The Sadness of Saints

8/18/2019 The Sadness of Saints

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May/June 2007 Issue No. 1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Sadness of the Saints

At a glance the above topic may seem a bit contradictory. After all, we are all familiar with the axiom, “A saint who’s sad is a sad saint!”

ndeed, we may recall Swami Sri Yukteswarji’s admonition to Mukunda in Autobiography of a Yogi, that, “Finding God means the funeral

ll sorrows.” Yet there is another level of what we may call “spiritual sadness,” which the saints and masters feel for suffering humanity an

hose who are lost in delusion. This sense of God’s sorrow for mankind is represented in the Christian tradition by the Sacred Heart, encirc

y the Crown of Thorns, and by the Holy Virgin, Who is often depicted as shedding tears for Her suffering children.

In his amazing poem, Thy Homecoming, Paramahansa Yogananda describes an experience in ecstatic samadhi wherein he found

imself, as he puts it, “…sitting on a little patch of the Milky Way, beholding the vast universe around me.” He writes, “I am running wild,

ancing in my little body on my little earth, or skimming over the Milky Way, coaxing everything, every atom, every speck of consciousne

o open its gates and let Thy light shine through completely, driving darkness forevermore from Thy cosmic kingdom, which without Thee

lonesome wilderness of matter.”

Can we imagine for a moment what the masters must feel like and why they come back to this earth? Their only desire is to awake

ther souls who are yet held by delusion and bring them home to the realm of light and joy which they, themselves, are always experiencin

How frustrating that must be, in a world where so few can even conceive of wherein lies their own true happiness! Paramahansaji writes,

Their desire is to redeem the whole earth, because every saint of God-realization knows there is no death for him. He is living in that Etern

oy. Yet such saints are aware of the world’s grief. They say to the Heavenly Father, ‘People are killing one another and suffering in many

ther ways. Why must this be?’ And God says, ‘I will send you back sometime to help them.’” ( Man’s Eternal Quest ).

One might well imagine the feelings of the great avadhuta, Bhagavan Nityananda. The day before his mahasamadhi he remarked

lose devotee: “Everyone comes here for money and money only. The more they are given, the more they seek; there is no end to their gree

Not much point in allowing the body to continue – hence samadhi tomorrow.” He repeated the last sentence three times. The disciple was

eeply shocked. In tears he appealed to the Master to cancel or at least postpone his mahasamadhi. Nityananda replied, “It is possible only

ew devotees make a request; not any devotees but those with nishkama bhakti, bhavana and prem (desireless devotion, pure feeling and d i

ove). Even one such is enough and the samadhi will be cancelled. When such a devotee is present, even God cannot take leave without hisermission, or be able to disengage himself from the bind of his pure love.”

In some small way we can empathize. After Swami Sivananda’s awakening into God-consciousness, he would travel around, ofte

itting in crowded areas such as train stations, chanting the Holy Names and imploring people to come and sing to God with him. On our pa

we think everyone should subscribe to Himalayan Heritage, filled as it is with the lives and teaching of the saints and masters, and the path

atya Dharma! We don’t know why the weekly Encinitas Kirtan Circle and Kirtan concerts are not always filled to capacity! Let us do

whatever is within our power to feel the Divine presence and to share that great love and ever-increasing happiness with everyone.

“Giving love to all, feeling the love of God, seeing His presence in everyone…

that is the way to live in this world.”– Paramahansa Yoganand


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For more information, please contact us at [email protected] or call 760-634-2165.See also: www.HimalayanHeritage.info

We sincerely appreciate your support.Checks may be mailed to:

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A Yogi Amid the Himalayan SnowsBy Swami Tapovan Maharaj

n time, the Himalayan winter that tries the powers of endurance of even the people of endurance arrived. This year the winter was rather

nprecedented in its rigor. Most sannyasins left for Rishikesh and other warmer places. As for Swamiji, he decided to put his powers of

ndurance to a test. His idea was to acquire thereby the strength to endure the snowfall at great heights on the Himalayas. He also desired toor himself the solitary and beautiful moods of the Himalayas, which can be experienced only in winter time. Really, he had not the physica

trength to brave the extreme weather, but he stayed on. Even in that benumbing cold, he used to bathe in the Ganga everyday, and carried

he study of the scriptures, meditation, etc., as usual. Perhaps his rigorous penance pleased Devendra, who sent down showers of snowflake

ke showers of flowers in the month of Magh. It was indeed a rare sight to see snow coming down like whiffs of cotton. The snow-covered

egions, shining like molten silver in the bright sunlight, justified the name of Himalaya, “Home of Snow.” In front, behind, to the right, to

eft, above, below – everywhere, it was snow, snow, snow. On seeing this rare phenomenon, Swamiji’s mind danced with joy. No bird stirs

nimal moves about. Even man has become stock-still. The sight of this natural beauty could not satiate Swamiji. Even as the face is seen

eflected in a mirror, he found the Self reflected in Nature. Reveling repeatedly and long in such natural beauty, the mind will finally turn t

Creator. Forgetting all the external world, it will get immersed in the thought of the Auspicious One. The winter at Uttarkashi, so helpful to

eep off distractions, passed chiefly in mental concentration…

The enlightened and liberated soul withdraws the mind from all external activities. Surrendering itself at the feet of the Supreme L

t rises above all thought and attains the state of Supreme Bliss. Thus, imbibing the elixir of joy from the beautiful sights of the Himalayas,

wamiji lost the dual consciousness and immersed himself in the ocean of Spirit, so much so that he was hardly aware of the hardships cauy the snowfall.

