Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji in the morning – Day 2 of Dattatreya Jayanti – December 11, 2019 – Mysore
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
śrī mahāganapate namaḥ
śrī sarasvatyai namaḥ
śrī pādavallabha narasimha sarasvati
śrī guru dattātreyāya namaḥ
Many people could not attend the epic Atirudra Yaga event in Kashi due to various circumstances. That is why we planned Kashi Samaradhane in the Ashram. Many local Mysuru devotees came and got sprinkling of Kashi Ganga and Prayaga Ganga as well as the rosaries from Swamiji. They were very happy. Some asked why not have Kashi Samaradhane on Datta Jayanti day? All three days of Datta Jayanti are Kashi Samaradhane. Datta himself is Vishnu, Brahma and Shiva. We are observing Kashi Samaradhane on all three days. We are observing it with the five kinds of processions (representing the five elements of Nature) during Datta Jayanti. I have explained several times about the significance of the five processions (mandapa utsava, pallaki utsava, ratha utsava, teppa utsava and dola utsava). Study Bhaktimala to understand the significance and spiritual meaning of those processions. It also helps you understand Mother Goddess and Lord Datta.
Tomorrow, we also have Taila Abhishekam. This is a good ritual. The ancient gold utsava moorti (the idol carried in processions) will be here for your Darshan. There are two moortis that you can do Taila Abhishekam to yourself. Why do we do Taila Abhishekam? Taila Abhishekam is done in Guruvayoor as well as in Shani temples. Few Datta temples also do Taila Abhishekam. The oil has great medicinal values. On Dhanvatari Jayanti, we make a tasty medicinal paste (lehyam). We perform Abhishekam and offer Naivedyam with the same paste. Similarly, we are doing Taila Abhishekam tomorrow to Lord Datta. You can come and pour the oil on the idol yourself. There is special significance behind this ritual. This ritual bestows supreme knowledge (jnana) and health. This body has sense organs and therefore pain that comes from it. In some customs, oil is also poured on the idols of Lord Dattatreya, Shiva and Krishna. Abhishekam is not performed for all deities. Taila Abhishekam is done to Shani, Guruvayoor and our Datta (not necessarily Datta in other temples).
Other Ashrams are copying the many items such as Raksha, copper bracelet etc. created by Swamiji. I am very happy. But I do not know why they are not copying healing music. Healing music is very difficult. Many are confused about healing music. Swamiji has been sharing so many stories about the benefits of healing music. Many are benefiting from healing music. I have gone around the world so many times giving healing music. Someone tried to copy Healing music as well, but met with utter failure. I bless them with success, but it is hard. That is why, I wrote the book about music. Two people already earned a PhD doing research on that book. That book is like a healing professor. Swamiji’s fingers move, but it is Lord Datta Himself playing the music. Swamiji’s status is different. I do not know any music. Lord Narayana Himself plays that music. vaidyo nārāyaṇo hariḥ. The doctor himself comes to play the music. That is why it is difficult to copy Swamiji’s. music. I am seeing so many different sevas from our Ashram that others are copying. It does not matter. The spiritual path is not one person’s property. Everyone has a right to chant the Lord’s name. I do not know why people are not copying Anagha Varatam. People around the world including those in Malaysia, Australia, West Indies are all performing Anagha Vratam. They know they benefited from it.
Today I heard about the Anagha Vratam planning for the next Pradhana Anaghashtami. Couples can perform the ritual together. Everyone can register for this program. Study the Datta Darsanam book or watch the Datta Darshanam movie and you will understand the greatness of Anagha Vratam. You will understand the significance of the Ashta Siddhis and realize that everything about the Anagha Vratam is purely spirutal. Anagha Vratam is itself Vedanta. We are all beings bound by Karma. We are filled with desires at all times and all moments. Perform Anagha Vratam and your wishes will be fulfilled. If not, at the very least, you will find peace and contentment. That is most important anyway. Anagha Vratam gives such wonderful energy and knowledge. You do not need a Guru. Anagha Vratam is energy. Do not miss the Anagha Vratam program. Perform Anagha Vratam everyday.
Some say they were able to memorize the Bhagavad Gita after performing Anagha Vratam. That is a big miracle. Some got a visa after performing Anagha Vratam. Some tied the Poornaphana after performing Anagha Vratam and said they found the image of Anagha Swami on the coconut. She wanted to publicly announce this miracle, but I told her it was enough that she had a good experience. A girl performed Anagha Vratam and got her visa to study abroad. She is now completing her studies. We benefit in so many small ways. You do not need to wait in line to talk to Swamiji. No need to trouble Swamiji for interviews. It is very easy to perform Anagha Vratam. The instructions are all printed in a book. You can perform the ritual on any day, not just on Ashtami (eighth day of the lunar fortnight). Some people perform Anagha Vratam on Sundays; some do it every day. If you do it every day, 20 minutes are enough. Your face, eyes and mind will reflect immense peace. We all need that. Money cannot buy this peace or good health. Anagha Vratam gives peace of mind and strength. There are so many difficulties in the world. As Swamiji’s devotees, you face them too. Why not challenge your devotion and perform Anagha Vratam? Then, you will understand the greatness of Anagha Vratam.
Today, I released the book on Sadguru Tattva by Dr. Prakash Rao – the President of Datta Yoga Center USA. This is the second in the series of books on Sadguru Tattva. He always collects Swamiji’s discourses. Many of you miss Swamiji’s discourses. Study this book to understand those discourses. Dr. Prakash Rao has experienced Swamiji’s grace. He collected some of Swamiji’s Telugu language discourses and translated them into English. He analyzed all the subjects and also included what he understands in his heart and through Swamiji’s actions. The first book is also very good. You will feel like you are talking to Swamiji.
The second book we released today is Kashi Khanda. This is available in Telugu and in English. You will feel like you are visiting Kashi when you read this book. People that missed coming to Kashi are now crying about it. Andhra volunteers are like angels. They have so much devotion and discipline. I am very happy with them. Two thousand volunteers worked hard in Kashi. They cleaned and put decoration drawings on the streets along Swamiji’s path. On the first day of the powerful Atirudra Yaga in Kashi, I wondered how we would do fifteen days of the event. After the sixteenth days, I did not feel like leaving Kashi. That was the attachment to Lord Shiva.
All priests in Kashi usually chant Har Har Mahadev. On the last day of our event however, they chanted Jaya Guru Datta and Sri Guru Datta. They had completely transformed. On the last day of the event in Kashi, it was very difficult to sing bhajans since I wasn’t eating anything. Prasad suggested I sing Hanuman Chalisa since Kashi was the birth place of Tulasi Das’ Hanuman Chalisa. I agreed that people would chant Hanuman Chalisa and I would sit and witness. On the day, a few devotees including the manager from Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham and some local devotees requested that Swamiji sing one bhajan – “gauramma mā talli”. I sang one bhajan before Lord Shiva made his presence felt. We subsequently sang many bhajans for an hour and half. After the last bhajan – Mangalam – Lord Shiva was running. I asked him where he was going, he said he was going to the Shringar Arati (in the Kashi Vishwanath temple). He asked me to continue singing. This might seem like drama to you, but this is real. People think Bhagavad Gita is drama too. Your birth is also drama. In Kaliyuga, people want proof and evidence for everything. You might need to carry DNA test in your pocket in the future to prove who your parents are.
We also released Rudra Bhashyam. Read the book to understand the special meaning and significance of Rudram. Collect the books for your library; we may not reprint them.