Swami Discourse on 7.9.1997

[Guest guest]

Dear Sai family, Today is 7.9.2005 - Ganesh Chathurthi - Discourse of Swami on

7.9.1997 is as follows; Swami shows his presence to all of us today by this

discourse given on Sept. 7 Eight years ago and coincidentally today is also

Sept.7. Best Regards, Keshav

Sep 7, 1997 Place:Sai Kulwant Hall

Occasion: Ganesh Chaturthi

Embodiments of Love!

The meaning of the sloka (with which Swami began His discourse) is that the one

who recognizes his identity with the Divine is a real Jnani (the knower of the

Absolute).

All Bharathiya festivals are sacred and invested with deep spiritual

significance. They are not to be celebrated as mechanical rituals.

Bharatiyas hail Vighneswara as: "Oh son of Parvathi! Master of the Ganas

(Ganaadhipa)". Who is this Parvathi? What is the relationship between Parvathi

and Ganapathi? People do not normally enquire into these matters. Usually

Parvathi is considered as the mother of Ganapathi and no one recognizes the

underlying unity between the two.

Where are Parvathi and Ganapathi to be located? Are they in the external world

or are they immanent in every human being? The truth is both of them are all

pervading and convey the message of spiritual oneness (Ekaatmabhaavam).

PARVATHI AND GANAPATHI

What is the meaning of the name Ganapathi? Where are the Ganas? What is their

form? When you investigate this, you find that the five organs of perception

and the five organs of action (Jnaanendriyas and Karmendriyas) are the Ganas.

The mind is the master over these ten organs. Buddhi (or intellect) is the

discriminating faculty above the mind. The ten senses, the mind and the

intellect together constitute the Ganas.

In the word "Gana ", "Ga " stands for Buddhi (intellect). "Na " means "Vaijnaana

" (the higher knowledge or wisdom). Ganapathi is the Lord of the intellect and

the higher knowledge. The question may be asked: Are the intellect and the

higher knowledge present in the external world or are they to be found within

man? The answer is that he is present within each human being. There is no need

to seek for him in the outside world. Ganapathi dwells in every human being in

the form of intellect and wisdom.

When Ganapathi is described as "Parvathi thanaya ", who is this Parvathi?

Parvathi signifies "Prithvi ", Mother Earth. Everyone is a child of Mother

Earth.

The meaning of "Parvathi thanaya " (son of Parvathi) is that Ganapathi, who is

the Lord of the Ganas, is the son of Parvathi, who symbolizes Sakthi (the

Divine Energy).

The adoration of Parvathi and Ganapathi is not of recent origin. Ganapathi is

lauded at several places in the Rig Veda. This clearly shows that Ganapathi is

as ancient as the Vedas.

In several places Ganapathi is mentioned both in the Vedas and the Upanishads:

There are many prayers addressed to Ganapathi in the Narayanopanishad. There

are prayers to him in the Thaithiriya Upanishad also. The Ganapathi Gayathri

Mantra also figures in the Upanishad.

Ganapathi has the appellation Vinayaka because there is no master above him. He

is all powerful and independent. Without recognizing the esoteric significance

of the Vinayaka Principle, people look only at the external form and offer

worship in mundane terms.

AWARENESS AND LIFE

In what form does Vinayaka - the one who has no master - exist within a human

being? It is in the form of the Atma. The Atma has no master. The mind is the

master of the senses (Indriyas). Indra is the master of the Indriyas. People

conceive of Indra as presiding over his own celestial realm. But as the Lord of

the mind (Manas), he resides in everyone. The Buddhi (intellect) which is the

master of the mind, is the very embodiment of Jnana (Wisdom or Awareness). What

kind of awareness is this Jnana? It is Constant Integrated Awareness. It remains

unchanged, neither growing nor diminishing. It is called "Vijnaana".

Unfortunately, nowadays "Vijnaana" is equated with science. Science is not

Vijnaana. Science is phenomenal knowledge. It is based on demonstrability.

Students today worship Ganesha for success in academic studies and far

developing into good scholars. As a matter of fact, all that is learnt by these

studies may be termed education (or [earning) but cannot be called "Vidya" (true

knowledge or wisdom). To apply the term Vidya, which has a profound inner

significance, to modern academic education is a misuse of language. Vidya is

awareness of the power that animates every cell in one's being. It is through

this awareness that man learns all about the meaning of events in one's life

from birth to death. "Vidya" in this sense is "a way of life". Everything you

do is part of Vidya. It is total awareness of life. It comprehends everything

in its totality. It is for this kind of total knowledge that you should pray to

Vinayaka. The acquisition of degrees does not constitute Vidya. To know up to

the last moment how you should give up the ghost is Vidya. The entire life of a

man should be

regarded as one continuous process of learning. A true student is one who

pursues knowledge in this spirit. The student is called "Vidyaarthi" (Vidya +

arthi - seeker of knowledge). The knowledge to be sought is not book knowledge

or knowledge of the phenomenal world. It is spiritual knowledge (Atma jnaana)

that should be sought. Knowledge of the Self is the highest knowledge. The Gita

declares: "Aadhyaatma Vidya Vidyaanaam" ("Among all forms of knowledge I am the

knowledge of the Self"). The true aim of life is to acquire this knowledge.

