Lecture on Ashrama Dharma 11 July 2025

Full Transcript (Not Corrected)

The Purpose of Divine Incarnation: Dharmasthapana

One of the most important teachings is that Shri Ram Krishna was born, or any avatar is born, for what purpose? Dharmasthapana.

How is Dharmasthapana established? We only remember "Vinashaya Chaturthi," but we don't remember what is the most important teaching. This is called Varna Dharmasthapana. Dharmasthapana means, remember always, Varna Dharmasthapana.

It is applicable to all the people in the world, in the past, present and future. We are totally ignoring them. One of the things that we are ignoring is that we are slowly becoming old.

The Four Stages of Life

There is a time for everything. That is why there is a time for learning.

1. First: Learn
2. Second: Practice - shift to the practice, practical practice. That is in the second stage
3. Third stage: Should not stop the activity, but shift to the venue - from outside to inside
4. Ultimately: Sanyasa means completion

This is the Varna Vyavastha, arrangement of Varna Ashrama Dharma. In fact, the whole Hinduism - no religion has ever put it so scientifically. I spoke about it in the past also.

The Structure of Vedic Knowledge and Life

So, Veda is divided into four parts. What is the part? Mantra, Brahmana or any other function. Not four Vedas, every Veda is the same.

And life is divided into four parts:

• Brahmacharya Ashrama
• Grihastha Ashrama
• Vanaprastha Ashrama
• Sannyasa Ashrama

And goals have been divided into five.

Goals of life are divided into - usually we say four, but they should be understood as five. What is the Brahmacharya Ashrama goal? That is called Dharma. Dharma means what? First you learn what the scripture is telling.

Why Scripture is Essential

Why should we go to the scripture? Because scripture alone can tell us what was our past, what is our present and what is our future. Nobody can tell you. From there only Karma Siddhanta has come.

Why each one of us are born? Not only that, even born to the same parents - so much of differences. See here, she and her brother. Male and female. That itself is a totally different future. And then like Ravanasura and Kumbhakarna - same parents. For all the three, the Dharma should be different. Here, the Dharma should be different for all the three people.

The Four Varnas Based on Gunas and Karma

So you see how nicely it is. First of all, Hinduism divides all people into four varnas: Shudra, Vaishya, Kshatriya and Brahman.

What is this? Not caste. According to Karma and Guna. Did you understand? "Chaturvarna, Maya Srishtam, Karma, Guna, Vibhagashah."

Guna and Karma. According to Guna, the birth takes place. According to Guna, activities take place.

Understanding the Gunas and Varnas

According to first Guna comes Tamasic fellow. He likes to eat Tamasic food. Everybody likes to eat. Rajasic fellow also wants to eat food. Shudra also wants to eat food. Brahman also wants to eat food. Isn't it? But they are born in different Gunas. This is Guna.

What is that Guna? Where Tamo Guna is there - that means body also is lazy, mind also is lazy. So it has to be driven by somebody like bullocks.

Have you ever seen any bullock being active? Unless it is whipped. Can you? This is South Africa. They were lying very well. They employed all the Africans. And the officer has to be there. Otherwise they will not work.

[Story about the hat on a stick trick to supervise workers]

You see, that is what is happening in India. The same fellows, Indians, when they work under American companies, or go to foreign countries, they work more than - just they want to prove that we are not like Indians. We are not like Indians in India. We are like Indians in Western countries. Same fellows, let them come back.

Why is that, Maharaj? That is, it has become a habit.

The Four Varna Classifications

So, the Shudra is one who doesn't know what is right, what is wrong. He has to be driven. And all the three Varnas should drive him. Like a bullock.

But now, because it has become a caste system, people started protesting against it. What is the use of protesting? Unless your behaviour changes, even a higher clerk, he has to be supervising. Otherwise people will not do.

The person who has progressed from Tamoguna, so it is Rajoguna, dominated or assisted by Tamoguna, is called Vaishya. So pure Tamoguna, other gunas very less, that is Shudra.

A little more Rajas, and then Rajoguna, assisted by Tamoguna, is called Vaishya. And Rajoguna comes, what happens? "Lobaha pravrutti haramaha." Lobaha comes, I want to earn money, etc. So they are very active business people. That is why Lakshmi's vahana is owl. Because the whole night, like that it will be waking up, it will never sleep.

Kshatriya - more Rajoguna, helpful, second place is Sattvaguna.

Brahmana - Sattvaguna, assisted by Rajoguna. This is the combination.

99% Sattva, it is only possible for Avataras. That's why their bodies are extraordinarily delicate. That's why Thakur could not bear. People could not understand. It has nothing to do with the body. Thakur's body, even a luchi, it gets cut.

