Editorial: Role Model - A great Aid for Spiritual Transformation
In society there will always be people who yearn for peace and enlightenment. Having been through many difficulties they feel that the world is tasteless and unfulfilling. Such people having discovered no joy in the fleeting pleasures of the world turn their minds to God for permanent happiness. These souls are called spiritual aspirants. Such aspirants live in a state of 'craving' for Spiritual Enlightenment. Depending on the intensity of this craving this state can be agonizing. But the agony is undoubtedly positive and may be compared to the tension that a student goes through before an important examination. Contradictory as it seems it is however true that anticipatory joy is a part of that agony. This is the positive part of the spiritual quest. One sees how Sri Ramakrishna's uncommon yearning for God-vision took him through agonizing times. The result was evident - he experienced infinite Peace and the Joy of God-consciousness.
As a spiritual aspirant traverses this path he or she passes through doubts and confusion, insecurities and obstacles. These are difficult days and aspirants consciously or unconsciously seek help from other developed or enlightened souls. Firstly, an aspirant would want to see a good example of spiritual life before him. Secondly, there could be no better way to validate spiritual life than by living in close proximity with an enlightened saint. Such role-models are of inestimable help to an aspirant.
In the Ramayana, the robber Ratnakar, who was transformed into the saint Valmiki, asked Narada, "In this world today, who is there endowed with excellent and heroic qualities, versed in all the duties of life, grateful, truthful, firm in his vows, an actor of many parts, benevolent to all beings, learned, eloquent, handsome, patient, slow to anger, one who is truly great, free from envy, and who, when excited to wrath, can strike terror into the hearts of celestial beings? O Sage, I would hear of such a man from thee, who art able to describe him to me." In this single query Ratnakar articulates his quest for a role-model, an exemplar of moral values and spiritual qualities. When Narada acquaints him with such a hero in the person of Lord Rama then Ratnakar has an Ideal before him. Contemplation on the role-model transforms the villain into a saint.
In the Bhagavad Gita (2.54) Arjuna also in quest of an Ideal asks Lord Krishna of such a person, "... How should such a man speak, how should he sit, how should he walk?" Arjuna, whose mind is going through the process of goal-setting, wants some discernable signs, some distinguishing features of an enlightened person. Such a quest for a role-model helps in setting spiritual goals. Common people follow the standards set by great people. These enlightened souls who are anchored in God and whose vision remains untrammeled by worldliness form the best catalyst to transform an aspirant into a saint.
In modern times there is the wonderful example of Swami Vivekananda. Before he became the world-famous spiritual teacher he led the life of a spiritual aspirant going through all the agonies and insecurities of a seeker of God. He too, was in quest of an ideal. With his Western education, sharp intellect, analytical powers and an innate suspicion for untruth he was searching for an ideal. But given his natural disposition, an ordinary ideal could not satisfy him. Through questioning and examining he found fulfillment in his Master, Sri Ramakrishna. In this ideal he found the living commentary of all the scriptures. His contact with Sri Ramakrishna gave him the insight that the spiritual path was valid, that yearning for God-vision was a necessity and that the ultimate goal, God, was a reality. Devotion, faith and knowledge blossomed rapidly in Swami Vivekananda as a result of him having an Ideal before his very eyes. Sri Ramakrishna was his role-model.
We may complain that there is a dearth of role-models and spiritual ideals. Sri Ramakrishna has correctly pointed out to us that it is not the role-model or ideal that is wanting. More importantly, it is the earnestness and enthusiasm of the aspirant that is lacking. Sri Ramakrishna says, "If you are in right earnest to be good and pure, God will send you the Sat Guru, the right teacher. Earnestness is the one thing necessary."
(The scriptures advise the need for recollection of sacred places and spiritual Ideals. Association with Sri Ramakrishna and the environment in which he lived inspires spiritual thoughts. In this article we have an insight into such aids to spiritual recollection.)
Sri Ramakrishna lived for nearly thirty years in the Dakshineswar Temple compound near Kolkata, in two different rooms. For fourteen years (1871 - 1885), he stayed in a room situated in the northeast corner of the Temple courtyard. Mahendranath Gupta or M. was a householder disciple of Sri Ramakrishna and recorder of The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna. After Sri Ramakrishna's mahasamadhi, M. would advise devotees:
'One should see everything connected with the Master in detail. For example, in the Master's room there are beds, a jar containing Ganges water, pictures of gods and goddesses - Kali, Krishna, Rama, Chaitanya and his kirtan party, Dhruva, Prahlad, Christ extending his hand to the drowning Peter, and a white marble image of Buddha which was given to him by Rani Katyayani, the wife of Lalababu. There was a picture of the goddess of learning on the western wall. Whenever a new person would come, the Master would look at that picture and pray, "Mother, I am an unlettered person. Please sit on my tongue," and then he would speak to him. If a person can imprint these divine sights on his mind, he will have deep meditation, and even sitting at home he can live at Dakshineswar with the Master.'
