Issue 41

October 2017

ReachReach Newsletter of the Centres of Australia IN THIS ISSUE SAYINGS AND TEACHINGS 1. News from Australian Centres  Adelaide Sri : On Curbing Passions and Propensities  Brisbane He is a true man who is dead even in this life—that is, whose  Canberra passions and propensities have been curbed to extinction as in a  Melbourne dead body.  Perth  Sydney Source: Great Sayings: Words of Sri Ramakrishna, and ; 2. Feature Articles (: The Institute of Culture, 2013), 4.  Sri Sarada Devi—In Undying Union Sri Sarada Devi: On Self Effort and Divine Grace B. Direct Disciples—Swami The mind is rendered pure as the result of many austerities. God who is purity itself cannot be attained without austerities. What else does one obtain by the realization of God? Does he grow two Obituary horns? No, his mind becomes pure, and through a pure mind one We are sorry to record the passing attains knowledge and spiritual awakening. away of Sri Tapesh Gangopadhyaya Source: Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi, The Holy Mother (Madras: Sri Ramakrishna on 3 September 2017. Sri Tapesh was Math, 1982), 54 the main pillar of the Vedanta work in Melbourne and right hand man of

Swami Damodharananda He had the Swami Vivekananda: On Faith honour of hosting many senior Swa- mis like Swamis and Faith, faith, faith in ourselves, faith, faith in God – this is the secret . He was the Presi- of greatness. If you have faith in all the three hundred and thirty dent of the Melbourne Chapter of the millions of your mythological Gods, and in all the gods which Vedanta Centre of Sydney until it foreigners have now and again introduced into your midst, and still was handed over to the representa- have no faith in yourselves, there is no salvation for you. Have faith tive of the . It was in yourselves, and stand up on that faith and be strong; that is what at his home in the 1970s that devo- we need. tees would gather to meet and dis- cuss about Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Source: Teachings of Swami Vivekananda (Kolkata: , 2006), 65. Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekan- anda. May his soul rest in peace.

e welcome you all to the Vedanta Movement in Australia, as epitomized in the lives of Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekananda, and invite you to involve yourselves and actively participate in the propa-

W gation of the Universal Message of Vedanta. Reach 1. NEWS FROM AUSTRALIAN CENTRES — JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2017

ADELAIDE Other Activities:  A cultural program marking the 1st Anniver- 506 Glynburn Road, Burnside, SA 5066 sary of the Centre was held at the Goodwood Email: [email protected] Institute Hall, 166 Goodwood Road, Good- Contact: Dr Raman Sharma on (08) 8431 9775 wood, SA, on Friday, 14 July 2017. The pro- Mrs Pathma Iswaran on (08) 8379 5336 gramme was attended by over 200 people. Mr URL: http://vedantaadelaide.org David Parkin, Mayor of the City of Burnside was also present. The programme included Daily Activities: classical vocal, instrumental, and Bharatanat-  The Centre is open every evening from 6:45pm yam, Kathak, Odissi and Mohini-atam folk for aratrikam starting at 7:00pm which is un- dances by the local artists. dertaken by the local devotees.  Swami Supriyananda, Head of the Rama- krishna Mission, Malaysia and Swami Ma- habodhananda of the Vedanta Centre of Syd- Regular Activities: ney visited Adelaide from 7-9 September 2017.  Swami Sridharananda visited the Centre and Swami Supriyananda delivered a talk on 8 delivered discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad September 2017 on, ‚Swami - Gitā for three days in July, August and Sep- Synonym for Simplicity‛, as this year marks tember. A dedicated group of devotees at- the 150th Birth Anniversary of Swami tended his talks. Subodhananda.  Reading of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, in- cluding discussion on relevant points, was held on the first and third Sunday of the month.  Some devotees have been providing commu- nity based support for meeting the educational needs of children from under-privileged back- grounds on a weekly basis at the Centre.

Swami Supriyananda

BRISBANE

12 Greenwood Street, Springfield Lakes, QLD 4300

Email: [email protected] Contact: Swami Atmeshananda (07) 3818 9986 URL: http://vedantabrisbane.org

Daily Activities:  Meditation and the chanting of hymns were conducted between 6:15 am and 7:15 am on all days except on Sundays when it is held from 8 First Annual Day of the Vedanta Centre of Adelaide am. to 8:30 am.

Page 2 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and readings  The ‘Turning of the Sod’ ceremony to start the from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were held construction of a multipurpose building at 96 between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm. Vedanta Drive, Springfield Lakes, was con-  Members were encouraged to visit the Centre ducted on Wednesday, 16 August 2017. The and discuss topics concerning spiritual life. building will house a monastery, a shrine and meditation hall, a basement hall for events, a commercial kitchen, office, library, meeting Regular Activities: room and guest accommodation. Swami Srida-  Sunday mornings:- a) Yoga class (8:30am—9:45 rananda, Councillor Paul Tully, Acting Mayor am). b) Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā Class (10:00 am— of Ipswich; Councillor Cheryl Bromage, Acting 11:00 am). (c) Bala Sangha or children’s classes Deputy Mayor of Ipswich; Hon. Jim Madden, (10:00 am—11:00 am during school term ). MP, Hon Steve Minnikin, MP, Archana Singh,  A discussion group met on the first Monday of Indian Consul in Brisbane, Dr. Mahalingam the month at Sunnybank Hills (7:00 pm — 8:30 Sinnathamby, Chairman Springfield Land Cor- pm). poration and other dignitaries were present. A  Sanskrit classes were held every Tuesday (6:00 large number of devotees and members of the pm — 7:00 pm). public were present on the occasion. The  Religious classes were held every Wednesday building is expected to be completed in 12 at West End Primary School for children (3:00 months time. pm — 4:00 pm).  Classes on Meditation and Spiritual Life (7:00 pm — 8:00 pm at 134 Fleming Rd, Chapel Hill, QLD 4069) and the (7:15 pm — 8:15 pm) were held on alternate Fridays.  Chanting of the Sri Ramanama Sankirtanam was held fortnightly at the Centre on days (7:30 pm — 8:15 pm).  Prayer meeting (satsangs) were held on the first Saturday of every month.  Devotees took turns in decorating and wor- shipping Sri Ramakrishna's image every week (L to R) Archana Singh, Swami Sridharananda, Swami at the Sri Selva Vinayakar temple, South Mac- Atmeshananda, Cr. Paul Tully and Dr Mahalingam lean, QLD. Sinnathamby  Swami Atmeshananda conducted Vivekachuda- mani classes at Toowoomba on the  Swami Atmeshananda was invited to partici- first Thursday of every month. pate in the Indian Independence Day celebra-  Yoga, meditation and a bush walk was held on tions on 19 August 2017 at the Roma Street the third weekend of every month at the Ve- Parklands, Brisbane. danta Precinct, Vedanta Drive, Springfield  The Queensland Transcultural Mental Health, Lakes. invited Swami Atmeshananda and committee members to discuss ways and means to im- Other Activities: prove the mental health of the Indian Commu-  Swami Atmeshananda, accompanied by oth- nity in Brisbane. The meeting was held on 23 ers, participated in a meeting organized by August 2017. Wesley Mission at the Indooroopilly library on  Swami Supriyananda, President, Ramakrishna 29 July 2017. Wesley Mission offered to pro- Mission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, visited Bris- vide resources to the Vedanta Centre to organ- bane from 28 August to 3 September 2017. ize regular activities, workshops and talks on Apart from visiting various places of interest mental health. in and around Brisbane, he participated in a

