Motto: Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha, REACH “For one’s own liberation and for the Newsletter of Vedanta Centres of Australia welfare of the world.” 2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115 and 85 Bland Street, Ashfield, NSW 2131, Australia Website: www.vedantasydney.org; e-mail: [email protected]; Phones: 2 Stewart St. (02) 8197 7351; Fax: (02) 9858 4767; 85 Bland St. (02) 9705 9050; Fax: (02) 9705 9051.

Sayings and Teachings

Shun reasoning and cultivate love “One should not reason too much; it is enough if one loves the Lotus Feet of the Mother. Too much reasoning throws the mind into confusion. You get clear water if you drink from the surface of a Swami Vivekananda pool. Put your hand deeper and stir Temple at the the water, and it becomes muddy. Ramakrishna Math, Therefore pray to God for devotion.” Belur Math The headquarters of --- Sri Ramakrishna. the Ramakrishna The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna by Math and Ramakrishna Mahendranath Gupta, Ramakrishna Mission, Howrah Math, Chennai, India, page 186. (West Bengal), India. Inset : Bas Relief of Swamiji Leading an erring person at the temple basement.

“To err is human; but how few CALENDAR OF EVENTS FROM DECEMBER 2008 TO MARCH 2009 know to lead an erring man? ” Function Centre Date --- Sri Sarada Devi. Birth Anniversary of Brisbane Saturday, 20 December 2008 Great Sayings: The Words of Sri Melbourne Sunday 21st December 2008 Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Holy Mother Vivekananda, Ramakrishna Mission Perth Sunday 21st December 2008 Institute of Culture, Golpark, Kolkata, Sydney Thursday, 18 December 2008 page 23. Melbourne Saturday, 17th January 2009 Strenghthen your own Ideal Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda Perth Saturday, 17th January 2009 “The Christian is not to become a Hindu or a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or Sydney Saturday, 17th January 2009 a Buddhist to become a Christian. Shivaratri Sydney Monday, 23rd February 2009 But each must assimilate the spirit Birth Anniversary of Brisbane Saturday, 7th March 2009 of the others and yet preserve his Sri Ramakrishna Melbourne Saturday, 28th February 2009 individuality and grow according to and Annual Celebration for Sydney Friday, 27th February 2009 his own law of growth.” Adelaide and Adelaide A.C. Saturday, 21st March 2009 Melbourne Centres --- Swami Vivekananda. Melbourne A. C. Saturday, 14th March 2009 Great Sayings: The Words of Sri Welcome Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda by Ramakrishna Mission We welcome you all to the Ramakrishna - Vedanta Movement and invite you Institution of Culture, Golpark, to attend our functions and actively participate in the propagation of the Universal Kolkata, page 35. message of Vedanta as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 1 December 2008 News and activities of Vedanta Centres of Australia and New Zealand For the period From August 2008 to November 2008 ADELAIDE CENTRE looks after the day-to-day activities Swami Sridharananda from Thursday at the Centre. to Saturday of a prescheduled week at Monthly activities: Monthly and Annual activities: Monash University Claton Campus of Swami Sridharananda continued his Law, Wellington Road (Lecture Theatre Swami Atmeshananda visited Brisbane three days a month visit to Adelaide L1). The lecture series were based on once every month and delivered talks and delivered discourses on the Bhagavad- the Bhagavad-Gita. The recordings on Bhagavad-Gita and other spiritual Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The of these discourses are available in topics. Swami Chandrashekharananda talks are held at Dulwich Community Audio, Video and MP3 formats. Centre, 14 Union Street, Dulwich SA visited the Centre during Navaratri from On the second Sundays of every 5065. The lectures are being recorded. the 2nd to the 5th of October and month, meetings were conducted from For details of the ongoing monthly conducted the monthly satsang. 5 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. These regular programmes please contact Mr. Raman Celebrations: meetings include prayer, recitation of Sharma, Secretary, on 08- 8431 9775 or CANBERRA CENTRE sacred mantras, rendering of kirtan and Mrs. Pathma Iswaran on 08-8379 5336. Swami Sridharananda conducted bhajans followed by selected readings Other Activities: classes on the Bhagavad-Gita twice a from relevant scriptures and discussions A day-long spiritual retreat was organised month at the Majura community Centre, thereon. The meetings conclude with at the Monastery, 15 Cross Road, Glen Canberra. Also once a month Parlour an arati and distribution of prasad. Osmond, SA, 5064 on Saturday, the talks based on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali Yoga for beginners is being conducted 22nd of November 2008. About 25 were given by him. Contacts: Mr. J. by Dr. P.L. Aneja, on Sundays from 10 devotees including two devotees from Venkataraman, Secretary - 02-6258 7612 a.m. to 11 a.m. Sydney attended the retreat. After and Dr. Ian Doherty, Treasurer - 02- Other Activities: registration at about 9 a.m. the programme 6247 8519. started with Shanti mantras and bhajans The Annual General Meeting was Other Activities: followed by a talk on Swami Vivekananda held at the Centre on Saturday 9th of by Swami Sridharananda, then a short The Annual General Meeting was held August from 3.45 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. meditation session. Later in the day on the 19th November 2008. It was Swami Sridharananda, presided over group discussion, readings from the presided by Swami Sridharananda. An and conducted the meeting. Gospels of Sri Ramakrishna and