Issue 39

April 2017

ReachReach Newsletter of the Centres of Australia

SAYINGS AND TEACHINGS IN THIS ISSUE

 News from Australian Centres Sri : On the Practice of Devotion to God

Man suffers so much simply for want of devotion to God. One  Adelaide should therefore adopt such means as would help the thought  Brisbane of God to arise in the mind at the last moment of one’s life.  Canberra The means is practice of devotion to God.  Melbourne  Perth Source: Great Sayings: Words of Sri Ramakrishna, and ;  (: The Institute of Culture, 2013), 1. Sydney

Sri Sarada Devi: Forbearance One suffers as a result of one’s own actions. So, instead of 2. Feature Articles blaming others for such suffering, one should pray to the Lord  and depending entirely on His grace, try to bear them Real Mahatman by Max Muller patiently and with forbearance under all circumstances.

Source: Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother (Madras: Sri Ramakrishna Unpublished Spiritual Math, 1982), 4 Counsel from Respected Swami Vivekananda: Freedom and Mukti Swamis of the We say that it is freedom that we are to seek, and that that freedom is God. It is the same happiness as in everything else; An Ode to Sri but when man seeks it in something, which is finite, he gets Ramakrishna by a Devotee only a spark of it. The thief when he steals gets the same happiness as the man who finds it in God; but the thief gets B. Direct Disciples — Swamis only a spark with a mass of misery. The real happiness is God. Brahmananda, , Love is God, freedom is God; and everything that is bondage and Trigunatitan- is not God. anda.

Source: Teachings of Swami Vivekananda (Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama, 2006), 74.

e welcome you all to the Vedanta Movement in Australia, as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and invite you to involve yourselves and actively participate in the propa-

W gation of the Universal Message of Vedanta. Reach 1. NEWS FROM AUSTRALIAN CENTRES — JANUARY TO MARCH 2017

ADELAIDE the function, offered pushpanjali and were served the prasad. In the evening, a number of 506 Glynburn Road, Burnside, SA 5066 devotees also attended aratrikam and offered Email: [email protected] pushpanjali. Contact: Dr Raman Sharma on (08) 8431 9775 Mrs Pathma Iswaran on (08) 8379 5336 URL: http://vedantaadelaide.org

Daily Activities:  The Centre is open every evening from 6:45pm for aratrikam starting at 7:00pm which is un- dertaken by the local devotees.

Regular Activities:  Swami Sridharananda visited the Centre and delivered discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā for three days in February and in March. A dedicated group of devotees attended his talks, which are recorded.  Reading of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, in- cluding discussion on relevant points, was held on the first and third Sunday of the Public Celebration of Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday on 11 month. March 2017  Some devotees have been providing commu- nity based support for meeting the educational needs of children from under-privileged back- BRISBANE grounds on a weekly basis at the Centre. 12 Greenwood Street, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300 Other Activities:

Email: [email protected]  Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday was celebrated at Contact: Swami Atmeshananda (07) 3818 9986 the Centre on Tuesday, 28 February, 2017 with URL: http://vedantabrisbane.org chanting in the morning, and bhajans and reading of The Gospel of Si Ramakrishna after the evening aratrikam. Daily Activities:  Meditation and the chanting of hymns were conducted between 6.15 am and 7.15 am on all  Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday’s public days except on Sundays when it is held from 8 celebration was held on Saturday, 11 March a.m. to 8.30 a.m. 2017, from 8:30am-1:00pm. A group of devotees sang bhajans while Br Sridhar  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and readings performed the traditional worship. Swami from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were held Sridharananda spoke on ‘The Holy Trinity— between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada Devi and Swami  Members were encouraged to visit the Centre Vivekananda’. Many devotees participated in and discuss topics concerning spiritual life.

Page 2 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach Regular Activities:  A prayer session was officiated by Swami  Sunday mornings:- a) class (8:30am—9:45 Atmeshananda on 24 January 2017 at Our Lady am). b) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā Class (10:00 am— of Lourdes Church, Sunnybank Hills, to com- 11:00 am). (c) Bala Sangha or children’s classes memorate the life of Andre Das, son of Shyam (10:00 am—11:00 am during school term ). Das, the Hon. Secretary of the Brisbane Centre,   A discussion group met on the first Monday of Swami Atmeshananda was invited to give a the month at Sunnybank Hills (7:00 pm — 8:30 talk at the Sri Laxminarayan Mandir in Brisbane pm). on 12 February 2017.  Swami Atmeshananda participated in a meet-  classes were held every Tuesday (6:00 ing of community leaders from different Indian pm — 7:00 pm). organisations in Brisbane and Gold Coast on 25  Religious classes were held every Wednesday February 2017 at the Indooroopilly library. The at West End Primary School for children (3:00 purpose of this meeting was to discuss strate- pm — 4:00 pm). gies to bridge the gap between youth and par-  Classes on Meditation and Spiritual Life (7:00 pm ents. This will be done by holding workshops/ — 8:00 pm at 134 Fleming Rd, Chapel Hill, seminars by organisations, which will have ac- QLD 4069) and the Ramayana (7:15 pm — 8:15 cess to resources from the government and pri- pm) were held on alternate Fridays. vate service providers. This meeting was neces-  Chanting of the Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was sitated on account of the alarming number of held fortnightly at the Centre on days self-harm committed by youth in the commu- (7:30 pm — 8:15 pm). nity.  Prayer meeting (satsangs) were held on the first  Swami Atmeshananda met the High Commis- Saturday of every month. sioner of , His Excellency, Dr. A.M. Gon-  Devotees took turns in decorating and worshipping dane on 20 March 2017 at the Springfield Tow- Sri Ramakrishna's image every week at the Sri ers offices and appraised him of the Vedanta Selva Vinayakar temple, South Maclean, QLD. Centre's activities. Later, the Swami participated  Swami Atmeshananda conducted Vivekachuda- in the inauguration of the Ayurveda Awareness mani classes at Toowoomba on the Week officiated by the High Commissioner, first Thursday of every month. held at the Brisbane City Council Library, Carin- dale. Swami Atmeshananda was invited to chant the invocatory prayers and give a short Other Activities: talk.  Dr. Majumdar, Vice President of the Centre, participated in the World Religion Day on Sun- day, 22 January 2017, and gave a short talk on peace. The event was organised by the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the City of Brisbane.

