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Voice of the Worldwide Movement Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Seattle, WA 2716 broadway east Permit #2419 seattle wa 98102-3909 Fall 2009 Vol. XIV, No. 4

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In this Issue: • With Sri • The and Thomas, Dialogue III • New Signs of

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Editor-in-chief Swami Bhaskarananda Editors Allen R. Freedman Stafford Smith fall 2009 vol. xiv, no. 4 Editorial Assistant Devra Freedman Production/Design/Artwork Charles Mathias Brahmachari David Kathleen Teague Scott Wirth Advertising/Business Assistant Swami Avikarananda This Issue Editorial and Business Offices 2 With Sri Ramana Maharshi 2716 Broadway East Seattle, WA 98102-3909 6 The Swami and Thomas, Dialogue III Phone: 206-323-1228 Fax: 206-329-1791 8 New Signs of India E-mail: [email protected] 9 A Prehensile Tale, Swami Bananananda Global Vedanta, Issue #54 (ISSN 1089-6902) Answers Your Questions ©2009 Viveka Press. All rights reserved. Repro- duction of any portion of Global Vedanta without the express written permission of the publisher is prohibited. ­The opinions expressed by the contribu- tors are not necessarily those of the publisher. Global Departments Vedanta is published quarterly for us $12.00/year in the U.S.A.; us $14.00/year in Canada & Mexico; 1 Letters us $18.00/year in all other countries. 11 Poets’ Corner 12 Humor—The Spice of Life Viveka Press, the publisher of Global Vedanta, is the publishing arm of the of Western 14 Vedanta News from Around the World Washington, a non-profit corporation founded in 16 About the Contributors 1941. The Society gratefully accepts tax-deductible contributions and bequests to assist its efforts to publicize various aspects of Vedanta with special emphasis on its teaching of the harmony of all religions. All editorial and pre-press work on Global Vedanta is provided on a voluntary basis. Cover: The image of the Divine Mother Durga made by President Swami Bhaskarananda Swami Gauripriyananda and some devotees of the Board of Directors Mission Ashrama in Mauritius Chairman Mr. Stafford Smith Vice-Chairman Dr. Anadijiban Das Treasurer Dr. Allen R. Freedman Secretary Mr. Charles S. Wirth Directors Swami Avikarananda, Mrs. Rita Das, Mr. John E. Flynn, Swami Manishananda, Mr. Charles Mathias, Dr. Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay, Br. Pavitrachaitanya, Dr. Usha Sankrithi Emeriti Dr. Santosh Kumar, Dr. Darbari Lal Sharma

LETTERS About Contributing to I cannot express in words how much In “Swami and Thomas” Swami Global Vedanta this journal has enriched me with the Bhaskarananda explained the essence of Global Vedanta will gladly consider articles, spirit of Vedanta and the teachings of reality of God and the universe. The feel- poetry, humor, etc. submitted for publica- Ramakrishna and ing that I am a person and I have a body tion. The subject matter should be religious, and Mother Sarada. is the apparent reality (visible universe). cultural, or educational, and must appeal to a general and broad-minded readership. I bow my head to show sense of grati- The realization that I exist, but I am not Articles should be entertaining and yet sub- tude to those great hearts who have been the body, is the absolute reality (Brah- stantial, and be within 1500 to 1700 words working relentlessly to enlighten hearts of man). in length (not exceeding 2000 words in any people like me with the messages of Ve- —R. Roychoudhury event). Articles accepted for publication danta and the Austin, TX may require a release signed by the author order through this journal. and, unless prior arrangements are made, —Ajit Maitra no materials submitted to Global Vedanta Sheoraphuli, , India can be returned. Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 1 with sri ramana maharshi by swami Damodarananda

stunned me. My immediate reaction was Divine Guidance Editor’s note: The following article to think, “A Maharshi living in India now! by revered Swami Damodarananda of I must go and offer myself at his feet.” I told the manager of my hostel that I the reminds me of From that point onwards I became was leaving, then booked a train ticket to an incident concerning revered Swami very restless of mind. I began con- Tiruvannamalai. A few days later I was Bhavyananda, who was the head of our tinually planning to run away from sitting in a coach on a train called the Vedanta Centre in Bourne End, UK, for Mangalore to Tiruvannamalai to stay Madras Mail. It so happened that in that many years. After finishing his education in with the holy and enlightened Maharshi same coach an elderly brahmin gentleman medical school, he had gone to see Sri Rama- and be guided by him on the path of was also a passenger. He was travelling na Maharshi and told him about his desire spiritual illumination. I was so gripped with his family. After sharing food among to join the Ramakrishna Order as a . by this one thought that any other themselves, the head of the family turned Hearing that, the Maharshi was pleased concerns about my further education, to me and asked where I was going. He and said to Swami Bhavyananda (then or the need to take permission from my was surprised to learn that such a young Gundappa), “In this age Sri Ramakrishna parents, did not even cross my mind. It student as myself was going to visit the will work.”—Swami Bhaskarananda just flashed from within, by the grace of great sage in Tiruvannamalai. During God, I had an opportunity to be with a our conversation he kindly advised me to begin with a short life sketch of sage of atma-saksatkara (Self-realization). get off from the train about midnight at Ramana Maharshi: Sri Ramana Ma- I felt that at all costs I must go to him and the Villupuram station, and then take the harshi was born in a devoted brahmin be at his feet to be guided on the spiritual train from there to Tiruvannamalai. Be- familyI in 1879 in a town near Madurai in path, that being the only purpose of life. ing over-enthusiastic but inexperienced in South India. When he was seven- travelling, I had bought a train ticket teen years old and still a high school for Tiruvannamalai on the Madras student, he had a mystical experi- Mail, which goes all the way from ence of the ever-existing divine “I” the west to the east coast of India, within himself. Deeper and deeper without realizing that I needed to meditations inspired him to leave change trains for Tiruvannamalai in home and go to the sacred hill of the middle of the journey. His advice Arunachala in Tiruvannamalai, was a godsend. Being so preoccupied Tamil Nadu. He continued his with my final objective, I would have spiritual practices there, observ- missed the connecting train. I consid- ing silence for many years. Finally, ered it to be the Lord’s grace guiding he attained that supreme spiritual me to my divine destination. peace and bliss “which passeth all understanding.” Devotees flocked Arunachala and Arunachaleswara to him from both India and abroad to receive his and obtain About midnight I got off at the spiritual guidance. He passed away Villupuram railroad station and in 1950. Even now devotees from walked across the platform to where all over the world go to pray and the train for Tiruvannamalai was meditate in the holy atmosphere of standing. After a while the train the ashrama where the lived in started moving. At dawn from a Tiruvannamalai. great distance between high rising temple walls, I was able to see the imposing gopuram (towers) of Ar- My Spiritual Quest Sri Ramana Maharshi 1879 – 1950 unachaleswara Temple that faced In 1939 at the age of twenty, I outwards to the four directions. The left my hometown of Gurpur in Karna- The plan for every person’s life is based temple was situated on the site where taka to go to the nearby city of Mangalore on tendencies carried forward from Lord Shiva is said to have manifested on the west coast to pursue my higher previous lives. Generally, it starts getting himself in the form of a holy education. There in my hostel, I came fleshed out during late adolescence. The (stone symbol) along with Shakti (His across a pictorial biography of Sri Ra- force of some past noble tendencies must divine power) at the foot of Mt. Ar- mana Maharshi that was being circulated have given my life this sudden turn. unachala. among the students. The book simply 2 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 My First Meeting with the Maharshi them of my desire to stay in the ashrama in his usual loin-cloth, standing a short and lead a spiritual life. After some dis- distance away from me with a small After travelling throughout the night cussion they agreed to let me stay. towel under his arm and holding a little and all the following morning without I was told that earlier a young man water-pot in one hand and his walking eating any food, I reached Tiruvannamalai with spiritual inclinations like me had stick in the other. He was smiling at me. I railroad station about midday. Outside come to the ashrama. Having stayed quickly stepped aside and requested him the railroad station I found a tonga for a while, doubts arose in his mind to proceed through the passageway. Still (horse-drawn carriage) and reached Sri about whether he should remain in the beaming at me, he indicated that it was of Ramanashrama about 2 pm. Before go- ashrama. So he approached Sri Ramana no concern, and asked me to continue my ing into the ashrama I gave away my and asked him whether it was the best seva (service). I quickly made way for him extra clothes and money to the driver of for him to stay in the ashrama, or return and again requested him to continue his the tonga. He then took me around the home to serve his parents. Sri Ramana walking. It was only then that he came a buildings and showed me the hall where told him that if he felt that staying in the few steps closer and slowly walked away. Sri Ramana Maharshi could be found. I ashrama to pursue his spiritual ideals was It struck me how humble, egoless and took my bath at the bathing pool of the the right thing to do, then he should do self-effacing he was. temple, then went straight to where