Swami Brahmananda's Words (Regarding Brahamcharya)

[Guest guest]

Namaste Rajarshi,

 

Swami Brahmananda was not a normal soul. Thakur said he was one of Lord

Krishna's eternal playmates.

 

Words and actions of great masters like Swami Brahmananada are not always

easy to understand. He may have had some subtle motivations when he said

that.

 

There are many people who are prone to pride and do not realize god despite

abstinence and other wonderful ascetic practices. They let those ascetic

practices fill them with pride and never reach the final goal. If he wanted

to subtly remind such people the final goal and remove the mental focus on

intermediate steps, he may say something like that.

 

If he wanted someone to ponder over whether someone else can give one god or

one has to do sadhana and individual effort, then also he may something like

that.

 

If he wanted to dismiss the notion that his blessings would remove lust from

people, with hidden and subtle sircasm that he was quite capable of, then

also he may have said that. It is subtler than sircastically saying " while

we are at it, why not ask for god? I may as well grant you god " . He may have

wanted to make the person understand the need of individual effort as

opposed to getting something (say, brahmacharya) with his blessings.

 

* * *

 

Brahmacharya and other practices give higher and higher control over self.

When the control over self is *perfect*, one may find god.

 

Another person may find god due to the grace of a guru and brahmacharya and

other practices may come to one in a perfect form *along with* that. That is

also possible. It is not necessary to engage in a certain practice for a

long duration to realize god. If one is already very pure from all previous

life efforts and the impurities of this life exist only on the surface, it

may be possible for a sadguru to free such a person in a moment and make him

realize god.

 

However, one should start climbing the mountain when there is no certainty

that one will suddenly disappear at the base and find oneself on the peak in

a blessed moment, though that is possible!

 

* * *

 

When Swami Brahmananda was doing several penances in Vrindavan, Vijaykrishna

Goswami, who had know him for a long time in Calcutta, asked " The Master

gave you all that is covetable in spiritual life: visions and samadhi. Why

then do you still practise so much austerity? " Brahmananda humbly answered:

" The experiences and visions I got by his grace, I am now trying to attain

as my permanent possession. "

 

Despite visions of gods and samadhi, he know that his realization was not

perfect and there was more to be perfected!

 

Observing his hardship, rigorous disciplines, and long meditation and

prayer, Swami Subodhananda once told him " The Master looked upon you as his

son. You are the veritable son of the Lord. It does not befit you to sit

like a beggar seeking his grace. " Brahmananda replied: " What you say,

brother, is true. The Master loved us so dearly that he gave us everything

he had to give. Still we have not attained peace. This shows that it now

lies with us to do the rest for the fulfillment of life's objective. Uddhava

was Krishna's dear friend, you Krishna said to him: 'If you want to properly

realize any spiritual truth, you must go to some solitary place and practise

austerity. I can grant you some miraculous visions, if you like. But that

won't be enough. It is much greater to concentrate and meditate on Him.'

Indeed, without meditation and contemplation none can know anything about

God. "

 

Some may climb a small hill, think it is Mt Everest and start calling

themselves realized. But the disciples of Ramakrishna like Swami Brahmananda

were different.

 

In order to understand the motivation behind specific words, you have to

understand him better.

 

* * *

 

Most sishyas of Ramakrishna did not marry. Some married, but never had

sexual relations with wives (e.g. Swami Yogananda, who married forcefully,

and Swami Shivananda). Swami Brahmananda was one who not only married but

had a child too! He was at one stage troubled by lust and found it very

difficult to conquer it. Thakur placed his hand on his heart and chanted a

mantra. Swami Brahmananda revealed that he never felt lust after that.

 

Best regards,

Narasimha

 

Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam

Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana

Spirituality:

Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net

Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org

Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org

 

 

-

" rajarshi14 " <rajarshi14

 

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 2:21 AM

Re: Regarding Brahamcharya

 

> Dear Members

>

> I was re reading this thread on the light of something I had come

> across very recently. This is regarding Swami Brahmananda. I was

> reading a book on his life and various incidents connected to him as

> observed by other saints and his brother disciples.

