Welcome to the Janamashtami edition of e-Sri Sanai for the year 2010.

By

Sri Sandip Dasgupta


In the previous issue, I had written about how I feel that Sri Sri Babathakur was
indeed Lord Krishna, especially as I listen intently to the discourses on Bhagavat
Gita given by Br. Prabodh Chaitanya of Chinmaya Mission, San Jose. Hence,
Janamashtami being the birthday of Sri Krishna is a very very special occasion for
all of us – and even more special is the fact that He gave us the chance of coming
in contact with Him and receive the Light of Knowledge from Him. What a pity
that we couldn’t absorb that light – but we can at least reflect on what His words.

So, on this auspicious occasion of Sri Krishna Janamshtami, let me
attempt to translate another one of Sri Sri Babathakur’s revealed bhajans. The
bhajan is called “Krishna Bhaja Mana…” and is in rendered in Bengali.

Get intoxicated in the Love of Lord Krishna and chant His name,
Love everybody dearly and serve them as if you are serving Lord Krishna
Himself.

With joy in your mind, repeatedly chant (Japa) Lord Krishna’s name,
Give up your ego (the individual I-Reality) and chant His name

Think of Lord Krishna as your very own and reflect on Him,
Surrender your individual I-Reality to Him.

Consider everybody around you to be Lord Krishna
You will then be able to see Lord Krishna everywhere – inside and outside

How beautiful! And this can again be summarized by His famous words:

“All Divine For All Time As It Is” – the essence of the Science of
Oneness – the Supreme Wisdom revealed to and unfolded by Sri Sri Babathakur

By His divine grace, I was able to attend an evening of bhajans revealed
to our Master, that was held at Toronto on Jun 25, 2010. As soon as I entered
the hall, I was greeted by a bigger than lifesize portrait of the Master. Sri Kedar
Bodas and Ms. Shaoni Mitra rendered these bhajans in a deeply devotional
manner. These bhajans portrayed the theme of I-Reality. Ms. Arupa Lahiry also
performed a couple of superb Bharat Natyam numbers, accompanied by the
bhajans. They were very well supported by Debasish Ghosh on the harmonium
and Pritimoy Goswami on the tabla. Sri Sri Babathakur had personally selected
the bhajans that were presented at this program. He had also personally taught
Ms. Lahiri the mudras to be presented at the dances! Mr. Prosenjit Lahiry
presented the “Song of I-Reality” in a very captivating manner.

The program was a huge success – thanks to the untiring efforts of Mr.
Partha Guha. The quality of the program and the grand success of the program
was possible only through the Divine grace of our Master. His presence could be
felt at every aspect – Mr. Guha’s energy and persistence, the quality of prosad
(particularly the hot samosas), excellent rendering of the bhajans by the artists etc.

Our Master was also instrumental in ensuring deep support from the members of
the trustee board of Saccidananda Society, Kolkata.

Attendees received a beautiful folder containing a picture of Sri Sri
Babathakur and a CD titled “Voice Divine”. This CD contains selected quotes
of Sri Sri Babathakur (which have been published in the booklet “Voice
Divine”), eloquently presented by Mr. Roshan Seth. Copies of this CD maybe
obtained from Mr. Partha Guha (1-416-432-1194). The whole event has been
professionally videotaped and a DVD is expected to be available for distribution
by Dec 2010.

The programs in Canada were preceded by three Satsang sessions held in
California. Although we had budgeted for about 1.5 hours for each of the sessions
– each session ran for at least 3 hours as the audience listened attentively to Mr.
Prosenjit Lahiri speaking spontaneously about our Master Sri Sri Babathakur.
He also read aloud from Sri Sri Babathakur’s book “Science of Oneness” –
there were instant requests for some copies of these books. Unfortunately these
books are now out of print, but we were able to procure five copies to meet the
immediate demands of the audience. So, successful were these sessions that
there were repeated requests to hold these sessions on a regular basis. A second
year student of University of California, Berkeley (who was hearing about Sri
Sri Babathakur for the first time, because his mother had dragged him along),
offered to hold a session with the youth the next time Mr. Lahiri would come
to California. Again the success of these sessions could only be possible by His
grace and we could constantly feel His presence the entire time of these events.

