Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – morning – May 24, 2017 – Mysore
Notes from: Archana Penukonda
Harihi Om Tatsat
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Sarasvatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Sarasvati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
The Chaitanya Archana today was very special. Each one had accomplishments in a different field. They developed close relationship with the Ashram and with Swamiji. They developed great devotion. They have been supporting the Ashrama with no expectations of reward or award. They are well-respected in society. Even the government gave them many awards recognizing the talent in them.
Each one has been rendering service to Swamiji for 30-40 years. They never once wondered why they were not getting awards. They moved around like ordinary people. They have been watching other programs in the Ashrama for a long time. They watched others getting honored in the Ashrama too. But they never expected anything from Swamiji. That is because they have so much faith and devotion for Swamiji. It was enough for them to be with Swamiji. They were also worried that getting an award may distance them from Swamiji. It was enough for them to be near Swamiji.
Still, because we wanted to recognize great souls in this program, we did this (Chaitanya Archana) to recognize the sadhana (dedicated practice) they are doing. They don’t think of this as a big award. They are happy with seeing Swamiji and seeing Him smile at them. They are happy with standing in line to see Him. K. Viswanath (film director) is a very accomplished Gandharva (celestial being). He never once expected any award. He only wanted Swamiji’s love. Even in big crowds he was happy to just have a two-minute blessing from Swamiji. That is real devotion to Guru. Such devotion is what will protect us. People who were sitting on the stage (getting honored during Chaitanya Archana) were all saying the same. They were reluctant to receive the award. They could not refuse it, nor could they say they wanted it. We do not know what Datta’s Leela is. Even getting a vastram/cloth from Swamiji is a big blessing. I gave them all blessings. I gave some devotees pens and I gave some of them watches – that is a big blessing. I gave some devotees sarees – that is a big blessing. Some ask for Raksha (sanctified orange thread given as a blessing) regardless of what else you give them because they know the importance of the Raksha. They want it from Swamiji’s hands. People come running for Prasadam from Swamiji. That is the kind of faith people in the Ashram have developed.
K. Viswanath has been coming to Swamiji for a long time. He even made a few movies here. He also made some songs for Swamiji. With K. Viswanath came Sri S. P. Balasubramaniam, Veturi Sundararam Murthy, and some others. Painter Gangadhar was also brought to Swamiji by K. Viswanath. Those who came with him have stuck with Swamiji. Their children are also serving Swamiji now. All credit goes to K. Viswanath. He introduced them all to Swamiji. They came here because he was coming. Swamiji got a lot of service done through them.
K. Viswanath made the movie Shankarabharanam. Swamiji was in Chennai then. After making that movie, no one gave him encouragement about its success. Some asked him to see Swamiji who was in Ashram on Kutchery Road. Swamiji was doing Puja to Mother Goddess at that time. They brought a film reel and Swamiji casually threw a garland on it. You know what happened afterwards. The movie became a blockbuster. It earned a great reputation. Since then, K. Viswanath’s devotion grew even more. He and his wife used to come to Swamiji. I used to call them Amma (mother) and Nanna (father). Only today, I am referring to him as K. Viswanath garu. Otherwise, I call him Nanna and he calls me Nanna.
I am very happy. Datta Peetham, through Swamiji, has honored such divine power and divine art. Kala Nidhi (King of arts of Treasure of arts) is an award we are giving for the first time. Going forward, the committee members decided to continue giving this award each year. This year, the committee asked me who they should give the award to. Although I had him (K. Viswanath) on my mind, I did not tell them. When they insisted, I said it should be given to Shankarabharanam. They understood then that the award had to be given to K. Viswanath. He still looks like a young man. He is walking with the help of a stick, but he is still young. May he be healthy. Now that he is here, he will be even healthier. He will do more service. He will share and present his ideas to millions of people.
Some books have been released today. My Parrots has been released in Marathi language. You do not know the language, but buy the books regardless. Another one that has been released – the European devotees came together to do this – is a book on parrots for kids. It is very nice. On the back of the book is a QR code that will take you to the website for Shuka Vana. You can see all the birds of Shuka Vann in this book. Buy this book as well. The endangered species that are alive in Shuka Vana are now in the form of pictures in that book. Keep that book with you. You should buy the book when the birds are still alive. All the birds featured in My Parrots are alive.
The book on Bhakti (devotion) is like watching TV. Swamiji will walk along with you as you read this book. You can read it in a couple hours, but there is content to remember all lifelong. Read your own book, do not borrow from others. All your questions will be answered here. Many questions haunt us. We do not know whom to ask. This book will have the answers. We will go along with Swamiji as we read this book. It will be as if we are on the Andhra tour (that this book is based on) with Swamiji.
Jaya Guru Datta.