Swami Vivekananda — by Your Grace Finally Make Me Cross the Ocean of Samsara

1 TheVedanta Kesari July 2019

1 The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

Cover Story page 11...

1 A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly `15 July of the Ramakrishna Order since 1914 2019 2 PRIVATE LIMITED Regd. Off. & Fact. : Phone : 04172 - 244820, 651507, Plot No.88 & 89, Phase - II, Tele Fax : 04172 - 244820 (Manufacturers of Active Pharmaceutical Sipcot Industrial Complex, E-mail : [email protected] Ingredients and Intermediates) Ranipet - 632 403, Tamil Nadu. Web Site : www.svisslabss.net

देवि सुरेश्वरि भगवति ग敍ग, त섿भुवनतारिणि तरलतर敍गे। शङ्करमौलिनिवासिनि विमले, मम मतिरास्त車 तव पदकमले ॥ O stainless pure one who resides in the matted locks of Shankara, may

my devotion remainहर firmly established onिपादपद्मतरङ्गि ग敍ग, हिमविधुमु啍 your lotusतधव feet.लतर敍गे। दूरीकु셁 मम दुष्啃तिभारं, कु셁 कृपया भवसागरपारम् ॥

The Guru O Mother, please remove the burden in my mind created by evil deeds, and Swami Vivekananda — by your grace finally make me cross the ocean of samsara. Sri Shankaracharya ir and M ri The Value of Discipline ot g n Prof. Sudha Shastri a G

Ganga Dashahara on 12 June 2019 at Belur Math

A Cultural and Spiritual Monthly of The Ramakrishna Order

JULY Vol. 106, No. 7 2019 CONTENTS ISSN 0042-2983

ry Sto er ov C 11

Sant Tukaram Arpana Ghosh 46 21 FEATURES The Guru 7 Dakäiëàmùrti Stotra Lyrics in Terracotta – Ratneshwar Swami Vivekananda 8 Yugavani Temple of Bhattamati 9 Editorial Devashis Nandy 18 Reminiscences The Value of Discipline 27 Vivekananda Way Bishop John J. Keane: In Defense Prof. Sudha Shastri 33 Pariprasna of Swami Vivekananda 40 Book Reviews Asim Chaudhuri 48 What is Religion? 50 Topical Musings 43 52 The Order on the March 24

The ‘As’-‘Is’ Hybrid Poorva: Magic, Miracles and Swami Satyapriyananda the Mystical Twelve Lakshmi Devnath

35 31

Editor: Swami Mahamedhananda Published by Swami Vimurtananda, Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai - 600 004 and Printed by B. Rajkumar, Chennai - 600 014 on behalf of Sri Ramakrishna Math Trust, Chennai - 600 004 and Printed at M/s. Rasi Graphics Pvt. Limited, No.40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600014. Website: www.chennaimath.org E-mail: [email protected] TheVedanta Kesari Sri Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 h(044) 2462 1110 E-mail: [email protected] Website : www.chennaimath.org Dear Readers, The Vedanta Kesari is one of the oldest cultural and spiritual magazines in the country. Started under the guidance and support of Swami Vivekananda, the first issue of the magazine, then called Brahmavadin, came out on 14 Sept 1895.

July 2019 Brahmavadin was run by one of Swamiji’s ardent followers Sri Alasinga Perumal. After his death in 4 1909 the magazine publication became irregular, and stopped in 1914 whereupon the Ramakrishna Order revived it as The Vedanta Kesari. Swami Vivekananda’s concern for the magazine is seen in his letters to Alasinga Perumal where he writes: ‘Now I am bent upon starting the journal.’ ‘Herewith I send a hundred dollars…. Hope this will go just a little in starting your

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta paper.’ ‘I am determined to see the paper succeed.’ ‘The Song of the Sannyasin is my first contribution for your journal.’ ‘I learnt from your letter the bad financial state that Brahmavadin is in.’ ‘It must be supported by the Hindus if they have any sense of virtue or gratitude left in them.’ ‘I pledge myself to maintain the paper anyhow.’ ‘The Brahmavadin is a jewel—it must not perish. Of course, such a paper has to be kept up by private help always, and we will do it.’ For the last 105 years, without missing a single issue, the magazine has been carrying the invigorating message of Vedanta with articles on spirituality, culture, philosophy, youth, personality development, science, holistic living, family and corporate values. Over the years, production and publication costs have gone up manifold. A non-commercial magazine like this can continue its good work only with the generous financial support and active assistance of well-wishers. Hence, we appeal to our readers and admirers of Swamiji to support us by donating to the following schemes: PATRONS Pragati Offset, Hyderabad ` 25,000.00 Patrons PERMANENT FUND DONORS ` Become a Patron of The Vedanta Kesari Sri Baskara Rao P, 100000.00 Ranipet & help us to meet the running cost by ` contributing every month ` 5,000/- & above Sri Jagannath Basu, Kolkata 5000.00 A Devotee of ` Ramakrishna, Mumbai 4000.00 Swami Vivekananda Puri, ` Permanent Fund Andhra Pradesh 3000.00 To establish the magazine on firm financial Sri Chandrachoodan ` footing please contribute ` 1,000/- & above Kathiresan, Madurai 1000.00 to the Permanent Fund. Smt Priya R, ` Uttar Pradesh 1000.00 Sri Balasubramanian R, ` Chennai 1000.00 Sponsor a Page Rajaraman K, Chennai `

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Verse 7 बाल्यादष्वप जाग्रदादिषु तथा सर्픾स्वस्थस्वप व्याृ配तस्नुवर्मानमहमित्न्स््फरन्त सदा । स्वत्मनं प्रकटीकरोति भजतां यो मुद्रया भद्रया तस्륈 �रगु셁मूर्ये नम इदं �रदक�णामूर्ये ॥ ७ ॥

1 his votaries7. Obeisance2 his own to Śrī Self Dakṣiṇāmūrti,3, which is persistently who is the Guru, who by the auspicious mudrā is revealing to various and mutually exclusive states like childhood present as the ‘I’ always4 shining inside, in all the July 2019

Notes:etc. as also waking etc. 7 mudaṁ rāti) to the 1. Mudrās are certain mystic poses of fingers drāvayati and hands. Sometimes a mudrā is defined as that which gives pleasure ( or jñgodsnamudr and make their hearts melt out of compassion (= ). Sculptured images of gods invariably exhibit the mudrās. Dakṣiṇāmūrti is usually shown with the cinmudr Gītā ā says:ā ā, the pose indicating transmission of wisdom. PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. RAJANI CHAKRAVARTHY S., CHENNAI S., RAJANI CHAKRAVARTHY SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE

2. Unless one takes refuge in the guru, he will not teach spiritual wisdom. The (4.34) Kesari The Vedanta तद픿द鴿 प्रणिपातेन परिप्र�न सेवया । उपदे啍षन्त ते 煍ञनं 煍ञानन त配तदर्शनः ।।

‘Know that (Truth) by making obeisance to the knowers of Truth and by asking inquisitive questions. (Those) wise men, the seers of Truth, will teach you (that) knowledge.’ 3. The Self of Īśvara, the Supreme Lord, and the Parama-guru, the Supreme Teacher, is the same as the Self of all beings. This has already been dealt with in the previous sections. 4. Whatever be the state, the sense of ‘I’ inside does not change. ‘I, who was a child, am now an old man’; ‘I, who had slept, am waking up now’; ‘I, who was seeing, am now hearing’— This is how the Dakṣiṇāmūrti ‘I’-consciousness Stotra with persists Mānasollāsa. through all the states. Translated and Annotated by Swami Harshananda Yugavani

Ego

Ego alone the cause of bondage

Sir, why are we bound like this? Why don’t we see God? Maya is nothing but the egotism of the embodied soul. This egotism has covered everything like a veil. ‘All troubles come to an end when the ego dies.’ If by the grace of God a man but once realizes that he is not the doer, then he at once becomes a Jivanmukta. Though living in the body, he is liberated. He has nothing else to fear. This maya, that is to say, the ego, is like a cloud. The sun cannot be seen on account of a thin patch of

July 2019 cloud; when that disappears one sees the sun. If by the Ego creates upadhis grace of the guru one’s ego vanishes, then one sees God. 8

The jiva is nothing but the embodiment of Satchidananda. But since maya, or ego, has created various upadhis, he has forgotten his real Self. Each upadhi changes man’s nature. If he wears a fine black-bordered cloth, you will at once find him humming Nidhu Babu’s love-songs. Then playing-cards and a walking-stick follow. If even a sickly man puts on high boots, he begins to whistle and climbs the stairs like

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta an Englishman, jumping from one step to another. If a man but holds a pen in his hand, he Erasescribbles the on Ego any paper he can get hold of—such is the power of the pen!

A man cannot realize God unless he gets rid of all such egotistic ideas as ‘I am such an important man’ or ‘I am so and so’. Level the mound of ‘I’ to the ground by dissolving it with Vijnani’stears of devotion.understanding of Ego

The man coming down from samadhi perceives that it is Brahman that has become the Egoego, inthe Kaliyuga universe, and all living beings. This is known as vijnana.

In the Kaliyuga the life of man is centred on food. He cannot get rid —Sriof the Ramakrishnafeeling that he is the body and the ego. Therefore, the path of devotion is prescribed for this cycle. Editorial

Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva

of that Revelation unto men which was the life

Recently,‘He who knows the Prime how to Minister serve, knows of India how profound idea that Swamiji discovered from an to rule,’ wrote Swami Vivekananda. everydayand gospel conversation, of Sri Ramakrishna.’ was Shiva JnaneOne such Jiva Seva theechoed 17 ththis idea in his first address to the parliamentarians toof remain the ruling unattached party elected to power, to . Lok Sabha. He called upon the SwamiOne Vivekananda) day, when andsitting other in disciples,his room Sriat Dakshineswar surrounded by Naren (later cultivatebecause power the spirit is intoxicating. of Shiva Jnane To be Jiva free Seva from—‘to its disorienting influence he advised them to enjoinedRamakrishna upon spokeits followers about –the relish Vaishnava for the religion and explained the three practices serve man as God’ as taught by Sri Ramakrishna. He asserted that there couldn’t be a greater or name of God, compassion for all living

thebetter extent path theythan developedthis spirit thisof seva seva to bhav achieve, he creatures’,creatures, and Sri service Ramakrishna to the Vaishnavas. entered Eveninto July 2019 assuredtheir own them, good the and intoxication the good of of the power country. would To as he uttered, ‘compassion for all living that deep level of consciousness, he said to 9 Sometimes, hidden in the folds of Samadhi! After some time as he came out of everydaydecrease and events, the blessings life presents of people a increase.profound himself, ‘… Compassion for creatures! … No, it cannot be. It is not compassion for others, but thought, a subtle insight, or the deepest rather service to man, recognizing him to be the transcendental truths. Ordinary minds usually veritable manifestation of God!’ When Naren

PAGE SPONSOR : SRI VENKATARAMANAN T., CHENNAI T., VENKATARAMANAN SRI : SPONSOR PAGE fail to perceive these gifts. It requires a came out of the room he told the others, ‘What In the presence of an avatara these Kesari The Vedanta disciplined, creative mind to discover them. a strange light have I discovered in those wonderful words of the Master! … I have revelations of life are grand and world-moving. practisedunderstood even that fromthe ideal hearth of Vedanta and home lived and by As the avatara is the embodiment of Life, he the recluse outside the pale of society can be presents ideas vital for the evolution of higher as Swami Vivekananda, he preached this idea life in that age. More than a hundred years ago, applied to all our daily schemes of life. …’ Later Sri Ramakrishna, the avatara of the Age, gave us a flood of such ideas. Those around him, across the world as Practical Vedanta. disciples and lay householders, according to Serving God in man is indeed an ancient their capacity caught some of these ideas and Swamispiritual Vivekananda practice. But thatit had he remained unveiled confined the full worked them out. But it was given to his chief to a small group of people. It was the genius of disciple SwamiThe Vivekananda Life of Swami to Vivekananda recognise, to the positive approach to life which sees the interpret and broadcast the core teachings of dimension of serving Jiva as Shiva. He traced it the avatara. As puts it, ‘His soul was most attuned to the whichwhole creationpeople can as divine. discover This their affirmation fundamental of life spiritual vibrations of the Master’s words. Thus in a spirit of consecration is the basis from he read volumes where others read but pages on the foundation of education that a

oneness with the whole humanity and bring about real harmony of mind and heart. civilisation is built. The greatness of ancient Serving fellow beings as manifestations of India was based on its knowledge system which RamakrishnaGod also transforms Math centres,the receiver. the swamiIn a relief in- was centered around the guru. It was a system work undertaken in a slum by one of the whose every aspect was firmly linked with a idealsreligious, of Renunciation spiritual outlook. and Service Education that Swami in charge explained in simple terms the divinity in modern India too should be rooted in the twin man and after leading them in devotional Our students have to learn to renounce the singing and prayers, joined them in eating the Vivekananda presented as our national ideals. andfood live offered in a slum,to God. people Two sometimes women comethen approached him and said, ‘Because we are poor lower ego which functions as selfishness, prasad we jealousy, etc. And they should pursue and give us old clothes and left-over food. knowledge not for mere livelihood, but to serve We feel small. Today, when we had the nation. felt a sense of peace and dignity; we may be The Draft of National Educational Policy poor, but we know we are really equal to 2019, released last month, speaks of training others.’ seva,school ahimsa, children swacchata,in ethical reasoning satya, nishkama and then But is it so easy to see fellow human inculcating in them ‘traditional Indian values of July 2019 beings as God and serve them? It requires a 10 long methodical preparation. Swamiji effectkarma, a tolerance, spiritual honestorientation, hard work’and without etc. But ita prescribed a three-step process that will should be noted that ethical reasoning cannot gradually empower us to perceive the divinity in man. The first step is to feel with a spiritual outlook, values by themselves are sympathetic heart the miseries and challenges ineffectual for the good of humanity. The experienced by the masses. This feeling should University Education Commission 1948-49, be so intense that it pulsates in our blood and headed by Dr. S. Radhakrishnan rightly notes: nerve currents. When the whole body is thus ‘We have to understand that the great virtues of The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta thetuned means to the toreal relieve needs ofindividual fellow beings, and wesocial are loyalty, courage, discipline and self-sacrifice ready for the second step. This is to discover may be used for goodWhat or badmakes ends. a manThese truly are virtuousessential is forthe apurpose successful for which citizen he aslives, for his a miseries. These solutions, Swamiji stresses, generalsuccessful outlook villain. on life. Virtue and vice are ourshould motive be in in line service with our and cultural make sureand spiritualthat we heritage. The third step is to strictly monitor determined by the direction in which we move, ‘are not actuated by greed of gold’ or, ‘by thirst by the wayIf wein which exclude we spiritual organize training our life. Unlessin our actfor infame this or manner, power.’ they If our will legislators manifest theirand institutions,morality is takenwe would in a belarger untrue sense, to our it iswhole not administrators can be trained to think, feel, and historicalenough. development.’ May the Guru who resides in our heart higher nature, and the whole system of governance will evolve to Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva. What is the right time to learn and imbibe give us the strength to serve Him in our fellow the spirit of Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva? Childhood is beings. May He lead us from untruth to truth, the answer. Education is the only tool that can from ignorance to knowledge, and from death effect a large scale social transformation. It is to life eternal. Cover Story

he most popular of all the Maharashtrian devotional saints is

undoubtedly Sant Tukaram (1608?- 1650). His songs for Vitthala of Pandharpur so deeply influenced Marathi literature and culture that they literally have become part of Maharashtra’s public memory! Thereabhangs is no home, no village where someone doesn’t memorize at least a couple of Tukoba’s – manyT know hundreds by heart! Coming from an ordinary background, showing his full tangible humanness by laying bare his Sant Tukaram isanxieties, very much sufferings, a saint weaknesses; the masses speakingcan identify the ARPANA GHOSH simple tongue of the common people, Tukaram Life santa kripa jhali–his with; they regard him as one of themselves! In a famous abhang – Sant Tukaram (1608?-1650) was born in July 2019 disciple Bahinabai visualizes this Bhakti- Dehu, a small village near Pune, not far away Sampraday, the Varkari-Panth, as a temple built from Alandi, the sanjivan-samadhi of Sant 11 over the last eight centuries withkalash the Jnaneshvar. Both towns lie on the banks of the contributions and blessings of all the river Indrayani. sants, culminating in Sant Tukaram as the Tukaram’s family were devoted Varkaris or pinnacle. Not because he was greater than the Vitthalagoing back that he for would generations. walk the distance One ofof 250his other saints in his realizations, but because the ancestors, Vishvambar, was so attracted to Lord teachings of this grand, straight and simple path

PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. G. KAMESWARI DEVI, HYDERABAD DEVI, KAMESWARI G. SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE of bhakti came to full fruition in him. He is the km to Pandharpur twice a month for ekadashis! The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta people’s poet – millions of illiterate villagers Moved by this great ‘love-toil’ of their bhakta, have been voicing their prayers of love of God Vitthal and Rukmini manifested in two black through Tukoba’s abhangs, receiving all stone murtis in Dehu itself and became necessary spiritual instructions through them. Tukaram’s ancestral deities! He not only realized God himself, but Tukaram himself wrote many brought God-realization within the easy reach autobiographical abhangs. He calls himself a of all! ‘Kumbi’, a peasant and trader. Having inherited Varkaris‘Jnanoba – Tukaram’ are the two great the office of ‘Mahajan’, they were also revenue- names chanted by hundreds of thousands of collectors and moneylenders. The family was during the annual Ashad-pilgrimage to initially well-off and by no means socially Pandharpur. Sant Jnaneshvar–the foundation, backward. Tukaram, the second of three sons, and Sant Tukaram–the pinnacle, contain within was married early and since his first wife was them the blessings of all the other bhakti-saints ailing and couldn’t cope with the household over theArpana centuries. Ghosh, a German by birth, is settled in Chennaichores, for 27 years.he married She has a embraced second time.Vitthal Bhakti and is Vitthal’s German Varkari. [email protected] tujalagi majha jiva jhala pisa…,

Then adversity struck. His parents died He sings and he had to shoulder the burden of his ‘hunting after you my life has become mad! I’m extended family at the tender age of 17. Initially seeing everywhere only Panduranga! I left all he showed a good hand with his father’s worldly affairs! In my mind there is only the business, but gradually he ran into losses. In a sound of his name! I’m in total anguish—like a terrible famine his first wife Rakhuma and his anikapanting, dusare twisting maj fish out nahi ata…of water! ‘now Tuka there says: is elder son starved to death, and though he the only remedy now is to obtain his feet!’ or strove hard, borrowed money and tried various trades, he was driven to bankruptcy and nothing else for me—Pandurang in my mind, in penury. The village council humiliated him and my thoughts,times awake he anduses also the dreaming! expression: My stripped him of his ‘mahajan’ title! He madeeyes God see only one—Him on the brick!’ Many horrorsTukaram of the famine became and failurevery so central in his life desperate. Devastated by the that everything else your‘Vitthal, feet—do I’m entirely with sold me towhat you! you My head is like a sacrificial animal at turned whole-heartedly to their simply dropped off after failure to make a living, he now want!’ People first regarded him as saysfamily-deity kaya khave Vitthala. ata…, ‘ mad; but his devotion to Vitthala and In an autobiographical abhang he his compassion for everyone won them over. He July 2019 What to eat? Where to helped everyone in need, even animals! And he 12 go? What to do? On whose support? I’m tired of never made a difference between his own everything - I shall now go and find out family and others. Tukoba’sVitthala!’ one-pointed devotion Legends tell that Vitthala himself on various occasions came in disguise to help Tuka’s household with grains, money and other He set out with an unparalleled one- hisgoods. own Tukaram children howeverdidn’t have wanted much toto liveeat, onhe Vitthalapointedness, shrine thinking and spent day most and ofnight the oftime nothing there the grace of God from day to day, and although else than Panduranga. He repaired the old The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta always immediately distributed any surplus— or in the wilderness of Jnaneshvarithe nearby andBhandara other to the great frustration of his wife Avali! and Bhamchander hills, meditating on Vitthala Though in the worldly sense she was a good and trying to study the wife, she was a great nag and forever berating nowritings income of andthe heprevious hardly sants.paid attentionHe entirely to Vitthala, calling him the ‘black destroyer of her stopped working for a living. There was samsar’! Tuka practically led the life of a household responsibilities; his wife had to fend renunciate; not because he advocated such a for herself with the children. way of life in order to find God, but because he There was this extreme desire to see the made God so central in his life that everything Lord, but he felt shame and extreme anguish else simply dropped off. He never thought about his faults and shortcomings! He was in about his body, he ate and slept when nature constant warfare with himself! All he wanted compelled, but he took no interest in was a vision of Vitthal’s feet! The element of householdersit. Tukaram did not advise this lifestyle for seeking–begging for compassion–is so everybody! The Varkaris are all hardworking dominant in Tuka like in none of the other – peasants, labourers, traders, saints. and the like who integrate bhakti, bhajan and the varis God everywhere, I prostrate in front of rivers, the recommended pilgrimages to Pandharpur– now! Everything has become auspicious, I see –into their life. Sannyasis are generally Santnot found Namdev here! in a Dream uneducatedtrees and stones! fool haveBlessed the that power my tolove speak was whatfixed in His name!’ Again, he says: ‘How could an

About this time Sant Namdev appeared to transcends the Vedas? He fills every nook and him in a dream, asking him to compose cranny of me! I bear his stamp! Now my only abhangs. More than 300 years ago Namdev business is to spread this easy road to the Maharaj had vowed to write one billion world and carry them over the ocean of life!’ abhangs for Vitthala, but had fallen short by Tukaram started singing in street processions several thousand–Tukaram was now to Thewith ‘Drowningtal and chipli of performingthe Gatha’ kirtan. complete the task. But Tukaram was diffident to accept this mystic invitation. He sang, ‘How can I compose? Though Tukaram Maharaj had a great I never had a real darshan! I can sing with following, there were many who hated him. justification only if I have seen you, Vitthal!’ VedasAfter all in itthe was vernacular something Marathi completely and whounheard had There are such strong parallels between Sant of: a Shudra guru who gave the message of the Namdev and Sant Tukaram–in their writings and fervour of their bhakti–that people regard even brahmin disciples! Starting right back in July 2019 Tukaram Maharaj as an incarnation of Sant the 13 C.E. with Sant Jnaneshvar this radical 13 TukaramNamdev. finds his Guru bhakti-movement had been in constant conflict with the brahminical rules, ritualism and the caste-system. The Brahmins felt very offended! Tukaram did not have a guru in flesh and They sent a great scholar named Rameshvar blood. He tells us that he received initiation in Bhatt to charge Tukoba with heresy for writing a dream. Stating the specific day he says: ‘My the secrets of the Vedas in Marathi while being Guru appeared in my dream. He put his hand on of a low-caste. PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, CHENNAI DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE my head, told his name as Babaji Chaitanya, He forced Tukaram Maharaj to destroy his Kesari The Vedanta hismentioned Guru came his spiritual from the lineage and shishya-parampara gave me the of abhang manuscripts by immersing them Gathain the mantra: ‘Ram Krishna Hari’! It is assumed that Indrayani river. Though Tukaram meekly complied, it was the worst ordeal. The Sant Jnaneshvar. He experienced a fullness of was his life-achievement, his song-offering of being like never before and took to the mantra love for Vitthala! That Vitthala allowed them to Darshanwith all his heart. be destroyed meant that everythingGatha was meaningless! Tukaram Maharaj went on a fast unto death. Then, after 13 days the After the agonies of Tukaram reached an bundle floated up dry and intact, and he had extreme stage, Vitthala gave him darshan on Vitthala’s darshan! the Bhamchander hill. One can visit this cave This was a turning point in his career as even today in the outskirts of Dehu. Tukaram poet and saint. His detractors were silenced, sings: ‘My anxiety and doubts are at an end, my and he became phenomenally popular in his previous outlook has entirely changed! I’m thelifetime. famous And Arati his Tukaramapersecutor Ramesh Bhatt filled with infinite bliss, His light is like a became one of his prime disciples who wrote million moons! Wherever I go God pursues me and the abhang and carried him away to Vaikuntha—with his ‘Repeat his name— Tukaram, Tukaram—and on Garuda during one of his ecstatic kirtans death is trembling!’ His brahmin disciple Bahinabai states: ‘His abhangs were magical, mortal body! We have samadhis of all the other his personality charismatic!’ People started saints, but not of Tukaram! Intriguingly he left arriving from faraway places of Maharashtra. a set of farewell abhangs, where he tells that he He had a group of 14 tal-bearers who followed is leaving for good for Panduranga was calling! him everywhere to play the cymbals (tal) in his He requested everybody to stick to the holy kirtans. Marathi-speaking people were Thename, Abhangs he solicited their blessings and vanished. brought together like never before with the audience singing along in the chorus. His around 4500 abhangs which are message was easy to understand and simpleShivaji in wanted toWhat known Tukaram as MaharajTukaram left Gatha for us are Chatrapatinature. Shivaji renounce his kingdom, but . His Shivaji had Tukaram Maharaj abhangs are more popular and widely Even the great king Chatrapati asked him not to whosung knowthan thethose whole of the Gatha other sants, heard about the saint and and there are great Varkari Maharajs leave his dharma. was very eager to meet him. Yet by heart! Tukaram Maharaj declined an Tukaram’s abhangs can be easily

July 2019 line, Tuka mhane, invitation to the kingly court. He discerned by his mudra in the last 14 refused all honours and kingly patronage and ‘says Tuka’. Unfortunately, chose to live life day to day accepting its there is no chronological order in the abhangs; uncertainties. Legend tells that the kingamhi himself tene they appear as a huge jumbled up collection! sukhi…came to Dehu with precious gifts, but Tukaram Among them we find many socio-critical Maharaj rejected them all saying. abhangs–against false sadhus and pandits, ‘I am happy if you say Vitthala, Vitthala! about the hypocrisy of brahmins, against the theWhat Ekadashi-fast, is for you a great tell that treasure you are is for a servant me equal of worship of many different idols, against to dust! Wear tulsibeads on the neck and keep superstition and caste etc. Apart from the The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta mungi ani rava different bhakti-topics, his abhangs for Vitthala Hari—that is what makes me happy!’ and can be categorized into abhangs of great agony …. ‘ants and kings are all the same to me!’ Shivaji askedwanted himto renounce not to his leave kingdom his then, but Tukaram Maharaj disappearance Chatrapati Shivaji dharma. After Sant Tukaram’s

became the disciple of Sri SantSamartha Tukaram Ramdas. leaves for Vaikunth Celebrations at Sant Tukaram Temple in Dehu

If we set his year of birth as 1608, Sant and yearning, abhangs of resignation and Tukaram disappeared at the age of 42 without waiting, and abhangs of indifference. In the a trace. People believe that Vitthal himself came latter ones he challenges even the existence of God! He accuses Vitthala of not keeping his me loving words, let us eat the food of bliss promise. He sings, ‘God is nothing but a together!thakalose Mother dvari… and child ‘ are not separate— meaningless word, an empty symbol! I’m they eat together from one plate!’ Again, he ashamed to call myself your servant! You are a sings: I’m a beggar standing beggar and a liar! I refuse to utter your name at your door! Vitthala, I want some alms— send again! Would I have known you don’t exist, I Onme theout somehuman little birth love-tokens!’ would have not hankered after you!’ And then there are the songs of bliss, where he tells how barve everything entirely changed after getting jhalo Thealo yaVarkaris janmasi don’t have a self-negating, Vitthala’s darshan, how his limbs are bathed in renouncing approach to life. Tuka says: I don’t want brahmajnana – Vitthal’swaves of indescribableform bliss! … ‘It was good that I took I’m your bhakta and birth and acquired a human sundara te you are my Deva, senses—hands,body, a vessel feet,of bliss,ears, eyesthe dhyana…The most popular of all keep it like this! greatest gain! He gave the five his abhangs is ‘ pahata locanim… , which along with perception, thenand the a bhavarogmouth to, thespeak! disease If you, of Sant Jnaneshvar’s rupa is sung Vitthala, join to them and be the sole object of as an invocation during any bhajan or kirtan.

sharira July 2019 Here Tukaram Maharaj describes Vitthala’s shariraworldly life isdukhace destroyed!’ kothara… enchanting form standing on a brick, hand on a storehouseAbout the of misery, , fullthe ofbody, diseases he says: and 15 the waist, with tulsi garlands around his neck, ‘The body is yellow dhoti, decorated with fish-shaped earrings and the kaustubha-gem. Tuka says: ‘He all,impurities, you can reach the causewith it ofParabrahma entanglement, you can in thatis all he my wanted happiness! to see I Vitthalaalways loveexactly to thinklike this of Maya—at the same time thissamsar body is the best of him like this!’; and Tuka was very particular break with it the fetters of ! Tuka says: and not in any other form! Quickly use it to do bhajans of the Lord!’ PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, CHENNAI DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE

sagun nako Letters Kesari The Vedanta brahmajnana…Tukaram ‘Iis don’tlike wantthe other brahmajnana bhakti saints – I’m firm in his approach. He says: Patrika Special to Sant Tukaram are a set of your bhakta and you are my Deva, keep it like abhangs titled . These are wistful letters now,this! Ienchanter want to see of theyour Gopis, face, keepwant your to embrace feet on which Tukoba formulated for Vitthala when you, want to speak with you! Don’t make late once he was too sick to join the pilgrimage to Pandharpur. He sent them along with Vitthalmy head!’ as a mother Pandharpurthe Varkaris passing by his house.

