Poorva

M a g i c , M i r a c l e s a n d t h e M y s t i c a l T w e l v e

LAKSHMI DEVNATH

The Royal Devotee (Continued from The Story of Kulashekhara Aazhvaar previous issue. . .) “H ey, Sleeping Beauty! Get up. You’ve been sleeping for years now.” “And where is Prince Charming?” Poorva, though groggy, responded smartly to the Swami’s banter. “Prince Charming, Kulashekhara Varman, is on his way back from a successful expedition undertaken to extend the boundaries of his kingdom. In fact, several of the Chola and the Pandya states are under his rule now. For this achievement, history will hail him October 2020 as the founder of the Second Chera Empire.”

“How can a baby go to war? Isn’t there a limit to your exaggeration, Swami Thaatha?” 31 Poorva laughed. When he replied, the Swami’s voice assumed a mock expression of hurt. “Poorva, did you think I was joking when I said you had slept for many years? Hold on, can you hear something?” Sure enough, Poorva heard a rousing chorus of: “Kollikaavalan, Koodalnaayakan, Kozhikkon Kulashekharan …” “He is being hailed as the master of Koodal or Madurai, the ruler of Kozhi or Uraiyur, The Vedanta Kesari the protector of Kolli …”

“The titles can wait!” Poorva leapt to the scene of action. She watched with fascination the fabulous reception being given to Prince Kulashekhara.

The king ordered: “Let arrangements be made for a grand celebration,” and he proudly escorted his victorious son into their private chambers.

Hesitant to follow them into their rooms, Poorva waited outside. It seemed like an eternity before father and son came out. They were deeply engrossed in conversation. The king appeared to have aged and the son was in the prime of his youth. Poorva had a vague feeling that at least several months, if not years, had passed since the prince had returned from the war. She did not bother to analyse any further.

The old monarch was saying, “I have decided to crown you king, for it is time for me to retire to the forest and spend my remaining days in prayer.”

The coronation ceremony took place in great splendour. The lustre of the rubies, emeralds and other precious gems in the crown dazzled Poorva. From a distance, she set about counting the glittering stones. Halfway through, something niggled at the back of her mind and distracted her attention from this task. Hadn’t the Swami said that Kulashekhara would become famous as an Aazhvaar?

Poorva was sure that, for once, her matchless Swami had made a mistake. All said and done, he was old, she thought, generously excusing him. She decided, however, to look for the Swami and clear the confusion. Not finding him in the palace, she meandered into the garden.

One of the paths that she took led her to the stables. Poorva walked in, feeling thrilled, for she loved horses. As soon as it saw her, a horse there went down on its forelegs. It seemed friendly, and Poorva, pleased with her good luck, quickly climbed on to its back.

The horse gently hauled itself up. A few seconds later, it took off at breakneck speed, catching her totally off guard. The horse galloped faster and faster, and she held on for dear life. It was however just a matter of minutes before her fear vanished and she began to enjoy the ride.

They passed through large tracts of forest. Slush, shallow pools of water, and recently uprooted trees suggested that the area had had heavy rains. Poorva watched out, with mixed feelings, for lions, panthers and cheetahs, until they exited the forest. The afternoon sun was pouring forth molten gold, and buffaloes were sunbathing in ditches. * * *

After what seemed like ages, the horse stopped, and Poorva jumped down briskly. The animal moved towards a small stream, drank the cool water and began to graze. Poorva spotted some caves at a distance. She instinctively felt that the horse had decided to break the journey for some time, so she decided to explore the caves. As she stepped into one of them, an involuntary whistle escaped her lips.

Through the rays of sunlight that lit up the caves, she could see a beautiful carving of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position. On the coils of Adhisesha, the huge serpent that formed His bed, were carved Vishnu’s five weapons – discus, conch, sword, mace and bow. On the wall behind were figures of rishis and gods. She could recognise Narada by his customary veena.

As she stood in admiration, the horse’s neigh alerted her. She hurried outside and found the animal all set for another run. For a brief moment, Poorva wondered whether she could pay a quick visit to the neighbouring cave, but decided that it would not be prudent. There was no way she would risk being left behind in this strange land.

