Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the evening – Bhajan Session – June 22, 2018 – Dashavatara Venkateshwara Temple – Namburu
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri
This is a very sacred location. At the doorway of Amaravati, we are fortunate to establish the temple of Dashavatara Venkateswara Swami. Nearby in Guntur SGS Ashrama we have Lord Hanuman. In Vijayawada we have Marakata Sri Rajarajeshwari. Also Sri Kanaka Durga adorning the hill.
Today I wish to please the Lord with at least one devotional song. He must be tired after enduring all the rituals and procedures of the consecration. Since we see the image that resembles us, we offer Him solace with this music, although God has no tiredness. This place had no AC initially, no comfort. Swamiji cannot sing unless certain facilities are there. I debated whether to take this on or not. I was tempted to let the children sing the bhajans. God has ears and eyes everywhere. He is the one who sings, and listens also. You, the listeners are all within Him.
Dashavatara Stuti was rendered wonderfully now by the Malladi Brothers. They expressed the feelings in Swamiji’s heart. They were rushed because the CD had to be prepared within two days. My blessings to their father who guided them. Had there been more time, they might have been tested further, by adding more verses. They escaped that due to constraints of time.
We are born from the womb having lived in the waters, Sa, the first musical note representing Sagara/ocean (Matsya/fish). The fetus is in the form of a turtle (Kurma) with the limbs drawn close. Then we crawl on fours, like the land animals, Ri, the second musical note. Then, as a bird, the child likes to fly without limits, Ga for Gagana, the sky. Then, with Ma, the middle note of the octave, Man gets stabilized and wonders about the purpose of His existence. Pa is Paramapada, the state to be attained. Da is for Dana/charity and Dharma/virtue. Ni is for Nivrutti. Total renunciation. The higher Sa is Salvation. We must not remain in the waters. We must rise to that highest state. This Dashavatara (ten incarnation) Murti/depiction demonstrates this principle to us, that this is our story. At least two musical renderings I wish to offer Him.
Bhajan: Indiresha Govinda
Bhajan: Govindudu sundarudu
Bhajan: Hari hari bolo
Bhajan: Govinda Govinda Govinda
Paramatma seems to test us whenever we attempt to do a good deed. Are we that great that He takes the time to test us? No. It is our karmas, our flaws, our shortcomings which cause us obstacles. We should not keep saying that God tests us. Are we that deserving of His time and attention? It is your sins, doubt, suspicion, and lack of confidence which cause hurdles. The devotees who have built this temple are extremely devout. Sometimes I myself have tested them, I think, not their karma. They have succeeded.
A small story from the Bhagavatam.
Krishna and Arjuna were traveling. They felt very thirsty, since they were sporting a human form. They stopped at a merchant’s home hoping to get some water to quench their thirst. The merchant was singing. Arjuna thought he was praying. No. He was jumping and counting his money in ecstasy. He did not notice his guests. Arjuna became furious at his preoccupation with his money. He wanted to kill him. Krishna pacified Arjuna. Let him be.
Krishna blessed the merchant: Let him become richer.
They stepped out. Walked along. Arjuna could not endure the thirst. They found a small hut. They entered. The poor householder was jubilant. Offered them great honors. Offered them two cups of milk from his only possession, his cow. The two of them stepped out happily their thirst satisfied.
Now Krishna blessed the poor man: Let his cow attain salvation.
Arjuna asked: Have you no compassion? Can you not recognize true devotion? How will the man live, if he loses his only possession?
God’s perception and evaluation are totally different. We cannot understand. We must not criticize. We must only rejoice and appreciate.
Arjuna asked: Krishna, how will the man live? He satisfied our thirst. The other man is already rich. You have granted him more wealth. Please explain.
Krishna said: He is thirsty for wealth. With more and more wealth, he will become egotistical, ill, and will suffer hell. Finally, he will surrender to me with prayer. This man has already surrendered to me. But that cow is the one thing he is attached to. If that bond is broken, he will totally merge in me.
Arjuna: Now I understand.
Because of Swamiji’s compassion, the devotees were tested to such an extent, the sculptor, electrician, every technician and volunteer worked night and day with total dedication. This is Maya Bazaar. Ten days ago, there was nothing here. Now we enjoyed such comfort, and enjoyed the event and the meals because of their hard work.
You must keep doing more. You must do more to serve God. You must replenish your bank balance. You must continue your Japa, Bhajans, Anagha Vratams, prayers, chants, austerities, and service. Never feel complacent that you have Swamiji in your bag and have won His grace. You must keep up the service and devotion. You must keep chasing after Him. He will not follow you. He will not chase after you. He will ignore you. He will insult you. Krishna gave such treatment to Arjuna. He endured.
Swamiji will not keep leaning on your shoulder only. There are so many others who require Swamiji’s attention and protection. Be satisfied with what you got. Don’t keep expecting more. Don’t try to possess Swamiji and don’t demand attention. He has eyes everywhere. He sees everyone and everything. He has true compassion.
Once the cow died, the man totally became merged in God. The rich man has a long way to go. He has to endure many troubles, like gold getting purified, he has to suffer heat and blows. Only then he turns into a fitting ornament.
Swamiji, as Sadguru, takes different roles as a launderer, blacksmith, goldsmith, potter, and so on, to mold and shape his devotees.
This Sampoorna Venkateshwara Swami has descended here from Vaikuntha. What a beautiful and grand temple they have built! This is a part of our Ashrama now.
Swamiji is not testing. It is your Karma. You are not that deserving of my tests. You cannot withstand my true tests. You will suffer too much.
Pray to Sri Dashavatara Venkateshwara Swami to forgive and protect.
Kayena vaachaa..
Sarve cha sukhinassantu …
Sri Ganeshaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Guru Datta