Speech and Q&A Session of HH Sri Datta Vijayananda Teertha Swamiji – Corona Satsangam – April 24 , 2020 – Mysore
Compiled by Jaya Akkanapragada
Śrī Gańéśāya namaha
Śrī Sarasvatyé namaha
Śrī pādavallabha nrsimha Sarasvati
Śri Guru Dattātréyāya namaha
Śri Gańapati Sacchidānanda Sadgurubhyō namaha
Jaya Guru Datta
Sri Guru Datta
I invite all of you to this Satsanga. Everyone pray to Pujya Sri Swamiji in your heart for blessing us with the opportunity to stay home and do Satsanga. We have been talking about the importance of Satsanga. Sri Swamiji has been performing so much service during this lockdown period. By participating in the puja seva you will earn the merit of participating in annadāna seva. There are many people who do not have food. By providing them food, Swamiji has filled their hearts with hope.
I am reminding you over and over again to stay at home. If you must go out, wear a mask and take all the necessary precautions as suggested by the government. Wear a mask and wash your hands frequently. We must continue doing this for a few months even after the lockdown ends.
We have been discussing the importance of Satsanga and Sadguru’s kripa – grace and mahima – glory. Satsanga has the power to transform us. We discussed this excellent subhāśita yesterday. Let us again recollect the words of the Mahātmā – Maharśi Bhartruhari from His subhāśita bhāndāgāra. This subhāśita describes the greatness of associating with good people. He has written 300 subhāśitās – all of which are wonderful.
santaptāyasi samsthitasya payasō nāmāpi naśśrūyaté
On a sizzling hot pan, water which is poured will simply evaporate without a trace. Similarly during this lockdown, if someone foolishly steps out and falls sick, people will just scold him for being careless, but no one will care about him. By keeping the company of unsavoury elements, our name will never be remembered.
muktākāratayā tadéva nalinī patrassthitam druśyaté
When a raindrop falls on a lotus leaf, the sunlight falling on it makes it look like a pearl. It is not a pearl. There are people who have a mix of good and bad traits – madhyamā. If we keep such company, we will seem like pearls but not be pearls. We do not want to appear like pearls. We want to transform into a pearl. To do so, an example is given.
antassāgara śukti madhyapatitam tan mauktikam jāyaté
On the day when Svāti nakśatra is ruling, if a raindrop falls in the ocean and lands in an oyster shell, it will become a pearl. The raindrop transforms into a pearl.
Depending on where it landed, the same water droplet had different outcomes.
prāyéńādhama madhyamōttama jušām evam vidhā vruttayaha
Like the water drop, if we keep the company of adhama, madhyama and uttama, we will reach this state.
There are so many beautiful sayings like this. We can share them with our children and we can also put them in practice. Completely avoiding adhama sāngatyam, saying no to madhyama sāngatyam, we must always practice uttama sāngatyam. We should think that God has blessed us with this opportunity to spend time in uttama sāngatyam during this time.
There are 4 types of vairāgya as you all must have heard. Prasūti (experienced during childbirth), purāńa (experienced while reading scriptures, maithuna and smaśāna (experienced in a cremation ground seeing death all around) I am hearing that some people have now developed Corona vairāgyam – where people have given up hopes on this world and are not eating food or taking medicines. This is very wrong and will cause problems. Appaji will be very angry. We should learn from Appaji’s lifestyle. No matter how busy He is, He always makes time for exercise and takes care of His health.
Appaji showed me a video where the police were fed up dealing with youngsters who are rebelling and roaming around on motorbikes during the lockdown. To teach them a lesson, the police kept an ambulance with a person lying down in it pretending to be positive for the virus. They stopped a person going on a bike and forced him into the ambulance despite his protests. As soon as the biker enters, the Corona patient sits up and says “lets’ hug each other!” The guy was so scared he jumped out of the window and ran for his life.
How much can the police do to enforce lockdown and make sure we are all safe? It is very wrong to needlessly roam around. It is also wrong to sit at home in complete fear. Giving up both these tendencies, we must follow all the rules laid down and win this war. If we make an effort, then with Sadguru’s grace and God’s blessings, we will succeed. People said a few lakh people will die in India from Corona because our population is so high. In a country of 138 crore people, they have controlled the spread of the virus to such a great extent.
Now in other countries also, the outbreak is coming under control. Now we must be even more careful. If we put a hole in the boat before we reach the shore and let water gush into the boat, how will we cross the river? In fact, after crossing the river we must keep the boat safely because we never know when we will need to use it again. In the same way, even after the lockdown ends, we must take all necessary precautions.
