Issue 38

January 2017

ReachReach Newsletter of the Centres of Australia

SAYINGS AND TEACHINGS IN THIS ISSUE

 News from Australian Sri : On Renunciation through Discrimination Centres

‚ cannot be seen so long as there is the slightest taint of desire.  Adelaide Therefore have your minor desires satisfied, and renounce the  Brisbane major ones through right reasoning and discrimination.‛  Canberra Source: Great Sayings: Words of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada and ;  Melbourne (: The Institute of Culture, 2013), 19.  Perth  Sydney

Sri : On Control of the Mind ‚My child, this mind is just like a wild elephant. It races with the 2. Articles wind. Therefore one should discriminate all the time. One should work hard for the realization of God.‛ A. Feature Article — Sri - on the Manifestation of Source: Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother (Madras: Sri , 1982), 28 Śakti the Divine Power

B. Direct Disciples — The Legacy Swami Vivekananda: On Concentration of Swami Vivekananda ‚Concentration of the powers of the mind is our only instrument to help us see God. If you know one (your own), you know all , past, present and to come. The will concentrates the mind; certain things excite and control the will, such as reason, love, devotion, breathing etc. The concentrated mind is a lamp that shows us every corner of the soul.‛ Source: Teachings of Swami Vivekananda (Kolkata: Advaita , 2006), 43.

e welcome you all to the Vedanta Movement in Australia, as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and invite you to involve yourselves and actively participate in the propa-

W gation of the Universal Message of Vedanta. Reach 1. NEWS FROM AUSTRALIAN CENTRES — 15 AUGUST TO 31 DECEMBER 2016

ADELAIDE  Swami Yogatmananda, Minister in Charge, Vedanta Society of Providence, USA, visited 506 Glynburn Road, Burnside, SA 5066 the Centre on Sunday, 6 November 2016. He Email: [email protected] delivered a discourse on Means of Devotion and Contact: Dr Raman Sharma on (08) 8431 9775 interacted with the local devotees. Mrs Pathma Iswaran on (08) 8379 5336  Swami Suhitananda, General Secretary, Rama- URL: http://vedantaadelaide.org krishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, , West , India, visited the Centre Daily Activities: from 27-30 November 2016. A reception was  The Centre is open every evening from 6:45pm held on Sunday, 27 November from 7:45pm. for aratrikam starting at 7:00pm which is un- He delivered a lecture and interacted with the dertaken by the local devotees. local devotees.

Regular Activities: BRISBANE  Swami Sridharananda visited the Centre and delivered discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad 12 Greenwood Street, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300 Gitā for three days in September and October respectively. A dedicated group of devotees Email: [email protected] attended his talks, which are recorded. Contact: Swami Atmeshananda (07) 3818 9986  Reading of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, in- URL: http://vedantabrisbane.org cluding discussion on relevant points, was held on the first and third Sunday of the Daily Activities: month.  Meditation and the chanting of hymns were  Some devotees have been providing commu- conducted between 6.15 am and 7.15 am. nity based support for meeting the educational  Vesper service (aratrikam), , and readings needs of children from under-privileged back- from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were held grounds on a weekly basis at the Centre. between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  Members were encouraged to visit the Centre Other Activities: and discuss topics concerning spiritual life.  The Annual General Meeting of the Adelaide Chapter was held on Saturday, 10 September Regular Activities: 2016, from 2:00pm at 506 Glynburn Road  Sunday mornings:- a) class (8:30am—9:45 Burnside SA 5066. am). b) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā Class (10:00 am— 11:00 am). (c) Bala Sangha or children’s classes (10:00 am—11:00 am).  A discussion group met on the first Monday of the month at Sunnybank Hills (7:00 pm — 8:30 pm).  classes were held every Tuesday in the evening (6:00 pm — 7:00 pm).  Religious classes were held every Wednesday at West End Primary School for children (3:00 pm — 4:00 pm). Swami Yogatmananda, Swami Sunishthananda and  Classes on Meditation and Spiritual Life (7:00 pm devotees from the Adelaide Chapter

Page 2 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach — 8:00 pm at 134 Fleming Rd, Chapel Hill, QLD 4069) and the (7:15 pm — 8:15 pm) were held on alternate Fridays.  Chanting of the Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was held fortnightly at the Centre on ekadashi days (7:30 pm — 8:15 pm).  Prayer meeting (satsangs) were held on the first Saturday of every month.  Devotees took turns in decorating and worshipping Sri Ramakrishna's image every week at the Sri Selva Vinayakar temple, South Maclean, Qld.  Swami Atmeshananda conducted Vivekachuda- His Excellency and Honourable Mr. Paul de Jersey, mani classes at Toowoomba on the first Thursday of every month. Governor of Queensland with Swami Atmeshananda, Maha Sinnathamby and others

Other Activities:  Swami Atmeshananda was invited to the  Swami Atmeshananda participated in the Aus- Government House, Queensland, where the tralian National Hindu Conference– ‘United Governor, His Excellency and Honourable Mr. Communities, United Australia’ and delivered Paul de Jersey and Mrs Kaye de Jersey hosted the inaugural message on 27 August 2016. a reception for the Springfield community on  Swami Atmeshananda on 28 August 2016 vis- 10 November 2016. The Governor addressed ited Townsville and inaugurated a newly pur- the guests and commended the efforts for cre- chased community hall managed by the ating an excellent community in Springfield. Northern Queensland Hindu Council.  A reception in honour of Swami Suhitanan-  The Annual Day Retreat of the Centre was daji, the General Secretary of the Ramakrishna conducted by Swami Sridharananda at the Math and Ramakrishna Mission, was held on 7 residence of Dr and Mrs. Majumdar on 3 Sep- December 2016. The General Secretary ad- tember 2016. Sixty devotees participated. dressed the gathering. One hundred and sixty  Swami Atmeshananda participated in the in- people attended the event. augural multi- prayer session on the occa- sion of the new session of the Queensland par- liament at the Parliament house, Brisbane, on 11 September 2016.  Swami Yogatmananda, Minister in charge, Ve- danta Society of Providence, RI, USA, visited Brisbane between 7 and 9 November 2016. He addressed the devotees in Brisbane on two separate occasions.

Swami Sridharananda, Swami Suhitananda and others in Brisbane

 Swami Atmeshananda conducted a spiritual retreat for members of the Overseas Hindu Malayali Association at Bribie island, Qld, on 17 December 2016.

