CONTENTS: - Reminiscences of blessed moments with Swami Prabuddhanandaji Of San Francisco, CA, US

When unasked blessings get showered on a naïve soul, the soul flows along in the current of bliss little realizing the value of penning these priceless experiences! Almost twenty years hence I am trying to recall only the few that has remained in the fading memory.

The events are not in chronological order and some maybe juxtaposed but here I would like to bring forth the immense love he had for the devotees.

Sometime during 1999 most probably, the Vedanta Society of North Texas (Dallas) under the able guidance of one of the founders, Mr. Mahendra Roychoudhury, invited Swami Prabuddhanandaji (head of Vedanta Society of Northern California, San Francisco, CA) for a retreat. We (my husband Tirthankar and myself) had the privilege of hosting the venerable soul in our home. From now on I will refer to Prabuddhanandaji as “Maharaj” which is the typical Ramakrishna Mission terminology when addressing a sadhu (monk).

So we went to the airport to pick him up. With eager anticipation we were waiting, wondering if we would be able to recognize him and then comes the saffron-clad, clean-shaven, hazel-eyed septuagenarian gentleman, with a slight smile playing on his lips and a deep resounding base voice that nobody would forget ever..! That was the first time when I got the tap on my bowed head while doing the pranam (Indian courtesy of touching the feet of the elder) and little did I know that there would be many mores to follow. The little tap on the head was Maharaj’s typical loving way of acknowledging the obeisance. Maharaj was a grave person, a man of few words and his deep resounding voice and slow drawl was apparently quite intimidating. However, the moment I saw him, I felt like a little girl (I was in mid-thirties then) and I was very free and frank with him! So we drove home amidst many chatters (me vocalizing 90% of the time of course) while he enquired about our society (founded by Mahendrababu, Tirthankar and myself meeting once a month in the only Hindu Temple of Dallas and then had shifted to our newly bought home to be met on weekly basis for some months), about us (jobs, association with RKM, initiation, etc.) etc.

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Sw. Prabuddhanandaji -Part 2-Attention to Everything

Reminiscences on Sw. Prabuddhanandaji -Part 2

2 ATTENTION to EVERYTHING

2.1 MANY FACETS of SERVING

By this time I had acquired a little experience on hosting and serving the swamis of Ramakrishna order but obviously not completely as I didn’t know that Swamis need a writing desk with shelves and the fact that I should maintain a soft quiet distance and not prattle on whenever I wish to. When I showed him his room/suite (there was a big window in the secluded room with a walk-in closet and attached bath with separate wash area) he was pleased and commented in his deep voice: “Oh! It’s very nice. You have made all the arrangements..!” However, I did press him if there is anything missing that would make it better as I was quite new to hosting. To this he graciously replied that a drawer/shelf was required. I regret not asking the purpose and so I ended up getting a chest of drawers but never the writing desk with drawers. Sometimes it is not very convenient to put the suitcase on the floor and in those days luggage rack was not available. A chest of drawers was a convenient alternative or even a writing desk with a set of drawers was of course better.

Another time Maharaj commented: “Since you are asking, the towel rack in the wash area is quite high. It would be convenient if it is within easy reach.” None of the swamis will ever complain about anything. Only when asked they might divulge these out of their compassion to help the spiritual aspirant be better. My purpose for sharing these valuable personal lessons are a reminder to myself that if one is “meticulous” in serving one’s guest, the same meticulous mind would be equally watchful while serving God or in its spiritual practice.

2.2 VIKRAMADITYA’s SINGHASAN

Out of exuberance to serve the best to the swamis, without a thought of their advanced age, we had bought a four poster high rise majestic looking bed that required a couple of steps to ascend. In one of the mornings, I needed to enquire of him and I walked into his room through the open door. I beheld this majestic figure sitting regally on the bed with stretched out legs pouring over some books. “Maharaj, you look like a king!” I blurted out. He laughed “Heeh, yes, what to do? You have provided Vikramaditya’s simhasan!”

