Swamiji’s Passing A New Finding by Chandrashekhar Chattopadhyay

(Translated from Bengali by Swami Chetanananda)

4th July 1902 was a memorable day. Swami Vivekananda, a great prophet of modern India, passed away at about 9:00 pm while he was in meditation. The flame of his life-lamp, which brightened the spiritual world, suddenly blew out in the deep darkness of night. The next morning this sad news spread throughout Calcutta and all over India. Swamiji’s disciple Kanai Maharaj (Swami Nirbhayananda) came to our house in Ahiritola and gave us the news. I was then busy performing worship in a temple nearby. I returned home before 9:00 am to find my mother crying loudly. When I asked why she was grieving, she said, ‘My son, a great calamity has taken place. Swamiji is no more. He has passed away – and you never did take me to see him.’ I replied, ‘Mother, all monks in the monastery are called “Swami”. Which swamiji are you talking about? Perhaps you have misunderstood something.’ My mother answered: ‘Oh no, Kanai came early this morning and said that the head Swamiji passed away last night at nine o’clock. He asked all of you to go to Belur Math.’ I consoled my mother, saying, ‘It is not good to express grief for the death of a monk.’
Swamiji in Mahasamadhi
At that time my friend Nibaran, a disciple of Holy Mother, arrived. I decided not to go to work. Accompanied by Nibaran and my younger brother Dulalshashi, I went to the Ahiritola ghat, crossed the Ganges by boat, and then reached Belur Math at 10:00 am via Salikha (Salkia) and Ghusuri. It was raining a little. I saw that Rakhal Maharaj (Swami Brahmananda) and some monks were busy decorating a cot with flowers in the western veranda of the Math building. When Rakhal Maharaj saw me, he burst into tears. His voice was choked, so he pointed to the steps and indicated that we should go upstairs.
When I entered Swami Vivekananda’s room I saw that his divine body had been laid on a carpet. His forehead was smeared with holy ashes; a bouquet of flowers was placed near his head; and his body was covered with a new ochre cloth. His right hand was resting on the floor and a rosary had been placed around his right thumb. His eyes were indrawn and half-closed like Lord Shiva in meditation. The entire room was full of fragrance from incense burning at both sides of his body. Sister Nivedita was seated at the left side of Swamiji’s body, steadily fanning his head with a palm-leaf fan. Tears were trickling down her cheeks. Swamiji’s head was placed to the west and his feet to the east, towards the Ganges. Grief-stricken, Brahmachari Nandalal sat silently at his feet. We all three bowed down to Swamiji, touching his feet, and then sat there. When I touched his feet, they were as cold as ice.
I then touched Swamiji’s rosary and repeated the mantra given by my guru. Meanwhile, many distinguished people and devotees from Calcutta and other places arrived to see Swamiji for the last time. One after another they bowed down to him and left; but the three in my party, Brahmachari Nandalal and Sister Nivedita stayed. When I finished my japa, Nivedita whispered to me: ‘Can you sing, my friend? Would you mind singing the songs that our Thakur used to sing?’ I said that I could not sing. Nivedita then requested, ‘On my behalf will you please ask your friend to sing?’
Then my friend Nibaran sang a few songs melodiously: ‘Cherish my precious Mother Shyama tenderly within, O mind’; ‘Why should I go to Ganga or Gaya, to Kashi, Kanchi or Prabhas?’; ‘Is Kali, my Mother, really black? The Naked One, of blackest hue, lights the lotus of the heart’; ‘The black bee of my mind is drawn in sheer delight to the blue lotus flower of Mother Shyama’s feet’; ‘O my mind, chant the name of Kali. If you say Kali, Kali, the fear of Kala [Death] will disappear.’
Nivedita’s Reaction
Nivedita listened to these songs with all her attention. Pent-up emotions overflowed from her heart and began to flow from her eyes as tears. It was an unforgettable and sad scene; I shall never forget it. Although the incident occurred forty-five years ago, still its memory is written on my mind in golden letters. On that day the expression on Nivedita’s face told me how wounded was her lost and sad heart! It truly stirred my consciousness. I realized that her reaction was not the result of mere emotional weakness. Where is this great, learned, spiritual English woman full of renunciation and forbearance, and where are we who are proud of a little learning and devoid of renunciation!
The Last Rites
At about 1:00 pm Swami Saradananda came upstairs to Swamiji’s room and said to Brahmachari Nandalal and the three in my party: ‘Look, we are broken-hearted because of Swamiji’s passing away. We have lost all our strength. Would you be able to carry Swamiji’s body downstairs?’ Immediately Brahmachari Nandalal and we three devotees slowly and carefully carried Swamiji’s body down the steps to the lower veranda and placed it on the cot decorated with flowers. As was the custom, some pomegranates, apples, pears and grapes were offered to Swamiji. Swami Advaitananda then said to the brahmachari, ‘O Nandalal, Swamiji loved you immensely. You perform the last worship to him.’ When Swami Brahmananda and the other monks approved this proposal, Nandalal performed the ritual offerings of garlands and flowers, and of fruits and sweets, then waving an oil lamp and finally chanting a hymn.
It was proposed that a final photograph of Swamiji be taken, but Swami Brahmananda would not allow it, saying, ‘There are many good photographs of Swamiji; this sad picture will break the hearts of all.’ Afterwards, Swami Brahmananda, the other monks and brahmacharins offered flowers at Swamiji’s feet. Finally, Haramohan Mitra (a classmate of Swamiji’s) and other devotees offered flowers. Later, Swamiji’s feet were painted with red dye (alta) and footprints were made on small pieces of cloth. Sister Nivedita also took a footprint on a new handkerchief. I took a beautiful rose (not fully open), smeared it with sandal paste, touched it to Swamiji’s feet and put it in my front pocket as a memento.