Swami Yogatmananda in Brisbane

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 3 Reach Celebrations: and prasad distribution on 20 December 2016  Janmashtami was celebrated on 25 August 2016 between 9:30 am and 1:00 pm. . between 6:30 pm and 8:00 pm with worship,  Christmas Eve was celebrated with worship, pushpanjali, bhajans and a talk on Sri Krishna's singing of carols, readings from the Bible and birth. partaking of the offerings.  Children of Bala Sangha celebrated Janmashtami at the ashrama on 28 August 2016 from 10:00 Forthcoming Programmes: am to 11:00 am. with bhajans, narrations from  The public celebration of Holy Mother’s, Sri the life of Sri Krishna and offerings to Sri Sarada Devi's birthday and will Krishna be celebrated on 1 January 2017 at In-  Sri Saptashati (Chandi) was chanted dooroopilly Senior Citizens’ Club, In- every day during celebrations in the dooroopilly, Qld. . mornings and Mahishamardini stotram was  The birthday celebration of Swami Vivekan- sung every evening between 2 October to 10 anda will be observed on 19 January 2017. October 2016. Devotees participated in this  Shivaratri will be conducted on 24 Febru- daily event. ary 2017 with the chanting of hymns, bhajans  The Ashtami (8th day) puja of the Divine and prasad distribution . Mother Durga was performed at the  The birthday celebration of Sri Ramakrishna, Toowoong senior citizens' club on 9 October will be held on 28 February 2017.

Other News  The construction of the ashrama building at Springfield lakes will start by mid-2017. De- tailed drawings for obtaining the building ap- proval are nearing completion. Preparations for tenders is expected in mid-January 2017.

CANBERRA

17 Bean Crescent, Mckellar, ACT 2617

The Worship of the Divine Mother Durga Email: [email protected] Contact: Mr Jaishankar Venkataraman 62587612 / 0433 593 860

Regular Activities:  Swami Sridharananda conducted monthly classes on the Srimad at the Bel- connen Community Centre, 2 Chandler Street, Belconnen, Canberra. The regular monthly talks will commence in January for the 2017 calendar year.

MELBOURNE Worship of Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi 5-7 Angus Ave, Ringwood East, VIC 3135

2016. Around 150 devotees participated. Email: [email protected]  The birthday of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi Contact: Mr Suresh Ravinutala 0413 040 599 was celebrated with worship, homam, bhajans

Page 4 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach Daily Activities: PERTH  Vesper service (aratrikam) and reading from 51 Golf View Street, Yokine, WA 6060 The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were conducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Email: [email protected] Contact: Hiren Mukhopadyay 0411 478 244 Parthiv Parekh 0430 511 699 Regular Activities:

 Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver monthly discourses on the Srimad Bhagavad- Daily Activities: Gita at the Centre from the Thursday to the  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, reading Saturday of a prescheduled week from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are con- Celebrations: ducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  Janmastami was observed on 28 August 2016 from 10 am to 12 noon. The function included Regular Activities: bhajans, chanting and a reading.  Satsangs were conducted on the first Sunday of  was commemorated on 15 October every month. The programme included chant- 2016. A large number of devotees and friends ing, Gita dhyanam, bhajans, readings and prasad attended the function. The programme in- distribution. cluded formal worship which was conducted  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver by Br. Sridhar and Br. Swatmachaitanya. Vedic monthly discourses on the Srimad Bhagavad- chanting and bhajans were part of the function. Gitā. Swami Sridharananda gave a talk entitled 'Divine Mother'. The programme was followed Other Activities: by prasad distribution.  Holy Mother’s birthday and Christmas Eve  Swami Suhitananda, General Secretary, Rama- were celebrated on 24 December 2016 from krishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, vis- 5pm to 9pm. ited the Perth chapter between 23 November and 26 November 2016. He was warmly wel-

comed by Swami Sridharananda and others Other Activities: and garlanded by Dr Amrithalingam Sinna-  Swami Yogatmananda visited the Melbourne thamby. On Saturday, 25 November the Gen- chapter from 4 to 6 November 2016. On 5 No- eral Secretary delivered an informative dis- vember 2016 he delivered a lecture on ‘Work course on the various centres of the Rama- and its Secret’. A large number of devotees krishna Mission. also participated in the question and answer  A working bee session was held once a month. session, which was followed by prasad.

 A public reception was organized to welcome Swami Suhitananda to Melbourne on 3 De- cember 2016. A large number of devotees and friends attended the function, many of whom interacted with him. While he was in Mel- bourne between 30 November and 3 December he also visited a number of places of interest.

Forthcoming Programmes: Swamis Sridharananda, Suhitananda and others at the  Kalpataru day will be observed on 1 January Perth Chapter 2017 from 5 pm to 9 pm.

 Swami Vivekananda’s birthday will be cele-

brated on 21 January 2017.

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 5 Reach Celebrations:  A Class for Ladies was held every Monday be-  Devotees of the Perth Chapter hosted a prayer tween 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. Swami Sun- meeting to commemorate Holy Mother’s birthday ishthananda initiated discussion on Meditation and Christmas on 24 December 2016 for 11:00 am. and Spiritual Life and the . The devotees sang bhajans to celebrate Holy  Bala sangha classes which include moral and Mother and Christmas carols to commemorate the spiritual lessons, drama and movement were birth of Jesus Christ. After the singing of religious conducted for children every Saturday be- hymns, devotees read from the lives of Holy tween 4.45 pm and 6.45 pm during the school Mother and Jesus Christ. term.  Meditation sessions were conducted by Swami Sunishthananda on Sundays between 5.00 pm and 5.30 pm.  Classes on ’s Yoga were con- ducted by Swami Sunishthananda on Sundays between 5.30 pm and 6.15 pm.  Parlour talks were conducted by Swami Srid- harananda at 1/98 Condamine Street, Balgow- lah, NSW 2093, near Manly Beach on Tuesdays between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm.  Classes on the Katha Upanishad were con- ducted by Swami Sunishthananda every The Shrine at the Perth Chapter Wednesday between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm.  Classes on the Narada Sutras were con- ducted by Swami Sunishthananda every Fri- YDNEY S day between 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm.

2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115  Sri Rāmanāma Sankirtanam was conducted on

ekadashi days after the vesper service. 144A Marsden Road, Ermington, NSW 2115 (Entry)  Sanatan Satsang Sabha sang Ram Katha, once Email: [email protected] every month from September 2016. Contact: 02 8197 7351  Devotees also received spiritual counselling URL: www.vedantaaustralia.org and guidance.

Daily Activities: Other Activities:  The shrine was open from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm  Dr Geoff Lee, State MP for Parramatta, while and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm seven days a week. moving a motion in NSW Parliament to recog-  Meditation from 6:30 am to 7:30 am and chant- nize the importance of Indian Independence ing from 7:30 am to 8:00 am. Day, mentioned to the members of the Legisla-  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and read- tive Assembly the Vedanta Centre of Sydney, ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were its office bearers, and its activities along with conducted from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The times some other organizations. The proceedings are change on special occasions. recorded in the NSW Legislative Assembly  Counselling, interviews and discussions are Hansard and Papers of 25 August 2016. also held.  Sanatan Satsang Sabha sang bhajans in honour of Sri Krishna on 23 and 24 August 2016 from Regular Activities: 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm in preparation for .  Swami Sridharananda conducted his chapter-  wise study of the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā on Sun- Sangeetha Group sang Navaratri bhajans at the days between 9.30 am and 10.30 am. VCS on 4 and 8 October 2016.

