Merry Christmas and Greetings on Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti

Today, India is celebrating the birth of the messenger of love and a spiritual giant who preached the path strength to salvation.

Let's make ourselves strong - physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually; and make love our true strength. This is the need of the hour.

Swami Vivekananda: The Reward of Perseverance

There was a great god-sage called Nârada. Just as there are sages among mankind, great Yogis, so there are great Yogis among the gods. Narada was a good Yogi, and very great. He travelled everywhere. 

One day he was passing through a forest, and saw a man who had been meditating until the white ants had built a huge mound round his body — so long had he been sitting in that position. He said to Narada, "Where are you going?" Narada replied, "I am going to heaven." "Then ask God when He will be merciful to me; when I shall attain freedom." 

Further on Narada saw another man. He was jumping about, singing, dancing, and said, "Oh, Narada, where are you going?" His voice and his gestures were wild. Narada said, "I am going to heaven." "Then, ask when I shall be free." Narada went on. In the course of time, he came again by the same road, and there was the man who had been meditating with the ant-hill round him. 

He said, "Oh, Narada, did you ask the Lord about me?" "Oh, yes." "What did He say?" "The Lord told me that you would attain freedom in four more births." Then the man began to weep and wail, and said, "I have meditated until an ant-hill has grown around me, and I have four more births yet!" Narada went to the other man. "Did you ask my question?" "Oh, yes. Do you see this tamarind tree? I have to tell you that as many leaves as there are on that tree, so many times, you shall be born, and then you shall attain freedom." 

The man began to dance for joy, and said, "I shall have freedom after such a short time!" A voice came, "My child, you will have freedom this minute." That was the reward for his perseverance. He was ready to work through all those births, nothing discouraged him. But the first man felt that even four more births were too long. Only perseverance, like that of the man who was willing to wait for aeons, brings about the highest result.

The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 1, Raja-Yoga

Barack Obama Quotes Swami Vivekananda

Instead of resisting the global economy, you became one of its engines 

--reforming the licensing raj and unleashing an economic marvel that has lifted tens of millions of people from poverty and created one of the world’s largest middle classes. Instead of succumbing to division, you have shown that the strength of India -the very idea of India - is its embrace of all colors, all castes, all creeds. (Applause.) It's the diversity represented in this chamber today. It’s the richness of faiths celebrated by a visitor to my hometown of Chicago more than a century ago, the renowned Swami Vivekananda said that, "holiness, purity, and charity are not the exclusive possessions of any church in the world, and that every system has produced men and women of the most exalted character."

Swamiji at Parliament of Religions

(Excerpted from a speech by Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States addressed to the parliament of India during his official visit to India in November 2010.)

Swami Vivekananda: Go to God Directly

If there is this truth, if there is God, it must be within us. I must be able to say, "I have seen Him with my eyes," Otherwise I have no religion. Beliefs, doctrines, sermons do not make religion.

It is realisation, perception of God [which alone is religion]. What is the glory of all these men whom the world worships? God was no more a doctrine for them. Did they believe because their grandfather believed it? No. It was the realisation of the Infinite, higher than their own bodies, minds, and everything.

This world is real inasmuch as it contains a little bit of the reflection of that God. We love the good man because in his face shines the reflection a little more. We must catch it ourselves. There is no other way.

That is the goal. Struggle for it! Have your own Bible. Have your own Christ. Otherwise you are not religious. Do not talk religion. Men talk and talk. "Some of them, steeped in darkness, in the pride of their hearts think that they have the light. And not only [that], they offer to take others upon their shoulders and both fall into the pit." (Katha, I. ii. 5.) . . .

No church ever saved by itself. It is good to be born in a temple, but woe unto the person who dies in a temple or church. Out of it! . . . It was a good beginning, but leave it! It was the childhood place . . . but let it be!

Go to God directly. No theories, no doctrines. Then alone will all doubts vanish. Then alone will all crookedness be made straight. . .

In the midst of the manifold, he who sees that One; in the midst of this infinite death, he who sees that one life; in the midst of the manifold, he who sees that which never changes in his own soul — unto him belongs eternal peace.
(Complete Works, Vol. 2, Practical Vedanta and other lectures)

Happy New Year: The Spiritual Significance of Kalpataru Day

On the night of December 31, at the stroke of midnight, the world will be awake to ring in yet another New Year — 2017 while for the monks and members of the Ramakrishna Mission, January 1 holds a special significance. They celebrate this day as `Kalpataru Day', to commemorate an awe-inspiring moment in the life of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. On this day, in 1886, the Master entered into divine ecstasy and touching several disciples, pronounced the words, `Ye be illumined'! Instantly, those he blessed experienced profound bliss. And one of Master's disciples, Ramachandra Dutta named January 1 as `Kalpataru Day'.

