All World
Gayatri Pariwar

Revelation of a New Vision – 2

Discernment is essential for adapting traditions
Swamigal had his own opinions about worship of Gayatri, the right to study Vedas, the rituals of purification, religious procedures, etc. When Shriram talked about some of them, he found that his opinions were conservative; but they were not baseless. For example, he said about worship of Gayatri, “It is only for the Brahmans”. However, during the discussion, it became clear that “The essence of Brahman is not taking birth in this caste, but the person should possess the attributes of Brahmanhood as prescribed in the Shastras”. If it is not present, it should be earned. If the inclination of the person is pious and inquisitive, the study of scriptures gives good results; otherwise mere intellectual knowledge may be misused. Like Asuras (demons), such a person neither can do his own good nor that of the society. In the temples, Puja – Aarti (rituals of worship) should be done according to prescribed methods. Its aim is to infuse life and energy in the rituals.

New methods can also be devised, Swamigal said – “It is possible to amend the traditional ways of managing the temples, but that requires the right to do so. Such rights are obtained only from enlightened seers. If everyone starts doing modifications, it will lead to chaos.” He gave an example to stress his point – “Rules of governing are made by the rulers / government. Isn’t it? Only they are capable of enforcing them. Others cannot do so. In the field of religion / spirituality, introduction of the new traditions or any refinements are done only by the seers.”

Shriram asked – “Is that right earned or given?” Swamigal said – “According to the need of the time and the society, it is given by the Almighty. The touchstone of the given right is that it is accompanied by the power to implement and sustain the required tradition or the method. If you make a rule and on following it no benefit is accrued, then what is the use making such a rule? This is child’s play. Lord Shankaracharya synthesized several modes and methods of Puja-Anushthan. He could also generate the power to get the results out of them. Later on the tradition nourished them. Even now, it is possible to synthesize new methods. It can be done any time. The only requirement is the genuine authority to do so.”

Determining the New Path
There was a long discussion. Swamigal hinted several times that the time has come for the new beginning. The seers have already chalked out an appropriate path befitting the prevailing circumstances for the inner and outer growth of the people. What remains is its propagation by the right person. He didn’t tell who that right person would be? How could he be identified? Who will certify his existence? Shriram didn’t think it necessary to ask these questions. However, there was one doubt / curiosity lurking in his mind, which he put forth before Swamigal –“There may arise some hypocrites who may claim themselves to be the messengers of God. How will it be possible to distinguish between the genuine and fake?”

Swamigal said – “The society itself will recognize. It is also evident that it will not descend from the heavens. It will have the power of tradition behind it. There is going to be no refinement by neglecting the tradition (as approved by seers). Wherever such brashness is visible, it should be considered a fraud.” After saying this Swamigal got up from his seat, saying – “One need not go into these subtleties. Amma (Goddess Kamakshi) and Mahakal (Lord Shiva) will themselves establish and make it evident.”

After the discussion stopped, Shriram too got up. Swamigal instructed a few officials of the Ashram to take Shriram round the Matha. They enthusiastically showed him the temple, school, Gurukul, and Yagyashala, and made him aware of the several social service activities taken up by the Matha. Shriram observed them keenly. He inquired deeply about some of the establishments there. This inquiry was done in a manner as if he himself had to run such activities and that he was trying to understand the details of managing them.

Before leaving Kamakoti Matha, Shriram once again went to meet Swamigal. The latter presented him a Mala (rosary) of Rudraksha and Sriyantra, but he didn’t say anything. Shriram said – “I heartily accept your blessings. Kindly keep on showering on me your grace.” Swamigal said, pointing one by one towards Mala and Sriyantra – “Your innerself and the power of Bhagawati will make you successful.” By Mala, he meant Japa-Tapa to be done for self- realization. The essence of Sriyantra was the accomplishments to be achieved with the help of divine grace. This Yantra is surcharged with the divine energies of prosperity and superhuman powers. Swamigal presented to Shriram the sanctified and potented Yantra. He vowed again and came out. From outside, he looked at the top of the Matha once again.

Journey to Sri Aurobindo’s Ashram
Those days, Sri Aurobindo Ashram was limited to a few houses and an open ground. Now-a-days, it is spread over about twenty six square kilometers. In the decade of thirties, there were thirty five to forty sadhaks in the Ashram, apart from Sri Maa and Sri Aurobindo. Some of them used to live outside the Ashram in rented houses. The disciples of Sri Aurobindo from India and abroad used to visit the Ashram now and then. However, there were not many general visitors to the Ashram as, at that time, there was nothing much to see as such. There was environment for sadhana and self- study. At the set time, Sri Maa would daily sit with the seekers. Sometimes there would be discussions on spiritual topics. What interest a general visitor could have in such a discussion?

During his journey, Shriram used to gather as much information as possible about the destination. This had become his habit. Instead of useless gossip with the fellow passengers, Shriram would discuss matters related to history, traditions and the nature of people of the region. Normally people add spices to their talks especially when it comes to giving information about holy places or holy men. But Shriram had also learnt the art of extracting the useful information from that mix.

Background information of Pondicherry
Prior to reaching Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Shriram knew many things about Pondicherry and the Ashram. This was not under British India, but under French rule. There were no crops except that of onion. Production from the adjoining sea was only fish. There was no connection of Pondicherry with rest of India or the British Government. Only packed food that came from France was available. It was relatively cheaper. When Sri Aurobindo came here, he survived only on milk and bread. After the arrival of Sri Maa, some variety came in the food of sadhaks. She got planted vegetables and flowers in the vacant land near the Ashram. Slowly they started keeping cows; and in due course a full Goshala (cowshed) was developed. Sri Maa started this work in 1926 and it had expanded magnificently in twelve-thirteen years.

Shriram got this information from co- passengers before reaching the Ashram. Evidently, those co-passengers were the people who used to visit the Ashram regularly. It was also known from them that machines were also used in the Ashram depending on exigencies. Extreme care was taken about the purity of food. Cow’s milk was primarily chosen as the food for spiritual progress.

Pondicherry was founded by François Martin in 1674. He was the first Governor General of Pondicherry. It was the expansion of the same thing that was seen by Shriram in 1937 and is visible even now. In Tamil language, Pundu means new and Cherry means city. In fact the old name of the city was ‘Punducherry’; but gradually it got pronounced as Pondicherry. Prior to this, this city was named ‘Medapuri’ which means city of knowledge. According to a mythological story, seer Agastya had made his Ashram and did Tapasya at this place. In order to cause the justice to be given to a sandpiper, the seer drank the entire water of sea from this place. Getting acquainted with all such information, Shriram entered the Ashram at around 1 PM.

A volunteer named Rajani Bhai was posted at the reception. His parents lived in Haridwar. About thirty – thirty five years back they made their home on the bank of Ganga. Rajani Bhai’s age might be around forty. He spent a few years of his childhood in Haridwar. He had also visited Mathura – Vrindavan. For the past three years, Rajani Bhai was in Sri Aurobindo Ashram. He was very happy, when he came to know that a sadhak from Ganga –Yamuna region had come there. He was delighted to know that Shriram was a sadhak but that he was not a disciple of Sri Aurobindo; and that he had gone there not for seeking any spiritual help from him but for learning something which could be helpful in his own spiritual search.