Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda - Vol-7
X
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: The rented Math premises at Belur. Year: 1899.]
The Bengali fortnightly magazine, Udbodhan, was just started by
Swami Trigunatita under the direction of Swamiji for spreading the
religious views of Shri Ramakrishna among the general public.
After the first number came out the disciple came to the Math at
Nilambar Babu's garden one day. Swamiji started the following
conversation with him about the Udbodhan.
Swamiji: (Humorously caricaturing the name of the magazine) Have
you seen the Udbandhana? (The word means "suicide by hanging".)
Disciple: Yes, sir; it is a good number.
Swamiji: We must mould the ideas, language, and everything of this
magazine in a new fashion.
Disciple: How?
Swamiji: Not only must we give out Shri Ramakrishna's ideas to
all, but we must also introduce a new vigour into the Bengali
language. For instance, the frequent use of verbs diminishes the
force of a language. We must restrict the use of verbs by the use
of adjectives. Begin to write articles in that way, and show them
to me before you give them to print in the Udbodhan.
Disciple: Sir, it is impossible for any other man to labour for
this magazine in the way Swami Trigunatita does.
Swamiji: Do you think these Sannyasin children of Shri Ramakrishna
are born simply to sit under trees lighting Dhuni-fires? Whenever
any of them will take up some work, people will be astonished to
see their energy. Learn from them how to work. Here, for instance,
Trigunatita has given up his spiritual practices, his meditation
and everything, to carry out my orders, and has set himself to
work. Is this a matter of small sacrifice? What an amount of love
for me is at the back of this spirit of work, do you see? He will
not stop short of success! Have you householders such
determination?
Disciple: But, sir, it looks rather odd in our eyes that
Sannyasins in ochre robe should go about from door to door as the
Swami is doing.
Swamiji: Why? The circulation of the magazine is only for the good
of the householders. By the spread of new ideas within the country
the public at large will be benefited. Do you think this unselfish
work is any way inferior to devotional practices? Our object is to
do good to humanity. We have no idea of making money from the
income of this paper. We have renounced everything and have no
wives or children to provide for after our death. If the paper be
a success, the whole of its income will be spent in the service of
humanity. Its surplus money will be profitably spent in the
opening of monasteries and homes of service in different places
and all sorts of work of public utility. We are not certainly
working like householders with the plan of filling our own
pockets. Know for certain that all our movements are for the good
of others.
Disciple: Even then, all will not be able to appreciate this
spirit.
Swamiji: What if they cannot? It neither adds nor takes away
anything from us. We do not take up any work with an eye to
criticism.
Disciple: So this magazine will be a fortnightly. We should like
it to be a weekly.
Swamiji: Yes, but where are the funds? If through the grace of
Shri Ramakrishna funds are raised, it can be made into a daily
even, in future. A hundred thousand copies may be struck off daily
and distributed free in every street and lane of Calcutta.
Disciple: This idea of yours is a capital one.
Swamiji: I have a mind to make the paper self-supporting first,
and then set you up as its editor. You have not yet got the
capacity to make any enterprise stand on its legs. That is
reserved only for these all-renouncing Sannyasins to do. They will
work themselves to death, but never yield. Whereas a little
resistance or just a trifle of criticism is bewildering to you.
Disciple: Sir, the other day I saw that Swami Trigunatita
worshipped the photograph of Sri Ramakrishna in the Press before
opening the work and asked for your blessings for the success of
the work.
Swamiji: Well, Shri Ramakrishna is our centre. Each one of us is a
ray of that light-centre. So Trigunatita worshipped Shri
Ramakrishna before beginning the work, did he? It was excellently
done. But he told me nothing of it.
Disciple: Sir, he fears you and yesterday he told me to come to
you and ask your opinion of the first issue of the magazine, after
which, he said, he would see you.
Swamiji: Tell him when you go that I am exceedingly delighted with
his work. Give him my loving blessings. And all of you help him as
far as you can. You will be doing Shri Ramakrishna's work by that.
Immediately after saying these words Swamiji called Swami
Brahmananda to him and directed him to give Swami Trigunatita more
money for the Udbodhan if it was needed.
The same evening, after supper, Swamiji again referred to the
topic of Udbodhan in the following words:
"In the Udbodhan we must give the public only positive ideas.
Negative thoughts weaken men. Do you not find that where parents
are constantly taxing their sons to read and write, telling them
they will never learn anything, and calling them fools and so
forth, the latter do actually turn out to be so in many cases? If
you speak kind words to boys and encourage them, they are bound to
improve in time. What holds good of children, also holds good of
children in the region of higher thoughts. If you can give them
positive ideas, people will grow up to be men and learn to stand
on their own legs. In language and literature, in poetry and the
arts, in everything we must point out not the mistakes that people
are making in their thoughts and actions, but the way in which
they will gradually be able to do these things better. Pointing
out mistakes wounds a man's feelings. We have seen how Shri
Ramakrishna would encourage even those whom we considered as
worthless and change the very course of their lives thereby! His
very method of teaching was a unique phenomenon."
After a short pause, Swamiji continued, "Never take the preaching
of religion to mean the turning up of one's nose at everything and
at everybody. In matters physical, mental, and spiritual - in
everything we must give men positive ideas and never hate anybody.
It is your hatred of one another that has brought about your
degradation. Now we shall have to raise men by scattering
broadcast only positive thoughts. First we must raise the whole
Hindu race in this way and then the whole world. That is why Shri
Ramakrishna incarnated. He never destroyed a single man's special
inclinations. He gave words of hope and encouragement even to the
most degraded of persons and lifted them up. We too must follow in
his footsteps and lift all up, and rouse them. Do you understand?
"Your history, literature, mythology, and all other Shastras are
simply frightening people. They are only telling them, 'You will
go to hell, you are doomed!' Therefore has this lethargy crept
into the very vitals of India. Hence we must explain to men in
simple words the highest ideas of the Vedas and the Vedanta.
Through the imparting of moral principles, good behaviour, and
education we must make the Chandâla come up to the level of the
Brahmana. Come, write out all these things in the Udbodhan and
awaken everyone, young and old, man and woman. Then only shall I
know that your study of the Vedas and Vedanta has been a success.
What do you say? Will you be able to do this?"
Disciple: Through your blessings and command I think I shall
succeed in everything.
Swamiji: Another thing. You must learn to make the physique very
strong and teach the same to others. Don't you find me exercising
every day with dumb-bells even now? Walk in the morning and
evenings and do physical labour. Body and mind must run parallel.
It won't do to depend on others in everything. When the necessity
of strengthening the physique is brought home to people, they will
exert themselves of their own accord. It is to make them feel this
need that education is necessary at the present moment.
XI
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: The Belur Math (under construction). Year: 1899.]
Disciple: Why is it, Swamiji, that our society and country have
come to such degradation?
Swamiji: It is you who are responsible for it.
Disciple: How, sir? You surprise me.
Swamiji: You have been despising the lower classes of the country
for a very long time and, as a result, you have now become the
objects of contempt in the eyes of the world.
Disciple: When did you find us despising them?
Swamiji: Why, you priest-class never let the non-Brahmin class
read the Vedas and Vedanta and all such weighty Shastras - never
touch them even. You have only kept them down. It is you who have
always done like that through selfishness. It was the Brahmins who
made a monopoly of the religious books and kept the question of
sanction and prohibition in their own hands. And repeatedly
calling the other races of India low and vile, they put this
belief into their heads that they were really such. If you tell a
man, "You are low, you are vile", in season and out of season,
then he is bound to believe in course of time that he is really
such. This is called hypnotism. The non-Brahmin classes are now
slowly rousing themselves. Their faith in Brahminical scriptures
and Mantras is getting shaken. Through the spread of Western
education all the tricks of the Brahmins are giving way, like the
banks of the Padmâ in the rainy season. Do you not see that?
