Motto: Atmano mokshartham jagad hitaya cha, REACH “For one’s own liberation and for the Newsletter of Vedanta Centres of Australia welfare of the world.” 2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115, Australia, P.O. Box 3101, Monash Park, NSW 2111 Website: www.vedantasydney.org; e-mail: [email protected]; Phones: (02) 8197 7351, -52; Fax: (02) 9858 4767.

Salutation be to You, O Narayani, O You Who are intent on saving the dejected and distressed that take refuge under You. O You, Devi Who remove the sufferings of all. May the Divine Mother Shower blessings on us all.

Sayings and Teachings The Bhavatarini Kali Temple at Dakshineswar, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, where Sri attained perfection worshipping the Divine Mother Kali (inset). Continue Meditation always “After the Chosen Ideal is brought page 225; Ramakrishna-Vivekananda of thought. We have one common and seated on the lotus of the heart, Centre of New York, U.S. goal, and that is the perfection of the sacrificial lamp of meditation the human soul, the god within us. on Him should always be kept Thoughts might differ, not the Goal --- , burning. While one is engaged in We must learn to love the man who worldly duties, one should watch at differs from us in opinion. We must The Complete works of Swami intervals whether that lamp is burning learn that differentiation is the life Vivekananda, Volume 1X, page 487; within or not.” , Kolkata, India.

--- Sri Ramakrishna. CALENDAR OF EVENTS FROM OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2009 Sri Ramakrishna:The Great Master Centre Volume I by Swami Saradananda, page Function Date 429; Sri , Mylapore, Durga Puja Sydney Saturday, 26 September 2009 Chennai, India.

God resides in the heart of all Brisbane Saturday, 19 December 2009

“In the fullness of spiritual realisation, Birthday of Sri Melbourne Tuesday, 8 December 2009 a person finds that the God who resides in his heart resides in the Perth Sunday, 13 December 2009 heart of all - the oppressed, the Sydney Tuesday, 8 December 2009 persecuted, the lowly, and the untouchable. This realisation makes Welcome one truly humble.” We welcome you all to the Ramakrishna - Vedanta Movement and invite you to attend our functions and actively participate in the propagation of the Universal --- Sri Sarada Devi. message of Vedanta as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Holy Mother by Swami Nikhilananda, Mother Sri Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 1 September 2009 News and activities of Vedanta Centres of Australia and New Zealand For the period From May 2009 to August 2009 also some news about September 2009 ADELAIDE CENTRE Anavkar, Sharada Muralidharan and The ceremony was participated by Monthly activities: Mallika Prasad. The singers were number of local artists who performed accompanied by Kiran Mandpe on devotional songs and folk and classical Swami Sridharananda continued his tabla, Amit Srivastava on key-board dances. More than 400 guests attended three days-a-month visit to Adelaide and Pravesh Sewrathan on manjira. the function. The evening concluded and delivered discourses on the Bhagavad Shivanthini Gowri Rajaramanan was with a speech by Swami Sridharananda Gita and Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The the MC for the evening. and a vegetarian dinner organized by talks are held at Dulwich Community the committee. Centre, 14 Union Street, Dulwich SA BRISBANE CENTRE 5065. The lectures are being recorded. Daily activities: CANBERRA CENTRE For details of the ongoing monthly Morning worship, evening arati, bhajans, Swami Sridharananda conducted programmes please contact Mr. Raman and a reading from The Gospel of Sri classes on the twice a Sharma, Secretary, on 08- 8431 9775 or Ramakrishna are the regular activities month at the Majura Community Centre Mrs. Pathma Iswaran on 08-8379 5336. at the Centre at 181 Burbong Street, in Canberra. He also gave parlour Cultural Programme: Chapel Hill, QLD 4073, (Phone no. talks based on the Yoga Sutras of A cultural programme - ‘An evening 07-3720 0228). A resident volunteer Patanjali once a month. Contacts: Mr. J. of Dance and Music of the Indian looks after the day-to-day activities Venkataraman, Secretary - 02-6258 7612 sub-continent’ was held on Saturday, at the Centre. and Dr. Ian Doherty, Treasurer - 02- the 18th of July 2009 at the Parks Monthly and Annual activities: 6247 8519. Community Centre, Cowan St, Angle Swami Atmeshananda visited Brisbane MELBOURNE CENTRE Park, SA. In the first half of the once a month and delivered talks on the 1. Daily Activities: programme Brijanthi Rajeev, an Bhagavad Gita as well as other spiritual experienced classical exponent of topics. The vesper service is held daily at the Bharatanatyam, presented four dances in Centre at 7 Judy Court, Vermont, Swami Sridharananda delivered three Vic 3133 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. the Kalakshetra style. After the dance talks from the 3rd of July to 5th of July performance, Swami Sridharananda, in It includes set hymns, scriptural readings 2009. The topics of the talks were and meditation and occasional devotional his brief address to the audience, high- “Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, who is lighted the excellence of the Vedantic singing. Two resident volunteers look She?” “Swami Vivekananda as Sri after the services in the mornings and on culture and how it teaches ways to Ramakrishna made him” and “Sri make use of the creative instincts special occasions. Ramakrishna as Swami Vivekananda The bookstall made available literature within us to convert our life from saw him”. These were delivered at the egocentric existence to divine-centric on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda, Vedanta Ashrama premises, the University of philosophy, and other spiritual topics existence. He pointed out that lives of Queensland and Jamboree Heights Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi and in print, audio, and visual media State School. On the final day a free throughout the period. For further Swami Vivekananda are concrete vegetarian lunch was organized by the examples of the manifestation of the information please contact Mr. Suresh committee. Vedantic culture. According to it Ravinutala, Secretary, on 03-9803 6154 and each and every religion is a direct and Celebrations: Mr. Mohana Krishnan on 03-9801 6174. independent path to realization of the The Centre celebrated the fifth Annual 2. Weekly/Monthly Activities: Divine already within us. He also Function at the Indooroopilly State Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver prayed for Divine guidance. High School on Saturday 13 June. The monthly discourses on the Bhagavad Gita Chief Guest, the Honourable Minister of from Thursday to Saturday of a The second half of the programme Education and Training of Queensland, prescheduled week at Monash University included a flute recital by Muralidharan Mr Geoff Wilson, together with Claton Campus of Law, Wellington and series of melodious bhajans by Swami Sridharananda, inaugurated the Road (L. Theatre L1). The recordings local artists - Priya Ghosal, Anuj ceremony. of these discourses are available in

