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.
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