Holy annual celebration held on the 16th of Group study of the Bhagavad-Gita Mother and question and answer sessions November 2008 at Tuggeranong Arts has been held every alternate Saturday were held followed by a talk on the Centre, Canberra. The function started from 9.30 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. A further Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. The with bhajans by a group of devotees, study of the recorded discourses has retreat concluded with arati and bhajans. then Ms. Karunya Prasad and Ms. been held on Wednesdays from 10.00 Swami Atmeshananda led the bhajans Cheryl Khurana presented Bharat a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and chanting. Natyam and Kathak classical dances respectively. The celebration was The DVD presentations of lecture series concluded with a talk on ‘Vedanta Movement on the Patanjali Yoga Sutras delivered and Its Relevance Today’ by Swami in Sydney by Swami Sridharananda Sridharananda and the vote of thanks. have been organised for viewing on Fridays from 7.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. MELBOURNE CENTRE following the arati service. 1. Daily Activities: In the absence of Swami Sridharananda, The vesper service is held daily at the Swami Chandrasekharananda visited Centre at 7 Judy Court, Vermont, Vic the Melbourne Centre from Friday, the 3133 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. It 12th of September to Tuesday, the 16th includes set hymns, scriptural readings of September 2008. During his stay in and meditation and occasional devotional the mornings he conducted guided singing. A resident volunteer looks after meditation and in the evening after the services in the mornings and on other arati and bhajans delivered talks occasions. based on the Ishopanishad . The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, PERTH CENTRE Vedanta and other spiritual literature Spiritual Retreat in Adelaide were made available in print, audio and 1. Daily Activities: BRISBANE CENTRE visual media through the bookstall Worship followed by Vedic chanting Daily activities: during the period. For further information in the morning and vesper service at 7 please contact Mr. Suresh Ravinutala, p.m. followed by a reading from The Morning worship, evening arati, bhajans, Secretary, on 03-9803 6154 and Mr. Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and and a reading from The Gospel of Sri Govindan Iyer, Treasurer, on 03-9543 4091. meditation are being held daily at the Ramakrishna are the regular activities Centre located at 2B Roe Close, Bull at the Centre at 181 Burbong Street, 2. Weekly/Monthly Activities: Creek W.A. 6149. In addition, a class on Chapel Hill, QLD 4073, (Phone no. The monthly discourses on the Bhagavad- Ishopanishad is held daily in the afternoon. 07-3720 0228). A resident volunteer Gita continued to be delivered by The Centre maintains a small bookstall

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 2 December 2008 and Library. Contacts: Centre - 08 9313 8796, Mr. K.P. Basu Mallick, Secretary, - 0411 791 058. 2. Weekly/Monthly Activities: Weekly satsangs were conducted on Sundays at 11:00 a.m., and the classes on Kathopanisad were held on Wednesdays from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Bala Bodhi classes for children and youth are being conducted on Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Swami Damodarananda conducts the above classes, meets the devotees and Aradhana in progress in Samanvaya programme, Deity and part of the audience. visitors, and, delivers talks at various places in Perth upon request. were conducted on the second Saturday Deepavali Fair Committee. Celebrations: of every month from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 Vasant, a musical treat, was organised A special prayer meeting was held on 5th p.m. Mr. Abhijit Guha and his dedicated by Sur O Dhwani to raise funds for of October 2008 to celebrate the worship band of volunteers conducted the sessions. Vedanta Centre of Sydney on the 13th of the Divine Mother. Devotional f) Special meditation sessions were of September 2008. Mr. Debashis songs were sung by the devotees and held at the Ermington Centre on Sundays Bhattacharjee played the Sarod, Mr. Swami Damodarananda elaborated on from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Supriya Ganguli and Mrs. Chandana the significance of the worship of the Annual Activities/ Celebrations: Ganguli presented classical numbers Divine Mother. and Mr. Abhijit Dan played on Tabla. Sri Janmastami was celebrated SYDNEY CENTRE on 24th August 2008. On the 1st of November 2008 another musical programme ‘Samanvaya’ was Daily Activities: Swami Chandrashekharananda attended presented at the Bankstown Town Hall. Worship and meditation in the morning, the Ganeshotsava on 7th of September Mrs. Uma Ayyar and Mrs. Srijani Dan and vesper service in the evening 2008 organised by the Friends of India sang in the programme and Mr. Abhijit from 7 p.m. followed by devotional singing in Liverpool and delivered a talk. Dan and other artists presented their skills form the main focus of the daily activities Special worship was offered to the on Tabla and other musical instruments. at the Centre at Ermington. Counselling, Divine Mother on Tuesday, the Overseas Visit: interviews and discussions with devotees 7th October, the Mahastami day, amid are also conducted on a daily basis. The devotional singing. About 700 devotees On a special invitation from the library facility is available to devotees for attended the function. Vivekananda Vedanta Society, Chicago, reference and research. The Centre Swami Sridharananda visited United The A.G.M. commenced at 11 a.m. on maintains a bookstall which has a States of America from the 14 of August 2nd November 2008 at the South range of books on the Ramakrishna- 2008 to the 6th of October 2008. He was Strathfield Bowling Club. Swami Vivekananda, Vedanta, Yoga and other the guest speaker in the spiritual retreat Sridharananda presided over the meeting. spiritual literature. Devotional songs, organised by them. He also conducted discourses on Bhagavad-Gita, the Yoga Swami Atmeshananda attended the a spiritual retreat in Vancouver, Canada Sutras of Patanjali, Mundaka Upanisad, Deepavali celebration on 13th November and delivered lecture in various etc. are also available in various media. 