Swami Akhandananda writes, "It is an auspicious day for all of us. Our Master became the Kalpataru to bless his disciples at Cossipore (a Calcutta suburb). Kalpataru is one of the five trees of Heaven or Indra's Paradise that is supposed to fulfil desires. The other four are Mandaram, Santanam, Harichandanam and Parijatam.

It is interesting to note that Ramakrishna Paramahamsa shed his mortal coils in August, 1886, in the same house at Cossipore, where he attained divinity. He suffered his bad health (throat cancer) silently. After his mahasamadhi, his disciples took shelter with his holy `asthi' in a dilapidated house at Baranagar. This is the sacred place where Narendra (Swami Vivekananda) and a few others took up sanyasa and spent more than five years performing unprecedented spiritual austerities.

Later Swami Vivekananda realised that service to humanity was more important than spiritual penance. He advised his followers to spend some time in the morning and evening in japa and dhyana, but to occupy oneself during the rest of the day in spiritual study and to work for the good of the world.

This seed sown by the Swamiji bore fruit in the form of the worldwide organisation, Ramakrishna Mission, which is engaged in service to the poor and the needy. (The Hindu)

Sw. Vivekananda: Devote yourselves to develop the truth with

Be like the pearl oyster. There is a pretty Indian fable to the effect that if it rains when the star Svâti is in the ascendant, and a drop of rain falls into an oyster, that drop becomes a pearl. The oysters know this, so they come to the surface when that star shines, and wait to catch the precious raindrop. When a drop falls into them, quickly the oysters close their shells and dive down to the bottom of the sea, there to patiently develop the drop into the pearl. We should be like that. First hear, then understand, and then, leaving all distractions, shut your minds to outside influences, and devote yourselves to developing the truth within you. There is the danger of frittering away your energies by taking up an idea only for its novelty, and then giving it up for another that is newer. Take one thing up and do it, and see the end of it, and before you have seen the end, do not give it up. He who can become mad with an idea, he alone sees light. Those that only take a nibble here and a nibble there will never attain anything. They may titillate their nerves for a moment, but there it will end. They will be slaves in the hands of nature, and will never get beyond the senses.
-The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume 1, Raja Yoga

Sri Sarada Devi: Do not hurt others

One should not hurt others even by words. One must not speak even an unpleasant truth unnecessarily. By indulging in rude words one’s nature becomes rude. One’s sensitivity is lost if one has no control over one’s speech. Sri Ramakrishna used to say, “One should not ask a lame person how he became lame.”

Let me tell you one thing. If you want peace of mind, do not find fault with others. Rather see your own faults. Learn to make the whole world your own. No one is a stranger, my child; the whole world is your own.

One must be patient like the earth. What inequities are being perpetrated on her! Yet she quietly endures them all. People, too, should be like that.

Sri Ramakrishna: Dwell, O mind within yourself!

 A beautiful devotional song which used to be sung by Sri Ramakrishna in his moments of divine ecstasy. The Master reminds us of the facts God resides deep within us, and there is no other place to find God but within our own heart.

Dwell, O mind, within yourself;
Enter no other’s home.
If you but seek there, you will find
All you are searching for.
God, the true Philosopher’s Stone,
Who answers every prayer,
Lies hidden deep within your heart,
The richest gem of all.
How many pearls and precious stones
Are scattered all about
The outer court that lies before
The chamber of your heart!

                 -Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna

Awesome Story: When the Kaaba moved with Guru Nanak

Guru Nanak now set out to Mecca in Arabia. Mecca is the holy place of the Muslims. The Guru travelled to Surat, a small seaport near Bombay. From there, Guru Nanak and Mardana went to Arabia in a ship. After a few weeks they reached Mecca. There is a very big Mosque in Mecca. Guru Nanak and Mardana were very tired after long travels. They went to the mosque and lay down to take rest. Guru Nanak's feet were towards the Kaaba in the mosque. The Kaaba is a room in the middle of the mosque and is called, 'The house of God (Allah).'

A man named Rukandin was the priest of the Kaaba. He came out and saw Guru Nanak's feet towards the Kaba. He was very angry. He at once shouted. "Don't you know this is the house of God, you fool? Why are you lying with your feet towards the Kaaba?"

