Holi

On the occasion of the traditional sacred festival of Holi (11.3.98)

My dear lovers!

You have just performed a yajna (sacrifice). The scriptures state – ‘Yajyo Vai Vishnuh.’ Who is that Narayana? He is in the form of the yajna. They say to perform the worship of the gods specifically through yajna. It is mentioned in the Rigveda verse –

Om yajnena yajnamayajanta devastani dharmani prathamamanyasan,
Te ha nakam mahimanah sachanta yatra purve sadhyah santi devah

The gods performed the first sacrifice through the sacrifice itself, and they established the laws of righteousness,
They attained the celestial realm of great glory, where the ancient deities, the Sadhyas, reside
Rigveda – Mandala 10, Sukta 90

Therefore, to please those gods and to seek your peace, you must perform yajna. Lord Krishna gives this message-instruction to Arjuna in the Gita. That is, growth comes from yajna, and yajna arises from prescribed actions –

Annadbhavanti bhutani parjanyadannasambhavah,
Yajnadbhavati parjanyo yajnah karmasamudbhavah

Beings arise from food, and food comes from rain,
Rain is produced by sacrifice, and sacrifice originates from action
Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 3, Verse 14

Therefore, perform yajna. Through yajna, the atmosphere in the sky is purified. After the atmosphere is purified, it rains, and from that rain, crops are produced, and fruits are produced. Therefore, you are capable of performing yajna.

Yajna has great importance in our religious scriptures. Since the creation of this earth, the creation of the universe, the practice of yajna began. My dear ones! You were not called to this forest to give you trouble. You were not called to seek any kind of financial assistance from you. The festival of Holi is coming. The scriptures have written about the night of this Holi – Kalaratri, Mahakalaratri, and Moharatri are terrible. There are three nights – Kalaratri, Moharatri, and Maharatri. Shivaratri is also called Maharatri. Moharatri is the night of lights, and the night that will burn tomorrow is called Kalaratri.

Lord Shiva, in his fierce form, created 720 million mantras. He divided them into six types. Those 720 million mantras were divided into the following six categories: maran (destruction), mohan (enchantment), vashikaran (subjugation), uchchatan (eradication), stambhan (paralysis), and ucchhedan (uprooting). The maran application is said to cause harm to people, loss of wealth, loss of honor, and produce various kinds of distress.

Mohan, vashikaran, uchchatan, uddapan, and stambhan all belong to the same category.

According to our scriptures, Holi begins 8 days earlier, for which Holashtak is written in the Panchang. That means Holi starts 8 days earlier. In these Holashtaks, various types of ghostly beings, spirit beings, and ghostly entities are described. If we say that this is meaningless, then many things can be said to be meaningless. The scriptures say – Brahmarakshas Vetalas, Kushmandas Bhairavadayas, Naryashanti Darshinatstra Kanchake Hridi Sanshritau. That is, the great sage Markandeya in the Durga Saptashati has also provided this evidence. Evidence is also found in the Yajurveda – Pretajayata Narendra Va Sharmyachchhut Ugavah Santu Vaho Va Nathya Yathasatha. When we read the Srimad Bhagavatam, we find the story of the spirit Dhoondhakari in the beginning. It is mentioned that he attained peace through Gokarna. When you start the Ramayana, Tulsidas Ji also writes about the same spirit that pleased him, and through that spirit, he was shown the way to meet Hanumanji and Ramji. So as far as the spirit world is concerned, it is described in the scriptures. Which we consider as deceit, pretense, and nonsense…

It was said earlier, and now science has also proven that this existence is present.

Sometimes such entities start troubling us for meaningless reasons, or today’s human with low intellect, the human with petty intellect, the human with demonic intellect, uses these techniques to trouble one another. These obstacles secretly cause us damage. We do not even understand why, despite doing everything, we do not have a few coins left in our pockets, while there is no lack of anything within us. Why am I dissatisfied every other day? Or why is there unrest in my house every other day? There are many things that we do not know, and only with a human intellect, we satisfy ourselves that this keeps happening; but these obstacles harm us.

The planets also have a significant connection with our lives, which we constantly call nonsense or deceit. Scholars perform planetary peace. They say, “Pandit Ji! Hurry up, I have to go to the office.” What is there in these mantras? My dear ones! There is something in these mantras which is nowhere else…

No. Mantradhinang Bhavet Devah – the gods are subordinate to the mantras. What could be a greater statement than this?

