This year the Ramakrishna Centre of S.A. would have completed sixty-six years of fruitful service to the disadvantaged and dispossessed people of South Africa. The monastic and lay devotees of the Centre have worked not only in the fields of religious service and moral regeneration but have also innovatively applied Swami Vivekananda's concept of service to important areas of nation-building like education, heath care, agricultural projects, animal welfare etc. The religious, political and business leadership in the country have often stated that the Centre has played and continues to play a substantial role in nation-building. This work includes poverty alleviation and the entrenchment of such values as peace, social stability, inter-faith understanding and importantly, racial harmony. Most of this work had to be done in the perilous days of apartheid. While the work in South Africa has now become widespread and complex it is necessary for us to reflect upon its early roots.
One day in 1884 while expounding the three important principles of popular Vaishnavism, namely, joy at repeating the name of God, kindness to the living, and service to Vaishnavas (devotees), Sri Ramakrishna fell into silence and then passed into a superconscious ecstasy. A little later, having partially regained external consciousness, he remarked:
"Kindness to living beings! Fool! Who art thou, an insignificant man, to show kindness to them? No, no, not kindness, but service to them, looking upon them as God himself."
Of those present in the room was Narendra (later Swami Vivekananda), whose spiritually attuned mind immediately grasped this utterance as a cosmic revelation on par with the great Vedic insights. Indeed, it was this utterance of Sri Ramakrishna that was the inspiration behind all the ideas and actions of Swami Vivekananda in the domain of selfless service or what Swamiji himself termed "Practical Vedanta". Sri Ramakrishna knew that the Supreme Lord (Shiva) was present in every soul (jiva) and that all help to any distraught soul can be done in a spirit of uplifting worship.
In a sense Sri Ramakrishna's seminal utterance is both an admonition as well as an instruction for spiritual growth. Our attempt to do good to the world is often tainted by arrogance and boastfulness. The desire for name and fame bedevils us. Sri Ramakrishna considered such negative attitudes to be serious impediments on the spiritual path. If continued these attitudes would lead to our downfall. He therefore wanted us to purify our attitude by converting "compassion" into "service", that is to say, we should not arrogantly stand on a high pedestal and profess compassion to suffering humanity by doling out food, clothing etc. Instead he wanted us to cultivate humility and with the practice of seeing God in all we should serve the poor and ignorant as God. This attitude purifies and ennobles the mind leading it to spiritual enlightenment. Once Sri Ramakrishna had come into contact with one of the leading thinkers and philanthropists of Bengal, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee. Sri Ramakrishna advised him:
"Charity! Doing good! How dare you say you can do good to others? Man struts about so much; ... It is God alone that he serves - God who dwells in all beings; and when he serves God, he is really doing good to himself and not to others."
It is a humbling experience to think of the fact that today I may have much wealth and robust health, thus being resourceful to serve the poor. But life is always changing. Tomorrow I may lose all my possessions and be relegated to the position of a poor man. Arrogance is the poison of charity and selfless service. Humility, cultivated through the understanding that God is in all, is the milk that nourishes selfless service.
How often we find social workers complaining of frustration and burnout resulting from their duties. This is because of a fundamental attitudinal defect. Sri Ramakrishna went to the heart of the matter and gave us a philosophy as well as a spiritual discipline that uplifts the mind and replenishes the soul thus bringing us joy and fulfilment through our work.
It is this philosophy that has been the inspiration behind the manifold service projects undertaken by the Ramakrishna Centre in South Africa. Sri Ramakrishna's seemingly casual utterance to Narendra has been the inspiration behind all the activities that have brought relief to thousands of South Africans especially in the era of apartheid when people were disempowered, humiliated and traumatized. At such times the touch of Sri Ramakrishna is always a healing balm.
Sri Ramakrishna's Influence on Me - Talari Anantha Babu
(The "Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna" is a recording of the actual utterances of Sri Ramakrishna. Talari Anantha Babu is the former Advocate General, Government of Andhra Pradesh, India. This article is reproduced from the "Prabuddha Bharata", January 2008.)
