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TATTVA

DARSANA Quarterly

IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial: Roar Like Vivekananda Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan 2

150th Birth Anniversary of Swami

Vivekananda 13

Let Us Be Hindus H.H. Swami Chinmayananda 14

Messages 16

Visit by Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan To South Africa

Ranjiv & Kashmira Nirghin 18

Dharma Prachara Yatra in South

Africa

A Report

21

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan’s Visit to

Kenya

A Report

33

Ultimately We Are All One Yvanne Busisiwe Kgame 36

Swami Nischalananda

—A Vivekananda in Africa

Nileen Putatunda

40

From the Bottom of the Heart Yashika Singh

& Yvanne Kgame

43

Akshaya Triteeya Celebrations in Sri Bharatamata Mandir

Karthick Bala

48

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan’s South

Africa Visit 2012

Photo Feature

51

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan’s Visit to

Kenya—2012

Photo Feature

73

News and Notes 78

Front Cover: Sri Bharata Bhavani

July-Sep 2012 Editor: Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan Vol.29, No.3

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2 TATTVA DARSANA

Editorial

ROAR LIKE VIVEKANANDA

My siksha guru, Swami Chinmayananda, wanted to come out of his

seclusion, study and Tapas in the Himalayan forest resorts under the guidance of his illustrious preceptors, Swami Sivananda and Swami

Tapovanam and come down to the plains to proclaim the message of

Vedanta in scientific and rational terms to the educated elite in towns and cities through his thundering and spontaneous oration in English

and create a renaissance of Hindu culture and reawakening of the

Hindu society. With the blessings of his preceptor, Swami Tapovanam, and deeksha guru, Swami Sivananda, Swami

Chinmayananda came down to Pune to commence his 1st Upanishad

Jnana Yagna on December 31, 1951. Swami Sivananda who was

overjoyed and heartily approved of Swamiji’s plan, gave his chela a powerful message: “Go, roar like Vivekananda!”

The Upanishad Jnana Ganga that descended from the Himalayan heights to the plains of Bharatavarsha through the mouth of the Yuga

Acharya, Swami Chinmayananda, inundated not only the whole of the

country, but overwhelmed continents across the seas and reinstalled Sri Bharata Bhavani on the pedestal of Loka Guru. This humble sadhu

had the rare and divine opportunity to be moulded by the great

colossus right from the age of fifteen when, as a Swayamsevak of

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, this sadhu accompanied in a cycle rally the Swamy, the Divine Pilot, who was riding through the streets

of Mattanchery, Cochin, in an open vintage car on the occasion of the

10th Jnana Yagna in 1955. Later, as a young student leader, this sadhu

had the opportunity of confronting the Swami with rational questions

on religion and spirituality and having been convinced by the profound

logic and infinite wisdom of the spiritual giant, he invited the great

Swami to his humble abode where his father welcomed the Swami with traditional paada pooja after which the Swami addressed a

gathering of youth.

Guide and Guru of the Sadhu

This sadhu had the opportunity to witness the giant leaps that Swamiji made in creating a national awakening in the Hindu religious and

July-September 2012 3

spiritual field and in 1964, on the auspicious Krishna Ashthami Day,

when the Swami along with Parama Poojaneeya Sri Guruji Golwalkar and other great religious, social and spiritual leaders, founded the

Vishwa Hindu Parishad at Sandeepani Sadhanalaya in Mumbai, this

sadhu received inspiration from them, resigned his job in Tamilnadu

Government Service, and came out as a full time, dedicated worker for the Hindu cause. This sadhu had the opportunity to hold the post of

Secretary of not only Vishwa Hindu Parishad, but also of Chinmaya

Mission in Tiruchirapally and was even nominated by the Swami to the Central Chinmaya Mission Advisory Board. He also served as

Secretary of Swamiji’s Geeta Gnana Yagna at Srirangam in 1966.

Though this sadhu was engaged in serving various Hindu causes, the generosity of Swamiji saw to it that he received a monthly honorarium

to maintain himself, irrespective of the field in which he was serving,

till he joined, with the blessings of Swamiji, the Hindusthan Samachar

News Agency. Later, when this sadhu was serving Swami Vivekananda Medical Mission and Vivekananda Kendra, Swamiji was

a constant source of inspiration.

Immediately after the Emergency declared by the Indira Gandhi

Government from 1975 to 1977, when this sadhu relinquished his

position in Vivekananda Kendra and joined the Vivekananda College at Chennai for his post graduate studies, Swamiji extended his

generous helping hand by providing for the education of this sadhu

and continued the help even when this sadhu took up research work in

the Department of Philosophy of the college. In 1977, when this sadhu started Sister Nivedita Academy to propagate Hindu thought and

culture, Swamiji showered his blessings. In 1984, when the quarterly,

TATTVA DARSANA, was started by the Academy, Poojya Swamiji gave an inspiring message of blessing:

Blessings to TATTVA DARSANA

“Sri V. Rangarajan is fully capable of delivering the goods through the

journal, TATTVA DARSANA, which is the urgent need of the times.

It is my firm understanding that he has the spiritual preparation, in both study and practice, and by a conspiracy of destiny, he had a

gruesome total training in all areas of journalism. When such a well-

equipped person, having the necessary intense consciousness of our culture, starts a journal, it cannot but assert our goal. Even though the

4 TATTVA DARSANA

market is saturated with trash, I am confident that TATTVA

DARSANA will have all success, and I am looking forward to seeing its glorious trail of service to the Hindu Nation.

I am glad that it is going to be a bilingual journal, so that it can serve

both the parents and their children. By the time the children come up to be the youth in the country, and the parents disappear, say, in

another ten or fifteen years, Sri Rangarajan can make it a purely Tamil

Magazine, because the tragic balkanization of our country on the basis of language is fast moving to its sad destination and our thoughtless

action in this respect can perhaps see its unhappy result in the coming

ten or twelve years.

Madras , 18-01-1984 Sd/- SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA”

Swamiji’s deep foresight and timely warning about the tragic consequences of the balkanization of the country on the basis of

language alerted us and we expanded the base of the journal to cover

people belonging to all linguistic groups inside and outside the country and made the quarterly an international journal in English to spread

culture, religion, science and philosophy.

Sadhu’s First Visit Abroad

Then came the great opportunity in the life of this sadhu to leave the

shores of Bharat to distant lands to serve the cause of Mother India. This sadhu was invited by Swami Sahajananda, the Founder and

Spiritual Head of the Divine Life Society of South Africa, to visit the

country to edit the YOGA LESSONS FOR CHILDREN, published by the society on the occasion of the Centenary of Swami Sivananda.

This sadhu landed in Durban on November 22, 1985, on a three month

itinerary and gave his maiden address in the country on the next day conveying the CALL OF MOTHER BHARAT to Hindu brethren

abroad. This sadhu also visited Mauritius and Reunion and wherever

he addressed, the devotees felt that they were hearing the echo of the great master, Swami Chinmayananda. On the return of this sadhu to

Bharat, Swami Chinmayananda sent a glowing tribute congratulating

this sadhu:


“BLESSINGS

Swami Chinmayananda

10 Shrungar Society,

Parle Point, SURAT – 395007

Phone : 87732

April 17, 1986

Prof V. Rangarajan

118, Big Street Triplicane

Madras 600 005

Blessed Self,

Hari Om! Hari Om! Hari Om!

Salutations!!!

I had many glowing tributes paid to you received by me in many

letters from Reunion and Mauritius. I had a very clear picture of what you are accomplishing.

We need such champions of Hinduism, who scream into the ears of the sleeping Hindus, reviving and revitalizing them in their hearty

consciousness of their proud past. This alone can make them live

dynamically and carve out for themselves a brilliant future which they

so eminently deserve.

With Prem and Aum,

Thy Own Self, Sd/- Chinmayananda

413th Geeta Gnana Yagna * April 16-23, 1986 * Surat”

Hinduizing the Hindus

Since then, this sadhu has made eleven visits to South Africa and three visits to Kenya apart from his visits to Singapore and Nepal. Every

time this sadhu has addressed our brethren abroad, he has literally

roared into the ears of the Hindus echoing the call of his master to “Hinduize the Hindus”. It has been an uphill task to drive into the

6 TATTVA DARSANA

minds of Hindu religious, spiritual and social leaders the message of

the dire need to forge unity and brotherhood among all sections of Hindu society for the preservation of the age-old values of life

cherished by our forefathers and for the very survival of the Hindu

society. The minds of all these leaders are calcified by the ego and

ego-centric ideas of the predominance of their own caste, community, sect, sampradaya, mutt or mission over all others. The urge for

domination over their own group of followers—who foolishly hail

them as ‘Jagadgurus’, ‘Preceptors of the World’, though these leaders are incapable of looking into the interests of people outside their own

sects, sampradayas, mutts, missions or religious organizations, not to

speak of the interest of the Hindu society or Hindu nation—force them to herd their sheep into secure fences so as to prevent them from

mixing with other sheep. They themselves do not want to join hands

with other leaders for they are afraid of losing their own importance if

they get into a wider congregation and their grip over their followers. Swami Chinmayananda had diagnosed this malady of the Hindu

society and therefore he wanted to abandon the solitude and peace of

his Himalayan hermitage and decided to come down to the plains to address the Hindu society. And his master, Bhagavan Sivananda,

rightly commanded him to “Roar like Vivekananda” and showered

his blessings on him: “The Rishis will shower their blessings upon you. The Lord’s grace will enable you to attain success in this divine

undertaking. May God bless you with health, long life, peace,

prosperity and Kaivalya Moksha!”. In his very first talk in Pune on

December 31, 1951, Swamiji gave the call, “Let Us Be Hindus” and portrayed the picture of the pathetic condition of Hindu society and the

need for creating Shankaras, Buddhas and Vivekanandas for reviving

and revitalizing Hindu Dharma and Hindu Nation. [This soul stirring talk of the Swamiji follows this editorial in this special issue of

TATTVA DARSANA on our recent visit to South Africa and Kenya.]

Who Is A Hindu?

Though it is said that the Hindus constitute the majority religion in

Bharat where 80 per cent of the population is branded as Hindus, not even 8 per cent of the population have any inclination or pride to call

themselves Hindus. They take pride in calling themselves members of

the sects, sampradayas like Saivite and Vaishnavite, communities, caste and communal institutions like Lingayats, Vokkaligas, Yadavs,

Nairs or Eezhavas, and mutts and missions which they claim to be


‘Universal’ and not ‘Hindu’. Some of those who for legal purposes

flaunt their religion as Hindu in government records and registers claim that they are secular or atheists. Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, in

his HINDUTVA, gave the definition of the word Hindu—aasindhu

sindhuparyeta yasya bhaarata bhoomikaa, pitrubhoo,

punyabhooschaiva sa vai hinduriti smritah—“All those who adore and worship the holy land of Bharatavarsha as the land of their forefathers

and holy land are known as Hindus”. The majority of the religious

minded Hindus worship a hundred thousand gods and goddesses and have thousands of temples and places of worship, but hardly in any of

these places Bharatamata is installed as a deity, not even as a parivara

devata—a subsidiary goddess, and worshipped. Excepting in the congregations of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or its allied

organizations, nowhere in any religious or spiritual congregation one

can hear the immortal national song, Vande Mataram, sung or worship

of Bharatamata performed in any mutt, mission or temple. Sri Aurobindo wrote his immortal Sanskrit poem, Bhavani Bharati, and

his illustrious disciple, T.V. Kapali Shastri wrote Bhaarateestavam, a

devotional hymn on Bharatamata. How many Hindus chant them or at least know about them? Echoing the words of Lord Ramachandra—

Jananee janmabhoomischa swargaadapi gareeyasi—“Mother and

Motherland are more sacred than the Heaven’—Swami Vivekananda proclaimed at the top of his voice, “The soil of India is my highest

heaven”. He cried out, “Let all vain gods and goddesses disappear for

the next fifty years” and called upon us to worship the Motherland.

