rd 1 103 Price: ` 10 Year of Publication 1 The Kesari THE LION OF VEDANTA A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly of the Order since 1914

Ramakrishna Math, Contai,

April 2016 2

India’s Timeless Wisdom

Serve the Lord with attributes; contemplate the Lord without attributes. Our goal is to reach the State beyond attributes and no attributes. —Sant Kabir

Editor: Swami Atmashraddhananda Managing Editor: Swami Gautamananda Printed and published by Swami Vimurtananda on behalf of Sri Trust fromThe No.31, RamakrishnaV edanta KMathesari Road, ~ 2 Mylapore, ~ APRIL Chennai 2016 - 4 and Printed at Sri Ramakrishna Printing Press, No.31 Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai - 4. Ph: 044 - 24621110 3

The Vedanta Kesari 103rd Year of Publication VOL. 103, No. 4 ISSN 0042-2983

A CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL MONTHLY OF THE Started at the instance of in 1895 as Brahmavâdin, it assumed the name The Vedanta Kesari in 1914. For free edition on the Web, please visit: www.chennaimath.org

CONTENTS

APRIL 2016

Gita Verse for Reflection 125 Editorial  The Charm and Grace of Sri Ramakrishna’s Gospel 126 Articles  Sri Ramakrishna’s Two Vyasas 130 Pravrajika Virajaprana  How Came to America 137 Umesh Gulati  Memories of Swami Parameshwarananda A Disciple of Holy Mother Sri 144 A.K. Dey  Understanding Samvega or ‘Intensity’: In Yoga Perspective 149 Swami Brahmeshananda Reminiscences  Reminiscences of Sargachhi 134 Swami Suhitananda New Find  Unpublished Letters of Swami Saradananda 152 Travelogue Mahashivaratri in Taiping, Malaysia 154 Shiuli Mukherji The Order on the March 156 Book Reviews 160 Feature  Simhâvalokanam (Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master) 129

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‘Doing is very good, but that comes from thinking. . . . Fill the brain, therefore, with high thoughts, highest ideals, place them day and night before you, and out of that will come great work.’ —Swami Vivekananda The V edanta K esari 6 APRIL 2016

N Cover Story N Ramakrishna Math, Contai, West Bengal Ramakrishna Math and Sevashrama at Contai, is a branch of . Situated in rural and coastal area, Contai (also called Kanthi) centre was started in 1913 and affiliated to Belur Math in 1928. The foundation for the temple of Sri Ramakrishna featured on this month’s cover was laid in 1959 by , the ninth President of the Ramakrishna Order. The work began in 1979 and the temple was consecrated in 1986 by Swami , the 11th President of the Ramakrishna Order. Approximately 200 devotees can be accommodated inside the temple. Sanctified by the visits of Swami Abhedananda and Swami , two of the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, the Contai centre conducts a number of spiritual, cultural, educational and medical activities. Besides regular Puja, Vedic chanting, evening Arati and observing sacred days in the temple, Contai Ashrama runs a boys’ hostel, charitable dispensary, vocational training and non-formal primary education centres, mobile medical service, village development work, disaster relief work, among others. o

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DONORS Sri Subash Menon, Kerala Rs. 10,500 Prof. Gopal Chandra Bhar, West Bengal Rs.1,00,000

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SL.NO. NAMES OF SPONSORS AWARDEE INSTITUTIONS 5918. Prof. Gopal Chandra Bhar, W.B. Govt. Degree College, Lohaghat, Uttarakhand - 262 501 5919. -do- Govt. Degree College, Dwarahat, Almora, Uttarakhand - 262 653 5920. -do- Govt. Degree College, Mainila, Almora, Uttarakhand - 263 601 5921. -do- Govt. Degree College, Narayannagar, Uttarakhand - 262 501 5922. -do- Govt. Degree College, Syalde, Almora, Uttarakhand - 263 601 5923. -do- Govt. Girls Degree College, Haldwani, Uttarakhand - 263 139 5924. -do- Govt. Post Graduate College, Ramnagar, Nainital, Uttarakhand - 244 715 5925. -do- Govt. Post Graduate College, Ranikhet, Almora, Uttarakhand - 263 645 To be continued . . . The Vedanta Kesari

VOL. 103, No. 4, APRIL 2016 ISSN 0042-2983 EACH SOUL IS POTENTIALLY DIVINE. T HE GOAL IS TO MANIFEST THE DIVINITY WITHIN.

7

Gita Verse for Reflection Tr. by Swami Tapasyananda

—, 12. 20 Whosoever even seeks to follow the virtuous path to Immortality thus set forth, with a mind full of faith and acceptance of Me as their supreme goal—exceedingly dear to Me are men who are thus devoted.

Doing good to others is virtue (Dharma); injuring others is sin. Strength and manliness are virtue; weakness and cowardice are sin. Independence is virtue; dependence is sin. Loving others is virtue; hating others is sin. Faith in God and in one’s own Self is virtue; doubt is sin. Knowledge of oneness is virtue; seeing diversity is sin. The different scriptures only show the means of attaining virtue.

—Swami Vivekananda, CW, 5:419

The V edanta K esari ~ 125 ~ APRIL 2016 8 Editorial

The Charm and Grace of Sri Ramakrishna’s Gospel

Simplicity of the Gospel book. I had never thought religion could be Sri Ramakrishna was, and will ever such a fun! The book is full of laughter, jokes, continue to be, a ‘phenomenon’. What is a songs and yet all that is interwoven with phenomenon? A phenomenon is a fact or profound wisdom and insights. It is simply situation that is observable but not always unbelievable and wonderful!’ Rightly did possible to explain. Sri Ramakrishna was Kuvempu, the most towering figure of the indeed a phenomenon. He was born and grew modern Kannada literature, write: up in a village and later was a temple priest ‘M’ has recorded the words of the Master as he in the city of Kolkata, but he was no ordinary pronounced them. Conversations, usually, are mortal. Through his extraordinary spiritual not carried on in a literary style. The language practices he demonstrated the truth of God used is colloquial. It has no tinge of literary being as real as the sensory world that we artificiality. While reading it, one feels that live in. He made us understand through his one is sitting close to Sri Ramakrishna and realizations that God is not a concept but the listening to him. In the midst of profound palpable truth of our being. spiritual discourses, one also listens to jokes and Sri Ramakrishna’s teachings are anecdotes that cause side-splitting laughter— primarily contained in the Bengali book, Sri Sri and all these in simple spoken Bengali lan- 1 Ramakrishna Kathamrita. Its English translation guage. is called The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. It is the book of the diary recordings of a school teacher Uniqueness of the Gospel Mahendranath Gupta who describes himself While the Gospel is simple, it is also merely as ‘M’ and sometimes inside the book remarkable and unparalleled in many ways. It as a ‘devotee’, ‘Mani’ and so on. His humility is a direct record of words of one the greatest and self-effacement is visible throughout the spiritual luminaries the world has seen—Sri contents of the book where he makes no claim Ramakrishna. What is recorded in the Gospel is to himself of any type. And that lends a rare not the second hand or hearsay but what ‘M’, beauty to the book. There is an ambiance of the recorder and the compiler of the Gospel, simplicity and childlike faith, of worship and himself heard from the Master. Not only that, laughter, dancing and singing and so on. the Gospel is a shruti-pramana, the validation Once a monk of the Ramakrishna Order of the first order as followed in the Hindu gifted a copy the Gospel to a young man scriptural tradition. There are two pramanas or belonging to another religion and asked him to proof of truth—shruti and smriti. While shruti read it. The young man returned after a month is always applicable, based as it is on the direct and told the monk, ‘Thanks for this wonderful perception of truth, smriti is applicable based

The V edanta K esari ~ 126 ~ APRIL 2016 9 on many factors such as time, conditions, place Glory of the Gospel and so on. Shruti is ever applicable, smriti Kuppali Venkatappa Puttappa or K. keeps changing. The Gospel, based as it is on V. Puttappa or simply Kuvempu is widely the direct experience of Sri Ramakrishna, has regarded as the greatest Kannada poet of the the status of modern comprehensive shruti. 20th century. He is the first among Kannada Writing about the special place the Gospel has writers to be decorated with the prestigious in the world of spiritual literature, Aldous Jnanpith Award—India’s highest literary Huxley, the well-known English author, in award. A disciple of Swami , the his foreword to the English translation of the second President of the Ramakrishna Order, Gospel wrote: Kuvempu wrote a most charming introduction Making good use of his natural gifts and of the to Vachana Veda, the Kannada translation of circumstances in which he found himself, ‘M’ the Gospel. The English translation of this was produced a book unique, so far as my knowledge published in the Vedanta Kesari in December goes, in the literature of hagiography. No other 2004, which reads in parts, saint has had so able and indefatigable a Boswell. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna is a veritable Never have the small events of a contemplative’s temple on one’s palm, a veritable hermitage daily life been described with such a wealth on one’s palm, a veritable place of pilgrimage of intimate detail. Never have the casual and on one’s palm. But unlike a temple or a place unstudied utterances of a great religious teacher of pilgrimage, there is no chance of its getting 2 been set down with so minute a fidelity. polluted. Nor is there any chance of its getting The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna has been dilapidated like the structure of a temple. The translated into several Indian languages home that houses this Gospel will itself become such as Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, a temple. The hand that holds it will be holding Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and parts of the very lotus feet of the Lord. The tongue on it in Sindhi, Kashmiri, Sanskrit and some which its letters roll will be savouring nectar others. According to an authentic source, itself. The Gospel is the repository of bliss; it is permission from the original publishers were the ocean of peace; it is the manna of divine knowledge. It is the friend that stands by you obtained for ‘German, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, in the hour of trial; it is the Guru that at the Portuguese, Chinese (Mandarin), Bulgarian, moment of overwhelming joy counsels humility Polish, Serbo-Croation (Yugoslavia), Greek, and devotion, and makes you feel that you are and Hebrew’—and possibly Japanese and an offering at the Lord’s feet. It is the torch that French—translations of the Gospel, though it shows your way in darkness; it is the staff to is not known for sure if all have been done lean upon while trudging on an uneven path. and published. A comprehensive survey and It is the pole star that guides you when you are systematic documentation of its results needs lost in wilderness. It is the quintessence of the to be done. Millions of copies of the Gospel in Vedas and the Upanishads. After reading it even various languages have been sold ever since the most ordinary literate need not feel jealous this extraordinary work came into existence. of any scholar; nor does he feel inferior to any People from various religions and traditions scholar of eminence. On the other hand, he feels read it. What is more, Gospel is the source of that by the grace of God none is more blessed spiritual sustenance and succor to millions of than himself; he attains peace and fulfilment. people. He acquires the vastness of the sky, the height

The V edanta K esari ~ 127 ~ APRIL 2016 10

of the highest of mountains, and the dignity of wisdom and validity of this idea can be grasped the ocean. Never before had God incarnated in by one and all. This idea of harmony of religions such an approachable form, nor had the voice may sound revolutionary but it does not of the Lord shaped itself into a book that could militate against India’s tradition. Vachana Veda be read and understood by the most ordinary of is truly the modern ‘Veda’. Expressed in simple men and women.3 colloquial language, it is indeed a presentation He further made a prophecy about the of his vision of universality and harmony. The Gospel: Vachana Veda, like a wild forest fire will scorch Our [Indian] constitution has termed our barbaric practices like religious conversion, independent India ‘a secular state’. The word extolling one’s own religion by defaming other ‘secular’ denotes something which is non- religions, and artificially increasing the numbers religious, far-removed from sectarianism, and of their following for political gains. If the tree even atheistic (lokayata). How ironical it is to of Indian constitution has to bear fruits, there call India secular in the above sense of the is no way it can do other than to nourish it term! What do you mean by calling this land with energising ideas embedded in the Vachana of righteousness, punya bhoomi, secular? This Veda. Sri Ramakrishna Vachana Veda will form India—whose genius, sense of duty, national a religious constitution, a companion to our 4 character, and all the rest have their very being in political constitution! religion according to Swami Vivekananda, to be Kuvempu was forthright in referring labelled secular! This India, for whose freedom to the Gospel as ‘a religious constitution, a Mahatma Gandhi toiled and laid his life— companion to our political constitution!’ A Gandhi whose words and deeds were anchored constitution is one that guides one’s conduct. in spirituality—to be labelled non-religious! Looking upon the Gospel as a constitution, Maybe one can transplant the Himalayas one thus comes under the direct guidance of a elsewhere, perhaps one can even flatten it by great realized Master! atomic explosions, but none can ever change the Let us conclude by citing what Swami spiritual character of Indian heritage nor was it envisaged by the architects of our constitution. Nikhilananda wrote as introduction to his The purpose of calling our country secular is to English translation of the Gospel from New proclaim unequivocally that administration in York in 1942: the country is aimed at providing equal status May this translation of the first book of its kind for all religions and sects in terms of rights and in the religious history of the world, being the responsibilities. The term ‘secular’ therefore does record of the direct words of a prophet, help not mean a denial of religion, nor establishing stricken humanity to come nearer to the Eternal an atheistic state, uprooting all religions. It Verity of life and remove dissension and quarrel would be fitting to call India ‘a country of from among the different faiths! May it enable harmony’. This vision of harmony of religions seekers of Truth to grasp the subtle laws of the was gifted to India, nay to the whole world, by supersensuous realm, and unfold before man’s Sri Ramakrishna, long before this country gained restricted vision the spiritual foundation of the independence. Such a vision of harmony had its universe, the unity of existence, and the divinity genesis in the saint’s personal experience. The of the soul! o

References 1. Sri Ramakrishna in Today’s Violent World, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, p. 59 2. The Gospel, tr. by Swami Nikhilananda 3. Sri Ramakrishna in Today’s Violent World, p. 59 4. Ibid, 63

The V edanta K esari ~ 128 ~ APRIL 2016 Simhâvalokanam From the Archives of The Vedanta Kesari (April, 1915-16, p. 559-560)