Tukaram felt himself much like a little boy In many wonderful abhangs he invites Celebrations at Sant Tukaram Temple in Dehu and Vitthala as his mother. He chides Vitthala: people to go to Pandharpur and plunder there ‘What mother are you that you left your child in the unlimitedsakala tirthahuni treasure Pandhari of the holy mukutamani… name. He bhetivancuniyathe forest alone!? duje How nahi could chitti… a mother not fulfill ‘calls the city a touchstone and wish fulfilling the wishes of her darling child?’ He pleads: tree! ‘No other What can I tell you about the splendour of thought than to meet you! Come and whisper to Pandhari, the crest jewel of all tirthas! There punyathe husband of Lakshmi stands on a brick! No holy name is the greatest and most effective! Go need of vows, pilgrimages, alms—the same and plunder Pandhari! There is the you get here by just having one darshan marketplace of God’s name—and it’s all free!’ of Vitthala! Sadhus and sants sing his name! It’s God’s grace is most important because a place of absolute rest for all beings! Tuka you cannot enforce spiritual vision! But if you says: No matter how many praises I heap on call him withsvalpa tears vate and cale all jaun satvika bhavas, he WhoPandhari— are the it’s never Sants? enough!’ cannot hold himself back and he will give darshan! … ‘After God’s embrace you will see him everywhere! Then The association with these supreme why mortify the body? You can dance now! Why bhaktas, who have made Vitthala their Sayall in His all, namein solitude? Therewith is great bliss in the company is one of the most significant such love that God of the sants!’ ‘I’m walking the simple santselements plead of for the this Varkari divine Sampraday. association stands before you! and easy road—and I’m singing ‘Sant is God and God is Sant!’ Many You don’t need Vitthala! You and me in merry playfulness, roaring, shouting in bliss! to go anywhere— in their abhangs, and Tukaram Carrying flags, adorned with God comes home! andMaharaj is entirely stresses without it the most. desire ‘A is saint the gopichandan and tulsimalas! Tuka who gives himself over to the Lord says: This road is straight and goes July 2019 right to Vaikuntha!’ 16 ornament of all ornaments, greater than a Tukaram Maharaj expects from his touchstone or wish-fulfilling tree! All he sees Varkaris very high moral values. All men and and speaks is God! I want to be the sand and women are considered as Panduranga and pebbles in Pandharpur where the sants walk!’ Rukmini! The worst is to hanker after He lists up their qualities: ‘The servants of somebody else’s wife or property! Among other Hari are entirely free from fear, desire, worry qualities he emphasizes utter simplicity, and hope! They are full of compassion, see Thetruthfulness, hardcore humility Varkaris and steadfastness. everybody as equal, and friend and foe alike! The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta They have no ego and pride, and they calmly bear the buffets of the world! They never Among the hundreds of thousands of engage in miracle-mongering! They have toVarkaris, follow allthere his precepts,are groups and whothese take ‘hardcore Sant abandoned the world—they need no honour or Tukaram’s message in a very literal way. They try perishable goods! God’s name is ever on their tongue, they are filled in and out with the Lord Varkaris’ are the personification of simplicity. Upadeshand they bear his seal! People live at their feet!’ They practically live on the road, walking up and down Pandharpur-Alandi on Ekadashis, during repetition of God’s name with one-pointed which they fast and sing throughout the night. Tukaram Maharaj recommended constant They receive food and clothing as is needed to survive, and they lead a life of bhajan absorbed devotion and holding on to Vitthala’s feet in in Vitthala. With their worn-out dhotis, stitched one’s heart! ‘Say his name with such love that up bags, lota and tal dangling from their God stands before you! You don’t need to go shoulders, sleeping on plastic sheets and gunny anywhere—God comes home! The name is bags, they take pride in livingkaya life vacaday tomana day, utterly sweet—repeating it, all bad qualities accepting the uncertainties of life. The frequent drop off automatically! Among all sadhanas the expression in the abhangs: samarpana,

‘surrender body, speech, and mind’ broad road fit for a king! Take out the isDehu what and they the practice. Tukaram Palkhi mridangam, the vina and the tal! Let’s enjoy, let’s taste brahmarasa, “the Bliss of the Absolute”! Now I have no other work than to Every year in March (phalgun), the little sing Vithoba’s name! Tuka says: Even the town Dehu celebrates Sant Tukaram’s greatest sinner becomes a jivanmukta and Vaikunth-Arohan or ascension to Vaikuntha. It crosses over in no time!’ is a one-day festival of bhajan where hundred Speaking of the ‘Warriors of Vitthala.’ he thousand of Varkaris fill up every nook and says: ‘The only true warriors in the world are corner. It is called the ‘Tukaram Beej’. the sants—they are softer than butter, but they Pandharpur, Alandi, Dehu and Paithan are the can cleave a diamond—not to fight for material most venerable places for the Varkaris. goods like land and property, but to fight faults In June/July the Tukaram Palkhi sets out and bad qualities! What has to be destroyed are from Dehu for the Ashad - Yatra (the ‘Vari’) with the fetters of samsar!’vira Tukaramvitthalace Maharaj gadhe… hundred thousands of Varkaris walking to ‘envisagedDeath even a fallsunited at the world feet in of the these footsteps powerful of Pandharpur for the great Ashad Ekadashi. The these sants! He says Tukaram Palkhi is next to the Jnaneshvar Palkhi the most prestigous. warriors of Vitthala! When they thunderously July 2019 The journey itself has the greatest roar the names of Hari up in the sky, they burn significance—the pilgrims become the all faults. Their weapons are forgiveness, 17 embodiment of this many century old tradition. compassion and peace!’ It is open to all, and it is considered a great and joy,Tuka’s where vision there is is a no Pandhari pride of beyondcaste, where time honour and privilege to walk the sacred road to peopleand death! fall The at city each of the other’s sants, thefeet, city whereof love Pandharpur. Here on the road everybody is Vitthal’sdeemed a heroes sant. and the timeless comes out of the priest-and-ritual controlled Pandharpur everybody is equal! A place where Vitthala PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI RAGHUNATH, PREMA SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE

Heci dana dega Kesari The Vedanta devatemple to dance with his bhaktas on the sand Tukaram Maharaj appears so meek and bed of the river! Tuka says: togentle, inspire yet therepeople are and several claims abhangs the status where of his a … ‘Vitthala, give me the boon that I shall voice is full ofamhi power. namace He is dharakaaware of… his and ability kas never forget you! All I ever want is to sing your ghaloni balkat… ‘I have wrestled with time and name with love! I don’t want liberation or deathmessenger: and made a pathway over the ocean of wealth—let me always tradition be withis very the much sants! alive I’m happily accepting then to be reborn again!’ In many an The Varkari samsara! I have come!eka gaveI’m the amhi bearer vithobace of the even today. But a personality like Sant Tukaram nama…name! I bear the stamp of Vithoba!’ has not sprung up since the last 370 years! abhang he says: The abhangs of his disciple Sant Niloba were ‘There is no more birth and death, I the last to be integrated in the abhang promise! I planted my foot on the forehead of collection of all the Marathi bhakti-saints. Sant death!’ ‘I have destroyed the razorblade narrow Tukaram remains the last of the great, the path so difficult to cross—now we can walk a pinnacle! Reminiscences Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA (Continued from previous issue. . .) The author, now one of the Vice Presidents of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, noted these conversations while serving Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, Murshidabad, West Bengal. Premeshananda Maharaj was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. He inspired countless men and women to lead a life of spirituality and service. These reminiscences were originally published in Bengali.

40 25.9.60 sannyasi who was the head of a this book, it is a must for learningSri Sri about Chandi Indian is culture. large, reputable college went to The foundation of the Akasa,

July 2019 Hrishikesh for some days. Ether,Saguna and Brahman Prana, Life(Brahman force with attributes). Maharaj: Look. It is an act of manliness to Creation starts with the combination of 18 walk away from so much honour, influence, and – these have been luxury. He has great potential as a spiritual Motherdepicted Kali variously and Lord as the Shiva goddesses also stand Chandi, for seeker. But there is a flip side to this. On Jagaddhatri, and Durga. The metaphors of returning from Hrishikesh, he will gain prestige among his friends and adding to the honour he Saguna Brahman and Nirguna Brahman alreadyA enjoys, he will be certified as a sadhu (Brahman without attributes). The practice of from Hrishikesh (i.e., a tapasvi)! All these worshippingPeople whotrees, have stones, not andyet serpentsfelt the need slowly of

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta aspects should be kept in– mind.so many ritualistic Godevolved in theirfrom livesthese see concepts. only the defects in the The Brahmin priests are endowed with tremendous rajoguna practices, waving of hands,tantrikas reciting verses, and lives of great men. Do you know why they do performing yajnas with much affectation. Just this? Their minds are weak, so to justify their notice how rajoguni the (practitioners own weaknesses they criticise the lives of great of Shakti worship) are – smearing their men. Such people even allege that Swamiji had foreheads with red sandalpaste, etc. The 8.10.60the desire for honour and fame. emotional,devotees of and Krishna the devotees are full of of Sri love, Ramakrishna Gauranga (Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu) devotees are parivrajakas Maharaj: Some sadhus roam about as sannyasisare serene to– gentle read theand Sridignified. Sri Chandi , or is it (itinerant monks). without any Brahmachari: Is there any need for hisdefinite mind purpose. should But always a sannyasi remain has spiritually a goal – to try and exhaust his rajoguna Wherever he goes, enough if they just read the Gita?Sri Sri Chandi Maharaj: We can learn many things about oriented. He should remember the Creator Indian culture by reading the . whenever he sees beautiful scene. Thus, Although there is no need for sannyasis to read gradually his mind will turn inward. The parivrajaka is to avoid

purposeSuppose of becoming a seeker a practises spiritual attachment to anything.

discipline for fifty years. Perhaps he had circumstancescommitted an evil may act lead ten lifetimeshim to commitago. Now the in this birth a coincidence of similar

untowardsame evil act action again. I Formay this commit reason, inwe a have weak to always remain alert. Who knows what

moment? we mustDispassion practice is aabhyasa-yoga subjective matter. It wells up from within. To quicken and make it strong, Udbodhan , living in a community life in accordance with definite Then the office cabled him prescribed rules. information about the Sargachhi ashrama and Listen. Listen here. Fetch ‘Srim’. Premeshananda. Since then he has been coming Attendant: What is ‘Srim’? here now and then. Notice that whenever he July 2019 Maharaj: Oh! Don’t you know the story? It comes he brings some produce from his farm. is about the doctor you see there – the one who One day he asked me, ‘Have you read this 19 is aged, dark, and thin. When he was studying book?’ I asked,Sri Sri ‘Which Ramakrishna book?’ He Kathamrita replied, ‘Srim’. – as medicine inkhichuri Kolkata, prasada he went to Belur Math toldWithout by Sri getting Ma annoyed, I said, ‘The name of once or twice. Possibly as a volunteer he isthe pronounced book is ‘ma’, like the letter of the distributed to devotees during ’ (‘as told by Mr. M.’ In Bengali, ‘m’ disciplessome celebration. of Sri Ramakrishna In the afternoon too were he attended present the religious meeting as well. The direct alphabet; but the doctor joined the two words

PAGE SPONSOR : DR. RAMYA S., CHENNAI S., RAMYA DR. : SPONSOR PAGE – Sri and M, and pronounced it as ‘Srim’!). The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta there. Let me tell you another story about him. After completing his studies, he took up a For some days he had been pestering me: retirementjob. The World he returnedWar began; to hehis went own abroad house onin ‘Please give me your photograph.’ I tried to commission and earned a lot of money. After avoid this, but he was persistent. Eventually, one day I asked him to come after taking his Murshidabad. One day he went to a shop to buy bath. So he came after bathing and respectfully something. The shopkeeper gave him the item spread his cupped hands. I took a photograph wrapped in a sheet of paper. When he read the from a cloth bag, held it face down, and put it in text written on it, the subject seemed familiar. his hands. He touched his head to it reverently fromIt included the Kathamrita the names of Baburam, Khoka, and and then, turning it over, found that it was a Theothers. Gospel Actually of theSri wrappingRamakrishna paper was a page photograph of Sri Ramakrishna! He (the BengaliKathamrita original, heof remonstrated, ‘But it is Sri Ramakrishna’s ). When he photograph!’ I said to him, ‘Sri Ramakrishna is recognised it as a page from the God, and God is all-inclusive. When everything arranged to get a copy of the book. As he read is within him, isn’t PremeshanandaTo be continued there?’ And the book, a deep sorrow welled up within him. I added, ‘Never lower your ideal.’ ‘Alas!’ he thought. ‘How much I have lost!’ ( . . .) RAMAKRISHNA MATH Ganganagar, P.O: Uttarkashi Uttarakhand: 249193 Email: [email protected]

Offering to Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna: An Appeal

Dear Devotees & Friends, Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math declared open a Math centre at Uttarkashi, an ancient holy town in the Garhwal Himalayas on 20th Oct 2017. There was already a small dwelling house, named as Ramakrishna Kutir since 1963, where sadhus of our Order used to stay for intense Tapasya in the traditional monastic way — begging food from outside and living a simple austere life. Swami Turiyananda, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna spent a year or so in Uttarkashi during his wandering days. Impressed by the Swami’s overwhelming personality and

July 2019 knowing him to be a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, the Raja of Tehri donated a piece of land to him at Uttarkashi and the then Mahant of Kailas Ashrama built a small hut 20 for him. That was the sowing of the seed of future Ramakrishna Math in Uttarkashi. In view of spreading Swami Vivekananda’s ideal of service and spirituality among the masses, we plan to purchase some land measuring at least one acre in Harsil Valley, 75 kms off Uttarkashi and 25 kms from Gangotri. Along with retreat centres for sadhus and devotees, some welfare activities for the benefit of the poor and underprivileged will be taken up after acquiring and developing the land.

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta A sum of Rs. 2 crores is estimated to set up and develop this additional unit of the Uttarkashi Math. We request our friends and devotees, trusts and corporate bodies to contribute liberally to complete this project of welfare and spirituality at the earliest. Donations can be made by NEFT/RTTGS to the Ramakrishna Math, Uttarkashi, Union Bank of India, Uttarkashi Branch; IFSC: UBIN0560189, A/c No. 601802010006696. Kindly mention the purpose as “Donation for purchase of land and development of the Math centre” and send your PAN and full address by email to [email protected] or SMS to 9447051231. May Sri Ramakrishna, Ma Sarada, Swami Vivekananda bless you all.

Date: 1 June 2019 Yours in the Lord, Swami Amaleshananda Adhyaksha Article

Lyrics in Terracotta – Ratneshwar Temple of Bhattamati

DEVASHIS NANDY

late medieval period is an of Daspur in Medinipore, Pratapeshwar temple study of temples in Bengal of the Bishnupur in Bankura, Laxmi Janardan Temple

interesting chapter in history of of Kalna in Burdwan, Raghunath Temple of Indian art and architecture. Evolving in Ghurisha in Birbhum, and Raghaveswar temple withintimate its associationvaried styles with – theChala, changing Ratna, phases Deul, of Dignagar in Nadia. of life and faith, temple architecture of Bengal This article is about Ratneshwar temple – a beautiful five-pinnacled terracotta Dome-shaped, Flat-roofed etc., – and the ornamented Saivaite temple which is fading decorations, designs and graceful terracotta into oblivion. July 2019 worksA of floral, animal and human figures is a 21 great legacy. The low-lands of Bengal are sustained by rivers and canals and its alluvial soil inspired the then artisans to make brick temples. In the humid and moist climate of Bengal it is very natural that instead of stones, clay was chosen as the medium to give expression to Bengali sentiments and culture PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, TEYNAMPET, CHENNAI TEYNAMPET, DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE through terracotta (baked clay) temples across Kesari The Vedanta the Rarh Bengal specially in the districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Hooghly, Murshidabad, Medinipore, Howrah, Purulia, Burdwan and Nadia. The subject matters in terracotta on these temples are generally Hindu epics – Ramayana, Mahabharata, Krishna Lila, Vaishnavism, Mangal Kavyas; social scenes with different types of floral and geometrical designs also cover the temple walls. There are hundreds of beautiful terracotta temples still existing in Bengal. Some of them are – Radha Govinda Ratneswar Temple temple of Antpur, Ananta Vasudeva temple of Hooghly,The Shyamrai author, who and lives Jor in Chandannagar, Bangal temples W.B., hasof a number of publications on Terracotta temples. [email protected] Base Freize Front Facade

devoted followers of Sri Chaitanya

Bhattamati, is a small village in Murshidabad district, located about 5 kms west Mahaprabhu. These two were instrumental in of Lalbag Court Road Railway Station on bringing these Bhatta Brahmins to this village. ShivaHowrah temple – Azimganj full sectionof terracotta of Eastern artwork, Railway. It can be presumed that they were tasked to The presence of Ratneshwar, a Pancharatna establish a Vaishnava learning school in Murshidabad to spread the Vaishnava culture indicates that the village had a glorious past. and the teachings of Sri Chaitanya. There is a July 2019 Most of the terracotta artwork has been large pond in the southern direction known as destroyed due to neglect and passage of time. Kalisagar. 22 the artisans of those times, and the temple can Still one can enjoy the beautiful handiwork of This is a Pancharatna temple i.e., having five turrets on the top – four pinnacles on the dedicatoryeasily stand plaquein favourable and it comparison is not known with who any sides and the one at the centre being much other terracotta temple of Bengal. There is no largerwhich in size.are pyramidalThe entire instructure shape, isare on ina square base symmetryand each of thewith ratnas the or turretsmain built this temple. Four hundred The village was initially temple faces south to which is its