The Modern Misunderstanding of Varna System

So now what are we talking about? This is the Varna Vyavastha. So increase in guna is a progress in Varna. Now it has become birth by birth caste. We suppress people, unable to understand. Our own Brahmins, they have done that.

But whichever is the Varna, life is divided into four. That is called Ashrama Dharma. Varna Dharma, Varnas also have Ashrama Dharma. They have their own Dharma.

Devotees and the Brahmanical Nature

But devotees we are talking about. Every devotee is supposed to be a Brahmana. Because devotion comes out of which guna? Sattvaguna, supposed to be.

Don't take it for granted. "I am a certified..." One Bengali came and said, "Swamiji, I am a certified devotee of Thakur. My name is written in Belur mutt Register. I know Sri Ramakrishna very well. And he was very tall."

Then I told him, "I understand you know Sri Ramakrishna very well, but can you tell whether Sri Ramakrishna knows you?" That is very important.

Nobody is certified. Thakur certifies. How does he certify? He doesn't come and give a stamp. If you bring about such changes, you will not know anything else except Thakur. He will erase you, and he will replace himself. That is called certificate of Thakur.

The Corruption of Understanding: Asura vs. Deva

So, this dharma-sthapana is done by making these varna dharma. Now varnas have got mixed up. But it doesn't mean people are all satvikas.

They are all, whichever quality is there, whoever is what is called a slave to the body, he is called a shudra, asura. That is why Chandogya Upanishad uses a particular word, very interesting word, Asura Upanishad.

"Sir, what is Asura Upanishad?" Asura Upanishad means the brahman, this body, "shreeram brahmaneva."

Oh, like Virochana. Yes, Virochana. He went and started preaching. "I am a realiser of God. Atma-sakshapata, this body." So, dress it well, bathe it well, put all sorts of perfumes.

What are people doing now? Exactly that. That is Asura Sampat, body. If something happens to spirituality, they are not worried. They are worried if something happens to their body. Body becomes old, they are worried. So they want to - what is beauty parlour? Cover up the oldness of the body.

Is it anything else? All the plastics, actually, is nothing but making oneself believe, "I am young." But the body knows what is old and what is good. You may appear to the other fellows. It is looking like that. They need to think about it.

The Importance of Learning in Youth

So, Thakur came. This is the most important thing. What is Ashram Dharma? First of all, we have to learn when we are young, then what happens? It is easy to believe when we become old, then we become...

That's why in youth, nastic books should not be read. Don't read such books, because we are highly volatile, vulnerable. Bertrand Russell said, "there is no God." And we believe this.

What does Bertrand Russell say? "There is no God but me."

[Story about the couple divorcing over religious differences]

So, everybody... "I am the body, I am God." That is what Charvaka philosophy means.

The Foundation of Learning: Body and Mind Health

Anyway, what I am trying to tell you, that there is a stage of learning. Even though Thakur said, but that's a different... basic foundational certain things. What is learning? What is the essence of learning? How can I make myself happy?

If I have to make myself happy, two things must be there. You know what? My body should be healthy. My mind should be healthy. That was philosophy.

"A sound mind, in a sound body," there is some proverb... So, that is the root cause of all happiness. You want to eat, you want to sleep, you want to jump up and down, whatever you want to do, the body and mind. Most of the people's bodies nowadays are unhealthy bodies.

What do you mean by unhealthy bodies? Western people especially, they eat, they drink, they are very strong, you think they are healthy. That is not health, that is illness, sickness. That is called sickness.

That body, which draws your attention to itself, but the minds are rotten. Minds are completely rotten. They pay only lip-deep service to church or god or whatever it is.

The Brothers Karamazov Reference

That is what is so beautifully brought out in a Russian novel, Brothers Karamazov. There was a head of a monastery and he was doing all sorts of things. Then Jesus Christ wanted to have a talk with him.

"My son, why are you twisting my teaching?" So he had a talk with the head of the monastery. It is very special, it is very interesting. What is the name of it? Brothers Karamazov.

So the head is twisted. "You see, you have come so many years back and you could hardly convert twelve people. Of that, one fellow betrayed you. He caused your crucifixion. He took money and did it. But look at what I am doing. Thousands and thousands are flocking to you."

Jesus Christ said, "but you are watering down my teachings." He said, "you are a stupid fellow." That was not there in the book. I am telling you. That is the essence.

"You don't know what you are talking about. If I preach purely, nobody will come to you. I have to preach in such a way which must be practicable to them. They are not ready to give up worldly happiness. But I have to inject a little bit of fear, faith and all those things, promising that you are going to save them."