Sri Ramakrishna, the Great Master

SWAMI SARADANANDA

The Early Days of Gadadhar Strange as it may appear to us, the boy [Gadadhar, childhood name of Sri Ramakrishna] came to have at this time [when his father died] a great fascination for the life of those who had renounced the world. He began to frequent the Dharmasala or the shelter erected for the use of the pilgrims, and the poor wayfarers, by the Zamindar of the village, to cultivate the acquaintance of the itinerant monks who used to rest here for a few days on their way to and from the pilgrimage to Puri or Jagannath. It so happened that a band of such monks stopped here for some weeks at the time, on account of illness of some of their members and Gadadhar found his opportunity. He tried to gain their hearts by doing little things for them, and bringing the presents of some articles of food at times from his own family. The Sadhus, greatly pleased with the kindness and devotion of the boy, told him many a story of their travels in return and taught him the ways of meditation and also about how to lead the higher life sanctioned by the Scriptures. The child became gradually so fond of them that he began to spend all his leisure hours in their company, watching them as they performed their daily worship and cooked their simple meal to offer to the deity or sat in meditation before the sacred fire at nightfall, or chanted hymns in praise of the Lord. The story runs in the family that his fondness for them increased so much that he dressed himself one day like them and came to his mother to show her, how well he looked in that garb. The mother was pleased at first with this strange fancy of her boy, but grew anxious afterwards on his account. For was not the belief current in the village, that the wandering monks often increased their ranks by enticing away youths and sometimes boys also of his age? Little Gadadhar tried to persuade her to give up such ideas by telling her that the Sadhus were god-fearing holy men and could never do such mean things. But the mother’s heart of Chandra knew no rest from that day until the time came when the Sadhus left the village for good after blessing her boy. o

The V edanta K esari ~ 129 ~ APRIL 2016 12 Article

Sri Ramakrishna’s Two Vyasas PRAVRAJIKA VIRAJAPRANA

Swami Vivekananda composed the Kathamrita, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, are mantra, two such jewelers who not only recognized Sthapakaya cha dharmasya sarvadharmasvarupine who Sri Ramakrishna was, but who have, in Avataravarishthaya ramakrishnaya te namah turn, opened the door for spiritual seekers to in which he described Sri Ramakrishna as the enter into the life of one who was completely foremost of divine incarnations. Swamiji was immersed in God-consciousness. They are eminently qualified to make this assessment truly the Master’s Vyasas—the revered of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual greatness. It is divine compiler and author of Hindu extremely difficult to make such an evaluation tradition. Without these two works, we unless one also possesses, at least to some would not have the all-encompassing picture degree, an insight into the world of the Spirit, of Sri Ramakrishna that we have today. Sri into the realm of mystical experience and Ramakrishna used to say that his divinity was superconscious awareness. Sri Ramakrishna concealed that: used to say that it was extremely difficult to A band of minstrels suddenly appears, dances, recognize an incarnation, citing as an example and sings, and it departs in the same manner. They that only twelve rishis could recognize come and they return, but none recognizes them. Ramachandra. He gave an illustration of a Sri Ramakrishna came and went with servant who was given a diamond by his his band of minstrels, but fortunately before master to take to the market to assess its value. the troupe exited the stage, the performance The servant took it to an eggplant seller, who was recorded. Otherwise, who would have offered him nine seers of eggplants for it. believed that such a God-intoxicated person Then to a cloth dealer, who said he would really existed, that such an extraordinary give nine hundred rupees for the diamond. divine play was enacted just the other day? Finally, his master sent him to a jeweler who, just by glancing at the diamond, immediately 1 recognized its value saying, ‘I will give you The Great Master is a biography of one hundred thousand rupees for it.’ Sri Ramakrishna. However, it is not a Swami Saradananda, the author of Sri typical chronological biography, but rather Sri Ramakrishna Lilaprasanga or The Great a comprehensive, analytical account of Master and Mahendra Nath Gupta, known the Master’s life and sadhana. It may be as M., the complier of the Sri Sri Ramakrishna considered primary source material; it’s

A nun at the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco, USA, since 1972, Pravrajika Virajaprana is the editor and compiler of Photographs of Swami Vivekananda. She has contributed many thought- provoking articles for Vedanta Kesari and Prabuddha Bharata. o

The V edanta K esari ~ 130 ~ APRIL 2016 13 authoritative, based on firsthand evidence and the recollection of people who knew Sri Ramakrishna, including Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother, many of his direct disciples and others, as well as what the Master said about himself. Sri Ramakrishna never taught anything to anyone that he himself had not realized. There is another outstanding, singular feature of this account: It is written not only by a direct monastic disciple and a knower of God, but by one who said he had not written about anything that he had not personally experienced. This fact alone is extraordinary, giving this biography a unique status among all the available information about the Master. We cannot find such a claim in any other book about Sri Rama- krishna. Initially, Swami Saradananda began writing The Great Master* as a way to raise Swami Saradananda money for Holy Mother’s house in Calcutta. He began his narration with a (dwelling midway between relative and discussion on Sri Ramakrishna as a spiritual absolute consciousness) as a way of explaining teacher, which eventually formed the third the significance of his life and message. part of the book, and not from his birth This is an unparalleled approach how Sri then going forward as one finds in most Ramakrishna lived his life, practiced sadhana, biographies. Further, it does not cover the taught and trained his disciples. This is entire story of the Master’s life. Some people perhaps the greatest contribution The Great contend that the swami never intended to Master has made in disclosing the relevance of write a complete biography and therefore it the Master’s life and teachings by putting them was not composed in a chronological order. in context with his exalted spiritual state. Apparently, the swami focused his attention Formally, The Great Master begins with primarily on establishing a consolidating his family background, the various spiritual principle that would bring together all experiences of his mother prior to his birth, the known facts of Sri Ramakrishna’s life. and then in chapter five his actual birth in Therefore, he centered his analysis round the 1836, concluding with his stay at Shyampukur concept of the Master’s state of bhavamukha in Calcutta (Kolkata) for his cancer treatment. Swami Saradananda passed away before the * There are two eminent English translations of book was completed. Other material was the original work in Bengali—Sri Ramakrishna, added later. Although incomplete in one the Great Master by Swami Jagadananda, and Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play by Swami sense, The Great Master is much more than a Chetanananda conventional biography.

The V edanta K esari ~ 131 ~ APRIL 2016 14

Sri Ramakrishna was scientific in his practice of religion. Swami Saradananda stresses this aspect, which, in spite of the Master’s parochial surroundings, is quite modern in content. His emphasis was on rational inquiry, observation, experimentation, and direct experience. According to Sri Ramakrishna, religion is realization. In addition, Swami Saradananda set the stage, so to speak, for Sri Ramakrishna’s life and message by examining current social customs of his times, the educational system, the religious teachers and sects of the 19th century, mysticism, and philosophy. Certainly it can be said that he lived his life at the crossroads where various religious traditions of India met. Sri Ramakrishna was able to reach out to all sadhakas from various faith traditions on his or her path. His insights into the world of the Spirit were unfathomable. The Great Master clearly demonstrates Mahendranath Gupta (M.) how his life was literally a synthesis, a bridge connecting all religions, because his experience Master’s sublime spiritual state and his direct verified that every religion is equally true and experience of superconscious divine moods. valid. Sri Ramakrishna reiterated the ancient M., well-educated and a highly intelli- statement of the Rig Veda: ‘Truth is one; sages gent competent reporter, was skilled in call it by various names.’ It has been said: portraying visual images through words. ‘Sri Ramakrishna’s life was his message. His unusual literary genius transports the His biography is therefore an extremely reader, as it were, to the temple garden where important piece of literature, and the philo- Sri Ramakrishna’s divine play was being sophy of the Ramakrishna Movement is based enacted and which M. was observing closely. upon it.’ The entire drama: Sri Ramakrishna’s exalted states, all those who were with him, the scenes 2 depicting the temple compound, with its The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, on the various temples and gardens with the Ganga other hand, is a unique account of Sri flowing nearby, vividly come to life. Thus M. Ramakrishna’s life spanning a four-year has provided an unprecedented opportunity period, 1882-1886, while he was living in the to have the Master’s holy company in real Dakshineswar temple garden. Recorded in a time. personal diary, M.’s eye witness account of the Sri Ramakrishna, knowing the future intimate details of the Master’s daily life and value of M.’s diary, encouraged M. to note conversations provide a rare insight into the down his words and would ask him to repeat

The V edanta K esari ~ 132 ~ APRIL 2016 15 instructions and conversations to make M. was not interested in writing a sure that he had recorded them accurately. biography, but in merely keeping a diary If necessary, he would correct or clarify for his recollection and personal sadhana. his teachings. Even with the limitations of Later, after Sri Ramakrishna’s death, Holy language, M. was able to convey some idea Mother convinced M. to publish his diary. of the Master’s deep mystical realizations. He He had no intention of doing this previously. also captured the Master’s straightforward When he did publish it, he did so here and thoughts through his original, charming there in various journals, not originally as a utterances. The Master always used common book. The first of five published volumes of everyday examples and illustrations to convey conversations in Bengali was in 1897 and the the highest truths. Everything about him was last in 1932. Later, the Madras Math selected simple and pure; M. captured this childlike certain chapters and published a two-volume innocence throughout his diary. The teachings English translation. Swami Nikhilananda found in the Gospel are invaluable practical later translated the Bengali into English and instructions for living a spiritual life with the published a single volume in 1942. goal, ‘God can be seen’. Although The Great Master and the As a close disciple, astute observer, Gospel are two entirely different accounts endowed with an almost photographic of Sri Ramakrishna, they were written with memory, M.’s account is also considered an diverse motives and approaches, by two authoritative, primary source, not secondary disciples, a monk and a householder, under source material. Further, the Gospel is based completely different circumstances; they are on firsthand evidence and the keen memory of actually complementary to our understanding one who knew him intimately as well. M. was of the profound, vastly comprehensive present during all the conversations recorded life and spiritual experiences of, as Swami in the Gospel. His words genuinely represent Vivekananda declared, the greatest spiritual the universality of Sri Ramakrishna’s spiritual teacher of all times. greatness. (To be continued. . .)

Behind this mind of ours there is a subtle, spiritual mind, existing in seed-form. Through the practice of contemplating, prayer, and japam, this mind is developed, and with this development a new vision opens up and the aspirant realizes many spiritual truths. This, however, is not the final experience. The subtle mind leads the aspirant nearer to God, but it cannot reach God, the supreme Atman. —Swami Brahmananda

The V edanta K esari ~ 133 ~ APRIL 2016 16 Reminiscences

Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA (Continued from the previous issue. . .) Sargachhi is located in Murshidabad district of West Bengal and is well-known to the devotees of Ramakrishna Order for being associated with Swami , a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. The following writing is about another revered monk who lived in Sargachhi, Swami Premeshananda (1894-1967), a disciple of Holy Mother and well known for encouraging many young men and women, as also many married people to live a life of spirituality and service. The following reminiscences in Bengali, Sargachhir Smriti, is by Swami Suhitananda, the General Secretary of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math. He was a personal attendant of Swami Premeshananda for several years and while serving him noted his conversations and teachings in his diary. The same is being serially published in the Udbodhan (our Bengali monthly published from Kolkata) from its Jyaishtha, B.S. 1419 issue. These reminiscences have been translated by Sri Shoutir Kishore Chatterjee, a long-standing devotee from Kolkata. English words and expressions which appear in the original have been put within single inverted commas ‘ ’. The numbers ||1||, ||2||, etc., denote the serial numbers of the Udbodhan instalments.

||4|| (nihshreyasa). The householder stage of life is 14.12.1958 for attainment of prosperity. If householders Attendant: What is the meaning of stay with monks in a monastery for a long Brahman? time, they incur harm—they see that the Maharaj: He is normal, all the rest of monks take their meals and pass their time us, as it were, are abnormal. Each of us has well, but they cannot understand the ‘inner tendency towards certain matters. He who struggle’ of the monks. This results in their abides in God is free from things agreeable spoiling this and not attaining that (‘ito nashta and disagreeable. That is why he is normal. tato bhrashtah’). Besides the ‘standard’ of the ‘Yesham samye sthitam manaha’ [‘Those whose monks also would slowly deteriorate. mind rests in evenness’, Gita 5.19]. He sees That gentleman who comes here— everything as a witness without being attached ordinarily he would talk of high things. Do to the activities of the body, mind and intellect. you know what he said the other day? He Question: I have observed that when bragged that he is never deluded by ‘flattery’— certain gentlemen express the desire to stay even Thakur would not be able to delude him! in the Ashrama for a number of days, you That one saying exposed the reach of his mind. dissuade them. There must be some reason Thakur, whose will decides everything—he too behind this. doesn’t have the ability! Maharaj: The monastic stage of life is A person said, ‘You don’t say the same for practising the dharma of final beatitude thing to everybody.’ Can everybody be told

The V edanta K esari ~ 134 ~ APRIL 2016 17 the same thing at all times? Does not the doctor change the medicine and diet as the ailment of the patient changes? The even- sightedness of monks is like that. How would they understand these things? That is why it is not good for householders to mix too much with monks. Did you not see that day—that professor, who is an ‘M.A.’ in ‘Philosophy’, told that devout Brahmin, ‘We are more liberal than you; we can let any person enter our shrine.’ At this I said, ‘Your baby is even more liberal; he can commit nuisance in the shrine.’ Swami Premeshananda 20.12.1958 18.12.1958 A person working in the Ashrama was What revered Maharaj said in the context doing everything in a disorderly way. Seeing of discussion on various topics are arranged this, Maharaj said: What does renouncing the below one after another: world mean? It means to ‘transcend’—not to (1) You get double strength by eating give up—the world. Those who have become less; and eating more you go to the dogs. monks and want to attain salvation—if they (2) While journeying through the forest, cannot ‘manage’ a little thing like the world— if another accompanies you, there is not two should not take to monkhood. but four in the company. As ‘Y’ accompanies Carefully observe and judge all monks ‘X’, ‘X’ has the strength of two in his mind. whom you see outside. Did you hear—that Similarly ‘Y’ also gets the strength of two. So gentleman said that on the way to Kedarnath overall there is consolidation of the strength of and Badarinath monks sit in meditation in low four. This is called collective strength. huts by the side of the road. People call such (3) Acquiring the wealth of another, monks as of high calibre. If a monk were truly father and son sing together. of right calibre, would he have seated himself Attendant: Is it possible to abide by such by the side of the road? A few days ago came a big concept like that of Brahman in our lives. a silent monk. He had supposedly taken a Maharaj: (1) A meal with so many vow that he would not talk for a number of courses has been served to us. What would years, while, as things go, he continues to be more tragic if we have to go on eating rice write his words on quires and quires of sheets. only? My God, what a restless mind he has! Some (2) A person kept an orphan boy as days later this person too would become servant in his house. The servant through his famous as Mouni Baba (silent monk). The self-effort gradually grew up and became the other day before you somebody asked a monk, Emperor i.e. his ‘I’ ‘expanded’. ‘What is your name? Which Maharishi?’ The (3) The aggregate, which at one time monk replied in jest, ‘No, I am arishi— my becomes Existence-Knowledge-Bliss, again arsha (piles) has just started. Still some time becomes Mahamaya. afterwards, I would become a maharishi’ (there