the that. Otherwise, if he felt that returning sage was seated. home to serve his parents was better, then Grinding Chutney with As I was very tired after my travel, after he should pursue that course in life. Thus, Sri Ramana Maharshi saluting Sri Ramana, I sat down, leaning Sri Ramana advised the young man to against a wall. However, as soon as I had use his own judgment as dictated by his One morning at about 4 am I was sum- done this, the Maharshi gazed directly at past karma (tendencies inherited from his moned to the kitchen. When I entered me with unblinking, wide-open eyes. I previous births). Finally the young man the kitchen’s verandah to my surprise I also looked into his eyes with all humility decided to return home. found Sri Ramana in his usual loin-cloth and wonder. In this way, both of us con- That night I slept on an open verandah, sitting near the chutney-grinding stone. I tinued to stare into each other’s eyes for the weather being quite hot. began to grind the scrapings and a considerable time. While this was hap- he helped me by pushing in the overflow- pening I felt as though Sri Ramana was ing ingredients. At the same time, he was Sri Ramana Maharshi Watching showering his grace upon me. By his mere busy putting salt, chilli peppers and other with a Smile gaze it seemed like the Maharshi was es- things into the chutney that were required tablishing me once and for all in spiritual I was asked to help in the kitchen to make it tasty. A few other people were life, through all its trials and tribulations. department. My daily duties consisted also sitting nearby. When the grinding Perhaps he intuitively saw my spiritual mostly of bringing firewood to the kitch- was over he placed all the contents into destiny. About five minutes later his eyes en from the storehouse, boiling the a vessel. Then he went into the kitchen became half closed as he lapsed into his that had been brought from the ashrama and prepared the seasoning in a big spoon introspective communion with the Self. I dairy, and rinsing the enormous kitchen with oil, mustard and dry chilli peppers, later learnt that it was quite common for vessels to make them perfectly clean, etc. After it had boiled on the stove and the Maharshi to remain in such states of after they had been washed by the paid become ready, he brought it out from divine absorption throughout the day and servants. At that time the ashrama was the kitchen to the place on the verandah night. One who abides naturally in tune slowly getting built as donations trickled where the chutney was being prepared. with the peace and bliss of the Supreme in. The kitchen was made of mud walls, Then he began pouring the seasoning over is known to be in Sahaja Samadhi. Sri with large openings for ventilation. The the chutney and mixing it in well. Ramana Maharshi would intermittently monkeys of the neighborhood used to experience this Sahaja Samadhi. peep in and, if they got an opportunity, A Sweet Little Joke enter the kitchen through those openings to eat whatever food was available. So When Sri Ramana had got the chut- Staying in the Ashrama after lunch, when the ladies who did the ney ready, he distributed a little to each of After a while, some residents of the cooking would go and rest, as one of my the four or five people who were sitting ashrama began to distribute cut pieces of duties I would chase the monkeys away. there. Then he lifted his face up and from fruit in leaf cups to the devotees who were Sri Ramana used to stay mostly on his above dropped a bit of the chutney into seated in the hall. I took my leave from cot in a big hall throughout the day except his mouth without his fingers touching Sri Ramana, then with my share of fruit when he had to go out to answer the call his mouth. (This healthy principle of in hand slowly entered the passageway of nature. It so happened that the place not contaminating food prepared in the between the hall and the kitchen. Near where I did most of my work was near kitchen with one’s saliva is followed even the kitchen Sri Ramana’s brother, Swami a passageway, which Sri Ramana would now in India among cultured Hindu Niranjananandaji, the manager of the use to go to the bathroom. One day when families.) As the devotees were enjoying ashrama, was standing with a few ladies I was busy rinsing the big kitchen ves- the chutney, Sri Ramana asked them how who were helping with the cooking. I told sels, I suddenly saw Sri Ramana, dressed they had liked it. Out of reverence they Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 3 all kept quiet. Then Sri Ramana smiled happy just to enjoy being in the presence clock. Amazingly, just at that moment it and quipped in Tamil, “Is the chutney of the great Brahmavit (knower of Brah- began to strike five o’clock! He just smiled asking for idlies (cakes made of rice and man) who was sitting before them. In that at this and as was his custom, got up to lentils)?” Everyone enjoyed the joke and spiritually surcharged hall filled with holy walk towards the Arunachala Hill for his smiled. The residents then dispersed and vibrations many had their inner personal evening ablutions in the running stream, the chutney was taken to the kitchen to doubts resolved by themselves without perhaps have a little exercise. We followed be served with the idlies when the morn- having to even verbalize them. him for a short distance, then left him to ing visitors arrived. Once when I was a little free from walk alone. my kitchen duties, I went to see Sri Ra- Arunachala (Major A. W. Chad- mana in the hall at about 11:00 am. A wick) used to meditate in the hall leaning Service in the Vegetable Cutting Room group of ladies visiting from one of the against a library cupboard, with a belt Sri Ramana next entered the vegetable universities in the state of Karnataka was strapped around his back and legs. In this cutting room, where a kitchen assistant talking to him. While answering one of way, he was training his legs to sit properly was cutting vegetables for the lunch that their questions on maintaining silence in a cross-legged position while meditating was to be served to the residents and visit- as a spiritual discipline, I heard him say, like the other spiritual seekers. A devotee ing devotees. Sri Ramana began assisting “Maunam [holy silence] is not just keep- known as Mother Echmmal could also there also by cutting up vegetables for ing quiet without talking. Holding on to be seen quietly sitting and praying in the the various dishes. He sat cross-legged one thought alone is considered to be the hall. Having lost her husband and her two and cut them with the utmost attention. real maunam.” I used to visit Sri Ramana children one after another in quick succes- I noticed that the vegetable pieces were when he would be sitting in the hall to sion, she had gone to Sri Ramana seeking almost all exactly of the same size. From have the opportunity to gather such pearls consolation. By his grace, her mind gradu- this I learnt the lesson that whatever ac- of wisdom. ally became calm and peaceful. Many such tion a person performs should be done On one occasion I witnessed a bare- spiritually-healed devotees stayed in the with great concentration, for every work chested brahmin standing for a long time ashrama when I was there. is the worship of the Lord. before Sri Ramana with folded hands. Around sunset, the evening prayer and Perhaps Sri Ramana knew him, for he meditation session would start with Ve- seemed to just ignore him. Then another dic chanting, devotional singing, prayers General Routine of the Ashrama devotee entered the hall and began walk- and meditation, as in the morning. The As I recall, during those days the ing towards Sri Ramana. As soon as Sri last item in the program would be silent general routine was somewhat like this: Ramana saw this second devotee, he meditation, when everyone would try to Early in the morning at about 4:00 am began speaking to him with great joy. meditate in the presence of Sri Ramana. some devotees used to gather in the hall Thus, during these visiting hours we could He would then be seated on his cot com- for prayer and meditation. As dawn ap- see Sri Ramana in his various moods. pletely absorbed, like Lord Shiva. proached, the Veda Pathashala acharyas No doubt he knew the devotees’ inner Once, an administrative sevak (vol- (teachers at the ashrama’s school) thoughts and attitudes. unteer) of the ashrama came near Sri would come with their students and chant All guests would be offered lunch with Ramana’s cot at this time and began call- some important Vedic such as the Sri Ramana, thus they would get the ing out his name louder and louder. At shanti mantras, the Purusa Sukta and the opportunity to have his holy company first Bhagavan was unaware of his calls, Narayana Sukta. Thenbhajans (devotional till the afternoon. From about 4:00 pm I as he was totally immersed in that inner songs) were sung by the devotees in Tamil, had the seva duty of grinding soaked rice silence of divine peace and bliss. However, Telugu, Malayalam and other languages. and lentils for the next morning’s idlies. as the sevak’s voice became very loud, Sri All the while, Sri Ramana would remain One devoted elderly lady used to help Ramana returned to consciousness of seated on his cot with half-closed eyes ab- me by pushing in the overflowing, semi- the outer world and responded in Tamil, sorbed in the Self. When the singing was liquid dough with her right hand into “Enna, enna?” (“What, what?”). We used over, all the devotees used to sit quietly the grinder. As soon as I would be free to enjoy witnessing such incidents many and meditate for a while. We would then from this service, I used to go again to the times throughout the day. During his disperse and attend to our morning du- hall to enjoy Sri Ramana’s holy company. various moods and spiritual attitudes, ties. About 7:30 or so all of the residents, One afternoon I saw him talking to some when he would deal with all kinds of guests and others would assemble in the devotees in the hall. While remaining people, there would never be any expres- courtyard to have their breakfast of idlies seated on his bed, he slowly