BENIGN LORD(SRI SRI THAKUR ANUKULCHANDRA)

SATSANG PUBLISHING HOUSE

SATSANG PUBLISHING HOUSEP.O SATSANG,B-DEOGHAR

JHARKHAND

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PublisherSri Amarendra Nath ChakrabortySatsang Publishing HouseP.O.Satsang,B-Deoghar,Jarkhand

All rights reerved by the Publisher

1st Edition – October 19722nd Edition- August ,1987

Proof Reader:Sri Kumar Krishna Bhattacharya

PRINTERSri Amulya Kumar GhoshSatsang PressP.O Satsang,B-Deoghar,Jharkhand

Price:

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F O R E W O R D We have to stretch our minds to find eve the slightest conception of the Life of Love , the human life that the blissful Source of existence lived in our midst. This stretching is so worthy as activity though because of the fruit it yields as only the blessed ones who have tasted understand.

But anyone can see that those whom Sri Sri Thakur has touched are doing their utmost to bring others to Him –for no motive beside the desire for the good of others which go’s hand in hand with love of Him.To know and feel presence within removes from the heart the sense inadequacy at the rot “of all miseries of soul and body, of individual and society. It is by feeling His will and following it, rather than the woeful desires of our perfection. Though the progress may seem slow to us, we can be sure that it is steady, for it is the Supreme.

In order to open ourselves to His all-fulfilling presence ,we need to begin finding our about the life ,He lived for our good: we need to know something of how He worked to guide us to His love in our manifested world.

It was at the constant inspiration and regular guidance of His Holiness Sri Sri Thakur’s son and foremost servant, Sri Sri Borda that Dayal Thakur ( Benign Lord ) was translated into English. The title of the book was kindly mentioned by him. We hope that this book will give glimpses of the Life of Love and beckon more souls to that Life ,the true one.

Arun Ganguly

Kerry Brace.

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Preface

This revised second edition of Benign Lord” is going to be published on the eve of Birth Centenary celebrations of Sri Sri Thakur anukul Chandra this year .This is a small booklet in which devotees find a glimpse of the magnanimous and divine life of ourLord.

Let us hope that the reading of this book makes us experience an existential thrill and inspires one and all to know more and more of the Life Divine and be anointed with His unbounded Blessing and Grace.

June 1987 Publisher

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“ You are for the LordNot for others ;

You are for the LordAnd so for others.”

Sree Sree Thakur

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I N D E X

Page Nos1. Advent2. Childhood and Youth 3. Student Life and Marriage4. As a Physician5. The Great Period of Kirton and Trance6. The Activities at Himaitpur7. Sri Sri Thakur at Nilachal ( Puri)8. Coming to Deoghar9. The Great Departure10. The Purpose of Man’s Life11. The Three Pillars of Life and Growth—

Jajan,Jaajan and Ishtabhriti

12. Jajan13. Jaajan14. Ishtabhriti15. Education16. Marriage Reformation17. Satsang’s Large –Scale Activities18. Satsang under the Guidance of Sri Sri

Borda19. A few opinions on Satsang

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ADVENT

In the midst of the splendid green fields of Bengal in the district of Pabna lies the village of Himaitpur,wetted with nectar –sweet drops of rain ,its air soothed with the caresses of the breeze .This Himaitpur is the place where nature rejoices ,where the imaginings of the poets are to be found in reality .At its front to the south the river Padma passes. Its holy waters kiss the bank here and flow on the toward their limit less destination in the sea.

The monsoon was at its end and washed by the rains, nature seemed to be wearing new dress. The autumn dawn was like honey, incomparable in warmly smiling purity.On this morning the whole world deemed alive and full of feeling A deep red radiance from the rising sun spread across the eastern sky.It was the fourteenth of September of the year 1888, the day marked in the lunar calendar as the holy Talnabami Tithi.At five past seven the lying –in room was brightened with a divine light and an indescribable the while atmosphere .It was the great and auspicious women in attendance were struck with wonder at the radiance of the boy-Mother Monomohini had born.

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In answer to the woeful cries of the strayed wayfarers of this world, the deluded troubled and helpless ones, the Supreme Father whose worship is taught in the Vedas ,the ultimate goal of spiritual practice ,came down to us on this day. The life long prayer of Mother Monomohini was fulfilled for in His Mercy the Supreme Father Himself took birth as her son.

This was the advent of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra,the Incarnation of Mercy and Supreme Compassion and the object of worship for the world.

His father Shiva Chandra Chakraborty was a man of such prominence in virtue that it is impossible to describe his dutiful ness adherence and charitibility .He is one of those who renewed and bettered the world of men by standing as an extraordinary example of Ideal-mindedness, kindness to dependants and hospitality .It is fitting that the greatest fulfiller of the age should be born in the house and devotee of God.We bow down with love and respect at the holy feet of this man who was in reality like his namesake Lord Shiva.

He was born in 1855 in Guakhara a village in Pabna District .While still in this youth he came to Pabna town and began to work as a contractor for the district board for which he earned a

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sizeable income. At the age of twenty four he was marred to Monomohini Devi the daughter of Ramendra Narayan Choudhary, a land owner of Himaitpur.

The life of Mother Monomohini was full of miraculous and glorious events. We can never cease regarding a woman of such virtue. Her heart in profound worship of the infinite received His expansive embrace and she became the medium through whim He descended to this earth.

Her father Ramendra Narayan Choudhary was a great landowner and a devotee of RadhaKrishna ,whose form he worshipped each day. When Monomohini was only six years old she was possessed by a yearning for God. Sitting with her grandmother she would worship Radha Krishna with fervent desire and she insisted in doing this every day. One day her grandmother said to her . “For worshipping one has to know the Holy Name ”.So a strong desire arose in her to obtain the Name which is given at the time of initiation .But who was there to initiate her?

Taking notice of her eagerness for achieving God, Ramendra Narayan on day advised her “Pray to Madanmohan (Krishna):He will give you initiation. Now Monomohini had found a way. She sat in the shrine in their house and expressed the longing within her in humble

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prayer .Her yearning grew stronger until finally it took over her whole being : pangs of desire for God of rare intensity filled her heart and tears came rolling down her cheeks.

On a night so still that the whole seemed to have fallen asleep ,Monomohini Devi went into the shrine with her brother Lola. He fell asleep after a short time ,but Monomohini ‘s heart was trembling with eagerness to attain God

All at once an effulgence illuminated the shrine and Monomohini gazed in amazement at the place of Radha Krishna ; a person radiant with divine light was sitting there. He was smiling sweetly and his eyes shone with the brightness of fulfilled love .Before this divine man seated on the throne of Radha Krishna shimmered the four golden letters of the Holy Name.Monomohini ‘s soul resonated with the universal vibration and her heart overflowed with joy in having received the Holy Name.

Many years later while she was visintg the home of Bindhyabasini Debi, a distant relative ,the photograph of man caught her attention.She felt a strange sensation in her body and dropped down in a faint. The picture as of the same great man she had seen in ther vision. But who was he ?She found out then that he was Sri Sri Huzur Maharaj ,the great saint and spiritual guide of Agra Satsang in western India. After much delay

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she was eventually able to go to him and bow down at his holy feet. How great must have been the delight and sweetness of this meeting of devotee and Spiritual Guide!

Now we will turn to the divine life of the greatest fulfiller of the age ,the Ideal who embraced humanity with expansion,.

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Childhood and Youth

Even as a child Anukul Chandra showed signs of superhuman greatness. The heavenly grace of hi well –formed body could not be hidden when in play he got dusty, this small boy was still the embodiment of Vedanta. In this child lying on the lap of his mother the Supreme One in His mercy had come down to us.

He was eleven months old when one day Monomohini Devi took him along with her to the house of Umesh Lahiri at Haripur .Umesh Lahiri was a conservative Brahmin and the image of Balgopal (Lord Krishna as a boy ) was placed in his house. On the day of the visit he had been sitting absorbed in meditation for several hours, as he was accustomed to do. But today the medication was broken by the sound of something falling. In wonderment he saw that the image of Balgopal had fallen to the floor and that on the throne of the deity was sitting the boy Anukul Chandra sweetly smiling and with radiance effulging from his whole body.

When Mother Monomohini scolded her child, he replied in innocence, “Why does He call me then ? ” At this the emotion in Umesh

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Lahiri became uncontainable and tears flowed from his eyes. On this day his worship had become meaningful –his life had become blessed.

Mother Manmohini Devi was going to see the new-born baby of one of her neighbours.She wanted to take Anukul Chandra along with her, But the boy said “What’s the use of going there, mother ?How many days will the baby live?” She was startled to hear from the lips of her child such a remark, spoken so normally and simply. On the eighteenth day afterward the baby died. At this time Anukul Chandra was only three years old.

A sanyasi (mendicant) arriving in Himaitpur happened to see Anukul Chandra .Just the sight of the boy made such an impression that he followed him to his home .Mother Monomohini welcomed him but he didn’t pay any attention to this. He just looked at Anukul Chandra with eyes full of tears and said in a trembling voice, “ This is not ordinary boy. To reduce the great burden of this world’s suffering, He is come.” The sanyasi cooled some rice he had been given earlier and made an offering to the divine earlier and made an offering to the divine boy in whom he had found his desired Lord: then he ate what was left as the gift of His grace .Mother Monomohini tried to stop him from doing this, since the usual custom was to offer food to a sanyasi and to accept his

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blessings. But he bowed down at her feet and prayed tearfully, “Mother please don’t’ deprive me of the grace I have been roaming the jungles and wilds to find throughout my whole life . ” The Mother became quiet at hearing such a sorrowful prayer.

