YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

YUVA BHARATIVOICE OF YOUTH

Vol. XXXII No.11A Vivekananda Kendra Publication

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INVOCATION

India wants the sacrifice of at least a thousandof her young men - men, mind, not brutes. Swami Vivekananda

Editorial - P. Parameswaran 05

Swami Ranganathanandaji B.Nivedita 08

Fire Ordeal Dr.K.Subrahmanyam 12

Veeranganas of S.India N.Krishnamoorti 15

Harischandra the Embodiment Prof.N.Gangadharan 19

Gita for the Youth Ch.Sathyanarayana Murthy 21

As the King, So the People 24

Fate and Freewill S.Balakrishnan 29

Swami Ranganathanandaji Dr.M.Lakshmikumari 34

Akshaya Tritiya Narayanan 40

Vivekananda Kendra Samachar - 42

Crossword - 43

Swadeshi Humour A Kendra Worker 44

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 5

The Pope and theSannyasin

Within a short span of less than a monthtwo great religious leaders of the worldhave left us. Pope John Paul II, Head

of the World Catholic Church passed away, andH. H. Swami Ranganathanandaji, President of theSree Ramakrishna Mutt and Mission, enteredMahasamadhi on 25.04.2005. Hinduism is non-monolithic and has no sole supreme headcomparable to Pope. Had it been otherwise,Swami Ranganathanandaji by virtue of hissaintliness and scholarship would have occupiedthe same position as Pope does for Christianity.Incidentally, that points towards a crucially radicaldifference between the two world religions.Christianity, of which the Catholic church holdsunparalleled sway is as much a hierarchical,monolithic, power-wielding institution, almostsimilar to an autocratic state, is the world’s largestreligious organization cutting across every countryand continent. Though Vatican is the smallest statein the world, the Pope wields authority over apopulation of a hundred and ten crores of Catholicsin the world. The Pope is the head of a theocraticstate with subjects loyal to him transnationally .The clout is, that the Pope wields on account ofhis religion, a political authority which he wieldsin a manner which has no parallel in contemporaryhistory. No country in the world can afford toignore the demise of a Pope or the election of hissuccessor. This was once again brought to thelimelight not only by the media coverage but alsoby the ceremony of the late Pope’s cremationattended by topmost dignitaries from everycountry in the world, except China which is a classby itself. China with its huge population andbludgeoning economic and political power alone

had the courage to adopt a stand driving home amessage loud and clear.Probably no major journalist, politician orstatesman has ever considered it worthwhile tocompare or contrast the two events mentioned inthe beginning. Leave alone International media,even the National media was reluctant and shy, ifnot apologetic, in giving proper coverage to SwamiRanganathanandaji’s Mahasamadhi and alsoprojecting the great personality and pricelesscontribution which was only his legitimate due.Pope’s media coverage started long before hispassing away and continued long after hissuccessor was elected. The entire world’s,attention was on Vatican for weeks together. Thisis in sharp contrast with the media treatment ofSwami Ranganathananda.There is no wonder in it, and there is no need toget either excited about the one or worried aboutthe other. Hinduism is a peaceful religion, poorlyor not at all organized, wielding no political clout,ruling no country or reigning over any transnationalempire, true to its understanding of religion andspirituality. It does not rule over the minds of itsfollowers or influences people outside its fold bypower or diplomatic manoeuvres. SwamiVivekananda had said that the impact of Hinduismis like that of a flower blossoming at the touch ofthe morning dew and spreading its fragranceunseen and unheard but bringing to blossom thefairest of flowers. This is in sharp contrast withthe Roman Catholic Church backed by the RomanEmpire whose military might enabled it to spreadin the far off corners. In Hinduism, spirituality hasa meaning and a value which is too subtle to bepromoted by political and military power unlike

EDITORIAL

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 6Christianity which promoted it over theologicalempire followed by worldwide colonization.Catholic Church and Hinduism are unlike eachother in certain vital respects. Hinduism has notradition of officially bestowing sainthood onpersons posthumously, nor has it a mechanismby which martyrdom is made a covetable idealbecause right from Jesus Christ, the belief is thatthe church is built on the strength of the martyr’sblood. These things have happened in the naturalcourse in Hinduism.There is no dearth of saints ofvarious shades of holiness and martyrs ofunimaginable courage and commitment in the longhistory of Hinduism . These are not the outcomeof any official policy; people discover, recognizeand honour such ones wherever and wheneverthey are manifested. Before the heat and dust havesettled down there is already a clamor from manyquarters to bestow sainthood on the late Pope,John Paul II.Vatican has inherited much of the tradition and alsothe regalia of Roman empire, whereas Hinduspiritual movements continue to deliver theirmessage in a quite unostentatious way by personaltouch and living models.Swami Ranganathanandaji embodied the veryspirit of Hinduism as exemplified by the great livesof Sree Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and SwamiVivekananda. During the several decades of hisearthly sojourn, he spent every moment of his lifein bringing out the Hindu spiritual values throughthought, word and deed. Born in a small village inKerala, not far away from Kalady, the birthplaceof Adi Sankara, he was attracted by the SreeRamakrishna movement at a comparatively youngage.Immediately after matriculation, he came in contactwith the movement and left for the Bangalorecentre of Sree Ramakrishna Mission. In duecourse, he was given initiation by SwamiSivananda, a direct disciple of Sree RamakrishnaParamahamsa.Through studious application of his sharp intellectand also by engaging in regular spiritual practices,he gradually evolved into an all-round aspirant and

his Guru anointed him with the now familiar nameSwami Ranganathananda.He made steady progress as a writer, as aspeaker, and as an excellent communicator,simultaneously digging his feet into traditionalscholarship in the Hindu scriptures like theUpanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the various othertexts and also the Puranas and Ithihasas.It did not take long for the country to recognizethe erudite scholar, the skillful communicator andthe ideal sannyasin- all rolled into one in thepersonality of Swami Ranganathananda.Apart from his academic contribution, he was agreat builder of institutions. At the time of thepartititon of the country, he was heading a greatcenter of the Mission at Karachi which was thefocal point of spiritual seekers.He was also the founder of the internationallyreputed Sree Ramakrishna Mutt in Delhi, wherehis discourses on the Bhagavad Gita and otherscriptures were a perennial source of attractionand inspiration for the intellectual elite of Delhi.It was Swamy Ranganathananda who set up theInternational Center, the Sree RamakrishnaInstitute of Culture at Golpark, Kolkata, which isrendering enormous service to the cause of ourculture and philosophy by way of lectures,publications, research and linguistic studies.In Hyderabad the Swamiji built up a veryprestigious center of the Ramakrishna Mutt whichcontinues to be a source for dissemination of thespiritual wealth of India.Swamy Ranganathananda was known as thespiritual ambassador of India all over the world.There is no country on which the Swamiji has notleft an indelible imprint of our religion andphilosophy, the culture and heritage of Bharath.He had a wonderful style of delivering lectures,even on complicated philosophical themes, withcomfortable ease and fascinating fluency. He couldengage the most sophisticated audience with theincessant flow of his simple eloquence whichastounded even great scholars and intellectuals.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 7His tour all over the world brought him in contactwith great scientists like Julian Huxely and writerslike Romain Rolland.His correspondence with Julian Huxely will beremembered for all times because of thecomparative approach to science and spiritualitywhich the Swamiji had effectively conveyed to thegreat scientists on the basis of Vedanta Philosophy.The Swamiji’s greatness and his uniquecontribution are a literary legacy which he hasleft for the posterity. He was a voluminous writer.The four- volume publication, Eternal Values fora Changing Society, The Message of theUpanishads, A Pilgrim Looks at the World, histhree volume commentary on the Bhagavad Gitaand his insightful interpretation of theBrihadaranyaka Upanishad will be treasured forall time.The Swamiji had the rare quality of keeping cordialpersonal contact with countless number of people.His memory was prodigious.He had a soft corner for everyone who came incontact with him. Innumerable are the people whocherish him as their spiritual mentor.The number of disciples initiated by him may runbeyond counts. They all feel gravely orphaned byhis passing away. Though the body succumbed ata ripe old age, all realize that his spiritual presencecan never be obliterated.He had contributed enormously to the culturalvitality of the present and the future of ourmotherland and also the world at large. What thisgeneration, that is indebted to him , will offer himas “Gurudakshina” is a matter for each one of usto deeply ponder.The universal acceptance which the Swamijireceived from the academics and the intellectualelite all over the world is a glowing tribute to theinnate potentiality of the Swamiji which heassiduously cultivated in spite of the fact that hisformal education was limited to the level ofmatriculation. The various books that he authoredand the innumerable lectures he delivered standtestimony to the high caliber of his intelligence.

