FOCUS-JUNE 2022

RAMAKRISHNA MOVEMENT IN MANGALOORU-1947-2022 FOOT PRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME That the Ramakrishna movement was the brainchild of Swami Vivekananda is well known. To give concrete shape to the message of Sri Ramakrishna and himself, Swami Vivekananda launched the monastic order. The first Ramakrishna Math was thus formed followed by Ramakrishna Mission. The objectives of Ramakrishna Math are to spread the idea of the potential divinity of every being and to manifest it through every action and thought. “Aatmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaaya Cha” is the motto of Ramakrishna Math, which translated into English means “For the salvation of our individual self and for the well being of all on earth”. This is a shloka or verse from Rig Veda. In simple terms, the above shloka quoted by Swami Vivekananda means “For one’s own liberation and for the good of the world”. Thus, Ramakrishna Math was formed to spread the idea of how to liberate oneself in thought and action that would lead to the good of the entire biosphere. Ramakrishna Mission was developed through which the monastic order could carry on its services in co-operation with lay workers and devotees. Ramakrishna Math was formed first in Baranagore to be the centre of spiritual teaching, guiding and inspiring earnest seekers and moulding the life of its monastic members. It was in 1886 and later shifted to Alambazar in 1891 and finally on December 9, 1898 to Belur. However, it was in 1897, on the return of Swami Vivekananda from the US, the first Ramakrishna Math was set up outside Bengal in the then Madras, to spread the mission’s work in South India. While the Ramakrishna Math was for the spiritual development of monastics and devotees, the Ramakrishna Mission was to devote itself, in the light of the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna, to serve in the field of education, medical help, emergency relief in calamities etc. It was also to spread the message of Vedanta, which has universal principles underlying all religions. Although the Math was established in 1886, it was only on 1st May 1897, Ramakrishna Mission was constituted. The uniqueness of Ramakrishna movement is that, all religions are looked upon as paths to the attainment of spiritual illumination and all people as manifestation of one universal spirit. The twin organizations of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission belonging to Ramakrishna order have been functioning in Mangalore City since 3rd June 1947. Started out in a small rented house in the vicinity of Lalbagh but later shifted to an elegant mansion sprawling in an area of 7.5 acres of land adjacent to auspicious archaeological surroundings of city goddess Mangalambika, popularly known as Mangaldevi temple who is bestowing her blessings on the natives of Mangalooru for over 1300 years. Thus the combination of Math, Mission and Mangaladevi temple together at one place added to the aura and luster to the sanctity of the area. In view of this, earnest devotees throng the place throughout the year. The Ashram which houses both Math and Mission in one complex meets all the urges of true devotees by catering to their spiritual longings by listening to intellectual discourses, sing devotional hymns or bhajans and songs in praise of God. At the same time the serenity of the ashram, the peaceful atmosphere which abounds there with lush green trees and plants made the people to flock to the area to seek peace of mind which also reminds them of age-old Gurukul system and Rishi Ashram away from the hustle-bustle of modern cities. The Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission are celebrating this year, their scintillating, energetic and electrifying 75 years of existence in Mangalooru and the platinum jubilee has become the talk of the town. From a small torch trying to spread the light of Ramakrishna and Vivekananda, lit 75 years ago in Mangalooru, it has now become a torch bearer to the entire state of Karnataka by taking up manifold activities useful to the society at large. It was bestowed Karnataka Rajyotsava Award this year for the services rendered to the Society in and around Mangalooru. No wonder the local ‘Ramakrishnalaya’ has become a cynosure in the coastal region of Karnataka. The growth of Ramakrishna Math and Mission started when it moved from the listless rented building to its own happy home. This happened due to the generosity of Sahukar Venkatesh Pai who was running a ‘Balakashram’ in the premises where the Ashram is situated at