The people of the village were kept in wonder by the number of powerful sanyasiis that visited the house of Shiva Chandra Chakraborty.

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Student Life and Marriage

He who is worshipped in all the Vedas, who is cause of all causes ,knowing whom nothing remains to be known ,who is beyond material and causative knowledge ,and who is upholding all creation ,took on human form and lived through the life of a man in order to fulfill the needs of the age.

At an auspicious time Anukul Chandra’s father, Shiva Chandra, enrolled him as a student in the school of Kesto Bairagi. So it happened that this man and his school were blessed with the presence of this age’s greatest fulfiller.

Shiva Chandra had come to Himaitpur to save the property left by his father-in-law .In this he was largely successful, but many in Himaitpur remained hostile to him and caused him constant trouble. In the conflicts that resulted he was able by the force of his personality and his valor in resisting evil to maintain the prestige of his family ,nut continual harassment brought him into extreme financial difficulty. At the same time he fell ill.

Anukul Chandra ,who was five years old at this time, used to go every day across the river

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Ichhamati to bring medicine for his father. As he wet along he became completely absorbed in the continuous repetition of the Hold name which flowed inside him. Many revelations came to him :he would see thousands of moons and sums whirling around him making a tremendous sound and it seemed that he was the centre of them all.

In his life a great devotion to his parents is evident. His only interest was to please his mother ,and his only greed was for her appreciation even though she was very strict with him. The extreme degree of his devotion to both his parents is beyond description.

He tells in the following messages the place of father in one’s life , and how one’s devotion to parents can be measured:

Bow down each day to your father,Object of your adoration:Know him to be imparter of knowledge,The Good’s manifestation.

(Anushruti,Vol III ,Chap,Devotion,34)

If he tends to fulfill his parentsAnd always adheres ,This will make a boy a great manIn later years

(Anushruti ,Vol I Chap.Love,50 )

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As untottering as his devotion to mother be,A boy is successful just to that degree.(Anushruti Vol I ,Chap ,Education ,40)

Once when he was quite young he cut the sole of his foot on a piece of glass. It was bleeding profusely and he as in great pain, so he told his mother that he couldn’t go to school. But Mother Monomohini said ,”It is nothing .Go to school ,”So he went, thinking that if his mother said it was nothing , then there could be nothing to worry about. That night she found that his foot was badly swollen and wondered how he could have gone to school without worrying about it. But his devotion to her was such that her words were everyone to him and she was no less that his existence.

Once in his early school days the teacher began to teach how one plus one make two. Anukul Chandra looked at him with genuine surprise. Wasn’t it true that there are no two things the same in this universe ?If two things that are the same cannot be found ,how can they be added together? When he asked about this nobody listened to him: and the teacher .not understating him at all, beat him mercilessly.

One of the most impressive demonstration of his unparallel devotion to his mother took place on the day of a final

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examination in mathematics. His mother noticed that he as late in leaving for the school and said , “ Your mathematics examination is today and still you are delaying. You won’t be able to solve a single problem.

Anukul Chandra rushed to school and got there before the examination began.When he was given the paper with the problems ,he found them very easy and knew he could solve then all. But if he did ,his mother’s word would be proved false. His eyes became wet and tears rolled down his cheeks as the feeling of devotion to her welled up in him.

Seeing him, one of the teachers came and kindly asked why he was crying. When he heard that it was because if he answered any of the problems his mother would be proved a liar, the teacher was amazed and stared at hm for a long time. Such an incredible example of devotion to mother! Anukul Chandra went home that day without solving a single problem.

If anyone was in pain it would make his kind heart overflow with sympathy .If someone was without proper clothing, he would give him his own clothing and return home naked. As this kept happening , his family became concerned about him. But who could restrain the compassionate acts of one in whose heart the sufferings of the world were resonating?

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One day the clouded sky poured down heavy rain and a storm wind began to blow --- it was a day to frighten and bewilder al of nature. Sitting in his classroom,Anukul Chandra suddenly began to feel restless. The rain stopped for a while and classes were suspended. He ran fast towards his home. On the way the sky threatened again and his frightened companions ran away to take shelter. But he kept on a fast pace through the storm.

At the side of the road an old blind man had fallen into a deep ditch. Water was flowing with such a fast current that his feeble strength could not resist it. At that last moment of his life he remembered Almighty God and cried out ,” Allah! Allah!” but his cries were gradually dying away.

“Don’t be afraid : I am here ,”.So saying ,Anukul Chandra jumped into there stream ,grasped his hand and lifted up his shivering body. Holding tight to Anukul Chandra ‘s hand, the old man sobbed,” Are you my Allah? Who else is there to save me from such a plight?”

Who he is , only he knows. What can we call him who mercifully comes to save one’s life in response to a helpless call? In trance he once said, “Sound of your call must reach me because I am sound.” Taking the old man by the hand, he led him home.

After he had gone a little way towards his own house, a hawk beaten and wearied by the storm alighted on this shoulder. In the Supreme

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shelter it found refuge, He stood still. Only when, after a long rest, the hawk flew away did he start again for his home. His heart is full of compassion for everything from a lowly plant to a man. He is ever merciful, and kindness to those who depend on him is his natural quality.

Anukul Chandra once visited the place of Sri Ramakrishna. Everything there seemed familiar to him. About his visit ,he himself said., “Once I went to Dakshineshwar. When I arrived there I felt thirsty .A man there gave waster to everyone except me. That hurt my feelings and I became very angry .I went to the side of the house where Ramakrishna used to stay .It seemed very familiar to me ……………

“Later I fell asleep in the shade of the Panchabati ( an assemblage of five sacred trees) and I was the goddess Mother Kali coming to me .Although her color was black ,still her appearance was very soothing .Coming near to me ,she and rested my head on his knee felt that her tough did something to me .I couldn’t resist her words --- whatever she said ,I did. Caressing me she said, “ What can I give you if you want to eat before all the others? Eat these, child .”She gave me luchi and shandesh * in a bowl glittering like gold.”

(Alochana Prasange ,Part I)

He had such visions of many gods and goddesses. He said , “I have seen Mother Kali many tmes.Just from the sight of here, it seemed

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that she was my mother. There seemed that she was my mother. There seemed to be no difference between her and my mother; perhaps it was because of this that my attachment to my mother grew so much.”

( Alochana Prasange ,Part I )He practiced the repletion of the holy

Name from his child hood ,and during this repetition he would become completely absorbed .All the universe would be illuminative with a divine light ; trees and plants ,birds and beasts ,even men would appear to him to be made of grains of light.Bth within and without he would see the one connecting link of all things and the Source.*Luchi and Shandesh ---A delicious flat bread and a sweet made of curd.

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The feeling of oneness became very strong in him, and his attraction to it became more and more intense. Once, seeing a tree before him, he rushed forward to embrace it. He stumbled, fell on the ground and lost consciousness. A passer –by carried him home. Such an opportunity to serve him through for a moment only is craved even by the gods—it is a result of good deeds in many births.

One day he saw that radiant conscious particles were merging into the nebula and another solar system was being created .He perceived that this luminous world and all the particles of light were part of him.

At the age of seventeen he was a student in the second class of high school .His person shone with a beautiful divine luster. His sweet smile charmed the world, and his appearance was heavenly with love and joy.

And also the Supreme Mother had made her appearance on this earth as Sorashi Bala Devi,daughter of Ram Gopal Bhattacharya,a teacher tat Pabna Institute. She was the eldest of his children ,and on thirteenth of August 1906,at the age of twelve she was married to Anukul

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Chandra ,eldest son of Revered Shiva Chandra Chakraborty .The occasion of this divine union will be remembered forever.

After marriage he studied for a time at Raipura High School near Amirabad. But within a short while he had to take admission in Naihathi High school in the 24 Parganas district. There also a new healthy environment centering n him was created, and a heavenly atmosphere gradually developed.

Having qualified to appear in the college entrance examination, he was in his way to deposit the examination fee. He met one of his classmates who were looking very pale and pathetic because he didn’t have the money for the fee. Saddened by his distress, Anukul Chandra deposite4d all the money he had in the name of his friend and went back home. The news of his friend’s success later on filled his heart with joy.

From Naihathi he came back to Himaitpur. Mother Monomohini was dumbfounded to hear that he hadn’t attended the final examination. The members of his family wanted him to be a doctor. So young Anukul Chandra started for the city of Calcutta. There were rows of big mansions there, but his lodging was a very small room beside a coal shop.

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Only those who had passed the entrance examination were eligible for admission to the National Medical School. But Anukul Chandra was persistent and not a man to retreat .The institution had any other option than to admit him. His knowledge was much greater that was needed to pass the entrance that was needed to pass the entrance examination. He prevailed upon the authorities to hold an examination for him, and he was admitted after passing it with extraordinary merit. After this began another divine period of his human life.

