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th 1 104 Price: ` 15 Year of Publication The Kesari THE LION OF VEDANTA A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly of the Order since 1914

Chidambaram Nataraja , Tamilnadu

January 2017 The V edanta K esari 2 JANUARY 2017 2

To repeat the Lord’s name and to worship Him no special time and place are necessary. In whatever condition one may be, one can take His name. —Swami

Editor: Swami Mahamedhananda Managing Editor: Swami Gautamananda Printed and published by Swami Vimurtananda on behalf of Sri Trust from No.31, Ramakrishna Math Road, , - 4 and Printed at Sri Ramakrishna Printing Press, No.31 Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 4. Ph: 044 - 24621110 3 The 104th Year of Publication VOL. 104, No. 1 JANUARY 2017 ISSN 0042-2983

A CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL MONTHLY OF THE Started at the instance of in 1895 as Brahmavâdin, it assumed the name The Vedanta Kesari in 1914. For free edition on the Web, please visit: www.chennaimath.org

The Vedanta Kesari wishes all its readers and well-wishers A Happy and Fulfilling 2017

CONTENTS

JANUARY 2017 Hastamalakiyam 1 Editorial  Resolve to Evolve 2 Articles  Cosmic Dance on a Celestial Event 11 Ankit Arora  With Swami Brahmananda 17 Swami Tejasananda  Two-Fold Mission of Swami Vivekananda 20 Prof. S. Radhakrishnan  Healing the Hills 25 Swami Dhyanasthananda  Swamiji and Netaji 30 Dr. Saroj Upadhyay, Mrs. Sudeshna Gupta Reminiscences  Reminiscences of Sargachhi 4 Swami Suhitananda Our Heritage ~ Our Heroes 8 The Order on the March 33 Book Reviews 36 Cover Story: Page 5 The V edanta K esari 4 JANUARY 2017 The Vedanta Kesari Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 h (044) 2462 1110 (4 lines) Website : www.chennaimath.org For all authors and contributors : [email protected] For all subscription related enquiries: [email protected]

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 You can subscribe to The Vedanta Kesari one month (for overseas subscriptions, two from any month. months) of posting of the journal are not  On your address slip, the number on the entertained. left of the first line is your subscription  To ensure continuity, please renew your number. Always mention this in your subscription well in advance. correspondence.  For fresh subscriptions, renewals, placing  If you do not receive your copy by the advertisements in The Vedanta Kesari, 2nd week of a month, please intimate us. please write to The Manager, The Vedanta Complaints reaching us before this or after Kesari Office. The V edanta K esari 5 JANUARY 2017

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The Vedanta Kesari is one of the oldest cultural and spiritual magazines in the country started under the guidance of Swami Vivekananda. All through these 103 years, every month, the magazine has been carrying the invigorating message of Vedanta with articles on spirituality, culture, philosophy, youth and personality development, holistic living, family values, science and corporate values. Over the years the production and publication costs have increased manifold, putting a heavy strain on our finances. A non- commercial magazine like this can continue its good work only with the generous financial support and active assistance of well-wishers. We request our readers to help in making this magazine self-supporting. Please send your donations to the Vedanta Kesari Permanent Fund by Cheque/ DD/MO/addressed to ‘Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, VKPF’ along with a covering note stating that the contribution is towards the Vedanta Kesari Permanent Fund. For Online donations using your Master or Visa Cards please visit our Website: www. chennaimath.org. Names of donors contributing more than Rs.2,500/- or $50 will be published in the magazine. All donations to Sri Ramakrishna Math are exempt from Income Tax under section 80G of the [Indian] I.T.Act, 1961.

N Cover Story N Chidambaram temple or Thillai Natarajar Temple dedicated to Lord is located in the town of Chidambaram which is about 235 kms from Chennai. Chidambaram is one of the Panchabootha Sthalas, where Lord Shiva is worshipped in his manifestation as sky. A unique feature of this temple is the bejewelled image of Nataraja. It depicts Lord Shiva as the Lord of the Tandava dance. A detailed article on the temple is presented in this issue. The V edanta K esari 6 JANUARY 2017

Vedanta Kesari Sponsors can mention the libraries in India which Library Fund Scheme they wish to enroll, or The Vedanta Kesari will select the Do you feel that India’s timeless heritage libraries on their behalf. The of spirituality, values and culture needs to name of the sponsors, along reach a wider section of youth? with the libraries enrolled, will be published in The Come, join us Vedanta Kesari. in spreading Sponsorship for one the message of library is Rs.2000/- Vedanta and of Donors can sponsor libraries You can send your Ramakrishna- in high schools, colleges / sponsorship by Cheque Vivekananda universities and institutions / DD in favour of ‘Sri of learning in India, including Ramakrishna Math, public libraries, which would Chennai VKLF’ with a receive The Vedanta Kesari covering note / e-mail to The for ten years. Manager, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 04. For Online donations using your Master or Visa Cards please visit our Website: www. chennaimath.org

DONORS Swami Umadhishananda, Chennai Rs.1250 Smt. Girijamma K N, U.P. Rs.5000 Sri. Ramesh Sundaram, Chennai Rs.2000 Sri Sreekar Shenoy A, Kerala Rs.2000 Dr. Indira, U.P. Rs.1000 The Vedanta Kesari Library Scheme

SL.NO. NAMES OF SPONSORS AWARDEE INSTITUTIONS 6168. M/s. Merino Panel Products Ltd., Public Library, Andrews Ganj, New Delhi - 110 049 6169. -do- Delhi Public Library, S.P. Mukherjee Marg, Delhi Railway Station 6170. Mr. Nikhil M. Jali, BMS College of Engineering, Bull Temple Road, - 560 019 6171. -do- Vivekananda Vidyapeeth, Raipur, Chhattisgarh - 492 010 6172. IIMM, Chattisgarh F.N. College, Balasore Dist., Orissa - 756 001 6173. -do- J.S.S. Medical College, Myslore, Karnataka - 570 015 6174. -do- Government College of Indian Medicine, Mysore, Karnataka - 570 021 To be continued . . . 7

Hastamalakiyam Awareness is of two types—awareness of the objects and awareness of the subject. Awareness of objects is created by sense organs when they come into contact with their particular objects. This awareness is perishable because anything that is created, as a rule, dies a natural death in time. On the other hand, awareness of the subject or contentless awareness is eternal as it is not created. This eternal awareness, the Chaitanyam as it is called in , is the Atman or the Self. Realizing the Atman is the height of Advaitic Realization. Acharya Sankara, the foremost propounder of Advaitic doctrine, during his triumphal tour was once travelling near the Mookambika Temple in Kollur. Prabhakar, a pious, but worried man prostrated before the Acharya along with his seemingly ailing 13-year-old son. The father lamented that his son was never aware of his surroundings and did not mix with his mates nor read the . Even when physically harmed he would not react, much less get angry. He had grown up only by the sheer force of . Moved to pity the Acharya tenderly asked the boy,

kastvaṃ kimevaṃ jaḍavatpravṛttaḥ ‘Who are you? Why do you behave as if you are inert?’ Now the grandeur of the boy was revealed to the world. The boy had already attained the pinnacle of the Advaitic realization which is knowing the Self or the contentless awareness. His realization was as direct as a fruit on the palm. His real name is lost to the world and he is known as, ‘one whose realization is as direct as a the fruit on the palm’, i.e., Hastamalaka. In response to the Acharya’s question the boy poured out his realization in twelve grand verses. These verses of Hastamalaka are called Hastamalakiyam. The greatness of these verses is testified by the fact that the Acharya himself wrote a commentary on them. With this introduction we shall reflect on the verses from the next issue.

The V edanta K esari ~ 01 ~ JANUARY 2017 8 Editorial

Resolve to Evolve A new year can be a new beginning in hearts quake at the thought of death. Swamiji two dimensions—in our personal journey agrees and still insists, ‘At first, the heart will through life and in our relationship with break down, and despondency and gloomy the world. What New Year’s approach or thoughts will occupy your mind. But persist, resolution can ring in real strength, happiness, … then you will see new strength has come and fulfilment in our personal lives and in the into the heart, that the constant thought of world around us? death is giving you a new life, and is making you more and more thoughtful and… the To Awaken spirit within is waking up with the strength of ‘What is the grandest of all the truths in a lion… Think of death always and you will life?’ Swami Vivekananda asked a group of realize the truth of every word I say.’ 1 college students sitting around him in Belur A new attraction in China is called Math. ‘Xinglai’ which means ‘awaken.’ It is a death When they could not reply, he answered, simulator machine which takes people through ‘We shall all die!’ the experience of cremation and rebirth. Can our first resolution for the year be Participants play a game where they have to meditate on this commonplace yet grand to make the right choice in a life-or-death truth—Death? hypothetical situation. The loser is the first Is that a morbid thought? And why to go through the death experience. He lies should Swamiji ask young men to think of down on a conveyor belt, and goes through death!? They have a long life ahead of them. a dark tunnel that simulates cremation. He is Why not instead, think of the deathless then ‘reborn’ out the other side through a latex Atman—our own immortal spiritual nature? womb. Participants feel that it gives them a True enough. But bound as we are to chance to calm down, think deeply and come body-consciousness, contemplating death is out with a new perspective on life. an easier way for many to awaken into the Sri Ramana Maharishi went through such life of the Spirit. Furthermore, some of us may a simulated death experience as a 16 year old not be around to plan a New Year resolution lad. Sitting in his room at , he was next year! suddenly overcome by the thought ‘I am going Continuing his advice to the students, to die.’ The shock of the fear of death drove his Swamiji says, ‘We shall all die! Bear this in mind inward and he mimicked the experience mind always, and then the spirit within will by lying down stiff and holding his breath. wake up. Then only meanness will vanish Almost without any conscious effort on his from you, practicality in work will come, you part, he soon became absorbed forever in his will get new vigour in mind and body, ….’ ‘I’ consciousness. He came out a perfect Jnani. Constant reflection on death will bring Of course, contemplation on death is nobility, practicality, and strength!! But yet our not usually such an easy, one-time process.

The V edanta K esari ~ 02 ~ JANUARY 2017 9

Our weak mind has to be repeatedly cajoled outlook on life? describes how to deliberate on the realities of death. Unlike she replaced her Occidental perception of man Raja Parikshit, who knew he would die in as a body having a soul, with the Oriental seven days, we do not know when and how understanding of man as a soul having a body death will approach us. And when it comes, all with the mind as the pivot of life. She writes, our possessions and our beloved ones cannot ‘I began to speak to people, first postulating to help us. Deep reflection on such simple facts myself experimentally, that I was addressing of death can prepare us to live wisely and the mind within, not the ear without. The value every moment of life. It will evoke in us immense increase of response that this evoked, a sense of urgency to achieve our purpose in led me from step to step till twelve months life. It will empower us to see life afresh not later, I suddenly found that I had fallen into simply on New Year’s Day, but on every day. the habit of thinking of mind as dominant, Our priorities will become clear and we will and could no longer imagine its beings find it easier to transform our thinking and let extinguished by the death of the body! Every go the piteous clinging to life. new practice deepened this conviction, and I Most of us go through life mechanically became gradually possessed of a conception of by force of habit. As a result we tend to fix the world about us as mind-born.’3 labels on ourselves and others and cling to Indeed, from seeing the world as mind- them for years. When the labels are negative born to seeing it as God is but a natural like, ‘I’m bound,’, ‘I’m weak,’ ‘I know step. As Sri Ramakrishna tells us, ‘the everything,’ ‘He is cunning,’ ‘She is arrogant,’ superior devotee sees that God alone has and ‘They are uncultured,’ it thwarts our become everything; He alone has become the personal growth and adversely affects our twenty four cosmic principles. He finds that relationships with others. We then also obsess everything, above and below, is filled with about how badly so and so behaved with us God.’4 and take every opportunity to tell others about Can our second resolution for this year it. But if we contemplate death, we can give up be to overcome ‘the separativeness of a self- the vanities of the world and see the world as centred life,’ and ‘serve all beings with gifts, it is, unmasked by our assumptions, prejudices honour and love, recognising that such service and fanciful imaginations. is really being rendered to’ Him ‘who resides in all beings as their innermost soul’?5 To Serve The onus is on enlightened citizens And what indeed is the world as it is? How to strive continuously to create in their should we approach it? Swamiji advices, ‘Never own personal lives and in the society, an approach anything except as God; for if we do, atmosphere of noble aspirations and spiritual we see evil, because we throw a veil of delusion inclinations that will fulfil our national over what we look at, and then we see evil.’2 destiny—to awaken the Spirit, the Lord in the But how does one discard old habits lives of men and women in every society. Let of thinking and feeling and develop a new us resolve to evolve together.

References: 1. CW, 5.329-330 2. CW, 7.34 3. , 296-97 4. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, 910 5. Srimad Bhagavata, 3.29.27

The V edanta K esari ~ 03 ~ JANUARY 2017 10 Reminiscences

Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA (Continued from the previous issue. . .) Swami Premeshananda (1884–1967) was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada . For over two decades, he lived at , Sargachhi, first as its monastic-in-charge and later as a retired sannyasi. He inspired countless people to lead a life of spirituality and service. Influenced by him many young men and women entered into monastic life. His conversations and teachings were noted by his attendant novitiate who is now Swami Suhitananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. These spiritual dialogues were serialized in (the Bengali monthly of the Ramakrishna Order) and later published as a book titled Sargachchir . Sri Shoutir Kishore Chatterjee has translated these reminiscences into English. English words and expressions which appear in the original have been retained and shown within single inverted commas.