Interior view of Sri Ramakrishna's Room as it is preserved today.
The following are another two examples of these 'divine sights' recorded with poetic prose in The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna:
'At dusk incense was burnt in Sri Ramakrishna's room, and, as usual, he bowed before the pictures of gods and goddesses on the walls and chanted their names softly. From outside one could hear the murmuring of the Ganges and the music of the evening worship in the temples of Kali, Vishnu, and Siva. Through the door one could see the priest at a distance moving from one temple to another, a bell in his left hand and a light in his right, an attendant carrying the gong. The evening melody was in harmony with the spirit of the hour and place and with the innermost thoughts of the worshippers. For the time being the sordid things of daily life were forgotten.'
'After a while he [Sri Ramakrishna] returned to his room and sat on the small couch. It was past three in the afternoon. The devotees took their seats on the floor. The Master sat in silence before them, now and then casting a glance at the walls, where many pictures were hanging. ...Suddenly Sri Ramakrishna turned to M. and said: "You see, it is good to keep pictures of sannyasis and holy men in one's room. When you get up in the morning you should see the faces of holy persons rather than the faces of other men."'
(Sri Ramakrishna would often tell those who came to him that they should live in the world with complete detachment, performing all their necessary duties, but with their minds firmly fixed on God. In the following reminiscences we see this ideal exemplified in the life of the Holy Mother, Sri Sarada Devi. Swami Saradeshananda, the author of this article, was a disciple and an attendant of the Holy Mother.)
At Jayrambati the Mother would first feed the [spiritual] sons [monks, brahmacharis and male devotees] and then would sit for her own food with the women. So it was difficult for the sons to have the prasad after she took it, thus making it her own prasad too.
Once on her birthday anniversary the sons made a special request to the Mother that they would have prasad that day after the Mother had her meal of the food-offerings made in the shrine. The Mother did not raise any objection to this that day. After the Mother finished the bhoga (food-offering) to the Master, she was asked to sit on a fine asana [seat] in Nalini-Didi's room, and the various dishes (items) of the bhoga were arranged properly in front of her, as they do before a Goddess. The Mother sat down for her meal. But hardly had she taken two or three mouthfuls when she said very pathetically to a son in front of her who was managing everything that day, "Food refuses to go down my throat before my boys have had their meal!" Looking at the Mother's face and seeing her pathetic condition, the sons were brought to their senses. They realised what a blunder they had committed. The result of their attempt to convert her into a Devi, a Goddess, was that the Mother had to go without food. They should really have had their meal first and then arranged for the Mother's meals with the women as usual. The Mother got up from the asana saying, "Now quickly manage to have your own meal." She had simply tasted a little of the offered food.
That day there were many other things that attracted our attention. I shall try to describe here only two of them.
At that time there had collected at Jayrambati many disciple-sons, sadhus and devotees, to attend the function, which was celebrated on a grand scale. In the morning, after the worship of the Master was finished, the Mother sat on her bed to accept the worship of her children. The revered Kapil Maharaj had come from the Udbodhan with many presents including fruits, sweets and a new cloth. The revered Sarat Maharaj, Yogin-Ma, Golap-Ma and others had sent with great care many nice articles for the occasion. Putting on a new sari, the Mother sat facing the west with a beaming countenance, her hands resting on her lap and her legs dangling. Kapil Maharaj put round her neck a beautiful garland of yellow and dark-brown marigold, made by a son with the flowers gathered from the Mother's garden. The long garland falling over the black tresses and the milk-white cloth produced a captivating picture of the Mother, whose face was shining today with a wonderful divine grace. A divine atmosphere and the appearance of the residence of a Deity pervaded the interior of the house. It was filled with systematically arranged offerings, flowers of different hues, scented incense and bright lights. The elder sannyasins, followed by the brahmacharins and the devotees, laid pushpanjali (offering of flowers) at her feet and made pranams with great devotion, one by one. The outsiders who chanced to be present there, watched this scene entranced, with their hands folded. Some of them even offered pushpanjali and made pranams to her, touching her feet. It was indeed true that the Mother was the 'Wish-fulfilling Tree' that day, showering her grace on everybody present there. But later on, some of her children had misgivings about what took place that day. They had the apprehension that undesirable consequences would follow from the Mother's pure body being allowed to be touched by all and sundry indiscriminately. And it did actually happen so. For, from that very evening the Mother started having high fever and a severe burning sensation in her body.
