Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Pradhana Anaghashtami – December 10, 2017 – Karya Siddhi Mantapa, Bangalore
Compiled by: Shruthi Jagadish
Sri Mahaganapataye Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaaya Namaha!
Today is Sri Pradhana Anaghashtami, we are all very happy! Today in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, in many places, thousands of Datta Devotees are performing the Vrata. Those who have come in contact with Sri Swamiji alone are aware of this vrata. There are lakhs of Datta devotees, but very few devotees of Anagha Swamy and Anagha Devi. Very few fortunate ones that have come in contact with Swamiji have been observing this Vrata.
This Vrata can be performed every Sunday, every Ashtami. It is also a vrata that is to be performed along with Satyanarayana Vrata during auspicious occasions at home.
Lord Datta grants the 8 Siddhis. There is nothing called a 9th Siddhi, or 9th desire. There are only 8 kinds of desires and Lord Datta fulfills them. We all have families and are immersed in Samsara. Having taken human birth, we go through many struggles. We are in an endless pursuit of happiness. If we get one desire fulfilled, it is followed by many more difficulties. We are always desirous. It is like putting one’s hand into a honey comb. The honey is very sweet, no doubt! But the sting from the bees is unbearable. There are many people who are prepared to go through the pain of the sting, but will not forego the honey.
There is a story of Lord Datta. One person while passing through the forest, was chased by a tiger. He runs in panic and tries to climb a tree. But he soon realizes that the tiger may also be able to climb the tree. He continues to run for life. His foot gets entangled in a creeper and he falls into a well upside down, suspended by the creeper. The creeper was a delicate one. It is evening time. In the low light, he sees that there is no water in the well. He also finds a sharp stone jutting upwards. If one falls on it, one is sure to die. The creeper was giving way.
At this time, he prays to God! Mother Goddess, Anaghalakshmi comes to his rescue and says, “I’ll hold your hand and certainly save you. But before doing that I will ask you a question. If you answer it, I will protect you”. This man thinks, “If she is really mother goddess and intends to save my life, why does she want to ask questions at this time!! She should only quickly protect.” He says, “I don’t think you can protect me, you can go.” Mother Goddess goes away.
In the meanwhile, while he was trying to hold on to the creeper, the creeper disturbed a honey comb that was nearby. All the bees came out of the comb and begin to sting him. At the same time, few drops of honey drop from the comb and fall on his nose and with great difficulty he licks the honey drops!!
You can also try to see if you can touch your nose with your tongue! You can touch other’s running nose, but not your own!
The honey was so sweet, that this man thinks, “I’ve eaten honey from the shops but none can match this taste of pure natural honey! If I’m alive and take this honey home, my family can relish this wonderful honey.” Look at this thoughts!! He in on the verge of dying, the moment the creeper snaps, he will be dead! But even at this time, he is interested in honey! He sent away Anagha devi who came to his rescue. He doubted her capability to save him. She went away. He could have answered her. But he had no faith. She could save his life even if he had fallen on the stone. She is Mother Goddess. But he lacked faith on her. The creeper snapped and he falls to death.
Similarly, the Lord is a witness to all our struggles. Despite our situation, we do not develop devotion towards God! Look at our Karma! Even if there is devotion, it is accompanied with doubt. Is this true?
Is Sri Swamiji truly an avatar of Datta? In spite of all the experiences you’ve had with Sri Swamiji, of all the times spent with Sri Swamiji, having seen Swamiji in your heart, in your dreams, you still entertain doubt about Sri Swamiji. The wife suspects the husband, the husband doubts the wife! We have no faith. We see everyone with suspicion. And the same is reflected in others. We have too many troubles! If we doubt others, it means we are doubting our self, we are very negative. Our life can never be peaceful, happy.
To rescue and elevate such people who are immersed in doubts, this wonderful and most auspicious Anagha Vrata helps. This has been told in the Puranas. The story follows Jambhasura’s destruction. Lord Datta emerges from the sea along with Yoga Maya and He teaches Yoga to the deserving devotees. Lord Datta is considered as Yoga Purusha. Dattatreya Charitre (life history) is mentioned in Bhagavata as Datta’s upadesha to King Yadu. Lord Krishna also worships Datta.
In Ramayana, when Rama, Sita and Lakshmana visit Maharshi Atri’s hermitage, they perform the Puja. Anasuya Mata decorates Sita mata beautifully. Sita is decked up beautifully and comes to Rama. Rama asks why she has decorated herself like she was in the palace. Atri says, “These are not ordinary ornaments. The jewels and the flowers that Anasuya Mata has blessed Sita Mata with are very special. You will need them in future.” You are aware of what happens in latter part of the story. The flowers she wore would never wilt away. The jewelry she wore were exactly like the ones she had in the palace. When Sita Mata was abducted by Ravana, she dropped these flowers near Gandhamadana Mountain and jewels near Mooka Mountains where Jatayu lived. This would help Rama know her whereabouts.