His interpretation of ancient scriptures in thebackground of the modern development broughthim encomiums from great thinkers and scientistsof the West as well as the East. His intellect wasnot shackled by blind orthodoxy. The freedomwith which he explained ancient texts to meetmodern requirements was refreshingly original.This free and liberal intellectual approach madethe Swamiji feel a little sad about the intellectualbankruptcy of modern Indian elite who alwaysdelight in borrowing western ideas . This feelingwas expressed by him on various occasions: “Pre-independent India had more number of freeintellectuals than Post-independent India whichlack in bold and original thinking”. He always usedto say that the nation can rise only in proportionto the quality of its intelligentsia.The Swamiji’s exposition of the Bhagavad Gitawas so popular that huge crowds used to gatherwherever he delivered lectures on the Gita. Buthe was no traditionalist in his interpretations. Hehad no great appreciation for people for whomthe Bhagavad Gita was just an object of adoration.Once he wrote, “The Bhagavad Gita is not a textto be worshipped in the pooja room but a manualto be followed in the battlefield of life. BhagavanKrishna gave Gita to Arjuna not in the poojaroom but in the battlefield of Kurukshetra”.Swamiji’s life was a glowing illustration of theglorious Sanathana Dharma. Liberal towardsevery genuine religion, Swamiji’s attachment andloyalty to the Hindu dharma was absolute and firm.He might have sugarcoated the pills but nevercompromised on their essence . It can be statedwithout fear of contradiction that after SwamiVivekananda it was Swami Ranganathananda whotook the message of Hindu culture and spiritualityacross the world in a manner that earnedappreciation, understanding and also a high levelof respectability. Humanity will experience a voidfor a long time to come. A non-institutionalizedreligion with its boundless horizon will no doubtfind enough spiritual resources to fill the void andmarch ahead, as it has done through the ages.

--P.Parameswaran

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

Swami Ranganathanandaji,born on 15December 1908 at Silwan, Trikkur, Kerala,was named Shankaran. In retrospect, it

appears to be prophetic - he became a worldrenowned Vedantist like the Shankara of yore.He joined the Ramakrishna Order of Math atMysore in 1926. Swami Shivananda, one of theforemost direct disciples of Sri RamakrishnaPramahamsa and the secondPresident of Ramakrishna Math,initiated him into Sannyasa in1933.His service in various capacitiesfor 12 years in the Mysore andBangalore branches enabled himto shoulder subsequentassignments and renderremarkable service as Secretaryand Librarian at the RamakrishnaMission, Rangoon, from 1939 to1942 and thereafter as Presidentof Ramakrishna Math & Missionat Karachi from 1942 to 1948.He worked as Secretary ofRamakrishna Mission, NewDelhi, from October 1949 to March 1962 and ofRamakrishna Mission Institute of Culture,Kolkata, from 1962 to 1967 . Later, he took overthe Centre at Hyderabad and developed it as apremier institution in the city.He was elected Vice-president of RamakrishnaMath and Mission in 1989 and later became thePresident in 1998. He visited many parts of theworld as a cultural ambassador and popularizedVedanta wherever he went, by his greatscholarship and oratory.The Government of India honoured him with thefirst National Integration award.He attained Samadhi on Monday, April 26, 2005at 3.50 p.m.

He had authored a number of books which are oflasting value and many of his lectures are availablein cassettes.For Vivekananda Kendra, the passing away ofSwami Ranganathananda is a very great loss. Hewas a friend, philosopher and guide to the Kendrasince the inception of Vivekananda RockMemorial. Swami Ranganathanandaji was very

close to Sri Eknathji - the founderof Vivekananda Kendra- and gavevaluable guidance to him at thetime of construction of the RockMemorial, and also for theestablishment of VivekanandaKendra. At various stages of thegrowth of the Kendra his speecheswere very illuminating andinspiring.He presided over the meeting heldon 15 Sept. 1970 when PrimeMinister Smt Indira Gandhi visitedKanyakumari to participate in themonth-long inaugurationcelebrations organized by theRock Memorial Committee. In his

presidential address, Swamiji referred toKanyakumari as the new symbol of India.In his blessings at the commencement of thesecond phase of Vivekananda Rock Memorial inthe form of Vivekananda Kendra, in his inimitablestyle, he said that Vivekananda Kendra was ‘TheNeed of the Hour’.On 20 August 1972 while releasing theVivekananda Kendra Patrika issue “Hill India”Swami Ranganathanandaji had said, “A man likeEknath Ranade is an asset to any movementin any country. I have known him veryintimately, and I have admired his energy, hisquiet dedication, his capacity for calm, silent,team-work and a rare capacity to influence

SWAMI RANGANATHANANDAJIB. NIVEDITA

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

favourably persons and every intractablecircumstance! No difficulties can thwart him.Mountain-high obstacles he will face with acalmness and gentleness suffused withdetermination. In the meaningful words of SriRamakrishna: the Kacca ami, unripe ‘I’ or ego,has been replaced by the Paka ami, ripe ‘I’ orego. With him and his other dedicatedcolleagues behind the movement, it can lookforward to a rich harvest of useful work forthe good of man”.In 1982, when Mananeeya Eknathji passed away,his message was a great consolation as well asinspiration for the Karyakartas of VivekanandaKendra. He wrote, “Our Eknath Ranade was ofthe type of heroic patriots and workers of whomSwami Vivekananda would be proud; in factSwamiji wanted India to produce thousands ofthem to enable her to take the fullest advantage ofthe possibilities of the modern period of her longand glorious history to raise every man, woman,and child, of our nation, irrespective of caste,creed, or sex, to the highest level of human dignity,freedom and equality. He considered this to bethe supreme significance of the modern period ofour history.“Our Eknathji has not only lived and worked anddied in that spirit but has also left an ever-increasing band of young workers to continue thegreat work he initiated. And that work will continuesilently and steadily as shown by SwamiVivekananda:‘It is not the work of a day and the path is full ofthe most deadly thorns. But Parthasarathi is readyto be our Sarathi, we know that, and in His name

and with eternal faith in Him, set fire to themountains of misery that has been heaped uponIndia for ages- and it shall be burnt down. Come,then, look it in the face. Brethren, it is a grandtask, and we are so low. But we are the sons ofLight and children of God. Glory unto the Lord,we will succeed. Hundreds will fall in the struggle,hundreds will be ready to take it up…. Glory untothe Lord — March on, the Lord is our general.Do not look back to see who falls — forward –-onward! Thus and thus we shall go on brethren.One falls, and another takes up the work.’“May this spirit of this inspiring letter of Swamijito his dear Alasinga of Madras inspire all of you,is my prayer”.He supported Vivekananda Kendraand personally guided Sri Eknathji,Dr.Lakshmikumari, and many other Karyakartas.Even after the passing away of Eknathji hevisited Kanyakumari many time; in 1982 toinaugurate the training of a batch of Jeevanvratikaryakartas, in 1985 to lay the foundation stonefor Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, and later in1986 to open Vivekananda Mandapam. He hadalso donated in 1998, Rs one lakh from hispranami for the unique exhibition on the life ofSwami Vivekananda -”VISHWABHANU” - setup at Vivekananda Kendra Vedic VisionFoundation at Kodungallur.Great and pious souls like him never leave us butbecome immortal. His blessings, guidance andprayers will continue to help Vivekananda Kendrato proceed ahead in the service to our Motherland.

We q u o t e b e l o w t h e s u b s c r i p t i o n n u m b e r s , re n e w a l o f w h i c h i s d u e .R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o t a k e n o t e o f i t a n d a c t a t t h e e a r l i e s t .

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 12

Sri Sita Devi was rescued by killing Ravana.There was no more a problem from Ravanawho stole Sita away. She was freed. But

she was unable to be united with Sri Rama, herlord and God. She found him to be still, seriousand stern. She was not acceptable. She had topurify herself in the flames of fire. She shouldcome out unscathed in the fire ordeal. PoorLakshmana was full of sorrow with tears instreams.Every person is but a combination of soul, mindand body. Every Indian is but a combination ofSri Rama, Sita and Lakshmana.All the three are present in everyindividual born on the sacred soilof Mother Bharat. Sri Rama isthe soul; Sita is the mind; andLakshmana is the body strivingalways to keep the mind andsoul together in comfort andpeace. But the Indian mind waslured cunningly by Maricha ofalien forces. She was forciblystolen away by Ravana, thelustful materialist. She wasimprisoned in a distant land. India wasmischievously enslaved. Sita, India and Indianmind were no more free. With the death ofRavana, Sita however was released. With thereturn of the foreigner, India too was released fromslavery in 1947. But Sita was not immediatelyaccepted by her lord Sri Rama. Although Indiaand Indian Mind were declared independent, theywere not immediately able to become one withBharat and Bharatheeya Atma, India of ancientheritage and the soul of India. Geographically, thebody of India is broken, broken-hearted, and isin pieces. In 1950, India became a Republic,incomplete Republic, not the full country.Lakshmana was unhappy, unable to be composed.