When the worship service was over, Swami Saradananda asked the same four of us to carry the cot to the spot where Swamiji’s body would be cremated. All the monks and devotees followed the procession. There had been some rain before noon, so the monastery ground was wet and slippery, and moreover it was covered with spear grass. So we slowly and cautiously crossed the vast area and placed the cot on the funeral pyre set with sandalwood. At that time Swamiji’s aunt and his cousin, Habu Datta, arrived by car from Simla (Calcutta), and began to cry and lament loudly.
Swami Saradananda then asked everyone, ‘Please take a bunch of pankati [the dried stalk of the jute plant], ignite it, circle Swamiji’s body seven times, place the blazing pankati under the cot just below Swamiji’s feet, and bow down to him.’ According to his instructions, Swamiji’s body was consigned to the sandalwood fire, and the grief-stricken monks and devotees sat like statues around the blazing pyre. The funeral fire gradually rose high, extending its many lolling tongues to consume Swamiji’s body. Girish Chandra Ghosh, Upendranath Mukhopadhyay of the Basumati, Jaladhar Sen, Mahendranath Gupta (M), Akshay Kumar Sen and other devotees were seated on a cement bench near the bel tree and watching this heart-rending scene.
Broken-hearted, Girish Babu began to lament: ‘Naren, you were supposed to live and spread the glory of the Master by telling people my story of transformation. But this wish of mine has been destroyed by a horrible Providence. I am an old fellow [he was 19 years older than Swamiji], and I am left alive to see this terrible scene of yours. You are the Master’s son and you have gone to him. Look, you have departed prematurely, leaving us in this pitiable condition. How unfortunate we are!’
At this, Nivedita could no longer suppress her grief. She got up and began to circle the blazing funeral pyre. Seeing her close to the pyre, Swami Brahmananda was concerned that her skirt would catch fire. He conveyed this to Swami Nirbhayananda, who then took Nivedita’s hand and led her away from the pyre. He made her sit on the bank of the Ganges and tried to console her.
The sacred fire and a favourable wind consumed the lower part of Swamiji’s divine body to ashes within a short time; but amazingly that fire did not touch his chest, face and the hair of his head. His facial expression and the look of his broad eyes were beautiful. It was suggested that someone shake Swamiji’s body so that it would burn quickly. This greatly upset Swami Nishchayananda, a disciple of Swamiji. He did not want to see his guru’s body prodded with a pole. So he immediately climbed up an old tree nearby, cut some branches and set them on the funeral pyre.
Afterwards
Meanwhile, Swami Brahmananda took me aside, gave me a ten-rupee note, and said, ‘You and Nibaran take Girish Babu’s boat, cross the Ganges and buy some sandesh [sweets] and other kinds of food from Baranagore Bazar. From last night on, no monk put anything in his mouth – not even a drop of water – and some devotees are also fasting.’ When Bipin Saha of Baranagore saw us going to carry out Swami Brahmananda’s order, he joined us. He contributed five rupees and asked a confectioner in Baranagore Bazar to prepare hot luchis [fried bread], kachuri and sandesh. He then carried the food basket on his head and returned to Belur Math with us. It was evening when we returned to the monastery, and the funeral pyre had been extinguished. Swamiji’s remains had been collected, and the monks and devotees were bathing in the Ganges and making water offerings.
M said to me, ‘You have touched the dead body. Now you bathe and offer water to the departed soul.’ I replied: ‘A sadhu is Narayana [God]. Have I become impure by touching that divine body?’ Following Swami Brahmananda’s orders, I carried the food to be offered to the Master without first changing my clothes. Swami Premananda understood my attitude, and said, ‘You do not have to take a bath, but let me sprinkle Ganges water on your head. Take the food to the shrine and then go to the Ganges to offer water to Swamiji as is customary.’
There were no worship services that day. Vespers were conducted that evening and food was offered to the Master at that time. Prasad [offered food], tea and water were then distributed among the monks and devotees. Afterwards, the grief-stricken devotees returned home.
To fulfil Swamiji’s last wish, Kali Puja was held at Belur Math on the first new-moon night (amavasya) after 4 July. No outsiders were invited on that occasion, except for Bhupendranath Datta, Swamiji’s younger brother. Makhan Maharaj asked me and Nibaran to bring thirty pounds of dry bel wood for the homa fire. The new moon fell on a Saturday. When Nibaran and I arrived at Belur Math with the dry bel wood, Swami Brahmananda was pleased. He recited two lines of a hymn to Shiva: ‘Chandrashekhara chandrashekhara chandrashekhara pahi mam. Chandrashekhara chandrashekhara chandrashekhara raksha mam.’ [O Chandrashekhara, please nourish us. O Chandrashekhara, please protect us.] Then the swami continued: ‘You have saved the situation by bringing dry bel wood in this stormy and rainy weather. May the Divine Mother bless you.’
At 10:00 pm Kali Puja began in the upper shrine room of the monastery. Ishwar Chandra Chakrabarty, a Tantric adept and father of Swami Ramakrishnananda, performed the worship. Monks and brahmacharins bowed to the Master in the shrine and then meditated in Swamiji’s room. Before that, when the evening food offering was over, Swami Brahmananda told Swami Premananda, ‘Please give prasad to Bhupen and these two devotees; but the rest of us will fast.’ After having prasad, we three lay down in the large room downstairs in the western part of the Math building. That night, Swami Nityananda (an elderly disciple of Swamiji) occasionally made loud and pathetic cries that reverberated throughout the monastery.
At 3:00 am Swami Saradananda came to our room and woke us up. He asked us to go to the room upstairs.
There Swami Brahmananda asked me to purify myself by sipping some water and to repeat my mantra. After a while Swami Brahmananda asked everyone present to go to the western courtyard where the homa fire was arranged. We joined the monks and sat around that sacred fire, repeating our mantra. After the homa fire, we all went to the spot where Swamiji’s body had been cremated, circled it seven times, and bowed down. Everyone then sat under the bel tree for a while and repeated his mantra. Finally, all of us went to the Master’s shrine and bowed down to him, and then took prasad downstairs.

