Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on the eve of Hanuman Jayanti – April 7, 2020 – Mysore
Compiled by: Jaya Akkanapragada
ātmano mukha dośena
madhyasté śukhasārikāha
bakāstu naiva badhyasté
maunam sarvārta sādhanam
This sūkti teaches us the importance of speaking with restraint. During sadhana time, Maharśis maintain mounam – silence. If we keep quiet, we will be able to hear what the antarātma is saying.
It is not just humans, but birds and other animals also which suffer. When birds sing or chirp beautifully, or look very colourful they end up being caught and caged. Peacocks also end up being snared because they dance so beautifully. In fact all these birds sing and dance more beautifully than people.
But no one catches a crow or a crane. When the crane while looking for fish stands on one leg and closes its eyes, it looks like a Muni in tapas. The fish also come to see who is meditating, and when they reach the surface, the crane immediately catches them with its long beak.
Birds happily and freely fly around and spend their time eating fruit from some trees. We must not cage them. Shuka Vana is home to birds which have been injured or caged for too long. We are rehabilitating these birds and teaching them how to fly.
There are many benefits to being silent. When we speak too much, people will say “oh, how much this person talks!” Even our dośā – inherent flaws peep out at this time. Those who speak only when needed are loved and respected by everyone. Mouna helps us control our senses.
This is why Sri Swamiji has been conducting Mouna programs in Europe, USA and in Mysore. Sometimes these Mouna programs go on for 6 days. You must also participate when it is conducted next time.
Silence alone helps in perfect completion of all tasks. It gives us concentration. By speaking too much, we lose energy and mental balance. We even get upset and say harsh words which we should not speak.
When you sit in silence during Sri Swamiji’s healing and meditation concerts, the nāda – music will be able to enter and heal you.
The bhajan suvarchalāmba prānadéva (ID 1084) came on its own during the consecration of the Karya Siddhi Hanuman temple in Bangalore. I cannot tell you how much śakti there is in that Hanuman. I am praying to Him to get us through this difficult time.
Jaya Guru Datta. Sri Guru Datta.
Sookti
Compiled by Parimala Eshwarla
ātmanō mukha-dōṣēṇa badhyantē śukasārikāḥ
Baktāstu naiva badhyante, mounam sarvārtha-sādhanaṃ ǁ
It is their ability to talk that causes parrots and mynas to be captured and locked in cages. No one seeks to cage a heron that moves about silently. Hence, remember that silence alone aids in the successful accomplishments of all tasks. Silence is the only tool for achieving success in all fields!
To remain silent is an extremely arduous task. Sadly, the benefits of talking excessively are few, while problems are many. For this reason, wise people talk less and accomplish more.
Concentration is the primary pre-requisite for completion of any task. When, even limited speech becomes an obstacle for achieving concentration, what to say of those who chatter needlessly? This is the reason why saints retreat into silence during meditative hours. This silence has given them the title ‘munishwara’. Sadgurus say that only when we reduce our chatter and retreat into silence, our inner Self will begin its conversation with us.
Excessive talking is troublesome not only for humans but also for the animal and bird species. Among the birds, parrots and mynas have the inherent capacity to talk. What to say of the speech of parrots? It captivates the hearts of all! This single trait causes the parrot to be caught and caged. Having captured them, humans delight in hearing their speech.
A poet has beautifully remarked- Shuka! Panjarabandhaste madhurānām girāṃ phalam- it means- O Parrot! Your sweet words alone are responsible for your imprisonment! Due to its excessive chatter, the bird foregoes its freedom in life.
Let us consider another bird- the heron. The heron also makes a harsh, croaking sound, but its call is not greatly relished by the human ear. Secondly, it does not make the sound often. Only when it is essential it shouts. When it is hunting for its food, i.e. fish, it remains extremely silent. Standing on the banks of the pond, closing its eyes, it remains immobile like a saint who is in meditation. The fish foolishly believes that the heron is meditating and continues to swim merrily. Suddenly the heron dips into the pond, catches the fish and gobbles it up. Had it decided to chirp during the hunting time, it will have to remain hungry.
From this sookti, we learn that the less we talk, the better we are placed. Mounam sarvārtha sādhanam- it means, the benefits of silence are multi-fold. Due to excessive chattering one can get into arguments with others. Silence is a penance. The mind and senses come under the control of the person who silences his speech.