YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 3
INVOCATION
YUVA BHARATI Vol. XXXII No.11 A Vivekananda Kendra Publication VOICE OF YOUTH
Editorial - P. Parameswaran 05 Founder Editor B.Nivedita Swami Ranganathanandaji 08 MANANEEYA EKNATHJI Fire Ordeal Dr.K.Subrahmanyam 12 RANADE Editor Veeranganas of S.India N.Krishnamoorti 15 P. PARAMESWARAN Harischandra the Embodiment Prof.N.Gangadharan 19 Gita for the Youth Ch.Sathyanarayana Murthy 21 Editorial Office 5, Singarachari Street As the King, So the People 24 Triplicane Chennai - 600 005. Fate and Freewill S.Balakrishnan 29 Swami Ranganathanandaji Dr.M.Lakshmikumari 34 Ph:(044) 28440042 28442843 Akshaya Tritiya Narayanan 40 E m a i l : v k [email protected] www.vivekanandakendra.org Vivekananda Kendra Samachar - 42 Single Copy Rs. 7/- Crossword - 43 Annual Rs. 75/- For 3 yrs: Rs. 200/- Swadeshi Humour A Kendra Worker 44 Life (20 Yrs) Rs. 800/- (Plus Rs. 30/- for outstation Cheques)
India wants the sacrifice of at least a thousand Swami Vivekananda of her young men - men, mind, not brutes. YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 5 EDITORIAL The Pope and the Sannyasin
ithin a short span of less than a month had the courage to adopt a stand driving home a two great religious leaders of the world message loud and clear. Whave left us. Pope John Paul II, Head Probably no major journalist, politician or of the World Catholic Church passed away, and statesman has ever considered it worthwhile to H. H. Swami Ranganathanandaji, President of the compare or contrast the two events mentioned in Sree Ramakrishna Mutt and Mission, entered the beginning. Leave alone International media, Mahasamadhi on 25.04.2005. Hinduism is non- even the National media was reluctant and shy, if monolithic and has no sole supreme head not apologetic, in giving proper coverage to Swami comparable to Pope. Had it been otherwise, Ranganathanandaji’s Mahasamadhi and also Swami Ranganathanandaji by virtue of his projecting the great personality and priceless saintliness and scholarship would have occupied contribution which was only his legitimate due. the same position as Pope does for Christianity. Pope’s media coverage started long before his Incidentally, that points towards a crucially radical passing away and continued long after his difference between the two world religions. successor was elected. The entire world’s, Christianity, of which the Catholic church holds attention was on Vatican for weeks together. This unparalleled sway is as much a hierarchical, is in sharp contrast with the media treatment of monolithic, power-wielding institution, almost Swami Ranganathananda. similar to an autocratic state, is the world’s largest religious organization cutting across every country There is no wonder in it, and there is no need to and continent. Though Vatican is the smallest state get either excited about the one or worried about in the world, the Pope wields authority over a the other. Hinduism is a peaceful religion, poorly population of a hundred and ten crores of Catholics or not at all organized, wielding no political clout, in the world. The Pope is the head of a theocratic ruling no country or reigning over any transnational state with subjects loyal to him transnationally . empire, true to its understanding of religion and The clout is, that the Pope wields on account of spirituality. It does not rule over the minds of its his religion, a political authority which he wields followers or influences people outside its fold by in a manner which has no parallel in contemporary power or diplomatic manoeuvres. Swami history. No country in the world can afford to Vivekananda had said that the impact of Hinduism ignore the demise of a Pope or the election of his is like that of a flower blossoming at the touch of successor. This was once again brought to the the morning dew and spreading its fragrance limelight not only by the media coverage but also unseen and unheard but bringing to blossom the by the ceremony of the late Pope’s cremation fairest of flowers. This is in sharp contrast with attended by topmost dignitaries from every the Roman Catholic Church backed by the Roman country in the world, except China which is a class Empire whose military might enabled it to spread by itself. China with its huge population and in the far off corners. In Hinduism, spirituality has bludgeoning economic and political power alone a meaning and a value which is too subtle to be promoted by political and military power unlike YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 6 Christianity which promoted it over theological his Guru anointed him with the now familiar name empire followed by worldwide colonization. Swami Ranganathananda. Catholic Church and Hinduism are unlike each He made steady progress as a writer, as a other in certain vital respects. Hinduism has no speaker, and as an excellent communicator, tradition of officially bestowing sainthood on simultaneously digging his feet into traditional persons posthumously, nor has it a mechanism scholarship in the Hindu scriptures like the by which martyrdom is made a covetable ideal Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the various other because right from Jesus Christ, the belief is that texts and also the Puranas and Ithihasas. the church is built on the strength of the martyr’s It did not take long for the country to recognize blood. These things have happened in the natural the erudite scholar, the skillful communicator and course in Hinduism.There is no dearth of saints of the ideal sannyasin- all rolled into one in the various shades of holiness and martyrs of personality of Swami Ranganathananda. unimaginable courage and commitment in the long history of Hinduism . These are not the outcome Apart from his academic contribution, he was a of any official policy; people discover, recognize great builder of institutions. At the time of the and honour such ones wherever and whenever partititon of the country, he was heading a great they are manifested. Before the heat and dust have center of the Mission at Karachi which was the settled down there is already a clamor from many focal point of spiritual seekers. quarters to bestow sainthood on the late Pope, He was also the founder of the internationally John Paul II. reputed Sree Ramakrishna Mutt in Delhi, where Vatican has inherited much of the tradition and also his discourses on the Bhagavad Gita and other the regalia of Roman empire, whereas Hindu scriptures were a perennial source of attraction spiritual movements continue to deliver their and inspiration for the intellectual elite of Delhi. message in a quite unostentatious way by personal It was Swamy Ranganathananda who set up the touch and living models. International Center, the Sree Ramakrishna Swami Ranganathanandaji embodied the very Institute of Culture at Golpark, Kolkata, which is spirit of Hinduism as exemplified by the great lives rendering enormous service to the cause of our of Sree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami culture and philosophy by way of lectures, Vivekananda. During the several decades of his publications, research and linguistic studies. earthly sojourn, he spent every moment of his life In Hyderabad the Swamiji built up a very in bringing out the Hindu spiritual values through prestigious center of the Ramakrishna Mutt which thought, word and deed. Born in a small village in continues to be a source for dissemination of the Kerala, not far away from Kalady, the birthplace spiritual wealth of India. of Adi Sankara, he was attracted by the Sree Swamy Ranganathananda was known as the Ramakrishna movement at a comparatively young spiritual ambassador of India all over the world. age. There is no country on which the Swamiji has not Immediately after matriculation, he came in contact left an indelible imprint of our religion and with the movement and left for the Bangalore philosophy, the culture and heritage of Bharath. centre of Sree Ramakrishna Mission. In due He had a wonderful style of delivering lectures, course, he was given initiation by Swami even on complicated philosophical themes, with Sivananda, a direct disciple of Sree Ramakrishna comfortable ease and fascinating fluency. He could Paramahamsa. engage the most sophisticated audience with the Through studious application of his sharp intellect incessant flow of his simple eloquence which and also by engaging in regular spiritual practices, astounded even great scholars and intellectuals. he gradually evolved into an all-round aspirant and YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 7 His tour all over the world brought him in contact His interpretation of ancient scriptures in the with great scientists like Julian Huxely and writers background of the modern development brought like Romain Rolland. him encomiums from great thinkers and scientists His correspondence with Julian Huxely will be of the West as well as the East. His intellect was remembered for all times because of the not shackled by blind orthodoxy. The freedom comparative approach to science and spirituality with which he explained ancient texts to meet which the Swamiji had effectively conveyed to the modern requirements was refreshingly original. great scientists on the basis of Vedanta Philosophy. This free and liberal intellectual approach made the Swamiji feel a little sad about the intellectual The Swamiji’s greatness and his unique bankruptcy of modern Indian elite who always contribution are a literary legacy which he has delight in borrowing western ideas . This feeling left for the posterity. He was a voluminous writer. was expressed by him on various occasions: “Pre- The four- volume publication, Eternal Values for independent India had more number of free a Changing Society, The Message of the intellectuals than Post-independent India which Upanishads, A Pilgrim Looks at the World, his lack in bold and original thinking”. He always used three volume commentary on the Bhagavad Gita to say that the nation can rise only in proportion and his insightful interpretation of the to the quality of its intelligentsia. Brihadaranyaka Upanishad will be treasured for The Swamiji’s exposition of the Bhagavad Gita all time. was so popular that huge crowds used to gather The Swamiji had the rare quality of keeping cordial wherever he delivered lectures on the Gita. But personal contact with countless number of people. he was no traditionalist in his interpretations. He His memory was prodigious. had no great appreciation for people for whom He had a soft corner for everyone who came in the Bhagavad Gita was just an object of adoration. contact with him. Innumerable are the people who Once he wrote, “The Bhagavad Gita is not a text cherish him as their spiritual mentor. to be worshipped in the pooja room but a manual to be followed in the battlefield of life. Bhagavan The number of disciples initiated by him may run Krishna gave Gita to Arjuna not in the pooja beyond counts. They all feel gravely orphaned by room but in the battlefield of Kurukshetra”. his passing away. Though the body succumbed at Swamiji’s life was a glowing illustration of the a ripe old age, all realize that his spiritual presence glorious Sanathana Dharma. Liberal towards can never be obliterated. every genuine religion, Swamiji’s attachment and He had contributed enormously to the cultural loyalty to the Hindu dharma was absolute and firm. vitality of the present and the future of our He might have sugarcoated the pills but never motherland and also the world at large. What this compromised on their essence . It can be stated generation, that is indebted to him , will offer him without fear of contradiction that after Swami as “Gurudakshina” is a matter for each one of us Vivekananda it was Swami Ranganathananda who to deeply ponder. took the message of Hindu culture and spirituality The universal acceptance which the Swamiji across the world in a manner that earned received from the academics and the intellectual appreciation, understanding and also a high level elite all over the world is a glowing tribute to the of respectability. Humanity will experience a void innate potentiality of the Swamiji which he for a long time to come. A non-institutionalized assiduously cultivated in spite of the fact that his religion with its boundless horizon will no doubt formal education was limited to the level of find enough spiritual resources to fill the void and matriculation. The various books that he authored march ahead, as it has done through the ages. and the innumerable lectures he delivered stand testimony to the high caliber of his intelligence. --P.Parameswaran YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 8