Tulasi Maharaj's first meeting with Thakur

The following is Tulasi Maharaj's own narration of how he met Thakur for the first time. The his he had narrated in 1928
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"Nivedita lane and the tank on that side formerly belonged to us. The quadrangle in front the house occupied by the Boses now in Bosepara lane was the place where we boys used to meet. There we were chanting one day when we heard that Paramahamsa had come to the house of the new Kaysthas. Balaram Bouse had recently purchased that property from the Barnejees who were Brahimins and so the house was called thus. At once we all boys ran. I also hurried to my house, put a chaddar, for I was not acquainted with the Boses at that time, went to Balarm's house and found that the hall-parlour and verandah was full. In the middle of the hall there was spread a carpet on a cushion with pillows on. Pramahamsa was not there. I was but a lad of 17 or 18 summers and did not venture to go in as many of the elders of that quarter were seated in that hall. On the left side of the room was a verandha and I leaned against the wall there. I learned that the Paramahamsa had gone in so that the ladies of the house might have opportunity to meet him. A little later I saw a person clad in a towel of gerua color ( I think he had gone to the water closet) with leather slippers on coming through the door of the water closet toward me. His eyes seemed not to observe anything, as if in a state of reverie they were closed. Behind him there were a few persons. I did not know them. suddenly he came and the place I was standing and looked at me. He did not exchange a single word with me. i stood non-plussed and forgot even to salute him. At that movement, o God I felt a creeping sensation within my bosom. I felt a thrill from head to foot as if my body was becoming paralysed and I was inclined to weep. Afterwards, he staggered into the hall; I ran away to my house and laid myself on my bed..................