Running like an Olympic champion, she mounted the animal. The next moment, the horse was galloping swiftly again, a majestic figure with its mane flying in the wind. Poorva wondered where it would be taking her next.

The journey had left her feeling very tired. Poorva’s head drooped and she dozed off. (To be continued...)

This story book is available through www.lakshmidevnath.com

Mahendranath Gupta

RUCHIRA MITRA This is the fifth story in the series on devotees who had a role in the divine play of Sri Ramakrishna.

यमेवैष वृणुत तेन लभ्यः It is attained by him alone whom It chooses (Kathopanishad. 1.2:23)

Here was this peace-loving scholar At the time of this first meeting, M., was who enjoyed keeping to himself: the erudite headmaster of a renowned school reading books, writing diary, and in Calcutta (now Kolkata). But his domestic life teaching in school! But would the world let him was beset with storm and stress. He was unable live peacefully? No! So he decided to end his life to bear the pettiness and selfishness of his and left home at the dead of night. But God had relatives and had decided to commit suicide. great plans for him and thwarted his At this moment though, Mahendranath resolution! His wife rightly suspecting his was astonished by the peace and spirituality intention, forcibly accompanied him with their surrounding the atmosphere of that hallowed small children. And so he was not able to room. And there he found Sri Ramakrishna commit suicide immediately. seated on a wooden couch. “With a smile on his

Finding no other choice, he came to his face he was talking of God. The room was full of sister’s home at Baranagar, near Dakshineswar. people, all seated on the floor, drinking in his His nephew Sidhu noticed his mental agony words in deep silence.” and understood what would assuage his Mahendranath stood there speechless and distress. Casually, he took him to Rani looked on. “It was as if he were standing where Rasmani’s lovely temple garden, as if to stroll in all the holy places met; and as if Sukadeva the peaceful surroundings; but his intention himself were speaking the word of God, or as if was actually to take him to Sri Ramakrishna Sri Chaitanya were singing the name and who lived there. Thus, accompanied by Sidhu, glories of the Lord in Puri with Ramananda, he entered into Sri Ramakrishna’s room and Swarup, and the other devotees.” At the first that moment became a defining point in the meeting itself he recognised Sri Ramakrishna spiritual history of India. as the epitome of ultimate knowledge (like

Later this man confessed: “I was thinking Sukadeva) and ultimate devotion (like Sri of killing myself, but instead I found my Self. My Chaitanya). family troubles led me to God.” Though absorbed in conversation, Sri

This was Mahendranath Gupta, revered as Ramakrishna recognised Mahendranath as one the saintly Master Mahashay, or M., who reorded of those select few who would help him Sri Ramakrishna’s everyday life and teachings in propagate his message far and wide. By giving his The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. him trouble, he brought his apostle to himself.

The author is a devotee and researcher on Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. Her doctoral thesis was on the life stories of Sri Ramakrishna. ruchiranewid@gmail.com

Interestingly, Sidhu never came to Sri Ramakrishna again. He was just a divinely appointed instrument in bringing the apostle to his guru.

Sri Ramakrishna once told Mahendranath, “Those whom I think of as my own are part and parcel of me. You are my very own, my relative.”

Mahendranath became the privileged disciple who was God-ordained to preserve to posterity the immortal words of his Guru. All through his association with Sri Ramakrishna, he meticulously noted whatever he saw and heard. Though it appeared that he did this for his own benefit, it is evident from Sri Ramakrishna’s remarks and actions that he was playing his part in His Divine Play. M., finally published these notes as a full length text. This is the Kathamrita in Bengali, translated into English as The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna.

When he read the Kathamrita, a delighted Swami Vivekananda wrote to M.,: “It is indeed wonderful. The move is quite original, and never was the life of a great Teacher brought before the public untarnished by the writer’s mind, as you are presenting this one. The language also is beyond all praise, so fresh, so pointed, and withal so plain and easy. … I now understand why none of us attempted his life before. It has been reserved for you, this great work. … The Socratic dialogues are Plato all over; you are entirely hidden.” Swami Vijnanananda, one of the direct-disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, once said that 80 percent of those who had joined the Ramakrishna Order were inspired to do so by reading the Gospel.

