Reminiscences
Reminiscences of Sargachhi SRIMAT SWAMI SUHITANANDA JI
(Continued from previous issue. . .)
66
came from aristocratic families; yet they would farm eggplants. We had to manage with rice, roasted eggplants and lentils. On the Ekadashis we used to take soaked moong beans for dinner.
Once a general meeting was held in Sylhet. A song had to be sung. Soumyananda said that he was not prepared. What to do? It was the closing song. I told him, “You accompany me on the harmonium, I will sing.” With what feelings I sang the song! Aji kokilakujane (opening words of a song on Sri Ra m a k r i s h n a’ s a dve n t c o m p o s e d by Premeshanandaji) Radhu [Holy Mother’s niece Radha Rani] used to sing this song for Holy Mother. Sharat Maharaj too sang it one day. I am dead against harmonium. But to sing without the accompaniment of a harmonium you need to have a sweet voice. Mahapurush Maharaj sang this song one day – he had a very sweet voice. He danced as he sang the song. One day I asked Mahapurush Maharaj if a line describing Sri Ramakrishna’s effulgent smile was correct. He replied, “Yes, yes it’s all right.” Once, Master Mahashay sang to us the song – O kathure tui
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.
November 2021
Maharaj: God Himself has come! We felt like sharing this news with everyone. We started announcing that this is the advent of the Satyayuga; all will be equal, there will be no discrimination. Helay porhe dhulay shayan vishva-sabhay tar prayojan (a line from a Bengali song composed by Premeshanandaji; it means: “(Mother India is) neglected and lying in the dust, yet the world is in need of her.” These songs of mine are from the time when we were under British rule; they don’t appeal so much now. With the advent of Sri Ramakrishna, we felt we are saved. As for myself, I was at my wits’ end thinking, “What should I do Where should I go?” Fortunately, I got shelter in Sri Ramakrishna. We made the people of Sylhet deeply engaged with his teachings. Girishbabu and Devenbabu started composing songs on Sri Ramakrishna. Then, for some time, there was a lull. Then the tidal wave emerged from Sylhet – the land was inundated by a flood of songs expressing love for Sri Ramakrishna. I would compose songs and, along with Soumyananda, organise meetings in the subdivision to attract boys to Sri Ramakrishna. Oh, how intoxicating were those days! We had a small room thatched with straw and there was no provision for food. The boys
15 The Vedanta Kesari
PA G E D O N O R : S M T. B R A G A D A S . , C H E N N A I
6.4.61 (continued…)
