Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – December 21, 2017 – evening – Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple, Dallas, USA
Compiled by: Archana Penukonda
Notes from: Chandra Sekhar Chaganti
Sri Mahaganapataye Namaha
Sri Sarasvatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Sarasvati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
I was playing in the cold, that’s why I caught a cold. I will not take a long time since it is late. I am very happy with four events today. We hoisted the Foundational Flag and the Hanuman flag. We remembered our nation. Before that, there was the all-faith conference. Representatives from various religions spent 30 minutes together. We prayed together. The third program I am very happy about is the canteen inauguration. That was necessary since we want food. I always say that bhajan is for the mind and bhojan (food) is for the body. How can we live without spirituality, or without eating and breathing? How can we live without family? Canteen and food are good foundation for survival. Finally there were different styles of dance representing Indian culture. That was also very good. That made me happy. Even though it was short, it was good.
Finally what impressed me one hundred percent was our Dr. Prakash Rao. He is a walking spiritual guide. How much research he does into all kind of scriptures! HE studies various books and compares. He collects all kinds of knowledge (jnana). It is very impressive. I am very happy.
We have wonderful programs in the next few days, including mauna (silence) meditation. We are gathered here with Swamiji and other devotees. This is our big program. It is a spiritual holiday. We are observing certain rules and regulations. I am very happy to just come here. Someone asked me which city excites me the most. I did not answer right away. All are my children. I cannot be partial towards some people. But it was a good question. I said, “I do not get excited, but I like Dallas”. Another wonder is that unlike other programs, Dallas program never gets canceled. I always visit here. If Dallas is included in the program then others do not get canceled – like the California program that happened. I visit Jesus Datta Retreat Center, Chicago, New Jersey or other places by including Dallas in the program.
The next question the little kid asked is, “What do you like in Dallas?” I said I want to see Hanuman. I am attached to Lord Hanuman and the miracle Shiva Lingam in this temple. I have not seen such a Shiva Linga anywhere. If you close your eyes, you can concentrate on the Shiva Linga, it will appear in your mind (vision). Lord Hanumanta is in our body. We are slowly improving our Dallas ashram. We are taking baby steps with your support. With your service, support and initiative, this Ashram is growing. I am very happy.
The Dhwaja Stambha got inaugurated. It’s a huge miracle. The Rajagopuram is being built. The Masala Dosa paid for one panel today (Pujya Swamiji made the first Masala Dosa in the newly inaugurated canteen. A devotee who paid for the panel received the Masala Dosa made with Swamiji’s own hands). In my thinking, we need six panels (outside decoration). I am already preparing the paints in Mysuru. I am asking Gangadhar, a famous painter to do this. Three or four people can come together and sponsor a panel. We need six panels to complete the Indianization.
We are not in a hurry, but we need to finish construction soon so our costs don’t rise. No doubt, we are all very happy to pray in the temple, but since we started the panel work, we must finish at least six panels. It would also look great. We can continue the rest of the panels later. From tomorrow let us prepare ourselves for silent meditation.
The kids have memorized the entire Bhagavad Gita. Swamiji is giving them blessing and strength. Adults also can learn to read the Bhagavad Gita fluently. It is a revolution going on everywhere. All over India too, Bhagavad Gita chanting and memorization are taking place.
Jai Veera hanuman ki…Jai.