Speech of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – USA Tour – August 17, 2022 – Chicago, USA
Compiled by Archana Penukonda
śrī mahā gaṇapataye namaḥ
śrī sarasvatyai namaḥ
śrī pādavallabha narasimha sarasvati
śrī guru dattātreyāya namaḥ
kṛṣnam vande jagadgurum
After the Bhagavad Gita event, we have the Bala Mukunda Krishna Janmashtami event that we are performing in Chicago. This is a wonderful opportunity. The meaning of Krishna is that He is the one that removes all kinds of problems, miseries, and darkness.
akliṣṭa kāriṇe – This means that when you chant the name ‘Krishna’, the most difficult problems are removed, and darkness is dispelled. That is the power of the name ‘Krishna’.
Another meaning of Krishna is Light. He is Maha Vishnu’s incarnation. He took on this form to kill the demons. Kauravas were all demons. They were sinners and rakshasas filled with kama, krodha, lobha, moha, etc. All were sinners. They also gave trouble to the sattvic angels. Pandavas were like angels. Pandavas also represented the Panchabhutas – water, earth, sky, air, and fire. Some other Pandavas were like Gandharvas, Yakshas, Kinnaras, and Kimpurushas. So, they all possessed Sattvic qualities. But why did the Pandavas with Sattvic guna, who were good beings, suffer? They lost their kingdom, lived in the forest, and had no food. This is because the angels such as Yaksha, Gandharvas, Kinnaras, and Kimpurushas like Rajasa guna. They want happiness, but bad happiness. Even merely thinking of that kind of happiness causes suffering.
Sometimes, we argue with God over why he blessed some sinners but did not bless us despite our great devotion. We wonder why we continue to suffer. Such an argument is also a sin. So, all these angels were thinking about Rajo guna. They are thinking about the Kauravas’ kingdom and happiness. They were jealous of the Kauravas’ kingdom. They were from the same family, but these angels wondered why they had to suffer while the Kauravas were happy. So, Lord Krishna gave them punishment. He deprived them of their kingdom. They had no people and were subject to humiliation. They had no food or clothes and were sent to exile in the forest. They were all kings, but why did they suffer? Because of their small mistake – their thinking was flawed.
Physical sin may be excused to some extent. But sin with the mind has no excuse. You must suffer. That is why saints always advise that we relentlessly chant the divine names of Rama, Krishna, and Shiva. Maintain good thinking and be happy and satisfied with what God has given you. If not, suffering is inevitable. Sins committed with the mind are more grave than sins committed with the physical body. It starts with jealousy. You think, “I do not have they have, what sin did I commit?” I say, Who are you to ask? You have no right to make such an argument. Who are you to question God? You are not even like a millionth of a mustard seed. Not even the Earth is that significant. How can you be? In His file, we are all as insignificant as insects. Who are we to question? You have no rights. You can question yourself. We dream at nighttime. Your past birth sins also come to you in your dream. You know whatever sins you committed against your wife, husband, children, family, or Guru. You are your own judge. When you sleep alone, these sins come back to you in your dreams. Everything you did is repeated in your dream like a book, and it includes all joys and sorrows. You must avoid those dreams. What can you do? Keep your mind always busy. You learned the Bhagavad Gita. What can you do next? You can learn Soundarya Lahari and then learn Sundarakanda. You must keep your mind busy always. You must pursue spirituality on the one hand and education on the other. In a way, your children are better off. You know what suffering is and want to help them avoid it; hence you taught them the Bhagavad Gita.
I am very happy seeing the Chicago branch children receive the Bhagavad Gita medals. Your Center is the only one receiving medals like this since Sahasragala event as this is the first place I am visiting after the event. You have a good opportunity. You gave me a little rest during Sahasragala by getting medals here. Also, this medal distribution event shows how many Gita students are here. This is good publicity for you. Many cities have entire families that have done the Bhagavad Gita. Why not Chicago? I want to see a Bhagavad Gita family in Chicago too. The mother, father, and all children comprise the Bhagavad Gita family. No need to count grandparents and uncles. (Swamiji jokes that you should not count your relatives and neighbor’s wife as part of Bhagavad Gita family). If there are no children, the husband and wife will count as the family. I expect that next time, there will be Bhagavad Gita families. I thought it would happen this time, but it did not. Every family should become a Bhagavad Gita family. Everyone must study the Bhagavad Gita well. Memorize it with wholeheartedly. Those who memorize the Gita will receive abundant grace from Swamiji. Swamiji will be happy.
Swamiji reminds devotees to keep a copy of the 3-set Bhagavad Gita book even if they cannot read Telugu. This must be a collection item at home. This is a special book set. We will not print these books again. These books can be read anytime. Do not say that you cannot read or understand Telugu. Everyone must take these books. Swamiji is present where the book set is.
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta