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Karthika Maasa Puja performed in Mysore on 15th November 2004

 

Sri Swamiji performed Abhishekam to Lord Shiva on the auspicous Monday in the

Karthika Month (Kaarthika Somavara). Rudra Homa and Girija Kalyana were

performed in the morning. In the evening Sri Swamiji performed the Abhishekam to

the Sachchidanandeswara Shiva Lingam and Blessed the audience with the following

message.

 

 

 

Speech by Pujya Sadguru Deva, Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji on the

occasion of Kartika Somavara (Monday)

 

15th November 2004 at Datta Peetham, Mysore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many atom like particles in Bhu Mandala [Planet Earth], which is GodÕs

creation. The spirit of Shiva pervades over the entire globe, the galaxies and

the Universe. Shiva is Truth. Shiva is the Mangalamurti who gives you joy and

bliss. He is formless and is in the form of just a Bindu (dot) but we have given

Him this form. When we meditate upon Shiva, we merge with Him and become One.

What then is Shiva Tattva? The very truth that is all pervading where sheer

bliss is present is the tenet of Shiva. Shiva thus is Satyam (Truth) Shivam

Sundaram (beautiful as in the blissful state and not in physical terms, though

even physically Shiva is beautiful). Truth is permanent, and the Atma is also

permanent. It has no gender, no name, yet it is the perennial truth. Atma is one

and indivisible. There are not 3 or 4 Atmas or even plenty, there is only One

Atma. There is no real difference between you and me, since we a re all one Atma

and the Atma is all pervading. Why then do we feel

the difference between one another? The Buddhi (intellect), brings these

differences and distinguishes one form the other

 

..

 

Now what is the need for these Pujas, Alankaras (decorations) and Abhishekas, if

the Atma is one? Yes the Atma is one, but the gross bodies are many. It is for

this gross body that perceives through the senses that such outward physical

manifestations like an Idol are needed and worshipping that idol becomes our own

fulfillment of that need that created this idol.

 

This physical body with its karmic nature needs the discipline. God is our

family and is related to us. He is this and that and He is everything. God is

your own opinion and you have created Him. Even if you say He is not there even

this is OK. The great Saint Shankaracharya had even declared that it was all a

cipher. Even this is a tenet.

 

The sky stands by itself. This is real truth; this is also god .Why then this

childish play of Pujas, Abhishekas, and Alankaras? It is to please that very

child in you. You are children and you must follow the discipline. Your mind has

dirty questions and you need to purify the mind and clear your confusions. An

hour in the temple of with your Sadguru you will derive that concentration and

the purity that is required to reach the Truth .The six senses have to be taught

to discern the Real truth just as they perceive impermanent truths. The body

feels cold, feel the heat and the warmth, how very true. But does it know that

these are sensory only? To stretch the argument, even Pooja is impermanent. The

happiness that the sense organs give us is impermanent. If truth therefore is

permanent what is it that we are seeking? Pure Bliss is achieved through

spiritual knowledge alone. Your words are empty, your joy your tears are all

useless. With the use of useless objects you achieve a

degree of joy. If you mistake what your senses perceive as the real truth you

are in trouble. You have no experience of the other kind of permanence therefore

you think this is the real truth. You must make the effort to experience the

real Truth by going above the sense perceptions. Puja and worship are excellent

aids for this. Your constant attention to impermanent bliss through objects is

thus an impediment to your growth. Your misconceptions need to be cleared. For

example the morning dew is so beautiful, so enticing on those lush green lawns,

but can you use it as water. Dewdrops are water, but cannot be collected.

Rainwater can be collected and stored and used. It is useful and it is real.

God therefore gives us that which is useful through Puja, which will lead us

from the impermanent to the permanent.

 

 

 

This Puja on the first Monday of Kartika Month is like a second Shivaratri, when

we used to keep a nightlong vigil (Jagarana) which is done to make u more alert

and keep the senses alive. Abishekam or the bath is Jala Tattvam, which is dear

to Shiva. Between his eyebrows is the Agni (fire), and Jala or water, which is

thus the other element, since finally Shiva is the PANCHABHUTA (FIVE ELEMENTS).

He is Prakriti and thus by worshipping Shiva this way we are worshipping Nature.

 

 

 

This Linga of Sachchidanandeshwara is very dear to Swamiji. Swamiji blesses

you - ÒMay the darkness leave you all and the light of Gnana (knowledge) enter

your lives.