*****

The Vasudhara is a waterfall six miles beyond Badrinath. It is formed by the perennial streams that come down from Renukuta

mountain…As usual I had my bath in the Vasudhara, and then sat down on the plain which shone bright with fresh green grass and lovely

lowers, to enjoy the gentle warmth of the sun. Gradually my ears were filled with the Divine music issuing from all sides. That lifted me to

hought of the glory of God, and slowly I attained a state of meditation in which I became unconscious of the material world around me. M

ody grew light and lustrous… Without eating, I was filled. Without friends and things to gladden, my heart was filled with bliss. Intoxicat

with the Divine Joy, I forgot all distinctions between me and the world around me. All sense of duality disappeared. I was now one with the

Vasudhara, the Himalayas, the world itself. In that union I felt the fullness of Divine Joy. That Oneness is the Truth, the Blissful Truth. O

Himalaya! I find no end to your spiritual greatness. May you grant me so many days like today! As a dweller among the Himalayas, I have

ndeed listened with rapture to your divine song from day to day, but really, very rarely have I experienced that ecstasy which I attained tod

“There is one song – one strain that is sung – tha

is heard – and that is the symphony of joy – the

music of true delight.” – Swami Ramd


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Vaiyasaki Das in Encinitas

We were fortunate to host Vaiyasaki Das and his wife, Kaisori, at Jyoti Mandir in March. We had three public kirta

scheduled in the Encinitas area, which quickly expanded to five. Vaiyasaki Das is one of the greatest Western

exponents of traditional raga kirtan. His kirtans really do qualify to be called “ecstatic.” During their visit, we had

opportunity to interview them for our upcoming book, “Where Souls Dream God: Westerner’s Perceptions of Spirit

India.” Here are two short excerpts from that interview:

I went to India in 1978 and visited many d ifferent holy pl

Through a series of interesting events, I ended up travelin

with a God-brother around rural Bangladesh, staying at an

ashram that we found. Eventually we parted ways. He we

south and I decided to go north. I boarded a launch on wh

there just happened to be a group of musicians. They had

instruments with them: a folk version of the esraj, and var

other types of drums and folk instruments. I introduced m

and spoke a few words in Bengali, asking them if they we

band and where they were going. They said that, yes they

were, and they were going to a festival. Pretty soon the lau

arrived at the next stop. They said goodbye and left the bowatched as they walked away across a field. Other passen

had gotten on and the boat was just about to take off.

Suddenly, I jumped off the boat and started running after

them. That spontaneous act changed my life forever!

We arrived at the festival site, and the organizers

hosts, were very surprised to see me, a Westerner. When t

found out I was also a Gaudiya Vaishnava, a vegetarian,

chanting and following the sadhana of their lineage, they w

ery excited. The festival was in honor of the departed father of the host. It was a 72-hour nam kirtan yajna – akanda nam: non-stop. They

ix kirtan groups and each group would play for two hours. In Bangladesh, you always sing the appropriate raga to the time of day. If it’s 8

’clock you sing the 8 o’clock raga – without fail. They look at the time to see which raga it is and sing accordingly. I had never heard raga

irtan like that. It was just amazing. Each group had three lead singers, and they would alternate. The audience does not sing back. Everyon

ust listens and enjoys. Some groups would have an esraj, dotar, violin or flute. Some had only one or a combination of those instruments. Tlways had two mrdangam players who would play in unison, which was just so amazing because they would play these incredibly intricat

als (rhythms) and then boom! They were right together and right on every time. There were usually three kartal (hand cymbol) players also

Every one was brilliant!

I became friendly with two particular groups. One was called the Gauranga Sampradaya and the other was the Nityananda

ampradaya. For three years I followed them around. I would record them and attend their performances. We traveled all over Bangladesh

o I became steeped in this kind of raga kirtan. I still have all those wonderful tapes. I listened to them over and over and that’s how I learn

An Easy Journey to IndiaBy Kaisori Devi

grew up in Mexico and my family members were devotees of Sathya Sai Baba. We had pictures of Sai Baba in our house, and a chair that

et-aside for him. At that time my parents had not yet gone to India. When I was four years old, I had just laid down to go to sleep at nightwhen I felt someone push my arm. I thought it was my mother and didn’t say anything. This happened again, and the third time I started to

omplain, saying, “I’m trying to sleep.” But when I looked, it was Sai Baba. He was standing next to my bed. He said, “Would you like to

ome to India with me?” I was only four, so I asked, “How will we get there?” He then took me by the hand and we rose up above the hous

As I looked down I saw the whole house was filled with angels – so many angels! I said, “Why are all those angels in my house?” He repli

They are always there to look after you and your family.” Who knew! Immediately we were at Sai Baba’s Ashram in India and he was

howing me around. I remember everything in great detail. There was a large lotus sculpture with the petals dedicated to the different religi

f the world. Suddenly, right next to me, there was a beautiful, large statue of Lord Ganesha with his hand raised in abhaya mudra, the

raditional gesture of fearlessness. I also remembered all the colored lights that looked so beautiful. Soon I was back in my bed at home. W

awoke in the morning I was very excited and told my mother, “Last night Sai Baba came and took me to India!” She thought, of course, t

was a beautiful dream. It wasn’t until several years later, when some friends sent photos to us from Sai Baba’s Ashram, that my mother

ecognized in the pictures the very things that I had described. She showed them to me and I said,’ Oh yes. That’s where I was!”