Cultural Programme organized by the Vedanta Centre of Sydney—Adelaide Chapter.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 2 September 2009 Audio, Video and MP3 formats. was arranged every Friday at 10:30 a.m. the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Mundaka On the second Sunday of every month, PERTH CENTRE Upanisad, and other topics are also meetings were conducted from 5 p.m. to 1. Daily Activities: available in various media. 7:30 p.m. These regular meetings included 2. Weekly/ Monthly Activities: prayer, recitation of sacred mantras, The Centre located at 2B Roe Close, Bull Creek, W.A. 6149 holds daily The Centre conducted the following singing of kirtan and bhajans, followed activities in Sydney: by selected readings from the scriptures and worship in the morning followed by Vedic discussions on them by the participants. chanting. In the evening there is a vesper a) Swami Sridharananda conducted The meetings concluded with an service at 7 p.m. with arati, a reading classes on the Bhagavad Gitā every arati and the distribution of prasad. from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sunday morning from 9:45 a.m. to Swami Atmeshanandaji accompanied and meditation. The Centre maintains a 10:45 a.m. at the South Strathfield by Swami Mahabodhanandaji from the small bookstall and Library. Contacts: Bowling Club, Augusta Street, Strathfield. Institute of Culture, Centre - 08 9313 8796, Mrs Maya b) The classes on the Bhagavad Gitā Gol Park, Kolkata, visited Melbourne Chatterjee 9332 7633. were also conducted by Swami from the 14th to the 18th of May. They 2. Monthly Activities: Sridharananda at 1 Edwin Street, delivered lectures on ‘Basic spiritual Satsangs are held on the first Sunday of Fairlight, Manly Beach on Tuesdays disciplines’ and on ‘Practical Vedanta each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. In his as taught by Swami Vivekananda’ at followed by lunch-prasad. Informal absence Swami Atmeshananda held Monash University, Clayton campus satsangs are held every other Sunday at classes on Sri Ramakrishna and His and a special prayer session was held at the same time. Divine Play. the Melbourne Centre. Swami Sridharananda visited Perth c) Many devotees have availed from the 24th to 27th of June and themselves of spiritual counselling Celebrations: delivered talks on spiritual subjects. and guidance. The Swamis also visited A special satsang was held on the Swami Atmeshananda visited Perth the homes of devotees when required. auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima Centre from 26th to 29th of August d) After a break of few weeks Yogasana on Tuesday, 12th of July 2009 from 5 2009 and delivered talks on spiritual Classes for adults has resumed from the p.m. to 7 p.m. Sri Krishna Janmastami topis and conducted bhajans. 3rd of September 2009. It is held every and Ganesha Chaturthi were observed Thursday at the Centre from 7:30 p.m. on the 13th of August and 23rd of Celebrations: August 2009 respectively. Janmashtami was celebrated on 7th of e) To help new Australian migrants to July 2009 evening with readings from find suitable jobs Career guidance Other Activities: the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad sessions were conducted on the second The Centre actively participated and Gita and Krishna Bhajans. Saturday of every month from 3:30 sent representative in the Inter-faith p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mr. Abhijit Guha and SYDNEY CENTRE activities organised by the Whitehorse his dedicated band of volunteers conducted Council. Daily Activities: the sessions. The Parliament of the World’s Religions At the Ermington Centre chanting, f) Meditation sessions were held at the will be held in Melbourne in December daily worship and meditation are held Ermington Centre on Sundays from 5 2009. A local board of management, every morning from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and p.m. to 6 p.m. advisory council and the secretariat the vesper service in the evening starting g) Classes on moral and spiritual lessons have now been established as part of at 7 p.m. includes devotional singing are conducted for children every the preliminary discussion for the and a reading from The Gospel of Holy Saturday from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. at Advisory Council. For details please Mother Sri Sarada Devi. Counselling, 85 Bland street, Ashfield. In addition, look up the official website— interviews and discussions with drama and movement classes are also www.cpwr.org. devotees are also conducted on a daily held. basis. The library is available to devotees h) A class to teach Bengali language to Group study of the Bhagavad Gita for reference and research. The Centre interested people is being conducted on continues every alternate Saturday maintains a bookstall which has a Saturdays from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. by Mr. from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Viewing range of books on the Ramakrishna- Debu Mukherjee . of the lecture series on the ‘Mundaka Vivekananda, Vedanta, Yoga, and Upanishad’ took place every Sunday other spiritual literature. Devotional Raffle and Cultural Programme : from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Viewing of the songs, discourses on Bhagavad Gita, A cultural programme Sangamam was lecture series on ‘Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras’ held along with a Raffle draw by the Centre on 1st of August 2009 at Bank- stown Town Hall. As the Centre is in need of financial assistance a raffle was organized when a devotee donated a pair of her diamond ear-rings. After an invocation for the blessings of the Divine by children of Bala Sangha, the students of Varalakshmi Sridharan played on Veena. On the occasion, Swami Sridharananda spoke about spiritualizing our lives in all aspects. In the second half Mrs. Uma Ayyar and Swami Sridharananda delivering a talk in Perth REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 3 September 2009 Mythili Narayanaswamy presented AUCKLAND, NZ CENTRE about direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna vocal recital including popular Tamil, and meditation. On the last Sunday of Malayalam songs with an Abhang Daily activities: every month reading and discussion on accompanied on the violin by Sanjay A vesper service is held daily at the Srimad-Bhagavad Gita, the Gospel of Ramaswamy, Nirmal Ayyar on Mri- Centre at 27 Arawa Street, New Lynn, Sri Ramakrishna, the life and teachings dangam and Kishan Jeyendran on Auckland from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. of Holy Mother and Swami Vivekan- Tabla. A 'Sur Sangam' composition It includes singing of hymns, readings anda were conducted in addition to was presented by Dr Raghuram from the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and the above. Music and chanting classes Subrahmaniyam on Mridangam, Mr meditation. were also held on these days. Abhijit Dan on Tabla, Mr Kishan Monthly activities: Celebrations: Jeyendran on Mandolin and Ashwin On the second Sunday of every The Centre celebrated Guru Purnima Nair on the white electronic violin. The month Satsang programmes were con- on 7th July 2009. The programme raffle was drawn at the end and the ducted from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. which started at 8:00 p.m. after the arati and contributions by every participants includes singing of Bhajans, chanting of continued up to 9 p.m. followed by were acknowledged. the Ramayana, reading and discussion prasad distribution. There were bhajans/Kirtans and talks on the significance of Guru. Swami Tadananda of Ramakrishna Mission, Nadi, Fiji, visited Auckland from 25th to 30th August 09. He delivered talks on Spirituality - ‘What is it really - Seeing through the Vedanta-scope’ from 7:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday, the 30th August from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Cultural Programme held on 1st of August 2009 at the behest of the Vedanta Centre of Sydney— photos, sequentially, the make shift shrine in the hall, a prayer by children, an ensemble of Veena and other artists presenting various items.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 4 September 2009

