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..
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