1 TheVedanta Kesari January 2020

1

Cover Story page 11 The Kesari The Vedanta

1 A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly `15 (Ω, f, p)January of the Order since 1914 2020 2

4

2 5

1 3 6

1) Kalpataru Day Jan 1 4) Jayanti Jan 17 2) Swami Jayanti Jan 1 5) Swami Brahmananda Jayanti Jan 26 3) Swami Jayanti Jan 9 6) Swami Jayanti Jan 29

Regd. Off. & Fact. : Plot No.88 & 89, Phase - II, Sipcot Industrial Complex, Ranipet - 632 403, Tamil Nadu. PRIVATE LIMITED Phone : 04172 - 244820, 651507, (Manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Tele Fax : 04172 - 244820 Ingredients and Intermediates) E-mail : [email protected] Web Site : www.svisslabss.net 3

The VedanTa Kesari

A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly of The Vol. 107, No. 1 ISSN 0042-2983 107th Year of Publication CONTENTS JANUARY 2020 JANUARY ory St 2020 er ov C 11

The Sannyasi as a Probabilist Brahmachari Subodha Chaitanya 47 16

Sri Ramakrishna and the FEATURES Reminiscences of Sargachhi Pilgrimage Mindset Swami Suhitananda Atmarpanastuti Swami Chidekananda 8 9 Yugavani 10 Editorial A Get-Together of the Gods Women Saints of Varkari in a Temple-College 27 Vivekananda Way Tradition 40 Book Reviews Dr. Chithra Madhavan Arpana Ghosh 42 What is Religion? s 51 Pariprasna ive at rr a 53 The Order on the March N d e l l e 34 s 19 i h

C

Poorva: Magic, Miracles Snake! Snake! and the Mystical Twelve Gitanjali Murari Lakshmi Devnath

Po ck et T a le 31 25 s

Editor: Swami mahamedhananda Published by Swami Vimurtananda, Sri , - 600 004 and Printed by B. Rajkumar, Chennai - 600 014 on behalf of Sri Ramakrishna Math Trust, Chennai - 600 004 and Printed at M/s. Rasi Graphics Pvt. Limited, No.40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014. Website: www.chennaimath.org E-mail: [email protected] Ph: 6374213070 TheVedanta K

He was a much-celebrated and much-feted Swami. His famous First issue of address at The World’s Parliament of Religions, Chicago in 1893 had Brahmavadin catapulted him to the status of a super star. But Swami Vivekananda was not one to bask in chaffy glory. A letter to one of his trusted followers, from the USA, dated 12 Jan 1895, read, ‘I want to preach my ideas for the good of the world. …What work have you done in the way of advancing the ideas and organising in India? …My life is more precious than spending it in getting the admiration of the world. I have no time for such foolery.’ Swamiji, as Swami Vivekananda was fondly addressed, loved and revered his motherland as his own mother. Every breath of his aspired for her well being and every cell in his body

January 2020 yearned that she regain her lost glory. She had been a beacon light for the world until repeated 4 invasions pillaged her ruthlessly and left her not just poverty-stricken but also psychologically drained. The latter struck at the very core, underlying the urgency for immediate redressal. Swamiji’s panacea for this lay in India’s very own practical and ennobling Vedantic wisdom. Vedanta recognises no weakness. It proclaims that in every individual lies a mine of strength. All that is needed is an effort to draw from it. Swamiji started looking for the right channel to propagate the powerful message of Vedanta. He opted for the print medium and decided to bring out a journal, giving it the name

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Brahmavadin. In February 1895, he sent from USA $100 and a letter to his trusted disciple . The letter read: ‘Now I am bent upon starting the journal. Herewith I send a hundred dollars… Hope this will go just a little in starting your paper.’

have borne the name of Alasinga Perumal. Brahmavadin If selflessness and devotion would have a form, it would from a press in Broadway, Chennai on 14 September 1895.became The Alasinga’s magazine calling included and thea poem first ofissue Swamiji rolled out specially composed for the occasion. It was titled, ‘The Song of the Sannyasin’. One verse ran thus: First issue of The Vedanta Kesari One hundred and seven edanta Kesari years and going strong….

“Strike off thy fetters! Bonds that bind thee down,

Love, hate — good, bad — and all the dual throng,

For fetters, though of gold, are not less strong to bind; January 2020 With this message that marked its mission, Brahmavadin made a determined entry into the strife-ridden climate of pre-independence India. The birth of the magazine was certainly 5 an occasion for celebration but the struggles were far from over. One of Swamiji’s letters to Alasinga read: ‘I learnt from your letter the bad financial state that Brahmavadin is in.’ This was followed by another letter that carried the line, ‘I pledge myself to maintain the paper anyhow.’ Bolstered by this pledge, Alasinga Perumal braved on, surmounting many an impediment.

Sadly, Swami Vivekananda passed away in 1902, at the age of thirty-nine. Alasinga’s intense Kesari The Vedanta anguish morphed into heightened devotion towards the magazine. But the next hurdle in Brahmavadin’s journey came in 1909, in the form of Alasinga’s own demise. In May 1914, the

It was at this crucial juncture, that the stepped in to revive it. The magazine, tottering as it was, floundered and ground to a halt. Mission was itself in its nascent stages with many a teething problem but nothing could come in its way of reviving the Brahmavadin. For, had not their beloved Swamiji repeatedly said, ‘The Brahmavadin is a jewel – it must not perish!” And so, the very same month when Brahmavadin closed, it was resuscitated with the new name The Vedanta Kesari. The history of The Vedanta Kesari is much more than just a tale of sweat, toil and a dream realized. It is a narrative of Swamiji’s passion for India and Alasinga’s devotion to his master. It is a celebration of love, transcending forms.

ECO-FRIENDLY Trees are the life-breath of our world. To support environment conservation The Vedanta Kesari is printed on paper prepared mainly from sugarcane bagasse. Patrons Appeal Become a Patron of The Vedanta Kesari For the last 106 years, without missing & help us to meet the running cost by a single issue, the magazine has been contributing every month ` 5,000/- & above carrying the invigorating message of Vedanta and alongside, continuously revamping itself to meet the changing needs of the times. Permanent Fund The relevance of Vedantic wisdom to To establish the magazine on firm financial everyday life is all the more pertinent today footing please contribute ` 1,000/- & above than ever before. ‘Arise, Awake and stop not to the Permanent Fund. till the goal is reached,’ is the thundering motto of Swami Vivekananda. The Ramakrishna Mission, as you all know, is a unique organization where sannyasis and lay Sponsor a Page people come together and endeavour for the Once a year, please sponsor one or more common good. Let’s join hands in taking pages of the magazine. We need around 600

January 2020 forward our revered Swamiji’s vision and sponsors annually. Sponsorship for one page mission for The Vedanta Kesari. 6 in one issue: ` 1000/- Outreach Gift To spread the message of Ramakrishna- Vivekananda-Vedanta, please gift The Vedanta Kesari to academic/public libraries &

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta influential personalities of your choice or those selected by us. 4 Gift Subscriptions for 1 year: Rs 600/-

VK for Students To encourage noble conduct, we are offering a complimentary copy of VK to students (class 10-12) when they manifest honesty, selfless- ness, etc., in their daily school life. Teachers will every month choose a boy & a girl from their class to receive this Character Recognition gift. Please sponsor these gifts. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS PATRONS Rates Inclusive of Postage & a Special Issue Pragati Offset, Hyderabad ` 25000 Annual 3 yrs 5 yrs Dr. Subramaniyabharathiyar R., ` 10000 India ` 175 ` 500 ` 900 Kancheepuram Bangladesh PERMANENT FUND DONORS Nepal ` 1200 ` 3500 * Rao Sahib P, Chennai ` 25000 Sri Lanka Usha Krishnakumar, ` 10000 Other Countries ` 2700 ` 8000 * Vivekanand P, Secunderabad ` 10000 * 5 yrs subscription only in India. Shivashankar M N, Mysuru ` 5000 A Devotee, Mumbai ` 2000 Sreerama Murty V, Hyderabad ` 1001 For Physical copy subscription ` & Free Digital copy visit Padma P S, Hyderabad 1000 Nagalakshmi P, Hyderabd ` 1000 https://rkmath.in/thevedantakesari Ravi S, Hyderabad ` 1000 Download the Vedanta Kesari App Shekar, Hyderabad ` 1000 free on your Android/Apple device Chandrachoodan Kathiresan, ` 1000 Madurai Sundaresan Subramanian, Chennai ` PAYMENT DETAILS 1000 Sri. Ravi Sankar Kottada, Chennai ` 1000 1. You can send subscription payment/donations either by Cheque/DD/MO or Bank Transfer or Online Payment.

OUTREACH DONORS January 2020 2. Cheque / DD / MO (through Speed Post) in favour of: Dr. Sundari Krishnamurthy, Chennai ` 600 ‘Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai’ 7 Postal Address: Sri Ramakrishna Math, # 31, VK FOR STUDENTS Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004. Indian Society for Training and ` 5000 3. Bank Transfer in India: Development, Chennai Name of the Bank : United Bank of India Name of the Branch : R.K. Math Road, Chennai - 4 reaching 2233 libraries.... Name of the Account : Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai Contact details for S/B. Account Number : 1511010100001 Contributors: [email protected]

Bank Code No. : 600027009 Mob. 6374213070 Kesari The Vedanta IFSC : UTBI0SRM842 {here ‘0’ is zero} Subscribers: [email protected] Swift Code : UTBIINBBMBS of UBI Phone No. (044) 24621110 4. Donate Online: https://donations.chennaimath.org  You can subscribe to The Vedanta Kesari from 5. After any donation please e-mail transaction any month. details to : [email protected]  On your address slip, the number on the left a) In the e-mail / covering letter please mention of the first line is your subscription number. Always mention this in your correspondence. purpose of payment: VK Subscription / VK  If you do not receive your copy by the 15th of a Patron / VK Permanent Fund / VK Sponsor a month, please intimate us. Complaints reaching Page / VK Outreach Gift / VK for Students. us before this or after one month (two months b) Kindly mention your postal address and contact for overseas subscriptions) of posting of the number. journal are not entertained. c) Please give your PAN Number for donations  Only one complaint copy will be sent in a `10,000 and above. year. d) All donations are exempt from Income Tax under  Subscribers facing irregular postal delivery can choose Registered Parcel by paying section 80G of the [Indian] I.T.Act, 1961. additional `36/- per issue or opt for digital copy (pdf). Atmarpanastuti

Sri Appayya Dikshitendra

Sloka - 2 啍�त्봾दीन봾मव्ववत봾ं 啍न啍椿तं जनम त봾वत् तꅍ봾सत्뵇व क्वचन क啍ितं क셍त्र啍ि�봾नहीनम् । न봾啍ि�봾तुं प्रभव啍त जडो न봾प्नीश椿भ봾वसतसम봾द봾द्यसतवम啍ि जगत봾ं न봾थ ज봾न뵇 啍वि봾त봾 ॥२॥ 2) The earth and other things which are made up of parts certainly have an origin. They are nowhere found to be without a creator and a material cause. Neither an inert object nor one who is powerless (like the jiva) is capable of creation. Therefore I know that You, Who alone existed before creation (aadhyah), are the creator of the universe, O Lord. Sloka - 3 January 2020 इन饍ं 啍म셍ं व셁णम啍निं पद्मजं 啍वषणुमीशं प्र봾सत뵇 त뵇 परम啍शव त뵇 म봾््봾 मो啍हत봾सतव봾म् । 8 एतैसि봾ि鴂 िकिम啍प ्च㔛啍鄿ि뵇श뵇 िम봾ꥍं ि तवं द뵇व �ु啍तषु 啍वददतः शमभुदरत्봾ददद뵇वः ॥३॥

3) O Paramashiva! Deluded by Your maya, people speak variously of Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Visnu, as the cause of the universe. Everything, including these, is but a fraction of Your power. O Lord, You are known in the vedas as Shambhu, the supreme Lord. Sloka - 4 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta आननद봾बि뵇ः कम啍प च घनीभ봾वम봾सथ봾् 셂पं शकत्봾 ि봾ि鴂 परममुम्봾 श봾श्वतं भोग啍मच㔛न् । अधव봾तीत뵇 शु啍चददविकृतकोदिदीꥍ뵇 कपददत्रन् आद्य뵇 सथ봾न뵇 啍वहर啍ि िद봾 ि뵇व्म봾नो गण뵇शैः ॥४

eternal supreme enjoyment with Your consort Uma, O Lord with matted hair, You ever sport4) Taking in the on primordial an indescribable place, beyondsolidified the form reach of ofthe speech ocean andof Bliss, mind, desiring which

brought out here is that Brahman who is pure Bliss and without form takes a form byshines his mayalike a for crore blessing of suns devotees, and moons, as stated served in Shankaraby the lords Bhagavatpada’s of the gaṇas. bhashya (The idea on Brahma Sutra 1. 1. 20.)

Translated by Sri. S.N. Sastri. Yugavani

Scriptures

nce several men were crossing the Ganges in a boat. One of them, a pundit, was making a great display of his erudition, saying that he had studied various books— Othe Vedas, the Vedanta, and the six systems of philosophy. He asked a fellow passenger, “Do you know the Vedanta?” “No, revered sir.” “The Samkhya and the Patanjala?” “No, revered sir.” “Have you read no philosophy whatsoever?” “No, revered sir.” The pundit was talking in this vain way and the passenger sitting in silence, when a great storm arose and the boat was about to sink. The passenger said to the pundit, “Sir, can you swim?” “No”, replied the pundit. The

passenger said, “I don’t know the Samkhya or the Patanjala, but I can swim.” … What will a man January 2020 gain by knowing many scriptures? The one thing needful is to know how to cross the river of the world. God alone is real, and all else illusory. 9 The Divine Mother has revealed to me the essence of the Vedanta. It is that Brahman alone is real and the world illusory. The essence of the Gita is what you get by repeating the word ten times. The word becomes reversed. It is then tagi, which refers to renunciation. The essence of the Gita is: “O man, renounce everything and practice spiritual discipline for the realization of God.” One understands the scriptures better by hearing them from the lips of the guru or of a holy man. Then one doesn’t have to think about their non-essential part.