The V edanta K esari ~ 135 ~ APRIL 2016 18 is pun here—maharishi means ‘great sage’, Attendant: When one attains enlighten- whereas arishi means piles or haemorrhoids ment, does the ‘I’ of mine becomes ‘non-existent’? and maharishi is supposed to mean ‘one who Maharaj: Did I not tell you that the has large haemorrhoids!’) orphan boy becomes an emperor. The ‘I’ grows Advised by Premesh Maharaj, the atten- until it pervades the entire universe. dant had been reading the book Krishna- charitra written by Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. 26.1.1959 Maharaj observed this and said that Sri This world is made of three gunas Krishna raised the standard of Indian culture. (qualities). It wouldn’t do to leave out one. Then Buddha came and ‘popularized’ the Some say that in Satya-yuga everybody attainment of moksha (salvation) which is was virtuous. It was not at all like that. meant only for ‘Intellectuals’. By dint of his The universe, my friend, is a combination sympathy Buddha raised the world a good of the three gunas. This sport is going on deal. Thus moksha became the property of eternally. He, who has created this universe, common people. ‘But to popularize a culture has a tremendous sense of humour. Making is to vulgarize it’. Chaitanya-deva understood everybody wonder-struck, He looks on from a that moksha is not for the masses, it is for a distance and enjoys all the fun. handful of men. Realizing this, to meet their Attendant: In the scriptures it is written needs, he put emphasis on devotion and that one cannot be even-minded without chanting of the name of Hari. And this time having realization. If that is so then, is what we Thakur has sought everything to flourish— try intellectually just hypocrisy? whatever applies to whom. Maharaj: Why will it be like that? Is there When society bends eastward, to straigh- no spiritual striving? If one practices like this ten it one must pull it a good deal to the west every day, why will there not be realization so that it may become straight to some extent. through His grace? Just as there was animal sacrifice during the Vedic period, similarly there was Buddha’s 10.2.1959 non-violence. For some time Maharaj has not been keeping well. There is a shock-like sensation 1.1.1959 – Holy Mother’s Birthday in his heart region if he hears any sound. Maharaj: I couldn’t understand Holy Maharaj said: Have I contracted ‘Melancholia’? Mother—that is why I took initiation from Everything seems painful to me. Or is it her. Another person didn’t feel the need of because Sarvam dukhamayam jagat (all the taking initiation. I had my ego; so I thought I world is full of sorrow)? That jackal is calling. would attain Her through spiritual practice. Perhaps it is trying to protect its body from It is, as it were, somebody went to Kashi, and cold. Is it feeling miserable thinking itself after meeting Shiva, asked him what route one embodied as a jackal? Listen, our worker after should follow to reach Shiva. Shiva said that preparing the feed is calling, ‘Mangala (name one would have to take a train from Howrah. of the cow), come here to eat.’ Look, Mangala My case was similar. I asked her: what japa is rushing to eat. It is the same rule all the one should do to attain you? Mother smiled a world over. Love, love—it is the only treasure little. that there is. (To be continued . . . .)

The V edanta K esari ~ 136 ~ APRIL 2016 19 Article

How Hinduism Came to America

UMESH GULATI

The Article and the Findings are sacred, that together they comprise the In the August 15, 2009 issue of Newsweek ‘self’, and that at the end of time they will be magazine, Lisa Miller, the magazine’s religious reunited in the Resurrection. You need both, editor, wrote an article titled: ‘We Are All Hindus Now’. She said that a million-plus [rather, close to two million in a population of nearly 330 million] Hindus live in the United States, a fraction of the billion who live on Earth. But the recent poll data show that conceptually, at least, we are slowly becoming more like Hindus and less like traditional Christians in the ways we think about God, our selves, each other, and eternity. She quoted the Rig-Veda, . . . , which says that Truth is One, but the sages call it by various names. She said that a Hindu believes there are many paths to God. Jesus is one way, Islam is another, while the Hinduism is a third. . . . Ms. Miller further says that according to a 2008 Pew Forum Survey, 65 percent of us believe that many religions can lead to eternal life—including 37 percent of white evangelicals, the group most likely to believe Swami Vivekananda, in that salvation is theirs alone. Also, the number and you need them forever. Hindus believe of people who seek spiritual truth outside no such thing. At death, the body burns on church is growing. Besides, says Miller, thirty a pyre, while the spirit [called the Atman or percent of Americans call themselves ‘spiritual, the Self]—where identity resides—escapes. not religious,’ according to a 2009 Newsweek In reincarnation, central to Hinduism, selves Poll, up from 24 percent in 2005. come back to earth again and again in different Then there’s the question, asks Miller, bodies. of what happens when one dies? Christians So here is another way in which Ameri- traditionally believe that bodies and souls cans are becoming more like Hindus: 24

 Umesh C. Gulati is a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna from North Carolina, USA.

The V edanta K esari ~ 137 ~ APRIL 2016 20 percent of Americans say they believe in we say we are spiritual? What is spirituality reincarnation, according to a 2008 Harris and spiritual realization? The opposite of poll. So agnostic are we about the ultimate spiritual is material. Therefore, if we are fates of our bodies that we’re burning spiritual, we are not matter. In other words, them—like Hindus—after death. More than our nature, humanity’s nature is spiritual not a third of Americans now choose cremation, material even though our body is all matter; according to the Cremation Association of our essence, however, is spiritual. North America, up from 6 percent in 1975. Swami Vivekananda described it very [Because of a very deep recession in the beautifully when he said, post-2008 years, cremation has still gone up Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is to significantly because cremation costs lot less manifest this divinity within, by controlling than the burial.] ‘I do think the more spiritual nature, external and internal. Do this either role of religion tends to deemphasize some of by work, or worship, psychic control, or the more starkly literal interpretations of the philosophy—by one or more or all of these—and Resurrection,’ agrees Diana Eck, professor of be free. This is the whole of religion. Doctrines, comparative religion at Harvard University, or dogmas, or rituals, or books, or temples, or according to Miller. forms, are but secondary details.1 In short, Ms. Miller has provided us three In other words, behind this world reasons for how Americans are becoming like of names and forms lies the divinity or Hindus. In the first place, like Hindus, an God, which is not an object, but has to be increasing number of Christians in America experienced and realized. believe that salvation is not the reward The potential divinity of every being, exclusively for Christians. Second, like Hindus, not just of human beings, indeed, is a very an increasing number of American Christians important feature of Hinduism. Swami like to be called spiritual and not religious. Vivekananda once said: Islam says that there And in the third place, increasing number of is no God but Allah; Vedanta says that there is Christians believe in reincarnation. Absent in nothing that is not God. So there is no division Miller’s article, however, was any mention of between sacred and secular in Hinduism; how Hinduism came to America. everything is sacred. Thus spiritually speaking, all objects in nature are born equal (though the Swamiji and Hinduism in America capacity to realize spirit varies); Hinduism The purpose of this long introduction thus is the embodiment of spiritual and social was to provide the context for this essay, democracy. In other words, all of us, humans How Hinduism Came to America, and to and other beings, plants and animals, rivers, assert that it is Swami Vivekananda who is oceans, and so forth, are part of one family, or primarily responsible for making America as it is said in the Hindu tradition ‘Vasudhaiva aware of Hinduism, and of its spirituality and Kutumbakam’, which means that the whole universality. So, we will be commenting on the world is one big family. above three aspects of Hinduism, but we will So, while our individual self is a function begin with Miller’s statement that increasing of body-mind complex, which is nothing but number of Americans call themselves spiritual matter, Atman or the Self is the Spirit, and rather than religious. What do we mean when therefore divine. According to the Bhagavad-

The V edanta K esari ~ 138 ~ APRIL 2016 21

Gita (2.23-24) ‘no weapons can cleave this worthless and powerless, so long we will Atman, no fire can burn it, no water can wet behave like weak, worthless and powerless. it, and no air can dry it. It is changeless, all The same way as long as we look on us to be pervading, unmoving, and immovable, this sinners, so long we will behave like sinners. As Self is eternal.’ The Gita (2.22) also says that Swami Vivekananda said, death is like a person changing old and worn Men are taught from childhood that they are out clothes for new ones. So the death is only weak and sinners. Teach them that they are of the body, not of the Self, which is without glorious children of immortality, . . . Let positive, birth and death, eternal and immortal, and is strong helpful thoughts enter into their brains our true essence. from very childhood. … Say to your own minds, ‘I am He, I am He [the Atman]. . . . The goal may The Sheep-Lion Story be distant, but awake, arise, and stop not till the One of the implications of this divinity goal is reached.’3 of every being is that we humans are not born So no one can ever even say that ‘I in sin as some orthodox Christians would am a sinner’, rather one must assert that make us believe; we might make mistakes ‘I am Brahman,’ which is one of the four out of ignorance of our divine nature, but are Mahaavaakyas or great sayings; and Brahman not essentially sinners. There is a story about is the same as Atman, ever pure, nay, the a pregnant lioness who saw a herd of sheep embodiment of purity absolute. What we and jumped on them. But as she jumped, she think, we become, that is the law. When we fell and died. However before dying, she gave forget our true nature—that we are Atman— birth to a cub. The flock of sheep raised that and identify ourselves with this body-mind cub as a sheep. Like the sheep, the cub ate complex we get attached with ‘woman and grass and like them bleated also. The lion- gold’ to use Sri Ramakrishna words, and sheep, like other sheep, ran in terror when a commit the so-called sins. But once we become lion from outside attacked the flock. One day awakened to Self-knowledge of who we really this new lion, finding an opportunity seized are, we correct that mistake. the cub, dragged him to side of a lake, and Thus, we see that no one remains a showed him his reflection in water. ‘Look at ‘sinner’ forever. A person’s destiny can be your face,’ he told him, ‘and now look at my changed in a moment; an incident, a word, a face. Aren’t we the same?’ At first the cub song, can propel a person toward new life. In trembled in fear, but as he continued to gaze, the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna (233), there is a alternatively, his own reflection in the water, story of a fisherman who went into a garden and also of other lion’s, he realized that he was and cast his net into a lake to steal some fish. not a sheep after all. Presently, the lion pushed The owner saw him and surrounded him with a piece of meat into the cub’s mouth, which the his servants. They brought lighted torches cub found very delicious! Then the lion gave a and began to search him. In the mean time the mighty roar, and the cub followed suit; and he fisherman smeared his body with ashes and was sheep no more.2 sat under a tree, pretending to be a holy man. The lion-cub behaved like a sheep as long Obviously, the owner and his servants failed it thought it was a sheep. We are like that lion- to find the fisherman; all they saw was a holy cubs. So long as we think that we are weak, man, meditating under a tree. The next day

The V edanta K esari ~ 139 ~ APRIL 2016 22 the news spread that a great sage was staying they enjoined that everyone can and must in the garden. People came in droves with realize the truth of the Atman for oneself; the offerings of fruits and flowers, and sweets; sages, in fact, said that the truth must first be some even offered him silver and copper coins. heard, then it should be reflected upon, and The fisherman thought that if a mere pretense finally, it must be meditated on to experience could bring him so much devotion from it. people, how much more honour would it bring From such realization of the Self by if he were a real holy man. From that point on, scores of seekers and sages it was concluded he was no more a thief, but a holy man. that one who has realized this immortal Atman within oneself sees the same Atman The Glory of Atman in one and all. Not surprisingly, in the same It seems to us that when Swami Viveka- Shvetashvatara Upanishad, one finds a sage, nanda read his paper on Hinduism at the having realized this divinity of immortal Parliament of Religions in Chicago on Sep- Atman within himself, gave expression to that tember 19, 1893, proclaiming the potential great realization: ‘thou art the woman, thou art divinity of each soul, he must have had in the man, thou art the boy, and thou art verily mind this thief who had gained realization of the girl; thou art the old man tottering on his his divine nature. For, after all, we cannot be stick, thou art born in multiform ways.’ what we are not. We cannot become holy and In other words, the sage said that though divine if our nature is sinful. Rightly Swami we see these different forms of one Reality, in Vivekananda said (CW, 1.11) on that day: essence in each one of them is embodied the ‘Hear ye children of immortal bliss! Even ye unchanging Self, Atman. There is thus unity that reside in highest spheres! I have found in diversity. In the Bhagavad-Gita (5.18) we the Ancient One who is beyond all darkness, find Sri Krishna telling us through Arjuna: all delusion: knowing Him alone you shall be The Pundits or the knowers of the Self look saved from death over again.’ (A Vedic sage with an equal eye (samadarshitva) on a Brahmin of Shvetashvatara Upanishad made this call.) endowed with learning and humility, a cow, ‘Children of immortal bliss’—what a sweet, what an elephant, a dog, and an eater of dogs (a low- a hopeful name—heirs of immortal bliss—yea, caste person). In The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, the Hindu refuses to call you sinners. Ye are the we read how the Master saw Brahman in children of God, the sharers of immortal bliss, dogs, in cats, in human beings, and also in the holy and perfect beings. Ye divinities on earth prostitute, and saluted her as he would have —sinners! done to the Divine Mother. What strength-giving and confidence- building assertions indeed! Parliament of Religions and Hinduism This declaration of Swamiji about the This leads us to consider the next immortal Atman or the Self, which is the point in Ms. Miller’s article. In fact the essence of every being and thing, is firmly fundamental point in the Miller’s article, ‘We rooted in the Upanishads or Vedanta that form are All Hindus Now’ was that ‘Americans the philosophical foundation of Hinduism. The are no longer buying the traditional story Vedanta sages did not put forth their thesis as of the Christian religion being the only true a dogma to be believed by everyone, rather, religion,’ because two thirds of Americans

