Motto: Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha, REACH “For one’s own liberation and for the Newsletter of Vedanta Centres of Australia welfare of the world.”

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Sayings and Teachings Simplicity pays “One should not reason too much; it is enough if one loves the Lotus Feet of the Mother. Too much reasoning throws the mind into confusion. You get clear water if you drink from the surface of a pool. Put your hand deeper and stir the water and it becomes muddy. Therefore pray to God for devotion.” --- Sri Ramakrishna. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna; Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, India, page186. Epitome of Motherhood “My son, you know the Master Temple of the Holy Mother Sri at the Ramakrishna Math, The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math and , looked upon everyone as the Divine Howrah (West Bengal), India. Mother. This time he has left me behind to develop the ideal of CALENDAR OF FORTHCOMING EVENTS Motherhood on earth.” Function Centre Date --- Sri Sarada Devi. Brisbane Tuesday, 1st January 2008 The Message of Holy Mother; Birth Anniversary of , Kolkata, Page 1. Holy Mother Melbourne Tuesday, 1st January 2008 Demand divinity Perth Sunday 30th December 2007 “There must be no fear. No begging, Sydney Sunday 30th December 2007 but demanding—demanding the Highest. The true devotees of the Birth Anniversary of Brisbane Saturday, 2nd February 2008 Mother are as hard, as adamant and Swami Vivekananda Melbourne Saturday, 26th January 2008 as fearless as lions. They are not the least upset if the whole universe Perth Tuesday, 29th January 2008 suddenly crumbles into dust at their Sydney Tuesday, 29th January 2008 feet. Make Her listen to you. None of that cringing to Mother! Birth Anniversary of Adelaide Saturday, 15th March 2008 Remember, She is all-powerful. She Sri Ramakrishna Sunday, 2nd March 2008 can make heroes even out of stone” Brisbane --- Swami Vivekananda. and Annual Celebration for Melbourne Saturday, 29th March 2008 The Message of Vivekananda; Adelaide and Perth Sunday, 9th March 2008 Advaita Ashrama, Kolkata, Page 4. Melbourne centres Sydney Sunday, 9th March 2008 In Memoriam Welcome Sadly, we announce the passing away We welcome you all to the Ramakrishna - Vedanta Movement and invite you to of our dear Revered President, attend our functions and actively participate in the propagation of the Universal Srimat Swami Gahananandaji Maharaj message of Vedanta as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, on 4th of November 2007. Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 1 December 2007 News and activities of Vedanta Centres of Australia and New Zealand For the period From August 2007 to November 2007 ADELAIDE CENTRE Monthly and Annual activities: Jnana Karma Sannyasa Yoga of the . The recordings of Monthly activities: Swami Atmeshananda visited Brisbane once every month. He these discourses are available in Swami Sridharananda continued to gave talks on Srimad-Bhagavad Audio, Video and MP3 formats. visit Adelaide three days a month to Gita and other spiritual topics. Sunday Meetings were conducted deliver discourses on the Bhagavad- Swami Sridharananda also visited on every second Sunday of each Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Brisbane from 5th to 8th of October month from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The talks are held at Dulwich 2007. He presided over the AGM These entail prayer, recitation of Community Centre, 14 Union which was held on 6th of October sacred mantras, rendering of kirtan Street, Dulwich SA 5065. The 2007. Swamis Bhaktirupananda and bhajans as well as selected lectures are recorded and being used and Krishnarupananda visited the readings from relevant scriptures by devotees to augment their studies. Centre from 