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Carnatic Bhatta known as Bhattabati, the abode structure of the temple. The Brahmins settled in thatof Bhattas; four hundred it later Carnaticbecame wall has the richest terracotta corrupted as Bhattamati. It is said this Bengal village single entrance. This south-facing during the reign of walls follow a similar Bhatta Brahmins settled in this Allauddin Hussain ornamentation. All the exterior village in the days of Allauddin Shah (1494 -1519). Hussain Shah (1494 -1519), the arrangement of three tiers with king of Gaur. The reign of Hussain overhanging cornices. Inside the Shah was known for religious tolerance temple there is a huge Siva lingam which is towards Hindus. It was during his reign that the worshipped daily by a local priest. celebrated medieval saint Sri Chaitanya secondThe arch front is side,heavily i.e., decorated the south withface whichsocial Mahaprabhu preached the Bhakti cult has a rectangular space between the first and throughout Bengal. TwoDabir-i-khas high level ) HinduRupa officers in Hussain Shah’s administration, one and domestic scenes like hunting, dancing, hisSaghir-Malik private secretary ( music, smoking, and even a guru followedMangala by Goswami and another his confidant minister his disciples. These different scenes are on the ( ) Sanatan Goswami became two sides of beautifully carved Kalashas, the auspicious earthen pots, set

Lord Vishnu. On the eastern face of the temple, vertically one above the another. The second to the left is Gour Nitai, to the right Radha arch has an overhanging cornice supported on Krishna, and in the middle Sharabhuja nine twin tigers standing on their hind legs. revealedGouranga, orthis Sri formChaitanya with Mahaprabhu six hands with to The entire arch is overhung by a heavily six hands. It is believed that Sri Chaitanya ornamented vine design. Above the design is panelsstucco workof Dashavataras, of different leafythe tenstructure. A Sarvabhauma, Ramananda and Nitai. The first Front Facade incarnationssmaller arch aboveof Lord that Vishnu, supports a series of two hands hold a bow and an arrow, the second two handshands hold hold a flute a danda, in the or act stick, of playingand upon a it,kamandalu, and the last twoor theflanked late by Ganas.medieval Almost all periodbrick temples portray in Bengal the of this manifestation, Sri sacred water pot. By understand that he onDashavatars. either side Thesefrom Chaitanyawas Rama made as well Nitai as panels are flanked

bottom to the top by Krishna.

social, and political July 2019 sidea series depict of episodespanels. scenes Thedepicted religious, on the fromThose the on lifethe ofright Lord 23 Rama, while those on the society which was at the left side present the life of crossroadstemple inwalls late medievalreflect a

either side of the doorway, just Lord Krishna. Interestingly, on Sharabhuja Gouranga Bengal, especially in the field of temple building. Although this above the base frieze there, there are temple was first documented and PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, KISMATPUR, HYDERABAD KISMATPUR, DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE two groups approaching each other – from the notified for renovation and protection by the Kesari The Vedanta right come a troop of Englishmen with suits wasDirectorate carried of out Archaeology only in 2005-2006 and Museums, with Govt. the and hats,Other and than from on the southernleft come side,a brigade the rest of of West Bengal in 1973, the renovation work ofMuslim the temple’ssoldiers. terracotta plaques are in a help of Public Works Department, Murshidabad. But after that there has been no dilapidated condition. On the western side, arrangement to protect this priceless Similarly,there is an on unusually the northern large side 6ft thereheight is Matsyathe 6ft curiousmonument. tourists The temple and loversstands inof the terracotta midst of Avatar, the Fish Incarnation of Lord Vishnu. paddy fields surrounded by ponds, awaiting

height Vamana Avatar, the Dwarf Incarnation of temples. Correction: In the article ‘Swami Vivekananda in Sri Lanka:

Vennarpannai Shivan temple and adjoiningNew Findings’, Kathiresan June (Murugan2019 page or Kartikeya)24 the caption temple for where the Swamijiphotograph worshipped should be on as: 24 January 1897. Article

Bishop John J. Keane: In Defense of Swami Vivekananda

ASIM CHAUDHURI

Introduction

speeches at the Parliament of applause by saying that he did not come to Swami Vivekananda’s first three speak tonight. He took occasion, however, to povertycriticize whichmany ofprevails the statements in China, madehe said in that the Religions in 1893: ‘Response to paper by Mr. Headland. Referring to the Welcome’ (September 11), ‘Why We Disagree’ for(September tolerance 15), or acceptance,and ‘Paper anon appealHinduism’ for persuadethe missionaries the Chinese would to dorenounce better totheir work faith in (September 19), were respectively an appeal appeasing hunger than in endeavoring to

interfaith understanding, and a profound of centuries and embrace Christianity at [as] July 2019 exposition of Hinduism. But it was a different the price of food. And then the Hindu 24 story on September 20 (‘Religion not the Crying stepped back on the platform and whispered Need of India’). That was a speech accusing the to Bishop Keane, of the Catholic church, a Christian missionaries in India of trying to save moment. He then resumed his address by the souls of the heathen instead of trying to saying that Bishop Keane had told him that fortuitoussave their bodies coincidence from starvation. that some He wasof thenot Americans would not be offended at honest speakersscheduled didn’t to speak show thatup and night. the Itaudience was a criticism. Chicago likelyThis that isthey the hadfirst some time weprior see discussions Bishop Keane on entering the ‘Vivekananda Orbit’. It is highly

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Inter Ocean persuaded him to take the podium. The actual speech: of September 21 reported the that general subject. The absence of the following as to what happened just prior to his scheduled speakers in that time slot gave Swamiji the opportunity to speak. We will see announcedAt the close of thatthe reading the other of Mr. Headland’sspeakers later how the bishop’s views coincided with paper on ‘Religion in Peking’ Dr. Momerie Whothose wasof Swamiji. Bishop Keane?

bulletined for the evening had failed to appear. It was but 9 o’clock, and the main It may be appropriate at this point to auditorium and galleries were well filled. introduce Bishop John Joseph Keane (1839- There was an outburst of applause as they 1918), then the rector of the Catholic University caught sight of the Hindoo monk, of America in Washington, D.C., and also the Vivekananda, sitting in his orange robe and bishop of Richmond, Virginia. Bishop Keane scarlet turban upon the platform. This was known for his liberal and progressive popularThe Hindooauthor, a wellresponded known researcher to the ongenerous Swami Vivekananda, views. lives Although in U.S.A. [email protected] Catholics were th century, he

discriminated against in the 19 ofwas the reading Roman aCatholic long paper Church by toone the Charles Poor and F. strongly advocated the full representation of Donnelly at the Parliament, titled ‘The Relation the Catholic Church at the World’s Parliament Chicago Herald of of Religions. His deep commitment to Destitute.’ But he paused during the reading education, and to interfaith understanding and said, as reported by the were legendary. He constantly reachedChrist out wouldSeptember 22, 1893 (page 10): beyond the confines of his church, bless poverty, …..My heart was glad when I and was the first Catholic bishop in listened last night [September 20] but would never Virginia to preach to the African- and heard our good friend, the American community. His liberal/ bless destitution Hindoo, confess that for years he did Catholicprogressive Church worldview hierarchy drew and the he wasire forced to not know where he was going to get of conservative members of the his next meal. That was the way with these poor Franciscan monks. They were resign his rectorship in 1896. reduced to poverty in order that they might Bishop Keane was a friend of the poor and better consecrate themselves to the service of classesdisenfranchised. and for Hethe worked rapid tirelesslyassimilation for the of God everywhere. And let me also say here, social and cultural uplifting of the working because it is in close connection with the thought printed in the paper [Mr. Donnelly’s immigrants into American life. He drew a paper], from my heart I indorse the July 2019 distinction between the poor and the destitute. denunciation that was hurled forth last night 25 Just before heHerald expressed) for Swamiji’s his support views, theon against the system of pretended charity that September 21, 1893 at the Parliament (as offered food to the hungry Hindoo at the cost of reported by the their conscience and their faith. The question day before, he had said, ‘Christ would bless might well be asked whether among Christian poverty, but Christ would never bless people such a system was possible, and yet we destitution. Christ was poor, his apostles were have only to look back to the history of famine poor, but Christ and his apostles never were in Ireland in order to know that such things PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, KISMATPUR, HYDERABAD KISMATPUR, DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta miserable and destitute. It is a mistake to state,have been.in answer A shame, to a halfa disgrace question to thosealso asked who suppose that the Church of God gives any call themselves Christians. But I am happy to sanction or benediction to destitution or that in China and in India, the Sisters of Charity wretchedness.’ There is a subtle difference andlast night,the Little and inSisters connection of the withPoor this have subject, many between poverty and destitution. While poverty is a state of being materially poor or indigent, destitution goes beyond poverty; it implies institutions in which they are pledged by holy reduction to a state of abjectness—a degrading vows to care for the indigent, no matter what mental state. The distinction is important, might be their faith, without asking any man to because Swamiji had taken vows of chastity, be guilty of the sham hypocrisy of pretending Bishoppoverty, Keane’sand mendicancy—but endorsement not of of destitution. atconversion the denunciation in order to that get camebread. also [Applause.] from the Vivekananda I will go further and say: We were startled Christian system of the atonement, as he heart of the Hindoo monk last night, of the On September 21, the day after the whispered communication between Swamiji understood it. I sympathize with him from his and Bishop Keane on the platform, the bishop standpoint. There have been men who through a mistaken piety have so exhausted the supremacy of God as to utterly annihilate all

idearesponsibility of the atonement and the of Christco-operation I have no of more the human free will. For any such systemsic or the

sympathy than has our Buddhist [ ] friend. I say to him let him go on criticizing the Christians, we do not hear half enough of this. I firmly believe in the principle laid down by dear Bobby Burns [Robert Burns]: O wad some power the Giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us. [Applause] And if by these criticisms Vivekananda can only stir us and sting us into better teachings and better doings in the great work of Christ in the world I for one will be profoundly grateful to our friend, the great Hindoo monk. [Applause.]

July 2019 A friend in deed Swamiji rarely received such public 26 endorsement of any clergy in the U.S., and that too in front of an international audience of Christians Swami Vivekananda in Chicago Sept 1893 of all denominations. He must have been in the It is unfortunate that very little is known audience listening in appreciation to every word about their interaction during the rest of the of it and must have been grateful to the bishop for Parliament days and thereafter; maybe there his support. It is important to note that the bishop wasn’t any. Swamiji was in Washington, D.C., the said things that Swamiji had left unsaid. home of the Catholic University of America, in the The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta fall of 1894, but there is no record of his meeting with Bishop Keane, who had spoken his mind against the ‘system of pretended charity’ of Christian missionaries in Asia. The bishop’s defense of the Hindu monk probably did not sit well with the conservative leaders of his church, and might have been added to the list of his other unorthodox views that led to his forced resignation from the rectorship three years later. Bishop John Joseph Keane will always be remembered as Swamiji’s friend in need. They were of the same mindset. Swamiji consulted with him before firing his salvo of criticism against Christian missionaries; and the bishop came back, praised him Bishop John J. Keane (1839-1918) for it the next day, and did more of the same. PULLOUT FOR REFERENCE

Note: This is the seventh issue in the 9-part series on Swami Issue 19 Vivekananda's message issue 10 to the youth. For previous issues refer The Vedanta Kesari: January � June 2019 IN THIS ISSUE: Message 7 Expand your heart

Swami Vivekananda extols us to expand our heart and genuinely feel for others. In his own words:

First, feel from the heart. What is in “ the intellect or reason? It goes a few At your very threshold, Nârâyana July 2019 “ Himself in the form of a poor beggar steps and there it stops. But through 27 the heart comes inspiration. Love is dying of starvation! Instead of opens the most impossible gates; giving him anything, would you only love is the gate to all the satisfy the appetites of your wife and secrets of the universe. children with delicacies? Why, that CW:V:382 CW:III: 225 is beastly! PAGE SPONSOR : GREENMESG.ORG, CHENNAI GREENMESG.ORG, : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Even if you cannot give “ to others for want of money, surely you can at least breathe into their ears some Even the least work done for others good words or impart some good “ awakens the power within; even instruction, can’t you? Or does that thinking the least good of others also require money? CW:V:382 gradually instills into the heart the strength of a lion. CW:III:382

Designed & developed by ILLUMINE >Explore further... Knowledge Catalysts ® www.illumine.in Here are some examples of people who were moved by the plight of others & took action. Can you think of more?

example 1 example 2

Children of Sathe Nagar, SAGAR RASKAR & PANKAJ SHELKE have had to walk across a witnessed the devastating effects of rioting - burning 100 feet long stretch of of shops and vehicles, leading to loss of life and an open and dirty canal, property. “In such situations, common citizens are which has also claimed at the receiving end of the carnage. [Such] violence a few lives. The parents prompted the two of us to do something about it”, were reluctant to send says Sagar. their children to school. Moved by the plight of the common Moved by the terrible conditions the school children citizens in the face of not only riots but had to suffer, & the consequent effect on their also tragic fire accidents, the two friends education, 17 year old ESHAN BALBALE took set out to come up with a quicker & the initiative to ensure safe travel for the children. easy-to-use solution that could prevent He decided to build a bridge. such tragedies. After endless research & development they've come up with a cylinder-shaped Realizing that building a concrete bridge would take fireball that can douse fire within 3-10 seconds. a long time due to permission from the government, he decided to make a bamboo bridge which would be light yet strong, and could provide basic safety

July 2019 example 3 to the kids as they travel every day.

28 As a college student, whenever HIMANSHU PATEL went back example 4 to his village Punsari, he was bothered by the stark difference Earth Saviours Foundation at Gurugram between the town and the village. supports abandoned and mentally- (i) There was no electricity, water system, health challenged persons. With 500 people to centres, angandwadi, etc. (ii) Law & order was out of cater to, the Foundation was primarily control & there was no effort to resolve the frequent reliant on a borewell for their water needs. internal clashes in the village. But as the groundwater in the city continued to The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta He could not digest the condition of the people deplete, they had to keep digging deeper. Soon they & the village. Even as a student, he wanted to do were facing acute water shortage which was affecting something about it. For example, he would search out the lives of the residents. government schemes and propose it to the Sarpanch. Seeing this, 15 year old TAVISHI felt the urgent need However, no one was willing to listen to a young boy to address this crisis. She decided to help them with who didn’t hold any position in the village. a cost-effective yet efficient method of ensuring a So, after completing his education, he decided to take sustainable water source. How? Through rainwater up full responsibility for changing the condition of the harvesting. village. Becoming a Sarpanch at the age of 22, he She only had a month before the monsoon season has been living this goal for the last 10 years, and the started. The marathon began - she campaigned for difference can be seen. funds, contacted experts for guidance & planned the Today, Punsari is one of the best villages of India, with implementation, got necessary permissions, all the all the amenities of a city - electricity, street lights, while managing her exams & swimming practice. The pucca roads, toilets, garbage management, wifi, time-crunch was challenging but she was determined. and so on. Himanshu is one of the most dynamic The project was completed on time and it has made a Sarpanchs India has. huge difference to the Foundation. What stops us from expanding our hearts and becoming like these people? Here are some of the common barriers...

