02 Nov 2020 - Anandashram

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A monthly journal started by HH Swami Ramdas in 1933DEDICATED TO UNIVERSAL LOVE AND SERVICE

NOVEMbER 2020

ANANDASHRAM, PO ANANDASHRAMA 671531, INDIA

Rs. 40/- ANNUAL

Vol. 88 No. 02

2 THE VISION Nov 2020

Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas (1884-1963)

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Vol. 88 No. 02

EGO ONE WITH COSMIC!ll spiritual paths, philosophies,

cults and creeds

Culminate in one highest experience

of absolute bliss and freedom.

Now the ego merges in the cosmic ‘I’;

The individual becomes the Universal Life;

The tiny spark of self

Expands to infinity.

— Swami Ramdas

NOVEMBER 2020


CONTENTS

THE VISIONA monthly Magazine

Published by

ANANdASHRAM PO Anandashrama 671531, Kanhangad, Kerala, India

Phone: (0467) 2203036, 2970160, 2207403Web: www.anandashram.org

Email: [email protected]

For free edition of “The Vision” on the web,please visit: www.anandashram.org

Vol. 88 November 2020 No. 02

From The Editor - 5

Thy Grace, Our Refuge - Swami Ramdas 7

Words Of Beloved Papa - 9

Words Of Pujya Mataji - 11

Beloved Papa’s Letter To Swamiji... - 12

Points From In Quest Of God - 15

Tests Given By Ram - 25

Papa — The Guiding Star - 32

Dear Children - 35

Epistles Of Swami Ramdas - 37

In Memoriam - 38

Anandashram News - 38

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FROM THE EDITORducation received in schools and colleges can be said to be complete only after the students pass their examinations. Examinations are

intended to ensure that the lessons taught in the classes are, by and large, assimilated and absorbed by the students. As everyone knows, at the time of writing exams, students are not permitted to refer to any texts, allied books or consult anybody. The students have to answer the questions from within, purely based on the assimilated knowledge of the texts taught by the teachers and studied independently.

Similarly, when we are chosen by Him to undertake the spiritual journey, He provides all that is necessary for forming the right concept about Him, He provides the methodology to absorb the core theme and He also periodically tests us to verify whether the spiritual tenets touched and kindled have been applied in our daily life. Of course, He guides from time to time so that we get thoroughly grounded in the ideal and He also protects us from slipping into pitfalls.

Ram, the indwelling and all-pervading Reality, who put Beloved Papa on the path guided him, protected him and tested him throughout the journey and finally conferred upon him, as it were, the award


of the fruition of life — experiencing oneness with everyone and everything! This is evident in Beloved Papa’s narrative, IN QUEST OF GOD.

In our life also, from day one, the Lord has been guiding, leading, protecting and testing us throughout. This reality is not known to us. Our Sadhana is to become aware that He is with us throughout, like a parent taking complete charge of us, so that we can feel free from the burden of life.

The October issue of the VISION covered eight points that are to be looked for while reading the above book. This month’s issue of THE VISION, apart from bringing out the rest of the points, also makes an attempt to identify some selected tests that Ram subjected Beloved Papa to go through and how Beloved Papa experienced His powers of protection and guidance whenever needed.

Papa sets us tests at every turn in our life,

even many times a day. We should not be

afraid but should face every situation boldly

with Ram Nam on our lips and remembrance

of Papa in our hearts.

— Mataji Krishnabai

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THY GRACE, OUR REFUGEBy Swami Ramdas

he azure sky shines in the light of the midday sun. All nature is in repose, for not a breath of air

stirs the stillness of space. God sheds His rays of splendour and grace on all objects and beings. My soul and body are attuned to Thy omnipresent Spirit and all the manifest worlds. Peace, peace reigns everywhere.

My heart is thrilled. A soft glow radiates from my eyes. I listen to the sweetest strains of music that subtly resound through infinity! Yet am one with the silence that pervades the known and unknown spheres. My God — my life and soul! I am amazed at the lavishness of Thy kindness and love! I feel them at every moment of my life.

My whole being I lay at Thy feet and like camphor burn it in adoration to Thee by the fire of my devotion. All is Thine, O God, all is Thine. Why should I be grateful to Thee? Am I not Thy child — entitled to receive Thy care, love and protection?

I had turned away from Thee many a time. Now am settled at Thy feet for ever and ever. My gaze had


been for various things, but now it is fixed at Thy feet for ever and ever. My spirit had wandered hither and thither, but now it is attached to Thy feet for ever and ever.