19th to 22nd and from and discussions thereon. The For details of the ongoing monthly 25th to 29th of November respectively. meetings conclude with an arati programmes please contact Mr. and distribution of prasada. Raman Sharma, Secretary, on 08 CANBERRA CENTRE 8431 9775 or Mrs. Pathma Iswaran Swami Sridharananda conducted Swami Sridharananda presided over on 08-8379 5336. classes on Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita the AGM which was held on 15th of July 2007 at the Holmsglen TAFE. Annual activities/ Celebrations: twice a month at the Majura community Centre, Canberra. Visiting Monks: The AGM was held on 11th of Parlour talks were given by him on The following swamis visited the August 2007 at the Dulwich Yoga Sutras of Patanjali once a centre during the period mentioned. Community Centre. month. The AGM was held on the They conducted prayer meetings An Evening of Devotional music 4th of November 2007. Contacts: during their stay. was organised to raise funds for the Mr. J. Venkataraman, Secretary - 02- Swami Medhasananda from Adelaide Chapter on Saturday, 6258 7612 and Mr. Ian Doherty, 14/11/07 to 15/11/07, Swami December 1, 2007 at the Burnside Treasurer - 02-6247 8519. Damodarananda from 20/11/07 to Community Centre, 401, Greenhill MELBOURNE CENTRE 22/11/07, Swami Bhaktirupananda Road, Tusmore, SA. Mr. Avijit 1. Daily Activities: from 22/11/07 to 25/11/07, Swami Sarkar and Mrs. Pushpa Jagadish Rajeswarananda from 26/11/07 to from Sydney were the singers for A daily vesper service is held at the 7/12/07, Swami Krishnarupananda the evening. The audience enjoyed Centre at 7 Judy Court, Vermont, from 11/12/07 to 18/12/07. the environment created by the Vic 3133 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 devotional music. The programme p.m. Vedic chanting; hymns and PERTH CENTRE was well-attended by over 150 songs, scriptural readings and 1. Daily Activities: meditation are conducted after the devotees. Swami Atmeshananda Worship in the morning and vesper vesper service. A resident volunteer participated in the function. service at 7 p.m. are being conducted looks after the services in the morning daily at the Centre located at 2B Visiting Monks: hours and on other occasions. Roe Close, Bull Creek W.A. Swami Damodaranandaji visited The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, 6149. The Centre maintains a Adelaide from 23rd to 26th of Vedanta and other spiritual literature small bookstall and Library. November 2007. He held a prayer are made available in print, audio Contacts: Centre - 08 9313 8796, meeting at a devotee’s residence on and visual media through the Mr. K.P.Basu Mallick, Secretary, Sunday, the 25th November 2007. bookstall during this period. - 0411 791 058. For further information please contact BRISBANE CENTRE 2. Weekly/Monthly Activities: Mr. Suresh Ravinutala, Secretary, Daily activities: on 03-9803 6154 and Mr. Govindan Every Saturday the Bala Bodhi Morning worship, evening arati, Iyer, Treasurer, on 03-9543 4091. evening classes for children and youth is being conducted from 4:00 bhajans, and reading from The 2. Monthly/Annual Activities: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are the p.m. to 5:00 p.m. On Sundays, regular activities at the Centre in The monthly discourses continued satsangs for the devotees start at 181 Burbong Street, Chapel Hill, to be held on the Srimad- 11:00 a.m. followed by a simple QLD 4073, (phone no. 07-3720 Bhagavad-Gita delivered by Swami lunch-prasada for all. Swami 0228). A resident volunteer looks Sridharananda from Thursday to Damodaranandaji conducts the above after the day-to-day activities at Saturday of a prescheduled week at activities and meets the devotees and the Centre. Holmsglen TAFE. The lecture series visitors, and, on invitation, delivers were based on Chapter Four, the talks at various places in Perth.

