Inspiring Talks of Swami Sivananda
NOVEMBER, 1948
1 ST NOVEMBER, 1948
JADA SADHANA
The morning University class was over. Sridhara Swamiji’s most illuminating lecture on the vital need of humility and egolessness in Sadhana and of increasing the Satwa-content in the Sadhaka had left the students athinking.
‘Don’t you feel, Sridhara Swamiji,’ began Siva with a mischievous smile, ‘that besides being of invaluable help to many others, these lectures help to clarify your own ideas and your own evolution?’
‘Yes, Swamiji,’ admitted Sridhara Swamiji.
‘Previously, you were saying that you would not lecture until you attained God-realisation!’ said Siva with a broad smile. Sridhara Swamiji had no reply.
‘See of what great service your talks are now. Your talks for half an hour and Krishnanandaji’s talk for half an hour—this one hour benefits how many people! Besides, your own thoughts are clarified. And, while you prepared for the talks you intensely dwell on the topics. At the same time, it provides a good opportunity for you yourself to introspect, too!
‘This persistent raising up of thought-forms is more helpful in Sadhana than even the mere repetition of a Mantra. You go on repeating ’Om Namah Shivaya’. It is, no doubt, very good: but soon the mind lapses into a Jada State. It becomes a Jada Sadhana. Whereas, if you keep the thought-forms before you there is a positive awareness. You should keep a couple of Slokas from the Gita and meditate on the significance and import. What the Lord teaches, how one should put the teachings into practice, what are the obstacles, how to remove them, etc., etc. This way you can have a very good meditation. In the beginning and at the conclusion of this meditation, you can have Japan and Kirtan. That will then become a wonderful Sadhana, unrivalled in its glory.
‘No change is necessary: there is no need to go away from here. This itself is the best place for this kind of Sadhana. Some work is necessary: along with it meditation also. Then it becomes dynamic Sadhana.’
LOKAH TAT ANUVARTHATHE
Mohanji came in with a small bunch of neem-leaves. Each one of us took a few leaves from it. As the bunch approached each of us, Siva smiled and asked: ‘You also belong to the neem-leaf eating society?’
‘In Swarg Ashram when I was there I started this neem-leaf eating. And, soon I found that all the Sadhus had commenced this!’
(Surely, surely: that is what Lord Krishna said in the Gita: and that is the motive He revealed, which kept Him active.)
‘Neem leaf is very good. It purifies the blood. It is very good antiseptic. It strengthens the teeth also. But do not take too much. It will heat your system. Just two or three leaves will do.’
ACHINTYA SHAKTI
Swami Vijnananandaji of Poornananda Ashram, Rishikesh, came with a tonga to take Siva to his Ashram. Today they are celebrating the Samadhi Anniversary of Swami Poornanandaji, and Swami Vijnananandaji wanted Siva to preside over the function.
On the way Siva made kind and loving enquiries about the Swamiji, his Gurubhais and the Ashram. He gleaned several facts relating to the Ashram activities and also the work of Swami Poornanandaji. Then the topic turned to P’s writings: and Siva enquired if a biography of P. was available.
‘Swamiji,’ pleaded Vji, ‘there are several manuscripts of Poornanandaji still unpublished. I have also written a biography of Swamiji’s life. Except for a few small pamphlets we have not been able to print any major works. It is so very difficult. And, even if we print them, we do not know how to sell them. What are we to do, Swamiji? I do not know.’
‘Have you seen our publication League?’
‘Yes, Swamiji. But there is no comparison between us. You have infinite power. There is nothing that you cannot do by mere Sankalpa.’
‘Poornananandaji himself should have done some work in this respect. He should himself have tried to publish some of his major works. Once a field is created, it is very easy. Even now, just collect his disciples together and find out ways and means of publishing the books. It will become very easy.’
We arrived at the Ashram.
ONE AMONG ALL
When we entered the meeting Pandal, Siva quietly sat behind the assembled Sadhus on the carpet. Requests and persuasion were of no avail: he had actually to be lifted to the chair. He went on saying: ‘This is enough. You yourself take the chair. Or, let the secretary Saheb (of the Notified Area Committee) occupy the chair.’
VIVIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT
The wife of Sri Sukdevji (Vice-Principal of Gurukul-Kangri) sang two delightful prayer-songs.
Sri Swami Vijnananandaji requested Siva to speak and eulogised Siva as the Light of the Himalayas that shed its cosmic lustre throughout the universe.
Siva promised to treat the audience with nice kitchadie (a mixture of English, Sanskrit and Hindi) speech. He began his talk with an OM chant (rather an OM roar). The audience’s voice was at first feeble. ‘This is like Ekadashi! Khub Prem se Karo,’ said Siva. Still, there was not any appreciable improvement. ‘How many tons of roties have you consumed! And, yet, when it comes to singing the Lord’s names, how feeble the voice becomes. This is like ‘murda’ Kirtan.’ This produced some change: but not to Siva’s satisfaction. Siva is the master of graded tricks to arouse in anyone love for Kirtan. He turned to the ladies: ‘People generally call you Abalas (weaker sex), but your Kirtan is greatly better than men’s!’ Again he roared OM: the miracle had been performed. The entire audience followed suit and the sky was rent with OM chanting.
THE PERORATION
Siva spoke of Swami Poornanandaji’s qualities. ‘He was a beautiful combination of Vairagya, Karma, Bhakti and Brahma Jnana. He embodied in himself the Yoga of Synthesis. He was not like some Vairagies who run away from work. Nor was he like some Sanyasin-social-workers who have no trace of Vairagya in them.
‘His writings have a special charm. They have come out of his heart. They are the outpourings of his heart, that have sprouted forth from a direct realisation of the Absolute.’
‘He was a perfect master and a strict disciplinarian. How nicely has he trained his disciples! Every one of his disciples is a standing proof of his glory. Swami Jnananandaji, Swami Vijnananandaji, Swami Achyutanandaji, Swami Mahanandaji—all are fortunate to have been trained by Swami Poornanandaji. They are all hard workers in the Ahyatmic field. They are full of divine virtues.
‘Poornanandaji’s writings are precious and voluminous. So are his inspiring letters. They should all be printed now. It is easily possible if all his disciples unite and work together. That was the secret of success in the case of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Dayananda and others. The eleven apostles joined together and spread Ramakrishna’s Mission. Swami Poornanandaji also belongs to the class of lions of Vedanta, like Vivekananda and Ram Tirtha, etc. His disciples should now set to work spreading his mission.
‘Unity is strength. The unique position that the Ramakrishna Mission has achieved now is all due to the combined effort of all the disciples of Sri Ramakrishna. There is no institution like the Ramakrishna Mission: just look at the number of Branches all over the world it has got. How wonderfully has the mission grown. The secret of their success is united effort.’
Then he dwelt on the need for spiritual institutions. ‘Spiritual institutions are the dire need of the hour today,’ he declared.
Again he sang some Kirtans. From Saguna he turned to Nirguna also. ‘The sweet names of the Lord will give you Moksha, peace and bliss. Now let us sing some Nirguna Kirtans also.’
‘Jagat Kalpana; Jiva Kalpana; all is Kalpana; Deergha Swapna.’
The speech, interspersed with appropriate quotations from the Gita and the Upanishads was thrilling, inspiring and at once practical. Siva concluded with the benediction: ‘May you all be happy. May God bless you with health, long life, peace, prosperity and Kaivalya.’
He was followed by a few others.
Swami Devanandaji commenced his lecture with words of profound reverence and admiration for Siva. ‘From his Kutir on the bank of the Ganges, Swamiji has been able to influence the entire world; even as the sun from his abode in the horizon is able to shed his lustre to illumine the entire universe.’
Swami Vijnananandaji then entertained us to tea. Siva presented several of his books to the Ashram library and also distributed pamphlets and leaflets to the assembled devotees. As we were about to leave, Siva quickly walked inside and quietly slipped into the pockets of one of the Ashram authorities ten rupees as a love-offering.
The Secretary of the Notified Area Committee expressed his gratitude to Siva for the trouble the latter had taken to attend the function. ‘I deem myself greatly blessed to have had Your Satsang and to have listened to your thrilling discourse.’
‘Why? There was Punditji’s lecture—it was truly a learned discourse, wasn’t it?’
‘But, Swamiji, no one can approach your holiness in thrilling oratory, both inspiring and practical.’
We started on foot. For, we had disposed of the tonga in which we went. Siva had told the tonga-walah: ‘You can go. I will go when I like. You need not wait.’ A Sanyasin or a Vedantin never likes to bind himself. This is a great lesson. For, ordinarily, people will plan, prepare, promise all sorts of things: and get worried.
From the bazaar we took another tonga and returned to the Ashram.
SILENT ELOQUENCE
Some construction questions were being discussed.
‘Besides these massive structures that we are building, there should be several Virakta Kutirs away from the crowded places. We should choose a place somewhere in the jungles and construct small Kutirs, modest, simple, neat—with an eye on their utility. Nothing except a waterpot, a few books, a blanket, should be taken there. Those (like Krishnanandaji) who want to meditate for a while, away from the places of intense activity, should retire to these Kutirs. Food should be sent to them: they should have no anxiety on this score. Here they can practise intense meditation for some days, till they themselves feel inclined to work again.