Disciple: Yes, sir, the stricture of orthodoxy is gradually
lessening nowadays.
Swamiji: It is as it should be. The Brahmins, in fact, gradually
took a course of gross immorality and oppression. Through
selfishness they introduced a large number of strange, non-Vedic,
immoral, and unreasonable doctrines - simply to keep intact their
own prestige. And the fruits of that they are reaping forthwith.
Disciple: What may these fruits be, sir?
Swamiji: Don't you perceive them? It is simply due to your having
despised the masses of India that you have now been living a life
of slavery for the last thousand years; it is therefore that you
are the objects of hatred in the eyes of foreigners and are looked
upon with indifference by your countrymen.
Disciple: But, sir, even now it is the Brahmins who direct all
ceremonials, and people are observing them according to the
opinions of the Brahmins. Why then do you speak like that?
Swamiji: I don't find it. Where do the tenfold Samskâras or
purifying ceremonies enjoined by the Shastras obtain still? Well,
I have travelled the whole of India, and everywhere I have found
society to be guided by local usages which are condemned by the
Shrutis and Smritis. Popular customs, local usages, and
observances prevalent among women only - have not these taken the
place of the Smritis everywhere? Who obeys, and whom? If you can
but spend enough money, the priest-class is ready to write out
whatever sanctions or prohibitions you want! How many of them read
the Vedic Kalpa (Ritual), Grihya and Shrauta Sutras? Then, look,
here in Bengal the code of Raghunandana is obeyed; a little
farther on you will find the code of Mitâkshâra in vogue; while in
another part the code of Manu holds sway! You seem to think that
the same laws hold good everywhere! What I want therefore is to
introduce the study of the Vedas by stimulating a greater regard
for them in the minds of the people, and to pass everywhere the
injunctions of the Vedas.
Disciple: Sir, is it possible nowadays to set them going?
Swamiji: It is true that all the ancient Vedic laws will not have
a go, but if we introduce additions and alterations in them to
suit the needs of the times, codify them, and hold them up as a
new model to society, why will they not pass current?
Disciple: Sir, I was under the impression that at least the
injunctions of Manu were being obeyed all over India even now.
Swamiji: Nothing of the kind. Just look to your own province and
see how the Vâmâchâra (immoral practices) of the Tantras has
entered into your very marrow. Even modern Vaishnavism, which is
the skeleton of the defunct Buddhism, is saturated with Vamachara!
We must stem the tide of this Vamachara, which is contrary to the
spirit of the Vedas.
Disciple: Sir, is it possible now to cleanse this Aegean stable?
Swamiji: What nonsense do you say, you coward! You have well-nigh
thrown the country into ruin by crying, 'It is impossible, it is
impossible!' What cannot human effort achieve?
Disciple: But, sir, such a state of things seems impossible unless
sages like Manu and Yâjnavalkya are again born in the country.
Swamiji: Goodness gracious! Was it not purity and unselfish labour
that made them Manu and Yajnavalkya, or was it something else?
Well, we ourselves can be far greater than even Manu and
Yajnavalkya if we try to; why will not our views prevail then?
Disciple: Sir, it is you who said just now that we must revive the
ancient usages and observances within the country. How then can we
think lightly of sages like Manu and the rest?
Swamiji: What an absurd deduction! You altogether miss my point. I
have only said that the ancient Vedic customs must be remodelled
according to the need of the society and the times, and passed
under a new form in the land. Have I not?
Disciple: Yes, sir.
Swamiji: What, then, were you talking? You have read the Shastras,
and my hope and faith rest in men like you. Understand my words in
their true spirit, and apply yourselves to work in their light.
Disciple: But, sir, who will listen to us? Why should our
countrymen accept them?
Swamiji: If you can truly convince them and practise what you
preach, they must. If, on the contrary, like a coward you simply
utter Shlokas as a parrot, be a mere talker and quote authority
only, without showing them in action - then who will care to
listen to you?
Disciple: Please give me some advice in brief about social reform.
Swamiji: Why, I have given you advice enough; now put at least
something in practice. Let the world see that your reading of the
scriptures and listening to me has been a success. The codes of
Manu and lots of other books that you have read - what is their
basis and underlying purpose? Keeping that basis intact, compile
in the manner of the ancient Rishis the essential truths of them
and supplement them with thoughts that are suited to the times;
only take care that all races and all sects throughout India be
really benefited by following these rules. Just write out a Smriti
like that; I shall revise it.
Disciple: Sir, it is not an easy task; and even if such a Smriti
be written, will it be accepted?
Swamiji: Why not? Just write it out. "कालो ह्ययं निरवधिर्विपुला च
पृथ्वी - Time is infinite, and the world is vast." If you write it
in the proper way, there must come a day when it will be accepted.
Have faith in yourself. You people were once the Vedic Rishis.
Only, you have come in different forms, that's all. I see it clear
as daylight that you all have infinite power in you. Rouse that
up; arise, arise - apply yourselves heart and soul, gird up your
loins. What will you do with wealth and fame that are so
transitory? Do you know what I think? I don't care for Mukti and
all that. My mission is to arouse within you all such ideas; I am
ready to undergo a hundred thousand rebirths to train up a single
man.
Disciple: But, sir, what will be the use of undertaking such
works? Is not death stalking behind?
Swamiji: Fie upon you! If you die, you will die but once. Why will
you die every minute of your life by constantly harping on death
like a coward?
Disciple: All right, sir, I may not think of death, but what good
will come of any kind of work in this evanescent world?
Swamiji: My boy, when death is inevitable, is it not better to die
like heroes than as stocks and stones? And what is the use of
living a day or two more in this transitory world? It is better to
wear out than to rust out - specially for the sake of doing the
least good to others.
Disciple: It is true, sir. I beg pardon for troubling you so much.
Swamiji: I don't feel tired even if I talk for two whole nights to
an earnest inquirer; I can give up food and sleep and talk and
talk. Well, if I have a mind, I can sit up in Samadhi in a
Himalayan cave. And you see that nowadays through the Mother's
grace I have not to think about food, it comes anyhow. Why then
don't I do so? And why am I here? Only the sight of the country's
misery and the thought of its future do not let me remain quiet
any more! - Even Samadhi and all that appear as futile - even the
sphere of Brahmâ with its enjoyments becomes insipid! My vow of
life is to think of your welfare. The day that vow will be
fulfilled, I shall leave this body and make a straight run up!
Hearing Swamiji's words the disciple sat speechless for a while,
gazing at him, wondering in his heart. Then, with a view to taking
his leave, he saluted Swamiji reverently and asked his permission
to go.
Swamiji: Why do you want to go? Why not live in the Math? Your
mind will again be polluted if you go back to the worldly-minded.
See here, how fresh is the air, there is the Ganga, and the Sadhus
(holy men) are practicing meditation, and holding lofty talks!
While the moment you will go to Calcutta, you will be thinking of
nasty stuff.
The disciple joyfully replied, "All right, sir, I shall stay today
at the Math."
Swamiji: Why "today"? Can't you live here for good? What is the
use of going back to the world?
The disciple bent down his head, hearing Swamiji's words. Various
thoughts crowded into his brain and kept him speechless.
XII
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: The Belur Math (under construction). Year: beginning of
1899.]