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 2 December 2007 SYDNEY CENTRE 3.Annual Activities/ Celebrations: 1. Daily Activities: The centre held its AGM on Sunday th Worship and meditation in the the 11 of November 2007 at 10:30 morning and vesper service followed a.m. at the Strathfield Bowling by devotional singing at 7 p.m. Club, Augusta Street, Strathfield. form the main focus of the daily Durga Puja was celebrated on 19th activities. Counselling, interviews of October 2007, the Mahastami and discussions with devotees are Day, by a formal worship of the also conducted on a daily basis. Divine Mother Sri Durga. More The New Centre at Ermington The library facility is available to than 500 devotees participated in devotees for reference and research. the day long function. The Centre maintains a bookstall Swami Atmeshananda delivered a which has a range of books on the talk at the Ganesha Chaturthi Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Vedanta, function, organized by the ‘Friends of Yoga and other spiritual literature. India’ in Liverpool on 15th of September. Devotional songs, discourses on The Deepavali Celebration Committee Invocation of blessing by swamis and vote Srimad-Bhagavad-Gita, the Yoga of NSW in partnership with Govt of of thanks by Swami Sridharanandaji Sutras of Patanjali, Mundaka NSW, celebrated Deepavali at the Upanisad, etc. are also available in Parliament House of NSW. A activities of the Vedanta Centre. various media. Being centrally located in greater 2. Weekly/ Monthly Activities: Sydney it is easily reachable from various suburbs and is a larger a) The centre conducted the place to accommodate Australia- following activities in Sydney: wide activities of the Centre. Swami Sridharananda conducted Plaque unveiling classes on the Srimad-Bhagavad- plaque was erected on 29th of Gitā every Sunday morning from August 2007 at the lawn of Parliament 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the South House of NSW depicting “As Many Strathfield Bowling Club, Augusta Faiths, So Many Paths.” Swami Street, Strathfield. In his absence, Chandrashekharananda participated Swamis Tadananda and Atmeshananda in the function. spoke on various topics. 4.Other Activities: Classes on Yoga Sutras of Patanjali The Centre inaugurated its newly were held on Wednesdays from acquired premises on the 17th of 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Centre November 2007, the Jagaddhatri in Ashfield, NSW. Puja day, at its location on 2 Stewart A glimpse of cultural programme held b) Children’s classes on moral St., Ermington, Sydney, overlooking and spiritual teachings were the whole of Parramatta valley. It is The three day long inauguration suspended due to preparation of the a heritage-listed property and is celebration started on Friday, the Inauguration celebration of the new being renovated currently to its 16th of November at 8:30 a.m. with centre at Ermington. original glory in order to cater to the traditional worship and concluded c) Many devotees have availed growing needs of people interested after a Vesper service followed by the themselves of spiritual counselling in participating in the various serving of consecrated food. and guidance. The swamis also The second session of the celebrations visited the homes of devotees was conducted on Saturday, the 17th when required. of November to invoke the blessings d) Yogasana Classes for adults of the Holy Trinity. Following the continued to be held every Tuesday at the Centre from 7:30 p.m. e) Career guidance sessions were conducted on the second Saturday of every month from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for new migrants to Australia to help them find suitable jobs. Mr. Abhijit Guha and his dedicated band of volunteers, conducted the sessions. Formal worship of Sri Ramakrishna in progress in the new centre at Ermington

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 3 December 2007 Presentation of Bhajans by devotees from Sydney and Japan