And then Jesus Christ was adamant, "I don't want." Then the head said, "look here, last time we crucified you, but allowed you to return back after three days. This time we will crucify in such a way, for eternity you are not going to come back. You choose what you want."

Self-Reflection and True Devotion

Yes, these ideas are there. I am only making a little bit fun, but those ideas are there. Now, that is our consciousness, including all of us.

You look at your face in a mirror and say, "am I really behaving like a devotee of Thakur, or am I kidding myself?" And if your answer is, "I am not kidding," that is the definite proof.

How have the direct disciples behaved? They are the standards, models.

The Three Stages of Learning

So, what is the first stage? Here you learn three things. I told you three things. First you learn how to pronounce properly. That is called Siksha.

"Siksham vyakhyasyamah parnasvarah matravaram samasantanam ityutta sikshadhyayah"

Then, how to join letters and words? Part of it is grammar. Then after that, the essence of the meaning of the Veda, having taken the pupil through so many upasanas, gradually more and more difficult upasanas, which includes all worldly desires.

"Let me be the wealthiest person on earth. Let me be the most famous person on earth. Let me be the most learned person on earth."

Which university will you go to? Whichever subject you want to specialise in, you will go to that university which is famous, isn't it? You will not go to a third class university.

So, which guru will you go to? You will go to that person who is likely to get what you want, isn't it?

The Taittiriya Upanishad Teaching

So, in the Taittiriya, we discussed these things. They have slipped because you don't do manana properly. Why should a Vedic rishi, acharya, teach all these things? Because they are our common desires. We already have the desires. But there is a way of fulfilment.

So, the first thing is, you learn how to read the scriptures properly. In those days, writing was not there. So, this ucharana, that is very important. But next is, gradually more and more difficult upasanas, until you come to the eleventh anuvaka of sikshadhyaya.

The student is returning home. He has given many commandments. I only chose ten commandments. But there are so many commandments. And they are universally applicable even today, for every human being. But we don't pay attention to them.

What is this? Taittiriya Upanishad. Oh, Taittiriya Upanishad. Eleventh sikshadhyaya. First khanda, eleventh sikshadhyaya.

So, "Vedamana Uchacharya Ante Vasanam Anushasti." What is Anushasana? Commandment.

"Esha Adesha, Esha Upadesha." What is Upadesha? That which does you good, that is called Upadesha. Disha means, you know Disha. Direction. That's why Guru is called Deshika. So, Vedanta Deshika, Sautilya Deshika. Deshika, he is called Deshika. He shows you the way, the pathway.

The Essence of All Teachings

So, there he is telling you, "Esha Adesha." This means commandment. Moses got commandments. Buddha gave commandments. If you want to follow Buddha, these are my commandments. If you want to follow Sri Ramakrishna, these are the commandments. That's why five commandments of Sri Ramakrishna. And ten commandments of Holy Mother. All these things.

So, this is the second thing. First thing is, learn how to remember it properly, without mistake. Second thing is, what is the meaning of it? What is the essence of it? Later on, if you want, you go into details.

But this is what Sri Ramakrishna says: "God-realisation is the only goal of life. Each soul is potentially divine. The goal is, that is the essence of all the Shastras." Those three sentences.

"The goal is to manifest this divinity within, by controlling nature, external and internal." And then he says, "attain this goal. Either through Karma Yoga or any other Yoga."

And then fourth is very important. Fourth sentence. This is the one that counts. "The rest is unessential. Secondary details."

In four lines, Swami Vivekananda gave. In the eleventh, there is not exactly, it corresponds to this. You look at this, there is eleventh section. There is Bhakti Yoga. There is Karma Yoga. There is Raja Yoga. There is Jnana Yoga. Every Yoga is there. It is inevitable. Because it should be applicable to everyone.

Life's Three Stages: School, Gymnasium, Circus

So, that is the first stage. Learn some livelihood. Because they are experts in that. It doesn't mean, Gurukula doesn't mean one Acharya. Main Acharya will be one. There will be other Acharyas. Some will show you archery. Some will be Ayurvedic Pandit. Etc., etc.

Don't think that one Acharya, how is he going to control all this? So, there will be assistants. But the main one will be to teach the real essence of the scriptures. The main one is Ramakrishna. He is not going to waste his time in teaching all these things. For that, any number of other people are there.

Then, the first stage is what I call the learning stage. It is what Swamiji said. Life is a school. That is the first stage.

Life is a gymnasium. That is the second stage. Grihasthashrama.

And life is a... Rather, I could say, Grihasthashrama and Vanaprasthashrama is called gymnasium. The third stage is Sannyasa. Life is a circus.