Page 6 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach

 Adult Learners' Week was observed at the 14 September 2016. Sonam’s Sufi Gospel Pro- VCS on 7 September 2016 with a half day ject’ attempts to blend the many voices of faith, Seminar on 'Learning Towards a Qualitative through poetry, prayer and music to create one Improvement of Human Personality'. The universal voice. That universal voice is one of Adult Learners’ Week is run every year by acceptance, equality and oneness. The Vedanta Adult Learning Australia and the Common- Centre of Sydney thanks Sonam and the mem- wealth Department of Education and Training bers of her troupe, the organizers of Conflu- to encourage lifelong learning. Australia’s par- ence and Geeta Kirpalani for orchestrating the ticipation in the Adult Learners’ Week began concert. Approximately hundred people at- in 1997 after it signed the Hamburg Declara- tended.  The 5th International Conference on Yoga: Sci- ence of Infinite Possibilities was held from 1-3 October 2016 at the Western Sydney Univer- sity, Parramatta South Campus.  Swami Yogatmananda, Minister in Charge, Vedanta Society of Providence visited Austra- lia from 1 to 10 November 2016. On 2 Novem- ber he delivered a discourse at the VCS on ‘Measuring Spiritual Progress’.

Group Discussion during the Adult Learners’ Week, 7 September 2016

tion on Adult Learning. The UNESCO’s Gen- eral Conference in November 1999 approved the International Adult Learners’ Week, in or- der to, among other things, learn from the ex- perience of other countries and cultures. While the general theme of the Adult Learners’ Week is lifelong learning, the particular theme of this Swami Yogatmananda at the VCS on 10 November 2016 year’s (2016) Adult Learners’ week is ‘Learn Outside the Square’. Swamis Sridharananda,  The General Secretary of the Ramakrishna Sunishthananda and Mahabodhananda pre- Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Suhi- sented at the seminar. There were 41 people tananda, on his first visit to Australia, stayed who attended. at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney from 3 De-  Sonam Kalra, who was in Australia as part of cember to 7 December 2016. On Sunday, 4 De- Confluence: Festival of India in Australia, performed at the Vedanta Centre of Sydney on

(L to R) Mrs K. Ramakrishna, Sw. Suhitananda, Sw. Sonam Kalra and the Sufi Gospel Project perform at the Sridharananda and Mr. B. Ramakrishna VCS on 14 September 2016

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 7 Reach cember he delivered a discourse at the VCS when 200 people attended. On Monday 5 De- cember he visited the Koala Park in Castle Hills and Blue Mountains, on 6 December the Nan Tien Buddhist temple and on Wednesday 7 December went on a harbour cruse.

Celebrations:  Krishna Janmashtami was celebrated at the VCS on 25 August 2016. The programme began at Sri Sri Durga Puja at the VCS on 9 October 2016 6:15 pm and ended at 9:30 pm and included aratrikam and bhajans by Sanatan Satsang  The birth anniversary of the Holy Mother, Sri Sabha. There were 130 who attended the pro- Sarada Devi, was observed on 20 December gramme and partook of prasad. 2016. The puja began at 8:45 am with and pushpanjali. There were 120 people who had prasad after the worship. The evening aratrikam was followed by a recital by Ms. Lak- shmi Abhisek, a talk by Swami Sridharananda and prasad distribution. There were about 200 people who had prasad in the evening.

Krishna Janmastami at the VCS on 25 August 2016

 Sri Sri Durga Puja was celebrated on 9 October Ms. Abhisek during Holy Mother’s Birth Anni- 2016 at the VCS. The puja commenced at 8:45 versary at the VCS am and ended with lunch prasad. The evening programme included from 5:30pm  Christmas Eve was celebrated at the VCS on 24 to 6:30 pm, followed by aratrikam, by the December 2016. The evening aratrikam was members of the Bala Sangha and a musical followed by the worship of Christ and carols programme on Mother Durga by the Temple followed by a talk on Christ. Approximately of Arts called ‘Anandamayee’. There were one eighty people attended. thousand five hundred people who attended in the morning and evening. Forthcoming Programme:  Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary will be celebrated on 19 January 2017.  Shivaratri will be observed on 24 February 2017.  Sri Ramakrishna’s birth anniversary will be celebrated on 28 February 2017.

Sri Sri Durga Puja at the VCS on 9 October 2016

Page 8 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach 2. ARTICLES

A. FEATURE ARTICLE:

Sri Ramakrishna on the Manifestation of Śakti the Divine Power

he period of October has been observed as the most auspicious for the propitiation of the Divine Mother through the festivals of Navaratri and . These auspicious periods serve as a fitting context to give T attention to Sri Ramakrishna’s own propitiation of the Divine Mother. This is made evident through spe- cific occasions that have been graced by Sri Ramakrishna as well as through his exchanges with devotees. Underpinning Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual is his devotion and surrender to the Divine Mother in the form of Kāli. He became gradually enmeshed in the web of Her all-pervading presence. To the ignorant, She is, to be sure, the image of destruction but, strangely enough, Ramakrishna felt in Her breath the soothing touch of ten- der love and saw in Her the Seed of Immortality. Sri Ramakrishna referred to this Universal Mother as ‘My Mother’. Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings on the manifestation of Śakti as the Divine Power have been drawn from specific conversations the Master had shared with devotees, which were recorded by , other- wise referred to as M. Mahendranath Gupta arrived at Dakshineswar in February 1882. He belonged to the Brāhmo Samāj and was headmaster of the Vidyāsāgar High School at Syāmbāzār in Calcutta. Mahendranath re- corded in his diary, Sri Ramakrishna’s conversations with devotees. These are the first directly recorded words of Sri Ramakrishna which were originally published in Bengali. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is a translation of this.

October 27, 1882 rushed to the railing to have a view of Sri Ramakrishna. Ke- It was Friday, the day of the shab became anxious to get him Lakshmi Puja; Keshab Chandra safely on board. With great dif- Sen had arranged a boat trip on ficulty the Master was brought the for Sri Ramakrishna. back to consciousness of the About four o’ clock in the after- world and taken to a cabin in noon the steamboat with Ke- the steamer. Inside the cabin shab and his Brāhmo followers there were a few chairs and a cast anchor in the Ganges along- table. He was made to sit on one side the Kāli temple at Dakshi- of the chairs, Keshab and Vijay neswar. The passengers saw in occupying the others. Some front of them the bathing – ghāt devotees were also seated, most and the chāndni. To their left, in of them on the floor, while the temple compound, stood six many others had to stand out- temples of Śiva, and to their sky was reflected in the brown side. They peered eagerly right another group of six Śiva water of the river, the sacred through the door and windows. temples. The white steeple of Ganges, associated with the Sri Ramakrishna again went the Kāli temple, the treetops of most traditions of Āryan civili- into deep and became the Panchavati, and the silhou- sation. The outer world ap- totally unconscious of the outer ette of pine trees stood high peared soft and serene, and the world. The Brahmo devotees against the blue autumn sky. hearts of the Brāhmo devotees looked wistfully at the Master. The gardens between the two were filled with peace. A small Gradually he came back to nahabats were filled with fra- boat carried Sri Ramakrishna to sense consciousness, but the di- grant flowers, and along the the steamer. M. was among the vine intoxication still lingered. banks of the Ganges were rows passengers. As the boat came He said to himself in a whisper, of flowering plants. The blue alongside the steamer, all ‚Mother, why have You