Group Photo taken on the 17th of November 2007 L to R Swamis Medhasananda, Sridharananda, Mr. Alan Croker (Architect), Swami Damodarananda, Mrs. Kanaka and Mr. B.Ramakrishna and Swami Bhaktirupananda in the front row and Swamis Atmeshananda, Chandrashekharananda, Rajeshwarananda, Krishnarupananda, Virabhadrananda, Tadananda among Swamis addressed the devotees on 18th November 2007 other devotees in the back row. worship, special sanctified food August to 30th of September 2007. He Mother’s departure for Calcutta, was served by the devotees in the delivered talks on spiritual subjects Ramakrishnananda became seriously nearby Scout Hall. In the evening and conducted spiritual retreat in ill with diabetes and tuberculosis. there was a cultural programme with those places. He is currently visiting At the request of devotees, Rama- the rendition of devotional music and India from 28th of November and krishnananda moved to Bangalore dance at the Eastwood Public School. is expected to return to Sydney on Ashrama for a change in climate On the 18th of November 2007 a the 19th of January 2008 via Perth and rest. Unfortunately the bracing convention of devotees was organized and Adelaide. climate of Bangalore failed to at the Ryde Civic Centre from 8:30 Visiting Monks: improve his health, and the local doctors a.m. to 1:30 p.m. where representative Swamis Medhasananda of Vedanta diagnosed his disease as galloping of branch Centres from Sydney, Kyokai, Japan, Bhaktirupananda tuberculosis. Brahmananda and Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, of Ramakrishna Mission, Fiji, Saradananda asked him to go to Perth and Auckland spoke about Krishnarupananda of Ramakrishna Calcutta for better treatment. On 10 the history and activities of their Mission, Mauritius, Rajeswarananda June 1911 Ramakrishnananda arrived Centres. Swamis Bhaktirupananda, of Ramakrishna Mission, SriLanka, in Calcutta. He was accommodated in Medhasananda and Virabhadrananda Virabhadrananda of Persetuan the Udbodhan Office and placed under spoke on Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Ramakrishna Sarada, Malaysia the treatment of noted physicians. In Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami visited the Centre and took part in spite of the best treatment possible and Vivekananda respectively high- the Inauguration of the new centre careful nursing his condition gradually lighting their contribution to the at Ermington. deteriorated. But Ramakrishnananda’s Ramakrishna Movement. mind dwelt on his guru. When the news of his death reached In the three day long celebration, (Continued from page 8) around 350 devotees attended the Holy Mother, she remarked with On Meditation functions everyday, including 80 tearful eyes, “Alas, Shashi is gone. devotees from both interstate and “Meditation means complete self- My back is broken.” After receiving overseas. Ten monks of the abandonment. Meditation requires the sad news at Puri, the grief- , one each from complete annihilation of self- stricken Brahmananda exclaimed, Fiji, Japan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Sri consciousness. You know that before “The guardian angel of the South Lanka, Perth and four resident a great light, lesser lights disappear; has passed away. The southern side swamis of Sydney attended the so before the effulgent glory of is, as it were, covered with darkness.” celebration. A large number of God, the little glory of the ego will The Hindu community of Madras devotees, with the zeal of service to completely vanish, as stars vanish convened a memorial meeting and paid the Holy Trinity, were united in when the sun rises. You must therefore their homage to Ramakrishnananda, putting their efforts to make the practise the presence of God inside who had sacrificed his life for their celebration a success. The devotees you.” spiritual development. Last days enjoyed the programmes very much References: specially the inspiring talks on the Ramakrishnananda’s life was short God lived with them: Life stories of sixteen Holy Trinity. but eventful. For fourteen years he Monastic Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna by Overseas Visit: worked hard to spread the message Swami Chetanananda. Advaita Ashrama, Calcutta, 1997. On invitation, Swami Sridharananda of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Ramakrishna and His Disciples by Christo- visited various Vedanta Centres of Vivekananda in South India. He burnt his energy quickly. In April pher Isherwood. Advaita Ashrama, Cal- USA and Canada from the 14th of cutta, 1965. 1911, shortly after the Holy

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 4 December 2007 Feature Article: HOLY MOTHER SRI SARADA DEVI: A Guiding Force The following excerpt has been derived from an inspiring book entitled Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi written by Swami Gambhirananda. It depicts some of Holy Mother’s special attributes in her role as a guide, a spiritual mentor and a mother. The book has encapsulated myriads of anecdotes and illustrations a few of which have been included in the excerpt below.