Swami Atmeshananda at the inauguration of the Ayurveda Awareness Week with His Excellency Dr. A.M. Gondane, the High Commissioner of India (5th from Right)

Dr. Majumdar, Vice President VCB, at the World Relig- Celebrations: ion Day on Sunday, 22 January 2017  The Public Celebration of Holy Mother’s birth-

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 3 Reach day and was celebrated by the Centre at the Indooroopilly Senior Citizens' club on 1 January 2017. Chanting by the children of the Bala Sangha, talks on the life and teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Holy Mother by young devotees Meet Naik and Menaka Thomas, for- worship, devotional music, flower offering (pushpanjali), aratrikam and partaking of lunch prasad were the highlights of this event. A large number of devotees participated in this event.  The birthday of Swami Vivekananda accord- Children of the Bala Sangha at the Public Celebration ing to the Hindu calendar was celebrated at the of Sri Ramakrishna’s Birthday on 4 March 2017 Centre on 19 January 2017 with worship.  Shivaratri worship was conducted on 24 Febru- Forthcoming Programmes: ary 2017 at the Centre. The puja began at  Sri Ramanavami will be celebrated on 5 April 7 pm and concluded at 9.30 pm with the per- 2017 at the Centre in the evening with worship formance of abhishekam by devotees. and the singing of Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam .  Sri Sankaracharya Jayanti will be celebrated on 30 April 2017 at the Centre.  The Annual Programme of the Centre will be held on 27 May 2017 at the Indooroopilly State High school. This year it will feature classical and semi-classical dances by local artistes and Klassical Rhythms, a dance troupe from Dubai who are specially invited to participate in the event. The troupe will also hold a concert at the Gold Coast on 27 May and another at Toowoomba on 28 May 2017.

Sivaratri Puja on 24 February 2017 Other News  The Centre has received tenders from builders  Sri Ramakrishna's birthday according to the for construction of a multipurpose facility at Hindu calendar was observed at the Centre on Springfield Lakes. We are hopeful that by the 28 February 2017. Worship, (fire worship), end of May the contract for construction offerings of flowers and distribution of prasad would be signed and the building process were the man components of this programme. would begin soon after.  On 4 March 2017, the Centre held the public

celebration of Sri Ramakrishna's birthday at the CANBERRA Indooroopilly Senior Citizens' club. Worship, prayers by children of the Bala Sangha, talks on 17 Bean Crescent, Mckellar, ACT 2617 Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda by Email: [email protected] two youngsters - Srilakshmi Unnikrishnan and Contact: Mr Jaishankar Venkataraman 6258 7612 / 0433 593 Tulika Das and a devotee- Ashneel Padarath 860 were very much appreciated by the audi- ence. Devotional music was rendered by tal- Regular Activities: ented devotees. Prasad was served after aratri-  Swami Sridharananda conducted monthly kam and flower offerings. classes on the Srimad- at the Bel- connen Community Centre, 2 Chandler Street, Belconnen, Canberra. Gita talks were held on

Page 4 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach 29 January, 19 February, and 12 March 2017. jans. The programme concluded with light refreshments.  Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday was observed on 28 February 2017, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Devotees gathered to mark the holy occasion for an evening of bhajans and readings.  The formal celebration of Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday took place on 18 March 2017. The an- nual event included puja conducted by Br. Swatmachaitanya , Vedic chanting and bhajans followed by a talk by Swami Sridharananda on the 'Significance of Sri Ramakrishna’. The pro- Swami Sridharananda delivering his lecture on the gramme concluded with pushpanjali followed Bhagavad Gita in Canberra by prasad distribution. In the evening, a special Veena recital was performed by Manikya Veena Group led by Mrs Ramani Bommakanti MELBOURNE and supported by Puvana and Anita - They performed a series of Carnatic pieces. They 5-7 Angus Ave, Ringwood East, VIC 3135 were accompanied by Vignesh on the mridan- Email: [email protected] gam. Later, Puloma Mukerjee presented a solo Contact: Mr Suresh Ravinutala 0413 040 599 of Hindustani classical ragas on her sitar. All present enjoyed the music. The musical pro- Daily Activities: gramme concluded with the evening vesper services and pushpanjali followed by prasad dis-  Vesper service (aratrikam) and reading from tribution. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were conducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Forthcoming Programmes:

Regular Activities:  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver monthly discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad- Gita at the Centre from the Thursday to the Saturday of a prescheduled week Celebrations:  A special satsang was held at the ashram to celebrate Kalpataru day on 1 January 2017 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The programme included Vedic chanting, bhajans and readings about the event/significance of Kalpataru Day.  Swami Vivekananda’s birthday was observed on 21 January 2017 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The programme included bhajans, flower offer- ings, readings and aratrikam followed by prasad distribution.  Sivaratri was celebrated on 24 February 2017 from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. The programme commenced with the evening vesper service followed by chanting of Rudram (Namakam/ Above: The altar at Melbourne Chamkam) and abhishekam, flower offerings Below: Veena recital by Manikya Veena Group with Ashtotaranamavali, Shiva Mahima and bha-

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 5 Reach  Ramnavami on 9 April 2017. Daily Activities:  Satsang with Swami Sarvarupananda on 4 May  The shrine was open from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm 2017. and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm seven days a week.  Meditation from 6:30 am to 7:30 am and chant- PERTH ing from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.