14.11.59 everything. The boys who come out of the There were small boil-like eruptions on University, think – ‘I am a big gun.’ They don’t Maharaj’s abdomen; perhaps a side-reaction want to easily accept anything new. of medication. The attendant was applying a lotion. 5.12.59 Maharaj: See I am suffering after un- Three-four days ago a teacher of fine necessarily eating something. Just as a arts came from the B.T. college at Belur. householder sets up a family and later suffers He brought two pictures of Sri Chaitanya for that, we procure a body from somewhere Mahaprabhu which would be printed in the and suffer! Conduct yourself in such a manner book written by Swami Saradeshananda. that you are spared the sufferings of the body. Maharaj was very pleased to see them and The thing is — unless you are able to get out said, ‘Paintings are not valued in our country. of the body, you will suffer blow after blow. A friend of mine in France got Rs.16,000 for You people have strength and ability; you his painting. And in our country nobody will succeed if you strive a little. You are all knows its value. I don’t think Sri Chaitanya thousand times better off than us. See, how Mahaprabhu’s upper cloth would hang down much suffering this body is causing. When you like this; he was very tidy. His legs too were cremate this body, poke it hard with a stick. I large.’ will stand at a distance and see how the rascal burns. 18.12.59 You are saved that you came here Attendant: We have left our homes to renouncing the home. Or else, if you had enjoy spiritual bliss in this very life. If one passed the M.A. examination who could cannot become jivanmukta (liberated even dare to touch your tail! ‘My opinion’ darkens while living), should one give up this life?

The V edanta K esari ~ 04 ~ JANUARY 2017 11

Maharaj: See, jivanmukta is not for Attendant: What is Sri Ramakrishna’s now. Talk about it after ten years. Now mission? study everything. Know about the lives of Maharaj: To love, to think about the our swamis, observe the life in the Order – good of everybody and work out how to serve whatever is to happen later will happen. There them. Shiva Jnane Jiva (to serve all beings is a custom in Uttarakhanda – when some knowing them to be Shiva). Also, to know that sadhaks realize that it is impossible to attain the four are really one. Overwork leads perfection in this life, they voluntarily give to extroversion, continuous meditation makes up their bodies. They pray to God that in the one half-insane, pursuing only knowledge next life they should have a body and mind makes one just a scholar, and only devotion conducive to call on Him. Giving up the body makes one emotional. What is required is a like this is a kind of suicide. harmonisation of all the four. If there is no Attendant: Will those who will not be knowledge and no one will be attracted born again have to experience the fruits of their towards the body. Then the idea of seeing present actions in this life itself? everyone as God remains far away. Maharaj: For sure. One must rightly At noon-time Maharaj was sitting and suffer the consequences of what one does in looking at a picture-book. In a picture where this life – then only one would get release! Sri Ramakrishna forbids Holy Mother from That is why I say – do not transgress the laws removing her bangles, his likeness was drawn of nature. At home my mother used to say, with a shadow. ‘One becomes miserable due to the curse of a Maharaj: This appearance cannot be Candala (an untouchable), and that cannot be seen with naked eyes. It is a bhava-tanu (a undone even by the God of Destiny.’ So don’t body created by ideas). It is seen with the trouble anyone. eye of devotional love. And it does not throw Those who say ‘we cannot do it’, ‘we are any shadow. But the artist who sketched this sinners’ are escapists. They don’t want to do doesn’t know this. anything. Whatever one does, one really wants only that; that is, he doesn’t feel the need for 21.12.59 anything more. In the morning Maharaj was physically Question: Maharaj, if we just remain very unwell. The sun was up and he was without doing any spiritual practices, how basking, sitting in a chair in the courtyard. long will it take for us to be liberated? Srikanta, a devotee from Sylhet came and Maharaj: Sakrudagami (one who comes asked, ‘Maharaj, where shall I meditate on Sri back once). In 1934 Swami Sraddhananda was Ramakrishna—in front of the eyes, or in front a college student. (He later passed away in San of the heart?’ Francisco). He used to come to me and chat. One Maharaj: I have seen one can meditate day in course of conversation I said, ‘The monkeys better before the eyes. Yes, meditate before became liberated by carrying stones for Sri the eyes. Ramachandra’s mission.’ This statement charmed A teacher came in the afternoon carrying him so much that he wrote a play on it and got the Bengali biography of Swami Vivekananda. it staged. Similarly, if somebody helps in Sri He kept the book on the ground and bowed Ramakrishna’s mission, he too will be liberated. down to Maharaj. When he left Maharaj said,

The V edanta K esari ~ 05 ~ JANUARY 2017 12

‘Did you see the behavior of that fellow! To Him in that very way. If one thinks of Him as him this book is just like a physics or chemistry Vasudeva Sri , one will regard Him as book.’ Later, when Maharaj met the teacher Eternal Krishna. again, he said, ‘Please once touch that book to my Question: Is there no agony of separation head. Bhagavata-Bhakta-Bhagavan (Scripture, in that? Devotee and God) –all three are equal to us.’ Maharaj: That pangs of separation is The gentleman was very much moved and really another state of bliss. understood the importance of that book. Question: Will those worshipping trees Maharaj was retiring to bed at night. He and stones not attain freedom through that? said, ‘When someone dies in a householder’s Maharaj: They will attain liberation family they cry in sorrow. But when a sannyasi provided they conceive an Impersonal God dies nobody does anything – only the dead even in the stone. Otherwise — body is cremated. The sannyasis have already Yanti devavrata devan pitrun yanti pitru done their own sraddha (funeral rites); there are vratah … (Gita 9/25) no other rites for them. Many think that the Beyond the gross and subtle bodies is the bhandara observed after 12 days is sraddha; causal body; in it lies the blissful dimension. but actually it is just a feast! If we mix too Going beyond the causal body one attains much with people, slowly we will imbibe their nirvana or liberation. attitudes and mannerisms. A Brahmacharin Question: Did Sri Ramakrishna and must certainly perform the sraddha of his Swamiji always stay in the blissful dimension? parents. Can parents be neglected? Can their Maharaj: No. Not when Swamiji was debt be repaid?’ the son of Biswanath Dutta. And not when Sri Ramakrishna would come down to the 25.12.59 level of this world. Not when Sri Chaitanya Maharaj was physically very unwell. The Mahaprabhu was playing in the company of attendant was sitting with him in the hall. the devotees. Maharaj: Practice Yoga to become free Attendant: Maharaj, instead of going to from slavery to the gross and the subtle bodies. the Math on birthday celebrations, will it not Otherwise you will suffer in old age. Even if do if and meditation is done in one’s own you do not become liberated, thinking about it room? every day will strengthen your conviction; and Maharaj: No. It is necessary to attend the you will also find some solace by trying to see celebrations. One must go now and then. your physical suffering as someone else’s pain. Attendant: Why? I do not have any urge! The attendant was reading the Gita. I do not feel any attraction or kinship with the Question: Does aham (I) and mama (my) Chosen Deity. spoken of in the Gita stand for the impersonal Maharaj: When you feel kinship, then ‘I’ or Sri Krishna? everything is done. Maharaj: When it is said Avyaktam vyaktimapannam…(7/24) or Avajananti mam 26.12.59 mudhah (9/11) it implies the Impersonal God. Maharaj: Look here. One should always But Ye yatha mam prapadyante (4/11) – whoever be engaged in studies or in discussing worships Him in whatever manner, will attain something ‘serious’. It pains me to see you

The V edanta K esari ~ 06 ~ JANUARY 2017 13 people indulging in frivolous talk. When I was here, once there and piteously flew to their nest able to speak out, I would always forcefully and came back again and again. stop such activities. Question: Maharaj, what is meant by A certain sannyasi was wearing a shirt seeing God? with golden-coloured buttons. Seeing him Maharaj: God does not live in just one Maharaj said, ‘Even as sannyasis should not place. If He is realized, then man’s body itself look at women, they should also not look at becomes suffused with God consciousness. Just gold. These things are written in Paramahamsa to make people understand we say that God Upanishad.’ resides in the lotus of the heart – because heart is very ‘sensitive’. There are such statements 30.12.59 in the Vedas too. Again God is conceived to Attendant: Maharaj, in the Gita it is be in the right eye. Sri Ramakrishna has said, stated – Prakritim yanti bhutani nigrahah kim ‘Is man something ordinary? He can think of karisyati. (3/33) (Beings follow nature; what the Infinite.’ You do not know what power is can restraint do?) What is meant by this nigraha inside you. The power by which the entire earth (restraint)? functions, and the planets and stars revolve, Maharaj: Restraint of the senses. Nothing that very power is inside you. Through spiritual comes out of forcible restraint– just as nothing practice man can tap this power. comes out of mere vows and fasts. The more Question: Maharaj, you have spoken you progress towards God, the lesser will about realizing God. But in the Ashrama there be your attachment to the senses. You won’t is only work, work and more work. How is it then have to restrain them by force. The more possible to think about Consciousness here? you go towards the east the west will be left Maharaj: He is the reality of condensed behind. And if you have deep love for God, Consciousness. The same Consciousness is the necessary restraint will develop naturally. in you too. You will know it if you try. Just When you read a verse from the Gita, like Gopala of Gopal Ma.1 See, how a degree you should see how much of it you are able to obtained by passing an examination has bring into practice. After grasping the general become so prestigious! How it is admired meaning of the verse if you contemplate on it and respected! But if you want to attain Him, throughout the day your understanding will you must detach your mind from such things. become clear. Either seek Him, or remain intoxicated with I stayed in Swargashram at Hrishikesh for the world. Just as I love you because you have three years. One rainy season two birds came come here renouncing everything, He too and tried to build a nest with mud and failed. will love you if you hold on to Him giving up They couldn’t do it the next year too. They came everything else. Right in the morning resolve – again in the third year. But by then they had ‘let not even a small fraction of my ‘energy’ be become old and they built the nest with great wasted.’ Create an earnest interest like this—‘I effort–the mud there is not clayey. The chicks will wake up early in the morning, meditate were born. I feared to go there, lest seeing me upon Sri Ramakrishna, and serve him.’ they should flee. One day I saw two chicks lying (To be continued . . .) dead on the ground. What heart-rending grief Note: 1. Aghoramani Devi, a woman disciple of Sri it was for the two parent birds. They sat once Ramakrishna who saw and played with Balagopala.

The V edanta K esari ~ 07 ~ JANUARY 2017 14

Our Heritage Our Heroes JANUARY 2017 On 1 January 1886, Sri Ramakrishna showered special blessings SPECIAL DAYS on his devotees. At the Garden House, profoundly moved 1 Kalpataru Day by the deep devotion of and other devotees Sri 4 Swami Saradananda Jayanti Ramakrishna in a spiritual mood said, ‘What more shall I say? I bless 11 Swami Jayanti you all. Be illumined!’ Standing as a Kalpataru, the wish-fulfilling tree, 12 National Youth Day he touched the devotees giving them intense spiritual experiences. Every 14 Makara Sankranti year this day is celebrated as the Kalpataru Day when lakhs of people 15 Thiruvalluvar Jayanti 19 Swami Vivekananda Jayanti throng to the Ramakrishna Math, Cossipore and the Temple at 23 Subhash Chandra Bose Birthday seeking the blessings of Sri Ramakrishna. 29 Swami Brahmananda Jayanti 31 Swami Jayanti Makar Sankranti is one of the major festivals of . It is a 4-day harvest festival that falls in the Magh month of the Hindu Solar Calendar. Makar Sankranti marks the transition of the sun into the zodiacal sign of Makara or Capricorn. It is also known as Uttarayana or the northward journey of the sun. This Uttarayana periods of six months is highly auspicious as it is the daytime of the devatas. Also, this is the only festival that invariably falls on the same date every year. Sankranti is celebrated all over India with some regional variations. In the festival is called and it is a four-day celebration. The first day is called Bhogi Pongal. On this day people throw away old clothes and things. The second day is the Makar Sankranti called Thai Pongal. Pongal is a sweet preparation made from the newly harvested crops and it is offered to the Sun-god at sunrise, as a prayer and thanksgiving for providing prosperity. The third day is called Maattu Pongal when people offer thanks to cattle which are the farmers’ companions. On this day the cattle are decorated, allowed to roam free and fed sweet rice and sugar cane. In some places Jallikattu or wild bull taming contest is organized. The fourth day of the festival is Kaanum Pongal. On this day people visit their relatives and friends to enjoy the festive season.

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In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana too the festival is celebrated similarly for four days. On the first day called Bhogi big bonfires are lit before the homes in which old clothes are set fire. On the second day of the festival children are showered with ber or Indian Jujube, also known as Regi Pandlu in Telugu, to protect them from evil eye. Also in front of every house people draw a Rangoli or ‘Muggu’. A traditional sport of cock fights are held in the coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh. In Karnataka on the festival day, doors and windows are decorated with green mango leaves and colourful rangolis adorn the entrances. People visit relatives and friends and exchange ellu and bella—a mixture of sesame seeds and jaggery, and sugarcane sticks. In it is a three-day festival. People exchange Tilgud, Halwa, Puran Poli and greet each other, ‘til-gul ghya, aani god-god bola’, which means ‘accept these sweets, and speak sweet words.’ Married women wear a special black saree called the Chandrakala which is embossed with stars and and small crescent moons. They get together and apply Haldi-Kumkum (turmeric-vermillion) and exchange gifts in the form of clothes and utensils. In Bengal the festival also known as Poush Sankranti is noted for its Ganga Sagar Mela. The fair is held on the about 100 kms from . On this day hundreds of thousands of devotees take a holy dip in the confluence of River Ganga and the Bay of Bengal and then offer worship at the Kapil Muni temple. The special food preparation is Pithe, a sweet prepared with rice, date palm jaggery and coconut. In North India thousands of people throng pilgrimage places like Haridwar, Banares and Allahabad to take a holy dip in Ganga. In Bihar and Jharkhand it is a two-day festival called Sakraat or Khichdi. In and it is celebrated as Uttarayan and is noted for kite flying. Across the cities competitions are held in kite flying and in Ahmedabad there is an International Kite Event where people from more than 40 countries take part. On the second night illuminated kites are flown creating a grand spectacle in the night sky. The special Gujarati preparation for Sankranti is Undhiyu, a mixed vegetable preparation and jilebis. Makar Sankranti in short reminds people that our true wealth is the love and friendship of our relatives, friends, and neighbours. And we have to be grateful to the land which grows our food and the livestock that support us.