present. He decided to hand over the mansion along with the 7.5 acres of land, which he acquired from some British owners leaving the country around 1947, to Ramakrishna Ashram on 11.8.1951. Then onwards this vast area gave impetus to the manifold activities taken up by the Math and Mission and Ramakrishna movement in Mangalooru did not look back in pursuing its goal of helping individuals to find their own salvation and the welfare of the world. It was a slow but sure journey, made by the Ramakrishna movement in its path of making the mankind find its own feet in Ramakrishna Order. Evolution of Ramakrishna Movement in Mangalooru may be best portrayed with the help of an Asta Dala Padma or Lotus with eight petals. Thus the beginning of Ramakrishna Movement may be depicted as the first petal of the Lotus as it got a well maintained infrastructure to start with. Second petal depicts the dedicated manpower resources commanded by Ramakrishna Math and Mission, and as you will know any organization can be successful only if it is headed by leaders of substance in their avowed field. Ramakrishna Math and Mission Mangalooru were fortunate from the beginning and it found with it a team of Sanyasis or those who have renounced worldly attachment and celibates or brahmacharies of high attainments dedicated to serve mankind, well versed in their field, knowing the pulse of the people as envisioned by Swami Vivekananda. In this process Ramakrishna mission Mangalooru got a Swamijee to lead from the front every time when change in the set up became imminent. These swamijees brought such a change which lent colour and luster to the achievement of Ashram and that itself became a separate petal in the developing ashta dala padma every time on which today the Math and the Mission are cushioned. You will see one by one which happened in the system as the change in the hierarchy whenever occurred Initially the Ramakrishna Math and Mission, Mangalooru was headed by Swami Vimalanandajee [1947-1951] started on a small note but under whose guidance the Ashram took to various activities like singing bhajans, conducting evening prayers, chanting of Vedic mantras, delivering spiritual lectures, performing poojas and archanas. It created a saannidhya or proximity to the divine. It laid the basic ground work required to purify the land on which it stood and lay the foundation for a bigger and broader role to be played later for the development of Ashram activities. Thus, it forms the third petal of Ashta Dala Padma. Swami Adidevanandajee took over the reins of Ashram from 1951 to 1966. He was a legend himself in that he added special dimension of literary activities to the routine ashram activities. Thus making both vertical and horizontal expansion possible, during his time. Ashram not only made progress in its day-to-day mundane activities and running the Balakashram, but also it started extending free medical assistance to the poor and the needy without any discrimination of caste, creed or sex. Under the guidance of medical experts he started a clinic or chikitsalaya on 30.4.1955 within the Math premises. Service to God is nothing but service to the vulnerable and the helpless living beings. If we remember those difficult years of nineteen fifties, when our country was facing scarcity of all kinds, be it funds, food, and other resources besides shortage of medical experts, the extension of medical assistance proved a big boon to those residing in the surrounding areas of Ashram. Patients came from distant villages like Kotekar, Ullala crossing river Netravati by boats, and trains. More than 40000 patients might have received medical assistance those days from the dispensary run free of cost by Ashram, providing both allopathy and homeopathy medicines. The bhajans or singing of holy hymns continued, chanting of Vedic mantras reached its pinnacle within the Ashram. The poor and beggars were extended necessary help and assistance. Balakashram got more students and to cater to their need, Swami Adidevanandajee thought of construction of new building to house the school and hostel for students. He also felt the need for a hall for giving spiritual lectures and to interact with public. In 1963 centenary celebration of Swami Vivekananda was approaching. To commemorate the same and to meet the space requirement for the celebration additional construction was taken up by him. His visionary planning of the building served the space requirement far beyond the need of the time into the next millennium. During the period of Swami Adidevanandajee as the Head of Ramakrishna