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 9 Reach indifferent to all this. Spell- whiteness, and again, you can- bound, they looked on a great not think of the whiteness with- , his eyes sparkling with joy out the milk. -a man who had renounced all Thus one cannot think of Brah- for God and who knew nothing man without Śakti, or of Śakti but God. Unceasing words of without . One cannot wisdom flowed form his lips. think of the Absolute without The Master stated thus: the Relative, or of the Relative without the Absolute. The jnānis who adhere to the non-dualistic philosophy of Ve- The Primordial Power is ever at dānta, say that the acts of crea- play. She is creating, preserving, tion, preservation, and destruc- and destroying in play, as it tion, the universe itself and all were. This Power is called Kāli. its living beings, are the mani- Kāli is verily Brahman, and festations of Śakti, the Divine Brahman is verily Kāli. It is one Power [otherwise known as and the same Reality. When we Keshab Chandra Sen Maya in the Vedānta Philoso- think of It as inactive, that is to phy]. If you reason it out, you say, not engaged in the acts of brought me here? They are will realise that all these are as creation, preservation, and de- hedged around and not free. illusory as a dream. Brahman struction, then we call It Brah- Can I free them?‛ alone is the Reality, and all else man. But when It engages in is unreal. Even this very Śakti is these activities, then we call It Sri Ramakrishna was gradually unsubstantial, like a dream. Kāli or Śakti. The Reality is one becoming conscious of the out- and the same; the difference is side world and continued thus But even though you reason all in name and form. to engage with the devotees. your life, unless you are estab- The Master stated, ‚But you lished in Samādhi, you cannot It is like water, called in differ- should remember that the heart go beyond the jurisdiction of ent languages by different of the devotee is the abode of Śakti. Even when you say, ‘I am names, such as ‘pani’, ‘jal’, and God. He dwells, no doubt, in all meditating’, or ‘I am contem- so forth. There are three or four beings, but he especially mani- plating’, still you are moving in ghāts on a lake. The fests Himself in the heart of the the realm of Śakti, within Its who drink water at one place, devotee. A landlord may at one power. call it ‘jal’. The Mussalmān at another place call it ‘pani’. And time or another visit all parts of Thus Brahman and Śakti are the English at the third place his estate, but people say he is identical. If you accept the one, call it ‘water’. All three denote generally to be found in a par- you must accept the other. It is one and the same thing, the dif- ticular drawing-room. The heart like fire and its power to burn. If ference being in the name only. of the devotee is the drawing you see the fire, you must recog- In the same way, some address room of God.‛ The steamer had nise its power to burn also. You Reality as ‘Allāh’, some s ‘God’, been going toward Calcutta; but cannot think of fire without its some as ‘Brahman’, some as the passengers, with their eyes power to burn, nor can you Kāli, and others by such names fixed on the Master and their think of the power to burn with- as ‘Rāma’, ‘Jesus’, ‘Durga’, ears given to his nectar-like out fire. You cannot conceive of ‘’. words, were oblivious of its mo- the sun’s rays without the sun, tions. Dakshineswar, with its nor can you conceive of the sun Keshab henceforth posed a temples and gardens, was left without its rays. question to Sri Ramakrishna to behind. The paddles of the boat describe how many ways Kāli, What is milk like? Oh, you say, churned the waters of the the Divine Mother, sports in this it is something white. You can- Ganges with a murmuring world. Sri Ramakrishna re- not think of the milk without its sound. But the devotees were sponded thus:

Page 10 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach

waist is a girdle made of human hands. After the destruction of the uni- verse, at the end of a great cycle, the Divine Mother garners the seeds for the next creation. She is like the elderly mistress of the house, who has a hotchpotch- pot in which she keeps different articles for household use. House wives have pots like that, where they keep ‘sea-foam’, blue pills, small bundles of seeds of cucumber, pumpkin and gourd, and so on. They take them out when they want them. Oh. She plays in different ways. Bhavatarini Kali In the same way, after the de- It is She alone who is known as struction of the universe, my Mahā- Kāli, Nitya- Kāli, Śma- Is Kāli, my Mother, really black? Divine Mother, the Embodiment śāna-Kali, Rakshā- Kāli, and The Naked One, of blackest hue, of Brahman, gathers together Syāmā- Kāli. Mahā- Kāli and the seeds for the next creation. Lights the Lotus of the heart< Rakshā- Kāli are mentioned in After the creation the Primal the philosophy. When The Master continued thus: Power dwells in the universe there were neither the creation, itself. She brings forth this phe- Bondage and liberation are both nor the sun, the moon, the plan- nomenal world and then per- of Her making. By Her Māyā ets, and the earth, and when vades it. In the creation is worldly people become entan- darkness was enveloped in likened to the spider and its gled in ‘woman and gold’, and darkness, then the Mother, the web. The spider brings the web again, through Her grace, they Formless One, Mahā- Kāli, the out of itself and then remains in attain liberation. She is called Great Power, was one with it. God is the container of the the Saviour, and the Remover of Mahā- Kāli, the Absolute. universe and also what is con- the bondage that binds one to Syāmā- Kāli has a somewhat tained in it. the world. tender aspect and is worshipped Is Kāli, my Divine Mother, of a Thus the Master sang the fol- in the Hindu households. She is black complexion? She appears lowing song in his melodious the dispenser of boons and the black because She is viewed voice: Dispeller of fear. People wor- from a distance; but when inti- In the world’s busy market ship Rakshā- Kāli, the Protec- mately known She is no longer place, O Syāmā, Thou art flying tress, in times of epidemic, fam- so. The sky appears blue at a kites; ine, earthquake, drought, and distance; but look at it close by flood. Śmaśāna-Kali is the em- High up they soar on the wind and you will find that it has no bodiment of the power of de- of hope, held fast by Māyā’s colour. The water of the ocean struction. She resides in the cre- strings. looks blue at a distance, but mation ground, surrounded by when you go near and take it in Their frames are human skele- corpses, jackals, and terrible fe- your hand, you find that it is tons, their sails of the three male spirits. From Her mouth colourless. gunas made; flows a stream of blood, from Her neck hangs a garland of hu- The Master became intoxicated But all their curious workman- man heads, and around Her with divine love and sang thus: ship is merely for ornament.