Photo: Quadtrangle -Verandha on first floor place were Tulasi Maharaj first saw Thakur

An interesting Letter by Girish Babu

The following is a interesting letter written by Girish Chandra Gosh to Swami Abhedananda. Its shows how close the disciples of Thakur were, be it monastic or lay. Girish babu starts with a very candid tone irrespective of his respect to Kali Maharaj…the letter then moves to light notes on the situation in Belur Math, Kolkath etc ….and ends with a sentence “have mercy on me I pray”

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13 Bosepara Lane
Baghbazar, Calcutta
18th April, 1907

Brother ,

What about he homeopathic medicine box and books that you were to send me ? what about your proposal to take the theatre to that country ? Have you put a crown on your head after going to Mathura ? I was on the verge of death. Through the Master’s grace I have recovered. I would have pestered you if I would not have fallen ill.

You must have heard all news about the Math. Everyone is all right inwardly. Rakhal is not keeping good health. Vivekananda’s mausoleum temple is under construction. God knows when it will be completed. Brother Latu is as before, he often comes to me. A nationalist movement is going. Hindus and Muslims are fighting with each other at Comilla – this is the beginning of national unity! According to the press, the magistrate and others are inciting one community against the other-you may have seen this news in the papers of that country also. Price of rice is so high that it is difficult for the common man to have two square meals a day. Everything is costly. We have to buy neem leaves to prepare need soup. Sajina sells at three sticks per pice. The Raja of Darbhanga and Jatindramohan Tagore called a meeting. That was much brief, not doubt, but what fruit it bears is yet to be seen. You may have been working for America with your face flushed with blood-can you find out a way of salvation of your motherland ? The situation is deteriorating day by day. Bengalees have fallen out of the grace of Sahibs (British Rulers). They get no opportunity of employment. No zeal for work is noticeable expect for holding frequent meetings. Again among the speakers there are two parties vilifying each other – this is the position !

How are you ? How is work going on ? if you have time to reply please reply in Bengali as Brother Latu is keen on hearing and I shall be spared the troubles of translating if you write in Bengali. How are the boys who have gone there working ? How is Moti ? Please accept my respectful obeisance. Have mercy on me I pray

Yours G.C

Sri Ramakrishna a Distinctive Incarnation (Part – I)

Almighty comes down on earth whenever dharma descends and Adharma rises. This was re-emphasized by Sri Krishna during Geetopadesha.

Last 6000 years or so we are able to see few complete incarnations. Some of these incarnations were very powerful in terms of display of intellectual power, and extreme physical strength.

One of the earlier known incarnation is Sri Rama. He exhibited enormous physical & metal strength apart from his qualities like humility, deep insights and love for all. Born as a prince but soon forced to abandon the kingdom, He had to accept harsh realities which haunted him for many years. However carried on with his task for which he came on earth…Throughout his life filled with formidable tasks he displayed his physical strength and combat skills to vanquish evil forces.

Attributes of Krishna were not different from Rama except the circumstances of his birth and the “caste” he choose for birth. He displayed tremendous amount of physical strength, human and mentoring skills. He also showed his smart political skills when face to face with rulers with evil tendencies so as to tear them down and restore Dharma.

On other size of the globe is Jesus Christ, the revered son of the Almightily Father. Neither He considered showing physical strength nor encouraged others to indulge in offensive physical acts. However He stood strong against all his adversaries and always talked confident. None could stop him from preaching the message till the day He decided to conclude his Leela.

Advaita Vednanta was being pushed to annihilation by Pseudo Buddhists. Srishankara who is commonly believed as a quintessence of Shiva restored Advaita from extinction.

After Srishankara the turmoil hit the land of Sanatana Dharma and sources of virtues started disappearing – the land of Rishis & incarnations was invaded for centuries by adversaries. All its wealth was looted. Spiritual centers were thrashed down. In the homeland Brahmans supposed to be spiritual guides indulged in acts of exploitation and self-seeking . Khetriyas the warriors and protectors of the land indulged in cold wards thus making the invader’s work easy. By the beginning of 19th centaury the status of our Mother land Bharata did not show any hope and it was slipping into oblivion. Educated youngsters were slowly abandoning their faith and were embracing western education and lifestyles. Starvation & poverty engulfed large part of the country. ….