How many of his followers today adore and worship Bharatamata in their shrines and temples? Swami Chidananda, disciple of Swami

Sivananda and Gurubhai of Swami Chinmayananda, who succeeded

Bhagavan Sivananda as the World President of Divine Life Society, emphatically proclaimed: “Even if you regard me as a Sannyasin,

nevertheless I am also a son of India, a son of Bharata-Mata who is my

Motherland” and called himself “A worshipper at the altar of the

Great Mother”. Poojya Sri Vishwesha Teertha, Jagadguru of Udipi Pejavar Mutt, consecrating Sri Bharatamata Mandir at

Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore, declared: “We need to keep Her happy,

not merely by taking aarati, but by totally dedicating ourselves at Her service”.

In 1964, when Paramapoojaneeya Sri Guruji Golwalkar, Swami Chinmayananda and other prominent Hindu saints and sages founded

8 TATTVA DARSANA

the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, they gave a new definition to the word

Hindu: “All those who follow, adore and worship the eternal values of life that have sprung up in Bharatavarsha are Hindus”. The eternal and

universal values of life of Bharat uphold the universality of religion

and unity of godhead, but each and every sect in the Hindu society

consider themselves as the only true or valid religious path and superior to other sects. At the time of the founding of the Vishwa

Hindu Parishad, leaders of various sects, sampradayas or

organizations, including the Dalai Lama of Buddhism, Muni Sushil Kumar of Jainism, Master Tara Singh of Sikhism, Sant Tukdoji

Maharaj, Shankaracharyas, and saints of Vaishnavite and Madhva

sects congregated on one platform and spoke on the top of their voice unity and brotherhood of Hindus, but in practice, the followers of

these mutts, missions, sampradayas and sects never participate in the

congregations other than that of their own organizations and not even

join together to celebrate the common festivals of the Hindus like Deepavali, Navaratri, Shivaratri or Ganesh Chaturthi. A kind of

religious ‘apartheid’ is observed by them. Seeing the fanatic

observance of casteism and untouchability in the southern state of Kerala, Swami Vivekananda called it a ‘lunatic asylum’ a hundred and

twenty-five years ago. What will he say about the fanaticism of the

religious sects, sampradayas and missions of the modern period if he were to be born again?

World Hindu Conference

During the first visit to South Africa in 1985, though the purpose of

the visit was to edit YOGA LESSONS FOR CHILDREN, the

prestigious publication of the Divine Life Society, this sadhu could address congregations of other spiritual organizations like the

Ramakrishna Centre, ISKCON, Chinmaya Mission, Ramalinga

Mission, South African Hindu Maha Sabha, etc., and establish good

rapport with all of them. His visit to Mauritius and Reunion brought him closer to the Hindu organizations like Krishnananda Sevashram,

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, Tamil Temples Association and Mata

Amritananda Mayi Mission in those countries. In his second visit to South Africa in 1995, this sadhu travelled throughout the length and

breadth of the country for three months, addressing various Hindu

congregations in towns and cities, in an attempt to bring them all together to make the World Hindu Conference held in Durban a grand

success. Organizations like Divine Life Society, Chinmaya Mission,


Satya Sai Organization, Arya Samaj, ISKCON, Tamil Saivite

Organizations, South African Hindu Maha Sabha, etc., came under one banner. The World Hindu Conference took place under the august

presidentship of Dr. Nelson Mandela, the President of the Republic of

South Africa.

The unity and brotherhood among the Hindu organizations forged

during the World Hindu Organization took positive manifestation in

the form of setting up of a common journal to spread the ideal of Hindu unity. Youth in the Durban Westville University even started a

common congregation attended by young devotees of various religious

and spiritual organizations. However, the unity and understanding started fizzling out when the issue of which Godman is to be projected

prominently in the shrine at the time of the congregation came forth.

The big organizations once again went back into their narrow shells

and the ideal of Hindu unity turned out to be a mirage.

Work for Hindu Unity in South Africa

The realization that unless the Hindus, especially the younger

generation, were exposed to the universal and eternal values of life

propounded by great sages and seers right from the Vedic period to modern times and they are awakened to the need of rising above all

sectarian and narrow organizational loyalties, the ideal of Hindu unity

and brotherhood will remain just a distant dream prompted this sadhu

to launch the South African branch of Sister Nivedita Academy, Institute of Hindu Thought and Culture, before returning to

Motherland. The Academy’s correspondence course started

distributing lessons on various schools and systems of Hindu philosophy, preaching the message of Hindu unity and brotherhood

and mission to elevate Sri Bharatamata as Loka Guru. Organizations

like Vedanta Ashram, Integral Yoga Centre, Ramakrishna Vedanta

Centre and Lenasia Yuvak Sangh and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh sponsored the visits of this Sadhu to South Africa and Botswana

during the years 1996 to 1999. These visits enabled him to establish

close contact with various Hindu religious, social and spiritual organizations, bring them all closer to each other, make them rise

above their organizational interests and think of the larger interests of

the Hindu society and Hindu integration. With the blessings of my deekshaa guru, H.H. Yogi Ramsuratkumar, the World Ramnam

10 TATTVA DARSANA

Movement to spread the 15,500 crore Naama Japa Yagna started by

Mataji Krishnabai of Anandashram, Kanhangad, was extended to South Africa. In the Sarva Dharma Ashram founded by a devout soul,

Brother Tulsidas at Chatsworth, for which the bhoomi pooja was

performed by this Sadhu, there flowered into existence a spacious

spiritual abode, housing Yogi Ramsuratkumar Ramnam Parikrama Mandir, Bharatamata Rangarajan Soup Kitchen, and Chidananda

Medical & Resource Centre, where thousands of poor and

downtrodden people, especially the black women and children, gather almost every day, not only enjoying the anna daana in the dining hall

and free services, but also the spiritual enlightenment and elevation in

the prayer and bhajan hall where Sri Bharatamata is installed with other deities. The foundation stone for the Ashram was laid by this

sadhu when he visited South Africa in 1998 and the formal

inauguration of the Ashram was also performed by him in 1999. The

Ashram has become a second home of this sadhu in South Africa and Brother Tulsidas, who got his Sannyasa Deeksha from Swami

Chidananda of Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, is known today as

Swami Ramakripananda. In the year 2001 this sadhu gave spiritual discourses in various parts of the country and also visited Kenya.

Expansion of Work in South Africa

In 2005, this sadhu had the honour of being the Guest of Honour of

South African Hindu Maha Sabha on the occasion of its 93rd

anniversary and performing the opening ceremony of its new building in Durban. Addressing a gathering of prominent citizens, scholars and

distinguished guests on the occasion, this sadhu made a fervent appeal

to leaders of various sections of Hindus all over the world to strive to build up Hindu unity on a global level not only to protect the Hindu

society from the onslaughts of alien religions and preserve the age old

culture and heritage of Bharatavarsha, but also to fulfil the mission of

the ancient Rishis to enlighten the entire mankind on the universal and eternal values of life. His call for Hindu unity received a spontaneous

response from various Hindu organizations who jointly accorded a

warm welcome to the sadhu in different parts of the country His visit to Kenya as the guest of Hindu Council of Kenya enabled him to

address the leaders of various Hindu organizations and also participate

in the Centenary Celebrations of Paramapoojaneeya Sri Guruji Golwalkar when he reiterated the message of Global Hindu Unity. His

visit again in 2009 as guest of Sarva Dharma Ashram and in 2011 as


the guest of Midlands Hindu Society helped this sadhu in

consolidating the work that he had already taken up in South Africa. He was invited again to address a gathering of representatives of

various Hindu organizations which are affiliated to the South African

Hindu Maha Sabha, the apex body of Hindu organizations in the

country. This sadhu emphasized the need to bring all Hindu organizations under one banner and also to set up a College of Hindu

Dharma to train youth belonging to all Hindu institutions on the

fundamentals of Hindu way of life and provide a comprehensive knowledge on all aspects of Hindu thought and culture. Sri Ashwin

Trikamjeee, President of South African Hindu Maha Sabha extended a

cordial invitation to this sadhu to visit South Africa again as a guest of honour on the occasion of the Centenary of South African Hindu

Maha Sabha in 2012. It was in this visit that this sadhu succeeded in

introducing in South Africa for the first time the worship of Sri

Bharatamata on the auspicious occasion of Akshaya Triteeya in a colourful function with havan and pooja at Lenasia. An E-course on

Hindu thought and culture was launched by Sister Nivedita Academy

of South Africa. This sadhu also took a group of devotees to Karoo, near Table Mountain in Cape Province, where Indian Suris (priests)

set up more than thousand years ago shrines with Shiva Lingas to

mark the advent of seasons according to the annual movement of the sun from south to north and north to south. Dr. Cyril Hromnick, a

Czech Scholar who has been doing intense research work on this

ancient Indian imprint in South Africa, took the devotees around the

sites.

Temple of Sri Bharatamata Coming Up in South Africa

The eleventh visit of this Sadhu to South Africa as the guest of honour

of South African Hindu Maha Sabha on the occasion of its Centenary

in 2012 is the most significant in that he could go round the country

and really roar like Vivekananda to awaken the Hindus to rally round one great ideal—the ideal of adoration and worship of Sri Bharatamata

as the Supreme Mother of all Gods, Goddesses and Gurus—and rise

above all narrow, selfish, sectarian and Semitic fanaticism and fundamentalism which has plagued the Hindu society ever since its

subjugation by alien religions and cultures. Many of the Hindu

organizations and spiritual congregations have welcomed the proposal to consecrate Sri Bharatamata idols in their premises and offers have

12 TATTVA DARSANA

also come forth to set up Sri Bharatamata Ashram in Greytown and Sri

Bharatamata Mandir in Phoenix which will function as centres for congregation of all Hindus irrespective of their caste, linguistic group

and community differences. This sadhu could carry these ideals to

Kenya also and leaders of the Hindu Council of Africa want this sadhu

to come again to the African continent to visit various countries in which children of Mother Bharat are settled. Even devotees in Europe

and America, who have been keenly observing our work in Africa,

want this sadhu to make a visit to their countries. At this old age, only the Divine Mother Sri Bharatabhavani could make this humble child

grow younger by drinking Her nectar milk to accomplish the task.

Our work has been only to strike the match-box and set fire in one

corner of this wild forest of ignorance, stupidity, superstitions,

separatist tendencies, narrow sectarianism and egoistic attachment to

organizational interest and pride that have been destroying the glorious Hindu Sanatana Dharma. We have done the job and the fire will

consume the wild forest. By the grace of the Divine Mother, the Hindu

society will be rid of all these evil forces soon, and Global Hindu Unity will become a fact. Mother Bharatamba will once again be

installed on the pedestal of Loka Guru and the day is not far when the

whole world—people of all religions, races and cultures—will look towards Her for the spiritual elevation of entire mankind. That day, the

dream of our ancient Rishis to make the whole world into one

family—vasudhaiva kuthumbhakam—will be realized. The Chariot of

Jagannath has started moving. It will roll on and on and no force under the sun can ever stop the march of Sri Bharatabhavani. Vande

Mataram!

ANNOUNCEMENT

This issue of TATTVA DARSANA, being a special issue on Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan’s recent visit to South Africa and Kenya, does not

carry usual serials and features, which will continue in the next issue.

—EDITOR


SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S

150TH

BIRTH ANNIVERSARY YEAR

The 150th birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda falls on January

12, 2013. The great “Patriot Hindoo Monk of India” as America and the entire West hailed him immediately after his historic oration in the

World Parliament of Religions in 1893 did not belong to just one

country, creed, clime or continent, but he was the true preceptor of the entire world—jagadguru—in the literal sense of the word. His soul-

stirring, universal and eternal message of religious unity and human

brotherhood inspired people all over the world. Religious and spiritual thinkers, scientists, historians and philosophers all over the world

hailed him as Yuga Purusha. Universities in various countries have set

up chairs in his name and intellectuals excavate mines of wisdom in

his speeches in India and abroad.

