Reach Motto: Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha,

liberation and for the Newsletter of the Centres of Australia welfare of the world.”

Sayings and Teachings

Attainment of the Supreme Self A man who spends his time in discussing the good and bad qualities of others simply wastes his own time. For it is time spent neither in thinking about one’s own self nor about the Supreme Self, but in fruitless thinking of others’ selves — Sri Great sayings: Words of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada and , The R. M. Institute of Culture, , p. 2-3 Worship of God as Mother has prevailed from prehistoric times. Worship of the Divine Mother is Concentration of the mind prevalent all over - from A disciple had written “I cannot calm my mind and Kanyakumari (famous for its concentrate” and so on. Mother became agitated at these words Kanyakumari temple) to Kash- and said, “It can be done if one repeats the Name fifteen or mir (Kshirbhavani temple) and twenty thousand times each day. I have seen it actually happen. from (Amba temple) Let him do that first and talk afterwards if it fails. One must put to Kolkata (Kalighat temple). one’s mind to it. But no, no one will do that. They only complain, Although the Divine Mother is “Why does nothing come of it?” only one, Her manifestations are — Sri many. Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi The Holy Mother, Sri Ramakrishna The Divine Mother is regarded Math, Mylapore, , p. 42 as having ''Ten Great Wisdom Forms''. These ten Unity amidst the variation are: The work of ethics has been, and will be in the future, not the , , Sundari destruction of variation and the establishment of sameness in Bhuvaneshwari, the external world, which is impossible, for it would bring , and annihilation-but to recognise the unity in spite of all these , variations, to recognise the God within, in spite of everything () and . that frightens us, to recognise that infinite strength as the property of everyone in spite of all apparent weakness, and to and recognise the eternal, infinite, essential purity of the soul in spite The nine days from the first day of everything to the contrary that appears on the surface. after the new moon (known as — Swami Vivekananda Mahalaya) in the Indian month of Teachings of Swami Vivekananda by Swami Mumukshananda Ashwin to the 9th day constitute Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, Himalayas, p. 89 (Continued on page 5)

IN THIS ISSUE Welcome  News from the Centres We welcome you all to the Ramakrishna - Vedanta Move-  Feature article — The divine rela- ment and invite you to attend our programs and actively partic- tionship between Sri Ramakrishna ipate in the propagation of the Universal message of Vedanta as and Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda.  Swami Vivekananda

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 1 Reach News from the Centres May to August 2015

Adelaide email: [email protected]

Contact: Dr Raman Sharma – (08) 8431 9775 Mrs Pathma Iswaran – (08) 8379 5336

Regular Activities: a) Swami Sridharanandaji visited Adelaide from April 2-4, May 7-9, June 11-13 and July 23-25 and con- tinued with his discourses on the Srimad- Bhagavad Gitā at the Dulwich Community Centre, 14 Union Street, Dulwich SA 5065. A dedicated group of devotees attended his talks, which have been recorded. b) Every month on a prescheduled Sunday read- ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, includ- ing discussion on relevant points, were conducted at devotees’ homes. ticipated in the function and later enjoyed the pra- Other Activities: sada. a) The Annual Celebration of the Adelaide Chapter b) The Annual General Meeting of the Vedanta Cen- was held on Saturday May 9 at the Dulwich Com- tres of Sydney-Adelaide Chapter was held on Satur- munity Centre from 9:00 a.m.—1:00 p.m. A group day July 25 from 1:00 p.m in the Coopers Room, of devotees sang bhajans while Swami Sun- Burnside Community Centre, 401 Greenhill ishthananda performed the traditional worship. Road, Tusmore SA 5065. Swami Sunishthananda also spoke on The Life and Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna. Swami Sri- dharananda was also present. Many devotees par-

c) On the last Sunday of every month readings and discussions on the Bhagavad Gitā, The Gospel of Sri Auckland Ramakrishna and the life and teachings of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi were conducted. The pro- 27 Arawa Street, New Lynn, Auckland gram started at 11:00 a.m. and concluded at 1:00 p.m. with Prasad distribution. http://www.rkvc.org.nz/ Email: [email protected] Celebrations: Contact: Mr M. Kumar a) Buddha Purnima was celebrated on 4 May 2015. The program started at 8:00 p.m. with bhajans, after arati. Devotees talked on the life and teachings Activities: of Bhagavan Buddha. The program concluded at 9:00 p.m. with prasad distribution. a) Vesper service was held daily from 7:00 p.m. to b) Guru Purnima was celebrated on 31 July 2015. 8:00 p.m. in the Centre. It included the singing of The program began at 8:00 p.m. after evening ara- hymns and readings from The Life of Swami Vive- ti. The Program started with bhajans and included kananda followed by . a talk on Sri Ramakrishna as Guru and a talk on the b) On the second Sunday of every month satsang pro- parallels between Lord Dakshinamoorthy and Sri grammes which include the singing of bhajans, dis- Ramakrishna. The program ended at 9:00 p.m. course on the , readings and discussions with prasad distribution. on the lives of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrish- na, reading and discussion on Complete Works of Upcoming Celebrations: Swami Vivekananda and meditation were conduct- a) Durga Puja 20 October 2015, ed from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. b) Christmas Eve 24 December 2015

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 2 Reach Brisbane

12 Greenwood Street, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300

Tel:- 07 3818 9986 Email: [email protected]

