Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Day 1 Datta Jayanti – December 20, 2018 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
Sri Maha Ganaptaye Namaha
Sri Sarasvatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Sarasvati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Today is the very auspicious Hanuman Datta Jayanti. Lord Hanuman gives us strength, fame, health, wealth and protection. Lord Hanuman sees Sri Rama in every being and every pore of every being. When Ravana fell after his battle with Sri Rama, Lord Hanuman went to him and examined him closely. He also examined the already deceased demon Kumbhakarna. Unable to understand why Lord Hanuman was wandering around the enemy, Lakshmana angrily said, “You worked so hard for Sri Rama. Why are you hanging around Ravana?” Lord Hanuman circled Ravana’s body as he examined it and declared, “He is a greater devotee than I am”. Lakshmana was puzzled. Hanuman said, “I chant Sri Rama’s name without any experience. But Ravana experienced so much. He did not have a single moment he forgot Sri Rama”.
One has hairs standing on their ends not only from thrill, but also from anger. Cruel animals filled with Tamasic qualities have hairs standing on their end as an indication that they are about to get angry. Birds too have feathers standing on their ends as they are about to get angry. I do not go near such birds. Lions, tigers and other cruel animals are the same. They have their hairs standing on their ends as they are about to get angry. Humans on their other hand have hairs standing on their ends after they get angry. While other animals have hairs standing on their ends due to anger, humans alone have hairs standing on their ends due to joy.
Hanuman went to examine Ravana’s and Kumbhakarna’s bodies to examine if the divine name of Lord Rama had filled their pores. Lord Hanuman is giving us the message to see divinity in the wicked as well. The Lord saw Sri Rama in everything – in good and in bad. Hanuman’s life history shows his intense devotion. Ravana was filled with Tamasic and Rajasic qualities. He was the king of demons. Because he try to deceive the divine, he had a brutal ending. Lord Hanuman’s behavior shows us that noble people see good even in wicked people. That is real devotion. After Sri Rama’s coronation, when Mother Sita gifted a pearl necklace to Lord Hanuman in the assembly, he refused it after biting into each pearl and not finding the divine name of Sri Rama in them. Lord Hanuman is giving us the message to inculcate the devotion that sees divinity in all.
Datta Jayanti also started today. We started the three day festival with Panchamruta Abhisheka. During these three days, we are following the tradition that we established long ago. We also did Punya Smarana today (Pujya Swamiji blesses the devotees deceased during the year). Only those who offered significant service to the Ashram will be remembered during Punya Smarana. They should have come to the Ashram regularly and offered service. If there is no regularity, they are not really devotees. While their names are being read here in the presence of Lord Datta, Swamiji offers rice Prasadam so that those departed souls can go to higher worlds. During Punya Smarana, we only recite the names of those who offered service to the Ashram. But if you have deceased friends or family members, you can pray for their comfort. Prostrate and offer some service such as Annadana depending on your means.
We can not talk enough about Lord Datta’s greatness. We released the 20th reprint of Datta Darsanam today. People continue to buy this book. There are nice stories in the book. With a good heart, open the book to a random page and you will find the answer to the question on your mind. This is an amazing book. Everyone must read it. You will learn the principle of Lord Datta with Guru Gita. Guru Gita explains the complete Guru principle. Learn the Guru Gita and its meaning. Avadhootas are not bound by any rules. They act as they please. It is difficult to interact with them. Lord Datta’s incarnation too is like that. Lord Datta’s tests are very strange. The Lord’s greatness cannot be extolled enough. The Lord has 24 Gurus. Service to the Guru is very important.
Pingala Naga was a devotee of Lord Datta. He saw many people big and small get initiated by Lord Datta. Kings and paupers, scholars and fools, rich and poor were all initiated. He wondered why he did not get initiated by the Lord yet. He was regularly coming to the Ashram and offering his services. He was cleaning the bathrooms and doing his job. He wondered if he would ever attain liberation. He wanted to get initiation or at least go on a pilgrimage. One day, as he sat thinking about this, Lord Datta came by and said, “You want to go on pilgrimage? Okay. All pilgrim places are in me. Close your eyes”. Pingala Naga closed his eyes and visited all pilgrim places. But when he opened his eyes, he found himself still in front of Lord Datta. He found his clothes drenched from dipping in the rivers. He realized that all pilgrim places are where the Sadguru is. Going on pilgrimages increases dispassion. People that go to Manasarovar do not fully recover until a year later. The elevation at Manasarovar also impacts their mind. Pingala Naga immediately prostrated to the Lord and said he did not want to go on any pilgrimages. He just wanted to serve the Lord and clean the Ashram and continue his duties. Many people that come to Swamiji ask Swamiji if they can go on pilgrimages. I ask them to go. The continue their questions asking Swamiji how long they should go for and what mode of transportation they should use. Even people that live in the Ashram are fickle, they want to go on pilgrimages. They are here (in the Sadguru’s presence), they are dipping in Ganga everyday, but they still want to go. It’s akin to drinking coffee after drinking nectar. You come from afar to see Swamiji and ask him trivial questions.
The Lord knows your past and future lives. Lord Hanuman bestows Knowledge and liberation. Lord Shiva bestows Knowledge. Lord Vishnu, Lord Datta, Lord Datta Venkateshwara bestow liberation. The Sun god gives health. Fire god gives wealth. That is why you are asked to witness Homas (fire rituals) such as Ganapati Homa. Doing sun salutations daily bestows good health. There is a story (similar to Pingala Naga’s) related to Sankara Bhagavad Pada as well. Sankara Bhagavad Pada is from 700-800 years ago. Pingala Naga’s story is much older. Ultimately Pingala Naga said he only wanted to serve Lord Datta. If you study the Guru Gita, you will understand the Guru Principle. If you read Datta Darshanam, it is equivalent to reading all Puranas and scriptures. Gift the Datta Darshanam book to seven people you know. Give it to anyone that has devotion. Study the book and share the book with others.