As he never received money in time and had nothing to pay for fares, he had to walk more that twelve miles daily .Sometimes he had to go on with little or no food. Although there were many days that he remained with out food, still he could not remain inactive at the sight of other’s pain and suffering. An acquaintance of his gave him a book on homeopathy and a box of medicine. At first he thought that he would be able to provide himself with this daily needs by this means, but it turned out to be a part of his service t the people. His nature was to make people cured in all respects. What could such a one demand in return? He became a very popular doctor for all the poor collies of the coal depot and other poor, distressed people of the area. Everyone was charmed at his loving and sympathetic behavior .They wondered, is it possible for a man to be like this?” Out of

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kindness He has appeared I human form, so life becomes enlivened at His kind touch!

Calcutta (now known as Kolkota) was a place mainly dedicated to the gratification of passionate desires. How could his pure and spotless character be apparent to his fellow students there? They were always waiting for a chance to test him.

In the evening he used to sit on the bank of the holy river Bhagirathi (Ganges).For ages it had been the silent spectator of numberless events and still its waves flowed on, striking the bank with a mild sound not much difference from silence. Along with the continuous repetition of the Holy name ,many incidents of the past flowed through his mind. The other students did not like such contemplativeness.

One day when Anukul Chandra was going to Kashi Mitter’s ghat, his classmates caught hold of him and made him go for a walk with them. They took him through many lanes and alleys and finally forced him to enter a certain two –storied building on Chitpur Road .They left the place suddenly and Anukul Chandra ,remaining alone looked around the room in wonder. It was well decorated in the manner of prostitution. A woman came to him smiling seductively. Who knows what

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acquirements in previous births had made that auspicious moment possible for her! At the sight of a mother in so horrible form he shivered and calling her by the name of “ Mother ”,he went in to a trance. In a sorrowful voice he started speaking to her , “Mother ,I can’t see this form of yours ! You are mother ,but what have you done to yourself ?”

The woman was overwhelmed at the sight of so radiant and uncommon a person. Never in her life had she been addressed as mother. She wept bitterly with repentance and fell at the feet of Anukulchandra earnestly praying for liberation from her filthy vicious life. After this incident she donated all her property to a philanthropic organization and left for Brindavan , the sacred place of Lord Krishna. Mary Magadalen came to the holy feet of Jesus, but this fallen woman was blessed by the Lord’s coming to her house.

In spite of many difficulties and inconviences,he finished study at the Medical School and returned to his home. At this time began the part of his great life in which his pre-eminence was recognized.

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As a Physician

Leaving the big city ,he came back to his affectionate mother.The cries of afficted humanity touched his heart ,and the momenthad arrived for bringing the scattered world together wit unifying principles of Dharma .Anukul Chandra’s form was noble:his large eyes were softened with sympathy ; his brightened face was always encirlcd with a ring of luster ; and sometimes his body shone with rays of bright light.

Mother Mnomohini wrote to Sri Sri Sarkar Saheb ,successor of Sri Sri Hujur Maharaj at Gazipur,about her son, and great was his joy when he received this ltter .He replied immediately ,asking her to initiate him at once.So it was that the formal ceremony of initiation took place. During his initiation he saw a divine –looking person ,and it is said that Sri Sri Saheb left this world at that moment, Anukul Chandra felt nothing at all new in being initiated .The Name given then was already known to him; he had been practicing its repetition from the time he was in his mother’s womb. The Name alone is his Source.

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He practiced as a physician for only three years , but earned a wonderful reputation within this short time .For n thing ,he never practiced to earn money ;and for another ,very serious kinds of diseases were cured under his treatment. Though he was trained in allopathic medicine, he sometime used other systems such as homeopathic and ayurvedic medicine, depending n the symptoms and needs of the patient. His object was to cure his patient completely. A sick man had nothing more to worry about if this doctor visited his house---for he was not merely a doctor, but the embodiment of kindness.

As soon as he saw a patient he knew what medicine would be effective for him. One day he saw a Mohammedan bringing fish from the market of Pabna. The way he looked brought a certain idea of a certain homeopathic medicine , veratrum album, into Anukul Chandra’s mind. Knowing that fish would be dangerous to him, he told him not to eat it. But the man paid n heed; he just said Allah so ordains, one day or another I must die.’’, and went home. Shortly after he arrived, severe vomiting and dysentery began and he broke into a cold sweat . Then he remembered the doctor he had met on the say, and someone was sent t bring him. He recovered by treatment with veratrum album.

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Eventually great numbers of sick people were coming to Anukul Chandra as patients .He charged no fees, but they wanted to be blessed by offering to him and made him accept money.

In and around Himaitpur there were many demoralized and evil-doing people. Adultery was widespread and highly placed people and supposed gentlemen were engaged in immoral activities .Hearing in his heart the crying of humanity reduced to such sadness, Anukul Chandra felt troubled for them. Through his holy company affection came to the unloved and despised .It was like sap following again in a dried –up tree .It was as of the streams of the celestial Ganges came flowing through the desert. He began to treat people’s troubled minds along with their physical ailments. The source of most disease is the mind, and this the touch of the Supreme Love could cure. People would tell him all their thoughts.

Many muddy droplets thus re transformed into pearls. Many Ratnakars ( a blood –sucking marauder) were transformed to saints like Valmiki. Just as plain iron becomes magnetic when in contact with a strong magnet, so also the lives ,thoughts, activities ,words of men changed by his charming association. Not by following some dry ideas does this kind of change take place. The help of an ideal personality is needed .In the words of Dr.Alexis Carrel, Nobel

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laureate in science. It is impossible to love an abstraction; one will sacrifice oneself for one’s leader but not for an idea………….. Man will never enthusiastically obey the laws of react ional conduct unless he considers the laws of life as the commands of a personal God. We need a God who hears us, loves and responds to is’’.

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The Great Period of Kirton and Trance

The word leela in Sanskrit and Bengali means the blissful play of the divine, God’s creative expansion by embracing and accepting the negative .It also describes the activity of Sri Sri Thakur Anukul Chandra .In every phase of his great and continuity hew life, nectar –sweet leela was unfolding . The enlivening touch of the Infinite took all beyond themselves. Through the miraculous power of the Kirton as he performed it ,his inexpressibly deep feeling made all of nature thrill with the vibration of the divine, The waves of the Holy Name flowed through everything in the surroundings, from beats and birds to trees and plants. The human mind, usually so subservient to passions, became drunk with the kirton of God. Its feeble urge for true life became strong. The holy association of the embodiment of Supreme Love awakened divine feeling in all.

Some of those who witnessed his leela at that time should be mentioned.

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The man who first experienced Sri Sri Thakur’s unconditional mercy was Ananta Maharaj . He had already had the realization of oneness and perceptions of sound and light before accepting Sri Sri Thakur’s, but this was not what he longed for. He felt that if he did not find the Lord, if He Himself did not mercifully come to him, this life of his was without meaning .Continually unsatisfied, his life was one of dejection.

It had rained incessantly all day. Ananta Maharaj stood absorbed in deep thought ,holding in his had the rope with which he was about to commit suicide. If he could not see the Lord in his life ,then this life was only a burden to him. The pangs of separation from God so afflicted him that his heart would only lament; the oppressive feeling within him grew until it brought him to tears .Then he noticed that someone was knocking at his door. Who could it be?

He recognized the voice of Anukul Chandra, a friend of his child hood. The force of the knocking was too much for the door, and with a loud noise it broke into two pieces.Anukl Chandra embraced him and said with deep affection ,Where are you going leaving me ? In search of God ? Don’t you know that God Himself is running after you day and night ?” Wonderstruck Anantanath saw that the room was

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full of radiance emanating from Anukul Chandra ,and who could say what he was feeling ? With the discovery of the Lord of his heart, he had found meaning in his life. He fell down before his feet, and the tears that flowed now were tears of joy.

It was Anantanath who first called Anukul Chandra “ Sri Sri Thakur ” ; and because Sri Sri Thakur used to call him “ Maharaj ” , he became known as Maharaj to everyone.

Kishorimohan,one of Sri Sri Thakur’s prominent devotee ,was a Vaishnav *.He studied to the third class of Pabna Institute and , after passing the examination in Pharmacy, started practicing in the villages around Pabna.

His mind was of the sort that goes in contrary directions. Sometimes thoughts of worldly affairs would rule it; at other times his feeling for the divine would become intense.

From his child hood, he had been much inclined to music. Because of this ,the kirton brought him much closer to Sri Sri Thakur ,He established several groups for performing kirton ,all of which centered their activity at the house of Anukul Chandra ,who himself would compose song for Kishorimohan to use.

Vaishnav * : Follower of Lord Chaitanya

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At that time there lived in Pabna a famous saint named Haranath Thakur, whom Kishorimohan often visited. It was this man who sent him to Sri Sri Thakur, declaring him to be a prophet. Though it isn’t easy for one list the desert of faithfulness to accept a Superior Beloved ,Kishori’s contact with the great life of Sri Sri Thakur eventually cleared his mind of ignorance .He got the taste of the new life and surrendered himself at the feet of his Lord.

Still, even after becoming a devotee, his mind would sometimes get clouded wit doubts. There are many stories of things that happened between Kishorimohan and Sri Sri Thakur which cannot be mentioned in so small a book as his .Here we will tell about just one of his experience of the Lord’s leela.

