Speech by HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji during Sunday Bhajan Session– April 20, 2014 – UPH, Mysore
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Ganesaya Namaha
Sri Saraswatyai Namaha
Sripadavallabha
Narasimha Saraswati
Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha
Sri Sri Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha
Bhajans:
Sri Ganapati Jai Ganapati
Kasi Kasi
Recently, we all went to Rameswaram along with Sri Swamiji. We spent a wonderful time there in the presence of Sadguru. From there Sri Swamiji wanted to go to Kasi but changed his plans and did abhishekam here to Lord Sachchidanandeswara with the holy waters brought from Rameswaram. Appaji went to Kasi a few years ago along with 5000 plus devotees. The Life History of Sri Swamiji tells us how important Kasi is for him. It is said that he intensely worshiped Lord Chintamani Ganapati from Kasi for a length of time.
Since a long time, Sri Swamiji has been searching for a place in Kasi to build an ashram. Somehow the efforts had not borne fruit. Even registration took place for a property on the riverbank of Ganga. But later it was found that construction on the river bank is prohibited. Some existing houses were seen but Swamiji did not like any of them. There were always so many hurdles. Now we were informed by Mr. Kailasnath of Delhi that 5 houses were under consideration. Kasi is a small area between three rivers Asi, Varana, and Ganga. It gives salvation to all as mentioned in the Upanishads. It is a small island. Only 5 krosas of land is sacred. For attaining mukti or liberation, you have to visit that small area only. Efforts were made to find a place within an area measuring 1km X 5 km. There are many ghats there with100 divisions. There is a main division of the area into 3 sections.
Sri Bala Swamiji was asked by Sri Swamiji to go and see the houses under consideration for purchase in Kasi. Hanuman Jayanti was on the full moon day of Chaitra month. On that day from Chennai Sri Bala Swamiji traveled to Kasi. He attended the early morning abhishekam. Did Ganga snana (holy bath) and went to see the houses. The first one was a very nice spacious house but expensive – 3.5 crores. Another was on Kedar ghat. There is a temple nearby and Hanuman ghat. Ganga is seen from the upper floor. The house was small but nice. It was marked as a possible choice for purchase. Another property was close to where Swamiji had once bought a Shiva Lingam. It was a market area and hence, not suitable for our purpose. After seeing the properties we returned home. Two were under consideration. Sri Swamiji was given all the details of the properties. Swamiji decided on the Kedar ghat house. He has decided to open a branch of Avadhoota Datta Peetham there.
The owner of the house also came to Delhi. An advance amount to be given was decided upon, and a purchase agreement was finalized. At once we went and gave the advance. It is indeed great news. We keep returning to the earth to attain moksha. It is only on earth that one can do sadhana to attain liberation.
Giving Bhoodana (gift of land) to Sadguru is very great, and especially so in Kasi. Now all devotees have the opportunity to give towards this divine project to establish a branch of Avadhoota Datta Peetham in Kasi. It is our duty to make this happen. The house is very nice in Kedar ghat although the first house is bigger. Kedar ghat area is more convenient for the devotees. That is why Appaji has decided on that property. Such is his compassion. The Asi River is not there anymore. It has dried up. It is a road now. But half of the road is on one side of the big house and the other half is on the other side. Therefore, it was uncertain whether the house is located within the sacred area of Kasi as stipulated in the scriptures or not.
In Srisailam we have a place. In Tirupati we have an ashram. In Kasi only inside remodeling is allowed. New construction is banned. Swamiji had postponed his trip to Kasi in order to go to his own place there.
Sri Swamiji is Lord Siva Himself. Kasi is all His. But a token place He now wants to have close to Lord Visweswara. Hanuman ghat is close by and Ganga River is near. Such a place has now been obtained. It is news to feel proud of, for all Datta devotees. Even Muslims and Christians there have devotion to Visweswara. Sri Bala Swamiji had spoken to some Muslims. They treat the visiting devotees well. Their livelihood depends on them. Friendly atmosphere is there. To give land to Sadguru in Kasi is indeed a rare opportunity. 30’X40’ area only. It is very small. But it is a great chance for all devotees to participate in this seva.
