Swamiji on the Rocks

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Still within the month of Guru Poornima, I bow with reverence to our Gurus, who had the foresight to introduce many festivals and observances at strategic intervals. I was glazed with a feel-good sensation as I saw the deluge of good wishes infiltrate the vast spectrum of media on Friday, the occasion of Maha Luxmi Pooja. As Hindus, we are never found wanting of an occasion to spread love, cheer and share a wonderful meal. The spectacular arrangement of ornaments, and intricately designed costumes always add to the pageantry of divinity.

Mother Luxmi

The Divine Mother Luxmi who bestows upon the world prosperity - is most loved especially in this materially proliferated age. Millions of people take special attention to observe this prayer in order to receive the grace of the Mother at this time where opulence is the flavour of the day, and "keeping up with the Jones's" easily outshines Kurukshetra in terms of a mighty battle. Hence, being in the good books of Ma Luxmi really helps. I recall from my school days the lyrics of a very popular song: Oh Lord wont you buy me a Mercedes Benz; My friends all drive Porsches but I will make amends.  

Many will think that Swami Vivekananda was crazy, when He was given an open cheque book by Sri Ramakrishna. Swamiji's family was placed in dire poverty after the death of His father. In seeking help, He was asked by His Master to pray to the Divine Mother for all His wants, and She will bless Him. These utterances from the Master's mouth were guaranteed, considering the divine relationship He shared with the Mother of the Universe. However, on all 3 occasions, Swamiji asked for divine love.

The word Luxmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksaya meaning goal or aim. In the most literal sense, humankind has associated the Divine Mother solely with material wealth.  All our goals associated with the manifest world can be classified as short term goals (good education, career, family, etc). Then there is the ultimate goal of this birth or existence - which is God realisation. Essentially, we can then safely conclude that Swamiji had a higher mission in life.

Empirical evidence leads arguments of how the high-octane-lifestyles demand a 'single scotch on the rocks' as a daily relaxant from the stress, problems and challenges in maintaining this standard or even exceeding it. Feeling despondent, depressed and overwhelmed with frustration at the world? We should instead ask for a 'single Swamiji on the rocks'. 

When meditating on the rock at Kanya Kumari for 3 days and nights Swamiji had the following revelations: We are so many Sannyasins wandering about, and teaching people metaphysics, it is all madness. Did not our Guru Deva say that an empty stomach is no good for religion? We as a nation have lost our individuality and that is the cause of all mischief in India.

How these words strike with brutal force endowed with the capacity to irritate the strongest rhythm of selfishness! Take some time alone and examine that if man's victories were not pyrrhic, coming at the cost of real peace and happiness, how blessed you are to have food, shelter, clothes, the means to earn a living through an able body, and the love and attention of loved ones.  Side by side in the same country, we have the tragic contrast of starvation, homelessness, malnutrition, neglect and abandonment.

Swami Vireswarananda writes in His article on Swamiji's teachings that wealth in society is like blood in the body. The blood must circulate all through the body; if it does not then that part of the body withers and may even become gangrenous, jeopardising the life of the person. Similarly, if wealth does not circulate in any part of society, or the body politic, that part withers and ultimately causes the death of the society.

These words drench with relevance when studies show how crime escalates daily and those living in massive bungalows with loads of money live in huge fortresses devoid of peace, in fear of being harmed.  Swamiji's prescient words declaring that "prosperity is not possible until the masses are raised" gives credence to this mess that we find ourselves in.

Immensely engrossed and intoxicated with the dazzlingly lure of opulence, we have started to jog on the spot blinded of the ultimate and long term goal of ananda and enlightenment through self-realisation.  We have made the means to the end - the end itself. Swamiji in one of His talks to His countrymen had this to say: He asked them to get rid of their tamas or inertia, which they in their ignorance were mistaking for sattva or serenity. The two, He said, were as the poles asunder, like pitch darkness and dazzling light, which are similar in their blinding effect. The way to reach sattva was through rajas or activity. He exhorted all to have burning faith in themselves and struggle for the emancipation of the masses; to give them back their lost individuality.

Realising that the abject poverty and ignorance of the people is mainly responsible for the degeneration of society, we like Swamiji must work and do some service to humanity if we want to build a peaceful and prosperous country.