O my God of love and joy! I am eternally Thine. Shall I say, “I am Thyself”? People may call me names for declaring so. I speak as Thou hast taught me. It is the experience Thou alone hast granted me. Verily, Thyself and I are one.

There never was a separation between Thee and me. It was all Thy Lila — Thy inscrutable sport that once made me feel that I was far away from Thee.

O my Mother, my Master, Thy name be glorified. May Thy benediction pour in abundance on our distracted humanity, bringing them Thy ambrosial love, harmony and peace!

As devotee you are at once one and

different from God. You are like the

river. The river is one with the ocean; still

it is ceaselessly flowing towards the ocean.

This is the wonderful mystery of God and His

Bhakta.

— Swami Ramdas

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WORDS OF BELOVED PAPA SWAMI RAMDAS

ri Rama, we may say, had to undergo the trials and difficulties of forest life for fourteen years

as a result of his Karma. Suppose we take it that way. If Karma had affected him it would have made his life miserable. When he was wandering through the forests without sleep for days, exposed to all kinds of dangers and privations, he reconciled himself to them and took everything in the best spirit and was always uncomplaining, cheerful and happy. He teaches how we should submit to adverse circumstances without a murmur of complaint or resentment. He took everything that came to him in the right spirit. That is the way we can put up with all unpleasant situations in which we are placed. But we make ourselves miserable because we want things to take place as we wish. In all conditions we should submit to God. Never grumble, never complain, and never be sorry. If this is our attitude towards all happenings, we will be free. We cannot but be happy. On the contrary, we want everything to happen in our own particular way. We


aim at success, victory, gain, honour, praise and so on. If any reverses come, we are disappointed. Gain or loss, victory or defeat, success or failure, honour or dishonour, praise or censure — all will be the same to us if we take them in the right spirit. This is called equipoise or equilibrium of mind. In the ‘Gita’ it is called Samatwa or equality.

You have to transcend the pairs of opposites. Otherwise you are like a scared animal at the sacrificial altar. You are afraid at every moment that something bad is in store for you. But you are in a state of equipoise if you are one with God.

Do not strive to get things from outside. Then you will be satisfied with what God gives you. Contentment is a perpetual feast. It can come to you only when you have got the self-existent bliss. It is there already in your heart. You have to be conscious of it. This happens only by His grace. God’s radiance, beauty, manifests in you by your chanting His name. By constant remembrance of Him you can purify yourselves and be fit for His vision.

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WORDS OF PUJYA MATAJI KRISHNABAIapa tests us in many ways, starting with tests in small things. If we pass those tests, the real

tests, which every Sadhaka has to surmount before attaining Papa, begin. If one fails even in the small tests, how can he ever hope to win the bigger ones? It is no use merely saying that you want Sakshatkar. You should be prepared in every way for the supreme consummation. First of all, you should become so humble that you consider yourself as the humblest of all creatures on earth, less than even the dust of the Guru’s feet. See Papa’s books –– every line that Papa wrote is stamped with that humility. When you come to look upon all as the forms of your Guru, it does not become difficult to become humble. But, when you apply to yourself the veneer of pride and arrogance and the conceit of birth, learning and spiritual attainments, how can humility ever have a chance? Instead, from whatever spiritual height you might have soared up to, you crash right to the bottom and then, it takes a long time and a long struggle to again rise and come to the top. The only way you can protect yourself against such a fall is to make Papa yours and cling to Him.


BELOVED PAPA’S LETTER TO PUJYA SWAMIJI AFTER ADOPTING SANNYAS

(12th of November 2020 reminds us of the 101st Jayanti of our Pujya Swami Satchidanandaji.

In his last letter to the devotees, amongst various other things discussed, he emphasized that we should be a little more serious in our Sadhana. How are we to become a little more serious in our Sadhana? In this context, we thought it would be appropriate to reproduce Beloved Papa’s reply to Pujya Swamiji after the latter’s adoption of Sannyas.

From the 26th of January 1949, Pujya Swamiji, still as Anantasivan, dedicated his entire life to Beloved Papa and Pujya Mataji. In accordance with his nature, Pujya Swamiji was involved in multifarious activities of the Ashram wholeheartedly and with total dedication.

One day, he suddenly realised that he wanted to get himself properly grounded in Sadhana. This prompted him to approach Beloved Papa and bluntly tell him that he would prefer to lead a contemplative life rather than the one he was then leading.

Beloved Papa gave an affirmative response and

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asked him to proceed to Rishikesh, stay independently and pursue Sadhana in all earnestness. As an aid to his Sadhana, Beloved Papa asked him to adopt Sannyas. He gave him the ochre robes and suggested two names — Anantananda and Satchidananda — to select one as his Sannyas name.

