Speech of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – morning – May 30, 2015 – Mysore
Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Sadgurubhyo Namaha.
A devotee once asked a Guru what the difference between a human being and God is. Sadguru answered: Man gets, gets, and forgets. God gives, gives, and forgives.
Like God, Sadguru also gives, gives and forgives.
There are disadvantaged children here, for whom Swamiji will be gifting implements. By His grace, we pray that the children will be restored to normalcy to lead comfortable lives.
The trustees of many ashramas have assembled here to report the activities of the past and the activities of the anticipated future. Sri Swamiji will be soon with us to bless us.
A question arose: What is the mandatory duty of a human being? Sadguru says, man has to perform Dharma. Every human being must follow his Dharmic nature, just as any other species on earth follows its own nature. Man’s nature is to perform Dharma. Without doing so, his lifetime is wasted. People are under the false impression that life is permanent. Life is like a transient bubble.
A renowned scientist recently declared that with the population explosion and the deterioration of ecology, human race itself my become extinct in one to two thousand years.
Man questioned whether or not the luxuries and comforts of life are permanent. When body itself is temporary, comforts certainly cannot last, the Sadguru announced.
An eternal truth to ever remember is, that death follows us closely like a shadow. Therefore, nonstop Dharmic activities should be engaged in. What is Dharma? Eating when hungry appears like the best Dharma. Do you therefore keep eating? No.
We must make a note of a very important point. There are many Dharmas. What is the most important of them all? Devotees and disciples should be ever engaged in service. It is the deepest and the most secret privilege, not available to all.
Inside a dark, deep, dense jungle, there is a lake. There is a lotus there in it. By offering that flower, Guru will be pleased. How difficult it is to penetrate into the jungle, swim the waters, and bring the lotus back to offer it at the lotus feet of Sadguru!
Every disciple should be prepared to go through such an intense effort in the service of Guru, to please Him.
All have access to this type of service. But not everyone utilizes the opportunities presented. Yogis also approach Guru for guidance. They may receive instruction in Yoga or Jnana, but may not receive a chance for serving the Guru personally, to give Him pleasure and satisfaction. Even Yogis often are deprived of a chance to serve Guru. They would be eagerly yearning for a chance to serve.
Trotakacharya Swami, a disciple of Adi Shankara, was given the job of laundering Guru’s clothes. Other three disciples were not given any such task to serve Guru. They felt deprived of the good fortune. They were only required to study.
How to serve? Dharma is Seva. But how to serve is another deep secret. To recognize an act as service, is also beyond the comprehension of the common intellect. When Swamiji personally selects a few persons and grants them a chance to serve, one must jump with joy and render the service, rather than treat it as a burden or a responsibility.
Seva is the result of save-ing your merit. The same four letters form both the words, Seva and Save. We are all children. Like Mother Goddess, Sadgurudeva gives us the privilege to serve Him, in return for which He grants priceless merit that will benefit us for many lifetimes.
Sadgurudeva Sri Swamiji is giving us darshan in the form of Sage Suka today, donning the special saree gifted to Him, decorated with parrots design.
Rather than doing service that appeals to us, it is more important to offer service that Sadguru wishes for us to perform for Him. We may feel like offering a certain gift or give annadanam. Suppose you give a cheque and leave the beneficiary column blank, you should leave the choice of its use entirely to Sadguru. Do not express your preference. Do not say instead of giving to Avadhoota Datta Peetham Trust, you would prefer to give to Sri Jayalakshmi Annadana Trust.
Do not doubt that you have the capacity to do a service. Simply pray for the strength to carry out His instructions when Guru assigns you a difficult job.
Many trustees, and Matru Mandali members have been given specific instructions. Hence, they have to render service as per Guru’s pleasure and guidance.
Swamiji has told us that He has struggled a lot, saving every penny to build this Datta Peetham. We must pay heed to His words and understand the level of struggle and sacrifice that He underwent for our sake. With great interest and eagerness He has established each and every ashram. If Mysuru ashram is His heart, every other ashram is each like a different organ in His body. Each is most important. You must accept your responsibility when you are appointed as a trustee, and perform your duties in a timely manner with diligence.
Without even your praying for it, your troubles will automatically be removed if your service is sincere and wholehearted.
In every single ashrama, Hanuman Chalisa Parayana should take precedence over all other activities. The target began with 1.3 billion, then was increased to 7 billion, yesterday it rose to 9 billion and now Appaji has raised the target to 1008 crores or 10.08 billion.
Many new projects are done in Mysuru ashrama. Shuka Vana has been set up at a great sacrifice and effort. Swamiji personally posed for countless photos with individual donors. Today a new Vishwam building inauguration took place to make room for all the recently acquired items.
Through Facebook and the Internet, Swamiji makes it a point to convey news about all the developments at the ashram. It is the duty of every devotee to keep up with the latest news. One must learn and share with others, the mission of Sri Swamiji, and His dedication to the propagation of devotion in the world globally. Keep abreast of all the new projects and schemes for service. Free dispensaries, annadanam, and other activities are regularly taking place in many ashrams. Some ashrams have specific projects and activities as stipulated by Swamiji.
Swamiji will make sure that your household will run smoothly by the grace of Swamiji. You must place the wellbeing of your ashram ahead of your personal needs. You must visit the ashram regularly, at least on Sundays and Thursdays. Some devotees, like Shyamala Pappu, who are elderly, still make it a point to visit weekly and if not possible, at least every month, although she lives 40 kilometers away from the ashram in Delhi.
Make it a point and make a resolution that you will certainly visit and serve your local ashrams. Swamiji says: If you have the option of visiting, and yet you do not visit the ashram, give up your posts as trustees and members of matru mandali, now. These sentiments should not be expressed by Him. We should not give Him a cause to speak like this.
The employees of the ashram have to be paid their salaries, the priests, the cooks, the watchmen, the cleaning crew, and the utilities have to be paid, such as electricity and water bills. All aspects of ashram maintenance have to be taken care of with the same affection and commitment as if they are all parts of Swamiji’s body. All Ashrama members should render their services with total responsibility and without any lapses, to give pleasure to Swamiji’s heart.
Swamiji is giving us His divine darshan now. He will now give us some verbal guidance. In the coming two years we have to work very hard. Next year is the Golden Jubilee year of the Mysuru Ashram.
The year after that we celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Sri Swamiji’s birth. Swamiji is Vajrakaya, with a body as tough as a diamond. We must preserve His health and interests to the best of our abilities. It is our combined duty.
Sri Guru Datta
Compiled by Smt Hira Duvvuri