A Sannyasi, that mental attitude, Vidvat Sannyasa. He may not take Sannyasa, but he has become Vidva. Like Yagnivalkya. He had already become Vidva. Otherwise, did he teach Janaka and others after becoming Sannyasi or before becoming Sannyasa? He was a Vidva.

The Five Purusharthas

So, this is the process. So, you... Grihasthashrama, Vanaprasthashrama. And if you have done properly, gone through, taken proper steps, lived properly, gymnasium means what? Exercise. Exercise means what? Put it into practice.

Automatically, you will become, you will reach this stage. Then Sannyasa will come naturally. And then you enjoy life.

But he said five goals. Five Purusharthas. It's not said, but what is this? In Brahmacharyashrama, it is called Dharma. Dharma means what? Learn what Dharma is. Learn how to put Dharma into practice. Learning.

Grihasthashrama is Artha and Kama. Experiment and experience. First is learning. Second is experiment and experience. Because we have got natural... We are natural means what? People of the nature. So when we grow up, chemistry is growing up.

That chemistry is not going. "I will control the chemistry" and then chemistry will control me. Even to say that "I will control the chemistry" is also the work of the chemistry.

So, what is it? Artha and Kama. Dharma belongs to Brahmacharyashrama. Artha and Kama belongs to Grihasthashrama.

And what is the speciality of Vanaprasthashrama? Upasana. Whatever you were doing before, physically, externally, now try to internalise it. Don't go on. What you were capable of doing when you were 20 years old, now the body cannot stand.

The Teaching of Mudras

How this happens, you know? There was a great guru called Narayan Guru in South India. Swamiji met him and he learnt some things also. "How? Why this is called Chinmudra?" So he said there are very subtle nerves and this completes that nerve. Not for us, you can put any number of times. Then the Yoga Siddhi will come. That is why this is called Chinmudra.

Chinmudra. Jnanamudra, Chinmudra. These are the names that are given.

Then Swamiji understood. He learnt many things. He must have learnt from Pavahari Baba also. So practically he knew. But how to explain? That is where these great gurus have come.

The Three Types of Gospel Teachings

We don't know what talks Swami Vivekananda, Narendra had with Sri Ramakrishna. He has never expressed. In fact, very little was expressed by anybody. Whatever their reminiscences, even himself in the Gospel, "I asked him, how is it possible to meditate on Nirakara?" Thakur told him something. That much he recorded. "I asked him, he told me some things and then the topic is changed." That means it is not meant for anybody.

So there are three things when you are reading the Gospel. Don't apply it to everybody.

1. First of all, there are certain things which are applicable to everybody.
2. Secondly, there are certain things which are applicable because even when Thakur was talking, he had in mind one particular person. For his sake only we will be talking.
3. And there are some things which he will never tell, he will take them aside.

For example, Narendra. Thakur had taken him to the veranda. And then even Swamiji also. We took him to the veranda and then told him, "you are Narayana, I am waiting for you."

Suppose he told that in front of everybody. Two problems would arise. First problem is, since Thakur is telling Narendra as Narayana, supposing there is a young woman, imagine there is a young woman in that, "listen up, am I Mahalakshmi?" Naturally, when Mahavishnu is there, Narayana is there, Lakshmi has to be there somewhere. So they would be imagining, "I am Garudawar, Chakrawar, or whatever is Alwar." Yes, people would be imagining that.

First of all, they would have thought, "we know this Narendra, he never cares to talk to us, he is so arrogant." Like that, there will be so many people. And secondly, they were jealous, because Ramakrishna used to love him.

Why Ramakrishna Loved Narendra Specially

Why was he loving him? More than the others? I am not clearly understanding. There was a sheep farmer, and one particular sheep, he was fattening. You understand? Ramakrishna knew that he had a vision. Just before Narendra came, he had a vision, then he had another vision, wherefrom he has come, what was his work, how many days he would be there, when he is going to leave, everything he knew.

He knew that Ramakrishna's or Divine Mother's message has to be spread only through this person. And it is a very, very strenuous job. A strenuous job. Ordinary person, nobody was fit for that. Only Narendra was fit. That is why Ramakrishna had prepared him for that.

Narendra's Spiritual Journey

I will just give you one glimpse. On second or third visit, Ramakrishna touched him, and what was his response? "I have my parents." Then this brings a doubt. Was Narendra not fit to receive what Ramakrishna was about to give? Why did it happen? This is the condition of all of us.

We think we are like Ramana Maharshi. "One day I will lie down, you touch my breath," and don't try that, because really you might become breathless. Others will find out. Breathless, you know, no breath after is coming back.

