Swami Vivekananda 9

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Swami Vivekananda 9

 

Three episodes during the interaction between the Master and Narendra

during the period between 1884 and 1886 are worth recounting.

 

1. Death of Narendra's father and his subsequent prayer to Ma Kali,

 

2. The invaluable mantra " Shiva Jnane Jiva Seva " (serving every being as

the full manifestation of God) that Narendranath received from his

Master,

 

3. Sri Ramakrishna's terminal ailment.

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1. Death of Narendra's father and his subsequent prayer to Ma Kali

 

No one knows the ways of divine play! Inscrutable are the ways of the

Lord that only a few can understand; others call it fate! Such a life

shattering event occurred in the life of Swami Vivekananda when he had

passed his degree course in the college, and when was about 21 years of

age. Everything was going on smoothly for him at home and at

Dakshineswar, when his father suddenly died due to massive heart attack.

The liberal attorney, Vishwanath Dutta, although outwardly appeared well

off, in fact was in severe debt. His unusual generosity and carelessness

in handling the money matters had put him in a situation where nothing

was felt as the savings. The debtors took away their share leaving the

bereaved family in utter poverty and want. Narendra's uncles also shied

away in this hour of crisis, and instead of helping him they took their

share and kept aloof. It was difficult for Narendra to make two ends

meet.

 

To add to the difficulty, Narendra could not get a job even after trying

hard. In this situation of utter emergency and despair, Swami

Vivekananda took the decision to leave the home and walk out in the

unknown world as a sannyasin.

 

Here at Dakshineswar Sri Ramakrishna in his spiritual mood came to know

about the secret resolve of his beloved disciple, which caused much

anguish and concern in his heart. In such a situation the Master met

Narendra at one of the devotee's house. In his deep emotional voice, the

Master sang a song, which ran like this,

" I am afraid to speak, and equally afraid not to speak,

The doubt rises in my mind,

Lest I should lose you, Ah my Rai,

Lest I should lose you "

 

Immediately the meaning was clear to Narendra; he knew that Sri

Ramakrishna had come to know his secret resolve to become the sannyasin,

and that the song was meant for him to reconsider his decision. Tears

flowed down the cheeks of both the Guru and the disciple wetting their

chests as well. All other devotees present there were surprised to see

such an unusual behaviour of the Master and Narendranath; no one knowing

the real cause behind this emotional outburst.

 

After some time the emotions smoothened and Sri Ramakrishna forced Swami

Vivekananda to accompany him to Dakshineswar. There Sri Ramakrishna

inquired about the problem and requested Naren not to desert him till

his death. Narendra had to promise, for he could not disobey the

sincerity in Master's appeal.

Then Swami Vivekananda said to Sri Ramakrishna, " O Sir, please pray to

the Mother so that my family is supplied with coarse grain and clothes.

I know the Mother listens to you and definitely grants your prayers. "

 

But the Master had different plans, if we can say so. Sri Ramakrishna

said, " Look my boy, I have given everything to the Mother; how can I ask

back anything from her now? But one thing I can tell you, why don't you

go and pray to the Mother to fulfill you wish? My Mother is very kind

and gracious, and I am sure she will not disappoint you. "

 

Thus, Swami Vivekananda was forced to pray to the Mother to fulfill his

wants. That night Narendra and the Master were alone in the kali Temple,

when Swami Vivekananda went to the Mother's shrine to pray and ask for

material things of urgent necessity. However, as he entered the shrine

all that he could say was, " O Mother, please give me Jnana and Bhakti. "

 

Thus praying Narendra returned back to where Sri Ramakrishna was

standing. The Master inquired, " Naren, have you asked for food and money

required for your family? " Swami Vivekananda, surprised he was as well,

replied, " Why, no sir! I asked for Jnana and Bhakti. "

 

" You fool, " said the Master, " Go and ask for wealth and the things you

actually need now. " Thrice Swami Vivekananda went to Ma Kali, but could

not utter the word about money, clothes, food, and instead all the three

times he prayed to the Mother to grant him Jnana and Bhakti!

 

As soon as Swami Vivekananda used to enter the temple, he was elevated

to such a wonderful state of mind and consciousness that the whole world

including money, material comfort, and food lost all their value, and in

its place there shone forth the face of divine and blissful Mother

gracious enough to grant highest Jnana and Bhakti! Who fool would ask

for transient and useless things when in fact the Mother was granting

Jnana! Who would ask for pebbles when someone was distributing the gems!

Who would ask for vegetables to the king, when he was willing to grant

his whole kingdom!

 

Now Swami Vivekananda understood the deep meaning and significance of

his Master's word that formless god and God with form as the Mother were

but one. Swami Vivekananda accepted the Mother on that day as the

highest embodiment of spiritual virtues, power, and knowledge.

Exhausted, but satiated with inner knowledge of divinity in all its

aspects, he bowed down at the holy feet of the Master and prayed, " O

Lord, today I came to know who you are. You are all, everything in this

universe. I do not want anything anymore from the Mother. It is all your

wish. "

 

Embracing his disciple, the master assured, " Go my son, be at peace.

>From today onwards you and your family would ever be provided with

simple clothes and food, and shelter. This much I guarantee for you and

your family. "

 

Continued next part... 10

 

C S Shah

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