Covid reminds me of this kōvédā sloka in the védās.
kō ardhāvédhaka yaha pravōcat
kuta ājātā kuta iyam visruśtihi
arvā dévā asya vrujjanāyā
No one knows where it has come from, or where it will go. Maybe God has released this on us. Let us pray to Him to release us from this.
At this time, in addition to Satsanga, we must also develop tyāga buddhi – sacrificing nature. I once read a very powerful quote – “the question of my bread is a material one. The question of my neighbour’s bread is a spiritual one.” Everyone asks to be fed when they are hungry. Trying to find a way to procure food for myself is a material pursuit. But when we enquire or consider how another being will suffer if they do not have food, that urge to want to help that person or animal, that is spirituality. There is a fine line between materialism and spirituality. We must know where the line is, and decide for ourselves where we want to be.
We never used to be concerned about how the next person is faring until this Corona situation. Now everyone hopes and pray that his neighbour is healthy because if his neighbour contracts it, then he is scared he will get it too. Praying for others is also tyāga buddhi. We must practice this, and be grateful for this opportunity. This is known as sakārātmaka driśtihi – the ability to be positive in any situation. I read recently “There is only one negative word. That is positive.” Except for being diagnosed as positive for the virus, let us be positive in our outlook in every situation.
By appearing before us every single day, Swamiji is filling all our hearts with hope and courage. When disciples and devotees pray to Mahātmās, they would receive messages in their dreams to give them courage. This was known as ākāśavāńī. Since we cannot come to Mysuru ashrama physically and have Swamiji’s darshana, or participate in various sevas, now Appaji is appearing before all of us in Live, and giving us a beautiful message every single day and involving us all in some seva – either a puja or homam, and with the proceeds received, He is donating it to feed others. Appaji is constantly inculcating tyāga buddhi in us.
Post Corona, in addition to taking all necessary precautions, we must participate in even more sevas. As we discussed before, even devatās faced quarantine, and with the churning of the ocean, amrutam was created. In the same way, a cure will be found for Corona as well. But we must not wait for the vaccine. As a doctor mentioned today, our vaccine should be wearing a mask, maintaining personal hygiene and social distancing. These may become permanent habits. As Swamiji mentioned in His Life History, “in 2020, everyone will know about the traditions of the Rishīs, and follow them.”
We are also hearing about more incidents of domestic violence. We must try and avoid mentally and emotionally hurting others. Someone may have hurt us in the past, but we must forgive and forget about it. We must practice forgiveness. Otherwise, by constantly finding fault with others, we only end up developing hatred, and this is not good. We must try and put ourselves in their place, and then think how we would react. Until May 3rd, we have to live together and see each other’s faces. So set aside differences and try seeing things from the other person’s perspective, and maintain cordial relations with everyone at home.
Let us pray that domestic violence and violence in the streets stops. We can only pray at this time. Appaji has mentioned the importance of ahimsa on so many occasions.
Only by practicing ahimsa will we be true devotees of our Sadguru. I am simply reminding you about what you already know since I have been given this responsibility.
When I analysed and thought, I realised that like the dévatās, Rāmā also experienced isolation. After being born, every person has to face difficulties. Since Rāma took a human form, He also had to go through difficulties.
When Sītāmāta spotted the golden deer, Lakshmana Svāmi being a great yogi said “this is Maya.” They were all completely 13 years of living in exile in the forest. In all this time since Rāma had never such a creature in the forest, He also knew it was not real, and that the rākśasās – demons were up to something.
When Lakshmana chopped off Śūrphanakā’s nose and ears, 14,000 demons came to take revenge. Seeing them, Rāma asked Lakshmana to take Sītāmāta into the cave and guard her so that no one harms her. He asked Lakshmana also to stay put in the cave, and not come out. This is another example of isolation.
In spite of knowing the demons were probably playing tricks, Rāma still went after the golden deer because that day was caitra śuddha aśtami. It was Sītāmātā’s birthday. She had left the kingdom and all luxuries behind and accompanied Him even though she didn’t need to. Just to fulfil her birthday wish, Rāma said “okay I will bring it back dead or alive” And left.
When Sītāmāta asks Lakshmana to go in search of Rāma, he draws 3 lines, and requests her not to cross them. The incident of drawing 3 lines is not mentioned in Vālmiki Rāmāyańa but in other versions. The Lakshmana rékha was drawn to keep her in isolation. When she disobeyed the request, she had to suffer. We must also think that the threshold outside our main door is the Lakshmana rekha, and if we step out, Rāvańa in the form of Corona is waiting for us.