Today Swamiji is walking round the new Math grounds in the
afternoon in company with the disciple. Standing at a little
distance off the Bael tree Swamiji took to singing slowly a
Bengali song: (This is one of the songs sung in the homes of
Bengal on the eve of Durgâ Pujâ.) "O Himalaya, Ganesh is
auspicious to me" etc., ending with the line - "And many Dandis
(Sannyasins) and Yogis with matted hair will also come." While
singing the song Swamiji repeated this line to the disciple and
said, "Do you understand? In course of time many Sadhus and
Sannyasins will come here." Saying this he sat under the tree and
remarked, "The ground under the Bilva tree is very holy.
Meditating here quickly brings about an awakening of the religious
instinct. Shri Ramakrishna used to say so."
Disciple: Sir, those who are devoted to the discrimination between
the Self and not-Self - have they any need to consider the
auspiciousness of place, time, and so forth?
Swamiji: Those who are established in the knowledge of the Atman
have no need for such discrimination, but that state is not
attained off-hand. It comes as the result of long practice.
Therefore in the beginning one has to take the help of external
aids and learn to stand on one's own legs. Later on, when one is
established in the knowledge of the Atman, there is no more need
for any external aid.
The various methods of spiritual practice that have been laid down
in the scriptures are all for the attainment of the knowledge of
the Atman. Of course these practices vary according to the
qualifications of different aspirants. But they also are a kind of
work, and so long as there is work, the Atman is not discovered.
The obstacles to the manifestation of the Atman are overcome by
practices as laid down in the scriptures; but work has no power of
directly manifesting the Atman, it is only effective in removing
some veils that cover knowledge. Then the Atman manifests by Its
own effulgence. Do you see? Therefore does your commentator
(Shankara) say, "In our knowledge of Brahman, there cannot be the
least touch of work."
Disciple: But, sir, since the obstacles to Self-manifestation are
not overcome without the performance of work in some form or
other, therefore indirectly work stands as a means to knowledge.
Swamiji: From the standpoint of the causal chain, it so appears
prima facie. Taking up this view it is stated in the Purva-Mimâmsâ
that work for a definite end infallibly produces a definite
result. But the vision of the Atman which is Absolute is not to be
compassed by means of work. For the rule with regard to a seeker
of the Atman is that he should undergo spiritual practice, but
have no eye to its results. It follows thence that these practices
are simply the cause of the purification of the aspirant's mind.
For if the Atman could be directly realised as a result of these
practices, then scriptures would not have enjoined on the aspirant
to give up the results of work. So it is with a view to combating
the Purva-Mimamsa doctrine of work with motive producing results,
that the philosophy of work without motive has been set forth in
the Gita. Do you see?
Disciple: But, sir, if one has to renounce the fruits of work, why
should one be induced to undertake work which is always
troublesome?
Swamiji: In this human life, one cannot help doing some kind of
work always. When man has perforce to do some work, Karma-Yoga
enjoins on him to do it in such a way as will bring freedom
through the realisation of the Atman. As to your objection that
none will be induced to work - the answer is, that whatever work
you do has some motive behind it; but when by the long performance
of work, one notices that one work merely leads to another,
through a round of births and rebirths, then the awakened
discrimination of man naturally begins to question itself, "Where
is the end to this interminable chain of work?" It is then that he
appreciates the full import of the words of the Lord in the Gita:
"Inscrutable is the course of work.” Therefore when the aspirant
finds that work with motive brings no happiness, then he renounces
action. But man is so constituted that to him the performance of
work is a necessity, so what work should he take up? He takes up
some unselfish work, but gives up all desire for its fruits. For
he has known then that in those fruits of work lie countless seeds
of future births and deaths. Therefore the knower of Brahman
renounces all actions. Although to outward appearances he engages
himself in some work, he has no attachment to it. Such men have
been described in the scriptures as Karma-Yogins.
Disciple: Is then the work without motive of the unselfish knower
of Brahman like the activities of a lunatic?
Swamiji: Why so? Giving up the fruits of work means not to perform
work for the good of one's own body or mind. The knower of Brahman
never seeks his own happiness. But what is there to prevent him
from doing work for the welfare of others? Whatever work he does
without attachment for its fruits brings only good to the world -
it is all "for the good of the many, for the happiness of the
many". Shri Ramakrishna used to say, "They never take a false
step". Haven't you read in the Uttara-Râma-Charita, "ऋषिणाम्
पुनराद्यानां वाचमर्थोऽनुधावति - The words of the ancient Rishis
have always some meaning, they are never false?" When the mind is
merged in the Atman by the suppression of all modifications, it
produces "a dispassion for the enjoyment of fruits of work here or
hereafter"; there remains no desire in the mind for any enjoyment
here, or, after death, in any heavenly sphere. There is no action
and interaction of desires in the mind. But when the mind descends
from the superconscious state into the world of "I and mine", then
by the momentum of previous work or habit, or Samskaras
(impressions), the functions of the body go on as before. The mind
then is generally in the super conscious state; eating and other
functions of the body are done from mere necessity, and the
body-consciousness is very much attenuated. Whatever work is done
after reaching this transcendental state is done rightly; it
conduces to the real well-being of men and the world; for then the
mind of the doer is not contaminated by selfishness or calculation
of personal gain or loss. The Lord has created this wonderful
universe, remaining always in the realm of superconsciousness;
therefore there is nothing imperfect in this world. So I was
saying that the actions which the knower of the Atman does without
attachment for fruits are never imperfect, but they conduce to the
real well-being of men and the world.
Disciple: Sir, you said just now that knowledge and work are
contradictory, that in the supreme knowledge there is no room at
all for work, or in other words, that by means of work the
realisation of Brahman cannot be attained. Why then do you now and
then speak words calculated to awaken great Rajas (activity)? You
were telling me the other day, "Work, work, work - there is no
other way."
Swamiji: Going round the whole world, I find that people of this
country are immersed in great Tamas (inactivity), compared with
people of other countries. On the outside, there is a simulation
of the Sâttvika (calm and balanced) state, but inside, downright
inertness like that of stocks and stones - what work will be done
in the world by such people? How long can such an inactive, lazy,
and sensual people live in the world? First travel in Western
countries, then contradict my words. How much of enterprise and
devotion to work, how much enthusiasm and manifestation of Rajas
are there in the lives of the Western people! While, in your own
country, it is as if the blood has become congealed in the heart,
so that it cannot circulate in the veins - as if paralysis has
overtaken the body and it has become languid. So my idea is first
to make the people active by developing their Rajas, and thus make
them fit for the struggle for existence. With no strength in the
body, no enthusiasm at heart, and no originality in the brain,
what will they do - these lumps of dead matter! By stimulating
them I want to bring life into them - to this I have dedicated my
life. I will rouse them through the infallible power of Vedic
Mantras. I am born to proclaim to them that fearless message -
"Arise! Awake!" Be you my helpers in this work! Go from village to
village, from one portion of the country to another, and preach
this message of fearlessness to all, from the Brahmin to the
Chandâla. Tell each and all that infinite power resides within
them, that they are sharers of immortal Bliss. Thus rouse up the
Rajas within them - make them fit for the struggle for existence,
and then speak to them about salvation. First make the people of
the country stand on their legs by rousing their inner power,
first let them learn to have good food and clothes and plenty of
enjoyment - then tell them how to be free from this bondage of
enjoyment.
Laziness, meanness, and hypocrisy have covered the whole length
and breadth of the country. Can an intelligent man look on all
this and remain quiet? Does it not bring tears to the eyes?