stretched his sion of fatigue on his face, and I never and chutney. After breakfast, non-resident legs down until they touched the floor. saw him yawning. He appeared to be ever visitors would begin to arrive to offer their He was holding his walking stick in his engrossed in the experience of sat-chid- pranams (salutations) to Sri Ramana in left hand, and massaging his knees with anandam. the hall where he would be sitting or his right hand. As he continued doing reclining on his cot. this, he slowly tried to stand up. Then he How I first came to know Sometimes the hall would fill up. remembered that he was not due to go about Sri Ramakrishna Mostly, all the visitors used to keep quiet, out until 5:00 pm, and looked up at the 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 I was enjoying my stay in the Rama- services) of the various deities. By this Ramakrishna Order and a disciple of nashrama and daily having Sri Ramana’s time the people at Sri Ramanashrama had the Holy Mother, Sri . In a holy company whenever I was free from come to know that I was staying at the separate ceremony I also took my Brah- my humble service (seva) in the kitchen. Arunachaleswar temple. They called me macharya vows. After lunch, when I would be busy chas- back to the ashrama. When I returned, On the way to the , head- ing the monkeys away from the kitchen, they told me about my mother’s wailing quarters of the , I also had some free time to read some and weeping, etc. They pressured me to I thought it would be good to visit holy books from the library. The book pay her a visit, and then return to Sri Ra- Sri Ramanashrama to see Sri Ramana that made the biggest impression on me manashrama. Accordingly, I went to our Maharshi before he gave up his body. I was the Life of Sri Ramakrishna (with house in Madras where my mother was reached Sri Ramanashrama on February a foreword by ). This staying. As was to be expected, all of my 17th, 1946, along with two other devotees was my first opportunity to read the holy, relatives prevailed upon me not to take from Bangalore, and stayed there for three inspiring and wonderful life of Sri Ra- religion to the extreme and to continue days. On the first day I sat on the floor for makrishna. The book also included some my studies. Reluctantly, I agreed to be lunch with all the other visiting devotees. details about the Holy Mother Sri Sarada admitted to the Engineering Institute and Sri Ramana sat at the head of the line. I Devi, Swami Vivekananda, and other enrolled in a course of five years. think it was Kire Pati (the “Vegetables monastic disciples and lay devotees of Fortunately, our house in Madras was Granny”) who came first to serve Sri Ra- Ramakrishna. Thus, I first came to learn right near the and mana with a few dishes she had prepared. about the Ramakrishna Mission and its Mission centre in . I began to As she was in her nineties, Sri Ramana headquarters at Belur Math, near , visit the temple daily and talk to the swa- loudly asked her in Tamil, “Enna kondu- while I was staying at Ramanashrama. mijis and brahmacharis. One day I was bandirke?” (“What have you brought?”) One day while I was reading this book reading the works of Swami Vivekananda She described her dishes. Then she slowly in the kitchen, however, I was shocked to when a particular passage leapt out at distributed the same simple food, little by see my uncle standing before me. He had me. The passage was: “You have devoted little, to all of us. come all the way from Madras in his car innumerable lives to family and mate- I observed Sri Ramana Marharshi as to take me home. When I told him of my rial concerns. Can you not at least offer he was eating. He took some pieces of desire to stay in the ashrama, he got angry this one life to God?” Immediately the chili pepper out of his curry and pushed and ordered me to get ready to go. answer welled up from within my mind: them away to a corner of the banana leaf At that moment I decided to run away “Yes, I can do that!” This idea inspired me from which he was eating. A few grains from the ashrama and live independently so much that I then and there made a of rice also happened to get stuck to the on the hill of Arunachala. Going inside, firm resolution to dedicate myself to Sri chilli peppers. However, he scrupulously I took my spare clothes and made off at Ramakrishna—instead of studying and returned these to the rest of the food on about 2:00 pm towards Mt. Arunachala. later earning money as my family would his leaf, so that even those few grains I did not want to get caught by a search want me to do. would not be carelessly wasted. When he party that might come looking for me, so I informed revered Swami Asheshanan- had finished lunch, his leaf plate was left I kept off the main track by going through da, then the superintendent of the totally clean (except, of course, for the few the forest, avoiding Skandashram and Ramakrishna Mission Students’ Home in chili peppers). the other places where Sri Ramana was Madras, of my decision. I used to meet him After lunch, Sri Ramana started walk- known to have stayed. Sure enough—as I often and he inspired me very much. He ing toward the hall where he normally sat was later to learn—my uncle was taken to gave me a letter of introduction to revered on his cot and met devotees. I immediate- all of those places to look for me. Since he Swami Tyagishananda of the Ramakrishna ly followed him. After he reached his cot, did not find me, he informed the people Mission Ashrama in Bangalore. Thus, I saluted him and asked him in English in Ramanashrama that my mother was in 1940, I again found myself running to let me know the easiest path. Although fasting, wailing and praying for me to away—this time to join the Ramakrishna Sri Ramana knew English, he normally come back to our house in Madras. He Mission’s Bangalore Ashrama. spoke only in Tamil. But he just looked at then returned home empty-handed. me and gestured with his hand for me to That evening I climbed down the sit down. I sat down on the floor in front My Last Visit to Sri Ramana hill and slept on the verandah of an old of him. Then Sri Ramana began watching temple without having taken any food or I stayed in the Bangalore ashrama the other devotees arrive, sit down and drink. Next morning after bathing, I went for about six years learning Sanskrit, the gradually fill up the hall. Disappointed to the Sri Arunachaleswar Temple where scriptures and the Mission’s disciplines that he had not answered my question, I they gave lunch, prasadam, to guests. After of prayer, meditation and spiritual ser- closed my eyes and began doing mental lunch I talked to one of the , who vice. In 1946 it was time for me to go (repetition of the holy name of God). allowed me to stay in the temple for about to our headquarters at Belur Math, near After a while he said to some professor three days, rendering some service dur- Kolkata, to have my spiritual initiation. I or lecturer who was known to him, “This ing that period. It consisted of grinding was to receive a holy from revered sandalwood paste for the pujas (worship , the President of the See Ramana Maharshi…page 10 Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 5 The swami and thomas, dialogue iIi by swami bhaskarananda (An imaginary dialogue between a property. It is possible that these disasters the scriptures say that everything happens Swami and a gentleman named Thomas at have happened, as the scriptures say, due according to God’s will, I cannot dismiss a branch center of the Ramakrishna Order in to the will of God. Nevertheless, Swami, the idea. That’s why I really can’t under- the United States of America. The first and I am confused. Can you please enlighten stand why God willingly causes disasters second dialogues in this series can be found me in this area? that kill countless innocent lives. Why in the Spring and Summer 2009 issues of Swami: Thomas, our scriptures say that does God willingly allow genocide, and Global Vedanta respectively.) as long as your mind and body are real to other terrible things to happen in the you, you will have your sense of agency. In world? Does He not have compassion other words, you will think of yourself as for His creatures? Or is He just cruel and Topic: God is not compassionate. the doer of your physical or mental activi- heartless? How can I love such a God?” Thomas: You told me that God is ties. As long as you retain your sense of Thomas: Swami, you have expressed like a great magician who has created agency, you have no alternative but to hold my ideas more beautifully than I could this world with His power of magic. To yourself responsible for whatever you do, have done. Him, the world is only an illusion or like good or bad. At that stage you don’t have Swami (after a brief pause): Well, a movie, and we are at best just so many the right to say that everything is happen- Thomas, our scriptures have given valid movie characters conjured up by Him. ing according to God’s will, because you answers to such questions. Nevertheless, You also told me that as long as I am not spiritually illumined, my body and mind are real to me, and so is this world. You also said that as I intellectually accept that this world is real to me, God, the creator of this world, must also be real, as are the divine incarnations, the , the scriptures, and so on. Therefore, it will be hypocrisy on my part to say that this world is really an illusion. The scriptures say that God is - nipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, aside from being the ultimate dispenser of justice, and so on. Scriptures also say that everything happens in this world by God’s will. But we see so many atroci- ties, acts of injustice, genocide, mayhem, etc., taking place around the world. If Charles Mathias everything happens according to God’s will, I simply can’t understand why God is doing such horrible things. Doesn’t He have not experienced God yet. As long as instead of referring to the scriptures, let have compassion in His heart for His own you haven’t experienced God, to you He us discuss these points using just reason- creatures? Does He enjoy cruelty? Does exists only as the unknown