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 3 Reach

discussion class on ‘Meditation and Spiritual CANBERRA Life’ on 1 September. The Swami left for Mel- bourne on 3 September. 17 Bean Crescent, Mckellar, ACT 2617 Email: [email protected] Celebrations Contact: Mr Jaishankar Venkataraman 6258 7612 / 0433 593 860  Guru was celebrated on 9 July 2017 with worship, devotional songs and a talk on the qualifications of the Guru and Disciple by Regular Activities: Swami Atmeshananda. The programme con-  Swami Sridharananda conducted monthly cluded with the distribution of prasad. classes on the Srimad-Bhagavad-Gitā at the Bel- connen Community Centre, 2 Chandler Street, Belconnen, Canberra. Gita talks are now held regularly on the last Sunday of every month, and the next talk has been scheduled for 24 September 2017.  The Annual General Meeting for the Canberra chapter was held on 27 August 2017 after the Gita class.

MELBOURNE 5-7 Angus Ave, Ringwood East, VIC 3135 Celebrations Email: [email protected] Contact: Mr Suresh Ravinutala 0413 040 599  Sri Krishna Janmashtami worship was con-

ducted on Monday, 14 August 2017, at the Ashrama. Formal worship, reading from the Daily Activities: Srimad Bhagavatam, devotional singing and dis-  Vesper service (aratrikam) and reading from tribution of prasad were the components of this The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were conducted celebration. between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  On 25 August 2017, Ganesha was celebrated at the Ashrama with worship, sing- Regular Activities: ing of devotional songs and distribution of  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver prasad. monthly discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad- Forthcoming Programmes: Gitā at the Centre from the Thursday to the  A mental health workshop for the benefit of Saturday of a prescheduled week. The Thurs- parents and carers will be organized on 2 Sep- day and Friday sessions were held from 7:45 tember at the Kenmore Library, Kenmore. pm to 9 pm and the Saturdays sessions were  Sri Durga saptashati (Sri Sri Chandi) will be re- held from 10 am to 11 am. cited at the Centre from 20 to 29 September in the mornings from 5:30 am to 8:00 am. It will Celebrations: be broadcast live on Face-  To mark the holy occasion of Janmashtami book@brisbanevedanta. Singing of the Mahisha (Lord Sri Krishna’s birthday), a satsanga Mardini Stotram will take place on these days (Prayer meeting) was held on Sunday 13 Au- in the evenings from 7 pm after vesper service. gust 2017 at 10.30 am at the Centre. The pro-  Durga puja will be held on 28 Septem- gram included chanting, bhajans , flower offer- ber 2017 at the Oxley Senior Citizens’ club, Ox- ings and readings. ley.

Page 4 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach Other Activities: ducted between 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  We were happy to host Swami Supriyananda President, Ramakrishna Mission, Kaula Lum- Regular Activities: pur, Malaysia. A special program was held on  Satsangas were conducted on the first Sunday 3 September 2017 at 6pm to meet and greet of every month. The programme included Swami Supriyananda. On this occasion, Swami chanting, Gita dhyanam, bhajans, readings and Supriyananada addressed the gathering and prasad distribution. gave a highly motivational talk on 'Practical  Swami Sridharananda continued to deliver Spiritual Tips for Householders'. monthly discourses on the Srimad-Bhagavad- Gitā.

Other Activities:  A working bee session was held once every month.  The Vedanta Multipurpose hall is used about 5 days a week by Prana Yoga which is led by an acclaimed yoga teacher who is a member of Yoga Australia. Swami Supriyananda and Swami Mahabodhananda  A satsanga and prayer meeting was held on 2 July 2017 in observance of the passing away of  The Centre held its first spiritual retreat for Swami . this year on the 9 September 2017 from 9am till  Swami Supriyananda, President, Ramakrishna 4pm. The topic discussed was ‘Living a Life Mission, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, delivered a with God’. Swami Sridharananda and Swami talk on ‚Swami Subodhananda—Synonym for Sunisthanananda conducted the retreat, and it Simplicity" on Sunday, 10 September 2017. The was well received by the participants. satsanga was followed by a few bhajans, aratri-  Swami Sunisthananandaji gave a talk on kam and prasad distribution. Around 25 peo- 'Significance of Durga Puja' on 10 September ple attended the talk. 2017 from 11am to 12 noon.  At a gathering of all the members, devotees Celebrations: and friends held on 10 September 2017, Swami  Guru purnima was celebrated on Saturday, 8 Sridharananda formally announced that July 2017 from10:00 am. Swami Sridharananda Swami Sunisthanananda will soon take over delivered a talk on "The Essence of a Guru". charge of the Melbourne centre as its resident Nearly 40 people attended the event monk. This was heartily welcomed by all pre- sent and all assured Swami Sunisthanananda SYDNEY of their help and support. 2 Stewart Street, Ermington, NSW 2115

PERTH 144A Marsden Road, Ermington, NSW 2115 (Entry)

51 Golf View Street, Yokine, WA 6060 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Contact: 02 8197 7351 Contact: Hiren Mukhopadyay 0411 478 244 URL: www.vedantaaustralia.org Parthiv Parekh 0430 511 699 Daily Activities:  The shrine was open from 6:30 am to 1:00 pm Daily Activities: and 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm seven days a week.  Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, reading  Meditation from 6:30 am to 7:30 am and chant- from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna are con- ing from 7:30 am to 8:00 am.

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 5 Reach

 Vesper service (aratrikam), bhajans, and read- recitation of Swami Vivekananda’s Chicago ings from The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna were address by Rishab Mukherjee, veena recital by conducted from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The times Suchitha Rao, bhajans by Uma Srinivasan and change on special occasions. a talk by Swami Mahabodhananda. There were around 220 people who attended and had prasad. Regular Activities:  Sri Krishna Janmashtami was held on 14 August  Swami Sridharananda conducted his chapter- 2017. The programme included aratrikam, wise study of the Srimad-Bhagavad Gitā on Sun- chanting of shyam nama, and the depiction of days between 9:30 am and 10:30 am. some incidents of Sri Krishna’s life. There were  A Class for Ladies was held every Monday be- 180 people who partook of prasad. tween 10.30 am and 12.30 pm. Swami Sun-