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 11 Reach ated beings. In a game of hide- Out of Thine own gifts I should and-seek the running about have given to Thee. soon stops if in the beginning all Glory and shame, bitter and the players touch the ‘granny’. If sweet, are Thine alone; all touch her, then how can the game go on? That displeases This world is nothing but Thy her. Her pleasure is in continu- play. ing the game. Therefore the poet Then why, O Blissful One, dost said, ‘Out of a hundred thou- Thou cause a rift in it? sand kites, at best but one or Say Rāmprasād: Thou hast be- two break free; and Thou dost stowed on me this mind, laugh and clap Thy hands, O Mother, watching them!’ It is as And with a knowing wink of if the Divine Mother said to the Thine eye Upon the kite-strings Thou hast human mind in confidence, with Bidden it, at the same time, to rubbed the mānjā-paste of a sign from Her eye, ‘Go and go and enjoy the world. worldliness enjoy the world’. How can one blame the mind? The mind can And so I wander here forlorn So as to make each straining disentangle itself from worldli- through Thy creation, strand all the more sharp and ness if, through her Grace, She strong. Blasted, as it were, by someone’s makes it turn towards Herself. evil glance, Out of a hundred thousand Only then does it become de- kites, at best but one or two voted to the Lotus Feet of the Taking the bitter for the sweet, break free; and Thou dost laugh Divine Mother. Taking the unreal for the Real. and clap Thy hands, O Mother, Whereupon Sri Ramakrishna, watching them! The Master continued that men taking upon himself, as it were, are deluded through Her Māyā On favouring winds, says Rām- the agonies of all householders, and have thus become attached prasād, the kites set loose will sang a song complaining to the to the world. speedily Divine Mother: A Brahmo devotee posed a Be borne away to the Infinite, Mother, this is the grief that question to Sri Ramakrishna across the sea of the world. sorely grieves my heart about whether we can still real- Sri Ramakrishna continued: That even with Thee for Mother, ise God without complete re- nunciation. Sri Ramakrishna The Divine Mother is always and thou I am wide awake, advised thus: playful and sportive. This uni- There should be robbery in my verse is Her play. She is self- house. Of course you can! Why should willed and must always have you renounce everything? You Many and many a time I vow to Her own way. She is full of are all right as you are, follow- call on Thee, bliss. She gives freedom to one ing the middle path-like molas- out of a hundred thousand. Yet when the time for prayer ses partly solid and partly liq- comes round, I have forgotten. uid

Page 12 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach It is all a question of the mind. me? If bitten by a snake, a man Thee. Bondage and liberation are of may get rid of its venom by say- Sri Ramakrishna then sang a the mind alone. The mind will ing emphatically, ‘There is no song by Rāmprasād: take the colour you dye it with. poison in me.’ In the same way, It is like white clothes just re- by repeating with grit and de- Come, let us go for a walk, O turned from the laundry. If you termination, ‘I am not bound, I mind, to Kāli, the wish-fulfilling dip them in red dye they will be am free’, one really becomes so, tree, red. If you dip them in blue or one really becomes free. And there beneath It gather the green, they will be blue or Once someone gave me a book four fruits of life. green. They will take only the for Christmas. I asked him to Of your two wives, Dispassion colour you dip them in, what- read it to me. It talked about and worldliness, ever it may be. Haven’t you no- nothing but sin. One should ticed that, if you read a little Bring along Dispassion only, on have such burning faith in God English, you at once begin to your way to the tree, that one can say, ‘What? I have utter English words? Then you repeated the name of God, and And ask Her son Discrimination put on boots and whistle a tune, can sin still cling to me? How about the Truth and so on. It all goes together. can I be a sinner any more? Or, if a scholar studies Sanskrit, When will you learn to lie, O How can I be in bondage any- he will at once rattle off Sanskrit mind, in the abode of blessed- more? If a man repeats the name verses. If you are in bad com- ness, of God, his mind, body and eve- pany, then you will talk and rything become pure. With cleanliness and defilement think like your companions. On on either side of you? the other hand, when you are in Sri Ramakrishna became intoxi- the company of devotees, you cated with divine love and sang: Only when you have found the way will think and talk only of God. If only I can pass away repeat- The mind is everything. A man ing Durgā’s name, To keep these wives contentedly under a single roof, has his wife on one side and his How canst Thou then, O Blessed daughter on the other. He One, Will you behold the matchless shows his affection to them in form of Mother Syāmā. Withhold from me deliverance, different ways. But his mind is Ego and Ignorance, your par- one and the same. Wretched though I may be?... ents, instantly banish from your Then Sri Ramakrishna said: sight; To my Divine Mother I prayed And should Delusion seek to only for pure love. I offered drag you to its hole, flowers at Her lotus feet and Manfully cling to the pillar of prayed to her: ‘Mother, here is Patience. Thy virtue, here is Thy vice. Take them both and grant me Tie to the post of Unconcern the only pure love for Thee. Here is goats of Vice and Virtue, Thy knowledge, here is Thy ig- Killing them with the sword of norance. Take them both and Knowledge if they rebel. grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy purity, here is With the children of Worldli- Bondage is the mind, and free- Thy impurity. Take them both, ness, your first wife, plead from dom is also the mind. A man is Mother and grant me only pure a goodly distance, free if he constantly thinks: ‘I am love for Thee. Here is Thy And, if they will not listen, a free soul. How can I be bound , here is Thy adharma. drown them in Wisdom’s sea. whether I live in the world or in Take them both, Mother, and the forest? I am a child of God, grant me only pure love for the king of kings. Who can bind

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 13 Reach God has created the world in difficult. It is no joke. I passed play, as it were. This is called two years as the handmaid and Mahāmāyā, the Great Illusion. companion of the Divine Mother. Therefore one must take refuge But my natural attitude has al- in the Divine Mother, the Cosmic ways been that of a child towards Power Itself. It is She who has its mother. bound us with the shackles of Conclusion illusion. The realisation of God is possible only when those shack- Once Sri Ramakrishna, on his les are severed. way to the Kāli temple joined by M, a pundit and some devotees, The Master continued: sang thus: One must propitiate the Divine Is Kāli, my Mother, really black? Mother, the Primal Energy, in order to obtain God’s Grace. God The Naked One, of blackest hue, Ramprasad Sen Himself is Mahāmāyā, who de- Lights the Lotus of the heart< Says Rāmprasād: If you do as I ludes the world with her illusion As he was going through the say, and conjures up the magic of creation, preservation, and de- courtyard, Sri Ramakrishna You can submit a good account, struction. She has spread this veil quoted to the pundit from a O mind, to the King of Death, of ignorance before our eyes. We song, ‘Lighting the lamp of And I shall be well pleased with can go into the inner chamber knowledge in the chamber of you and call you my darling. only when She lets us pass your heart, Behold the face of the through the door. Living outside, Mother, Brahman’s Embodi-

