Divine Ganesha discourse

[Guest guest]

Sairam Embodiments of Sai!I am so blissed out our Lord Sai just delivered a discourse this evening darshan!Yesterday afternoon darshan was just incredibly beautiful. I had a super nice seat and was able to witness the colorful and creative Ganesha Procession by the students and staff of Sri Sathya Sai organizations. There was I believe 15 uniquely designed Ganeshas. There was a Ganesha seated on a tall brown white horse, another on top of the world, yet another in a beautiful pagoda, and also in a jet airplane and so on, you can imagine the work and effort it took in just three days to put together such a fantastic display.After receiving Bhagavan Baba's blessings the Ganeshas were taken down to the Chitravati river and immersed in it. Our Lord waited for the students to return and this was followed by a

bhajans and prasadam. Swami took araathi and returned to His residence.This evening He came in shining and smiling, our dearest Ganesha incarnate. He went inside then returned to the front of the veranda. We all held our breath with suppressed excitement when we saw the microphones coming forward, when the mike was placed in front of our Swami, claps of joy rang out.I will relate a few excerpts from the discourse, the full discourse will be available later:Swami began extolling India as the motherland of great sages and saints. Saying this is the battlefield that has driven out foreign rule through the principle of non violence.He stated that yesterday children celebrated Ganesha celebrations in full splendor.He asked who is Gananayaka and went onto say He is the leader of the whole universe, the Master of the entire universe. He elaborated on the type of food Vinyaka takes, simple food, steamed with no oil. He accepts

only

this offering made out of steam. He continued, Vinyaka has two children, Vidya (knowledge) and Buddhi (Intellect) they are always associated with Him.He further stated, that Vinayaka has two wives, and that they take the same food as Vinayaka. He went on Vinayaka commands the universe in a state of silence, His footsteps are soft and tender, he manifests himself through our prayers. He said, anyone can offer prayers to Vinayaka, from any country. Vinayaka is not limited to Bharat. Praying to Vinayaka helps us to atone for our sins. He is in the form of our breath. He added, it is foolish to think of Vinayaka as an idol made out of clay, we should always remember He is the master of the universe.Baba spoke how yesterday the students brought in a procession of Ganeshas and then took them down to the Chitravati river and immersed the idols. He queried what was the significance of immersing the Ganesha and clarified that when Gananayaka is

immersed

in the water it dissolves and the Ganesha principle spreads everywhere.He went onto speak about our children and how they are our sole property and that we receive our intelligence from our parents. Bhagavan said Ganesha won't command orally or verbally but with His trunk. This trunk accommodates all, inhalation, exhalation, eating and breathing, all with the trunk only. Vinayaka is universal, He has been there from the beginning of creation. He is always at the entrance of every temple. We should offer prayers to Ganesha before beginning any task. Ganesha bhajan is always the first bhajan sung. He reiterated that Ganesha is not limited to a small idol but is all pervasive.Swami said Ganesha's food is simple and steamed and that He has never fallen sick. Vinayaka has a big stomach but it is full of air. Also, Vinayaka will not accept food from everybody and this applies to divinity. All our lives are under His authority and

control.Without

the Ganesha principle there is destruction.Swami talked about the merriment of the Ganesha festival and the type of food eaten. He also explained the principles of pranayama. Exhalation is rechaka and inhalation is puraka. These should be equal as well as the retention of the breath which is kumbaka, this will help with proper meditation. He further discussed how the elephant makes places places fit for human habitation through its clearing a path through the dense jungles. The elephant always leads a procession. Sai Avatar explained the Brahma principle, saying Brahman is formless having no birth or death. We should feel I am Brahman with every breath, Soham.We should never forget divinity, the oneness that we are, Unity in diversity. Baba concluded with expressing how very happy He was with the Ganesh celebrations and most of all with the Spirit of the Ganesh celebrations.Lots of Premasonya

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