e-newsletter november 2011

Calender Events ofOctober 2011

02 Sunday - Durga Puja-Maha Shashti 03 Monday - Maha Saptami

(Lalitha Sahasranama Archana) 04 Tuesday - Maha Ashtami 05 Wednesday - Maha Navami 06 Thursday - Vijaya Dasami - Shanti Jal

(After Evening Arati) 07 Friday - Ekadasi 11 Tuesday - Lakshmi Puja

(after evening puja) 23 Sunday - Ekadasi 26 Wednesday - Deepavali - Kali Puja

(After Evening Arati)

Content Page No.

Calender Events and Contents 1

Vijaya Dasami (Durga Puja) A Report 2

Lakshmi Puja - A PictorialReport 5

Kali Puja - A Pictorial Report 6

Swami Subodhananda Jayanti 8

Swami Vijnanananda Jayanti 11

Human Excellence Courses Schedule 13

Spoken English & Other LanguagesAdmission Details 14

Chronos of Ramakrishna Math, Hyd. 16

November 2011

Calender Events ofOctober 2011

02 Sunday - Durga Puja-Maha Shashti 03 Monday - Maha Saptami

(Lalitha Sahasranama Archana) 04 Tuesday - Maha Ashtami 05 Wednesday - Maha Navami 06 Thursday - Vijaya Dasami - Shanti Jal

(After Evening Arati) 07 Friday - Ekadasi 11 Tuesday - Lakshmi Puja

(after evening puja) 23 Sunday - Ekadasi 26 Wednesday - Deepavali - Kali Puja

(After Evening Arati)

Calender Events ofNovember 2011

06 Sunday - Ekadasi 07 Monday - Swami Subodhananda

Jayanti 09 Wednesday - Swami Vijnanananda

Jayanti 21 Monday - Ekadasi

DURGA PUJA - A REPORT

Sri Sri Durga Puja 2011 at Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad

From Sunday October 2 to Thursday October 6 a grand worship of Shakti in the form of Sri Sri Durgawas arranged by Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad. In a world torn by tempests of feminism and post-feminisim, this unique tradition of India--worshiping the Universal Mother as the All powerful de-stroyer of evil and sustainer of good--is unique. This is what that keeps our culture free of turbulentgender wars too.

Not only this, the 5-day celebration is a context for strengthening devotion, discipline and discrimina-tion between what is right and what is wrong. The Mother has one feet on her lion-vehicle and theother on the dreaded Asura Mahisasura. In addition, there is the folklore associated with this cel-ebration. Durga here is Uma, the doughter of Giriraja [Mountain-king] Himalaya and his Queen.Once a year she comes from the abode of her husband, Siva, to visit her parents with her fourchildren Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ganesh and Kartikeya. Behind them come all the gods and goddessesto catch a glimpse of the warmth of hospitality being accorded to the beloved dauther Ambica (Durga)in her parental home.

All these are evident in the living image installed at the Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad in the PujaMandap. The breathtaking beauty of the Mother and her four children, the eye catching decor of thealtar, the colorful flowers and the serene expressions on the faces of Sri Ramakrishna and HolyMother flanking the two sides of the worship create a unique ambiance.

On the first day - that is, October 2nd the Mother's worship began at 6:30 a.m. with Chandi Pujafollowed by Chandi Parayana led by Swami Samshuddhananda ji. The latter is an eagerly awaitedevent as many devotees rushed from home to reach in time and participate fully in the soothingcadence of the 2.5 hours long chant. This schedule was followed for the next three days - October3rd, 4th, and 5th - while on the 6th there was only chandi Puja at 8:30 a.m. but no Parayanam, as itwas the day of Nimajjanam.

On all the 5 days, following the Chandi Chanting and Puja there was Pushpanjali. All devotees andSwamijis of the Math participated in this flower-offering of respects and devotion to Mother Durga.The mantras were chanted under the guidance of the clear, distinct and singing intonation of AdhyakshaMaharaj Rev. Swami Jnanadanandaji. Then these flowers were offered at the feet of Mother Durgaby Swami Bodhamayanandaji Maharaj ably assisted by Brahmacharis. Then the devotees weregiven some sweet prasad.

