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After a brief silence Mahapurushji continued: During the last few years of his life Swami Saradananda especially practised intense meditation and spiritual discipline. After bathing in the Ganga, he would sit for meditation and not move from his seat until one or one-thirty in the afternoon. He would have an interval during which he would drink a cup of tea, sitting right there on his meditation seat.
After a brief silence Mahapurushji continued: During the last few years of his life Swami Saradananda especially practised intense meditation and spiritual discipline. After bathing in the Ganga, he would sit for meditation and not move from his seat until one or one-thirty in the afternoon. He would have an interval during which he would drink a cup of tea, sitting right there on his meditation seat.
=='''29 September 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927. It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master.
<b>Swami Dayatmananda:</b> 30 September 2023
(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927. It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master. Swami Shivananda was speaking of Swami Saradananda. 'He was unusually kind to the devotees. To women devotees especially, he was a haven of peace. A little after four in the afternoon they would start coming and he would give them advice untiringly until late in the evening. Later there would be a crowd of men devotees who would stay until late at night. The door of his compassionate heart was ever open. Ah, what a wonderful life he lived—serene, peaceful, patient and profound! We never saw Swami Saradananda lose his temper. He had only love and compassion for all. Now that he is united with the Master and the Holy Mother, he is enjoying supreme blessedness and from that realm is constantly helping the devotees. He and others like him were in Sri Ramakrishna always, but for some time, for the purpose of doing good to the world, they embodied themselves and lived here on this earth as men. As a matter of fact, they do not exist apart from the Master. Those who think about them are actually thinking about the Master himself. Many did not have the privilege of seeing Sri Ramakrishna. Perhaps they have seen Swamiji, Swami Brahmananda and Swamis Premananda, Turiyananda or Saradananda. Perhaps they have seen some one of the inner circle of the Master's disciples and are devoted to them. This love and devotion will surely reach the Master.'
It was about eight o'clock at night. Some devotees came to Swami Shivananda's room, and one of them was from Barisal. As the conversation turned on Ashwini Babu of Barisal, the Swami said, 'Ashwini Babu was a man of great influence in Barisal—your part of the country. We saw his father Braja Mohan Dutta visit the Master. He was a sub-judge. He came to the Master and begged for his blessings when he was planning to found a college. He was a fine man.'
'Of course he did. He was a man of great compassion. He would certainly give his blessings to anyone who sought them earnestly for a noble undertaking.'
'Yes, of course he did, but in rare cases. However, his initiation was not of the ordinary type which consists in just whispering the mantra in the disciple's ear. He would rouse the spiritual consciousness of a disciple by a touch or by writing the sacred mantra on his tongue, or perhaps he would transform the disciple's mind by mere will. Being a world teacher his ways of initiation were unusual. "A world teacher gives the mantra in one's heart and an ordinary teacher gives the mantra in one's ear." Sri Ramakrishna would quicken the spiritual impulse and awaken the Divinity within by prescribing different forms of spiritual disciplines to different aspirants. He was not one-sided. Whatever one's path might be, he would receive help from the Master. With the passing of days we realize why the Master practised various forms of spiritual discipline. All religions are true and through all of them people can realize God, the embodiment of Truth. He did not practise different religions in order just to discover and realize the harmony of religions. His spiritual practice had a deeper meaning. That is why men belonging to different sects of Hinduism have made him their ideal. He is also the ideal of many Christians. They worship him as Jesus and you must remember this was not the result of somebody's preaching. Tell me who can preach Sri Ramakrishna? Who can reveal the one who is Truth itself? The Lord says in the Gita (xv.6), "Him the sun cannot reveal, nor the moon, nor the fire."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna''' ===
=='''30 September 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927.
It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master.
Swami Shivananda was speaking of Swami Saradananda.
It was about eight o'clock at night. Some devotees came to Swami Shivananda's room, and one of them was from Barisal.
As the conversation turned on Ashwini Babu of Barisal, the Swami said, 'Ashwini Babu was a man of great influence in Barisal—your part of the country. We saw his father Braja Mohan Dutta visit the Master. He was a sub-judge. He came to the Master and begged for his blessings when he was planning to found a college. He was a fine man.'
A devotee: `Maharaj, did the Master give his blessings in secular affairs like this?'
Swami: 'Of course he did. He was a man of great compassion. He would certainly give his blessings to anyone who sought them earnestly for a noble undertaking.'
Devotee: Did the Master initiate people?'
Swami: 'Yes, of course he did, but in rare cases. However, his initiation was not of the ordinary type which consists in just whispering the mantra in the disciple's ear.
He would rouse the spiritual consciousness of a disciple by a touch or by writing the sacred mantra on his tongue, or perhaps he would transform the disciple's mind by mere will. Being a world teacher his ways of initiation were unusual.
"A world teacher gives the mantra in one's heart and an ordinary teacher gives the mantra in one's ear."
Sri Ramakrishna would quicken the spiritual impulse and awaken the Divinity within by prescribing different forms of spiritual disciplines to different aspirants. He was not one-sided. Whatever one's path might be, he would receive help from the Master.
'With the passing of days we realize why the Master practised various forms of spiritual discipline. All religions are true and through all of them people can realize God, the embodiment of Truth. He did not practise different religions in order just to discover and realize the harmony of religions. His spiritual practice had a deeper meaning.
That is why men belonging to different sects of Hinduism have made him their ideal. He is also the ideal of many Christians. They worship him as Jesus and you must remember this was not the result of somebody's preaching.
Tell me who can preach Sri Ramakrishna? Who can reveal the one who is Truth itself?
The Lord says in the Gita (xv. 6), "Him the sun cannot reveal, nor the moon, nor the fire."
=='''1 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: September 3, 1927.
A devotee: “Maharaj, we are attached to the world. We can hardly think about him, let alone do spiritual practice. What will happen to us?”
Swami: “My child, if you cannot perform spiritual practice, you can at least think of him and sing his glory. The world has not bound you day and night. If you cannot do even this much, how can you expect any result? In any event, one should feel drawn towards God; somehow or other one should be devoted to Him. Without some longing for God spiritual progress is impossible. As the Master used to say, ‘So long as the child is busy with his lollipop, he is forgetful of his mother and she attends to her duties; but the moment the child tires of the lollipop, throws it away and begins crying for the mother, she drops everything, runs to the child and takes him in her arms.’ So long as you too remain attached to the lollipop of this world, you will not see Him. It will be most unfortunate if you do not avail yourself of the blessed privilege of being born a human being. In order to bring home this idea, the Master would often sing this song:
O my mind, you do not know cultivation.
The field of the human mind remains untilled.
If only cultivated, it would have yielded a golden harvest.
In the song is this line:
A harvest that will not be forfeited today or even a century hence—
O my mind, gather the harvest to your heart’s content, by all means!”
Devotee: “We hardly comprehend the Master; rather, we like association with you. If we have not met you for some time, we feel a yearning; that is why we come. We often think about you and long to see you. That is as much as we can do.”
Swami: “We do not know anything other than the Master. It is he who abides within and outside. He is all in all. Remember this, that we are his children, sheltered at his feet. By thinking about us you will be thinking of the Master.”
== '''2 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: March 6, 1928.
It was the day of Dol Purnima (an ancient spring festival commemorating the fertility of the soil, but later associated with an episode of Sri Krishna's life—celebrated by worship and merry-making and popularly known as the Holi festival).
Since early morning an intensive kirtana had been in progress. The sadhus and brahmacharins of the Belur Monastery as well as the devotees were beside themselves with joy, participating in the Holi festival.
While devotional music was going on, Ramlal Dada, the Master's nephew, arrived from Dakshineswar. Spiritual fervour and enthusiasm waxed a hundredfold because of his arrival. He too joined in the kirtana. Dressed in a sari (impersonating a female part), he started dancing.
The song goes thus:
We have discovered Thee in the seclusion of the grove of Nidhuvana!
We shall have the sport of Holi with Thee, Shyama (Krishna)!
All encircled Ramlal Dada and began dancing. After a while Ramlal Dada, still dressed in the sari, went upstairs to see Mahapurushji.
In the afternoon a devotee took his little son to Mahapurushji, saying, `Maharaj, please bless the child so that he may become good and upright.'
Swami: 'You yourself should first try to be good and upright. Then the child will be good and upright.'
It was about dusk. Mahapurushji was strolling on the balcony of the monastery building. Preparations were being made for vespers when Ramlal Dada came to the balcony. Seeing him, Mahapurushji smiled and said 'Hello, Dada, you did splendidly in the morning. I could hardly recognize you at first. I was wondering who this woman might be. Later I discovered that it was you, Ramlal Dada!'
Both had a good laugh. Ramlal Dada remarked, 'I understand that many had initiation to-day.'
=== '''Swami: 'Yes, Dada.'''' ===
Dada: 'It must be quite strenuous to remain seated in one position for such a long time.'
Swami: 'No strain to speak of. On the contrary, it gives me joy—great joy—to tell people of the Lord. So many come here with such yearning for spiritual instruction! I am over-joyed to see the earnestness and sincere longing of these people. It is the Master who draws them here. So long as this body lasts, I shall certainly tell people about God and give them His holy name. That is why I am spared by the Master.'
== '''3 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: March 6, 1928.
Ramlal Dada: 'You are so compassionate! That is why you do this at such a sacrifice.'
For a while both kept silent.
Then Mahapurushji in a tone of seriousness said softly: 'Yes, Dada. As the days pass, I am becoming more and more convinced that Sri Ramakrishna is God Himself. At first, we used to visit him frequently, being attracted by his love. Now we realize to our amazement that although he looked and behaved like an ordinary man, he is of cosmic proportions. How many universes are within him.'
Dada: 'I, too, at first had a wrong notion of him. But once in a while, like a flash of lightning, I would glimpse his greatness; then the next moment my mind would be veiled by doubts and misgivings.
One day I asked the Master, "Why does it happen that way?"
He replied, "Otherwise, how would works of service (meaning his personal service) and worship at the temple in Dakshineswar go on? And who would look after your relatives?" '
Swami: 'Yes, yes! Otherwise, the lila (sport) of the Lord cannot go on.'
Dada: Now the number of his devotees has grown. During the last few years his ideas have spread so much! How many people from distant countries, speaking strange languages, come and worship the grounds of the Panchavati grove! They pick up some sacred dust of the place or leaves from the banyan or bael tree and carry them home!'
=='''4 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: April, 1928.
=== '''MAHAPURUSHJI'S ILL HEALTH- 'I AM NOT THE BODY.''''===
Swami Shivananda had not been very well since his return from Varanasi. Often, he felt dizzy. He could not walk much, and when he tried to walk, his feet trembled.
If anyone asked about his health, he would say: 'The body is not in good condition: there is always some complaint or other. All this indicates a summons for the final departure. I am ever ready to be gathered into the Mother's lap.
By the grace of the Master, I am wholly convinced I am not the body. He has graciously given me that knowledge to the fullest extent.'
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: July 7, 1928.
Swami Shivananda was seated in his room talking with a monk of the Order. In the course of conversation, the monk said: 'Feeling, is all in all in spiritual life. Reason shows merely a small portion of the way. Swami Turiyananda used to say that devotion draws one to spiritual pursuit, that intellect helps only a little. One cannot comprehend religion through reasoning and intellect alone.'
Swami: 'Religion is, as Swamiji said, a matter of, realization and experience. Before realization the intellect rules. This the Master explained in his simple way, "The vessel makes a gurgling sound when being filled. with water, but once full, it is completely quiet."
What an apt illustration! Even his simplest utterances had such a deep meaning!
The Upanishads also say: "This Self is not to be realized by scholarship, reasoning or an extensive study of the scriptures."
It is too true. How can man understand the Self by his limited intellect? It is impossible.
=='''5 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Swami: “The Master used to sing: ‘Who knows what the Mother Kali is? Even the six systems of philosophy have not been able to fathom Her.’”
Saying this, Mahapurushji sang the entire song with great fervour. He repeated one line again and again: “Only Mahakala (the Absolute) and no one else knows all about the Mother.”
After a while, like one aroused from sleep, the Swami said: “How can man understand the Absolute through the intellect? Comprehension is possible only if the Mother is gracious enough to lift the veil. In the Nasadiya-sukta of the Rig-Veda there is a beautiful description of the Absolute in its undifferentiated state.” With these words Mahapurushji started chanting the Nasadiya-sukta:
> Nor Aught nor Nought existed; yon bright sky
> Was not, nor heaven’s broad woof outstretched above.
> What covered all? What sheltered? What concealed?
> Was it the water’s fathomless abyss?
“Ah, how profound it is! There on that table you will find a copy of this hymn, which I often read. It describes the state of deep meditation. Would you please read the rest of it?”
The monk read the hymn, and Swami Shivananda joined in the reading.
> There was not death—yet was there naught immortal,
> There was no confine betwixt day and night;
> The only One breathed breathless by Itself,
> Other than It there nothing since has been.
> Darkness there was, and all at first was veiled
> In gloom profound—an ocean without light—
> The germ that still lay covered in the husk
> Burst forth, one nature, from the fervent heat.
> Then first came love upon it, the new spring
> Of mind—yea, poets in their hearts discerned,
> Pondering, this bond between created things
> And uncreated. Comes this spark from earth
> Piercing and all-pervading, or from heaven?
> Then seeds were sown, and mighty powers arose—
> Nature below, and power and will above—
> Who knows the secret? Who proclaimed it here?
> Whence, whence this manifold creation sprang?
> He from whom all this great creation came,
> Whether His will created or was mute,
> The Most High Seer that is in highest heaven,
> He knows it—or perchance even He knows not.
The hymn filled everyone’s heart with profound feeling.
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''6 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
==='''ON NASADIYA-SUKTA'''===
The Swami talking (about Nasadia Sukta) said: 'You see here description of some of the loftiest states of realization that are reached by yogis in the course of deep meditation. A level of consciousness beyond the reach of ordinary speech and mind, is mentioned here.
Swamiji was fond of the Nasadiya-sukta and would chant it so rhythmically, in the right Vedic metre, that one would feel as if a Vedic seer were repeating his own spiritual experience.
Darkness there was, and all at first was veiled
In gloom profound—an ocean without light.
Swamiji would repeat this portion of the hymn and say that nowhere in any language would you come across such poetic beauty. In one of his writings, he brought out this idea nicely.'
Monk: 'Yes, Maharaj. In Viravani (a compilation of Swami Vivekananda's poems) there is the line: "At first in darkness hidden darkness lay . . ."
Swami: 'Yes, yes, how well expressed! In this poem is a description of the involution of the cosmos. Everything emerged gradually from that unmanifest state.
== '''7 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: December 7, 1928. At 5.30 in the afternoon Swami Shivananda was seated on the eastern verandah of the main building of the Belur Monastery. It was winter and the Swami had a light-weight flannel jacket on. Some young devotees, all of them teachers in a school, had arrived. After saluting the Swami, they took seats. Sometimes the Swami gazed at the river Ganga and sometimes his eyes were half closed in meditation. Then he asked softly, “Well, do you practise meditation for a while every day?”
A devotee: “Yes, I do.”
Swami: “At what time?”
Devotee: “In the afternoon following schoolwork, I take a little rest and then go to the shrine room and meditate. When there is not much to do in the morning, I meditate then also. If I cannot make time for meditation in the morning, I, at least, salute the Lord, before going to school.”
Swami: “Salute the Lord, of course; but that is not enough. You should also try to meditate a little. Night is the ideal time for meditation. When you meditate, though for a short time, try to detach yourself completely from your work. Shaking off all worries and withdrawing yourself from everything, seek to be established in your own Self. You should practise this at least once a day, even if only for a short while. Naturally you have your duties and responsibilities in the world, your pains and pleasures there; but all these are transient. This world is unreal: there can be nothing more certain than that. Though the work you are carrying on is no doubt good, for a while you will have to withdraw your mind from even this and offer it at the lotus feet of the Lord; at the same time being absorbed in the thought of Him, who is the Supreme Father, the embodiment of Truth and Goodness. The Lord will then occupy your whole heart and there will be no thought of this world, no thought even of your individuality. Pray to God thus: ‘O Lord, give me faith and devotion, knowledge and discrimination. See that I do not get entangled in the snares of the world-bewitching Maya.’ When you pray, pray with all your heart and soul. When you meditate, try to be one with God, to have the consciousness of unity and identity. One should by all means practise like this.”
=='''8 October 2023'''==
Jai Ramakrishna
''(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Abhedanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)''
(Teachings of Swami Abhedananda)
To go beyond Maya, one needs discrimination and renunciation. Even gods cannot escape Maya unless they have these two.
There is no need for you to be impatient for doing Japa or meditation and flying to solitude for that purpose.
Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘Meditate in a corner, or in the forest, or in the mind.’ The Sadhaka who lives in a city, can sit inside the mosquito curtain and easily do his Japa and meditation in the night without distraction.
When the mind becomes steady by continued practice of Japa, meditation is accomplished by itself.
Raise your mind to the Ajna Chakra, and ponder over the truth that lust, anger, and the rest are not the attributes of the soul.
Meditate on this idea. Repeat the great truth: ‘I am Brahman’, and contemplate on the soul, which is the witness, the inspirer, the absolute, the one without any attribute.
Practise a little; the secret of success lies in meditation.
When you meditate, remember first the great teachers of the world. They have given us the greatest of all gifts, the highest truth. Remember the greatest of all teachers, the Teacher of the universe, God. Aspire to be His faithful servant.
Send thoughts of love to all living beings, pray that all may be happy and peaceful and blissful. Then think of your body, remember it is the instrument of the soul. We must keep it strong and healthy and make it a useful instrument; we must master the body so that through it we can express our divine nature.
Breathe slowly and rhythmically; imagine that you breathe out all that is evil and weak and undesirable and that with every breath you draw in the divine nature is flowing through you.
Then meditate on Him who is the Soul of your soul. Try to feel that you are one with that Infinite, Blissful, Existence, etc. Raise a wall all around your mind by your discrimination. Do not allow the distraction of external circumstances to enter your mind.
The mind is all in all. You cannot hear the rumbling sound of the carriage if you withdraw your mind from your ears.
Learn to turn unfavourable circumstances into favourable ones. The mind is all in all.
=='''9 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, March 17, 1929.
It was the grand public celebration of Sri Ramakrishna's birthday at the Belur Monastery. Swami Shivananda had not been very well, as he had a bad cold.
An elderly devotee saluted the Swami and made inquiries about his health. The Swami, in a cheerful mood, said: 'The body is not at all well.'
Devotee: 'What is the matter, Maharaj? Didn't you sleep well last night?'
Swami: 'Yes, I slept fairly well, but you know this body is old. That is why I always have some complaint or other.
The body is subject to sixfold change (birth, existence, growth, transformation, decay and death). That is the nature of the body. Now it is proceeding towards the last change, death.
Of course, these changes pertain to the body only; the self which dwells within remains eternally the same. These changes do not affect it at all. The Self which dwells within the body is all right. The body cannot be the Self.
The Master out of compassion has given me that knowledge. Now it does not matter whether the body lives or goes.' After keeping his eyes dosed for a while, the Swami burst out laughing and said: 'Yes, the Master has given me full knowledge within. Now if he wishes, the body will stay; otherwise, it will go. Let his will be done! This body has lived many years, hasn't it?'
=='''11 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Wednesday, March 20, 1929.
In the morning a monk from Madras came and saluted Swami Shivananda at the Belur Math. The Swami said: “Blessed are those who have not seen Me but have faith in Me. You are really blessed; though you have not seen the Master, still you have faith in him.”
==='''WHY GOD INCARNATES HIMSELF AS MAN.'''===
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Tuesday, March 26, 1929.
It was past five in the afternoon. Feeling uncomfortably hot in the room, Mahapurushji came out and occupied an easy chair on the eastern verandah of the monastery. He was resting in a half-reclining position.
Attendant: “Gradually, one by one, almost all of the direct disciples have passed away. Now you and a few others are all that remain. Your body is so feeble. When you go, who knows when you will be back again? Of course, you wouldn’t return unless the Master does.”
Swami: “Who can be sure of it, my boy? The Master has so many other devotees, who knows that he will bring us with him?”
Attendant: “You belong to the inner circle of the Master’s direct disciples. Of course, you would come with him when he incarnates again.”
Swami: “Who can tell? These individualities are impermanent. This world is also impermanent, though as an endless series it may appear eternal. God alone is permanent. He exists eternally and from age to age embodies Himself as man for the good of the world. That is because of His pure compassion. He is self-sufficient, pure, intelligent and free by nature. He does not have any purpose to serve in this world. Being complete in Himself, He has nothing to attain or not to attain. When the world becomes burdened and there is prevalence of irreligion, the all-merciful Lord by His own free will incarnates Himself as man to save the fallen and ameliorate the lot of the world.”
=='''12 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Wednesday, March 20, 1929.
The Lord says in the Gita (III.22):
“I have, O Arjuna, no duty, nothing that I have not gained, and nothing that I have to gain, in the three worlds; yet I continue in action.”
Why does He engage Himself in activity? If He is inactive, men also will be the same. The result will be confusion and indiscriminate mingling of castes, which in turn will lead to evils of all kinds and final destruction.
Jai Ramakrishna <u>13 October 2023</u>
(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929. An attendant was seated nearby. The conversation turned upon a monk who was practising *madhukari* (begging food from many homes) in the adjoining village. Swami Shivananda said: "Once we also practised *madhukari*. That was long ago. At that time Swamiji made a rule that all should get up at four o'clock in the morning, when the bell rang, and after finishing ablutions go to the chapel for meditation. Swamiji himself would also go there for meditation. If anyone missed it, he would not be allowed to have his meal at the monastery, but would have to beg his food by *madhukari*. Though all of us got up early and meditated, once in a while it so happened that we slept on and did not hear the bell. In the morning Swamiji would say, 'If we ourselves do not abide by these rules, how can we expect the boys to do so?' That is why he would tell us to go and beg our food by *madhukari* (as a penance). I myself once or twice practised *madhukari* in this way."
It was 5:30 in the afternoon. Mahapurushji was seated in his room when a young devotee came. He saluted the Swami and took his seat on the floor. Swami: "Do you practise meditation regularly? Whether you had initiation from here or not, you should take His name. Then alone will you have peace. You should fervently pray to Him, saying: 'O Lord! Give me devotion and faith. Let me not be deluded by Thy world-bewitching Maya!' Repeat His name and pray to Him with great sincerity for as long as possible."
A Devotee: "Formerly I used to do that (meditate and pray) a great deal, but of late I have not been able to find the time. So, I do it for just a little while."
Swami: "That is fine. But however little time you devote to meditation, do it with great earnestness and love. Even if you practise only five or ten minutes, do it with your whole heart and soul. God is *antaryamin* (the Inner Controller) dwelling within. He judges by your heart. He sees how much devotion you have, not the amount of time you spend on meditation."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''13 October 2023''' ==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929.
An attendant was seated near by The conversation turned upon a monk who was practising madhukari (begging food from many homes) in the adjoining village.
Swami Shivananda said: 'Once we also practised madhukari. That was long ago. At that time Swamiji made a rule that all should get up at four o'clock in the morning, when the bell rang, and after finishing ablutions go to the chapel for meditation.
Swamiji himself would also go there for meditation. If anyone missed it, he would not be allowed to have his meal at the monastery, but would have to beg his food by madhukari. Though all of us got up early and meditated, once in a while it so happened that we slept on and did not hear the bell.
In the morning Swamiji would say, "If we ourselves do not abide by these rules, how can we expect the boys to do so?"
That is why he would tell us to go and beg our food by madhukari (as a penance). I myself once or twice practised madhukari in this way.'
It was 5.3O in the afternoon. Mahapurushji was seated in his room when a young devotee came. He saluted the Swami and took his seat on the floor.
Swami: 'Do you practise meditation regularly? Whether you had initiation from here or not, you should take His name. Then alone will you have peace.
You should fervently pray to Him, saying: "O Lord! Give me devotion and faith. Let me not be deluded by Thy world-bewitching Maya!" Repeat His name and pray to Him with great sincerity for as long as possible.'
A Devotee: 'Formerly I used to do that (meditate and pray) a great deal, but of late I have not been able to find the time. So, I do it for just a little while.'
Swami: 'That is fine. But however little time you devote to meditation, do it with great earnestness and love. Even if you practise only five or ten minutes, do it with your whole heart and soul. God is antaryamin (the Inner Controller) dwelling within. He judges by your heart. He sees how much devotion you have, not the amount of time you spend on meditation.
== '''14 October 2023'''==
''(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Akhandanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)''
(Message of Swami Akhandanandaji on the occasion of the Sri Ramakrishna Centenary)
The dawn of the New Age is breaking over the world;—the blessed day is at hand that will illumine our hearts with the glory of its effulgence. Knowingly and unknowingly, man is moving forward along the road of salvation, inspired by the Master’s message of the harmony of all religions, and by his unique realization of the essential oneness of Karma (Action), Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Supreme Devotion) and Yoga (Psychic Control). The day is not far off when all lands and seas shall witness the establishment of a universal kingdom of peace, and when in loving response to the call of the Master, all nations and peoples, in one glorious confederation joining, shall sing with jubilant acclaim, yea, with no heat of strife and no passion of controversy, the Master’s message, “As many faiths, so many paths.” Then the full meridian light of the Master’s advent will light up this world of ours, and that song will ring from end to end, and the sons and daughters of men will stand side by side under the banner of the New Age in spiritual comradeship. May the citizens of the world on this blessed day understand the meaning of the Master’s coming and be hallowed. This and this alone is my fervent prayer. Peace, peace, peace unto all!
=='''15 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929. Swami: (Addressing a devotee) Towards the end of the day, whenever you get the opportunity, call upon Him with great ardour, praying, "O Lord, let me not forget Thee in the whirlpool of this world!" The world is short-lived; don't forget Him in this world of Maya. You may attend to a hundred and one duties, or earn crores of rupees, but know in your heart of hearts that all these are impermanent, and some day will have to be left behind. The one abiding reality is God. Do call upon Him and take refuge in Him. All your bondages will be destroyed, my child.
Devotee: 'Please bless me. Then, everything will be all right.'
Swami: 'Of course I bless you. What do we have other than blessings? I am saying all these things because I bless you. Call upon the Master and take refuge in him. Our Master is living and is bound to respond if you pray to him earnestly. For the good of the many, God—the Universal Spirit—incarnated Himself in this age as Sri Ramakrishna. You have nothing to worry about, as you have come under the shelter of Sri Ramakrishna, the Incarnation of the age.' You should attend to your duties and perform your spiritual practices to the best of your ability, and let your wife also do the same; she, too, has a purpose in life. Marriage is not for enjoyment. Just as you are created by God, so is she. You are a part of God, and she is a part of the Mother of the Universe. Teach her the kind of life you are living. She too will take the name of the Lord, pursue spiritual studies and devotions, attend to the duties of the world, and serve the elders. Train her along these lines. That is what you should do. Instead of this, if you use her for the enjoyment of the body, I shall say, Fie upon you! Do not be attached, my child. Lust and gold destroy the manhood of man.
=== '''Jai Ramakrishna''' ===
== '''16 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: April 18, 1929.
A Monk: “Maharaj, my mind is very much disturbed. I have not been able to do much spiritual practice. Time is passing fast. What will happen to me?”
Swami: “My child, be resigned to God. Nothing can be accomplished without His grace. Can man realize Him by spiritual practice alone? If He reveals Himself out of compassion, then alone can one realize Him, otherwise not. Who is competent to reach Him? How long can a man pursue spiritual practice? Say, two hours, four hours or at the most eight hours. Not only that; it is the Lord who is responsible for the desire for spiritual practice. He is the Fountain of all forces! Unless He is gracious and gives us the strength, how can we pursue spiritual practice? That is why I am stressing that you should be resigned to God. Pray fervently, ‘O Lord! Be merciful to me.’ Then alone will He be merciful. It is mercy that counts—mercy, mercy. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘One should say “Thou and Thine” and not “I and mine.”’ What can we do unless He graciously reveals Himself? Grace, grace is what is necessary. Be gracious to us, O Lord!”
Monk: “Maharaj, I can hardly pray. My mind is so restless! I find it hard to concentrate at times.”
Swami: “No, you will have to pray and pray very earnestly. Do not be depressed; do not be disheartened. Be in a happy mood and pray. He will give you everything, my child, everything you want. There is nothing He will withhold from you. He will give you faith, renunciation, purity, discrimination, dispassion, and all. Whatever He has He will give you. He embodied Himself as man because He wanted to give you all these virtues. That is why He has brought you here and given you shelter in His Order. Do not think you are here because of your own efforts. Never for a moment cherish that idea! Out of compassion He has drawn you all here. He is the very Ocean of selfless compassion. My child, be resigned to Him. Everything will come in time. I say, you will have everything. He will fill you with devotion and faith.”
Saying this, the Swami started singing:
Stay by yourself, O mind!
Why wander here and there?
Look within—in the inner chamber of your heart—
And you will find, right there, whatever you desire.*
“You belong to the Master’s fold. You have nothing to be afraid of.”
=='''17 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.
Swami: “The body is subject to six changes. Now it is the time for the last. This is but natural. The nature of the body is like that. All bodies are bound to disintegrate some day. The Lord is within everyone. He is the source of everything in this universe. ‘From Him are born energy, mind, all the senses, ether, air, fire, water and earth, which is the support of everything.’ He is the controller of everything. ‘Through fear of Him the sun gives heat.’ Again, in Him will everything dissolve. ‘From Him this world has come and to Him it will go back.’ He is the source of this universe. In Him it will dissolve. Again, in Him it is active. Birth and death are just a matter of course. Nobody can stop them. God alone is immutable and immortal—pure, enlightened, and free by nature. To realize Him within is the ideal of life. Everything is accomplished when one realizes Him. After that it is immaterial whether the body lives or goes. He is ever present within us. He, the Soul of every being, the Heaven of immortality, is within everybody; one must realize that.”
Jai Ramakrishna <ins>18 October 2023</ins>
(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.
A Devotee: “Does everyone have to be in a disembodied state after death?”
Swami: “Not necessarily. Why should devotees of the Lord who have genuine devotion have to be in the disembodied state? They become one with God and obtain liberation.”
D: “Then what is the meaning of Shraddha and such other funeral rituals prescribed in the scriptures? Doesn't everyone have to perform those rituals annually or at other prescribed times?”
Swami: “Yes, one must. It is, of course, the general rule and everyone abides by it. But there are exceptions, as for example, in your wife's case you may perform these rituals, but there will be no harm done if you do not. She was unusually devoted. Her case was different. After her death I vividly saw her going to the abode of Shiva. You may rest assured that she has reached a highly spiritual state.”
Hearing this the devotee burst into tears and prostrated himself before Mahapurushji's feet, saying: “Maharaj, please grant this prayer of mine. May I have faith and devotion at the lotus feet of the Mother and at the end of my life may I find refuge at Her feet!” Saying this, he started crying like a child.
Mahapurushji placed his hand on his head and blessed him saying: “My child, may you have that. Already you have faith and devotion, and you will have more. I bless you very much. You will grow spiritually, my child. The Mother is very gracious to you.”
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
<ins>19 October 2023</ins>
(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.
Swami: “The Divine Mother certainly listens to the person who prays to her sincerely. Grace! Grace! Nothing can be accomplished without Her grace. Glory be to the Lord! Glorified be our compassionate Master!”
A lady devotee saluted the Swami and begged for his blessings. The Swami said in a very tender voice: “May you live in peace, my daughter! May your husband, son, daughter, relatives, and all be happy! Happiness is so rare in this world! Compared with pains and sorrows there is very little happiness. But those who are devoted to God know some peace in this world. They are not disturbed by whatever pains or sorrows may come to them, because they know that everything comes from God. It is the same God who gives us happiness and again He alone gives trials and difficulties. That is why the devotees can patiently bear everything as a blessing from God. They are never elated by happiness, nor are they upset by sorrow. Just as happiness is impermanent and short-lived, so is sorrow. It comes and goes; for nothing in this world is permanent. The one abiding Reality and the only Abode of peace is God. Hold fast to Him, my daughter; then alone will you have peace in life.”
One young unmarried girl saluted the Swami, who touched her head and remarked: “They are all manifestations of the Mother. ‘All women are various expressions of Thee.’”
=='''18 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.
A Devotee: `Does everyone have to be in a disembodied state after death?'
Swami 'Not necessarily. Why should devotees of the Lord who have genuine devotion have to be in the disembodied state? They become one with God and obtain liberation.'
D: 'Then what is the meaning of Shraddha' and such other funeral rituals prescribed in the scriptures? Doesn't everyone have to perform those rituals annually or at other prescribed times?'
Swami: 'Yes, one must. It is, of course, the general rule and everyone abides by it. But there are exceptions, as for example, in your wife's case you may perform these rituals, but there will be no harm done if you do not. She was unusually devoted. Her case was different. After her death I vividly saw her going to the abode of Shiva. You may rest assured that she has reached a highly spiritual state.'
Hearing this the devotee burst into tears and prostrated himself before Mahapurushji's feet, saying: `Maharaj, please grant this prayer of mine. May I have faith and devotion at the lotus feet of the Mother and at the end of my life may I find refuge at Her feet!' Saying this, he started crying like a child.
Mahapurushji placed his hand on his head and blessed him saying: 'My child, may you have that. Already you have faith and devotion, and you will have more. I bless you very much. You will grow spiritually, my child. The Mother is very gracious to you.'
=='''19 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.
Swami: 'The Divine Mother certainly listens to the person who prays to her sincerely.
Grace! Grace! Nothing can be accomplished without Her grace. Glory be to the Lord! Glorified be our compassionate Master!'
A lady devotee saluted the Swami and begged for his blessings.
The Swami said in a very tender voice: 'May you live in peace, my daughter! May your husband, son, daughter, relatives, and all be happy! Happiness is so rare in this world!
Compared with pains and sorrows there is very little happiness.
But those who are devoted to God know some peace in this world. They are not disturbed by whatever pains or sorrows may come to them, because they know that everything comes from God. It is the same God who gives us happiness and again He alone gives trials and difficulties.
That is why the devotees can patiently bear everything as a blessing from God. They are never elated by happiness, nor are they upset by sorrow. Just as happiness is impermanent and short-lived, so is sorrow. It comes and goes; for nothing in this world is permanent. The one abiding Reality and the only Abode of peace is God.
Hold fast to Him, my daughter; then alone will you have peace in life.'
One young unmarried girl saluted the Swami, who touched her head and remarked: 'They are all manifestations of the Mother. "All women are various expressions of Thee." '
== '''20 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: July 10, 1927.
A woman devotee: “Maharaj, why do we forget God? What is it that drives us away from Him?”
Swami: “You ask me why you forget Him, my daughter? This is what is called Maya. Under the spell of Maya a person forgets God and remains attached to sense objects which are impermanent. Do you love God as much as material things? Must I tell you that the world as well as this body of yours and the relatives to whom you are so inordinately attached are short-lived? You see before your eyes that things existing today do not exist tomorrow. What is here this moment ceases to be the next moment. A person born today may die tomorrow. Sorrow comes soon after happiness, yet people find joy and are deeply engrossed in this world!”
Woman devotee: “Maharaj, how shall we be saved? How shall we be free from Maya? Please do bless us.”
Swami: “One cannot realize the unreality of the world without the grace of the Lord. There is no way to lift the veil of Maya other than self-surrender to God. My daughter, the Lord says in the Gita (VII.14): ‘Verily this divine illusion of Mine, composed of the gunas, is difficult to surmount. Those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this illusion.’ There is no other way than to call on the Lord whole-heartedly. You are in the world and have many things to attend to. I realize that you do not find enough time for spiritual practice. Resign yourself and cry to Him. Pray to Him sincerely, ‘O Lord, be gracious unto us!’ Crying will wash away the impurities of the mind, and He will reveal Himself to you with the brilliance of a million suns. Then you will realize that He, the Lord, is within you. Do cry to Him and exercise discrimination between the Real and the unreal. God only is real; the world with its birth and death, pleasure and pain, is false. Such discrimination accompanied by prayer will certainly earn for you His grace. You will be disgusted with the world and your mind will turn towards God.”
Woman devotee: “Please bless us that we may cross over the ocean of relative existence. That people may lift the veil of Maya and transcend the round of birth and death, is what we sincerely wish. This is our only prayer. I pray whole-heartedly to God that you grow in love and devotion to Him.”
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''21 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Wednesday, May 1, 1929.
Inspired by the ideal of renunciation, a young man left home to perform spiritual practice without appearing for his B.A. examination. His guardians brought him home and advised him to carry on his meditations on God at home.
Since then, he had been carrying on his spiritual practices at home, according to Mahapurushji's instructions.
This young man came to the monastery and saluted the Swami, who inquired; 'Hello! how are you?'
Young man: 'My body is all right, Maharaj, but my mind is very restless. I do not have any peace of mind. I am very disturbed mentally.'
Swami: 'The fact that you have this restlessness of mind shows that the Mother is gracious to you. The earnestness to realize Her and the lack of peace because you have not been able to do so are symptoms of Her grace.
As a result of good deeds performed in many incarnations and through the grace of God, one has this desire for liberation.
Now sincerely cry and pray: "Mother, reveal Thyself to me. I am weak, devoid of spiritual discipline and devotion! Be gracious and appear to me!"
Do not pay heed to anything else and continue calling upon Her. Whether the mind is concentrated or not, do not give up calling upon Her.
Be steady and hold to the ideal even as a hereditary farmer. If you do that you will certainly receive Her grace.
Therefore, I say, where would you be roaming about? Call upon the Mother staying at home. Right there the Mother will vouchsafe to you the realization of the unreality of the world and will snap your worldly ties.'
=='''22 October 2023''' ==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Wednesday, May 1, 1929.
A Young man: “Sometimes I enjoy my meditations; at other times I cannot control the mind at all.”
Swami: “That is the way the mind behaves. It has a wavelike motion. Haven’t you seen waves? Here comes a high wave followed by a deep hollow, and a wave comes again. The fact that sometimes you lose control over your mind signifies that a big wave will come, and you will have great peace. But genuine devotees will not lose their balance because of joy or be depressed by sorrow. Everything depends upon the will of the Mother. Knowing that the Mother is ever merciful, continue to call upon Her. Let the Mother keep you in whatever state She pleases. In this way eventually you will have unmixed bliss and a full vision of the Mother! My boy, do not be disturbed under any circumstances. The Mother has been gracious to you and will be even more gracious, I assure you. Inwardly call upon the Mother. Is She outside yourself? Go to the shrine for a while and pay your respects to the Master. Then have your *prasada*.”
=='''23 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Tuesday, May 7, 1929.
A devotee had a strong desire to be a monk. He communicated his wish to Mahapurushji, who said: “What do I know about that? If you have a sincere desire to be a monk, all right, renounce the world! If you have realized the unreality of the world, well and good. Go somewhere and plunge into contemplation and meditation. For that you do not need my approval or disapproval. One is indeed fortunate to be able to renounce the world, relying solely upon God. This is possible only through the grace of the Lord. It is not necessary for you to join the Order now.”
==='<nowiki/>''Jai Ramakrishna '''HAPPY VIJAYA AND DIWALI GREETINGS'<nowiki/>''''' ===
Dear Devotees,
Today is the most Auspicious day of Vijaya Dasami. On this Sacred day, May the Divine Mother Durga grant us all Viveka, Vairagya, Bhakti and Jnana to the brim. Sri Ramakrishna used to pray thus:
“To my Divine Mother I prayed only for pure love. I offered flowers at Her Lotus Feet and prayed to Her: 'Mother, here is Thy virtue, here is Thy vice. Take them both and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy knowledge, here is Thy ignorance. Take them both and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy purity, here is Thy impurity. Take them both, Mother, and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy dharma, here is Thy adharma. Take them both, Mother, and grant me only pure love for Thee.’”
Let us also pray and surrender at Her Lotus Feet. There is no other way. Please also accept my hearty Vijaya and Diwali Greetings and Prayers. I trust this finds you everyone in good health. By the grace of the Lord, I am keeping fine, so far.
With Prayers, Best Wishes and Namaskarams.
Yours affectionately,
==='''Swami Dayatmananda''' ===
== '''24 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, May 13, 1929. It was morning. Mahapurushji was seated in his room. Many sadhus of the monastery were present, and the conversation turned on various topics. For the last few days, a class was being held late in the evening, attended by almost all the monastic members. The rules formulated by Swami Vivekananda for the guidance of the Order were being studied at this class. One by one the rules were read and discussed. Swamis Suddhananda, Virajananda, and others present answered questions on difficult points. About the class, Mahapurushji said: 'To hold a class like this is very good. This is a monastery. Here worship, study, meditation, japa and things of that nature should continue all the time.'
The words of Swamiji are those of a seer, expressed aphoristically. How many ideas are contained in each of his utterances! Many new things will be brought to light by discussing these rules. The more discussions of this kind you have at the monastery, the better. 'Everyone should direct his attention to the ideal of his life. Devotion to God, faith, love, sympathy, fellow-feeling, purity—all these one should strive after. We have renounced our hearth and home and joined the Order. What is the meaning of this? Why are we here, living this organized life in the Order? We should pray earnestly so that we grow in the spirit of renunciation.'
=='''25 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Monday, May 13, 1929.
A monk was standing nearby. Addressing him, Mahapurushji said, “Well, do you attend this class?”
The monk replied, “No, sir. After the day’s hard work, I feel extremely tired in the evening. That is why I cannot attend the class.”
Swami said, “No, it is good to listen to these discussions. Swamiji was a seer with distant vision. He knew what would happen in the future, and therefore formulated these rules for the guidance of the Order. The more we discuss his words and try to practise them in life, the better for us. We are monks, and the realization of God is the whole object of our lives. This world is a dangerous place. Here it is very difficult to pursue the ideal in the midst of multifarious activities.”
=='''26 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Monday, May 13, 1929.
Swami said, “We are monks, and the realization of God is the whole object of our lives. This world is a dangerous place. Here it is very difficult to pursue the ideal in the midst of multifarious activities. Sometimes there is the danger of one’s having lapses. As the Master used to say: ‘Children’s feet slip while walking along the high pathways across fields. The child who holds his father’s hand may sometimes lose his balance and fall down. But the child whose hand is held by his father is not in danger of falling.’
Similarly, we too are treading the narrow and crooked path of this world, and there is great danger of our falling down. But there is no danger of our falling if the Master holds us by the hand. The Master is certainly holding us by the hand; otherwise, who knows where and when we would have fallen?
One should therefore earnestly pray: ‘Lord, may you hold our hand! Weak as we are, we are in danger of having lapses at every step, but we shall be safe if you hold us by the hand.’
He is the life of our life, dwelling within. Sincere prayer will certainly bring response from him. He is the prophet of this age, born as Sri Ramakrishna for the establishment of religion. He will certainly be gracious to us. He is already gracious; otherwise, he would not have brought us here. ‘He, the Lord of the Universe, born as the prophet of this age’—these are Swamiji’s very words. Sri Ramakrishna is the prophet of this age. It will certainly be for a person’s good to take refuge in him in this age. Let us surrender ourselves to him and pray with folded hands: ‘Master, may we grow in renunciation and dispassion! Make us pure! May we grow in love and sympathy! May you hold us by the hand!’
Calumny, gossip, and things of that nature are very bad. They drag the mind down. As long as one can, one should practise meditation, worship, and study; the rest of the time one should keep silent, thinking about God. It is a good practice. Organization has its necessity and usefulness. That is why Swamiji founded this Order and introduced works of service for self-purification.”
Jai Ramakrishna.
== '''27 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.
It was the full moon day of the month of Vaishakha, the anniversary of the birth of Buddha.
In the afternoon there was discussion of the life of Buddha.
Several monks spoke.
The image of Buddha had been decorated with flowers, garlands, and greens.
Devotional songs were sung, followed by the reading of the biography of the Blessed One.
The life and teaching of Buddha were discussed.
After supper Swami Omkarananda came to Mahapurushji's room and during conversation remarked: “It is a great day. Here at the monastery, we have been observing it. In the afternoon we had lectures.”
Mahapurushji: “Yes, it is indeed a great day—the thrice blessed day! Well, did you have that song—‘For peace I seek; but where can peace be found? Whence have I come, and whither shall I go?’”
Swami Omkarananda: “No, we didn’t have that song because nobody knew it very well.”
Mahapurushji: “That is an excellent song composed by Girish Babu.”
Saying this Mahapurushji sang the song. Then he remarked: “How beautifully Girish Babu worded it. He got the idea from the *Lalitavistara* which describes this feeling nicely. Buddha, then Prince Siddhartha, was making merry with his wife, Gopa, when some angels flying through space sang this song. Hearing it unexpectedly, Buddha was startled, and an awakening came to him. He said: ‘Who is singing that song? I know it very well. “For peace I seek; but where can peace be found?”—that is a song I have always known.’”
After hearing that song, the trend of Buddha’s mind suddenly changed. He could not give his heart to enjoyment anymore, constantly remaining in a state of dispassion. King Shuddhodana, Buddha’s father, coming to know of this, tried various means to divert Buddha’s mind, and by placing many temptations before him, hoping to draw his mind to the pleasures of the world. But Buddha being fully awakened, all efforts in this direction proved futile. Then one night he left the palace.
=='''28 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.
About the middle path also, Girish Babu composed a song containing ideas found in the Lalitavistara.
My lovely vina, strung with care
With many a strand,
The rarest melodies will yield
Beneath a master's hand;
Let it be but rightly tuned—
Not high nor low—
And from it in a hundred streams
Enchanting songs will flow.
But over-slack, the strings are dumb
And the music dies;
While overstretched, they snap in twain
And away the music flies.
Swami was reminiscing:
'That was indeed a time. What renunciation, dispassion, and austerity we had! When God comes to this world as a man, then flows a current of spirituality. Many are blessed by getting the light of knowledge; many attain emancipation.'
Swami Omkarananda: 'In the hills of Pareshnath as many as twenty-five monks attained illumination. Out of that number fifteen or sixteen were Jain monks, the rest Buddhists.'
Mahapurushji: 'At one time we too discussed Buddhist philosophy a great deal. That was long ago. At that time, we, including Swamiji and others, were living with the Master at the garden house at Cossipore.
Swamiji was well versed in Buddhism. We too read a little. We used to have hot arguments.
In those days we didn't believe in the existence of God. Some of the devotees felt very much hurt to note this tendency in us.
Swamiji himself would not say much. He would egg me on. I would argue my point vigorously. Swamiji would listen quietly and enjoy the fun. Sometimes I would even say that it was harmful to have body-consciousness, for it would be a handicap in meditation.
Even the thought of God would not allow the mind to be free from modifications. It was not that we only expressed ourselves that way; our meditations and experiences also were of that nature. We couldn't think otherwise in those days; we were so absorbed in those ideas.
Some devotees brought the matter to the notice of the Master who remarked: "What they say is also true. There is a stage in spiritual life when the seeker does not admit even the existence of God."
This tendency of ours lasted quite long. Even after we moved to the monastery at Baranagore, after the death of the Master, these ideas continued. We were still atheistic.
One day the Master appeared to me and said: 'Well, the Guru is all in all. There is no one higher than the Guru."
The moment I had that vision these ideas left me and did not return.
10/27/23, 8:13 PM - Only admins can message this group
=='''29 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.
Swami: Sri Ramakrishna was a divine incarnation born to establish religion. Why should he allow a narrow or one-sided idea in us?
Swami Omkarananda: “Didn’t you once go off to Bodh Gaya during the Master’s lifetime without telling him anything about it?”
Mahapurushji: “Yes, we went with Swamiji. There we sat for meditation under the Bodhi tree. We became quite absorbed in meditation. Suddenly Swamiji burst into tears in a state of spiritual ecstasy and embraced me. I was seated by his side. Later he came down to the normal plane and became absorbed in deep meditation again. The next day, during conversation, I asked Swamiji about this matter. He replied: ‘I felt a deep pang in my heart. Everything here is as it was before. Here in Bodh Gaya, we have Buddha’s ideas in an intensified form. His renunciation, his dispassion, his great compassion, and deep spirituality—all these are here; but where is he, the living embodiment of those ideas and ideals? I so keenly felt the absence of Lord Buddha that I couldn’t control myself. That is why I burst into tears and embraced you.’”
“The few days that we spent in Bodh Gaya we were in a very blissful mood.”
Swami Omkarananda: “In Bodh Gaya they have put white marble lotuses to mark the place where Buddha walked up and down (after attaining illumination).”
Mahapurushji: “Yes, after illumination Buddha experienced so much joy that he walked up and down the whole night. He walked around in an ecstatic mood, enjoying the bliss of Self-realization.”
That night we had long discussions about Lord Buddha.
=='''30 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery.
Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929.
It was Sunday, the Guru Purnima Day. Since early morning many devotees had been coming to see Mahapurushji. His health had not been very good. When a devotee saluted the Swami and inquired about his health he remarked: “My body is not at all well. How can it be well, my child? From now on the body will become feeble. That is the nature of the body. The body is subject to a six-fold change.”
Devotee: “You can be well if you only will!”
Mahapurushji: “No, my child, that cannot be. All bodies are bound to disintegrate some day.”
Jai Ramakrishna <font style="font-weight: bold;">31 October 2023</font>
<font style="font-style: italic;">(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)</font>
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929. After a while a devotee came in, saluted the Swami, and stood by his side. He had just returned with his parents from a pilgrimage to Puri. When he mentioned this, Mahapurushji said: "That's good. Your parents were blessed by this pilgrimage, and you too had the privilege of seeing Jagannath (The Lord of the Universe)." Saying this he started laughing. Devotee: "I made this pilgrimage once before, too, but it was at an inauspicious time. Many have expressed the opinion that pilgrimages at an inauspicious time do not bring good fruit." Mahapurushji: "Well, my child, we do not believe in those things. To see the Lord (i.e., inside a temple) does not require an auspicious time. All times are good. The moment you see the Lord even an inauspicious time becomes auspicious. God is the Supreme Good always. How can harm ever come to one by seeing the Lord?" Saying this he started singing: "Blessed is Thy name, and blessed Thy abode; Blessed are Thy actions, blessed Thy dispensation." He repeated the song several times and said, "Swamiji often used to sing this song."
<font style="font-weight: bold;">1 November 2023</font>
<font style="font-style: italic;">(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)</font>
<font style="font-style: italic;">On The Divine Name</font>
A Devotee: "Maharaj, sadhus preach renunciation of lust and gold, but how is it possible for householders like us to give up such desires? The cravings are, as it were, besieging our minds. There is no possibility of giving battle to them there. How can we fight them? You ask us to repeat the Divine Name, but we find that we do not feel inclined to do so thanks to the pull of desires. You ask us to discriminate; even here we find that the cravings surge up in all their restless fury by paralyzing our discrimination. Now please tell us how could we manage to create the urge for Divine Name and discrimination in the mind in the midst of these cravings?"
Swami Adbhutananda: "You make the same eternal complaint—how can we repeat the Divine Name? Know that the Divine Name plants itself in the mind through repetition. The mind is running restlessly intoxicated by desires. The cravings are leading it by a rope through its nose. What can be more mischievous than they? This is what Arjuna told Sri Krishna."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna''' ===
=='''31 October 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)''
Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929.
After a while a devotee came in, saluted the Swami, and stood by his side. He had just returned with his parents from a pilgrimage to Puri.
When he mentioned this, Mahapurushji said: `That's good. Your parents were blessed by this pilgrimage, and you too had the privilege of seeing Jagannath (The Lord of the Universe),'
Saying this he started laughing.
Devotee: 'I made this pilgrimage once before, too, but it was at an inauspicious time. Many have expressed the opinion that pilgrimages at an inauspicious time do not bring good fruit.'
Mahapurushji: 'Well, my child, we do not believe in those things. To see the Lord (i.e., inside a temple) does not require an auspicious time. All times are good.
The moment you see the Lord even an inauspicious time becomes auspicious. God is the Supreme Good always. How can harm ever come to one by seeing the Lord?'
Saying this he started singing:
Blessed is Thy name,
and blessed Thy abode;
Blessed are Thy actions, blessed Thy dispensation.
He repeated the song several times and said, `Swamiji often used to sing this song.
=='''1 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''On The Divine Name'''===
A Devotee: ‘Maharaj, sadhus preach renunciation of lust and gold, but how is it possible for householders like us to give up such desires? The cravings are, as it were, besieging our minds. There is no possibility of giving battle to them there. How can we fight them?
You ask us to repeat the Divine Name, but we find that we do not feel inclined to do so thanks to the pull of desires. You ask us to discriminate; even here we find that the cravings surge up in all their restless fury by paralyzing our discrimination.
Now please tell us how could we manage to create the urge for Divine Name and discrimination in the mind in the midst of these cravings?
Swami Adbhutananda: ‘You make the same eternal complaint—how can we repeat the Divine Name? Know that the Divine Name plants itself in the mind through repetition.
The mind is running restlessly intoxicated by desires. The cravings are leading it by a rope through its nose. What can be more mischievous than they?
This is what Arjuna told Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna admitted that the mind is wicked, but added, “O Arjuna! Cultivate detachment towards the cravings and be always practising. By constant practice, the mind will gradually quiet down”.
The more the mind runs after worldly objects, the more should you reason that the objects are fleeting, existing today and disappearing tomorrow. Be content with just what you have need of these fleeting things.
Why should you have more? There will be no room for the Eternal if you overburden yourself with fleeting objects. The Eternal is not created by the adding of fleeting objects. The Eternal is One; It is the Brahman. Know everything else except Brahman to be unreal.
Teach your mind in this way. You will find that discrimination has awakened after repeated efforts like this.
=='''2 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''On The Divine Name'''===
Latu Maharaj: ‘Do you know the story of the pearl necklace which Sri Ramachandra presented to Hanuman in his court? Hanuman turned over the beads scrutinizingly and even cut open one with his teeth. As soon as he saw that the name of Rama was not found in it, he threw it away at once. Lakshmana became angry at this and said, “He is a monkey after all; what does he know about the worth of pearls? He has spoiled such a beautiful pearl necklace by cutting it with his teeth”. Noticing Lakshmana’s regret, Ramachandra told him, “Why not ask him why he has done so?”
On being queried, Hanuman replied, “I was seeing whether or not it contained the name of Rama!”
This is the way one should discriminate between things. To keep alive the spirit of discrimination is the hardest tapasya (austerity). One who knows how to discriminate is ever battling with impulses. Wake up the spirit of renunciation and discrimination; then alone will you be able to fight your desires. How will you check them unless the discrimination between what is true and what is false develops?
=='''3 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
=== '''On The Divine Name'''===
First of all, clean the dirt that is entering the house of the mind through the windows outside. Discriminate and hang up the notice of “No admission” in front of the windows, i.e., the senses. Hand over all the dirt that will enter within, disobeying the notice, to the policeman i.e., viveka.
With the help of the policeman viveka, the mind will be battling with the mind. Thus, the field of the mind will be cleared, and you will be able to install God there. Until you can install God there, you will not be able to conquer your desires.
You doubtless know that the seed of desire is in the mind. That seed is being watered by the sense-organs within and the objects outside. This watering is producing a luxuriant crop. All that crop must be cut down and the seeds destroyed. After that you have to sow the seed of God’s name there.
Then alone the Divine Name will bear a crop. Now there is the crop of desires. So, the Master used to say, “Where there is lust, there is no Rama, and where Rama is, there is no lust.”
A Devotee: ‘Maharaj, I have a little doubt. Are you advising us to repeat the Divine Name after controlling the senses first’?
The Swami: ‘That can also be done. But the Divine Name has such a power that it can burn up the seed of desire. The Master used to say, “Repulse the attack of lust by wearing the armour of Name.”
=='''4 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''On The Divine Name'''===
A Devotee: “Maharaj, how can Name conquer lust?”
Swami: “Lust cannot come near the Name. The Divine Name has such a pull that once the mind yields to it, lust does not find an opportunity to arise. For Name is true and real. Falsehood cannot find a hold in the mind which is meditating on Truth.”
A Devotee: “This may be possible in the waking state. But desires continue their attacks even when a person is asleep. How can he save himself from such attacks? How can the mind save itself from desires in dream and in sleep?”
The Swami: “The Divine Name can save the mind even from such attacks. I tell you truly that if you can repeat the Name properly, its power will be active even in sleep. One who knows how to repeat the Name goes on doing so in sleep, or in the waking state. As physical functions like breathing go on even in sleep, even so the activity of the Name continues in the mind. It does not allow dreams to arise in the mind, and even if they begin to arise, the Name saves the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) by waking him up. Thus, the power of the Divine Name continues to save the sadhakas day and night.
“You will not understand the meaning of such simple statements! Desires have made a permanent home in the mind. Sometimes they float on the surface of the mind, and sometimes they lie so submerged that a person is not even aware if ever such desires existed in him. The more you approach Him, the more will you perceive the knots of lust and desires. The more the body and the mind get purified, the more the submerged dirt, the hidden dispositions acquired in thousands of incarnations before, will come to the top. And coming out, they will be fighting with the Divine Name. The heat of the Divine Name which brings them to the surface—the same heat will force them to abandon the fortress of the mind. How can they cope with the power of the Divine Name?”
=='''5 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ADVICE TO A DEVOTEE'''===
Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj, why are there so many ups and downs in the mind of a householder?"
Latu Maharaj: "Because the mind of a householder is too involved with worldly objects. Sometimes it goes up as a result of spiritual practices, but it falls back again.
The Master used to say: if one ties a rope with a brick at the end of it to the tail of a mongoose, it will be able to climb a wall only as far as the loose rope permits but no farther, because of the weight of the brick. Likewise, the mind of a householder may move toward God, but the weight of worldly objects pulls it back.' To keep the mind always in God is a great tapasya; such a mind does not fluctuate between high and low.
A thread with stray fibers cannot pass through the eye of a needle; similarly, a mind with desires cannot be absorbed in God.
"When a man's mind becomes fully concentrated on God, he enjoys the bliss of the Atman.
But this is very difficult in the householder's life. Disease, sorrow, enjoyment, desire—all these are constant companions of the householder; also physical lethargy and mental restlessness.
In addition to these, if man doubts the existence of God, there is no hope of his getting liberation.
Often you find that worldly people are busy with their families, their children, and other mundane matters, but they have no inclination to think about God. Such distracted minds cannot make progress in spiritual life."
Bihari Babu: "Then should we give up family life and call on God only?"
Latu Maharaj: "Why should you give up your family? Doesn't one's family belong to God? Therefore, call on him who is the real head of the family.
One will have to do one's duty in this world. How can you escape it? Wherever you go, the world will follow you. Does it exist outside us? No, everything is in our own minds. If your mind desires enjoyment, you will seek enjoyment even in the forest; and if you don't have that desire for sense objects, you will not want them even if you are surrounded by them. Whether you live in a household or in the forest, you must call on God; otherwise, all is in vain.
=='''6 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ADVICE TO A DEVOTEE'''===
"Brother Turiyananda used to say, 'Only a fool thinks that he will take his bath in the ocean after the waves have subsided.' Do you think he will ever take his bath? The waves of the ocean will never stop; he will never get his bath, even if he waits his whole life. So, I say, wherever you may be, whatever your mental condition, dive deep in the name of God. He who can do this will attain the highest. On the other hand, a man who decides to solve all his problems before he calls on God will never reach the goal; for as long as you have a body, you must experience disease, sorrow, fear, pain, and suffering. 'It is troublesome to have a body.' Anyone who wants to escape from all these troubles will have to hold onto God. God is Satchidananda—Absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. His bliss removes all suffering."
A devotee: "Maharaj, please tell us about the bliss of Brahman."
Latu Maharaj: "Ah, you see, that bliss cannot be compared with any joy you may find in this world. It is inexpressible. Worldly happiness is the product of maya. Maya operates within the three states—waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. But beyond those three is another realm, turiya, which is extremely difficult to reach. The bliss of that realm is free from maya. You know how sweet the joy within maya is. Ordinary people are enchanted by it. They do not even think for a moment how immensely sweeter is God whose maya is so sweet!"
A devotee: "Maharaj, why do you say that maya's so-called joy is sweet? It is nothing but scorching flames."
Latu Maharaj: "But you see, most people love that burning sensation."
On another occasion Latu Maharaj said: "Nothing in this world is valuable except bliss. Do you know why people want money, property, wife, children? Because they think they will get physical and mental happiness from them. So they are ready to work day and night for them. If they would divert that energy toward God, they could get the permanent genuine bliss of Satchidananda instead of the transitory happiness of the world."
=='''7 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
=== '''ON SURRENDER'''===
Latu Maharaj: "You speak about dependence on God so superficially! If you do not get any response after calling on God for a couple of days, you follow your own way according to your mood, as if you understood the situation better than He.
Surrendering oneself to God means that one should move at his command. Do not do anything without his command. Even if it means a great loss for you, do not stray from that. Only when you have attained this state can you say that you have truly surrendered yourself to God.
Brother Vivekananda used to say: 'If I cannot get Rama, shall I live with Shyama? If necessary, let this life be spent in vain for Sri Ramakrishna."
See how he surrendered himself to the Master! He was ready at any moment to give up his life for the Lord over the smallest thing.
This is the way one should hold onto the Master; only then can he guide you in the right direction."
A devotee: "Maharaj, why do we not have that kind of dependence on God!
Latu Maharaj: "It is because you value your intellect and ego more than God. You are not ready to wait for his command, and moreover, you lose patience in a minute."
=='''8 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''FEELING FOR OTHERS'''===
"Only a poor man can love the poor. A rich man cannot feel the sufferings of the poor, for no one can understand the sufferings of others unless he has undergone the same suffering. Brother Vivekananda told Turiyananda: 'Brother, I do not know exactly what I have gained by leading this monk's life, but one thing is certain: This [Swami Vivekananda pointed to his heart] has expanded enormously.'
"If the desire to do charitable works arises in the mind of a rich man, it shows that his heart has started to feel for the poor. God tests man by making him wealthy, and that is a hard test to pass. Tests devised by men are easy to pass, but divine tests are very difficult. God may give plenty of riches to one man, but so delude him by maya that he will never in his life desire to be charitable. Again, God may give a generous heart to another person, but not give him much money. Blessed indeed are they who are rich yet feel for the poor.
"Money brings vanity. The more egotistic a man is, the farther he is from God, and thus the poorer he is. Do not measure the poverty of a man by his possessions. The real measure is how far he is from God. The nearer to the Lord, the richer the man; the more forgetful of the Lord, the poorer and unhappier he is."
=='''9 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON LUST''' ===
A devotee: "How can one overcome lust?"
Latu Maharaj: "Keep a picture of Sri Ramakrishna with you. Whenever lustful feelings arise, you should look at the picture intently. You will find that the senses will gradually be gathered in, and the mind will be freed from lust."
===='''ATTITUDE TOWARD WOMEN'''====
Once Latu Maharaj told a group of men devotees:
"You abuse women; you should never raise your hand against them. You do not know how much they bear—they are forbearance itself. If you abuse them, where shall they turn? They are aspects of the Divine Mother, and if the Mother is insulted, the Lord is displeased. Thus, your well-being lies in making them happy. Their tears will ruin you, as Sita's tears destroyed the whole of Ravana's people."
==== '''ON RESTLESSNESS'''====
Latu Maharaj once said to a restless devotee: "Why do you think of all sorts of nonsense when you sit to meditate? Can't you whip your mind? Even if you cannot control your mind and you become disgusted, please don't leave your seat: for if you get up from meditation with that attitude of disgust, you will be in a bad mood all day; and you will feel like beating one person, scolding another, and speaking harshly to a third.
The Master told us, 'Do not get up from your seat immediately after meditation."
While you are still sitting on the asana [seat for meditation], sing devotional songs for ten or fifteen minutes, and then you will feel calmness in your mind throughout the day."
=='''10 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
=== '''DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS'''===
Latu Maharaj: “Worldly desires have taken up permanent residence in the mind. Sometimes they float on the surface of the mind, and sometimes they are so hidden that it seems they do not even exist. But the closer you are to God, the more you will see the knots of desire hidden in the mind. The more your body and mind are purified, the more the dirt and dross which have accumulated during thousands of lives will be stirred up and will challenge your spirituality. The energy generated by spiritual disciplines forces the impurities to leave the mind, their fort. How can they cope against the power of the Lord’s name?
“You see, the desires are very shrewd. They take possession not only of the mind of a person but his sense organs as well. As soon as desire is aroused in the mind, the sense organs are awakened. The eyes want to see, the ears want to hear, the tongue to taste and speak, the nose to smell, and the body to feel. The hands want to work, and the feet carry the person to where the object is. The other sense organs are alert, and whenever the opportunity comes, they also enjoy.
“Do you know what the mind does? It conjures up enticing pictures with the imagination. The imagination is man’s worst enemy, his greatest tempter, for it creates beautiful pictures of sense pleasures and nearly destroys man’s conscience. Thus, man is drawn to sense objects. Therefore, if you want to control the desire for worldly things, control the imagination and don’t be deluded by sense enjoyments.”
== '''11 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
=== '''DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS'''===
A devotee: “But how can one control the imagination?”
Latu Maharaj: “The imagination can be controlled by withdrawing the mind from the object, although that will not still the mind. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that three things are necessary in the process of perception: the object of perception, the sense organ, and the mind. Perception of the object is not possible if one of these three is missing. So, if you can eliminate one of them, the mind will not be able to cognize. It is hard to eliminate the objects of perception. They come and go. We must encounter them always. How can one live and avoid sense objects?
“So, long as you can avoid the sense objects, your self-control may be intact: but as soon as you come near them again, you will find yourself deluded by their attraction. So, instead, try to withdraw either the sense organ or the mind from the object. Then, automatically the object will not be perceived.
“The nature of the mind can be changed by chanting the name of the Lord. Gradually desires and doubts cease and the mind dissolves into its causality. Then there is none to think or imagine. Waves of desire in the mind show that the mind is active.”
==='<nowiki/>''Jai Ramakrishna '''Swami Dayatmananda:'<nowiki/>'''''===
HAPPY DIPAWALI TO ALL DEVOTEES.
== '''12 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj, is there any hope for liberation for worldly people like us? Please bless us that we can escape this whirlpool of maya."
Latu Maharaj: "Why should you be so depressed? Do you think you understand everything about human life? Know that no life goes in vain in God's realm. Once Brother Shashi gave a very apt illustration to someone like you: A man was out walking and came upon a canal. Seeing that he would have to jump over it in order to continue his way, he took several strides backward to get a running start for his leap. As he ran forward and jumped over the canal, he covered not only the distance he had moved backward but also the canal itself. Now, can you tell me whether his several steps backward were helpful or harmful? A man might have to take backward steps in this present life, but he will undoubtedly run forward in the next. No life is ever lived in vain. Remember only one thing: Lead a God-centred life. Then the Lord will guide you as he wills. He knows our past, present, and future. The wisest course is to surrender to him completely. Whether you hold onto the Lord's hand or not does not matter; he is always holding onto yours. There is no doubt about that. He will never abandon you. He is all-merciful."
=='''13 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''REMORSE AND GOD’S FORGIVENESS'''===
A devotee did something wrong and was feeling very bad about it. When Latu Maharaj heard this, he called for the devotee to see him.
He told the devotee: "Look here, my son, just because you have made one or two mistakes, you should not give up your spiritual practices and brood over your lapses and feel hopeless. To make mistakes is human. Call on God. He will give you the strength to overcome weakness and destroy your delusion.
He is the compassionate one. However great your sins might be, the current of his mercy will not be kept from you. How little is your sin, and yet you are so depressed! Just think of Ajamila, and Valmiki; compared to their sins, yours are nothing.
Do you know what Brother Vivekananda used to say? 'Don't worry about a little spot of ink on the body. It is nothing.
If one bathes in God's infinite ocean of mercy, the stains of a thousand ink spots will be washed away."
So, I am telling you. do not grieve. Pray unceasingly. Your bad tendencies will go away in a short time."
Yet the devotee was so ashamed of his conduct that he could not raise his head.
Seeing this. Latu Maharaj said: "Before he commits a sin, a man's conscience fills him with shame, yet he brushes it aside. But the divine law is such that after the sin is committed, shame overwhelms him again, and he cannot raise his head in front of others."
Even these words could not shake the devotee free from his sense of guilt.
Latu Maharaj continued: "What are you ashamed of my son? The Lord has seen everything you have done. You cannot hide anything from him. Since he knows all of it. why should you still be so melancholy?
Instead, engage yourself in harder spiritual disciplines, keep the company of holy men, and come here now and then."
These words helped the devotee regain his mental strength. After this conversation with Latu Maharaj, he began to practice spiritual disciplines more vigorously.
(Ajamila, whose story is told in the Bhagavatam, committed many sins in his life. He had a son whose name was Narayana, a name that is also an epithet of Vishnu, the Supreme God.
On his death bed Ajamila was calling loudly for his son, Narayana, and as a result the messenger of God took him to heaven. All his sins were destroyed through the repetition of the Lord's name.
Valmiki is the author of the epic Ramayana. He had previously been a highway robber, but his whole life was changed by the influence of the sage Narada, and he became a saint.)
=='''14 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
=== '''ON MONASTIC LIFE''' ===
Latu Maharaj to a monk: "Never forget the goal of monastic life. Do not wear the gerua cloth [the ochre-coloured cloth of a monk] for outward show. The gerua cloth may bring you name and fame, but that will not help you realize God. Go into solitude and practice your spiritual disciplines with all your heart. Only then will you progress quickly. Avoid gossip and politics."
Is it so easy to be a monk? A real monk longs for God, weeps for God. He does not think about himself and is not disturbed by physical discomfort. A real monk will not see faults in others, and he will have neither attachment nor aversion for anyone. He will be friendly with all. A real monk must try to ease the sufferings of others, and if he does not have the means, he should encourage them with inspired words so that they can fight against life's odds. He does not hoard for the future and seeks nothing except God. A real monk is free from fear and is straightforward. His behaviour is simple, like a child's. Wherever he goes, he hears the call of God.
=='''15 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''CRUELTY AND COMPASSION''' ===
A devotee: "Maharaj, where is compassion in this world? There seems to be only an unbroken chain of cruelty. The crow attacks the sparrow, the kite attacks the crow, man hunts the kite, and the tiger and the bear attack man."
"If you see cruelty around you," responded Latu Maharaj, "you will find cruelty in God. If you see compassion everywhere, you will witness his infinite compassion. It all depends on your own mind. Always remember that to the pure mind all things are pure."
===='''ON MIRACLES''' ====
A young man: "Maharaj, could you teach me something so that I will no longer suffer from poverty?"
Latu Maharaj: "You won't like what I tell you. You want the sort of trick that one uses to make gold out of a handful of dust; but I do not know any trick. I am a monk. I stay in this place and chant the name of the Lord. I can tell you something about God and spiritual life, but you will not be satisfied. You want miraculous powers. Are powers so easy to come by? Are you ready to exert yourself? If you can chant the Lord's name a hundred thousand times a day, then come and sit here."
After hearing these words, the young man hurried away.
===='''SRI RAMAKRISHNA: AN EXEMPLAR''' ====
"Sri Ramakrishna embodies an ideal for everyone. He was an ideal householder, an ideal monk, an ideal guru, and an ideal disciple. Moreover, his life can serve as an example for all faiths and all sects. He is an ideal for the worshipers of Shakti, as he practiced and attained perfection in all the important Tantric sadhanas. He is an ideal for the Vaishnavites, for his devotion to Hari is unparalleled. He is also an ideal for the Shaivites, as he attained the vision of Lord Shiva too. He is an ideal for the devotees of Ramachandra, for he saw Rama and Sita. He is an ideal for the Vedantins as well, having experienced nirvikalpa samadhi, the culmination of the Vedantic sadhana, within three days. He is also an ideal for the Christians and Mohammedans, because he had the vision of Christ and also of the Prophet."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''16 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S TEACHING ON SUFFERING''' ===
A devotee: "Maharaj, why should a knower of Brahman like Sri Ramakrishna, who was almost always immersed in samadhi, have suffered from such a terrible disease?"
Latu Maharaj: "What do I know about that? I heard Master Mahashay ['M.'] say, 'It is because of the touch of impure people that he suffered so terribly.' Girish Babu used to say, 'It is his divine play, a way to relieve the sufferings of mankind.' Ram Babu said: 'If the Master had not suffered from such a terrible disease, who could have recognized him? When one is in good health, one can easily fix the mind on God; but he is surely an avatar who can be continually in nirvikalpa samadhi, even when he is sick.'
"Brother Loren said at that time: 'He wants to be served by us, so he has contracted this disease. Do not worry. Could we have such an invaluable opportunity to serve him if he did not have this disease? We must not miss this opportunity. Let us serve him in such a way that he will not have the heart to leave us.'
"Brother Rakhal said, 'The Master is testing us.' Brother Sharat said, 'Although we may or may not understand it, a great mission is beginning through the Master's illness.' Brother Shashi said: 'Sweet Jesus allowed himself to be crucified for humanity's sake. Our Master, too, is suffering excruciating pain in order to remove man's burden of sin.'
"Balaram Babu once said to the Master: 'Sir, I am tired of hearing people's critical remarks about your illness. They say, "Your Master is suffering from disease!"' The Master answered, 'Listen, he who forbears, survives and becomes great.'
"Many people held different opinions about his illness. I don't remember them all. The Master used to say, 'Let the body and the disease take care of each other: O mind, be happy.' He felt no pain. I saw that he was floating in bliss. If he had really suffered, could he have given us such joy?
"He told us: 'Brahman is stainless. Though the three gunas [sattva, rajas, and tamas] are in Brahman, he is separate from them, as the air carries odors but still remains different from and untouched by them. Brahman is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. In Brahman there is no sorrow or pain, no disease or death, no decay or growth. I see everything within this [Sri Ramakrishna pointed to himself]. Brahman and the One who is within the heart are the same.' Where is the suffering of one who, though sick, can maintain such a high level of spirituality? You people identify yourselves with the body, so when the body suffers you are frightened."
=='''17 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON THE TRUTH OF BRAHMAN'''===
Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj. the scriptures say that Brahman is seated in the heart of man. What does that mean?"
Latu Maharaj: "It is just a figure of speech. Words cannot really encompass the truth of Brahman, although the scriptures have tried to describe it in that way. Brahman is everywhere. There is no in or out, high or low, east or west with him.
He is one, inherent in everything. He is all-pervading, limitless, eternal. Various attempts have been made to describe Brahman, but what is beyond thought cannot really be expressed in language. He is in everything and, again, is beyond everything. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'Everything has been defiled by the lips of man except the truth of Brahman."
Bihari Babu: "Maharaj, you monks are inscrutable! Instead of making positive statements, you speak only in vague terms!"
Another devotee: "Maharaj, please tell us what you have understood of this truth."
Latu Maharaj: "You see, this realization cannot be expressed. One uses language to express an idea, but so far, no adequate language has been discovered for talking about Brahman.
The Master used to say, "My boys, I would like to tell you many things, but the Divine Mother presses my lips, as it were, and does not allow me to talk.'
"You speak thousands of words every day. Have you ever thought about where these words come from?"
The devotee: "They must come from the mind."
Latu Maharaj: "Can you say, then, from which part of the mind they come and in what form? And then, where is the mind itself?"
The devotee could not reply.
Bihari Babu ventured: "There is a neural connection between the brain and the tongue, so the mind must be in the brain."
Latu Maharaj: "In what form?"
Bihari Babu: "As vibration."
Latu Maharaj: "Now tell me whether that vibration is continuous or whether it stops and starts."
Bihari Babu was surprised: "Maharaj, 1 haven't thought about it."
Latu Maharaj: "Then please think it over."
Bihari Babu: "Perhaps it stops and then starts again, exciting the nerves of the brain and bringing out the response."
Latu Maharaj: "If the vibration does stop, can you tell me what makes it start again, especially, where there is no external stimulus?'
Bihari Babu: "No, Maharaj, we really can't say."
Latu Maharaj: "So, you see. you can express these things up to a point, but no further."
After some time both Bihari Babu and the other devotee saluted Latu Maharaj and took leave of him.
As they were approaching their carriage, Bihari Babu said: "I have never heard such words before. This unlettered monk has thought over even such subtle things as these. It is really amazing! We are proud of our scholarship, but in reality, he is more learned than us."
=='''18 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''MAYA AND FREEDOM'''===
Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj, we read in the scriptures that God is man's inner guide. If that is true, then why does man suffer so much? How can one who is guided by the ever-pure Satchidananda get involved in evil actions?"
Latu Maharaj: "You have answered your own question. The essential nature of man, which is ever pure, cannot be polluted by good and evil."
Bihari Babu: "Then do you mean that man has two natures, one affected by good and evil, and the other not? Or are you saying that good and evil do not really exist?"
Latu Maharaj: "Let me explain. Sri Ramakrishna said, 'Good and evil exist, and they are also non-existent.' As long as God keeps the sense of ego in a man, he will perceive duality, good and evil. When God takes away the sense of ego, the perception of duality, good and evil, disappears. So long as man is subject to the law of karma, he is aware of good and evil. When, through God's grace, a man is released from the bonds of karma, the man's awareness of good and evil also goes; for good and evil are the fruits of karma. As you sow, so you reap. It is the Lord who established this law of karma for the benefit of the world and humanity."
=='''19 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''MAYA AND FREEDOM'''===
The Divine Providence has given man the sense of free will and also the principle of karma.
==='''Jai Ramakrishna 20 November 2023''' ===
(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)
===='''MAYA AND FREEDOM''' ====
Bihari Babu: "But everybody says that maya deludes the individual soul and leads him astray."
Latu Maharaj: "Maya wants to play constantly; maya’s play goes on and on. Man cannot see where he is being taken on his journey; hence, he thinks maya is taking him in the wrong direction. But look, how can she misdirect us? Isn't God everywhere? Maya has become manifest by God's will, and she is working for him."
==='''Bihari Babu: "What! Maya is working for God?"'''===
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, what other motive can she have?"
Bihari Babu: "But the scriptures describe maya as illusory and world-bewitching; she makes the unreal appear to be real, and her main concern is the delusion of mankind."
Latu Maharaj: "Do you know why people say so? The scriptures speak harshly against maya because she has qualified the unqualified Brahman. And there is another reason. God alone is real, but maya, by comparison, is unreal, illusory. But maya is unreal only in relation to God. From man's standpoint, maya is avidya, ignorance, which is neither real nor unreal. If you watch maya carefully, you will see that she is pushing man toward God step by step. With one hand she is deluding man, and with the other she is unveiling consciousness before him. She works in a balanced way without any motive of her own. She balances both happiness and misery, both goodness and evil. Do you know the intention behind all this? To teach us. If maya's purpose were to lead man astray, she would show us only one aspect, not both. But because maya shows us two aspects, she simultaneously deludes and enlightens. True, she causes man much trouble, and her path is very roundabout and time-consuming, but eventually it will lead one to God."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''20 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''MAYA AND FREEDOM'''===
Bihari Babu: "But everybody says that maya deludes the individual soul and leads him astray."
Latu Maharaj: "Maya wants to play constantly, maya’s play goes on and on, man cannot see where he is being taken on his journey; hence he thinks maya is taking him in the wrong direction.
But look, how can she misdirect us? Isn't God everywhere? Maya has become manifest by God's will, and she is working for him."
==='''Bihari Babu: "What! Maya is working for God?"'''===
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, what other motive can she have?"
Bihari Babu: "But the scriptures describe maya as illusory and world-bewitching; she makes the unreal appear to be real, and her main concern is the delusion of mankind."
Latu Maharaj: "Do you know why people say so? The scriptures speak harshly against maya because she has qualified the unqualified Brahman. And there is another reason. God alone is real, but maya, by comparison, is unreal, illusory.
But maya is unreal only in relation to God. From man's standpoint, maya is avidya, ignorance, which is neither real nor unreal.
If you watch maya carefully, you will see that she is pushing man toward God step by step. With one hand she is deluding man and with the other she is unveiling consciousness before him. She works in a balanced way without any motive of her own. She balances both happiness and misery, both goodness and evil.
Do you know the intention behind all this? To teach us. If maya's purpose were to lead man astray, she would show us only one aspect, not both. But because maya shows us two aspects, she simultaneously deludes and enlightens.
True, she causes man much trouble and her path is very roundabout and time-consuming, but eventually it will lead one to God. After you suffer repeated blows and much torment in this world and come to understand maya's ways, maya will not be able to hold you anymore.
Then you will be released by her sattvic power. That is why she is called the one who makes the impossible possible."
=='''21 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''MAYA AND FREEDOM''' ===
After you suffer repeated blows and much torment in this world and come to understand maya's ways, maya will not be able to hold you anymore. Then you will be released by her sattvic power. That is why she is called the one who makes the impossible possible.
Bihari Babu: "Does maya have a benign power too?"
Latu Maharaj: "Certainly. Maya is God's power, and can that power be bad?"
Bihari Babu: "Maharaj, from the way you are talking, maya seems to be something great."
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, that is true. Maya is great and that greatness is God himself. The other day a monk explained it nicely: 'Man has already attained God; to try further for realization is useless. This universe belongs to God and man is living in it; thus, he has attained salokya-mukti, liberation by living in the same region as God. God made man in his own image: and thus, man has attained sarupya-mukti, liberation by having a form similar to God's. God is everywhere, so man is always near him; and thus, he has attained samipya-mukti, liberation by living close to God. The only thing that he has not yet attained is sayujya-mukti, becoming one with God.'"
== '''22 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''REMOVING THE COVERING OF IGNORANCE'''===
One day Shashadhar Ganguli, a teacher from Malda, asked Latu Maharaj, "Can the Atman be an object of knowledge?"
Latu Maharaj: "An object is something which cannot be known without the help of something else, but the Atman is self-revealing. So, you cannot say the Atman is an object of knowledge."
The teacher: "Then why should we want to know the Atman?"
Latu Maharaj: "Because the Atman is our real nature."
The teacher: "If the Atman is our real nature, then why are we not aware of it?"
Latu Maharaj: "Listen, can anyone deviate from his real nature? If he does, it cannot be called his real nature; for it is changeable. Man's real nature is covered by a dense cloud of ignorance, and consequently he appears to be something different, but that does not mean he has deviated from his real nature."
The teacher: "I couldn't follow you. Would you please explain this a little more?"
Latu Maharaj: "All right. Suppose here is a brass pot covered with stains. Looking at it, one may think it is made of something other than brass, but that thought cannot change its nature; the brass pot still remains brass. It is like that."
The teacher: "But Maharaj, that analogy is not suitable here. The brass pot never thinks of itself as not being brass, but man thinks of himself as being something other than the Atman."
Latu Maharaj: "That is not so. Man does not think that he is something else.
He may say, 'my body,' 'my mind,' 'my intellect,' but he never says. 'I am the body.' or ‘I am the mind.' He knows that what he calls 'his' is different from 'himself.'
Man's I-consciousness is always there, he is not devoid of it, only he cannot express it. You can feel hungry or sleepy, but can you tell me who you really are?"
The teacher: "No. Maharaj, But I do feel hunger or fatigue."
Latu Maharaj: "That is what I mean. You are aware of your consciousness, but you are unable to express it."
The teacher: "Why am I not able express it?"
Latu Maharaj: "Because your mind is so deeply covered with desires, doubts, and ignorance that your real nature is unable to express itself. Haven't you seen those polishing shops at Mechuabazar in Calcutta where they have glass jars filled with coloured liquids? The metal worker takes a tarnished brass pot and dips it into ajar, and instantly all the tarnish goes away, and the pot starts to glitter. Then he dips it into another jar, and it turns a golden colour.
Similarly, the cloudy stuff which has been covering our I-consciousness must first be washed away, then we shall see the brilliance of the inmost Self."
=='''23 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''REMOVING THE COVERING OF IGNORANCE'''===
The teacher: "How can we purify our minds, Maharaj?"
Latu Maharaj: "Dip your mind in the jar of the Lord's name, and all the unclean stuff will be washed away. Then dip it in the jar of the Lord's grace. You will see how beautifully your real nature will shine forth. You will have to clean your mind first. There is no other way. If you want happiness in this world, think of yourself as pure gold and not as gold-plated. The idea of ‘I’ and 'mine' produces misery, while the knowledge of the real ‘I’ [the higher Self] brings bliss. The knowledge of the Self removes ignorance, and this Self is the Atman, the real nature of man."
The teacher: "But the Atman is all-pervading while the ‘I’ [the lower self] is limited."
Latu Maharaj: "It does not matter. You have seen the jasmine flower; how small it is! On its tiny petal you may find a dewdrop in the morning, and in that dewdrop, you can see the reflection of the infinite blue sky. Likewise, the ‘I’ may be limited, but by the grace of God it can catch the reflection of the infinite Atman."
The teacher: "How can we attain God's grace, Maharaj?"
Latu Maharaj: "Control lust and greed. Practice japam and be charitable. If you can do this, you will find the Lord showering his grace upon you."
== '''24 November 2023'''==
''(Today is the Blessed Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Subodhanandaji Maharaj. On this sacred day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Surrender at the feet the Lord.)''
==='''Teachings of Swami Subodhananda'''===
First, take hold of your mind through discrimination, then make it calm through proper training, so that it runs towards God twenty-four hours of the day. Urge the mind on towards God; then you will understand everything. The All-powerful Mother of the Universe resides in every woman. If one calls on the Lord earnestly, He reveals Himself in the form of one’s chosen deity. Pray to God with utmost devotion and faith, and He will show you the path that leads to Him. He will grant everything—devotion, faith, and all else that one needs. When we see the sun, we see it with the sun’s own light. No other light is required. In the same way, we see the Lord through His grace alone. Tulsidas, the great devotee says that the Lord Himself fulfils all the desires of one who takes refuge in Him. For instance, the fish that has its shelter in water can swim even against the current, while an elephant is washed away by it. One must surrender oneself to God in the same manner.
Jai Ramakrishna '''Before God enters the temple of any one of His children’s hearts, He fills it with devotion, faith, and love, just as a king sends different pieces of furniture and vessels to a subject’s house which he intends to visit. Else, where can the poor subject get all those things? The Lord grants devotion, faith, and love, just because He will come.'''
== '''25 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''THE MYSTERY OF SAMADHI'''===
Latu Maharaj: "Is samadhi merely a figure of speech? The human mind gets a little glimpse of God only after long and constant practice of concentration and meditation, and only then can one realize God's attributes and powers. Infinite are his attributes, and infinite are his powers! Who can transcend them? One could spend millions of lives concentrating on just the glories of God, but what would he gain from it? He might comprehend God's glory and power, but that does not mean he has truly experienced him. Realization of God means that one becomes absorbed in him, transcending his attributes and powers. It is not an easy thing! An aspirant can reach God only if, out of his mercy, God helps him to go beyond his attributes and powers. It is God's grace alone that enables an aspirant to stop the waves of the mind and dissolve the intellect; otherwise, who can stop the functioning of his mind and intellect by his own efforts? And know for certain that one attains samadhi only after the dissolution of his mind and intellect."
A devotee: "Maharaj, do you mean to say that an aspirant cannot attain samadhi through self-effort? We have heard that one attains samadhi by practicing concentration and meditation."
Latu Maharaj: "What you have heard is true. The samadhi achieved through concentration and meditation is termed by Sri Ramakrishna 'chetan samadhi.' In this samadhi there is an interplay of ecstasy and power. But the Master also used to speak of another kind of samadhi in which the mind dissolves and the ego disappears. I am telling you the truth, no one can attain that samadhi without divine grace."
A devotee: "Maharaj, people say practice brings siddhi (success)."
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, you may attain siddhi, but not real samadhi. An aspirant attains siddhi and prosperity through exertion and power, but he realizes God through samadhi. Nobody can express the experience of samadhi. One can only hint at God's attributes in words or speak of his power, but God is not limited by these. Infinite are his glories and infinite are his powers! Who can limit God? All spiritual powers and supernatural powers together cannot reveal him. God is in everything and again he is beyond everything. Just as you have many good qualities and you can do many things, so also you have many powers which you can either show or hide; but these do not reveal your real nature. Your real nature permeates through your qualities and powers, and again, it is beyond them. An aspirant can have a glimpse of the glory and power of God, but this does not mean he can comprehend God fully. An aspirant realizes God only when God reveals himself to him."
== '''26 November 2023''' ==
''(Today is the birthday of Revered Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj. On this Blessed day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)''
==='''An unforgettable incident'''===
Revered Swami Vijnananandaaji was staying at the 'Belur Math.' The Divine Mother Durga was being worshipped at the Math. Everyday the priest (usually a Brahmachari of the Math) starts the worship after offering pranams to him.
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''27 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''SPIRITUAL COUNSEL''' ===
One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram’s residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission. Chandrasekhar Chatterjee acted as interpreter.
First lady: “To do good to others is life’s ideal—we agree with you on this point. But you give a higher place to God than to philanthropy, and we do not agree with that. God cannot be perceived, and there is no proof of his existence. We do not understand why you want people to have faith in this unknown entity first and then to do good to others.”
Latu Maharaj: “Those who try to serve humanity without believing in God cannot keep it up for a long time. After a while the question crops up, ‘What shall I gain from this?’ And once this question arises, one begins to lose interest. If man wants to serve others, he will have to make some personal sacrifice. You must realize that the desire to sacrifice for the sake of others cannot come unless one believes in God.”
Hearing this, both ladies laughed and the second one remarked, “That is no explanation.”
Latu Maharaj: “Will you please tell me why you want to do philanthropic work?”
Second lady: “We do philanthropic work because it does good to others.”
Latu Maharaj: “But can you tell me what shall you get from it? Why should you work for the benefit of others?”
First lady: “Because we live in society, we have obligations to our fellow men, and fulfilling those obligations is our religion. Our ideal is to alleviate suffering.”
Latu Maharaj: “There is a higher ideal than what you have just said, and that is the realization of God. He who strives for that is a hero. To do good to others is, after all, only a social activity; it has nothing to do with God-realization.”
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''28 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''SPIRITUAL COUNSEL'''===
(One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram's residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission.)
Latu Maharaj continued: "You see, there is a loophole in your argument. All arguments are invariably fallacious. Only if you admit the existence of God does everything become meaningful. When we bring God into our lives, distinctions lessen, and we feel that all are our own. On the physical plane there is a difference between me and others, but on the spiritual plane we are the same Satchidananda [Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute]. From that standpoint no one can help another—one is only helping oneself. The key to philanthropy is this: In doing good to others, we try to forget the apparent distinctions between ourselves and other men. The welfare of others is my welfare—that is our attitude. Who does not want his own good? If you believe in God and then serve society, you can never feel any resentment."
Latu Maharaj: "You see, this is not an argument; it is a fact. The multitude is a part of the one Satchidananda— that is the truth. The differences are in name and form only, just as the same silver is transformed into cups, saucers, rings, and so on. Similarly, you, I, and others may be different outwardly, but in essence we are all the same Satchidananda. The same God has become many and is playing in different names and forms."
Latu Maharaj: "Certainly. But this proof is not something that can be demonstrated to others. It is a matter of one's own realization. Can love be demonstrated to others? Only the lover and the beloved feel it. Can outsiders understand it? The case is similar with God. Only God and the one to whom he shows his favour can understand it. Others cannot."
=='''29 November 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''SPIRITUAL COUNSEL'''===
(One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram's residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission.)
Second lady: "Still the question remains unsolved. Suppose somebody does not believe in God but still does a lot of good to others. Won't he get merit for that?"
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, every action brings a corresponding result. Man gets social merit through his philanthropic activities, but if his ego is involved in those activities, he will not get any spiritual merit.
Even the result of a good action turns into a bondage if it is done with ego.
None can escape the wheel of karma through self-motivated action. On the other hand, any unselfish action destroys the bondages of action and brings liberation to man."
Second lady: "I have never seen a single person who could serve others without any motive."
Latu Maharaj: "We do not say that one can do good to others with no motive at all; we say, let the motive be God-oriented.
Although all cannot see God, one should have faith in his existence, and that faith is the key to seeing God.
First have faith in God and then love his children.
For instance, somebody did a job exceptionally well. The news reached the king, and he summoned the man. The meeting with the king came about because that job was well done. Similarly, by lovingly serving the Lord's children, you will get his grace and his vision too. All are the children of God."
Both Western ladies were impressed and later wrote a letter of appreciation to Latu Maharaj from Rome.
== '''30 November 2023''' ==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON PREACHING'''===
"Can one preach religion simply by beating a drum? Is religion something external to us, something one person speaks about, and another person accepts? Religion is realization, and one cannot realize the truth through noise and fanfare. The more a preacher shouts, the more people's minds turn outward; and unless the mind is turned inward, God-realization is not possible.
What an upsurge of religion there was here in Calcutta a few years ago! Preachers of the Salvation Army were found speaking on religion at almost every crossroads of the city. The Brahmo leaders used to preach their doctrines in their temples. The Vaishnavites would sing kirtan in their worship halls. Just think of all those meetings! One day Keshab Sen spoke on the New Dispensation in Beadon Square, the next day Reverend Kali Krishna Banerjee spoke on Christianity, and the third day Swami Krishnananda spoke on Hinduism. People would gather around them and listen. One preacher abused Hinduism, and another defended it. What a storm of religious preaching! But what has come of all that? Where are they now? Those religious leaders tried to attract people through their preaching. Meanwhile, another group was devoting their time to silent meditation and prayer and directing their energies to the realization of God. And now don't you see multitudes gathering around this second group?
Inevitably, if there is no substance inside, a man's words are empty and carry no conviction. There must be renunciation, dispassion, and genuine love for God; only then will people believe you. The Lord's will works in this peculiar way. Look at Swami Vivekananda's life. After practicing hard spiritual disciplines, he got the command from the Master to preach, and people have accepted what he said. With one lecture Swamiji became world-famous."
== '''1 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON THE GURU'''===
A devotee: "Is it absolutely necessary to have a guru in order to make spiritual progress?"
Latu Maharaj: "If you are in earnest about spiritual practices, you should have a teacher, a guru. You can accept the Lord himself as your guru if you have that much faith in him. But it is better to have a great devotee of God as your guru. Do you know why? What do you do when you feel thirsty and are looking for water? Don't you go to the nearest place where water is available?"
A devotee: "Yes, Maharaj."
Latu Maharaj: "You surely don't go to the ocean which is far away. Isn't that so?"
A devotee: "Yes. If we can get water near by, why should we go all the way to the ocean?"
Latu Maharaj: "So, your question is answered. The human guru is like the water in the river near us, and the Lord is like the water in the ocean. When the thirst for God arises, one should go to a human guru who is near at hand, for he can satisfy your thirst very quickly."
=== '''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
== '''2 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj, what are the duties of a householder?"
Latu Maharaj: "If you want to live a happy, contented life, stop criticizing others. Do not find fault with others. It is better to pass time sleeping than gossiping and criticizing. Keep away from places where you find such talk going on. Try to see the good qualities in others. This is the way to get rid of the habit of fault-finding. Evil qualities pollute the mind of a person who searches for the lapses and shortcomings of others. Feel others' sufferings as you feel your own. Take every opportunity to serve people, and do not injure anybody. Be grateful to all who help you. Be charitable to all, even to a person who abuses you. And do not run into debt, for debts bring worries. Try to be pure and discriminate between good and evil. Do not perform any action which will prick your conscience. Do not forget God. Chant his name in the morning and evening, and, if you can, try to meditate at night."
=='''3 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES'''===
"Be grateful to all who help you. Be charitable to all, even to a person who abuses you. And do not run into debt, for debts bring worries. Try to be pure and discriminate between good and evil. Do not perform any action which will prick your conscience. Do not forget God. Chant his name in the morning and evening, and, if you can, try to meditate at night."
==== '''ON SADHANA'''====
Latu Maharaj: "Without question, whatever I have now has come through the Master's grace. I am an unlettered man. How could I have practiced austerities? What did I know about sadhana [spiritual discipline]? At first, I simply wanted to be the Master's attendant, but then he taught me how to meditate and practice spiritual disciplines. At that time, I did not know the value of sadhana. He also taught me the mystery of Lord Ramachandra."
A devotee: "What is the mystery of Lord Ramachandra?"
Latu Maharaj: "One day I was massaging the Master's feet. He asked me: 'My boy, can you tell me, what is your Ramji doing now?' I was surprised at his question. How could I know what Ramachandra was doing? He noted my silence and said, 'Your Ramji is now passing an elephant through the eye of a needle.'"
A devotee: "What does that mean?"
Latu Maharaj: "Don't you understand? I was such a small receptacle, yet he was pouring sadhana into me."
=='''4 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES''' ===
A devotee: "Maharaj, is it possible to pour sadhana into another person?"
Latu Maharaj: "Yes. But not everyone can do that. He who has seen God and been absorbed in his bliss—he can."
A devotee: "Maharaj, please pour a little sadhana into us."
Latu Maharaj: "The Master could do that. That does not mean I can."
The devotee said with feeling: "Yes you can, Maharaj, Please bless us. Please help us to make spiritual progress in this life."
Latu Maharaj: "You people always say the same thing. When you come here you are sure that you will pass the rest of your days in sadhana, but once you return home you think, 'Why should I care?'
In the world all your energy is spent in earning money.
Remember, you will attain perfection in whatever you practice. You don't like to practice sadhana, so you do not attain God."
A devotee: "One needs money to live in the world. You know that nothing can be done without money."
Latu Maharaj: "Yes. I know. Whatever you want you will get. But if you want to be spiritual, you cannot want anything else.
The Master used to say. 'Whatever you want from God you will receive. But if you want Him only, then all your other wants will be fulfilled as well.'"
A devotee: "Maharaj, we are unfortunate, for we cannot call on the Lord wholeheartedly. Do our prayers reach him?"
Latu Maharaj: "Yes, they do. But your prayers are mixed with the desire for money, so that is what he is sending.
The day when you pray: I do not want money, name, or fame. I want thee and thee alone'—on that very day he will come to you.
=='''5 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES'''===
The Master would say, 'The more you have bhoga [enjoyment], the less you will have yoga and the more you will burn in the world.'
The Master continually taught us: 'Always be awake in the practice of yoga. Call on God in the dead of the night, remember him during the hours of the day, and serve him always.’“
===='''SPIRITUAL DISCONTENT'''====
Latu Maharaj: "Contentment is an obstacle to spiritual progress."
A devotee: "What do you mean, Maharaj? People practice sadhana (spiritual disciplines) to find peace of mind, and you are saying it is an obstacle to the aspirant's progress."
Latu Maharaj: "It is true, people do practice sadhana to find peace. But if the aspirant forgets God after finding some peace, how can he make any further progress? If there is no dissatisfaction, longing for God does not come."
A devotee: "Is there any higher state than the attainment of peace?"
Latu Maharaj: "Look, is peace the end of sadhana? There are many states higher than peace. But if you want to experience those states, you need to attain peace first.
Do you know what that peace is? One is then, as it were, content with his life; and external trials and tribulations do not disturb the mind.
The door to the spiritual path does not open unless the aspirant is filled with peace externally and internally. But once the door to the spiritual realm opens, discontentment again begins.
However, this is a mysterious kind of discontentment which I cannot explain to you. In this state the aspirant can neither sit idle nor can he progress quickly."
A devotee: "Maharaj, I do not understand what you are talking about. Please explain."
Latu Maharaj: "Spiritual disciplines and austerity are necessary to understand this. You have practiced very little austerity; hence, I may explain it to you a thousand times, but it will still remain a mystery to you."
=='''6 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON AUSTERITY'''===
In I902 Latu Maharaj was staying at the Belur Monastery at the time of Shiva Ratri, an all-night vigil dedicated to Lord Shiva and observed by worship and fasting.
That night he went to offer worship to Shiva at the nearby Kalyaneswar temple, accompanied by a number of devotees.
Up huHe said to one of the devotees: "I think fasting is too difficult for you. You should take a little food."
The devotee responded, "No, I don't want to take anything before performing the worship."
Latu Maharaj said: "Such determination is good: but if fasting takes your mind away from God, what use is it? Rather, be determined to perform the worship with devotion. Don't place a higher value on fasting. That is mere obstinacy, which is of no real benefit. If your mind is dwelling on food instead of God, how can you perform the worship with love and devotion? Devotion is impossible if the mind is disturbed."
=='''7 December 2023'''==
''(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)''
==='''ON DISCRIMINATION'''===
A devotee: “Maharaj, you monks advise us to give up attachment to lust and gold, but we are householders. How can we renounce? Please tell us the way. Our minds are filled with worldly attachments. We see no possibility of fighting against them. The attachments are so strong that they won’t allow us to develop ways and means to defend ourselves against them. You have asked us to chant the name of the Lord and to discriminate, but we are overpowered by attachments. Now please tell us the secret: How did you overcome them?”
Latu Maharaj: “You people don’t practice japam sincerely, so you always complain and make excuses. Look, if one makes a habit of repeating the holy name, the name itself will take hold of the mind. The mind craves the intoxication of worldly enjoyments. Attachments are troublemakers; they fasten the mind with a noose, as it were, and drag it in all directions. Lord Krishna agreed with Arjuna that the mind is restless. He told Arjuna that the restless mind can be stilled by the renunciation of sense enjoyments and by repeated practice. Whenever your mind runs after sense enjoyments, use your discrimination. Look, the sense objects are impermanent. They come and go. Be satisfied with whatever you need for your daily living and do not desire more. Too many worldly belongings displace the thought of the Reality from the mind. The Reality is one, and that is Brahman. Brahman alone is real and everything else is unreal. Impress these thoughts again and again upon the mind, and gradually true discrimination will arise.”
=='''8 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Adbhutananda)''
When you transcend the three gunas—the elements such as earth, air, water, etc.—they will serve you. Heat and cold, hunger and thirst will obey you.
At present you are their slave, but at that stage they will be under your control.
What will then be the state of your mind? You will remain indifferent to praise and blame, good and evil, and all the opposites of life. You make no distinction, whether a rich man or a poor man comes.
Now you are a minor; then you will come of age. You will be like Trailinga Swami [an Indian holy man]: Nature is under his control and serves him.
Now there is always the fear lest some craving arise in your mind. There is the sense of good, so there is the fear of evil.
Struggle, and through His grace you will attain union with God, though it may take many births.
First discrimination and dispassion, then comes devotion. You have to clear your path by taking recourse to discrimination and dispassion.
Then is it that you will know what is real and what is unreal. When you have strong discrimination and dispassion, evil cannot approach you. But if you are weak in these virtues, evil gets hold of you.
=='''9 December 2023'''==
==='''Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda For WhatsApp'''===
===='''ON DISCRIMINATION'''====
"When you have strong discrimination and dispassion, evil cannot approach you. But if you are weak in these virtues, evil gets hold of you.
Listen to a story. Once Rama presented a pearl necklace to his devotee Hanuman. Hanuman examined the necklace carefully, broke open one of the pearls with his teeth, and, not finding the name of Rama there, threw the necklace away. This upset Lakshmana, who said: 'How can a monkey appreciate the value of a pearl necklace? He destroyed such a valuable thing with his teeth!' Rama then asked Lakshmana to inquire about the reason for Hanuman's action. Upon being questioned, Hanuman replied: 'I opened the pearl to see if the holy name was there. The necklace is worthless if Rama is not in it.'
You will have to discriminate between the real and the unreal. To keep one's discrimination alert is a great austerity. He who has learned to discriminate can successfully overcome lust and greed. So, cultivate your discrimination and conscience. How can you struggle against evil tendencies if your intellect is not trained to differentiate between good and evil?
First clear out the rubbish which has entered the mind through the gates of the sense organs, and then put a ‘NO ADMITTANCE’ sign in front of each gate. Those bad thoughts which ignore the notice and still come in, you will have to hand over to the police, which is your conscience. With the help of the police, you must evict the impure tendencies from the mind and then install the Lord there. This is the way to conquer lust and desire.
The seed of lust is in the mind. That seed is nurtured by the sense organs within and the sense objects without, and thus it grows and produces innumerable fruits. These fruits are to be chopped off and the seeds are to be destroyed. Afterward, you must sow the seed of the Lord's name, and you will reap the harvest accordingly. Now you are reaping the harvest of desires. The Master used to say, 'Where desire is, God is not; and where God is, there is no desire.'"
== '''10 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
==='''ON PURITY'''===
"Be pure. Be pure. Be pure. You cannot comprehend God without purity. If you are not pure, you will not realize God, who is the embodiment of purity. In order to serve God, the true Master of all, one must purify one's mind."
===='''ON LOVE''' ====
A householder devotee of Sri Ramakrishna once conveyed his love to Latu Maharaj in a letter. Latu Maharaj remarked: "Is it so easy to convey love to a person? A lot of spiritual discipline is needed to be able to really transmit love. What do ordinary people know about love? Only God can truly love, and only illumined souls are really able to transmit love."
On another occasion he said: "Your love springs from worldly attachment. Dogs play together and fight for food among themselves. Your love is like that. You people embrace each other and exchange sweet words, but the moment someone encroaches upon your self-interest, you become angry and are ready to hit him. Don't express that kind of love."
=== '''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''11 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
==='''ON HUMILITY''' ===
One day a wealthy devotee saluted Latu Maharaj in the customary manner: that is, folding his hands and raising them to his head. At this, Latu Maharaj said: "Look here, sir. One should bow down to gods, to monks, and to holy people with reverence. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'There is no merit in this sort of axe-raising salutation.'"
Another devotee who was present asked: "Maharaj, what is an axe-raising salutation?"
Latu Maharaj: "Touching the forehead with folded hands as you usually do is what the Master called an axe-raising salutation."
The wealthy devotee: "Maharaj, please forgive me. We do not know the real significance of the salutation. We merely follow the custom."
Latu Maharaj: "I don't blame you. It is not your fault. But remember what the Master said: Between equals one should exchange salutations as you have just done; but if the person is superior to you in learning, intellect, fame, power, or spirituality, you should bow down to him with reverence. You should be humble before him and do what he says. Let your thoughts and your words be united when you are paying respect to others. Salutations that are merely for show have no value."
===='''SALUTE THE NAME''' ====
"Sri Ramakrishna used to say that before starting to chant the name of the Lord, one should salute the name. One should take refuge in the name of the Lord. The name and the named, that is, the Lord, are one. If one prays wholeheartedly to the name, one's prayer reaches the Lord. Look here. The name of the Lord itself is shakti, God's power, and the named is God himself. Without worshiping Shakti, one cannot realize God."
== '''12 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
=== '''ASPECTS OF GOD'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj, is it good to have visions of gods and goddesses other than the Chosen Ideal?"
Latu Maharaj: "It is always good to see divine forms. You will find that during meditation your Chosen Ideal will appear to you in many forms. That is his divine play. Since all forms are contained within him, why are you making distinctions between them?"
A devotee: "The scriptures have described the various forms of God differently, and for each deity there is a prescribed meditation, a method of worship, and certain mantras. So how can it be possible to see other forms of God when one is meditating on one's own Chosen Ideal? Are these visions conducive to one's spiritual progress?"
Latu Maharaj: "You people think of the gods and goddesses as distinct from each other, but in reality, they are all the same. What is wrong if the forms are many? Look. You are a man. When you are angry, your face takes on one expression; when you laugh it assumes another; and when you cry it looks still different. Your facial expression changes with your emotions, but you, as a man, always remain the same. If someone calls you by name, you respond regardless of your mood. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'The chameleon changes its color. Sometimes it is red, sometimes green, yellow, gray, violet, blue, and so on. One may think that the chameleon is always the same colour as he sees it. But the man who stays under the tree where the chameleon lives knows that the chameleon changes colour at different times.' Similarly, the man who meditates deeply on his Chosen Ideal ultimately realizes that the various names and forms are actually but different aspects of the same reality."
=='''13 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
=== '''ON PRAYER'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj. which is the easier method to dispel doubts about God, prayer, or reasoning?"
Latu Maharaj: "Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'Who can know God through reason? His powers and glory are infinite. Too much reasoning can create confusion and, moreover, may lead to an atheistic attitude. So, it is better to call on God with a longing heart."
The Master said further: 'If you can become drunk with one bottle of wine, why should you bother to know how many barrels of wine there are in the grogshop? If your thirst is quenched with one glass of water, why should you rack your brain calculating how much water there is on the earth?" "
A devotee: "Whom should we call on, Maharaj, the guru or the Chosen Ideal?"
Latu Maharaj: "You may call on either, it is the same. The Guru and the Chosen Ideal are the same. Doubt arises in the mind of an aspirant if he does not practice spiritual disciplines, and doubt is the root of all troubles.
Have faith in your guru. Be loyal to him, even like a cow that never leaves its master, whether it is fed or not. Say. '1 am your servant and you are my Master.' "
=='''14 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
=== '''ON WORSHIP'''===
"Do you know what worship is? Everything belongs to the Lord, so what is there to offer to him? But the Master used to tell us: 'Once a rich man went to visit his orchard. He saw the gardeners busy with their work. The caretaker approached him and presented him with a ripe papaya, saying: "Sir, I picked this ripe fruit for you yesterday. Please accept it." Now the owner knows that the garden, the tree, the fruit all belong to him; but won't he appreciate the love and thoughtfulness of the caretaker? Worship is like this.'"
On another occasion, a devotee bought a small piece of cheap cloth for the Divine Mother's worship. Latu Maharaj was very upset. He remarked: "Throw away that cloth. It is too short. Why did you buy such a cheap one? Always offer a good cloth to the Mother, and if you cannot afford it, say with tears: 'Mother, I am unable to offer anything to you. Please forgive me.' Some people buy cheap, flimsy cloth, rotten fruit, or stale sweets for the worship of the Lord. Why do you offer the Lord these things which you yourself do not want to use or eat? It is better not to worship at all than to do worship negligently. He who offers the Lord's things to the Lord with joy and love is really fortunate. The Lord does not accept anything that is not presented with devotion."
== '''15 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)''
=== '''PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj, we have not seen God: how can we depend on him? We do not know how to surrender to him. Can it be enough just to say, "Lord, be kind to us. bestow your grace on us?' "
Latu Maharaj: "Look, he is showering his grace on us unceasingly. It is through his grace that you even exist in this world.
You are asking about prayer. Well, you know God's name: you can begin with his name as your guide. Don't you send your application for a job to the manager of a company without ever having seen him? Your interview with the manager depends upon sending your application to him. You write the application thus: 'Sir, please appoint me for the job; I shall be extremely happy to serve you. I promise my unswerving obedience to you,' and so on. And you write all this without having seen the manager, don't you?
"So, similarly, you can send an application to the Lord. However, this application is not to be written on paper, but on the pages of one's mind. You must be careful about the wording and the address must be correct; otherwise, the letter will not reach its destination.
Write the application like this: 'O Lord, may I never forget your name. I take refuge in you. Please assign me to your service and destroy my ego and my doubts. You are my master, guru, father, mother, and all in all. I am your child. Please guide me to the path of blessedness. Make me your instrument. Do not delude me with your bewitching maya.
O my sweet Lord, I have not seen you; I have only heard your name. Please make me your own.'
You will have to pray like this daily. Only then will he choose to bestow his grace on you. Once you are chosen by him. you will not have to worry any more. He will guide you at every step and will tell you what to do."
=='''16 December 2023'''==
==='''AFTER GOD-REALIZATION'''===
A devotee: "Maharaj, you have realized God. Could you tell us what your understanding of the world is now?"
Latu Maharaj: "I have understood this much: If you keep a bowl filled with water somewhere by itself, the water will eventually evaporate, but this is not so if the bowl is immersed in the river Ganga. Likewise, if we can surrender our minds at the feet of the Lord, the wind of worldliness will not be able to dry our minds and make them dreary. Then the world no longer seems an unhappy place."
A devotee: "Maharaj, do you feel now that the world is a burden?"
Latu Maharaj: "Look, when you dive deep into the Ganga, though there are thousands of pounds of water above you, you don't feel that weight. Similarly, if you plunge into God's creation yet still hold onto him, you will not feel its burden. Then the world becomes a place of merriment. Remember this beautiful saying of Tulasidas: 'He who takes refuge in God is protected by him. A huge elephant may be swept away by the current of the river, but the small fish who lives in the river can even swim against its current.' Remember that if you depend on God, he will take care of you in all circumstances."
=='''17 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Adbhutanandaji)''
==='''BRIEF TEACHINGS'''===
"Be attached to no one but God. Only if you hold onto God will your life be meaningful."
"Who is a man of knowledge? Not he who has read a lot of books, studied scriptures and acquired some degrees, but he who knows the path to God and can direct people toward God."
"Man can attain peace if he gives up worldly enjoyment, for such enjoyment is the source of sorrows and sufferings, disease and despair."
"Don't be ungrateful to a person who has helped you. An act of kindness, however small it may be, can never be repaid."
"Find your own faults. Never criticize anyone; it is a great sin. It contracts the mind and pollutes the heart. Always look for the good qualities in others. If fault-finding becomes your habit, you will always see faults in them. Everyone has both good and bad in him. Only God is free from fault and full of divine qualities."
"Don't be concerned whether someone agrees with your opinion or not. Do not argue unnecessarily just to prove your point. It ruins the spiritual atmosphere. Let people do whatever they like: you should live according to your own ideal."
"Don't ask for anything from God, for he knows everything. It is sometimes amazing how he fulfills the needs of his devotees."
"Desire begets wants in the mind of man."
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''18 December 2023'''==
''(Teachings of Swami Adbhutanandaji)''
==='''BRIEF TEACHINGS'''===
"He who follows the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, will be saved by the Mother from the trials and tribulations of the world. If you want peace, read *The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna*."
"It is easy to fool human beings, but not God. He knows your shortcomings despite your best efforts to hide them. Pray to the Lord with a guileless heart: 'O Lord, please remove all my faults and weaknesses.' Man becomes stainless only after God-realization."
"Jealousy is a deadly poison. A jealous person cannot bear others' welfare and happiness. His heart breaks to see others progressing. If one can give up jealousy, one will understand God."
"On a moonless night one man cannot recognize another, however close they may be standing; similarly, a man cannot see his innermost self due to the dark covering of delusion."
"Dissatisfaction and craving for worldly enjoyments are signs of a diseased mind."
"If you always think of a holy person, you will become holy and pure; if you think of a thief, you will become a thief. Pure character is formed by close association with the holy."
"Do you think we salute trees and stones? We salute the Supreme Being, who pervades every atom of the universe. He who sees God in all creatures and all things attains the knowledge of Brahman."
"Although God is formless, he takes form according to our mental conception of him. It is because the formless Sat-chit-ananda dwells in our hearts that we can meditate on one of God's blissful forms. God appears in whatever form the devotee meditates on him."
"God gives power to those who are pure in heart."
=='''19 December 2023'''==
==='''Imitation of Christ* by Bernard Bangley'''===
==='''How to Follow Christ and Disregard the World’s Prizes''' ===
The Lord says, “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). Christ encourages us to pattern our lives after his so we can become spiritually enlightened. Our most important task, then, is to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.
Christ’s teaching is superior to all the teachings of the saints, and if you have the Spirit you will discover through him “the hidden manna” of the Word (Rev. 2:17). Many who have heard the gospel all their lives have not been affected by it because they do not have Christ’s Spirit. If you truly want to understand and enjoy the words of Christ, you must attempt to live like him.
What is the point of scholarly discussion of a deep subject like the Unity, if you lack humility? You can be sure that profound talk does not make anyone holy and just, but a pure life pleases God. I would rather feel contrition than know its definition!
If you knew the entire Bible by heart and were familiar with all the philosophers, what good would it all be without the love of God and his grace? Anything other than loving and serving God is “useless, useless, all useless” (Ec. 1:2).
Here is the wisest thing you can do: forget the world and seek the things of heaven. It is pointless, then, to desire and trust perishable wealth. It is also pointless to search after honours or to be a social climber.
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''20 December 2023'''==
==='''Imitation of Christ* by Bernard Bangley'''===
==='''How to Follow Christ and Disregard the World’s Prizes''' ===
It is useless to give in to physical desires and to crave wrong things when indulging ourselves will only bring severe punishment. It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well. It is nothing but vanity to think only of this present life and to ignore the future. It is vain to care about things that are quickly passing away rather than to hurry to the place of everlasting joy.
Repeat this proverb frequently: “Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough” (Eccles. 1:8). Try, then, to turn your heart away from the love of things that can be seen, and to start loving the things that cannot be seen. Those who follow the way of sensuality will have a nagging conscience and lose God’s favour.
==='''Have a Humble Opinion of Yourself.''' ===
It is natural for all of us to desire knowledge, but what is the value of knowledge without respect for God? The most ordinary person who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself while studying the stars. If you really know yourself, you will see that nothing about yourself is worthy of praise. “I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets, but if I have no love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). When I stand in God’s presence, I am judged by the things I do.
=='''21 December 2023'''==
''(Today is the auspicious birthday of Swami Premanandaji Maharaj. On this sacred day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)''
==='''Teachings of Swami Premanandaji'''===
One day we were weeding the Math garden. Swami Premananda was watching us, and he noticed that one of the boys was not pulling the weeds out by the roots. He called out to him, “My boy, you must pull the weeds out by the roots; otherwise, you are simply fooling yourself and wasting time. If you do not realize the necessity of rooting out weeds in a garden, how can you weed out your old faults and tendencies? How can you understand the real meaning of spiritual life?” And he added, significantly, “Weed out, boys! Weed out, root and all.”
On another occasion, Swami Premananda chastised us for talking too much: “You talkative fools! You talk nothing but nonsense. Let not your tongue talk; let your character speak!” And again, “Why do you buzz so much? You bees haven’t yet found the honey.”
Swami Premananda taught the ideal of perfection in everything, even the smallest, most insignificant tasks—“from repairing shoes to chanting the scriptures,” according to the Bengali proverb. This was one of Swamiji’s main teachings, and Premananda obeyed it to the letter. “These boys must learn everything,” he once said. “To cut vegetables, perform the worship, book-keeping, lecturing—everything. And in all these things they must be perfect. I am trying to train them thus. If I am harsh, it is only for their own good. But I am never really angry, for I love them deeply.”
In this way, he taught the young monks to be men of God. He would often scold the boys if they did not read the scriptures regularly. Once he approached a young Brahmacharin who had been spending much of his time working in the garden. “You don’t study, do you?” Premananda asked him. “Are you here only to do the work of a coolie?”
“No, sir,” was the sheepish reply.
=== '''Jai Ramakrishna'''===
=='''22 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
Have a humble opinion of yourself. It is natural for all of us to desire knowledge, but what is the value of knowledge without respect for God? The most ordinary person who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself while studying the stars. If you really know yourself, you will see that nothing about yourself is worthy of praise. “I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets, but if I have no love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). When I stand in God’s presence, I am judged by the things I do. Great learning can be a distraction; it can make you try to appear wise in order to win praise. There are many things you can know which will be of little value to your soul, and it is not wise to waste your time on them. Words do not nourish the soul, but a life well-lived brings comfort to the mind. A clear conscience will give you confidence before God. If you think you know a lot about something, remind yourself that there are many more things you do not know. “Do not be proud but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise” (Rom. 12:16). If you want to learn something worthwhile, learn how to be a nobody. The most profound and valuable lesson of all is to truly know yourself and to have a humble opinion of yourself. Think well of others. If you see someone else engaging in a sinful act or a crime, do not let that make you think more highly of yourself. You do not know how long it may be before you also stumble. All of us are frail; consider yourself no stronger than anybody else!
=='''23 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''True Education''' ===
“Lord, how happy is the person you instruct, the one to whom you teach your law!” (Ps. 94:12). Our opinions and senses frequently mislead us. “What do we gain from all our work? He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does” (Eccles. 3:9, 11). We won’t be held responsible for this ignorance. O God of truth, unite me with yourself in everlasting love. I am tired of reading and hearing many things. All I desire is you. Silence all teachers, let every creature be hushed reverently in your presence. Speak to me intimately. The more a person is in harmony with himself and the more simple he is inwardly, the more he understands intuitively. He receives divine illumination. A pure, honest, and stable spirit is not distracted by a lot of activity. He does everything to honour God and is at rest within himself. He seeks to be free from all selfishness. A good, devout person considers inwardly the things he intends to do outwardly. Who has a greater struggle than one who tries to overcome himself? And this is our job—to work at conquering ourselves, to become stronger each day, and to make a little progress toward goodness.
===='''CHRISTMAS GREETINGS'''====
“I wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year.”
==='<nowiki/>''Jai Ramakrishna '''CHRISTMAS GREETINGS'<nowiki/>'''''===
“I wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year”. May the New Year Bring abundant grace and spiritual life. May Sri Ramakrishna bless us all with devotion and Faith.
----On this sacred, Holy Day may we all recollect the vision of Jesus Christ by Sri Ramakrishna.
=== '''Sri Ramakrishna’s Vision of Christ'''===
At last, when the third day was about to close, the Master saw, while walking under the Panchavati (grove of 5 sacred trees), that a marvellous godman of very fair complexion was coming towards him, looking steadfastly at him. As soon as the Master saw that person, he knew that he was a foreigner. He saw that his long eyes had produced a wonderful beauty in his face, and the tip of his nose, though a little flat, did not at all impair that beauty. The Master was charmed to see the extraordinary divine expression of that handsome face, and wondered who he was. Very soon the person approached him and from the bottom of the Master’s pure heart came out with a ringing sound, the words “Jesus! Jesus the Christ, the great Yogi, the loving Son of God, one with the Father, who gave his heart’s blood and put up with endless torture to deliver men from sorrow and misery!” Jesus, the godman, then embraced the Master and disappeared into his body, and the Master entered into ecstasy (Bhava Samadhi).
=='''26 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''True Education'''===
Even our best efforts have imperfections, and all our thinking includes some stupidity. A humble understanding of ourselves is a more certain way to God than the most in-depth study.
But learning is not to be condemned! Knowledge is good. It is God’s gift to us.
However, a clear conscience and a decent life are superior to it. The fruitless error comes in desiring to know much, rather, than to live well.
If we were as careful in weeding out vices and planting virtues as we are in scholarly research, we would not have so much evil and scandal among us, or so much carelessness in religious houses.
You can be certain of this: when the Day of Judgment comes, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how well we have lived.
Tell me, where now are all the great doctors and masters you used to know? Others sit in their offices, and the former ones already are forgotten. See how soon this world’s glory fades!
Authentic greatness is found in great love.
He is genuinely great who considers himself small, and cares nothing about high honours.
I am truly wise if I look upon all earthly things ‘as mere (garbage], so that I may gain Christ’ (Phil. 3:8).
And the greatest of all is he that does the will of God while denying himself.
== '''27 December 2023''' ==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''Prudent living'''===
We should not be too credulous. We need to carefully consider everything we hear. We should spend time in thought before God. Sadly, we are so weak that we frequently believe and repeat ugly rumours rather than good things. It is best not to accept every report. Human beings have a tendency to evil, and even the most reliable sources make mistakes. “Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble” (Prov 19:2). In a similar manner, don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t be quick to pour it into others’ ears. The more humility you have and the more subject you are to God, the wiser you will be, and the more at peace.
==='''Reading the Bible'''===
Look for truth in the Bible, not eloquence. Every verse should be read in the spirit with which it was written. Read the devout and simple books as gladly as the learned and profound. Don’t worry about the writer’s authority, or his level of education. Allow the love of simple truth to attract you. Don’t ask, “Who said this?” Instead, pay attention to what is said. People die, but God’s Word will never pass away. Sometimes our curiosity interferes with our Bible reading. You want to discuss and understand parts we should simply pass by. If you want to make your Scripture reading worthwhile, read with humility, simplicity, and faith. Don’t try to appear learned. Listen in silence to the words of the holy men and take pleasure in the teachings of the elders. They spoke with good reason.
== '''28 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''Controlling Excess Desire'''===
If you want something obsessively, you will be restless within yourself. The arrogant and the greedy can never relax. It is the poor and the spiritually humble who know what peace is. If you are not yet able to deny yourself, you will be easily tempted. Small, insignificant things will make you their slave. The spiritually weak prefer sensuality and are not able to give up earthly desires completely. That’s why they are sad when they must abandon something and easily angered when opposed. Suppose you get something you want. Soon you may be remorseful to have that thing. Surrendering to your passions will not help you find peace. Only by resisting them can you be truly at peace. There is simply no peace in the heart of a person who lives an animal existence or who places all importance on outward things. Peace is reserved for the sincerely spiritual person.
==='''Taking Charge'''===
Be free! Master yourself! Make sure that all things are under you, and that you are not under them. Don’t be a slave to anything. Be free!
=== '''Jai Ramakrishna 29 December 2023'''===
(From The Imitation Of Christ)
==='''Pride and Humility''' ===
The Lord says, ‘I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts his trust in man, in the strength of mortal man’ (Jer 17:5). Do not be ashamed to serve others because of your love for Jesus Christ, or to appear poor in the world’s eyes. Do not count on your own strength; trust God. Do what you can, and God will supply the difference. ‘Wise men should not boast of their wisdom, nor strong men of their strength, nor rich men of their wealth’ (Jer. 9:23). You must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble’ (1 Pet. 5:5). Take glory neither in money, if you have some, nor in influential friends, but in God who gives you everything and above all, wants to give you himself. Avoid boasting about the size or beauty of your body, which a little illness can disfigure or destroy. Have no pride in your native wit and talent; that would displease God who gave you every good thing that you naturally possess. Reject the thought that you are better than anyone else. If you think such haughty thoughts, God (who knows what is in you) will consider you worse than they. Pride about our good deeds is pointless. God has his own ideas regarding what is good, and he does not always agree with us. If there is anything good about you, believe better things of others. This will keep you humble. It will not hurt you at all to consider yourself less righteous than others, but it will be disastrous for you to consider yourself better than even one person. The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry.
== '''29 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''Pride and Humility''' ===
The Lord says, ‘I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts his trust in man, in the strength of mortal man’ (Jet 17:5).
Do not be ashamed to serve others because of your love for Jesus Christ, or to appear poor in the world’s eyes.
Do not count on your own strength; trust God. Do what you can, and God will supply the difference.
‘Wise men should not boast of their wisdom, nor strong men of their strength, nor rich men of their wealth’ (Jer. 9:23).
You must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble’’ (1 Pet. 5:5).
Take glory neither in money, if you have some, nor in influential friends, but in God who gives you everything and above all, wants to give you himself.
Avoid boasting about the size or beauty of your body, which a little illness can disfigure or destroy.
Have no pride in your native wit and talent; that would displease God who gave you every good thing that you naturally possess.
Reject the thought that you are better than anyone else. If you think such haughty thoughts, God (who knows what is in you) will consider you worse than they.
Pride about our good deeds is pointless. God has his own ideas regarding what is good, and he does not always agree with us.
If there is anything good about you, believe better things of others. This will keep you humble.
It will not hurt you at all to consider yourself less righteous than others, but it will be disastrous for you to consider yourself better than even one person.
The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry.
=='''30 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''Subjection to the Lord''' ===
It is of great importance to be obedient to respect authority and to let someone else captain our ship. It is far safer to follow than to lead. Yes, most people want to manage things their own way. But if God is among us, it is sometimes necessary to surrender our personal opinion in order to keep harmony. Who is intelligent enough to know everything? Do not be too sure of yourself. Be willing to hear what others think. Sometimes, even if you have a good idea, it is better to discard it in favour of another, for God’s sake. It is less dangerous to take advice than to give it. Perhaps your opinion is just as good as anyone’s. But if you stubbornly refuse to yield to others when there is a good reason or a just cause to do so, all you prove is your obstinate pride.
=== '''Guarding the Mouth'''===
Avoid small talk as much as you can. Even shop talk can be a great hindrance. Sometimes I wish I had remained silent; that I had not spoken in a crowd. Our chattering is an escape from unwelcome thinking. We keep the conversation on comfortable subjects. Small comfort! Sometimes it even robs us of inward consolation. Watch and pray, so that you will not waste your time. If you want to talk about something, discuss a worthwhile subject. Failing to guard your mouth is a very bad habit. But reverent discussion of spiritual matters can help us all grow, especially when the group that is garnered is unified in God.
=='''31 December 2023'''==
''(From The Imitation Of Christ)''
==='''Finding Peace'''===
We will have much peace if we refrain from minding the business of others.
Jai Ramakrishna <span style="font-style: italic;">Kaivalya Upanishad class will start in 15 mins.</span>
===='''KALPATARU GREETINGS'''====
Dear Devotees,
PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTY PRAYERS AND GREETINGS. MAY SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND HOLY MOTHER GRANT US BHAKTI, JNANA, DEEP FAITH, STRENGTH AND STEADFASTNESS. MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING US ALL PEACE AND HAPPINESS. I am sure all of you are keeping well.
Yours affectionately,
==='''Swami Dayatmananda'''===
(The Master's self-revelation and blessings to the disciples)*
It was the first day of January 1886. As the Master felt rather well that day, he expressed a desire to come out of his room and have a walk in the garden for some time. It was a holiday and the householder devotees came one by one and in groups, shortly after midday. Thus when the Master came downstairs at three in the afternoon, more than thirty people were engaged in conversation in the garden under the trees, or inside the house. He came down to the garden path through the western door of the hall on the ground floor and was slowly proceeding southward to the gate when all followed him at a little distance. When he came to the middle of the path leading to the gate, he saw Girish, Ram, Atul and a few others, sitting under the trees to the west of the path. They also saw him and saluted him from there and came joyfully to him. The Master addressed Girish, all of a sudden before anybody had spoken a word, and said, "Girish, I find, you say to one and all everywhere so many things about 'this' (that I am an incarnation of God); what have you seen and understood (about me) to make you do so?“
Girish remained completely unmoved, and kneeling down on the ground near the Master's feet, said in a choked voice with his hands folded and face turned upwards, "What more can I say of Him, whose greatness Vyasa and Valmiki could not find words to express?”
The Master was charmed at the fervent utterance of Girish, and blessing all the devotees assembled there through their representative Girish said: "What more shall I say to you? May you all be blessed with the spiritual awakening.
==='''Jai Ramakrishna'''===

