Interview with Swami Brahmananda
29th December 2013Young ambassador
29th December 2013The moment he started, I felt he talked sense. It was humorous, simple and scientific. I went the next day too, and then the next, and thus attended all the seven days. Later, I joined the CHYK and my association continued. I attended many camps and worked very closely with Gurudev. I was a CHYK for five years before I joined the Brahmacharis’ Course in 1989.
Everything about Gurudev was perfect. The experience cannot be said in words. When Sita was asked to describe Rama, she said, “My eyes see but they don’t speak. My mouth can speak but cannot see.” Similar is my experience with Gurudev.
There must be love and involvement in every work you do. That’s what I learnt from him – even in small things like tearing paper and putting it in the dustbin to undertaking major projects. When you are involved, you evolve. Gurudev’s ideals, charm and vision were what attracted me. Gurudev is present in my heart. He is always there. In fact, he alone guides. You may call it sixth sense, intuition, or what you will. Have you seen Rama, Krishna or even Mahatma Gandhi? Don’t you love Rama or Krishna? So too with Gurudev. Don’t feel sad if you have not seen him physically.
Love should be there, not attachment. When we cling on to a person we do so because we get some kind of pleasure – physical, mental, emotional, or intellectual. But everything changes -the physical body goes away. Then what?
Mentally, emotionally and intellectually also there are changes. If the change in the person who supported you is not the same as the change in you i.e. to the same degree, there is a rift. So if we have an expectation of any person then we are bound to be disappointed. I have seen it happen with Gurudev. Some of his students chose to be independent of the Mission. Gurudev was not affected by it. He lovingly blessed them, enquired about their stay, food, etc. and sent them after putting a ring around their finger and a chain around their neck. Such is the greatness of Gurudev. When you love a person, you give him freedom, you do not restrict him. Give him freedom so that he can reach more people and uplift them. There should be no possessiveness. Once Gurudev and his vision are in your heart, then physical distance does not matter.
When you are sincere in the CHYK, there is maximum productivity, and all round success. You become interested, enthusiastic and alive in all aspects of life.
Anything happening in life has a message hidden for us. It is for us to understand. What comes to us is Prarabdha (destiny) – maybe because of past actions etc. but how we take it, react in the present is our choice. With Purushartha we can either enjoy or suffer. Gurudev said, ” FUTURE IS NOTHING BUT PAST MODIFIED IN THE PRESENT. ”
So why worry?