It may have been around June 1950 that Pujya Swamiji proceeded to Rishikesh, settled down in a place called Ramnagar and took to the order of Sannyas on the holy banks of Mother Ganga. He assumed the name Satchidananda.

Immediately thereafter, he wrote a letter to Beloved Papa seeking his blessings for the speedy actualization of the Goal Supreme. Beloved Papa’s reply highlighted some salient points for Sadhana. As Sadhakas, it is felt that we should keep reading and re-reading this most profound letter and make an effort to integrate these guidelines in our Sadhana too.)

11th July 1950

eloved Ram,

Ramdas got your loving letter of the 3rd

instant. We were looking forward to it. Glad that you have taken the new name ‘Satchidananda’ and assumed Sannyas. You now know that your

BELOVED PAPA’S LETTER TO SWAMIJI...


life is entirely dedicated to God. Feel conscious of this every moment. This thought itself will help you in realising the goal. Of course, our hearty blessings are with you for your attainment of Self-illumination. Do Sadhana in a disciplined manner. Be regular in your early morning meditations. Avoid Tamasic influences, either from within or without. Do not get involved in any external work, however exalted it may appear to be. Concentrate on the Sadhana.

Occasionally, go and have Darshan of Sri Swami Sivanandaji. His company, even for a short while, will be a source of inspiration to you.

Keep before you the central truth that God dwells within you and that you are His manifestation. Let your mind always dwell on Him. Let Ram Nam ring on your lips, whenever you are not doing any meditation or reading. You may reduce reading to the minimum. Learn by heart Stotras that elevate your mind. Be free and cheerful like a bird and feel assured that the Divine is at your back and you are sure to reach the goal.

Love and blessings,

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POINTS TO LOOK FOR WHILE READING IN QUEST OF GOD

He VISION for the month of October covered eight points out of sixteen that one needs to look for while taking up the reading of

book, IN QUeST OF GOD by Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas: Understanding the Great Void — Ram — God, TRUST Him, Surrender, Universal Vision — The Aim, Meditate And Chant His Name, Constant Dialogue With Him, everything Is His And Nothing Is Ours, and, everything Happens Only By His Will. The remaining eight points are given below:

‘Me’ And ‘Mine’ — The Hurdle

What is the malady that has possessed the soul which has made life cramped, narrow and limited, bringing to it a sense of helplessness and often-times utter despair? It is Moha or attachment arising from the individual sense of ‘I’ in relation to the body and therefrom to the bodies of those near and dear to us by the ties of blood or friendship or material obligations. This Moha causes our mind, as a result of its narrow vision, to move in a limited circle identifying itself with the interests of this circle. In this condition our vision, starting from our individual centre, radiates


only within this circle and gets so absorbed in it that the humanity and the world outside it are considered entirely separate and foreign to us. It is within the experience of every one of us, who have spent some thought on the mysteries of life, that life lived in this limited vision is a constant source of fear and sorrow.

We further know that the more is this vision expanded the greater is the freedom and the higher is our joy. We feel that we are imprisoned within the fortressed walls raised all round us by our ego, and although we know that our freedom lies in breaking down these walls, our attempts at such a task prove futile as we are conscious that Moha has enfeebled us and made us unequal to it. It is this Moha that arrests our march when we strive for a wider vision of life and the resultant action.

We get through Moha so helplessly entangled and caught in the grip of selfishness, greed and lust, thus acting and living solely for ourselves and our kith and kin, that the wider view of life is shut out from us and the great purpose for which we exist is either denied or forgotten by us.

It is a conflict between the aspiration for the vaster vision and the crystallised selfishness of an individualistic view of life.

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Periodical SolitudeThe advantage of resorting to solitude is that

we will not have any human contact which normally disrupts introverted thoughts. Here we are absolutely to ourselves, thus paving the way to feel His nearness and presence.

In solitude we are exclusively with Mother Nature — the pristine form of God. We have the magnificent book of nature spread out before us — a picture of unsurpassing beauty and charm — the spontaneous and blissful self-expression of the indwelling God. Let us look at it, read in it the glorious presentation and the varied activity of the Beloved. Look on the infinite play of the Infinite One, and by deep absorption into the Beloved — the Universal Being — enjoy immortal joy. This is the goal — all else is ephemeral and not worth striving for.

Solitude also provides opportunities to dwell on the attributes of God: God is within me; God is Infinite; God is Bliss, Purity and Peace; God is the Doer and the Non-doer at once; God dwells in all beings, creatures and things; God is All. God is all in all.