In this land, which has given to the world more saints than any other country, Sri Ramakrishna stands out as the nearest approximation to the Divine. In 1942, the first full English edition of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna was released. In 1944, as a student of Madras Law College, I stood first in the university for jurisprudence. I was awarded the 'K K Menon Cash Prize' of Rs 40, with which I was supposed to purchase law books. Breaking the convention, I purchased the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna and another book. I was nineteen years old at that time, and the purchase was intended for my aunt, a renowned social worker and deeply religious lady. Several years passed before I read the book. Once I read it, I was fascinated. The words spoken by holy people have an inexplicably greater impact than the same words spoken by others. We should be eternally grateful to Mahendranath Gupta for reproducing the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna as they were spoken. Probably, when I finally read the book, my heart was open to receive its message. Over the years I must have read it a hundred times. The most admirable and effective feature of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna is the simplicity of thought and expression. This enables even a person who is not learned or intelligent to understand them.
When my wife and I visited Belur Math, Rani Rasmani's temple complex and gardens at Dakshineshwar, and other places hallowed by Sri Ramakrishna's feet, the impact of the teachings of the Gospel on me was enhanced. I imagine that, after returning from this pilgrimage, we were not the same persons, but in some unknown way had changed for the better. It is said in the Bhagavad Gita that God resides in the heart of all beings - ishvarah sarvabhutanam hriddeshe'rjuna tishthati. He is dormant, a passive spectator of what is going on. He can be activated by spiritual discipline. Awareness of him prompts a person to do good and refrain from bad things. As an aspirant's spiritual practices intensify, God plays a more active role in his or her life. When someone is spiritually fully advanced, the divine heart permeates his or her whole being, and the person becomes an avatar. This is my understanding of this phenomenon. I may be right or wrong. I felt this is how Sri Ramakrishna evolved into God. It is said that even Sri Rama did not know he was God. The life of Sri Ramakrishna in my view explains how a human being evolves into God. Thus his life serves as an inspiration to all of us. My constant reading of the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna kindled in me a desire to do good and abstain from doing wrong. If I have not made substantial progress in this practice, it is due to the inadequacy of my efforts. But Sri Ramakrishna has had an inexplicable effect on my entire life.
The years rolled by and I was visiting the Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad, at first occasionally and then frequently. Listening to the lectures of Swami Ranganathananda and Swami Paramarthananda enhanced my worship of Sri Ramakrishna. What fascinated me most was the simplicity of his teachings. The homely manner in which he stated propositions of great philosophical depth went straight to my heart. As I look back, I realize that this fascination and the sense of homage I developed for Sri Ramakrishna was responsible for my endeavouring to share this experience and happiness with others, though I have never precisely analysed this aspect of my life. The most convenient procedure for me was to distribute Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature and other religious books like the Gita to others, irrespective of whether they would be interested in and benefited by these books or not. I was confident that, if not the recipient, somebody or other would benefit. Under the inspiration of Sri Ramakrishna's teachings, I also wrote a book in English-God and the Householder-which is available in Telugu and Hindi editions. The contents of the book reflect my understanding of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna as set out in the Gospel. These books have proved very popular. I have also distributed more than a million books of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature. I have derived more joy from this activity than from all my successes and achievements in other walks of life. An attempt to analyse the impact of Sri Ramakrishna on my life in words is an exercise in futility. The responses of the heart are too fine and subtle to be expressed in words. I would conclude by saying that my contact with Sri Ramakrishna through the Gospel has enriched my whole life and left me a better human being.
Sri Sarada Devi Teaches... The Nature of Human Suffering
The creation itself is full of misery and happiness. Could anyone appreciate happiness if misery did not exist? Besides, how is it possible for all persons to be happy? Sita once said to Rama, 'Why don't you remove the suffering and unhappiness of all your subjects? Please make all the inhabitants of your kingdom happy. If you only will, you can easily do it.' Rama said, 'Is it ever possible for all persons to be happy at the same time?' 'Why not?' asked Sita. 'Please supply from the royal treasury the means of satisfying everyone's wants.' 'All right,' said Rama, 'your will shall be carried out'. Rama sent for Lakshmana and said to him, 'Go and notify everyone in my empire that he may get whatever he wants from the royal treasury.' At this, the subjects of Rama came to the palace and told their wants. The royal treasury began to flow without stint. When everyone was spending his days joyously, through the maya of Rama, the roof of the building in which Rama and Sita lived started to leak. Workmen were sent for to repair the building. But where were workmen to be had? There was not a labourer in the kingdom. In the absence of masons, carpenters, and artisans, all buildings went out of repair, and work was at a standstill. The subjects of Rama informed the king of their difficulties. Finding no other help, Sita said to Rama, 'It is no longer possible to bear the discomfort of the leaking roof. Please arrange things as they were before. Then all will be able to procure workmen. Now I realize that it is not possible for all persons to be happy at the same time.' 'Let it be so' said Rama. Instantaneously all things were as before, and workmen could once more be engaged. Sita said to Rama, 'Lord, this creation is your wonderful sport!' No one can suffer for all time. No one will spend all his days on this earth in suffering. Every action brings its own result, and one gets one's opportunities accordingly.
