Talks Excerpt 591. Swamiji shares how Master’s monastic disciples unknowingly took monastic vows on Christmas eve.
From Mother Radha’s recordings of Swamiji.
Just as Jesus was born on a Christmas Day, bringing new life to the world, similarly Master’s [Sri Ramakrishna’s] sannyasi [monastic] disciples, unknown to themselves, performed a havan [ritual fire worship] on Christmas eve and took their vows of chastity, poverty and purity; they re-dedicated their lives to the upliftment of themselves and the upliftment of others.
Sri Ramakrishna gives us a new lease of life so that, after these Spiritual Retreats [Yoga Camps], we also may re-dedicate ourselves to the task ahead of us. We are the custodians of the treasure of Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and [Holy Mother] Sri Sarada Devi.
If at least two people can become conscious of God in their hearts, in their surroundings and in people, then this Camp has borne fruit.
When my guru, Swami Nischalananda [Puri], brought this kind of sadhana [spiritual practise] to the people of South Africa, it was during hard times [the height of factionalism and also Apartheid]. People were not conscious that you could meet on one platform with different faiths. He however made it possible for us to meet and worship the same God, by the grace of our satguru and Master, Sri Ramakrishna.
Of the many people that Gurudev [Swami Nischalananda Puri] marched with and trained, a few have dedicated their lives to God. Of those few, one perchance may reach God. Nevertheless we take our inspiration from the fact that we have started the journey.
There are many people in this world, like us, who have not yet won the grace of their minds because they are attracted to the perishable things of this world. Having had the grace of your mind and the grace of Sri Ramakrishna, if we do not make further use of these gifts, then we are the losers.
There are many examples amongst us of those householders [Grihasthas] who have put these blessings into practice. You must all have heard about Ricky from Ladysmith. At the time of his death he took the photograph of Master, put it on his chest and died [from a heart attack]. This was a young man who was not even married, but look at his departure from this world. These are living examples; and you can be one of them.
Do not live a life of selfishness, do not be conscious that you are gathering merit or demerit, just be conscious that you are serving your Master and do it to the best of your ability, with faith, love and devotion.
The lessons that you have learned here at the Yoga Camp, try to live them in your homes. Put into practice the things we have learned at the Camp, when you meet friends and others.
NEW! For our gurubhai Atmaprakash Kramer’s beautiful pictorial ‘memoir’ of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, Avoca Ashram, please click HERE.
The free-to-read or download, 396-page Flipbook version of Swamiji’s biography is available by clicking HERE. If you’d prefer the PDF version, please click HERE.
These recordings or the excerpts from them, were made from the early 1970s onward, by Mother Radha, a close devotee of Swamiji’s and edited for uploading here by our gurubhai and her son, Brother Tim. Please be mindful that what Swamiji was saying may have been specific to an individual or a group of people with him, at the time.