The time was undeniably set - rather that moment in the history was badly in need of a holy intervention. Still none could see any signs of holy birth which was witnessed by everyone during the birth of Rama & Krishna. No stars were seen leading pious souls announcing the birth of a savior like when Jesus was born.

One could logically expect a powerful entry of an incarnation be it in human or animal form. May be Rama or Krishna once again or Narasimha to tear bellies of all demonic forces…an embodiment of masculine power was a fit for the occasion.

But the Almighty had different plans. Moment of glory was in the pipe line without anyone coming to know about it.

A remote sleepy village in Bengal was chosen as a gateway to earth. He selected a underprivileged but pious couples for His advent – Kshudiram Chatopadhaya and Chandramani Devi.

A boy was born to them on 18 February 1836. They named him Gadadhar. The boy declined all formal education and worldly affairs. However the boy had a mind towards singing, painting and nature. He liked company of holy men…

At the age of six seeing white cranes flying against the background of dark clouds he fell unconscious !

(To be continued)

9 - 11 to 9 - 11

9 – 11 is few hours away. Its reminds us one of the biggest human made - terrorist initiative and disaster world had ever seen. We only hope it never happens again…

It is amazing to remember that it was on the same day ( September 11) in the year 1893 Swami Vivekananda delivered his Chicago Address which captured attention from across the world….. one of the touching para from his speech is as below

“…..Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilizations and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now….”

Full Text of the Speech is as below

“Sisters and brothers of America,

It fills my heart with joy unspeakable to rise in response to the warm and cordial welcome that you have given us. I thank you in the name of the most ancient order of monks in the world; I thank you in the name of the mother of religions; and I thank you in the name of millions and millions of Hindu people of all classes and sects.

My thanks also to some of speakers on this platform who, referring to the delegates from the Orient, have told you that these men from far off nations may well claim the honor of bearing to different lands the idea of toleration. I am proud to belong to a religion which has taught the world both toleration and universal acceptance. We believe not only in universal toleration, but we accept all religions as true.

I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and the refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth. I am proud to tell you that we have gathered in our bosom, the purest remnant of the Israelites, who came to South India and took refuge with us in the very year in which their holy temple was shattered to pieces by Roman tyranny. I am proud to belong to the religion which ahs sheltered and is still fostering the remnant of the grand Zoroastrian nation.

I will quote to you, brethren, a few lines from a hymn which I remember to have repeated from my earliest boyhood, which is everyday repeated by millions of human beings: ‘As the different streams having their sources in different places all mingle their water in the sea, so, O Lord, the different paths which men take through different tendencies, various though they appear, crooked or straight, all lead to Thee.’

The present convention, which is one of the most august assemblies ever held, is in itself a vindication, a declaration to the world of the wonderful doctrine preached in the Gita: ‘Whosoever comes to Me, through whatsoever form, I reach him; all men are struggling through paths which in the end all lead to me.’

Sectarianism, bigotry, and its horrible descendant, fanaticism, have long possessed this beautiful earth. They have filled the earth with violence, drenched it often and often with human blood, destroyed civilizations and sent whole nations to despair. Had it not been for these horrible demons, human society would be far more advanced than it is now.

But their time is come; and I fervently hope that the bell that tolled this morning in honor of this convention may be the death knell of all fanaticism, of all persecutions with the sword or pen, and of all uncharitable feelings between persons wending their way to the same goal.”

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The above content was reminded to me by Shri.Prakash Kamanat.

Reminiscences of Raja Maharaj - New Book

Swami Brahmananda affectionately addressed as Raja Maharaj by members of the Sri Ramakrishna – Vivekananda family is the spiritual son of Sri Ramakrishna. Various literatures are already published by RK Math about Raja Maharaj, all of which give immense details on life and teaching of this boundless spiritual soul.

“Swami Brahmananda As We saw Him” is the latest addition from RK Math & Mission. Published by RK Math, Chennai this title is an expanded version of reminiscences on Raja Maharaj which is part of “The Eternal Companion – Brahmananda His Life and Teachings”. Apart from the already published reminiscences in Eternal Companion the new title contains several new memoirs of both monastic members as well as lay devotees.