A little before noon that day, when everybody in the house was attending the ceremonies connected with the birthday celebration, bhajan - or, devotional music was being sung in the adjoining room, and inside the house various preparations were being cooked for the bhoga. The Mother herself was at that time seen cutting vegetables on one side of the verandah of the kitchen, preparing the diet for Sejo-Mami (the third aunt), and taking it to her. The Mami was then indisposed in the confinement room, having given birth to her youngest son, Vijay, just a few days back. There was no other lady in her room. The Mother looked after her with great love and affection.
Seeing this wonderful action of hers, the thought arose in my mind: "For whom was this birthday celebration being observed with such eclat? Was this the illustration of complete detachment, comparable to a drop of water on a lotus leaf? Is this the way that a maid-servant lives in a rich man's house, as described in the parable of the Master? It was only the children of the Mother who were busying themselves, making the occasion an excuse, while she herself was completely detached. There was not the slightest ruffle in her mind."
(Reprinted from" "The Mother as I Saw Her" by Swami Saradeshananda. Ramakrishna Math, Chennai, 2003.)
(Swami Vivekananda had taught that "Service to man is worship of God". The following two incidents show us the extent of his love for all humankind.)
Swami Turiyananda [a direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna] relates another incident indicative of the profound love for all men that there was in the Swami's [Vivekananda's] heart. ... It took place at Balaram Bose's home in Kolkata, where the Swami was staying for a time. Swami Turiyananda said:
I came to see Swamiji and found him walking alone on the veranda lost in such deep thought that he did not perceive my arrival. I kept quiet, lest I should interrupt his reverie. After some time Swamiji, with tears rolling down his cheeks, began to hum a well-known song of Mirabai. Then, with his face in his bands and leaning on the railings, he sang in anguished tones, "Oh, nobody understands my sorrow! Nobody understands my sorrow!" The sad strains, and Swamiji's dejection, seemed to affect even the objects around him! The whole atmosphere vibrated with the sad melody: "No one but the sufferer knows the pangs of sorrows." His voice pierced my heart like an arrow, moving me to tears. Not knowing the cause of Swamiji's sorrow I was very uneasy. But it soon flashed upon me that it was a tremendous universal sympathy with the suffering and oppressed that was the cause of his mood.
In the latter part of 1901, a number of Santal labourers were engaged to clear and level the Math grounds. The Swami would talk freely with them and listen to their tales of weal and woe. It was a relaxation for him from his work and tense state of mind. One day some gentlemen of wealth and position came to see him while he was talking with these poor labourers. When he was told of the arrival of the visitors, he said, "I shan't be able to go now. I am quite happy with these people!"
The Swami was specially fond of one of the Santals, Keshta by name. This man used to say, "O Swami, don't come to us when we are working, for we cannot work while we talk to you, and the supervising Swami takes us to task for not doing our full measure of work!" At these words the Swami was visibly affected. He assured them that Swami Advaitananda, the Swami referred to, would not scold them. Sometimes, hearing of their wants and miseries, the Swami would be moved to tears; then Keshta would say, "Now you must go, Swami! We won't tell you any more of our troubles, for it makes you weep!"
One day the Swami asked Keshta, "Would you all like to have a feast here?" ...The menu included puris, sweets, yoghurt, and other tasty items. The Swami himself supervised the arrangements and the serving of food to his guests. From time to time the Santals exclaimed: "Oh Swami! where did you get such fine things from? We have never tasted such dishes before." When the meal was over, the Swami told them, "You are Narayanas; today I have entertained the Lord Himself by feeding you!" Later, to a disciple he remarked, "I actually saw the Lord Himself in them! How simple-hearted and guileless they are!"
Shortly after the feast was given, the Swami said to the sannyasis and brahmacharins of the Math: "See how simple-hearted these poor illiterate people are! Can you mitigate their misery a little? If not, of what use is your wearing the ochre-robe? Sacrificing everything for the good of others - this is true sannyasa. Sometimes I think within myself, 'What is the good of building monasteries and so forth! Why not sell them and distribute the money among the poor? What should we care for homes, we who have made the tree our shelter? Alas! how can we have the heart to put a morsel to our mouths, when our countrymen have not enough with which to feed and clothe themselves!' Let us, throwing away all pride of learning and study of the Shastras, and all spiritual disciplines for the attainment of personal Mukti, go from village to village, devoting our lives to the service of the poor. Let us, through the force of our character and spirituality and our austere living, convince the rich man of his duty to the masses and induce him to give money for the service of the poor and the distressed. How I wish to ... go out and bring together one and all, calling out, 'Come, all ye that are poor and destitute, fallen and downtrodden! We are one in the name of Ramakrishna!"'