One of Sri Ramakrishna’s important advice to householders was: “Do all your duties, but keep your mind on God. Live with all — with wife and children, father and mother — and serve them. Treat them as if they were very dear to you, but know in your heart of hearts that they do not belong to you. A maidservant in the house of a rich man performs all the household duties, but her thoughts are fixed on her own home in her native village. She brings up her Master’s children as if they were her own. She even speaks of them as ‘my Rama’ or ‘my Hari’. But in her mind she knows very well that they do not belong to her at all.” Mahendranth is one of the best examples for how to put this teaching into practice in day-to-day family life.

Mahendranath was also instrumental in bringing to Sri Ramakrishna a number of teenagers, mostly his own students. Most n o t a b l e a m o n g t h e m we re Swa m i s Premananda, Trigunatitananda, Subodhananda, and Purna Chandra Ghosh. There were also others like Younger Naren, Narayan, Bankim, Kishori, Kshirode, Tejchandra, Dwija, Paltu, and Binode, — all belonging to well-to-do illustrious families. The Gospel describes numerous occasions where we find Sri Ramakrishna showering his motherly love on these youngsters. No wonder Mahendranath was known as chheledhora master, or ‘teacher who kidnaps boys’!!

After Sri Ramakrishna’s mahasamadhi, Mahendranath took up three positions in schools and colleges and spent his threefold earning on the needs of Sarada Devi and the monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna, besides taking care of his own family.

One midnight, just before his passing away, Mahendranath’s attendant found him checking in dim light the proof of the last volume of the Gospel. He told the attendant, “It is inevitable that the body will meet its end, so it is better that it is used for spreading peace to others.” He left his body in full consciousness, uttering, “Maa, Gurudev, take me up in thy arms!” He attained eternal life by dedicating it at the feet of Sri Ramakrishna.

Mahendranath’s contribution to the Ramakrishna Movement is immense, and his impact through his immortal work will continue for generations to come.

The Importance of a Daily Schedule in Our Life

SWAMI MEDHASANANDA (Continued from the previous issue. . .)

One of the powerful tools to have control over our lives is to learn how to control our time, because Time is Life. This article discusses the nature of our mind, the process of getting established in a daily schedule, and thus our self-development.

Focus on the Now

Swami Premanandaji, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna was in charge of training the brahmacharis at Belur Math. Besides training in various spiritual exercises, the brahmacharis had to perform many daily chores, as Math could not afford to hire workers. One thing Premanandaji often insisted upon was that the brahmacharis should give full attention to the work they were doing. Once, while a brahmachari was asked to cut straw to feed the cows, he sliced his finger. Premanandaji came in and scolded him saying he was not yet ready to become a sannyasi, because if he could not concentrate on the work at hand, how could he concentrate during meditation and build up his monastic life.

If we can focus well on the work at hand, we can meditate well. If we are exercising, we should concentrate on the exercises. If we are doing housework, concentration should be on that. If studying, concentration should be on the subject at hand. This will help us to control our mind and thus have better meditation. The emphasis is focusing on today and whatever we are doing at the moment. The past is gone and we cannot get it back, nor can we replace it. Tomorrow has not arrived; so focus only on the present. Letour motto be ‘Mind, Here and Now’, reminding ourselves of this constantly and practising it as much as possible.

A popular poem titled ‘Look to This Day’ emphasises this idea very well:

Look to this day for it is life, the very life of life.

In its brief course lie all the realities and truths of existence, the joy of growth, the splendour of action, the glory of power. For yesterday is but a memory, and tomorrow is only a vision. But today, well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well, therefore, to this day.

There is a beautiful story of Leo Tolstoy titled ‘The Three Questions’. The morale of which is as follows: The most important time for us is right now; the most important person

The author is a senior sannyasi of the Ramakrishna Order and is serving as President of Vedanta Society of Japan (Nippon Vedanta Kyokai), Kamakura, Japan. medhasananda@gmail.com

for us is the one with whom we are dealing right now; again, the most important pursuit for us is to make that person happy.