Math, who was proficient in Kannada, English & Sanskrit, various scriptures like Bhagvad Gita, Upanishads and many more Sanskrit prakaranas and shastra granthas were translated into Kannada . His love for Kannada language was exceptional and he took various initiatives for translation, propagation and growth of the language. During the Vivekananda Centenary celebrations, he involved himself with great enthusiasm. He delivered discourses on Ramakrishna and Vivekananda throughout the year. In the concluding sessions of centenary celebrations literary giants like Da .Ra. Bendre,Archaka Venkatesha, Narayana Sangama and RG Kulkarni participated. These laureates brought out a book named Kavanaanjali published from Bangalore Math although seeds have sprouted in Ramakrishna Math Mangalooru. Swami Adidevanandajee translated Patanjali Yoga Sutras and Vyasa Bhashya to Kannada. He continued his efforts and translated 10 Upanishads, parts of Veda,Viveka Chudamani, Brahma Sutra Bhasya, Lalita Sahasranama, Srimad Bhagavad Gita into Kannada. His painstaking efforts in this evolution would always be remembered by all the devotees of Math. In this great effort many people like Achyuta Kamat of Sharada Press, SS Raghavacharya, Professor in Philosophy, University of Mysore, assisted him. Swami Harshanandajee who was already with the Math in Mangalooru also learnt Sanskrit and wrote Sabhashya Karma Yoga Sutra Shatakas and many other books during the centenary celebrations. It is fondly remembered here that Swami Jagadatmanandajee who wrote the book ‘Badukalu Kaliyiri’ was visiting Mangalooru Ashram when Swami Adidevanandajee was the Head of the Math and while swamijee was translating Patanjali Yoga Sutra, Swami Jagadatmanandajee took dictation from him and assisted him. This way Ramakrishna Ashram, Mangalooru took giant steps by translating Sanskrit books into Kannada. Shri K. Vasudeva Karanta, inspired by Shri Ramakrishna’s ideals motivated his brother Shivaram Karantha to translate the book on Ramakrishna Paramahamsa’s life published by Adwaita Ashram in English to Kannada and also rendered financial assistance to publish the book. To that translated works Swami Adidevanandajee wrote the foreword and got the book printed by Ramakrishna Ashram itself. In this way Veda Sahitya Ganga in Sanskrit which was not available in Kannada flowed and came down to Kannada Sahitya Bhagirathi and reached every corner of Karnataka by the efforts of Ramakrishna Ashram, Mangalooru. It may be concluded from the above that in the literary history of Ashram it is a golden period as far as writing, printing and publishing of books is concerned. Thus, the period of Swami Adidevanandajee became the fourth petal on which rested the growth of Ramakrishna Movement in Mangalooru. Spreading the knowledge of Vedanta literature and message of Ramakrishna & Vivekananda throughout the length and breadth of Karnataka is the major achievement of Ramakrishna Math, Mangalooru, during the period. The fifth petal pertained to the stabilizing of the growth already achieved. Swami Vijnanandajee Maharaj (1966- 1981) spread the message of unconditional love and affection towards people shown and given by the Guru Shishya duo- Ramakrishna Paramahamsa & Swami Vivekananda- widely understood through his inspiring talks at many schools, colleges and also in public gatherings. During his time at the helm of Ashram in Mangalooru devotees came in good number. They loved him, the students of Balakashrama revered him and monks of the order respected him for his simplicity and compassionate nature. More and more devotees came to ashram and involved themselves in its activities. The Ashram became irretrievably broad based with vibrancy. The sixth petal on which Ramakrishna Math and Mission bloomed pertained to the other dimension of creating society of well-wishers which happened during the period of Swami Sundanandajee (1981-1998) being at the helm in Mangalooru. He gave a serene look to the Ashram by transforming its environment. He was associated with the activities of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Mangalooru even before he became the head of the Math. The Dispensary by the Math took shape due to his untiring work. Huge green cover grew all around the Ashram giving it the ambience of kuteera due to his love for gardening. He has conducted various spiritual and moral classes for children, summer camps for students, workshop for teachers etc. ‘Ramakrishna Balabrinda’ started imparting value education to local children on Sundays by choosing devotees’ residence at Mannagudda, a suburb of Mangalooru. Sharada Mahila Vrinda attracted female devotees under his guidance and carried on spiritual practices such as singing bhajans, saying prayers, chanting of mantras and other devotional activities of Math. ‘Warden Swamiji’ was the pet name given to him and he was respected for his benevolent and gracious nature by the students of Balakashrama. The seventh petal of the Ashta Dala Padma on which Mission and Math grew in Mangalore pertained to the period of Swami Purnakamanandajee (1998-2010) In addition to all the spiritual and cultural development activities initiated by his predecessors, Swamijee concerned himself with the ‘welfare’ of ashram. A book stall came up at ashram premises with wide range of literature on Vedanta philosophy, Ramakrishna vachanas and other literature on Vivekananda was made available to general public. Swami Purnakamanandajee was the inspiration behind the construction of the magnificent bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda which was installed at the very place where his predecessor Swami Sundanadajee would sit every evening talking to the devotees. He was also instrumental in constructing Swami Vivekananda auditorium to commemorate the golden jubilee year of Ramakrishna Ashram Mangalooru. The said building constructed at a cost of Rs 1.2 crores was borne entirely by the devotees, alumni and well-wishers. It covered an area of 20000 square feet and has two floors and a basement. It consists of a huge auditorium, guest rooms, library, reading room and many other amenities. Swami Ranganathanandaji, the most revered President and Swamiji of Ramakrishna order inaugurated the building complex and added luster to the event. Swami Jitakamanandajee took over from him on 15.8.2010 whose period marked an altogether different phase of development in the history of Ramakrishna Math and Mission and formed the Eighth petal. Math and Mission became synonymous with the throb of Mangaloorians’ hearts. Swami Jitakamanandajee who had served at Thrissur, Mysore and Kaladi ashrams before becoming Head of Mangalooru Ashram had entered the life of renunciation at a very tender age. When he was serving Balakashrama of Mangalooru, he wholeheartedly guided the numerous students by promoting their holistic well-being. He travelled all over the country giving talks on spirituality, human values, ethics and importance of moral education. Under his guidance Ramakrishna Ashram Mangalooru opened a new leaf by responding to the clarion call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Gandhi Jayanti Day in 2014 about Swachch Bharat Abhiyan. As per the Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math headquarters notice Mangalooru Ashram took up the campaign on cleanliness. Swami Ekagamyananda was made the convener for Swachch Mangalooru Abhiyan. It inspired the devotees; volunteers and the people of Mangalore and they took to the cleanliness drive with commitment. With this reach-out of Ashram it touched every nook and corner of Mangalooru. More than 60 organizations participated in it. Rallies were organized, some 10000 volunteers joined. More than 13000 students participated and worked as warriors of cleanliness. More than 2,000,000 hours of human resource was utilized in the Abhiyan. Some 2000 articles were published by the media regarding the Swachch Mangalooru Abhiyan by the Ramakrishna Math Mangalore. ISSUES & CONCERNS carried a lead article in its November 2019 edition. The volunteers have visited more than 40000 houses to create awareness among people regarding segregated disposal of wet and dry household garbage. Pot composters at subsidy rate were distributed to more than 5000 households for introducing the concept for waste management. People were also trained through demonstration classes to convert the organic kitchen waste into natural manure. ‘Swachch Soch’ programs were arranged in city colleges with symposiums in about 50 colleges which was Swamijee’s brainchild. Cleanliness drive was organized in 100 villages in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts under Swachch Gram Abhiyan for rural areas. Swachcha Jana Samparka Abhiyan events were organized on daily basis at residential areas to create awareness saying that ‘our garbage is our responsibility’. Magic shows for cleanliness -innovated a new way to teach public about cleanliness by Shri Kudroli Ganesh and his team. The hall mark of the movement is that people from all fields of activity joined the program actively with senior swamijees themselves sweeping streets of Mangalooru. And thus, it became a success story of inspiring people. It turned out a new leaf in the annals of history of Ashram Mangalooru. This yeoman service was recognized by the Karnataka Government. The basic foundation on which Ashram activities dwell is the routine service activities under the aegis of ashram which extend from daily worship and prayers to various other activities mentioned below: 1. Daily worship and Prayers: The monks, the brahmacharis, the balakashram boys and the devotees congregate in prayer hall every day offering prayers, bhajans and daily worship. 