AvadhootaDatta Peetham

Jaya Guru Datta

śrī ganeśāya namaḥ

śrī sarasvatyai namaḥ

śrī p̄ada vallabha narasimha sarasvati

śrī guru dattātreyāya namaḥ

oṁ ayiṁ hrīṁ śrīṁ śiva rāma anagha dattāya namaḥ

oṁ namo hanumate namaḥ

This used to be a very popular sookti. People would often quote this during their quarrels.

It is laudable when one who is competent to accomplish all tasks with his own intelligence and skill, or one who is able to vanquish a hundred warriors simultaneously, or one who can debate any number of people at the same time, is saintly. But what good is an incompetent one being saintly? One is great if he is saintly despite being very competent. If an inept person is saintly, what good is that? Sage Vishwamitra was strong, he was once a king and later he gained a saintly nature and became great. Were Sages Vasishta or Vyasa ordinary? They could win anyone in battle and yet they were saintly and that was great.

A pauper claiming he can donate anything if he wishes to, is meaningless. If one without food is claiming to fast for a long time, that is no fasting. One must fast while having access to food. A rich person who sacrifices his wealth and a scholar who shares his knowledge generously are all laudable. The wealthy with joys, comforts and riches get respect when they have self-restraint, however the poor man has no choice but to restrain his senses. What is the surprise in a ripe old man who can neither hear, nor see, nor taste, having devotion for God? A woman in her youth who is also virtuous and has a spotless character is admired by all. But if a ripe old woman claims to be a chaste wife, what use is that? It is very honorable for a beautiful woman in her youth to pledge to be a Brahmacharin, but an old woman although respected for her age is not displaying greatness by pledging chastity.

Sadhu is one who can accomplish tasks for others. The one who cannot do this is incompetent. Such a person cannot acquire a saintly nature. When the strong person forgives a weak person, that is honorable. But if a weakling gloats in the presence of a strong man, that is laughable. A king may want to befriend another strong king. But a weak one seeking friendship is only at the mercy of the king.

Therefore, this sookti teaches us that the incompetent one’s saintliness is not lauded by others.

So let us examine the meaning again. Only when one who is physically strong and has fully functioning senses has self-restraint is it laudable. But when one has impaired vision and hearing and pledges to not see or hear about sinful deeds, that is laughable. While in youth, the senses are fickle and do not adhere to rules. At that age, restraint brings respect to the person. Devotion refines the person’s character and removes his wicked nature. It increases his humility and virtues. Therefore, practice devotion right from childhood. That is when man’s life becomes golden. That is why I teach young children devotion. They should be attracted to God and Sadguru at a tender age. But at an old age when one has lost all his teeth, has sagging skin and is immobile, what does one achieve by thinking about God? Therefore, gain accomplishment in devotion while still young. Practice devotion and dispassion when you are young and have everything. Chastity adds natural beauty to a woman. Roaming freely in young age and then preaching chastity at old age is meaningless, says this sookti.

Share the Facebook Live link with everyone. I will do the live discourses only if we get atleast 1.5k live viewers. Whether or not you listen, turn it on, on various devices using various accounts at home. Let Swamiji’s voice be heard in every room. I hope you are all coming to Ganagapura. I also wish to go to the Swaroopnagar Ashram in Delhi before then.

I pray that everyone that went to Char Dhaam come back safely. Devotees sought permission before they went, but I did not give a proper response. The rains have decreased there now. American devotees want me to come to the US. I can come on a bicycle too. My visa has expired, so I need to reapply when things open. Share the live link with everyone. If you all will watch, I can discourse on Mother Goddess.