The V edanta K esari ~ 140 ~ APRIL 2016 23 now believe that ‘[all] religions can lead to It was for the first time in their life the eternal life.’ This suggests that increasing audience had heard a speaker who, discarding number of Americans are accepting the truth the formalities of a speech, echoed their own mentioned in the Rig Veda, Ekam sat, Vipra feelings of being sick and tired of religious bahuda vadanti. It is these two basic truths that hatred and bigotry. For Vivekananda, those Swami Vivekananda mentioned in his opening five words came naturally, and provided the address at the Parliament on September 11, gist of his speech to follow: all humanity is the 1893. This Parliament of Religions that we product of one God, though sages call Him by mentioned above was held in Chicago, USA, different names; He alone is our Father and from September 11 to 27, 1893 in connection Mother. (Therefore, we are all related to each with the World’s Columbian Exposition in other as sisters and brothers.) the city of Chicago. It was one of the epoch- making events in the world and also in the Assimilation and Synthesis history of religions, especially in that of Swami Vivekananda’s lecture on the Hinduism.4 last day of the Parliament on September 27, Swamiji began his address as ‘Sisters and 1893 appealed for sympathetic understanding Brothers of America’. Before he could utter of religions other than one’s own. He said, another word, almost the whole audience rose ‘The Christian is not to become a Hindu or to its feet and gave him a thundering applause a Buddhist, nor a Hindu or a Buddhist to that lasted for more than two minutes. We become a Christian. But each must assimilate believe these five words were unlike the the spirit of the others and yet preserve his audience had ever heard, but for Swamiji, they individuality and grow according to his own were the same words that he had heard all law of growth.’ He further pointed out, ‘If the his life in India, thereby giving his audience Parliament of Religions has shown anything to a bird’s eye view of the Indian culture. And the world it is this: It has proved to the world when the applause subsided, he introduced that holiness, purity and charity are not the Hinduism as ‘the Mother of Religions, a exclusive possessions of any church in the religion which has taught the world both world, and that every system has produced tolerance and universal acceptance’. He men and women of the most exalted character.’ quoted two beautiful passages, one from a Swamiji’s concluding remarks ended with an Shiva Mahimna-stotram and another from the appeal to all humanity: ‘Help and not Fight,’ Bhagavad-Gita (4.11). ‘Assimilation and not Destruction,’ ‘Harmony He said: ‘As the different streams having and Peace and not Dissension.’ their sources in different places all mingle their There is no doubt in our mind that water in the sea, so O Lord, the different paths Swamiji’s allusion to the fact that ‘every which men take, through different tendencies, system has produced men and women of the various though they may appear, crooked most exalted character’ had at least two great or straight, all lead to Thee!’ And the other characters in his mind: first Buddha and the from the Gita was: ‘Whosoever comes to Me, second his own Master, Sri Ramakrishna. through whatsoever path, I reach him; all men With regard to the first, we have on record are struggling through paths which in the end from history that Buddha’s disciple, Ananda, lead to Me.’ once told him: Sir, you are the greatest of the

The V edanta K esari ~ 141 ~ APRIL 2016 24 prophets of the past, present, and the future. which is also now increasingly accepted Buddha replied in the form of three questions by Americans. To understand this idea of of his own: Have you known all the prophets reincarnation, we must first understand that have come before me? Have you seen all the law of Karma of which the former is the prophets of this age? Have you seen all the a corollary. What do we mean by Karma? prophets that will come in the future? Ananda Karma means any action, thought, word or answered ‘no’ to all these questions and felt deed. According to the Bhagavad-Gita every embarrassed. person must act according to one’s nature, and But the example of Sri Ramakrishna was every act must have its appointed effect. The something that happened before Swamiji’s effect lies inherent in the cause, as a tree lies eyes, and he heard his Master telling potentially hidden in the seed. many devotees that visited Dakshineswar The law of Karma says that we alone, where Swamiji was often present. Sri not God, are responsible for the pleasures and Ramakrishna said: Jato mat, tato path, meaning pains we experience, because of our good and as many faiths, so many paths. Mind you Sri bad deeds: as we sow, so shall we reap. The Ramakrishna did not say what he said about death of a body, according to this doctrine, all religions can lead to God’s realization out does not settle all one’s accounts, for all the of any sentimental reason; rather those words credit and debit balances are forwarded to were based on his own experiments with the next page (or next life) of the ledger. This different religions, not only with the various means that we are born again and again to sects of Hinduism, but also with Islam and work out all our stored up karmas that could Christianity. not fructify in the present life; nor were all the By personal experiments with other karmas that we incurred in the present life able religions we mean that Sri Ramakrishna to bear their fruit. It has been well said: every would first ask some of his learned disciples saint has a past and every sinner has a future. to read out to him from the scriptures of While most of us are embroiled in worldly these religions, especially of Islam, (which desires and have to go through so many he practiced in 1866, and Christianity in more reincarnations to achieve fulfillment, 1874), for he could not read them himself.5 there are a select spiritual giants like Buddha, While practicing those religions he would Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, who are able completely stop practicing the Hindu rituals. to break the karma chain and have become He would eat and dress like the people completely detached from the bondage of their belonging to those religions, take their body; they have become free from all worldly initiation and use their language. ‘I realized desires and attained the highest goal of their [then]that there is only one God toward whom lives, mukti or freedom. all are traveling; but the paths are different.’ Says Swami Vivekananda: ‘All the (The Gospel, 129) actions that we see in the world, all the movements in human society, all the works Karma and Reincarnation that we have around us are simply the display The third and the last point that Ms. of thought, the manifestation of the will of Miller mentioned is the idea of reincarnation. man. . . . As is Karma, so is the manifestation Reincarnation is an integral part of Hinduism, of the will. The men of mighty will the world

The V edanta K esari ~ 142 ~ APRIL 2016 25 has produced have all been tremendous reincarnation, beside many others, in the USA workers—gigantic souls, with wills powerful during his first visit to this country to attend enough to overturn worlds, wills they got by the World Parliament of Religions that took persistent work, through ages and ages. Such place in Chicago. It is these three aspects that gigantic wills as that of Buddha or Jesus could Americans are increasingly accepting as Lisa not be obtained in one life, for we know who Miller mentioned in her News Week article ‘We their fathers were. It is not known that their Are All Hindus Now.’ fathers ever spoke a word for the good of the Although the Parliament lasted world. . . . The gigantic will, which Buddha from September 11, 1893 to September and Jesus threw over the world, whence did 27, 1893, the Swami came out to be the it come? Whence came the accumulation of most popular speaker. As a result he power? [This world is a moral gymnasium, as received invitation to speak from various Swamiji himself would have put it.] It must parts of this country, and he stayed in this have been ages and ages, continually growing country almost till the end of 1896, taking bigger and bigger, until it burst on society occasional trips to as well. Besides, in a Buddha or a Jesus, even rolling down to Swamiji called his two brother monks, Swami the present day [in the form of Bhagavan Sri Saradananda, and Swami Abhedananda to Ramakrishna].6 take charge of two Vedanta Centers, one in San Francisco, California, and the other in Conclusion New York. As we have shown in this essay it Since then many more Vedanta Cen- was Swami Vivekananda who broadcast ters have been opened not only under and taught the above-mentioned three as- the Ramakrishna Order but also by other pects of Hinduism, man’s spiritual nature, orders, teaching the same gospel that Swami harmony of religions, and the doctrine of Vivekananda did. o

References 1. The Life of Swami Vivekananda by His Eastern and 4. The Life of Swami Vivekananda by His Eastern and Western Disciples (Calcutta: , Western Disciples, Op. Cit. 413. 1989), v.1, 220. 5. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Op. Cit., 33-34. 2. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, v. 2, 86. 6. The Complete Works, v.1, 30-31. 3. Ibid. 87.

One must have deep emotion, and at the same time one must reason out everything uncompromisingly. One must give play to one’s intellect—else, there is no way out. That is why the Master said, ‘You should be a devotee, but that’s no reason why you should be a fool.’ —Swami Premananda

The V edanta K esari ~ 143 ~ APRIL 2016 26 Article

Memories of Swami Parameshwarananda A Disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi

A.K. DEY

Sacred Associations One of those revered sannyasins was I am one of the fortunate few who came Swami Parameshwaranandaji Maharaj, a in contact with some of the monastic and lay monastic disciple of Holy Mother. He was disciples of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and the President of the Matri Mandir and the received their blessings. My father, the late Ramakrishna Mission Sarada Sevashram at Rajendra Lal De, was a direct disciple of Holy . I saw him for the first time in the Mother and was well acquainted with some of year 1945, when I was about six years old. her blessed sons. Our home in Adra, a railway Afterwards I met him several times and kept town in West Bengal (formerly in Bihar), was in touch with him. The following is a brief often visited by the revered Swamis of the account of his holy and dedicated life. Ramakrishna Order. Some of them blessed our home by staying there for a day or two on their Early Life way to Ranchi, Gaya, Deoghar and other places. Swami Parameshwaranandaji Maharaj I was a small boy then, but I was fully was born on 18 June 1886 in Koalpara, a small aware of their greatness. I knew that they village near Jayrambati, the home of Holy were not ordinary men. They were holy Mother. He had the rare opportunity to serve men who had renounced hearth and home her for fourteen long years, from 1906 until to dedicate their lives to the service of God. her passing away in 1920. His pre-monastic They served the poor, the needy, and the name was Kishor, so he was popularly known suffering, and they also spread the teachings in monastic circles as Kishori Maharaj. Before of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami he became a monk he lived in Koalpara with Vivekananda. Naturally, whenever I met his widowed mother and his younger brother them, I bowed down my head in reverence Moti. He lost his father when he was a small and prostrated myself before them. I touched boy, and came in contact with Holy Mother their feet with my little hands to pay obeisance when he was only seventeen or eighteen years to them. Touching my head with their holy old. hands, they would bless me profusely. Their One day he learned that the holy consort endearing behaviour and loving words filled of Sri Ramakrishna was staying at Jayrambati my heart with ecstasy. and many people were going there to see

The author, Prof. A. K. Dey, retired Principal of C.P. & Berar College, Nagpur, was initiated in 1955 by Swami Shankarananda, the seventh President of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. He has been associated with Ramakrishna Math, Nagpur, since 1962. o

The V edanta K esari ~ 144 ~ APRIL 2016 27 her. Hearing this, he felt an intense desire to At Koalpara have her darshan. So one day he started for In those days, when he was about 24 Jayrambati on foot. In those days there was no years old, Kishori Maharaj lived at Koalpara road between Koalpara and Jayrambati. There Ashram, together with Kedar Babu (Swami was only a narrow path, with thorny bushes Keshavananda), Rajen (Swami Vidyananda), on both sides. He had to walk with slow steps, and Amulya (Swami Dhruvananda). All of pushing his way through the thorny bushes them were ardent devotees and direct disciples that got in his way. of Holy Mother. Divakar, another devotee and disciple of the Mother, joined the ashram later. Meeting Holy Mother He had inherited from his father an estate that By the time he reached Jayrambati, it was included paddy fields, gardens and a pond. almost sunset. He found out that Holy Mother Divakar donated the entire property to the was staying at her younger brother Prasanna’s house. When he reached there, he saw her standing in the doorway, with a loving smile on her face and boundless compassion in her eyes. As soon as he saw her, he bowed his head in reverence. With a heart overflowing with emotion, he prostrated himself before her and touched her lotus feet with his hands. Touching his head with her holy hands, she blessed him. What a blissful moment it was! He had never before experienced such heavenly joy. He felt as if he had found a sea of nectar. In the course of conversation, she said to him, ‘I am your mother and you are my son. Isn’t that so?’ When he heard those words full of love and affection, his eyes became moist with tears of joy. Before he returned to Koalpara, she asked him to come again. Since he had tasted the loving kindness and affection of the compassionate Mother, his visits to Jayrambati became quite frequent. Day by day, his desire to receive initiation Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi from her became increasingly intense. It was soon fulfilled. One day she called him and ashram, which started in 1910 in one of the initiated him after worshipping the Master. rooms of Kedar Babu’s school. She was not very particular about formal This donation of property enabled them rituals when she gave initiation. But she to shift the ashram to a spacious area where always gave initiation after her daily worship they built a cottage with three rooms. One of of the Master. these was used as Sri Ramakrishna’s shrine.

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The other two rooms were used by Holy Mother and her companions whenever they stayed at the ashram. Whenever they travelled in a bullock-cart from Jayrambati to Vishnupur via Koalpara, they used to stay at the Koalpara Ashram as a midway resting place. In course of time, this ashram became known as Holy Mother’s baithakkhana (sitting-room).

Brahmacharya and Sannyasa Gradually, Kishori Maharaj lost interest in worldly life. He became more and more concerned about his spiritual welfare as the days passed. He became eager to live a monastic life. So he decided to meet Holy Mother and take the vow of brahmacharya (celibacy) in her presence. With this aim in view, he started for Jayrambati on an auspicious day. Before going Swami Parameshwarananda there, he got his head shaved by a barber on the bank of the Amodar River and performed Mother had sent him to receive sannyasa. his ablutions in that river. He then went Swami Brahmananda asked him to meet to Jayrambati, met Holy Mother, and took him the next day, early in the morning. On the vow of brahmacharya in her presence. the next day, as instructed by Holy Mother, Afterwards she gave him a white cloth with a Kishori Maharaj performed the viraja homa red border and asked him to wear it. She then in the presence of Swami Brahmananda, prayed to the Master to protect his monastic who initiated him into formal sannyasa life. and gave him his monastic name—Swami In accordance with her wishes, he Parameshwarananda. continued to stay at Koalpara Ashram. There he engaged himself in various activities, Return to Jayrambati including daily prayers, worship, reading After staying at Belur Math for religious books, etc. some days, Kishori Maharaj returned to Kishori Maharaj received sannyasa Jayrambati. Holy Mother now asked him to after his widowed mother passed away in stay at Jayrambati Ashram. This gave him an 1916. He was then about 30 years old. One opportunity to stay near her. He served her as day, giving him an ochre cloth, Holy Mother best as he could and also performed various asked him to go to Belur Math and meet activities related to the ashram with great Swami Brahmananda, the spiritual son of devotion. Holy Mother used to receive many Sri Ramakrishna and the President of the letters from her devotees. Sitting near her, he Ramakrishna Order. He did so. He met the read them aloud and wrote the replies as she revered Maharaj and told him that Holy dictated.