Yogi Ramsuratkumar Youth Association, a wing of our Sister Nivedita

Academy and Bharatamata Gurukula Ashram have been observing for the last quarter of a century the birth day of Swami Vivekananda as

the National Youth Day holding oratorical contests for students on

Swami Vivekananda. We have dreams to see 2013 declared as an International Year of Youth. We appeal to organizations like Sri

Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Vivekananda Kendra, Vishwa Hindu

Parishad and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh to persuade Government

of India to appeal to UNESCO to declare the year beginning from January 12, 2012 to January 12, 2013, as International Year of Youth

by organizing programmes in various countries. It will be a great idea

if we can make the year one of dedicated endeavour to inculcate moral and spiritual values in the hearts of youth to bring about global unity

and brotherhood and to wean them away from the cult of violence and

terrorism, racial and religious fanaticism, and the perils of materialistic

and sensual way of life like drug abuse, alcoholism and sexual perversions. We appeal to all religious, spiritual, cultural, social and

educational organizations all over the world to join hands with each

other to carry the man-making message of the spiritual colossus to every nook and corner of the world.

—Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan

14 TATTVA DARSANA

LET US BE HINDUS

H.H. SWAMI CHINMAYANANDA

A Hindu Swami to talk. A Hindu

temple for a background. A Hindu

audience, and the subject for discussion: “Let Us Be Hindus.”

Strange! It sounds like a ridiculous

paradox and a meaningless contradiction. I can very well see that

you are surprised at the audacity of this

swami!

It has become a new fashion with the

educated Hindu to turn up his nose and

sneer in contempt at the very mention

of his religion in any discussion. No doubt, Hinduism has come to mean

nothing more than a bundle of superstitions, or a certain way of

dressing, cooking, eating and so on. Our gods have fallen to the mortal level of administrative officers at whose altars the faithful Hindu

might pray and get permits for the things he desires, that is, if he pays

the required fee to the priest.

This degradation is not the product of any accidental and sudden

historical upheaval. For two hundred years, Hinduism has remained an

unwanted orphan without any patronage from the state and with little encouragement from the rich. Once upon a time, the learned

philosophers were rightly the advisers of the state. But then the quality

of the adviser class (braahmana) and the ruler class (kshatriya)

deteriorated. By slowly putrefying themselves in the leprous warmth of luxury and power, they have taken us to the regrettable stage in

which we find ourselves now.

At the present state of moral, ethical and cultural degradation in our country, to totally dispose of religion would be making our dash to

ruin even quicker. However decadent our religion may be, it is far

better than having none at all. My proposal is that the wise thing for us would be to try and bring about a renaissance of Hinduism, so that


under its greatness—proven through many centuries—we may come

to grow into the very heights of culture and civilization that was ours in the historical past.

Hinduism is not this external show that we have learned to parade

about in our daily life. Hinduism is a science of perfection. There is in it an answer to every individual, social, national or international

problem.

The Upanishads declare in unmistakable terms that, in reality, man—at the peak of his achievement—is God himself. He is advised to live

his day-to-day experiences in life in such a systematic and scientific

way that, hour by hour, he is consciously cleansing himself of all the encrustation of imperfections that have gathered to conceal the beauty

and divinity of the true Eternal personality in him. The methods by

which an individual can consciously purify and evolve by his self-effort to regain the status of his true nature—is the content of

Hinduism.

During these 100 days of the Upanishad Jnana Yagna, we shall try to discover the eternal happiness and bliss that is the succulent essence of

all true religions. In the light of the principles of Truth declared in the

Upanishads, we shall try to get at the scientific significance of the

various practices that are considered part of our religion. In the spirit of communal living for these 100 days, we shall come to discover the

science of Perfection, the true essence of Hinduism.

Let us know what Hinduism is! Let us take an honest oath for ourselves, not only for our own sake, but for the sake of the entire

world; that we shall,—when once we are convinced of the validity of

the eternal Truth—try honestly to live as consistently as possible the values advocated by this ancient and sacred religion.

Let us be Hindus, and thus build up a true Hindustan, peopled with

thousands of Shankaras, hundreds of Buddhas, and dozens of Vivekanandas!

[Excerpts from the introductory address on the occasion of the 1st

Upanishad Jnana Yagna of Gurudev, H.H. Swami Chinmayananda at Vinayak Temple in Rastha Peth, Pune, on December 31, 1951.

Courtesy: HE DID IT, Chinmaya Publications.]

16 TATTVA DARSANA

MESSAGES

Dearest Sadhuji

My humble pranaams!

On behalf of the SA Hindu Maha Sabha may I thank you

sincerely for accepting our invitation and joining us as we

celebrated a Milestone. Your mere presence with us was

inspiring. Your contribution even more inspiring. We are always

indebted to you for your continued unstinting support for the

Sabha. May Bhagwan always bless you with strength & good

health.

Yours in the name of Mataji,

Ashwin Trikamjee

President

South African Hindu Maha Sabha

Dear and Respected Swamiji,

I am happy to receive your email letter dated 14th June 2012 and

the information about your programme and work in Africa and

Kenya.

You are doing excellent work and hope to do more for Hindu

Dharma. I wish you all success.

I seek your blessings.

With regards,

Yours in the Service of Sanatana Hindu Dharma,

Prof. G.C.Asnani

Founder Editor, News & Views


Anandashram, Kanhangad, Kerala

Blessed Atman,

Your loving email has been received.

When we were reading your email on the successful programs held during your visits to South Africa and Kenya, what came to our mind

were the words of Beloved Papa: "When the entire powers of the

intellect, emotion and will are concentrated on the eternal Reality, a

human being attains to the highest skill in action. Action performed in this state of perfect absorption in the eternal centre of the universe is

what is termed as Yogic action." May your efforts be instrumental in

kindling the higher dimension in as many people as possible.

Deepest love and pranams,

Ever your Self,

Swami Muktananda

SWAMI VIVEKANANDA’S LETTER

TO CHICAGO DAILY TRIBUNE of 20/9/1893:

"We who come from the East have sat here on the platform day

after day and have been told in a patronizing way that we ought to accept Christianity because Christian nations are the most

prosperous. We look at history and see that the prosperity of

Christian Europe began with Spain. Spain’s prosperity began with the invasion of Mexico. Christianity wins its prosperity by

cutting the throats of its fellowmen. At such a price Hindus will

not have prosperity. I have sat here today and I have heard the height of intolerance. I have heard the creeds of the Muslims

applauded, when today the Muslim sword is carrying the

destruction into India. Blood and sword are not for the Hindu,

whose religion is based on the laws of love".

18 TATTVA DARSANA

VISIT BY SADHU PROF. V RANGARAJAN

TO SOUTH AFRICA

Advocate Ranjiv Nirghin,

(Chairperson, Midlands Hindu Society)

&

Kashmira Nirghin

(Convener, Sister Nivedita Academy)

Sadhu Prof V. Rangarajan was the chief guest of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha during its centenary celebrations. Sadhuji touched

down in SA on the 23 March 2012, arriving at King Shaka

International Airport, Durban. Swami Ramakripananda and members from the Sarva Dharma Ashram welcomed Sadhuji at the airport and

safely took him to their abode in Chatsworth, Durban.

Whilst at Sarva Dharma Ashram, Sadhuji completed the installation of

the Durga Ma Deity and had a busy weekend with all the children and

members of the Ashram.

Midlands Hindu Society, South Africa, an affiliate of the South

African Hindu Maha Sabha had the pleasure of hosting Sadhu

Professor Venugopal Rangarajan in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas from the 26

th March 2012 till 1

st April 2012.

Sadhuji gave a series of lectures and discourses on Hinduism at the

following organisations, Sunrise Senior Citizens, Copesville Hindu Society, Thornville Hindu Society, Pietermaritzburg Sanathan Ved

Dharam Sabha, Integral Yoga Centre & Thirukkootam. These

programs where generally well attended and well supported by the community.

Sadhuji then proceeded to address programs in Durban. Affiliates of the South African Maha Sabha gladly hosted Sadhuji in view of the

centenary celebrations. Organisations like the Verulam Andhra Sabha,

Ispingo Hindi Sabha & the Sri Gopal Lal Temple had well attended

congregations. Sadhuji was lovingly hosted by Swami Lokasangrahananda during his stay in Durban that week. Integral


Yoga Society also booked Sadhuji for a Youth Camp at Albert Falls,

Pietermaritzburg.

On 9th April Sadhuji flew to Cape Town and was received by Jawahir

Nandha who planned a busy 5 day programme for Sadhuji. From there

Sadhuji embarked on his journey to Johannesburg, for a 15 day programme in Gauteng. Yashika Singh, Niven Soman, Sherita

Kommal and Mr Sinthal Ramiah organised a busy schedule for

Sadhuji and arranged for Sadhuji to successfully celebrate Akshaya Triteeya, whilst in South Africa.

Sadhuji returned to Durban on 28th April 2012. On the 29

th April 2012

Sadhuji was hosted by Indharen Naidoo and family in Chatsworth,

Durban. With the high demand of Sadhuji’s time he proceeded that

evening to Ladysmith for a well-attended discourse on the 30th April

2012.

Sadhuji then returned to Pietermaritzburg for a six day programme

from the 1st May 2012 to the 6

th April 2012. On the 1

st May 2012

Sadhuji addressed the members of Sri Vishnu Temple. The next three

nights where memorable for many when Sadhuji addressed the masses

on the great Tamil text, the Tirukkural and explained one section per night. This was a daunting task as there was only 3 hours spread over

3 nights for our humble Sadhuji to explain the deep philosophy of this

sacred text. To quote Sadhuji “the task was like trying to fit an

elephant into a bucket.” Sadhuji was able to captivate the audience and was able to educate all who attended to live a simplistic life and fulfil

their duties completely. This eventful discourse was followed by a

special lecture given on the 5th

May 2012, by our humble Sadhuji and the revered Swami Vimokshanadhaji, the President of the

Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa on the Life of Sister Nivedita.

This was a true eye opener for all as we learnt the history of India and

felt the echo of Vande Mataram within us. Having two great scholars side by side was no doubt enlightening for all.

Sadhuji was invited by the Pietermaritzburg Sanathan Ved Dharam Sabha to be their guest of honour at their 50

th Anniversary Celebration

on the 6th May 2012. Sadhuji addressed a huge crowd together with

Swami Vimokshanadhaji and spread the word of unity in diversity.

20 TATTVA DARSANA

Sadhuji once again returned to Durban and was hosted by Sarva

Dharma Ashram. Together with the ashram Sadhuji gave many discourses throughout Durban at organisations like Sanathan Ved

Mandal in Stanger, Umhlanga Hindu Society, Tongaat Beach Hindu

Forum and Sadhuji was also hosted by devotees from Greytown. On

the 26 May 2012, Sadhuji was invited to attend the South African Hindu Maha Sabha Centenary Celebration at the ICC Durban as a

special guest of the Sabha. Here Sadhuji met with Jacob Zuma, State

President of the Republic of South Africa and Dr Zweli Mkhize, Premier of the Province of KwaZulu-Natal.

Sadhuji blessed all the organisations, their leaders and their membership for the sterling work that they are doing in preserving and

propagating Hinduism and working together for unity in diversity,

while serving the community in South Africa.