Wherever you may go, the places remain where they are. But we must hold them in our hearts. Wherever Sadguru places His feet, that place is most sacred. The place Kasi has great power. One has to visit. You may remember or think of it but that is not enough. You have to go there. It does not get submerged even during Pralaya (the great Deluge). We have heard the story of Divodas.
Varanasi (Kasi’s another name; it also known as Benares) is a family name for some. E.g. Jaitra Varanasi our violinist. In olden days people walked to Kasi and settled there. Some took a pot with them to bring back water from Ganga to do prokshanam (sprinkle holy water) for all relatives and friends. The family name Varanasi came like that to such families who made that pilgrimage.
A Guru Nilayam should be built there soon for Sadgurudeva.
Bhajan:
Ananda kanana
Come people ask questions: What is a jyotirlinga? Why 12? Why only 12? Why? Why not all Siva Lingas be considered as jyotirlingas? Siva as a pillar of light appeared on earth. Vishnu and Brahma searched high and low to find out His beginning and end. That radiance and heat were very powerful. They could find no beginning and no end. On earth it appeared. The Earth was going to get shattered and people were going to be scorched. All the gods prayed to Siva to reduce the heat and brilliance. A body cannot change its size and shape all at once. So He split the radiance into 12 parts. Each has the power of all 12. This light is the light if knowledge.
Our country has changed hands and so many changes have occurred with so many invasions. To preserve the sacred Siva Lingas the priests hid them in safe places or in their homes. Many priests were killed in trying to protect the Jyotirlingas.
In a corner Lord Visvesvara got consecrated in Kasi. He is not conspicuous.
Kasi is a blissful forest that grants spiritual knowledge. Come stay in our hearts, O Lord, we must pray. When invoked, God comes and resides there. Please come and be the master of my soul. We are not masters of anything. We should have no ego. You control and lead me, O Lord. All is you.
Asi and Varana rivers are the Ida and Pingala Nadis. The middle nadi is Sushumna, which is River Ganga. You are light. O Siva, the destroyer of sins, show your grace upon me, this bhajan says.
Mothers Visalakshi and Annapurna are the deities in the two Sakti Peethams in Kasi. Hence, Kasi is very special. Some other Sakti Peethams are Ujjain with Maha Kali, Pithapuram with Puruhootika, Srisailam with Bhramarambika, and so on. Kasi has two Sakti Peethams. It is very powerful.
You protect us O Lord. You are Sachchidananda, Blissful, Eternal, and infinite.
Bhajan:
Annapurna Jnana purna
The food we eat should not just fill the stomach and satisfy hunger. Discipline in eating is essential. Focus on what is being eaten. One should not eat mechanically. The mind should be pure while eating. Upanishads and the Yoga Sastra prescribe rules about eating food. Food must feed the intellect. Wash up before and after a meal. You drink some water first. Children must be taught these rules. Food’s effect is revealed even as early as the mid-twenties. TV watching while eating is wrong. There is life force in every particle that we eat. We consume life force. To cook there are rules to follow. Food gives thoughts and it improves memory. Food should give inspiration. The Kundalini must rise. Mother Annapurna (Goddess of Food) is all powerful eternally. Food nourishes the skin. Annapurna is not just a statue of Mother Goddess holding a dish and a spoon. Annapurna gives purity. Food is very sacred. It must be revered and never insulted. Food gives success. Food is Anna. Mother Annapurna is calm and forgiving. She ever feeds everyone.
Lepers in Kasi, 2000 of them will be fed on May 26th on Swamiji’s Birthday in Swamiji’s name. The lepers are not properly treated because even their sight is repulsive. But they do need to be fed and cared for.
Mother Annapurna is Sachchidananda, who eternally protects.
Bhajans:
Pranavaroopamashraye
Enappa Hanumappa
Tvameva Mata…
Kakada Harati
Sri Guru Datta