Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji during bhajanotsavam – September 16, 2011 – Chennai
“Today it is the Sankashta Hara Chaturthi. We worship Ganapati who removes all difficulties. We remember the 32 Ganapatis and the 32 names of Lord Ganapati. Some ask as to who is the most important of all the 32 Ganapatis. Runa Vimochana Ganapati should be remembered and worshipped with devotion to get rid of all problems. We all know that Runa means debt. Our debts have to be cleared. We got this Janma (birth). We should use this to attain Janma Rahitya (removal of further births). As long as our debts are not cleared, we will keep taking births.
The Guru tradition, the Datta tradition,Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji’s tradition are there to help us to clear our debts and attain Janma Rahitya. The Janma has occurred. Now we have to do what is needed to make sure that we are not born again. For that, we have to fulfill all our responsibilities and duties with diligence. Our body is our instrument for achieving this. Hence we have to give it just the necessary care to protect it. We have to give it timely attention. Then it will be our helpful instrument that will aid us in achieving our goal of practicing Dharma (the Universal code of Righteousness).
It is said that there are 84 lakhs (8,400,000) types of creatures in Creation. Man, among them is supreme. He is the most powerful and fit for achieving this goal. The hands should be used to offer protection. The tongue is to be used to offer solace, and to praise God. The ear is given to us for listening to obtain good knowledge, and the eyes are there to see that which is good in everything. Everyone in this world should follow the path of Brahman, which is the same as the path of the Guru. For this one should develop Satva Guna, a peaceful and noble nature.
Without regard to caste or creed, every human is born with Matru Runa, a debt that is owed to the mother for carrying the child in the womb for 9 long months. Deva Runam is the debt that we all owe to the gods who provide us with air to breathe, water to drink, sunshine, and food for nourishment. We have to definitely remember these great favors and make every effort to clear these debts during this lifetime itself. We cannot afford to forget the mother and the gods, because of whom we have acquired this body.
We do not remember asking for this body. We have lost that power to recollect. Yet, God has given us this body. Where, how, and when we are born, is not in our control. But having come here, we must complete our journey. One should never think of cutting the life short. Even thinking about ending one’s life deliberately, by committing suicide, is a very great sin. That will result in numerous future miserable births. You cannot avoid it. Ending life by a Yoga Sankalpa, like the great Bhishma or like Sati Devi (the wife of Siva) is different. Deva Runa (the debt owed to the gods) can only be cleared through Nama Sankeertana, singing the names of God with devotion and absorption.
The greatest debt that we owe is to the Guru. It is called Rishi Runa. It is only cleared when you take refuge at the feet of the Sadguru. Then he gives Jnana (spiritual knowledge), and contentment. The Rishi/Guru Runa is the most difficult debt to clear. That is because only the Guru, gives whatever he gives, with absolutely no expectation. The Devas or gods expect, when they give you a body, that you will lead a righteous life and will uphold Dharma in the world. The mother also expects that you will achieve success in your life. Whereas the Guru protects and teaches you without any motive, except to do ‘hitha’ – give you benefit. One can never give anything to the Guru because his palm is always facing down in the gesture of giving, and yours is always facing up, in the gesture of receiving.
What can we give the Guru? How can we clear our debt to the Guru? What does he like? Other gurus may have other requirements for spiritual exercises. Our Guru, Sri Ganapati Sachchidananda Swamiji likes Nama Sankeertana. That is why we are having this Bhajanotsavam here. For Runa Vimochana, for clearing the debt to the Guru, you must do Nama Sankeertana. Let us all achieve our Runa Vimochana by doing Nama Sankeertana. It is very important. As per the Guru’s command, I do Nama Sankeertana, leaving all other works aside. Let us not be burdened by that giant demon called Runa (debt) to the Guru. By doing this, by this worship to Runa Vimochana Ganapati, let us also get rid of all difficulties.
Almost all activities fall under the category of some Fine Art or the other, except the chanting of Omkara. It is not considered as one of the fine arts. It transcends all such arts.
When we do Nama Sankeertana, when we sing bhajans, we should follow rhythm. We should keep the beat with our hands. For this we use the talam (rhythmic beat). Only when the bhajan singing is melodious, following the proper shruti (pitch), and laya (rhythm), and the proper tune, people will be attracted to it and will join the group. Only then there is joy. God will come then to help you. All other friends of this world will come to you only when you are happy and going through good times. In times of sorrow, your only friend who comes to you to care for you is God.
Talam in Telugu language also means, ‘key’. This talam that you combine with your singing will act as a key to open the door to Guru Sannidhi, and to Satya Loka, the highest heaven or spiritual plane. When you do Nama Sankeertana, your whole body and mind should be involved. All the organs of action and all the sense organs should be engaged in singing the praises to God. The mind should be completely absorbed in devotion.
There are some good TV channels that carry nice dharmic and spiritual programs. All other channels that show breaking news, show you only heart breaking news. It is best to avoid them.
Courtesy: Smt. Hira Duvvuri