Vinayaka is the preceptor for this knowledge. That preceptor is within you. The

Vinayaka Principle is in everyone.

OFFERINGS TO VINAYAKA

There is a practice among Hindus when they go to Gaya to give up what they

relish most among vegetables and fruits. In modern times this practice has been

perverted in such a way that what are given up ale the vegetable and fruit they

do not like. In this connection there is a mythological story which reveals how

the practice of offering fresh green grass to Ganapathi during the Vinayaka

Chathurthi festival originated.

Once, the story goes, Parvathi and Parameswara were playing a game of dice with

Nandiswara (Parameswara's vehicle, the bull) as the umpire. Although Easwara

lost the game, Nandi declared Him as the winner.

Enraged at this unfair decision Parvathi cursed Nandi that he would be afflicted

with an incurable disease. Nandi, seeking Parvathi's forgiveness, explained that

he gave the verdict in Parameswara's favor because the latter was his master and

his duty as a servant was to serve him. Parvathi relented and said that Nandi

would be freed from the curse if he offered to her son Ganapathi what was most

relished by Nandi. Nandi pondered for a moment and declared that what he loved

most as a bull was fresh green grass. He would offer that to Ganapathi. That

was how the practice of including fresh green among offerings made to Ganapathi

during festival occasions came into vogue.

Ganapathi accepts as offerings many things which men consider useless and

trivial. One of the names of Vinayaka is "Arkadronapriya" (one who loves thummi

and jilledi flowers - flowers which are usually not valued by people). Other

offerings to Vinayaka include a special kind of grass. There is a story

relating to this.

GAJAASURA AND SIVA

Once upon a time there was an Asura (demon) named Gajaasura. He performed a

penance. Easwara, pleased with his penance, offered him as a boon whatever he

desired. Easwara is a deity who is easily propitiated. Hence he is known as

Bhola-Sankara. When he is pleased with a devotee, He gives the devotee whatever

he asks. Sometimes He gets into a difficult situation, as in the case of

Bhasmasura who was granted by Siva the boon to turn into ashes anyone on whose

head he placed his palm. Immediately after getting the boon he wanted to test

his power by trying to place his hand on Siva's head itself!

What was the boon Siva gave to Gajaasura? The demon desired that fire should go

forth from him continuously so that no one dare approach him. Siva granted him

the boon. Gajaasura continued to do penance and Siva used to appear before him

off and on. Once Siva asked him what he wanted. The demon Said: "I want you to

dwell in my stomach." Siva granted the boon and lodged himself in the demon's

stomach. Siva's consort Parvathi, searched for Siva everywhere and could not

find Him. As a last resort, she went to her brother, Vishnu, and appealed to

Him to trace the whereabouts of her husband.

The all-knowing Lord assured her: "Don't worry, dear Sister. Your husband is

Bhola-Sankara. He grants readily whatever boon his devotee prays for, without

considering the consequences. I suspect that he must have got into some

trouble. I shall find out what has happened."

Vishnu, who is the director of the cosmic play, staged a minor drama. He

converted Nandi (Siva's bull) into a dancing - bull and led it before

Gajaasura, while himself assuming the role of a piper playing music on the pipe

while the bull did the dancing. Gajasura was in ecstasy over the dancing

performance of the bull: He asked the piper (Vishnu) what he wanted. The piper

replied. "Can you give what I ask?What do you take me for? I shall readily

give you whatever you ask." The piper said: "If that is so, release from your

stomach Siva who is dwelling there. "Gajaasura then realized that the piper was

none other than Vishnu Himself, who alone could know the secret of Siva's

presence inside his stomach. He fell at the feet of Vishnu, released Siva from

his stomach and prayed to Him for a boon. He said: "I have been blessed by many

boons from you. My last request is that all should cherish my memory by

worshipping my head after I pass away". Siva thereupon brought his son and

placed Gajaasura's head on him.

Ever since, the tradition has prevailed in Bharat that every auspicious function

of any kind commences with worship of Ganapathi. It was the result of Siva's

boon to Gajaasura.

THE ELEPHANT SYMBOL

What is the inner significance of worshipping the elephant-faced deity? The

elephant is a symbol of might and magnitude. The elephant's foot is larger than

that of any other animal. The elephant can make its way through the densest

jungle. In this way, it signifies the quality of a leader who shows the way for

others. intelligent. The elephant is also known for its fidelity and gratitude.