Thus, seek the Beloved. Feel His presence. He is your own Self. Find Him and enjoy eternal felicity. That is why you are here!

POINTS FROM IN QUEST OF GOD


Freedom From ConditioningsThough initially traditions, customs, rituals, etc.

do help in stepping onto the spiritual path, after a stage they become impediments preventing us from moving forward. The mind, unknowingly, gets stuck with these practices ignoring the ideal symbolised by them. So, we have to outgrow all such conditionings, try to reach the stage where the presence of God is felt everywhere with no prefix or suffix.

When the false conventions and ostentatious observances are broken through, the soul is liberated. For realising the Truth no external paraphernalia is necessary. No garb, no sign, no cult and no creed can help us. The day will come when we have to leave all these behind and go to meet the Eternal in the perfect nakedness of our Spirit, shedding all make-believe forms, customs and traditions. Simplicity, spontaneity and humility become the guiding principles of our life. We move freely with all. We love all alike. We break all boundaries set by the calculating and selfish human mind. We soar like a free bird in the infinite expanse of the spiritual firmament. We look upon all beings and creatures as the embodiment of the one Divine all-pervading Spirit. Temples, Ashrams, mosques, churches, synagogues, Viharas, etc., cannot imprison our soul. We find our soul’s delight and joy at all places.

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Universality Of ReligionWe want a religion which appeals to the inner spirit

of all — a religion which is universal in its outlook and embraces all alike within its fold. We want a religion which brings love and joy to our heart, and light and wisdom to our head. We want a religion that knits man to man, irrespective of any apparent distinctions, into a common human community on earth. We want a religion that teaches us to sacrifice our little joys for the service of the distressed humanity. We want a religion that would give us the sight to behold all the members of the human race as belonging to one world family. We want a religion that makes us realise that we are the immortal, all-pervading and ever-blissful Spirit, and that God, we and the universe are one in the Absolute Reality. We want a religion that would make us offer our homage equally to all the Teachers and Incarnations of the different creeds and sects in the world.

Religion is, in its real sense, as vast as the very heavens which grant refuge to all alike; as accessible to all as the very air that fills all space; and as equal in granting its favours to everyone as the light of the sun. We cannot confine religion within the narrow walls of a creed or society. So, to be the votary of true religion means to be utterly free from all cramping limitations with the same equal love and vision.



Saguna And Nirguna — Aspects Of The TruthNormally when we hear of the Saguna aspect

of God, our mind goes to Deities in temples. We develop faith and devotion to the Deity thereby unknowingly localise the all-pervading Reality in the image. Initially, to get started on the spiritual path, we do need such type of worship, but later on, we should either transcend the name and form and aspire for the Cosmic Reality or retain the name and form but realise that the nameless and formless Reality is also in all names and forms.

Hanging on always to an external prop in spiritual matters hampers our progress, because the vision lacks then the flexibility for expansion and universalisation. The centre of interest becomes cramped and localised, while the aim should be to comprehend and realise the infinite nature of Truth.

God is Nirguna; His devotees create out of Him their Saguna God. The Saguna will take us to the Nirguna. The highest perfection includes the realization of both Saguna and Nirguna. If we leave things to Him, everything will work out just right. If we strive to get by through our own effort, nothing will be done — we will only flounder and gain nothing.

He is, as it were, a diamond with many facets. He

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has various aspects: Saguna, Nirguna and beyond — Prakriti as doer, Purusha as non-doer, etc. Therefore, He is said to be all-inclusive, all-comprehensive, all-transcendent Godhead. He is everything and beyond everything. He is the universe, and He extends beyond it to infinity.

Name is compared to a bridge uniting the two shores of a river, one Saguna and the other Nirguna. You can have Saguna Darshan and Nirguna Darshan. Saguna Darshan is easy, Nirguna Darshan is difficult; but the Name will make both easy. In Saguna there is the attitude of Bhakta and Bhagavan, while in Nirguna there is Jnana of oneness. The devotee on the path of Bhakti longs to see God. One who follows the path of Jnana longs for Moksha or liberation. Seeing God makes us one with God. So, the Bhakta gets Jnana also through the path of Bhakti.

Saguna is secure and easy, but it needs Nirguna. Saguna should, in fact, grow and eventually blossom into Nirguna, into devotion to principles. Nirguna and Saguna are not opposed to each other; in fact, they complement each other. One must advance from Saguna to Nirguna; and Nirguna also needs the warmth of Saguna to remove subtle impurities from the mind. They thus enrich and gain lustre from each other.



