Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – May 23, 2018 – Mysore
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
When we are following a particular path, any change in pattern renders our life chaotic. For instance, we memorize a particular shloka. As we chant the first line, the second line automatically comes to memory. As we chant the second line, the third comes to memory. In this pattern we regulate our memory power. As we still intensify our efforts, our memory power becomes so strong that we can recall any line from any verse instantly. Even in sleep if the verse comes to memory, we chant in the same sequence. We will chant Sri Ganeśāya namah, followed by Śri Saraswatyai namah and the like.
I started the session today saying ‘Sri Ganeśāya namah’ and then instead of saying ‘Sri Saraswatyai namah’ I said ‘Sri sachchidanandaya namah’. This change in pattern got everyone confused. You were unable to chant correctly. The same effect is seen in life when one haphazardly alters sadhana pattern. The mind gets confused and loses direction.
Even in eating, a systematic pattern is followed. Haphazard eating spoils health and at times causes severe nausea. We start with soup, followed by main course and conclude in a systematic manner. If a person drinks plenty of water prior eating, he loses his appetite. If he drinks water after drinking milk, he feels nauseated. After drinking water a person can have coffee or milk but not other way round. It causes diseases.
Therefore, discipline and systematic approach are a must in life especially in path of sadhana. Waking up in the early hours, brushing, bathing, chanting divine names, then having breakfast is the correct procedure. Worship performed on empty mind helps us stabilize devotion and concentration. Can a person have meals upon waking up, then brush, then bathe, and then go for puja? He appears like a lunatic. From this we understand that without discipline the person goes mad.
Systematic approach has been inbuilt into every aspect of our life. Even in walking we follow a systematic pattern. Can a person take two steps forward, then three steps backward or a step sideward? His head will reel and he will fall to the ground. Similarly in bathing we follow a standard procedure. Even in this beautiful creation of the Lord, everything is systematically organized. The eye blinks or the nose breathes without out awareness. All the organs function automatically without our knowledge. The Lord has ensured that our body is balanced- with two eyes, two ears, two kidneys and the like. This is His beautiful creation in which they function automatically.
Even if accidently some divine names fall in our ears, it is said that we get merit. This being the case, if purposefully we chant Lord’s names then what to say of the degree of merit acquired? If at all we wilfully undertake positive actions, unimaginable merit is obtained.
That which teaches us all these important facts is Nitimala. That which sets right all the defects in our life is Nitimala. From Bhagavatam, Mahabharata, Upanishads, Puranas, Vedas and Vedangas Swamiji has handpicked the most important verses and has ensured that their essence is drawn into Nitimala. As such, a copy of Nitimala should be in every home and with every person. Give extra copies to friends and relatives. It is Kali yuga Bhagavad Gita.
Coming to the topic of Bhagavad Gita, along with children, adults are now memorizing it, which is so astonishing. It pleases me. All of you must make attempts to memorize Bhagavad Gita. Appaji seeks that in every home Bhagavad Gita should be chanted. It should be ghar ghar Bhagavad Gita. Please help me fulfil this mission. Elders and youngsters should learn it. These are words of the Supreme Lord himself. Children across the globe are putting in great efforts to learn Bhagavad Gita. Indian devotees please memorize it. It is not for any gold medal but for your own upliftment that you should learn Bhagavad Gita. Learn it for your betterment. As you read it repeatedly, you will memorize. Tantra shastra, Mantra shastra, Agama shastra, Niti shastra, the Mahabharata story, Self-knowledge, all forms of Yoga are contained in Bhagavad Gita.
Teaching Arjuna was only a pretext. Arjuna was a mega warrior and a skilled archer. Through penance he pleased Shiva and obtained His vision. He obtained weapons from Shiva. He himself was a master in all Yogas. He was that master archer who hit a fish merely by seeing its reflection. To such great warrior this preaching was not necessary. Using him as a pretext the Lord passed on this important teaching to us, who are ignorant and foolish. It was a preaching to the universe. Bhagavad Gita preaching actually took place 5000 years back. It is said that incarnations of the Supreme cannot exist in Kali yuga. The world has to come to an end after this yuga. Thereafter, once again creation re-emerges. Can anyone in the audience mention that bhajan composed by Swamiji which talks of the emergence of a new creation? That fortunate person will be blessed with pāda sparsha. (A lady answers and is blessed accordingly). In the bhajan Jwalanduna, there is a line ‘utti boodilo mokka molchenu’- from nothingness creation emerges.
Manmatha was reduced to dust due to the fire which emerged from Shiva’s third eye. Without remembering Manmatha, Srichakra puja cannot begin. Such is the importance given to him. However this mantra cannot be given in public. It is utmost secretive. This world is reduced to ashes during annihilation through water or fire destruction. Manmatha is reduced to dust due to the fire from Shiva’s eye. From there creation commences. ‘utti boodilo mokka molchenu’- from ashes creation emerges. Is it possible for any sapling to sprout in ash? Even per science it is impossible. Nothing grows from ash. Yet, from this statement, it is evident that this universe is His creation alone! Swamiji’s this statement- from ash the tree emerges, sets aside the debate as to whether a tree emerges from a seed or vice versa. It takes the debate a step higher.
Every bhajan of Swamiji is filled with deep meaning. You need not read any Upanishads. Merely singing bhajans composed by Swamiji is sufficient to grant liberation! Vedanta, Yoga, dispassion, devotion, knowledge, raja yoga, – all the Yogas are filled in His compositions. Bhajana-mala book should exist in every home. Please buy and keep this book in your shelf. Give it to friends. Bhajana mala is as powerful as Niti mala.