July / August 2013 Issue 50 In our last issue we announced the forming of a unique us as a group to endorse his visit, for we feel Swami Chidanand collaboration between a number of satsang groups in our Muniji is a genuine saint. His life was profiled in Issue #48 of area that are promoting the high ideals of Sanatana Dharma. Himalayan Heritage. His stunning photo-biography, By God’s We named the organization the Encinitas Sanatana Dharma Grace, written by his senior disciple, Sadhvi Bhagawati, is Alliance. Our stated aim is to organize community-supported highly recommended. PARMARTH.ORG celebration of prominent Hindu holy days throughout the year, Swami Chidanand’s visit is sponsored by his disciples hold spontaneous special events such as yajñas and kirtans, and Bhava Ram and Laura Plumb, founders of Deep Yoga in San to support visiting saints and groups who promulgate similar Diego. Bhava Ram’s recently published book, Warrior Pose, is ideals. Our first event was the celebration of Sri Hanuman a well-written testimony to the power of Yoga and Ayurveda to Jayanti at the Peace House / Sankat Mochan Hanuman Mandir heal and transform one’s life – yet even more so to the power in Encinitas. It was a wonderful success. of the human spirit. We were guests at Bhava A small group of assembled devotees Ram’s book release program on May 5th at the began at 4A.M. with arati conducted by Joan Kroc Center for Peace and Justice on the Vineeta, a devotee of Baba Hari Dass and campus of the University of San Diego. It was owner of the Peace House. Sundaram from a truly inspiring event and we wish Bhava Ram Jyoti Mandir continued the program by all success in bringing the uplifting healing leading shatanamavali, the 100 names of Sri and power of Yoga to more and more divinely Hanuman-ji. Then the Chalisas began, 108 of awakening souls. (Please see Bhava Ram’s them. Although there were never more than 18 article, “Welcome Home”, in Himalayan people present at any one time, approximately Heritage issue #41). Bhava Ram’s other books 35 attend throughout the day. Surya, who has include, Deep Yoga: Ancient Wisdom for organized the local Maha Shivaratri programs Modern Times, and The Eight Limbs of Yoga: for many years, concluded with mantras, Pathway to Liberation. BHAVARAM.COM prayers and blessings for all. At 4P.M. everyone In addition to teaching and writing, Bhava enjoyed prasad and bhog (feast). Chai was is a wonderful songwriter and spiritual musician. His first CD, available in the morning and throughout what turned out to be Flowing with Shiva, is one of our favorites. His new recording, a glorious day. (The photo is of our Hanuman murti on the altar Songs of My Soul, is produced by world-class musician and during Jayanti. Though not the main temple image, He looks producer, Hans Christian (of Rasa). We have hosted Bhava Ram very, very happy indeed!) on a number of occasions at Jyoti Mandir. Swami Chidanand Saraswati, the well-known saint from On Sunday, June 9, we attended the all-day Phalaharini Kali the Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, will be visiting Puja Festival at Kali Mandir in Laguna Beach. This is a much th Encinitas once again this year on July 16 . Although in the past anticipated annual event that has taken the place of the larger we (Jyoti Mandir) did not endorse the visits of other saints, the two-day festival that Kali Mandir sponsored for many years. existence of the Encinitas Sanatana Dharma Alliance will allow I don’t know when I have had such a wonderful day and felt 2 such joy! Everything at Kali Mandir is done for Ma. That is Beloved enshrined in the “temple” of every person. It is why the devotional feeling there is so tangible. My wife, Hilary, a wonderful concept, echoed in these words of our divine and I get such a feeling of joy and purity whenever we visit Gurudeva, Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, from Journey to Kali Mandir. The ashram there is truly a “Deva Loka!” Kali Self-Realization: Mandir celebrates daily pujas and aratis, and an expanded puja In the ultimate sense, as we are all the children of on Amavasya (new moon night) and other special holy days. Be God we must learn to love everyone wholeheartedly sure to see their website and plan a visit. KALIMANDIR.ORG and completely and impartially. I remember when my One of the Bauls of Bengal, Lakhan Das Baul, will be Master asked me, “Do you love everybody equally?” singing in San Diego this Sunday. We are looking forward to I said, “Yes.” But he said, “Not yet, not yet.” Then my availing ourselves of