"Yes, work is very trou- blesome. It is now good for you to meditate on God for a few days in solitude. No doubt you say that you would like to give up your work. …... Worldly people talk that way; but they don't succeed in carrying out their intention." — Sri Ramakrishna

Group Photo at the Spiritual Retreat held in April 09 at Mangrove Mountain.

MANAGING COMMITEES OF VEDANTA CENTRE OF SYDNEY AND OTHER CHAPTERS SYDNEY BRISBANE Dr. Ajit Kumar Ghosh, Patrons: Mr. B.Ramakrishna President : Mr Maha Sinnathamby Mr.Vierend Ramsaran, Mrs. Kanaka Ramakrishna Deputy Presiden: Dr Ashim Majumdar Mr. Moulinath Ganguly, President: Swami Sridharananda Vice Presidents: Swami Atmeshan- Mr. Kirit Kapadia, Vice Presidents: Swami Atmeshananda anda Mrs. Rita Khazanchi, Mr. Prakash Chand- Prof. Prasad Yarlagadda Mr. M. Neelakantan, Secretary: Mrs. Vandana Sarathy Secretary: Mr Som Prakash Mr. Narendra Pilaka, Tresurer: Mr. A. Premachandran Treasurer: Mr Hari Raniga Mr. Kannan Joghee Members: Swami Chandrashekharananda Member s: Dr Gopal Chat- PERTH Mr Saba Arunanthy, topadhyaya, President: Swami Sridharananda Mr Shivprasad Bhatt, Dr Gopal Krishna Bose, Patrons: Dr Amirthalingam Sinnathamby, Mr Rajkumar Dutta, Dr Naidu Bodapati, Mrs Savithiri Sinnathamby, Mr Dilip Mohanty, Mr Biswadeep Basu, Mr Cecil and Mrs Julie Bethell Mr Debu Mukerji, Mr Rajah Kunarajah, Vice Presidents: Dr S. Devi Mr Gangadhar Naicker, Mr Shyam Das, Mr Hiren Mukhopadyay Mr Chandan Roy Chowdhury, Mr Surendra Mutthiah, Dr Yatendra Sharma Mr Amitava Sen, Mrs Parames Navaneetham, Secretary: Mr K.P. Basu Mallick Dr Subramaniam Sinnathamby, Mrs Vicky M Sundram, Joint Secretary: Mr Unnikrishnan Dr Jenny Spencer, Ms Saras Narsey, Treasurer: Ms Sharmini Lingam Mr Chandrahas Thakkar, Prof Tapan Saha, Member s: Mrs Maya Chaterjee, Mr Jaishankar Venkataraman, Mr. Rasiah Sritharan, Mrs Manju Ghosh, Mr Srinivas Avvari, Mr Lingam, Mr Bappa and Mrs. Modhumita Chaudhuri, Mr Vamsi, Mrs S.Mazumdar, Mr. Chayan Sarkar Mrs Janet Waughray, ADELAIDE CANBERRA Dr Probhat Pal, President: Swami Sridharananda President: Swami Sridharananda Dr Hariharan, Patrons: Dr Janan Iswaran Secretary: Mr. Paul Arney, Mrs. Pathma Iswaran Mr. Jayshankar Venkataramanan Mrs. Rani Sanmugam, Vice President: Dr Nitin Bhise Treasurer & P.O. : Dr. Ian Doherty Mr. George & Mrs. Nirmala Veaudry. Mr. Kandiah Parasivam Members: Mr. Venkat Krishna, Secretary: Mr. Raman Sharma Mr. Murugesan Puthur VEDANTA CENTRES OF Jt Secretary: Mr.L.V. Krishnamoorthy AUSTRALIA Treasurer: Mr N Rajaramanan MELBOURNE Chairperson: Members: Mrs. Nirmala Puvan, President: Swami Sridharananda Mr. Mahalingam Sinnathamby Mrs. Pathmini Parasivam, Patrons: Mr. Santosh Kumar Paul, Secretary: Mrs. Modhumita Chaudhuri Mrs S. Gowri Rajaramanan, Mrs Aruna Paul Directors: Swami Atmeshananda, Mrs. Shivani Sharma, Vice President: Swami Chandrashekharananda, Mrs Anjan Bhise, Mrs. Nandita Bhattacharjee Dr. Jennifer Spencer, Mrs. Margaret Holdsworth, Secretary: Mr. Suresh Ravinutala Mr. Jaishankar Venkataraman, Mrs. Madhu Saraf Tresurer: Mr. Govindan Aiyar Dr. S.J.Iswaran, Members: Mr. Mohana Krishnan, Mr. Shubroto Bhattacharjee.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 5 September 2009 The worship of the Divine Mother Durga at the Sydney Centre on 26th September 2009, the photos include the worship of the Divine Mother, the recitation of Chandi, the performance of havan, the arati and distribution of Prasada.

