Thursday, December 7, 2023

Maa Anandamayi : the Bliss-Filled Divine Mother

 


On April 30, 1896, in the village of Kheora, Tipperah District (now Brahmanbaria District), in modern-day Bangladesh, Anandamayi was born as Nirmala Sundari Devi to the traditional Vaishnavite Brahmin couple Bipinbihari Bhattacharya and Mokshada Sundari Devi. Her father was a Vaishnav vocalist, well-known for his unwavering dedication, and he was originally from Vidyakut in Tripura. Despite the family's poverty, both parents came from respected families. Nirmala Sundari claims that her mother had three sons, all of them passed away at a young age. For about two to four months, Nirmala attended the rural schools in Sultanpur and Kheora. 

Her brothers' deaths meant that no one could join her on the arduous commute to school, which is why she attended classes so little. Her mother was concerned about her daughter's mental growth due to her daughter's persistently cheerful and indifferent attitude, even if her teachers were happy with her abilities. When her mother was once very sick, family members also spoke incredulously on how the child seemed to be untouched.

These recollections belonged to their past selves. As a child, she would always glance up at the sky, even when she was feeding her mother. Due to her innate lack of emotion during her early years, people began referring to her as "Dhela" or "Vidisha." It denotes anything crazy or insane. Their feeling of self was absent.

 At the age of twelve years, ten months, in accordance with the custom of the rural community at the time,she got married with Ramani Mohan Chakrabarti of Bikrampur now Munshiganj District in 1908. She would subsequently rename him Bholanath. After her marriage, she lived with her brother-in-law for five years, doing chores while spending much of her time in a reclusive, contemplative condition. Harakumar, a devoted neighbor, first saw Ashtagram's spiritual prominence there. He went on to call her "Ma" and would often bow down to her in the morning and evening.

 



Braj, not many people come to visit Braj and Vrindavan every day, some even come here with the hope of settling here. Many people live here and engage in sadhana by renouncing material comforts, innumerable saints have made this divine land their place of sadhana and have worked for the welfare of the people by building ashrams, monasteries, temples here. One of them is Anandamayi Maa who built a huge temple in Vrindavan and connected innumerable people with the path of religious faith and devotion. Anandamayi Ma was born on 30th April, 1886 at 3 o'clock in the night in the village named 'Seura' of the Bengal province under the Tripura district. His father's name was Pratap Narayan Srivastava and mother's name was Saraswati Devi. They were the memories of their previous lives. Even when she fed her mother as a child, she always looked up at the sky Seeing the natural indifferent nature in childhood people had started calling her 'Dhela' or 'Vidisha'. It means crazy or crazy. They had no sense of their own bodies.

 

Her mother named her Nirmala Sundari when she was young. Anandamayi Maa was later named by Swami Maunananda Maharaj, a sanyasi from Dhaka, after visiting Siddheshwari Sasan once with the famous astrologer Chandra Roy. In his childhood, he had received little education in a village school in the presence of his grandfather because education at that time was limited to the limits of the country. Yet, being endowed with acute talent and prodigious memory, you were not so much aware of education as you are now. As per the custom of that time at the age of 13 years in the year 1909 you were married to 'Ramani Mohan Chakraborty' of Dhaka Vikrampur Atpara village. Introvert sadhana also flowed in their short marital life journey. It was because of his mother that the name of Patidev 'Ramanimohan' came to be known as' Bholanath '. 


