← The Gospel of Swami RamdasHis talks, as recorded by Swami Satchidananda

1951-09-15

Chapter 6

Anandashram, September 15, 1951

46. Natverlal Shah

Papa had just returned from his usual evening walk and was sitting in the bhajan-hall. S gave him a cup of water, which he drank and said: "Ramdas slept very well last night; so also this afternoon. Natverlal Shah was fanning him this afternoon so nicely that Ramdas felt like lying down longer."

S: Natverlal is doing it everyday. Anything special today?

Papa: Don't know. It was very nice today.

Continuing, he said, "See how good Natverlal is. He is so guileless, simple, most unassuming and, above all, most harmless. He is completely egoless. He is so humble and unassuming that we do not know if he is here or not. We want people like him in the ashram. Ramdas feels sorry to leave him. Why not we take him also with us when we start on tour? If you ask him, he will say he has nothing to decide. Ramdas has to decide for him. That was why he was a failure in the world. He has reduced himself to nothing. How can he go for a job and work?"

47. Dharam Devi

Papa went out of the bhajan-hall and took his seat on the cement bench in front of the ashram, when Bhavanishankar Rao (Anna) came, prostrated and sat near him. Papa asked him with a smile, "What is the matter?"

Bhavanishankar Rao: I was reading old copies of ‘The Vision’ and came across an article written by you years ago about Dharam Devi. I would like to know more about her. It seems you met her in Delhi during your last tour.

Papa: Yes, Ramdas met her in Delhi at General AN Sharma's house. Now she has grown up. She has got a circle of devotees who sing bhajans and kirtans with her. One day the devotees came to see her at Sharma's house and started singing kirtans with her. She sang, ‘Radheshyam, Radheshyam' and in a few minutes went into a trance and lay flat on the ground. She goes into such trances very often. She is now learning English and will soon appear for the B.A. examination. She speaks Hindi very well. One evening during satsang at Rameshwar Dayal's house, Swami Sharananandaji and many other sannyasins were present. Dharam Devi had also come there with Ramdas. Swami Sharananandaji is a jnani, advocate of mithya-vada. He always talked from his point of view. Though he did not like the bhakti path, he liked Ramdas very much. On this occasion he spoke for some time in Hindi. Next, Ramdas spoke in English about his universal vision. Dharam Devi was asked to translate Ramdas’ speech into Hindi, which she did very beautifully.

48. A Dangerous Book!

About 9 p.m. Bhajan was over. Papa was sitting in the bhajan-hall near the radio. A taxi came and stopped in front of the ashram. An American couple, James Harley and his wife, got out, entered the ashram hall and paid their respects to Papa. They had given previous intimation about their arrival from Bombay. Papa greeted them with a smile.

Mrs Harley: Are we disturbing you?

Papa: No, not at all. Did you have a pleasant journey?

Mr and Mrs Harley together: Yes, thank you. It was fine. From Mysore we travelled through the beautiful coffee estates and reached Cannanore and from there took the train.

Papa: Now you may go to your rooms, have a wash, food and rest. We shall meet in the morning.

The couple were then taken to their quarters.

Papa (to the ashramites sitting near him): How did these friends come to know about this ashram?

Dayanand: They had ordered some books some months ago.

Papa: What books?

Dayanand: ‘In Quest of God’ and ‘In the Vision of God’.

Papa (laughing): Those who read these two books are caught. The first one alone is enough!

S: That is why Papa said once that it is a dangerous book!

Papa: Yes, it is indeed so. The mere reading of the books has brought these friends here.