FIRE ORDEALDr. K. SUBRAHMANYAM

Though freed, Sita was unable to be united withSri Rama immediately. Though Independent, Indianmind was unable to regain the Indian spiritimmediately. Nor was Lakshmana cheerful overthe death of Ravana since Sita and Rama werenot immediately united. Indian Republic too wasneither full nor jubilant since Indian mind was notin tune with Indian spirit.There was a war for Sita’s release. There was afreedom struggle for India’s independence.Neither Sita, nor Indian mind was happy with thephysical release. It was only a political freedom

that India had in 1947. NeitherLakshmana nor the Indian nationwas happy since it was not animmediate reunion of Sita andRama. There was a fire ordeal tobe gone through. Neither in 1947nor in 1950 India was happy sinceit was not the full body of MotherBharat that was obtained with themind and soul of India united inher.There were tense moments before

Sita could reunite with Sri Rama. It was an ordealto all, including the onlookers. It was a fire ordealto everybody. Now, for all in general and Indianmind in particular, it is but a tense period of fireordeal until we the Indians are able to be one withthe Indian spirit.Sita is ever pure. So is Indian mind ever pure.Both of them are ever wedded to Sri Rama or thesoul of India. But the ordeal became unavoidableto Sita then. And the tribulations to the Indianmind have now become inevitable. Although Sitawas immaculate, she was clothed in the alien robeswhen she returned to Sri Rama, after her release.She was simple, pure and austere. But hergarments were rich and luxurious, pompous andforeign. Sita bedecked in royal costumes of Lanka

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 13

arrived in the princely palanquin to rejoin Sri Rama.Indian mind with the Western habits and influencessticking to her, attempted in vain to be in tune withthe Indian spirit, culture and heritage. Both Sitaand India have failed to achieve their cherishedgoals. Fire ordeal therefore is a necessity for bothto reestablish and prove their purity and fidelityto the ageless spirit of nobility and wisdom, allinclusive oneness and all embracing love,universalism and uniqueness. It is not enough ifone is pure and good; they should be visible aswell in one’s appearance, expressions, habits andway of life.Despite the intrinsic spirituality andculture of unique Indian heritage, themind of India is unfortunatelyclothed in the foreign garb ofmaterialism. In language andreligion, in life style and thinkingpatterns, we find the smoke or smellor wool of Western materialismsticking to the Indian mind. Indianart and architecture, music anddance, medicine and education anda host of others bear the unwantedand unholy filth of the foreign land.Although we are free for more thanfive decades from the abductor’syoke, we are unable to be rid of the dust and dirtthat stuck to our feet during their reign. We areunable to breathe pure air, unpolluted by theforeign fumes in almost every field. Therefore itis essential, we should assert our oneness with ourancient spirit shedding all traces of the aliens,which have been unconsciously and innocentlyacquired from our captors. Let us be fully free inbody, mind and habit.. Then only we will be trulyIndians acceptable to Sri Rama, the soul of India.Hanuman and a host of Vanavasis have facilitatedthe release of Sita from Lanka. Innumerablefreedom fighters have struggled hard to obtainindependence from the foreign yoke. But that wasnot sufficient. The physical release and politicalfreedom are not enough. We have to be free inmind to be one with Indian Spirit. For that wehave to face the fire ordeal of self purification

through self education. Sita Devi is able to burnthe fire itself and is one with Sri Rama in no time.The Indian mind is not less capacitated to faceany ordeal . Only, it has to reeducate herself andawaken herself, free herself from everything thatis unnatural, artificial and alien.This self-education is possible by opening thebooks of our age old heritage and culture.Commencing with a single external teacher, weculminate with the educative teacher from withinin every one of us. Mother is our first teacher.

Motherland is our teacher all throughour life and the soul of Mother Bharat isour eternal teacher from within always.This evolution in education is meant totake us from body consciousness tospiritual enlightenment, from materialismto spirituality, from selfishness tounselfishness, from transience to eternity,from narrow sectarianism touniversalism. All expansion to infinityor oneness with the soul of India ispossible through education, all roundeducation, harmonious and wholesomeeducation, Self education. And thatprocess of unfoldment makes us trulyIndians in every respect and that isuniversalism, spiritual enlightenment.

The fire ordeal of Self-awakening makes us onewith the Soul of Bharat. Sita is united with SriRama. Lakshmana is happy. And there is the grandceremonial celebration of Sri Rama’s coronationat Ayodhya. All are together, happily together.Hanuman the vanara hero, Jambavan a forestdweller and Guha the tribal chief along with allother royal personalities have contributed to theglory of Sita, Rama and Lakshmana. All peopleof all areas, urban and rural, royal and tribal haveonly one thing in common and that is Indianness,the soul of Mother Bharat, the mind of MotherBharat, the holy body of Mother Bharat ——Sita,Rama and Lakshmana.JAI SRI RAM. JAI MOTHER BHARAT.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 15

India holds its women is great reverence. Godappears to human beings as man as well aswoman. Our women have been great scholars,

mystics, rulers, persons of great charity andwisdom. In the field of battle too, there have beengreat examplars.But their valour has not been a brutal show ofstrength, but valour rising indefence of Motherhood,feminine honour and chastity.When the honour of the Nationand the society and our religionwere in danger, our women haverisen to risk their life to defendthem all.All these virtues are exemplifiedby the personalities ofParashakti and Sita.Parashakti the supreme powerhas incarnated as the rider oflion---Simhavahini. But at thesame time she has been namedLalita, graceful, tender andpoised.Similarly Sita is power and grace combined. Sheused to play with the Shivadhanush, when she wasbut six year old. Yet she refuses to apply herenergy to kill Ravana, telling Hanuman, that to killRavana is Sri Rama’s job.Sri Krishna says in the Gita that in women, Heshines as Kirti, Shri, Vak, Smriti, Medha, Dhritiand Kshama.In South India the tradition of graceful yet powerfulViranganas is as old as history itself.We give a few examples here but really speakingthe list is inexhaustible.Chennamma was a young and heroic girl. Latershe became the queen of Kittur a small principalitylying between Belgaum and Dharwar on the Pune-Bangalore Road. As a young girl, a teenager, shemet her future husband Mallasarja of Kittur in astrange encounter. There was a man-eater tiger

VEERANGANAS OF SOUTH INDIAN. KRISHNAMOORTI

roaming about in the nearby forests troubling thefarmers. They approached Chennamma, by nowa famous and unfailing archer, to save them fromthe tiger. She traced the tiger and shot an arrowinto the body of the terrible beast. She foundanother arrow in the body, shot by a parallelclaimant Mellasarja, the prince of Kittur. The

dispute over the carcass of theTiger blossommed into a love,which ended in marriage.Along with Mellasarja and herco-wife Rudramma,Chennamma ruled the Kitturriasat justly. After Mallasarja’sdeath, Rudramma’s son becamethe ruler, the throne being ablyguarded by Chennamma even asBhishma guarded the throne ofthe Kurus. Chennamma provedto be a wise, heroic and justadministrator. She was a greatdevotee of Lord Shiva andsought the advice of the monksof Kalmath Math often.

Chennamma’s protégé, the ruler died young, andan adopted son of his was installed on the throne.Chennamma continued her role as the god-motherto the new ruler, herself being the de facto ruler.The British agents who did not approve of theadoption, thought that they can toy withChennamma, a young widow. But Chennamma,the heroic, put the divisions of the British army ledby one Thackerey to rout. A series of battlesensued, Thackerey was killed and his familymembers captured by the Kittur forces weremercifully released by the motherly Chennamma.Enraged at the defeat of the British forces,Elphinstone the governor of the Bombaypresidency collected the forces from all overBombay and appointed Chaplain the commissionerof Deccan to lead the army against Kittur. In spiteof its great heroism, Kittur’s small army could not

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

Published and printed by N Viswanath on behalf of Vivekananda Kendra from 5, SingarachariStreet, Triplicane, Chennai-5. at M/s. RNR Printers and Publishers, 8, Thandavarayan Street,Triplicane, Chennai-5. Editor: P Parameswaran.

withstand the Imperial forces. In the night of 4th

December 1824, Kittur was run over and its bravequeen Chennamma captured. For the next fiveyears Chennamma stayed in the Bailhongal prison-fort, praying to Shiva for the glory of our country.She died a martyr on 2/2/1829.Today Chennamma’s name is a part ofKarnataka’s folklore, history, legend and religiousdomain. She was born a heroine who lived anddied like one.

KannagiKannagi lived more than 2000 years ago. She wasthe daughter of a great trader at Poompuhar (inTamil Nadu) the town known for its internationaltrade at the point where river Kaveri enters thesea. She was virtuous, beautiful and was ofunshakeable will. She was married to Kovalan,who unfortunately squandered their wealth inimmoral company. At last Kovalan repented andreturned to Kannagi. They wanted to go to thefar-away city of Madurai to re-seek their fortune.They were guided by Kavunti Adigal, a lady ofgreat spiritual worth.Kannagi’s misfortunes followed her to Madurai.Her husband Kovalan went to the bazaar to sellher ‘Noopur’ and raise some money as capitalfor their new business. He was mistakenly caughtas a thief of Madurai Queen’s ‘noopur’ and wasput to death.Enraged, Kannagi went to the Pandya king’s court.She charged the King with injustice and adharma.She proved that what Kovalan was carrying washer own noopur with inlaid stones of emerald. ThePandya Queen’s noopur had the stones of pearls.Kannagi smashed her noopur on the floor of theassembled court of the Pandya King. Lo!, piecesof emerald flew out of the broken noopur.Repentant, the king gave up his life on the throne.The queen, a true Hindu wife, died with him.Kannagi caused the unjust capital of the Pandya’sto be burnt and ascended to heaven to join herhusband. Even today the people of Tamil Naduand Sri Lanka revere Kannagi. A temple has been

built to commemorate her story in the Kerala-TamilNadu Border. Vaishakha Pournami is celebratedas the day dedicated to Kannagi. Her life story isimmortalized in the Tamil epic ‘Silappadikaram’(Noopurki Kahani) by the princely monk, Ilango.

Rani MangammalMangammal was the daughter of Lingama Naickerthe leader of the army of the Madurai rulerChockanatha Naicker. Mangammal marriedChockanatha who spent much of his next 23 years

in battling with his neighbours. He died then.Mangammal wanted to end her life, but held on,bound by her duty to bring up her sonMuthuveerappa.Muthuveerappa ruled Madurai from 1682-1689.He was ably guided by his mother Mangammal,but he too died young, leaving his motherMangammal and his pregnant wife. Mangammalpersuaded the young queen not to commit Sati.The princess delivered a boy, and joined herhusband in Swargaloka. The child Vijayarangawas enthroned when he was only 3 months old.Mangammal, his grandmother was virtually theruler. She knew where to fight and when to suefor peace. She had to wage wars, thoughunwillingly, against Mysore, Travancore andTanjore.