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Sri Hanuman Chalisa – A Translation

“Every line of the Hanuman Chalisa is a Mahamantra.”– Neem Karoli B

The Hanuman Chalisa, or 40 verses in praise of Lord Hamunan, was composed in the 16 th

Century by the poet-saint and gre

devotee of Lord Rama, Sant Tulasidas. To this day it is one of the most popular devotional songs in India.

“Taking the dust of my guru’s lotus feet to purify the mirror of my mind, I begin to describe the taintless pure glory of Rama,

Bestower of the four fruits of life (virtue, wealth, enjoyment and liberation.) Knowing myself to be without intellect of my own, I remembe

You, O Son of the Wind (Hanuman). Be pleased to grant me strength, intelligence and wisdom, and free me from all forms of suffering and

fflictions of the senses. I take refuge at the feet of Sita’s husband, Lord Rama.

“Hail Hanuman, ocean of wisdom and virtue! Hail, Lord of the monkey race, enlightening the three worlds! Messenger of Rama,

bode of incomparable strength, Anjani’s son, known as the Son of the Wind. Valiant and brave, with a body like a lightning bolt. You

ransform ignorance, and are the companion of the wise. Golden in color and beautifully adorned, with rings in Your ears and long curly ha

earing the mace and banner, with the sacred thread across Your shoulder, You are Shiva incarnate. Your power and glory are praised

throughout the universe. Full of wisdom – virtuous and clever – Y

are always eager to do Rama’s work. Ever immersed in the necta

story of Lord Rama, You live in the hearts of Rama, Sita and

Lakshman. You assumed a tiny form to appear before Sita, then huge and terrifying one to burn the demon stronghold of Lanka.

Taking the form of a mighty warrior, You destroyed the demon

army, carrying out all the wishes of Rama. You brought the life-

giving herb from the Himalayas to revive Lakshman, and Sri Ram

clasped You to His heart. He praised You greatly saying, “Hanum

You are as dear to me as my own brother, Bharata. A thousand

voices sing Your praises!” So He declared, as He embraced You

again! Sanaka and all the r ishis (sages), Lord Brahma, Narada,

Sarada, Sesha, Yama, Kubera and Digapala all praise You. Then

can a mere poet succeed in describing You! You did a great serv

to Sugriva (the king of the monkey race), by bringing him to Ram

who made him king. Vibhishana became Lord of Lanka by follo

Your advice, as all the world knows. As a Youth You leapt the 1leagues to the sun wishing to swallow it, thinking it to be a sweet

fruit! So it is no wonder You leapt across the ocean holding the

Lord’s ring in Your mouth. Any difficult work is made easy by Y

grace. You are the keeper at the door of Rama’s abode. None ma

enter there without Your permission. All happiness comes to tho

who take refuge in You. With You as protector there is nothing t

fear. You alone can bear Your own power. All the three worlds

tremble at Your thunderous roar. Demons and ghosts cannot com

near the place where Your name is recited, Brave One. Diseases

cured and sufferings removed by the constant repetition of Your

name. Indeed, You remove all the troubles of those who meditate

You in thought, word and deed. The ascetic King Rama is Supre

Beyond. You carry out all His work. Those who come to You ha

all their desires fulfilled and receive the Divine Nectar, the highe

fruit of life. Your glory fills the four ages. Your fame enlightens

niverse. You are the protector of the saints and the destroyer of the demons. By Mother Janaki’s (Sita’s) blessing, You bestow the eight

piritual powers and nine treasures. You possess the true essence of Rama, yet always remain His servant. Through devotion to You, Rama

btained, and the sufferings of many births are left behind. At the time of death one will go to Rama’s abode, to be born there as a devotee

he Lord. One need not call on other gods. Hanuman alone will bestow all happiness. Hail! Hail! Hail! Lord Hanuman! Bestow Your grace

me as my guru! Whosoever recites these verses 100 times is freed from bondage and attains the highest happiness. Whoever even reads thi

Hanuman Chalisa will be perfected, as Shiva is the witness. Tulasidas always serves the Lord. O Lord, make my heart Your home.

“O Son of the Wind, remover of difficulties, embodiment of happiness, king of gods, dwell in my heart along with Rama, Sita and

Lakshman. I take refuge at the holy feet of Sita’s husband, Lord Rama.”

Siyawara Ramachandra ki Jai! Pawanaputra Hanumana ki Jai!