51 Golf View Street, Yokine, WA 6060  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and read- ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were Email: [email protected] conducted from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The times Contact: Hiren Mukhopadyay 0411 478 244 change on special occasions. Parthiv Parekh 0430 511 699 Regular Activities: Daily Activities:  Swami Sridharananda conducted his chapter-  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, reading wise study of the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā on Sun- from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are con- days between 9.30 am and 10.30 am. ducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  A Class for Ladies was held every Monday be- tween 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. Swami Sun- Regular Activities: ishthananda initiated discussion on Meditation  Satsangs were conducted on the first Sunday of and Spiritual Life and the Katha Upanishad. every month. The programme included chant-  Bala sangha classes which include moral and ing, Gita dhyanam, bhajans, readings and prasad spiritual lessons, drama and movement were distribution. conducted for children every Saturday be-  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver tween 4.45 pm and 6.45 pm during the school monthly discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad- term. Gitā.  Meditation sessions were conducted by Swami Sunishthananda on Sundays between 5.00 pm and 5.30 pm. Other Activities:  Classes on Patanjali’s Yoga were con-  A working bee session was held once a month. ducted by Swami Sunishthananda on Sundays  The Vedanta Multipurpose hall was hired by between 5.30 pm and 6.15 pm. the Electoral Commission of Australia as a  Parlour talks were conducted by Swami Srid- polling booth for the state election on 11 March harananda at 1/98 Condamine Street, Balgow- 2017 lah, NSW 2093, near Manly Beach on Tuesdays between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. Celebrations:  Classes on the Katha Upanishad were con-  Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary was ducted by Swami Sunishthananda every celebrated on 22 January 2017 from 11:00 am to Wednesday between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. 12:00 noon with readings from Swami  Classes on the Narada Sutras were con- Vivekananda's life, followed by bhajans and ducted by Swami Sunishthananda every Fri- aratrikam. day between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm.

SYDNEY  Sri Rāmanāma Sankirtanam was conducted on ekadashi days after the vesper service.

2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115  Sanatan Satsang Sabha sang Ram Katha, once

144A Marsden Road, Ermington, NSW 2115 (Entry) every month.

 Devotees also received spiritual counselling Email: [email protected] and guidance. Contact: 02 8197 7351

URL: www.vedantaaustralia.org

Page 6 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach Other Activities:  Debapriya Adhykary and Samanwaya Sarkar performed a Jugalbandi performance at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney on 21 March 2017. Their rendition included various forms of In- dian classical music like tappa, khyal etc.

Children of the Bala Sangha perform at the VCS on Swami Vivekananda’s Birthday on 19 January 2017

 Sri Ramakrishna’s birthday was observed on 28 February 2017. In the morning, worship was offered to Sri Ramakrishna which included homa. In the evening there was aratrikam fol- Debapriya Adhykary and Samanwaya Sarkar lowed by a song by the children of the Bala performed a Jugalbandi at the VCS on 21 March 2017. Sangha, bhajans by Pushpa Jagadish and a talk by Swami Sridharananda on Sri Ramakrishna which dwelt, among other things, on the Celebrations: pranam mantra composed by Swami Vivekan-  Swami Vivekananda’s birthday according to anda beginning with ‘Sthapakaya ca dharmasaya. the lunar calendar was held on 19 January . . .’ 2017. The celebration included puja, pushpanjali and prasad in the morning and aratrikam, songs by the children of the Bala Sangha, Parth Upadhyay, Sindhuja Ganapathy and others and finally a talk by Swami Sridharananda on Swami Vivekananda’s universal ideas and ended with prasad in the evening. There were a total of 110 people who attended.  Shivaratri was held on 24 February 2017. The Morning Puja on Sri Ramakrishna’s Birthday Celebra- tion on 28 February 2017

Ms. Pushpa Jagadish performs at the VCS on Sri Rama- Swami Sridharananda during his talk on Swami krishna’s Birthday on 28 February 2017 Vivekananda’s Birthday on 19 January 2017 Forthcoming Programme:  Ramnavami 5 April 2017. puja was accompanied with chanting and sing-  Ram Katha 15 April 2017 ing, which ended with the abhishekam by the devotees. There were 220 people who at-  Buddha Jayanti 10 May 2017 tended.  Annual Day 20 May 2017

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 7 Reach

Page 8 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach 2. FEATURE ARTICLES

A. REAL MAHATMAN BY MAX MULLER

he current article entitled ‘Real Mahatman’ is an edited version of Max Muller’s original article entitled the same, which was published in the journal Nineteenth Century in August 1896. Max Muller seems to have written the Real Mahatman before he met Swami Vivekananda at his resi- dence at on 28 May 1896, because there is no reference to Swami Vivekananda in the arti- cle, Teven though there is reference to Pratap Chundra Mazoomdar. Swami Vivekananda met him and was enam- oured by him, his interest in Ramakrishna and India. Later Swami Vivekananda requested one of his brother monks—Swami Saradananda—to supply Max Muller with further material on Sri Ramakrishna, which was and continues to be published by Advaita Ashrama as Ramakrishna His Life and Sayings. According to Swami Vivekananda, in a report published in the Brahmavadin of 6 June 1896, Max Muller is the foremost of Indologists who had been working on India’s spiritual and religious thought for over 50 years. To quote Swami Vivekananda: ‘What an extraordinary man is Professor Max Muller! I paid a visit to him a few days ago. . . for whosoever loves Shri Ramakrishna, whatever be his or her sect, or creed, or nationality, my visit to that person I hold as a pilgrim- age.’ Max Muller translated the Rig Veda into English and edited the Sacred Books of the East Series, in 50 vol- umes, which are an English translation of the spiritual treasures of India in the Sanskrit literature. In this article he positions Sri Ramakrishna as a sannyasin par excellence who upheld this ancient form of life to the letter. The article also presents a Westerner’s perspective on Ramakrishna.

Many times the question has been asked of late, what is a ma- hatman and what is a sannyasin? Mahatman is a very common Sanskrit word, and means liter- ally great-souled, high-minded, noble. It is used as a compli- mentary term, much as we use noble or revered; but has been accepted also as a technical term, applied to what are called sannyasins in the ancient lan- guage of India. Sannyasin means one who has surrendered and laid down everything—that is, who has abandoned all worldly affections. ‚He is to be known as a sannyasin,‛ we read in the Bhagavad-Gita 5.3, ‚who pil, of a householder, of a her- familiar to everybody in India.... does not hate and does not de- mit and of an independent It has sometimes been denied sire.‛ As the life of a brahmin sage—those who had reached that there are any sannyasins left was, according to the laws of the fourth stage were called in India, and in one sense this is Manu, divided into four peri- sannyasins, a word difficult to true. If the scheme of life traced ods, or ashramas—that of a pu- render in English but perfectly out by Manu was ever a reality,