While practising our focus on ‘Now’, two more allied practices are quite important and helpful. One is ‘One work at a time!’, meaning that while attending to one work, we should not leave it half-finished to take up another. The second one is ‘Do not rush! Slow down a little!’ A tendency to rush always reveals our inner restlessness. If we want to remedy this, we should check it at the physical level.

Focusing on the ‘Now’ has various positive effects. First, by such focusing we can prevent the frittering away of our time and energy which happens by dwelling on the past or the future, and instead utilise that time and energy for better purposes. Secondly, we can do the job at hand with greater perfection. Thirdly, by utilising ‘the present’ time well, we can build for our better future. Fourthly, though it is almost impossible to stop the sudden appearance of undesirable thoughts in our mind, it depends on us whether or not we allow the mind to dwell on them and make us feel miserable. In this regardthe aforesaid practice will help us to prevent the mind from dwelling on such thoughts. Finally, another great merit of making a schedule is that by asking the mind to follow one, and by reaffirming whether it has been doing so or not, we are actually commanding the mind and supervising it. Thus, we can reverse our present positionwith regard to the mind and can become its master.

Lord Buddha made the f o l l o w i n g p e r t i n e n t observation: “The secret of health for both body and mind is not to mourn for the past nor to anticipate troubles, but to live wisely and earnestly for the present.”

At times we may have nothing particular at hand demanding our full attention, and this is when our mind wanders of its own will. This is detrimental to our control of the mind. During such times, for example, on morning walks, travelling by bus or train, or even during a drive, we may repeat holy names or our mantra, listen to sacred chanting, soothing music, etc., to prevent the mind from wandering aimlessly.

However, practices to stop worrying about the future and focussing on the Now should not deter us from having some basic ideas and plans of our future, which is indeed necessary. What should be avoided is to make a blue print of our future with minute details and fancying about it, as more than often they do not tally with actual events.

Just for Today

In his famous book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living Dale Carnegie quotes a poem, ‘Just for Today’ written in 1856 by Sybil F. Partridge, a Catholic sister also known as Sister Mary Xavier. Since then this poem has been included in the hymns of other Christian

denominations, and many editors and w r i te r s h ave b o r rowe d ve r s e s a n d modernised terminologies to suit their preferences. I too, like the idea that ‘Just for Today’conveys; so I am borrowing this title, and while including some of the poem’s content, I have also added here and there in the following piece to convey the ideas we have discussed above:

‘Just for Today’

1)Just for today, I will try to follow a timetable from early morning when I wake up till I go to bed. This timetable will include time for my physical as well as intellectual, moral, and spiritual development. 2)Just for today, I shall meditate and repeat God’s name for fifteen minutes twice a day, in the morning and in the evening, and thus get connected to God. I shall repeat God’s name at least ten-times when I am engaged in some work, when I am travelling, and also when I take a bath. I shall mentally offer to God whenever, whatever, I eat and drink. 3)Just for today, I shall reflect on the true nature of myself, of other people, and of the universe. 4)Just for today, I shall reflect on the meaning and purpose of my life, and what I have been doing to achieve the goal of my life. 5)Just for today, I shall study spiritual and thought provoking books, and learn something new, as it is important to learn something new every day. 6) Just for today, I shall breathe, breathe, breathe, stretch, stretch, stretch, and walk, walk, walk. 7)Just for today, whatever happens, I shall not become upset, or perturbed, or dissatisfied. I shall not complain, grumble or retort, but try to solve every problem calmly.

8)Just for today, I shall not criticise anyone, or try to reform another, rather, I shall praise others, encourage others, and see the positive qualities in others. 9)Just for today, I shall focus on this day alone. I shall live today, which is at my disposal, as best and as ideally as possible, as if there were no yesterday and will be no tomorrow. 10) Just for today, I will work with the idea that I am an agent of God, and that I am serving God in others with my work, and I shall dedicate my works to God at the end of the day. 11) Just for today, I shall not talk if not asked, not watch TV, read a newspaper, listen to the news, or a mobile phone, or work on a computer. 12) Just for today, I shall try to feel how much I am indebted to other people and Mother Nature, and how much other people and Mother Nature have been contributing to sustain me. I shall pray for others and Mother Nature’s welfare, as I also try to help others.