2008 at the Parliament House of NSW. Vedanta Centres of the U.S. and Canada. 2. Weekly/ Monthly Activities: Other Activities: Swami Sridharananda visited Hong The Centre conducted the following On the 6th of August 2008, the Holy Kong from the 6th of November to the activities in Sydney: relics were brought from Ashfield Ashrama 11th of November 2008 and delivered talks and installed in the new Centre at Stewart on spiritual subjects. He visited Auckland, a) Swami Sridharananda conducted New Zealand from the 27th of November classes on the Bhagavad-Gitā every Street and short worship was performed. to the 1st of December 2008. Sunday morning from 9:45 a.m. to Book Stalls were put up in the Sydney 10:45 a.m. at the South Strathfield Olympic Grounds during both at ‘India Visiting Monastics: Bowling Club, Augusta Street, Strathfield. Australia Friendship Fair’ on Sunday, Swamis Aparokshananda and Tadananda b) Classes on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali the 10th August 2008, organised by the visited the Centre en route to Fiji from United India Association and in the were held on Wednesdays from 7:30 the 4th to 6th of August 2008. Swami p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Centre in Ashfield. ‘Deepavali Fair’ organised by the Adibhavananda visited the Centre from the 24th of c) Many devotees have availed November to themselves of spiritual counselling the 27th of and guidance. The Swamis also visited November the homes of devotees when required. 2008 en route d) Yogasana Classes for adults continued to New to be held every Tuesday at the Centre Zealand. from 7:30 p.m. (Continued e) Career guidance sessions to help new on page 8) Australian migrants to find suitable jobs Worship of the Divine Mother Durga in progress

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 3 December 2008 Feature Article: Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi: Her Spiritual Ministrations Sri Saradamani Devi is conceived as the mother, the guru, and the Deity. All these aspects are finely blended and harmoniously integrated in her life. Whenever we look at her she is seen as the real and universal mother. When we come closer and delve in her ‘life and teachings’ we get true knowledge which dispels our ignorance. When we approach her to recognise her as mother and guru, she draws us to her lap as a mother and at the same time we get a glimpse of her transcendental image seated in her divine abode with divine grace and glory. To us, then, she is the Mother, full of unquestioning affection; Sarada, , the compassionate bestower of the highest wisdom; and the Devi, Deity, the embodiment of purity, glory, and supreme power, who is granting salvation to all. The following article highlights salient aspects of Mother’s Gurubhav, the ‘spiritual ministrations’: Mother as true guru comes to the guru. That’s how sin is The true guru is a saviour, who through accepted through the imparting of mantra his unbounded love accepts the entire and the body gets so many diseases. It’s a responsibility of his disciple. Not only hard task to be a guru; one has to take this, often enough, he transfers to himself over the disciples’ sins. The guru has the disciple’s sins and physical maladies to take a share of a sin that is committed and suffers vicariously. He does this by a disciple. If the disciple is good, consciously, and though he suffers in the guru is also benefited.’ consequences, he does not give it up. Although the Mother thus suffered for Such instances are plentiful in the her disciples’ sins, her outlook on sinners Mother’s life. During her last illness at was one of pity rather than of hatred. A the ‘Udbodhan’, the Mother communicated devotee was apprehensive that even her inner feelings to a devotee thus, after getting a mother like the Holy “Do you think that even though the Mother he might not have his life’s Master does not spare this body, I can objective fulfilled. The Mother encouraged have any respite till any of the souls him saying, ‘Why are you afraid, son? whose responsibility I have accepted is Know that the Master is ever behind left unredeemed? I shall have to be by you. And I am there. Don’t fear so their side. I have accepted the burden of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi long as I am your Mother. For the all their merits and demerits. It is no (1853-1920) Master has truly promised me, “At the fun to impart initiation. What a burden last moment I shall lead by the hand all This world is full of trials and tribulations. one has to take upon one’s shoulders, those who will come to you.” Whatsoever May they never have to come back and how much thought one has to bestow anyone of you may do, and howsoever again.” upon them...I can’t possibly leave any one may behave, the Master will those whom I have accepted as my own.” Words of courage and assurance have to come at last to take you. The Lord has given (men) hands and feet Mother’s constant mental japa Into a devotee’s mind the Mother instilled these words of courage and (the senses); and sure enough, they will The relationship between guru and the assurance, ‘What fear need you have, have their play.’ disciple is not established by any formal my son? Your thought comes to me process; it is an obligation voluntarily Mother’s glorious compassion well enough. You need not do anything; undertaken by the guru out of his Mother used to say, ‘I impart mantra I am doing everything for you.’ The compassion and lasts for all eternity. out of pity. They become importunate, devotee enquired, ‘Do you have to The Mother carried on a constant mental they weep, their sight fills me with work for all your sons wherever they japa. In old age, when owing to physical mercy. Out of compassion, I grant may be?’ The Mother replied, ‘For all I weakness, she had to spend longer initiation. Else what do I gain? One has have to work.’ The devotee further hours in her bed the attendant noticed to take over sins by giving initiation. I asked, ‘You have so many children; do that she was doing japa even while in think thus, “The body will go anyhow: you remember them all?’ The Mother bed. At night her sleep was very light, still let them have something.” first admitted that she could not recollect so much so, that she responded to the all; and then she explained, ‘I do japa One morning three devotees came to first call. The attendant might ask in for those whom I can recollect. And for Jayrambati with a letter of introduction wonder, ‘Are you not asleep’, or those that I don’t remember I pray to from Swami Brahmananda. The ‘Don’t you get sleep?’ The Mother the Master thus, “Master, I have many Mother heard the letter read out and would reply, ‘What can I do, my son? sons in many places. Do please look called in the devotees; but she sat with The boys come and entreat me eagerly. after those whose names I can’t her legs folded, though it was usual for They take the mantra and go home. But remember, and graciously grant that her, because of her rheumatism, to nobody does any japa regularly. Some they may prosper.” keep them stretched out even in the don’t do it even once. Yet, as I have presence of devotees. She refused to The power of mantra and compassion shouldered the burden, should I not initiate them and directed them to go to look after them? That’s why I do japa About the power of mantra and the the Belur Math. The devotees obeyed and pray to the Master, “O, Master, taking over of sin, the Mother on one her for the time being and went to the grant them enlightenment, grant them occasion (February 1913) said, ‘Energy outer apartment. But their disappointment emancipation, and do take on yourself is transferred through a mantra – the was too great to be assuaged; and hence their care in every way here and hereafter. guru’s goes to the disciple and the disciple’s they approached her for the second time

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 4 December 2008 to be more propitious. She however was to do without these practices?’ Another today with what one had yesterday. Then inflexible and spoke to the Master thus, devotee asked the Mother (1907) about one should meditate on one’s chosen ‘Master, I prayed to you yesterday that initiation, ‘Well, Mother, what’s the need Deity as one goes on doing japa. How the day might not pass uselessly. And at of taking a mantra? If instead of doing can you know how you are conducting long last you too bring these!’ Inexorability japa of a particular mantra, one simply yourself unless you have japa and was, however, against her grain; and she goes on repeating “Mother Kali”, meditation every morning and evening yielded at last saying, ‘Master. Let me “Mother Kali”, (for instance), will that side by side with work?’ carry on your work so long as the body not be sufficient? The Mother replied, Mother unequivocally decried japa as a lasts.’ The initiation was duly completed. ‘The mantra purifies the body. A man mere mechanical process when she said, A few days later Swamis Brahmananda, becomes holy by doing japa of the ‘These mantras and the like are nothing, Premananda, Shivananda and Saradananda Lord’s mantra...The mantra is necessary my daughter; devotion is all. In the Master heard the whole incident sitting on the for purification of the body, if not for you will find your guru and chosen Deity. upper verandah of the Belur Math on the anything else.’ He is all.’ And drawing attention to Ganges side. The narration over, Swami On another occasion (February 1913), a divine grace she said, ‘You talk of having Brahmananda sat without a word for a disciple showed her a tiny seed of the done so much japa, or so much of work; pretty long time. Swami Premananda huge banyan tree and said, ‘Do you see, but nothing will avail. Who can achieve heaved a long sigh and said with folded Mother, how small it is – tinier even than anything unless Mahamaya opens the hands, ‘Mercy, mercy! It’s by this glorious the tiniest seed we know, and yet what a way? O, creatures surrender yourselves, compassion that the Mother is protecting huge tree sprouts from it!’ The Mother just surrender yourselves. Then only will us forever. We can’t express in words the said, ‘Why should it not be so? Consider, She be gracious and clear the way for poison that she has accepted. If we had for instance, how small the seed of the you.’ Till one attains this attitude of done so, we would have been burnt down Lord’s name is; and yet from this sprout surrender and this passionate love, no to ashes.’ in time divine moods, devotion and love.’ spiritual practice is to be neglected. Accession of strength, courage and faith A disciple who had developed mental The path of fervent love A devotee, however weak he might be, aberration returned his rosary to the Without ignoring settled norms, but would have an accession of strength, Mother. When a monk asked her whether he rather giving allegiance to them, the courage and faith, if he could but come to had returned the mantra also, she replied, Mother wanted to draw the devotees to the Mother. A devotee could not have ‘Can that ever be? It’s a living mantra. the path of fervent love. Her process of peace of mind although he practised Can there be any giving back of it – the initiation followed this middle course. In japa. The Mother told him encouragingly mantra that one has once received, the refusing initiation to a candidate she said, that the mind would be pacified by practice. great mantra that it is? If one has but once ‘You have your ancestral guru; you can But this could hardly comfort him. He shown love for his guru, can he ever be as well have it from him.’ Again, there had heard that if a disciple failed to despoiled of it?’ are instances where she kept intact the practise japa, it harmed the guru; hence Efficacy of japa mantra of the family guru and, adding to he wanted to return the mantra to the it a new one, instructed the disciple to About the efficacy of japa the Mother mother. At this she said, ‘Now see, how repeat first the former mantra ten times once said, ‘By japa and austerity is cut he talks. I lose my sleep in thought of and then repeat the new one. About this asunder the bondage of Karma (past you all; and the Master has blessed you double initiation Mother spoke thus, action). But God can’t be realised except long ago.’ Tears rolled down her cheeks ‘Sometimes, people of little faith and of through love and devotion. As for japa as she spoke; and with emotions she unsteady mind come for initiation. I and such other things, do you know what continued, ‘Well, you need not practise mentally read their past history from their they stand for? Through them the senses any japa of the mantra anymore.’ The very appearance and behaviour and ask etc become subdued.’ On another day devotee became very upset and felt them whether they were previously initiated she said, ‘One should perform japa, ‘condemned to hell.’ The Mother at once by someone else. When they reply in the meditation, etc at regular hours giving no uttered these heartening words, ‘What! affirmative, I tell them, “Strange you room for laziness.’ At other times she You, who are my son, will be damned! have come again for initiation! You have declared, ‘If one can repeat the mantra Whoever has come here, whoever is my no faith in the mantra already given by fifteen to twenty thousand times every son is already redeemed. Destiny dare your guru. What is a mantra but the holy day, and then it will show results. Let not throw my children into hell. Free name of god? Why have you come for him do so first, if he does not get success, yourself of all anxiety by entrusting your initiation again?” Then they beg to be let him come and say so. But one has to future to me. And remember this always, forgiven and again implore me with tears practise a little attentively. Doing nothing that there’s one behind you who will in their eyes. I can’t bear anybody’s tears. and neglecting everything, they merely come to you at the right moment and lead I pray to the Master for strengthening complain, “Why does my japa not bear you to the everlasting domain.’ their faith, and through his direction I fruit.” ‘Work you have to do as a matter give them initiation in addition to the Advice on japa and meditation of course; work keeps the mind well. But mantra already received by them. This japa, meditation, and prayer are specially To a devotee the Mother said, ‘How can additional mantra is given for fresh needed; one should sit up at least in the one do without japa and meditation? stimulus and strength in order to increase morning and in the evening. That is like These have got to be done. ‘When the their faith in the name of God.’ the helm of a boat. When one sits up for devotee complained that the impurities of a while in the evening, there comes to his mind were not being removed in spite Source: Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi by Swami of these, she said, ‘Through the practice one’s mind for consideration what one has done throughout the day. Then one Gambhirananda; Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai; of japa they will go. How can one afford pages 395-425. has to compare the state of mind one has

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 5 December 2008 Divine Light Personified: Swami Abhedananda, one of the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna

The birth anniversary of the Swami was observed on 23rd September 2008 at our centres. He who has realised the Unity can the evening he would go to a Sanskrit not commit sin school where he studied Sanskrit grammar. Kali was serving his guru, Sri Ramakrishna, Kali was a bright student and a voracious during his last illness at Cossipore garden reader. During this period, along with house. There were two ponds in the his regular courses, he studied classical compound, stocked with plenty of fish. Sanskrit literature. He learned prosody Kali was a good angler. One day he and could compose verses in Sanskrit. caught some fish, and news of this At the age of ten Kali was admitted to reached the Master. In the evening the Oriental Seminary, the well-known when Kali was serving him, the Master high school where his father taught asked, “Is it true that you have been English. catching many fish with a fishing rod?” Although from his boyhood Kali was “Yes, sir.” The Master said, “It is a sin more interested in developing his intellect, to catch fish with a fishing rod, for he did not neglect his health. He swam thereby living things are killed.” regularly in the Ganges