So why was Ramakrishna not ready? Why was Narendra not ready? He had gone through so many phases. Belief, non-belief, belief only, nirakar vada, he never accepted avatar vada, he did not accept guru vada, he did not accept sakar vada.

Because he is the world teacher, so he has to go through each of the stages. People don't understand it, that this man who was a paramarishi, how could he have disbelieved in God? And he was a dhyana siddha, what was he meditating upon? If there is no God, what was he meditating upon? People don't understand.

In this incarnation, he has to experience the moods of most of us, and then find practical help. And then say, "yes, I understand your condition. Once upon a time, I had gone through the same situation, but don't worry, I know the way out, and I will help you." Then only he becomes a jagat guru.

The Problem with Modern Jagat Gurus

All these Shringeri Mata Shankaracharyas, they say, "we are all jagat gurus." Everybody puts this word. Idiots! How can they be jagat gurus? When they are propagating only Jnanamarga, how can they be jagat gurus? Suppose a person is a non-Hindu, they will not teach. They will not accept Ramakrishna Mission sadhus as sadhus and sannyasins, not to speak of other people.

Yes, practically I am telling you. Even today, you know, one small example I am giving, otherwise you may think I am exaggerating.

An Example of Modern Sectarianism

So once this Shringeri jagat guru, he came to Bangalore, there is a Shankara Mata, near Basavangudi Ashrama. And Swami Harshananda, we all pay respect to Shringeri because that is our Mata. So he went to meet this Swami, very learned Swami, nice Swami also.

Then there was a Brahmin attendant, he would not allow Swami Harshananda, the president of Bangalore Ashrama, to come anywhere near this Swami. And he was a Brahmin, gold medallist. "So we have come, we want to speak with Swami."

Then reluctantly, he went and informed, "some Swamis from Ramakrishna Ashrama had come." Immediately he called them. He said, "Swami, you come tomorrow, some day he has given, three o'clock you come, I will meet you."

These people went at three o'clock. What happened? There was that same old attendant was there, Brahmana, this old man, Harshananda was there, already having problems. Not even a chair for him to sit on.

"Oh! Why did you come?" Because probably he forgot or he did not hear. "Swami himself said, you come at three o'clock, I will meet you." They said, "Swami himself has given us appointment."

Then he could not say anything, he went inside. Immediately Swami said, "yes, yes, bring some chairs and spread them there." And others said, "no, carpet at least will be there."

And Swami Harshananda, he was made to sit in the chair, they had a talk. If this is happening in Bangalore, what is happening in other places? You know, he will never, he will throw food like that, prasad, packet will be there, he will never give you in your hand.

"Is it that the assistants?" No, no, Swami himself. You go there, he will be sitting, there will be a barrier, you go and make pranams, and there will be some prasadam, he will throw it, you will have to catch it. For Brahmins, he is a favourite Brahmin, he will give it to him.

But there were very good spiritual sannyasins, one was supposed to be mad. But this is the condition even today. But they are highly learned, they keep up Shankaracharya's teachings, but they don't deserve to be, you know, after sannyasa, they are supposed to see God everywhere.

They are not supposed to keep any, "this is a Shudra," how many incidents are there like that, for the sake of Shudra, God himself broke the temple, and gave a darshan. That is why in Telugu we have a saying, "God may give you a boon, but pujari will not give you a boon." That's why I call them, very appropriate name, pujari.

The Need for Simplifying Life in Later Years

Anyway, coming back to our subject. So, if everything is done properly, internalise, don't do the Vanaprastha. Which of our Sri Ramakrishna's devotees are following this? Can you? Even after their 70 years, or even more, they are still, instead of simplifying their life, instead of making peace with themselves, they are going on worrying about property, about children, about many other things, not able to make up their minds.

You see, I have to tell you the truth. Am I a devotee of God? If I am a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna, I should follow. Sri Ramakrishna himself has said, then some priests were playing cards.

"Is it not time for that?" You think about it. They have already passed, passed 50 years. In those days, 50 years was old. But what were they doing, playing cards? They were asked, "why are you playing cards? Why are you chit-chatting?"

If it is a devotee's, "what is the cost of brinjal?" You know, while taking bath in the Ganga, "without me, nothing happens in my house. I have to look after everything." That old woman is boasting.

Why? Because that is the only way she can bolster her ego. Nobody wants her. Lot of keys. So, lot of keys.

The Difference Between a Monk and a Monkey

What is the difference between a monk and a monkey? What is the difference, Rita? Key! A monk with a key and a monkey without key is a monk. I am not joking.