After marriage, she left the police service. In such a situation, I had to live with my brother-in-law for 4 years. Sometimes the food is cooked. I was very happy to see such a situation. The sister-in-law was often angry when everything on the stove got burnt. But nothing works. A few years later, Patidev was again employed in the Survey Department in the Nawab 's princely state of Ashtagram. Then you came and lived there in the enclosure of Jaishankar Sen. Sen's wife had so much respect for you that she used to call you Khushi's mother. You used to get emotional while listening to Bhagwat etc. Meanwhile, at the age of 18, there were several job transfers. Seeing the intense light shining in you, many tantriks and ojhas were shown to you by your husband, but all of them used to bow down and go back. Then somewhere Patideva also came to know that this pre-acquired state of consciousness is a God-given state of greatness. Automatic initiation was completed on Shravan Jhulan Purnima 1922. And along with yogic, tantric activities, chanting of mantras etc. continued. You don't run a community. Hindus believed in all gods and goddesses and treated them equally. Meanwhile, in 1924, he again lost his job. Abki baar Nawab got the management of Dhaka. You lived here in Shahbagh with your brother-in-law Makhan and nephew Ashu. It was here that I first met your unique devotee, Gurupriya Didi. 


She remained at her mother's feet throughout her life. The memoirs' Sri Sri Ma Anandamayi 'originally published in Bengal by him till 1964 have been published in 20 volumes. His works have been translated into Hindi and other Indian languages. The outer journey of the mother started from the Kumbh Mela of Haridwar Tirtha from the year 1927. On the way back Mathura came to Vrindavan. Then there were visits to various pilgrimages like Kashi etc. You were a special worshipper of Shakti because of the Bangiya ambience. But at the same time the Gaudiya sect was loyal to Caitanya Maha ̄ prabhu. Mahatma Gandhi, Acharya J. P. Kripalani, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant, Yugal Kishore Vidala, Yamunalal Bajaj, Smt. Aparna Ray, Smt. Kamala Nehru, Shri Dilip Kumar Rai, Shri Mahadev Desai, Shri Gopal Swaroop Pathak, Smt. Sucheta Kripalani, Jawaharlal Nehru and Smt. I had also paid a visit to the Vrindavan Dham Ashram once. At that time her health was failing, I visited her and then on 27 August 1982, at the age of 96, Mother left this Dham in her Kishanpura Ashram in Dehradun and left everyone forever. The miracle was that even at such an old age, not a single hair of yours remained white but black. At your ashram in Vrindavan, the service of the trickster Radhakrishna is worshipped The construction of the temple was done by Sushri Maa Anandmayi ji around 1950 AD. In the temple Thakur Chaliya Radhakrishna is worshipped. There is also a gaur nitaai on the side. The temple is built in a large courtyard. 

The reason for the deceitful name of Thakur is very strange Once Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindia of Gwalior got a grand statue made of Ashtadhatu made for himself. Mother was also invited to the installation ceremony, but before the ceremony, suddenly Maharaj passed away. His wife Jiaji Rao Scindia was seriously injured in the incident. On the mother 's persuasion it suddenly came to her that Chaliya wants to settle in this Vr ̣ nda ̄ vana dha ̄ ma. I spoke to my mother. My mother accepted. And in front of the Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Vrindavan is the Ashram of the Blissful Mother. Where Ra ̄ dha ̄ ra ̄ n ̣ i ̄ -vigraha, Chaliya Thakur along with Gaura-nita ̄ i ̄ -vigraha were also established. Since then, Thakur's name has come to the fore. Once there was a Gopal temple of a Bangiya devotee zamindar in the Kashi Pakke locality. Expenditure stopped due to poverty. Bhaktaraj tried to throw Gopalji into the Ganges three times. Gopal stopped after being interrupted twice. For the third time, Thakur gave me a dream to present to my joyful mother. Finding the ashram of the mother the devotee reached. She narrated the incident to her mother. At the same time, Maa built a temple named Anand Jyoti on the banks of the Ganges in Kashipuri and installed the idol of Laddu Gopal there. There are many such incidents in my mother's life. The idol of Radhakrishna and Gaura Nitai is installed in all the ashrams like Poona Ashram, Uttarkashi and Dehradun etc. The festival of Diwali is celebrated with great pomp and joy in Vrindavan.