LIFE OF A GREAT REALIZER

By
Sri Subbu Venkatakrishnan

In the modern history of India, Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi is recognized as one of the greatest spiritual masters who inspired and continues to inspire millions of seekers all over the world. His teachings are very simple, yet profound. When a student goes to a master, the teacher gives Upadesa. Depending on the preparedness of the student, a different Upadesa is given. The teachings of Bhagavan are summarized in a text called Upadesa Saram. Upadesa Saram literally means the essence of all Upadesa or spiritual advice.

It is common practice that whenever we study any scriptural text, we not only study the
text but also try to understand the author. For example, when we study the Bhagavad
Gita, we also learn about Bhagavan Shri Krishna. In this way we come to know that His
life embodied His teachings in its entirety. Just as we come to understand the author
through his teachings, knowing about the life of the author helps us comprehend his
teachings.

Bhagavan was born on Dec 30, 1879 in a town called Tiruchuzhi in the Ramnad district
of Tamil Nadu. It was the auspicious day of Ardra Darsanam, a festival day for Lord
Shiva. He was born to Alagamma and Sri Sundaram Ayyar, a lawyer by profession.
He was given the name Venkataraman. He was an ordinary child who enjoyed good
health. One aspect that is noteworthy is that He used to sleep like a log totally oblivious
to everything around Him. I am sure many of us can relate to this. But His sleep was so
deep that his friends would play some mischief like moving Him physically to another
location without waking Him up. Some people believe that He was in samadhi during
these times.

Having lost his father at a young age, Venkataraman and His older brother moved to
Madurai to stay with their uncle. Madurai, as we all know, is the city of the famous
Meenakshi temple. His life was spent in studies till age sixteen. Other than the fact
that He displayed an excellent memory, there was nothing extraordinary about His
scholastic abilities. He had the opportunity to read Sekkizhar’s Periyapuranam-----a
devotional treatise describing the lives of several Shaivite Saints. The extraordinary
devotion of these saints touched Him very deeply. Some of these saints had composed
hymns to Sri Arunachala, considered to be an embodiment of Lord Shiva. The name
Arunachala evoked great reverence in young Venkataraman. In 1895, a relative visited
them and when asked where he was coming from, he replied, ‘Arunachala’. The name
brought a thrill to Venkataraman. Until then, he had not known that there was actually
a place called Arunachala. So, he asked, ‘Where is it?’ The relative was surprised at his
ignorance and replied, ‘What! Don’t you know Tiruvannamalai? That is Arunachala’.
Unwittingly, this had left a deep impression in the child with a desire to visit Arunachala.

Arunachala is considered to be the Kailasa of the South. The whole mountain is looked
upon as the form of Lord Shiva. In the evening of the full moon day of the month
of Kartika, a great lamp is lit on the highest peak of the mountain, and thousands of
devotees visit it that day to perform Giripradakshina. Venkataraman looked upon
Arunachala as the divine Father.

Once Venkataraman was sitting in a room on the first floor of His uncle’s house.
Although there was nothing wrong with His health, a sudden violent fear of death
overtook Him. There was no reason for such a fear to occur nor did Venkataraman try
to find any reason for it. He just felt, ‘I am going to die.’ The shock of the fear of death
drove His mind inward and He, as though said to Himself mentally, without actually
framing the words, ‘Now death has come. What does it mean? What is it that is dying?
The body dies.’ He dramatized the experience of death. He imitated a corpse. He lay
there with his limbs stretched out stiff, held his breath and shut his lips tight so that no
sound could emerge. He then said to Himself, ‘Now this body is dead. It will be carried
still to the cemetery, burnt there and reduced to ashes. But am I dead with the death of
the body? Is the body “I”? The body is motionless and inert but I feel the full force of
my existence. I feel the voice of “I” within me, apart from the body. So I am the Spirit
distinct from the body. The body dies but the Spirit that transcends it cannot be touched
by death. That means that I am the deathless Spirit.”

Bhagavan Himself described this experience later on and added, ‘All this was not dull
thought; it flashed through me vividly as living truth which I received directly without
any thought-process.’ From that moment onwards, the “I” became the focus of attention
in Venkataraman’s life. The fear of death vanished once and for all. For him the past or
the future did not carry much meaning. Everything was in the ‘NOW’.