SWAMI RANGANATHANANDAJI B. NIVEDITA
wami Ranganathanandaji,born on 15 He had authored a number of books which are of December 1908 at Silwan, Trikkur, Kerala, lasting value and many of his lectures are available Swas named Shankaran. In retrospect, it in cassettes. appears to be prophetic - he became a world For Vivekananda Kendra, the passing away of renowned Vedantist like the Shankara of yore. Swami Ranganathananda is a very great loss. He He joined the Ramakrishna Order of Math at was a friend, philosopher and guide to the Kendra Mysore in 1926. Swami Shivananda, one of the since the inception of Vivekananda Rock foremost direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna Memorial. Swami Ranganathanandaji was very Pramahamsa and the second close to Sri Eknathji - the founder President of Ramakrishna Math, of Vivekananda Kendra- and gave initiated him into Sannyasa in valuable guidance to him at the 1933. time of construction of the Rock His service in various capacities Memorial, and also for the for 12 years in the Mysore and establishment of Vivekananda Bangalore branches enabled him Kendra. At various stages of the to shoulder subsequent growth of the Kendra his speeches assignments and render were very illuminating and remarkable service as Secretary inspiring. and Librarian at the Ramakrishna He presided over the meeting held Mission, Rangoon, from 1939 to on 15 Sept. 1970 when Prime 1942 and thereafter as President Minister Smt Indira Gandhi visited of Ramakrishna Math & Mission Kanyakumari to participate in the at Karachi from 1942 to 1948. month-long inauguration He worked as Secretary of celebrations organized by the Ramakrishna Mission, New Rock Memorial Committee. In his Delhi, from October 1949 to March 1962 and of presidential address, Swamiji referred to Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kanyakumari as the new symbol of India. Kolkata, from 1962 to 1967 . Later, he took over In his blessings at the commencement of the the Centre at Hyderabad and developed it as a second phase of Vivekananda Rock Memorial in premier institution in the city. the form of Vivekananda Kendra, in his inimitable He was elected Vice-president of Ramakrishna style, he said that Vivekananda Kendra was ‘The Math and Mission in 1989 and later became the Need of the Hour’. President in 1998. He visited many parts of the On 20 August 1972 while releasing the world as a cultural ambassador and popularized Vivekananda Kendra Patrika issue “Hill India” Vedanta wherever he went, by his great Swami Ranganathanandaji had said, “A man like scholarship and oratory. Eknath Ranade is an asset to any movement The Government of India honoured him with the in any country. I have known him very first National Integration award. intimately, and I have admired his energy, his He attained Samadhi on Monday, April 26, 2005 quiet dedication, his capacity for calm, silent, at 3.50 p.m. team-work and a rare capacity to influence YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 11 favourably persons and every intractable and with eternal faith in Him, set fire to the circumstance! No difficulties can thwart him. mountains of misery that has been heaped upon Mountain-high obstacles he will face with a India for ages- and it shall be burnt down. Come, calmness and gentleness suffused with then, look it in the face. Brethren, it is a grand determination. In the meaningful words of Sri task, and we are so low. But we are the sons of Ramakrishna: the Kacca ami, unripe ‘I’ or ego, Light and children of God. Glory unto the Lord, has been replaced by the Paka ami, ripe ‘I’ or we will succeed. Hundreds will fall in the struggle, ego. With him and his other dedicated hundreds will be ready to take it up…. Glory unto colleagues behind the movement, it can look the Lord — March on, the Lord is our general. forward to a rich harvest of useful work for Do not look back to see who falls — forward –- the good of man”. onward! Thus and thus we shall go on brethren. In 1982, when Mananeeya Eknathji passed away, One falls, and another takes up the work.’ his message was a great consolation as well as “May this spirit of this inspiring letter of Swamiji inspiration for the Karyakartas of Vivekananda to his dear Alasinga of Madras inspire all of you, Kendra. He wrote, “Our Eknath Ranade was of is my prayer”. the type of heroic patriots and workers of whom He supported Vivekananda Kendra Swami Vivekananda would be proud; in fact and personally guided Sri Eknathji, Swamiji wanted India to produce thousands of Dr.Lakshmikumari, and many other Karyakartas. them to enable her to take the fullest advantage of Even after the passing away of Eknathji he the possibilities of the modern period of her long visited Kanyakumari many time; in 1982 to and glorious history to raise every man, woman, inaugurate the training of a batch of Jeevanvrati and child, of our nation, irrespective of caste, karyakartas, in 1985 to lay the foundation stone creed, or sex, to the highest level of human dignity, for Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, and later in freedom and equality. He considered this to be 1986 to open Vivekananda Mandapam. He had the supreme significance of the modern period of also donated in 1998, Rs one lakh from his our history. pranami for the unique exhibition on the life of “Our Eknathji has not only lived and worked and Swami Vivekananda -”VISHWABHANU” - set died in that spirit but has also left an ever- up at Vivekananda Kendra Vedic Vision increasing band of young workers to continue the Foundation at Kodungallur. great work he initiated. And that work will continue Great and pious souls like him never leave us but silently and steadily as shown by Swami become immortal. His blessings, guidance and Vivekananda: prayers will continue to help Vivekananda Kendra ‘It is not the work of a day and the path is full of to proceed ahead in the service to our Motherland. the most deadly thorns. But Parthasarathi is ready to be our Sarathi, we know that, and in His name
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FIRE ORDEAL Dr. K. SUBRAHMANYAM
ri Sita Devi was rescued by killing Ravana. Though freed, Sita was unable to be united with There was no more a problem from Ravana Sri Rama immediately. Though Independent, Indian Swho stole Sita away. She was freed. But mind was unable to regain the Indian spirit she was unable to be united with Sri Rama, her immediately. Nor was Lakshmana cheerful over lord and God. She found him to be still, serious the death of Ravana since Sita and Rama were and stern. She was not acceptable. She had to not immediately united. Indian Republic too was purify herself in the flames of fire. She should neither full nor jubilant since Indian mind was not come out unscathed in the fire ordeal. Poor in tune with Indian spirit. Lakshmana was full of sorrow with tears in There was a war for Sita’s release. There was a streams. freedom struggle for India’s independence. Every person is but a combination of soul, mind Neither Sita, nor Indian mind was happy with the and body. Every Indian is but a combination of physical release. It was only a political freedom Sri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana. that India had in 1947. Neither All the three are present in every Lakshmana nor the Indian nation individual born on the sacred soil was happy since it was not an of Mother Bharat. Sri Rama is immediate reunion of Sita and the soul; Sita is the mind; and Rama. There was a fire ordeal to Lakshmana is the body striving be gone through. Neither in 1947 always to keep the mind and nor in 1950 India was happy since soul together in comfort and it was not the full body of Mother peace. But the Indian mind was Bharat that was obtained with the lured cunningly by Maricha of mind and soul of India united in alien forces. She was forcibly her. stolen away by Ravana, the There were tense moments before lustful materialist. She was Sita could reunite with Sri Rama. It was an ordeal imprisoned in a distant land. India was to all, including the onlookers. It was a fire ordeal mischievously enslaved. Sita, India and Indian to everybody. Now, for all in general and Indian mind were no more free. With the death of mind in particular, it is but a tense period of fire Ravana, Sita however was released. With the ordeal until we the Indians are able to be one with return of the foreigner, India too was released from the Indian spirit. slavery in 1947. But Sita was not immediately accepted by her lord Sri Rama. Although India Sita is ever pure. So is Indian mind ever pure. and Indian Mind were declared independent, they Both of them are ever wedded to Sri Rama or the were not immediately able to become one with soul of India. But the ordeal became unavoidable Bharat and Bharatheeya Atma, India of ancient to Sita then. And the tribulations to the Indian heritage and the soul of India. Geographically, the mind have now become inevitable. Although Sita body of India is broken, broken-hearted, and is was immaculate, she was clothed in the alien robes in pieces. In 1950, India became a Republic, when she returned to Sri Rama, after her release. incomplete Republic, not the full country. She was simple, pure and austere. But her Lakshmana was unhappy, unable to be composed. garments were rich and luxurious, pompous and foreign. Sita bedecked in royal costumes of Lanka YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 13 arrived in the princely