Inspiring Talks of Gurudev Sivananda
27th May, 1949
OUTSIDE MAYA: INSIDE BRAHMAN
Sri Dipchand Pollar of Calcutta and Sri Rai Bahadur Sri Duttji (President and Joint Secretary of the Kali Kamliwala Kshetra) had come to the Ashram to take Siva’s advice on certain Kshetra problems.
When they had explained their difficulties, Siva said: ‘Some amount of criticism has always to be ignored. But when there is wide criticism, know that there is something wrong in the management. Then, we should try to rectify our own internal defects. The general feeling of respectable Sadhus should be recognised, honoured and attended to. But, ignore them who criticise you out of sheer malice,’—was the gist of Siva’s advice.
As they were coming out of the kutir (on the first floor above the old Anand Kutir, the dispensary rooms where the discussions were held) an elderly Sadhu was passing that way. This Sadhu was a great devotee and was fond of Japa and Satsang, though the generality of his Gurubhais believed in Vedantic Sadhana alone. Smilingly, Siva greeted him! ‘OM Namo Narayanaya, Swamiji Maharaj.’
‘Swamiji, you have made this an imposing building by adding this upper-storey.’
Alluding to the Vedantin’s derision of mundane affairs, Siva said: ‘It is all Maya, Swamiji Maharaj. And, yet, this Maya is very necessary. For, in this Kutir Sadhaks will sit for Dhyan and realise the Self. Through their Sadhana they will become Brahman, too.’
It looked like a commentary on the 11th Mantra of the Isavasya Upanishad: ‘Conquer death through Avidya, and with the help of Vidya, attain immortality.’
SCORPION IS KILLED? DON’T KILL
Chinmayanandaji’s Upanishad discourse was in progress. A scorpion was noticed near the desk. Vishnuji ran for the customary tongs. Someone flashed a torch on the poor creature. It curled up its tail and assumed the ‘alert’ position, ever-ready to give its assailant a taste of its tail.
A young man in the group ran forwards and without a warning took out the contents of its bowel with the butt end of his torch. To him, the problem was solved.
‘Don’t kill!’ rang Siva’s voice from behind him.
The young man stood glancing alternately at the scorpion and Siva, as much as to say: ‘This scorpion? You want me not to kill this?’
‘It is a scorpion, Swamiji. It will sting someone.’
‘Scorpion or cobra: don’t kill. Let it go away untouched or take it alive and throw it away unharmed. Even if a cobra enters your house, you should not kill it. You should leave the house, instead. These poisonous insects do not come often into your house, and of their own accord, they don’t trouble you. God has given them that instinct to avoid human habitation: for their own good, as well as for the good of man. When they happen to stray into a dwelling, they should be shown the exit; but no harm should be done.’
‘Killing forms a Samskara in you. It is very difficult to eradicate these Samskaras later on. See, all this Sadhana is directed only at the eradication of the Samskaras embedded in your mind. Once there is complete Vasana-Kshaya then the Light of the Atman shines of Its own accord.
Therefore, you should be particularly careful not to repeat these acts which tend to produce wrong Samskaras.’
In a thoughtful mood the young man left Siva’s Kutir, after the Satsang.
30th May, 1949
I AM A SAINT!
Last night’s hero reappeared in the morning after the morning class, again: and his countenance indicated the mental conflict, ‘To kill a scorpion is not practice of Ahimsa?’ This had taken a salutary turn, too and the problem now appeared to him as ‘Sivananda vs. himself’. Why should he be instinctively impelled to kill the scorpion, whereas even the very thought was alien to Sivananda?
Siva noticed this the moment his eyes fell on the young man.
‘Ohji, no harm is done. The Samskaras are already there. They try to express themselves and thus strengthen themselves, every time an opportunity offers itself. It might so happen that very often you will find yourself powerless to restrain such expression. But, every time these Samskaras get the upper hand, sit down after the event, calmly analyse your own conduct, regret, repent, and resolve to correct yourself. Slowly and gradually these Samskaras will get thinned out and then they will be annihilated. The evil thought of killing will afterwards never arise in the mind at all. That is the state of a saint.’
After a while, Siva added: ‘It is possible, if you diligently practise. Saints do not drop from heaven. They are made by constant practice. I, too, was killing scorpions, once. Strive and attain perfection.’
Between these two sentences, there is an unsaid sentence: ‘And, now I am a saint.’
CHANGE THE MIND
Vishnuswamiji wants to go to Uttarkashi, and explained that a change would give him more strength to do work when he returns. Incidentally, he could also learn certain advanced Hatha Yogic Kriyas at Uttarkashi from an expert there.
‘Why do you want a change? What is it that needs a change? Change the mind. Alter the mental attitude. That is the most important thing.’
Everything is everywhere is Vasishtha’s emphatic declaration. All that is needed is a change in the mental attitude of man himself. One need never run from place to place in search of anything.