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Flow of GraceChanting the Hanuman Chalisa

A New CD from Krishna Das

Many of us were first introduced to the magic of the Hanunan Chalisa by listening to the wonderful kirtan recordings of Krishna Das. Init

ppearing on One Track Heart , and subsequently on Live on Earth and Door of Faith, it is also featured on recordings by Durga Das (DaviNewman), Bhagavan Das, Govindas and recently by the Temple Bhajan Band. The recording produced by the Hanuman Temple and Neem

Karoli Baba Ashram in Taos, New Mexico, is h ighly recommended, featuring eleven versions sung by Jai Uttal, Geoffrey Gordon, Jai

Lakshman, Diana Rogers and Carolyn Shapiro. (See: www.nkbashram.org).

Now Krishna Das has released an entire dou

CD dedicated entirely to the Hanuman Chalisa. Disc

features six complete versions of the Chalisa, two of

which are on his earlier recordings, and four of whic

new. Track One is entitled, Sri Ram Chalisa, and is o

16 minutes in length. Inserting the mahamantra, Sri

Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram, in between each verse, the effec

wonderful!

Each of the Chalisa variations has a specifichighly devotional mood, and are easy to follow along

with. All are sung by Krishna Das with the exception

Track Four: Nina Chalisa, which is sung beautifully

with purity by his long-time assistant, Nina Rao. Kri

Das says, “I tricked her into doing it. I told her we w

sing it together, but in the studio I sat in the group an

said, ‘You sing.’ And she d id beautifully.” The final

track on Disc One is the original version of the “Ring

Song,” from which the song by that name on Pilgrim

Heart was derived. Krishna Das says it was “taught t

me by two devotees of Maharaj-ji: Mrs. Tewari and h

daughter, Menu…It is Sita talking to Hanuman, who

just jumped over the ocean to f ind Her for Ram.”Disc 2 is designed specifically for those who

want to learn to sing the Hanuman Chalisa themselv

contains two tracks, the first is a spoken version with

musical accompaniment, emphasizing pronunciation

ound it to be highly enjoyable to listen to on its own as a meditation, and also as a pronunciation check. It is followed by a phrase by phras

ersion, with each phrase repeated twice. With this CD and the Presence behind it, the Hanuman Chalisa is destined to gain a much wider

udience. May many souls learn it, chant it and derive the greatest benefit from this divine prayer that was so highly regarded by the great

master, Sri Sri Neem Karoli Baba Maharaj.

“Learning to chant the Hanuman Chalisa takes a tremendous amoun

of effort and dedication. Once you are familiar with it, you can begin

to use the Chalisa as a devotional practice…There is no doubt that

God hears the inner calling of every heart and responds to all, but if

we are going to do this as a devotional practice, the more

wholeheartedly and mindfully we learn and recite the Chalisa, the

deeper it will take us.”– Krishna Da


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India DreamingThis feature includes stories from or about India,

focusing on Her endlessly unfolding expressions of spirituality.

Meeting a Saint on Mount Abu By Myriam Machado-Baker

My husband and I arrived in India through the city of Delhi where we stayed for a couple a days awaiting the arrival of the Darshan Tours

ilgrims. We were join ing them for the second portion of their pilgrimage to some of the main holy centers along the Ganges. They had jus

ome from the mountain portion of their tour where they had visited many sacred sites in the beautiful Himalayas. My husband, Larry, and

were fresh, awake, and ready to experience all and everything in India. The group arrived in the late afternoon. They looked as though they

lready settled into the slow and earthly rhythm of India. We couldn’t help but notice their beatific smiles: the proof of living and experien

o many divine moments in the mountains. We thought, “Why didn't we come earlier?” The next morning we introduced ourselves at break

nd headed to the airport. Destination: Varanasi.

Varanasi (Banaras) was my first real

experience of India, and it was unique. The pe

in the airport, children dancing in their costum

to get some money, lots of guides, vans, mini

buses and big buses. Everybody was waiting fthe tourists, and here we were! The road from

airport to the hotel was very poor and we drov

our minivan thru the poor areas of the city and

many small shops. Cows, children running an

playing, women in bright saris, men just hangi

out…colorful fabrics everywhere…everything

coexisting in a peaceful dance.

We checked into a very comfortable

and rested a little while until sunset. We then w

down to the main ghat, called Dasashwamedh

see the Ganga Aarti ceremony from a boat. W

took bicycle rickshaws and moved slowly

throughout the crowded narrow roads. Everythwas already so overwhelming! All our senses

being bombarded by the most extreme sensati

loud sounds (chanting to all forms of God), so

many colors and smells…it was so much that

lmost couldn't think. I was just present. Amazing! We got out of the rickshaws and walked toward the river. I will never forget my first sig

f the Ganga. The water seemed so still. There was no movement. Even my breath became still. The colors of the sunset were falling over t

iver and the warmth in the air was embracing my heart. The emotion of remembering all my years of reading the Autobiography of a Yogi

with my Guruji’s description of the Ganges… and there I was, looking toward the river that has inspired the lives of so many great divine

masters! I couldn't talk. I could hardly breathe. Time stopped for I don't know how long. I remember walking under a balcony, just followin

my husband. There were covered people lying in dark corners; some fetid smells combined with incense and burning candles…and lots of

eople…lots and lots of people. We got into a small boat and someone gave me flowers, incense and a candle in a little arrangement. I sat o

he boat and burst into tears. My heart couldn't take so much emotion – so much gratitude, so much love.