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Spiritual Conversion: A Study of Religious Change among Christians

Swami Vivekananda in his speech in Chicago won the heart of all the eminent speakers of the world . He taught the philosophy of Hindu Religion and said all religion goes to Almighty. He gave the example from ShrimadBhagvad Geeta , Myths, Scriptures and Epics.This is the story of a Cancer Surgeon Doctor Professor in Kerala who changed his religion from  Christian to Hindu .
The gentleman seen in the picture is Dr. CP Mathew, who retired as Professor and later Principal, Department of Cancer Surgery, Kottayam Medical College..
After retirement, he was a visiting professor in 50 countries of the world.  At the age of 60, he decided to forget all that he had learned.  He made a traditional healer his guru and cured countless cancer patients with the knowledge he learned from him.  There were many such patients among his patients who were also answered by the Mayo Clinic of America.
Later, he accepted Hindu religion and also studied Vedas and Upanishads after getting his Upanayan Sanskar done.
He died on 20 October 2021 and all the last rites were performed according to Hindu religion.  None of the newspapers in Kerala published the news of his death, because he left Christianity and became a Hindu and adopted Sanatan Dharma.
This is the power of the ecosystem….

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Drug Addiction Killed : Woman Wandering Disturbed in the Lane of London



Addiction is defined as not having control over doing, taking or using something to the point where it could be harmful.
Addiction is  dangerous for health and serious problem that affects millions  and millions of people of the world striking on  the function of brain.It destroys marriages, friendships, and careers and threatens a person’s basic health and safety.

There is only eight years and three months difference between these two pictures. This picture is of famous British singer Amy Winehouse. Amy Winehouse has seen many forms of life in these 8 years. As soon as the sun rose in the UK, Amy's songs would be playing in every shop, radio station, coffee corner and c stereo! Her soulful voice would have resonated in every iPad and headphone! She is visible in the crowd of luxury cars, luxurious hotels, gatherings of the rich.

Then this time also came when the date of London was seen lying face down in the streets!  Bars and clubs had banned their entry!  Addiction and depression have eaten up Amy's beauty, fame, respect, luxurious life. In eight years, Amy saw every aspect of life, incomplete relationships, disharmony of loved ones, mean friends, Amy became a victim of loneliness and depression from all of them. Her feelings are also found in her songs.  She kept going away from the colors of life!  She was completely lonely in her last moments.

On the morning of July 23, the body of 27-year-old Amy Winehouse was found in her flat in such a condition that the whole room was full of empty bottles of wine. Amy's shocking post-mortem report has come to the fore, in which her alcohol concentration in her body is higher than her blood concentration.

Stay away from addiction, it eats up your life. It kills. 

Saturday, May 6, 2023

Transformation of Mind of Prisoners: Prisons Reformation Alternatives to Imprisonment

 The human rights argument, which serves as the foundation for many UN rules and norms, is central to the arguments for jail reform. However, in nations with limited financial and human resources, this justification is frequently insufficient to support jail reform initiatives. The necessity for prison changes must be weighed against the negative effects of incarceration on not only people but on families, communities, and the economy.



A prison sentence only results in the denial of one's fundamental right to liberty. Other than the rights that are inherently constrained by the very act of being incarcerated, it does not involve the restriction of any other human right. To guarantee that this concept is upheld, in accordance with pertinent international standards and norms, the human rights of inmates are safeguarded, and their chances of social reintegration are enhanced, prison reform is required.




Imprisonment disproportionately impacts low-income individuals and families. The family as a whole must adjust to the loss of income when one of the earners is incarcerated. The effects can be particularly bad in underdeveloped, impoverished nations where one breadwinner frequently provides financial support for a network of extended family members and the state does not offer financial aid to the impoverished. Due to the increased costs that must be paid, such as the cost of a lawyer, food for the prisoner, transportation to and from visits, and other expenses, the family suffers financial losses as a result of the imprisonment of one of its members. 

