Swami Shivapadananda talking about murti worship, gods, demons and fear.
In this information-packed audio-clip, Swamiji shares the delightful, true and entertaining story of Jatadhari – a sadhu who came to Dakshineswar. He worshipped a murti of Sri Rama in child form, called Ramlala.
Not only did he have the murti, he also had the manifested Lord as a real-life young boy, running about, eating, drinking, playing, and wait for this, occasionally even annoying him, as any youngster of that age would likely do. This manifestation of Ramlala was visible also to Sri Ramakrishna, so it wasn't a delusion on the part of Jatadhari.
As Swamiji elaborates on the story, he says, 'Can you imagine that people speak ill about murti worship? And yet this sadhu had the living Ramlala manifest out of that process.' This story becomes a divine 'love triangle' between Sri Ramakrishna, Jatadhari and the boy Lord Rama – Ramlala. And one of extreme sacrifice, driven by love for God.
Swamiji says that the original Ramlala murti at the heart of this story, is still kept at Sri Ramakrishna's birthplace of Kamarpukur, where we can go and have darshan. But as Swamiji humorously adds, the only difference is that you and I won't see it moving!
Listen to Swamiji telling the full story. It will warm your heart and perhaps even bring you close to tears. Swamiji's takeaway lessons from this true happening, are prayer and devotion changing, if we take them to heart.
Swamiji goes on to talk about the eight psychic powers (Ashta siddhis) and Navdha Bhakti – nine different types of relationship with God. And How Sri Hanumanji embodies them all.
Swamiji touches on the common Hindu fear of pishachas, or 'troublesome spirits'. Bhutas, Swamiji says, are nothing more than the five natural elements – wind, fire, earth, water and ether. But they can cause problems in the body, if there is an imbalance. Dhutas, also often feared, are simply the foot soldiers, protectors, messengers and guards of Lord Shiva. They have a chaotic energy and Swamiji says they're like 'naughty children'. But, Swamiji says that if we as devotees have our heads on the lap of the Lord (our Ishta Deva or deity, in whatever form we choose to worship), so-called 'evil' or chaotic spirits, are powerless. They can only cause trouble if we're 'far away from God.'
Swamiji puts our concept of evil or 'the devil' into context. If you have a fear of entities which you think might do you harm, listen to Swamiji's explanation of our misconceptions, and set your mind at rest, once and for all.
Swamiji concludes the homily by saying that everything is God. Sometimes appearing in guises and disguises, but we, like a faithful dog, must learn to 'sniff out' our God, no matter what strange outfit he or she might be wearing.
[Admin: This is truly an information-packed recording. A bit like drinking from a spiritual fire hose. But do what I did – I had to keep going back and re-listening to something, to make sure I had a reasonable grasp of it, in order to summarise aspects for this post.]
Be blessed as you absorb these wise words from Swamiji.
Click on the link below to listen. Jai Sri Ramakrishna!
Duration 10:02
The original audio recordings of these posts were made by close Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa and Swami Shivapadananda devotee, Mother Radha. The audio editing and noise reduction of the original 1970s tapes has been lovingly crafted, over many years, by her son and our gurubhai, Brother Tim. May Sri Ramakrishna and Swamiji bless them both.
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Links to broaden your knowledge: Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Sri Sarada Devi ashram, Durban
Picture on this post: Ramlala murti at the Sri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya.