The guru lives on

Tue, May 6 01:35 AM

It is welcome news that a Ramakrishna Math bookstall, with its wealth of peace-building, harmonious reading, was just inaugurated at New Delhi railway station. It recalls my feelings two years ago when my guru Swami Ranganathananda of the Ramakrishna Math attained Mahasamadhi on Monday, April 25, 2005 at 3.

51 p.m.

in Kolkata. At the time of my initiation from him, he was very ill and quite old.

It was clear his frail body wouldn't last long and I wondered how I would get spiritual help from one who stayed so far away and was under medical supervision. After all one needs a guru to throw light on many issues; to give guidance and blessings for traversing the difficult path of life.

But the more I learnt about him, the more proud I felt and visited Belur Math four years consistently for his darshan. He had worked in the Ramakrishna Order as cook, dishwasher, housekeeper and later as warden of the students' hostel for six years.

He was Secretary and librarian at the Rangoon branch from 1939 to 1942 and then as President of RK Math and Mission, Karachi from 1942 to 1948 after which, the Belur Math. On that day, when national news bulletins flashed that he had attained Mahasamadhi, I realised that my guru, who had given me a mantra to recite everyday for my spiritual progress was no more.

I asked myself if it bothered me. After all there was no direct relation between us.

Each year we had met him for a few minutes, spoken a few sentences, clicked a photo, bowed and gone out. Yet I felt sad and rudderless.

I began listening to other spiritual gurus. In one of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's discourses someone asked what one does if the guru dies, to which he replied that one must see 'One in All and All in One'.

My query had been answered without my asking. After all a guru never dies, he lives in a subtle form and continues to guide us.

We experience the guru's grace within.

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