In every era, at many times, such instances have demonstrated the power of mantras. During the Mahabharata period, many weapons and powers were operated through mantras. Mother Kunti manifested five sons through mantras. With the mantra of the sun, Karna was born, and when she chanted Indra’s mantra, Arjuna was born. Invoking Dharma, Yudhishthira was born, and chanting the Ashwini Kumaras’ mantras, Nakula and Sahadeva were born. Those great gods were made sons through mantras. Are mantras any less powerful? How vast is the power of mantras! Through them, the main royal prosperity is attained. Wealth increase is attained through mantras. One attains siddhi (spiritual accomplishment) through mantras, which we often dismiss as meaningless nonsense and deceit.

The sun has a very strong connection with us. Therefore, in the pacification of the nine planets, the sun is invoked first – “Aakrunena Rajasaa Vartamano Niveshayanmritamrijannayaj”. “Hiranyayena Savitarathena Devayati Bhavani Pashyann”. The sun provides energy. Without the sun, there is no vitality in this body.

It can happen. Radiance cannot be produced. If someone’s solar aspect is weak, they never achieve fame in life. That’s why palm readers say that there is no sunlight in your hand, meaning you will not get fame. We get fame from the sun, we get energy power, and the increase in radiance and brilliance. Therefore, before the yajna, scholars perform rituals for the peace of the nine planets. May the sun provide energy power, radiance, and fame for my beloved ones.

The calculation of the moon in planets is not ordinary, it is not insignificant. When the moon in a human is weak, or when the phase of the moon is unfavorable, heart-related diseases start because the influence of the moon comes from the mind of God. The Veda says – Om Chandrama Manaso Jatasya Surya Jata. Heart-related diseases arise from the moon. When? When the moon is unfavorable. Therefore, may that moon keep the hearts of all my beloved ones in good rhythm, keep them excellent.

The planet Mars regulates the blood vessels within our body, which doctors call low and high blood pressure, and it keeps them organized, and all the auspicious activities in our house

That is, the worship of the land, etc., is done through Mars. There are many minerals. Among them, diamonds, pearls, precious stones, gold, silver, iron, etc., are prominent. These are obtained only through the advancement of Mars. If someone’s Mars is weak, it has an adverse effect on them. The same is the case with the planet Mercury. Mercury is the lord of our brain, the provider of intellect. The brain is the control center in our body. When control is lost, the body becomes paralyzed. It loses consciousness. Doctors say that survival is difficult. It goes into a coma (unconsciousness), meaning its brain stops working. May this Mercury deity keep your brains very pure, very clean, and very peaceful.

Next is Jupiter. He is also called Guru. He is the Guru of 330 million deities along with King Indra, who is supreme in the process of yajna. He knows the hymns of every Veda with great feeling. Through the hymns of the Vedas, he always keeps Indra powerful, radiant, strong, and a king. The speech in our body, its master is Jupiter. When Jupiter’s grace is obtained, a person becomes a great orator, a good singer, or a good artist.

And when Jupiter’s grace is not there, one becomes disgraced in society.

Venus is the guru of the gods. It is not less than anyone. It is the master of the increase in progeny through the body. It is written in the mantra of Venus – Annaat Parisruto Rasam Brahmana Vyapivat Kshatram Payam Somam Prajapatih. Mruten Satyam Indriyam Payamritam Madhum. That is, the food we eat converts into essence, which turns into blood. Blood turns into intelligence. Then it forms semen. Its master is Venus. That means vigor is not possible without Venus. In progeny production, it holds the first place in our body. It is the originator of sperm, which is called ‘semen’ (sperm) in English. So, the position of Venus is also very important in our lives.

Lord Saturn is also very powerful. If Saturn looks favorably, it can make a street person sit in a palace, and if it does not favor, it can make Lord Ram wander and cause the abduction of Sita and the death of Dasharatha, pushing them into adversities. It can make Harishchandra sell at the crematorium and cause many troubles to Moradhwaj.

Similarly, the positions of Rahu and Ketu are equally important. When Rahu’s period is unfavorable, a person becomes willful and starts despising good intellect. The same is true for Ketu. It corrupts the person. Such a person starts avoiding good places and people and starts criticizing good people. When this happens, the saying ‘Vinashkale Viprit Buddhi’ (when destruction is near, the intellect works adversely) starts to manifest. The destruction of their wealth and religion begins. When they show mercy, everything becomes excellent.