Madras, Bombay, Punjab, Bengal - whichever way I look, I see no
signs of life. You are thinking yourselves highly educated. What
nonsense have you learnt? Getting by heart the thoughts of others
in a foreign language, and stuffing your brain with them and
taking some university degrees, you consider yourselves educated!
Fie upon you! Is this education? What is the goal of your
education? Either a clerkship, or being a roguish lawyer, or at
the most a Deputy Magistracy, which is another form of clerkship -
isn't that all? Open your eyes and see what a piteous cry for food
is rising in the land of Bharata, proverbial for its wealth! Will
your education fulfil this want? Never. With the help of Western
science set yourselves to dig the earth and produce food-stuffs -
not by means of mean servitude of others - but by discovering new
avenues to production, by your own exertions aided by Western
science. Therefore I teach the people of this country to be full
of activities, so as to be able to produce food and clothing for
themselves. For want of food and clothing and plunged in anxiety
for it, the country has come to ruin - what are you doing to
remedy this? Throw aside your scriptures in the Ganga and teach
the people first the means of procuring their food and clothing,
and then you will find time to read to them the scriptures. If
their material wants are not removed by the rousing of intense
activity, none will listen to words of spirituality. Therefore I
say, first rouse the inherent power of the Atman within you, then,
rousing the faith of the general people in that power as much as
you can, teach them first of all to make provision for food, and
then teach them religion. There is no time to sit idle - who knows
when death will overtake one?
While saying these words, a mingled expression of remorse, sorrow,
compassion, and power shone on his face. Looking at his majestic
appearance, the disciple was awed into silence. A little while
afterwards Swamiji said again, "That activity and self-reliance
must come in the people of the country in time - I see it clearly.
There is no escape. The intelligent man can distinctly see the
vision of the next three Yugas (ages) ahead. Ever since the advent
of Shri Ramakrishna the eastern horizon has been aglow with the
dawning rays of the sun which in course of time will illumine the
country with the splendour of the midday sun."
XIII
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: The Belur Math. Beginning of 1899.]
The present Math buildings are almost complete now. Swamiji is not
in good health; therefore doctors have advised him to go out on a
boat in the mornings and evenings on the Ganga.
Today is Sunday. The disciple is sitting in Swamiji's room and
conversing with him. About this time Swamiji framed certain rules
for the guidance of the Sannyasins and Brahmacharins of the Math,
the object of which was to keep them from indiscriminate mixing
with worldly people. The conversation turned on this topic.
Swamiji: Nowadays I feel a peculiar smell of lax self-control in
the dress and clothes of worldly people; therefore I have made it
a rule in the Math that householders should not sit or lie on the
beds of Sadhus. Formerly I used to read in the Shastras that such
a smell is felt, and therefore Sannyasins cannot bear the smell of
householders. Now I see it is true. By strictly observing the
rules that have been framed, the Brahmacharins will in time grow
into genuine Sannyasins. When they are established in the ideal of
Sannyasa, they will be able to mix on an equal footing with
worldly men without any harm. But now if they are not kept within
the barriers of strict rules, they will all go wrong. In order to
attain to ideal Brahmacharya one has in the beginning to observe
strict rules regarding chastity. Not only should one keep oneself
strictly aloof from the least association with the opposite sex,
but also give up the company of married people even.
The disciple who was a householder was awed at these words of
Swamiji, felt dejected that he would not be able to associate
freely as before with the Sadhus of the Math and said, "Sir, I
feel more intimacy with the Math and its inmates than with my own
family. As if they are known to me from a long long time. The
unbounded freedom that I enjoy in the Math, I feel nowhere else in
the world."
Swamiji: All those who are pure in spirit will feel like that
here. Those who do not feel so must be taken as not belonging to
this Math and its ideals. That is the reason why many people come
here out of mere sensation-mongering and then run away. Those who
are devoid of continence and are running after money day and night
will never be able to appreciate the ideals of the Math, nor
regard the Math people as their own. The Sannyasins of this Math
are not like those of old, ash-besmeared, with matted hair and
iron tongs in their hands, and curing disease by medicinal
titbits; therefore seeing the contrast, people cannot appreciate
them. The ways, movements and ideas of our Master were all cast in
a new mould, so we are also of a new type. Sometimes dressed like
gentlemen, we are engaged in lecturing; at other times, throwing
all aside, with " Hara, Hara, Vyom Vyom " on the lips, ash-clad,
we are immersed in meditation and austerities in mountains and
forests.
Now it won't do to merely quote the authority of our ancient
books. The tidal wave of Western civilisation is now rushing over
the length and breadth of the country. It won't do now simply to
sit in meditation on mountain tops without realising in the least
its usefulness. Now is wanted - as said in the Gita by the Lord -
intense Karma-Yoga, with unbounded courage and indomitable
strength in the heart. Then only will the people of the country be
roused, otherwise they will continue to be as much in the dark as
you are.
The day is nearly ended. Swamiji came downstairs, dressed for the
boating excursion on the Ganga. Swamiji, accompanied by the
disciple and two others, boarded the boat, which passed the
Dakshineswar temple and reached Panihati where it was anchored
below the garden-house of Babu Govinda Kumar Chaudhury. It has
once been proposed to rent this house for the use of the Math.
Swamiji descended from the boat, went round the house and the
garden and looking over the place minutely said, "The garden is
nice but is at a great distance from Calcutta. The devotees of
Shri Ramakrishna would have been put to trouble to walk such a
long distance from Calcutta. It is fortunate that the Math has not
been established here." The boat then returned to the Math amid
the enveloping darkness.
XIV
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: Belur Math. Beginning of 1899.]
The disciple has today come to the Math with Nag Mahashaya in
company.
Swamiji to Nag Mahashaya (saluting him): You are all right, I
hope?
Nag Mahashaya: I have come today to visit you. Glory to Shankara!
Glory to Shankara! I am blessed today verily with the sight of
Shiva!
Saying these words, Nag Mahashaya out of reverence stood with
joined hands before him.
Swamiji: How is your health?
Nag Mahashaya: Why are you asking about this trifling body - this
cage of flesh and bones? Verily I am blessed today to see you.
Saying these words, Nag Mahashaya prostrated before Swamiji.
Swamiji (lifting him up): Why are you doing that to me?
Nag Mahashaya: I see with my inner eye that today I am blessed
with the vision of Shiva Himself. Glory to Ramakrishna!
Swamiji (addressing the disciple): Do you see? How real Bhakti
transforms human nature! Nag Mahashaya has lost himself in the
Divine, his body-consciousness has vanished altogether. (To Swami
Premananda) Get some Prasada for Nag Mahashaya.
Nag Mahashaya: Prasada! (To Swamiji with folded hands) Seeing you,
all my earthly hunger has vanished today.
The Brahmacharins and Sannyasins of the Math were studying the
Upanishads. Swamiji said to them, "Today a great devotee of Shri
Ramakrishna has come amongst us. Let it be a holiday in honour of
Nag Mahashaya's visit to the Math." So all closed their books and
sat in a circle round Nag Mahashaya; Swamiji also sat in front of
him.
Swamiji (addressing all): Do you see? Look at Nag Mahashaya; he is
a householder, yet he has no knowledge of the mundane existence;
he always lives lost in Divine consciousness. (To Nag Mahashaya)
Please tell us and these Brahmacharins something about Shri
Ramakrishna.
Nag Mahashaya (in reverence): What do you say, sir? What shall I
say? I have come to see you - the hero, the helper in the divine
play of Shri Ramakrishna. Now will people appreciate his message
and teachings. Glory to Ramakrishna!