He never ever made a negative comment. Later I realized, all the swamis wear socks which can prove to be pretty slippery on the polished steps. Thankfully the bed was replaced soon. A google image of similar version has been added to illustrate the point :-)

2.3 PLANTS are ALIVE

In those days I was very much into gardening and I had an affinity for roses and flowering shrubs. I was never into veggie gardening. However I tried growing okra and the shrub grew 6 ft tall bearing 6-8inches of solid-hard okras. So Maharaj along with the devotees went out into the garden and enquired after each and every plant and tree, their names, flowering times etc..!! I never knew the swamis were this meticulous..! Lesson learnt was “Attention to Everything.” Of course he was astounded with the okras and that was the first and last of my okra plantation..!!

Maharaj was quite pleased with the garden and the flowers and as usual commented in his deep voice: “Oh, your garden is very nice. You have kept them (plants) well!” My very good friend Alpana gleefully reported to Maharaj: “Maharaj, she talks to the plants! Hee, hee.” Immediately Maharaj said: “Plants have life too! They too respond.” In those days, my conversation with the plants used to be the subject of joke in my friend’s circle. But after this of course I continued my apparent soliloquy and strange occurrences happened.

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Sw. Prabuddhanandaji -Part 3 - DFW Vedanta Society Early Sessions

Reminiscences on Sw. P- DFW Vedanta Society Early Sessions

3 OUR EARLY SESSIONS

During the sessions all the devotees came and a mart of joy flowed. Dollydi and Kalyanda (Kalyan & Dolly Basu), Aniruddha Duttagupta-mashima and Pat, Souri (Bhattacharya) da and Animadi, Dr. Debosmita and Ruby mashi, Rekha and Avi Nangea, Mahendrababu, Aloke Das, Alpana and Monidip Sengupta etc. Initially the sessions used to be in Sarada Cottage (our home) and later sessions were distributed in different devotee’s homes.

In the following picture from L-R: Arundhati (Houston) in blue, Kantaswamy behind her, myself behind maharaj, Pat, Devosmita, Dollydi and Uday.

3.1 REFLECTION of STATE of MIND

In those (early days) our attention used to be on how many items we can cook and to the best of our ability. While cooking we used to end up using lots of utensils unnecessarily and thereby the kitchen would be piled with dirty dishes. Thus inspite of having a huge kitchen we had not yet learnt to utilize it properly. The day maharaj went to check out the garden, instead through the front he walked into the house through the kitchen and glanced at the piles of dirty dishes. It was so embarrassing that, that very day all of us learnt a very valuable lesson. Use just what is needed and cleanup immediately afterwards. I realized at any given point, what we do reflects the state of our mind. Scattered environment reflects a scattered mind.

From then on the food used to be served on the kitchen counters and devotees would sit around the swami at the table.

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji -Part 4- Waiting toManifest/ Guru/Caught!

4 OTHER INCIDENTS

4.1 WAITING to MANIFEST

Once when Tirthankar and I went to drop him off at the DFW airport, we still had some time on hand and we started strolling through the airport. Maharaj always liked strolling for a bit. In those days, one was allowed to be near the gate and press their nose on the glass windows to bid the goodbye. Just then we chanced upon a young mother with about a four month old child in a stroller. We all looked at the quiet child with big blue eyes. I blurted: “Look Maharaj, how innocent..!” Immediately came the grave reply in the deep voice: “No, Not innocent, waiting to manifest!”

4.2 GURU

Quite a few years later, maybe in 2002, Monidip and Alpana Sengupta along with Ranjana had taken initiation from Revd Swami Swahanadaji Maharaj of Vedanta Society of Southern California, Hollywood.
Right after this event, within couple of months, Prabuddhanandaji Maharaj came to Dallas for a retreat. Alpana, newly initiated, keeping in mind Swahanandaji’s advanced age, very emotionally asked Maharaj: “Maharaj, what will happen if guru leaves his body?”
Immediately came the thunderous reply: “Discard that guru who dies!” Perceiving the stunned faces, he continued on a softer note: “Who is Guru? Guru is Satchidananda and no one else!”

