reminiscences

NAMA AND ITS GLORY ARE FOR ALL TIME

Someone started a tape - recorder to record ShriMaharaj's words when he would begin to speak. Re­ferring to that, ShriMaharaj said, "Sir, for whom is this machine meant ? Men in today's politics make promises and Later say that they had not made them; they deny their utterances. It is so that they may not be able to do so, to repeat back to them in exactly the same words what­ever they have said, that this machine has been invented. This is not applicable in my case. Ever since I was able to speak, to this moment, I have spoken of nothing other than the glory of the Name of God, and there is no possi­bility of this ever changing. Therefore, there is no use for this machine in my case. Even so, I have no objection to starting the machine to keep all of you pleased,"

reminiscences

THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF A SAINT HAS NO IMPORTANCE

   While Shri Brahmananda Maharaj was at Beldhadi, a scholar learned in the scriptures came to see him. On

noticing the spots of leucoderma on the feet and legs of ShriBrahmanandamaharaj, a misgiving arose in his mind. After a little while Aarati was performed before Rama, in the temple. After it was over, ShriBrahmanandamaharaj on purpose took upon himself to serve Tirtha. Ganeshbhat, the priest, followed him, serving Prasad. When, while serv­ing Tirtha to all, ShriBrahmanandamaharaj came upto the learned pundit he turned to Ganeshbhat and said aloud, "Look, it will not do for the learned pundit to re­ceive Tirtha from my hands. So you serve him Tirtha and Prasad."

TO TREAT LIFE LIKE A PLAY IS KARMAYOGA

A professor of Sanskrit once asked ShriMaharaj, "The Lord says in the Gita: 'To action alone hast thou a right, and never at all to its fruits'. How can one observe this in everyday life?" ShriMaharaj said, "It is a maxim, and one does follow it in everyday life, but one does not real­ize it. Sometimes one plays a game of cards; many a time one does not get good cards for maybe two or three times in a row. In spite of this, one does not throw the cards down and quit. One continues to play with all diligence with whatever cards one gets in each deal. To retain the state of mind which prevails at that time, in all actions in life, is called Karmayoga. This is what the Lord has told in this verse."

TT

* A rendering of Sanskrit : (Gita, 2.47)

One Should appreciate that God sustains One’s Household

A very good disciple of ShriMaharaj remained without any gainful employment after the age of retirement. The amount of pension being meagre, the household expenses were being met from the earnings of his son. ShriMaharaj said to him, "Can you make both ends meet every month? I do not want the answer, 'You are taking care of every­thing.' Tell me what is the real condition? The son said, "The last ten days of the month are difficult." Upon this ShriMaharaj said, "That is a very good thing. At least in those ten days a realization prevails that God provides sustenance for one's household. Such a realization should be considered grace of God." About the total amount of wealth in the world ShriMaharaj used to say, "One fourth of the globe comprises of land, and three - fourths of wa­ter. The total quantity of water remains constant, it does not change. Similarly, when there is an inflow of money on one side, there is an outflow of it on someone else's side. One should definitely presume that prosperity on one's side is adversity somewhere else. This means that accumulation of wealth by one is from another's state of want, or misfortune. Therefore, to enjoy that wealth is not in the interest of any devotee of God."

Because of Money, Corruption usually occurs in the Mind’s Functioning

ShriMaharaj used to employ the word 'Paika', for money, to indicate his contempt for it. Someone asked him, "Why do you use that particular word for money, instead of the commoner word "Paisa?" ShriMaharaj said, 'I use it to show my contempt.' The person again asked him, 'Is it not that God Himself has created money ? Then why do you consider it contemptible?' ShriMaharaj said, "I do not show contempt for money as an object. But because of money the mind's functioning becomes corrupted. Although one's subsistence is derived by the grace of God, money creates an illusion that it is derived from money. Because of temptation for money, one forgets God. This is what I do not like. No matter how much money he ob­tains, the person who retains a constant awareness that it has been obtained by the grace of God should be consid­ered a very fortunate person. Secondly, other undesirable pursuits have limitations imposed by the body; money does not have them. Man never suffers from possessing 'surplus' money."

One’s Wish Ought not to Differ from Rama’s

A young widow had lived in the monastery of ShriMaharaj for some years. She contracted some dis­ease. Medication was given for about one to one - and - a half months, but with no avail. Then she said to ShriMaharaj, "There is no one who will weep for me upon my death. There is nothing to which my heart binds me. Even if you were to give me death right now, I am ready to depart from this world gladly. At least I will be free of this physical agony." ShriMaharaj did not like this talk of hers. He said, "You say that you now wholly belong to Rama. Such a person ought not to talk about departing from this world as long as Rama lets him be; likewise, when He comes to take him away he should not talk about staying on in this world for a minute longer. But man behaves exactly contrary to this."