ishthananda initiated discussion on Meditation and Spiritual Life and the Yoga Sutras of Patan- Other Activities jali.  There was a special worship of Sri  Bala sangha classes which include moral and Ramakrishna on 2 July 2016 in honour of spiritual lessons, drama and movement were Swami Atmasthanandaji, the 15th President of conducted for children every Saturday be- the and Ramakrishna tween 4:45 pm and 6:45 pm during the school Mission. A total of 130 people attended the term. function which included the distribution of prasad.  Meditation sessions were conducted by Swami  Francis X. Clooney, S.J, Parkman Professor of Sunishthananda on Sundays between 5:00 pm Divinity and Professor of Comparative and 5:30 pm. Classes on Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras Theology, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard were conducted between 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm. University, gave a talk at the Vedanta Centre  Parlour talks were conducted by Swami Srid- of Sydney on 28 July 2017. In his talk Professor harananda at 1/98 Condamine Street, Balgow- Clooney extracted the deeper meanings and lah, NSW 2093, near Manly Beach on Tuesdays significance from the parables of Jesus Christ between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm. and Sri Ramakrishna. Around 90 people  Classes on the Vivekachudāmani were con- attended. ducted by Swami Sunishthananda every  The second spiritual retreat for the year was Wednesday between 7:30 pm and 8:30 pm. held at the VCS on 29 July 2017. The topic of  Classes on the Bhāgavata were conducted by the retreat was ‘Living a Life with God’, which Swami Sunishthananda every Friday between was discussed by Swami Sridharananda, 7.30 pm and 8.30 pm. Swami Sunishthananda and Swami  Sri Rāmanāma Sankirtanam was conducted on Mahabodhananda. The group discussions ekadashi days after the vesper service. focused on the challenges that people face in  Sanatan Satsang Sabha sang Ram Katha, once different life situations. The group leaders also every month. made short presentations on their respective  Devotees also received spiritual counselling topics. and guidance.  Swami Supriyananda, Secretary, Ramakrishna  ‘Yoga for Everybody’ was conducted by quali- Mission, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia, delivered a fied Yoga Teachers on Tuesdays and Satur- lecture on ‘Swami Subodhananda - Synonym days. for Simplicity’ on 25 August 2017.  Broadband for Seniors, under the auspices of Forthcoming Programme: Adult Learning Australia, was conducted with  Sri Sarada Devi’s tithipuja (birth anniversary) training and advice to those who sought help. on 9 December 2017. Celebrations:  Christmas eve on 24 December 2017.  Guru Purnima was observed on 9 July 2016.  Swami Vivekananda’s tithipuja (birth anniver- The programme included special worship, sary) on 8 January 2018.

Page 6 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach 2. FEATURE ARTICLES A. Sri Sarada Devi: In Undying Union

t was fast becoming clear from the steady deterioration in the health of Sri Ramakrishna that after entrust- ing the task of spiritual regeneration to the worthy hands of the Holy Mother and the chosen disciples, he was fast approaching the day of final departure. But the Mother could not accept this as inevitable. She had experienced the grace of Simhavahini in her own life, had seen the economic conditions of her father’s family Iimprove through the favour of Jagaddhatri, and had received signs of the Lord’s mercy in many ways and many a time in the days of stress and strain. After long deliberation, the Mother decided to go to Tarakeshwar and lie there fasting day and night at the temple of Siva who is known as the fulfiller of all wishes; for once, at least, she must stay and see if the inexorable Divine law had not an exception, if Providence could not be moved by the piteous wail of a creature in distress.

Experiences at Cossipore Five years earlier Sri Rama- krishna had indicated the omens that would precede his passing way – he would accept food indiscriminately from any one, would spend the night in Calcutta, and would eat food a part of which he had been given to somebody earlier – which had all come true even before he left . On his re- turn to Dakshineswar after spending the night at Balaram Babu’s house during the car fes- tival (ratha-yātrā) of 1885, he told her of another sign, ‘When you find many people accepting, honouring and adoring this (pointing to himself) as the De- ity, you will know that the time of disappearance is near at hand.’ That portent too, the Mother might have taken as having been already fulfilled; Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother, (1853-1920) for there were quite a number of devout souls who looked upon But to their dismay they learned Mother?’ The Holy Mother and the Master as God incarnate. that he had gone to Calcutta for others became upset at the news And while at Cossipore, she got treatment; so they offered the of this offering to a picture of Sri a concrete illustration too. sweets to Sri Ramakrishna’s pic- Ramakrishna while the Master ture and the took the prasāda. was in flesh and blood; for such When the news reached Sri adoration of a living person au- A few devotees went with some Ramakrishna, he said, ‘Why did gured ill for him. But Sri Rama- sweets one day to meet Sri they make the offering to the krishna removed their conster- Ramakrishna at Dakshineswar. picture instead of to the nation by emphatically assert-

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 7 Reach ing, ‘Don’t you be worried, my martyrdom; otherwise why from her resolve and returned dear! I shall be worshipped in should such a sinless body disappointed to Cossipore. The every house hereafter; I say this have undergone such torture? Master knew all this, and in upon oath, so help me God.’ good humour he said, ‘How Therefore it became clear that now, my dear? Did you get any- not only was destiny against her every heart an incomprehensi- thing? Nothing at all!’ but that Sri Ramakrishna was ble vacuum. The Mother got up also determined to bid adieu. from her bed and somehow felt From that point of view, in fact, her way to the basin behind the The Master’s Explanation to there was nothing to cheer her. Holy Mother about his Con- And yet hope lingers though dition belief passes away; and nobody The time of the Master’s passing can keep silent without calling away was fast approaching – to on God who is the only source prevent it was beyond human of solace amid blank despair. capacity. Mother had a premo- nition of this in various ways. Visit to Tarakeshwar She said, ‘The Master too saw in a dream an elephant going out The Mother went to Ta- to get medicine. Just as the ele- rakeshwar; the Master did not phant began digging the earth object. It is not known who were for the medicine, Gopal came her companions. Perhaps Lak- and woke him up. He asked me, shmi Devi and her maid– ‚Do you have any dream?‛ I servant accompanied her but saw Mother with her neck she lay down there for two days Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) turned aside, and asked Her, without food and water – but ‚Mother, why are you in this there was no sign of Siva’s bless- posture?‛ Mother Kali replied, temple where the holy water ing. On the second night, the ‚Because of that thing there offered to Siva had accumu- Mother continued there as be- (pointing to the Master’s sore in lated, and taking up a little of it fore, craving the Lord’s mercy, the throat) I too have it.‛ ’The in her hand she quenched her when she heard a crackling Mother at once realized that if thirst. Then she felt relieved. sound much resembling the Mother Kali could not or would Thus foiled in her attempt to sound of some earthen jars piled not cure the Master in spite of save the Master, she left next up together being broken with a her suffering equally with him, day for Cossipore. The finite hu- stick. That woke her up, and the then what could mere human man mind sometimes shoots thought took possession of her beings do? Moreover, the Mas- upward through some divine mind, ‘Who is a husband in the ter also gave an explanation of inspiration to lose itself in the world and of whom? Who is his disease, which was calcu- infinitude of the cosmic mind related to whom here? For lated to raise the Mother’s mind getting thereby a new and all whom am I sacrificing my life above worldly considerations to encompassing outlook, as a re- here?’ It was as though a distant a level of universal compassion. sult of which the old worldly rumbling of the horn of Rudra, He said, ‘I am being subjected to ties look ephemeral and mean- the great Destroyer, was usher- all the sufferings that there can ingless and are, therefore, auto- ing in the dissolution of the be; none of you need have it matically discarded. This im- world, rending asunder all again. I have suffered for all in mersion of the microcosm into earthly ties, and creating in the world.’ It became quite evi- the macrocosm is referred to as dent to the Mother that that was It became quite evident to the renunciation. Through the influ- the real explanation of the Mas- Mother that that was the real ence of that overpowering self – ter’s martyrdom; otherwise why explanation of the Master’s abnegation the Mother deflected should such a sinless body have