Vivekananda Rock at KanyaKumari

The rock at Kanya Kumari shall ever remain the symbol of great austerities, inner contemplation and the power of resolve.  Standing still against the tides of the Triveni Sangam, it shall ever broadcast hope to humanity that, man is none other than the supreme divinity under the tiny material cover and human life is nothing but a continuous struggle to express that divinity within. Every now and then, substitute a 'single scotch on the rocks' for a 'single Swamiji on the rocks' for that beautiful sobering effect. We will then move from jogging on the spot to completing this journey.

May Mother Luxmi bestow Her grace upon us always, empowering us with all our needs to completed the journey of the long term goal, is my sincere prayer.

Sarva Mangala Mangalaye, Shive Sarvada Sadhike, 

Sharanye Triambikay Gauri, Narayani Namostute

Jaya Narayani Namostute, Jaya Narayani Namostute, Jaya Narayani Namostute

Jay Maha Mayai Ki Jay!!!

Also wishing all brothers and sisters a beautiful Raksha Bandhan on Thursday and readers a blessed start to Gita Week on Friday.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

The Winds of Erosion

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Our ancestors and elders used to utilise certain important prayers to ascertain the season - for example, Puratassi and Pongal reflects the rainy season, whilst Aadi indicates the windy period. Weather wise, it actually signals a very horrendous time - when the vicious blend of the wind and chill arrests one to a very subdued mood. At times, the very thought of being outdoors invokes such uneasiness. However, I doubt that an invitation for a hot cup of porridge and crispy fried vedai will not coerce you to leave your abode of warmth for a little while.

Whilst thinking of how the Aadi winds remove with relative ease, the warm comfort smiles off our faces, I am reminded of a question I was asked by a journalist. She asked why a religion which preaches Ahimsa (non-violence), speaks so much about war (she was referring to the Ramayan and Mahabharat). It is at these moments that we instantly look to the heavens and pray with gratitude for being blessed with great souls like Swami Vimokshananda who have armed us with knowledge of these profound truths. Essentially Swamiji has elaborated how the pure Vedanta has been interwoven and impregnated into their great Puranas so that they will be passed down from generation to generation intact. It is up to the aspirant in search of the truth to extract the amrith or nectar out of them, for his liberation and spiritual journey.

A very dear friend of mine always says to me, never to answer a question with a question, but at this moment I feel insanely obliged to respond with the question: When did the war ever stop? Both works that she referenced are metaphors for the eternal war that is being waged upon us by two very persistent and strategic enemies. We must be warned about degenerating these terms into a trite, as their seriousness and ability to cause inflictions of mind and body are great. From time immemorial, they have lured and tricked mankind with the promise of treasures beyond the imagination. Yet history tells a story of how lives, empires and respect have abandoned people under the command of these ruthless enemies.

Sri Ramakrishna in the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna throughout His entire field of conversations never failed to briskly proclaim: “There is no doubt that anger, lust, and greed are evils”. Through His constant repetition of the dangers of lust and greed, the Master aims to condition us to the disastrous consequences of allowing these desires to take control of our minds. The Bhagavad Gita which is described by great authoritative personalities as the essence of Vedanta says in Ch 16, Verse 21: “There are three gates leading to hell — lust, anger and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation.”

It is so unfortunate how these winds of desire effortlessly erode any semblance of peace and deflect the mind onto the turbulent seas of this existence. There is an interesting and practical analogy by the Master in this  regard. 

In our part of the country, I have seen peasants bringing water into their paddy-fields. The fields have low ridges on all sides to prevent the water from leaking out; but these are made of mud and often have holes here and there. The peasants work themselves to death to bring the water, which however, leaks out through the holes. Desires are the holes. You practice japa and austerities, no doubt, but they all leak out through the holes of your desires.

They catch fish with a bamboo trap. The bamboo is naturally straight. But why is it bent in the trap? In order to catch the fish. Desires are the fish. Therefore, the mind is bent down toward the world. If there are no desires, the mind naturally looks up toward God.

Do you know what it is like? It is like the needles of balance. On account of the weight of lust and greed, the two needles are not in line. It is lust and greed that makes a man stray from the path of yoga. Haven't you noticed the  flame of a candle? The slightest wind makes it waver. The state of yoga is like the candle flame in a windless place.

How then do we build a fort against this gale that erodes and makes us vulnerable to the forces of emotions and obsessions?