SacrificeLet the heart melt before the sufferings of others.

Let our life be placed at the altar of sacrifice for the relief of the distressed and uplift of the fallen. The object of life is to give it away for the good of others. Else, life is not life, but death. Those who live for themselves are verily the living dead. Be therefore kind and serviceable to others.

Mind united with God and hands at work in the world — such is the nature of a true devotee and servant of God. In this state, pure selfless love flows out of us towards all beings, and whatever we do, it is always for the good of all. Our actions bear the stamp of universal beneficence. There are no selfish ends to gain. We have no personal likes and dislikes. We have no cravings for name, fame, wealth and power. Life cannot be judged by ordinary standards. We suffer and sacrifice to the utmost when called upon to do so for the good of humanity.

Without sacrifice we cannot realise the Divine Power within us — sacrifice of the ego and its attachments. This is the great Yagna. The candle cannot burn without using up its fallow. So, life is intended to reveal its glory by renunciation of all its lower desires and ambitions.

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Ram’s Tests Come At All Times, Unawares

The more we are reviled and disowned by the world, when we stand for God and God alone, the nearer we approach Him who is the only real Beloved of our heart. Tests come to us in various ways. Ours is to be unshaken in our adamantine purpose, and march onwards with a spirit of heroic adventure.

God gives us trials and sufferings not because He is cruel. We must cherish the faith that He does so for our own good. When we pass through sufferings, we become more and more acceptable to Him; for, tribulation and sorrow purify us, and so enable us to completely surrender to Him. Therefore, do not be cowed down by sufferings. Come out of it ennobled and elevated.

We are safe in the keeping of the Almighty Lord. He may test us in various ways. But He never abandons us.

He teaches that He alone is real and that we must live for Him and Him alone, Him whom we can never really afford to lose at any time.

There is no acquisition in this life greater than perfect faith in God that stands all tests and trials.



Awareness Of His GraceIt is incumbent upon us, who aspire to be

blessed with the beatific state of realising our oneness with the Infinite, that we ought to, on our part, possess a burning aspiration for the realisation of our real spiritual eminence. Given this condition, it is contended that Divine grace is sure to descend on us, changing us into beings of eternal splendour and joy. The above condition is held to be a necessary criterion for the attainment of the Eternal Divine Life, but still instances can be quoted wherein Divine grace worked miraculously on the least prepared souls, granting them the knowledge and joy of the Divine.

Individual effort and initiative, so far as spiritual evolution is concerned, appears to be futile in the absence of Divine grace which alone should work in our hearts and automatically drive us on the path of spirituality. And then rising from stage to stage, we should ultimately reach the all-transcendent and Supreme Reality.

The devotee rightly says: “O God, I would not have remembered Thee, if Thou had not first remembered me.” So, God in His infinite mercy selects us, irrespective of our fitness or otherwise, for converting us into channels for the manifestation of His infinite power, light and glory.

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TESTS GIVEN BY RAM FROM THE BOOK IN QUEST OF GOD

t was in 1920 that Ram first kindled in the heart of His humble slave, Beloved Papa Swami Ramdas, a keen desire to realise His

Infinite Love. To strive to approach and understand Ram is to recede from the world of vanishing forms, because Ram is the only Truth — the only Reality. He is present in all things and in all creatures, who only appear as separate entities, due to their ever-changing forms. To wake up from this illusion of forms is to realise at once the Unity or Love of Ram. For experiencing this “wakefulness”, Ram pulled Beloved Papa out of his narrow pond of worldly life and flung him into the ocean of Universal Life.

By subjecting Beloved Papa to various tests, Ram was, as it were, examining his steadfastness on the path, his commitment to the goal and also seeing how far was he willing to go in subjugating his “little self” for experiencing his oneness with the “True Self”. Beloved Papa passed all the tests.

It should be noted that Beloved Papa could achieve this state because of his unwavering trust in Ram and submission to the Divine will. Along the


way, Ram was also explicitly showing Beloved Papa, through experience, His powers of protection so that the tempo set apace would remain unhindered and Beloved Papa’s trust and grounding would increase day after day.

Most of us, without compromising our comfort zones, talk about spirituality and engage in various spiritual Sadhanas. This is a lukewarm approach to the Goal Supreme. Therefore, slackness in spiritual progress is experienced. Whereas Beloved Papa was out and out away from all sorts of comforts and also basic needs. Yet, he was always blissful by maintaining constant communion with Ram. Even a casual reading of the book, IN QUEST OF GOD reveals this aspect clearly.