Page 8 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach undergone such torture? here you are? Look here, it into pieces in the process of be- seems I am going somewhere – ing lifted up.

all through water to a far – off

The month of August (1886) was place.’ The Mother began weep- well advanced. Through words ing. But the Master continued, Sri Ramakrishna Immersed and deeds the Master went on ‘You need have no anxiety; you in Samādhi dropping hints that the day of will be just as you have been so Then came the midnight of the final departure was at hand. But long; and they (meaning Naren- 15th August; and midnight human hearts recoil from con- dra and others) will look after passed into the small hours of templating the poignant. Hence you and do for you as much as the 16th. It was two minutes past the devotees refused to believe they have done for me. Do have one o’ clock. That garden house their eyes and ears; and the an eye on dear Lakshmi.’ Lord too lifted the veil of that dotted with shrubs and trees, on mortifying future momentarily the outskirts of the city, was and then covered up the devo- The sub–conscious of the steeped in absolute silence; only tee’s minds in a shroud of mys- Mother had been fluttering with the devotees sitting by the bed tery. One day the Master sent trepidation at the black shadows of Sri Ramakrishna kept a help- for the Mother through Shashi of the imminent calamity pass- less vigil as they found him im- (Swami ), ing over it. Everything around mersed in Samādhi, which remarking that she was intelli- her seemed to be out of hinges lengthened into hours till there gent and would, therefore, un- and full of evil portent. She had was no possibility of a reawak- derstand his condition. On her been cooking some kichudi for ening. The physician came to arrival, he said, ‘Look here, my her sons engaged in the Mas- announce that all hope had been dear, I don’t know why ter’s service; the bottom portion shattered. Next day the holy thoughts of Brahman are ever of it got burned. She served the body was consigned to a sacred stirring my mind.’ What answer upper portion to the boys and fire at the cremation ground on could the Mother make? The ate the lower portion herself. the Ganges at Cossipore; and sight of that frail, emaciated She had spread a piece of cloth when all was over, the ashes body was too heartbreaking for were gathered in a copper vessel her; hence she uttered a few which was carried to the garden consoling words and then house and placed on the Mas- turned her face round to wipe ter’s bed. off her tears. How helpless she felt. It was impossible to hold In the evening the Mother sat to back the Master’s mind in its remove her ornaments one by headlong rush to the quietude one; and when at last she was of Brahman. about to take off her gold brace- lets, the Master suddenly ap- On the day of passing way, the peared in his body just as it was Master sat on his bed leaning before he had the disease, and against the pillows. It was a sick taking hold of her hand said, – bed, and the light of hope had ‘Have I died that you are re- been extinguished; and so all moving the signs of a married around there was a dark pall of woman from your wrists?’ She sadness. All thought that the then desisted from doing so. power of speech had left him; Balaram Babu had brought a on the roof for drying; it was not but when the Mother and Lak- white piece of cloth without any to be found. There was an shmi Devi came, he said, ‘So coloured border, to be worn by earthen goblet; it fell and broke

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 9 Reach her as a sign of widowhood. land to be purchased on the sa- When he gave this to Golap – Ma cred Ganges. Considering, how- to be passed on to the Mother, ever, the great expenditure in- Golap – Ma said with a start, ‘By volved and for other reasons, the Jove! Who is going to hand over householders changed their view to her the white cloth without afterwards. As this new decision coloured borders?’ Later, when did not appeal to the young she went to the Mother, she devotees, they removed more found she had torn a portion of than half of the ashes and the the broad border of her own pieces of bone to a separate ves- cloth to make it very thin. From sel, which was then sent to the that day she wore clothes with house of Balaram Babu. Then thin red borders and not the ab- they heartily cooperated in inter- solutely white ones. For, there is ring the first copper jar at really no end to the everlasting Kankurgachhi on the 23rd Au- play of the Master; and there is gust, which was the holy birth- And they, therefore, planned to really no separation of the day of Sri Krishna. send her on a pilgrimage to Mother from him. places which had been sanctified

by the Lord in his previous incar-

The Holy Mother, who heard nations and on which He had On the third day, food was of- much of this controversy, took no impressed His indelible marks, fered before the reliquary. Now, sides in it because of her extreme so that by coming face to face the older devotees decided that mood of indifference consequent with these indubitable signs of after the Master had shuffled off on the stunning blow; and she the Lord’s undying presence she his mortal coil, there was no said to Golap–Ma, ‘Look at this might forget the pangs of separa- meaning in retaining the garden bickering, Golap; that precious tion and by being away from the house. But the young devotees person, worth his weight in gold, places so fresh with the Master’s like Narendra wanted to con- is gone, and they are quarrelling memory, she might somewhat tinue the lease for sometime about his ashes.’ Soon she be- recover from that agonizing grief. more, so as to allow sufficient came ready to leave Cossipore. Accordingly, she started for Vrin- time to the Mother to get over the At the invitation of the great daban, on the 30th of August, shock and to have a place for devotee Balaram Babu, she went 1886, accompanied by Golap–Ma, keeping the Master’s ashes. But to his house on the afternoon of Lakshmi Devi, Master Maha- as they had no monetary backing the 21st August. It can be well un- shaya’s wife, , they could not stand up before derstood that at the passing away , and the older people. Therefore the of the Master and the thought of Swami . final decision was that the house her helpless condition, she was would be given up on the expiry very much overwhelmed. of the lease, the urn containing Though subsequently she had a Pilgrimage to Vrindaban the ashes would be removed be- direct vision of the Master’s per- On the way they got down at fore then to the Kankurgachhi manent divine body and heard Deoghar to worship Siva and garden of Ram Babu, which the the call ‘Mother’ from the lips of then they proceeded to Banaras, Master had once made holy by a her children, and though this as- where they stayed for some eight visit, and the Holy Mother would suaged her agony a little, yet the or ten days worshipping Siva, go elsewhere. But some of the terrible, physical separation was Goddess Annapurna, and other young devotees did not readily not easy to forget. At every turn, well known deities. The Mother agree to part with the ashes. For and with every thought the climbed the tower of Venimad- both the lay and the monastic Mother was being reminded that hava, from which could be seen devotees had settled at first by the Master was not there just as the city of Banaras. One day, dur- common consent that the copper he used to be. The devotees too ing the evening services at the urn would be interred in a plot of knew of this state of her mind.