In any circumstance it will not forget its master. Even in its last moments, if

it hears the voice of its master it will open its eyes and look for him. It will

sacrifice its life for its master. These are the lessons man should learn from

the elephant. Intelligence without gratitude is valueless. Every man should be

grateful to those who have helped him.

STEAM-COOKED OFFERINGS

There are some inner secrets that should be noted in the worship of Ganesa.

Bharatiyas make some special offerings to Ganesa as food offerings. These

preparations are made entirely by using steam instead of heat from a burning

stove. Combining rice flour with jaggery and til seeds, balls are prepared

which are cooked in steam. In Ayurveda this edible is accorded a high place for

its curative properties. The jaggery in the edible form is a remedy for various

ailments. The til seeds serve to purify the arteries. It also helps to improve

the vision. The inner meaning of all this is that the food offerings to Ganesa

have health giving properties. It should be noted that edibles cooked in steam

are easy to digest. In the Super Specialty Hospital, steam- cooked idlies are

offered to heart patients the very next day after surgery. Oily preparations

are not given. Idlies are given because they are easily digested.

The Vinayaka Principle, in short, symbolizes health, bliss, peace, wisdom,

prosperity and many other things. Unfortunately this truth is not recognized by

most people. People are content to offer some kind of mechanical worship to any

odd figure made of clay and add to the pollution around them.

What should be offered to God are things which will please Him. This is what

Parvathi enjoined on Nandiswara. She told him: "Offer to my son what will

please him and what is most pleasing to you."

The Vinayaka festival is designed to celebrate the offer of such pleasing things to Ganesa.

SYMBOLISM OF THE MOUSE

Another notable fact about Vinayaka is his vehicle, the mouse (mushika). What

does the mouse represent? It represents darkness, which is the symbol of

ignorance. The mouse moves about in the dark. Ganapathi is regarded as

controlling the darkness of ignorance.

The mouse is also known for its strong sense of smell (vaasana). Based on the

smell emanating from an object, the mouse finds its way to it. The inner

significance of "vaasana" in relation to humanity is the heritage of "vaasanas"

which they bring from their previous lives. These vaasanas (inherited

tendencies) account for the actions of human beings in their present lives.

They also signify desires. Without recognizing this underlying significance of

Vinayaka's mastery over ignorance and desires, people merely wonder how a large

being like Vinayaka could ride on a tiny creature like a mouse.

Vinayaka signifies the triumph of wisdom over ignorance and of egolessness over desires.

Once there was a contest between Vinayaka and his younger brother, Subrahmanya,

as to which of them would go round the world first. Vinayaka was highly

intelligent and had extra- ordinary discriminating power. Above all, he was

totally free from self-interest of any kind. This is the supreme attribute of

the Divine. There is no trace of self-interest in what the Divine does. Few

people can understand the true nature of God's love. Men tend to compare their

own love with that of God. They do not realize that their love is based on

attachment to what they like or what they are accustomed to enjoy. The

attraction or otherwise is not inherent in the objects themselves but in the

"vaasanas" or tendencies of the individuals concerned.

VIVEKANANDA'S DISCOVERY

Vivekananda discovered this truth by observing the reactions of different

persons to the same situation. Seeing a man who had fallen on the wayside after

taking intoxicating drinks, two thieves, who were themselves drunk, remarked

that the man must be a thief like themselves who had got drunk after a thieving

expedition in the night. A man subject to epileptic fits thought that the man

must have fallen in a fit. A sadhu seeing the unconscious state of the man,

thought that he might be a yogi in a state of "Nirvikalpa Samaadhi" and started

massaging his legs reverentially. These varied reactions showed that men judge

things not as they really are, but on the basis of their own feelings and

experiences. Vivekananda then realized that his doubts regarding the spiritual

eminence of Swami Ramakrishna were the result of his own misguided thinking and

had no relation to the Paramahamsa's qualities.

He realized that there was no blemish in Ramakrishna and the fault lay with his

own feelings. He regretted having come away from Ramakrishna and confessed to

his mother his grievous mistake. He appealed to his mother to permit him to go

back to Ramakrishna. She allowed him to act according to his inclinations.

Vivekananda realized that man's wayward thoughts accounted for his doubts and

confusion regarding the Divine. The Divine is beyond blemish and deficiencies.

Hence God is described as perfect, free from any taint, formless and

attributeless.

Ganapathi has been described "aprameya", transcendent and encompassing. Hence he

can be worshipped In any manner.

PRAYERS AND TESTS

Chittibabu (in his speech earlier) appealed to Swami "to give us good qualities,

good thoughts and the strength to lead a good life". He went on speaking about

receiving favors from Swami, but said nothing about what he was offering to

Swami. God is ready to offer anything you want. But you must be eligible to

receive it, like a depositor who can withdraw money up to the amount of his

deposit. The same rule applies to what one can receive from God. It depends on

the size of his deposit with the Divine. Then the cheque of his prayer will be

duly honored.

