YUVA BHARATI3 OCTOBER 2006 YUVA BHARATI Vol. 34 No.3 A Vivekananda Kendra Publication VOICE OF YOUTH Founder Editor 04 Editorial P.Parameswaran MANANEEYA EKNATHJI RANADE Editor: P. PARAMESWARAN 10 Yathecchasi Tatha Kuru M.Lakshmi Kumari Editorial Office: 14 N.Krishnamoorti 5, Singarachari Street Triplicane, Chennai - 600 005 19 Sakthi Dr.K.Subrahmanyam Ph:(044) 28440042 Email:[email protected] 23 Hymn To Durga Sri Aurobindo Web: www.vkendra.org

26 A Brief Life Story -- SingleCopy Rs. 7/- Annual Rs. 75/- 33 Charaiveti! Charaiveti!! Satish Chowkulkar For 3 yrs: Rs. 200/- Life(20Yrs)Rs.800/- 42 V.K.Samachar - (Plus Rs. 30/- for outstation Cheques) The remedy for weakness is not brooding over weakness, but thinking of strength. -- àawRna INVOCATION ySya> k…]aE lInmo{f< jgd{f< ÉUyae ÉUy> àaÊraeÉUÊiTwtmev, pTya sax!R ta< rjtaÔaE ivhrNtI— gaErImMbamMbuéha]ImhmIfe. yasyäù kukñau lénamakhaëòaà jagadaëòaà bhüyo bhüyaù prädurobhüdutthitameva| patyä särdh täà rajatädrau viharantéà gaurémambämamburuhäkñémahaméòe|| I adore Gauri, the Divine mother with lotus-like face. The entire Universe is embedded in the womb of the Divine mother. This Universe that was created by Her is being created again and again periodically. I praise Gauri sporting on the silver mountain (kailasa) in the company of her Lord. - Adi Shankara’s Gauri Dasakam / 7 YUVA BHARATI4 OCTOBER 2006

qualities of the masculine and the latter the feminine. It was not just a matter of two different approaches in the religious attitude. It was a question of two different forms of culture. In the pre-Abrahamic times, Nature was looked upon as the bountiful mother who gives you birth, protection, nourishment and sustenance. She was love-incarnate. Abrahamic religions, with a Vijaya Dashami fundamentally different approach abolished the culture of Mother Victory March of the Mother, worship, and gave rise to the worship across the globe through the of a Father; away and ages unapproachable, who is to be looked upon with respectful fear. The new dictum was, ‘Fear of God is the orship of the mother is beginning of wisdom’. Gradually all natural to human beings. over the western world, the pagan WNot to worship her is not religions were wiped out and only unnatural, but also ungrateful. Judaism, Christianity and Islam took People from very early times used to over. The faith imparted through the adore Divinity in the form of Mother. scripture was that nature has been This continued in all parts of the world provided by God to man to exploit. among the so-called ‘pagan’ The entire western civilization was religions. After the emergence of built upon the principle, that God has ‘Abrahamic religions’, this faith and given man the authority to exploit practice were discredited. Father nature to the hilt for his enjoyment. became the object of worship. Father The East, particularly Bharat had, is the symbol of Power and Authority from the very beginning developed a whereas Mother represents Love and totally different approach. Nature is Affection. The former represents the the manifestation of ‘Adi-Shakti’, the YUVA BHARATI5 OCTOBER 2006 primordial power. She is to be Mahasaraswati’. It is in these forms, adored with love because she is the that the Mother could be understood mother of everything. Mother worship and approached by us, who are her became ingrained in the minds of the children. There is nothing, no power people with the result that the culture visible or invisible, which is not one that evolved centered around this form or other, of these four aspects sublime sentiment. Earth being the of the Divine Mother. From time visible form of nature and the terra immemorial, Bharat has been firma of all human existence was worshipping the Divine Mother in one naturally considered as an or more of these forms, sometimes expression of the Divine Mother. To called by different names in different worship her, was considered the languages and regions. Whatever be primary duty of every human being. the names, the concept is the same. Our literature is replete with During the course of history as the expressions of devotion to the Earth people’s attachment, love, and Mother--‘Bhoomi Devi’. No wonder gratitude to the land of the ‘Atharva Veda’ has a separate ‘Bharatvarsha’ began to grow more section of more than 60 ‘sukthas’ all and more intense, the concept of devoted to rapturous adoration of the ‘Bharat Mata’ got articulated in our Mother Earth; the deepest ties that literature and also in the folklore. bind man to earth--the ‘Prithvi Bharat, from the Himalayas to the Suktha’ has been considered the seas, was personified as the mother most comprehensive approach of of all children, irrespective of various man to Mother Earth, invoking Her differences arising out of time and blessings and enumerating his duties clime. Beautiful symbolism was towards preserving, protecting and woven out of this emotional promoting nature by all means. attachment, which gradually merged Shri Aurobindo has through his inner in the subconscious mind of the vision, given us a poetic description people at large. Various poetic vibrating with the spirit of a mantra, creations emerged in all the the four major aspects of the Divine languages of our country, praising, Mother ‘Adi Shakti—Maheshwari, adoring and worshipping the Divine Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and in the form of ‘Bharat Mata’. YUVA BHARATI6 OCTOBER 2006