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 9 Reach it has long since ceased to be and profound wisdom....There so....[But] we meet at all times, was, for instance, Dayananda both before and after the Bud- Sarasvati, who tried to intro- dhist reform, with men who had duce some reforms among the shaken off all social fetters; who . He was a scholar in had retired from their families a certain sense. He actually and from society at large, lived published a commentary in San- by themselves in forests or in skrit on the Rig Veda, and was caves, abstained from all enjoy- able to speak Sanskrit with great ments, restricted their food and fluency. It is supposed that he drink to the very utmost, and was poisoned because his re- often underwent tortures which forms threatened to become makes us creep when we read of dangerous to the brahmans. But them or see them represented in in all his writings there is noth- pictures and photographs. Such ing that could be quoted as Max Muller men were naturally surrounded original beyond his somewhat by a halo of holiness, and they strange interpretations of words curious to see how European received the little they wanted and whole passages of the Veda. thought, nay a certain European from those who visited them or style, quite different from that of The late Ramakrishna Parama- who profited by their teachings. native thinkers, has found an hamsa was a far more interest- entrance into the oracular say- Some of these saints—but not ing specimen of a sannyasin. He ings of this Indian saint.... many—were scholars, and be- seems to have been, not only a came teachers of their ancient high-souled man, a real ma- In the extracts from Rama- lore. Some of course, were im- hatman but a man of original krishna's teachings, some of postors and hypocrites, and thought. Indian literature is full which have been published by have brought disgrace on the of wise saws and sayings, and his pupils in their journal, the whole profession. But that there by merely quoting them a man Brahmavadin, these ancient meta- were sannyasins, and that there may easily gain a reputation for phors have for the first time are even now, who have really profound wisdom. But it was been blended with European shaken off the fetters of passion, not so with Ramakrishna. He thought; and from all that we who have disciplined their body seems to have deeply meditated learn of his personal influence, and subdued their mind to a on the world from his solitary this blending had a most power- perfectly marvellous extent, can- retreat. Whether he was a man ful effect on the large audiences not be doubted....It is generally of extensive reading is difficult that came to listen to him. He supposed that these same per- to say, but he was certainly thor- has left a number of pupils be- sons, these so-called sannyasins, oughly imbued with the spirit of hind who after his recent death are also very learned and wise the Vedanta philosophy. His are carrying on the work which persons....[But] in the case of utterances which have been he began, and who are trying to sannyasins of the present genera- published breathe the spirit of secure, not only in India, but in tion we look in vain either for that philosophy; in fact are only Europe also a sympathetic inter- great learning, even learning by intelligible as products of a Ve- est in the ancient philosophy of heart, or for original thought dantic soil. And yet it is very India, which it deserves as fully

Page 10 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach as the philosophy of Plato or severe kind of (yoga) Kant.... which is intended to produce trances (samadhi) and ecstatic It was not easy to obtain any utterances. We cannot quite un- trustworthy information about derstand them but in the case of the mahatman's life, a life singu- our mahatman we cannot doubt larly uneventful in his relations their reality, and can only stand with the outer world, though by and wonder, particularly full of stirring events in the in- when so much that seems to us ner world of his mind<.Pratap the outcome of a broken frame Chunder Mazoomdar, the of body and overwrought state leader of the Bramho Samaj, and change of the sober reformer of mind, contains nevertheless well known to many people in into the mystic and ecstatic so much that is true and wise England, tells me of the extraor- saint, that took place towards and beautiful.... dinary influence which the Ma- the end of his life. But although hatman exercised on Keshab The state of [his] religious exal- this later development of the Chunder Sen, on himself, and tation...has been witnessed New Dispensation, and more on a large number of highly again and again by serious ob- particularly the doctrine of the educated men in Calcutta. A servers of exceptional psychic motherhood of God, may have score of young men who were states. It is in its essence some- alienated many of Keshab more closely attached to him thing like our talking in sleep, Chunder Sen's European have become ascetics after his only that with a mind saturated friends, it seems to have consid- death. They follow his teach- with religious thoughts and erably increased his popularity ings by giving up the enjoyment with the sublimest ideas of with Hindu Society. At all of wealth and carnal pleasure, goodness and purity the result events we are now enabled to living together in a neighbour- is what we find in the case of understand the hidden influ- ing matha (College), and retiring Ramakrisha, no mere senseless ences which caused so sudden a at times to holy and solitary hypnotic jabbering, but a spon- change, and produced so places all over India even-as far taneous outburst of profound marked a deviation in the career as the Himalayan mountains. wisdom clothed in beautiful po- of the famous founder of the Besides these holy men, we are etic language. His mind seems , which has some- told that a great number of men like a kaleidoscope of pearls, times been ascribed to the with their families are ardently diamonds, and sapphires breakdown of an over-excited devoted to his cause. But what shaken together at random but brain. is most interesting is the fact always producing precious that it was the mahatman who It is different with a man like thoughts in regular, beautiful exercised the greatest influence Ramakrishna. He never moved outlines. To our ears, no doubt, on Keshab Chunder Sen during in the world, or was a man of much of his teaching and the last phase of his career. It the world, even in the sense in preaching sounds strange, but was a surprise to many of Ke- which Keshab Chunder Sen not to Oriental ears, or to ears shub Chunder’s friends and ad- was. He seems from the very accustomed to the perfervid po- mirers to observe a sudden first to have practised that very etry of the East. Everything

