Divine Company

 This happened quite a few years ago….

Sri Swamiji was at the Madhurapuri Ashram and I had gone to have his darshan.  Sri Swamiji was in the Ashram sitting on a reclining chair, reading a book. I prostrated before Him and sat a little away.  
A little while later Sri Kalyanakrishnan, an ardent devotee of Sri Swamiji came in and sat down after bowing down to Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji's benign glance fell on him. Sri Swamiji gave the book to him asking him to read it aloud. Sri Kalyanakrishnan began to read it aloud. It was the life history of Shirdi Mahatma. Sri Swamiji leaned back on the reclining chair and listened to the reading. It was then that He suddenly sat up and with a gesture of his hand and a nod of his head beckoned to someone to come inside.
Curious, I turned and found four stray dogs standing in a row, quietly, just outside the Ashram and looking at Sri Swamiji! Sri Swamiji was beckoning to one of them to come inside! That dog responded. He came inside and stood to Sri Swamiji’s left facing the other dogs outside. Sri Swamiji said, “Sit down,” and tapped the dog lightly. And the dog sat down. He seemed relaxed. No sooner had this dog sat down than the other three standing outside began to bark loudly. They did not seem to be in favour of one from their group leaving them and joining the Guru! The dog inside did not seem to bother much.  He seemed nonchalant; placing his head on his forelegs he relaxed!  The dogs outside continued to bark. Sri Swamiji leaned back on the reclining chair and listened to the reading. Some time passed.
The dog beside Sri Swamiji stirred and Sri Swamiji said, “Stay here.” The dog sat quietly. It looked up at Sri Swamiji and then at the barking dogs outside. They barked continuously without a break! It became louder and louder as they found their friend not responding to their call. Some more time passed.
The dog inside now got up and looked at those outside. The barking became louder. Sri Swamiji looked at this dog and in a serious tone said, “Hm! Sit down.” The dog sat down once again.
The dogs outside began to bark louder as their friend inside had got up but sat down again at Sri Swamiji's command. The fellow inside seemed undecided now; It looked as if he wanted to sit inside beside Sri Swamiji but the cry from outside had also begun to affect him. He sat for about five minutes but again got up. Sri Swamiji with his left hand pressed him down and he sat down. The dogs outside could not bear this and louder they began to bark. Some more time passed.
Sri Kalyanakrishnan, oblivious of the tug of war, was reading loudly from the book.  The dogs outside continued to bark calling their friend to come back to them. Some time passed.
The dog now got up once again and took a step forward! But he stopped for a moment to look at Sri Swamiji! Sri Swamiji said, “Don’t go. Sit here.” But the dog stood as if undecided.        
Sri Swamiji said again, sternly, “No. Don’t go. Sit.” The dog sat down but seemed restless. The dogs outside continued to bark. They stopped not for a moment. They could not tolerate this indifference to their call. Louder and louder they barked.
Some more time passed and now the fellow inside could not defy their call any more. He got up once again and Sri Swamiji sat up and said to him in a soft tone, “Don’t go. Sit here.” He touched the dog lightly. The dog stopped but did not sit down. He stood for a few moment; the dogs outside, seeing their friend now responding to their call, seemed excited. They barked louder as if asking the fellow to come out quickly. The dog inside would take two or three steps forward but move back on Sri Swamiji ordering him not to go. This went on for some time; but after a while he could not defy the cry of his friends and dashed outside without turning towards Sri Swamiji. Sri Swamiji called out, “Yei! Come here! Come here!” But the dog did not turn. The moment he joined the other dogs the barking stopped and, in all glee, all of them took a right about turn and fled from there taking their friend along with them. Sri Swamiji kept looking at him as he ran, along with the other dogs, all the way down the drive way and moved out of the Ashram gate and disappeared from sight!

I felt a sharp pain in my heart for that jiva who could not stand against the onslaught of his friends and gave up the ‘rare to attain’ Divine Company; the thought crossed my mind ‘well! This is how the ignorant friends and relatives who know not the value of Satsang (Divine Company) persuade a person against seeking it.’