Worship of ‘Bharat Mata’ became before it was formally included as a identical with nationalism and part of the constitution in the year patriotism. The entire Bharat became 1950. Even though ‘Jana Gana holy. Swami Vivekananda, in reply to Mana’ was adopted as the National a question put to him before leaving Anthem, there is no dispute that in its England said as follows, “Bharat I emotional contents, its divinely loved before but now every particle inspired poetic effusion, its ‘mantric of dust in Bharat is extremely holy. power’, ‘Vande Mataram’ stands It has become a place of pilgrimage incomparably supreme. for me.” The sentiment has been There is another aspect to be beautifully expressed in a Sanskrit remembered. Right from the verse ‘Upanishadic times’, the ‘Divine Rathnakaradhoudapadam Mother’ began to be worshipped in Himalayakireetineem various forms on various occasions. Brahmarajarshiratnadyam Vande ‘Vijayadashmi’ began to be Bharathamataram celebrated all over the country and in course of time it became the most widely celebrated national festival. ‘Vijaya Dashami’ is our greatest During the freedom movement the national festival. It proclaims the predominant feeling of every patriotic grand victory of ‘Dharma over Indian was that our beloved mother is Adharma’, of light over darkness, of languishing in bondage and it is their divine forces over those of the bounden duty to liberate the Mother demoniac. As a nation, we have been and make Her free, by all means. It is celebrating this festival of triumph in this context that Bankim Chandra’s from time immemorial; celebrating it immortal poem ‘Vande Mataram’ in every part of this vast and sacred assumed the form of a war cry for the land. Forms and contents of the freedom fighters along with it being celebrations might have varied from a beautiful description of Bharat Mata time to time and place to place. But as the Divinity manifesting as ‘Durga, the message and spirit have been the Saraswati and Lakshmi’. The song same: “Darkness can never win. became the real national song much Light can never dim”. Hold on to this YUVA BHARATI7 OCTOBER 2006 faith with deep conviction, wait which all people stand united. patiently; fight tenaciously, with Unfortunately in our country, even the courage. The Goddess of Victory is concept of nation itself has not been bound to embrace us. And that has well defined. It is only here that the been our national experience, all Motherland is called by two names through history, even pre-history. ‘India that is Bharat’ and two national Thus we find that the names ‘Durga’ songs have been given equal status. and ‘Bharat Mata’ became This duality has led to the totally synonymous during the freedom wrong usage ‘India a union of states’. struggle. Shri Aurobindo in his India is one and not a union of states famous book ‘Bhavani Mandir’ as United States of America or other writes, ‘Our Mother country is not federal states. Unless this confusion a piece of earth, nor a figure of is eradicated from our mind, our speech nor a fiction of the mind. It nationalism, our national song, our is a mighty Shakti, composed of national unity, our national aspiration the Shaktis of all the millions of all will remain dubious and truncated. units that make up the nation; just In short, the nation will be frustrated as Bhavani Mahishasura Mardini with irreparable damage. sprang into being from the Shakti This ‘Vijayadashmi’ is to be made an of all the millions of gods occasion for deep introspection and assembled in one mass of force self-rectification. and welded into unity. This Shakti The concept of Bharat as the Mother, we call India, Bhavani Bharat. One and indivisible has to be firmly It is most unfortunate that in established in the minds and hearts independent India even this most of every true son and daughter of the widely cherished national song has Mother. ‘Vijayadashami’ is not only now become a matter of controversy. the occasion for worship or jubilation, In no other country in the world a but it is the time for plunging national song can be made optional, ourselves to join this battle for yielding to the predilections of a ‘Dharma’ against all dark anti- section of the population. national forces, ‘Adharmic forces’ Nationalism cannot be a matter of challenging the very foundations of option. It is the central theme around Indian nationalism. YUVA BHARATI8 OCTOBER 2006

But things are changing, changing for started and spread across the world. the better. Centuries have rolled by It was initiated on March 21, 1970. since the Vedic Rishis sang the song “The first proclamation of Earth Day ‘Prithvi Suktha’. From that emerged was in San Francisco, the city of Saint a culture and a civilization based on Francis, patron saint of Ecology”. Nature Worship, whose ethos was Soon it snowballed into a mighty ‘No exploitation, but tenderly milking global movement participated in by (Dohana) the blessings of Nature. thousands of environmental groups But on the other hand the West went across the globe. So Mother Earth is ahead creating a civilization based again the focus of world’s attention. on exploiting Nature. Its motto was April 22nd of every year is declared ‘Conquest of Nature, conquer the by the UN as the World Earth Day. depths of the Ocean and the peaks Selecting one day for celebration is of Mountains’. Nature was bled white the western way of propagating by using Science and Technology, ideas. But Bharat has Her way. The culminating in the death dance of collective wisdom of the ancient destruction wrought by the Nuclear Rishis as expressed by the Bomb. Soon nature began to take magnificent Prithvi Suktha makes revenge through earthquakes and everyday a Prithvi Day, beginning eruptions of volcanoes and Tsunamis with the chanting:- and Katarinas. Samudra vasane devi parvatha Slowly the West is waking up. sthana mandale Thinking people read the writing on Vishnu pathnee namasthubyam the wall. Environmental movements padasparsham kshamaswame.

--P.Parameswaran YUVA BHARATI10 OCTOBER 2006

“YATHECCHASI TATHA KURU” M. LAKSHMI KUMARI

he great Mahabharata war was about to start. The armies on either Tside were restless. Arjuna the great hero – arrived at the battle front in the resplendent chariot drawn by white horses, Sri Krishna with his usual all knowing smile was seated as the charioteer, as though deftly managing the horses but really managing the whole show. It was a sight for the Gods to see the greatest among them donning the garb of a humble charioteer, waiting for his master’s call. Arjuna requested Sri Krishna to place the chariot in between the armies so that he could have a good look at who is who on either side. It was then that it happened – all of a sudden seeing in front of him innumerable friends and blood relations – starting from the Grand Sire Bhishma, adorable Guru subtly sarcastic and harsh too, Sri Krishna Dhrona, he saw an array of well known revives him from his stupor and coaxes faces on either side and the futility and him back to fight the dharmic war in a foolishness of the war dawned on him totally, dispassionate way, surrendering and totally confused and weakened him the fruits of his action to the Almighty. To and he almost collapsed in the chariot. add to the validity of his advice and It is from here that the Song Celestial convince his friend fully Sri Krishna even Bhagavad Gita unfolds and after the initial displays his rare Viswaroopa, the admonition of his friend for his foolish Universal Form. Finally Arjuna is behaviour, in sweet measured tones, often convinced of the importance of the dharmic war and picks up his Gandhiva YUVA BHARATI11 OCTOBER 2006 again. Just before this final decision of This individual freedom to think and act Arjuna we find the following remarkable has characterized the Indian scene from advice from Sri Krishna, which hides a time immemorial and this is one of the piece of supreme psychological truth. factors contributing to the rare flavor of “Iti te jnanam akhyatam guhyad the Indian heritage. Each individual has the guhyataram maya freedom to clear the path in the jungle of life in front, in the way he feels best for Vimrsyaitad asesena yathecchasi tatha himself. Only in such a self made life lies kuru”. happiness, inspiration, enthusiasm, Instead of compelling Arjuna to act fulfillment and all round development. A according to his advice Sri Krishna tells guru’s advice to his disciple fulfills itself in him to critically evaluate his advice and the disciple’s life, becomes valid, relevant, then do as he wishes. Sri Krishna does updated and dynamic only through the not bring any pressure on Arjuna to act latter’s real life interactions and as he has been advised,. but leaves him experiences. to act as he chooses and enjoy the All of us prefer to act as per our will, if freedom in action. Here lies one of the the will be righteous, the action not only most distinguishing features of the Hindu elevates us but also becomes useful and Tradition--each mind should be left to beneficial to the society. This is essential grow according to its own propensity. for the spiritual growth of the individual. Only a philosophy wedded to Truth and This freedom of expansion releases the nothing but the One Absolute Truth, and mind and sets it in evolution from untruth which has evolved ways and means to to Truth; from mortality to immortality, realise that Truth by each individual in his from darkness to light. or her own chosen way - could offer this much of freedom to the individual, to grow The point where the desire turns into will, and expand in his own way at his own later to be transformed into action, is the pace. Sri Krishna also falls in line with the crucial junction where it needs “treatment” great tradition. Imparting knowledge and from wisdom. If right knowledge is leave it at that; so that the receiver gets implanted in the mind this process leads time to make it part of his innate wisdom to righteous will and righteous action and from that secure connection expand which in turn lead to the unfoldment and his will and execute the action. expansion of the individual’s personality and to the welfare of those around. That YUVA BHARATI13 OCTOBER 2006 crucial turn is to be decided by none other Lord, the yoga of self emancipation, if only than oneself. It is one’s decision alone that we would take care to absorb the full can transform one’s personality. Any import of Sri Krishna’s words correctly in outside influence may either distort the practical life. action or make it just a temporary Today we find parents bending the will of movement which will turn the individual their children to suit their own selfish into a hypocrite, who acts, not out of needs, often resulting in creating conviction but of eagerness to please psychological scars in the children, others, to get some selfish desire fulfilled. obstructing their natural unfoldment. We This doesn’t help the individual nor the also have teachers adding to the burden society. of education curbing the free will of the A great psychological truth, an opportunity children. Worst of all are the religious for self development is involved in this teachers who interfere with the spiritual transformation of desire into willful action. growth of individuals implanting fanatic Hence Sri Krishna’s insistence on Arjuna ideas in them. The total effects on the making his own decision to act righteously. society are frustration, anger, intolerance, Then only righteousness as a value will be violence and what not. established again in the society. The freedom of will which was part of the Again and again Sri Krishna advises Sanatana Dharma is beautifully illustrated Arjuna to have his actions emanate from in the tradition of Ishta Devata worship Buddhi - wisdom rooted in Truth - so that which is a very fascinating aspect of Hindu they bear the imprint of righteousness. Thus tradition. The result has been the can an individual remain rooted in Satya extraordinary profusion of growth in the and Dharma, the cardinal factors deciding fields of art, literature, music, sculpture and the onward evolution of human life. so on. This is, again, the secret behind the Wonderful indeed is this teaching of the rare fragrance of Indian Spiritual Heritage.

