Swami Shivapadananda on faith in Sri Ramakrishna’s words
SWAMI SHIVAPADANANDA
DAILY READINGS
From Mother Radha's recordings of Swamiji
580
Pictured: Sri Ramakrishna (1836-1886)
[Swamiji reads from a book on Latu Maharaj – later Swami Adbhutananda, a monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna]
In 1893 Latu Maharaj came to know of Swami Vivekananda's departure for America. He said about it later, 'I heard it from the lips of Holy Mother [Sri Sarada Devi] that brother Loren [Latu appeared to have an unusual speech pattern – and this is now he pronouned 'Naren' – which was the short form of Swami Vivekananda's pre-monastic name] had left for America. I felt a great longing to hear about him. After the Master [Sri Ramakrishna] passed away some were saying, 'What nonsense is this about Narendra having such a bright future?' But I never believed in their words. I would tell them to their faces, 'What the Master has said will come true to the last syllable. Loren will one day surpass us all. You will live to see it. How little faith you have in the words of the Master. Can his words be anything but true? '
Swamiji: Do you see how much faith he had in Master's words? You must remember, when you read The Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna, that whatever is said there, it is his word. You should have the same faith that Latu Maharaj had at that particular time.
[Latu Maharaj goes on] 'Then at long last when Swami Vivekananda's activities in America were published in the newspapers, oh, how can I describe my joy?'
One day Surendra Babu [a disciple of the Master] felt piqued at the Master and said to him, 'Why should you go to beg money of others in order to meet the expenses of this place? I should have been informed.' The Master consoled him saying, 'Are you not giving enough already? You are our reserve stock.' Surendra went downstairs. The Master sent Kedar [another disciple] after him to be sure that he was all right and to pacify him.
Swamiji: Here was a disciple of the Master, who was actually forcing him to take things from him, and who became angry when the Master did not accept those gifts. Usually one of two things happens: A disciple hides a gift and does not give it to the guru out of miserliness, or on the other hand if the guru refuses to take the gift he will get worried. The disciple may say, 'The guru did not accept it. Don't you think sin will come on me? Did I do anything wrong?' But neither of these two attitudes touched the disciple in question. He got angry.
Question: Should a person work for money?
Swamiji: Because money is part of artha [righteous wealth] you must work for it. But do not work as if it is 'my money'. It is God's prasad [sacramental food or blessing] given to you. But you must make good use of it. Use it to uplift others, not to plunder others.
1) Care should be taken by the reader to
understand and take Swamiji's words in these postings, in context. Every
teaching or instruction that he gave was specific to the people who were with
Swamiji at the time.
2) Mouse-over the words highlighted in red in the
posting for further explanation or links.
There are currently available, over 100 different CDs
or DVDs with mp3 files, of Swamiji speaking. Please email
timhoare@webmail.co.za to order. Click HERE for the second website on Swamiji's life and
teachings.
Reference websites (please mouse-over
the name to connect): Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Ramakrishna Centre of SA, Ramakrishna Centre of Southern Africa,
Ramakrishna Dham, Swami Shivapadananda 2