Contents Vol. 32, No. 3

Stillness of the Mind 5 Taming the Mind 7 bri. gurukripamrita chaitanya Miracles 12 narayan van degraaff, australia Amritavarsham67 13 br. madhavamrita chaitanya Sweet Reminiscences 17 ambujam (lakshmi keyes), u.s.a. Tulsidas’s Devotion 24 br. achyutamrita chaitanya Chapter 10: Yoga of Divine Glories 30 prof. v. muraleedhara menon, india Tablas and Tender Hugs 34 rajani menon, india News 39

Some articles use the masculine pronoun when referring to God, in keeping with convention and to avoid the clumsiness of constructions such as ‘He or She’ or ‘Him or Her.’

Printed and Published by Swami Jnanamritananda Puri on behalf of M.A. Mission Trust, Amritapuri P.O., Kollam, Kerala 690 546, India. Printed at Amrita Offset Printers, Amritapuri P.O., Kollam, Kerala 690 546, India. Published at M.A. Math, Amritapuri P.O., Kollam, Kerala 690 546, India. Phone: (0476) 289 6278/7578/6399. Matruvani Office Phone: 08589003341 Editor: Br. Brahmamrita Chaitanya Letters and Submissions: [email protected]

October 2020 3 4 Matruvani AMMA’S MESSAGE

Stillness of the Mind

hildren, the mind is a flow of thoughts. There Cis never a moment when the mind stops think- ing. At times, the flow of traffic on the roads will be fast and furious, or, at other times, slow and leisurely. But it is not so with thoughts. Often, the flow of thoughts does not abate even in sleep. It is the mind’s nature to brood over the past and to fret about the future. Once, a middle-aged man was travelling in a train. A young man sitting beside him asked, “What’s the time?” Hearing this, the man said, “Shut up!” Another passenger witnessing this interaction asked, “He only asked you for the time. Why do you need to get so angry over such a simple re- quest?”

Our Humble Pranams at the Lotus Feet of Amma Prabhas, Sanjana, Amrita, Ashirna & Santosh, Tanya, Neel, Darshana & Shivakumar, Suprabha & Dhanraj, India

October 2020 5 We need a still mind to realize our true nature. We can enjoy supreme bliss and peace only in that stillness. The man replied, “Yes, he need for this man to imagine asked only for the time. Sup- so much of the future? Be- pose I tell him the time. He cause of the conflict in his will start talking about the mind, the other passengers weather. He will then talk also lost their peace of mind. about the headlines in today’s If the mind says ‘stop’ while newspaper. He will talk poli- we are walking, our legs will tics next. Then he will ask stop moving immediately. If about my family. I might then the mind says ‘stop’ while we inquire about his family as are clapping, the hands will well. Having thus become ac- stop moving at once. However, quainted with each other, I if we tell the mind to stop, will might invite him home after it? No. That said, we should be disembarking. He might even able to stop the mind. This is spend a night there. I have a why we practise meditation. beautiful daughter, who might Just as we use a remote control fall in love with him. Or he to turn the television and other might fall in love with her. I electric appliances on and off, shall never agree to my daugh- meditation can help us bring ter marrying a man who does the mind under our control. not even own a watch. This is Above all, we need a still why I shut him up right at the mind to realize our true na- start to avoid any further con- ture. We can enjoy supreme versation.” bliss and peace only in that If someone asks for the time, stillness. May my children be we can either tell him the time able to awaken to such a state. or keep quiet. Was there any

6 Matruvani SATSANG

Taming the Mind by bri. gurukripamrita chaitanya

mma says that there can be Aheavy traffic on the road sometimes; at other times, it will be clear. But the traffic of thoughts in the mind — a continuous stream of thoughts, worries, hopes, dreams, regrets, judgments, and so forth — never abates. Though we might be in India, our mind can be in New York. Such is the nature of an untamed mind. It is never still. It thinks unnecessar- ily, fabricates stories, and be- comes upset. It cannot think of doing anything without expecta- tion. When I was in college, one day, I went to a shop to buy a book.

October 2020 7 There, I saw a beautifully the chocolate but the devotee’s wrapped chocolate. I thought love. I thought that I, too, was of giving it to Amma. The day offering my chocolate with before, I had seen Her relish- love, but my offering had been ing a chocolate that a devotee tainted by selfishness and ex- offered Her. Excited by the pectation. prospect of Amma accepting Expectation causes misery my chocolate offering, I start- if we do not get what we want. ed fantasizing about how She Therefore, to be happy, we would look at me, smile, and should drop our expectations. ask me where I got it from… Lord Krishna says, “Yogastha Though there were two kuru karmani sangam tyakt- other brahmacharini friends va” — “Remain steadfast and with me in the shop, I did not perform your duties, abandon- disclose my plans to them. I ing all attachment to the re- bought the chocolate secretly sults” (Bhagavad Gita, 2.48). and kept it in my bag. If I had This means doing actions with told them that it was for Amma, full awareness, leaving aside they would have been happy. our expectation of results. But I selfishly wanted Amma’s This is the attitude of a karma attention all for myself. yogi. An action performed with The next day, when Amma expectation of results binds, was giving darshan for ashram whereas the same action done residents, I gave Her the choc- with the proper attitude leads olate. She took it and kept it to spiritual liberation. aside without even looking at A story that Amma tells it. This was not what I had makes this point clearer. Once, expected! I was upset. Later, a man consumed a lot of ghee after reflecting on the matter, at a feast. The next day, his I realized that, the other day, stomach became upset and he Amma had been relishing not went to a doctor, who asked

