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Home , Advaita Ashrama, Michael Madhusudan Dutt, Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda, Udbodhan

TALKS WITH

ADVAITA llfAYAVATI, , Published by SWAMI PAVITRANANDA ADVAITA ASBRA:MA MAYAVATI. AL:MORA. HIMALAYAS

All rigltt8 Tt8erved Second Edition-1946

Printed in l ndia BY PBANI BHUSAN ROY, AT THE PRABARTAK PRINTING & HALFTONE LTD., 52{3, BOWBAZAR STREET, CALCUTTA. PREFACE

Great persons are usually known to us through their lectlllres, writings or public activities. But it is always a rare privilege to come into intimate· contact with them and study their lives and thoughts at close quarters. This is all the more true of spiritual geniuses. Those who have attained to a great spiritual height live in a different plane, as it were, from that of ours, and in spite of their endeavour to do good to the world and their great sympathy for the suffering humanity, none except those who have been directly touched by them succeed in taking full advantage of their lives and teachings. Spiritual giants are worshipped from a distance but the influ­ ence of their examples enters into the lives of only a fortunate few. All are not destined to have direct contact with spiritual personalities, hence the next best thing for ordinary people is to know tlteir teachings, in which is hidden the inspiration of their lives. It is therefore that the teachings or recorded sayings of are so much in demand. A few sayings of Christ found in the and a few words of Buddha that have been left to the woria as a great legacy are giving spiritual sustenance to millions of people for thousands of years. It is but natural. The meteoric success of Swami Vivekananda as a religious teacher in two hemispheres dazzles us. We are struck with awe and reverence when we read his iv PREFACE writings or go through his recorded speeches. · We feel he is talking to us from a dizzy height. We e.re bewildered by the thought of the gulf between his greatness and our smallness. But when one would come into direct touch with him, one would feel that the distance had vanished, and find in Swami ­ nanda a close friend or an intimate relation, eager to do the highest good for all. It is only when such relationship is established that you can know the real man. The disciples who recorded their conversa­ tions with Swami Vivekananda in the following pages, had the,privilege not only of finding the Swami as a , but of being very free with him. So we find, they were discussing all kinds of subjects with him. An.i as Swami Vivekananda while giving out his views was not trammelled by formality as is the case when one stands on a public platform, his words as found here have got special value. Here Swami Viveka­ nanda gives directions about spiritual practice and mll,ditation, talks of high , and in the next breath discusses the problems of national regenera­ tion, social reform, educational ideals, and what not. Now and then we find how the large heart of that great giant bled for the sufferings of the poor and the needy. People in almost all walks of life will find guidance from these conversations. The conversations took place in Bengali and were originally published in the -a Bengali monthly of 'the R'amakrishna Order. They were translated, at places abridged, and incorporated in The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. We PREFACE v bring them out in a handy book form, hbping they will be of immense help to a larger circle of the reading public. May our hopes be justified.

PuBLISHER MAYAV.\TI, HIMALAYAS The 12th January, 1939

CONTENTS

PAGE

PREFACE iii CHAPTER I (1-324) Sec. I. The first meeting with Swami Vivelwnanda-Mr. Narendranath Sen, Editor of the Mirror-Comparison between the English and the American-The future result of preaching in foreign countries-The relative value of politics and religion-a preacher of cow-protection -Man is to be saved first 1 Sec. II. Rebellion against , the sign of consciousness-The same is true of nations -The cause of 's degradation-Need for self-confidence-Men or money ?-The way to Self-realisation-The of Kurukshetra-Need for the development of 10 Sec. III. Talking with some Pandits in -What is ' civilisation-Character­ istics of Indian civilisa.tion-­ Who is the real teacher-Hereditary -Sri 20 Sec. IV. The Birthday anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna at -Need of religious festivals-Swami Vivelcananda did not preach sectarianism 26 :Viii CONTENTS

PAGE Sec. V. Initiating the disciP.le__:_Origin of the sacred thread-The problem of virtue and vice-When is the Self realised 33 Sec. VI. Starting, the Rama7aishna Mission -Did Swami Vivekananda differ from Sri Ramakrishna-Swami Vivekananda's atti­ tude towards Sri Ramakrishna-The Law of grace- 39 Sec. VII. Solar Eclipse-Nature of medita­ tion-Practical hints on -Need for renunciation, 49 Sec. VIU. Female education-Mahakali Pathshala- and the West -Early marriage-Right type of female education-Spread of education 53 Sec. IX. Rig-Veda---The theory of creation-Swami Vivckananda's great heart-Need for the study of scriptures- & ervice of living beings 62 Sec. X. The ideal of -Buddha and the institution of Sannyasa-M eeting the criticism against Sannyasa-Who is a real Sannyasin 72 Sec. XI. Consecration of the temple of Sri Ramakrishna 83 Sec. XII. Guru Govind Singh-Psychic powers 85 CONTENTS' ix·