Yajna is performed for the peace of the planets. Yajna is done for the peace of the planets. Whether you offered one oblation, two, less, or more, you will benefit from it. The more you give, the more you receive. Even the sight of the yajna gives its fruit. The fragrance that we receive from it destroys our sins, and we receive the fruits of the yajna. The more yajna we perform, the more benefit we get from just seeing it. Just like bathing in the Ganges has its own merits, but –

Gangam gange ti yo bruyat yojananam shatair api,
Mucyate sarvapapebhyo rudralokam sa gacchati

One who chants the name of the Ganges, even if it be a hundred yojanas away,
Is freed from all sins and goes to the realm of Rudra (Shiva)

This yajna has been done for you all, meaning ‘for the happiness of all, for the welfare of all.’ There is no resolution in it that this yajna is for the health or wealth of Swami Sudarshanacharya Ji. There is nothing like that in it. This is for the happiness of all people. This yajna has been done for the happiness, welfare, and benefit of all those who have participated in it. There was no specific individual’s name in it, nor was there any such resolution. In this, the resolution is ‘for the happiness of all, for the welfare of all.’

This yajna program is not new today. It has been going on since my childhood, that is, since I gained consciousness, from the age of eight or nine. This is not a new tradition. My only intention is that this yajna for my beloved ones may destroy the evil obstacles, ghostly obstacles, and any other effects created by anyone through the gods of the nine planets, 330 million deities, so that my beloved ones remain happy in their lives, meaning humanity may

Obtain it; because these obstacles do not let humans remain humans but rather turn them into demons. Your yajna is being performed for this very purpose.

Holi has been celebrated since ancient times. Its tradition dates back to the time of Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyakashyap’s son was Prahlad. This same Prahlad later became a devout devotee of God. One day, when Prahlad Ji was going to study at the sage Markandeya’s place, a potter near his house was calling out the name of Lord Sri Harinarayana with great love and distress, “Oh Hari! Save my cat’s kittens. Oh my Hari! Protect my cat’s kittens.” Prahlad stopped. He said, “Fool! What are you saying? Who is this Hari? Who is this Narayan? Hari is my father Hiranyakashyap. Remember him, pray to him.” The potter replied, “No, Prince, Hari is Hari, Hiranyakashyap is Hiranyakashyap.” Prahlad asked, “What happened after all?” He replied, “By mistake, the kittens remained in the kiln. Now what can I do? Now I can only pray to the Almighty, ‘Oh Lord! Protect my cat’s kittens.'” Prahlad Ji said, “Fool, how can there be protection in the midst of fire? This is your foolish intellect.” He replied, “Maharaj! I am foolish or whatever I am, I will still pray to my God. He…

After that, it is up to their will, whatever they want to do. Prahlad said, “Alright, you keep doing your devotion. I won’t say anything to you right now. But the day this kiln opens, call me. Open it in front of me.” He said, “Okay, I will open it in front of you.” And so it happened. Prahlad was called when the kiln was to be opened. The kiln was opened in front of Prahlad. All the cat’s kittens came out meowing from the pot. Prahlad saw that this was indeed true and that the pot was placed on top, it wasn’t like that. The pot was at the bottom. From that day onwards, Prahlad also started chanting Hari, Narayan, Govind. Now in school too, he started chanting the same tune everywhere. This caused great distress to Hiranyakashyap. Just as it is prevalent today – Soham (I am Brahma, I am Narayan, I am everything). Similarly, Hiranyakashyap also used to say ‘Soham’ that I am everything. You all know this story that Prahlad could not be killed in any way.

Hiranyakashyap had a sister named Holika, whose name was also Dhunda. She said, “Brother! Why are you worried? I will take care of this trouble. You gather all the fuel of the city, pour oil on it and set it on fire.”