‘Then there should be a Dhyana Hall. This also should be a little away from the crowd. It should be perfectly clean and unfurnished, except for a couple of pictures, etc.; and absolute silence should prevail inside and outside the Hall. Anyone should go inside the Hall and sit in meditation.
‘Then, similar to the present Bhajan Hall there should be another Bhajan Hall where devotees should go on singing Bhajans. Harmoniums, Tanpuras, Tablas, etc. will be kept there. If this is somewhere near the temple, the Yatris and visitors also will get inspiration from the Bhajan.
‘This way, the entire locality will illustrate the various Yogas and the various stages of evolution. Those who come should, without a spoken word, be taught Yoga. They should be inspired by the mere sight of these buildings.
‘We have already got the temple, the Akhanda Kirtan and the Yajnashala. All the Brahmacharis here should be made to offer Ahuties daily according to the Vedic rules. There should also be daily Havans of Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra, Maha Mantra etc.
‘All these things will have a tremendous effect in the long run.’
Sri R. Thyagarajan of Murtaspur who was listening to these outpourings of Siva’s soul at once placed at Siva’s lotus feet Rs. 10 as an advance for the construction of one Virakta Kutir.
Siva’s Will works out almost immediately.
2 nd NOVEMBER, 1948
Siva was in the dispensary. I went there and informed him that Sri Pt. Suka Devji, Vice-Principal of the Gurukul-Kangri, one of the participants in yesterday’s function at the Poornanand Ashram, had come to the Ashram with his wife and another.
‘Has he? Good. I wanted to talk to him yesterday itself. And, also I thought if you had brought more copies of the magazine and some more books with you, I could have given him. It is good that he has himself come.’ So saying, Siva came to the office and greeted the visitors.
Up sprang several Sadhaks from the office and returned within a few minutes with fruits, almonds, gramophone records, books, leaflets, etc. Sri Suk Devji was simply overwhelmed by Siva’s love.
After a few words of greeting, Mrs. Suk Devji requested Siva to visit Kankhal and the Gurukul University.
‘Last year I visited Gurukul.’
‘Is it so, Swamiji?’
‘And, after going through the buildings, I got up on the lecture platform and did many queer things. I delivered a lecture to a no-audience.’ (Little do we mortals realise who your audience were!)
After a few minutes of gramophone records playing, Siva requested Sri Suk Devji and party to be shown round the Ashram.
‘There is also a Yoga Museum here,’ said Siva: ‘I have made an attempt at picturising the principles of Yoga. Then there is the Yajnashala: something like the Yajnashala in Gurukul. We are also holding classes in the morning where there are short talks on Karma, Bhakti, Vedant, Yoga, etc. It is all on a humble and simple scale.’
Just look at Siva’s humility. If the criterion of a University’s greatness is its vital need and its service in the uplift of Man, no other University in the whole world can approach the Yoga-Vedanta Forest University. It has got no parallels in the world. A founder of any other University (even though much inferior to this Forest University) will blow his own trumpet till the hearers become deaf and are thus incapacitated to listen to the simple call of the Supreme.
After going round the Ashram the visitors left for Hardwar.
7 th NOVEMBER, 1948
ALL THE WAY FROM ENGLAND
All the way from England came Dr. P.N. Rampal accompanied by Sri Krishnanlal Sharma (District Forest Officer) and Mrs. Sharma, who arrived a little while after Siva had left the office. Time at their disposal was limited: and they had to leave for Delhi the same evening. So, Sharmaji sent in a note to Siva. Within a couple of minutes, came Siva. Visibly moved and perceptibly surprised, the visitors prostrated at his feet. He took them to the office. In loving conversation, Dr. Rampal was immersed. Siva presented them with several books. At a mere wink from Siva several Sadhaks till then sitting quietly in their seats sprang forth, eager to serve. Dr. Rampal evinced keen interest in Siva’s books. He bought a number of them.
If they were late for Siva’s Darshan, they were rather too late for the noon meal. Siva took the visitors to the kitchen himself. There he mingled with the Ashramites and ensured that the visitors were comfortably seated and the giant worker Swami Visweswaranandaji at once busied himself with the preparation of food for the visitors. Then and then alone would Siva leave the dining hall. He had not taken his food till then. After food Dr. Rampal sat enraptured as the gramophone records sang delightful songs for him. He then visited the Mandir, etc. and left. His gratitude was profound: he promised to convert his office in England into a virtual D.L.S. Branch. Such is the miracle of Siva’s love.
8 th NOVEMBER, 1948
DAY OF BLISS
Siva-Anandam! That is today!
Earliest to arrive at the Siva Mandir was Siva himself. Today had been chosen as the auspicious day for the installation of the Kalasha in connection with the Ati Rudra Yajna.
We took bath and carried water to the Majdir, with the Maha Mantra Kirtan.
We found in the temple Siva himself sitting in front of Siva, immersed in Siva Anandam. I laid my head at His lotus feet.
The Kalasha was blessed for Siva quenched its thirst with Ganges water offered with his own holy hands.
The Puja started: and came to a close at 11 a.m.
Swami Visweswaranandaji had made elaborate arrangements to celebrate the monthly birthdate of Siva. Vishnuji had delightfully decorated the dining hall. We stepped in, to distribute Siva’s Prasad to the inmates who, with Siva himself at their head, chanted the 15 th Chapter of the Gita and the Maha Mantra. It was really a day of great festivity.
When the dinner was almost over, Siva sang a beautiful hymn. Others, too, followed. All had finished their meals. Some had left some vegetables, etc. on their leaf. Siva’s eyes fell on these.
‘Visweswaranandaji, please see that nothing is wasted. All that remains on the leaves should be collected and given to the cattle. Also, please send for the health officers (this is the only name by which Siva can refer to the scavenger) and feed them nicely.’
There is a wonderful philosophy and a lesson in psychology in this. Siva does not chastise those who have not consumed what they took nor those who served, nor does he instruct the management to reduce the quantity prepared—but goes straight to the core of the problem. ‘There is no waste: everything has its own use, in the cosmic sense. The animals and the fish in the Ganga get their share.’ What a great heart.
10 th NOVEMBER, 1948
I.C.S. AT ANANDA KUTIR
The morning ‘closure’ Kirtan was in progress at the office. Just after it had begun, Sri S.Y. Krishnaswami, I.C.S., Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, and Mrs. Krishnaswami quietly and modestly entered the Hall and sat down just behind Siva who was himself sitting on the floor.
Srimathi Kamala introduced herself to Siva. Siva presented them with some books and was talking to them. Then Siva requested them to take their food at the Ashram.
‘Swamiji, to have your Darshan is a greater blessing than food. Your Darshan alone was what we sought to have here, and that is what we need more than food,’ said Sri Krishnaswami.
‘Just as Sri Vishwanath Prasad ....(turning to us) ....Please arrange for everything and take them round the Ashram, too.’
They informed Siva that they were proceeding from the Ashram to visit Mira Behn. Siva eulogised Mira Behn’s work and asked me to take some books from him for the Pashulok Library, and a letter from Siva, and escort the couple to Pashulok Ashram.
While I was playing Siva’s records, Srimathi Kamala sat enraptured listening to the sweet melody. She said that she had already got some of the records.
PERSONAL FREEDOM
At night Siva came into the office on his way to the Bhajan Hall. There was a message which was waiting for him: he desired to peruse it.
‘Omkarswamiji, have you got my spectacles here?’
‘Yes, Swamiji,’ sprang up Swami Omkaranandaji and brought them.
‘I cannot depend upon one pair of spectacles. See now: I have left the usual pair in the Kutir. If this had not been kept here, then this work would have suffered. When I used to go out of Rishikesh also I used to take three pairs of spectacles. If one broke the others will at once come into service. There will be no loss of time and there will be no impediment to the service.
‘Even in the case of the purse, I observe the same rule. Whenever we travelled I should divide the money between those who accompany me. Swarupanandaji will have a purse: and Atmanandaji, too. If one purse is lost the other will be saved.
‘This has another advantage, too. Those who travel with me do not have to ask me for money to purchase whatever they might like. Some people are shy: they may not like to ask for money. But I take care that they get the fullest freedom to eat what they like or to purchase what they like, and so I give them a purse.’
That is Siva’s characteristic.
Few others are like that. Mahants or officers, when they take their attendants with them would not, on the other hand, like that the latter should share their conveniences and privileges. They would have their toast and tea: ‘but let that fellow eat channa’ would be their mentality.
11 th NOVEMBER, 1948
WAY TO WORLD PEACE
Sri Sreenivasadas Poddar had come to the Ashram just when we had finished the noon meal. Siva had also gone to his Kutir a few minutes back. Sri Poddar wanted to see Siva. An imposing personality.
I went to Siva’s Kutir with a chit from Sri Poddar. After a strenuous morning (it should be remembered that Siva attends the morning class punctually at 5 a.m., and from that moment he is busily engaged in multifarious activities) Siva was reclining, gazing at the Himalayas, perhaps in silent contemplation of its majesty. I showed him the chit and asked: ‘May I bring him here, Swamiji?’ for I felt that even we would have felt irksome to be called out like that.
Siva, on the contrary, at once jumped out and buttoned his alphi: ‘I am coming, myself.’
‘Sreenivasdas Poddar? Yes, yes: I have seen him before. He is a rich Marwari, full of ideas. He will always keep himself in contact with all the Mahatmas and always engage himself in schemes and plans. He also printed the Sankirtan pamphlet long ago.’