Apart from enriching the reader with Raja Maharaj’s insightful teaching and conversations the title also reveals many incidents in His life implanted with His wonderful sense of humor. Extracts from reminiscences by Swami Nirvanananda…

“ …….Maharaj could not only eat a lot of food, but could also keep a strict fast when he wanted. He would fast for an entire day and night and take food the next day.Once he fasted for a whole day and night. Some sweets were kept in the almirah for his breakfast. Early in the morning, I found the boxes of sweets empty……..I hurried to Baburam Maharaj and said ‘ someone will have to be sent to Bali immediately for sweets’ hearing what had happened Baburam Maharaj started scolding me. …saying you fellows are worthless. Couldn’t you keep the almirah locked ? You know that there is a tomcat around and that it has been creating mischief for along time’ Before I could say anything Maharaj ( Raja Maharaj) said ‘ yes Baburamda, I saw a huge cat (pointing himself) coming here and gobbling up the sweets. It has been so clever that it opened the almirah, ate the sweets and then closed the alimrach too’…”

From various memoirs recorded in the title we also find him as a mountain of compassion and love. Nati ( actress ) Tarasundari’s reminiscences is one such piece which reveals His boundless compassion cutting across all class & status of the person who approaches Him. No wonder if the reader reads this chapter many times…
Society which labeled Tarasundari and Nati Binodini as prostitutes were welcomed by Raja Maharaj with so much kindness during one of their visits to Belur Math in 1916. They reached after lunch however Raja Maharaj arranged fresh luchies, sweets and fruits “for them… “ why don’t you come here often ?” asked Raja Maharaj. Tara replied “ I was afraid to come to the Math”

Maharaj said with great earnestness “ fear ? You are coming to Sri Ramakrishna. What fear can there be ? We all of us are his children. Don’t be afraid. Whenever you wish come here. Daughter the Lord does not care about externals. He sees our inmost heart…..”

This new title is indeed a wonderful work by Swami Atmashraddhananda – who compiled and edited the new addition with his team. However the blogger feels that the reminiscence of Raja Maharaj’s visit to Kerala could have been more if the editor could lay his hand on “Swami Nirmalananda His Life and Teaching” edited by Swami Vishadananda first published in 1943 which contains several details/incidents related to His visit to Kerala. Though the title is rich with over 65 photos of Rajamaharaj, along with gurubhaies as well as a with groups the editorial missed a wonderful group photo taken at Trivandrum with Raja Maharaj..

Vedantaonline Launched

www.vedantaonline.org – an exclusive website for spreading Practical Vedanta to the ordinary public is launched. The website an initiative by devotees of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa Deva is being edited and maintained by Shri. Prakash Kamanat based in Singapore. The website was launched during a function held at the Sree Ramakrishna Brahmananda Ashram, Kayamkulam in Kerala. The new web initiative will spread all aspects of practical Vedanta preached by Sree Ramakrishna Pramahamsa, Holy Mother Saradadevi, Swami Vivekananda and Swami Nirmalananda as well as other monastic disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

The website aims to bring out plenty of practical solutions for our problems in our lives from these great lives and their teachings with a focus on the life and teachings of Swami Nirmalananda, who is the Unique Apostle and a Direct Disciple of Sri Ramakrishna."

Vedantaonline will also be a platform to sell any Vedanta-related books if the publishers would like to do so. Any financial gain generated out of online sales would be utilized for the development of the remote poor tiny village known as SRI RAMAKRISHNA NAGAR, which is situated on the banks of the sacred River Bharata (or Nila) near Ottapalam in Kerala. Sri Ramakrishna Niranjan Ashram founded by Swami Nirmalananda – a monastic disciple of Sri Ramakrishna, is situated in this village. It is at this place Swami Nirmalananda attained mahasamadhi in 1938.

Other initiatives by Vedantaonline.


I )Vedantaonline has initiated a publishing wing by name “Tulasi Books” some of the
titles proposed to be published by “TULASI BOOKS” are as below.

1) “The Unique Apostle of Ramakrishna-Life and Teachings of Swami
Nirmalananda”-by Swami Vishadananda -2nd Edition ( Under printing)

2) The biography of Swami Nirmalananda in Malayalam – a
combined volume consisting of the re-edition of two small books
authored by Dr. P. Achuthan, MA. PhD who is known as Thulaseetheerthan
among literary circles. (

3) English version of the “Life of Swami Nirmalananda”
authored by Swami Jagadishwarananda in Bengali


4) Hindi & Bengali Versions of the “Primary Hinduism”, an
English textbook in Hinduism approved by the Ministry of Education,
UK, published by Vivekananda Centre, London. This is authored by
Seetha Lakhani with the guidance of Jayaprakash Lakhani.