4th June, 1949
CONVOCATION ADDRESS
A newly-graduated Tamil pundit came to Ananda Kutir to have Siva’s Darshan. Siva utilised the opportunity to deliver a short, but thrilling convocation address, to him and through him, to the thousands of his type that go out of the universities year after year.
‘Everyone already has the Abhiman of youth. When the hot blood of youthful vigour runs through man’s veins, he can hardly be convinced that that period of life will soon pass away and he will soon have to lean on a stick. To add to this Abhimana, now you have got a University degree. In ignorant people this generally adds one more layer that veils the truth from their vision. A wise student of Yoga like you should do away with Abhiman altogether. Work without Abhiman. You will shine as a great Vidwan and a real Vidwan or one who possesses Atma Vidya.
‘You should do Saraswati Upasana. You will then gain Her grace and through Her grace a powerful tongue, and a brilliant intellect. You will be able to inspire and elevate people. This is very important.
‘Whenever you find an opportunity, speak to persons and address gatherings. Always dwell upon a spiritual, moral or religious theme. Inspire people and turn them Godwards. That is the best manner in which you can express your gratitude to the Goddess for Her blessings.
‘Write: and write original ideas and thoughts on Upanishads, Gita and Vedanta. Never indulge in silly, trash thinking. You will attain great glory.’
COOLNESS UNDER FIRE
What sort of Victoria Cross should one award to Siva? A soldier on the field of battle, if he keeps his head cool under fire and carries on the fighting till the very last breath, is awarded the Cross.
The financial statement of the Society showed a precarious position. Bank balance had come down to the ‘nil’ figure. There were still debts to be cleared. The problem was placed before Siva.
‘Close it down. We have done enough work. Five or six of us will take Bhiksha from Rishikesh and meditate in the Kutirs. As long as there is medicine in the dispensary, we will serve the sick. As long as there are books in the League we shall distribute them freely. Give away everything to those who need. Put in an announcement in the magazine and issue a circular to say that the Society has been compelled to stop work.’ Then he sat up and a list was drawn of the Ashramites that might have to be told to make their own arrangements for Bhiksha, etc. Siva himself attended the meeting which was convened to tell all Ashramites of the position.
Very soon after this, Siva began to distribute fruits and almonds to workers and visitors, as he said ‘to compensate for the curtailment imposed on them by the financial condition of the Society’. And books began to flow more freely and in greater abundance to seekers, to do the service while there is yet time.
5th June, 1949
MYSORE MAHARANI AGAIN
A car arrived; and already out of the D.J. Hall to receive Her Highness, the Maharani of Mysore, on her way back from Sri Badrinath.
Sadhaks were busy, and in a few minutes the Mysore party were enjoying a light but refreshing repast of fruits, sweets and coffee. Books and magazines had already begun to flow round. The entire party went for Ayurvedic Pharmacy products.
We fetched chairs and benches outside the D.J. Hall, but the austere Maharani preferred to sit on the bare ground. The moment Siva had an inkling of her intention, he quickly stooped down and removed the stones and pebbles that were on the terrace and made room for Her Highness to sit. The Maharani and party, needless to say, were wonderstruck at the ever-readiness to serve that Siva had. It is a silent sermon.
6th June, 1949
‘I CAN SIT HERE A WHOLE NIGHT’—MAHARANI OF MYSORE
In the evening, the royal cars returned to the Abode of Bliss. Siva’s abode on the bank of the Ganges has a charm that none can resist. And, the Maharani’s pious and devout nature has brought her back to Siva’s Kutir.
At Her Highness’s request, Siva took her to Swarg Ashram, etc. On their return, the evening Satsang started.
Time fled: but everyone was oblivious of it. ‘Half past nine’, someone whispered. Siva’s sharp ears caught it and his keen intelligence, in the twinkling of an eye, grasped the significance.
‘You want to go?’ Siva turned to one of the young members of the party. The sage in him assumed the ancient role of the Master of masters. ‘Wait for a while. There will be more Bhajans, more Kirtan, a short Drama, a discourse….all very interesting programme. Why, if you attend a cinema, you easily reconcile yourself to the loss of sleep and feel content to go to bed at 1 o’clock. Satsang is infinitely more valuable than that.’
The wise Maharani at once interrupted Siva. ‘Swamiji, I will stay. If they want to, let them go. There are two cars; they can take one. I will stay. Why, in this Satsang I can sit till the morning listening to your Bhajans, Kirtans and poems.’
The younger members of the party chimed in chorus: ‘We will stay, Swamiji. We don’t want to go.’
Just look at the direct method of approach which Siva always adopts and conquers the hearts of all. High or low, he has the same vision: he identifies himself with the people with whom he has to deal, and at once all formalities are abandoned. Those to whom he addresses himself feel not in the least distressed at the overbearing attitude he adopts. They are at once enchanted by the depth of his interest in their true welfare: and they yield without hesitation.
