YUVA BHARATI Voice of Youth CONTENTS

Man-Making Nation-Building YUVA BHARATI Voice of Youth CONTENTS

Vol.36 No.7 Magha-Phalgun 5110 February 2009 Editorial 5

Founder-Editor Vivekananda Kendra Calling ! Sri Ramakrishna and his Mananeeya Eknathji Ranade ( a Spiritually Oriented Service Mission) Principal Disciples Editor N.Krishnamoorti 7 P.Parameswaran Lead by Example Editorial Consultants: Srinivasa Desikan 11 Nivedita Raghunath Bhide Prof. P.T.Santha Prof. P.Ramani Managing Change Sqn.Ldr.Dr.P. Ramani 16 Editorial Team: “ A hundred thousand men and women, fired with the zeal of holiness, A.Sudarsan Sri Vallabhacharya P.Vasanth Swami Krishnananda 21 fortified with eternal faith in the Lord, and nerved to lion’s courage by S.Shivsankar their sympathy for the poor and the fallen and the downtrodden, will go S.Aravindh The Narmada Parikrama over the length and breadth of the land, preaching the gospel of V.V.Balasubramanian K.K.Venkatraman 27 salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising-up, the gospel of equality.” Marketing: Are you among those who Swamiji had in mind D.Krishnamoorthy H.Gnaneswara Rao for awakening our people to the mission of our Motherland ? - The JAGADGURU BHARAT Design & Layout V.Senthil Kumar You can serve humanity through the Man-Making and Nation-Building projects in education, culture and sustainable development, and branches spread all over India. Editorial Office: 5, Singarachari Street, Come, dedicate yourself for the service of the nation as a full-time worker. Triplicane, Chennai 600 005. Ph: (044) 28440042 It is not a career - but a mission Email: [email protected] Your Yogakshema - well-being - would be taken-care of Web: www.vkendra.org by the Kendra. Contact on the following address with full bio-data: Single Copy Rs. 10/- Annual Rs. 100/- Published and Printed by L.Madhavan on behalf of General Secretary For 3 Yrs Rs. 275/- Vivekananda Kendra from 5, Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai - 600 005. at M/s.RNR Printers Life (10 Yrs) Rs. 900/- Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram, and Publishers, 8, Thandavarayan Street, Kanyakumari - 629 702. Foreign Subscription: Triplicane, Chennai - 600 005. Phone : 04652-247012, Fax 04652-247177 Annual - $25 US Dollar Editor : P.Parameswaran . Life (10 years) - $250 US Dollar Email:[email protected], [email protected] (Plus Rs.50/- for Outstation Cheques) For details log on : www.vkendra.org

36 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 3 O Lord, I do not know the true nature of Thy being-of what kind Thou art. Of Whatever nature Thou mayest by, O Great God, to That my salutation again and again

Siva-Mahimnah Stotra

4 YUVA BHARATI -FEBRUARY 2009 Editorial

Sri Ramakrishna - Harmony Personified

ny discussion of global problems may It is nature's way, God's way, that the cure, the now seem to have become trite, what solution is presented before any (what we call) with every other journalist peddling “problem” actually begins. It is for us to step up A and make use of it. It was not accidental that the their own stories on the innumerable 24 hour news channels to help themselves and their prophet of religious harmony and a model of bosses make a few more bucks. But the very renunciation and selflessness took birth and natures of the problems we as humanity face preached his glorious message when he did. It mean there can be no whining for loss of was clear then which way things were turning: a comfort, no rest taken – for the threats are Macaulayan education system taking root, current, real and they threaten our very uprooting our culture in the process; a strain of existence as the existence of every other creature. fundamentalist Islam with a fanaticism not seen for several centuries brainwashing droves of The causes of the two gravest and most men in its wake, scores of harvesting Christian immediate threats are almost opposite of each preachers were at their calculative best to other. Religious fundamentalism makes women, increase their flock, an emasculated nation in teenagers and young men kill themselves and in India, with its people losing focus on everything the process cause maximum damage to human else other than survival, driven to poverty and lives and property of “the others”. A driving disease by a cruel shopkeeper's army. It was into passion and fanaticism motivates these people this world that Sri Ramakrishna took birth - an to sacrifice their all and themselves in an attempt antidote to every poison that was killing us. to establish superiority of their religion. The second threat convinces people into a hedonism At a time when it was considered elite to be driven by profit motives of big business houses educated in English schools, when a person's causing irreparable damage to the psyche of wisdom was judged by the graduations that he entire generations. It deludes people into the can claim to have completed, when it was a sign individualistic and selfish belief that their own of sophistication to be as much or even more comfort and happiness is worthy enough to British than the British themselves, the level of sacrifice the entire planet and all its resources for. elevation Sri Ramakrishna achieved without any of these buried the credibility all such