When Rāma helped Sugrīva regain the kishkinda kingdom, Sugrīva promised to help Rāma find Sīta. But Rāma says “let us wait for these 4 months of rainy season to pass.” Rāma loved Sītāmāta very dearly, and cried every moment for her. But look at his patience! He stayed strong for those 4 months.
Look at us. We are stepping out of the house on small pretexts at this time. For those 4 months, Rāma and Lakshmana were in isolation on Prassravana giri where it rains non-stop just like in Cherapunji. Since no one could enter or leave, all the essential items they would require were brought and stored by Lakshmana. Sugrīva also sent some items. They managed with whatever they had for 4 months by practicing alpāhāram – eating only a little food which is nutritious. During the lockdown, we must also practice this. We must not eat anything and everything we find. We must practice moderation and eat healthy food. Consume foods containing more Vitamin C, green tea and fruits. SrīRāma was in isolation for 4 months.
Now let us look at incidents of isolation in Bhāgavatam. Once when a yagña was being performed, Sri Krishna enquired whether prakriti ārādhana (invoking Mother Nature) had been done, since the 2 main requirements for yagña – ghee and wood for lighting the fire come from Mother Nature. The participants replied that they had not done prakriti ārādhana. So Krishna took them to plant trees. There is a rule that if we are felling one tree, we must plant another 5 trees to compensate.
On seeing that all the participants had abandoned the yagña and gone away to plant trees, Indra got very angry and unleashed huge rainclouds which would cause floods. When it was raining so heaviliy and incessantly, Sri Krishna lifted up the Govardhana giri with His little finger, and asked all the villagers in Brajabhūmi to come and seek shelter under the hill along with their livestock. He said I can only protect you if you are under this hill. If you are beyond this hill, I cannot take responsibility for what happens to you. This was isolation.
Dévatās and Avatāra Puruśās had to undergo isolation. Swamiji is also practicing isolation. Appaji is taking every precaution, and taking very good care of His health. Appaji loves cleanliness.
Today I will speak a little about tyāga and continue about it tomorrow.
Tyāgénaiké amruta tattva mānuśuhu
na prajayā na dhénéna na karmańā
atriyādi mānuśaha
Nārāyańa upaniśad says that we will only be able to understand Paramātma tattva and experience amrutam by practicing tyāga. Even all the great Mahātmās like Atri Maharśi attained Paramātma tattva by practicing tyāga. We must also develop tyāga buddhi.
There is a beautiful sloka describing the sacrifices made by Mahātmās.
Karńastvacam śibir māmsam jīmūtavāhanaha
Dadau dadhīci rasthīni
Kinnadén mahātmanām
With his tyāga buddhi, Karńa gave his skin, Śibi gave his flesh to protect a being, Jīmūtavāha offered his life itself while Dadhīci Maharśi took out his bones and offered them. There is nothing that a Mahātma did not give.
We on the other hand look for what we do not need anymore, and try to offer that. At least doing that is fine. Many people do not even do this much.
There is a saying in Telugu that such a person won’t even part with the last few grains of rice left on his plate. It does not refer to food per se, but such a person’s attitude in general. Appaji is doing so much for people in need. We must do whatever we can now. Even after Corona ends, enquire and find out who is in need and help them. We must teach tyāga buddhi to children. We have a tendency to keep acquiring and accumulating. Instead of acquiring material objects, we must try to accumulate Sadguru’s krupa.
Q&A session with Pujya Śri Bala Swamiji
Q 1 : During this quarantine period how do we perform śrāddha (annual rites for those who have passed away.) In case we are unable to perform the rites now, what needs to be done later?
A : When Appaji performed Deepa Lakshmi puja, He lit two lamps – one for forefathers and one for dévatās. The third lamp was for Paramātma parandhāma. Every year, annual rites are performed to pitrudévatās to remember them and offer them food and water. Since it is done with śraddha, it is known as śrāddha. During this time, you cannot invite people as bhōktās to receive the offering on behalf of the forefathers, or invite relatives home for the ritual. Books such as the Dharma Sindhu grantha have given details of what to do in situations like this.
In place of bhōktās, place darbha grass and invoke Viśnu and offer the food prepared. This food can then be given to a cow, or left in the water, and that water can be used to water trees and plants. If this is also not possible, the food should be offered to agni.
If this also cannot be done, pray to the forefathers and ask for their forgiveness and perform the māsika (monthly ritual) or ābdika (annual rites) on the first bahula aśtami or ékādaśi or amāvāsya after the lockdown ends. If someone who can chant the mantras lives close by, you can ask them. Otherwise you can chant the mantras. If you do not have darbha, you can use blades of grass. If grass is not available, you can offer akśata – raw rice mixed with turmeric. This is also enough.