Master said: 

You are no doubt in the world. What if you are? You must surrender the fruit of your action to God. You must not seek any result for yourself. But mark one thing. The desire for bhakti cannot be called a desire. You may desire bhakti and pray for it. Practice the tamas of bhakti and force your demand upon the Divine Mother.

Swami Vivekananda in His poem, The Song of a Sannyasin, writes:

Truth never comes where

lust and fame and greed'

of gain reside.

No man who thinks of woman

As his wife can ever perfect be;

Nor he who owns the least of things, nor he

Whom anger chains, can ever pass

thro' Maya's gates,

So, give these up, Sannyasin.

Boldly say Hari Om Tat Sat.

Master, Swamiji and all contemporary saints of our time have prescribed plugging the holes created by lust and greed with thoughts of God’s name through meditation; words of God by doing japa and singing bhajans; speaking in a divine manner; and action for God by doing seva like feeding the hungry, nursing the sick and clothing the destitute. When you fill your life with God, then there is no room for things like lust, greed, anger, hatred and other vices to play havoc in your mind. 

I conclude with these divine words of Saint Thiruvaluvar in the Thirukurral:

Uranennum thottiyan oraintum kaapan

varanennum vaippirkor vittu

The one who has strength to control his five senses,

Prepares the way for a higher place in life. 

In this auspicious month of Aadi, may the Mother in Her form as Ma Lakshmi also bestow Her bounty on you this Friday on Varalakshmi Viratham. 

May we all take this opportunity of human birth with the faculty of intellect to renounce these vices and attain the highest peace (ananda) is my sincere prayer.

With Love and Prayers Always

Yogan

Aadi - A Month of Sharing

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

Mother at Veeraboga Temple

It is very rare indeed to have a dear and true friend that has practically been with you throughout your life. The Sanskrit term for such a bosom buddy is mitra. Swami Vimokshananda always brought to our attention how the English language fails to effectively convey the true essence of Sanskrit words when translated. The word ‘friend’ in the English dictionary is so weak and vague and is used to describe even circumstantial bonds, which hold no sincere value as they are mere words uttered, that sully the institution of friendship. If one wants to understand friendship and ascertain the depth of the term mitra - a wonderful read of the Bhagavad Purana will unveil the pure unalloyed friendship between Shri Krishna and Sudama.

I am indeed grateful for some mitras who have had the love and compassion to support and inspire me. In fact, this blog was inspired by my mitra Dhesigan. An avid reader of the blog, he messaged me early on Monday morning with a Russian proverb. He said: “Why don’t you blog on this next?” At the time, I was really not sure how the proverb would dovetail into the discussion, but was immensely pleased at his contribution. The Russian proverb that he messaged was: The rich would have to eat money if the poor did not provide food.

The more I read this proverb, it became evident how relative and connected this message is to contemporary times. The media this week was inundated with incidents of service delivery protests by disgruntled citizens who are being short-changed by corruption; and an emerging bourgeois class that amass wealth with no consideration for the poor and downtrodden labour class.

It is with the foresight and deep insight and knowledge of a model society that Swami Vivekananda proclaimed that the plight of the masses and downtrodden must be raised if India were to prosper. It is clear that if the elite continue to enrich themselves without paying heed to the poor, then unrest shall follow. Swamiji boldly declared: “I hold every man a traitor who, having been educated at their expense pays not the least heed to them! I call those men who strut about in their finery, having got all their money by grinding the poor, wretches - so long as they do not do anything for those two hundred millions who are now no better than hungry savages.”

Shree Krishna advised Arjuna in the Bhagavad Gita that He comes age after age to help mankind find his way. Tuesday dawns a very auspicious month, observed more by the South Indian community, known as Aadi - and is dedicated in its entirety to the Divine Mother in Her form as Mariammen (Mother of Rain). Rain is the symbol of rejuvenation of life. Without period rains, life on earth will cease to exist. Mythology reveals that the Mother appeared in a village Samayapuram in South India that was plagued by drought and an outbreak of the measles epidemic. Her unique concoction of syringa and turmeric paste brought much relief to the suffering and pain of the afflicted, whilst Her simple meal of porridge delivered sustenance to the starving in the drought-affected region. Those who were cured welled with curiosity as to the identity of the yellow-sari-clad Mother who released them from the maladies of life.

The Mother revealed Herself as the ‘Mother of the Universe’. She asked that annually in the time that she appeared; her devotees congregate, worship Her, and distribute blessed porridge to everybody. She promised to guide and protect them always.