26 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 5 pompous claims once and for all. The spiritual flash. What everybody does not know, or knows height achieved by the master was immediately but doesn't recognize enough its importance Know Thyself - Grow Thyself - 6 visible to all that cared to look. A man who could and gravity, is that a solution for these has not even sign his own name lived and spoke the already been given. greatest Vedantic truths and became a beacon that showed us how our lives should be We are not awarded the luxury of putting off conducted. At a time when fundamentalism of until tomorrow like it was done by previous the exclusive religions was gripping the masses generations. There is no time for pointing in its mesmerizing and vicious grip, Sri accusing fingers, no time for deducing possible anaging Change Ramakrishna preached the holiness, divinity alternatives for there just isn't any. This is a time M and equality of all religions - a message almost for action and act we must for if we don't, we Sqn. Ldr.Dr.P.Ramani completely unheard until then. At a time when jeopardize our collective existence. The hoarding material was considered 'normal', integrating, inclusive message of the Vedanta when pursuing a 'comfortable life' was wholly that boldly proclaims every being as a spark of 'understandable', Sri Ramakrishna preached divinity, a child of Immortal Bliss has to be renunciation - showing us how little we actually spread across the globe. Our hands cannot need in our lives. remain folded and let this duty be given to another more worthy we. God has given us the It was through Sri Ramakrishna that God was life-boat through Sri Ramakrishna. It is for us to speaking, giving us the solutions for the great clamber on and survive. God has put us in the challenges that will face mankind, those which balance, and let us not be found wanting. were just stepping out of their wombs. A great many followed his words; a far greater number P.Vasanth still do. But it has simply not been enough to Yuvabharati Editorial Team overcome the challenge. Today we see the challenges have become threats; threats not only to us but to the entire planet. Everybody knows the planet has been changed, changed by our greed, our exploitation of resources in search for an elusive 'comfortable life'. Everybody knows that terrorists and fanatics, fired with a vision of heavens they will reach, are procuring technologies that will wipe out millions in a

6 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 16 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND HIS PRINCIPAL DISCIPLES

N. Krishnamoorti

Sumati: Brother. How could one person like Sri Ramakrishna enlist the services of so many brilliant disciples?

Sumanta: Thakur's glory and grace were such that, so many disciples were required to elicite, store, express and live and work out all that he had to say. Secondly, Sri Ramakrishna acquired his disciples by acts of great prayer and tapas. He used to climb on to the balcony of the building and cry out to the Divine Mother, to send in those disciples about whose arrival SHE has promised. Getting good disciples is a great gift of God. And getting a perfect Guru is an expression of God's grace.

Sumati: And Sri Ramakrishna's disciples were of such variety! There were pure monks, Sannyasins, there were householders, there were great women and Karmayogi who held a responsible position in there were men or women who had travelled the the Math for a long spell. Swami Shivananda, wrong path and have been redeemed by Thakur. aptly called Mahapurush Maharaj was a great man-maker. He was described by his disciples Sumanta: And they were of different as a Man with a golden touch. temperaments and needs. Men like Narendra Sumati: and Rakhal were born Yogis. They were also Sri Ramakrishna himself would great scholars. Swami Saradananda was a great categorise six of his disciples as of Ishwara Koti.

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 13 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 7 Sumanta: Yes. Narendra, later called Swami Swadharma or natural inclinations of each Vivekananda was the chief of them. Swami disciple. Students like Rakhal stayed with the Brahmananda was a Sannyasin's Sannyasin. Guru for long years and were groomed with Swami Yogananda was identified as a perfect great deliberation. yogi by Sri Ramakrishna himself. Swami Niranjanananda was redirected by Thakur from Sumati: It is no wonder that Brahmananda was the life of mystical powers to pure spirituality. seen as the future head of the Sangha and was Poorna Chandra Ghosh was the only Grihasta appropriately called Raja Maharaj. who was among the Ishwarakoti disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. Sumanta: Yes. Holy Mother Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda were Sumati: How did Sri Ramakrishna recognize his trained with great concern by the Master, so that true disciples? they can be true conduits of Sri Ramakrishna's spiritual power. All the disciples were true Sumanta: Thakur had the instinctive capacity to fellows of the Avatara Purusha. “His disciples used to compare recognize spiritual inclinations. His disciples him to a geiger counter or a used to compare him to a geiger counter or a Sumati: The early disciples got a lot of exposure seismograph, which would recognize distant to Guru Maharaj's direct instruction and seismograph, which would and faint vibrations and radiations in the earth. training. recognize distant and faint He could trace the faintest spiritual vibration of vibrations and radiations in a man. Sumanta: Yes. And they came in bunches. Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) and Rakhal the earth. He could trace the Sumati: And the Thakur taught different (Brahmananda) were Brahmasamajis. Sarad faintest spiritual vibration of disciplines to different students! (Swami Saradananda) and Sashi (Swami Ramakrishnananda) were related to each other. a man”. Sumanta: That made Sri Ramakrishna, the Again Sashi (Swami Ramakrishnananda) and greatest spiritual teacher. He could handle Hari (Swami Turiyananda) were from very intellectual giants like Naren or Rakhal, he could orthodox families, where religious practices spot the spiritual bent of Latu - later were part of the household life. Adbhutananda. Under the deceptive carapace of Girish Chandra Ghosh's hedonism, love of Sumati: Their financial backgrounds also varied worldly pleasures, Sri Ramakrishna could see greatly. the current of spiritual life and tapped the same. He would permit freedom in food intake to Sumanta: Yes. Baburam Ghosh (Swami Narendra, but was very strict with others in Premananda) hailed from a rich family. Yogen matters of food. He recognized the fire in Naren (Yogananda) and Latu (Swami Adbhutananda) which would burn away the impurities, any, in were poor. Tarak (Swami Shivananda), Kali his food. (Swami Abhedananda) and Hariprasanna (Swami Vijnanananda) were well-educated, Sumati: And how would the Master instruct articulate and had exposure to modern them? education. Gopal the elder (Swami Advaitananda) and Saradaprasanna (Swami Sumanta: There also Gurudeva recognized the Trigunatita) met tragedies in their lives, turning