For a few weeks after this experience, he remained with His family, leading outwardly
the life of a schoolboy although all other values had lost meaning for Him. He no longer
cared what he ate, accepting with like indifference whatever was offered. Now He started
regularly visiting the Meenakshi temple and praying before the Lord, with tears in His
eyes, to grant Him unswerving devotion. As far as possible, Venkataraman conformed
to the norms of the life-style of a school-going boy, but His elders saw in Him a lack of
interest in studies and other household activities. The reprimands from the elders did not
change him. Venkataraman’s indifference and the elders’ resentment reached a climax on
August 29, 1896. Venkataraman was writing an imposition from English grammar and
the work was disgusting to Him. He bundled up the book and tossed it across the room,
closed His eyes and started meditating. The elder brother who was in the same room
watched Him in silence for a while and then broke out with a rebuke, ‘What business
does a fellow have here when He behaves like this?’ The rebuke struck home. ‘True’,
thought Venkataraman. ‘I have no business here. I will leave home, relations and
everything for good.’

What He remembered then was Arunachala. He made up his mind to go away to
Tiruvannamalai. He took three rupees out of the money given to Him to pay his brother’s
school fees and took a train northward, leaving behind a note which ran as follows: ‘I
am going to seek my Father by His command. As the purpose is meritorious, no sorrow
need be felt for the absence of this and no money need be wasted in searching for this.’
The note was unsigned. Venkataraman found His funds insufficient to cover the entire
journey. He alighted the train at a station in between, walked a distance of ten miles,
pledged the only ornament He wore, a pair of golden earrings, and again took a train
to Tiruvannamalai. As soon as He reached that place, He proceeded straight to the
temple of Arunachala, entered the sanctum and offered himself to the Lord with these

words, ‘Father, by Your command have I come here before You.’

He came out of the temple, got His head shaved, threw His clothes, remaining money and
His sacred thread in the holy pond outside the temple. He went to the thousand pillared
mandapam in the temple and started doing japa. Venkataraman reached Tiruvannamalai
on Sept 1, 1896, and from then, till the day of His maha samadhi, April 14, 1950, he
remained there for fifty-four years. He observed total silence for the first eleven years as
He moved from the temple to caves in Arunachala mountain, a mango grove, a saint’s
tomb etc. This young ascetic attracted the attention of devotees and sadhus alike. People
used to bring food for Him. During the years of silence, He came to be called by different
names, Bala sannyasi, Bala Yogi, Brahmana Swami etc.

There is an interesting incident that describes how this young swami broke His silence.
In 1907, the acclaimed poet-scholar, Ganapati Muni came to Sri Ramana for darshan.
He came running and prostrated at the feet of Sri Ramana, who was sitting alone outside
a cave. Ganapati Muni said in a choking voice, ‘I have read whatever there is to read.
I have done a lot of japa. But till today, I have not understood the real meaning of the
word tapas or spiritual practice. O Lord, I submit myself to your guidance.’ Sri Ramana
looked at the Muni for fifteen minutes and then broke the silence of eleven years with
these words: ‘Enquire into the very source from where the aham, the I-notion, arises. The
mind will abide there. That indeed is the real tapas.’ ‘While chanting the mantra if you
focus your attention on where the sound emerges from, the mind will get absorbed. That
is tapas.’

These proved to be the words of great blessing for the Muni. His doubts got resolved.
The Muni discovered that the original name of the Brahmana swami was Venkataraman.
He gathered everyone and said to them, ‘Brahmana swami is a seer. We shall call him
Ramana Maharishi from now on.’ Since then, Sri Ramana was known as Ramana
Maharishi.

After having lived in various caves etc., Maharishi finally moved to the foot of the hill.
His mother came to reside with Him. An ashram grew up around Maharishi. A number
of scholars used to come to Maharishi. Ganapati Muni was the most prominent of them.
Another was Sri Jagadishwara Sastri; a great scholar of Vedanta. He lived with Maharishi
for 25 years and gave discourses to people on the Upanishads etc. Maharishi would sit
and listen. He confirmed what was said in the scriptures. He also wrote a few original
Tamil poems in praise of Arunachala and other works. There are several works written
about Maharishi, like Day by day with Bhagavan, Talks with Ramana Maharishi etc.