PAGE Sec. XIII. Tithipuja of Sri Ramakrishna­ Investing some non- devotees with) holy thread-Girish Chandra Ghosh­ - or unselfish worl•-lts aim and utility 92 Sec. XIV. Installation of Sri Ramakrishna at B elur M ath-Shankaracharya-Buddha­ Cause of the downfall of -In­ fluence of pilgrimage-Different methods of worship . . . 100 Sec. XV. In a reminiscent mood-His psychic power.~-American men and women -Opposition from the bigoted ­ Self-surrender and ine1·tia-Nag Mahashaya 110 Sec. XVI. Swami Vivekananda's experiences· at Amarnath and I(shir Bhavani-Hearing a divine voice-Existence of ghosts and spirits -Swami Vivekananda's experience of a disembodied spirit . . . 119 Sec. XVII. Composing a Sanskrit hymn­ About BengaU language and style-"Be fearless"-N eed for the study of scriptures- Result of Self-realisation 123 Sec. XVIII. Swami Vivelwnanda's experi- ence of Nirvikalr.a Sarnadhi-Ex.traordinary power of .as . .. 131 Sec. XIX. Need for faith in oneself-Service and business-So-called educated people- Masses-Their future 138 CONTENTS

PAGE Sec. XX. At the Zoological Garden at . Alipur-Darwin,- Theory of Evolution and -Need for physical strength 147 :Sec. XXI. Swami Vivekananda's future plan about -Work and meditation­ Nescience- and the world of matter 154 ·sec. XXII. The Bengali monthly 'Udbo- dhan'-Its future policy 166 ·sec. XXIII. India wants not lecturing !J.ut work-The crying problem in India is poverty-Young Sannyasins to be trainea both as secular and spiritual teachers and workers for the masses-Ea::hMtatinns to young men to work for others . . . 172 "Sec. XXIV. Reconciliation of and -Sat-Chit-Ananda-How sectarian­ ism originates-Bring in Shraddha, a,nd the worship of and Avataras-The ideal of the hero we want now, not the M adhura bhava-Sri Ramakrishna-Avataras 178 :Sec. XXV. Brahman and differentiation­ Personal realisation of oneness-Supreme Bliss is the goal of all-Think always, I am Brahman-Discrimination and renunciation are the means-Be fearless 186 Sec. XXVI. Renunciation of - 1canchana-God's mercy falls on those who CONTENTS xi

PAGE struggle for realisation--Unconditional mercy and Brahman are one . . . 193 Sec. XXVII. The doctrine of and meat-eating-The Sattva, Rajas and in man-Discrimination of food and spiri­ tuality-'Ahara'-The three defects in food -Don't-touchism and C'aste-v.rejudices­ Plan of restoring the old Chaturvarna and the laws of the 198 Sec. XXVIII. Cause of India's degradation -Ancient Vedic customs must be re­ modelled accol'ding to the need of the and the times-New to be compiled 205 Sec. XXIX. Auspiciousness of time and place-Work and Self-realisation-Karma­ Yoga-India wants manifestation of Rajas- Bright future for the country .. . 211 Sec. XXX. Laws of Brahmacharya-New Order of Sannyasins-Wa-nted KarmacYoga as taught in the Gita 219 Sec. XXXI. Meeting with Nag Mahashaya 222 Sec. XXXII. Brahman, , Jiva and -Renunciation and Self-realisation- How to control the mind- as the object of meditation--Jnana, BhaHi, Karma and Yoga-The doctrine of incarna- tion of God-Exhortation for Self-realisa- tion-Work of a Jnani 227 xii CONTENTS