we see only outer objects, but not ment.’ They came to the temple. Thursday, August 24, 1882 the Eternal Being. Existence- Sri Ramakrishna saluted the Di- vine Mother, touching the Mahendranath Gupta, otherwise Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. ground with his forehead. Red known as M. was engaged in a Therefore it is stated in the Pu- hibiscus flowers and vilwa leaves discussion with Sri Ramakrishna rāna that deities like Brahmā praised Mahāmāyā for the de- adorned the Mother’s feet. Her struction of the demons Madhu three eyes radiated love for Her and Kaitabha. devotees. Two of Her hands were raised as if to give them boons Śakti alone is the root of the uni- and reassurance; the other two verse. That Primal Energy has hands held symbols of death. She two aspects: vidyā and . was clothed in a sari of Benares Avidyā deludes. Avidyā conjures silk and was decked with orna- up ‘woman and gold’, which ments. Referring to the image, casts the spell. Vidyā begets de- one of the devotees remarked, ‘I votion, kindness, wisdom, and heard it was made by the sculp- love, which lead one to God. This tor Nabin.’ The Master answered, Mahendranath Gupta avidyā must be propitiated, and ‘Yes, I know. But to me She is the that is the purpose of the rites of Embodiment of .’ Śakti worship. when M. based on what the Mas- Source: The devotee assumes various at- ter had said, thought, ‘But why titudes towards Śakti in order to (Tr.) The Gospel should God make us run about?’ of Sri Ramakrishna (Madras: Sri propitiate Her: the attitude of a Immediately Sri Ramakrishna Ramakrishna Math), vol. 1 pp.12; 50; handmaid, a ‘hero’, or a child. A said: 117, 127,132-135, vol. 2 734, 924. hero’s attitude is to please Her. It is His will that we should run The worship of Śakti is extremely about a little. Then it is great fun.

Page 14 January 2017 Issue No. 38 Reach 2. ARTICLES

DIRECT DISCIPLES:

The Legacy of Swami Vivekananda (Continued from the September 2016 issue)

o spread his message Sri Ramakrishna needed a strong instrument. With his frail body and delicate limbs he could not make great journeys across wide spaces. And such an instrument was found in Narendranath T Dutta, his beloved Naren, later known to the world as Swami Vivekananda. Even before meeting Narendranath, the Master had seen him in a vision as a sage, immersed in the meditation of the Absolute, who at Sri Ramakrishna’s request had agreed to take human birth to assist him in his work. Swami Vivekananda lived for thirty-nine and a half years, of which nearly ten years alone were devoted to works of public significance. He took the world by storm at the Parliament of at Chicago, and since then spent himself unsparingly in spreading the message of Vedanta. Hence the legacy of Swami Vivekananda is both in the spheres of service and salvation of the soul. This concluding article gives attention to the final period in Swami Vivekananda’s earthly life.

“I shall never see forty” pretty long time we sensed that someone was moving around us. Vivekananda returned to Belur I opened my eyes to see who it Math on 7 March 1902. He had was. It was Swamiji. Taking the accomplished his mission and tray of flowers meant to be of- knew his end was near. Swamiji fered to Sri Ramakrishna, he got began to withdraw himself, dele- up. But instead of placing them gating the responsibility of the before the Lord, he came to us, monastery to his brother disci- and touching the flowers with ples. sandal paste, placed one on the Miss MacLeod wrote in her head of each disciple. memoirs, ‚One day in April Considered from the ordinary *1902+ he said, ‘I have nothing in traditional standpoint, this was the world. I haven’t a penny to an anti-traditional act. Generally myself. I have given away every- Swami, Buddha did not do his after the worship service, the left- thing that has ever been given to great work until between forty over flowers are set aside to be me.’ I said, ‘Swami, I will give and eighty.’ But he said, ‘I deliv- thrown away. But instead of do- you fifty dollars a month as long ered my message and I must go.’ ing this, Swamiji approached the as you live.’ He thought a minute I asked, ‘Why go?’ and he said, altar and offered what remained and then said, ‘Can I live on ‘The shadow of a big tree will not in the tray before the picture of that?’ ‘Yes, O yes,’ I said, ‘but let the smaller trees grow up. I Sri Ramakrishna. He also carried perhaps you cannot have cream.’ must go to make room.’‛ out the usual rites. Then he indi- I gave him then two hundred cated that the time had come for dollars, but before the four Sometimes Swamiji was in an food offering; so we all got up to months were passed he had exalted mood. Bodhananda, a leave the room. It is a custom in gone. disciple of Vivekananda, re- called: India that during the food offer- ‚At Belur Math one day, while ing no one should be in the Once Swamiji said that he would was distributing shrine except the worshipper. do the worship of Sri Rama- prizes for some athletics, I was We heard from outside Swamiji krishna that day. So all of us standing in Swamiji’s bedroom saying, addressing Sri Rama- went to watch Swamiji do it. at the Math, at the window, krishna, ‚Friend, please eat!‛ First, in the usual way he took watching, and he said to me, ‘I Then he came out of the shrine his seat as worshipper and medi- shall never see forty.’ ‘But and closed the door. His eyes tated. We meditated too. After a

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 15 Reach of Sri Ramakrishna’s relics, Swami Vivekananda asked him- self, ‚Does the Master really re- side here? I must test it.‛ Then he prayed, ‚Master, if you are truly present here, bring here the Ma- haraja of Gwalior [who was then visiting Calcutta] within three days.‛ The next day Vivekan- anda left for Calcutta on some business. However, when he re- turned later that afternoon, he was told that the Maharaja of Gwalior had stopped there ear- lier. He had been passing by the Old Shrine, Belur Math Grand Trunk Road near the mon- astery in his car and had sent his Swami Premananda younger brother to see if the were bloodshot with emotion. swami was in. Swami Vivekan- Brahman? He is immanent in all anda was not there, the maharaja beings. Here, here is the visible Bodhananda later explained the had gone away disappointed. Brahman! Shame on those who, significance of Swamiji’s worship neglecting the visible Brahman, thus: When Swamiji heard this news, he remembered his test. He im- set their minds on other things! Actually Swamiji did not wor- mediately rushed to the shrine, Here is the visible Brahman be- ship the disciples. In placing a and holding the urn of the relics fore you as tangible as the fruit in flower on the head of each one of on his head, repeatedly said, one’s hand! Can’t you see? Here us, he really offered the flower at ‚Master, You are true! You are – here – here is Brahman!‛ These the feet of Sri Ramakrishna in true! You are true!‛ At that time words struck the people around each disciple. Thereby he awak- Swami Premananda entered the him like an electric shock. For ened His presence in us. That shrine for meditation, and he was about fifteen minutes no one presence took different aspects in bewildered. Later Swamiji told could move or function. Preman- everyone. Some were devotional; Premananda and the monks anda went into ecstasy; others others had the [knowledge] about his test, and all marvelled experienced an indescribable aspect predominate. By his act of at this proof of the master’s pres- peace and joy. At last Vivekan- worship, Swamiji awakened the ence in the shrine. anda said to Premananda, ‚Now Divine in us. The remaining go to worship,’ and all were re- One day Swamiji came down- flowers were not in anyway de- leased. The disciples were stairs and sat on the canvas cot filed. The same divine presence, amazed to witness the spiritual under the mango tree in the which Swamiji saw in the photo- power of Vivekananda. graph of Sri Ramakrishna on the courtyard, facing west, as he of- Swamiji explained this phenome- altar, he also saw in his disciples; ten did. The monks around him non on another occasion. ‚He and at the altar he offered the were busy with their activities. who has realised the Atman be- remaining flowers. Lastly, Swa- One was sweeping the courtyard comes a house of great power. miji’s relation to his Chosen De- with a broom. Swami Preman- From him as the centre, and ity was that of a friend. That is anda was climbing the steps to within a certain radius, emanates why, in offering the food, he ad- the shrine after his bath. Sud- a spiritual force, and all those dressed Sri Ramakrishna by that denly Vivekananda’s eyes be- who come within this circle be- term. came radiant. Surcharged with spiritual fervour, he said to a dis- come animated with his ideas Another day, touching the casket ciple, ‚Where will you go to seek and are overwhelmed by them.