Sri Ramana was a simple, free, person; He loved animals around, especially the cows of
the Ashram. He was engaged in all sorts of activities around the Ashram like cooking,
cutting vegetables, cleaning etc. It was easy for everybody to relate to Him; there was no
need for scholarship. He had a great sense of humor; it was always a joy to be with Him.

Generally He would sit in a hall in silence and talk very little. People would come and sit;
there wouldn’t be much talk. He used to instruct people through silence. ‘Summa iru’
(remain silent), He would say; or ‘Vanda Vazhiye Po’ (go back from where you came).

Other instructions were given depending on the preparedness of the student. Maharishi’s
teachings were very simple and based on His own experiences and understanding. He
mainly advocated two paths, one of self-enquiry and the other of surrender. May we seek
the blessings of the great Master.

Sri Sri Babathakur and Eternity

By

Sri Arun Kumar Ghosh

1

[August 2007]

‘You are in the eternity and THE ETERNITY IS IN YOU’. I heard the clear voice,
the misucal vibration of a human voice, very rhythmic and poetic. I am alone in this house,
located in Mahisila – a locality of Asansol – in Burdwan district of West Bengal. I have
occupied this house since September 2006, a sprawling house with three rooms, a meditation
space where I have kept the images of Tara Maa of Tarapathi, Devi Durga and Pawan
Nandan Hanumanji who is the great devotee of Lord Rama as per the epic Ramayana. In
addition, there is a picture of Radha and Krishna – a very lively image. I practise meditation
here. I maintain a small library in this house, with mostly books on the English literature.

Today I have returned from Kolkata; as I returned home from work and entered the house, I perceived an effulgent halo and developed an urge for meditation. No sooner had I sat down for mediation, that I heard a voice and my mind indescribably filled with joy as I perceived a divine presence! I saw the presence of a HUMAN FORM in white apparel – placid contours of a Rishi – as He smiled and said, “Today is My turn to give you company to this course. Yesterday, while in Kolkata, you read Dante’s ‘Paradiso’. But that’s an incomplete picture. I shall help you in experiencing the DIVINE JOURNEY to encounter directly the heart of HIRANYA GARBHA, out of
which came the CREATIVE REVELATION of SPACE and TIME.”

I did my obeisance, and the spirit of the house (with which I have gotten acquainted over the last several months - and that assumes the form of a bird) helped me in the process of meditation. He urged me to call him PAKHI (a very illuminating SUN-like effulgent being] and told me that the Mahatma is Sri Sri Baba Thakur.

Hearing His name I was overwhelmed, because I was merely acquainted with Him through my sister-in-law CHINUDI of New Delhi, who happened to visit Kolkata years back
just to see Baba Thakur. I had no specific opinion of Him and I never ever considered meeting Him. But it was quite puzzling for me, for His presence overwhelmed me with DIVINE AURA. My entire existence was steeped in ecstatic exuberance and Sri Sri Baba Thakur merely grinned at me in a divine manner.

“Presently our journey shall start. Before that let me tell you of our physical reality.
Just as Quantum Mechanics puts all elementary particles as either FERMIONS or BOSONS,
and this is very important in understanding physical systems such as lasers, metals and superconductors (electrons are fermions; photons are bosons), similarly, the direct
manifestation of divinity is Hirangarbha – which then assumes various forms – as you shall
see.”

He told me many more things which my understanding failed to grasp. Then He came
closer and merely touched me. I found myself in a great whirlpool, under tremendous speed which is beyond comprehension in the physical plane (and beyond word-power to describe). Sri Sri Babathakurstayed very close to me during the entire process. I saw millions of galaxies with varied planetary bodies in various resplendent colours and high illumination, heavenly bodies with incomprehensible dimensions. All along I heard various musical emanations which Sri Sri Babathakur urged me to specifically note. In that course, I came across various angelic forms mostly in dancing poses; however that encounter was so evanescent, I do not remember much of the experience. Then, we came to the boundary line of a certain limitless effulgent halo, and Sri Sri Babathakur compassionately smiled at me and said, NEXT IS THE ARENA of BRAHMALOK where you are not permitted. Now, we have to go back. The joy of this journey is unfathomable, diving to the core of ecstatic revelation or the sea of DIVINITY.