Swamiji: It is you who have really appreciated and understood Shri
Ramakrishna. We are only spent in useless wanderings.
Nag Mahashaya: What do you say, sir? You are the image of Shri
Ramakrishna - the obverse and reverse of the same coin. Those who
have eyes, let them see.
Swamiji: Is the starting of these Maths and Ashramas etc. a step
in the right direction?
Nag Mahashaya: I am an insignificant being, what do I understand?
Whatever you do, I know for a certainty, will conduce to the
well-being of the world - ay, of the world.
Many out of reverence proceeded to take the dust of Nag
Mahashaya's feet, which made him much agitated. Swamiji,
addressing all, said, "Don't act so as to cause pain to Nag
Mahashaya; he feels uncomfortable." Hearing this everybody
desisted.
Swamiji: Do please come and stay at the Math. You will be an
object-lesson to the boys here.
Nag Mahashaya: I once asked Shri Ramakrishna about that, to which
he replied, "Stay as a householder as you are doing." Therefore I
am continuing in that life. I see you all occasionally and feel
myself blessed.
Swamiji: I will go to your place once.
Nag Mahashaya, mad with joy, said, "Shall such a day dawn? My
place will be made holy by your visit, like Varanasi. Shall I be
so fortunate as that!"
Swamiji: Well, I have the desire. Now it depends on "Mother" to
take me there.
Nag Mahashaya: Who will understand you? Unless the inner vision
opens, nobody can understand you. Only Shri Ramakrishna understood
you; all else have simply put faith in his words, but none has
understood you really.
Swamiji: Now my one desire is to rouse the country - the sleeping
leviathan that has lost all faith in his power and makes no
response. If I can wake it up to a sense of the Eternal Religion
then I shall know that Shri Ramakrishna's advent and our birth are
fruitful. That is the one desire in my heart: Mukti and all else
appear of no consequence to me. Please give me your blessings that
I may succeed.
Nag Mahashaya: Shri Ramakrishna will bless! who can turn the
course of your will? Whatever you will, shall come to pass.
Swamiji: Well, nothing comes to pass without his will behind it.
Nag Mahashaya: Your will and his have become one. Whatever is your
will is his. Glory to Shri Ramakrishna!
Swamiji: To work one requires a strong body; since coming to this
country, I am not doing well; in the West I was in very good
health.
Nag Mahashaya: "Whenever one is born in a body," Shri Ramakrishna
used to say, "one has to pay the house tax." Disease and sorrow
are the tax. But your body is a box of gold mohurs, and very great
care should be taken of it. But who will do it? Who will
understand? Only Shri Ramakrishna understood. Glory to
Ramakrishna!
Swamiji: All at the Math take great care of me.
Nag Mahashaya: It will be to their good if they do it, whether
they know it or not. If proper attention is not paid to your body,
then the chances are that it will fall off.
Swamiji: Nag Mahashaya, I do not fully understand whether what I
am doing is right or not. At particular times I feel a great
inclination to work in a certain direction, and I work according
to that. Whether it is for good or evil, I cannot understand.
Nag Mahashaya: Well, Shri Ramakrishna said, "The treasure is now
locked." - Therefore he does not let you know fully. The moment
you know it, your play of human life will be at an end.
Swamiji was pondering something with steadfast gaze. Then Swami
Premananda brought some Prasada for Nag Mahashaya who was ecstatic
with joy. Shortly after Nag Mahashaya found Swamiji slowly digging
the ground with a spade near the pond, and held him by the hand
saying, "When we are present, why should you do that?" Swamiji
leaving the spade walked about the garden talking the while, and
began to narrate to a disciple, "After Shri Ramakrishna's passing
away we heard one day that Nag Mahashaya lay fasting in his
humbled tiled lodgings in Calcutta. Myself, Swami Turiyananda, and
another went together and appeared at Nag Mahashaya's cottage.
Seeing us he rose from his bed. We said, 'We shall have our
Bhikshâ (food) here today.' At once Nag Mahashaya brought rice,
cooking pot, fuel, etc. from the bazaar and began to cook. We
thought that we would eat and make Nag Mahashaya also eat. Cooking
over, he gave the food to us; we set apart something for him and
then sat down to eat. After this, we requested him to take food;
he at once broke the pot of rice and striking his forehead began
to say: 'Shall I give food to the body in which God has not been
realised?' Seeing this we were struck with amazement. Later on
after much persuasion we induced him to take some food and then
returned."
Swamiji: Will Nag Mahashaya stay in the Math tonight?
Disciple: No, he has some work; he must return today.
Swamiji: Then look for a boat. It is getting dark.
When the boat came, the disciple and Nag Mahashaya saluted Swamiji
and started for Calcutta.
XV
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: Belur Math. Year: 1899.]
Swamiji is now in very good health. The disciple has come to the
Math on a Sunday morning. After visiting Swamiji he has come
downstairs and is discussing the Vedantic scriptures with Swami
Nirmalananda. At this moment Swamiji himself came downstairs and
addressing the disciple, said, "What were you discussing with
Nirmalananda?"
Disciple: Sir, he was saying, "The Brahman of the Vedanta is only
known to you and your Swamiji. We on the contrary know that
"कृष्णस्तु भगवान् स्वयं - Shri Krishna is the Lord Himself."
Swamiji: What did you say?
Disciple: I said that the Atman is the one Truth, and that Krishna
was merely a person who had realised this Atman. Swami
Nirmalananda is at heart a believer in the Advaita Vedanta, but
outwardly he takes up the dualistic side. His first idea seems to
be to moot the personal aspect of the Ishvara and then by a
gradual process of reasoning to strengthen the foundations of
Vedanta. But as soon as he calls me a "Vaishnava" I forget his
real intention and begin a heated discussion with him.
Swamiji: He loves you and so enjoys the fun of teasing you. But
why should you be upset by his words? You will also answer, "You,
sir, are an atheist, a believer in Nihility."
Disciple: Sir, is there any such statement in the Upanishads that
Ishvara is an all-powerful Person? But people generally believe in
such an Ishvara.
Swamiji: The highest principle, the Lord of all, cannot be a
Person. The Jiva is an individual and the sum total of all Jivas
is the Ishvara. In the Jiva, Avidyâ, or nescience, is predominant,
but Ishvara controls Maya composed of Avidya and Vidyâ and
independently projects this world of moving and immovable things
out of Himself. But Brahman transcends both the individual and
collective aspects, the Jiva and Ishvara. In Brahman there is no
part. It is for the sake of easy comprehension that parts have
been imagined in It. That part of Brahman in which there is the
superimposition of creation, maintenance and dissolution of the
universe has been spoken of as Ishvara in the scriptures, while
the other unchangeable portion, with reference to which there is
no thought of duality, is indicated as Brahman. But do not on that
account think that Brahman is a distinct and separate substance
from the Jivas and the universe. The Qualified Monists hold that
it is Brahman that has transformed Itself into Jivas and the
universe. The Advaitins on the contrary maintain that Jivas and
the universe have been merely superimposed on Brahman. But in
reality there has been no modification in Brahman. The Advaitin
says that the universe consists only of name and form. It endures
only so long as there are name and form. When through meditation
and other practices name and form are dissolved, then only the
transcendent Brahman remains. Then the separate reality of Jivas
and the universe is felt no longer. Then it is realised that one
is the Eternal Pure Essence of Intelligence, or Brahman. The real
nature of the Jiva is Brahman. When the veil of name and form
vanishes through meditation etc., then that idea is simply
realised. This is the substance of pure Advaita. The Vedas, the
Vedanta and all other scriptures only explain this idea in
different ways.