>

> Swami Brahmananda or Rakhal Maharaj was the spiritual son of Thakur.

> And no doubt a great spiritual super giant. Thakur used to say he

> was one of Sri Krishna's eternal playmates who had reincarnated on

> this plane.

>

> During his stay in various monastaries of the Ramakrishna Mission,

> often other monks used to send new initiates to Rakhal Maharaj for

> hios blessings. It was a generally accepted idea among the disciples

> of Thakur that any one who is blessed by Rakhal Maharaj will never

> again be troubled by problems of lack of Brahmacharya.

>

> One day an individual came to Rakhal Maharaj asking for his

> blessings and said " Maharaj, please give me brahmacharya as a

> blessing " . Hearing this suddenly Rakhal Maharaj said, " Why do you

> people always come asking for Brahmacharya? Was does not any one

> come to me asking me to give him/her God? Isn't God the final aim of

> everything.. "

>

> Is it possible for someone who cannot maintain brahmacharya to reach

> God? I am puzzled...

>

> -Regards

> Rajarshi

>

> , " Narasimha P.V.R. Rao "

> <pvr wrote:

>>

>> Namaste,

>>

>> > you can also reply on VEDIC WISDOM group but if you

>> > can remove my identity from this that would be appreciable

>>

>> Ok..

>>

>> Vimalananda may have overcome lust after having his deity with

> him. Someone

>> else may have to first overcome his lust even to have a vision of

> the deity.

>> What is good for goose is not good for gander. In general, it is

> good to try

>> to overcome lust if it is possible.

>>

>> Several " normal college going people " were taken under his wings

> by

>> Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and transformed into spiritual giants.

> Swami

>> Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Yogananda etc were college

> students

>> when they met Ramakrishna.

>>

>> But it is not easy to overcome lust at all. Several of

> Ramakrishna's

>> disciples also struggled with it initially and overcame lust with

> his

>> blessings. Lust is a very basic human instinct and not at all easy

> to kill

>> completely.

>>

>> In the beginning, it is ok if the thought does not go out of the

> mind. Set a

>> rule for 20 days or 40 days or 108 days or some period like that

> and

>> maintain physical brahmacharya. Don't worry if thoughts come.

>>

>> Feeling of guilt is a weight and it does not help in overcoming

> the basic

>> problem. Don't be over-burdened by it.

>>

>> > Moreover, what i read in AGHORA was the important thing is not

>> > suppress desires but remove them from the root

>>

>> True, suppressing desire will make the desire come back later.

> But, if one

>> keeps fulfilling desires, they never end!! This is the nature of

> desire.

>> Whether one desires money or knowledge (of anything other than

> Self) or

>> physical pleasures, the desire will never end no matter how much

> one gets.

>>

>> Removing desire from the root often requires suppressing the

> desire

>> temporarily. But the thing to remember from the Aghora book is

> that just

>> suppressing desire is not sufficient. Practice suppressing

> desires, but do

>> remember that the final goal is to uproot it fully and keep

> working on it.

>>

>> > The only reason for which i keep trying for brahamcharya is if

>> > vimalananda took such a long time probasbly i can also do it , if

>> > not in 6 years at least in 10-12 years

>>

>> That is the right spirit!

>>

>> Spiritual progress involves a lot of things and brahmacharya is

> one thing.

>> The most fundamental thing is to overcome ego and not become

> attached to

>> things. Developing detachment to one's actions and possessions and

>> developing a sense of surrender is the most fundamental thing.

>>

>> There are several things in spiritual progress. They all come

> together! One

>> person may develop detachment to actions and possessions and

> brahmacharya

>> may become easy as a result. One person may achieve brahmacharya

> first and

>> detachment may become easy as a result and come later. Various

> signs of

>> spiritual progress come almost together, but the exact order can

> change from

>> person to person. Thus, do not be disappointed by your inability

> to get

>> something. It may be possible to work it out from another angle!

>>

>> Best regards,

>> Narasimha

>>

>> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/homam

>> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAstrologer.org/tarpana

>> Spirituality:

>> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro.home.comcast.net

>> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAstrologer.org

>> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagannath.org

>>

>>

>> -

>> Namaste sir

>>

>> i know you are lot busy but since i couldn;t ask this question on a

>> public forum as it may probably offend others.