"It is a privilege to serve mankind, for this is the worship of God; God is here, in all these human souls. He is the soul of man."
~ Swami Vivekananda
The Living God
'He who is in you
and is outside of you,
who works through every hand,
who walks through every foot,
whose body you are, Him worship,
and break all other idols.
'He who is the high and the low,
the saint and the sinner,
the god and the worm, Him worship, the visible,
the knowable,
the real, the omnipresent,
break all other idols.
'In whom there is neither
past life nor future birth,
nor death nor going or coming,
in whom we always have been
and always will be one, Him worship,
break all other idols.
'Ay, fools
neglecting the living gods
and His infinite reflection,
with which the world is full,
and running after
imaginary shadows! Him worship, the only visible,
and break all other idols.'
(Holy ashes offered to and accepted as prasada from Lord Shiva can indeed do wonders - from removing obstacles to bringing peace of mind. The following is adapted from the weekly Gita Lectures by Swami Vimokshananda. These lectures are conducted on Tuesdays from 7 - 8 p.m. at the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Glen Anil.)
Lord Shiva
Aum Namah Shivaya!
This panchakshara (five-lettered mantra) is potentially efficacious in warding off evils and bestowing grace and peace of mind. Sages, saints and innumerable devotees of Lord Shiva have been chanting this mantra repeatedly all through the ages.
In the life of the Master, Sri Ramakrishna, we find his mother Chandradevi once going to the temple of Jugi Shiva in Kamarpukur. She suddenly saw a divine effulgence coming from the holy image (linga) of the great Lord Shiva. This bright light filled the temple and rushed towards her in waves. Engulfing her, the light swiftly entered into her body. Stunned with wonder and fear Chandradevi fell down unconscious. After recovering she felt that she was pregnant with a child. Some months passed by and the maidservant, Dhani, was helping Chandradevi during the pangs of labour. When the baby was born Dhani kept the baby aside and was rendering necessary help to the mother. When Dhani came back she was surprised to find that the baby had disappeared.
The maid servant Dhani finds baby Gadai joyfully lying in the fireplace.
Alarmed, she took a lamp and after searching, found to her great surprise that the baby had rolled down the ground and into the hollow fireplace. The babe was simply lying there with his little body fully smeared with ashes and still not crying!
Shiva's ashes had a great charming effect on the mind of the Master. Indeed, whilst under instruction from his guru, Tota Puri, Sri Ramakrishna would smear Shiva's ashes all over his body while practising meditation. At "golden" Varanasi Sri Ramakrishna had the vision of Shiva. In the words of the Master, "I saw a tall white figure with tawny matted hair steadily approach each funeral pyre in turn, carefully raise each individual soul from its cast-off body, and whisper into its ear the particular name of Brahman that liberates a soul. Seated on the opposite side of the pyre, the all-powerful Divine Mother Kali untied the gross, subtle, and causal knots of bondage created by each individual soul, thus sending the soul to the Absolute by opening the gate of liberation."
In the Puranas we find that once the great sage Durvasa was chanting the mantra 'Sarvaatman Shivashankara Srimaatar Bhuvaneshwari' and moving about the heavenly regions. Durvasa then came upon Lord Yamaraja, the Lord of Death. Yamaraja welcomed him and led him to the city which was called Dharmapuri. Whilst moving about the city, Durvasa intermittently heard piteous sounds of weeping and wailing. Surprised, Durvasa asked Yamaraja where these crying sounds were coming.
The dispenser of Justice, Yamaraj, explained to Durvasa that there were fourteen heavens and twenty eight hells under his control. The cries that Durvasa heard emanated from one of the hells called Kumbhipaka Naraka. People of sinful nature who did not properly respect their elders and ancestors by not offering pinda and udaka (riceballs and water - scripturally required offerings) were the cause of their ancestors' downfall into Kumbhipaka Naraka.
Hearing the heart rending cries, Durvasa requested Lord Yama to allow him to visit Kumbhipaka Naraka. Lord Yama obliged and arranged for his men to take Durvasa to that hell.