Contact: Swami Atmeshananda

Daily activities: Worship was conducted daily in the morning. New premises at Springfield Lakes In the evening ārati including bhajans and readings c) A bookstall was organised by the devotees at the from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were conducted India fair held at Roma Street, Parklands in Bris- at the Centre. bane on the 15th August 2015. Another stall was organised on the 29th August 2015 at the Pacifica Regular Activities: fair at Goodna, Qld (a suburb of Ipswich). The Centre conducted the following programmes: a) Classes on Sunday mornings by Celebrations: Dr.Unnikrishnan Pillai. a) Buddha Purnima was celebrated at the Centre on b) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā classes on Sundays. Saturday, 9th May. Chanting of hymns from the c) 'Bala Sangha' - moral and spiritual classes for chil- Dhammapada and other Buddhist texts, bhajans dren on Sundays and a talk on the significance of the life of Lord d) Religious Instruction classes at a school in Bris- Buddha were the important aspects of the pro- bane held every Wednesday gramme. e) A satsang was held on the first Saturday of every month. f) Discussion groups on the first Monday of every month in Sunnybank Hills, Qld g) A class on Ashtavakra Samhita on alternate Thursdays at Springfield, Qld h) A class on Meditation and Spiritual Life on alter- nate Fridays i) A class on Viveka Chudamani at Toowoomba held monthly j) Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was sung every fort- Annual Day program— guest of honour lighting lamp night on Ekadashi days. b) The Centre held its Annual programme on Satur- k) A class for beginners was conducted on day, 20th June 2015. The event consisted of cul- Tuesdays. tural programmes (classical dance, music etc), a talk by Revered Swami Sridharanandaji, a presen- tation about the Vedanta Centre in Springfield Other activities: Lakes by Richard Weingarten and a speech by a) Swami Atmeshananda visited Townsville from the Tarnya Smith, MP and Shadow Minister for Multi- 26th to 28th June 2015 for talks organised by the cultural Affairs. More than 450 persons attended local group. He spoke on three occasions including the event. one at the University of Central Queensland. b) The centre moved its premises from Chapel Hill to Forthcoming programmes: Springfield Lakes, Qld on the 1st August 2015. A  Sri Janmashtami 5th September 2015 special worship was conducted on the occasion  Sri Sri Durga Puja 8th October 2015 which also coincided with Guru Purnima. Swami  Christmas Eve 24th December 2015 Sridharanandaji attended the programme and gave a talk.

Regular activities: Canberra The Centre conducted the following programmes: a) Regular monthly talks on the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā were conducted by Swami Sridharananda Registered Address: during the months of May, June and July. Lectures 17 Bean Crescent, Mckellar, ACT - 2617 will be continued in October once Swamiji returns from the US lecture tour.

Email: [email protected] Contact: Jaishankar Venkataraman 0433 59 3860 Forthcoming programmes:  The Chapter will hold its AGM in November.

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 3 Reach Swami Chandrashekharananda conducted the fol- Melbourne lowing programmes in Melbourne: a) Classes on the Kathopanishad on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 5-7 Angus Avenue, Ringwood East, VIC 3135 b) Meditation sessions on Sundays from 5:30 p.m. to

6:30 p.m. email: [email protected] c) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā revision and discus- Contact: Mr Suresh Ravinutala – 0413 040 599 sions through video/audio on Tuesdays from 2:30

p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Centre maintains a bookstall with various litera- ture for sale in print, audio, and visual media on the Other activities: Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Vedanta philosophy and a) A Spiritual Retreat was held on Saturday 27th of other spiritual topics. June 2015 from 9:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Apart from chanting, bhajans and group discussions, Swami Sridharananda delivered two talks on the topic Daily activities: “Spiritual Practices in our daily Lives” followed by Worship was held every morning at 7:30 a.m. an interactive question-answer session. Thirty Vesper service was conducted in the evening from 7 spiritual seekers attended the Spiritual Retreat p.m. and this included the chanting of hymns, devo- b) Farewell to Swami Chandrashekharananda: The tional singing, reading from The Gospel of Sri - Melbourne centre had the privilege of having Swa- krishna and meditation. mi Chandrashekharananda as the resident monk for the past almost two years. Swamiji has now Weekly-Monthly Activities: been posted to the Vedanta Centre at Portland, st The Centre conducted the following programmes: USA and he left Melbourne on 1 July 2015 to Belur Math India on his way to USA. The Society hosted th a) Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver month- a special satsanga on 28 June 2015 to bid him ly discourses on the Bhagavad-Gitā from farewell. A large number of devotees attended the the Thursday to the Saturday of a prescheduled event and Swamiji spoke about the importance of week at the Centre. The Thursday and Friday ses- Satsanga (prayer meetings) in our spiritual devel- sions were held from 7:45 to 9 p.m. and the Satur- opment. Many devotees spoke warmly about Swa- days sessions were held from 11:00 a.m to 12:15 miji’s contributions to the Society and his spiritual p.m. The recordings of these discourses are availa- guidance during this period. ble in audio, video and MP3 formats for purchase. b) Group study through the viewing of the Bhagavad- Gita lecture series on video were held on Sundays Forthcoming programmes: from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. a) Sri Krishna Janmashthami: 5th September 2015 c) Regular satsanga was held on the first Sunday of b) Christmas Eve: 24th December 2015 every month and conducted by Swami Chan- drashekharananda.

Regular Activities: Perth a) Discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā were held on 1st—2nd May, 4th—6th June and 9th—11th July at the Centre 51 Golf View Street, Yokine, WA 6060 b) Monthly satsangas including Dhyanam and read- ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were Email: [email protected] held at the Centre followed by prasad distribution. c) Revision Classes of the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā talk Contact: was held on 16th July Hiren Mukhopadyay Secretary 0411 478 244

Parthiv Parekh Asst. Secretary 0430 511 699

Daily activities: A vesper service is held daily at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Forthcoming programmes: at the Centre. It includes arati, readings from The Gos-  Sunday satsang will be held on 6th September 2015 pel of Sri Ramakrishna followed by meditation

