Thakur, Belur Math

Statue of Shri Ramakrishna at Belur Math, Kolkata

RK mission, Singapore

statue of Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa
Ramakrishna Mission, Singapore

Apart from regular worships, the Centre runs:

• Sarada Kindergarten
• Councelling centre
• Boys' home

Netaji Subas Chandra Bose, while in Singapore used to drive to Ramakrishna Mission late at night, change into a priestly silk dhoti, shut himself up in the prayer room with rosary in hand and spent a couple of hours in meditation. He would display his deep devotion to God in the hours of sorrows and sufferings, weal and woe of his life.
[Source: Social, Economic and Political Philosophy of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Dr. R.C. Roy]

ಮಧುರ ಸ್ಮೃತಿ

– ಮಧುರ ಸ್ಮೃತಿ —

(Reminiscences of Swami Purushottamanandaji Mj., ex-president of Ramakrishna Sarada math, Ponnampet, Koorg, Karnataka. The article is in Unicode Kannada and the author was a student of Shri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore)

ಸುಮಾರು ಎಂಟು - ಒಂಭತ್ತು ವರ್ಷಗಳ ಹಿಂದಿನ ಮಾತು. ನಾವಾಗ ವಿದ್ಯಾಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ದ್ವಿತೀಯ ಪದವಿಪೂ‍ರ್ವ ವರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದುತ್ತಿದ್ದೆವು. ಪೂರ್ವ ಸಿದ್ಧತಾ ಪರೀಕ್ಷೆಗಳ ನಂತರ ಓದಿ-ಓದಿ ದಣಿದಿದ್ದ ನಮ್ಮ ಮನಸ್ಸಿಗೆ ಉಲ್ಲಾಸ- ನವೋತ್ಸಾಹಗಳನ್ನು ಒದಗಿಸಲು ಎರಡು ದಿನಗಳ ಪ್ರವಾಸವನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಸಿ ಮೊದಲ ದಿನದ ರಾತ್ರಿಯ ಭೋಜನ ಮತ್ತು ವಸತಿಯ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಪೊನ್ನಂಪೇಟೆಯ ಶ್ರೀರಾಮಕೃಷ್ಣ ಶಾರದಾಶ್ರಮದಲ್ಲಿ. ಅದರ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರಾದ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಪುರುಷೋತ್ತಮಾನಂದರನ್ನು, ಅವರ ಲೇಖನ ಮತ್ತು ಧ್ವನಿ ಸುರಳಿಗಳ ಮೂಲಕ ಬಲ್ಲ ನಮಗೆ, ಪ್ರತ್ಯಕ್ಷವಾಗಿ ಕಾಣುವ ಕುತೂಹಲ-ಉತ್ಸಾಹ.

ನಾವೆಲ್ಲ ಊಟ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಅವರು ಭೋಜನಶಾಲೆಯನ್ನು ಪ್ರವೇಶಿಸಿದರು. ನಾವಾಗ ನಮ್ಮ ನಮ್ಮಲ್ಲೇ ಪಿಸುಗುಡುತ್ತ ಮಾತುಕತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ವ್ಯಸ್ತರಾಗಿದ್ದೆವು. ಅವರು ಭೋಜನಶಾಲೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದಾಡುತ್ತ, ಮುಗುಳ್ನಗುತ್ತ "ಊಟ ಮಾಡುವಾಗ ಮಾತನಾಡಬಾರದು ! ಏಕೆ ? ನಮ್ಮ ಲಕ್ಷ್ಯ ಊಟದ ಕಡೆಗಿರದೆ ಮಾತಿನ ಕಡೆಗಿರುತ್ತದೆ. ಮೌನಂ ಕವಳಂ ಜಾಸ್ತಿ !! ಸಮಾರಂಭವೊಂದರಲ್ಲಿ ಭಾರೀ ಭೋಜನವನ್ನು ಏರ್ಪಡಿಸಿದ್ದರು. ಅತಿಥಿಗಳು ಊಟಮುಗಿಸಿ ತೆರಳಲು ಅಣಿಯಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವಾಗ ಅತಿಥೇಯರು ಅಡುಗೆ ಹೇಗಿತ್ತು ಎಂದು ಕೇಳಿದರು. ಆಗಲೇ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಅರಿವಾದದ್ದು ಹರಟೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಾವು ಅಡಿಗೆಯ ರುಚಿಯನ್ನೇ ಗಮನಿಸಲಿಲ್ಲ ಎಂದು !! (ನಗು ...) ಊಟವನ್ನು ಆಸ್ವಾದಿಸಬೇಕು. ಅಮ್ಮ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ, ಪರಿಶ್ರಮದಿಂದ ಮಾಡಿದ ಅಡುಗೆಯನ್ನು ಗಮನವಿಟ್ಟು ತಿನ್ನಬೇಕು, ಆಹಾರವನ್ನು ಚೆಲ್ಲಬಾರದು" ಎಂದು ಮೃದುವಾಗಿ ನುಡಿದರು.