with his friends In defence Kali quoted from the Gita: and exercised daily in a neighbouring “He who thinks that the Self is the gymnasium. slayer as well as he who thinks that the Swami Abhedananda Kali had studied Wilson’s history of Self is slain is ignorant, for the Self (one who enjoys the bliss of India and there had learned about neither slays nor is slain” (2.19). He Non-differentiation) Shankaracharya, the great exponent of further added, “So why should it be a (1866 — 1939) Vedanta. Shankara’s life and works sin to catch fish?” does not take any false step. You inspired young Kali and thenceforth he Ramakrishna smiled and tried to make should realise that the Atman is beyond cherished a desire to become a pundit Kali understand through various the body, the sense organs, the mind, and philosopher like him. Kali took a arguments. He said, “When a person and the intellect, and that It is the witness drawing class in school and within a attains true knowledge, he does not of phenomena.” The Master’s words year excelled. The teacher praised his take a false step.” Suddenly the Master penetrated Kali’s heart and he realised skill and prophesied a bright future for began coughing and there was a trace the truth. him, but one day Kali told the teacher that he would not come to the drawing of blood in his sputum. Frightened by Early life and education this, Kali told him: “Sir, talking will class anymore because he had decided Kali Prasad Chandra was born on to become a philosopher. Kali’s teacher aggravate your cancer. Please do not nd talk anymore.” But the Master said, Tuesday, 2 October 1866, at 21 Nimu tried to convince him that it was better “I consider you to be one of the most Goswami Lane, Ahiritola, North Calcutta. to be a painter than a philosopher. But intelligent of the boys. You will His father, Rasiklal Chandra, was an Kali replied, “No, sir. A painter studies understand if you meditate on what I English teacher in the Oriental Seminary. the surface of things but a philosopher goes below the surface and studies the have said.” His first wife died, leaving a son and a daughter. His son’s name was Biharilal; causes of things. So I want to be a According to Ramakrishna’s instructions, he later became a Christian. At the philosopher.” Kali meditated for three days and realised request of friends and relatives, Rasiklal the meaning behind his statement. He Kali had been extremely inquisitive married Nayantara Devi, a gentle and from his boyhood. To satisfy his hunger went to the Master and said, “Sir, I spiritual girl who was fourteen years have now realised why it is wrong to for knowledge, he would ask his father old. She was an ideal wife. In the various questions that surprised the catch fish. I shall not do it again. Please course of time she had nine children: forgive me.” The Master was very wise English teacher. In addition, Kali the first five of them died at an early would use his savings to buy books pleased to hear this. He said, “It is age; of the remaining four, Kali was deceitful to catch fish in this way. Hiding instead of refreshments. Kali had a the second. Before Kali was born, remarkable memory and keen power of a hook inside bait and hiding poison in Nayantara prayed to the Divine Mother food offered to an uninvited guest are concentration. He learned to fish, shop, Kali for a son. When the child was cook, work with wood, garden, bind sins of the same kind.” Kali humbly born, she gave him the name “Kali accepted what the Master said and felt books and so on. When he was fourteen Prasad,” or the blessings of Mother he found a copy of the Bhagavad Gita his infinite compassion. Ramakrishna Kali. continued, “It is true that the Atman in his father’s study and began reading does not die nor is It killed. But he who In 1871, at the age of five, Kali was it. But his father told him that it was has realised the truth is the Atman himself, admitted to Govinda Seal’s nursery too difficult a book for one so young; so why should he have the tendency to school, where he studied for two years. and so taking the book away from Kali, kill others? As long as the tendency to He learned the alphabet, heard stories from he hid it in his room. When his father kill remains, he is not identified with the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, and left the house, Kali searched for the the Atman nor does he have any Self- began to memorise Sanskrit verses on book and located it. In the dead of knowledge. That is why I say that morality and ethics. He then joined night when everybody was asleep, he when one attains true knowledge one Jadu Pundit’s Banga Vidyalaya, and in read the Gita by the light of an oil lamp.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 6 December 2008 Kali’s desire to learn the scriptures was ter’s nephew, gave us some luchis and the Master gave me prasad and asked phenomenal. He went to one Vedanta- sweets for refreshments. We waited on me to visit him again. He then offered vagisha, who was then translating the northern veranda for the Master’s to provide my fare if I could not get it Patanjali’s Yoga Aphorisms from Sanskrit arrival. Finally a horse carriage arrived from home. In the meantime a devotee into Bengali. Kali began to visit the at the north-eastern corner of the Master’s had arrived by carriage from Calcutta pundit every morning. While he read room, and Shashi and Ramlal went to to visit the Master, and the Master the aphorisms, the pundit would explain receive the Master. My heart was beating asked me to return home with that them. Thus he completed his study of hard. I stood where I was, motionless. devotee. On my way back home I yoga philosophy. Kali then bought a After getting down from the