8 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 9 them towards the Master. Gangadhar (Swami intellectuals. Akhandananda) was service incarnate. Subodh (Swami Subodhananda) came to the Thakur Sumanta: You should remember that in those through book learning. days Calcutta was not only the political capital of India but also its intellectual capital. Iswar Sumati: How did the Guru instruct them all? Chandra Vidyasagar, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee and a number of well-educated Sumanta: He used a variety of methods. He government officers heard of Sri Ramakrishna's worshipped Holy Mother Sarada Devi as an saintliness and came and met him. They had a incarnation of Parashakti. He gave sparsa diksha number of questions to ask regarding the (initiation by touch) to Naren. He wrote the practicalities of spiritual life. And Sri mantra on the tongues of some of th e m . Ramakrishna gave them He chanted the name of the answers, not from books, divine in the ears of the but from the book of his disciples. He removed “His disciples used to compare experience. their hurdles. He corrected him to a geiger counter or a their worldly actions and S u m a t i : A n d t h e seismograph, which would behaviour. He made them Brahmasamajis? serve him. He asked them recognize distant and faint to meditate under specific vibrations and radiations in Sumanta: Keshub and the influences and at specific Brahmasamaj were great places. He visited some of the earth. He could trace the religious, social, the disciples in their faintest spiritual vibration of intellectual forces. They dreams and protected, a man”. proved to be the nursery directed and guided them. from which emerged some of the top disciples of Sri Sumati: He swallowed like Ramakrishna. Keshub Shiva the poisonous qualities of some of his himself, was a convert from the Brahma Samaj's disciples. intellectual head, to Sri Ramakrishna's heart- based jnana. Sri Ramakrishna tempered the Sumanta: Girish, Pratap Chandra Hazra and intellectuals with Bhakti, mythology and Surendra Nath Mitra might have gone astray, worship. It was in this general background one losing their ways, but for the saving grace of Sri should study the story of blossoming up of the Ramakrishna. disciples.

Sumati: And there were downright atheists? Sumati: So great were Durga Charan Nag, M, and Balaram Bose! Sumanta: Yes. Ramachandra Datta, Nityagopal and some others went through a phase of Sumanta: About Nag Mahashay, Holy Mother skepticism and lack of belief, before they were would say that there were few like him. If changed completely by Sri Ramakrishna's grace. devotion to Sri Ramakrishna could assume a human form, it would be like Nag Mahashay. Sumati: There were also hard-boiled About Balaram Babu, Thakur has talked of his

8 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 9 Mission of serving the devotees. Sri Sannyasinis later on. In a manner, he sowed the Ramakrishna has visited Balaram Babu's house seeds of the Sarada Math which came up in 1953, a hundred times. M was endowed with the centenary year of the Holy Mother. What did prodigious memory, devotion and focused all those disciples do? attention to absorb whatever Gurudev said. His Author : Swami Nikhilananda is a unique example of hagiographic writing. Sumanta: They gave the Ramakrishna Math the Published by : Sri Ramakrishna Math, present structure, shape, discipline and work. Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Sumati: There is the uniqueness of female Service activities, relief work and propagation of Pages : 152 disciples. Dharma became the chief activities of the Sri Price :Rs. 35 Ramakrishna Math. Institutional and non- Sumanta: Yes. Sri Ramakrishna was the first to formal service, relief in times of natural or man- formally teach and accept women-disciples made calamities are the service activities. starting with the Holy Mother. He inspired Emphasising the Divinity of Man as the Vedas Aghoramani Devi who saw child Krishna in Sri saw, Sri Ramakrishna lived and Swami Ramakrishna. Golap Ma saw Sri Ramakrishna Vivekananda preached, is the main thrust of the as Kali Herself and served the Holy Mother for a Math's preaching work. The direct disciples of long period. Yogin Ma also saw Kali in the the Master gave the Math its stability and Master. Gauri Ma was recognized as a servant of continuity and made it what it is today. The Chaitanya by Guru Maharaj. Vinodini Das, a women-disciples worked outside its drama actress, was converted into a great organizational structure until the Sarada Math devotee by Sri Ramakrishna. was formed. In this manner imbibing the great teachings of the Master the direct disciples Sumati: In this manner the Master brought paved the way for making Dharma a LIVING about a revolution paving the way for women- RELIGION.

Sparks of Wisdom

Do all your duties with your mind always fixed on God. As for your parents and wife and children, serve them as if they were your own, but know in the inmost recesses of your heart that they are not really yours, unless they too love the Lord. The Lord alone is really your own, and also those who love the Lord.

