Book Reviews

Swami Swahananda A Profile in Greatness

by Malay Das Published by Advaita Ashrama, 5 Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata 700 014. Email: mail@ advaitaashrama.org. 2018, paperback, pp.231, Rs.80.

Swami Swahananda was born on June 29, 1921 in Habiganj, in what is now Bangladesh. His father, Nirmal Chandra Goswami, had received initiation from the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi in 1908. Thus, a great spiritual atmosphere was part of the family and his early life. Later, as a senior sannyasi of the Ramakrishna Order, he was the spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of Southern California from 1976 to 2012. It was here that the writer of this book Malay Das, a medical doctor by profession, first encountered this great sadhu. In the Preface the writer says that, for all his inexperience in spiritual life, he could see straightaway that he was in the presence of someone remarkable and rare. ‘He radiated purity and compassion…’ This meeting was in the spring of 1995, just a month after the author’s father had passed away. Submerged in grief, he was feeling rudderless when he got a vision of his parents. In the vision, they assured him that all would be well. Both of them were no strangers to Sri Ramakrishna, having been initiated by Swami Nirvanananda; this vision motivated Dr. Das and his whole family to visit the Hollywood centre. After this first visit, drawn by Swahanandaji’s spiritual benevolence, Dr. Das became a regular visitor to the Centre and in turn Swahanandaji graced Dr. Das’ home on several occasions over the next few years. In the guru-shishya relationship that developed between them, Dr. Das’s perspectives on life underwent a change and this book is a description of this relationship with a sense of awe, reverence, and filial adoration. Incidents and meetings are recounted with precision and care for detail to illustrate Swami Swahananda’s great compassion and love for everyone around him and the consideration he displayed even when seriously ill with cardiac and neurological problems. Dr. Das’ clinical training is evident: passages of intense concern are followed by the clear thinking that an attending doctor must possess. In other parts of the book, the writer brings out the training Swami Swahananda gave him and the manner in which he liberated him from promises he had made to himself which had become impediments to spiritual progress. Every action whether temporal or spiritual or however small is important to Dr. Das. Far away from their home country, both Swami Swahanandaji and Dr. Das and his family recreate a very special bond that exists between a guru and his sishya - paternal concern and authority from the one, obedience and reverence

from the other. The guru’s word is final even if spoken with gentleness and grace. With its simple and sweet descriptions narrated in a crisp and clear style, this book vividly brings out Swami Swahanandaji’s influencing presence in the lives of Dr. Das and his family. Their conversations are not philosophical, but with just a comment here or a word there they highlight some deep truths of life. The book however, is intensely personal. If one were to draw a parallel between this book and another in the same genre — A Disciple’s Journey by Sister Gargi, the difference in the two approaches is immediately apparent: Sister Gargi’s book acquaints us with Swami Ashokananda, while in this book we come to know the writer.

____________________________ PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI

Eternal Words: Spiritual Instructions of Swami Adbhutananda

Compiled by Swami Siddhananda, Translated by Swami

Sarvadevananda

Published by Advaita Ashrama, 5, Dehi Entally Road, Kolkata-700 014. Email:.mail@advaitaashrama.org.2018, paperback, pp.316. Rs.100.

Swami Adhbhutananda, or Latu Maharaj as he was popularly and lovingly known, was one of Sri Ramakrishna’s direct disciples and a wonderful sannyasi. He was the epitome of simplicity; rusticity almost. In an atmosphere otherwise dominated by personalities such as Swami Vivekananda and Swami Brahmananda, who were erudite, aristocratic and self-confident, Latu Maharaj held his own. His is a life that reminds us that being simple is the most difficult thing to achieve. Sri Ramakrishna knew the true value of Latu Maharaj. We, as readers and devotees, learn that every single one of us is as indispensable to this world as Swami Adbhutananda was to the Order. This knowledge gives us hope.

The forty-five chapters of the book show over and over again Latu Maharaj’s devotion for Sri Ramakrishna and his guru-bhais, especially Swami Viveknanda. His generosity and sweetness are obvious in the manner in which he talks about them. This book is the result of Swami Siddhananda’s hard work in keeping a record of the intensely down-to earth wisdom of Swami Adbhutananda, whose seemingly simple words carry weighty connotations. He has brought out the essence of Swami Adbhutananda’s teachings and Swami Sarvadevananda of the Vedanta Society of Southern California has made it available to the English speaking world through his translation, reminding us that Swami Adbhutananda was a highly inspiring sannyasi whose loving counsel helped everyone who crossed his path.

____________________________ PREMA RAGHUNATH, CHENNAI

Jagat Satyam (Continued from page 41...)

but worships Me in images with numerous rituals and rich offerings, I am not at all pleased with him for proferring such worship. A man should, however, worship Me in images, side by side with discharging his duties, which include the love of all beings, until he actually realises My Presence in himself and in all beings.” (III.29:21-25)

The world which for the Jnani is “a framework of illusion” and unreal, gets transformed into truth and “a mansion of mirth” for the Vijnani.