RELIGIOUS IDEALS OF THE FUTURE The religious ideals of the future must embrace all that exists in

the world and is good and great, and, at the same time, have

infinite scope for future development. All that was good in the

past must be preserved; and the doors must be kept open for future additions to the already existing store. Religions must

also be inclusive, and not look down with contempt upon one

another, because their particular ideals of God are different. In my life I have seen a great many spiritual men, a great many

sensible persons, who did not believe in God at all, that is to

say, not in our sense of the word. Perhaps they understood God better than we can ever do. The Personal idea of God or the

Impersonal, the Infinite, Moral Law, or the Ideal Man--these all

have to come under the definition of religion. And when

religions have become thus broadened, their power for good will have increased a hundredfold. Religions, having

tremendous power in them, have often done more injury to the

world than good, simply on account of their narrowness and limitations.

-- Swami Vivekananda


DHARMA PRACHAR YATRA

IN SOUTH AFRICA

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan, who left Bangalore on the auspicious Yugadi Day, March 23, 2011, on his eleventh visit to South Africa,

reached Johannesburg via Mumbai on Saturday, March 24, and took a

flight to Durban the same noon. He was received at King Shaka

International Airport, Durban, on his arrival, by Swami Ramakripananda, Mata Amritamayi, Smt. Ambi Indharen and other

devotees of Sarva Dharma Ashram, and he drove to the Ashram at

Chatsworth. His disciple Swami Balasimha Bharati and other devotees received him in the Ashram. In the evening Sadhuji addressed a

special gathering in connection with Ramayana Week Celebrations in

the Ashram and spoke on the significance of Ramayana as a piece of literary work, historical narrative, compendium of moral and ethical

values and a didactic work on Hindu philosophy.

Consecration of Three Divine Mothers

On Sunday, March 25, Sadhu Rangarajan consecrated exquisite idols

of Mother Saraswati, Lakshmi and Parvati obtained by the Ashram from Jaipur. Sadhuji performed a special havan and abhisheka to the

idols and addressed a gathering on the occasion on Mother Worship.

He explained the symbolic significance of the Hindu deities,

Saraswati, Lakshmi and Kali and the material manifestation of the three deities in the form of the Holy Motherland of the Hindus, the

Bharatavarsha.

Programmes in Pietermaritzburg

On Monday, March 26, Sadhuji, accompanied by Smt. Kashmira, Convener of Sister Nivedita Academy of South Africa and Sri Ranjiv

Nirghin, Chairperson of Midland Hindu Society, proceeded to

Pietermaritzburg for a week long programme in the city, especially in

connection with Ramayan Week concluding with Ramanavami. He addressed the Sunnyside Park Old Age Home inmates on Tuesday,

March 27, in the morning and spoke about the Goal of Life according

22 TATTVA DARSANA

to Hindu sages and seers and the importance of Vanaprastha Ashram.

In the evening he addressed Hindu Satsang at Copesville and spoke on the allegorical presentation of Vedic philosophy in the Ramayana. His

talk was followed by a question and answer session.

On Wednesday, March 28, Sadhuji addressed a congregation of Thornville Hindu Society and spoke on the Hindu way of life as

illustrated in the Ramayana. On Thursday, March 29, he addressed a

congregation of the Integral Yoga Centre and spoke on Spiritual Realization. On March 30, his talk was in the Sanatan Ved Dharma

Sabha and he spoke on Ramayana and Hindu Dharma. On Sunday,

April 1, 2012, Sadhuji addressed the devotees of Siva Subramania Temple in Pietermaritzburg and spoke on the Shiva Tattva. Later he

returned to Chatsworth.

Programmes in Durban

On Monday, April 2, 2012, Sadhu Rangarajan addressed the Verulam

Andhra Sabha and spoke on the Moral Fibre of Hindu Philosophy. On Tuesday, April 3, Sadhuji spoke on the Scientific Rationale of Hindu

Way of Life in the Isipingo Hindi Society. On Wednesday, April 4, he

conducted a workshop for the youth at Vedanta Ashram at Tongaat and spoke on the Ideal Youth According to Hindu Scriptures. In the

evening, Sadhuji performed a Mrityunjaya Homa and Pradosha

abhisheka and pooja to Lord Shiva in the Sarva Dharma Ashram,

Chatsworth.

On the second day of youth workshop at Vedanta Ashram at Tongaat

on Thursday, April 5, 2012, Sadhuji presented the examples of Ideal Youth like Bharata, Nachiketa and Kautsuka, depicted in the

mythology, Upanishads and ancient Sanskrit literature. In the evening,

Sadhuji addressed the Satya Sai Satsang at Chinna Tirupathi Temple

in Tongaat and spoke on the universality of Hindu religion and Unity of Godheads.

On Friday, April 6, 2012, Sadhu Rangarajan addressed the Hanuman Jayanti Celebrations at Sri Gopal Lal Temple, Verulam. He explained

the symbolic significance of the Characters in Ramayana Epic with

special reference to Hanuman. In the evening he performed a special havan for Hanuman Jayanti in the Vedanta Ashram at Tongaat and

gave a discourse on Ramayana Epic. On Saturday, April 7, 2012,


Sadhuji visited the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Forest Retreat in Albert

Falls.

Programmes in Cape Province and KwaZulu Natal

Sadhu Rangarajan flew into Cape Town on Monday, April 9, 2012. He addressed a congregation at Radhakrishna Temple and spoke on Hindu

way of life and God Symbolism.

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan gave a talk on the Philosophy of

Ramayana and the significance of Rama Nama Taraka Mantra at

Radhakrishna Temple, Capetown, on Tuesday, April 10, 2012.

The next day, Sadhuji made a visit to Ananda Kutir and he was

received by Ma Yogeswari, Swamini Parvati and Swami

Vidyananda. In the evening he gave a talk on Saiva Siddhaanta

in the Siva Alayam, Capetown. On Thursday, April 12, he spoke

in the Radhakrishna Mandir on Practical Hinduism and Hindu

Unity.

Visit to Gautang Province

On Friday, April 13, 2012, Sadhu Rangarajan flew into Lenasia

from Capetown for his programmes in the Gautang Province.

Sri Vinod Sandlesh, Director of Indian Cultural Centre of

Consulate General of India in Johannesburg gave a cordial

welcome to Sadhu Rangarajan in the Centre on Saturday

morning. In the evening Sadhuji participated in the Hanuman

Chalisa recital in Vishnu Mandir, Lenasia, and spoke on the

Symbolism of Hanuman. On Sunday, April 15, in the morning,

Sadhuji addressed a Satsang at Adi Shankara Ashram at Lenasia.

Swami Sivasankarananda received him and introduced him.

Sadhuji spoke on Adi Shankaracharya. In the evening, Smt.

Yvonne Busiswe Kgame and her colleagues working in the

South African Broadcasting Corporation called on Sadhuji and

presented her book, INFINITE GRACE—A MIRACULOUS

AWAKENING in which she has devoted a chapter to her

“beloved Guru” Sadhu Rangarajan. Sadhuji addressed them and

spoke on Hindu Way of Life. On Monday morning, Sadhuji

24 TATTVA DARSANA

visited the Prajapita Brahmakumaris Iswariya Vidyalaya Ashram

and was received by Mother Deepti and other inmates and

devotees. In the evening Sadhuji addressed a gathering of

Chinmaya Mission and spoke on the contribution of his siksha

guru, Swami Chinmayananda for spreading the Hindu culture all

over the world and for Hindu unity by laying the foundation for

Vishwa Hindu Parishad along with Sri Guruji Golwalkar. On

Tuesday, April 17, Sadhuji addressed a big congregation of staff

and students of Sri Bharat Sharada Mandir School of Patidhar

Society and spoke on the ‘Ideal Student’. Later he addressed the

staff in Satya Sai School and spoke on the ‘Ideal Teacher’. In the

evening, he addressed the Divine Life Society satsang at Little

Falls and spoke on ‘Divine Life—the Goal of Bharatiya

Dharma’.

SABC Radio Interviews

On Wednesday, April 18, 2012, there were two programmes of

Sadhuji in the SABC. In the morning, Sri Ashraf Garda of SA

FM channel presented Sadhuji in a live chat programme with

listeners from all over the country, on an interesting topic,

“Anger—How to Manage it?“ In the evening, Smt. Christella

Kannanda presented Sadhu in Metro FM on a discussion on

“Consciousness” with listeners raising questions and Sadhuji

answering them. On Thursday, Sadhuji addressed the Satya Sai

Centre at Sandton and spoke on Adoration and Worship of

Mothers in Hinduism. On Friday, a Satsang was organized at

Niven Soman’s residence and attended by Swami

Sivasankarananda and devotees of Adi Shankara Ashram.

Sadhuji spoke on the Significance of Maha Meru and Sri

Chakra.

Talk in Indian Cultural Centre

The Indian Cultural Centre of Consulate General of India invited

Sadhu to give a talk on Indian Science in the centre on Saturday,

April 21, 2012. The talk was well attended by a gathering of

intellectuals and Indian residents including Sri Nandan Singh


Bhaisora, Acting Consul General of India. Sri Vinod Sandlesh,

the Director of the Centre introduced Sadhuji. Sadhuji spoke on

the glorious heritage of Indian science from the Vedic period to

modern times. On Sunday, April 22, Sadhuji addressed a

gathering of devotees in Sri Ayyappa Kshetra of Pretoria and

spoke on the Hindu Worship of Gods. On Monday, April 23,

2012, Sadhuji participated in a Youth Programme—Chat Show

organized by SABC on Repentance and Changing the Life for

better, which was broadcast by Channel 1 later on May 6.

Sadhuji also visited Honey Dew Primary School where the Art

of Living Group was giving training to children in Yoga and told

them a story of Abu Ben Adam a ‘Child whom God loved most’.

Akshaya Triteeya in South Africa

Akshaya Triteeya, the auspicious day for the worship of Sri

Bharatamata was celebrated in a befitting manner under the

auspices of the Midrand Hindu Dharma Sabha on Tuesday, April

24, 2012. A Havan and special Ashtottara Archana of Sri

Bharatamata to invoke the blessings of Sri Bhavani Bharati were

performed and fifty mothers performed Deepa Pooja on the

occasion. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Sadhu

Rangarajan spoke on Sri Bharatamata, the Loka Guru, and

significance of the worship of the holy land of our forefathers.

On Wednesday, sadhu addressed a gathering of devotees of Art

of Living Group at Midrand and spoke on “Yoga Vaasishtha”.

On Thursday, April 26, Sri Nandan Singh Bharsora, the Acting

Consul of India, hosted the Sadhu for a lunch. In the evening,

Sadhuji addressed the devotees of Sri Karumari Amman Temple

in Lenasia and spoke on Worship of the Divine Mother. On

Friday, Sadhuji visited Sri Ramakrishna Dham in Lenasia and

was received by Swami Premananda and Swami Tribhuvan.

Back to KwaZulu Natal

Sadhu Rangarajan flew back to Durban on Saturday, April 28,

2012, and drove straight to Sri Radhakrishna Temple at La

26 TATTVA DARSANA

Mercy to participate in the auspicious consecration of idols in

the temple. Swami Vimokshananda of Sri Ramakrishna Centre

also addressed the gathering. Sadhu spoke on the Symbolism of

Radha Krishna, Parvati Parameswara, Ganesha and Sita Rama

Lakshmana Hanuman consecrated in the mandir. On Sunday,

April 29, Sadhuji was interviewed by Smt. Veena Lutchman of

SABC Radio Lotus in a live programme and sadhuji spoke about

the purpose of his visit to the country to participate in the

Centenary of South African Hindu Maha Sabha which was

founded in 1912 by the great patriot monk of India, Sri Bhai

Parmanand, and Swami Shankarananda for forging unity and

understanding among Hindus who had come into this country as

indentured labour and for business and settled down here. On

Monday, Sadhuji drove down to Ladysmith and addressed the

Hindu Thirukkootam and Sri Ganesha Temple. He spoke on the

Unity of Hindu Godheads and the need for Hindu Unity. On

May 1, 2012, Sadhu addressed the Vishnu Mandir at

Pietermaritzburg and spoke on Hindu Way of Life and Hindu

Unity.