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 18Mangammal was a great administrator. Thedharmasalas she built, the roads she laid and thecivic amenities she created, have survived evennow, today as a proof of her discretion being thebetter part of valour. When the tradition in Naickerkingdom was for woman to commit Sati, she livedfor her very young son, and prevented herpregnant daughter-in-law from dying withMangammal’s son, so that the family could haveson to rule the kingdom. In valour, charity andself-denial, Mangammal’s name has few equals.Manimekhalai the wielder of Amrita SurabhiManimekhalai was the daughter of Madhavi aprofessional dancer and Kovalan, the husband oflegendary Kannagi. After Kovalan’s death, bothMadhavi and Manimekhalai took to the life ofnuns. Young Manimekhalai, her beauty shiningthrough her nun’s robes - scorned the attention ofprinces, and lived the life a true woman of religion,great heroism indeed! She was gifted by the devasthe Akshaya Patra, Amrita Surabhi, which wouldyield an endless supply of food for charity. But tobegin with, a person of great virtue and charityshould place a handful of rice in the Akshayapatra,so that the divine vessel would start yielding itsgifts.A woman of great chastity, Ardhra, placed ahandful of rice into the vessel and blessedManimekhalai. A great flow of food came out ofthe vessel, curing people not only of their hunger,but also of their ailments.Manimekhalai spent the rest of her life in charity,service and prayer. She is a heroine because, sheclaimed a victory over the greatest enemies, lustand selfishness.Manimekhalai’s life and work are glorified in aTamil epic of her name “Manimekhalai” written2000 years ago. Her story is a constant source ofinspiration in Tyaga, Seva and Atmabodha.Akkadevi (Ad 1010-1064) was a famous heroineand ruler of Karnataka, who ruled for 50 years,subjugating enemies and quelling localinsurrections. Her devotion and charity matchedher heroism.Nayakuralu (12th century) is a Telugu heroinepraised in folklore and legend. She lived a life ofadventure.

Rudramba (13th century) ruled the Kakatiyakingdom for 3 decades, suppressed rebels andgave stability to the kingdom and prosperity toher subjects. Her welfare works were legendary.Her sister Ganapamba ruled the kingdom foranother 40 years wisely and sagely. Marcopolohad recorded her glory in his memoirs.Unniyarcha was the daughter of a teacher of theart of fencing (sword-fighting). She killed thecriminals who came to molest her, and extractedpromise from the rogue-community that allwomen would then on be treated honourably inNorth Malabar.The list of great, heroic women of South India isendless. Avvai was a great mystic, poetess andpeace maker. Tilakavati held great sway overthe life of Appar the top-flight Shaivite saint.Mangayarkarasi brought the Pandya Kingdom(7th century) back to life from the brink of atheism.Karaikkal Ammaiyar was a great saint and LordShiva addressed her as ‘Mother’. Her poems areimmortal. We have already discussed in thesecolumns the greatness of Kodai (Andal).Akkamahadevi (12th century) was a great mysticof Kannada, Virashaivism.Rangapataka (6th) was a Pallava queen, a greattemple builder. Sembiyan Mahadevi, a Malavaprincess married to a Chola king was a renownedtemple builder and a women of charity. Shecontrolled her senses totally after becoming awidow at a young age.Kundavai (11th century)a Chola princess whoearned the eternal gratitude of the people was theelder sister of king Raja Raja who built the famousTanjore Temple. She was a true heroine in a familyof heroes.Shantala (12th century) of Karnataka was a queenwho could shine as the up-holder of four faiths,Vaishnava, Shaiva, Jaina and Buddha.Right from Sangam poets down to modernfreedom fighters, South Indian women have shonewell and adorned everything they touched--heroism, art, poetry, music, temple building,spirituality, administration and charity.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 19

The Vedas repeatedly glorify two importantconcepts – order (rta) and truth (satya).One of the verses of the Rgveda equates

these two concepts with the Supreme Brahmanand makes obeisance. Moreover, the Upanishadsand other philosophical texts equate Brahman withTruth, Knowledge and Infinity. The generalmeaning of the word rta is order. It is referred toas the primary cause of the universe. Rta as natureincludes all those comprising the universe--the sun,moon, heaven, earth, air,cloud, the course of the sun,and the different period oftime. Along with the word rtathe Vedas frequently mentionthe word satya denoting truthand glorify its practice. It maybe remembered that we haveour motto as ‘Truth alonetriumphs’ (satyamevajayate).The first instruction given to astudent in theTaittiriyopanishad is that heshould utter the truth, practisevirtue and pay respects to theparents and preceptor. Manulays down the rules governingthe practice of truth.Accordingly one is enjoined to speak always thetruth that is pleasant, restrain from speaking thetruth that is unpleasant and uttering lie that ispleasing. Among the Puranic characters, theperson that stands foremost in our mind as anexample for the practice of truth is Harischandra.He is well known for his adherence to the practiceof truth even under the most trying situations.Hariscandra was a king of the solar dynasty. Hewas the son of the famous king Trisanku, to satisfywhose desire Visvamitra managed to create anastral world. Hariscandra was well known for hisfirm adherence to munificence and truthfulness.

HARISCANDRA THE EMBODIMENT OF TRUTHPROF.N.GANGADHARAN

The legend of Hariscandra and Visvamitra areinterwoven and it is rather a continuation of thelegend of his father Trisanku. Trisanku desiring toascend heaven with his physical frame requestedthe family priest Vasistha to perform a sacrificefor that purpose. Since the latter refused to complywith his request, Visvamitra, the arch-rival ofVasistha, accomplished the sacrifice. As aconsequence when Trisanku was moving upwards,he was denied entry into heaven with the physical

frame and was pusheddown, Visvamitra arrestedhis downward fall andmanaged to create an astralworld for his stay.Visvamitra did not likeVasistha continuing as thefamily priest of the solarkings. Though he had nopersonal animosity for thesolar kings, this episodewas the starting point for hisconfrontation withHariscandra.Hariscandra marriedCandramati, the daughter ofSibi. Since he had no

progeny he performed a penance on the adviceof Vasistha to please Varuna to beget a son.Visvamitra did not like this. Hariscandra wasblessed by Varuna and with a son. He was namedas Rohita. As a token of gratitude the kingpromised to offer his son as a sacrificial beast toVaruna. It was put off till Rohita grew up andattained the age for his Upanayana. Rohita ranaway into the forest fearing that he would beoffered in sacrifice. Since the king was reluctantto offer his son as promised Varuna cursed himthat he would be afflicted with a dreadful disease.The king sought the advice of Vasistha. Vasisthasuggested a way out that he can buy a son and

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 20offer in lieu of his own son. Knowing the sequenceof events Rohita bought a Brahmin boy namedSunassepa, who was the middle one among thethree sons of a greedy Brahmin Ajigarta. Whenhe was brought to the palace for immolation,Visvamitra took pity on the boy and sought hisrelease. The king replied him that the purpose ofprocuring the boy was to get rid of his disease bythe immolation of the boy. Visvamitra sympathizingwith the boy, taught him a mantra for pleasingVaruna. Accordingly, Varuna was pleased andblessed the king also, curing him of the disease.The confrontation between Visvamitra andHariscandra began at this state. Once his familypriest Vasistha commended the virtues ofHariscandra in the presence of sage Visvamitra.Thereupon the latter disputed the claims of Vasisthaand argued that one cannot stick on to truth underadverse circumstances. It was then agreed uponthat Visvamitra may himself test the veracity ofVasistha’s statement. Then Visvamitra subjectedHariscandra to several crucial tests. Visvamitramade a ruse to entice Hariscandra to go for huntinga hog and get stranded in the forest. ThenVisvamitra appeared in front of him in the guise ofan old Brahmin. The king introduced himself tohim as Hariscandra, who had performed theRajasuya rite and generously offered to give himwhatever he wanted after returning to his capital.The old man was pleased and suggested that theking may make his gift after bathing in the nearbystream. The old man expressed his simple desirethat he wanted money to conduct the marriage ofhis daughter and produced by illusion a young manand a young woman and showed them to the kingthat they were the son and daughter. He showedthe king the way to get out of the forest. LaterVisvamitra met the king and sought for the help inthe form of his own kingdom including allparaphernalia. The king had no option but toconcede to his request and quit the palace alongwith his wife and son.Then Visvamitra sought for the daksina. SinceHariscandra had given away all his possessionshe pleaded for some time to make up the amount.He then moved to Kasi. Visvamitra ccompanied

him and was pestering him to pay the daksina.Hariscandra offered to sell his wife and son andpay the fees. Once again Visvamitra appeared asa Brahmin and bought Candramati and Rohita bypaying Hariscandra the amount. Visvamitrasubjected them to much hardship. Visvamitra onceagain approached Hariscandra asking for moremoney since the fees paid was not adequate. Inorder to make up the money Hariscandra offeredhimself for sale. Yama appeared as an outcasteand bought him to guard the cremation ground.Thereafter Rohita died of snake bite. The masterdid not allow her to go and see the dead child. Atlast at midnight he permitted her to go asking herto return in order to resume her morning duties.The lamentation of Candramati on beholding thedead child attracted the people. They mistook herto be a ghost and dragged her to the cremationground tying her with a rope. They askedHariscandra to cut her into pieces. When herefused to kill a woman, the outcaste master camethere and gave him a sword asking him to cut herinto pieces. When Hariscandra was about to obeythe words of his master, Chandramati shouted atthem stating that she had come to cremate herdead child bitten by a snake and offered to be cutafter doing that work. Hariscandra permitted herto bring the child. After the child was broughtHariscandra sought from her the fees to cremate.Till then both of them had not recognized eachother. When they recognized each other theydecided to cremate the child with the availablewood and decided to end their lives in the samefire. When they were about to light the fire thegods manifested and prevented them from theirbid and restored the child to life. Visvamitrareturned the kingdom to the king admiring hissteadfast adherence to truth even under extremelymiserable conditions.The glorious nature of Hariscandra remainingsteadfast in his truthfulness sacrificing all othercomforts in life for the sake of truth is bound toexert influence on the minds of people.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 21