Ramayana, we went to fight with Ravanasura. They were all monks. What do you mean by monks? All the so-called monkeys, they were all monks. What does it mean? Completely surrendered to Sri Rama. And they were not really monkeys. They were a tribe.

Anjaneya, he was a pakka Sanskrit scholar, "jnaninam agrabenim." He spoke with Rama in first-class Sanskrit. Probably, Rama was smiling and nodding, unable to do it in Sanskrit language. Hanuman was carrying Rama. What does that mean? He is the guru. Like Garuda, he was carrying everywhere.

Are We True Devotees?

So, we have to think about it. Am I a devotee of Rama? Am I following? Is it not time for me? You pay more and more attention. You cannot suddenly do it. But certain things, you will have to make a decision and say, "why am I hanging? Keeping things neither there nor here."

Simplify your life. Stay there. And both husband and wife should be like brother and sister. And let them only think about God. And for that, of course, long practice.

Even now, it is not bad. Respect the body. Don't go on torturing the body. The same old. Simplify your eating. Simplify your puja. Simplify everything. Pay more and more. That is what is called Upasana.

Upasana Pratham. Who is following? Start first, simplifying your physical things. I am telling you, you have a house in the UK, you have a house here. Make a decision. Because you have to make a decision, either now or after six months or after two years. Take a firm decision that you don't go on moving from here and there.

And if you don't want to stay in the UK, then you sell that house and invest whatever you want. A good house, if you already have it, arrange it nicely. So, even puja, I am telling you, if you want to perform the puja, hand it over to some younger people. Sit there like a devotee and enjoy it. Because they also have to learn. Somebody who is responsible, and you don't need to get unnecessarily involved in it.

The best thing is, simplify the puja. Simple puja. Bhakti is what is needed. And you invite people and you feed them nice prasad. Do everything. But sit back. But you yourself cannot do. All day if you go on doing this one, then you are torturing your body. That is not necessary.

But you know, we don't want easily to give up our old habits. That is the problem. That habit is the difficulty.

More Japa, Less Formal Meditation

So, this is one of the shastras. More japa, dhyana we talk, but forget about dhyana. More japa. More frequently you do it. You know, every time you can't sit for two hours. But actually the thing is, we have to remember mentally.

But it is necessary to sit. It applies to all of us. But people are not following. And they think they are devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. No.

Look at the real devotees of Sri Ramakrishna. It was Ramchandra Pratap. I call him Ram Basu. And devotees like that study their lives from what we are discussing now.

Examples of True Devotees: Ramchandra Pratap

What did Ramchandra Pratap do? He bought a house in Kankur Ghat. Thakur himself suggested. You know what he said? "Ram, Nityananda, buy a house. Even if a hundred murders take place, nobody will come to know anything happened." Such a place you call. And he bought such a place in those days.

And then he built a temple. Then there were so many relics of Thakur. First temple. We have to give credit to Ramchandra Pratap. Because these people, even though they stole some of these things, but the future Ramakrishna temple will come later on. But Ramchandra Pratap, he lived there.

And when he died, he never allowed any one of his family members to come. He said, "no, only my brothers will come." That is Swamiji, Sannyasi disciples. Only they will come. And look what happened to Balram Bose when he died. Thakur himself came in a chariot and then took him away.

Now, you have to imagine what was Balram Bose doing to get this kind of vision. Why? Thakur could give Moksha without showing chariot and other things. But he must have been meditating. Gopala's Ma had all the visions of how she will come, he will come, and how he will be pestering her, "I want this, I want that."

Why do you think Gopala was pestering her? Because "this is how I want my Gopala to pester me." And that is why she had actually the same visions. But vision will come only when you practice it for a long time before.

The Deaths of True Devotees

So, you read the deaths of almost all of them. Pratap Chandra Hazra, he predicted, "tomorrow at this time I am going to die." Nobody believed him. His wife was the first person to disbelieve him, because of the way he was living. But then, the previous day he announced, how could he announce? He must have had some experience, that Thakur will come.

And once a person has that experience, "tomorrow I am going to die," what do you think that mind will be doing? You meditate upon these subjects. He must be thinking intensely about Thakur, to be able to see Thakur. Whether it happened by his practice or Thakur's grace, ultimately Thakur made him think about him.

In the end, even one day before, was he frightened? He was not frightened. He was waiting, looking for Thakur, looking for vision. How did he spend his time? What was Thakur's instruction to him? So, after retirement, after his retirement, he said, even before retirement, "you construct one Tulasi Mandapa, and every day you sit there and do Harinama, as long as you want to. And was this Diksha? And I will come, and I will take you." And he had 100% faith.