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Thus without much religious care for that? Give him two ru- striving they inherit the results of pees plus a little more.‛ Then he his wonderful spirituality. This is continued, ‚In a room, if one grace.‛ window is open and the corre- sponding window is closed, On 15 May 1902, Swamiji wrote there is no ventilation; so let it go to Miss MacLeod, ‚I am some- by one window and it will come what better, but of course far by the other.‛ from what I expected. A great idea of quiet has come upon me. I A week before the end, Vivekan- am going to retire for good-no anda asked to more work for me.‛ His brother bring him the Bengali almanac. Swamiji turned several pages and then kept it in his room. He Sister Nivedita was seen several times on subse- of illness, I had seen him lift a quent days studying the almanac couple of pebbles, saying, intently, as if looking for some- ‚Whenever death approaches thing auspicious. It did not strike me, all weakness vanishes. I have anyone what his intention might neither fear, nor doubt, nor be; only after his death did they thought of the external. I simply realise that he was selecting an busy myself making ready to die. auspicious day for his departure I am as hard as that – and the as Sri Ramakrishna had done. stones struck one another in his Three days before his passing hand – for I have touched the feet away, while walking on the spa- of God!’ cious lawn of the monastery with Did we not remember, moreover, Premananda, Swamiji said to the story of the great nirvikalpa him, pointing to a particular spot samadhi of his youth, and know, on the bank of the Ganges, when it was over, his Master had Swami Bodhananda ‚When I give up the body, cre- said, ‚This is your mango. Look! mate it there.‛ Today on that disciples were worried by his I lock it in my box. You shall very spot stands a temple in his contemplative mood. They re- taste it once more, when your honour. membered the Master’s forecast work is finished!‛ that Naren would merge forever Sister Nivedita left a vivid ac- It was on the last Sunday before into samadhi as soon as his mis- count that includes many signifi- the end that he said to one of his sion was over, and that he would cant facts in connection with disciples, ‚You know, the work is refuse to live in his physical body Vivekananda’s passing away and always my weak point! When I once he realised who he was. A his foreknowledge of it: think that might have come to an few days before his passing When June closed< he knew end, I am all undone!‛ away, one of his boyhood friends well enough that the end was On Wednesday [2 July] of the came to Vivekananda and asked near. ‚I am making ready for same week, the day being Ekada- for some financial help. Swamiji death!‛ he said to one who was shi [the eleventh day of the asked Bodhananda to give his with him, on the Wednesday be- moon, which orthodox Hindus friend two rupees from his wal- fore he died. ‚A great tapasya observe by fasting], and himself let. Bodhananda checked his wal- [austerity] and meditation has keeping the fast in all strictness, let and said that if the friend was come upon me, I am making he insisted on serving the morn- given two rupees there would ready for death.‛ not be much left. Immediately ing [noon] meal to the same dis- Once in Kashmir, after an attack Swamiji said, ‚Do you think I ciple [Nivedita]. Each dish as it

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 17 Reach was offered – boiled seeds of the meditation. Never before had he jackfruit, boiled potatoes, plain performed such meditation in the rice, and ice-cold milk – formed monastery. What transpired the subject of playful chat; and, there, no one knows. He finished finally, to end the meal, he him- his meditation at 11.00a.m. , and self poured the water over the then began to sing a song about hands, and dried them with a Kali in his sweet voice which the towel. monks heard from downstairs. The words to the song are: ‚It is I who should do these things for you, Swamiji! Not you Is Kali, my Mother, really black? for me!‛ was the protest natu- The Naked One, though black rally offered. But his answer was She seems, startling in its solemnity – ‚Jesus washed the feet of his disciples.‛ Lights the Lotus of the heart. Something checked the answer – Men call Her black, but yet my ‚But that was the last time!‛ – as mind it rose to the lips, and the words Does not believe that She is so: worship Mother Kali at the mon- remained unuttered. astery the following day: It was Now She is white, now, red, On his last day, Friday, 4 July Saturday, and there was a new now, blue; 1902, Vivekananda got up very moon, a very auspicious time for early in the morning as usual and Now She appears as yellow, too. Mother’s worship. Soon after, went to the shrine for meditation. I hardly know who Mother is, Ishwar Chandra Chakrabarty, He was not sick at all. During ’s father and breakfast he was in a jovial Though I have pondered all my a devout worshipper of Mother, mood, teasing Premananda and life: came to visit Vivekananda. Swa- recalling many events of olden Now Purusha, now Prakriti, miji was delighted to see him and times. He had fruit, milk and tea. expressed his intention of wor- And now the Void, She seems to A fresh shad fish from the shipping Mother Kali. He asked be. Ganges was bought from a fish- Shuddhananda and Bodhananda erman, and it was shown to him. To meditate on all these things to procure all the necessary - Shad fish is a delicacy for Ben- Confounds poor Kamalakanta’s cles for the ceremony. galis. Seeing the fish, Swamiji in wits. After instructing the disciples to fun said to a novice from East make preparations for the Kali Bengal, ‚Don’t you worship the Descending the stairs of the worship, Swamiji asked first shad of the season in your shrine, he walked back and forth Shuddhananda to bring the part of the country? Let me see in the courtyard of the monas- Shukla-Yajur Veda from the li- how you do that.’ tery. He appeared indrawn, as if travelling to a distant land. Sud- brary. When it was brought, At 8.00 a.m. he again entered the denly Swamiji said to himself, ‚If Swamiji asked him to read the shrine for meditation. When at there were another Vivekananda, mantram with the words sushum- 9.30 a.m. Premananda entered then he would have understood nah suryarashmi, with Mahid- the shrine to perform the daily what this Vivekananda has done! hara’s commentary on it. Listen- worship, Swamiji asked him to And yet – how many Vivekanan- ing to part of it, Swamiji re- carry his asana (carpet) to the das shall be born in time.‛ Pre- marked, ‚This interpretation of Master’s bedroom, which was mananda, who was on the ve- the passage does not appeal to adjacent to the shrine, and shut randa of the chapel, overheard my mind. Whatever may be the all the doors and windows. Swa- his statement. Never before had commentator’s interpretation of miji dusted the Master’s bed with Swamiji spoken like this. the word ‘sushumna’, the seed or his own hands, and again sat for the basis of what the , in Then he expressed a desire to

