Reminiscences
Reminiscences of Sargachhi SRIMAT SWAMI SUHITANANDA JI
(Continued from previous issue. . .)
63
It is true that if one works without clearly understanding the Reality behind this world, then work turns into a bondage. But if one understands Reality and works selflessly, then his inclination for work gradually disappears. This is precisely the reason why Swamiji prescribed for us the path of work. But if, along with this, the aspirant does not have bhakti, yoga, and the discrimination of jnana, then he cannot progress on the spiritual path. Unless he becomes न प्रहृष्त्ये प्रियं प्राप्य “one who does not rejoice on receiving what is pleasant”, (Gita 5:20) what will he achieve by becoming विविक्तदेशसेवित्वं, “resorting to a secluded place (Gita 13:10)? When he sits for meditation, as soon as the mind quietens a little, impulses for work well up from within like bubbles, one after another, and he begins to think, ‘Suchand-such work has not been done.’ Even if he meditates, there may lurk in the mind a hankering for honour. After seeing a little light or some divine form, many feel that they have achieved
everything; very few can go up to the end कश्चिन्मां वेत्ति तत्त्वतः “one perchance knows Me in reality” (Gita 7:3).
उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् । आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।। (Gita 6:5) “Uplift
August 2021
Even Master Mahashaya was against work. He used to say, ‘God comes first and work comes after that.’ He admitted the importance of work when Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi affirmed it; but he didn’t give up his own view. 1
15 The Vedanta Kesari
PA G E D O N O R : S U B R A M A N I YA B H A R AT H I YA R R . , K A N C H E E P U R A M
4.3.61 (Cont...)
your lower self by your higher self. Do not downgrade yourself, for you alone are your own friend, you alone are your own enemy.”
People believe in ‘God’s will’ or ‘Fate written on our forehead’ without understanding it. How can they understand? Mantu’s father is a man of character and a
The author, one of the Vice-Presidents of the Ramakrishna Order, presents here his conversations with Swami Premeshananda (1884-1967), a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi.