carriage, thought of the Master’s overwhelming copy of Samhita and learned the Sri Ramakrishna said, “Kali, Kali, love and compassion.” disciplines of hatha yoga, kundalini Kali,” entered his room, and sat down Kali began to practise spiritual disciplines yoga, pranayam, and raja yoga. on his small cot. under the Master’s guidance and Having become fascinated by the Yoga Ramlal and Shashi informed the Master through his grace was blessed with Sutras of Patanjali, he was eager to about me while I waited on the veranda. many wonderful visions of gods and find someone who could teach him to Then Ramlal came out and said that the goddesses. One day while meditating at follow the methods of meditation they Master was waiting for me. I entered home, Kali saw various gods and prescribe. the room and bowed down to him. The goddesses and divine incarnations – Master asked about me and I told him: Krishna, Christ, Chaitanya, and others With Sri Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar “I have a desire to learn yoga. Will you – merge one by one into the luminous The scriptures did not quench Kali’s kindly teach me?” The Master kept form of Sri Ramakrishna...From then thirst for knowledge, so he desperately quiet for a while and then said: “It is a on, during meditation Kali’s mind was searched for a spiritual teacher. One of good sign that you have a desire to absorbed in the infinite – the vastness his classmates told him about Rama- learn yoga at this young age. You were of the Impersonal Brahman, rather than krishna, so Kali went to visit him. In a yogi in your previous life. A little divine forms. After this vision Kali was June 1884 Kali went to Dakshineswar was left for perfection. This will be convinced that the Master was an avatar, and met Sri Ramakrishna. In his auto- your last birth. Yes, I will teach you as he later wrote in a Sanskrit hymn to biography he describes their first meet- yoga. Rest tonight and come to me Sri Ramakrishna. ing: again tomorrow morning.” Sometime in the middle of January “One Sunday morning I started for The next morning Ramlal told me the 1886, the elder Gopal wanted to distribute Dakshineswar by asking directions Master was waiting to see me. Entering twelve pieces of ochre cloth and twelve from people on the street...Finally I the room I bowed down to him...Then rosaries to some monks. Pointing to his reached the temple garden at 11 o’ clock. he took me to the northern veranda. He young disciples, the Master said: “You When I asked about Sri Ramakrishna, a asked me to sit on a cot. When I was won’t find better monks than these. temple worker informed me that he had seated in the lotus posture, the Master Give your cloths and rosaries to them.” gone to Calcutta that morning. I was asked me to stick out my tongue. As Instead, Gopal offered them to the exhausted, having walked all that way soon as I did that, he wrote a mantram Master and he himself distributed them barefoot in the sun. Disappointed, I sat on it with the middle finger of his right among his young disciples. Thus Sri on the steps of Sri Ramakrishna’s hand and advised me to meditate on Ramakrishna himself started his northern veranda and wondered how I Kali, the Divine Mother. I did what he monastic order. Kali was among those could ever go back to Calcutta. I was said. Gradually I lost outer consciousness who received an ochre cloth, the garb hungry and thirsty, I was dead tired, I and sat in deep meditation. I felt an of a monk, from the Master. had no money. I had not informed my unspeakable joy within. I don’t know Sri Ramakrishna’s Birth Centenary family as to where I was going, I had how long I stayed in that condition. Celebrations — March 1937 no acquaintance in Dakshineswar, and After some time the Master touched my moreover I had no strength to walk chest and brought me back to outer On the occasion of Sri Ramakrishna’s back to Calcutta. I began to cry... consciousness. He then asked me what birth centenary celebration, All India Just then another man arrived and had happened, and I told him about my Radio in Calcutta broadcast Swami asked me about Sri Ramakrishna, and I blissful experience during meditation. Abhedananda’s five-minute talk about told him that he had gone to Calcutta. He was very pleased. Afterwards the Sri Ramakrishna in Bengali. It is the The young man was also disap- Master instructed me on meditation and only available recorded voice of a pointed...On enquiry I learned that his sang these lines of a mystical song: direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, and it is the most precious verbal testimony name was Shashi...Understanding how “When will you sleep in the divine chamber about the Master. Translated, this I felt, Shashi said to me, “Look, With the clean [good] and the unclean brother, I have also come here without [evil]? testimony states: informing my parents. Don’t worry. When these two wives are friendly to each “Om, salutation to Bhagavan We shall stay here tonight. The Master other Ramakrishna. During the nineteenth will positively return form Calcutta by Mother Shyama will be within your reach.” century, Western materialism was late evening, as he never stays overnight The Master further told me to meditate deluging India. The Christian at any devotee’s house in Calcutta.” every morning and again at night and to missionaries, through brainwashing, report to him my visions and spiritual Shashi showed me around and in the were trying to create confusion and experiences. Then the Master asked me evening took me to the Kali Temple to hatred in the minds of the Hindus to go to the Kali Temple and meditate attend the vesper service. I felt tremen- regarding their religion. It was then there. When I returned from the temple dous peace and joy. Ramlal, the mas- that Sri Ramakrishna appeared to