(Reprinted from: "The Life of Swami Vivekananda" by His Eastern and Western Disciples. Advaita Ashrama, Mayavati, 2008.)
President's Page: Youth: Guidelines for Successful Living!
(The success of a nation largely depends on the quality of its future generations - the youth. The following article is based on an address delivered by Swami Vimokshananda to the youth of the Centre at a Youth Programme on Sunday, 25 January 2009 at the Centre, Glen Anil.)
A great philosopher is quoted as saying, "The children now live in luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise. Children are now tyrants, not the servants of their households. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble up dainties at the table, cross their legs, and tyrannize their teachers."
This may seem to reflect our current youth, but this was said by the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates who lived in the 4th century B.C! So we find from time immemorial, that youth and their elders have always been at loggerheads. Youth are at an important and yet confusing part of their lives. They are constantly looking for ideals to hold onto. But they can also be rebellious, wanting to step away from social norms.
Our Centre, is alive to the problems of our modern day youth. We realise the importance of youth-development and hence hold these youth retreats twice a year. The holy atmosphere of the Temple grounds is conducive to developing character. A well-balanced character is essential for successful living.
At this juncture of your lives it is important to have a good role-model - someone that you can look up to in any situation for guidance and inspiration. For our modern youth, this task is easy. Seated before us is the ideal role-model - Swami Vivekananda!
Swami Vivekananda loved young people and realised the potential they possessed. He had taught, "If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library."
What is this "assimilation"? Simply reading a book and thinking, "Ah, that is a very fine idea", only to put the book down and forget about it the very next moment, is not assimilation. For an idea to be assimilated it must become part of our personality - it must be ingrained in us.
Further to this Swamiji also gave us the following practical advice:
"Three things are necessary to make every man great, every religion great:
Conviction of the power
of goodness
Absence of jealousy and suspicion
Helping all who are trying to be and do good"
Conviction of the Power of Goodness
We must have conviction - not a mere belief, but firm faith that cannot be thwarted. For example, this morning you were meant to come to the Ashram for the youth retreat. Just as you were about to leave, a friend arrives in a brand new flashy car and asks you to join him. If you had a conviction that coming to the retreat is good for you, then you would be able to turn your friend down.
Think of everyone as good - do not judge people. Everyone has good qualities within. "The world," says Swami Vivekananda "is the great gymnasium where we come to make ourselves strong." Strong? Strong in which way? We all have different qualities within us, both good and bad but the various trials, tribulations and situations of life are meant to iron out our character defects.
Even the worst sinner can have redemption. Look at the life of Girish Chandra Ghosh. He declared to Sri Ramakrishna that there was not a single sin that he had not committed. Yet years later, senior monks of the Ramakrishna Order, including Swami Vivekananda himself, would get up from their seats to meet him when he arrived at the Belur Math. There was a transformation; he turned over a new leaf. As Swami Vivekananda had said, "If there is any road to heaven, it is through hell...".
We all have minus points within but we should not be bogged down by these or look down on others. Instead of being depressed, perform some serious introspection and find out your weaknesses. Then make a decision to root them out. Let the challenges come then. But remember that life will test your resolve. If you resolve not to tell any more lies, a situation will arise where it is easier to lie and get out rather than tell the truth - but you must be firm and believe in the power of goodness. Be convinced, have conviction in the power of goodness.
Absence of Jealousy and Suspicion
A young man from a rich family was about to graduate from University. As the date of his graduation approached, he started hinting at his father that he would like to have his own car. His father smiled but did not say anything. On the morning of the graduation, the proud father called his son and told him that he had got him the best present ever. The eager youth could not wait for the graduation to finish so that he could get hold of it! When they came back home, there was a small parcel wrapped up on the dressing table. The young man ran and tore it open... and to his disappointment found a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. With fire in his eyes he looked at his father and yelled that he had been deceived! With that he left home in a huff. He travelled abroad, and settled down. He worked hard and slowly built up a good career. Years later he received the news that his father had passed away. Being the only son, he came back after all these years to perform the final rites. His mother was happy to see him. Later that day, he went to his room and started to reminisce nostalgically. Then he happened to see that same parcel lying in his old cupboard. With tears in his eyes, he pulled it down and opened up the Gita. There on the first page, he saw his father's writing "'Do good and be good' - Swami Vivekananda". As he placed the book down, he heard a jingling noise, and his jaw dropped as a set of car keys fell to the earth. His parents had his best interest at heart but he was suspicious of them and did not trust in their judgment.