But while returning, Sri Sri Babathakur made me see the Zone of Dark Halo – the creative
fluxes or the ‘Anti-matter’ as He said. I then came across a vast reality of flowery domain
and hilly tracts, the speciality of which was the splashing of colours along with the divine
musical stains.

By the time I came to my senses out of meditation, the night was over and the silver
lines of the ecstatic dawn were visible, accompanied by the musical choir of the chirping birds.

2

[November 2007]

Chinudi’s son was getting married, and we had to go to Delhi. Accordingly, I applied for leave and one fine November morning, I along with my family reached Delhi. The marriage was to be solemnised the next day.

After lunch, Chinudi suddenly told me, "Arun, today Sri Sri Babathakur shall deliver a
lecture – would you like to come?" I was startled. ‘It must be the call from the Mahatma’ – I thought. However, I did not disclose my aforementoned experience to her.

In the evening, I accompanied, by my son Arijit went with Chinudi and her son Abhijit,
who happened to be a lecturer in England, to the venue where Sri Sri Babathakur was to deliver
this lecture. Sri Sri Babathakur came on time, and I was thrilled upon seeing the very same personality whom I had encountered in the meditation. Seeing me from the dais, He raised his hands and blessed me. For almost four hours He talked about the purpose of our life and the manifestation of DIVINE GRACE. Before leaving I went close to the dais and He showered me with the same graceful glances, very divine indeed, that I had the pleasure of experiencing in the course of meditation. And last of all, He gave a divine grin.

3

[October 2008]

While returning from Ladakh, we took rest in Delhi for a few days. Chinudi invited us
to the house of one of Sri Sri Babathakur's devotees where some bhajans were to take place.
We went around 11 am; the bhajan had already started. I sat near the door outside, where in
a narrow space lay a cot, below which I found an almost octogenary being in the garb of a
devout dog in trance. In no time, I had a vision of Sri Sri Babathakur, who told me that presently He was very close to me. I understood what He meant. I did my ‘pranam’ to the dog, and to my good luck, the dog responded gracefully. Later on I learnt from the lady of the house that the dog as per their estimation was a good soul.

It was remarkable - after the bhajans were over and the programme declared concluded, the dog left. Before leaving, he stared at me geacefully. I was overwhelmed by seeing DIVINE GRACE in his eyes. Automatically, from my lips came out the words, "JOY BABATHAKUR!"

4

[April 2010]

The Divine halo of Sri Sri Babathakur is a guiding force in life. The mundane cataclysm
disturbs our mind. When I am very much perturbed, I meditate and in no time the grace and
compassion of Sri Sri Babathakur fills my heart, my whole being. Now I understand the meaning
of what Sri Sri Babathakur told me during our first encounter – "you are the eternity …"

THOUGHTS ON QUOTATIONS

By

Smt Susmita Devi


One of the important joys of reading books is the inspiration one derives in the process. Reading books gives one lots of ideas about for example about survival problems, human mind work, nature, history and great people. Since my very childhood, I have been reading a wide variety of books - from child fantasies to biographies, travelogs etc. One of the last ones I read was called Family Wisdom by Robin Sharma. While reading it I found many sayings, which would be relevant for all of us. Some of the quotes could also relate to the teaching of Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur, propounded as the 'Science of Oneness'.

The first one I got hooked on was: 'We were put on earth for one purpose and that is to make it a better place. We should therefore be contributing members of society. And if the earth as a result of our having been on it, is a better place than it was before we came, then we have achieved our destiny'. That, I think is valid for all seekers of the Self (God) in a variety of ways. Much talk about destiny has and is always going on - but what is the purpose if it? For a spiritual seeker, the prime object is to realize the 'I' inherent in all, the Divine Self, which enables us to experience a 'destiny'. Learning from the happenings in life - both good and bad ones - is one way. Another is to cultivate Satsang.