PAGE SPONSOR: SANJUKTA SENGUPTA, SENGUPTA, SANJUKTA SPONSOR: PAGE It is true that many things are recorded in the scriptures; but all these are useless without The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta the direct realization of God, without devotion to His Lotus Feet, without purity of heart. The almanac forecasts the rainfall of the year. But not a drop of water will you get by squeezing the almanac. No, not even one drop. How long should one reason about the texts of the scriptures? So long as one does not have direct realization of God. How long does the bee buzz about? As long as it is not sitting on a

It is one thing to learn about God from the scriptures, and quite another to see Him…. flower.To No explain sooner God does after it merelylight on reading a flower the and scriptures begin to is siplike honey explaining than toit akeeps person quiet. the city of Banaras after seeing it only in a map.

of these. You will never succeed in realizing God unless your soul becomes restless for Him. You maymust speak practise of the tapasya scriptures,. Only thenof philosophy, can you attain of Vedanta; the goal. but It you will will avail not you find nothing God in even any if you learn the texts of the scriptures by heart. You cannot become intoxicated by merely saying “siddhi” over and over. You must swallow some. —Sri Ramakrishna Editorial Break the Cage

ityananda and Haridas as directed walk and the louder his voice became. Then by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu were suddenly, he halted in the street and with one Nonce going around the streets of arm raised in air told the disciple almost Navadwip, spreading the name of the Lord. shouting, “Be a lion, be a lion, break the cage Jagai and Madhai, two drunkards who were the and be free! Take a big jump and the work is terror of the town, opposed these messengers done!” It was a call that the surprised of love. Once, Madhai attacked Nityananda and fashionable New York people heard in wonder. wounded him grievously. The saint only replied, Indeed, down the ages, men of God have “Shall I stop giving you love, because you have always given the call for love, compassion, and hit me?” This merciful love transformed the spiritual courage. But somehow, we, the people on the street, have chosen to be deaf and we Chaitanya. continue to live in our multi-layered cages: the ruffians and they became the disciples of Sri One day while walking in Cairo, Swami cage we are born with – body, mind, ego, and Vivekananda and his companions, engrossed in samskaras; the cage we have constructed for some discussion, lost their way. They found ourselves – identities born of relationships with themselves in a squalid, ill-smelling street people, ideas, things, and places; and the cage January 2020 where half-clad women sat at doorsteps and forged for us by the world – situations, and 10 peeped out from windows. Swamiji initially did circumstances. The consequence of living in not notice them until a group of noisy women these cages are violence, debased sense began laughing and called out to him. Though his companions tried to quickly usher Swamiji goodness. away from there, he gently disengaged from gratifications, and false sense of happiness and The irony is that most of us do not even them and approached the women on the bench. recognise the cage as an imprisonment. We Standing in front them he said, “Poor children! accept our condition as a natural state of life Poor creatures! They have put their divinity in

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta and are happy to enjoy the ‘freedom’ of pacing their beauty. Look at them now!” and began to around in the cage! We spend our energies in weep. The women were silenced and abashed. polishing the cage, defending it, and glorifying Swamiji’s compassion awakened them to their it with euphemistic names. Our individual pitiable condition and turned their thoughts cages, then together shape new cages for our towards God. One of them leaned forward and kissed the hem of his robe, murmuring whole society. brokenly in Spanish, “Man of God! Man of God!” It really requires a lion’s courage to break Another lady covered her face with her arm in free from all these cages. We have to take ‘a big modesty and fear. Slowly, Swamiji and his jump’, a leap of faith – faith in our innate companions walked away from there. divinity, faith in the divinity of others, and faith Swami Turiyananda, a direct-disciple of in God – to awaken ourselves and others to a Sri Ramakrishna, was once explaining Vedanta life of true freedom. to a Western disciple as they walked along a Let us begin this new English calendar fashionable avenue in New York. As he went year with a prayer and a vow to recognise and deeper into the subject, the faster he began to break these cages. Cover Story

The Sannyasi as a Probabilist BRAHMACHARI SUBODHA CHAITANYA

Swami Vivekananda’s luminous mind probed virtually every domain of human excellence to its depth and came up with astounding revelations. Little known however is his mastery of the nuances of probability theory in Statistics. This article gives us a peep into this hither-to- unknown aspect of Swamiji.

Prologue -boggling multiplicity of roles – religious- teacher, philosopher, historian, patriot, social & greatness might well be vying with economic thinker, litterateur, humorist, singer, Eeachnglish other qualifiers to represent bearing the many- on sportsman ……. indeed the list could go on. Can splendored personality of Swami Vivekananda. we possibly see a ‘Probabilist’ somewhere down the list? Or, is it too far- superlatives. Had he only delivered that

fetched to be true? Well, not January 2020 Be that as it may, Swami Vivekananda defiesth supremely felicitous speech in Chicago on 11 really. Let us read September’1893, his place in the religious on. 11 history of the world would have been assured. Had his only contribution to the world-thought Dice-Playing, been the unique presentation of four Yogas – Immortality, and Jnana, , Raja, and Karma and their the Sannyasi integration, he would be acclaimed as the prophet of synthesis. Had he only founded the While the great theoretical

PAGE SPONSOR: SRI DIBYENDU MONDAL, VIDYAMANDIRA, BELUR VIDYAMANDIRA, MONDAL, DIBYENDU SRI SPONSOR: PAGE Ramakrishna Math and the Ramakrishna The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Mission, he would have been immortalized as Physicist Albert the creator of a new face of monasticism. Had Einstein - for fear of his only gift to the world literary been his vitiating Nature’s celebrated travelogue written in colloquial determinism – would Bengali, he would be hailed today as the not have God playing originator of a new style in Bengali literature. dice with the universe, That he gave us all these and more – so much Swami Vivekananda – more – is our great good fortune and is a arguably the greatest testament to the power of an extraordinary champion of God – soul-force being brought to bear upon diverse found the creator to be domains of human endeavors. No wonder, this a consummate 1 appears in a mind dice-player!

‘prophetThe of author infinitude’ serves in Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, Belur, as a faculty in the Dept. of Economics and as the Coordinator of Swami Vivekananda Research Centre. Cover page designed by Anudatto Mallick, M.Phil student at Vidyamandira. [email protected] Interestingly enough, Swamiji’s ascription of the same combination must come. Now each dice-playing to God does not make Him (God) a particle, each atom, that is in this universe, I capricious Being – rather, in and through God’s take for such a die, and these are being created universe, what shows through is a thrown out and combined again and again. All ‘specialized’ deterministic pattern, powered by these forms before you are one combination. the ‘law of chance’. Surely, never before or Here are the forms of a glass, a table, a pitcher since had the secular science of Probability of water, and so forth. This is one combination; been placed on such a sacred footing! in time, it will all break. But there must come a The context of Swamiji’s reaching out to time when exactly the same combination comes the theory of Probability is as exciting as it can again, when you will be here, and this form will possibly get. He was talking on ‘Immortality’ to be here, this subject will be talked, and this an American audience. pitcher will be here. An Decidedly the topic was such as to have all the While the great theoretical this has been, and an infinite number of times listeners hanging on his Physicist Albert Einstein - for words. Who does not this will be repeated.’2 fear of vitiating Nature’s infinite number of times want to live forever? determinism – would not have The thoughtful While various theological God playing dice with the reader will not fail to traditions might well recognize that the whole universe, Swami Vivekananda – January 2020 expatiate on the ‘implied’ argument above rests on meaning of ‘Immortality’ arguably the greatest champion the large repetitions of the 12 (i.e. it is the spiritual Self of God – found the creator to be dice-throwing experiment that is immortal), it is idle a consummate dice-player! and the assurance of the to deny that it’s the recurrence of a set of ‘literal’ meaning of outcomes that occurred at ‘Immortality’ that holds the fascination for man. None can help wondering: can I continue living forever as the ‘person’ that I currently am? ‘therea specific must throw. be a time Now, when the the conclusion same numbers of the PAGE SPONSOR: SRI RAVI CHAMUTURI, HYDERABAD CHAMUTURI, RAVI SRI SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Theological traditions, having no answer to willcertainty come of again’ recurrence) in a of series a specific of random set (i.e., provide, at best promise a heaven after death. occurrences is something that a person with a But, Swamiji took up the gauntlet. Using an fair degree of acquaintance with probability- argument which is a logical tour de force in theory can make. We might as well try to trace itself, he proceeded to show how even the Swamiji’s thought process here with regards to ‘formed’ beings, by way of continuation, can his example of throwing four dice recur – albeit at certain periodic intervals. Like simultaneously and observing an outcome an accomplished ‘Probabilist’ he marshalled {6,5,3,4}. This outcome, the Probabilist in his facts: Swamiji asserts, must occur again if the ‘In one sense bodies and forms even are experiment of throwing the four dice is eternal. How? Suppose we take a number of repeated very many times (‘We take the dice up dice and throw them, and they fall in this ratio and throw them again and again.’). How did he — 6 — 5 — 3 — 4. We take the dice up and arrive at this? Here is the little calculation along throw them again and again; there must be a with certain a-priori assumptions that might time when the same numbers will come again; have raced through his phenomenal intellect: Assuming (a) each die is fair i.e., its six before. And many times more it will be the faces are equally likely to occur (b) the same. Souls were never different, the bodies experiment of casting four dice simultaneously have been constantly dissolving and recurring. is repeated ‘n’ times (c) the outcomes of each of Secondly, these things periodically occur. the four dice in any experiment are Suppose here are three or four dice, and when independent (d) all the ‘n’ experiments are independent, the probability that the outcome four, another three, and another two. If you {6,5,3,4} does not occur in any of the ‘n’ keepwe throw on throwing, them, onethere comes must come up five, times another when experiments is (1 - 1/64)n i.e., (1295/1296)n. those very same numbers will recur. Go on Now, the chance that the set {6,5,3,4} occurs at throwing, and no matter how long may be the least once is {1 - (1295/1296)n}. As ‘n’ gets interval, those numbers must come again. It larger and larger, the cannot be asserted in how probability of the set many throws they will {6,5,3,4} occurring at least It’s truly amazing how Swamiji come again; this is the law once tends towards 1 i.e., made use of this nascent science of chance. So with souls certainty! (In fact, with n of chance to make some hither-to and their associations. = 10,000, this probability However distant may be unheard-of remarks on is approximately 0.9995). the periods, the same ‘Immortality’ of bodies and Voila! It’s truly combinations and forms, hastening to point out amazing how Swamiji dissolutions will happen January 2020 made use of this nascent however that ‘that is not the again and again.’4 science of chance (at least immortality of the soul.’ In the above 13 it was so during 19th example, Swamiji, in century) to make some addition to saying that the hither-to unheard-of remarks on ‘Immortality’ die combination {5,4,3,2} is sure to occur of bodies and forms, hastening to point out somewhere down the line, goes on to comment however that ‘that is not the immortality of the on the number of throws that one might soul.’3 Anyway, as the purpose of this article is possibly require to have the same combination PAGE SPONSOR: CHI. SOHAM BAKSHI, IIT MADRAS, CHENNAI MADRAS, IIT BAKSHI, SOHAM CHI. SPONSOR: PAGE to understand Swamiji as the ‘Probabilist’, we once more. This observation quoted above is Kesari The Vedanta worth being relooked at: It cannot be asserted bodies and forms upon which Swamiji so in how many throws they will come again; this is adroitlywill confine brings our to discussion bear the ‘Law to ‘Immortality’ of Chance’. In of the law of chance. We can venture to suggest yet another lecture, ‘The Atman: Its Bondage that these printed words as they appear in the and Freedom’, Swamiji illustrates the same idea Vol-II of the Complete Works might be a shade using almost the same example, with an additional idea of Probability-theory thrown in: Probabilist-sannyasi conveyed. We’ll try to insufficient representation of what the ‘All the forms which we are seeing now reason it out based on logic and evidence, make have been manifested again and again, and the an educated guess and leave it at that. world in which we live has been here many For one thing, the sentences ‘It cannot be times before. I have been here and talked to you asserted in how many throws they will come many times before. You will know that it must again’ and ‘this is the law of chance’ are be so, and the very words that you have been somewhat oxymoronic with respect to one listening to now, you have heard many times another. If a ‘law’ is operative, then it’s ipso facto true that the number of throws can be asserted. To say the reverse is to go back on on the law of probability. In probability logic. Granting that it’s the ‘law of chance’, not parlance,find an ‘average’ this is known number as ofthe such ‘expected throws value’. based a deterministic law - even then an emphatic Let us try to wrap our minds around what ‘cannot be asserted’ runs counter to the notion Swamiji was hinting at: of ‘predictiveness’ implicit in the word ‘law’. Here we’ve the situation of throwing four More importantly, we’ve reason to believe that Swamiji’s ‘spoken’ words (presumably throw happens to be {5,4,3,2}. In the taken down almost verbatim by Mr. subsequentdice simultaneously. throws, The let outcomeus designate of the firstthis J.J.Goodwin) bearing on this theme are quite outcome as a ‘success’ and any other outcome different and are indeed closer in spirit to the as ‘failure’. Let’s further assume the probability of success is p. The probability of failure is espousing. Here goes a portion of Mr. therefore (1-p). Given this set-up, we are Goodwin’sspecific aspect transcript of Probability of the sametheory lecture that he ‘The was interested in knowing the throw-number at Atman: Its Bondage and Freedom’ which varies in places from the same passage in the the variable (rather, random variable as the Complete Works: underlyingwhich the nextexperiment success is occurs.random) Now, X as defining the ‘Suppose there are three or four dice, and throw-number at which the next success occurs, the required probability that the next

January 2020 another four, and another three, and another success happens at X=x , conditioned on the fact two,when and we youthrow keep them on throwingone comes and up throwing. five, and 14 There must come times when those very same the first success occurred at the first throw is : numbers will recur. Go on throwing, and no p(1-p)x-2 P (X=x|The first throw is a success) = matter how long may be the interval, those It’s easy to verify that the above is a ; x=2,3,……∞ numbers must come again. It can be probability mass function as mathematically asserted in how many throws they will come again; this is the law of chance.’5 If, in the italicised sentence above, we care

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta And, the expected value of X is E(X) to read ‘mathematically’ as ‘probabilistically’ (with Probability theory yet to be recognized as an independent discipline distinct from Mathematics, Swamiji must have been using Now, it’s this expected value (1+1/p) that these two words almost interchangeably as a would act as a fair representation of the throw matter of loose convention), it would clearly number at which the second success occurs. If convey the sense in which Swamiji meant ‘the we consider each die to be fair, then p = 1/64. number of throws’ required to have the In that case, the average value of the throw repetition of the outcome {5,4,3,2}. To all number at which the second success takes intents and purposes, Swamiji implied the place is (1 + 64) = 1297. In conclusion, our ‘expected value’ of throws – rather than the educated guess is that Swamiji meant this exact value. Now, in a random process (a expected value of throws when he said ‘it can process in which ‘law of chance’ is operative) it be mathematically asserted in how many is not possible to come up with the exact throws they will come again; this is the law of number of throws – it is however possible to chance.’ The foregoing discussion is surely extraordinariness of Swamiji: ‘Others may be indicative of the effortless ease with which brilliant; his mind is luminous, for he had the Swamiji handled some of the important power to put himself into the immediate concepts in Probability theory. Against the contact with the source of all knowledge. He is backdrop that this rather abstruse theory was no longer limited to the slow process to which 7 nineteenth century, it is all the more That settles it then! Living as he did in the ordinary human beings are confined.’ extraordinaryconfined to the that rarefied a sannyasi academic could circles master during this resplendent glory of the Self, Swamiji’s almost to the point of expertise. This expertise ‘luminous’ mind was ever in touch with the was such as to have brought out unstinted fount of knowledge and he was thus able to compliment from no less a Logician-cum- master anything and everything with unstudied Probabilist as Dr. John Venn of University of grace. His life is indeed a great object lesson Cambridge, England. While not much is known that establishes that the Atmajnani (knower of about Swamji meeting any great Mathematician the Self) can easily attain to any knowledge, if or Probabilist in the West, we know for a fact he so wishes. Small wonder, his exhortation in that in England Swamiji met Dr. John Venn – the this regard (as always) comes laden with his celebrated authority on Logic and the author of own experiential certitude: ‘Try to manifest this ‘Logic of Chance’. The ‘Venn diagrams’ - Atman, and you will see your intellect inseparable part of Probability theory are penetrating into all subjects. The intellect of

named after this great logician. According to one who has not realised the Atman is one- January 2020 the account of Mahendranath Datta (Swamiji’s sided, whereas the genius of the knower of younger brother): ‘Swamiji impressed the Atman is all-embracing. With the manifestation 15 professor very much and he was most pleased with the encounter.’6 Given this mutual philosophy, and everything will be easily admiration, one would not be far out in saying mastered.’of the Atman8 you will find that science, that it was the meeting of a Probabilist from the Let us put forth our best energies in East with a Probabilist from the West! manifesting this Atman in every walk of life – academic or otherwise. Then alone can we PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, MISSION RD., BENGALURU RD., MISSION DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE Epilogue count ourselves as worthy followers of this Kesari The Vedanta master Probabilist-sannyasi for whom the only ability to master even a secular science such as ‘certainty’, amidst the probabilistic As we reflect on Swamiji’s exceptional uncertainties of phenomenal existence, is to the source of such power. ‘Atman’ which he never tired of pointing out: makesProbability-theory, an exegetical we simply comment are mystified on this as ‘The soul endureth forever.’9