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 11 Reach seems to become purified in his pleasure of the flesh; only let my would not be a master or the mind. Nothing, I believe, is so flow into Thee as the per- founder of a new sect. ‚I float a hideous as the popular worship manent confluence of the Ganga frail half-sunk log of wood of in India. To Rama- and Jamuna. Mother I am with- through the stream of the trou- krishna all that is repulsive in out bhakti (devotion), without blous world. If men come to her character is, as it were, non- yoga (concentration); I am poor hold me to save their lives, the existent, and there remains but and friendless. I want no one’s result will be that they will the motherhood of the goddess. praise, only let my mind always drown me without being able to Her adoration with him is a dwell in the lotus of Thy feet.‛ save themselves. Beware of Gu- childlike, whole-souled, raptur- But what is most extraordinary rus!‛ ous self-consecration to the of all, his religion was not con- I am quite aware that some of motherhood of God, as repre- fined to the worship of Hindu his sayings may sound strange sented by the power and influ- deities and the purification of to our ears, nay even offensive. ence of woman. Woman in her Hindu customs. For long days Thus the conception of the Deity natural material character had he subjected himself to various as the Divine Mother is apt to long been renounced by the kinds of discipline to realize— startle us, but we can under- saint. He had a wife, but never the Mohammedan idea of an all- stand what Ramakrishna really associated with her. ‚Woman‛ powerful Allah. He let his meant by it, when we read his he said, ‚fascinates and keeps beard grow, he fed himself on saying: the world from the love of Moslem diet, he continually re- ‚Why does the God-lover find God.‛ For long years he made peated sentences from the Ko- such pleasure in addressing the the utmost efforts to be deliv- ran. For Christ his reverence Deity as Mother? Because the ered from the influence of was deep and genuine. He child is more free with its woman. His heart rending sup- bowed his head at the name of mother, and consequently she is plications and prayers for such Jesus, honoured the doctrine of dearer to the child than any one deliverance, sometimes uttered his sonship, and once or twice else.‛ aloud in his retreat on the river- attended Christian places of side, brought crowds of people, worship. He declared that each How deep Ramakrishna has who bitterly cried when he form of worship was to him a seen into the mysteries of cried, and could not help bless- living and most enthusiastic knowledge and the love of God, ing him and wishing him suc- principle of personal religion; he we see from the next saying: cess with their hearts. And he showed, in fact, how it was pos- ‚Knowledge and love of God succeeded, so that his mother to sible to unify all the religions of are ultimately one and the same. whom he prayed, that is the the world by seeing only what is There is no difference between goddess Kali, made him recog- good in every one of them, and pure knowledge and pure love.‛ nise every woman as her incar- showing sincere reverence to nation, and honour each mem- everyone who has suffered for The following utterances also ber of the other sex, whether the truth, for their faith in God, show the exalted nature of his young or old, as his mother. In and for their love of men. He faith: one of his prayers he exclaims: seems to have left nothing in ‚Verily, verily, I say unto you, ‚O Mother Divine, I want no writing, but his sayings live in that he who yearns for God, honour from man, I want no the memory of his friends. He finds Him.‛

Page 12 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach ‚He who has faith has all, and but the faith and hope of mil- he who wants faith wants all.‛ lions of human beings, we may indeed feel hopeful about the ‚So long as one does not be- future of that country. The con- come simple like a child, one sciousness of the Divine in man does not get Divine illumina- is there, and is shared by all, tion. Forget all the worldly even by those who seem to wor- knowledge that thou hast ac- ship idols. The constant sense quired and become as ignorant of the presence of God is indeed about it as a child, and then the common ground on which thou wilt get the knowledge of we may hope that in time not the True.‛ too distant the great temple of Where does the strength of an the future will be erected, in Swami Yatiswarananda aspirant lie? It is in his tears. which and non-Hindus As a mother gives her consent to may join hands and hearts in An Ode to Sri Ramakrishna fulfill the desire of her importu- worshipping the same Supreme by a Devotee nately weeping child, God Spirit—who is not far from vouchsafes to His weeping son every one of us, for in Him we You have bought to my life love. whatever he is crying for. live and move and have our be- You have made of that love, ing. strength. ‚As a lamp does not burn with- Within that strength I have out oil, so a man cannot live Source: found compassion. without God.‛ Reprinted from Sri Ramakrishna Within compassion I have found The Great Prophet of Harmony ‚God is in all men, but all men patience. (Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama, are not in God: that is the reason Within that patience I have 1986) why they suffer.‛ found wisdom. Within that wisdom I have From such sayings we learn that Unpublished Spiritual found myself. though the real presence of the Counsel from Respected

Divine in nature and in the hu- Swamis of the Ramakrishna Be it true I have made an effort man soul was nowhere felt so Order to grow, yet be it still a more strongly and so universally as in To Sri Ramachandran by Swami evident truth that without your India, and though the fervent Yatiswarananda on 1 July 1963 prayers, your stealth hand of love of God, nay the sense of guidance, your commitment to complete absorption in the God- ‚This life is a vast drama; and my being, this journey home head, has nowhere found a one must leave the stage of this that I travel would be an even stronger and more eloquent ex- world as soon (as) one’s part is longer task. over. Those of us who are left pression than in the utterances You truly are my friend. of Ramakrishna, yet he perfectly behind must find solace in the knew the barriers that separate thought of the Lord and pray to Divine and human nature. Him for the welfare of the de- —Marc L. Atkinson parted soul. Only He can con- If we remember that these utter- sole us in our deep sorrow.‛ ances of Ramakrishna reveal to us not only his own thoughts,

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 13 Reach

B. DIRECT DISCIPLES: SWAMI BRAHMANANDA, SWAMI SARADAN- ANDA, SWAMI TURIYANANDA AND SWAMI

he Master was a friend, companion, and playmate to those who became his intimate disciples. Even the chore of religious discipline would be lightened in his presence. The devotees would be so inebriated with pure joy in his company that they would have no time to ask themselves whether he was an Incarnation, a perfect soul, or a yogi. His very presence was a great teaching; words were superfluous. In later years This disciples remarked that while they were with him they would regard him as a comrade, but afterwards they would tremble to think of their frivolities in the presence of such a great person. They had convincing proof that the Master could, by his mere wish, kindle in their hearts the love of God and give them His vision. Through all this fun and frolic, this merriment and frivolity, he always kept before them the shining ideal of God- Consciousness and the path of renunciation. He prescribed ascents, steep or graded, according to the powers of the climber. He permitted no compromise with the basic principles of purity. An aspirant had to keep his body, mind, senses, and soul unspotted; had to have a sincere love for God and an ever-mounting spirit of yearning. The Mother would do the rest. His disciples were of two kinds: the householders, and the young men, some of whom were later to become monks.

Swami Brahmananda (Rakhal whole universe. The Master was Chandra Ghosh) worried to hear of his marriage, but was relieved to find that his The birthday of Swami - wife was a spiritual soul who anda was observed on the 29 would not be a hindrance to his January 2017. progress.