Now the question arises whether denying ourselves comforts is the criterion for spiritual progress, and if so, how to apply it in our lives?

With this background, let us go through some of the tests Beloved Papa was subjected to and see how far we can imbibe the lessons in our lives:

1. Test: Should one become responsive to the needs and demands of fellowmen while involved in the labelled spiritual practices?

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Answer: Yes. We should.Incident From Papa’s Life: “He (Beloved Papa) came up to a Dharmashala, close to the river and found some Sadhus sitting on the floor of the passage leading out to the main road. They were busy performing Ram-Bhajan to the accompaniment of cymbals and Ektar… It was at about 12 noon that the Bhajan came to a close. Looking upon the cloth spread in front of them the young Sadhus observed only 3 quarter Anna pieces lying on it. With a disappointed look one of them remarked: ‘Since morning we have been singing the glory of God and He has given us only this much. Hunger is pinching the stomach. How are we to procure food, O God? Is Thy Bhajan from morning till now worth only 9 pies?’ (One pie is 1/12th of an Anna)“This question was at once answered by Ramdas: ‘No, young brothers, no value can be set upon your Bhajan. God is always kind and loving. He never forsakes those who depend upon Him. Ram has sent through His humble slave money for your food today.’”

2. Test: How deep rooted is one’s commitment to the vow to live only on alms?

TESTS GIVEN BY RAM...


Answer: Commitment to vows should be uncompromising!Incident From Papa’s Life: “…Looking into his own Lota, Ramdas discovered in it 2 Pies. His heart leaped with joy at the sight of these tiny coins — the first proceeds of his Bhiksha! Buying two small plantains with the coins he ate them with all pleasure.”

3. Test: Is it possible to actualise the essence of the tenet: ‘Possess things but not be possessed by them’ even while possessing things including money?Answer: Yes, it is possible.Incident From Papa’s Life: Though he had Rs.9/- with him, he did not consider it as his nor use it for himself. He was contented with the 2 Pies procured as Bhiksha. (192 Pies made a Rupee)

4. Test: Does divesting oneself off money and other possessions help in maintaining constant God remembrance and total reliance on God?Answer: Yes, it does.Incident From Papa’s Life: “Ramdas had then with him about Rs.9/-, which amount he handed over to the Sadhuram and felt much relieved by

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doing so. To carry money is to carry anxiety with you; for it draws your attention to it now and again. On making over the money, he suggested to the Sadhuram to get the Rupees changed into one Anna coins and have them all distributed to the poor, who were begging at the doors of temples, and this desire he carried out. Now, Ramdas threw himself more completely than ever on the support of Ram with only two clothes and a few books — all his possessions in the world.”

5. Test: Is it possible to accept all situations with a positive attitude even when they appear to be adverse?Answer: By bringing in God-dimension, this is possible.Incident From Papa’s Life: While travelling to Rameshwaram with the Sadhuram — his guide — without tickets, the Ticket Inspector asked both of them to detrain at the next Station. “At once getting up, Ramdas told the Sadhuram that it was Ram’s wish that they should alight at that place. Walking out of the station they came to the high road. Here the Sadhuram grumbled over the action of the Inspector. To this Ramdas said: ‘Brother, we cannot travel all along to Rameshwaram by



train. Pilgrimages should be made on foot. But somehow Ram was kind enough to take us on the train so far. We have only to walk a distance of six miles in order to reach Rameshwaram. It is the will of Ram that this distance should be covered by foot. Be cheerful, brother.’”

6. Test: Is it possible to feel benefitted by the Darshan of a Deity in a temple when the aspirant is very clear that to realise and experience the all-comprehensive glory and the all-absorbing splendour of the Great Truth — God, one has to go beyond name and form to the height of the Impersonal God that dwells within?Answer: Yes, it is possible when the aspirant realises that God is His manifestation and beyond.Incident From Papa’s Life: When Beloved Papa was led to the famous temple in Rameshwaram he expressed his experiences thus: “When the Sadhus (he and the guide) approached the Holy of holies they found the door open — the worship of Rameshwar was going on in all its ceremonial éclat. O Ram! All glory to Thee! The occasion and the place sent thrills of joy into Ramdas’ soul.”

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7. Test: How do we develop oneness with all, even in small and seemingly insignificant situations?Answer: We should try to see Him in all manifestations — animate and inanimate — from the minutest to the grossest.Incident From Papa’s Life: At Madurai, on seeing the tired Sadhuram’s legs touching Beloved Papa’s body in sleep, one Swami, who had great respect for Beloved Papa, remonstrated and was about to awaken the Sadhuram when Beloved Papa intervened saying: “Swamiji, it is all right. His feet are holy. He is Ramdas’ Guru. He is Ram — so no harm anyway.”