One day on his way home he found a special sweet being sold at the Bajitpur steamer dock, it was shandesh made with date –palm molasses. He felt a strong desire to offer some of it to Sri Sri Thakur, but at he same time a wicked idea came to him. He said in his mind, “If you are really God, then you will demand shandesh from me. “

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After returning home he hid the shandesh behind the picture of Haranath Thakur .As usual Kirtan was held at this house , and when it was over everyone started to go home. Sri Sri Thakur after going a short distance came back again and asked Kishorimohan for a glass of water .This he brought and offered with due regards.

“Only water and nothing else ?” Sri Sri Thakur asked , looking at Kishori with a mysterious smile.

Kishorimohan turned his face away and answered ,There is nothing to eat in the house, now.”

“ I won’t leave without having some shandesh “, said Sri Sri Thakur ,and without waiting for a reply he put his hand behind the picture of Haranath Thakur.

Kishori tried to stop him by saying , “ There’s nothing there but some tobacco.” But he paid no attention.

“Oh, what delicious shandesh you have kept for me ! Why did you hide it ?”

The voice of Sri Sri Thakur was full of mercy and Kishorimohan felt as if his while being was dancing with bliss. Sri Sri Thakur was looking at him wit a smile sweet as nectar and his body shone with a divine radiance. Carried away by

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emotion, Kishorimohan fell to the ground before his holy feet. , then gazed at his Beloved with a full heart.

Durganath Sannyal was a respected Brahmin of the village of Nazirpur. He had long suffered from digestive trouble so serious that his body had been reduced to skin and bones .After trying several treatments without being cured by any of them, he went to Baidyanath Dham , place of pilgrimage for the worship of Lord Baidyanath, a form of Lord Shiva. Since he had been born in answer to his mother’s prayers to Lord Baidyanath,he had hopes of being cured by lying in His temple----and spent a month in this way. Then on one still night he heard Lord Baidyanath telling him clearly , “ Sri Sri Thakur is there just by the side of your house .Take his shelter.”

So Durganath Sannyal returned to his home. His mind was full of joy because he had heard the words of Lord Baidyanath himself .Who knows more than He does about the Supreme Lord?

The next day he went to Himaitpur .Just after seeing him,Sri Sri Thakur said,You went to Baidyanath Dham.What happened?”

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Durganath Sannyal’s gaze was fixed on his radiant , beautiful face. All the worlds’ tranquility seemed to have accumulated in him.

Sri Sri Thakur called his mother and asked, What had been cooked today, mother?”

She replied ,”Only greens and a spicy soup with dal.”

He requested to give Durganath some food to eat.Mother Monomohini hesitated.” What are you saying?” she asked.” He is suffering from a very bad stomach ,and what we have cooked is not the right thing for his diet. Besides the kind of rice we have is hard to digest.”

“Nothing will happened to him, Mother ;give him some food,” Sri Sri Thakur said with a laugh.

That day the sick man filled his stomach with al sorts of food which he had long been forbidden, and from that day he was cured of his disease. He experienced Sri Sri Thakur’s selfless mercy on many other occasions, but they cannot be described here.

Among the hundreds of people who became devotees and adorers of Sri Sri Thakur from his twenty – fourth to his twenty –sixth year another man who had many disciples in different

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parts of Bengal.This was Satish Goswami ,a man blessed with abundant experiences of Sri Sri Thakur’s leela.

When he heard the sound of Kirtan, Sri Sri Thakur would feel restless. Leading the Kirtan, he created an atmosphere of such exaltment that even the most terrible kinds of human minds were able to ascent to the sphere of consciousness in a moment’s time.The beats of the war drum and the sounding of conches and bells make the whole atmosphere reverberate. With arms uplifted toward heaven, becoming absorbed in love, the devotees would walk down the path, and gradually hundreds of people would join in. As the sound and dancing rose in intensity, birds and beasts also would rush to the circle. Even the branches of trees would bend down to the rhythmic movement. The waters of the sea of love rose and washed away all the dirt of the mind. When people embraced out of love of the Supreme ,all jealously and enmity was wiped away.

During the kirtan Sri Sri Thakur ,absorbed in the Supreme Idea, sometimes fell to the ground in an unconscious state .With surprising rapidity his body moved through many difficult yogic positions and gestures. His motions were so fluid that it seemed there were no bones I his body, though never in his life had he practiced such exercises. After

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they were finished, his body became limp as if dead and the great toe of his right foot vibrated for a while. Finally his whole body became as cold as ice. For hours together his lungs stopped working and his heart did not beat. Even at this stage his smiling face shone with a divine radiance ,and in this condition he gav divine messages.How it was possible, when his body was without any trace of life in it, for him to speak out messages of Truth remains to this day a mystery unsolved by science .People had gone into trance before, but this was the first time in history that utterances had come from life less body. Another mysterious thing was that he spoke in language he did not speak at other times. Many of the languages he spoke were unintelligible to those present. The sayings that were understood had to do with creation Prophets ,Dharma ,knowledge of Truth,devotion,work,brotherhood,love,the Holy Name and the significance of kirtan etc, When he came out of trance ,he always asked loudly for water.

In the five years from 1921 to 1919 the message given in trance were recorded n only 1 days. They were compiled in a book called Punya Punthi ( The Holy Book) which includes messages mainly in Bengali and some in Hindi ,Sanskrit and English. Since no one understood the things spoken in other languages,

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they were not recorded nor were the messages of the first few days on which trance occurred.

The tides of the great kirtan swept over all the neighboring areas .The greedy as well as the afflicted flocked to him .Both Hindus and Muslims became his disciples.

Sri Sri Thakur along with his devotees, sometimes visited places around Himiatpur: thus those who lived away from him also had the chance to be blessed by his company.

The flood of love flowing out from Sri Sri Thakur so affected the people of Kustika, a town not far from Pabna ,that they decided to celebrate the birthdays of the different Prophets including Christ and Mohammed as well as Buddha ,Krishna and Ramakrishna .Sri Sri Thakur had taught them:Between Christ ,Buddha ,Chaitanya ,Rasul

And Krishna you make e come difference Don’t you know they are the same come downFor suffering creature’s deliverance?”

Anushruti ,Vol I Chapter:Ideal ----

The divine waves of love spread far and wide. The news of his revelations reached the

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provinces of Assam,Orissa,Bihar and beyond. When the three sacred streams of God, Holy Name and devotion came together., whole villages and cities were swept away in the river of faith.

On the fourteenth and fifteenth of September ,1929 ,a huge gathering took place at Kustia. Some came seeking help I their distress, some wanted money, others were in pursuit of Truth ---all came , in unexpected numbers, for the Bishwa Guru Utsav o celebrate the birthday of the Guide of the world. A solution to all problems had appeared in the form of a man. The world ,in the distress of this age of crisis ,had been awaiting him, and the holy news of his coming was now spreading out from Himaitpur.

The compiler of Alochana Prasange (Conversations with Sri Sri Thakur ) writes in his preface: “ On this holy soil of Himaitpur we today witness something rare in the experience of men, something seen only a few times in history ---- in the temple at Dakshineswar, on the roads of Nadia, in the deserts of Arabia ,in the olive groves of Jerusalem, at the foot of the stupa of Saranath, at Mathura ,Brindavan and Dwarka and in the palace of Ayodhya.”

Many writers, policticians, scientists and philosophers arrived in Himaitpur .The greatest fulfiller of the age was giving unique solutions to

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innumerable problems, of individuals and of society as a whole.

The Activities at Himaitpur

In the midst of Pabna’s jungles and thickets at the village of Himaitpur a radical change was going on. Here on the bank of the Padma was a place aglow with supreme knowledge, and devotees were beginning to take refuge in the love that radiated from its Centre: though calm and serene ,the place was always resounding with activity .As more people arrived ,the village was transformed into Satsang Ashram, houses and other buildings being constructed as the need arose.

Sri Sri Thakur wanted to create for restless people stricken with a want a peaceful atmosphere that would inspire them to a higher existence. To make man inclined to the path of becoming was his only aim. In carrying it out it was necessary to turn man’s essential activities in that direction : so

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Dharma ,education,industry,commerce ,art and music for all found expression in the activities of the Satsang Ashram.

Sri Sri Thakur was troubled by te poor system of education that prevailed in the country. The basic aim of education is complete development of life, and he built up an institution, Tapovan School, that put this idea into effect. This school became reputed throughout the country. The school for mothers also helped to effect the real aim of education. Arts and science colleges were also established , and many renounced teachers dedicated their lives to the service of Sri Sri Thakur.

Since his outlook was scientific, by his inspiration and the “World – Science Centre was established and equipped with modern instruments and research was carried on there.

The arts had almost vanished from the life of village. To revive them and bring them to a high level of quality, he et up the Satsang Art Centre. Photography and pottery also were included in its activities.

The word ‘asram’ means a place where people are uplifted through their about ,the ashramites of Satsang did all the kinds of work themselves.If a building was needed they did everything from making the bricks to the actual construction.With the presence of Sri Sri Thakur

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to inspire them,they could work with speed and efficiency that might have seemed impossible.

His ideals began to be set done in writing .He gave innumerable messages on various subjects including education, industry ,religious practices and more besides. For people suffering in the darkness of ignorance ,the light of knowledge was brightened ,and the true path was marked out .It was necessary to propagate widely his message for life and growth ,so Satsang Press was created .His holy sayings were published in books, and a paper dealing with messages of eternal life was published regularly.