he Mother visited Bodh keeping the mind fixed and without Gaya at the end of March letting it wander about. The mind T 1980. On that occasion the creates trouble whenever it is loose. contrast between the wealth of the It’s because Narendra realised this monastery there on the one hand, that he started selfless work.” and on the other hand the absence Unwavering faith in the Master of any permanent residence, the The Mother had not a shadow of indescribable want of food and doubt that the Master would work raiment, and the hard physical out his new message through his labour for running the monastery Order. One day a certain head of a on the part of her world-renouncing monastery expressed concerns sons, moved very much the Mother about the practical public sympathy of the Order. She prayed to Sri hence work was not progressing Ramakrishna, ‘…“My prayer is that satisfactorily. To this the Mother those who leave the world in your replied with conviction, “My son, name may never be in need of bare the Master said, ‘When the southern subsistence. They will all live Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi breeze blows, all trees that together holding to your ideas and have developed hard-wood get neither active love for them, nor ideals; and the people afflicted with transformed into sandal.’ The concern for their welfare; and there the worries of the world will resort southern breeze has blown; now all was no proper arrangement for their to them and be solaced by hearing will be turned into sandal – except food and clothing. Hence many left about you. That’s why you came. bamboos and bananas.” My heart is pained to see them to live with the Mother or with Showering grace herself wandering about.” After that, Naren Swami Saradananda. The Head (Swami Vivekananda) began beseeched the Mother not to keep With heart and soul Holy Mother gradually building up all this.’ them on her generous hospitality wished for the good of all her but to rather teach them obedience children. Once, at Jayrambati, at the Mother of the Order and send them back to the Ashrama. time of the worship of Durga, when Her prayers reveal her infinite Holy Mother, Love incarnate as she all had departed after offering flowers motherly love and solicitude for the was, said, “… Love is our forte. It’s at her sacred feet at the most sacred Order, her firm grasp of and through love that the Master’s family moment of the juncture of the conviction about the uniqueness of has taken shape. And I am a mother eighth and ninth days of the moon, the Master’s message and its future …” Holy Mother requested flowers be possibilities and her eagerness for The head of the Ashrama did not offered in the name of all her having a permanent habitation for take adequate care of even the known and unknown children. her children. As long as she was on health of the inmates, though they Accepting the worship, she sat this earth, she did her utmost to see suffered from malaria. When the silently for a long time with folded the Order well established and ably Mother came to know of this, hands before the Master and then managed. Love, according to her, she had nourishing food arranged prayed, ‘Let all prosper, here and was the life-force of the Order. As for them. She also expressed hereafter.’ every member thereof looked up to disapproval of the authoritarianism On another occasion during her her for her benign blessing, so also of the head. Though the Mother birthday at the ‘Udbodhan’ in 1918, she wanted each of its units to be tied corrected the head when the need when all went away, after adoring to others by the bond of affection, arose, she also advised the inmates her with flowers, she directed the so that a solid brotherhood might to be disciplined and forbearing. offering of flowers be made in the emerge defying all disruptive name of all at Jayrambati and Koalpara tendencies. Spiritual mentor: selfless work regarding it as a special day to About japa and meditation the The head of the Koalpara Ashrama do so. When this was done she Holy Mother once said, “How many expected work from the Brahmacharis prayed to the Master for the weal of can carry on japa and meditation all under him; but in return he showed all. the time? It’s much better to work,