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 7 December 2008 revive the moribund condition of the Thou art the protector of the world and also Isherwood; Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata; pages Sanatana Dharma [eternal religion]. its creator, 238-9. Thou, the Original Being, destroyest it too. He was born in a remote village of Stotranjalih or Hymn Offerings (By direct O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful Disciples and Devotees); Swami Bengal. He had no formal education. glance on me, Thy faithless child. Tapasyananda; Sri Ramakrishna Math; Chennai; But he experienced the Imperishable The Limitless Being that Thou art, Thou pages 54-58. Brahman and became a great dost, in order to redeem Thy devotees, (The life and teachings of Swami Abhedananda teacher. He did not care for dry Indulge in Thy play of redemption, assuming will be continued in the next publication of scriptural arguments. He solved the limitation by Thy power of Maya. Reach) problems of life through his spiritual O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful (Continued from page no. 3 …) power. He said, “The nature of all glance on me, Thy faithless child. human beings cannot be the same. It Assuming a form that was in appearance AUCKLAND CENTRE is natural to be different.” He human, The inauguration function of the respected all beings and worshipped Thou dost proclaim the sacred Law, a mys- Ramakrishna Vedanta Centres of New the God of different religions. After tery to men in ignorance, Zealand was held on the 29th and 30th experiencing the truth of unity in O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful of November 2008 at its own premises at glance on me, Thy faithless child. diversity, Sri Ramakrishna proclaimed, 27 Arawa Street, New Lynn, Auckland. “As many faiths, so many paths. All Unparalleled anywhere, at any time, is thy On the morning of 29th November religions are true.” practice of austerity and renunciation; Vastu Puja, Puja, The Master’s renunciation was No man of wisdom can, on seeing Thy ex- Puja and Havan etc. were performed by phenomenal. While living in Dakshineswar ample, help bending his head to Thee in Mr. Debesh Bhattacharya from 8.00 salutation. and at the Cossipore garden, we saw O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful a.m. to 12.30 p.m. amid devotional that he could not touch money or any glance on me, Thy faithless child. singing. A cultural programme was metal. He perceived the manifestation presented in the evening at Blockhouse of the Divine Mother in all women. Merely hearing Thy name men become Bay Primary School from 5.00 p.m. to devoted to Thee, 8-30 p.m. Swamis Sridharananda and Ramakrishna told us, “He who was But alas! Even seeing Thee we have not Adibhavananda of Limbdi, Gujrat Rama and he who was Krishna, is developed true devotion. now Ramakrishna in this body.” O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful addressed the gathering. About 250 Pointing to himself, the Master further glance on me, Thy faithless child. devotees attended the function. said, “I will be worshipped in the Thou art the true, the good, the peaceful, On Sunday, the 30th of November a homes of many people.” the unborn special worship of Sri Ramakrishna was performed by Swami Aparokshananda Salutations to Ramakrishna, the And Thy being is without a beginning and an end. of Fiji and bhajans were sung by Swamis perfect embodiment of the Eternal O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful Atmeshananda and Chandrashekharananda. Truth that manifests Itself in various glance on me, Thy faithless child. About 125 devotees attended the function. forms to help mankind. He is an incarnation of the Supreme Lord I know not the truth about Thee, O World- The Ramakrishna Vedanta Centres of and is worshipped by all. Peace, Teacher, New Zealand Inc. was incorporated in Know not Thy true form, nor about Thy Peace, Peace.” February 2004 under the Incorporated numerous manifestations. Societies Act of NZ. By the grace of Inspiring compositions O Ramakrishna! Bestow Thy merciful the Divine the property was acquired glance on me, Thy faithless child.” Swami Abhedananda has composed by the group in December 2007. various hymns devoted to Sri Ramakrishna Sources: Swami Sridharananda installed the and the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. God Lived with Them: Life Stories of Sixteen deities in the Shrine on the 20th of They are couched in simple but mellifluous Monastic Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna by May 2008 on Buddha Purnima Day. Sanskrit in various attractive metres. Swami Chetanananda; Advaita Ashrama, Now it is formally opened with a two- Kolkata; pages 439-457. day-long celebration. All of them put together give a Ramakrishna and His Disciples by Christopher comprehensive resume of the events of the Master’s life and message. Both the touch of fervent devotion and the literary beauty of the Sanskrit diction in which they are clothed, make these hymns of Swami Abhedananda a very valuable and authoritative part of the devotional literature on Sri Ramakrishna and the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. The following hymn entitled Sri Ramakrishna’stakam is expressed in its English equivalent: “Thou art the Ruler of the Worlds, and the Primordial Being, By whose imperceptible form all this is pervaded. O Ramakrishna! Bestow merciful glance on me, thy faithless child. Inauguration of Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre in Auckland, NZ—Puja and Cultural function REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 128 Page 8 December 2008