RE: [Sri Ramakrishna] help!

[Guest guest]

Geralyn

Here is an attempt to answer your question 'Being Western I'm not sure I can

relate to how one feels within this philosophy'.

 

Well I am born in India and lived there for many years before migrating to

AUstralia where I live now. I have had a taste of both the worlds. TO be

honest to you, I did not realise how great the Hindu culture was till I came

to AUstralia and travelled to other European countries and the US.

 

One distinguishing feature of Hindu philosophy is that it can appeal to all

types of people.

 

For rational group of people: Those who belive in 'reason' and rational or

scientific thought the challenge is provided by the Hinduism's six schools

of thought starting from Vaisheshika to Vedanta. THese schools are but

dialogues between disciples and the teacher. For people who are duty

conscious: The karma yoga can help. But here I will restrict to your

question of 'emotions " .

 

For emotional group of people: An easier way which has a mass appeal is

Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion). And it is this path, that appeals to

emotions. YOu could as well call it an Emotion Yoga!!. Probably, Hinduisms

greatest contribution is this yoga which has enabled ordinary people to

experience bliss. If you don't want to tease your brain but still want to

experience God realisation then Bhakti yoga is for you. The life Krishna

epitomises this path. One views Krishna with different emotions. A married

lady thinks of Krishna as her little son and loves him in the bhava

(emotion) of a mother. Ladies who worship Krishna in this manner will

normally have the idol of 'Bala Krishna (little Krishna) " . They would wake

up the child by singing hymns, bathe the child, feed it, take it to sleep

etc etc. An un married young lady on the other hand may think of Krishna

as a lover. She will think of him as the most beloved person. In India,

especially in the state of Gujarat, they play Garaba/ Raskrida (dance of

love). Here the emotion of love is very strong. Similarly men may think of

a Goddess like mother and love her in that bhava/emotion (Ramakrishna loved

Kali in the form of mother). The Yoga of Emotion is true in the context of

Lord Rama also. There is a famous song by Goswami Tulsidas ( a Rama

devotee) which regards Rama as a child. (Thumaka chalata Ramachandra bajat

painjaniya- as little Rama walks like a child just learning to walk, the

bracelet in his feet make a melodious sound). Such devotional songs are the

very heart and soul of Indian classical music and they are so full of

emotions that one has to be born and live in India to feel the emotions

thereof. Let me assure you that the immense pleasure that you get by

listening or singing these songs is out of this world. It can rightly be

called 'bliss'. Of course as a westerner you will need to develop an ear

for the Indian classical music and also understand the meaning of words used

before you can experience the bliss. Bhajan is yet another form of Bhakti

that is full of emotions. Saints in Indian state of Maharashtra are known

for this Bhakti tradition. Bhajans of Dnyaneshwar, Tukaram, Pundalik,

Eknath, Ramdas and Namdev are noteworthy in particular. Here the saints

regard God as friend and with this emotion God is worshipped. These are all

written in Marathi the language of that State. But I have not come across

any other work as that of these saints which is so full of emotions and love

for God. These bhajans are often played on All India Radio Pune early

morning. Singing these bhajans, nearly a million people walk a distance of

nearly 200 miles from Alandi ( Dnyaneswar's place) to Pandharpur (a Vishnu

temple called Vithoba) without feeling the pain of the walk as they are God

intoxicated!! It is a sight to watch this Alandi yatra (procession) and be

a part of it. If you want to get a taste of these Bhajans probably the best

couse would be to listen to audio casettes of Lata Mangeshkar the famous

Indian singer and of Bhimsen Joshi the Indian classical music meastro.

 

Let me assure you that the containnment/fullfillment that you get by

following the Bhakti tradition is- by GOd -out of this world. There is much

much more to write. I hope I am on right track in answering your question.

If I can be of any further help please do let me know.

 

Regards

 

Yours sincerely

 

Dr Milind Sathye

School of Accounting, Banking and Finance

University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia

Telephone: 6+ 2+ 6201 5489 Fax: 61+ 2+ 6201 5238

AND

Adjunct Professor, Graduate College of Management,

Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vivekananda Centre [vivekananda]

Wednesday, 31 October 2001 7:16 AM

list

[sri Ramakrishna] help!

 

 

Dear List

 

I am hoping that list members will be able to give greater

response to the topic: 'emotional element of Hinduism'

as per the email from Geralyn.

Any thoughts?........jay

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~earlier email from Geralyn~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

HAIRRX

hindu

Sunday, October 28, 2001 05:45

The Hindu Experience or Emotions Associated With it.

 

 

Greetings,

 

I am doing a research paper on the six dimensions of Hinduism and I am stuck

on the emotional aspect of Hinduism. Being Western I'm not sure I can relate

to how one feels within this philosophy-Help!, please.

Also, may I quote you? Please include all the pertinent information.

 

Regards,

Geralyn Fitzgerald

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah

Vivekananda Centre London

http://www.vivekananda.co.uk