Latest revision as of 02:13, 31 August 2026


Messages from Swami Dayatmananda

2 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(The Path of the Devotee by Swami Saradananda)

(Continued from 31st December)

Thus has been described the gradual process of reaching the state of highest Samadhi in our Shastras. But as in the divine Incarnations both the human and divine elements are harmoniously combined from the very beginning, they appear as endowed with the powers and glories of perfection. It so happens because they have the inborn capacity to traverse equally both the realms, the human and the divine. Or it may be that divinity being their native nature, it manifests itself at times through the cloak of their humanity. Whatever may be the causes, these facts of the lives of incarnations always appear as inscrutable mysteries to the human intellect. And it does not seem likely that the mysteries will ever be solved. But this much is certain that if we enter into the study of their lives reverentially, it will do us a great good. In the ancient Puranic age, the human side of their lives was ignored and only the divine side was emphasised upon, whereas in this age of scepticism, the divine side is completely ignored and the human side only is discussed. But here we shall try to help our readers to see both the human and divine elements present side by side in the lives of incarnations. And this has become possible for us to understand only because we have seen that wonderful humanly divine life of Sri Ramakrishna.

3 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(The Mystery Of Life And God-Consciousness)

“Does it matter in the least to God whether you believe in Him or not? Even the sage Suka Deva was to Him like a big ant at the most. Infinite is He. How much can you understand of Him?”

Pray to God with tears in your eyes whenever you want illumination or find yourself faced with any doubt or difficulty. The Lord will remove all your impurities, assuage your mental anguish, and give you enlightenment. “He who thinks always of the Lord, which way can evil come to him?”

“Open your grief-stricken heart to the Lord. Weep and sincerely pray, ‘O Lord, draw me towards You; give me peace of mind.’ By doing so constantly you will gradually attain peace of mind. One who makes a habit of prayer will easily overcome all difficulties and remain calm and unruffled in the midst of the trials of life. My child, I bless you from my heart that you live long, attain devotion, and enjoy peace. Peace is the principal thing. One needs peace alone. Certainly you will have doubts. There will be questionings and faith will return again. That is how faith is established.”

4 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(The Mystery Of Life And God-Consciousness)

“Is faith so cheap, my child? Faith is the last word. If one has faith, the goal is practically reached.

“Does one get faith by mere studying of books? Too much reading creates confusion.

The Master used to say that one should learn from the scriptures that God alone is real and the world illusory.

“Why do people argue? Even the wisest of men have not found God through argument! Is God a subject for argument?”

“Give up this dry discussion, this hodge-podge of philosophy. Who has been able to know God by reasoning? Even sages like Suka and Vyasa are at best like big ants trying to carry away a few grains of sugar from a large heap.

Disciple: “How can one stop reasoning?”

Mother: “Reasoning does not disappear as long as one has not attained to perfect knowledge.

Disciple: “All I want to know is whether there is anyone whom I may call my own?

Mother: “Yes, such a One exists. He Himself has become our father and mother. He Himself brings us up as our parents. It is He alone who looks after us. Otherwise where were you and where are you now? Your parents brought you up, but at last you realized that you did not belong to them.

5 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(The Mystery Of Life And God-Consciousness)

“God is one’s very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is everyone’s own. One realizes Him in proportion to the intensity of one’s feeling for Him. God cannot be realized without love. Yes, sincere love. Even the impossible becomes possible through devotion.”

DISCIPLE: “How does one get love of God?”

MOTHER: “The grace of God is the thing that is needful. One should pray for the grace of God. If one can regard God as one’s own and call on Him without seeing Him, that is God’s grace. He who will pray to God eagerly will see Him. If one calls upon Him repeatedly, He becomes compassionate; and so a devoted attachment comes into being. This love for love’s sake should be hidden from all eyes. He who has really prayed to the Master, even once, has nothing to fear. By praying to him constantly one gets ecstatic love (Prema Bhakti) through his grace. This Prema, my child, is the innermost thing of spiritual life. The Gopis of Vrindavan attained to it. They were not aware of anything in the world excepting Sri Krishna.”

6 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(The Mystery Of Life And God-Consciousness)

“God is one’s very own. It is the eternal relationship. He is everyone’s own. One realizes Him in proportion to the intensity of one’s feeling for Him. “God cannot be realized without love. Yes, sincere love. “Even the impossible becomes possible through devotion.

Disciple: “How does one get love of God?”

Mother: ‘The grace of God is the thing that is needful. One should pray for the grace of God.

“If one can regard God as one’s own and call on Him without seeing Him, that is God’s grace.

“He who will pray to God eagerly will see Him.

“If one calls upon Him repeatedly, He becomes compassionate; and so a devoted attachment comes into being.

This love for love’s sake should be hidden from all eyes.

“He who has really prayed to the Master, even once, has nothing to fear. By praying to him constantly one gets ecstatic love (Prema Bhakti) through his grace.

This Prema, my child, is the innermost thing of spiritual life. The Gopis of Vrindavan attained to it. They were not aware of anything in the world excepting Sri Krishna.

A line in one of Nilakantha’s songs says, ‘One should cherish with great care this precious jewel of Prema.’”

“Realization of God cannot be achieved without ecstatic love for Him. ... Did the cowherd boys of Vrindavan get Sri Krishna as their own through Japa or meditation? They realized Him through ecstatic love. They used to say to Him, as to an intimate friend, ‘Come here, O Krishna! Eat this! Take this!”

“Call on the Lord who pervades the entire universe. He will shower His blessings upon you.

7 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(The Mystery Of Life And God-Consciousness)

“What does a man become by realizing God? Does he grow two horns? No, what happens is that he develops discrimination between the real and unreal, obtains spiritual consciousness, and goes beyond life and death. God is realized in spirit. How else can one see God? Has God talked to anyone who is devoid of spiritual fervour? One envisions God in spirit, talks to Him and establishes a relationship with Him in spirit. In the course of time one does not feel even the existence of God. After attaining enlightenment one sees that gods and deities are all Maya. Everything comes into existence in time and disappears in time. Deities and such things really disappear at the dawn of enlightenment. The aspirant then realizes that the Mother alone pervades the entire universe. All then become one. This is the simple truth.

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“Listen, dear, when God first created man, He endowed him with the spirit of goodness. As a result, men were born with wisdom and it did not take them long to realize that the world was an ephemeral thing. Immediately they took the Name of God and set out to meditate on Him and by His grace were liberated from the bonds of life. God thought: This will not do; this is not the way to make them play the game of life. In the end, along with the spirit of goodness, He mingled materialism and that of vanity. Now the game of life went on with a swing!”

8 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

C.– “What an illusion Mahamaya has conjured up! Here is this infinite world, and what one claims as his possession will be left behind at death. Still men cannot understand this simple truth. A person may have no relatives anywhere, but Mahamaya may make him keep a cat and thus make him worldly. This is how She plays!”

A disciple asked if all men can get rid of desires. Mother replied, “How can they? If they could, then the creation would come to an end. The world is going on because not all can be free of desires. People with desires are born again and again. As long as a man has desires there is no end to his transmigration. It is the desires alone that make him take one body after another. There will be rebirth for a man if he has even the desire to eat a piece of candy. Desire may be compared to a minute seed. It is like a big banyan tree growing out of a seed, which is no bigger than a dot. Rebirth is inevitable so long as one has desires. It is like taking the soul from one pillow-case and putting it into another. Only one or two out of many men can be found who are free from all desires. The body means the existence of desire, otherwise it would not have existed. It all ends when one no longer has any desires. This world is moving around like a wheel. That indeed is the last birth in which one gets completely rid of all desires. Those who are born to God have fulfilled all their desires.”

9 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“The Master used to say that the worldly person is like a spring mattress—sit on it and it goes down, but the moment you get up, it springs back at once. The regard and devotion for God of these worldly men is just like a drop of water on a hot plate—it evaporates in no time.” (Referring to one devotee) Mother said, “He is so deeply engrossed in worldliness and still he says, ‘Why do I not see the Master?’ Many women used to come to the Master and say to him, ‘Why can’t we concentrate our minds upon God? Why can’t we steady our minds,’ and things like that. He would say to them, ‘You are like a new-born babe and still smell of the lying-in room. First get rid of that smell. Why are you so worried about realizing God now? Everything will happen in course of time.’” Referring to a man who criticized those who renounce the world, Mother said, “My child, men such as these are deeply drowned in the world. They never acquire love for God. They simply carry on—‘coming into the world, suffering the calamities therein, and going away from it’—again and again. If after doing so many a time, the Lord has mercy on them in some birth, they will attain liberation.”

10 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“How little intelligence does a man possess! He may require one thing, but asks for another. He starts to mould an image of Shiva and often ends by making that of a monkey. It is best therefore to surrender all desires at the feet of God. He will do whatever is best for us. But one may pray for devotion and detachment. These cannot be classed as desires.

“In one word, one should desire of God only desirelessness. Desire alone is at the root of all suffering. It is the cause of repeated births and deaths. It is the obstacle in the way of liberation. There is no happiness while living in this body. The world is full of sorrow. Happiness is an empty word. Only those who have received the grace of the Master can recognize him as God, and that is their real joy.

“What is there in this world? Tell me what is good in this life? That was why in the end the Master took only bitter things. I would try to give him *sandesh* and he would say, ‘What is there in *sandesh*? It is just the same as clay.’”

“Do you notice this human body? Today it is and tomorrow it is not. And the world is full of misery and pain. Why should one be eager to have another birth? The body is never free from its attendant troubles. No.”

11 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“However spiritual a man may be, he must pay the tax for the use of the body to the last farthing (i.e. undergo suffering and death incidental to the embodied state).

But the difference between a great soul and an ordinary man is this: the latter weeps while leaving this body, whereas the former laughs. Death seems to him a mere play.

“Everything, husband, wife, or even the body, is only illusory. These are all shackles of illusion. Unless you can free yourself from these bondages, you will never be able to go to the other shore of the world. Even this attachment to the body, the identification of the self with the body, must go.

What is this body, my child? It is nothing but three pounds of ashes when it is cremated. Why so much vanity about it? However strong or beautiful this body may be, its culmination is in those three pounds of ashes. And still people are so attached to it. Glory be to God!”

12 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“The whole world is a dream; even this (the waking state) is a dream. What you dreamt last night does not exist now. A farmer who had lost a son dreamt at night that he was a king and the father of eight sons. When the dream vanished, he said to his wife, ‘Shall I weep for my eight sons or this one?’”

“The happiness of the world is transitory. The less you become attached to the world, the more you enjoy peace of mind. These earthly ties are transitory. Today they seem to be the be-all and end-all of life, and tomorrow they vanish. Your real tie is with God.

“If you love any human being you will have to suffer for it. He is blessed, indeed, who can love God alone. There is no suffering in loving God.

“Always do your duty to others, but you must give your love to God alone. Worldly love always brings in its wake untold misery.

“The Master saw dabchicks floating, diving and swimming in the water of Haldar’s pond, but there would be not a drop of water sticking to them - they would just shake it off. He gave their example and said that in this world one should live like these - live in the midst of worldly possessions, but from one’s mind one should completely shake off the attachment for them.”

13 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE SPIRIT OF DISPASSION

“Everything is due to desire. What bondage is there for a man who has no desire? You see, I live with all these things, but I do not feel any attachment; no, not in the least.

Disciple: “Mother, the Master loved renunciation, but how little we practise it!”

Mother: “Yes, you will acquire it slowly. You make some progress in this life. A little more in the next, and so on. It is the body alone that changes; the Atman remains the same. Renunciation of lust and gold.

“The Master used to say, ‘I can change Kamarpukur into gold, if I so desire, by requesting Mathur Babu to do so; but what good will that do? It is all transitory.’

“Sri Ramakrishna would say, ‘Musk forms in the navel of the deer. Being fascinated with its smell, the deer run hither and thither. They do not know where the fragrance comes from. Likewise God resides in the human body, but man does not know it. Therefore he searches everywhere for bliss, not knowing that it is already in him. God alone is real. All else is false.’”

14 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Swami Vivekananda. On this auspicious day, may Swamiji bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

External Coverings

We see, then, that this human being is composed first of this external covering, the body; second, the finer body, consisting of mind, intellect, and egoism. Behind them is the real Self of man. 15 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

External Coverings

Some people are so afraid of losing their individuality. Wouldn't it be better for the pig to lose his pig-individuality if he can become God? Yes. But the poor pig does not think so at the time. Which state is my individuality? When I was a baby sprawling on the floor trying to swallow my thumb? Was that the individuality I should be sorry to lose? Fifty years hence I shall look upon this present state and laugh, just as I [now] look upon the baby state. Which of these individualities shall I keep?

Mother, father, child, wife, body, wealth—everything I can lose except my Self, bliss in the Self. All desire is contained in the Self. This is individuality which never changes, and this is perfect. This Very Soul is the Self in All. In this external world, which is full of finite things, it is impossible to see and find the Infinite. The Infinite must be sought in that alone which is infinite, and the only thing infinite about us is that which is within us, our own soul. Neither the body, nor the mind, not even our thoughts, nor the world we see around us, are infinite. The Seer, He to whom they all belong, the Soul of man, He who is awake in the internal man, alone is infinite, and to seek for the Infinite Cause of this whole universe we must go there. In the Infinite Soul alone we can find it.

15 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

External Coverings

Some people are so afraid of losing their individuality. Wouldn't it be better for the pig to lose his pig-individuality if he can become God? Yes. But the poor pig does not think so at the time. Which state is my individuality? When I was a baby sprawling on the floor trying to swallow my thumb? Was that the individuality I should be sorry to lose? Fifty years hence I shall look upon this present state and laugh, just as I [now] look upon the baby state. Which of these individualities shall I keep?

Mother, father, child, wife, body, wealth—everything I can lose except my Self, bliss in the Self. All desire is contained in the Self. This is individuality which never changes, and this is perfect. This Very Soul is the Self in All. In this external world, which is full of finite things, it is impossible to see and find the Infinite. The Infinite must be sought in that alone which is infinite, and the only thing infinite about us is that which is within us, our own soul. Neither the body, nor the mind, not even our thoughts, nor the world we see around us, are infinite. The Seer, He to whom they all belong, the Soul of man, He who is awake in the internal man, alone is infinite, and to seek for the Infinite Cause of this whole universe we must go there. In the Infinite Soul alone we can find it.

16 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Living at the Source Yoga teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

External Coverings

There is no such thing as good and bad, they are not two different things; the same thing is good or bad, and the difference is only in degree. The very thing I call pleasurable today, tomorrow under better circumstances I may call pain. The fire that warms us can also consume us; it is not the fault of the fire.

Thus, the Soul being pure and perfect, the man who does evil is giving the lie unto himself, he does not know the nature of himself.

Even in the murderer the pure Soul is there; It dies not. It was his mistake; he could not manifest It; he had covered It up. Nor in the man who thinks that he is killed is the Soul killed; It is eternal.

After every happiness comes misery; they may be far apart or near. The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery.

Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains—one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Soul is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.

17 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

The more advanced the soul, the more quickly does one follow the other. What we want is neither happiness nor misery. Both make us forget our true nature; both are chains—one iron, one gold; behind both is the Atman, who knows neither happiness nor misery. These are states, and states must ever change; but the nature of the Soul is bliss, peace, unchanging. We have not to get it, we have it; only wash away the dross and see it.

Stand upon the Self, then only can we truly love the world. Take a very, very high stand; knowing our universal nature, we must look with perfect calmness upon all the panorama of the world. But as a man sees his own face in a mirror, perfect, distinct, and clear, so is the Truth shining in the soul of man. The highest heaven, therefore, is in our own souls; the greatest temple of worship is the human soul. The whole universe is one. There is only one Self in the universe, only One Existence, and that One Existence, when it passes through the forms of time, space, and causation, is called by different names—buddhi, fine matter, gross matter, all mental and physical forms. Everything in the universe is that One, appearing in various forms. When a little part of it comes, as it were, into this network of time, space, and causation it takes forms; take off the network, and it is all one. Therefore in the Advaita philosophy, the whole universe is all one in the Self which is called Brahman. That Self when it appears behind the universe is called God. The same Self when it appears behind this little universe, the body, is the soul. This very soul, therefore, is the Self in man.

18 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

And in the midst of the depths of misery and degradation, the Soul sends a ray of light, and man wakes up and finds that what is really his, he can never lose. No, we can never lose what is really ours. Who can lose his being? Who can lose his very existence? If I am good, it is the existence first, and then that becomes colored with the quality of goodness. If I am evil, it is the existence first, and that becomes colored with the quality of badness. That existence is first, last, and always; it is never lost, but ever present. Therefore, there is hope for all. None can die; none can be degraded forever. Life is but a playground, however gross the play may be. However we may receive blows, and however knocked about we may be, the Soul is there and is never injured. We are that Infinite. Morality, of course, is not the goal of man but the means through which this freedom is attained. You, as body, mind, or soul, are a dream, but what you really are, is Existence, Knowledge, Bliss. You are the God of this universe. You are creating the whole universe and drawing it in.

19 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

All that is real in me is He; all that is real in Him is I. The gulf between God and man is thus bridged. Thus we find how, by knowing God, we find the kingdom of heaven within us.

There is one thing to be remembered: that the assertion—I am God—cannot be made with regard to the sense-world.

God is neither knowable nor unknowable, but something infinitely higher than either. He is one with us; and that which is one with us is neither knowable nor unknowable, as our own self.

You cannot know your own self; you cannot move it out and make it an object to look at, because you are that and cannot separate yourself from it.

Neither is it unknowable, for what is better known than yourself? It is really the center of our knowledge. In exactly the same sense, God is neither unknowable nor known, but infinitely higher than both; for He is our real Self.

I have divided myself into God and me; I become the worshiped and I worship myself.

Why not? God is I. Why not worship my Self? The universal God—He is also my Self. It is all fun. There is no other purpose.

20 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna. (Teachings of Swami Vivekananda) You are infinite. God is true. The universe is a dream. Blessed am I that I know this moment that I shall be free all eternity. Worshipping that, I know that I am worshipping only myself; that no nature, no delusion, had any hold on me. Vanish nature from me, vanish these gods; vanish worship; vanish superstitions, for I know myself. I am the Infinite. I am the Infinite. How can there be death for me, or birth? Whom shall I fear? I am the One. Shall I be afraid of myself? Who is to be afraid of whom? I am the one Existence. Nothing else exists. I am everything. You are infinite. Where can you go? The sun, the moon, and the whole universe are but drops in your transcendent nature. How can you be born or die? I never was born, never will be born. I never had father or mother, friends or foes, for I am Existence, Knowledge, Bliss Absolute. Perfection is always infinite. We are this infinite already, and we are trying to manifest that infinity. You and I, and all beings, are trying to manifest it.

21 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna. (Teachings of Swami Vivekananda) You are the omniscient, omnipresent being of the universe. But of such beings can there be many? Can there be a hundred thousand million omnipresent beings? Certainly not. Then what becomes of us all? You are only one; there is only one such Self, and that One Self is you. While we recognize a God, it is really only the Self that we have separated from ourselves and worship as outside of us; but all the time it is our own true Self, the one and only God. The Self, the Atman, is by Its own nature pure. It is the same, the one Existence of the universe that is reflecting Itself from the lowest worm to the highest and most perfect being. The whole of this universe is one Unity, one Existence, physically, mentally, morally and spiritually. We are looking upon this one Existence in different forms and creating all these images upon It.

22 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

Picture the Self to be the rider and this body the chariot, the intellect to be the charioteer, mind the reins, and the senses the horses. He whose horses are well broken, and whose reins are strong and kept well in the hands of the charioteer (the intellect) reaches the goal which is the state of Him, the Omnipresent. But the man whose horses (the senses) are not controlled, nor the reins (the mind) well-managed, goes to destruction. This Atman in all beings does not manifest Himself to the eyes or the senses, but those whose minds have become purified and refined realize Him. He who realizes Him, frees himself from the jaws of death. If it be true that we are working out our own destiny here within this short space of time, if it be true that everything must have a cause as we see it now, it must also be true that that which we are now is the effect of the whole of our past; therefore, no other person is necessary to shape the destiny of mankind but man himself.

23 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Maharaj, how did Sri Ramakrishna look upon mankind? Please tell us something about him. Sri Ramakrishna saw God in all beings. Seeing his great love for his disciples, Swami Vivekananda once said to him: "You love us all so much. Is it not possible that, because of this love, you too may meet the same fate that Jada Bharat met?" The Master replied: "True, by thinking of matter one becomes like matter. But you must understand that it is the God within you that I love. If my mind should ever become attached to any one of you as man or woman, I would at once dismiss all thought of you from my mind." Because Sri Ramakrishna taught the ideal of renunciation to his young disciples, he was often criticized by the worldly-minded, and to such criticism he would answer: "I have no objection to anyone living in the world. Neither do I teach that every man and woman should renounce lust and greed. I teach renunciation only to those in whom there is already some spiritual awakening. I want these young men to attain first knowledge and discrimination, and then, if they wish, they may enter into worldly life." Indeed, to many who came to him he would say: "First go out into the world. Gather your experiences, and then, when you have become sick of the world, come to me for the cure." His teachings varied to suit all temperaments. When Swami Turiyananda was quite a young lad, he asked Sri Ramakrishna how he could give up thoughts of lust. The Master said: "Give up lust? Why should you give up lust? Instead of trying to give up, you should increase your lust!" This advice amazed the young disciple, but he said nothing, and the Master continued: "Direct all your thoughts of lust and all your passions toward God." Often he would point to himself and say: "Everything will be achieved if you will love this. The more intensely you yearn for God, the greater will be your revelation of him."

24 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Brahmananda)

Sri Ramakrishna was many-sided. Whenever he talked about the intuitive knowledge of the Godhead, he would talk as one who was a pure jnani, a knower of God. And whenever he talked about love and devotion, he talked as a pure lover and devotee of God.

He impressed upon us very clearly that mere secular knowledge is nothing but vanity, and that one should struggle hard to attain spiritual knowledge, and love, and devotion to God alone.

The One Purpose of human life is to attain devotion to God and spiritual illumination; otherwise life is vain and meaningless.

Eating, drinking, sleeping, and procreating are not the sole ends of human birth; these belong to the brutes.

God is greatly manifest in the human body. Try to understand this truth. Ah! Swamiji gave his heart's blood to build this monastery so that you young men might have the opportunity to devote your lives to God and practice spiritual disciplines. In fact, in his effort to make your life easier he over-exerted himself and shortened his own life. What intense love he had toward all mankind!

Sri Ramakrishna was revealed to the world at large through Swamiji. Know that their words and teachings are not different.

Sri Ramakrishna was too great for the average mind to grasp; it was Swami Vivekananda who made his life and teachings understandable to all.

Study Swamiji's works carefully, for unless you understand his teachings it is useless to try to understand Sri Ramakrishna.

Read and study the teachings of both, and at the same time devote yourself to the practice of japam and meditation. You are young now, and these are the best years of your life. Mould your minds now; when once the mind is moulded there is nothing to fear. When you can bring the mind under control you will have achieved much. Whip it whenever it tries to run astray.

