by Smt. Champa Dasgupta
The following is the first of two parts of an article describing the satsang event held on the 18th of November at the Sanatan Dharm Mandir in Greater Kailash - Part 2, New Delhi to commemorate the second anniversary of Prajnanpurush Sri Sri Babathakur's departure from His mundane existence. Other commemorative events organized on the same day to mark the occasion included those held at Sri Sri Babathakur’s memorial at Moksh Dham in Nehru Place, New Delhi, and at Sri Pijush Chakraborty’s residence in Kolkata.
The satsang proceedings commenced shortly after 6:30 pm on November the 18th, 2011 at the Sanatan Dharm Mandir, with Mr. P.C. Lahiri facilitating the event. Mr. Jyotirindra Ghosh (Lyttonda) coordinated the audiovisual recording of the event. The stage was adorned with beautiful floral arrangements and held a wonderfully inspiring photograph of Sri Sri Babathakur (featured at the beginning of this article). After welcoming the audience and the speakers invited to address the event (Dr. Dipak Patranabis, Advocate D.K. Rustagi, Film director Karamjeet Singh, and Chief Guest Dr. Kinkar Samananda Maharaj), Bapida (Mr. P.C. Lahiri) proceeded to observe how apt it was for the satsang to be held at the Sanatan Dharma Mandir. For ‘Sanatan’ refers to that which is ‘eternal’ and ‘everlasting’ (one that neither has a beginning nor an end, and will never cease to be), while ‘Dharm’ refers to that which encompasses, holds and sustains all. And the essence of Sri Sri Babathakur’s teachings is undoubtedly, both eternal and all-encompassing.
Bapida next introduced the president of Saccidananda Society, Dr. Dipak Patranabis as someone who has not only forged a distinguished career in academics (being widely recognized as a leading light in the field of instrumentation, and having authored several pioneering textbooks on the subject), but has also made great strides in his spiritual endeavor by dedicating himself completely to service and teachings of Sri Sri Babathakur. Bapida invited Dr. Patranabis to come on stage and share with the audience some of the spiritual insights and experiences he has gained over the years through his association with the Master.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Patranabis began by expressing a wish likely to be shared by all of Sri Sri Babathakur’s devotees – that of the Master still being physically present amongst us. The audience was reminded though that Sri Sri Babathakur Himself on numerous occasions had acknowledged the inevitability of the grand fate awaiting all living beings – that of the perishing of the physical body.
Dr. Patranabis stated that Sri Sri Babathakur’s followers share a conviction of Him being the embodiment of Self Knowledge and a Perfect Realizer. In his close to twenty years of association with the Master, Dr. Patranabis had the opportunity to attend many of Sri Sri Babathakur’s discourses, which he always found to be both very logical and spontaneous. The brightest of intellectuals found it impossible to refute the logic presented by Sri Sri Babathakur, while devotees found His discourses to live up to the highest spiritual standards. What ensured this was His Devine Love, and it is this Devine Love that has attracted His numerous devotees to Him. Conventional spirituality places great emphasis on the Guru-Shisya parampara. However Sri Sri Babathakur always maintained that He is neither the Guru of anyone, nor the disciple of anyone. This is because Sri Sri Babathakur recognized the Oneness in All. How could He be anybody’s guru or anybody’ shisya if He was one with everyone and everything in the universe (i.e.’ I’ am ‘He’, and ‘He’ is ‘I’)
And yet numerous individuals regard Sri Sri Babathakur as their Guru. Sri Sri Babathakur Himself had pointed out the four modes (i.e. nescience, science, prescience, and conscience) through which a Guru reveals the Divine Science to the people. Dr. Patranabis mentioned that Sri Sri Babathakur referred to the Devine Science (or ‘Adhyatma Vidya’ as it is called in Sanskrit) as the ‘Science of Oneness’, and His devotees accept Him as their Guru for having imparted this Devine Science to them. The Master used to say that amongst all the classes of Guru (Mahaguru (i.e. parents), Guru, Param Guru, Parameshthe Guru, Paratpara Guru, Atma Guru), it is the Atma Guru who imparts Adhyatma Vidya, i.e. the highest form of Knowledge, just as Lord Krishna did for Arjuna through the deliverance of the Bhagavad Gita.
Dr. Dipak Patranabis addressing the gathering
Dr. Patranabis next spoke about the need for a seeker to understand the difference between religion and spiritualism (which often are considered to be the same by the common man), and how Sri Sri Babathakur insisted on Self Realization to be ultimate objective in life as opposed to mastery over religious rituals which emphasize plurality and duality. The Master once narrated a beautiful story in this regard. Normally one meditates with objective of attaining something from God. It so happened that a man deep in meditation finally attained siddhi, upon which God appeared in front of him and said ‘I am God. Now what is it you want from me?’ The person in turn replied, ‘Who is God? I do not want anything from Him!’ God asked him, ‘Then why did you meditate?’ to which the person replied, ‘I wanted to know who I am!’ Sri Sri Babathakur would refer to four maha mantras or maha vakyas in the Upanishads in regards to one attaining Self Realization. ‘Realizing that I am Brahman, the Self should be the ultimate quest of all’ is what Sri Sri Babathakur would say. Yet one does not automatically get to become ‘Self Realized’. The Master established an eligibility criteria consisting of various stages one has to go through to be accepted as being ‘Self Realized’. The first step in this process is to be able to perform work without any expectations of results to be attained. This will set the stage for one to accumulate the virtues that ultimately leads him/her to being considered as Brahman.