Upon their release, often with little opportunity for employment, ex-offenders are typically experience socioeconomic marginalization, making them susceptible to a never-ending cycle of destitution, marginalization, crime, and incarceration. Thus, imprisonment contributes directly to the impoverishment of the prisoner, of his family (with a significant cross-generational effect) and of society by creating future victims and reducing future potential economic performance.







Friday, December 23, 2022

मेरी दक्षिण यात्रा

  जुलाई 2022

 इंदौर  से तिरुपति  और कालाहस्ती  शिव मंदिर यात्रा  हवाई और ट्रेन यात्रा जैसे ईश्वर का एक और सुन्दर  वरदान। घर से इंदौर एयरपोर्ट भी खेल खेल में ही पहुँच गए।  इंदौर का एयरपोर्ट जैसे बस स्टैंड सोचा ही नहीं था की एयर पोर्ट भी ऐसा होता होगा।   इंदौर  एयरपोर्ट से ब्रेक जर्नी बैंगलोर होते हुए चेन्नई तक और चेन्नई से बस यात्रा तिरुपति तक..  इतनी सुंदर अकस्मात यात्रा  जिसको याद करना और अपने स्वजनों को बताना निश्चित ही हर्ष का कारण होगा. . पता ही नहीं चला कब इंदौर से तिरुपति पहुँच गएजैसे ईश्वर ने सरे मार्ग पहले से ही मेरे लिए  निर्धारित करके रखे हुए थे.. मुझे मेरे  जीविकोपार्जन क्षेत्र अर्थात  इंदौर की प्राइवेट  यूनिवर्सिटी   जहाँ मैं प्रोफेसर थी वहां से भी  तीन दिन की  छुट्टी आसानी से मिल गयी



सावन का जुलाई  का  महीना  और आसमान पर बादल और बारिश का दूधिया नजारा। चारों तरफ बादल ही बादल   ऐसा लग रहा था  बादल की जमीन  पर  उड़ रहे हों। फ्लाइट के बाहर का नजारा  बारिश की बूंदे या नमी  का सिर्फ अहसास  और  अंदर से  दर्शन।  अहा.हा,,!!! वास्तव में ईश्वर कितना सुंदर होगा। 
 किसी भी प्रकार का कोई भय नहीं सिर्फ आनंद ही आनंद। मेरी सीट के बगल वाली सीट पर पीथमपुर इंदौर में एक इंडस्ट्री के मालिक बंगलुरु तक यात्रा कर रहे थे। वे भी सज्जन व्यक्ति लगे जिन्होंने मुझे कुछ खाने की चीज ऑफर की परन्तु शायद मैंने नहीं  खायी  क्योंकि उस दिन मेरा सोमवार था।   एक घंटे की हवाई यात्रा में उनसे भी  परिचय हो गया. वे इस मार्ग के पुराने राही  थे अतः उन्होंने मुझे तिरुपति भगवान तक पहुँचाने के बहुत सारे मार्ग बता दिए।  पुनः मैं   अभिभूत।  जैसे भगवन  ही मेरे साथ  चलकर मुझे अपने दर्शन  लिए  जा रहे हों हमेशा की तरह. एक   के एक घंटे  हवाई यात्रा कर हमारी फ्लाइट बेंगलुरु पहुंची और   बेंगलुरु  से दूसरी फ्लीट चेंज करना पड़ी।
बेंगलुरु एयरपोर्ट पर  एक घण्टे रुक कर  दूसरे टर्मिनल पर बस से पहुँच कर फ्लाइट चेंज की और  चेन्नई तक
 यात्रा   लगभग   एक  और घंटे में पूरी हो गयी  



चेन्नई उतर कर ऐसा लगा ही नहीं जैसे किसी नवीन  स्थान पर पहुंचे हों.. चेन्नई हवाई अड्डा और हवाई अड्डे से बाहर निकलना बिलकुल ही सहज स्वाभाविक  रोज की घटना जैसा लगा.' चेन्नई से लोकल रेड बस द्वारा १० या २० रुपये  किराया देकर चेन्नई बस स्टैंड तक पहुंचा जा सकता था।  परंतु एयर पोर्ट या स्टेशन के बाहर आते ही कैब टैक्सी वालों ने पकड़ लिया और मैंने  कैब कर ली। बस स्टैंड पर  अलग अलग स्थानों पर जाने वाली डीलक्स ,ऐसी , तमिलनाडु सरकार की  बसेस  खड़ी  हुई थीं.