References 1) Reminiscences of Swami Vivekananda by His Eastern 5) Swami Vivekananda in the West: New Discoveries. and Western Admirers [hereafter Reminiscences]. Marie Louise Burke. Kolkata: , Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama,Mayavati, Fifth Edition, 3:555-556 pp.302 6) Londone Swami Vivekananda. [Bengali] 2) The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Mahendranath Datta, The Mahendra Publishing [hereafter CW]. Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama, Mayavai Committee, pp.43-44 Edition, 2: 229-230 7) Reminiscences. p.329 3) CW. 2:231 8) CW. 2:138 4) CW. 2:260 9) CW. 4:246 Reminiscences Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA

Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri . For over two decades he lived at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, . Under his inspiration countless people led a life of spirituality and service, and many young men and women entered into monastic life. His conversations – translated from Bengali and presented below – were noted by his attendant who is now Srimat Swami Suhitananda, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. (Continued from previous issue. . .) 45

uestion: Sometimes things happen sheer hypocrisy in the name of religion. Ten in an unexpectedly fortuitous way fanatics set up a person as an incarnation and Qfor which we can claim no credit. a large number of people obey him out of fear. Can we regard such occurrences as mani- Thus an is created! Atheists are better festations of God’s grace? than these people. Maharaj Question: Sri Ramakrishna has said that

January 2020 ments are perhaps due to some good deeds that Brahman includes all living beings and the we performed: in No. an These earlier beneficial life. However, develop- if we world; i.e., our experience of Brahman is 16 have God’s grace, we will develop the faith that incomplete without them, just as the weight of they are in accordance with the will of the Lord. a wood apple will be less if we leave out its If we analyse this from the standpoint of a shell and seeds. Does this make Sri Rama- jnani we live within this body just as within our shirt Maharaj: Sri Ramakrishna demonstrated krishna a Vishishtadvaitin (qualified monist)? – I take(a man off ofthe knowledge), shirt and wewash shall it findwhen that it that Nirguna Brahman (Brahman without becomes dirty, sew it when it’s torn, and throw attributes) is true. But does this mean that

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta it away when it wears out. But this is those who worship God with form do not see experienced only by the ripe ‘I’, not the ‘unripe Brahman? Of course they see Brahman. And the

people, for those seeking liberation. They are Brahman. I’. These ideals are for educated and refined qualified monists also verily see the same not for the common people. For them there is Sri Ramakrishna climbed to the highest no other way than dualism. How many persona- spiritual state, and then coming down revealed lities like Buddha and Jesus have come! Were that all spiritual states are true. The material they able to accomplish anything? Also, what that constitutes the roof is the same that will even Swamiji do? However, those eager to constitutes the staircase. Coming down from पदर셍봾ण봾् ि봾िून봾ं the state of non-duality, Sri Ramakrishna would “For the protection of the good.” (Gita 4:8) attain liberation will benefit. How much commotion has happened in this world because of this dualism! There are monistsstay in the and states dualists of the who qualified think monists that theirs or the is numerous sects among the Muslims, Christians, thedualists; only true but state. this was Read unlike the verse other ्뵇ऽप्न्द뵇वत봾 qualified and Hindus. The worshippers of Krishna, Shiva, भ鄿봾 ्जनत뵇 �द्ध्봾ऽननवत봾ः…“ Even those who are devoted to other divinities with faith in their

and fight with one another to death. This is hearts, worship Me alone, O Arjuna, though by constantly remember and repeat the name of the wrong method [not understanding the God, you may have a fall. Nowadays there are truth].” (Gita 9:23) many who don’t observe their own mind 20.11.60 carefully; consequently, they start accepting Question: If I realise Brahman, then for disciples and keep female companions. sure I will possess all powers; can I then do Therefore, unless a spiritual seeker habitually whatever I want? acts after due introspection, discrimination, and deliberation, he is at great risk and he will Maharaj: “I am Brahman” is true; but not have liberation from karma. unless I prepare myself, how will I be aware of my powers? All the huge mansions which were न म봾ं कम봾त्र啍ण 啍िमपननत न म뵇 कमत्रफि뵇 सपꥃह봾 । built in the past can be built again if the इ啍त म봾ं ्ोऽ啍भज봾न봾啍त कमत्र啍भनत्र ि बध्त뵇।। building material and other necessary things “Actions do not taint Me, nor have I any are available [preparation precedes thirst for the fruit of action. He who knows Me manifestation]. The kshatriyas pursued thus is not bound by actions.” (Gita 4:14) Brahmavidya. It requires immense power. It is possible to succeed if you work after न봾्म봾तम봾 बिहीन뵇न िभ्ः “This Atman cannot be knowing this divine truth. However, when you attained by the weak.” (Mundakopanishad work, you are bound to experience the fruits. 3:2:4) The brahmins preserved culture by But he who wants to be free, though working, always tries to realise नैषकम्त्र, actionlessness. leading a well-regulated life. Such action cannot be called work; this is just January 2020 performing sacrifices, reciting the Vedas, and Question: Isn’t it enough to mentally 17 repeat the Ishta mantra (the mantra of the God. Suppose I have gone as far as Berhampore, his effort to finish his work; it is worship of Chosen Deity)? and then want to return to Sargachhi. What is the way? I have to walk back to Sargachhi from Maharaj: Yes, provided the mind dwells on Berhampore. This walking back is not the same the Chosen Deity. We are not even conscious of as going to Berhampore. Similarly, this kind of where our mind dwells. Just as it is necessary work is not action; it is worship. As long as you to keep our mind on our Chosen Deity, we cannot remain without doing work, you work;

PAGE SPONSOR: SMT. RAJAM SUBRAMANIAM, CHENNAI RAJAM SUBRAMANIAM, SMT. SPONSOR: PAGE should in a more intense manner keep a sharp after that you sit in yoga. Kesari The Vedanta eye on what is happening inside us, in our mind. Without this, you cannot be a sannyasi. आ셁셁�ोमुत्रन뵇्뵋गं कमत्र क봾रणमुच्त뵇 । Try to visualise this: I am speeding through ्ोग봾셂ढस् तस्ैव शमः क봾रणमुच्त뵇 ।। space and slowly the sheaths (koshas) are “For the sage who desires to attain to dropping off my body one by one. Can you infer yoga, action is said to be the means. For the what remains at the very end? selfsame person, when he has attained to yoga, inaction is said to be the means.” (Gita 6:3) In the causal body (karaṇa-sharira) you can taste the bliss in two ways – either by Sri Ramakrishna has said that whatever savouring the joy of God’s disport, or by being the witness of body-mind-intellect. But a and pray: “O Lord, please reduce my hankering work comes to your lot, perform it selflessly sadhaka may fall even from the highest state of devotion if he has not detached himself from and keep the other hand on work. Afterwards, for work.” At first, hold on to God with one hand the body-mind-intellect complex. Mathura Das’s work will end and every action of yours will body was shivering from cold; yet he was become worship – just as the monastic saying, “I am not trembling inside.” Even if you disciples of Sri Ramakrishna used to do. (to be continued...) January 2020

18 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Article

Women Saints of Varkari Tradition ARPANA GHOSH

In the earlier issues we presented the life and teachings of Sants Jnaneswar, , Eknath, and . This article on the women saints concludes this series on the Varkhari tradition of Maharashtra.

he Varkari Sampradaya or the And the way to attain this love was through bhakti movement centered around bhajan or chanting of the Lord’s name ‘Ram TLord Vitthala of Pandharpur swept Krishna Hari’! This bhava, to speak to God with over the region of Maharashtra between the an intense love was the key to reach Him. 13th and 17th C.E. Its tradition of all- We come across nearly 15 women sants encompassing love for God included everyone as listed in the Sakala Santa Gatha, a breaking the barriers of gender, caste, and compendium of the of all the

status and threw up numerous saint-poets and Maharashtrian devotee-saints. This article January 2020 exemplary householder devotees. The ideal highlights four of the most popular women 19 was to spiritualise one’s family-life and practice saints hailing from very different social bhakti within one’s home. backgrounds. Consequently, women who lived relatively ordinary lives as wives, mothers and sisters Sant Muktabai easily integrated into the tradition. They did Muktabai, whose name means ‘liberated, was the younger sister of Sant Jnaneshvar, that restrictions and wander off alone like a Mirabai ‘Ocean of Knowledge’ who is credited with PAGE SPONSOR: SRI RAVI CHAMUTURI, HYDERABAD CHAMUTURI, RAVI SRI SPONSOR: PAGE ornot Akka fling Mahadevi. off worldly The tradition responsibilities gave them and laying the foundation of this Vitthala Bhakti Kesari The Vedanta space to evolve as teachers and sants or saints. Marga, the Varkari Sampradaya. Altogether they were four siblings – Nivrittinath, Jnaneshvar, Sopan and Mukta - each two years apart in age JanabaiThey are being referred one ofto the with most the prominent. same honorific from the other. Their father, a devout Brahmin prefix ‘sant’ as their male counterparts: Sant The black murti of Vitthala or Pandurang had left his wife to become a sannyasi in Kashi is believed to be the saguna form of the One and was later ordered by his guru to return to Supreme pervading the whole universe. Great saint-poets like Sant Jnaneshvar, Namdev, brahmins however did not accept this and the householder’s life and fulfil his duties. The Ekanath, and Tukaram proclaimed that nothing ostracized the whole family. They had to suffer but a longing heart full of love was needed to many torments and injustices. The parents reach God and cross over the ocean of samsara. eventually drowned themselves as the advised

Arpana Ghosh, a German by birth, is settled in Chennai for 27 years. She has embraced Vitthal Bhakti and is Vitthal’s German Varkari. [email protected] means of expiation (prayaschitta) and the four supernatural powers through years of tapasya children were orphaned at a very young age. and who had many followers, was humbled by Mukta must have been just a tiny girl of Jnaneshvar and he eventually became a disciple three! The children continued to be outcastes of the very young Mukta – a woman – a yogini!! until they proved their intellectual and spiritual Muktabai composed about 50 abhangs. brilliance in a debate with the brahmins of Her main theme is taking God’s name in order Paithan, where the young Jnaneshvar made a to acquire the divine qualities, experience God’s buffalo recite the Vedas to prove that God is not omnipresence and become liberated. In her different from his creation. From then on abhangs she signs off simply as ‘Muktai’. people respected the children as divine and Popular among her abhangs are her eleven blessed. ‘Songs of the Door’ (tatiche ). As they Mukta’s life was were treated as outcastes, entirely bound up with Jnaneshvar, fed up with that of her brothers; Sant performed all her the derogatory and vile wherever they went, they household chores together with comments of the people, stayed together like a Vitthala. locked himself in his hut. small family, all of them With these songs Mukta unmarried. The eldest cajoled him to open the Nivrittinath, was their guru and he initiated door. She sang Santa teci

January 2020 them into the Nath Sampraday, an esoteric jana jagi,daya kshama jyace angi “People can Shaiva tradition, and later, when they came to recognize a sant by his forbearance and 20 Pandharpur, they became the strongest compassion, one whose mind has no greed and proponents of Vitthala bhakti; thus they conceit, one who has attained bliss here on amalgamated two traditions. Mukta even earth, one who bestows pure knowledge! Put witnessed and experienced Sant Jnaneshvar’s aside false doubts, open the door Jnaneshvar!” samadhi sohala or celebration in Alandi – a As can be noted she does not adopt the servile sublime 5-day event of bliss and grief, tone of a younger sister pleading with an older witnessed by thousands, where her brother brother; it is one self-realized soul addressing

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Jnaneshvar, endearingly called Maoli (mother) another. took sajivan samadhi All the four siblings were divine purpose and with a great longing to unite incarnations who came to spiritually uplift forever with the Supreme. Having hefulfilled had hishimself life’s mankind. Their mission completed, entombed in an underground chamber beneath they followed their brother Jnaneshvar and the Siddheshvar Shiva temple in Alandi at the within six months all of them took sajivan tender age of 22! samadhi in various places. Of Muktabai it is said Muktabai is depicted as a beautiful and brilliant young girl, spiritually very advanced age must have been at that time just 18! that she disappeared in a flash of lightning. Her and learned. The fact that she didn’t get Muktabai is greatly revered and admired married puts her above the norm. Unlike many and people believe she is an incarnation of the other women bhaktas, she never emphasizes Adi Shakti, but she is not the typical example of her womanhood. She dwells entirely in the a bhavik Varkari sant. As a person she almost seems intangible; her life is miraculous, full of Changadev who had acquired many wisdom and mysticism. spirit and is very confident. The great yogi Sant Janabai Of all the Maharashtrian women sants, Janabai is the most popular and her abhangs are sung widely. The way she performed all her household chores together with Vitthala, giving to her daily drudgery a new respectability and meaning, is unparalleled! She is indeed the purest example of Vitthala bhakti! She arrived in Pandharpur as a small lower caste orphan girl having lost her way. There she came under the care of Damsheti, the father of the great Vitthalbhakta Sant Namdev. In this saintly home she grew up and spent all her life as a maidservant. She was a few years elder to Namdev, and took care of him as a young boy and later became his disciple. In her abhangs, she very often mentions her good fortune to have been guided by Namdev Sant Janabai Maharaj, and she makes it a point to sign her January 2020 abhangs as ‘Nama’s Jani’ (namayachi jani). In unburden their hearts, expressing their 21 some of her songs she tells Vitthala that she would gladly be born again and again –only if it millstone! The rhyme and rhythm of their songs worries, their family concerns, confiding in the was in Pandharpur in the house of Namdev! and the sound of the mill brought about the Her songs show the same style and images as ‘ovi’, a verse form for grinding and lulling her guru’s. When he sings: ‘With a sling of love infants. I caught Gopala!’, Jani says with even greater The image of Janabai grinding together