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One day, as he was sitting near her, After much persuasion, she agreed Girija Maharaj (Swami Girijananda), Jiten to go to Kolkata. Sharat Maharaj returned Maharaj (Swami ), and to Kolkata and sent Swami Bhumananda, Khagen Maharaj (Swami Shantananda) came Swami Atmaprakashananda, and Boshi Sen to to request her permission to go on a pilgrimage Jayrambati in order to take the ailing Mother to Varanasi and other holy places. She gladly to Udbodhan House. They reached Jayrambati permitted them to go. Seeing them, Kishori on 21 February 1920 and decided to take her to Maharaj felt a desire to go to some quiet retreat Kolkata on 24 February. and do tapasya (spiritual practice). When he On the day of Holy Mother’s departure expressed this desire to Mother, she said, for Kolkata, a large number of men and ‘Why, my son, don’t you think that serving women from Jayrambati and nearby villages me, serving the Master, and performing the crowded near her house. They had come to various activities of the ashram that keep you say goodbye. Looking at her with tearful eyes, busy throughout the day are more important they said, ‘Come back as soon as you get well. than going to some other place for spiritual Don’t stay there for long; don’t forget us.’ practice? I feel quite happy and comfortable Mother replied, ‘Everything depends on His when you are here.’ wish. How can I forget you?’ The residents Hearing these words filled with love and of the ashram came out one by one and made affection, he gave up the idea of going on a obeisance to her. Their eyes were filled with pilgrimage. He realized that it would be futile tears. on his part to go to some unknown place in At last Kishori Maharaj came out with search of happiness. He felt that there was real a heavy heart and tearful eyes. He prostrated happiness only in staying near the Mother. himself before her and took the dust of her He enjoyed every moment of his stay near her lotus feet. Touching his head with her holy feet. hands, she blessed him and gave him a silken cloth. She asked him to keep it carefully. Before Holy Mother’s Last Journey leaving her birthplace she looked towards the But his happiness did not last long. temple of Singhavahini and made obeisance to Towards the end of 1919, Holy Mother’s health the goddess with folded hands. started declining very fast. Frequent attacks of Then she walked slowly towards the fever shattered her health. The local doctors outskirts of the village. She was accompanied diagnosed her illness as malaria. But the by Kishori Maharaj and many other devotees. medicines they prescribed had little effect. She After reaching the village limits she got into became weaker and weaker day by day. the palanquin that was to take her up to So Kishori Maharaj wrote to Sharat Vishnupur. Barada Maharaj, her attendant Maharaj (Swami Saradananda), informing (devotee), was on his bicycle, riding slowly him about her illness. After receiving his letter, alongside the palanquin. He was to accompany Sharat Maharaj went to Jayrambati. When he Mother up to Vishnupur. saw how emaciated Mother had become, he When the party reached Shantinath Shiva decided to take her to Udbodhan House, in temple, at the outskirts of Shihar village, Holy Kolkata, for proper medical treatment and Mother asked Barada Maharaj to bring some nursing. But she refused to leave Jayrambati. sweets. She took them into the temple. After

The V edanta K esari ~ 147 ~ APRIL 2016 30 worshipping Lord Shiva, she came out and Hearing about the condition of Mother, distributed the prasad (the sweets offered to Kishori Maharaj decided to go to Kolkata the Lord) to those who were present. so that he could be near her and serve her. She then got back into the palanquin, Unfortunately, he himself was suffering from called Kishori Maharaj to her, blessed him fever at the time. Even so, he left Jayrambati by touching his head with her holy hands, in a bullock-cart. By the time he reached and asked him to go back. She asked him to Koalpara Ashram, his illness had aggravated take care of his health and said that Hariprem because of the strenuous journey. Seeing his (Haripada Maharaj) would remain with him. condition, Swami Keshavananda did not allow She promised to write to him after reaching him to continue his journey, saying that if he Kolkata. Her parting words were filled with went to Udbodhan House with high fever, loving kindness and affection. Sharat Maharaj would be in an awkward Kishori Maharaj remained standing at situation, as he was already very busy looking the edge of the village as long as he could after the ailing Mother. Kishori Maharaj see the palanquin. When it went out of sight, was thus compelled to remain at Koalpara he returned to Jayrambati with a heavy Ashram. heart. Returning to the ashram, he resumed The very next day Swami Keshavananda performing his daily activities, but his mind received a letter from Sharat Maharaj bearing was always restless and anxious. the shocking news of Holy Mother’s passing away on 20 July 1920. Kishori Maharaj was Holy Mother’s Mahasamadhi so shocked to hear the news that he fainted. Upon reaching Kolkata, Holy Mother When he regained consciousness he wept was taken to Udbodhan House, where the like a child. He was inconsolable in his best possible arrangements were made for her grief. medical treatment and nursing. She was under After a few days, he received a letter the treatment of a well-known fever specialist, from Sharat Maharaj, consoling him and Dr. P.D. Bose. He diagnosed her illness as asking him to go back to Jayrambati. He kala-azar (black-water fever) and prescribed was to resume his daily activities and make medicines. When he came to know who the arrangements for the construction of the patient was, he refused to accept payment; but proposed Matri Mandir (Holy Mother’s despite his best efforts, the condition of the Temple) at her birthplace. Immediately after ailing Mother deteriorated with every passing receiving this letter, he left for Jayrambati. day. (To be continued. . .) B B

Be sincere in your in your practice, words and deeds. You will feel blessed! His blessings are always showered on all creatures on the earth. It is needless to ask for it. Practise meditation sincerely and you will understand His infinite grace. God wants sincerity, truthfulness and love. Outward verbal effusions do not touch Him.

—Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi

The V edanta K esari ~ 148 ~ APRIL 2016 31 Article

Understanding Samvega or ‘Intensity’ In Yoga Perspective

SWAMI BRAHMESHANANDA

I As the drowning man pants hard for breath, so After describing two principal means must one’s heart yearn for the Lord, before one of controlling the thought waves, abhyasa, can find Him.4 practice, and vairagya, renunciation, Patanjali Do you know what kind of love is required for states that success is speedy for those who are gaining the Lord? Just as a dog with a bruised extremely energetic and have great intensity head runs restlessly, so must one become or yearning.1 distressed for His sake.5 He is more pragmatic when he says This yearning is like the state of mind of a man that there are aspirants with three grades of who has some one ill in the family. His mind is in yearning: manda, madhyama and adhimatra, a state of perpetual restlessness . . . Or again, one i.e., mild, moderate or great.2 This could should feel a yearning for God like the yearning apply to both practice and renunciation. Some of a man who has lost his job and is wandering may be intense in their practice, but their from one office to another in search of work. renunciation might be mild. Others may have If he is rejected at a certain place which has no great renunciation, but may not be so intense vacancy, he goes there for the next day and in their practice. Thus, Vyas in his commentary inquires, ‘Is there any vacancy today?’6 mentions that there could be various degrees One must be restless for God. If a son clamors and combinations. persistently for his share of the property, his Intensity or yearning for God-realization parents consult each other and give it to him is also one of the most important teachings even though he is a minor.7 of Sri Ramakrishna. When ‘M’ asked Sri Or when the child demands some pice from his Ramakrishna, ‘Under what condition does mother and says over and over again, ‘mother, one see God?’ he answered: ‘Cry to God with give me a couple of pice, I beg you on my knees’, an intensively yearning heart and you will then the mother, seeing his earnestness, and certainly see Him. People shed a whole jug of unable to bear it any more, tosses the money tears for wife and children. They swim in tears over to him.8 for money. But, who weeps for God? Cry to Can you weep for Him with intense longing of Him with a real cry.’3 heart? . . . So long as the child remains engrossed Sri Ramakrishna gives various illus- with its toys, the mother looks after her cooking trations to explain the meaning of yearning: and other household duties. But when the child

A former editor of the Vedanta Kesari, the author is a senior monk of the Ramakrishna Order, now living at the Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama, Varanasi.o

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no longer relishes the toys, it throws them aside of mind of one who has someone ill at home, and yells for its mother. Then the mother takes a person who has lost a job, a son clamoring the rice-pot down from the hearth, runs in haste, for his share of parental property, a child and takes the child in her arms.9 demanding a penny from the mother, a A guru took a disciple to a lake and both of them child crying for mother throwing away toys, got into the water. Suddenly the teacher pressed a whipped horse, a man in forest hurrying the disciple’s head under the water. After a few his steps as night approaches, a man with minutes, he released him and the disciple raised fire on head, and a thief near a treasure of his head and stood up. The guru, asked him, gold. ‘How did you feel?’ The disciple said, ‘Oh! I On analysis, these illustrations point thought I should die. I was panting for breath.’ broadly to three situations: (i) a person in The teacher said, ‘When you feel like that for agony and getting restless to get over it, (ii) God, then you will know you haven’t long to although not in discomfort, seeking something 10 wait for His vision.’ more pleasing or desirable, and (iii) trying to While commenting upon the Patanjali’s avoid or escape an imminent danger. A dog, Yoga Sutra I.21, dealing with intensity, with bruised head, a disciple with fire on the Hariharananda Aranya, the well-known head, a person who has lost his job or is having commentator on Yoga Sutras, gives two very someone ill in the family, a person drowning apt examples: Just as a whipped horse moves or pressed under water, and a horse whipped, faster and just as man hurries his steps at the fall under the first category. A child crying for approaching night in a forest for fear of wild the mother, or asking a penny from her, and animals which would come out at night, so a thief anxious to get the treasure close by, should one become intense in search for God. are the illustrations of the second type; and to Swami Vivekananda has given yet avoid being caught at night in the forest is of another example: the third type. A great sage used to say, ‘Suppose there is a thief While all in the world are familiar with in a room and somehow he comes to know that these three types of experiences mentioned there is a vast mass of gold in the next room, and above, they are relevant in the context of that there is only a thin partition between the two this article and its theme only if they could rooms, what would be the condition of that thief? be utilized for increasing one’s yearning He would be sleepless, he would be unable to eat for God, or for intensifying the practice and 11 or do anything.’ renunciation to achieve control of thought To these can be added the illustration waves. But this does not generally happen. given by Adi Shankaracharaya of a person Most of us are busy with ‘toys’, one after the who runs with haste towards water if fire were other, and never get bored by them, nor throw put on his head. With such intensity, should them away and call on God, our Real Mother. one approach the Guru for help and guidance Warning against such callousness, the sages for attaining liberation. say: ‘If one has realized It (one’s real nature) II here in this life, then there is true life. If It is not We have, thus, many illustrations of realized, there is great destruction.’12 yearning for God: a drowning man panting All get whips—mild or hard every day— for air, a dog with a bruised head, the state in family, office or worldly situation and yet

The V edanta K esari ~ 150 ~ APRIL 2016 33 try to ‘adjust’ with them rather than hastening A true yogi, an awakened soul is never our steps towards God. Even though getting lured by transitory joys and pleasures of life. old and getting closer to death day by day, His mind is extremely sensitive—like the we never become conscious of the imminent cornea. Like the Buddha, he never rests until danger that we are in the world-forest and he has found final solution to the problem of would be caught in the dark night. The divine suffering. According to Patanjali, a yogi finds/ golden treasure is just within our hearts, but sees pain and suffering even in the apparently we don’t get restless like a thief. None has pleasant.14 Such was the Buddha. probably told us that a great treasure is indeed Although he never experienced pain stored within us only—it is so close. Even if and suffering in his royal home, he was so Sri Ramakrishna tells us that the treasure, the sensitive that the very sight of three scenes Divine Mother is so close, we probably don’t of old age, disease and death brought home trust or accept his words and become restless. to him so strongly these imminent dangers Says Vivekananda: that he left everything and struggled till he attained Nirvana—total extinction of As soon as a man begins to believe there is a suffering. God, he becomes mad with longing to get to Him. Others may go their way but as soon as a We have already seen that there could man is sure that there is a much higher life than be grades of such yearning or intensity. It 15 that which he is leading here, as soon as he feels could be mild, moderate or intense. Sri sure that the senses are not all, that this limited Ramakrishna too says that one could reach material body is as nothing compared with the God even within three days if one has intense immortal, eternal, undying bliss of the self, he yearning and weeps for Him. becomes mad until he finds out this bliss for The task before all spiritual aspirants is himself. And this madness, this thirst, this mania, to go on increasing the yearning for God in is what is called the ‘awakening’ to religion . . .13 whichever way they can. o

References 1. Teevra Samvegaanaam aasannah, (Patanjali Yoga 8. Ibid, p.97 Sutra I, 21) 9. Ibid, p.149 2. Patanjali Yoga Sutra, I, 22 10. The Gospel, p.674 3. The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna 11. The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Math, Chennai, p. 83 Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati. Vol. II p.46 4. Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Ramakrishna Math, 12. Kena Upanishad, II, 5 Chennai, 620 13. The Complete Works, Vol. II p.46 5. Ibid, 627 14. Patanjali Yoga Sutra, II.15 6. The Gospel, p.96 15. Patanjali Yoga Sutra, I-22 7. Ibid, p.384

(Dispassion) depends upon past impressions (Samskaras). One gets it only when one is free from all desires and not otherwise. If any desire is left in the mind this spirit of renunciation cannot come. It comes through enjoyment tempered with discrimination. —Swami Shivananda

The V edanta K esari ~ 151 ~ APRIL 2016 34 New Find Unpublished Letters of Swami Saradananda1

June 16. 1910. Math. Belur. Howrah. India. Dearest Granny2 – I have not had any news of you since you wrote to me that you liked my thesis on Hinduism, written for the Congress of Religions at Calcutta and published in the Prabuddha Bharata. I do not know as I told you that that was according to many, the best paper on the occasion. I hope you have become your former self again and feel capable to take up your plan for a voyage to India in the coming winter with Sister Christine and Mother Sevier. Sister Nivedita has gone on pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinarayan with Dr. & Mrs. Bose. I have had telegrams to say that she had been on both the places and is on her way to return at present. Swami Brahmananda has gone again to Puri and will not be back till winter. Everything else is going on as usual here in the Math. The Holy Mother will be coming soon to Calcutta and may stop through winter. So you will meet her if you come at the time. She has been suffering much of late from rheumatism. Otherwise she is well. You cannot form any idea of how people come to her now-a-days for spiritual help wherever she is, even at her native village. Jogin Maa is bearing bravely her losses, though physically she has become much altered and reduced. She always remembers you with love and gratefulness. I hope Mrs.Vaughan (Olea) is well and so is your brother Mr.Thorp and his family. My kind greetings to all friends there who still care to receive them. How are Agnes and Shanti. I hope they write to you often and are well and happy. Remember me kindly to them both, when you write. With my love and best prayers for you, I am as ever Yours affectionately Saradananda P.S. I hope you have already heard from Sister C. what Nivedita and myself think to be the best way of arranging about Swamiji’s books. What is your opinion about it? And do you think that the period for taking probate of Swamiji’s will has really become over and nothing can be done now to secure our interests legally. It is sad indeed if such has been the case through negligence of the late Mr. L’s lawyer. Yours S

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The Bank has informed me of the arrival of your second remittance for £30 equivalent to Rs 448-3-. of Indian coin. [on the envelope:] Mrs. Sara C. Bull. The Studio House. Cambridge. Mass. U.S.America.