Upon reaching there, Durvasa was greatly surprised to find that Kumbhipaka Naraka was not looking like a hell at all. No weeping and neither wailing. Instead the inhabitants were found cheerfully relaxing on comfortable beds, having their drinks and meals served by a host of attendants. Yamaraj's men were also taken by surprise.
They immediately rushed back to Lord Yama and informed him of the wonderful sight they had seen in Kumbhipaka Naraka. Yamaraja thereupon informed Indra, the Lord of the Devatas, about the sudden change of the the hell into heaven. Not knowing the reason thereof Indra came to Kumbhipaka Naraka on his airavata (celestial elephant).
On inspection, Indra was also bewildered as to how the hell could change into a heaven overnight. The Devatas led by Indra approached Brahma, the Lord of Creation. Lord Brahma could not give any answer; so the Devatas turned to Lord Vishnu from whom they could also not elicit any answer.
When finally they approached Lord Shiva for an explanation Lord Shiva smiled and said that it was the visit of Durvasa to that hell that brought about the wonderful transformation. Surprised at this the Devatas asked Lord Shiva what Durvasa did to enable the change.
Lord Shiva proclaimed that Durvasa was indeed a great Shivabakta, devotee of Shiva. Everyday after having a bath, Durvasa would smear the holy ashes of Lord Shiva on his forehead and upper body. Due to Durvasa being jolted on hearing the piteous cries, particles of the holy ashes fell on the grounds of Kumbhipaka Naraka.
Lord Shiva continued to say that, from ashes came creation and eventually all will be reduced to ashes and whoever applies holy ash to his body would remember this. By putting ashes on one's body, a devotee can develop detachment with his body/mind complex. This would make him realise the Truth behind all these changing phenomena because Shiva is Truth (Satyam), Auspiciousness (Shivam) and indeed Beauty (Sundaram) itself.
Jai Shiva Shankara! (Hail Victory to Lord Shiva Shankara!)
Aum Nama Shivaya!
Vasishtha Guha: A Sacred Cave - Pravrajika Ishtaprana
(Pravrajika Ishtaprana, Head - Sri Sarada Devi Ashram, recalls her blessed visit, in 2007, to the holy cave "Vasishtha Guha". Revered Mataji beautifully captures the serene and holy atmosphere of the Guha in the following account.)
Sage Vasishtha is one of the celebrated seven saints of ancient times. He had performed many severe austerities and had conquered passions like anger and selfish desires. The learned saint was the preceptor of illustrious kings like Sri Rama and Raja Harischandra. On the way to Badrinath there is a cave or Guha named Vasishtha Guha, which is about twenty-two kilometres north of Rishikesh. It is said that the renowned sage had lived and meditated here. The sacred river Ganga, which flows about a hundred meters from the cave, adds to the sanctity of the surroundings. We walked down the long winding, simply paved pathway leading from the main road to the cave. We saw the cows grazing and heard many colourful birds chirping sweetly. While some devotees were occupied with the activities of the Ashrama, others meditated in the cave. We entered the cave quietly and sat to meditate. Anyone who enters this extraordinary cave feels calm and peaceful. The regular chanting of God's name creates a divine atmosphere, pure and holy. The spiritual vibrations that permeate the Ashrama enable one to feel the living presence of God.
Interior view of Vasishtha Guha with Shiva Linga.
The cave is a few meters long. It is slightly broad at the entrance and gets narrower as we go in. It is dimly lit by the steady lamp that burns at the far end. As one gets accustomed to the darkness, one sees on a raised pedestal a beautiful Shiva Linga decorated with flowers and bilva leaves that have been offered. There is an image of Lord Shiva, a bell and other vessels used for worship. The sweet aroma of the incense that fills the air, the serene environment and the soft sound of the Ganges flowing nearby are heavenly.
Swami Purushottamananda
We may wonder what makes Vasishtha Guha, in the remote part of Uttaranchal, significant to devotees of Sri Ramakrishna in South Africa? Swami Nischalanandaji, the founder of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, was initiated into sannyasa in these sacred grounds. Swami Purushottamanandaji was the disciple of Revered Swami Brahmanandaji Maharaj, a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna. During the 1930's, Swami Purushottamanandaji meditated and lived in the cave for thirty years until his mahasamadhi on the auspicious night of Mahashivaratri in February 1961. Through his selfless efforts, he had founded a hospital and a school for the poor of that locality. His power of spirituality and absolute renunciation made him well known as the saint of Vasishtha Guha. Some of his disciples still live in the Ashrama establishedby him and continue the work he had started. Swami Nischalanandaji had received mantra diksha from Revered Swami Virajanandaji Maharaj (the 6th President of the Ramakrishna Order) and was initiated into sannyasa by Sri Swami Purushottamanandaji. A divine spark or power emanated from this cave and came all the way to South Africa for the benefit of thousands of souls. This spark is now like the luminous sun, guiding and bringing light to many.