the opportunity to hear a genuine Baul in youngest brother came to study in my school at Ranchi, our area. We plan to meet with Lakhan Das prior to the concert and I had that consciousness that he was mine. I realized and discuss with him the status of the Baul sects in Bengal today. then why my Master had said, “Not yet.” Gradually that If all goes well, a report will be forthcoming. consciousness wore off, and I realized that my brother For more information about the Bauls of Bengal, be sure was but a part of all humanity which I loved. That is not to read the two-part article by Usha Harding in Issues #36 and an insensitive, inhuman attitude. You love all alike, as #37, as well as our own experiences with the Bauls during our God does. Then you learn to do for others as you would last pilgrimage to India in Issues #45 and #46. (Back issues are do for your own. One day, again, Master asked me, “Do available in PDF format). you love the whole world?” I just said, “I love.” And he smiled and said, “Your work is finished.” The Bauls do not build temples. They worship the Divine Call on the Lord BY SWAMI RAMDAS Call on the Lord with all the love of your heart. Concentrate How does the devotee attain to this exalted state of perfect all your longing in that call, and you may be sure that God will union with the Lord of his heart? It is clear that he adopts music respond. Thus it was that His great devotees of the past and as the means by which he tunes his heart with the heart of the present entitled themselves to His infinite grace. The language Lord. A heart that is filled with love – selfless and radiant – alone of love is simply irresistible. Just as the child, by its lisping raises a human being to the feet of the Almighty. Such a love talk, charms and captures the heart of the sings like the nightingale, gives out perfume mother, so the true devotee, by his frank and like the rose, beautifies life in all its aspects, plaintive words of love, draws towards him the and brings the devotee in intimate touch and almighty Beloved of his heart. The language of eternal fellowship with the Lord. the devotee is the expression of his pure and Therefore, call on the Lord with all your aspiring heart. Heart is the Veena, and devotion heart and He is sure to respond. Make Him the fingers that play upon it to infuse a magic the sole beloved of your life, and He is sure to spell in the call for the Beloved. Hence the be yours. Pray to Him, sing of Him, dedicate devotee employs sweet music for his appeals yourself to Him, and He will grant you and prayers to God. He cries and weeps for absolute peace and bliss – nay, He will reveal God, extols and glorifies Him, talks and holds Himself in your heart and absorb you into His communion with Him – in a rhythmic language transcendental being, and thus make you realize of love. He sings and dances when he has found that you are the very embodiment of His own his Beloved. This music of Divine symphony cosmic peace and joy. He will then give you the thrills his entire frame. Ecstasy, or inexpressible vision of beholding Him everywhere, i.e. you joy, rises in waves in his heart. Love overflows will behold your own supreme Self manifested in tears through his eyes. Purity, peace and light permeate his as the entire universe. Love is your way and love is your goal. entire being. This is the culmination of his utter devotion and self-surrender. He places his entire life, soul and body at the feet of the Beloved. p 3 TeachIng sTorIes from The sAInTs The Lord’s Compassion BY SWAMI SIVANANDA Narayana Prasad’s mother passed away. Contrary to standing around him. “You wretched thief,” they cried, “How expectations, Narayana Prasad was extremely happy! He ran dare you steal the gold plate from the sanctum sanctorum of to his worship room, fell prostrate at the feet of his Deity – the Lord! Come! Get up! You vilest wretch. Follow us to the Jagannatha – and prayed: “Unasked, You showered Your Grace Rajah’s palace and receive your punishment at his hands.” upon me. You have removed the one tie that bound me to this Nayarana Prasad was perplexed at first. “I have not stolen earthly life. I shall now be able to devote my entire life to You this plate,” he thought, “but why couldn’t the person who brought and You alone, without any distractions. Lord, grant me pure the food on this plate take it back?” Instantly he composed devotion.” himself and felt it was useless to waste his thoughts over what Narayana Prasad and his mother had both been great was happening and instead went on with his mental bhajan.