source of this ing and common sense, and see if God is He enjoy our suffering? creation. We discussed all this when you really heartless and cruel. Or are the scriptures wrong in saying came to see me the very first time. But at first, in all fairness, we should that everything happens according to Now, since God is unknown to you, congratulate God for not being self- God’s will? From our experience it seems what right do you have to say that God conceited. Accepting that everything that not God, but human beings are re- is responsible for this or that disaster? Is happens according to God’s will, it must sponsible for committing genocide, serial that not hypocrisy? You may rightly claim be admitted that He is humble enough killings, and various other atrocities and that the forces of nature are responsible to have allowed His creatures like us to acts of cruelty and injustice in this world. for natural disasters like earthquakes, criticize His conduct. Unlike some of Of course, some disasters, such as earth- tornadoes, etc., but not God. us, He doesn’t seem to be too eager for quakes, storms, tsunamis, etc., happen But if you counter this, saying, “I try praise or honor. Had He wanted praise for which we are not responsible. These to believe in the scriptures, because they or honor, He would never have allowed disasters often cause great loss of human contain truths that have been known anyone to criticize Him. In this sense, life as well as that of other creatures, through the super-sensuous experiences we have to admit that God is better than what to speak of wanton destruction of of spiritually enlightened souls. And since most of us! 6 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 We can also say that it is God’s will In this context let me tell you about an that we should criticize Him. At least this incident in the life of Sri Ramakrishna, b o o k s f r o m thinking will keep our conscience clear. who is considered the greatest saint of viveka press Isn’t it so, Thomas? modern India by millions in India and available from By the way, Thomas, have you heard abroad. the saying: The pot calling the kettle black? Once some pilgrims were going by The Vedanta Society of Thomas: Yes, Swami. boat to a famous place of pilgrimage in Western Washington Swami: Have you ever suffered from Bengal. A sudden storm capsized the boat (most can also be any illness for which you had to take an and many of the pilgrims in the boat died. obtained from antibiotic? Hearing the news, some of the people in Thomas: Yes, several times. the presence of Sri Ramakrishna were AMAZON.COM) Swami: Doctors prescribe antibiotics discussing whether it was fair and com- to kill bacteria inside the patients’ bodies. passionate on the part of God to let those Life in Indian Monasteries—$14.95 Every time an antibiotic is used, millions pilgrims die. After all, those pilgrims were The Philosophical Verses of of bacteria get killed inside a patient’s devotees of God! body. And the bacteria are so many tiny Hearing their discussion, Sri Ra- Yogavāsishtha—$9.95 living beings. Isn’t it cruel to kill them? makrishna became very grave and said to Meditation, Mind and Whenever we eat, we become responsi- them, “How do you know that God hasn’t Patanjali’s —$14.50 ble for the deaths of so many living beings taken them to a much better place?” Sri The Essentials of —$14.50 in the form of fish, fowl, goats, lambs, pigs Ramakrishna, who had experienced God, Reminiscences of and beef cattle. If you think a vegetarian knew where God had taken them. Others Swami Brahmananda—$14.95 meal is better, you are wrong. Every food didn’t have that knowledge. Journey From Many to One—$15.95 grain has life in it. If you sow it, it will be- Most of us tend to think that there is come a living plant. Vegetables also have nothing better than to live in this world. life and feelings. The famous physicist This reminds me of a story: of India, Sir J. C. Bose, performed many On a hot summer day in India, some experiments with plants as well. He has travelers had taken shelter in the cooling proved that living plants also feel pain. shade of a huge tree. Suddenly a Aside from this, human hunters bird on the tree started chirping: “peep, kill more than 100 million animals in peep, peep.” the world every year. And what about Immediately, some of the travelers bull-fighting in Spain? Is that very com- claimed that they knew what the bird was passionate? saying. One, a grocer, claimed that the In World War II, over 52 million bird was saying, “sugar, salt, pepper.” military personnel and civilians got killed. Another, a dairyman, claimed that the Special offer: FREE SHIPPING to Also according to available statistics for bird was saying, “milk, cheese, butter.” 2006, 43,000 people were killed and 2.5 But a cobbler among them protested. USA addresses on orders of two or million injured in automobile accidents He told the others, “You all are wrong. I more Viveka Press titles. that year in the United States alone. What know exactly what the bird is saying. It’s to speak of other countries! They were not saying, ‘Nothing like leather.’” acts of God; they were the acts of human In judging God we behave exactly Ordering information beings who say that God is cruel! Isn’t like that cobbler. With our limited intel- If you would like to order any of the books that the pot calling the kettle black? ligence we think that we are competent featured in Global Vedanta please contact the Vedanta Society of Western Washing- One interesting thing is that God to criticize the omniscient God! But then, ton’s Bookshop at: never really annihilates the existence of that must be God’s will as well! Isn’t it so, His creatures. Their bodies are destroyed, Thomas? Vedanta Society of Western Washington but their souls live on. Eventually through Thomas: What shall I say? You are 2716 Broadway East Seattle, WA 98102-3909 a series of rebirths God makes every right, Swami, we’re just a bunch of cob- soul as perfect as He is. Should that be blers! May God have pity on us. Phone: (206) 323-1228 considered cruelty? Is it cruelty to sow a Fax: (206) 323-1791 seed? When you sow a seed, the seed gets Email: [email protected] destroyed in order to cause the birth of a Shipping and Handling (US only). Prior- plant. So also is the death of a body from ity mail $5.00. Media mail $2.50. Two or God’s point of view. Even though the more books shipped without charge. For body is destroyed, the package consisting shipping outside the USA, please call or write. of the soul, mind, senses and the vital energy continues to exist. Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 7 new signs of india by bahut pagal

ecently I revisited India and experienced renewed fasci- skin, hides, dead poultry…. 2. Dangerous items, viz. explosives…. nation with Indian signs. 3. Dead body.” This last item puzzled me. The metro would What visitor can forget the stern admonition that be an ideal vehicle for carrying dead bodies to the cremation usedR to be posted on signs in many railway stations? “Ticketless ground. It’s efficient, economical, and democratic. The sight of travel is a social evil.” Or the signs warning against speeding an occasional corpse as a fellow passenger would serve as a so- on mountain roads: “If bering reminder to more you are married, divorce lively passengers of their speed.” “Better to be last own mortality. on earth than first in In one Kolkata metro heaven.” “If you want to station: “Bengali transla- donate blood, don’t do it tion of the poem ‘Eloisa on the road, do it in the to Abelard’,” followed by blood bank.” And even the Bengali translation. the plaintive “What is the Metro stations through- hurry?” out the world could do Indian signs have not immense good by fol- lost any of their piquant lowing Kolkata’s lead and charm. On my latest visit posting medieval and I noted the following: classical poetry for the Advertisements for the literary enrichment of Crocodile Bank and the the masses. It would be Swindly Pest and Termite far more edifying than Control. Charles Mathias the coarse graffiti that On the back of an au- defile the metro stations to-rickshaw: “Love for sale—only for you!” of some cities I could name. Outside an office: “Full fledged money changer.” The thinking Sign on the wall of a : “Non Hindus are not mind is compelled to inquire: What would a half-fledged money allowed to enter the sin cleansing pool.” Huh? Are non-Hindus changer be like? Would he give you only half the normal rate? not in need of sin-cleansing? Or are they so sinful that their sins Over a sink at the rear of a restaurant: “NO COMB.” This is will clog the pool and destroy its sin-cleansing capability? A sin- to deter customers from combing their hair at the sink. cleansing pool that can’t absorb the sins of a few non-Hindus On many walls: “Commit no nuisance.” This is much more can’t be much of a sin-cleansing pool, in my opinion. elegant than “Do not urinate against the wall.” Belur Math has always posted signs prohibiting a multitude On a T-shirt: “Filthy, stinking RICH. Two out of three is of secular activities: photography, smoking, playing radios and not bad.” tape recorders, picnicking, littering, etc. This is because many On many roads: “Accident prone zone.” Here again the visitors have the unfortunate habit of treating the holy precincts thinking mind is compelled to inquire: If the zone is prone as a public park. Now there is a new one at the very entrance to to accidents, why don’t the authorities do something about it, the Ramakrishna Temple: “Please switch off your mobile phone.” instead of just posting a sign? Alas, this fails to deter the new generation of cell phone-crazed In Kolkata metro stations: “Serve & Volley.” Is this an in- Indians. Every now and then, in the various temples I visited, I’d vitation to play tennis? The name of a law firm? Some kind of hear a mobile phone ring. But in one case, there was a compen- mantra? If anybody knows, please enlighten me. sating factor. The ringtone was the opening line of “Khandana Also in Kolkata metro stations: “While travelling in the Bhava Bandana.” Metro railway, you shall not carry: 1. Any offensive article, viz.