Math. Belur. Howrah. India. Aug. 11.10. Dearest Granny, Nivedita sent me news as soon as the last mail reached her, that she has received a few lines from you to say that you are gradually improving and fairly on your way to recovery. I cannot tell you what joy it brought us all and how anxiously we are passing our days for you. The Holy Mother and Jogin Maa always inquire about you and pray that you might be quite well soon. Do not try to write me unless you are perfectly sure that the exertion will not hurt you. A line now and then to any of us three Dr.Bose, Sister N. or myself will do to inform the other two, how you are doing. I am writing this from Calcutta though I give the address of the Math above. The Holy Mother will stop here some time, now that she has come to us. She desires her love and blessings. Jogin Ma has grown quite old since she lost her daughter and I do not know as you will be able to know her while you are here. She is sending you her heart’s love. Swami Brahmananda has written to me from Puri desiring to send you his kind regards and prayers for recovery. And your ever grateful boy is always praying that you might be spared to us for a long time to come. With loving regards and prayers, I remain, ever Yours affectionately Saradananda P.S. Greetings to Santi and Agni if they are with you now, and to all friends who might be there.

References 1. A direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna 2. Mrs. Sara Bull, an American disciple of Swami Vivekananda

Courtesy: Ramakrishna Museum, Belur Math

The V edanta K esari ~ 153 ~ APRIL 2016 36 Travelogue

Mahashivaratri in Taiping, Malaysia SHIULI MUKHERJI

‘Shiva is a god of ambiguity and para- during the disintegration of the created dox,’ whose attributes include opposing universe. Since, according to Hinduism, it themes. The ambivalent nature of this deity is is the same god that creates, sustains and apparent in some of his names and the stories withdraws the universe, the Shivalinga told about him and also the various forms represents symbolically God Himself. and shapes in which he is represented and The duality of Shiva’s fearful and worshipped. auspicious attributes appears in contrasted To see these various attributes, I travelled names. Let us consider some of them: to Taiping and took part in the celebration Rudra reflects his fearsome aspects. of Mahashivratri in Sri Navaneetha Krishna According to traditional etymologies, the Temple. It an old temple, built in 1883 by the Sanskrit name Rudra is derived from the root Federated Malay States Railway employees. It rud, meaning ‘to cry, howl’, adjectival form is one of the oldest and largest temples in the raudra, which means ‘wild, of rudra nature’, district of Larut Matang and Selama. Its unique and translates the name Rudra as ‘the wild one’ architecture is unlike the temple structures in or ‘the fierce god’. other parts in Malaysia. The temple structure In contrast, the name Shankara ‘bene- is a Ceyloni structure and was built by the ficent’ or ‘conferring happiness’ reflects his workers brought from Sri Lanka to build the benign form. This name was adopted by the first railway line from Taiping to Port Welda great Vedanta teacher Adi Shankara (788-820 (Kuala Sepatang). It is quite an imposing and CE) or Adi Shankaracharya. impressive place. The name Shambhu, ‘causing happiness’, reflects his benign aspect. Aspects of Shiva Shiva is also depicted as Nataraj or Apart from anthropomorphic images ‘lord of dance’. His association with dance of Shiva, the worship of Shiva is done in the and also with music is prominent. The two form of a lingam, or linga. One common form is most common forms of his dance are the the shape of a vertical rounded column. Shiva Tandava Nritya which later came to denote means auspiciousness and linga means a sign the powerful and masculine dance as ‘Kala- or a symbol. Hence, the Shivalinga is regarded Mahakala’ associated with the destruction as a ‘symbol of the great God of the universe of the world. When it requires the world or who is all-auspiciousness’. Shiva also means universe to be destroyed, Lord Shiva does ‘one in whom the whole creation sleeps after so by the doing Tandav Nritya. The other dissolution’. Linga too means the same—a dance is Lasya, which is graceful and delicate place where created objects get dissolved and expresses emotions on a gentle level. It o Shiuli Mukherji is a devotee from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a journalist by profession.

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is considered the feminine Shiva, on the occasion of Mahashivratri in dance attributed to the Taiping temple. goddess Parvati. Lasya Then Lord Mahadev and Nandi were is regarded as the decorated with fresh flower garlands and a female counterpart new angvastram (cloth). The whole process of Tandava. The took about four hours. After a short break, Tandava-Lasya in the evening, a Ratha Yatra carrying Lord dances are Mahadeva with Nandi was taken out. A large associated with number of Hindu devotees in Malayasia the destruction- and from Sri Lanka had gathered and it creation of the was a powerful reminder how the Sanatana world. Dharma has been kept alive for the millennia by millions of believers and practitioners the Dakshinamurti world over. describes a form of Mahashivratri celebration is a reminder Shiva facing south. of Oneness of Reality. Shiva, the Absolute, This form represents is one with Shakti, the Creation. As Sri Shiva in his aspect as a Ramakrishna says in his Gospel, teacher of yoga, music, and wisdom I wept before the Mother and prayed. ‘O and giving exposition of the highest truths Mother, please tell me, please reveal to me what given in the Hindu scripture. the yogis have realized through yoga and the Shiva, the multifaceted Divine, has been jnanis through discrimination.’ And the Mother worshipped in all parts of India and beyond. has revealed everything to me. She reveals everything if the devotee cries to Her with a The Celebrations yearning heart. She has shown me everything The Shivaratri puja in the temple began that is in the Vedas, the Vedanta, the Puranas, at eight in the morning with the abhishekam and the Tantra. (ceremonial bathing) for Shiva and his ride, The Divine Mother revealed to me in the Nandi. First the Shivalinga and Nandi’s Kali temple that it was She who had become structure were washed by water, followed by everything. She showed me that everything pouring of haldi (turmeric), bhasama (ash), was full of Consciousness. The image was curd, honey and ghee, finally cleansed by Consciousness, the water was Consciousness, the milk and water. All through they chanted the altar was Consciousness, the water vessels were mantra Om Namah Shivay. The devotees also Consciousness, the doorsill was Consciousness, perform the milk and water abhiseka which the marble floor was is quite an elaborate and lengthy process. The Consciousness—all was ingredients used in abhishekam have their Consciousness. o own significance and symbolic meaning such as milk gives long life, ghee is for moksha, curd, for healthy life and honey is considered most sacred. The Pradosha Puja is one of the most important pooja performed to Lord

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The Order on the March News and Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Mission

Vivekananda Navaratri Celebrations at Chennai Every year Chennai Math celebrates the nine-day stay of Swami Vivekananda in Chennai in February 1897 as Vivekananda Navaratri at Ice House (called Vivekananda House now). As in the past years, this year too the celebrations were held from 6 to 14 February.

Glimpses of Vivekananda Navaratri

This year, along with the Navaratri celebrations, a book exhibition-cum-sale of Ramakrishna- Vivekananda Literature was also organized. Called Divine Book Fair, it had over 1000 titles published by the Chennai Math and other centres. The books included spiritual, cultural, self-development themes and 20% discount on the cover price was given to all buyers.

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Entrance to Divine Book Fair Classical singing Swami Smarananandaji, Vice-President, Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Belur Math, inaugurated both the Divine Book Fair and the Vivekananda Navaratri and delivered the benediction. Swami Gautamanandaji, Adhyaksha, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, gave his benedictory address. The daily programmes were held in the evenings, beginning with Bhajans, followed by speeches by monks and others and cultural programmes. A number of school children from various institutions in Chennai took part in the events. Some of the speakers who addressed the nine-day celebrations included Sri Tarun Vijay, member of Rajya Sabha, Sri Tamizharuvi Manian, Sri S S Jawahar IAS (Retd) and CEO Vels University, Chennai, Sri S Ramakrishnan, noted Tamil Writer, Sri Iraiyanbu, IAS, Prof. Jayanthasri Balakrishna of PSG Arts and Science College, Coimbatore, and Dr Vishwa Mohan Katoch, former Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research and Secretary, Department of Health, New Delhi. Cultural and spiritual events included, Nama Sankirtan by Brahmasri Vittaldas Maharaj and group of Govindapuram, Hari Katha on Bharathiyar’s Guru Devi Nivedita by Smt. P Suchitra, drama titled Sri Ramanuja by Nataka Kaavalar Kalaikoodam, Chennai, Bhajans by Smt Sukanya Ramesh group, dance drama on ‘Ethical lessons from epics’ by students from D.A.V. School, Adambakkam, Kuchipudi thematic dance on ‘Have Strength of Mind’ by Smt. Madhurima Naarla, Tanmaya Dance Academy, Hyderabad, and Bhajans by Selvi Shreya Ramanathan, Carnatic Music Singer and Bhajans by Vijayalakshmi Raman and group. There were many other small and big events which took place as part of the celebrations which were attended by hundreds of people daily. o

Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Trigunatitanandaji Maharaj Naora Ramakrishna Math held a two-day programme with special worship, a discourse and cultural events on 12 and 13 February. o

Celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Sister Nivedita Guwahati centre conducted a lecture on 18 January which was attended by about 550 people. Mangaluru centre held a programme on women empowerment on 15 February in which about 650 young women took part. Port Blair centre conducted youth conventions on the Port Blair campus of Pondicherry University on 5 and 9 January in which nearly 450 postgraduate students took part.

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Swamiji’s Ancestral House centre held two lectures on 25 and 29 January which were attended altogether by 600 people.

News of Branch Centres (in India) Swami Vagishanandaji inaugurated the newly constructed multipurpose hall on the first floor of Kamarpukur high school building on 12 February, the holy Saraswati Puja day. An interactive board facility for conducting online classes for students was also inaugurated on the same day. Swami Gautamanandaji inaugurated the newly built kitchen-cum-dining-hall at Allahabad centre on 13 February. The General Secretary inaugurated the newly constructed first floor of the girls’ high school building of Jayrambati centre on 23 February. College of Arts and Science of Coimbatore Mission centre has been re-accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) with Grade ‘A’. o

Swachchha Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Campaign) The following centres conducted cleanliness drives in their respective areas and raised public awareness about cleanliness: Baghbazar Math conducted a cleaning programme on 30 January in which 60 students of its self- employment centre cleaned the locality around the Math. The students of Bhopal school cleaned a few public places and a street on 2 and 3 February. The polytechnic of Chennai Students’ Home held five cleaning programmes in January and February in which about 250 students and staff of the institution cleaned several streets and other public places. Kamarpukur centre carried out its third cleanliness drive on 21 February in which 31 people cleaned a few streets in and around Kamarpukur village. Mangaluru centre held a special programme on 14 February to mark the conclusion of the first phase of its 40-week cleanliness drive Swachchha Mangaluru. Sri Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minster for Urban Development, and many other eminent people attended the programme. Further, the centre conducted four cleaning programmes in February in which about 1500 people cleaned different areas in Mangaluru. Puri Mission conducted a cleanliness drive on 22 January in which the campus of a primary school in Puri was cleaned. The students and teachers of Ramharipur high school undertook the cleaning of a few public places and a street on 8 February. o

Values Education and Youth-related Programmes conducted by centres in India Cooch Behar centre held a youth convention on 7 February in which 584 students took part. Delhi centre conducted (i) A two-day training programme in values education for 115 teachers of government schools on 19 and 20 January, (ii) A youth convention on 30 January in which 750 youths participated, (iii) Two workshops for school principals on 17 and 18 February which were attended altogether by 106 teachers, mainly principals. Jammu centre held values education programmes in Udhampur, Jammu and Samba districts on 5, 13 and 17 February, which were attended altogether by 1550 people. Salem Ashrama conducted values education programmes in three colleges in Salem district from 27 January to 19 February. In all, 810 students attended the programmes. o

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News of Branch Centres (Outside India) On 6 February, Mr Voreqe Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, visited Vivekananda Technical Centre run by Fiji centre. Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force, visited Jessore (Bangladesh) Ashrama on 23 February. o

Relief News 1. Winter Relief: (i) Various centres of Ramakrishna Math and Mission in India and Bangladesh distributed 12630 blankets to poor people. (ii) Varanasi Sevashrama distributed 225 quilts to the needy from 10 January to 20 February. (iii) The following centres distributed various winter garments, mentioned against their names, to needy people: (a) Bhopal: 802 sweatshirts from 14 to 16 February. (b) Chandigarh: 584 sweatshirts from 1 to 25 February. (c) Limbdi: 587 sweaters from 10 to 24 February. (d) Rahara: 20 sweaters from 2 to 16 January. 1. Winter Relief: (i) The following centres distributed blankets to poor people: (e) Sarisha: 100 jackets from 12 October to 21 December. 2. Cyclone Relief: Fiji: Our Fiji centre treated 96 patients affected by the devastating cyclone Winston that had struck Fiji on 20 February. 3. Fire Relief: Assam: (a) Guwahati centre distributed, on 6 February, 34 saris, 15 dhotis, 32 blankets, 64 plates, 64 bowls and 32 tumblers among 10 families affected by an accidental fire at Maligaon locality in Guwahati. (b) On 8 February, Silchar centre distributed 18 saris, 13 blankets, 13 mosquito-nets, 27 plates, 27 tumblers, 7 kg milk powder and 27 packets of biscuits among 13 families whose houses had been destroyed in a fire at Ashrama Road in Silchar town. 4. Distress Relief: The following centres distributed various items, as shown against their names, to needy people: (a) Baghbazar: 3030 saris from 4 October to 26 January. (b) Bhopal: 797 shirts and 375 trousers from 14 to 16 February. (c) Chandigarh: 514 shirts and 333 trousers from 1 to 25 February. (d) Khetri: Clothes, shoes and socks to 150 children on 31 January. (e) Limbdi: 1194 shirts and 626 trousers from 10 to 24 February. (f) Medinipur: 180 saris and 55 dhotis from 10 October to 30 January. (g) Nagpur: 80 bars of bathing soap and 40 detergent cakes. (h) Naora: 4041 textbooks on 7 February. (i) Rahara: 8 saris, 204 chaddars, 6 mosquito-nets, 212 bed-sheets, 204 tubes of toothpaste, 204 bars of soap and 150 phials of coconut oil from 2 to 16 January. (j) Sargachhi: 7 saris from 25 November to 3 December. (k) Sarisha: 129 dhotis and 100 trousers from 12 October to 21 December. o    The V edanta K esari ~ 159 ~ APRIL 2016 42 Book Reviews For review in The Vedanta Kesari, publishers need to send us two copies of their latest publication.