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 6 September 2009 Feature Article: Sri Ramakrishna - My Master Swami Vivekananda’s life mission was to propagate the lofty teachings of Vedanta throughout the world, in the light of the realisations of his Master, Sri Ramakrishna, and to regenerate his Motherland in tune with her ancient traditions. Two lectures delivered in New York and England in 1896, by Swami Vivekananda, were subsequently combined under the stated heading, ‘My Master’, a concise version of it is being given below. Upbringing of Sri Ramakrishna agony of his soul, sometimes he would It was while reforms of various kinds rub his face against the ground and were being inaugurated in India that a weep, and this one prayer burst forth, child was born of poor Brahmin “Do Thou manifest Thyself in me, parents on the eighteenth of February, Thou Mother of the universe! See that I 1836, in one of the remote villages in need Thee and nothing else!” Verily, Bengal. The parents were very orthodox he wanted to be true to his own ideal. people. It is written in our books that a He had heard that the Mother never man should always be charitable, even came until everything had been given to the extreme. The character of the up for Her. He had heard that the father and mother of my Master was Mother wanted to come to everyone, but they would not have Her, that people very much like that. Very poor they conduct the worship morning and evening, wanted all sorts of foolish little idols to were, and yet many a time the mother and by degrees this one idea filled his pray to, that they wanted their own would starve herself a whole day to mind, “Is there anything behind this enjoyments, and not the Mother, and help a poor man. Of them this child image? Is it true that there is a Mother that the moment they really wanted Her was born; and he was a peculiar child of Bliss in the universe? Is it true that with their whole soul, and nothing else, from boyhood. He remembered his past She lives and guides the universe, or is that moment she would come. So he from his birth and was conscious of it all a dream? Is there any reality in began to break himself into that idea; what purpose he came into the world, religion? and every power was devoted to the he wanted to be exact, even on the This idea took possession of the boy fulfilment of that purpose. plane of matter. and his whole life became concentrated He threw away all the little property he While he was quite young, his father upon that. Day after day he would had, and took a vow that he would died; and the boy was sent to school. A weep and say, “Mother, is it true that never touch money, and this one idea, Brahmin’s boy must go to school; the Thou existests, or is it all poetry? Is the “I will not touch money”, became a caste restricts him to a learned profession Blissful Mother an imagination of poets part of him. The other idea that came only. This boy went to one of the and misguided people, or is there such into his mind was that lust was the gatherings in which professors are invited a Reality?” We have seen that of other enemy. Man is a soul, and soul is to attend and discuss various subjects. books, of education in our sense of the sexless, neither man nor woman. The The professors were discussing various word, he had none, and so much the idea of sex and the idea of money were topics, such as logic or astronomy, more natural, so much the more the two things, he thought, that prevented subjects much beyond his age. The boy healthy, was his mind, so much the him from seeing the Mother. This was peculiar, as I have said, and he purer his thoughts, undiluted by drinking whole universe is the manifestation of gathered this moral out of it, “This is in the thoughts of others. the outcome of all their knowledge… It the Mother, and She lives in every At last it became impossible for him to is simply for money…I will not go to woman’s body. “Every woman represents serve in the temple. He left it and school anymore.” And he did not. And the Mother; how can I think of women entered into a little wood that was near that was the end of his going to school. in mere sex relationship?’ That was the and lived there. About this part of his However, this boy had an elder brother, idea: Every woman was his Mother, life, he told me many times that he a learned professor, who took him to and he must bring himself to the state could not tell when the sun rose or set, Calcutta, however, to study with him. when he would see nothing but Mother or how he lived. He lost all thought of After a short time the boy became fully in every woman. And he carried it out himself and forgot to eat. During this convinced that the aim of secular in his life. period he was lovingly watched over by a education was mere material advancement, This is the tremendous thirst that seizes relative who put food into his mouth and nothing more, and he resolved to the human heart. Later on, this very give up study and to devote himself which he mechanically swallowed. man said to me, “My child, suppose solely to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. Days and nights thus passed with the there is a bag of gold in one room, and boy. When a whole day would pass, The father being dead, the family was a robber in the next room; do you think towards the evening when the peal of very poor; and this boy had to make his that the robber can sleep? He cannot. bells in the temples, and the voices own living. He went to a place near His mind will always be thinking how singing, would reach the wood, it to get into that room and obtain possession Calcutta and became a temple priest. would make the boy very sad, and he of that gold. Do you think then that a His worship of the ‘Blissful Mother’ would cry, “Another day is gone in man, firmly persuaded that there is a In the temple was an image of the vain, Mother, and thou hast not come. Reality behind all these appearances, “Blissful Mother”. This boy had to Another day of this short life has gone, that there is a God, that there is One and I have not known the truth.” In the who never dies, One who is infinite

