Speeches of HH Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji – Datta Kshetra Yatra 2025 – Swagata Sabha – SGS Ashrama, Vijayawada, AP – December 31, 2024
Datta Kriya Yoga
(Chanting the shatchakra mantra with namaskara mudra. Touch the earth and offer salutations.)
Prana is so important. Every day, practice surya chandra nadi bhedana pranayama for 40 minutes if you find the time; or practice atleast for 10-20 minutes daily. The movement of air is like a serpent’s movement. This is sarpa pranayama.
That is why the serpent is a very saintly creature, it does not harm us. Only when we step on it or threaten it or step into its territory, does it bite us. Otherwise, it does not. Among all jeevis, serpent alone can subsist on air, even more than yogis can. There are many yogis in the Himalayas that subsist on air, we don’t see them today, we only read about them in the books.
We heard of Kalinga Sarpa. In our spine, there is circulation of air in the form of a serpent. In Kaliyuga, vayu is very important. Man dies when breath ends.
In Krta Yuga, people lived until they had bones. They would see God and talk to God while in their body. The population was very limited, you could easily count the number of people. They were mostly mahatmas. In Treta Yuga, slowly, it was flesh that mattered. Man lived until he had flesh. The lifespan decreased to 8000, 9000 years or so.
In Dvapara Yuga, man lived until he had skin. Of course today too we have to protect our skin. Occasionally apply coconut oil on the skin, soak in the sun, and take a bath with lukewarm water.
In Kaliyuga, man lives until he has breath. No matter how many hospitals or tubes the person has, he will pass once the breath is gone. In some instances, Swamiji tells some devotees to remove the tubes and oxygen support on the patients. What maya it is that some of them have lived very well to this day. They are not bedridden, they are going about their life happily.
Pranayama is very important. We are learning Pranayama with 12 kriyas. You must practice them. Listen to this seriously for the next 10 minutes.
I am looking at everyone’s face and seeing your reactions. Concentrate and listen, this is Upadesha, you will not get this again.
As soon as you wake up in the morning, clean your nose with lukewarm salt water. Wash your face and wipe your eyes with cotton. For those with heat in the body, goop builds up in the eyes, you can wipe that off.
Each person must use your own toothbrush, do not share toothbrushes. You will suffer from toothache. Some people use the same toothbrush between the entire family. They think it’s okay to use since they wash the brush. You can use a good toothpaste of your choice. Brush well. Of course you all know this, but you need to be reminded.
Rinse your mouth well. Do not just do a cursory job. It is okay if you use a little more water, but you must feel the satisfaction that your teeth are fully cleaned. There is food stuck between your teeth. Therefore, you must clean your teeth very well. Many diseases start with the teeth. If your teeth are not clean, it first affects the kidneys. This is proven by science.
Don’t just brush your teeth to make them shine, you must clean the teeth well. Some have a bad odor from their mouth. This is called Pyorrhea. That is because they don’t clean their teeth well. Those who smell that bad breath from such people can also get the germs. You must also clean your tongue well and remove all mucus/kapha. Your neighbors must complain about your sounds, the gurgling sounds one makes while washing the mouth and throat thoroughly, that is how thorough you should be. That mucus is what causes heart problems and asthma.
Wash the nose with lukewarm salt water. Do not worry about what others will think or that the sounds are offensive when you get the mucus out. Your health is important. Clear all the mucus and then for 10 minutes do Pranayama.
If you do Pranayama, it is good for your gut and your heart. You must compulsorily do sun-moon-breathing. If you have some time left still, stop and just do dhyana. The mind usually tends to get distracted, so put the mind on the sound of the breath. Whenever the mind goes astray, bring it back to the breath.
When you study the Bhagavad Gita, the mind will want to run here and there. Keep bringing it back. The organ of perception (jnanendriya) will perceive something and the organ of action (karmendriya) will go act on it. But if you keep bringing it back, the organs will get trained.
Bhagavad Gita is very important for our lives. In Kurukshetra, 2000 people chanted the Gita. Australia, Dubai, Trinidad, Germany, US and many others participated. Lakhs of students in the US are studying the Bhagavad Gita. They are all children of people who immigrated to the US from here.
You are all practicing Datta Kriya Yoga. This is practical, this is not just about listening to lectures. You must practice 3 times as much as you get theoretical knowledge. This will increase memory for children, will reduce chronic ailments and afflictions in adulthood. Prana has so much power.
I am looking at everyone’s face and seeing your reactions. Concentrate and listen, this is Upadesha, you will not get this again.
From 3-year-olds to 90-year-olds, people have memorized the 700 shlokas. There are 2000 teachers in India. You can choose your teachers online. Our students have gone to Sringeri and won the prize of Rs. 21000 and offered that in Annadana at Datta Peettam.
They chant with so much clarity. When you memorize the Bhagavad Gita, you will be so peaceful. When you grow up, you have to face difficulties in life. It is very rare to want to be Brahmachari; most people want to get married. But the only word I want you to give me is that when you marry, you must have a good number of children. Hindus must increase in number. Do not worry about your body. Invaders are driving us out of our country. Do not let that happen.
Veda students must uphold our traditions. Veda Pāthashāla is very important. You are very fortunate to be part of Veda Pāthashāla. Look at other children of your age, they do not have that fortune, but you do. So, make good use of it.
