Symbolic Gestures (article Yoga Journal Dec, 02)

[Guest guest]

Dear group,

The following is from " Ramakrishna As we saw him " by swami Chetanananda

pg.no 463 in an article titled " The photographs of Sri Ramakrishna " by Swami

Vidyatmananda. It refers to the picture of Sri Ramakrishna at Keshab's

house.

" Is there a meaning in the particular position of Ramakrishna's hands and

the gesture of his fingers - that is, is he making a mudra ? Swami

Nirvanananda reports that Swami Premananda, a direct disciple of Sri

Ramakrishna speculated that the meaning is this: " Everything is there(up,

right hand) not here in this world(left hand) " .

 

regards,

Vikas Akalwadi

--------------------------

Message: 2

Wed, 12 Feb 2003 11:40:52 -0500

Ralph Brockway <ralphbrockway

FW: Symbolic Gestures (article Yoga Journal Dec, 02)

 

Dear Group Members,

 

Can any of you shed light on what Ramakrisha's hands might be saying? If I

hear from Mr. Rviz, I will post it for you.

 

Ralph Brockway

---------------------------

[Guest guest]

Dear group,

 

I queried Swami Chetanananda on the mudras. Specifically I asked him about

a passage in either volume 3 or volume 4 of M.'s Kathamrita in which M.

describes Sri Ramakrishna assuming mudras as he went into ectasy. I was

wondering if these mudras were those in the two photographs. Swami

Chetananada responded in a handwritten note in January of 2001:

 

" ...According to the Hindu tradition Kali has four hands: Lower left hand --

a severed head which indicates offer your best to the Mother; upper left

hand -- a sword which means she can cut our bondage; lower right hand is

Vara = boon, she bestows boon; upper right hand is Abhaya = fearlessness,

she assures not to be fearful from anything in this world.

 

" ...Sri Ramakrishna's mood would change his physical postures and gestures.

When he was in the mood of Kali, his hands perhaps would show like vara +

abhaya. It was M.'s interpretation. It is a good theme for meditation. "

 

Unfortunately I do not have the specific reference I sent to Swami

Chetanananda at my fingertips. I will try to locate it should anyone be

interested. At the time I wrote Swami Chetanananda I was preparing my

teacher's (Sachindra Majumdar) complete translation of Kathamrita for

transfer to CDRom. It is currently available at www.universaltemple.org.

 

Ralph Brockway

 

 

 

 

----------

" Vikas Akalwadi " <vikas

Ramakrishna

Mon, 17 Feb 2003 13:08:16 +0530

" Ramakrishna " <Ramakrishna >

[sri Ramakrishna] Symbolic Gestures (article Yoga Journal Dec, 02)

 

Dear group,

The following is from " Ramakrishna As we saw him " by swami Chetanananda

pg.no 463 in an article titled " The photographs of Sri Ramakrishna " by Swami

Vidyatmananda. It refers to the picture of Sri Ramakrishna at Keshab's

house.

" Is there a meaning in the particular position of Ramakrishna's hands and

the gesture of his fingers - that is, is he making a mudra ? Swami

Nirvanananda reports that Swami Premananda, a direct disciple of Sri

Ramakrishna speculated that the meaning is this: " Everything is there(up,

right hand) not here in this world(left hand) " .

 

regards,

Vikas Akalwadi

--------------------------

Message: 2

Wed, 12 Feb 2003 11:40:52 -0500

Ralph Brockway <ralphbrockway

FW: Symbolic Gestures (article Yoga Journal Dec, 02)

 

Dear Group Members,

 

Can any of you shed light on what Ramakrisha's hands might be saying? If I

hear from Mr. Rviz, I will post it for you.

 

Ralph Brockway

---------------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sri Ramakrishnaye Namah

Vivekananda Centre London

http://www.vivekananda.co.uk