Barrier 1: Selfishness Barrier 2: Murugan's house abuts Callousness or a very narrow lane, insensitivity BREAKING NEWS which causes issues 2.3 crore during catastrophes like Rajeev is watching the kids in India malnourished fire etc. A proposal to news on the T.V. widen the lane by taking No way! I will lose Such things happen because in the the compound part of my property, of overpopulation. These wall along the lane, has which I worked so villagers produce so many been proposed... hard for!! kids & they can't feed them.

In this case, Rajeev is unwilling to In this case, Murugan is unwilling to go beyond empathize with the ground realities of his own narrow self-interest for the sake of children in various parts of our country collective good

Barrier 3: Apathy Barrier 4: Insincerity or lack of concern In a co-operative bank, a pensioner comes in with a genuine & urgent need... The Times of India Jan 19, 2016 Come back tomorrow July 2019 and check. It might A 39-year-old civic employee lay helplessly on the be ready... railway tracks at Halisahar station after a train severed 29 both his legs on Monday morning. Hundreds of people Why should I including GRP and RPF personnel and commuters hurry up for this watched, yet no one raised a finger to help. After 20 lady. Anyway, it's minutes, another train crushed him to death. 5 pm and I need to go home today... BANK EMPLOYEE CUSTOMER

This is a case where people are reluctant In this case, the employee is unwilling to to step out of their preoccupation with their sincerely commit to helping somebody else and own interest and are unwilling to take even invest herself into the other person’s problems. PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. RAJAM SUBRAMANIAM, CHENNAI RAJAM SUBRAMANIAM, SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE

a little trouble for other people. Kesari The Vedanta

Barrier 5: Feeling of Barrier 6: Disengagement separateness or division The Times of India Mar 15, 2018 Ayan is searching for a house to rent in a city. He asks Rakesh for help... In the course of routine, Agency's blunder leads to cancellation of 5000 ration cards Under the National Food Safety Act, new cards were to be issued to all ration card holders. Many applicants left the Why should I help Aadhaar field blank in the form, as it was not specified as him? He is not from mandatory. However, the department had to get the job done, my community. Let so they filled in random Aadhaar numbers to get those forms him struggle on his submitted. However, as the verification process failed, the own! RAKESH system not only rejected the application, but also cancelled the existing ration cards of those applicants. These families came to know only when they went to collect their supplies! This is a case where Rakesh is unwilling to This is a case where people are unwilling to get let go of the artificial barriers that he has involved to genuinely solve a problem, and look for created with other people. quick fix answers instead, which may lead to great unintentional harm. How to expand our hearts? Four Practices which can help begin our journey...

PRACTICE 1: PRACTICE 2: Expanding our concern set Expanding our zone of self-interest wider concerns employment wider zone & livelihood infrastructure Benefit for all and public for all facilities concerned? How will it affect harmony everyone - in between different ways? safety for communities women and children narrow zone narrow concerns My benefits? my wife & Win-win for all? senior citizen children friendly What's in services it for me? my friends Is it in the larger interests How am I my career better of everyone? affected?

July 2019 quality of education my relatives 30

PRACTICE 3: PRACTICE 4:

Expanding our sense of Expanding our vision of life identification & our aspirations

wider identification wider vision & aspirations The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta I am identified with new kinds of my country and hence positive impact challenges to I feel a oneness with on society at face & solve? all fellow citizens large?

contribute narrow identification towards I am identified nation with my family, narrow vision & aspirations building? friends and people from good my community/ lifestyle? valuable and locality/ religion. career good fulfilling growth? pay? work-life?

Share examples of your experiences of trying out these practices, on www.vivekanandaway.org Any questions that come up in your mind while doing so, can also be discussed here.

Ma ic , M ira g cle s a nd lve the Mystical we

LAKSHMI DEVNATH

ne hundred and fifty,” Poorva concluded. Boredom had forced her to count the ants crawling out of her window in a perfectly straight line. “How I wish I were one of them,” she sighed. Standing near the window, Poorva watched with utmost irritation as yet another salt-and-pepper head bobbed into her house. She shifted her position and saw the ungainly figure attached to the almost non-existent July 2019 neck. God! It was the lady from across the street. Aunties, uncles … so many of them – they kept coming … coming to see HIM! 31 Poorva walked towards the staircase and leant over the railing. Yes, there he was – the old man with the saintly smile. His eyes looked so gentle that Poorva felt her anger wane. Her “Ochange in mood, however, lasted for barely a few seconds. He was the supreme saboteur, she reminded herself. The one who had ruined her holiday plans! Poorva had been forced to remain at home for the last two months. First, her baby brother had fallen ill, and then she had PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. SHUBHALAXMI PITRE, MUMBAI PITRE, SHUBHALAXMI SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE comelast down week ofwith her chickenpox. holidays, when Notwithstanding the old man had all come these to Kesari The Vedanta setbacks, the family had just decided to make the most of the

stay in their house, “completing the disaster sequence,” Poorva fumed. Anger surged within her as she recalled yesterday, the day her mother had brought home this Mr. – or should she say ‘Swami’ – Ramaswamy. Apparently, he was her granduncle, who had surfaced after a long time. The previous night, her mother had gushed to her father, “We always addressed him as ‘Swami Maama’ and now he has evolved into a true Swami! I’ve heard from so many people that his spiritual powers are enormous. Don’t you think we did the right thing by inviting him home? I can understand Poorva’s disappointment, but we may never The author is a getresearcher another and writeropportunity with various to books have and somebody articles on Indian like musicSwami and Maamaculture to herstay credit. with [email protected] Illustrator: Smt. Lalithaa Thyagarajan. [email protected] us.” She had then turned to Poorva, standing beside her with a pronounced scowl on her face, and said, “Kanna, don’t look so grumpy. I’m sorry that I have upset your holiday plans. But I came to know only yesterday that he was visiting Chennai. Poorva, Swami Maama is like your Thaatha. I’m sure you’ll get to like him.” Not impressed, Poorva had cut in, “When will he be leaving?” Her mother had replied, with a reproachful glance, “Stop being rude, Poorva. It’s a privilege to have him stay with us.” To be continued This was surely the most pathetic holiday ever, or so Poorva thought. The book is available through www.lakshmidevnath.com( . . .)

Aazhvaars

The Aazhvaars or Aalvaars were 12 great Tamil saint-poets who worshipped Sri Vishnu as the Supreme Lord. They were called Aalvaars because they always remained immersed in experiencing the love and presence of God. They lived in the serene countryside on the banks of Tamraparani July 2019 and Cauvery and shores around Mamallapuram and Mylapore. are called Pasurams Pasurams constitute the Nalayira Divya The Aalvaars poured out their ecstatic experience of the Divine in chaste Tamil poems which 32 Prabandham , or verses. Collectively, these , which amounts to 4000 verses. They are famous for their poetic beauty, rhythm, and deep philosophic and spiritual truths. It is believed that the Aalvaars are incarnations of different aspects of Sri Vishnu as given Name Incarnation of Birth Place below: Paanchajanyam

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Kaumodhaki Poigai Aazhvaar (conch) Thiruvehka in Kanchipuram Nandhaka Mylapore Bhootham Aazhvaar (mace) Thirukadalmallai or Mahabalipuram Sudarsana Pey Aazhvaar (sword) Vishwaksena Thirumazhisai Aazhvaar (discus) Thirumazhisai Nammazhvaar (commander-in-chief) Thirukkurugoor or Aazhvaar Madhura Kavi Kumudha Thirunagari (one of the celestial beings in Thirukkoloor Kausthubha Sri Visnu's kingdom) Garuda Srivilliputhur Kulashekhara Aazhvaar (gem) Mahodayapuram now Kodungallur Bhooma Devi Srivilliputhur Periaazhvaar (vehicle) Vaijayanthi Andal (Mother Earth) Thondaradippodi (garland) Mandhankudi, near Kumbakonam Shrivatsam Aazhvaar Saarangam Thiruppaan Aazhvaar (a mole on the chest) Uraiyur Thirumangai Aazhvaar (bow) Thirukkuraiyaloor Pariprasna Q & A with Srimat Swami Tapasyananda (1904 to 1991), Vice-President of the Ramakrishna Order.

Approach the wise sages, offer reverential salutations, repeatedly ask proper questions, serve them and thus know the Truth.

— Bhagavad Gita Reason and Faith

QUESTION: What are the relative roles of reason and faith in the path of devotion? MAHARAJ: Faith and reason are the two unique faculties of the human mind. Animals have neither of these. Many a learned man recognizes that reason is a distinguishing feature of man from

animal. But by a strange perversity, they fail to recognize that the faculty of faith is equally so. Faith July 2019 and rationality are like the two legs of a man. One who is devoid of either of these faculties is like a one-legged man. 33 In everyday life also it would be noticed that ninety per cent of our activities are based on information accepted on faith. For this the so-called rationalists have perhaps no objection. All their objection is reserved for the acceptance of an ultimate spiritual principle that transcends Nature and of which Nature is only an expression. Now, it is an obvious fact that reason understood as a processing of data cannot in itself provide the data. In matters connected with life and Nature, the data are provided by sense experiences. These also include scientific powers of the senses enhanced by instruments. The PAGE SPONSOR : SRI HARISH RANGANATHA SHASTRI, BENGALURU SHASTRI, RANGANATHA HARISH SRI : SPONSOR PAGE function of reason consists in processing these data and establishing connections between them Kesari The Vedanta drawing inferences from them, and formulating theories based on them. Naturalism contends that Nature is self-sufficient, and self-explanatory. There are no data beyond Nature and even if there are, there is no way of getting at them. Large numbers of people feel that this is a very unsatisfactory position. For it makes life and Nature meaningless and to submit to a meaningless existence is an impossible situation with the human spirit. Those who are satisfied with the life of the senses and the joys and fulfilments it offers, however, stifle questions on this problem. They follow the way of the ostrich by ignoring the problem. But no one with an earnest spirit can rest at that. Such a person struggles through the path of introspection to overcome this stalemate and it is the verdict of the best among such, that they are able to solve the riddle by developing the power of intuition by which they recognize that Reality in its essence is Sat Chit Ananda (Existence Knowledge Bliss) and not a mere mechanical entity. The witness of intuition is immensely more powerful than sense perception. Now this power of intuition is only developed from faith. Faith must begin to operate when pure reasoning gets stultified. Faith is the pre-acceptance of the nature of the ultimate reality as Sat Chit Ananda, with utmost sincerity and with resolution to live in a way as to lead to this intuitive experience. It includes also faith in the Sastras or scriptures that inculcates doctrines based on the intuitions of the great seers of the spiritual reality and the disciplines laid down by them for aspirants to follow. The so-called rationalists scoff at the ideas stated above about the method of intuition. But their attitude reveals only their ignorance and dogmatism. They seem to have a vested interest in their ignorance. Reason has a place in dealing with the data got through intuition. Just as it processes the findings of science and formulates theories it can do the same with the findings of intuition,—study them as experiences of different seers, establish their relation with the findings of natural science and build systems that will appeal to the rational understanding of man. Thus reason and intuition have to work together to build a comprehensive theory about life and its goal. All trouble starts when some people begin with the idea that faith is fundamentally a pursuit of superstition, which it is not. It can of course degenerate into that if it is not properly cultivated, just as the reasoning faculty of man can lead to fallacious conclusions if it is not trained and exercised properly. What faith can give, can never be got by mere reasoning; for faith is the forerunner, the germ, of intuition. Reasoning is also required to coordinate and regulate the findings of intuition based on faith. Love of God

QUESTION: What is meant by the expression ‘Intellectual Love of God’? MAHARAJ: The expression ‘Intellectual Love of God’ was used by the great western philosopher Spinoza in the context of his conception of an absolute and impersonal God. God loves July 2019 Himself but does not return the love and prayers of finite beings, according to him. But the finite 34 being, man, is in his essence one with the only substance, which is God. To know oneself in that relation with the eternal Being i.e., be united with Him in essence by discarding the hold of impermanent entanglements, is to participate in His self-love, which is only another name for ‘Bliss of pure existence or unsullied Being’. Such participation in the bliss of the eternal Being through union with Him is called Intellectual Love in contrast with sentimental, personal devotion to a Being who is expected to respond to personal love and prayers. This is not much different from the point of view of the followers of the path of pure Jnana or even of devotion mixed with Jnana in the Indian tradition. But the followers of the path of pure The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta devotion would also consider God as personal. To say that He is only an impersonal Principle is to compromise with His absoluteness. To limit Him as irresponsive to love and devotion will only reduce participation in His bliss to the status of enjoyment of a natural scenery or appreciation of herea scientific also the law. devotee It is the does contention not crave of for the any Bhakti favours school except that the God joy reveals His pure Bliss-Nature only to one who considers Him as his ‘own’ and approaches Him in a personal relationship. Of course,

of serving Him. Here also God is bliss, but He is active bliss. He has the power of bliss, which actively elevates the devotee who approaches Him through prayer and surrender to become a participant of divine bliss by destroying all obstacles that stand in the way and raising him to the state of participation in the bliss of service (Bhajanananda). Selections from Spiritual Quest: Questions & Answers

by Swami Tapasyananda Article

The ‘As’-‘Is’ Hybrid SWAMI SATYAPRIYANANDA

he men of Knowledge state that Brahman entered? In the case of embodied Brahman alone is real; the world is beings, the Atman is lodged in the five sheaths explain theirillusory point, theylike atake dream. the illustration Yet we know of composed of food, vital force, mind, knowledge, that in dream the dream experience is real. To and bliss. Where are these sheaths when the world itself is denied? One would expect that the snake and the rope. What lies there in front there would be no attempt to describe the of us is just a rope, but we become afraid ultimateIn the Truth explanation relying in anythat, way that on from something which thinking that it is a snake. We tremble and unreal which eventually gets discarded. shout for help. However, when someone throws sustained and that unto which they return on a beamT of light and points out that none of the beings are born, that in which they are features of a snake is present in that thing and on the false world to point out the real July 2019 conditionit is just aif rope,we look all at these a snake unnerving and think feelings that it dissolution, is Brahman – it is again a reliance leave us. Even more unfortunate is our 35 Brahman. Even a knower of Brahman is not theis just Anatman a rope! If we try to pick it up, we will be averse to running ashramas, preaching to bitten. So, we are warned not to see Atman in disciples, or begging for alms; all of these have (world) and nor be attached to the interaction with the denied world! Men of unreal world. We should continue our quest for knowledge believe that a daring man turns his Brahman through a system of disciplines. vision (and other senses too) inward to PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, VIDYARANYAPURA, BENGALURU VIDYARANYAPURA, DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE

It is strange also to see that men of perceive the Atman. What was there to perceive Kesari The Vedanta Knowledge explain creation! From Atman outwardly anyway, that one had to turn inward? comes space, fire, water, earth and so on to In all religions barring Hinduism, such embodied people. If the world were really developmentbold questioning is ofdenied; acceptance of the unreal why should one go to such elaborate dogma is a must. But Hinduism Thegives ‘As-Is’ scope hybridfor explanation of creation. The five fires supposes that Brahman explaining creation found in the Upanishads werespiritual to arriveideas. atThe a alone is present, either seem to be out of place. So also is the idea that above observations ‘As’ the world or ‘Is’ Brahman felt lonely and thought I shall become Let us take the Brahman. the many. In many there will be enjoyment of examplebetter understanding. to illustrate the ‘Is’ ness of the worldly the ‘other’. And stranger further is the utterance exists; this cloth exists. that having projected the world, Brahman Existence is the common feature of the denied entered into it. objects. This pot Sat, Existence. The main objection that the world would Chit, limit the infinitude of Brahman can come under world. So, the ultimate Reality is question. The author Where is a senior was sannyasi the world of the Ramakrishna into which Order andIt is lives further in Belur described Math. [email protected] as Consciousness/ Ananda, . So the svarupalakshana Knowledge and Bliss ‘Is’ and it is all Brahman; turn the mode switch result of the natural of tendencyBrahman to is reachSat-Chit- that interactionsto ‘As’ and it iswith this the world. world, With our this sadhana, perception our Ananda. This is supported also by our efforts (a we can explain our otherwise inexplicable to humanity in the spirit of worship of God and state) to live long, to be conscious and concepts of bondage and liberation, our service knowledgeable, as well as to enjoy undivided bliss. However, in the mortal plane there is no last but not the least our ‘namaskar/pranams’ place of absolute Sat-Chit-Ananda; it can be with folded hands. By being stuck to one grove only relative. We can live longer, know more, we deny the other and in the language of Sri and be happier. The absolute in a relativeSri Ramakrishna world Ramakrishna, asked wewhether do not weget will the restcomplete in ‘Is’ examplesis only a mirage. one could take the devotees not to be one-sided: weight of the Bilva fruit. As to Referring to the above stand that ‘whatever is’ is form, formless and many Mothermode or whom ‘As’ mode we supplicate depends more possibilities exist. on the Will of the Divine ‘what it looks as’. The ‘Is’ Put no limit to God. ness of Brahman looks as the with humility. If She chooses pot or the cloth in the world. to, She may place a privileged This gives rise to the ‘As’ ness of Brahman or person in that state of being in touch July 2019 Shakti as it is called. Here comes the simultaneously with ‘As’ and ‘Is’ aspects. That is 36 significance of Sri Ramakrishna’s statement what Bhavamukha is. that Brahman and Shakti are identical; that he Sri Ramakrishna did not like to be merged calls Brahman when it is not engaged in the in Brahman for ever when one behaves like a acts of creation-preservation-destruction. child, a mad man, a ghoul or an inert person. He When engaged in these activities which we wanted multiplicity by being in the company of perceive all around us, it is Shakti. Therefore, devotees, singing songs on the Divine Mother, the world need not be denied and there is no speaking of spiritual topics and dancing in problem of the world limiting the infinitude of ecstasy and showering blessings on eager PAGE SPONSOR : SRI RAJU Z. MORAY, MUMBAI MORAY, RAJU SRI Z. : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Chatelier’sBrahman. Itprinciple, is like anthe equilibrium reaction can reaction: proceed aspirants. He would eat food items without reactants < – > products. Following Le mixing them up so that his mind did not get merged into Unity experience. Again sometimes from left to right or from right to left. In he wanted to be completely away from all theordinary perfect usage human we at canthe othercall thatend wasinvolution- already frustrationcompany, even of thisremoving to and the fro pictures movement, of deities the evolution. What is evolving from the amoeba to Divinefrom his Mother room. Thisperhaps is a see-saw.asked him Knowing thrice the to

involved. This is the theory of cycles; it is not a linear progress. If there is evolution in some remain in Bhavamukha. From this vantage places, it could be involution in other places. point one could see both sides. It is like being in The ‘As-Is’ hybrid supposes that Brahman alone Gomukh and seeing no stream on one side and is present, either ‘As’ the world or ‘Is’ Brahman. a gushing, splashing, tumultuous river on the What is the outcome? The world is also other side. It is like being at the threshold of a real. The pair of terms used such as ‘Real and house and seeing both the inside and the unreal’, ‘Nitya and Lila’, ‘Brahman and the outside. That is why Sri (ContinuedRamakrishna on page asked 45...) world’ need not confound us. They are just two modes of perception. Turn the mode switch to July 2019

37 PAGE SPONSOR : SRI RAJU Z. MORAY, MUMBAI MORAY, RAJU SRI Z. : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Scholarship for the 80 poor students July 2019

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Free medical camp

Free Coaching class for 75 students

Free Tailoring Classes Educational, Medical and Other Services for the Poor and Afflicted Through Ramakrishna Math, Ramanathapuram

On returning to India in January 1897 after his triumphant visit to the West where he propagated the ancient religion of our country, Swami Vivekananda had stayed in Maharaja Bhaskara Sethupathy’s Palace Guest House for 3 days from 29th to 31st January, 1897 and delivered speeches that awakened our nation. A Math centre was started at this spot sanctified by Swamiji’s stay and affiliated to the Ramakrishna Order on 26-6-2016. Those who live Scholarship for the 80 poor students at Nagachi, Mandapam, Pamban & Rameswaram are mainly poor fishermen & women whose children, unable to afford higher studies, go for daily labour or fishing. The Math is conducting a number of service activities for these poor people.

Sl No Activity Expenditure 1 Education

: Educating 80 poor students in Rs. 30,000/ per student for one 2 Mobile Medical Service: C campsNursing, Polytechnic, and Arts & Science year. Total cost = Rs. 24 lakhs onducting medical Rs. 6 lakhs per year July 2019 3 Free Coaching Classes

: Coaching for 75 poor Rs. 4 lakhs per year. 39 school children besides giving them food, 4 Tailoring Course: 3-month classes for poor uniform, notebooks, etc. One Tailoring Machine Rs. 6 lakhs per year women & gifting them 5 Free School Uniform to earn their livelihood. 6 Construction : For 500 poor students Rs. 3 lakhs per year : Monks’ Quarters & Rs. 2.15 crores YouCommunity can also Hall create an Endowment for Rs. 10000/- and above

Free medical camp for the above activities. Kesari The Vedanta We request you all to give a helping hand to these poor children of God, through your small or big contributions and be the recipients of the Lord’s blessings. All donations are exempted from 80 G under Income tax act, 1961. The Cheques/ Drafts/ M. O. should be sent in the name of “Ramakrishna Math, Ramanathapuram”. Or it may transferred through RTGS to the following account:

Free Coaching class for 75 students Account name: Ramakrishna Math Bank: Indian Bank Branch: Ramanathapuram A/c No.: 6426034057 IFS Code: IDIB000R051 Please inform us with your address and PAN number after transferring the amount through RTGS. Yours in the service of the Lord, Swami Sutapananda Free Tailoring Classes Adhyaksha Book Swami Vivekananda’s Vision of Future Society Reviews Papers from a seminar For review in at Ramakrishna Mission The Vedanta Kesari, Institute of Culture; publishers need to send us two copies of their Published by Secretary latest publication. RMIC, Gol Park, Kolkata - 700 029. 2014, hardbound, pp. 177+ix. Price not given. his volume consists of some really Indian Cultural Unity Edited by Sabyasachi Bhattacharya on Swami Vivekananda’s vision on an thought-provoking scholarly essays Published by Secretary, RMIC, Gol Park, Kolkata - 700 029. 2014, hardbound, pp. 361+ ix. Price not July 2019 Indiaemerging of the India future, and the her role society. of the The teacher, topics India’s range from Spirit of Scientific Enquiry, its place in the given. 40 his scholarly work is duties and expectations. The essays are diverse – the result of a seminar examining the role of women in contributing to a held in the Ramakrishna new culture and, best of all, examining the place Institute of Culture on the occasion of Swami of electronicT media in contemporary education. Vivekananda’s 150th The progression is significant; the speakers have examined Swamiji’s contributions to the thought Birth Anniversary in 2013. of not just his own times but his continuing The book consists of thirteen essays spread The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta relevance a hundred and fifty years later. over six sessions which examine a wide range of The underlying theme of the essays in the historical, anthropological, social and geographical volume is education and, through education, the conditions that give a culture its true identity; refining of the collective social consciousness and thethey reformist focus on movement theT way cultureof 19th gains richness and a colour all of its own. The starting point is provesintelligence, the axiom such thatthat Swamiji’shumankind vision transforms was so itself into the best it can be. Every single paper century Bengal, notably the part played by Raja Rammohan its trajectory was vast and covered the whole spectacularly broad that while India was its base, Roy, Keshab Chandra Sen, Sri Ramakrishna, and Swami Vivekananda. The mood of questioning world. whichand framing had outlivednew belief their systems, relevance accepting was thosevery which were relevant and disregarding those everyoneThis interested volume isin aone positive, of those optimistic rare publications which has something in it for Swami Vivekananda went one step further: ‘I do much in the intellectual atmosphere of the time. roadmap for the future of India and through it the whole world. Needless to say, it requires close, not believe in it (tolerance),’ he said, ‘I believe in acceptance. Why should I tolerate? Toleration dedicated______reading and PREMAreflection RAGHUNATH, and is CHENNAI worth every minute spent on those two endeavours. means I think you are wrong and I am just allowing you to live.’ (page 65). This very novel approach has result of several philosophies of the time as well as the manner in been examined along with other contemporary identity the amalgamated individual identities rolled into one, embracing the which these views were reflected in the literature differences rather than militating against them? Do of the time. we need toleration or acceptance? Archeological Another important theme explored, by Shri Ellora,findings for have instance, proved show the the depth artistic of Indian unity ofculture three Imtiaz Ahmed, is an interesting examination of which can very easily absorb diversity. The caves of the religions existing in India – Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism and Jainism – which co-existed without religions – Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. The conflict until self-interest created differences. The works of poets like Kabir represent a wide-lens author argues that these can now be equalised by view of religious traditions. Swami Vivekananda using modern technology to spread awareness of was consumed by the fire of breaking down misconceptions. barriers. There is copious evidence to show culturalThe diversity, third and which fourth is aessays point areof interactionspecific to that as a concept, Unity was the cornerstone cultural unity in India through, paradoxically, its of Indian culture and civilisation. Swamiji’s contributions emanate from his interpretations of rather than separation as the goals of all cultures Sri Ramakrishna’s unshakeable faith in the validity remain the same. of all religions and cultures. The next session is devoted to two themes – An erudite exposition indeed, this book is of an anthropological examination of cultural unity readervalue to as students the papers and are lovers expert of views history, from religion, every and the part played by geography in creating a anthropology and society. It is not for the casual July 2019 pluralistic society. This is of particular interest ______PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI today when artificial barriers have been created field and require focused reading. 41 between urban and rural societies, between Indian Philosophy of Nada the indigenous and the borrowed, and between and its Vocal Applications Western and Eastern influences. by Justice B.S.Raikote Ramayana,The topics the many in theways next in which session the arestory more has Published by Motilal Banar- specific. Choosing one pan-Indian text, the sidass Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 41, U.A. Bungalow Road, Jawahar been handled and has evolved in different parts of PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. LAKSHMI DEVNATH, CHENNAI DEVNATH, LAKSHMI SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE Nagar, Delhi - 110 007 2016, The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta North-East India, the speakers have shown how Hardbound, pp.481, Rs.695. this story can be interpreted in different ways. SriThere Lanka is an via accepted Madhya trajectory Pradesh, Maharashtra,for the Ramayana and of Indian philosophy are – beginning in Uttar Pradesh, winding its way to Generally the subject matters Kerala. These writings show how the stories vary extensively, analyticallylogic andand even epistemology, academically in their details according to the greater or lesser metaphysics, ethics and religion; these are importance given to the characters, in the local languages, thereby leading to their exclusion from socialdiscussed philosophy and described. are studied Philosophy as the of language,offshoots the Sanskritisation of religious stories. This leads philosophy of beauty, political philosophy, and on to art forms, such as dance and theatre, born theout of20 Vedicth rituals in the next essay. of classical Indian philosophical Natyasystems. Sastra An The final essay in the book brings it up to intellectual investigation of aesthetics in India century with the contributions made by became popular after the famous Sikhs to the freedom struggle and India’s culture conceptsof Bharata and was elucidates published. the Thedenominations text prescribes of it dothrough we attempt polity. to the grammar of beauty in terms of precepts and The book raises several questions – how define culture? Is our national in nature and in arts. Later the metaphysicians linked the Supreme R evolute of akasa and develops its application the aspects of aesthetic enjoyment such as vastu Brahma vada, sabdaeality Brahmaviz., Brahman vada, nadawith Brahma vada, and rasa Brahma vada. Of these upin allthe thephilosophical mahabhutas system as fromexplained atomism, by andthe Samkhya-Yoga system. Nyaya-Vaisesika builds is an extensive atom – phenomenal theory of assabda dhvani Brahman or sabda is the unmanifest form of the nada is a quality (guna) of akasa (ether) which astranscendental sthayibhavas nada emanating from Siva-Saktirasa (sound).dhvani The concepts such sound. Nada is an eternal substance (dravya)— (permanent emotions), transcendental theory of sound—according to (aesthetic experience), (suggestive of Mimamsa and Vedanta. specific emotions) are the manifested aspects of Tantragama subscribes to the vibration joyous enjoyment. theory of sound, according to which nada is a Since the book under review is a Ph.D thesis, phenomenal activity (kriya or spanda) being Justice Sri Raikote has justified the selected theme the manifestation of cosmic energy. Positivistic thatthroughout the conception this work of nadafrom emanatesmusical, linguistic, from the theory of sound has been propounded by the primordialaesthetic and sound mystical known perspectives. as Omkara or He Pranava opines grammatical system which holds that nada is transcendentalan artificial sound theory produced of sound by vaikhari which dhvanistates . of vocal chords. The musicologist develops the The conception of nada has exerted a strong influence on Indian culture; the Vedas and the that nada is the manifestation of cosmic energy July 2019 Tantras use it while performing rituals in the (or kundalini shakti in the body) in the form of form of pranava sound and music tinged with vocal sound. The nastika darsanas known as 42 dhvani indivine the propensities.upanishads, theThis six book orthodox mainly schoolsdeals with of isCarvaka, ‘mode’, aJainism ‘form’, aand ‘quality’ Buddhism or a ‘potential promote force’ the the ontological nature of as promulgated materialistic theory of sound since nada or sabda

IndianSince philosophy, the seers grammatology, of darsanas in India tantragamas inquired of matter. intoand musicology.the nature of Reality with spiritual intuition, All the above mentioned theories have been critically evaluated by the author which they seldom evinced keen interest in the analysis chapteract reveals on thenot vocal only applications his academic of theacumen accepted but

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta metaphysical conception and logical precision, also his stability in intellectual pursuits. In the musical, aesthetic and spiritual applications with of sabda or nada which stand for ‘sound’ or ‘noise’. theories of nada he narrates the Vedic (arcika), Incidentally Nyaya-vaisesika, Mimamsa and Vyakarana studied the implications of sabda in logical conviction and scientific explanation. In terms of word-meaning, and sentence-meaning; the conclusion he develops a distinction between this in turn enabled them to logically ponder ‘transcendental nada’ and ‘phenomenal nada’. deeply about the idea of reality. However, the Undoubtedly this work opens the new termsbasis forwith word-sentence-meaning their denotations and connotationsis sabda or intellectualvistas of philosophical quest of the investigation common readersinto a novel and nada or dhvani. Hence a detailed study of these subject-matter which will certainly satisfy the philosophical overtones and he has successfully has necessitated the author to highlight the hisalso deep nourish erudition, the accumulationmental vigour of relevant of research facts, scholars. The author deserves appreciation for nadaaccomplished and dhvani the assigned from the task. pre-Vedic and the of the chosen theme with ample illustrations, The author envisages the notions of vak, accurateand scholarly references, presentation appropriate of the citations, entire criticalgamut

Vedic standpoints along with the conceptions ______PROF. R. GOPALAKRISHNAN, CHENNAI of rtam, aksara, or omkara, and nada or Purusa. evaluation, and clinching argumentation. He succinctly derives the idea of sabda as an Article