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 4 Reach e) Meditation sessions conducted by Swami Sun- Sydney ishthananda were held at the Centre on Sundays from 5 p.m. to 6.15 p.m. f) Bala Sangha Classes on moral and spiritual lessons 2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115 and drama and movement were conducted for www.vedantaaustralia.org/ children every Saturday from 4:45 p.m. to 6:45 Tel:- 02 8197 7351 p.m. at the Centre during the academic term. g) Sri Rāmanāma was sung on Ekadashi days after Email: [email protected] the vesper service. h) A class on Meditation and Scriptural Studies for ladies was held every Monday from 10:30 a.m. to The Centre maintains a bookstall which has a range of 12:30 p.m. by Swami Sunishthananda. books on the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Vedanta, i) The meetings of the Vivekananda Study Circle Yoga and other spiritual literature. Devotional songs, were held on Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. to 6.00 discourses on the Bhagavad Gitā, the Yoga Sutras of p.m. Patanjali, Mundaka Upanisad, and other topics are j) A session on Yoga Exercise continued to be held also available in various media. on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The centre’s library is available to devotees for refer- ence and research. Other activities: a) A Spiritual Retreat was held on Saturday 4th of July 2015 from 8.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Apart from chanting, bhajans, reading inspiring texts and fol- Daily activities: lowing these with discussions, Swami Sri-  Worship and meditation were held every morning dharananda delivered two talks on the topics “The from 6:45 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Attainment of Real Freedom and Happiness” and  Vesper service was conducted in the evening from “How Illumined Souls Live in the World” followed 7 p.m. and included devotional singing, reading by an interactive question-answer session. Forty from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and medita- five delegates attended the Spiritual Retreat tion.  Counselling, interviews and discussions with devo- tees were conducted on a daily basis. Celebrations: a) On Saturday, 31st of July 2015, Guru Purnima was celebrated in the evening. The programme Regular Activities: started with special worship after the evening The Centre conducted the following programmes: aratrikam followed by rendering of bhajans by Ms. a) Swami Sridharananda conducted classes on the Chirasmita Chakraborty, a talk on the topic Bhagavad-Gitā every Sunday morning from 10 ‘Significance of Guru Purnima’ delivered by Swami a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Centre. Sunishthananda and a Skit by the children of the b) Parlour talks were conducted by Swami Sri- Bala Sangha. About two hundred and fifty people dharananda at 1/11 Boyle Street, Balgowlah, NSW attended the celebration. 2093 Manly Beach on Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. c) Some devotees availed themselves of spiritual Forthcoming programmes:  Sri Krishna Janmashthami: , 5th September 2015 counselling and guidance. The Swamis also visited st the homes of devotees when required.  Durga Puja: Wednesday, 21 October 2015  Annual Day : Saturday, 7th November 2015 d) Katha Upanisad classes were conducted on th Wednesdays after evening ārati by Swami Sun-  Christmas Eve: Thursday, 24 December 2015 ishthananda.

(Continued from page 1) transfiguration. It is no longer a clay image but the living , the festival of Navaratri which is radiating power, knowledge, love observed all over India. During this and joy, the benign Mother of the period, the Divine Mother is wor- Universe who has come to bless Her shipped in some form or other. The children and to assure them of Her tenth day is known as Dassera. In love, help and protection. the northern parts of India, on this day the life of Rama (known as Navaratri 2015 dates are from Octo- Ramlila) is enacted in public. In ber 13 to October 22, 2015 . many parts of India, on this day weapons, implements, instruments, Source etc are worshipped. having ten arms, each wielding a http://www.belurmath.org/durga The most striking aspect of Durga weapon. [Hence She is described as _puja/article_on_durga_puja.htm Puja is the image of the Divine Dasha-prahara-dharini.] Once the Mother as -mardini. image is consecrated, and the Deity Here the Divine Mother is seen as is invoked in it, it undergoes a

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 5 Reach Feature article The divine relationship between Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Sarada Devi

Introduction When Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother came to , on the instruction of Sri Ramakrishna, her life of sadhana improved steadi- ly and she became absorbed in it. Holy Mother has narrated her feel- ings at that time:

How the days passed. In the moonlit night, looking at the moon with folded hands, I would pray, ‘Make my mind pure like your cooling grace!’ When the moon appeared in the sky at night, seeing the reflection of the moon in the water of the Ganges, Sri Ramakrishna - Sri Sarada Devi I would pray to the Lord with tearful eyes, ‘There is a little blemish even in the moon. But let regular habit and she rarely skipped flowing continuously from her eyes. there not be anything in my it. One evening, when she started After some time, she became calm mind.’ doing while she was not well, an and steady- she was in .” attendant told her, “Mother, this is Holy Mother’s not good for you. What is the neces- “Somebody was playing the flute Sri Ramakrishna instructed Moth- sity for you to practise? You have one night. Mother entered into bha- er about the mantras of many Gods achieved everything. Why are you va on hearing the flute recital-she and Goddesses whom he had wor- taxing your body unnecessarily?” At was laughing continuously.” shipped in his life and Mother had this Mother replied, “My dear child, “In Nilambar Babu’s house in Be- practised all these mantras in her what are my disciples doing? Wheth- lur, one evening, Mother, Golap-Ma, own life. Sri Ramakrishna had made er they perform their japa or not, I and I were seated side by side on the Mother conversant with the intrica- do not know. For their sake, I do terrace meditating. When my medi- cies of spiritual life in various ways. something.” On another day another tation was over, I saw that the Moth- He had drawn on paper the ku- attendant told her, “Mother, you do er was completely absorbed without lakundalini and the six and not sleep at night. Whenever I come any movement-no breathing even- had given it to Mother. The amount out of my room, you ask, ‘Who is it?’ she was in Samadhi. When she came of ‘japa’ and ‘purashcharana’ (taking From this we understand you don’t to consciousness at long last, she a vow to repeat the a certain have a good sleep at night.” To this, said, ‘Oh Yogen! Where are my number of times for a fixed period) Mother would say, “My child, how hands? Where are my feet?’ We Mother had done is shown from the can I sleep? Many have taken diksha pressed Mother’s hands and feet and lakhs of ‘’ she had performed from me. They are not able to do an- showed her…Even then she could without completing which she would ything. All my time is spent in doing not feel her body and got back her not take anything in the morning for something for them.” senses only after a long time.” breakfast. Even in the later days of At Dakshineswar, somebody her life, she was very particular in Bhava and Samadhi would play the flute at night. “The performing japa and meditation dai- When Mother first came to Lord himself is playing on the flute.” ly. Even during her sickness, Mother Dakshineswar, she did not know an- Thinking thus Mother would go into would get up very early in the morn- ything about bhava and Samadhi. samadhi simply upon hearing the ing and finish her morning ablutions Hence, whenever she saw Sri Rama- sound of the flute. That was bhava- in the open field. After that, seated krishna in Samadhi or bhava, she samadhi or savikalpa samadhi. The on the bed itself, with legs stretched would become frightened. She too samadhi, which occurred on the ter- and a blanket on her, she would had to pass all these stages and final- race of the house at Belur, was the begin performing japa. ly had the experience of ‘Nirvikalpa’ state of Nirvikalpa samadhi. This Mother had a tulasi mala and a Samadhi. Yogen-Ma, the long- could be understood as such from rudraksha mala for japa. Usually she standing companion of the Holy the words of Mother after she came would perform japa once early in the Mother told us, “…I came to the Na- out of it. morning during -Muhurta, habat…I opened the door a little and the next at the time of puja, the third saw the Mother laughing heartily. Some of Mother’s statements during the afternoon and the final Now she was laughing and a little regarding sadhana one at night. This had become her after she was weeping. Tears were Mother’s teachings regarding sad-