We stayed in India for a little over two months, visiting many special places such as the YSS (Yogoda Satsanga Society) ashramsarious palaces, forts, temples, simple devotee’s homes, and caves…caves where renunciants have lived for many years in search of their o

elf-realization.

One very special experience occurred while we were visiting Mount Abu, which is revered as a holy town in the southwestern

mountains of Rajasthan. It is a very beautiful location with many hidden caves that are inhabited by holy men living in seclusion. We were

iscussing our proposed itinerary with a local guide when I mentioned that I was a yoga teacher and that Larry taught Vipassana meditation

was very surprised and told us that he would change our "tourist" itinerary and take us to see a holy man. So off we went. Walking up a tra

we climbed a small hill facing the lake that is surrounded by the city. We soon arrived at a cave that had been made into a small room with

oor. Our guide knocked and a swami welcomed us with a br ight and friendly smile. We were invited to come in and he promptly prepared

hai and served us. We sat with him and started to talk with the guide as our translator. Our guide told him that we were meditators. He

esponded that he knew. He said he could feel that we were talking the same language even if we couldn’t “talk the same language.” Every


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word he said was full of joy and truth. We felt so good and happy. Our consciousness was moving into a higher level of awareness. We rea

elt blessed, and felt that we were in the presence of a genuine holy man.

A spontaneous satsang developed and he told us that he had been living there for about 30 years. He said he was taking care of som

ows and receiving donations from the local people. He was just a simple renunciant and we could feel that he was completely happy in his

implicity. How could we know that? Because we were happy just being there. He had the power to uplift our consciousness just by being

is presence.

We could feel that here was a man of realization. He was talking from his own experience, not from books, or from what other peo

may say. He told us that he was a bhakti yogi. He said that he does study the Vedas, but his most important practice is to feel the presence o

God everywhere and in everything. He said that he could feel only love and joy…and more love and more joy…for everything and everyon

He smiled, looking directly into our eyes.

I asked him about the secret of this earthly drama. Why, if we are already in the Divine Presence, in the bosom of Divine Mother,

he bliss of Spirit, do we get lost and need to find our way back Home again? He responded, through the translator, that we have never left

osom of the Mother Divine. We have never left our eternal Home. He then told me that I was just dreaming in a very light sleep, and soon

was going to wake up. He said, interspersed with the purest and most sincere smiles, that in order to awaken earlier and faster from this dre

could practice seeing the light of the Divine vibrating everywhere. He pointed to the trees outside and said, “That is what I see, because I

ractice day by day, year by year. I practice seeing the presence of God everywhere, and now I can see It. It is simple like that.”

We stayed there talking, smiling…just loving each other. We were drinking chai together like close friends…as family…and as

evotees. We sat talking with a man who couldn't speak English, who we had never seen before and probably will never see again. Yet for

t was a moment of awakening: a glimpse of the fulfillment of my life’s dream.

Jai Jagannath! Jai Bhagavan! Jai Kali! Jai Durga! Jai Jaganmata! Jai Gurudev!

– Your humble devotee in the practice of Your Holy Prese

For India Tour Information, Please See:www.MastersDarshan.com

www.MysticToursofIndia.com


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Bhagavan Sri Krishna, Part 2(Continued from previous issue)

By Bhakta Sundaram

Amongst the gopis of Brindavan, each of whom had their own unique and personal love story with Sri Krishna, it is Sri Radharani who shin

s the brightest star in the sky of His lila in Vraja. Radha and Krishna represent the perfection of love. In reality, Radha and Krishna are onor the consummation of ideal love is unity. The supreme ecstasy of Radha when in the presence of Krishna represents the epitome of spiri

fe. Completely free of selfish interest, her only desire was to please Krishna. Speaking to the other gopis, she told them, “Krishna is my li

nd soul. Krishna is my only treasure. I therefore keep Him always in my heart of hearts. This is my constant meditation.” When Radha an

Krishna were together they shared the mellow sweetness of indescribable bliss. When they were parted, Radha was thrown into such intens

onging to be reunited with her Beloved that she was oblivious to the world and her own personal appearance, so completely was she absor

n the love of God.

Such is the story of each jiva, every soul, who is seeking divine fulfillment. When, through intense longing for God, spiritual prac

nd divine grace, we achieve communion with the Beloved, our seeking is quenched in the all-fulfilling sea of bliss consciousness. If, owin

ur past karma and the pull of worldly attractions, we fall from that immaculate state, the pain of separation is unbearable. Our longing at th

me becomes greatly intensified. In that sense, Radha represents the relationship of each soul as it approaches oneness with the Supreme S

Metaphysically speaking, Radha is the Divine Mother, the personification of the entire creation, and Krishna is God the Father,

ranscendental Spirit beyond manifestation. They are one God who appear to be two in relation to creation. Saints who have achieved onenwith God behold everywhere the interplay of Spirit and

Nature. Thus the great master, Paramahansa Yoganand

sang, “Spirit and Nature, dancing together. Victory to

Spirit! Victory to Nature! Radha, Radha, Radha Govin

Jai!”