>> If you have time ,if you could please reply.

>>

>> I was thinking this for many days

>> that as mentioned in recent thread on brahamcharya,

>> it was important to maintain brahamcharya but i wanted to ask that

>> even vimalananda had to work for 6 years for overcoming lust though

>> he had his deity with him from the very early in life.

>>

>> how can normal college going people like me who don't even have a

>> deity obtain this goal.

>> Though i try to maintain physical brahamcharya for few months but

>> after that i am not able to hold it ,

>> and even if i maintain some physical chastity it refuses to go out

>> of mind

>>

>> Moreover, what i read in AGHORA was the important thing is not

>> suppress desires but remove them from the root

>>

>> So, how can i finish it completely from my mind

>> Though i have read Swami Sivananda's book on Practice of

> Brahamcharya

>> but i don't think i have made any spiritual progress in maintaing

>> Brahamcharya

>>

>> and sometimes it makes me guilt ridden.

>>

>> The only reason for which i keep trying for brahamcharya is if

>> vimalananda took such a long time probasbly i can also do it , if

>> not in 6 years at least in 10-12 years

>>

>> you can also reply on VEDIC WISDOM group but if you can remove my

>> identity from this that would be appreciable

>>

>> if what i worte offended you please delete this mail

>>

>> regards

>> <deleted>

[Guest guest]

Namaste Narasimhahji

 

Another classic mail from you! Yes I understand what you are saying. Who can really know the mind of a Saint like Swami Brahmananda.

 

Just to add one more fact to the incident I mentioned, later that individual to whom Rakhal Maharaj had made that statement, was granted the blessings of Brahamacharya along with Sanyas diksha. But it was many years later.

 

Infact there was one more interesting thing I read which I would love to share with all. Initially Swami Brahmananda was very resevred in blessing anyone with Brahmacharya or any spiritual blessing. He used to observe the signs in the person, then use his own yogic powers to confirm whether the person was really fit and ONLY then grant a blessing.

 

One day he went to see a play on the life of one of the famous Saints. There was an incident which was portrayed which showed once the saint was given a mantra by his Guru which could lead to Moksha, but he was also instructed not to reveal the mantra to anyone, because that woyuld lead him (the saint) to hell. Upon hearing this, immediately the saint went off into the crowded marketplace and called out loud to everyone saying. "Here is a mantra for everyone which my guru has given me, anyone who chants this will attain moksha"..

 

See this, Rakhal Maharaj was overwhelmed with emotions and love and he decided from then on to bless anyone who comes to him, irrespective of any signs.

 

What a great great Mahatma!

 

-Regards

Rajarshi

 

The upsurge (of consciousness) is Bhairava - Shiva Sutra--- On Thu, 18/12/08, Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr wrote:

Narasimha P.V.R. Rao <pvr Swami Brahmananda's Words (Re: Regarding Brahamcharya) Date: Thursday, 18 December, 2008, 9:32 AM

 

 

Namaste Rajarshi,Swami Brahmananda was not a normal soul. Thakur said he was one of Lord Krishna's eternal playmates.Words and actions of great masters like Swami Brahmananada are not always easy to understand. He may have had some subtle motivations when he said that.There are many people who are prone to pride and do not realize god despite abstinence and other wonderful ascetic practices. They let those ascetic practices fill them with pride and never reach the final goal. If he wanted to subtly remind such people the final goal and remove the mental focus on intermediate steps, he may say something like that.If he wanted someone to ponder over whether someone else can give one god or one has to do sadhana and individual effort, then also he may something like that.If he wanted to dismiss the notion that his blessings would remove lust from people, with hidden and

subtle sircasm that he was quite capable of, then also he may have said that. It is subtler than sircastically saying "while we are at it, why not ask for god? I may as well grant you god". He may have wanted to make the person understand the need of individual effort as opposed to getting something (say, brahmacharya) with his blessings.* * *Brahmacharya and other practices give higher and higher control over self. When the control over self is *perfect*, one may find god.Another person may find god due to the grace of a guru and brahmacharya and other practices may come to one in a perfect form *along with* that. That is also possible. It is not necessary to engage in a certain practice for a long duration to realize god. If one is already very pure from all previous life efforts and the impurities of this life exist only on the surface, it may be possible for a sadguru to free such a