The Value of Discipline

PROF. SUDHA SHASTRI

not unusual for elderly men s a generation grows older, it is

and women to bemoan the dilution of values in the younger generations. Discipline is probably the most common value which is seen as highly compromised. Discipline, which means ‘to be disciplined’ in one’s thoughts, actions and habits – is the temperamentto parent, and andteacher circumstances, to teacher. Therethe parent is no source of all other values. Let us recall Swami one correct way. Depending on a child’s VivekanandaA who memorably declared: ‘Mind July 2019 you, there is no value in learning. You are all or teacher needs to find a way that will work. mistaken in learning. The only value of In some contexts, the fear of being punished 43 knowledge is in the strengthening, the may teach a particularly obstinate child to disciplining, of the mind.’ learn to be disciplined. Pressure, however, true Whatthat one this needsmeans tois thatknow discipline addition is andthe should be used as the last resource. For it is a mother and father of all knowledge. It may be cliché worth remembering that we learn our Disciplinelessons best by when example we are taught with love. subtraction, multiplication and division to Discipline, on the face of it, seems to call PAGE SPONSOR : SMT. LAKSHMI DEVNATH, CHENNAI DEVNATH, LAKSHMI SMT. : SPONSOR PAGE learn Mathematics; or the alphabet, Kesari The Vedanta vocabulary and grammar to learn a language ensure that a child remains disciplined if it and its literature. But it is impossible to learn for severity and strictness. How does one even numbers and letters without the aid of discipline. It is the foundation of any learning, has no fear of consequences? It is a prevalent quickestprogress and way achievement. to learn discipline is in belief that fear is a successful tool to impose Like everything else, the best and an unpleasant learning experience. And to a child, whose natural instinct is to be carefree childhood. The child’s mind is fresh, and playful, having to obey restricting rules uncluttered, and has great assimilation power can be unpleasant indeed. This belief however because it absorbs ideas without doubt and may need to be revised in today’s liberal distraction. Hence, discipline as a value times. In fact, the best and longest lasting should be inculcated in childhood. Schools, no perhapslessons are what those the taught four by children example. of Guru less than parents, have an integral role in The highest example for such teaching is teaching children to be disciplined. Ways of inculcating disciplineThe author may is a professor differ from of English parent at IIT, BombayGobind [email protected] imbibed from their father, and Richard II, that ‘I wasted time, and now doth other family members. Betrayed by declares through King Richard in his play Aurangzeb’s false promise, Baba Ajit Singh and Baba Jujhar Singh, the two eldest sons of time waste me.’ the Guru, gave up their lives on the battlefield Learning to respect time and obey its fighting against heavy odds. They were just 18 demands is the best way to inculcate discipline ‘Independence means and 14 years old, but had thein oneself.school authorities During areschool very imbibed their father’s heroic voluntary restraints assemblies for morning prayers, faith in justice and God. Baba and discipline, Fateh Singh and Baba Zorawar voluntary acceptance particular about students not Singh, the younger sons being even a minute late, because displayed even greater heroism. of the rule of law.’ these assemblies are as much Betrayed by a greedy ex-servant, about discipline in punctuality as they stood firm in the face of the A Positive Valueabout praying to God. Mughal governor’s temptations to convert to Islam or face death. Calling to memory their grandfather Guru Teg Bahadur who embraced There is a pressing need to associate death to conversion, the two boys stood in disciplined behavior with positive values in our prayer as they were walled in alive to die. The country today. Standing at traffic signals, how July 2019 two brothers were just 9 and 6 years old. often we find vehicles driven by educated men 44 Teaching by example is invaluable and the and women halt right over pedestrian stripes! most elevated form of teaching. It also makes an Jumping queues with impunity is also a interesting point about discipline: discipline is arisecommon from sight. a false This equation disregard of indiscipline for rules, evenwith essentially self-discipline. It is something that after having the benefit of education, seems to comes from within an individual. After a few initial external lessons, it can be internalized topower! understand Instead of feelingthat freedomashamed, suchis always people only through self-teaching. take pride in a false sense of freedom. They fail When we observe discipline, we are both The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta learning as well as teaching ourselves. associated with responsibility. Discipline is not information or knowledge To be disciplined is to accept which can be obtained from outside. It is an accountability. How lack of discipline can result childhoodinner capacity we need that parentswe develop and byteachers training to ourtell in a counter-intuitive behaviour is revealed in a mind to think and do the right thing. In real life incident. A middle-aged lady had parked her car outside her gate. Her teenage adults,us what we is rightunderstand and wrong, intuitively and where where to sowour neighbour took his car out in such a hurry that discipline. But thereafter, as moral and social he dented her car. When the lady rushed out and seeing the damage to her car became Disciplinebehavior needs and toTime be disciplined. agitated, the teenager instead of apologizing Discipline is also associated with became offensive and rudely questioned why she was making such a fuss about a small matter. His indiscipline in driving, led to other timeliness and punctuality. To be disciplined is character flaws like disrespect, dishonesty, and to be aware of the value of time. Time’s arrow arrogance. moves in only one direction. It is irreversible. We need to recognize that being Time lost, is lost forever. Shakespeare famously disciplined is not about losing one’s freedom, will have to

but about manifesting self-control and power Mahatma Gandhi declared: ‘There thanin the power real sense. over others,Power over and henceoneself the and former one’s be rigid and iron discipline before we achieve lesser instincts is more difficult to achieve anything great and enduring, and thatore pointedly,discipline willhe said,not come ‘Independence by mere academic means sort of power is something to take pride in. To voluntaryargument andrestraints appeal andto reason discipline, and logic.’ voluntary M be able to control one’s words and deeds is Disciplinethe hallmark and of Indiana leader. freedom movement acceptance of the rule of law.’ national history, is the manner in which we Discipline arising from self-restraint is A shining example of discipline in our ourintegral children to social and harmonyyouth, learn and toall-inclusive associate development. The sooner our society, especially ofsent self-discipline out the colonial that thousandsrulers, not of throughIndians military force, but by the immeasurable power discipline with affirmative values like self- esteem, and national responsibility, the more manifested with the mantra of Satyagraha. promising will be our future.

The ‘As’-‘Is’ Hybrid (Continued from page 36...) July 2019 trace of water on the one side and the river on

devotees not to be one-sided: form, formless 45 and manyLet us more consider possibilities the construction exist. Put no limitof a ofthe various other side. temperaments: It is being beyond bhava-atita all bhavas and to God. bhava-sagara(moods) and a rich, variety of moods for people

dodining take hall.shape First there is the thought of . What is in between is construction: it has no form and yet thoughts Bhavamukha. in the mind! Then there is the

PAGE SPONSOR : SRI RAVISHANKAR S., CHENNAI S., RAVISHANKAR SRI : SPONSOR PAGE blue print diagrammatic or written representation in the Kesari The Vedanta or write-up. This is a more formed presentation of the formless thought, and yet far away from the actual building which requires estimation and the lengthy process of construction. At each stage the formless was progressing to the formed. As Hindus put it, it is thought-word-deed. And yet, it is only in the deed stage that one can call it a functioning dining hall. Imagine a satellite thrown into space; it plunges back to the earth; or it flies away from the earth’s orbit; or it revolves around the earth. At just a particular velocity and radius of the orbit, the satellite is geo-stationary. It is just like that: standing at the top of the cliff and seeing not a Compilation

Who is a real guru?

time to time as a repository of spiritualreal Guru force is one which who heis born transmits from

to future generations through successive links of Guru and Shishya (disciple). The current of this spirit-force changes its course from time to time, just as a mighty stream of water opens up lifelessa new channel in the andcourse leaves of time,the old and one new for good.sects Thus it is seen that old sects of religion grow truly Awise commit themselves to the mercy of arise with the fire of life in them. Men who are The Guru Selections from The Complete Works of that particular sect through which the current Swami Vivekananda of life flows. Old forms of religion are like the skeletons of once mighty animals, preserved in July 2019 museums. They should be regarded with due inthe the shaping vast majorityof our own of casesdestinies, such does help not is 46 honour. They cannot satisfy the true cravings of preclude our receiving help from outside; nay, the soul for the Highest, just as a dead mango- tree cannot satisfy the cravings of a man for absolutely necessary. When it comes, the higher ofluscious our vanities—the mangoes. sense that we possess any powers and possibilities of the soul are spiritualThe wisdom— one thing andnecessary to surrender is to be ourselves stripped quickened, spiritual life is awakened, growth is animated, and man becomes holy and perfect in Guru only knows what will lead us towards the end. completely to the guidance of our Guru. The This quickening impulse cannot be The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta derived from books. The soul can only receive perfection. We are quite blind to it. We do not impulses from another soul, and from nothing know anything. This sort of humility will open else. We may study books all our lives, we may the door of our heart for spiritual truths. Truth become very intellectual, but in the end we find will never come into our minds so long as there that we have not developed at all spiritually. It will remain the faintest shadow of Ahamkara proportionateis not true that development a high order of the of spiritual intellectual side (egotism). All of you should try to root out this development always goes hand in hand with a devil from your heart. Complete self-surrender Theis the need only ofway guru to spiritual illumination. in Man. In studying books we are sometimes deluded into thinking that thereby we are being thatspiritually at the helped;utmost butit is if only we analyseour intellect the effect that Every soul is destined to be perfect, and of the study of books on ourselves, we shall find every being, in the end, will attain the state of perfection. Whatever we are now is the result derives profit from such studies, and not our of our acts and thoughts in the past; and inner spirit. This inadequacy ofspeak books most to whatever we shall be in the future will be the quicken spiritual growth is the reason why, result of what we think and do now. But this, although almost every one of us can wonderfully on spiritual matters, when it

the receiving soul of its mistaking comes to action and the living of a truly momentary emotions for real religious spiritual life, we find ourselves so awfully yearning. We may study that in ourselves. deficient. To quicken the spirit, the impulse Many a time in our lives, somebody dies comesmust come is called from the another Guru—the soul. teacher; and the whom we loved; we receive a blow; we feel personThe to person whose fromsoul whosethe impulse soul such is conveyed impulse that the world is slipping between our fingers; that we want something surer and passedhigher, andaway, that and we we must are leftbecome stranded religious. just theis called soul fromthe Shishya—the which it proceeds student. must To possessconvey In a few days that wave of feeling has such an impulse to any soul, in the first place, another; and in the second place, the soul to where we were before. We are all of us often the power of transmitting it, as it were to emotionsmistaking aresuch thus impulses mistaken, for thatreal continuous,thirst after religion; but as long as these momentary which it is transmitted must be fit to receive it. The seed must be a living seed, and the field real craving of the soul for religion will not must be ready ploughed; and when both these arecome, tempted and we to shall complain not find of theour truesearch transmitter after the conditions are fulfilled, a wonderful growth of of spirituality into our nature. So whenever we genuine religion takes place. “The true preacher आश्र्चर뵋 व啍त July 2019 कुशलोऽसof religion् लबhas्ध to; be of wonderful capabilities, truth that we desire so much, proving vain, reallyand clever wonderful shall andhis extraordinary,hearer be”— then will a instead of so complaining, our first duty ought 47 and when both of these are to be to look into our own souls and find whether the craving in the heart is real. Then in suchsplendid alone spiritual are also awakening the real students, result, andthe realnot truth,the vast that majority there wasof casesno real it wouldthirst forbe otherwise. Such alone are the real teachers, and discovered that we were not fit for receiving the

awakened,aspirants. Alljust others a little are intellectual only playing aspiration with tospirituality. the transmitter spirituality. They have just a little curiosity There are still greater dangers in regard PAGE SPONSOR : SRI B. NAGASUBRAMANIAN, CHENNAI NAGASUBRAMANIAN, B. SRI : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta pride of their hearts,, the Guru. fancy There they are knowmany kindled in them, but are merely standing on the who, though immersed in ignorance, yet, in the outward fringe of the horizon of religion. There offer to take others on their shoulders; and is no doubt some value even in that, as it may in everything, and not only do not stop there, but course of time result in the awakening of a real अवि饍ययामन्रे वर्मानाः स्यं धीराः seedthirst must for religion; and does and come; it is aas mysterious soon as the law soul of पthusण्蔿त theम्न् blindमानाः। leading दनद्रम्मा theणाः blind, परियन्त both मूढा fall अन into्धनैव nature that as soon as the field is ready, the नीयमानाthe ditch. यथान ्धा।। must and does wise in their own conceit, and puffed up with earnestly desires to have religion, the —“Fools dwelling in darkness, transmitter of the religious force — appear to help that soul. When the power that vain knowledge, go round and round staggering attracts the light of religion in the receiving soul to and fro, like blind men led by the blind.” is full and strong, the power which answers to (Katha Up., I.ii.5). The world is full of these. that attraction and sends in light does come as Every one wants to be a teacher, every beggar a matter of course. wants to make a gift of a million dollars! Just as There are, however, certain great dangers these beggars are ridiculous, so are these in the way. There is, for instance, the danger to teachers. What is Religion?

Religion is Common Sense

1 Religion is a common-sense, every human being. At best when we want to everyday thing. Religion is not hear of spiritual things our standard is the mumbo-jumbo. It is not magic. It is senses; or a man hears things about philosophy, not mysterious. It is not doctrine or dogma. It and God, and transcendental things, and after July 2019 theis not everyday based onlife tradition.of its follower, It is basedit is noton hearing about them for days, he asks: After all, common-sense. If religion does not permeate how much money will they bring, how much 48 enjoyment is only in the senses, quite sense-enjoyment3 will they bring? For his religion; it is something else! This is the view of follows:Swami Vivekananda. naturally.’ ‘CleanseHe elaborates the mind, this this idea is variouslyall of as ‘None can teach another. You have to .’ 2 realize truth and work it out for yourself Every science hasaccording to your own nature…All must religion Just look at the beauty of its own method struggle to be individuals – strong, The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta this idea. Can religion be made any of learning, standing on your own feet, thinking simpler? We believe that religion is and religion is to your own thoughts, realizing your cumbersome, with its heavy load be learnt the own Self. No use swallowing of beliefs, rituals, ceremonies and same way. doctrines others pass on – standing observances. But, none of those up together like soldiers in jail, actually constitute religion. Even if sitting down together, all eating the we engage in all those so-called same food, all nodding their4 heads at the prescribed activities, and do not cleanse our same time. Variation is the sign of life. minds therefrom, it is not religion, whatever Sameness is the sign of death.’ else it be! Therefore Swamiji says: ‘The secret of ‘The one objection raised here is this, that religion lies not in theories but in practice. To love for ceremonials, dressing at certain times, be good and to do good – that is the5 whole of eating in a certain way, and shows and religion. “Not he that crieth ‘Lord’, ‘Lord’, but he mummeries of religion like these are only that doeth the will of the Father.”’ Religion is external religion, because you are satisfied with not lip-service, but a perception. From that the senses and do not want to go beyond them. perception arises a conviction, which becomes This is a tremendous difficulty with us, with action. Mind you, merely running around in rut

in the name of doing good to the world is not do not find anything in it”, he will ask, “When what is meant by action. There is a did you try?” “When I went to bed, I repeated, definite method to the action that constitutes ‘O chemistry, come to me”, and it never came. religion. That is the very same thing. The chemist laughs Hence, Swamiji warns: ‘You will find many at you and says, “Oh, that is not the way. Why persons in this world who will say, “I wanted to did you not go to the laboratory and get all the become religious, I wanted to realize these acids and alkalis and burn your hands from things, but I have not been able, so I do not time to time? That alone would have taught believe anything.” Even among the educated you.” Do you take the same trouble with you will find these. Large numbers of people religion? 6 Every science has its own method of will tell you, “I have tried to be religious all my learning,‘In oneand word,religion the is idealto be oflearnt Vedanta the sameis to life, but there is nothing in it.” At the same time knowway.’ man as he really is, and this is its you will find this phenomenon: Suppose a man is a chemist, a great scientific man. He comes and tells you this. If you say to him, “I do not message, that if you cannot worship7 your believe anything about chemistry, because I brother man, the manifested God, how can you have all my life tried to become a chemist and worship a God who is unmanifested?’