ಮರುದಿನ ಬೆಳಿಗ್ಗೆ ಉಷಾಕೀರ್ತನೆಯ ಸಮಯದಲ್ಲಿ "ಶ್ರೀರಾಮ ತುಹಿ, ಶ್ರೀಕೃಷ್ಣ ತುಹಿ" ಮುಂತಾದ ಹಾಡುಗಳನ್ನು ಸುಶ್ರಾವ್ಯವಾಗಿ ಹಾಡಿದರು. ಹಳೆಯದಾದ ಆ ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನಾಮಂದಿರವನ್ನು ನವೀಕರಿಸುವ ಕೆಲಸಗಳು ಆಗ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದವು.

ಪ್ರಾರ್ಥನಾ ಮಂದಿರದ ಹೊರಗೆ, ಹೊರಟುನಿಂತ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನು ಉದ್ದೇಶಿಸಿ ನಾಲ್ಕಾರು ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನಾಡುವಂತೆ ಪೂಜ್ಯರನ್ನು ಬ್ರ. ಪ್ರಜ್ಞಾ ಚೈತನ್ಯರು (ಈಗ, ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ಆತ್ಮಶ್ರದ್ಧಾನಂದರು) ವಿನಂತಿಸಿದರು. ಆಗ ಸ್ವಾಮೀಜೀ "ಮಾತೇ ಸರಸ್ಟತಿ ಮಾತೆ ! ಆ ಮಾತೆಯನ್ನು ಅರ್ಚಿಸುವುದು ಹೇಗೆ ? ಬಹಳ ಸುಲಭ. ಸತ್ಯವಾದ ಮಾತುಗಳೇ ಸುಂದರವಾದ ಪುಷ್ಪಗಳು. ಹಿತವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಾ ! ಮಿತವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಾ !! ಪ್ರೀತಿಯಿಂದ ಮಾತನಾಡುವಾ!!!" ಎಂದು ತಮ್ಮ 'ನಾಲ್ಕಾರು' ಮಾತುಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಗಿಸಿ ನಮ್ಮನ್ನೆಲ್ಲ ನಗುನಗುತ್ತ ಬೀಳ್ಕೊಟ್ಟರು.

GK Competition, Mysore

Shri Ramakrishna Vidyashala, Mysore is conducting Inter High School competition in General Knowledge in memory of Late Swami Shambhavanandaji Maharaj, former President of Shri Ramakrishna Math, Mysore. The competition will be conducted on Sunday 20th November 2005 at 10AM.

1064 Candidates representing 56 institutions have registered themselves for the test. The competition held annually under the auspices of the OBA is conducted in two centres - Vidyashala and Matrumandali Junior College, V V Mohalla, Mysore. A brief inaugural function is arranged in the Vidyashala auditorium at 9.20 AM.

Sw. Ranganathanandaji

ॐ

Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji Mj.
(1908-2005)

Are you growing spiritually? Can you love others? Can you feel oneness with others? Have you peace within yourself, and do you radiate it around you? That is called spiritual growth, which is stimulated by meditation inwardly and by work done in a spirit of service outwardly.

Spiritual Titbits

- Swami Vireswarananda

(1)
Always meditate on Sri Ramakrishna as infinite love and you will in time get over anger. Whenever you are tempted to be provoked think of Him and your anger will disappear.

Try to repeat the Mantra always mentally—all the 24 hours, even in the midst of your work. You may forget to do so but as soon as you remember, begin repeating and you will slowly get into the habit of repeating it always.

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(2)
Pray to the Master to give you strength to fulfill your duty successfully. He is sure to hear your prayers and make your efforts successful and this would completely change your family environment and make it blissful. There is nothing that cannot be overcome through prayers.