September 24, 1951

49. Sorrow for Human Suffering

Harvesting of the ashram paddy fields started. At 9 o'clock in the morning Papa and Mataji went to the fields and returned soon. On the way they had to pass by the house of Tyampanna Adhikari who had a grandson about two years old, suffering from enlargement of liver. When Papa neared the house, the thought of the child came to him and he spoke something to Mataji about the boy. On reaching the ashram, Papa said, "When Ramdas was a student in the VJT Institute, Bombay, he had a friend with whom he stayed. He loved Ramdas so much that whenever he brought anything, he gave to Ramdas too. He loved to be in Ramdas’ company always. Once the friend took ill. Ramdas nursed him with all love, but the illness proved fatal. Ramdas, unable to bear the loss, wept bitterly for the departed friend. This was the one and only occasion when Ramdas cried bitterly over the death of anyone. This happened in Ramdas’ earlier life. Later on, he has been able to control his feelings. When Balaji's daughter Ammini died in Bombay and the news was received here, Ramdas was about to burst into tears, but he controlled himself. When anybody is seriously ill in the ashram, Ramdas’ heart begins to burn. He silently grieves and asks Ram why He is not curing the patient, and generally the patient is cured. In the case of Ammini's illness, Ramdas was told that she was progressing well towards recovery. It was felt that if she had been in the ashram, probably God would have saved her."

S: Why should saints feel like this when they know that the body is perishable? Is it not also attachment?

Papa: No. Sri Ramakrishna used to feel much when any of his devotees took ill. Even Sri Ramana Maharshi, the great jnani that he was, felt distributed when a devoted woman in the ashram was ill-treated and sent away. It is said that he refused to take food till she was brought back.

After the midday meal, Papa was in the bhajan-hall and about to rest. He remarked to S: "Life is a strange game. The more you stand aloof and watch the world-play, the more mysterious it is. We have to be the witness, ever aware of the Atman and should never get entangled in the game."

S: What about identifying oneness with everybody and sharing the joys and sorrows?

Papa: That is another aspect. You see, a jnani is not hard-hearted. He is deeply moved by suffering. Those who have realised God know fully well that the one Truth has manifested itself as the many. When they identify themselves with this Truth, they naturally identify themselves with its manifestation also and feel for the sufferings of others.

S: When we have realised the Atman, we see the Atman alone everywhere – in our bodies and others’ bodies. When anything happens to our body we are not internally affected. So, how can we be affected when anything happens to other bodies?

Papa: When anything happens to your body, true, you are not internally affected. That is to say, the Atman is not affected. So also when there is suffering to another body, you are not internally affected. But externally it will be exactly so when your own body suffers. You are bound to feel the sufferings in both cases externally. When you realise you are one with the Reality, which is everywhere and in everybody, and also that that very Reality has manifested Itself as all physical bodies, you are one with others internally and externally.

September 28, 1951

50. Initiation and Advice

The previous day KK Chandorkar, a Marathi-speaking devotee, had come to the ashram with his wife and daughter from Khurda Road. At 10 a.m. when Papa was returning from the hospital building, they were seen waiting outside the bhajan-hall to talk with Papa. On seeing Papa, they prostrated before him. Papa took his seat on the cement bench in front of the bhajan-hall. They wanted Mantra initiation. So Papa asked them to sit facing him and gave them Ram Nam. Then he told them: "You may go on repeating the Mantra continuously. There are no restrictions to be observed at all. But you should do the japa with all love and devotion to God. You may carry on your work in the world, but always remember God. Cultivate nishkama-bhakti. Do not ask worldly things from God. Let Him provide them as and when He chooses. Pray to Him to grant only devotion and spiritual freedom. Remember, the purpose of life is to attain Him. Satsang is also necessary. Seek the company of saints. Their talks will elevate you. Another point to note is that you should first surrender yourself to God and then take His name. You should feel that even the repetition of the Mantra is done by you, because He is making you do it. Then progress is easy. It is quickened if you find sweetness in the Name. That can come only when you have intense love for God."

September 29, 1951

51. Faith in Saints' Teachings

After the bhajan at night, Papa was reading the letters received that evening. S and others were near him. Papa said: "This letter is from Sir Chunilal Mehta," and read out the letter. The last line was, "How can we serve God unless we know Him?”

Placing the letter away, Papa looked at those sitting in front of him, and smiled.

S: That is a question confronting many. Without knowing God how can we love Him or serve Him?

Papa: One must start with faith in the words of saints and scriptures and follow their teachings. We readily believe when we hear about things and persons in the world, whom we have not seen. We talk about King George. Though he is far away in London, You believe that such a person exists and that there are people who have met him. But God is within our own hearts, nearer than anything else. So it must be easier for us to believe in His existence and love Him.

S: It is easy to see King George. One can go to London and see him.

Papa: Do you think it is so easy for all? Ask our sweeper Kanna if he can see King George. But he can see God.