In answering Arjuna, Lord Krishna answersevery human being. In lifting the gloom ofArjuna, He lifts the gloom of every one that

happens to taste the sweetness of his nectar-likewords. We find answers for every problem ofours.One such problem is fatalism. Many people lapseinto sloth and idleness thinking that they are play-things in the hands of fate. They say to themselvesthus, “What need is therefor me to work and exertmyself when everythingcomes to me according tomy fate. If I am destinedto be rich, riches come tome. If I am destined to bepoor, even if I strive hard,my lot will not be bettered.Hence let me sit still andlet things take their owncourse”. This trend ofthought is dangerous andit breeds idleness.Fatalism paves the way toruin. Lord Krishna exhortsArjuna and through Arjunathe whole humanity to do duty. The path of dutyleads to glory. One should not neglect one’s duty.As a Kshatriya it is Arjuna’s duty to subdue theevil forces and uphold ‘Dharma’. In the dischargeof his duty, he has to rise above sentiments andattachments.Lord Krishna himself can put an end to all theenemies of Arjuna and lift the benefits of victoryto his lips on a platter. But he doesn’t do so. Hehelps Arjuna to fight well and gain victory. He setsstore by human effort. A wise father does not liketo give millions to his son and make him idle. Hewould rather give him the training or the capacityto earn millions. Anything got without working for

GITA FOR THE YOUTH-FATALISM-

CH.SATYANARAYANA MURTHY

it is not worth having. That is why the heavenlyfather Lord Krishna preaches wisdom to Arjunaand makes him do his duty and gain credit forconquest and realms.First he answers Arjuna’s depression at the worldlylevel thus, ‘O Arjuna, the whole world knows youto be valiant and heroic. If you now flee from thebattlefield you become a laughing stock. Theenemies do not care to probe into the noble

sentiments that prompt youto abstain from fighting.They simply brand you acoward and they gloatover their superior powers,which they think havebrow-beaten you. Nonepraises you for your so-called softness, gentleness,and human sympathy. Yourlove for your grand-fatherand Guru are misplaced.They are bankrupt of anykindly feelings for you.They have been silentspectators to all theindignities and miseries you

suffered at the hands of your cousin. They havenot even an iota of decency or sense of justice injoining war on the side of that sinful Duryodhana.Even if you flee they pursue you and humiliate you.That humiliation is worse than death. So yourmistaken love regard and sympathy for thosesinners will bring about your fall from the pedestalof glory as a warrior and hero.So even the ordinary worldly people unexposedto high spiritual ideals or philosophy must not shirktheir duty and refrain from their effort. One has toput forth human effort and rise above fatalism.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 24

In ancient times, even the kings of smallkingdoms performed their duty of ruling overtheir subjects with broad-mindedness and a

spirit of sacrifice. One such king ruled over hiskingdom, considering the welfare of his subjectsas his greatest good fortune. He, therefore, tookall steps for the welfare and happiness of hissubjects. The people of his kingdom consideredthe king as their own body while the kingconsidered the people as hisheart. Such was the intimaterelationship of love betweenthe king and his people. Theking worked very hard dayand night to do the greatestgood of his people.One day, the king asked hisqueen to apply oil to his hair.In those days, it was notcustomary to have too manyservants. The wife attendedto the personal needs of thehusband. Accordingly, thequeen personally attended toeven the smallest needs ofthe king as part of her sacredduty. She was a queen forthe people of the kingdombut for her husband she wasa dutiful wife. So, she applied oil to king’s hair.While doing so, she noticed a few grey hair onthe king’s head. She thought that the king hadstepped into old age and that God had alreadysent the first notice to remind the king that his endwas drawing near. God sends a second notice inthe form of cataract that blurs the vision. Then theteeth start falling one after another. That is the thirdnotice. The fourth and final notice comes in theform of wrinkles on the face. Lost as she was inthese thoughts, tears started trickling down hercheeks. On seeing the queen in tears in the huge

AS THE KING, SO THE PEOPLE

mirror in front of which he was sitting, the kingasked, “What is the matter? Why are youweeping?” The queen stated the truth. The kingsmiled and said, “My dear, it is good that you havetold me the truth. The body is like a water bubble.Sooner or later it is bound to perish. We should,therefore, hand over the responsibility of thekingdom to our ministers and go to the forest tospend the rest of our life in contemplation of God.”

Both of them decided thatthey would leave thekingdom the next day.The king at once called ameeting of all the ministersand told them of his decision.The news spread like wildfire and all the people camerunning to the palace. Theministers and the peoplerequested the king not toleave them. They told himthat if he left them, theywould be as lifeless as abody without the heart. Theking tried to convince themabout the inevitability ofdeath and how man shouldprepare himself to meet it, byleading the life of an ascetic

in the forest.The people said, “O King, we will go to the forestand pray to Lord Siva to grant you a long life.Until we return, please do not leave the kingdom.”The people went to the forest and offered sincereprayers to Lord Siva. When He appeared, theyprayed, “O Lord! Please grant our king a life-spanof a hundred years more.” The Lord was plesedwith their love and loyalty to the king and grantedtwo hundred years to the king. The peoplereturned with great joy to the palace and informed

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

the king of God’s boon. The king was very much pleased.The queen however got ready to go to the forest and took leave ofthe king and the people. The people thought that the queen mustbe angry because they had secured the boon from the Lord onlyfor the king.The queen went into deep meditation and God did appear beforeher. The queen questioned the Lord with all humility. “Is it true, OLord, that you have granted two hundred years of life to the king?”The Lord said, “Yes”. Then the queen asked, “O Lord! Of whatuse is this long life for the king unless the people who love him somuch are also granted long life?” The Lord said, “Be it so. I grantlong life to your people also. Not only to your people, I am grantinglong life to you also, even though you have not asked for it.”The queen returned and informed the king and the people of God’sblessings and the boons. Such was the spirit of sacrifice of thepeople, of the kings and queens in ancient India.

(Courtesy : “Sanathana Sarathi” January ’05 issue)

Then only will India awake, when hundreds of large-hearted men and women,giving up all desire of enjoying the luxuries of life, will long and exert them-selves to their utmost, for the well-being of the millions of their countrymen.Are you among those whom Swamiji had in mind? Come, dedicate yourself forthe service of the nation as a fulltime worker of Vivekananda Kendra,Kanyakumari - a spiritually oriented service mission.It is not a career - but a mission. Your Yogakshema would be taken care of bythe Kendra.

Send e-mail for details at:ngc_vkendra@sancharnet.in OR

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Kanyakumari - 629702For detailed information, visit us at

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Do you hear Swami Vivekananda saying:

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 29

Food, sleep, fear and desire forprocreation are common to both humanbeings and animals. Intelligence alone

discriminates a man from animals, in the absenceof which he is equal to an animal”.In the above, in place of the word “intelligence”we can substitute “free will”. Human beings havefree will whereas animals are programmed to actin a certain manner. They generally do not exerciseany free will. No one asks an animal whether it isa vegetarian or a non-vegetarian, whereas you arerequired to answer such a question when you goon a flight or when invited to a dinner. Even inordinary activities such ascrossing a road in heavytraffic, a man has toexercise his free will andcross carefully; if heleaves it to fate and dartsacross heavy traffic hemay not reach the otherside alive. But a buffalocan nonchalantly stand inthe middle of the road andwill not be hit by anyvehicle because those who drive the vehicles havefree will which they will use in the case of a buffalo.But in your case the free will of the driver andyours may clash and the end may not bepredictable.The example was only to show that even in suchan ordinary activity as crossing a road your freewill comes into play and you do not leaveeverything to fate or destiny. But then Lord Krishnaseems to contradict this when he tells Arjuna inChapter 11 verse 33 that he is only an instrumentin the hands of fate. He also contradicts here hisearlier statement in Chapter 6 verse 5 where it istold that one must lift himself up by one’s ownefforts. In fact there is no contradiction here aswill be explained further in this article.

