Dec.2, 1998 during Datta Jayanthi Sri Swamiji gave the following message "In the state of Maharashtra, the propagation of Datta Pantha has been established long since. The good tradition is strengthened by several saints who composed and sang the praises of Datta in all the states and in all languages. Datta Pantha is not a mere narrow cult. It shows the path to salvation to one and all considering them as the members of the Datta family. The celestial singers like Nandi, Bhrungi, Narada, Tumbura etc. have incarnated as the musician devotees spreading the message of philosophy and devotion at all places like villages, towns and cities. Kanakadasa and Purandaradasa in Kannada, Muthuswamy Dikshitar in Sanskrit, Tyagaraja in Telugu, Meerabai in Vraja (old Hindi), Namadeva and Jnanadeva in Marathi etc.
The principles of the three paths to salvation are Karma, Bhakti and Jnana (the paths of action, devotion and knowledge) were propagated by these musician devotees. Further, many great souls have popularized these principles in prose, poetry, songs, music, dance, drama and folk arts. Generally, lectures on philosophy are not lightened to attentively by the commoner. Some of the great scholars are wonderful to hear. They are logical and pleasing. The orator supports one principle with a number of arguments and many quotations from Vedas, Puranas scriptures and epics. The wording is very grammatical consisting of fine phrases. In spite of all such grandeur, the layman cannot realise the message of the long lecture at the end of which he simply expresses his feeling saying "How wonderful it is". Actually not even a simple principle or saying goes deep into his memory. What is the reason? Such scholarly lectures are not easy to understand. They are tough and complicated. The attitude of the orator is not as "Let the people know" but it is only to exhibit his erudition. In contrast, the many musician devotees like those mentioned earlier sang the praises of the Lord extempore. The songs were the outpourings of their devotion and the expressions of divine joy. They are in simple words. The listeners of such devotional music remember at least a few words like "Vithala". Adi Shankaracharya is famous for his excellent books on philosophy. They are still studied by the seekers of knowledge. Yet, in the end his message "Bhaja Govindam", i.e. worship God, sing his praises, is noteworthy. The Acharya has written several hymns like Lakshmi Narasimha Stotra, Soundarya Lahari and sets of 5 or 9 or 10 verses on the various deities. They are sung even nowadays musically. The Acharya has imbedded the tenets of philosophy in his musical verses. Thus the paths of devotion and knowledge have been blended finely by Adi Shankaracharya Similar were the methods of propagation of righteousness by Ramanujacharya and Madhvacharya, their main emphasis being devotion. While praising God, knowledge was also taught to the devotees. Swamiji's compositions are of three types. Those are in folklore, in medium level and high level. Some of the songs have not been sung by Him in public so far. They are of a special type. However, in general, Swamiji's songs comprise of simple and easily understandable words whether in Telugu, Kannada, Hindi or Sanskrit. Only a hungry man can eat. If one is not hungry, what is the use of offering delicious food to him? Generally the hunger and thirst of a commoner are not for good food and drink. Generally the people's taste is poor. A little of attention is enough to deserve Swamiji's grace and improve one's thirst for emancipation and hunger for knowledge. If you make one step towards him, Swamiji makes 100 or even 1000 steps towards you. If you recede by a single step, Swamiji recedes by 100 or 1000 steps. It is up to you to make efforts to deserve his grace. In Datta Seva Jaya Guru Datta Hanuman www.dattapeetham.com ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