Hiranyakashyap asked, “How will you get rid of this trouble?” His sister replied, “I have received a cooling cloth through the penance of the sun. The sun said that this is a cooling cloth, and no matter how intense the fire you sit in, you won’t feel the heat. In this way, Prahlad will die, and this trouble will end forever.” So, it was arranged that way. Many logs of wood were gathered. She took Prahlad on her lap and sat down. The fire was set. At the same time, a strong wind started blowing. The grace of the Almighty is limitless. As the wind blew, the intensity of the fire increased. Prahlad wrapped himself in the cooling cloth, but Holika was burnt to ashes. This news spread throughout the city. In the morning, the children who were with Prahlad started making packets of mud and throwing colors at each other, which is called Dhurundi, also known as Dulhundi. The word Dhurundi in Hindi means ‘widow,’ implying “Oh foolish woman! Shame on you.” This practice has been going on since that day. So, my dear ones! This Holika was a demoness. If Prahlad had not wrapped himself in the cooling cloth, she would have burnt him. But God showed mercy, and Prahlad was saved.

We must take a great lesson from this big festival, and that is that no other demon like Maya can exist in our body.

Its lineage is very large. Greed is subject to it, lust is subject to it, anger is subject to it. All are part of its lineage and family. The illusionary Holika burns the deeds of humans, burns religion, burns the body, and burns all other auspicious things to ashes. This soul is like Prahlad. Illusion wants to destroy this soul. Therefore, to save this Prahlad-like soul, it is necessary to remember Hari. When this soul takes the name of Shri Paramatma, Shri Harinarayana, then foolish Maya like Dhunda, i.e., Holika, will not be able to harm you. Hari will protect you. Where Hari is the protector, what can Maya do? Therefore, we must learn from Holika that she is a demoness, the sister of Hiranyakashyap, and Hiranyakashyap is ego, anger. Therefore, the only name that destroys the ego-like Hiranyakashyap and the illusion-like Holika is that of the Supreme God.

You have seen every saint, every deity, everywhere. You have accepted the word ‘refuge’. Finally, why did you accept refuge? Because without refuge, without taking refuge, that God cannot protect us. Even when we go to a city or village, we seek the most powerful person there.

Take refuge. Brother! Let us stay for the night, we have supplies with us. It does not harm us in any way. When a being takes refuge in Lord Shri Hari, only then will he be able to protect us, not before.

I mentioned this topic of Holika incidentally. Specifically, this is not our subject for the satsang. Specifically, our aim is that through the yajna, the obstacles of you people are destroyed and that supreme God, that Lord protects you. That primordial energy which says –

Brahmarakshasevetalah kushmanda bhairavadayah,
Nashyanti badhayah sandolatavishphotakadayah

The Brahmarakshasas, Vetalas, Kushmandas, Bhairavas, and others,
As well as afflictions like severe boils and explosive conditions,
Are all destroyed.

Such a recitation comes. Further, Mother says –

Panthanam supatha rakshantam akshemakari tatha,
Rajadvare Mahalakshmi Vijaya sarvatah sthita,
Yam yam cintayate kamam tam tam prapto ti nishchitam

May the path be protected and safe, and may the one who brings prosperity and well-being (Mahalakshmi) remain victorious and present everywhere,
Whatever desire one contemplates, that desire will surely be fulfilled in the morning

When do we attain happiness and peace? When Lord Shree Lakshmi Narayana shows mercy. If only Narayana grants grace, one attains the state of salvation, and if Mother Lakshmi also grants grace, then wealth, meaning, and desires, three things are added. That means all four substances are attained completely. Lord Narayana is only the giver of salvation. Many say, there is nothing in indulgence, take the joy of salvation. But our community says – Lakshminath

Samarambham. When this earth began, it started with Lakshmi Nath. Lord Narayan initiated it and primordial energy Shridevi nurtured us. She still is. May Shridevi and Shrinayaran protect you all. For this, people are gathered together.

I know, my dear ones, we do not have even two minutes to spare. No matter what happens at the neighbor’s place, we are so busy that we cannot go there, no matter how many times someone tries. We make excuses, saying, “Oh, there was such and such work,” “My health was bad,” even if we were just sleeping. Nowadays, a person doesn’t even have two minutes of spare time. So, taking out that precious time, you have come to this dense jungle. The only reason is that the Supreme God, the owner, Baba, whom we address by various names, comes himself to bless you all, as he has been doing from the beginning. He blesses daily, this is his daily work. Anyone can witness it directly. If his blessings were not there, why would you come to this jungle? But he especially blesses those who follow him, wishes for their well-being, blesses everyone for happiness and peace. Meaning, he does whatever he wishes. We…

As one wishes for well-being, the Lord does the same. There is nothing to say or hear from him. He has only one word – done; not will do, not will happen. He has only one command that it is done. He is capable, so he can do it. He himself comes, in whatever form he may arrive. He himself arrives and blesses his devotees, his people appropriately. This is why the festival or celebration of Holi is celebrated. The secret lies in this special aspect.