Q 2: Swamiji, in Yoga vāsistham, Brahma deva gives a mantra to Sūcikōpāthā so that Karmati does not cause harm. Please tell us this mantra Swamiji.
A : The questioner is asking for the medicine. This is true, and we have discussed about this in yoga vāsishtam. Each week, on Thursday and Sunday, we are publishing new videos on YouTube.
In Karkati upākhyāna, even before Karkati appears, Brahma deva gives the mantra. Karkati has the desire to consume a lot of food. Brahma deva tells her that “if someone is righteous – on the path of dharma, you must spare them. Eat only those of wicked budhi, and who lead a life of adharma.” From then on, Karkati starts picking up each person and examining them in great detail to see if they lead a life of dharma or not, before eating them.
Not happy with this method, She performs tapas so that she can take the form of a needle, and prick everyone and drink their blood. She receives a boon, and becomes a needle. This is why Karkati is also known as sūcikōpākhyam – one in the form of a needle. After she becomes a needle, she is very frustrated because what prāńa does a needle have? It can prick someone, and they will bleed, but a needle can never drink the blood. She gets very upset and does tapas once more.
She is blessed with the Mahātmā’s darshan, and He initiates her. With the knowledge imparted by the Mahātma, the curse is lifted and she becomes one with sat buddhi. After the curse is lifted, she is worshipped in a cave as Mangalā devi.
Before Karkati came to earth itself, Brahma deva recites a mantra for the benefit of mankind so that no one faces difficulties. The mantra is
aum hrīm hrām hrīm hrām viśnu śaktayé namaha
aum namō bhagavati viśnu śaktivénām
aum hara hara naya naya paca paca matha matha
utsādaya dūrī kuru svāhā himavantam gaccha jīva
saha saha saha candramandala gatōsissvāhā
iti mantī mahāntram yasyā
Sri Sekhar Avadhani is chanting this mantra every day as japa for the benefit of all mankind. Like this, there are many programs being undertaken in the ashrama to alleviate this difficulty.
Appaji has given Śītalā devi mantra and ashtakam. This has appeared in Bhakti TV as well. All of you must chant these slokas.
Q 3: Swamiji, how can I know who am I? what is the cause for this janma?
A : janmanaha karma kārańam
Our karmās or actions are the cause for this janma. You all know that our thoughts and desires, as well as māya (illusion) and mōha (confusion and ignorance) lead to the actions we perform. Śāstrās have determined that depending on the type of karma we undertake, our janma will be determined. If we think about it, this is not difficult to understand. As we perform good karma – satkarma, it leads to gñāna. This is why Sadguru makes us all perform satkarma – good deeds. By performing satkarma, our agñāna – ignorance is dispelled, and we are blessed with gñāna.
agñāna timirāndhasya
gñānānjana śalākaya
cakšur unmīlitam yéna
tasmai Śri guravé namaha
Sadguru does what is needed to open our eyes. Once our eyes are open, we will know the the answer to the question ‘who am I?’
Sōham – you are that Paramātma. Tat tvam asi – these are not just mere words. They should come to experience. Only with Sadguru’s grace will the answer to the question “kōham – who am I?” be found.
In the ashrama, we have the grantha – Vedanta pātham. By reading this, you will understand more.
Q 4: Which aspect in Ramayana is Jatāyu with respect to the human body? We have learnt that Rāma is ātma and Sīta is mind, but what does Jatāyu represent?
A : Jatāyu represents a good friend. When Kabandha remarks that Rāma has no friends, Rāma glances at Lakshmana. Kabandha tells him “do not look at Lakshmana. He is not your friend. He is your brother. Get a good friend. Only then can you find Sītāmāta.”
That was Kabandha’s teaching. Then Rāma goes and meets Sugrīva. Without Jatāyu’s help, it would have been very difficult to find Sītāmāta. Good friends will help you. I am very surprised as to how you asked about Jatāyu. Today I was reading about Jatāyu, and I thought of speaking about Jatāyu, and then decided to speak about tyāga – sacrificing.
Śarańyāha sarvatra santihi
This sloka in the Ramayana says that everyone in this world has some good thinking. Rāma praised Jatāyu for always being on the path of dharma. He was a great friend to Rāma.
Q 5: Jayalakshmi Māta was born in 1924. Is there a plan to celebrate Her centenary?
A : Definitely, we would consider it our great fortune to celebrate Amma’s centenary. Appaji was also talking about this to Prasad and me. We shall all celebrate śata Jayanti utsavā together. I am very glad that you made us all remember Jayalakshmi Māta today.