It is however utopian for the common man to work without caring about the fruits of his labor. Dr. Patranabis referred to Sri Sri Babathakur providing His followers with several means (in the form of formulas) to overcome this challenge. One of these formulas revolves around the concept of roop, naam, bhava and bodh. A bhakta initially meditates on the form (i.e. roop) of God, then moves on to reciting the name (i.e. naam), leading up to the attainment of reverential ecstasy (i.e. bhava), followed by bodh (a sort of realization). Instructions to progress through these various stages come by means of the mind – however the mind is always restless. So how does one control the mind to ensure one’s Realization of the Self? Upon mentioning that the mind is always unsettled to Sri Krishna and asking Him for ways to control the mind, Arjuna was told that ‘abvyas’ (i.e. practice) and ‘vairagya’ (i.e. renunciation) are what’s needed to control the mind. Practicing to work with ‘vairagya’ (i.e. without any attachment or expectations concerning the results) shall surely ensure one’s progress on the spiritual path. Another formula prescribed by Sri Sri Babathakur is to ‘Accept all and Surrender’ – i.e. accept all for who they’re, what they say and do, and conduct yourself in a way that enables others to accept you for who you are as well. Another way the Master has phrased the same formula is as follows: ‘Adopt’, ‘Adjust’, ‘Accommodate’, ‘Achieve’.
Dr. Patranabis stated that the aforementioned formulas are just a few amongst many spiritual jewels left behind by Sri Sri Babathakur for his followers to attain the ultimate goal of Self Realization. He next referred to the five primordial elements (earth, air, water, fire and ether) as well as three primordial gunas (i.e. satva, raja, tama) of which we all are composed of, and how the mind controls the primordial gunas. In order to realize the Self, one has to control the mind by going beyond the gunas (I.e. become ‘gunatita’). Sri Krishna had said to Arjuna that it is only by transcending the gunas that one can become detached and see the Self. Sri Sri Babathakur used to draw his followers’ attention to the fact that only the Self can lift the Self to establish one in the Self, and not even God can be relied upon to help in this regard. When one reaches the stage of being the Supreme Self, then everything becomes nothing at all to one. That’s the ultimate goal we all must strive for.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Patranabis mentioned that he considers Sri Sri Babathakur to be a Perfect Realizer. Despite one not being Self Realized, she/he can through close observation of His deeds and reflection upon His teachings arrive at clues that point to the Master being a Perfect Realizer. Sri Sri Babathakur’s huge volumes of spiritual work are there for all interested to read and listen to repeatedly on their spiritual journeys. However the Master has stressed upon the fact that mere reading/listening of His words aren’t enough. One must reflect upon these words, try to grasp their inner meaning, and apply the messages contained therein in his/her day-to-day life. Over time, one will progress to dwell in the Knowledge of Knowledge, unity, serenity, equality, tranquility, infinity, immortality and eternity. ‘We have found that every word He has uttered is a drop of nectar and we want that nectar in our life. That is what we strive for’, said Dr. Patranabis. Finally, Dr. Patranabis recited a beautiful self-composed poem dedicated to Sri Sri Babathakur:
Hail to Thee Sri Sri Babathakur, the Master Divine
You taught us to seek I-ness, and not what is Mine
You told us the Truth, which is really everyone’s goal
It is the Self Supreme, none else in there to play any role
You have told about devotion, love, and then I-Reality
We shall not have within us, the feeling of malice or enmity
‘Accept all, Embrace all’, You ordained as our deed
‘Surrender completely’, You told us, as that is what we need.