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Jagaddhatri Puja, Ranchi

Jai Ma Jagaddhatri !
Pre-Puja Preparations for the worship of Divine Mother Sri Sri Jagaddhatri are now at hectic pace. The history of Jagaddhatri worship at Sanatorium goes back to the year 1958. A brief but interesting account of the pre-puja preparations is given below.

Countless.....

Every year countless people from far and near attend this Puja where Divine Mother is worshiped. The Puja of Mother Jagaddhatri is performed for three days. This year the Puja falls on 9th, 10th and 11th November 2005. On Wednesday, 9th November in the evening the grand puja starts with adhiwas. Beginning at morning 6 am the next day on 10th, the Puja would continue till evening which includes chandipath, devotional songs, pushpanjali and havan. A separate pandal is being erected near the Pujamandap where local singers would have an opportunity to dedicate their talents at the feet of the Mother.

Chaosless.....

The Puja being performed at three stages on 10th would have pushpanjali at 9.30 am, 1.30 pm and 3.00 pm. >From One o'clock of afternoon distribution of cooked-prasad (Khichuri) would take place to the huge assembled devotees. For the purpose of Puja the work of preparing life-size clay pratima has already begun within the campus of Sanatorium. At 3.30 pm for universal welfare a special havan is being organised. The wonderful twilight-worship (Sandhyarati) would be held at evening 6.30 followed by devotional songs by Swamijis and devotees. The entire Puja would be performed at the Recreation Hall called Ananda Nilaya which is being readied with tasteful decoration. The Third day of worship that is on Friday, 11th November, Mangalarati can be witnessed in the early morning at 5.30 am amid the wintry pre-dawn period followed by darpanvisarjan at 7.30 am. While image immersion would be done after 2.30 pm at Sanatorium Dam, at 6.30 pm in the evening shantijal would be sprinkled on the devotees.

Errorless.....

To perform this Puja meticulously and also according to the strict norms of the relevant shastra errorlessly Swami Shantatmanandaji from Ramakrishna Mission Headquarters Belur Math and Swami Swatantranandaji from Kankurgachhi, Kolkata - one as Pujari and the other as Tantradharaka - are arriving on Tuesday, 8th November. Sri Nirjhar Kanti Bhattacharya from Baguihati, West Bengal will perform the Sri Chandipath three times on the 10th. A team of able Volunteers for the Puja led by Sri Sadananda Ganguly of Howrah will assist during the three-day Puja rituals. One of the leading idol-makers and a resident of Shantipur, West Bengal Sri Santosh Kumar Pal, has already started preparing this image. For the last 43 years he has been making this beautiful adamkad pratima within the campus of the Sanatorium.

Endless.....

A large number of enthusiastic local adivasis who endearingly call this occasion as Jagaddhatri Mela surge forward to participate in the mela. Added attraction is adivasi dances within the campus performed by youthful men and women from nearby villages. It will be a sight to see a good number of small vendors appearing on the scene displaying their wares and fast food items. With grand jubilance the people make purchases from the small shops and eateries. The toy sellers have a field day bringing joy to children. The distribution of khichuri prasad continues to devotees

Egoless
As per ancient pauranik lore of the Hindu scriptures, soon after the victory over Mahishasur the Devatas became highly egoistic. They thought because of lending to Durga their instruments the mighty asuras were vanquished. To make them understand that the primordial power is alone behind every action, the Brahman appeared before the Devatas in the form of effulgent Yaksha. Bewildered by its presence one by one the Devatas approached Yaksha. First the god of wind Vayu. The Yaksha asked him what he could do. The Vayu replied that he could throw away huge trees, tumble high mountains. The Yaksha then placed a small grass and asked him to move it. The Vayu utilised all his powers but lo! he could not even displace it. So also the god of fire Agni, could not even burn it. Likewise one by one the Devatas failed. And it dawned on them that their powers are in reality not their own but derived from the supreme power who as protecting mother holds the entire creation and therefore called Jagaddhatri. Anybody who worships Jagaddhatri becomes absolutely egoless and a true servant of the world which is nothing but a manifestation of the Brahman.

Rare Reference The formal difference between Durga and Jagaddhatri occurs in 'Mayatantra' and Jagaddhatri is mentioned with reference to Durga in Krishnananda's 'Tantrasaar'. The special puja of the Goddess on the ninth lunar day of the light fortnight in the month of Kartick has been referred in 'Krityatattarnab' by Srinath Acharyachuramoni of the 15th-16th century.

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