Devotees carrying Gargum

She then disappeared leaving torrents of rain to bathe the earth and aid the growth of crops. She then became known as Samayapuram Mariatha with Her scripture being the Mariammen Thalatu. It is, therefore, in this great month of Aadi (July – August) that the Mother Mariammen is venerated as the protector and curer of all miseries. The gargum - symbolising Her crown - is carried honoring Her as the Queen of the Universe.

The lesson we take from this divine form of the Mother is  that irrespective of your bank balance, status in society or the mansion you live in; when calamity strikes in the form of a drought or disease all your money or fame can be of no use to bring relief. It is the pure and simple things in life that can assist you.  Love for God is the porridge of sustenance.  Fill yourself with the divine love alone and share it with humanity. This can satisfy their hunger for peace. Faith in God is the paste of syringa, while turmeric can ease the irritations of desires and their ugly manifestations that make you look unsightly.

Sri Ramakrishna said: "So long as the child remains engrossed with its toys, the mother looks after her cooking and other household duties. But when the child no longer relishes the toys, it throws them aside and yells for its mother. Then the mother takes the rice-pot down from the hearth, runs in haste, and takes the child in her arms.”

Preoccupied with our worldly endeavours - our rivers and wells of compassion, love, discrimination, honesty, integrity, righteousness and peace have run low and into a trickle; and some have even dried up. All these qualities form the basis of us being human.  We are in desperate need to fill up and resuscitate our divinity. Let us lay surrendered at Her feet to let free Her merciful rain of grace to rejuvenate our divinity and help us live like Her children on earth.

Let us learn to share, work together and enjoy the bounty of nature which is the divine inheritance of all. May that Mother of the Universe, Shree Mariamma, shower Her mercy and divine grace upon us all, is my sincere prayer.

With love and prayers always

Yogan

Master Chef of Life

||Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

pic of stage childrens festival

Aum Namo Narayanaya

I still am dazed from the warped speed at which the days pass into weeks and months. We are already into the 7^th month of the year, and pretty soon we will be gearing up for Diwali. This entire time pages through our lives so rapidly - and at times, presents before us an opaque mirage. It is always the case where the build up to an event draws so much of attention, zeal and enthusiasm - only to die an instant death afterward. However today quite to the contrary, for a few hours time stood still as I watched in awe, the grandeur with which the children of the Ramakrishna Centre displayed their love, devotion and talent at the 58th Annual Children’s Festival. The event was set to succeed and inspire, as it was presided over by huge enormous or should I say gigantic pictures of Holy Trio that formed the backdrop on the stage. It felt so comforting to be seated at the feet of Master, Mother and Swamiji as the children’s performances moved me to tears, especially the Redhill group's sketch on Prahalad and Lord Narashima. It is without a doubt that these images have been etched in my mind without the slightest chance of fading and will continue to inspire these youth for the duration of their lives.

Still basking in the energy and glory of Guru Poorinima - my mind is still afloat with the lucid frames of events which started early at the Ramakrishna Centre Headquarters in the holy company of our Revered Swami Vimokshanandaji Maharaj. All assembled behind Maharaj, as He conducted the most divine and beautiful pooja to Holy Trio, President Maharaj, and all Gurus and Sages. It was the most surreal experience, as for some moments we were transported to Dakshineswar, observing the offerings to Master as He sat cross-legged under the panchavati, His gentle smile acknowledging and accepting the love offerings whilst reassuring us that trouble shall fail to challenge His children.

After pranaams to Swamiji, I visited Swami Saradaprabhananda and was joined for breakfast by two regular devotee colleagues of the ashram- Amar and Reeves. During our breakfast, they discussed an interesting TV reality show that is currently keeping South Africa gripped in attention. I guess the topic easily found value, after trying to choose something to eat from the royal feast that was laid out on the table. The mothers at the ashram spared no inspiration in dishing out a delectable variety of snacks and eats. MasterChef is a reality TV show where contestants (amateurs at cooking) need to conjure up a dish with the ingredients provided to satisfy the taste buds of the gourmand judges.

Whilst partaking of the ambrosial feast, the talks didn’t germinate any input from me- apart from the fact I hardly watch the programme; my taste receptors were engaged in the delight of the Moong Dhal Vedai’s (my first taste). But upon review during the week, I see its great relevance and contribution to our peace and spiritual evolution.