8 Matruvani him to take a litre of ghee. checks to see if each plate has Hearing this, the patient ex- sufficient rice and other items. plained that eating too much It is usually Amma who no- ghee had caused indigestion, tices the missing pickle in one and therefore, he did not want plate, for example. When She more ghee. The doctor mixed has finished serving the pras- a few ayurvedic herbs into the ad, Amma calculates how ghee, prescribed the dosage much time it took to serve x the patient needed to take, and number of people. Watching dismissed him. The man took Her, it is clear that everything the medicine as prescribed and She does is optimal: maximum was cured. work done perfectly in the Ghee, eaten in excess, made minimum time. This is also the man sick. The same ghee, yoga: ‘yogah karmasu kaush- when taken as medicine, alam’ — ‘yoga is skill in action’ healed him. Similarly, the (Bhagavad Gita, 2.50). same action can bind or liber- Once many years ago, when ate, depending on our attitude. Amma came to the press, She Mahatmas (spiritually illu- noticed that the printing ma- mined souls) like Amma al- chine was dusty. This negli- ways set the right example. gence made Her sad. Amma She does every action with wiped the machine with Her utmost concentration and own hands, and said that we awareness. When She serves should see work as worship. lunch prasad, She does so very She also said that just as we fast. Even with four or five clean our prayer room before food serving lines, it is hard to starting our worship, we keep up with Amma. Though should also clean our work She passes the plates rapidly, place and pray before starting Amma looks at each and every work. If work is worship, its person who comes to Her, and outcome is prasad. If we accept

October 2020 9 the results of our actions as Just as failure can teach us prasad, we will remain equan- important lessons, sadness can imous whether we succeed or take us closer to God. When fail. This is what Lord Krish- we are sad, our prayers are na meant when He said, “Sid- more heartfelt. That is why dhyasiddyoh samo bhutva” — “Re- Kunti, the mother of the Pan- main even-minded in success davas (in the Mahabharata), and failure” (Bhagavad Gita, always prayed to Lord Krish- 2.48). na for sorrows. She knew they Actually, failures are more would take her closer to Him. instructive than successes. The All of us have had experi- pain of failing makes us stop ences when we were sad and and reflect on the real nature cried out to Amma. Let me of things and their importance share one such experience. I in our lives. This brings about first met Amma when She personal transformation and came to Mumbai in 1987 for improvement. the first time. I was in sixth In 2019, India launched grade then. Amma had two Chandrayaan-2, the country’s programs daily for about two second lunar exploration mis- weeks. When She came to sion. The ISRO (Indian Space Mumbai next, Amma held Research Organization) had programs for a month. She worked hard for years to make stayed in a house next to my this mission a success. How- parents’ flat in Mumbai for ever, just before Chan- more than 20 days. On most drayaan-2 was about to reach days, as Amma left the house its goal, the lander crashed. for public programs, I would Though the team was crest- stand next to Her car. Seeing fallen, it accepted and learnt me, Amma would ask, “A ren’t from the failure, and is now you coming for the program?” gearing up for Chandrayaan-3. Then She would take me along

10 Matruvani with Her! When I was sleepy, She told me, “I’m sending these She would put me in Her lap. to you.” When I woke up, I So, I would be with Amma the was thrilled as I had seen whole day. When I was not Amma and also because She with Amma, I would go to the had said that She would send swamis to hear Amma’s stories. me Her hairbands. I was sure One month passed in this way. that the dream would come When the programs ended and true and eagerly waited for my Amma was about to leave, I parents to return. In those became heartbroken. It was days, there were no mobile difficult for me to stay away phones, and so, I could not call from Amma, but I had to go to tell my mother about the back to school. dream. After a few months, the In Kolkata, when Amma’s dates for Amma’s Kolkata program ended and She was program were announced. My about to leave, She called my parents decided to attend the mother, gave her a handful of program, and asked one of Her hairbands, and told her to Amma’s devotees to look after give them to me. When my me while they were away. I mother returned, she brought could not go as I had classes. Amma’s hairbands for me. I After they left, I became very was overjoyed! What I saw in sad. I missed Amma and my dream came true. would cry often. I had no spir- Amma knows all our itual knowledge but had be- thoughts and sorrows, and is come very attached to Amma. with us all the time. Then why I wanted only to see Her and should we worry? Let us work be with Her. with an attitude of surrender After two days, Amma ap- to the Divine. When that at- peared in my dream. Holding titude blossoms, we will enjoy a handful of Her hairbands, peace and contentment.

October 2020 11 Miracles

We talk of miracles. What greater miracles can there be Than that the tiny seed becomes a giant oak tree The caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly A baby is born from the fission of two nuclei A diamond is formed from deep volcanic eruptions Over a billion years

And the Divine Mother has come To comfort millions of struggling souls And to transform this human being From being a beggar and a sinner To a King, the self-effulgent sun That he always was But never knew. Narayan van deGraaff, Australia

12 Matruvani BIRTHDAY

Amritavarsham67 by br. madhavamrita chaitanya

he ‘tradition’ of Amma’s birthday celebrations started in T1979, when the first brahmacharis, now the most senior swamis in Amritapuri, celebrated the occasion. She deferred to their wishes to make them happy. Isn’t that Amma’s mis- sion — making others happy? As the numbers of devotees kept increasing, the scale of the celebrations became larger and grander. But Amma makes sure that we do not lose sight of the point behind the pomp and pageantry: to pray for world peace and to launch more humanitarian projects that spread the light of happiness to even more people. With the Covid-19 pandemic grounding people and restrict- ing travel, has this 40-year-old tradition grinded to a halt?