25 January 2023

Whenever he talked about the intuitive knowledge of the Godhead, he would talk as one who was a pure jnani, a knower of God. And whenever he talked about love and devotion, he talked as a pure lover and devotee of God. He impressed upon us very clearly that mere secular knowledge is nothing but vanity, and that one should struggle hard to attain spiritual knowledge, and love, and devotion to God alone. The One Purpose of human life is to attain devotion to God and spiritual illumination; otherwise life is vain and meaningless. Eating, drinking, sleeping, and procreating are not the sole ends of human birth; these belong to the brutes. God is greatly manifest in the human body. Try to understand this truth. Ah! Swamiji gave his heart's blood to build this monastery so that you young men might have the opportunity to devote your lives to God and practice spiritual disciplines. In fact, in his effort to make your life easier he over-exerted himself and shortened his own life. What intense love he had toward all mankind! Sri Ramakrishna was revealed to the world at large through Swamiji. Know that their words and teachings are not different. Sri Ramakrishna was too great for the average mind to grasp; it was Swami Vivekananda who made his life and teachings understandable to all. Study Swamiji's works carefully, for unless you understand his teachings it is useless to try to understand Sri Ramakrishna. Read and study the teachings of both, and at the same time devote yourself to the practice of japam and meditation. You are young now, and these are the best years of your life. Mould your minds now; when once the mind is moulded there is nothing to fear. When you can bring the mind under control you will have achieved much. Whip it whenever it tries to run astray.

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Trigunatitanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

How do we become divine? Even before attempting to answer this question, let us first ask ourselves: “Are we satisfied with our present condition?” If our reply is “no,” only then can we proceed to answer the first question. For if satisfied with our life, we shall certainly have no wish to struggle toward divinity. Only by having this dissatisfaction with our present lot will we seek a higher and nobler level of existence. By stating that man wants to become divine we appear to be suggesting that man is one thing and God another. It is not that. When we speak about “becoming God” we are referring to the realization of our real nature, which is Godhood; that is what is really involved in this quest for God. It is not that we are one thing and we want something else. The truth of the matter is that we are God, but we have forgotten that we are. We need to recall our divine nature. It is as though we did something years past, something we have forgotten. But when we sit quietly, trying to think of it — at once it comes back to us. For some inexplicable reason, our real nature has been forgotten, and it is this nature, this state we want to remember, that is the process of becoming divine.

26 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

Continued:

Initially, it is important that we thoroughly understand this world. In order to do this, we must study it closely.

For instance, sit down in a corner of any park. You will observe many persons walking about, apparently quite content and happy. Some are picnicking, others playing; all are engaged in a variety of activities.

But there is one thing they all share in common — forgetfulness. They have forgotten the real thing, while engaging themselves in the unreal. They have forgotten their own real natures. They believe this world to be a place of happiness; that this body and mind are sources of satisfaction; that this ego is the doer and the enjoyer.

If you have ever loved the world with your whole heart and deeply studied its nature, you have discovered it to be full of bitterness. Outside, the world shines, but within it is poison. And our divine nature, our divine Mother, our divine Father is this very moment calling us away. “Hurry up! Hurry up! You are in a foreign country. The world is not yours, nor is your body, your ego, nor your mind. You belong elsewhere.”

If you sit quietly, by yourself, something will call to you. Something will softly sound within you. You will find a voice urging you: “Come home, come home.” We are to be pitied if we do not listen to this Voice. For if we do not, it will take us longer, more time to return home. Afterwards, it may happen that we will find it too late to improve. Unless we check the Movement of our senses toward objects of this world, unless we stop those channels, we will not be able to open the main channel — the one through which we receive the divine Spirit, the divine Force.

Life is a matter of spending. And in the world we are spending all our energy. We are not even trying to save a little of this energy for the future. We are spending all our heart, mind, and soul — our most beautiful and valuable possessions — in vain. And we are not even learning a lesson from this.

(To be continued)

27 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

(Continued)

If you have ever loved a person with your whole heart, you know that this love can never satisfy you; if you have done much for your country, you have found out that neither you nor your country have gained anything from your sacrifice. The result in all these things is misery, unhappiness, wasted time, and wasted energy. Time and energy are invaluable commodities to us. When a moment of our life is spent, it is gone forever. It will never come back. Every moment we are losing the most valuable of all things — time and energy. If we fail to use them wisely, we will suffer for it. We will have to pay dearly for this love of the world. So long as we have even a little energy, we should think carefully of our time, our life, and our actions. If we are aware of these things, then we will find a higher object, something of a higher nature to perform. When we become aware of that want, that spiritual need in us, then we will sense the emptiness, the worthlessness of the world. Of course, some persons think that we must look upon the world as beautiful, and in this way rise higher and higher; but this is a great mistake. Most persons cannot live in the world well; so, in the beginning, we have to sever our connections with it.

28 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

Now, do not be afraid. By giving up the world we do not mean an absolute giving up, but rather a giving up within the mind. If you embrace the world, keep a few inches of space between — and then embrace it. Do not consider it your own. Do not forget your own nature.

Beware of doing good to the world. The real way to do good to the world is to do good to yourself; remember that charity begins at home. First understand your own position and then you will understand others.

Last Sunday we said that if we think of beautiful things, we ourselves can become beautiful. Our thoughts, actions, every thing we do, including the company we keep, help to mould our lives.

Every thought of ours does something toward shaping our life. If we think good thoughts, these thoughts will be expressed in our face. If we perform a good deed, it too will appear on our face; the same with a wrong deed. If we think of a bad person, by and by we will gradually become bad ourselves. If we think of good persons, we become good. If we think of God, we become God. It is not by hypnotism, but by thought; not by transfer of thought or materialization, but sheer scientific fact that we can become God.

There is no transfer of one thing to another thing; no process of changing into God is involved. It is a matter of realizing the truth that is hidden within us. It is the same as blowing ashes from a fire. We do not transfer one thing to another, but simply discover the thing that is in the ashes. So within our maya, within our own nature is hidden the divine Spirit. We must peel away the coverings of this Spirit until it is reached.

If we remind ourselves of the worthlessness

of the body, mind and ego; if we think each a day of death, of how this life may end the next moment; if we think of these things often and very deeply, then we will begin to notice something within us of real truth. And in time we will come to realize our true nature, our Godhood.

29 January 2023

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

These questions Followed The Lecture:

Q— The Bible mentions that no man has ever known God. Will you comment on that, Swami?

A: Let us examine the meaning of that expression — “No man has known God.” It is really so, because man means, generally speaking, the body, the mind and the little ego taken together; and so long as we identify ourselves with these things, we cannot be expected to know God. No man can know God. It is the divine nature in man that knows him, not the human nature of man, which is mortal and transitory. But if you can evolve the divine nature within yourself, then by that nature you can know God; and when you evolve that divine nature, you are no longer a man, but a divine person. It is that divine person which can know God. God alone can know God. He himself can know him, nobody else. Unless you become God, you cannot know God.

Q: Do you mean to say that the divine in us is exactly identical with God?

A: Yes, exactly identical.

Q: There is really no difference?

A—: No difference. It is forgetfulness, it is the illusion, it is maya, that makes us think differently.

Q: Are we really free agents in life or is there a power which draws us onward in spite of ourselves?

A: In a sense, we are our own agents working towards that goal. Every person, in some way or other, is advancing towards that. Some will arrive later, some sooner. That is the only difference. 30 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

Q—But is not the attraction irresistible?

A—Yes, irresistible to some, but not to all. If you notice that there is an attraction which you cannot resist, you will attempt to satisfy the needs of that attraction. And some day you may succeed. On the other hand, if you try again and again to resist that attraction, then a day will come when you will be successful. You know, human power is greater than any force in the world. Man can overcome even the laws of nature. If we try to get rid of our attachment to the world, we can succeed. Do not give up the fight, do not give up. Struggle. Be sure that some day will come when you will be crowned with success. That is the law. Our repeated attempts and untiring perseverance will never go in vain.

30 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(How to become Divine by Swami Trigunatitananda)

Q—But is not the attraction irresistible?

A—Yes, irresistible to some, but not to all. If you notice that there is an attraction which you cannot resist, you will attempt to satisfy the needs of that attraction. And some day you may succeed.

On the other hand, if you try again and again to resist that attraction, then a day will come when you will be successful. You know, human power is greater than any force in the world.

Man can overcome even the laws of nature. If we try to get rid of our attachment to the world, we can succeed.

Do not give up the fight, do not give up. Struggle. Be sure that some day will come when you will be crowned with success. That is the law. Our repeated attempts and untiring perseverance will never go in vain.

31 January 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

If you notice that there is an attraction which you cannot resist, you will attempt to satisfy the needs of that attraction. And some day you may succeed. On the other hand, if you try again and again to resist that attraction, then a day will come when you will be successful. You know, human power is greater than any force in the world. Man can overcome even the laws of nature. If we try to get rid of our attachment to the world, we can succeed. Do not give up the fight, do not give up. Struggle. Be sure that some day will come when you will be crowned with success. That is the law. Our repeated attempts and untiring perseverance will never go in vain.

Knowledge can only be got in one way, the way of experience; there is no other way to know. If we have not experienced it in this life, we must have experienced it in other lives. Neither you, nor I, nor anyone present, has come out of zero, nor will go back to zero. We have been existing eternally, and will exist, and there is no power under the sun or above the sun which can undo your or my existence or send us back to zero. Now this idea of reincarnation is not only not a frightening idea, but is most essential for the moral well-being of the human race. No other theory except that of reincarnation accounts for the wide divergence that we find between man and man in their powers to acquire knowledge. Like fire in a piece of flint, knowledge exists in the mind; suggestion is the friction which brings it out. So with all our feelings and actions—our tears and our smiles, our joys and our griefs, our weeping and our laughter, our curses and our blessings, our praises and our blames—every one of these we may find, if we calmly study our own selves, to have been brought out from within ourselves by so many blows. The result is what we are. All these blows taken together are called karma — work, action. All search is vain, until we begin to perceive that knowledge is within ourselves, that no one can help us, that we must help ourselves.

1 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

So what directs the soul when the body dies? The resultant, the sum total of all the works it has done, of the thoughts it has thought. If it is true that you cannot do good without doing evil, and whenever you try to create happiness there will always be misery, people will ask you, "What is the use of doing good?" The answer is, in the first place, that we must work for lessening misery, for that is the only way to make ourselves happy. Every one of us finds it out sooner or later in our lives. The bright ones find it out a little earlier, and the dull ones a little later. The dull ones pay very dearly for the discovery and the bright ones less dearly. In the second place, we must do our part, because that is the only way of getting out of this life of contradiction. Both the forces of good and evil will keep the universe alive for us, until we awake from our dreams and give up this building of mud pies. That lesson we shall have to learn, and it will take a long, long time to learn it. The evils that are in the world are caused by none else but ourselves. We have caused all this evil; and just as we constantly see misery resulting from evil actions, so can we also see that much of the existing misery in the world is the effect of the past wickedness of man. Man alone, therefore, according to this theory, is responsible. God is not to blame.

2 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna. (Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

The two conjoint facts of perception we can never get rid of are happiness and unhappiness—things which bring us pain also bring pleasure. Our world is made up of these two. We cannot get rid of them; with every pulsation of life they are present. The world is busy trying to reconcile these opposites; sages are busy trying to find the solution of this commingling of the opposites. Opposition to a righteous work initiated with moral courage will only awaken the moral power of the initiators the more. That which meets with no obstruction, no opposition, only takes men to the path of moral death. Struggle is the sign of life. Can any permanent happiness be given to the world? In the ocean we cannot raise a wave without causing a hollow somewhere else. The sum total of the good things in the world has been the same throughout in its relation to man's need and greed. It cannot be increased or decreased.

3 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna. (Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

In each nation, man or woman represents an ideal consciously or unconsciously being worked out. The individual is the external expression of an ideal to be embodied. The collection of such individuals is the nation, which also represents a great ideal; toward that it is moving. And, therefore, it is rightly assumed that to understand a nation you must first understand its ideal, for each nation refuses to be judged by any other standard than its own. I am thoroughly convinced that no individual or nation can live by holding itself apart from the community of others, and whenever such an attempt has been made under false ideas of greatness, policy, or holiness—the result has always been disastrous to the secluding one. A nation may conquer the waves, control the elements, develop the utilitarian problems of life seemingly to the utmost limits, and yet not realize that in the individual, the highest type of civilization is found in him who has learned to conquer self. Truth does not pay homage to any society, ancient or modern. Society has to pay homage to Truth or die. Societies should be molded upon truth, and truth has not to adjust itself to society.

4 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Swami Vivekananda)

You must bear in mind that religion has to do only with the soul and has no business to interfere in social matters; you must also bear in mind that this applies completely to the mischief which has already been done.

It is as if a man after forcibly taking possession of another's property cries through the nose when that man tries to regain it—and preaches the doctrine of the sanctity of human right!

Religion has no business to formulate social laws and insist on the difference between beings, because its aim and end is to obliterate all such fictions and monstrosities.

This is the bane of human nature, the curse upon mankind, the root of all misery—this inequality. This is the source of all bondage, physical, mental, and spiritual.

Meddle not with so-called social reform, for there cannot be any reform without spiritual reform first.

5 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Adbhutanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day, may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON DISCRIMINATION

A devotee: "How can we renounce? Please tell us the way. Our minds are filled with worldly attachments. We see no possibility of fighting against them. The attachments are strong. You have asked us to chant the name of the Lord and to discriminate, but we are overpowered by attachments. Now please tell us the secret: How did you overcome them?"

Latu Maharaj: "You people don't practice japam sincerely, so you always complain and make excuses. Look, if one makes a habit of repeating the holy name, the name itself will take hold of the mind. The mind craves the intoxication of worldly enjoyments. Attachments are troublemakers; they fasten the mind with a noose, as it were, and drag it in all directions. Lord Krishna agreed with Arjuna that the mind is restless. He told Arjuna that the restless mind can be stilled by the renunciation of sense enjoyments and by repeated practice. Whenever your mind runs after sense enjoyments, use your discrimination. Look, the sense objects are impermanent. They come and go. Be satisfied with whatever you need for your daily living and don't desire more. Too many worldly belongings displace the thought of the Reality from the mind. The Reality is one, and that is Brahman. Brahman alone is real and everything else is unreal. Impress these thoughts again and again upon the mind, and gradually true discrimination will arise."

6 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON DISCRIMINATION

"Listen to a story. Once Rama presented a pearl necklace to his devotee Hanuman. Hanuman examined the necklace carefully, broke open one of the pearls with his teeth, and, not finding the name of Rama there, threw the necklace away. This upset Lakshmana, who said: 'How can a monkey appreciate the value of a pearl necklace? He destroyed such a valuable thing with his teeth!'"

"Rama then asked Lakshmana to inquire about the reason for Hanuman's action. Upon being questioned, Hanuman replied: 'I opened the pearl to see if the holy name is there. The necklace is worthless if Rama is not in it.'"

"You will have to discriminate between the real and the unreal. To keep one's discrimination alert is a great austerity. He who has learned to discriminate can successfully overcome lust and greed. So, cultivate your discrimination and conscience. How can you struggle against evil tendencies if your intellect is not trained to differentiate between good and evil?"

"First clear out the rubbish which has entered the mind through the gates of the sense organs, and then put a ‘NO ADMITTANCE' sign in front of each gate. Those bad thoughts which ignore the notice and still come in, you will have to hand over to the police, which is your conscience. With the help of the police you must evict the impure tendencies from the mind and then install the Lord there."

7 February 2023

He who has learned to discriminate can successfully overcome lust and greed. So, cultivate your discrimination and conscience. How can you struggle against evil tendencies if your intellect is not trained to differentiate between good and evil? First clear out the rubbish which has entered the mind through the gates of the sense organs, and then put a ‘NO ADMITTANCE’ sign in front of each gate. Those bad thoughts which ignore the notice and still come in, you will have to hand over to the police, which is your conscience. With the help of the police you must evict the impure tendencies from the mind and then install the Lord there. This is the way to conquer lust and desire.

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON DISCRIMINATION

“The seed of lust is in the mind. That seed is nurtured by the sense organs within and the sense objects without, and thus it grows and produces innumerable fruits. These fruits are to be chopped off and the seeds are to be destroyed. Afterward, you must sow the seed of the Lord’s name, and you will reap the harvest accordingly. Now you are reaping the harvest of desire. The Master used to say, ‘Where desire is, God is not; and where God is, there is no desire.’”

ON PURITY

“Be pure. Be pure. Be pure. You cannot comprehend God without purity. If you are not pure, you won’t realize God, who is the embodiment of purity. In order to serve God, the true Master of all, one must purify one’s mind.”

ON HUMILITY

One day a wealthy devotee saluted Latu Maharaj in the customary manner: that is, folding his hands and raising them to his head. At this Latu Maharaj said: “Look here, sir. One should bow down to gods, to monks, and to holy people with reverence. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘There is no merit in this sort of axe-raising salutation.’” Another devotee who was present asked, “Maharaj, what is an axe-raising salutation?” Latu Maharaj: “Touching the forehead with folded hands as you usually do is what the Master called an axe-raising salutation.” The wealthy devotee: “Maharaj, please forgive me. We don’t know the real significance of the salutation. We merely follow the custom.” Latu Maharaj: “I don’t mind. It is not your fault. But remember what the Master said: Between equals one should exchange salutations as you have just done; but if the person is superior to you in learning, intellect, fame, power or spirituality, you should bow down to him with reverence. You should be humble before him and do what he says. Let your thoughts and your words be united when you are paying respect to others. Salutations that are merely for show have no value.”

8 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON DISCRIMINATION

ON THE NAME

"Sri Ramakrishna used to say that before starting to chant the name of the Lord, one should salute the name. One should take refuge in the name of the Lord. The name and the named, that is, the Lord, are one. If one prays wholeheartedly to the name, one's prayer reaches the Lord. "Look here. The name of the Lord itself is shakti, God's power, and the named is God himself. Without worshiping Shakti, one cannot realize God."

ASPECTS OF GOD

A devotee: "Maharaj, is it good to have visions of gods and goddesses other than the Chosen Ideal?"

Latu Maharaj: "It is always good to see divine forms. You will find that during meditation your Chosen Ideal will appear to you in many forms. That is his divine play. Since all forms are contained within him, why are you making distinctions between them?"

A devotee: "The scriptures have described the various forms of God differently, and for each deity there is a prescribed meditation, a method of worship, and certain mantras. So how can it be possible to see other forms of God when one is meditating on one's own Chosen Ideal? Are these visions conducive to one's spiritual progress?"

Latu Maharaj: "You people think of the gods and goddesses as distinct from each other, but in reality, they are all the same. What is wrong if the forms are many? Look. You are a man. When you are angry, your face takes on one expression; when you laugh it assumes another; and when you cry it looks still different. Your facial expression changes with your emotions, but you, as a man, always remain the same.

If someone calls you by name, you respond regardless of your mood. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'The chameleon changes its colour. Sometimes it is red, sometimes green, yellow, Gray, violet, blue, and so on. One may think that the chameleon is always the same colour as he sees it. But the man who stays under the tree where the chameleon lives knows that the chameleon changes colour at different times." Similarly, the man who meditates deeply on his Chosen Ideal ultimately realizes that the various names and forms are actually but different aspects of the same reality."

9 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON PRAYER

A devotee: "Maharaj, which is the easier method to dispel doubts about God, prayer or reasoning?"

Latu Maharaj: "Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'Who can know God through reason? His powers and glory are infinite. Too much reasoning can create confusion and, moreover, may lead to an atheistic attitude. So, it is better to call on God with a longing heart.' The Master said further: 'If you can become drunk with one bottle of wine, why should you bother to know how many barrels of wine there are in the grogshop? If your thirst is quenched with one glass of water, why should you rack your brain calculating how much water there is on the earth?'"

A devotee: "Whom should we call on, Maharaj, the guru or the Chosen Ideal?"

Latu Maharaj: "You may call on either: it is the same. The guru and the Chosen Ideal are the same. Doubt arises in the mind of an aspirant if he does not practice spiritual disciplines, and doubt is the root of all troubles. Have faith in your guru. Be loyal to him, even like a cow that never leaves its master, whether it is fed or not. Say, 'I am your servant and you are my Master.'"

10 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON WORSHIP

"Do you know what worship is? Everything belongs to the Lord, so what is there to offer to him? But the Master used to tell us: 'Once a rich man went to visit his orchard. He saw the gardeners busy with their work. The caretaker approached him and presented him with a ripe papaya, saying: "Sir, I picked this ripe fruit for you yesterday. Please accept it." Now the owner knows that the garden, the tree, the fruit all belong to him; but won't he appreciate the love and thoughtfulness of the caretaker? Worship is like this.'"

On another occasion, a devotee bought a small piece of cheap cloth for the Divine Mother's worship. Latu Maharaj was very upset. He remarked: "Throw away that cloth. It is too short. Why did you buy such a cheap one? Always offer a good cloth to the Mother, and if you cannot afford it, say with tears: 'Mother, I am unable to offer anything to you. Please forgive me.' Some people buy cheap, flimsy cloth, rotten fruit, or stale sweets for the worship of the Lord. Why do you offer the Lord these things which you yourself don't want to use or eat? It is better not to worship at all than to do worship negligently. He who offers the Lord's things to the Lord with joy and love is really fortunate. The Lord does not accept anything that is not presented with devotion."

11 February 2023

Latu Maharaj was very upset. He remarked: "Throw away that cloth. It is too short. Why did you buy such a cheap one? Always offer a good cloth to the Mother, and if you cannot afford it, say with tears: 'Mother, I am unable to offer anything to you. Please forgive me.' Some people buy cheap, flimsy cloth, rotten fruit, or stale sweets for the worship of the Lord. Why do you offer the Lord these things which you yourself don't want to use or eat? It is better not to worship at all than to do worship negligently. He who offers the Lord's things to the Lord with joy and love is really fortunate. The Lord does not accept anything that is not presented with devotion."

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION

A devotee: "Maharaj, we have not seen God: how can we depend on him? We do not know how to surrender to him. Can it be enough just to say, 'Lord, be kind to us. Bestow your grace on us?'"

Latu Maharaj: "Look, he is showering his grace on us unceasingly. It is through his grace that you even exist in this world. You are asking about prayer. Well, you know God's name: you can begin with his name as your guide. Don't you send your application for a job to the manager of a company without ever having seen him? Your interview with the manager depends upon sending your application to him. You write the application thus: 'Sir, please appoint me for the job; I shall be extremely happy to serve you: I promise my unswerving obedience to you,' and so on. And you write all this without having seen the manager, don't you? So, similarly, you can send an application to the Lord. However, this application is not to be written on paper, but on the pages of one's heart. You must be careful about the wording and the address must be correct; otherwise, the letter will not reach its destination. Write the application like this: 'O Lord, may I never forget your name. I take refuge in you. Please assign me to your service and destroy my ego and my doubts. You are my master, guru, father, mother, and all in all. I am your child. Please guide me to the path of blessedness. Make me your instrument. Do not delude me with your bewitching maya. O my sweet Lord, I have not seen you; I have only heard your name. Please make me your own.' You will have to pray like this daily. Only then will he choose to bestow his grace on you. Once you are chosen by him, you will not have to worry any more. He will guide you at every step and will tell you what to do."

12 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

AFTER GOD-REALIZATION

A devotee: "Maharaj, you have realized God. Could you tell us what your understanding of the world is now?"

Latu Maharaj: "I have understood this much: If you keep a bowl filled with water somewhere by itself, the water will eventually evaporate, but this is not so if the bowl is immersed in the river Ganga. Likewise, if we can surrender our minds at the feet of the Lord, the wind of worldliness will not be able to dry our minds and make them dreary. Then the world no longer seems an unhappy place."

A devotee: "Maharaj, do you feel now that the world is a burden?"

Latu Maharaj: "Look, when you dive deep into the Ganga, though there are thousands of pounds of water above you, you don't feel that weight. Similarly, if you plunge into God's creation yet still hold onto him, you will not feel its burden. Then the world becomes a place of merriment. Remember this beautiful saying of Tulasidas: 'He who takes refuge in God is protected by him. A huge elephant may be swept away by the current of the river, but the small fish who lives in the river can even swim against its current.'

Remember that if you depend on God, he will take care of you in all circumstances."

13 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

"Be attached to no one but God. Only if you hold onto God will your life be meaningful."

"Who is a man of knowledge? Not he who has read a lot of books, studied scriptures and acquired some degrees, but he who knows the path to God and can direct people toward him."

"A man can attain peace if he gives up worldly enjoyment; for such enjoyment is the source of sorrows and sufferings, disease and despair."

"Don't be ungrateful to a person who has helped you. An act of kindness, however small it may be, can never be repaid."

"See your own faults. Never criticize anyone; it is a great sin. It contracts the mind and pollutes the heart. Always look for the good qualities in others. If fault-finding becomes your habit, you will always see faults in them. Everyone has both good and bad in him. Only God is free from fault and full of divine qualities."

"Don't be concerned whether someone agrees with your opinion or not. Don't argue unnecessarily just to prove your point. It ruins the spiritual atmosphere. Let people do whatever they like; you should live according to your own ideal."

14 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

"Don't ask for anything from God, for he knows everything. It is sometimes amazing how he fulfils the needs of his devotees."

"Desire begets wants in the mind of man. If he has no desire, he has no wants. Love for God destroys desire."

"He who follows the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, will be saved by the Mother from the trials and tribulations of the world. If you want peace, read *The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna*."

"It is easy to fool human beings, but not God. He knows your shortcomings in spite of your best efforts to hide them. Pray to the Lord with a guileless heart: 'O Lord, please remove all my faults and weaknesses.' Man becomes stainless only after God-realization."

"Jealousy is a deadly poison. A jealous person cannot bear others' welfare and happiness. His heart breaks to see others progressing. If one can give up jealousy, one will understand God."

"On a moonless night one man cannot recognize another, however close they may be standing: similarly, a man cannot see his innermost self due to the dark covering of delusion."

"Dissatisfaction and craving for worldly enjoyments are signs of a diseased mind."

"If you always think of a holy person, you will become holy and pure: if you think of a thief, you will become a thief. Pure character is formed by close association with the holy."

"Do you think we salute trees and stones? We salute the Supreme Being, who pervades every atom of the universe. He who sees God in all creatures and all things attains the knowledge of Brahman."

"Although God is formless, he takes form according to our mental conception of him. It is because the formless Sat-chit-ananda dwells in our hearts that we can meditate on one of God's blissful forms. God appears in whatever form the devotee meditates on him."

"God gives power to those who are pure in heart."

15 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

“Everything depends on one’s mind. Nothing can be achieved without purity of mind. It is said: ‘The aspirant may have received the grace of the Guru, the Lord, and the Vaishnava; but he comes to grief without the grace of *one*. That *one* is the mind. The mind of the aspirant should be gracious to him. My child, this mind is just like a wild elephant. It races with the wind. Therefore one should discriminate all the time. One should work hard for the realization of God.”

Disciple: “I cannot concentrate my mind well during meditation. My mind is fickle and unsteady.”

Mother: “Don’t worry! Restlessness is the nature of the mind, as it is of the eyes and ears. Practise regularly. The Name of God is more powerful than the senses. Always think of the Master, who is looking after you. Don’t be troubled about your lapses. Whenever the mind goes after anything other than God, consider that as transient and surrender the mind at the sacred feet of the Lord.”

16 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

“The mind naturally tends towards evil deeds. It is lethargic in doing good works. Formerly I used to get up at 3 a.m. and sit up for meditation. One day I felt disinclined to do so on account of physical indisposition. That one day’s irregularity resulted in the upsetting of my routine for a number of days. That is why I say that perseverance and tenacity are necessary for success in all good work. Mother forbade a disciple to make pilgrimages without discrimination of time and company. Quoting from a song, she said, ‘Pilgrimage and excursion are causes of misery. Oh my mind, don’t be restless about them. You can attain more in your house, if you are really earnest.’ Regarding weakness of the mind, Holy Mother said to a disciple, ‘Child, this is the law of nature. Have you not noticed the full moon and the new moon? Likewise the mind is sometimes dominated by good, and sometimes by bad tendencies.’ Disciple: ‘Mother, my mind becomes restless now and then. It craves for enjoyments. That frightens me.’ Mother: ‘Don’t be afraid. I tell you that in this Kali Yuga mental sin is no sin. Free your mind from all worries on this account. You need not be afraid.’”

17 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

“Can anyone altogether destroy lust? A little of it remains as long as one has the body. But it can be subdued, as a snake can be subdued by charmed dust.” Disciple: “However I may try to remove evil thoughts, I do not succeed.” Mother: “This is the result of what you have done in your past life. Can one get rid of it by force? Cultivate good company, try to be good, and in time you will succeed. Pray to the Master. I, too, am here. It is the nature of water to flow downwards, but the sun’s rays lift it up towards the sky. Likewise it is the very nature of the mind to go to lower things, to objects of enjoyment, but the grace of God can make the mind go towards higher objects.” Disciple: “I have been practising religious disciplines. I do not relax my efforts in that direction. But it appears that the impurities of mind are not growing less.” Mother: “You have rolled different threads on a reel—red, black and white.” Maha Shivaratri

(Today is the Most Auspicious Maha Shivaratri. On this auspicious day may Lord Viswanatha and Mother Annapurna bless us all with Bhakti.)

In Kamarpukur, Chandramani, the mother of Sri Ramakrishna, saw a flood of light emanate from the Shivalinga and enter her body. And she felt that she was with child! Thus, Sri Ramakrishna was born in this age as the lingodbhava, the light of Shiva. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: Jiva is Shiva, and Shiva is jiva. In other words, we ordinary beings are really Shiva but ignorant and bound. Our goal in life should be to reclaim our Shivahood.

One day, while worshipping Siva, I was about to offer a bel-leaf on the head of the image, when it was revealed to me that this Virat, this Universe, itself is Siva. After that my worship of Śiva through the image came to an end. Another day I had been plucking flowers when it was revealed to me that the flowering plants were so many bouquets.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say: Jiva is Shiva, and Shiva is jiva. In other words, we ordinary beings are really Shiva but ignorant and bound. Our goal in life should be to reclaim our Shivahood. Sri Ramakirshna certainly knew it by heart. One day he was reciting this hymn in one of the twelve Siva temples at Dakshineswar when he came to the following verse:

"Asitagirisamam syat kajjalam sindhupatre Surataruvarasakha lekhani patramurvi; Likhati yadi grihitva Sarada sarvakalam Tadapi cha tava gunanamisa param na yati."

It means: "Oh Lord, if the blue mountian be the ink, the ocean the ink-pot, the biggest branch of the heavenly tree be the pen, the earth the writing leaf and taking all these, if Sarada, the goddess of learning, writes for eternity, even then the limit of Your virtues will not be reached."

Reciting the aforesaid verse, Sri Ramakrishna entered into an ecstatic mood and cried out again and again, "O Great God, how can I express your great glory?" All came running towards that spot hearing the cries of Sri Ramakrishna. Mathur Babu was in the temple at that time. Hearing the uproar, he also came and prevented others from removing Sri Ramakrishna forcibly from the Siva temple. The verse from the Siva Mahimna Stotra which was recited again and again by Sri Ramakrishna is eminently applicable to his own life. Sri Ramakrishna himself is the Siva of this age, whose glories so many writers and poets are finding it difficult to express in words!

19 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

Disciple: “How many insignificant desires crop up in our minds! How can we get rid of them?”

Mother: “In your case these are no real desires. They are mere fancies that appear and disappear in your mind. The more they come and go, the better for you. So long as the ego exists, desires also undoubtedly remain. But those desires will not injure you.

“Don’t puzzle the mind with too many inquiries. One finds it difficult to put one single thing into practice, but dares invite distraction by filling the mind with too many things.

“The mind is everything. It is in the mind alone that one feels pure and impure. A man, first of all, must make his own mind guilty and then alone he can see another man’s guilt. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you.

“Whenever people discuss good or evil, all those who are present have to take a little share of the good or evil.

19 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

Disciple: “How many insignificant desires crop up in our minds! How can we get rid of them?”

Mother: “In your case these are no real desires. They are mere fancies that appear and disappear in your mind. The more they come and go, the better for you... So long as the ego exists, desires also undoubtedly remain. But those desires will not injure you.

“Don’t puzzle the mind with too many inquiries. One finds it difficult to put one single thing into practice, but dares invite distraction by filling the mind with too many things.

“The mind is everything. It is in the mind alone that one feels pure and impure. A man, first of all, must make his own mind guilty and then alone he can see another man’s guilt. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you.

“Whenever people discuss good or evil, all those who are present have to take a little share of the good or evil... Suppose someone tells you about his good and evil deeds. Every time you think of that person you must perforce remember his good and evil deeds. In this manner his good and evil deeds both must leave some impression upon your mind.

19/02/2023, 09:56 - Lakshmi left

20 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

Disciple: “How many insignificant desires crop up in our minds! How can we get rid of them?”

Mother: “In your case these are no real desires. They are mere fancies that appear and disappear in your mind. The more they come and go, the better for you. So long as the ego exists, desires also undoubtedly remain. But those desires will not injure you.

“Don’t puzzle the mind with too many inquiries. One finds it difficult to put one single thing into practice, but dares invite distraction by filling the mind with too many things.

“The mind is everything. It is in the mind alone that one feels pure and impure. A man, first of all, must make his own mind guilty and then alone he can see another man’s guilt. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you.

“Whenever people discuss good or evil, all those who are present have to take a little share of the good or evil. Suppose someone tells you about his good and evil deeds. Every time you think of that person you must perforce remember his good and evil deeds. In this manner his good and evil deeds both must leave some impression upon your mind.”

21 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Sri Ramakrishna. On this auspicious Janmatithi may Sri Ramakrishna bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Birth of Sri Ramakrishna)

Khudiram stayed about a month at Gaya, performing various ceremonies according to the scriptures. He went to the shrine of Vishnu, or Gadadhar, as He is called, and offered oblations to his departed forefathers. The joy which he felt on that day can better be imagined than described, for he had discharged one of his obligations as a son according to the scriptures. He felt that the spirits of his ancestors were blessing him. Full of humility and gratitude he thanked God again and again for giving him the opportunity of fulfilling his obligation.

That night he had a strange dream. He felt himself transported again to the temple of Gadadhar where in the solemn silence of the sacred precincts, he found his forefathers feasting with gladdened hearts on the oblations. Suddenly a divine effulgence filled the room, and the spirits of the departed fell reverently on their knees before a luminous Person seated on a throne.

The effulgent God beckoned Khudiram, who came forward and, with a heart full of devotion, prostrated himself.

Addressing Khudiram in a tone of great sweetness, He said, "I am well pleased at your sincere devotion. I am born again and again to chastise the wicked and protect the virtuous. This time I shall be born in your cottage and accept you as My father."

Khudiram was struck dumb with awe; when he regained the power of speech he said, "No, my Lord, I am not fit for this favour. Thou hast already shown me more than I deserve. I am too poor to serve Thee properly."

The Lord consoled and reassured him. Khudiram awoke, his heart thrilled with joy.

He understood that a divine being would bless his home, but he resolved to say nothing of his experience. He returned home about the end of April.

In the meantime, his wife, Chandra Devi was also having strange visions. One night she dreamed that a luminous person exactly resembling her husband was at her side. The vision persisted even after she awoke. She thought that someone must have broken into her room, and that the sound of footsteps had caused the dream.

She arose, lit the lamp, but found the door bolted on the inside. She became so nervous that she was unable to sleep the rest of the night.

Next morning she called two of her friends, Prasanna, the daughter of Dharmadas Laha, and Dhani, her blacksmith neighbour, and told them what had happened.

They laughed at her, told her not to repeat the absurd story, and assured her that it was nothing but a dream.

Another day when she was standing with Dhani before the Shiva temple adjacent to her house, she saw a flood of celestial light issue from the image of Lord Shiva and dart towards her. She was about to speak of the phenomenon to her friend, when the light entered her body and completely overpowered her, rendering her unconscious.

Dhani nursed her back to consciousness, and hearing the whole story, was at first puzzled and then took it as a nervous disease.

But Chandra felt as if she were with child.

22 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

(On control of the mind)

“One should always recollect God and pray to Him for right understanding. How many are there who can meditate and practise Japa all the time? At first they earnestly practise these disciplines, but their brains become heated in the long run by sitting constantly on their prayer rugs. They become very vain. They also suffer from mental worries by reflecting on different things. It is much better to work than to allow the mind to roam at large. For when the mind gets a free scope to wander, it creates much confusion. My Naren thought of these things and wisely founded institutions where people would do disinterested work.

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

“The mind keeps well when engaged in work. And yet Japa, meditation, prayer also are specially needed. You must at least sit down once in the morning and again in the evening. That acts as a rudder to a boat. When one sits in meditation in the evening, one gets a chance to think of what one has done—good or bad—during the entire day.”

23 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

One should compare the states of one’s mind in the preceding day and the present.

Unless you meditate in the mornings and evenings along with work, how can you know what you are actually doing?”

“It is very necessary to have a fixed time for these things. For it cannot be said when the auspicious moment will come. It arrives so suddenly. No one gets any hint of it beforehand. Therefore one should observe regularity, however busy one may be with duties.. Even in the midst of the most intense activity, one should at least remember God and salute Him.

“May your body and mind become pure by repeating the Name of God!”

“The Mantra purifies the body. Man becomes pure by repeating the Mantra of God. It is said, ‘The human teacher utters the Mantra into the ear; but God breathes the spirit into the soul.’

“As wind removes the cloud, so the Name of God destroys the cloud of worldliness.

“Do you know the significance of Japa and other spiritual practices? By these, the power of the sense-organs is subdued.

A devotee took a tiny banyan seed and said to Mother, “Look, Mother, it is tinier even than the tiniest seed we know. From this will spring a giant tree! How strange!”

“Indeed, it will,” Mother replied. “See what a tiny seed is the Name of God. From it in time come divine moods, devotion, love, and spiritual consummation.

24 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

“Just see the power of habit. By the law of habit, man attains realization by continuous practice of Japa.”

A devotee asked her, “Mother, what is the secret?”

She pointed to a small timepiece in a niche and said, “As that timepiece is ticking, so also go on repeating God’s Name. That will bring you everything. Nothing more need be done.”

“One has to suffer the consequences of one’s deeds. But by repeating the Name of God, you can lessen its intensity. If you were destined to have a wound as wide as a ploughshare, you will get a pinprick at least. The effect of Karma can be counteracted to a great extent by Japa and austerities.”

Disciple: “Suppose I can’t do Japa of the Mantra of my chosen Deity?”

Mother: “What do you mean? You won’t do Japa of your Mantra? What a suggestion! If you don’t do the Japa, you lose; that affects me not in the least!”

“The boys all come and solicit me earnestly for initiation. They get it and depart. But they don’t make their Japa regularly—why regularly, some do nothing at all. They take the Mantra with so much sincerity; but why do they not practise at all? Not that it is very hard. If one but sticks to a little practice, how much joy comes to one? Ah! With what joy and for how long Jogen (Jogin-Ma) and myself used to make Japa at Vrindavan!”

25 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

A disciple had written: “I cannot calm my mind and concentrate,” and so on. Mother became agitated at these words and said, “It can be done if one repeats the Name fifteen or twenty thousand times each day; I have seen it actually happen. Let him do that first and talk afterwards if it fails. One must put one’s mind to it. But no, no one will do that. They only complain, ‘Why does nothing come of it?’”

“How can one do without Japa and meditation? These have got to be done.”

“The conjunction of day and night is the most auspicious time for calling on God. The mind remains pure at this time.”

“True it is that there is no hard and fast rule about the time of Japa, yet morning and evening are the favourable periods. Whatever the time be, you must do Japa every day. It is not good to forgo it any day.”

“One should practise Japa and meditation at regular times, giving up idleness. While living at Dakshineswar, I used to get up at 3 o’clock in the morning and practise Japa and meditation. One day I felt a little indisposed and left the bed rather late. The next day I woke up still later through laziness. Gradually, I found that I did not feel inclined to get up early at all. Then I said to myself, ‘Ah, at last, I have fallen a victim to idleness.’ Thereupon, I began to force myself to get up early. Gradually, I got back my former habit. In such matters, one should keep up the practice with unyielding resolution.”

26 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

Disciple: “I practise Japa, but I cannot concentrate my mind.”

Mother: “Repeat the Name of God, whether your mind is concentrated or not. It will be good for you if you can repeat the Name of God for a fixed number of times daily.”

Mother told a devotee: “What a lot of work I did when I was your age! And yet I could find time to repeat my Mantra a hundred thousand times every day!”

Disciple: “Mother, shall I practise the repetition of the holy Name having in mind a fixed number of repetitions?”

Mother: “If you repeat with an eye to number, your mind may be concentrated on the number alone. Therefore I would advise you to repeat the Name of God without being particular about the number.”

Once a devotee forgot how to count the repetitions of the Mantra on his fingers. Mother said, “What does it matter? The purpose of all this is to direct the mind towards God. Repeating the Name of God a fixed number of times, telling the rosary or counting on fingers, is calculated to direct the mind to God. The natural tendency of the mind is to run this way and that way. Through these means it is attracted to God.”

“While repeating the name of God, if one sees His form and becomes absorbed in Him, one’s Japa stops. One gets everything when one succeeds in meditation. While performing Japa, take the Name of God with utmost love, sincerity, and self-surrender. Before commencing your meditation daily, first think of your utter helplessness in this world and then slowly begin the practice of Sadhana as directed by your Guru.”

27 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

“One should meditate on one’s chosen Deity as one goes on making Japa. In meditation the face of the chosen Deity of course comes first; but one should meditate on the whole figure, starting from the feet upward.”

Disciple: “Why is it that our mind is not absorbed in God when we repeat His Name?”

Mother: “It will come about in due course. Even if the mind is not concentrated, do not give up the repetition of the holy Mantra. While repeating the Name, the mind will get fixed of itself on the ideal, like a candle flame in a place protected from the wind. It is the wind alone that makes the flame flicker. In the same way, our fancies and desires make our mind restless.”

Disciple: “Mother, why is it that the mind does not become steady?”

Mother: “It is wrong if the mind is drawn towards secular objects. By ‘secular objects’ is meant money, family, etc. But it is natural to think of the work in which one is engaged. If meditation is not possible, do Japa. JAPAT SIDDHIH — Realization will come through Japa. If the meditative mood comes, well and good, but by no means do it by force.”

28 February 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

Disciple: “Is it of any use to be merely repeating His Name without devotion?”

Mother: “Whether you jump into water or are pushed into it, your cloth will get drenched. Is it not so? Meditate every day, as your mind is yet immature. Constant meditation will make the mind one-pointed. Discriminate always between the real and the unreal. Whenever you find your mind drawn to any object, think of its transitoriness, and thus try to withdraw the mind back to the thought of God. A man was angling. A bridal party was going along the road with music. But the angler’s eye remained fixed on the float. The mind of a spiritual aspirant should be steadfast like that. The mind is by nature restless. Therefore, at the outset, to make the mind steady, one may practise meditation by regulating the breathing a little. That helps to steady the mind. But one must not overdo it. That heats the brain. You may talk of the vision of God, or of meditation, but remember, the mind is everything. One gets everything when the mind becomes steady. If the mind becomes quiet of itself, then what is the need of Pranayama?”

1 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

Disciple: “Mother, I cannot concentrate my mind in meditation at all.”

Mother: “It does not matter much. Look at the picture of Sri Ramakrishna, and that will be enough. When a devotee complained that the impurities of his mind were not being removed in spite of his Japa and meditation, Mother said, ‘Through the practice of Japa they will. How can one afford to do without these practices?’ In time the mind itself becomes the Guru. To pray to God and meditate on Him for two minutes with full concentration is better than doing so for long hours without it. Repeating the Name of God once, with the mind controlled, is equivalent to a million repetitions with the mind away from God. You may repeat the Name for the whole day, but if the mind is elsewhere, that does not produce much result. The repetition must be accompanied by concentration. Then alone one gets the grace of God. Why should not one have concentration and meditation if the mind is pure? Why should not one have God-vision? When one sits down for Japa, God’s Name will continue rising up from the mind naturally and not with effort.”

Disciple: “I find it impossible to meditate. Please awaken my Kundalini.”

Mother: “It will awaken in the course of time. Do Japa and meditation. It does not rise of itself.”

2 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

ON MEDITATION AND JAPA

Continuous meditation will make the mind so steady that you will not feel inclined to give it up. When the mind is not in a good mood to meditate, do not force it to do so. In such conditions, get up from the seat of meditation after making prostrations. Real meditation is of a spontaneous nature. The Kundalini will be gradually awakened. You will realize everything by the repetition of God’s Name. Even if the mind is not quiet, still you can sit and repeat the holy Name a million times. Before the awakening of the Kundalini, one hears the Anahata sound; but nothing can be achieved without the grace of the Divine Mother. If a person is steady in meditation, he will clearly see the Lord in his heart and hear His voice. The moment an idea flashes in his mind, it will at once be fulfilled and he will be bathed in peace.

3 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: “How does one get the vision of God?”

Mother: “It is only through His grace. But one must practise meditation and Japa. These remove the impurities of the mind. One must practise spiritual disciplines such as worship and so forth. As one gets the fragrance of a flower by handling it, or as one gets the smell of sandalwood by rubbing it against a stone, in the same way one gets spiritual awakening by constantly thinking of God. But you can realize Him right now if you become desireless. The mind gets purified after hard Tapasya. Without regular practice nothing can be attained. The mind is rendered pure as the result of many austerities. God who is purity itself cannot be attained without austerities. What else does one obtain by the realization of God? Does he grow two horns? No, his mind becomes pure, and through a pure mind one attains knowledge and spiritual awakening. The purpose of initiation is to try to realize God through sincere spiritual effort.”

4 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: “What is the need of Tapasya?”

Mother: “It is very necessary. The Master practised all kinds of disciplines. He used to say, ‘I have made the mould; now you may cast the image.’ To cast the image means to meditate and contemplate on the Master, to think of the various incidents of his life. By meditating on him, one gets all the spiritual moods. Spiritual practices are meant to keep the mind steady at the feet of God, to keep it immersed in His thought. Repeat His Name. If you practise spiritual discipline for some time in a solitary place, you will find that your mind has become strong, and then you can live in any place or society without being in the least affected by it. When the plant is tender, it should be hedged around. But when it has grown big, not even cows and goats can injure it. Spiritual practices in a solitary place are essential. Keep your head cool and practise meditation and prayer. It is very difficult to do so. It is rather easy to dig the earth with a spade.”

Looking at the picture of the Master, she said, “You will achieve nothing without His grace. Devotees who come nowadays simply keep on saying ‘Show us God.’ They have no spiritual practice, no prayer, no austerity—and past sins must be many. These have to be removed step by step, and then only God can be seen.”

5 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

The moon in the sky is covered with clouds; the wind will blow away the clouds, and then only can you see the moon. Do the clouds scatter away all of a sudden? Exactly the same here. The Karmas get exhausted slowly, when God is realized. He illumines the soul internally—one knows this internally.

My child, you have been extremely fortunate in getting this human birth. Have intense devotion to God. One must work hard. Can one achieve anything without effort? You must devote some time for prayer even in the midst of the busiest hours of the day. I used to be very busy during my days at Dakshineswar; yet I did my prayer and meditation.

Prayer and meditation, or pilgrimage, or even earning money, all these should be done during the earlier part of one’s life. In old age one’s physical and mental strength are weakened. Is that the time for any struggle? Look at our boys here now, they have turned their minds to God in their youth. This is right, this is the proper time. My son, your prayers and meditations must be accomplished now, in your youth. Do you think you will be able to do anything later? Whatever you may want to do, this is the time for it. 06/03/2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: “It is my desire to spend some time in spiritual exercises in the solitude of a garden.

Mother: “Quite right. This is the proper time to do so. This is just the proper age for you to undergo these disciplines. You must practise them, but be careful about your food. Swami Yogananda practised great austerity and as a result suffered much and passed away early in life. The room may contain different kinds of food-stuff, but one must cook them. He who cooks earlier gets his meal earlier too. Some eat in the morning, some others in the evening, and there are yet others who fast because they are too lazy to cook. The more intensely a person practises spiritual disciplines, the more quickly he attains God. But even if he does not practise any spiritual disciplines, he will attain Him in the end, surely, he will. Only, he who spends his time idly, without practising prayer and meditation, will take a long time to attain Him. Everything, no doubt, happens by God’s will, yet man must work because God expresses His will through man’s action. Do not relax your spiritual practices.

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: Mother, how can I have a perfectly pure heart and love for God?

Mother: All in good time. Now that you have taken refuge with the Master, everything will come to pass. You must pray to the Master. Advice to a discouraged aspirant: You must not think in this way. Are visions everyday things? The Master used to say, ‘You may cast your line daily, but can you catch a large fish every day? If you wait intently day after day with all your paraphernalia, you may catch a fish some day, or you may not. But don’t give up waiting. Pray longer. Cling to what you have found. Say to yourself, ‘Even if I have no one else, I have a Mother.’

Disciple: Mother, why do I not see the Master?

Mother: Continue to pray without losing heart. Everything will happen in time. See how quite a number of munis and rishis could not find Him even after ages of searching, and you want to have Him for the mere asking. Is God-vision such an easy thing? But fortunately the Master has chalked out an easier path this time; therefore it will be possible for all to realize God.

(Teachings of Sufi Mystics)

Annihilation of the Self

Neither am I aware of being a lover, nor of love, Neither of my self, nor of the Beloved. Self-annihilation consists in this, that through the overpowering influence of the Very Being upon the inner man, there remains no consciousness of aught besides Him. Annihilation of annihilation consists in this, that there remains no consciousness even of that unconsciousness. It is evident that annihilation of annihilation is involved in annihilation.

6 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: “It is my desire to spend some time in spiritual exercises in the solitude of a garden.”

Mother: “Quite right. This is the proper time to do so. This is just the proper age for you to undergo these disciplines. You must practise them, but be careful about your food. Swami Yogananda practised great austerity and as a result suffered much and passed away early in life. The room may contain different kinds of food-stuff, but one must cook them. He who cooks earlier gets his meal earlier too. Some eat in the morning, some others in the evening, and there are yet others who fast because they are too lazy to cook. The more intensely a person practises spiritual disciplines, the more quickly he attains God. But even if he does not practise any spiritual disciplines, he will attain Him in the end, surely, he will. Only, he who spends his time idly, without practising prayer and meditation, will take a long time to attain Him. Everything, no doubt, happens by God’s will, yet man must work because God expresses His will through man’s action. Do not relax your spiritual practices.”

7 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: Mother, how can I have a perfectly pure heart and love for God?

Mother: All in good time. Now that you have taken refuge with the Master, everything will come to pass. You must pray to the Master.

Advice to a discouraged aspirant: You must not think in this way. Are visions everyday things? The Master used to say, ‘You may ‘cast your line daily, but can you catch a large fish every day? If you wait intently day after day with all your paraphernalia, you may catch a fish some day, or you may not. But don’t give up waiting. Pray longer. Cling to what you have found. Say to yourself, ‘Even if I have no one else, I have a Mother.

Disciple: Mother, why do I not see the Master?

Mother: Continue to pray without losing heart. Everything will happen in time. See how quite a number of munis and rishis could not find Him even after ages of searching, and you want to have Him for the mere asking. Is God-vision such an easy thing? But fortunately the Master has chalked out an easier path this time; therefore it will be possible for all to realize God.

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8 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

When a disciple complained about making no spiritual progress, the Mother said to him, Suppose you are asleep in Calcutta and someone is removing you with your couch to Banaras. Will you at that time know that you are on your way to Banaras? When you wake up you will be surprised to see where you have come.

One has to sit by the riverside and call on Him. He will ferry across at the proper time.

Disciple: If everything occurs at the proper time, then where is the place for His grace?

Mother: Even so, don’t you have to throw your line and wait for the fish when you go angling?

Disciple: If God is our own, why then should one sit and wait?

Mother: That is true. It may happen even out of season. God-realization can be had at any time by the grace of God, but there is a difference between it and what comes in the fullness of time.

Can the mango which ripens out of season be as sweet as the one which ripens in the month of Jyeshta, that is, the proper season? Men are trying to get fruits out of season. But these are not as sweet as those found in the proper season.

This is also true of the efforts that lead to God-realization. Perhaps you practise some Japa and austerities in this life; in the next life you may intensify the spiritual mood and in the following life you advance further.

9 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Disciple: Mother, I have practised austerities and Japa so much, but I have not achieved anything.

Mother: God is not like fish or vegetables that you can buy Him for a price. There is no such rule that the grace of God will fall on one simply because one is practising austerities. In olden days the rishis practised austerities for thousands of years with their feet up and head down and a lighted fire burning under them. Even then, only a few received the grace of God. Do you know, my child, what it is like? It is just like a candy in the hand of a child. Some people beg the child to part with it, but he does not care to give it to them. Still, he easily hands it over to another whom he likes. A man performs severe austerity and spiritual practices throughout his life to realize God, but he does not succeed, whereas another man gets his realization practically without any effort. It all depends upon the grace of God. He bestows His grace upon anyone He likes. Grace is the important thing.

10 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Mother: God is like a child, you know. He denies some who seek and of Himself gives to some who do not. Perhaps such people are highly evolved souls from their previous lives. That is why they receive His grace.

Disciple: Then distinctions are made even in the matter of grace?

Mother: Certainly, it is all according to one’s Karma. Once the bonds of Karma are sundered, one realizes God.

Disciple: Mother, I admit that spiritual exercises, exhaustion of past Karma, and proper time—all these are factors in the attainment of spiritual knowledge. But if God is our own, why should He not show Himself out of His grace?

Mother: That is right. But who has this faith that God is his own? All take up religion as a matter of form. How many really want God? Be sincere in your practice, words and deeds. You will feel blessed! His blessings are always showered on all creatures on the earth. It is needless to ask for it. Practise meditation sincerely and you will understand His infinite grace. God wants sincerity, truthfulness and love. Outward verbal effusions do not touch Him. How many are there who truly want to realize God? Where is that earnestness? They, no doubt, profess great devotion and longing, but they feel satisfied when they get even a tiny bit of enjoyment. They say, "Ah, how kind is God!" If you don’t call upon God—indeed, many people never even remember Him—what does it matter to Him? It is your own misfortune. Such is the Maya of God; He keeps them ignorant of Him, saying, "They are happy enough, let them be so!" "Whatever you yearn for, that you will get."

11 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Yoganandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may Swami Yoganandaji bless us all with Bhakti.)

YOGINDRA NATH CHAUDHURY (SWAMI YOGANANDA) was born in the year 1861. The Chaudhurys were once very aristocratic and prosperous, but Yogin's parents had become poor. His father was a very orthodox Brahmin and performed many religious festivals.

Yogin was about sixteen or seventeen when he met Shri Ramakrishna for the first time. He was then studying for Entrance Examination.

At the very first meeting the Master recognized the spiritual potentiality of the boy and advised him to come to him now and then.

Yogin was charmed with the warmth and cordiality with which he was received; and he began to repeat his visit as often as he could. He was very much devoted to Sri Ramakrishna and spent most of his time with him.

His parents were perturbed to see him indifferent to his studies and so much under the influence of Sri Ramakrishna. They decided to marry off their son for that might create in him an interest in worldly things.

Things were arranged accordingly at home. Yogin knew nothing about this. He only got information that some one was ill at home and thinking it might be his mother to whom he was greatly devoted, he hurried to Dakshineswar. But to his great dismay he found that he had been trapped; all this was simply a pretext to bring him home for his marriage.

His parents wrongly thought that marriage would wean his mind from other-worldliness. But the effect was just the reverse.

When the news of all that had happened with regard to his beloved Yogin reached the Master, he sent word again and again to Yogin to come and see him. But Yogin was reluctant to go.

Thereupon the Master hit upon a plan to drag him in and told a friend of Yogin: “Yogin once took some money from here (i.e., from a temple officer). It is strange that he has not returned the money, nor he has given any account of that!"

When Yogin heard of this, his feelings were so aggrieved that he resolved to take the earliest opportunity to return the money and at the same time he thought that it would be his last visit to him.

Sri Ramakrishna was seated on his cot with his loin cloth on his lap when Yogin came to see him.

Putting his cloth under his arm, he ran like a child to receive Yogin as soon as he saw him. Beside himself with joy at the coming of Yogin, the first thing that the Master said to him was: "What harm if you have married? Marriage will never interfere with your spiritual progress if God is gracious. One day bring your wife here. I shall so change her mind that instead of an obstacle she will be a great help to you."

A dead weight was lifted, as it were, from Yogin's heart, as he heard the Master utter these bold and encouraging words in an ecstatic mood. He saw light where it has had been all darkness for him. He was filled with new hope and strength.

There are many incidents to show that Yogin, with all devotion to the Master, kept his critical faculty alert and did not fail to test him in a case of doubt.

Once he asked the Master how one could get rid of the sex-idea. When Sri Ramakrishna said that it could be easily done by prayer to God, this simple process did not appeal to him. He thought that were so many persons who prayed to God, but nevertheless there came no change in their lives.

He had expected to learn a trick from the Master, but he was disappointed, and came to the conclusion that this prescription of a simple remedy was the outcome of his ignorance.

During that time there stayed at Dakshineswar a Hatha-Yogi who would show to visitors his dexterity in many Yogic feats. Yogin became interested in him. Once he came to the temple precincts and without meeting the Master went straight of the Hatha-Yogi where he sat listening to his words spellbound.

Exactly at that moment the Master chanced to come to that place. Seeing Yogin there, he very endearingly caught hold of his arms and while leading him towards his own room said, “Why did you go there? If you practise these Yogic exercises, your whole thought will be concentrated on the body and not on God."

Yogin was not the person to submit so easily. He thought within himself, perhaps the Master was jealous of the Hatha-Yogi and was afraid lest his allegiance be transferred to the latter.

But on second thoughts he tried the remedy suggested by the Master. To his great surprise he found wonderful results and felt ashamed of his doubting mind.

Afterwards Swami Vivekananda used to say, "If there is any one amongst us who is completely free from sex-idea, it is Yogin".

Yogin grew spiritually under the keen care of the Master. Afterwards when Sri Ramakrishna felt ill and was under medical treatment at Cossipore, he was one of the disciples who labored day and night in attending to the needs and comfort of their beloved Master.

Long strain on this account told upon the none too strong health of Yogin, but the devoted disciple worked undauntedly.

The Mahasamadhi of Sri Ramakrishna threw all into deep gloom. To recover from this shock the Holy Mother went to Vrindaban with Yogin, Kali, Latu, Golap-Ma, Lakshmi Devi and Nikunja Devi (wife of M.).

Though counted among the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna and guided by him, Swami Yogananda was the first initiated disciple of Sri Sarada Devi, popularly known as the `Holy Mother.'

Like the Mother whom he served meticulously with matchless devotion, his life was very unobtrusive for all outward appearances but very deep in inner mystic experiences, of which he sometimes gave a hint or two.

He was extraordinarily devoted to the Holy Mother whom he served till the last day of his life.

His congenitally frail constitution could not stand the rigors he chose to impose upon himself resulting in a rather premature death on March 28, 1899.

12 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

My child, this world is like a deep marshy place. Once a man gets entangled there, it is very difficult for him to come out.

Repeat the Name of God. If you do so, He will cut away your bondage some day. Can anyone get liberation, my child, unless He Himself removes the shackles?

Have deep faith in God. Look upon the Master as your refuge, even as children regard their parents. You may say that you have done so much of Japa or so much of work; but nothing will avail. Nobody can achieve anything unless Mahamaya clears the way.

My children, take refuge, just take refuge. Then alone she will clear the way out of her mercy.

Once in summer at Kamarpukur, a heavy shower had filled up the fields, and water overflowed from the ponds. The Master was wading through water when proceeding by the side of the sweeper colony.

As the catfish came out of the ponds, the people around began to beat and catch them.

One of the fish kept swimming near about the Master’s feet. So he said, ‘Don’t you kill this one. See how it seeks my protection and plays round. It will be good if one of you carries it to the Haldar’s Pond. Then he himself took it up and released it in the pond. Returning home he said, ‘Ah, if anyone seeks protection in this way, one is saved.

13 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

Repeat the Name of God in the innermost core of your heart, and in all sincerity take refuge in the Master. Do not bother to know how your mind is reacting to things around. And do not waste time in calculating and worrying whether or not you are progressing in the path of spirituality. It is Ahamkara to judge progress for oneself. Have faith in the grace of your Guru and Ishta.

Disciple: There are devotees who surrender themselves to God but do not practise austerities. Will they attain realization?

Mother: That they surrender themselves to God, that they live placing implicit trust in Him, is their spiritual discipline. Naren said, “Let me have millions of births, what do I fear?” It is true. Does a man of knowledge ever fear rebirth? He does not commit any sin. It is the ignorant person who is always seized with fear. He alone gets entangled. He becomes polluted by sin. For millions of births, he suffers from endless miseries, he undergoes infinite pains, and at last he craves for God. The calf makes the sound of “Ham Hai, Ham Hai” (I am, I am). He makes the same sound even after drums and other instruments are made from his hide and entrails. At last he goes into the hands of a carder and then he makes the sound “Tum Hai, Tum Hai” (It is Thou, It is Thou). People suffer endless miseries on account of their egotism and at last they say, “Not I, not I; it is Thou, O God! It is Thou!”

Devotee: Man cannot do anything by his individual effort. God is doing everything through him.

Mother: Yes, that is true. But is one conscious of this always? Blinded by egoism, people think themselves to be independent agents in regard to action. They do not depend on God. He protects one who relies on Him.

14 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

As you pray and meditate you will find the Master actually speaking to you, fulfilling all your desires immediately, and your mind will be filled with deep peace. You will realize that He who is in me, is in you too and in the humblest of men. Only then humility will be born in your mind. My child, if you can get perfect knowledge through my blessings, then I bless you with all my heart and soul. Is it ever possible for a man to free himself unaided from the clutches of Maya? It was for this that the Master performed spiritual austerities to the utmost extent and gave the results thereof for the redemption of mankind. The Master used to say, “The way is extremely difficult, like the sharp edge of a razor. But He has kept you in His arms. He is looking after you. Just surrender yourself to Him; you will then feel His grace.”

15 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

You are a living god. Who is able to renounce all for God’s sake? Even the injunctions of Destiny are cancelled if one takes refuge in God. Destiny strikes off with her own hand what she has written about such a person. Will a man who has strong desires for worldly pleasures listen to me if I ask him to renounce them? But if a fortunate soul has realized the world to be the sport of Maya and God alone to be real, shall I not help him a little? Is there any end to the suffering in the world? Don’t marry, don’t enter the world. What do you lose if you don’t marry? You are free wherever you may be. An unmarried person who leads a pure life will advance towards Him with rapid strides, whether he prays to Him or not. The others, being tied hand and foot, find it difficult to extricate themselves from the bondage of worldliness, even though they try to think of God. What is there in the worldly life? What an inordinate attachment people have for it. See how out of one so many come out, and how one’s attention and energies are all dissipated. Is it possible for a person placed under such conditions to attain to spiritual greatness? Have you not seen crabs? The mother crab peeps out of her hole again and again, and then goes down. It struggles hard repeatedly to free itself but fails. And why? Because of her attraction for her numerous progeny living in the hole. This attraction drags her into the hole in spite of all her efforts. Such is the case of those who are immersed in worldly life.

16 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

The mother of a monk requested Holy Mother to ask her son to go back to worldly life. Mother replied, it is a rare good fortune to be the mother of a monk. People cannot give up attachment even to a brass pot. Is it an easy thing to renounce the world? Why should you worry?

About a boy who wanted to embrace monastic life and was being encouraged by Swami Shivananda to do so. Mother said, one needs good fortune, indeed, to accept the ideal of renunciation taught by the Master. Tarak (Swami Shivananda) is right, how few can be rescued from the world once they are entangled in it! The boy has real strength of mind.

A woman devotee requested Holy Mother to order her daughter to marry. Mother replied, is it not misery to remain in lifelong slavery to another and always dance to his tune? Though there is some risk in being a celibate, still, if one is not inclined to lead a married life, one should not be forced into it and subjected to lifelong worldliness. Those girls that are drawn to the ideal of complete renunciation should be encouraged to lead a celibate life.

When someone criticized Holy Mother for giving a disciple ‘the ochre robe, she replied, Look here, child, they are children of light. They live on this earth as pure as flowers. Can you tell me anything happier than this? You have seen for yourself what kind of happiness worldly life can give. What have you learned from me all these days? Why so much attraction for worldly life? Why so much animal propensity? What sort of happiness do you derive from it? Can you not even conceive in dream a pure ideal of life? Can’t you live with your husband even now as brother and sister? Why this desire to lead a piggish life? This misery of the world has been gnawing into my bones.

He has done very well to become a Sadhu. What is there in this cage of flesh and bones? What is after all in this body? Why should one become enmeshed in this Maya? It will ultimately come to an end after a few days. Then when it is burnt, there will remain only a seer and a half of ash.

Banku has become a Sannyasin, he has taken to the path of God. He has done well; he has done well indeed! People find opportunities according to their fate and Karma. The fact is, if one’s time to go beyond the world is ripe, one will break all bonds and come; nobody will check him. Lack of money, awaiting somebody’s approval, fear of having to go back, these are nothing.

17 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

SELF-EFFORT AND DIVINE GRACE

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

You see, my dear, many people seek God only after disappointment in other spheres. But he, who from childhood can place at the Master’s feet a heart as pure as a flower, is blessed indeed. The other day X- said to me, ‘Mother, we are always to be alert. We always tremble with fear lest we should think any unholy thought.’ That is very true. A monk is like a bleached cloth. One does not notice the spots in a black cloth so much, but even a drop of ink looks so prominent on white linen. The monk’s life is always beset with dangers. The whole world is engrossed in lust and gold. The monk must always practise renunciation and dispassion. Therefore Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘A monk must always be alert and careful.’

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘O Sadhu, beware! Sadhus should always be alert. The path of a Sadhu is always slippery. When one is on slippery ground, one should walk tiptoe. Is it a joke to become a Sannyasin? If one had so desired, one could have married and lived the life of a householder. Now that you have given up such intentions, the mind should not be allowed to think of these things. What has once been spat out, is not eaten again. The ochre robe of a Sadhu protects him as the collar of a dog protects it from danger. No one molests a dog with a collar, as it belongs to someone or other. All gates are open to a Sadhu. He has admission everywhere.

18 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

Devotee: Mother, I am overtaken by fear on seeing how even high spiritual persons meet with a fall.

Mother: If you are constantly in touch with objects of enjoyment, you are likely to succumb to their influence. At Jayrambati when a young man was initiated into Brahmacharya, he asked, how long will I have to fulfil its vows? Mother answered him at once with a firm voice: ‘As long as there is life in your body. Faith and firmness are the basic things; if faith and firmness are there, then you have it all. Forgetting your personality, try to understand your identity [with God]. It is extremely bad for a monk to possess money. There is nothing impossible for the round pieces to do—even to the extent of endangering life. To a disciple who had been busy with accounts the whole day, Mother said, Can anyone who has renounced the world relish these things?

Once there was a mistake in the accounts relating to the salary of the Master. I asked him to talk to the manager of the Temple about it. But he said, ‘What a shame! Shall I bother myself about accounts?’ Once he said to me, ‘He who utters the Name of God never suffers from any misery. Why do you worry?’ These are his very words. Renunciation was his ornament.

19 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of the Holy Mother Saradadevi)

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

What is there in wealth, my dear? The Master could not bear even to touch money. His hand would twist away. He would say, “The world itself is unreal. Look here, if I believed that this world is real, I would gild the whole of Kamarpukur with real gold. But I know all this is unreal and God alone is real.”

Only people who have renounced the world can resist the temptation of wealth. My dear child, even the tinklings of the coins produce greed in the minds of the needy—such is the power of money. Money always taints the mind. Such is the fascination of money that if you involve yourself too much in it, you will feel attracted to it. You may think that you are above money and that you will never feel any attraction for it, as you have once renounced it. You may further think that at any moment you may leave it behind. No, my child, never harbour this thought in your mind. Through a tiny little loophole, it will enter into your mind and then strangle you gradually quite undetected. You will never know it.

Sri Ramakrishna could never bear the touch of money. Always remember his words. Money is at the root of all the disasters you see in the world. Money may lure one’s mind into other temptations. Beware!

20 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

A monk must not lower the ideal of renunciation. Even if a wooden image of a woman lies upside down in the road, he must not turn it the other way, even with his foot, to look at its face. A monk should be above attachment and jealousy. He must be the same under all circumstances. Sri Ramakrishna used to say to Hriday, “You must bear with me, and I must bear with you; then everything will go on well. Otherwise, we shall have to summon the manager to make up our differences.”

A monk must sever all the chains of Maya. Golden chains are as much of a bond as iron chains. A monk must have no attachments. A monk should not visit his home. Meeting his people revives old memories. He must forget these, nay his very body. Then only he can have a vision of God. Who is one’s father or one’s mother? God is all.

21 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

A monk once came to the Panchavati. In the beginning he had no attachments. But alas, in the end he began to store away things like a mouse- utensils, pitchers, grain, and everything.

The Master noticed it and said one day, ‘Poor thing. This will be the end of him!’

He was about to be entangled in the snare of Maya. The Master advised him strongly about renunciation and asked him to leave the place. Then he went away.

The Mother scolded a Swami because he was showing undue love for the ashrama. You have renounced the world to repeat God’s Name. But now you are involved in activities. The ashrama has become your second world. People come to the monastery, giving up their families, but they become so attached to the monastery that they do not want to give it up. A man eager to keep away from acid food builds a home under a tamarind tree!’

Whenever you go on some work, make it a point to return as soon as it is finished. In this life you will find that in digging for earthworms we often, go deeper and bring out snakes.

To a woman disciple who was to lead an exclusive spiritual life: Never be intimate with any man-not even your own father or brother. What to speak of others then! Let me again repeat, don’t be intimate with any man, even if God comes to you in that form.

22 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

To a woman in an ochre robe, who said she had not been initiated, Mother said, “Without initiation, and without any spiritual realization, you have put on this sacred robe. This is not proper for you. The robe you have put on is very holy. I was about to salute you with folded hands. All will bow down at your feet. You must acquire the power to assimilate the honour.”

Disciple: “Mother, the monastic life begets terrible vanity.”

Mother: “Yes, that is true. A monk may become very vain. He may think, ‘See, he does not respect me. He does not bow down before me,’ and so on.” (Pointing to her own white cloth) “One should rather live thus (meaning possessed of inner renunciation). Is it possible, my child, to get rid of vanity — vanity of beauty, vanity of virtue, vanity of knowledge and vanity of a holy life?”

23 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

Disciple: “Mother, all your children are learned, but these boys (referring to the inmates of the Koalpara Ashrama) are your illiterate children. Sarat Maharaj has written books and your other children are giving lectures. So much is being done to spread Sri Ramakrishna’s ideas.”

Mother: “What do you mean? Our Master did not know much of reading and writing. The real thing is devotion to God. Through you, much work will be done in this part of the country. The Master was born on earth this time to liberate all, the rich and the poor, the learned and the illiterate. The Malaya breeze is blowing here. He who will unfurl his sail and take refuge in the Master will be blessed indeed. Why should you be worried? You are my own people. But remember this, that an educated Sadhu is like an elephant whose tusks are covered with gold.”

A disciple who had renounced the world visited Mother at Jayrambati and then went on to Hrishikesh. Just a few days later he wrote, “Mother, you told me that in time I would see the Master, but why have I not done so?” Mother listened to the letter and said, “Write to him that just because he has gone to Hrishikesh, the Master will not be waiting for him there. He has become a monk; what should he do now but call upon God? He will appear when He wishes. It is a monk’s duty to call on God. The monk cannot complain that God-vision is denied him in spite of hard struggle. God will reveal Himself at His will. He is not at anybody’s beck and call.”

24 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

THE IDEAL OF RENUNCIATION

Disciple: What is the aim of life?

Mother: To realize God and remain immersed in His contemplation. You are Sannyasins, you are His own. He takes care of your spiritual welfare both here and hereafter.

What then is there for you to worry about? Is it possible to contemplate on God always? Sometimes do work; at other times think of God. Always discriminate between the real and the unreal.

The Master will be your protector. It will be a heinous sin on the part of the Master if he does not protect those who have taken shelter at his feet, who have taken refuge in him renouncing all, and who want to lead a good life.

You must live in a spirit of self-surrender to him. Let him do good to you if he so desires or let him drown you if that be his will.

But you are to do only what is righteous, and that also according to the power he has given you.

25 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS

Those who belong to a very high plane of existence alone can take to the monastic life and free themselves from all bondages. Again, there are some who are born to have a little taste of this worldly life. I say that one should see through worldly enjoyments. Let X- marry and finish all enjoyments in this life; otherwise, there is no knowing when he may fall a victim to some unfulfilled desire. But you may be sure of this, that so long as he remains under the Master’s protection he can never slip.

When a young man, out of temporary dispassion, expressed unwillingness to marry, Mother said: how is that? God has created things in pairs: two eyes, two ears, two legs; and likewise, man and woman. To someone hesitant about marriage, Mother said, Why can’t one lead a good life if one is married? The mind alone is everything. Did not the Master marry me?

One disciple said to Mother that he had tried to lead an unmarried life, but now found it impossible to remain a celibate. Mother gave him assurance and said: ‘Don’t be afraid to marry. Sri Ramakrishna had many householder disciples. Go and marry. Don’t worry.’

To sincere lay disciples who spoke envyingly of monastic life, Mother would say, Is the ochre robe everything? You will realize God without it. What is the need of taking the ochre robe?

26 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS

Disciple: The Master said that those who would accept him as their spiritual ideal would not be born again. Then again, Swami Vivekananda said that no liberation is possible without being initiated into Sannyasa. What, then, will be the way out for the householders?

Mother: Yes, what the Master said is true and what Swamiji said is also equally true. The householders have no need of external renunciation. They will spontaneously get internal renunciation. But some people need external renunciation. Why should you be afraid? Surrender yourself to the Master and always remember that he stands behind you.

Spiritual progress becomes easier if husband and wife agree in their views regarding spiritual practice.

Disciple: The scriptures declare that in the service of her husband a woman may find divine beatitude and union with the Divine. If a woman tries to lead a life of self-control by pleading and reasoning with her husband somewhat against his wishes, is that a sin?

Mother: If it is for the sake of God, then it is no sin. He must control the senses. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘One must practise self-control after the birth of one or two children.’

Regarding family people who wanted to renounce worldly life, Mother said, If you really want to give up, first make suitable arrangements for the subsistence of your dependants.

27 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS

Regarding earning money and accumulating it, Mother said, “You have your wife and children. You should lay by something for them. What you have to consider, my boy, is that if you put by something, there will be some provision for your family and the future. Besides, you will be able to serve the holy men too. If you have nothing, what will you give to the holy men, my dear? My child, whatever one may be, if a person comes in the garb of a Sannyasin, you do ‘Sadhu Seva’ (service to holy people) by offering him something or serving him in some way.”

Regarding a devotee who wanted to purchase for Mother an expensive cloth, she said, “If he doesn’t mind and wants to spend money, let him buy a piece of land whereby the Sadhus and the devotees will be served. The rich should serve God and His devotees with money, and the poor by offering prayers to God and by repeating His Name.”

To a young householder devotee who had spoken somewhat disrespectfully to a Sannyasin, Mother said, “Be careful about these three things: first, a house situated on the bank of a river; at any time the river may destroy that house and sweep it away in its current. Second, a snake; you must be very careful when you see one, for there is no knowing when it will come and bite you. Third, a Sadhu: you don’t know that one word or one thought of his may injure a householder. Whenever you see a Sadhu, you should show him respect. You should never show him disrespect by retorts or slighting remarks.”

28 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

ADVICE TO HOUSEHOLDERS

To householders concerning their duties in the world, Mother said: “The household is the Lord’s, and so in whatever work He has placed you, you should, depending entirely upon Him, do your best to perform it well. If sorrows and troubles assail you, call on the Master and he will show you the way.”

LOVE AND COMPASSION

“I tell you one thing: if you want peace, do not find fault with others. Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own. To err is human. One must not take that into account. It is harmful for oneself. One gets into the habit of finding fault. Do not look for faults in others, or your own eyes will become faulty. I can no longer find fault in anyone, my son. I am simply not made that way. There are enough people always ready to criticize others. Surely the world will not come to an end if I refrain from doing so. Man finds faults in others after bringing down his own mind to that level. Does anything ever happen to another if you enumerate his faults? It only injures you. This has been my attitude. Hence, I cannot see anybody’s faults. If a man does a trifle for me, I try to remember him even for that. To see the faults of others! One should never do it. Forgiveness is Tapasya. The Master used to say ‘sha, sha, sha’. Forbear everything. He is there to judge.”

29 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

‘One must live carefully. Every action produces its results. It is not good to use harsh words towards others or be responsible for their suffering. Should anyone ever utter a thing that hurts another’s feelings?

An unpleasant truth, though true, must not be uttered. For that grows into a habit. By indulging in rude words, one’s nature becomes rude. One’s sensitivity is lost if one has no control over one’s speech.

And once a man casts all consideration for others to the winds, he stops at nothing. The Master would say, ‘If you have to ask a lame man how he became lame, then you have to speak thus: ‘How did your leg come to such a condition? ‘If one is without kindness, how can one be called a human being?