I was myself the target of such a frontal attack. When I was at the Ashram as a visitor and when I, at the time of taking leave of Siva, remarked that the entire place was heaven, Siva instantly exclaimed: ‘It is all built for you only. Stay here. Who asks you to go? Resign your job from here.’ I was greatly embarrassed. And from that day, till his commands were obeyed to the full, these peremptory orders were hovering about the mind drawing me closer and closer to this astounding personality who would dare to take the greatest liberties with the most unknown strangers.
And, the Kirtan came to a close after a thrilling programme with Siva himself taking the greatest share of it with his humorous poems and songs. The party was entertained with milk and fruits. The Maharani was unwilling to leave. True to her words, she dispensed with the rest of the party and stayed nearly till midnight ….and even then only after expressing her desire to spend a couple of quiet days at the Ashram in Siva’s Satsang and in the contemplation of the divine.
8th June, 1949
MAHARANI COMES TO STAY
Sure enough, this time with only a couple of attendants, Her Highness has come back ‘to spend a couple of days at the Ashram and to have Siva’s Satsang.’ She arrived late in the evening yesterday and spent the night in the quiet retreat of the Ashram.
Yesterday was Nirjala Ekadashi, and Siva had fasted as usual, without taking even a drop of water. In spite of the obvious strain on his system, he got up at the appointed time and began to attend to the needs of the Maharani himself.
One notices this trait in Siva all at once. Heads of religious institutions, as soon as they find that they have won a little name and fame, segregate themselves from the Common Man and make themselves unapproachable to him.
They take the cue from the governmental institutions, and appoint under them a hierarchy of secretaries and assistant secretaries to filter visitors and devotees through.
The other extreme, too, has its obvious disadvantages. If one whose name has spread far and wide and whom many people are eager to see and talk to every day lives always ‘in the open’, he is likely to have a difficult time. He would be able to do no work: and rest would be unknown to him. Siva, the Wise Sage, has adopted the golden mean. At certain periods of the day he is available to none: neither to a beggar nor to a prince. At other times he is available to all, either to a beggar or to a prince.
And so Siva, in spite of the fact that the entire Ashram with its band of selfless workers is ever at his service, chose to attend on the Maharani himself in order to teach by example: fetching them water; bringing them coffee and light tiffin for breakfast; arranging to supply water to the Kutir in which they had been lodged, supervising the sweeping of the verandah of the Kutir, etc. etc.
Her Highness felt a little embarrassed in the beginning. This great sage serving them like this! But the spontaneous attitude of familiarity that Siva adopts towards one and all soon dispels this embarrassment.
Even so it happened on a previous occasion. The Maharani of Singhai was reported sick. And, Siva was in Lucknow at the time. At once he entrained for Banaras to nurse the Maharani, who was a great devotee. The sick lady was fond of her ‘hookah’: and soda was her constant need. Her own attendants would often fail to attend to her needs. Siva would surreptitiously see to it that the hookah was near to where she was at the time….either in bed or in the study or in the drawing room….and that a few bottles of soda were always placed handy.
While the Maharani lay in her bed shouting at her servants for soda, Siva would quietly walk in with a bottle, opened and ready for drinking. And, this service went on surreptitiously for some time….till the junior Maharani found out and carried the news to the senior.
Surreptitiously, I said. Serving people of affluence has an obvious material reward. Those who serve are conscious of this. And intentionally, to curry the favour of the Big Man, they would perform such services as helping him on to his coat, fetching the stick or the hat, sometimes the shoes, ostensibly that it might catch the eye of the big man. That is not selfless service.
Therefore, it is prominent by its absence in Siva, whose essential nature is to serve selflessly.
Similarly in the case of the Maharani of Mysore also, Siva quietly arranged for all that she and her party needed. Once she remarked, ‘Swamiji, let the servants do that. You should not bother yourself to do all this.’ Prompt was Siva’s reply: ‘No, no. Please don’t stand on any formalities. I am your own son.’ Similar was the reply to the Singhai Maharani also: ‘Ghar-ka-ladka’ (son of your own house) Siva would assure the person he serves and thus win his heart. This went home with the Singhai Rani to such an extent that, when at Ganga-Sagar, Siva had to carry the senior Rani on his shoulders from the shore to the boat, and when he offered his services to the junior Rani and she declined them, the senior reprimanded her, saying: ‘Why do you feel shy? He is our own Swamiji.’
And Siva is an adept at finding out, even before it is expressed, a person’s need. He noticed that the Mysore Maharani wished to be alone in the Ghat while she bathed. One or two other persons (including a senior official of the Tehri State) were near the Ghat. Siva at once went up to them and asked them to go away; and Her Highness had her bath. Then, stone-like, she sat on a stone on the bank of the Ganges in meditation. In the meantime, Siva had arranged for her breakfast, for her clothes to be dried properly, etc.
There is a peculiarity about him. As one thing is being done, his mind will leap forward to a dozen succeeding things and he will begin attending to them, too. Thus, one after another, the programme will flow on smoothly. The lady doctor who had accompanied the Maharani was taking her food in the Pangat along with Siva. As they were taking their meals, Siva called Dayanandajio and asked him to have the Kutir on the Ganges bank swept clean, a cot place in it, and over it a mattress, and a pillow for the lady doctor to take rest after the dinner. What we would generally do would be to think about this when the need started us in the face and then willy-nilly make some arrangements, always unsatisfactory.