- Nirmala Giri

Source : http://www.namadwaar.org/

KALPATARU DAY - MASS PRAYER – 2024

KALPATARU DAY - MASS PRAYER – 2024

On the first of Jan 2024, amidst the vibrant energy and palpable anticipation, the 18th Kalpataru mass prayer unfolded at the ‘Thapo Bhoomi’, Kanyakumari by the grace of our Guru Maharaj, HH Maharanyam Sri Sri Muralidhara Swamiji and Madhuri Sakhi Samedha Sri Premika Varadhan, leaving an indelible mark on all those fortunate enough to partake in its multifaceted experience. It was organised in the expansive grounds of the venerable Vivekananda Kendra. The arrangements had to facilitate a whopping crowd of about ten thousand devotees from all over the globe, and so it did. The event was scheduled to start at 5 pm but devotees could be seen thronging the precincts of the venue from 2:30 pm to seat themselves in the initial rows and experience the splendour to the fullest. As they entered the precincts, they were given a small bag which had the prasad for the day.

As the devotees settled themselves for the divine rendezvous, every eye was eager to get a glimpse of the Master. The seating was meticulously planned with broad aisles that facilitated seamless navigation through the rows. At every aisle volunteers stood to help the devotees get themselves seated comfortably. 

Ten minutes before the clock struck five, the devotees sensed some fervour near the stage and spotted some running legs. They knew at once that this marks the arrival of the one, whose darshan they were yearning for all this while. Sri Swamiji decided to sit down next to the stage on his chair and grace his devotees with his darshan. At once the occasion unfolded with a captivating and divine light music session that set the tone for the memorable evening. As the inaugural segment of the event gracefully concluded, seamlessly paving the way for the ensuing phase, Sri Swamiji enchantingly strolled around the stage to quench the thirst for darshan, of his devotees sitting on both sides of the massive ramp. Then Sri Swamiji ascended to the stage for his much-awaited address and mass chanting. Sri Swamiji honoured and blessed the musicians for their soulful rendition. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Bhagyanathan, personal secretary to Sri Swamiji. As a mark of gratitude for not only giving space physically for this massive event, but also in their hearts, Sri Swamiji honoured the distinguished authorities of Vivekananda Kendra, himself. Soon after the welcome speech and amidst thousands of eager ears and eyes, the much awaited ‘Anugraha Bhashanam’ of Sri Swamiji commenced. Sri Swamiji started the discourse by stating that Kanyakumari is known for its Triveni Sangamam where the three massive waterbodies meet. 

But Kanyakumari had witnessed that day, the meeting of one more ocean making it four, the ocean of bhaktas who had assembled there. He addressed the devotees as Ratnas, Pearls and great souls who chant Nama.

Towards the end of his mesmerizing and enchanting discourse, Sri Swamiji commenced the most awaited part of the event. He asked the devotees to pray for their wishes for 10 minutes and assured that he himself will accompany them in their prayers. For 10 minutes the massive venue was encapsulated by silent prayers. As the time ordained ended, fervent, zealous, and devoted chanting of the Mahamantra led by Sri Swamiji engulfed the whole arena and reverberated till the horizon. Sri Swamiji beaming with joy walked through out the massive ramp and blessed each and everyone. He showed his ‘Abhaya Hastam’ the absolute assurance that he will take care, to all the eyes fixed on him. The fervour and zeal grew for every Nama, and as the clock was about to strike 30 minutes past eight, the curtains were brought down on the Kalpatharu day.

The Kalpatharu day is a commemoration of the day on which Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa declared that he will grant all the wishes that his devotees ask him. It is this day that Sri Swamiji chose to give us what he has come to give. This day reiterates his message that we should ask our wishes and offer prayers only to God and chant his name, which is the only beacon of hope in Kali Yuga. The devotees left with a tranquil mind, blissfully resonating his assurance and blessings. Fortunate and blessed were those who participated in this divine event.

Aho Bhagyam!!

K. Sai Charan