A WAY TO OBSERVE 'MOUNA' - SPEAK ONLY AS MUCH AS IS NECESSARY

When a woman requested him to suggest an obser­vance for the four monsoon months, ShriMaharaj said, "There are many different kinds of observances practised; such as, to limit diet to only one kind of grain, to eat only one meal a day, to partake of a meal only after uttering the name of a particular deity, and so on. But I will sug­gest an entirely different kind of observance. It may be practised by men as well as by women. Whenever there is an occasion to speak, one should be on guard not to speak in one's own praise and of others' faults. Both these things have become so much a part of ourselves that we do not even realize that we are doing them. We also talk unnec­essarily about other matters. Therefore, when one wishes to say anything at all, one should ask one's own mind whether it is necessary to say it, will it hinder anything if it is not said ? If only this much care is taken, nearly ninety per cent of speech, needless conflicts, and bitter­ness arising therefrom, will be avoided. Everyday trans­actions will thereby become more amicable and pleasant. Even if the remaining ten per cent essential conversation is retained, a person engaged in worldly affairs may be considered to have maintained an adequate amount of silence. If we apply all the time and energy thus saved to the practice ofNama, the vision and thoughts will auto­matically turn inwards, love for Nama will be height­ened, the heart will be cleansed, the mind will start be­coming steady. When steadiness of mind has been accomplished, God is not far. One should, however, not limit this observance to the four monsoon months, it should be practised till death."

Shri Maharaj further said, "Some who practise this ob­servance refrain from speaking, but convey their mind by writing or by gestures, and thereby sometimes do ridicu­lous things." He narrated an example of this. He said, "A magistrate used to observe very strict silence during the course of worship. One day, while the worship was in progress, four policemen brought along a hardened thief whom they had apprehended. The leader of the police party saluted him and said, 'Sir, we have arrested him and brought him here. Now please give orders as to what is to be done next.' The magistrate's commitment to si­lence was rigid; therefore, to give orders through gestures, he picked up the idol of Balkrishna before him, tied his sacred thread to its leg, and holding the idol upside down hit him with the pali*. What he intended to convey was, 'Hang the thief upside down and give him a sound beat­ing.' If he had conveyed the same thing by words, at least the poor Balkrishna would have been spared the beating! In brief, one should use one's judgement even in observ­ing silence."

* Pali :(m£i) the tiny ladle used at the time of worship.

Varshikotsav - A few pictures

CONSIDERED AS "FETTERED SOULS", THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SPIRIT AND AN ORDINARY PERSON.

A woman was "possessed" by an evil spirit. That spirit used to enter the woman's body and meet ShriMaharaj. ShriMaharaj once set out to go to Karnataka. After hav­ing taken leave of all, ShriMaharaj also took leave of the evil spirit. The spirit then said to ShriMaharaj, "Maharaj, you are going out of town for many days. I become rest­less on not seeing you. So please return soon." The brother of the "possessed" woman said, "Maharaj, you have been pampering this spirit too much, and so it has become bold enough to harass my sister." Upon this ShriMaharaj said, "Did you listen to what the spirit said ? In truth, if one understands the condition 'a fettered soul', then it will become clear that there is not much difference between it and you. Not one of you said to me what it said to me. So who has the greater eagerness to be free from the fet­tered state ? I face another kind of difficulty. A fettered soul, that spirit and you are the same; but because I have to spend all my time with you I cannot even say to you, 'You are all ghosts'; on the contrary I have to treat every­one respectfully."

FOR A SAINT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE SEXES EXISTS ONLY FOR EVERYDAY DEALINGS, ELSE HE SEES ONLY GOD IN ALL.

FOR A SAINT THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE SEXES EXISTS ONLY FOR EVERYDAY DEALINGS, ELSE HE SEES ONLY GOD IN ALL.

A seeker of knowledge asked, "What happens when the distinction between the sexes ceases to matter ?" ShriMaharaj said," How can one describe in words a state which needs to be experienced ? Yet, observe how children build a castle at Diwali - time, and place on it clay figurines of the king, the queen, the minister, noblemen, cavalry, foot soldiers, guards, milkmaids and such others. Each has a specific place. One does not place a solider at the place for the king, nor does one place a milkmaid at the place for the queen. One arranges the figures keeping in mind the distinctions between them. But one does not lose sight that all of it is but clay. The saints have a like frame of mind. A hunter goes on a hunt taking his dogs with him. When he sees a prey, he sets a dog on it. When he does so, it is only a dog in his eyes. But when a bitch litters, the distinction between the sexes comes to the fore for him. Likewise, for saints, all living beings, as an image of God, appear alike. They take cognizance of the distinction between them only for everyday dealings."

