Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Salutations to Mahaveera Vivekananda!!


ll ॐ नमो भगवते रामकृष्णाय ll नमो महावीराय  विवेकानन्दाय ll

We have heard the roar of the lion of Vedanta; yes, the roar that jolted our slumbering nation to throwing off the oppressive yoke of centuries, and breathe free...



Vivekananda, from whom emanated the words of fire... exemplified the prayer of the Vedic Rsis, in our times, "अग्निर्मे वाचि श्रितः","may fire be enshrined in my speech!

We know well how he wished that the youth of the nation may hold Mahaveera Sri Hanuman as their ideal, ideal in every possible way! In his own life, we get a clear image of the personality of Sri Hanuman! 



"Aye, I am ever the  servant of Sri Ramakrishna.." or, "out of dust he could produce a thousand Vivekanandas..", or "G.C., ask me to pulverise the mountains, or dry up the oceans... but how can I speak about Sri Ramakrishna.." (meaning, I am too small to describe my Master) -  describe his attitude as Ramakrishna-dasa, like Sri Hanuman exemplifies dasya-bhakti in this world as Ramadasa). Such self-effacing giants, who served their Masters with devotion exemplary, had so much in common. 

One performed Rama's work, and the other worked out Ramakrishna's command...


...and Mother Sita who blessed Sri Hanuman, blessed Vivekananda as Mother Sarada!



Despite stupendous accomplishments, where was Hanuman in his own reckoning, other than as Rama-dasa


Swamiji says, "our best work is done, our greatest influence is exerted when we are without thought of self"  or  "the world is in need of those whose life is one burning love, selfless. That love will make every word tell like a thunder bolt!"

Yes, for its own good, the world must know him (them) as " अतुलित-बलधामं and ज्ञानिनां अग्रगण्यं and  सकल-गुण-निधानम् " , as also pray to him (them) for निर्भयत्वं and वाक्-पटुत्वम्  !!



A look at the figures of both these Mahaveeras would convince anyone of 'Strength' assuming a form! 

Look at the immortal words that emanate thence, "make your nerves strong. What we want is muscles of iron and nerves of steel....stand on your feet and be men!"

"If there is one word that you find coming like a bomb from the Upanishads, bursting like a bomb-shell upon masses of ignorance, it is the word, 'अभीः' fearlessness."

"This is a great fact: strength is life; weakness is death. Strength is felicity, life eternal, immortal; weakness is constant strain and misery, weakness is death." 

" To succeed, you must have tremendous perseverance, tremendous will. "I will drink the ocean", says the persevering soul; " at my will mountains will crumble up." Have that sort of energy, that sort of will; work hard, and you will reach the goal."

In as many words, is Swamiji describing Sri Hanuman for us to emulate, to hold as the ideal - for a nation that needs just this elixir of life?

Words of fire that can only come from 'अतुलित-बलधाम ' 'निर्भय ' one of
extraordinary strength, wisdom, perseverance. The National ideal has to be Mahaveera Hanuman from Ramayana of yore, or Mahaveera Vivekananda from Ramakrishnayana of now, for they are non-different, the two names for the same phenomenon!!


​Salutations yet again!!

ll ॐ नमो भगवते रामकृष्णाय ll नमो महावीराय  विवेकानन्दाय ll
-- 
Swami Sheshadri

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Tuesday, January 2, 2018

Kalpataru Krpa


ll ॐ नमो भगवते रामकृष्णाय ll

Before we have dealt with the vagaries and pending struggles of the year 'just past', the 'new one' is here, 2018, opening with Kalpataru day!!

The accounts not yet settled, the mind still unsettled, the Jiva enters another set of 365 days Samsara, (thankfully one Samvatsara (year) at a time!).

"Kalpa-taru", we are told He is. 1886 began with that phenomenal day, just months before He wound up His Leela. The incident, or rather event, is worth reading again each year.

On a warm sunny day time of a cold winter, some Jivas, symbolizing minds as it were, were sitting or strolling in the garden-house (Udyan Bati). It was a pleasant hour, and the senses rejoiced at the sights and sounds, and the freshness in the air.



They were there, primarily just to be around in the vicinity of Sri Ramakrishna (who was unwell), and because it was a holiday, and so there were no other commitments - some relative freedom - if we may say so.



Unexpectedly, and to the pleasant surprise of those few gathered Bhaktas, Sri Ramakrishna arrived, walking towards them in the garden path, and they were overjoyed to behold Him right ahead.

They greeted him, and approached joyously. It is then that he suddenly posed the question to Girish Babu, as to what he understood of Him

Kneeling in surrender, and overcome with emotion, pat came Girish's clear and spirited reply, "How can my little self describe Him, in extolling the greatness of whom Valmiki and Vyasa fall short of words ...."



Charmed at those words of devotion, Bhagavan Sri Ramakrishna, in a powerful gush of compassion, blessed them all like never before, with those celestial words, "What more can I say to you, may you all be awakened!" ....and He went into ecstacy. 

The profound blessing sent them into amazingly blissful state, an exalted mood, wherein, forgetful of all else, they prostrated at His feet in surrender, worshiping Him in various ways.... He had granted them without any reservation, their spiritual desires; it was in sheer abandon, all conditions thrown overboard!!



Revealing Himself, He had granted Abhaya - refuge to them all - all who sought Him there...

All those Jivas, the minds so to say, had one thing in common - He was the center of their being, their seeking! As against the deluge of all other desires, they sought the one, obtaining whom every other seeking ends...and it is in this very Kaliyuga!!



What is even more reassuring is the fact that it is Thakurji Himself who walked towards them, to grant them refuge! When the mind is intent upon the Lord, as against a billion 'desirables' in the world, His Krpa can not be held back..... it flows.



A Kalpataru may grant all kinds of desires, but here is the Moksha Taru that awakens any Jiva (mind) that lovingly seeks Him. They loved the Lord and the Lord loved them. 

What minds... what a day...and what a revelation!!

Kashi is 'Moksha Puri', and no wonder it was Kashi-pur where abahayam was granted!!

Let us too, keep our minds relatively free of entanglements, and be 'available' to love Ishvara!

OM

-- 
Swami Sheshadri

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