References July 2019 1 The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Vol-2: 5 Ibid. Vol-6: Epistles – Second Series: 30th April, The Goal 1891: To Govinda Sahay 49 2 Ibid. Vol-7: Inspired Talks: Monday, July 29, 1895 6 Ibid. Vol-6: The Methods and Purpose of Religion 3 Ibid. Vol-1: Vedic Religious Ideals 7 Ibid. Vol-2: Practical Vedanta: Part II 4 Ibid. Vol-6: Formal Worship

Once we rise beyond our tiny ego, everything that we do, every worship, every meditation, every work, even the so-called worldly work like looking after one’s own family, PAGE SPONSOR : DR. SUBRAMANIYABHARATHIYAR R., KANCHEEPURAM R., SUBRAMANIYABHARATHIYAR DR. : SPONSOR PAGE become a stimulus for our spiritual growth. It is on this basis that Swami Vivekananda Kesari The Vedanta presented the universality of Practical Vedanta, its being as the basis of all religions and relevant to all peoples. By discharging their responsibilities and facing the challenges of life, and keeping in view the steady unfolding of spiritual growth through them, all can realize the highest goal. That is why this yoga is defined by Sri Krsna in the second chapter of the Gita as yogah karmasu kausalam— ‘Yoga is efficiency, dexterity, in action’. Through this efficiency, man increases the material welfare and happiness of society, outwardly, through his productive labour; and achieves his or her own spiritual growth as well, inwardly. When we find that our actions result in the economic, social, and cultural growth outside and our own spiritual growth within, we shall know that we are implementing the message of Yoga of the Gita, that we are approaching religion as a science of spiritual growth and fulfilment. —Eternal Values for a Changing Society. Swami Ranganathananda. Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 2:540 Topical Musings

Our Sadhana

(Continued from the previous issue...)

e shall present two facts to our history, activities which were conducive to before that! Hence, we say that all through appreciate the utmostreaders. relevance Putting these of Swamiji’s two facts prescription oftogether, Spiritual we Sadhana will be forable the to societyspiritual came growth up with were certain never traditions, primarily where economic in nature. As a result, the Indian 1st fact: Spiritual Sadhana requires an economically, and they were left free to modern age. certain groups of people were ‘taken care of’

activitynd (or a set of activities) that man can perform these ‘special activities’. The rest of the 2 Character activities, part of which sustained these humanperform history over and have over so again,many peopleon a daily basis. people in society engaged in economic is self-restraint. July 2019 W fact: Never before in recorded Self-restraint is groups of people1 too. Centuries 50 been involved in economic self-direction. afternature centuries, of the economicthis has been activity the activity on a daily basis, all Self-direction is tradition. And what was the through the year! concentration. was periodic, seasonal in most SinceHow aresociety, these in two the factspast, Concentration when that these people engaged in? It connected? perfect is Samadhi. cases. Agriculture, hunting, year,could Rishis not hadengage to invent man specialin any activities fishing, metal-working, trading,

The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta activity on a daily basis, all through the entertainment, warfare, etc. All these sustainedactivities activity, were never day-after-day, on a large-scale, for years and ritualisticthat could indeedPuja, ritualistic engage man Mass, on suchritualistic basis. hence were periodic only. Unless you engage in That explains the evolution of Yajna, rituals, cannot together, without any respite, that activity community prayer, building temples, mosques, lead to spiritualth century growth.onwards, Spiritual with the cathedrals, seva to idols and images, japa, practice is not sporadic. dhyana, nidhidhyasana, contemplation, etc. From the 18 Although this is true across cultures and development of science and technology, a new religions of the world, it is more so with respect age has dawned. The entire structure of to Indian society down the ages. economic activity has changed. Innumerable These activities were all special activities. people are participating in productive activity What we mean is – these activities were never all over the world, daily, year after year. Never primarily economic activities. Man has to before has the common man had such survive from day to day. That is vital. Only when sustained engagement with work! This is one daily survival has been taken care of, man will of the greatest contributions of the modern be able to strive for his spiritual growth; not age. Whenever and wherever you have simultaneously bring economic as well as insustained Swami Vivekananda’sactivity, there is conception a scope of ofconverting Sadhana spiritual benefits; economic benefit for society it into spiritual practice. This is the cornerstone and spiritual benefit for the individual! Where is then, the need to design separate activities cannotfor the modernevolve suchman. activity,If society then naturally the spiritual evolves for spiritual growth? If we could only mine the leaderssuch activity, of society it is invent well sustainedand good. activities, If society to immense activities that man is now engaged2 in, incredible spiritual fruits could be obtained! This was the vision of Swami Vivekananda. aroundenable people the world,to engage he in saw spiritual the practice.immense Therefore, Sister Nivedita points out: When Swami Vivekananda travelled ‘How are we to fight (for spiritual growth)? Most of us, by work. The world’s work is the possibility hidden in the new socio-economic great Sadhana, wherein we accumulate structure created by the modern paradigm. character, by which, when the time comes, we Though this paradigm was mainly developed in can rise even into the Nirvikalpa Samadhi itself. the West, gradually it has permeated the whole Character is self-restraint. Self-restraint is self- world. Now, for the first time in human history, direction. Self-direction is concentration. we have common people, everywhere, engaged Concentration when perfect is Samadhi. From3 in activity on a daily basis. If a suitable turn can perfect work to perfect Mukti. This(To be is continued...) the swing

participate in the activity, which will July 2019 be given to the worker, he can immediately of the soul. Let us then be perfect in work!’ 51 References 1 Swamiji used to lament that the ancient spiritual Karma – these are the four paths which lead to traditions produced one saint at the cost of a hundred salvation. One must follow the path for which one is lives! He wished to reverse this situation, whereby best suited; but in this age special stress should be multitudes could attain spiritual heights in society. laid on Karma-Yoga. 2 The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda. Vol-5: 3 The Complete Works of Sister Nivedita. Vol-3. Sayings and Utterances: Jnana, Bhakti, Yoga and Religion and Dharma: Work PAGE SPONSOR : A DEVOTEE, HOUSTON, USA HOUSTON, DEVOTEE, A : SPONSOR PAGE The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta

‘... Ramakrishna institutions, … are not like the usual type of religious organizations where there is a gulf between life and religion. Sri Ramakrishna came to bridge that gulf and to teach us that life is itself religion. He exhorts us to see life in its unity and wholeness. This is the vyavasayatmika buddhih (one-pointed intelligence) spoken of in the Bhagavad- Gita (II. 41), where there is a unity of vision and unity of purpose and endeavour, external and internal. This is the basis of all character development. Young people today want to see character coming out of religion; if they do not see this, they are not going to be inspired by religion or religious people. … So, this is the challenge before all religion: can it and does it show character? Just as the food that you take in must show its effect in the strength of your body, so also the religion that you profess and live by must show its effect in your inner riches, in your character, in your spirit of service, in your day-to-day life.’ Eternal Values for a Changing Society. Swami Ranganathananda. Bombay: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. 2:129 The Order on the March News & Notes from Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission

Headquarters :

of the Ramakrishna Mission Lectures (850 youths); Rajkot public meetings and cultural The 123rd Foundation Day SrimatPublic SwamiMeeting Shivamayananda (400 people) programmesSalem were held in this which was presided over by connection from 6 to 8 May. was celebrated at Belur Math Central PrisonAshrama in Salem conducted which Presidenton 1 May. of Srimat Ramakrishna Swami Ji, oneMalaysia: of the Lectures Vice-Presidents and music of discourses and bhajans at the July 2019 MathSmaranananda and Ramakrishna Ji Maharaj, Mission the Order. were attended by about 500 52 in a public hall in Kuala Lumpur prisonSummer inmates. Camps Summer Camps for students well-wisherschaired the programme. were present A ingood the attended by 300 devotees; St. number of monks, devotees and Louis, USA: Talks and bhajans were held in these centres : held at the Hindu Temple of St. programme. LouisNews (250 of Branch devotees). Centres (in Aurangabad, Bengaluru, Chennai Sri Tathagata Roy, Governor India) Math, Chennai Mission Ashrama, of Meghalaya, visited Belur Math Srimat Swami Smaranananda Kayamkulam, Kochi, Madurai, 125th Anniversary of Swami Hyderabad, Indore, Kadapa, The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta on 27 May. Rajkot Vivekananda’s Addresses at Ramakrishna Order, installed the World’s Parliament of Ji Maharaj, President of the Religions Sri Sarada Devi and Swami Vivekanandanew pictures in ofSri HolyRamakrishna Mother centre on The following centres held various programmes as temple at Bamunmura mentioned below: 7 May, the auspicious Akshaya Antpur: Seminar (200 Tritiya. The programme was Koilandy people); Asansol: Four Youth attended by 130 monks and Conferences (477 youth); about 500 devotees. one of the Vice-Presidents of Siliguri Jalpaiguri: Parents’ Convention theSwami Order, Gautamanandareconsecrated theJi, in(430 which people) Srimat and Devotees’ Swami renovated Sri Ramakrishna Convention (1350 devotees) Vice-Presidents of the Order Suhitananda Ji, one of the temple at the Nettayam sub- centre of Thiruvananthapuram participated; Mangaluru: Ashrama on 7 May. A procession, Mysuru, Nagpur, Porbandar, Koyilandyness programmecentre held in a medicalnearby Manasadwip centre distributed Drought Relief Rajkot and Tirupati. In total campvillage; in which50 people doctors attended. checked relief material to 11 families. 4956 students participated. The In the aftermath of the recent programmes included chanting, centre bhajans, yogasanas, values 60 children from a fishermen Lusaka drought, Aurangabad educationYouth Programmes classes, etc. colony and gave medicines. 241 youths participated in distributed water storing drums centre, Zambia, held Summer Relief a state-level residential youth to 150 affected families. a blood donation camp in which Madurai 42Swachchha people donated Bharat blood. Abhiyan centre distributed camp conducted by Agartala 24 values education workshops 600 litres of buttermilk to centre. Delhi centre conducted Mangaluru Ashrama in 10 states and 2 union thirstyFire Relief wayfarers. territories; 1655 teachers and conducted the following activities in May: (i) four clothes and utensils to 16 Chennai Math distributed students from 5 interior schools cleanliness drives in Mangaluru families whose huts were in182 Kutch principals district participated. participated 425 24involving days in 1950which volunteers, volunteers reached(ii) awareness out to 1450 campaigns households for destroyedDistress Relief in a fire accident. in programmes conducted by July 2019 Rajkot centre. 180 students in different parts of Mangaluru Through 5 centres in India, participated in a programme city, spreading awareness about shirts, 401 trousers, 704 jackets, the Order distributed 3544 53 conductedMedical Relief by Salem centre. waste management, and (iii) cleanliness drives in 100 villages 386 sweaters, 1250 saris, 122 the Order conducted Eye- of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Through 14 centres in India Cyclone Relief blankets, 100 mosquito-nets and districts. someFlood groceryRehabilitation items. In the aftermath of the camps in which 6586 people cyclonic storm, made its landfall wereVijayawada treated, 829 werecentre, given Fani, an extremely severe centre

PAGE SPONSOR : SRI HEMANT GUPTA, CHANDIGARH GUPTA, HEMANT SRI : SPONSOR PAGE spectacles, and 975 operated. in association with Madras setupfloods a that water had treatment hit Kerala plant, in Kesari The Vedanta in Puri on 3 May. The cyclone August 2018, Tiruvalla caused severe damage to the in Odisha and also a few parts of 10 computers, 3 printers and Dyslexia Association, held a homes and public infrastructure cleaned a well and distributed training programme in which Math and Puri Mission centres families in Pathanamthitta and 62 teachers received training in West Bengal. Bhubaneswar, Puri a camera benefitting over 360 imparting centre education conducted to children an areas and are in the process of affected by dyslexia. have surveyed the afflicted Alappuzha districts. Aalo Koilandy Chennai Math Puri anti-tobacco and health aware- distributing relief materials. Ramakishna Mission Villupuram— 17th centre in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Swami Tapasyananda, the then establishment of a branch centre Nadu, the Adhyaksha of Sri Ramakrishna of the Ramakrishna Math and land of Alvars, Math, Chennai and one of the Ramakrishna Mission in the city. Nayanmars, and former Vice-Presidents of the This dream came true on 25 April Acharya Ramanuja has Order, Swamis Tanmayananda 2019 when Society registered and a unique place in the history and Raghaveshananda, the two transferred all the three schools of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda former managers of the Math, and the charitable dispensary to movement for its association and in recent times by Srimat Belur Math, the Headquarters of with Holy Mother Sri Sarada Swami Gautamananda Ji, the the Order, in presence of Swami Devi, and several direct disciples Adhyaksha of Chennai Math and Bodhasarananda, one of the Asst. of Sri Ramakrishna including one of the Vice-Presidents of the General Secretaries of the Order. Swami Vivekananda, Swami Order. Thus was born Ramakrishna Brahmananda, Swami Shivananda In the year of inception, the Mission Villupuram. The and Swami Ramakrishnananda. Society established two schools: Govt. of Tamil Nadu has given The Swamis themselves founded Ramakrishna Vidyalaya Matric. exemption for stamp duty and as well as inspired others to High School for classes VI-XII registration fees worth of Rs. 3 establish several ashramas and and Ramakrishnananda Nursery crores appreciating this noble outstanding service institutions & Primary School for Pre- effort. On 2 June 2019, the day in this State. There are now Kg to class V. In 1996, the of Phalaharini Kali Puja, the July 2019 17 branch centres of the Ramakrishna Vidyalaya Matric centre was formally opened in a 54 Ramakrishna Order in the State, Higher Secondary School for grand function in the presence the latest of which is in the city classes VI-XII was added. of Srimat Swami Gautamananda of Villipuram. Affiliated to the Metric board Ji, Swamis Divyananda and Two groups of devotees of Education, Tamil Nadu, all Muktidananda, Trustees of the who were conducting service the three English medium co- Order, Dr. L. Subramaniyan, the activities under the banner of education schools provide quality District collector, K. Munusamy, Sri Ramakrishna Seva Sangam, education to about 4550 students. Chief Educational Officer of the Villupuram, and Vivekananda The Society also runs Sri Sarada district, managing committee The Vedanta Kesari The Vedanta Mandram, Valayampattu formed Devi Free Homeopathy Clinic members of the Society and Sri Ramakrishna Educational since 1994 and Gadhadhar other dignitaries. In total 53 Society in May 1983. From Abhyudaya Prakalpa in Sadhus, 300 devotees, 270 staff the very beginning these Valayampattu village. and 1500 students attended the devotees worked under the It was the sankalpa of the function. Detailed activities of guidance of the sannyasis of the founding devotees that one day the centre can be followed at Ramakrishna Order including these institutions would foster the rkmvillupuram.org. 55 Vol.106. No.7 The Vedanta Kesari (English Monthly) July 2019. Regd.

56 with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under No.1084 / 1957. Postal registration number:TN / CH (C) / 190 / 2018-2020. Licensed to Post without prepayment TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-259 / 2018-2020. Date of Publication: 24th of every month; Posted on 26 June 2019

You have to grow from inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul. —Swami Vivekananda

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