Guru Nanak woke up. He said, "O sir, I'm sorry I didn't know it. I was tired so I just lay down and fell asleep. Could you turn my legs to the side in which there's no God?"

Rukandin at once caught hold of his legs and dragged them to the other side. He saw that the Kaaba still stood before Guru Nanak's feet. Then he gave another pull but to his great surprise, he saw the Kaaba again towards the Guru's feet. He was so upset that he could not speak.

Guru Nanak said, "Rukandin. God does not live in one place. He lives everywhere." Saying this, Guru Nanak and Mardana started singing hymns. A crowd of people gathered around them. They called Guru Nanak, 'Baba Nanak'. 'Baba' means an old and wise man. 
After a few days they went to Medina and Baghdad. At Baghdad a Muslim saint Behlol met the Guru. They had a long talk and became friends. Behlol asked Baba Nanak, "What is your idea of God?"

Guru Nanak replied, "There is one God. He is True. He makes everything. He is not afraid of anyone. He is not born. He never dies. He is self-made. We need only think of Him and pray to Him."

Behlol liked the Guru's teaching very much. He travelled a lot and told the people about this idea of Guru. After some time Guru Nanak and Mardana came back to the Punjab.
Courtesy: Gurmat(dot)info

Happy Guruparab: Swamiji on Guru Nanak

“Guru Nanak was born in the sacred land of India. He gave a message of love and peace of the whole world and preached the same through his teachings. He was full of affection for everyone and his arms were always outstretched as if to embrace the whole world...” 
- Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda 

The Mother's Place: Jayrambati

A visit to Belur Math would be incomplete without seeking the blessings of the Holy Mother who was the epitome of Divine love and generosity. Sri Sri Matri Mandir or Holy Mother’s Temple is located in Jayambati, a small town of Bankura district of West Bengal about 110 Kilometers from Kolkata. It's  a three and half hour journey by bus or car from Kolkata.
The shrine is a must visit place for  anyone who wants to take a dip in the river of the Holy Mother's unbound,  unconditional and universal love.

The temple structure has been built in the same place where the Holy Mother was born and her father Ramchandra Mukhopadhyaya had his original dwelling-house. The Holy Mother’s marriage also took place in this very house and her parents lived there till she reached the ninth year of her age. 

The temple was dedicated to the Holy Mother by Swami Saradananda on thursday, the 19th April 1923 (i.e. on third day of the lunar half of the month of Vaisakh called Akshaya-Tritiya).

The white marble statue of the Holy Mother was installed in the temple on 8th April 1954, and a spacious Prayer Hall was also added as an annexe to this temple.

The sacred relies of the Holy Mother have been preserved in the Sanctum (Garbha-mandira) and the Holy Mother is daily worshipped with appropriate rites and offerings. The small-sized Shiva-Linga (the stone emblem of God Shiva) which was found at the time of digging the earth for the construction of this temple is also worshiped here. 

The metallic flag embossed with the sacred word ‘Ma’ (Mother) adorns the crest of the dome of the temple as if it were calling the seekers to come here to receive the infinite love and grace of the Holy Mother.

Dashami Puja at Belur Math

In the morning a brief Puja, Shital bhog (cooling food offering) and Arati are first done.  Then the Pujari and Tantradharak circumambulate the altar and perform the visarjan ritual. 

In this ritual the Devi, who had been invoked in the Navapatrika and consecrated Image, is entreated to return to Her celestial abode.  The Divine Mother, however, dwells for ever in the hearts of devotees.

In the evening the Image of Durga along with Navapatrika is taken in procession to the river bank and immersed in the river.  The water taken from the spot, known as Shanti Jal is sprinkled on the devotees who embrace one another as an expression of their solidarity as children of the same Divine Mother.  And thus the holy Durga Puja comes to an end leaving joyous memories in the souls of people.

Courtesy: Belur Math Website

Happy Navratri: Sri Ramakrishna on Ma Kali

Sri Ramakrishna used to say, "Jini Brahma tini Shakti, tini i Ma," He who is Brahman is the Shakti, and He himself is the Mother of the Universe.

A charcoal painting of the Holy Mother by Swami Tadatmananda

The Prayer of Saint Francis

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love; 

Where there is injury, pardon; 

Where there is doubt, faith; 

\Where there is despair, hope; 

\Where there is darkness, light; 

Where there is sadness, joy. 

O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek 

To be consoled as to console, 

To be understood as to understand, 

To be loved as to love; 

For it is in giving that we receive; 

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

It is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life. 