The Gardener's Vision

Another gardener also had this. There was another gardener. We don't know how many people got Thakur's grace, because they were simple people. Many of them were very religious people. They had high respect for Thakur, because they also could see how other priests were behaving, and how Thakur was behaving.

So, Vishuddhanandaji, in those early days, one day he went to Dakshineshwar, and then he saw a retired gardener carefully cleaning the pathway between Dakshineshwar Thakur's room and Panchavati. He had some kind of doubt, whether this person, so old, so he must have had some doubt.

"How long have you been working?" In those days, from the young age, they would be working. "Have you seen Thakur?" He did not want to tell, but Vishuddhanandaji persisted. He said, "yes, I have seen Thakur."

Then, "why are you cleaning now?" Because he was not supposed to do it. He must be getting some pension, two, three rupees, whatever it was. Then the gardener narrated, "one day at midnight, he had no sleep. So, he was only wandering. All their houses were very near. In those days, there were no such divisions. You know, compound wall, this, that, and all those things."

So, "I came nearer to Panchavati. I saw brilliant light coming from the side of Panchavati. I was shocked, because it was not like ordinary light. There was no moonlight. Everything was pitch dark, but I was seeing the light."

So, he said, "I was curious. I went forward. Suddenly, I saw Thakur was sitting in meditation, and his whole body was full of this light."

He said, "I got frightened, and then I came back. And the next day, he again came to work. I was working, I think, at that time. So, he came. Then, Thakur asked him, 'yesterday night, did you see something? How did you see?'"

Who was Sri Ramakrishna asking him? Because he must have shown him. Just like "I asked her. Yesterday, I gave him and what did he give me? Is that enough?" So, he must have shown himself, out of his infinite grace. And how did he? Showing grace. He must have deserved it some way, to some extent.

You know, that shows, even the servants of low-class people may have even higher achievements than many others. So, then Thakur instructed him two things. "Meditate upon that form whenever you meditate." Second, he said, "that as long as you can clean this from Thakur's room, many devotees will be walking. They should not suffer while walking. So, any pebbles, thorns, this and that, objects, you clean."

And even though he was not able to bend, he was sitting and slowly moving. Vishuddhanandaji got this reminiscence and then later on he said, "on how many people Thakur had bestowed his grace, only He knows, and even now he is bestowing his grace. Some people have visions, some people, their understanding becomes deeper and deeper and deeper and deeper."

Personal Experience of Grace

At least, I know that, when I am studying the scriptures, I could not have imagined this, even fifteen, twenty years ago, even ten years ago. What I am understanding now, that is nothing but sheer grace of Thakur Ma. If I am not able to convey it, that is a different issue altogether.

So, we have to say, am I following Sri Ramakrishna? Am I worthy to be called myself a devotee? Others may call, because they are as ignorant. They may not know what is my condition. They don't know even their own condition, what to speak of other people's condition.

So, you go on, read the Gospel. What was his teaching to people, let us say, about sixty years? That is an angle, because we fall under that, what is called slot, isn't it? And what are we doing? How are we spending our time?

The Simplicity of the Teaching

Simple. I don't know why people don't realise this. It is such a simple affair. Simplify your affairs. Even many of the sadhus, they can't live without work.

One Swami asked headquarters, because they were persuading him to become head of a centre. And he frankly refused, "I don't want to be head of a centre." Then they quoted him, "look, we are at least fifty to twenty years older than you, we are still working."

Then the Swami, he was not an ordinary Swami. He challenged them, secretly, and others. At that time, Swami Ranganathanandaji Maharaj was not Ranganathanandaji Maharaj, Bhuteshanandaji Maharaj, he was the president. He challenged them, "okay, you are telling me that you are older than me, and you are still working for Prakriti. Can you live without work?" They could not reply, because they can't tell a lie.

The Story of the Retired Principal

So if they are deprived, one incident I am telling you. There was a famous college principal, very learned, he has written books also, and the time had come for him to retire. And they had a big party, send-off party, I think with great joy. And then, he retired.

After one or two days, he came running to the new principal, who was his own assistant. Because every day people come with so many problems, and he gets a terrible satisfaction, that "I am solving the problems." You know, you go to visit any barber shop, all the world problems, do you think anybody can solve? The world means problem.

The more you solve, the more the world will be happy, because he is strengthening me. The very means for solving the problem will create many, many, many more problems. So, seeing that old man's condition, they said, "Maharaj, really we were also thinking, that we cannot do really without you. So you are a special advisor to the principal." Another room they prepared, and then they put a special advisor to the principal, and they gave him a nameplate, and he was so happy.

So every day he would come, "what are the problems?" The day they say there are no problems, that would be the problematic day. This is fantastic. I am telling you what has happened actually. This is the truth.