We find so many people brooding and pining over events that passed or latch in anguish and fear of events to come. It has come to the fore by many medical research studies how these mental anxieties manifest as clinical diseases in the body. We are born; and through the stages of our lives - we learn, fall in love, cry, laugh and experience an array of emotions which usually alight from our association with people. Although we read many religious works which describe how in ancient times great sages achieved enlightenment by renouncing the world and living in caves; today we see ourselves in a conundrum, where we live in a socially active world dependant on industries and society for our survival.

So like in MasterChef - we are given the ingredients of social life, spiritual life, economic life and whole variety of other variables that this world offers. We are now to prepare a life that will be rewarding and favourably judged by our Lord. What we have before us is the here and now, not the past or the future; and what we experience is left entirely up to our creativity.

It is intriguing how each chef, who has the same ingredients produces a distinct variation which elicits unique responses from the judges. Essentially, we can attribute the difference to the methodology used by the chefs. Likewise! in life, everyone is subject to the influences of the world. It is how we approach life that clearly demarks success from failure?

Once in a discussion with Sri Ramakrishna, a man asked Master: "Sir, is man born again?"

MASTER: "It is said in the Gita that a man is reborn with those tendencies that are in his
mind at the time of his death. King Bharata thought of his deer at the time of death and was
reborn as a deer."

VAISHNAVA: "I could believe in rebirth only if an eye-witness told me about it."

MASTER: "I don't know about that, my dear Sir. I cannot cure my own illness, and you ask
me to tell you what happens after death! What you are talking about only shows your petty mind. Try to cultivate love of God. You are born as a human being only to attain divine love. You have come to the orchard to eat mangoes; what need is there of knowing how many thousands of branches and millions of leaves there are in the orchard? To bother about what happens after death! How silly?"

How wonderfully explained by Master! Living in the present, we torture our minds and thoughts with complex issues that are beyond our comprehension. When we focus our energies on love for God and undertake all our activities as worship to Him alone, then the product of that offering becomes perfect, and gives us much satisfaction and rave reviews from the ultimate judge, being the Lord Himself.

Love for cooking is what will expose the Master Chef in one. In the same way, love for God alone will make one the master of His world. It is the useful technique which Master gives us, knowing well that as human beings that we cannot avert attachment whilst living on earth. Attach yourself to God, love Him, pine for Him, go mad for Him - then everything you do in this world will be a success and absolute joy. It is like how gold shall not lose its value even if placed in a dump; you will shine with brilliance amidst this maya once you attach yourself with divinity.

 May we all become Master Chefs of life is my sincere prayer.

 With love and prayers always

Yogan

Life- Choices We Make

|| Sri Ramakrishna Sharanam||

Aum Namo Narayanaya

I eternally bow to my revered Guru

It’s been a few days now as I tracked the moon wax to towards it glorious powernami. Much interest was taken in this particular period as it landmarks the auspicious birth thithi of Sage Veda Vyasa which is venerated throughout the world as Guru Purnima. Spiritual aspirants on this day show much reverence towards their Gurus by fasting and offering special pooja. I offer my total surrender at the feet of my Guru Most Revered Swami Athmasnandaji Maharaj.

The sun sneaked its way on the eastern horizon amidst the blaring sound of the conch and bells as the priests frantically waved the incense and lamps in a ritual to awaken the Gods. All this, as you pirouette around the narrow alleys in between the ancient pigeon infested buildings- trying to steer clear of lazing dogs, cows, people and exquisitely decorated rangolis, lured by the beckoning sound of the day. Most of these routes lead to the infamous bathing ghats along the majestic Ma Ganga. Yes you have guessed correctly, that I speak of the hometown of Kasi Vishwanatha, Varnasi.

Dubbed as the most ancient city in the world flanked by the purifying and cleansing powers of the Ganges and home of Maheshwara. Arriving at the ghat you are greeted by a cacophony of sights and scents as the conch and bells now blur against the thousands of pilgrims and residents bathing amidst the floating corpses, row boats bobbying along the chilly waters decorated with flowers and other prayer offerings.