Let me tell you how to love all equally. Do not demand anything of those you love. If you make demands, some will give you more and some less. In that case you will love more those who give you more and less those who give you less. Thus, your love will not be the same for all. You will not be able to love all impartially.

30 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

When the head of an ashrama requested the Mother to tell the workers under him to obey him implicitly in all matters, she firmly rejected his request and explained to him gently, “The boys have become Sadhus to call on God and make their lives blessed. They are doing their best for the ashrama and will always do so. They are now of age and have had their mind and intelligence fully developed. So, discriminating between good and bad, and what is to their advantage or otherwise, if they want to lead an independent life, you are not to be an impediment in their path. And even if you obstruct them, nobody can live always subservient to another at the cost of his own convenience. If you find any difficulty in getting your work done, it is you who have to explain it to them tactfully. They have always been obedient to you, and they will still remain so. Love can achieve anything. You can never make one obey you by force or by adopting a roundabout way.”

(Today is the Holy Rama-Navami. On this Holy Tithi, May Sri Rama and Mother Sita bless us all with Bhakti.)

31 March 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

The cat, following its own nature, often stole food and the Mother would remark, ‘To steal is its dharma. Who is there always to feed it lovingly?

One day a monastic attendant treated the cat roughly and dashed it against the earth. The Mother looked very sad. She said to the monk, Scold the cat, but do not beat it. Please feed it regularly and see that it does not go to any other house to steal food. Do not beat the cat. I dwell inside the cat too.

My son, work to remove the sufferings of the world. The purpose of one’s life is fulfilled only when one is able to give joy to another.

Disciple: Those who are obtaining your blessings are fortunate indeed. What will happen to people in the future?

Mother: What do you mean? Why won’t they too succeed? God exists everywhere and at all times. The Master is always there. They will succeed through his grace. Are not people realizing God in other countries?

To someone who asked if there is any truth in image worship. Mother said, From time out of mind, innumerable people have worshipped images and thus attained spiritual knowledge. Can you deny this fact?

The Master never cherished dogmatic views. Brahman exists everywhere. Prophets and Incarnations are born to show benighted humanity the way. They give different instructions to suit different temperaments. There are many ways to realize truth. So, all these instructions have their relative value.

All teachers are one. The same power of God works through them all.

1 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

They give different instructions to suit different temperaments. There are many ways to realize truth. So, all these instructions have their relative value. All teachers are one. The same power of God works through them all.

Naren once said, ‘Mother, everything is taking flight nowadays. I see everything fly away.’

I said (here Mother laughed), ‘Well, see that you don’t put me to flight as well.’

And Naren said, ‘But Mother, if I put you to flight, where shall I stand? Knowledge which sets at naught the lotus feet of the Guru is ignorance. Where can knowledge stand if it denies the sacred feet of the Guru?’

You should not doubt the words of your own teacher. One must have reverence for one’s Guru. One’s chance of salvation lies in one’s reverence for him. Observe how the disciples of the Master revere him. But of this reverence for him they revere not only all the members of his family, but even the cats from his home-district!

One may commit a fault while serving a great soul. It happens in this way: while he enjoys the privilege of such service, his egotism increases. He then wants to control, like a doll, the person he serves. He wants to boss the latter in everything – eating, sitting or rising. He loses the spirit of service. But why should it be so with those who serve their superiors, forgetting their own comforts and looking upon the latter’s pleasure and pain as their own? And you are talking of the downfall of the attendants!

Many great souls surround themselves with riches and splendour. This attracts many to come to them as attendants. Such attendants become intoxicated with the enjoyment of their position and so they pave the way to their own ruin. Tell me how many there are who can render service in the proper spirit?

You see, the reflection of the moon falls on the water of the lake. At this the small minnows jump about in ecstatic joy, thinking that the moon reflected in the water is really one of them. But when the moon sets, they remain as before. After exhausting themselves in glee, they fall into a state of depression. They cannot understand what it is all about.

2 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

Where is that competent student who can understand spiritual instruction? First of all, one should be fit; otherwise, the instructions prove futile. If the disciple is good, the Guru is benefited thereby.

Disciple: Do those who give up their bodies in a state of unconsciousness attain to a higher spiritual state afterwards?

Mother: The thought that is uppermost in the mind before one loses consciousness determines the course of one’s soul after death. Though one gets a new body on account of desires, yet one does not completely lose spiritual consciousness if one has merits to one’s credit from previous births.

A devotee came to Mother one day and called her Mother, to which she replied, ‘Yes, my son’. The devotee then said, Mother, I called you ‘Mother’ and you responded saying ‘Yes’. What more fear need I have?

Mother corrected him saying, ‘No, my boy, don’t you speak thus’. ‘He who is diffident wins in the end.’

3 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

One day a disciple said to the Mother, “Mother, no bad ideas come to my mind.” With a start she stopped him and said, “Don’t say that. One must not say such a thing.”

One who speaks out at the proper time is a true friend. There is no use for sympathy at the wrong time. Everyone can break down something, but how many can build it up?

The Master used to say that one should learn from the scriptures that God alone is real and the world illusory. Suppose I write to you a letter asking you to bring certain things for me. How long do you need the letter? So long as you do not know its contents. But when you have known the contents of the letter, do you need it any longer? Then you will procure those things and come to me. On the other hand, what is the good of reading the letter day and night?

4 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

In the opinion of worldly men, it is not proper to visit a holy place at an inauspicious time. It is true that one may put off such a pious intention, considering the impropriety of the time, but death does not make any distinction of time. As none knows when death may come, one should carry out pious intentions whenever the opportunity presents itself, without waiting for a particular time.

Whenever you go from one place to another, observe the things around you, and also keep yourself well informed about what happens in the place where you live. But keep your lips shut.

It is essential that one should work. It is through work alone that one may break asunder the bonds of Karma; only then is one free from desires. One shouldn’t be without work even for a single moment.

New devotees should be given the privilege of service in the shrine room. Their new zeal makes them serve the Lord carefully. The others are tired of service. Service, in the real sense of the word, is not a joke. One should be extremely careful about making His service perfectly flawless. But the truth is, God knows our foolishness and therefore He forgives us.

One must work in the shrine room with great attention. Offerings and the rest should be made in proper time. I want people here who are careful in work. There are those who perform great deeds on the spur of the moment. But a man can be really known from the interest he shows in the details of each duty.

5 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

After someone finished her sweeping work and threw the broom into a corner, Mother said, How strange, my dear! The work is finished, and you throw it away carelessly. It takes the same time to keep it slowly and carefully as to throw it away. Should you despise a thing just because it is insignificant?

‘that which you save, saves you in turn. Won’t you need it again? Besides, this thing too forms a part of our household. From that point of view also it deserves some consideration. You must give each one his due share of honour. Even a broom must be shown some honour. The smallest work must be done with reverence'.

One day the pet cat was lying on one side of the courtyard. A devotee was caressing it with her foot. Gradually she placed her foot on its head.

At this the Mother said to her: Oh my child, what are you doing? The head is the place of the Guru. One should not touch the head with the foot. Salute the cat.

Is the value of a thing to be gauged by its price? It is the love and devotion with which a thing is offered that really counts.

A beggar arrived and began to cry for alms. The monks were annoyed and scolded him, 'go away, don’t bother us now'.

Mother heard this and said, Just look at that! They have sent him away, just because they would have to leave their own work to bring him alms. Even this little thing they couldn’t do! How lazy of them! They couldn’t give a handful of alms to a beggar! Is it right to deprive a man of his just dues? Look at this vegetable peel—even this is the cow’s due; one must place it before the cow.

6 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

A man came with a basket of fruits. The fruits were meant for offering. He asked the monks what he should do with the basket. They told him to throw it out in the lane. Mother looked at the lane and said, “Look there. They have asked him to throw away such a nice basket! It does not matter for them in the least. They are all monks and totally unattached. But we cannot allow such a waste. We could have utilized it at least for keeping the vegetable peelings.” She asked someone to fetch the basket and wash it. It was kept for some future use.

“Whatever you eat you must first dedicate to God; you should not take any other kind of food. The quality of your blood depends on the quality of the food you take. If you take consecrated food your blood and your mind will be purified; you will find strength. If your mind is pure, your faith and love will be pure.”

Disciple: “Mother, we householders live in families with many relations. Sometimes it happens that while the food is being cooked, some members of the family partake of it; later on that food is brought to me. I hesitate to offer that food to God.”

Mother: “That is inevitable in the case of householders. We also have to face similar situations. Take an instance: there may be a sick person in the family. Part of the food may be kept aside for him. But when food is placed on the plate, remember the Master, think that he himself has given this food, and eat it. Then it will not have any injurious effect on the growth of devotion.”

7 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

Everyone should serve his mother. It is all the more incumbent upon you, because you have all come to me with the purpose of dedicating your life to the service of others. Always talk to her about God.

You will really fulfil the duty of a son if you can help her to gather the means for her ultimate journey. You have grown by sucking her milk. How much suffering she has undergone to raise you to manhood! Know that service to her is your highest duty.

But it is quite a different matter if she stands in the way of your spiritual life.

Beware! Don’t involve yourself in worldliness on the plea of serving your mother.

Some women devotees came to see Mother one evening. One of them had a showiness about her with her dress and ornaments, and she was a little restless.

Addressing them Mother said, Mark you, my dear, modesty is the greatest ornament of a woman. A flower best serves its purpose when it is offered to a deity; else it may as well wither on the plant. But it pains me greatly when the dandies take up flowers either in a bunch or singly, smell them with their nose a little, and say, ‘How sweet the smell!’

And, oh dear, the next moment they may throw these down on the floor or walk away crushing them under the shoes.

8 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

Regarding controversy over social customs, Mother said, “Don’t let your mind be disturbed over these trivial details. That will make you forget the Master. Whatever people may say, remember the Master and do what you consider to be right.”

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA AND THE RAMAKRISHNA ORDER

Naren is of divine origin and full of purity from his infancy, and about whom the Master mentioned that he was a Rishi, a great sage. Though fully imbued with the spirit of renunciation and an all-embracing love and immersed in the eternal joy of communion with the Infinite, he has been suffering for the good of others. He gave his life blood to the service of others. He was specially brought by the Master for preaching his lofty ideals, for the elevating of the masses and for the good of humanity. He is in a class apart. Naren was like an unsheathed sword. After his return from foreign lands he said: “By your grace, Mother, I didn’t have to cross the ocean by jumping in this age, but went to those parts in their own ships. And there, too, I noticed the glory of the Master. What a great number of good people have heard about him from me and accepted this idea with astonished eagerness.”

After Swami Vivekananda’s first visit to the West, Holy Mother told him: “The Master is always with you. You have many more things to accomplish for the welfare of the world.”

Swamiji: “While I was alone in America I felt that the Divine Power which the Master called ‘Mother’ was guiding me.”

Mother: “The Master is not different from the one whom he called ‘Mother’. It was the Master who accomplished all this work through you. You are his chosen child and disciple. How dearly he loved you! He foretold that you would teach men.”

9 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

When Swamiji said that he wanted to form a permanent organization to preach the message of the Master, Holy Mother replied: Do not worry. What you are doing now and what you will do in the future will be permanent. You are born just to accomplish this work. Thousands of people will hail you as a world teacher, a bestower of divine knowledge. I can assure you that the Master will fulfil your desire in no time. You will soon see that the work you want to undertake will be accomplished.‘

Alas, how much did I weep and pray to the Master for my children! That is why you find everywhere ashramas and monasteries through his blessings. After the passing away of the Master his disciples renounced the world, found temporary shelter and for a few days lived together. Then one by one they went out independently and began to roam hither and thither.

That made me very sad. I prayed to the Master, saying, ‘O Lord, you have been embodied in human form, and you spent the period of your earthly existence with a few disciples. Now has everything ended with your passing away? In that case, what need was there for your embodiment entailing so much suffering?

I have seen in Vrindavan and Banaras so many holy men living on alms and having the shade of trees for shelter. There is no lack of Sadhus of that type. I cannot bear to see my children, who have renounced all for your sake, wandering about for a morsel of food.

It is my prayer, Lord, that those who give up the world for your sake may not suffer for want of simple food and coarse clothing. It is also my prayer that my children should live together, clinging to you and your teachings, and people afflicted with the sufferings of the world should come to them and get peace of mind by hearing from them your words. That is why you incarnated yourself in a human form. My mind becomes restless, seeing my children roam about here and there.’

After that Naren started doing all this.

10 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

Swami Vivekananda once wrote a letter from America urging the monks of the Ramakrishna Order to renounce everything in the service of God and man. When the Mother heard this, she said, “Naren is an instrument of the Master. It is the Master who writes through Naren about the future duties of his children and devotees for the good of the world. What he has written is all correct. You will see it bearing fruit in course of time.”

N— told Holy Mother that he could not practise meditation and prayer regularly on account of his being busy with the duties of the ashrama. Mother said in reply, “Whose works are these? They all belong to Him.”

To a monk who wanted to go for Tapasya, Mother said, “Why so, my child? You are now doing my work. You are devoting yourself to the Master’s work. Are these in any way less spiritual than austerities? Why should you abandon these works? What will you do day and night if you are not engaged in work? Can one practise meditation and Japa for twenty-four hours? You referred to the Master. His case was different. Mathur used to supply him with proper diet. You are able to get your food because you are doing some work. Otherwise you would have to roam from door to door begging for a morsel of food. Perhaps you would fall ill. Besides, where are people today to give alms to the Sadhus? Never pay any heed to such words. Things will go on as the Master directs. The Math will be run on these lines. Those who cannot adjust themselves will have to go away.”

When the Mother visited the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service in Banaras and was asked what she thought of it, she replied, “I saw the Master himself present there, and that is why this work goes on here. These are all his works. To care for these homeless old ladies is to care for the Lord. What a fine work these boys (of the Ramakrishna Mission) have built up! All this is His wish. He knows best how He is getting His plan executed and through whom.”

11 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

When I was at the music tower at Dakshineswar for serving the Master, I had to live in that small room with great difficulty. And into it, what a lot of things were packed! But no difficulty was too great when it was meant for some service to him. The days passed unnoticed in great delight.

His complexion was like the colour of gold. His complexion blended with the colour of the golden amulet which he wore on his arm. When I used to rub him with oil, I could clearly see a lustre coming out of his entire body. When he would come out of his room in the temple, people used to stand in line and say to one another, “Ah, there he goes!” People would look at him wonder-struck when he went with slow, steady steps to the Ganges to take his bath. When he was at Kamarpukur, men and women looked at him with mouths agape whenever he chanced to come out of the house. 12 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

What a unique man he was! How many minds he illumined! What unceasing bliss he radiated! Day and night his room echoed and re-echoed with laughter, stories, talk and music. The Master sang, and I would listen hour after hour, standing behind the screen of the Nahabat. When the singing was over, I saluted him with folded hands. What joyous days we passed through! People poured in day and night, and there was no end of spiritual talk. How happy we were there! How many people of different temperaments used to come to him! Dakshineswar at that time appeared to us as the mart of bliss. What a great singer the Master was. His voice was so sweet. While singing he would be one with his song. His voice is still ringing in my ears. When I remember it, other voices appear so flat. I always saw a smile on his face in his ecstatic mood. I have seen him smile in all states of Samadhi. How fine his teachings are! How little we knew at that time that things would take this turn! What a great soul was born! How many people are being illumined by his words! He was the embodiment of Bliss itself. Often, he would give me nice words of advice. If I had known how to write, I would have noted them down.

12 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

What a unique man he was! How many minds he illumined! What unceasing bliss he radiated! Day and night his room echoed and re-echoed with laughter, stories, talk and music.

The Master sang, and I would listen hour after hour, standing behind the screen of the Nahabat. When the singing was over, I saluted him with folded hands.

What joyous days we passed through! People poured in day and night, and there was no end of spiritual talk.

How happy we were there! How many people of different temperaments used to come to him! Dakshineswar at that time appeared to us as the mart of bliss.

What a great singer the Master was, His voice was so sweet.

While singing he would be one with his song. His voice is still ringing in my ears. When I remember it, other voices appear so flat. I always saw a smile on his face in his ecstatic mood. I have seen him smile in all states of Samadhi.

How fine his teachings are! How little we knew at that time that things would take this turn! What a great soul was born! How many people are being illumined by his words! He was the embodiment of Bliss itself.

Often, he would give me nice words of advice. If I had known how to write, I would have noted them down.

13 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

Disciple: Mother, the photograph of Sri Ramakrishna which you have is a very good one. Is it a good likeness of him?

Mother: Yes, that picture is very, very good. I kept it with the pictures of other gods and goddesses and worshipped it. At that time, I lived on the ground floor of the Nahabat. One day the Master came there and at the sight of the picture he said, ‘Hello, what is all this?’ Then I saw the Master take in his hand the bel leaves and flowers kept there for worship and offer them to the photograph. He worshipped the picture. Then the Master said to me, ‘You will see how in course of time I will be worshipped in every house. You will see everyone accepting this (meaning himself). This is surely going to happen.’ This was the only day I heard him using the first personal pronoun with reference to himself. Usually, he would speak of himself not as ‘I’ or ‘me’ but as ‘case’ or as belonging to ‘this’, pointing to his body. The Master entered into spiritual trance very often. 14 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

One day Hazra said to the Master, “Why do you constantly long for Narendra and other youngsters? They are quite happy by themselves eating, drinking, and playing. You had better fix your mind on God. Why should you be attached to them?”

At these words, the Master took his mind away from the young disciples completely and merged it in the thought of God. Instantaneously he entered into Samadhi; his beard and hair stood straight on end. Just imagine what kind of a man the Master was! His body became hard like a statue. Ramlal, who was attending on him, said repeatedly, “Please be your former self again.” At last, the mind came down to the normal state. It was only out of compassion for people that he kept his mind on the material plane. You will gain everything if you but take refuge in the Master.

14 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

One day Hazra said to the Master, 'Why do you constantly long for Narendra and other youngsters? They are quite happy by themselves eating, drinking and playing. You had better fix your mind on God. Why should you be attached to them?’

At these words, the Master took his mind away from the young disciples completely and merged it in the thought of God.

Instantaneously he entered into Samadhi; his beard and hair stood straight on end. Just imagine what kind of a man the Master was! His body became hard like a statue.

Ramlal, who was attending on him, said repeatedly, `Please be your former self again'. At last, the mind came down to the normal state. It was only out of compassion for people that he kept his mind on the material plane.

You will gain everything if you but take refuge in the Master.

15 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

Renunciation alone was his splendour. We utter his name and eat and enjoy things because he renounced all. People think that his devotees also must be very great, as he was a man of such complete renunciation. Ah, me! One day he went to my room in the Nahabat. He had no spices in his small bag. He used to chew them now and then. I gave him some to chew there, and also handed over to him a few packed in paper to take to his room. He proceeded, but instead of going to his room, he went straight to the embankment of the Ganges. He did not see the way, nor was he conscious of it. He was repeating, “Mother, shall I drown myself!” 16 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

If you can but follow one of the Master’s teachings, you will achieve everything. Our Master was a man of direct perception. He saw everything; he knew everything. His words are the words of the Veda. What will you do if you do not believe in his words?

The Kathamrita (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) by M. is very nice. This is because he has put down the exact words of the Master. How sweet are those words! Holy Mother wrote to M.: ‘My beloved child, the words you heard from the Master are true. You need not be afraid to publish them. It was the Master who left these words in your keeping. Now he is bringing them out according to the needs of the time. You should know that people’s spiritual consciousness will not be awakened unless these words see the light of day. His words which are in your keeping are true, every one of them. When you read them to me I felt as if he himself was speaking. How devoted the Master was to truth! Alas, we cannot follow his example. The Master used to say that truth alone is Tapasya in the Kali Yuga. One attains God by sticking to truth. In these miserable times one may find God only through steadfast truth. The Master used to say, ‘He who clings to truth, lies in the lap of God.’

16 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

If you can but follow one of the Master’s teachings, you will achieve everything.

Our Master was a man of direct perception. He saw everything; he knew everything. His words are the words of the Veda. What will you do if you do not believe in his words?

The Kathamrita (The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna) by M. is very nice. This is because he has put down the exact words of the Master. How sweet are those words!

Holy Mother wrote to M. : ‘My beloved child, the words you heard from the Master are true. You need not be afraid to publish them. It was the Master who left these words in your keeping. Now he is bringing them out according to the needs of the time. You should know that people’s spiritual consciousness will not be awakened unless these words see the light of day. His words which are in your keeping are true, every one of them. When you read them to me I felt as if he himself was speaking. How devoted the Master was to truth! Alas, we cannot follow his example. The Master used to say that truth alone is Tapasya in the Kali Yuga. One attains God by sticking to truth.

In these miserable times one may find God only through steadfast truth. The Master used to say, ‘He who clings to truth, lies in the lap of God.

17 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

My child, is the Master a part? He is the complete whole. Besides Brahman, there is nothing else in this world. Everything that appears before us is the manifestation of Brahman. It is His power which is present in all gods and goddesses. He it is who is the ‘Purusha’, and He again is the ‘Prakriti.’ The Master did not come to upset the old principles.

He is the Supreme God and the Supreme Goddess. He is the essence of all Mantras, the embodiment of all deities, and dwells in all creatures.

One can worship all the gods and goddesses in and through him.

To one who doubted if it was right for him to profess himself a member of the Advaita Ashrama when he leaned towards dualism, the Mother said, Sri Ramakrishna was all Advaita and preached Advaita. Why should you not also follow Advaita? All his disciples are Advaitins.

‘Do not make any distinction between the Master and me'.

Meditate on your Ishta and pray to Him. The meditation begins from the heart and ends in the head.

Neither the Mantra nor scripture is of any avail. Bhakti, love, accomplishes everything. The Master is everything- both Guru and Ishta. He is all in all.

Disciple: I do not have any such desire to see a four-handed deity and the like. I am quite satisfied with what we have.

Mother: That is also the case with me. What shall we gain by these supernatural visions? For us the Master exists, and he is everything.

Disciple: Does the Master really live in the picture?

Mother: Of course, he does. The body and the shadow are the same. And what is his picture but his shadow?

Disciple: Does he live in all the pictures?

Mother: Yes, if you pray to him constantly before his picture, then he manifests himself through that picture. The place where the picture is kept is a shrine. The Master will pay special attention to such a place.

18 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

"The birthplace of the Master is a sacred place, a seat of his constant presence, and a holy resort for pilgrims."

"At the Cossipore Garden the Master spent the last days of his life. The place is associated with so much meditation, Samadhi, and the practice of austerities. It is the place where the Master entered into Mahasamadhi. It is a place permeated with intense spiritual vibration. One realizes God-consciousness by meditating there."

Regarding the method of consecrating food the Mother said: "Look here, my dear, consider the Master as your very own and say, 'Come, sit, take, eat.' And you should think that he has come, is seated, and is eating. What need is there of Mantras and such formalities with regard to one's own? Those things are like the courtesies and considerations one has to show when one's friends and acquaintances come on a visit; for one's own, no such thing is necessary. He will accept your gift whatsoever way you may offer it."

"What else is spiritual life besides praying to the Master, repeating his name and contemplating him? And the Master? What is there after all about him? He is our own eternally."

"He is our mother, father, friend, relative, acquaintance, nearest and dearest, and everything."

"Always think of the Master as your own."

19 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

"Pray to the Master. He will do everything for you. He is your own, as the moon is the uncle of all children."

"The Master is the basis of all that we are. He is the ideal. You will never take a false step if you hold onto him."

"Always remember that Sri Ramakrishna alone is our protector. If you forget this, you will find yourself in a maze."

Devotee: "Mother, if I pray to the Master silently, will he listen? And should I say anything to the Master without letting you know first?"

Mother grew somewhat agitated on hearing this and said, "If he be true, certainly he will hear you."

"Dreams regarding the Master are real, but he forbade his disciples to narrate, even to him, dreams regarding himself."

A disciple wrote to the Mother a letter full of despair. After hearing the contents of the letter she said seriously and forcibly, "How is that possible? Is the name of the Master a mere trifle? Those who come here and think of the Master will certainly see their Chosen Ideal one day. If they are not able to do so during their lifetime, they will at least have His vision at the moment before their death."

Mother: "Don't fear, my child. The Master will look after you. He will watch over you here and hereafter. He will protect you always."

20 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

ON SRI RAMAKRISHNA

"Lay the burden of your mind before Sri Ramakrishna. Tell him your sorrows with your tears. You will find that he will fill your hands with the desired objects."

"Keep a picture of the Master before you, and know for certain that he is always with you. Open your grief-stricken heart to him. Shed tears and sincerely pray, 'O Lord, draw me towards you, give me peace of mind.' By doing so constantly you will gradually attain peace of mind. Have devotion for the Master, and whenever you are in distress, speak it out to him."

"Sri Ramakrishna was a perfect soul. Certainly one can be freed from sin by confessing it to one like him."

"Whoever seeks refuge with the Master finds everything."

"He used to say, 'One who remembers me never suffers from want of food or from other physical privations.' By remembering him one gets rid of all sufferings."

"Those who pray to him will easily gain love and knowledge of Brahman."

"The path of Brahman is very difficult. Pray to the Master and he will give you the knowledge of Brahman in proper time."

"The easiest and best way of solving the problems of life is to take the Name of God, of Sri Ramakrishna, in silence."

"The Master was born on earth this time to liberate all, the rich and the poor, the learned and the illiterate. The Malaya breeze is blowing here. He, who will unfurl his sail and take refuge in the Master, will be blessed indeed."

21 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

"When the Master departed from this life, I felt like going away too. He appeared before me and said, 'No, you must remain. There is so much yet to be done.' In the end I too understood how much there was to be done. He used to say, 'The people of Calcutta are squirming like worms in the dark. Take care of them.'

"The Master regarded all creatures as manifestations of the Divine Mother. He left me behind to manifest the motherhood of God."

"Suppose one of my children has smeared himself with dirt. It is I, and no one else, who shall have to wash him clean and take him in my arms. To make mistakes is man's very nature; but few of those who criticize know how to correct them."

"My child, several among those who come here are up to anything in life. No type of sin has been left undone by them. But when they come here and address me as Mother, I forget everything and they get more than they deserve."

"I can't contain myself when one draws near me and calls me Mother."

22 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

Girish Ghosh once asked Holy Mother, "What sort of Mother are you?"

At once she replied, "Your real Mother; not just the wife of your Guru, not an adopted mother, not a vague mother. Your real Mother."

A disciple asked Holy Mother, "Are you the Mother of all?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Even of these lower creatures?" he pressed.

"Yes," answered the Mother. "My boy, they (the foreigners) too are my children." April 22, 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

A devotee who had come seeking initiation was prevented from seeing the Mother according to Swami Saradananda's instructions, based on her continuous suffering from malaria. At this she said firmly, "What has Sarat to say? That's why we have come. I shall initiate him."

"Whatever I have to give, I have given at the time of initiation. If you want peace immediately, practise the spiritual disciplines prescribed. Otherwise you will achieve it only after the fall of the body."

To an attendant who noticed Mother doing Japa late at night in her bed, Mother said: "What can I do, my son? The children come and entreat me eagerly. They receive the Mantra and go home. But nobody does any Japa regularly. Some don't do it even once. Yet as I have shouldered the burden, should I not look after them? That's why I do Japa and pray to the Master, 'O Master, grant them enlightenment, grant them emancipation, and do take on yourself their care in every way here and hereafter.'"

"I entrust all the responsibility to the Master and to him I pray every day, 'Do please look after everyone of them, wherever they may be.' And mind you, these Mantras have all come from the Master, he gave them to me, and they are of proved efficacy."

"The Master is sending these (candidates). I am nobody. It is the Master who graciously blesses them. I am only his instrument."

"Mark you, I haven't given you the Mantra; it is the Master who has done so."

April 23, 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

A disciple who had developed mental aberration returned his rosary to the Mother.

23 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

A devotee who had come seeking initiation was prevented from seeing the Mother according to Swami Saradananda's instructions, based on her continuous suffering from malaria.

At this she said firmly, "What has Sarat to say? That's why we have come. I shall initiate him."

"Whatever I have to give, I have given at the time of initiation. If you want peace immediately, practise the spiritual disciplines prescribed. Otherwise you will achieve it only after the fall of the body."

To an attendant who noticed Mother doing Japa late at night in her bed, Mother said: "What can I do, my son? The children come and entreat me eagerly. They receive the Mantra and go home. But nobody does any Japa regularly. Some don't do it even once. Yet as I have shouldered the burden, should I not look after them? That's why I do Japa and pray to the Master, 'O Master, grant them enlightenment, grant them emancipation, and do take on yourself their care in every way here and hereafter.'"

"I entrust all the responsibility to the Master and to him I pray every day, 'Do please look after everyone of them, wherever they may be.' And mind you, these Mantras have all come from the Master, he gave them to me, and they are of proved efficacy."

"The Master is sending these (candidates). I am nobody. It is the Master who graciously blesses them. I am only his instrument"

"Mark you, I haven't given you the Mantra; it is the Master who has done so."

24 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

A disciple who had developed mental aberration returned his rosary to the Mother. When a monk asked her whether he had returned the Mantra also, she replied, "Can that ever be? It is a living Mantra. Can there be any giving back of it, the Mantra that one has once received, the great Mantra that it is?

If one has but

once a love for his Guru, can he ever be despoiled of it?"

To a newly initiated disciple Mother said, "From now on the Master will take care of you. He is yours and you are his. He is your Guru, your Ishta. I have offered your life at his feet."

"But how am I to think of you, Mother?" the disciple asked.

She paused for a while and said, "Well, think of me as one with him (meaning Sri Ramakrishna)."

"He is here in this body in a subtle form. The Master himself declared, 'I shall live within you in a subtle form.'"

Disciple: "Does the Master appear to you always, does he eat from your hand even now?"

Mother: "Are we distinct?"

"My son, the devotees say that in me the Master alone is present"

"He who is the Master, am I."

When a disciple asked why she wept like an ordinary person at the death of her young nephew, Mother replied, "I live as a householder. I must taste the fruit of the tree of the world. That is why I weep.

Sri Ramakrishna once remarked, 'When God is incarnated in a human body, He acts exactly like a man. He feels the same hunger, thirst, sickness, grief and fear as others do. Even Brahman weeps when caught in the trap of the five elements.'"

25 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

Mother remarked, regarding the apparent attachments in her life, "The Master kept my mind bound down by all these things for the sake of his work. Otherwise, could it have been possible for me to stay on after he left?"

"People come to me and say, 'I have no peace in life, I never feel the presence of God, tell me how to find peace,' and so on. Then I look at them and at myself and wonder why they talk in this manner. Is everything about me beyond the common run? I have never known unrest. And as far as the presence of God, it is mine for the taking. I can see Him whenever I like."

"I do not remember having committed any sin since my very birth. I touched the Master at the age of five. I might not have understood him at that time, but he undoubtedly touched me. Day and night my mind wants to soar high. I force it down, out of compassion for people."

Disciple: "Do you ever remember your real nature?"

Mother: "Yes, I recall it now and then. At that time I say to myself, 'What is this that I am doing? What is all this about?' Then I remember the house, buildings and children and forget my real self."

"God loves to sport as a human being."

"Sri Krishna played with the shepherd boys, laughed and walked with them, ate of the food they had touched; but did they know who He was?"

"It is only by accepting an illusion that I am like this. This is nothing but continuing in the midst of an illusion."

26 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

Disciple: "Well, Mother, do you always remember your real nature?"

Mother: "How could that be? How, then, could I perform all these duties? But even in the midst of my activities, whenever I wish I can understand by the slightest effort that all this is the mere play of Mahamaya."

"I tell you, my daughter, know this body (pointing to her own) to be divine."

Disciple: "X - says that one should not stay near one's Guru for long; for he says that at the sight of the common worldly dealings of the Guru the disciple often loses much of his love and respect."

Mother (with a laugh): "Don't you lose heart, my son, at such talks. In that case how will my work be carried on? Off with such great ideas as divinity; think of me as a human being, and go on doing the work just as at present, following my direction and using your intelligence. Have no fear whatsoever."

27 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

One morning Holy Mother was assisting in husking paddy. It was almost her daily job. A disciple asked her, “Mother, why should you work so hard?”

“My child,” she said in reply, “I have done much more than is necessary to make my life a model.”

When one day a disciple protested about her strenuous life, Mother said, “My child, it is good to be active.” Remaining silent for a few minutes she said gravely, “Please bless me that I may serve others as long as I live.”

When her devotees protested against the many personal services she rendered them, Mother silenced them by saying with overflowing feeling, “What after all have I done for you? Am I not your mother? Is it not the privilege of a mother to serve her child in every way—even to clean its dirt with her own hand?”

“Now that you are with your mother, what’s the need of so much Japa and meditation? I, indeed, am doing everything for you. Now eat and live merrily, free from all care.”

Disciple: “Mother, you have hundreds of children, and I am only one of them. But to me you are my only mother. Bless me so that I may be a worthy child of yours.”

Mother: “Well my child, surely the Master will look after you. It is for your good that he has brought you here. Always think of the Master as your own. Think of me as your own mother and depend on us in all matters.”

28 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

"Do not fear, my child. Always remember that the Master is behind you. I am also with you. As long as you remember me, your mother, why should you be frightened?

The Master said to me, 'In the end I shall certainly liberate those who come to you.'"

"Whoever has come here, whoever is my son is already redeemed. Destiny dare not throw my children into hell. Free yourself from all anxiety by entrusting your future to me. And remember this always, that there is one behind you who will come to you at the right moment and lead you to the everlasting domain."

"I am the mother of the wicked, as I am the mother of the virtuous. Never fear. Whenever you are in distress, just say to yourself, 'I have a mother.'"

Amjad, a Muslim bandit, built the wall for Holy Mother's new house. One day she invited him for a meal, which was arranged on the porch of her house.

Nalini began to throw the food at Amjad's plate from a distance. Mother noticed this and said, "How can one enjoy food if it is offered with such scorn? Let me wait on him properly."

After he had finished his meal, Mother cleaned the place with her own hands.

Nalini shrieked, "Aunt, you have lost your caste!"

"Keep quiet," said Mother. "As Sarat (Swami Saradananda) is my son, exactly so is Amjad."

29 April 2023

(Teachings of Holy Mother)

REFLECTIONS ON HERSELF

When a woman who had led a bad life went to Mother in a mood of sincere repentance and made an unreserved confession of her sins, Mother embraced her with great warmth of feeling, saying, "Don't despair for whatever you have done. You will get over all your sinful tendencies. Come, I shall initiate you. Lay everything at the Master's feet, and cast away all fear."

A college student used to visit Mother's place quite frequently. One day, while taking leave of her he suddenly said, "Mother, I am no good for this place; I am unfit to come to you. I am saying goodbye forever!" He quickly left the house. Mother ran after him, caught his shirt, and pulling him toward her she put her hands on his shoulders. Looking at him eye to eye she said in a firm voice, "Whenever any disturbing thought comes to your mind, think of me. Don't worry!" With those words she let him go. While going home the boy repeated Mother's words over and over again: "Think of me; think of me; think of me." He couldn't forget those two beautiful compassionate eyes of the Mother. Constantly he thought of those eyes of the Mother and those words, "Think of me."

30 April 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(From the Life of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi)

It was evening when I went to Baghbazar to see the Holy Mother. She was kind enough to ask me to spread her small carpet on the floor and fetch her beads. She soon became absorbed in her meditation. Across the lane there was an open space. A few labourers lived there with their families. One of the male members began to beat a woman severely, probably his wife. Slaps and fisticuffs began to be showered upon her. Then he kicked her with such force that she was thrown to a distance with her child in her arms. Then he started kicking her again. The Mother could not proceed with her meditation anymore. Though she was extremely modest and would not usually talk even loud enough to be heard by people on the ground floor, she now came to the porch of the second floor, stood by the iron railing, and cried aloud in a tone of sharp reprimand, "You rogue! Are you going to kill the girl outright? I am afraid she is already dead!" Hardly had the man looked at her than he became quiet like the snake before its charmer and released the woman. The sympathy of the Mother made the woman burst into loud sobs. We heard that her only fault was that she had not cooked in time. Afterwards the man became his old self again and wanted to be at peace with the woman. The Holy Mother saw this and came back to her room.

1 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Excerpts From the Book: ‘How to live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda.)

Akshay Kumar Sen wrote in his book *Sri Sri Ramakrishna Mahima*: “He had a broad forehead and his lips were beautifully curved and slightly reddish in colour. As a gentle breeze creates ripples on the surface of the river Yamuna, so his sweet smile was like a ripple on a river, catching the serene moonlight. His neck was well proportioned and his voice was like the sound of a flute. He had a large chest and arms reaching to the knees; his legs were graceful, and the soles of his feet were softer than oranges. His touch transformed a worldly person into a spiritual one. As moonlight makes the inside of a room a bit luminous, so the Master's room was illumined by his physical beauty. His face was gracious and loving. He humbly sat on the same carpet with the devotees and charmed them by talking about God. His words were sweet and inspiring. Although there were no flowers or incense in the room, I sensed a sweet fragrance coming from his body, like that of a lotus. Ishan Mukhopadhyay, a great devotee of the Mother, remarked: ‘I get the same kind of divine fragrance here that I get in the Mother's temple at Kalighat.’

As soon as I saw the Master, I felt that he was my own eternally. I was so charmed. When the Master was intoxicated with the joy of kirtan, we felt that his divine body was as bright as molten gold and as soft as cream; it was as if he were distributing among his devotees the nectar that he had brought from heaven. We were dumbfounded when we saw him dancing in a semi-ecstatic state slowly and rhythmically. While he was pacing back and forth, his left hand would be held slightly up and his right hand extended below, his left foot forward and the right one backward. It was really unbelievable that such a body, as tender as a flower, could dance so madly and sweetly! We then felt that his overflowing divine beauty had melted and was spreading over the devotees. Language is inadequate to describe the beauty of Sri Ramakrishna; one can only realize it through meditation!”

2 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(From the Book: ‘How to live with God by Swami Chetanananda)

When Sri Ramakrishna was gravely ill at the Cossipore garden house, the Holy Mother was stricken with grief.

One day, in a vision, a girl with long black hair and a dark complexion appeared and sat near her.

Realizing that it was Mother Kali, she exclaimed: "Oh, you have come!"

Mother Kali: "Yes, I have come from Dakshineswar." After further conversation, the Holy Mother observed that the girl bent her neck to one side.

She asked: "What has happened to your neck?"

Mother Kali: "Well, I have a sore throat."

The Holy Mother: "My goodness! The Master has a sore throat and you also have it?"

Mother Kali: "That is true."

Thus, the Holy Mother was made to understand that the Divine Mother and Sri Ramakrishna were one and the same.

The Master said to Vaikuntha: "Look, the Bhairavi Brahmani, Vaishnavcharan, Pandit Gauri of Indesh, and Padmalochan, the court pandit of the Maharaja of Burdwan, declared me to be an avatar. Now Girish, Ram, and Manomohan also call me avatar; I am really disgusted hearing all these things. Well, what do you think of me?"

Vaikuntha: "Those who call you an avatar are low-class people." Master (smiling): "What do you mean? They complimented me by saying I am an avatar, and you are calling them low-class people?" Vaikuntha: "As I understand it, an avatar is not a full but a partial manifestation of God."

Master: "You are right. But what do you think of me?"

Vaikuntha: "You are Lord Shiva Himself, not a part. You asked me to meditate on Shiva. But though I try every day, I cannot do so. Whenever I sit for meditation, your loving and blissful face appears before me in a luminous form. I cannot replace it with the form of Shiva, nor do I want to.

So I regard you as Shiva Himself."

3 May 2023

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Once Swami Saradananda asked Swami Brahmananda to approve a clay model for the Master's marble image. Brahmananda replied: "Which figure of the Master should I base my approval on? Even on the same day I saw him assume many forms. Sometimes one would find him lean and emaciated with disheveled hair; sometimes he was immersed in samadhi and his body was luminous; again sometimes he would be found to possess a stature much taller and stronger than his usual form, and he would pace from one end of the veranda to the other with big, long strides."

Those who lived with the Master day and night saw that he was polymorphic: He could change his form at will. The scriptures say that a divine form does not cast a shadow. Nistarini Ghosh told her son Swami Ambikananda: "Once the Master saw that his body looked like crystal. His body did not cast a shadow. Observing this, the Master prayed: 'Mother, what is this? Please turn this divine beauty within. Suppress it, or fear will keep people from coming here. I want to mix with everyone, like other human beings!'"

Jai Ramakrishna

4 May 2023

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Physical Appearance

Ramakrishna's description of his own physical beauty also helps an aspirant to become absorbed in meditation: "At that time my beauty became manifest in such a way that people would stare at me," said the Master. "My face and chest were always crimson, and a lustre would emanate from my body. Because people stared at me, I would cover myself with a thick chadar. I would pray to the Divine Mother, 'Take away my external beauty, O Mother, and give me inner beauty.' I used to pass my hand over this body and slap it again and again, saying, 'Go within, go within.' After some days my skin turned pale, as you see it now."

Once in the course of conversation, the Holy Mother described the Master's physical appearance, saying:

His complexion was the colour of gold. His complexion blended with the colour of the golden amulet he wore on his arm. When I used to rub him with oil, I could clearly see a lustre emanating from his entire body. When he would come out of his room in the temple garden, people used to stand in line and say to one another, "Ah, there he goes!"

He was fairly stout. Mathur Babu gave him a low wooden seat to sit on. It was rather a wide seat, but it was not quite big enough to hold him comfortably when he sat cross-legged to eat his meals. People would look at him, wonderstruck, when he went with slow, steady steps to the Ganges to take his bath. When he visited Kamarpukur, all the men and women would stare at him as soon as he left the house. One day he was going towards Bhuti's Canal, and some women saw him while fetching water.

Jai Ramakrishna

5 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna.

(Excerpts from the book: *How to Live with God* by Swami Chetanananda.)

Ramakrishna’s Physical Appearance

Someone asked the Master’s niece Lakshmi: “What was the condition of the Master’s body during samadhi?”

She answered: “During samadhi, the Master’s body became motionless. Tears trickled from his eyes, and sometimes both sides of his abdomen would tremble a little. His appearance was then extremely beautiful, and one could see a halo around him.”

Once Swami Adbhutananda said to a devotee: “Look, some days you see something, and it instantly penetrates the mind. I saw the Master in samadhi many times, but one day I saw him in a beautiful and unique form. His complexion had changed, and his face radiated fearlessness and compassion. Even now I cannot forget that form of the Master.”

Akshay Kumar Sen wrote in his book *Sri Sri Ramakrishna Mahima*: “He had a broad forehead, and his lips were beautifully curved and slightly reddish in colour. As a gentle breeze creates ripples on the surface of the river Yamuna, so his sweet smile was like a ripple on a river, catching the serene moonlight. His neck was well proportioned, and his voice was like the sound of a flute. He had a large chest and arms reaching to the knees; his legs were graceful, and the soles of his feet were softer than oranges. His touch transformed a worldly person into a spiritual one. His entire form was endowed with divine qualities. It is extremely difficult to recognize God in human form. In whatever way and in whatever form He may appear, none can recognize Him if He does not empower that person to do so. One can realize Him only through divine consciousness. As clearly as I see an object in broad daylight, I saw that the Master’s body was solidified pure consciousness. As excessive cold turns water into ice, so the Master’s intense devotion transformed his body into pure consciousness.”

6 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to live with God by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Physical Appearance

Mahendra Nath Datta, Swami Vivekananda's brother, gave the following description of the Master in his book Sri Ramakrishner Anudhyan:

I first saw Ramakrishna Paramahamsa of Dakshineswar in Calcutta. I did not see any special characteristics in his form. He looked like a villager. His complexion was not dark, but it was no lighter than that of average Calcutta people. He had a trimmed beard. His eyes were normal, except that his eyelids blinked rapidly. His lips were not thin; rather, his lower lip was a little thick. A few of his upper teeth were visible between his lips. He wore a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. After a while he removed his shirt and kept it by his side; he placed part of his cloth over his left shoulder.

The room was quite hot and a man was fanning him with a long palm-leaf fan. His language was not like that of educated people in Calcutta; rather, it was rural. He stammered a little when he talked. His pronunciation was like the people of the western part of West Bengal. He said "L" in place of "N." For example, 'I said to Loren' instead of 'Naren.' At times he took a few spices from the spice bag that was in front of him.

Swami Nirlepananda collected various descriptions of the Master from different people who met him.

From Tamu Datta, Vivekananda's cousin: "The Master's ears were below the eye lines. One can see it by studying the pictures of him. His eyes were broad and beautiful. His soles were convex."

We have already mentioned that Swami Saradananda asked Swami Brahmananda to examine and approve a clay model for the Master's marble image. Maharaj went to the studio, studied the model for some time, and then asked the sculptor: "Why did you make this image with the back bent? He never bent his backbone when he sat."

The sculptor said: "According to anatomical measurement, if a man sits like that, he is supposed to be a little bent."

Swami Brahmananda replied: "The Master's arms were quite long, which is very uncommon among people."

About the Master's ears, the swami said: "The tops of ordinary people's ears are at about the level of their eyebrows, but the tops of the Master's ears were below the level of the eyes."

Later, when the sculptor had corrected the model accordingly, the swami returned to the studio and gave his approval!'

7 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Physical Appearance

While meditating on Satchidananda, the Master's body would become so tender that his finger would be cut just by breaking a crisp *luchi* [fried bread]. In fact, the Master's body was as soft as butter.

What Do You Think of Me?

The omniscient Ramakrishna knew others' thoughts and moods. Like an ordinary person, however, he would ask newcomers during their first meeting or after getting acquainted with them a little, "Well, what do you think of me?"

Of course, he did not ask this of everyone. He used this question to evaluate the understanding of devotees whom he had already seen in a yogic vision. Different people answered differently: "Someone said, 'You are a real *sadhu*.' Others said: 'A true devotee of God'; 'A *Mahapurusha* — a great soul'; 'A *Siddhapurusha* — a perfect soul'; 'An incarnation of God'; 'Sri Chaitanya himself'; 'Lord Shiva himself'; 'You are God,' and so on. Some who belonged to the Brahmo Samaj and did not believe in divine incarnations, said, 'You are a lover of God, of the same rank as Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, and Chaitanya.'"

One day the Master said to M: "Let me ask you something. What do you think of me? How many *annas* of knowledge of God have I?"

M replied: "I don't understand what you mean by '*annas*.' But of this I am sure: I have never before seen such knowledge, ecstatic love, faith in God, renunciation, and catholicity anywhere."

8 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to live with God by Swami Chetanananda)

What Do You Think of Me?

Another day, M. said: "God has created you with His own hands, whereas He has made others by machine. All others He has created according to law."

The Master said with a laugh: "Listen to what he is saying!" And finally he said: "Really and truly, I have no pride — no, not even the slightest bit."

Ramakrishna's "I," his ego, had died forever. The fire of knowledge burnt his ego and it remained like a burnt rope, which has a form but cannot bind anything. This is called a "ripe ego."

Human beings cannot function without an ego. However, the Master enacted his divine play using this ripe ego.

One day he was having some fun with Hazra.

The Master later described their conversation.

"I asked Hazra: 'Tell me what you think of the people that come here. How much sattva does each one possess?'

He said, 'Narendra has one hundred percent and I have one hundred and ten percent.'

What about me?' I asked.

And he said: 'You still have a trace of pink 'rajas]. You have only seventy-five percent, I should say.'"

9 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna as a Cosmic Being

Swami Saradananda wrote in *Sri Ramakrishna and His Divine Play*:

One morning when Gadadhar [Ramakrishna's childhood nickname] was seven or eight months old, he fell asleep while Chandra was breast-feeding him. Seeing that her son was asleep, Chandra put him to bed, dropping the mosquito curtain to protect him. She then left the room and began her housework. Shortly afterwards, she returned to the room for something and found a tall, strange man lying in place of her child, covering the whole bed. She cried out in panic and hurriedly left the room, calling for her husband. When Kshudiram arrived, Chandra told him what had happened. They entered the room, but found no stranger; the child was sleeping as before. Even then, Chandra's fear did not subside. She said repeatedly: "An evil spirit must have possessed him. I clearly saw a large person lying in place of my son. In no way was it a delusion — there is no possibility that it was. Please bring an experienced exorcist to examine the child soon; otherwise, who knows what harm will befall him."

Kshudiram reassured her, saying, "We were blessed with divine visions before the birth of our son. It is no wonder that you have seen that person. Please don't harbour the notion that the child is possessed by an evil spirit. As Raghuvir Himself dwells in our house, no spirit can come here to do any harm to the child. Therefore, rest assured and do not divulge this to anyone. Know for certain that Raghuvir is always protecting the child."

The simple-hearted Prasanna was captivated when she heard the young boy recount the sacred stories of gods and goddesses and sing devotional songs. She often asked him: "Look, Gadai, why is it that you sometimes seem to me to be God? Yes, I truly feel that you are God."

At this the boy would smile sweetly and make no reply; or he would change the subject. Not deterred by his words, Prasanna would nod and say gravely, "Whatever you may say, you are not an ordinary human being."

10 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

The Master had thrashed out the desire for name and fame so severely that it never dared to come back.

The Master once jokingly said, "Chewing a betel roll and holding a cane, a dandy comes and calls me an avatar. Should I feel gratified at such a comment?"

Only a jeweller knows the value of a jewel; an eggplant seller does not. One needs to practise tremendous spiritual discipline before one is able to recognize an avatar. When some devotees, overwhelmed by devotion, declared the Master to be an avatar, he said: "One practises medicine [Ram Chandra Datta] and another is the manager of a theatre [Girish Chandra Ghosh].

They tell me that I am an avatar. Thus calling me an avatar, they think that they have made me great and famous. But what do they know about an avatar?"

It is extremely difficult to recognize an avatar. In the Gita, Krishna explains why: "Veiled by My maya born of the gunas, I am not revealed to all." (7:25) "Fools disregard Me when I assume a human form." (9:11)

Ramakrishna also made statements about the concept of the avatar: "He is an unknown tree"; "He is a king in disguise"; "He is infinite but enters into a three-and-a-half cubit human body"; "If He does not want to be captured, none can capture Him." The Katha Upanishad (1:2:23) says: "The Atman is attained by him alone whom It chooses."

Ramakrishna said: "The police sergeant walks his rounds in the dark of night with a lantern in his hand. No one sees his face.

If you want to see the sergeant, you must pray to him: 'Sir, please turn the light on your own face. Let me see you.

Similarly, one should pray to God for His vision. As we see the sun by the light of the sun, so we see God by His grace.

Ramakrishna appeared in various forms to different devotees at different times. Their visions prove that Ramakrishna was God with multiple forms.

11 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

Once the boy Gadadhar went with some village women, including Prasanna, to visit the goddess Vishalakshi at Anur. But as Gadadhar was crossing a field, singing of the glory of the goddess Vishalakshi, an extraordinary incident took place: suddenly, he was struck dumb, and his body stiffened and became numb. Tears poured from his eyes. He did not respond when the women asked if he felt ill.

As they knew the boy was unaccustomed to making such a journey, the women were alarmed by the thought that he might have had sunstroke. They brought water from a nearby pond and splashed it over his head and eyes. But Gadadhar did not regain consciousness. Helpless, the women began to lament: "What is the way out of this predicament? How can we offer our promised worship to the goddess? How can we take Gadai, another's darling, home safely? There is no one here to help us. What do we do now?"

The women were terribly worried and forgot all about gods and goddesses. Encircling the boy, they fanned him, splashed water on him, and called his name repeatedly. After a short while, the thought occurred to Prasanna that perhaps the goddess Vishalakshi had possessed the simple, trusting boy. She told her companions, "I have heard that the gods and goddesses possess simple and pure children, men, and women."

She then suggested, "Instead of calling 'Gadai,' let us call 'Mother Vishalakshi' wholeheartedly." The women had deep respect for Prasanna because of her noble character, so they readily accepted her advice and began to address Gadai as though he were indeed the goddess: "O Mother Vishalakshi, be pleased with us. Protect us. Look upon us with compassion. Mother, save us from this great danger."

Amazingly, no sooner had the women called upon the goddess a few times than Gadadhar's face glowed with a sweet smile, and slight signs of consciousness became visible. They were now convinced that the goddess truly had possessed the boy. They bowed down to him again and again; and addressing him as Mother, they prayed to him.

Jai Ramakrishna

12 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna as Gadadhar

One day in Dakshineswar, Yogin-ma picked some flowers; she used a corner of her sari to carry them. Ramakrishna was at that time standing on the northern veranda of his room and saw Yogin-ma coming, carrying something. He asked her, "What are you carrying?" Yogin-ma showed him the flowers and then bowed down and offered them at his feet. Immediately the Master went into an ecstatic mood and blessed her, touching his foot to her head. Then, following Gopal-ma's instructions, she touched the Master's feet to her chest. One day long after the Master passed away, Yogin-ma was repeating her mantra when she heard a divine voice say: "Your chest has been imprinted with auspicious marks from the lotus feet of Damodar [an epithet of Vishnu]."

Just before his death in 1909, Swami Advaitananda saw the Master appear before him, bearing a mace on one shoulder. Advaitananda asked, "Master, why are you carrying a mace?" The Master replied: "I am Gadadhar [literally, 'bearer of the mace,' an epithet of Lord Vishnu]. In this age I shall destroy everything, then rebuild."

13 May 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Excerpts from the Book: ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

Once the Master went to visit Bamandas at the Biswases' house. While returning, the Master overheard him say: "Goodness gracious! The Divine Mother has caught hold of him, like a tiger seizing a man."

Reverend Joseph Cook once accompanied Keshab Sen and Pratap Majumdar on a boat trip to visit Ramakrishna. While travelling with them on the Ganges, the Master went into samadhi. Observing the Master in samadhi, Pratap Majumdar remarked: "Good heavens! It is as if he were possessed by a ghost!"

It was written in Mathur's horoscope that his Chosen Deity would always be gracious to him — nay, would even accompany him wherever he went and would assume a human form to protect him. He followed the Master like a shadow. One day Mathur said to him: "Father, there is nothing inside you but God. Your body is like an empty shell. It may look from outside like a pumpkin, but inside there is nothing — neither flesh nor seed. Once I saw you as someone moving with a veil on."

14 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's cousin Haladhari was a pandit. He looked down upon the Master, and he did not understand the latter's divine madness. Sometimes, however, he was overwhelmed by the Master's ecstasy. Confused, Haladhari one day said to Hriday: "Hriday, you must have seen some divine presence in Ramakrishna; you would not serve him so faithfully otherwise."

About Haladhari's attitude, the Master said:

Many times Haladhari would be charmed by my devout worship in the temple, and he'd say to me, "Ramakrishna, now I know what your real nature is!" So I'd tell him jokingly, "Then don't get confused anymore!" Then he'd say: "You can't deceive me again. The Lord is definitely within you. This time I'm quite certain."

So I'd reply: "All right. Let me see how long your conviction lasts."

Then after finishing the temple service, he would take some snuff and begin to give a discourse on the Bhagavata, the Gita, the Adhyatma Ramayana, and other scriptures. He would then become puffed up with egotism and become quite a different person. Sometimes I would attend his discourses and would say to him, "I've realized all those spiritual states you've been reading about; I can understand everything that's in the scriptures."

Immediately he would say indignantly: "You idiot! You think you can understand the scriptures?"

"Believe me," I'd say, "the One who is within this body of mine teaches me everything. A little while ago you said that there was a divine presence in me. He tells me everything." Then he'd become frantic with rage and tell me: "Get out of here, you crazy fool! Are you claiming to be an incarnation of God? The scriptures say there'll be only one avatar in this age, and that's Kalki. You must be out of your mind to think such things!"

So I would laugh and ask, "Didn't you tell me you'd never get confused again?"

But of course he wouldn't listen to me when he was in that mood. We had the same scene over and over again. One day he saw me in an ecstatic mood sitting naked on a branch of the banyan tree of the Panchavati and passing water like a boy. From that day on he was thoroughly convinced that I had been possessed by a ghost."

15 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Various Forms of Sri Ramakrishna

Haladhari was a devotee of Krishna and he was repulsed by the terrible aspect of the Divine Mother. Swami Saradananda writes:

One day he [Haladhari] even questioned the Master: "Can a person make any spiritual progress worshipping Kali, the embodiment of *tamas*? Why do you worship such a goddess?" The Master did not answer him, but he was deeply pained by this slander of his Chosen Deity. He hurried into the Kali temple and tearfully said: "Mother! Haladhari, who's a great scholar and knows the scriptures, says You're nothing but wrath and destruction. Is that really true?"

At once he was reassured: Mother Kali revealed her complete nature to him. Wild with joy and relief, the Master ran to the Radhakanta temple, where Haladhari was seated at worship, and climbed on his shoulders. Excited, he told Haladhari again and again: "How dare you say that Mother is wrathful and full of *tamas*. She is everything. She is the embodiment of the three *gunas* and again She is pure love and goodness."

The Master's words and divine touch illumined Haladhari's heart. As he sat there on the worshipper's seat he accepted the Master's words wholeheartedly. He saw the manifestation of the Divine Mother within the Master; filled with devotion, he offered flowers and sandal paste at his feet. Hriday soon came to Haladhari and asked him: "Uncle, you have said that Ramakrishna is possessed by a ghost. What made you worship him?"

Haladhari replied: "I don't know. When he came in from the Kali temple, he simply overwhelmed me. I forgot everything. I clearly saw the Divine manifest Itself in him. He affects me like that whenever I am with him in the Kali temple. It is amazing! I don't understand it at all."

16 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Kali

Narendra did not believe in God with form, so at first he rejected Kali. Regarding this concept, he struggled for several years with his guru Sri Ramakrishna. But the Master told him, "You will be a servant of the Divine Mother." And finally, he dedicated Narendra to Mother Kali. One day many years later, Vivekananda discussed this with his Irish disciple, Sister Nivedita.

Jai Ramakrishna

17 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Kali

In September 1885 Ramakrishna moved to Shyampukur in Calcutta to be treated for cancer. The day before Kali Puja, he told some devotees: "Collect everything that is needed for worship but on a small scale. Tomorrow we shall have Kali Puja."

Swami Saradananda writes:

Evening arrived. At 7:00 p.m. the devotees found the Master seated silently on his bed, as on other days. He said nothing further about the worship. They cleared some space on his right and placed the worship articles there. Some devotees had seen the Master occasionally worship his own form with sandal paste and flowers when he lived in Dakshineswar. Today they had come to the conclusion that the Master intended to worship himself as a symbol of Universal Consciousness and the embodiment of Divine Power, or to perform the worship of his own Self as identified with the Divine Mother according to the scriptures. It is therefore not surprising that they placed the worship articles next to his bed. The Master watched them do that, but raised no objection.

When everything had been brought to his room, someone lit the lamps and burnt some incense, filling the whole room with light and fragrance. Seeing the Master still sitting quietly, the devotees sat near him. Some looked at him intently, awaiting his direction; some began to meditate on the Divine Mother. Time passed, and the Master remained silent. He neither came forward to perform the worship himself, nor did he ask any of us to do it.

The young devotees were present, along with Mahendra, Ram, Devendra, Girish, and some senior devotees. The Master sometimes said that of his devotees Girish had ‘one hundred and twenty-five percent’ faith. Most of the devotees were puzzled by the Master's silence about the worship. But because Girish had such abundant faith in the Master, he was suddenly struck by this idea: "The Master does not need to worship the Divine Mother for his own sake. If his pure love has inspired him to perform the worship, why would he sit there quietly, doing nothing? That does not seem right. Were these arrangements made for the devotees to worship the Divine Mother in the Master's living form and be blessed? It must be so."

He was overwhelmed with joy at that thought and immediately took flowers and sandal paste from a tray and offered them at the feet of the Master, saying, "Victory to the Mother."

17 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Kali

In September 1885 Ramakrishna moved to Shyampukur in Calcutta to be treated for cancer. The day before Kali Puja, he told some devotees: "Collect everything that is needed for worship but on a small scale. Tomorrow we shall have Kali Puja."

Swami Saradananda writes:

Evening arrived. At 7:0O p.m. the devotees found the Master seated silently on his bed, as on other days. He said nothing further about the worship. They cleared some space on his right and placed the worship articles there. Some devotees had seen the Master occasionally worship his own form with sandal paste and flowers when he lived in Dakshineswar. Today they had come to the conclusion that the Master intended to worship himself as a symbol of Universal Consciousness and the embodiment of Divine Power, or to perform the worship of his own Self as identified with the Divine Mother according to the scriptures. It is therefore not surprising that they placed the worship articles next to his bed. The Master watched them do that, but raised no objection.

When everything had been brought to his room, someone lit the lamps and burnt some incense, filling the whole room with light and fragrance.

Seeing the Master still sitting quietly, the devotees sat near him. Some looked at him intently, awaiting his direction; some began to meditate on the Divine Mother. Time passed, and the Master remained silent. He neither came forward to perform the worship himself, nor did he ask any of us to do it.

The young devotees were present, along with Mahendra, Ram, Devendra, Girish, and some senior devotees. The Master sometimes said that of his devotees Girish had ‘one hundred and twenty-five percent’ faith. Most of the devotees were puzzled by the Master's silence about the worship.

But because Girish had such abundant faith in the Master, he was suddenly struck by this idea: "The Master does not need to worship the Divine Mother for his own sake. If his pure love has inspired him to perform the worship, why would he sit there quietly, doing nothing? That does not seem right. Were these arrangements made for the devotees to worship the Divine Mother in the Master's living form and be blessed? It must be so."

He was overwhelmed with joy at that thought and immediately took flowers and sandal paste from a tray and offered them at the feet of the Master, saying, "Victory to the Mother."

A thrill passed through the Master's body, and he went into deep samadhi. His face became luminous and a divine smile played upon it. His hands assumed the gestures symbolizing fearlessness and the bestowal of boons that are seen in images of Kali, thus indicating that the Mother was revealing Herself within him. These events happened so quickly that the devotees seated nearby thought Girish had offered flowers after seeing the Master in samadhi. To those who were a little farther away it appeared as if a luminous form of the Devi had suddenly appeared before them, taking possession of the Master's body.

18 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Kali

When Sri Ramakrishna was gravely ill at the Cossipore garden house, the Holy Mother was stricken with grief. One day, in a vision, a girl with long black hair and a dark complexion appeared and sat near her. Realizing that it was Mother Kali, she exclaimed: “Oh, you have come!”

Mother Kali: “Yes, I have come from Dakshineswar.”

After further conversation, the Holy Mother observed that the girl bent her neck to one side. She asked: “What has happened to your neck?”

Mother Kali: “Well, I have a sore throat.”

The Holy Mother: “My goodness! The Master has a sore throat and you also have it?”

Mother Kali: “That is true.”

Thus, the Holy Mother was made to understand that the Divine Mother and Sri Ramakrishna were one and the same. When Sri Ramakrishna passed away, the Holy Mother cried out, saying, “O Mother Kali, where have you gone, leaving us behind?”

19 May 2023

(Excerpts from ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Shiva

During Ramakrishna's boyhood in Kamarpukur at the time of the Shivaratri festival, a dramatic performance had been arranged at the Pyne's household. A troupe from the neighbouring village was to perform a religious drama based on the glory of Shiva. The performance was to begin about half an hour after dusk. That evening, news reached the village that the boy who was to play Shiva had become seriously ill, so the performance would have to be cancelled. The senior members of the village asked Gadadhar if he would act in that role, and he agreed. Swami Saradananda described the events that followed:

Once Gadadhar was in costume, he sat in the dressing room and thought of Shiva. When he was called to appear on the stage, one of his friends led him there. He mounted the stage at his friend's request. Absentmindedly, without looking in any direction, he slowly walked to the middle of the stage and stood there motionless. The audience was overwhelmed with joy and awe upon seeing Gadadhar in that costume with matted hair, bedecked with rosaries, and smeared with ashes. He entered with slow and steady footsteps, and then stood motionless with a heavenly, indrawn, unblinking gaze, and a sweet smile on the corners of his lips. According to village custom, the audience suddenly cried out, chanting the name of Hari. Some women ululated auspiciously and some blew conches.

'Jai Ramakrishna Various forms of God'

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Shiva and Kali

One day the Master was pacing back and forth on the north-eastern veranda of his room, which extended east to west. He was in a spiritual mood, completely oblivious to his surroundings. Mathur was then seated alone in a room in his bungalow, which was situated between the temple complex and the Panchavati. It was not far from Mathur's room to the veranda where the Master was pacing, so Mathur could see him through a window. Sometimes he thought of the Master as he watched him walking in what was obviously an indrawn mood, and again he thought about various worldly affairs and made plans for his own future. The Master was not at all aware that Mathur was watching him from time to time as he sat in his parlour. All of a sudden Mathur hurriedly ran out of his bungalow, threw himself down at Sri Ramakrishna's feet, and began to cry profusely.

The Master later narrated: "I asked Mathur: 'What are you doing? You are an aristocrat and Rani Rasmani's son-in-law. What will people say if they see you behaving like this? Calm yourself. Please, get up!' But who would listen to this? Gradually Mathur got control of himself and described his wonderful vision. He said: 'Father, I was watching you just now as you walked back and forth. I saw it distinctly: as you walked towards me, you were no longer yourself. You were the Divine Mother Kali from the temple! Then, as you turned around and walked in the opposite direction, you became Lord Shiva! At first, I thought it was some kind of optical illusion. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but I saw the same thing. As often as I looked, I saw it!' He said this again and again, crying. I said, 'But I know nothing about this.' He ignored me. I became very nervous. I thought that if someone reported this to Rani Rasmani, she might misunderstand and think that I had put a spell on Mathur. I consoled him in various ways and finally calmed him down. Was it for nothing that Mathur served me and loved me so much? The Divine Mother granted him various visions and experiences on many occasions."

20 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Shiva and Kali

One day the Master was pacing back and forth on the north-eastern

veranda of his room, which extended east to west. He was in a spiritual mood, completely oblivious to his surroundings. Mathur was then seated alone in a room in his bungalow, which was situated between the temple complex and the Panchavati.

It was not far from Mathur's room to the veranda where the Master was pacing, so Mathur could see him through a window. Sometimes he thought of the Master as he watched him walking in what was obviously an indrawn mood, and again he thought about various worldly affairs and made plans for his own future.

The Master was not at all aware that Mathur was watching him from time to time as he sat in his parlour. All of a sudden Mathur hurriedly ran out of his bungalow, threw himself down at Sri Ramakrishna's feet, and began to cry profusely.

The Master later narrated: "I asked Mathur: 'What are you doing? You are an aristocrat and Rani Rasmani's son-in-law. What will people say if they see you behaving like this? Calm yourself. Please, get up!' But who would listen to this? Gradually Mathur got control of himself and described his wonderful vision.

He said: 'Father, I was watching you just now as you walked back and forth. I saw it distinctly: as you walked towards me, you were no longer yourself. You were the Divine Mother Kali from the temple! Then, as you turned around and walked in the opposite direction, you became Lord Shiva! At first, I thought it was some kind of optical illusion. I rubbed my eyes and looked again, but I saw the same thing. As often as I looked, I saw it!' He said this again and again, crying. I said, 'But I know nothing about this.'

He ignored me. I became very nervous. I thought that if someone reported this to Rani Rasmani, she might misunderstand and think that I had put a spell on Mathur.

I consoled him in various ways and finally calmed him down. Was it for nothing that Mathur served me and loved me so much? The Divine Mother granted him various visions and experiences on many occasions."

21 May 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Vishnu-Narayana

In 1835 Kshudiram, Ramakrishna's father, went to the Vishnu temple of Gaya to offer pinda (obsequial rice balls) at the feet of Gadadhar, or Vishnu, for his departed ancestors. One night after falling asleep, he started dreaming. Swami Saradananda relates:

He saw himself again offering pindas to his ancestors at the holy feet of Lord Gadadhar in the temple. He also saw his ancestors in their luminous celestial forms, joyfully accepting the offerings and blessing him. After gazing at them for a long time, he could not control himself. Overwhelmed with devotion, he began to weep and bowed down to them, touching their feet. In the next moment the temple was filled with a divine effulgence. He saw his ancestors standing on both sides of the shrine in a reverential attitude with folded hands, praying to a luminous Person seated graciously on a beautiful throne. He saw that the complexion of this Effulgent One was as green as a blade of new grass, and that He was looking at Kshudiram affectionately. Smiling, the Effulgent One beckoned Kshudiram to draw near. Like an automaton, he walked towards the Effulgent One, prostrated before Him with overwhelming devotion, and began to praise Him with various hymns. The Effulgent One was pleased and spoke the following words to him in a sweet, melodious voice: "Kshudiram, I am very pleased with your sincere devotion. I shall incarnate Myself as your son and accept the loving service you offer Me in your cottage."

Listening to these amazing words, Kshudiram's joy knew no bounds. But in the very next moment he wondered how such a poor man as himself could feed and shelter such an Exalted Being. Filled with sadness, Kshudiram sobbed: "No, no, my Lord, I do not deserve this favour. It is more than enough that You have blessed me by graciously revealing Yourself and wishing to be born as my son. If You would be my son, how could I, a poor man, be able to serve You?"

The Divine Being was even more pleased upon hearing Kshudiram's plaintive words, and said: "Don't be afraid, Kshudiram. Whatever you offer, I shall accept with Joy. Don't raise any objections to the fulfilment of My wish."

This is the story of Ramakrishna's conception.

22 May 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

One day the Master asked Pandit Gauri a question to test his understanding:

"Well, Vaishnavcharan calls this (pointing to himself) an avatar. Tell me what you think about it."

Gauri gravely replied: "Does Vaishnavcharan call you an avatar? I consider that an understatement! I believe you are He, by a fraction of Whose power, the avatars come forth to this world in every age and accomplish their mission."

The Master smiled and said: "Ah — so you outbid him! What do you find in me that leads you to entertain this idea?"

Gauri replied: "I am saying this based on my own personal experience and the testimony of the scriptures. I am ready to prove my contention to anyone who challenges me in the matter."

"Well, it is you who say so," the Master said like a boy, "but I know nothing about it."

Gauri said: "That is as it should be. The scriptures agree on this point. Jai Ramakrishna"

23 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Sri Ramakrishna as Narayana

Once Manomohan had a vision of a luminous form. At first, he could not believe that it was a divine form, but his doubt was dispelled when he saw three marks resembling a flag, a thunderbolt, and a goad, imprinted on the soles of Vishnu's feet. He became convinced that He was Narayana, bearer of the conch, discus, mace, and lotus; and he bowed down to that divine form, saying, "Victory to Ramakrishna in the form of Narayana!"

About his young devotee Purna, Ramakrishna said: "Purna is a part of Narayana and a spiritual aspirant endowed with a high degree of sattva. In this respect he may be said to occupy a place just below Narendra [Swami Vivekananda]."

One day the Master asked Purna: "Tell me, what do you think of me?" Overcome with exuberant devotion, Purna replied without hesitation: "You are God Himself, incarnated in flesh and blood! You are Narayana."

24 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Sri Ramakrishna as Narayana

In that same period, Gauri-ma was living at Balaram's house in Calcutta. One morning she began her daily worship of Vishnu as usual, by bathing the stone image of the deity. She was about to place it on the altar when she saw two live human feet there, without a human body. At first, she thought that it was an optical illusion, but upon observing the altar carefully again and again she saw only those two human feet. Gauri-ma was frightened. The hair of her body stood on end, and her hands started trembling so much that she dropped the image. She took the image from the floor and put it back on the altar. She repeated the mantra, and while offering tulasi leaves upon it, she again saw those two live feet. She lost outer consciousness and fell to the floor. She remained in an ecstatic mood that day and the following night. The next morning, Balaram and his wife took her to meet the Master at Dakshineswar. When she bowed down to the Master, she saw the same two feet that she had seen on the altar the previous day. She was overwhelmed with joy and astonishment. Ramakrishna just smiled.

Vaikuntha Nath Sanyal wrote: "Jogin Sen was from Krishnanagar in the Nadia district. He was an assistant treasurer of the Government printing press. I was present the day Jogin received the Master's grace. The Master asked Jogin: 'Which form of God gives you the most joy?'

Jogin replied: 'I don't know. But during the public celebration I fainted for a while upon seeing the four-handed Narayana. Today I see the same form in you.'"

25 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Sri Ramakrishna as Narayana

Swami Abhedananda began to practise meditation as instructed by Sri Ramakrishna. In the beginning he saw his Chosen Deity in various ways during meditation. Quite often he would go to Dakshineswar and report his experiences to the Master.

The Master would respond, "Very good," or "Do this next," and so on.

Later, during meditation one day, Abhedananda saw various forms of gods and goddesses merge into a particular divine form. When he informed the Master of this, the latter said: "Ah, you have seen Vaikuntha [the abode of Vishnu]! Henceforth you won't have any other visions."

Ramakrishna as Gadadhar

One day in Dakshineswar Yogin-ma picked some flowers; she used a comer of her sari to carry them.

Ramakrishna was at that time standing on the northern veranda of his room and saw Yogin-ma coming, carrying something.

He asked her, "What are you carrying?"

Yogin-ma showed him the flowers and then bowed down and offered them at his feet.

Immediately the Master went into an ecstatic mood and blessed her, touching his foot to her head. Then, following Gopal-ma's instructions, she touched the Master's feet to her chest.

One day long after the Master passed away, Yogin-ma was repeating her mantra when she heard a divine voice say: "Your chest has been imprinted with auspicious marks from the lotus feet of Damodar [an epithet of Vishnu]."

Just before his death in 1909, Swami Advaitananda saw the Master appear before him, bearing a mace on one shoulder. Advaitananda asked, "Master, why are you carrying a mace?"

The Master replied: "I am Gadadhar [literally, "bearer of the mace," an epithet of Lord Vishnu]. In this age I shall destroy everything, then rebuild."

26 May 2023

Various forms of God.

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda.)

Ramakrishna as Jagannath

On 15 July 1885, Ramakrishna said to M.: "I want to tell you something very secret. Once, in a spiritual mood, I felt intense love for Jagannath, love such as a woman feels for her sweetheart. In that mood I was about to embrace Him, when I broke my arm. It was then revealed to me: 'You have assumed this human body. Therefore, establish with human beings the relationship of friend, father, mother, and son.'"

M. said that the Master told his devotees many times: "I am Lord Jagannath of Puri."

M. continued:

Once he sent me to Puri and instructed me as to what was to be done there. He told me that I should embrace Jagannath. I was anxious because it was almost impossible to do that. At last, the Master created an idea in my mind. I carried quite a number of coins and bills in my pocket when I entered the inner sanctuary of the temple. The place was a little dark. I purposely scattered the coins and bills on the floor. When they heard the jingle of the coins, the priests scrambled to collect that money. In the meantime, I climbed onto the altar and embraced Lord Jagannath. Someone saw me and raised a hue and cry. I got down immediately and began to circumambulate the deity. In the darkness, none could recognize the person who did it. It was the Master who instructed me; it was he who gave me the idea; and it was also he who diverted the attention of the priests by creating greed in their minds. Now I wonder how I could do such a brave deed!

During his lifetime, the Master sent me to Puri a few times. He did not go to Puri. He said: "If I go to Puri, my body will not last." So, he did not go. When I returned from Puri, the Master embraced me and said, "Here I embrace Lord Jagannath."

Jai Ramakrishna

27 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Jagannath

In 1900, Manomohan Mitra and his wife went to Puri after the death of their daughter. His wife died there from cholera. One day Manomohan entered the temple and saw Ramakrishna in place of Jagannath on the altar. When he repeatedly saw the Master, he shouted: "Victory to Lord Jagannath in the form of Ramakrishna!"

In 1917, Swami Turiyananda went to Puri. One day he visited Lord Jagannath. As he was going up the stairs to the temple entrance, he suddenly saw Sri Ramakrishna, with a garland of flowers around his neck, coming down the steps towards him. Turiyananda rushed forward and prostrated. But when he stretched out his hands to touch the Master's feet, he could no longer see him. He suddenly came back to his senses. Turiyananda said: "It was Lord Jagannath who descended as Sri Ramakrishna. That is why the Master refused to visit Puri and said, 'If I go there, my body will not last.'"

28 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Jagannath

The Master's niece Lakshmi recalled: "Once Balaram brought some prasad of Jagannath and gave it to the Master. The Master touched the prasad with his head and then went into ecstasy. He said: 'It is as if I am in Puri. There everything is large — vast ocean, wide roads, and infinite Lord Jagannath! If I go there, this body will not last [meaning that he would merge into Jagannath].'"

In the spring of 1925 Lakshmi went to visit Lord Jagannath with her devotee Bipin. She was deeply immersed in thoughts of the Master. Entering the temple, she saw the Master seated on a bench on the right side of the shrine. Lakshmi was delighted to see the Master and thought: "I am happy that the Master is able to see Lord Jagannath." The Master then said to Lakshmi: "I am close to Jagannath. Why are you so anxious? You were thinking of me, so here I am." On another occasion Lakshmi was a little sad because she could not see the Master in the temple. Then Jagannath appeared before her and said: "Don't be sad. I and your Ramakrishna are the same."