Cleansing of the mind-lake Even before Rakhal’s coming to Brahmananda was a man of few , the Master had words. His life was his teaching. had visions of him as his spiri- Rather than preaching religion tual son and as a playmate of he demonstrated it. Swami Krishna at . Rakhal Basudevananda recalled: was born of wealthy parents. During his childhood he devel- ‚It was 2.00 or 3.00pm on a sum- oped wonderful spiritual traits mer day. Swami Brahmananda and used to play at worshipping was seated in his room at the Be- Swami Brahmananda gods and goddesses. In his teens lur Monastery. His attendant was he was married to a sister of fanning him. As soon as I en- Manmohan Mitra, from whom was that of mother and child. Sri tered the room he said, he first heard of the Master. His Ramakrishna allowed Rakhal ‚Welcome. It is very hot today. father objected to his association many liberties denied to others. Let us meditate on the snow-clad with Sri Ramakrishna but after- But he would not hesitate to ; then the whole at- wards he was reassured to find chastise the boy for improper mosphere will be cool. Do you that many celebrated people actions. At one time Rakhal felt a know this mystery? First empty were visitors at Dakshineswar. childlike jealousy because he the mind completely. There found that other boys were re- should not be any samskaras

ceiving the Master’s affections. (impressions). Then the mind The relationship between the He soon overcame it and realised will automatically fill itself with Master and his beloved disciple his guru as the Guru of the

Page 14 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach God-consciousness. When water great joy it is then. In spiritual is poured out of a pitcher, does life many such thresholds have to the pitcher remain empty? At be crossed.’ once it is filled with space. Didn’t space exist in the pitcher before? Yes, it did. It existed mixed with ‚Once Maharaj said to a devotee, water. We see only the gross wa- ‘When you meditate, you should ter (and not the subtle space), so imagine that God is standing be- we think only the water exists. fore you like the mythical, wish- Similarly, although the impres- fulfilling tree.’ Another day he sions of external objects and Pure said to the same devotee, ‘At the Consciousness are both in the time of meditation you should mind, we perceive only the imagine that you are in mid- mind’s gross impressions be- ocean; on all sides there are cause they are within the reach of Swami Brahmananda mountain-waves, and God is our senses. We do not see the standing before you ready to Pure Consciousness, which is luted, muddy, mind-lake where help you.’ In Madras, while I ac- also in the mind. many worldly lakes are agitating. companied him on a walk, Maha- raj said to me, ‘Just do one thing: ‚If one can make the mind free ‚Now go ahead. I have given you always try to remember God. I from impressions, Pure Con- a very secret teaching. Keep it also do that.’ ‛ sciousness, which is Satchidan- secret and practise it wholeheart- anda, will be immediately re- edly. Have you not read Sri Fear and weakness vealed. Otherwise, through dis- Ramakrishna’s parable of the Another time Brahmananda said, crimination one can get a little wonderful dye? Whenever the ‚Remove fear and weakness inkling of Satchidananda. One dyer was requested to dye a cloth from your mind. Never debase should discriminate, combining a particular colour, he would dip yourself by thinking about sin. devotion and meditation, and it into that miraculous tub and it Sin, however great it may seem then one will understand the real would immediately be dyed that in the eyes of man, is nothing in import of the scriptures, the colour. This mind-lake is like that the eyes of God. One glance of teachings of the holy men, and wonderful tub of dye.‛ His can uproot the sins of mil- Sri Ramakrishna.‛ Spiritual practice lions of births in a moment. In ‚Again, when a particular sattvic order to divert human beings Brahmananda’s spiritual instruc- (good) impression is established from the path of sin, the scrip- tions are simple, direct, and prac- in the mind, replacing other tures mention heavy punish- tical. He taught mostly from his worldly impressions, then that ments for the sinners. Of course own experience rather than by established impression becomes every action bears a result, and quoting from the scriptures. luminous by the light of Brah- evil actions disturb one’s peace of Swami Vishuddhananda re- man. At that time the snow-clad mind.‛ called, ‚On one occasion, in the mountain turns into an effulgent house of Balaram Basu, Maharaj Holy company form like the living Shiva, and said, ‘You practise meditation The effect of holy company is in- that radiance of Shiva makes the and japam; you progress a little, fallible; it may come immediately body-mind organism of the then comes a period of dryness. or after a period of time. Those meditator cool and calm. It seems that the doors are en- who came in contact with Brah- ‚Thus, after cleansing the mind- tirely closed. At that time it is mananda experienced a definite lake, whatever ideal, or Ishtam necessary that you stick to your change in their lives. Brahman- (chosen form of God), you place spiritual practices with infinite anda reminded the devotees, there will be radiant and living. patience; by so doing you will ‚The holy company you keep, Brahman, the Pure Conscious- find one day that all of a sudden the spiritual talk you hear, all ness, cannot be reflected on a pol- the doors are opened. What a make an impression on your

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 15 Reach mind. In the course of time you the Lord‛. will realise the effects of these Truthfulness things and the momentous changes that they will bring The mark of a real teacher is that about in your life. A bumblebee he is completely truthful. What- hiding in a fragrant flower of- ever that person says, he does. fered in the worship touches the Once when a young monk was feet of the Lord. Similarly, by the going to from Cal- grace and association of a holy cutta, Saradananda told him to man, one surpasses even the inform Premananda that he gods and attains liberation.‛ would visit the monastery in the afternoon. A terrible thunder- Swami Saradananda storm arose in the afternoon. (Saratchandra Chakravarty) When it stopped, the swami left The birthday of Swami Saradan- for Belur, crossing the Ganges by anda was observed on Wednes- ferry and then walking a few day 4 January 2017. Swami Saradananda miles. He arrived in the monas- tery after Premananda had fin-

