Gift Of Spiritual Knowledge

Even in this holy place of Srisailam, such a jubilant and auspicious celebration has not taken place in years. In this land where tapas (penance) alone is valued as significant, in this karmabhoomi (land of spiritual activity), there is no reason why ashanti (confusion and turmoil) must spread; it is all due to the multiplication of wants and desire for sensual pleasure, instead of spiritual contentment. Even the starting of a Nitya Annapurna Annadhana Satram (Place for gift of food to the poor) here by the Akhila Bharata Arya Vysya Sangham today, is a sign of the decline of faith and strength. There should not be any need to feed; the cry of “give” “give” (“dehi! dehi”) should not be heard in this land of Annapurna, of plenty and prosperity. This place of God must be approached in the true spirit of humility and prayer. Picnic parties and tourists have no place here.

There are many legends regarding the temple at Srisailam. Mallikarjuna is the white, fragrant, Nirmala (pure) God, the Grace-showering Shiva, who bends in mercy at the slightest yearning of the devotee. Bhramarambha (the consort), is the Bee, hovering on the fragrant mallika (jasmine), drawn by the makarandha (honey) of the flower, the true representative of the bhakta (devotee).

Legends, The Fore-Fathers Have Treasured

Do not laugh at the legends that your fore-fathers have gathered and treasured. They have invested the place with sanctity and elevated the thoughts and fancies of generations of men. This shrine has consoled and comforted thousands and thousands of pious persons, year after year. Shankaracharya was here and he sang of the holiness of this place and the calm he enjoyed here. He has installed a Chakra (sanctified holy symbol) which, I may tell you, is in a small cave by the side of Patala Ganga.

The desire to do service to the poor and the hungry is good; but, it is taking a turn towards building up institutions and collecting funds and seeking donations. While this is being done, egoism increases; envy spreads; feelings of inferiority and superiority spring up; the mental peace one had is spent while one is caught in this affair. All the struggle falls on one man, though there may be a committee. And, when the institution is finally built, a sense of possession develops and though all institutions are the Lord’s and nothing can rise or exist without Him, people forget it and claim all the credit.

There are certain dire possibilities which I want all social workers to guard against. First, cleanse your own minds and then start advising others. Earn mental peace and strength for yourself and then try to secure them for others. Learn the secret of lasting happiness yourself and then, endeavour to make others happy. Seek the real limb, not the artificial limb. Get the doctor who would assure, “hereafter you will not fall ill” and not the doctor who gives some relief to the present attack.

The atmosphere of holy places should improve. The nature of Sanyasis (monks) requires drastic correction. Too many of them are involved in householder functions; too many of them are after worldly fame and riches. All this will be done by Me as part of Dharma-sthapana. The Prashanti Vidwan Mahasabha about which Virabhadhra Sastry spoke is one of the instruments for this revival of dharma.

Man Needs Food More For The Spirit

More than food for the stomach, man needs food for the spirit. The “annam” (food) that Annapoornadevi (Goddess of Nourishment) gives is not the food, rice and curry. The bhiksa (alms) that She is asked to give is jnana bhiksa, not the handful of rice that you think it means. It is jnana bhiksa, Prema bhiksa, Bhakti bhiksa, Anugraha bhiksa (alms of spiritual knowledge, love, devotion and grace). Seek Her Grace to get more jnana, more Prema, more bhakti and more of Grace. Do not lower the standard of service when serving pilgrims in this holy place; place emphasis here on bhakti, vairagyam and jnana. Do not encourage pomp and insincerity here, of all places. If someone, out of sincere devotion, gives a naya paisa, accept it as if it is a crore; do not accept a crore if it is given with a view to parade wealth or advertise detachment.

I am laying the foundation stone of the new block of this Satram (pilgrims rest-house), and I bless that you may so act that the significance of the name Annapurna is not neglected. You have My Blessings in full measure; join hands, all of you in this task and make it a success soon. Do not feed indiscriminately, and make this an asylum for idlers. Feed only those who come with yearning to spend some days in this holy atmosphere; then only will people be grateful. Feed those who come here for doing sadhana, for living their lives in the Presence of God; feed those who are living examples of the joy that comes from spiritual effort.

Srisailam, 5-12-1963