In the morning Sri Chakra puja and Ganapathi homa were performed as usual. Thereafter special homa for Datta was conducted in a unique way. Ksheera abisheekam (milk bath) was performed to Kalaagni Samana Datta. While Vedic hymn's were chanted in the Datta temple of Mysore Ashrama. Smt. Kalayani of Calcutta rendered a very sonorous Veena recital, accompanied by reputed artists including Mridangam(drum) and Ghata(pot).
In the evening a grand procession of Datta in a chariot by Sri Swamiji accompanied by music, Vedic chanting followed by countless devotees.
Thereafter Sri Swamiji blessed the devotee with the following merciful message in his musical discourse.
The program started with "Jaya Jaya Ganapathi Mangalakari" rendered sweetly by Sri Swamiji on the synthesizer.
NADA AND VEDA
Sri Swamiji expanded the significance of a song very finely sung by him as follows:
This bhajan depicts the importance of service of god through nada - the divine sound of music spiritual. Several sages attained supreme bliss by whole hearted practice of divine singing. Several sages like Nandi, Bhringi, Narada etc. of the past as also chaitanya, Meera Bai, Kanakadasa, Purandasa, Tyagaraja etc. are some such pious souls.
One can easily attain perennial everlasting bliss in this age. Kali by firmly believing in the efficacy of Nada - the divine music and Veda - the ancient knowledge of mankind one can get over all doubts and uncertainty in life and narrow differntiations and angry arguments will disappear. By Nada upasana i.e. singing and listening to spiritual music and Veda gana - chanting of Veda.
One who practices Nada upasana has no grief in life or death. He need not go the hell having become sinless. By chanting Vedas, one will be blessed by all celestials.
By ardent singing of divine names, one gets stability and peace of mind leading to the realization of the knowledge of the supreme soul. By constant recitation of Veda and contemplation of its significance, the vision of Datta will be finally fixed within the secret of creation is reveled to oneself then.
The foregoing ideas are epitomized in a small sloka (Sanskrit verse) rendered by Swamiji. It expresses that the Nada,. the divine sound produced Veda. Creation originated from Veda. Hence by Nada and Veda man understands the secret of creation and attains supreme knowledge.
Some people hate chanting of mantras or singing divine names. It is due to their sinful natural attitude. The ecstatic time of Krishna's flute attracted one and all who experienced inexplicable rapturous joy. Similarly the cowherds of Mathura sang the glories of God in Gopika Geetha. So also, the arrival of Rama back to his kingdom was celebrated by one and all with joyous divine music. Nada and Veda purify people.
Nandi, Kumar swami and Adisesha knows the significance of divine music which is completely realised by lord Shiva.
PRESENCE OF SAINTS IS SUPREME
Swamiji rendered a very popular bhajan of a marati saint Bahene and he gave the message as follows:
This song is useful for every one. By satsanga i.e. association with Sadguru and by serving with faith and devotion, one can progress spiritually. The magnificence and glory of Sadguru wipes out many sins. The service must be sincere. The predominant feature of Saguaro is sacrifice (tyaga). Even after a sandal wood tree is removed from a place, the good smell persists there. Even a small piece of its branch gives out fine smell. So also the presence and preaching of Sadguru are effective even after his departure. Hence one must always behave so as to deserve guru's grace.
Sri Swamiji recited a Sanskrit sloka and explained its significance thus :
A pious person must reside at any of the places like temple, houses of wealthy people, river banks, monasteries, tops of hills or mountains or in the hermitages of sages who controlled their senses, at different times. However, inspite of the various places of his stay, the pious person is not affected by attachment as he has already attained supreme knowledge by his prolonged practice of the preachings of preceptor. That is why he is called pious. Close association with such pious people, purified the mind and bestows salvation.
DATTA - THE ALL PERVASIVE
After singing a bhajan Sri Swamiji explained its significance :
Here Datta indicates god whom you can call by name. God is great. He is merciful. He is the supreme master. He is the teacher of teachers.
"God is all pervasive. He is the divine light within everyone. He is the sweet smell of the earth, the coolness of water, the heart of fire, the fine touch of nice breeze, the sound from the sky. He exists in everything, place or person. He is the sun emanating bright rays. He is the moon of cool shine. He is the brilliance of morning, afternoon and evening. He is the one who joins people and events in a balanced way. He is everything, god is SAT-CHIT-AMANDA i.e. Truth-Knowledge-Supreme bliss.
The powers of all the five elements - earth, water, fire, air and sky are bestowed to them by God. The seemingly different aspects, i.e. heat of sun and pleasant shine of moon - both are due to God as he is present in either. The changeless, pure consciousness is present in all connections. However, people fell egoistic, saying `I', `I', etc., due to ignorance.