I went to a Scheduled Caste colony where people were getting converted to Christianity. I asked them what they wanted. And per their wishes, I built them a temple. Swamiji built over 20 temples in various neighborhoods and taught them to do priestly duties as well. Support the underprivileged, give them clothes, support them so they do not get disenfranchised.
If you do Yoga Asanas, you will not get any ailments. You will not doze off, you will be awake and active during the day.
Kriya Yoga classes are happening here, may there be more classes. All of you here must become teachers tomorrow. We are doing this for everyone’s welfare. There is nothing of benefit for Me. Let the world be healthy. We do Datta Kriya Yoga for the benefit of this world. Cooperate, practice well, you will be healthy.
Divya Nama Sankeertana
Sri Swamiji has authored a very big book on healing. It is available in Telugu and English languages. You can also find a chart that describes the details of music, the number of strokes to be used. Each ailment will have a specific number of strokes for the healing music.
Bhajan ID 2097: gōvinda! gōvinda! gōvindā!
We will now recollect a story related to this.
The concept of devotion was propagated by Vyasa Bhagavan. Jnana is connected to Bhakti (devotion). Without Bhakti, Jnana is incomplete and futile. Many people lack devotion, hence they do not attain peace of mind. No matter how much we spend towards temples, we will not attain peace.
If you offer salutations superficially, that will not do good to you. You must do it with devotion and love. Veda Vyasa Bhagavan is the best example in this case. In the Kuru dynasty, barring Pandavas, none gave importance to Bhakti. Had they knew about Krishna, they would not have succumbed to a terrible death. They gave importance to hatred, anger, and envy. If we foster these evil qualities, we only reap the fruit called violence; we attain peace only with devotion.
The Kuru dynasty fostered violence, which finally led to battle. Therefore, they all perished. Krishna’s relatives, the Yadu dynasty ,also perished due to ego. Only the Pandavas attained exalted states.
One day, Sage Vyasa, on the banks of river Saraswathi, contemplated on his own writings. He thought – I have written Mahabharata and many other writings that benefit the world. But, I have no peace. The main fruit of anything is peace, such being the case, if I cannot attain peace, then what is the use of all that?
Then, Sage Narada descended from the sky and told him thus: O Vyasa! You have told about Dharma, Artha, Kāma and Moksha but you have not written anything about Bhakti Shastra. You have told about Krishna’s sayings to Arjuna, the Kauravas, etc., but you lack devotion. Poetry alone does not shine; it should be embedded with devotion.
We sing many movie songs even today because they are filled with devotion. We do not remember the others.
You have forgotten God, moreover, due to the bad words (that were used by Kauravas, Shishupaala, etc.) you had used in your writings, you acquire sins. So, devotion is a must in all writings. Tyagaraja Swamy also told the same.
The Nishkaama karma (desire less action) that is performed without devotion also is futile. All desires, devoid of devotion, cause inauspiciousness only. You must offer your karma to God only, without any expectations. You should not ask your name to be announced because you have donated a little amount.
O Vyasa! You have not extolled the holy glories of God!
The Jnana that does not please God is incomplete, this is my opinion – said Sage Narada.
Veda Vyasa was the aspect of Vishnu but he succumbed to illusion due to human birth. He realized his folly, prostrated to Narada and wrote Bhāgavata Shastra.
If you watch Hindi channels, you will see that they sit for a week to listen to Bhagavatam discourse. During all events like marriages, death ceremony, they listen to Bhagavatam. I do not know when you will listen. If you sit for at least 3 hours, you can listen. You come on time and want to leave on time. But North Indians do it; sit and listen for 3 or 4 hours. We should develop the feeling that this is the land where Rama walked.
If you want to listen, I will give a discourse on Bhagavatam.
Everyone must be devoted even if one is following one’s duties/Dharma. The food may be very delicious but if it lacks salt, then it is of no use.
There are many people who study Bhagavatam backward. I used to do it in My childhood. If you want to learn something, you can do so. But, you need devotion, otherwise it is of no use.
Yesterday is yesterday and today is today. You should not say that you have donated yesterday. No matter how great you are, how big a scholar you are, you need to be devoted. The example for devotion is Sage Vyasa. Hence, I wanted to tell you this story.
If you do anything without devotion, then it is as good as punching the air.
Some have asked for this bhajan. They had asked for it long back; now they receive this Prasadam (bhajan).
Bhajan ID 954: pālaya gōvindā śēṣā calapati gōvindā
I am surprised that you do not open your mouth to sing, but you fight so loudly at home that even neighbors can hear you shout. Women have so much devotion, but men do not even open their mouths. Women openly share their seats with others unlike men.
After a child comes from school, the father is least interested in talking to the child, or listening to the poem recited by the child. He will shout at the child and send it away to the mother. Father should be more caring than the mother for the children to grow well.
If men do not open their mouths to sing, I will ask my children to apply Sindhuram paste on your mouth (like Hanuman).
Bhajan ID 2243: jayaṁ jayaṁ śaṅkaruḍā! nitya jayaṁ śaṅkaruḍā!
Bhajan ID 8473: vīra! śūra! dhīra! rāra! ān̄janēya!
Bhajan ID 1124 – Arati: aruṇa kiraṇa kānti mārutī
Kaayenavaachaa….