8. Test: Is it possible to accept all situations calmly without any regret?Answer: Yes, provided we have neither attraction nor repulsion for it.Incident From Papa’s Life: “At midday he reached the precincts of the temple of Chidambaram. He went up straight to the entrance of the temple but could not gain admission as none was allowed to get in without a payment of Annas 4 — the entrance fee. He was without a single Pie, which however he did not at all regret.”



PAPA — THE GUIDING STARNashik (Continued...)

ith a mind full of reverence for the great Upasani Baba whose dedication to Guru was total, this child and the party reached

his Ashram at Sakori. The uniqueness of the Ashram is that it is “manned” by lady Sadhakas and their spiritual head is Devitai.

Lady Sadhakas, as a part of their Sadhana, perform all sorts of rituals, also those which are normally considered tabooed for ladies in all other places. A devout mother took us to the various places associated with Upasani Baba’s earthly sojourn and lovingly explained all the details. Prostrating at the main shrine and seeking the blessing of this venerable saint, the party returned to the host’s residence.

Later the beautiful temple called Mukti Dham in the very heart of Nasik town was also visited.

In the evening there was a Satsang programme and quite a good number of friends attended. Devotees of Kashi Mutt of the Gaud Saraswats community, who also took part in the programme, rendered soulful Bhajans which were followed by Ram Nam chanting.

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This child spoke a few words highlighting the importance of organising such get-togethers periodically so that all participants would be reminded of the ultimate goal of becoming one with God. After Aarati and Prasad distribution the programme came to an end.

Our main programme for the next day was a visit to Triambakeshwar which place was sanctified by our Beloved Papa. In those days, as there were but scant facilities available, Beloved Papa had to walk for miles and miles. However, we reached the great temple within an hour’s drive. All the while we were mentally recalling the experiences narrated by Beloved Papa in the book IN QUEST OF GOD.

After having Darshan of the Murti in the main temple, we went to the Udbhavstan of the sacred river Godavari. Offering our prayers and respects to Mother Godavari, we drove to Nivrittinath’s Samadhi. Pujya Mataji’s detailed narration of Saint Nivrittinath as serialised by dear Sriramji (Swami Shuddhanandaji) in WITH THE DIVINE MOTHER came to our mind.

From here we proceeded to Tapovan in Panchavati, which place is closely connected to the great epic Ramayana. The confluence of 3 rivers

PAPA — THE GUIDING STAR


almost similar to the holy Prayag, the cave where Sitaji spent her time, the spot where Lakshmanji cut off Soorpanakha’s nose are some of the places we visited in Panchavati. We were mentally going through the incidents of Ramayana. In the evening, soaked with love from Radheben and all the members of her family, this child left for New Delhi.

— Muktananda

Pray to God in solitude for more and more intense aspiration. Your mind

must be one-pointed. The purpose of your going to solitude is to commune with God undisturbed. Pray to God: “O Lord, shower Your grace on me. Make my mind one-pointed and let it rest on You. Make me meditate on You properly and absorb me in Your Swarup.” By constantly fixing your mind on God, you do become God. You should have no other thought except that of God. Whatever you constantly think of, that you become.

— Swami Ramdas

Nov 2020 35

DEAR CHILDRENHow The Lord Puts Us To Tests To Correct Us!

n August 22, 1957 just two days before I left Kerala for Karnataka, I was sleeping under a mosquito-net. Suddenly I felt a sharp sting;

I thought it was a scorpion and got up and shook out the bedding. A centipede fell out. The sting gave me such intense pain that I could not sit still, I had to keep walking to and fro. Something like five hours must have passed, all the while in this intolerable pain. Then at last I lay down again, and my tears overflowed. Vallabhaswami (who was one of those with me) thought that my tears were due to the pain. ‘I am not in pain,’ I said. ‘All of you go to sleep.’

What had happened was this. All this time I had been inwardly repeating to myself a Sanskrit prayer: ‘O God, give me devotion, cleanse my mind of faults; may it be without sin. O Thou who dwellest in the hearts of all, this is the desire of my heart, I have no other. O God, I am speaking the truth.’ But in fact, while I repeated these words, I had another desire — I longed that the pain of the sting should subside! I was saying Satyam Vadami (I am speaking the truth) but really it was Jhutham Vadami (telling a lie).


What a display of egoism! In my mind I was crying aloud: ‘How long are you going to torment me!’ And suddenly, all the pain was gone, completely gone, and I felt myself held in a close embrace. That was when my tears overflowed, and within two minutes I was asleep. I experienced God then in His quality of mercy.