Page 10 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach Viswanatha temple, her spiritual fervour was so highly enkindled that unconscious of what she was doing she walked to her dwelling place with unusually heavy steps. Questioned by this she said, ‘The Master had led me by hand from the temple.’ Along with others she visited Swami Bhaskarananda one day. The Swami was naked and he said to them, ‘Mothers, don’t you feel shy, for you are all forms of the Mother of the Universe. About her impression of the swami the Mother said, ‘What a poised, Banki Bihari Temple, Vrindaban great soul. In heat and cold alike he sits uncovered.’ never wore it again, but wor- sion of Krishna enkindled an ir- shipped it along with the picture. resistible desire to see him; but

On arriving at Vrindaban they he himself was nowhere to be Then the Master appeared to were put up at the Kala Babu’s found. them one night and said, grove, belonging to Balaram

‘Well, my dears, why do you Babu’s family, on the Yamuna. So after their arrival at Vrinda- weep so much? It’s just like ban, there welled forth from the walking from this room to It was about the middle of Sep- heart of the Mother, an excruciat- that.’ tember when the rains were over ing moan of agony. Before this and the woods of Vrindaban she had visions of the Master at From Banaras they all reached looked fresh and smiling. The least three or four times. But the Ayodhya, the birthplace of Sri trees had thick green foliage; the lack of an inalienably tangible Ramachandra, where they visited ground was covered with grass; union with him to whose feet all places associated with his divine the air was saturated with the the strings of her heart were tied, disport. On the way to Vrinda- sweet smell of flowers; all around oppressed her mind and aroused ban from Ayodhya, the Mother could be heard the cry of pea- in it the endless question, ‘Where got another vision of the Master, cocks and the lowing of cattle; is he?’ After coming to Vrinda- under peculiar circumstances. On there were deer grazing fear- ban the Mother was ever in tears, her arm was the gold amulet, lessly by the wayside and taking and to these were added the tears which the Master wore in the to flight with raised ears at the of Yogin-Ma who had preceded name of his chosen deity. She sound of human steps; and the her there. When the two met, the was reclining with that arm up- Yamuna, full to the brim, was Mother clasped Yogin-Ma to her permost near the window of the coursing down with a murmur- heart. Having heard everything railway compartment in which ing sound. Vrindaban had still its from others and having the she was travelling. The Master wonted beauty and those associa- mournful Mother before her very peeped in through the window tions of old – the Nikunja grove, eyes, Yogin-Ma also began to to say, ‘Mind you that the amulet the dust made wet by Radha’s moan the loss continually. Then is with you; see that it is not lost.’ tears of separation, the fields of the Master appeared to them one She at once took it off and put it Vraja hallowed by the longing night and said, ‘Well, my dears, into the tin box in which was lingering looks of the cowherd why do you weep so much? It’s kept the picture of the Master girls searching for Krishna – all just like walking from this room that she worshipped daily. She these were there, and every- to that.’ where the deep indelible impres-

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 11 Reach Following this vision and assur- deep samādhi. When some food, ban. We came here to lay down ance, the Mother’s flow of tears water and betel were held before our bodies; but we never had so lessened; but the pangs of sepa- her, she took a little just like the much as fever for a day. You can ration were still there, and they Master; she chewed the betel just well calculate how old we have now found expression through a like him, after biting off the coni- grown – we have seen our fa- different channel. In the section cal portion with her teeth. At that thers, and the elder brothers of of the Bhāgavata, called the Gopi- time Swami Yogananda put sev- our husbands.’ gita, we read that when Krishna eral questions to her, to which suddenly disappeared from the she replied in the Master’s man- field of his amorous disport, the ner. In fact, all her gestures and Yogin-Ma and others burst out cowherd lasses, overpowered postures at that time resembled laughing at this and said, ‘What a with grief and forgetful of every- those of the Master. After coming strange thing you say Mother: thing around, began a long back to the normal plane, she you have seen your father. Who- search for him; but baffled in this herself admitted that the Master ever does not see one’s father?’ and therefore lost in anxious had engulfed her for the time be- longing for Him all the more, ing. The Mother lived at Vrindaban they gradually came to identify for about a year. A month later themselves mentally with the ob- Master Mahashaya’s wife was ject of their intense love, so much The Mother being thus occupied attacked with malaria and she so that they started impersonat- with the thoughts of the Master, had to leave for Calcutta with ing him in various ways. In the her talks and movements ap- Swami Abhedananda. Swami body and mind of the Mother Adbhutananda also went to Cal- also was now to be seen a similar cutta after six months on getting self-absorption. Forgetful of her- some sad news from self she sometimes walked across Ramachandra Datta’s house. the vast sandy shore to the wa- ters of the Yamuna unknown to anybody and she had to be One day she lost all outer searched out and persuaded to consciousness in a deep return. One does not know, she might have then thought of her- samādhi from which she could self as Radha, the sweetheart of not be roused, in spite of Krishna, and of Sri Ramakrishna Yogin-Ma’s repeating the as Krishna, and was thus lost in Lord’s name in her ears for a the bliss of union in the Vrinda- long time. ban of her heart. It is said that she once told a devotee, ‘I, in- deed, am Radha.’ At times, rapt The long stay at Vrindaban had in the thoughts of the Master, she the effect of bringing to some ex- became one with him. One day Swami Yogananda (1861-1899) tent the Mother’s mind down to she lost all outer consciousness in the normal plane. The Master a deep samādhi from which she peared to be unrelated to the ac- ultimately granted her a continu- could not be roused, in spite of tualities of life and rather like ous flow of bliss in proportion as Yogin-Ma’s repeating the Lord’s those of a simple child. One day, he had previously given her name in her ears for a long time. on seeing a dead body, covered grief. She went round the tem- Then Swami Yogananda made a with flowers and garlands, being ples daily, seeing the different similar attempt, when there ap- carried to the cremation ground images and sitting for meditation peared signs of reawakening, with music, she said with some at suitable places. She must have and she said, ‘I shall eat,’ just as eagerness, ‘Look there, look, how been blessed with many visions the Master used to say after a the man (by dying in Vrindaban) at that time, though she never has attained (the eternal) Vrinda- gave them out. Only of one of

Page 12 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach these incidents did she tell Yogin with him (Yogin); how can I im- and I have to quit at once.’ When -Ma. That day she had been to part the mantra?’ The Master sug- departing, the figure pointed to a the temple of Radharamana gested, ‘You tell daughter Yogin; deity with red clothes and di- where she had a vision of the she will be present.’ He also told rected him to offer some rasagol- wife of Navagopal Ghosh (both her the mantra. The Mother in- las to her. The fever abated at husband and wife being devotees quired of Swami Yogananda once. At Hardwar the Mother of the Master), standing by the through Yogin-Ma whether he bathed at the Brahma–kunda and deity and fanning Him. On her had his initiation. He said, ‘No, visited the temples. She had with return home she said, ‘Yogen, Mother, the Master didn’t give her some nail–parings and hair of Navagopal’s wife is very pure. I me any particular mantra of any the Master, a portion of which had such and such a vision.’ special deity. I repeat one accord- she intended to offer in the holy ing to my own choice.’ He fur- water of the Ganges at Hardwar.

ther let her know that he too had This she did at the Brahma– Some time during their stay there been asked by the Master to be Kunda. Besides, she crossed the the Mother and her party under- initiated by the Mother, but he Ganges to climb the Chandi hill took a ceremonial circumambula- could not make the request be- and worship the goddess Chandi tion of Vrindaban for more than cause of his natural modesty. At there. a fortnight. During this walk, the last the Mother agreed to initiate