palanquin to rejoin Sri Rama. through self education. Sita Devi is able to burn Indian mind with the Western habits and influences the fire itself and is one with Sri Rama in no time. sticking to her, attempted in vain to be in tune with The Indian mind is not less capacitated to face the Indian spirit, culture and heritage. Both Sita any ordeal . Only, it has to reeducate herself and and India have failed to achieve their cherished awaken herself, free herself from everything that goals. Fire ordeal therefore is a necessity for both is unnatural, artificial and alien. to reestablish and prove their purity and fidelity This self-education is possible by opening the to the ageless spirit of nobility and wisdom, all books of our age old heritage and culture. inclusive oneness and all embracing love, Commencing with a single external teacher, we universalism and uniqueness. It is not enough if culminate with the educative teacher from within one is pure and good; they should be visible as in every one of us. Mother is our first teacher. well in one’s appearance, expressions, habits and Motherland is our teacher all through way of life. our life and the soul of Mother Bharat is Despite the intrinsic spirituality and our eternal teacher from within always. culture of unique Indian heritage, the This evolution in education is meant to mind of India is unfortunately take us from body consciousness to clothed in the foreign garb of spiritual enlightenment, from materialism materialism. In language and to spirituality, from selfishness to religion, in life style and thinking unselfishness, from transience to eternity, patterns, we find the smoke or smell from narrow sectarianism to or wool of Western materialism universalism. All expansion to infinity sticking to the Indian mind. Indian or oneness with the soul of India is art and architecture, music and possible through education, all round dance, medicine and education and education, harmonious and wholesome a host of others bear the unwanted education, Self education. And that and unholy filth of the foreign land. process of unfoldment makes us truly Although we are free for more than Indians in every respect and that is five decades from the abductor’s universalism, spiritual enlightenment. yoke, we are unable to be rid of the dust and dirt The fire ordeal of Self-awakening makes us one that stuck to our feet during their reign. We are with the Soul of Bharat. Sita is united with Sri unable to breathe pure air, unpolluted by the Rama. Lakshmana is happy. And there is the grand foreign fumes in almost every field. Therefore it ceremonial celebration of Sri Rama’s coronation is essential, we should assert our oneness with our at Ayodhya. All are together, happily together. ancient spirit shedding all traces of the aliens, Hanuman the vanara hero, Jambavan a forest which have been unconsciously and innocently dweller and Guha the tribal chief along with all acquired from our captors. Let us be fully free in other royal personalities have contributed to the body, mind and habit.. Then only we will be truly glory of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. All people Indians acceptable to Sri Rama, the soul of India. of all areas, urban and rural, royal and tribal have Hanuman and a host of Vanavasis have facilitated only one thing in common and that is Indianness, the release of Sita from Lanka. Innumerable the soul of Mother Bharat, the mind of Mother freedom fighters have struggled hard to obtain Bharat, the holy body of Mother Bharat ——Sita, independence from the foreign yoke. But that was Rama and Lakshmana. not sufficient. The physical release and political JAI SRI RAM. JAI MOTHER BHARAT. freedom are not enough. We have to be free in mind to be one with Indian Spirit. For that we have to face the fire ordeal of self purification YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 15
VEERANGANAS OF SOUTH INDIA N. KRISHNAMOORTI
ndia holds its women is great reverence. God roaming about in the nearby forests troubling the appears to human beings as man as well as farmers. They approached Chennamma, by now Iwoman. Our women have been great scholars, a famous and unfailing archer, to save them from mystics, rulers, persons of great charity and the tiger. She traced the tiger and shot an arrow wisdom. In the field of battle too, there have been into the body of the terrible beast. She found great examplars. another arrow in the body, shot by a parallel But their valour has not been a brutal show of claimant Mellasarja, the prince of Kittur. The strength, but valour rising in dispute over the carcass of the defence of Motherhood, Tiger blossommed into a love, feminine honour and chastity. which ended in marriage. When the honour of the Nation Along with Mellasarja and her and the society and our religion co-wife Rudramma, were in danger, our women have Chennamma ruled the Kittur risen to risk their life to defend riasat justly. After Mallasarja’s them all. death, Rudramma’s son became All these virtues are exemplified the ruler, the throne being ably by the personalities of guarded by Chennamma even as Parashakti and Sita. Bhishma guarded the throne of Parashakti the supreme power the Kurus. Chennamma proved has incarnated as the rider of to be a wise, heroic and just lion---Simhavahini. But at the administrator. She was a great same time she has been named devotee of Lord Shiva and Lalita, graceful, tender and sought the advice of the monks poised. of Kalmath Math often. Similarly Sita is power and grace combined. She Chennamma’s protégé, the ruler died young, and used to play with the Shivadhanush, when she was an adopted son of his was installed on the throne. but six year old. Yet she refuses to apply her Chennamma continued her role as the god-mother energy to kill Ravana, telling Hanuman, that to kill to the new ruler, herself being the de facto ruler. Ravana is Sri Rama’s job. The British agents who did not approve of the Sri Krishna says in the Gita that in women, He adoption, thought that they can toy with shines as Kirti, Shri, Vak, Smriti, Medha, Dhriti Chennamma, a young widow. But Chennamma, and Kshama. the heroic, put the divisions of the British army led In South India the tradition of graceful yet powerful by one Thackerey to rout. A series of battles Viranganas is as old as history itself. ensued, Thackerey was killed and his family We give a few examples here but really speaking members captured by the Kittur forces were the list is inexhaustible. mercifully released by the motherly Chennamma. Chennamma was a young and heroic girl. Later Enraged at the defeat of the British forces, she became the queen of Kittur a small principality Elphinstone the governor of the Bombay lying between Belgaum and Dharwar on the Pune- presidency collected the forces from all over Bangalore Road. As a young girl, a teenager, she Bombay and appointed Chaplain the commissioner met her future husband Mallasarja of Kittur in a of Deccan to lead the army against Kittur. In spite strange encounter. There was a man-eater tiger of its great heroism, Kittur’s small army could not YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 16 withstand the Imperial forces. In the night of 4th built to commemorate her story in the Kerala-Tamil December 1824, Kittur was run over and its brave Nadu Border. Vaishakha Pournami is celebrated queen Chennamma captured. For the next five as the day dedicated to Kannagi. Her life story is years Chennamma stayed in the Bailhongal prison- immortalized in the Tamil epic ‘Silappadikaram’ fort, praying to Shiva for the glory of our country. (Noopurki Kahani) by the princely monk, Ilango. She died a martyr on 2/2/1829. Rani Mangammal Today Chennamma’s name is a part of Karnataka’s folklore, history, legend and religious Mangammal was the daughter of Lingama Naicker domain. She was born a heroine who lived and the leader of the army of the Madurai ruler died like one. Chockanatha Naicker. Mangammal married Chockanatha who spent much of his next 23 years Kannagi Kannagi lived more than 2000 years ago. She was the daughter of a great trader at Poompuhar (in Tamil Nadu) the town known for its international trade at the point where river Kaveri enters the sea. She was virtuous, beautiful and was of unshakeable will. She was married to Kovalan, who unfortunately squandered their wealth in immoral company. At last Kovalan repented and returned to Kannagi. They wanted to go to the far-away city of Madurai to re-seek their fortune. They were guided by Kavunti Adigal, a lady of great spiritual worth. Kannagi’s misfortunes followed her to Madurai. Her husband Kovalan went to the bazaar to sell her ‘Noopur’ and raise some money as capital for their new business. He was mistakenly caught in battling with his neighbours. He died then. as a thief of Madurai Queen’s ‘noopur’ and was Mangammal wanted to end her life, but held on, put to death. bound by her duty to bring up her son Enraged, Kannagi went to the Pandya king’s court. Muthuveerappa. She charged the King with injustice and adharma. Muthuveerappa ruled Madurai from 1682-1689. She proved that what Kovalan was carrying was He was ably guided by his mother Mangammal, her own noopur with inlaid stones of emerald. The but he too died young, leaving his mother Pandya Queen’s noopur had the stones of pearls. Mangammal and his pregnant wife. Mangammal Kannagi smashed her noopur on the floor of the persuaded the young queen not to commit Sati. assembled court of the Pandya King. Lo!, pieces The princess delivered a boy, and joined her of emerald flew out of the broken noopur. husband in Swargaloka. The child Vijayaranga Repentant, the king gave up his life on the throne. was enthroned when he was only 3 months old. The queen, a true Hindu wife, died with him. Mangammal, his grandmother was virtually the Kannagi caused the unjust capital of the Pandya’s ruler. She knew where to fight and when to sue to be burnt and ascended to heaven to join her for peace. She had to wage wars, though husband. Even today the people of Tamil Nadu unwillingly, against Mysore, Travancore and and Sri Lanka revere Kannagi. A temple has been Tanjore. Published and printed by N Viswanath on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra from 5, Singarachari Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. at M/s. RNR Printers and Publishers, 8, Thandavarayan Street, Triplicane, Chennai-5. Editor: P Parameswaran. YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 18 Mangammal was a great administrator. The Rudramba (13th century) ruled the Kakatiya dharmasalas she built, the roads she laid and the kingdom for 3 decades, suppressed rebels and civic amenities she created, have survived even gave stability to the kingdom and prosperity to now, today as a proof of her discretion being the her subjects. Her welfare works were legendary. better part of valour. When the tradition in Naicker Her sister Ganapamba ruled the kingdom for kingdom was for woman to commit Sati, she lived another 40 years wisely and sagely. Marcopolo for her very young son, and prevented her