A Thank You!

[Guest guest]

How often have I fondly thought of the day the book " Ramakrishna and His

Disciples " by Christopher Isherwood landed in my realm. It was in England,

way back in 1981. I was visiting Bijon Kumar Sinha, a friend and I espied

the book lying on his table, the *only* book lying on his table. Perhaps,

Bijon wanted me to be part of the Ramakrishna family, or perhaps SomeOne

else did. I enquired whether I could borrow the book and he immediately

granted my request, almost as if he was expecting me to ask for the book. We

talked and in time, I bid goodbye and rose to leave. I was half way to the

elevators when I remembered the Book!

 

How could I have forgotten?!

 

I turned back to go fetch….

And as I swivelled around, I felt the weight of the Book in my left hand.

I must have subconsciously picked it up as I left Bijon's room.

 

Or had I?

 

Be that as it may, I started reading the Book, and every time I would pick

it up to read, my spirit would surge within. It would Whirrrrr….. and

Roarrr…… and make its presence known.

How grateful I have felt all these years for that Book and my friend! It was

only many years and many cities later, that I realised that there were so

many others who were also directly responsible for that lone Book to be

placed on that lone table…

 

Last year, I was listening to Swami Pramathananda reminisce about his time

with Swami Madhavananda as his private secretary. It was then, that I

learned that he and Swami Madhavananda were also involved with the

publication of that Book. He mentioned how the manuscript for that Book had

been sent to Swami Madhavananda by Swami Prabhavananda and Isherwood. They

had requested Swami Madhavananda to proof read the text and ensure its

authenticity, prior to its publication. Swami Madhavananda, wavered at the

outset and only reluctantly agreed to do so. Once he had agreed, however,

his commitment, his zeal for finishing the task undertaken, his

thoroughness, all at the cost of his own health, personal comfort and ease,

at an age when most individuals would much rather take things easy, was very

touching to hear. His drive and energy, Swami Pramathananda mentions,

ensured that right up to the very last chapter, his concentration waned not,

wavered not! Swami Pramathananda remembers that for the last chapter, Swami

Madhavananda had begun work at 7 a.m. and continued for almost 8 hours

without a break of any kind! Swami Madhavananda stopped his intense research

and proof reading of that last chapter at 2.45 p.m., only so as to give

Swami Pramathananda 15 minutes to walk over and deliver the manuscript to

the Postman who collected the Belur Math mail everyday at 3 p.m.

 

So, not only must I be grateful to Bijon and Isherwood, but I would do well

to lay my wreath of gratefulness at the altar of Swami Madhavanandaji, Swami

Prabhavanandaji, Swami Pramathanandaji and that lone PostmanJi who ferried

the manuscript and ensured its delivery.

 

And how can I forget that warden of the hostel where I was staying in

England.

 

The warden? He was a devotee too?

Yes, in a sense,...

 

I was staying in a hostel that was run by a warden who was committed to

ensuring that everyone embraced Christ. He used to hear me chant some

shlokas, that I had learned when I was young, and would grimace and say that

it was all pointless. All this chanting, " did not assure me " salvation. " " he

would say. This would shock me no end. Although, I never really entertained

the thought of converting, so overwhelming was the warden's thoughts

directed at me, that I began to doubt myself and my faith. Young, as I was,

my doubts grew and could have grown even bigger… but it was at this time,

that the Book came into my orbit, at a time and a moment when I was most

intensely searching and looking for answers ….

 

After reading the Book, I told myself,

" Ahhh!! Well ! If Ramakrishna has gone to Hell, that is where I want to be

too! "

 

Who, but to thank, but that warden… for not only did he hasten me to

Ramakrishna's Abode, but he also increased my reverence for The Christ. For

when I read the Bible, how can one not harbour a supreme and undying

reverence for the Christ, despite my devotion for Ramakrishna.

 

That is the greatness of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda.

 

So, I would do well to genuflect and lay my wreath of gratefulness at the

altar of Swami Madhavanandaji, Swami Prabhavanandaji, Ishwerwoodji, Swami

Pramathanandaji and that PostmanJi of Belur Math. I do so now… with all

humility, but then, what about the postman in Los Angeles, who delivered the

manuscript at the other end, other proof-readers and those responsible for

typing the manuscript, the couriers, the pilots who piloted the plane

carrying the manuscript from Los Angeles to India to Los Angeles…?

 

The list is endless… !

 

So many other nameless individuals who will never be known to the world.

 

Like The Supremely Revered Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, they choose to

remain hidden!

 

I suppose I have to lay my wreath of gratefulness at the altar of all of

Humanity…

 

I suppose, even before we are born, so many are preparing the ground, so

that others may reap the benefit. I was one of those lucky enough to reap

the benefit, and for this, if I do not say " Thank You, " , I would be doing

myself the greatest dishonour.

 

So " Thank You, Thank You, Thank You "

 

 

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