The gopis were highly advanced souls who,

through past life effort had won the unparalleled

benediction of being in the presence of the Lord during

incarnation as Sri Krishna. They exemplified the spiritu

abandonment, the complete self surrender that characte

the true follower of the path of love, also called Bhakti

Yoga. They remembered Krishna with every breath

(smarana). They loved to talk with one another about Hglories and attributes (sravana). They prayed to Him

(vandana), sang of Him (kirtana), served Him in any w

they could (pada-sevana and dasya), worshipped His

beautiful form (pujana), loved Him as their Friend of

friends (sakhi-jana), and offered their very life to Him

(atma-nivedana). These are the nine forms of devotiona

service as delineated by the great sage Narada Muni in

Bhakti Sutras.

When the young girls of Brindavan, the gopis

heard the sound of Krishna’s flute, their hearts and min

were captivated with the sweetness of divine intoxicati

They left whatever tasks they may have been engaged i

uncompleted, even though their clothing and ornamentmay have been in a state of total disarray, rushing off to

forest to wait secretly for Krishna, each unbeknownst t

other.

On moonlit nights, Radha, Krishna and all the

gopis would enact the most divine drama which can on

called Rasa. The word “rasa” itself carries the meanin

“that nectar which bestows bliss.” This is no physical

potion! Adi Shankaracharya commented that those wh

have attained realization of God are always happy and

of exceeding joy even though no external circumstance


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aused them to be so. Their joy emanates from the Absolute alone, and is the source of their unbridled happiness. Rasa is the subtle divine

ectar which gives spiritual intoxication, inebriating love and a joy which is always new and ever-changing.

In a forest glade which had already been transformed by the very presence of the Lord into a heaven on earth, with the ever-pure

Yamuna River coursing by and the full moon glowing softly in the heavens, Sri Krishna played his transcendental flute. All the gods and

oddesses from the heavenly realms appeared in the sky over the forest of Brindavan, showering flower petals from above. Time stood still

uddenly, each gopi found the Beloved of her heart standing next to her. He held her close to Himself as He led her in the rasa dance. Of a

he endearing pastimes of this Incarnation of Love, this is the moment indescribable. Words fail us. What, in all the worlds, could compare

his time in eternity! As the dance progressed, each gopi lost her own limiting sense of self as she merged into the great Self of which she wut a reflection. It is said that the state of divine consciousness which meditating yogis achieve only after years, or perhaps even lifetimes o

meditation, was achieved by the gopis through the all-attracting power of their love for Krishna!

Each gopi felt that her Lover was dancing with her alone. This is the eternal romance between each soul and the Divine. We are so

oved by God that He longs to take us into His mystic embrace, yet we must do our part by turning to Him with all the love of our hearts. W

must surrender our lives to Him, even as did the gopis of Brindavan.

A most remarkable booklet was revealed to the world in the year 1924. As the author, Raihana Tyabji, tells us in his introduction

ntitled, “How It Happened,” he suddenly felt compelled to write something about Sri Krishna. Although he had long felt a deep attraction

Krishna, the thought of writing about Him seemed impossible. Yet, as he sat at his desk, the story of Sharmila, a young girl who had just

married and moved to her husband’s home in Gokula during the time of Krishna, was revealed “to (his) own astonished and enraptured gaz

He tells us that the story literally came pouring out almost faster than the ink could flow. During the three days it took to complete the book

ontinued to feel a force outside of himself who was writing through him, as it were. There were elements in the story that he did not

nderstand or comprehend at the time that he wrote it. His conclusion is so poignant that it must be quoted verbatim:

Not knowing what name to g ive it, I called it “Fragment of a Gopi’s Diary.” Gradually, however, I came to understand that this i

Diary,” but rather the revelation of God’s way with a soul that is ripe for spiritual awakening. There is, first, the hearing of the Name,

ollowed by a curiosity that rapidly deepens into attraction. Then comes the contact with a true Bhakta (see ‘Radha Darshan’), and then a

radual and ever-deepening sense of His Presence, an intense desire for direct communion with Him. Whereupon – the soul turns into a G

ees Him, and lives in Brindavan, near His Feet, for ever afterwards. And so, comprehending this, I now call this little book, “The Heart of

Gopi.”

His delightful story describes for the reader the transformation of Sharmila into a gopi, despite the persecution of some family

members and the understandable misunderstandings of her husband. Through her considerable wit and spiritual maturity, Sharmila assures

usband that loving Krishna does not in any way detract from her love for him, but rather enhances it. She was fortunate to share a rare and

eep love with she whom she calls her “Nath,” (literally, “Lord”), when referring to her husband:

Long my Nath and I ta lked together yesterday, and our souls became indissolvably knit together… but presently I changed the sub

nd spoke of the marvelous flute I had heard the day before. He listened and nodded slowly.