Thiruvalluvar Thiruvalluvar is a revered Tamil saint, poet and philosopher who composed the famous ‘Thirukkural’, a collection of wise aphorisms. He is thought to have lived sometime between 4 BCE and 1 BCE. Thiruvalluvar is said to have been a weaver and the supposed house he lived in Mylapore in Chennai is now converted into a temple. Thirukkural consists of 1330 grand couplets, classified into 133 chapters and three major sections, Aram (), Porul () and Inbam (). There is a 133 foot tall statue of Thiruvalluvar, close to the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari. The 133 feet denotes Thirukkural’s 133 chapters and the show of three fingers denotes the three themes Aram, Porul and Inbam The V edanta K esari ~ 09 ~ JANUARY 2017 16

Swami Saradananda One day at Dakshineswar, in an ecstatic mood Sri Ramakrishna sat upon his young disciple Sharat Chandra Chakrabarty’s lap and later explained to the curious devotees, ‘I was testing how much weight he could bear.’ Later in life Sharat known as Swami Saradananda shouldered the responsibility of the young Ramakrishna Order as its General Secretary for over thirty years. Besides this, he also looked after Holy Mother Sri . Once, when Sri Ramakrishna asked him, ‘How would you like to realize God?’, Sharat replied, ‘I want to see Him in all beings, I do not like visions.’ And the Master blessed him, ‘Yes, you will have it.’ With this vision of equanimity, he was a model for Sthitaprajna, a man of steady wisdom. He could not be provoked to anger. Once while receiving a severe scolding from Swami Vivekananda he sat motionless as a statue and then peacefully had his tea! Swamiji commented, ‘Sharat’s veins carry the blood of fish; it will never warm up!’

Swami Turiyananda A young lad, Harinath Chattopadhya asked Sri Ramakrishna, ‘Sir, how can one become free from lust completely?’ The Master replied, ‘Why should it go? Give it a turn in another direction. What is lust? It is the desire to get. So desire to get God and strengthen this desire greatly.’ Harainath did just that. He evolved as Swami Turiyananda and declared, ‘I have done what one being born a man should do.’ He was a rare combination of asceticism, devotional fervor, scholarship and a modern outlook. He had a strong inclination for austerities and a wandering mendicant life. An unfailing spirit of dependence on God enabled him to face the uncertainties of such a life.

Swami Trigunatitananda Sarada Prasanna, though a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, received his formal initiation from Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. He had a unique multifaceted and harmonious personality. He had a tender and loving heart which went out in sympathy for the poor and the suffering. At the same time, he had an indomitable will and phenomenal power of endurance. He was utterly fearless and selfless, and put his whole heart into everything he did. In India the most memorable work he did was his service to the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi and his starting of Udbodhan, the official Bengali magazine of the Ramakrishna Mission. He went to the west in obedience to the request of Swami Vivekananda. Among his major accomplishments in America are the building of the first , the starting of Voice of Freedom—a monthly journal, and the initiation of an annual retreat at Shanti Ashrama.   

The V edanta K esari ~ 10 ~ JANUARY 2017 17 Article

Cosmic Dance on a Celestial Event ANKIT ARORA

The Chidambaram Nataraja temple in Cuddalore district of Tamilnadu (235 km south of Chennai) is one of the major Shaivite . Its most important festival Arudra Darshanam is a 10-day celebration in the Tamil month of Margazhi. This time it begins on 2 protection and preservation for all beings and Jan 2017 and concludes with the final Arudra his left hand stretches across the body and Darshanam on 11 Jan 2017. An attempt is made points downward, as gaja hasta, alluding to here to understand the divine legend behind wisdom. While his lifted left foot grants grace the festival, its significance, the temple rituals and bliss, his right foot, subduing the demon and its structure. of ignorance and ego, provides abode for souls seeking salvation. Perpetually performing The Divine Dancer these five activities, Nataraja with a divine When Nature becomes still, and all smile on his face, ‘dances a still dance’ of eternal vibrations cease, Lord Shiva at His will, stillness to maintain the order and balance of rises with ecstasy and sets the universe to the cosmos. the rhythm of His cosmic dance the Ananda This rhythmic play is not only manifested Tandav. Shiva as Nataraja is depicted as in the balance of cosmos but also forms the dancing in the space within a ring – symbol of very essence of existence. In the experience of the universe decorated with the flames of 27 our saints, constellations. He has four hands and stands Lord is the Dancer, who, like the heat latent in with his right leg on a dwarf demon and the firewood, left leg lifted and bent. He is adorned with diffuses His power in mind and matter, and jewels, his dreadlocks whirling, and snakes makes them dance in their turn1 around his waist swirling. He holds the divine Shiva is dancing in the hearts of his percussion damaru in the back right hand devotees, cremating lust and ego, subduing that sets the primal rhythm of the creation; ignorance, and awakening the self beyond in the back left hand he holds the fire for the illusion so as to display his blissful dance dissolution of darkness and fetters of bondage. leading to salvation. As Tirumular, one of the His right hand raised as abhaya hasta, assures 63 Nayanmars, writes in Tirumantiram,

The author is a graduate researcher in the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras.

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The dancing foot, the sound of the tinkling bells, one of the 18 Shaiva siddhars or mystics. He The songs that are sung and the varying steps, went to Thillai forest and engaged himself The form assumed by our Dancing Gurupara— in penance along with another great Shiva Find out these within yourself, devotee sage Vyagrapada. The two devotees Then shall your fetters fall away. worshipped the Lord in the form of Shivalinga, He is omnipresent, and his gracious as Thirumulataneswarar, the Primordial dance is manifested everywhere. In the motion Lord, while waiting for the Ananda Tandava of celestial bodies, regularity of seasons, darshanam. cycles of creations, karmic cycle, and from In course of time there came to reside the cosmic web to the core of atoms, it is His in the Thillai forests, a group of rishis who divine blissful dance which is being manifested believed that God could be controlled by timelessly. In the words of Fritjof Capra, a rituals and mantras. In order to remove their particle physicist, ‘every subatomic particle not delusion and also fulfil the wish of , only performs an energy dance, but also is an the Lord strolled in the forest as a simple energy dance; a pulsating process of creation mendicant seeking alms from the rishis’ wives. and destruction...For the modern physicists, Lord accompanied him as his consort then Shiva’s dance is the dance of subatomic in the form of Mohini. The rishis and their matter....’2 wives were enamoured by the brilliance and The manifestation of Shiva as Nataraja beauty of the handsome mendicant and his depicts that creation is not spontaneous consort. But on seeing their wives enchanted, and chaotic. It is a systematic percolation the rishis became enraged and through of rhythmic energy through inert matter, a mystical powers invoked serpents — a symbol subtle vibration awakening the consciousness, of their envy and anger. Lord Shiva lifted those occurring every moment at the Will of our serpents and donned them as ornaments on beloved Lord. His divinity is multifarious His matted locks, neck and waist. The rishis and manifested in every bit of this universe. then conjured a fierce tiger — a symbol of their He cannot be understood by the faculty of power; but the Lord killed it and wrapped its thinking and can be reached only through skin around His waist. Then followed a raging ceaseless devotion and the knowledge of Self. elephant — a symbol of the rishis’ ego; the Lord ripped it to death and came to be called Glory of Thillai Forest Gajasamharamurthy. Legend says that, once meditating on Thoroughly frustrated, the rishis Shiva’s Ananda Tandava, Vishnu’s body gathered all their spiritual strength and became heavier due to the bliss. When Sri invoked a powerful demon Apasmara — a Vishnu came out of meditation, he explained symbol of complete arrogance and ignorance. its cause to his consorts Sri Devi and Bhu But this time in order to preserve the balance Devi. Adhisesha, the serpent bed of the Lord, of knowledge and ignorance in the world, the yearned to see and enjoy the Ananda Tandava. Lord did not kill Apasmara. Instead with a The Lord instructed him to be born as a human gentle smile he stepped on the demon’s back, being and go to the Thillai forest where Lord immobilised him, and performed the Ananda Shiva would display the dance in due course. Thandava — the dance of eternal bliss. While Accordingly Adhisesha took birth as Patanjali, dancing so He disclosed His true form. The

The V edanta K esari ~ 12 ~ JANUARY 2017 19 humbled rishis realized that the Lord is the several renovations during the time of the Truth and is beyond mantras and rituals Pallava and Chola Kings. Patanjali consecrated and surrendered at His feet. Patanjali and this temple with a certain science behind it. Vyagrapada along with the whole universe The temple extends over 40 acres in the form of witnessed the Ananda Tandava and bathed four concentric enclosures or corridors called in its ecstasy. The Lord remained forever prakaras. The fourth and outermost prakara in Thillai forest as Nataraja — the Ananda consists of nine gateways, representing Tandava , suppressing the arrogance and the nine orifices in the human body. Four ignorance of all beings for all eternity. of these gateways have magnificent seven storied facing the four cardinal The Divine Temple directions. The positioning of the gopurams is That Thillai forest is now the town of unorthodox, with only the southern Chidambaram. Chidambaram literally means being directly on axis across the Nandi ‘Chit’ or Consciousness and ‘Ambaram’ or mandapa and Balipeethas. All the four gopurams infinite space. Popularly known as Thillai are ornate with sculptures presenting the Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram Temple, complete Shiva pantheon. The lower tier of it is one of the panchabhoota sthalams — the the gopurams mainly consist of Ashtadikpala temples of five primary elements; it represents mandala, mandala, and Rishi akasha or space. The temple is also one among mandala images. The upper tier is exclusively the pancha sabhai — the five divine halls where dedicated to the major forms of Shiva, Lord Shiva displayed his cosmic dance; this is including Gajasamharamurti, Kankalamurti, and the Golden Hall. Ardhanarishwara; there are 104 of these images The temple, consecrated by Patanjali of which 100 are still intact. The east gopuram himself thousands of years ago, has witnessed displays the complete enumeration of 108

Chidambaram Natarajar Temple

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Karanas — the key transitions in dance forming of the stone platform, known as the Kanaka the basis of Bharathanatyam. Sabha, is the place from where the daily rituals The third prakara is a large area open are conducted. As in the case of a human to the sky housing the Thousand Pillar Hall heart, it can be reached by two gateways on known as Raja Sabha, where festival rituals eastern and western sides. There is a well on are held twice a year. The hall symbolises the eastern side of the Chit Sabha, known as the thousand-petalled lotus of the Sahasrara the Paramananda Koopa, whose water is used chakra, the awakening of which leads to for daily rituals. The architecture of central union with the Divine. The western side of sanctum has philosophical implications. The the Raja Sabha is Shivaganga, the big temple roof of the Chit Sabha is covered with 21,600 tank. It centres the northern half of the third gold petals, with Shivaya Namaha engraved courtyard with elegant porches all around. on them, representing the number of breaths Facing east towards the tank is the temple of in a day. These petals are fixed with 72,000 Shivakamasundari, the consort of Nataraja. gold nails which represents the nadis — the There are some other shrines around the nerve nodes in the body. It bears 9 , corridor. representing 9 forms of energy. The second prakara on the western The Chit Sabha can be reached from side has the shrine of Thirumulataneswarar Kanaka Sabha by a flight of 5 stairs called the – the primordial Shivalingam worshipped Panchatchara padi, representing the 5 syllables by Patanjali and Vyagrapada; accompanying — Na Ma Si Va Ya. The Kanaka Sabha is held the Lord is his consort Umaiyammai. In by 28 pillars representing 28 Shaiva agamas or the southern corridor is the Nritya Sabha scriptures, 64 beams representing 64 arts, and or dance hall, with the shrine of Shiva and several cross beams representing blood vessels. Kali as the Urdhatandava murti. It is a high Going up in the Kanaka Sabha, it can be seen rectangular platform presented as a two- that the Chit Sabha displays the three forms wheeled chariot drawn by gigantic horses from of Shiva: Sakal as Nataraja; Nishkal-Sakal as the south towards the inner sanctum. It is the the crystal and Nishkal as the formless most ornate of all the halls with intricately empty space. There is also one red Ruby idol carved pillars, and an elaborate ceiling of Nataraja, representing Shiva who appeared and base decorated with figurative panels. in Brahmaloka as Ratnasabhapati. However, some later constructions have made The Nishkal murti is to the west of the considerable changes and some parts of the Nataraja, behind the silver latticed-screen, structure have been covered-up in cement. covered with the curtain. When the priest The innermost prakara houses the central removes the curtain, 51 gold bilva leaves sanctum santorum, the Chit Sabha or the Hall hanging over a stone screen can be seen, of Consciousness. It represents the lotus heart indicating the presence of the Lord there. It of the Universe, where Lord Shiva along with represents the Upanishadic idea that Reality is Shivakami Amman is performing the Ananda obscured by the curtain of , the illusion. Tandava. Set on four feet high stone platform it When by the force of one’s own efforts and has a single door on the southern side, slightly the Lord’s , the removes off the centre towards east, through which this curtain of maya, the manifested and the the Nataraja idol can be seen. The front porch un-manifested can be known simultaneously.