Sri Ramakrishna says, "The mind cannot dwell on God if it is immersed day and night in worldliness, in worldly duties and responsibilities; it is most necessary to go into solitude now and then and think of God...". To meditate, you should withdraw within yourself or retire to a secluded corner or to the forest." This seems to be the ideal place for one to experience the bliss of divine solitude. Although one cannot see God with the physical eyes, one feels the tangible presence of a protective power. One cannot help but imagine how the ancient sages lived simple lives with few possessions, performed rigorous austerities and experienced the ecstasy of constant communion with God. Their minds were so pure that the divine in them was clearly manifest. Life here is very simple and unsophisticated but vibrant with spirituality. The tranquil atmosphere automatically draws one's mind to the Lord within. The feeling that God alone is real and the world is unreal becomes evident. The outer world seems to be a passing shadow, the only reality being Brahman, on whom the whole of creation rests.
We reluctantly left the cave. The senior monk warmly welcomed us and offered prasad. We then walked over the stony pathway to Mother Ganga, listening to the water lapping against the bank. We took a dip in the cool, placid water. The words of Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita came to mind. Arjuna asked Sri Krishna: (chapter 10, verse 17) "How may I know you, O Yogi, by constant meditation? In what varied aspects are you to be thought of by me, O Lord?" Among the many wonderful descriptions, Sri Krishna says, ‘I am the Self seated in the hearts of all beings. ... of immovable things I am the Himalayas... and of rivers I am the Ganges.' One, who touches this holy river, indeed touches God. With joined palms, we offered silent prayers and chanted the Ganga Stotram. Rejuvenated by the crystal clear water we filled bottles of this nectar to bring some home.
The Ganga is the flowing Brahman. Her waters are soothing and invigorating. The compassionate Lord manifests in thousands of forms so that we can feel Him, touch him and experience his glorious presence. Caught in the mundane existence of daily life we forget the very purpose of life. Having the darshan of Mother Ganga is an enriching experience, cherished by all who have faith in her. People bathe in it to refresh themselves, to become pure or simply for the love of being in her cool lap. We had seen that at other places like Haridwar the Ganga is deep, fast-flowing and powerful. No one dared go deep into her waters for fear of being swept by the strong current. But whether the water is gentle and calm or rough and strong, whether it is clear or brown, one is charmed by Mother Ganga whose grace embraces all.
Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "I see clearly that it is God Himself who has become the universe and its twenty-four cosmic principles." The clear blue sky, the tall mountains that seem to touch the sky, the lush green trees of the forests nearby, the fresh air, the gentle murmuring of the Ganga and the melodious chanting of sacred mantras are simply heavenly. The picturesque scene is so captivating that one forgets the humdrum of city life and is transported to infinite peace. In that secluded region of the gods, there are no telephones, no cell phones and no televisions.
One can sit in any hallowed shrine and imbibe the divine vibrations. A pilgrimage is fruitful if it transforms our lives and cultivates devotion to God. When faced by the difficult challenges of life, one can recall the inspiring moments that one may have experienced and be encouraged to go forward. Sri Ramakrishna says: "As cows, after eating their fill, lie down quietly at a place and chew the cud, so after visiting a sacred spot or a place of pilgrimage, you must take hold of the holy thoughts that arise in the mind while there, sit down in a solitary corner and think of them till you are immersed in them. You must not devote yourself to the pursuit of the senses, which drive away the higher ideas from your mind immediately after you leave holy places."
Once Sri Ramakrishna's niece, Lakshmi heard from him that Lord Krishna lives under the Kadamba tree. So one day she went looking for a Kadamba tree to meet Sri Krishna. She went to all the neighbouring villages but could not find one. When she returned Sri Ramakrishna saw her sad face and asked, "Lakshmi, where have you been?" She replied, "I have been looking for the Kadamba tree." "That Kadamba tree is not outside, Lakshmi. It is within," said the Master. Ultimately we realise that God is within our hearts. That which we worship outside is a symbol of that which is within. One who regularly meditates in the inner sanctuary of one's heart - free of lust, anger and greed - realises this truth.
To the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa's Website
Vice President Maharaj's Visit