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 6 Reach hana and its results are encom- enough, he suffered from poor diges- floor of the Nahabat and cooked be- passed in the following selected inci- tion, and the prasāda of Kali did not low the staircase. She was too shy to dents: suit him. There was cooking for the come out during the day. Yogin-ma “Only by long practice of auster- devotees too. Latu was there. The thus described the Mother’s daily ities, the mind becomes pure. Master said, “He is a fine boy. He routine at the Nahabat: ‘Finishing Without sadhana we can never at- will knead the dough for you.” There her bath before four o’clock in the tain the Lord. If you realize God, was no end to cooking, night or day. morning the Holy Mother sat for will you get a pair of horns on your Ram Datta, for instance, came there meditation; for the Master used to head? No! The mind becomes pure and called out as soon as he alighted insist on meditation. Then she com- and as a result there is an awaken- from the carriage, “I shall take today menced her worship after finishing ing of the consciousness.” gram soup and chapāti.” No sooner her other duties. The worship, japa “Narendra used to tell me, had I heard this, than I started cook- and meditation would take about an ‘Mother, nowadays, everything is ing here. There used to be chapātis hour and a half. Then she sat for vanishing form my mind. I find made out of six to eight pounds of cooking under the staircase. When everything is flying.’ I replied, ‘See flour. Rakhal stayed here (with the the cooking was over, if she got the my child, do not allow your mind Master); very often khichudi was opportunity, she would rub oil on the to efface me.’ Narendra replied, cooked for him. Surendra Mitra used Master’s body before his bath. The ‘Mother, if you fly away from my to pay ten rupees every month for Master sat for his dinner between mind, what will remain? He who the expenses of the devotees. Senior half past ten and eleven. Whenever forgets the feet of his guru when Gopal used to get things from the he went for his bath, the Mother hur-

“If you realise God, will you get a pair of horns? No! The mind becomes pure and as a result there is an awakening of the consciousness.”

knowledge comes, is still in a state market. In the beginning my head riedly prepared betel rolls for him. of ignorance. If the guru’s feet are would strike frequently against the When he returned, the Mother allowed to vanish, on what will doorframe as I entered the room; would spread a small carpet for him knowledge stand?’” When one day I even suffered a bad cut. to sit on for his meal, and keep ready knowledge comes, Iswar and other But gradually I got used to it, and my a glass of drinking water. Then she concepts vanish. But Mother en- head would bend as I approached would carry to him a plate of food. compasses the whole world. the door. Women from Calcutta used As he sat for his meal, she would “Through japa and meditation, to come to visit me, and standing at converse on various topics just tak- the evil effects of your karma are the doorway and holding the door- ing care lest his meal should be removed, but you cannot feel God frame on either side with both spoiled by any upsurge of spiritual without ‘prema-…through hands, they would say, “Alas! In emotion. None but the Mother could japa and meditation you can con- what a room our dear good lady is prevent such sudden upsurges dur- trol your senses…did the cowherds living - it’s like living in banish- ing meal time. of Brindavan get Krishna through ment.” I used to bathe at four in the When the Master had finished prayers and meditation? No! They morning. Whenever there was a little eating, Mother would hurriedly take would call Krishna formally, ‘O sunshine on the steps in the after- something herself and drink a glass Krishna, Come, eat and take!’-They noon, I used to get my hair sunned. of water. Then she would make betel would address him like this and There was only one room on the rolls. That over, she would sing in a finally got him!” ground floor of the Nahabat, and low tone, and that very cautiously, that was stacked with goods. Over- lest should she be overheard. Then The Nahabat head were slings on which was hung when the mill blew the whistle at one Apart from the few days that the potful of domestic titbits. The worst o’clock, she sat down for her food, so Mother lived in the thatched house source of inconvenience was inade- that her lunch was never finished built by Shambu Babu, she spent the quacy of the facilities for bathing and before half past one or two. After rest of her Dakshineswar days in the personal cleanliness. Through forced food she would take some nominal small Nahabat. Those days were ex- confinement I developed physical rest and then would sit down on the tremely uncomfortable days and the trouble…and those fisherwomen steps at about three for drying her Mother, too, felt similarly. She said, were my companions. When they hair. Then she would turn to trim- “When I was at the Nahabat for serv- came for a bath in the Ganges, they ming the lights and doing other odd ing the Master, in what discomfort I kept their baskets on the verandah bits of work, and then get ready for had to live in that small room, and and went down for their dip. They evening duties after somehow wash- what a lot of things lay huddled to- talked a lot with me and took away ing her body and clothes with the gether there! Sometimes, I was all their baskets when returning home. little water she kept in the Nahabat. alone…Golap, Gaur-dasi and others At night I heard the fishermen sing When evening came, she would light stayed there now and then. Extreme- as they caught fish.” the lamps and after waving the cen- ly small though the room was, yet in ser with the burning incense before it was carried on cooking, sleeping, Mother’s daily routine at the the deities, sit for meditation. Cook- eating, - why, everything. Cooking Nahabat ing for the night usually followed was done for the Master, for often The Mother lived on the ground this, and the Mother would have her