We reached the spot near the Viswanath Ghat where the Poddar-party were standing. After the usual greetings and Pranams, Sri Poddar introduced to Siva, his family.
‘This boy, Swamiji, has been thoroughly influenced by your books. After reading your books, he has given up many evil habits like smoking. His life has been revolutionised. Your books have a tremendous influence over people.’
Then the topic turned to his own scheme. ‘Swamiji, what is the way to ensure peace in the world? I have a plan, Swamiji. With your suggestions and help I hope to do a lot.’
‘Where is the world, Maharaj? It is all a dream. Why do you worry yourself about a thing that does not exist?’
Sri Poddar was mildly surprised to receive this Vedantic reply. Siva continued: ‘If we reform ourselves individually, the entire world will be reformed. Therefore, do Japa, Kirtan, Dhyan, and practise Yoga. Everything will be all right.’
12 th NOVEMBER, 1948
WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF ENGLISH
‘Sivapremji, does Sri ….know English? Shall I send him some English books?’ queried Siva, referring to a big business magnate.
‘Yes, Swamiji, he has a working knowledge of English. He may be able to read Swamiji’s books.’
‘What is working knowledge? Two men going Madras, tiffin ready Mayavaram?’
‘Yes Swamiji, something like that.’
‘There is a beautiful story. Do you know? I shall tell you. A station master of a small station in South India knew very little English: he had what you call a ‘working knowledge’. One day an Inspector took him to task for delaying a train. The poor station master explained: ‘One pointsman running that side, Sir; the other pointsman running this side, Sir: I-eyyyyyy ringing the bell, Sir.’
We burst into laughter. Sivapremji joined in it: for he has during his four-years’ stay at Ananda Kutir picked up more than a working knowledge of Tamil, at least enough to understand the joke. The Tamil equivalent for ‘I myself’ is ‘Naaney’. And, this station master had taken the English pronoun and added the Tamil emphasis (the suffix of eyyy). That is ‘working knowledge’.
‘Anyhow,’ continued Siva, ‘I shall send him some books. If he does not understand them, he will pass them on to his friends. That is enough for me.’
That is Jnana Yajna.
CHARITY BY FORCE
‘Padmanabhaswamiji, please write to Durga Saranji for a good parcel of Khaja. Tell him that our family is very big and that he should send a good lot.’
I wondered within myself: ‘Why should Swamiji ask for this sweetmeat?’ Siva had ‘heard’ the thought.
‘This is one kind of charity for them. And, this is my method of making people do charity. Even if they voluntarily do not give, I would take them by the ear and make them do some charity. Do you think we long for this sweetmeat? All sweetmeats are the same: they are all permutations and combinations of sugar, dhal and ghee. But this is one of the methods of enabling Durga Saranji to give, to evolve and to purify his heart.
And, I remember another occasion. It was about a year ago. Srimathi Kailasavathy of Lahore and her family were all here. Her sister, Srimathi Vimala one day came into the office with her son. This child had fever.
‘Swamiji, please see what the matter is with this boy. He gives me a lot of trouble.’ The tone was extraordinarily familiar. I was amazed; I sat up.
‘Take him to the dispensary. Give him some medicine,’ said Siva as though unconcernedly.
‘No, Swamiji, please, you yourself examine and give some medicine.’
‘My medicine is only this Prasad.’ Siva handed her some Bhasma and Kumkum, perhaps to test her faith. Or, as a lesson to us?
‘I am quite content, Swamiji: I know he will be all right.’
Then Siva examined the child medically and gave a prescription. While the mixture was being prepared . . . .
‘Ohji, what about giving me a glass of your famous Dogra-tea?’
‘Yes, Swamiji, I shall just now prepare and give you. Shall I go?
‘Not only for me. My family is very big. Don’t you know? You will have to supply for all.’
At once she counted the number of Ashramites present in the office: ‘Yes, Swamiji, I shall prepared tea for all of them.’
By this time, the medicine had also come: after a Pranam to Siva, she left.
Within an hour the tea arrived. After taking just a mouthful, Siva handed the rest of his glass to me. And, for all in the office there was tea. During the course of this tea-party, Siva smiled and, understanding the cause of my silent wonder-ment, said: ‘Such is a pure heart.’
That is the secret of such intimate familiarity with the Master.
The effect of this compulsory charity was miraculous and immediate: the child was completely all right within a few hours.
13 th NOVEMBER, 1948
PLANNED DAYS AGO
Radha’s Birthday. (Radha is Srimathi Liliane Shamash’s second daughter.)
With Siva the Birthday dawned several days ago. Saswatji had been sent to Dehra Dun to purchase presentation articles, and he has returned with them. Flowers were asked to be preserved in the Garden two days ago. Fruits were purchased yesterday: so were sweets for distribution.
Siva was the first on the scene. ‘Vishnuswamiji, bring a few blankets. Spread them on the cement benches. Aravamudan, bring a carpet and spread it here. Come, ring the bell. Venkatesanandaji, collect everyone here. Let us do Kirtan now.’ And Siva himself started with OM chanting, Jaya Ganesha and Maha Mantra Kirtan.
Siva himself brought the Shamash family and garlanded them. After a few minutes Kirtan, Siva announced:
‘ OM. Today is Sri Radha’s birthday. Radha is the second daughter of Srimathi Liliane. She is nine years old today: this is her tenth birthday. Let us all do Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa. This is a very great Mantra. It removes all accidents. It bestows long life on man. It is a prayer to the Almighty, Omnipotent Lord. It is a prayer to the Lord with Three Eyes, Who has the Eye of Intuition. Sugandhim is One who is the Abode of Auspiciousness, of Omnipotence, of Omniscience, of Power, Peace, Joy, Knowledge and Bliss. Pushtivardhanam—one who bestows vigour, health and long life on us. And, we pray that our bondage may be rent asunder, that accidents may drop away from us like the ripe cucumber fruit drops off the creeper. May we become immortal. That is the prayer. This prayer bestows both Bhukti and Mukti on us. Both are necessary. Without a certain amount of material wealth and prosperity, one cannot live and aspire to realise God. Mukti is the final goal of all. Lord Siva will be easily pleased and will bestow on us all Bhukti and Sayujya Mukti.
Siva then asked Radha to sing the Maha Mantra: Annapurna to sing ‘Jaya Narayana’: and their mother Srimathi Liliane to sing ‘Raja Rama Rama Ram’. After this ….
He himself sang the delightful Yuktiful songs where he combined wonderfully the names of the Shamash family members and divine names.
Sita Ram Sita Ram Sita Ram Bol
Radhe Shyam Radhe Shyam Radhe Shyam Bol
Radha Radha Radha Radha Jai Radha
Radha Rosie Radha Rosie Jaya Rosie
Jai Annapurna Annapurna Annapurna
Jai Sri Lakshmi Jai Sri Lakshmi Jai Sri Lakshmi
Jai Liliane Lakshmi Liliane Lakshmi Liliane Lakshmi
Shyama Shyama Shyama Shyama Shyama Shyama Shyama
Shamash Shamash Shamash Shamash Shamash Shamash
A smile of admiration played on everyone’s lips.
‘Today is Radha’s birthday. And, on that account we have had an opportunity of singing the Lord’s names. We have also performed Mrityunjaya Mantra Japa. It is very good for the child, for the entire family, for all of us who have assembled. May Srimathi Liliane, Annapurna and Radha live long. May God bless them, and all of us with health, long life, peace, prosperity and Kaivalya Moksha.’
ABIDING INTEREST
Brijlalji Kapoor of Bareilly has come: and he introduced his son to Siva. During the course of the conversation, Siva understood that B. was eager to retire from Vyavaharic life and spend his time in silent meditation in the Himalayas. Siva told the son:
‘It is now your duty to fulfil your father’s wishes. He has carried his burden long enough. You must now relieve him. Both yourself and your sister are earning. You must now take on the family responsibilities yourselves and enable your father to fulfil his spiritual ambitions.
Such is Siva’s love for the Lord’s devotees. He must see to it that they are well provided for their Sadhana. It is a great service to thirsting aspirants.
AN OLD ADEPT HATHA YOGI
Sri Brahmji and two of his devotees came into the office. At once Siva recognised Brahmji.
‘ Om Namo Narayanaya, Brahmji Maharaj. Anand?’
As the enquiries were going on Vishnuji brought some fruits and laddus.
Then Siva humorously reminded Brahmji of his Yogic Kriyas.
‘You remember you used to drink air and pass it through the anus?’ And then also told us that Brahmji used to live on top of trees at night while at Swarg Ashram, sleeping on the trees themselves.
‘He used to observe Mowna also. He would run hither and thither shouting ‘Brahm, Brahm’. He now lives in Gangotri, one of the leading figures there. He can live on air alone for a long time.’
At this stage Brahmji himself demonstrated the Kriya (Vayu Bhakshana).
Introducing Vishnuji, Siva said: ‘This is our Yogiraj, Swamiji Maharaj.’ Then Vji demonstrated a few Asans. The adept Hatha Yogi Brahmji demonstrated several Asans.
WHAT ABOUT SWAMIJI MAHARAJ?
An old lady from South India arrived at the Ashram and was directed to the office. Siva was working there, and was also talking to the aspirants in the office on the glory of the name, Bhakti, etc. He was returning to his Kutir, when the lady asked an Ashramite: ‘What about Sri Swamiji Maharaj? Where can I see him?’ She was told that she has all along been in his presence only. She ran forward and apologetically fell at Siva’s feet and prayed for his blessings. Siva’s winter clothing —overcoat, etc., deceived her.