5) Hindi and Bengali Versions of “Hinduism for Schools”,
another textbook in Hinduism for secondary students approved by the
Ministry of Education, U.K, published by Vivekananda Centre, London.

6) Malayalam version of the biography of Swami
Nirmalananda authored by Swami Vishadananda ( Translation by Smt. Prasana Palat)

7) “Monasticism for Women- a study of the history and
traditions of Hindu approach”, a research book authored by P.S.Kamanat

8) The Narayanasuktam- a commentary by Swami Vishadananda
in Malayalam

9) Sri Sarada Stuti- a song biography in Malayalam
composed by Sister (Swami) Sadananda of Sri Sarada Ashrama, Ottapalam.
And many more titles………….

II) Centinary Celebarations of Swami Nirmalananda’s first visit to Kerala


Swami Nirmalananda landed at the Ernakulam town
railway station for the first time on 15th February 1911. The
centenary of this epoch-making event is falling on 15th February 2011.
This can be considered as the centenary of the RAMAKRISHNA MOVEMENT IN
KERALA. Hence, many programs are planned in many cities. One of the
main programs would be held in Alappuzha, where Swami Nirmalananda
delivered his first speech on the grounds of the Sanatana Dharma Boys
High School.

Swami Nirmalananda stood for Vedanta and the
Ramakrishna movement. This occasion would be utilized to mobilize
awareness and studies about the PRACTICAL VEDANTA as taught by Swami
Nirmalananda among all youths in India and youths in Kerala in
particular. There will be forming of study groups in all the district
head quarters before 15th February 2011; and by 2013 the aim is to
have study circles in all Taluks head quarters. The dangerously
polarized world of today needs the Universal outlook in religion and
politics, which is absent now in India. This is a serious benign
program, which we have taken up to make each human being endowed with
large heartedness to live harmoniously despite of differing views and
backgrounds, whether in religion or in politics.

The centenary of Tulsi Maharaj’s arrival in Kerala
would be marked as the inaugural day for the 150th birth anniversary
celebrations of Swami Vivekananda and Swami Nirmalananda in Kerala.

Scholarships and Bursaries would be set up and awarded
to poor and needy students of the Educational institutions.

III) Development programs for the remote village, Sri Ramakrishna Nagar at Ottapalam envisaged by Vedantaonline.

1) In Kerala, Sri Ramakrishna Nagar is the only village, where the traditional granite sculptures are living in a group for many centuries. These are the experts sculpting almost all the idols for the Hindu temples in Kerala. We are planning to have a solid program to nurture this art with the participation of these artisans to have a study program in this field recognized by Universities. A technical Institution is planned to teach all the aspects of this field with the active participation of the traditional artisans in the village.

2) Swami Nirmalananda was keen in developing not only moral and spiritual strength of every human being, but physical strength too. He, as a mere lad of 19 years, established 18 modern gymnasiums in and around Baghbazaar in Kolkata during the eighties of the nineteenth century. Later, at his advanced age of seventy five, he has established a good gymnasium at the Ashrama campus in Sri Ramakrishna Nagar. We will start supporting establishments to set up “TULASI GYMNASIUMS” in many parts of Kerala, starting with Sri Ramakrishna Nagar.

3) Tulasi Maharaj believed that real education would be effective only if the students stay in hostels free from the pampering of their parents. Hence, we propose to have a students’-Home known as RAMAKRISHNA-TULASI STUDENTS HOSTEL at the Sri Ramakrishna Nagar, running on professional lines. Transport facilities to and fro the nearby educational institutions would be provided. If this project becomes a success, it will be repeated in other villages.

4) Swami Nirmalananda believed that Vedic studies with a focus on Vedanta studies would be the easiest way to dispel the blind-beliefs of religion in India. Also, Vedic studies will enable human beings to excel in any forms of educational activities. Hence a Ramakrishna-Tulasi VEDA PATASALA is proposed to set up at Sri
Ramakrishna Nagar admitting all without the consideration of caste, creed or religions.