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 5- UK Retreat 2000

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 5

5 UK RETREAT Aug 2000

Once, I was supposed to attend Prabuddhanandaji Maharaj’s retreat in UK Vedanta Center. Tirthankar could not attend and I was supposed to be there for the whole week. So I connived with our Gurudev, Revd Swami Dayatmanandaji Maharaj (Head of UK Vedanta Center) that we will keep my being there a secret and surprise Prabuddhanandaji. So, I reached a day early and Dayatmanadaji Maharaj went with Shivarupanandaji to the airport to pick up Prabuddhanandaji Maharaj. They were supposed to arrive around 7:30am. I eagerly waited at the center and hid behind the main door, watched the three swamis get down from the car, come inside the center and start walking towards the dining room. I followed silently behind.
As soon as they reached the dining entrance, Dayatmanandaji noticed and exclaimed: “Maharaj look Dallas is here!” and Prabuddhanandaji swung around to find me with a huge grin! He was shocked! “You? What are you doing here?” He was so shocked that he forgot to acknowledge my pranam with his signature tap on the head. “Oh I came to attend your retreat Maharaj!” was my happy chirpy reply. “Where is Tirthankar?” bewilderedly he asked peering into the kitchen and behind half closed doors. “Tirthankar is in Dallas, he is working Maharaj. Only I came!” He could hardly believe it.
After he settled down a little, he was having breakfast and Dayatmanandaji was serving him. I was chattering as usual and he suddenly pointed to the wall behind me. There was a notice: “Please maintain silence during lunch.” Immediately I retorted: “Maharaj, it’s only for lunch this is breakfast!” And he started calling out loudly “Dayatmananda, Dayatmananda!” I got worried if I was in real trouble. Dayatmananda Maharaj was looking for some pickles for Maharaj and he came rushing. As soon as he arrived maharaj complained like a child: “Dayatmanandaji, Look at this. She was chattering and I showed her the note and she said it’s only for lunch; its breakfast now!” Poor Dayatmanandaji; what could he say! He mumbled: “yes, she is very intelligent!” I was supremely happy.
Of course maharaj was not done so after sometime he started: “Poor Tirthankar. He is all alone by himself. He has to cook for himself.” And I got livid: “What about me, poor me? I am all alone in a foreign land; I have to cook for myself!” He was so happy having scored finally. He loved teasing me.

The topic of the UK retreat was IsaVashya Upanishad and he gave us homework to study from the Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda Vol 2; Jnana Yoga Chapter Title: ‘God in Everything’. This is where he explained that just as the substratum of gold jewelry is gold similarly the entire universe that we perceive is actually Brahman. So once Brahman is known (perceived) entire manifestation becomes known.

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 6- 2002

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 6

6 2002

That year, from Jan – June I was stationed in Oslo, Norway. Those were the happy Telecomm Ericsson Inc. days. I was enjoying my Nirjan-vaas. Meanwhile, Tirthankar was sent to San Jose on an assignment from his company Cisco. Of course he chose to visit maharaj at his center. We always visit any center that happens to be in the place of our current trip. The following incident is Tirthankar’s narration. Maharaj was very happy to see him and enquired after me. He was told I was stationed in Norway for 6 months. Maharaj was silent for some moments.

Maharaj: “So, can you drive in the mountains?”

Until then Nandini had driven the winding curves and not Tirthankar. However he mustered up enough courage and said: “Yes Maharaj.”

“Can you drive myself, Deepak (now swami Chidekananda) and Ishtananandaji to Shanti Ashram tomorrow?”

It so happened to be Saturday and Tirthankar was planning to stay over in SF anyway. His overjoyed response was: “Yes, of course Maharaj!”

“Where is Nandini now?”

“In Oslo, Norway Maharaj.”

“Hmm.. do you call her?”

“Yes maharaj” was the timid reply. He used to call twice a day.

“Okay, let’s call and tease her. Can you call her now?”

Since it was friday afternoon my time and right after work I used to go walking in the mountain trails in Songsvaan. It is a beautiful 11km walk amongst the tall green trees on the mountains. I used to have my headphones on and a small backpack with water, mobile etc. In those days, I had a small tape recorder in which I had a few audio cassettes of bhajans (naam sankirtanams, stotras etc.), and various retreat recordings. While walking alone through the green trees with the waning sun’s warm rays on my back, I used to listen to these. Incidentally, that is where I learnt all the 5 naam-sankirtanams. So, here I was trudging along living in my own world of lectures and nature... feeling almost like I am in the Vedic times of gurukula when my mobile rings a shriek. Knowing it to be Tirthankar I almost barked a “hello” and I heard this deep voice: “Nandini! Where are you?”