October 2020 13 “Tradition is not the worship of and power — also shows how ashes, but the preservation of we need divine grace to save fire,” said the Romantic com- us from life’s fiery ordeals. poser Gustav Mahler. Amma The necessity of surrender- would never want the fire of ing to God was driven home by loving and serving others to the paduka puja, the ceremonial be extinguished. worship of the Guru’s sandals. September 27th, 2020, be- Amma was conspicuous by Her gan in Amritapuri with the absence, perhaps hinting to us Ganapati Homa, a fire ceremo- that we must awaken the Guru ny to propitiate Lord Ganesha, within, especially since the the remover of obstacles. Sixty pandemic has denied many seven monastics performed people recourse to Her physical this traditional rite. The sight presence. of 67 sacred fires emanating The salve for this pain of from 67 homa kundas (fire pits) separation can be found in In- in the dark, predawn hours dia’s ancient epics. In Sri Krish- was uplifting, seeming to pre- na’s hallowed life, Vrindavan figure brighter times ahead. and Mathura are often pitted Swami Amritaswaru- against each other, the people pananda delivered a stirring in each place competing for the discourse in the morning, in Lord’s attention. The pain of which he recounted how separation that the gopis (milk- Amma had saved him years maids) and gopas (cowherd ago from the Stevens-Johnson boys) of Vrindavan felt when Syndrome, a severe reaction the Lord left for Mathura that causes the skin to blister fanned the flames of devotion and peel, and patients are of- blazing in their hearts. ten admitted to burn units. Amma wholeheartedly ac- This experience — a powerful knowledged the sorrow Her testimony to Amma’s mercy children are feeling as a result

14 Matruvani of the physical estrangement become our nature. They from Her, but reminded them have gradually shaped that where there is love, dis- human behaviour and tance is no barrier. Indeed, our way of living. Our She is the spiritual sun nour- ego has not allowed us to ishing the lotuses of our hearts, change. We thought this wherever we may be. situation wouldn’t last The pandemic has undeni- long. But our intellect’s ably upended lives and liveli- calculations — even those hoods. The ‘normality’ of the of modern sci- past seems like a distant dream, ence — were wrong. the disarray of the present Humankind remains feels surreal, and the future is helpless and defenceless shrouded in uncertainty. Even before the coronavirus. as we continue to reel from its impact, the coronavirus is Amma was quick to add that making us reckon with the Mother Nature is not vindic- consequences of our relentless tive but redemptive because exploitation of nature. It seems she makes us reflect on our to be nature’s answer to hu- selfish behaviour and steers us man hubris. So said Amma in towards a more dharmic, en- Her birthday message: vironmentally conscious life- Nature has been sending style. The antidote to the coro- us many indicators navirus, Amma said, is the regarding this for quite karuna-virus, or virus of com- some time, but man has passion. It is in helping others refused to see, hear or that we truly help ourselves. acknowledge even the The example that Amma has strongest of these mes- been giving tirelessly — of how sages. The bad habits we those living on the 10th floor have acquired have of a building cannot afford to

October 2020 15 turn a blind eye to the fire rag- heeding the words of mahatmas ing on the ground floor — seems (spiritually illumined souls) even more pertinent than ever like Amma. In Her birthday before. In the light of this un- address, She suggested seven derstanding, we can better guidelines: appreciate the theme of Amri- 1. As much as possible, keep tavarsham67: One World. One your body and mind under Prayer. We share a common control. fate, and the sooner we realize 2. Maintain a regular spirit- it and work together for our ual practice. collective uplift, the better it is 3. Make protecting nature a for everyone. part of your daily routine. On the eve of Amma’s 4. Do not belittle the forces birthday, Swami Purnamri- of nature and see them as tananda gave a talk in which inferior. he mentioned an episode from 5. See life from a broader the Mahabharata: how Ashwat- perspective. thama unleashes the deadly 6. Create a balance between Narayana-astra, which releases your selfish and selfless millions of missiles, to kill the interests. righteous Pandavas. They take 7. Acknowledge and obey the refuge in Lord Krishna, who universal laws set by God, advises the brothers to drop the supreme authority. their weapons and to lie down on the ground in complete sur- These guidelines are all about render. In this way, the Panda- stepping out from the dark and vas were saved from the death. morbid confines of selfishness We, too, can be saved from to the revitalizing light of self- the threat besieging humanity lessness. May divine grace il- by lying low. Under the cir- lumine our lives now and for cumstances, this means evermore.