The Maharani had a long conversation with Siva in the evening as she is leaving tomorrow morning. She said: ‘I have no mind to leave this place at all.’
PEN-FRIENDSHIP, VEDANTIC SELF-INTRODUCTION
Judge Saheb had come to see Siva. After a few minutes’ talk with him, Siva suddenly called out to Ram Rup Tiwarji (an Advocate) and introduced them to each other.
‘You should be like the German, Tiwariji. You should come forward and introduce yourself. That is the spirit of Vedantin.’ (To Judge Saheb) ‘Tiwariji was once a Vedantin. Gradually his heart has been turned towards Karma Yoga and Bhakti. Now he is a Synthetic Yogi.’ He left them to converse with each other and went his way.
This is done through post also. One Sadhaka is introduced to another. A junior is asked to take the help of a senior, and the latter to help the former. We were surprised once to get a letter from Dr. Sundari of Mangalore that she had received a letter from a European lady requesting the loan of certain of Siva’s books. Siva had already introduced them to each other.
GURU IS THE REAL FATHER
Dinner was about to finish. To Siva’s left were sitting, first, the lady doctor accompanying the Maharani of Mysore; then, Sri Ram Rup Tiwari and his son. As Siva looked to the left at the rows of diners, he suddenly noticed something in the boy’s throat.
‘Tiwariji, your son has got goitre?’
Tiwariji was taken aback. He rubbed the boy’s throat gently. The boy said it hurt him. Chidanandaji who was standing nearby confirmed the diagnosis.
‘Swamiji, I was under the impression that it was mere fat,’ said T. ‘But now it appears that you are right. What a pity, Swamiji, all these years I have not noticed it!’ (To his son) ‘How long has this been the matter with your throat?’
‘For a long time,’ replied the boy.
‘And, imagine,’ added T. ‘I had not noticed it either. It was Sri Swamiji Maharaj who first noticed it.’
‘Take this doctor’s prescription for the boy.’ (To the lady doctor) ‘Prescribe something very effective for this boy.’
‘Yes, Swamiji, I shall.’ And the doctor suggested some patent medicines. It was, further, a hint to the doctor and to us all. People generally complain that they do not get ‘opportunities for selfless service’. When they go about looking for service, they return disappointed with the feeling that everyone seems to have been provided for, and their services are not needed. But, if only one keeps his eyes and ears open, he is bound to find umpteen opportunities for rendering service. Here, for instance.
DON’T HOLD A PIN WITH YOUR TEETH
I had to do some urgent despatching work. From a bunch of papers I had to dislodge some to be thrust into an envelope. I pulled out the pin, held it between the teeth (obviously as a result of the force of habit, but apparently to avoid loss of time in picking up the pin again from the desk), while I sorted out the papers. Siva’s eyes were quick to notice this, though I was far away from his table.
‘Ohji, don’t keep a pin in the mouth. You will unconsciously swallow it and then come to grief.’
Here is a super-parent’s care of his spiritual children. Household-fathers should learn a lesson and take a genuine interest in the welfare of their sons and all children generally. This is one step in Divine Life.
‘ANANDA’ IS NOT A MERE GLORIFYING SUFFIX
‘Saswathanandaji,’ called out Siva, to give him some instructions. But, he continued in an entirely different strain.
‘Even before embracing Sanyasa formally, you have added on the ‘Ananda’ suffix. It is all right in a way, for you have been here for quite a considerable number of years now. But you should understand the significance of this term ‘Ananda’. It means that the bearer of that name has found (or at least is sincerely endeavouring to find) ‘Ananda’ or Bliss within himself, in his own Self. Well, to such a man, no external forces ever matter. Even if he is beaten with a shoe, he will only smile, for he has dissociated himself from the body, and the inner Ananda is ever there.
‘But, the other day you lost your temper at a man calling you with an insulting word. Even supposing he called you ‘donkey’, did you at once develop four legs and a tail and did you become a donkey actually? It was a mere sound.
You should have merely smiled at it and ignored it. It does not matter. Past is past. In future at least, you should be careful. Watch the mind. If you lost your temper 100 times last year, if you lose your temper fifty times this year, it is a great improvement. Perfection is not attained in a day. Always reflect on the significance of the ‘Ananda’ suffix and the principles of Sadhu-hood.’
The incident occurred almost a month ago. Siva kept studiously silent and did not open the topic at all with either party in the fray. He made both feel quite at home and gave them to understand that he has not even noticed the quarrel. A lesson he had to teach; but he would not do so while the emotions were in a surging state. He let a month pass, gave both parties sufficient time to cool down and forget all about it; then quietly comes up with his instructions. Look at this great considerateness even towards erring souls. Siva has, I should say, excelled Lord Jesus who admonished Magdalene on the spot.
