Digest Number 1335

[Guest guest]

> Message: 12

> Thu, 19 Dec 2002 09:49:48 -0000

> " Vivekananda Centre " <vivekananda

> Few interesting questions

>

> We have had quite a few interesting questions on the list.

> Let me share my thoughts on some of the issues:-

>

> (1) Role of Swami Nirmalanandji - if he is to be considered to be one

> of the closest or not so closest disciple of Sri Ramakrishna? is a matter

> for Sri Ramakrishna to decide. : )

 

> jay

>

 

Dear Jay,

 

This is a brilliant answer. Some how we do not generally think in these

lines.

Only Takur can decide who is close and near to him.

 

But just a fact. Nirmalanandaji's name comes in Gospel of Ramakrishna

and M (Mahendranath Guptha -The author of the book) has mentioned him as

one of the monastic deciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

 

regards,

Swamy

 

 

**************************Disclaimer********************************************\

******

 

Information contained in this E-MAIL being proprietary to Wipro Limited is

'privileged'

and 'confidential' and intended for use only by the individual or entity to

which it is

addressed. You are notified that any use, copying or dissemination of the

information

contained in the E-MAIL in any manner whatsoever is strictly prohibited.

 

********************************************************************************\

********

[Guest guest]

Dear Bagchi Ji,

Please accept my loving Pranams and allow me to dwell on a few points as as

reply to your question.

:

1)My idea was not to bring the list members into any controversy. The

world is passing through a very difficult time due to the lack of proper

acceptance and accommodation of various religious concepts and practices,

which are apparently differing in nature. Hence, due to the pressing

reasons, world leaders with genuine good motives are also trying their best

to create platforms for the discussions of " religious harmony " and they are

forced to accept what the Prophet of Religious Harmony has taught by His

simple life.

2)Nelson Mandela has included some of the Teachings of Bhagavan Sri

Ramakrishna recently in the written constitution of South Africa during his

presidency. (Again, it was through the benign association of Swami

Nirmalananda that the late founder of the Ramakrishna Order in South Africa

came to know about RAMAKRISHNA).

3)In Singapore, the government is encouraging IRO (Inter-religious

Organisation) to conduct prayers by all the leaders of the nine world

religions in any function organised by the Government in the same platform.

4)Jay has written many times about this trend in England often. Even the

Queen is visiting the Hindu Temple. With all these stray but encouraging

incidents in a row but within a short span of time, I thought it would be

relevant to inform the list about Tulsi Maharaj's related prophecy on his

birth anniversary.

5)As Jay has rightly pointed out, it is up to Thakur to call anybody His

" close or not-so-close Disciple " . Perhaps, He might shun the very idea of

Guru and Disciples!

6)May be during 1922 or 1923, just before the publication of " Life of

Ramakrishna " with a foreword by Mahatma Gandhi, the matter of Tulsi Maharaj

as a disciple of Thakur was brought to Swami Saradananda (Sarat Maharaj),

the first Secretary of the Mission. Mr. Bagchi and the list may be

interested to know about that incident. Most probably, Nikhilanandaji was

the enquirer. The answer from Sarat Maharaj was significant; he said, " I do

not know who is a disciple of Guru Maharaj and who is not. I myself do not

know whether He considered me as His disciple. If YOU all consider me as HIS

disciple, then Tulasi also to be considered as HIS disciple for sure " .

7)From the stand point of history, we have to rely on the books

published by the Mission during the life times of their authors. Recorded

materials are still available in plenty to know that WE all CONSIDERED Tulsi

Mj as Thakur's Disciple. Swami Saradananda, Swami Abhedananda, Swami

Nikhilananda ( & Swami Madhavananda), Romain Rolland, Ms Laura Glenn (Sister

Devamata) wrote books with first hand info and infos gathered from the

people who lived with Thakur, saying that Swami Nirmalananda was the

monastic disciple of Thakur. Editions after 1962 must have removed some

facts; but it will never stand solid in the eyes of history. Written

statements of Swami Brahmananda & Swami Ramakrishnananda are available in

prints to record that Tulsi Maharaj was a disciple of Thakur. What more we

require to CONSIDER him as HIS disciple?

8) Recently, in 1980s, Swami Hiranmayanandaji approached

Vireshwaranandaji (Prabhu Maharaj), the 10th President of the our Order with

a personal question how he considered Tulsi Maharaj. The reply is

significant. Raising both of his hands above his head, he said, " Personally,

I consider TULSI Maharaj as a SANTAAN of Guru Maharaj. Also, whenever I

approached him, I looked opon him as a disciple of Thakur only "

8) " Let us eat mangoes. Let us not waste time on merely counting the

trees " . Let us take pride in knowing that Thakur's message is getting steady

acceptance from all quarters. Let us also know that there was a related

prophecy by a PERSON, who has seen Thakur, talked to Thakur, trained by

Thakur for four years, cut jokes with Thakur (in the company of Swami

Vivekananda, Mahendranatha Gupta, Girish Ghose, Balram Bose, NityaGopal and

so on), and above all, threw away his " hearth and home " to HIS cause.

9)Bagchiji, if you want to see the original books and all related

historical evidences, please send me a mail to me privately, I shall be glad

to send you copies of all such records to quench your historical thirst.

Please allow me not to use this list a platform for harping on a subject,

which can attract controversies. We are all mere children of Thakur.

Wherever Thakur's sweet name is sung, we will be " tatra tatra

kritamastakaanjalim baashpavaari paripurna locanam...........

Your brother

Prakash