had recorded her glory in his memoirs. pregnant daughter-in-law from dying with Unniyarcha was the daughter of a teacher of the Mangammal’s son, so that the family could have art of fencing (sword-fighting). She killed the son to rule the kingdom. In valour, charity and criminals who came to molest her, and extracted self-denial, Mangammal’s name has few equals. promise from the rogue-community that all Manimekhalai the wielder of Amrita Surabhi women would then on be treated honourably in North Malabar. Manimekhalai was the daughter of Madhavi a The list of great, heroic women of South India is professional dancer and Kovalan, the husband of endless. Avvai was a great mystic, poetess and legendary Kannagi. After Kovalan’s death, both peace maker. Tilakavati held great sway over Madhavi and Manimekhalai took to the life of the life of Appar the top-flight Shaivite saint. nuns. Young Manimekhalai, her beauty shining Mangayarkarasi brought the Pandya Kingdom through her nun’s robes - scorned the attention of (7th century) back to life from the brink of atheism. princes, and lived the life a true woman of religion, Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a great saint and Lord great heroism indeed! She was gifted by the devas Shiva addressed her as ‘Mother’. Her poems are the Akshaya Patra, Amrita Surabhi, which would immortal. We have already discussed in these yield an endless supply of food for charity. But to columns the greatness of Kodai (Andal). begin with, a person of great virtue and charity Akkamahadevi (12th century) was a great mystic should place a handful of rice in the Akshayapatra, of Kannada, Virashaivism. so that the divine vessel would start yielding its Rangapataka (6th) was a Pallava queen, a great gifts. temple builder. Sembiyan Mahadevi, a Malava A woman of great chastity, Ardhra, placed a princess married to a Chola king was a renowned handful of rice into the vessel and blessed temple builder and a women of charity. She Manimekhalai. A great flow of food came out of controlled her senses totally after becoming a the vessel, curing people not only of their hunger, widow at a young age. but also of their ailments. Kundavai (11th century)a Chola princess who Manimekhalai spent the rest of her life in charity, earned the eternal gratitude of the people was the service and prayer. She is a heroine because, she elder sister of king Raja Raja who built the famous claimed a victory over the greatest enemies, lust Tanjore Temple. She was a true heroine in a family and selfishness. of heroes. Manimekhalai’s life and work are glorified in a Shantala (12th century) of Karnataka was a queen Tamil epic of her name “Manimekhalai” written who could shine as the up-holder of four faiths, 2000 years ago. Her story is a constant source of Vaishnava, Shaiva, Jaina and Buddha. inspiration in Tyaga, Seva and Atmabodha. Right from Sangam poets down to modern Akkadevi (Ad 1010-1064) was a famous heroine freedom fighters, South Indian women have shone and ruler of Karnataka, who ruled for 50 years, well and adorned everything they touched-- subjugating enemies and quelling local heroism, art, poetry, music, temple building, insurrections. Her devotion and charity matched spirituality, administration and charity. her heroism. Nayakuralu (12th century) is a Telugu heroine praised in folklore and legend. She lived a life of adventure. YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 19
HARISCANDRA THE EMBODIMENT OF TRUTH PROF.N.GANGADHARAN
he Vedas repeatedly glorify two important The legend of Hariscandra and Visvamitra are concepts – order (rta) and truth (satya). interwoven and it is rather a continuation of the TOne of the verses of the Rgveda equates legend of his father Trisanku. Trisanku desiring to these two concepts with the Supreme Brahman ascend heaven with his physical frame requested and makes obeisance. Moreover, the Upanishads the family priest Vasistha to perform a sacrifice and other philosophical texts equate Brahman with for that purpose. Since the latter refused to comply Truth, Knowledge and Infinity. The general with his request, Visvamitra, the arch-rival of meaning of the word rta is order. It is referred to Vasistha, accomplished the sacrifice. As a as the primary cause of the universe. Rta as nature consequence when Trisanku was moving upwards, includes all those comprising the universe--the sun, he was denied entry into heaven with the physical moon, heaven, earth, air, frame and was pushed cloud, the course of the sun, down, Visvamitra arrested and the different period of his downward fall and time. Along with the word rta managed to create an astral the Vedas frequently mention world for his stay. the word satya denoting truth Visvamitra did not like and glorify its practice. It may Vasistha continuing as the be remembered that we have family priest of the solar our motto as ‘Truth alone kings. Though he had no triumphs’ (satyamevajayate). personal animosity for the The first instruction given to a solar kings, this episode student in the was the starting point for his Taittiriyopanishad is that he confrontation with should utter the truth, practise Hariscandra. virtue and pay respects to the Hariscandra married parents and preceptor. Manu Candramati, the daughter of lays down the rules governing Sibi. Since he had no the practice of truth. progeny he performed a penance on the advice Accordingly one is enjoined to speak always the of Vasistha to please Varuna to beget a son. truth that is pleasant, restrain from speaking the Visvamitra did not like this. Hariscandra was truth that is unpleasant and uttering lie that is blessed by Varuna and with a son. He was named pleasing. Among the Puranic characters, the as Rohita. As a token of gratitude the king person that stands foremost in our mind as an promised to offer his son as a sacrificial beast to example for the practice of truth is Harischandra. Varuna. It was put off till Rohita grew up and He is well known for his adherence to the practice attained the age for his Upanayana. Rohita ran of truth even under the most trying situations. away into the forest fearing that he would be Hariscandra was a king of the solar dynasty. He offered in sacrifice. Since the king was reluctant was the son of the famous king Trisanku, to satisfy to offer his son as promised Varuna cursed him whose desire Visvamitra managed to create an that he would be afflicted with a dreadful disease. astral world. Hariscandra was well known for his The king sought the advice of Vasistha. Vasistha firm adherence to munificence and truthfulness. suggested a way out that he can buy a son and YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 20 offer in lieu of his own son. Knowing the sequence him and was pestering him to pay the daksina. of events Rohita bought a Brahmin boy named Hariscandra offered to sell his wife and son and Sunassepa, who was the middle one among the pay the fees. Once again Visvamitra appeared as three sons of a greedy Brahmin Ajigarta. When a Brahmin and bought Candramati and Rohita by he was brought to the palace for immolation, paying Hariscandra the amount. Visvamitra Visvamitra took pity on the boy and sought his subjected them to much hardship. Visvamitra once release. The king replied him that the purpose of again approached Hariscandra asking for more procuring the boy was to get rid of his disease by money since the fees paid was not adequate. In the immolation of the boy. Visvamitra sympathizing order to make up the money Hariscandra offered with the boy, taught him a mantra for pleasing himself for sale. Yama appeared as an outcaste Varuna. Accordingly, Varuna was pleased and and bought him to guard the cremation ground. blessed the king also, curing him of the disease. Thereafter Rohita died of snake bite. The master The confrontation between Visvamitra and did not allow her to go and see the dead child. At Hariscandra began at this state. Once his family last at midnight he permitted her to go asking her priest Vasistha commended the virtues of to return in order to resume her morning duties. Hariscandra in the presence of sage Visvamitra. The lamentation of Candramati on beholding the Thereupon the latter disputed the claims of Vasistha dead child attracted the people. They mistook her and argued that one cannot stick on to truth under to be a ghost and dragged her to the cremation adverse circumstances. It was then agreed upon ground tying her with a rope. They asked that Visvamitra may himself test the veracity of Hariscandra to cut her into pieces. When he Vasistha’s statement. Then Visvamitra subjected refused to kill a woman, the outcaste master came Hariscandra to several crucial tests. Visvamitra there and gave him a sword asking him to cut her made a ruse to entice Hariscandra to go for hunting into pieces. When Hariscandra was about to obey a hog and get stranded in the forest. Then the words of his master, Chandramati shouted at Visvamitra appeared in front of him in the guise of them stating that she had come to cremate her an old Brahmin. The king introduced himself to dead child bitten by a snake and offered to be cut him as Hariscandra, who had performed the after doing that work. Hariscandra permitted her Rajasuya rite and generously offered to give him to bring the child. After the child was brought whatever he wanted after returning to his capital. Hariscandra sought from her the fees to cremate. The old man was pleased and suggested that the Till then both of them had not recognized each king may make his gift after bathing in the nearby other. When they recognized each other they stream. The old man expressed his simple desire decided to cremate the child with the available that he wanted money to conduct the marriage of wood and decided to end their lives in the same his daughter and produced by illusion a young man fire. When they were about to light the fire the and a young woman and showed them to the king gods manifested and prevented them from their that they were the son and daughter. He showed bid and restored the child to life. Visvamitra the king the way to get out of the forest. Later returned the kingdom to the king admiring his Visvamitra met the king and sought for the help in steadfast adherence to truth even under extremely the form of his own kingdom including all miserable conditions. paraphernalia. The king had no option but to The glorious nature of Hariscandra remaining concede to his request and quit the palace along steadfast in his truthfulness sacrificing all other with his wife and son. comforts in life for the sake of truth is bound to Then Visvamitra sought for the daksina. Since exert influence on the minds of people. Hariscandra had given away all his possessions he pleaded for some time to make up the amount. He then moved to Kasi. Visvamitra ccompanied YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 21
GITA FOR THE YOUTH -FATALISM- CH.SATYANARAYANA MURTHY