2. Students’ scholarship program: The ashram awards scholarship to deserving students belonging to economically backward classes. 3. Yoga camps: The ashram frequently organizes yoga camps for the public teaches surya namaskaras, pranayama etc. 4. The Sharada library: It has a well-equipped library having over 8000 titles covering spirituality, vedas, history, biographies, teachings of Vivekananda. 5. Cultural programs: The Ashrama supports the organizing of yakshagana, Talamaddale, ashtavadana, gamaka vachana and many other local art and culture and giving scope to local artists. 6. Value education program: The Ashram conducts value education program, personality development program, seminars, symposiums and workshops for students, teachers, lecturers, professionals and corporates by special resource persons. Math also has MOU with several educational institutions to impart training on value education. 7. Distribution of study materials: The local students belonging to low-income families are supplied with free school supplies, the uniform, shoes, bags and necessary study materials. 8. Ramakrishna Bala vrinda: The ashram is teaching on Sundays among the students living in the neighborhood of ashram about spiritual, cultural and moral values to be inculcated in them. Devotional songs, moral stories, Bhagavad Gita,Vishnusahasranama,Lalita sahasranama,yoga etc. are taught to them in the Sunday classes. 9. Sharada Mahila Vrinda: The female devotees have formed this group and that they meet once a week at the ashram to practice bhajans, study scriptures etc. 10. Summer camps: Summer camps are conducted for students of class 5-10. Moral science, value education, personality development program, painting, public speaking, dramatics, sports and games are the other activities taught to children during this program. 11. Free clothes distribution: Economically backward communities living around the math and remote areas are supplied with clothes by math 12. Panchanada inchara: Annual music festival is organized for the distinguished artists of the country to showcase their talents for the music lovers. 13. Bhava sangama: Conferences of the Ramakrishna Math devotees are being conducted at the ashram every year wherein discourses, interactive sessions and cultural events are held. 14. Swami Vivekananda coaching center: While above activities are regularly conducted, the Math also conducts survey of the schools of the locality in order to identify students from families belonging to the backward classes and low-income group, to support them. These students after school hours are given free coaching under Swami Vivekananda Coaching Center. They are also fed with nutritious meal besides milk. Thus, it may be seen that Ramakrishna Ashram while crossing 75th milestone have registered significant achievements for which it has won laurels, accolades and awards and earned gratitude of devotees and general public of Mangalooru. Many plans are on the table awaiting action during the Platinum Jubilee year. By way of its approach to give Anna (food) to poor students, Akshara (literacy) by disseminating jnana (knowledge) through publications and translations of Sanskrit literature, Abhaya (counseling) to those who are in need of philosophical guidance and solace and finally Aarogya (health) through its swachchata abhiyan etc. has made the organization in Mangalooru unique. It could both look forward and backward simultaneously and position itself to create a Great India with its unique journey of the last 75 years. Its young and energetic sanyasis can create a glorious India which Swami Vivekananda dreamt 150 years ago. And as the Mangalooru centre complete its platinum jubilee and starts its journey towards centenary lets all pray that the Ramakrishna Math & Ramakrishna Mission Mangalooru grows in strength and resources to accomplish all that its visionary duo, Sri Ramakrishna & Swami Vivekanand had envisioned for our beloved Mera Bharath Mahaan. Long Live Ramakrishna Math Long Live Ramakrishna Mission. Om shanti