Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Day 3 Datta Jayanti – December 22, 2018 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
Speech in the morning
Sri Maha Ganapataye Namaha
Sri Sarasvatyai Namaha
Sri Padavallabha Narasimha Sarasvati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Dattātreyaṃ mahātmānam varadam bhaktavatsalaṃ
Prapannārti haram vande smaṛtrgāmi sano’vatu ǀǀ
This is how our Datta Stava starts. Every verse contains “smrtgami sanovatu”. Lord Datta is referred to as “smrtgami sanovatu”. If you chant Datta’s name once, it is enough. The Lord is easily pleased when we just remember his name. No need for mantras, rituals and decorations. Chanting the name “Datta” is enough. He showers abundance. We do not have the time or inclination or even the interest in Kaliyuga to undertake rituals. Devotion has become fickle. To gain devotion, knowledge and dispassion, we need to pray to God. We want results instantly. Venkata Ramana Swamy who is called Kshipra Prasadi is known to grace devotees instantly. That is why people flock to Saptagiri again and again to have Darshan of Lord Venkata Ramana. We serve the Lord who in turn showers us with all comforts and happiness. In Kaliyuga, Lord Maha Vishnu graced us as Venkata Ramana Swamy. The same Lord Maha Vishnu who bestows prosperity and comforts as Lord Venkata Ramana wanted to bestow knowledge, devotion and dispassion on people. So that Supreme Lord took incarnation early on, as Guru in his sixth incarnation. We have all seen the power of Guru in Guru Gita, Guru Samhita etc.
“Guru Brahma Gurur Vishnu Guru Devo Maheshwaraha,
Guru Saakshat Para Brahma Tasmai Sree Gurave Namaha”
All those who learned the Guru Principle as given by Lord Shiva to Mother Parvati and expounded in the Guru Gita are devotees of Lord Datta. Today is the great festival of Dattatreya Jayanti. Lord Datta is our first Guru. He is the eternal witness to our intellect. People keep falling into and wallowing in illusion (maya) and delusion. They give more importance to comforts and forget God. Lord Venkata Ramana keeps bestowing wealth and prosperity all the time. We forget god when we experience those comforts. To remove that sin and delusion, the Lord came as Guru in the beginning itself, as the son of the great sage Atri and Mother Anasuya. Anasuya is one without envy. Atri is the one who transcends the three attributes (gunas). Lord Dattatreya is an incarnation of Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The Lord has sixteen stars associated with Him. Dattapeetham has built seventy eight temples the world over and is continuing to establish temples where there aren’t any. We are doing it per Vedic injunctions and as prescribed in the Agama Shastras. Swamiji’s father and mother and their ancestors are all deeply established in the Vedic tradition. They are all Yateeshwaras and include many worshipers of Lord Dattatreya. We are following the Vedas here in Dattapeetham. Lord Datta who shows the path of Vedas, Knowledge and Devotion is the Guru to all, including demons, humans and Gods. If you want Knowledge, you must inculcate devotion to the Guru.
In Kartaveeryarjuna’s kingdom, people were required to say “Jaya Guru Datta”. When Kartaveeryarjuna was overcome with arrogance, the Lord came in a different form, removed his arrogance and gave him liberation. The Lord abundantly blesses us with devotion, knowledge and dispassion. The principle of Lord Datta is not new, it has been there since Krta Yuga. Guru principle has been in existence since time immemorial. Everyone including Gods, humans and demons need Guru. Without Guru, liberation is impossible. Without Guru, people resort to sin when they gain wealth and comforts. When people make good money, what do they do? Do they take that money with them when they die? Money breeds desires and desires breed sins. The Lord of the seven hills, Lord Venkata Ramana has intense compassion and always keeps giving. Lord Dattatreya, the very special incarnation, became Guru to all those people. We should always keep remembering the Lord.
My primary deity of worship is Mother Goddess. She is the main deity here in the Ashram. We have all deities here and we undertake all appropriate rituals. Fire rituals (homa) bestow prosperity. Worship of Lord Shiva bestows Knowledge. Worship of Lord Vishnu bestows liberation. Worshiping the sun bestows health. We follow all these principles here. The three Vedas are taught here in the Veda school for several years. We are also doing new branches (shakhas) of Vedas. This Ashram is such. All sins are destroyed when you come to Dattapeetham. Not one sin is left. Lord Datta is such. You are seeing the form of Lord Datta, whose tradition comes down for many years including from Sri Karapatra Swamy and my Mother. We have the 400 year old form (virat moorti) of Lord Datta here that was also worshiped by Sri Padavallabha. One feels inexplicable thrill beholding that divine form.
Many people are watching this program live. SVBC is relaying the principle of Lord Datta to its audience through this program. We feel like we are blessed by Lord Venkata Ramana. It is as if Lord Venkata Ramana and Lord Datta are sitting face to face. Saint Annamacharya has sung praises of Lord Datta in his compositions as well. May those who want Knowledge get Knowledge, may those who want food get food, may all your wishes be fulfilled. If you read the amazing Mahabharata, you will learn what kind of worship each person should do and the results that follow.
Worshippers of Lord Datta become fearless. Why should we have fear? You (Lord Datta) are with us. The Chalisa says, “Tum rakshaka kaho ko darna”. Why should we fear when we You? You are with me. Those who merely remember Lord Datta will be graced by the Lord. I have many parrots that keep chanting the name of Lord Datta. I am very happy today. Special blessings to you and your family.