n answering Arjuna, Lord Krishna answers it is not worth having. That is why the heavenly every human being. In lifting the gloom of father Lord Krishna preaches wisdom to Arjuna IArjuna, He lifts the gloom of every one that and makes him do his duty and gain credit for happens to taste the sweetness of his nectar-like conquest and realms. words. We find answers for every problem of First he answers Arjuna’s depression at the worldly ours. level thus, ‘O Arjuna, the whole world knows you One such problem is fatalism. Many people lapse to be valiant and heroic. If you now flee from the into sloth and idleness thinking that they are play- battlefield you become a laughing stock. The things in the hands of fate. They say to themselves enemies do not care to probe into the noble thus, “What need is there sentiments that prompt you for me to work and exert to abstain from fighting. myself when everything They simply brand you a comes to me according to coward and they gloat my fate. If I am destined over their superior powers, to be rich, riches come to which they think have me. If I am destined to be brow-beaten you. None poor, even if I strive hard, praises you for your so- my lot will not be bettered. called softness, gentleness, Hence let me sit still and and human sympathy. Your let things take their own love for your grand-father course”. This trend of and Guru are misplaced. thought is dangerous and They are bankrupt of any it breeds idleness. kindly feelings for you. Fatalism paves the way to They have been silent ruin. Lord Krishna exhorts spectators to all the Arjuna and through Arjuna indignities and miseries you the whole humanity to do duty. The path of duty suffered at the hands of your cousin. They have leads to glory. One should not neglect one’s duty. not even an iota of decency or sense of justice in As a Kshatriya it is Arjuna’s duty to subdue the joining war on the side of that sinful Duryodhana. evil forces and uphold ‘Dharma’. In the discharge Even if you flee they pursue you and humiliate you. of his duty, he has to rise above sentiments and That humiliation is worse than death. So your attachments. mistaken love regard and sympathy for those Lord Krishna himself can put an end to all the sinners will bring about your fall from the pedestal enemies of Arjuna and lift the benefits of victory of glory as a warrior and hero. to his lips on a platter. But he doesn’t do so. He So even the ordinary worldly people unexposed helps Arjuna to fight well and gain victory. He sets to high spiritual ideals or philosophy must not shirk store by human effort. A wise father does not like their duty and refrain from their effort. One has to to give millions to his son and make him idle. He put forth human effort and rise above fatalism. would rather give him the training or the capacity to earn millions. Anything got without working for YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 24
AS THE KING, SO THE PEOPLE
n ancient times, even the kings of small mirror in front of which he was sitting, the king kingdoms performed their duty of ruling over asked, “What is the matter? Why are you Itheir subjects with broad-mindedness and a weeping?” The queen stated the truth. The king spirit of sacrifice. One such king ruled over his smiled and said, “My dear, it is good that you have kingdom, considering the welfare of his subjects told me the truth. The body is like a water bubble. as his greatest good fortune. He, therefore, took Sooner or later it is bound to perish. We should, all steps for the welfare and happiness of his therefore, hand over the responsibility of the subjects. The people of his kingdom considered kingdom to our ministers and go to the forest to the king as their own body while the king spend the rest of our life in contemplation of God.” considered the people as his Both of them decided that heart. Such was the intimate they would leave the relationship of love between kingdom the next day. the king and his people. The The king at once called a king worked very hard day meeting of all the ministers and night to do the greatest and told them of his decision. good of his people. The news spread like wild One day, the king asked his fire and all the people came queen to apply oil to his hair. running to the palace. The In those days, it was not ministers and the people customary to have too many requested the king not to servants. The wife attended leave them. They told him to the personal needs of the that if he left them, they husband. Accordingly, the would be as lifeless as a queen personally attended to body without the heart. The even the smallest needs of king tried to convince them the king as part of her sacred about the inevitability of duty. She was a queen for death and how man should the people of the kingdom prepare himself to meet it, by but for her husband she was leading the life of an ascetic a dutiful wife. So, she applied oil to king’s hair. in the forest. While doing so, she noticed a few grey hair on The people said, “O King, we will go to the forest the king’s head. She thought that the king had and pray to Lord Siva to grant you a long life. stepped into old age and that God had already Until we return, please do not leave the kingdom.” sent the first notice to remind the king that his end The people went to the forest and offered sincere was drawing near. God sends a second notice in prayers to Lord Siva. When He appeared, they the form of cataract that blurs the vision. Then the prayed, “O Lord! Please grant our king a life-span teeth start falling one after another. That is the third of a hundred years more.” The Lord was plesed notice. The fourth and final notice comes in the with their love and loyalty to the king and granted form of wrinkles on the face. Lost as she was in two hundred years to the king. The people these thoughts, tears started trickling down her returned with great joy to the palace and informed cheeks. On seeing the queen in tears in the huge YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 26 the king of God’s boon. The king was very much pleased. The queen however got ready to go to the forest and took leave of the king and the people. The people thought that the queen must be angry because they had secured the boon from the Lord only for the king. The queen went into deep meditation and God did appear before her. The queen questioned the Lord with all humility. “Is it true, O Lord, that you have granted two hundred years of life to the king?” The Lord said, “Yes”. Then the queen asked, “O Lord! Of what use is this long life for the king unless the people who love him so much are also granted long life?” The Lord said, “Be it so. I grant long life to your people also. Not only to your people, I am granting long life to you also, even though you have not asked for it.” The queen returned and informed the king and the people of God’s blessings and the boons. Such was the spirit of sacrifice of the people, of the kings and queens in ancient India. (Courtesy : “Sanathana Sarathi” January ’05 issue)
Do you hear Swami Vivekananda saying: Then only will India awake, when hundreds of large-hearted men and women, giving up all desire of enjoying the luxuries of life, will long and exert them- selves to their utmost, for the well-being of the millions of their countrymen. Are you among those whom Swamiji had in mind? Come, dedicate yourself for the service of the nation as a fulltime worker of Vivekananda Kendra, Kanyakumari - a spiritually oriented service mission. It is not a career - but a mission. Your Yogakshema would be taken care of by the Kendra. Send e-mail for details at: [email protected] OR Contact at the following address with full biodata and a postal order of Rs. 10/- General Secretary, Vivekananda Kendra, Vivekanandapuram Kanyakumari - 629702 For detailed information, visit us at www.vivekanandakendrakanyakumari.org SHIBIR CALENDAR - 2005 VIVEKANANDA KENDRA, KANYAKUMARI NAME OF THE SHIBIR DATES AGE DONATION 1. Spiritual Retreat (Eng.) 12th - 18 th Aug. 40-70 Yrs. Rs. 700/- 2. Spiritual Retreat (Hindi) 20th - 26th Oct. 40-70 Yrs. Rs. 700/- 3. Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Eng.) 1st - 15th Dec. 20-55 Yrs. Rs.1000/- 4. Yoga Shiksha Shibir (Hinid) 17th - 31st Dec. 20-55 Yrs. Rs.1000/- YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 29
FATE AND FREEWILL S.BALAKRISHNAN
“ ood, sleep, fear and desire for For the purpose of better clarity and easier procreation are common to both human explanation I shall borrow two expressions from F beings and animals. Intelligence alone western philosophers. We shall term ‘fate’ as discriminates a man from animals, in the absence universal intention and ‘free will’ as individual of which he is equal to an animal”. intention. The total or universal intention in In the above, in place of the word “intelligence” combination with particular or individual intention we can substitute “free will”. Human beings have gives birth to different Jivas. The incarnations of free will whereas animals are programmed to act the Lord on the other hand are born of total in a certain manner. They generally do not exercise intention only as there is no specific Karma to any free will. No one asks an animal whether it is cause the incarnation. We know from the a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, whereas you are scriptures that the birth of a Jiva is the result of his required to answer such a question when you go previous karma – punya and papa – which have on a flight or when invited to a dinner. Even in their source in ignorance of self knowledge. He is ordinary activities such as given a body appropriate crossing a road in heavy to his karma which we traffic, a man has to term his individual exercise his free will and intention. The incarnation cross carefully; if he of the Lord is born of total leaves it to fate and darts karma or universal across heavy traffic he intention as He has no may not reach the other ignorance. In fact He uses side alive. But a buffalo the total ignorance or can nonchalantly stand in Maya to take a suitable the middle of the road and body for the purpose of his will not be hit by any incarnation. All these are vehicle because those who drive the vehicles have discussed in our Scriptures, Puranas and in free will which they will use in the case of a buffalo. Bhagavat Gita. But in your case the free will of the driver and Returning to the verse quoted in the beginning, yours may clash and the end may not be free will is given to man as different from animals predictable. to fulfil a purpose in life. We talk of the four The example was only to show that even in such Purusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha), an ordinary activity as crossing a road your free the ultimate and primary goal being liberation from will comes into play and you do not leave the transmigratory existence. No such purpose is everything to fate or destiny. But then Lord Krishna prescribed to animals; their role is only to exhaust seems to contradict this when he tells Arjuna in the fruits of karma accumulated by them in their Chapter 11 verse 33 that he is only an instrument earlier lives. They reap no punya or papa by their in the hands of fate. He also contradicts