AMBASSADOR TO GENEVA
Sri Lakshmi Narayan Chetlur has been in the Ashram for the past few days. He has been away from India for a considerable number of years: and is now practising as a lawyer in Geneva. He has been a student of Yoga, too: and has taken advantage of his visit to India to spend a few days in Ananda Kutir also. Siva had asked Vishnuji to teach Sri Chetlur all Asans and Pranayams. Siva himself has been giving him short talks on spiritual topics, how to organise spiritual associations, the daily routine, personal Sadhana, collective Sadhana, etc. He has given Sri Chetlur several books, magazine copies, leaflets: Chetlur is completely overwhelmed by Siva’s love. On the eve of his departure, Siva gave him several of the gramophone records.
Your Indian Association (of which Sri Chetlur is the Secretary) should have as its basis, the spiritual culture of India. Divine Life is the common basis of all organisations: otherwise no organisation can thrive. God is the root of the entire humanity. All institutions should be based on God if they are to survive.’ Then Siva gave him several instructions as to how to reorientate the outlook of the Europeans and turn them to God. ‘Your Indian Association should convert itself into a Yoga School. I shall also send you regularly magazine, books, Prasad, etc. Now you can go back and face huge audiences boldly and talk to them on Yoga, Vedanta, Patanjali Yoga Sutras, etc.’ Sri Chetlur has been regular in attending the morning classes and has thus acquired a fair knowledge of Yoga.
JEAN HERBERT
Jean Herbert has sent a complimentary copy of his French translation of Swami Vivekananda’s Jnana Yoga.
‘What wonderful work Jean Herbert is doing. He is really a Sanyasi,’ said Siva. ‘See: he is the chief interpreter of the U.N.O. Then he is writing several articles to philosophical journals. He translates good Indian books into French. He looks after their publication. Marvellous work.
‘Sanyasins also should be like this only. Mere cave-dwelling will only lead to their deterioration. Sanyas-life should always mean active life. Do not mistake Sanyas for lifelessness: lifelessness is the property of a dead body.
‘What is there in simply closing the eyes? You should actively see God everywhere. Brahman is all this. Active renunciation of egoism and expansion of consciousness alone can bring about final release from bondage.’
MATHUR’S GITA
Sri Ram Mohan Mathur of Allahabad had a small pocket-book. When he has had Siva’s Darshan and when he went to the Diamond Jubilee Hall, he sat there and pulled out his pocket-book and started reading. That constant companion is ‘Pearls of Wisdom’ of Siva. He told Siva when the latter enquired what it was that he was reading:
‘Swamiji, it is your book, ‘Pearls of Wisdom’. It is a marvellous little work. I always carry it with me. Daily I have to travel in a shuttle service to Allahabad. I always read this book during this time. Whenever I have a few minutes’ leisure, I read a few pages. It is such a wonderful book which contains stirring ideas which at once give me peace, joy and mental health. It is really my Gita.’
GOD IS FULLNESS
‘Unless you make an effort, you will remain the same Aravamudan even after ten years!’ Sri Aravamudan was electrified as Siva said this. ‘God has given you so many faculties. You have got a very good taste for Tamil literature. You should develop that. You must be able to prepare roties also. You should know proof-correction, and printing technique. And accounts, too. You should be able to deliver lectures: conduct classes! All-round development is Yoga. You should develop all your faculties. One-sided development will soon make for dullness: all-round development will make for fullness. You will never feel tired. There will be ample opportunities of alternating your work whenever you feel the need for change. That is the secret of success.
‘And, your root should all the time be in divine life. You may learn Sanskrit from some teacher: you may learn Hatha Yogic Kriyas from some Yogi: accountancy from some masters: but you should always say ‘OM Namo Narayanaya’ to all these after finishing your work and devote yourself heart and soul to divine life work. There is nothing all of you together cannot achieve. Each one of you should be able to turn out five men’s work. There is tremendous power within you. You should take care of your health, too. Eat good food: practice Asans, Pranayam, Suryanamaskar: run a few furlongs. Then, practise Kirtan, Dhyan: study good spiritual books. Practise delivering lectures. You will soon become supermen.’
With thy blessings and guidance soon we shall be.
14 th NOVEMBER, 1948
LIGHTNING VISIT AND LIGHTNING HOSPITALITY
Sri Malhotra, the Society’s auditor, arrived at the Ashram early in the morning along with Mr. And Mrs. Sondhi.
At the distant sight of Siva, Sri Malhotra bowed. He had specially come to Rishikesh to offer his Pranams to Siva and inform him that it was due to unavoidable reasons that he could not send his assistants to audit the Society’s accounts which will be taken up soon.
Siva at once took him in and nicely entertained him with milk and fruits. Sri Malhotra informed Siva that his mother was not in good health. On hearing this, Siva at once brought Chyavanaprash from the Ayurvedic Pharmacy and presented it to Sri Malhotra, to be used by his mother.
But, Sri Malhotra insisted on paying for it. He is so much devoted to Siva that he always declines to accept any renumeration for auditing the accounts of the Society. He knows the invaluable, divine currency in which his services to the Society will be paid.
WHAT IS RISKLESS?
Deputy Collector Dwaraka Singji met Siva on the Swarg Ashram road, on the Ganges bank. After the usual enquiries, D.S. told Siva: ‘Swamiji, I have a number of your invaluable books. I follow your instructions in so far as I can. I practise Asana also. But, Swamiji, I am at present about 55 years old. Can I do Sirasasan without any risk?’
‘Of course, you can.’
‘But, Swamiji, some people say that we should not practise Sirasasan after a certain age and that there is some risk in doing so.’
‘What is without risk, Maharaj? When you walk on the road, you maybe knocked down by a motor-car. When you ride in a boat, it may capsize and you may be drowned. Still, we have to go on doing these things.
‘Similarly, practise Sirasasan with the help of a wall, for a few seconds. Try. If it does you any good, continue the practice and increase the period. If you notice any evil effect, stop it!’
In the meantime, a passer-by Pundit approached Siva with an air of learning and commenced a mild discourse in Sanskrit. Siva simply looked at him, as if to remind him of the first verse of ‘Bhaja Govindam’. Just at that very moment another Pundit (known to Siva) was approaching the party from the opposite direction. Siva introduced one to the other: they soon entered into a heated discussion. Siva smiled significantly and walked on. D.S. quickly understood the import and said: ‘You have done the right thing, Swamiji. Let them fight.’
‘I do not know why people waste their energy in idle discussions. One should be absolutely practical.’
HEART-REMOVER
A party of high railway officials (all friends of Sri D.C. Desai, a close disciple of the Master) was waiting for Siva in the office, and greeted him with a Namaskar when Siva came in. One of them was greatly interested in Asans and Pranayam.
‘I am able to do all the Asans, Swamiji. But, this Paschimottanasan seems to be beyond my capacity.’
‘Practise! The difficulties will vanish soon.’
At once the officer jumped out of the bench, sat on the floor with his legs thrown in front and demonstrated. ‘Up to this extent I can do it Swamiji.’ He bent forward and touched the toes.
‘That is wonderful. It is fifty per cent Paschimottanasan. Even that is quite sufficient in your case.’
The topic turned to the therapeutic value of Asans and Pranayam. One of the officers had blood pressure and Siva was showing him how to do Sitali Pranayam. To another he taught Bhastrika to ward off drowsiness and to get abundant energy.
An officer explained that a few years before all his teeth were removed and that resulted in a sudden decline in the state of his health. That has greatly upset his Sadhana: and he is unable to get up early in the morning, unable to walk a few miles at one stretch, unable to exert himself.
‘My advice is,’ said Siva: ‘never go to a dentist unless the case is very bad. Many of these doctors have a mania for ‘removing’. Removing teeth, removing tonsils, removing appendix, removing lungs!’
‘They have not yet come to removing man’s heart, Swamiji,’ said someone.
‘But, Swamiji himself has been able to do that!’ said another: and they all laughed. Siva was silent.
‘Swamiji, how silently and quickly you remove our hearts! I think you are the only doctor in the whole world who can do this!’
After some further conversation, Siva said: ‘Achchaji, Badee Kripa. You must all be busy and so you might want to go.’
Two of them were not very particular to leave: but, ‘he has to’. And, this gentleman remarked: ‘Swamiji is the greatest Karma Yogi. He is always busy. Therefore, he should have a lot of work to do.’
Before taking leave, they learnt from Siva several easy exercises, ‘old-man’s bed exercises’, etc.
Siva taught them how the very act of getting up from bed might be converted into a proper exercise, how simple movements of hands and legs when done systematically and with regulation of breath, might form good exercises.
‘Lie down on your bed and raise first one leg, then the other, as far as you can. Then, try to get up without the help of your hands.
‘Stand erect and try to bend and touch the toes. With hands on the hip, twist the trunk this way and that. These are all exercises which will gradually tone up the system.’
15 th NOVEMBER, 1948
THE AWAKENER
Cold wind blows aggravating the effects of winter. Men adore the vertically placed mud that might have lain uncared for in the bosom of the earth. The woollen blanket clings to the body. The faint vibrations of the loud report of the Swarg Ashram bell mingles, as a quiet rendezvous on the right bank of the Ganges, with the melody that emanates from the rhythmically sounded bell at Siva’s Bhajan Hall: and they pay their morning obeisance to Siva.
