Reminiscences
Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA
(Continued from previous issue. . .) The author, now one of the Vice Presidents of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, noted these conversations while serving Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, Murshidabad, West Bengal. Premeshananda Maharaj was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. He inspired countless men and women to lead a life of spirituality and service. These reminiscences were originally published in Bengali.
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environment? Or will you rather try your utmost with whatever is at hand? I didn’t get help from anybody. But I have learnt at least something; otherwise why would you all come to me? Throughout your life, if you just study the Gita, The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, and Swamiji’s four books on Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Raja Yoga, then you don’t have to worry about your spiritual growth. You will surely proceed towards the goal. Immerse yourself in sadhana, or you will be tossed into the fiery trials and tribulations of the world. Question: What is the highest yoga according to the Gita? Maharaj:
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः। कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ।। 6.46 योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना। श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः।। 6.47
‘The yogi is regarded as greater than ascetics, greater than even men of knowledge, greater also than performers of action; therefore, be a yogi, O Arjuna. Of all yogis, he who, possessed of faith, worships Me with his mind absorbed in Me, is considered by Me, the greatest.’ The Lord is declaring, ‘My devotee is the greatest.’ Jnana, Karma, Bhakti and Raja yogas are incomplete in themselves; bereft of the others, none of them can achieve union with
June 2019
23.9.60 (contd…) ork keeps the mind in good condition and diverts it away from physical suffering. This morning, when my eyes felt very painful, I applied oil. Then I applied oil to another part of my body. At that moment, when the mind was diverted away from the eye, I found I did not experience even a trace of the eye pain. This indicates that I am not the body. If my mind is here and my son dies in Kolkata, I won’t sense it at all. However, it is difficult to understand that my mind is not me. Therefore, we have to keep the mind united with something very sacred; then, gradually the mind will be uplifted and become a path to liberation. Workaholic people are not bad; they are making progress. But this is not a sannyasi’s life. I too have worked a lot – in fact I became madly engrossed in work. But if, within you, you have devotion, knowledge, and deep meditation, then you can detach yourself from work whenever you wish. If you don’t do this, then work will become a bondage and bring about your downfall. I admit your difficulties—that there is nobody from whom you can seek guidance. But what is the way out? Accept this as a fact of life. Is there any use spending time lamenting your lot? Will you waste time waiting for a favourable
17 The Vedanta Kesari
PA G E S P O N S O R : D R . R A M YA S . , C H E N N A I
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