I am not the Supreme Being, but I am his dearest weapon, Sudarshan. Through Sudarshan, he destroys sins, annihilates demons, achieves victory, and benefits the saints. I cannot do more welfare than this. Even now, if you do not take the path of welfare, it is your choice, I cannot say anything about this.

This body has always spoken of the country, the nation, the future since childhood. Those who have been related to me know this. For some time, the Punjab Kesari has been publishing it, without any mistakes. I will say only two words, not more. During Holi days, I always say this.

Yes. By ‘I’ it does not mean Sudarshanacharya. Sudarshanacharya does not say anything. Sudarshanacharya is just a safe, a bag of flesh and bones. Now, who speaks inside it, he knows, his work knows.

Regarding the future of the country, first of all, for the agricultural class, you people can write it in your minds, write it on papers, and then do whatever it is. For the farming community, this year will bring some sad news because the weather environment will be a bit bad due to drought and excessive rain. For the business community, there will be economic difficulties this year. This year will not be very good. This year means Samvat 2056. If some amendments are made, they are announced on Dussehra. For the state too, it will be a game of chess. Chess means that as it was said last year that three ministers would change, so three will change. Similarly, this year also there are indications of changes, here and there. And the main ruler will be tried to be harmed by evil people in various ways. May God protect him. From this, you can understand what the future of our country will be like. It will be like a game of chess, sometimes the vizier gets beaten, sometimes the pawn gets beaten. Therefore, this is sad news, but some grains remain inside the granary as well. No matter how fast the mill is.

Even if it runs fast, those who stay with Mithani are saved. Mithani means –

Dharmena hanti vyadhih। Dharmena hanti grahah,
Dharmena hanti shatruh। Yato dharmah tato jayah

Disease is destroyed by righteousness,
Afflictions are overcome by righteousness,
Enemies are defeated by righteousness,
Where there is righteousness, there is victory

Those who take refuge in the Supreme Being and saints, God will make their path auspicious. This has always been the case. The one who is the lord of the earth, the lord of the senses, will protect us. Times will be bad, but we will be protected. Who will do it? Govind God will do it. My auspicious blessings to all. May the next year be auspicious, peaceful, and happy for you.

Narayan. Narayan. Narayan.

Summary

The discourse, delivered on the occasion of Holi in 1998, emphasizes the spiritual and ritual significance of the festival, particularly the practice of yajna (sacrifice) and its role in maintaining cosmic balance and human prosperity. The speaker elaborates on the importance of yajna as described in sacred texts like the Rigveda and the Bhagavad Gita, highlighting its ability to purify the atmosphere, bring rain, and ensure agricultural abundance. The discussion also touches on the spiritual dangers posed by demonic forces and planetary influences, advocating for the use of mantras and rituals to protect against these negative energies.

Additionally, the discourse recounts the mythological origins of Holi, particularly the story of Prahlad and Holika, emphasizing the symbolic victory of devotion and righteousness over ego and illusion. The speaker reflects on the current state of the world, predicting challenges for the agricultural and business communities due to environmental and economic difficulties in the year ahead. Despite these challenges, the discourse reassures devotees that those who take refuge in God and practice righteousness will be protected and blessed.

Important Points

1. Yajna (sacrifice): Essential for cosmic balance, purifies the atmosphere, brings rain, and supports agriculture.
2. Mantras: Powerful tools for protection against demonic forces and planetary influences.
3. Holi: Symbolizes the victory of devotion and righteousness over ego and illusion, as illustrated by the story of Prahlad and Holika.
4. Planetary Influences: Different planets have specific effects on human life, and their pacification through rituals is important for well-being.
5. Protection: Those who take refuge in God and practice righteousness will be protected despite challenges.
6. Current Challenges: Predictions of difficulties for agriculture and business due to environmental and economic factors in the coming year.
7. Maya (illusion): A powerful force that can destroy righteousness, but can be overcome through devotion to God.
8. Importance of Devotion: Continuous remembrance and devotion to God ensure protection and success.
9. Role of Supreme God: God blesses and protects those who follow the path of righteousness.
10. Historical Tradition: The practice of yajna and the celebration of Holi have deep roots in ancient scriptures and traditions.