And that is the truth. Even now you tell all these people, "you have done enough work. There are better people with better ideas, with open minds. They can do much better. Why don't you retire? And if they want your advice, they will be the first persons to come to your home, because your guidance is necessary. But not always. Only when it is wanted."

Any doctor says, "always visit me." It will be horrible. You understand now?

Are We in That Condition?

Are we in that condition, when we cannot do without these things? Does it bolster our ego? "I am busy, I am doing this and that." I don't know how much you are understanding what I am talking about. But simplify your life.

Because we don't know when death is going to come. Everyday incidents... How many everyday... War is going on. There is Israel and Houthis, and everybody is bombing everybody else in every place. How many people are thinking, "today is going to be our last day?" Are not people dying every day? That is only one example. What about people shooting other people?

But shooting is not necessary. They can die in bathroom, they can die in bathtub, they can die on the streets, they can die in the hospital, they can die anywhere.

But why is it that we are not able to analyse this? Because we are clinging to this, we are not accepting the fact of the world. And that is one side only, that is only negative side.

Positive side is, do you know how much joy we can get by studying, by doing japa, by deeply thinking about God? If we don't get that joy, then I don't know what we are doing all these years.

Work and Joy Balance

So any work that comes, you do when it comes. When it doesn't come, then we have to be equally happy. That is God's karma. Not only that, what is necessary, that we don't do. What we think gives us joy, that way. So much of hypocrisy is going on.

Of course, even Krishna Bhagavan got tired of giving Upadesha, and ultimately, he asked, "what, I have got to speak? You think over it." He said that. Then he asks the question, "Did you hear? Is your moha gone?" Because if you have heard, it should have gone.

Then Arjuna, immediately he replies, "Yes."

The Most Important Teaching

So today, this is the most important talk you have heard, probably in your whole life. First accept, I am not in the grihastha ashrama any longer. Yes, you are in the grihastha ashrama, but you have stepped into vanaprasthasrama.

And what was Sri Ramakrishna's teachings about vanaprasthasrama? That's why he said, "you start from the beginning, start leading a simple life, and then that will make you ready for the vanaprasthasrama."

We are not respecting our body, but respect our body also. By willpower, we are doing things which we should not do. So we have to keep away good external activities, we have to slowly, slowly means "okay, we have got twenty years time, slowly, slowly we are going to go." No. And then every day you have to think, "we don't know when death comes."

The Reality of Death

Nobody knows. We are all under that illusion that others may die, but I will live a long time. And you will see, if you follow what we have discussed today, your health also will improve, because the mind will be free, if you get rid of good tension.

Only a few things will be there. Okay? Make sure that you have some money, and then doctors are there, good doctors, and simplify your food also. And do everything, see what happens.

I know there are so many old women here, they are living that life. Yes, I see them in the ashrams, they are so happy. Some of them, very serious sadhikas. Some of them, every day they go to Vishwanath temple, rain, shine, whatever it is.

So we are not being very serious about it, you know. "Hone se ho jayega, nahi hone se nahi ho jayega." That's not what we want.

Retirement and Responsibility

Anyway, retirement life, even every head of the centre should retire, when the time comes, because we don't know. And then there are other things they can do. It is not that you are spending a lazy time, doing nothing. That is not possible. Only you do certain things, more than what you do.

Younger people are there, let them look after it. That's what I call "the joys of irresponsibility." No more responsibility. You understand? Joys of irresponsibility. Get up when you want and there is no rush, not a religious rush, permanently no school. But that will be only after all these things are over.

What time is it, sir? That's sufficient for today. Think over it. Take a decision quickly. Don't go on postponing. We don't know what is going to happen. Prepare your will also.

I am telling you. You can change if you want later on.

Final Anecdote

Anyway, the last... When I was in the UK, an old lady came and she said, "I look upon you as my son." She was not really old, I am old enough, but "I look upon you as my son." "Do you know how I am?" Immediately I said, "don't forget my name in your will." Like you said to Shrikant, "he is my son."

And then the next day, "I made a mistake, I should not have called you my son, I should have called you Baba." She changed her tune. "What? Now he is thinking, Maharaj."

He has gone very quiet. He is thinking. No, no, you have to go, sir. Both of you have to go.

Final Recommendations

Simplify, lead better life, read more books, reason if you cannot make choices, go deep inside, read anything, Bhagavatam - that is more than sufficient. Beautiful, ultimately you will get Bhagavatam.

Upanishads when you are young, Bhagavatam, you will not substitute Bhagavatam. But deep meanings are there. So superficially you read, you meditate upon it, then you will get the essence.