Published and printed by N Viswanath on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra from 5, Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. at M/s. RNR Printers and Publishers, 8, Thandavarayan Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. Editor: P Parameswaran. YUVA BHARATI14 OCTOBER 2006 SISTER NIVEDITA “DOOR SE AAYI APNI BAN GAYI” N.KRISHNAMOORTI

Sumati: Brother, how did our people majesty of his personality, his persuasive receive Sister Nivedita? talking, story telling, constant interactions Sumanta: Sister Nivedita got the most with her and his other western disciples, appropriate name Nivedita “offered” from showing her around India, brought Swami Vivekananda. Rabindra Nath Margaret around. She went through a Tagore called her the LOKAMATA, “The painful phase of transition, but at last she people’s mother”. Shri Aurobindo called changed. Swamiji convinced her that the her ‘Shikhamoyee’ – “all-afire”. Sri great country of India with a spiritualising Jagdish Chandra Bose and his wife mission towards the world, has been considered her a trusted friend – a lady brought to ruins by the British rule. That with a lamp and installed a bas relief of changed Nivedita into a great admirer and Nivedita on the threshold of his research servant of India. institute building. Gokhale and Tilak called Sumati: I have read a book by her their philosopher. The great Artists Dr.K.M.Munshi “The ruin that Britain has Abanindra Nath and Nandalal called her wrought in India”. MAHASHWETA. The young men of the Sumanta: The ruin was not only in the Dawn Society swore by her. Sir John economic domain. The British suppressed Woodroffe the great interpreter of the cult the legitimate aspirations of the Indian of Shakti worship to the West, considered people in the fields of education, scientific her a personal friend! research and Institution Building. Nivedita Sumati: For a person born in England and saw how J.C.Bose and his discoveries brought up according to their tradition, it were ill treated by the British scientists. is a great honour. How did she achieve it? She noted that Jamshedji Tata’s attempts Sumanta: Like any other Westerner, to found an Indian University were Margaret Noble also thought in the suppressed. She knew how her own beginning that Britain’s association will do compatriot, Mrs.Annie Besant had to India a lot of good. England would have, stuggle to start a Hindu College at a “civilizing” effect upon India. But it was Banares. She realized the justness of what Swami Vivekananda who through the Swamiji said about India. Her heart YUVA BHARATI16 OCTOBER 2006 changed. The turn about was so intense get Dr.Jagadish Chandra Bose, his due and complete, and she thought that the honour in the west. She persuaded artists British should leave India immediately like Abanindra, and Nandalal to paint allowing the Nation to rebuild herself. more and more pictures of themes on Sumati: What was the position of freedom Indian scriptures. She was helpful in Indian fighters in India at that time? artists rediscovering the Indianness of our Sumanta: At that time the patriotic Indian art. aspirations were limited to getting from Sumati: But most of us remember her as Britain more and more concessions for an educator! Indians. More Indians should find places Sumanta: Yes! education in the broadest in legislatures and services. That is how sense of the word; Education as Swami far our patriots could go at that time. Vivekananda conceived it, education for Nivedita would have none if it. She was service, education for self-discovering, even sympathetic to armed struggles education for Nation building, education against the British by Indians. with a global mission of taking India’s Sumati: She could never do things by spiritual message to all peoples of the halves. She went full-blast. world. Sister Nivedita, not only started Sumanta: Like her mentor Swami schools in India, she served the people Vivekananda, she wanted root and branch with her own hands when the plague-hit change in India. She aspired for full-scale Calcutta suffred. She was equally powerful National education for our children, for in Nonformal education. Her simplicity, creating perfect human beings. She fiery spirit, dedication, journalistic and realised that Bharat’s conception of Man oratorical skills were all great pratical was fuller and had more dimensions to it lessons for the patriots. She toured the than the West could ever imagine! She laid western nations lecturing and writing on great emphasis on the study of our national India. She wrote a powerful article epics as a part of our children’s education. “Lambs among wolves” for the London Sumati: I have read the book on Indian Westminster Gazette, as a rejoinder to the tales co-authored by her and Ananda slanderous attacks the Christian Coomaraswamy. Missionaries were then making on India. Sumanta: Arts and Science were to Sister But Sister Nivedita completely identified Nivedita very important dimensions of herself with India, realizing India’s global nation building. That is why she fought to mission. Journalists described her as a YUVA BHARATI17 OCTOBER 2006 champion for India from an unexpected Besant, and the Mother of Pondicherry quarter. Tagore gave her the ultimate came to India with the sincerity of seekers Tribute. “She had won her access to the and discovered India for themselves and inmost heart of our society. She came to realized their own lives’ mission. Alas, knew us by becoming one of ourslves”. there are others who come to India with Sumati: And that reminds us of our Vedic their eyes blind-folded, fail to see the hero Dadhichi…! greatness and spiritual worth of India, and Sumanta: She herself was like a Dadhichi, try to convert our people to other religions. living and dying for her beloved India, her Sumati: The world requires more beloved people. Great women from the Niveditas! west, like Sister Nivedita, Dr.Annie Sumanta; True!