A key words in the quote is 'contribution' - but as we strive for economic or emotional security in our daily lives, we often forget to contribute. By the word 'contribution', I'm not refering to the support of charitable organizations only. Not at all. To 'give' of one's individual self is even more important than to give money or goods to the poor. And based on my observations, many sorely lack the willingness to give of themselves - love, compassion, a helping hand, and maybe just time to listen to others' outpourings. Another reason for various ailments is that we no longer live according to the laws of Nature, which are so well organized that one must be in awe of them. Sri Sri Babathakur often reminded His followers that the 'Right use' formula (see Nectar of Wisdom and other publications in Bengali) ought to be inmbibed and considered as one of the ways to realize the Self. Common man seems to have forgotten the very reason they have got a human body, which is to develop Self-conscious Awareness.

An ancient philosopher, Democritus, wrote about happiness: 'The happiness or unhappiness of a man does not depend upon the gold he wins. Happiness or misery is in one's own soul...' On the same topic Robin Sharma wrote: 'Happiness does not arrive when you achieve certain things. It comes when you think certain thoughts. Happiness is nothing more than a state of mind that you create by the way you process and interpret the events of your life'. The pursuite of happiness is often uppermost in minds of common people, but can happiness be clearly defined? The concept of happiness varies widely from society to society - so what really constitutes happiness other than a fleeting feeling of gratifiction? Sri Sri Babathakur made his followers aware that happiness is of a quite volatile character. Self-knowledge however can be consiously developed and has a lasting effect on how we live our day-to-day life. Happiness actually lies not in the getting what we desire, but in the anticipation of getting it. As soon as one situation/thing/emotion has occurred, the next pops up in mind - duly prompted be one's ego. None can ensure that 'happiness' will be the trend of one's life: 'We need to define our priorities - the values, endeavours and dreams that guide us ... We must take responsibility for ourselves and the world we live in...'.

The next quote reflects my personal attitude: 'Rather than living day-to-day with no sense of direction, living by chance, hoping that everything will work out fine is about as smart as playing Russian roulette with your life'. Said in another way by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: 'Lives of great men all reminds us we can make our lives sublime ...'.

The spiritual personalities remembered for their sayings or doings through books, followers projecting their master's words or electronic media are capable of helping in unveiling the inheret Divine Self. That Self is free from all biazes and prejudices, all judgement and all aspects of the lower self, the mundane ego. Culled from the book: 'Every year of my life, I grow more convinced that it is wisest and best to fix the attention on the beautiful and the good and dwell as littl as possible on the evil and false. What makes us human, at the end of the day, is the power each and every one of us has to choose our response to a specific situation'. Gandhi, following the same trend, once uttered: 'I will not let anyone walk through my mind with dirty feet'. (what you let into your mind affects your life style and thought pattern).

In conclusion one needs only to be reminded that every person has much more power than she/he thinks... if the direction of the thoughts is right and draws upon the necessary support from the source(s) available. So, just go ahead with your personal evolution towards realizing the Self.

Homage to all the great souls and Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur.

THREE TEMPERS

By

Sri Ramen Basu


Searching on the causes of diseases, I came across certain facts related to the roots of diseases in the scriptures of ancient times. The word 'disease' is in general pronounced dis-ease (and not disease/sickness/illness) by most non-allopathic medical practitioners, as they consider not only the symptoms, but also the root cause for the dis-ease.

The Tripura Rahasya states: ‘Diseases are due to a loss of harmony in the three tempers of the body: Vayu (wind), Pitta (bile) and Kaph (phlegm). Dis-eases remain latent in all bodies because of disharmony in the tempers. This disharmony can’t always be prevented, although by being aware of how one’s body functions, one could adjust one’s behavior and food intake accordingly. In modern terminology this is called ‘lifestyle modifications’. Tempers are affected by food consumed, clothes worn, negative thoughts, words uttered or heard, sights seen, objects contacted, changes of season and travel to different countries and their various climates. Sometimes unavoidable, the dis-harmony of tempers need not claim one’s constant attention. The Ancient Rishis of India developed several healing remedies like Ayurved as well as physical praactices like Yoga, acupuncture, acupressure etc. to relieve the discomfort associated with disharmony of the tempers. After the industrial revolution in the West, such remedies were rather neglected. They're however again coming into vogue to help with non-surgical cases.