FATE AND FREEWILLS.BALAKRISHNAN

For the purpose of better clarity and easierexplanation I shall borrow two expressions fromwestern philosophers. We shall term ‘fate’ asuniversal intention and ‘free will’ as individualintention. The total or universal intention incombination with particular or individual intentiongives birth to different Jivas. The incarnations ofthe Lord on the other hand are born of totalintention only as there is no specific Karma tocause the incarnation. We know from thescriptures that the birth of a Jiva is the result of hisprevious karma – punya and papa – which havetheir source in ignorance of self knowledge. He is

given a body appropriateto his karma which weterm his individualintention. The incarnationof the Lord is born of totalkarma or universalintention as He has noignorance. In fact He usesthe total ignorance orMaya to take a suitablebody for the purpose of hisincarnation. All these are

discussed in our Scriptures, Puranas and inBhagavat Gita.Returning to the verse quoted in the beginning,free will is given to man as different from animalsto fulfil a purpose in life. We talk of the fourPurusharthas (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha),the ultimate and primary goal being liberation fromthe transmigratory existence. No such purpose isprescribed to animals; their role is only to exhaustthe fruits of karma accumulated by them in theirearlier lives. They reap no punya or papa by theiractions during the present life; their present karmahave no fruits which will fructify now or later.Therefore a lion does not earn papa in killing acow; nor will a cow earn punya for providing milkfor abhisheka of the Lord. (The punya goes to the

“

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 30owner of the cow). Therefore it is clear that humanbeings alone can exercise their free will orparticular intention if they want to lead ameaningful life.The free will is already ingrained in your originwhich we termed individual intention; it is presentin the DNA at the very conception of the Jiva.Our body structure, mental acumen, growthpotential – everything is there already. One hasonly to acknowedge its presence and help tomanifest the same at the right moment. This fieldof intent, inevitably present in everyone strugglesto manifest through ourthoughts and actions. Some ofus refuse to recognize thispower because of our egowhich suppresses the same bygiving out negative andopposing vibrations. Ournatural urge is to movetowards the infinite, theuniversal intention which wecall God, in other words. Thuswhen the individual intentioncoincides with the universalintention, both complementeach other. Your free will andfate move in the samedirection in harmony. The philosophy of Visista-advaitins that we are part of God helps us toappreciate this concept. Being part of God all ofus exhibit an innate desire to become the wholeand this intention manifests in our free will. Youare an infinite being or a spiritual being in aphysical body. This infinitude has two sides – theactive and the inactive. When you develop positivethoughts that you are going to fulfil a purpose inlife, which is potentially present in you even frombirth, you cooperate with your fate and move inthe right direction. On the other hand those whodo not believe in themselves nor in this universalforce, but live in pessimism and lack of self-confidence invite more and more negative thoughtsand move away from their goal. This is caused bynegative forces in your ego, dominating and pullingyou away from the right direction.

Keep an open mind and accept the universalintention as the presence of God in you. As youprogress in life, thoughts about your purpose inthis world will surface again and again. You willmeet the right people and the right opportunitiesat the proper time. Do not ignore or stifle suchthoughts. Understand that you are not here bychance. You were born with ideals and dreamswhich are meaningful. Your purpose is sure to findyou and assist you in need. We have innumerableexamples of great achievers who have aligned theirfate with their free will, when they got a hint oftheir purpose in life. They used this opportunity

presented to them in their life.I shall recount some of themfrom many fields.Adisankara’s encounter witha crocodile in a river pavedthe way for his taking tosannyasa. This must not betaken as an accident. It was amanifestation of his particularintention and was only ameans to get his mother toagree to his sannyasa, but forwhich turning point in his life,we would have been deniedof his great teachings. Swami

Vivekananda’s meeting his teacher SriRamakrishna was no chance. It showed the wayfor him to fulfil a great mission of spreading thiswonderful culture all over the world. RamanaMaharshi’s encounter with death experience andhis subsequent travel to Tiruvannamalai even as aboy and renouncing everything to do penance therewas a great event not only for him, but for theentire humanity. That was his only purpose in life.Even in modern times, there are many suchexamples of someone suddenly getting a flash inhis mind as a result of which, he changes his lifestyle and shuns material wealth or selfish ends andembraces a career for social uplift or spiritualachievements like the story of Nachiketas in theKatha Upanishad.Looking at fields other than spiritual, we have talesof Mother Theresa, Mahatma Gandhi,

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 33Rabindranath Tagore and other illustrious personswho recognized their purpose in life and alignedtheir individual intention with the universal. Thesame is the case with great scientists and inventorslike Archimedes, Thomas Edison, Marconi,Leonardo Da Vinci, Einstein, etc., Even in the fieldof sports and politics we have such great achieverslike Gavaskar, Tendulkar and Bradmans – ofcricket, the Samprasas, Navratilovas andWilliamses of Tennis, the Anands and Fischers ofChess who would not have been there, but fortheir working hard is unision with their fate andfree will.W.W.Dyer a well known writer from the west hasa novel way of looking at the achievements of suchnotable personalities. They assume that their goalis achieved and work backwards to fulfil theintention. A record maker in high jump or pole-vault sets his mind firmly on the record mark andhas tremendous self will to work it out. Or acentury hitter or a Tennis champion believes thathe has target. When the thoughts are very firmlyset on the goal the spirit of universal intention willcollaborate with you and make possible theseemingly impossible.

Coming back to the Bhagavat Gita, where theLord’s words to Arjuna in the two contextsappeared contradictory, we must understand thatArjuna was only told by the Lord to fall in linewith fate without remonstrating, so that his freewill coincided with his fate because that was hispurpose as a follower of Dharma.We can now easily see how a Jnani has no fateseparate from his free will. They totally fall in lineor coincide. Therefore he has no conflict, and asthe Lord says in Chapter 12, the Jnani is noneother than the Lord Himself.This positive attitude of looking at fate and freewillas complementary to each other is well broughtout in the words of a western philosopher, JohannWolfgang Von Goethe. He says, “The moment onedefinitely commits oneself, providence moves too.All sorts of things occur to help one that wouldnever have occurred otherwise--unforeseenincidents, meetings and material assistance, whichno man could have dreamed would come hisway”.

(Courtesy : “Self-knowledge” April 2005)

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 34

When we think of His Holiness SwamiRanganathanandaji who held theaugust position as the Head of the

Ramakrishna Math and Mission, two sayings ofSwami Vivekananda stand out clearly before ourmind.1. Education is the manifestation of the perfectionalready in man.2. Religion is the manifestation of the divinityalready in man.These profound expressions pointing to theimmense potentiality held in reserve in each humanbeing, which is to be tapped by concentrated self-effort, aptly portray Revered SwamiRanganathanandaji’s life. Comingto hear of Sri RamakrishnaParamahamsa and his greatdisciple Swami Vivekananda,reading about the immaculate lifeof the Holy Mother, the simplevillage boy from Trikkur, in theoutskirts of Trissur, Kerala, foundhimself tuning up to replay thesymphonies set in tune by thesegreat masterminds and the resultwas what we had before us in His Holiness SwamiRanganathanandaji Maharaj, a treasure-house ofknowledge and spiritual wisdom combined withthe best manifestation of spirituality highlycompatible with the most modern demands ofcontemporary world.Born on 15th December 1908 as the son of a greatSanskrit scholar Sri Neelakantha Sastri, he hadhis school education in the village school wherehis excellent teachers became his first gurus. Likeany child born to noble parents in the early yearsof the last century, it is not surprising that his firsteducation in-inter human relationships, traditionalculture and religion was from his simple, truthembodied and peace loving parents. For example,in one of his reminiscences Swamiji remembered

how his mother chided him for using some foullanguage by reminding him that one’s tongue wasthe abode of Vani Devi Saraswati and one shouldnot soil it by using foul language against others.Swamiji added that his advice went straight to hishead and heart and always checked him fromrepeating the mistake. Love for his mother was adominant character of his early life which madehim once undertake a hazardous river journey togo to an Ayurvedic doctor living a mile up the riverto fetch medicine for her. Love for adventure anddislike for easy life became the hallmarks ofSwamiji’s life from early childhood.Even while at school he became attracted to Sri

Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literatureand started to absorb the wonderfullyilluminating expositions of Vedantaenshrined therein. It was while in classeight that a friend brought him “Gospelof Sri Ramakrishna” from Trissurlibrary. Swamiji recalled theinstantaneous and tremendous appealthe book had on him. This wasfollowed by the Complete Works ofSwami Vivekananda and the inspiring

true-life sketch “The Master as I saw him” bySister Nivedita. It was Swami Abhedananda’sbeautiful hymn “prakrutim paramam” that tookhim to Holy Mother. The sum total was a deepyearning to dedicate his life for experiencing Godas also loving His creation around. Caste, creed,race and gender had no place in this scheme oflove.In the year 1926 Swamiji left home to joinRamakrishna Math and became an inmate of theMysore Ramakrishna Ashram. In 1933 he tooksannyas from Swami Shivananda, (MahapurushMaharaj) one of the direct disciples of SriRamakrishna who at that time was the Presidentof Ramakrishna Math. The first twelve years ofhis monastic life were in Mysore and Bangalore

SWAMI RANGANATHANANDAJIDR.M.LAKSHMIKUMARI

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 36where he had occasions to be under the directobservation of most holy and lovable SwamiSiddeswarananda who was later instrumental inestablishing the center Vedantique Ramakrishnain Paris. The Swamiji had occasions to meetMahatma Gandhi three times at Mysore andBangalore.One key utterance from Swami Vivekananda,which had become his own life’s refrain was “canyou combine seriousness with childlike naiveté”?That summed up also the extraordinary charm ofSwamiji’s personality. The farsighted views ofSwami Vivekananda always inspired Swamiji inhis monastic life and transformed him into a trueto life imitation of the Great Master. Today thewhole world understands the message of SwamiVivekananda in all its depth and scope as it comesmagnified and updated through the knowledge,wisdom and life experiences of this Great Saintamong Saints.The most practical demonstrations of Swamiji’sextraordinary vision and organizing power are thecenters which have been established or updatedby him during his tenure as the head of the variousmission centers within the country and outside.The centers developed and brought to internationalstandard and reputation by SwamiRanganathanandaji in his early monastic life wereat Rangoon and Karachi. From 1949 to 1962 hewas the president of R.K.Mission at New Delhi,which gave him a wonderful chance to interact withthe cream of the ruling elite including PanditJawaharlal Nehru and Mrs.Indira Gandhi and earntheir respect and confidence. Later for five yearshe was the secretary of the Ramakrishna Instituteof Culture at Calcutta. This was the time when hecould expand the work of the Mission at theinternational level.A most telling example of the great dynamism andthe organizing capacity of SwamiRanganathanandaji is the Hyderabad Math ofwhich he was the president from 1973 to 1993.From 1969 till 1989 Swamiji was one of thetrustees of the Ramakrishna Math. In 1989 hebecame the Vice President of the Math till he tookover as the President in August 1998.