To enable your prayers to reach God you have to affix the stamp of faith and

address it with love. If you have faith and love, your prayers will reach God

regardless of distance.

You must see that your love for God is pure and unsullied. You must be prepared

to subject yourself to God's tests. The sooner you pass these tests, the nearer

you will get to God.

There can be no spiritual advance without going through these tests. Students

should be aware that for going to a higher class they have to pass the

prescribed tests.

In life, you are tested as to how much you are attached to the ephemeral things

of the world and how much you yearn for the Divine. If your love for God is a

tiny fraction of your love for mundane things, how do you expect God to shower

His grace on you? [swami sang a song of Jayadeva in which he exhorts men to

devote at least a fraction of the time they spend on their possessions and

family to contemplation of God, who will come to their rescue at the time of

death.]

GOD AND THE WORLD

How much more sacred it would be if men thought about God even for a few moments

out of the many hours they waste on thinking about worldly things? People should

develop their faith in this truth. Whatever faith they have in themselves that

faith they should have in God. That is the mark of greatness. One who has no

faith in himself, how can he have faith in God? Turn your faith away from the

temporal and the transient to the unchanging eternal reality.

POWER OF FAITH

The power of faith is illustrated in an incident from the life of Christ. Once a

blind man approached Jesus and prayed: "Lord! Restore my sight." Jesus asked

him: "Do you believe that I can restore your sight?" The blind man replied

unhesitatingly: "Yes, Lord!If that is so, then open your eyes and see", said

Jesus. The blind man opened his eyes and got his sight. Likewise, people pray to

Swami to give something or other. Do you believe that I have the power to give

you what you seek? My response is dependent on your faith.

Even a person like Vivekananda had doubts about Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa's

saintliness. There have always been doubting Thomases. To test Ramakrishna's

aversion to wealth and possessions, Vivekananda once kept some gold coins under

the pillow of Ramakrishna. The moment he reclined on his bed, Ramakrishna felt

as if he was lying on a bed of thorns. Immediately, Vivekananda realized how

baseless were his doubts. He felt that to rise to the heights of the great

souls he himself should elevate his soul. Men today are like a man on the

ground who wishes to see the pilot of a plane moving in the sky. The only way

he can know the pilot is to get into the plane himself. To experience God you

have to aspire for a vision of God. That is the way to lead an ideal and

blissful life.

Ganapathi should be worshipped for this purpose because he is the master of the

senses and only the mastery of the senses can make man turn his mind God-ward.

If you want to lead a life of happiness, free from troubles and difficulties,

you have to pray to Ganapathi, the remover of all obstacles. There is no need

to go to any temple. Vighneswara dwells in each one of you as your Buddhi

(intelligence) and Vijnaana (wisdom). When you make proper use of your inherent

intelligence and wisdom, you will be successful in life.

People must realize the inextricable union of Nature and Purusha (the Supreme

Divine) and base their life on this sense of oneness.

Humanness is a combination of the body and consciousness. Man has to embark on

self-scrutiny as the first step in spirituality. Only then the reality can be

comprehended.

No one undertakes self-examination, though everyone is ready to condemn others.

Only the person who is prepared to examine and punish himself for his lapses is

competent to judge others.

Students! Realize that you have a conscience that is your guide and

consciousness which represents your divinity. Ganapathi, who presides over the

senses, should be your guide in acquiring mastery over the senses. There is an

inner meaning in worshipping Ganapathi for ten days. The idea is that each day

should be dedicated to acquiring control over one of the sense organs

(Indriyas)

Students and devotees should realize that control of the senses is quite simple.

What is necessary is not to encourage negative feelings when they arise, but to

adopt positive attitudes. For instance, Buddha confronted the anger of a demon

with his love and transformed him.

Many students today are subject to depression and are confused in mind. The

reason for this is their weakness owing to lack of self-confidence. When there

is total faith in God there will be no room for depression.

Students! There is need for observing festivals like Vinayaka Chathurthi for

external satisfaction, but what is more important is to realize the inner

significance of Vinayaka worship which is likely to have lasting effect. The

worship of inanimate idols should lead to contemplation on the subtle spiritual

entity represented by the idol. This is the process by which realization of the

Self (Atma) takes place.

Realize and act on the basis that the living Divinity is within you. Ganapathi

represents the ideal person who is guided by intelligence and wisdom. Engage

yourself in acts which will please the Divine such as moderation in speech,

giving up ill-will and hatred, eschewing all bad thoughts, and restraint on

desires. Combining spiritual practices with academic studies make your life

fruitful.

[bhagavan concluded His discourse with the Bhajan: "Bhajana bina sukha santhi nahi"]