Delusion and/or hallucination have origins in the neurochemistry of the brain, which may be of varied character. Any food, gross, subtle or subtler, can restore harmony and thus health when well digested. Otherwise the same food may result in discomfort. All of the above three tempers/humors are divided into five sub- divisions. The tempers/humors take care of the autogenerated functions of the body if absorbed in proper quantity and quality, in proper time and in a proper way. In case one temper gives trouble, the other two can makes up for it and make well the third. If there are malfunctions of two of the humors causing severe dis-eases, it is quite difficult to restore their harmonious function. If all three tempers are out of harmony, one's survival rate is questionable.

One ought to co-relate ‘dis-eases’ with disharmony. A body is an organism, which is functionally synchronized to behave normally and at ease. When the gross, subtle, causal or subtlemost effect eventually manifest, the constituents of the body malfunction and we call it a disease. However it is quite often in fact, a dis-ease of the humors. Harmony is the key word in life to prevent illnesses, mood disturbances and thus behavior. Sadguru Sri Sri Babathakur has graciously given his followers and devotees an easy-to-remember formula - the formula of ‘4-fold H’. The first H is hand, the second H is head, the third H is heart, and the fourth (all the other three synchronized) is Harmony.

Sri Sri Babathakur says, ‘The Knowledge of Oneness’ reveals when the right understanding is present. By ‘right understanding’ - and use is meant use with spontaneous awareness of Oneness. Right Knowledge or understanding reveals spontaneously only when the right use of six aspects of life have been achieved. The aspects are:

Right use of Life Energy

Right use of Education

Right use of Time

Right use of Money

Right use of Environment

Right use of the above five together

There is a need in both inner and outer nature to communicate (for example the static part of the nature, i.e. Purushottama, wants to commune with the becoming part of the nature). Similarly the human nature wants to commune with its inherent Divine Nature, and that can only happen when the mind and body are steady and serene. Only inward and outward steadiness and serenity will result in harmonization of man with the Universe and Nature. Dis-ease will then not be a problem as huge as it has become in today's world, where disharmony has grown to unmanagable proportions.

Life’s teachings from a true REALISER

By

Sri Partha Guha



“You already possess everything necessary to become great” – Native American Maxim

Even though this is a well known Native American maxim, my Master has always
encouraged us to live life along those lines. His teachings have evolved around knowing one's true self and the need to look inwards in our pursuit of God. In this sequel I am going to share a very recent experience with you all on how a common believer like me experienced this awareness (which I consider to be a miracle).

Generally speaking I consider myself to be by any sense of imagination, a mediocre
performer in all spheres of life. Given the level of competency I associate with myself, taking on the task of arranging the first ever programme based on His
teachings of I-Reality anywhere outside India was not only a dream, but also a very
humbling and overwhelming experience.

Going back a few years (to sometimes in 2008) - during a discussion with Our Beloved Master Sri Sri Babathakur, I had brought up my wish to be able to arrange a programme in Canada similar to the ones held in Kolkata, India. His instant reaction was, “have you thought it all through properly?" I replied with a shaky “yes”. He asked me to start working on it and to keep Him informed on the progress.

It required a lot of preparation and work to get to the point when I could go back to Him with some updates. Then after seeking His blessings, we started off with all the detailed preparations immediately. However somehow the programme scheduled for the summer of 2009 did not happen. I was of course very heartbroken and went back to Him for His guidance.

The essence of His guidance was that I need to tap into my own self, be more confident in my actions, and create the path for the Almighty to play within. After listening to Him the only conclusion I could come to was to work with an attitude of ‘total surrender’, accept whatever happens and not get influenced by any negativity. He would always say, “Life is a sportsful, dramatic, same side game of self consciousness”, and I was blessed to be able to experience this in my own way on 25th June this year.

That was a very important day, being the day of our main programme. Artists, members, friends and followers were all there from India, USA, and Luxembourg and locally here from Canada. There were approx 220 guests who were being introduced for the first time to His teachings, self revealed divine songs (bhajans) and dances, while I remember seeing myself standing there simply watching the miracle unfold. The Divine presence was surely felt as the programme went on without a single problem. Originally scheduled for three and a half hours, it actually ended after four and a half hours - but none complained.