Except on Mahastami Day, October 4, where this programme was supplemented by Special Puja ofSri Ramakrishna Deva with Sixteen items in the temple from 8 a.m. followed by bhajans and aHomam at 10:45 a.m. At 12 noon a special arati was offered to Sri Ramakrishna who is 'sarva devadevi swarupa' - the embodiment of all gods and goddesses including Mother Durga. After this, lunchprasad was also distributed to more than 1500 devotees. Each morsel of the holy food not onlynourished the body but seemed to invigorate all the koshas/planes/aspects of the human being.

And on the last day, October 6th, after the Mother and Her four childern were given a formal farewellin the darpan visarjan ceremony, devotees were asked to see the feet of Mother Durga reflected inthe mirror immersed in water - the symbolic significance is to immerse the heart in devotion andenshrine the Mother's feet there, so that she is close-by to us for the rest of the year till she comesback again for next year's celebration of Durga Puja.

The evening programme on the first four days - October 2, 3, 4, and 5 was a melodious offering tothe Mother. After Sri Ramakrishna's evening Arati in the temple, at 7:15 p.m. there would be specialArati in the Puja Mandap for the Divine Mother. Amid the rejuvenating singing of Ayi Giri Nandini,lights and other ritual objects would be waved before Mother Durga during Arati. This was followedby moving melodies on the Mother, an event which is as fulfulling as it is blissful as it takes the mindfrom the mundane to the sublime effortlessly. This feast for the soul was followed by distribution ofprasad - a boon for the body.

On the last day - Vijaya Dashami, October 6th, the bhajans from 7:10 to 7:45 p.m. were followed byVedic chants encapsuling the 5000 year old tradition which has survived uninterrupted and contin-ues to inspire, sustain and guide us even today. This was followed by the sprinkling of Holy water -Shanti Jal - to bring 'the peace that passes understanding' into the lives and minds of the assembleddevotees to serve as a prop on which they can lean in times of weal and woe alike. In her fierce formMother Durga appears only to ensure such peace and by inundating the devotees with Holy WaterRev. Swami Jnanadanandaji Maharaj ensured that each one of us participated in and shared thispeace and bliss. After this prasad was distributed bringing to a close the uninterrupted presence ofPrimordial Shakti in our hearts and minds. But as Revered Maharaj reminded the devotees every-day after Pushpanjali, the Mother would remain with us, if we pray, surely. As one of the favoritesongs of the Master records.

Dakar moton dakte jodi pariAshbi na tor emon sadho nei

(If I can call you (the Mother) earnestly, you do not have the power to evade me and stay away)

This is a test for each devoted heart to try out--are we powerful enough in our devotion to make theMother powerless to stay away? Such an exercise could keep us close to the Mother till Durga Pujanext year. When Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad will once again provide all devotees of the twincities an opportunity to reiterate their faith in Mother Durga.