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 7 Reach supper after all had finished. At last Analogy of the parrots warmly attached to the Mother as she would lie down after a little res- The Master was not, of course, she was to him. Gauri-Ma once said, pite. unmindful of her comforts; on the “ Though these two sometimes did Once, before dawn, when she was contrary he tried to keep her happy not see each other for six months getting down the steps for a bath in in every way. He called that little together, in spite of being only about the Ganges she almost trod on a room a cage, surrounded as it was by seventy five feet apart, how deep was crocodile which, taking alarm at the bamboo chips. Lakshmi Devi, his their love indeed for each other.” Mother’s approach, jumped into the niece, too, often stayed there. The Once when the Mother had a head- river. Thenceforth, she never went Master called them, in fun, a pair of ache the Master felt extremely anx- for a bath without a lantern. parrots. When Mother Kali’s ious and went on asking Ramlal, ‘O Numerous inconveniences and prasāda was sent from the temple to Ramlal, why does that headache handicaps, heavy duties and troubles the Master’s room, he said to his trouble her?’ were there; but the Mother never nephew Ramlal, ‘Hullo! There is that The Master saw to it that the really worried about them. After- pair of parrots in the cage. Carry to Mother was not needlessly over bur- wards, when casually alluding to all them some gram and fruits.’ New- dened with work, busy as she was these troubles, she would sum up comers naturally thought that there the whole day. Once, while on a walk saying, ‘yet I knew no other suffer- were some real birds; even Master with Rakhal in the garden of Beni ing…no discomfort could touch me if Mahashaya laboured long under that Pal of Sinthi, he came across some it was for his (Master’s) service. The wrong impression. When Lakshmi ghosts who implored him to leave day passed on joyously and quietly Devi was not there, the thought of the garden, as the holy atmosphere amidst everything’. the rheumatism and loneliness of the he diffused around him was too Holy Mother worried the Master strong for them to bear. It had been Living near the great Master very much. He said to her, ‘If a wild arranged earlier that he would spend The Holy Mother, whose life re- bird lives in a cage it becomes rheu- the night in the garden; but the im-

“If but I were one of the devotees over there, I would then be ever so near the Master, and would hear so many things.” volved round the Master alone, had matic; you should go out now and portunity of the spirits made him seldom even a distant view of him. then to have a stroll in the neigh- change the plan at once. He called a She said, “Sometimes even during as bourhood’. He did not stop with this. carriage and returned to the temple long a period as two months, I When visitors had left the temple premises at dead of night when the couldn’t see him even once. I com- premises at noon, he would go to her gate was closed. He got it opened posed myself by saying, ‘O Mind, and ask her to walk out through the and walked in. The Mother, whose what merit have you earned that you backdoor to spend some time with mind was ever eager for any oppor- will get his darshan (sight) every the wife of one Sri Pandye. The tunity of service to him, got up at the day?’ Standing erect (behind the Mother used to return after the sound of his steps and said to the screen of plaited bamboo chips, with evening services when the Panchava- maid servant, ‘O Jadu’s –mother, which the veranda of the Nahabat ti side became quiet again. how shall we manage?’ They were was surrounded), I used to hear the talking in the Nahabat; but the Mas- lines that he sometimes added ex- A unique relationship ter’s careful ears caught the sound. tempore to the kirtana songs. This Sometimes the Master created He sized up the situation at once and produced rheumatism.’ funny situations as though to im- said, ‘Don’t you worry, my dears, we Though the Mother was then press on others the unique intimacy have had our meal already.’ physically separated from the Master of the relationship that he had with The question of the Mother’s her heart ever hovered around him. the Mother. Once when a discussion maintenance after his passing away The number of devotees visiting the arose whether the Master or a cer- was also present in his mind. Master at that time was quite consid- tain devotee had a fairer skin, the Though detachment from worldly erable, and throughout the day and Master appointed the Mother as the affairs was a point of faith with him, till late into the night there was a umpire. He told her that she would he asked the mother, “How much continuous flow of music solo or have to watch them and formulate money would you require for your choral, dancing, and ecstatic moods. her opinion as they walked by the personal needs?” The Mother re- The Mother saw and heard these and Nahabat northward of the Panchava- plied, “I can manage with, say, five thought, “If but I were one of the ti. The Master’s colour was at that or six rupees.” Then he inquired, “ devotees over there, I would then be time fair and bright like pure gold How many chapātis do you eat in ever so near the Master, and would and could hardly be distinguished the evening?” The Mother blushed at hear so many things.” Mother stated from the gold amulet on his arm. this personal question and hung her about this period, ‘in what bliss I Yet, the Mother, an impartial judge, head in shame without answering. was! What a curiously mixed crowd pronounced her verdict in favour of But the Master went on repeating his of people came to see him then! his rival. question and she had to reply at last. Dakshineswar used then to be a mart In fact, the current of love of this “Say, five or six.” On that basis the of joy!’ divine couple was equally strong at master calculated and said, “Then it either bank; the Master was as will be quite enough if you have five

