Reminiscences
Reminiscences of Sargachhi SWAMI SUHITANANDA
Swami Premeshananda (1884 – 1967) was a disciple of Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi. He inspired countless men and women to lead a life of spirituality and service. These conversations were noted by the author, now one of the Vice Presidents of the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission, while serving Premeshananda Maharaj at Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Sargachhi, Murshidabad, West Bengal. 41
August 2019
11.10.60
The Vedanta Kesari
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omebody was speaking ill of the attendant . Hearing this, the attendant became depressed. To cheer him up, Maharaj said: Those who are hostile towards you are really your friends. They won’t be the cause of your bondage; they help you to progress on the path of liberation. People with whom you are on affectionate terms actually create your bondage. A person used to severely criticise Sant Tukaram. When that person died, Tukaram shed tears and said, “A true friend of mine has passed away. By criticising me and pointing out all my faults, he kept me on the right path.” ‘I want a person to blossom. And, to the best of my ability, I help him progress in his path. Nobody should be forced to be a sannyasi. The first chapter of the Gita deals with the duties of a sannyasi. ‘My grandfather, my guru, my kith and kin are all in front of me – how am I to kill them?’ Everyone faces such dilemmas. The Bhagavad Gita gives the answer to this question. 25.10.60 Maharaj: Till we are forty we like to mingle with young fellows. After forty a feeling of affection enwraps us and we enjoy loving everybody. We experience tremendous attachment; it is a dreadful bondage. Outwardly
(Continued from previous issue. . .)
it appears as if we are looking upon the world with equanimity. But it is not so. You can test yourself by watching whether or not these things attract your mind when you sit for meditation.
26.10.60 This body is like a net – attractive and delicious fishes are caught in it; the mind then carries them to the intellect. The intellect has its own baggage of impressions with which it compares the new arrivals; it then accepts some and casts away others. Continuously watching this play, I have forgotten that I am merely a spectator – I become delighted and morose because of the happiness and sorrow of this instrument called the body. Alas, what a pity! 27.10.60 Maharaj: Just as a devotee remains intoxicated with the God’s game called creation, a man of knowledge remains engrossed with Brahman. He enjoys himself as he dwells on Brahman’s passing from the state of nirguna to saguna; and on topics like the Primordial Power (prakriti), the Great Cause (karan), Creation (sristi), and the Primeval sound ‘Om’ (anahata dhvani), the Great Being (mahat), the ‘I’Consciousness (ahamkara), and the five Great Elements (pancha tanmatra).