5) Absence of a proper public function hall to conduct cultural meetings and a venue for functions is a drawback in this important town. We propose to build a town hall with the participation of Ottapalam Municipality to anoint it with the hallowed name of Tulai Maharaj, who chose Ottapalamas his final resting place. Its our aspiration to build a NIRMALANANDA HALL at Otapalam, where all can come and meet and conduct their meetings and functions decently.

Ottapalam is synonymous with Nirmalananda. Hence, we need a statue of Swami Nirmalananda unveiled in Ottapalam town in an important location. This is another project we wanted to execute before the 150th birth anniversary of Swami Nirmalananda

The First Hindu Women Monastery in Kerala completes 62 years.

(Exact reproduction of the article published in www.haindavakeralaam.com)

Sashtanga Pranams at Mother’s feet !

Sree Sarada Ashram in Sree Ramakrishna Nagar, near Ottapalam has completed its 62 years of existence on 24th this month. Founded by Swami Vishadananda in 1948, Sree Saradashram is the first convent for Hindu nuns in modern times. This was before the establishment of the Shri Sarada Math of Dakshineshwar and was in response to the need of such a facility at that time.

Bharatham - the land of Rishies and incarnations is also the land of pure and brave womanhood. Damayanti, Savithri, Seeta, Gargi and Mythreyi are few among them. However in the flow of time Hindu women were pushed to nothingness and were made mere slaves of men. In 1853 the Indian womanhood – the sheer energy which permeates all elements re-incarnated as Sri Sarada Devi in West Bengal. She was Sri Ramakrishna Deva’s wife, companion as well as disciple. She lived like a simple householder at the same time seen as a paradigm of monasticism. After Sree Ramakrishna’s Mahasamadhi she became the Guru and guiding light for all devotees and admirers of Sree Ramakrishna.

After Swami Vivekananda founded Sree Ramakrishna Mission it was his desire to have a women’s monastery obtaining inspiration from the life and teaching of Sri Sarada Devi. It was after many years his wish came into life at Sree Ramakrishna Nagar, near Ottapalam in Kerala.

It was in 1911 Swami Nirmalananda – a direct monastic disciple of Sree Ramakrishna and gurubhai of Swami Vivekananda visited Haripad in Kerala accepting an invitation from the local Vedanta Society. It was only a beginning as far as Ramkrishna Mission activities and Hindu resurgence in Kerala was concerned. Soon Swami Nirmalananda visited again and in the years to come he established 16 Ashrams in Kerala. He attained Mahasamadhi in his favorite Ramakrishna Niranjan Ashram in Ottapalam in 1938.

During his days in Ottapalam he gave importance to refining children in and around the Ottapalam ashram and gave them all round education. He spent most of his later days playing with them, teaching and taking care of their wellbeing. As a true disciple of Ramakrishna Deva and follower of his Gurubhai Swami Vivekananda, Swami Nirmalananda encouraged everyone connected with the Ashram to cut across all dogmas related to narrow minded castism and sectarianism and made parya, moopan, nair and namboothiri children play and learn together under him as children of God.

Many of these children at the time of Swami Nirmalananda’s Mahasamadhi in 1938 were in the age group of 5-15 years. His monastic disciple Swami Vishadananda soon become the guardian and guide for these children and under him many pursued their school and college education. Few among them were girls from orthodox namboothiri background and Swami Vishadananda encouraged them to go for higher studies. Few of them became graduates. In fact one among them Pallatheri Manakal Bhuvaneswari became one of the first namboothiri women graduate in the history. Later she along with 6 other educated girls firmly decided to embrace monastic life and resolved to lead a life in service of humanity and spreading the message of Ramakrishna-Sarada-Vivekananda. Thus the Sarada Ashram in Ottapalam came into existence.

Among the first 7 monastic members of the ashram today one is still alive and active among us. She is Swamini Bodhananda. Other monastic inmates of the Ashram are Swamini Paramanda, Swamini Prasananada & Swamini Amibikananda.

This Ashram is unique in its own way. No unwanted hustle and bustle or propaganda. The Sisters apart from dedicating their lives in service of the Ashram deities ( Sri Sharada Devi & Sri Ramakrishna) also give education to many children in the village, most of them from the economically backward families. While we see many Hindu Women Monasteries cutoff from public and reluctant to interact with male devotees. Swaminis here make everyone feel at home and one really feels the motherly love and true Hindu hospitality.

A mystifying silence and tranquility always surrounds this ashram and anyone entering the Ashram compound instantly feels at peace.