16 Matruvani EXPERIENCE

Sweet Reminiscences by ambujam (lakshmi keyes), u.s.a.

uring Amma’s 2013 Summer Tour of North DAmerica, Swami Amritaswarupananda put the word out that Amma would like all devotees to attend Amritavarsham50, Her 50th birthday celebrations, in Kochi, Kerala. Of course, She was not interested in celebrating Her birthday, but agreed to grace the event, seeing it as yet another opportunity to pray collec- tively for world peace and harmony. For those who could not afford an air ticket, She made arrangements

October 2020 17 with devotees who were willing for the application submission, and able to lend money on the I received a letter saying that I condition that borrowers repay was supposed to have sent the the money within a year. I was cheque to a different office, matched with a lender who and that I would now have to lived in California. wait until the next test, which Amma also said that we was three months away. I need not worry, and that She called the County Office and would be holding our hands offered to send another cheque, from the minute we left home but was told to wait. I felt frus- until we returned. These trated, but there was nothing I words reassured me, and I could do but wait. encouraged my friends from Sunanda, who worked as a Hawaii — Vishwan, who was henna tattooist at a beach re- in a wheelchair, and his wife sort, told me that the booth Sunanda — to come also. next to hers needed someone I was in the middle of mov- to help sell toe-rings, and sug- ing to Hawaii, but a part of me gested that I work there while was longing to see Amma in waiting for my licence. I did. India and immerse myself in At $10 an hour and a little com- service at Her ashram. As I mission, it was the lowest pay- was a massage therapist, I ing job I had held since I was needed to get a local licence to a teenager. It was a humbling practise professionally. Once I job — putting gold toe-rings reached Hawaii, I sent in my with diamonds and rubies on Massage Licence test applica- the toes of tourists. I did my tion with a cheque to the best to like it. I brought a pic- County Office. The Massage ture of Amma’s feet, put it on License tests are conducted the toe-rings box, and visual- only three times a year in Ha- ized every pair of feet that waii. Shortly after the deadline came as Her holy feet.

18 Matruvani I was entitled to a 40% dis- could not believe my eyes. I count on the rings, and de- thought, Amma is so mag- cided to buy Amma a ruby nanimous that She has blessed ring and give it to Her when I even one who has no humility, went to Amritapuri. Rubies only a flash of sincere curios- reminded me of a special ex- ity about what being humble perience I had with Amma might be like, with this vision. years before. While going for This ruby ring I was going darshan, I felt strongly that I to give Her reminded me of was far from humble, espe- that moment. But I knew it cially with my Guru. I told would be difficult to put it on myself, “I can’t even imagine Her toe. So, I decided to get what humility feels like. What one for Her hand. I visualized would it be like if I were hum- putting it on Her ring finger ble? How would I move, talk and asking Her to marry me. and behave with Amma?” In the meantime, the desire I decided that I would try arose to work at one of the top to not look into Amma’s eyes, hotel spas on the island after demanding to get Her atten- obtaining my licence. When I tion, as I usually did; I would got my first pay cheque, I just accept whatever She gave. bought a beautiful pair of It was not easy for me, and I trousers for $70 from a bou- was aware that I was only tique. My plan was to wear pretending to be humble. them for my interview. I When I reached Amma, one thought that if I wore a power of Her feet was tucked under suit, I would feel confident and a knee and turned up, expos- land the job. I showed Su- ing the sole of Her foot. It was nanda the trousers. She said, glowing with an unworldly “Amma wouldn’t want you to brilliance, its ruby-red colour spend so much on clothes. You brighter than any gemstone! I don’t need those trousers to get

October 2020 19 the job, only Amma’s grace. to renounce my selfish desires Once you get a job at the spas, for these small tokens of my you’ll have to wear a uniform desire to honour the Divine anyway. Why not return them Mother. I knew Amma would and get something for Amma sell the gifts for charity, as instead?” She does with all the gifts She Realizing that she was receives. Nevertheless, I cher- right, I went back to the store, ished the thought of being which had a no refund, ex- able to give something to change only policy. I looked Amma, knowing that it would for something I could ex- be received and then offered change my trousers with, back to the world in order to something that Amma might help feed, clothe and house like. What can you possibly hungry children and poor give the Goddess? women. I saw a little mother-of- Finally, it was the second pearl box: two oval shells week of September: time to fly hinged together to make a box. to India! I had to fly to Oak- I realized I could put the ruby land alone before boarding ring inside this little box to Singapore Airlines with offer Her. Then, I noticed an Vishwan and Sunanda the oval cloisonné mirror, with a next morning. The day I was jade handle and lotuses paint- flying, I found out that I had ed inside its silver frames. I nowhere to stay in San Fran- imagined Amma using it to cisco because the friend I usu- put on the kumkum (saffron ally stayed with was out of powder) mark on Her fore- town. I decided to spend the head for Devi Bhava. night in the airport, as I have I was overjoyed at what I often done before. could get for Amma. I thanked During the flight to San Sunanda for encouraging me Francisco, after I had finished

20 Matruvani doing my archana, the woman in the airport until it was time sitting next to me asked me to board my connecting flight, where I was going. she invited me to stay at their “India,” I said. place in Oakland. “Wow!” She exclaimed. When we walked in “What are you going to do through the front door of their there? Do you have a spiritual apartment, the first thing I teacher there?” saw was a photo of Amma “I do, actually. I’m going for atop the fireplace mantle. Her 50th Birthday Celebra- With Her huge smile, She tions.” looked as if She was welcom- “So your spiritual teacher is ing me! a woman? Who’s she?” The kind woman, whose “A mma.” name was Gina, wanted to “We know Amma!” She donate something to Amma’s grabbed her husband’s arm. charities. She excitedly went “Sweetie, she knows Amma around her house, rummag- and is going to India to see Her ing in closets and boxes for for Her birthday.” things I could bring to Amma Her husband leaned over for Her birthday. She came and joined the conversation. back carrying a pair of They enthusiastically ex- crutches she had bought for a plained how they had just met surgery and which she had Amma in San Ramon that never used since, and said she summer and how much they would be grateful if I could could feel Her spiritual energy. send them to AIMS Hospital When the woman found out in Kochi. I was concerned that I was not flying to India about carrying them as they until the next day, she asked were huge, but it seemed so me where I was staying. When important to Gina that I did I told her that I would remain not know how I could say no.