29 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Krishna

Once Ramakrishna said to Swami Vijnanananda: "In the Krishna incarnation, I played with the cowherd boys and girls, the gopis, in Vrindaban."

Vijnanananda recalled:

I was then a college student and could not believe what the Master had said.

Perceiving my doubt, the Master began to describe the gopis' love for Krishna: "The gopis' love was a genuine divine love. They were mad for Krishna. Hearing the flute of Krishna, they would leave their husbands and rush to him. Although Krishna was not wealthy, they loved him more than they did their own lives. They offered their bodies and minds — everything — to Krishna. It is written in the Bhagavata that Krishna played with the gopis during the full moon night of autumn. At the time of rasalila, Krishna was immersed in samadhi and the gopis were also in ecstasy."

Saying this, the Master lost outer consciousness and became immersed in samadhi. I was also absorbed in a divine mood thinking of Krishna's play with the gopis.

At that time, being in the Master's field of influence was like being in the place where the rasa festival was enacted. While I was within those bounds, the veil of ignorance that covered my understanding of the rasalila disappeared.

I had a wonderful experience about the rasalila. When the Master came down from samadhi, he looked at me and smiled. I was dumbfounded.

One day at Dakshineswar the Master told his nephew Ramlal: "I want to wear a yellow cloth like Krishna's." Ramlal took a new cloth and soaked it in water that had been mixed with turmeric paste. When it was dry, the Master put on that cloth and a garland. Pointing to the cloth and garland, he said: "O Pitambara [one dressed in yellow cloth], O, Vanamali [wearer of a garland of wildflowers]."

Repeating these epithets of Krishna, he went into ecstasy and began to roll on the ground. The cloth dropped from his body and the garland was tom to pieces.

Ramlal then dressed the Master in a white cloth and began to praise Krishna. The Master sat there motionless.

30 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Radha

Swami Saradananda wrote: "When the Master started to practise madhura bhava, he was eager to wear women's clothing and jewellery. Knowing the Master's desire, the devoted Mathur provided him with a beautiful and expensive sari from Varanasi, a skirt, a bodice, and a scarf. To complete the transformation, Mathur brought him a wig with curly hair and a set of gold jewellery. It is no wonder that under the influence of women's attire, his feminine traits were aroused. But no one could have ever imagined that while immersed in that mood, his movements, speech, smile, glance, gestures, and other actions, as well as his thoughts, would become completely feminine."

Hriday said: "During that period at Dakshineswar, every morning Uncle would take a basket and pick flowers from the garden. As we watched him, we noticed that he always stepped out with his left foot first, as a woman does. The Brahmani said, 'When I saw him picking flowers, I often mistook him for Radha.' Every day after collecting flowers, he would make beautiful garlands and decorate the images of Radha and Krishna. Sometimes he adorned the image of the Divine Mother and prayed piteously to Her, as did the gopis to the goddess Katyayani, begging Her to give him Krishna as his spiritual husband."

Swami Saradananda continued: "Knowing that the vision of Krishna is not possible without Radha's grace, the Master began to worship her with his one-pointed mind. He remained absorbed in meditation on her loving form and prayed to her unceasingly with a longing heart. As a result, he was soon blessed with the vision of Radha. Her form merged into him like the forms of other gods and goddesses whose visions he had previously realized. He said: 'It is impossible to describe the incomparable, pure, heavenly beauty and sweetness of Radha, who renounced everything out of her passionate love for Krishna. Her complexion was light yellow like the stamens of the nagakeshara [mesuaferra] flower.'

"For some time following that vision, the Master felt that he was Radha. This happened as a result of deep meditation on Radha's form and character. He completely lost his sense of a separate identity."

31 May 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Radha

Gangamata of Vrindaban also saw Radha's appearance in Ramakrishna.

Swami Saradananda writes: "Gangamata was then about sixty years old. After observing her exuberant love for Radha and Krishna over a long period of time, the local people had come to regard her as a reincarnation of Lalita, the main female confidante of Radha, who had descended to earth to teach people divine love.

The Master told us that when she first saw him, she recognized the same manifestation of mahabhava in him that she saw in Radha. She understood him to be a reincarnation of Radha herself, and she addressed him as 'my Dulali,' darling friend.

Gangamata considered herself blessed to have met Dulali without any effort of her own and realized that her lifelong service and love for the Lord had been fulfilled."

Swami Vivekananda also saw Radha in the Master, as recorded in 'The Life of Swami Vivekananda': "One night he dreamt that Sri Ramakrishna came to him and said, 'Come! Today I will show you Gopi Radha.' Narendra [Vivekananda] followed him. After having gone some distance, the Master turned to him and said, 'Where else will you go?'

Saying this, Sri Ramakrishna transformed himself into the beautiful personality and exquisite form of Radha herself.

This so affected the conscious mind of Narendra that whereas, formerly, he had only sung songs of the Brahmo Samaj relating to the formless Brahman, he now sang songs on the spiritual love of Radha.

When he narrated this dream to his brother disciples, they were amazed. One asked him, 'Do you believe in the significance of this?'

Narendra answered, 'Surely I do.'"

1 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Radha

There is a great mystery hidden in Vivekananda's vision of Radha. Vaikuntha Nath Sanyal wrote:

One may be a great monk or a scholar, but one cannot ignore one's samskaras [tendencies]. They evolve and dissolve by God's will. Due to the influence of these samskaras, or moral codes, or western education, Narendra disregarded Radha, the blissful aspect of God. The Master thought: If Narendra does not respect Radha, the embodiment of love, he will forever be deprived of the sweet and joyful aspect of life. Moreover, if he were devoid of love, it would not be possible for him to guide the religious order inaugurated by him (Ramakrishna). Previously the Master had established Narendra in the nirvikalpa state by a mere wish. Now, to enrich Narendra with divine love, he wrote with his finger on the bed: 'Srimati Radhe! Narendrake daya karo [O Srimati Radha, bless Narendra].' Immediately, like magic or the influence of a great power, Narendra became absorbed in the mood of Radha and prayed: "Where are you, O Radha, the embodiment of love?" Thus, after practising sadhana for three days, the dry philosopher Narendra became soft-hearted and exclaimed: "I have seen a new light by the grace of the Master. If I had not experienced this love, my life would have been dry and dreary."

Jai Ramakrishna

2 June 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Radha

Suresh Chandra Datta recorded: "Once during the dol festival of Krishna, the Master went to the Radha-Krishna temple of Dakshineswar. He was then in the mood of Radha. He began to playfully spray coloured powder on the image of Krishna and sang: 'While fighting today with colour, let me see whether you win, or I win.' Those who witnessed this sight were overwhelmed."

Ramakrishna as the United Form of Radha-Krishna

Swami Saradananda wrote: "Every one of the Master's devotees has seen to a greater or lesser degree the coexistence of masculine and feminine moods in him. Once Girish experienced this and boldly asked, 'Sir, are you a man or a woman?' The Master replied with a smile, 'I don't know.' During his sadhana of madhura bhava (in the attitude of a lover for the beloved) the Master dressed like a woman. Hriday said: 'When the Master was surrounded by ladies, it was hard for even his closest relatives to recognize him immediately. One day during that time Mathur took me to the women's quarters at his Janbazar house and said, "Can you tell me which of them is your uncle?" And although I had been living with him for so long and serving him daily, I could not recognize him at first.'"

During the Durga Puja at Janbazar, the Master was fanning the Divine Mother and Mathur did not recognize him at all. When Mathur's wife later told him that that person was the Master, he was dumbfounded. He said: "This is why I say that even in trifling matters no one can know the Father if he doesn't allow himself to be known. Look, I live with the Father twenty-four hours a day, and still, I did not recognize him!"

3 June 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the United Form of Radha-Krishna

Mahendra Datta wrote: "Once some actresses visited the Master at Dakshineswar. They entertained the Master by acting in the roles of Sita and Savitri. The Master also entertained them by acting as a woman kirtan singer in the role of an envoy between Radha and Krishna. He mimicked those woman singers: how they raise their big nose rings and spit after chewing betel leaves, how they move their hands, their necks, and their heads. Amazed, the actresses said: 'Being a monk, how does he know all these women's gestures!'"

Later, the Master told the devotees about his experience of Purusha and Prakriti: "Oh, what a state I passed through! I passed some days absorbed in Shiva and Durga, some days absorbed in Radha and Krishna, and some days absorbed in Sita and Rama. Assuming Radha's attitude, I would cry for Krishna; and assuming Sita's attitude, I would cry for Rama." "I would meditate day and night on Sita and Rama. At those times I would constantly behold the forms of Sita and Rama. Again, I used to be absorbed in the ideal of Radha and Krishna — the harmonization of two ideals: the Purusha and Prakriti."

4 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the United Form of Radha-Krishna

Atul Chandra Ghosh saw the united form of Radha and Krishna in Sri Ramakrishna.

Akshay Kumar Sen describes this episode in his book ‘Sri Ramakrishna Punthi’.

Swami Abhedananda wrote in his autobiography:

Atul, Girish's brother, was a great devotee of the Master. He could ascertain the condition of a patient by checking his pulse. For that reason, the Master would sometimes call for him. Once at 10:00 p.m., he [Atul] came from Baghbazar and found that the gate of the Cossipore garden house was closed. He knocked at the gate many times but got no response. Still, he continued knocking.

At last Brother Gopal heard the sound and opened the gate. Atul went upstairs to see the Master.

There he saw that Shashi was fanning the Master and Latu was sleeping on the other side of the room.

Seeing Atul Shashi handed the fan to him and went downstairs to rest. The Master was then sleeping, covered by a shawl.

After a while, Atul had a wonderful vision: He saw Krishna on the right half of the Master's body and Radha on the left half. Seeing this united form in the Master, Atul thought that it was a hallucination.

In the meantime, Sharat entered the room to serve the Master. Then the Master turned his face to Atul and asked: "Hello, how long have you been here? You go downstairs now and take some rest. Sharat will be with me."

Amazed, Atul went downstairs. He never forgot that united form appearing in the Master.

5 June 2023

Various forms of God.

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda.)

Ramakrishna as Gopala.

Regarding the vision of God, Ramakrishna said: "The more you advance towards God, the less you will see of His glories and grandeur. The aspirant at first has a vision of the goddess with ten arms; there is a great display of power in that image. The next vision is that of the deity with two arms; there are no longer ten arms holding various weapons and missiles. Then the aspirant has a vision of Gopala, in which there is no trace of power. It is the form of a tender child."

Ramakrishna appeared as the pure and loving form of Gopala to several of his devotees. Swami Saradananda writes:

Following Vaishnava sadhanas, the Brahmani had some periods of bliss arising from the sakhya and vatsalya attitudes. While she was staying at the Devamandal ghat in Dakshineswar, she would become absorbed in the vatsalya mood. Shedding tears for the Master, she would hold butter in her hand and loudly call for him, "Gopala, Gopala."

Meanwhile, at Dakshineswar the Master was extremely anxious to see the Brahmani. Like a boy pining for his mother, the Master would run a mile to see her, sit near her, and eat the butter. The Brahmani would sometimes dress herself in a red silk Varanasi sari and jewellery borrowed from some neighbours and visit the Master, accompanied by some village women. She would bring various delicacies to him and sing songs about Gopala on her way; after feeding the Master, she would return. The Master told us that when the Brahmani was in that state — with dishevelled hair and overwhelmed by her spiritual mood — it seemed that she was Nanda's queen Yashoda [the foster mother of Krishna] grieving because of her separation from Gopala.

6 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Gopala

Swami Saradananda describes Aghoremani's vision of Gopala:

It was three o'clock one spring morning when Aghoremani [Gopaler-ma] started to practise her japa. After finishing, she began pranayama and was about to offer the result of her practices to her Chosen Deity when she noticed Sri Ramakrishna seated at her left, his right fist clenched.

She saw the Master vividly — as alive as she saw him in Dakshineswar.

She wondered: "What is this? How did he get here at such an odd hour?"

Gopal-ma later described it thus: "I looked at him in amazement and thought, 'How did he get here?' Meanwhile, Gopala (as she called Sri Ramakrishna) kept smiling sweetly.

I gathered my courage and grasped his left hand — and Sri Ramakrishna's form disappeared. In its place appeared the real Gopala — a large baby, ten months old. His beauty and appearance beggars description!

He crawled towards me and, raising one hand, said, 'Mother, give me butter.'

I was overwhelmed and bewildered by this amazing experience! I cried out so loudly that if there had been men around the house they would have rushed there. With tearful eyes, I said: 'My son, I am a poor, helpless widow. What shall I feed you? Where shall I get butter and cream, my child?' But that wonderful Gopala did not listen to me. 'Give me something to eat,' he kept saying.

What could I do? Sobbing, I got up and took some dry coconut balls from a hanging basket.

Placing them in his hand, I said, 'Gopala, my darling, I offer you these wretched things, but please don't give me such poor food in return.'

"I could not perform japa at all. Gopala sat on my lap, snatched away my rosary, jumped on my shoulders, and crawled around the room.

At daybreak, I rushed to Dakshineswar on foot like a crazy woman. Gopala accompanied me. I held his buttocks with one hand and his back with the other while his head rested on my shoulder. I distinctly saw Gopala's two tiny, rosy feet dangling over my bosom."

7 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Gopala

After arriving at Dakshineswar that spring day, Aghoremani, gripped by that exuberant spiritual mood, shed tears and said many things to Sri Ramakrishna: "Here is Gopala in my arms.... Now he enters into you (pointing to Sri Ramakrishna) ... There, he comes out again.... Come, my child, come to your wretched mother."

While talking in this manner, she saw the naughty Gopala vanish into the Master's body and reappear before her in the form of a luminous boy.

His extraordinary play and childish pranks overwhelmed her, making her forget the strict rules, rites, and routines of the external world. Who could control oneself after being caught by that mighty spiritual tidal wave?

On that day Aghoremani became Gopal-ma, and the Master began to call her by that name.

Sri Ramakrishna expressed great delight as he observed her wonderful ecstasy. To calm her, he stroked her chest and fed her with delicacies from his room.

Even as she ate, Gopal-ma remained in ecstasy, saying: "Gopala, my darling, your wretched mother has led a life of dire poverty. She has to make her living by spinning and selling sacred thread. Is that why you are taking special care of her today?"

The Master kept her at Dakshineswar that day. She took her bath and meals there.

In the evening, when she had calmed a little, the Master sent her back to Kamarhati. The Gopala of her vision went with her, nestled in her arms.

Later, during the Return Chariot Festival of Jagannath, the Master spent a few days at Balaram's house, and Gopal-ma came to see him.

Swami Saradananda wrote: "Shortly before evening the Master went into ecstasy. We have seen the metal image of Gopala in a crawling posture: Its knees and left hand are on the ground, and it is looking joyfully and wistfully upward and asking for something with its right hand raised, palm up. The Master went into ecstasy and assumed that posture, except that his eyes remained half-closed, as if focussed on something within. Shortly after the Master's ecstasy began, Gopal-ma's carriage arrived at Balaram's gate.

She went upstairs and found the Master in the posture of her Chosen Deity.

The devotees present understood that it was Gopal-ma's intense devotion that had brought about this sudden manifestation of Gopala in the Master. They appreciated Gopal-ma and adored her, considering her to be most fortunate.

They remarked: 'What wonderful devotion! The Master assumed the form of Gopala because of her intense devotion.'

But Gopal-ma said: 'Truly speaking, I don't care for this stiff posture in ecstasy. My Gopala should laugh and play, walk and run. But what is this? He has become stiff like a log. I don't like to see this sort of Gopala!"'

8 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Ramachandra

One day Kshudiram, Ramakrishna's father, travelled to another village on an errand. On his way home he became exhausted, so he rested awhile under a tree by the side of the road. He felt an urge to lie down, and as soon as he did so, he fell asleep. After a while, he began to dream: His chosen deity, Ramachandra, with a complexion like that of a blade of young grass, appeared before him as a divine boy. Pointing to a particular spot, Ramachandra said: "Unnoticed and uncared for, I have been starving here for many days. Take me to your home. I am eager to accept your service." Kshudiram went there and found a stone emblem of Vishnu; he carried it to his home and installed it in his shrine. Kshudiram called that image Raghuvir (an epithet of Ramachandra) and worshipped him daily with great love. Once, when Gadadhar was a child, Kshudiram had a desire to make a garland for the Lord. He picked flowers, made a garland, and sat down to worship Raghuvir. Meanwhile, the little Gadadhar wanted to put on that garland. Kshudiram bathed the deity and then closed his eyes to meditate. Gadadhar took this opportunity to put on the garland. He then called to his father and said: "Look, Father, I am Raghuvir. See how I am dressed with a garland and sandal paste like him."

9 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Ramachandra

It is difficult to say who the Chosen Deity of the Bhairavi Brahmani was. Before she met Ramakrishna, she had received a command from the Divine Mother; she had attained perfection in Shakti worship according to Tantra; she was a great aspirant of the devotional path of Vaishnavism; but while travelling she always carried her stone image of Raghuvir.

Swami Saradananda describes the Brahmani's vision of Raghuvir when she was at Dakshineswar:

After she had collected rice, flour, and other food from the temple store. She began cooking in the Panchavati, preparing her offering to a stone image of Raghuvir that she carried about with her, and which hung around her neck.

When she finished cooking, she placed the food before Raghuvir, closed her eyes, and began to think of her Chosen Deity. Soon she entered deep meditation and had a wonderful vision. Plunged in samadhi, she lost outer consciousness, and tears of joy trickled down her cheeks.

At that moment the Master was in an ecstatic mood and felt an urge to go to the Panchavati. He ran there, and possessed by a divine power, began to eat the food that had been offered by the Brahmani.

After a while the Brahmani regained outer consciousness and saw the Master there, in an ecstatic mood.

Finding this scene to be similar to her vision, she was filled with delight, and her hair stood on end.

When the Master returned to the normal plane, he felt ashamed of what he had done.

He apologized, saying, "Who knows, mother, why I lose control over myself and do such things?"

The Brahmani lovingly reassured him: "You did well, my son. It is not really you who has done this, but He who dwells within you. In my meditation I clearly realized who did it and why. I have come to understand that I do not need to perform formal worship anymore: My worship has borne fruit at last."

Then the Brahmani unhesitatingly took the Master's leftover food as prasad. She saw that her beloved Raghuvir was living in Sri Ramakrishna, and she was overwhelmed with happiness. With tears of joy, she consigned to the Ganges the stone image that she had so lovingly worshipped for many years."

10 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Swami Saradananda describes the Brahmani’s vision of Raghuvir when she was at Dakshineswar: After she had collected rice, flour, and other food from the temple store, she began cooking in the Panchavati, preparing her offering to a stone image of Raghuvir that she carried about with her and which hung around her neck. When she finished cooking, she placed the food before Raghuvir, closed her eyes, and began to think of her Chosen Deity. Soon she entered deep meditation and had a wonderful vision. Plunged in samadhi, she lost outer consciousness, and tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. At that moment the Master was in an ecstatic mood and felt an urge to go to the Panchavati. He ran there, and, possessed by a divine power, began to eat the food that had been offered by the Brahmani. After a while the Brahmani regained outer consciousness and saw the Master there, in an ecstatic mood. Finding this scene to be similar to her vision, she was filled with delight, and her hair stood on end. When the Master returned to the normal plane, he felt ashamed of what he had done. He apologized, saying, "Who knows, mother, why I lose control over myself and do such things?" The Brahmani lovingly reassured him: "You did well, my son. It is not really you who has done this, but He who dwells within you. In my meditation I clearly realized who did it and why. I have come to understand that I do not need to perform formal worship anymore: My worship has borne fruit at last." Then the Brahmani unhesitatingly took the Master’s leftover food as prasad. She saw that her beloved Raghuvir was living in Sri Ramakrishna, and she was overwhelmed with happiness. With tears of joy, she consigned to the Ganges the stone image that she had so lovingly worshipped for many years.

Ramakrishna as Ramachandra

When Ramakrishna was practising vatsalya bhava (the Motherly attitude towards God), he took initiation from Jatadhari into a Rama mantra. It is really amazing how the metallic image of Ramlala (the child Ramachandra) ate, slept, bathed, ran, and jumped like a living human being with the Master. The Master served Ramlala with as much affection as Rama’s mother, Kausalya, had felt when serving him. Seeing the Master’s close relationship with Ramlala, one day Jatadhari came to the Master and said, crying with joy: "Ramlala has revealed himself to me in a way that I have never known before but have always longed for. Now the desire of my life is fulfilled. Ramlala says he won’t go away from here; he doesn’t want to leave you. But I’m not sad about it anymore. He lives happily with you and plays joyfully, and I am full of bliss when I see him this way. I have learned now to be happy simply in his happiness. So, I can now leave him with you and go away. I will enjoy knowing that he is happy with you." Then Jatadhari gave the Master the image of Ramlala and said good-bye. Nistarini, the wife of Navagopal Ghosh, was a devout woman. After her marriage, she went with her husband to see the Master at Dakshineswar. A temple cat had some kittens. The guards had been hitting them, and the mother cat had taken shelter in the Master’s room with her kittens. One day the Master asked Nistarini to take them to her home. She agreed. Pleased, the Master blessed her saying: "You saved me from a great responsibility. By Mother’s grace, may all good attend you and may you have the vision of your Chosen Deity." Her Chosen Deity was Ramachandra. One day while repeating the mantra, she had a vision of Lord Rama. Immediately she bowed down. And when she was taking the dust of his feet, she saw the form of Ramakrishna in place of Ramachandra. The Master smiled and said: "Now you know who I am."

Jai Ramakrishna

11 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Ramachandra

The Master's nephew Ramlal narrated the following story:

A young Ramayat monk in Ayodhya had a vision that Lord Rama had again incarnated on earth, somewhere in the East. In order to see him, the monk started on foot eastward from Ayodhya. When he reached Bengal, he heard that there was a great saint named Sri Ramakrishna near Calcutta. He finally found Dakshineswar after a long search and asked someone, "Where is Ramakrishna Paramahamsa?"

The people of the Kali temple told him that the Master had just passed away a few days before. Hearing this heartbreaking news, the monk exclaimed: "What! He passed away? I have come from Ayodhya on foot [nearly 1000 miles] just to see him. I went through so much hardship to get here, and he has left the body!" The young monk began to sob.

The manager of the Kali temple offered him some food from the temple store, but he refused it. He went to the Panchavati and stayed there for two or three days without eating. One night Sri Ramakrishna appeared before him and said: "You have not eaten anything for several days. I have brought this pudding for you. Please eat it." He fed the monk and disappeared.

The next morning, I [Ramlal] went to the Panchavati and found the monk full of joy. I asked: "What happened?" Then he told me everything. He even showed me the clay bowl in which the Master had brought the pudding. [Ramlal preserved the bowl for a long time, but later on it was somehow destroyed.]

Jai Ramakrishna

12 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Sita

Swami Saradananda's description of Ramakrishna's vision of Sita is very poetic. He wrote:

It was during this period [of practising dasya bhava, the servant attitude to God] that the Master had an unprecedented vision. This spiritual experience was so different from his previous ones that it became deeply imprinted in his mind and remained vivid in his memory forever.

He described the event as follows:

"One day at that time I was seated under the Panchavati. I was in a state of ordinary consciousness, well aware of my surroundings. All of a sudden, a luminous female figure of exquisite grace appeared before me. Her radiance lit up everything around her. I could see her, and at the same time I could see the trees and plants of the Panchavati, the Ganges, everything. I saw that she was human, for she had no marks of a divine being upon her, such as a third eye. But the sublime qualities reflected in her face — love, sorrow, compassion, and fortitude — are seldom to be seen even among goddesses.

Slowly she advanced towards me, from the direction of the north, all the while looking at me with gracious eyes.

I was amazed. I was wondering who she might be when suddenly a black monkey uttered a cry, fell at her feet, and rolled on the ground. Then it came to me in a flash that this must be Sita, the daughter of King Janaka, who had suffered so greatly all her life, and whose whole life had been devoted to her husband, Rama.

Overcome by emotion, I cried out 'Mother' and was about to fall at her feet when she quickly passed into my body and became merged in it. Overwhelmed with joy and wonder, I fell unconscious on the ground. This was the first vision I ever had with my eyes wide open, and when I wasn't meditating.

I believe it is because my first such vision was of Sita in her sorrowful aspect that, like her, I've had so much suffering in my life."

13 June 2023

Various forms of God.

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda.)

Ramakrishna as Sita.

The Master had visions of Sita many times, and he prayed to the Divine Mother: "O Mother, make me like Sita, completely forgetful of everything—body and limbs—totally unconscious of hands, feet, and sense organs—with only one thought in her mind, 'Where is Rama?'"

Swami Ramakrishnananda said: "When the Master talked about Sita, he would become Sita altogether, so that there would be absolutely no difference between him and Sita."

We do not know how to see something with one hundred percent of our mind; that is why we see indistinctly. We may see something, but a little while later we don't remember it. The Holy Mother described the sharpness of the Master's vision: "The Master saw Sita in the Panchavati, wearing a bangle with an unusual design. He presented me with a bangle similar to Sita's."

Swami Turiyananda once told Swami Shantananda this fascinating story about the Master: One day Mathur was returning to Janbazar in his deluxe phaeton and was bringing Sri Ramakrishna with him. When the carriage reached Chitpore Road, the Master had a wonderful vision. He felt that he had become Sita and that Ravana was kidnapping him. Seized by this idea, he merged into samadhi. Just then the horses, tearing loose from their reins, stumbled and fell. Mathur could not understand the reason for such a mishap. When Sri Ramakrishna came back to the normal plane of consciousness, Mathur told him about the accident. Sri Ramakrishna then said that while he was in ecstasy, he had perceived that Ravana was kidnapping him and that Jatayu [the great bird who had attempted to rescue Sita] was attacking Ravana's chariot and was trying to destroy it. After hearing this story, Mathur said, "Father, how difficult it is even to go with you through the street!"

14 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Mood of Mahavir Hanuman

Swami Saradananda wrote:

The Master knew that if one had the one-pointed devotion that Hanuman had for Rama, it would be possible to have the vision of Rama. The Master therefore set out to immerse himself in the servant attitude of Hanuman in every respect and began his sadhana to attain perfection in dasya bhava. During this period he constantly focussed his mind on Hanuman and was so absorbed in that ideal, he completely forgot his separate existence and individuality.

He later recalled: "I had to eat and walk like Hanuman and perform every action as he would have done it. I didn't do this of my own accord; it happened of itself. I tied my dhoti around my waist to make it look like a tail, and I moved about by jumping.

I ate nothing but fruit and roots, and I didn't like them when they were skinned or peeled. I spent a lot of my time in trees, and I kept crying out 'Rama!' in a deep voice.

My eyes took on a restless look, like the eyes of a monkey. And the most marvellous thing was that the lower end of my spine [the coccyx] lengthened nearly an inch!"

Upon hearing this, we inquired, "Sir, do you still have the same growth there?"

The Master replied: "No. When I later withdrew my mind from that kind of devotion, it [the coccyx] gradually went back to its normal size."

Hanuman Singh, a temple guard, was a devotee of Mahavir Hanuman. He had tremendous love and respect for the Master, as much as he had for his Chosen Deity, Hanuman.

Once another wrestler came to Dakshineswar and challenged him: The winner would have Singh's job.

On the day of competition, Hanuman Singh bowed down to the Master and asked for his blessing, saying, "Master, if you bestow your grace on me, I'll definitely win."

And he won the match.

15 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Mood of Durga

Once Swami Saradananda related the following incident: "One day the Master was seated in the Panchavati. At that time the Divine Mother Durga appeared from the Ganges, walked towards him, and merged into his body. Later, the Master told Hriday: 'Mother Durga came. Look, Her footprints are still on the ground.'"

Ramlal described how the Master had a vision of Durga seated on a blue lotus: "Once the Master went by steamer with Keshab Sen to visit the Eden Garden in Calcutta. He saw many blue lotuses in a pond there. He saw Mother Durga seated on a large lotus. Her right foot was hanging down, the left one was on the lotus, and Ganesha was on Her lap. The lotus was gently moving. When he had that vision, the Master went into samadhi."

Every year during Durga Puja, Mathur would invite the Master to his Calcutta residence at Janbazar. The Master passed those days joyfully with Mathur and his family. One day when the Master attended the worship service, the priest was offering food to the deity. At that time an unusual event took place. Akshay Sen wrote: "When the priest was offering the food, the Master took it in his hand and began to eat. The priest was startled. Immediately Mathur said to the priest and others: 'Now I understand that my worship of the Mother Durga is successful, because the Master has taken the food.'"

16 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Mood of Durga

As a guru, the Master bestowed his grace on Mathur. On the last day of Durga Puja that year, Mathur said to the Master: "Father, whatever others may say, I won't allow the Mother to be immersed in the Ganges. I have ordered the worship to be continued daily. How can I survive in this world without the Mother?"

The Master stroked Mathur's chest and said: "Oh, is this what makes you afraid? Who has told you that you will have to live without the Mother? And where will She go even if you immerse Her image in the Ganges? Can the Mother stay away from Her son? For the last three days She has accepted your worship in the worship hall, but from today She will accept your worship constantly, sitting in your heart."

And Mathur was mollified.

Once Hriday performed Durga Puja in Sihar, but the Master could not go with him. There Hriday saw the Master beside the image of Durga during vespers and the sandhi-puja. Later, when he returned to Dakshineswar, he described his vision to the Master.

The Master said: "It is true that I felt an intense longing to see your worship during vespers and the sandhi-puja. In ecstasy I felt that in a shining body I moved along a luminous path and entered your worship hall."

17 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Mood of Durga

When Ramakrishna was in Shyampukur being treated for cancer, while in samadhi he travelled in his subtle form to see the Durga Puja at Surendra Mitra's house. He told his devotees: "A luminous path opened from this place to Surendra's house. I saw the presence of the Divine Mother in the image; She had been evoked by Surendra's devotion. A ray of light beamed forth from Her third eye! Rows of lamps were lit before the goddess in the worship hall. In the courtyard Surendra was crying piteously 'Mother, Mother!' All of you go to his house right now. When he sees you, he will regain his peace of mind."

Narendra and some others bowed down to the Master, then left for Surendra's house. When they asked Surendra, they learned that what the Master had seen in samadhi was correct. The Master had indeed gone there in his luminous body to bless Surendra.

18 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Kundalini Power

Ramakrishna became established in the divine mood when he was twenty-two or twenty-three years old. Later, he told his devotees how he had transcended the six centres of the kundalini:

A man's spiritual consciousness is not awakened unless his kundalini is aroused. The kundalini dwells in the Muladhara. When it is aroused, it passes along the Sushumna nerve, goes through the centres of Svadhisthana, Manipura, and so on, and at last reaches the head. This is called the movement of the Mahavayu, the Spiritual Current. It culminates in samadhi. One's spiritual consciousness is not awakened by the mere reading of books. One should also pray to God. The kundalini is aroused if the aspirant feels restless for God. To talk of Knowledge from mere study and hearsay! What will that accomplish?

Just before I attained this state of mind, it had been revealed to me how the kundalini is aroused, how the lotuses of the different centres blossom forth, and how all this culminates in samadhi. This is a very secret experience. I saw a boy twenty-two or twenty-three years old, exactly resembling me, enter the Sushumna nerve and commune with the lotuses, touching them with his tongue. He began with the centre at the anus and passed through the centres at the sexual organ, navel, and so on. The different lotuses of those centres — four-petalled, six-petalled, ten-petalled, and so forth — had been drooping. At his touch they stood erect.

When he reached the heart — I distinctly remember it — and communed with the lotus there, touching it with his tongue, the twelve-petalled lotus, which was hanging down, stood erect and opened its petals. Then he came to the sixteen-petalled lotus in the throat and the two-petalled lotus in the forehead. And last of all, the thousand-petalled lotus in the head blossomed. Since then, I have been in this state.

Jai Ramakrishna

19 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Kundalini Power

The Master used to call the Kundalini Power "Chaitanya-vayu," "Hari-bai," "Mahavayu," "the Snake," and "Mother." This power was active within the Master at all times. Sometimes the Master would arouse this power within his devotees through singing. Swami Saradananda wrote:

The Master bowed down to the Mother. Then, in an ecstatic mood, he walked with his boy devotees to the natmandir. He sat down and began to sing in his sweet voice:

O Mother, Consort of Shiva, You have deluded this world. You entertain Yourself by playing the vina in the great lotus of the muladhara. Your music vibrates through the great mantra in three scales, taking the form of the three gunas. Your music strikes the three chords — sushumna, ida, and pingala — of that musical instrument, the body. You play with melody, rhythm, and tempo at the six centres of the kundalini: Bhairava-raga in the muladhara, Sri-raga in the swadhisthana, Mallara-raga in the manipura, Vasanta-raga in the anahata, Hindola-raga in the vishuddha, and Karnataka-raga in the ajna. Again, O Mother, You transcend all sound by crossing the three octaves. O Mother, Sri Nandakumar says that one cannot realize the Supreme Truth unless You remove the veil of Your three gunas, which covers the face of Brahman.

The Master was singing while seated in the northern part of the natmandir facing the Divine Mother. The devotees — some sitting and some standing — were overwhelmed as they listened to the song. While singing, the Master suddenly stood up and went into ecstasy. The singing stopped. His divine smile flooded the entire place with bliss. The devotees remained motionless as they gazed upon the beautiful form of the Master. In this condition the Master crawled down the steps of the northern side of the natmandir to the temple courtyard. After crossing the courtyard, the Master reached his own room and went to the western semicircular veranda to sit. He was still in ecstasy; the mood possessed him. Sometimes it lessened a little but would increase again and he would almost lose consciousness. After being in this condition for some time, the Master — still in that condition — said to the devotees: Have you seen the Snake? It is giving me so much trouble! Forgetting the devotees, he addressed the snake-like kundalini (for he was then experiencing the Serpent Power): "Please go now. Madam, move away. I shall smoke tobacco and wash my mouth. I have not yet brushed my teeth." Thus, he spoke with the devotees at times and sometimes addressed the divine form seen in ecstasy. Gradually he returned to the normal plane of consciousness.

20 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Kundalini Power

When the kundalini was aroused, the Master's body would expand. Sometimes he became ravenous with hunger. Once at midnight in Dakshineswar, the Master was very hungry. He asked Ramlal to give him some food. Swami Saradananda writes:

There were usually some fruits and sweets in the Master's room, but when Ramlal searched he found nothing. So, he went to the nahabat and informed the Holy Mother and other women devotees.

They hurriedly made a fire with hay and wood and cooked about two pounds of farina pudding. A woman devotee [Golap-ma] carried it to the Master in a big stone bowl.

Entering the room, she saw a dim oil lamp flickering in the corner. The Master was pacing in an ecstatic mood, and Ramlal was seated nearby.

In that calm and silent night, she was startled to see the Master's solemn, luminous face and his unclothed god-intoxicated form. His large eyes — before which the whole universe merged into and emerged from samadhi at will — were focussed inward. Her heart was filled with joy as she watched the Master pace majestically, moving blissfully and without motive, his mind one-pointed. It seemed to her that the Master's body had become much larger, as if he were not a person of this world! A god had taken human form, descending from heaven to this earth full of misery. Prompted by his compassionate heart, he had disguised himself and was pacing fearlessly in that dark night, intently considering ways to transform this death-stricken world into an abode of gods. This was not the same Master whom she saw all the time. She shivered with an indescribable awe as she drew near him.

Ramlal had already brought a seat for the Master, and the woman devotee put the bowl of farina pudding in front of it. The Master sat down and, still in an ecstatic mood, gradually consumed all of it.

21 June 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Kundalini Power

Later, Golap-ma described her experience: "Once I saw that when the Master was eating, a serpent-like being was gulping the food from his throat. I was amazed. The Master asked me: 'Well, can you tell me whether I am eating or someone else?' I told him: 'It seems a snake is sitting in your throat and gulping the food.' The Master was pleased and said: 'You are right. Blessed you are that you have seen it.' I really saw that the Master was offering food to the serpent-formed kundalini."

Nistarini Ghosh also saw the kundalini in the form of a snake in the Master's throat, taking food. Her son Swami Ambikananda later described what happened: "When the Master came to our house in Calcutta, my mother took him to our inner apartment for some refreshment. The Master was fond of sandesh, so the best available sandesh was purchased. The Master was seated and my mother sat in front of him with folded hands. The Master: 'Well, what do you want? You want to feed me with your own hand? All right.' When the Master opened his mouth, she put a sandesh into it and saw that someone gulped the sandesh. My mother was frightened by this. After having his refreshment, the Master asked my mother to take a little prasad. It is not customary for a host to eat before the guests. When my mother hesitated, the Master insisted that she eat. So she did. When the remaining prasad was sent downstairs, the devotees consumed everything. Then the Master said: 'You see, it is for this reason that I asked you to take prasad earlier.'"

22 June 2023

Various forms of God (Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Kundalini Power

Swami Vijnanananda described his second meeting with the Master, which took place in Belgharia: A young man [Narendra] was singing a devotional song, "Jai, Jai Dayamaya, Jai Dayamaya" [Victory to the compassionate Lord; Victory to the compassionate Lord]. 23 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Ocean of Satchidananda

Satchidananda is formless, actionless, and devoid of qualities. Sat (existence), chit (consciousness), and ananda (bliss) are the essence of Brahman. The vision of the formless Brahman is a mysterious thing. As no painter or sculptor of Ramprasad's Kali has ever been born, so there is no one to describe the visions of Ramakrishna. We must let Ramakrishna himself tell us about his experience of Brahman and his vision of Brahman in every being.

Master (to M.): "There is no outsider here. The other day, when Harish was with me, I saw Satchidananda come out of this sheath. It said, 'I incarnate Myself in every age.' I thought that I myself was saying these words out of mere fancy. I kept quiet and watched. Again, Satchidananda Itself spoke, saying, 'Chaitanya, too, worshipped Shakti.' I saw that it is the fullest manifestation of Satchidananda; but this time the Divine Power is manifested through the glory of sattva."

Master: "I have had many amazing visions. I had a vision of the Indivisible Satchidananda. Inside It I saw two groups with a fence between them. On one side were Kedar, Chuni, and other devotees who believe in the Personal God. On the other side was a luminous space like a heap of red brick-dust. Inside it was seated Narendra immersed in samadhi."

24 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Ocean of Satchidananda

Master: "The Indivisible Satchidananda — I see It both inside and outside. It has merely assumed this sheath [meaning his body] for a support and exists both inside and outside. I clearly perceive this."

Girish Ghosh once said to Ramakrishna: "You alone are the Perfect Brahman! If that is not so, then everything is false."

Ramakrishna once took M. to Mati Sil's lake to teach him how to meditate on the formless Brahman. There were tame fish in the lake. Nobody harmed them. Visitors threw puffed rice and other bits of food into the water and big fish came in swarms to eat the food. Fearlessly the fish swam in the water and joyfully sported there. The Master told M.: "Look at the fish. Meditating on the formless God is swimming joyfully like these fish, in the Ocean of Bliss and Consciousness."

In Kamarpukur the Master once had a vision in front of some women devotees. Swami Saradananda writes:

One day the Master was resting in his room after lunch. Some neighbouring women came to see him. They sat near him and began discussing spiritual matters. All of a sudden, he went into ecstasy.

Jai Ramakrishna

23 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Ocean of Satchidananda

Satchidananda is formless, actionless, and devoid of qualities. Sat (existence), chit (consciousness), and ananda (bliss) are the essence of Brahman. The vision of the formless Brahman is a mysterious thing.

As no painter or sculptor of Ramprasad's Kali has ever been born, so there is no one to describe the visions of Ramakrishna. We must let Ramakrishna himself tell us about his experience of Brahman and his vision of Brahman in every being.

Master (to M.): "There is no outsider here. The other day, when Harish was with me, I saw Satchidananda come out of this sheath. It said, 'I incarnate Myself in every age.' I thought that I myself was saying these words out of mere fancy. I kept quiet and watched.

Again, Satchidananda Itself spoke, saying, 'Chaitanya, too, worshipped Shakti.'

I saw that it is the fullest manifestation of Satchidananda; but this time the Divine Power is manifested through the glory of sattva."

Master: "I have had many amazing visions. I had a vision of the Indivisible Satchidananda. Inside It I saw two groups with a fence between them. On one side were Kedar, Chuni, and other devotees who believe in the Personal God.

On the other side was a luminous space like a heap of red brick-dust. Inside it was seated Narendra immersed in samadhi."

24 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna in the Ocean of Satchidananda

Master: "The Indivisible Satchidananda — I see It both inside and outside. It has merely assumed this sheath [meaning his body] for a support and exists both inside and outside. I clearly perceive this."

Girish Ghosh once said to Ramakrishna: "You alone are the Perfect Brahman! If that is not so, then everything is false."

Ramakrishna once took M. to Mati Sil's lake to teach him how to meditate on the formless Brahman. There were tame fish in the lake. Nobody harmed them. Visitors threw puffed rice and other bits of food into the water and big fish came in swarms to eat the food. Fearlessly the fish swam in the water and joyfully sported there.

The Master told M.: "Look at the fish. Meditating on the formless God is swimming joyfully like these fish, in the Ocean of Bliss and Consciousness."

In Kamarpukur the Master once had a vision in front of some women devotees.

Swami Saradananda writes:

One day the Master was resting in his room after lunch. Some neighbouring women came to see him. They sat near him and began discussing spiritual matters.

All of a sudden, he went into ecstasy. In that state he felt that he was joyfully swimming like a fish in the ocean of Satchidananda — sometimes sinking and sometimes floating.

The Master would quite often go into ecstasy like this while talking with others. So without paying much attention to it, the women were noisily expressing their own opinions about his condition.

Then one of them asked the others to keep quiet until the Master's ecstasy came to an end. She said: "He is now swimming like a fish in the ocean of Satchidananda. If you make noise, that will interrupt his bliss."

Although many of them did not believe her, they became silent. Later, when the Master came down to the normal plane and heard what the woman had said about his experience, he remarked: "She is right. It is really amazing. How could she know about it?"

25 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Christ

After the Master had practised sadhanas from various paths of Hinduism, Shambhu Mallick read the Bible to him. He therefore felt a desire to learn about Jesus Christ. Swami Saradananda describes how the Master's desire was fulfilled:

Jadulal Mallick's garden house is situated at the south side of the Dakshineswar Kali temple. The Master occasionally went there for a walk. From their first meeting, Jadulal and his mother loved and respected the Master greatly. If they were away when the Master went to Jadu's garden for his walk, the caretakers would open the parlour for him and ask him to sit and rest awhile. There were some magnificent pictures hanging on the walls of that room, and one of them depicted the child Jesus on his mother's lap. The Master said that one day he sat in that room and intently studied that image, thinking of the wonderful life of Jesus. Just then he saw the picture become animate and luminous. Rays of light emanated from the bodies of Mother Mary and the child Jesus, entering the Master's heart and revolutionizing his mental attitudes. When he observed that his inborn Hindu impressions were vanishing from his mind and that different ones were arising, he tried to control himself by resisting them in various ways. He entreated the Divine Mother, saying, "Mother, what are You doing to me?" But the onslaught continued. The waves of those impressions rose forcefully and completely submerged the Hindu bent of his mind. The Master's love and devotion for Hindu gods and goddesses disappeared and his heart was filled with faith in and reverence for Jesus and his religion. He then had a vision of Christian clergymen offering incense and lights in front of the image of Jesus in a church, expressing their inner longing through prayer.

26 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Christ

After he returned to the Dakshineswar temple garden, the Master remained uninterruptedly absorbed in meditation on those experiences pertaining to Jesus.

He completely forgot to visit the Divine Mother in the temple.

The waves of Christian faith that swayed him lasted for three days. When the Master was walking in the Panchavati at the end of the third day, he saw a beautiful but unfamiliar godman with a fair complexion advancing towards him, gazing at him steadily.

The Master immediately realized that he was a foreigner who belonged to a different race. He saw that his eyes were large and beautiful, and though his nose was a little flat at the tip, it in no way marred the handsomeness of his face. The Master was charmed by the unique divine expression on his serene face and wondered who he could be.

Very soon after that the figure drew near, and a voice from within told him, "This is Jesus Christ, the great yogi, the loving Son of God, who is one with his Father, who shed his heart's blood and suffered tortures for the salvation of humanity."

Then the godman Jesus embraced the Master and merged into him.

In ecstasy, the Master lost external consciousness and his mind remained united with Saguna Brahman for some time.

With this vision, the Master became convinced that Jesus was truly a divine incarnation.

27 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Christ

On another occasion, a Christian named Williams, who visited the Master, expressed this opinion: "You are Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the embodiment of Eternal Consciousness."

On 28 July 1885 M. had a long conversation about Jesus with the Master. When Ramakrishna wanted to know whether there were any similarities between himself and Jesus, M. replied: "I feel that Christ, Chaitanyadeva, and yourself — all three are one and the same. It is the same Person that has become all these three."

Master: "Yes, yes! One! One! It is indeed one. Don't you see that it is He alone who dwells here in this way."

Prabhudayal Mishra, a Christian who belonged to the Quaker denomination, came to see Ramakrishna at the Shyampukur house in Calcutta. Manindra Krishna Gupta recalled:

I saw a man come upstairs. He wore a black shirt and a black cap. It seemed to me that he was a native of Bihar. He asked me: "Sir, does Ramakrishna Paramahamsa live here? I have come to see him. Could I see him right away?"

"Of course," I replied. "Please follow me." I took him to the Master's room. After sitting there quietly for a while, he said to the Master: "Sir, I am a Christian, and for a long time I have meditated in solitude on Christ. Though I am a Christian and my Chosen Deity is Christ, my mode of worship is like the Hindus, and I believe in the yoga scriptures. Once I had a desire to find someone who had attained the highest spiritual realization while still in the world. One day in meditation, I saw two persons. I had the strong feeling that one of them had attained the highest, and that the other one, seated at his feet, though he had not yet reached the highest, was not an ordinary person. After this vision, I felt certain that such great souls must exist, but where are they, and how could I find them? I travelled to many places, especially in the western part of India, seeking the two I had seen in my vision."

28 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Christ

(Prabhudayal Mishra’s reminiscences)

At last, I heard of Pavhari Baba of Ghazipur, and I went to see him. But when I met him, I was greatly disappointed, because he bore no resemblance whatsoever to either of the two men I was seeking.

But to my astonishment, I saw a picture of one of them hanging on the wall in his room. When I asked Pavhari Baba about it, he said it was a picture of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. Eagerly I asked, 'Where can I find him?'

Then Pavhari Baba told me that for many years he had lived at Dakshineswar but was now very ill and had been moved to Calcutta for treatment by his devotees.

So, I am here, having come to Calcutta at Pavhari Baba's suggestion."

Then the man went on to say: "These clothes, in which you see me are not my usual dress."

And as he spoke, he stood up and removed his outer garments, revealing an ochre cloth. Instantly the Master also stood up and went into samadhi, raising his hand, as it is seen in the picture of Christ.

At this, the monk knelt down before him with folded hands and looked intently at Sri Ramakrishna. The monk was shedding tears and was shaking. We were all amazed to see the spiritual moods of both. After some time, the Master came back to normal consciousness and sat on his bed. The monk looked at us, his face beaming with joy, and exclaimed, "Today I am blessed."

Then we took him to an adjacent room, where Swami Vivekananda offered him prasad and food.

Finally, we asked the monk to tell us the cause of his ecstasy. "Well," he replied, "today I saw the one on whom I have meditated for so many years. I saw Lord Jesus in him."

M. once described a similar incident: "Mr. Missir was a devout Christian. The Master was very fond of him and talked to him about God. The Master showed him Christ: One day he took Mr. Missir to the Kali temple. When the latter bowed down to the Mother and raised his head, he saw Jesus Christ in place of Kali. He later realized that the Master was Christ."

29 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Experience of Islamic Truth

After practising Vedanta, Ramakrishna began to practise Islam. At that time, a Sufi named Govinda Roy came to Dakshineswar to practise sadhana. He had, previously been a Hindu, but had embraced Islam. He knew Farsi and Arabic, studied the Koran daily, and practised Islamic disciplines.

Impressed by his faith and love, the Master was attracted to Islam.

Swami Saradananda writes: "This thought was immediately followed by action. The Master expressed his wish to Govinda, received initiation from him, and began to practise Islam according to its traditions.

The Master said: 'I then devoutly repeated the holy name of Allah, wore my cloth as the Muslims do, and said their prayers several times a day. Because the Hindu feeling had disappeared from my mind altogether, I felt disinclined to visit the Hindu deities, much less to bow down to them. I spent three days in that mood, and I had the full realization of the sadhana of that faith.'

While practising Islam, the Master at first had a vision of a radiant Being who looked grave and had a long beard, then he experienced the cosmic Saguna Brahman; and finally his mind merged into the absolute Nirguna Brahman."

30 June 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Experience of Islamic Truth

Ramlal gave this account: "Once the Master had a desire to pray in a mosque. There was a mosque on the way from our house to the Dakshineswar temple. Early one morning the Master went to that mosque and stood near the gate. He wore his cloth in the Muslim style. Opening the door, the Muslims found him standing there. They asked: 'Who are you? Where do you come from?' One of them recognized the Master and said: 'He lives in the temple and worships there.' Then the Master went inside the mosque and prayed with them. Thus, he prayed three days with the Muslims. One day in the mosque he saw an old fakir who had white hair, a moustache, and a beard. He wore a long cloak and had a glass rosary around his neck. He carried a stick in his hand. He came close to the Master and said: 'You have come. Very good!' He smiled and blessed the Master, moving his hand over him. I heard this story from the Master."

Manmatha Nath Ghosh, an eyewitness, described how the Master entered the Geratala mosque in an ecstatic mood: "One evening as I was passing by the Geratala mosque, I heard the loud prayer of a Muslim fakir: 'O my Beloved, please come! Please come, O my Beloved!' He was repeating this prayer with love and longing as tears rolled down his cheeks. Suddenly I saw Sri Ramakrishna climb down from a hired carriage and rush up to the fakir. The two embraced each other. This incident happened when the Master was returning from Kalighat after visiting the Divine Mother there. What a wonderful sight it was! Two other people were in the carriage. One of them was Ramlal, a nephew of Sri Ramakrishna, who used to give me prasad at the Master's command at Dakshineswar."

1 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as the Sikh Guru Nanak

Ramakrishna heard about the Buddha, the Jain Mahavir, and Shankara and based some of his teachings upon their messages. The Master remarked about Buddha: "Buddha was definitely an incarnation of God. There is no difference between his religion and the Vedic path of knowledge." In the Master's room at Dakshineswar there were a stone image of Mahavir Tirthankar and a portrait of Christ; the Master would wave incense before both of them. Although he adored and respected them, he never said that the tirthankaras in Jainism and the ten gurus in Sikhism, from Nanak to Govinda, were incarnations of God. About the ten gurus of Sikhism, the Master said: "They are all incarnations of the sage Janaka. I heard from some Sikhs that the royal sage Janaka had a desire to do good to humanity before he attained liberation. That is why he was born ten times as ten gurus from Nanak to Govinda, established religion among the Sikhs, and then merged forever into the Supreme Brahman. There is no reason to disbelieve this statement of the Sikhs."

Jai Ramakrishna

2 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Sri Ramakrishna and Sikhism

It is mentioned in the Ramakrishna literature that Rama, Krishna, Jesus, Chaitanya and others merged into the Master's body. But there is no mention of Buddha, Mahavir, Muhammad, Nanak, or Shankaracharya merging into him. During the Master's time, there was a government magazine at the north side of the Dakshineswar temple garden. A group of Sikh soldiers were stationed there to protect it. Sometimes they would come to the Master for spiritual advice, and at other times they would invite him to their quarters for food. Swami Ambikananda said: "The Sikh guards of the magazine first called the Master 'Paramahamsa.' The Master would joyfully move around the bel tree, naked. The people of the Punjab are very devoted to monks, and they serve holy people with great respect. Observing the Master's exalted state, they remarked, 'Look, this man is a Paramahamsa!' From that time on the Master had the name 'Ramakrishna Paramahamsa.'"

Once the Master said: "I have practised all kinds of sadhana: jnana yoga, karma yoga, and bhakti yoga. I have even gone through the exercises of hatha yoga to increase longevity. There is another Person dwelling in this body. Otherwise, after attaining samadhi, how could I live with the devotees and enjoy the love of God? Koar Singh used to say to me: 'I have never before seen a person who has returned from the plane of samadhi. You are none other than Nanak.'"

3 July 2023

AUSPICIOUS GURU POORNIMA

Today is the most auspicious day of Sri Guru. On this sacred Guru Poornima day may Sri Ramakrishna, Holy Mother and Swami Vivekananda bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Sri Ramakrishna and Sikhism

One day the Master went to the Sikhs' quarters with Narayana Shastri. The men were delighted to see that the Master had come of his own accord. They bowed down to him and sat to hear him talk about spiritual matters. The Master spoke, and they listened. However, Narayana Shastri interjected some words about jnana (knowledge) into the Master's discourse. Akshay Sen writes: "The soldiers were angered by this, and threatened Narayana Shastri with a sword. They told Shastri, 'You are a worldly householder — you have no right to talk about knowledge.' Then the Master calmed those angry Sikhs with sweet words."

The following incident took place sometime earlier. Once the uniformed Sikh regiment was marching to the Calcutta fort under the guidance of a British commander when the Master was passing by with Mathur in his horse carriage. Seeing the Master, the soldiers dropped their guns on the ground and bowed down to the Master, saying, "Victory to the guru." Such actions were not acceptable under military rules and would be considered a grave offence. Akshay Sen writes: "The commander asked the soldiers: 'Why have you dropped your arms without permission?' They replied: 'It is the custom of our religion to respect the guru. We don't care whether we lose our lives, but we must bow down to our guru when we see him.' The Master blessed those soldiers by raising his hand."

Jai Ramakrishna

4 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

Swami Saradananda described the events that took place when the Master attended a meeting of the Harisabha:

The members of the Harisabha considered themselves to be ardent followers of Chaitanya. To remember this constantly, they put an asana on the altar and envisioned Chaitanya's presence there. They performed their worship, reading, and other functions of the congregation in front of that seat, which they called "Sri Chaitanya's Seat." Everyone bowed down to the seat with devotion, and no one was allowed to sit there.

On this day, like any other, the reading was performed in front of the seat, which had been decorated with flowers and garlands. The reader was reading with devotion, believing himself to be reciting the glory of Hari to Chaitanya himself, and the devotees were excited to be drinking the nectar of the Lord's words while in Chaitanya's divine presence. The joy and devotion of the reader and the audience were enhanced a hundredfold by the Master's arrival.

While listening to the nectar-like words of the Bhagavata, the Master became overwhelmed and suddenly ran towards Sri Chaitanya's Seat. He stood upon it and went into such deep samadhi that there was not even the slightest sign of life in him. As the devotees beheld the Master's wonderful and sweet smile, luminous face, and raised arms with fingers up as seen in the common images of Chaitanya, the prominent devotees were convinced that the Master had become completely identified with Chaitanya in bhavamukha [an exalted state]. Although there were external differences between his body and mind and those of Chaitanya with respect to time, place, and circumstance, the Master did not perceive these differences at all as he ascended to the plane of bhavamukha.

The reader stopped his recitation and looked at the Master in wonder. Although most in the audience did not understand the Master's ecstasy, they were overpowered by an indescribable awe and wonder and remained calm. No one could say anything, positive or negative. As they experienced indescribable bliss, all felt as if they were carried away to an unknown realm by the powerful spiritual current caused by the Master. At first they were nonplussed but then were compelled by that indescribable phenomenon to burst forth in a loud voice with "Haribol!" and to begin singing kirtan.

5 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

Gradually, the news spread throughout the Vaishnava communities by word of mouth. Bhagavandas Babaji [the spiritual leader of the community] also heard about it. The perfected Babaji was terribly annoyed when he heard that the seat of his Chosen Deity had been desecrated by a stranger named Ramakrishna. He was so enraged that he did not hesitate to bitterly reproach the Master and call him a hypocrite.

Some days after the incident, the Master went to Kalna [where the Babaji lived] of his own accord with Hriday and Mathur. Accompanied by Hriday, the Master went to visit Bhagavandas Babaji. He waited outside and sent Hriday to the Babaji with the message that he had come to see him. Meanwhile, the Master appeared before the Babaji when the latter was taking a disciplinary action against a Vaishnava monk.

Jai Ramakrishna 6 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

During the Master's pilgrimage to Navadwip, Sri Ramakrishna had a vision of Chaitanya. Swami Saradananda writes:

Many among us were sceptical about Chaitanya's being an avatar, and some even believed that the word Vaishnava stood for "low-class people." To remove this doubt, some of us asked the Master about it. In reply, he said: "Previously I also thought that way. Chaitanya is not even alluded to in the Bhagavata and other Puranas, so how could he be an avatar? I thought the shaven-headed Vaishnavas had set him up as an avatar. At any rate, I did not believe it. Then I went to Navadwip with Mathur. I thought that if Chaitanya were an avatar, there must be some signs of his manifestation, and that I would recognize them. I moved around with a view to seeing his divine manifestation and visited the deities in the houses of Senior Gosain and Junior Gosain but found nothing. Everywhere I saw wooden images of Chaitanya standing with raised arms. I felt dejected and wondered why I had come. When I was about to board the boat to return, I had a wonderful vision of two beautiful teenaged boys. I had never seen such beauty before. Their complexions were as bright as molten gold, and they had halos round their heads. Smiling, they rushed towards me through the air, their arms raised. Immediately I cried out: 'Here they come! Here they come!' No sooner had I uttered those words than they came near and entered here (pointing to his body), and I fell down unconscious. I would have fallen into the water, but Hriday was nearby and caught hold of me. Thus, I was shown many such things and became convinced that Chaitanya was a true avatar, a manifestation of divine power."

Jai Ramakrishna

6 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

During the Master's pilgrimage to Navadwip, Sri Ramakrishna had a vision of Chaitanya.

Swami Saradananda writes:

Many among us were sceptical about Chaitanya's being an avatar, and some even believed that the word Vaishnava stood for "low-class people."

To remove this doubt, some of us asked the Master about it. In reply, he said: "Previously I also thought that way. Chaitanya is not even alluded to in the Bhagavata and other Puranas, so how could he be an avatar? I thought the shaven-headed Vaishnavas had set him up as an avatar. At any rate, I did not believe it.

Then I went to Navadwip with Mathur. I thought that if Chaitanya were an avatar, there must be some signs of his manifestation, and that I would recognize them. I moved around with a view to seeing his divine manifestation and visited the deities in the houses of Senior Gosain and Junior Gosain but found nothing.

Everywhere I saw wooden images of Chaitanya standing with raised arms. I felt dejected and wondered why I had come.

When I was about to board the boat to return, I had a wonderful vision of two beautiful teenaged boys. I had never seen such beauty before. Their complexions were as bright as molten gold, and they had halos round their heads.

Smiling, they rushed towards me through the air, their arms raised. Immediately I cried out: 'Here they come! Here they come!' No sooner had I uttered those words than they came near and entered here (pointing to his body), and I fell down unconscious.

I would have fallen into the water, but Hriday was nearby and caught hold of me.

Thus, I was shown many such things and became convinced that Chaitanya was a true avatar, a manifestation of divine power."

7 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

The Master's niece Lakshmi narrated this story: "Chinu Sankhari was our neighbour in Kamarpukur. He was a close friend of the Master. He was a devout Vaishnava, who practised sadhana and developed some occult powers. Brother Chinu would sometimes embrace the Master with affection and say: 'Gadai, whenever I see you, I feel you are Gauranga.'"

The Bhairavi Brahmani noticed the signs of mahabhava in the Master, and he described his divine experiences to her. She then realized that Chaitanya had again appeared, this time as Ramakrishna. Swami Saradananda writes:

Towards the end of the first four years [of his sadhana], the Master had a wonderful vision when he was living at Kamarpukur. One day the Master was travelling by palanquin from Kamarpukur to Hriday's house at Sihar. During that journey the Master enjoyed seeing the vast fields under the blue sky, the green rice fields, the rows of banyan trees providing cool shade along the path, and the creepers bedecked with sweet fragrant blossoms, and hearing the melodious singing of birds. Suddenly two beautiful adolescent boys emerged from his body. They wandered far into the field searching for wildflowers and then came back near the palanquin, laughing, joking, and talking playfully. Thus, they proceeded joyfully for a long time and then re-entered the Master's body.

8 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

Nearly a year and a half after this vision, Bhairavi Brahmani arrived at Dakshineswar. One day in the course of conversation, the Master described this vision to her. She responded: "My child, your vision was true. This time Chaitanya has been manifested in Nityananda's body. Both Chaitanya and Nityananda have come and are dwelling inside you now. That is why you had that vision."

When Hriday later described that conversation to us, he mentioned that the Brahmani then recited the following two verses from the Chaitanya Bhagavata: "Putting his arms around the neck of Advaitacharya, Chaitanya said repeatedly: 'I shall enact my wonderful divine play once more. My form will be manifested as bliss during kirtan.'"

Swami Vivekananda remarked: "Gaur [another name of Chaitanya] is even now enacting his divine play at Dakshineswar; only a fortunate few can see it."

Soon after Ram Chandra Datta met Sri Ramakrishna, he started to read Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, an authoritative biography of Sri Chaitanya, written in Bengali. The more Ram read about that god-intoxicated life, the more he felt that Sri Ramakrishna and Sri Chaitanya were the same person. But sometimes he had doubts. Once, at the Master's request, Ram spent a night at Dakshineswar. When he was alone with the Master, he started looking at him in wonder. "What are you looking at?" asked Sri Ramakrishna. "I am looking at you."

"What do you think of me?"

"I consider you to be Chaitanya."

Sri Ramakrishna was silent for a moment and then said, "Well, the Bhairavi Brahmani used to say the same thing."

Jai Ramakrishna

9 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

On another occasion, the Master asked Ram: “What do you want?” Overwhelmed with emotion, Ram replied: “Lord, I don’t know what to ask for. You decide for me.”

“Give me back the mantra I gave you in the dream,” said the Master as he entered into samadhi. Immediately Ram prostrated himself before the Master and offered the mantra mentally at his feet like a flower. Gradually the Master came back to the normal plane of consciousness. “If you wish to see anything,” said the Master to Ram, “look at me.”

Ram looked and saw that Sri Ramakrishna had taken the form of his Chosen Deity, the form of God that was dearest to his heart. Then Sri Ramakrishna told him: “You do not need to practise any more spiritual disciplines. Just come here and see me now and then and bring with you a pice worth of something as a present.”

Once, in Dakshineswar, the exuberant Ram expressed his belief to the great devotee, Girish Chandra Ghosh: “Do you understand, Brother Girish? This time all three — Sri Chaitanya, Nityananda, and Advaita — are united in the form of Sri Ramakrishna. Love, devotion, and knowledge are equally manifested in this present Incarnation.”

10 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

Shyamasundari, the mother of Manomohan Mitra, said of the Master: “The Master is not a sadhu or a mahatma; he is God Himself. He was born in Navadwip as Chaitanya, and now the same Mahaprabhu is living in the Dakshineswar temple as Sri Ramakrishna and saving souls through his divine play.”

Swami Vivekananda’s experience

Swami Saradananda writes:

We remember that in the evening Narendra took us for a walk in Cornwallis Square [now Azadhind Bagh]. On the way he told us of divine experiences that he had by the grace of the Master. He was absorbed within himself for a while and then finally expressed his inner bliss with his heavenly voice:

Gora bestows the Nectar of love.

Jar after jar he pours it out,

And still there is no end!

Sweetest Nitai is summoning all.

Beloved Gora bids them come.

Shantipur is almost drowned,

And Nadia is flooded with love!*

When he had finished singing, Narendra gently soliloquized: “He is actually distributing love. Love, devotion, knowledge, liberation, and whatever one desires — Gora [Sri Ramakrishna] is bestowing upon us whatever he wishes. What wonderful power!”

He was silent for a while and then continued. “One night, I was lying on my bed with the door bolted. Suddenly he attracted me — or rather the soul that lives in this body — and drew me to Dakshineswar. He talked with me about various topics, gave me advice, and finally allowed me to return home. He can do anything — this Gora of Dakshineswar can do anything!”

Once the Master said to Swami Vivekananda: “Have you not heard about Gauranga of Nadia? I am that Gauranga.”

11 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Chaitanya

The musician Nilkantha saw Gauranga in Ramakrishna.

In The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, M. described this scene:

Ramakrishna said to Nilkantha, "I should like to hear that song of yours I heard in Calcutta."

M.: "About Sri Gauranga?"

Master: "Yes, yes!"

Nilkantha sang the song, "The beautiful Gauranga, the youthful dancer, fair as molten gold."

Sri Ramakrishna sang again and again the line, "Everything is swept away by the onrush of love," and danced with Nilkantha and the other devotees.

Those who saw that indescribable dancing were never to forget it. The room was filled with people, all intoxicated with divine joy. It seemed as if Chaitanya himself were dancing with his companions.

Sri Ramakrishna sang again, this time about Gauranga and Nityananda:

Behold, the two brothers have come, who weep while chanting Hari's name....

He danced with Nilkantha and other devotees, improvising the line: Behold, the two brothers have come, they who are mad with love of Radha.

Hearing the loud music, many people gathered about the room.

The music was over. Sri Ramakrishna bowed to the Divine Mother and said: "Bhagavata — Bhakta — Bhagavan. My salutations to the jnanis, my salutations to the yogis, my salutations to the bhaktas."

The Master was seated on the semicircular porch with Nilkantha and the other devotees. The autumn moon flooded all the quarters with light. Sri Ramakrishna and Nilkantha talked.

Nilkantha: "You are none other than Gauranga."

Master: "Why should you say such a thing? I am the servant of the servant of all."

12 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as a Luminous Being

Swami Saradananda described a vision that Hriday had:

One night Hriday saw the Master going towards the Panchavati. Thinking that he might need his water pot and towel, he obtained them and followed the Master.

While walking, Hriday had an extraordinary vision.

He saw that the Master was not a human being made of flesh and blood. Light was emanating from his body and illumining the entire Panchavati. As he walked, his luminous feet moved through the air without touching the ground. Hriday repeatedly rubbed his eyes, thinking this must be an optical illusion. He looked at the other objects around him and then back at the luminous form of the Master.

Although he perceived the trees, creepers, Ganges, hut, and so on as before, he saw the Master's shining form again and again.

Amazed, Hriday thought, "Is there any change in me that I am seeing the Master this way?"

Then he looked at himself and saw that his own body was also luminous. He felt that he was a veritable attendant of God, living with Him and serving Him eternally. He felt as if he were a part of that luminous form of God and had assumed a separate form in order to serve Him.

With this vision Hriday realized the mystery of his own life, and a current of bliss flowed in his heart.

He then forgot himself, forgot the world, and forgot to consider what others might think of him, calling him mad. In ecstasy, he shouted frantically again and again: "O Ramakrishna, O Ramakrishna, we are not human beings. Why are we here? Come, let us go from place to place and save human souls. You and I are the same."

The Master said later: "Hearing his loud cry, I said: 'Ah! Keep quiet, keep quiet. Why are you shouting like that? People will rush here thinking some calamity has happened.' But he paid no heed to my words.

Then I hurried to him and said, touching his chest, 'Mother, make this rascal dull and stupid again.'"

Hriday said that as soon as the Master uttered those words, his vision and bliss vanished, and he became the same as before. The sudden fall from that unique blissful state filled his mind with sorrow.

Sobbing, he asked: "Uncle, why did you do that to me? Why did you say that I should be dull? Now I will not have that blissful vision again."

The Master consoled him, saying: "I do not mean for you to be dull forever. I only wanted to calm you down. I had to say that because you were making such a commotion over that little vision of yours. I experience so many divine visions in a day, but do I raise such a racket? You are not yet ready for visions. Keep quiet now; you will have many more experiences when the right time comes."

13 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as a Luminous Being

In the early 1900s, Swami Vishuddhananda met a gardener in the Dakshineswar temple garden who had had a vision of the Master's luminous form. The swami writes:

“I met a gardener of seventy-six or seventy-seven years old who had worked in the temple garden during Mathur's time. I first saw him cleaning, very carefully, the path from the Master's room to the Panchavati with a spud [a spade-like instrument]. He was a little bent because of his age. I observed that he steadfastly cleaned that path up to the pine grove and the bel tree. I was a little curious because I saw him do the same work every day. One day I asked him, ‘Have you seen the Master?’

He laid the spud on the ground, then looked at me in wonder and said: ‘I am following his order. The Master told me that many of his devotees would come. So I am cleaning this path for them.’

He was reluctant to say anything more. When I pressed him to say something more, he told me this wonderful story: ‘One summer night I could not sleep, so I went for a walk in the garden. I saw a light coming from the Panchamundi area. I went there and found the Master immersed in samadhi under the bel tree; a light emanated from his body. I was so scared, I could not stay there long. The next morning I went to him, fell at his feet, and burst into tears. He asked: “What is the matter? Why do you have so much overflowing devotion today?”

I only said, “Master, please bless me.”

He realized what was in my mind. He lifted me up and said: “Meditate on the form that you saw last night. Clean the path to the Panchavati. Many devotees will come in the future.”

I meditate on that luminous form of the Master and clean this path every day.’”

14 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

There are many signs of an avatar. In the Gita, Krishna mentioned the sign given in the scriptures: When religion declines and irreligion prevails, God incarnates as an avatar. He protects the holy and punishes the evil.

There are other signs of an avatar: he is full of compassion for all beings; he is a saviour to sinners; he comes to fulfill, not to destroy; he is endowed with supernatural powers; he is the embodiment of purity and renunciation; he is totally unselfish and eradicates the bad karma of his devotees; he establishes a new religious path. Moreover, when God incarnates as a human being, he is very charismatic.

When we study Ramakrishna's life, we find that he enacted his divine play in three phases:

First phase

Suresh Chandra Datta writes:

The mother of Gaya-vishnu Laha was very fond of little Gadadhar. Whenever she cooked any special dishes, she would first offer him a taste. She remarked: "Gadai, it seems you are not a human being; you are God."

Prasanna Laha also recognized Ramakrishna's divinity when he was young.

In addition, an old shopkeeper in Kamarpukur saw the divine mood of Gadadhar and realized that he was not human; he had descended to earth to enact his divine play.

One day he carried a basket of sweets with him and privately made an offering of them to Gadadhar in a field. Choked with emotion, the old shopkeeper said to him: "Gadai, I am too old. I shall not be able to see your future divine play."

15 July 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Ramakrishnanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Teachings of Swami Ramakrishnanandaji)

STRUGGLE

Do not care if you slip occasionally. To err is human. Do not lose heart. Walk firmly onward. No one can hope to get through the slimy path of the world unscathed. And it is rank foolishness to sit down in the midst of the mire for fear of falling in the attempt to get across. Struggle hard and if, in the course of that struggle, your foot slips and you have to fall several times, what does that matter? Rise up again and go on struggling. Rest assured, you will conquer in the end. Never give up the struggle as long as you are not perfect, that is, as long as you are not what you wish yourself to be.

LOVE

If we cannot love others, if we cannot serve others, what are we here for? No love is really love that knows its opposite, hate. True love is always inclusive and universal. So long as one has an enemy and cannot bear to have any good come to that person, he cannot know what real love is. You are, indeed, a very bad lover of God if you cannot bear some worldly troubles for His sake!

LAZINESS

Shake off all dullness from within you. Laziness is the worst of all sins.

SRI RAMAKRISHNA

Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna will surely help you, if you only sincerely ask Him for help. He is the Incarnation of Love and Mercy.

SELF-SURRENDER

That man who can throw himself at the feet of the Lord and say, “All this is Thine, This body, mind, and soul all belong to Thee; of myself I am utterly helpless; do Thou accept me,” the Lord takes that man and makes his hands, his feet, his eyes and ears, His own instruments. He speaks through his mouth; He works through his hands; He walks with his feet; and the man becomes a living representative of God. This is salvation.

VIRTUE

The body is the first tool for the practice of virtue.

16 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

One day at Dakshineswar Ramakrishna said to M.: "It is God alone who incarnates Himself as man to teach people the ways of love and knowledge. Well, what do you think of me? Once my father went to Gaya. There Raghuvir said to him in a dream, 'I shall be born as your son.' Thereupon my father said to Him: 'O Lord, I am a poor brahmin. How shall I be able to serve You?' 'Don't worry about it,' Raghuvir replied. 'It will be taken care of.' My cousin, Hriday's mother, used to worship my feet with flowers and sandal paste. One day I placed my foot on her head and said to her, 'You will die in Varanasi.'"

17 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

Swami Saradananda writes:

We heard that one day during this period the Master and Mathur were at the Panchavati, and Hriday was also present. In the course of conversation the Master told Mathur the Brahmani's findings about him. He said: "She says that all the signs of the avatars are in this body and mind (pointing to himself). She is well versed in the scriptures, and she has many books with her."

Mathur replied with a laugh: "Father, whatever she may say, according to the scriptures there are no more than ten avatars. So how can her words be true? But it is true that Mother Kali has bestowed Her grace on you."

While they were talking, Mathur saw a nun approaching them. He asked the Master, "Is this the woman?"

"Yes," replied the Master. Pointing to Mathur, the Master told the Brahmani: "Mother, I was just telling him what you say about me. But he says that the scriptures mention only ten avatars and no more than that."

Mathur saluted the Brahmani and admitted that he had raised that objection. She immediately replied: "Bhagavan Vyasa mentioned twenty-four avatars in the Bhagavata and then indicated an infinite number of them. Moreover, the Vaishnava scriptures clearly indicated that Chaitanya would be incarnated again. In addition, there is a striking resemblance in many characteristics between him and Sri Ramakrishna."

Unable to respond to the Brahmani, Mathur remained silent.

18 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

Swami Saradananda continued:

During three important periods of the Master's sadhana, three eminent spiritual pandits who were well versed in the scriptures came to him, observed his spiritual condition, and had an opportunity to discuss their impressions. Pandit Padmalochan met the Master when he had become perfected in the Tantra sadhana; Pandit Vaishnavcharan met him when he had attained success in the Vaishnava Tantra; and Pandit Gauri was blessed to see the Master endowed with divine splendour at the completion of all his sadhanas. When Padmalochan saw the Master, he said, "I see God's presence and divine power in you."

Vaishnavcharan, in ecstasy, composed a hymn to the Master in Sanskrit and sang it to him, declaring him to be an avatar. When Gauri met the Master, he concluded: "I see that everything I have read in the scriptures concerning high spiritual states is manifest in you. In addition, I see other exalted states that are not recorded in the scriptures. You have reached a spiritual plane that surpasses anything described in the Vedas, Vedanta, or other scriptures. You are not human. Ishwara, the source of all avatars, dwells in you."

Swami Saradananda continued:

Although the Master had no formal education, he was not afraid to be challenged by his disciples. He told them: "Examine a holy man by day and by night before believing in him"; "Test me as a money-changer checks for a fake coin."

The Master was established in truth, and he was not afraid to be challenged.

Jai Ramakrishna

19 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

A king visits his kingdom incognito. When people recognize him, he quickly returns to his palace. During the last years of his divine play, the Master revealed his divinity to his devotees, bestowed fearlessness upon them, and then was eager to return to his own abode. He said: "The same avatar rose here from the ocean of Satchidananda and declared himself as Krishna and rose there and declared himself as Jesus Christ."

Keshab Sen said to Ram Datta: "You do not know who Sri Ramakrishna is. That is why you people are touching him and making him sing and dance. Cover his body in a soft velvet cloth and place him in a glass case. Offer a few good flowers to him and salute him from a distance."

Before Suresh Datta met the Master, he was a member of the Brahmo Samaj and was devoted to Keshab Sen. Suresh writes: "I don't know whether my Brahmo friends know or not, but I heard from a reliable source that Keshab secretly worshipped the Master as an avatar towards the end of his life. One day when the Master went to Keshab's house, the latter asked the Master to visit his shrine to sanctify it. The Master went to the shrine. Keshab then worshipped the feet of the Master with flowers and asked him not to disclose it to anyone."

20 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

Towards the end of the Master's divine play, Girish openly began to say that the Master was an avatar.

On 1 March 1885, the Master asked Narendra: "Do you agree with Girish about me?"

Narendra: "He said he believed you to be an Incarnation of God. I didn't say anything in answer to his remarks."

Master: "But how great his faith is! Don't you think so?"

A few days later the Master asked Narendra: "Well, some people call me an avatar. What do you think of this?"

Narendra: "I won't form an opinion based on others' views. I will say so only when I can understand and believe it myself."