PAGE SPONSOR: SRI HEMANT D. VAKIL, MUMBAI VAKIL, D. HEMANT SRI SPONSOR: PAGE dharilam Pandaricha chor, ‘I caught with Vitthala at dawn is etched in the mind of The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta the thief of Pandhari! I bound a rope around his the Maharashtrian people. She calls Vitthala confidence neck ‘The one hungry for love’, and her bhakti was so let him go anymore!’ pure that Vitthala was there with her almost and confined him in my heart – I will not As Namdev Maharaj grew up, got married every day, helping her in all the household and had children, there were 14 members in his chores. Her abhangs are full of such house! And Janabai would call herself the 15th descriptions: Vitthala grinding in his pitambara, member! There was a lot of work and grinding yellow dhoti, telling Jani to simply watch and sing; Vitthal fetching water with her from the exist, women would get up very early – when river – allowing her not even to get her feet otherto be done!family At members a time when were flourmillsstill asleep did – andnot wet; Vitthala carrying the trash after the immediately sit down for grinding. It was an courtyard is broomed; and both of them inevitable hard work, and women would together making cowdung cakes. preferably sit in pairs while rotating the heavy She sings, Dalitam kanditam, tuj gaina millstone, and they would sing in an urge to ananta, “While grinding and pounding I sing festive dinner, but Janabai had been left outside, forget to sing your Name! In all my daily chores crying, longing. Feeling her pain, Vitthala lost Iyour have name, your nameinfinite on one, my notlips! even You arefor amy second father, I his appetite and stopped eating. At night he mother, friend and sister, Chakrapani! While went stealthily to Janabai’s cottage where she grinding I am totally immersed in your feet – could offer him nothing but his own leavings says Nama’s Jani.” In these few lines she reveals which had been given to her. Here occurs also the secret of her bhakti: to take God’s name the famous story of the exchanged blankets, every moment uninterruptedly and to keep him where Jani almost got into a huge trouble when embraced in the heart! they found Vitthala with Jani’s torn old blanket Vitthala appeared to her in various forms, in the temple and his costly silk shawl in her as a friend, as a father, but mostly as a female cottage. friend, sister or mother – Vithabai, Vithai, Though sometimes vexed with her Pandurangi. Her life was one of constant repetitive chores and her being a woman, she remembrance of the Lord similar to Gopaler comes to terms with it Strijanma mhanavuni na Maa and Kururamma who lived in this sacred vhave udasa, “I should not feel sad to be born a land in recent times. It is a noteworthy step in woman, the sadhus and sants taught me this. the development of the bhakti movement that I’m serving in the house of the sants, Vitthala women bring God into the kitchen, but it is even gave me the essence of love!” rarer to speak of God becoming a woman When Namdev Maharaj had vowed to

January 2020 serving his bhaktas! Being an orphan, instead compose one billion abhangs for the Lord, Jani of fretting about her life, Janabai gave herself was also allotted a certain number. Her 350 22 entirely to God. verses appear as an annexure to the Namdev In another abhang she sings Maya meli Gatha. As she was unlettered, Vitthala himself bapa mela, ata sambhali Vitthala, “Mother is came to write them down for her and he found dead, father is dead - now take care of me them exceedingly sweet. Since that time she Vitthala! Don’t neglect me, I’m your child! I’m was fully integrated into the group of sants your servant, ignorant and simple-minded - around Namdev and had the wonderful give me a place at your feet! Who else but you opportunity to have their association. She was The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta can protect me? How much longer will you just especially fond of Sant Jnaneshvar and look on – I’m so weary! Life of all Life! Jani calls composed moving abhangs on him. on you!” Legend tells that she was also one of the Vitthala’s labour of love for Janabai 14 family-members who left their body at the doesn’t stop here. He helped her in bathing and same time with Sant Namdev in 1350, and that oiled and braided her hair, because “Jani is all they were all buried beneath the ‘Namdev alone, no one else to take care of her!” When Payari’, the steps to Vitthala’s temple gate. The Jani feels that Vitthala neglected her or failed to dates of her life must have more or less appear, she calls out to him in an intimate overlapped with those of Namdev (1270 - language. 1350) and it seems she was in her eighties Songs and legends tell us that Janabai was when she left her body. painfully aware of her position as a Janabai’s abhangs allow women to maidservant, a woman and an orphan of a low identify with her easily, and they sing her songs caste. During her initial years in Sant Namdev’s even now. But mostly their minds remain house, we hear that Vitthala had visited for a

caught up in the worries, hopes and difficulties of their samsar, hardly anybody reaches the veena near the image of Vitthala; so it is state of surrender of a triumphant Janabai who believed that she sang abhangs and did bhajan sings Mi to samarthachi dasi, mithi ghalina in and around the temple. payapasi, “I’m the dasi of the All-Powerful and Whereas other women bhaktas, whether married or unmarried, were somehow decision: I will make a festival of the Lord’s integrated into a family, was all by I will embrace His feet! This is my firm name and I will sing His names with all my herself with Vitthala as her protector. Upon chores! At His feet lies all bliss – Vitthala is hearing about Kanhopatra’s great beauty, the speaking with Jani!” king of Bedar of the Bahamani dynasty Sant Janabai’s life and her abhangs are requested her to come to his palace as a practical lessons in remembering and living in concubine. When she refused, he sent the Lord’s company even as messengers to take her by women go about their force. She took refuge in the monotonous daily chores. temple and pleaded with Vitthala to save her, and in this Sant Kanhopatra precarious situation she died right there before the sanctum. Kanhopatra was the very beautiful daughter of the Did she merge into courtesan Shyama. They lived Vitthala? Did she commit suicide? Did her heart stop January 2020 in Mangalvedhe, not far from over-powered by emotion? Pandharpur in the 15 century. 23 One can only guess. Her body Shyama taught her daughter to was placed at Vitthala’s feet sing and dance and hoped to and hurriedly she was buried make ample money out of her right there within the temple performances and services. precincts. On this very place Though forced into this fallen from beneath the stone slabs of profession, Kanhopatra Sant Kanhopatra the temple, unfed by water, a

PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, MYLAPORE, CHENNAI MYLAPORE, DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE rebelled against it and vowed strange tree sprang up - the Tree of Kanhopatra Kesari The Vedanta not to accept any suitor unless he was equal in worshipped by the pilgrims. She is the only beauty to herself. sant who has her samadhi within the temple of One day a group of varkaris passed her . house on their way to Pandharpur, singing There are about 25 extant abhangs sung Vitthala’s praises. Hearing about Vitthala’s by Kanhopatra. Many of her abhangs refer to beautiful, blissful image in the temple, and her debased social status. She calls herself learning that He was called Patita Pavan, the impure, fallen, unworthy of God’s grace; but she reminds Vitthala that He has liberated many longing for His darshan. She soon visited great sinners. There is a certain physical ‘purifier of the fallen’, she developed a great Pandharpur and when she saw the divine vulnerability coming through in many of her songs, a desperate cry for protection, feeling love, that she decided to stay in Pandhari and her body in danger which the other women surrenderimage, she her was life atso thefilled Lord’s with feet. admiration Most of the and sants don’t show; Muktabai for example never depictions of Kanhopatra show her holding a mentions her body as a woman! This body consciousness must have arisen from her hated saw Vitthala’s feet! Kanhopatra would gladly profession of being the object of desire of men. take birth again and again if she could see in She says patita tu every life the feet of pavana, mhanavisi Vitthala!” Narayana, “You are called Without you there is no place to The following lines hold on to in all the three worlds. are said to be Sant Narayana, keep your promise,purifier stand of the up for fallen, your Mother Vithabai run fast! Come! before leaving her body. Name! My caste is not I am hopeless. Take Kanhopatra nakoKanhopatra’s devaraya final anta verses ata clean, neither my faith, I into your heart. pahu, “Please don’t test have a vile behaviour and me! Already my breath is character! Not even your leaving me! The doe’s name is on my lips – Kanhopatra seeks refuge little fawn is caught by a tiger, this is just how at your feet!” I’m feeling, Lord! Without you there is no place In varma vairiyache hati,deu nako to hold on to in all the three worlds, Mother Shripati she pleads “Don’t give my Vithabai run fast! Come! I am hopeless. inner essence into the hands of the Take Kanhopatra into your heart!” predators, Shripati! You are the Her desperate last appeal Lord of those who have nobody, leaves us pensive that the only

January 2020 you are merciful, option to transcend her female compassionate to the low – all body as an object of desire was by 24 the Vedas and shastras giving it up. It reinforces the proclaim that! Your feet carry concept that the loving relation that label! Now stand by it and between bhakta and God is your devotee, don’t abandon me eternal, birth after birth or as begs your dasi Kanhopatra.” Namdev Maharaj vows deha javo Giving instances of how God athava raho Pandurangi dridha lowered himself for the sake of his bhavo, “No matter if the body goes

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta bhaktas, she calls on Him to do or remains – my love for Vitthala is likewise with her. In a beautiful abhang she Kanhopatra’s tree in the firm!” eventually describes Vitthala’s temple, venerated for centuries, also darshan janmantariche sukrita aji given up its life in 2015. No new leaves phalasi ale, “The good deeds of all my are sprouting anymore, only the slant past lives have borne fruit today – I have seen overhanging stem remains. Is it due to the Vitthala’s feet! Blessed my good fortune that my eyes beheld today –I have seen Vitthala’s the years in the name of bhakti by plucking off feet! Blessed my feet walking this sacred path piecestorture of the this pilgrims ‘blessed bark’inflicted to take on home,the tree or isover to Pandhari – and I saw Vitthala’s feet! By it Vitthala’s lila? coming here my body became blessed hence I (to be continued…)

The highest concept is to think that everything is He. Failing that it is best to think that he is the real agent behind all actions and He is causing us to act. —Swami Turiyananda Pocket Tales

Snake! Snake! GITANJALI MURARI A fictional narrative based on incidents from the childhood of Swami Vivekananda. ari, Shibu,’ Naren called his playmates urgently, waving his hand. The boys had just entered the big courtyard of Naren’s home. ‘What are we playing ‘Htoday,’ they asked, running towards him. In answer, Naren took them up a he locked the door. flightThe of stairs room to was a big dank attic. and ‘It dreary is a new with game,’ hardly he anysaid, sunlight his large, peeping brown througheyes sparkling the one as window. ‘This is scary,’ Hari said in a slightly shaky voice, looking at the shadows on the walls. ‘It is perfect for our new game,’ Naren declared. ‘The game of meditation…’ ‘What!’

eyes and sit quietly for a long time, the hair on your head grows to touch the ground,’ he Sitting down on the bare floor, Naren crossed his legs. ‘My sister says if you close your

explained to his amazed friends. ‘I want to see if that is true…’ January 2020 Hari and Shibu sat down, excited by the new game. All three boys closed their eyes 25

and crossed their hands in their laps, just like the rishis of olden times. After five minutes, PAGE SPONSOR: SRI SUMANTH TIMMADASARI, BENGALURU TIMMADASARI, SUMANTH SRI SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

The author, a media and television professional for over 20 years, is now a writer of fiction. She lives in Mumbai. [email protected] Illustrator: Smt. Lalithaa Thyagarajan. [email protected] Shibu peeked at his friends. Naren and Hari were quite still, so he once again squeezed his

‘Mosquitoes,’ he complained. ‘Hush,’ Shibu scolded. ‘Be quiet…’ eyes shut.Quite Barely soon, hadthe fivetwo minutes boys began elapsed, to feel when uncomfortable, Hari opened his frequently eyes, scratching changing his theirarm.

Suddenly Hari whispered, ‘What is that?’ ‘Don’t disturb,’ Shibu muttered. ‘I am serious… position on the hard floor but Naren remained like a statue, his face calm and glowing.

snake,’look…’ heShibu’s screamed eyes jumpingflew open, to ‘Couldhis feet, it staring be that at your the blackhair has rope started slithering to grow?’ towards But them. when he peered in the direction of Hari’s pointing finger, his eyes widened in horror. ‘It is a

snake.‘Get ‘Let’s up,’ getthe boyshelp…’ shouted, and Hari tugging leapt at for their the friendstairs, but Shibu Naren following didn’t flinch, close hisbehind. body Theyrigid returnedlike a rock. quickly, ‘What bringing do we do?’ Naren’s Shibu parents wailed, and his sisters.terrified gaze locked on the approaching ‘Stay back,’ Naren’s father commanded, standing just inside the door. Everyone gasped.

my baby,’ his mother cried out. But shook his head. ‘It is a cobra…we mustWith itsremain hood here fanned or itout may and get its startled tongue flickering,and bite our the boy…’ snake hissed at Naren. ‘Let me go to

January 2020 The group remained at the door, their eyes riveted on Naren and the snake. ‘Shiva, Shiva,’ his mother prayed, her eyes wet with tears. All of a sudden, the cobra lowered its 26 hood and crawled out through a hole in the wall. With a sigh of relief, everyone rushed to Naren, afraid to touch him. After some time, his body relaxed and he opened his eyes, looking wonderingly at the anxious faces. ‘What happened? Why are you all here?’ ‘It was a snake, Naren,’ Hari said. ‘It was about to strike you…didn’t you hear us scream?’ Naren shook his head. His mother caressed his soft chin. ‘What were you doing my child?’ ‘Meditating ma,’ he smiled. ‘It was wonderful…I felt so happy…only…’ He touched his head and frowned at his sisters. ‘My hair has not grown at all…’ The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

Meditation means the mind is turned back upon itself. The mind stops all the thought-waves and the world stops. Your consciousness expands. Every time you meditate you will keep your growth. Work a little harder, more and more, and meditation comes. You do not feel the body or anything else. When you come out of it after the hour, you have had the most beautiful rest you ever had in your life. That is the only way you ever give rest to your system. Not even the deepest sleep will give you such rest as that. The mind goes on jumping even in deepest sleep. Just those few minutes in meditation your brain has almost stopped. Just a little vitality is kept up. You forget the body. You may be cut to pieces and not feel it at all. You feel such pleasure in it. You become so light. This perfect rest we will get in meditation. —Swami Vivekananda PULLOUT FOR REFERENCE

Series 5: Issue 3: Understanding India - through Swami Vivekananda's eyes Swami Vivekananda gave a wonderful ISSUEISSUE 2410 talk at Jaffna on 24th January 1897. (Refer, Lectures from Colombo to Almora, Complete Works, Vol. 3). In this talk, he focus in this issue: introduced Hindus in the subcontinent to their own religion in terms of its simplest Vedantism - part 1 and most fundamental building blocks and principles. This talk is rich in several An outline of the talk is presented here: important ideas on and will be covered in this and the next issues of Vivekananda Way. I Defining Hinduism Swami Vivekananda begins by defining Hindus as Vaidikas or Vedantists - people whose religion is rooted in the Vedas and the Vedanta.

II Books of the Hindus Swami Vivekananda then describes the books of the Hindus - from January 2020 the revelations of timeless truths encoded in the Vedas and the 27 Upanishads down to the mass of stories & myths with their numerous interpretations. III The Core Principles of Hinduism Swami Vivekananda goes on to describe the core principles of Hinduism, including the ideas of Srishti, Brahman, the law of Karma, the Infinite Soul, the meaning of various Deities, Mukti or freedom and the PAGE SPONSOR: SRI SAYANTAN GANGULY, KOLKATA GANGULY, SAYANTAN SRI SPONSOR: PAGE

pathways to achieve it, the ideas of God, and the theory of Ishta. Kesari The Vedanta

IV The Practices of Hinduism Based on the core principles, Hinduism has developed several practices, for example, the practice of each person following his/ her own personal God/Ishta; the practice of inclusion of everyone & exclusion of none; the practice of mercy - to the poor, animals, everybody; and building institutions which stand the test of time.