Religion is realisation; not talk, no doctrine, nor theories, however beautiful they may be. It is being and becoming. -- Swami Vivekananda YUVA BHARATI19 OCTOBER 2006 for pleasures. That desire further evolves from SAKTI sensual pleasure to emotional enjoyments. Later Dr.K.SUBRAHMANYAM it grows to seek intellectual happiness. After repeated experience, positively and negatively, of physical pleasure, emotional enjoyments and akti or energy is invisible. It cannot be intellectual happiness, it grows to desire a created. Nor can it be destroyed. It may cessation of all and wants only peace. Finally be dormant, dull and hidden. But it is S there is, at last, a strong desire to know about potentially present everywhere, always. It may and attain the highest state of bliss. The dormant also be sometimes kinetic, dynamic and vibrantly desire for pleasure ends up with the knowledge perceptible. But it is never dead or absent and experience of Jnana and Ananda. It is then anywhere, at any point of time. So are the Existence – Knowledge- Bliss or Satya-Jnana— Atman, God, love and life. Air is not visible, but Ananda. Nobody can avoid this unfolding we feel it. Visibility is not the test to prove the onward march of Ichcha Sakti; the evolution existence of a thing. Pain too is not visible. But may be sudden or steady, sooner or later. It is it is present and we feel it. So is peace. not only inevitable but very much welcome as There are three aspects or phases of Sakti. They well. One can fly in the vast sky of infinite bliss are Ichcha Sakti, Jnana Sakti and Kriya Sakti. by holding on to the aircraft of desire. It is Ichcha is dsire. We do desire instinctively or thrilling to ride a bicycle. More so, when it is a impulsively. The force of desire is Sakti. It may two wheeler Enfield. The desire won’t stay be dormant and less intense in some; dynamic there. It drives us to experience the speed of a and vigorous in some others. It is when vigorous, three-wheeler and four-wheeler. From them, we that it becomes ambition; later the same rush to the rails and finally go to the vast skies. powerful desire grows to be an irresistible Desire is itself a potential energy capable of passion. Then it tries to learn everything about taking us to the experience of full freedom in the objects or places or persons sought after and beyond the entire cosmos. and relentlessly strives to achieve them, Abhishta Varada’s only son is Atmakama. One experience them or merge with them. In other day the father asked the son to express if there words desire or Ichacha Sakti is capable of was any desire in his mind. The boy said that he evolving further into Jnana Sakti (knowledge of wanted to rise high. First he thought that the the loved ones) and Kriya Sakti (experiencing position of a village head was the highest. Soon the coveted ones). The hidden Sakti of desires he realized that a Mayor was higher. Later he becomes powerful and will not rest or remain developed a desire to get a position higher than complacent with mere desire. It is indeed a desire YUVA BHARATI20 OCTOBER 2006 that. Collector or Commissioner may be higher, Ichcha Sakti or desire to get it, eat it and enjoy he thought. No, Chief Minister or Governor is it. Soon that potential desire begins to act as greater than that, he felt. Finally he resolved to Kriya Sakti. The person thus roused searches become the President. But later he thought that for the shops where the delicacy is available; even the position of a President is not the highest. finds it, buys it and enjoys it. What is applicable He wanted to be the creator, or generator, to worldly issues is applicable to spiritual pursuits ordainer and dissolver of the entire cosmos. And as well. When the Brahman is described in the that is nothing but God. God is also known as scriptures, when the Samadhi experience is Self or Brahman or Atman. He gathered all picturesquely presented by people like Swami knowledge about the highest position, the Vivekananda, a strong desire is roused and the Brahman. Therefore, he resolved to realize the desire becomes an irresistible passion driving Brahman. Since he wanted to become the the aspirant to practise the prescribed procedural Brahman, he searched for the appropriate means disciplines to experience in reality the thrill of to attain the coveted state. In due course he Samadhi. Jnana Sakti or power of knowledge attained what he desired. ignites the desire which in turn strives for Rukmini is a beautiful girl. She is the daughter realization or practical experience or Kriya Sakti of Bhishmaka, a king of Vidarbha. One day or the power of action. Narada visited their palace. He described the Energy ignites action. Actions bring out energy. glory of Shri Krishna to Rukmini. He had given The rotation in a dynamo generates energy her the knowledge of Krishna. The energy of which has been hitherto hidden. Energy causes the knowledge kindled the dormant desire in her the rotation in a ceiling fan. Kriya Sakti is for him. In other words Jnana Sakti ignited the energetic action; energizing action is action of Ichcha Sakti in her. The strong desire soon energy; energy of action. The entire cosmos is developed into Kriya Sakti or action. She had engaged in action: birth and death; eating and therefore written a love letter to Krishna and breathing; pulsation and heart beat and a host won his loving hand. Somebody describes the of ceaseless actions are nothing but activities of special features of a film and thereby rouses energy. Repeatedly when they are performed, the desire to see it. So on, the person works out birth after birth, death after death, rebirth after the means to procure money, buy the ticket and rebirth, they ignite the latent desire to know the see the film for the full fulfilment of the desire. truth behind them. Man then becomes an If one has learnt about ice-cream…..its enquirer after truth. Nachiketa is the son of sweetness, softness, deliciousness…..the Vajasravas. He is fed up with earthly activities. knowledge about or the Jnana Sakti ignites the So, he and in his footprints Adisankara raised YUVA BHARATI22 OCTOBER 2006 certain pertinent questions to know about the to ignite in us a desire to translate our secrets of birth, death and rebirth. Swami information into reality. Then only will it be Jnana Vivekananda too has raised similar questions Sakti. Else it will be a library book kept lying in about God, nature and the human existence. In the racks. other words, Kriya Sakti or repetition of energy Our actions should be capable of generating an generating activities kindles in man the desire to urge to know and realize the truth behind and know the highest truth. Nachiketa therefore has beyond all. Sakti Puja is but worship of energy gone to Yama and raised his query ‘Sir, what is in various facets, forms or aspects. the secret of this existence, universe, birth and Mythology describes the three goddesses rebirth, etc.? Where did we come from? Where Saraswathi, Lakshmi and Parvathi. Saraswathi do we go after death? What is the innermost is the goddess of knowledge and wisdom. core of man? What is the all pervading truth?" Lakshmi is the very embodiment of wealth. Yama gives the reply in the great Katha Parvathi is the goddess of action and victory. Upanishad. And that is the great truth of Each is but energy in a particular form. All the Brahman. three are capable of motivating the aspirants to We worship Sakti who is available in us as be desirous of wisdom, wealth and victory. Each Ichcha, Jnana and Kriya (as desire, knowledge is full of grace to provide the required means and action). Depending upon our aptitude, any and ways for the fulfilment of the ignited desire. particular aspect may be strengthened, Saraswathi enlightens us. Lakshmi gives us intensified and pursued. One aspect is sure to wealth of every type in this world and finally lead to the other two. For all the three worships, blesses us with the spiritual wealth which is the the greatest impediment is laziness, inertia or same as the wisdom granted to us by ignorance. It is the dullness that impedes all Saraswathi. Parvathi provides us with necessary progress. And that is represented by weapons or means to remove all obstacles on Mahishasura a buffalo of insensitive nature, our way to victory. We are sure to be victorious lethargic movement and dark ignorance. Our here and hereafter if only we worship the three desires must not remain dull and passive. They goddesses. In other words, we are sure to be must grow to be ambition and passion. It is easy victorious, wealthy and wise if our desire (Ichcha to desire but difficult to deserve what we desire. Sakti) is strong, if our knowledge (Jnana Sakti) It is only when our desires are accompanied by about the highest goal is full and clear, and if our appropriate enquiry and activity, they become action (Kriya Sakti) is directed towards the fruitful. Else, they remain passive like the chosen goal. buffalo. Our knowledge should be strong enough YUVA BHARATI23 OCTOBER 2006