Within a few minutes, a solitary figure emanates from this rendezvous. In that calm stillness his very footfalls are resonant with the names of the Lord. The cold blast has long ceased to worry him: though his garments are disturbed by the winds, the real HE is far, far away—in the very heart of wind itself and yet beyond. He has realised long ago that the mud-houses (why even the fleshy tabernacle built out of divine-clay) are all ephemeral, and he has sought and gained his own Abode, Brahman. That is our Siva. Let us greet him at this glorious hour of our own life—the Brahmamuhurth of Divine Life. ‘ OM Namassivanandaya’.
Sri Brij Bihari Lal Kapur and his family are on a visit to the Ashram. With his characteristically majestic gait Siva approaches Sri Kapur’s Kutir. OM OM ….(Silence) ….OM OM OM ….(Still no response) ….Jingling of bangles announces the wearer’s response: the door is opened: astonished at this unexpected presence of the Master at their door, the family prostrate before him.
‘ OM Namo Narayanaya!’ Siva has seen his Narayana. ‘Come: wash your face and go to the morning class at the Bhajan Hall.’
Siva awakens the slumbering: nay, not only that: he leads them on.
At the conclusion of the class, the party confessed that it was Siva’s grace that enabled them to spend the morning hours most profitably.
WOMEN’S LIGHT AND GUIDE
Nothing delights Siva more than to hear that a boy or girl has resolved to take the vow of celibacy and dedicate his or her life to God. This time it was Srimathi Kanti or Bareilly (daughter of Sri Kapur).
In a delighted mood, Siva began to instruct her:
‘Engage yourself heart and soul in the service of humanity. You have got all the talents: they are all the rarest gift of the Almighty. Utilise them all in His service. Take part in all women’s movements. Only don’t lose your head: don’t allow yourself to be converted, but always endeavour to convert others and bring them to the divine path. Talk to the ladies. Deliver short stirring discourses on the importance of divine life, of righteousness, purity, truth and love. Serve them and win their hearts. Collect the children of your locality and lovingly tell them good illuminating stories and advise them on the essentials of perfect living. Training the ladies and the children in easy Asans and Pranayam. Break the cage: forget the sex. Atma is sexless. There is infinite power within you. By all means develop the feminine (motherly) heart that God has endowed you with: but be not a coward. Stand up: hold before yourself the great ideals of Mira, Maitreyi, and Gargi. Contribute spiritual articles to ladies’ magazines. Attend all ladies’ meetings: and push yourself to the forefront and deliver lectures. Start with your own school. Informally talk to your own students on God and Divine Life. Create an interest in little girls. Talk to them of ethical culture and discipline. Gradually the circle will become wider and wider. People will soon come to know of your divine nature and flock to you. Side by side you should practise rigorous Sadhana and mould yourself. Then everyone will be compelled to listen to you. Keep always in touch with the leading women of the country and the world at large. Correspond with Sarojini Devi, Mira Behn, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and others outside India. Exchange of ideas is a healthy habit. You will soon become one of them.’
ALL THIS IS DRAMA ONLY
A devotee from Sri Swami Sukdevanandaji’s Ashram has come. He was known to Siva to be a good dramatist. At once Siva asked that a copy of all the Dramas written by Siva be given to him. With a visible profusion of gratitude, the devotee started perusing the books one by one, forgetting the Ashram, forgetting that he is sitting before Siva, forgetting everything, in fact (for he was seen admiring the book, smiling at some interesting passages in it, suddenly growing serious and serene at the impact of a sublime thought, etc. etc.)
It was quite a while before his attention was shifted from the books to the author.
‘You have written wonderful dramatic works, Swamiji.’
‘Glory be to the Lord, the Prompter of all actions!’ replied Siva in all humility.
‘You have, Swamiji, given a new life to the histrionic art. Now people will know that even drama can be put to spiritual use. All the prejudices against the stage which grew in ignorant hearts will vanish.’
‘I have always felt that spiritual truths should be presented to the public in a form which they would appreciate most. If I find that many people go to a cinema, I will at once produce a play. If I find that people are interested only in storybooks, I will write philosophical stories. After all, what harm is there in enacting a drama. As a matter of fact, we are all every day enacting hundreds of scenes. The whole world is a big drama. Our real nature is something and our assumed nature is something diametrically opposite. This grand play teaches us innumerable lessons. Similarly, the plays will also impress the spiritual ideas on the people’s minds.’
After the devotee had left, Siva told us of Sri Swami Sukdevanandaji.
Sukdevanandaji is one of the oldest companions of Siva. And, in many respects they are alike. S. has the same spirit of dynamic activity which animates every nerve of Siva. He has done tremendous work through the Daivi Sampat Mandal. Wherever he goes, he holds conferences and does propaganda work. Another point of close resemblance between these two great spiritual giants is their absolute sincerity. They never mince words or matters. They go straight to the very core of the problem before, decide on the adoption of a course, and with great zeal, earnestness and sincerity, achieve the object. Their courage, and will-power are beyond description. Their devotion to the cause is beyond words. Sukdevanandaji’s Guru Bhakti is supreme: in fact, all his achievements are attributed by him to the grace of his Guru, Sri Swami Ekarasanandaji Maharaj.
16 th NOVEMBER, 1948
DEVOTION TO SIVA
Sri Mathur, General Manager of the Paramarth Bank, Rishikesh, was waiting for Siva near his Kutir early in the morning. Even while Siva was emerging from the Kutir, Sri Mathur fell prostrate at Siva’s feet, on the bare ground. He placed a small amount (in silver coins) at Siva’s feet, as ‘flowers’.
‘Swamiji Maharaj, today is my birthday. I have come to seek your blessings in order that I may stick to the path of righteousness and remember God.’
Siva blessed him and gave him his (Siva’s) golden advice. Later Siva told us:
‘Mathurji is a very pious and noble soul. He must have a lot of work to do. Yet, he is very regular in his Sadhana. Look at his devotion. He has come all the way from Rishikesh. He would have taken Sanyas also. But, his family circumstances are such that he is at present unable to do so. Now he is practically leading a Sanyasin’s life.’
DESTRUCTION OF PLEASURE-CENTRES (A BLESSING)
Srimathi Kanta Rani of Delhi, a young devotee with good spiritual Samskaras who is staying here for the past few days informed Siva that her father-in-law, a retired Engineer (Sri Shroff) had decided to build a Kutir in the Ashram premises and live here. They had planned to have the foundation-stone laid by Siva today.
‘It is an excellent idea. Only those who have spiritual Samskaras embedded in their very being will have such inclination. It is a rare ambition.
‘Do not imagine that you are not happy because you have lost your husband. It is all God’s will; and as He is our own Father, all that He does is for our good only. Lord Krishna Himself says in the Bhagavatha that he removes the pleasure-centres of one whom He loves most. I will tell you a story: listen.
‘Sri Krishna and Arjuna were once travelling through a town. They went to a rich man’s house and asked for some food. This haughty man abused them in the vilest terms, refused to give them food and ran to beat them with a stick even. Arjuna almost lost his temper; but Krishna, realising this, wanted to quit the place. But, before doing so, He blessed the rich man with very much more riches, hundreds of cows, bungalows, etc. Arjuna thought this was queer behaviour; but kept quiet. Then they went to a poor man’s house. He was an emaciated skeleton. But he had great devotion to the Lord. When the divine travellers approached him for food, he at once ran in, brought good milk (the only article of food he had in the house at that time) made Krishna and Arjuna (whom he did not recognise, as they were in disguise) sit on the cot and entertained them. ‘Bhagavan, how blessed I am to have had your Darshan. You appear to be great devotees of the Lord. All this is yours only. Command me: what shall I do for you?’ The Lord understood His heart’s spiritual yearning. He looked around and He found that the only property of the poor man was a cow. As they emerged from the house, Lord Krishna uttered a curse: ‘May this cow die!’ Arjuna was furious at this outrageous act on the part of the Lord Himself. ‘What, you cursed the poor man who entertained us so nicely and blessed the haughty rogue who scolded us. What injustice.’ Krishna replied: ‘My dear Arjuna, be calm. This poor man is a great devotee of mine: I love him, too. The cow is the only object to which he is attached. The moment it is taken away, he will devote himself entirely to Me. He will soon attain Moksha. Whereas, the rich haughty man would find that his riches have suddenly increased. This will add to his egoism, to his bondages and to his worries.’
‘Therefore, we should all rejoice when the pleasure-centres are removed. You are now free to do Sadhana all the twenty-four hours. Sri Shroffji is also a good Sadhaka. He has retired from active public life. Why should he worry himself any more? He can also spend his last days peacefully on the banks of the Ganga in silent contemplation. Ekanta-Vasa is absolutely necessary from every point of view. Seclusion alone will give you everlasting peace and joy. Enough of friends, relatives. If you remain in Delhi, even if you are spiritually-inclined, there will be a lot of disturbance. Here, you can remain undisturbed.’