V The Task Ahead Swami Vivekananda then concludes the extraordinary presentation of Hinduism with "action Designed & steps" for each of us. He proposes that 'Dana' or developed by ILLUMINE 'Service' is the great Tapasya of the modern age. Knowledge Catalysts ® www.illumine.in Sections I & II covered in this issue>> An alternative word for Hindus: Vaidikas or Vedantists

The word Hindu, by which it is the fashion nowadays to style ourselves, has lost all its meaning, for this word merely meant those who lived on the other side of the river Indus (in , Sindhu). Thus this word has come down to us; and during the Mohammedan rule we took up the word ourselves. There may not be any harm in using the word of course; but, as I have said, it has lost its significance, for you may mark that all the people who live on this side of the Indus in modern times do not follow the same religion as they did in ancient times. The word, therefore, covers not only Hindus proper, but Mohammedans, Christians, Jains, and other people who live in India. I therefore, would not use the word Hindu. What word should we use then? The other words which alone we can use are either the Vaidikas, followers of the Vedas, or better still, the Vedantists, followers of the Vedanta.

The books of the Hindus - a visualization

ETERNAL ACCESSIBLE TRUTHS TO SOCIETY January 2020 Puranas 28 Vedas Smritis (Not the utterance of & persons, exist without (Codes & (Religion for the beginning or end - revealed Regulations specific people) to the Rishis through to time & context) a process of spiritual Examples of Smritis discovery) include, the six Examples of Puranas include Vedangas, Ithihasas There are four Markandeya Purana, Shiva (Mahabharata & Purana, Brahma Vaivarta Vedas: the Rigveda, Ramayana), Sastras the Yajurveda, the Purana, Agni Purana and pertaining to each Padma Purana, etc. The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Samaveda and the station of life, such Agamas are the most Atharvaveda as Dharma-sastras, important texts on the diverse Arthasastra, philosophies of the Tantric Yoga-sastra, etc. traditions

There are more than 200 known (Essence of the Upanishads, one of which, the Muktika knowledge of the Vedanta & the Upanishad, predates 1656 CE. Vedas - contain Upanishads Examples of major Upanishads the universal are the Aitareya Upanishad, unchangeable Taittiriya Upanishad, Kausitaki principles - the Upanishad, Mundaka Upanishad, absolute authority Prasna Upanishad, Brihadaryanaka to be adhered Upanishad, Chandogya Upanishad to by all sects of ESSENCE and Katha Upanishad Hinduism) Vedas are revelatory truths, eternal, without beginning or end

This mass of writing called the Vedas is not the All the other religions of the world claim utterance of persons. Its date has never been their authority as being delivered by a fixed, can never be fixed, and, according to Personal God or a number of personal us, the Vedas are eternal. ...They were never written, beings, angels, or special messengers never created, they have existed throughout time; just of God, unto certain persons; while the as creation is infinite and eternal, without beginning claim of the Hindus is that the Vedas and without end, so is the knowledge of God without do not owe their authority to anybody, beginning and without end. And this knowledge is they are themselves the authority, being what is meant by the Vedas (Vid to know). eternal — the knowledge of God.

Vedas are divided principally into two parts, the Karma Kânda and the Jnâna Kânda

Vedas

THE CEREMONIAL THE SPIRITUAL Karma Khanda Jnana Khanda (work portion) (knowledge portion) January 2020 The main ideas of the Karma Kânda, The spiritual portion of our religion is in the [such as] the duties of man, the duties second part, the Jnâna Kânda, the Vedanta, 29 of the student, of the householder, of the end of the Vedas, the gist, the goal of the the recluse, and the various duties of the Vedas. The essence of the knowledge of the different stations of life, are followed Vedas was called by the name of Vedanta, more or less down to the present day. which comprises the Upanishads. All the sects of India that dare to come within the fold of Hinduism must acknowledge the Upanishads of the Vedas. PAGE SPONSOR: SMT. SHUBHA RANGANATHAN, CHENNAI RANGANATHAN, SHUBHA SMT. SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

Vedas were revealed to the Rishis - who were spiritual discoverers The mass of Whenever you hear that knowledge a certain passage of the called Vedas came from a certain the Vedanta was Rishi never think that discovered by he wrote it or created it Gargi Maitreyi personages called out of his mind; he was Rishis, and the Uddalaka Aruni the seer of the thought Rishi is defined as a which already existed; it Mantra-drashta, a existed in the universe

seer of thought; not eternally. This sage was Shvetaketu that the thought was the discoverer; the Rishis his own. Yajnavalkya were spiritual discoverers. and many more... The ideas of the Upanishads have permeated through Indian society

So deeply have these Upanishads THE AUTHORITY OF THE VEDANTA IS ABSOLUTE sunk into our race that those of All the philosophers of India who you who study the symbology of are orthodox have to acknowledge the crudest religion of the Hindus will be the authority of the Vedanta; astonished to find sometimes figurative and all our present-day religions, expressions of the Upanishads — the Upanishads become however crude some of them may symbolised after a time into figures and so forth. ...Thus the appear to be, however inexplicable various symbols now used by us, all come from the Vedanta, some of their purposes may seem, one who understands them and because in the Vedanta they are used as figures, and these studies them can trace them back ideas spread among the nation and permeated it throughout to the ideas of the Upanishads. until they became part of their everyday life as symbols.

Smritis are scriptures that convert the eternal principles of Vedanta into contemporary customs

1. Comprises the Smritis principles of

January 2020 religion that are 1. Smritis have been written by in the Vedanta. 30 particular sages; in that sense Principles they are the same as the 2. They are built of Vedanta scriptures of other religions. upon the eternal principles that 2. Smritis, as mainly regulating the are in man and manners and customs of the nature; they can nation, had also to be changed never change. from time to time. The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta In modern times the Smritis must change, but the principles of our religion must remain intact.

Puranas & Tantras illustrate the eternal principles to the people Puranas were written in the language of the people Tantras are similar to Puranas in of that time. Not meant for scholars, but for ordinary some respects. Some of them dealt people. [Covered various topics, for example] history, with the sacrificial ideas of the cosmology (with various symbological Karma Khanda. illustration of philosophical principles). TO BE CONTINUED...

If you have any questions on this lecture, do post your queries on www.vivekanandaway.org You can also access previous issues of Vivekananda Way here.

Ma gic , M ira cle s a nd lve the Mystical Twe

LAKSHMI DEVNATH

Roots in the Air and Shoots in the Soil The Story of Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar (Continued from previous issue. . .) he visitors left, and Poorva wondered where Swami Thaatha was. She stepped into the muddy lane, and a cool breeze wafted past her. It swept her worries Taway, and she decided to explore the countryside. As she skipped through the January 2020

herlush small green palms fields and of Thirumazhisai, splashed it on hershe face.noticed “Heavenly,” little streams she sighed, of cool, and crystal-clear closed her watereyes. 31 Sugarcaneflowing at variousplants, wells,places tanks,in the canalsvillage. –Poorva “Wow, knelt Thirumazhisai down, cupped does some look ofprosperous. the water inI wonder who the king of this place is.” Some monks with shaven heads and saffron robes passed by. She heard them say, “God bless this Pallava king. He takes such good care of his kingdom and his people.” Well, there is my answer, thought Poorva, as she did a hop, skip and jump and landed PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI TEYNAMPET, DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE

near the window of a little cottage. Out of idle curiosity, she peeped through the window Kesari The Vedanta and was surprised to recognize the couple inside. They were the same old man and old woman who had turned young, but who was that beside them? “Kanikannan … don’t cry, son,” Poorva heard husband and wife soothe their child. A baby had been born to them and he had already grown into a toddler! Poorva took a deep breath, once again puzzled by the number of years that must have gone by. Curious now about the adopted child of Thiruvaalan and Pangayachelvi, she sprinted towards Thiruvaalan’s house. There she found a young lad absorbed in a palm-leaf manuscript. Looking at him, Poorva chuckled, “For sure, this young man is a bookworm, or should I say, manuscript-worm!” She watched with amazement the constant stream of visitors coming to pay their respects to him. They were addressing him, with great reverence, as ‘Shivavaakkiar’. Poorva

The author is a researcher and writer with various books and articles on Indian music and culture to her credit. [email protected] Illustrator: Smt. Lalithaa Thyagarajan. [email protected] heard one of the visitors say with utmost respect: “He is indeed Shivavaakkiar. He repeats the name of Shiva continuously, all the time.” Poorva looked keenly at the youth. “Wait a minute. Isn’t this young man Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar? Of course he is! Then why are people calling him …?” Poorva was totally confused. Tugging at her hair, she muttered, “Swami Thaatha, save me before I become a nutcase.” “I can’t guarantee that!” joked the Swami, walking in from nowhere. Poorva did not even hear him, caught up as she was in solving the puzzle of Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar. She came straight to the point. The Swami listened attentively as

are right. Shivavaakkiar and Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar are one and the same. You wanted to sheknow told more him aboutall that Thirumazhisai had taken place Aazhvaar in his absence. and I thoughtWhen she you finished, would heenjoy remarked, watching “You a ‘movie’ rather than simply listening to a story. That’s why I brought you to Thirumazhisai from Mylapore. I hope you had a nice time.” “No doubt about that, Swami Thaatha, though I must say I’m going bonkers with babies appearing from nowhere, old people turning young …” “And young people turning crazy!” the Swami smiled. Poorva grimaced, annoyed that

January 2020 he was making fun of her when she was being serious. 32 “Incidentally, do you like your new dress?” “Gosh! Did you really pick that out, Thaatha? I must say you have good taste. I suppose it’s no use asking where it came from – with you, things just come, or they just happen.” The Swami smiled mysteriously in reply. “I have one more question,” Poorva continued briskly. “Who are the Aazhvaar’s real parents and why did they abandon him?” “You’re really sharp. Let me try and clear The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta your confusion,” said the Swami. “Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar is an incarnation of Sudarshana, the discus of Vishnu. He was born to Sage Bhargava. The parents, obviously unaware of who he was, abandoned the child because it was only a

however, blessed the baby, and it became normal.lump of And flesh, as you without saw, it any was limbs. found God, by the hunter.” “I thought that he was a kidnapper,” Poorva laughed. “Still, you can’t deny it was pretty mean of those parents. At least God is not hard-hearted. Tell me, Thaatha, why is this Vishnu devotee – an Aazhvaar – being called Shivavaakkiar?” “Good question,” complimented the Swami, and he continued, “Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar was indeed a worshipper of Shiva till his meeting with Pey Aazhvaar changed all that. Such was his devotion to Vishnu thereafter, that Shiva honoured him with the title ‘Bhakthisaara’, meaning ‘essence of devotion’.” A short pause followed. The Swami chose his words with care as he tried to put things

Mylapore. From there, I took you back by a few years so that you could see for yourself the interestingacross clearly events to Poorva.of his childhood. “Listen carefully. Now, I’m You going first to saw zoom Thirumazhisai forward again A azhvaarto let you at experience the extraordinary life of Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar after he became a devotee of Vishnu.” Anticipating another round of miracles, Poorva stretched out her arms like a bird in

(to be continued. . .) flight.

This story book is available through

www.lakshmidevnath.com January 2020

33 PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, KOCHADAI, MADURAI KOCHADAI, DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Chiselled Narratives

A Get-Together of the Gods in a Temple-College

DR. CHITHRA MADHAVAN

This section presents less known but enlightening nuggets of information about our ancient culture as revealed in our temples, images, symbols, and inscriptions.

hirumukkudal, an ancient and carrying the Sankha and Chakra in the upper historic village in Tamil Nadu is hands with Sage Markandeya and Goddess Tabout 25 km from the famous Bhudevi at His feet. It is believed that this deity temple-town of Kanchipuram. Thirumukkudal is a combination of the aspects of Brahma, Vishnu and Siva. The utsava-murti of this shrine January 2020 holy streams’, is thus named as it is situated at is known as Srinivasa. 34 which in Tamil means `the confluence of three the Cheyyar and the Vegavati. A temple for Unique Festival the confluence of River Palar and its tributaries Vishnu wherein this deity is worshipped as Tirumukkudal is famous as the place Appan Venkatesa Perumal is situated here. It where a unique festival is held in the Tamil th was in existence from at least the 9 C.E. if not month of Thai (mid-January to mid-February) earlier, as there is an inscription on the wall of on the Maatu Pongal day immediately after this temple of a king named Nripatungavarman Pongal or Sankranti. On this occasion, many of the Pallava dynasty who ruled in the 9th C.E.

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Vishnu images like the famous Varadaraja There are a number of other inscriptions here Swami from Kanchipuram travel to the temple which reveal that the deity of this hoary of Lakshmi Nrisimha at Pazhaiya Seevaram (on shrine was known by different names during the opposite bank of the Palar) and both these the rule of the the Pallava dynasty and deities visit the Venkatesa temple at subsequently of other dynasties like the Cholas Tirumukkudal. Here, all the three deities, along and Vijayanagara. He was known as with two others from temples close by give Tirumukkudal-Azhvar, Vishnu-Bhattara, Darshan to devotees from the numerous Mahavishnu, Venkatesvara Swamin and mandapas in this temple. A large number of Venkatesa Perumal. people gather on this occasion every year to The temple enshrines a grand image of worship all the deities at once in a same Lord Venkatesa seen in a standing posture, place.

The author is a historian focussing on temple architecture, iconography and epigraphy. She is a recipient of two post-doctoral fellowships, and author of nine books and several research papers. She lives in Chennai. [email protected] Ancient temple-college at Tirumukkudal to this educational institution where the A long Tamil inscription found on a wall of students, teachers and the servants of the this temple, belonging to the reign of emperor temple could be treated. This hospital called Vira-Rajendra Chola of the 11th C.E., provides very interesting information about a Vedic the charge of a physician called Kodandarama `Vira-Cholan’ had fifteen beds and was under pathasala or college which functioned inside Asvattama-Bhatta who prescribed medicines the premises of the temple. This record for the patients under his care. Besides him, mentions in detail the different subjects taught there was also a surgeon in this hospital to here, the number of teachers and students conduct operations which might have been studying each subject, the salary paid to the necessary. Two people for procuring medicinal teachers, etc. The Rig Veda, Yajur Veda, vyakarana (grammar), the Rupavataara (an and also assisted in the preparation of elementary text on grammar), the Agamas such medicine,herbs, three two people nurses whoto attend supplied on the fire-wood patients as the Saiva Agama, Pancharatra and and also a barber, who probably assisted in Vaikhanasa Agama were taught here. The minor operations plus his regular duties were famous hymn, Tiruvaymozhi of Nammalvar employed in this hospital. The inscription goes (who was the foremost of the twelve Azhvars or on to say that twenty Ayurvedic medicines were Vaishnava devotees of the Tamil country) was stored in this hospital and their names are also recited at this temple. clearly given. The inscription thus reveals that There was a hostel attached to this this Vishnu temple must have been a very January 2020 important religious centre in the Chola times temple-college where the students lived and 35 sixty people were fed here everyday. and equally well-known as a centre of Interestingly, there was also a hospital attached education as well. PAGE SPONSOR: SMT. NANDINI N., CHENNAI N., NANDINI SMT. SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

Appan Venkatesa Perumal temple, Thirumukkudal January 2020

36 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta RAMAKRISHNA MATH, UTTARKASHI Ganganagar, P.O. Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, 249193 Mobile: 9447051231; Email: [email protected]