Mother seemed to be looking at him. On the appointed day, the the roads, fields, and forests of Mother had an onset of spiritual Then with her companions she the place with intense interest; at fervour as she sat in worship be- went to Jaipur. After they had times she stopped altogether lost fore the picture and the physical seen the main deity Govindaji, in her reverie. To Yogin-Ma and remains of the Master. She called they went on visiting the other others it was clear that she was in in Swami Yogananda and, while deities, when suddenly they a spiritual mood and was having still in that ecstatic mood, im- came to a Goddess, on seeing some visions too. So now and parted the mantra, which was ut- whom Swami Yogananda cried then they put questions to her tered so loudly that Yogin – Ma out that this was the very deity out of curiosity. But the Mother could hear it from the adjoining he had seen during his last fever. put them off with a simple an- room. Swami Yogananda was the She was Sitala, the Goddess of swer, ‘No, that’s nothing. Move Mother’s first disciple. small pox. The Goddess was of- on.’ fered half a rupee worth of

rasagollas, which were fortunately

Towards the end of this period of available near the temple gate. Here the Master got one of his stay at Vrindaban, the Mother From Jaipur they went to Push- unfinished tasks accomplished once went to Hardwar with kar where the Mother climbed through the Mother; and in the Swami Yogananda, Yogin–Ma, the Savitri hill. Though her right Mother’s life too a new chapter Golap–Ma, and Lakshmi Devi. leg had become rheumatic at opened. The Master appeared On the way Swami Yogananda Dakshineswar, she could still before the Mother and said, ‘Give was suddenly attacked with high move about freely, so that it was this mantra to Yogin.’ On the first fever in the train. When Yogin– not too strenuous for her to as- day the Mother thought that it Ma was giving him pomegranate cend the Savitri and the Chandi was a mere fantasy and so did seeds, the Mother saw as though hills and walk a round Vrinda- nothing. Besides, she felt the Master himself was being fed. ban for a fortnight. ashamed, thinking, ‘People will In a state of unconsciousness re- say, ‚Mother has begun to have sulting from high temperature, disciples within such a short pe- Swami Yogananda saw a terrible Return to Calcutta riod (of her mourning).‛ ’ She did form standing in front of him After spending a year in the holy not also pay heed to a second vi- and telling him, ‘I would have places of the north, they pro- sion of this kind. On the third seen you but I am helpless. ceeded to Calcutta by way of Al- day she remonstrated with the There’s the order of Parama- lahabad, where at the sacred con- Master, ‘I don’t so much as talk hamsa Deva (Sri Ramakrishna),

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 13 Reach fluence of the Ganges and the the same time? There is a story Yamuna, the Mother offered the that once Sita said to Rama, ‘Why remaining portion of the Master’s do you not remove everybody’s nails and hair. Of this the Mother miseries? Make everyone in your said, ‘Is the Master’s hair an ordi- kingdom - all your subjects - nary thing? When I went to happy. You can do it if you like.’ Prayag (Allahabad) after his de- Rama answered, ‘Can everyone mise, I carried with me his hair be happy at the same time?’ for immersion in the holy water. ‘Well, they can, if you so desire. As I took up the hair in hand Why not satisfy all their needs with a view to offering it in the from the royal treasury?’ ‘Just as placid water of the confluence of you wish.’ the Ganges and the Yamuna, a Then Rama called Lakshmana wave leaped up unawares and and said, ‘Go and tell everyone in took away the hair from my hand my kingdom that all their needs and hid itself again in the placid nities accordingly.‛ will be supplied from my treas- water around. That holy place ury.’ When the people heard this, snatched away that thing from they came and explained their my hand for its own sanctifica- Disciple: ‚Then is everything the needs. The treasury was laid tion’. fruit of Karma?‛ open. But such was the dispensa- tion of Rama that soon the roof of the royal palace showed cracks At this place Lakshmi Devi, a Mother: ‚What else, if not and water seeped through. Ma- widow as she was, had her head Karma?‛ sons were sent for to repair the shaved clean according to the cracks. But there were none to be custom of the place; the Mother found. Where was any labourer did not do so. Before her mind’s Source to be found? The subjects also eye was being played then the Swami , Holy came and complained that be- drama of her constant union with Mother Sri Sarada Devi (Chennai, cause there were no masons or the Master and through the Sri Ramakrishna Math, 1955) workmen, their houses and physical eyes, too, she was hav- pp.133-146 buildings were falling to pieces. ing frequent visions of him. Ac- Then, seeing no other way, Sita cordingly, she could not remove said to Rama, ‘We cannot suffer her hair just as she could not take Teachings of Sri Sarada Devi the in the wet like this. Let every- off her ornaments earlier. Thus Holy Mother, (Chennai: Sri Rama- thing be as it was. Then we can brimming with the happiness krishna Math, 1982) pp. 2-3. get workmen again. Everybody born of visiting the most sacred cannot be happy at the same places and the repeated visions time.’ ‘So be it, ‘ answered Rama. of the Master, she returned to In the twinkling of an eye every- Calcutta, where she stayed in the thing was as it used to be. One house of . could get workmen again. ‘Lord, it is true that this life is only a Conclusion: Teachings of Sri game of yours,’ said Sita. Sarada Devi ‘No one can suffer for all the Mother: ‚The creation itself is full time. No one will spend all his of grief. How can one understand days on this earth in suffering. joy if there is no sorrow? And Every action brings its own re- how can everyone be happy at sult, and one gets one’s opportu-

Page 14 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach

B. Direct Disciples: Swami Niranjanananda

wami Niranjanananda Jayanthi was celebrated on Monday 7 August 2017. As a good shepherd knows his sheep by sight, so Ramakrishna recognised the intimate disciples who had been born to carry his message. As soon as he met one of them, he would lovingly say, “You belong to this place.” He would treat each of S them as would a most loving father. this experience: Niranjan was habitually good- natured, but he had a violent I was then working in an office. temper. One day, when he was One day I went to visit Sri Rama- going to Dakshineswar on the krishna at Dakshineswar. He public ferry, he overheard some wrote a mantram on my tongue of the other passengers speaking and asked me to repeat it. What sneeringly of Sri Ramakrishna, an experience! After returning saying that he was not a true home, even when my eyes were man of renunciation but a hypo- closed, I began to see innumer- crite who enjoyed good food and able fireflies in my room. The every comfort, and whose disci- mantram was vibrating in my ples were gullible schoolboys. head and in every limb of my Niranjan protested strongly, but body. I wanted to sleep, but I the speakers ignored him. At could not stop the repetition of this, Niranjan became enraged, Swami Niranjanananda (1862-1904) japam. I had previously been un- jumped to his feet, and began to aware of this phenomenon. I be- rock the boat, threatening to cap- The Training of Niranjan came scared and thought that I size it in midstream. Niranjan would go out of my mind. After Swami writes: was a powerful swimmer, he three days I returned to Dakshi- Shortly after the arrival of such a could easily have swam ashore neswar and said to the Master, devotee the Master would call after carrying out his threat. The ‚Sir, what have you done to him aside, ask him to meditate, passengers were frightened and me?‛ After listening to my story, and then under the influence of they begged to be forgiven. he laughed and withdrew the divine inspiration he would power of the mantram. He then When Sri Ramakrishna heard touch certain parts of his body said, ‚It is called ajapa mantram about this incident, he rebuked like the chest or the tongue. By [the repetition of japam effort- Niranjan severely. ‚Anger is a that potent touch the devotee’s lessly and unceasingly].‛ deadly sin,‛ he said. ‚You ought mind would become indrawn never to let it carry you away. and sense objects would vanish The seeming anger of a good from its perception. His accumu- Sri Ramakrishna’s Instruc- man is something different. It’s lated impressions of the past tions to Niranjan no more than a mark made on would be activated and produce water. It vanishes as soon as it’s spiritual realization in him< Ramakrishna’s teachings varied made. As for those mean-minded Besides touching the devotees in from person to person. For in- people who talked against me, that way, the Master initiated stance, he scolded the mild- they weren’t worth getting into a some of them with mantras. tempered Yogananda because he quarrel with – you could waste had not protested some false ac- your whole life in such quarrel- cusations made against him; but ling. Think of them as being no The Master with a mantram initi- the Master instructed Niranjan more than insects. Be indifferent ated Niranjan. He later described differently:

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 15 Reach to what they say. See what a On 15 June 1884, M. recorded the world.‛ Secondly, he established great crime you were about to feelings the Master had for the monastic ideal for his would– commit, under the influence of Niranjan in The Gospel of Sri be monastic disciples, ‚The sann- this anger! Think of the poor Ramakrishna: yasi must renounce ‘woman and helmsman and the oarsman in gold’ for his own welfare

Page 16 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach stood in such a place with a bow In the Service of the Master and arrow.‛ Niranjan realised the In September 1885 Sri Rama- Master was all – knowing. With krishna had to move to Shyam- tearful eyes he surrendered him- pukur, Calcutta, for his cancer self to Ramakrishna saying, ‚Sir, treatment. Niranjan left home all these days I could not recog- and became the Master’s gate- nise you.‛ From that day Niran- keeper, as he was strong and he- jan visited the Master frequently. roic by nature. Following his doc- tor’s advice, Ramakrishna moved from the smoggy environment of Free Will and Predestination Calcutta to a garden house at Sometimes the young disciples Cossipore on 11 December 1885. would discuss the various rid- Cossipore was then a suburb of dles of life. Once in Dakshines- Calcutta and not very far from war Niranjan and others had a the Ganges. The Master was long discussion on free will and quite happy despite his terminal Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886) predestination. Unable to reach cancer. On the morning of 23 De- any conclusion, they approached cember Ramakrishna gave unre- Training to be a Great Spiri- the Master. At first the Master strained expression of his love was amused by their naïve ideas tual Leader for the devotees. He said to but then he commented more Ramakrishna kept close watch Niranjan, ‚You are my father; I seriously: Does anybody have over the disciples’ eating, sleep- shall sit on your lap.‛ Touching free will or anything like that? It ing, and day–to–day behaviour. another devotee’s chest, he said, is by God’s will alone that every- Since only a good student can be ‚May your inner spirit be awak- thing has already happened and a good teacher, the Master un- ened.‛ By living with the Master, will continue to happen. Man compromisingly trained his inner the devotees’ own love and devo- understands this last of all. Let –circle disciples so they could tion also grew by leaps and me give an example of man’s free become great spiritual leaders. bounds. will: It is like a cow tied to a post Self–control and truthfulness are with a long tether; she can stand indispensable to spiritual life. at a distance of one cubit from Once, on seeing Niranjan take Once Niranjan went back home the post or she can go up to the too much ghee (clarified butter), for a visit. When he returned, the whole length of the tether ac- which was believed to create lust, Master said, ‚Please tell me how cording to her choice. A man ties the Master exclaimed, ‚My good- you feel.‛ Niranjan replied, a cow with the idea: Let her lie ness! You take so much ghee! Are ‚Formerly I loved you, no doubt, down, stand or move about as you eventually going to abduct but now it is impossible for me to she likes within that area. Simi- people’s daughters and wives?‛ live without you.‛ Then the Mas- larly, God has given man some Another day the Master said to a ter explained to M., ‚This illness power and also the freedom to devotee (pointing at Niranjan): is showing who belongs to the utilize it as he likes. That is why ‚Look at this boy. He is abso- inner circle and who to the outer. man feels he is free. But the rope lutely guileless. But he has one Those who are living here, re- is fastened to the post. And re- fault: he is slightly untruthful nouncing the world, belong to member this: If anybody prays to nowadays. The other day he said the inner circle; and those who god earnestly, God may move that he would visit me again very pay occasional visits and ask, him to another place and tie him soon, but he didn’t come.‛ Hear- ‘How are you, sir?’ belong to the there, or lengthen the tether, or ing this, Niranjan immediately outer circle.‛ even remove it completely from apologised. his neck. The young disciples took turns

around the clock serving the

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 17 Reach

Master. Moreover, they were practising spiritual disciplines according to his instructions. They renounced hearth and home and surrendered them- selves to Sri Ramakrishna. The following incident reveals how the Master protected the disci- ples: One evening Niranjan and a few other disciples decided to get juice from a date palm near the southern boundary of the gar- den. The Master knew nothing Cossipore Garden House about this. When it was dark, Niranjan and others walked in again.‛ The Master asked her not sing for Sri Ramakrishna. The the direction of the tree. In the to divulge this account to others. Master was fond of her singing meantime, Holy Mother saw the but was careful about her as she

Master running down the steps cherished towards him madhura and through the door. She won- Niranjan’s Steadfast Protec- bhava, the attitude of a wife to- dered, ‚How is this possible? tion of the Master wards her husband. Once this How can anyone who needs help woman came to Cossipore at After he had been at Cossipore even to change his position in about noon and wanted to visit for three or four months, Rama- bed run like an arrow?‛ She the Master. Niranjan stopped her krishna’s body became so emaci- could not believe here eyes, so at the entrance. She then became ated that it was hard to recognise she went to the Master’s room to hysterical. Hearing this, the Mas- him. But his devotees still hoped see if he was there. Ramakrishna ter asked Shashi to escort her to that he would free himself from was not in his room. In great con- him, and he blessed her. She then the cancer. During this time the sternation she looked all around, began to make more frequent vis- Master told Niranjan, ‚Look, I but she could not find him. At its. Niranjan adopted an unbend- am now in such a state that who- last Holy Mother returned to her ing attitude and prevented her ever sees me in this condition room, extremely confused and from visiting the Master. Most of will attain liberation in this life with much apprehension. the young disciples were very by the grace of the Divine apprehensive because of her un- Mother. But know for certain that predictable and seemingly vio- it will shorten my life.‛ Upon After a while Holy Mother saw lent behaviour. However, when hearing this from the Master, the Master running swiftly back the woman was finally discour- Niranjan became more vigilant to his room. She then went to aged, she paid no further visits. about his guard duty. He sat at him and asked about what she Rakhal expressed his sympathy the gate day and night with a tur- had seen. He replied, ‚Oh, you for the woman. He said, ‚We all ban on his head and a stick in his noticed that. You see, the boys feel sorry for her. She causes so hand to keep outsiders from vis- who have come here are all much annoyance, and for that he iting the Master. Niranjan some- young. They were proceeding suffers too.‛ Immediately Niran- times had to hurt people, but he merrily to drink the juice of a jan remarked, ‚You feel that way accepted this as an unpleasant date palm in the garden. I saw a because you have a wife at duty necessary to protect the black cobra there. It is so fero- home.‛ Rakhal replied sharply, Master’s life. cious and it might have bitten ‚Such bragging. How dare you them all. The boys did not know utter such words before him [Sri this. So I went there by a differ- A mentally – ill woman used to Ramakrishna]?‛ The Master re- ent route to drive it away. I told accompany Vijay Goswami to the mained silent. He appreciated the snake, ‚Don’t enter here Kali temple at Dakshineswar and Rakhal’s love and compassion for