When Srimathi Kanta Rani had left, Siva talked to us of retired people. ‘They can devote their entire time to Sadhana: they should. How few of them do so! Sri Shroff is a good Sadhaka. He is also a mental Sanyasin: as Srimathi Kanta is a mental Sanyasini. (After a pause) Do you know of certain other mental Sanyasins? They will indulge in tall talk: they will discuss Vedanta and high philosophy: they will sing, dance and do Japa: but, you will soon come face to face with their hollowness when you approach them with a request, ‘Maharaj, you have got fifty thousand rupees, kindly donate one thousand rupees to the Ashram; it needs it.’ They will not part with a single pie. This is a type of hypocritical mental Sanyasin.
‘But Shroff is not like that. He builds his Kutir in the Ashram with the express purpose of letting the Society use the building whenever they are not using it.’
MOHAMED SHOULD GO TO MOUNTAIN
‘If mountain does not come to Mohamed, Mohamed should go to mountain.’
As soon as Siva came into the office, he enquired of Vishnuji: ‘Vishnuji, did you go to Shroff’s Kutir this morning to teach him Asans?’
‘Yes, Swamiji.’
‘That is good. Some of these old people might feel shy to practise Asans in public. They will think ‘Supposing I fall down while standing on Sirasasan, people will laugh’ and so avoid coming to the Asan class. For such people’s sake, you should go to their room and teach them Asans. That is real spirit of service.
‘Another important point. Do not simply come away after the Asan-practice is over. Do a few minutes Japa and meditation: a couple of minutes’ silent meditation: repeat Shanti Mantras, and then come away. Thus, even this Asan-class will be converted into a class on Yoga of Synthesis, with Japa, Dhyan, Kirtan, etc. The effects of such Asan-practice will be much more lasting.’
HUMOUR—THE SPICE OF LIFE
A little later Siva’s bag was suddenly found to glove his right hand: off came the hand with two bananas, and the bag dropped itself into a corner.
‘Vishnuji, take these! These are not for you. You are a good Karma Yogi: therefore, you should not take them yourself, but give them to others. Give them right and left ….(meaning: one to Sri Sivapremji, sitting on the right, and the other to me, on the left) ….But, don’t give them right and left!’
SERMON ON THE BATTLE-FIELD
The rattling noise of the typewriters, beating the divine life-drums, produced a deafening noise. The pen in the hands of many youthful, energetic aspirants rushed along the body of registers, wrappers and letter-heads, spilling ink (the blood of divine life). Sanyasins, Brahmacharis and householder-devotees rushed to and fro carrying magazines and leaflets, the banner of divine life. Siva, the General, sat at the head of the office watching with satisfaction this battle against ignorance.
There entered into this field of Supreme Battle of Life, an engineer, a doctor and a layman, with two ladies and a child. Besieged on all sides by the dark forces of materialism, they had resorted to Siva to help them fight their battles. Truly it was like Arjuna resorting to Krishna in a moment of despair and desolation.
They were eager to find a solution to the problem that faces them: ‘How to fight the inner battle?’
‘Do Japa, Kirtan, Asans, Pranayam. Get up at 4 a.m. Do Brahma Vichar. Study one chapter of the Gita daily. Observe Mouna for two hours. Fast on Ekadashi.
Siva virtually sang his song of Twenty Instructions.
‘But when I say all this you will be frightened; do Japa of the name of the Lord and remember Him always. This one thing is sufficient to take you to the Goal.’
‘The mind always wants to run after sensual pleasures. Draw it back to the Lakshya—God. Fix it there. Then you will enjoy more peace, more joy and more strength. What is there in these pleasures? Any amount of worldly good fortunes and wealth will be of no avail. When the bank fails, your heart also will fail. When you are out of job, even your servant will not listen to your word. It is only when you are a big officer that people salute you. It will vanish when you lose the job or when you retire from the job. But, if you are a man of God, if you have acquired divine wealth or Daivi Sampath, you will be honoured and revered everywhere at all times. Acquire the Four Means to salvation. Vairagya, Viveka, Shad-Sampath and Mumukshutwa. Then take to the study of the Upanishads, Gita and Brahma Sutras.’
‘Stage by stage, you should evolve and know that happiness is not to be had in sensual objects. The greatest pleasure that man enjoys during the course of the day is in deep sleep. Is this not clear proof that pleasure lies outside the senses, outside the mind, outside the sense-objects? When discrimination dawns, and when you have real Vairagya, there will be a natural yearning to realise True Bliss of the Atman. Then you will take to spirituality and enjoy Atmic Bliss.’
‘Lead a pure virtuous life. Practise Satyam, Ahimsa and Brahmacharya. Sing the names of the Lord with intense devotion. This alone is sufficient. Keep your body in good health by the practise of Asans and Pranayam. Spend your holidays in places of seclusion like Rishikesh and utilise the entire period in solid Sadhana. These are the preliminary aids to Divine Life. Then, by gradual stages, you will progress to the Supreme Abode. May God bless you. OM Namo Narayanaya.’
Long after Siva had concluded his inspiring discourse, the party was in no mood to get up or go. This sermon on the Battle-field apparently acted as a Brahmastra for them to slay all their inner foes and threw a flood of light and joy into their hearts. In a dazed mood they prostrated to Siva and thanked him profusely for this illumination.
‘MY FRIENDS AND RELATIVES’
The foundation-stone laying ceremony had been scheduled to be performed at 12 noon. So, Siva got up, collected his ‘children’ in the office, including the visitors, and proceeded to the site. The blazing sun and the physical movement slowly brought down our visitors to the human plane.
‘Swamiji, supposing we wish to stay here for some time, can we come with our family?’ asked the engineer as we were nearing the Ashram archway.
‘Of course, yes: do you think that we are without our families here? Why, this flower, this creeper, this delightful plant, this tall tree—all of them are my family-members. The whole world is pervaded by God, one Atman. Feel: feel, the entire world is your family only. Expand your consciousness and be free.’
After such a struggle they were able to ask him one mundane question: and expected Siva’s reply also in the language of the earth. But, what a luck!
ALWAYS THE SAME
My Lord! What frail instruments you often choose for thy gigantic work. You take us by the hand and drag us along. Yet, we act only as a burden to tire your tireless zeal, instead of taking you on our shoulders and running along under your direction.
Except for the solitary mason working at the site, Siva was the first to arrive. Again he started: ‘Bring the Puja materials from the temple. Go and get the Prasad. Call Iyannaji. Tell Sri X that we are waiting here. Where is Sastriji? Who will do the Puja? etc.’ What inexhaustible patience. Any other head of an institution would be fuming with rage.
One by one they started coming. When Sri Shroff arrived, Siva took him up the hillock for an examination of the pit dug. ‘Is this enough? Will it not be better to have it a little deeper?’ Shroff was of the same opinion. At once the mason started on his work again. This could well have been done earlier.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT
Then began Kirtan, Chidananda Swamiji leading.
‘Today,’ commenced Siva, ‘is the auspicious day of the full moon. Paurnami. It is a blessed day that reminds us of the nature of the Lord, Brahman or our own Self. Brahman is Paripoorna, fullness, infinite, Bhuman. It is not partial: it is One Homogeneous Existence, undivided, full. It is this that the full moon reminds us of. Other days represent the moon only as partial: only today the moon has all the sixteen Kalas. This is not the new moon (Amavasya) day of ignorance, inertia or Tamas. Today is the full moon day of light, joy and bliss.
‘On this most auspicious day we lay the foundation-stone of a Kutir for seclusion proposed to be built by Sri Shroff of Delhi. He is a retired engineer who wishes to live in seclusion in Rishikesh spending the rest of his life in divine contemplation, in the practice of Sadhana. He and Srimathi Kanta Rani, another exalted soul keenly interested in the acquisition of the inexhaustible wealth of the Lord’s Name, of devotion to His Lotus Feet, of leading the divine life intend to practice Tapascharya at this holy spot, and to attain the goal of life.
‘This goal of life is God-realisation. Nothing else is of any use. Man is lost in the glamour of material pleasures. Sensual enjoyment cannot give lasting happiness. Even if you have a dozen bungalows, twenty motor-cars, a few crores of rupees in your bank, and a army of servants: even if you have a beautiful wife, and many children, even if you have all the material pleasures that the world can offer you, you cannot have that supreme peace that can come only out of Self-realisation. In the Self alone is there deep abiding peace. Do not be duped by these sensual objects. When the bank fails, you will weep. More wealth, more worry. With the fulfilment of your desires, they multiply: you can never root them out by feeding them. Unless you are desireless, you can never have peace.
‘ Himalayas represent the Swarupa of the Lord. ‘Sthavaranam Himalayah’ ‘I am the Himalayas among the immoveables’. Gaze at this gigantic manifestation of the Lord. Again, ‘Srothasamasmi Jahnavi’ ‘I am Ganges among streams’. What more do you want? The Himalayas are our father and the Ganga is our mother. It is a great blessing to live at the feet of Himalayas and to take bath in the Ganga. It is in the Himalayas that great saints and sages have practised Tapas from time immemorial and realised God. The holy vibrations of these Self-realised sages are ever present in the very atmosphere of these parts.
‘Sri Shroff and Srimathi Kanta are indeed blessed souls. They have resolved rightly. They have understood the vanity of the world. Their examples should open the eyes of others. Nowadays even retired people cling to their families and relatives: they are attached to property and wealth: they are greedy and want to enter into private service somewhere or other to earn some more money. Even after suffering all their life in this Samsara they have not realised the gravity of the situation, they have not realised the importance of the life divine. Every retired man should follow Sri Shroff’s example and actually retire into seclusion. That is why our ancients instituted the Vanaprasthashrama. Without attachment to property, to son, wife or wealth, the man is asked to retire into a forest to practise tapas, to practise Sravan, Manan and Nididhyasan and ultimately to embrace Sanyasa and realise the summum bonum of human life. Renunciation is absolutely essential. Without renunciation of material pleasures, of egoism and of selfishness, nothing great has ever been achieved.