LAKSHMI PUJA - A PICTORIAL REPORT

KALI PUJA - A PICTORIAL REPORT

Life

Swami Subodhananda, who was known as Subodh Chandra Ghosh, was born in Calcutta on 8thNovember 1867 and belonged to the family of Shankar Ghosh who owned the famous Kali temple atKalitala (Thanthania), Calcutta. His father was a very pious man and fond of religious books; hismother also was of a very religious disposition. She would tell him stories from the Ramayana,Mahabharata, and other scriptures. and implanted in him love for truth and devotion to God. From hisvery boyhood he showed a remarkable spirit of renunciation and had a vague feeling that he was notmeant for a householder’s life. When pressed to marry, he emphatically said that he would take tothe life of a wandering monk, and so marriage would only be an obstacle in his path. As it was settledthat, on his passing the class examination, he was to be married, Subodh fervently prayed to Godthat the result of his examination might be bad. God heard the prayer of the little boy, and Subodh, tohis great relief, failed in the examination and did not get promotion. He got from his father a copy ofthe Bengali book, The Teachings of Sri Ramakrishna by Suresh Chandra Datta. He was so muchimpressed with its contents that he became very eager to see Sri Ramakrishna. His father told himto wait till some holiday when he could conveniently take him to Dakshineswar. But Sudodh wasimpatient so one day in the middle of 1884, he stole away from the house and along with a friendstarted on foot for Dakshineswar. There he was received very affectionately by the Master, whocaught hold of his hand and made him sit on his bed. Subodh felt reluctant to sit on the bed of a holyperson, but the Master disarmed all his fears bv treating him as if he were his close relation. In thecourse of conversation he told Subodh that he knew his parents and had visited their houseoccasionally and that he had also known that Subodh would be coming to him. He grasped the handof Subodh and remaining in meditation for a few minutes said, “You will realise the goal, Mother saysso.” He also told Subodh that the Mother sent to him those who would receive Her grace, and askedthe boy to visit him on Tuesdays and Saturdays. This was difficult of accomplishment for Subodh, asgreat objection would come from his parents if they knew of his intention. The next Saturday, however,Subodh fled away from the school with his friend and went to Dakshineswar. During this visit SriRamakrishna in an ecstatic mood stroked his body from the navel to the throat and wrote somethingon his tongue, repeating “Awake, Mother, awake”’ Then he asked Subodh to meditate. As soon ashe began meditation his whole body trembled and he felt something rushing along the spinal columnto his brain. He was plunged into a joy ineffable and saw a strange light in which the forms ofinnumerable gods and goddesses appeared and then got merged in the Infinite. The meditationgradually deepened, and he lost all outward consciousness. When he came down to the normalplane, he found the Master stroking his body in the reverse order. Sri Ramakrishna was delighted tosee the deep meditation of Subodh, and learnt from him that it was the result of his practice at home;for Subodh used to think of the gods and goddesses of whom he heard from his mother. After thatmeeting with the Master, Subodh would see a strange light between his eyebrows. His mother,coming to know of this, told him not to divulge this fact to anybody else. But seized as he was with agreat spiritual hankering, Subodh promptly replied, “What harm will it do to me, mother? I do not wantthis light but That from which it comes.”

SWAMI SUBODHANANDA (1867 – 1932)On November 7th Monday - Swami Subodhananda Jayanti

From his very boyhood Subodh was very frank, open minded, and straightforward in his talk. Thesecharacteristics could be seen in him throughout his whole life. What he felt, he would say clearlywithout mincing matters. One day the Master asked Subodh, “What do you think of me” The boyunhesitatingly replied, “Many persons say many things about you. I won’t believe in them unless Imyself find clear proofs.” As he began to come closer and closer in touch with Sri Ramakrishna, theconviction gradually dawned on him, that the Master was a great Saviour.

Gradually the attraction of young Subodh for the Master grew stronger and stronger, and some timeafter the passing away of the Master, he left his parental homestead and joined the monastic orderorganised by Swami Vivekananda at Baranagore. His monastic name was Swami Subodhananda.But because he was young in age and simple in nature, Swami Vivekananda would lovingly call him“Khoka”, meaning child, by which name he was also called by his brother-discipes. He was afterwardsknown as “Khoka Maharaj” (Child Swami).

When Swamiji, after his return from the West, appealed to his brother-disciples to work for the spreadof the Master’s message and the good of humanitv instead of living in seclusion, Subodhanandawas one of those who placed themselves under his lead. After that he worked in various capacitiesfor the cause of the Ramakrishna Math and Mission. During the great epidemic of plague in Calcuttain 1899, when the Ramakrishna Mission plague service was instituted, Swami Subodhananda wasone of those who worked hard for the relief of the helpless and panic-striken people. During the greatfamine on the Chilka islands in Orissa in 1908, he threw himself heart and soul into the relief work.He had a very tender heart. The sight of distress and suffering always found an echo in him. He wouldoften be found near sick-beds nursing the sick at considerable risk to his own health. Later, althoughSwami Subodhananda could not personally work so much, wherever he would be, he would inspirepeople to throw themselves into the world started by Swamiji. In religious giving also, he spent himselfwithout any reserve. The number of persons who got spiritual initiation from him was very large. Heeven initiated some children. He would say, “They will feel the efficacy when they grow up.” In acceptingthe supplicants as disciples, he made no distinction between the high and the low. He initiated manyuntouchables also. His affection for them was not a bit less than that for those disciples who heldgood position in society or were more fortunately placed in life.