Source: Moved By Love By Acharya Vinoba Bhave

Prayer is the easy way of contacting God.

When you raise you heart towards the

Supreme Being and commune with him,

you feel at first your nearness to Him and

then your actual contact with Him, and

ultimately your absorption into His Being.

Prayer infuses strength, courage and joy

into your heart. It therefore teaches you

how to bravely endure things and how to

draw power and wisdom from the Divine

Storehouse.

— Swami Ramdas

Nov 2020 37

EPISTLES OF SWAMI RAMDASeloved Ram, …Understand that the so-called difficulties that beset us in life, far from being undesirable,

help us as much as they awake in us the latent powers of the soul. Tribulations and trials are the very spice of life. Through this experience we strengthen our will-force and grow, day by day, to be more powerful for fighting fearlessly against the darkening influences of ignorance in this battle of life. Therefore, be brave and face things with a bold, unperturbed front. Have unshakable faith in the Almighty Lord of the Universe. Remember the 22nd Shloka in the 9th Chapter of the (Bhagavad) Gita: “To those men who worship Me alone, thinking of no other, to those, ever harmonious, I bring full security.”

So, take complete refuge in the Lord and He is bound to take care of you and yours. Don’t be dejected. Do not forget that the Supreme Lord is the friend of the helpless and the saviour of the distressed. May the Lord grant you, peace and strength, and shower His grace on you…


IN MEMORIAMSri PG Subramanian, an ardent devotee of the

Ashram from Chennai, was called by Beloved Papa on the 22nd of September 2020. We pray for Beloved Papa’s blessings on the departed soul for eternal rest and peace at His lotus feet.

ANANDASHRAM NEWS15,500-CRORE NAMA JAPA YAGNA

FOR WORLd PEACE: The total Japa received in the third round of the 15500-Crore Nama Japa Yagna For World Peace in the month of September is 200 crores. The grand total of the Japa done so far in this round now stands at 8766 crores.

101ST JAYANTI OFPUJYA SWAMI SATCHIdANANdA

Pujya Swamiji’s 101st Jayanti will be celebrated on the 12th of November 2020.

Pujya Swamiji was the personification of humility, forbearance and Guru-Seva. May this day be instrumental in reminding us of these noble ideals that he epitomised, and may he bless us to live up to the teachings of our Guru.

Nov 2020 39LIST OF PUbLICATIONS IN ENGLISH

Sr. book Title Price (Rs.) 1 Ashram Seva 302 At the Feet of God 853 Call of the Devotee 1304 Dive Deep and Soar High 1205 Gita Sandesh 1106 Glimpses of Divine Vision 607 God Experience, Vols. 1 & 2 (Set) 2408 Gospel Of Swami Ramdas, Vols. 1 to 3 (Set) 7509 Guru’s Grace 15010 Hints to Aspirants 10011 In Quest of God 15012 In the Vision of God 28513 Krishnabai 8014 Lectures of Swami Ramdas, Vols. 1 to 5 (Set) 110015 LettersofSwamiRamdas,Vols.1&2(Set) 24016 Mundane to Spiritual 10017 Passage to Divinity 12018 Pathless Path 5019 Poems 10020 Points to Ponder 15021 Religion — Its Universality 5022 Sadhaka and Sadhana 3023 Sayings of Swami Ramdas 6024 Srimad Bhagavatam 38025 Stories as told by Swami Ramdas 10026 Swami Ramdas on Himself 12027 Swami Satchidananda 5028 Talks of Swami Ramdas 13029 The Divine Life, Vols. 1 & 2 (Set) 38030 The Mother of All 6031 The Silent Sage 6032 Thus Speaks Ramdas 6035 Viswamata Krishnabai 7036 With My Master 9037 With the Divine Mother, Vols. 1 to 3 (Set) 54038 World is God 210

ANANDASHRAM PUbLICATIONSTel: (0467) 2970160

Email:[email protected]


R.N.: 3047/57 || Registered: KL/KSZ/8/2018-20License to post without prepayment of postage

Lic. No. KL/PMG/NR/WPP/1-1/KSZ/2018-20Date of Publication: 01/11/2020

Edited and published by: Swami Muktananda on behalf of Anandashram Trust, Kanhangad.and printed by him through: Prakash Offset Printers, Mangalore.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH

There is no greater acquisition in this

life than perfect faith in God that stands all tests and weathers.

— Swami Ramdas

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02 Nov 2020 - Anandashram