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Whoever goes beyond maya, can have the Daily rituals start when the chief priest vision of Lord Shiva and thus obtain the enters the sanctum reflecting deeply on his knowledge of the Absolute. But it remains a oneness with the Lord. Major rituals are secret for the rest of the world. This is known performed six times a day and before each of as the Chidambara Rahasyam — The Secret of them the crystal lingam is ritually bathed and Chidambaram. worshipped to the accompaniment of Vedic To the south-west of the Kanaka Sabha, hymns in Sanskrit and the Panchapuranam at the right-angle conjugation of the Nataraja (from the Panniru Thirumurai) in Tamil. facing south, there is a Vishnu shrine facing The worship ends with the priest parting the east as Govindaraj Perumal. It is one among curtains of the sanctum sanctorum to reveal 108 Divyadesam. Here, Vishnu gazes on Shiva the Chidambara Rahasyam. reclining on Adishesha. This represents the Vedic theme of the creation of the universe The Arudra Darshanam in the form of Nataraja, with Narayana There are six festivals in a year when reclining on Adhisesha, floating on the water Lord Nataraja is worshipped with elaborate of undifferentiated matter during the period anointing rituals. The most important is the between dissolution and creation. A glimpse Thiruvadhirai also known as Arudhra Darshan of both Shiva and Vishnu can be had from a which is observed in the Tamil month of raised platform, standing on the lotus marked Marghazhi i.e. Dec-Jan. Known as Margashirsha on the floor. in Sanskrit, this period is highly auspicious The geographical location of the temple for spiritual practices. In the is 79°41’ longitude, which is approximately Sri Krishna says, ‘masanam margashirshoham’, common for all the Panchabhoota sthalams, i.e., ‘among months, I am the Margashirsha,’ the Rameshwaram temple and the signifying that there is no month as auspicious temple. Stunningly, exactly below the toe of as Margashirsha. This month precedes Nataraja, passes the geomagnetic equator thus Uttarayana, and marks the pre-dawn of the day placing the temple in zero magnetic dip zone, for devatas. i.e., nil vertical component of geomag­netic field. During this month, earth is closest to All the rituals and administration of the the sun and thus experiences maximum temple is taken care of by a clan of Vaidika gravitational pull; but the northern hemisphere known as Chidambaram Dikshitars. is tilted away from the sun which results in Originally 3,000 in number, they were brought winter. Due to this pull and cold weather, from Kailas to Chidambaram by Patanjali. He the life processes are at their minimum. It is trained them in some religious disciplines, therefore the best time to create a balance and prepared a code of conduct based on Vedas stabilize the life forces within us. Keeping for temple rituals, and inducted the priests into this in mind several spiritual practices have the worship of Lord Shiva as Nataraja. Today, been woven into our culture like waking up these dikshitars number around 360 and they before sunrise, visiting temples and singing still maintain the codes and rituals set forth devotional songs like Andal’s Tiruppavai or by Patanjali. Every married male member can Manickavachagars Tiruppalliyezhuchi. All this perform the rituals and he is entitled to a share is done with the intention to create stability of the temple’s revenue. and realize the latent spiritual energy within.

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In this month, several festivals are observed cool and soothing weather, full moon night, throughout India; Vaikuntha Ekadasi dedicated and the energy fields of Arudhra star at the to Lord Narayana and Arudra Darshan spiritual space of Consciousness with the nil dedicated to Shiva are among the most vertical geomagnetic field at Chidambaram,­ important of them. the Arudhra Darshnam is a grand celestial Arudhra Darshanam is a celestial event event, which provides an opportunity to which celebrates the cosmic dance of Lord receive the grace of the Lord and become one Shiva. It is observed on the full moon night with the cosmos. of Marghazhi with Arudhra as the ruling This event is celebrated as a 10-day star. Arudhra called Ardra in Sanskrit, is the festival. It begins with Dwajarohanam, Rathot- sixth lunar mansion astrologically. Literally, savam, Ardhra Mahabhishekam and finally the Arudhra means absolute, stable with a Arudhra Darshnam. After Rathotsavam the certain inertia (as opposite to a roarer, Nataraja idol is brought, in moonlight, to the signifying motion), and renewal. With the Raja Sabha for sacred ablution with milk, curd, combination of Rahu and Budh, Arudhra has ghee, honey, fruit juices, coconut water, sandal the aspects of illusion and intellect, chaos and paste, holy ashes, and other sacred offerings. order together. Also known as Betelgeuse in Thousands of people flock the temple to see astronomy, Arudhra is a cool red super-giant the anointing ceremony and the ritualistic in the constellation of Orion, a prominent dance of Shiva when he is taken back to the constellation located on the celestial equator. sanctum sanctorum. At the end of the rituals, Arudhra is one of the largest and most people receive Kali a special kind of sweet dish luminous stars visible to the naked eye with a prasad which indicates bliss. It is believed that distinct golden-red colour. It is best visible in the night sky between September and March. eating this removes all afflictions and fills one If human eyes were sensitive to radiation at with divine bliss. all wavelengths, Arudhra would appear as The Chidambaram temple represents the the brightest star in the sky. Therefore, with blissful dance of Shiva with eternal stillness. these characteristics, Arudhra represents Shiva It symbolizes the rhythm of macro and micro performing the cosmic dance with the golden cosmos. The temple is a reservoir of spiritual red flame of destruction — destruction of energy and gives us an opportunity to resonate illusion, ego and ignorance — and displaying with the cosmic rhythm. his Sat-Chit-Ananda aspect to us. It is a private temple managed by the Thus, with the unique combination of Dikshitars and needs to be protected and maximum gravitational pull from the sun, a nurtured for the good of humanity.

References 1. The Dance of Shiva, Ananda K. Coomaraswamy, 2. The Tao of Physics, Fritjof Capra, Shambala, Owen, 1958 Colorado (U.S.A.)

When Siva realizes His own Self, He dances about in joy exclaiming, 'What am I! What am I!' —The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, p.393

The V edanta K esari ~ 16 ~ JANUARY 2017 23 Article

With Swami Brahmananda SWAMI TEJASANANDA

Swami Tejasananda (1896 – 1971) came in contact with the during his student days and was initiated by Swami Brahmananda in 1917. He joined the order in 1927 and was ordained into by Swami in 1931. He served as the editor of The Vedanta Kesari and the , the head of the Patna Ashrama and then for 23 long years as the Principal of Ramakrishna Mission Vidyamandira, a residential college adjacent to Belur Math. In 1961 he became the Trustee of the Ramakrishna Math and a member of the Governing body of Ramakrishna Mission. This reminiscence is translated from Brahmanander Smriti Katha in Bengali.

The incident I am relating took place class of the ever-perfect. They are born with in the summer of 1917. After the B.A. God-consciousness. No sooner do they grow examinations, I left for together with my grandmother to participate in the Snan Yatra. This was the first time I visited that centre of pilgrimage. Even while studying in college, I had read The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and other related books. It had awakened in me the desire to realize the ideals presented in Sri Ramakrishna’s nectarine message. I also experienced an intense desire to meet the companions of Sri Ramakrishna in His divine play. From the time I started reading those books somehow by the force of an unknown inspiration I felt a deep attraction towards Sri Ramakrishna’s manasaputra, or spiritual son Swami Brahmananda familiarly known to all as Maharaj. Regarding Maharaj, Sri Ramakrishna had said, ‘While listening to the , I saw that Rakhal was in the group of gopalas of Vrindavan.’ ‘Ah, what a nice character Rakhal has developed. If you look at his face, you will notice his lips moving. He inwardly repeats the name of God, and so his lips move. Youngsters like him belong to the Swami Brahmananda

The V edanta K esari ~ 17 ~ JANUARY 2017 24 a little older than they realize and catch the attention of those the danger of coming in contact inside would be arrogant. with the world. There is the I stood there for some time parable of the bird in the in dejection. Then I happened to Vedas. The bird lives high up see someone passing along the in the sky and never descends way. I asked him, ‘Sir, how can to earth. … Youngsters like I enter this house?’ He replied, Rakhal are like that bird. From ‘Don’t worry, I’ll arrange it,’ and their very childhood they are started shouting, ‘Barada , afraid of the world, and their Barada Babu!’ Hearing him one thought is how to reach the shout like that, I was surprised Mother, how to realize God.’ ‘I and frightened, wondering told Mother, “Certainly I shall how the people in the house not have any children, Mother. Swami Tejasananda would react. I felt it was very But it is my desire that a boy with sincere love disrespectful to go in and meet Maharaj after for God should always remain with me. Give shouting like that. Anyhow, a grey-haired me such a boy.” That is the reason Rakhal man in white clothing (he was Barada Babu, came here.’ My mind hungered intensely to the caretaker of the house) opened the door see this manasaputra of Sri Ramakrishna. If I and asked me in a friendly manner, ‘Have saw any educated Bengali gentleman, I would you come to meet Maharaj?’ I didn’t have the enquire, ‘Has revered Rakhal Maharaj of the strength to say anything but a simple ‘yes.’ My Ramakrishna Mission come to Puri?’ heart was beating fast, and I started breathing Unexpectedly, one day I came to know hard. I began to think that it would have from a Bengali gentleman that Rakhal Maharaj been better if I had brought someone along was then in fact staying in Puri! I found out with me. that, together with other sannyasis, he was When I entered, I saw on the tidy staying in a house called Sashi Niketan. This veranda a calm, dignified, divine personage news filled me with unspeakable joy, and at sitting in a chair and smoking a hubble-bubble. the same time threw me into a kind of despair. The place was very pleasant, with the evening I had only one thought: ‘What if he doesn’t breeze wafting in the sweet fragrance of accept me? What if he doesn’t allow me even flowers from the garden. In the fading evening to approach him? That would really break my light, Maharaj appeared very charming. He heart.’ My mind kept vacillating thus between had a healthy body, a soft look in his eyes, hope and despair. Then I thought that even if and a peaceful, noble, and loving face which he didn’t accept me, I would at least be able to reflected an austere life. On the same veranda see him once. at some distance there sat another sannyasi. With such a mindset, one evening I went Not knowing what to say or do, I placed to the beach by the sea just before sunset and my head on Maharaj’s feet and offered my then went to the house where Maharaj was pranams. I remained in that position for a staying. It was locked from inside. I thought, long time. What joy! After a long period of ‘I am unfit even to enter such a big house.’ I uncertainty and despair, today I was able to was extremely shy, and thought that to shout bring this body to the shores of ambrosial

The V edanta K esari ~ 18 ~ JANUARY 2017 25 peace. It is impossible to express what I felt immediately after Snan Yatra to avoid the in words. Before seeking shelter at Maharaj’s huge crowd of pilgrims during Rath Yatra. I feet, I had experienced extreme restlessness am going back with her. and agony in every layer of my personality. Maharaj: Well, would you like to meet a And today, in his overflowing mercy, Sri of ruddy complexion? Ramakrishna had led me into this abode of Myself: When will he come? (I thought, peace. ‘I have just met Maharaj. Why should I meet When I stood up, he asked with great any other sadhu?’) affection, ‘Haven’t I seen you somewhere?’ Maharaj: It is difficult to say. When he I was surprised. When and where could he will come is not definite. If you come here both have seen me? I thought that he might have morning and evening, then you will be able to mistaken me for someone else. I replied, meet him whenever he comes. And anyway, ‘No, Maharaj. This is my first meeting with you have no other work. you. I haven’t seen you earlier anywhere.’ Myself: All right, Maharaj. I will do as But he again said, ‘Yes, yes. I have seen you say. you somewhere. But why didn’t you come It was past evening, and the whole place all these days?’ There was no end to my was illuminated by moonlight. As I bowed amazement. I had never met him before, down to him and was about to leave, he said and now he was asking why I hadn’t come with great affection, ‘Come again.’ for all these days! Hearing him speak so And for the rest of my stay in Puri, I lovingly, I felt all my fears, hesitation, doubts, would visit Maharaj every day, morning and shyness vanish. It was as though I had and evening, and enquire about the ruddy- known him for a long time; it was as if I complexioned sadhu. Maharaj would enquire had shared a deep relationship with him about my welfare. One day I saw a fair- for many past lives. Kalidasa rightly says in complexioned sannyasi sitting in front of his Abhijnanasakuntalam: ‘When a cheerful a room at the end of the veranda. Maharaj man becomes listless on seeing something softly told me, ‘Go and offer your salutation beautiful or listening to something pleasant, to him. He is that sadhu.’ I bowed down at then it is certain that the strong memory of his feet. The sadhu was Sri Ramakrishna’s someone beloved has been unconsciously direct disciple and divine playmate Srimat awakened.’ Swami Turiyananda. As he was unwell, he I sat silent without answering his had come to Puri to recover his health. It was question. After a moment he asked, ‘Where my great good fortune that I could meet these are you staying? Have you made arrangements two great souls. My mind and heart are filled for food?’ I replied, ‘I am staying in a priest’s with reverence and gratitude when I recollect house. For meals, every day I buy Lord how, with the excuse of meeting this ‘sadhu,’ Jagannath’s prasad from Anandabazaar.’ Maharaj gave me his divine company for many Maharaj said, ‘That is good.’ days and thus opened a spring of eternal bliss Maharaj: How long are you staying here? in my barren life; and how by sprinkling his Myself: Until the Snan Yatra. I have love on me he slowly awakened my hidden come with my grandmother. She will leave tender and noble tendencies. v v v (To be continued. . .)

The V edanta K esari ~ 19 ~ JANUARY 2017 26 Article

Two-Fold Mission of Swami Vivekananda PROF. S. RADHAKRISHNAN

‘Just as there is an individuality in of India’, as realized by him at the feet of his everyman, so there is a national individuality Great Master, Sri Ramakrishna and reinforced . . . each nation has a destiny to fulfil, by his first-hand experiences both in India and each nation has a message to deliver and abroad. While to the materially advanced, but each nation has a mission to accomplish. spiritually starved West he showed the ‘nivritti Therefore, from the very start, we must have marga’, the path of contemplation; to his own to understand the mission of our own race, country men, sunk in poverty, misery and the destiny it has to fulfil, the place it has to ignorance, he showed the ‘pravritti marga’, the occupy in the march of nations and the note path of manly action and restoration of human which it has to contribute to the harmony of dignity and lost glory. races,’1 thus Swami Vivekananda exhorted As Mrs. Burke, in her ‘New Discoveries’ his countrymen more than a century ago. points out, Swamiji ‘could not see hunger in His clarion call to India to rediscover herself any form, spiritual or physical, without filling had been the defining moment in the great it.’ The establishment of Sri Ramakrishna Indian Revival of the early 20th century, which Order, with its Maths and Missions, with the culminated in the freedom of the country. motto of ‘atmano mokshartham, jagad hithaya Swamiji, whom Sister Nivedita called, cha’ (for one’s own salvation and for the good ‘the condensed India’, was the embodiment of humanity), and its centres all over the of all that was positive in Indian religion and world, imparting spiritual illumination and culture. It was his firm conviction, borne out humanitarian activities, is a lasting bond of of his own realisation that India’s uniqueness harmony between the West and the East. and identity lay in its all-inclusive, all-loving, Swamiji’s deep love for India, whom universal religion and culture, which if Sister Nivedita calls ‘the Queen of all his understood rightly and practised diligently, affections’ was neither blind nor chauvinistic. can empower and transform not only India but His nationalism was born out of his love of the whole world. Truth and was the inevitable and natural His noble mission, which has no phase of his love for humanity. As he himself precedence in recorded history, according stated, ‘It is love and love alone that I preach to Sister Nivedita, has a two-fold purpose and I base my teachings on the great Vedantic - ‘world moving and nation building’; the truth of the sameness and omnipresence of means of achieving both these are the same the Soul of the Universe.’2 In the words of – the practical application of the ‘Wisdom , his ‘nationalism, the

The author is a retired Professor of English and a close devotee of our ashrama in Thrissur.