Offering to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna: An Appeal Dear Devotees & Friends, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math declared open a Math centre at Uttarkashi, an ancient holy town in the Garhwal Himalayas on 20 Oct 2017. There was already an ashrama, named “Ramakrishna Kutir”, on a small piece of land since 1963. It was maintained directly by the Belur Math, and sadhus of our Order used to stay for intense tapasya in the traditional monastic way, begging food from outside and living a simple austere life. The same tradition continues till date. In view of expanding Swami Vivekananda’s ideal of service and spirituality among the masses we plan to purchase some land measuring at least one acre around Harsil Valley, near Gangotri. Along with retreat centres for sadhus and devotees, some welfare activities for the benefit of the poor and underprivileged will be taken up after acquiring and

developing the land. January 2020 An estimated cost of Rs. 2 crores is required to set up and develop this additional unit of our Math. We request our friends and devotees, trusts and corporate bodies to contribute 37 liberally to complete this project of welfare and spirituality at the earliest. Donations can be made by NEFT/RTGS to the account given below: A/C Name : Ramakrishna Math, Uttarkashi Bank Name : Union Bank of India Branch Name : Uttarkashi Branch

A/C No. : 601802010006696 Kesari The Vedanta IFSC : UBIN0560189 Foreign contributions may kindly be sent through the headquarters at Belur Math (Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Howrah-711202; email- [email protected]) requesting it to credit the fund in Uttarkashi Math A/c. Kindly send us email (to [email protected] ) or SMS (to 9447051231) after the transaction intimating the purpose of your donation as “Donation for purchase of land and development of the Math.” Please also send your PAN and full postal address. Donations towards our Math are exempted from IT under 80G Act. May Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada, Swami Vivekananda bless you all. Yours in the Lord, Swami Amaleshananda Adhyaksha January 2020

38 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

unselfish and A New Sri Ramakrishna Math at Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu (A Sub-Centre of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai)

AN APPEAL TO SERVE GOD IN MAN Dear Devotees and well-wishers, We pray that Sri Ramakrishna may shower His blessings on all your endeavours. Thanjavur is a historically and culturally important city, famous for its art and ancient architecture, especially temples. It was Swami Vivekananda’s earnest desire to install Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna in every town and spread the culture of worship and service. We now propose to begin a centre in Thanjavur and initiate various activities: l Youth Camps - to develop self-confidence, awareness of health and yoga etc. l Balaka Sangha - to train children in cultural and spiritual traditions, etc. l Spiritual Practices - daily puja, bhajans, japa yajna, parayanam, discourses.

l Spiritual & Cultural Literature - promotion and sale. January 2020 l Seminar/Workshops - for teachers, doctors and other professionals. 39 l Medical Services - for the poor and needy. To establish a new centre and conduct the above activities, an amount of Rs. 7 Crore is required. We invite you to contribute whatever you can and be a part of this noble mission. Names of those who contribute Rs.10,000/- and above will be inscribed in the Math premises.

Donations are exempted under Section 80 G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Kesari The Vedanta

Donations may be sent cheque/DD in favour of “Sri Ramakrishna Math”. For Online donation please visit https://donations.chennaimath.org After online payment please intimate us by email your address, and PAN number.

Yours in the Service of the Lord, Swami Gautamananda, Adhyaksha.

Sri Ramakrishna Math

31, Sri Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai-4. & : 24621110. email : [email protected] Website : www.chennaimath.org For more details - Mob : 98409 87307 Knowing the Knower by Swami Tyagananda Published by Secretary, RMIC.,Gol Park, Kolkata Book - 700 029. E-mail: [email protected]. 2017, paperback, pp. Reviews 153+x, Rs.60. For review in his is a meticulously orgainised The VedanTa Kesari, publishers need to send with a preface and end notes us two copies oF their T latest publication section. ‘Preface’handbook presents of five a crispchapters synopsis along that . facilitates easier grasp of the concepts and instructions in the book. The source citations, mainly drawn from Swami Vivekananda’s that exists and doesn’t’. The concept of maya lectures, authenticate the argument of course; but introduced at this appropriate point is explained as that ‘translucent screen’ with power to conceal inspire the reader to passionately engage herself/ (avarana shakti) and to project (vikshepa shakti). himselftheir greater with yoga.significance lies in their potency to One’s real identity as atman is concealed and a The manual opens with the Upanishadic new, false identity gets projected due to the power January 2020 sage Saunaka’s query, ‘What is that by knowing of this veil. Maya is comprised of space, time and 40 which everything becomes known?’ This question causality (desha, kala and nimitta). Since all our sets the tone for the whole book. It is termed as knowledge is framed or conditioned by these the ‘master key’ or ‘master password’ that opens three categories, the challenge for the jnana yogi all passwords. is to go beyond this frame. The chapter also traces samsara-chakra, the cycle of death and ephemeral and possibilities of knowledge, and distinguishes life: desire that prompts karma which in turn betweenChapter indirect/lower one reflects knowledge on the origin, (paroksha/ nature gives scope to birth and sorrow and so on. The apara vidya) that is merely informative, and cycle elucidates the manner in which the identity

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta direct/higher knowledge (aparoksha/para of self as the undifferentiated ‘One’ descends to vidya) that is revelatory. The relation between assume multiple identities. The best way to get the knower and the known is discussed without out of this Karmic cycle is to strike at the weakest the burden of technical, epistemological jargon. link—the desire-karma link—in the chain, The rendering of the abstract in clear, concrete which can be done, according to the manual, by terms is an obvious strategy adopted in manual- fearlessly questioning every assumption. The writing; yet it is a surprising feature of Knowing argument at this stage ushers in the notion of the Knower, because the substance and the discernment which is the title of chapter three. material instruments to be handled (the mind and the senses) here are of a subtle category. And, looking ‘carefully and deeply’ and not accepting the goal, the objective is attainment of the highest anything‘Discrimination’ at face value. isEvery defined idea, as notion, the practice concept, of knowledge, awareness of atman, the non-material regarding the self, the world and god, every aspect of self. assumption including reason is to be examined Chapter two pertains to ‘ignorance’ which thoroughly. One understands to an extent why the is what thwarts knowledge. It is described as not handbook takes the reader through paradoxical just ‘absence of knowledge’ but as a ‘presence statements (‘Knowing the Knower’, ignorance ‘exists and doesn’t’, and so on). Since ‘Truth’ An excellent daily companion to seekers or ‘Truth Knowledge’ lies beyond the realm of of knowledge, the ‘manual’ sends invigorating reasoned thought, all communication regarding echoes of Swami Vivekananda’s voice. it must inevitably employ paradoxical statements. ______DR.R. RAMACHANDRA, MYSURU The next chapter, ‘Practice’ is about applying in practical life, the key concepts thus Spiritual Legacy of far elaborated. The manual lists three basic Ramakrishna Order: Brief Life Stories of Sri and meditation (nidhidhyasana) in relation to the Ramakrishna, Holy Mother threepractices—hearing types of aspirants: (sravana), the extraordinarily reflection (manana) gifted and Direct Disciples (uttama), the moderately gifted (madhyama) and by Swami Satyaprabhananda the lowest (kanishtha). The book then proceeds Published by Sri Ramakrishna to suggest ways for ‘atman remembrance’ (atma Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. smrita) E-mail: [email protected] Concrete steps to stay connected with the 2016, paperback, pp.126, Rs.45. ‘Self’, from the moment of waking up till one his slim volume is an easy-to-read goes to bed are proposed, not in the spirit of a and eminently accessible account conventional book on morals but with the gentle Tof the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, the caution that practice should not become a ritual, Holy Mother and the sixteen direct disciples of or a ‘chore to the hurried through.’ The call is to Sri Ramakrishna who had the great good fortune be alert and creative every moment. of coming in contact with him as young boys January 2020 The concluding chapter elaborates further and having their lives transformed forever such that they grew to be stalwarts who inspired 41 ponders over the meaning of self-knowledge or generations of people. atma-jnana.on the significance of Saunaka’s question and The accounts are simple and short and It is a remarkable feat to narrate the story of would be very valuable to anyone who wants a cosmic boredom or monotony (‘the never-ending circular journey of repeated birth and death’) all the with a religious movement which has only grown while ensuring the listener’s (a more appropriate withbrief time. history The or one make difference a first in acquaintanceship the narration, word than ‘reader’ for the one who participates in however, is (as the title suggests) that emphasis PAGE SPONSOR: SMT. CHANDRA AIYANGAR, CHENNAI AIYANGAR, CHANDRA SMT. SPONSOR: PAGE the narrative process here) involvement, without has been laid on the spiritual content of the lives Kesari The Vedanta lapsing into despair or frustration. Images such as of the subjects, rather than the biographical wave-ocean, serpent-rope etc., which have been details. The boxed items at the end of each employed any number of times in the discussion of account is a very good idea and puts in a nutshell Vedantic ideas reappear in this work too, but with a the main teaching of each of them. startling freshness. ______PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI

Instead of sitting idly waiting for an illumined soul to become your Guru, make an effort to do these three things which are necessary for spiritual life: 1) Contemplate on God, 2) Study the scriptures, and 3) Associate with the holy. —Swami Saradananda What is Religion?

The Religion Which Is Oneness

n the Jan-Nov 2019 issues, we have Religion will be scientific tried to present Swami Vivekananda’s Science rests on two principles1; Occam’s Iconception of religion under this razor applied to all knowledge; and the series: ‘What is Religion?’ There are at least 60 principle of perception-generalization- universalization of all knowledge. across Swamiji’s lectures and writing! Each If we have multiple explanations for a different ‘definitions’ of religion peppered phenomenon, that explanation will be chosen statement and tried to explain it using his own which is the simplest. In other words, the month, we took up one such definitive utterances, as far as possible. This month we explanation must proceed from within the January 2020 will wrap up the series. nature of the things involved and newer entities 42 While some people say that religion is must not be unnecessarily brought in to explain losing its relevance in our lives, at least in our them. This is Occam’s razor. daily lives, there are others who say that All that we perceive can be categorized religion is growing stronger in its relevance in under two groups – things outside us, things our daily lives. Some say that religion is an within us. Religion has attempted to explain historic relic, a sad remnant of the dark past, these two groups of perceptions. Religion has completely out of sync with the modern world. always recognized a third category – the perceiver. Science is a much better way of

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Many others say that never before in human explaining the former two categories of or relevance than it has at present. Some perception, which are the external world and peoplehistory say did that religion religion have will as be muchphased significance out from the internal world. For centuries, Religion was daily life, since it has outlived its utility for the only means of answering any questions that mankind. Many contend that we need to naturally arose in our minds, be it regarding the urgently factor religion into our lives if we need external world or internal world, or about the to maintain our sanity and grow as individuals. perceiver itself. Religion now ought to relinquish its interference, nay, hegemony on askance at anyone who can resolve this to explaining the perceiver alone, for Science is dilemmaCaught in for this him. crossfire of opinions, man looks unablethese two to categories. enter that Religion area withwill confinethe tools itself Swami Vivekananda provides the much presently in its armory. needed resolution. Hidden in his lectures and All religions speak of a divine being, God. All religions have a unique theory of how God about religion. We shall attempt to explain each created this universe. Now, no one in any of ofwriting, these in we this find article. four predictions he makes these religions ever saw God in the act of religions. Thus, with the revelation of this creating the universe. We must realize that it is Impersonal divinity, we come to comprehend merely a plausible theory posited by the that divinity is Personal-Impersonal. Then we founding fathers of these religions. We are apply the 2nd principle on these theologies and asked to implicitly believe in these theories, lo & behold! We get another magical thing from which are basically stories! When we apply each of these religions! We are divine! Occam’s razor to these theories, we end up Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, concluding that positing a divine being engaged Christianity, Islam, Jainism, Buddhism, Taoism, in creation of this universe is not necessary at and every religion that has survived ups and all. Let us have the intellectual maturity to downs till the present, did so only because it acknowledge that if we do away with this contained these two vital ideas in its aspect of any religion, not labyrinthine mass of one religion will vanish, teachings: The Personal- for such theories are The whole of religion can be Impersonal God, and indeed irrelevant to any summed up in these two concepts: Divinity of man. world-religion! The The Personal-Impersonal God, Remember that many theories of origin and and divinity of man religions just vanished sustenance of this from history. They did so universe are better left to not because of military

the scientists. We must reasons or socio- January 2020 acknowledge that they really do a better job of economic or political reasons, although such dealing with that aspect of the world. may indeed appear to be the immediate cause. 43 The reality accessible to us really has two They all disappeared from the face of Earth only because they did not enshrine these two ideas and the largely unknown inner universe. This within them. In fact, the whole of religion can worlddistinct within aspects us – the is infinitereally amazing.external universe, A huge be summed up in these two concepts: The portion of the inner world too, especially the Personal-Impersonal God, and divinity of man. body, the nerves, and many layers of our mind, The sooner the world religions do this PAGE SPONSOR: DR. RAMYA S., CHENNAI S., RAMYA DR. SPONSOR: PAGE

is better dealt with by those ‘godless’ science Kesari The Vedanta guys. But there is one aspect of the inner world within their body of truths, more will those that will forever remain the domain of religion religionshomework, become and relevant refine these in the two lives ideas of their from – Consciousness. Every religion has dealt with followers, just as they were supremely relevant consciousness, although some of them couch in the lives of the people during their periods of origin.2 largely theistic in its syntax. Consequently, they their findings in a strange language, which is have all become largely theologies today. Religion will be entirely personal The moment you apply Occam’s razor to Historically, religion performed social, these theologies, something magical happens economic and political duties. Society has with all religions! Each of these religions will reached its present stage of development as a reveal an Impersonal divinity enshrined in their result of the contribution that religion made in core teachings. The Impersonal God does not negate the personal god. In fact, the Impersonal religion to perform these functions. If you removeall these all fields. social, But, economic society no and longer political needs the personal gods that are posited by various activities from religion, what remains in God is the only justification you can have for all religion? The essence alone remains! Religion essentially dealt with the relation of man with when religion will become entirely personal, God. Religion will continue to perform this vital then Whenwill dawn religion a gloriouswill become epoch scientific, in human and function of bringing man to God. Everything history when people will be able to live truly else will be taken care of by secular principles spiritual lives. of modern, democratic government. In many religions, the secular leadership and spiritual Religion will break down barriers and bind us all together most of the social and political problems in If such indeed is the leadership are conflated. This is the root of human history. The time has come for that to destiny of religion, if such end. The democratic organizing of social life is Making religion indeed be the destiny of the entirely personal a necessary growth which dissolves this human soul, does it behoove ‘unholy’ nexus of secular and spiritual means realizing leaderships. ourselves in the name of the truths of Once every aspect of social, economic and religion?us to Does fight it make amongst sense religion; political life is taken care of by secular to convert the other person it means government, religion will provide spiritual into ‘our’ religion? Does perceiving that leadership on a personal basis. Each individual even the term ‘our religion’ I am divine will approach religion directly, not as part of a make any sense anymore? group, not as a community, but as an individual January 2020 When religions will be establishing his own direct relationship with 44 the divinity within himself. Of course, this kind will mature into personal religions, customizing of spiritual leadership cannot be given by itselfbased to onthe scientificneeds of the principles, individual whenpracticing religions it, priests. We need persons who have established where will different religions exist anymore? A such a direct relationship in their own lives. We grand consolidation of religion will occur in the obviously mean realization and not just belief world, something that is most essential for in dogmas. Men of realization alone can provide survival of the human race. Then will the leadership we speak of. And religion will spontaneously dawn real brotherhood amongst become customized to each individual.