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 7 September 2009 bliss, a bliss compared with which about the various religions. Up to that privilege is to serve them”-is the teaching these pleasures of the senses are simply time he had not known any religions of Hindu scriptures. playthings, can rest contented without but his own. He wanted to understand For years he thus educated himself. struggling to attain It? Can he cease his what other religions were like. So he One of the Sadhanas was to root out efforts for a moment? No. He will become sought teachers of other religions. He the sex idea. Soul has no sex, it is nei- mad with longing.” found a Mohammedan saint and placed ther male nor female. It is only in the Sri Ramakrishna’s Divine Madness himself under him: he underwent the body that sex exists, and the man who disciplines prescribed by him, and to desires to reach the spirit cannot at the This divine madness seized the boy. At his astonishment found that when faithfully that time he had no teacher, nobody to same time hold to sex distinctions. carried out, these devotional methods Having been born in a masculine body, tell him anything, and everyone led him to the same goal that he had thought that he was out of his mind. this man wanted to bring the feminine already attained. He gathered similar idea into everything. He began to think This is the ordinary condition of things. experience from following the true If a man throws aside the vanities of that he was a woman, he dressed like a religion of Jesus the Christ. He went to woman, spoke like a woman, gave up the world, we hear him called mad. But all the sects he could find, and whatever such men are the salt of the earth. Out the occupation of men, and lived in the he took up he went into with his whole household among the women of a good of such madness have come the powers heart. He did exactly as he was told, that have moved this world of ours, and family, until, after years of this discipline, and in every instance he arrived at the his mind became changed, and he out of such madness alone will come same result. Thus from actual experience, the powers of the future that are going entirely forgot the idea of sex; thus the he came to know that the goal of every whole view of life became changed to to move the world….. religion is the same, that each is trying him. When as a temple priest his extraordinary to teach the same thing, the difference worship made people think him deranged being largely in method and still more We hear in the West about worshiping in his head, his relatives took him in language. At the core, all sects and woman, but this is usually for her home and married him to a little girl, all religions have the same aim; and youth and beauty. This man meant by thinking that that would turn his they were only quarrelling for their worshipping woman, that to him every thoughts and restore the balance of his own selfish purposes—they were not woman’s face was that of the Blissful mind. But he came back and merged anxious about the truth, but about ‘my Mother, and nothing but that. I myself deeper in his madness. In her far off name’ and ‘your name’. Two of them have seen this man standing before home the girl had heard that her husband preached the same truth, but one of those women whom society would not had become a religious enthusiast, and them said, -“That cannot be true, because touch, and falling at their feet bathed in that he was even considered insane by I have not put upon it the seal of my tears, saying, “Mother, in one form many. She resolved to learn the truth name. Therefore do not listen to him.” Thou art in the street, and in another for herself, so she set out and walked to And the other man said, “Do not hear form Thou art the universe. I salute the place where her husband was. him, although he is preaching very Thee, Mother, I salute Thee.” Think of When at last she stood in her husband’s much the same thing, yet it is not true the blessedness of that life from which presence, he at once admitted her right because he does not preach it in my all carnality has vanished, which can to his life. The young man fell at the name.” That is what my Master found. look upon every woman with that love and reverence when every woman’s feet of his wife and said, “As for me, His lesson in humility the Mother has shown me that She face becomes transfigured, and only resides in every woman, and so I have He then went about to learn humility, the face of the Divine Mother, the learnt to look upon every woman as because he had found that the one idea Blissful One, the Protectress of the Mother. That is the one idea I can have in all religions is, “Not me, but Thou” human race, shines upon it! about you; but if you wish to drag me and he who says, “Not me”, the Lord As a teacher and preacher fills his heart. The less of this little “I” into the world, as I have been married This rigorous, unsullied purity came to you, I am at your service.” the more of God there is in him. He had the most wonderful faculty of into the life of that man. All the struggles The maiden was a pure and noble soul carrying everything into practice which which we have in our lives were past and was able to understand her husband’s he thought was right. Now, there was a for him. His hard-earned jewels of aspirations and sympathise with them. family of Pariahs living near the place. spirituality, for which he had given She quickly told him that she had no By birth the Brahmin stands for holiness, three quarters of his life, were now wish to drag him down to life of world- and the Pariah for the reverse. And this ready to be given to humanity, and then liness; but that all she desired was to Brahmin asked to be allowed to do the began his mission. remain near him, to serve him, and to menial services in the house of the In our country a teacher is the most learn of him. She became one of his Pariah. The Pariah would not permit it; highly venerated person, he is regarded most devoted disciples, always revering so in the dead of night, when all were as God himself. We have not even the him as a divine being. Thus through his sleeping, Ramakrishna would enter the same respect for our father and mother. wife’s consent the last barrier was house. He had long hair, and with his Father and mother give us our body, removed, and he was free to lead the long hair he would wipe the place, saying, but the teacher shows us the way to life he had chosen. “Oh, my Mother, make me the servant salvation. We are his children, we are His desire to know the truth about of the pariah, make me feel that I am born in the spiritual line of the teacher. the various religions lower than the Pariah.” “They worship All Hindus come to pay respect to an Me best who worship My worshippers. extraordinary teacher, they crowd The next desire that seized upon the These are all My children and your soul of this man was to know the truth around him. And here was such a

