Memories of respected & beloved Swami-ji
Apurba Saha
This is the time to say Jai Gurudev and take a little respite from work and delve into our sweet memory lane within our hearts from where we learn many lessons, some of which are deep. Long time ago, after I had arrived at New York City first, I had very surprising experiences. I was losing the true picture of reality and was being carried away by external glamour, pomp, extravaganza of the capitalist society. I was getting fully confused by image consciousness of all people. I was at a loss reaching a mood of despair. I was looking for someone sound with good values. At that time, I heard about Vedanta Society of New York (VSNY), NY City. I went on a Sunday morning around June, 1984 to attend their congregation program.
It was a three-hour session comprised of some nice songs, a lecture by respected Swamiji, some prayers and some concluding music before a nice abtar of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Sarada Ma & Swami Vivekananda. Swamiji spoke of eternal spiritual values, basic principles of Vedanta, practical spirituality in a very flowing manner with some humor. His speech was so appealing and unpretentious that it penetrated me. I was highly impressed by the innate values hidden within his lecture and the prayers. I attended the program next week and after that Swamiji invited me to join his group on celebration of departure of Swami Vivekananda-ji on next July 4th. It was a long bus tour to a countryside devotee’s home and we had a long day of grand celebration with great songs, bhajans & real inspiring lecture by revered Swami Tathagatananda-ji Maharaj. The company of all people was very uplifting and I was impressed and moved by the kindness of respected Swamiji. Later, Swamiji offered me a chance to move into their VSNY building & try out building my character which I immediately accepted. I moved to Vedanta Society to learn good values from kind-hearted Swamiji.
Swamiji gave lectures on Sunday, Tuesday evening and Friday evening each week. On Tuesday, he would read from Bhagavat Gita and explain. On Friday, he would read from Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna Dev book and illustrate. He was simply great in these illustrations charged with high spiritual moods. He was very learned and quoted Bhagavat Gita, Upanishads from all chapters. Many visitors used to attend his lectures coming from all corners of city. Swamiji was one very elevated soul with deep insight into all spiritual values and he was very kind-hearted. Swamiji used to give personal interviews with audience also. On weekends, sometimes he used to sit down on a one-on-one session with me and taught me very critical things. He knew theories as well as practical values. He emphasized practice of Spirituality, value of Character, values of good company & practice of reading Scriptures. He asked me to read works and lectures of Swami Vivekananda by all means. He gave me the little book of ‘Sayings of Sri Ramakrishna Dev’ for reading. He was guiding us on meditation and made it a regular activity. He also illustrated the workings of current American society and the history behind it. Also there was Madam Jeane Genet, one top class spiritual devotee who was totally devoted to Sri Ramakrishna Dev and our Swamiji. There was Mr. John Schlenck who was a gifted musician and a dedicated resident devotee. There were Madam Courtney, Mr. William Conrad, Madam Dora and many academicians. They had very high values of characters with keen devotion.
But our respected Swamiji was the center-piece of our attention as he could spread spirituality. He invited many other Swamijis to come, talk and guide us well through complex scenarios of world. Later I moved out after I got married. But my wife used to enjoy the guidance of Swamiji. Swamiji was so kind to my daughters that he attended all functions for them. Respected Swamiji became a noble trusted teacher for me and my family. He was a monk having sacrificed everything at the feet of Lord. But on birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Sri Sarada Mata, Swami Vivekananda-ji, he would come down to our place of minds and would supervise all food collections and distribution activities. But after all these public lectures, music, he used to conduct private interviews and he was always very gentle but strong. Swamiji was invited from all parts of USA to present spiritual talks. He was very popular for his good moral character, great depth & good inspiring speech. Swamiji was very strong, but he had some health failures around the age of 85. I think he passed away in 2017 and I learnt it later. My whole family had lost a great kind-hearted guide & philosopher in him. His instructions are very precious in context of America. He gave me many instructions but in summary he told me personally, Lord lives within everything, every walk of life and try to connect that way. If you could figure this out, you have covered the major milestone in life. He also advised me to attend birthday celebrations of Sri Ramakrishna Dev, Sri Sarada mata, Swami Vivekananda-ji.
Swami Tathagatananda-ji had established an intimate trusted relationship with me by guiding me wonderfully well during my hard times and good times. He asked me to be steadfast, strong and spiritual all throughout life. My daughters remember his chuckles, his metaphorical jokes, his kind speeches. He was always devoted to Swami Vivekananda-ji heart and soul. He was ranked very high at Ramkrishna Mission head office. About him, how much can I measure him, but he was so kind, helpful and practically spiritual that he will be remembered always in all glory as a treasure in our society. VSNY is a center of high spirituality where Sri Ramkrishna dev, Sri Sarada mata, Swami Vivekananda-ji spread nectar of universal religion. Jai Sri Gurudev ki jai.
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