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta the people of this world. All attempts to forge bonhomie between followers of different Religion will inform all aspects of human life religions have been futile because these Once we have learnt to make religion attempts were never informed by recognition entirely personal, we will then be able to bring religion into every aspect of our life. Making religion; all such attempts retained the religion entirely personal means realizing the individualityof the scientific, of personal each religion, religion, making the essential one truths of religion; it means perceiving that I am incompatible with other religions by its very divine. Once that perception has been achieved, nature. True harmony of religions proceeds then and then alone starts the great job of from realizing these two truths: the Personal- divinizing every aspect of our life.3 Any attempt Impersonal God, and divinity of man. Thus, we to do so before this realization will only end up can foresee, through Swami Vivekananda’s eyes, in regressing to, and espousing, the social, a time when religion, having lost its divisive economic and political aspects of religion. But, character and merged into a unity through as humanity progresses, this is the direction all personal spiritual experience, will really bind the world religions will take. people together. You will certainly appreciate that this is religions, will regain their relevance for indeed a grand conception of religion, with the mankind. most practical outcomes we can expect from All of these religions are as good a starting religion in our lives and society. When will it point to reach here as any other religion of the happen? Will it happen in our lifetime? What is world. We all will have our freedom to start the timeline we are looking at? from any point and forge ahead to culminate in More importantly, what will happen to the our experience of this solidarity of all existence. different religions that exist now? What will happen to the priests that make a living by and make it personal, and start incorporating peddling the opium of religion? Will personal divinityNote that in once every we action render and religion moment as of scientific, our life, gods not remain? What about temples, the natural outcome will be a perception of the mosques, churches? Oneness of all existence. If this entire world is Just take another look at the religion of divine, and if I too am divine, doesn’t it the future, as distilled from the thoughts of naturally follow that there is no difference in Swamiji that we have described above. Is it essence between anything here? This Islam? Is it Hinduism? Is it Christianity? Of perception of Oneness has tremendous course, it is not Islam in its entirety; nor is it Hinduism or Christianity or any of the world religions entirely. perceptionramifications of forOneness, human and society. not from But, an the January 2020 You may point out that it is Vedanta, but is intellectualramifications or conceptual arise only understanding from spiritual of Vedanta a recognized religion, independent of Oneness. Swamiji says, It is here in India that 45 its mother-religion, Hinduism? Despite the Hindus have built and are still building complete blossoming of Vedanta, hasn’t churches for Christians and mosques for Hinduism retained all its various forms starting Mohammedans. That is the thing to do. In spite from the grossest animistic ideas of religion? It of their hatred, in spite of their brutality, in is indeed a wonder that some of the greatest spite of their cruelty, in spite of their tyranny, brains of India applied the and in spite of the vile above mentioned PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, CHENNAI DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE

language they are given to Kesari The Vedanta principles of Science to The spiritual perception of uttering, we will and must Hinduism, made Oneness is immediately Hinduism utterly personal go on building churches associated with a tremendous and came up with for the Christians and Vedanta. But never before boost of strength in personality. mosques for the did anyone appear, in Mohammedans until we India or elsewhere, who conquer through love, until we have demonstrated to the world that personalized religion to one and all! This same exercisehad the that heart Hinduism to broadcast performed such on aitself, scientific, as hatred, that it is gentleness that has the a result of which Vedanta came out of it, will strengthlove alone to islive the on fittest and to thing fructify, to survive and not and mere not now have to be performed by all other world brutality and physical force.4 The spiritual religions, in order to bring out their own perception of Oneness is immediately equivalents of Vedanta hiding now within their associated with a tremendous boost of strength bosoms. And when that happens, all the in personality. This is not strength that manifests itself as violence. It is strength that to accommodate these persons whose eyes manifests as gentleness, yet, is capable of have opened into the perception of Spirit. protecting one’s temporal existence from the Unless religions produce such onslaughts of barbaric manifestations of persons, the existence of those strength that may emanate from others. Not religions will have no Each religion just protect oneself, but it can transform the relevance. will come to barbaric manifestations on others into benign All the religions of the recognize that forms of strength. Notice that Hinduism, which world will come to recognize they all have is a non-proselytizing religion, has the strength that the higher echelon of all two distinct to build mosques and churches for Muslims and religions is actually the same. phases – the Christians, while Islam and Christianity lack While there will always lower religion, remain tremendous diversity and the higher Muslims and Christians building places of in the lower religions, the worshipthat strength, for other in religions. the sense, These you things don’t will find higher religion will be one. It religion change in the future as a result of Swamiji’s may be likened to the contribution to religion. education system we have in Things of the past will indeed remain. the world today. The millions of schools all over Islam, Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism, and all the world are engaged in preparing its the other religions will remain. Temples, multitudes of students to qualify for higher

January 2020 churches, mosques and other places of worship education. The cutting-edge research will remain. Newer ones will be added. Puja, institutions all over the world are melting pots 46 Mass, Namaz, Roza, festivals, Vrata and other of the very best from all countries, all cultures, rituals will remain. Newer ones will be added. all races, and all geographies. Similar Personal gods will remain. Innumerable more developments are already occurring in business personal gods will be added to the existing and governance all over the world. While each pantheon. Then, what new change did Swamiji country is sovereign in its own right, the bring into religion? political and business policies of the world are Each religion will come to recognize that now decided in international forums. The

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta they all have two distinct phases – the lower formation of UNO and WTO has not religion, and the higher religion. People will undermined the sovereignty of any nation, has perforce start from any one of the existing it? Something similar will be the outcome in religions. They will utilize the resources that religion as a result of Swamiji’s contribution. belong to their religion – places of worship, We must note one more important thing scriptures, personal gods, rituals, etc. Each here: All this violence that this world has seen, religion will inaugurate and herald a higher in the name of religion – how will this ever end? echelon in itself, into which each of their Who will listen to whom? Will any religion be followers will graduate. All the rudiments of all able to establish its superiority over others? Is religions will be understood to serve one and it not clear that the only way religions can live only one purpose – bring spiritual realization to in peace with one another is by discovering each of their followers. Religions will be ranked common elements amongst their constituents? and graded in society not according to the But, at the lower levels, can common elements number of followers they boast of, but by the ever be found? When the differentiating number of followers who have graduated into elements in the religions are exactly what spiritual realization. Religions of the world have (Continued on page 52...) Article

Sri Ramakrishna and Each religion the Pilgrimage Mindset will come to recognize that SWAMI CHIDEKANANDA

Sri Ramakrishna visited numerous places in the city of Kolkata. Many of them are now two distinct teertha kshetras for thousands of devotees. Beginning with this article we will explore these places sanctified by his foot-dust. Introduction visiting holy places associated with saints can deeply transform one’s spiritual life, why does Kolkata in 1853 at the behest of his this transformation happen so rarely even for Selderri Ramakrishna brother to assist first him arrived in starting in serious spiritual aspirants? a Sanskrit tol school. From 1853 to 1886, apart The answer is that we fail to follow Sri from intermittent visits to and Ramakrishna’s systematic preparation and other places of pilgrimage, he remained in the approach prior to, during, and after visiting Kolkata city (earlier spelt as Calcutta) his whole places of pilgrimage. He not only preached life. During this period, he visited over 100 these principles but practiced them in his own January 2020 places in the Kolkata. These places can be life. He repeatedly warned that merely visiting 47 grouped into 6 categories: 1) places celebrating places of pilgrimage—or even witnessing his festivals of various Hindu religious denominations, including different branches of bring about transformation in spiritual life. own spiritual ecstasies—was not sufficient to the and other denominations like This article series focuses on Sri Vaishnava or Tantric sects; 2) diverse non-Hindu Ramakrishna’s teachings and the necessity for places of worship including churches and the pre-pilgrimage mindset. It will attempt to mosques; 3) various temples of Mother Kali and answer the questions: What do the scriptures PAGE SPONSOR: A DEVOTEE, CHENNAI DEVOTEE, A SPONSOR: PAGE other aspects of the Divine Mother; 4) numerous Kesari The Vedanta say about the sanctifying power of teertha- places associated with Sri Chaitanya sthaanas or places of pilgrimage? What are Sri Mahaprabhu; 5) residences and institutions of Ramakrishna’s warnings about visiting places prominent personalities like Ishvarchandra of pilgrimage without cultivating a “spirit of Vidyasagar, Bhagavan Das, Keshab Chandra Sen, bhakti?” How can we cultivate this spirit of and other Brahmo devotees, etc.; 6) residences bhakti? What are the kinds of external and of devotees who had intense bhakti, or hosted internal distractions that we may encounter at religious festivals, pujas, etc. the teerthas? And how will the spirit of bhakti In the next few issues, we will explore in help to overcome these distractions? detail these and other hidden or lesser known Scriptural support for pilgrimage We can begin with a fundamental places sanctified by Sri Ramakrishna. Sri Ramakrishna often eulogised the question: Even though scriptures claim that

The author is a sannyasi of the Ramakrishna Order and is serving at Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata. [email protected] spiritual significance of teertha-sthaanas: “Throughout the ages many monks, devotees, disciples, visited Vrindavan and revitalised it as and perfected souls have visited sacred places a place of Krishna Bhakti. Similarly, Sri to see God and call on Him wholeheartedly, Ramakrishna visited places in West Bengal shunning all other desires. That’s why there is associated with Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and a special manifestation of God in those places.”1 As the scriptures claim that God is all- Krishna. Sri Sarada Devi, spiritual consort of Sri pervading (sarvavyaapi), then what is the Ramakrishna,sites in Vrindavan too sanctifiedjourneyed by to the Vrindavan leelas of Srito necessity for visiting places of pilgrimage? assuage her grief after her husband’s passing. Anticipating this argument, Sri Ramakrishna— Nonetheless, Sri Ramakrishna repeatedly in the very next sentence—provides a simple cautioned spiritual aspirants that merely analogy (digging for water) to explain that visiting a holy place without devotion will not though God exists everywhere, the spiritual aspirant need not put in much effort in teertha- here (in the heart), has it there; one who has it sthaanas: “God exists everywhere equally. If one notbe spiritually here, has itbeneficial: not there “Look,either….For one who one haswho it is endowed with devotion, devotion increases place. But one does not need to dig for water digs deeply enough, one can find water in any where there is a well, a pool, a pond, or a lake. who does not have that, what can be derived?”4 One can get water there at any time.”2 withThis theis further influence supported of holy places.by the And Sri Jaabaalaas for one In the Srimad Bhagavatam Yudhishthira Darshana Upanishad: eulogises Vidura and describes how great souls January 2020 enliven holy places: आतमतीथ鴂 िमुतिꥃज् ब啍हसतीथ봾त्र啍न ्ो व्रज뵇त्। (4.50) 48 करसथं ि मह봾रतनं त्कतव봾 क봾चं 啍वम봾गत्रत뵇॥ भवद्-啍वि봾 भ봾गवत봾: तीथत्र -भूत봾: सव्ं 啍वभो I “One who, having forsaken the teertha of तीथ镀-कुवत्रननत तीथ봾त्र啍न सव봾नत :-सथ뵇न गद봾भꥃत봾॥ the Self, merely visits the external teertha is a (1.13.10) person who, having forsaken the invaluable “O Great One! Lovers of God like you, jewel in hand, goes in search of mere glass.” having risen to the height of holiness, sanctify In this regard, Sri Ramakrishna went to the holy places you visit, by bringing the the extent of stating that “without this spirit of presence of Narayana who resides in you.” devotion,” witnessing his spiritual ecstasies will The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Swami Vivekananda further explains that “sages and holy persons, who have much of this Yatra was being celebrated at ’s sattva quality, can send it out and exert a housenot bring (a muchclose benefit. householder On 14 Julydevotee 1885, ofRatha Sri Ramakrishna). It was a day full of spiritual surroundings. A man may become so pure that festivity and divine intoxication. Girish Ghosh histremendous purity will influence become daytangible. and nightWhosoever on their had “brought with him a bespectacled friend” comes in contact with him becomes pure.”3 Such is the case with the places visited by Sri Ramakrishna’s ecstatic moods amidst the Ramakrishna, Holy Mother, and Swamiji. singingwho had and witnesseddancing of the first-hand joyous devotees. all of At Sri Even incarnations—such as Chaitanya the end of the day Girish’s friend remained Mahaprabhu, Sri Ramakrishna, and Sri Sarada unmoved and “quietly left the place without Devi—were eager to visit places associated comment.” Sri Ramakrishna then said to Girish, with previous incarnations as an opportunity “I say this to you and to everyone: Please do not to engage in the sadhana known as Leelaa- force anybody to come here. Nothing happens cintana. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, along with his except at the right time.”5 (emphasis added). Why does Sri Ramakrishna place so much direct all their energies into planning to the emphasis on cultivating a “spirit of devotion” exclusion of everything else. Hence, when they prior to visiting places of pilgrimage? holy place, their minds will Some spiritual aspirants may believe that Nothing remainfinally leaveoccupied and and arrive active at the in whatsoever is that further preparation is not necessary prior this planning mindset. They totheir visiting spirit places of devotion of pilgrimage. is already However, sufficient, in and the achieved in Gospel, Sri Ramakrishna emphasises that the this planning mindset and spiritual life will have difficulty turning off spirit of devotion includes not only love of god thinking of spiritual things. Sri without but also vyakulata or spiritual yearning. He Ramakrishna often said, “If a yearning repeatedly says, “Nothing whatsoever is man thinks of worldly things achieved in spiritual life without yearning.”6 He day and night, then his words further emphasises that this yearning for the are coloured by his thoughts.” Similarly, if a spiritual aspirant’s mind is constantly preoccupied with worldly thoughts prior to spiritualdivine is activities. not a fixed In other quantity words, and whatever must be visiting holy places, then his/her mind will mayconstantly be the intensifiedspiritual aspirant’s through levelprayer of bhakti,and other it naturally drift toward mundane things even in must be given further momentum and a a spiritual setting. particular focus prior to embarking on Another external distraction is the

pilgrimage or going to an isolated place for common problem of encountering worldliness January 2020 tapasya. For this reason, before visiting a place at pilgrim centres. For instance, pilgrims are 49 of pilgrimage Sri Ramakrishna would cultivate often accosted by avaricious priests who will not allow them to have darshan in peace until subsequent issue). they extract a large sum from them. Even an a “specific mood” (this will be discussed in a incarnation like Sri Ramakrishna acknowledged External and internal distractions in places these external distractions in teerthas. During of pilgrimage his visit to Varanasi in 1868, he was deeply One of the reasons why Sri Ramakrishna anguished by Mathur ’s worldly mindset PAGE SPONSOR: SMT. G. KAMESWARI DEVI, HYDERABAD DEVI, KAMESWARI G. SMT. SPONSOR: PAGE placed so much emphasis on cultivating a spirit as well as the general preoccupation with “lust Kesari The Vedanta of devotion prior to visiting teerthas is that and greed” of the people there. Despite his there are many distractions—both external and spiritual experiences in Kashi, Thakur nearly internal—in places of pilgrimage which have regretted having visited Varanasi at all. the potential to hijack a spiritual aspirant’s Afterwards he lamented, “Mathur Babu had mind and prevent him from utilising time in a taken me with him on pilgrimage. We stayed for proper way at the pilgrimage site. One of the many days in Raja Babu’s house in Kashi. One common external distractions which pilgrims day I was sitting with Mathur Babu in the encounter is that they must devote an drawing room. Raja Babu was also there with inordinate amount of energy and time planning his men. I noticed that they were talking about and organising the minute details of the trip worldly things: so much money was lost, and so from start to on. I began to weep, ‘Mother, where have you transportation, lodging, clothes to carry, etc. brought me? I was so well off in Rani Rasmani’s Sometimes for weeks finish, or including even months the together mode of temple. That I should hear of lust and greed before the actual pilgrimage, pilgrims will even in holy places!’”7 Internal distractions: The dichotomous After arriving at Varanasi, Mathur arranged a nature of the human mind feast for the local brahmin pandits; [on] External distractions like lust and greed in another day he invited their entire families, fed teerthas become even more problematic them sumptuously, and gave a cloth and a rupee because of the dichotomous nature of the to each one of them.”9 human mind. The idea is that all human minds, Unfortunately, since Sri Ramakrishna’s visit including those of a spiritual aspirant, possess to Kashi more than 150 years ago, the external opposite tendencies (spiritual and mundane), obstacles at teerthas have multiplied. In addition and that environment dictates which samskaras to money-minded priests, worldly-minded are activated. explains this in tourists, and travel companions with varying detail: “… everyone possesses in a large temperaments, there are now modern measure...two opposite tendencies of character, distractions such as mobile devices and internet. in almost equal proportions, which are like the These technologies further prevent spiritual light and the shadow of the same thing. Thus aspirants from going inward and upward. In her someone who has the capacity of being book Rapt, Winfred Gallagher accurately describes the explosion of external stimuli in the obstinate avarice rising up in his nature, the 21st century internet age: “At any one moment, courageousexceptionally man generous will be a willcoward suddenly in some find part an your world contains too much information, of his being and the good man will suddenly whether objects, subjects, or both, for your brain