Swami Subodhananda was one of the first group of trustees of the Belur Math appointed by Swamijiin 1901, and was afterwards elected Treasurer of the Ramakrishna Mission. His love for Swamijiwas next to that for the Master. Swamiji also had great affection for him. Sometimes when Swamijiwould become serious and none of his Gurubhais dared approach him, it was left to “Khoka” to goand break his seriousness.

Swami Subodhananda was childlike in his simplicity and singularly unassuming in his behaviour.One could see this wonderful combination in Swami Subodhananda. Swami Vivekananda and otherbrother-disciples greatly loved the childlike aspect of the personality of Swami Subodhananda. Butthey would not therefore fail to make fun now and then at his cost, taking advantage of his innocenceand unsophisticated mind. Once, while the monastery was at Alambazar, Swami Vivekananda wanted

to encourage the art of public speaking among the monks It was arranged that every week on a fixedday one of them should speak. When the turn of Swami Subodhananda came, he tried his best toavoid the meeting. But Swamiji was adamant, and others were waiting with eagerness to witnessthe discomfiture of Subodh while lecturing. Just as Swami Subodhananda rose to speak, lo! theearth trembled, buildings shook and trees fell. It was the earthquake of 1897. The meeting came toan abrupt end. The young Swami escaped the ordeal of lecturing but not the fun at his cost. “Khoka’swas a ‘world-shaking’ speech”, Swamiji said, and others joined in the joke.

Swami Vivekananda was once greatly pleased with “Khoka” for some personal services renderedby him and said that whatever boon he would ask of him would be granted. Swami Subodhanandasaid, “Grant me this that I may never miss my morning cup of tea.” This threw the great Swami into aroar of laughter, and he said, “Yes, it is granted.” Swami Subodhananda had his morning cup of teatill the last day of his life. It is the only luxury for which he had any attraction. It was like a child’s love forchocolates and lozenges. It is interesting to record in this connection that when the Master wassuffering from his sore throat and everybody was worried and anxious, young Subodh in all hisinnocence recommended tea to the Master as a sure remedy. The Master would also have taken itbut medical advice was to the contrary.

He was self-reliant and would not accept personal services from others, even if they were devoteesor disciples. He always emphasised that one should help oneself as far as possible, and himselfrigidly adhered to this principle in his everyday life. This great spirit of renunciation, always evidencedin his conduct, was the result of complete dependence on God. In personal conduct as well as inconversation he put much emphasis on self-surrender to God. The Ultimate Reality was a fact to him.When he would talk of God, one felt that here was a man to whom God was a greater reality thanearthly relatives. His relationship with God was just as free and natural as human relationship.

Towards the end, he suffered from various physical ailments, but his spiritual conviction was nevershaken. While he was on his death-bed he said, “When I think of Him, I become forgetful of allphysical sufferings.” During this time, the Upanishads used to be read out to him. While listening, hewould warm up and of his own accord talk of various deep spiritual truths. On one such occasion hesaid, “The world with all its enjoyments seems like a heap of ashes. The mind feels no attraction at allfor all these things.” While death was slowly approaching, he was unperturbed, absolutely free fromany anxiety. Rather he was ready and anxious to meet the Beloved. The night before he passedaway, he said, “Mv last prayer is that the blessings of the Lord be always on the Order.” The greatsoul passed way on 9th December 1932.

Teachings

Before the Lord enters the temple of anyone of His children’s hearts, he fills it with devotion, faith andlove, just as a king sends different pieces of furniture and vessels to a subject’s house which heintends to visit. Else, where can the poor subject get all those things? The Lord grants devotion, faithand love, just because He will come.

SWAMI VIJNANANANDA (1868 – 1938)On November 9th Wednesday - Swami Vijnanananda Jayanti

Life

Sri Ramakrishna one day challenged a young man to wrestle with him. The tall and hefty youth puthim down in no time. And the wonder of wonders, the young man soon felt a power entering from SriRamakrishna’s body into his own, making him completely powerless! This was how Hariprasannahad one of his early encounters with the Master.