Empower Yourself attitude of ‘this too will pass away’, the eschewal of By J.P.Vaswani ‘I’ and ‘mine’, value of Silence, intense yearning for God (mumukshutvam), speech brimming with love, Published by Gita Pub- need for meditation, the supreme value of Guru, lishing House, 10, Sadhu Divine Grace and need for firm and noble resolve Vaswani Path, Pune - are vibrantly treated in the book. 411 001. Email: gph@ The one remarkable merit of the narrative is sadhuvaswani.org 2014, the charm of driving home serious and profound paperback, pp.192, Rs.150 messages by weaving around them a wealth of The book under re- spicy anecdotes, analogies and sparkling stories. view is a veritable treasure- The book makes an absorbing read. It belongs to trove of inspiring ideas and that genre of game-changing books which makes practical guidelines so that the reader exclaim, ‘Here is a book that is not life could be drunk to the lees in the most merely an intellectual repast but also a powerful positive sense. elevator of my personality’. Post-perusal, the reader The main strand of thought that runs through is bound to feel a different and better person than all the brief essays is the imperative need to always before. stay wired to God to make life sublime, peaceful ______N.HARIHARAN, MADURAI and purposeful. This book provides a clear road- map for spiritual empowerment that is the bedrock Stay Connected and for holistic and harmonious living in all its different Other Heart–to-Heart facets. All the ethical and spiritual virtues that constitute the means to the goal of God-realization Talks are spelt out in the 31 essays so convincingly and By J.P.Vaswani deliciously that an efficacious spiritual blueprint Published by Gita Publi- emerges for the aspirants to act upon for their shing House, Sadhu spiritual redemption. Vaswani Mission,10, Sadu All the key concepts such as the need to Vaswani Path, Pune-411001. harness precious and brief human existence to Email: gph@sadhuvaswani. lofty ends and lead a purposeful life, the need for org 2014, paperback, judicious time-management, the vital importance pp.128, Rs.195. of realising our spiritual identity, prayer for inner Human mind can be creative purity, the spirit of acceptance of the ‘given’, a and destructive. A satsang or sat sangatvam offers keen eye for the positive side to the exclusion of the right environment for the mind to be creative the seamy side, focussing on the Thrower (God) and positive. Chanting Divine Names—‘kirtan rather on the thrown (destiny), the need to view yoga’—expedites the mind’s progress. Such simple everything as God’s gift (prasad), mind-control, remedies will restore peace and harmony. Spiritual sense-control, careful cultivation of the mind, the leaders and Holy Scriptures have commended this spirit of ‘let-it-go’, faith, self-surrender to God, approach. In ‘Stay Connected and other Heart-to- efficacy of nama-samkeertan, sat-sang, the spiritual Heart Talks’ Dada Vaswani eloquently deals with value of the quality of compassion, God as our these topics. Satsang is cost free, paves the way for constant and ever-ready saviour, God as the Alpha a moral life, positive thoughts, restraint on desires, and Omega of our life, the virtue of humility, the and above all, to cultivate divine love. Thoughts are

The V edanta K esari ~ 160 ~ APRIL 2016 43 powerful and must be moderated. Dada Vaswani and emotions, many of us invite suffering. As a mentions about an ill-tempered disciple. The result they cease to be free citizens. The discourse disciple having needlessly misunderstood his guru, ‘When Will India be Truly Free’ explains how we was so annoyed that on sighting a banana skin on are responsible for our bondage. Two chapters his way he wished that the guru stepped on it ! are devoted to reveal the significance of Divine In order to ‘stay connected’ Dada Vaswani Love that Radha had for Sri Krishna. These are speaks of a ‘loving heart. . . to keep in touch with particularly delightful to read. the Source of all energy. . .’ Not through smart In brief, here is another addition to the hugely phones! The book under review is the tenth volume valuable books by Dada Vaswani. of selected discourses given by him. With fifteen ______P. S. SUNDARAM, MUMBAI topics this book is yet another rosy presentation of moral force to fight discord and discontent. The Mystic Wisdom of Destructive tendencies are within; hence Kabir happiness has to be sourced from within. The Translation by Swami author offers numerous remedies for the depressed. Brahmeshananda Instead of grieving and cursing one’s karma, learn to open your heart to the Divine. But beware! The Published by Sri Rama- fact that Divinity rests in all should not tempt us krishna Math, Mylapore, to assume a false sense of pride. Dada Vaswani Chennai - 600 004. Email: discourses at great length on the importance of mailchennaimath.org 2015, humility. Mere repetition of the mantra soham paperback, pp.168. Rs.70. without realizing its profound meaning is a sign The book under of egotism. All strong points that an individual review contains popular may possess are God-given. After Kurukshetra war verses and songs of Saint Kabirdas, even Arjuna could not face robbers as Sri Krishna, a God-realised soul and their English Translation the real power centre, had departed by then. Dada by Swami Brahmeshananda. Precisely because the Vaswani quotes to point out mind of unlettered Kabir is unclogged by the clutter what constitutes ‘True knowledge’. A person who of worldly knowledge and is pristinely pure in its possesses the highest knowledge will have extreme movements, his sayings bear the imprints of super- humility, attributing everything to the Divine. The sensuous wisdom. wisdom of Sri Ramakrishna has been recalled to There are, in the book, 275 verses under the reinforce the point. The Great Master put scholars category of Sakhi (couplets in doha meter that to shame through his humility. express the spiritual realizations of Kabir) and 89 Service to the suffering humanity is the verses under the category of Sabad (mantra or holy highest virtue according to Swamiji. Dada Vaswani word). The verses in Hindi are simple and marked illustrates this noble ideal through an incident in the by the beauty of happy rhyming. While the themes life of the founder of the Arya Samaj. of the couplets of Sakhi deal with the whole gamut Dada Vaswani discourses on Kabir, ‘A of spiritual topics such as Guru, Satsangh, Devotion, Revolutionary Saint’. Muslims labeled him an Love, Separation, God, Renunciation, Externals, infidel for uttering ‘Rama’ or ‘Hari’ while Hindus Words of Warning, Non-violence, Right Speech, objected to the tilak on his forehead. In desperation Truth, Mind, Maya, Women, Death, Fault-finding, young Kabir makes a profound statement: ‘Infidels Suffering, Wise Counsels and Kabir Himself, are those who kill the innocent and steal’. Several the longer verses of Sabad deal with, apart from incidents in Kabir’s life are brought forth in the two covering differently some topics again, such themes chapters that deal with the greatness of the saint. as Union with God, Supreme Truth, Impermanence, Happiness has to be sourced from within. Death and Fate. Swamiji observed: ‘Material happiness is but a The translation by the author is lucid and transformation of material sorrow’. Dada Vaswani intelligible. The explanatory footnotes for selected comments appropriately. Confined to a ‘mental verses are very helpful. The Introduction is prison of our own making’ assailed by thoughts interesting and calculated to acquaint readers with

The V edanta K esari ~ 161 ~ APRIL 2016 44 the Saint’s life-story and offers insights into his Swamiji reminds us of the greatness of India’s sacred personality and philosophy. The book is ancient civilization that (quoted by the author) bound to have a chastening influence on the readers. ‘. . .prevailed when even Greece did not exist, when ______N.HARIHARAN, MADURAI Rome was not thought of. . .’ Gujarat is a holy land of patriots, saints and scholars. Narsinh Mehta, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel were giants among men in their own way. Punjab, the land of Five Rivers, faced the brunt of successive foreign invaders and witnessed the ghastly Jalianwala Bagh massacre. It is the home of Sikh faith made holy with the wisdom of Guru Nanak. His words on the meaning of the Almighty reproduced in the book are significant. Swamiji started his journey from Kolkata. Book Series 2 focuses on the pivotal role of Bengal in the national movement and the spiritual and cultural revolution. The author recalls the ‘past glory of Bengal’ followed by a phase of decline and the transformation as a result of Swamiji’s influence. Almora is indeed a wonderland. The land- Wanderings with Swami Vivekananda West scape, rivers, temples and the people greatly Bengal (Know your country series 2) impressed Swamiji. The photographs are an added 2014, paperback, Artpaper, pp.34., Rs.10. attraction. Wanderings with Swami Vivekananda With financial support from the Ministry of Culture these books are nominally priced. Almora (Know your country series 3) ______P. S. SUNDARAM, MUMBAI 2014, paperback, Artpaper, pp.24., Rs.10 .

Wanderings with Swami Vivekananda Delhi Ramayana At A Glance & Rajasthan (Know your country series 4) By Sadguru Sant 2014, paperback, Artpaper, pp.64, Rs.10. Keshavadas Wanderings with Swami Vivekananda Published by Motilal Bana- Gujrat & Punjab (Know your country rsidass, 41, U.A Bungalow series 5) Road, Jawahar Nagar, Delhi – 110007, Email: mlbd@ 2014, paperback, Artpaper, pp.34., Rs.10. mlbd.com 2nd reprint All published by Pravrajika Amalaprana, 2015, paperback, pp.211, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Sarada Rs.245 Mission, Dakshineswar, Kolkata-700 076. The book under re- Email: [email protected] view is doubly precious as the sacred The four books mentioned above form part epic is retold by a revered saint of repute. of the special publications on the occasion of the The narrative is lucid, lively and comprehensive. 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda. The insight of the Saint enables him to treat the Many incidents encountered by Swamiji during various episodes of the epic with passion and his historic travel through the country have been freshness. The immortal epic is like the Ganga. chronicled by scholars and devotees. The books The profundity and range of the message that one under review highlight many of them. Every Indian, gets from the epic is directly related to the purity specially the young generation, should know and perspicacity of the reader’s mind. No wonder the country’s heritage and develop the spirit of the epic freely lavishes its largesse of wisdom patriotism. These books will help. on the Saint who offers it to the readership with

The V edanta K esari ~ 162 ~ APRIL 2016 45 feeling and sensitivity. The allegorical significance bird’s eye view of the scientific temper that existed of the epic revealed at the beginning kindles in the in India long before western scientists popularised reader a sense of reverential eagerness to read the concepts such as the properties of light or aspects book. ‘Ramayana in Song’ at the end of the book of metallurgy. The Struggle for Freedom traces the reproduces the popular hymn ‘Suddha Brahma part played by, for example, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Paratpara Rama’. The book is indeed holy prasad! Nehru as well as lesser known names such as Surya ______N.HARIHARAN, MADURAI Sen and Ganga Bai in our Independence movement while Global Wanderings of Swami Vivekananda recounts Swamiji’s historic capture of western sensibilities in the Parliament of Religions and thereafter in both the US and Britain. The next title, Women Empowerment, a subject close to Swamiji’s heart, brings out the struggles women have had to face just to make themselves heard. Awakening and Channelising Youth Power offers many valuable suggestions to the youth of today for using their strength, both individual and collective wisely, for their own and the country’s growth. The last booklet, Towards Wholeness, has three convincingly written essays synthesizing religion and science. The series, whether taken singly or as a whole, is an effective introduction to their chosen Indian Culture subjects and will awaken in the reader curiosity 2013, paperback, artpaper, pp.32., Rs.4. which might result in increased interest and a Global Wanderings of Swami Vivekananda desire to discover more. It is obviously aimed at the younger reader, so school libraries will find them 2013, paperback, artpaper, pp.28., Rs.2. worthy additions. Towards Wholeness Vedanta – Science – ______PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI Swami Vivekananda 2013, paperback, pp.109., Rs.4. Chronological account of vents The Struggle for Freedom E in the Parivrajaka 2013, paperback, artpaper, pp.34., Rs.4. Life of Swami Awakening & Channelising Youth Power Vivekananda 2013, paperback, artpaper, pp.34., Rs.2. By Dr. Shyamali Chowdhury Women Empowerment Published by 2013, paperback, artpaper, pp.34., Rs.2. RMIC Gol Park, Kolkata-700 029, Email: rmic. All published by Pravrajika Amalaprana, [email protected] 2015, Hard bound, General Secretary, Ramakrishna Sarada pp.226. (Glossy Paper), Rs.300 Mission, Dakshineswar, Kolkata-700 076. Swami Vivekananda is known as the unique Email: srismathgmail.com patriotic sannyasi and awakener of the masses who These six books form a series under the educated the world about India’s spiritual richness. name ‘Vivek Exhibition Series’ published by the His extensive travels across India as a mendicant Sarada Mission on the occasion of the 150th birth monk gave him a clear picture of his mission—the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda celebrated in material and spiritual rejuvenation of India and the February 2013. The titles are self-explanatory and world. cover wide ground through crisp narration and After the Mahasamadhi of Sri Ramakrishna description. The booklet Indian Culture gives a in 1886, his direct sannyasi disciples lived in

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Baranagar Math and led intense austere life under historic sites, gained knowledge, and visualized the the guidance of their leader, Swami Vivekananda. In future of India during his wandering days. July 1890, Swamiji started from Baranagar Math as a This is a very valuable, illuminating and parivrajaka monk and for the next five years (until informative publication, and the devotees and he went to America on May 31 of 1893) criss-crossed admirers of Swami Vivekananda will remain the entire country, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, indebted to the author of the book for her extensive to feel the pulse of real India. and painstaking research, for the clear presentation Though the main events during this period and for bringing about opinions and views of have already been documented, many important various thinkers on some relevant issues during information remains unknown; the reason is the wanderings of Swami Vivekananda throughout obvious, he had not yet become well known. The India. One can unquestionably feel that this is a book under review attempts to fill in the gaps in the labour of love. This makes this book all the more period of his wanderings in India as an itinerant pleasurable and inspiring to read. monk. This chronology is a day-by-day record of the The printing and getup of the book is life of Swami Vivekananda—his activities, as well excellent. as the people he met—from July 1890 to May 1893. ______CHETANA MANDAVIA, JUNAGADH Text in chronological order is the main stay of the book. A precise tabulated scheme has been The Ramayana of Valmiki adopted to give a clear picture of Swamiji’s day to An Apprisal day activity. The table contains columns comprising day, date, month, year, and the state where Swamiji by Swami Harshananda. stayed as also the details of the particular event/ Published by Sri Rama- Swamiji’s activity on that particular day. Reference krishna Math, Mylapore, of the event from where the information is culled is Chennai - 600 004. Email: also given which could give detailed information to mailchennaimath.org interested readers. 2016, paperback, pp.86, ‘Explanatory notes’ constitute a separate Rs.30 chapter, given year-wise from 1890 to 1893. These The booklet under notes attempt to clear the arguable points and to review, authored by the arrive at a safe conclusion regarding a particular scholarly senior monk of event/issue in Swamiji’s itinerant life. The author the Ramakrishna Order and addressed gives all the available references on the debatable mainly to the large community of Sri Rama’s points, the most probable ones from them are devotees, is a model of conciseness, clarity and selected and finally the author gives her inference. comprehensiveness in its narrative of Valmiki This chapter eloquently speaks of the painstaking Ramayana, the massive epic. The book’s treatment research done by the author and makes the book a of its subject comprises four parts—1.Prologue comprehensive compendium. consisting of historicity, date of composition etc. 2. Reading the book, we get a clear picture of Story in Brief 3. The Characters of the Ramayana Swamiji—where did he stay, what he discussed, and 4. Epilogue dealing with certain allied topics. what he preached and the languages he learnt. To minds unfamiliar with the Ramayana He associated with many scholars, artists, social and to youngsters with a fear of any voluminous leaders, political figures, Maharajas and many text, this booklet, sporting a colourful picture of Sri others from all walks of life during this period. He Rama Pattaabhisheka on its glossy front cover and befriended many people, and found a bunch of giving the story lucidly in a nutshell should serve sincere workers ready to dedicate their lives for his as an appetiser for inducing their hunger for the mission. He won the admiration of kings, felt for the original Epic. The booklet can be rated quite fine suffering people, motivated the youth for a greater and flawless. cause, studied many scriptures, visited many ______N.HARIHARAN, MADURAI

The V edanta K esari ~ 164 ~ APRIL 2016 47 APRIL 2016

The V edanta K esari 47 APRIL 2016

‘Educate your women first and leave them to themselves’ - Swami Vivekananda

For decades Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, has been running the following two schools: 1. Sri Ramakrishna Math National School, at Basin Bridge Road, Mint, Chennai. Swami Ramakrishnananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, started this School in 1906 - now having 370 girls and boys on the roll, from classes 1 to 5. See website: www.rkmns.edu.in 2. Sri Ramakrishna Math Vivekananda Centenary Girls’ Higher Secondary School at Saravana Street, Mint, Chennai-79. Started in 1962, having 900 girl students from classes 6 to 12. See their Website: www.rkmvcs.edu.in Located in underprivileged sections of populace in north Chennai, 85% students in both the schools are from the below poverty line. Striving to serve the poor students with financial and other constraints, the school urgently needs to improve its infra- structure. We appeal to all the good-hearted citizens, funding agencies and philanthropic orgain- sation and especially Corporate Social Responsibility departments of all Business Houses to contribute generously for the noble cause. Cheques / Drafts may kindly be drawn in favour of ‘Sri Ramakrishna Math National School’ or ‘Sri Ram- akrishna Math Vivekananda Centenary Girls’ Higher Secondary School’ and sent to our address. Please mention your full name, postal address, contact numbers and mail ID along with PAN. Contributions of above 20,000/- rupees will be added to our Endowment Fund. All donations, however small, will be thankfully received Sri Ramakrishna Math National School and acknowledged. Sri Ramakrishna Math, No. 31, Ramakrishna Math Road, Mylapore, Chennai-600 004. For more details contact: Swami Vimurtananda, Manager, or Swami Srividyananda, School Secretary - Ph: 044-24621110 e-mail : [email protected] & [email protected]

All donations made to Sri Ramakrishna Math are eligible Yours in the service of the Lord, for tax benefit under section 80-G of Income tax Act. Swami Gautamananda SRKM Vivekananda Centenary Girls’ Hr. Sec. School Adhyaksha

You may also send your contribution by NEFT/RTGS transfer directly and intimate us along with PAN details through email. The following are the details for bank transfer: Sri Ramakrishna Math National School Bank and Branch: SBBJ (State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur), Mylapore Br. Chennai-600004. Account No. : 61003734105 IFSC : SBBJ0010419 SRKM Vivekananda Centenary Girls' Higher Secondary School Bank and Branch : CB. Canara Bank, Mandaveli Br., Chennai - 600028. Account No. : 8636101036893 IFSC : CNRB0000937 The V edanta K esari 48 APRIL 2016

Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama (A branch centre of Ramakrishna Math & Mission, Belur Math. Howrah, W.B. – 711 202) Swami Vivekananda Path, P.O. Bela, Muzaffarpur–843 116, Ph.: 0621-2272127, 2272963 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.rkmmuzaffarpur.org Appeal for Vivekananda Netralaya (Eye, ENT, Dental Clinic cum Diagnostic Centre)

Present Oldest Eye Infirmary in North Bihar established in 1947, Infrastructure: General dispensary, Dental, Homeopathy, X-Ray, Pathology Service Total OPD – 74,632, Cataract Operation : Full Free – 2,470, Part Free – 1,400, Rendered Patho Test – 2,684, Preventive Health Care for 5,000 School Students, Computer (2014-15) : Awareness & Tailoring Training, Value Added Competition for 5,000 Students, Disaster Management, Non-Formal Education and Coaching to 450 Children Our Vision: A new Medical Building with Specialty Eye, ENT and Dental care, Various OPD Sections, Well equipped Clinical Lab., R & D, Modern Diagnostic Unit, Para medical Training. Funds Rs.35 Lakh for remaining work of Recovery Unit, Required: Rs.65 Lakh for remaining work of Gr Fl. and1st Fl. of Vivekananda Netralaya Rs.85 Lakh for construction of Doctors / Staff Qtrs., Rs.75 Lakh for Equipments:, Rs.15 Lakh for Maintenance, Rs.15 Lakh for Educational Programmes, Puja and Celebration Rs.1 Crore for Permanent Fund (corpus) Dear Devotees and Friends, We appeal to you to contribute towards up-coming Vivekananda Netralaya project (Eye, ENT, Dental Clinic cum Diagnostic Centre) which we took up in 2011 and has made remarkable progress with your help. Muzaffarpur in north Bihar where health infrastructure is very poor, our Sevashrama needs to have a better set up for continuing its medical services. Your contribution will be a real worship to Sri Ramakrishna who lived his life for spiritual growth of devotees and aspirants. I fervently hope by this conjoint act of service we shall be nearer to the ideals of Atmano Mokshartham Jagat Hitaya Cha (For liberation of the self and good of the world). It will also serve the purpose of perpetuating memories and sentiments of your near and dear ones. Kindly send your contribution by Cheque/DD or by NEFT/ RTGS to A/c No. 10877071752 IFS Code: SBIN0006016 (Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama, Muzaffarpur) Donations to Sevashrama are exempted from Income Tax u/s 80G of IT Act 1961. Details of the Project may be had from our office. With Prayers to Holy Trinity for you and all yours, Swami Bhavatmananda Secretary The V edanta K esari 49 APRIL 2016

Invitation to Serve and Heal the Poor Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama situated in Calicut district of Kerala has been running a Charitable Dispensary since 1967 treating many poor patients. The dispensary is well-equipped with a good laboratory, an Ultrasound Scanning facility, a Computed X-Ray Radiography, Physiotherapy, a Pharmacy and a full- fledged dental unit with paramedics and visiting doctors. Recently we have added well-furnished 2 bed room family quarters with spacious hall cum dining and a kitchen facility for the accommodation of resident doctors. Ramakrishna Mission Calicut invites doctors who are conversant with the use of Ultrasound, X-Ray, laboratory and other facilities to work at our charitable dispensary for 6 days a week. Honorarium with food, accommodation and vehicle facility within the city limits will be provided for the resident doctors. The doctors willing to lend a helping hand in this noble cause may kindly contact the Secretary, Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama Calicut, by email [email protected] or by phone 08281929280.

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New Release Spirituality Today An overview of Contemporary trends in Spiritual Living and Essentials of Spirituality

What is spirituality? As in case of other fields of life, there are authentic and not-so-authentic examples and thoughts about spirituality too. Much needs to be clarified and understood about the true nature of spiritual life, its practices and obstacles. Swami Vivekananda called spirituality as the ‘science of spirit’. This book discusses and illustrates the truth about spiritual living through writings by eminent monks and others.

Paperback, Pages 487 + vii, Price: Rs.130/- Postage: Rs.30/-for single copy. No request for VPP entertained Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004 Email : [email protected]

Digitised Archives of the Vedanta Kesari (1914 to 2014) DVD containing the archives of 101 years of the Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Kesari has been effectively disseminating Indian Ethos and Values, with uninterrupted publication for 101 years. This entire collection of archival articles (1914-2014) by scholars and thinkers, savants and admirers, monks and practitioners of Vedanta is now available in one DVD. With search facility indexed author-wise, title-wise, year-wise and by keywords, plus other features, this veritable encyclopedia of Vedanta is now available to you at the click of a button! Price: Rs.300/-Packing and Posting charges: Rs.60/- (within India) For ordering your copy, draw your DD in favour of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai and send to: The Manager, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai – 600004. You can also order Online. Email : [email protected] Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004 The V edanta K esari 51 APRIL 2016 The Vedanta Kesari

Some of the recent Annual Issues of The Vedanta Kesari now available in book form: (2002) How to Organise Life : Rs.45/- (2004) Sri Ramakrishna in Todays Violent World : Rs.45/- (2005) Channelling Youth Power : Rs.45/- (2006) No One is a Stranger : Rs.45/- (2007) Upanishads in Daily Life : Rs.70/- (2008) Gita for Everyday Living : Rs.70/- (2009) How to Shape the Personality : Rs.70/- (2010) Facets of Freedom : Rs.60/- (2011) Joy of Spirituality : Rs.80/- (2012) Indian Culture : Rs.275/- (2013) Swami Vivekananda— The Charm of His Personality and Message : Rs.110/-

Published by Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai - 600 004 Plus postage Rs.30/- for single copy. No request for VPP accepted E-mail: [email protected] The V edanta K esari 52 APRIL 2016 The V edanta K esari 53 APRIL 2016

NAVAJEEVAN BLIND RELIEF CENTRE (FREE HOME FOR THE BLIND, ORPHAN AND AGED) TIRUCHANOOR, TIRUPATI–517503. Ph : 0877-2239992, 9908537528 [Mob.] E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.navajeevan.org An Appeal 37 Years of Service to Humanity 1979–2015

1. Navajeevan School & Hostel for Blind – Tirupati, Parlekhimundi, Golamunda Children 2. Navajeevan Free Eye Hospital – Tirupati 3. Navajeevan Free Home for Aged – Tirupati, Rishikesh, Parlekhimundi and Chennai 4. Navajeevan Dumb & Deaf Home - Patapatnam 5. Navajeevan Sharanagati Vridhashram – Tirupati 6. Navajeevan Rural Medical Centres - Berhampur [Orissa] 7. Navajeevan Eye Care Centres - Serango & Kalahandi [Orissa] 8. Navajeevan Orphanage Children Homes – Tirupati, Parlehkimundi, Saluru, Golamunda, Berhampur, Pandukal, Vizag & Araku, Dundelmal 9. Navajeevan Atharvana Veda Pathasala - Tirupati A Humble Request for Donation 1. Sponsor one day Annadan to Blind Children and aged – Rs. 5000/- 2. Sponsor 5 IOL Cataract Eye Operations – Rs. 7000/- 3. Sponsor one blind child or Orphan child for one year – Rs. 6000/- 4. Sponsor one poor aged person for one year – Rs. 5000/- 5. Sponsor one free eye camp at Rural/Tribal area – Rs. 50000/- 6. Vidyadan—Educational aid for one Child – Rs. 2000/- Donor devotees can send their contributions by cheque/DD/MO to the above address on the occasion of birthday, wedding day or any other special occasion and receive prasadam of Lord Balaji Venkateswara of Tirupati as blessings. Contributions to NAVAJEEVAN BLIND RELIEF CENTRE, Tirupati are eligible for Tax Relief U/S 80G of Income Tax Act. Our Bank details for online transfer : Bank Name : Indian Bank , Gandhi Road Branch, Tirupati SB A/c No: 463789382, Account Holder : Navajeevan Blind Relief Centre, Branch Code: T036, IFSC code: IDIB000T036, ‘We can attain salvation through social work’ – Swami Vivekananda K. Sridhar Acharya Founder/ President The V edanta K esari 54 APRIL 2016 Regd. Off. & Fact. : Plot No.88 & 89, Phase - II, Sipcot Industrial Complex, Ranipet - 632 403, Tamil Nadu. 55 Phone : 04172 - 244820, 651507, Tele Fax : 04172 - 244820 E-mail : [email protected] Web Site : www.svisslabss.net PRIVATE LIMITED (Manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients and Intermediates) With Best Compliments From: God is our very own. We should say to Him: ‘O God, what is Your nature? Reveal Yourself to me. You must Shrine, show Yourself to me; for Ramakrishna why else have You created Math, Contai, me?’ West Bengal —Sri Ramakrishna

The V edanta K esari ~ 55 ~ APRIL 2016 56

Vol.103-4 The Vedanta Kesari (English Monthly) April 2016. Regd. with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No.1084 / 1957. POSTAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:TN / CH (C) / 190 / 15-17. LICENSED TO POST WITHOUT PREPAYMENT TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-259 / 2015-2017. Date of Publication: 24th of every month

Teach yourselves, teach everyone his/her real nature, call upon the sleeping soul and see how it awakes. Power will come, glory will come, goodness will come, purity will come, and everything that is excellent will come, when this sleeping soul is roused to self-con- scious activity. —Swami Vivekananda

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Contact:The Sri RamakrishnaV edanta K esari Math, ~Chennai. 56 ~ APRIL Website: 2016 www.chennaimath.org