“Maharaj..! It’s so wonderful you called..! Pronam Maharaj..!” Was my ecstatic cry amidst the quiet serene mountains.

“What are you doing?” was the indulgent question.

“Oh! I am walking in the mountains Maharaj!”

“Oh, so they pay you to walk in the mountains!”

“Maharaj, its weekend now, the office is over! Plus I was listening to some spiritual lecture!”

“Oh, so you are having your own retreat.”

“Yes Maharaj..!” was the self-satisfied smug reply.

“Well, tomorrow Tirthankar is driving 3 of us to Shanti Ashram!”

All my euphoria evaporated instantly. In an anguished voice I almost shouted: “Why? Why Shanti Ashram? Take him to Olema, I have been there. I have not been to Shanti Ashram... it’s not fair!”

“Ha, ha, Well, keep well, May Sri Ramakrishna bless you”; click.

So, next day Tirthankar has the blessed opportunity to drive all 3 of them to Shanti Ashram. Usually it takes about 2 hours but while the long drive lulled the swamis, Tirthankar sped habitually. Suddenly Maharaj woke up with a start and was very surprised to be so close to the destination.

“How did you reach so quickly? Did you speed?”

“Yes maharaj” was the sheepish answer.

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 7- Breakfast with Mj @ SFCenter

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 7

7 BREAKFASTwith Maharaj at SF Vedanta Center

We had the good fortune of visiting him at his center in San Francisco quite a number of times. The first time we went from Dallas, we were supposed to arrive around 8:00pm. Maharaj had asked Kantaswamy (a wonderful dedicated devotee) to receive as we didn’t know the way around. So, while the rain poured on, we finally reached the main entrance of the old temple by shared taxi. We found Kantaswamy right outside under an umbrella patiently waiting for us a good full hour! The Old Temple was the monastery and Tirthankar was whisked upstairs, shown his room and all comfort was assured. Maharaj was giving a talk there and after it was over he met with Tirthankar, went upstairs to the room Tirthankar was allotted (quite a bit of flight actually), ensured everything is according to Tirthankar’s liking and also delegated Mohan to attend on Tirthankar..!

After this we went to the main temple where Maharaj met us in his office. There we met Pravrajika Virajaprana Mataji and Rina Mashi (Maharaj’s initiated from Toronto) who was to be my chaperone to the convent where I will be staying.

Men devotees are privileged to have breakfast with the swami. Next morning after breakfast, Maharaj asked if Tirthankar wanted any tea or coffee to which the answer was tea but later. Now Kantaswamy happen to be present then. Then Tirthankar forgot all about tea and busied himself in the book store. Almost around 10:30am Kantaswamy got him a steaming hot cup of tea and reminded him of the conversation with maharaj..! This is how a steadfast devotee helps others to become devotees. What reverence Kantaswamy had for Maharaj..! All the swamis wanted Kantaswamy to stay at their center.

The ladies guest room at the ground floor of the convent had a spectacular view of the SF Bay with the tramline running down the famous steep road but still had a quiet meditative atmosphere. The room was huge with large windows and with 4 beds to house 4 female devotees with a common kitchen and bathroom. Usually the ladies would fix their meals or be invited by the nuns of the convent for a lunch. I was fortunate that not only I was invited by the nuns for a lunch but maharaj invited Rina mashi, Tirthankar and myself to breakfast. There Pravrajika Virajaprana Mataji made all the arrangements and served us. We did not realize what a privilege we were experiencing!

Tirthankar once got the opportunity to cook the lunch for maharaj and serve him. The time allotted was 30mins and Brahmachari Vans (Swami Chidbrahmananda) helped him out. This was the first time in our life we learnt that one must not spend too much time on cooking..! Tirthankar was making an eggplant dish but the eggplants were not completely done. So maharaj tasted the gravy only and remarked that it tasted quite alright.

Once I had brought something cooked for maharaj which he relished during lunch with the fortunate monks and male devotees. I sent most part of the dish to the nuns as Maharaj could not take spicy food by then. The nuns later told me that they enjoyed it very much. I felt so blessed..!