Born on 28th October 1868 in a respectable Brahmin family at Belgharia (Calcutta), HariprasannaChattopadhyaya (the pre-monastic name of Swami Vijnananda) received a good education fromhis parents. He became an engineer and rose to the position of District Engineer in the erstwhileState of United Provinces, before renouncing the world.

From his very first visit, Sri Ramakrishna spotted him out as one belonging to the inner circle and afuture monk. He took particular care to instill in him the ideal of brahmacharya or celibacy. His visitsto Dakshineswar and contact with the Master laid a firm foundation for his spiritual life. When theMaster passed away, Hariprasanna who was still a student at Patna, had a strange vision in whichhe saw Sri Ramakrishna as if in flesh and blood, standing before him.

Since he had lost his father at early age and had to support his mother, he was obliged to take togovernment service, but kept in touch with the disciples of the Master, especially Narendra (SwamiVivekananda). Later in 1896 he gave up the world and joined the Math then at Alambazar, andbecame ‘Swami Vijnananda’ after ordination.

Since he was an engineer with good experience in building construction, he was entrusted by SwamiVivekananda himself with the task of building the Math campus as also preparing suitable plans fora memorial temple of Sri Ramakrishna. So he prepared it in consultation with a noted Europeanarchitect of Calcutta and Swamiji approved of the same. Due to the sudden demise of Swamiji andlack of funds, the project had to wait for a long time to be taken up. It was completed and dedicatedby Swami Vijnananda himself on the 14th of January 1938.

A group of young men in Allahabad had formed themselves into an association called ‘BrahmavadinClub’ with a view to uplift themselves morally and spiritually. They had done so under the inspirationof a devotee of Sri Ramakrishna. This devotee had left Allahabad in 1900. As luck would have it,Swami Vijnananda arrived at Allahabad in the same year as a wandering monk. The young men whowere delighted to have a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna amongst them requested the Swami to live inthe rented premises of their Club and guide them. The Swami agreed and lived there for nearly tenyears, spending most of his time in austerity and study. He later on established a permanent branchof the Ramakrishna Math at Allahabad in 1910.

The Swami was a great scholar, not only in Sanskrit and religio-philosophical works but also inastronomy and astrology.

He was elected the President of the Ramakrishna Order in 1937 after the demise of SwamiAkhandananda. He strove hard to complete the construction of the temple of Sri Ramakrishna atBelur Math, which he successfully did and dedicated in January 1938. He then returned to Allahabadand passed away on the 25th April the same year. The body was consigned to the sacred waters ofthe Triveni, at the confluence of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna, and the invisible Saraswati.

Teachings

One should not ask for anything from God, but remain satisfied with whatever He is pleased to give.If you ask for anything He will give a gift which is like a double-edged sword. Real welfare lies inusing things properly; wrong use of things brings misfortune.

Whatever situation one may be in, one can, to some degree, serve the motherland, serve the commonpeople, and above all, serve God. Always have the good of the universe at heart and let this becomea part of your daily prayer.

One reason for the decadence of our country is that in the name of religion, people put forwardharmful theories, as a result of which people lose their faith in religion itself. Simplicity, faithfulnessand purity of heart are called for.

One who can detach his mind from material things will see the light of God and his presence ineverything. Worldly attachment drives people away from God and scorches them in the wild fire ofthe world.

Vivekananda Institute of LanguagesNew Admissions - Spoken English & Other Languages

* Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna : (open to all, except for children below sevenyears) 5.00 a.m to 12 noon & 4 p.m to8.15 p.m; 5 a.m - Mangal Arati 9.30 a.m - Puja, 6.45 p.m Arati and bhajans (After evening Arati,there will be Ramanamam Sankirtana on Ekadasidays, and Special Bhajans Programme on Satur-day, Sunday and other festival days.)

* Basement Hall of the temple : Telugu weekly discourse & MeditationSaturday (5.45 p.m to 6.45 p.m)

* Vivekananda Auditorium : English weekly discourse Sunday (5.45 p.mto 6.45 p.m)

* Office : 8.30 to 12.00PM - 4.00 to 8.00PM

* Book Stall : 9.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m & 4.00 p.m to 8.00p.m(Book Stall adjacent to Gita DarshanBuilding is open on all days from 9.00 a.m to8.00p.m)

Chronos

e-newsletter november 2011

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