boy replied that he would like to ished his supper and was relax- Sashi and Sarat were two cousins see god in all the living beings of ing on the veranda. ‚Is there any who came from a pious brahmin the world. ‚But‛, the Master de- emergency today that you have family of Calcutta. At an early murred, ‚that is the last word in come to Belur in this bad age they had joined the Brahmo realization. One cannot have it at weather?‛ asked Premananda. Samaj and had come under the the very outset.‛ Sarat stated ‚No‛, replied Saradananda, ‚but influence of Keshab Sen. The calmly, ‚I won’t be satisfied with I sent word to you in the morn- Master said to them at their first anything short of that. I shall ing that I would be in the monas- meeting, ‚If bricks and tiles are trudge on along the path till I at- tery, so I have come.‛ Preman- burnt after the trade-mark has tain that blessed state.‛ Sri Rama- anda remarked, ‚Like guru like been stamped on them, they re- krishna was very pleased. disciple. If any word comes from tain the mark for ever. Similarly, the lips of the Master, he always As a Spiritual Teacher a man should be stamped with kept it.‛ God before entering the world. Work is worship Doubt is a disease of the mind Then he will not become attached To Saradananda, work was wor- to worldliness.‛ Fully aware of Doubt is a horrible disease of the ship. Once he said, ‚All through the future course of their life, he mind. An illumined teacher al- my life I worked, envisioning the asked them not to marry. The ways tries to remove the doubts faces of the Master and Swamiji. I Master asked Sashi whether he of his disciples. In 1925 two had no time to pay any attention believed in God with form or in young scientists came to Calcutta to others’ opinions.‛ His health God without form. Sashi replied to visit Saradananda at Ud- began to fail partly from over- that he was not even sure about bodhan. One of them asked, work and partly from taking on the existence of God; so he could ‚Does God exist?‛ ‚Yes‛, replied the bad karma of his disciples. not speak one way or the other. the swami. Some monks asked him to refrain This frank answer very much from giving initiation. The swami Scientist: ‚What is the proof?‛ pleased the Master. replied, ‚Do not say that. I con- Saradananda: The words of the

sider myself blessed that people rishis (seers of truth). After ex- Sarat’s soul longed for the all- come to me to hear the Lord’s periencing God, they proclaimed embracing realisation of the God- name. It is not they but I who that God exists.‛ head. When the Master inquired have to be thankful for this. I am Scientist: ‚Is there a possibility of whether there was any particular fortunate that I have been given their making mistakes.‛ form of god he wished to see, the the privilege of telling them of

Page 16 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach

Saradananda: Is it possible that Make the thought tally with the all sages have made mistakes?‛ speech Scientist: ‚I won’t believe with- In January 1925, when Saradan- out experiencing God myself.‛ anda was visiting , some monks asked him the following ‚Very well‛, said the swami. ‚Is questions: it possible that you will only be- lieve after seeing everything Monk: ‚Swami, the Master has yourself? Suppose you have exhorted us to ‘make the thought never been to England. You will tally with speech’. What does have to know about England this mean?’ from those who have visited it. Saradananda: ‚That you must be Although you have not seen it, sincere, that your inner life you can’t deny the existence of should tally with the outer.‛ England. Likewise, God exists; Swami Turiyananda you will have to trust the judge- Monk: ‚It is naturally so. What- ment of those who have seen ever we speak we think in our mind.‛ Him. After seeing God, Rama- a great hatred for women. One krishna said to all, ‘I have seen Saradananda: ‚Do you think it is day he said to the Master he God. You can also see Him easy? We chant the name of the could not allow even small girls through spiritual disciplines and Lord very superficially. We say, to come near him. The Master longing.’ In this scientific age, the ‘Oh Lord, I am your servant and scolded him and said, ‚You are Master came to dispel the doubts You are my Master; I have re- talking like a fool. Why should of the people by demonstrating nounced everything for you; I you hate women? They are the religion.‛ The young scientists call You, Lord, please grant me manifestations of the Divine were convinced and accepted Your vision.’ And at the same Mother. Regard them as your Saradananda’s words. time we are harbouring bad own mother and you will never Selfless work purifies the mind thoughts in the mind. It does not feel their evil influence. The more work. As you speak, so you must you hate them, the more you will Saradananda said, ‚Through self- think. In other words, while you fall into their snares.‛ Hari said less work the mind gets purified. take the name of the Lord think later that these words completely And when the mind becomes of Him alone.‛ changed his attitude towards pure, knowledge and devotion women. arise in it. Knowledge is the very Swami Turiyananda (Harinath nature of the Self, but being cov- Chattopadhyaya) ered with ignorance, it is not The birthday of Swami Turi- The Master knew Hari’s passion manifest. The object of selfless yananda was observed on for Vedanta. But he did not wish work is to remove this covering. Wednesday 11 January 2017. any of his disciples to become a As a matter of fact, knowledge dry ascetic or a mere bookworm. dawns as soon as the mind be- So he asked Hari to practise Ve- comes pure. In the Harinath had led the austere life danta in life by giving up the un- you have the story of the chaste of a brahmachari even from his real and following the Real. ‚But woman who attained knowledge early boyhood—bathing in the it is not easy‛, Sri Ramakrishna by serving her husband and by Ganges every day, cooking his said, ‚to realise the illusoriness of performing her other household own meals, waking before sun- the world. Study alone does not duties. In the Gita also you find, rise, and reciting from the Gita help one very much. The grace of ‘By work alone King Janaka and from memory before leaving bed. God is required. Mere personal others attained perfection.’ Not He found in the Master the em- effort is futile. A man is a tiny one but many attained perfection bodiment of the Vedantic scrip- creature after all, with very lim- through work, for the text adds tures. Aspiring to be a follower of ited powers. But he can achieve ‘and others’ ‛. the ascetic Sankara, he cherished