The V edanta K esari ~ 20 ~ JANUARY 2017 27 call to India to recognize herself, was a kind ‘preaches the dignity of humanity in such a of internationalism sublimated.’ 3 He wanted lofty strain as Hinduism, and no religion on India to rise so that she could once again earth treads upon the necks of the poor and become the guiding light for the world at the low in such a fashion as Hinduism.’5 He large. He wanted to end the isolation of India lamented how the sublime man-making which had resulted in her stagnation for tenets of religion were brought down a long time and a loss to the world. His to the level of ‘kitchen religion’ – was an integrating vision. His broad mere outward rituals and meaningless sympathy and love of humanity make ceremonies. He took the ‘educated’ him a global citizen and in his later Indian youth to task, calling them ‘vain utterances, he transcended boundaries of talkers’, ‘a race of dotards’, ‘repeating all kinds and became truly universal. undigested stray bits of European He wrote in 1895, ‘I belong as brainwork’ and urged them to much to India as to the world, come out of their narrow holes no humbug about that. What and struggle for higher and country has any special claim better things and be men, on me? Am I any nation’s ‘and not brutes.’ Although slave?’4 he was critical of the crass He was a true materialism and scepticism of revolutionary. His was the West, he was all praise ‘the root and branch for their organisational reform’, a revolution in skill, work culture, civic the minds and hearts of sense and democratic men, transforming them institutions and wanted from within, as a prelude to his countrymen to follow universal revolution without. their merits. His advice to No wonder, based on the impact Swami Vivekananda both was not to of his Chicago Addresses Swamiji live like ‘a frog in a well’ but to come is called ‘one of the main moulders of the together and share the merits of each other modern world’ by A.L. Basham, the renowned for the good of all. As puts it, historian. Swamiji’s creative genius can be summed up He had a keen sense of observation and in the two words ‘equilibrium and synthesis.’ went to the heart of every issue. What is more, ‘He is the personification of harmony of without the least trace of fear or favour, he all human energy’6 and his unified vision would point out merits and faults wherever synthesises and integrates all aspects of life he found them. Thus, though he was all praise – material and spiritual; science and religion; for India for her priceless spiritual and cultural idealism and practicality; the East and the heritage, he was a relentless and harsh critic West; past and present; human and nature; when it came to her faults. He could not bear intellect and emotion and meditation and when the noble truths of Indian spirituality action - and he lived them all. were misinterpreted and degraded by vested While the West has to learn from India interests. ‘No religion on earth’, he thundered, the conquest of internal nature, India has to

The V edanta K esari ~ 21 ~ JANUARY 2017 28 learn from the West the conquest of external the universe they reside in, realised by the nature. He wanted a union between Western Rishis of yore and verified and found true science and technology and Indian spirituality by subsequent earnest seekers down to the and morality. ‘Then there will be neither present age. It postulates potential divinity of [Indians] nor Europeans. There will be the soul, unity of existence and harmony of the ideal humanity which has conquered both all religions. It does not depend on doctrines the natures – the external and the internal. It or dogmas or rituals or books, but is rooted is the union of the two that is wanted… The in realisation, in ‘being and becoming’, and as present age needs the union of the two’7 and such scientific, universal and all encompassing. not one becoming the other, he asserted. In It fulfils the yearnings and aspirations of other words, while maintaining their distinct humanity at large. identities, nations should assimilate the best According to Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, it is in other cultures so as to contribute to the not a religion, but The Religion, the essence overall harmony and balance. In these days of and substance underlying all religions and globalisation and communication revolution, hence acceptable to all. It proposes God or when the whole world is becoming ‘smaller Atman as our own very Self and this Divinity and borderless’ this policy of ‘give and take’ within leads to the realisation of the Divinity demands urgent attention if the world is to in all –‘All are children of Immortality.’ survive. The principles of unity in diversity and What exactly does Swamiji mean by secularism in its noblest sense are ingrained ‘Indian spirituality’ and how is it capable of in its adherents. By its very nature it admits unifying, energising and pacifying the world no privileges or discriminations of any kind. at large and India in particular? Incidentally, Vedic hymns like ‘ekam sat, vipra bahuda ‘Hindu’ or ‘Hinduism’, strictly speaking, vadanti ‘(Reality is one, but sages call it by does not denote any religion. These names various names), ‘vasudhaiva kutumbakam’ were given by foreigners to denote the land (All the world is one family), ‘As many faiths, and its people. Bharat, the original name by so many paths’ etc. are articles of faith in it. It which this land was known, has the longest, also boldly declares that the aim of spiritual unbroken history. It was the sacred and realisation is not merely achieving one’s own divine Motherland to her inhabitants. The salvation, but achieving the good of mankind Eternal Dharma was Her soul, which like the in general and thus has a positive social and golden inner thread joining the pearls of a humanitarian implication. No country in the necklace, gave unity and a sense of national world can boast of such an all-absorbing, consciousness right from the Vedic times. all-accommodating and all-inclusive cultural This was quite unlike the artificial, open, heritage which, surprisingly enough, predates political and administrative unity of European all other living cultures and religions and nations. The best and the noblest expression hence Swamiji calls it the ‘mother of all of the Eternal Dharma was , religions’ in his Chicago Address. which is an all comprehensive, all-inclusive Modern scientific discoveries vindicate and universal way of life, embodying the the truth of Vedanta that we are all inter- immutable moral, ethical and spiritual connected at a deeper level and that truths governing the lives of all beings and consciousness is the substratum of all. The

The V edanta K esari ~ 22 ~ JANUARY 2017 29 fact that we are all basically the same leads popularity in America and Europe since his to universal love, from which would come ‘counter conquest’ of the West. According to fearlessness and strength. As we move Philip Goldberg, who wrote the monumental towards the deeper dimensions within, the ‘American Veda’, Indian influence ‘has spread Soul begins to arise, gaining infinite power, wide and penetrated deeper into the American purity and ‘everything that is excellent’, culture and that American society has moved which, when acting on matter brings about ever closer to a spiritual worldview that material development, acting on intellect resembles the core principles of the Vedic results in intellectual expansion and finally tradition.’ He calls it ‘a positive and enduring acting on itself attains the fulfilment of all historical development.’12 Many intellectuals human possibilities, making man a veritable in Europe and America echo the sentiments God. It thus fulfils the yearning of man to expressed by him and Arnold Toynbee that be free. From personal freedom (i.e. freedom the ‘only way of salvation for mankind is the from senses and passions), it moves to social Indian one’ as it makes men ‘to know and love’ or political freedom (freedom from domination each other; for to know who truly we are is to by others) and ultimately to freedom total, love all. Thus the seeds of Vedanta Swamiji has complete emancipation or Mukti. sown in America and Europe have sprouted In his speech ‘Is Vedanta the Future thanks to the continued efforts of Vedanta Religion of the World?’ at San Francisco in Societies and other spiritual institutions which 1900, Swamiji asserted that the time had come followed him. to cast off ‘the kindergartens of religion and What about Swamiji’s mission of make vivid and powerful the true religion, the transforming India through Vedanta? The Vedanta, the worship of the spirit by the spirit near millennium of foreign subjugation if mankind is to survive.’ It is ‘the religion of had engendered inferiority complex and an strength’, as Swamiji calls it, the most dynamic attitude of self-reproach among our people. It force and the true and lasting basis of human had stagnated the Indian culture, benumbed solidarity. the Indian psyche and made its people sink To accept all religions are equally true into ‘tamas’. Horizontal and vertical divisions and valid is the only way out of the dangers of in society on all conceivable lines made religious fanaticism, and consequent violence the lives of common people miserable. The and terror which are now posing a grave threat abject poverty, ignorance and the lack of self- to the world. His aim was ‘to lead mankind confidence of the people characterised the to the place where there is neither the Vedas, India of those days. The callousness of the nor the Bible, nor the Koran; yet this has to rich and the tyranny of the priest craft and the be done by harmonising the Vedas, the Bible despotism of the upper castes were evident and the Koran. Mankind ought to be taught everywhere. that religions are but the varied expressions Swamiji’s heart sank on seeing the of THE RELIGION, which is Oneness, so pitiable plight of the common masses of that each may choose that path that suits him men and women. ‘Spirituality has fallen to best.’8 low ebb and starvation stalks the land’ he As prophesied by Swamiji, Eastern lamented. He wanted India to rise again and spirituality, especially Vedanta, is gaining become dynamic and earn the respect of the

The V edanta K esari ~ 23 ~ JANUARY 2017 30 world through her spiritual power. He knew In the words of the historian K.M. Panicker, that religion was not at fault; but the people Swamiji verily is ‘the true father of Indian had never been taught the life-giving, man- nationalism.’ making principles of spirituality and none Thus Swamiji fulfilled the twin tasks knew how to apply them in practical life. enjoined upon him by his Master – ‘shake the The sublime spirituality was reduced to mere world to its foundations’ by his intellectual scholastic disputations and abstract theories and spiritual powers and regenerate his own at best and superstitions and vile practices like country by following the twin principles of caste system and untouchability at worst. He renunciation and service. made the dry abstract Advaita relevant and How far have we followed Swamiji after practical so as to make it capable of solving independence is a matter better left to the social problems like poverty and inequality. readers to ponder over. All that can be said is From his Master he knew that it was not that political freedom, according to Swamiji, is mere compassion that was needed, but the but a phase towards the onward march for all- attitude of ‘service to the poor as worship of round perfection and not an end itself. Have we God’ – ‘Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva’. He had also faithfully adhered to the ‘life-giving, character- learnt from his Master that sacrificing oneself making and nation-building’ teachings of for the common good of others is higher than Swamiji, which are all derived from the core personal salvation as it would ensure both ethos of our heritage? Have we ever tried to outer progress and inner growth. understand and strengthen the spiritual and He revolutionised ‘Sannyasa Dharma’ cultural unity that binds us all together despite making it play an effective role in spiritual the surface differences of race, religion, caste, enlightenment and social progress. His language, economic conditions or province? success at the Chicago and later his speeches Above all, have we really replaced ‘the negative in America galvanised Indians and made education’, which Swamiji condemned, with an them aware of the glory of their Motherland integrated and balanced system allowing full and, on his return, he through his soul development of physical, intellectual, emotional stirring speeches and writings kindled the and spiritual faculties? In the answers to these dormant national consciousness of the people, questions lie the solutions to the manifold awakened them from their self-forgetfulness, problems our country faces now including making them proud of their heritage, thereby poverty, misery, degradation of moral values, paving the way for the great National Revival. religious fanaticism and violence.

References 1. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda 5. CW, 5.15 [hereafter CW],3.369 6. The Life of Swami Vivekananda, Romain Rolland, 2. CW, 3.194 281 3. World Thinkers on Swami Vivekananda, ed. Swami 7. CW, 5.216 Lokeswarananda 8. CW, 6.416 4. CW, 5.95 9. American Veda, Philip Goldberg

The V edanta K esari ~ 24 ~ JANUARY 2017 1531 Article

Healing the Hills

SWAMI DHYANASTHANANDA

Nestled in the lap of the mighty , is dotted with several major Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage sites. A massive cloudburst and ensuing flash floods hit a major portion of this ‘Abode of Gods’ on 16 June 2013. In this unprecedented devastation, thousands of people perished and infrastructure was severely damaged. Many villages and settlements were obliterated and hundreds of remote settlements were cut off from supplies and provisions. It affected not just the local people, but the whole country since most of the people who died were pilgrims and tourists hailing from every corner of India. Ramakrishna Mission immediately took up relief operations. These were conducted by Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, (Haridwar) and Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Dehradun. This is a personal account of the relief work by Swami Dhyanasthananda who serves in the Dehradun ashrama.

