Dharmavaram
15 & 16 November 2008

His Holiness started for the Rayalaseema region tour in Andhra Pradesh on 14th November 2008. During His brief visit to Mekedatu, He blessed the devotees at Mekedatu and advised them to continue singing Bhajans on every Full moon day.

15th November 2008
Dharmavaram is a mediocre town, a drought prone area, in the interior of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh. Famous for its weaving industry, especially the silk sarees, this town is fully charged with devoted people, although poor and undergoing a hard earned livelihood. Captivated by the dedication of these devotees, Parama Pujya Swamiji consecrated a beautiful Sri Lakshmi Venkateshwara Temple in this place 2 years ago.  The local people report that ever since the temple has been consecrated, there have been abundant rains in the area and tremendous progress is taking place in the region.  They had been persistently requesting His Holiness for a visit to this place for the past 2 years. His Holiness reached Dharmavaram today on a hitherto unscheduled visit. Though there was no official intimation to anybody about Sri Swamiji’s visit, thousands thronged to have the Divine Darshan of Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji. On the auspicious Saturday, people were happy to have Darshan of Lord Venkateshwara and His Holiness Sri Swamiji. After performing Sri Chakra Puja, Sri Swamiji gave the following message. Later, His Holiness performed Arati (Offering Camphor lights) to Lord Venkateshwara.

Pujya Sri Swamiji’s Message

Jaya Guru Datta!
Many people try to push themselves to the physical vicinity of Swamiji and prostrate, but Swamiji never looks at them. Swamiji is always looking at the person who is sitting at a distance and praying. We must all inculcate this type of discipline, because it will save a lot of time. Within the time constraint of 10 minutes one will get Darshana (divine vision), Sparshana (divine touch) and Sambhashanam (divine discourse) if we follow the discipline. You will find answers to your questions in this short span of time itself. A few people who have very actively worked may get the chance to come in close proximity and have Darshana. We must also put in our effort and service and try to join that flow. We must achieve that service attitude. Lord Venkateshwara and Sadguru will shower His grace on everyone, those who have done service and also on those who could not. Those who have done service should not feel egoist about it. Our attitude should be of surrender. We should feel it is His property and we are only instruments in giving it to Him. Those who could not give should not feel jealous or sad that they could not give. If you feel jealous or sad it will worsen your misery. We should pray that those who are doing service should get more strength; the Lord will bless us also with more strength. Devotion is very important here, not the quantity you are offering. Rukmini was able to prove her devotion with a Tulasi leaf, where as Satyabhama could not win even with all her golden ornaments put together. Sometimes a soulful prostration is all that is enough. Food that is offered without love, Puja that is offered without devotion, Vratas that lack Ekagrata (concentration) are not appreciated by the Lord. Whatever we do, we should synchronize in thought, word and deed. Then only we will get the fruits of our action. An action done thinking it is being forced by others, an action done without interest and an action done expecting that people should proclaim and recognize, are all wrong attitudes. One who is having an attitude of composure succeeds in devotion. It is really the surrender sense that is important in devotion. Don’t seek anything from Him. He will give what is destined to you.
There are three ways of worship:
- Manas (Mind) - Chant the divine names or mantra at all times. Don’t loose Ekagrata or concentration.
- Indriyas (sense organs) – Cleaning the Ashrama, serving food, cleaning the plates, cleaning the temple floor etc.
- Monetary service – by providing financial support to the activities. Here it is important to do the act with devotion. Then only it will have the fruit. Say Krishnarpanam (let this be surrendered to Krishna). The Hundi is a place to offer. It will be distributed for many noble causes and you will get the benefit of this. Just like in Tirupati, all the funds are used for Veda propagation, Annadana and facilities for people like hospitals. Just like that, Ashrama will use your money for noble causes.

The whole world is the body of the Lord. ‘Ya devi sarva bhooteshu’- Mother Goddess is manifesting in all beings in different forms. Like that, Vishnu is also encompassing everyone and everything- animal or human or saint or devotee. He is Sarvantaryami (omniscient). He is doing all the actions- giving, taking, smiling, crying, sometimes yelling in pain. What can we offer to such an almighty, who is encompassing everything and everyone, except a prostration? We do not know what our destination is, we know about our present, but not about our past or future births.  We are unable to recognize our own day to day objects in the dark; we forget names of our own children, we don’t remember the money in our pocket, you don’t recognize the voice of your husband or wife, you have forgotten what you ate three days back, how can you know about your past births?

We have so much of mood flirts within seconds; we are not balanced in our attitude. We compare temples and saints. We have developed a business attitude in spiritualism, which is wrong. How can this yield knowledge to us?

Till now we talked about our wrong attitudes. How do we rectify this? How do we correct our mood flirts? How do we attain that divine light? Is there any solution to this? How do you attain balance in life? What is the solution?

There is a simple solution for this. As soon as you get up from bed, get up pleasantly, not with grief or fear. Thank the Lord that you are alive. No body can extend your life. It is His grace that you are alive today. Thank Him. Plead for divine knowledge. Plead for a charitable mind. Plead for tranquility and balance. Plead for strength to win over obstacles. Listen to some good Bhajan or Suprabhata or Vishnu or Lalita Sahasranama. Get up chanting the Mantra given by Guru or any God’s name or Rama Taraka Mantra
“Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare”

Today, on this Saturday of Kartika month, Swamiji initiates you all to this Mantra in the presence of Lord Venkateshwara. Saying this Mantra, thank the Lord and pray for strength to withstand all the adversities that might occur in the day. Mind should be pleasant. Sense organs should go in the right direction. All your spiritual practices should not be equated to difficulties. You must thank difficulties because they are helping you to do spiritual practices. Do service to Lord when your body is strong. Do charity as soon as you have the desire to do it. Do not postpone noble works. Tomorrow Swamiji visits Kadiri. An Emerald Maha Lakshmi temple will come up there soon. It will a blessing for the people of Andhra Pradesh. Then, Swamiji will go to Jayalaxmipuram, Anantapur, Proddutur, Kadapa, Nellore and Chennai. In Chennai, there will  Keertanotsavam, where eminent musicians will sing Keertans of Sri Swamiji. From there Swamiji will be going to Bhutan.

His Holiness Pujya Sri Swamiji offers Arati to Sri Laksmi Venakteshwara at Dharmavaram Ashrama

Sri Chakra Puja

Sri Swamiji addressing the devotees

Devotees listening to the discourse of Sri Swamiji

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