Subramania Iyer: S only means that God is more difficult to be seen.

Papa: He is the nearest to you. Why do you say it is difficult to see Him?

52. Precautions for Meditation

Papa (to S): Justice Suryanarayana Rao has come down to Bangalore and is undergoing some treatment. C Ramachandra Rao (CR Rao) writes that he is better now.

S: Is CR Rao not attending Mataji's birthday?

Papa: No, on account of Suryanarayana Rao's treatment, he is held up there. Swami Ramachandrananda also cannot come. It seems he is unwell and is behaving in a queer way. Perhaps he was practising pranayama.

S: No, Papa. He does not practise pranayama.

Papa: Even meditation, when it is done under great strain, affects the brain. He should use some cooling things; take cold bath and purely sattwic food. Otherwise he is likely to have trouble. Was he married in his purvashram?

S: I do not know anything about his earlier life.

September 30, 1951

53. See Ramdas everywhere – Man is God playing the Fool.

Dr Kuppuswami was in charge of the arrangements in connection with the opening of the hospital building the next day. Papa too was busy on this account and went there in the evening and spent three hours.

Swami Krishnananda: Papa, whenever I come here, I feel I have gained something new. That is why you are drawing me often.

Papa: You should not depend upon the Darshan of the Guru's physical body. Ramdas is in your heart and everywhere outside. You should see him there and be fully satisfied.

Swami Krishnananda: But, I have not advanced so much as to feel your presence everywhere. Till then I should come here and have Darshan of your physical body.

After the evening bhajan a large number of devotees, most of whom had come for Mataji's birthday celebration, were sitting in front of Papa in the bhajan-hall. Swami Krishnananda and VK Rama Menon were massaging Papa's legs.

Swami Krishnananda: Papa, when there is no ego, does the mind exist?

Papa: When the ego is gone, the so-called mind too is not there.

Swami Krishnananda: Then how does one have a thought or idea about the body?

Papa: Who is then thinking of the body? When the ego is gone, God alone is there and all thoughts and actions are His. Then, even sankalpas belong to God. He may make sankalpas and He may break them. So it is very difficult for others to say whether the sankalpas were made by the individual or by God through him. But he, through whom God works and makes the sankalpas, knows fully well who makes them. Mind is only a cloud that hides the sun of Truth. Man is, in fact, God playing the fool. When He chooses, He liberates Himself.

54. Vairagya and Bhakti go together – Eschew Pride in Sadhana

Swami Krishnananda: Papa, you have written so many articles and books, and there are various other books also, by reading which one gets or cultivates vairagya. We want something, by reading which we can get intense love for God.

Papa: Ramdas has also written many articles which will enable one to cultivate love for God.

Papa then took his book Divine Life, and read out the article "Think well and think deep." Having finished reading, Papa asked Swami Krishnananda: "What do you say about it?"

Swami Krishnananda: Much of it deals with the dark, negative side only. The last few lines alone praise God. I do not want that which deals with vairagya alone. Love for God is more essential.

Papa: Vairagya and bhakti go together. When you have true vairagya, naturally you develop also love for God. The more your vairagya grows, the more grows your love for God. Why are you not able to love God? Because, you are still clinging to worldly objects. Your mind is running after sense-pleasures. It has no time or desire to think of God. By discrimination you know that the earthly pleasures are momentary and bring you only misery. Then you renounce them. After renunciation you are easily able to use all your mental and physical energy for realising God who is infinite Love. When you want to think of God, your mind wanders in thousand and one places. Why? Because, earthly pleasures tempt you. Their pull is so strong that you are not able to break off from them and go Godward.

Sadhana is performed in order to keep the mind continuously in tune with God. Sadhana is to be done not merely because our scriptures prescribe them, or your Guru has asked you to do so. You must do sadhana because of the intense desire in you to realise God. Then your only sadhana is that which enables you to keep your mind always in the thought of God. All other rites, rituals, worship, etc., go into the bonfire. You are prepared to sacrifice anything and everything for that supreme purpose. Indeed, no sacrifice is too great to get Him. Millions of births you will sacrifice for attaining God. Because, you know there is real joy and peace, unending happiness and bliss only in God.

Rama Menon: How long was Papa doing such intense sadhana?