Discourse on Tirukkural

Sadhu Rangarajan delivered a series of talks on Tirukkural under

the auspices of Midlands Hindu Society in the Aryan Hall at

Pietermaritzburg for three consecutive days from Wednesday,

May 2, 2012. He expounded elaborately, with special reference

to other Hindu scriptures also, how the first three of the four

Purushaarthaas—Dharma, Artha, Kaama and Moksha—were

presented by the great Tamil saint, Tiruvalluvar, in three

sections—Arattuppaal, Porutpaal and Kaamattuppaal—the

perfect observance of which values of life led one to the ultimate

goal—Moksha or Veedu. The talks were well attended not only

by the Tamil speaking people but also by the non-Tamil

speaking sections of the Hindus. Copies of Bhagavad Gita &

Tirukkural Compendium, with transliteration of text and

translation in English, published by Divine Life Society of South

Africa, were distributed free to all those who attended the three

days lectures.


Talk on Sister Nivedita

Sadhu Rangarajan was received in the Ramakrishna Centre of

South Africa at Avoca, Durban, by Swami Vimokshananda,

President of the Centre and Swami Saradapriyananda, on

Thursday, May 3, 2012. Swami Vimokshananda also addressed

along with Sadhu Rangarajan a discourse on the Life of Sister

Nivedita, under the auspices of the Midlands Hindu Society, at

Aryan Hall, Pietermaritzburg. Sadhuji spoke on the role of

Sister Nivedita and her guru, Swami Vivekananda in India’s

struggle for freedom.

50 Year Celebrations of Sanatan Ved Dharam Sabha

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan addressed the 50 Year Celebrations

of Pietermaritzburg Sanathan Ved Dharam Sabha on Sunday,

May 6, 2012. Sadhuji pointed out that Sanatan Veda Dharma

was not confined to religion and worship alone, but

encompassed all aspects of human life like science, art, culture

and social life. He spoke about the contribution of great rishis

like Bharata, Bharadwaja, Patanjali, Sushruta and Charaka in the

fields of Natya Shastra (Dance), Vaimanika Shastra

(Aeronautics), Yoga, Surgery and Medicine respectively and

called upon the Hindus to preserve all the ancient works in

various fields of knowledge for the posterity. Swami

Vimokshananda of Ramakrishna Centre also addressed the

gathering.

Talk in Stanger

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan, Founder Trustee of Sri Bharatamata

Mandir, Bangalore, on his visit to South Africa as guest of South

African Hindu Maha Sabha, addressed a gathering and spoke on

the need to preserve and propagate the Sanatan Dharma and

forge unity among all Hindu religious, social and spiritual

institutions, at Sri Sanatan Mandal, Stanger, on Tuesday, May 8,

28 TATTVA DARSANA

2012. Sadhuji pointed out to the efforts of Bhai Parmanand and

Swami Shankarananda who visited the country a century ago to

unite the Hindus in South Africa by establishing the South

African Hindu Maha Sabha. The meeting was attended by the

officials of Hindu Maha Sabha also.

Tirukkural in Tongaat

On Wednesday, May 9, Sadhuji gave a talk on “Tirukkural” at

La Mercy Community Hall and elaborated the exposition of

Dharma, Artha and Kama in the Tamil scripture by Saint

Tiruvalluvar who had summarized the message of Vedic

scriptures and Dharma Shastras in his magnum opus. Sadhuji

gave his concluding talk on “Tirukkural” on May 10 at the same

venue. Sadhuji also addressed separate meetings of the students

and teachers of Buffelsdale School in Tongaat on the same day

in the morning and spoke on the Ideal Student and Ideal

Teacher, respectively.

Addressing School Principals

Sadhu Rangarajan addressed a gathering of School Principals in

Tongaat area in the premises of Buffelsdale School on May 11

and spoke on the Ideals of Education as envisaged by the Hindu

seers and sages and the ancient Hindu education system. In the

evening he addressed a satsang at Vedanta Ashram, Tongaat,

and spoke on Spiritual Sadhana.

Talks in Tongaat and Chatsworth

On Saturday, May 12, Sadhuji addressed a gathering at

Vishwaroop Temple, Tongaat, and spoke on the Hindu Concept

of God. On Sunday, May 13, he addressed a Mothers’ Day

Satsang at Vedanta Academy and spoke on the Ideals of Hindu

Womanhood. In the evening he addressed a gathering at

Vishwaroop Temple and spoke on the Great Women of

Bharatavarsha.


Sadhu Rangarajan gave a series of talks on Chapter Two of

Srimad Bhagavad Gita at Sarva Dharma Ashram, Chatsworth,

from May 14, 2012, to May 18, 2012.

There was a meeting of the office bearers of South African

Hindu Maha Sabha at the headquarters of the Sabha in Durban

on May 15. Sadhuji, accompanied by Swami Ramakripananda,

Swami Balasimha and Mata Amritamayi, attended the gathering

to discuss about the Centenary Celebrations of the Sabha. On

May 16, Sri Sudha Singh and Ms. Jennifer of African Lotus

Productions filmed two documentaries interviewing Sadhuji on

Hinduism and Astrology. On May 19, Sadhuji addressed Durga

Bhajan Satsang and spoke on Shakti Worship. In the evening he

took classes for devotees at Sarva Dharma Ashram on

Dinacharya Mantras and Pratasmaran.

Call to Worship Bharatamata

On Sunday, May 20, 2012, in the morning, Sadhuji addressed

the Swayamsevaks of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh in a shibir at

Tongaat and spoke on Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Sri Guruji

Golwalkar and the Ideals of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. He

addressed a satsang in the Sarva Dharma Ashram in the

forenoon. On May 21, he addressed the devotees of the Sarva

Dharma Ashram and spoke on Saints of India.

Sadhuji addressed a gathering of Sri Bharatamata Satsang

Samity organized by his disciple, Swami Balasimha Bharati,

and spoke on Human Values at Chatsworth, on May 22.

On May 24, in the evening, Sadhuji addressed a satsang

gathering at Sanatan Dharma Sabha, Phoenix, where he spoke

about the Universal and Eternal Values of Life and Sri

Bharatamata. The officials of the Sabha announced their

proposal to consecrate the idol of Sri Bharatamata in their

premises. Later, Sadhuji addressed yet another satsang in Pravin

Kooblal’s house and spoke on Ancient Indian Education and

Vedic Science. On Friday, May 25, Sadhuji addressed a meeting

at Sri Luxminarayan Temple and spoke on the message of

30 TATTVA DARSANA

Bhagavad Gita. On Saturday, May 26, Sadhuji spoke on Life

after Death, in a family satsang at Pravin Kooblal’s house.

Centenary of South African Hindu Maha Sabha

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha organized a banquet with

H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of the Republic of South Africa,

as Chief Guest, in connection with the Centenary Celebrations of

the Sabha at Durban International Convention Centre on

Saturday, May 26, 2012. The programmes began with the

lighting of lamp in the Hindu tradition and a universal prayer

dance by Nateshwar Dance Academy followed by the South

African National Anthem. Sri Ashwin Trikamjee, President of

the SA Hindu Maha Sabha, welcomed the distinguished guests

and representatives of various Hindu organizations who had

gathered on the occasion. He spoke on the growth of S.A. Hindu

Maha Sabha during the last one century. He also acknowledged

the visit of Sadhu Rangarajan from India as the guest of the

Sabha for the centenary celebrations and his tour all over the

country addressing various Hindu gatherings. His welcome

address was followed by a dance drama—Excerpts from

Bhagavad Gita and Krishna Leela. Sri VHS Negi, Acting Consul

General, Indian Consulate in Durban, addressed the gathering.

H.E. President Mr. Zuma, speaking as Chief Guest, said, “We

believe the diversity that we have is a strength to our nation. A

nation that understands and tolerates diversity is a nation at

peace with itself.” He also praised South African Hindus for

their role in the struggle to free South Africa. Sri Ashwin

Trikamjee introduced Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan to President

Mr. Zuma to whom Sadhuji presented a set of publications of

Bharatamata Gurukula Ashram and copies of TATTVA

DARSANA.

Talks in Sai Centre and Sarva Dharma Ashram

Sadhu Rangarajan addressed the devotees of Bhagavan Satya Sai

Baba in a satsang at the headquarters of Satya Sai Centre,

Chatsworth, on Sunday, May 27, and he spoke on “Satyam,


Sivam, Sundaram”. In the forenoon, he addressed the satsang at

Sarva Dharma Ashram, attended by a number of Zulu children

and told them a story of Bhima confronting Hanuman, narrated

in “Kalyana Sougandhigam”, a Malayalam dance drama. The

children were asked questions on the story and those who gave

correct reply were presented various gift articles. In the evening

Sadhuji gave a talk on “Indian Science through Ages” in the

Sarva Dharma Ashram. On Monday, May 28, Sadhuji addressed

the Umhlanga Hindu Society and spoke on Hindu Scriptures and

Philosophy. On Tuesday, he again addressed the gathering on

the Hindu Way of Life.

Proposal to Set Up Sri Bharatamata Mandir

On Wednesday, May 30, 2012, Sadhu Rangarajan, accompanied

by Swami Ramakripananda, Swami Balasimha Bharati, Mataji

Amritamayi, Mataji Kousalya and Smt. Umbi Indharen, visited

Greytown to see the site offered for setting up Sri Bharatamata

Mandir and Bharatamata Gurukula Ashram. On the way, Dr.

Ravin Ramdas of Ashburton, who has offered the land, joined

them and showed the site. Sri Dhayaram Aheer, President of

Vishnu Mandir, joined them and took them to his farm house.

Sadhuji stayed in Greytown for two days. He addressed the

Satya Sai Satsang Group in the Vishnu Mandir on May 31 and

spoke on the message of Bhagavan Satya Sai Baba.

On Friday, June 1, 2012, Sadhuji bid farewell to Swami

Ramakripananda, Mataji Amritamayi, Swami Balasimha Bharati

and thirteen others leaving for India on a pilgrimage. In the

evening, he addressed a meeting at Tongaat Hindu Forum and

spoke on Trayambaka Mantra.

Sri Bharatamata Havan in Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh

Karyalaya

Sadhuji performed a special Sri Bharatamata Havan in the new

Karyalaya of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh at Phoenix on

Saturday, June 2, and invoked the blessings of Sri

32 TATTVA DARSANA

Bharatabhavani on the Swayamsevaks to build up the

organization for Hindu unity. In the evening Sadhuji addressed

the devotees in Sri Krishna Bhakti Vedanta Gurukulam and

spoke on Hindu Unity. On Sunday, June 3, Sadhuji addressed a

large gathering in Sri Mariamman Temple, Tongaat, and spoke

on Mother Worship. In the evening he addressed a gathering at

Chinna Tirupati Venkateswara Temple at Tongaat and spoke on

Rationale of Hindu Worship.

On the successful completion of his 72 days tour in South

Africa, Sadhu Rangarajan flew into Johannesburg from Durban

on June 4, 2012, to take his flight to Nairobi on a weeklong visit

to Kenya as guest of the Hindu Council of Kenya.

CHILDREN OF IMMORTAL BLISS

"Hear, ye children of immortal bliss! Even ye that reside in

higher spheres! I have found the Ancient One, who is

beyond all darkness, all delusion: knowing Him alone you

shall be saved from death over again." "Children of

immortal bliss" -- what a sweet, what a hopeful name!

Allow me to call you, brethren, by that sweet name -- heirs

of immortal bliss -- yea, the Hindu refuses to call you

sinners. Ye are the Children of God, the sharers of

immortal bliss, holy and perfect beings. Ye divinities on

earth -- sinners! It is a sin to call a man so; it is a standing

libel on human nature. Come up, O lions, and shake off the

delusion that you are sheep; you are souls immortal, spirits

free, blest and eternal; ye are not matter, ye are not bodies;

matter is your servant, not you the servant of matter.