Mother Durga! India, world’s noblest HYMN TO DURGA race, lay whelmed in darkness. Mother, SRI AUROBINDO thou risest on the eastern horizon, the dawn comes with the glow of thy divine other Durga! Rider on the limbs scattering the darkness. Spread thy lion, giver of all strength, light, Mother, destroy the darkness. MMother beloved of Siva! We, born from thy parts of Power, we the Mother Durga! We are thy grace, by the youth of India, are seated here in thy influence may we become fit for the great temple. Listen, O Mother, descend upon earth, make thyself manifest in this land of India. Mother Durga! From age to age, in life after, we come down into the human body, do thy work and return to the Home of Delight. Now too we are born, dedicated to thy work. Listen, O Mother, descend upon earth, come to our help. Mother Durga! Rider on the lion, trident in hand, thy body of beauty armour-clad, Mother, giver of victory, India awaits thee, eager to see the gracious form of thine. Listen, O Mother, descend upon earth, make thyself manifest in this land of India. Mother Durga! Giver of force and love and knowledge, terrible art thou in thy work, for the great Ideal. Mother, destroy own self of might, Mother beautiful and our smallness, our selfishness, our fear. fierce. In the battle of life, in India’s battle, Mother Durga! Thou art Kali, naked, we are warriors commissioned by thee; garlanded with human heads, sword in Mother give to our heart and mind, a hand, thou slayest the Asura. Goddess, do titan’s strength, a titan’s energy, to our thou slay with thy pitiless cry the enemies soul and intelligence a god’s character and who dwell within us, may none remain alive knowledge. there, not one. May we become pure and YUVA BHARATI24 OCTOBER 2006 spotless, this is our prayer. O Mother, lamp dispelling all ignorance. Fulfil this make thyself manifest. yearning of thy young children, O Mother. Mother Durga! India lies low in selfishness Be the master and drive thy instrument, and fearfulness and littleness. Make us wield thy sword and slay the evil, hold up great, make our efforts great, our hearts the lamp and spread the light of vast, make us true to our resolve. May we knowledge. Make thyself manifest. no longer desire the small, void of energy, Mother Durga! When we possess thee, we given to laziness, stricken with fear. shall no longer cast thee away; we shall Mother Durga! Extend wide the power of bind thee to us with the tie of love and Yoga. We are thy Aryan children, develop devotion. Come, Mother, manifest thyself in us again the lost teaching, character, in our mind and life and body. strength of intelligence, faith and devotion, Come, Revealer of the hero-path. We force of austerity, power of chastity and shall no longer cast thee away. May our true knowledge, bestow all that upon the entire life become a ceaseless worship of world. To help mankind, appear, O Mother the Mother, all our acts a continuous of the world, dispel all ills. service to the Mother, full of love, full of Mother Durga! Slay the enemy within, then energy. This is our prayer. O Mother, root out all obstacles outside. May the descend upon earth, make thyself manifest noble heroic mighty Indian race, supreme in this land of India. in love and unity, truth and strength, arts Hymn to Durga was written by Sri and letters, force and knowledge ever Aurobindo in Bengali and was published dwell in its holy woodlands, its fertile in the 4th October 1909 issue of fields, under its sky-scraping hills, along Dharma, a Bengali weekly. In view of the banks of its pure-streaming rivers. This its MANTRIC power the Mother has is our prayer at the feet of the Mother. recommended it for all ardent patriots Make, thyself manifest. engaged in rebuilding the nation. Mother Durga! Enter our bodies in thy Courtesy : Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Yogic strength. We shall become thy Pondicherry. instruments, thy sword slaying all evil, thy YUVA BHARATI26 OCTOBER 2006