October 2020 21 Finally, I realized that I could from the accident, because act as if I used them. When I after using the crutches for told Gina this, she looked some time, I was able to walk delighted. She continued unaided. The freedom I felt looking for things that I could then had been so blissful that, bring for Amma’s charities. for years thereafter, every She held up a small, blue-and- time I walked and especially green squeezie ball of Planet while running, I would feel Earth. In the middle of the grateful for having both legs ball were the initials ‘AEP.’ intact. As I went through each What did they stand for? check-in and security gate Amma Embracing the Planet? with the crutches, I began of- I envisioned Amma holding fering sincere prayers of grat- this soft and squishy world in itude that I could walk on my Her hands and blessing it. own. I realized how, some- “Yes!” I exclaimed excitedly, times, I still forget to be grate- “That’s perfect!” ful for the simple blessings of Early the next morning, I life, such as being able to set out with the crutches un- walk. To drive home the point, der my arms. I even limped to I was travelling with Vishwan, make myself look credible. who though wheelchair- This wasn’t hard for me. I had bound was always so positive, been run over by a car when and Sunanda, who worked I was 16, and had to use cheerfully to help him. crutches after that. Initially, As soon as we arrived in the doctors had said that I Amritapuri, I went for dar- might never walk again as one shan with the gifts. I first of my lower legs had been gave Amma the mirror, and badly injured. It dawned on when She asked about it, I me that Amma must have explained it was for Her to helped me recover completely use before Devi Bhava when

22 Matruvani She applied the kumkum. She the significance of this event laughed excitedly and asked, in my life. “Devi Bhava?” Holding it by On a Tuesday before or its jade handle, Amma hu- after the birthday, I put the moured me by looking into little squeezie ball of the world the mirror. As She did so, the on Amma’s seat. She picked it image of the rising sun paint- up and held it in Her hands ed on the back of the mirror with so much love. A photog- seemed to reflect the mark on rapher took a picture, which Amma’s forehead: a circle of later graced the cover of the yellow sandalwood with a red DVD, ‘She has got the whole centre. world in Her hands.’ Amma then looked at the During the birthday cele- mother-of-pearl box I was brations at the Kaloor Stadi- holding. With child-like in- um in Kochi, I did not have nocence, She asked what was much work to do, but I really inside. I opened it and shyly wanted to help. After prasad took out the ring. Suddenly, I seva, someone asked me to get thought, “If only I could mar- some water for Amma from a ry Her!” Amma held out Her fridge in another building that hand and extended Her ring was quite far away. Grateful finger. I slid the ring on. It fit for the chance to serve, I perfectly! braved the hot sun and ran “Ah... married!” She said through the dense crowd. with a mischievous smile, as if Amma must have known She had caught me and was how much I enjoyed this mis- letting me know that She had sion because I ended up being read my mind. My heart al- asked three times by three most burst with joy that She different people to run and get knew this was what I wanted. Later, I would come to discover (continued on page 29)

October 2020 23 RAMAYANA

Tulsidas’s Devotion by br. achyutamrita chaitanya There is a tulasi (basil) plant in this blissful forest. Its flowers are the poem around which the black bee of Sri Rama ever revolves.

24 Matruvani his was a tribute Swami his youth, he came under the TMadhusudana Saraswati, guidance of a Guru. Scrip- a colossus in the field of Ad- tural studies and mantra ini- vaita, paid Goswami Tulasi- tiation followed. He then got das, who is hailed as the em- married and was also blessed peror of poetry. with a son, according to some Born in North India, Tu- biographies of his early life. lasidas’s foremost contribution Tulasidas was passionately to devotional literature was his devoted to his wife and could rendition of the Ramayana: the not bear to stay apart from priceless Sri Ramacharitama- her. Once, he had to go some- nasa, a delectable blend of de- where far off. When he re- votion, literature, music, phi- turned late at night, he risked losophy and morality. his life by swimming across a Tulasidas is believed to river in full spate. When his have lived between 1532 and wife saw him fully drenched, 1623. He spent the greater she scolded him: “If you had part of his life in what is now the same intensity of love for Uttar Pradesh. Devotion to Sri Raghunath1 as you have Sri Rama was inborn. Though for this body full of bones and born into a noble family, he flesh, you would have already became orphaned in child- been liberated from worldly hood. Tulasidas would beg for bondage.” food by going from house to Her sharp words were like house, chanting the name of a bolt of lightning. They ig- the Lord. For this reason, the nited the devotion slumbering young Tulasi earned the nick- within him. Dispassion name ‘Rambola’ — one who dawned and he left home. chants ‘Ram’ always. During Subsequently, he lived mostly

1 ‘Lord of Raghus,’ an epithet for Lord Rama.