here his actions during the present life; their present karma earlier statement in Chapter 6 verse 5 where it is have no fruits which will fructify now or later. told that one must lift himself up by one’s own Therefore a lion does not earn papa in killing a efforts. In fact there is no contradiction here as cow; nor will a cow earn punya for providing milk will be explained further in this article. for abhisheka of the Lord. (The punya goes to the YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 30 owner of the cow). Therefore it is clear that human Keep an open mind and accept the universal beings alone can exercise their free will or intention as the presence of God in you. As you particular intention if they want to lead a progress in life, thoughts about your purpose in meaningful life. this world will surface again and again. You will The free will is already ingrained in your origin meet the right people and the right opportunities which we termed individual intention; it is present at the proper time. Do not ignore or stifle such in the DNA at the very conception of the Jiva. thoughts. Understand that you are not here by Our body structure, mental acumen, growth chance. You were born with ideals and dreams potential – everything is there already. One has which are meaningful. Your purpose is sure to find only to acknowedge its presence and help to you and assist you in need. We have innumerable manifest the same at the right moment. This field examples of great achievers who have aligned their of intent, inevitably present in everyone struggles fate with their free will, when they got a hint of to manifest through our their purpose in life. They used this opportunity thoughts and actions. Some of presented to them in their life. us refuse to recognize this I shall recount some of them power because of our ego from many fields. which suppresses the same by Adisankara’s encounter with giving out negative and a crocodile in a river paved opposing vibrations. Our the way for his taking to natural urge is to move sannyasa. This must not be towards the infinite, the taken as an accident. It was a universal intention which we manifestation of his particular call God, in other words. Thus intention and was only a when the individual intention means to get his mother to coincides with the universal agree to his sannyasa, but for intention, both complement which turning point in his life, each other. Your free will and we would have been denied fate move in the same of his great teachings. Swami direction in harmony. The philosophy of Visista- Vivekananda’s meeting his teacher Sri advaitins that we are part of God helps us to Ramakrishna was no chance. It showed the way appreciate this concept. Being part of God all of for him to fulfil a great mission of spreading this us exhibit an innate desire to become the whole wonderful culture all over the world. Ramana and this intention manifests in our free will. You Maharshi’s encounter with death experience and are an infinite being or a spiritual being in a his subsequent travel to Tiruvannamalai even as a physical body. This infinitude has two sides – the boy and renouncing everything to do penance there active and the inactive. When you develop positive was a great event not only for him, but for the thoughts that you are going to fulfil a purpose in entire humanity. That was his only purpose in life. life, which is potentially present in you even from Even in modern times, there are many such birth, you cooperate with your fate and move in examples of someone suddenly getting a flash in the right direction. On the other hand those who his mind as a result of which, he changes his life do not believe in themselves nor in this universal style and shuns material wealth or selfish ends and force, but live in pessimism and lack of self- embraces a career for social uplift or spiritual confidence invite more and more negative thoughts achievements like the story of Nachiketas in the and move away from their goal. This is caused by Katha Upanishad. negative forces in your ego, dominating and pulling Looking at fields other than spiritual, we have tales you away from the right direction. of Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi, YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 33 Rabindranath Tagore and other illustrious persons Coming back to the Bhagavat Gita, where the who recognized their purpose in life and aligned Lord’s words to Arjuna in the two contexts their individual intention with the universal. The appeared contradictory, we must understand that same is the case with great scientists and inventors Arjuna was only told by the Lord to fall in line like Archimedes, Thomas Edison, Marconi, with fate without remonstrating, so that his free Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein, etc., Even in the field will coincided with his fate because that was his of sports and politics we have such great achievers purpose as a follower of Dharma. like Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Bradmans – of We can now easily see how a Jnani has no fate cricket, the Samprasas, Navratilovas and separate from his free will. They totally fall in line Williamses of Tennis, the Anands and Fischers of or coincide. Therefore he has no conflict, and as Chess who would not have been there, but for the Lord says in Chapter 12, the Jnani is none their working hard is unision with their fate and other than the Lord Himself. free will. This positive attitude of looking at fate and freewill W.W.Dyer a well known writer from the west has as complementary to each other is well brought a novel way of looking at the achievements of such out in the words of a western philosopher, Johann notable personalities. They assume that their goal Wolfgang Von Goethe. He says, “The moment one is achieved and work backwards to fulfil the definitely commits oneself, providence moves too. intention. A record maker in high jump or pole- All sorts of things occur to help one that would vault sets his mind firmly on the record mark and never have occurred otherwise--unforeseen has tremendous self will to work it out. Or a incidents, meetings and material assistance, which century hitter or a Tennis champion believes that no man could have dreamed would come his he has target. When the thoughts are very firmly way”. set on the goal the spirit of universal intention will collaborate with you and make possible the (Courtesy : “Self-knowledge” April 2005) seemingly impossible. YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 34
SWAMI RANGANATHANANDAJI DR.M.LAKSHMIKUMARI
hen we think of His Holiness Swami how his mother chided him for using some foul Ranganathanandaji who held the language by reminding him that one’s tongue was Waugust position as the Head of the the abode of Vani Devi Saraswati and one should Ramakrishna Math and Mission, two sayings of not soil it by using foul language against others. Swami Vivekananda stand out clearly before our Swamiji added that his advice went straight to his mind. head and heart and always checked him from 1. Education is the manifestation of the perfection repeating the mistake. Love for his mother was a already in man. dominant character of his early life which made 2. Religion is the manifestation of the divinity him once undertake a hazardous river journey to already in man. go to an Ayurvedic doctor living a mile up the river These profound expressions pointing to the to fetch medicine for her. Love for adventure and immense potentiality held in reserve in each human dislike for easy life became the hallmarks of being, which is to be tapped by concentrated self- Swamiji’s life from early childhood. effort, aptly portray Revered Swami Even while at school he became attracted to Sri Ranganathanandaji’s life. Coming Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature to hear of Sri Ramakrishna and started to absorb the wonderfully Paramahamsa and his great illuminating expositions of Vedanta disciple Swami Vivekananda, enshrined therein. It was while in class reading about the immaculate life eight that a friend brought him “Gospel of the Holy Mother, the simple of Sri Ramakrishna” from Trissur village boy from Trikkur, in the library. Swamiji recalled the outskirts of Trissur, Kerala, found instantaneous and tremendous appeal himself tuning up to replay the the book had on him. This was symphonies set in tune by these followed by the Complete Works of great masterminds and the result Swami Vivekananda and the inspiring was what we had before us in His Holiness Swami true-life sketch “The Master as I saw him” by Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, a treasure-house of Sister Nivedita. It was Swami Abhedananda’s knowledge and spiritual wisdom combined with beautiful hymn “prakrutim paramam” that took the best manifestation of spirituality highly him to Holy Mother. The sum total was a deep compatible with the most modern demands of yearning to dedicate his life for experiencing God contemporary world. as also loving His creation around. Caste, creed, Born on 15th December 1908 as the son of a great race and gender had no place in this scheme of Sanskrit scholar Sri Neelakantha Sastri, he had love. his school education in the village school where In the year 1926 Swamiji left home to join his excellent teachers became his first gurus. Like Ramakrishna Math and became an inmate of the any child born to noble parents in the early years Mysore Ramakrishna Ashram. In 1933 he took of the last century, it is not surprising that his first sannyas from Swami Shivananda, (Mahapurush education in-inter human relationships, traditional Maharaj) one of the direct disciples of Sri culture and religion was from his simple, truth Ramakrishna who at that time was the President embodied and peace loving parents. For example, of Ramakrishna Math. The first twelve years of in one of his reminiscences Swamiji remembered his monastic life were in Mysore and Bangalore YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 36 where he had occasions to be under the direct As an ambassador of our spiritual heritage Swamiji observation of most holy and lovable Swami had toured all over the world spreading the Siddeswarananda who was later instrumental in message of harmony of religions and universal establishing the center Vedantique Ramakrishna brotherhood. His most extensive tour was in 1968- in Paris. The Swamiji had occasions to meet 69 from 18th July 1968 to 31st December 1969. Mahatma Gandhi three times at Mysore and The wonderful heart warming experiences of Bangalore. Swamiji are available for all of us from his famous One key utterance from Swami Vivekananda, book ‘A Pilgrim Looks at the World’. During this which had become his own life’s refrain was “can tour he delivered 934 lectures and question and you combine seriousness with childlike naiveté”? answer sessions of which 90 were television, radio That summed up also the extraordinary charm of and newspaper interviews, 30 were in churches Swamiji’s personality. The farsighted views of and temples, 141 