-- Swami Vivekananda


SADHU PROF. V. RANGARAJAN’S

VISIT TO KENYA

Welcome by Hindu Council of Kenya

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan, Founder Trustee of Sri Bharatamata Mandir and Bharatamata Gurukula Ashram, Bangalore, flew into

Nairobi, Kenya, from Johannesburg, South Africa, by SAA Flight, on

Monday, June 4, 2012, on a weeklong visit to Kenya as the guest of the Hindu Council of Kenya. He was received at the Jomo Kenyatta

Air Port by Smt. Vaishali Shah, Convener of Sadhu Rangarajan’s

programme in Kenya, Sri Swaran Varma, President of Hindu Council of Kenya, Sri Sunil Shah, Secretary of HCK, Sri Surinder Siani and

other officials of HCK.

In the evening, he was given a rousing reception at the headquarters of HCK. Sadhuji spoke on the Ideal of Hindu Unity and proclaimed that

the goal of unity and preservation of the eternal values of life that have

sprung up in Bharatavarsha are possible only when all Hindus will rise above their narrow considerations of cult, gurus and sampradayas and

stand up as the proud children of Mother Bharat and worship Her as

the Supreme Deity, the Mother of all their gurus, gods and cults.

In the Arya Schools

On Tuesday, June 5, 2011, in the morning Sadhuji addressed the students of Arya Boys’ School on the Ideals of Education and Arya

Girls’ School on Women’s Education. In the afternoon, he addressed

the SCLP Samaj School students and staff and spoke on Moral and Ethical Values in Education. The students were very enthusiastic in

raising questions to which Sadhuji gave the replies.

In the evening, Sadhuji addressed the satsang organized by HCK at Ram Mandir and spoke on Practical Hinduism.

On African radio FM

Sadhuji went on Air in a live programme organized by African radio

FM in which he was interviewed by Mrs Parveen Adam in the

34 TATTVA DARSANA

morning of Wednesday, June 6, 2012. Sri Swaran Varma, Sri Vanraj

and Smt. Vaishali Shah of HCK also participated. Sadhuji spoke on the universal and eternal philosophy of Hinduism, a way of life which

accepted all religions as different pathways to one Ultimate Reality,

and answered questions from the listeners. Sadhuji addressed the

children of Oswal Primary School in the forenoon and spoke on the Ideal Children of Bharat. A lot of questions were asked by the boys

and girls to whom Sadhuji gave prompt replies. He addressed a special

satsang of the mothers in Sri Sanatan Dharma Mandir and spoke on Matri Shakti. In the evening, Sadhu Rangarajan addressed the

Swayamsevaks of Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and spoke on the

founding of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Bharat and the need for Hindu unity all over the world.

In the University of Nairobi

On June 7, Thursday, Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan addressed the staff

and students of Department of Philosophy of University of Nairobi

and spoke on Philosophy, Religion and Ethics. He answered questions on Hindu philosophy and religion and removed misconceptions on

Varna Dharma which was wrongly interpreted and identified with

casteism which was a distortion of Hindu values. Sadhuji visited Pandit Deendayal Bhavan, the headquarters of Hindu Swayamsevak

Sangh in Kenya. Later he gave a valedictory address to the Hindu

Council of Kenya and spoke on Spiritual Education of Hindus and

Religious Practices at Home in a gathering in Ram Mandir.

Welcome by Mayor of Kisumu

Sadhu Rangarajan, accompanied by Smt. Vaishali Shah, flew into

Kisumu by Kenya Airways flight, on Friday, June 8, 2012. He was

received by officials of HCK in Kisumu. Sadhuji addressed the staff

and students of Jalaram Bapa Academy and spoke on the Ideal Youth as described in the Taittriya Upanishad.

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan was received with honours in the City Council of Kisumu in the afternoon on June 8. Mr. Samuel O. Okello,

His Worshipful Mayor of Kisumu, Presented the Key of Kisumu City

to the Sadhu and honoured him by conferring citizenship of Kisumu. Officials of the HCK in Kisumu and councillors of the Kisumu

Municipal Council were present.


Addresses in Schools and Temples

Later, Sadhuji addressed the teachers, students and parents of Senior

Academy School and spoke on the Ideal Student and Teacher and the

Duties and Responsibilities of Parents. In the evening Sadhuji addressed the devotees in Sanatan Mandir and spoke on Spiritual Life.

On Saturday, June 9, 2012, Sadhuji, accompanied by Smt. Vaishali

Shah, visited Sri Swami Narayan Temple, Jalaram Bapa Temple, Jain Temple, Sarva Deva Mandir and Hare Krishna Mandir. He apprised

the devotees and officials of all these Hindu institutions on the

universal philosophy of Hinduism and the need to forge Hindu unity. In the afternoon he visited Ramgharia Gurudwara and spoke to the

children on the messages of Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind, great

preceptors of Bharatavarsha. He also visited another Gurudwara in the

city. In the evening he addressed devotees in Sanatan Dharm Mandir and spoke on the Historical, Ethical and Philosophical Perspectives of

Ramayana.

Return to Mother Bharat

On June 10, 2011, in the morning, Sadhu took leave of Smt. Vaishali Shah and other officials of HCK, Kisumu, and flew back into Nairobi

by Kenya Airways flight. HCK Officials received him and saw him off

to Johannesburg by SAA Fight in the afternoon. Sadhuji was received

in Johannesburg Air Port by Sri Niven Soman, Convener of Sadhu’s programmes in Johannesburg.

Sadhu Rangarajan flew by SAA Flight to Mumbai on Sunday, June 11, 2012, and reached Mumbai in the midnight. He flew back to

Bangalore on June 12, 2012, morning and reached Sri Bharatamata

Mandir.

Sadhu Rangarajan’s visit to South Africa and Kenya has awakened the

Hindus in the countries who want him to come again to consolidate the

gains produced by his visits. A heartening development of this tour is that some of the Hindu spiritual, religious, cultural and social

organizations have come forward to consecrate the idols of Sri

Bharatamata in their premises to inspire the Hindus to stand united as descendants of the children of the Divine Mother.

36 TATTVA DARSANA

ULTIMATELY WE ARE ALL ONE

Yvonne Busisiwe Kgame

[Yvonne Kgame is a professional with vast local

and international experience as

an Editor, a Teacher, a

Publisher, and a Researcher and is a media specialist with a

depth of experience in

providing broadcast programming garnered over 27

years and over the period of

South Africa’s transition to democracy. She has been at

the South African

Broadcasting Corporation

(SABC) for 14 years and in this time has successfully

brought leadership to

Educational Broadcasting and later, the SABC’s Content Enterprise Business, overseeing genres such

as children’s programmes, entertainment, drama, factual programmes,

religion and many others. Yvonne served as a board member of

various international and national boards (International Public Television; Basel Forum; Sithengi Board (International Film and TV

Festival); Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences; Oscar Selection

Committee, Institute of Human Rights Education and Chowac (Basic Adult Education Forum for Domestic Workers). Yvonne is now

Executive Manager: Innovation & Editorial which offers support

to content houses across platforms]

"LIKE THE BEE GATHERING HONEY FROM DIFFERENT

FLOWERS, THE WISE MAN ACCEPTS THE ESSENCE OF

DIFFERENT SCRIPTURES AND SEES ONLY THE GOOD IN ALL RELIGIONS." THE SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM 11.3


My face-to-face encounter with Dr Nokuzola Mndende, a sangoma

(African traditional healer), happened in 2006 at a SABC Religion Conference at the OR Tambo Airport in Johannesburg.

At the conference, I received many blessings from African Religion

Ambassadors. I connected with Dr Nokuzola Mndende, from the Icamagu Institute. She presented herself as non-Christian but not anti-

Christian. Her words to me then were: "If a person gets healed, it

doesn't really matter who one believed the healing came from, a Christian God, a sangoma or the ancestors."

Her words led me to think quite deeply. As I look back on the diverse sacred encounters of healing I had the privilege of experiencing, I do

believe that Dr Mndende had a point. What mattered most was that I

had experienced a true and deep connection with Source through all

the earth angels I had encountered.

The ancient wisdom traditions of the world have always

acknowledged the ancient teachings of Africa. It is said that the destiny of humanity lies in Africa and the eternal timekeepers of Her

wisdom will be reborn in many places of varied origins.

"… ONCE WE ENTER INTO THE DOMAIN OF SPIRIT, THERE IS

NO BLACK OR WHITE, OR RACE OR ETHNICITY BUT A DEEP

RECOGNITION OF THE SOUL IN ITS JOURNEY TO RECLAIM

ITSELF. THE AFRICAN CONCEPT OF THE ULTIMATE REALITY IS THAT ONE DIVINE SPARK PERMEATES

EVERYTHING AND WE ARE ALL PART OF THAT ONE."

Through the centuries Africa has faced many conquests and

onslaughts but, despite this, has always opened her arms to the world

to be a part of its peace, harmony and the celebration of diversity. It

was here that the values of Umoja (unity) and Ubuntu ("I am because

you are … you are because I am") were born.

My encounter with the sacred reveals no boundaries; once we enter into the domain of Spirit, there is no black or white, or race or

ethnicity but a deep recognition of the Soul in its journey to reclaim

itself. The African concept of the Ultimate Reality is that one Divine

Spark permeates everything and we are all part of that One. The

38 TATTVA DARSANA

rootedness of being African gives permission to all to share in its

beauty, its natural wonders and its essence of the Divine connection. Yashika Singh, my beautiful angel of light and colleague, invited me

to attend a satsang at her house with an esteemed Guru who was

visiting from India. This is how she tells my story:

Mam Yvonne Kgame first met His Holiness Sadhu Rangarajan in

South Africa at a gathering at my home in May 2009.

The Sadhu is known as Sadhu Prof V. Rangarajan, a teacher, scholar

and spiritual guru from the Bharatamata Ashram in Bangalore, India.

He is the founder of the Sister Nivedita Academy— an institution devoted to and dedicated to serving the ideals of the Sanathana

Dharma— the ancient, Vedic or Hindu Religion and value systems.

The Sadhu is regarded as a renaissance thinker. Sadhu Rangarajan shares deep insights into ancient Vedic spirituality and universal

human values that breathes new life into the eternal essence of Unity

in Consciousness.

Rising above the narrow considerations of caste, colour, religion and

background, Sadhu shares insightful wisdom on the eternal questions of life: Who am I? Where did I come from? What is my ultimate

destiny? Such areas of deep reflection Sadhu answers with profound

humility and with such clarity of thought, sometimes leaving the

audience spellbound.

He recognises the diversity of thought, culture and religion in South

Africa and shares profound insights on the comparison between African traditional ways of worship and Hinduism, natural healing,

Ayurveda and indigenous knowledge-based systems as well as issues

in ethics and morality.

Yvonne decided to seek the grace and wisdom of this well-known

Sadhu. The day was characterised by the attendance of a few

influential friends who are some of South Africa's leading women and men in business, health and media. Yvonne arrived late, as usual,

probably because she sees herself beyond time and space!

As she entered the gates, one could hear peals of laughter echo and

then, immediately, the sombre mood and atmosphere changed! The


Sadhu, with a twinkle in his eye, welcomed her and the others and as

he blessed her, said: "Be Happy!"

Sadhuji's good-humoured nature attracts all those he comes into

contact with and shares anecdotal, yet life-changing insights into

topics such as how to live a good life, how to achieve the Art of Living, and understanding the rules of life in order to play The Game

of Life with the saying, "Life is a game, play it …"

"… THE ETERNAL QUESTIONS OF LIFE: WHO AM I? WHERE

DID I COME FROM? … WHAT IS MY ULTIMATE DESTINY?"