Disciple: How then is it true that Ishvara is an almighty Person?
Swamiji: Man is man in so far as he is qualified by the limiting
adjunct of mind. Through the mind he has to understand and grasp
everything, and therefore whatever he thinks must be limited by
the mind. Hence it is the natural tendency of man to argue, from
the analogy of his own personality, the personality of Ishvara
(God). Man can only think of his ideal as a human being. When
buffeted by sorrow in this world of disease and death he is driven
to desperation and helplessness, then he seeks refuge with
someone, relying on whom he may feel safe. But where is that
refuge to be found? The omnipresent Atman which depends on nothing
else to support It is the only Refuge. At first man does not find
that. When discrimination and dispassion arise in the course of
meditation and spiritual practices, he comes to know it. But in
whatever way he may progress on the path of spirituality, everyone
is unconsciously awakening Brahman within him. But the means may
be different in different cases. Those who have faith in the
Personal God have to undergo spiritual practices holding on to
that idea. If there is sincerity, through that will come the
awakening of the lion of Brahman within. The knowledge of Brahman
is the one goal of all beings but the various ideas are the
various paths to it. Although the real nature of the Jiva is
Brahman, still as he has identification with the qualifying
adjunct of the mind, he suffers from all sorts of doubts and
difficulties, pleasure and pain. But everyone from Brahmâ down to
a blade of grass is advancing towards the realisation of his real
nature. And none can escape the round of births and deaths until
he realises his identity with Brahman. Getting the human birth,
when the desire for freedom becomes very strong, and along with it
comes the grace of a person of realisation, then man's desire for
Self-knowledge becomes intensified. Otherwise the mind of men
given to lust and greed never inclines that way. How should the
desire to know Brahman arise in one who has the hankering in his
mind for the pleasures of family life, for wealth and for fame? He
who is prepared to renounce all, who amid the strong current of
the duality of good and evil, happiness and misery, is calm,
steady, balanced, and awake to his Ideal, alone endeavours to
attain to Self-knowledge. He alone by the might of his own power
tears asunder the net of the world. "निर्गच्छति जगज्जालात्
पिञ्जरादिव केशरी - Breaking the barriers of Maya, he emerges like
a mighty lion."
Disciple: Well then, is it true that without Sannyasa, there can
be no knowledge of Brahman?
Swamiji: That is true, a thousand times. One must have both
internal and external Sannyasa - renunciation in spirit as also
formal renunciation. Shankaracharya, in commenting on the
Upanishadic text, "Neither by Tapas (spiritual practice) devoid of
the necessary insignia"(Mundaka Upanishad, III. ii. 4.), he said
that by practising Sadhana without the external badge of Sannyasa
(the Gerua-robe, the staff, Kamandalu, etc.), Brahman, which is
difficult to attain, is not realised. Without dispassion for the
world, without renunciation, without giving up the desire for
enjoyment, absolutely nothing can be accomplished in the spiritual
life. "It is not like a sweetmeat in the hands of a child which
you can snatch by a trick." (Song of Râmaprâsad.)
Disciple: But, sir, in the course of spiritual practices, that
renunciation may come.
Swamiji: Let those to whom it will come gradually have it that
way. But why should you sit and wait for that? At once begin to
dig the channel which will bring the waters of spirituality to
your life. Shri Ramakrishna used to deprecate lukewarmness in
spiritual attainments as, for instance, saying that religion would
come gradually, and that there was no hurry for it. When one is
thirsty, can one sit idle? Does he not run about for water?
Because your thirst for spirituality has not come, therefore you
are sitting idly. The desire for knowledge has not grown strong,
therefore you are satisfied with the little pleasures of family
life.
Disciple: Really I do not understand why I don't get that idea of
renouncing everything. Do make some way for that, please.
Swamiji: The end and the means are all in your hands. I can only
stimulate them. You have read so many scriptures and are serving
and associating with such Sadhus who have known Brahman; if even
this does not bring the idea of renunciation, then your life is in
vain. But it will not be altogether vain; the effects of this will
manifest in some way or other in time.
The disciple was much dejected and again said to Swamiji: "Sir, I
have come under your refuge, do open the path of Mukti for me -
that I may realise the Truth in this body."
Swamiji: What fear is there? Always discriminate - your body, your
house, these Jivas and the world are all absolutely unreal like a
dream. Always think that this body is only an inert instrument.
And the self-contained Purusha within is your real nature. The
adjunct of mind is His first and subtle covering, then, there is
this body which is His gross, outer covering. The indivisible
changeless, self-effulgent Purusha is lying hidden under these
delusive veils, therefore your real nature is unknown to you. The
direction of the mind which always runs after the senses has to be
turned within. The mind has to be killed. The body is but gross -
it dies and dissolves into the five elements. But the bundle of
mental impressions, which is the mind, does not die soon. It
remains for some time in seed-form and then sprouts and grows in
the form of a tree - it takes on another physical body and goes
the round of birth and death, until Self-knowledge arises.
Therefore I say, by meditation and concentration and by the power
of philosophical discrimination plunge this mind in the Ocean of
Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute. When the mind dies, all
limiting adjuncts vanish and you are established in Brahman.
Disciple: Sir, it is so difficult to direct this uncontrolled mind
towards Brahman.
Swamiji: Is there anything difficult for the hero? Only men of
faint hearts speak so. "वीराणामेव करतलगता मुक्तिः न पुनः
कापुरुषाणाम् - Mukti is easy of attainment only to the hero - but
not to cowards." Says the Gita (VI. 35), "अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय
वैराग्येण च गृह्यते - By renunciation and by practice is the mind
brought under control, O Arjuna." The Chitta or mind-stuff is like
a transparent lake, and the waves which rise in it by the impact
of sense-impressions constitute Manas or the mind. Therefore the
mind consists of a succession of thought-waves. From these mental
waves arises desire. Then that desire transforms itself into will
and works through its gross instrument, the body. Again, as work
is endless, so its fruits also are endless. Hence the mind is
always being tossed by countless myriads of waves - the fruits of
work. This mind has to be divested of all modifications (Vrittis)
and reconverted into the transparent lake, so that there remains
not a single wave of modification in it. Then will Brahman
manifest Itself. The scriptures give a glimpse of this state in
such passages as: "Then all the knots of the heart are cut
asunder", etc. Do you understand?
Disciple: Yes, sir, but meditation must base itself on some
object?
Swamiji: You yourself will be the object of your meditation. Think
and meditate that you are the omnipresent Atman. "I am neither the
body, nor the mind, nor the Buddhi (determinative faculty),
neither the gross nor the subtle body" - by this process of
elimination, immerse your mind in the transcendent knowledge which
is your real nature. Kill the mind by thus plunging it repeatedly
in this. Then only you will realise the Essence of Intelligence,
or be established in your real nature. Knower and known, meditator
and the object meditated upon will then become one, and the
cessation of all phenomenal superimpositions will follow. This is
styled in the Shâstras as the transcendence of the triad or
relative knowledge (Triputibheda). There is no relative or
conditioned knowledge in this state. When the Atman is the only
knower, by what means can you possibly know It? The Atman is
Knowledge, the Atman is Intelligence, the Atman is Sachchidananda.
It is through the inscrutable power of Maya, which cannot be
indicated as either existent or non-existent, that the relative
consciousness has come upon the Jiva who is none other than
Brahman. This is generally known as the conscious state. And the
state in which this duality of relative existence becomes one in
the pure Brahman is called in the scriptures the superconscious
state and described in such words as,
"स्तिमितसलिलराशिप्रख्यमाख्याविहीनम् - It is like an ocean
perfectly at rest and without a name" (Vivekachudâmani, 410).