Actually the true form of all consciousness everywhere is God only, who is Sat-Chit-Ananda i.e. Truth-Knowledge-Bliss. However we cannot see God with physical eye, only his Grace can be experienced in everything. His glory is immeasurable. Words fail to describe divine Glory. You can see things with the eye, but cannot see your own eyelid. A mirror is necessary to see the eyelid. Sadguru is the mirror. He teaches you that the protector - God is verily within you. God is merciful."
After reciting a Sanskrit Sloka Sri Swamiji gave a detailed elucidation of its meaning.
"Dharma in a specific sense denotes the natural quality. Anything of particular quality is Dharmi. For example heat is a quality, Dharma. Fire is Dharmi. Fire is not different from heat. So also Dharma and Dharmi are not different anywhere in the world. However, people can see fire, bur sometimes fail to recognize heat. There are countless qualities in the world. Guru Datta is the progenitor of all qualities. I praise him."
IV. Easy Worship
In this Bahaman rendered by Sri Swamiji the method of worship is ascribed
in an easy way thus -
"God likes worship just like divine music. Worship is a pious effort to please God. Mot only that - it purifies mind and increases concentration. Worship consists of sixteen aspects. The fervent feeling of God's presence in our home and within our heart increases by sincere worship.
Everyone feels to very close to God. Many aspire to see God and hear the divine voice. Many chant Bhagavad Gita, Vishnu Sahasranama, Lalita Sahasranama, etc. However they entertain nagging doubts sometimes whether God hears their appeal. Though it is certain that such people are on the right track, it is not good to doubt whether God accepts their offer and prayers. Doubts arise as they are unable to bear the brilliance of God's light.
Hence learn the secret of the easy method of worship. Go on singing the glory of Guru Datta's philosophy. This is the way - offer the following - your intellect as flower, your body as leaves. Offer them without ant more doubts. Enjoy the secret fruit of knowledge. Shed tears of divine joy. This is the meaning of true worship. Truth is the Yaga (fire worship), patience is the Mantra. It is doubtless that Datta is all pervasive. The intellect is very active in the morning. By night it gets tired. So also a flower, fresh in the morning, withers in the night. The body perishes in due course like a leaf. Hence, if you offer the intellect and body to God, they are energized by His mercy. Patience is highly essential. Don't be hasty. If a problem arises, consider it thoroughly from all aspects, if necessary for a day or so, but do not panic or worry."
The theme of the above saying is epitomized in a Sanskrit Sloka rendered by Sri Swamiji which means:
One must pray to the Lord thus:' Oh God! I wash your feet with my tears. I worship you with my senses as flowers. I offer my mind as fruit. Now that my mind is offered to You, I know no more. Your word is the command. I obey to you. Let no dirty thoughts come to me. If at all I get any nasty ideas, I don't entertain them. I need not hear anything else than Your glory. I need not see anything else than your pious form."
V. The flow of supreme knowledge - Datta Ganga
Sri Swamiji recited a verse which means thus:
Great rivers like Ganga are sanctified by the touch of the saint's feet. That is the cause of their ability to remove the sins of people who bath in them.
In conclusion Sri Swamiji rendered a fin song depicting in detail the glory and significance of Datta. He explained how His mercy protects us ever and ever.
"This is verily the flow of God's grace i.e. Datta Ganga. Datta inspires noble divine thoughts in the human heart. Whereas the river Ganga flows in the three worlds - heaven, earth and Patala (lower world) - Datta Ganga shows the path to conquer the three gunas - tamas, rajas and sattva. The river Ganga originating from the feet of Vishnu, halted a while on Shiva's head and finally reached the lower world (Patala) after it's long course on earth. However Datta Ganga, the flow of knowledge, enables one to reach Vishnu.
The river Ganga can be reached only after a strenuous journey. However one can visualize Datta Ganga with eyes wide open or closed within one's heart. There is a danger of drowning by accident in the river Ganga resulting in death. But Datta Ganga bestows progress both in physical and spiritual aspects as well.
Bathing in river Ganga improves our spiritual progress slowly. Datta Ganga bestows the state of supreme bliss. River Ganga purifies the body fast. But Datta Ganga energizes thousands of nerves within in us.
River Ganga nurtures us with good crops and prosperity. Datta Ganga nurtures us with the Yoga of Sat-Chit-Ananda i.e. Truth-Knowledge-Bliss.
If due to misfortune, some impure thoughts emanate by chance in a devotee's mind, Datta corrects him and leads him in the path divine.
Thus the divine protection leads us to perfection.