In spite of fair success in her external life, A BRIEF LIFE STORY the formal Church-regulated religious life could not give her the peace she had been longing for. ivedita was born Margaret This restlessness in her heart was not set Elizabeth Noble on 28th to rest until she met the Indian sannyasin October 1867 in the small town N Swami Vivekananda. She was charmed of Dungannon in North Ireland. Her by the philosophical exposition and the father, Samuel Richmond Noble, was a personality of the sannyasin. Thereafter priest, and her mother was Mary Esabel she attended several other lectures and Noble. question-answer classes of Swamiji in Inspired by the influence of her father and London. She listened to all the lectures forefathers on the one hand and the ideals with rapt attention, raised questions one of her maternal grandfather on the other, after another to resolve her doubts and she developd in her character truthfulness, constantly meditated on them. At last she religious zeal, patriotism and also an realized that this Indian sannyasin would attraction for politics. be able to lead her to the truth she had Margaret spent her early student life in a been searching for. Margaret accepted Church boarding school in London, which him as her Guru. And during this period, was marked by rigorous discipline. A Swamiji also became convinced of sharply intelligent student, Margaret used Margaret’s truthfulness, determination and to study extensively beyond the school above all, her heart full of kindness. syllabus. She studied with equal eagerness Swamiji used to feel unbearable pain at literature, music, arts, physics and botany. the sorrows and sufferings of the common Margaret became a teacher when she was people of a subjugated India. He felt that only seventeen. Before that she had in order to raise India it was necessary to successfully completed her formal improve the condition of the common mass education. Within a short while she and that of women. The only way to opened a school at Wimbledon and started improve the condition of women was to to teach students following her own give them education. With the spread of methods. Shortly her name as a good education, they would become self- teacher spread far and wide. confident and would be able to solve their own problems. Swamiji thought Margaret YUVA BHARATI27 OCTOBER 2006 would be eminently suitable for this task. sanctified by being the loving Khooki He invited her for the task of spreading (baby) of the Mother. education among the common mass of After a short while Swamiji formally India, women especially. He wrote to her initiated Margaret in the vow of : ‘Let me tell you frankly that I am now Brahmacharya and gave her the name convinced that you have a great future in ‘Nivedita’. He advised her to maintain the work for India. What was wanted was strict continence and to dedicate her life not a man, but a woman—a real lioness— for the good of others, like Buddha. to work for Indians, women especially. Henceforth, the sole purpose of her life India cannot yet produce great women, was to serve India. She realized the truth she must borrow them from other nations. of Swamiji’s words that the world’s good Your education, sincerity, purity, immense was dependent on the good of India and love, determination and above all, the that India’s spirituality would show the Celtic blood make you just the woman path of beneficence to the entire world. wanted.’ So she deemed her service to India to be Margaret left behind her motherland, the service to the entire mankind indeed. friends and relations, an established life As desired by Swamiji she set up a Girls and everything, and reached India on 28th school at Bosepara lane and started the January 1898 to join Swamiji’s task of work of women’s education following the nation-building. national ideal of India. She began to love India and developed an In 1902 Swamiji left the mortal plane. But irresistible urge to accept the Indian life. Nivedita did not take the time even to Gradually India and she were merged mourn. Many unfinished tasks of Swamiji together, as it were, to become one. remained to be attended to. India, the Within a few days of her arrival she got ever-adored deity of her Guru, was to be the audience of Sri Sri Ma . awakened in all directions. Since her The Holy Mother accepted Margaret arrival in India, Nivedita had personally spontaneously as her daughter. Margaret witnessed the nature of British torture in realized : Sri Sri Ma was an incomparable the name of administration. She was sad personality of love, purity, sweetness, and angry to see Indians suffering simplicity and knowledge, a marvelous indignities and oppression in the hands of creation of Providence. Margaret felt the British. It appeared to her that the main obstacle of India’s development lay in her YUVA BHARATI28 OCTOBER 2006 dependence. She realized in the core of Carrying afloat the banner of Swamiji’s her heart that foreign rule was responsible ideals, Nivedita now set out on lecture for the moral degradation and weakness tours throughout India. She appealed to of the Indians. In her forceful desire to free the countrymen to forget all differences of India from the British rule she actively caste, creed and culture and come forward associated herself with politics. Swamiji’s united to serve the motherland. Herself the direction is unequivocal--the image of selflessness, renunciation and Math and Mission' cannot have any austerity, Nivedita’s sincere appeal relation with politics. But in Nivedita’s touched the hearts of the people and perception the topmost priority for India enkindled patriotism in many a heart. She was to gain national freedom, so she could especially associated herself with the not disassociate herself as ‘Nivedita of youths and student community. She urged '. It was the most them to become honest, hard-working and painful of all decisions, but she had to take brave. Being born in the land of the heroic it. However, her inner relationship was sannyasin Vivekananda, they should never never cut off. She always maintained a be cowards. And, above all, they should respectful and loving relationship with Sri love and adore their motherland and hold Sri Ma, the spiritual Mother of the Order, her cause over everything else. the Math’s president, Swami Nivedita maintained very close relations Brahmananda, and other brother with Sri Aurobindo, the chief of the then disciples. And she always identified herself revolutionary movement and other as ‘Nivedita of Ramakrishna- revolutionary leaders and workers. She Vivekananda’. was ever alert to save these selfless From now on Nivedita became restless to people, dedicated to the cause of the give concrete shape to the great India that motherland, from the royal wrath. She Swamiji had dreamed of. She tried her would secure secret news from the utmost to enthuse the entire India with the Government sources through her friends, nationalist ideas. Nivedita’s conception of and cautioned the revolutionaries well in nationalism was to awaken a nationalistic advance. She also helped them through consciousness in all the areas of national her counseling and made sure that the anti- life—education, literature, science, people activities of the British Government history, arts and folk culture. were publicized in England, and that a YUVA BHARATI30 OCTOBER 2006 strong public opinion was built against such thought never occurred to her that she activities. herself might contract plague for such She was in touch with most of the front- personal involvement, and that plague was ranking political leaders throughout India. a good as death. Following her example Her foremost effort was that the Indians many local youths joined the relief work. should unitedly fight against the foreign rule While living at Bosepara Lane Nivedita without creating divisions amongst always stood by the side of her ordinary themselves. But she never had the least neighbours in their hours of pleasures and intention of assuming the leader’s role in pain. Her sincerity made the neighbours political movement; rather she thought, as feel that she was one of them. Still she Vivekananda felt, that such a role was never crossed the social barriers regarding reserved for those who were Indians by touch and food. birth and tradition. Nivedita’s active role Nivedita’s love for Indian masses was in politics evoked suspicion of the British matchless. When East Bengal was ravaged and to elude the eyes of the police she by a terrible flood, followed by famine, she sometimes had to move about in disguise. rushed there with her people for relief Nivedita accepted India, the motherland work. Wading through water and mud she of Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda, reached the doorsteps of the common as her own country. She served the people people and began to serve the distressed of India in their days of sufferings and mass of people. Those distressed people distress, caring even the least for her own and also regarded Nivedita as their own life. In 1899, when plague broke out in and accepted her service without any Calcutta she plunged into relief work with reservation. the band of sannyasins of the She also wrote several books, the most Ramakrishna mission according to remarkable of which are: , Swamiji’s desire. Under her leadership, . Many nursing of the ailing patients began, and distinguished personalities of the day used side by side as remedial measure to fight to visit her Bosepara Lane residence the disease, the cleaning operation of regularly. Her versatile genius and rubbish and refuse of the localities knowledge in various subjects would continued. Nivedita herself took in her charm everybody. hand broomstick and basket to clean the About her small school that was founded rubbish and also nursed the patients. The according to Swamiji’s ideals and YUVA BHARATI31 OCTOBER 2006 consecrated by the Holy Mother, she had All this hardship and the tremendous heat the conviction that their blessings were of the summer told heavily upon her health. ever with it. She believed that in future She began to fall ill repeatedly. Maitreyis and Gargis would emerge from With a view to recuperating her health, she amongst the students of this school. was persuaded to go to Darjeeling in 1911 During those days Nivedita had to work along with the Bose family. But she in an extremely conservative society. The became further ill there and finally she parents were not all agreeable to educate passed away on 13 October. Nivedita of their daughters. So Nivedita had to walk Ramakrishna-Vivekananda left the mortal from door to door to enlist her students. plane after furnishing her mission here. She She used to teach the girl students history, was then only forty-four. geography, natural sciences and a little bit Never did any foreigner love India so much of English. She would also teach them as did Nivedita. Never have we come sewing, drawing and handicrafts. She also across any foreigner who felt so proud encouraged them to take up physical about India’s religion and culture as she exercises. Above all, she helped them did or so committed to India’s national increase their innate sense of religion and awakening as she was. By totally introduced them to the Indian culture. dedicating herself to the service of India, She had to earn money from her writings Nivedita proved true the name that was and giving lectures. But she spent all to gifted to her by her Guru. meet he expenses of the school. She was Courtesy : ‘Nivedita of India’, The ever unmindful of keeping even the barest Ramakrishna Mission Institute of for herself. Many a day she had to go Culture, Kolkata without food. YUVA BHARATI Subscription Renewal - An Appeal