27th May, 1949
OUTSIDE MAYA: INSIDE BRAHMAN
Sri Dipchand Pollar of Calcutta and Sri Rai Bahadur Sri Duttji (President and Joint Secretary of the Kali Kamliwala Kshetra) had come to the Ashram to take Siva’s advice on certain Kshetra problems.
When they had explained their difficulties, Siva said: ‘Some amount of criticism has always to be ignored. But when there is wide criticism, know that there is something wrong in the management. Then, we should try to rectify our own internal defects. The general feeling of respectable Sadhus should be recognised, honoured and attended to. But, ignore them who criticise you out of sheer malice,’—was the gist of Siva’s advice.
As they were coming out of the kutir (on the first floor above the old Anand Kutir, the dispensary rooms where the discussions were held) an elderly Sadhu was passing that way. This Sadhu was a great devotee and was fond of Japa and Satsang, though the generality of his Gurubhais believed in Vedantic Sadhana alone. Smilingly, Siva greeted him! ‘OM Namo Narayanaya, Swamiji Maharaj.’
‘Swamiji, you have made this an imposing building by adding this upper-storey.’
Alluding to the Vedantin’s derision of mundane affairs, Siva said: ‘It is all Maya, Swamiji Maharaj. And, yet, this Maya is very necessary. For, in this Kutir Sadhaks will sit for Dhyan and realise the Self. Through their Sadhana they will become Brahman, too.’
It looked like a commentary on the 11th Mantra of the Isavasya Upanishad: ‘Conquer death through Avidya, and with the help of Vidya, attain immortality.’
SCORPION IS KILLED? DON’T KILL
Chinmayanandaji’s Upanishad discourse was in progress. A scorpion was noticed near the desk. Vishnuji ran for the customary tongs. Someone flashed a torch on the poor creature. It curled up its tail and assumed the ‘alert’ position, ever-ready to give its assailant a taste of its tail.
A young man in the group ran forwards and without a warning took out the contents of its bowel with the butt end of his torch. To him, the problem was solved.
‘Don’t kill!’ rang Siva’s voice from behind him.
The young man stood glancing alternately at the scorpion and Siva, as much as to say: ‘This scorpion? You want me not to kill this?’
‘It is a scorpion, Swamiji. It will sting someone.’
‘Scorpion or cobra: don’t kill. Let it go away untouched or take it alive and throw it away unharmed. Even if a cobra enters your house, you should not kill it. You should leave the house, instead. These poisonous insects do not come often into your house, and of their own accord, they don’t trouble you. God has given them that instinct to avoid human habitation: for their own good, as well as for the good of man. When they happen to stray into a dwelling, they should be shown the exit; but no harm should be done.’
‘Killing forms a Samskara in you. It is very difficult to eradicate these Samskaras later on. See, all this Sadhana is directed only at the eradication of the Samskaras embedded in your mind. Once there is complete Vasana-Kshaya then the Light of the Atman shines of Its own accord.
Therefore, you should be particularly careful not to repeat these acts which tend to produce wrong Samskaras.’
In a thoughtful mood the young man left Siva’s Kutir, after the Satsang.
30th May, 1949
I AM A SAINT!
Last night’s hero reappeared in the morning after the morning class, again: and his countenance indicated the mental conflict, ‘To kill a scorpion is not practice of Ahimsa?’ This had taken a salutary turn, too and the problem now appeared to him as ‘Sivananda vs. himself’. Why should he be instinctively impelled to kill the scorpion, whereas even the very thought was alien to Sivananda?
Siva noticed this the moment his eyes fell on the young man.
‘Ohji, no harm is done. The Samskaras are already there. They try to express themselves and thus strengthen themselves, every time an opportunity offers itself. It might so happen that very often you will find yourself powerless to restrain such expression. But, every time these Samskaras get the upper hand, sit down after the event, calmly analyse your own conduct, regret, repent, and resolve to correct yourself. Slowly and gradually these Samskaras will get thinned out and then they will be annihilated. The evil thought of killing will afterwards never arise in the mind at all. That is the state of a saint.’
After a while, Siva added: ‘It is possible, if you diligently practise. Saints do not drop from heaven. They are made by constant practice. I, too, was killing scorpions, once. Strive and attain perfection.’
Between these two sentences, there is an unsaid sentence: ‘And, now I am a saint.’
CHANGE THE MIND
Vishnuswamiji wants to go to Uttarkashi, and explained that a change would give him more strength to do work when he returns. Incidentally, he could also learn certain advanced Hatha Yogic Kriyas at Uttarkashi from an expert there.
‘Why do you want a change? What is it that needs a change? Change the mind. Alter the mental attitude. That is the most important thing.’
Everything is everywhere is Vasishtha’s emphatic declaration. All that is needed is a change in the mental attitude of man himself. One need never run from place to place in search of anything.