Perhaps one of the great gifts that day was the affirmation that we are spiritual beings living a human experience and that ultimately we are

All One. Yvonne's own growth into a profound journey has been

attributed to many factors: her stroke, hospital and her grey hair. Yet beyond the stroke lies a soul that yearns for its connection to the

eternal Source.

That beautiful Sunday, Yvonne lived, breathed and smiled like an innocent child on encountering a Father after a long time.

The space of a Guru is always about a personal connection, like a deep breath that is so intrinsically our own, yet passes on.

The Guru reminded us of our ultimate essence, that there is only Oneness. This message served as a reminder that mam Yvonne is a

teacher, a guide, and her encounter with Sadhu Rangarajan was a

calling to the inner teacher to recognise the Essence in All.

YASHIKA SINGH

[From “INFINITE GRACE—A MIRACULOUS AWAKENING” by Yvonne Busisiwe Kgame ", 2012, South Africa, Rantho Trust"]

"A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that others throw at him."

-- Swami Chinmayananda

40 TATTVA DARSANA

SWAMI NISCHALANANDA

-- A VIVEKANANDA IN AFRICA

Nileen Putatunda

When Swami Vivekananda was in the USA, a black porter who had seen him being welcomed by a reception committee came up to him

and said that, in him, one of his own people had become a great man,

and that he would like to have the privilege of shaking hands with him. Swamiji warmly clasped his hand and exclaimed: “Thank you! Thank

you, brother!” Sister Nivedita wrote: “He was scornful in his

repudiation of the pseudo-ethnology of privileged races. ‘If I am grateful to my white-skinned Aryan ancestor,’ he said, ‘I am far more

so to my yellow-skinned Mongolian ancestor, and most so of all, to the

black-skinned Negritoid!’”

Swamiji unfurled the flag of Vedanta in America and England between 1893 and 1897. He had also foreseen vast possibilities for his

work in Africa, as is clear from his letter written to Swami Shivananda

from Jaipur in December 1897. But instead of Africa, Swami Shivananda was destined to go to Sri Lanka. Swami Advayananda was

the first monk of the Ramakrishna Order to arrive in South Africa in

1934. He stayed there for one year, lecturing in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, and other places.

The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa was founded in 1942

by Dhangopal Naidu in Sea View, a suburb of Durban. He was inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s message of “renunciation and

service”. His correspondence with the then president of the

Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Virajananda, fanned his devotion and

inspired the growth of the Centre. Books on Sri Ramakrishna, Sri Sarada Devi, Swami Vivekananda, the Cultural Heritage of India as

well as the mission’s journals (Prabuddha Bharata and The Vedanta

Kesari) were among important material that aided his regular study. After his matriculation from Sastri College, Durban, he worked for the

Naval Stores for a short while.

Immediately thereafter, Dhangopal travelled to India in order to undergo monastic training. He stayed at Belur Math. In March 1949,

he was initiated into spiritual life by Swami Virajananda, who was a

disciple of Sarada Devi, and who had the privilege of being trained by


Swami Vivekananda and the direct disciples of Sri Ramakrishna.

Soon, Dhangopal learnt that the mission required him to come solely under its directions. This meant that he would have to sever all ties

with South Africa. This conflict between duty to the order and the

bonds of love and commitment to South Africa demanded a practical

solution. With Swami Virajananda’s permission, he received the vows of sannyasa from Swami Purushottamananda, a disciple of Swami

Brahmananda, who was then staying near Rishikesh. Dhangopal was

given the monastic name Swami Nischalananda.

Swami Nischalananda returned to South Africa in 1953. It was the

Centenary Year of the birth of Sarada Devi and extensive

celebrations were held. In 1959

Swami Nischalananda set up an

ashram, printing press and Ramakrishna Clinic on a fourteen-

acre property in Glen Anil,

Durban. The headquarters of the Ramakrishna Centre of South

Africa is based there.

From the time of his arrival in 1953 to the time of his assassination in

1965 at the young age of 40, Swami Nischalananda pioneered the

course of Vedanta in Southern Africa. Through prayer services,

lectures, retreats and seminars, he spread the message of Hinduism to different parts of southern Africa. From the point of view of

“practical” Vedanta, he printed and disseminated literature, organised

medical relief operations, distributed food and clothing to the needy and participated actively in flood and disaster relief work. He was one

of the pioneers who worked closely with the black community. He

became a patron of the (Black) Inanda African Women’s Christian

Association. The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa continues even today the spectacular work started by Swami Nischalananda.

Former UN Secretary-General Mr Boutros Boutros-Ghali once said

that Africa was “in danger of becoming the lost continent”. His view is shared by award-winning author and economist Professor George

Ayittey who writes in his book, Africa in Chaos (Macmillan, London):

“By the beginning of the 1990s, it was clear something had gone

42 TATTVA DARSANA

ETERNAL NATION “Civilizations have arisen in other parts of the world. In ancient and modern

times, wonderful ideas have been carried forward from one race to another...But mark you, my friends, it has been always with the blast of war

trumpets and the march of embattled cohorts. Each idea

had to be soaked in a deluge of blood..... Each word of power had to be

followed by the groans of millions, by the wails of orphans, by the tears of

widows. This, many other nations have taught; but India for thousands of

years peacefully existed. Here activity prevailed when even Greece did not

exist... Even earlier, when history has no record, and tradition dares not peer

into the gloom of that intense past, even from until now, ideas after ideas

have marched out from her, but every

word has been spoken with a blessing behind it and peace before it. We, of all

nations of the world, have never been a conquering race, and that blessing is

on our head, and therefore we live....!”

--Swami Vivekananda

terribly wrong in Africa. The continent was racked by a never-ending

cycle of civil wars, carnage, chaos, and instability. Economies had collapsed. Poverty, in both absolute and relative terms, had increased.

Malnutrition was rife. In addition, censorship, persecution, detention,

arbitrary seizures of property, corruption, capital flight, and tyranny

plagued the continent.”

Who will be the future Nischalanandas, both monks and lay workers,

ready to dedicate their lives to bring light to and heal the tormented

soul of Africa by spreading the teachings of Swami Vivekananda? This 29 January, 2012, finance minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee was present

in Chicago when a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed

between the dean of humanities of the University of Chicago (UoC) and the joint secretary in the ministry of culture. As

part of the MoU, India will provide a grant of US$ 1.5 million to the

UoC for the Vivekananda Chair to honour his life and legacy and to facilitate exchange of research scholars from/to India. As we celebrate

the 150th birth anniversary of the great world teacher, the Indian

government would do well to establish a similar Vivekananda Chair in

a premier African university such as the University of Cape Town or the University of KwaZulu-Natal which are both in South Africa. The

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

could also be included in this process.

[The writer is a social worker and poet]


FROM THE BOTTOM OF HEART

Yashika Singh and Yvonne Kgame Sadhuji,

Namaste! Jay Shri Ram! Vande Mataram!

Yvonne and I are here together and she says that she is in tears at

receiving this e-mail...

We receive the Blessings and the deep Grace of His Holiness, The

Master.

...It has been a great privilege to serve Sadhuji in every way we could

and would continue to do so.

The SABC is going through a turmoil at the moment and Yvonne is

asking for special blessings at this time for healing and protection...

It is her pleasure to give anything about the book and she will send through tomorrow morning to Sadhuji.

The evening at our home in Johannesburg was very special and she feels very blessed to have encountered one such as You, Sadhuji.

Indeed we are all blessed to have Sadhuji in our lives....I am sure for

many lifetimes...

Yvonne quotes: "Where shall we put our trust if not there where we

find the light of perfect wisdom and perfect love?" There is no

separation in the Divine spiritual realm...There can be no separation...He knows where we should be placed. We are not here for

a moment without His guidance..."

Hari Aum Tat Sat!

Sadhuji, we will definitely send you our impressions of Sadhuji's visit

44 TATTVA DARSANA

to Gauteng...but know that Sadhuji has struck an indelible chord in the

hearts of all of us...

Yvonne says: Sadhuji serves with compassion. You listen well and

your insightful wisdom is truly gift and radiates courage especially to

her son.

Yvonne's son met with car accident and survived this near fatal

accident. With your protection of the holy string, Katlego (meaning success) is healthy and well! Sadhuji has truly blessed her family and

seeing more light in her sons and husband!!!

Aum Shantih!

Yashika And Yvonne

Respected Sadhuji

Vande Mataram! Jai Shri Ram!

Pranam Sadhuji!

With grace and gratitude to Sadhuji for the Blessings from Bharata Mata, and for such showers of Blessings of His Holiness Shri Yogi

Ramsuratkumar...Sadhuji has blessed our home with a presence and

feeling that is indescribable...!!

In a timely visit to South African shores, the Sadhu has embraced one

and all with love and compassion and deep insight...

Sadhuji's unwavering and relentless quest for Hindu Unity, in fact for

universal Unity is etched deeply in our hearts. Sadhuji has listened and

heard the pangs of separation that the devotees in SA experience....a

pain felt across the nation, and the world....There is a sense of disconnectedness and a need for that ultimate Connection...a need for

tyag and a deeper reflection is also required in SA...

When Sadhu met the youth at home in Johannesburg, as well as the

devotees of different religions, the cry is the same: the need to Love

and be loved...and the removal of the illusion that 'this is mine, or thine...'


Young South Africans, particularly of other religions who themselves

are seeking within, relished at the simple answers that Sadhuji shared and the devotion expressed to each soul. I get calls all the time as

people who came on your path, have all shared amazing testimonies of

how their lives have changed.

Nomfundo (19) prays to His Holiness-Shri Yogi Ramsuratkumar's

picture everyday....In her deepest and darkest hour before she wrote

exams, she experienced stillness and realized that she cannot be a 'victim' any more - She has to prioritize her life; ACT NOW and serve

herself by giving so that her brethren in SA is healed.

Where from have we come...and how many roads have we travelled, Sadhuji???

Yvonne's son, Katlego who was sceptical of "seeing a GURU", sub

consciously just became Sadhu's child....and was protected after a near-fatal accident.

Somizi the famous SA actor who met Sadhuji backstage, of The Chatroom, just cried later as he knew, you knew everything....

Sister Phepsile from the African Traditional Religion whom Sadhuji

shared the podium with, just wanted Sadhuji to return to Jhb to be the key note speaker for her Spiritual and Healing Conference!!! African

Religions in SA have been the hardest hit since Colonialism, as

Sadhuji is aware and the insights of Sadhuji, assured her of the

Commonness of all Earth's traditions.

Yes, Sadhuji there is still so much to do....and so much is needed...

The Art of Living devotees in Midrand were mesmerized with such

knowledge and insight of Yoga Vashistha and the reminder of our

higher calling. Shobhaji recalled her own Guru's words as Sadhuji

spoke... and to be REMINDED of the eternal question: Who am I???

One after one, who met you at home or at the SABC, at the Consulate,

with Amithji (swayamsevak) who organized this visit or Rakshaji's home, at the Shri Sathya Sai Centre -brother Leon and Sister Sally

who at the drop of a hat, made miracles happen- such amazing

devotees, at the Brahma Kumaris, or the Adi Shankara Mission, or at the Satsanghs of the Divine Life Society in Jhb,(the children whom

46 TATTVA DARSANA

Sadhu has touched), Sherithaji in Pretoria and her family, all quietly

experienced Sadhu's Grace...an intangible touch... perhaps some of the most awe-inspiring moments they will ever know in their lives...

There are too many individuals to name and there are those like Kieran

who followed Sadhuji to EVERY LECTURE in Gauteng....the sceptic, the scientist who fell into Sadhu's deep spell of humility and

compassion, suddenly found the Connection...perhaps the primordial

call of the Soul...