Papa: Ramdas' sadhana continued for three or four years. The first year he never had sleep. He was repeating Ram Nam day and night. He used to lie down at night closing his eyes and be in a state of ecstasy. Though without sleep, he felt no weakness or exhaustion. He was very active and cheerful. So long as you have not attained God, you must feel like a fish out of water. You must experience such agony for God. Instead of trying to develop vairagya, many so-called sadhakas indulge in idle gossip and waste their precious time in other ways.

Rama Menon: Can we attain vairagya by the repetition of Ram Nam alone?

Papa: God's grace is necessary. We cannot say when and how God's grace descends on us. God is like a child. A child has some precious object. Many ask for it. The child refuses to give it. But suddenly, you see the child running after somebody and thrusting the object into his hands, though he did not care to ask for it. That is how grace comes. Nobody knows when. That is how Sri Ramakrishna explains it. When you are made to do sadhana, feel that God has chosen you and that His grace has descended on you.

Swami Krishnananda: Is it not time, Papa, that you should do something for this fellow (the questioner)?

Papa: Don't be impatient. God will give you what you want in His own time. Listen to this story told by Sri Ramakrishna. "Sage Narada was once going to Vaikuntha to see Lord Vishnu. On the way a sadhu met him and coming to know that the sage was going to see Lord Vishnu, requested Narada to ask Vishnu when he (the sadhu) would be able to realise God. Narada agreed. Proceeding further, he met another sadhu who too made the same request to him. Reaching Vaikuntha, Narada enquired of the Lord about the two sadhus. On his return, he met the first sadhu and said: ‘I asked Vishnu about you. He says it will take another ten thousand years for you to realise Him.’ Hearing this, the sadhu was greatly disappointed. He said 'How cruel! Ten thousand years? I have done so much sadhana and still I am to wait for ten thousand years!’ Narada told the second sadhu, 'Friend, I asked Vishnu about you. He said it will take two million years for you to realise Him.' At this, the second sadhu jumped with great joy, exclaiming, 'Oh, how merciful God is! He has assured me realisation after two million years. How compassionate He is!' He felt so happy and cheerful that at that very instant God revealed Himself to him. For the sadhaka, the thought that he has done so much sadhana and austerities is itself a great obstacle. Thereby the ego, instead of disappearing, gets stronger.

Swami Krishnananda: If one is so patient, how can he be said to be like a fish out of water?

Papa: You must no doubt have the burning aspiration within, but you should not dictate terms to God. You should do intense sadhana in a spirit of humility and complete self-surrender and leave the results in the hands of God. What stands in the way is the egoistic thought, ‘I have done this, and I have done that.' What is the use of human effort? It is to know that by your effort you cannot get Him. It is not your sadhana that makes you realise God. He is the Anatha-natha, i.e., the saviour of the helpless. How can He protect you unless you really feel helpless? He won't help you so long as you twirl your moustache in the pride of your sadhana, and think that you are a great yogi and you can look after yourself. The moment you realise you are nothing, then you become everything, because He manifests in you the moment you reduce yourself to a zero by surrendering completely to Him.

Papa continued: “What a conceited creature man is! He feels and says he is doing this and that, throwing God into the background. Once, a man with a long nose was sleeping on the floor. Some ants were crawling nearby, and they looked at the man's long nose, which appeared to them like Mount Everest. They decided to go on an expedition to the top of this Everest and started climbing. The higher they climbed, the more they felt elated at their great feat. Finally they reached the summit and were puffed up with pride. Now, the man felt some itching sensation on his nose and with a 'huh' he brushed it with his hand. Where were the ants now? No trace of the poor, proud ants was left! We are only like these tiny ants. When we are proud of our achievements God just sweeps His fingers and we are nowhere! Does it take God long to crush proud people?”

Swami Krishnananda: Papa, you said man is only God playing the fool. When He chooses to show His real form, He does so. Before God-realisation, was Papa so cheerful as now?

Papa: He then chose to play the part of an ignorant and worried man. It is He alone who is sitting here in the form of you all, posing to be ignorant ones and saying, ‘I have not realised God, tell me how to cultivate bhakti. When will I realise God?’ In fact, you are all He. So when you choose to be free, you become free.