Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – March 5, 2018 – Chennai
Date not confirmed
Compiled by: Parimala Eshwarla
In the beginning of Treta Yuga, piror to the incarnation of Lord Srirama, the entire land was afflicted with severe drought. Crops dried up and people were starving for food. People would not die due to hunger but suffered enormously. There are no words to describe their suffering. Water was unavailable. Pangs of hunger were unbearable. Only stones and soil remained. All trees had perished due to paucity of water. Hunger, hunger, hunger – people were suffering. Unable to withstand this hunger people wished they had died. Even all poisons had dried up. Even the poisonous trees had dried up. It was an unimaginable draught. Even thinking of it or discussing of it causes shivers to run down the spine. There was no food or water anywhere. Death wouldn’t attack. What were the living entities to do?
Even Maharishi Vyasa had to go without food. At that time, all the Maharishis went and prayed to Mother Annapura in Kashi. They said – if you can’t help us with food, at least help us die. People are suffering and are eagerly waiting death. Their condition is so pitiable – they are rendered immobile due to lack of energy. Please help them.
Moved by their prayers, Mother Annapurna created millets and paddy which would supply food for all living entities on earth. The crops emerged by themselves in the soil. All forms of grains – be it rice, wheat, millets and the like – are her creations only. She fed the Maharishis. The moment the Maharishis ate food and experienced satisfaction, all the living entities experienced bliss and contentment. All living entities felt as if their stomachs were full. They were ecstatic.
Hence it is said that making offerings to Rishis and Gurus amounts to pacifying all the living entities on earth. The one who hears this story will not face draught. For this reason we must offer food to God as Naivedya before consuming it. Offering food to God gives contentment to all living entities. The world derives contentment.
During this year how many of you were blessed with Appaji’s vision in your dreams? (A few raise their hands). Please pray that you should continued to be blessed with such dreams.
You have permission to tell others that Appaji had come in your dreams. But no permission to tell them details of the dream. There is a risk of some misunderstanding when you talk about your dream with others. Darshan of Swamiji in dream is very personal experience.