At the Cossipore garden house the Master suffered excruciating pain from throat cancer. He could not even swallow gruel.

One day Narendra was seated nearby. He thought to himself that if at this critical moment the Master said he was an avatar, he would believe it. Immediately the Master said: "He who was Rama and he who was Krishna is now Ramakrishna in this body."

Narendra was dumbfounded.

When Ramendrasundar Bhaktitirtha was a boy, he met Ramakrishna.

He knew a Christian Bengali professor at Scottish Church College, who was one of Vivekananda's professors. That professor described for Ramendra the following conversation, and Ramendra later recorded it in his reminiscences:

Professor: "Well, Narendra, what have you done? At last, you have surrendered yourself to a mad priest! I also hear you think that priest is God and that he has come to the world as a saviour. Do you believe all these cock-and-bull stories?"

Vivekananda calmly replied: "Sir, you have heard the right thing.

I believe that he is God, and he has come to the world as a saviour. Previously, like you, I would have considered this to be a fairy tale. I said so to Sri Ramakrishna himself many times. To that, he would smile like a child, and say, 'Do I ask you to believe in me?'

But, sir, I had to believe it at last. He showed me one day that God Himself had descended in that Ramakrishna-body. He who was Rama and he who was Krishna, he has become Ramakrishna. He first showed me the form of Rama and Krishna separately and then he showed me that both had merged into the Ramakrishna-body. It was not a hallucination. I saw it clearly with open eyes. Apart from this vision, I understood, realized, and saw in many ways that Ramakrishna was God Himself."

21 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as The Kalpataru (The Wish-Fulfilling Tree)

On 1 January 1886, at the Cossipore garden house, Ramakrishna became the Kalpataru and blessed his devotees, saying, "Be illumined." It was a memorable day. Akshay Sen writes: "The Master promised that before leaving the world he would break the earthen pot in the marketplace; in other words, he would make his divinity public."

The Master entered the garden, followed by his devotees. Akshay, who was seated with a few others on the low bough of a tree, saw him. He rushed to where Sri Ramakrishna was standing and found him absorbed in samadhi, in the middle of his devotees. Akshay picked two champaka (Michelia Champaka) flowers and offered them at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna. After a while the Master came down to the normal plane of consciousness and touched the devotees one by one. This act created great emotional fervour and excitement among the devotees. Some received the vision of their Chosen Deity; some experienced the awakening of the kundalini; some felt unspeakable bliss; and others went into ecstasy and began to laugh, cry, and shout. Akshay watched the entire scene from a distance. Then suddenly the Master's eyes fell on him, and he called to Akshay: "Hello!"

Akshay ran to the Master, who touched his chest and whispered a mantra in his ear. At once Akshay experienced the effect of the Master's blessing. He could not contain the onrush of bliss, and unable to withstand such an upsurge of emotion, he fell to the ground. His limbs twisted as if he were deformed, and he burst into tears. The ocean of love was overflowing that day as Ramakrishna distributed love, devotion, spiritual visions, and samadhi among his devotees. When Harish Mustaphi later went to the Master's room, the Master blessed him. He was mad with joy, and tears flowed from his eyes. He came downstairs and told the disciples: "Brothers, I can't contain this bliss. What is this? I have never experienced such a thing in my life. It is the Master's infinite glory!"

Then the Master called Devendra Majumdar to his room and said to him: "Ram has declared me to be an avatar. Can all of you verify Ram's statement? Keshab's disciples also called him an avatar." Devendra later said: "How can we understand the mystery of the avatar? The Master himself cleared up the meaning. On the afternoon when he became the Kalpataru, he first called some to his upstairs room and blessed them; but he was not happy with that. He then came downstairs, went to the garden, and began to distribute spiritual illumination. He touched someone's chest or someone's head, and he said something in someone’s ear."

Jai Ramakrishna

22 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as The Kalpataru (The Wish-Fulfilling Tree)

Swami Saradananda also described the events of that day:

At 3:00 p.m. the Master put on a red-bordered cloth, a shirt, a thick, red-bordered wrapper, a cap covering his ears, and a pair of slippers, and then descended the stairs slowly with Swami Adbhutananda. He closely examined the main hall, went out through the western door, and began to walk along the garden path. Seeing the Master walking, some householder devotees followed him joyfully. When he was halfway along the path, he noticed Ram and Girish sitting in the shade of the mango tree. Addressing Girish, the Master said, "Girish, what have you found [in me] that makes you say all these things [I am an avatar, and so on] to everyone, wherever you go?"

Girish's faith remained unshaken although he had been asked this question so abruptly. Hurriedly he got up, went to the path, and knelt at the feet of the Master. Saluting him with folded hands, Girish responded in a voice choking with emotion: "What more can I say of Him? Even the sages Vyasa and Valmiki could find no words to measure His glory!"

As the Master listened to those wonderful words of faith, the hairs on his body stood on end, his mind ascended to a higher plane, and he went into samadhi. Seeing the Master's face radiant with divine ecstasy, Girish joyfully shouted, "Jai (Victory to) Ramakrishna! Jai Ramakrishna!" and took the dust of his feet again and again. Meanwhile, the Master came down to a semi-ecstatic state, looked at the assembled devotees with a smile, and said: "What more can I tell you? May you all be illumined!"

This infallible blessing of the Master opened the doors of spiritual experience for his devotees. Some began to laugh, some cried, some became absorbed in meditation, and some began to call others loudly to receive the Master's blessing. When Haran Das took the dust of the Master's feet, he put his foot on Haran's head. He touched Akshay Sen's chest and gave him a mantra. He asked Navagopal Ghosh to practise japa and meditation; but Navagopal said that he had no time to do so. Then the Master asked him, "Can you repeat my name a few times?" "Yes, that I can do," replied Navagopal. Then the Master said: "That will do. You will not have to do anything else." He then blessed Upendra Majumdar, and the latter went into Sanadhi.

23 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as The Kalpataru (The Wish-Fulfilling Tree)

Swami Saradananda also described the events of that day:

Ramlal was then standing behind the Master at that time. He thought to himself: "All these devotees have got some spiritual experiences, but what have I achieved? I only carried the Master's water pot and towel.

As soon as this thought crossed my mind, uncle looked at me and said: 'Ramlal, what are you thinking? Come here.'

He pushed aside my shawl and touched my chest, saying, 'Now see.'

It is hard for me to describe that wonderful luminous form. Before that, during my meditation I could see with my mind's eye only a part of my Chosen Deity. When I saw his feet, I could not see his face; and again, when I saw his form from the face to the waist, I could not see his feet. Moreover, whatever I saw never seemed to be alive.

But no sooner had the Master touched me that day than the whole form of my Chosen Deity appeared in my heart as a living presence, looking benign and effulgent."

24 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as an Avatar

Ramakrishna as The Kalpataru (The Wish-Fulfilling Tree)

Swami Saradananda writes: "After the Master had blessed two or three devotees with his powerful divine touch, Vaikuntha went before him, reverently bowed down to him, and implored, 'Sir, please bestow your grace on me.'

The Master answered, 'You have achieved everything.'

Vaikuntha said: 'Sir, when you say that I have achieved everything, it must be so. Kindly help me so that I can understand it a little.' The Master said, 'All right,' and gently touched his chest for a moment. Vaikuntha described it thus:

'Consequently, a wonderful change came across my mind. I began to see the Master's gracious, smiling, and luminous form in the sky, the houses, the trees, all human beings, and in everything else I saw in all directions. I was overwhelmed with extreme bliss.'"

The Master then bestowed his grace on Atul Ghosh and Kishori Roy. Girish checked to see if anyone was left to receive the Master's grace. He went to the kitchen and found the cook making chapatis. He brought him to the Master, and he was blessed. On that day the Master did not touch two persons (one was Haramohan Mitra). Instead, he told them "Not now."

They were very disappointed on that blissful occasion. Later, on another day, the Master blessed them. Haramohan revealed afterwards that the Master's divine touch allowed him to see gods and goddesses between his eyebrows. At last, the Master returned to his room with Ramlal and said: "My body is burning because I took the sins of these people. Bring some Ganges water and sprinkle it all over my body."

In the evening Swami Vivekananda took Hazra to the Master and requested that he bless him. The Master said: "It is not the right time. He will see me at the end of his life."

Finally, Chunilal Basu came, and Vivekananda sent him to the Master. "What do you want?" asked the Master. But Chunilal remained silent. Pointing to his body, the Master said: "Have love and faith in this place. You will achieve everything."

25 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Devotees' Visions of Sri Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna appeared before his devotees in a spiritual form during his lifetime. Once, in Dhaka, Vijay Krishna Goswami was meditating in his shrine.

All of a sudden, he saw the Master, even though he was actually at Dakshineswar. To determine whether it was a hallucination, he touched the Master's body and found it to be real.

After returning to Calcutta Vijay went to Shyampukur, and in front of the devotees, he told the Master his experience:

Vijay: "I have seen him [meaning the Master] in Dhaka. I even touched his body."

Master (with a smile)-. "It must have been someone else."

Narendra: "I too have seen him many times. (To Vijay) How can I say I do not believe your words?"

Nityagopal Goswami also saw Ramakrishna in Dhaka. He described the event: "While I was in Dhaka, I was feeling extremely unhappy. There was a wooded area on the outskirts of the city that was often used as a graveyard.

To my surprise at a distance, I saw someone seated on the ground. I went up to him and asked, 'What are you doing here?'

He said he wished to talk to me. Though he said very little, his words dispelled all my depression and doubts.

He got up and started to walk away. Then he turned to me affectionately and said, 'Nrityagopal, my dear, do not let go of what you are holding on to.'

After that I didn't see him anymore. I related all this to Vijay. He said he too had seen the same person in the woods.

That night I had a remarkable dream in which I saw myself talking with that divine-looking person and listening to his wonderful words. My joy was beyond description."

26 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Devotees' Visions of Sri Ramakrishna

Swami Advaitananda writes: "When I first met the Master, I could not understand him at all. I wondered why people call him a great soul!" He had the same experience during his second visit as well, and he decided not to visit the Master again. Finally, at a friend's request, he went to the Master a third time. This time the Master possessed him, and he could not escape. About this, he said: "The Master possessed me. I would think of him day and night. The pang of separation from the Master gave me chest pain. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't forget his face."

Surendra Mitra practised meditation in his shrine every day. One day he had a desire to test the Master's divinity. He resolved that if the Master appeared in his shrine during meditation, then he would consider him to be an avatar. What a wonderful phenomenon! After a while he saw the Master in his shrine. After thus testing the Master, Surendra took refuge in him. Surendra had been an alcoholic and debauchee, but his life was changed by the grace of the Master. Swami Turiyananda said about Surendra: "There is a story of Surendra, long after he had met Sri Ramakrishna, being tempted to visit a public woman one evening on his way home from the office. He went upstairs to the woman's apartment and entered her room. But lo, there was no woman, but Sri Ramakrishna himself standing there! In great shame, Surendra fled from the place."

Jai Ramakrishna

27 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Devotees' Visions of Sri Ramakrishna

Once Devendra came to Dakshineswar and had an attack of malarial fever. The Master sent him back to Calcutta by boat and asked Baburam to accompany him. Devendra reached a relative's house and fell unconscious. For forty-one days he lay in a state of torpor and delirium. Often, he uttered Sri Ramakrishna's name, thinking that he was still at Dakshineswar. Curiously, whenever extreme pain made him open his eyes, he would see Sri Ramakrishna sitting by his bed. Devendra described what happened after he received initiation from the Master: "At that time I would see the Master everywhere. While walking through the street, I would see the Master walking in front of me and sometimes looking at me. If I would stand, sit, or lie down, I saw the Master accordingly. He would always move around me. One day when I bowed down to Kali, I saw that he was standing before me. It seems that the Master always stayed with me to make me understand that he was my all in all and my protector."

28 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

After he passed away, Ramakrishna first appeared before the Holy Mother. On 16 August 1886, the Master's body was cremated, and his ashes were brought in an urn to the Cossipore garden house. That evening the Holy Mother began to remove her jewellery, following the custom of Hindu widows. As she was about to take off her bracelets, Ramakrishna appeared before her, looking as he did before he was stricken with cancer. Pressing her hand, he said: "Am I dead, that you are acting like a widow? I have just moved from one room to another."

She did not take off the bracelets, and instead wore them as long as she lived. The Holy Mother saw the Master many times after his passing away. On her way to Vrindaban for pilgrimage, she had a vision of the Master. She was in the habit of wearing Sri Ramakrishna's golden amulet on her arm. This amulet had been given to him to allay the burning sensation of his body when he practised intense spiritual disciplines at Dakshineswar. In her train compartment she lay down with her arm on the windowsill, leaving the amulet exposed. The Master suddenly appeared and looking at her through the window, said: "Why are you keeping the amulet that way? You may lose it."

After that vision she took it off and kept it in a tin box with the Master's photograph. It was in Vrindaban that the Master appeared to the Holy Mother, asking her to initiate Swami Yogananda. When the Holy Mother was living at Kamarpukur, the narrowminded and fanatical villagers criticized her because she wore a red-bordered sari and gold bracelets, and she did not live like an orthodox Hindu widow. In distress, she took off her bracelets. Again, the Master appeared and said to her: "Do not discard your bracelets. Do you know the Vaishnava scriptures?"

She said that she knew nothing about them. The Master told her that Gauri-ma would come there in the afternoon and explain the scriptures of the Vaishnavas to her. Gauri-ma arrived as he had promised and told her that she could not be a widow since her husband was none other than the Lord Himself. This reassured her. She put her bracelets on again and turned a deaf ear to people's criticism.

29 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

One evening at about 8:00, within a week of the Master's passing away, Narendra and Harish were standing beside the little pond at the Cossipore garden house and talking about the Master.

Suddenly, Narendra saw a shining form covered with a cloth coming slowly towards them.

He thought: "Can it be the Master?" He kept quiet, fearing that he was a victim of a hallucination.

But Harish saw it as well and whispered to Narendra, "Look, what is that?"

At this, Narendra said loudly, "Who is there?" Hearing his voice, others came hurriedly from the house to see what was happening. That luminous form vanished in the jasmine bushes five yards from where they stood. This vision made a deep impression on Narendra's mind, and he believed that the Master still existed in his subtle body.

Later, Swami Vivekananda writes in the Rule Book of Belur Monastery. "The Lord has not yet given up the Ramakrishna form. Some see Him in that form even now and receive instructions from Him, and all can see Him if they so desire. This form will last until He comes again in another gross body.

Though He is not visible to all, that He is in this Order and guiding it is a fact of everybody's experience."

Someone asked Swami Brahmananda, "Can one see Ramakrishna even now?"

The swami replied: "Yes, Swamiji saw the Master many times. We also see him from time to time."

30 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Brahmananda collected some teachings of Sri Ramakrishna in Bengali that were first serially published in *Udbodhan* and later translated into English under the title *Words of the Master*. He completed the book during a visit to Varanasi. When he was working on the manuscript of those teachings, he would not allow anybody to stay in his room. Sometimes Maharaj would get up at midnight and ask his attendant to bring the manuscript to him. Once, after correcting it, he said: “The Master came and told me: ‘I didn’t say that. I said this.’”

Ramakrishna appeared not only to the Holy Mother and his monastic disciples but also to some of his householder devotees. After the Master passed away on 16 August 1886, at the Cossipore garden house, some of his young disciples had to return to their homes against their wishes, while others had no place to go. They were like orphans. One evening early in September, while Surendra was meditating in his shrine, Sri Ramakrishna appeared to him and said: “What are you doing here? My boys are roaming about without a place to live. Attend to that before anything else.”

Surendra immediately rushed to Swami Vivekananda’s house and said to some of the disciples: “Brothers, where will you go? Let us rent a house. You will live there and make it our Master’s shrine; and we householders will come there for consolation. How can we pass all our days and nights in this world, with our wives and children? I used to spend a sum of money for the Master at Cossipore. I shall gladly give it now for your expenses.”

31 July 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Doubt is like a disease of the mind'. It comes and goes.

Although Yogin-ma was an intimate companion of the Holy Mother, at one time she doubted her divinity. She said to herself: "Sri Ramakrishna was the embodiment of renunciation, and Mother is engrossed in the world, preoccupied day and night with the thought of her brothers, sisters-in- law, nephews, and nieces."

Soon after this she was seated on the bank of the Ganges, meditating, when Sri Ramakrishna appeared to her in a vision and said, "Do you see what is being carried by the water of the Ganges?"

Yogin-ma looked and saw the corpse of a newborn baby. She also saw many people offering worship to Mother Ganges.

The Master then said: "Can anything make the Ganges impure? Regard her [Holy Mother] in the same way. Never doubt her. Remember, she is not different from this [meaning himself]."

Yogin-ma immediately rushed to the Holy Mother and, after telling her the whole story, apologized. The Holy Mother smiled and consoled her.

The Holy Mother told this story: "He who eagerly prays to God will see Him.

One of our devotees, Tejachandra Mitra passed away. What a sincere soul he was! The Master used to frequent his house.

Someone had deposited two hundred rupees with Tejachandra. One day he was robbed of that amount by a pickpocket in a tramcar. He discovered the loss after some time and suffered terrible mental agony. He went to the bank of the Ganges and prayed to the Master with tears in his eyes: 'O Lord, what have you done to me?'

He was not rich enough to make up that amount from his own pocket.

As he was thus weeping, he saw the Master appear before him and heard him say: 'Why do you weep so bitterly? The money is there under a brick on the bank of the Ganges.'

Tejachandra ran and removed the brick and really found there a bundle of banknotes. He narrated the incident to Sharat [Swami Saradananda].

Sharat said: 'You are lucky to get the vision of the Master even now.'"

1 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

One of our devotees, Tejachandra Mitra, passed away. What a sincere soul he was! The Master used to frequent his house. Someone had deposited two hundred rupees with Tejachandra. One day he was robbed of that amount by a pickpocket in a tramcar. He discovered the loss after some time and suffered terrible mental agony. He went to the bank of the Ganges and prayed to the Master with tears in his eyes: “O Lord, what have you done to me?” He was not rich enough to make up that amount from his own pocket. As he was thus weeping, he saw the Master appear before him and heard him say: “Why do you weep so bitterly? The money is there under a brick on the bank of the Ganges.” Tejachandra ran and removed the brick and really found there a bundle of banknotes. He narrated the incident to Sharat [Swami Saradananda]. Sharat said: “You are lucky to get the vision of the Master even now.”

Purna Chandra Ghosh was suffering from tuberculosis and remained bedridden for about six months before passing away. He calmly endured his physical pain and suffering without any complaint. If anyone came to comfort him, he would cheerfully say: “My Master, Sri Ramakrishna, is always seated at my bedside. I have no fear or worry.” As the days passed, Purna’s body became emaciated, and he was not allowed to leave his bed because of his extreme weakness. One night, finding that everyone was fast asleep, he went to the bathroom alone. It was his nature not to trouble anyone about himself. While returning to bed he became dizzy and nearly fell. The next day he told a close devotee: “Who says that the Master does not exist? He is still living, and I perceive him clearly. Last night, while returning from the bathroom, I was about to fall unconscious. The Master caught me in his arms and carried me to the bed. He is there, just as he was before, and I can see him.”

Ramakrishna appeared not only to his Indian devotees, but also to Western devotees. While in Dakshineswar, after coming out of samadhi the Master told Ramlal: “I went to a new place. People of that place are different. Their complexion is white, and they have blue eyes. It is a new country.” Saradananda used to hold classes regularly in Montclair, New Jersey, where he stayed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler. Swami Atulananda, a Western monk, writes in his book *With the Swamis in America*:

An interesting incident took place when Swami Saradananda was living in this happy home. The swami had often spoken about Sri Ramakrishna and one day he produced his Master’s photograph and showed it to the lady of the house. “Oh, swami,” she exclaimed, “it is the same face!” “What do you mean?” said the swami. And then she told him that long ago, in her youth, before she was married, she had had a vision of a Hindu and that it was the same face that now she saw in the photograph. “It was Sri Ramakrishna,” she said, “but I did not know it until now. I was so much impressed and charmed at the vision at the time, that I remember the face very distinctly, and I have been going about here and there. Ever since I had the vision, wherever I heard that a Hindu had come to America, I used to go and see him, but I was always disappointed, not finding the same face. And now at last I see that it was Sri Ramakrishna.”

Jai Ramakrishna

2 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

It is really amazing how, without a physical body, Ramakrishna protected his disciples from terrible catastrophes. Some bigoted American Christians plotted to kill Swami Vivekananda in Detroit, Michigan. They invited Swamiji for dinner, and when he was about to sip coffee, Ramakrishna appeared before him and said: "Don't drink. It is poison." Thus, Swamiji was saved from sure death.

Swami Vireswarananda told this story about Swami Premananda: "On one occasion Premananda was ready to go to East Bengal, and the devotees were waiting for him in the boat at the Belur ghat. They were supposed to take a train from Calcutta, and then take a steamer. Premananda went to the shrine to get the Master's permission to leave. A monk who happened to be there heard Premananda talking to the Master, but he didn't hear the Master's response. At last, Premananda said, 'All right, Master, I shall not go.' He then went downstairs and told the devotees that he would not go that day. The devotees were disappointed; but the newspaper later reported that the steamer he was supposed to take from Goalanda to Dhaka had been sunk by a cyclone."

Swami Abhedananda told this story: "I was in London in 1915. On 6 May I went to the booking office to purchase a ticket from London to New York on the S.S. Lusitania. While I was in that office, a mysterious thing happened. I was about to buy the ticket, but immediately I heard a clear voice forbidding me. I was dumbfounded. I thought it might be a freak of my mind. I looked around but couldn't find anybody. So again, I went to the counter and the same thing happened. Then I decided to return to the apartment without buying any ticket. However, I planned to buy the ticket the following day. The next morning, I saw in the newspaper in big letters 'S.S. Lusitania Is No More.' I was overwhelmed. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I realized that the Master had saved my life."

On 7 May 1915, during World War I, this British liner was destroyed by a German submarine in the Atlantic Ocean, near Cork on the western coast of Ireland, killing 1198 passengers.

3 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Some Devotees Saw Ramakrishna at Death

According to the Hindu scriptures, a man becomes in the next life what he thinks of at the time of death.

Sri Krishna said in the Gita (8:5): "Whoso at the time of death leaves his body remembering Me alone and goes forth — he attains My Being; concerning this there is no doubt."

Ramakrishna said: "Those who are in their last life will come here [meaning to him]."

The cause of reincarnation is desire. A desireless person will not be born again. The seeds of desire slowly dissolve for those who come in close contact with an avatar, and they attain Self-knowledge.

The death accounts of the Master's devotees are wonderful. He was not only their companion while he was living, but he also appeared at the time of their death and took them to their final abodes.

Swami Shivananda recorded the death account of Rasik, the sweeper of Dakshineswar temple: "Those who wholeheartedly have taken refuge in the Master and loved him, they will inevitably attain liberation. Have you not heard the story of Rasik, the sweeper of Dakshineswar? He used to call the Master, 'Father.'

One day the Master was returning from the Panchavati in an ecstatic mood. Rasik knelt down in front of him with folded hands and begged for his blessings: 'Father, will you not bestow mercy on me? What will happen to my life?'

The Master told him: 'Don't be afraid. You will succeed. You will see me at the time of death.'

It happened exactly as he said. Rasik's family members carried him into the tulsi grove just before his death, and at the time of death Rasik said: 'Father, you have come. The Father has come.' Saying so, he passed away."

4 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

On 13 April 1890, Balaram Basu died from influenza in his Calcutta home. Swami Shivananda recalled his death:

The passing away of each of the devotees of the Master is a wonderful event in itself. The departure of Balaram Babu was equally wonderful. His disease had taken a serious turn, and all were anxious. One day he went on repeating, "Well, where are my brothers?"

When this news reached us, we hurried to his house at Baghbazar [in Calcutta]. We ourselves stayed by him and nursed him. For about two or three days before his passing away, he would not allow any of his relatives to come near him; he wanted only us to be near at hand. The few words that he spoke were about the Master alone. One day, before the final departure, the doctor came in and declared that he was beyond cure.

At the last moment, we were seated around him, while his wife, stricken with unspeakable grief, was in the inner apartment with Golap-ma, Yogin-ma, and others. Just then, she noticed something like a black cloud in the sky, which became denser by stages and began to descend. Soon it assumed the shape of a chariot and alighted on the roof of Balaram Babu's house. The Master came out of that chariot and proceeded towards the room where Balaram Babu lay. Soon after, he issued forth, taking Balaram Babu by the hand, and entered the chariot again, which then ascended and vanished in the sky.

This vision raised her mind to a very high plane where there could be no touch of grief or sorrow. When she returned to normal, she related this to Golap-ma, who came to apprise us of the fact. Balaram Babu had passed away just a little while before.

5 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Sharat Chandra Chakrabarty writes the death account of Durga Charan Nag. At two o'clock in the morning, two days before he passed away, Durga Charan said to Sharat Babu: "Sri Ramakrishna has come here to show me the holy places. Please tell me the names of holy places you have seen, and I will visit them one after another."

As Sharat Babu mentioned the name of each place — Hardwar, Prayag, Varanasi, and Puri — Nag Mahashay immediately had a vision of it and vividly described what he was seeing. Pratap Chandra Hazra had an important role in the divine drama of Ramakrishna. He had been hypocritical, spiteful, untruthful, and egotistical, but Ramakrishna's infallible blessing transformed his life.

Jai Ramakrishna

6 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

The story of Kalipada Ghosh's death is also interesting. In November 1884 he went by boat from Calcutta to Dakshineswar. When the Master saw Kalipada he said that he had just been thinking of going to Calcutta. Kalipada told him that his boat was at the landing ghat and that he would be glad to take him there. Sri Ramakrishna immediately got ready and left with Latu [later Swami Adbhutananda] and Kalipada. As they got in the boat, however, Kalipada privately instructed the boatman to steer the boat to the middle of the river. Then Kalipada knelt down and clasped the Master's feet, saying: "Sir, you are a saviour. Please save my life." "Oh, no, no," said Sri Ramakrishna.

7 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Ramakrishna as Omniscient

God is omniscient. He knows every thought: no one can hide anything from God. His eyes are everywhere. He knows each individual being as well as the whole cosmic universe. Many incidents can be cited to illustrate Ramakrishna's omniscience. Once Rani Rasmani came to Dakshineswar and, after bathing in the Ganges, entered the shrine of the Divine Mother for japa and meditation. Sri Ramakrishna was also there at that time. Rasmani had heard his devotional singing many times and was very fond of it, so she asked him to sing. Sri Ramakrishna began singing, but all of a sudden, he stopped and turned towards Rasmani, exclaiming: "What! Even here you think such thoughts!"

As he said this, he struck the Rani with the palm of his hand. Immediately there was a commotion in the temple. Rasmani's women attendants began to scream, and the temple guards and officials rushed to the shrine to drag Sri Ramakrishna away. They hesitated, waiting only for the Rani's order. But Rasmani was sitting calmly in an introspective mood. Instead of listening to the song, she had been thinking about a lawsuit. She marvelled that Sri Ramakrishna had known what she had been thinking. When she became aware of her surroundings, she noticed that people were standing around them, ready to punish Sri Ramakrishna, who was sitting quietly and smiling. Rasmani then said: "The young priest is not to blame. Do not take any action against him."

Jai Ramakrishna

6 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

The story of Kalipada Ghosh's death is also interesting. In November 1884 he went by boat from Calcutta to Dakshineswar.

When the Master saw Kalipada he said that he had just been thinking of going to Calcutta. Kalipada told him that his boat was at the landing ghat and that he would be glad to take him there.

Sri Ramakrishna immediately got ready and left with Latu [later Swami Adbhutananda] and Kalipada.

As they got in the boat, however, Kalipada privately instructed the boatman to steer the boat to the middle of the river.

Then Kalipada knelt down and clasped the Master's feet, saying: "Sir, you are a saviour. Please save my life."

"Oh, no, no," said Sri Ramakrishna.

"Chant the name of the Lord. You will get liberation."

Kalipada then said: "Sir, I am a wicked man and a drunkard. I do not even have time to chant the Lord's name. You are an ocean of mercy. Kindly save a ruffian such as I, who is devoid of disciplines and righteousness."

Meanwhile, Kalipada held firmly on to the Master's feet.

Sri Ramakrishna could not find any way out of this predicament, so he asked Kalipada to stick out his tongue. Then he wrote a mantra on it.

After this the Master said, "Henceforth your tongue will automatically repeat this mantra."

But Kalipada was not happy. He said to the Master, "I don't want this."

"Then what do you want?" asked Sri Ramakrishna.

"When I leave this world," replied Kalipada, "I shall see darkness all around, and that terrible darkness will fill me with horror. My wife, children, and other relatives won't be able to help me then. At that terrible time, you will be my only saviour. You will have to take me, holding a light with your left hand and me with your right hand. I shall always be with you then. You will have to fulfill this prayer of mine."

With his heart full of compassion, the Master said: "All right, all right. Your prayer will be fulfilled. My goodness! You have brought me to the middle of the Ganges and have created such a scene!"

Sri Ramakrishna had promised thrice in Swami Adbhutananda's presence that at the time of Kalipada's death he would take him, holding him by his right hand. Just as Kalipada breathed his last, he raised his right hand.

Swami Premananda was present then.

Hearing the news of Kalipada's death from Swami Premananda, Swami Adbhutananda said to some devotees: "Look, the Master came to Kalipada at his last moment. Holding Kalipada's hand, the Master guided him away. Brother Baburam saw it clearly. Whatever the Master said to anyone is bound to be fulfilled."

7 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna's Appearance after His Passing Away

Ramakrishna as Omniscient

God is omniscient. He knows every thought: No one can hide anything from God. His eyes are everywhere. He knows each individual being as well as the whole cosmic universe.

Many incidents can be cited to illustrate Ramakrishna's omniscience.

Once Rani Rasmani came to Dakshineswar and, after bathing in the Ganges, entered the shrine of the Divine Mother for japa and meditation.

Sri Ramakrishna was also there at that time. Rasmani had heard his devotional singing many times and was very fond of it, so she asked him to sing.

Sri Ramakrishna began singing, but all of a sudden, he stopped and turned towards Rasmani, exclaiming: "What! Even here you think such thoughts!"

As he said this, he struck the Rani with the palm of his hand.

Immediately there was a commotion in the temple. Rasmani's women attendants began to scream, and the temple guards and officials rushed to the shrine to drag Sri Ramakrishna away. They hesitated, waiting only for the Rani's order.

But Rasmani was sitting calmly in an introspective mood. Instead of listening to the song, she had been thinking about a lawsuit. She marvelled that Sri Ramakrishna had known what she had been thinking.

When she became aware of her surroundings, she noticed that people were standing around them, ready to punish Sri Ramakrishna, who was sitting quietly and smiling.

Rasmani then said: "The young priest is not to blame. Do not take any action against him."

8 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Omniscient

One day Balaram decided to test Sri Ramakrishna's power of omniscience. As he carried a tray of sweets to the Master, he mentally selected two of them for the Master to take. Balaram was amazed when the Master smiled at him and took those very two sweets.

One day on the way to Dakshineswar, Ram Datta bought some jilipis, a sweet that the Master liked very much. While crossing a bridge, a little boy begged for one of them. Ram tried at first to ignore him, but then he thought that perhaps the boy was God in disguise, and he gave him a piece. After arriving in Dakshineswar, Ram put the sweets in the Master's room and spent the day there. In the afternoon Sri Ramakrishna asked for some refreshments and Ram immediately placed the jilipis in front of him. Sri Ramakrishna touched them and looked up. He then broke a few and, shaking his head, expressed his unwillingness to eat them. After this he washed his hands.

Ram was mortified. He could not understand why the Master had refused his sweets. He was so upset that he threw the jilipis away and returned home. After a few days Ram came to Dakshineswar again and the Master said to him: "When you bring something for me, don't give any of it to anyone else beforehand. I can't take anything without offering it to God, and I can't offer anything to Him that has been defiled by being offered to someone else first." This incident convinced Ram that the Master was omniscient.

9 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna as Omniscient

Nistarini Ghosh knew that the Master was omniscient and that he answered the sincere prayers of his devotees. She described the following incident to Sister Devamata [Laura Glenn, an American devotee]:

One Sunday we were all at Dakshineswar. A poor woman came bringing four rasagollas [sweet, juicy cheese balls] for the Master, but his room was so full of devotees that she dared not enter and offer them to him. She went to Mother's veranda [nahabat] and began to weep bitterly that she had come so far and now she must go away without seeing the Master. We knew too that to bring even these four rasagollas meant a great sacrifice for her.

Suddenly while she was thus weeping, Gurumaharaj [Sri Ramakrishna] appeared on the round veranda overlooking the river. He stood for a few minutes gazing at the Ganges, then he came down the steps and walked quickly towards Mother's house. When he entered the veranda, he looked hither and thither as if searching for someone. Then, seeing the poor woman, he went to her and said, "I am feeling very hungry; can you give me something to eat?"

The woman in great joy offered him her rasogollas. He ate all the four with evident relish and returned to his room, while she went home with her heart full of happiness.

10 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna: The Embodiment of All Gods and Goddesses

The indivisible Satchidananda is beyond name and form, which are in the domain of maya. Satchidananda is the Absolute Reality. It is formless and devoid of qualities. But God has a name and form, and He is endowed with qualities. The formless Satchidananda and God with form is like water and ice. In one aspect Ramakrishna was the eternal Satchidananda; in another, he manifested as forms of various gods and goddesses.

Romain Rolland writes: "In the life of Ramakrishna, the Man-God, I am about to relate the life of this Jacob's ladder, whereon the twofold unbroken line of the Divine in man ascends and descends between heaven and earth."

On 26 September 1883, Ramakrishna told M. (who was drawn to God without form): "If you ever see me instructing you [in a dream], then know that it is Satchidananda Himself that does so." Recalling his sadhana, he said: "Sometimes I considered myself to be a pitcher immersed in the water of that indivisible Satchidananda, which pervaded me through and through.”’

Again, Ramakrishna said to Yogin-ma (who was drawn to God with form): "Look, your Chosen Deity is in this place (pointing to his body). If you think of me, that will bring recollectedness of your Chosen Deity.

“On another occasion he told his niece Lakshmi: "If you cannot remember God, think of me. That will do."

Once Swami Vijnanananda said to a woman devotee: "Kali, Krishna, Shiva, and other gods and goddesses exist in the Master."

11 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna: The Embodiment of All Gods and Goddesses

Ramakrishna once instructed Swami Abhedananda to meditate on his form. The Master said: "Mother Kali and all gods and goddesses dwell in my body. If you meditate on my form, that will be meditation on all gods and goddesses."

Swami Saradananda writes: "When one reflects on the life and teachings of the Master, one understands that he was the embodiment of all spiritual moods. Such a great king in the realm of spirituality had never been seen before."

Ramakrishna taught his disciples how to establish a relationship with God. He said: "Look, before you begin meditating, think of this (pointing to himself) for a while. Do you know why I say this? Because you have faith in this place (me). If you think of this place, that will remind you of God. It is like when one sees a herd of cows, one remembers a cowherd; seeing a son, the father; seeing a lawyer, the court. Do you understand? Look, your mind is scattered among various places. If you think of this (me), it will be gathered in one spot. And if you think of God with that concentrated mind, you will truly get deep meditation. That is why I am telling you all this."

12 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna: The Embodiment of All Gods and Goddesses

The Master continued: "Whatever form of God or spiritual mood you like, hold onto that firmly; only then will you get steadfast devotion. 'God can be reached through devotion. Can anyone attain Him without that?' One needs bhava [a spiritual mood].

One should adopt a particular attitude and call on Him.

'As is a man's meditation, so is his feeling of love. As is a man's feeling of love, so is his gain; and faith is the root of all.'

One should cultivate a spiritual attitude and faith and hold onto Him firmly. Only then can one succeed.

Do you know what bhava means? It is to establish a relationship with God and then to remember it all the time: for example, I am a servant of God; I am a child of God; I am a part of God. This is the ripe ego, the ego of Knowledge. Always remember this — even while you are eating, sitting, and resting. One should practise the constant recollectedness of God. Part of the mind should be directed towards Him always. Only then will you succeed. Establish a particular spiritual relationship with God and make Him your own."

Vijay Krishna Goswami said: "I have seen illumined souls who have attained perfection by following their respective paths, but I have never seen another Siddhapurusha like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, who attained perfection in all attitudes and in all paths. He is unique in the religious history of the world."

13 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna: The Embodiment of All Gods and Goddesses

As rivers originate in different places and lose their name and form after meeting the ocean, so when different religious paths reach the nondual God, they become one and can no longer claim their separate identities. Ramakrishna used to say: "All jackals howl in the same way."

Ramakrishna was completely established in the nondual state. In this connection, Ram Chandra Datta said:

The goal of the Vedanta scriptures is nondual knowledge. A man attains the result of studying and practising Vedanta when he experiences this supreme knowledge. After attaining this nondual knowledge, if a man worships God as Kali, Durga, Shiva, Rama, Krishna, Gauranga, Buddha, Allah, Jesus, or any other form of God, he will attain fulfillment in that attitude. This was Ramakrishna's message. Ramakrishna practised and attained perfection in different paths and left the above message of harmony as an ideal. One can see that all spiritual attitudes were fully manifested in his life. His life and message are the source of the nondual knowledge of Vedanta. That is why the Vedantins would call him 'Paramahamsa.'

He was also a fountain of love and devotion and preached God with form, so the devotees call him an 'Avatar.' He was a great Tantric. He practised various esoteric disciplines of Tantra under the guidance of the Bhairavi Brahmani and attained perfection, so the followers of Tantra called him 'Kaula.'

The Nava-rasik sect of Vaishnavas called him 'Rasik-chudamani.' He became 'Sain' to the Bauls, 'Gosain' to the Vaishnavas, 'Alekh' to the Kartabhajas. The Sikhs realized him as Nanak, the Muslims as Paigambar, the Christians as Jesus, and the Brahmos as a knower of Brahman.

14 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

Ramakrishna: The Embodiment of All Gods and Goddesses

So far, we have recorded, but truly there is no end to his forms. He was God, ever-free. He could assume at will the form of any of his devotees' Chosen Deities.

Regarding the Master, Mathur rightly said: "Father is the God of multiple forms. Whatever form he assumes, it becomes exact and beautiful."

Name, form, and qualities are in the domain of God's lila (divine play).

We live in the realm of lila or maya. So in our lives we swing between happiness and misery, good and evil, victory and defeat, praise and blame — all of which are created by maya. For this reason, we do not have abiding peace.

In his life, Ramakrishna demonstrated how one can travel back and forth between the absolute and the relative.

As one starts with the gross and moves towards the subtle, so one can start with the name, form, and qualities of God and reach Brahman, who is beyond name, form, and qualities. Ramakrishna taught us how to love God with form and then experience the wonderful beauty of God without form. When this state is attained, one can live without fear or anxiety.

Ramakrishna did not like one-sidedness. He was not a dry monk: He loved to eat various delicacies; he was fond of listening to a flute being played with different ragas and raginis. Ramakrishna sang the mantra of religious harmony and demonstrated that he was ever-present in each and every form. In this present age, Ramakrishna's life and message is a beacon to the world, which is devastated by religious conflict, sectarian violence, and hatred.

15 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

After studying, we have come to this conclusion that Ramakrishna was the infinite Lord who took a human form so that we can attain him easily. He himself said: “Who can comprehend God? It is not given to man to know any aspect of God, great or small. And what need is there to know everything about God? It is enough if we only realize Him. And we see God Himself if we but see His Incarnation. Suppose a person goes to the Ganges and touches its water. He will then say, ‘Yes, I have seen and touched the Ganges.’ To say this, it is not necessary for him to touch the whole length of the river from Hardwar to Gangasagar.”

Similarly, if one’s mind perceives any part of Ramakrishna’s body, which is akin to perceiving an avatar, or an incarnation of the infinite Lord. According to one’s preference, one can meditate on any form of Ramakrishna. Patanjali also mentioned: “One can meditate on anything that appeals to one as good.” However, it is wise to practise meditation according to the instruction of one’s guru.

But what does one gain from meditation? Ramakrishna answered: “As the children inherit the wealth of their parents, so those who meditate on me will inherit my treasures.” His treasures are discrimination, renunciation, knowledge, devotion, unselfish love, and samadhi. Sometimes we gaze at the picture of Ramakrishna and think: “Will our lives end having only seen the picture of the Master? Shall we have no realization?” But we must remember, we can bring the picture to life through our imagination, and this can lead to realization.

One can meditate on the entire form of Ramakrishna or on various parts of his body, connecting them with various episodes of his life. This method generates more fervour and concentration in the mind of the meditator. Here are some examples:

Ramakrishna’s feet: The Master’s feet remind us of the feet of Vishnu that are worshipped in Gaya, where Kshudiram had the vision of the Lord telling him that He wanted to be born as his son. The infinite Lord took a finite form and entered the womb of Chandramani. We can imagine how Ramakrishna walked on the paths and in the meadows of Kamarpukur, travelled to Calcutta on foot, and strolled around in the temple garden of Dakshineswar.

16 August 2023

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

One day Manomohan, a devotee, came to Dakshineswar. Seeing him, the Master drew his feet up and sat cross-legged. Manomohan was hurt. He said: "Sir, please extend them as before. If you don’t, I shall cut them off and carry them to my home so that the devotees may worship your blessed feet."

The Master smiled and allowed the devotee to touch his feet.

One early afternoon Rakhal arrived from Calcutta and found the Master alone, resting on his bed. He asked Rakhal to sit on the bed and massage his feet.

At first Rakhal was reluctant, but the Master insisted, saying: "Look, there is a tangible result from serving a holy man." Soon after he began massaging the Master's feet, he saw the Divine Mother, in the form of a girl of seven or eight, circle the Master's bed a few times and then enter into his body. This vision overwhelmed Rakhal.

The Master then said to Rakhal with a smile: "Did you see the result of serving a holy man?"

Ramakrishna's hands:

We can visualize the Master inside the Kali temple waving the light and fanning the Divine Mother during the vesper service, or holding a bit of cotton near the nostrils of the Kali image to determine whether the Mother breathes.

Some other extraordinary events also took place within the Kali temple. During Ramakrishna's sadhana his longing for vision of Kali became so unbearable that he took the sword that hung on the wall and tried to end his life with it.

In another incident, the Master slapped Rani Rasmani when he discovered that she was thinking of a lawsuit.

The Master used to write a mantra on the tongues of his disciples with his middle finger.

One day when Narendra came to Dakshineswar, the Master touched his chest with the palm of his hand and the world disappeared from his mind.

When Chandramani was dying at the bakul-tala ghat the Master held her feet with his hands and said with tearful eyes, "Mother, you don't know whom you carried in your womb."

Ramakrishna once had a vision of Jagannath in a state of ecstasy and tried to embrace Him, but just then he fell and broke his arm.

17 August 2023

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's Chest:

The Master described his phenomenal renunciation and how he felt a terrible pain in his chest when a devotee tried to give him money: "Mahendra Pal of Sinthi once gave Ramlal five rupees. Ramlal told me about it after he had gone. I asked him what the gift was and Ramlal said that it was meant for me. I thought it might enable me to pay off some of my debt for milk.

That night I went to bed and, if you will believe me, I suddenly woke up with a pain. I felt as if a cat were scratching inside my chest. I at once went to Ramlal and asked him: 'For whom did Mahendra give this money? Was it for your aunt?'

'No, said Ramlal, 'it is meant for you.' I said to him, 'Go and return the money at once, or I shall have no peace of mind.' Ramlal returned the money early in the morning and I felt relieved."

Ramakrishna's Back: The Master's experience of oneness with all creation:

"One day the Master was in an ecstatic mood as he stood on the spacious ghat of the main porch looking at the Ganges. Two boats were anchored there, and the boatmen were quarrelling with each other.

Gradually their quarrel grew intense, and the stronger man slapped the weaker one sharply on his back. At this the Master cried out loudly in pain. The sound of his distressed cry reached Hriday inside the Kali temple. He hurriedly ran to the ghat and saw that the Master's back was red and swollen.

Impatient with anger, Hriday asked repeatedly: 'Uncle, show me the person who hit you. I will chop off his head.'

When the Master regained his composure, he told Hriday what had happened. Hriday was dumbfounded by this and asked himself, 'How is this possible?"'

18 August 2023

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's collar bone:

When the Master was suffering from cancer at Cossipore, his body became so emaciated that it was hard to recognize him. One day Niranjan was attending the Master and observing his sunken eyes and prominent collar bone. Realizing that he was sad, the Master told Niranjan: "Look, I am now in such a state that whoever sees me in this condition will attain liberation in this life by the grace of the Divine Mother. But know for certain that it will shorten my life."

Upon hearing this, Niranjan became more vigilant about protecting the Master. He sat at the gate day and night with a turban on his head and a stick in his hand to keep outsiders from visiting the Master. Niranjan sometimes had to hurt people, but he accepted this as an unpleasant duty necessary to protect the Master's life.

Ramakrishna's Throat:

The Master had a wonderful musical voice, and many people were moved when they heard him sing. Yet it was his throat that became affected by cancer. One day in Shyampukur he had an incredible vision. He saw his subtle body come out of his gross body and move around the room. He noticed some wounds on the back of its throat and was wondering how those wounds came to be, when the Divine Mother explained it to him: People who had committed various sins had become pure by touching him, thereby transferring their sins to his body and causing those wounds. At Dakshineswar the Master sometimes told us that he would not hesitate to be born millions of times and suffer for the good of humanity.

19 August 2023

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's collar bone:

At Cossipore "Gopal used to wash the Master's cancerous sore daily with a special solution of margosa leaves boiled in water, which is considered to be antiseptic. One day when Gopal touched the sore, the Master cried out with pain. Gopal said sadly: 'Sir, what can I do? If I wash your throat, you will get pain, so let me not do it.'

'No, no, you go on washing it. Look, I have no more pain,' the Master replied. He then withdrew his mind from that spot, and Gopal was able to wash the area carefully. All the while the Master remained silent and cheerful as if Gopal were washing someone else's wound."

Ramakrishna's face:

One can meditate on every aspect of the Master's face. The Holy Mother said that she had never seen the Master's face gloomy. He was a man of bliss and he shared it with others. His skin was so soft and sensitive that he could not be shaved with a razor. The barber would simply trim his hair and beard with a pair of scissors.

Jai Ramakrishna

20 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's collar bone:

Innumerable teachings, including those from ‘The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna’, came from the lips of the Master. But he always said that it was the Divine Mother who spoke through his mouth. Not a single untruth ever came from those lips. Swami Vivekananda once said: "For the first time I found a man who dared to say that he saw God, that religion was a reality. He criticized no one. For years I lived with that man, but never did I hear those lips utter one word of condemnation for any sect."

The Master would brush his teeth every morning with a twig and also scrape his tongue. One day while he was in samadhi he fell down and broke off a part of one of his upper front teeth. Sometimes we wonder: Do our prayers reach the Master's ears? Once Hazra also asked, "Does God listen to our prayer?" The Master answered: "Certainly. I can assure you of that a hundred times. But the prayer must be genuine and earnest."

The Master's eyes were extremely bright and penetrating, compassionate and loving. During his days of sadhana he would cry so intensely for the Divine Mother that the ground of the Panchavati would become soaked with his tears. In later days someone asked him, "How can we attain God?" Ramakrishna replied, "Can you weep for him every day?" His eyes saw God in everything and every being. In spite of all our imperfections and shortcomings, we hope the Master will always cast his glance of grace on us so that we can see him and fulfill the goal of human life.

21 August 2023

Various forms of God

(Excerpts from the book ‘How to Live with God’ by Swami Chetanananda)

How to Meditate on the Form of Ramakrishna

Ramakrishna's collar bone:

Long after the Master's passing away, a disciple asked the Holy Mother, "Does the Master really partake of the food that you offer him?" She replied: "Yes, he does. A light comes out of his eyes and draws up the articles of food. His ambrosial touch replenishes them again, so there is no decrease."

We shall conclude our meditation with this prayer: "O Ramakrishna, sweet is thy life story! Sweet, indeed, is thy holy name! Sweet too are thy forms, thy talks, and thy songs! In fact, what concerning thee is devoid of sweetness?"

22 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time Saturday, December 25, 1920.

He who has peace within is peaceful every-where. And where would you go and why? He, the Lord, is within. That is why the Master often sang:

Stay by yourself, O my mind!

Why wander here and there?

Look within, in the inner chamber of your heart;

You will find whatever you wish there.

He, the invaluable Philosopher's Stone,

Can fulfil your most cherished desires.

You know not, O my mind,

What treasures lie strewn

At the entrance of the mansion of the Lord!

Swami Shivananda sang the song again and again in his unusually sweet voice.

After a brief pause, he said: 'The end of this song, especially, contains profound truth. At His door everything is available—enjoyment, liberation and even the knowledge of Brahman. But, my child, you will have to seek, you will have to ask longingly. This seeking is what is called spiritual practice.

If one sincerely longs for the vision of Him, He is sure to bless him. When once out of compassion, He opens the gate and awakens the kundalini—the latent spiritual power, you realize that everything is within.

But nothing can be achieved without the awakening of the kundalini through His grace.'

23 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Saturday, December 25, 1920.

A devotee: “Yes, Swami Brahmananda used to tell us the same thing. He would say it is only when kula-kundalini, the coiled up spiritual energy, awakens at its place in muladhara and moves upward through sushumna, that the gate to the knowledge of Brahman opens.”

Swami Shivananda: “It is quite true. Without this awakening no spiritual advance is possible. That is why our Master would cry to the Divine Mother, praying, ‘Wake up, Mother, wake up, Mother Kula-kundalini!’”

After repeating the first line, the Swami sang the whole song:

> Wake up, Mother Kula-kundalini!

> Thou whose nature is bliss eternal,

> the bliss of Brahman!

> Thou, dwelling like a serpent asleep

> at the lotus of muladhara!

> Sore afflicted and distressed am I,

> in body and mind.

> Do Thou bless me and leave Thy place

> at the basic lotus.

> Consort of Shiva, the self-caused

> Lord of the universe,

> Do Thou take Thy upward course

> through the central channel.

> Leaving behind svadhishthana,

> manipura, anahata, vishuddha

> And ajna, be Thou united with Shiva,

> Thy Lord,

> At sahasrara—the thousand-petalled

> lotus in the brain.

> Sport there freely, O Mother,

> giver of bliss supreme!

> Mother, who art Existence, Knowledge,

> Bliss Absolute!

After singing this song three times in his soul-stirring voice, the Swami remained quiet, and his face became radiant with a serene spiritual glow. The atmosphere of the room was surcharged, as it were, with the spirit of the song. There was a long silence, which the Swami broke by repeatedly calling upon the Mother in a voice of great tenderness.

24 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Saturday, December 25, 1920.

Controlling his emotions somewhat, the Swami said: “Ah, how many times we have heard Sri Ramakrishna sing this song! On some days he would take a chamara and sing while fanning the Mother with it. I cannot describe the intensity of his rapturous devotion as he sang this song. We were entranced, and he would lose all outward consciousness. The chamara would move in slow rhythm in his hand as he sang the song intoxicatedly. What a sweet voice he had! All who were present would be moved to tears. The Mother, who is the Mother of the Universe, cannot but respond to such an earnest appeal.

“Swami Vivekananda once said: ‘In this age the Brahma-kundalini—the Mother who is responsible for the creation, preservation and destruction of the universe—has been awakened by the fervent prayers of Sri Ramakrishna.’ No wonder the individual kundalini will be awakened now! That is why we see symptoms of a great spiritual upsurge everywhere. The Mother, the Primal Energy, is sporting for the good of the world, using the body of Sri Ramakrishna. We need have no worry this time.”

Jai Ramakrishna

25 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Monday, November 1922.

When God embodies Himself as man, He does so for no particular race or nation, but for the good of the whole world. The manifestation this time is of the highest Sattvika aspect of the Lord. The Incarnation, Sri Ramakrishna, is the embodiment of perfect sattva. Containing within himself all the six divine powers, he lived in the body assuming only pure Sattvika moods. Consider the way he spent his entire life in a temple court on the bank of the Ganga. How would you understand the deep spiritual significance of all this!

It was in order to spread his Sattvika spiritual thought that Sri Ramakrishna brought with him as his assistant such a powerful soul as Swami Vivekananda. He brought us here to assist him in his work, and he is constantly leading us by the hand in all that we do for the good of the country and its people. Before passing out of his body, the Master vested his whole power and the responsibility of his mission in Swami Vivekananda. Only after travelling over the globe from one end to the other and scrutinizing it closely did Swamiji found this Math and Mission to carry on activities beneficial to the world and particularly to India, according to the directions of the Master. One by one, Swamiji engaged us all in these activities. If we had so wished, we could very well have lived a life of exclusive contemplation and meditation in mountains and forests. As a matter of fact, most of us had been away from the monastery in different places, doing that to some extent. It was Swamiji who called us together and engaged us in works of service—the service of God in humanity. Even in our old age we have been carrying on that work.

26 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Saturday, September 1923.

Swami Shivananda was seated in his room at the monastery at Belur, his face beaming with spiritual fervour, his eyes radiating love and compassion. There was profound peace in the room. Since it was Saturday, several devotees came from Calcutta for a visit. Most of them were young men working in offices who made it a custom to avail themselves of every holiday to come to the monastery to see Mahapurushji and listen to him. From his precious words of wisdom, they drew much inspiration. That day the conversation turned upon spiritual practice. A devotee said: “Maharaj, on some days I enjoy my meditation, but on other days I do not. What accounts for this?”

The Swami replied: “Yes, truly it happens like this. For some days we enjoy meditation, but other days come when we don’t. In the initial stage all aspirants have to go through this experience, but one should not stop practice for that reason. Did not the Master speak of the hereditary farmer? Even as he sticks to the family profession, so you must stick to your spiritual practice, and in trying periods pray fervently to the Lord. Say: ‘Lord, we are in the world: we are weak and devoid of spiritual discipline and practice. We have neither time nor energy. We have no one else to call our own. Do Thou graciously set our mind right that we may call upon Thee properly. Feeble as we are, unless Thou givest us strength, how shall we think of Thee?’

Pray to God thus, my boy. Prayer, earnest prayer, is what is necessary. Cry to Him as you pray. Then He will be gracious and respond. Don’t you remember how the Master used to pray to the Mother? He would rub his face on the ground, crying, ‘Another day of this life is gone, and I have not seen Thee!’ How ardently did Sri Chaitanya say, ‘O Lord, I find no joy in repeating the name!’ Crying thus he too would rub his face on the grass.”

Jai Ramakrishna 27 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Saturday, September 1923.

Devotee: “Can one take His name always, as for instance, while walking?”

Swami: “Certainly. Japa is not bound by temporal considerations. You can repeat His name whenever you find time. While walking repeat it mentally; you cannot then count the repetition on your fingers or rosary without being conspicuous. The repetition of the Lord’s name must be practised very secretly so that no one knows anything about it. Practise constant recollection and contemplation of God. One has to form the habit. Remember, and think of Him continually, while walking, eating, lying down and even when you are actively busy. Let it be as if an undercurrent is all the time flowing. If you practise in this manner for a while, remembrance and contemplation of Him will go on unconsciously within you; you will be repeating His name even while asleep.”

Devotee: “It is so hard to control the mind! Sometimes when I am telling my beads, uttering His name orally, my mind wanders here and there, indulging in ideas I never before thought of.”

Swami: “That is true. The rascal mind causes all the trouble. You must control this mind, or it will take you here and there. However, sincere efforts will bring self-control. When disciplined, this wicked mind behaves right; it functions as the guru, repeats His name, guides the aspirant along righteous ways and gives him inspiration in noble undertakings. Practise self-control constantly, pray sincerely to the Lord and discriminate between the real and the unreal. My child, self-control cannot be accomplished in a day. Rightly has the Lord said in the Gita: ‘Doubtless, O mighty-armed, the mind is restless and difficult to control; but, O son of Kunti, through practice and dispassion it can be conquered.’”

27 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Saturday, September 1923.

Devotee: 'Can one take His name always, as for instance, while walking?'

Swami: 'Certainly. Japa is not bound by temporal considerations. You can repeat His name whenever you find time. While walking repeat it mentally, you cannot then count the repetition on your fingers or rosary without being conspicuous.

The repetition of the Lord's name must be practised very secretly so that no one knows anything about it.

`Practise constant recollection and contemplation of God. One has to form the habit. Remember, and think of Him continually, while walking, eating, lying down and even when you are actively busy.

Let it be as if an undercurrent is all the time flowing. If you practise in this manner for a while, remembrance and contemplation of Him will go on unconsciously within you; you will be repeating His name even while asleep.'

Devotee: 'It is so hard to control the mind! Sometimes when I am telling my beads, uttering His name orally, my mind wanders here and there, indulging in ideas I never before thought of.'

Swami: 'That is true. The rascal mind causes all the trouble. You must control this mind, or it will take you here and there.

However, sincere efforts will bring self-control. When disciplined, this wicked mind behaves right; it functions as the guru, repeats His name, guides the aspirant along righteous ways and gives him inspiration in noble undertakings.

Practise self-control constantly, pray sincerely to the Lord and discriminate between the real and the unreal. My child, self-control cannot be accomplished in a day. Rightly has the Lord said in the Gita:

"Doubtless, O mighty-armed, the mind is restless and difficult to control; but, O son of Kunti, through practice and dispassion it can be conquered."

28 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Saturday, September 1923.

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, September 14, 1923.

About 7.3O this morning Swami Shivananda had just returned from the chapel of the monastery at Belur.

Nowadays he meditates long in the morning. At the very hour of dawn, when Sri Ramakrishna is first offered worship, the Swami goes to the chapel with a deerskin and sits there meditating.

Sometimes it is quite late in the morning when he returns to his room. Today after coming from the chapel, he was seated in his chair. The intoxication of meditation lingered, and he seemed still very much absorbed.

The monks and novitiates of the Order as well as the lay devotees came to pay their respects to him. He greeted them and made inquiries about their well-being very briefly, as if he were in no mood to carry on conversation.

A monk of the Order returned only yesterday from a pilgrimage to Rameshwar, Dwaraka and other places.

The moment this monk entered and saluted him, Mahapurushji, with folded hands, bowed to God, saying, 'Glory be unto Lord Rameshwar, glory be unto the Lord of Dwaraka.

Addressing the monk, the Swami continued:

'Meditate upon these subjects. When you meditate, try to think of what you saw in holy places. This is certainly the object of going on pilgrimages. If one undertakes them like a tourist, he gains nothing from them. Genuine devotees purify their minds by recalling and meditating on such things. It is the Lord who has become everything.

The holy places are indeed His glories. While thinking of Him one should also think of the manifestations of His power. In holy places there is a special manifestation of Him. He is not seated in our chapel only. He, the Lord of the Universe, is all-pervasive and exists everywhere, but He is especially manifest in holy places and in his saints and devotees.

29 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, September 14, 1923.

The moment this monk entered and saluted him, Mahapurushji, with folded hands, bowed to God, saying, “Glory be unto Lord Rameshwar, glory be unto the Lord of Dwaraka.” Addressing the monk, the Swami continued: “Meditate upon these subjects. When you meditate, try to think of what you saw in holy places. This is certainly the object of going on pilgrimages. If one undertakes them like a tourist, he gains nothing from them. Genuine devotees purify their minds by recalling and meditating on such things. It is the Lord who has become everything. The holy places are indeed His glories. While thinking of Him one should also think of the manifestations of His power. In holy places there is a special manifestation of Him. He is not seated in our chapel only. He, the Lord of the Universe, is all-pervasive and exists everywhere, but He is especially manifest in holy places and in His saints and devotees.”

30 August 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, September 14, 1923.

Gradually the conversation turned upon monasticism and the life of a monk.

A newly initiated sannyasin said: `Maharaj, please tell us the rules and codes that we should observe as monks. While conducting works of service it is not practicable to abide by the orthodox monastic rules and regulations mentioned in the Paramahamsa and Narayana Upanishads. Last evening, we had a discussion on this subject with Swami Suddhananda.

Swami: 'Yes, there are many monastic rules of the kind you mention, but since they are not meant for you, it is not necessary for you to observe them.

You represent a different type of monk, a combination of karma-yogin and sannyasin. Swamiji has left a new ideal for you. You are expected, in addition to your spiritual practice, dispassionately to carry on activities conducive to spirituality. Naturally, it is not practical for you to observe the rules of which you speak. They are meant for sannyasins who do not believe in any activity other than exclusive contemplation, self-analysis and discrimination.

But you know, my child, if one is true in the essentials, the rest will take care of itself.'

Monk: `Maharaj, what are the essentials?'

Swami: 'They are renunciation of lust and gold. If one can renounce lust of the flesh and greed for wealth everything will be all right. What counts is not the mere renunciation of external attachments; inner attachments must also be given up. Remember that at the time of your monastic vow you offered oblations in the sacred fire, symbolically making a holocaust of desires.

At the base of all desires are lust and greed. Above everything else a monk should observe the vow of chastity and poverty.

Be sincerely resigned to the Lord. He will give you all knowledge. In time everything will be revealed through His grace.'

31 August 2023

(Today is the most auspicious birthday of Swami Niranjananandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day, may the Swami bless us all with bhakti.)

Swami Niranjanananda: Love for Truth

There was a strange mixture of tenderness and sternness in Swami Niranjanananda. His love for truth was uncompromising and counted no cost. Once a gentleman of Calcutta built a Shiva temple in the city of Varanasi. When Swami Vivekananda heard of this, he remarked, “If he does something for relieving the sufferings of the poor, he will acquire the merit of building a thousand such temples.”

When this remark of the great Swami reached the ears of the gentleman, he came forward with a big offer of pecuniary help to the Ramakrishna Mission Home of Service at Varanasi—then in a nucleus state. But afterwards, as the first impulse of enthusiasm cooled down, he wanted to curtail the sum which he had originally offered. This breach of promise so much offended Swami Niranjanananda’s sense of regard for truth that he rejected the offer altogether, though that meant great difficulty for the institution. It is very hard to estimate a spiritual personality by external events. The height of spiritual eminence of a person can be perceived, and that also only to some extent, by the inspiration he radiates. Swami Niranjanananda left the stamp of his life on many persons. Some even renounced everything for the sake of God and joined the Ramakrishna Order because of his influence. He left one sannyasin disciple. Above all, to know Swami Niranjanananda we must turn to what the Master said about him, that Swami Niranjanananda was one of his “Antarangas”, that is, belonged to the inner circle of his devotees. During the last few years of his life, the Swami suffered greatly from dysentery, and passed away on 9 May 1904, from an attack of cholera at Hardwar where he had gone for Tapasya.

1 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. September 14, 1923.

A Monk: `Maharaj, so long as the body lasts should one not have some desire for self-preservation?'

Swami: 'Yes, he should. The scriptures contain injunctions to that effect.

In the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad there is a passage which says: "Realizing the Self and renouncing desires for progeny, wealth and popularity, the knowers of Brahman take to the life of itinerant monks subsisting on alms. One can have that much desire as is absolutely necessary for self-preservation.

Begging for alms should provide only bare necessities. Nowhere do the scriptures say that a monk should have sumptuous meals or live in luxury. The main object of life is to be able to call on the Lord whole-heartedly and to do works in His service that is all.'

Monk: 'Well, Maharaj, is it possible for dualists to practise renunciation?'

Swami: `Why not? Renunciation means doing away with the three foremost desires. A devotee accepting the dualistic view renounces all desires except the desire for God. He alone is to be desired in life. The desire to realize Him is not really a desire at all.'

2 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

DEATH IN VARANASI—ITS SPIRITUAL ADVANTAGE—A DEVOTEE IS UNCONCERNED WHERE HE DIES.

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: October 1923.

Swami Suddhananda was going to Varanasi from Belur. In that connection, while discussing the spiritual advantages of living in the holy city, Mahapurushji said: “So-and-so wrote me, pressing me to come to Varanasi. Swami Satchidananda also wrote, apprehensively: ‘We hear you have not been very well. You have had enough activity; so, do come to Varanasi. Let the younger generation manage things now. It is for you to come and retire in Varanasi.’

“Swami Satchidananda fears my body will not last very long and wants me to spend my last days in the holy city. But with us every place is the same as Varanasi. Wherever and in whatever state we die, it is equal to dying in Varanasi. As long as the Master wants us here in the flesh, death cannot touch us. ‘If the Lord protects, who can kill?’ When the summons for release comes from the Lord himself, nobody can keep us here.

“We are ever ready to depart from this life. It is worldly people who in old age think of retiring to Varanasi for its spiritual advantages. We belong to a different category. The Master has graciously given us everything. Where and under what condition his devotees give up their bodies, is immaterial. Their future is insured, even as is the future of one dying in Varanasi. Swami Trigunatita gave up his life in San Francisco. Did this affect him? He was certainly united with the Master after death. The heart of a man in which God the Lord of the Universe is enshrined, is as good as holy Varanasi. Such a man has no reason to be afraid.”

3 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, October, 1923.

It was Sunday, about nine in the morning. Mahapurushji was seated on a couch in his room. Many devotees were assembled, and interesting things were under discussion. Becoming inquisitive, a devotee asked, “Maharaj, how old are you?”

Swami: “You ask the age of my body? I don’t know exactly. Most probably it would be about seventy or seventy-two years.”

Devotee: “In that case, you would be three times older than us.”

Swami: “Possibly. Three times! Why three times? I have existed through eternity. The Self, unaffected by disease and old age, is beginningless, endless, eternal and immortal. Pure, illumined and free, It dwells in every being as Consciousness itself. This counting of age by years—ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred, and so on—is a figment of ignorance. The immutable being whose nature is truth, exists eternally without undergoing any change at any time.

“This world fashioned by ignorance is illusory and our whole trouble comes from mistaking the illusory for the real. The deer often mistake a mirage for water and jump into it in a body. From a distance the sand appears a vast expanse of water with a play of waves. Duped by this appearance, the deer run and run for the water and finally lose their lives in the sand. In a similar way a man who considers this ephemeral world real, causes himself endless sorrow. He is scorched here, as it were. Not for a moment does he think he will some day have to leave this world. He wants, foolishly, to arrange his affairs on a permanent basis.”

Jai Ramakrishna

4 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, October 1923.

Addressing an elderly gentleman, the Swami said: “Now please go to the chapel after washing yourself in the Ganga. We have made our chapel a veritable Kailasa or Vaikuntha (abodes of Shiva and Vishnu, respectively). There in the chapel is the living presence of Sri Ramakrishna, and also of the Holy Mother, Swamiji and other disciples of the Master. Whenever I enter the chapel, I feel that I am in Kailasa itself. Often, I go there and sit for meditation, and my heart is filled with joy.”

Addressing a monk who was seated near, the Swami asked, “When do you go to the chapel?”

Monk: “In the morning about nine or ten, and again in the evening.”

Swami: “Don’t you go there early in the morning?”

Monk: “No, Maharaj, early in the morning I meditate on my bed.”

Swami: “Why on the bed? Get up early, wash yourself, and go to the chapel to meditate there. Why, of all places, do you meditate on the bed? It is not a good practice. Of course, when sitting elsewhere is inconvenient, it is different. We have learned from experience that the moment you sit on the bed you feel lethargic and sleepy. The bed and pillows have a tendency to pull you down and make you go to sleep. If possible, I try to avoid sitting on the bed. At the early hour of dawn when the chapel is not open, I may sit for a while on the bed, but later I go to the chapel and enjoy my meditation there. The morning is the ideal time for meditation. It is silent and quiet all around. Nature is peaceful. With little effort the mind becomes absorbed in meditation. Invariably I awaken when the clock strikes three, whatever be the time of my going to bed.”

5 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, October 1923.

“We noticed that the Master would not sleep at all after three o’clock. He was in the habit of sleeping lightly, an hour or two sufficed him. Arising from bed he would start taking the name of the Lord. Sometimes he chanted Om, sometimes he clapped his hands and repeated the name of the Mother, or perhaps he walked up and down taking the name of Hari. He would awaken those of us who were sleeping in his room. Approaching us one by one, he would say: ‘My boys, are you awake? Get up and take the name of the Lord.’ His ecstatic chanting of God’s name would be going on all the time. Having no consciousness of the outer world, he would, while chanting, sometimes go out on the adjoining porch—nude like a child. Some days he would start kirtana accompanied with drums and cymbals, and we would join him. Mostly he would sing only the names of God, occasionally improvising words and phrases. Sometimes he danced in ecstasy. Ah! how graceful was his dance! He would then be transformed beyond recognition. It is impossible to describe his unique spiritual raptures! He had an unusually sweet voice, the like of which we have never heard anywhere. The kirtana would continue till the late hours of the morning. The Master’s ecstasies were contagious, making all ecstatic. The ceaseless repetition of the Lord’s name made the place a heaven. In what joy did we pass our days with the Master!”

Thinking of his association with Sri Ramakrishna Swami Shivananda became deeply absorbed, as if unable to speak any more.

6 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, March 23, 1924.

It was Sunday.

About three o'clock a group of devotees came from Dakshineswar and entered the Swami's room. Seeing them, he appeared beside himself with joy and said, 'Come in! Where have you all come from?'

When they had reverently saluted the Swami and taken seats, one devotee said: 'We went to Dakshineswar today. After visiting the temples, we partook of the food offered to the Mother. The whole day passed in great joy. As we went into the Master's room, to the Panchavati (grove of five trees) and the site of the bael tree, we remembered that these were the very places where the Master practised so many spiritual disciplines.'

Swami: 'Of course! Sri Ramakrishna lived there about thirty years. How many different kinds of spiritual disciplines did he not undergo there, what ecstasies and transcendental realizations did he not have! And that room of the Master—is it an insignificant place? I feel Dakshineswar is Varanasi itself —nothing else. That is why I go there from time to time. As I cannot visit it often, I salute it from here every day. Is there any other place like Dakshineswar? Even as Varanasi, it doesn't belong to this mundane world.'

7 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, March 23, 1924.

A Devotee: “Maharaj, when was it that you went to Cossipore garden, and how did Swami Vivekananda organize the Order? We wish very much to hear of those incidents from you.”

Swami Shivananda was silent for a while as if he were gradually bringing down his consciousness to the outer world. Then he said softly: “When the Master’s throat trouble took a serious turn, he was moved to the Cossipore garden in order to facilitate his treatment and nursing. We, too, gathered there in order to serve him. Later, the Master gave up his body there.”

Devotee: “Did you realize that the Master had actually breathed his last?”

Swami: “No, at first none of us realized it was actual death. We thought it was samadhi, for sometimes the Master used to have such deep samadhi that he would remain in that state for two or three days at a time. Thinking it was deep samadhi, we started chanting loudly the name of the Lord. The whole night passed in this way without any change in his condition. Next morning, we sent word to Dr. Sarkar. He came and examined the Master in detail and said he had given up the body; the doctor found no symptoms of life in it. Dr. Sarkar suggested we have a photograph of the Master taken, and this we did. At about two or two-thirty in the afternoon the Master’s body was cremated at the Cossipore cremation ground.”

8 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, March 23, 1924.

A Devotee: “Most probably those were days of great strain and hardship for all of you.”

Swami: “No, we never felt any strain and hardship. In those days we used to spend our time immersed in a certain mood. We were so absorbed in doing personal service to the Master, in practising meditation and austerity, that most often we had no consciousness of the passing of day and night. Those were indeed unique days.”

Jai Ramakrishna

9 September 2023 - Swami Dayatmananda: (Teachings of Swami Shivananda) Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, March 23, 1924. Devotee: 'Did you ever see the Master after his death?' Swami: 'The Holy Mother had a vision of the Master in Vrindavan. Be that as it may, I, too, went to Vrindavan in the meantime. Only Swami Adbhutananda and somebody else remained in the Cossipore garden. Swamiji used to go to Balaram Bose's house every day and was thinking and discussing with others how to organize us all into the Order. One day unexpectedly Suresh Babu came there and said to Swamiji: "Brother Naren, last night the Master appeared before me, saying, 'Suresh, my children are roaming about; what have you done for them?' I have been very unhappy since I heard his words. Think and do something. I shall abide by whatever you do.' Finding his wish fulfilled in such a strange manner, Swamiji was immeasurably delighted. He said: "For some time past I myself have been thinking about this. Very well, it would be well if we can decide on a house. What do you say?" Suresh Babu readily welcomed the idea. They started looking for a house and in Baranagore finally discovered a two-storeyed building available for rent at ten rupees a month. The house was very old and, in the neighbourhood, and had the reputation of being haunted, so that it was scrupulously avoided by all. Those who were at the Cossipore garden now moved to this new place. I, too, came down from Vrindavan. Seeing me, Swamiji said, "Tarak-da, I am glad you are here; I was just thinking about you. We have rented a place in Baranagore; let us go there." From that time we all started living there. In those days all of us had intense longing for God-realization. Spiritual practice, austerity, worship and study went on uninterruptedly, day in and day out. We lost even the sense of hunger and thirst. We used to have kirtana (group devotional singing often with dancing). We would have such dancing sometimes that the janitor downstairs would be frightened lest the house collapsed. We were so happy in those days! Thus, was laid the foundation of our Order through the practice of spiritual disciplines, renunciation and austerity.

9 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, March 23, 1924.

Devotee: 'Did you ever see the Master after his death?'

Swami: 'The Holy Mother had a vision of the Master in Vrindavan. Be that as it may, I, too, went to Vrindavan in the meantime. Only Swami Adbhutananda and somebody else remained in the Cossipore garden. Swamiji used to go to Balaram Bose's house every day and was thinking and discussing with others how to organize us all into the Order.

One day unexpectedly Suresh Babu came there and said to Swamiji: "Brother Naren, last night the Master appeared before me, saying, `Suresh, my children are roaming about; what have you done for them?' I have been very unhappy since I heard his words. Think and do something. I shall abide by whatever you do.'

`Finding his wish fulfilled in such a strange manner, Swamiji was immeasurably delighted.

He said: "For some time past I myself have, been thinking about this. Very well, it would be well if we can decide on a house. What do you say?"

Suresh Babu readily welcomed the idea. They started looking for a house and in Baranagore finally discovered a two-storeyed building available for rent at ten rupees a month.

The house was very old and, in the neighbourhood, and had the reputation of being haunted, so that it was scrupulously avoided by all. Those who were at the Cossipore garden now moved to this new place. I, too, came down from Vrindavan.

Seeing me, Swamiji said, "Tarak-da, I am glad you are here; I was just thinking about you. We have rented a place in Baranagore; let us go there."

`From that time we all started living there. In those days all of us had intense longing for God-realization. Spiritual practice, austerity, worship and study went on uninterruptedly, day in and day out.

We lost even the sense of hunger and thirst. We used to have kirtana (group devotional singing often with dancing). We would have such dancing sometimes that the janitor downstairs would be frightened lest the house collapsed. We were so happy in those days!

Thus, was laid the foundation of our Order through the practice of spiritual disciplines, renunciation and austerity.

10 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: August, 1925. It was about 8.30 in the evening. Mahapurushji was seated on a couch in his room, talking with a monk belonging to the ashrama at Jamtara. He said: “Today I received a letter from So-and-so. In the letter he wrote specially about himself. He mentioned that one evening he had come to the railway station to see you off and returning to the monastery after 10 o’clock he had had his supper and gone to sleep without finishing the daily routine practice of japa. Later at night when he awakened and remembered his mistake, he felt very bad. He consulted the sadhus of the ashrama and asked what amends he should make for the mistake. Nobody could give him a satisfactory answer. Being much disturbed and repentant, he wrote to me for advice, requesting that I write my opinion of what he should do, that I prescribe some penance. I shall write to him accordingly.”

A brahmacharin asked: “Maharaj, what penance would you prescribe?”

Swami: “Not much of a penance. Let him fast a day—twenty-four hours—and practise japa during the fast period. Of course, it doesn’t have to be a complete fast in which one is not supposed even to drink water. He may eat one or two pice worth of puffed rice. At night, too, as far as practicable, he should do some japa, counting his beads not less than ten thousand times. Such rigid adherence to spiritual practice is very good.”

A monk: “Swami Brahmanandaji also asked me to do something similar. He said, ‘Repeat the mantra ten thousand times every day; it will do you immense good; and continue this at least for a year.’ But I couldn’t keep up the practice for a year at a stretch. Nowadays the duties of the ashrama keep me so busy that I hardly find time for spiritual practice.”

Swami: “It can so happen that owing to the pressure of work a person may once in a while not be able to do his usual amount of spiritual practice, but he should not omit it altogether.”