person in a moment and make him realize god.However, one should start climbing the mountain when there is no certainty that one will suddenly disappear at the base and find oneself on the peak in a blessed moment, though that is possible!* * *When Swami Brahmananda was doing several penances in Vrindavan, Vijaykrishna Goswami, who had know him for a long time in Calcutta, asked "The Master gave you all that is covetable in spiritual life: visions and samadhi. Why then do you still practise so much austerity?" Brahmananda humbly answered: "The experiences and visions I got by his grace, I am now trying to attain as my permanent possession."Despite visions of gods and samadhi, he know that his realization was not perfect and there was more to be perfected!Observing his hardship, rigorous disciplines, and long meditation and prayer, Swami Subodhananda once told him "The Master

looked upon you as his son. You are the veritable son of the Lord. It does not befit you to sit like a beggar seeking his grace." Brahmananda replied: "What you say, brother, is true. The Master loved us so dearly that he gave us everything he had to give. Still we have not attained peace. This shows that it now lies with us to do the rest for the fulfillment of life's objective. Uddhava was Krishna's dear friend, you Krishna said to him: 'If you want to properly realize any spiritual truth, you must go to some solitary place and practise austerity. I can grant you some miraculous visions, if you like. But that won't be enough. It is much greater to concentrate and meditate on Him.' Indeed, without meditation and contemplation none can know anything about God."Some may climb a small hill, think it is Mt Everest and start calling themselves realized. But the disciples of Ramakrishna like Swami

Brahmananda were different.In order to understand the motivation behind specific words, you have to understand him better.* * *Most sishyas of Ramakrishna did not marry. Some married, but never had sexual relations with wives (e.g. Swami Yogananda, who married forcefully, and Swami Shivananda). Swami Brahmananda was one who not only married but had a child too! He was at one stage troubled by lust and found it very difficult to conquer it. Thakur placed his hand on his heart and chanted a mantra. Swami Brahmananda revealed that he never felt lust after that.Best regards,Narasimha------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homamDo Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpanaSpirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdomFree Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. netFree Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.orgSri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - - "rajarshi14" <rajarshi14 (AT) (DOT) co.in><@

. com>Tuesday, December 16, 2008 2:21 AM Re: Regarding Brahamcharya> Dear Members>> I was re reading this thread on the light of something I had come> across very recently. This is regarding Swami Brahmananda. I was> reading a book on his life and various incidents connected to him as> observed by other saints and his brother disciples.>> Swami Brahmananda or Rakhal Maharaj was the spiritual son of Thakur.> And no doubt a great spiritual super giant. Thakur used to say he> was one of Sri Krishna's eternal playmates who had reincarnated on> this plane.>> During his stay in various monastaries of the Ramakrishna Mission,> often other monks used to send new initiates to Rakhal Maharaj for> hios blessings. It was a generally accepted idea among the disciples> of Thakur that any one who is

blessed by Rakhal Maharaj will never> again be troubled by problems of lack of Brahmacharya.>> One day an individual came to Rakhal Maharaj asking for his> blessings and said "Maharaj, please give me brahmacharya as a> blessing". Hearing this suddenly Rakhal Maharaj said, "Why do you> people always come asking for Brahmacharya? Was does not any one> come to me asking me to give him/her God? Isn't God the final aim of> everything.. ">> Is it possible for someone who cannot maintain brahmacharya to reach> God? I am puzzled...>> -Regards> Rajarshi>> , "Narasimha P.V.R. Rao"> <pvr wrote:>>>> Namaste,>>>> > you can also reply on VEDIC WISDOM group but if you>> >