In an amazing evening of soul talk, our very own Metro FM DJ,

Chriselda Kannada asked Sadhuji to share insights into Consciousness and Sadhuji shared this ancient, eternal wisdom with such lucid

insight....where everything became so simple and the Vedanta, all-

encompassing that indeed we are truly and simply ONE..

Shattering the illusion of duality that so many religions have created,

Sadhuji in his inimitable Indian accent, smiled away the barriers that

imprison us and with piercing clarity (like the Vel of Lord Muruga), Sadhu shared the lofty thoughts of Bharatavarsha....

We all particularly loved Sadhuji speaking on the age of the world!!!!

"Phenomenal!" say some...and "it makes sense," says

others...."Certainly cannot be seven days!"

There is a need for young, vibrant, knowledgeable and soulful

leadership in SA....that live to Serve....it is not about making speeches

in a podium... The Call to Hindus is not only to unite but to live one's Truth and understand that Hindu is Universal, it is not separate...

Hiding behind the illusion of ego, the Soul yearns for it

connection...the masks that we all put on everyday melt in Sadhu's presence...perhaps to mould us into whom we really are...not whom

we think we are!!!

"There are two kinds of ego. One is unripe leading us to unending

troubles. The other is the ripe ego which connects us to God. The only

safe attitude a man can take is that he is an instrument in God's hands. This comes from an exalted state of mind and always lead to a bigger

Ideal. It is reached through simplicity and spiritual devotion."--Swami


Paramananda.

Sadhuji your work in SA is needed now more than ever before....an

amazing energy has filled the nation...the seeds have been planted and

those who needed to reflect and respond, have done so....we must

allow the saplings to grow with virtue, determination and foresight...

You know, Sadhuji has even touched my doggie Panda, who has been

ill for a while, who simply just wanted to stay at the Hawan and not go outside!!!

The magnetic energy of a Yogi is well known....the lesson: it is felt deepest in the heart of the innocent and Panda is testimony to that!!!

I cannot thank Sadhuji enough...

The devotee has been humbled, blessed and has experienced Awesomeness....

Hari Aum

Yashika Bhein

Yashika Singh with Sadhuji

48 TATTVA DARSANA

AKSHAYA TRITEEYA CELEBRATIONS IN

BHARATAMATA MANDIR

Karthick Bala

Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Yogi Ramsuratkumar,

Yogi Ramsuratkumar, Jaya Guru Raya!

Vaishaaka Shukla Triteeya, the third day of the bright fortnight of the

month Vaishakh of Vasanta Ritu (Spring Season) according to Hindu

calendar is known as Akshaya Triteeya and is considered as an auspicious day for the worship of Sri Bharatamata. The reason for

this day to be auspicious is the position of Sun and Moon on that

particular day. Every year, Akshaya Triteeya falls between April 14th and May 14th. During this period, Sun is in the Aries, which is in

exalted position and Moon in Taurus is also in exalted position. As the

Sun, the lord of the planets and the Moon the lord of creativity are

exalted, that day is considered to be an auspicious day in India.

Homa to invoke Sri Bharata

Bhavani

Akshaya Triteeya was celebrated in a grand way at Sri Bharatamata Mandir on April 24

th 2012.

Abhisheka & Alankara was performed to Bharatamata followed by

Homa and Pooja. Mothers gathered to make Pongala on this auspicious occasion. Lamp Pooja was performed with the recital of

Lalitha Sahasranamam by about 50 mothers in the Mandir. This was

followed by discourse from distinguished personalities at the Guruji

Golwalkar Research centre in the premises of Mandir. The dignitaries included Swami Chandreshanandaji, Founder of Sri Ramakrishna

Vivekananda Sadhana Kendra, K. R. Puram, Bangalore, Sri Shankar,

President of the Tiruvannamalai wing of Hindu Munnani and Sri


Narahari, Member of the Central Committee of Rashtriya

Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) & Karyakari Mandali member of RSS.

The function started with rendering of an invocatory song on

Bharatamata by Kumari Haripriya. Karthick Bala extended a very

warm welcome to the esteemed guests and devotees. The dignified guests were honoured by Naveen and the discourses took off to a

grand start with the inaugural speech from Sri. Shankar.

Mothers preparing Pongala for the

Divine Mother

Sri Shankar in his speech, pointed out that these days, people's actions are towards gaining materialistic benefits. "People are competing

based on monetary status and even personal relationships are being

based on the material gains. In our heritage, we have a path shown to us that is beyond this materialism. Our forefathers sought the

companionship of highly evolved individuals who were men of

wisdom and righteousness, spreading knowledge and peace. The way

they have shown us is the path of Sharanagathi. We should carry out our duties without expecting anything in return. We have assembled

here to pay our respects to Bharata Mata on the eve of Akshaya

Triteeya, for our own spiritual upliftment and to realise our social responsibility in bringing up the next generation in the right culture. In

the way of Sharanagathi, God will automatically provide us with the

right things, at the right time." He concluded by saying that on the eve

of Akshaya Triteeya, his humble gift to all is to remind us about this golden path of Sharanagathi.

Sri Narahariji, in his speech, mentioned that the Akshaya Triteeya day is meant for making auspicious resolutions. He referred to an incident

reported by an IAS officer that had appeared recently in the

newspaper. During his travel, the officer had noticed some nice nests in a tree. He sought the help of a boy to remove it from the tree so that

50 TATTVA DARSANA

he could take it home as a decorative item. But the boy refused to do

so saying that he did not want to cause agony to the mother bird, which might have left its eggs or the little ones in the nest. The IAS

officer was moved by the good virtue of the boy and had felt that the

boy was much more educated than himself, as the purpose of

education is the enhancement of the individual, with the development of good values. Pointing to this incident, Sri Narahari highlighted the

greatness of our culture and heritage. He mentioned that we should

also protect our rich heritage for the missionary institutions that are trying to destroy our culture. When we find people known to us,

moving out of our religion, we need to guide them and bring them

back.

Swami Chandreshanandaji in his spiritual discourse started with the

Guru Stotra. He reminded devotees that by continuously repeating

God’s name all the bad thoughts and inner sins get removed. In his melodious voice Swamiji sang “Jai Ganesha Jai Ganesha Pahimam”

and all the devotees joined along with him making the atmosphere

very much captivating. Swamiji recollected that Swami Vivekananda pleaded for a boon from Bharata Mata to bless him with Agni Mantra

Deeksha that gives real shanti to oneself. He recollected an incidence

from Swami Vivekananda’s life. During Swami Vivekananda’s triumphant tour in America he spoke in a meeting that was attended by

about 7000 people and astonished everyone with his intellectual and

oratorical skills. When he came out of the meeting under a great

applause, a lady approached him and questioned him whether he is a real Sanyasi and what is he going to do with all this fame. To this,

Swami Vivekananda replied humbly that he gets all the fame in his left

hand and offers it at the feet of Mother with his right hand. That was the reverence he had for Bharat Mata. Finally Swamiji made a point to

devotees on the importance of giving knowledge to children rather

than materialistic benefits.

Dr. Aron Narayanan extended vote of thanks to the revered guests and

devotees. The discourses concluded with the singing of immortal song

Vande Mataram. Later Aarthi was offered to Bharata Mata and the devotees were distributed with prasadam. About 80 devotees and 20

young children assembled on this auspicious day of Akshaya Triteeya

at Bharata Mata Mandir. Every devotee who took part felt blessed and rejoiced every moment of the celebration.


NEWS AND NOTES

South African Devotees in Sri Bharatamata Mandir

Sixteen devotees from Sarva Dharma Ashram, Chatsworth, South Africa, including Swami Ramakripananda, Spiritual Head, Mataji

Amritamayi and Swami Balasimha Bharati, disciple of Sadhu

Rangarajan and Head of Sri Bharatamata Satsang, arrived at Bangalore on Saturday, June 16, 2012, on twelve day visit to South India. They

visited Tiruvannamalai, Pondicherry, Rameswaram, Madurai,

Pattamadai and Kanyakumari.

Sadhuji, Swami Balasimha, Swami Ramakripananda and Mataji

A special abhisheka and pooja were performed for Sri Bharatamata in

Sri Bharatamata Mandir, on June 27 and the devotees conducted

bhajans and satsang during their stay in Bharatamata Gurukula Ashram. They left Bangalore form Mumbai on June 28 on their way

back to South Africa.

Keshava Seva Samity Distributes Bags and Books to School

Students

Keshava Seva Samity, a wing of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bangalore, distributed bags, books and stationary to school children in

a colourful function held at Sri Bharatamata Mandir,

Krishnarajapuram, on Thursday, June 28, 2012. The bags, books and stationary were generously donated by the techies of BMC Software,

Bangalore.

52 TATTVA DARSANA

Children with Sri Arindham of BMC Software, Prakashraj and Sadhu

Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan, presided over the programme and said that

the greatest wealth one can acquire in life is education and the greatest gift that one can make is providing for education. He pointed out that

the purpose of education is man-making and natio0n-building and

called upon the students to grow into ideal citizens and re-install Mother Bharata once again as the Loka Guru—the preceptor of the

world.

Sri Prakash Raj, Secretary of the Keshava Seva Samity, also addressed the gathering and thanked the donors.

Satyanarayan Pooja at Swatantra Nagar

A Satyanarayan Pooja was held under the auspices of Haridas Satsang Samity, Devasandra, in the Sri Mariamman Temple, at

Swatantranagar, Bangalore, on Sunday, July 1, 2012.Addressing the

congregation on the occasion, Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan pointed out that Hindus outside the country were today striving to preserve the age

old culture, heritage and temple traditions in distant lands. He narrated

his experiences in his recent visit to South Africa and Kenya and said massive temples have been set up in these distant lands. He called

upon Hindus at home to help spreading the universal and eternal

values of Bharatavarsha all over the world.

Call to Protect Hindu Dharma and Institutions

Sadhu Prof V. Rangarajan, Founder Trustee of Sri Bharatamata Mandir, Bangalore, gave a clarion call to the Hindu community to rise

up and come forward to protect and preserve its temples and religious

institutions from the systematic onslaught and destruction by alien


forces. He was addressing a rally organized by the Vishwa Hindu

Parishad of Tamilnadu at Hosur on Sunday, July 15, 2012. Sri Balakrishna Naik, World Vice-President of VHP, graced the occasion.

Sadhuji said that the

period of Islamic invasions on India and

later the Christian

colonial expansion by European forces in the

country witnessed

reckless destruction of Hindu temples and

religious institutions.

Even after attainment of

Independence, the anti-Hindu secular politicians in their vote bank politics, have been

denying the legitimate rights and aspirations of the Hindus to appease

the so called minorities so much so that Hindus have no right to rebuild their ancient temples which were destroyed during the period

of alien aggressions. The Moghul marauder Babar destroyed the Hindu

temple of Lord Rama at Ayodhya and put up an Islamic structure to prevent Hindus from reoccupying the temple. In the Independent

India, Hindus have rightly removed the structure and they are

rebuilding the Rama Janma Bhoomi temple and no force under the sun

can ever prevent them from accomplishing the task. He said, Hindus should be prepared to make any amount of sacrifice to rebuild the

temple.

Sadhuji pointed out that the Vishwa Hindu Parishad was founded by

great leaders like Paramapoojaneeya Sri Guruji Golwalkar and Swami

Chinmayananda and it is seeing the Golden Jubilee year in 1914. He

said, it was high time that the Hindus belonging to all sampradayas, mutts and missions rallied round the Parishad to revive and revitalize

Hindu society and re-install Sri Bharatabhavani as Lokaguru.

Edited, printed and published by Sadhu Prof. V. Rangarajan, Founder

Trustee, Sister Nivedita Academy, Sri Bharati Mandir, Srinivasanagar, Krishnarajapuram, Bangalore 560 036 and printed at Sathyasri

Printers, Bangalore 560 026.

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