As the influx of people continued ,Satsang Colony took shape. The whole asram reverberated with joy, and from this ventre a great movement began which took the news and the blessings of Sri Sri Thakur out into the world at large. Hundreds of workers went out to let people know about his life of greatness and the love and growth he can give .In the boso of eternity ,a new age was beginning.

It was at this time that Krishna Prassanna Bhattcharya and a research scholar in science, his pedantic attitude soon melted and he bowed down at the feet of Sri Sri Thakur. He found to his amazement that the problems which had kept his heart in turmoil were solved .From then on he

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was a permanent resident f the ashram and one of the prominent advocates of Satsang movement. Later he was made President and put in charge of the Ritwiks(preachers)

Deshbandhu C.R.Das,one of the most important leaders in India’s struggle for independence ,reached a point in life at which he found himself disgusted and frustrated by everything. He found a refuge from his trouble in Sri Sri Thakur and through initiation accepted him his spiritual preceptor. His son Chiraranjan ,also took initiation and along with his wife lived in the ashram for along time.

After the demise of C.R.Das,Mahatma Gandhi published a letter received from him. In the letter C.R. Das had requested Gandhi to stay for some days with his Guide, Sri Sri Thakur : “ I have learnt from my Guru the value of truth in all our dealings. I want you to live with his for a few days at least. Your need is not the same as mine, but he has given me the strength I did not possess before .I see things clearly which I saw dimly before.”(Young India, July ,1925)

Impressed by C.R.Das’s enthusiasim,Mahatma Gandhi did come to see Sri Sri Thakur and fund in him a unique personality of unequalled devotion t mother and infinite love for mankind .So affected was he by Mother

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Monomohini’s magnificent personality that he wrote, “ I have never seen such a masterful woman in my life.”

Many other leaders of various provinces also came , among them Dr.Rajendra Prasad, former President of India, Bipin Paul, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, A.K,Fazul Haque, and Gopinath Bardalai of Assam. The parents of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose a renowned leader in the struggle for independence ,were great devotees of Sri Sri Thakur and Netaji himself came to see him many times.

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Sri Sri Thakur at Nilachal (Puri )

Raibahadur Janakinath Basu , Netaji’s father lived with his wife ,Prabhati Devi in Cuttack, where he was public prosecutor and municipal chairman.On December 31 ,1992, in answer to their ardent prayer, Sri Sri Thakur made a trip to Nilachal on the Bay of Bengal near Cuttack. He took with him his parents ,wife, children and many devotees .Lord Chaitanya ,founder of the Vaishnava faith, had come to Nilachal some 500 years earlier and left its atmosphere charged with divinity .Again ,by the coming of Sri Sri Thakur ,the place was blessed .Haranath lodge, the residence of Janakinath Basu at Nilachal ,where Sri Sri Thakur stayed ,was transformed to a holy place ,the abode of God

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and lovers of God. The vibrations of the great Kirtan filled the air. Nilachal was enlivened again with divine spirit by the presence of the great fulfiller of mankind; the holy city was made more holy. At Nilachal is the temple of Jagannath, the Lord of the universe ( Krishna ). And now, here where Lord Chaitanya had once sung in prayer, “Oh Lord of the Universe ! Appear Thou before my eyes ,” Jagannath Himself had appeared as the lord who fulfills life with supreme love.

For more than two months Sri Sri Thakur stayed at Puri ,and this time will never be forgotten .He bathed in the sea each day ,and Kirtan was performed on the Inexpressible delight moved the hearts moved the hearts of all who were there to divine exaltation . Many respected people of the town came to him and were blessed by hearing his nectar – sweet words .Hundreds of people took initiation in the Holy Name , accepted him as their ideal and thus found fulfillment. Only because of blessings acquired in innumerable lives is one able to come in touch with him, for he is goodness embodied. Everything of him is divine, every step he takes, every one of his actions.

Late one night, without telling anyone, Sri Sri Thakur walked to a place called Sakshigopal, about seven miles away from Nilachal. When his absence was discovered, a cloud of depression

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and worry fell over Haranath Lodge. Finally Ananta Maharaj saw the prints of his sandals in the reddish dust of the path and followed them. He found that Sri Sri Thakur did not wish to leave Sakshigopal, so fell at his feet prayed that he come back. Seeing how ardent his disciple’s desire was Sri Sri Thakur went back to Haranath Lodge that evening .it may be that someone at Sakshigopal had prayed to him long before, so that on this day he mercifully came to this place and sanctified it with his presence.

Because of this desire to serve Sri Sri Thakur , Janaki Nath Basu bore all the expenses of the stay at Nilachal .At his prayer ,Mother Monomohini Devi remained at his residence in Cuttack for more than a month .Sri Sri Thakur requested Sushi Chandra Basu, former president of Satsang ,to stay with her.

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Coming to Deoghar

In the year 1946 the activities of the ashram at Himaitpur,including those of the college which by then had been started ,were going on at their usual rapid pace. No one knew that the site of ri Sri Thakur ‘s leela was about to be shifted .It was at Deoghar,Bihar,that the divine ,unfathomably deep activities of the later part of his life wer to take place With the great Vedavyas, writer of the Hindu scriptures ,let us also say ,” Salutations to His works!”

On the thirtieth day of August Sri Sri Thakur asked Nornam D.Fen of the U.S.A Bholanath Sircar and Rajendranath Mazumdar to reserve a railway carriage to go to Baidyanath Dham ( Deoghar ) .telling them privately when he would start though the time was very short ,by the blessings of the Love-Lord, Mr Fen and

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Rajendranath Mazumdar were able to make the impossible possible .At the same time Sri Sri Thakur sent Sushil Chandra Basu and Birendra Lal Mitra to rent a big house at Deoghar. The place they found called ‘Boral Bungalow’, now is known as Thakur Bungalow’.

Sri Sri Thakur and some of his devotees started for Deoghar on the first of September and arrived there the next morning at nine-thirty Pabna ,his birth-place ,had been left behind and deepening darkness descended on it; while Deoghar ,a t the arrival of the Supreme Lord ,was lighted with the rays of the rising Sun.

But there was resistance and obstruction on the part of many of the local people of Deoghar who were suspicious of the new arrivals .For selfish and sordid reasons there were conspiracies against Satsang. On the Bengali new year’s day the pandal ( a large meeting place) was set on fire .Attempts were made to undermine Satsang’s reputation by many contemptible court cases brought against it and through much spreading of scandal. During this period Sri Sri Thakur had to stay at the district town ,Dhumka. But the endless expansion of the great life was not to be halted. At last ,finding no other alteration ,the miscreants and conspirators surrendered to him and found forgiveness in his ever forgiving nature.

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Deoghar was transformed into the holy place of the greatest fulfiller. Because of his presence there, the number of initiations being made in Bihar was increased. News of Sri Sri Thakur and his divine message began to reach all parts of India and even England and America. For Satsang conferences held during Bengali new year holidays and following the Durga Puja holidays to celebrate his birthday, many prominent leaders of the country came .Special and reserved trains arrived at Deoghar from distant parts of India. The atmosphere of Deoghar resounding as innumerable voices rose in cheer , “Vande Purushottam ” ( Adorations to Fulfiller the Best ) .As number of visitors from different parts of the country grew ,Bihar was becoming the centre of attention for all India.Deoghar had become the holy place of the union of devotees with God .Many of the activities through which devotees had served Sri Sri Thakur at Pabna had been re-established here also .Every year during the conferences thousands and thousands of devotees came (and still come to Deoghar .So passed the remaining twenty two years of his supreme activity.

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The Great Departure

A few years ago Sri Sri Borda, eldest son of Sri Sri Thakur and his foremost devotee, was sitting before his lord . Sri Sri Thakur looked at him affectionately with a divine smile on his lips. It seemed as if grace was pouring out. He told his son to sit on a cot opposite the one of He himself was sitting on. This embarrassed the devotee greatly ,for how could he sit on a cot meant for the Love-Lord?But immediately Sri Sri Thakur said firmly in a voice that was loving though stern, “You yourself are me ”.Who could know that this was in premonition of his leaving mortal frame? He was giving a clear hint of his departure to Sri Sri Borda, who was to be the shelter, source of inspiration and redeemer of man in years to come.

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The moment of greatest misfortune came at 4-55 a.m. on the twenty-seventh of January 1969.When the Love –Lord quietly departed, the whole being of man quaked with a feeling of terrible devastation.

Now the sight of his house ,his bed ,and the things he used day to day brings back the memory of him and stirs in his devotees a burning urge to see him. Memories of him haunt their hearts with a sweet pain that brings on tears.

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The Purpose of Man’s Life

What does a man long for ? Since the beginning of creation he has wanted to live and grow ,t keep his existence intact and expanding .Everything he does is to satisfy these two prime desires ; it is for them that he struggles.The proper roleof his passions is to be servants to help accomplish his purpose.But if a man is subservant to his passions he gradually becomes self –centered ,which means he cannot grow and cannot do any good to his environment.By giving him intellect and conscience as well as passions ,the Supreme Father has made man the best of His creations.But these faculties can help him be free from the rule of passions only through the acceptance and the following of an Ideal Man.In this way only can a man enter into the greater existence in which his desires for life and growth

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are truly fulfilled.In this way only does he become worthy of his humanity.