10 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 25 ead by Example LSrinivasa Desikan

eadership is one quality that is “independent thinkers”, also commonly absolutely essential in every sphere: referred to as anarchists claim management is Lpersonal and professional, social and authorized thuggery. Whereas leadership is the national. For many of us, the difference between ability to to get others to willingly follow. “It is only a leadership and management is quite nebulous. Willingly is the watchword. It is not menacing person who has The difficulty is primarily because all of us can people into obedience but to get them to follow recognize these so instinctively that we don't willingly, almost spontaneously. The Gita verse knuckled down bother with a clear articulation of these in our (in box) throws even more light in what is left and contributed, own minds. So let us try and understand what unsaid. The people seen as icons in society are worked his heart leadership and management are and what it is followed by the masses not after any out that can that differentiates them, if at all. discriminative analysis, but blindly. rightfully claim a Management is more of an organized yadyad âcarati úre ??has tattad evetaro jana? position of structure with teams and designated roles and sa yat pramâ ?a? kurute lokas tad anuvartate leadership”. authority. The ability of a person to get a task executed depends on whether he/she is vested Whatever action is performed by a great with the power in the role that he/she plays in man, common men follow in his footsteps. And the organization. One cannot be a leader if he whatever standards he sets by his exemplary tells others "Do this! or else...". That is more of acts, all the world pursues. thuggery. This might explain why some (Bhagavad Gita - Chap 3. Verse 21)

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 11 12 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 commanders commanded the armies to rush Given that a leader is one who inspires rather ahead when they themselves stayed behind. than threatens, what qualities define a leader? Such 'leadership' has never worked, never will ead by Example What is it that "gives" leadership? Let's attempt Srinivasa Desikan to elaborate and verbalize what is usually only a L “feeling” we get about leaders.

“Give more than you expect others to give”

This is probably the most important idea that one has to assimilate about leadership. To claim leadership, one has to lead. A simpler explanation of this will be 'Doership equals leadership'. It is only a person who has knuckled down and contributed, worked his heart out that can rightfully claim a position of leadership. In fact, such a person need not claim any; he/she naturally emerges as a leader.

Sounds too simplistic? Take a look around at the people claiming “leadership”. It is most likely that the “leader” behaves like a dictator demanding special work. A leader has to set an privileges. It seems as “It is only a example, to be an inspiration. though the British raj has left Giving more than what is an indelible mark in our person who has expected from the team social psyche: the “leaders” knuckled down members is almost a consider themselves and contributed, prerequisite condition for superior and then imagine a leadership. right to treat their worked his heart subordinates with out that can “Optimism and disrespect. rightfully claim a Perseverance should be yadyad âcarati úre ??has tattad evetaro jana? position of combined” sa yat pramâ ?a? kurute lokas tad anuvartate To put it in another way, a leader should lead from the leadership”. A leader is no leader if front and they must do more he/she cannot inspire the than what the average team masses and nerve them to member is expected to do. take up difficult tasks en Swami Vivekananda says route to achieving the great this was one of the reasons many war goal. It is quite obvious that pessimism can s were lost by the Hindu kings. Because the

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 11 12 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 never inspire anyone to work. It can only breed a and steadfastly persevere which alone can lead SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND cynical and self-fulfilling defeatism. Such a to victory. To be a transmitter of such thoughts, mindset can hardly create any enthusiasm to then, becomes a defining characteristic of a HIS PRINCIPAL DISCIPLES make us exert to our fullest or achieve anything leader. lasting in life. N. Krishnamoorti It is only a message of hope, optimism and To be Continued... the prospect of being part of a brighter future that can inspire the masses to endure the strains

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YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 13 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 7 Know Thyself - Grow Thyself - 6

Managing Change Sqn. Ldr.Dr.P.Ramani

hange is inevitable everywhere. We changes effectively. There are internal changes should be willing to face the challenges and external changes that normally influence of the changes, accept them, and change the functioning of an organisation. In an ideal C organisation one may not generate suspicion ourselves to meet the new situation or context. People who are not ready to change themselves when changes are introduced. Whenever, normally are left behind. Individuals as well as changes are suggested, they may be accepted or organizations should observe the environment resisted. The change agent should possess the and the changes that happen internally or ability to interact positively and convince the externally and adjust themselves to meet the partners of a group and influence everyone in challenges of the changes that occur. If we do the organisation. not change ourselves according to changing demands, the change will change us. Responses/reactions of individuals / organizations to the change. What is change? Change is a kind of an alteration in the existing People may not be willing to accept changes. system which tends to pose a new challenge. They will feel that the existing system is fine.

When changes occur, the way the jobs are Individuals of an organisation will resist performed get changed, rules and procedures change. They may believe that change will give get changed, organizational and hierarchical rise to uncertain future. structure gets changed, leadership styles get changed, economic status gets altered etc. There may be some who will believe that changes occur for better. Facing challenges of the changes Individuals and organistions can face these An ideal organisation must be actively engaging itself in bringing about positive

6 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 16 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 changes in social, economical and cultural members of a team or an organisation can work environments. together to find better working environment.