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 8 Reach or six hundred rupees.” Afterwards a piece of thick cloth I made a pil- quietly turned her back and walked he deposited that amount of money low. I used to spread a coarse mat way to the Nahabat. The Master with Balaram Babu who invested it over a piece of hessian and put that now was in a quandary and said to in his own estate and sent her thirty pillow under my head. I slept as his nephew, Ramlal, “Hullo Ramlal, rupees every half year as the accru- soundly on those things as I do now go and pacify your aunt. If she gets ing income. on these (cots etc.). I don’t feel any angry, everything will be undone difference, my child.” with this (pointing to his body).” Sri Ramakrishna’s respect This was a voluntary defeat of the and honour towards Mother Domain of Motherhood Master before the blossoming moth- Sri Sarada Devi said, “I was fortu- Though the Mother was very shy erhood of Sarada Devi. On reflec- nate to be wedded to a husband who and effaced herself completely, sub- tion, the Mother said, “Well, my never addressed me as thou (tui). duing herself to the will of the Mas- dear, whatever you may say, I shan’t The Master never hurt me even with ter, yet in one respect she main- be able to turn away anybody if he a flower, never called me ‘thou’ in tained her independence and that addresses me as Mother.” place of ‘you’ (tumi). One day the was in the domain of her mother- This was made abundantly clear Mother carried to the Master’s room hood. The following instances are to the Master through the following his scanty dishes consisting of very evidence of her motherhood: incident. As the Mother felt too shy thin pieces of cake and semolina There used to be an old woman - to come into the Master’s room in porridge. As she was leaving the who lived a somewhat loose life in the presence of others, the room room after placing the dishes at the her youth- who used to come to visit was cleared of people at night to proper place, the Master thought it the Mother. Now, like a devotee, she enable her to serve the Master his was his niece Lakshmi and called prayed to the Lord and often came food. One night, when she had just out, “Mind, thou (tui) shut the alone to the Mother who talked in a stepped onto the veranda of the door.” The Mother said, “Yes, here I friendly spirit. Noticing this, the Master’s room, a woman devotee close it.” Recognizing the Mother’s Master once said, “Why is that suddenly came up and snatched voice, he became greatly embar- woman here?” The Mother expostu- away the plate of food saying, “Give rassed and apologetic, “Ah, it’s you! lated, “She talks now only of Hari. it to me, Mother, give it to me.” The I thought it was Lakshmi. Don’t you What’s the harm in that?” The woman placed the plate before the mind this.” That unintentional dis- Mother knew that human nature Master and left as quickly. The Mas- respect upset him so much that the changes, that people repent and be- ter sat down for his meal; the Moth- very next morning he went to the come good. On the other hand, the er too sat by him. But he could not Mother’s door and said, “Look here, Master’s sense of duty warned him touch the food and said looking at my dear, I had no sleep last night, that the Holy Mother should be pro- the Mother, “What’s this you have because of brooding over my rude- tected from the company of persons done? Why did you give it into her ness to you.” As an illustration of who may come with impure mo- hands? Don’t you know her? She is the honour with which the Holy tives. immoral. How can I now eat what Mother was held by the Master who When visitors became more nu- has been defiled by her?” “I know all regarded all women as the veritable merous and fruits and sweets and that,” said the Mother, “but do manifestation of the Mother of the other offerings were placed at the please take this tonight.” The Mas- Universe, he told the devotees that feet of the Master, he used to send ter would still not touch it, but at he saluted the Mother after she had these to the Nahabat. It was found, the Mother’s importunity said, rubbed his feet. On another occa- however, that apart from the little “Promise that you won’t hand it sion he said, “I wanted to go to a needed for the Master, the Mother over to anybody hereafter.” With certain place. When the Mother was did not care to retain them, but gave folded hands the Mother replied, consulted she forbade me; I gave up them away freely to the women and “That I cannot, master! I shall cer- the idea.” young devotees and the children of tainly bring your food, but if anyone Though the Master honoured the the neighbourhood who visited her. begs me by calling me ‘Mother’, I Mother and treated her with utmost Her Mother’s heart would not allow shan’t be able to contain myself. consideration, he knew that there her to send away any visitor or dev- Besides, you are not my Master was a wide difference between them otee without giving him or her some alone, you are for all.” That cheered in age and experience. Moreover, fruit or sweet. In this she was liberal up the Master and he began eating. there was none else to instruct the to a fault. One day when she had Mother either about worldly matters thus used up everything, Golap’s or about spiritual practices. So he Mother cried out, “My dear daugh- Source: gladly shouldered the duty. For in- ter-in-law, why have you not re- Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi by stance, he said to the Mother, “One served anything for my Gopal?” The Swami , Sri Rama- has to work; women should not sit Mother hung her head in shame. krishna Math, Madras, pp. 74-85. idle, for if one sits idle, many vain Just then Navagopal Babu’s wife thoughts may crop up.” The Mother alighted from a carriage and hand The Compassionate Mother Sri Sri once said, “He brought me some over to her some sweets and saved Sarada Devi by Swami Tanmaya- raw jute and said, “Twist this and the situation. The Master too knew nanda, Sri Sarada Sanga Malaysia, make slings for me; I shall keep in of this extravagance and argued 2002, pp. 63-69. them sweets etc. for the boys. I with her one day in his room. “How twisted it into strings and made can it be managed if there is such slings; and with the waste fibres and extravagance?” At this the Mother