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 5 December 2007 Caring mother: two incidents gods.’ And she wiped her feet with Kamarpukur after the Master’s Brahmachari Jnan (Swami her own hands. Rashbihari was then passing away. Still in the present Jnanananda) suffered at Jayrambati only a novice. context there was a conflict from itches which became so Caution against pride between affection and decision; though Narendra’s future was pervasive and painful that he could Though she revered the monks, she undoubtedly bright, how could a not eat with his hands; and so the cautioned them against pride. When mother permit her son to cross the Mother mixed the rice and curries Arupananda said to her, ‘Mother, ocean under the then existing for him and put them morsel by Sannyasa brings with it a great uncertain conditions? When her morsel into his mouth. conceit,’ the Mother corroborated mind oscillated thus between two Brahmachari Rashbihari, while him with the remark, “Yes, a great alternatives, she saw one night in a busy in connection with the work conceit – ‘I haven’t been saluted, I dream, the Master walking over the of the new house of the Mother at am not honoured, I have not been waves and beckoning Swami Jayrambati, had to go on an errand treated with the respect due to Vivekananda to follow him. This to a distant village from which he me’!” Compared with all that, I am removed her misgivings, and could not return in time for his much better as (pointing to her she blessed the Swami’s project noon-day meal. It was winter when white cloth) I am (that is, with whole-heartedly. The Swami, on days were short. Returning only a internal renunciation). In fact, she his part, was elated on receipt of few hours before sunset, he was valued inner detachment more than this letter and said, ‘Hey-day, now taken aback to learn that the Mother outer trappings. is everything fixed up; the Mother, waited for his return and would not In a separate context Mother too, wished me to go.’ sit for her meal. He remonstrated, offered the following advice to a A few years after this, Swami ‘Mother, your health is bad, yet monk: ‘Faith and firmness are the Saradananda went to Jayrambati why have you kept fasting till this basic things; if faith and firmness seeking the Mother’s benediction hour?’ The Mother replied, ‘My are there, then you have it all.’ son, how can I eat so long as you before starting for the USA. This Spiritual influence to the Order have not done so?’ time also there appeared before her Though the Mother was not directly the vision of the vast field of the Compassion and firmness associated with its management, Master’s work; so she wiped her Someone was leaving the Order. As still she guided it from a distance tears with one hand and with the he came to bid farewell, the mother through counsel and spiritual influence, other she blessed the Swami and began to weep and so also did the and by strengthening the bonds of said, “The Master is protecting you devotee. A little later she wiped her love. Her relationship with the forever, my son; there’s nothing to tears with the edge of her cloth and different limbs of the Organisation fear,” asked the devotee to wash his face under such circumstances is an in the bathroom. Then she said, interesting study. They were all ‘Don’t forget me. I know you junior to her, being disciples of the Reference: won’t; still I say so.’ ‘What about Master, of herself, or of the disciples Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi by Swami you, Mother?’ asked the devotee. Gambhirananda; Sri Ranakrishna Math; of the Master. That relationship Mylapore, Chennai; PP 332-358 “Can a mother forget?” replied the foreshadowed love on the one hand

Mother and she added, “Believe and obedience on the other. me, I shall be with you. Don’t be Guidance and blessing afraid.” When the devotee got In a letter to the Holy Mother Although Swami Vivekananda’s down on the road, the Mother kept entitled Beloved Mother Sister mind was almost decided about on looking at him from the window Nivedita expressed the follow- going to the USA in 1893, he till he could be seen no more. ing sentiments to the Holy wanted to be absolutely free from Humility and reverence Mother: doubt and so thought, “Well, the The Mother was present at a birth- Mother is none else than a part of ‘…Dear Mother! You are full of day celebration of the Master at the the Master. Why should I not write love! And it is not a flushed and Belur Math. After the midday meal a letter to her? I shall do as she asks violent love like our, and like Brahmachari Rashbihari poured me to.” With this idea he wrote to the world’s but a gentle peace water on her hands for cleaning her asking for her blessing. The that brings good to everyone them and as it was her custom to Mother was extremely happy to and wishes ill to none. It is a wash the feet also on such occasions, hear from her beloved son after golden radiance, full of play…I the Brahmachari poured water on such a long time. But this presented felt such a wonderful freedom her feet and proceeded to clean a problem also for her – should she in the blessing you gave me, them with his hands, when the endorse his plans? After Narendra’s and in your wonderful home.’ Mother said, ‘No, no, my son, not you! real stature she had indubitable You are worthy to be worshipped by proof from a vision she had at

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 6 December 2007 Divine Light Personified: Swami Ramakrishnananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramkrishnakrishna

The birth anniversary of the Swami was observed on 2nd of August 2007 in some of our centres.