This is why Appaji has instituted the Jayalakshmi praśasti award to honour devotees like Syamala Pappu garu and Kolli Krishnakumari garu for their innumerable services.
The centenary celebrations will fall between 2023-24. In fact at that time, Appaji will complete sahasra candra darśanam also – sighting 1000 moons in His lifetime. In Tamil Nadu, they have a tradition of celebrating the 85th year. Appaji will be 79 soon. So we can celebrate both occasions together. All of you get ready from now itself.
Q 6: What is the difference between nyāya and dharma? How do we follow them both in our daily lives?
A : nyāya is always being bound to the law. Dharma is righteousness. In the context of worldly matters, nyāya is used. And in the context of spirituality, dharma is used. In our scriptures, both words have nearly the same meaning. So in this case, you can take nyāya to mean what you do in the world while being righteous. And what you do to attain the Supreme soul is known as dharma.
Otherwise there are 2 types of dharma – laukika and paramārthika. just as we have 2 eyes, and both are equally important, Nyāya is one eye, and dharma is the other eye.
Nyāya requires your intelligence, whereas with dharma, no intelligence is required. You must simply follow dharma. Nyāya is nīti śāstra. You have to apply your mind. Whereas in the case of dharma, you have to apply your heart, follow the scriptures and Guru vākya (Guru’s word).
Q 7: if śrāddha karmās are done in Brahmakapālam in Badri, should it be continued in our homes?
A : Definitely. Performing śrāddha in brahmakapāla is no doubt a great deed, but after performing the rites there, never think you need not perform rites at home. Śrāddha has to be done every year at home.
Q 8: Anjaneya Swami will become the next Brahma. Who will become the next Ānjaneya Swami? Similarly who will become the next Śiva, Viśnu and Jaganmāta?
A : You can also become Ānjaneya if you have that kind of devotion. We are all Ānjaneya’s to Rāma Appaji. Paramātma will choose the one who has the most bhakti
Manuśyāńām sahasréśu kaścid yatati siddhaye
Yatatām api siddhānām kaścin mām vétti tattvataha – Bhagavad Gita 7.3
Only one person will know the Truth. We must think “why can’t I be that person?” Whoever has as much devotion as Ānjanéya Swami will become Ānjaneya Swami. The answer to who will be the next Anjaneya Swami is not given anywhere.
Q 9: Has a virus similar to Corona been described in the Yogavāsishtam? Is it true that it is being kept in the Himalayas?
A : Karkati upākhyāna was asked to go wherever she feels comfortable, happy and experiences coolness.
candramandala gacchassvāha – go to the moon and beyond. She did not go to the Himalayas. The prayer in the Yogavāsishta basically means “go wherever you want to go, but don’t harm anyone.”
Q 10: In Ayyappa Swami caritra, it is mentioned that Dattatreya Swami got married to Līlāvati devi. Did this happen?
A : There are purāńās, upa purāńās and sthala purāńās. This incident is mentioned in the sthala purāńa. It does not find mention in the purāńās or upa purāńās. In the same uttarakānda it is mentioned that 2 Mahātmās came to see Rāma. One was Ātreya Dattudu and the other was Dattatreya Avadhoota. We must think who both of them are.
In the bhajan, Dattatreya Atreya putra (bhajan ID – 87), duśta kalatra is mentioned. Here Appaji is remembering the incident of the bad wife – duśta kalatra. We must think for ourselves whether one of the Swami’s adopted the name Dattatreya.
The sthala purāńa does mention the wedding of Dattatreya and Līlāvati. But in both Datta Bhāgavatam and in Vyasa Purāńa, this incident is not mentioned.
Dattātreya Swami’s yoga śakti is Anaghāmāta. They both like when Anaghāśtami vratam is performed. This is all that we know.
Q 11: is there a simple way of performing agni kārya during this time?
A : If you do not have camphor, sticks or darbha, you need not worry. You can chant all the mantras. Mantra pathana is equivalent to performing agni kārya.
Rigvédīs have only 1 agni kárya. They need to offer only 1 darbha. Whereas yajurvédīs have 16 svāhākārās.
Q 12: when God is within us, why is God allowing us to do bad karmās?
A: Are we really realised that God is within us? If we did, we would not behave this way. If we really realize, we will never do any bad karmās or commit sins. We have to realize. That is the game.
Īśvarassarva bhūtānām hriddéśérjuna tišthati – Bhagavad Gita 18.61
Paramātma resides in each of us. To realise this, we must pray for Sadguru’s krupa, read good books and do some sādhana.
Jaya Guru Datta.
Today only some of the best questions were picked. We shall have another Q&A sometime later.