‘May God bless Sri Shroff and Srimathi Kanta with health, long life, peace, prosperity, and Kaivalya. May the Lord illumine their hearts. May God bless you all. May you all attain G0d-realisation in this very birth. May you all shine as Jivanmuktas in this very birth. OM’
Siva was all the time standing on the hillock, and the flock below (on the path leading to the Viswanath Mandir) listened spell-bound to this Sermon on the Mount from the lips of the modern Jesus Christ. Wave after wave of spiritual fervour swept over the entire audience as the powerful vibrations of Siva’s soul-stirring oration pierced their heart. With hairs on end, we stood, oblivious of the surroundings, listening to the words of the great master, with our eyes riveted on his magnificent form, until we instinctively cried ‘Jai’ at the conclusion of the Sermon.
At the close of the function, we were all coming down. The visitor-friends were also coming down with Siva.
‘You take your food here: and then you can go,’ invited Siva.
‘Swamiji, we have not yet taken our bath. And, we have already brought some food with us in the car.’
‘Do not worry about bath. Repeat ‘Jnanamritam Suddham Atindriyoham’. This is Vedantic Snanam. This is superior to all other baths. Mentally imagine that you are taking bath in the Great ocean of Supreme Knowledge. Identify yourself with this ocean of knowledge—Jnanamritam. Realise that you are the ever-pure Atman-Suddham. And, feel that you are beyond the senses—Atindriya. You will feel completely refreshed. You will feel that you are entirely different! Come, then: repeat this thrice and take some food as Prasad.’
For once, they must have thought, Siva came down to human plane: but it would not last longer than to ask one question. Lucky visitors. God bless you.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER
As we had almost reached the D.J. Hall, Siva turned and looked behind. Sri Balan and Sri Chetlur were coming together.
Smilingly Siva remarked: ‘Birds of a feather flock together. A journalist always seeks a journalist’s friendship. An advocate likes the company of another advocate, a cook that of a cook, a doctor that of a doctor: a bald-headed man goes with another bald-headed man: a Sanyasi likes the company of another Sanyasi. That is the law of nature. But, a Jivanmukta finds his own Self in every one and in everything and therefore moves with everyone without distinction.’
17 th NOVEMBER, 1948
SIVA IN EVERY NOOK AND CORNER
Swami Brahmanandaji, an aged Sadhu, came to the Ashram for a day’s stay. Siva nicely entertained him with fruits and milk, gave him the magazine and leaflets and attended to the Swami’s comforts.
‘Swamiji,’ said Swami B., ‘I had been to Ceylon. I have wandered about in the interior of far-off Ceylon. But, I was surprised to find that you have your disciples in that country also. I saw a devotee in that country also. I saw a devotee in the countryside of Ceylon and he said that he has been one of your silent admirers and disciples for a considerable time past.’
Vishnuji took the visiting Sadhu to the temple, Guha, etc. When he returned Swami B. told Siva: ‘Swamiji, from the road I thought that the hillock grew on it only jungles. But what a fine Ashram you have built over it! It is a miracle and a great revelation when one goes up the hillock.’
NOT YET CONFIRMED
Sri Ram Ram Ram of Lucknow is an aged devotee. Even in his advanced age he is reluctant to give up his practice as an advocate. He has, however, been a pious devotee who has regularly visited Rishikesh and attended Satsang on every occasion. Siva sounded him: ‘Why not retire from active life and practise contemplation? You have worked enough: you have no encumbrances.’
‘But, Swamiji, though I have attended Satsang all these years and though I have been doing Japa and Dhyana all these years, I have not yet a confirmed belief in God and His name. There is yet Moha for family, for position, for money and for worldly life. It is strange, Swamiji, I confess.’
‘Maya is powerful,’ said Siva: ‘and, except in very rare cases when the Samskaras are very strong, taste for a life of contemplation does not manifest itself in man. No doubt, Satsang, Japa and Dhyan, help a Sadhaka a lot. But the Avarana of Avidya or the veil of ignorance is so thick that these are not sufficient to pierce it. They only create Samskaras which take shape in future births. But, if at the same time you do Vichara, develop Viveka and cultivate Vairagya, then the progress is extremely rapid. Vairagya and Viveka are absolutely necessary. Without these no amount of Satsang, Japa, or Dhyan will produce immediate results. Maya is extremely powerful: she can be annihilated only through Dridha Vairagya (intense dispassion).’
18 th NOVEMBER, 1948
NO WARM RECEPTION
Swami …., who had once stayed at the Ashram for a considerable time and who had done a lot of work for the Society, had come and gone away. There was a mild discussion about his attitude towards the Ashram.
‘Swamiji, perhaps he did not stay on at the Ashram because he was not given a rousing reception he might have expected.’
‘What reception? A Sanyasin should not have such expectations and desires.’
THE ACID TEST
‘He left the Ashram to do intense Tapasya and Sadhana. If he had really done much Tapasya or Sadhana, he would have developed the loving heart, an entirely changed angle of vision, and this would have electrified whomever he met here. He would have adopted an attitude of humility, of service, of brotherly love towards everyone here. He would thus have endeared himself to everyone. Naturally a different atmosphere would have been created. This is the way. He should always conquer people’s hearts through love and service. There is no other way. If he was not able to do that, it means the Sadhana was a continuous indulgence in inertia and an increased fattening of the ego.’
Good lesson we ourselves learnt today. What more precious lessons can Tapasya teach us? Better to serve selflessly and egolessly than to add to our egoism by other means.
SHIP OF LIFE
We should much rather surrender ourselves at Siva’s feet and let him carry the burden. It is possible by progressively opening up the Antahkarana to Siva’s daily teachings and actions to imbibe his divinity: when the fire of Siva-Sankalpa has burnt our ignorance, the flame of knowledge will get lighted and burn brilliantly illumining every nook and corner of our being.
Strangely enough, the same thoughts have found expression in a letter which we received just today from Srimathi Sivaramaseetha Bai of Tuticorin:
‘There are three types of Jnanis,’ she says. ‘There are the Muktha Purushas who are like the small pieces of wood that float on the surface of a river. They can float, but they cannot bear the burden of even one small bird. If the bird sits on this piece of wood, the wood will sink. Then, there are the Nityas. Like a country boat these Jnanis will take along with them beyond the ocean of Samsara a small band of devotees. Then there are the Avatara Purushas. They are like huge steamers. Without the least effort, as though playfully, they can carry over their shoulders thousands of Jivas with all their burdens, their bag and baggage (viz., their sins and Samskaras) and take them to the other shore of immortality or God-realisation. You are like the great ocean-going liner: you belong to the third class of Jnanis—the Avatara Purushas,’ says she addressing Siva. She has given another beautiful description: ‘Muktas are like a small lantern placed in a room. This is not of any use to those outside. Nityas are like the street lights. They illumine a whole street. But Avatara Purushas are like the sun. They illumine the entire universe. Like the sun, the Avatara Purusha helps the entire world. You belong to this class of Jnanis. I rejoice when I hear of your glory and service: the glory and service of a true spiritual sun. I rejoice that South India has been thrice blessed in giving birth to an Avatara Purusha like you.’
Well done. You have diagnosed the Doctor of the Soul himself accurately—that is what we should say to Sri Sivaramaseetha Bai.
LESSON IN BEGGING
Sri Swami Muruganandaji wants to lead a life of seclusion and Tapasya. He came to the office to take leave of Siva.
‘Swamiji, I intend to go to Andhra Ashram and stay there for some time. Then I shall find out a suitable place for myself.
‘But, whenever you go, you should make yourself useful. Then only will people like you. Merely taking Bhiksha and sitting idly somewhere is not Yoga. That is Tamasic indulgence. Not only will people not like you, but your own progress will be slow. Combine meditation with service. Then everyone will like you and your progress will also be quick.
‘All right: you can remain wherever you like. Take Bhiksha from the Kshetra. But, you should know the method! Come: I will show you how. Sit here. Now, you are the kitchen manager who distributes the food. You should make a nice bag of your cloth like this. Then hang it on your forearm like this. Go to the man who gives roties. Receive the roties gracefully bending your body, like this. Then catch hold of the loose ends of the cloth with the left hand itself (do not place the improvised bag on the floor) and, with the right hand, take the dhal in the vessel. Then go to the vegetable-walah: take the vegetables and walk off,’ Siva demonstrated the entire process: made M. also do so.
‘Swamiji, the main difficulty for me is that I do not know the language and there are no people here whom I know or who know me. Therefore, I intend to go to South India.’
‘What is this? A Sanyasin should always remain in a place where he is least known. That is the secret behind the Parivrajak life also. Familiarity not only breeds contempt in some quarters, but Moha in others, too. That is very bad. Always remain unknown, a stranger wherever you go. That is the gate to Moksha. And serve at every opportunity that you get. OM Namah Sivaya.’
M. left ultimately for his own South India.
RUB EVERYWHERE: SMALL OR BIG
A Chettiar from the South was describing the affairs of a well-known Ashram. There are parties and cliques: power-politics with national politics thrown in. Provincialism, caste distinctions: distinctions between high and low.