Gearing up to meet the challenges of changes. Follow your leader approach Any new situation will pose a new challenge. Even the people who oppose changes agree to We must be able to provide a solution, with an follow their leader with regard to performing innovative and creative mind. official tasks/duties. Approaches to change. Emulative Approach There are any number of approaches or methods Colleagues/members of any organisation can by which one can always learn to face changes. ideally choose someone as their role model and emulate their qualities while setting goals, The boss is always right. accomplishing mission, etc. There are some who always take orders from the boss and accept to work under the rule of law. Back to Basics Approach They believe that the boss is always right. There are some who believe that their parents have been ideal role models. Some believe their Substitute Approach. teachers are their role models. Yet others believe In some organizations, some resist change. The and draw inspiration from Mother Nature and change agents replace them with new people will be skeptical about changes. However, who believe that changes only will work/assist when they confront changes, they look back for in bringing about development. guidance from the parents and teachers and others and get convinced after realizing that Information Dissemination Approach. they themselves were products of such changes. Individuals can be presented with information concerning change and motivated to accept Thus, all of us need to believe that we are changes. essentially governed by changes at every moment of life and hence we should respond to Consensus Approach. changes appropriately. Partners of an organisation discuss the issues in question democratically and arrive at a Four skills of a change agent consensus towards solving problems/finding Anyone who aims at change should possess solutions. certain basic skills, namely

Problem-Solving Approach. a) cognitive skills, Changes can happen through problem–solving b) action skills, and group discussion and brainstorming c) communication skills and teamwork and interpersonal relationship. d) affective skills.

Cognitive skills Teamwork and interpersonal relationships. Cognitive skills involve an ability to analyse and Better teamwork and improved relationships comprehend. One should be motivated to contribute to organizational effectiveness. The perceive the need for change and the desire to

10 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARYNOVEMBER 20092008 17 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 18 bring about change. The change agent should unknowingly. We may deliberately anticipate clearly define objectives in relation to the the events that are going to happen and plan intended outcomes. He must plan and organize accordingly to meet the challenges of the events anticipating positive results. The change change. We may also observe the real life agent should also be in a position to evaluate the occurrences and take appropriate actions. nature, expectations and orientations of the clients. Traditional mindset may forbid us from moving beyond. However, our experience tells us that Action skills we can perform better 'when the mind is The change agent shall be at best performing his without fear'. When we are confident, we jobs as a counsellor, facilitator and trainer become creative and the things that we do certainly turn out to be better. We may also 1. helping the clients in assessing their anticipate the positive things that are likely to attitudes, expectations and motivation result from the actions already initiated. The levels, very thought or the feeling that the changes are 2. dealing with the clients' expectations, value bound to enhance the quality of life of the systems, etc., people makes us feel happy. 3. developing an awareness about the positive results of change, We can always plan strategies and implement 4. making a road-map towards growth and our plan to realise the best of the benefits of national development and change. However, we will have to deal with the 5. keeping the morale high amongst the changes in a professional way rather than in an stakeholders. amateurish way.

Communication skills Interface amongst the variables resulting in The change agent should positive changes 1. possess the appropriate persuasive skills, All human efforts must have a definite mission 2. define goals and objectives for every to accomplish to realise this mission initiative undertaken, accomplishment we make use of our 3. receive feedback and act appropriately. knowledge and skills as individuals and as members of teams maintaining appropriate Affective skills attitudes and effect changes towards To achieve mission accomplishment, apart from visualizing the mission commitment. cognitive skills, action skills and communication skills, we must ensure appropriate positive attitude governed by a high sense of moral values and code of ethics.

Planning for change Changes occur inevitably everywhere. We employ a number of strategies knowingly or

10 YUVA BHARATI - NOVEMBERFEBRUARY 20092008 17 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 18 SRI VALLABHACHARYA (1473 - 1531 A.D.)

(PROPOUNDER OF SUDDHADVAITA – PUSHTI MARGA)

Swami Krishnananda

EARLY LIFE

Vallabhacharya was a successor of the great Vaishnava Acharyas – Ramanuja, Nimbarka and Madhwa, and a contemporary of Sri Krishna Chaitanya (1485 – 1533 A.D). He was the son of Lakshmana Bhatta and Yellamma Garu who belonged to a family of learned Telugu Vaishnavas. Vallabha was born in the village of Champaran, near modern Raipur. His parents settled at Varanasi. Vallabha was a child prodigy, whose education started at the age of seven under the teacher Vishnudatta. He mastered the Veda, Vedangas, Sat-Darshanas, Gita, Bhagavata and the Pancharatra.

THREE PILGRIMAGES

After his father's passing away when Vallabha was eleven, he undertook three Madhavendra Yati, an ascetic of Madhwa sect, pilgrimages of India over a period of 20 years, introduced him to the mysteries of Bhagavata covering southern, western and eastern parts. Purana and later helped him to establish a temple at Govardhana. Finally, he initiated him At the invitation of his maternal uncle, a high into Sannyasa. official, he visited Vijayanagara. The famous Vaishnava ruler, Krishnadevaraya honoured His second pilgrimage started when he was Vallabha with Kanakabhisekha, when he about 15 years old. He visited Vijayanagara, defeated a Vedantist leader in debate. Pandaripura, Gujarat, Vraja region, Badrinath and returned to Varanasi. At Pandaripura, he