After all the puja at Atri’s ashrama, Rama stood still ask if looking for something. At that time, Atri Maharshi said, “Rama, I know what you are waiting for. But you will not have His darshana now. You will have darshana during your coronation ceremony.” Rama was waiting for Lord Datta’s Darshana. Atri Maharshi says that Lord Datta would come in the form of an Avadhoota and grant Rama darshana during the coronation ceremony. Sita Mata would also have his darshana, but not Lakshmana. He would be busy with Urmila! As he had not seen her for 14 years. (Sri Swamiji says jokingly that these are his additions to make us laugh!)
Lord Datta was worshipped even by lord Rama.
Such Lord Datta along with Anagha Mata took Yoga Avatar. It is very beautifully narrated in Bhagavata.
Lord Sri Hari, who is Poorna (complete) Parabrahma, took one incarnation as Lord Datta. So we have actually performed Vishnu Vrata here. If you perform Satyanarayana Vrata or Rama vrata, it is all equivalent to performing Datta Vrata. This is Poorna Vishnu Roopa as he takes the middle position in Datta’s form. The middle face is that of Lord Vishnu. We have performed such a sacred Vrata today.
We are all humans with varied kinds of troubles and doubts. May all questions and doubts be answered, may your difficulties be removed, may you all be blessed with knowledge. Many have come from Mysore for this Vrata.
Yesterday I visited Mantralaya and participated in Hrudaya Sammelana organized by SSY (Siddha Samadhi Yoga). I had agreed to attend this long ago. But was occupied with the Ishti Yagna. I thought I may not be able to attend this. But they insisted and made travel arrangements. Yesterday I attended that program and had darshan of Brindavana of Sri Raghavendra Swamy. Sri Subhudendra Theertha Swami of Mantralaya is very affectionate and close to Sri Swamiji.
He came to Mysore to invite me to Mantralaya. As a child, he used to visit Ashrama very often and has listened to Swamiji’s Bhajans. He has requested Sri Swamiji to have a concert, Yoga classes and bhajans also in Mantralaya. He behaved like my little brother! He was so loving! He was not ready to let go of Sri Swamiji at all! Sri Swamiji had to leave for Kurnool to visit the Surya temple that is under construction. All of you must visit the temple. They also performed Anagha Vrata. I blessed them there and came here for the Vrata. May you all be blessed with auspiciousness. You have Hanumanta close to you! What more do you need? You are in His abode. He is a witness to all your actions. He may not fulfill some of your wishes, but He will stand guard! If I enter the Hanuman temple sanctum, I do not feel like coming out. Such is the power of the Yantra that has been consecrated here. He has the power to attract people and grant their wishes! The Yantra consecrated there is ‘Svayambhu Yantra’ (self-originated, not a temple made by man). No one knows this! This is a great secret. Today I’m revealing this secret in the presence of Anagha Swami and Anagha Lakshmi mata. That’s is the reason so many thousands from different places are coming here repeatedly. They tie Purnaphala. Even if the wish is not fulfilled, they return and repeat the Vrata and are getting their wishes fulfilled. He is also called Visa swami! Small tasks are accomplished effortlessly. Even I’ve prayed to Him for Visa!
With small offerings, Hanuman is granting immense blessings! Hanumanta and Datta are very close. They are the same. They grant the same wishes. He grants wishes very quickly. He is very innocent, Bhola Shankara since he has the aspect of Lord Shiva. He protects as wishes as Lord Vishnu, He grants knowledge and Yoga as Brahma. Today we are worshipping such a great Lord.
Now I are remembering another thing! How many of you have smart phone? All of you must install the SGS Posts app. How many have installed SGS Posts app? How many have not yet installed? (Few people raise hands). It’s a very nice app and you get very good message. Each one of you must get another 5 new people to install. It is a free app. It should be with you. There are simple messages that grant you relief when you are in sorrow and difficulties. It’s available in many languages – Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Guajarati. And in English also. Everybody wants to speak in English. Your English will also improve. All of you take an oath to install SGS Posts app and also share it with 5 others. Install in the phone of new people who do not know about this. Take their phones and install it. You install Whatsapp and other useless things. Instead install this. Tell them that it works in EDGE also. People will hesitate to give their phones. Talk to them nicely and install the app. Promise that you will do this. This is your presentation! Anagha Swami and Anagha Lakshmi have blessed you with this gift on this day!
Sri Swamiji travels to America tomorrow. There is a very big Hanuman temple. It is like Vaikuntha. The Gopura and Dhwaja Sthamba have been installed (Flag post). The hall is three times the size of this hall. Everyone is now seeing our temple and trying to replicate the structure in other places. The temple is within the hall. Christians and Muslims also visit the place, very similar to the temple here. But they do not tie coconut. They tie black threads around 3 pillars – each pillar is for different wishes. 150 children have learnt 750 Bhagavat Gita shlokas by heart. They will be chanting in the hall there. I will stay there for 10 days. Following this, we will be travelling to Taiwan for concert. I do only about 3-4 concerts a year. After Taiwan, we travel to Singapore for Hanuman Chalisa chanting. Then we return to India and then the travel begins again. I can never stay in one place. If I’m in one place for a month, it’s a very rare thing! I was in mysore throughout the Yagna. In Kali Yuga such Yagna happens very rarely.
Jai Guru Datta.