PAGE Sec. XXXIII. On art-Difference between Indian and Western arts-Seal of the ­ krishna Mission, its significance-Plan of the Ramakrishna temple 240 Sec. XXXIV. A power working through Swami Vivekanand.a-Reminisccnce of East and the visit to Nag Mahash'aya's house-Renunciation and not the observ­ ance of external forms is the test of spiritual progress-Firm determination needed to realise the Self 247 Sec. XXXV. Plan of the future Math for women-Soul has no sex-Wom'en have equal opportunity for realising the Brahman -Religion to be the centre of female educa­ tion-Definition of good wor1r-Work and knowledge 256 Sec. XXXVI. Swami Vive1wnanda's wonder­ ful memory..:...His , opinion about Bharat­ chandra and , two B cngali poets 267 Sec. XXXVII. Wh:f Atman is not per- ceived, though so very near-on Self­ TPalisation all questionings cease-Mother 272 Sec. XXXVIII. Wanted a sturdy band of young men ready to sacrifice all for others -Manliness should be the ideal-Remedy against low spirits and weakness of mina- CONTENTS xiii

PAGE Work for others-No individual liberation before the salvation of all-Influence of thoughts 277 Seo. XXXIX.-Swami Vivekananda's '[Jlan to celebrate Pufa at Belur Math-His visit to the temple at Kalighat . . . 286 Sec. XL. The last birthday anniversary of Sri Ramakrishna that Swami Vivekananda saw-Swami Vivekananda's idea as to how the celebration sh'ould talce place-How far o. Guru can help-What is meant by grace -Swami Vivelwnanda's of Sri Rama- krishna 288 Seo. XLI. Swami Vivekananda's love and sympathy for the poor-"Don't.touchism" -Who serves Jiva serves God indeed . . . 294 Sec. XLII. Life at the Belur Math in early dayR-Swami Vivekananda's reminiscence of Baranagore Math-Rigours of monastic vow 298 Sec. XLIII. On meditation-How to awaken the -How to have concentration -Directions about spiritual practice 304 Sec. XLIV. About disciples of Sri Rama- krishna . . . 309 Seo. XLV. Different grades of devotees of Sri Ramalcrishna-Different interpretation of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna­ Fut1ae of the message of Sri Ramakrishna 313 xi.v CONTENTS

PAGE Sec. XLVI. Denationalisation and national degradation-Directions about spiritual practice .. . 320

CHAPTER II ... (325-372) Sec. I. Educative value of royal Durbars­ Freedom and discipline-Swami Viveka­ nanda' s catholicity-Test of civilisation .. . 325 Sec. II. The picture of Sri Krishna, the preacher of the Gita-What is meant by 'Karma' in the Gita-Egoism arwl self­ surrender-Problem of evil-The value of sincerity-Origin of image worship- . Tantrikism-Harmony, of -Reverence for women 328 Sec. III. Reminiscence-The problem of in India, and self-sacrificing workers-East and West-Is it Battva or Tamas-A nation of mendicants­ The "give and take" policy-Tell a man his defects directly but praise his virtues before others-Vivekananda everyone may become-Unbroken ­ charya is the secret of power-Bamadhi and w~ ~ Sec. IV. Reminiscences-- Thought-reading-Knowledge of previous births 348 CONTENTS XV

PAGE. Sec. V. The art and science of music, Eastern and Western 351' Sec. VI. The old institution of living with the Guru-The P.resent University system­ Lack of Shraddha-We have a national -Western science coupled with -The so-called higher education­ The need of technical education and educa­ tion on national lines-The story of ­ kama-Mere book-learning and education under 'l'yagis-Sri Ramakrishna and the Pandits-Establishment of Maths with 8adhus in charge of colleges-Text-books for boys to be compiled-Stop early marriage-Plan of sending unmarried graduates to Japan-The secret of Japan's greatness-Art, Asiatic and European-Art and utility-Styles of dress-The food question and poverty 354· Sec. VII. The discr'imination of the four castes according to Jati and Guna­ Brahmanas and Kshatriyas in the West­ Thr; Kula-Guru system in Bengal 368 CHAP'rEn III ... (373-393)· Sec. I. The loss of Shraddha in India and need of its revival-Men we want-Real social reform '373 ~ xvi ·CONTENTS

PAGE Sec. II.. Rllconciliation of Jnana-Yoga and Bhakti-Yoga-God in good and in evil too -Uae makea a thing good or evil-Karma -Oreation-God- 876 Sec. III. Intermarriage among subdivisions of a -Against early marriage-The education that India needs-Brahmacharya 382 Sec. IV. Madhura-bhava-Prema-Nama- 1cirtana-Its danger-Bhakti tempered with Jnana-A curious dream 387

··CHAPTER IV ... {394-397) Think of death alwayB and new life will come within-Work for othera-God, the last reftrge 394