books etc. Some of the old walls have been destroyed because people drew on them. I told him that if possible he could train people here once or twice a month. Or, we could send one or two people from the Ashram to learn from him and then teach here. I spoke about this with him this morning.
Today, I am going to sing a couple bhajans for him. I cannot sing to my heart’s content due to the cough. If I cough in between, don’t mind it, just close your eyes. Don’t open your eyes to examine if Swamiji coughs like a human or like God. Cough is the same for all. The cough in Rama’s incarnation is the same as the cough in Krishna’s incarnation. Even the doctors cough. Even the healing gods have cough. Dhanvantari also had cough when he was experimenting on himself. Dhanvatari is Maha Vishnu. The incarnations have taught us how to withstand the sufferings we experience due to the body. I will not get into higher pitches.
Bhajan: Ganapati devudu maaku
[Swamiji appreciates the painting that Mr. Kuchi, the artist does in the meanwhile saying the entire bhajan has been captured in his drawing].
[Holding up the painting] Devotees from Europe, America etc are all watching on Yogasangeeta. Ia m very happy. This is a beautiful picture. I think you’ve seen this miracle.
Bhajan: Akhila jagati moola prkrti neerajakshi
This is being broadcast live. [Holding up the painting] I just sang a bhajan and Mother is here.
Bhajan: Datta megham varshichindi
When this song was composed and sung, the coconut grove in the Ashram was being planted. We left that area as is for memory. The children worked all night. About 50-52 trees were planted. The children felt that it would be nice if it rained a little. It was summer time. How can it rain in the summer. They said it would be nice if it rained just in the area where the trees were planted. I said, okay, let it be. By midnight, it rained, and it rained only in that area. So, we left that area as is for memory. I like this song very much. Whenever it rained, I used to sing this song.
[Looking at the painting] Very wonderful painting. It’s easy to draw, but difficult to color it. The color combination depends on the attributes of the objects represented, it’s not just a random choice of colors. The colors must be appropriate based on the nature and quality of what’s drawn. The emotion and devotion of the song must be kept intact while absorbing and expressing the art. This painting is even nicer than the bhajan itself.
Bhajan: Ram nam ki madhur malayi
[Addressing the artist] It’s as if you have the patent on Rama, it’s a wonderful painting. Why make a painting of the bhajan, we can just let the painting do the job and discuss the bhajan based on the painting.
Kesari Nandana…Kesare Nandana. Kesare means marsh/mire. Swamiji lived in the village of Kesare for sometime. So, I got reminded of the lotus in the marsh.
Bhajan: Kesari nandana
It is said that Hanuman attempted to gulp the sun. It would be nice if he did that now, we would get some respite from the heat. All elements of Nature are in Anjaneya. [Addressing the artist] You did a fantastic job. Nothing more to say.
Sri Guru Datta