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 17 Reach the impossible if he prays to God things or any desire for sightsee- call bad, and the reverse. Where for his grace.‛ Whereupon the ing. He was perfectly happy and is the standard? The standard is Master sang a song in praise of contented within himself. in our own attitude towards life. grace. Hari was profoundly Each one has his own standard. Correcting the shortcomings of moved and shed tears. Later in And with increased experience others life Hari achieved a wonderful and insight, the standard synthesis of the ideals of the Per- Turiyananda never hesitated to changes. The pity is that we will sonal God and the Impersonal correct the shortcomings of his recognise evil. When we become Truth. students in a bold and straight- perfectly good ourselves, the forward way, for which he was whole world will appear good. Selected teachings sometimes very much misunder- We see only the reflection of our Mine of spiritual wisdom stood. Once, observing their dis- own minds. See the Lord always content, the swami said, ‚Yes, Students of the New York Ve- in everything, and you will see you people in the West always danta Society found that Turi- no evil. A suspicious mind sees try to cover up and hide your yananda was an inexhaustible evil everywhere; a trusting mind mistakes. But how can the mine of spiritual wisdom. While sees only good.‛ wound be treated unless the ban- walking, eating, or sitting, his Sincerity dages are removed? You hide spiritual conversation flowed like your real character behind a ‚Sincerity,‛ Swami Turiyananda a perennial spring. Once he was smooth and polite exterior, but told the students, ‚is the back- asked, ‚Swami, how is it possible the sore festers in the heart. The bone of spirituality. One should for you to always speak of holy guru is the physician, and once practise it in one’s actions and subjects? Don’t you ever get ex- the disease is diagnosed he must thoughts. There should be no dis- hausted?‛ Turiyananda replied, not fear to apply the lancet, if agreement between what one ‚You see, I have lived this life necessary. Sometimes a deep, feels and what one says; and at from my youth; it has become clean incision is the only remedy. the same time, one should not be part and parcel of me. And Di- You are so sensitive, always cruel or unkind when one ad- vine Mother keeps the supply afraid of being scolded or ex- heres to truth. Make your heart filled up. Her store can never be posed. When I flatter a little, you and tongue one.‛ Then he quoted exhausted. Whatever goes out, say, ‘Swami is so wonderful’, but a Sanskrit proverb, ‚Say what She at once fills up.‛ when I utter a harsh word you is kind, but not what is untrue. Living example of Vedanta run away.‛ When the students Say what is true, but not what is Turiyananda was a living exam- complained that he did not un- unkind.‛ Finally, he chanted a ple of Vedanta. Sometimes the derstand them, the swami re- beautiful verse from the Mun- students would try to find ways plied, ‚I know you better than daka Upanishad, ‚Truth alone to give the swami a break from you know yourself, because I can triumphs, not falsehood. The his rigid routine. One evening look deep into your mind. What path by which the sages reach Gurudas said, ‚Swami, there is a is hidden in yourself, is revealed perfection is the path of truth. fine concert tonight. It is an ora- to me. In time you will realise There is no other way to freedom torio and you will like it. You that what I tell you is true.‛ – no other way.‛ have never heard our Western See the Lord always in every- The body is an illusion music. Let us go.‛ ‚But why thing Once a student versed in Chris- should you care for those Another day, someone asked the tian Science asked, ‚Is it not our things?‛ the swami remarked. swami why there was so much duty to keep our body healthy?‛ ‚You have had enough of that evil in the world. He replied, ‚Yes, ‚said the swami. ‚But from now. Let us stay here and read ‚Tulasidas says, ‘To the good the the highest standpoint, the body something nice and have good world is full of good; but to the itself is the great disease. We talk. These amusements we must bad the world is full of evil.’ The want to go beyond the idea of the give up now if we want Mother.‛ world is neither good nor bad. body and to realise that we are He had no curiosity for new What I call good, you perhaps Atman. It is the love for our body

Page 18 April 2017 Issue No. 39 Reach that stands in the way to our Teaching through personal ex- realisation of that higher state ample where we can state, ‘I am not Trigunatitananda was an un- this body. I am the Atman. The compromising ascetic. He body is an illusion.’ As long as taught his students through per- we love the body we cannot re- sonal example more than alise the Self, and we shall be through words. He was a con- born again and again. But when sistent example of regularity we love the Atman then we be- and punctuality. He would go come indifferent towards the to bed last and rise before any of body. And when all love for the the other members of the mon- body goes, liberation will come astery. His office was his bed- very soon.‛ room, and he had no bed. He Swami Trigunatitananda would spread one blanket on (Sarada Prasanna Mitra) the carpet, put another blanket Swami Trigunatitananda over himself, and use the upper The birthday of Swami part of his right arm as his pil- Trigunatitananda was observed were present. But Ramakrishna low. The swami strongly be- on Tuesday 31 January 2017. repeated the request and he had lieved that through discipline to obey. He used to say later Sarada Prasanna Mitra was one can form a strong character, that this incident was the begin- born in 1865. He belonged to a which is absolutely essential as ning of his education in the rich landowning family and was a foundation for spiritual life. spirit of service. over-indulged as a child, so that To the earnest disciple he would he became accustomed to being Selected teachings say, I don’t mind if I break waited on. He attended Mahen- every bone in your body if I can Teaching through maxims and dranath Gupta’s school. When drag you up to the shores of im- singing as a devotional exercise he went to take the entrance mortality and throw you in. exam at the Calcutta University, Trigunatitananda was fond of Then my work will be finished.‛ it was expected that he would teaching by means of forceful do brilliantly, for he was one of maxims. When someone at the the school’s best pupils. But, on table recited the great watch- Swami Atulananda left this eye- the second day of the examina- word of the American Republic, witness account: tion, Sarada Prasanna lost a ‚Eternal vigilance is the price of ‚Swami Trigunatitananda was a gold watch, which was his most liberty,‛ he made him repeat it. treasured possession; this upset Some of the mottoes hanging in him so much that he failed to do every room of the monastery himself justice and passed in the were, ‘Live like a hermit, but second division only. For work like a horse’; ‘Do it now’; weeks, Sarada was in despair. ‘Watch and pray’; ‘Do or die – M. loved the boy, and instead of but you will not die’. The swami laughing at him as a cry-baby, believed in singing as a devo- he took him to see Rama- tional exercise, and led his krishna. Sarada began to visit young male disciples in hymns Dakshineswar regularly. and chants up on the roof of the temple, or down by the harbour One hot day, Ramakrishna in the early morning, astonish- asked Sarada to bring water and ing the fisherman and sailors. wash his feet. Sarada, regarding all kinds of work as menial, flushed with humiliation, espe- cially as several of his friends Swami Atulananda

Issue No. 39 April 2017 Page 19 Reach man of austere type. When he You cannot use it. I am going to The lesson or lecture is to be first came to San Francisco, he hide it.‛ taken sincerely and faithfully as a fasted once for three days – spiritual service and religious Facing all challenges maybe to accumulate power to practice for one’s own spiritual carry on the work. He was a Trigunatitananda had an un- advancement. strict disciplinarian. Once on Sri daunted personality. He boldly Sit in a sincere and prayerful Ramakrishna’s birthday he spent faced all the challenges in his life. mood. fifteen hours in worship from In the anteroom next to the mon- 6.00am to 9.00pm and delivered astery kitchen there were several Make the mind blank. Drive off three lectures, all without leaving strings stretched across one end all desires and thoughts of the the platform

Released by : Vedanta Centre of Sydney [email protected]

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