“Thou hast heard Krishna,” he said.

“Hast thou seen Him?” I asked, with quickening pulse.

“Nay…”

And so we talked in sweet accord until the sun declined in the west, and the last lingering glow of his farewell pageant of color fad

rom earth and sky. The hush of newborn twilight stole upon our spirits, and we were mute, when suddenly, upon our ears fell a shower of

olden music, so sweet, so clear, so bright. Each note seemed tipped with a tiny flame-colored star. Then the golden shower became a rain

f colored gems, sparkling and scintillating, until my lord and I both clapped our hands to our dazzled eyes, not knowing whether we saw t

music or heard it; heard the colors or saw them. When the music ended I know not, for we were half swooning in rapture, utterly lost to the

world. I know now the meaning of Samadhi. That was Samadhi, that divine trance, that u tter oblivion to the sense-world, to the body; that b

nutterable, when the soul stands at last face to face with the Paramatman and knows, “This I am.”

Never, never shall I forget last evening, for with the first note of that Celestial Flute I was born anew, never again to die.

“Sri Krishna, with the enchanting melodies of his heavenly

flute, is calling all devotees to the bower of divine union in

samadhi meditation, there to bask in the blissful love of God.”– Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda

God Talks With Arjuna: The Bhagavad Gita (xxi


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In is Own Words

Swami Tapovan Maharaj

– The best way to generate true devotion is through association with the knowers of Truth: Satsanga…Step by step, the mind w

steep itself in Divine love and devotion.

– It is action with desire that produces samsara [the cycle of birth, death and rebirth]. Desire, even without action, causessamsara. But action without desire, action without caring for its fruits, on the contrary, leads to emancipation.

– Even pure and innocent actions become muddled and produce disquietude if done with a desire for their fruits. If good action

are performed as a mode of worship, they lead to peace and tranquility.

– God, who is Life, creates this wonderful universe, which serves as the home of endless multitudes of creatures. Who can dou

it?

– By devoutly worshipping Him with desireless action Who is at once with form and without it, and Who is an ocean of mercy

man can attain the Supreme Good.

– When one clings to God with inexhaustible love, even as worldlings attach themselves to sensuous pleasures, that love is cal Bhakti.

– Sex and money afford little pleasure and produce much pain. To accept sensuous pleasures is to invite immense misery. To

reject one is to reject the other. With such constant thoughts, we should strengthen our minds and make them firm.

– See God inside and outside and everywhere. Know all creatures, big and small, to be forms of God, and therefore treat them

with respect and love. Never deviate a hair’s breadth from truth, duty and good conduct. This is the true spiritual life.

– To attain God is the end and aim of human life.

– The realization of the Self becomes easy for one who possesses a sharp intellect and firm faith.

– All true aspirants should concentrate their minds upon the hidden and noble Self, and continue their efforts unbroken, like th

flow of water.

– To the worthy aspirants who approach them in the proper way, the great spiritual guides, in their infinite mercy, impart

instruction on the knowledge of Truth and initiate them into spiritual exercises. But it is for the aspiring disciples themselves

follow those instructions and acquire the Divine qualities by strenuous effort…It is clear that only by the knowledge acquire

ceaseless personal effort can one put an end to samsara. There is no other way.

– Humanity is essentially one and indivisible. All that divides people and creates ill will and rivalry can never be Sanatana

(Eternal). What, then, is Sanatana Dharma? The divine qualities are the means and Godhood is the end. In my view these are

the Sanatana Dharma, nothing else.

– If sannyasins have the right to warn those heroic people who remain at home and take part in worldly affairs to be careful, an

not to be misled by tempting sensuous charms, then active men have a similar right to remind sannyasins, who pride themse

upon being perfectly free from obligations, not to let themselves lapse into the well of laziness.

– It is possible to transform every evil into good. Every calamity tends to our future prosperity. Those who know the way can

convert poison into the nectar of immortality.

– Love all; love everything; love always. To make the world a place of love, this is the way.

– The first and foremost means of God-realization is love. Love of the Lord is unsurpassed. To have as much love of God as an

ordinary man entertains for his wife and children, that is one’s highest duty.


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SAINTS & SAGES Swami Tapovan Maharaj

Swami Tapovan Maharaj is well known in India, especially in the Himalayan reg

of Rishikesh and Uttarkashi, where he spent the better portion of his life. In the W

he is known primarily as the guru of Swami Chinmayananda, who established ma

centers in America. His Chinmaya Mission still continues under the able guidancSwami Tejomayananda. Swami Tapovan’s books that have been translated into

English include Wanderings in the Himalayas, and his spiritual autobiography,

Ishwara Darshan. Both come highly recommended to all seekers of Truth –

especially those who are drawn toward the path of renunciation – sannyas – or w

are fascinated by the lives of the Himalayan yogis.

Swamiji was born in the year 1889 near Palghat in Kerala, South India.

underwent extensive English and Sanskrit education, yet from his earliest days

expressed a deep attraction toward the spiritual life and a yearning for renunciatio

On his father’s death he became independent, yet continued to fulfill his family

obligations while leading a tranquil and religious life. To visit the Himalayas, and

spend his life there in scriptural study and meditation, was ever the engrossing ob

of his existence. He deferred the fulfillment of that desire, however, until his only

brother had completed his education. He appeased himself by the study of highertexts in Vedanta and intense spiritual practices.