were in Vedanta Societies and Swami Vivekananda always inspired Swamiji in Ramakrishna Ashrams, 156 were in private his monastic life and transformed him into a true parlors, 197 were in public forums, and 320 were to life imitation of the Great Master. Today the in 115 universities and colleges. Stimulating whole world understands the message of Swami question and answer sessions followed every Vivekananda in all its depth and scope as it comes lecture. The media were unanimous in extolling the magnified and updated through the knowledge, great impact Swamiji made on the public. A few wisdom and life experiences of this Great Saint examples are worth reproducing. “On the one among Saints. hand, his incredibly vast knowledge not only The most practical demonstrations of Swamiji’s fascinated me but thrilled and excited me extraordinary vision and organizing power are the intellectually. On the other hand, his words centers which have been established or updated reached a depth within me which literally by him during his tenure as the head of the various caused me to tingle inside with the realization mission centers within the country and outside. that each of us, there, was really alive and The centers developed and brought to international really dyamic” (Ann Curtis in American Reporter, standard and reputation by Swami Feb. 1969) Ranganathanandaji in his early monastic life were David Milofsky, Chairman of Wisconsin Union at Rangoon and Karachi. From 1949 to 1962 he Literary Committee of the University of Wisconsin was the president of R.K.Mission at New Delhi, said, “Your visit helped to broaden our horizons which gave him a wonderful chance to interact with and to see that, although we are separated by the cream of the ruling elite including Pandit great distances physically, there is a universal Jawaharlal Nehru and Mrs.Indira Gandhi and earn spiritual kinship between all peoples. I feel that their respect and confidence. Later for five years the distances between India and the United he was the secretary of the Ramakrishna Institute States and between Vedanta and Western of Culture at Calcutta. This was the time when he thought were decreased because of your could expand the work of the Mission at the lecture”. international level. In His Holiness Swami Ranganathanandaji we can A most telling example of the great dynamism and sense the universal dimension of the Great Master the organizing capacity of Swami Swami Vivekananda. Listening to Swamiji we Ranganathanandaji is the Hyderabad Math of could transport ourselves into those days when which he was the president from 1973 to 1993. the Great master thundered for the first time the From 1969 till 1989 Swamiji was one of the universal message of Vedanta to a universal trustees of the Ramakrishna Math. In 1989 he audience. became the Vice President of the Math till he took This author vividly remembers how in the late over as the President in August 1998. seventies Swamiji brought her attention to the urgent need for selfless and efficient action in every YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 39 field of activity in modern India when she was this energy into constructive channels for national contemplating to leave her career. To quote, “our good. In these days of encircling gloom let us also society’s body is full of wounds, blood and pus. affirm his words and keep our hopes alive. “The There is hardly any healthy tissue anywhere. There present total erosion of values at high levels is a is great need to create healthy tissues through passing phase; we had such experiences before people like you doing their swadharma with also…our nation will build up, during the next selflessness, patriotism and dedication to God. Be century, a progressive, humanistic and peaceful such a worker, remain where you are, make democratic polity and society”. yourself an example for your colleagues. There is Talking to Swamiji, one was wonderstruck at his no need to leave your job and get into any encyclopaedic knowledge and memory. Reading organization.” A few years later when the occasion his treatises on various subjects helped us to update demanded greater sacrifice, with equal emphasis our own knowledge in any field, be it physics, Swamiji gave his blessings to leave the profession chemistry, psychology, economics, politics or adding, “Now organisation’s need is greater and science. He could remember who said what and more urgent and you may leave your worldly when and the implications of it for our pursuits”. True to Vivekananda style he wanted understanding of our own Shastras. each Indian to work with dedication and Last but not the least was the unbounded love and selflessness in their respective field of activity so concern, which he bestowed on each and every that each one can make his or her contribution to one who went near him. All he expected was our the prosperity of our nation. own deep interest and concern for the progress He was always concerned about human and well being of our country and its heritage. His relationships specially when we worked in an own love for the country is summed up in the organization. During one of his casual following words, which also teach us a great lesson conversations he pointed out, “Do you know in expansion. To quote: “Though born and brought which is the best way to keep human relationships up in Kerala my feeling of identification was never warm and strong? Through tyga and seva. confined to that one state but had become national Relinquish your personal interests and be ever and international; to every State I go for lecture ready to look for an opportunity to serve others.” programme, I have felt I belong there; the same in Adherence to truth and scientific rational approach the international sphere also”. to problems formed part of his life’s methodology. Kerala is blessed today that among the very many Foolish sentimentalism, superstitious beliefs, etc., luminaries it had gifted to the nation is the Most had no place in him. Once seeing the huge noisy Revered Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji whose crowds at Kanyakumari temple he remarked that spiritual wisdom is shedding its luster on the great he would be more peaceful in the bazaar outside Sri Ramakrishna Math and Mission and through than within the temple and we need not arrange it on the whole nation, nay, the whole world. for his trip to the temple hereafter. Blessed indeed are those who have known him Another remarkable trait that amazed everybody from near and twice blessed are those who have who went to him was his extraordinary optimism. been blessed by Revered Swamiji. May this Even the greatest problems that confronted our Abhinava Vivekananda’s teaching continue to nation did not shake his faith in our people and spread far and wide so that we lesser mortals may their capacity to face them. He was of the view feel that we are one with God and are truly that after years of tamas we were just moving on brothers and sisters. the rajas. The confused riotous behaviour of the mob was just a forerunner of the good days ahead. Suddenly our nation was charged with a new energy. With a little care our leaders could divert YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 40
AKSHAYA TRITIYA NARAYANAN
n the third day (tritiya) of the bright half commercialism. What else could one attribute to of the moon in the Tamil month of Chittira the gold rush on that day when nearly 30 tons of it Oor in the month of Vishaka in the National worth Rs.1800 crore were sold in one city? When calendar, falls Akshaya Tritiya. It comes in the asked about what he wanted to buy a man Gregorian month of May. A good work done on remarked humorously, “I cannot afford to prosper this day will prove a boon eternally, is the belief. this way”. Child marriage is another blot on the Puranas elaborate on the auspiciousness of the day. Parents in medieval India of foreign invasions day.In the North the day is called Akshaya Teej. used to betroth their daughters to ensure their In the Vedic calendar the event is marked as one security. This practice is now gone. of the holy festivals. The sun is at its maximum Any long run project began on Akshya Tritya will brilliance on this day. Astrologers say that the sun, flourish, is the belief. Many industries and buildings the only source of energy, sheds its maximum on and even temples in the country had their the earth on this day. Rishis selected this day to foundation stone laid on this day. One example is conduct the aadhya yagna. the Balaji temple at Tirupati. Adi Shankara, while Akshaya means eternal, that which passing through the hillocks of will not undergo decay. So the day Andhra Pradesh spotted a small represents the beginning of a never structure far away and thought that ending gain. A good work done on to be a Siva temple, from its poor this day is considered a windfall for condition, and all the time a disciple the future. insisting that it was a Vishnu temple. On approaching it the disciple was Many incidents together have added proved right. Soon Shankara to the holiness of Akshaya Tritiya. chanted a mantra and placed some Krita and Threta Yugas began on this symbol there saying, “A Vishnu day. It is the birthday of Parasuram, temple should not be so poor.” It was an avatara of Vishnu. It is considered the most on an Akshaya Tritiya day. The pilgrim flow began suited day to propitiate departed souls. after this incident. It is also said that the foundation In the Puranas, Akshaya Tritiya is described as stone of the present day temple was laid on a the beginning of a golden era. Devas celebrate it similar day. and in one of the Puranas there is a narration of A comparison of modern astronomical findings the celebration. The day is considered auspicious with ancient Indian knowledge will reveal the for marriages. That means, every father wishes to erudition our ancestors had attained on the subject. bestow the most of his life’s earnings on the best Astrology was accepted as a branch of it and had and the holiest of human relations on the earth on its acceptance outside India. There were business this day. So the day is a witness to the most liberal ties with Egypt in those days through the Red Sea. of sacrifices. This very event repudiates the The pharaohs consulted Indian astrologers for common notion that one can attain riches by buying auspicious days for laying foundation for a coveted thing, especially gold, on this day. constructions. Abandon, and be free from desires is the way Akshaya Tritiya shows as the way to prosperity. Back in India, the Akshaya Paatram(vessel) of Any other idea attributed to it is shrewd Draupadi is well known to all of us. Though the dates mentioned in scriptures do not tally with YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 41 Tritya, the similarity in their names augmented Empire. There were temples built of gold. Fa Hsien people’s faith in the result of a good work done and Hiuen Tsiang had written that they saw children on the Tritiya. in India playing with gold and diamond marbles. Then how did the day