Question: Maharaj, what is really meant by meditating on the meaning of the mantram? Answer: What is the meaning of the mantram? It is the name of God. You have a name. If I call you, your form also comes to my mind. Call on the Lord in this same way. Repeat the mantram and at the same time meditate on the image of the Chosen Ideal… If you cannot think of the whole form, think of a part. Begin by meditating on the lotus feet of the Lord. Even if you fail many times, try again. Success is certain. Practice will make all things easy. —Swami Brahmananda

8 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 A prehensile Tale Swami bananananda answers your questions by Stafford smith

wami Bananananda lives in the high branches of the tall- peace of mind while the playboy is a frustrated and miserable est mangrove tree in the Sunderbans Tiger Preserve of the alcoholic—well think of what that means. Gangetic delta. He is considered to be a partial manifestation Or consider a monkey living in a cage in a zoo being fed (less than 5% by weight) of Lord Rama's great devotee Hanu- three times a day by doting attendants versus a monkey out in Smanji. the jungle having to survive by its wits. Which would become Q: If you don't mind my asking, Swami, when did you first stronger and more capable? America with all its comfort and realize that you were an incarnation of Hanumanji? wealth is like a kindergarten for the least evolved, those who A: The first sign, I believe, appeared when I was about three are just incarnating from the animal state and not yet ready for years old. My grandfather used to wear a pair of glasses with more difficult challenges. Americans need to have soft, easy lives bright shiny gold wire rims. One day I sneaked up behind him, because that's all they can handle. jumped on his head, grabbed the glasses and scampered off to Q: I don't understand why if Americans are so rich and privi- hide under the kitchen table. Then when I was about seven leged they have become suddenly so angry and suspicious. They I took to climbing to the top of the dining room hutch and go to public meetings with guns tucked down in their pants throwing peanut shells down into my aunt's plate of dal. A pockets and scream threats and insults at one another because couple of years later during monsoon season I insisted on try- they don't want government-sponsored health insurance. Why ing to jump over every puddle I saw in the road, no matter how is that? big it might be. A: Part of it may simply be the usual irritability resulting By then we had pretty much figured it out. If you dig deeply from being suddenly awakened from a long sleep. Most of these into our hole-y books, you'll find that all the signs and symptoms people have been in a deep stupor for at least eight or nine years. described for a manifestation were in evidence. But enough But more fundamentally, two words can explain it: attachment about me—it is merely a fiery monkey's tale. I thought you had and separation. If you accumulate wealth, your attachment will some questions. make you afraid to lose it. Fear generates frustration and anger. Q: What about your family astrologer? Did he help confirm And if you don't understand that all of life is an interconnected your destiny? web of consciousness, other individuals can be perceived as en- A: I know nothing emies out to deprive you about the phase of the of your riches. moon nor the position of Let me give you an ex- the stars.... ample of how separation Q: I see, okay. Well, and alienation can make Swami, in fact I have been you crazy. There is an an- wondering about a couple cient story told by our of things. I just took a elders concerning how one trip to India and spent day an individual went to some time walking around God and asked about the Calcutta. Even with the difference between heaven recent economic boom and hell. God thought and all that there is still a for a minute, scratched lot of squalor and poverty. Her head and said, “It is When I came back home easier to show you than to Palm Beach everybody explain it.” was so nice and clean and So She led him down a well-dressed and, how to long winding staircase to a say it, just so prosperous Charles Mathias foyer that opened out into looking. So doesn't that two large halls. The first mean that we Americans are favored by God and more evolved hall was hell, which was a bedlam of angry monkeys screeching than all those poor people? and and scratching and hopping madly about. It seems that the A: Actually, it means the exact opposite of that. You see, Earth room was permanently infested with hordes of big, aggressive is in reality an educational enterprise, a school. People come here fleas that savagely attacked and relentlessly bit all the monkeys to learn things. And as the easy lessons are mastered, you move assembled there. on to more difficult challenges. So which is harder—being a rich Heaven was in the adjacent room. It was exactly identical to playboy in Palm Beach or pulling a rickshaw barefoot through the first hall in every respect. Except that here, instead of all the the slums of Kolkata? And if the rickshaw wallah has achieved monkeys hopping about each in their own individual miserable Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 9 insanity, something else was happening. Look at it this way. The planet and its Ramana Maharshi…from page 5 The monkeys had paired off. And within biosphere are unreal, but so is your body, each pair they were taking turns carefully which is a part of it. So if you actually boy wants to know a shortcut!” Then Sri and thoroughly picking the fleas out of reach a point where you are truly and Ramana asked, “A shortcut to where?” the fur of the other. And they were at sincerely indifferent to the suffering and One of my friends who had sat down peace. I don't know if you have ever had destruction of your own body, then as next to me nudged my leg and indicated fleas in the thick fur around your neck. a matter of course you will be oblivious that Sri Ramana was talking to me. I It's not a pleasant experience. It's just as well to the existence or nonexistence opened my eyes and saw that he was about impossible to pick them out your- of the entire physical plane. But as long smiling at me. Obviously, Sri Ramana had self, even if you have a mirror and a good as the health, comfort and well-being of only been waiting for the other devotees to thunderbolt. your body are of any importance to you, arrive so they too could benefit from his Q: But, Swami, they talk about free- then you will need to be equally attentive answer to my question! Of course, I told dom. They claim that their freedom is to the environment upon which your pre- him that I wanted a shortcut to Atma- being threatened. cious body depends. Only a very foolish darshanam (realization of the Self). He A: What they call freedom is in reality simian believes otherwise. asked me what I was presently doing to slavery. When they say freedom they are Q: But some traditions suggest that attain that goal. I replied that in my own talking about unfettered greed. To them the world may suddenly come to an end. humble way I was practicing japa-sadhana. freedom means the unconstrained right For example, within the Native American Hearing that, Sri Ramana said that japa to accumulate endless heaps of cosmologies both the Hopi prophecies was not only simple and direct, but the and in the process exploit both other be- and the Mayan calendar predict great best method to use in making progress ings and deplete the planet. But greed cataclysmic events. If so, maybe trashing in spiritual life. He quoted a phrase from can never be other than slavery to one's the environment really doesn't matter. the 10.25: “Yajnanam desires. One is as much bound by chains Maybe eating up all the mangoes as fast japayajno’smi.” (“Among ritualistic sacri- of gold as by chains of iron. as we can is simply part of the cosmic fices, I am the sacrifice of japa.”) Q: You mentioned exploiting the plan. What do you think of that? Further elaborating, he said that of planet. Swami, does that really matter? A: I think now we are engaging in all the methods of dedicating oneself to According to Vedanta the entire physical fruitless speculation. Anything is pos- Paramatman (the Supreme Being), the plane is an illusion. So what difference sible of course, but the better view is that easiest and the best method is the repeti- does it make if resources get polluted or the Divine Plan is manifested through tion of the mantra of one’s own chosen used up, or if we kill off other species? It's natural law. deity. Japa promotes a constant flow of all just maya anyway. One must remember to distinguish be- loving prayer from within for inner il- A: Well, it's basically a matter of tween a local event such as environmental lumination. This wakes up a subtle thirst perspective—the long run versus the collapse on Earth, which could happen, that steadily increases, leading to a strong short run. In the long run, you're right. and complete annihilation of the physical current of continuous yearning for the Over billions of years planets come and plane, which occurs universally