WHILE TALKING TO A SAINT ONE SHOULD NOT KEEP ANYTHING UP ONE'S SLEEVE

WHILE TALKING TO A SAINT ONE SHOULD NOT KEEP ANYTHING UP ONE'S SLEEVE

One person had taken a leave of absence from his work for ten days. ShriMaharaj asked him, " With how many days of leisure have you come here ?" He said," Six days ." In the remaining four days he intended to perform some household tasks. ShriMaharaj quickly said, " Tell me the total number including those that you have kept up your sleeve." Embarrassed, he said, " Actually I have taken leave for ten days." Upon this ShriMaharaj only said, " If he, to whom one comes with the intention of obtaining love for God, is not able to know even this much, then how can he bestow love for God on the disciples ?"

A SAINT'S ADVICE IS NEVER TO THE UNDESERVING

A SAINT'S ADVICE IS NEVER TO THE UNDESERVING

A close disciple of ShriMaharaj said, "You give us ad­vice with such earnestness; but we are so despicable that your giving advice seems like casting of pearls before swine, or reading the Bhagavadgeeta to an ass." ShriMaharaj said, "The description does not apply here. If it were to be applied here, it will mean that the advi­sor does not know who is like a swine or an ass, and who is not. Many persons do apply themselves to reforming the cast of their mind as a result of my advice."

A SAINT ENTERTAINS ONLY AS MUCH JOY AND SORROW AS NEEDS TO BE EXPRESSED BY CUSTOM

A SAINT ENTERTAINS ONLY AS MUCH JOY AND SORROW AS NEEDS TO BE EXPRESSED BY CUSTOM

                      

A doctor, of whom ShriMaharaj was very fond, died. Along with all the others, ShriMaharaj also expressed grief. A seeker of knowledge asked, "We suffered sorrow on the passing away of the doctor. Did you also suffer in the same way T ShriMaharaj said, "The parents of your wife have their house in Pune. When your wife is visiting her parents in Pune, you do not grieve for her absence. You know that she is in Pune and keeping well. Likewise, because I know where the soul has migrated, there is no occasion for me to grieve. But my difficulty is a little dif­ferent. Because I have to stay amongst you, by conven­tion, I have to make a show of grief. Care needs to be taken that the show is well done. Exercising of this care is what causes a strain. By the grace of Rama, my show has never Hopped; on the contrary, it has been coming off very well."

ONE SHOULD NOT PIT MATERIAL WISDOM AGAINST A SAINT'S ADVICE.

ONE SHOULD NOT PIT MATERIAL WISDOM AGAINST A SAINT'S ADVICE.

  Ganpatrao Damle was in Gondavale. It was necessary for him to go to Pune to attend the court on a particular date. On the day before he asked for ShriMaharaj's per­mission to go to Pune. It was about eight o'clock in the morning. 'Let us see' was all that ShriMaharaj said. Even at noon, Maharaj would not tell him to go. Ganpatrao thought that the task of attending the court was a mun­dane matter, there was nothing spiritual about it; so why should he be hindered by want of permission from ShriMaharaj? He might as well be on the way. Taking courage, he said to ShriMaharaj, "It is very urgent for me to go to Pune. I will therefore leave today." ShriMaharaj merely said, "All right". As was his practice, ShriMaharaj put him on a bullock cart in the evening. The cart - driver and Ganpatrao were the only two passengers in the cart. They reached Pusegaon at nine o'clock in the night. Both of them dined there, and had a nap. At about three o'clock in the morning, the cart - driver got the cart ready, and

put it on its way to Koregaon. In about ten or fifteen minutes, both he and Ganpatrao fell fast asleep. After a short distance, a hyena appeared in front of the bullocks. The bullocks were startled, shied, and turned round and began walking in exactly the opposite direction (that is, in the direction of Gondavale). The bullocks walked fast because of a natural longing for their home. At about half - past six in the morning Ganpatrao and the cart - driver both woke up. Expecting to have reached Koregaon, both of them rubbed their eyes and looked. What they saw was the boundary of Gondavale ! What the mix - up was they could not fathom. In about an hour the cart was standing in front of the Rama temple. As it was not possible to catch the train at Koregaon even if they were to start back immediately, Ganpatrao was in despair. In the af­ternoon, plates were set in the temple for serving Prasad. Ganpatrao had to walk past ShriMaharaj to take his usual place. ShriMaharaj said, in his hearing, "What can be done? Ganpatrao did not realize what even the bullocks did." Ganpatrao was greatly embarrassed. Later it be­came known that that night the carts which went from Pusegaon to Koregaon were looted by highwaymen, and the passengers had been beaten up. Besides, the Presid­ing officer of the court having taken ill, the date for Ganpatrao to attend the court had automatically been postponed.