4th June, 1949
CONVOCATION ADDRESS
A newly-graduated Tamil pundit came to Ananda Kutir to have Siva’s Darshan. Siva utilised the opportunity to deliver a short, but thrilling convocation address, to him and through him, to the thousands of his type that go out of the universities year after year.
‘Everyone already has the Abhiman of youth. When the hot blood of youthful vigour runs through man’s veins, he can hardly be convinced that that period of life will soon pass away and he will soon have to lean on a stick. To add to this Abhimana, now you have got a University degree. In ignorant people this generally adds one more layer that veils the truth from their vision. A wise student of Yoga like you should do away with Abhiman altogether. Work without Abhiman. You will shine as a great Vidwan and a real Vidwan or one who possesses Atma Vidya.
‘You should do Saraswati Upasana. You will then gain Her grace and through Her grace a powerful tongue, and a brilliant intellect. You will be able to inspire and elevate people. This is very important.
‘Whenever you find an opportunity, speak to persons and address gatherings. Always dwell upon a spiritual, moral or religious theme. Inspire people and turn them Godwards. That is the best manner in which you can express your gratitude to the Goddess for Her blessings.
‘Write: and write original ideas and thoughts on Upanishads, Gita and Vedanta. Never indulge in silly, trash thinking. You will attain great glory.’
COOLNESS UNDER FIRE
What sort of Victoria Cross should one award to Siva? A soldier on the field of battle, if he keeps his head cool under fire and carries on the fighting till the very last breath, is awarded the Cross.
The financial statement of the Society showed a precarious position. Bank balance had come down to the ‘nil’ figure. There were still debts to be cleared. The problem was placed before Siva.
‘Close it down. We have done enough work. Five or six of us will take Bhiksha from Rishikesh and meditate in the Kutirs. As long as there is medicine in the dispensary, we will serve the sick. As long as there are books in the League we shall distribute them freely. Give away everything to those who need. Put in an announcement in the magazine and issue a circular to say that the Society has been compelled to stop work.’ Then he sat up and a list was drawn of the Ashramites that might have to be told to make their own arrangements for Bhiksha, etc. Siva himself attended the meeting which was convened to tell all Ashramites of the position.
Very soon after this, Siva began to distribute fruits and almonds to workers and visitors, as he said ‘to compensate for the curtailment imposed on them by the financial condition of the Society’. And books began to flow more freely and in greater abundance to seekers, to do the service while there is yet time.
5th June, 1949
MYSORE MAHARANI AGAIN
A car arrived; and already out of the D.J. Hall to receive Her Highness, the Maharani of Mysore, on her way back from Sri Badrinath.
Sadhaks were busy, and in a few minutes the Mysore party were enjoying a light but refreshing repast of fruits, sweets and coffee. Books and magazines had already begun to flow round. The entire party went for Ayurvedic Pharmacy products.
We fetched chairs and benches outside the D.J. Hall, but the austere Maharani preferred to sit on the bare ground. The moment Siva had an inkling of her intention, he quickly stooped down and removed the stones and pebbles that were on the terrace and made room for Her Highness to sit. The Maharani and party, needless to say, were wonderstruck at the ever-readiness to serve that Siva had. It is a silent sermon.
6th June, 1949
‘I CAN SIT HERE A WHOLE NIGHT’—MAHARANI OF MYSORE
In the evening, the royal cars returned to the Abode of Bliss. Siva’s abode on the bank of the Ganges has a charm that none can resist. And, the Maharani’s pious and devout nature has brought her back to Siva’s Kutir.
At Her Highness’s request, Siva took her to Swarg Ashram, etc. On their return, the evening Satsang started.
Time fled: but everyone was oblivious of it. ‘Half past nine’, someone whispered. Siva’s sharp ears caught it and his keen intelligence, in the twinkling of an eye, grasped the significance.
‘You want to go?’ Siva turned to one of the young members of the party. The sage in him assumed the ancient role of the Master of masters. ‘Wait for a while. There will be more Bhajans, more Kirtan, a short Drama, a discourse….all very interesting programme. Why, if you attend a cinema, you easily reconcile yourself to the loss of sleep and feel content to go to bed at 1 o’clock. Satsang is infinitely more valuable than that.’
The wise Maharani at once interrupted Siva. ‘Swamiji, I will stay. If they want to, let them go. There are two cars; they can take one. I will stay. Why, in this Satsang I can sit till the morning listening to your Bhajans, Kirtans and poems.’
The younger members of the party chimed in chorus: ‘We will stay, Swamiji. We don’t want to go.’
Just look at the direct method of approach which Siva always adopts and conquers the hearts of all. High or low, he has the same vision: he identifies himself with the people with whom he has to deal, and at once all formalities are abandoned. Those to whom he addresses himself feel not in the least distressed at the overbearing attitude he adopts. They are at once enchanted by the depth of his interest in their true welfare: and they yield without hesitation.