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see my brain is getting weak on a bench under the mango tree nowadays.‛ and said, ‚My health is so good today, which I have not felt for a He went to the library and called long time.‛ Swamiji talked to the brahmacharins to attend the Premananda and other monks class on Sanskrit grammar. One about the history of European who attended the class wrote, civilisation and also colonial his- ‚The class lasted for nearly three tory. ‚India is immortal,‛ he said, hours [1.00p.m. to 4.00 p.m.]. But ‚if she persists in her search for no monotony was felt. For he God. But if she goes in for poli- [Swamiji] would tell a witty story tics and social conflict, she will or make bons mots now and then die.‛ to lighten his teaching, as he was wont to do. He, however, ap- At 6.30p.m. when he found that peared a little tired after gram- some monks were taking tea, he Swami Shuddhananda mar class.‛ Swamiji wanted each went to them and said, ‚Will you disciple to be original and not to give me a cup of tea?‛ He en- follow him blindly. He said to joyed the tea with them. When later ages speak of as the su- the boys, ‚If any man ever imi- the vesper bell was rung at shumna nerve channel in the tates me, kick him out. Do not 7.00p.m. he got up and went to body, is contained here in this imitate me.‛ his room upstairs. Bodhananda, Vedic mantram. You, my disci- who was Swamiji’s secretary and ples, should try to discover the At 4.30p.m. Vivekananda drank kept his little bit of cash, remi- true import of these and some water and a cup of hot nisced, ‚I was standing by the make original reflections and milk. Then he went for a walk stairway down on the ground commentaries on the scriptures.‛ with Premananda to Belur bazar, floor. It was the month of July. In one mile away. He felt good and At noon, Swamiji heartily en- India the mosquitoes are so nu- talked to his brother disciple on joyed his lunch with the monks merous and so dangerous that many interesting subjects. Seeing in the dining room. Because of you get malaria from them, and a garden on the way, he began to his illness, he had generally taken no one can sleep in bed without describe Mr Leggett’s big and his meals in his room. That day the curtains. He had discovered beautiful garden at Ridgely Swamiji relished various kinds of that the curtains of some monks Manor, and how in America a fish preparations, and told Pre- were torn, and his last command few people are able to manage mananda, ‚I was very hungry to me was, ‘See that they all get large gardens by using machin- because of fasting on Ekadashi new curtains.’ ‛ Even in his last ery. By the by, he said to Preman- day. With great difficulty I moments Vivekananda showed anda, ‚Why would you imitate skipped eating the cups and his great love and concern for the me? The Master would forbid plates.‛ Again, humorously, he monks! one to imitate others. Don’t be said to his brother disciple in extravagant like me.‛ He also Entering his room, Swamiji said English, ‚Fish need water to mentioned his plan for establish- to his attendant, ‚My body is swim, ‚; and then with a chuckle, ing a Vedic college in the monas- very light today. I feel fine. ‚Please give me a glass of water.‛ tery. In order to have a clearer Please give me my rosary.‛ He He talked a while and then went understanding of what Swamiji sat facing the Ganges. Before he to his room to rest. After fifteen felt on the matter, Premananda began his meditation, he asked minutes he came out of his room asked, ‚What will be the good of his attendant to go to the other and told Premananda, ‚Let us go studying the Vedas? Swamiji re- room, and instructed him, ‚Wait and study. Day sleep is not good plied, ‚It will kill superstitions.‛ and meditate till I call you.‛ Af- for a monk. Today I did not get ter an hour, at 8.00p.m., the any sleep. I got a little headache, At 5.30p.m, he returned to the swami called his attendant and because of a long meditation. I monastery from his walk. He sat

Issue No. 38 January 2017 Page 19 Reach

asked him to fan his head. Swa- miji asked him to open all the windows of his room, because he was feeling hot. Then, he laid himself down on his bed on the floor. He still had the rosary in his hand. After a while Swamiji said to him, ‚All right, no more need for fanning! It would be better if you give a little mas- sage to my feet.‛ Soon, he seemed to fall asleep, and an hour passed in this manner. Vivekananda was lying on his left side and the attendant was massaging his feet. He then moved and lay down on his back; shortly after that, he cried Swami Vivekananda’s Temple, Belur Math at the place where his body was out like a baby cries for its cremated mother. Towards the end, the attendant Brajendra noticed that Swamiji’s right hand trembled a and Ramakrishnananda’s father In the beginning of his mission, little, there was perspiration on began to chant ‘Ramakrishna’ Vivekananda had said, ‚I am a his forehead, he breathed a deep loudly into Swamiji’s ear, hop- voice without a form,‛ Towards breath, and his head rolled ing that he would return from the end, he said, ‚It may be that down by the pillow. There was samadhi. Swamiji’s eyes were I shall find it good to get outside silence for a minute or two, and fixed in the centre of his eye- of my body – to cast it off like a again he breathed in the same brows, and his face had as- disused garment. But I shall not manner; his body became still. It sumed a divine expression with cease to work! I shall inspire was 9.10p.m. a sweet smile. After a thorough men everywhere, until the examination, Dr. Majumdar world shall know that it is one Brajendra thought that Swamiji found no sign of life; he still with God.‛ was in samadhi, but he was tried artificial respiration, but scared and puzzled. He rushed Source: failed. ‚There was,‛ said a downstairs and told Swami Ad- brother disciple, ‚a little blood Swami Nikhilananda (Tr.) The Gos- vaitananda about Swamiji. Im- in his nostrils, about his mouth, pel of Sri Ramakrishna (Madras: Sri mediately the old swami went Ramakrishna Math), p. 56 and in his eyes.‛ According to to Swamiji’s room, placed his yoga scriptures, the life breath Swami Tapasyananda, Swami hand on his heart, and checked of an illumined yogi passes out Vivekananda: His Life and Legacy the pulse. There was no breath- through the opening on the top (South Africa: Ramakrishna Centre ing. Then Advaitananda asked of South Africa), p. 147-8 of the head, causing the blood to Bodhananda, who had just ar- flow in the nostrils and the Swami Chetanananda God Lived rived and was cooking Swa- mouth. Vivekananda passed With Them: Life Stories of Sixteen miji’s meal, to check the pulse. away at the age of thirty-nine Monastic Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna After doing this for a while, he years, five months, and twenty (Kolkata: Advaita Ashrama), pp. 65 stood up and cried aloud. -73 four days, fulfilling his own Within a few minutes Preman- prophecy, ‚I shall never see anda arrived and found Swamiji forty.‛ motionless. He, Nishcayananda,

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