can remove my identity from this that would be appreciable>>>> Ok..>>>> Vimalananda may have overcome lust after having his deity with> him. Someone>> else may have to first overcome his lust even to have a vision of> the deity.>> What is good for goose is not good for gander. In general, it is> good to try>> to overcome lust if it is possible.>>>> Several "normal college going people" were taken under his wings> by>> Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and transformed into spiritual giants.> Swami>> Vivekananda, Swami Brahmananda, Swami Yogananda etc were college> students>> when they met Ramakrishna.>>>> But it is not easy to overcome lust at all. Several of> Ramakrishna' s>> disciples also struggled with it initially and overcame lust with> his>>

blessings. Lust is a very basic human instinct and not at all easy> to kill>> completely.>>>> In the beginning, it is ok if the thought does not go out of the> mind. Set a>> rule for 20 days or 40 days or 108 days or some period like that> and>> maintain physical brahmacharya. Don't worry if thoughts come.>>>> Feeling of guilt is a weight and it does not help in overcoming> the basic>> problem. Don't be over-burdened by it.>>>> > Moreover, what i read in AGHORA was the important thing is not>> > suppress desires but remove them from the root>>>> True, suppressing desire will make the desire come back later.> But, if one>> keeps fulfilling desires, they never end!! This is the nature of> desire.>> Whether one desires money or knowledge (of anything other

than> Self) or>> physical pleasures, the desire will never end no matter how much> one gets.>>>> Removing desire from the root often requires suppressing the> desire>> temporarily. But the thing to remember from the Aghora book is> that just>> suppressing desire is not sufficient. Practice suppressing> desires, but do>> remember that the final goal is to uproot it fully and keep> working on it.>>>> > The only reason for which i keep trying for brahamcharya is if>> > vimalananda took such a long time probasbly i can also do it , if>> > not in 6 years at least in 10-12 years>>>> That is the right spirit!>>>> Spiritual progress involves a lot of things and brahmacharya is> one thing.>> The most fundamental thing is to overcome ego and not

become> attached to>> things. Developing detachment to one's actions and possessions and>> developing a sense of surrender is the most fundamental thing.>>>> There are several things in spiritual progress. They all come> together! One>> person may develop detachment to actions and possessions and> brahmacharya>> may become easy as a result. One person may achieve brahmacharya> first and>> detachment may become easy as a result and come later. Various> signs of>> spiritual progress come almost together, but the exact order can> change from>> person to person. Thus, do not be disappointed by your inability> to get>> something. It may be possible to work it out from another angle!>>>> Best regards,>> Narasimha>> ------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------

--------- ->> Do a Short Homam Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ homam>> Do Pitri Tarpanas Yourself: http://www.VedicAst rologer.org/ tarpana>> Spirituality: http://groups. / group/vedic- wisdom>> Free Jyotish lessons (MP3): http://vedicastro. home.comcast. net>> Free Jyotish software (Windows): http://www.VedicAst rologer.org>> Sri Jagannath Centre (SJC) website: http://www.SriJagan nath.org>> ------------

--------- --------- --------- --------- --------- - >>>> - >> Namaste sir>>>> i know you are lot busy but since i couldn;t ask this question on a>> public forum as it may probably offend others.>> If you have time ,if you could please reply.>>>> I was thinking this for many days>> that as mentioned in recent thread on brahamcharya,>> it was important to maintain brahamcharya but i wanted to ask that>> even vimalananda had to work for 6 years for overcoming lust though>> he had his deity with him from the very early in life.>>>> how can normal college going people like me who don't even have a>> deity obtain this goal.>> Though i try to maintain physical brahamcharya for few months but>> after that i am not able to hold it ,>> and even if i

maintain some physical chastity it refuses to go out>> of mind>>>> Moreover, what i read in AGHORA was the important thing is not>> suppress desires but remove them from the root>>>> So, how can i finish it completely from my mind>> Though i have read Swami Sivananda's book on Practice of> Brahamcharya>> but i don't think i have made any spiritual progress in maintaing>> Brahamcharya>>>> and sometimes it makes me guilt ridden.>>>> The only reason for which i keep trying for brahamcharya is if>> vimalananda took such a long time probasbly i can also do it , if>> not in 6 years at least in 10-12 years>>>> you can also reply on VEDIC WISDOM group but if you can remove my>> identity from this that would be appreciable>>>> if what i worte offended you

please delete this mail>>>> regards>> <deleted>

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