October 2020 25 in the hallowed land of Kasi foundation of this principle. (Benares) and in Chitrakoot, One can see the cosmic form famous by association with of this devotion in the Sri the Ramayana. He also spent Ramacharitamanasa, the epic time in holy pilgrimage plac- he composed in the Avadhi es like Vrindavan, leading a dialect. One can also see the life of pure devotion. He is same devotion in works like believed to have lived more Vinaya Patrika, Ramachari- than 80 years. takavya and other minor works on the life story of Tulasidas’s Philosophy of Rama, which he also com- Devotion posed. For Tulasidas, the ideal of life Tulasidas’s mind, saturated was represented by Rama- with Rama-bhakti, moved bhakti, devotion to Rama. His from the principle of sarvam devotion was founded on the rama-mayam jagat to Vishnu principle ‘sarvam rama-mayam endowed with form and at- jagat’ — Rama pervades the tributes, and again to Rama, whole of creation. divine incarnation and son of With my hands in prayer, Dasharatha. The Bhagavad I worship the universe Gita also declares that it is pervaded by Rama and easier to worship God with Sita. form than the formless divine, (Sri Ramacharitamanasa, for it is not easy to grasp ab- Balakanda, 219)2 stractions like the formless divine, especially for those Tulasidas’s bhakti (devotion) identified with the body was a mansion built on the (12.5).

2 Verses refer to those found in C.G. Rajagopal’s Malayalam translation of the Sri Ramacharitamanasa.

26 Matruvani In matters of devotion, Tu- become model citizens of the lasidas follows this advice. world. They must not violate Instead of God without form the moral code of conduct. The or attributes, he pays obei- essence of devotion is follow- sance to God with form and ing the teachings of the Lord attributes. His Lord is dark and doing spiritual practices like a raincloud, wears yellow such as thinking of Him, sing- robes, is doe-eyed, wields the ing His glories, listening to Kodanda bow, is the prince of stories about Him, and per- the Raghu clan, and the son of forming ritual worship of the Dasharatha. Rama is the fore- Lord. most among men (maryada- After His coronation, Sri purushottama) and the reposi- Rama tells the subjects of Ayo- tory of all virtues associated dhya, “The Lord is pleased with Lord Vishnu, the all- with only those who follow pervading One who has as- His teachings. Only they be- sumed the form of man. come dear to Him and only they are His devotees” (Utta- Tulasidas’s Rama Worship rakanda, 170). Tulasidas’s Rama is both It is an exhortation to sur- Dasharatha’s son and Lord render to God totally. Rama Vishnu at the same time. He is also encourages His subjects auspicious and unrivalled in to lead a life of moral rectitude. strength. His beauty capti- If not, the devotee will face the vates the whole world. Sur- same fate as Vali, who though rendering body, mind and devoted to God was decadent. deed to such a Rama was Tu- Eventually, He was punished lasidas’s devotional practice. by Rama and thus purified. Since Sri Rama is an ideal Tulasidas’s spiritual philoso- man, Tulasidas insists that His phy can be summed up thus: devotees have an obligation to live a life rooted in morality,

October 2020 27 worship, devotion and surren- different views. Tulasidas ac- der to Lord. He explains in cepts all the lofty aims. The detail different forms of devo- loftiest aim is to know the Lord tion and different devotional and become one with Him. practices. One’s relationship This happens as a result of di- with God can be characterized vine grace. Tulasidas glorifies by attitudes such as sakhya Rama thus, “When a devotee (friendship), dasya (servitude), realizes You (Rama) by Your shanta (peace) and vatsalya (af- grace, he becomes one with fection). Tulasidas illustrates You” (Ayodhyakanda, 2558). these with examples. Bhakti is thus both the Devotional practices in- means and the end. Tulasidas clude listening to talk of God; says as much. He declares singing about, remembering that the ultimate aim of serv- and serving Him; making of- ing others selflessly, and gain- ferings to and prostrating to ing wisdom and dispassion is Him; meditating on Him; and bhakti. chanting His name. That said, In the Uttarakanda (3458 the fundamental features of – 61), Lord Shiva tells Parvati devotion are loving God, sur- the same thing: that the re- rendering to Him, remember- ward of all virtuous acts that ing Him constantly and being the Vedas 3 prescribe is devo- morally upright. tion to Rama. Devotion to Rama is a rare gift one re- Aim of Bhakti ceives by His grace alone. What is the aim of bhakti? Dif- As to the question of which ferent spiritual masters have (knowledge or devotion) is the

3 The most ancient scriptures known to humanity, the Vedas were not authored by anyone but revealed to sages in the depths of their meditation. They are four in number.

28 Matruvani means and which the end, Tu- Veda. Ordinary human beings lasidas says, “There is no dif- cannot plumb the depths or ference between knowledge measure the breadth of this and devotion. Both can re- ocean of devotion. To glean the deem one from the cycle of precious pearls of bhakti, one birth and death.” (Uttara- must dive deep into this ocean. kanda, 3030) To taste the nectar of bhakti, Only a few thoughts on one must churn this ocean. Rama-bhakti found in the Sri Also, to internalize Tulasidas’s Ramacharitamanasa are pre- teachings, it would help if one sented in this essay. The Manas, studies his other works as well. as it is popularly known in May we all be benefited by North India, is also referred to Tulasidas’s philosophy of devo- as the Panchama Veda, the fifth tion.

(continued from page 23) water for Amma. I was over- I returned to Hawaii to- joyed that I could serve Amma tally transformed. By Amma’s in my own small way. It also grace and without the fancy reminded me of how, as a rest- pants, I got my dream job. But less child, I used to love it as I had ‘married’ Amma, op- when my teacher sent me on portunities soon arose to take errands, because I was happy me closer to Her, which was to run and use my energy for my heart’s truest desire. some purpose. The crutches May I be able to continue had earlier reminded me of the serving Amma and Her mis- blessing of being able to move sion of loving and serving all without restriction, and now, I unconditionally for the rest of was able to use my mobility to my life — this is my heartfelt serve the Divine Mother. prayer to Amma.