After his brother was settled in a career, he then felt the hour had come t

fulfill his long-cherished desire. On Janmashtami Day in 1923, he left his home o

the pretext of visiting certain tirthas (holy places). Swamiji then proceeded to

Panchavadi, near Nasik, spending some time there with a mahatma, Swami

Hridayananda. While there he went to the banks of the Narmada, taking sannyas

his own. From there he proceeded to Prayag and Ayodhya, passing some time in

company of several mahatmas. He then made a visit to Rishikesh, in the foothills

the great Himalayas, and made his residence there. He lived upon alms and began

practicing samadhi. Before long he was formally initiated into sannyas by HH Sr

anardanagiri Swami, head of the Kailash Ashram. He continued to stay in Rishikesh in a thatched hut, and in the summer went up to

Uttarkashi and higher places in the Himalayas. He trekked to Kailash and stayed for a time in Tibetan lamaseries.

Swamij’s favorite places in the Himalayas were Uttarkashi, Gangotri and Badri. The mountain people around those places worship

im like a god. Swamiji spent many years during the latter part of his life at Uttarkashi and Gangotri, passing his time enjoying samadhi an

eaching Brahma Vidya (Knowledge of God). His close friend, the great spiritual master and founder of the Divine Life Society, Swami

ivananda of Rishikesh, wrote a tribute to Swami Tapovan in which he says,

“(Swamiji) commenced his life with complete indifference toward wealth and position, for he was born with the Sannyas ideal

foremost in this heart. He was rooted in the conviction that earthly glory was as mere straw before the grandeur of a life in the Spirit. To

this born monk, (spiritual) wealth alone was the real wealth…

“True to the classic tradition of rigid Sannyas, Swamiji has taken himself to the forest fastness of the upper Himalayas, and for

many years past, he has taken his abode in sacred Uttarkashi. He shuns the plains with all its garish materialism, its intense worldly bustl

and petty concerns of earthly profit and pleasure. He seeks, at times, the deeper solitudes of the higher regions of icy Gangotri and

Gomukhi. To him, the Himalayas are his native home, and seclusion amidst its towering peaks is his very life breath, as it were. He likes

immensely the towering ranges, the dense deep seclusion of the Himalayan mountain peaks and its forests. He feels inspired by its sublimscenery and highly elevated by the serene peace of the Himalayan atmosphere…

“Even as Father Himalaya is perennially giving to the world his snowy treasure in the form of the life-giving Ganga, Sri Swami

Tapovan has given his life’s experiences in the written Ganga of his autobiography ( Ishwara Darshan). May all drink of its waters and b

filled with wisdom! May you all attain the Divine Life in the Atman and be established in the Supreme Brahmic Consciousness! All glor

to Swami Tapovan who, through his life and his life-sketch, reveals to you the secret to this attainment!”

“It is the Vision of God that brings all worldly sorrow to its end. Don’t be idle, leaving

all the future to chance or fate. Only he who walks on and on can reach his goal.”– Sri Swami Tapova


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Ashram School Update

As many of our readers know, since beginning fundraising efforts on behalf of the Anandamayi Ma Ashram School, which provides both

piritual and secular education and support to the poor village children and their families in Omakreshwar, we have raised $8000 through th

enerosity of so many devotees and fr iends. After the wonderful and very successful fundraising benefit held at Jyoti Mandir last fall, we

eceived a beautiful poster-size photo of the children, teachers, staff and sannyasins from the School which is reproduced below. The childr

lso signed a large card of appreciation, some writing in Hindi and some in English. We were very touched by their heart-warming responsRecently we received the following letter from Swami Mangalananda:

Jai Ma! With the large “care package” of funds sent to us from the recent fundraising efforts of Jyoti Mandir, we have begun

the construction of five new rooms for the school on the Omkareshwar ashram premises. These rooms will form the

foundation for two more stories of schoolrooms in the future, and will be the site of our new, larger hostel building and

garden study area.

Classes, at present, are being held in overflow areas outside under shade roofs constructed of tree branches by the students

themselves. This works for the winter months when the weather is comfortable, but for the upcoming summer heat and

monsoon rain, we will have the shelter of the new rooms.

We send our love and thanks to all who participated in this great philanthropic work. God bless you and bring all punya and

upliftment!

Swami Mangalananda

Anandamayi Ma Ashram

Omkareshwar, India

Address Change for School Donations

Donations for the Ashram School may be sent to us here at Jyoti Mandir, or directly to the following address. (Please note that this is a new

ddress from the one previously listed in Issue #10):

Paramananda Yoga & Vedanta Institute

11 Cadillac Road

Burlington, NJ 08106

For more information about the Anandamayi Ma Ashram and School, Mata Anandamayi Tripura Vidyapee

please see their beautiful website: www.SriAnandamayiMa.org and click on “Omkareshwar Ashram.”

The Sadness of Saints

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