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 8 September 2009 teacher, but the teacher had no thought must have tremendous personality. or in organisations. Religion consists in whether he was to be respected or not, All teaching implies giving and tak- realisation. he had not the least idea that he was a ing, the teacher gives and the The first ideal of this attempt to realise great teacher, he thought that it was taught receives, but the one must religion is that of renunciation. Darkness Mother who was doing everything and have something to give, and the other and light, enjoyment of the world and not he. He always said, “If any good must be open to receive. enjoyment of God will never go together. comes from my lips, it is Mother who This man came to live near Calcutta, The second idea that I learnt from my speaks; what have I to do with it?” That the capital of India, the most important was his one idea about his work, and to Master, and which is perhaps the most university town in our country vital, is the wonderful truth that the the day of his death he never gave it up. which was sending out sceptics and This man sought no one. His principle religions of the world are not contradictory materialists by the hundreds every or antagonistic. They are but various was, first form character, first earn year. Yet many of these university spirituality and results will come of phases of one eternal religion. There men-sceptics and agnostics-used to never was my religion or yours, my themselves. His favourite illustration come and listen to him. I heard of was, “When a lotus opens, the bees national religion or your national religion; this man, and I went to hear him. He there never existed many religions, come of their own accord to seek the looked just like an ordinary man, honey; so let the lotus of your character there is only one. Religions manifest with nothing remarkable about him. themselves not only according to race be full-blown, and the results will follow.” He used the most simple language, This is a great lesson to learn. and geographical position, but according and I thought, “Can this man be a to individual powers. In one man religion He alone teaches who has something to great teacher?”- crept near to him is manifesting itself as intense activity, give, for teaching is not talking, teach- and asked him the question which I as work. In another it is manifesting ing is not imparting a doctrine, it is had been asking others all my life: itself as intense devotion, in yet another, communicating. Spirituality can be “Do you believe in God, Sir?” as mysticism, in others as philosophy, communicated just as really as I can “Yes,” he replied. “Can you prove it, and so forth. It is wrong when we say to give you a flower. This idea is very old Sir?” “Yes.” “How?” “Because I see others, ‘Your methods are not right.” in India and finds illustration in the Him just as I see you here, only in a West in the theory, in the belief, of much intense sense.” That impressed To learn this central secret that the truth apostolic succession. Therefore first me at once. For the first time I found may be one and yet many at the same build a character-that is the highest duty a man who dared to say that he saw time, that we may have different visions you can perform. Know Truth for yourself, God, that religion was a reality to be of the same truth from different stand- and there will be many to whom you felt, to be sensed in an infinitely points, is exactly what must be done. can teach it afterwards; they will all more intense way than we can sense Then, instead of antagonism to anyone, come. This was the attitude of my Mas- the world. I began to go to that man, we shall have infinite sympathy with ter. He criticised no one. For years I day after day, and I actually saw that all... Just as nature is unity in variety.. lived with that man, but never did I religion could be given. One touch, as in and through all these variations of hear those lips utter one word of one glance, can change a whole life. the phenomenal runs the Infinite, the condemnation for any sect. He had the I have read about Buddha, Christ and Unchangeable, the Absolute Unity, so it same sympathy for all sects; he had Mohammed, about all those different is with every man. found the harmony between them. A luminaries of ancient times, how An embodiment of renunciation man may be intellectual, or devotional, or they would stand up and say, “Be mystic, or active; the various religions thou whole”, and the man became In the presence of my master I found represent one or the other of these whole. I now found it to be true, and out that man could be perfect, even in types. Yet it is possible to combine all when I myself saw this man, all this body. Those lips never cursed anyone, the four in one man, and this is what scepticism was brushed aside. It never even criticised anyone. Those future humanity is going to do. That could be done; and my Master used eyes were beyond the possibility of was his idea. He condemned no one, to say, “Religion can be given and seeing evil, that mind had lost the power but saw the good in all. taken more tangibly, more really of thinking evil. He saw nothing but good. That tremendous purity, that People came by thousands to see and than anything else in the world.” Be therefore spiritual first; have tremendous renunciation is the one se- hear this wonderful man who spoke in a cret of spirituality… patois every word of which was forceful something to give and then stand and instinct with light. For it is not before the world and give it. Religion That man was the embodiment of what is spoken, much less the language is not talk, or doctrines, or theories; renunciation. He was a triumphant in which it is spoken, but it is the nor is it sectarianism. Religion can- example, a living realisation of the complete personality of the speaker which dwells not live in sects and societies. It is conquest of lust and of the desire for in everything he says that carries the relation between the soul and money. God; how can it be made into a society? weight. We hear most splendid orations, The other idea of his life was intense It would then degenerate into most wonderfully reasoned out discourses, love for others. The first part of my business, and wherever there are and we go home and forget them all. At Master’s life was spent in acquiring business and business principles in other times we hear a few words in spirituality, and the remaining years in religion, spirituality dies. Religion simplest language, and they enter into distributing it. Men came in crowds to does not consist in erecting temples, our lives and produce lasting results. hear him, and he would twenty hours in or building churches, or attending The words of a man who can put his the twenty-four, and that not for one public worship. It is not to be found personality into them take effect, but he day, but for months and months until at in books, or in words, or in lectures,

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 9 September 2009 last the body broke down under the his work. These young men, living as Therefore my Master’s message to pressure of this tremendous strain. His Sannyasins, begged through the streets mankind is, “Be spiritual and realise intense love for mankind would not let of the city where they were born, truth for yourself.” He would have you him refuse to help even the humblest of although some of them came from high give up for the sake of your fellow the thousands who sought his aid. families. At first they met with great beings. He would have you cease talking Gradually, there developed a vital antagonism, but they persevered and about love for your brother, and set to throat disorder, and yet he could not be went on, spreading all over India, the work to prove your words. The time has persuaded to refrain from these exertions. message of that great man, until the come for renunciation, for realisation; As soon as he heard that people were whole country was filled with the ideas and then you will see the harmony in asking to see him, he would insist upon he had preached. This man, from a remote all religions of the world. You will having them admitted, and would answer village of Bengal, without education, by know that there is no need of any all their questions. When expostulated the sheer force of his own determination, quarrel. And then only will you be with, he replied, “I do not care. I will realised the truth and gave it to others, ready to help humanity. To proclaim give up twenty thousand such bodies to leaving only a few young boys to keep and make clear the fundamental unity help one man. It is glorious to help it alive. underlying all religions was the mission even one man.” There was no rest for Today the name of Sri Ramakrishna of my master. Other teachers have him. Once a man asked him, “Sir, you Paramahamsa is known all over India to taught special religions which bear are a great Yogi. Why do you not put its millions of people. Nay, the power their names, but this great teacher of your mind a little on your body and of that man has spread beyond India; the nineteenth century made no claim cure your disease.” At first he did not and if there has ever been a word of for himself. He left every religion answer, but when the question had been truth, a word of spirituality, that I have undisturbed because he had realised repeated, he gently said, “My friend, I spoken anywhere in the world, I owe it to that in reality they are all part and parcel thought you were a sage, but you talk my Master; only the mistakes are mine. of the one eternal religion. like other men of the world. This mind An Untitled poem on Sri Rama- has been given to the Lord. Do you His message to the modern world krishna by Swami Vivekananda mean to say that I should take it back This is the message of Sri Ramakrishna and put it upon the body which is but a He who was praised by the Brahmanas, to the modern world: “Do not care for those knowers of the Vedas mere cage of the soul?” doctrines, do not care for dogmas, or Who made the sky reverberate with the When the people heard that this holy sects, or churches, or temples; they scared sounds of the sacrifice man was likely to go from them soon, count for little compared with the they began to come round him more essence of existence in each man, And caused the darkness of delusion to than ever, and my Master went on which is spirituality; and the more this vanish through well-performed rituals teaching them without the least regard is developed in a man, the more powerful And the knowledge known as Vedanta- is he for good. Earn that first, acquire for his health. Many of the people came He whose greatness was sung in the from long distances, and he would not that, and criticise no one, for all sweet chants of the Sama-Veda etc., rest until he had answered their questions. doctrines and creeds have some good in With voices thundering like clouds- “While I can speak, I must teach them,” them. Show by your lives that religion he would say, and he was as good as his does not mean words, or names, or To that Sri Ramakrishna, I offer my word. sects, but that it means spiritual realisation. eternal worship. Only those can understand who have Source: His thoughts and his message were felt. Only those who have attained to known to very few who were capable spirituality can communicate it to others, The Complete works of Swami of giving them out. Among others, he Vivekananda, Vol 1V, Advaita can be great teachers of mankind. They Ashrama, Mayavati, India, pages left a few young boys who had renounced alone are the powers of light.” the world, and were ready to carry on 154-187; and Vol IX, page 304.