only at the Divine, known as vyakulata. When this go and their life forms, if any, disappear end of a cosmic cycle. In the former in- yearning develops into deep absorption with them. At some distant future date stance physical existence continues on as (dhyana), Divinity reveals itself from our sun will flare out and in the process before, only on a more brutish and nasty within. This is Atma-darshanam. fry our little home planet to a crisp. Over level. But irrespective of the eventual Sri Ramana continued to explain about the lifespan of the Earth millions of spe- planetary outcome, our as Earth's japa-sadhana and Self-realization. How- cies will evolve, thrive for awhile, then go inhabitants is to respect its natural laws ever, an anxious brahmin devotee with extinct. So, yes, from that point of view it as best we can. I believe that is what the a thick sacred thread who was seated a hardly matters whether some species exit Hopi prophecies say as well. short distance away, loudly asked him a few years ahead of schedule. In the end So, alas, it looks like we are running a question about creation and its cause. it all comes out the same. And from the out of useful things to chatter about. The brahmin said that some scriptures standpoint of Ultimate Reality, of course, About now a cool afternoon breeze will mentioned that it was due to the karma the entire process of creation, preservation be wafting through my treetop abode. It of , the creator, while other scrip- and destruction—and again around the beckons to me. Please swing by if you're tures stated that creation occurred due to wheel endless times—is illusory. Anything ever in the neighborhood. But be careful the karma of the jivas (souls). Hence, he that changes is by definition unreal. not to step on the tails of any illusory wanted Sri Ramana himself to resolve The problem is with the short run. In sleeping tigers. this difference of opinion. Sri Ramana the short run we are stuck right here in just gave him a kind look, then continued our puny bodies struggling to survive and to explain the subject at hand by quoting grow. Most of us unfortunately are still another verse from the Gita, a long way from experiencing Ultimate Yogayukto vishuddhatma vijitatma ji- Reality. We are just muddling through day tendriyaha. by day as best we can. sarvabhutatmabhutatma kurvannapi na 10 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 lipyate. (Bhagavad Gita 5.7) devotees in the packed hall lapped up the nook and cranny of the individual. The (“With the mind purified, with devo- sacred words of spiritual revelation. In aspirant becomes mantramaya (filled with tion to performance of action, and the brief, Sri Ramana explained that the aspi- the spiritual power of the mantra), in and body conquered and the senses subdued, rant first repeats the mantra out loud with through all activities. One’s life gets trans- one who realizes the Self as the Self in all all possible diligence and devotion. Then, formed into a continuous offering to the beings, though engaged in action, is not as his or her loving attitude intensifies, the Lord, without any attachment remaining tainted.”) repetition gradually becomes internalized. to the results of one’s actions. Sri Ramana was evidently in a good As the body, senses and mind get purified Nevertheless, the impatient brahmin mood and went on expounding spiritual and become free from their selfish nature, repeated his question about creation. This thoughts based on this verse from the the whole being gets tuned to the Divine. Gita for about twenty-five minutes. The The power of the mantra enters into every See Ramana Maharshi…page 13 POETS’ CORNER Call of Vedanta Our destination is Achieve this world (Acknowledgement: Letters of Swami The road to freedom Through the perfection of work Vivekananda, Advaita , Mayavati, We are travellers Work Work Work, Almora, Himalayas) on the Road to freedom.” Do away with love of power The sea of humanity Cultivate faith in yourself.” He stands Laps his feet Let the music of eternity On a massive rock Waves after waves Wake up Not of basalt not of granite Irresistible waves; Through your blessings But of And flow down my veins Vedanta light, All sensitive hearts And spread into my senses, The enormous sea of humanity Are tormented Guide me, lead me Laps his feet With a quest To the destination of eternal freedom; The whole world That comes out from Vedanta Vedanta gets its fulfilment Unites What is this universe? In the realization of Eternity Reveals, How has it come to be? In the perfection in eternity. His head pierces the Where does it meet its end? Limitation of the blue sky The deep voice answers Ajit Maitra And in his heavenly vision The eternal quest gets quenched Come up “From freedom Outside The past, the present, the future This creation His vision spreads Comes into being Forgetting, we seek it here; To the past, in the present, It survives in freedom we seek it there—the fugitive joy And slowly crosses In freedom it ends.” we long to wear The barrier of Time about the naked psyche self. He stands on a massive rock A deep voice reverberates His existence Outside, outside with eager hands, Resonates Crosses the barrier of time and space we seek our joy in foreign lands In the sky, in the air The sea of humanity marred by time and circumstance, The great message Laps his feet where fleeting joys are lost— For the universes and super universe Again and again. always lost— “Arise And his voice rises and falls to time and impermanence. Awake “Arise Move on … Move on to thy goal.” In wondrous trance Awake “To where? To where?” we take no heed, And move on move on A desperate quest ever seeking things that cannot feed From the great freedom In his resounding voice the haunting hunger that grows worse To a greater freedom, The holiest of the holiest the more it’s fed with the curse Overcome all bondages and limitations, Answer comes of the worldly brevity of things outside Overcome the bondage of life and death “To the source of the light of waxing and waning with time’s tide. Achieve freedom from the journey freedom.” Yet the inconstant world seems but a toy, By a circuitous path In his reverberating voice when beyond it blooms Day in and day out, The sermon arises the Causeless Joy. Achieve the world of eternal freedom “We are all wayfarers Russell Atkinson

Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 11 HUMOR—THE SPICE OF LIFE Hard Times DVD player.” day by the door of your house and bark at “Does your wife beat you up?” anyone who comes in or walks past. For Faced with hard times, the company “No, I always up before her.” this, I will give you a life span of twenty offered a bonus of one thousand dollars “Why do you want this divorce?” years.” to any employee who could come up with “She going to kill me.” The dog said: “That’s a long time to be a way of saving money. “What makes you think that?” barking. How about only ten years and The bonus went to a young woman in “I got proof.” I’ll give you back the other ten?” So God accounting who suggested limiting future “What kind of proof?” agreed. bonuses to ten dollars. “She going to poison me. She buy a God created the monkey and said: bottle at drugstore and put on shelf in “Entertain people, do tricks, and make bathroom. I can read, and it say: ‘Polish them laugh. For this, I’ll give you a The Kindly Judge Remover.’” twenty-year life span.” “You seem to be upset,” said the kindly The monkey said: “Monkey tricks for judge to the witness. “Is anything the twenty years? That’s a pretty long time to The Power of Money matter?” perform. How about I give you back ten “Yes, your Honor,” said the witness, “I When he found out he was going to like the dog did?’ And God agreed.” swore to tell the truth, the whole truth inherit a fortune when his sickly father God created the cow and said: “You and nothing but the truth, but every time died, Charles decided he needed a woman must go into the field with the farmer I try, some lawyer objects.” to enjoy it with. So one evening at a party all day long and suffer under the sun, he spotted the most beautiful woman he have calves, and give milk to support the had ever seen. Her natural beauty took his farmer’s family. For this, I will give you a The Pole breath away. life span of sixty years.” A Polish man moved to the USA and He approached her and said, “I may The cow said: “That’s kind of a tough married an American girl. Although his look like any other ordinary man, but in life you want me to live for sixty years. English was far from perfect, they got just a week or two, my father will die, and How about twenty and I’ll give back the along very well, until one day he rushed I’ll inherit 20 million dollars.” other forty?” And God agreed again. into a lawyer’s office and God created man and asked him if he could said: “Eat, sleep, play, arrange a divorce for marry and enjoy your him. life. For this, I’ll give The lawyer told him you twenty years.” that getting a divorce But man said: “Only could depend on the cir- twenty years! Could you cumstances, and asked possibly give me my him the following ques- twenty, the forty the tions: cow gave back, the ten “ H a v e y o u a n y the monkey gave back, grounds?” and the ten the dog gave “Yes, an acre and half back. That makes eighty, and nice little home on okay?” it.” “Okay,” said God, “No, I mean what is “You asked for it.” the foundation of this So that is why for case?” our first twenty years we “It made of con- Charles Mathias eat, sleep, play and enjoy crete.” ourselves. For the next “I don’t think you understand. Does The woman immediately liked Charles, forty years we slave in the sun to support either of you have a real grudge?” and just three days later, she became his our family. For the next ten years we do “No, we have carport, and not need stepmother. monkey tricks to entertain the grandchil- one.” Women are so much smarter than dren. And for the last ten years we sit on “I mean, what are your relations like?” men. the front porch and bark at everyone. “All my relations still in Poland.” Life has now been explained to you. “Is there any infidelity in your mar- Life Explained riage?” “We have hi-fidelity stereo and good God created the dog and said: “Sit all 12 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 Ramana Maharshi…from page 11 had just explained, the answers to all Bhagavan (the Lord) and Bhagavata (sa- his questions would spontaneously arise cred text) vanish in divine illumination. time Sri Ramana graciously told the brah- from within. As one dives deep within, min that if he would but try to understand the mind dissolves into the Self, and all the method of spiritualizing oneself as he distinctions between bhakta (devotee),

Swami Sri Ramakrishna Sri Sarada Devi

Sayings of Sri Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna While performing japam, take the name of God with There are two egos—one ripe (pukkā) and the other unripe utmost love, sincerity, and self-surrender. Before com- (kānchā). “This is my house, my room, my son”—the ego mencing your meditation daily, first think of your utter that has these ideas is unripe; while the ripe ego is that helplessness in this world and then slowly begin the prac- which thinks, “I am the servant of the Lord. I am His child. tice…as directed by your . I am ever-free and all-knowing.” Question: Is it of any use to be merely repeating His name without intense devotion? A person’s egoism never leaves him altogether as long as he possesses a body. Some trace is always left behind. The Answer: Whether you jump into water or are pushed into leaves of the cocoa palm fall off, but leave their marks be- it, your cloth will get a drenching. Is it not so? hind on the trunk. So also with one’s egoism. But this slight The mind will become steady if one repeats the name of egoism does not fetter one who is already free. God fifteen or twenty thousand times a day… I myself have experienced it. Let aspirants practice it first. Then if they If one wishes to drink water from a shallow pond, one fail, let them complain. As wind removes the cloud, so the should gently take the water from the surface and not dis- name of God destroys the cloud of worldliness. turb it. If it is disturbed, the sediment will rise up from the bottom and make the water muddy. Similarly, if you desire —From Precepts for Perfection, Compiled by Sabina to know God, have faith in your Guru and steadily go on Thorne. with devotional practices. Do not waste your energies over useless scriptural discussion and disputations. The little Sayings of Swami Shivananda brain, you know, easily gets muddled. Question: How should I do japam? Are there special rules Let there be harmony between your thought and your for it? speech; that is the right form of spiritual exercise. Other- Answer: Taking the name of God repeatedly and with love wise, if you say, “O Lord! Thou art my all-in-all,” while you is japam. Do that, and you will find joy as you go on practic- are thoroughly convinced that the world is your all-in-all, ing it. There are no special rules for japam. Japam can be all your devotional exercises are bound to be fruitless. done always, while walking, moving about, eating, lying A certain person asked Sri Ramakrishna, “Kindly instruct down, in sleep, in dream. … Go on repeating his name as me in one word so I may be illumined.” To which he much as you can. You should of course do japam always as replied, “The Absolute is the only reality; the universe is much as lies in your power, but it is particularly necessary unreal—realize this and then sit silent.” to do it every morning and evening at a fixed time and from a fixed seat. (Swami Shivananda was one of the foremost —From Words of the Master: Selected Precepts of Sri Ra- disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.) makrishna, compiled by Swami Brahmananda —From Precepts for Perfection, Compiled by Sabina Thorne.

Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 13 VEDANTA NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD INDIA 2009. One of the Swamis and some devo- Worship of the Divine Mother Durga tees made in the Ashrama the beautiful performed at Belur Math. As in other life-size clay image of Mother Durga. years, God was worshipped as the Divine About 10,000 devotees participated in Mother Durga from September 25th to the celebration. The celebration was con- 28th at Belur Math, the headquarters of the cluded with the immersion of the image Ramakrishna Order, with due solemnity of Mother Durga in the sea on the west and grandeur. The Kumari performed Youth convention, Mangalore on September 26th drew huge crowds. The Kolkata station of Doordarshan, the A Gift,” “Values in Student Life,” and Government-run TV of India, telecast live “How to Unleash Your Potentiality into the worship of the Divine Mother Durga Performance” were arranged from morning at different times on all the four days. Dur- till evening. Eminent persons from differ- ing the four days of worship, food offered ent fields like Dr. Thimmappa Hegde, Dr. to Mother Durga (Prasad) was served to Mahadevan, Prof. Vijay, Smt. Sandhya S. about 90,000 devotees. Pai and Swami Bodhamayananda inter- Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, acted with the participants. On the last Patna, felicitated for service towards pre- day, on behalf of the Ramakrishna Math, vention of blindness in the state of Bihar. Mangalore, Smt. Sandhya S. Pai distrib- On July 17th, in a meeting of VISION uted scholarships to some impoverished Worship of Mother Durga 2020—a global initiative of World Health meritorious students. Mauritius Organization—Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Inter-faith meeting organized by coast of the island. Every day the devotees former President of India, praised the Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda who attended the puja took sacred food Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama in Patna, Memorial, Vadodara. Ramakrishna Mis- (Prasad) before returning home. for its commendable service toward the sion Vivekananda Memorial, Vadodara, organized an interfaith event at I.G. Patel th SOUTH AFRICA Seminar Hall of M.S. University on 11 September. The event was inaugurated by The Ramakrishna Centre of South Dr. Shantilal Somaiya, Chairman of KJ Africa celebrates Navaratri in Durban. In Somaiya Trust, Mumbai. Swami Prab- connection with the worship of the Divine hananda, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Mother Durga, Navaratri was celebrated Math and Ramakrishna Mission, presided in Durban by the Ramakrishna Centre of over the meeting. The speakers included South Africa for nine days. The morning representatives of Hinduism, Christianity, sessions consisted of meditation, scrip- Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Zoroastrian- tural chanting and worship. The evening Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam praises ism and Sikhism, and Prof Des Cahill sessions consisted of devotional singing, Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Patna, Melbourne. All the speakers presented religious discourses and Arati (vespers). for work on blindness prevention their views on the importance of having Chandi was performed on the 8th prevention of blindness through Sarada inter-faith harmony. day. A large number of devotees attended Netralaya, its eye-care center in Patna. Ramakrishna Math acquires a new the celebration and cooked Prasad (food The meeting was attended by several sub-center. Gourhati Ramakrishna offered to the Divine Mother) was served ministers of Bihar; the Addl. Director Ashrama, District: Hooghly, has been to all on the eighth and the tenth day of General of Health, Govt. of India; some made a sub-center of Ramakrishna Math, the celebration. officials of WHO and representatives of Ichapur, and renamed “Ramakrishna various other hospitals that render eye- Math, Gourhati.” Its address is Ra- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA care to patients in India. makrishna Math, P.O. Gourhati; District: Ramakrishna Math in Mangalore con- Hooghly; West Bengal; India. Phone: The Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Cen- ducts a Youth Convention. On August 27th (03211) 261209. ter of New York installs two monuments and 28th the branch of the Ramakrishna to Swami