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Showing posts from May 22, 2008

183, Don't forget to present him (Maharaja of Khetri) an address of welcome

Swami Vivekananda wrote to Ramakrishnanda from Kashmir, on Sept. 30, 1897: " ... PS. The Maharaja of Khetri is reaching Bombay on the 10th October. Don't forget to present him an address of welcome. ..." BLOGGER'S VIEWS *The ruler of Khetri was returning from London after attending the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria after paying tributes to the British Royalty. *Why should Ramakrishnananda go from Madras to Mumbai for welcoming Khetri? *Was it a monk's job? *Who would pay RK's travelling expenses? *Swami Vivekananda was not willing to help the Madras Math, by sparing surplus from his Reception lecture funds. *Should Vivekananda's loyalty and subservience to the Khetri, extend to Ramakrishnananda also? To continue, with more proof(s).

#182, At present do not use your wisdom too much

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA'S APPROACH TO BROTHER DISCIPLES Swami Vivekananda wrote to Swami Ramakrishnanada from Almora on July 29, 1897. "... Are there any new boys joining the Math? If so, then carry on the work in the same manner as it is being done in Calcutta. At present don't use up your wisdom too much, lest it should become completely exhausted — you can do that later on. ... " BLOGGER'S VIEWs *Ramakrishnananda cannot use his brain? *Should he copy Calcutta? *When it came to funds, Swamiji asked Ramakrishnanda to establish the monastery at Calcutta or Ramnad, if he could not get funds at Madras (See separate post).

#181, Finger twistings and kling phat and svaahas!

FACTS Swami Vivekananda wrote to Swami Ramakrishnananda, from Belur Math on Feb. 25, 1898: "... We are all so glad that you have girded yourself to teach more of spirituality to the Madras people than those finger twistings and kling phat (Cryptic Mantras or sound formulae.) you are so fond of. ..." " ... We have got some good furniture now, and a big jump from the old Chat`aai (mat) in the old Math to nice tables and chairs and three Khaat`s (cots), mind you. We have curtailed the Pujaa (worship) work a good deal, and the amount of pruning your klings and phats and svaahaas have undergone would make you faint . The puja occupied only the day, and they slept soundly all night. ..." BLOGGER'S VIEWs *What a great great respect Swamiji had for mantras! *Promotion from mats to cots, nice tables and chairs *Sarcasm! *Sleep more important than worship! *Compare Ramakrishnanda's phats and svaahaas with Swamiji's goat sacrifices and fireworks

#180, All of you come back to the Math at Calcutta or go to Ramnad

VIVEKANANDA PRACTICE QUOTE Swami Vivekananda wrote to Ramakrishnananda from Ambala on Aug. 19, 1897. " ...I am very much pained to hear that the work in Madras is not prospering for want of funds. ... ... Goodwin has written to me to inform the Reception Committee to take some money for expenses from the amount that is left as a result of the lecture . It is a very mean thing to spend the money received on the occasion of that lecture for the purpose of the Reception — and I do not like to tell anybody anything about this matter. I have understood quite well what the people of our country are when it comes to money-matters. . . . On my behalf, you personally talk with the friends there and politely make them understand that it is all right if they can find ways and means to bear the expenses; but if they cannot do so, all of you come back to the Math at Calcutta or go to Ramnad and establish the Math there. ..." BLOGGER'S VIEWs *What was wrong in using reception fun

#179, A cook, a servant, clean beds, and timely meals

FACTS Vivekananda wrote from USA to Ramakrishnanda on Apr. 11, 1895. "... A cook, a servant, clean beds, and timely meals — these are absolutely necessary. Please see that all these suggestions be carried out in toto. ..." BLOGGER'S VIEWs *See the post on 'Paramahamsas'. Vivekananda said that monks should live whatever they get from householders. (To justify his flesh eating) *See the post Swamiji asking Swami Akhandananda (Spend from your pocket if you do not get alms). *Swamiji was satisfied with cooks, servants, clean beds and timely meals. His disciples wanted marble buildings. See the post on marbles. *Monks are supposed to be servants of people. At least, it was Vivekananda's aim. How can servants have cooks and servants?