A real reformer is a teacher, a Master, and a blessing to mankind “If you wish to be a true reformer, three things are necessary. The first is to feel. Do you really feel for your brothers? Do you really feel that there is so much misery in the world, so much ignorance and superstition? Do you really feel that men are your brothers? Does this idea come into your whole being? Does it run with your blood? Does it tingle in your veins? Does it course through every nerve and filament of your body? Are you full of that idea of sympathy? If you are, that is only the first step. You must think next if you have found any remedy. The old ideas may be all superstition, but in and around these masses of superstition are nuggets of gold and truth. Have you discovered means by which to keep that gold alone, without any of the dross? If you have done that, that is only the second step; one more thing is necessary. What is your mo- tive? Are you sure that you are not actuated by greed of gold, by thirst for fame, or power? Are you really sure that you can stand to your ideals, and work on, even if the whole world wants to crush you down? Are you sure you know what you want and will perform your duty, and that alone, even if your life is at stake? Are you sure that you will persevere so long as life endures, so long as there is one pulsation left in the heart? Then you are a real reformer, you are a teacher, a Master, a bless- ing to mankind. But man is so impatient, so short-sighted! He has not the patience to wait, he has not the power to see. He wants to rule, he wants results immediately. Why? He wants to reap the fruits himself, and does not really care for others. Duty for duty's sake is not what he wants. "To work you have the right, but not to the fruits thereof," says Krishna." - - - Swami Vivekananda

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 10 September 2009 Divine Light Personified: Swami Niranjanananda, one of the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna

According to the Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac Swami Niranjanananda’s birthday celebration was observed on Wednesday, 5th of August, 2009.

Early life you away.’ Nityaniranjan Ghosh, who later In the service of the Master became Swami Niranjanananda, In September 1885 Sri Ramakrishna was born in 1862 (probably in had to move to Shyampukur, Calcutta, August) at Rajarhat-Vishnupur, a few for his cancer treatment. Niranjan miles from Calcutta. His father’s left home and became the Master’s name was Ambika Charan Ghosh. gatekeeper, as he was strong and Niranjan was tall and handsome. heroic by nature. Once Girish He had a strong, energetic, and Chandra Gosh’s brother Atul athletic physique. His nature was Ghosh came to visit the Master and heroic and fearless. In his childhood, was stopped by Niranjan. Atul was he was fond of playing with a bow very hurt and vowed that he would and arrows like the great heroes of the not visit Sri Ramakrishna again. Hindu epics. He had a consummate One day the Master asked Niranjan passion for truth and deep compassion to go to Atul’s house and bring him for the poor. When he was in his to check his health. Immediately, teens, he was sent to his uncle’s Niranjan rushed to Atul and house in West Calcutta, for higher brought him to the Master. Even education. There he was attracted while he was sick, the Master was Swami Niranjanananda by the group of spiritualists headed training his devotees-sometimes by his uncle, Pearychand Mittra. (One who enjoys the bliss of humbling one and sometimes They made Niranjan their medium; increasing longing in another. he enjoyed the experience as one blemishlessness) enjoys an adventurous game for (1862—1904) During the winter Sri Ramakrishna Niranjan’s mind was as powerful as would bathe with hot water. One you commit sins ninety nine times his body. However, disillusioned day Niranjan used a lot of firewood but do one thing to God’s satisfaction, with spiritualism, soon Niranjan to heat a large vessel of water. That God will forgive all your wrongdoing. turned to Dakshineswar in his quest waste displeased the Master but This is the difference between the for spirituality. Niranjan was stubborn. He carried love of man and the love of God. the whole vessel of water to the Meeting with Sri Ramakrishna Remember this.’ Master and said, ‘Sir, I don’t have Nityaniranjan Ghosh first came to The training of Niranjan enough sense to know how much Sri Ramakrishna at the age of eighteen. water you need. Since I have Niranjan was habitually good-natured, At the time he was living in Calcutta brought it, you will have to use it.’ but he had a violent temper. One day, with an uncle. In his adolescence, The Master was pleased by Niranjan’s when he was going to Dakshineswar he had clairvoyant powers and was simple and fearless behaviour. on the public ferry-boat, he over- used as a medium by a group of heard some of the passengers While serving the Master, Niranjan spiritualists. He was also a psychic speaking ill of Sri Ramakrishna. often worried about him. The Master healer. Sri Ramakrishna reproved Niranjan protested strongly, but the read his mind and one day asked Niranjan for taking part in spiritualistic speakers ignored him. At this, him, ‘Niranjan, if I were cured of practices. ‘My boy,’ he told him, ‘if Niranjan became enraged, jumped to this disease, what would you do?’ you let your mind dwell on ghosts, his feet and began to rock the boat, With great excitement Niranjan you’ll become a ghost yourself. If threatening to capsize it midstream. replied, ‘Master, I would uproot you fix your mind on God your Niranjan was a powerful swimmer; that date palm from the garden.’ whole life will be filled with God. he could easily have swum ashore Knowing his heroic nature and his Now, which are you going to after carrying out his threat but the overwhelming love and devotion, choose?’ passengers who were frightened the Master remarked, ‘Yes, you The Master also said to Niranjan, and begged to be forgiven. could do that.’ ‘Look here, my boy, if you do When Sri Ramakrishna heard about The disciples took care of the Master’s ninety-nine good deeds for a person this incident, he rebuked Niranjan body, and he in turn took care of and one bad, the person will remember severely. ‘Anger is a deadly sin,’ he their spiritual life. He silently and one bad deed and won’t care for said, ‘you ought never to let it carry naturally gave shape to this group you anymore. On the other hand, if of ideal characters. From his birth,