In the past many sects have been formed ,and between them conflicts in the name of Dharma have arisen .This has happened because sectarians have confined themselves within a narrow compass and forgotten the real meaning of Dharma ,which does not admit of any such conflict, “Dharma is the providential flow to uphold life and growth ,” “ the upholding urge of

our existence ,” (The Message ,Vol II ,pp 5,7 ) Sri Sri Thakur had said. The mistake which has led sectarians to violence has been in assuming that the sect itself is Dharma .As Sri Sri Thakur said,

By Dharma everyone can live and grow :The Sect is not the same as Dharma

though.(Translated from Bengali)

And ,”The degeneration of humanity began at that moment when unseen God was made infinite and ignoring the Seers, the Worship of their Sayings began .

“Oh Mankind ! If you desire to invoke your good ,forget sectarian conflict. Be regardful to all the past Prophets. Be attached to your living master or God and take only those who love Him as your own. Because all the past

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Prophets are consummated in the divine Man of the Present.”

(Satyanusaran)

The centre in which all can meet should be above all sectarian feeling ; it should be in a great man in whom we can all the see the great men of the past. In Sri Sri Thakur, Mohammedans have found Mohammed, and Christians have felt the loving touch of their Lord Jesus .By following him each men of India could be united within a single bond. He says , “ As much as everyone does for each other, so much unity sprouts up. Every sect should do for every other sect. Arrangements should be made so that no one can keep himself aloof from others .I believe in the Vedas ,the Koran and also the Holy Bible .I want that the Hindus should study not only their own scriptures but also other scriptures followed by different sects. As much as one knows the fundamental sayings of other in thi s ways ,so much will the difference between them go on diminishing . The feeling of love will grow .Ignorance is the cause of difference .There is a type of people that want to keep the dispute alive and aggravate it. These satanic activities of theirs should be stopped by enactment of laws .” Alochana Prasange ,Conversations with Sri Sri Thakur ,Volume 8 .)

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What is the purpose of man’s Life? In answer to this question he has said clearly, Our goal is --- the attainment of God,

A personality realized With upholding and nurturing urge,The way to it is Active attachment To the Spiritual Guide ( Acharyya),

From this comesSelf adjustment, family adjustment,Adjustment of the society

And adjustment of the state,And through this adjustment of state

Forming a link of connectionWith the whole world To advance towards becoming with all And so to make everything in God:And this aloneIs attainment’s supreme awakening.

(Adarsha Binayak)

The utter indiscipline and chaotic conditions that prevail today result from the lack of self –adjustment. The first step toward the welfare of society and state is the acceptance of an Ideal in individual life. Without active attachment to the ideal, a man can never adjust himself, his family, society or state. At this time of crisis, when whole nations are suffering in conflict and bewilderment, Sri Sri Thakur shows us the way to eternal peace and well-being.

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The Three PillarsOf Life and Growth-----

Jajan, Jaajan and Istabhriti

To promote the great evolution in man, Sri Sri Thakur gives the three principles of jajan, jaajan and istabhriti ,certain way of think ,speaking must bring life and growth .One who cannot think good thoughts cannot do good works and cannot speak god either.Because of the lack of uplifting thought and action , there is a great confusion in both individual and national life .Sri Sri Thakur says, “ One mistake invites many mischievous.”

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So we should always try to be aware of and to understand d we make the motion of our lives worshipful and and perform devout service .In a word, this is jajan.

Jajan

The main purpose of jajan is to establish the Ideal and to fulfill His interest and this means to do good to all. It is possible to accomplish it only if we make the Ideal who is the embodiment of good the object of our meditation .Meditation of Him and moving in accordance with Him lead us in the direction of becoming .So jajan involves repetition of Holy Name, meditation ,devout worship, self-analysis ,self-adjustment ,practice of hygienic principles, study of His Holy Messages, carrying our resolves, atonement and prayer .To thus make oneself completely to His

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liking is sadhana or the process of actualizing the principles of life and growth.In Jajan ,the main factors are repetition of the Holy Name and meditation and materialization of the commands of the Lord in proper time. In Sri Sri Thakur words:

To meditate at dead of night and dawn ,To repeat the Name always while moving on,To work out in time the commands of the Lord:This is called tapasya in a word.

(Translated from Bengal,Anushruti,Vol I Chapter Sadhana –27)

Through meditation and repetition of the Holy Name, the brain cells are stimulated

And gradually become more responsive: thus the sharpness of the senses is increased .

Jajan means,” to regulate oneself in an uplifting go by whole-heartedly and with an Ideal-minded attitude fulfilling the principles of life and growth.” ( Sri Sri Thakur ,Pather kari---242). The greater responsive is attained by the repetition of the Holy name and this enables one in meditation to relate all sorts of ideas that come into the mind with the Ideal, and thus to direct oneself towards fulfillment.

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JaajanTo infuse one’s Ideal – heartedness into others is called jaajan. To try for one’s own upliftment while neglecting that of others brings failure in life. In jaajan the Ideal is central ,for it is only through Him that Dharma can be offered to others. To offer Dharma means to teach the principles of life and lift and the embodiment of life and growth is the Ideal--- the greatest fulfiller.

The main function of jaajan is to form in man a link of unfailing love for Him through service ,sympathy and discussion. Jaajan activates all parts of the brain and dissolves the

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knots of obsessions. Through Ideal –centric words and activity, a man’s regard and devotion grow .All his scattered feelings, ideas and reasoning’s become adjusted towards the one Ideal; as a result his common sense develops.

Istabhriti

Istabhriti is the offering of something for the nourishment of the Ideal; it is this that makes one’s initiation alive .Sri Sri Thakur says, “ The first oblation to Him in daily life ,offered with the united eagerness of body and mind being concentric n the Ideal, with desire for earning only in order to feed Him, is called Istabhriti.” It is a fact that if one follows this practice with adherence and regard, failure

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can never come into his life. Early each morning after meditation and repetition of the Holy Name, and before eating or drinking anything ,one should offer as much as he can.Carefully saving up his oblations, he should send them on the thirtieth day to the place of the Lord .Sri Sri Thakur assures us :If jajan , Jaajan and Istabhriti are done Great fear will be overcome.

( Translated from Bengal ,Anushruti ,Vol I,Chapter Istabhriti-Swastyayani---10)

And Istabhriti , he says ,is our most powerful means of resisting the forces of cataclysm.

Education

The lack if real education has bought about the chaotic condition of the nation which we see today. To the truly aware the education and culture that have prevailed in this country are most disappointing .No where does one find education that uplifts the divinity in man, endowing him with a greater feeling of life and the kind of efficiency that would be good for him. So Sri Sri Thakur wanted to make a radical change in the system of education. Well-adjusted habits and dealings appropriately related with the

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individuals specific characteristics and illuminated with love for the Ideal are the basic goals of education. According to Sri Sri Thakur,“ Systematic organization of habits and instincts for the purpose of fulfilling the becoming of life by a graduated active manipulation of behavior may be called education.”( Nana Prasange ,Conversation with Sri Sri Thakur )and :To become mere expert in reading and writing is not to be called education;Without habits, behavior and commonsense, there is no education at all.

(Anushruti ,Vl I,21)

A person cannot achieve these goals if he is not inspired with all his mind to fulfill his Spiritual Guide. So in his divine message he says,Ideal or Spiritual Guide

Is the living embodiment of education,And he alone can feel this,

Who has adherence –delighting goIn accordance with Him.

( Siksha-Bidhayana—1)

If education des not lead to the expansion of the mind that comes by carrying out the commands of the Spiritual Guide of what value is it ?

Education is far away from himWho has no following go

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To carry out the commandsAnd who has no

Cordial serviceable attitude.(Siksha Bidhayana---3)

Through proper education a man becomes enlightened with intelligence :and by adjusting his behavior and habits t make them accord with the Ideal, he develops himself.

Otherwise what is called education is mere literation. Sri Sri Thakur says,” iteration makes the complexes facilitated whereas education enlightens the being, hence its index, habits and behavior , glows on in sonorous rhyme.”

(Magna Dicta, 104,pp.49)Sri Sri Thakur wanted the existing system

of education to be changed radically .Education should be at least give on the capacity of earning a square meal daily ,so that one doesn’t have t depend on other’s mercy. He says:

Your intelligence doesn’t bloom at allHowever much you learn:

You become just an or bearing recollections.A morsel of rice you cannot earn.

(Anushruti, Vol I ,16)

For this period of great crisis Sri Sri Thakur has given plans for kind of education that will help everyone towards infinite develomment.When

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these are materialized the sweet fragrance of education will delight the whole world .All the aspects of education ,having consistent significance for success, will be unified. The centre of this real education will be a university. According to Sri Sri Thakur,” Where varieties arrive with a meaning at unity---it is university.”

(Message ,Vol 1 )

And,

Let your universityAttain meaningful prosperity –

Standing on the basis Of national existential tradition:

Let its proper effulgence of charactermake everyone active

With right intelligence---Being all-fulfillingAnd nurturer of specific characteristics:

And let sprout up on that basis All the learning of the universe ---

In well-adjusted significance Of meaningful integration

Enriched with a unified solutionTo the existence feet of Him

Who is my only oneI ardently pray

May He fulfill my prayer.

(Siksha – Bihayana)

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Marriage Reformation

Sri Sri Thakur put particular stress on marriage reformation and said emphatically,” We have to bring into society a progressive mood, marriage reform and industry.”