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 21 22 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 received the divine command to marry and at Puri. Both of them accepted 'Bhagavata SRI VALLABHACHARYA become a householder. Accordingly, he married Purana' as the most important scripture and Sri (1473 - 1531 A.D.) Mahalakshmi, daughter of Devadutta in 1500 Krishna as the 'Purnavatara'. Vallabha A.D. Two sons – Gokulnatha and Vittalnatha advocated loving adoration of boy Krishna were born. Vittalnatha became a great scholar (Bala-Krishna) to devotees. Only to a limited and later consolidated the Sampradaya started number of devotees, he preached 'Madhura (PROPOUNDER OF SUDDHADVAITA – PUSHTI MARGA) by Vallabha. Bhava' or 'Sringara Bhakti' based on Radha Krishna leelas. Swami Krishnananda Between 1500 and 1502 A.D. while camping at Gokula, he got the divine call to found his new Vallabha's commentary on 'Brahma Sutras' is Sampradaya of 'Religion of Grace'. Vallabha known as 'Anu Bhashya'. His commentary on gave the name 'Brahma Sambandha' (union 'Bhagavata Purana' is known as 'Subodhini'. In with Brahman) to this relationship between God these commentaries, he has clearly explained and man. The initiating mantra was 'Sri Krishna the distinctive Vaishnava school of thought, Sharanam Mama' (Sri Krishna is my refuge). called 'Pushti Marga'. In it 'Atmanivedana' or surrender of one's self and everything to During this period, the manifestation of the Bhagavan Krishna by a ceremony called image of Govardhan Nathji out of a cave in Vraja 'Brahma Sambandha' is detailed. The mantra of was discovered. The image accepted food 'Sri Krishna Sharanam Mama' absolves one from offerings of Madhavendra Swami and Vallabha. all past sins. Now, the 'Pushti Jiva' is eligible for A big temple was built for 'Sri Nathji'. Later, due the superior Bhajanananda, by the service of to muslim invasion, it was transferred to Bhagavan Krishna, the 'Purna Purushottama'. Nathdvara near Udaipur. Sri Nathji holds the highest place in this Sampradaya. HIS SANNYASA AND SAMADHI

His third pilgrimage in central, western and After completing 52 years of householder's eastern India lasted for about 4 years. It was a life, he got the third divine call to renounce this missionary enterprise to establish the world and reach the divine abode. So, he took superiority of 'Pushti Marga'. He held many Sannyasa from Madhavendra Swami and 'Bhagavata Saptahas' and initiated many with assumed the name Purnananda. He left for the mantra 'Sri Krishna Sharanam Mama'. He Varanasi as a wanderer from Adel village where got the greatest response in Gujarat where he was settled. At Hanuman Ghat he gave the already the ground had been prepared by last message to his sons and devotees: 'Worship Narasimha Mehta (1414 - 1481 A.D.) by his Sri Krishna, the Lord of Gopis and he will give devotional songs on Lord Krishna. everything in this world and also other worlds'. Then, he plunged into the Ganga and MEETINGS WITH SRI KRISHNA disappeared. An effulgent light rose from that CHAITANYA spot and merged with the firmament.

The meetings with Sri Krishna Chaitanya took place in Ganga Sagar, Brindavan and Gokul. Finally, he had philosophical discussions

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 21 22 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 Book Review

Author : Swami Nikhilananda Published by : Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004. Pages : 152 Price :Rs. 35

original, Holy Mother, Vivekananda: A biography, Hinduism: Its meaning for Liberations of the Spirit.

The book under review is a compilation of five articles by the Swami with an Appendix of quotes from the Srimad Bhagwad Gita and few Upanisads.

he book under review Man in The first chapter titled Immortality is a Sparks of Wisdom search of Immortality by Swami text of the lecture given by the author in TNikhilananda, was originally Lancaster, Pennsylvania in October published in 1968 and then reprinted by 1964. The topic-Immortality has been Do all your duties with your mind always fixed on God. Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre New York addressed by the author by putting As for your parents and wife and children, serve them as in 1992. The extant edition published by forth the Advaita point of view of the if they were your own, but know in the inmost recesses Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, in Hindu scriptures – Srimad Bhagwad January 2009 is meant for circulation in of your heart that they are not really yours, unless they Gita and some of the Major Upanisads. India. The author, a monk of The chapter has been enriched by the too love the Lord. The Lord alone is really your own, and Ramakrishna Order has authored in the lucid presentation by the author by also those who love the Lord. past well read books such as referring the scriptures with dexterity. Translations of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, The Upanishads, The Bhagwad Gita, Self Knowledge, and in The second chapter titled Is Death the

10 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 25 End? – a time immemorial querry of the – Tat Twam Asi appearing in human mind, has been dealt with in the Chhandogya Upanisad. The topic of all context of Katha Upanisad, citing the pervasiveness (Sarva Vyapitwa) of the question raised by the inquist youth- Brahman and in-separable relation of Nachiketa to the God of Death – Yama. the Atman with it, dealtwith in the Sri Ramakrishna - Harmony Personified The Kathopanisad deals with the topic Upanisad has been accentuated by the of Immortality of Soul. The Vedantic author by quoting Sankaracharya's view of eternal and ephemeral, and Vivekanandamani (Verse 254 to 263). means to experience the Eternal and The fifth chapter is What is Man. At the Immortal within each of us appearing in outset the author deals with western this upanisad are explained. and theologians' concept of man as Surprisingly no slokas from this product of sin, then refers to a better upanisad are refered in the article either explanations as per thinking of Plato- in verbatium or translated. Socrates – soul beyond the physical gross body and thereafter puts forth the vedantic conept of Pancha-Kosha. The The third chapter. Three states of the chapter is aptly laced with Sthita-Prajna Soul reflects the wisdom of the Lakshana and Immortality of Soul- Mandukya Upanisad explained lucidly tracing back the line of thought to the in its Karika by Gowdpadacharya first chapter of the book Immortality (known to be Parama guru of Adi and to the title of the book—Man in Sankaracharya). A parable of Prajapati search of Immortality. and Indra & Virochana, appearing in Chhandogya Upanisad, is quoted to drive in the States of Awarness – The book, as claimed by the Publisher Awakened (Jagrita) Dream (Swapna) should be useful as an introductory and Deep Sleep (Susupti) and the book to the beginners. But to be Trascendental fourth state (Turiya) as qualified as a compendium as claimed, explained in the Mandukya Upanisad. it should contain references quoted in In this chapter also references to verbatium or transliteration thereof. scriptures in inverbatium or otherwise are not made.