While the majority of them stayed on till the very end (except for a few handfuls of them who had to leave earlier), the artists, members and volunteers working behind the scene never for once showed any signs of exhaustion and performed their duties to perfection.
For me this was an experience of witnessing The Divine at play, He taught me how we
can experience the many miracles in our life of knowing our own hidden abilities only
by entrusting our unconditional faith at the Lotus feet of a real Guru (Master). I have not only learnt so many things, but more importantly experienced a kind of happiness which I have no words to describe.

I would like to end today with a quote from Him, “Self Awareness is the Nectar of
Wisdom”

Joy Babathakurer Joy…………………………………………………………………….
( … to be continued)

Experience of the “MAIN KAUN” Bhajan program held in Toronto on June 25th, 2010

Siddhartha Dasgupta

For the first time outside India, Saccidananda Society had organized a few bhajan programs from June 22nd thru 27th, 2010 in Toronto, Canada. Out of all of the programs, I was only able to attend the Main Program, which was held on June 25th, 2010.

I was at the auditorium that morning to also witness the rehearsals for the program. In fact, I also stayed at the same hotel as all the artists from the evening of June 22nd through the early morning of June 26th. I arrived in Toronto on June 22nd, just after the conclusion of the 1st program (which was held at the Toronto Vedanta Society, also known as the Ramakrishna Mission). On June 23rd, I went with the artists to visit Niagara Falls. Besides the artists, my mom, Jasmine Aunty (Jasmine Rajderkar
of Luxembourg) & Sunetra Aunty (Sunetra Chakraborty of Delhi) were also staying in the hotel, & they joined the artists for the Niagara Falls tour. There was also Guddu Kaku (Mr. Gautam Guha of Delhi), & Mr. Prosenjit Chandra Lahiri with us in the hotel and for the Niagara Falls trip.

The program started with an opening speech by Partha Uncle (Mr. Partha Guha). He gave an introduction on Sri Sri Babathakur and then proceeeded to introduce the artists performing in bhajan program. After Partha Uncle's speech, Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas sang a couple bhajans – the first one being “Prem Se Bhaja Mana”, followed by “Na Hee Hoo Mai Jeeva Kabhee”. These two bhajans were followed by Mrs. Shaoni Mitra singing “Amrita Madhura Hari Naam Se Lage Ra Ho Man”. After this song, there was an instrumental piece, which was just performed by Mr. Debasish Ghosh on the harmonium & Mr. Pritimoy Goswami on the tabla. After the instrumental piece, a DVD on Sri Sri Babathakur was played for the audience, which was followed by an intermission.

The second half of the program began with two bharat natyam dances performed by Ms. Arupa Lahiry accompanied by live singing by Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas. The first song was “Hara Hara Shambhu” and the second was “Hridoyete Nache Ma Shama”. It was impressive to see Ms. Lahiry portraying the role of Lord Shiva. After the dances, Mrs. Shaoni Mitra sang a couple bhajans – the first one being “Anande Bhaja
Mana”, followed by “Atmaram Atmaram”. Mr. Kedar Narayan Bodas ended the show by singing a couple bhajans – “Apon Swarupe Poorna Apon” & “Aho Ki Ananda”.

At the end of the event, Mr. Subir Karpurkayastha thanked the audience & uttered a prayer “Om Purna Madaha Purnamidam Purnat Purnamudachyate, Purnasya Purnamadaya Purnamevavashishyate, Om Shanti Shanti Shantihi ……………………”. The audience joined Subirda in the chanting.

The canvas remain uneven

By

Prof D.Patranabis


When I write, the pen seems to move just fine
The mind that helps does not appear to shine,
There is a discord, things do not turn out well
We aspire to reach heaven but end up in hell.

Wonderful things are around, I want to be a part of it
But I cannot mingle up with the whole, I become discrete
This makes the canvas uneven, the picture loses charm
It does not promise peace, instead, causes more harm.

I feel – the note I play does not rouse my soul
I remain an individual and not a part of the whole
The whole is Complete, One, Infinity, the Absolute
My failure can not make me a witness who is mute.

I cry foul, raise alarm, try to establish right
The horizons I try to paint pink move out of sight
I can not accept all, look around with a sheepish eye
With all efforts I made I could not change mine into ‘I’.

Onuroron