I was myself the target of such a frontal attack. When I was at the Ashram as a visitor and when I, at the time of taking leave of Siva, remarked that the entire place was heaven, Siva instantly exclaimed: ‘It is all built for you only. Stay here. Who asks you to go? Resign your job from here.’ I was greatly embarrassed. And from that day, till his commands were obeyed to the full, these peremptory orders were hovering about the mind drawing me closer and closer to this astounding personality who would dare to take the greatest liberties with the most unknown strangers.
And, the Kirtan came to a close after a thrilling programme with Siva himself taking the greatest share of it with his humorous poems and songs. The party was entertained with milk and fruits. The Maharani was unwilling to leave. True to her words, she dispensed with the rest of the party and stayed nearly till midnight ….and even then only after expressing her desire to spend a couple of quiet days at the Ashram in Siva’s Satsang and in the contemplation of the divine.
8th June, 1949
MAHARANI COMES TO STAY
Sure enough, this time with only a couple of attendants, Her Highness has come back ‘to spend a couple of days at the Ashram and to have Siva’s Satsang.’ She arrived late in the evening yesterday and spent the night in the quiet retreat of the Ashram.
Yesterday was Nirjala Ekadashi, and Siva had fasted as usual, without taking even a drop of water. In spite of the obvious strain on his system, he got up at the appointed time and began to attend to the needs of the Maharani himself.
One notices this trait in Siva all at once. Heads of religious institutions, as soon as they find that they have won a little name and fame, segregate themselves from the Common Man and make themselves unapproachable to him.
They take the cue from the governmental institutions, and appoint under them a hierarchy of secretaries and assistant secretaries to filter visitors and devotees through.
The other extreme, too, has its obvious disadvantages. If one whose name has spread far and wide and whom many people are eager to see and talk to every day lives always ‘in the open’, he is likely to have a difficult time. He would be able to do no work: and rest would be unknown to him. Siva, the Wise Sage, has adopted the golden mean. At certain periods of the day he is available to none: neither to a beggar nor to a prince. At other times he is available to all, either to a beggar or to a prince.
And so Siva, in spite of the fact that the entire Ashram with its band of selfless workers is ever at his service, chose to attend on the Maharani himself in order to teach by example: fetching them water; bringing them coffee and light tiffin for breakfast; arranging to supply water to the Kutir in which they had been lodged, supervising the sweeping of the verandah of the Kutir, etc. etc.
Her Highness felt a little embarrassed in the beginning. This great sage serving them like this! But the spontaneous attitude of familiarity that Siva adopts towards one and all soon dispels this embarrassment.
Even so it happened on a previous occasion. The Maharani of Singhai was reported sick. And, Siva was in Lucknow at the time. At once he entrained for Banaras to nurse the Maharani, who was a great devotee. The sick lady was fond of her ‘hookah’: and soda was her constant need. Her own attendants would often fail to attend to her needs. Siva would surreptitiously see to it that the hookah was near to where she was at the time….either in bed or in the study or in the drawing room….and that a few bottles of soda were always placed handy.
While the Maharani lay in her bed shouting at her servants for soda, Siva would quietly walk in with a bottle, opened and ready for drinking. And, this service went on surreptitiously for some time….till the junior Maharani found out and carried the news to the senior.
Surreptitiously, I said. Serving people of affluence has an obvious material reward. Those who serve are conscious of this. And intentionally, to curry the favour of the Big Man, they would perform such services as helping him on to his coat, fetching the stick or the hat, sometimes the shoes, ostensibly that it might catch the eye of the big man. That is not selfless service.
Therefore, it is prominent by its absence in Siva, whose essential nature is to serve selflessly.
Similarly in the case of the Maharani of Mysore also, Siva quietly arranged for all that she and her party needed. Once she remarked, ‘Swamiji, let the servants do that. You should not bother yourself to do all this.’ Prompt was Siva’s reply: ‘No, no. Please don’t stand on any formalities. I am your own son.’ Similar was the reply to the Singhai Maharani also: ‘Ghar-ka-ladka’ (son of your own house) Siva would assure the person he serves and thus win his heart. This went home with the Singhai Rani to such an extent that, when at Ganga-Sagar, Siva had to carry the senior Rani on his shoulders from the shore to the boat, and when he offered his services to the junior Rani and she declined them, the senior reprimanded her, saying: ‘Why do you feel shy? He is our own Swamiji.’
And Siva is an adept at finding out, even before it is expressed, a person’s need. He noticed that the Mysore Maharani wished to be alone in the Ghat while she bathed. One or two other persons (including a senior official of the Tehri State) were near the Ghat. Siva at once went up to them and asked them to go away; and Her Highness had her bath. Then, stone-like, she sat on a stone on the bank of the Ganges in meditation. In the meantime, Siva had arranged for her breakfast, for her clothes to be dried properly, etc.
There is a peculiarity about him. As one thing is being done, his mind will leap forward to a dozen succeeding things and he will begin attending to them, too. Thus, one after another, the programme will flow on smoothly. The lady doctor who had accompanied the Maharani was taking her food in the Pangat along with Siva. As they were taking their meals, Siva called Dayanandajio and asked him to have the Kutir on the Ganges bank swept clean, a cot place in it, and over it a mattress, and a pillow for the lady doctor to take rest after the dinner. What we would generally do would be to think about this when the need started us in the face and then willy-nilly make some arrangements, always unsatisfactory.