Satish ShamRao Chowkulkar

The fourth chapter That Thou Art is focused on one of the four Mahavakyas

26 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 5 The Narmada Parikrama (Clockwise Circumambulation of River Narmada) K.K.VENKATRAMAN 10

Narmada, you have completed your Parikrama without any difficulty. You have thanked us for the hospitality extended to you. We consider ourselves very fortunate that Mother Narmada had given us an opportunity to serve Parikramavasis like you. On every grain, the name of the person who should consume that grain is written. The food you ate was your share. Please do visit our village. To reach our village, come by train from your place (I was in Arunachal Pradesh those days) and get down at ____ railway station. From there take Government / Private bus to ____ place. From there, bullock-carts are available. If you want to walk to our village ____ kms, please leave your bag in ____ shop in the bazaar and walk to our etters to and from the banks of Narmada village. We will send someone to collect your after the Parikrama bag. If you inform us in advance, we will receive L you at the railway station itself. "All the letters were full of love and affection as if they knew me After the completion of my Parikrama, I wrote to for a long time. I also felt that the letter is from all who had extended hospitality to me (about one who is very near and dear to me. 300 in number), informing them about the successful completion of my Parikrama and While on Parikrama I was keeping the pictures thanking them for their love and kind of Lord Iyyappa, Mother Narmada and the hospitality. Some of them replied to me. The photo of my parents with me. In the morning general contents of the replies ran like this. “I and evening I used to take the pictures and showed your letter to all the people. We are very photo out of my bag and do my prayer. At one glad to learn that by the grace of Mother place, one person became curious and enquired

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 27 28 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 29 28 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 29 30 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 31 about the picture of Lord Iyyappa. I told him that very happy. He never expected that I would the picture is that of Lord Iyyappa who was born keep my promise. He wrote a letter full of love of the holy union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and genuine feelings. and narrated the story. Then he requested me for Similarly, I sent the picture of Devi the picture. As I did not have an extra copy, I told Kanyakumari to a person who wanted the him that I needed the picture for my daily prayer picture on knowing that I belonged to a village and would send him a picture after completion near Kanyakumari. I received a similar letter of the Parikrama. I promptly sent him the from him too. picture of Lord Iyyappa as promised. He was (to be continued)

30 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 31 Our Heroes Swami Dayananda

mong the great company of remarkable The combination of these two words, usually so figures that will appear to the eye of divorced from each other in our conceptions, posterity at the head of the Indian seems to me the very definition of Dayananda. ARenascence, one stands out by himself with Dayananda seized on all that entered into him, peculiar and solitary distinctness, one unique in held it in himself, masterfully shaped it there his type as he is unique in his work. It is as if one into the form that he saw to be right and threw it were to walk for a long time amid a range of hills out again into the forms that he saw to be right. rising to a greater or lesser altitude, but all with That which strikes us in him as militant and sweeping contours, green-clad, aggressive, was a part of his flattering the eye even in their most strength of self-definition. bold and striking elevation. But He was not only plastic to the amidst them all, one hill stands great hand of Nature, but Ma. Nivedita Didi handing over the keys apart, piled up in sheer strength, a asserted his own right and power of the house to Mr. Kuppan mass of bare and puissant granite, to use Life and Nature as plastic with verdure on its summit, a material. We can imagine his soul solitary pine jutting out into the crying still to us with our blue, a great cascade of pure, insufficient spring of manhood vigorous and fertilizing water and action, "Be not content, O gushing out from its strength as a Indian, only to be infinitely and very fountain of life and health to grow vaguely, but see what God the valley. Such is the impression intends thee to be, determine in created on my mind by the light of His inspiration to Dayananda. what thou shalt grow. Seeing, hew that out of Here was one who did not infuse himself thyself, hew that out of Life. Be a thinker, but be informally into the indeterminate soul of things, also a doer; be a soul, but be also a man; be a Ma. Nivedita Didi interacting with the servant of God, but be also a master of Nature!" but stamped his figure indelibly as in bronze on villagers of Kovalam. men and things. Here was one who knew For this was what he himself was; a man with definitely and clearly the work he was sent to do, God in his soul, vision in his eyes and power in chose his materials, determined his conditions his hands to hew out of life an image according with a sovereign clairvoyance of the spirit and to his vision. Hew is the right word. Granite executed his conception with the puissant himself, he smote out a shape of things with mastery of the born worker. As I regard the great blows as in granite. figure of this formidable artisan in God's May his spirit act in India pure, unspoilt, workshop, images crowd on me which are all of unmodified and help to give us back that of battle and work and conquest and triumphant which our life stands especially in need, pure labour. Here, I say to myself, was a very soldier energy, high clearness, the penetrating eye, the of Light, a warrior in God's world, a sculptor of masterful hand, the noble and dominant men and institutions, a bold and rugged victor of sincerity. the difficulties which matter presents to spirit. And the whole sums itself up to me in a Excerpts from “Dayananda – The man and A beaming Mr. Kuppan with the office-bearers powerful impression of spiritual practicality. his works” by Sri Aurobindo of Vivekananda Kendra in his New House