Swamiji spoke these words as if from the profound depths of his
realisation of Brahman.
Swamiji: All philosophy and scriptures have come from the plane of
relative knowledge of subject and object. But no thought or
language of the human mind can fully express the Reality which
lies beyond the plane of relative Knowledge! Science, philosophy,
etc. are only partial truths. So they can never be the adequate
channels of expression for the transcendent Reality. Hence viewed
from the transcendent standpoint, everything appears to be unreal
- religious creeds, and works, I and thou, and the universe -
everything is unreal! Then only it is perceived: "I am the only
reality; I am the all-pervading Atman, and I am the proof of my
own existence." Where is the room for a separate proof to
establish the reality of my existence? I am, as the scriptures
say, "नित्यमस्मत्प्रसिद्धम् - Always known to myself as the
eternal subject" (Vivekachudâmani, 409). I have seen that state,
realised it. You also see and realise it and preach this truth of
Brahman to all. Then only will you attain to peace.
While speaking these words, Swamiji's face wore a serious
expression and he was lost in thought. After some time he
continued: "Realise in your own life this knowledge of Brahman
which comprehends all theories and is the rationale of all truths,
and preach it to the world. This will conduce to your own good and
the good of others as well. I have told you today the essence of
all truths; there is nothing higher than this."
Disciple: Sir, now you are speaking of Jnana; but sometimes you
proclaim the superiority of Bhakti, sometimes of Karma, and
sometimes of Yoga. This confuses our understanding.
Swamiji: Well, the truth is this. The knowledge of Brahman is the
ultimate goal - the highest destiny of man. But man cannot remain
absorbed in Brahman all the time. When he comes out of it, he must
have something to engage himself. At that time he should do such
work as will contribute to the real well-being of people.
Therefore do I urge you in the service of Jivas in a spirit of
oneness. But, my son, such are the intricacies of work, that even
great saints are caught in them and become attached. Therefore
work has to be done without any desire for results. This is the
teaching of the Gita. But know that in the knowledge of Brahman
there is no touch of any relation to work. Good works, at the
most, purify the mind. Therefore has the commentator Shankara so
sharply criticised the doctrine of the combination of Jnana and
Karma. Some attain to the knowledge of Brahman by the means of
unselfish work. This is also a means, but the end is the
realisation of Brahman. Know this thoroughly that the goal of the
path of discrimination and of all other modes of practice is the
realisation of Brahman.
Disciple: Now, sir, please tell me about the utility of Raja-Yoga
and Bhakti-Yoga.
Swamiji: Striving in these paths also some attain to the
realisation of Brahman. The path of Bhakti or devotion of God is a
slow process, but is easy of practice. In the path of Yoga there
are many obstacles; perhaps the mind runs after psychic powers and
thus draws you away from attaining your real nature. Only the path
of Jnana is of quick fruition and the rationale of all other
creeds; hence it is equally esteemed in all countries and all
ages. But even in the path of discrimination there is the chance
of the mind getting stuck in the interminable net of vain
argumentation. Therefore along with it, meditation should be
practised. By means of discrimination and meditation, the goal or
Brahman has to be reached. One is sure to reach the goal by
practising in this way. This, in my opinion, is the easy path
ensuring quick success.
Disciple: Now please tell me something about the doctrine of
Incarnation of God.
Swamiji: You want to master everything in a day, it seems!
Disciple: Sir, if the doubts and difficulties of the mind be
solved in one day, then I shall not have to trouble you time and
again.
Swamiji: Those by whose grace the knowledge of Atman, which is
extolled so much in the scriptures, is attained in a minute are
the moving Tirthas (seats of holiness) - the Incarnations. From
their very birth they are knowers of Brahman, and between Brahman
and the knower of Brahman there is not the least difference.
"ब्रह्म वेद ब्रह्मैव भवति - He who knows the Brahman becomes the
Brahman" (Mundaka, III. ii. 9). The Atman cannot be known by the
mind for It is Itself the Knower - this I have already said.
Therefore man's relative knowledge reached up to the Avataras -
those who are always established in the Atman. The highest ideal
of Ishvara which the human mind can grasp is the Avatara. Beyond
this there is no relative knowledge. Such knowers of Brahman are
rarely born in the world. And very few people can understand them.
They alone are the proof of the truths of the scriptures - the
towers of light in the ocean of the world. By the company of such
Avataras and by their grace, the darkness of the mind disappears
in a trice and realisation flashes immediately in the heart. Why
or by what process it comes cannot be ascertained. But it does
come. I have seen it happen like that. Shri Krishna spoke the
Gita, establishing Himself in the Atman. Those passages of the
Gita where He speaks with the word "I", invariably indicate the
Atman: "Take refuge in Me alone" means, "Be established in the
Atman". This knowledge of the Atman is the highest aim of the
Gita. The references to Yoga etc. are but incidental to this
realisation of the Atman. Those who have not this knowledge of the
Atman are "suicides". "They kill themselves by the clinging to the
unreal"; they lose their life in the noose of sense-pleasures. You
are also men, and can't you ignore this trash of sensual enjoyment
that won't last for two days? Should you also swell the ranks of
those who are born and die in utter ignorance? Accept the
"beneficial" and discard the "pleasant". Speak of this Atman to
all, even to the lowest. By continued speaking your own
intelligence also will clear up. And always repeat the great
Mantras - "तत्वमसि - Thou art That”, "सोऽहमस्मि - I am That",
"सर्वं खल्विदं ब्रह्म - All this is verily Brahman" - and have the
courage of a lion in the heart. What is there to fear? Fear is
death - fear is the greatest sin. The human soul, represented by
Arjuna, was touched with fear. Therefore Bhagavân Shri Krishna,
established in the Atman, spoke to him the teachings of the Gita.
Still his fear would not leave him. Later, when Arjuna saw the
Universal Form of the Lord, and became established in the Atman,
then with all bondages of Karma burnt by the fire of knowledge, he
fought the battle.
Disciple: Sir, can a man do work even after realisation?
Swamiji: After realisation, what is ordinarily called work does
not persist. It changes its character. The work which the Jnani
does only conduces to the well-being of the world. Whatever a man
of realisation says or does contributes to the welfare of all. We
have observed Shri Ramakrishna; he was, as it were, "देहस्थोऽपि न
देहस्थ: - In the body, but not of it!" About the motive of the
actions of such personages only this can be said: "लोकवत्तु
लीलाकैवल्यम् - Everything they do like men, simply by way of
sport" (Brahma-Sutras, II. i. 33).
XVI
(Translated from Bengali)
[Place: Belur Math. Year: 1901.]
The disciple has come to the Math today accompanied by Shri
Ranadaprasad Das Gupta, the founder and professor of the Jubilee
Art Academy, Calcutta. Ranada Babu is an expert artist, a learned
man and an admirer of Swamiji. After the exchange of courtesies
Swamiji began to talk with Ranada Babu on various topics relating
to art.
Swamiji: I had the opportunity of seeing the beauties of art of
nearly every civilised country in the world, but I saw nothing
like the development of art which took place in our country during
the Buddhistic period. During the régime of the Mogul Emperors
also, there was a marked development of art - and the Taj and the
Jumma Masjid etc. are standing monuments of that culture.