ONE SHOULD NOT USE WORDS THAT OFFEND SOMEONE'S FEELINGS

ONE SHOULD NOT USE WORDS THAT OFFEND SOMEONE'S FEELINGS

A schoolteacher was a disciple of ShriMaharaj, He of­ten addressed those of his students who were dull, by such offensive names as "dolt", "dimwit", and "dullard". ShriMaharaj said to him, "Teacher, the minds of the chil­dren and their parents are hurt by such harsh words. So please use mild words." The teacher angrily retorted, "The reality has to be stated in plain words. No laxness can be tolerated in it." ShriMaharaj said, "Although this is so, in some respects a convention needs to be scrupulously ob­served. Imagine that you have gone out for a walk. Your wife is in the kitchen, cooking. Presently your son comes home and asks his mother, 'Where is your husband gone?' Will you find it acceptable ? Asking thus, or asking *Where is father gone?' both have the same meaning; actually the former accords more with the reality." The teacher drew an appropriate conclusion.

IN EVERYDAY LIFE, A VIRTUE ALSO HAS TO BE PRACTISED WITH DISCRIMINATION.

IN EVERYDAY LIFE, A VIRTUE ALSO HAS TO BE PRACTISED WITH DISCRIMINATION.

There was with one gentleman a clever, faithful and hardworking servant of long standing. He did not have to be told to perform any task, and he had a knack of per­forming several tasks bunched together. He was liked by

everyone and he used to look after all the household trans­actions including those relating to money matters. His employer had become old. One day his condition wors­ened, and he was on the point of death. The eldest son called the faithful servant and said to him, 'Go and fetch the doctor immediately.¹ The servant went to the doctor. He gave him the message. He even saw that the doctor was on his way. But he himself returned quite late. When the son asked him the reason for being late, he showed him the material with him which was meant for a fu­neral, and said, "At the very time of going to the doctor I had become aware of the situation. So, to kill two birds with one stone, I brought along this material in the same trip." The son did not know whether to laugh or to cry. After telling this story, ShriMaharaj said, "In everyday affairs, there are restrictions of time and place on the practice of every virtue. If these restrictions are not ob­served, the virtue becomes a vice.
 For attainment of God, however, an excess that may take place in the practice of any means is beneficial, and also necessary."

In Everyday life Excess of even a Virtue is Bad

In Everyday life Excess of even a Virtue is Bad

A young man was very fond of doing athletic exercises. He used to go very regularly to the gymnasium from seven to eight o¹ clock in the morning. In course of time his marriage was fixed, and the auspicious time was de­termined to be at half - past seven in the morning. On the day of the marriage the groom went to the gymnasium as usual. All preparations for the marriage were completed and he was sent for a number of times; but he would not come. He said, This is the time fixed by me for exercise. I will not come until that is past.' "This is how a virtue may be practised to immoderation in everyday life", is what ShriMaharaj said.

To Attain Total Surrender to God is the Goal of life as a Human Being.

To Attain Total Surrender to God is the Goal of life as a Human Being.

Having been born as a human being, what is it that one should aim to attain ? While answering this question ShriMaharaj said, "At present you are a slave of your mind. By your practice of worship of God, the mind should become your slave, and complete mastery over the mind is attained. But even this is not enough. One needs to attain the state of the mind's total subjugation, annihila­tion, utter surrender to God or to the Sadguru."

How to go to Shri Brahmachaithanya Shri Rama Mandir, Chintamani

Chintamani is about 75 kms from Bangalore. There are a lot of Buses from K.S.R.T.C. Bus-stand,Bangalore, to Chintamani. from 5-00 a.m to 10-00 p.m.every day. The devotees coming in private vehicles have to take old Madras Road, upto Hosakote and then have to take a left turn to Chintamani. When in Chintamani it is very easy to locate the Mandir. For those who come by plane, it is only 1 hour 10 mins journey from Airport to Chinthamani. Pre-paid taxis are available from the Air-port.
Address: Sri Brahma Chaitanya Sri Rama Mandir, Sri Rama Mandir Road, N.R. Extension, Chintamani -563125.

Devotees desirous of visiting the Chintamani Mandir, may contact : Shri G.H. Venkatesh Murthy- Ph.09880060440. or  08154-252203.( 2) G.H. Raghunath Ph.09880218777.