The improvement of society depends on the quality of the individuals who compose it, and Sri Sri Thakur has clearly shown the rules and principle which id followed will bring better progeny of a generous , regardful ,concentric and

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honest nature. A science of marriage was set forth by the ancient seers of India: whenever it has been ignored the progeny produced has been generally unfaithfully , mean, disregardful and destructive of culture. As Sri Sri Thakur says:

Good progeny and upliftment Are marriage’s basic stays;

Don’t make the mistake of marrying In a haphazard way.

(Anushruti ,Vol.I Chapter Marriage -34)

Though the proper regulation of marriage, the germ cells passed fro generations to generation can be improved ; but deviation from proper marriage will diminish the wealth of qualities inherent in those cells.

The greatest fulfiller is the centre of man’s evolving .With deep attachment to him a man becomes efficient and builds up a divine integrity .But the capacity for these qualities must be transferred to the progeny if they are t be preserved in this world. The wealth of qualities accumulated in our forefathers germ cells can be stored only in our offspring.

The germ cells will continually be improved under a s system of marriage based on the principle of varnasram (the grouping of people of similar instincts) .Marriage of members of the same varna (“a guild composed of people of similar instinct,” – The Message, volume IX)

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and hypergamous marriage is most beneficial. Hypogamous marriage is harmful, and so is marriage between people of common blood. Sri Sri Thakur warns:

Never allow, even by mistakeMarriage within the same clan of

same varna;It will make your lineage decrepit

With incoherent qualitiesHe defined hypergamy in this way

Marriage of girl of lower birth To a boy belonging to superior varna

and heritageIs called hyper gamy

And society propers thereby.

He also said:“A man’s marriage into a family whose

Culture is lessMakes the society ascend in the way of

progress.”

(Anushruti,Vol I ,Marriage – 40 )

Deviation from this means hypogamous marriage, which creates a situation dangerous to the production of good progeny. In hypogamous marriage ,where the wife’s heritage is superior to her husband’s wealth of germ cells deteriorates. So Sri Sri Thakur says:

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By marrying into a higher family ,a man Aggravates chaos and ruins his own clan.(Anushruti , Vol I Marriage-43)

If hypogamous procreation continuous ,national life will eventually reach a point of serious crisis. So he repeatedly warns:If one marries a girl of superior culture

Or offers a girl to an inferior boy,His heritage decays ,wealth leaves,

the state is injured,(Anushruti ,Vol I ,Marriage-46 )

It is only through marriage in consonance with varnasramic principles that devout – spirited men will be born, and only then will a real welfare state evolve.

Shakta *, Buddhist,Muslim,Christian, Vaishnav or whatever you be

Don’t give up your distinctiveness And in marriage adore hypogamy.

(Anushruti,Vol I Marriage -56 )

He gave thousands of messages on marriage and eugenics. Only a small portion of his ideas on this subject have been presented here.

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* Shakta : One who worships the goddess Mother Kali.

Satsang’s Large – Scale Activities

At present there are more than two thousand branches of Satsang located not only in India but also in Bangla desh ,Burma ,Europe and America .From these centre’s the principles of life and growth given by Sri Sri Thakur are being spread to many people .Satsang vihar’s ( Centre’s have been set up in several different provinces of India including West Bengal ,Assam ,Tripur ,Bihar ,Orissa. Uttar Pradesh, Maharastra, Delhi, etc,

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Besides these ,many places for common worship have been built .At Guahati in the province of Assam , a large Sri Mandir ( Temple) was built at a cost of more than one million rupees.

Thousand of workers of Sri Sri Thakur, surmounting all kinds of hindrances and difficulties ,have gone out to propagate his practical and all fulfilling message. His special workers are divided into five categories called Jaajak,Adhearjyu.Saha-Prati-Ritwik,Prati-Ritwik and Ritwik.The latter three are empowered to initiate people in the faith of Sri Sri Thakur .

At Deoghar different activities like those at Pabna have gradually been st up .Nothing was formed with a view to building up an organization; everything grew up to fulfill the needs of people. At present the following activities are functioning:

Satsang Philanthropy, the main office of Satsang ,occupies a large three –storey building .Hundreds of people work here.

Satsang Computer Centre, housed in the main office building is an unique large complex of its kind. It caters to various works of the office.

Ananda Bazar ( common kitchen0 .More than one thousand people are given food here daily.

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Free meals are provided for the devotees who come from outside to visit the asram.During the two Utsavs and conferences held each year ,for which thousands and thousands of devotees come from different provinces of India,All of them have their meals here ; and this joyous function goes on for about one week.

Satsang Chemical Works , Whenever any-one came to Sri Sri Thakur afflicted with ailments, his kind heart would overflow with compassion. He gave many formulas for medicines that would remedy their diseases .The Satsang Chemical Works came into existence to product these medicines.

A large herb garden has been started by Sri Sri Borda. He uses the rare herbs grown here in the preparation of medicines which have cured many previously incurable diseases, thus fulfilling one of our Lord Sri Sri Thakur’s desires.

Satsnag Press has printed the compilations of Sri Sri Thakur’s messages and many other books, and from here the magazinesAlochana(Bengali),Ligate (English) Satwati (Hindi),Agambani( Assamese),Urjana (Oriya)And Sasti Sevak ( Bengali) are issued monthly.

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Satsang Water Supply Department Water is pumped from a well near the Darwa River through pipes to supply the asram.

Satsang Engineering and Mechanical Workshop .Most of the things necessary for the asram are manufactured here.

Satsang Carpentry .Many wooden articles for the use of Satsang are made here.

Satsang Electrical Division. There are five high power generators for emergency supply of electricity over and above the generators exclusively meant for computer centre.

Satsang Guest Houses. There are several gust houses for the accommodation of visiting devotees.

Among the many other facilities are the Congregational Prayer House, Satsang Library (Amardyuti Bdi – Mandir ), Binapani Vidya Mandir ( Upper Primary School and Girls section of Satsang Tapovan High School) and Satsang Cow-shed.

Satsang Tapovan High School for boys .This is an ideal educational institution under the supervisions of Ideal-minded teachers.

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Amardyuti Satsang College .This college provies instruction in Arts ,Science and Commerce. Also ,preparations are being made to establish a separate college of law.

Post Graduation Institution. This section was opened with the special permission of the University Grants Commission.It is the preiliminary basis of Shandilya University.

Satsnag Charitablke Hospital. Sri Sri Borda himself used to treat many patients ,keeping them in his own house. His great desire to help the sick is being materialized in Satsang hospital. Sri Sri Thakur spoke of a Hospital with about five hundred beds. Towards the fulfillment of his desire about sixty beds have so far been st up. This hospital now has a special reputation because of the inspiration and direction of Sri Sri Borda and proper guidance of Rev Dr Alok Kumar Chakraborty, M.B.B.S the econ son of Sri Sri Borda. Its sacred, enlivening atmosphere ,along with the care it provides ,greatly increases the patients power of recovery.

A comprehensive plan for the hospital’s development has been worked out. In the newly constructed conference room medical seminars are held twice in a year attended by Satsangee and other medical professionals from different

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parts of the country and abroad. The hospital also has a library of its own,

At present the following departments and wards in operation;

Departments; 1. Out - Patients department2. Charitable Dispensary3. X-ray department4. Pathology, Serology and Bio-Chemistry 5. General Surgery6. Gynecology and obstetrics7. Orthopedics8. General Medicines9. Psychiatry10. Cardiology

Wards1. Indoor Male Wards2. Indoor Female Wards3. Emergency ward

Shandilya University .One of the Sri Sri Thakur’s primary desires was for the establishment of this University and this is being accomplished by Sri Sri Borda

Ganga-Darwas Project. Sri Sri Thakur particulary wanted that water from the hly Ganges should flow through Darwa a river

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near Satsang Deoghar which is nearly dry except during the rainy season. The devotees of Bihar, to whom Sri Sri Thakur ahs given responsibility in accomplishing this ,are making great efforts to effect this project.

Kristibandhab Natyasilpam. This club is the cultural centre of Satsang Deoghar. It organizes open theater ( Jatra) and regular theatre performances ,etc for various occasions.