11 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: August, 1925. Work at the monastery is also a form of service of the Lord and makes one think of him, but one should not, therefore, totally neglect the practice of meditation and japa. “How long can a person do work? A time will come when he lacks the physical energy to do it. How will he then occupy his time? Besides, unless work is accompanied by meditation, japa and other spiritual practices, its very spirit is lost. Then one forgets it is the Lord’s work and not his own. Egotism and pride come and instead of being purified by the work, the heart becomes defiled. The object of one’s life is not work; it is the realization of God. The work that makes one forget God is highly degenerate. In the midst of a hundred and one activities a person should keep up his regular spiritual practice. That alone can bring genuine serenity of the mind; that alone can make a person fit to engage in work in the right spirit.”

12 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 18, 1927.

It was only a few days ago, in compliance with the earnest invitation of the local monks and devotees, that Swami Shivananda came from Madras to the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama in Bombay. All were delighted to have him among them.

Spiritual discussions and devotional singing went on every day; joy and spiritual fervour reigned supreme at the monastery.

The Swami had visited Bombay once before, in 1924, when the ashrama was located in rented quarters. It was the same year that the Swami in the name of Sri Ramakrishna laid the foundation-stone of the Ashrama on the newly acquired grounds.

Within a period of three years the construction of the chapel and the quarters for the monks was complete. Mahapurushji was staying in the new Ashrama.

It was the month of January. Winter had set in.

This morning Mahapurushji was sitting in his room. A sannyasin of the ashrama entered and took a seat after saluting the Swami.

Addressing him, the Swami referred to certain institutions and said: 'My boy, it is natural for things of that sort to happen. Only through such experiences can people know what is genuine. Those who seek truth sincerely will surely hold on to it.

"Truth alone triumphs, not falsehood!"

Truth will be crowned with victory and what is false, or counterfeit will be blown away by the wind of truth. Know for certain that those who are sincerely seeking God, the embodiment of Truth, will undoubtedly be led by Him along the right path. They have no reason to be afraid.'

13 September 2023

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Srimat Swami Advaitanandaji Maharaj. On this holy day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

Swami Advaitananda (28 August 1828 – 28 December 1909)

One of the direct disciples of Ramakrishna, was also known as Budo Gopal or the aged Gopal. He was older than Ramakrishna, and took monastic vows at an advanced age. He played a crucial role during the early years of Ramakrishna Mission.

Pre monastic days

Gopal Chandra Ghosh was born on 28 August 1828 in Rajpur (Jagaddal) village in 24 paraganas, a few miles from Calcutta, to Govardhan Sur (Ghosh). He lived in Sinthi in Calcutta. Little is known about his early life and education.

He was an employee in a shop in Chinabazar, which belonged to Beni Madhav Pal, a member of the Brahmo Samaj, whose name appears in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

Gopal was married and at the time of meeting Ramakrishna for the first time he was more than 50 years old.

At the death of his wife, he was taken by a friend to Ramakrishna to assuage his grief.

On his first visit Gopal was not very impressed with Ramakrishna, but after a few more visits he became devoted to him, and served him in various ways, by buying provisions and running errands.

Once Gopal distributed twelve ochre clothes in the presence of Ramakrishna to the first bunch of monks of Ramakrishna order, which included Vivekananda. After the passing away of Sri Ramakrishna, the "Baranagar Math" was started with Gopal as the first inmate. He was soon joined by Narendra Nath Dutta (later Vivekananda), Rakhal (later Brahmananda), Kali (later Abhedananda), Latu (later Adbhutananda) and other direct disciples of Ramakrishna.

Monastic life

In 1887 Gopal along with other disciples took up the monastic life and came to be known as Advaitananda (Advaita = Non-dualism, ananda = bliss).

After staying for a few years in Baranagar Math, Advaitananda travelled to Benaras where he stayed for around 5 years.

Here he stayed in a small room, where he rose at 4 AM every day and bathed in the Ganga river, after which he did his spiritual practices for the day. He lived on madhukari i.e., begging small quantities of cooked food from various places, as per the injunctions of the scriptures. He spent time mostly in contemplation.

When Vivekananda returned to India after his visit to the west, Advaitananda returned to Alambazar, where the Ramakrishna Math had moved to. Afterwards, when the new monastery in Belur Math was established, he used to stay mostly there and looked after gardening and other managerial affairs.

Even in his old age he was self-sufficient. After his return to the monastery, Advaitananda's special duty was to look to the levelling of the newly purchased land at Belur and the repair of the old structures there. The land had been in use for repair of steamers etc., and was hence full of pits and canals. All this meant strenuous work.

When the monastery became fully established there, he took up the duty of looking after the comforts of the monks and producing food.

He sometimes expressed disappointment that he fell so short of the ideal. He did not take up any public activity; his monastic life was quite simple.

However, he lived austerely and practiced meditation till his last days. He travelled extensively and visited at one time or other sacred places including Kedarnath, Badrinarayan, and Hardwar in the north, Dwaraka in the west, and Rameswaram and other places in the south.

He was in sound health throughout his life, even at an advanced age. He accompanied Sarada Devi in some of her travels.

After suffering for some time from stomach trouble, he passed away on 28 December 1909, at the age of 81.

14 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay.

Time: January 18, 1927.

In the course of conversation, while discussing Sri Ramakrishna, one monk asked, “Maharaj, when you used to visit Sri Ramakrishna, what did you think of him?”

Swami: “When we visited him, the thought of whether or not he was a divine Incarnation never came to our mind. We could not foresee that he would create such a superhuman movement in the whole world. Who could then know that the whole world would become intoxicated with this man, only three and a half cubits tall? He loved us very much. It was because of the attraction of his love that we used to go to him. How shall I describe his love? It was ineffable! In childhood we had the experience of parental affection and did not think there could be anything greater. But when we came to the Master and realized his love, we found the affection of our parents to be insignificant and most unworthy. After coming to him we felt that we had arrived home, that all these years before we had been roaming in a strange country. Whenever I came to Sri Ramakrishna, that was my feeling. I do not know how others felt. The Master won me over at the very first meeting.”

15 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 18, 1927.

‘One day Sri Ramakrishna said to me: "Well, so many people come here. I seldom ask anyone about his home and family connections, or desire to know anything about these. When I first met you, I felt that you belonged here; that I would like to know the particulars of your home, parents and the like. Can you tell me why? Where is your home and what is your father's name?"

In reply I told him that I came from Baraset and that my father's name was Ramkanai Ghoshal.

`Hearing this, the Master said: "Indeed! You are the son of Ramkanai Ghoshal? Now I understand why the Mother aroused in me this desire for information about your home. I know your father very well.

'In those days I used to live in Calcutta, visiting home occasionally. My father was very much pleased when I told him about Sri Ramakrishna, and he came to see the Master once. On another occasion the Master said: "Your father's spiritual practices were attended with some desire for worldly objects. As a result of his spiritual practices, he amassed plenty of wealth and also spent it nobly."

16 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 18, 1927.

In connection with his childhood, Mahapurushji said: “I recall little of the days when I was very young. But I do remember well that my father used to support many in his home. My mother would do the cooking for the family and serve the meals. She was fond of feeding people. She used to do almost all the housework herself. She was an ideal woman, very simple in her ways. Seeing her work hard, my father would be pained and express sympathy. To that she would say: ‘To be able to feed people is a great blessing. They are all my children.’”

“When I was nine years old, my mother passed away. My uncle used to say that my mother would not ask for anything, not even for her own clothes.”

“In the course of time, as a result of my frequent visits to the Master, I made up my mind to give up all connection with the world and went to say good-bye to my father. He burst into tears, which began to trickle down his cheeks. We had a chapel. He asked me to salute the Deity in the chapel, and then blessed me. Placing his hand on my head, he said, ‘May you realize God! I myself tried hard to renounce the world and to realize Him, but failed. Therefore, I bless you that you may attain to God!’”

“I repeated this to the Master. He was very pleased to hear it and said, ‘It is very well that it has happened so!’”

A Devotee: “In these days, parents of this type are very rare. It would be in no sense an exaggeration to say that they are almost non-existent.”

Swami: “Yes, you are right. My father was of that type because he had undergone some spiritual practice. Although he had a sincere longing to realize God, the embodiment of Truth, he didn’t succeed in his attempt. Besides, he had acquired a lot of experience of the world. That is why he could let me go so easily.”

17 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 18, 1927.

Swami Shivananda was having his supper in the evening. In connection with the eating habits of the Master, a monk asked, “Maharaj, is it true that the Master’s hands were so very soft that one day while breaking a luchi (thin bread fried in butter) he cut his finger?”

Swami: “Yes, his hands were very tender. But why speak just of his hands! His entire body was so. Don’t you know there is a kind of luchi with a hard crust? It was that kind of luchi which cut his finger.”

Someone inquired as to the quantity of food the Master would eat at night. 18 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 28, 1927. DISCUSSION OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S REMARK: 'THIS IS THE LAST BIRTH OF THOSE WHO COME HERE.'

At night after supper Swami Shivananda was seated in his room in the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama at Bombay. One monk asked: 'Maharaj, we have heard that the Master used to say, "This is the last birth of those who would come here." Did you yourself ever hear him say it?' Mahapurushji remained silent for a while and then replied: 'Why, it has been mentioned in the books that have been written about him.' Monk: 'What is the meaning of this saying of the Master? Does it refer only to those who had seen the Master and had attained devotion and faith through his grace? Or does it mean that this is the last birth of whoever has reverence for him?' Swami: 'His words meant both. Whoever has deep regard for him, is sincerely devoted to him, and has surrendered himself fully to him, whether he has seen him in the flesh or not, will attain liberation and will not be reborn. But self-surrender there must be.' Monk: 'Maharaj, will those also be free who have taken refuge in him and have joined his Order?' Swami: 'Yes, of course, but true liberation calls for complete self-dedication. Even to belong to his fold — is it a mean fortune?' Monk: 'But, we don't seem to be making much headway or progress.' Swami: 'My child, what you have done so far and are doing now, is not negligible. Without his grace even that would have been impossible. How gracious is the Master to you! Not for nothing has he snatched you away from your parents and made you renounce hearth and home. It is because he has been unusually gracious that he has brought you to his fold and given you the opportunity to attain the summum bonum of life.'

19 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 28, 1927. DISCUSSION OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S REMARK: 'THIS IS THE LAST BIRTH OF THOSE WHO COME HERE.'

Monk: 'Maharaj, we do not feel that the works we are engaged in have been very conducive to the development of renunciation and dispassion.' Swami: 'Whatever you are doing here is certainly his work, and you are doing it all for his pleasure. You are not actuated by any selfish worldly desire.

Jai Ramakrishna

18 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna. Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 28, 1927.

DISCUSSION OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S REMARK: THIS IS THE LAST BIRTH OF THOSE WHO COME HERE.'

At night after supper Swami Shivananda was seated in his room in the Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama at Bombay.

One monk asked: `Maharaj, we have heard that the Master used to say, "This is the last birth of those who would come here." Did you yourself ever hear him say it?'

Mahapurushji remained silent for a while and then replied: 'Why, it has been mentioned in the books that have been written about him.'

Monk: 'What is the meaning of this saying of the Master? Does it refer only to those who had seen the Master and had attained devotion and faith through his grace?

Or does it mean that this is the last birth of whoever has reverence for him?'

Swami: 'His words meant both. Whoever has deep regard for him, is sincerely devoted to him, and has surrendered himself fully to him, whether he has seen him in the flesh or not, will attain liberation and will not be reborn. But self-surrender there must be.'

Monk: `Maharaj, will those also be free who have taken refuge in him and have joined his Order?'

Swami: Yes, of course, but true liberation calls for complete self-dedication. Even to belong to his fold — is it a mean fortune?'

Monk: But, we don't seem to be making much headway or progress '

Swami: 'My child, what you have done so far and are doing now, is not negligible. Without his grace even that would have been impossible. How gracious is the Master to you! Not for nothing has he snatched you away from your parents and made you renounce hearth and home. It is because he has been unusually gracious that he has brought you to his fold and given you the opportunity to attain the summum bonum of life.'

19 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna. Ashrama, Bombay. Time: January 28, 1927.

DISCUSSION OF SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S REMARK: THIS IS THE LAST BIRTH OF THOSE WHO COME HERE.'

Monk: ‘Maharaj, we do not feel that the works we are engaged in have been very conducive to the development of renunciation and dispassion.'

Swami: `Whatever you are doing here is certainly his work, and you are doing it all for his pleasure. You are not actuated by any selfish worldly desire. These activities of yours will undoubtedly foster a spirit of renunciation and dispassion.

Don't think that a life of mendicancy in Rishikesh alone will give you dispassion.

For shame! You are certainly on the right track. At present you may not have this consciousness, but in the fullness of time it will grow and 'you will be established in it You will realize that everything is his and that you have nothing to regard as your own.'

Monk: 'Maharaj, we don't seem to have that realization. One cannot know peace unless there is total destruction of the ego in deep meditation. We hardly have good meditation.'

Swami: 'Everything will come in good time, my child. Believe me when I say this.'

20 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Sri Ramakrishna Ashrama, Bombay.

Time: January 29, 1927.

The Swami said: “Swamiji stayed for a long time at the home of Chhavildas here in Bombay. It was then that he visited many places in this part of the country. Chhavildas belonged to the Arya Samaj and was against the worship of God with forms. He had much discussion with Swamiji concerning it. One day he said to Swamiji: ‘Well, Swamiji, you say that worship of God with forms, idol-worship and such other doctrines are true. If you can prove these doctrines by arguments quoted from the Vedas, I shall leave the Arya Samaj. I promise you.’

“Swamiji replied emphatically, ‘Yes, surely I can do that.’ He began explaining the Hindu doctrine of image-worship and such other doctrines in the light of the Vedas, until Chhavildas was convinced. Chhavildas made good his promise by leaving the Arya Samaj. Swamiji was such a genius, he could do that.”

21 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

A monk asked: “Maharaj, who gave you the name ‘Mahapurusha’?”

Swami: “It was Swamiji who started calling me Mahapurusha.”

Monk: “Was there any special reason for it?”

Swami: “Yes, there was. In those days when we used to visit the Master, I frequently had to go home because I had been married. It was distasteful to me. Somehow or other I would spend the night at home repeating the name of the Lord. My wife was very unhappy and would cry. I spoke about it to the Master and prayed that my worldly bondage be destroyed. After hearing my story, the Master asked me to perform a certain ritual and said in a tone of assurance: ‘Have no fear. I am there to protect you. Think of me and perform this ritual. Nothing adverse will happen to you. I am telling you that even if you sleep in the same room with your wife, you will be free from danger. You will see it will rather intensify your spirit of renunciation.’

“The Master prescribed the same ritual for Swami Brahmananda. I went through the ritual as instructed and didn’t have any trouble. In the course of conversation, I once mentioned this incident to Swamiji. He was very much surprised and remarked: ‘What do you say! It is the characteristic of a Mahapurusha (great soul). You are certainly one.’ After that he started calling me by this name, and others did the same. Previously, Swamiji used to call me ‘Tarak-da’. One day at Balaram Babu’s house, as Swamiji called me Mahapurusha, Swami Premananda’s mother remarked: ‘What did you say? What kind of Mahapurusha is he?’ Swamiji explained that I was a genuine Mahapurusha (great soul).”

Jai Ramakrishna

22 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

It was afternoon. Swami Shivananda was standing down-stairs on the eastern verandah of the Belur Monastery. On the front lawn, some young men belonging to a gymnastic club of Calcutta were displaying feats of physical strength and skill. Practice of continence is essential even for these physical feats. Whatever line of work a person may undertake, the secret of success is continence. It is the lack of continence that accounts for the degeneration of our country.

The Swami remarked again: “One must have regular physical exercise every day. Our scriptures say: ‘A good physique is the first requisite of spirituality.’ For spiritual advancement, one must first make the body strong. ‘Mens sana in corpore sano—a sound mind in a sound body.’ Don’t you see how strong the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna were! Swami Vivekananda, Brahmananda, Niranjanananda, Saradananda and others were all very good athletes. Swamiji and Swami Brahmananda had actual training in wrestling from an expert. Among us, only Swamis Yogananda and Premananda were not very strong physically. How can one stand the strain of austerities and spiritual disciplines without a good physique? You are young; you should take regular physical exercise. You do not have to be a champion athlete, but you should exercise for good health. It is not enough if one becomes a monk. The Upanishads say, ‘An aspirant should be youthful, energetic, good-natured, studious and efficient.’ If one has these qualities, one may aspire after the knowledge of Brahman. Swamiji used to say, ‘A feeble-bodied person with no fire and mettle can hardly make any spiritual progress.’ It is too true.”

23 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Addressing some devotees, he said: “All must accept the message of the Master and Swamiji. Swamiji was born to preach the Master’s ideas of peace and harmony. You will see how in course of time the Western countries will take to these ideas. This is just the beginning—the prelude. The western people are intellectual and are bound to accept the broad, universal principles of the Master’s teachings, which alone can establish peace in this world. In different countries, many people are being influenced by the ideals as lived by Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Vivekananda and are giving them out with a stamp of their own. Let them do as they please. Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji never cared for name or fame. They came for the good of the world. So long as that purpose is served and their teachings are spread, they are satisfied. Don’t you know it is very hard to digest fame? Those who do not have Self-realization can hardly rise above the desire for name and fame. How many Avataras are cropping up these days! After acquiring a little devotion or spiritual fervour, people declare themselves to be Avataras in no time! Well, there it ends. Because of egotism and pride, they cannot make any progress. On the contrary, they lose what they have acquired.”

24 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: June, 1927.

It was five in the afternoon. Mahapurushji was sitting in his room. Some devotees were seated near him and the conversation turned upon a four-year-old child who could play the tabla (drum) excellently.

The Swami said: 'One cannot help accepting reincarnation after meeting cases like this. A person couldn't have such talents at that early age unless he brought them from past lives. How wonderfully the child plays the tabla, in perfect timing and rhythm! Who taught him this music?'

After the vesper the singing of the names of Sri Rama was begun. Many sadhus and devotees joined.

Swami Shivananda, occupying his usual seat, listened to the singing with rapt attention. Gradually the music came to a close. After partaking of the prasada, the devotees came, one by one, to salute the Swami before going home.

Addressing them, the Swami said: 'Swami Brahmananda first heard the singing of the names of Sri Rama in Southern India. He enjoyed it very much and introduced it here at the Belur Monastery.

Now every fortnight, on the eleventh day of the dark as well as the bright phase of the moon, we have this singing. In no time this singing of the names of Sri Rama has spread all over the country, bringing peace and joy to so many!

It was the earnest desire of Swamiji to see the worship of Mahavira (the worship of Mahavira, the greatest devotee of Sri Rama, is a special feature of this singing) established in every Indian home.

Mahavira was a perfect example of absolute continence. With his worship the sleeping energies of the nation will wake up!'

25 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: July 10, 1927. It was Sunday. Among the many devotees present in Swami Shivananda’s room was a group from Barisal, seeking spiritual instruction. An elderly gentleman, as representative of the group, said: “Maharaj, please give us some advice. Living in the world and having many ties, we are scorched day and night. Please bless us that we may find peace in life.”

Seeing the earnestness of the man, Mahapurushji answered with great compassion: “What advice shall I give you? We have only one piece of advice—do not forget God. This is the essence of all teachings. We ourselves try our best to practise this in life and advise those who seek our counsel to do the same. You are in the world, but what does it matter? Tell me if anyone is out of the world! But see that you do not forget God. Perform your duties, but at the end of the day do not fail to call on God with great yearning at least once. Duties and responsibilities there are, of course. I do not ask you to neglect them; but in the midst of everything think of the Lord, pray to Him, repeat His name and do similar spiritual practices.

“In the Vaishnava literature there is this advice, ‘Repeat the Lord’s name with your lips as you perform your work with your hands.’ It is indeed an excellent advice. Just as every work has its purpose and time, you should also have an appointed time for calling on God. At that time, you should think of God and commune with Him even though you may have a hundred and one things to attend to. He, the Lord, dwells in every heart and judges a person by what he has in his heart. Whenever you call on Him, even though for a short while, do so whole-heartedly. This is a great secret. It is the only way to enjoy peace in the world. The moment one forgets this, one is in trouble.”

26 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: July 10, 1927.

A woman devotee: 'Maharaj, why do we forget God? What is it that drives us away from Him?'

Swami: 'You ask me why you forget God, my daughter? This is what is called Maya. Under the spell of Maya, a person forgets God and remains attached to sense objects which are impermanent.

Do you love God as much as material things? Must I tell you that the world as well as this body of yours are short-lived. And you are so inordinately attached to this world. You see before your eyes that things existing today do not exist tomorrow. What is here this moment ceases to be the next moment. A person born today may die tomorrow. Sorrow comes soon after happiness, yet people find joy and are deeply engrossed in this world!'

Woman devotee: `Maharaj, how shall we be saved? How shall we be free from Maya? Please do bless us.'

Swami: 'One cannot realize the unreality of the world without the grace of the Lord. There is no way to lift the veil of Maya other than self-surrender to God. My daughter, the Lord says in the Gita (VII. 14):

"Verily this divine illusion of Mine, composed of the gunas, is difficult to surmount. Those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this illusion."

`There is no other way than to call on the Lord whole-heartedly. You are in the world and have many things to attend to. I realize that you do not find enough time for spiritual practice. Resign yourself and cry to Him.

Pray to Him sincerely, "O Lord, be gracious unto us!"

Crying will wash away all the impurities of the mind, and He will reveal Himself to you with the brilliance of a million suns. Then you will realize that He, the Lord, is within you. Do cry to Him and exercise discrimination between the Real and the unreal. God alone is real; the world with its birth and death, pleasure and pain, is false. Such discrimination accompanied by prayer will certainly earn for you, His grace. You will be disgusted with the world and your mind will turn towards God.'

Woman devotee: 'Please bless us that we may cross over the ocean of relative existence.

That people may lift the veil of Maya and transcend the round of birth and death, is what we sincerely wish. This is our only prayer.

Swami: I pray whole-heartedly to God that you grow in love and devotion to Him. What more can I say, my daughter?'

The devotees saluted the Swami with great reverence and left the monastery with hearts full of peace.

27 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927.

It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master.

The sadhus and devotees were all overwhelmed with grief at his death. Swami Shivananda was especially so.

Malaapurushji became unusually serious when he received the news of Swami Saradananda's apoplexy. He had great anxiety written on his face. He was restless all the time, and constantly made inquiries about Swami Saradananda's illness. If anyone would approach him for initiation or in connection with other matters he would quietly say, 'Not now—I am not in a good mood because of Swami Saradananda's illness.'

When he would speak, he would do so mostly about Swami Saradananda.

Shortly before the cremation of Swami Saradananda's body, Mahapurushji once softly said: 'Swami Saradananda was fond of bathing in the Ganga. Bathe his body in the waters of the Ganga.'

It was Saturday. In the afternoon a crowd of devotees assembled in Swami Shivananda's room.

Although the Swami was grief-stricken, he made inquiries about the well-being of everyone. Very soon the conversation turned upon Swami Saradananda. Mahapurushji said: 'Alas, Swami Saradananda had visited the monastery at Belur about a week before he became ill on Saturday. There was a meeting of the Governing Body of the Mission the day he visited the monastery.

He said to me: "See, my body is getting worse. I am afraid it will not last many days." I never thought, then, he would pass away so soon.

`He was indeed a blessed soul. The Holy Mother was unusually gracious to him. That is why he had such a glorious death. Just as throughout his life he did good to many moulding the lives of some and bringing the light of the Spirit to others—so during the last few days of his illness he fulfilled the desires of many devotees by giving them an opportunity to serve him.

Ordinarily he would not allow anyone to do any personal service for him but think what service the boys rendered him when he was sick! They would not attain as much benefit by twelve years' spiritual discipline, as they did by this service.

He remained in that state only to fulfil the desires of the devotees to serve him. How many from how many places came to see him and had the opportunity of serving him! He did not leave anyone disappointed.

28 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927. It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master. Swami Shivananda was speaking of Swami Saradananda.

He was a great yogi. Giving up the body in samadhi, he went straight to the Master, and the Holy Mother. It does not at all matter in what way the body dies. The scriptures say it does not in any way affect the inner consciousness of a knower of Brahman, even if he passes out of the body in coma or swoon, or in any other way. After the first attack of apoplexy, he seemed for some days to have no external consciousness, but inwardly he was fully conscious. I went to see him only once. I didn't go again because I couldn't stand the sight of his sickness.

When Swami Akhandananda addressed him, saying, "Brother, Brother!" he opened his eyes and then again closed them. When Dr. Ghosh called him by name, he looked at him. Dr. Ghosh said, "Sarat (Swami Saradananda), would you drink some tea?" He expressed his unwillingness by shaking his head. When asked if he would have charanamrita (holy water), he showed consent by nodding his head. The holy water was given to him, and he drank it.

After a brief silence Mahapurushji continued: During the last few years of his life Swami Saradananda especially practised intense meditation and spiritual discipline. After bathing in the Ganga, he would sit for meditation and not move from his seat until one or one-thirty in the afternoon. He would have an interval during which he would drink a cup of tea, sitting right there on his meditation seat.

29 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927. It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master.

Swami Dayatmananda: 30 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927. It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master. Swami Shivananda was speaking of Swami Saradananda. 'He was unusually kind to the devotees. To women devotees especially, he was a haven of peace. A little after four in the afternoon they would start coming and he would give them advice untiringly until late in the evening. Later there would be a crowd of men devotees who would stay until late at night. The door of his compassionate heart was ever open. Ah, what a wonderful life he lived—serene, peaceful, patient and profound! We never saw Swami Saradananda lose his temper. He had only love and compassion for all. Now that he is united with the Master and the Holy Mother, he is enjoying supreme blessedness and from that realm is constantly helping the devotees. He and others like him were in Sri Ramakrishna always, but for some time, for the purpose of doing good to the world, they embodied themselves and lived here on this earth as men. As a matter of fact, they do not exist apart from the Master. Those who think about them are actually thinking about the Master himself. Many did not have the privilege of seeing Sri Ramakrishna. Perhaps they have seen Swamiji, Swami Brahmananda and Swamis Premananda, Turiyananda or Saradananda. Perhaps they have seen some one of the inner circle of the Master's disciples and are devoted to them. This love and devotion will surely reach the Master.'

It was about eight o'clock at night. Some devotees came to Swami Shivananda's room, and one of them was from Barisal. As the conversation turned on Ashwini Babu of Barisal, the Swami said, 'Ashwini Babu was a man of great influence in Barisal—your part of the country. We saw his father Braja Mohan Dutta visit the Master. He was a sub-judge. He came to the Master and begged for his blessings when he was planning to found a college. He was a fine man.'

'Of course he did. He was a man of great compassion. He would certainly give his blessings to anyone who sought them earnestly for a noble undertaking.'

'Yes, of course he did, but in rare cases. However, his initiation was not of the ordinary type which consists in just whispering the mantra in the disciple's ear. He would rouse the spiritual consciousness of a disciple by a touch or by writing the sacred mantra on his tongue, or perhaps he would transform the disciple's mind by mere will. Being a world teacher his ways of initiation were unusual. "A world teacher gives the mantra in one's heart and an ordinary teacher gives the mantra in one's ear." Sri Ramakrishna would quicken the spiritual impulse and awaken the Divinity within by prescribing different forms of spiritual disciplines to different aspirants. He was not one-sided. Whatever one's path might be, he would receive help from the Master. With the passing of days we realize why the Master practised various forms of spiritual discipline. All religions are true and through all of them people can realize God, the embodiment of Truth. He did not practise different religions in order just to discover and realize the harmony of religions. His spiritual practice had a deeper meaning. That is why men belonging to different sects of Hinduism have made him their ideal. He is also the ideal of many Christians. They worship him as Jesus and you must remember this was not the result of somebody's preaching. Tell me who can preach Sri Ramakrishna? Who can reveal the one who is Truth itself? The Lord says in the Gita (xv.6), "Him the sun cannot reveal, nor the moon, nor the fire."

Jai Ramakrishna

30 September 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: September 3, 1927.

It was only a few days ago that Swami Saradananda, who had been like a mother to the Order, passed away and was united with the Master.

Swami Shivananda was speaking of Swami Saradananda.

It was about eight o'clock at night. Some devotees came to Swami Shivananda's room, and one of them was from Barisal.

As the conversation turned on Ashwini Babu of Barisal, the Swami said, 'Ashwini Babu was a man of great influence in Barisal—your part of the country. We saw his father Braja Mohan Dutta visit the Master. He was a sub-judge. He came to the Master and begged for his blessings when he was planning to found a college. He was a fine man.'

A devotee: `Maharaj, did the Master give his blessings in secular affairs like this?'

Swami: 'Of course he did. He was a man of great compassion. He would certainly give his blessings to anyone who sought them earnestly for a noble undertaking.'

Devotee: Did the Master initiate people?'

Swami: 'Yes, of course he did, but in rare cases. However, his initiation was not of the ordinary type which consists in just whispering the mantra in the disciple's ear.

He would rouse the spiritual consciousness of a disciple by a touch or by writing the sacred mantra on his tongue, or perhaps he would transform the disciple's mind by mere will. Being a world teacher his ways of initiation were unusual.

"A world teacher gives the mantra in one's heart and an ordinary teacher gives the mantra in one's ear."

Sri Ramakrishna would quicken the spiritual impulse and awaken the Divinity within by prescribing different forms of spiritual disciplines to different aspirants. He was not one-sided. Whatever one's path might be, he would receive help from the Master.

'With the passing of days we realize why the Master practised various forms of spiritual discipline. All religions are true and through all of them people can realize God, the embodiment of Truth. He did not practise different religions in order just to discover and realize the harmony of religions. His spiritual practice had a deeper meaning.

That is why men belonging to different sects of Hinduism have made him their ideal. He is also the ideal of many Christians. They worship him as Jesus and you must remember this was not the result of somebody's preaching.

Tell me who can preach Sri Ramakrishna? Who can reveal the one who is Truth itself?

The Lord says in the Gita (xv. 6), "Him the sun cannot reveal, nor the moon, nor the fire."

1 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: September 3, 1927.

A devotee: “Maharaj, we are attached to the world. We can hardly think about him, let alone do spiritual practice. What will happen to us?”

Swami: “My child, if you cannot perform spiritual practice, you can at least think of him and sing his glory. The world has not bound you day and night. If you cannot do even this much, how can you expect any result? In any event, one should feel drawn towards God; somehow or other one should be devoted to Him. Without some longing for God spiritual progress is impossible. As the Master used to say, ‘So long as the child is busy with his lollipop, he is forgetful of his mother and she attends to her duties; but the moment the child tires of the lollipop, throws it away and begins crying for the mother, she drops everything, runs to the child and takes him in her arms.’ So long as you too remain attached to the lollipop of this world, you will not see Him. It will be most unfortunate if you do not avail yourself of the blessed privilege of being born a human being. In order to bring home this idea, the Master would often sing this song:

O my mind, you do not know cultivation.

The field of the human mind remains untilled.

If only cultivated, it would have yielded a golden harvest.

In the song is this line:

A harvest that will not be forfeited today or even a century hence—

O my mind, gather the harvest to your heart’s content, by all means!”

Devotee: “We hardly comprehend the Master; rather, we like association with you. If we have not met you for some time, we feel a yearning; that is why we come. We often think about you and long to see you. That is as much as we can do.”

Swami: “We do not know anything other than the Master. It is he who abides within and outside. He is all in all. Remember this, that we are his children, sheltered at his feet. By thinking about us you will be thinking of the Master.”

2 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: March 6, 1928.

It was the day of Dol Purnima (an ancient spring festival commemorating the fertility of the soil, but later associated with an episode of Sri Krishna's life—celebrated by worship and merry-making and popularly known as the Holi festival).

Since early morning an intensive kirtana had been in progress. The sadhus and brahmacharins of the Belur Monastery as well as the devotees were beside themselves with joy, participating in the Holi festival.

While devotional music was going on, Ramlal Dada, the Master's nephew, arrived from Dakshineswar. Spiritual fervour and enthusiasm waxed a hundredfold because of his arrival. He too joined in the kirtana. Dressed in a sari (impersonating a female part), he started dancing.

The song goes thus:

We have discovered Thee in the seclusion of the grove of Nidhuvana!

We shall have the sport of Holi with Thee, Shyama (Krishna)!

All encircled Ramlal Dada and began dancing. After a while Ramlal Dada, still dressed in the sari, went upstairs to see Mahapurushji.

In the afternoon a devotee took his little son to Mahapurushji, saying, `Maharaj, please bless the child so that he may become good and upright.'

Swami: 'You yourself should first try to be good and upright. Then the child will be good and upright.'

It was about dusk. Mahapurushji was strolling on the balcony of the monastery building. Preparations were being made for vespers when Ramlal Dada came to the balcony. Seeing him, Mahapurushji smiled and said 'Hello, Dada, you did splendidly in the morning. I could hardly recognize you at first. I was wondering who this woman might be. Later I discovered that it was you, Ramlal Dada!'

Both had a good laugh. Ramlal Dada remarked, 'I understand that many had initiation to-day.'

Swami: 'Yes, Dada.'

Dada: 'It must be quite strenuous to remain seated in one position for such a long time.'

Swami: 'No strain to speak of. On the contrary, it gives me joy—great joy—to tell people of the Lord. So many come here with such yearning for spiritual instruction! I am over-joyed to see the earnestness and sincere longing of these people. It is the Master who draws them here. So long as this body lasts, I shall certainly tell people about God and give them His holy name. That is why I am spared by the Master.'

3 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: March 6, 1928.

Ramlal Dada: 'You are so compassionate! That is why you do this at such a sacrifice.'

For a while both kept silent.

Then Mahapurushji in a tone of seriousness said softly: 'Yes, Dada. As the days pass, I am becoming more and more convinced that Sri Ramakrishna is God Himself. At first, we used to visit him frequently, being attracted by his love. Now we realize to our amazement that although he looked and behaved like an ordinary man, he is of cosmic proportions. How many universes are within him.'

Dada: 'I, too, at first had a wrong notion of him. But once in a while, like a flash of lightning, I would glimpse his greatness; then the next moment my mind would be veiled by doubts and misgivings.

One day I asked the Master, "Why does it happen that way?"

He replied, "Otherwise, how would works of service (meaning his personal service) and worship at the temple in Dakshineswar go on? And who would look after your relatives?" '

Swami: 'Yes, yes! Otherwise, the lila (sport) of the Lord cannot go on.'

Dada: Now the number of his devotees has grown. During the last few years his ideas have spread so much! How many people from distant countries, speaking strange languages, come and worship the grounds of the Panchavati grove! They pick up some sacred dust of the place or leaves from the banyan or bael tree and carry them home!'

4 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: April, 1928.

MAHAPURUSHJI'S ILL HEALTH- 'I AM NOT THE BODY.'

Swami Shivananda had not been very well since his return from Varanasi. Often, he felt dizzy. He could not walk much, and when he tried to walk, his feet trembled.

If anyone asked about his health, he would say: 'The body is not in good condition: there is always some complaint or other. All this indicates a summons for the final departure. I am ever ready to be gathered into the Mother's lap.

By the grace of the Master, I am wholly convinced I am not the body. He has graciously given me that knowledge to the fullest extent.'

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: July 7, 1928.

Swami Shivananda was seated in his room talking with a monk of the Order. In the course of conversation, the monk said: 'Feeling, is all in all in spiritual life. Reason shows merely a small portion of the way. Swami Turiyananda used to say that devotion draws one to spiritual pursuit, that intellect helps only a little. One cannot comprehend religion through reasoning and intellect alone.'

Swami: 'Religion is, as Swamiji said, a matter of, realization and experience. Before realization the intellect rules. This the Master explained in his simple way, "The vessel makes a gurgling sound when being filled. with water, but once full, it is completely quiet."

What an apt illustration! Even his simplest utterances had such a deep meaning!

The Upanishads also say: "This Self is not to be realized by scholarship, reasoning or an extensive study of the scriptures."

It is too true. How can man understand the Self by his limited intellect? It is impossible.

5 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Swami: “The Master used to sing: ‘Who knows what the Mother Kali is? Even the six systems of philosophy have not been able to fathom Her.’”

Saying this, Mahapurushji sang the entire song with great fervour. He repeated one line again and again: “Only Mahakala (the Absolute) and no one else knows all about the Mother.”

After a while, like one aroused from sleep, the Swami said: “How can man understand the Absolute through the intellect? Comprehension is possible only if the Mother is gracious enough to lift the veil. In the Nasadiya-sukta of the Rig-Veda there is a beautiful description of the Absolute in its undifferentiated state.” With these words Mahapurushji started chanting the Nasadiya-sukta:

> Nor Aught nor Nought existed; yon bright sky

> Was not, nor heaven’s broad woof outstretched above.

> What covered all? What sheltered? What concealed?

> Was it the water’s fathomless abyss?

“Ah, how profound it is! There on that table you will find a copy of this hymn, which I often read. It describes the state of deep meditation. Would you please read the rest of it?”

The monk read the hymn, and Swami Shivananda joined in the reading.

> There was not death—yet was there naught immortal,

> There was no confine betwixt day and night;

> The only One breathed breathless by Itself,

> Other than It there nothing since has been.

> Darkness there was, and all at first was veiled

> In gloom profound—an ocean without light—

> The germ that still lay covered in the husk

> Burst forth, one nature, from the fervent heat.

> Then first came love upon it, the new spring

> Of mind—yea, poets in their hearts discerned,

> Pondering, this bond between created things

> And uncreated. Comes this spark from earth

> Piercing and all-pervading, or from heaven?

> Then seeds were sown, and mighty powers arose—

> Nature below, and power and will above—

> Who knows the secret? Who proclaimed it here?

> Whence, whence this manifold creation sprang?

> He from whom all this great creation came,

> Whether His will created or was mute,

> The Most High Seer that is in highest heaven,

> He knows it—or perchance even He knows not.

The hymn filled everyone’s heart with profound feeling.

Jai Ramakrishna

6 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

ON NASADIYA-SUKTA

The Swami talking (about Nasadia Sukta) said: 'You see here description of some of the loftiest states of realization that are reached by yogis in the course of deep meditation. A level of consciousness beyond the reach of ordinary speech and mind, is mentioned here.

Swamiji was fond of the Nasadiya-sukta and would chant it so rhythmically, in the right Vedic metre, that one would feel as if a Vedic seer were repeating his own spiritual experience.

Darkness there was, and all at first was veiled

In gloom profound—an ocean without light.

Swamiji would repeat this portion of the hymn and say that nowhere in any language would you come across such poetic beauty. In one of his writings, he brought out this idea nicely.'

Monk: 'Yes, Maharaj. In Viravani (a compilation of Swami Vivekananda's poems) there is the line: "At first in darkness hidden darkness lay . . ."

Swami: 'Yes, yes, how well expressed! In this poem is a description of the involution of the cosmos. Everything emerged gradually from that unmanifest state.

7 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: December 7, 1928. At 5.30 in the afternoon Swami Shivananda was seated on the eastern verandah of the main building of the Belur Monastery. It was winter and the Swami had a light-weight flannel jacket on. Some young devotees, all of them teachers in a school, had arrived. After saluting the Swami, they took seats. Sometimes the Swami gazed at the river Ganga and sometimes his eyes were half closed in meditation. Then he asked softly, “Well, do you practise meditation for a while every day?”

A devotee: “Yes, I do.”

Swami: “At what time?”

Devotee: “In the afternoon following schoolwork, I take a little rest and then go to the shrine room and meditate. When there is not much to do in the morning, I meditate then also. If I cannot make time for meditation in the morning, I, at least, salute the Lord, before going to school.”

Swami: “Salute the Lord, of course; but that is not enough. You should also try to meditate a little. Night is the ideal time for meditation. When you meditate, though for a short time, try to detach yourself completely from your work. Shaking off all worries and withdrawing yourself from everything, seek to be established in your own Self. You should practise this at least once a day, even if only for a short while. Naturally you have your duties and responsibilities in the world, your pains and pleasures there; but all these are transient. This world is unreal: there can be nothing more certain than that. Though the work you are carrying on is no doubt good, for a while you will have to withdraw your mind from even this and offer it at the lotus feet of the Lord; at the same time being absorbed in the thought of Him, who is the Supreme Father, the embodiment of Truth and Goodness. The Lord will then occupy your whole heart and there will be no thought of this world, no thought even of your individuality. Pray to God thus: ‘O Lord, give me faith and devotion, knowledge and discrimination. See that I do not get entangled in the snares of the world-bewitching Maya.’ When you pray, pray with all your heart and soul. When you meditate, try to be one with God, to have the consciousness of unity and identity. One should by all means practise like this.”

8 October 2023

Jai Ramakrishna

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Abhedanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Teachings of Swami Abhedananda)

To go beyond Maya, one needs discrimination and renunciation. Even gods cannot escape Maya unless they have these two.

There is no need for you to be impatient for doing Japa or meditation and flying to solitude for that purpose.

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘Meditate in a corner, or in the forest, or in the mind.’ The Sadhaka who lives in a city, can sit inside the mosquito curtain and easily do his Japa and meditation in the night without distraction.

When the mind becomes steady by continued practice of Japa, meditation is accomplished by itself.

Raise your mind to the Ajna Chakra, and ponder over the truth that lust, anger, and the rest are not the attributes of the soul.

Meditate on this idea. Repeat the great truth: ‘I am Brahman’, and contemplate on the soul, which is the witness, the inspirer, the absolute, the one without any attribute.

Practise a little; the secret of success lies in meditation.

When you meditate, remember first the great teachers of the world. They have given us the greatest of all gifts, the highest truth. Remember the greatest of all teachers, the Teacher of the universe, God. Aspire to be His faithful servant.

Send thoughts of love to all living beings, pray that all may be happy and peaceful and blissful. Then think of your body, remember it is the instrument of the soul. We must keep it strong and healthy and make it a useful instrument; we must master the body so that through it we can express our divine nature.

Breathe slowly and rhythmically; imagine that you breathe out all that is evil and weak and undesirable and that with every breath you draw in the divine nature is flowing through you.

Then meditate on Him who is the Soul of your soul. Try to feel that you are one with that Infinite, Blissful, Existence, etc. Raise a wall all around your mind by your discrimination. Do not allow the distraction of external circumstances to enter your mind.

The mind is all in all. You cannot hear the rumbling sound of the carriage if you withdraw your mind from your ears.

Learn to turn unfavourable circumstances into favourable ones. The mind is all in all.

9 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, March 17, 1929.

It was the grand public celebration of Sri Ramakrishna's birthday at the Belur Monastery. Swami Shivananda had not been very well, as he had a bad cold.

An elderly devotee saluted the Swami and made inquiries about his health. The Swami, in a cheerful mood, said: 'The body is not at all well.'

Devotee: 'What is the matter, Maharaj? Didn't you sleep well last night?'

Swami: 'Yes, I slept fairly well, but you know this body is old. That is why I always have some complaint or other.

The body is subject to sixfold change (birth, existence, growth, transformation, decay and death). That is the nature of the body. Now it is proceeding towards the last change, death.

Of course, these changes pertain to the body only; the self which dwells within remains eternally the same. These changes do not affect it at all. The Self which dwells within the body is all right. The body cannot be the Self.

The Master out of compassion has given me that knowledge. Now it does not matter whether the body lives or goes.' After keeping his eyes dosed for a while, the Swami burst out laughing and said: 'Yes, the Master has given me full knowledge within. Now if he wishes, the body will stay; otherwise, it will go. Let his will be done! This body has lived many years, hasn't it?'

11 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Wednesday, March 20, 1929.

In the morning a monk from Madras came and saluted Swami Shivananda at the Belur Math. The Swami said: “Blessed are those who have not seen Me but have faith in Me. You are really blessed; though you have not seen the Master, still you have faith in him.”

WHY GOD INCARNATES HIMSELF AS MAN.

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, March 26, 1929.

It was past five in the afternoon. Feeling uncomfortably hot in the room, Mahapurushji came out and occupied an easy chair on the eastern verandah of the monastery. He was resting in a half-reclining position.

Attendant: “Gradually, one by one, almost all of the direct disciples have passed away. Now you and a few others are all that remain. Your body is so feeble. When you go, who knows when you will be back again? Of course, you wouldn’t return unless the Master does.”

Swami: “Who can be sure of it, my boy? The Master has so many other devotees, who knows that he will bring us with him?”

Attendant: “You belong to the inner circle of the Master’s direct disciples. Of course, you would come with him when he incarnates again.”

Swami: “Who can tell? These individualities are impermanent. This world is also impermanent, though as an endless series it may appear eternal. God alone is permanent. He exists eternally and from age to age embodies Himself as man for the good of the world. That is because of His pure compassion. He is self-sufficient, pure, intelligent and free by nature. He does not have any purpose to serve in this world. Being complete in Himself, He has nothing to attain or not to attain. When the world becomes burdened and there is prevalence of irreligion, the all-merciful Lord by His own free will incarnates Himself as man to save the fallen and ameliorate the lot of the world.”

12 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Wednesday, March 20, 1929.

The Lord says in the Gita (III.22):

“I have, O Arjuna, no duty, nothing that I have not gained, and nothing that I have to gain, in the three worlds; yet I continue in action.”

Why does He engage Himself in activity? If He is inactive, men also will be the same. The result will be confusion and indiscriminate mingling of castes, which in turn will lead to evils of all kinds and final destruction.

Jai Ramakrishna 13 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929. An attendant was seated nearby. The conversation turned upon a monk who was practising *madhukari* (begging food from many homes) in the adjoining village. Swami Shivananda said: "Once we also practised *madhukari*. That was long ago. At that time Swamiji made a rule that all should get up at four o'clock in the morning, when the bell rang, and after finishing ablutions go to the chapel for meditation. Swamiji himself would also go there for meditation. If anyone missed it, he would not be allowed to have his meal at the monastery, but would have to beg his food by *madhukari*. Though all of us got up early and meditated, once in a while it so happened that we slept on and did not hear the bell. In the morning Swamiji would say, 'If we ourselves do not abide by these rules, how can we expect the boys to do so?' That is why he would tell us to go and beg our food by *madhukari* (as a penance). I myself once or twice practised *madhukari* in this way."

It was 5:30 in the afternoon. Mahapurushji was seated in his room when a young devotee came. He saluted the Swami and took his seat on the floor. Swami: "Do you practise meditation regularly? Whether you had initiation from here or not, you should take His name. Then alone will you have peace. You should fervently pray to Him, saying: 'O Lord! Give me devotion and faith. Let me not be deluded by Thy world-bewitching Maya!' Repeat His name and pray to Him with great sincerity for as long as possible."

A Devotee: "Formerly I used to do that (meditate and pray) a great deal, but of late I have not been able to find the time. So, I do it for just a little while."

Swami: "That is fine. But however little time you devote to meditation, do it with great earnestness and love. Even if you practise only five or ten minutes, do it with your whole heart and soul. God is *antaryamin* (the Inner Controller) dwelling within. He judges by your heart. He sees how much devotion you have, not the amount of time you spend on meditation."

Jai Ramakrishna

13 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929.

An attendant was seated near by The conversation turned upon a monk who was practising madhukari (begging food from many homes) in the adjoining village.

Swami Shivananda said: 'Once we also practised madhukari. That was long ago. At that time Swamiji made a rule that all should get up at four o'clock in the morning, when the bell rang, and after finishing ablutions go to the chapel for meditation.

Swamiji himself would also go there for meditation. If anyone missed it, he would not be allowed to have his meal at the monastery, but would have to beg his food by madhukari. Though all of us got up early and meditated, once in a while it so happened that we slept on and did not hear the bell.

In the morning Swamiji would say, "If we ourselves do not abide by these rules, how can we expect the boys to do so?"

That is why he would tell us to go and beg our food by madhukari (as a penance). I myself once or twice practised madhukari in this way.'

It was 5.3O in the afternoon. Mahapurushji was seated in his room when a young devotee came. He saluted the Swami and took his seat on the floor.

Swami: 'Do you practise meditation regularly? Whether you had initiation from here or not, you should take His name. Then alone will you have peace.

You should fervently pray to Him, saying: "O Lord! Give me devotion and faith. Let me not be deluded by Thy world-bewitching Maya!" Repeat His name and pray to Him with great sincerity for as long as possible.'

A Devotee: 'Formerly I used to do that (meditate and pray) a great deal, but of late I have not been able to find the time. So, I do it for just a little while.'

Swami: 'That is fine. But however little time you devote to meditation, do it with great earnestness and love. Even if you practise only five or ten minutes, do it with your whole heart and soul. God is antaryamin (the Inner Controller) dwelling within. He judges by your heart. He sees how much devotion you have, not the amount of time you spend on meditation.

14 October 2023

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Revered Swami Akhandanandaji Maharaj. On this auspicious day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

(Message of Swami Akhandanandaji on the occasion of the Sri Ramakrishna Centenary)

The dawn of the New Age is breaking over the world;—the blessed day is at hand that will illumine our hearts with the glory of its effulgence. Knowingly and unknowingly, man is moving forward along the road of salvation, inspired by the Master’s message of the harmony of all religions, and by his unique realization of the essential oneness of Karma (Action), Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Supreme Devotion) and Yoga (Psychic Control). The day is not far off when all lands and seas shall witness the establishment of a universal kingdom of peace, and when in loving response to the call of the Master, all nations and peoples, in one glorious confederation joining, shall sing with jubilant acclaim, yea, with no heat of strife and no passion of controversy, the Master’s message, “As many faiths, so many paths.” Then the full meridian light of the Master’s advent will light up this world of ours, and that song will ring from end to end, and the sons and daughters of men will stand side by side under the banner of the New Age in spiritual comradeship. May the citizens of the world on this blessed day understand the meaning of the Master’s coming and be hallowed. This and this alone is my fervent prayer. Peace, peace, peace unto all!

15 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, April 8, 1929. Swami: (Addressing a devotee) Towards the end of the day, whenever you get the opportunity, call upon Him with great ardour, praying, "O Lord, let me not forget Thee in the whirlpool of this world!" The world is short-lived; don't forget Him in this world of Maya. You may attend to a hundred and one duties, or earn crores of rupees, but know in your heart of hearts that all these are impermanent, and some day will have to be left behind. The one abiding reality is God. Do call upon Him and take refuge in Him. All your bondages will be destroyed, my child.

Devotee: 'Please bless me. Then, everything will be all right.'

Swami: 'Of course I bless you. What do we have other than blessings? I am saying all these things because I bless you. Call upon the Master and take refuge in him. Our Master is living and is bound to respond if you pray to him earnestly. For the good of the many, God—the Universal Spirit—incarnated Himself in this age as Sri Ramakrishna. You have nothing to worry about, as you have come under the shelter of Sri Ramakrishna, the Incarnation of the age.' You should attend to your duties and perform your spiritual practices to the best of your ability, and let your wife also do the same; she, too, has a purpose in life. Marriage is not for enjoyment. Just as you are created by God, so is she. You are a part of God, and she is a part of the Mother of the Universe. Teach her the kind of life you are living. She too will take the name of the Lord, pursue spiritual studies and devotions, attend to the duties of the world, and serve the elders. Train her along these lines. That is what you should do. Instead of this, if you use her for the enjoyment of the body, I shall say, Fie upon you! Do not be attached, my child. Lust and gold destroy the manhood of man.

Jai Ramakrishna

16 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: April 18, 1929.

A Monk: “Maharaj, my mind is very much disturbed. I have not been able to do much spiritual practice. Time is passing fast. What will happen to me?”

Swami: “My child, be resigned to God. Nothing can be accomplished without His grace. Can man realize Him by spiritual practice alone? If He reveals Himself out of compassion, then alone can one realize Him, otherwise not. Who is competent to reach Him? How long can a man pursue spiritual practice? Say, two hours, four hours or at the most eight hours. Not only that; it is the Lord who is responsible for the desire for spiritual practice. He is the Fountain of all forces! Unless He is gracious and gives us the strength, how can we pursue spiritual practice? That is why I am stressing that you should be resigned to God. Pray fervently, ‘O Lord! Be merciful to me.’ Then alone will He be merciful. It is mercy that counts—mercy, mercy. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, ‘One should say “Thou and Thine” and not “I and mine.”’ What can we do unless He graciously reveals Himself? Grace, grace is what is necessary. Be gracious to us, O Lord!”

Monk: “Maharaj, I can hardly pray. My mind is so restless! I find it hard to concentrate at times.”

Swami: “No, you will have to pray and pray very earnestly. Do not be depressed; do not be disheartened. Be in a happy mood and pray. He will give you everything, my child, everything you want. There is nothing He will withhold from you. He will give you faith, renunciation, purity, discrimination, dispassion, and all. Whatever He has He will give you. He embodied Himself as man because He wanted to give you all these virtues. That is why He has brought you here and given you shelter in His Order. Do not think you are here because of your own efforts. Never for a moment cherish that idea! Out of compassion He has drawn you all here. He is the very Ocean of selfless compassion. My child, be resigned to Him. Everything will come in time. I say, you will have everything. He will fill you with devotion and faith.”

Saying this, the Swami started singing:

Stay by yourself, O mind!

Why wander here and there?

Look within—in the inner chamber of your heart—

And you will find, right there, whatever you desire.*

“You belong to the Master’s fold. You have nothing to be afraid of.”

17 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.

Swami: “The body is subject to six changes. Now it is the time for the last. This is but natural. The nature of the body is like that. All bodies are bound to disintegrate some day. The Lord is within everyone. He is the source of everything in this universe. ‘From Him are born energy, mind, all the senses, ether, air, fire, water and earth, which is the support of everything.’ He is the controller of everything. ‘Through fear of Him the sun gives heat.’ Again, in Him will everything dissolve. ‘From Him this world has come and to Him it will go back.’ He is the source of this universe. In Him it will dissolve. Again, in Him it is active. Birth and death are just a matter of course. Nobody can stop them. God alone is immutable and immortal—pure, enlightened, and free by nature. To realize Him within is the ideal of life. Everything is accomplished when one realizes Him. After that it is immaterial whether the body lives or goes. He is ever present within us. He, the Soul of every being, the Heaven of immortality, is within everybody; one must realize that.”

Jai Ramakrishna 18 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.

A Devotee: “Does everyone have to be in a disembodied state after death?”

Swami: “Not necessarily. Why should devotees of the Lord who have genuine devotion have to be in the disembodied state? They become one with God and obtain liberation.”

D: “Then what is the meaning of Shraddha and such other funeral rituals prescribed in the scriptures? Doesn't everyone have to perform those rituals annually or at other prescribed times?”

Swami: “Yes, one must. It is, of course, the general rule and everyone abides by it. But there are exceptions, as for example, in your wife's case you may perform these rituals, but there will be no harm done if you do not. She was unusually devoted. Her case was different. After her death I vividly saw her going to the abode of Shiva. You may rest assured that she has reached a highly spiritual state.”

Hearing this the devotee burst into tears and prostrated himself before Mahapurushji's feet, saying: “Maharaj, please grant this prayer of mine. May I have faith and devotion at the lotus feet of the Mother and at the end of my life may I find refuge at Her feet!” Saying this, he started crying like a child.

Mahapurushji placed his hand on his head and blessed him saying: “My child, may you have that. Already you have faith and devotion, and you will have more. I bless you very much. You will grow spiritually, my child. The Mother is very gracious to you.”

Jai Ramakrishna

19 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.

Swami: “The Divine Mother certainly listens to the person who prays to her sincerely. Grace! Grace! Nothing can be accomplished without Her grace. Glory be to the Lord! Glorified be our compassionate Master!”

A lady devotee saluted the Swami and begged for his blessings. The Swami said in a very tender voice: “May you live in peace, my daughter! May your husband, son, daughter, relatives, and all be happy! Happiness is so rare in this world! Compared with pains and sorrows there is very little happiness. But those who are devoted to God know some peace in this world. They are not disturbed by whatever pains or sorrows may come to them, because they know that everything comes from God. It is the same God who gives us happiness and again He alone gives trials and difficulties. That is why the devotees can patiently bear everything as a blessing from God. They are never elated by happiness, nor are they upset by sorrow. Just as happiness is impermanent and short-lived, so is sorrow. It comes and goes; for nothing in this world is permanent. The one abiding Reality and the only Abode of peace is God. Hold fast to Him, my daughter; then alone will you have peace in life.”

One young unmarried girl saluted the Swami, who touched her head and remarked: “They are all manifestations of the Mother. ‘All women are various expressions of Thee.’”

18 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.

A Devotee: `Does everyone have to be in a disembodied state after death?'

Swami 'Not necessarily. Why should devotees of the Lord who have genuine devotion have to be in the disembodied state? They become one with God and obtain liberation.'

D: 'Then what is the meaning of Shraddha' and such other funeral rituals prescribed in the scriptures? Doesn't everyone have to perform those rituals annually or at other prescribed times?'

Swami: 'Yes, one must. It is, of course, the general rule and everyone abides by it. But there are exceptions, as for example, in your wife's case you may perform these rituals, but there will be no harm done if you do not. She was unusually devoted. Her case was different. After her death I vividly saw her going to the abode of Shiva. You may rest assured that she has reached a highly spiritual state.'

Hearing this the devotee burst into tears and prostrated himself before Mahapurushji's feet, saying: `Maharaj, please grant this prayer of mine. May I have faith and devotion at the lotus feet of the Mother and at the end of my life may I find refuge at Her feet!' Saying this, he started crying like a child.

Mahapurushji placed his hand on his head and blessed him saying: 'My child, may you have that. Already you have faith and devotion, and you will have more. I bless you very much. You will grow spiritually, my child. The Mother is very gracious to you.'

19 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Tuesday, April 30, 1929.

Swami: 'The Divine Mother certainly listens to the person who prays to her sincerely.

Grace! Grace! Nothing can be accomplished without Her grace. Glory be to the Lord! Glorified be our compassionate Master!'

A lady devotee saluted the Swami and begged for his blessings.

The Swami said in a very tender voice: 'May you live in peace, my daughter! May your husband, son, daughter, relatives, and all be happy! Happiness is so rare in this world!

Compared with pains and sorrows there is very little happiness.

But those who are devoted to God know some peace in this world. They are not disturbed by whatever pains or sorrows may come to them, because they know that everything comes from God. It is the same God who gives us happiness and again He alone gives trials and difficulties.

That is why the devotees can patiently bear everything as a blessing from God. They are never elated by happiness, nor are they upset by sorrow. Just as happiness is impermanent and short-lived, so is sorrow. It comes and goes; for nothing in this world is permanent. The one abiding Reality and the only Abode of peace is God.

Hold fast to Him, my daughter; then alone will you have peace in life.'

One young unmarried girl saluted the Swami, who touched her head and remarked: 'They are all manifestations of the Mother. "All women are various expressions of Thee." '

20 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: July 10, 1927.

A woman devotee: “Maharaj, why do we forget God? What is it that drives us away from Him?”

Swami: “You ask me why you forget Him, my daughter? This is what is called Maya. Under the spell of Maya a person forgets God and remains attached to sense objects which are impermanent. Do you love God as much as material things? Must I tell you that the world as well as this body of yours and the relatives to whom you are so inordinately attached are short-lived? You see before your eyes that things existing today do not exist tomorrow. What is here this moment ceases to be the next moment. A person born today may die tomorrow. Sorrow comes soon after happiness, yet people find joy and are deeply engrossed in this world!”

Woman devotee: “Maharaj, how shall we be saved? How shall we be free from Maya? Please do bless us.”

Swami: “One cannot realize the unreality of the world without the grace of the Lord. There is no way to lift the veil of Maya other than self-surrender to God. My daughter, the Lord says in the Gita (VII.14): ‘Verily this divine illusion of Mine, composed of the gunas, is difficult to surmount. Those who take refuge in Me alone cross over this illusion.’ There is no other way than to call on the Lord whole-heartedly. You are in the world and have many things to attend to. I realize that you do not find enough time for spiritual practice. Resign yourself and cry to Him. Pray to Him sincerely, ‘O Lord, be gracious unto us!’ Crying will wash away the impurities of the mind, and He will reveal Himself to you with the brilliance of a million suns. Then you will realize that He, the Lord, is within you. Do cry to Him and exercise discrimination between the Real and the unreal. God only is real; the world with its birth and death, pleasure and pain, is false. Such discrimination accompanied by prayer will certainly earn for you His grace. You will be disgusted with the world and your mind will turn towards God.”

Woman devotee: “Please bless us that we may cross over the ocean of relative existence. That people may lift the veil of Maya and transcend the round of birth and death, is what we sincerely wish. This is our only prayer. I pray whole-heartedly to God that you grow in love and devotion to Him.”

Jai Ramakrishna

21 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Wednesday, May 1, 1929.

Inspired by the ideal of renunciation, a young man left home to perform spiritual practice without appearing for his B.A. examination. His guardians brought him home and advised him to carry on his meditations on God at home.

Since then, he had been carrying on his spiritual practices at home, according to Mahapurushji's instructions.

This young man came to the monastery and saluted the Swami, who inquired; 'Hello! how are you?'

Young man: 'My body is all right, Maharaj, but my mind is very restless. I do not have any peace of mind. I am very disturbed mentally.'

Swami: 'The fact that you have this restlessness of mind shows that the Mother is gracious to you. The earnestness to realize Her and the lack of peace because you have not been able to do so are symptoms of Her grace.

As a result of good deeds performed in many incarnations and through the grace of God, one has this desire for liberation.

Now sincerely cry and pray: "Mother, reveal Thyself to me. I am weak, devoid of spiritual discipline and devotion! Be gracious and appear to me!"

Do not pay heed to anything else and continue calling upon Her. Whether the mind is concentrated or not, do not give up calling upon Her.

Be steady and hold to the ideal even as a hereditary farmer. If you do that you will certainly receive Her grace.

Therefore, I say, where would you be roaming about? Call upon the Mother staying at home. Right there the Mother will vouchsafe to you the realization of the unreality of the world and will snap your worldly ties.'

22 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Wednesday, May 1, 1929.

A Young man: “Sometimes I enjoy my meditations; at other times I cannot control the mind at all.”

Swami: “That is the way the mind behaves. It has a wavelike motion. Haven’t you seen waves? Here comes a high wave followed by a deep hollow, and a wave comes again. The fact that sometimes you lose control over your mind signifies that a big wave will come, and you will have great peace. But genuine devotees will not lose their balance because of joy or be depressed by sorrow. Everything depends upon the will of the Mother. Knowing that the Mother is ever merciful, continue to call upon Her. Let the Mother keep you in whatever state She pleases. In this way eventually you will have unmixed bliss and a full vision of the Mother! My boy, do not be disturbed under any circumstances. The Mother has been gracious to you and will be even more gracious, I assure you. Inwardly call upon the Mother. Is She outside yourself? Go to the shrine for a while and pay your respects to the Master. Then have your *prasada*.”

23 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Tuesday, May 7, 1929.

A devotee had a strong desire to be a monk. He communicated his wish to Mahapurushji, who said: “What do I know about that? If you have a sincere desire to be a monk, all right, renounce the world! If you have realized the unreality of the world, well and good. Go somewhere and plunge into contemplation and meditation. For that you do not need my approval or disapproval. One is indeed fortunate to be able to renounce the world, relying solely upon God. This is possible only through the grace of the Lord. It is not necessary for you to join the Order now.”

'Jai Ramakrishna HAPPY VIJAYA AND DIWALI GREETINGS'

Dear Devotees,

Today is the most Auspicious day of Vijaya Dasami. On this Sacred day, May the Divine Mother Durga grant us all Viveka, Vairagya, Bhakti and Jnana to the brim. Sri Ramakrishna used to pray thus:

“To my Divine Mother I prayed only for pure love. I offered flowers at Her Lotus Feet and prayed to Her: 'Mother, here is Thy virtue, here is Thy vice. Take them both and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy knowledge, here is Thy ignorance. Take them both and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy purity, here is Thy impurity. Take them both, Mother, and grant me only pure love for Thee. Here is Thy dharma, here is Thy adharma. Take them both, Mother, and grant me only pure love for Thee.’”

Let us also pray and surrender at Her Lotus Feet. There is no other way. Please also accept my hearty Vijaya and Diwali Greetings and Prayers. I trust this finds you everyone in good health. By the grace of the Lord, I am keeping fine, so far.

With Prayers, Best Wishes and Namaskarams.

Yours affectionately,

Swami Dayatmananda

24 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Monday, May 13, 1929. It was morning. Mahapurushji was seated in his room. Many sadhus of the monastery were present, and the conversation turned on various topics. For the last few days, a class was being held late in the evening, attended by almost all the monastic members. The rules formulated by Swami Vivekananda for the guidance of the Order were being studied at this class. One by one the rules were read and discussed. Swamis Suddhananda, Virajananda, and others present answered questions on difficult points. About the class, Mahapurushji said: 'To hold a class like this is very good. This is a monastery. Here worship, study, meditation, japa and things of that nature should continue all the time.'

The words of Swamiji are those of a seer, expressed aphoristically. How many ideas are contained in each of his utterances! Many new things will be brought to light by discussing these rules. The more discussions of this kind you have at the monastery, the better. 'Everyone should direct his attention to the ideal of his life. Devotion to God, faith, love, sympathy, fellow-feeling, purity—all these one should strive after. We have renounced our hearth and home and joined the Order. What is the meaning of this? Why are we here, living this organized life in the Order? We should pray earnestly so that we grow in the spirit of renunciation.'

25 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Monday, May 13, 1929.

A monk was standing nearby. Addressing him, Mahapurushji said, “Well, do you attend this class?”

The monk replied, “No, sir. After the day’s hard work, I feel extremely tired in the evening. That is why I cannot attend the class.”

Swami said, “No, it is good to listen to these discussions. Swamiji was a seer with distant vision. He knew what would happen in the future, and therefore formulated these rules for the guidance of the Order. The more we discuss his words and try to practise them in life, the better for us. We are monks, and the realization of God is the whole object of our lives. This world is a dangerous place. Here it is very difficult to pursue the ideal in the midst of multifarious activities.”

26 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Monday, May 13, 1929.

Swami said, “We are monks, and the realization of God is the whole object of our lives. This world is a dangerous place. Here it is very difficult to pursue the ideal in the midst of multifarious activities. Sometimes there is the danger of one’s having lapses. As the Master used to say: ‘Children’s feet slip while walking along the high pathways across fields. The child who holds his father’s hand may sometimes lose his balance and fall down. But the child whose hand is held by his father is not in danger of falling.’

Similarly, we too are treading the narrow and crooked path of this world, and there is great danger of our falling down. But there is no danger of our falling if the Master holds us by the hand. The Master is certainly holding us by the hand; otherwise, who knows where and when we would have fallen?

One should therefore earnestly pray: ‘Lord, may you hold our hand! Weak as we are, we are in danger of having lapses at every step, but we shall be safe if you hold us by the hand.’

He is the life of our life, dwelling within. Sincere prayer will certainly bring response from him. He is the prophet of this age, born as Sri Ramakrishna for the establishment of religion. He will certainly be gracious to us. He is already gracious; otherwise, he would not have brought us here. ‘He, the Lord of the Universe, born as the prophet of this age’—these are Swamiji’s very words. Sri Ramakrishna is the prophet of this age. It will certainly be for a person’s good to take refuge in him in this age. Let us surrender ourselves to him and pray with folded hands: ‘Master, may we grow in renunciation and dispassion! Make us pure! May we grow in love and sympathy! May you hold us by the hand!’

Calumny, gossip, and things of that nature are very bad. They drag the mind down. As long as one can, one should practise meditation, worship, and study; the rest of the time one should keep silent, thinking about God. It is a good practice. Organization has its necessity and usefulness. That is why Swamiji founded this Order and introduced works of service for self-purification.”

Jai Ramakrishna.

27 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.

It was the full moon day of the month of Vaishakha, the anniversary of the birth of Buddha.

In the afternoon there was discussion of the life of Buddha.

Several monks spoke.

The image of Buddha had been decorated with flowers, garlands, and greens.

Devotional songs were sung, followed by the reading of the biography of the Blessed One.

The life and teaching of Buddha were discussed.

After supper Swami Omkarananda came to Mahapurushji's room and during conversation remarked: “It is a great day. Here at the monastery, we have been observing it. In the afternoon we had lectures.”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, it is indeed a great day—the thrice blessed day! Well, did you have that song—‘For peace I seek; but where can peace be found? Whence have I come, and whither shall I go?’”

Swami Omkarananda: “No, we didn’t have that song because nobody knew it very well.”

Mahapurushji: “That is an excellent song composed by Girish Babu.”

Saying this Mahapurushji sang the song. Then he remarked: “How beautifully Girish Babu worded it. He got the idea from the *Lalitavistara* which describes this feeling nicely. Buddha, then Prince Siddhartha, was making merry with his wife, Gopa, when some angels flying through space sang this song. Hearing it unexpectedly, Buddha was startled, and an awakening came to him. He said: ‘Who is singing that song? I know it very well. “For peace I seek; but where can peace be found?”—that is a song I have always known.’”

After hearing that song, the trend of Buddha’s mind suddenly changed. He could not give his heart to enjoyment anymore, constantly remaining in a state of dispassion. King Shuddhodana, Buddha’s father, coming to know of this, tried various means to divert Buddha’s mind, and by placing many temptations before him, hoping to draw his mind to the pleasures of the world. But Buddha being fully awakened, all efforts in this direction proved futile. Then one night he left the palace.

28 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.

About the middle path also, Girish Babu composed a song containing ideas found in the Lalitavistara.

My lovely vina, strung with care

With many a strand,

The rarest melodies will yield

Beneath a master's hand;

Let it be but rightly tuned—

Not high nor low—

And from it in a hundred streams

Enchanting songs will flow.

But over-slack, the strings are dumb

And the music dies;

While overstretched, they snap in twain

And away the music flies.

Swami was reminiscing:

'That was indeed a time. What renunciation, dispassion, and austerity we had! When God comes to this world as a man, then flows a current of spirituality. Many are blessed by getting the light of knowledge; many attain emancipation.'

Swami Omkarananda: 'In the hills of Pareshnath as many as twenty-five monks attained illumination. Out of that number fifteen or sixteen were Jain monks, the rest Buddhists.'

Mahapurushji: 'At one time we too discussed Buddhist philosophy a great deal. That was long ago. At that time, we, including Swamiji and others, were living with the Master at the garden house at Cossipore.

Swamiji was well versed in Buddhism. We too read a little. We used to have hot arguments.

In those days we didn't believe in the existence of God. Some of the devotees felt very much hurt to note this tendency in us.

Swamiji himself would not say much. He would egg me on. I would argue my point vigorously. Swamiji would listen quietly and enjoy the fun. Sometimes I would even say that it was harmful to have body-consciousness, for it would be a handicap in meditation.

Even the thought of God would not allow the mind to be free from modifications. It was not that we only expressed ourselves that way; our meditations and experiences also were of that nature. We couldn't think otherwise in those days; we were so absorbed in those ideas.

Some devotees brought the matter to the notice of the Master who remarked: "What they say is also true. There is a stage in spiritual life when the seeker does not admit even the existence of God."

This tendency of ours lasted quite long. Even after we moved to the monastery at Baranagore, after the death of the Master, these ideas continued. We were still atheistic.

One day the Master appeared to me and said: 'Well, the Guru is all in all. There is no one higher than the Guru."

The moment I had that vision these ideas left me and did not return.

10/27/23, 8:13 PM - Only admins can message this group

29 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Thursday, May 23, 1929.

Swami: Sri Ramakrishna was a divine incarnation born to establish religion. Why should he allow a narrow or one-sided idea in us?

Swami Omkarananda: “Didn’t you once go off to Bodh Gaya during the Master’s lifetime without telling him anything about it?”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, we went with Swamiji. There we sat for meditation under the Bodhi tree. We became quite absorbed in meditation. Suddenly Swamiji burst into tears in a state of spiritual ecstasy and embraced me. I was seated by his side. Later he came down to the normal plane and became absorbed in deep meditation again. The next day, during conversation, I asked Swamiji about this matter. He replied: ‘I felt a deep pang in my heart. Everything here is as it was before. Here in Bodh Gaya, we have Buddha’s ideas in an intensified form. His renunciation, his dispassion, his great compassion, and deep spirituality—all these are here; but where is he, the living embodiment of those ideas and ideals? I so keenly felt the absence of Lord Buddha that I couldn’t control myself. That is why I burst into tears and embraced you.’”

“The few days that we spent in Bodh Gaya we were in a very blissful mood.”

Swami Omkarananda: “In Bodh Gaya they have put white marble lotuses to mark the place where Buddha walked up and down (after attaining illumination).”

Mahapurushji: “Yes, after illumination Buddha experienced so much joy that he walked up and down the whole night. He walked around in an ecstatic mood, enjoying the bliss of Self-realization.”

That night we had long discussions about Lord Buddha.

30 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery.

Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929.

It was Sunday, the Guru Purnima Day. Since early morning many devotees had been coming to see Mahapurushji. His health had not been very good. When a devotee saluted the Swami and inquired about his health he remarked: “My body is not at all well. How can it be well, my child? From now on the body will become feeble. That is the nature of the body. The body is subject to a six-fold change.”

Devotee: “You can be well if you only will!”

Mahapurushji: “No, my child, that cannot be. All bodies are bound to disintegrate some day.”

Jai Ramakrishna 31 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929. After a while a devotee came in, saluted the Swami, and stood by his side. He had just returned with his parents from a pilgrimage to Puri. When he mentioned this, Mahapurushji said: "That's good. Your parents were blessed by this pilgrimage, and you too had the privilege of seeing Jagannath (The Lord of the Universe)." Saying this he started laughing. Devotee: "I made this pilgrimage once before, too, but it was at an inauspicious time. Many have expressed the opinion that pilgrimages at an inauspicious time do not bring good fruit." Mahapurushji: "Well, my child, we do not believe in those things. To see the Lord (i.e., inside a temple) does not require an auspicious time. All times are good. The moment you see the Lord even an inauspicious time becomes auspicious. God is the Supreme Good always. How can harm ever come to one by seeing the Lord?" Saying this he started singing: "Blessed is Thy name, and blessed Thy abode; Blessed are Thy actions, blessed Thy dispensation." He repeated the song several times and said, "Swamiji often used to sing this song."

1 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

On The Divine Name

A Devotee: "Maharaj, sadhus preach renunciation of lust and gold, but how is it possible for householders like us to give up such desires? The cravings are, as it were, besieging our minds. There is no possibility of giving battle to them there. How can we fight them? You ask us to repeat the Divine Name, but we find that we do not feel inclined to do so thanks to the pull of desires. You ask us to discriminate; even here we find that the cravings surge up in all their restless fury by paralyzing our discrimination. Now please tell us how could we manage to create the urge for Divine Name and discrimination in the mind in the midst of these cravings?"

Swami Adbhutananda: "You make the same eternal complaint—how can we repeat the Divine Name? Know that the Divine Name plants itself in the mind through repetition. The mind is running restlessly intoxicated by desires. The cravings are leading it by a rope through its nose. What can be more mischievous than they? This is what Arjuna told Sri Krishna."

Jai Ramakrishna

31 October 2023

(Teachings of Swami Shivananda)

Place: Belur Monastery. Time: Sunday, July 21, 1929.

After a while a devotee came in, saluted the Swami, and stood by his side. He had just returned with his parents from a pilgrimage to Puri.

When he mentioned this, Mahapurushji said: `That's good. Your parents were blessed by this pilgrimage, and you too had the privilege of seeing Jagannath (The Lord of the Universe),'

Saying this he started laughing.

Devotee: 'I made this pilgrimage once before, too, but it was at an inauspicious time. Many have expressed the opinion that pilgrimages at an inauspicious time do not bring good fruit.'

Mahapurushji: 'Well, my child, we do not believe in those things. To see the Lord (i.e., inside a temple) does not require an auspicious time. All times are good.

The moment you see the Lord even an inauspicious time becomes auspicious. God is the Supreme Good always. How can harm ever come to one by seeing the Lord?'

Saying this he started singing:

Blessed is Thy name,

and blessed Thy abode;

Blessed are Thy actions, blessed Thy dispensation.

He repeated the song several times and said, `Swamiji often used to sing this song.

1 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

On The Divine Name

A Devotee: ‘Maharaj, sadhus preach renunciation of lust and gold, but how is it possible for householders like us to give up such desires? The cravings are, as it were, besieging our minds. There is no possibility of giving battle to them there. How can we fight them?

You ask us to repeat the Divine Name, but we find that we do not feel inclined to do so thanks to the pull of desires. You ask us to discriminate; even here we find that the cravings surge up in all their restless fury by paralyzing our discrimination.

Now please tell us how could we manage to create the urge for Divine Name and discrimination in the mind in the midst of these cravings?

Swami Adbhutananda: ‘You make the same eternal complaint—how can we repeat the Divine Name? Know that the Divine Name plants itself in the mind through repetition.

The mind is running restlessly intoxicated by desires. The cravings are leading it by a rope through its nose. What can be more mischievous than they?