wami Ramakrishnananda was his life. Gradually Shashi became known as a great devotee. It acquainted with Narendra and other S was he who gathered the young disciples of the Master. One day relics of Ramakrishna after the Shashi and Sharat visited Narendra in body had been cremated and made his home and talked about the Master a shrine for them. He would never for many hours. Narendra told leave this shrine unattended, even Shashi and Sharat, “He is bestowing to visit places of pilgrimage, for he love, devotion, divine knowledge, regarded it as holier than any of liberation and whatever else one them. In the early days of the Order may desire, on whomsoever he he looked after his brother monks likes. Oh, what a wonderful power! like a mother, and was even ready He can do anything he likes.” to support them by begging. When Serving the Master Naren chose their monastic names For almost two years Shashi regularly he wanted at first to take the name visited the Master at Dakshineswar of Ramakrishnananda for himself, Swami Ramakrishnananda and acquired great spiritual treasures because it was the one he most (one who enjoys the bliss of from him. In the middle of 1885 desired; but he decided that Ramakrishna) Ramakrishna developed throat cancer Shashi’s devotion gave him the better (13th July 1863— 21 August 1911) and the devotees arranged for his claim to it. treatment in Shyampukur, Calcutta. Birth and education Holy Mother took the responsibility mat on the floor. He then asked of cooking special food for the Shashi Bhusan Chakrabarty was their names and where they lived, th Master and some young disciples born on Monday, 13 July 1863 in and he was pleased to know that began to nurse him under Narendra’s Hooghly District, West Bengal. they belonged to Keshab’s Brahmo leadership. Shashi would eat at After finishing his education in the Samaj. village school, Shashi went to Calcutta home, then serve the Master at After the first meeting Shashi felt for higher English education. He night. Shashi was then preparing for an irresistible attraction for Sri lived with his cousin Sharat (later his B.A. examination. His parents Ramakrishna, and he began to visit Swami Saradananda). He passed had great expectations for him him frequently. “After I had listened the Calcutta University Entrance because he was their eldest son and to Sri Ramakrishna”, he later examination, and, as he was a a brilliant student. recalled, “I had nothing more to brilliant student, won a scholarship. Now Shashi faced a great dilemma: say. I did not have to talk. Often I He passed his First Arts examination Should he serve his guru or build would go to him with my mind full from Albert College, then entered his career through study? His of doubts which I wished him to the Metropolitan College for his discriminating mind selected the clear away. But when I reached the B.A. He had a wonderful academic first one. He stopped going home, temple I would find his room full of record in college; his special gave up his studies, and became a people and would feel very much subjects of study were Sanskrit and fulltime attendant of the Master. disappointed. As soon as he saw me English Literature, mathematics he would say, ‘Come in, sit down. The doctor advised the devotees to and philosophy. Are you doing well?’ Then he move Sri Ramakrishna from With Sri Ramakrishna would return to his subject but smoggy, congested Calcutta to a Hunger for God made young invariably he would take up the clean, quiet country place. Accordingly, Shashi restless. Keshab Chandra very doubt that was troubling my the Master was taken to the Cossipore Sen, leader of the Brahmo Samaj, mind and clear it away completely.” garden house on 11 December 1885. Shashi followed the Master inspired him immensely but he One day while Shashi was hurriedly like a shadow. All of the attendants could not fully satiate his spiritual passing through the Master’s room were great devotees, but Shashi’s hunger. One day in October 1883, looking for a particular object, devotion was special. He was the Shashi, Sharat and some of their Ramakrishna said to him, “Whom very embodiment of service. He friends went to Dakshineswar to you are looking for, he is here – was convinced that service to the visit Sri Ramakrishna. They found here – here.” Immediately Shashi’s guru was the highest form of religion. the Master seated on his small eyes fell on the blissful form of the He practised no spiritual discipline, couch. He received the boys with a Master; he then realised that Sri knew no other asceticism, travelled smile and asked them to sit on a Ramakrishna was the polestar of to no holy places. Forgetting his