Attributed to Francis Bernadone, perhaps the most universally loved of Christian saints, who were born in Assisi, Italy, in 1181 or 1182. At the age of twenty two, after a sudden illness that brought him almost to the point of death, he left his home and inheritance to follow an injunction that he felt he received from Christ himself: "Francis, go and rebuild my Church." Three great Franciscan orders quickly grew around the monks, nuns, and lay disciples who responded to his joyful example of universal love and selfless service.

Courtesy: easwaran.org; Image: tinybuddha

Ma Sarada: Love God Alone

"Always do your duty to others, but love you must give to God alone. Worldly love always brings in its wake untold misery."

"If you love any human being you will have to suffer for it. That person is blessed, indeed, who can love God alone. There is no suffering in loving God."

"Repeat the name of God always in the innermost core of your heart and in all sincerity take refuge in Sri Ramakrishna. Do not bother to know how your mind is reacting to things around. And do not waste time in calculating and worrying over whether or not you are progressing in the path of spirituality. It is egotism to judge progress for oneself. Have faith in the grace of your guru and God."

Source: Vedanta(dot)org

Guru Poornima: Sri Ramakrishna on Guru

Who is the guru? God—Satchidananda—is the guru. Human gurus are the conduits of this supreme Source.” 
- Sri Ramakrishna

Swamiji: Hanuman as the Ideal

Disciple: What ideal should we follow now?

Swamiji: You have now to make the character of Mahavira your ideal. See how at the command of Ramachandra he crossed the ocean. He had no care for life or death! He was a perfect master of his senses and wonderfully sagacious. You have now to build your life on this great ideal of personal service. Through that, all other ideals will gradually manifest in life. Obedience to the Guru without questioning, and strict observance of Brahmacharya -- this is the secret of success. As on the one hand Hanuman represent the ideal of service, so on the other hand he represents leonine courage, striking the whole world with awe. He has not the least hesitation in sacrificing his life for the good of Rama. A supreme indifference to everything except the service of Rama, even to the attainment of the status of Brahma and Shiva, the great World - gods! Only the carrying out of Shri Rama's best is the one vow of this life! Such whole - hearted devotion is wanted.

Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Volume VII

To the Awakened India

The poem was written by Swami Vivekananda to Prabuddha Bharata or Awakened India, in August 1898, when the journal was transferred from Madras to Almora Himalayas, into the hands of the Brotherhood founded by Swami Vivekananda because of the untimely death of its first editor.

Prabuddha Bharata is India's longest running English journal, in publication since July 1896.

Once more awake!

For sleep it was, not death, to bring thee lifeAnew, and rest to lotus-eyes for visionsDaring yet. The world in need awaits, O Truth!No death for thee!

Resume thy march,

With gentle feet that would not break thePeaceful rest even of the roadside dustThat lies so low. Yet strong and steady,Blissful, bold, and free. Awakener, everForward! Speak thy stirring words.

Thy home is gone,

Where loving hearts had brought thee up andWatched with joy thy growth. But Fate is strong—This is the law—all things come back to the sourceThey sprung, their strength to renew.

Then start afresh

From the land of thy birth, where vast cloud-beltedSnows do bless and put their strength in thee,For working wonders new. The heavenlyRiver tune thy voice to her own immortal song ;Deodar shades give thee eternal peace.

And all above,

Himala's daughter Umâ, gentle, pure,The Mother that resides in all as PowerAnd Life, who works all works andMakes of One the world, whose mercyOpens the gate to Truth and showsThe One in All, give thee untiringStrength, which is Infinite Love.

They bless thee all,

The seers great, whom age nor climeCan claim their own, the fathers of theRace, who felt the heart of Truth the same,And bravely taught to man ill-voiced orWell. Their servant, thou hast gotThe secret—'tis but One.

Then speak, O Love!

Before thy gentle voice serene, behold howVisions melt and fold on fold of dreamsDeparts to void, till Truth and Truth aloneIn all its glory shines—

And tell the world—

Awake, arise, and dream no more!This is the land of dreams, where KarmaWeaves unthreaded garlands with our thoughtsOf flowers sweet or noxious, and noneHas root or stem, being born in naught, whichThe softest breath of Truth drives back toPrimal nothingness. Be bold, and faceThe Truth! Be one with it! Let visions cease,Or, if you cannot, dream but truer dreams,Which are Eternal Love and Service Free. (Complete Works, Volume IV)

Eid Mubarak: Quote by Prophet Mohammed

Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, nor any preference to claim over another. You are brothers.

- Prophet Muhammad