चेन्नई एयरपोर्ट से बस स्टैंड तक जाते हुए चेन्नई के मरीना  समुद्र बीच  को देखा जो मुंबई के गंदे बीचेस से स्वच्छ और सूंदर था।  आराम से राम के साथ  बस में बैठे हुए   प्रकृति का आनंद  और खूबसूरती की  मन ही मन प्रशंसा  करते करते  किसी स्वच्छ  टी स्टाल पर  पहुंची।  दक्षिण भारत की विशेषता  कि  दक्षिण भारतीय अभी तक अपनी भारतीय परम्पराओं से बंधे हुए हैं।  यहाँ   प्रत्येक व्यक्ति के माथे पर त्रिपुण्ड या तीन धारी वाला चन्दन टीका शोभायमान  ही रहता है. किसी बच्चे का भी  माथा खाली नहीं दिखता और सुबह आठ या ज्यादा से ज्यादा  नौ बजे तक मंदिरों में दर्शन पूजन किये जा सकते है फिर मंदिर के पट बंद  हो जाते हैं   इस बात ने मुझे बहुत भावुक कर दिया और प्रभावित भी किया   ब्रह्म मुहूर्त में  स्नान ध्यान ईश्वर पूजन के महत्व को  भली भांति समझते हैंचूंकि  मैं  वर्ष २००४ से अभी तक हैदराबाद से कनेक्टेड रही हूँ अतः दक्षिण भारत का कल्चर खान -पान भाषा और वहां के स्थायी  निवासियों की बहुत  भावुक वाणी बात करने की विनम्र टोन और प्यारे मधुर व्यव्हार की हमेशा ही कायल रही हूँमुझे  दक्षिण का  भोजन इडली और डोसा बहुत पसंद है  विशेष रूप से सांभर और नारियल की चटनी के तो क्या ही कहने?


अब घंटे ३५ मिंट की बाई  रोड  यात्रा करने का वह समय भी गया और हम डीलक्स बस  में सवार  सोचा ही नहीं था की सूंदर वादी और तिरुमला  पर्वत  पर चढ़ कर पहाड़ियोंसे बहते झरने और उनका कलकल नाद  सुनते हुए  सुहाना सफ़र और ये मौसम हंसीं  वाला गाना मूर्त रूप में जैसे प्रकट हो गया हो और बस  हमें डर है हम खो जाएं कहीं सुहाना सफ़र  और ये मौसम हंसी।कहीं गुमगुम, कहीं रुमझुम, के जैसे नाचे ज़मीं!!!वो आसमाँ झुक रहा है ज़मीं पर ये मिलन हमने देखा यहीं पर मेरी दुनिया, मेरे सपने, मिलेंगे शायद यहीं !!

पहाड़ी  के चारो तरफ  हरेभरे वृक्ष  कई तरह के पशु पक्षी की आवाजें,और प्रकृति पर और ईश्वर की रचना और उसकी  सुंदरता भरी कृतियों पर ईश्वर के अस्तित्व का आभास  बढ़ाता है .साधु सज्जन से अकस्मात ही मिलना, उनके दर्शन होना उनका आशीर्वाद  शुभकामनायें प्राप्त होना इस बात की पुष्टि करता है की ईश्वर ईश्वर  सबमे है.मैं  देखूं जित और सखी री  सामने मेरे सांवरियां।