32 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 35 VIVEKANANDA KENDRA Sparks of Wisdom SAMACHAR

A rich man’s maid-servant will do all her duties, but her thoughts are always set upon her own home. Her master’s house is not hers. She will, indeed, nurse her master’s children as if they were her

West are waking up to the fact of family virtues own, saying often; ‘My own and its influence on the productivity of the people. Rama,’ ‘My own Hari.’ But all

R T NAGAR (BENGALURU) the while she knows full well

CHENNAI * On 24th and 25th December two days the children are not hers. orientation programme was organized for the The National Youth Day – Swami Vivekananda Karyakarthas of Karnataka in which 25 people Jayanthi was celebrated with a talk on “Family attended. and Children – the Foundation of Society”. The guest speaker was Shri Nagai Mukundan, a * On 27th December one-day youth camp was renowned orator. He spoke about the value, organized for the 48 college students. strength and structure of family then, now and hereafter with bright insights from the * The 146th Jayanthi of Swami Vivekananda and Ramayana. Susri Nivedita didi, Vice-President, Culmination of Samartha Bharat Parva were Vivekananda Kendra, presided over the event celebrated on 16th January. Around 400 people attended by 150 people. She gave a brief view of attended to listen the renowned orator of the period when Vivekananda Kendra was Karnataka, Shri Chakravarty Sulibele, Vice- founded. She stressed on the need to uphold President of Samskar Bharati, Karnataka, who family values and how even the states of the was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Shri

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 33 34 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 VIVEKANANDA KENDRA Bhanudasji, General Secretary of Vivekananda Kendra was the Chief Guest and Swami Sparks of Wisdom SAMACHAR Gangadharanji presided over the function. Shri Chakravartyji in his scintillating and inspiring speech called upon the audience to come out of the homes and engaged themselves A rich man’s maid-servant will in the service of the poor, fallen and neglected mass. Children of Vivekananda Kendra do all her duties, but her Vidyalaya, Kallubalu, Jigani and children of Nataraj Natyalaya, enthralled the audience by thoughts are always set upon their beautiful dance programmes. her own home. Her master’s MANGALORE

* One month Yoga satra for 10 executives from house is not hers. She will, Tata Group of Hotels and Pranayama satra for 13 mothers from our samskara varga students, indeed, nurse her master’s were conducted in December. children as if they were her * Sri Mohan Kumar Kumblekar gave a talk on Jagrata Parivar-Jagrata Bharat. own, saying often; ‘My own * Sri Chandrahas, a well-wisher presided over the function of Samartha Bharat Parva. Rama,’ ‘My own Hari.’ But all

* There was an inter-school cultural meet for 212 the while she knows full well students from 16 schools. the children are not hers. GWALIOR

Sri Mukul Kanitkar, Sri Umashankar Pachori, Sri Suresh Sharma and Sri Govind Gandhe delivered talks on the Role of a Family in National Security at four different places on the occasion of Gita Jayanthi held in December.

YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 33 34 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 A smile at last…

For many in the coastal areas of Tamilnadu, life changed once for all on December 26, 2004 due to the devastating tsunami. Aid flowed from around the globe, but some were still left in the lurch. Vivekananda Kendra took up the task of helping these distressed people who couldn't get any relief. Many lost their houses and got them rebuilt when the relief, but there were some unfortunate ones who were living in hutments or not even having a proper place to Ma. Nivedita Didi handing over the keys live even before the tsunami. Such people, due to of the house to Mr. Kuppan this reason, couldn't get any relief. The task of identifying such families was entrusted to Coastal and Rural Development Trust – an NGO situated and working in and around Kovalam, Kanchipuram District, Tamilnadu. A total of 12 families were identified. Vivekananda Kendra embarked on the project of building a house for each of these families in 2008. The first house was completed and the key to the house was handed over to the beneficiaries Mr. Kuppan Ma. Nivedita Didi interacting with the and his family by Mananeeya Nivedita Bhide, villagers of Kovalam. the Vice-President of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari in a function held at Kovalam in October 2008. Other identified beneficiaries also participated in the program among the 200 people that attended.

Excerpts from “Dayananda – The man and A beaming Mr. Kuppan with the office-bearers his works” by Sri Aurobindo of Vivekananda Kendra in his New House

32 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 35 Man-Making Nation-Building YUVA BHARATI Voice of Youth CONTENTS

Vol.36 No.7 Magha-Phalgun 5110 February 2009 Editorial 5

36 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 YUVA BHARATI - FEBRUARY 2009 3