Guru Purnima
5-7-2001 Thursday

At 7:30 AM, Pujya Sri Swamiji arrived at Nada Mandapam in a grand procession, from Datta Temple, accompanied by the Palanquin carrying the Utsava Murti of Lord Dattatreya. Veda Scholars chanting pious Mantras, musicians playing sonorous Mangala Vadyam, hundreds of devotees tunefully chanting “Jaya Guru Datta ! Sri Guru Datta !”.

Sri Swamiji performed Sri Chakra Puja at Nada Mantapam. Later Guru Pada Puja was performed to Pujya Sri Swamiji by Bala Swami. After the Pada Puja, Pujya Sri Swamiji released the English book "Shiva Kathamrita", which contains the discourses of Sri Swamiji on Dwadasha Jyotir Lingas (12 important Shiva Temples in India)

Thereafter Sri Swamiji blessed the devotees with the following benedictory address in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English.

Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji’s Message

Sri Ganeshaya Namaha. Sri Saraswatyai Namaha. Sri Pada Vallabha Narasimha Saraswati Sri Guru Dattatreyaya Namaha.
Those who seek children, more so pregnant women, should not watch lunar Eclipse. Further, one must not travel during Lunar Eclipse period, as the bad effect will be there for 48 hours. However one may travel on the next day of the eclipse. In some cases, some for those the bad effect may be experienced during the next 48 days also. Lunar Eclipse period is very precious. Today is especially sacred that the Guru Purnima coincides with the day of Lunar Eclipse.

No man is perfect. To attain Perfection, you have to make sincere, continuous and diligent spiritual effort for prolonged periods. There are several anniversaries like Independence Day, New Year Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, May Day, Birthday, Wedding Day etc. Hence let us call Guru Purnima as Guru Day, which is the most significant and sacred of all days of the year.

Lord Dattatreya is the foremost primordial Preacher of philosophy. He is the Adi Guru (the First preceptor of spirituality) of the entire universe. However, His precepts are difficult to understand. “God’s ways are mysterious” Again and again he continues to take several incarnations to uplift the mankind, demons and the angels, as mentioned in the book Datta Darshanam, where one can have a glimpse of the supreme grandeur and the excellence of the great Master.

However, in the recent human history, Vishnu (the Protector-one of the Trinity) incarnated as Krishna just before the end of Dwapara Yuga or the beginning of Kali Yuga. (Yuga is the age. Dwapara Being the 3rd and Kali the fourth and last as per the Indian Chronology. After the cycle of these four Yugas, together termed as one Maha Yuga, again the cycle of Maha Yuga continues. The first and second Yugas are Kruta and Treta).

In Bhagavad Geeta, (The Divine Song), we have been gifted by Lord Krishna with the perennial Spiritual Knowledge to some extent in detail, encompassing the various paths to perfection in a very easily understandable way. By this sacred teaching as also the super natural miraculous gracious events of Krishna’s Life during the incarnation, in which he punished the guilty and saved the sincere devotees, we derive immense benefit in the realm of our journey to wards Divinity and Salvation. That is why out of the all the 10 incarnations of Vishnu only Lord Krishna is extolled as the Jagadguru (the preceptor of the Universe). While the teachings of Krishna could be grasped by his Divine message and his benevolent deeds par excellent, we have further extensive writings of the pious sage Vyasa, who authored the 18 Puranas (Books of Mythology and Upa Puranas, ancillary Books of Mythology). In these voluminous works of Vyasa, we have all the detailed instructions, methodology of all the rituals and spiritual practices with ever shining examples narrated in scintillating stories of morals and righteousness.

In the recent past, great preachers of Philosophy, Morality and Righteousness have uplifted the mankind by their pious conduct, sacred books and hymns that serve as the beacon lights to the seeker of spirituality. They are Adi Sankara Acharya, Ramanuja Acharya and Madhwa Acharya who preached Adwaita (Monism), Vishishtha Adwaita (Modified Monism) and Dwaita (Dualism) respectively. These are the incomparable standard torchbearers of philosophy.

In this context, one must not lose sight of various Dasas (Various Devotees), who served God, the Sants (Saints), and the saintly singers like Purandara Dasa, Kanaka Dasa, Rama Dasa, Kabir, Tukaram, Meera Bai, Tyagaraja to mention a few. Their songs are of an everlasting value to the devotees as the same are the automatic outpourings of their ardent devotion.

Incidentally, one must not be deluded by the mere dress the makeup or the external features of fake saints, who pose as true devotees, just only to amass wealth and to try to get name and fame by hook or crook. Everyone who wears saffron clothes, holds the Yoga Danda (Staff of Yoga), Kamandala (Water Pot), face marks (such as Vibhooti and Nama) is not to be reckoned as true Saint, or Guru by the mere external appearance.

Try to understand Guru Tattwa (True Nature of Guru) properly. Who ever can gift the disciple with spiritual knowledge is Guru.
Do not escape from your essential duty to listen to study, and ponder over the precepts of the Perfect Master. Not only that, it is equally important to follow the teachings of the Sadguru in thought, word and deed. This is so because no one is permanent in this world. Just like that no possession is permanent either. A few days after the death of a person, his kith and kin, his friends and relations gradually forget the dead one. Once in year, they may remember him during the performance of the death anniversary. However it is quite unfortunate, that some ungrateful sons nowadays do not perform the rituals of the death anniversary of their deceased parents. These rituals have immense spiritual and materialistic significance.

Try to think of the purpose of human life. Have you ever analysed your existence on the earth by putting the questions to yourself like “Why am I born?” “ Who am I?” “Where am I going?” These subtle questions can be answered only by sincere service to Sadguru, and by following His Teachings without fail. I assure you that you will get salvation by doing so. The perfection of Life is to attain Salvation (Moksha).

Some worldly people feel that merely acquiring Wealth and Enjoying the physical pleasures by mere marriage, begetting children, bringing them up and arranging for their education, career and marriages is just enough to do. Though all these activities may be essential in the worldly parlance, none of them can lead anyone to Divinity by themselves. The perfect Master is the true friend, Philosopher and Guide. Just as the Full moon indicates the external fullness, so also on Guru Purnima day, let us worship and emulate the perfect Master who is the sure saviour of one and all.

It is essential to pray to Sadguru, to study Datta Darsanam and Sadguru Charitra (Life Hisory), to do Japa of Guru Mantra with more concentration today. By doing so you will attain Vak Shuddhi, Vak Siddhi and Mantra Siddhi. (Good Speech, Effective Speech and Attainment of the power of the Mantra). You are lucky to be here in the presence of Guru on this pious day. Many people are equally fortunate as they are worshipping Guru in the various Ashramas, Temples and homes across the globe.

Follow the Master. I bless you with Knowledge, Health and Prosperity. Lastly I advise you to seek the Blessings in the same order from the Sadguru and not in the reverse order.

Jaya Guru Datta