We find that when others are prosperous, when they succeed in life, we get jealous. A family in the community has got a new vehicle, our neighbour's son has qualified as a doctor - the green evil of envy and jealousy grows within us. But as young men and women, we must share in their joys as well - be happy that they are happy. Do not be jealous. Do not be suspicious.
Helping all who are trying to be and do Good
We find at times that for whatever reason we cannot do good. But we should not prevent others from performing good deeds. At this Centre, our youth prepare sandwiches on a Saturday morning and distribute them to needy families. If you are not involved in this, you should try and make an effort to help them, because they are doing good. By sitting at home, doing your prayers in the morning and evening, and being a dutiful child - this is very good, but it is not enough. We must learn to go outside of our small circles, our family, friends, etc. and try to do good to others - the unknown others. However small this assistance may be, it helps to expand our hearts, and this expansion will stand us in good stead and make us good, responsible citizens.
If we find any problems in assimilating any of these three teachings, we must reflect within and see what is stopping us. The country of South Africa is a glorious country and needs good, well-developed youth to lead it to greater heights.
Why Children Need Culture - Mrs Rakhi Naidoo
(Cultural values are part of the support base for a growing child. This article explores the vital need for children to imbibe a good cultural ethos.The author Mrs Rakhi Naidoo is a psychologist who also serves in the Ramakrishna Clinic of South Africa.)
The Oxford English Dictionary defines culture as "the arts, customs and institutions of a nation, people, or group". Being familiar with our culture helps us appreciate our roots and uphold our traditions and customs.
Sri Ramakrishna said, 'A young plant requires to be protected with care, by a fence, or else goats and cows will eat it up; but when the same plant grows into a large tree, the cows and goats tied to it will not injure it'. The same applies to children. Parents need to protect them and expose them to our culture to prevent them from straying or getting assimilated into alternative cultures. Being part of a minority group in a country with a Western outlook, it is very easy to absorb the popular culture while neglecting our own. If children are exposed to their own culture and traditions from a young age, they are likely to develop an appreciation for it.
There are various ways in which culture can be imparted to children. Parents and teachers play a key role in this. Parents should encourage the development of cultural art forms, preferably from a young age - though, it's never too late to learn. Such art forms may include playing musical instruments such as the harmonium, tabla or sitar and traditional dance forms, such as bharata natyam or kathak.
Participating in cultural art forms further enhance children's cultural appreciation. Research has indicated that children who play musical instruments perform better in school than those who do not. This also serves to enhance alertness and memory. Dance also helps improve our memory, helping exercise our brain when we need to recall dance steps and routines. Besides the mental exercise, dance also provides the obvious benefit of physical exercise and fitness. Learning an art form also helps improve our concentration and discipline. Because such activities often involve teamwork, children are provided with opportunities to develop their social skills.
It is also important for children to learn their vernacular ; read our scriptures and stories of Hindu Gods, Goddesses and saints; and observe religious festivals. Children benefit greatly by attending Hinduism for Children classes where they acquire knowledge of their religion and culture. Parents and grand-parents should not shy away from speaking in their vernacular at home to allow their children exposure to these languages. If given the opportunity, children should try to learn their vernacular. Instead of reading mat-erial that often give children unrealistic expectations of life, they should be encouraged to read books that would provide a window to their culture from which they can learn value-based lessons that they can translate into life.
There are considerable benefits to instilling value-systems in children from an early age. Through exposure to different art forms, children learn about their heritage and become proud of it, giving them the advantage of explaining their culture to others. Children are certainly more likely to abide by cultural norms if they understand them. The role of parents is therefore very important. Parents should be able to provide reasons for traditional activities, beliefs and rituals. Furthermore, parents should set a good example by reading scriptures, attending prayer meetings and Hindu festivals where there is an expression of culture.
Children who are consistently exposed to their culture and who are involved in related activities are less likely to be idle or involved in unsavoury pastimes like smoking and drinking. They also have an opportunity to be exposed to suitable role models such as Swami Vivekananda and other saints.
To the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa's Website