As an ambassador of our spiritual heritage Swamijihad toured all over the world spreading themessage of harmony of religions and universalbrotherhood. His most extensive tour was in 1968-69 from 18th July 1968 to 31st December 1969.The wonderful heart warming experiences ofSwamiji are available for all of us from his famousbook ‘A Pilgrim Looks at the World’. During thistour he delivered 934 lectures and question andanswer sessions of which 90 were television, radioand newspaper interviews, 30 were in churchesand temples, 141 were in Vedanta Societies andRamakrishna Ashrams, 156 were in privateparlors, 197 were in public forums, and 320 werein 115 universities and colleges. Stimulatingquestion and answer sessions followed everylecture. The media were unanimous in extolling thegreat impact Swamiji made on the public. A fewexamples are worth reproducing. “On the onehand, his incredibly vast knowledge not onlyfascinated me but thrilled and excited meintellectually. On the other hand, his wordsreached a depth within me which literallycaused me to tingle inside with the realizationthat each of us, there, was really alive andreally dyamic” (Ann Curtis in American Reporter,Feb. 1969)David Milofsky, Chairman of Wisconsin UnionLiterary Committee of the University of Wisconsinsaid, “Your visit helped to broaden our horizonsand to see that, although we are separated bygreat distances physically, there is a universalspiritual kinship between all peoples. I feel thatthe distances between India and the UnitedStates and between Vedanta and Westernthought were decreased because of yourlecture”.In His Holiness Swami Ranganathanandaji we cansense the universal dimension of the Great MasterSwami Vivekananda. Listening to Swamiji wecould transport ourselves into those days whenthe Great master thundered for the first time theuniversal message of Vedanta to a universalaudience.This author vividly remembers how in the lateseventies Swamiji brought her attention to theurgent need for selfless and efficient action in every

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 39field of activity in modern India when she wascontemplating to leave her career. To quote, “oursociety’s body is full of wounds, blood and pus.There is hardly any healthy tissue anywhere. Thereis great need to create healthy tissues throughpeople like you doing their swadharma withselflessness, patriotism and dedication to God. Besuch a worker, remain where you are, makeyourself an example for your colleagues. There isno need to leave your job and get into anyorganization.” A few years later when the occasiondemanded greater sacrifice, with equal emphasisSwamiji gave his blessings to leave the professionadding, “Now organisation’s need is greater andmore urgent and you may leave your worldlypursuits”. True to Vivekananda style he wantedeach Indian to work with dedication andselflessness in their respective field of activity sothat each one can make his or her contribution tothe prosperity of our nation.He was always concerned about humanrelationships specially when we worked in anorganization. During one of his casualconversations he pointed out, “Do you knowwhich is the best way to keep human relationshipswarm and strong? Through tyga and seva.Relinquish your personal interests and be everready to look for an opportunity to serve others.”Adherence to truth and scientific rational approachto problems formed part of his life’s methodology.Foolish sentimentalism, superstitious beliefs, etc.,had no place in him. Once seeing the huge noisycrowds at Kanyakumari temple he remarked thathe would be more peaceful in the bazaar outsidethan within the temple and we need not arrangefor his trip to the temple hereafter.Another remarkable trait that amazed everybodywho went to him was his extraordinary optimism.Even the greatest problems that confronted ournation did not shake his faith in our people andtheir capacity to face them. He was of the viewthat after years of tamas we were just moving onthe rajas. The confused riotous behaviour of themob was just a forerunner of the good days ahead.Suddenly our nation was charged with a newenergy. With a little care our leaders could divert

this energy into constructive channels for nationalgood. In these days of encircling gloom let us alsoaffirm his words and keep our hopes alive. “Thepresent total erosion of values at high levels is apassing phase; we had such experiences beforealso…our nation will build up, during the nextcentury, a progressive, humanistic and peacefuldemocratic polity and society”.Talking to Swamiji, one was wonderstruck at hisencyclopaedic knowledge and memory. Readinghis treatises on various subjects helped us to updateour own knowledge in any field, be it physics,chemistry, psychology, economics, politics orscience. He could remember who said what andwhen and the implications of it for ourunderstanding of our own Shastras.Last but not the least was the unbounded love andconcern, which he bestowed on each and everyone who went near him. All he expected was ourown deep interest and concern for the progressand well being of our country and its heritage. Hisown love for the country is summed up in thefollowing words, which also teach us a great lessonin expansion. To quote: “Though born and broughtup in Kerala my feeling of identification was neverconfined to that one state but had become nationaland international; to every State I go for lectureprogramme, I have felt I belong there; the same inthe international sphere also”.Kerala is blessed today that among the very manyluminaries it had gifted to the nation is the MostRevered Srimat Swami Ranganathanandaji whosespiritual wisdom is shedding its luster on the greatSri Ramakrishna Math and Mission and throughit on the whole nation, nay, the whole world.Blessed indeed are those who have known himfrom near and twice blessed are those who havebeen blessed by Revered Swamiji. May thisAbhinava Vivekananda’s teaching continue tospread far and wide so that we lesser mortals mayfeel that we are one with God and are trulybrothers and sisters.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005

On the third day (tritiya) of the bright halfof the moon in the Tamil month of Chittiraor in the month of Vishaka in the National

calendar, falls Akshaya Tritiya. It comes in theGregorian month of May. A good work done onthis day will prove a boon eternally, is the belief.Puranas elaborate on the auspiciousness of theday.In the North the day is called Akshaya Teej.In the Vedic calendar the event is marked as oneof the holy festivals. The sun is at its maximumbrilliance on this day. Astrologers say that the sun,the only source of energy, sheds its maximum onthe earth on this day. Rishis selected this day toconduct the aadhya yagna.Akshaya means eternal, that whichwill not undergo decay. So the dayrepresents the beginning of a neverending gain. A good work done onthis day is considered a windfall forthe future.Many incidents together have addedto the holiness of Akshaya Tritiya.Krita and Threta Yugas began on thisday. It is the birthday of Parasuram,an avatara of Vishnu. It is considered the mostsuited day to propitiate departed souls.In the Puranas, Akshaya Tritiya is described asthe beginning of a golden era. Devas celebrate itand in one of the Puranas there is a narration ofthe celebration. The day is considered auspiciousfor marriages. That means, every father wishes tobestow the most of his life’s earnings on the bestand the holiest of human relations on the earth onthis day. So the day is a witness to the most liberalof sacrifices. This very event repudiates thecommon notion that one can attain riches by buyinga coveted thing, especially gold, on this day.Abandon, and be free from desires is the wayAkshaya Tritiya shows as the way to prosperity.Any other idea attributed to it is shrewd

commercialism. What else could one attribute tothe gold rush on that day when nearly 30 tons of itworth Rs.1800 crore were sold in one city? Whenasked about what he wanted to buy a manremarked humorously, “I cannot afford to prosperthis way”. Child marriage is another blot on theday. Parents in medieval India of foreign invasionsused to betroth their daughters to ensure theirsecurity. This practice is now gone. Any long run project began on Akshya Tritya willflourish, is the belief. Many industries and buildingsand even temples in the country had theirfoundation stone laid on this day. One example isthe Balaji temple at Tirupati. Adi Shankara, while

passing through the hillocks ofAndhra Pradesh spotted a smallstructure far away and thought thatto be a Siva temple, from its poorcondition, and all the time a discipleinsisting that it was a Vishnu temple.On approaching it the disciple wasproved right. Soon Shankarachanted a mantra and placed somesymbol there saying, “A Vishnutemple should not be so poor.” It was

on an Akshaya Tritiya day. The pilgrim flow beganafter this incident. It is also said that the foundationstone of the present day temple was laid on asimilar day.A comparison of modern astronomical findingswith ancient Indian knowledge will reveal theerudition our ancestors had attained on the subject.Astrology was accepted as a branch of it and hadits acceptance outside India. There were businessties with Egypt in those days through the Red Sea.The pharaohs consulted Indian astrologers forauspicious days for laying foundation forconstructions.Back in India, the Akshaya Paatram(vessel) ofDraupadi is well known to all of us. Though thedates mentioned in scriptures do not tally with