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 11 September 2009 Niranjan had been endowed with when Swamiji became gravely ill, emaciating his body, but it could divine qualities-simplicity, purity, Niranjanananda and Shivananda not stifle his renunciation. Sri fearlessness, steadiness, truthfulness, escorted him to . The Ramakrishna had kindled his spirit and renunciation. When the elder doctors had been treating Swamiji when he was just in his teens and it Gopal brought twelve pieces of for diabetes and kidney disease, but continued to shine brightly throughout cloth and twelve rosaries, the Master at Niranjanananda’s earnest request the remainder of his life. Swami gave one of them to Niranjan and he took ayurvedic medicine for Niranjanananda, a heroic monk of distributed the rest to other disciples. three weeks. During this period, in Sri Ramakrishna, passed away in Thus Sri Ramakrishna sowed the accordance with the treatment, he Samadhi on 9th May 1904. seeds of his forthcoming monastic did not drink any liquids except a Niranjanananda left no writings or order. little milk now and then to satiate any recorded reminiscences but on Pilgrimage and Austerity his thirst. On Sri Ramakrishna’s 18th of December 1946 Swami birthday Niranjanananda became described some of In December 1886 Niranjan, Swamiji’s gatekeeper in order to Narendra, and several other brother the important characteristics of prevent the general public from Niranjanananda’s life: disciples went to Antpur, the birth- disturbing him. A young brahmacharin, place of Baburam. There they took a disciple of Swamiji, arrived from He believed that Sri Ramakrishna vows of renunciation in front of a Mayavati to visit him. Since was the infinite God incarnated in sacred fire, not knowing that it was Niranjananada did not know the human form; and he who took refuge Christmas Eve. Sri Ramakrishna young man, he stopped him at the in him would not have to worry in had created the hunger for God in gate. However, while Niranjanananda his life. their minds, and they began to was talking to someone else, the He had a similarly high estimation spend their days in meditation and clever brahmacharin crawled of Holy Mother. He believed that austerities. One day Sarada went to through his legs and entered Swamiji’s by the grace of the Mother, he bathe in a pond. All of a sudden he room. When Niranjanananda heard could do anything. slipped from a step and fell into this from Swamiji, he appreciated He was a strong person and was not deep water. He did not know how the boy’s resourcefulness and afraid of anybody. He considered to swim. Immediately Niranjan dedication. jumped in and rescued him, ignoring the master his only refuge. He any threat to his own life. Niranjanananda’s character was a appreciated those who had a dauntless mixture of tenderness and sternness. nature. In the early part of 1887 Niranjan He was an unattached monk and his He had tremendous faith in the doctrine joined the Baranagore Monastery love for truth was uncompromising. and took the final vows of sannyasa of service as established by Swami with his brother disciples. Swami Towards the end Vivekananda and he encouraged Vivekananda gave him the name Because he practised such hard people to serve human beings as ‘Swami Niranjanananda.’ He austerities, Niranjanananda’s health manifestations of God. continued his spiritual practices and began to fail. During the last few He was a man of truth and wanted austerities in the monastery. years of his life he suffered from others also to adhere to the truth. With Swami Vivekananda and dysentery. The climate and water of He did not care for people who did Others Hardwar are better than those of not keep their word. Belur Math, so he decided to move He was extremely generous. Without When news reached the monastery there and went to Holy Mother to any misgivings, he would take care that Vivekananda would return receive her blessings. This last of anyone who asked help from from the West in early 1897, meeting was deeply moving as his him. Niranjanananda left for Colombo pent-up devotion for Holy Mother th and received Swamiji there on 15 suddenly found expression. He He used to do physical exercises January 1897. Later he travelled insisted that the Holy Mother do regularly and he encouraged young with Swamiji all across Southern everything for him. He entreated men to keep their bodies strong and India and various parts of North her to cook for him, and feed him active. India. The brother disciples were as a mother feeds her young child. Sources: thrilled and proud of their leader’s Holy Mother fulfilled his wishes. God Lived With Them: Life Stories of success in spreading the message of Before leaving, he fell at her feet sixteen monastic disciples by Vedanta in America and Europe. and burst into tears. Then he silently Swami Chetanananda; Advaita In 1898 Niranjanananda went with went away, knowing that he would Ashrama, Calcutta; pages 243- never see her again. 260. Swamiji to Almora, then remained Ramakrishna and his Disciples by there in order to practise further At Hardwar, he lived in a rented Christopher Isherwood; Advaita spiritual disciplines. house and continued his sadhana. Ashrama, Calcutta; pages 238-9.

In the latter part of February 1902, His chronic dysentery was inexorably

REACHREACH Issue Issue No.No. 148 Page 12 September 2009