Art has its origin in the expression of some idea in whatever man
produces. Where there is no expression of idea, however much there
may be a display of colours and so on, it cannot be styled as true
art. Even the articles of everyday use, such as water vessels, or
cups and saucers, should be used to express an idea. In the Paris
Exhibition I saw a wonderful figure carved in marble. In
explanation of the figure, the following words were inscribed
underneath: Art unveiling Nature. That is how art sees the inner
beauty of nature by drawing away with its own hands the covering
veils. The work has been so designed as to indicate that the
beauty of nature has not yet become fully unveiled; but the artist
is fascinated, as it were, with the beauty of the little that has
become manifest. One cannot refrain from praising the sculptor who
has tried to express this exquisite idea. You should also try to
produce something original like this.
Ranada Babu: Yes, I also have the desire to do some original
modelling at leisure. But I meet with no encouragement in this
country; it is a poor country and there is want of appreciation.
Swamiji: If you can with your whole heart produce one real thing,
if you can rightly express a single idea in art, it must win
appreciation in course of time. A real thing never suffers from
want of appreciation in this world. It is also heard that some
artists have gained appreciation for their works a thousand years
after their death!
Ranada Babu: That is true. But we have become so worthless that we
haven't got the courage to spend a lot of energy to no purpose.
Through these five years' struggle I have succeeded to some
extent. Bless me that my efforts be not in vain.
Swamiji: If you set to work in right earnest, then you are sure to
be successful. Whoever works at a thing heart and soul not only
achieves success in it, but through his absorption in that he also
realises the supreme Truth - Brahman. Whoever works at a thing
with his whole heart receives help from God.
Ranada Babu: What difference did you find between the art of the
West and that of India?
Swamiji: It is nearly the same everywhere. Originality is rarely
found. In those countries pictures are painted with the help of
models obtained by photographing various objects. But no sooner
does one take the help of machinery than all originality vanishes
- one cannot give expression to one's ideas. The ancient artists
used to evolve original ideas from their brains and try to express
them in their paintings. Now the picture being a likeness of
photographs, the power of originality and the attempt to develop
are getting scarce. But each nation has a characteristic of its
own. In its manners and customs, in its mode of living, in
painting and sculpture is found the expression of that
characteristic idea. For instance, music and dancing in the West
are all pointed in their expression. In dance, they look as if
jerking the limbs; in instrumental music, the sounds prick the ear
like a sword thrust, as it were; so also in vocal music. In this
country, on the other hand, the dance has a rolling wave-like
movement, and there is the same rounded movement in the varieties
of pitch in vocal song. So also in instrumental music. Hence with
regard to art also, a different expression is found among
different people. People who are very materialistic take nature as
their ideal, and try to express in art ideas allied thereto, while
the people whose ideal is the transcendent Reality beyond nature
try to express that in art through the powers of nature. With
regard to the former class of people, nature is the primary basis
of art, while with the second class, ideality is the principal
motive of artistic development. Thus, though starting with two
different ideals in art, they have advanced in it each in its own
way. Seeing some paintings in the West you will mistake them for
real natural objects. With respect to this country also, when in
ancient times sculpture attained a high degree of perfection, if
you look at a statue of the period it will make you forget the
material world and transport you to a new ideal world. As in
Western countries paintings like those of former times are not
produced now, so in our country also, attempts to give expression
to original ideas in art are no longer seen. For example, the
paintings from your art school have got no expression, as it were.
It would be well if you try to paint the objects of everyday
meditation of the Hindus by giving in them the expression of
ancient ideals.
Ranada Babu: I feel much encouraged by your words. I shall try to
act up to your suggestions.
Swamiji: Take, for instance, the figure of Mother Kali. In it
there is the union of the blissful and the terrible aspects. But
in none of the pictures can be seen the true expression of these
two aspects. Far from this, there is no attempt to express
adequately even one of these two aspects! I have tried to put down
some ideas of the terrible aspects of Mother Kali in my English
poem, Kali the Mother. Can you express those ideas in a picture?
Ranada Babu: Please let me know them.
Swamiji had the poem brought from the library, and began to read
it out most impressively to Ranada Babu. Ranada Babu silently
listened to the poem, and after a while, as if visualising the
figure with his mind's eye, he turned to Swamiji with a frightened
look.
Swamiji: Well, will you be able to express this idea in the
picture?
Ranada Babu: Yes, I shall try (Ranada Babu began to paint this
picture the very next day, but it was never finished, nor shown to
Swamiji.); but it turns one's head even to imagine the idea.
Swamiji: After drawing the picture, please show it to me. Then I
will tell you about the points necessary to perfect it.
Then Swamiji had the design which he had sketched for the seal
(Printed on the title page of this volume.) of the Ramakrishna
Mission brought, showed it to Ranada Babu and asked his opinion on
it. It depicted a lake in which a lotus blossomed, and there was a
swan, and the whole was encircled by a serpent. Ranada Babu at
first could not catch the significance of it and asked Swamiji to
explain. Swamiji said, "The wavy waters in the picture are
symbolic of Karma; the lotus, of Bhakti; and the rising-sun, of
Jnana. The encircling serpent is indicative of Yoga and the
awakened Kundalini Shakti, while the sun in the picture stands for
the Paramâtman (Supreme Self). Therefore the idea of the picture
is that by the union of Karma, Jnana, Bhakti, and Yoga, the vision
of the Paramatman is obtained."
Ranada Babu kept silent, gratified to hear the motif of the
picture. After a while he said, "I wish I could learn about art
from you!"
Then Swamiji showed to Ranada Babu a drawing, depicting his plan
of the future Ramakrishna Temple and Math. Then he began to say,
"In the building of this prospective Temple and Math I have the
desire to bring together all that is best in Eastern and Western
art. I shall try to apply in its construction all the ideas about
architecture which I have gathered in my travels all over the
world. A big prayer-hall will be built with roof supported on
numerous clustered pillars. In its walls, hundreds of lotuses will
be in full bloom. It must be big enough to accommodate a thousand
persons sitting in meditation. The Ramakrishna temple and
prayer-hall should be built together in such a way that from a
distance it would taken for a representation of the symbol, "Om".
Within the temple there would be a figure of Shri Ramakrishna
seated on a swan. On the two sides of the door will be represented
the figure of a lion and a lamb licking each other's body in love
- expressing the idea that great power and gentleness have become
united in love. I have these ideas in my mind; and if I live long
enough I shall carry them out. Otherwise future generations will
try if they can do it by degrees. It is my opinion that Shri
Ramakrishna was born to vivify all branches of art and culture in
this country. Therefore this Math has to be built up in such a way
that religion, work, learning, Jnana, and Bhakti may spread over
the world from this centre. Be you my helpers in this work."
Ranada Babu and the assembled Sannyasins and Brahmacharins
listened to Swamiji in mute wonder. After a while Swamiji resumed,
"I am discussing the subject at length with you as you are
yourself an adept in the line. Now please tell me what you have
learnt about the highest ideals of art as the result of your long
study of it."
Ranada Babu: What new thing can I tell you? On the contrary, it is
you who have opened my eyes on this subject. I have never heard
such instructive words on the subject of art in my life. Bless me,
sir, that I can work out the ideas that I have got from you.
Then Swamiji got up from his seat and paced the lawn, remarking to
the disciple, "He is a very spirited young man."
Disciple: Sir, he is astonished to hear your words.
Swamiji, without answering the disciple, began to hum the lines of
a song which Shri Ramakrishna used to sing, "The controlled mind
is a great treasure, the philosopher's stone, which yields
whatever you want."
After walking a while, Swamiji, washing his face, entered his room
with the disciple in company and read the article on Art in the
Enclyclopaedia Britannica for some time. After finishing it, he
began to make fun with the disciple, caricaturing the words and
accents of East Bengal.