AKSHAYA TRITIYANARAYANAN

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005Tritya, the similarity in their names augmentedpeople’s faith in the result of a good work doneon the Tritiya.Then how did the day renegade as a day ofshopping? This is modern salesmanship, a clevertwist given to an event steeped in devotion. It issimply this: temples used to present gold coinengraved with spiritual shapes to devotees on theAkshaya Tritya as a symbol of prosperity. Neverwas the belief that it would multiply in comingyears. The coin was a source of inspiration fordevotees. The coin represented endless prosperitybecause gold as a mental never undergoescorrosion like other metals. Gold has the powerto energise human body. So palace doctorsprescribed gold flour to kings in minute quantity.The kings were served food is gold plates.To wear at least a small piece of gold is an Indiantradition. It is considered to have the power ofprotection and for women a small piece as a thaaliis a symbol of family prosperity. These possessionswere symbolic and not a display of wealth as somepeople want to make it today. Here a question isrelevant. What was the source of so much of goldin India? It was called the Golden Bird of British

Empire. There were temples built of gold. Fa Hsienand Hiuen Tsiang had written that they saw childrenin India playing with gold and diamond marbles.Our ancestors never looted other countries.Somewhere in an epic or a purana there was anarration that in places were men lived withoutflinching from moral thought and conduct, there,in the soil gold could be found. So the quality ofmen was the secret of the prosperity. They wereof robust health and were hard working. So hardwork and faith promoted the wealth of India.This is another message of Akshaya Tritiya. Herewe also find a perfect balancing of materialprosperity with moral uprightness. Any spurt inwealth had to be sanctioned by codes of rightconduct. Culture kept a guard on the growth ofcivilization. Whenever the latter tended to go awrythe former curbed it.We have that culture left with us today . Only itsimpressions in material forms have disappeared.The spread of the messages of that culture isnecessary to educate people once again on rightsocial conduct.

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YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 42

GAYAThe center conducted a weeklong Yoga Siksha Satra from 3April to 17 April ’05. SriGovardhan Prasad Saday, awell-known scholar of Gayainaugurated the camp.

Participants were taught the basic set of Asanas,Pranayama and Kriyas.

BALASOREThe Balasore center runs the Sister Nivedita Nurseryschool which has a strength of 28 students and 3teachers.The center conducts Yoga, Pranayama, BalaSamskar and meditation classes regularlyRamakrishna Jayanti was observed on 12 March’05 at t.he Kendra premises. Swami Bhagabatanandafrom Puri was the main speaker.

CHANDILThe Chandil Kendra observed Hanuman Jayanti on24 April 2005. People from Chandil and near byvillages participated. The programmes started at 8a.m. with a puja and concluded at 3 p.m.Competitions in Hanuman Chalisa recitation,patriotic songs and Kabaddi and other games wereconducted and prizes distributed

RDPActivities in April

1. Through 75 Balwadis 2,153 rural children werefed. Hygienically prepared highly nutritive lunchwas served with vegetables, vitamin rich cerealswere given daily in the evening.

2. In the health care programme through 14 ruralmedical centers, 3,485 patients were examinedand treated for various common ailments.

3. 6,359 students actively participated in 203 BalaSamskara Vargas. In the Vargas based on Indiancultural values and norms, patriotic songs and

VIVEKANANDA KENDRA SAMACHAR

games, the feeling of oneness is strengthenedwith each participant.

4. Under Adopt-A-Granny Scheme, monthlysolatium was distributed to 57 destitute oldpeople in the form of rice, dhal, oil, etc., for theirmaintenance, supported by Help-AgeInternational.

On 25.04.2005 Help Age India conducted aCapacity Building Workshop at Chennai. Twopersons from V.K.R.D.P. participated in theworkshop.

5. Eye Screening Camps were organized at 5 placesthrough which patients were examined and 229patients were operated for cataract with the helpof Aravind Eye Hospital.

6. Village level Deepa Poojas were organized in 266places in which 11,225 women offered theirprayers to God. One mass level Deepa Poojawas conducted at Shencottah in which 602women from 18 villages had participated. Theentire expenditures were sponsored by the localcommunity.

7. Swami Vivekananda Jayanthi Day wascelebrated in 5 places. Competitions, culturalprogrammes and speeches marked thecelebrations.

8. Under Amrita Surabhi scheme 1,345 kg. ricewas collected.

9. Through various branch centers and stallsRs.15,084/- worth literature was sold.

10. Annual Subscriptions were collected from 71people for Vivekavani.

11. 73 students are getting tailoring training throughfive units.

12. Parents Meets were conducted at 5 places inKanyakumari and Ramnad Districts.

13. Patron Donation was received from 13 persons.14. Two Personality Development Camps were

conducted in Thoothukudi and Aruppukottai. 62children participated.

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 4215. Nine Yoga Varga, were organized in Kovilpatti,

Ramnad and Virudhunagar Units. 521participants were benefited.

16. With the help of Department of Public HealthServices, Tamil Nadu, for the eradication of TB distributed medicines to the patients in nearbyareas.

17. With Nine Self Help Groups (SHG’s) 180women are working at various places.

18. One hand pump donated by SwamiMukthanandaji, Anandashram, Kerala, wasinstalled at Camp Thattaparai in ThoothukudiDistrict.

19. Anna Pooja was organized at Thoothukudi in 2places on 14.04.2005 on Tamil New Year day74,500 kgs. of rice and Rs.31,634/- werecollected by a special campaign. In this drive5000 families came to know of the Kendra’sactivities. Om Stickers, SRK, SD & SV pictureswere pasted in all these 5000 houses.

20. Paddy collection drive was conducted atValliyoor and nearby areas. 350 kgs. of paddy,410 kgs. of rice and Rs.651/- were collected.

21. In memory of Kendra’s senior worker Mrs.Saraswathi Srinivasan on 13.04.2005, Payasamwas distributed to all Balwadis. In memory ofSmt.Rambai Ammal, mother of our donor ShriG.J.Raman, on 24.04.2005 , Chitra Pournami,Payasam and banana were distributed to Balwadichildren of Kanyakumari District.

22. Six-month Free Residential Tailoring Trainingaided by Kamlaben and Raojibhai Patel FamilyFoundtion, NJ 076677 was started on30.03.2005 at Toovipuram in Turicorin District.At present 22 girls from nearby villages aregetting free residential training.

CROSSWORD - 16

YUVA BHARATI JUNE 2005 44

The Swadeshi versus Globalisation issue hasspawned a number of jokes and humoroussituations. We present a bunch of such

telling jokes to highlight the issues.The tale of learned technology versus

country wisdom:A newly educated agricultural scientist once visiteda village. He found the methods employed by theilliterate farmers are crude and unproductive.“Why! I will be surprised if this mango tree yieldsa hundred fruits per crop! The methods are soante-diluvious,” said the scientist.“Why sir! I will be amazed if this tree yields evenone mango per crop. For it is a coconut tree!”said the illiterate farmer.

The mesage:Once Dr.Kumarappa the Swadeshi technologistwent to meet Gandhiji to take leave of him beforeproceeding to England for studies. Gandhiji toldhim, “with very little efforts you can be a first rateIndian. With all your efforts, you will only be athird rate Englishman”.That is the message of Swadeshi. “Be yourself”.

New discoveries:Recently I read a snippet in a magazine. AnAmerican scientist was standing in his kitchenwatching his wife frying doughnuts. He found thecentral portion of the doughnuts was not well-cooked. An idea struck him, that his wife shouldput a hole in the doughnut before frying it so thatmore area is exposed to the hot oil. He took apatent on the idea”.We Indians know for so many centuries the art ofmaking a Vada with a hole at the center. For theAmerican it is a discovery worth patenting.At this rate, we Indians should go about patentingour Upanishad, Yoga, Bhagawad Gita, Neempreparations, Ayurveda, all our household recipes,Arabic numerals, etc. These are according toHindus the common inherited wealth of the wholemankind, India’s gift to humanity. Nobody willthink of the ridiculous step of patenting them.

Common sense versus specialization:An American tycoon specializing in themanufacture of edible oils once visited a village inMaharashtra. A management expert accompaniedhim. Their factory in America presses oil out ofgroundnut using a variety of machines and solventsunder controlled temperature condition. The villagefrom Maharashtra boasts of no such paraphernalia.He has a country press (Ghami/Chekku) poweredby a bullock and manned by himself.The American expert noted down accurately thesize of the wooden mortar, the length and thicknessof the pestle, the time taken by the bullock to pressoil out of one quintal of groundnut, etc.The management expert was curious to know ofa tiny bronze bell strung to the bullock’s neck.The bell was making a continuous jingling sound.The expert asked the simple press owner, “Is thereany relation between the sound of the bell and theoil productivity of the press?”The villager suppressed his grin and said, “I wouldyoke the bullock to the press lever rod, set thebullock on its circular path and doze off. Theringing of the bell would tell me that the bullock ismoving. When the bell stops ringing, it means thatthe bullock has stopped”.The expert questioned him, “How do you know ifthe bullock stands at a place without moving orshakes its head ringing the bell?”The villager replied” My bullock won’t do that. Itis not a management expert”.

The effect of TV on children:A child too much under the influence of TV andits commercials was once taken to the church. TheChoir was in attendance; many hymns were sungbetween sermons delivered by the preacher.At the end of the programme the kindly preacherasked the child, “How did you like the programmetoday?”In all innocence the child replied, “The culturalprogrammes were all right. Your commercialsflashed in between were a bit off”.

SWADESHI HUMOUR—A KENDRA WORKER