Your lessons are easy we have to practice them with care
Lessons of love, devotion and knowledge, we must all share
We have to start with form, move to name, ecstasy and perception
The travel is then seamless, leading at the end to Realization
You lived on this mundane plane, but with a Divine Entity
You told us to comingle with the Self that is the Identity
‘All Divine For All Time, as It Is’ in this the essence we get
We forget this more often than not, then later we regret
Self is the ultimate, Truth, Eternal Consciousness and Bliss
With Your Grace, we would attain this as also tranquil peace
Bapida thanked Dr. Patranabis and urged the audience to commit themselves to the practice of ‘Accepting All’, or as is said in Bengali, ‘mene maniye chola’. Much as a postal clerk stamps all articles of mail passing through his office (irrespective of shape, size, weight, content) without discrimination, so must we accept all who we come across, completely and unconditionally (i.e. accept them for who they are, just the way they are). ‘Accept All’ is a concept that most initially would find daunting, but through honest effort, dedicated practice and with the grace of a Sadguru, it can eventually be mastered by one and all. He then proceeded to introduce Advocate D.K. Rustagi, an eminent lawyer serving in the Supreme Court and dedicated to providing legal counsel to those who otherwise wouldn’t have access to quality legal services owing to financial constraints. Bapida described Mr. Rustagi as a lawyer by profession, but an earnest spiritual seeker at heart, who first came in contact with Sri Sri Babathakur through his friend, Mr. Gautam Guha. Listening to the Master’s speech for the very first time, Mr. Rustagi became convinced that what he heard represented the ultimate in spiritual discourse, that the entire mankind was in acute need for such spiritual wisdom, and that he was committed to do all within his powers to help spread the Master’s message. Bapida then invited Mr. Rustagi to share his spiritual experiences and insights with the gathering.
Advocate Rustagi addressing the gathering
Mr. Rustagi began his speech by mentioning that we all had congregated to honor a great Soul who taught us ‘a way to understand ourselves’. This is important, for it is only when we understand our selves, that we’re able to understand others. He recounted how upon listening to Sri Sri Babathakur for the very first time in 2007 at the ISKON temple in New Delhi, he had gathered critical insights into the nature of the challenges confronting him at work, and the solutions for them. Mr. Rustagi mentioned that the genesis of 90% of the cases pending in court lay in greed and arrogance, and that he was both frustrated as well as resigned to finding solutions to resolve legal disputes only through the process of adjudication. This was because he felt he had no control over either the greed or the arrogance of the conflicting parties. After listening to Sri Sri Babathakur, Mr. Rustagi realized that gist of what he had heard could be summarized as the merging of four words: ‘I’, ‘Mine’, ‘You’ and ‘Yours’. When we have ‘I’ and ‘Mine’ one side pitted against ‘You’ and ‘Yours’, greed, arrogance and conflict are bound to arise. A part of this problem is solved when the ‘Mine’ merges into ‘I’ and the ‘Yours’ merges into ‘You’. However the critical understanding in resolving (or even avoiding) conflicts comes with the merger of the ‘I’ with the ‘You’. Mr. Rustagi concluded his speech by mentioning that over the last couple of years he had diligently put into practice Sri Sri Babathakur’s lessons on how to merge the ‘Mine’ with the ‘I’. Consequently, he has experienced enormous tranquility and happiness not just within himself, but with his surroundings as well. And when one is in contentment and at peace with his surroundings, one experiences the ultimate in happiness.
Following Mr. Rustagi’s speech, Bapida complimented him for his unique yet effective internalization of SrI Sri Babathakur’s teachings and for his success at finding much happiness in his life. No matter who we are, where we live or what we do, the desire to find happiness is of primary importance to all, and yet so few amongst us can lay claim to being truly happy.
Bapida next talked a bit about Saccidananda Society, its mission, and how Sri Sri Babathakur’s views drive the way that the Society conducts its operations. Founded on May 14th, 1989, the Saccidananda Society was set up to be an ‘Institute of Supraculture’. Many institutions advance the cause of culture, an endeavor that requires the mind, intellect and ego to come into play. A special science is therefore needed to help individuals interested in going past the mind, intellect, and ego, and hence the need for an institute of supraculture. Saccidananda Society’s mission is to assemble, publish, and present (not propagate) to anyone interested, the self-revealed bhajans, words and discourses of Sri Sri Babathakur. Bapida reminded the audience that Sri Sri Babathakur has repeatedly stressed upon the point that Atma Vidya is knowledge that can only be ‘presented’ to one and all, but never be effectively ‘proselytized’. This belief has largely influenced the way that Saccidananda Society works. Just as the host presents a buffet of food items, and leaves it up to the guests to choose which item(s) to sample and how much of each item to partake, so does the Saccidananda Society simply present to any and all interested, Sri Sri Babathakur’s body of spiritual work. It is up to each individual to decide how much (if any at all) of the Master’s teachings does he or she want to explore, reflect upon, and imbibe. Saccidananda Society doesn’t conduct any drives to recruit members nor offers any membership. Sri Sri Babathakur used to say that by default, any individual living anywhere in the world is a member of Saccidananda Society, given that the Society is dedicated to the attainment of Atma Vidya, and that the Atma doesn’t discriminate amongst individuals.
To be continued…………………………….
The concluding part of this article shall be published in the next (i.e. the 2012 Buddha Purnima) issue of e-Sanai and will talk about: Mr. Karamjeet Singh’s s speech, Revealed Bhajans of Sri Sri Babathakur rendered by Ms. Shaoni Mitra and Sri Kedar Narayan Bodas, Keynote speech delivered by Dr. Kinkar Samananda Maharaj ji.