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 9 Reach Swami Vivekananda

Continued from the previous issue

After Sri Ramakrishna’s na: “The members of the Math dispassion we had in those passing away () called themselves days! We had no thought the ‘danas’ and ‘daityas’, which even as to whether the world Introduction: means the ‘ghosts’ and the existed or not…There were Ramakrishna passed away on ‘demons’, the companions of Shi- days when the japam and Sunday, 16th August 1886, va. They took these names be- meditation continued from plunging his devotees into an cause of their utter indifference morning till four or five in the ocean of grief. The young disci- to worldly pleasures and rela- afternoon. Ramakrishnanan- ples wanted to continue wor- tionships…Narendra and the oth- da waited and waited with shipping Ramakrishna’s relics at er members of the Math often our meals ready, till at last he the Cossipore garden house, but spent their evenings on the roof. would come and snatch us they had no means to support There they had devoted a great from our meditation by sheer themselves. The householder deal of time to discussion of the force…there were days when devotees, who had supported the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, the monastery was without a Master, asked them to return Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, Je- grain of food. If rice was col- home. However, three disciples lected by begging, there was had already left home forever, no salt to take with it! On and they had no place to go. some days there would be on- Narendra was helpless. ly rice and salt, but nobody cared for it in the least. We One evening early in Septem- were then being carried away ber, while Suren Nath Mittra by a tidal wave of spiritual was meditating in his household practice. Oh, those wonderful shrine, Ramakrishna appeared days!’ to him and said, “What are you doing here? My boys are roam- In the middle of December ing about, without a place to 1886, Narendra and eight other live. Attend to that, before any- disciples went to Antpur, the thing else.” Hearing the Master’s birthplace of Baburam (later, command, Surendra hurried to Swami Premananda) for a re- Narendra and told him every- treat. One night they made a fire thing that had happened. He in the courtyard and sat around it promised to provide the same for meditation. Suddenly Naren- amount of money every month dra was inspired to talk about as he had given for the Cossipore Christ’s love and renunciation house prior to Ramakrishna’s and his self-sacrifice for the good passing. Immediately Narendra of humanity. In front of that sa- and the disciples began to search cred fire, the disciples vowed to for a house, and found one at embrace the monastic life. In a Baranagore, midway between Swami Vivekananda at Jaipur, 1891 joyous mood they returned to Dakshineswar and Calcutta. their rooms and someone discov- Dreary, dilapidated, and desert- sus Christ, and of Hindu philoso- ered after it was Christmas Eve- ed, it was a building that had a phy, European philosophy, the all felt doubly blest. After a week reputation of being haunted by , the and the Tan- of retreat, they returned to Ba- evil spirits. It had two storeys; tras.” ranagore, and in the early part of the lower one was infested with 1887, took formal monastic vows. lizards and snakes. This house In later years, Narendra remi- Narendra took the name of Swa- was chosen because of its low nisced about the early days in the mi Vividishananda. Later, prior rent and proximity to the Cos- monastery: to his journey to America, he sipore burning-ghat, where the After the passing away of changed his name to Swami Vi- master’s body had been cremat- Sri Ramakrishna, we under- vekananda at the request of Raja ed. went a lot of religious practice Ajit Singh of Khetri. at the Baranagore Math The first Ramakrishna (monastery). We used to get Many years later, Narendra monastery at Baranagore up at 3.00am and after wash- said to one of his disciples, “One , known ing our faces etc, we would sit eye shed tears of grief when I left as M. wrote about the first Rama- in the shrine and become ab- home, because I hated to leave krishna monastery at Baranagore sorbed in japam and medita- my mother, grandfather, broth- in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrish- tion. What a strong spirit of ers, and sisters; and the other eye

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 10 Reach shed tears of joy for my ideal”. tionmaster, whom he accepted as Baba, the famous of Gazipur, Luxury and too many material a disciple. When Sharat asked the and learned from him the secret possessions take the mind away swami to stay with him longer, he of work - “Pay as much attention from God. That is why most mys- replied, “My son, I have a great to the means of work as to the tics remove themselves from mission to fulfil. My guru asked end.” The yogi told him, “Live in family ties and worldly posses- me to dedicate my life to the re- the house of your guru like a sions. This is one of the initial generation of my motherland. cow”, which means that one tests of a spiritual journey. God Spirituality has fallen to low ebb should cultivate the spirit of ser- embraces those souls and makes and starvation stalks the land. vice and humility. everything favourable for them India must become dynamic who are endowed with purity and again and earn respect of the While at Gazipur, Vivekananda renunciation, poverty and humil- world through her spiritual pow- suffered from stomach trouble ity, devotion and longing. er.” and lumbago. He decided to take initiation from As a wandering monk One day during his travels in Pavhari Baba in order to cure his There is a saying, “The monk is the Himalayas, Vivekananda sat ailment. However, that night Ra- pure who goes, and the river is for meditation under a pipal tree makrishna appeared before him, pure that flows.” In 1888 Viveka- by the side of a stream. There he looking at him intently as if very nanda left the monastery to live experienced oneness of the uni- grieved. This vision was repeated

“ I have travelled all over India…But alas, it was agony to me, my brothers, to see with my own eyes the terrible poverty and misery of the masses, and I could not restrain my tears! It is now my firm conviction that it is futile to preach religion amongst them without first trying to remove their poverty and sufferings...” as a penniless wandering monk. verse and man-that man is a uni- for twenty-one nights. He gave He carried a staff, a water pot, verse in miniature. He realised up the idea of initiation, re- and his two favourite books – that all that exists in the universe proaching himself for lacking and The Imitation also exists in the body, and fur- complete faith in the Master. of Christ. ther, that the entire universe can be found contained in a single Vivekananda travelled over He first went to , atom. He jotted down this experi- almost all of India, mostly on known as the city of light and a ence in a notebook, “In the begin- foot, visiting places of history and capital of ancient India culture. ning was the Word etc. The mi- pilgrimage. He was thus able to During his journey he met many crocosm and the macrocosm are gain firsthand experience of the holy people and scholars. One built on the same plan. Just as Indian people. Seeing the poor day while visiting the Durga the individual soul is encased in and deplorable conditions of the Temple, he was attacked by a the living body, so is the Univer- masses, he was at times moved to troop of monkeys. While he was sal Soul in the living Prakriti tears. He had suffered great pov- running away, a monk shouted to (Nature)-the objective universe… erty himself and had deep com- him, “Face the brutes”. Swamiji The dual aspect of the Universal passion for the suffering of oth- stopped and looked defiantly at Soul is eternal. So what we per- ers. Once he remarked, with his the ugly beasts. They quickly dis- ceive or feel is this combination usual vigour, that a God who appeared. Later, as a preacher in of the Eternally Formed and the could not in this life give a crust America, he shared this experi- Eternally Formless.” of bread was not to be trusted in ence with people and told them the next for the kingdom of heav- to face the dangers and vicissi- During Vivekananda’s itiner- en. He observed that religion was tudes of life and not run away ant days, he had various kinds of not the crying need of India, and from them. Vivekananda knew spiritual experiences. Once in a recalled Sri Ramakrishna’s pithy his life’s mission and felt a tre- vision he saw an old man stand- saying, “Religion is not for an mendous power within him. He ing on the bank of the Indus empty stomach.” left the city of Varanasi with chanting Vedic hymns: he dis- these prophetic words, “When I tinctly heard the invocation of the In his travels, Vivekananda return here the next time, I shall Gayatri mantra from the Rig Ve- met the maharajas of Khetri, Al- burst upon society like a bomb- da. The swami believed that war, , Ramnad and many shell, and it will follow me like a through this vision he had recov- other dignitaries. He boldly told dog.” ered the musical cadences of the them that the prosperity of India early Aryans. He also experienced depended upon uplifting the On his way to Hardwar, he the presence of the Cosmic God masses by introducing good edu- stopped at the Hathras Railroad in all beings. cation, modern science, and in- Station. There he met Sharat dustry. However, they did not Gupta, the assistant sta- Vivekananda visited Pavhari show sufficient interest. Later, he