October 2020 29 GITA

Chapter 10: Yoga of Divine Glories by Prof. V. Muraleedhara Menon, India

he first half of the Gita is over. The chapters thus far Tmay be summarized as follows: The first chapter discusses freedom from desire and abidance in svadharma (actions suited to one’s nature). The second chapter introduces the sthita prajna, one established in supreme consciousness. The third, fourth and fifth

30 Matruvani chapters clarify karma (action) Devotion for God arises and vikarma (‘special’ action). only as a result of spiritual From the sixth chapter on- merit gained from good deeds wards, there is a discussion of done in past lives. We live in the diverse paths of vikarma an age of materialism. Human that lead one to a state of non- life is now all about gratifying agency, i.e. a sense that one is the body and its sensory ap- not the doer though engaged petites. Under these circum- in work. The spiritual prac- stances, it is difficult to culti- tices meant to purify the mind vate devotion. But in this are also discussed. chapter, the Lord tells us how In the sixth chapter, the we may do so. Lord recommends dhyana yoga Indian children are taught (yoga of meditation) for gain- the alphabet in two stages. ing mental concentration, and First, they are taught single stresses the necessity of ab- letters, which are written in a hyasa (practice) and vairagya large and then small size. After (dispassion). In the seventh that, the more difficult com- chapter, He teaches prapatti pound letters are gradually yoga (yoga of surrender), the introduced. best practice in the path of Similarly, we should first bhakti (devotion). The eighth learn to see God in His chapter is dedicated to satatya larger manifestations like yoga, a spiritual practice that mountains and oceans. By is continued dedicatedly until and by, with sufficient prac- our last breath. The ninth tice, we will be able to behold chapter is about raja yoga, in Him even in a drop of water which offering all actions to or a grain of sand. Here, the the Lord transforms life radi- vision of God moves from the cally. This yoga is simple yet gross to the subtle. This is difficult. one method.

October 2020 31 The other method is to start teachers and children. Thus, seeing God in small and sim- we must first see the Supreme ple things first, and then de- in gentle and pure forms, and veloping this vision. Let us see eventually behold It in all God in the auspicious, the dear creatures, beautiful and ugly, and the beautiful before learn- of this vast universe. ing to see Him in the inauspi- How splendid sunrise is! cious and the distasteful. May The goddess of dawn is the we see Him equally in Rama Lord’s messenger. Let us wor- and Ravana, in Prahlada and ship the Sun, the eternal friend Hiranyakashipu. What this of all moving and unmoving means is that we should be creatures; the Ganges, the able to see the same divine es- pure one who washes away all sence in all. This practice helps sins; the Himalayas, abode of us to develop equal vision, the gods; the cool breeze that which will enable us to see caresses the oceans; and the God in both the good and the cattle that serve us, especially bad. This vision must grow the cow, which is the very from the gross to the subtle, symbol of purity. Seeing God from the simple to the complex. in these, we must eventually Let us start by first seeing be able to see Him in wild God in what is closest and animals such as tigers and dearest to us. The Goddess snakes, too. who is closest to us is our The uncommon greatness mother, who is the very em- of the Ramayana lies in such bodiment of love, grace and sweet relationships. More fas- compassion, and the personi- cinating than the father-son fication of boundless self-sac- relationship was Rama’s rifice. Let us start by seeing friendship with the monkeys. God in her. Thereafter, we can That was where His quintes- try to behold Him in our father, sential nature revealed itself

32 Matruvani Let us see God in the auspicious, the dear and the beautiful before learning to see Him in the inauspicious and the distasteful. May we see Him equally in Rama and Ravana, in Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu. What this means is that we should be able to see the same divine essence in all. most clearly. Lord Krishna tortoise were characters, was was Gopala-Krishna, a cow- probably this vision of divin- herd boy. How incomplete He ity in nature. would have been without the There is a hymn in the Ve- cows and calves. In the Rama- das that says, “Prostrations to yana and Bhagavata, we can see the leader of the outlaws, to the the supreme imagination of cruel and the murderous. Rama and Krishna, who be- Thieves and traitors are verily held God in monkeys and Brahman. Prostrations to cows respectively. them, too!” The bewitching sight of the In short, the Lord dwells as peacock dancing with its fan warp and woof in the subtle of outspread feathers, flames and the gross, the clear-cut that taper upwards, and the and the convoluted. He dwells sweet warbling of the cuck- in all, has equal vision, and is oo — all these should awaken compassionate, ever pure and in us thoughts of God. The the embodiment of uncondi- creative inspiration behind the tional love. Let us fulfil our life Aesop Fables, in which the by realizing Him. deer, fox, snake, dog, crow and (to be continued)

October 2020 33 DIARY Tablas and Tender Hugs by Rajani Menon, India

t was a cold and wintry evening. The rain drizzled Isoftly on our backs as my son and I made our way to Amma’s Munich program. The venue was an indoor bas- ketball stadium at the sprawling green campus of the

