Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji on the eve of Veda examinations, June 13, 2013, UPH Mysore
Live webcast starts…. If you are arrogant towards your Guru, will you get liberation? No, you will not get. Veda’s majorly professes righteousness. May all of you have the energy, state and courage to practice such righteousness. In today’s world righteousness is standing tall only because of Veda. During the British rule, we all were scared and faced many rough circumstances. They were demolishing temples, they harmed our righteous way of living. The British had made many wicked plans to achieve their goals. After implementation of all the wicked plans, one British wrote a letter. Do you know what the content of the letter is? It is available in both the Indian and British museum. The content of the letter is “as long as India is governed by Vedas and Shastras (scriptures), we shall remain unequated, even to the dust of their feet. We cannot touch them or dominate them. Such is the power of Veda and Shastras“. Then the British tried to destroy the Guru Kula concept of education system. Guru means teacher, Kula means home of Guru. One had to search for a Guru and go to the house of the Guru, surrender to Him and serve Him and learn the education while staying there. The food and accommodation provided by the Guru Kula, were to be accepted by the students. Until then all the lessons were taught in the Guru Kula type of education system. Not only Vedas but also all the types of education were learned or practiced in the same way. It is only form past 60 years that our education system has changed. Initially it was not like that. Initially it was in the Guru Kula concept for learning. To win, the British decided to destroy the Guru Kula concept of education system that was prevalent in India. The British tried to win in many ways, but in vain.
The British have brought many changes in the Indian education system. Today we are seeing the British system of education being followed in our schools. The British could not touch our education Veda and Shastras. Why ours? This is the true education of India which has benefitted and guided all the people from different countries in the world. It is only because they could not touch our Vedas and Shastras, no matter how many times they tried to intrude into our country, destroyed and demolished our temples and tried to destroy our Indian culture, they could not win. You all unknowingly are the reason for not letting them win. All of you have unknowingly done service to dharma (righteousness) and God. We may not fight war like soldiers but our education, culture and dharma will prepare and make us true soldiers. Therefore, all the students without fail should practice dharma. Dharma will give way to Artham (riches, money). When dharma is followed then Artha will come automatically.
Vyasa, on completion of writing 18 epics, Bharatham, Brahmasutras, stood on the Himalayas and was feeling very sad. “I am doing so much upadesha to these human beings in so many different ways, telling them in many ways, but nobody is listening to me when I say that when you follow righteousness it will give way to Artha and all the happiness. The entire human race is running towards money and material desires.” Ok, not many are strong willed or desired to run after liberation, as it requires a lot of sadhana and character. At least, dharma is not being followed by human beings.
The first lesson of dharma for the student is to listen to the words of the Guru. It is important to practice what the student has heard from the Guru. That why it is said that righteousness is there to be practiced. I am very happy that you all are studying Veda’s. Some are thinking when will this Veda education be over and can we move on in life? You may think that somehow we were admitted to this Veda school. The teachers here are very adamant to make us finish the Vedic education. After finishing the education as fast as possible, we can move out and wear nice trousers and shirts and move on in life. This feeling of yours is really a big illusion. This illusion will push into very deep hell. This illusion will not benefit you in any way. It will not give you any happiness. There is no respect gained because of this illusion. This illusion will not only destroy you in the Vedic school of education but also in material world. You could not win in both the material world and in Vedic world. You could not win anyway.
Many highly educated people are coming back to the Vedic education saying this is real education. One should know the world thoroughly and not be infatuated to the superficial attractions. This is a very big mistake and error. I am giving you a constructive suggestion, not that all are doing it but do not keep your mobiles when you are studying. It is a mistake. Sure use the mobile but only to the extent it is essentially required. We are supposed to handle and control the mobile and not the other way around. Yes or no? You tell? We must not get dependant on others or be controlled by others. We should be in control of our Atman. Do not let this situation come into your life. You all are studying Veda in an excellent way, that is without any other avocations, there is no doubt in it. It is a very big deal to do study Veda admist this materialist and tempting world. Withstanding to a lot of strains. Not that you have to go to houses for biksha – food and bodily strain etc. but withstanding to the material world temptations and pursuing Vedas is appreciable. Even if you need to use the material facilities, then keep it to the extent that it is essential. Do not become dependant on it.
Many great scholars should be yielded. When anyone has a doubt regarding the notes(singing notes) with which the mantra should be pronounced or meaning of mantra or the application of mantra then your name should be recommended for the solution. That person in that village is skilled to clear your doubt. You all must come up to that level. In old days, there existed such scholars. Now also they exist but the count of such scholars is reducing. All of you try to come to the level of clearing doubts of the needy. Try to enhance your education. Education is the real riches no one can steal it. Earn a good name to your parents and to the teachers teaching you. This time the students from our ashram has done well. It is very happy news to listen. The examiners are also very happy and satisfied with the performance of the students. Continue studying nicely and earn a good name to parents, teachers, Sri Swamiji, and the ashram. The life will be become futile if righteousness is not practiced. Leaving the mortal body after leading such futile life is not accepted by demi-gods. They push back to the earth again to practice righteousness again. Again, we have to undergo all the trouble. Studying Veda is practicing righteousness. Later we must distribute the Vedic knowledge to the deserving. This is very important. Do keep this in your mind and walk in this path.
I pray to the Lord to bless you fully. Many students and examiners from different places came to attend to the examinations. May lord Datta shower His fullest blessing on all of you. As Sri Swamiji says, it is your ashram. All of you please continue to come. Do not think that you have not been invited. Telling all of you this message is itself an invitation. Even in the coming years these exams will continue. All of you are invited to the exams. When Sri Swamiji is on tour to our places, all of you do come and have darshan of Sri Swamiji. All of you together should maintain the Veda’s. Saying redeeming of Veda is wrong as it is the Veda that redeems us. We can never redeem Veda as it is in the breath of God. Vedas has been manifested from the inhale and exhale of God. May Sri Swamij and Lord Datta bless you all with the studying of Veda and teaching Veda. With this prayer, I conclude.
Sri Guru Datta