January 2020 have wicked impulses. In this way life seems to to represent, or depict clearly for you. Your endow everyone not only with the possibility of attentional system selects a certain chunk of 50 expressing an ideal, but also with contrary what’s there, which gets valuable cerebral real elements representing in a concrete manner estate and, therefore, the chance to affect your the battle he has to wage and the victory he has behavior. Moreover, this thin slice of life becomes to win for the realisation to become possible.”8 part of your reality, and the rest is consigned to An interesting example of the emergence the shadows or oblivion.”(italics added)10 of “two opposite tendencies in almost equal To counter these external and internal proportions” in places of pilgrimage is found in distractions and make a spiritual pilgrimage as

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta the life of Mathur Babu during his visit to fruitful as possible, Sri Ramakrishna teaches Varanasi with Sri Ramakrishna. As we have that three mindsets must be cultivated prior to, already mentioned, Sri Ramakrishna lamented during, and after completion of the pilgrimage: Mathur Babu’s worldly talk in Kashi. On the 1) the pre-pilgrimage mindset, 2) the other hand, Sri Ramakrishna praised Mathur pilgrimage mindset, and 3) post-pilgrimage Babu’s wonderful generosity during the same mindset. This three-fold methodology will be trip. He recalled, “Mathur spent more than discussed in subsequent issues. 1,00,000 rupees on the pilgrimage to Varanasi. (To be continued)

References 1) Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play. [hereafter Divine Play] Swami Chetanananda. p. 605 2) Ibid. 3) The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. 1:252 4) Divine Play. p.606 5) The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. p. 809 6) Gospel, p. 86 7) Divine Play. p.119 8) Integral Education. Sri Aurobindo 9) Divine Play. p.608 10) Rapt, p. 9 Pariprasna Srimat Swami Tapasyananda Ji (1904 – 1991), was one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order. His deeply convincing answers to devotees’ questions raised in spiritual retreats and in personal letters have been published in book form as Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers. Pariprasna is a selection from this book.

QUESTION: How can we intensify our spiritual life even when we are engaged in work? MAHARAJ: whether we are at work or not is not a very important matter. It comes to In be the of importance intensification only at of a spiritual later stage life, of spiritual life. The most important point is whether we have spiritual aspiration or not, and how intense it is. To what extent do we feel life to be utterly meaningless without the thought of, and striving towards, the Lord coming into it? This is what determines the intensity of our spiritual life. To the extent that ambitions and pleasures prove satisfying to us, to that extent our spiritual aspiration will not gain

strength. As long as these worldly values continue to give us meaning for our life and our strivings, January 2020 our spiritual life remains at the mere conventional level. The cessation of this state of mind is called the dawn of Sraddha—the state when we take God and spiritual life as very serious concerns in our 51 life. A person whose ideas of God, soul and the hereafter remain at the mere conventional level cannot attach to these the same importance and put forth the same earnestness in his striving for them as he will attach and put forth towards questions relating to his property, relatives and other worldly concerns. But in one in whom Sraddha has dawned, the attitude changes and gets reversed completely. He is ready to devote his time, service, efforts and resources and also to risk dangers PAGE SPONSOR: SRI MOHAN M. V., CHENNAI V., M. MOHAN SRI SPONSOR: PAGE and suffer worldly losses, for the sake of his cherished spiritual values. The intensity of our spiritual Kesari The Vedanta life will depend upon the depth and sincerity of our Sraddha. On it too depend our application to spiritual practices and our success in them. Sraddha itself is established in the mind through

lessons taught by intense sufferings in life. Of all these factors, contact with holy men, i.e., persons whocontacts live theirwith livespersons taking who God lead as athe really pivot holy of their life, lives,through is the reflection source ofand all discrspiritualimination inspiration. and through A spiritual aspirant who has work to do as a part of his duty, should look upon them as a trust from the Supreme Being and then discharge them with Him in view. Only thus can the sense of opposition or discord that one feels between his work and spiritual life be overcome and an integrated spiritual life built up. Sri Ramakrishna advises all aspirants engaged in various activities in the outside world to take a holiday for a day or two once in a while and go into some solitary place, where one can be in congenial surroundings away from one’s usual environment and spend one’s time at a stretch for spiritual practices. It is maintained that this will refresh the spirit, and help one maintain an attitude of detachment. Attempt must also be made to keep constant remembrance of the Lord by taking his name silently in the mind while engaged in work. By long practice such constant repetition can even become effortless. Impressing the mind with the transitoriness and pettiness of worldly values through the discipline of discrimination, will also help one to keep an attitude of detachment in work.

The Religion Which Is Oneness (Continued from page 46....)

distinguish one from the other, how can we I will go to God direct; let Him talk to me. I cannot take belief as a basis; that is atheism and level?5 It is only by inaugurating the higher blasphemy. If God spake to a man in the deserts evenphase think of religion, of finding in each common of the world elements religions, at this of Arabia two thousand years ago, He can also that the common ground can be found. Don’t speak to me today, else how can I know that He has not died? Come to God any way you can; only passage while on land, mingle peacefully and come. But in coming do not push anyone down.7 the different rivers, which fight for right of harmoniously once they enter the ocean? All we know is the projection of the Self. Similar will be the case in religions as a result Teach this to the children, they can grasp it. Every of Swamiji’s contribution. religion has worshipped the Self, even though Such is the religion that Swamiji unconsciously, because there is nothing else.8 conceives. Such is the religion Swamiji has We want to lead mankind to the place

January 2020 bequeathed to us. It is now up to us to take up where there is neither the Vedas, nor the Bible, this challenge and realize it. For, our ancestors nor the Koran; yet this has to be done by 52 expect that from us, and the future beckons us harmonizing the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran. to achieve this in our lives. Mankind ought to be taught that religions are Go to the direct source. Ask God what He but the varied expressions of THE RELIGION, is. Unless He answers, He is not; but every which is Oneness, so that each may choose that

religion teaches that He does answer.6 path that suits him best.9 t t

References The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta 1) Strictly speaking, they are more heuristics than this world, he alone can say, “I enjoy this life, and I principles. But we will not enter into semantics am happy in this life”, who has seen the Truth, and the Truth in everything. Complete Works: Vol-2: to consider these ideas as foundational principles of Practical Vedanta-II here. For the purpose of this article, it is sufficient Science. 4) Complete Works: Vol-3: Lectures from Colombo to 2) This section is actually a synopsis of the two lectures Almora: The Mission of the Vedanta: Practical Vedanta-II and Practical Vedanta-III . The 5) Complete Works: Vol-7: : Sunday, conclusions we have presented in this section follow August 4, 1895: All the different religions are but from the ideas Swamiji has presented in these two applications of the one religion adapted to suit the lectures. requirements of different nations. 3) Cf: According to the Vedanta, when a man has arrived 6) Complete Works: Vol-7: Inspired Talks: Sunday, at that perception, he has become free, and he is the August 4, 1895 7) Ibid not. The man who sees evil, how can he live in this 8) Ibid only man who is fit to live in this world. Others are world? His life is a mass of misery. The man who 9) Complete Works: Vol-6: Epistles – Second Series: sees dangers, his life is a misery; the man who sees CXLII: Written to Mohammed Sarfaraz Husain of Naini death, his life is a misery. That man alone can live in Tal from Almora, 10th June, 1898 The Order on the March News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Guests of Honour impressive function which was also Sri Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, visited Vrindavan attended by the Governor of Uttar ashrama on 28 Nov. Governor of Meghalaya Sri Tathagata Pradesh Smt. Anandiben Patel and the

Roy visited the Shillong ashrama on 13 Nov. Sri Banwarilal Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Sri Yogi January 2020 Purohit, Governor of Tamil Nadu, visited Chennai Math on Adityanath and other dignitaries. The 19 Nov. Dr K Kasturirangan, Chairman of the Committee for new state-of-the-art block houses MRI 53 Draft National Education Policy visited Belur Math on 7 Nov. and CT scan facilities, two modular Dr Bhushan Patwardhan, Vice-Chairman of the University operation theatres, a cancer ward, and Grants Commission, New Delhi, visited Belur Math on 20 a number of other departments and Nov. facilities. News of Branch Centres Values Education and Youth Gandhi Smarak Sangrahalaya, Barrackpore, presented the Programmes PAGE SPONSOR: SRI SUBRAMANIAN N., CHENNAI N., SUBRAMANIAN SRI SPONSOR: PAGE Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Award to our centre in Sargachhi The following centres conducted Kesari The Vedanta on 2 Oct, in recognition of its service activities. value education workshops, conventions, Bhubaneswar Ashrama began its year-long centenary camps, lectures etc: celebrations with a two-day programme from 31 Oct. Srimat Delhi Math:13 workshops in Swami Gautamananda Ji, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ajmer, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata Order, inaugurated the celebrations. Swami Suvirananda Ji, and Pune (126 principals and 686 General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Order, Sri Dharmendra teachers);Haripad Math: workshops Pradhan, Union Minister for petroleum and Natural Gas & (553 students in 3 schools); Kanpur Steel, 500 sannyasis and brahmacharis, devotees and admirers Math: Convention (240 youth);Koyilandy participated in the programme. Math: Convention (70 Srimat Swami Gautamananda Ji dedicated two new exhibits students);Rajkot

in theVivekananda Exhiition of Delhi ashramaon 12 Oct. The Ashrama: 9 Ahimsa Jiva Seva Jiva

new exhibits are use virtual reality and augumented reality programmes Desha Bhakti technology. (682 students Sri Ram Nath Kovind, President of India, inaugurated from 5 schools); Satya Shraddha Vadodara Math: the Sarada Block of Vrindaban hospital on 28 Nov in an Tyaga

Pavitrata

Nirbhaya Programmes in 11 schools (3755 students) and 500 kg gur (molasses) among 1333 The off-campus centre of RKMVERI (deemed university) families. in Coimbatore Mission Vidyalaya held the 14th Convocation Cyclone Relief: In the wake of the on 9 November. 202 successful candidates were awarded devastation caused by Cyclone Bulbul in certificates and degrees. Dr. Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Principal North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas Secretary to the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, delivered the and Medinipur districts in India and in convocation address. some parts of Bangladesh, the following Health Services centres conducted relief operations as Aalo Mission held a medical camp at Humoli, a remote given below: village, in which 60 patients were treated.Asansol Math India: West Bengal: Manasadwip conducted a blood donation camp in which 101 of its ITI centre provided shelter to 230 persons on students donated blood.Bajepratappur Math in Bardhaman 9 November and served cooked food to held a medical camp in which 850 patients were treated, and 7522 persons from 10 to 12 November. a blood donation camp in which 84 people donated blood. Sarisha centre distributed 23,360 kg rice, Guwahati centre conducted a medical camp at Makaria village 5490 kg dal, 7100 kg potatoes, 1398 in Morigaon district of Assam in which 384 patients were kg cooking oil, 1978 blankets, 3000 treated. Kailashahar Ashrama held a blood donation camp on saris, 800 dhotis, 1800 lungis and 800 2 November in which 64 people donated blood. uttariyas among 1996 affected families Swami Gautamananda Ji inaugurated the newly set-up MRI in South 24 Parganas district from 18 scan facility at Vrindaban hospital on 14 November. to 21 November.Taki centre distributed January 2020 17 centres in India conducted eye camps in which 12,991 2000 kg chira, 750 kg sugar, 4032 54 patients were treated, 907 were given spectacles, and 1,798 packets of biscuits and 2160 candles were operated. among 2412 cyclone-affected persons in Commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of Swami North 24 Parganas district from 12 to 17 Vivekananda’s Addresses at the World’s Parliament of November. Religions in Chicago, USA Bangladesh: Bagerhat centre Bamunmura Math: Devotees’ convention attended by 365 distributed 1000 kg rice, 100 saris devotees; Kochi Ashrama: Students’ Convention for 150 High and 100 lungis among 100 families in School students; Mumbai Mission: A day-long programme Satkhira district on 15 November. PAGE SPONSOR: KUM. V. DHARSHANI HARI, CHENNAI HARI, DHARSHANI V. KUM. SPONSOR: PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta attended by 900 college students and others. Justice Pinaki Distress Relief: Chandra Ghose, Lokpal of India, inaugurated the programme, 21 Math and Mission centres in India and Swami Suvirananda Ji and others participated. Lusaka and 3 centres abroad distributed: 16,778 centre in Zambia: A public meeting in which Srimat Swami shirts, 12,629 trousers, 5,461 saris and Gautamananda Ji and others addressed a gathering of 83 1,335 dhoties. people. Winter Relief: Relief Services 13 centres in India distributed to the Flood Relief: In response to flooding in Katihar district of needy 2,732 sweaters/jackets, and 4,144 Bihar, Katihar Ashrama distributed 4000 kg chira (rice flakes) blankets.

Vrindaban Cyclone Bulbul Relief

Coimbatore 55 56

Vol.107. No.1 The Vedanta Kesari (English Monthly) January 2020. Regd. with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No.1084 / 1957. Postal registration number: TN / CH (C) / 190 / 2018-2020. Licensed to Post without prepayment TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-259 / 2018-2020. Date of Publication: 24th of every month; Posted on 26 December 2019

If you cannot attain salvation in this life, what proof is there that you can attain it in the life or lives to come? — Swami Vivekananda

Lavino-Kapur Cottons Pvt Ltd 100% Export Oriented Unit * Star Export House BUREAU VERITAS–ISO 9001:2008 certified (Manufacturers of Absorbent Cotton Products) Tarapur Plant: H-1, MIDC, Tarapur Industrial Area, Taps Post, Boisar–401 504 District–Thane. Maharashtra. Tel: 02525-2722 90/91/92 Regd. Office: 121-122, Mittal Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai–400 021 Tel: 91 22 6632 5141 (30 Lines). Fax: 91 22 6632 4979 / 6632 4421/ 2282 0577

E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.lavinokapur.com