There used to be great bakery, couple streets down the Vallejo Street. Tirthankar and myself discovered it during our SF-checkout. They used to carry wonderful pastries... of course we tasted them first. My guru had asked me to taste the dishes first before offering just to make sure it tastes alright as I should offer only the best to the Lord. So we ended up getting 2 full cakes one for the monks and one for the nuns. They were relished and Maharaj commented on the cake being so fancy..!

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 8- Continued Blessing

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 8

8 CONTINUED BLESSING

Every morning and evening maharaj met with us. He always liked Q&A sessions. His typical conversation opener was: “say something!” I wish I had recorded those conversations. Usually he enquired after all the devotees, the way our then Dallas Vedanta society was running with the above mentioned devotees. He always reminded us to take refuge in Thakur and Ma and encouraged us in our Society activities. He used to tell us as well as other devotees that “Nandini and Tirthankar are missionaries”. That blessing has become a part of my nature and always has been a beacon against adversities. But I always remember without fail the blessing everytime: “May Sri Ramakrishna bless you, May Holy Mother bless you”; “give my love to all the Dallas devotees, Mahendra and others” (“especially to Aniruddha” was sometimes added) along with the familiar tap on the head.

On the last day of our stay, I always asked for prasad for the devotees to carry back and he would happily oblige with blessings for all. He also included our name in their roster such that after every Puja, without fail, we would receive a box of puja flowers and prasad which we would share with our devotees. The prasad boxes kept on coming after we moved to Cedar Rapids also..!

Maharaj in his full majesty… in his office..!

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 9- Olema trip

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 9

9 OLEMA TRIP

We were privileged to be in Olema quite a number of times. The first time Maharaj took us to Olema, we took a nice walk around the property (the new ladies cottages were not done then). We met Vedanandaji Maharaj and I think Amaraprana(?) Mataji was our guide. We visited the orchards and it was apple-picking season. We also got to see the camelia orchard and heard stories about wildlife. We came to know that some evening classes are held and a meditative, quiet atmosphere is maintained.

In one of those visits we finally arrived at a surreal place in the forest. There is a circular clearing with tall trees. At one time Revd Ashokanandaji was contemplating building a Mother Kali’s Temple but it did not come to fruition. I was overjoyed at this.

I objected: “Maharaj, this is a perfect place for meditation! A temple would spoil this wonderful atmosphere.”

Immediately maharaj said: “Alright, you come and stay in the ladies cottage. No Tirthankar, no swami.”

“That would be fabulous maharaj!” I happily chirped.

Unfortunately that never materialized.

Nandini Mitra Banerjee

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Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 10-Shanti Ashram

Reminiscences on Swami Prabuddhanandaji Mj - Part 10

10 SHANTI ASHRAM

Somehow I was blessed to attend the Shanti Ashram retreat in 2011 which was the second time for Tirthankar and mine, one and only. As usual, we went to the center first and met with Maharaj. Next day we started for the Shanti Ashram.

At Shanti Ashram, Maharaj gave the opening address. Revd Swamis, Tyaganandaji, Prasannatmanandaji and Prapannanandaji maharaj were the other swamis attending besides Swami Vedanandaji.

Each of the swamis expounded on Swami Vivekananda’s 4 yogas except Raja Yoga. After all the swamis had completed their talks the audience was allowed to ask questions. I had the following question on Karma Yoga: “ Yoga means union with the divine. However, in Karma Yoga, it was mentioned that one need not even believe in God. In such case, how does one connect to divine?” At the end Maharaj got up and said simply: “ One may not call it God but what else is there? They also connect to IT. They don’t use the name God or Brahman.” …. Simple and to the point.

10.1 How caring he was..!

There were a large number of devotees and during lunch we didn’t want to disturb him as all the swamis were congregated under one tent. So we sat some ways yonder as we were almost done one lady walks up to us and enquires our name. She informed us that Maharaj had sent her to look for us (in that large crowd) and to invite us to join him with the other swamis which we politely declined and also to make sure we had enough to eat during lunch..! Though he was not doing so well yet he did not forget us in that big event. This left us misty eyed and a feeling of so loved..!

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