Introduction Every year many from the Order Every natural event has its consequences. visited the Char Dham1 in Uttarakhand. As a Calamities such as the Uttarakhand flood monastic member of the Dehradun ashrama, I surprise us from time to time. Sometimes they personally served them, making arrangements change the very course of history. Sometime for their journey, arranging their vehicle, and they also change human beliefs and remind us seeing them off at the bus stand regularly. of the presence of the Almighty. As a modern By Sri Ramakrishna’s will, during the developing nation, India has many advantages. relief work I was able to serve the people of We have many great achievements in science, the region. In the process, he showed me every technology, and human development. But nook and cranny of the Garhwal region. I was unexpected natural calamities, time and able to experience the local culture and the again, force us to view things in their proper lifestyle, simplicity, courage, steadfastness, perspective. The Uttarakhand flood disaster shortcomings, and limitations of the hill is one of the events that has taught me many people. Here are a few experiences that made lessons. a deep impression on my mind. I have been staying at the Dehradun ashrama since 2009, but have never had the The beginning opportunity to visit the higher reaches of the Eight days after 16 June 2013, the Himalayas—not even , the abode critical day of the disaster, we went to of thousands of sadhus for millennia. I had a some of the flood-hit areas to make a quick long-felt desire to visit the holy, enchanting, survey of the situation and to prepare the and serene places in the upper Himalayas. primary relief operations. Besides me, the

The V edanta K esari ~ 25 ~ JANUARY 2017 32 team included Swami Gunamayananda, human value of helping each other in need, Brahmachari Abhayesh, Brahmachari and were focused on their own survival Prasanth, Brahmachari Diptanarayan—all without worrying about others. Those who monastic members of the Ramakrishna Order; had lost their near and dear ones had been Krishnapad Maharaj, and Madhavachaitanya struck utterly dumb with grief. –private ; Sri Sen, Sri Danwal, and some Sometimes even those who were willing other volunteers of our ashram. to help were helpless. The area was completely The journey to the upper Himalayas was cut off from the outside world, and there was very difficult and strenuous. In some places no communication at all. Some benevolent there was no sign of a road. We, the survey people had arranged some material relief team, covered some distance by a jeep and to aid the victims. But it was simply wasted truck and went the rest of the way on foot. due to the lack of prior proper disaster aid We saw that the situation was terrible. planning. The harsh weather, heavy rains, A few days earlier, life in these places had and landslides also prevented full-scale relief been peaceful and merry. But suddenly the measures. A few places were self-sustaining catastrophe had changed everything – it in terms of food and other materials, but the showed men their helplessness before the prices of essentials had skyrocketed and we Almighty. The ego of man had been totally saw how some people exploit others even in shattered. There was not a single ray of hope times of great mutual hardship. to relieve their pain and suffering. People had lost their loved ones, relatives, wealth, Pulana and Bhunder houses, all their belongings, and were forced The villages Pulana and Bhunder had to live under the open sky, left to the mercy been completely swept away and destroyed of God. People were so terrified that they had by the mighty flood. The survivors somehow lost all faith in others and in themselves. At escaped, abandoned the place, and managed the same time, the disaster had made some to get to the relief camp. Everyone, including people so selfish that they behaved greedily children and old women, was living in chaos and opportunistically. They forgot the basic and squalor. The relief supplies from the

The V edanta K esari ~ 26 ~ JANUARY 2017 33

government were not being distributed in other public sources, and that we monks were an organised manner. Everyone was crying only distributors. – people who had been living in big houses Joshimath were now forced to live in such camps. Some Joshimath is a hill junction. Many valleys people had problems adjusting. There was not are connected through the central point of this enough space for all the 500 to 600 survivors tiny Himalayan town, which is also a place of due to the hilly terrain. Cooking was a problem pilgrimage. due to the absence of electricity or gas, and the It was here that we set up our first base rain was making it difficult to get firewood. camp for relief operations. At this time it was For years the villagers had been a center of activity. Pilgrims from different surviving on income from tourism and the parts of the country who had come to visit the Char Dham yatra. With this calamity they had Char Dham were being brought here and fed lost the very source of their livelihood. The by the rescue team of the Indian army. There villages were in the higher reaches, and there were announcements over loudspeakers of were no roads; supplies had to be carried on the names of missing people. The survivors ponies, making life difficult. Their houses were waiting for their relatives and hoping had also been built with much difficulty – they would turn up in the next rescue batch. building materials had to be carried five to There were early-morning announcements six kilometres uphill from the main road on for free bus service to take the survivors to ponies. other safe areas like Dehradun. Hotels had The victims were highly touched by been shut down, and telephone connectivity the concern of our team, and were happy to was also absent, making communication get help and service from the Ramakrishna difficult. There was continuous commotion Mission. But a few old people hesitated to take throughout the day. Many NGO’s and other aid from sadhus. For ages they had offered organizations were reaching Joshimath with food and other requisites to any sadhus who their relief supplies, but due to bad weather happened to be in their villages. So now and the inaccessibility of the flood-affected they were reluctant to take anything from villages they were dumping the food supplies sannyasis. We had to convince them that the by the roadside. Some local politicians were relief supplies were coming from devotees and eagerly waiting to divert some trucks to their

The V edanta K esari ~ 27 ~ JANUARY 2017 34

NEETI and bad weather, we kept trying to enter the

TRUCK MAHLARI ACCIDENT army area and get to BHAVKUND the helipad to request

UKHI MATH helicopter service. One evening the brigadier was surprised to hear us conversing among ourselves in English. He asked if he could provide any kind of help. He said that due to bad weather it was difficult to get any sort of helicopter service for the next two or three days, and suggested that we should try to reach the Neeti pass, villages, even though those villages had not a few kilometers from the Chinese border been affected by the floods. Other miscreants where many villages were badly affected by distracted the NGOs and tried to loot the relief floods and landslides. We immediately agreed, supplies for themselves. Instead of helping but when we explained the difficulties we the suffering people, they were exploiting the would have in getting to such a remote and situation for their own selfish ends. hilly pass, he arranged our lodging and made arrangements for our visit to Neeti the next Neeti day. After few days of relief work from our Our team of seven started early in the Joshimath base camp, we found ourselves morning, because Neeti is 75 kilometres from helpless. We were unable to reach the Joshimath. We were supposed to reach Bhav villagers in the higher reaches due to Kund, where a military vehicle would pick their inaccessibility. The only means of us up and take us forward. This is because transportation was by helicopter. We tried the border roads are very narrow and rough, appealing to the nearby government office and only military vehicles can safely drive on and the helicopter companies. Although the them. But we had to stop on the way because government was operating the helicopter of a landslide. We waited till the Border Road service for relief work, there were not enough Organization (BRO) team came and cleared the helicopters to serve our efforts at the moment. road. But when we finally reached Bhav Kund, So we were left at God’s mercy. the military vehicle had come and left after Fortunately, we met the brigadier of waiting for some time. We were now stuck in Joshimath, Brig. Arora. It was as if he had the middle of the valley between Bhav Kund been sent by Providence. In spite of rain and Malhari. It was about two p.m. There

The V edanta K esari ~ 28 ~ JANUARY 2017 35

was no way to communicate with the military surprised to see civilians and monks like us in team. We were stranded. that remote area. They arranged for our food There was a division of opinion as to and we passed that night peacefully. whether we should go to a military camp at Early the next morning, the commander Malhari, 30 kilometres away, or go back 40 came and told us that if the weather was kilometres. In this dilemma we spent an hour, cloudy, we would have to stay for two or three having no food the entire day. Somehow we days till the sky was clear. Somehow by God’s managed, with some bread and biscuits for our grace everything developed in our favour, noon meal. Meanwhile, an army jeep came to and we reloaded the truck for distribution at the spot and enquired about our problem. The Neeti. Neeti is the name of both the pass and soldiers told us that there was a shop down the the village. When we arrived, the villagers ridge below the roadside that had a landline. came out to welcome us. Although the village We could use that to contact the army base had not been directly affected by floods, it was camp. isolated from other areas, as bridges and roads After talking with the military camp, we had been washed away by heavy rains. decided to go to Malhari and spend the night After distributing the supplies in two at the army camp. But our two small vehicles more villages, Bumppa and Ganshali, which could not go further because a bridge had are less than 10 kilometres from Neeti, we been washed away in the flood. We monastic returned to the army camp at Malhari. While brothers and volunteers carried the relief we had been distributing the supplies, the supplies consisting of food items, blankets, villagers had been overwhelmed with emotion solar lamps, etc., over a makeshift footbridge to see sadhus bringing relief supplies to their to the other side of the river and waited for village from such a great distance and under army assistance. Around 3:30 p.m., an army such difficult conditions. Out of respect for truck came from the Malhari army camp. We monks, the villagers sang devotional songs loaded all our supplies onto it and went to the for us. Malhari camp. Ultimately, after finishing our work, we At the camp, in accordance with army arrived at the junction where the army vehicle regulations, we had to empty the truck and had left us. From there somehow we managed keep all the supplies in the camp, even though to get back to our relief camp at Joshimath. the same vehicle would go to Neeti the next Since there had been no communication with day. Neeti was around nine to ten kilometres the Dehradun ashrama for the past two days, from Malhari. As soon as we reached the everyone there was worried and wondered Malhari camp of the Sixth Sikh Battalion, we whether any mishap had occurred. As soon were welcomed by all the soldiers. They were as we reached Joshimath, we informed the very kind and hospitable. They were very Dehradun ashrama that all was well. (To be continued. . .)

The V edanta K esari ~ 29 ~ JANUARY 2017 36 Article

Swamiji and Netaji DR. SAROJ UPADHYAY, MRS. SUDESHNA GUPTA

The central themes of Swamiji’s approach confidence, and self-assertion. Towards the to human development were man-making end of the nineteenth century, it was only and the upliftment of women and the Swami Vivekananda who preached the idea masses. He wanted a hundred thousand men of complete freedom—inner and external. As and women, fired with the zeal of holiness, Netaji writes: ‘Freedom, freedom is the song fortified with eternal faith in the Lord, of the soul’— this was the message that burst and nerved to lion’s courage by forth from the inner recesses of Swamiji’s their sympathy for the poor, the heart and captivated … the entire fallen, and the downtrodden, who nation. This truth was embodied in would go throughout the length Swamiji’s works, life, conversations, and breadth of the land, preaching and speeches.’2 Truly, Swamiji’s the gospel of salvation, the gospel of multifaceted contribution changed help, the gospel of social upliftment – the entire nature of nation-building the gospel of unity.1 activities. This concept of human development strongly influenced Harnessing youth power Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Youth power is the the dynamic national leader. game-changer of a society. Netaji was an ardent admirer It has the power to change of Swamiji and regarded him as the course of history. Swamiji ‘the maker of modern India.’ Both wanted the youth to build a sterling Swamiji and Netaji recognised the Swami Vivekananda character and participate in nation- vast potential of youth power and building. He said, ‘I have faith in my strove hard to awaken the young men and country, and especially in the youth of my women of India. An attempt is made here country.… My conviction is that from the to understand Swamiji’s influence on Netaji youth of Bengal will come the power which and how the latter carried out Swamiji’s man- will raise India once more to her proper making mission. spiritual place. Ay, from the youth of Bengal, According to Netaji, Swamiji’s unique with this immense amount of feeling and greatness was in harmonising East and enthusiasm in the blood, will come heroes West, religion and science, past and present. who will march from one corner of the earth He believed that Swamiji’s teachings gave to the other, preaching and teaching the eternal Indians an unprecedented self-respect, self- spiritual truths of our forefathers. And this is

The authors are faculty members of NITMAS, Kolkata

The V edanta K esari ~ 30 ~ JANUARY 2017 37 the great work before you.’ ‘Young men of equal opportunities for education and self- Madras, my hope is in you. Each one of you realisation.’ has a glorious future if you dare believe me. Netaji understood that political freedom Have tremendous faith in yourselves, like the would not necessarily bring freedom from faith I had when I was a child, and which I am economic and social oppression for the working out now. Have that faith, each one of impoverished masses. In a letter to the you, in yourself — that eternal power is lodged legendary revolutionary Barin Ghosh, he in every soul — and you will revive the whole wrote, ‘The struggle for independence has as of India.’3 its aim the removal of the triple Netaji took up this idea bondage of political, economic and kept the youth in the and social oppression.’ So he vanguard of his struggle for urged the youth to work for the freedom. In his address at the upliftment of women and to third session of the All-India stand against social oppression. Youth Congress in Calcutta He wanted them to lead an on 25 December 1928, he told all-round socio-economic the assembled youth: ‘Youth development in a socialistic movements are not reformist manner. Impressed by the in outlook, but revolutionary. developments in Soviet Russia A feeling of restlessness, of brought about by socialist impatience with the present ideas, Netaji declared in his order, must come into existence presidential address at the third before any youth movement political conference in 1933: can start….It is characterised Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose ‘Free India will not be a land by a feeling of dissatisfaction of capitalists, landlords, and with the present order of things, and a desire caste. Free India will be a social and political for a better order accompanied by a vision of democracy.’ that order.’ Netaji’s vision for India is encapsulated Emphasis on education in his address at a huge youth rally held at Swami Vivekananda believed that Midnapore in Bengal on 21 December 1929, education was the panacea for individual where he said: ‘I want a society and a state and social ills. Netaji too considered illiteracy which will not only remove all the needs of as the fundamental problem plaguing India. the Indian people but serve as a model to the He agreed with John Stuart Mill’s idea that world at large. The new society will have to be democracy based on universal suffrage must built on the basis of equality. The caste system be preceded by universal education. Therefore, will have to be blown away. The woman as a socialist and a humanist, he wanted mass will have to be freed from all shackles and primary education for all men and women. But endowed with rights and responsibilities equal he was in favour of higher education only for to man. The inequalities of wealth will have to deserving, meritorious students. The massive be swept away, and everyone, irrespective of educational reconstruction effected within creed, caste, or colour, will have to be given a very short time in the U.S.S.R. provided a

The V edanta K esari ~ 31 ~ JANUARY 2017 38 model for him to support a state-controlled and vocational education, or training in educational system. He saw education as light cottage industries. He also supported a great tool for bringing about national widow remarriage and the abolition of the solidarity, and therefore was in favour of a purdah system. It was around this time that common educational policy with the Roman the Women’s Indian Association, the first alphabet as the common script. In regard to women’s organisation in India, was established the system of primary education, Bose was in Madras in 1917. The National Council of deeply influenced by the kindergarten system Women in India, formed in 1925, began to co- in Germany and Scandinavia, the nursery ordinate the work of the Provincial Women’s schools of England, and the ecoles maternelles of Council and other organisations for women’s France. He was in favour of visual or sensory advancement and welfare, and thus connected methods of education. Again, according to India with the international movement. him, one of the primary purposes of education Swami Vivekananda regarded women is to develop fellow-feeling among people as . Drawing attention to the prowess of from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. the Queen of Jhansi, he wanted Indian women He was therefore, like Swamiji, eager to spread to ‘acquire the spirit of valour and heroism,’ education among the masses. and ‘also learn self-defense.’ Similarly, Netaji envisaged an important role for women in Empowerment of women India’s fight for freedom. He asked them to An essential condition in a nation’s serve in the hospitals, look after wounded development is the upliftment of its women. soldiers, and even take up arms to fight the As Swamiji pointed out, the ‘uplift of the enemy. He created the Rani Jhansi Regiment, women, the awakening of the masses, must and then in the Provisional Government of come first, and then only can any real good Azad Hind he appointed one woman as a come about for the country, for India.’4 Netaji cabinet minister, giving her a position just after too was deeply concerned about the welfare him in the order of succession. of women. He pointed out that illiteracy and Thus we see that in the field of youth economic dependency were the main hurdles development, women’s upliftment and in the path of women’s emancipation. He nation-building, Netaji Subhas Chandra therefore formulated an all-round educational Bose was strongly inspired by Swami system for women that included literacy Vivekananda.