Vivekananda in Thousand Math in Mangalore conducted a very suc- Island Park. In Thousand Island Park, MAURITIUS cessful youth camp. On both the days more with the cooperation of New York State than 550 youths attended the convention. The Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama authorities, the Ramakrishna-Viveka- Interactive sessions and lectures on topics of Mauritius performs the worship of nanda Center of New York installed like “How to Develop Inner Strength,” Mother Durga with much fervor for six two beautiful Vivekananda Memorial “Ancient Indian Scientific Heritage,” “Life: days from September 23 to September 28, Monuments, engraved in bronze, one at 14 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009 the Vivekananda Cottage, and the other acres of vacant land located in Houston Dhar Choudhury, a famous violinist of at the Vivekananda Rock, where Swami on Lindita St, a small street off Hwy.6, the North Indian classical style, gave Vivekananda once meditated. During its between Empanada & Beechnut. On a recital. She was accompanied on the retreat held on July 31, the Ramakrish- September 19th the society held a dedica- by Mr. Kuntal Roy and Mr. Manoj na-Vivekananda Center organized a tion ceremony along with on Biswas. Many other local vocalists took Vivekananda Rock Memorial Dedica- that site. Around 400 people attended turns in singing devotional songs. After tion event, which was open to the public. the event. The Vedanta Society is now in the end of the program, all those present More than 200 people including over a the process of raising funds to construct were served tea, coffee and snacks. The hundred friends and neighbors of Thou- a commodious building to provide a celebration concluded in the evening sand Island Park attended. The Watertown suitable home for the Society. The archi- after the performance of Arati (Vespers) Daily Times and other local newspapers tectural design and the pictorial rendering and the sprinkling of Shantijalam on the gave wide coverage to the event, bringing of the building are done, and the pictorial assembled devotees. Swami Vivekananda’s name before many rendering is on display at the Society’s Durga Puja celebrated in many Ve- in the area. present small home at the Cypress St. danta Societies and their sub-centers: location. the Vedanta Society of St. Petersburg, After 10 or more years of opera- the Vedanta Society of New York, the tions from its Cypress Street home, the Vedanta Society in Providence, the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston is Vedanta Society of Sacramento, Viveka- hoping to move to its Lindita St. location nanda Vedanta Society of Chicago, the soon in order to accommodate its expand- Ramakrishna Vedanta Society in Massa- ing activities and outreach programs for chusetts, the Vedanta Society of Berkeley, spreading the message of Vedanta in and The Vedanta Society of St. Louis and its around Houston. sub-center in Kansas City, the Vedanta Society of Western Washington in Se- attle, the Vedanta Society of Portland, the One of the monuments to Swami Durga Puja celebrated in Vedanta Vedanta Society of Northern California Vivekananda, Thousand Island Park societies across the United States in San Francisco, the Vedanta Society In addition, Swami Yuktatmananda Worship of Mother Durga draws more of Southern California in Hollywood was invited to conduct a Vivekananda than 900 people at the Vedanta Society and its sub-centers in Santa Barbara and Interfaith Service at the Thousand Island of Seattle. On Saturday, September 26th, Washington, D.C. Worship at all the Park Tabernacle held on the morning worship of the Divine Mother Durga was Societies was attended by a large number of August 2nd, Sunday. The choir of the performed at Tapovan, the retreat prop- of devotees. Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center also erty of the Vedanta Society of Western took part in the service. Attendance at the Washington. More than 900 devotees service was over 160—about three times the usual attendance for the Tabernacle. Many seemed to appreciate Swami Vive- kananda’s universal ideas of religion. The Vedanta Society of Greater Hous- ton consecrates its newly acquired plot of land. In December 2007, the Vedanta Society of Greater Houston bought 1.5

Kali Puja was held in the Hollywood temple of the Vedanta Society of Southern California on Saturday, October 17, from 10 pm to 3:00 am. Durga Puja About 300 people attended. Seattle, Washington came not only from the greater Seattle CANADA area, but also from Eastern Washington and Canada. After the worship, all those The Vedanta Society of Toronto who attended were given a sumptuous celebrated Durga Puja. On Saturday, lunch consisting of food offered to Moth- September 26, the Society held a worship er Durga. In the afternoon, a program of of God as Mother in the form of Durga. Durga Puja and consecration of plot devotional music was held in the temple The program consisted of , read- Houston, Texas for two and a half hours. Mrs. Sisirkana ing, homa and flower offering followed Vol. xiv, No. 4 GLOBAL VEDANTA 15 by Prasad distribution. A large number of tional songs and chanted sacred hymns in people attended. adoration of the Divine Mother. Contributors Russell Atkinson is a poet and member of ENGLAND the Ramakrishna-Sarada Vedanta Society of Sydney, Australia. Vedanta Center in Bourne End ob- serves the worship of the Divine Mother Swami Bhaskarananda is the editor in Durga. On Sunday, the 27th of September, chief of Global Vedanta and the president Mother Durga was worshipped with due of the Vedanta Society of Seattle, U.S.A. solemnity by the Ramakrishna Vedanta Swami Damodarananda is a very senior Centre in Bourne End, Buckinghamshire, monk of the Ramakrishna Order. He was England. Throughout the day around 300 the head of the Ramakrishna Mission devotees participated in the event. in Fiji for many years. Now, as a retired Annual Vivekananda Festival held th monk, he resides at the Vedanta Center in London. On Sunday, July 12 , the in Sydney, Australia. Vivekananda Human Centre of Lon- don organized its annual Vivekananda Durga Puja Ajit Maitra is a devotee living in Sheora- Festival at the Mahatma Gandhi Hall in Geneva, Switzerland phuli, West Bengal, India. Y.M.C.A., Fitzroy Square, London. The AUSTRALIA Charles Mathias, a devotee of the Vedan- festival consisted of devotional singing ta Society in Seattle, is a gifted cartoonist and dance by some local artistes, and a The Vedanta Centre of Sydney cel- th and writer. Most of the cartoons and public meeting to discuss the importance ebrates Durga Puja. On the 26 of pictures contained in this issue of Global of the message of Sri Ramakrishna and September, Saturday, God was wor- Vedanta are his contributions. Swami Vivekananda. Swami Veetamo- shipped as the Divine Mother Durga by hananda, head of the Vedanta Center in the and members of the Vedanta Bahut Pagal is an American devotee who Gretz, France, presided over the meeting. Center in Sydney. The ritualistic worship, retired from teaching English in an Asian Other speakers included Mr. Omar Far- performed by Swami Atmeshananda, university and now lives in Bangkok. uque Ansari, Mayor of Camden, London; was followed by the chanting of Sri Sri Stafford Smithis a member of the Global Swami Dayatmananda, head of the Ve- Chandi, singing of devotional songs and Vedanta editorial team. A graduate of danta Center in Bourne End, England; the traditional flower offering to the Di- Harvard Law School, Mr. Smith is a re- Dr. Nanda Kumar; Mr. Barry Davis and vine Mother by devotees. tired land-use hearing examiner for King Ms. Shirley Murgraff. The Ramakrishna Sarada Vedanta So- County in Washington State. ciety of NSW observes Durga Puja. The nuns and members of the Ramakrishna THE NETHERLANDS Sarada Vedanta Society of NSW wor- Ramakrishna Vedanta Society of shipped God as the Divine Mother Durga Netherlands observes the worship of the in Sydney on September 27th, Sunday. The Divine Mother Durga. On September celebration consisted of worship, medita- th 27 , Sunday, the worship of the Divine tion, holy chants and traditional flower Note to Mother Durga was performed by the Ra- offering to the Deity by devotees. Talks makrishna Vedanta Vereniging Nederland on the occasion were given by Pravrajika Vedanta Centers at its premises in Amstelveen. Around 60 Ajayaprana and Nandu Mehta. around the world: devotees attended the worship service. Those who attended were served Prasad. Your news items are welcome and encouraged. You may submit them by email to: SWITZERLAND [email protected] Vedanta Center in Geneva observes For more effective news coverage th th Durga Puja. On September 26 and 27 , please attach one or two high Centre Vedantique (Vedanta Center) in resolution pictures to Geneva conducted Durga Puja. A group your email message. of young devotees had lovingly decorated the image of the Divine Mother Durga. The weather on those two days of worship being beautiful and sunny, more than 200 devotees participated in the celebration. Durga Puja at the On both the days the devotees sang devo- Vedanta Centre of Sydney 16 GLOBAL VEDANTA fall 2009