This 12-verse ‘Just for Today’ includes all the good practices we should undertake for our all-round development and complete transformation. Though ‘Just for Today’ is repeated several times for as many practices, it does not literally mean that we do each of them just once in our lifetime. Rather it suggests that we at least start such a practice, first for one day, and then try to continue doing so daily thereafter. Some of the practices such as ‘to talk only if asked, or to refrain from speaking on a mobile phone’ may not be altogether possible for some people, but they can restrain themselves from it once a week, for a fortnight, or even for a month. Obviously, to practise ‘Just for Today’ we need to make a schedule, as explained earlier.

Restraining Desires and Leading a Moderate Life

Now-a-days people, especially those belonging to the middle class, are enamoured with aspirations for an ever higher standard of living and sky is their limit. This engenders limitless desires, ambition, competition and selfishness, which results in loss of mental peace. Hence, it is imperative that we practise contentment to become satisfied with a moderate way of living, in addition to practising some measure of altruism and laying greater emphasis on such things as creativity, acquisition of knowledge and quality of character than quality of life style. Without these practises it is hard to achieve full control of the mind and enjoy abiding peace by simply following a schedule alone.

In this context the Bhagavad Gita observes: “One who is temperate in food and recreation, who is detached and self-restrained in work, who is regulated in sleep and in vigil, striving for a higher life (yoga) brings about the cessation of all sufferings.” 1

We should also beaware that we wrongly imagine that the chief obstacles for our selftransformation are outside us: our environment, our work, our relatives or friends etc. In reality, the obstacle is inside us — our own mind which offers stiff resistance to any attempt to curtain the freedom it has been enjoying thus far. Our mind is reluctant to take up any new positive practice, because it feels quite comfortable with old habits and old ways of life, however negative they might be.

A Life Worth Living

In conclusion, we may repeat that following a daily schedule and focusing on the ‘Now’ has tremendous benefits. It will help us in our hard times arising out of our failures and various types of sufferings, and it will be our support during the ‘dark nights’ of our soul. When facing adverse conditions, we should just do the practices mechanically, even if our body and mind revolt. Just continuing the practice will help us to overcome difficult situations. Our ‘enemy’ mind which creates endless troubles for us will then turn into our ‘friend’ mind, and act as the ‘Good Samaritan’ referred to in the Bible. It will guide us in the right direction and even lead us to spiritual illumination, the goal of human life. The Bhagavad Gita therefore declares, “One should uplift oneself through the power of the mind, and not depress or degrade oneself. This mind is both our friend and foe. The mind becomes our friend if we conquer it; if we cannot do so, verily, it becomes our foe.” 2

Let us keep a schedule and practise focusing on it, until it becomes a part of our nature. We will then enjoy routine life, and life will become ever more transcendent and worthliving. (Concluded.)

References: 1) Bhagavad Gita. 6:17 2) Ibid. 6:6,7

Life is flowing by like a river. The day that is gone does not return. Blessed is he who uses his time fruitfully. Through many good deeds in many past lives you have been born as a human being. Make this human birth blessed by worshipping the Lord, by meditating on him. Those who complain of lack of time or suitable place can never make any (spiritual) progress in this life.

— Swami Brahmananda

(A Sub-Centre of Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai) S R I R A M A K R I S H N A M A T H , C H E N N A I

AN APPEAL TO DEVOTEES AND WELL-WISHERS

Dear Friends, Namaste. We pray for you and your family.

Sri Ramakrishna Math, Chennai has been rendering service for over 120 years to the society in the fields of Health, Education, Publication of Spiritual & Inspirational books and magazines both in English & Tamil, cultural activities, relief work etc. In order to execute the projects on hand, we appeal to you for contribution.

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Yours in the Service of the Humanity, Swami Gautamananda Adhyaksha