Satsang Publishing House .The greatest fulfiller of the age comes to goad passionate men toward the good. In this time of tremendous chaos and absolute tyranny also he has come down , and in his message he has offers a full and wholesome vision of life .Satsang Publishing House has published the books containing Sri Sri Thakur’s sayings in solution of the world’s problems .So far the following books have been published:

1. Satyanusaran ( The Pursuit of Truth)2. Swasthya O Sadachar Sutra

( Aphorisms on Health and Hygiene)3. Yati Abhidharma (Upholding

principle to be followed by a jati or saint)

4. Debi – Sukta ( Noble sayings about Women)

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5. Tapo-Bidhayana,two volumes ( Proper regulation of Spiritual Practice)

6. Bidhi-Binyas ( regulation of Destiny)7. Sad-Bidhayana(Regulation to be

followed to perceive the embodiment of Truth )

8. Seva –Bidhayana ( Proper Regulation of Service )

9. Neeti-Bidhayana (Proper Following of Moral Principles)

10. Kriti-Bidhayana( Proper Regulation of Activity)

11. Shiksha-Bidhayana(Proper Guidance of education)

12. Darshan-Bidhayana ( Proper Guidance of Knowledge )

13. Nistha-Bidhayana (Proper Rgulation of adherence )

14. Adarsha –Binayak (Proper Regulation according to the liking of the ideal)

15. Bidhan-Binayak ( The Guiding Principles of Upholding laws)

16. Samaj –Sandipana (The Guiding Principles to enlighten society)

17. Bikriti-Binayana ( Adjustment of Distortions)

18. Bijnan-Bibhuti( A Treasury of Scientific Knowledge)

19. Dhriti-Bidhaya,two volumes ( Proper maintenance of the Principles of Upholdment)

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20. Achar-Charya,two volumes ( Principles of conduct and Behaviour)

21. Alochana-Prasange ,fourteen volumes ( Conversations with Sri Sri Thakur)

22. Nana-Prasange, four volumes ( conversation with Sri Sri Thakur on various Subject)

23. Katha-Prasange, three volumes (Discourses of Sri Sri Thakur)

24. Islam-Prasange (Sri Sri Thakur’s ideas on Islam and the complete eradication of sectarian conflict)

25. Punya-Punthi ( Holy Book,revelations of Sri Sri Thakur while in trance)

26. Anushruti, seven volumes (revelations on various topics in simples rhymes and poetry.)

27. Chalar-Saathi (A constant Companion for Ideal-centric movement)

28. Pather-kari ( Gems of the way)29. Nareer –Neeti (Codes of conduct to be

followed by women)30. Nareer Pathe ( Conversations with Sri

Sri Thakur about womanhood)31. Sashwati, three volumes ( Eternal

truths uttered by Sri Sri Thakur)32. Sambitee ,three volumes ( Sri Sri

thakur’s holy utterances on perfect knowledge

33. Taanr Chithi( a compilation of letters written by Sri Sri Thakur)

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34. Amiya-Lipi (Nectar sweet letters035. Ashish – Banee two volumes 9 a

compilation of messages given by Sri Sri Thakur as blessings on various occasions)

36. Prarthana ( Prayer)37. Upashana ( Prayers and rules of daily

observance)38. Preeti-Binayak,two vlumes

( Utterances abut the different forms of love and factors that guide love to the ideal)

39. Jaji-Sukta ( Noble utterance on principles of Jaajan)

40. Charyya-Sukta(Noble utterances on Practice and Habit)

41. Bibana-Bidayana( Proper system of Marriage )

42. Samjna-Sameeksha (Definations)43. Aryya-Krishti ( Aryan Culture)44. Bibidha-Sukta ( Noble utterances on

various topics)45. Amiya-Banee ( Nectar Sweet

Sayings)46. Jeevan-Deepti , two volumes ( Life

exalting messages to quench the thirst of afflicted humanity)

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Revealation of Sri Sri Thakur in English

1. The Message ,nine volumes ( Divine utterances on various topics such as Religion,Education,Society,Science ,Culture and Tradition,industry,Commerce,

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Eugenics,Genetics , Heredity,Marriage,Psychlogy,Universal law etc.)

2. Magnadicta3. Lord’s Prayer4. Discourses (A short record of

discussions of several persons with Sri Sri Thakur)

Sri Sri Thakur wanted His divine messages to be translated into many languages so that all the world could benefit from it. He also wanted people to acquire a good understanding of the knowledge he revealed. Sri Sri Borda has taken up the work of accomplishing these things. The books published n Bengali are now being translated into English,Oriya.Assamese and other languages.The Satyanusaran and other works are discussed daily ,and Sri Sri Borda helps others understand their meaning and how they are to be applied in life.

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Full page of Photo of Sri Sri Borda

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Satsang under the Guidance of Sri Sri Borda

The purpose of Satsang is to make a man a true man. Its position for fulfilling this purpose is unique, for here the real essence of Dharma has been revealed to the word.

Satsang does not and can never support belief in sectarianism. Dharma is never many- it is one. The sole object of life in accordance with it is to move, along with the environment, towards life and growth. Dharma is manifested in

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the Ideal, and Sri Sri Thakur is the materialized form of Dharma. He does not belong to any sect; rather ,all the sects belong to him.

The Love-Lord Sri Sri Thakur said,” I can give up a kingdom in exchange of a man, but I can never lave a man.”

It was through Lord Buddha’s disciple, Upagupta, that the cruel emperor Ashoka came to accept the Buddha as Lord –and had a glimpse of his vast Lie.” I take refuge with the Buddha; I take refuge in Dharma; I take refuge in the order”: through thee three affirmations he became “ the pious Ashok’, and piety became the basis of the empire he established.

The Greatest Fulfiller begins the work for which he comes ,and none of his activity remain unfinished .After His demise ,His eternal and limitless ability to shelter brings on a glow of hope and exaltation-a new era begins.

Sri Sri Thakur said;…..in the absence of the Greatest Fulfiller, the Spiritual Guide who is adhered to Him, worshipful to Himis to be followed .(Adarsha binayak,64) Further, regarding the guidance of the organization He said, Amongst His children

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keeping him who is unrepellinglyAdhered to the Ideal and is superior

as His pivot centre,make him your principal in charge

(Adarsha Binayak )

Sri Sri Thakur gave complete responsibility for Satsang to Sri Sri Borda ,who Is not only his eldest son but also a great devotee who uses every moment of his time before His demise .Sri Sri Thakur would send anyone who came to Him to Sri Sri Borda .The great and merciful Sri Sri Thakur is the all in all of his life. In recognition of his nurture of the people and his serviceableness and compassionate feeling, Sri Sri Thakur blessed his forty-sixth birthday with this message:

Affectionate Amarendra!My eldest son!

Your regardful disciplined activityAnd loving compassion for the people

Have made my mind exalt.

Observing his divine service and his devotion and adherence to parents, He blessed him on his fifty-fourth birthday , saying:

My eldest son, today is the day of your birth ;

you have fulfilled usby coming to our family

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at this auspicious moment.

Sri Sri Borda is the present Spiritual Guide (Acharyya ) of Satsang. under his efficient guidance ,the works of Satsang have been steadily progressing since the great departure of Sri Sri Thakur. Thousands of workers ,inspired by him, have gone out to new places to materialize the divine wishes of Sri Sri Thakur. The light of peace and well –being is blazing with Sri Sri Borda guidance ,work for the establishment of Shandilya University as desired by Sri Sri Thakur is proceeding at a rapid pace. A large two-storied building for Tapovan School has been erected. Amardyuti Satsang college has begun functioning and thus a step has been made toward the opening of Shandilya University.

Sri Sri Borda plans to build a unique Holy shrine of Sri Sri Thakur to be called Sri Mandir’.Here all the sects will meet and be illuminated with the Divine Consciousness, and body and mind will be filled with Divine Spirit.It will be just behind Sri Mandir that the thirsty Darwa will receive the waters of the Holy Ganges.

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A Few Opinions on Satsang

Deshbandhu C.R Das’s last message to Mahatma Gandhi about this Spiritual Guide (the founder of Satsang)

“ I have learnt from my Guru the value of truth in all our dealings. I want you to live with him for a few days at least. Your need is not the same as mine. But he has given me strength I did not possess before. I see things clearly which I saw dimly before.

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“ I have personal knowledge of the institution and it deserves public support. I hope the public will give them every possible help. I wish them every success.”

Signed / C.R Das , 27. 1.25

“ …of the surroundings of the AshramI carried a very good impression.”

Signed / M.K.Gandhi. “ Satsang is a unique Institution of its kind and there has been a Satsang an un-usual combination of the spiritual and material and the Institution is a genuine sustained attempt to secure the best of the old and the new ,the Eastern and Western, to balance education with industry and to enshrine the brotherhood of men.

“Owing to the political changes in the country the Institution is confronted with a serious problem of rehabilitation. As the Institution is doing substantial work in Education, Industry, Art, Social Service and Religion for the benefit of the country it has become necessary that everyone should help it with all his might.”

Signed / B.C.Roy,Premier,West Bengal,13 . 9. 48

ANANTASHYANAM Ayengar, former Speaker, Lok Sabha and Governor of Bihar:

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“ I am glad to see that Thakur is not a sadhu with a long beards ,but a normal man living a normal family life with his children and other relatives. This normalcy, as Thakur’s life shows, is of the essence of new religion and the new spiritual lead he will give to the millions of people in his country and to mankind as a whole ….”

Dr Ram Subhag Singh, Minister of Agriculture, Government of India:“ Sree Sree Thakur with his comprehensive programme of work for the regeneration of humanity at large embodies a mighty challenge to present-day ills of life. Satsang has already made a profound impression on the people of the country.” Anugraha Narayan Singh, Finance Minister, Bihar :“ India is passing through a awakening both material and spiritual …..it represents a country –wide urge for total resuscitation of life in its various aspects. Satsang is one force responsible for generating that urge. From my experience with things connected with Satsang, I can well hope that the new society will undoubtedly rank India among the greatest nations of the modern world.” Pandit Binodananda Jha, Former Chief Minister of Bihar:“The entire evil of gross misuse of atomic energy and of scientific developments in general humanity with imminent destruction to-day ,proceeded from one fundamental defect in

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human nature already so terrible manifested. It was the self centered ness of the average man all over the word and particularly of persons at the helm of affairs in different countries.

“The proper remedy lies in the high teachings of men of vision like Thakur Anukulchandra. Such teachings aimed at triumphant emergence of the human soul from the vicious control of baser instincts. This will greatly aid in the emotional and cultural integration of humanity in the widest possible scale, the most cherished desire of the best minds of the world to-day.”

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