Siva remarked in jest, though with deep significance: ‘Everywhere there is rub. Only in some places it is a small rub: in others it is big rub. World is a place of rubs only. And, which Ashram or locality is ‘out’ of the world? The ideal Ashram is a place where there is the least rub!’
ALWAYS SING ANANDOHAM
Sri Aravamudan had a pricking conscience: he had told an unpremeditated lie, without realising its consequences. And, peculiarly (as it often happens with Siva) events so contrived themselves that it was exposed, though the consequences were not serious, again thanks to the presence of Siva. With a contrite heart, A. had written a note apologising for the mistake and left it on Siva’s table.
On seeing (at first sight), Siva exclaimed: ‘What? Aravamudan is leaving the Ashram?’
‘No, Swamiji, he has only left a note.’
‘Achcha. About that incident?’ Siva threw the note down without reading it further. ‘Whenever someone unusually places a note on my table or prostrates, I take it to be an indication of ‘OM Namo Narayanaya, I am going to Uttarkashi.’ (To A.) ‘Don’t worry. These slips do occur in a man’s life. Learn the lesson: profit by it: then, forget the whole even. Always sing Anandoham: never ‘worryoham’.
A WEEK WITH SIVA
Sri Lakshmi Narayan Chetlur from Geneva had stayed for a week at the Ashram and intended to leave for Geneva tomorrow. He delivered a short talk in the Bhajan Hall on the benefit he had derived from his stay for a week at the Ashram. I give below some points from his lecture:
‘Four and a half years ago, I happened to see on my father’s table a few works of Swamiji and also a spiritual diary. I tried to study the books and also to maintain the spiritual diary. The keeping of the diary was at that time rather a difficult job. Later I went to Europe. There I felt that I should have a more thorough knowledge of Yoga and should be in a position to take Eastern culture into the West. This time when I came to India I wanted to utilise this short visit in the acquisition of this knowledge. Therefore I came to the Ashram. Have I been benefited in my quest?
‘Yes: as a result of my stay here for a week, the meaning of life has become infinitely more clear to me. I have often been drawn out of my self-imposed seclusion and taught the principles of Yoga. I find in the Ashram a congenial atmosphere in which everyone works in a spirit of brotherly love. I find, too, that the moment one enters the Ashram one forgets all about caste, creed, colour and nationality. I find one family from California, a couple of Sadhaks from Africa, all mixing freely together, as though they are all members of one fraternity. Unsolicited, the Ashramites go out of their way, greet me and help me in solving my problems. That is something which marks this Ashram out from others.
‘I leave with a definite feeling that I have been benefited in the moral fabric of my being.’
Later, Siva gave him invaluable instructions in regard to his propaganda work in the West, and encouraged him in his endeavours to spiritualise the Indian Association in Geneva of which he is the Secretary.
‘There is no harm in having a materialistic department in the organisation. You need finance to run the Association. You need to attract people to the cause. I will tell you a secret. Open a small restaurant with the help of an Indian cook. The dosai there will attract a large clientele. You will be financially benefited: and you will get a large membership for the Association, too. You can then introduce them into Yoga and work wonders. All these are necessary in the present age.’
Then Sri R.V. Sastri explained how many immoral people had been turned to the divine path by Siva contributing articles to very low-class trash journals.
‘People first purchase the journal to read the trash stories. Later they find in it one page of matter which is absolutely the opposite of the matter contained in the others. There comes a moment in the life of every man, a hit somewhere, a knock somewhere, when he turns to God. This one-page catches fire in his heart at that psychological moment: he turns away from the rubbish and buys the magazine only for this one page. It goes to such an extent that he cuts the page away from the ugly matter of the magazine and then reads.’
That is the secret. Siva will find out the worldly man’s weak-points, and seemingly try to feed him there, but inwardly draw him to Divine Life. This is what Lord Krishna was doing: an art in which He, too, was an adept.
19 th NOVEMBER, 1948
CHILD MAKES THE AGED CHILDREN
Sri S.Y. Krishnaswami, I.C.S., and his wife have come again from Delhi. Siva met them after they had finished their night-meal: in the Dining Hall.
‘You have had your meal?’
‘Yes, Swamiji. Last time we came here, we had a great desire to attend the evening Bhajan: but we could not. So, today we have come with the express intention of attending the Bhajan. When we returned to Delhi, we were always thinking of the calm and serene atmosphere of Rishikesh. It is only your Ashirvad that has brought us back here.’
‘Very good. There is, I think, not one better place in the whole world, than Rishikesh. You must settle down here. What job, money, family, wealth, position? Peace you can get only in this sort of life.’
‘I entirely agree with you, Swamiji. I have enjoyed all the comforts and joys that worldly life has to offer man. I have travelled all over the world. First I went to America through the Western route. The second time I went through the East. I have stayed in the very best hotel in America paying thirty-five dollars a day. I have presided over international conferences. But, nothing like spending even one evening here, sharing the simple food, leading the simple life, sleeping in a simple cottage.’
In the Bhajan Hall Siva prompted Sri Krishnaswami to sing. And, in the magnetic aura of this child-like Siva, K. forgetting the urban life he was accustomed to, and sang a couple of stanzas from Ananda Lahari, beautifully and with Bhav. Siva greatly appreciate the songs.
Old Satchidanandaji also sang. It was a thrilling Satsang gathering. All old men become like children in the presence of this utterly simple child Siva!
27 th NOVEMBER, 1948
TAGORE OF SOUTH INDIA SINGS SIVA’S GLORY
At the Bhajan Hall, during the evening Satsang, Sri K.S. Venkataramani of Kaveripoompattinam, a great author of repute, whose famous stories and novels had earned for him the title of ‘Tagore of South India’ spoke. Even before he commenced, the tender Siva in maternal affection had requested Sri K.S.V.—
‘If your health permits, you may speak a few words: otherwise, please, do not strain yourself.’ Such is Siva’s natural concern for others.
Sri K.S.V. spoke of his great admiration for the Nama-Prachar that Siva has been carrying on in the country, and particularly for the fact that the Akhanda Maha Mantra Kirtan was going on in the Ashram. ‘An infinite power is generated where this Mantra is repeated and that works out for the good of the individuals concerned and of the world at large. I have just visited the famous Samadhi of Bodhendra Swami, the great exponent of Nama-Sankirtanam: and I am very happy to find here another great Swamiji carrying on the same tradition. If devotion to the Lord and His name is today kept up in the human heart it is due to the Herculean endeavours of Swami Sivanandaji.’
28 th NOVEMBER, 1948
INITIATION INTO ASANOLOGY
Sr. K.S. Venkataramani is leaving for Delhi today. He was in the Sivananda Publication League section purchasing some of the Ayurvedic Pharmacy products, books, etc.
‘Venkataramaniji, I wanted to teach you some Asans and Kriyas before you go.’ So saying, Siva got out of his seat and met Sri K.S.V. half-way. And, unceremoniously Siva sat on the ground where he thought fit! Then he started demonstrating Asans to the astonishment of Sri K.S.V. and Sri R.V. Sastriji.
‘This is Uddiyana Bandha. Pumping it quickly, it becomes Agnisara kriya. These two act as natural insulin. The pancreatic secretion is increased. This is Maha Mudra. Just bend and try to touch the knee with your nose. It is not necessary that you should actually do so,—a mere effort is sufficient. And, this is Paschimottanasan. These are all natural treatments for diabetes. You can do them just for a few minutes every day.’
With profound gratitude, K.S.V. said: ‘Swamiji, what wonderful Kriyas these are. What a wonderful spiritual heritage we have, which we do not know. The pity is that the average man today is not aware of the very existence of these Asans, Kriyas and so on. But for you, they would have been altogether forgotten. Indeed, in this respect I must say you have rendered a service which no one else has done.’
MODERATION IS SATVIC FOOD
Then Sri K.S.V. wanted to know if Brahmi-Buti would be of use to him.
‘Yes, it is very good. Soak almonds in water overnight: peel them: make them into a paste along with Brahmi Buti in the morning. Prepare a sherbat and take it, say, after your morning coffee.’
‘Swamiji, I thought of it only as a substitute to coffee which I want to give up altogether.’
‘No, no. You need not give it up. It is necessary for brain-workers like you. The prohibition is only for the sake of those who drink gallons of coffee every day. Always observe strict moderation in diet. Then, whatever food you take becomes Satvic.’
SIVA TRIES A SANDAL ON
I watched Siva coming, through the window of the office. I thought: ‘Why is he walking so slowly, almost limping?’ Siva’s gait is always majestic (even if he is not well) and his pace fast. Siva noticed my curiosity.
‘In all these sixty-two years I have not worn these!’—He pointed to the sandals (chappals) he was wearing. ‘My shoes started pinching and I noticed small eruptions on my feet. So, I am trying these on. But, being unaccustomed to it, I feel a strange uneasiness. I feel as though the sandals would slip off. I have to grip them tightly with my toes.’
‘Man is born with nothing in this world. The child gets a toy: and grips it tightly, lest it should lose the toy. The boy gets a chocolate, and holds it tightly. The man grips tightly to himself wife, children, property, position, prestige, etc., lest he should lose them. These are the glamorous objects that allure the human being. Once he throws them away and rests in his own Swarupa, he is at peace.’
The ‘University’ was converted into ‘Academy’ in 1958.