Dear Subscribers/Readers,

We quote below the subscription numbers, renewal of which is due. Readers are requested to take note of it and act at the earliest. YB/13485, 529 to 541, 43, 44, 53 to 55, 584,696,704,714,716,16997, 17313,316 to 334 341 to 349,352,353,355 to 381 384 to 388 (Ends with October’06) YUVA BHARATI33 OCTOBER 2006 where mere intellect cannot reach. This is CHARAIVETI! a practical expression of co-ordination of CHARAIVETI!! Druka, Drushya and Drushta. At a culminating point the distinctness of the Satish Chowkulkar three melts into the Absolute Anand ne day I received a telephone described by the Scriptures as call from the Asst.Editor of Yuva Brahamananda. This process is used in our Bharati magazine. He wanted tradition to drive home many spiritual ideas O and incidents depicted in the Ithihasas and me to come and pick-up some letters from the Yuva Bharati readers; in response to Puranas, so that general people, at all my writings that appeared in the rungs of Sadhana, get benefited and magazine’s July, August and September pursue the goal--Ishwar Anubhuti. issues. Most of them were curious about I was getting a new input for my curiosity, Shiva . But as he wanted but I had some other agenda at the back to be anonymous, I could do little to of my mind, therefore I said “I want some satisfy their curiosity. Quite a few of your time to get answers for the questions were asked and they wanted questions from the Yuva Bharati readers”. replies from Shiva Swarupananda. I was We fixed the time and place for the looking forward for an opportunity to see meeting and left. him and get his answers for these As I planned, we met in the garden of an questions. Ashram; with a question bank in my bag, I spotted him in an Arangetram of a and their answers in his head. Bharata Natyam dancer in Chennai. He I took out the first question: “You have said was enjoying the recital fully immersed as our nation has not enslaved any other though in Anand Sagar. After the nation and our people have not converted programme, I met and greeted him. He the followers of other faiths to our was in a very ecstatic mood. “How a man religion..er..Dharma, then whey we are with philosophical bent of mind is in a branded as Fundamentalists?” dance programme?” I asked him smilingly. Shiva Swarupananda listened to the He also laughed and said “Are you not question once again and started ‘Let us sailing in the same boat?” and added understand this word Fundamentalists. “Bharat Natyam is not an entertainment. Fundamental means basics, rudimentary- It is a Shastra. It elevates one and all-- ideas. It is not a bad word by itself. We the performer, the accompanying artists do study fundamentals of physics, and the audience to a level of ecstasy YUVA BHARATI34 OCTOBER 2006 fundamentals of computer science, inclusive and divine. So if we are stuck to fundamentals of music, etc. There are text them and therefore are fundamentalists, books also by such names. In Europe and then being fundamentalist is not other western countries, few intellectuals derogatory. In India the pseudo- revolted against the approaches of some intellectuals and half baked neo- cults in their countries. These approaches theologists call us fundamentalists without were based on some dogmas and taboos, understanding the real purport of the not verifiable by scientific inquiries. In fact world. A Hindu fundamentalist in this true asking question was considered as sense of the word will be a boon to blasphemy, because for these cults, these mankind and not a curse as one of the dogmas and taboos were the very exclusive and narrow-minded faiths and foundation of their faith. As these cults. After completing his lengthy reply. foundations for fundamentals were Shiva Swarupananda looked at me, as if irrational and illogical, they were not for approval. I had a bug in my brain. “But acceptable to modern thinkers. overall understanding of Hinduism is that These fundamentals therefore became of one ridden with child marriage, despicable. Thereby, the followers of oppression of women, dowry system, these principles were branded with an burning of widows in the name of sati, adjective fundamentalists--those who are looking down on the working class as not rational, logical and open-minded. untouchables, depriving people of their Now look at our principles--that is legitimate rights in the name of castes, etc. fundamentals of Sanatana Dharama. The How can we explain this if we say fundamental principles of Sanatana fundamentals of Hinduism are pure, divine Dharma are i) essential Divinity of Srushti and inclusive?” ii) essential Purity of all the members of Shiva Swarupananda said with conviction. the creation and iii) essential Unity i.e., “These practices, which you are referring, oneness or interconnectivity of life. These are not part of any of the basics of have withstood critical inquiry from the Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism. There is thinkers of the past, present and also no scriptural sanction for such practices. futuristic approach of modern science. We These practices have their roots in the life are not only not afraid of questioning, style and social compulsion imposed on but welcome questions and have us by the impact of series of invasions of conviction, which can be transmitted to the uncultured tribes from western Asia, not questioners. So, the fundamentals of for a few years but a few centuries. Sanatana Dharma or Hinduism are pure, Survival of the society was at stake. As YUVA BHARATI36 OCTOBER 2006 and when situations eased, even for a brief Shiva Swarupananda burst into an unusual span of time, social reforms were pushed peal of laughter and said “This questioner through by spiritual leaders. Seeds of must be interacting with people who are Selfishness and narrow-mindedness were reading the literature of the self-styled somehow planted by the invaders and rational intellectuals with their leanings on quite a few of the undesirable features leftist political thinking. These people have were perpetuated for centuries. However, their own definition of freedom. “Saffron these features never became part of fabric Brigade” or “Cultural Police” are not of the Sanatana Dharma. Social Reformers labels but can be worn as titles. Let us go and Spiritual leaders did their best for this. to the origin of the thinkers, whose Indian So fundamentalists Hindus do not descendants are coining such words. subscribe to these practices. Those who In medieval Europe, orthodox thinkers practice this are not fundamentalists but were oppressing the majority of the the perverted one. The next question was populations in all walks of life. Some of “What are these labels saffron brigade them rebelled against this oppression and and cultural police attached to the Hindu their reaction was termed as struggle for thinkers and teachers?” free thinking. Though the quest for