34 Matruvani Montessori School Biberkor, stopped playing and bowed to situated near Lake Starnberg, Her, but a few continued play- Germany’s second largest lake, ing, unaware that Amma was on the outskirts of Munich. As standing before them, enjoy- rain had muddied the grounds, ing their music and waiting for plastic sheets were laid out to them to finish before proceed- create temporary pathways to ing to Her chair. When they a large tent, which served as realized it, they stopped the Indian food cafeteria. abruptly, faces reflecting joy We wandered around for and surprise. The audience some time until we saw a long clapped both for Amma and queue in the corridor just out- the musicians. side the darshan hall. We After Amma sat down, a big stood patiently in the line and brass urn, heavy with water, were soon given tokens and was passed to Her. She held ushered into the darshan hall. the urn, closed Her eyes, and All the chairs were occupied for a few minutes, breathed but we found an empty bench Her divinity into the water. and happily took our seat, The atmosphere changed pal- soaking in the effervescent pably as sacred love wafted atmosphere of eager anticipa- like a gentle breeze in the air. tion. A Bavarian folk orchestra After a few minutes, Amma started playing on the small opened Her eyes and the water stage and the audience clapped was transferred into small their hands gently to the music. plastic containers and given to Suddenly, Amma arrived each one of us, a blessing to on stage. There She was, take home and cherish the dressed in a simple white sari, whole year long. Some devo- standing in front of the orches- tees drank the water before tra and listening intently to the they heard the instruction music. Most of the musicians about taking it home. Amma

October 2020 35 laughingly consoled them: “It’s namah” (“Salutations to the okay! Don’t worry.” Almighty”) after each mantra. Then She began Her talk. I Then the curtains closed as watched the rapt faces of the She went inside to prepare for people gathered there and the Devi Bhava. Her children silent children who slid to the waited expectantly as She ground and played with tiny worshipped the crown while cars or drew pictures, not dis- singing ‘Ambike devi jangannay- turbing their parents. Amma ike namaskaram’ — ‘I salute the spoke about the need to have Divine Mother of the universe.’ single-minded focus on the Then She reappeared, an spiritual goal under the guid- incarnation of divinity seated ance of one Guru instead of regally on Her chair. She was roaming in search of different wearing a gold-and-blue sari gurus. She said it was akin to and adorned with garlands of wasting time by approaching fresh flowers and necklaces of different physicians to cure a rudrakshas (prayer beads). Her single ailment; one’s ailment radiance seemed to immerse might worsen as a result of the huge hall in a golden glow seeing many doctors and fol- as people silently lined up on lowing different treatments. both sides for darshan. They She also spoke about how bad took fresh flowers to Her and karma can be alleviated by She inhaled their fragrance doing good deeds and about before enfolding Her children the importance of planting in a warm embrace, dispelling trees and conserving nature. their inner worries and impu- As Swami Amritaswaru- rities. pananda chanted the 108 The Germans had brought names of the Divine Mother, sleeping bags, and when it was Amma led the devotees in re- late, they put the children to peating “Om parashaktyai sleep in the space between the

36 Matruvani rows of chairs. Members of the darshans, Amma would talk Munich Satsang sang poign- to him: “Do you know how to ant bhajans. We went to the play the tabla? Let me teach Indian food tent and ate hot you how to move your fingers masala dosas (pancake with rhythmically.” potato stuffing) and delicious For more than 10 minutes, poha (flattened rice flakes). the happy child sat in Her lap The darshan queues were as She taught him to play the slow moving but everyone was tabla. She would place his patient. Amma had to leave fingers on top of Her hand and early the next day for the 14- get him to beat the rhythm on hour drive to London. Never- Her hand. She would then play theless, She took Her time, the rhythm on his hands. She lavishing love and attention on told the people beside Her, “He each of Her darling children. should learn music.” Finally, One incident remains fresh She gave him another affec- in my memory. After our dar- tionate kiss, and he slid off Her shan, we sat down beside lap to go back to his parents. Amma. A young boy with Their faces were aglow with Down’s syndrome came for hope and happiness. darshan with his parents. He I remembered the mantra smiled sweetly at Amma and ‘Om abala gopa viditaye offered Her a red rose. She namah’ — ‘Salutations to Her, embraced him tightly and who is well known by all, even placed him on Her lap. He by children and cowherds’ snuggled down comfortably in (Lalita Sahasranama, 994). De- Her lap while his parents had vi’s motherly love is equal for darshan. Amma hugged all all, and all of us respond to Her three of them tenderly. The boy love with gratitude and hope. remained in Her lap even after The bhajans resounded in the parents left. In between the clear air, and darshan was

October 2020 37 ending. Amma held up a token in front of us, blessing and in Her hand and gestured for embracing each one of us everyone who had still not with Her radiant, loving received darshan to come up glance. The magical moments on stage. “Even without a to- seemed to last forever. She ken is fine. Come up,” She said. was so beautiful as She stood A few lucky souls ran up. Fi- there with a tender, beaming nally, the last person received smile on Her face, Her gaze darshan. darting from one darling Amma stood up, Her silver child to another. Finally, She crown sending shafts of stepped back and the cur- moonlight across the room. tains closed. Her blue Kancheepuram sari I sat down, soaked in love with the dark border shim- and light. Another mantra mered like molten gold. She arose in my mind: ‘Om sri ma- moved slowly and gracefully harajnyai namah’ — Saluta- to the front of the stage and tions to Her, who is the em- showered fresh rose petals on press of this universe’ (Lalita all of us. We huddled around Sahasranama, 2). How blessed the front of the stage, unable we are that we have been held to take our eyes away from close by our Mother, the the magnificent vision of Queen of the Universe, seated Devi, standing and smiling on Her eternal throne.

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