The Maharani had a long conversation with Siva in the evening as she is leaving tomorrow morning. She said: ‘I have no mind to leave this place at all.’
PEN-FRIENDSHIP, VEDANTIC SELF-INTRODUCTION
Judge Saheb had come to see Siva. After a few minutes’ talk with him, Siva suddenly called out to Ram Rup Tiwarji (an Advocate) and introduced them to each other.
‘You should be like the German, Tiwariji. You should come forward and introduce yourself. That is the spirit of Vedantin.’ (To Judge Saheb) ‘Tiwariji was once a Vedantin. Gradually his heart has been turned towards Karma Yoga and Bhakti. Now he is a Synthetic Yogi.’ He left them to converse with each other and went his way.
This is done through post also. One Sadhaka is introduced to another. A junior is asked to take the help of a senior, and the latter to help the former. We were surprised once to get a letter from Dr. Sundari of Mangalore that she had received a letter from a European lady requesting the loan of certain of Siva’s books. Siva had already introduced them to each other.
GURU IS THE REAL FATHER
Dinner was about to finish. To Siva’s left were sitting, first, the lady doctor accompanying the Maharani of Mysore; then, Sri Ram Rup Tiwari and his son. As Siva looked to the left at the rows of diners, he suddenly noticed something in the boy’s throat.
‘Tiwariji, your son has got goitre?’
Tiwariji was taken aback. He rubbed the boy’s throat gently. The boy said it hurt him. Chidanandaji who was standing nearby confirmed the diagnosis.
‘Swamiji, I was under the impression that it was mere fat,’ said T. ‘But now it appears that you are right. What a pity, Swamiji, all these years I have not noticed it!’ (To his son) ‘How long has this been the matter with your throat?’
‘For a long time,’ replied the boy.
‘And, imagine,’ added T. ‘I had not noticed it either. It was Sri Swamiji Maharaj who first noticed it.’
‘Take this doctor’s prescription for the boy.’ (To the lady doctor) ‘Prescribe something very effective for this boy.’
‘Yes, Swamiji, I shall.’ And the doctor suggested some patent medicines. It was, further, a hint to the doctor and to us all. People generally complain that they do not get ‘opportunities for selfless service’. When they go about looking for service, they return disappointed with the feeling that everyone seems to have been provided for, and their services are not needed. But, if only one keeps his eyes and ears open, he is bound to find umpteen opportunities for rendering service. Here, for instance.
DON’T HOLD A PIN WITH YOUR TEETH
I had to do some urgent despatching work. From a bunch of papers I had to dislodge some to be thrust into an envelope. I pulled out the pin, held it between the teeth (obviously as a result of the force of habit, but apparently to avoid loss of time in picking up the pin again from the desk), while I sorted out the papers. Siva’s eyes were quick to notice this, though I was far away from his table.
‘Ohji, don’t keep a pin in the mouth. You will unconsciously swallow it and then come to grief.’
Here is a super-parent’s care of his spiritual children. Household-fathers should learn a lesson and take a genuine interest in the welfare of their sons and all children generally. This is one step in Divine Life.
‘ANANDA’ IS NOT A MERE GLORIFYING SUFFIX
‘Saswathanandaji,’ called out Siva, to give him some instructions. But, he continued in an entirely different strain.
‘Even before embracing Sanyasa formally, you have added on the ‘Ananda’ suffix. It is all right in a way, for you have been here for quite a considerable number of years now. But you should understand the significance of this term ‘Ananda’. It means that the bearer of that name has found (or at least is sincerely endeavouring to find) ‘Ananda’ or Bliss within himself, in his own Self. Well, to such a man, no external forces ever matter. Even if he is beaten with a shoe, he will only smile, for he has dissociated himself from the body, and the inner Ananda is ever there.
‘But, the other day you lost your temper at a man calling you with an insulting word. Even supposing he called you ‘donkey’, did you at once develop four legs and a tail and did you become a donkey actually? It was a mere sound.
You should have merely smiled at it and ignored it. It does not matter. Past is past. In future at least, you should be careful. Watch the mind. If you lost your temper 100 times last year, if you lose your temper fifty times this year, it is a great improvement. Perfection is not attained in a day. Always reflect on the significance of the ‘Ananda’ suffix and the principles of Sadhu-hood.’
The incident occurred almost a month ago. Siva kept studiously silent and did not open the topic at all with either party in the fray. He made both feel quite at home and gave them to understand that he has not even noticed the quarrel. A lesson he had to teach; but he would not do so while the emotions were in a surging state. He let a month pass, gave both parties sufficient time to cool down and forget all about it; then quietly comes up with his instructions. Look at this great considerateness even towards erring souls. Siva has, I should say, excelled Lord Jesus who admonished Magdalene on the spot.
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