References 1. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, 3. CW, 3. 320 & 303 [hereafter CW] 5.15 4. CW, 6.490 2. Tarun er Swapno, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

How shall I express in words my indebtedness to Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda? It is under their sacred influence that my life got first awakened . . . If Swamiji had been alive, I would have been at his feet. —Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose

The V edanta K esari ~ 32 ~ JANUARY 2017 39 1514

The Order on the March

News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission

Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Subodhanandaji Maharaj Ranchi Morabadi Ashrama conducted a devotees’ convention on 13 Nov. which was attended by 175 devotees, and a youths’ convention on 14 Nov. in which about 400 students and teachers participated. Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sister Nivedita Math held two programmes comprising talks and cultural programmes on 26 and 27 November which were attended altogether by 310 people. Chandipur Math held a public meeting on 28 October which was attended by about 150 persons. Chennai Math has produced a Tamil drama on Sister Nivedita in association with a drama troupe. First staged on 11 September, the drama was watched by about 500 people. Dehradun centre conducted cultural competitions from 10 to 13 November in which 850 students from 35 schools of Dehradun participated. Jaipur centre conducted a spiritual retreat on 27 November which was attended by 75 people. Jalpaiguri Ashrama held a discourse on Sister Nivedita which was attended by 70 people. Jamtara Math conducted a special programme comprising procession, speeches and cultural programmes on 28 October in which about 100 students and others participated. Kadapa centre held a youths’ convention on 18 November which was attended by more than 1000 youths from 16 colleges in and around Kadapa. Kanpur Ashrama held a doctors’ convention on 6 November in which about 50 doctors took part. Malliankaranai centre held two programmes at Arpakkam and Kadalmangala villages on 9 and 31 October which were attended altogether by 220 people, mainly students. Mysuru centre conducted a programme on 28 October which was attended by about 500 people, mainly students and teachers. Ponnampet centre held a workshop on 21 November on the theme ‘Role of soldiers in maintaining the sovereignty of our country’ which was attended by 380 people. Puri Mission Ashrama conducted a youths’ convention in which 150 youths took part. Ranchi Morabadi centre held a farm women empowerment programme on 15 November in which 314 members of self-help groups and 30 farmers took part. Vijayawada centre held two youths’ conventions on 11 and 12 November in which altogether 1250 youths participated. The centre also held a parents’ and teachers’ convention on 13 November which was attended by 355 people. Visakhapatnam centre conducted a written quiz contest on Sister Nivedita covering 87,000 students in 575 schools and distributed 2000 prizes worth over 1 lakh.

The V edanta K esari ~ 33 ~ JANUARY 2017 40

News of Branch Centres (in India) The newly installed lift at was inaugurated on 28 October. Dr Raman Singh, Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, declared open the new auditorium-cum-indoor stadium at Narainpur centre on 2 November. The General Secretary presided over the programme and inaugurated the newly built monks’ quarters and a hostel building. Swami Prabhanandaji inaugurated the new office block at Patna Ashrama on 5 November. The newly constructed Sri Sharada Bhavana, a multipurpose hall, at Shivanahalli centre was declared open on 7 November. Swami Prabhanandaji inaugurated the new monks’ quarters building at Medinipur centre on 13 November, the birthday of Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj. The refurbished auditorium at Baranagar Math was inaugurated on 26 November. Ramakrishna Sevamandira, the rural welfare unit of Mysuru Ashrama at Tenkalamole in Chamarajanagar district, was inaugurated on 26 November. The newly constructed doctors’ quarters at Ponnampet Ashrama was inaugurated on 27 November. The Middle School of Chennai Sarada Vidyalaya received the Best School Award for the year 2014- 15 from the Government of Tamil Nadu. The award was handed over on 28 June 2016. Two teachers of Model Higher Secondary School for Girls and Girls’ Higher Secondary School of Chennai Sarada Vidyalaya received Dr Radhakrishnan Best Teacher State Award on 5 September. Dr Lobsang Tsetim, an ophthalmologist at our Itanagar hospital, received the Eye Health Heroes Award at the 10th General Assembly meeting of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness held in Durban (South Africa) on 30 October.

Free Eye Camps The following centres conducted free eye camps: 18 centres conducted free eye camps in which patients were tested/given spectacles/operated: Bankura centre treated 355, operated 79 patients; Baranagar Math treated 40, operated 27; Chennai Math treated 75, operated 3; Gourhati treated 310, operated 20; Halasuru treated 455, operated 162; Jamshedpur treated 184, operated 112; treated 432, operated 199; Khetri 181, operated 53; Lucknow treated 2158, operated 348; Madurai treated 248, operated 70; Porbandar treated 72, operated 29; Rajamahendravaram treated 236, operated 29; Rajkot treated 193, operated 67; Salem treated 307, operated 50, Silachar treated 405, operated 112 patients; Mayavati treated 1185; Ranchi Morabadi treated 5287, operated 19; and Vadodara treated 1146. Values Education and Youth Programmes Coimbatore Vidyalaya held a three-day residential youths’ convention from 25 to 27 November in which 1159 delegates participated. Delhi centre conducted nine values education workshops in and around Delhi and Gwalior for school principals, teachers, students and parents from 3.10.2016 to 9.11.2016. 917 people participated.

The V edanta K esari ~ 34 ~ JANUARY 2017

Vijayawada Visakhapatnam 41

Haripad Math held four values education camps in November in which 402 students took part. Swachchha Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) Coimbatore Mission centre conducted two cleaning drives in November in which 82 students cleaned a few public places including a temple. As a part of the third phase of Swachchha Mangaluru, Mangaluru Ashrama conducted 59 cleaning drives in and around Mangaluru on five Sundays between 30 October and 27 November. In all, about 5000 volunteers participated in these drives. News of Branch Centres (Outside India) The renovated Old Temple of San Francisco (USA) centre was rededicated on 29 October, the Kali day. The two-day programme held on this occasion included special worship, speeches, music, an audio-visual presentation on the Old Temple, and release of a commemorative volume. Mymensingh (Bangladesh) centre celebrated its centenary by holding a symposium for students and youths on 11 November. On 15 November, Mr Aiyaz Sayed Khaiyum, Acting Prime Minister, Govt of Fiji, visited Fiji Ashrama, participated in the annual awards ceremony of Swami Vivekananda College as the chief guest and also inaugurated the new campus of Vivekananda Technical Centre at Nadi. Relief Work : A Brief Report as on 1 December 2016 1. Flood Relief: Bihar: (i) Katihar centre distributed 150 saris, dhotis, solar lamps and 1000 blankets among 1000 affected families of 15 villages in Katihar district. (ii) Patna centre distributed 52 kg sattu among 52 affected families at Ravidas Tola in Patna district on 21 October. 2. Fire Relief: Narottam Nagar centre distributed, 35 blankets and 35 sweatshirts among 35 families affected by an accidental fire at a slum in Tinkonia, Tinsukia district, Assam. 3. Winter Relief: 2569 blankets were distributed to poor people through the following centres: Ghatshila 250, Indore 400, Khetri 53, Limbdi 426, Malda 805, Manasadwip 200, Rajamahendravaram 135 and 300. Winter garments, were distributed to needy people by the following centers: Gurap: 615 sweaters. Guwahati: 1990 sweaters. Lucknow: 20 jackets. 4. Distress Relief: The following centres distributed various items, to needy people: (a) Baranagar Mission: 457 T-shirts. (b) Gurap: 326 saris, 125 dhotis, 374 shirts, 299 T-shirts, 334 tops, 10 frocks and 690 pants. (c) Halasuru: 5238 shirts, 1393 T-shirts and 3889 pants. (d) Itanagar: 500 kg rice, 125 kg dal (lentils), 25 kg edible oil, 12 kg gur (molasses), 25 kg salt, 250 matchboxes, 50 packets of candles, 50 bars of soap, 25 kg detergent powder, 50 mats and 25 sets of utensils (each set containing a plate, a cup and a tumbler). (e) Koyilandy: 930 shirts and 620 pants. (f) Malda: 802 saris and 150 sets of children garments. (g) Mysuru: 170 shirts, 170 pants and 170 saris. (h) Rajkot: 6847 gents garments and 9248 ladies garments. (i) Saradapitha, Belur: 36 notebooks, 10 boxes of crayons, 10 drawing books and 40 pencils. (j) Vrindaban: 420 kg rice, 420 kg atta (flour), 105 kg dal, 105 kg edible oil, 21 kg turmeric powder, 210 kg salt, 105 kg sugar, 21 kg tea leaves, 42 kg milk powder, 210 bars of washing soap and 42 kg washing powder. (a) Dhaka: 300 saris, 1500 kg rice, 300 kg dal, 150 litres of edible oil and 150 kg sugar. (b) Habiganj: 150 dhotis, 150 lungis, 150 kg flour, 150 plates and 150 tumblers. (c) Mymensingh: 200 saris and 108 dhotis.

The V edanta K esari ~ 35 ~ JANUARY 2017 42 Book Reviews For review in The Vedanta Kesari, publishers need to send us two copies of their latest publication.

Sri Ramakrishna on Himself society around him. This is sadly lacking in the by Mohit Ranjan Das current book. It is like observing scenery through a window or aperture. But, if a reader is already Published by Swami familiar with the life of the subject, it serves as Tattwavidananda, Adhyaksha, just entertainment, since he would already have Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, gone through these quotations during his study of Champawat, Uttarakhand, the source books. Hence, such books have only a Himalayas, mail@advaitaashrama. limited use. org 2014, hardback, pp.288, Surprisingly, there is hardly any information Rs.110. about the compiler himself in the book. It is hoped There are two reliable sources of that this will be rectified in the next edition. information about the life of Sri Ramakrishna. The In spite of these shortcomings, the attempt first one is his biography by one of his own direct made by the compiler is praiseworthy, because disciples, Swami Saradananda, originally written in it shows how deeply he must have studied the Bengali, ‘Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga’. The other subject. Though the book does not add to the is a record of his daily activities, recorded by one of knowledge of the reader, it serves as a refresher. For his householder disciples, , a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna, any book about him called ‘Sri Ramakrishna Kathamrith’, also written in is welcome reading. Bengali. Apart from these, there are several others, ______NVC SWAMY, BANGALORE based on these two original works. Both these books have been translated The Holy Geeta into English and most Indian languages. A proper appreciation of Sri Ramakrishna is almost By Prabha Duneja. impossible without a serious study of these two Published by New Age Books, A books. -44, Naraina Industial Area Phase-I, It can be observed during a study of these New Delhi-110 028. Email: nab@ books that they contain several statements made newagebooksindia.com; 2014, by Sri Ramakrishna himself on several incidents paperback, pp.392, Rs.80. of his life, which lend an air of authenticity to the The Bhagavad Geeta is perhaps the books. The book of Dr.Das is a bold attempt to most popular scriptural text not only in India, but collect these statements and weave a tapestry out also in several countries around the world. It was of them to represent a chronological description of enunciated by Sri Krishna, an Incarnation of the the life of Sri Ramakrishna. The compiler has added Divine, to Arjuna, a representative of the human a few comments of his own, to provide a sense of race, on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Scholars continuity. Whether the author has succeeded in today are of the opinion that this event must have this attempt is a matter of opinion. occurred around the year 3012 BCE, i.e., about 5000 There is a negative aspect about books like years ago. In spite of this antiquity, its glory has this. To a reader, who is approaching the subject not faded even a little bit. Millions of people have for the first time, it gives a totally distorted picture benefited by its study so far. of the life of the subject. To appreciate the life of a The English translation of the text is supposed historical personality one needs to know the details to have traveled as far as the United States towards about the period of his life, as well as the state of the beginning of the 19th century. It was adopted