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In spite of political communist ideas over capitalistic ideas freedom achieved in 1947, these though both are patently European ideologies, prompted and supported by materialistic ideas. When these ideologies MNCs and Proselytizing faiths continued migrated to Bharat as a part of to take on on these defenders of Spiritual expansionistic designs of both the groups, Tenets of Bharat; as they found a common they were encountering a way of life, enemy in them. That is why the phobia of which was patently free and open minded. these “Saffron Brigade” and “Cultural Here the quest of freedom was not a Police”. Maintaining Cultural Purity and reaction to anything but a natural birthright. defending our Spiritual treasure is not the Economic status was not at all a parameter work of Government’s army or the police. to become a guide or leader of the society. It has to be done by selfless Spiritual Centuries of political oppression by leaders wearing saffron robes and the invaders and colonial forces could not leaders of the society who are dressed in extinguish this glow of quest for freedom. the Culture of the land. So being a member In fact, Swaraj-"freedom is my birth right” of a Saffron Brigade or a part of the team and Gita Rahasya by Lokmananya Tilak of Cultural Police force is to fulfil our gave spiritual dimension to the freedom moral, ethical and spiritual responsibility struggle. So these European politico- towards the new generation. economic pressure groups-Capitalism and We have to protect our younger Communism, had to wage a full time war generation by specifying what is freedom against the cultural and spiritual forces. as against the waywardness, in the name They developed various designs to fight of freedom. Cultural inputs in dress, food, Like Mecaulayan Education, so called behaviour, literature, education, radical or rational thinking, and advocating interaction with opposite sex will make a the freedom to react against the cultural responsible, healthy and strong nation. and spiritual tenets. They started Then it can be the voice raised against corrupting the minds of Indian youth beauty contests, Valentine’s day, YUVA BHARATI40 OCTOBER 2006 denouncing of gods, goddesses and of years. Whenever we recall these reverential personalities or insistence on situations, our faith gets strengthened in following dress-code, banning these values again and again. In the degenerative films and literature, and process of celebrating festivals and rituals encouraging the use of indigenous we recall the great works done by our products. In our culture, freedom, i.e., forefathers and adore the innumerable role Swa-tantra is preceded by Anushasan i.e., models of the past. So these are our discipline, as also, in the most modern strength and not to be looked upon as Constitution of India, Fundamental Rights burdens. Of course, we should understand are to be read with Directive Principles. the significance of these festivals. Our Freedom is not a reaction but pro-active festivals unequivocally emphasize the and creative. Thinkers who have European victory of truth over untruth, values are forefathers will do good to understand this. enshrined against the evils of the society. Our society needs Saffron Brigades and Evils come again and again by default, but Cultural policing”. Shiva Swarupananda at the same time our inherent strength also gave a convincing smile and asked, “What brace up to combat them. Our festivals also is the next question?” go in tune with the changes on Earth, The question was, “Why are we bugged Atmosphere and Cosmos. Festivals usher with so many festivals and celebrations? in subtle changes in food, clothes, habits In other faiths there are very few festivals, and do’s and don’ts needed to cope with and in what way, observing so many the corresponding changes at these levels. festivals is going to help us?” Shiva It provides an occasion for distribution of Swarupananda was telling in a relaxed wealth and some sections of society spend mood. “Our cultural is not comparable money which goes to other sections of the with other faiths. None of them is more society who barter their, skills, creativity than 2000 years beyond. So they have and services. It is not just spending money very few personalities and occasions of the for celebration but distributing the wealth past to take inspiration from their role generated and supporting and encouraging models and their deeds are numbered. skills, talents, arts, etc. The festivals do Sanatana Dharma came up with some basic prescribe some self-restrain on people values of life from time immemorial. The through rituals, vratas, etc. at the same values are ancient but not aged and old. time they teach us to enjoy by sharing as These values have been lived by the the Isha Upanishad says “Tena Tyaktena heroes braving all sorts of challenges of energies. Moral, Ethical and Spiritual spanning across thousands and thousands values are instilled. The Durga Puja or YUVA BHARATI41 OCTOBER 2006

Dassera celebration is a mirror of all these skill in the performance but exude the reflections. So also Deepavali and moral and cultural values by respecting the embodiment of values. Every day of the elders and the tradtions. year is a festival. They do imbibe the values sung in the This builds a positive, proactive, creative songs and stories, getting registered in and dynamic approach to the life as spellt their subconscious mind. They learn to co- out in the and other Scriptures. ordinate themselves with other members I smiled and asked, “Is this the reason you of the team. A real display of samanvay. were spotted yesterday in the Arangetram Our festivals also teach us to be in tune of a Bharatha Natyam?” with our Tradition, Nature, Society and the Creator--the Ishwar”. “Yes. Particularly the Arangetram", he said, “these are performed by young I took leave of Shiva Swarupananda with budding artists. They not only display the a deep sense of satisfaction.

“I LOVE INDIA” SISTER NIVEDITA I love India as the birthplace of the highest and best of all religions, as the country that has the grandest mountains, the Himalayas, the country where the homes are simple, where domestic happiness is most to be found, and where the women unselfishly, unobtrusively, ungrudgingly serve the dear ones from early morn to dewy eve. India, is above all others, the land of great women. Wherever we turn, whether history or literature, we are met on every hand by those figures, whose strength She mothered and recognized, while She keeps their memory eternally sacred. I believe that India is one, indissoluble. National unity is built on the common home, the common interest and the common love. I believe that the strength which spoke in the Vedas and Upanishads, in the making of religions and empires, in the learning of scholars, and the meditation of the saints, is born once more amongst us, its name today is NATIONALITY. I believe that the present of India is deep-rooted in her past, and that before her, shines a glorious future. O! nationality, come thou to me as joy or sorrow, as honour or as shame! Make me thine own!! YUVA BHARATI42 OCTOBER 2006

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA SAMACHAR TEZPUR The Universal Brotherhood Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm on 11th September 06. Swami Vishwatmananda, VKVs IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH Secretary of , Itanagar, was Sri Krishna Jayanti was celebrated fervently in the chief guest and Mr.Prafful Chandra all the Vidyalayas of Vivekananda Kendra. Goswami, the former Vice-Principal of the Tezpur College was the guest of honour. Both Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with Swami Vishwatmananda and Mr.Prafful devotional zeal in all the VKVs in Arunachal Chandra Goswami beautifully summed up the Pradesh. In Niausa, a training unit has been set teachings of Swami Vivekananda and exhorted up to teach tailoring to the village women. people to follow them. Around 250 people PORT BLAIR participated in the function. Raksha Bandhan was celebrated on 9th Aug., KALLUBALU Independence Day on 15th Aug., and Sri On 9-9-06 Rakshabandhan was celebrated. Su Krishna Jayanti on 16th Aug. at Port Blair, Hut Sri Uni Didi expounded the relevance of Bay, Ranchi Tekri, Chouldari, Kadamtala, Rakshabandhan in our present day-to-day life. Rangat, Basantipur, Pahalgoan and Diglipur in On 15.8.06, Independence Day and Sree the Andamans. In all, 5000 Rakhis were tied Krishna Jayanthi were celebrated. Ma. Independence day was celebrated in all these Balakrishnanji, Vice President of Vivekananda places after the Prabhat Pheri in which 2500 Kendra was the chief guest. On 22.8.06 Ma. students participated. Janmshtami was Eknathji’s Punyathithi was observed in the celebrated involving 5000 school students in school. On 27.8.06 Ganesha Chaturthi was various competitions. celebrated on 30.08.06 and 31.08.06 there was Universal Brotherhood Day was celebrated in a Pratibhakaranji competition in Harapanahalli all these places from 11th to 20th September. Govt. school. Various comptetitions were organised in these On 5th September Teacher's Day was places for 2000 students. celebrated and there was a Kho-Kho To mark the centenary of the Cellular Jail, a competition for students versus teachers. On skit competition was organised with the theme 11th September 06, Universal Brotherhood Day ‘ history of cellular jail’. Sri M R Bhakta, was celebrated Dr.R.Nagaratna Didi, the Chief Hon’ble Membr of Parliament was the Chief Medical Consultant of Prashanti Kuteeram was Guest at the Port Blair function and Sri Kuldeep the Chief Guest. Rai Sharma, Congress President of A&N Islands was the Chief Guest at the Chouldari function. A total number of 4000 people participated in these functions. YUVA BHARATI OCTOBER 2006