Issue No. 33 September 2015 Page 11 Reach expressed his feelings. “May I be represent , the religion song, which reached the swami’s born again and again, and suffer of Vedanta, but he refused. He ears: thousands of miseries so that I was waiting for the Master’s call. may worship the only God that In December 1892, at Kanya- Look not, O Lord, upon my sins exists, the only God I believe in, kumari, sitting on the last bit of Is not same-sightedness Thy name? the sum total of all souls-and India rock in the India Ocean, he One piece of iron is in the image in above all, my God the wicked, my received his call to go to the west. the temple, and another, the knife in God the miserable, my God the One day, while in Madras, the hand of the butcher; poor of all races, of all species, is Swamiji had a symbolic dream: Yet both of these are turned to gold the special object of my worship.” He saw Sri Ramakrishna walking When touched by the philosopher’s In February 1891, Vivekananda into the water of the ocean and stone. arrived in Alwar, Rajputana beckoning him to follow. He also So, Lord, look not upon my evil (western India) and met Mahara- heard the command, “Go!” Alt- qualities… ja Mangal Singh. He was very hough Swamiji was now certain westernized, and, although a of his journey, he still felt it nec- Swamiji was deeply moved. Hindu, had no faith in worship- essary to have Holy Mother Sara- This dancing girl, whom society ping images that to him were da Devi’s blessing. He wrote to condemned as impure, had nothing but clay or stone figu- Swami , “I have had taught him a great lesson: Brah- rines. Swamiji tried in vain to ex- a vision in which the Master told man, the ever pure, ever free, ev- plain to him that wor- me to go to the west. My mind is er illumined, is the essence of all shipped God alone, using the im- quite disturbed. Please tell Holy beings. He immediately realised ages as symbols. The maharaja Mother everything and let me his mistake and joined the party. was not convinced. Then Viveka- know her opinion.” Saradananda He later said, “That incident re- nanda asked the prime minister went to Holy Mother and read moved the scales from my eyes. to take down a picture of the ma- Swamiji’s letter to her. Holy Seeing that all are indeed the haraja that was hanging on the Mother did not give her opinion manifestation of the One, I could wall; at Vivekananda’s request it immediately, but asked not condemn anybody.” was handed to him. He then com- Saradananda to wait. After a cou- manded the prime minister and ple of days, Holy Mother had a Conclusion: others to spit on it. Everyone was dream. She saw Ramakrishna On his way to Bombay, Swa- horrified. He said to the audi- walking over the ocean waves and miji stopped at the Abu Road Sta- ence, “Maharaja is not bodily pre- asking Narendra to follow him. tion and met Swamis Brah- sent in the photograph. This is Then Holy Mother told mananda and . only a piece of paper. It does not Saradananda, “Please write to When he told them that he was contain his bones, flesh, and Naren that he should go to the going to America they were great- blood. It does not speak or be- west.” Swamiji was overjoyed ly excited. He explained to them, have or move in any way as the when he received Holy Mother’s “I have travelled all over India… maharaja does; yet all of you re- approval and blessing. But alas, it was agony to me, my fuse to spit on it, because you see In Madras, Vivekananda’s fol- brothers, to see with my own eyes in this photo the shadow of the lowers began to raise money and the terrible poverty and misery of maharaja. Indeed, in spitting on make the necessary arrange- the masses, and I could not re- the photo, you feel that you insult ments for his departure. In the strain my tears! It is now my firm your master, the Prince himself.” meantime, Raja Ajit Singh of conviction that it is futile to Turning to the maharaja, he con- Khetri, who was a disciple of preach religion amongst them tinued, “See, Your Highness, Swamiji, asked him to come to without first trying to remove though this is not you in one Khetri and bless his newborn their poverty and sufferings. It is sense, in another sense it is you. son. He also offered to provide for this reason-to find more That was why your devoted serv- the ticket for his passage to means for the salvation of the ants were so perplexed when I America. Swamiji consented and poor in India – that I am now asked them to spit on it.” The went to Khetri for the birthday going to America.” maharaja realised his mistake function. One evening while he (To be continued in the next and begged swamiji’s blessings. was there, the maharaja invited edition of Reach) While travelling in western him to attend a musical perfor- and southern India, Vivekananda mance by a dancing girl. Howev- Source heard about the Parliament of er, Vivekananda sent word that, God Lived With Them: Life Sto- Religions that was to be held in as a monk, he was not permitted ries of Sixteen Monastic Disciples Chicago in 1893. A group of India to enjoy secular pleasures. The of Sri Ramakrishna by Swami rulers and influential people re- girl was hurt when she heard the Chetanananda, Advaita Ashrama, quested that he attend in order to message and sang this plaintive Calcutta, pp. 37-43.

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