Singaspeaks 80

SingaSpeaks A PERIODIC NEWSLETTER FROM THE RAMAKRISHNA MISSION, SINGAPORE

ROAR 80 | SINGAPORE | SATURDAY | 9 DECEMBER 2017

Unconventional Mantra-Diksha

Photo Courtesy: Toofan, Kolkata

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The Holy Mother whose birth tithi is observed today had initiated erstwhile famous Film Director, Sri Sohrab Modi. His reminiscences about getting mantra-diksha in an unconventional way is reproduced here.

Once Holy Mother returned to Calcutta from Jayrambati after suffering from malaria for a long time. She was very weak and the devotees were not allowed to see her. At that time a young Parsi man named Sorab Modi* came from Bombay. He had read a book by Vivekananda and felt drawn to Vedanta.

Impressed by his sincerity, Saradananda gave him permission to bow down to Holy Mother. Arupananda escorted him to her.

After bowing down, Sorab prayed in Hindi: “Mother, please give me a mantra so that I can realize God.” (* Sorab Modi – or Sohrab Modi – became a famous actor and director of Hindi films in Bombay.)

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PAGE TWO

SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2017

165th Birth Day of Holy Mother Holy Mother asked Arupananda: ‘Shall I initiate him? Let me do so.”

escort me to the Mother and asked me to seek blessings from her. After bowing down to the Mother, I expressed my Arupananda replied: “How is it possible? desire for initiation. Out of compassion You just recovered from a fever. she immediately initiated me. Although Moreover, no one is even allowed to see she did not understand my language and you now. What will Sharat Maharaj think?

I also did not know Bengali, we You had better initiate him later.” communicated well without any difficulty. The Mother spoke in Bengali Holy Mother said: ‘You go and ask and I answered in Hindi. While taking Sharat.” Arupananda rushed to leave from her, I said, “Mother, I am Saradananda and informed him of the going.” The Mother said: “My son, don’t matter. say ‘I am going,’ rather say, ‘I am Saradananda replied: “What can I say? If coming.’” When the Mother’s attendant the Mother wants to initiate that young translated her words to me into English, Parsi man, let her do it.”

I was amazed. I was unaware of the Bengali custom that one should speak When Arupananda returned to Holy that way while leaving. However, I Mother, he found that she had already returned to Bombay with a sweet spread two asanas and was ready with memory of the Mother. She was the Ganges water. After initiation, she wonderful and beautiful. said to Arupananda: “This boy is good.

He understood whatever I said.” (Mayer Thus many years have passed and now I Katha (in one volume), Udbodhan Office: am an old man. I almost forgot the Calcutta, 2004 p: 158) Amazed, Mother all these years (as I was busy Arupananda realized that this was the with the movie industry). Now I am Mother’s play. waiting for the call from above and that call can come any time. I have no Later Sorab Modi related his attraction for this world anymore. reminiscences to Swami Nirmayananda: Now the forgotten Mother is coming to It was 1918. I was then a young man. my mind again and again. Now those My elder brother was a devotee of Sri words of her – “My son, don’t say ‘I am Ramakrishna and from him I first heard going,’ rather say, ‘I am coming.” – are about Sri Sarada Devi. My brother sent ringing in my ears. Now I realize what me from Bombay to Calcutta to meet was then inscrutable to me: I wanted to Holy Mother. After arriving in Calcutta, I go away from the Mother but could not went to Baghbazar to see the Mother, succeed. No one can go away from the who was then very ill. I had heard that Mother. Everyone will have to return to no devotees were allowed to see her. I the Mother. This is the last realization of bowed down to Swami Saradananda and my life: I am coming to my Mother. said: “I have come from Bombay to see the Mother and I want initiation from (Swami Purnatmananda, ed., Sri Sri her.” Observing my passionate appeal, Mayer Padaprante, Udbodhan Office, his mind softened. He asked a monk to Calcutta (Vol. 3:1997 p: 591-92)

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PAGE THREE

SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2017

Series of Spiritual Speeches Swami Tattwamayanandaji Minister-in-Charge of the Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco, USA visited Singapore from 27 to 30 October 2017. He served in the various centres of the Ramakrishna Order in India as editor, publisher and teacher of Sanskrit, Advaitic texts such as Acharya Shankara's commentaries om Prasthanatrayas and Indian & Western philosophy before going to USA in 2012. He was also teaching the trainee-brahmacharins of the Training Centre in Belur Math, the HQ of the Ramakrishna Mission.

The First Speech of Swami Tattwamayananda in the series of Talks was organised under the aegis of the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO) at the Sarada Hall on 27 October 2017. He dwelt on “A New Paradigm in Religious Thought�. The process of evolution is all the time happening in every field. Hence, Religious Thought must also evolve. In this context, he elaborated on the advent of Swami Vivekananda who brought a revolutionary approach in leading a religious life. Sri K Kesavapany, the President of the IRO paid a Vote of Thanks. Mr Rustom Ghadiali, the exPresident of the IRO as well devotees of the Ramakrishna Mission attended the Talk.

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SATURDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2017

Series of Spiritual Speeches

His Second Speech was “The Psychology of Yoga” delivered at the Sarada Hall on 29 October 2017. This was mostly attended by the Yoga Instructors who teach and train in Yoga under the aegis of the Nikam Guruji Yoga Kutir. Sri Atulji, the Hathayoga Master began with the traditional Yoga prayers. The meeting was ably conducted by Sri Uthaychanran, a senior Yoga Instructor.

About 280 people who attended were served with breakfast.

His Third Speech was at the Sarada Hall in the evening of 20 October 2017. He spoke elaborately on “The Dynamics of Devotion”. About 150 people attended the

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Talk. All his speeches provided great insight into the various religious conflicts and were clear on the methods to resolve them. He used extensive quotes from the Sanskrit scriptures.

In the afternoon he was invited to the Sanskrit class where Sri Malladi Srinivas warmly welcomed him.

He also mingled with the children who admirably recited a Sanskrit rhyme. Earlier in the day he visited a group studying “Atma Bodha” of Sri Shankaracharya. He explained certain philosophical concepts to the attendees.

He left for San Fransisco on 30th Nov.

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