Page 18 October 2017 Issue No. 41 Reach a suffering soul, as well as Niran- not a doctor, knew how to check shape to this group of ideal char- jan’s faithful service to the guru. a pulse and evaluate the condi- acters. From his birth, Niranjan tion of a disease). Immediately, had been endowed with divine

Niranjan rushed to Atul and qualities – simplicity, purity, Another day, Ramchandra Datta brought him to the Master. Even fearlessness, steadiness, truthful- wanted to visit the Master, but while he was sick, the Master ness, and renunciation. When the Niranjan stopped him at the gate. was training his devotees – some- elder Gopal brought twelve This hurt Ram because he was times humbling one and some- pieces of ochre cloth and twelve one of the Master’s prominent times increasing longing in an- rosaries, the Master gave one of lay devotees. He then said to other. them to Niranjan and distributed Latu, ‚Please offer these sweets the rest to the other disciples. and flowers to the Master and Thus Ramakrishna sowed the bring a little Prasad for me.‛ Latu During the winter Ramakrishna seeds of his forthcoming monas- was very touched and said to would bathe with hot water. One tic order. Niranjan, ‚Brother, Ram Babu is day Niranjan used a lot of fire- our very own; why are you put- wood to heat a large vessel of ting such restrictions on him?‛ water. That waste displeased the When Sri Ramakrishna passed Still Niranjan was inexorable. Master, but Niranjan was stub- away on 16 August 1886, the dis- Then Latu said bluntly, ‚At born. He carried the whole vessel ciples gathered his relics from the Shyampukur you allowed the of water to the Master and said, Cossipore cremation ground and actress Binodini to visit the Mas- ‚Sir, I don’t have enough sense to put them into an urn. They ter and now you are stopping know how much water you need. brought the urn to the garden Ram Babu, who is such a great Since I have brought it, you will house and decided to continue devotee.‛ This pricked Niranjan’s have to use it.‛ The Master was their service. But they had no conscience, so he let Ram go to pleased by Niranjan’s simple and money, so Ramachandra Datta see Sri Ramakrishna. Later when fearless behaviour. suggested installing the Master’s Latu went upstairs, the omnis- relics at Kankurgachi Yogod- cient Master said to him, ‚Look, yana, his retreat house. Niranjan never see faults in others; rather, It is hard for a lover to watch the vehemently protested against see their good qualities.‛ Latu suffering of his beloved. The real this. He, Shashi, and some others was embarrassed. He came down lover wishes he could relieve his secretly transferred the major and apologised to Niranjan, say- beloved’s suffering. While serv- portion of the Master’s relics to a ing, ‚Brother, please don’t mind ing the Master, Niranjan often separate urn, which they secretly my caustic remark. I am an illit- worried about him. The Master kept at the house of Balaram erate person.‛ This shows how read his mind and one day asked Basu, a disciple of Sri Rama- the Master taught his disciples to him, ‚Niranjan, if I were cured of krishna. In the beginning Naren- develop close interpersonal rela- this disease, what would you dra had yielded to Ram Babu’s tionships. do?‛ With great excitement suggestion, but, learning how his Niranjan replied, ‚Master, I brother disciples felt, he sup-

would uproot that date palm ported their decision. Later, he Once Atul Ghosh, Girish’s from the garden.‛ Knowing his installed this second urn at Belur brother, came to visit the Master heroic nature and his over- Math. and was stopped by Niranjan. whelming love and devotion, the Atul was very hurt. Piqued, he Master remarked, ‚Yes, you Source took a vow that he would not could do that.‛ Swami Chetanananda, God Lived visit Ramakrishna again unless Conclusion with Them: Life Stories of Sixteen someone personally came to his Monastic Disciples of Sri Rama- house and took him there. One The disciples took care of the krishna (Calcutta: Advaita Ash- day the Master asked Niranjan to Master’s body, and he in turn go to Atul’s house and bring him took care of their spiritual life. rama, 1997) pp. 246-253. to check his health. (Atul, though He silently and naturally gave

Issue No. 41 October 2017 Page 19 Reach

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Ramakrishna Vivekananda Literature Title: A Guide to Spiritual Life Title: Mahapurush Maharaj as Author: Swami Brahmananda we Saw Him Translator: Swami Chetanan- Author: Monastic and Lay anda Devotees Price: $17.00 Price: $20.00 Cover:Type: HB Cover:Type: HB Pages: 192 Pages: 496 Language: English Language: English Publisher: Vedanta Society of Publisher: Advaita Ashrama St. Louis Weight: 540 gm Weight: 76 gm

The spiritual teachings of Swami Brahmananda, Once Swami , also known as Ma- the manasa putra of Sri Ramakrishna, are the hapurush Maharaj, told a young spiritual aspi- words of a realized soul. These were initially col- rant, study our lives, which is as good as study- lected and compiled into a book in Bengali with ing the Upanishads. The lives of great souls is a the title Dharma-Prasanga Swami Brahmananda. lesson of spirituality in practice. This present vol- Swami Chetanananda has translated this work, ume is a combination of two books containing the which is bound to inspire those who are con- reminiscences of Mahapurush Maharaj published sumed by a passion for God and spiritual awak- by Bharati Vidya Bhavan and Hollywood Press. ening. The reminiscences are of monastic and lay devo-

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Title: The Practice of the Pres- Title: The Imitation of Christ ence of God Author: Thomas A Kempis Author: Brother Lawrence Price: $5.00 Price: $10.00 Cover:Type: PB Cover:Type: PB Pages: 382 Pages: 39 Language: English Language: English Publisher: St Paul’s Society Publisher: Wildeside Press Weight: 107gms Weight: 86gms

The Practice of the Presence of God is a manual on The Imitation of Christ, by Thomas A Kempis, was practical spirituality. It records the earnest entreat- one of the two books, apart from the Bhagavad ies of a soul panting for spirituality and commun- Gita, that Swami Vivekananda carried with him while travelling the length and breath of India. ion with his master, while engaged in the hustle The book contains four parts, with several chap- and bustle of the world. This work is a manual on ters under each part, which dwell on the various karma yoga for those with a leaning towards a per- aspects of spiritual life and spiritual living. Each sonal God. chapter also contains a reflection and a prayer.

ReleasedPage 20 by : Vedanta Centre Octoberof Sydney 2017 [email protected] No. 41