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 7 December 2007 personal comfort, food, or rest, he along with him. He enjoyed solving followed him to the carriage which was always ready to serve the Master. mathematical problems; sometimes was waiting. On the way he asked His life’s purpose was to alleviate after his noon rest he would work the Swami, “How is it you gave the the Master’s suffering. Indeed, he on the mathematics on a slate or class for fully one hour though would have given his life if he piece of paper. Often for inspiration nobody turned up?” The Swami thought that would cure him. Every he would read the episode of replied, “I have not come to teach one marvelled at his indefatigable Rishabha Deva from the Bhagavata, anybody. I only fulfil the vow I energy, his endurance and his and comment, “The spiritual state have taken.” boundless love for the Master. of Rishabha Deva is extraordinarily Days of Hardship Love is reciprocal. Ramakrishna high and may be compared to that of One generally does not vent anger poured his fountain of love into his a paramahamsa.” He also translated upon a stranger; during times of disciples and captivated them the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna anguish and suffering one releases forever. It was winter when the from Bengali into Sanskrit verses frustration and anger upon those Master arrived at the Cossipore and got them serially published in one knows and loves. One evening a garden house. Once, in the middle Vidyodaya, a Sanskrit journal. few devotees came to the monastery of the night, Shashi left the Master’s Ramakrishnananda never had an idle to meet Ramakrishnananda but he room to clean the commode; he moment, as he had a wide range of was in the shrine. They overheard wore only a thin cloth. On his interests. him talking with someone loudly in return he saw that Ramakrishna, Spreading the Message angry tones, “You have brought me who was very sick, had somehow In March 1897, Swamiji called here, an old man and left me helpless. crawled across the room and was aside Ramakrishnananda and said, Are you testing my powers of reaching up for a shawl that was “I have given my word to my patience and endurance? I will not hanging on a clotheshorse. At this friends at Madras that I shall very go and beg hereafter for my sake or painful sight Shashi thought to soon send one of my brother disciples even for yours. If anything comes himself, Alas! In my hurry I forgot there. I have selected you. You are to unasked, I will offer it to you and to cover him sufficiently, so perhaps go to Madras and find a monastery share the Prasad. Or, I will bring he is cold and trying to get a shawl. there in the name of our Beloved sea sand for offering to you and I Filled with love and concern, the Master.” Ramakrishnananda neither shall live upon that.” Later they Master held out his shawl, and then raised any objection nor pleaded realised that the Swami was said in a feeble voice, “I felt cold as any excuse. In the last part of quarrelling with his beloved Master. you went out almost bare-bodied on March 1897 he left for Madras by Renunciation is the way such a cold night, so I picked up ship with Swami Sadananda, a Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “The this shawl for you. Please take disciple of Vivekananda, and arrived sannyasin, the man of renunciation, this.” Shashi was overwhelmed. there in April. Thus came an end is a world teacher. It is his example that Monastic life his vigil over the Master’s remains. awakens the spiritual consciousness of In December 1886 Shashi and some He was assigned to work in a new men.” Ramakrishnananda was a other disciples went to Antpur, the place among unknown people. sannyasin of spotless character. He country home of Baburam. Inspired Ramakrishnananda’s life exemplified once said to an American devotee, by Narendra, they took informal the teachings of the Gita. “You are “Man must give up everything to vows of monasticism during a entitled to work, but never to its God, then alone he thrives…if you nightlong vigil around a sacred fire. fruits.” Swami Shankarananda study all the personal religions, you Later they discovered that their recalled: will find that all preach renunciation. vigil had taken place on Christmas One afternoon it was drizzling Renunciation is their fundamental Eve. A month later they took formal and the sky was overcast with teaching.” monastic vows by performing the clouds. A hackney carriage came On Selfishness traditional ‘viraja homa’ ceremony in time to take the Swami to his Ramakrishnananda said, “So long in Baranagore. Narendra gave the class. … The carriage arrived in as we are selfish our work must be name ‘Swami Ramakrishnananda’ George Town, where the Swami fruitless. We may deliver fine to Shashi, knowing that his devotion used to hold one of his classes… lectures, we may gain name and to the Master was second to none. There was no one else in the room. fame, but the actual results will be Ramakrishnananda was learned and The swami waited for about a quarter nil. The moment, however, our little devotional, but he was not a of an hour but no one turned up. He self disappears, at that moment our gloomy ascetic. After dinner he then opened his Upanishad and real work begins. Then we may live would dramatically read Mark began to read and explain with all an obscure life and go nowhere, but Twain’s ‘The Innocents at home’ ardour and amiability. After an we shall accomplish wonders.” and ‘The innocents abroad.’ He hour he stopped, closed his book would roar with laughter as he read and said to the Brahmacharin, them, and the others would laugh “Well, let us go.” The brahmacharin (Please turn over to page 4)

REACH Issue No. 89 Page 8 December 2007