This is what Arjuna told Sri Krishna. Sri Krishna admitted that the mind is wicked, but added, “O Arjuna! Cultivate detachment towards the cravings and be always practising. By constant practice, the mind will gradually quiet down”.

The more the mind runs after worldly objects, the more should you reason that the objects are fleeting, existing today and disappearing tomorrow. Be content with just what you have need of these fleeting things.

Why should you have more? There will be no room for the Eternal if you overburden yourself with fleeting objects. The Eternal is not created by the adding of fleeting objects. The Eternal is One; It is the Brahman. Know everything else except Brahman to be unreal.

Teach your mind in this way. You will find that discrimination has awakened after repeated efforts like this.

2 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

On The Divine Name

Latu Maharaj: ‘Do you know the story of the pearl necklace which Sri Ramachandra presented to Hanuman in his court? Hanuman turned over the beads scrutinizingly and even cut open one with his teeth. As soon as he saw that the name of Rama was not found in it, he threw it away at once. Lakshmana became angry at this and said, “He is a monkey after all; what does he know about the worth of pearls? He has spoiled such a beautiful pearl necklace by cutting it with his teeth”. Noticing Lakshmana’s regret, Ramachandra told him, “Why not ask him why he has done so?”

On being queried, Hanuman replied, “I was seeing whether or not it contained the name of Rama!”

This is the way one should discriminate between things. To keep alive the spirit of discrimination is the hardest tapasya (austerity). One who knows how to discriminate is ever battling with impulses. Wake up the spirit of renunciation and discrimination; then alone will you be able to fight your desires. How will you check them unless the discrimination between what is true and what is false develops?

3 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

On The Divine Name

First of all, clean the dirt that is entering the house of the mind through the windows outside. Discriminate and hang up the notice of “No admission” in front of the windows, i.e., the senses. Hand over all the dirt that will enter within, disobeying the notice, to the policeman i.e., viveka.

With the help of the policeman viveka, the mind will be battling with the mind. Thus, the field of the mind will be cleared, and you will be able to install God there. Until you can install God there, you will not be able to conquer your desires.

You doubtless know that the seed of desire is in the mind. That seed is being watered by the sense-organs within and the objects outside. This watering is producing a luxuriant crop. All that crop must be cut down and the seeds destroyed. After that you have to sow the seed of God’s name there.

Then alone the Divine Name will bear a crop. Now there is the crop of desires. So, the Master used to say, “Where there is lust, there is no Rama, and where Rama is, there is no lust.”

A Devotee: ‘Maharaj, I have a little doubt. Are you advising us to repeat the Divine Name after controlling the senses first’?

The Swami: ‘That can also be done. But the Divine Name has such a power that it can burn up the seed of desire. The Master used to say, “Repulse the attack of lust by wearing the armour of Name.”

4 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

On The Divine Name

A Devotee: “Maharaj, how can Name conquer lust?”

Swami: “Lust cannot come near the Name. The Divine Name has such a pull that once the mind yields to it, lust does not find an opportunity to arise. For Name is true and real. Falsehood cannot find a hold in the mind which is meditating on Truth.”

A Devotee: “This may be possible in the waking state. But desires continue their attacks even when a person is asleep. How can he save himself from such attacks? How can the mind save itself from desires in dream and in sleep?”

The Swami: “The Divine Name can save the mind even from such attacks. I tell you truly that if you can repeat the Name properly, its power will be active even in sleep. One who knows how to repeat the Name goes on doing so in sleep, or in the waking state. As physical functions like breathing go on even in sleep, even so the activity of the Name continues in the mind. It does not allow dreams to arise in the mind, and even if they begin to arise, the Name saves the sadhaka (spiritual aspirant) by waking him up. Thus, the power of the Divine Name continues to save the sadhakas day and night.

“You will not understand the meaning of such simple statements! Desires have made a permanent home in the mind. Sometimes they float on the surface of the mind, and sometimes they lie so submerged that a person is not even aware if ever such desires existed in him. The more you approach Him, the more will you perceive the knots of lust and desires. The more the body and the mind get purified, the more the submerged dirt, the hidden dispositions acquired in thousands of incarnations before, will come to the top. And coming out, they will be fighting with the Divine Name. The heat of the Divine Name which brings them to the surface—the same heat will force them to abandon the fortress of the mind. How can they cope with the power of the Divine Name?”

5 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ADVICE TO A DEVOTEE

Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj, why are there so many ups and downs in the mind of a householder?"

Latu Maharaj: "Because the mind of a householder is too involved with worldly objects. Sometimes it goes up as a result of spiritual practices, but it falls back again.

The Master used to say: if one ties a rope with a brick at the end of it to the tail of a mongoose, it will be able to climb a wall only as far as the loose rope permits but no farther, because of the weight of the brick. Likewise, the mind of a householder may move toward God, but the weight of worldly objects pulls it back.' To keep the mind always in God is a great tapasya; such a mind does not fluctuate between high and low.

A thread with stray fibers cannot pass through the eye of a needle; similarly, a mind with desires cannot be absorbed in God.

"When a man's mind becomes fully concentrated on God, he enjoys the bliss of the Atman.

But this is very difficult in the householder's life. Disease, sorrow, enjoyment, desire—all these are constant companions of the householder; also physical lethargy and mental restlessness.

In addition to these, if man doubts the existence of God, there is no hope of his getting liberation.

Often you find that worldly people are busy with their families, their children, and other mundane matters, but they have no inclination to think about God. Such distracted minds cannot make progress in spiritual life."

Bihari Babu: "Then should we give up family life and call on God only?"

Latu Maharaj: "Why should you give up your family? Doesn't one's family belong to God? Therefore, call on him who is the real head of the family.

One will have to do one's duty in this world. How can you escape it? Wherever you go, the world will follow you. Does it exist outside us? No, everything is in our own minds. If your mind desires enjoyment, you will seek enjoyment even in the forest; and if you don't have that desire for sense objects, you will not want them even if you are surrounded by them. Whether you live in a household or in the forest, you must call on God; otherwise, all is in vain.

6 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ADVICE TO A DEVOTEE

"Brother Turiyananda used to say, 'Only a fool thinks that he will take his bath in the ocean after the waves have subsided.' Do you think he will ever take his bath? The waves of the ocean will never stop; he will never get his bath, even if he waits his whole life. So, I say, wherever you may be, whatever your mental condition, dive deep in the name of God. He who can do this will attain the highest. On the other hand, a man who decides to solve all his problems before he calls on God will never reach the goal; for as long as you have a body, you must experience disease, sorrow, fear, pain, and suffering. 'It is troublesome to have a body.' Anyone who wants to escape from all these troubles will have to hold onto God. God is Satchidananda—Absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. His bliss removes all suffering."

A devotee: "Maharaj, please tell us about the bliss of Brahman."

Latu Maharaj: "Ah, you see, that bliss cannot be compared with any joy you may find in this world. It is inexpressible. Worldly happiness is the product of maya. Maya operates within the three states—waking, dreaming, and dreamless sleep. But beyond those three is another realm, turiya, which is extremely difficult to reach. The bliss of that realm is free from maya. You know how sweet the joy within maya is. Ordinary people are enchanted by it. They do not even think for a moment how immensely sweeter is God whose maya is so sweet!"

A devotee: "Maharaj, why do you say that maya's so-called joy is sweet? It is nothing but scorching flames."

Latu Maharaj: "But you see, most people love that burning sensation."

On another occasion Latu Maharaj said: "Nothing in this world is valuable except bliss. Do you know why people want money, property, wife, children? Because they think they will get physical and mental happiness from them. So they are ready to work day and night for them. If they would divert that energy toward God, they could get the permanent genuine bliss of Satchidananda instead of the transitory happiness of the world."

7 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON SURRENDER

Latu Maharaj: "You speak about dependence on God so superficially! If you do not get any response after calling on God for a couple of days, you follow your own way according to your mood, as if you understood the situation better than He.

Surrendering oneself to God means that one should move at his command. Do not do anything without his command. Even if it means a great loss for you, do not stray from that. Only when you have attained this state can you say that you have truly surrendered yourself to God.

Brother Vivekananda used to say: 'If I cannot get Rama, shall I live with Shyama? If necessary, let this life be spent in vain for Sri Ramakrishna."

See how he surrendered himself to the Master! He was ready at any moment to give up his life for the Lord over the smallest thing.

This is the way one should hold onto the Master; only then can he guide you in the right direction."

A devotee: "Maharaj, why do we not have that kind of dependence on God!

Latu Maharaj: "It is because you value your intellect and ego more than God. You are not ready to wait for his command, and moreover, you lose patience in a minute."

8 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

FEELING FOR OTHERS

"Only a poor man can love the poor. A rich man cannot feel the sufferings of the poor, for no one can understand the sufferings of others unless he has undergone the same suffering. Brother Vivekananda told Turiyananda: 'Brother, I do not know exactly what I have gained by leading this monk's life, but one thing is certain: This [Swami Vivekananda pointed to his heart] has expanded enormously.'

"If the desire to do charitable works arises in the mind of a rich man, it shows that his heart has started to feel for the poor. God tests man by making him wealthy, and that is a hard test to pass. Tests devised by men are easy to pass, but divine tests are very difficult. God may give plenty of riches to one man, but so delude him by maya that he will never in his life desire to be charitable. Again, God may give a generous heart to another person, but not give him much money. Blessed indeed are they who are rich yet feel for the poor.

"Money brings vanity. The more egotistic a man is, the farther he is from God, and thus the poorer he is. Do not measure the poverty of a man by his possessions. The real measure is how far he is from God. The nearer to the Lord, the richer the man; the more forgetful of the Lord, the poorer and unhappier he is."

9 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON LUST

A devotee: "How can one overcome lust?"

Latu Maharaj: "Keep a picture of Sri Ramakrishna with you. Whenever lustful feelings arise, you should look at the picture intently. You will find that the senses will gradually be gathered in, and the mind will be freed from lust."

ATTITUDE TOWARD WOMEN

Once Latu Maharaj told a group of men devotees:

"You abuse women; you should never raise your hand against them. You do not know how much they bear—they are forbearance itself. If you abuse them, where shall they turn? They are aspects of the Divine Mother, and if the Mother is insulted, the Lord is displeased. Thus, your well-being lies in making them happy. Their tears will ruin you, as Sita's tears destroyed the whole of Ravana's people."

ON RESTLESSNESS

Latu Maharaj once said to a restless devotee: "Why do you think of all sorts of nonsense when you sit to meditate? Can't you whip your mind? Even if you cannot control your mind and you become disgusted, please don't leave your seat: for if you get up from meditation with that attitude of disgust, you will be in a bad mood all day; and you will feel like beating one person, scolding another, and speaking harshly to a third.

The Master told us, 'Do not get up from your seat immediately after meditation."

While you are still sitting on the asana [seat for meditation], sing devotional songs for ten or fifteen minutes, and then you will feel calmness in your mind throughout the day."

10 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS

Latu Maharaj: “Worldly desires have taken up permanent residence in the mind. Sometimes they float on the surface of the mind, and sometimes they are so hidden that it seems they do not even exist. But the closer you are to God, the more you will see the knots of desire hidden in the mind. The more your body and mind are purified, the more the dirt and dross which have accumulated during thousands of lives will be stirred up and will challenge your spirituality. The energy generated by spiritual disciplines forces the impurities to leave the mind, their fort. How can they cope against the power of the Lord’s name?

“You see, the desires are very shrewd. They take possession not only of the mind of a person but his sense organs as well. As soon as desire is aroused in the mind, the sense organs are awakened. The eyes want to see, the ears want to hear, the tongue to taste and speak, the nose to smell, and the body to feel. The hands want to work, and the feet carry the person to where the object is. The other sense organs are alert, and whenever the opportunity comes, they also enjoy.

“Do you know what the mind does? It conjures up enticing pictures with the imagination. The imagination is man’s worst enemy, his greatest tempter, for it creates beautiful pictures of sense pleasures and nearly destroys man’s conscience. Thus, man is drawn to sense objects. Therefore, if you want to control the desire for worldly things, control the imagination and don’t be deluded by sense enjoyments.”

11 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

DESIRES AND SENSE OBJECTS

A devotee: “But how can one control the imagination?”

Latu Maharaj: “The imagination can be controlled by withdrawing the mind from the object, although that will not still the mind. Sri Ramakrishna used to say that three things are necessary in the process of perception: the object of perception, the sense organ, and the mind. Perception of the object is not possible if one of these three is missing. So, if you can eliminate one of them, the mind will not be able to cognize. It is hard to eliminate the objects of perception. They come and go. We must encounter them always. How can one live and avoid sense objects?

“So, long as you can avoid the sense objects, your self-control may be intact: but as soon as you come near them again, you will find yourself deluded by their attraction. So, instead, try to withdraw either the sense organ or the mind from the object. Then, automatically the object will not be perceived.

“The nature of the mind can be changed by chanting the name of the Lord. Gradually desires and doubts cease and the mind dissolves into its causality. Then there is none to think or imagine. Waves of desire in the mind show that the mind is active.”

'Jai Ramakrishna Swami Dayatmananda:'

HAPPY DIPAWALI TO ALL DEVOTEES.

12 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT

A devotee: "Maharaj, is there any hope for liberation for worldly people like us? Please bless us that we can escape this whirlpool of maya."

Latu Maharaj: "Why should you be so depressed? Do you think you understand everything about human life? Know that no life goes in vain in God's realm. Once Brother Shashi gave a very apt illustration to someone like you: A man was out walking and came upon a canal. Seeing that he would have to jump over it in order to continue his way, he took several strides backward to get a running start for his leap. As he ran forward and jumped over the canal, he covered not only the distance he had moved backward but also the canal itself. Now, can you tell me whether his several steps backward were helpful or harmful? A man might have to take backward steps in this present life, but he will undoubtedly run forward in the next. No life is ever lived in vain. Remember only one thing: Lead a God-centred life. Then the Lord will guide you as he wills. He knows our past, present, and future. The wisest course is to surrender to him completely. Whether you hold onto the Lord's hand or not does not matter; he is always holding onto yours. There is no doubt about that. He will never abandon you. He is all-merciful."

13 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

REMORSE AND GOD’S FORGIVENESS

A devotee did something wrong and was feeling very bad about it. When Latu Maharaj heard this, he called for the devotee to see him.

He told the devotee: "Look here, my son, just because you have made one or two mistakes, you should not give up your spiritual practices and brood over your lapses and feel hopeless. To make mistakes is human. Call on God. He will give you the strength to overcome weakness and destroy your delusion.

He is the compassionate one. However great your sins might be, the current of his mercy will not be kept from you. How little is your sin, and yet you are so depressed! Just think of Ajamila, and Valmiki; compared to their sins, yours are nothing.

Do you know what Brother Vivekananda used to say? 'Don't worry about a little spot of ink on the body. It is nothing.

If one bathes in God's infinite ocean of mercy, the stains of a thousand ink spots will be washed away."

So, I am telling you. do not grieve. Pray unceasingly. Your bad tendencies will go away in a short time."

Yet the devotee was so ashamed of his conduct that he could not raise his head.

Seeing this. Latu Maharaj said: "Before he commits a sin, a man's conscience fills him with shame, yet he brushes it aside. But the divine law is such that after the sin is committed, shame overwhelms him again, and he cannot raise his head in front of others."

Even these words could not shake the devotee free from his sense of guilt.

Latu Maharaj continued: "What are you ashamed of my son? The Lord has seen everything you have done. You cannot hide anything from him. Since he knows all of it. why should you still be so melancholy?

Instead, engage yourself in harder spiritual disciplines, keep the company of holy men, and come here now and then."

These words helped the devotee regain his mental strength. After this conversation with Latu Maharaj, he began to practice spiritual disciplines more vigorously.

(Ajamila, whose story is told in the Bhagavatam, committed many sins in his life. He had a son whose name was Narayana, a name that is also an epithet of Vishnu, the Supreme God.

On his death bed Ajamila was calling loudly for his son, Narayana, and as a result the messenger of God took him to heaven. All his sins were destroyed through the repetition of the Lord's name.

Valmiki is the author of the epic Ramayana. He had previously been a highway robber, but his whole life was changed by the influence of the sage Narada, and he became a saint.)

14 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON MONASTIC LIFE

Latu Maharaj to a monk: "Never forget the goal of monastic life. Do not wear the gerua cloth [the ochre-coloured cloth of a monk] for outward show. The gerua cloth may bring you name and fame, but that will not help you realize God. Go into solitude and practice your spiritual disciplines with all your heart. Only then will you progress quickly. Avoid gossip and politics."

Is it so easy to be a monk? A real monk longs for God, weeps for God. He does not think about himself and is not disturbed by physical discomfort. A real monk will not see faults in others, and he will have neither attachment nor aversion for anyone. He will be friendly with all. A real monk must try to ease the sufferings of others, and if he does not have the means, he should encourage them with inspired words so that they can fight against life's odds. He does not hoard for the future and seeks nothing except God. A real monk is free from fear and is straightforward. His behaviour is simple, like a child's. Wherever he goes, he hears the call of God.

15 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

CRUELTY AND COMPASSION

A devotee: "Maharaj, where is compassion in this world? There seems to be only an unbroken chain of cruelty. The crow attacks the sparrow, the kite attacks the crow, man hunts the kite, and the tiger and the bear attack man."

"If you see cruelty around you," responded Latu Maharaj, "you will find cruelty in God. If you see compassion everywhere, you will witness his infinite compassion. It all depends on your own mind. Always remember that to the pure mind all things are pure."

ON MIRACLES

A young man: "Maharaj, could you teach me something so that I will no longer suffer from poverty?"

Latu Maharaj: "You won't like what I tell you. You want the sort of trick that one uses to make gold out of a handful of dust; but I do not know any trick. I am a monk. I stay in this place and chant the name of the Lord. I can tell you something about God and spiritual life, but you will not be satisfied. You want miraculous powers. Are powers so easy to come by? Are you ready to exert yourself? If you can chant the Lord's name a hundred thousand times a day, then come and sit here."

After hearing these words, the young man hurried away.

SRI RAMAKRISHNA: AN EXEMPLAR

"Sri Ramakrishna embodies an ideal for everyone. He was an ideal householder, an ideal monk, an ideal guru, and an ideal disciple. Moreover, his life can serve as an example for all faiths and all sects. He is an ideal for the worshipers of Shakti, as he practiced and attained perfection in all the important Tantric sadhanas. He is an ideal for the Vaishnavites, for his devotion to Hari is unparalleled. He is also an ideal for the Shaivites, as he attained the vision of Lord Shiva too. He is an ideal for the devotees of Ramachandra, for he saw Rama and Sita. He is an ideal for the Vedantins as well, having experienced nirvikalpa samadhi, the culmination of the Vedantic sadhana, within three days. He is also an ideal for the Christians and Mohammedans, because he had the vision of Christ and also of the Prophet."

Jai Ramakrishna

16 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

SRI RAMAKRISHNA'S TEACHING ON SUFFERING

A devotee: "Maharaj, why should a knower of Brahman like Sri Ramakrishna, who was almost always immersed in samadhi, have suffered from such a terrible disease?"

Latu Maharaj: "What do I know about that? I heard Master Mahashay ['M.'] say, 'It is because of the touch of impure people that he suffered so terribly.' Girish Babu used to say, 'It is his divine play, a way to relieve the sufferings of mankind.' Ram Babu said: 'If the Master had not suffered from such a terrible disease, who could have recognized him? When one is in good health, one can easily fix the mind on God; but he is surely an avatar who can be continually in nirvikalpa samadhi, even when he is sick.'

"Brother Loren said at that time: 'He wants to be served by us, so he has contracted this disease. Do not worry. Could we have such an invaluable opportunity to serve him if he did not have this disease? We must not miss this opportunity. Let us serve him in such a way that he will not have the heart to leave us.'

"Brother Rakhal said, 'The Master is testing us.' Brother Sharat said, 'Although we may or may not understand it, a great mission is beginning through the Master's illness.' Brother Shashi said: 'Sweet Jesus allowed himself to be crucified for humanity's sake. Our Master, too, is suffering excruciating pain in order to remove man's burden of sin.'

"Balaram Babu once said to the Master: 'Sir, I am tired of hearing people's critical remarks about your illness. They say, "Your Master is suffering from disease!"' The Master answered, 'Listen, he who forbears, survives and becomes great.'

"Many people held different opinions about his illness. I don't remember them all. The Master used to say, 'Let the body and the disease take care of each other: O mind, be happy.' He felt no pain. I saw that he was floating in bliss. If he had really suffered, could he have given us such joy?

"He told us: 'Brahman is stainless. Though the three gunas [sattva, rajas, and tamas] are in Brahman, he is separate from them, as the air carries odors but still remains different from and untouched by them. Brahman is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. In Brahman there is no sorrow or pain, no disease or death, no decay or growth. I see everything within this [Sri Ramakrishna pointed to himself]. Brahman and the One who is within the heart are the same.' Where is the suffering of one who, though sick, can maintain such a high level of spirituality? You people identify yourselves with the body, so when the body suffers you are frightened."

17 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON THE TRUTH OF BRAHMAN

Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj. the scriptures say that Brahman is seated in the heart of man. What does that mean?"

Latu Maharaj: "It is just a figure of speech. Words cannot really encompass the truth of Brahman, although the scriptures have tried to describe it in that way. Brahman is everywhere. There is no in or out, high or low, east or west with him.

He is one, inherent in everything. He is all-pervading, limitless, eternal. Various attempts have been made to describe Brahman, but what is beyond thought cannot really be expressed in language. He is in everything and, again, is beyond everything. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'Everything has been defiled by the lips of man except the truth of Brahman."

Bihari Babu: "Maharaj, you monks are inscrutable! Instead of making positive statements, you speak only in vague terms!"

Another devotee: "Maharaj, please tell us what you have understood of this truth."

Latu Maharaj: "You see, this realization cannot be expressed. One uses language to express an idea, but so far, no adequate language has been discovered for talking about Brahman.

The Master used to say, "My boys, I would like to tell you many things, but the Divine Mother presses my lips, as it were, and does not allow me to talk.'

"You speak thousands of words every day. Have you ever thought about where these words come from?"

The devotee: "They must come from the mind."

Latu Maharaj: "Can you say, then, from which part of the mind they come and in what form? And then, where is the mind itself?"

The devotee could not reply.

Bihari Babu ventured: "There is a neural connection between the brain and the tongue, so the mind must be in the brain."

Latu Maharaj: "In what form?"

Bihari Babu: "As vibration."

Latu Maharaj: "Now tell me whether that vibration is continuous or whether it stops and starts."

Bihari Babu was surprised: "Maharaj, 1 haven't thought about it."

Latu Maharaj: "Then please think it over."

Bihari Babu: "Perhaps it stops and then starts again, exciting the nerves of the brain and bringing out the response."

Latu Maharaj: "If the vibration does stop, can you tell me what makes it start again, especially, where there is no external stimulus?'

Bihari Babu: "No, Maharaj, we really can't say."

Latu Maharaj: "So, you see. you can express these things up to a point, but no further."

After some time both Bihari Babu and the other devotee saluted Latu Maharaj and took leave of him.

As they were approaching their carriage, Bihari Babu said: "I have never heard such words before. This unlettered monk has thought over even such subtle things as these. It is really amazing! We are proud of our scholarship, but in reality, he is more learned than us."

18 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

MAYA AND FREEDOM

Biharilal Sarkar: "Maharaj, we read in the scriptures that God is man's inner guide. If that is true, then why does man suffer so much? How can one who is guided by the ever-pure Satchidananda get involved in evil actions?"

Latu Maharaj: "You have answered your own question. The essential nature of man, which is ever pure, cannot be polluted by good and evil."

Bihari Babu: "Then do you mean that man has two natures, one affected by good and evil, and the other not? Or are you saying that good and evil do not really exist?"

Latu Maharaj: "Let me explain. Sri Ramakrishna said, 'Good and evil exist, and they are also non-existent.' As long as God keeps the sense of ego in a man, he will perceive duality, good and evil. When God takes away the sense of ego, the perception of duality, good and evil, disappears. So long as man is subject to the law of karma, he is aware of good and evil. When, through God's grace, a man is released from the bonds of karma, the man's awareness of good and evil also goes; for good and evil are the fruits of karma. As you sow, so you reap. It is the Lord who established this law of karma for the benefit of the world and humanity."

19 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

MAYA AND FREEDOM

The Divine Providence has given man the sense of free will and also the principle of karma.

Jai Ramakrishna 20 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

MAYA AND FREEDOM

Bihari Babu: "But everybody says that maya deludes the individual soul and leads him astray."

Latu Maharaj: "Maya wants to play constantly; maya’s play goes on and on. Man cannot see where he is being taken on his journey; hence, he thinks maya is taking him in the wrong direction. But look, how can she misdirect us? Isn't God everywhere? Maya has become manifest by God's will, and she is working for him."

Bihari Babu: "What! Maya is working for God?"

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, what other motive can she have?"

Bihari Babu: "But the scriptures describe maya as illusory and world-bewitching; she makes the unreal appear to be real, and her main concern is the delusion of mankind."

Latu Maharaj: "Do you know why people say so? The scriptures speak harshly against maya because she has qualified the unqualified Brahman. And there is another reason. God alone is real, but maya, by comparison, is unreal, illusory. But maya is unreal only in relation to God. From man's standpoint, maya is avidya, ignorance, which is neither real nor unreal. If you watch maya carefully, you will see that she is pushing man toward God step by step. With one hand she is deluding man, and with the other she is unveiling consciousness before him. She works in a balanced way without any motive of her own. She balances both happiness and misery, both goodness and evil. Do you know the intention behind all this? To teach us. If maya's purpose were to lead man astray, she would show us only one aspect, not both. But because maya shows us two aspects, she simultaneously deludes and enlightens. True, she causes man much trouble, and her path is very roundabout and time-consuming, but eventually it will lead one to God."

Jai Ramakrishna

20 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

MAYA AND FREEDOM

Bihari Babu: "But everybody says that maya deludes the individual soul and leads him astray."

Latu Maharaj: "Maya wants to play constantly, maya’s play goes on and on, man cannot see where he is being taken on his journey; hence he thinks maya is taking him in the wrong direction.

But look, how can she misdirect us? Isn't God everywhere? Maya has become manifest by God's will, and she is working for him."

Bihari Babu: "What! Maya is working for God?"

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, what other motive can she have?"

Bihari Babu: "But the scriptures describe maya as illusory and world-bewitching; she makes the unreal appear to be real, and her main concern is the delusion of mankind."

Latu Maharaj: "Do you know why people say so? The scriptures speak harshly against maya because she has qualified the unqualified Brahman. And there is another reason. God alone is real, but maya, by comparison, is unreal, illusory.

But maya is unreal only in relation to God. From man's standpoint, maya is avidya, ignorance, which is neither real nor unreal.

If you watch maya carefully, you will see that she is pushing man toward God step by step. With one hand she is deluding man and with the other she is unveiling consciousness before him. She works in a balanced way without any motive of her own. She balances both happiness and misery, both goodness and evil.

Do you know the intention behind all this? To teach us. If maya's purpose were to lead man astray, she would show us only one aspect, not both. But because maya shows us two aspects, she simultaneously deludes and enlightens.

True, she causes man much trouble and her path is very roundabout and time-consuming, but eventually it will lead one to God. After you suffer repeated blows and much torment in this world and come to understand maya's ways, maya will not be able to hold you anymore.

Then you will be released by her sattvic power. That is why she is called the one who makes the impossible possible."

21 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

MAYA AND FREEDOM

After you suffer repeated blows and much torment in this world and come to understand maya's ways, maya will not be able to hold you anymore. Then you will be released by her sattvic power. That is why she is called the one who makes the impossible possible.

Bihari Babu: "Does maya have a benign power too?"

Latu Maharaj: "Certainly. Maya is God's power, and can that power be bad?"

Bihari Babu: "Maharaj, from the way you are talking, maya seems to be something great."

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, that is true. Maya is great and that greatness is God himself. The other day a monk explained it nicely: 'Man has already attained God; to try further for realization is useless. This universe belongs to God and man is living in it; thus, he has attained salokya-mukti, liberation by living in the same region as God. God made man in his own image: and thus, man has attained sarupya-mukti, liberation by having a form similar to God's. God is everywhere, so man is always near him; and thus, he has attained samipya-mukti, liberation by living close to God. The only thing that he has not yet attained is sayujya-mukti, becoming one with God.'"

22 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

REMOVING THE COVERING OF IGNORANCE

One day Shashadhar Ganguli, a teacher from Malda, asked Latu Maharaj, "Can the Atman be an object of knowledge?"

Latu Maharaj: "An object is something which cannot be known without the help of something else, but the Atman is self-revealing. So, you cannot say the Atman is an object of knowledge."

The teacher: "Then why should we want to know the Atman?"

Latu Maharaj: "Because the Atman is our real nature."

The teacher: "If the Atman is our real nature, then why are we not aware of it?"

Latu Maharaj: "Listen, can anyone deviate from his real nature? If he does, it cannot be called his real nature; for it is changeable. Man's real nature is covered by a dense cloud of ignorance, and consequently he appears to be something different, but that does not mean he has deviated from his real nature."

The teacher: "I couldn't follow you. Would you please explain this a little more?"

Latu Maharaj: "All right. Suppose here is a brass pot covered with stains. Looking at it, one may think it is made of something other than brass, but that thought cannot change its nature; the brass pot still remains brass. It is like that."

The teacher: "But Maharaj, that analogy is not suitable here. The brass pot never thinks of itself as not being brass, but man thinks of himself as being something other than the Atman."

Latu Maharaj: "That is not so. Man does not think that he is something else.

He may say, 'my body,' 'my mind,' 'my intellect,' but he never says. 'I am the body.' or ‘I am the mind.' He knows that what he calls 'his' is different from 'himself.'

Man's I-consciousness is always there, he is not devoid of it, only he cannot express it. You can feel hungry or sleepy, but can you tell me who you really are?"

The teacher: "No. Maharaj, But I do feel hunger or fatigue."

Latu Maharaj: "That is what I mean. You are aware of your consciousness, but you are unable to express it."

The teacher: "Why am I not able express it?"

Latu Maharaj: "Because your mind is so deeply covered with desires, doubts, and ignorance that your real nature is unable to express itself. Haven't you seen those polishing shops at Mechuabazar in Calcutta where they have glass jars filled with coloured liquids? The metal worker takes a tarnished brass pot and dips it into ajar, and instantly all the tarnish goes away, and the pot starts to glitter. Then he dips it into another jar, and it turns a golden colour.

Similarly, the cloudy stuff which has been covering our I-consciousness must first be washed away, then we shall see the brilliance of the inmost Self."

23 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

REMOVING THE COVERING OF IGNORANCE

The teacher: "How can we purify our minds, Maharaj?"

Latu Maharaj: "Dip your mind in the jar of the Lord's name, and all the unclean stuff will be washed away. Then dip it in the jar of the Lord's grace. You will see how beautifully your real nature will shine forth. You will have to clean your mind first. There is no other way. If you want happiness in this world, think of yourself as pure gold and not as gold-plated. The idea of ‘I’ and 'mine' produces misery, while the knowledge of the real ‘I’ [the higher Self] brings bliss. The knowledge of the Self removes ignorance, and this Self is the Atman, the real nature of man."

The teacher: "But the Atman is all-pervading while the ‘I’ [the lower self] is limited."

Latu Maharaj: "It does not matter. You have seen the jasmine flower; how small it is! On its tiny petal you may find a dewdrop in the morning, and in that dewdrop, you can see the reflection of the infinite blue sky. Likewise, the ‘I’ may be limited, but by the grace of God it can catch the reflection of the infinite Atman."

The teacher: "How can we attain God's grace, Maharaj?"

Latu Maharaj: "Control lust and greed. Practice japam and be charitable. If you can do this, you will find the Lord showering his grace upon you."

24 November 2023

(Today is the Blessed Janma-Tithi of Revered Swami Subodhanandaji Maharaj. On this sacred day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Surrender at the feet the Lord.)

Teachings of Swami Subodhananda

First, take hold of your mind through discrimination, then make it calm through proper training, so that it runs towards God twenty-four hours of the day. Urge the mind on towards God; then you will understand everything. The All-powerful Mother of the Universe resides in every woman. If one calls on the Lord earnestly, He reveals Himself in the form of one’s chosen deity. Pray to God with utmost devotion and faith, and He will show you the path that leads to Him. He will grant everything—devotion, faith, and all else that one needs. When we see the sun, we see it with the sun’s own light. No other light is required. In the same way, we see the Lord through His grace alone. Tulsidas, the great devotee says that the Lord Himself fulfils all the desires of one who takes refuge in Him. For instance, the fish that has its shelter in water can swim even against the current, while an elephant is washed away by it. One must surrender oneself to God in the same manner.

Jai Ramakrishna Before God enters the temple of any one of His children’s hearts, He fills it with devotion, faith, and love, just as a king sends different pieces of furniture and vessels to a subject’s house which he intends to visit. Else, where can the poor subject get all those things? The Lord grants devotion, faith, and love, just because He will come.

25 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

THE MYSTERY OF SAMADHI

Latu Maharaj: "Is samadhi merely a figure of speech? The human mind gets a little glimpse of God only after long and constant practice of concentration and meditation, and only then can one realize God's attributes and powers. Infinite are his attributes, and infinite are his powers! Who can transcend them? One could spend millions of lives concentrating on just the glories of God, but what would he gain from it? He might comprehend God's glory and power, but that does not mean he has truly experienced him. Realization of God means that one becomes absorbed in him, transcending his attributes and powers. It is not an easy thing! An aspirant can reach God only if, out of his mercy, God helps him to go beyond his attributes and powers. It is God's grace alone that enables an aspirant to stop the waves of the mind and dissolve the intellect; otherwise, who can stop the functioning of his mind and intellect by his own efforts? And know for certain that one attains samadhi only after the dissolution of his mind and intellect."

A devotee: "Maharaj, do you mean to say that an aspirant cannot attain samadhi through self-effort? We have heard that one attains samadhi by practicing concentration and meditation."

Latu Maharaj: "What you have heard is true. The samadhi achieved through concentration and meditation is termed by Sri Ramakrishna 'chetan samadhi.' In this samadhi there is an interplay of ecstasy and power. But the Master also used to speak of another kind of samadhi in which the mind dissolves and the ego disappears. I am telling you the truth, no one can attain that samadhi without divine grace."

A devotee: "Maharaj, people say practice brings siddhi (success)."

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, you may attain siddhi, but not real samadhi. An aspirant attains siddhi and prosperity through exertion and power, but he realizes God through samadhi. Nobody can express the experience of samadhi. One can only hint at God's attributes in words or speak of his power, but God is not limited by these. Infinite are his glories and infinite are his powers! Who can limit God? All spiritual powers and supernatural powers together cannot reveal him. God is in everything and again he is beyond everything. Just as you have many good qualities and you can do many things, so also you have many powers which you can either show or hide; but these do not reveal your real nature. Your real nature permeates through your qualities and powers, and again, it is beyond them. An aspirant can have a glimpse of the glory and power of God, but this does not mean he can comprehend God fully. An aspirant realizes God only when God reveals himself to him."

26 November 2023

(Today is the birthday of Revered Swami Vijnananandaji Maharaj. On this Blessed day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti and Jnana.)

An unforgettable incident

Revered Swami Vijnananandaaji was staying at the 'Belur Math.' The Divine Mother Durga was being worshipped at the Math. Everyday the priest (usually a Brahmachari of the Math) starts the worship after offering pranams to him.

Jai Ramakrishna

27 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL

One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram’s residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission. Chandrasekhar Chatterjee acted as interpreter.

First lady: “To do good to others is life’s ideal—we agree with you on this point. But you give a higher place to God than to philanthropy, and we do not agree with that. God cannot be perceived, and there is no proof of his existence. We do not understand why you want people to have faith in this unknown entity first and then to do good to others.”

Latu Maharaj: “Those who try to serve humanity without believing in God cannot keep it up for a long time. After a while the question crops up, ‘What shall I gain from this?’ And once this question arises, one begins to lose interest. If man wants to serve others, he will have to make some personal sacrifice. You must realize that the desire to sacrifice for the sake of others cannot come unless one believes in God.”

Hearing this, both ladies laughed and the second one remarked, “That is no explanation.”

Latu Maharaj: “Will you please tell me why you want to do philanthropic work?”

Second lady: “We do philanthropic work because it does good to others.”

Latu Maharaj: “But can you tell me what shall you get from it? Why should you work for the benefit of others?”

First lady: “Because we live in society, we have obligations to our fellow men, and fulfilling those obligations is our religion. Our ideal is to alleviate suffering.”

Latu Maharaj: “There is a higher ideal than what you have just said, and that is the realization of God. He who strives for that is a hero. To do good to others is, after all, only a social activity; it has nothing to do with God-realization.”

Jai Ramakrishna

28 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL

(One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram's residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission.)

Latu Maharaj continued: "You see, there is a loophole in your argument. All arguments are invariably fallacious. Only if you admit the existence of God does everything become meaningful. When we bring God into our lives, distinctions lessen, and we feel that all are our own. On the physical plane there is a difference between me and others, but on the spiritual plane we are the same Satchidananda [Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute]. From that standpoint no one can help another—one is only helping oneself. The key to philanthropy is this: In doing good to others, we try to forget the apparent distinctions between ourselves and other men. The welfare of others is my welfare—that is our attitude. Who does not want his own good? If you believe in God and then serve society, you can never feel any resentment."

Latu Maharaj: "You see, this is not an argument; it is a fact. The multitude is a part of the one Satchidananda— that is the truth. The differences are in name and form only, just as the same silver is transformed into cups, saucers, rings, and so on. Similarly, you, I, and others may be different outwardly, but in essence we are all the same Satchidananda. The same God has become many and is playing in different names and forms."

Latu Maharaj: "Certainly. But this proof is not something that can be demonstrated to others. It is a matter of one's own realization. Can love be demonstrated to others? Only the lover and the beloved feel it. Can outsiders understand it? The case is similar with God. Only God and the one to whom he shows his favour can understand it. Others cannot."

29 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

SPIRITUAL COUNSEL

(One day two Western women came to see Latu Maharaj at Balaram's residence in Calcutta. They were atheists, but they believed in doing social service. They had heard of the humanitarian activities of the Ramakrishna Mission.)

Second lady: "Still the question remains unsolved. Suppose somebody does not believe in God but still does a lot of good to others. Won't he get merit for that?"

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, every action brings a corresponding result. Man gets social merit through his philanthropic activities, but if his ego is involved in those activities, he will not get any spiritual merit.

Even the result of a good action turns into a bondage if it is done with ego.

None can escape the wheel of karma through self-motivated action. On the other hand, any unselfish action destroys the bondages of action and brings liberation to man."

Second lady: "I have never seen a single person who could serve others without any motive."

Latu Maharaj: "We do not say that one can do good to others with no motive at all; we say, let the motive be God-oriented.

Although all cannot see God, one should have faith in his existence, and that faith is the key to seeing God.

First have faith in God and then love his children.

For instance, somebody did a job exceptionally well. The news reached the king, and he summoned the man. The meeting with the king came about because that job was well done. Similarly, by lovingly serving the Lord's children, you will get his grace and his vision too. All are the children of God."

Both Western ladies were impressed and later wrote a letter of appreciation to Latu Maharaj from Rome.

30 November 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON PREACHING

"Can one preach religion simply by beating a drum? Is religion something external to us, something one person speaks about, and another person accepts? Religion is realization, and one cannot realize the truth through noise and fanfare. The more a preacher shouts, the more people's minds turn outward; and unless the mind is turned inward, God-realization is not possible.

What an upsurge of religion there was here in Calcutta a few years ago! Preachers of the Salvation Army were found speaking on religion at almost every crossroads of the city. The Brahmo leaders used to preach their doctrines in their temples. The Vaishnavites would sing kirtan in their worship halls. Just think of all those meetings! One day Keshab Sen spoke on the New Dispensation in Beadon Square, the next day Reverend Kali Krishna Banerjee spoke on Christianity, and the third day Swami Krishnananda spoke on Hinduism. People would gather around them and listen. One preacher abused Hinduism, and another defended it. What a storm of religious preaching! But what has come of all that? Where are they now? Those religious leaders tried to attract people through their preaching. Meanwhile, another group was devoting their time to silent meditation and prayer and directing their energies to the realization of God. And now don't you see multitudes gathering around this second group?

Inevitably, if there is no substance inside, a man's words are empty and carry no conviction. There must be renunciation, dispassion, and genuine love for God; only then will people believe you. The Lord's will works in this peculiar way. Look at Swami Vivekananda's life. After practicing hard spiritual disciplines, he got the command from the Master to preach, and people have accepted what he said. With one lecture Swamiji became world-famous."

1 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON THE GURU

A devotee: "Is it absolutely necessary to have a guru in order to make spiritual progress?"

Latu Maharaj: "If you are in earnest about spiritual practices, you should have a teacher, a guru. You can accept the Lord himself as your guru if you have that much faith in him. But it is better to have a great devotee of God as your guru. Do you know why? What do you do when you feel thirsty and are looking for water? Don't you go to the nearest place where water is available?"

A devotee: "Yes, Maharaj."

Latu Maharaj: "You surely don't go to the ocean which is far away. Isn't that so?"

A devotee: "Yes. If we can get water near by, why should we go all the way to the ocean?"

Latu Maharaj: "So, your question is answered. The human guru is like the water in the river near us, and the Lord is like the water in the ocean. When the thirst for God arises, one should go to a human guru who is near at hand, for he can satisfy your thirst very quickly."

Jai Ramakrishna

2 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES

A devotee: "Maharaj, what are the duties of a householder?"

Latu Maharaj: "If you want to live a happy, contented life, stop criticizing others. Do not find fault with others. It is better to pass time sleeping than gossiping and criticizing. Keep away from places where you find such talk going on. Try to see the good qualities in others. This is the way to get rid of the habit of fault-finding. Evil qualities pollute the mind of a person who searches for the lapses and shortcomings of others. Feel others' sufferings as you feel your own. Take every opportunity to serve people, and do not injure anybody. Be grateful to all who help you. Be charitable to all, even to a person who abuses you. And do not run into debt, for debts bring worries. Try to be pure and discriminate between good and evil. Do not perform any action which will prick your conscience. Do not forget God. Chant his name in the morning and evening, and, if you can, try to meditate at night."

3 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES

"Be grateful to all who help you. Be charitable to all, even to a person who abuses you. And do not run into debt, for debts bring worries. Try to be pure and discriminate between good and evil. Do not perform any action which will prick your conscience. Do not forget God. Chant his name in the morning and evening, and, if you can, try to meditate at night."

ON SADHANA

Latu Maharaj: "Without question, whatever I have now has come through the Master's grace. I am an unlettered man. How could I have practiced austerities? What did I know about sadhana [spiritual discipline]? At first, I simply wanted to be the Master's attendant, but then he taught me how to meditate and practice spiritual disciplines. At that time, I did not know the value of sadhana. He also taught me the mystery of Lord Ramachandra."

A devotee: "What is the mystery of Lord Ramachandra?"

Latu Maharaj: "One day I was massaging the Master's feet. He asked me: 'My boy, can you tell me, what is your Ramji doing now?' I was surprised at his question. How could I know what Ramachandra was doing? He noted my silence and said, 'Your Ramji is now passing an elephant through the eye of a needle.'"

A devotee: "What does that mean?"

Latu Maharaj: "Don't you understand? I was such a small receptacle, yet he was pouring sadhana into me."

4 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES

A devotee: "Maharaj, is it possible to pour sadhana into another person?"

Latu Maharaj: "Yes. But not everyone can do that. He who has seen God and been absorbed in his bliss—he can."

A devotee: "Maharaj, please pour a little sadhana into us."

Latu Maharaj: "The Master could do that. That does not mean I can."

The devotee said with feeling: "Yes you can, Maharaj, Please bless us. Please help us to make spiritual progress in this life."

Latu Maharaj: "You people always say the same thing. When you come here you are sure that you will pass the rest of your days in sadhana, but once you return home you think, 'Why should I care?'

In the world all your energy is spent in earning money.

Remember, you will attain perfection in whatever you practice. You don't like to practice sadhana, so you do not attain God."

A devotee: "One needs money to live in the world. You know that nothing can be done without money."

Latu Maharaj: "Yes. I know. Whatever you want you will get. But if you want to be spiritual, you cannot want anything else.

The Master used to say. 'Whatever you want from God you will receive. But if you want Him only, then all your other wants will be fulfilled as well.'"

A devotee: "Maharaj, we are unfortunate, for we cannot call on the Lord wholeheartedly. Do our prayers reach him?"

Latu Maharaj: "Yes, they do. But your prayers are mixed with the desire for money, so that is what he is sending.

The day when you pray: I do not want money, name, or fame. I want thee and thee alone'—on that very day he will come to you.

5 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL QUALITIES

The Master would say, 'The more you have bhoga [enjoyment], the less you will have yoga and the more you will burn in the world.'

The Master continually taught us: 'Always be awake in the practice of yoga. Call on God in the dead of the night, remember him during the hours of the day, and serve him always.’“

SPIRITUAL DISCONTENT

Latu Maharaj: "Contentment is an obstacle to spiritual progress."

A devotee: "What do you mean, Maharaj? People practice sadhana (spiritual disciplines) to find peace of mind, and you are saying it is an obstacle to the aspirant's progress."

Latu Maharaj: "It is true, people do practice sadhana to find peace. But if the aspirant forgets God after finding some peace, how can he make any further progress? If there is no dissatisfaction, longing for God does not come."

A devotee: "Is there any higher state than the attainment of peace?"

Latu Maharaj: "Look, is peace the end of sadhana? There are many states higher than peace. But if you want to experience those states, you need to attain peace first.

Do you know what that peace is? One is then, as it were, content with his life; and external trials and tribulations do not disturb the mind.

The door to the spiritual path does not open unless the aspirant is filled with peace externally and internally. But once the door to the spiritual realm opens, discontentment again begins.

However, this is a mysterious kind of discontentment which I cannot explain to you. In this state the aspirant can neither sit idle nor can he progress quickly."

A devotee: "Maharaj, I do not understand what you are talking about. Please explain."

Latu Maharaj: "Spiritual disciplines and austerity are necessary to understand this. You have practiced very little austerity; hence, I may explain it to you a thousand times, but it will still remain a mystery to you."

6 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON AUSTERITY

In I902 Latu Maharaj was staying at the Belur Monastery at the time of Shiva Ratri, an all-night vigil dedicated to Lord Shiva and observed by worship and fasting.

That night he went to offer worship to Shiva at the nearby Kalyaneswar temple, accompanied by a number of devotees.

Up huHe said to one of the devotees: "I think fasting is too difficult for you. You should take a little food."

The devotee responded, "No, I don't want to take anything before performing the worship."

Latu Maharaj said: "Such determination is good: but if fasting takes your mind away from God, what use is it? Rather, be determined to perform the worship with devotion. Don't place a higher value on fasting. That is mere obstinacy, which is of no real benefit. If your mind is dwelling on food instead of God, how can you perform the worship with love and devotion? Devotion is impossible if the mind is disturbed."

7 December 2023

(TEACHINGS OF SWAMI ADBHUTANANDA)

ON DISCRIMINATION

A devotee: “Maharaj, you monks advise us to give up attachment to lust and gold, but we are householders. How can we renounce? Please tell us the way. Our minds are filled with worldly attachments. We see no possibility of fighting against them. The attachments are so strong that they won’t allow us to develop ways and means to defend ourselves against them. You have asked us to chant the name of the Lord and to discriminate, but we are overpowered by attachments. Now please tell us the secret: How did you overcome them?”

Latu Maharaj: “You people don’t practice japam sincerely, so you always complain and make excuses. Look, if one makes a habit of repeating the holy name, the name itself will take hold of the mind. The mind craves the intoxication of worldly enjoyments. Attachments are troublemakers; they fasten the mind with a noose, as it were, and drag it in all directions. Lord Krishna agreed with Arjuna that the mind is restless. He told Arjuna that the restless mind can be stilled by the renunciation of sense enjoyments and by repeated practice. Whenever your mind runs after sense enjoyments, use your discrimination. Look, the sense objects are impermanent. They come and go. Be satisfied with whatever you need for your daily living and do not desire more. Too many worldly belongings displace the thought of the Reality from the mind. The Reality is one, and that is Brahman. Brahman alone is real and everything else is unreal. Impress these thoughts again and again upon the mind, and gradually true discrimination will arise.”

8 December 2023

(Teachings of Swami Adbhutananda)

When you transcend the three gunas—the elements such as earth, air, water, etc.—they will serve you. Heat and cold, hunger and thirst will obey you.

At present you are their slave, but at that stage they will be under your control.

What will then be the state of your mind? You will remain indifferent to praise and blame, good and evil, and all the opposites of life. You make no distinction, whether a rich man or a poor man comes.

Now you are a minor; then you will come of age. You will be like Trailinga Swami [an Indian holy man]: Nature is under his control and serves him.

Now there is always the fear lest some craving arise in your mind. There is the sense of good, so there is the fear of evil.

Struggle, and through His grace you will attain union with God, though it may take many births.

First discrimination and dispassion, then comes devotion. You have to clear your path by taking recourse to discrimination and dispassion.

Then is it that you will know what is real and what is unreal. When you have strong discrimination and dispassion, evil cannot approach you. But if you are weak in these virtues, evil gets hold of you.

9 December 2023

Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda For WhatsApp

ON DISCRIMINATION

"When you have strong discrimination and dispassion, evil cannot approach you. But if you are weak in these virtues, evil gets hold of you.

Listen to a story. Once Rama presented a pearl necklace to his devotee Hanuman. Hanuman examined the necklace carefully, broke open one of the pearls with his teeth, and, not finding the name of Rama there, threw the necklace away. This upset Lakshmana, who said: 'How can a monkey appreciate the value of a pearl necklace? He destroyed such a valuable thing with his teeth!' Rama then asked Lakshmana to inquire about the reason for Hanuman's action. Upon being questioned, Hanuman replied: 'I opened the pearl to see if the holy name was there. The necklace is worthless if Rama is not in it.'

You will have to discriminate between the real and the unreal. To keep one's discrimination alert is a great austerity. He who has learned to discriminate can successfully overcome lust and greed. So, cultivate your discrimination and conscience. How can you struggle against evil tendencies if your intellect is not trained to differentiate between good and evil?

First clear out the rubbish which has entered the mind through the gates of the sense organs, and then put a ‘NO ADMITTANCE’ sign in front of each gate. Those bad thoughts which ignore the notice and still come in, you will have to hand over to the police, which is your conscience. With the help of the police, you must evict the impure tendencies from the mind and then install the Lord there. This is the way to conquer lust and desire.

The seed of lust is in the mind. That seed is nurtured by the sense organs within and the sense objects without, and thus it grows and produces innumerable fruits. These fruits are to be chopped off and the seeds are to be destroyed. Afterward, you must sow the seed of the Lord's name, and you will reap the harvest accordingly. Now you are reaping the harvest of desires. The Master used to say, 'Where desire is, God is not; and where God is, there is no desire.'"

10 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON PURITY

"Be pure. Be pure. Be pure. You cannot comprehend God without purity. If you are not pure, you will not realize God, who is the embodiment of purity. In order to serve God, the true Master of all, one must purify one's mind."

ON LOVE

A householder devotee of Sri Ramakrishna once conveyed his love to Latu Maharaj in a letter. Latu Maharaj remarked: "Is it so easy to convey love to a person? A lot of spiritual discipline is needed to be able to really transmit love. What do ordinary people know about love? Only God can truly love, and only illumined souls are really able to transmit love."

On another occasion he said: "Your love springs from worldly attachment. Dogs play together and fight for food among themselves. Your love is like that. You people embrace each other and exchange sweet words, but the moment someone encroaches upon your self-interest, you become angry and are ready to hit him. Don't express that kind of love."

Jai Ramakrishna

11 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON HUMILITY

One day a wealthy devotee saluted Latu Maharaj in the customary manner: that is, folding his hands and raising them to his head. At this, Latu Maharaj said: "Look here, sir. One should bow down to gods, to monks, and to holy people with reverence. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, 'There is no merit in this sort of axe-raising salutation.'"

Another devotee who was present asked: "Maharaj, what is an axe-raising salutation?"

Latu Maharaj: "Touching the forehead with folded hands as you usually do is what the Master called an axe-raising salutation."

The wealthy devotee: "Maharaj, please forgive me. We do not know the real significance of the salutation. We merely follow the custom."

Latu Maharaj: "I don't blame you. It is not your fault. But remember what the Master said: Between equals one should exchange salutations as you have just done; but if the person is superior to you in learning, intellect, fame, power, or spirituality, you should bow down to him with reverence. You should be humble before him and do what he says. Let your thoughts and your words be united when you are paying respect to others. Salutations that are merely for show have no value."

SALUTE THE NAME

"Sri Ramakrishna used to say that before starting to chant the name of the Lord, one should salute the name. One should take refuge in the name of the Lord. The name and the named, that is, the Lord, are one. If one prays wholeheartedly to the name, one's prayer reaches the Lord. Look here. The name of the Lord itself is shakti, God's power, and the named is God himself. Without worshiping Shakti, one cannot realize God."

12 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ASPECTS OF GOD

A devotee: "Maharaj, is it good to have visions of gods and goddesses other than the Chosen Ideal?"

Latu Maharaj: "It is always good to see divine forms. You will find that during meditation your Chosen Ideal will appear to you in many forms. That is his divine play. Since all forms are contained within him, why are you making distinctions between them?"

A devotee: "The scriptures have described the various forms of God differently, and for each deity there is a prescribed meditation, a method of worship, and certain mantras. So how can it be possible to see other forms of God when one is meditating on one's own Chosen Ideal? Are these visions conducive to one's spiritual progress?"

Latu Maharaj: "You people think of the gods and goddesses as distinct from each other, but in reality, they are all the same. What is wrong if the forms are many? Look. You are a man. When you are angry, your face takes on one expression; when you laugh it assumes another; and when you cry it looks still different. Your facial expression changes with your emotions, but you, as a man, always remain the same. If someone calls you by name, you respond regardless of your mood. Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'The chameleon changes its color. Sometimes it is red, sometimes green, yellow, gray, violet, blue, and so on. One may think that the chameleon is always the same colour as he sees it. But the man who stays under the tree where the chameleon lives knows that the chameleon changes colour at different times.' Similarly, the man who meditates deeply on his Chosen Ideal ultimately realizes that the various names and forms are actually but different aspects of the same reality."

13 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON PRAYER

A devotee: "Maharaj. which is the easier method to dispel doubts about God, prayer, or reasoning?"

Latu Maharaj: "Sri Ramakrishna used to say: 'Who can know God through reason? His powers and glory are infinite. Too much reasoning can create confusion and, moreover, may lead to an atheistic attitude. So, it is better to call on God with a longing heart."

The Master said further: 'If you can become drunk with one bottle of wine, why should you bother to know how many barrels of wine there are in the grogshop? If your thirst is quenched with one glass of water, why should you rack your brain calculating how much water there is on the earth?" "

A devotee: "Whom should we call on, Maharaj, the guru or the Chosen Ideal?"

Latu Maharaj: "You may call on either, it is the same. The Guru and the Chosen Ideal are the same. Doubt arises in the mind of an aspirant if he does not practice spiritual disciplines, and doubt is the root of all troubles.

Have faith in your guru. Be loyal to him, even like a cow that never leaves its master, whether it is fed or not. Say. '1 am your servant and you are my Master.' "

14 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

ON WORSHIP

"Do you know what worship is? Everything belongs to the Lord, so what is there to offer to him? But the Master used to tell us: 'Once a rich man went to visit his orchard. He saw the gardeners busy with their work. The caretaker approached him and presented him with a ripe papaya, saying: "Sir, I picked this ripe fruit for you yesterday. Please accept it." Now the owner knows that the garden, the tree, the fruit all belong to him; but won't he appreciate the love and thoughtfulness of the caretaker? Worship is like this.'"

On another occasion, a devotee bought a small piece of cheap cloth for the Divine Mother's worship. Latu Maharaj was very upset. He remarked: "Throw away that cloth. It is too short. Why did you buy such a cheap one? Always offer a good cloth to the Mother, and if you cannot afford it, say with tears: 'Mother, I am unable to offer anything to you. Please forgive me.' Some people buy cheap, flimsy cloth, rotten fruit, or stale sweets for the worship of the Lord. Why do you offer the Lord these things which you yourself do not want to use or eat? It is better not to worship at all than to do worship negligently. He who offers the Lord's things to the Lord with joy and love is really fortunate. The Lord does not accept anything that is not presented with devotion."

15 December 2023

(Teachings Of Swami Adbhutananda)

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION

A devotee: "Maharaj, we have not seen God: how can we depend on him? We do not know how to surrender to him. Can it be enough just to say, "Lord, be kind to us. bestow your grace on us?' "

Latu Maharaj: "Look, he is showering his grace on us unceasingly. It is through his grace that you even exist in this world.

You are asking about prayer. Well, you know God's name: you can begin with his name as your guide. Don't you send your application for a job to the manager of a company without ever having seen him? Your interview with the manager depends upon sending your application to him. You write the application thus: 'Sir, please appoint me for the job; I shall be extremely happy to serve you. I promise my unswerving obedience to you,' and so on. And you write all this without having seen the manager, don't you?

"So, similarly, you can send an application to the Lord. However, this application is not to be written on paper, but on the pages of one's mind. You must be careful about the wording and the address must be correct; otherwise, the letter will not reach its destination.

Write the application like this: 'O Lord, may I never forget your name. I take refuge in you. Please assign me to your service and destroy my ego and my doubts. You are my master, guru, father, mother, and all in all. I am your child. Please guide me to the path of blessedness. Make me your instrument. Do not delude me with your bewitching maya.

O my sweet Lord, I have not seen you; I have only heard your name. Please make me your own.'

You will have to pray like this daily. Only then will he choose to bestow his grace on you. Once you are chosen by him. you will not have to worry any more. He will guide you at every step and will tell you what to do."

16 December 2023

AFTER GOD-REALIZATION

A devotee: "Maharaj, you have realized God. Could you tell us what your understanding of the world is now?"

Latu Maharaj: "I have understood this much: If you keep a bowl filled with water somewhere by itself, the water will eventually evaporate, but this is not so if the bowl is immersed in the river Ganga. Likewise, if we can surrender our minds at the feet of the Lord, the wind of worldliness will not be able to dry our minds and make them dreary. Then the world no longer seems an unhappy place."

A devotee: "Maharaj, do you feel now that the world is a burden?"

Latu Maharaj: "Look, when you dive deep into the Ganga, though there are thousands of pounds of water above you, you don't feel that weight. Similarly, if you plunge into God's creation yet still hold onto him, you will not feel its burden. Then the world becomes a place of merriment. Remember this beautiful saying of Tulasidas: 'He who takes refuge in God is protected by him. A huge elephant may be swept away by the current of the river, but the small fish who lives in the river can even swim against its current.' Remember that if you depend on God, he will take care of you in all circumstances."

17 December 2023

(Teachings of Swami Adbhutanandaji)

BRIEF TEACHINGS

"Be attached to no one but God. Only if you hold onto God will your life be meaningful."

"Who is a man of knowledge? Not he who has read a lot of books, studied scriptures and acquired some degrees, but he who knows the path to God and can direct people toward God."

"Man can attain peace if he gives up worldly enjoyment, for such enjoyment is the source of sorrows and sufferings, disease and despair."

"Don't be ungrateful to a person who has helped you. An act of kindness, however small it may be, can never be repaid."

"Find your own faults. Never criticize anyone; it is a great sin. It contracts the mind and pollutes the heart. Always look for the good qualities in others. If fault-finding becomes your habit, you will always see faults in them. Everyone has both good and bad in him. Only God is free from fault and full of divine qualities."

"Don't be concerned whether someone agrees with your opinion or not. Do not argue unnecessarily just to prove your point. It ruins the spiritual atmosphere. Let people do whatever they like: you should live according to your own ideal."

"Don't ask for anything from God, for he knows everything. It is sometimes amazing how he fulfills the needs of his devotees."

"Desire begets wants in the mind of man."

Jai Ramakrishna

18 December 2023

(Teachings of Swami Adbhutanandaji)

BRIEF TEACHINGS

"He who follows the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, will be saved by the Mother from the trials and tribulations of the world. If you want peace, read *The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna*."

"It is easy to fool human beings, but not God. He knows your shortcomings despite your best efforts to hide them. Pray to the Lord with a guileless heart: 'O Lord, please remove all my faults and weaknesses.' Man becomes stainless only after God-realization."

"Jealousy is a deadly poison. A jealous person cannot bear others' welfare and happiness. His heart breaks to see others progressing. If one can give up jealousy, one will understand God."

"On a moonless night one man cannot recognize another, however close they may be standing; similarly, a man cannot see his innermost self due to the dark covering of delusion."

"Dissatisfaction and craving for worldly enjoyments are signs of a diseased mind."

"If you always think of a holy person, you will become holy and pure; if you think of a thief, you will become a thief. Pure character is formed by close association with the holy."

"Do you think we salute trees and stones? We salute the Supreme Being, who pervades every atom of the universe. He who sees God in all creatures and all things attains the knowledge of Brahman."

"Although God is formless, he takes form according to our mental conception of him. It is because the formless Sat-chit-ananda dwells in our hearts that we can meditate on one of God's blissful forms. God appears in whatever form the devotee meditates on him."

"God gives power to those who are pure in heart."

19 December 2023

Imitation of Christ* by Bernard Bangley

How to Follow Christ and Disregard the World’s Prizes

The Lord says, “Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12). Christ encourages us to pattern our lives after his so we can become spiritually enlightened. Our most important task, then, is to meditate on the life of Jesus Christ.

Christ’s teaching is superior to all the teachings of the saints, and if you have the Spirit you will discover through him “the hidden manna” of the Word (Rev. 2:17). Many who have heard the gospel all their lives have not been affected by it because they do not have Christ’s Spirit. If you truly want to understand and enjoy the words of Christ, you must attempt to live like him.

What is the point of scholarly discussion of a deep subject like the Unity, if you lack humility? You can be sure that profound talk does not make anyone holy and just, but a pure life pleases God. I would rather feel contrition than know its definition!

If you knew the entire Bible by heart and were familiar with all the philosophers, what good would it all be without the love of God and his grace? Anything other than loving and serving God is “useless, useless, all useless” (Ec. 1:2).

Here is the wisest thing you can do: forget the world and seek the things of heaven. It is pointless, then, to desire and trust perishable wealth. It is also pointless to search after honours or to be a social climber.

Jai Ramakrishna

20 December 2023

Imitation of Christ* by Bernard Bangley

How to Follow Christ and Disregard the World’s Prizes

It is useless to give in to physical desires and to crave wrong things when indulging ourselves will only bring severe punishment. It is futile to wish for a long life, and then to give so little care to living well. It is nothing but vanity to think only of this present life and to ignore the future. It is vain to care about things that are quickly passing away rather than to hurry to the place of everlasting joy.

Repeat this proverb frequently: “Our eyes can never see enough to be satisfied; our ears can never hear enough” (Eccles. 1:8). Try, then, to turn your heart away from the love of things that can be seen, and to start loving the things that cannot be seen. Those who follow the way of sensuality will have a nagging conscience and lose God’s favour.

Have a Humble Opinion of Yourself.

It is natural for all of us to desire knowledge, but what is the value of knowledge without respect for God? The most ordinary person who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself while studying the stars. If you really know yourself, you will see that nothing about yourself is worthy of praise. “I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets, but if I have no love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). When I stand in God’s presence, I am judged by the things I do.

21 December 2023

(Today is the auspicious birthday of Swami Premanandaji Maharaj. On this sacred day may the Swami bless us all with Bhakti.)

Teachings of Swami Premanandaji

One day we were weeding the Math garden. Swami Premananda was watching us, and he noticed that one of the boys was not pulling the weeds out by the roots. He called out to him, “My boy, you must pull the weeds out by the roots; otherwise, you are simply fooling yourself and wasting time. If you do not realize the necessity of rooting out weeds in a garden, how can you weed out your old faults and tendencies? How can you understand the real meaning of spiritual life?” And he added, significantly, “Weed out, boys! Weed out, root and all.”

On another occasion, Swami Premananda chastised us for talking too much: “You talkative fools! You talk nothing but nonsense. Let not your tongue talk; let your character speak!” And again, “Why do you buzz so much? You bees haven’t yet found the honey.”

Swami Premananda taught the ideal of perfection in everything, even the smallest, most insignificant tasks—“from repairing shoes to chanting the scriptures,” according to the Bengali proverb. This was one of Swamiji’s main teachings, and Premananda obeyed it to the letter. “These boys must learn everything,” he once said. “To cut vegetables, perform the worship, book-keeping, lecturing—everything. And in all these things they must be perfect. I am trying to train them thus. If I am harsh, it is only for their own good. But I am never really angry, for I love them deeply.”

In this way, he taught the young monks to be men of God. He would often scold the boys if they did not read the scriptures regularly. Once he approached a young Brahmacharin who had been spending much of his time working in the garden. “You don’t study, do you?” Premananda asked him. “Are you here only to do the work of a coolie?”

“No, sir,” was the sheepish reply.

Jai Ramakrishna

22 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Have a humble opinion of yourself. It is natural for all of us to desire knowledge, but what is the value of knowledge without respect for God? The most ordinary person who serves God is better than a proud philosopher who neglects himself while studying the stars. If you really know yourself, you will see that nothing about yourself is worthy of praise. “I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets, but if I have no love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2). When I stand in God’s presence, I am judged by the things I do. Great learning can be a distraction; it can make you try to appear wise in order to win praise. There are many things you can know which will be of little value to your soul, and it is not wise to waste your time on them. Words do not nourish the soul, but a life well-lived brings comfort to the mind. A clear conscience will give you confidence before God. If you think you know a lot about something, remind yourself that there are many more things you do not know. “Do not be proud but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise” (Rom. 12:16). If you want to learn something worthwhile, learn how to be a nobody. The most profound and valuable lesson of all is to truly know yourself and to have a humble opinion of yourself. Think well of others. If you see someone else engaging in a sinful act or a crime, do not let that make you think more highly of yourself. You do not know how long it may be before you also stumble. All of us are frail; consider yourself no stronger than anybody else!

23 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

True Education

“Lord, how happy is the person you instruct, the one to whom you teach your law!” (Ps. 94:12). Our opinions and senses frequently mislead us. “What do we gain from all our work? He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does” (Eccles. 3:9, 11). We won’t be held responsible for this ignorance. O God of truth, unite me with yourself in everlasting love. I am tired of reading and hearing many things. All I desire is you. Silence all teachers, let every creature be hushed reverently in your presence. Speak to me intimately. The more a person is in harmony with himself and the more simple he is inwardly, the more he understands intuitively. He receives divine illumination. A pure, honest, and stable spirit is not distracted by a lot of activity. He does everything to honour God and is at rest within himself. He seeks to be free from all selfishness. A good, devout person considers inwardly the things he intends to do outwardly. Who has a greater struggle than one who tries to overcome himself? And this is our job—to work at conquering ourselves, to become stronger each day, and to make a little progress toward goodness.

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

“I wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year.”

'Jai Ramakrishna CHRISTMAS GREETINGS'

“I wish you all A Merry Christmas and A Very Happy New Year”. May the New Year Bring abundant grace and spiritual life. May Sri Ramakrishna bless us all with devotion and Faith.

On this sacred, Holy Day may we all recollect the vision of Jesus Christ by Sri Ramakrishna.

Sri Ramakrishna’s Vision of Christ

At last, when the third day was about to close, the Master saw, while walking under the Panchavati (grove of 5 sacred trees), that a marvellous godman of very fair complexion was coming towards him, looking steadfastly at him. As soon as the Master saw that person, he knew that he was a foreigner. He saw that his long eyes had produced a wonderful beauty in his face, and the tip of his nose, though a little flat, did not at all impair that beauty. The Master was charmed to see the extraordinary divine expression of that handsome face, and wondered who he was. Very soon the person approached him and from the bottom of the Master’s pure heart came out with a ringing sound, the words “Jesus! Jesus the Christ, the great Yogi, the loving Son of God, one with the Father, who gave his heart’s blood and put up with endless torture to deliver men from sorrow and misery!” Jesus, the godman, then embraced the Master and disappeared into his body, and the Master entered into ecstasy (Bhava Samadhi).

26 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

True Education

Even our best efforts have imperfections, and all our thinking includes some stupidity. A humble understanding of ourselves is a more certain way to God than the most in-depth study.

But learning is not to be condemned! Knowledge is good. It is God’s gift to us.

However, a clear conscience and a decent life are superior to it. The fruitless error comes in desiring to know much, rather, than to live well.

If we were as careful in weeding out vices and planting virtues as we are in scholarly research, we would not have so much evil and scandal among us, or so much carelessness in religious houses.

You can be certain of this: when the Day of Judgment comes, we shall not be asked what we have read, but what we have done; not how well we have spoken, but how well we have lived.

Tell me, where now are all the great doctors and masters you used to know? Others sit in their offices, and the former ones already are forgotten. See how soon this world’s glory fades!

Authentic greatness is found in great love.

He is genuinely great who considers himself small, and cares nothing about high honours.

I am truly wise if I look upon all earthly things ‘as mere (garbage], so that I may gain Christ’ (Phil. 3:8).

And the greatest of all is he that does the will of God while denying himself.

27 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Prudent living

We should not be too credulous. We need to carefully consider everything we hear. We should spend time in thought before God. Sadly, we are so weak that we frequently believe and repeat ugly rumours rather than good things. It is best not to accept every report. Human beings have a tendency to evil, and even the most reliable sources make mistakes. “Enthusiasm without knowledge is not good; impatience will get you into trouble” (Prov 19:2). In a similar manner, don’t believe everything you hear. Don’t be quick to pour it into others’ ears. The more humility you have and the more subject you are to God, the wiser you will be, and the more at peace.

Reading the Bible

Look for truth in the Bible, not eloquence. Every verse should be read in the spirit with which it was written. Read the devout and simple books as gladly as the learned and profound. Don’t worry about the writer’s authority, or his level of education. Allow the love of simple truth to attract you. Don’t ask, “Who said this?” Instead, pay attention to what is said. People die, but God’s Word will never pass away. Sometimes our curiosity interferes with our Bible reading. You want to discuss and understand parts we should simply pass by. If you want to make your Scripture reading worthwhile, read with humility, simplicity, and faith. Don’t try to appear learned. Listen in silence to the words of the holy men and take pleasure in the teachings of the elders. They spoke with good reason.

28 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Controlling Excess Desire

If you want something obsessively, you will be restless within yourself. The arrogant and the greedy can never relax. It is the poor and the spiritually humble who know what peace is. If you are not yet able to deny yourself, you will be easily tempted. Small, insignificant things will make you their slave. The spiritually weak prefer sensuality and are not able to give up earthly desires completely. That’s why they are sad when they must abandon something and easily angered when opposed. Suppose you get something you want. Soon you may be remorseful to have that thing. Surrendering to your passions will not help you find peace. Only by resisting them can you be truly at peace. There is simply no peace in the heart of a person who lives an animal existence or who places all importance on outward things. Peace is reserved for the sincerely spiritual person.

Taking Charge

Be free! Master yourself! Make sure that all things are under you, and that you are not under them. Don’t be a slave to anything. Be free!

Jai Ramakrishna 29 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Pride and Humility

The Lord says, ‘I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts his trust in man, in the strength of mortal man’ (Jer 17:5). Do not be ashamed to serve others because of your love for Jesus Christ, or to appear poor in the world’s eyes. Do not count on your own strength; trust God. Do what you can, and God will supply the difference. ‘Wise men should not boast of their wisdom, nor strong men of their strength, nor rich men of their wealth’ (Jer. 9:23). You must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble’ (1 Pet. 5:5). Take glory neither in money, if you have some, nor in influential friends, but in God who gives you everything and above all, wants to give you himself. Avoid boasting about the size or beauty of your body, which a little illness can disfigure or destroy. Have no pride in your native wit and talent; that would displease God who gave you every good thing that you naturally possess. Reject the thought that you are better than anyone else. If you think such haughty thoughts, God (who knows what is in you) will consider you worse than they. Pride about our good deeds is pointless. God has his own ideas regarding what is good, and he does not always agree with us. If there is anything good about you, believe better things of others. This will keep you humble. It will not hurt you at all to consider yourself less righteous than others, but it will be disastrous for you to consider yourself better than even one person. The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry.

29 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Pride and Humility

The Lord says, ‘I will condemn the person who turns away from me and puts his trust in man, in the strength of mortal man’ (Jet 17:5).

Do not be ashamed to serve others because of your love for Jesus Christ, or to appear poor in the world’s eyes.

Do not count on your own strength; trust God. Do what you can, and God will supply the difference.

‘Wise men should not boast of their wisdom, nor strong men of their strength, nor rich men of their wealth’ (Jer. 9:23).

You must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the scripture says, ‘God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble’’ (1 Pet. 5:5).

Take glory neither in money, if you have some, nor in influential friends, but in God who gives you everything and above all, wants to give you himself.

Avoid boasting about the size or beauty of your body, which a little illness can disfigure or destroy.

Have no pride in your native wit and talent; that would displease God who gave you every good thing that you naturally possess.

Reject the thought that you are better than anyone else. If you think such haughty thoughts, God (who knows what is in you) will consider you worse than they.

Pride about our good deeds is pointless. God has his own ideas regarding what is good, and he does not always agree with us.

If there is anything good about you, believe better things of others. This will keep you humble.

It will not hurt you at all to consider yourself less righteous than others, but it will be disastrous for you to consider yourself better than even one person.

The humble are always at peace; the proud are often envious and angry.

30 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Subjection to the Lord

It is of great importance to be obedient to respect authority and to let someone else captain our ship. It is far safer to follow than to lead. Yes, most people want to manage things their own way. But if God is among us, it is sometimes necessary to surrender our personal opinion in order to keep harmony. Who is intelligent enough to know everything? Do not be too sure of yourself. Be willing to hear what others think. Sometimes, even if you have a good idea, it is better to discard it in favour of another, for God’s sake. It is less dangerous to take advice than to give it. Perhaps your opinion is just as good as anyone’s. But if you stubbornly refuse to yield to others when there is a good reason or a just cause to do so, all you prove is your obstinate pride.

Guarding the Mouth

Avoid small talk as much as you can. Even shop talk can be a great hindrance. Sometimes I wish I had remained silent; that I had not spoken in a crowd. Our chattering is an escape from unwelcome thinking. We keep the conversation on comfortable subjects. Small comfort! Sometimes it even robs us of inward consolation. Watch and pray, so that you will not waste your time. If you want to talk about something, discuss a worthwhile subject. Failing to guard your mouth is a very bad habit. But reverent discussion of spiritual matters can help us all grow, especially when the group that is garnered is unified in God.

31 December 2023

(From The Imitation Of Christ)

Finding Peace

We will have much peace if we refrain from minding the business of others.

Jai Ramakrishna Kaivalya Upanishad class will start in 15 mins.

KALPATARU GREETINGS

Dear Devotees,

PLEASE ACCEPT MY HEARTY PRAYERS AND GREETINGS. MAY SRI RAMAKRISHNA AND HOLY MOTHER GRANT US BHAKTI, JNANA, DEEP FAITH, STRENGTH AND STEADFASTNESS. MAY THE NEW YEAR BRING US ALL PEACE AND HAPPINESS. I am sure all of you are keeping well.

Yours affectionately,

Swami Dayatmananda

(The Master's self-revelation and blessings to the disciples)*

It was the first day of January 1886. As the Master felt rather well that day, he expressed a desire to come out of his room and have a walk in the garden for some time. It was a holiday and the householder devotees came one by one and in groups, shortly after midday. Thus when the Master came downstairs at three in the afternoon, more than thirty people were engaged in conversation in the garden under the trees, or inside the house. He came down to the garden path through the western door of the hall on the ground floor and was slowly proceeding southward to the gate when all followed him at a little distance. When he came to the middle of the path leading to the gate, he saw Girish, Ram, Atul and a few others, sitting under the trees to the west of the path. They also saw him and saluted him from there and came joyfully to him. The Master addressed Girish, all of a sudden before anybody had spoken a word, and said, "Girish, I find, you say to one and all everywhere so many things about 'this' (that I am an incarnation of God); what have you seen and understood (about me) to make you do so?“

Girish remained completely unmoved, and kneeling down on the ground near the Master's feet, said in a choked voice with his hands folded and face turned upwards, "What more can I say of Him, whose greatness Vyasa and Valmiki could not find words to express?”

The Master was charmed at the fervent utterance of Girish, and blessing all the devotees assembled there through their representative Girish said: "What more shall I say to you? May you all be blessed with the spiritual awakening.

Jai Ramakrishna

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