renegade as a day of Our ancestors never looted other countries. shopping? This is modern salesmanship, a clever Somewhere in an epic or a purana there was a twist given to an event steeped in devotion. It is narration that in places were men lived without simply this: temples used to present gold coin flinching from moral thought and conduct, there, engraved with spiritual shapes to devotees on the in the soil gold could be found. So the quality of Akshaya Tritya as a symbol of prosperity. Never men was the secret of the prosperity. They were was the belief that it would multiply in coming of robust health and were hard working. So hard years. The coin was a source of inspiration for work and faith promoted the wealth of India. devotees. The coin represented endless prosperity This is another message of Akshaya Tritiya. Here because gold as a mental never undergoes we also find a perfect balancing of material corrosion like other metals. Gold has the power prosperity with moral uprightness. Any spurt in to energise human body. So palace doctors wealth had to be sanctioned by codes of right prescribed gold flour to kings in minute quantity. conduct. Culture kept a guard on the growth of The kings were served food is gold plates. civilization. Whenever the latter tended to go awry To wear at least a small piece of gold is an Indian the former curbed it. tradition. It is considered to have the power of We have that culture left with us today . Only its protection and for women a small piece as a thaali impressions in material forms have disappeared. is a symbol of family prosperity. These possessions The spread of the messages of that culture is were symbolic and not a display of wealth as some necessary to educate people once again on right people want to make it today. Here a question is social conduct. relevant. What was the source of so much of gold in India? It was called the Golden Bird of British AN APPEAL FROM YUVA BHARATI To All Readers, Subscribers, Well-wishers, Advertisers, and to the Youth. . . Yuva Bharati is one of the very few monthly magazines which is being regularly posted for the last 33 years without any break. In the history of Yuva Bharati many twists and turns happened reminding us of the verse “men may come and men may go.. but I go on for ever . . . .” The mounting cost of production compel us to change our tariff rates. We appeal to all to support, sustain and to nourish Yuva Bharati by generously participating financially, and most important, by enrolling at least 5 more subscribers from your side. The new Tariff is as below: Particulars Per Insertion Back Cover (Multi Colour) Rs.4,500/- 2nd or 3rd Inner Cover Page Rs.4,000/- Full Page Black & White Rs.2,000/- Half Page Black & White Rs.1,300/- Page sponsorship: Rs. 1,000/- {Sponsor’s name and address will be printed at the bottom of the page in bold letters} YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 42 VIVEKANANDA KENDRA SAMACHAR
GAYA games, the feeling of oneness is strengthened The center conducted a week with each participant. long Yoga Siksha Satra from 3 4. Under Adopt-A-Granny Scheme, monthly April to 17 April ’05. Sri solatium was distributed to 57 destitute old Govardhan Prasad Saday, a people in the form of rice, dhal, oil, etc., for their well-known scholar of Gaya maintenance, supported by Help-Age inaugurated the camp. International. Participants were taught the basic set of Asanas, Pranayama and Kriyas. On 25.04.2005 Help Age India conducted a Capacity Building Workshop at Chennai. Two BALASORE persons from V.K.R.D.P. participated in the The Balasore center runs the Sister Nivedita Nursery workshop. school which has a strength of 28 students and 3 teachers. 5. Eye Screening Camps were organized at 5 places The center conducts Yoga, Pranayama, Bala through which patients were examined and 229 Samskar and meditation classes regularly patients were operated for cataract with the help Ramakrishna Jayanti was observed on 12 March of Aravind Eye Hospital. ’05 at t.he Kendra premises. Swami Bhagabatananda 6. Village level Deepa Poojas were organized in 266 from Puri was the main speaker. places in which 11,225 women offered their prayers to God. One mass level Deepa Pooja CHANDIL was conducted at Shencottah in which 602 The Chandil Kendra observed Hanuman Jayanti on women from 18 villages had participated. The 24 April 2005. People from Chandil and near by entire expenditures were sponsored by the local villages participated. The programmes started at 8 community. a.m. with a puja and concluded at 3 p.m. 7. Swami Vivekananda Jayanthi Day was Competitions in Hanuman Chalisa recitation, celebrated in 5 places. Competitions, cultural patriotic songs and Kabaddi and other games were programmes and speeches marked the conducted and prizes distributed celebrations. 8. Under Amrita Surabhi scheme 1,345 kg. rice RDP was collected. Activities in April 9. Through various branch centers and stalls 1. Through 75 Balwadis 2,153 rural children were Rs.15,084/- worth literature was sold. fed. Hygienically prepared highly nutritive lunch 10. Annual Subscriptions were collected from 71 was served with vegetables, vitamin rich cereals people for Vivekavani. were given daily in the evening. 11. 73 students are getting tailoring training through 2. In the health care programme through 14 rural five units. medical centers, 3,485 patients were examined 12. Parents Meets were conducted at 5 places in and treated for various common ailments. Kanyakumari and Ramnad Districts. 3. 6,359 students actively participated in 203 Bala 13. Patron Donation was received from 13 persons. Samskara Vargas. In the Vargas based on Indian 14. Two Personality Development Camps were cultural values and norms, patriotic songs and conducted in Thoothukudi and Aruppukottai. 62 children participated. YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 42 15. Nine Yoga Varga, were organized in Kovilpatti, 20.Paddy collection drive was conducted at Ramnad and Virudhunagar Units. 521 Valliyoor and nearby areas. 350 kgs. of paddy, participants were benefited. 410 kgs. of rice and Rs.651/- were collected. 16. With the help of Department of Public Health 21. In memory of Kendra’s senior worker Mrs. Services, Tamil Nadu, for the eradication of T Saraswathi Srinivasan on 13.04.2005, Payasam B distributed medicines to the patients in nearby was distributed to all Balwadis. In memory of areas. Smt.Rambai Ammal, mother of our donor Shri 17. With Nine Self Help Groups (SHG’s) 180 G.J.Raman, on 24.04.2005 , Chitra Pournami, women are working at various places. Payasam and banana were distributed to Balwadi 18.One hand pump donated by Swami children of Kanyakumari District. Mukthanandaji, Anandashram, Kerala, was 22. Six-month Free Residential Tailoring Training installed at Camp Thattaparai in Thoothukudi aided by Kamlaben and Raojibhai Patel Family District. Foundtion, NJ 076677 was started on 19. Anna Pooja was organized at Thoothukudi in 2 30.03.2005 at Toovipuram in Turicorin District. places on 14.04.2005 on Tamil New Year day At present 22 girls from nearby villages are 74,500 kgs. of rice and Rs.31,634/- were getting free residential training. collected by a special campaign. In this drive 5000 families came to know of the Kendra’s activities. Om Stickers, SRK, SD & SV pictures were pasted in all these 5000 houses. CROSSWORD - 16 YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 44
SWADESHI HUMOUR —A KENDRA WORKER
he Swadeshi versus Globalisation issue has Common sense versus specialization: spawned a number of jokes and humorous An American tycoon specializing in the Tsituations. We present a bunch of such manufacture of edible oils once visited a village in telling jokes to highlight the issues. Maharashtra. A management expert accompanied The tale of learned technology versus him. Their factory in America presses oil out of country wisdom: groundnut using a variety of machines and solvents A newly educated agricultural scientist once visited under controlled temperature condition. The village a village. He found the methods employed by the from Maharashtra boasts of no such paraphernalia. illiterate farmers are crude and unproductive. He has a country press (Ghami/Chekku) powered “Why! I will be surprised if this mango tree yields by a bullock and manned by himself. a hundred fruits per crop! The methods are so The American expert noted down accurately the ante-diluvious,” said the scientist. size of the wooden mortar, the length and thickness “Why sir! I will be amazed if this tree yields even of the pestle, the time taken by the bullock to press one mango per crop. For it is a coconut tree!” oil out of one quintal of groundnut, etc. said the illiterate farmer. The management expert was curious to know of The mesage: a tiny bronze bell strung to the bullock’s neck. Once Dr.Kumarappa the Swadeshi technologist The bell was making a continuous jingling sound. went to meet Gandhiji to take leave of him before The expert asked the simple press owner, “Is there proceeding to England for studies. Gandhiji told any relation between the sound of the bell and the him, “with very little efforts you can be a first rate oil productivity of the press?” Indian. With all your efforts, you will only be a The villager suppressed his grin and said, “I would third rate Englishman”. yoke the bullock to the press lever rod, set the That is the message of Swadeshi. “Be yourself”. bullock on its circular path and doze off. The New discoveries: ringing of the bell would tell me that the bullock is Recently I read a snippet in a magazine. An moving. When the bell stops ringing, it means that American scientist was standing in his kitchen the bullock has stopped”. watching his wife frying doughnuts. He found the The expert questioned him, “How do you know if central portion of the doughnuts was not well- the bullock stands at a place without moving or cooked. An idea struck him, that his wife should shakes its head ringing the bell?” put a hole in the doughnut before frying it so that The villager replied” My bullock won’t do that. It more area is exposed to the hot oil. He took a is not a management expert”. patent on the idea”. The effect of TV on children: We Indians know for so many centuries the art of A child too much under the influence of TV and making a Vada with a hole at the center. For the its commercials was once taken to the church. The American it is a discovery worth patenting. Choir was in attendance; many hymns were sung At this rate, we Indians should go about patenting between sermons delivered by the preacher. our Upanishad, Yoga, Bhagawad Gita, Neem At the end of the programme the kindly preacher preparations, Ayurveda, all our household recipes, asked the child, “How did you like the programme Arabic numerals, etc. These are according to today?” Hindus the common inherited wealth of the whole In all innocence the child replied, “The cultural mankind, India’s gift to humanity. Nobody will programmes were all right. Your commercials think of the ridiculous step of patenting them. flashed in between were a bit off”.