Sri Ramakrishna

The stench of death lingers as you see people in their last stages sit patiently for Yama Raja to terminate their stay on earth; a pass to  join the eternal queue of the 24 hour cremation grounds, facilitating  their final remains to be liberated through contact with Ganga.  Sri Ramakrishna on one such tour, with Mathur and Hriday, came to a point opposite to the Manikarnika Ghat - the well known cremation ground of Varanasi. On the steps of this cremation ground, Sri Ramakrishna had the vision of the majestic Shiva. He later said: "I saw a tall white person with tawny matted hair walking carefully to each Jiva (the dead body) and imparting into his ear the mantra of supreme Brahman." Hence, you can understand why people from all over want to come to Varnasi  to breathe their last breath or have their mortal remains cremated there.

However, 120km up-river, is a very interesting place called Prayag. This place is also refered to Triveni Sangam or the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible underground river known as Saraswati. At this point, every 12 years, millions of pilgrims enter the Sangam to be bathed in immortal bliss. Mythology says that when the ocean was the churned some of the amrith that was derived by the process fell at this point. Whilst Varanasi offers one the paradise of post mortem liberation; bathing at the Triveni offers one a chance of liberation whilst living. Swami Vivekananda always quoted the Upanishads which stated that liberation is 'jivanmukti' or freedom while living in the body. It is not going to another realm or attaining something new, but realising our true nature. It is not freedom from anything, but being in the midst of everything.  Vedanta asserts that in order to be believable, liberation must be attained before death.

Life is essentially about choices and we all have to make them some time or the other. Sometimes we have to live with the pain of choices that went wrong and choices that were difficult to make. Some good and sage counsel guides one to make informed choices, but that too, periodically comes with its barrage of gnawing challenges.

There is one choice however that brings with it unending joy; and its path although difficult, is not treacherous as every step is a strengthening process to receive torrents of bliss - beyond the capabilities of our current mindset. It is how Lord Shiva had to receive Mother Ganga in his 'jata' to prevent her deluge from ravaging the earth. Symbolically, this expresses the thought that inorder to receive that grace from God, one has to be constituted in the correct way, like Lord Shiva who is referred to as the perfect Yogi.

Having experienced the dullness of the mundane world where its transience eventually leads to anxiety, pain and suffering - one now wants to make a choice to pursue a spiritual path. Without a clue about God and the principles of Hindu Dharma, how does one charter this route?  It is recommended by Bhagwan Himself in the Bhagavat Gita, Ch 4, Verse 34:  

"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from Him submissively and render service unto Him. The self-realised souls can impart knowledge unto you because they have seen the truth"

If you take refuge at the feet of a bona-fide spiritual Master, one is certainly on the path of attaining the secrets to unlocking the divinity and unleashing the bliss within. It is said that all Hindu 'sampradaya' or spiritual lineage can be traced back to Sage Vyasa who is regarded as an avathar of Maha Vishnu Himself. Sage Vyasa who got the name Veda Vyasa for his contribution of classifying the Vedas into its 4 components is also attributed to writing the Mahabharat, the 18 Puranas, the Bhrama Sutras and the emotive and captivating Shrimad Bhagavatam.

On this auspicious day, we celebrate the great trail of knowledge left by this great sage and his successors who have brought the rich noble and lofty ideals in the sweetest form for man to digest. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa,  the Master who lived in this age, was able to show through His life how to incubate and nurture love for God as the basis of spiritual life.  Through His disciples like Swami Vivekananda and His contemporaries, the core of this devotion was unpacked and served in a palatable and practical way for man to achieve freedom from bondage.

On this Guru Purnima Day which falls on Tuesday; may we decide if we want to live an entire mundane life and make a final trek to Varanasi with the hope of post mortem liberation; or Like Swami Vivekananda advocates, to release the divinity within you now and enjoy the 'ananda' as you live and walk.

May the good Lord appear to you as your Guru if you don’t have one; and bestow enlightenment upon you. And if you have a chosen Guru, may His grace flow abundantly in you is my sincere prayer.



Swami Vivekananda

In  closing, I also bow eternally to that Guru Swami Vivekananda who blessed this earth with His presence for only 39 years, yet left a legacy that will never extinguish  eternally. 4 July marks the Maha Samadhi Anniversay of Swami Vivekananda - the giant amongst men. I envy those who had the opportunity to have been in His presence and served Him on His mission. He will always be guiding and protecting us, and working until every soul attains freedom from bondage.

Jay Shri Guru Maharaj Ki Jay.

Jay Maha Maye Ki Jay.

Jay Swamiji Maharaj Ki Jay!!!!