The V edanta K esari ~ 36 ~ JANUARY 2017 43 by Ralph Waldo Emerson, who communicated it to The first chapter tries to define what his companions of the Transcendentalist Movement. Hinduism is all about. Chapter 2 introduces the In recent times, it has influenced the thoughts of Vedic concept of Creation as described in the several scientists in the United States, like Robert scripures. The concept of Maya is introduced to Oppenheim, the father of the Atom Bomb, and illustrate the highest flights of Vedanta, viz., the Chandrasekhar, the Physics Nobel Prize winner. Advaita. This lays, more or less, the groundwork for Several Yoga practitioners from India migrated what follows in later chapters. to the United States and have helped spread the The third chapter, the longest, produces message of the Geeta. arguments for the Vedic view of Creation through The American public is not much interested profuse quotations from the scriptures. A common in the various ‘isms’ attributed to the text. It is factor of these references is the reverence for Mother simply interested in the meaning of the Slokas Earth. Chapter 4 speaks of the reverence for nature and their application to daily life. The book under in the daily life of human beings. Every activity of review fills a need in this context. The translator the average Hindu was linked with the recognition of this book is the founder and president of the of Nature as the moving force behind human life. Geeta Society in California, United States. The book The next chapter compares the concept of ‘Progress’ presents the Slokas in original Samskritam, as well according to Vedanta and Modern Science. as in the Romanized text, followed by a simple The 6th chapter deals briefly with a concept translation into English. Since the letters are big from the Bhagavad-Gita. It is indeed a pity that a enough, they do not cause any strain on the eyes. very important concept here has been dismissed The book has been printed in such a format in just two pages. In Slokas 9 to 16 of chapter 3, Sri that it easily fits into a handbag and hence is Krishna speaks of , the interaction between portable. This is a great service the translator has human beings and the forces of nature and the food- rendered to lovers of the Geeta, both in India and chain. This is, perhaps, the most direct application abroad. It brings the text closer to one’s daily life and to Ecology. will certainly be welcomed by the reading public. The next chapter deals with Economics. A ______NVC SWAMY, BANGALORE concept the modern world is obsessed with is the ‘rate of growth’, at any cost. This implies a large Ecological Spirituality consumption of energy. The lesson we need to learn from ancient cultures is how to live within the By G. Nathanathan means available. Chapter 8 is a plea by the author Published by New Age Books, to human beings to retrace the steps it has taken in A-44, Naraina Industrial Area the last 100,000 years. Chapter 9 talks of our food Phase-I, New Delhi - 110028. habits. E-mail: nab@newagebooksindia. The 10th chapter is about Quantum Physics com, 2004, paperback, pp.88, which showed that the subatomic world follows Rs.200. entirely different laws. This led to startling This interesting book tries to answer the conclusions. The author, being himself a physicist question whether the ancient sages of the Vedic and telecom engineer, describes these results, culture were aware of environmental issues. showing that what appears to us absurd at the The general impression is that they were more subatomic world is indeed the only Reality. concerned about spiritual issues like , In the last chapter, the author says that the Atman etc. The intention of the author is to show need of the hour is for man to regain conscious through several quotations that they indeed were control of the march of civilization. The book is, as aware of the environment as modern scientists. indeed, very impressive, and can be studied with The arguments are provided in 11 chapters, benefit. The issues raised are of topical importance which are short but pithy. The average length of and deserve the serious attention of every right each chapter is hardly 6 pages. But, each chapter can thinking human being. be extended to become a book by itself. ______NVC SWAMY, BANGALORE

The V edanta K esari ~ 37 ~ JANUARY 2017 The V edanta K esari 44 JANUARY 2017 An Appeal for the Underprivileged Girls’ Education

‘Educate your women first and leave them to themselves.’ – Swami Vivekananda From its inception in 1897, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has been doing selfless service to humanity in the areas of Education, Health, Cultural Services, and Relief Works in addition to regular Spiritual activities. In 1906, Swami , a brother disciple of Swami Vivekananda started a primary school in Mint area of North Chennai. Seeing the need and demand from the very poor local people this school extended its services by starting the Vivekananda Centenary Girls High school in 1962 the Centenary year of Swami Vivekananda’s birth. Our students come from a very poor socio - economic background and are mostly children of coolies, scavengers, maid servants and rickshaw pullers belonging to all castes and religions. At present the school has a capacity to serve 900 students per academic year. To meet the growing need of the local people we wish to expand the school to accommodate additional 500 girl students. An adjacent land of 5000 Sq. ft. is available for purchase. We propose to construct a three storey building of about 10,000 sq. ft. which includes 20 classrooms with required furniture, Science Lab., Smart classrooms, Closed auditorium and adequate toilet facilities. Total Project cost is estimated to be around 9 Crores. We appeal to all kind-hearted people as well as corporates to come forward and donate generously for giving quality education to the poor and deserving girls. More information is available at http://www.rkmvcs.edu.in/ Yours in the service of Lord Names of Donors who contribute Rs.1 lakh and above will Swami Gautamananda appear in Donors List at School. Adyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math Contributions made to Sri Ramakrishna Math are eligible for tax benefit under section 80-G of [Indian] Income tax Act.

SRKM Vivekananda Centenary Girls’ Hr. Sec. School View of the Land where new building is proposed

You may also send your contribution by NEFT/RTGS transfer directly and intimate us along with PAN details through email. The following are the details for bank transfer: SRKM Vivekananda Centenary Girls' Higher Secondary School. Bank and Branch : CB. (Canara Bank, Mandaveli Br., Chennai-600028.) Account No. : 8636101036893 IFSC : CNRB0000937

Sri Ramakrishna Math, No. 31, Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Ph : 044-24621110. e-mail : [email protected] & [email protected] The V edanta K esari 45 JANUARY 2017

Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama (A branch centre of Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Belur Math. , W.B. – 711 202) Swami Vivekananda Path, P.O. Bela, Muzaffarpur–842 002, Ph.: 0621-2272127, 2272963 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rkmmuzaffarpur.org Appeal for Vivekananda Netralaya (Eye, ENT, Dental Clinic cum Diagnostic Centre)

Present Oldest Eye Infirmary in North Bihar established in 1947, Infrastructure: General dispensary, Dental, Homeopathy, X-Ray, Pathology Service Rendered Total OPD – 87,647, Cataract Operation : Full Free – 3,325, (SC/ST-1,089, (2015-16) : BC-1,365), Part Free – 1,703, Patho Test – 2,799, Dental-3897, Computer Awareness & Tailoring Training, Value Added Competition for 4,000 Students, National Youth Day Celebrations, Disaster Management, Non-Formal Education and Coaching to 375 Children Our Vision: A new Medical Building with Speciality Eye, ENT and Dental care, Various OPD Sections, Well equipped Clinical Lab., R & D, Modern Diagnostic Unit, Para medical Training. Work in Progress: Construction of Diagnostic Unit is complete and has been brought in use. Funds Required: Rs.35 Lakh for remaining work of Recovery Unit. Rs.65 Lakh for remaining work of Gr Fl. and1st Fl. of Vivekananda Netralaya. Rs.6 crore for construction of Ancillary Medical unit, Office and Doctors Qrs. Rs.3 crore for Equipments. Rs.15 Lakh for Maintenance. Rs.15 Lakh for Educational Programmes, Puja and Celebration. Rs.15 Crore for Permanent Fund (corpus) Dear Devotees and Friends, We appeal to you to contribute towards up-coming Vivekananda Netralaya project (Eye, ENT, Dental Clinic cum Diagnostic Centre) which we took up in 2011 and has made remarkable progress with your help. Health infrastructure in Muzaffarpur in north Bihar is very poor and our Sevashrama needs to have a better set-up for continuing its medical services. Your contribution will be a real worship of Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada and Swami Vivekananda who lived their lives for spiritual growth of devotees and aspirants. I fervently hope by this service to the poor and needy we both shall be nearer to the ideals of Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha (For liberation of the self and good of the world). It will also serve the purpose of perpetuating memories and sentiments of your near and dear ones. Kindly send your contribution by Cheque/DD or by NEFT/ RTGS to A/c No. 10877071752 IFS Code: SBIN0006016 (Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Muzaffarpur) Donations to Sevashrama are exempted from Income Tax u/s 80G of IT Act 1961. Details of the Project may be had from our office. With Prayers to Holy Trinity for you and all yours, Swami Bhavatmananda Secretary The V edanta K esari 46 JANUARY 2017

RAMAKRISHNA MISSION ASHRAMA MALDA - 732101, , INDIA Tel: 03512-252479; e-mail: [email protected] Appeal for the construction of Kitchen Block for poor boys Dear Devotees, well-wishers & friends, Our Ashrama is a branch centre of Ramakrishna Mission with its Headquarters at Belur Math, Howrah. We have been working for the last 90 years in this small town of North Bengal. Malda is a backward district and we serve the illiterate, sick people and those affected by natural calamities irrespective of caste, creed and religion, as per the ideas and ideals of Ramakrishna- Vivekananda. Our Ashrama runs a Higher Secondary school, a Kindergarten & a Primary school in Malda Town. Three rural free primary schools are being run for tribal children who are first generation learners. In addition to above, five free coaching centres are being run by us in remote village areas. We also run an allopath and a homeopath dispensary in the ashrama for poor slum dwellers, besides a mobile medical service for the rural poor conducting 10 medical camps every week. T.B. patients are given free medicines & injections. About thirty thousand poor people are served free of cost in our medical units. We regularly distribute school uniform, dhoti-saree(about 800 per year), blankets (about 800 per year) food-packets etc. to needy village people and 20 bicycles every year to poor high school girls. The Hostel in the Ashrama for poor boys of the High School is run under the able supervision of a of our order where 80 students stay. The Kitchen building of the hostel and the ashrama is about 60 years old, - damp, dark, cramped and in a dilapidated condition. We are demolishing this building to have a new R.C.C. construction. It will also house the kitchen store rooms and a dining hall for monks adjacent to the students’ facility. The estimated cost for the whole project is about Rs. 30 lacs. We appeal to every kind-hearted person to lend a generous hand to make our project a success. For donations of Rs. 1 lac and above [in memory of any family member, relative etc.] the donor’s name will be displayed in a prominent place in the ashrama in a marble plaque.- All donations for this noble cause are exempted from Income Tax u/s 80G of Income Tax Act. 1961. A/c. payee Cheque / Draft may be drawn in favour of Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Malda. On-line donation may be made into any one of our bank account as per the details given below. Please follow through by sending us e mail or letter giving details of your transfer details for us to send receipt. a. State Bank of India, Malda Branch – IFSC Code: SBI000129, Branch Code 129, Account number: 11175363270 b. United Bank of India of Malda - IFSC Code: UTBIOMDA214, Branch Code MDA 214, Account number: 0233010034363 With namaskar, Yours sincerely, Swami Parasharananda Secretary The V edanta K esari 47 JANUARY 2017 The V edanta K esari 48 JANUARY 2017

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Ramakrishna Sarada Ashrama, Devaprayag

An Appeal The incessant rain in Uttarakhand has brought about destruction on a large scale this year. However, with the grace of Sri Sri Thakur and Sri Maa the ashrama has been spared from any damage. Meanwhile in this ancient land of pilgrimage this ashrama carved out in Shi Shri Thakur’s name has found a place in the hearts of many devotees. Lovers of pilgrimages, the Himalayan people, have accepted this new place of worship (established in 2014) dedicated to Thakur Maa Swamiji with love, respect and devotion. Therefore, taking the future into consideration the need is to earmark the sliding zones and build strong retaining walls. For this purpose, the estimated cost will be approximately 30 lakh rupees. We appeal to all devotees to please donate generously towards this venture. May Thakur Maa Swamiji shower their choicest blessings on each one of you. This is my heartfelt prayer. Yours in the lord Swami Sarvatmananda Secretary Communication Ramakrisha Sarada Ashrama, Dak Banglow Road, PO Devaprayag Tehri Garhwal Uttarakhand. Pin- 249301 Phone - 09410520939, 9897452084 E-mail id: [email protected] Cheque / D.D May Please Be Drawn in Favour of Ramakrishna Sarala Ashram. Devaprayag For online Donation: Our CBS A/C Punjab National Bank, Devaprayag A/C 0625000100098104 (IFS code - PUNB - 0062500) State Bank of India Devaprayag A/C No 30932831669 (IFS code - SBIN 0014135 ) All donations are exempted from Income Tax U/S 80G of the I.T. Act 1961 The V edanta K esari 53 JANUARY 2017

NAVAJEEVAN BLIND RELIEF CENTRE (FREE HOME FOR THE BLIND, ORPHAN AND AGED) TIRUCHANOOR, TIRUPATI–517503. Ph : 0877-2239992, 9908537528 [Mob.] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.navajeevan.org An Appeal 37 Years of Service to Humanity 1979–2016

1. Navajeevan School & Hostel for Blind – Tirupati, Parlekhimundi, Golamunda Children 2. Navajeevan Free Eye Hospital – Tirupati 3. Navajeevan Free Home for Aged – Tirupati, Rishikesh, Parlekhimundi and Chennai 4. Navajeevan Dumb & Deaf Home - Patapatnam 5. Navajeevan Sharanagati Vridhashram – Tirupati 6. Navajeevan Rural Medical Centres - Berhampur [Orissa] 7. Navajeevan Eye Care Centres - Serango & Kalahandi [Orissa] 8. Navajeevan Orphanage Children Homes – Tirupati, Parlehkimundi, Saluru, Golamunda, Berhampur, Pandukal, Vizag & Araku, Dundelmal 9. Navajeevan Atharvana Veda Pathasala - Tirupati A Humble Request for Donation 1. Sponsor one day Annadan to blind children and aged – Rs. 5000/- 2. Sponsor 5 IOL Cataract Eye Operations – Rs. 7000/- 3. Sponsor one blind child or orphan child for one year – Rs. 6000/- 4. Sponsor one poor aged person for one year – Rs. 5000/- 5. Sponsor one free eye camp at Rural/Tribal area – Rs. 50000/- 6. Vidyadan—Educational aid for one child – Rs. 2000/- Donor devotees can send their contributions by cheque/DD/MO to the above address on the occasion of birthday, wedding day or any other special occasion and receive prasadam of Lord Balaji Venkateswara of Tirupati as blessings. Contributions to NAVAJEEVAN BLIND RELIEF CENTRE, Tirupati are eligible for Tax Relief U/S 80G of Income Tax Act. Our Bank details for online transfer : Bank Name : Indian Bank , Gandhi Road Branch, Tirupati SB A/c No: 463789382, Account Holder : Navajeevan Blind Relief Centre, Branch Code: T036, IFSC code: IDIB000T036, ‘We can attain salvation through social work’ – Swami Vivekananda K. Sridhar Acharya Founder/ President The V edanta K esari 54 JANUARY 2017 The V edanta K esari 5555 JANUARY 2017

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We play our parts here—good or bad. When the dream is finished and we have left the stage, we will have a hearty laugh at all this—of this only I am sure. 56 Vol.104-01 The Vedanta Kesari (English Monthly) January 2017. Regd. with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No.1084 / 1957. POSTAL 56 REGISTRATION NUMBER:TN / CH (C) / 190 / 15-17. LICENSED TO POST WITHOUT PREPAYMENT TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-259 / 2015-2017. Date of Publication: 24th of every month

Teach yourselves, teach everyone his/her real nature, call upon the sleeping soul and see how it awakes. Power will come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come, and everything that is excellent will come, when this sleeping soul is roused to self-conscious activity. —Swami Vivekananda

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