Thursday 16 May 2013

Eternal Companion

वीरेश्वराय विद्महे विवेकानन्दाय धीमहि । तन्नो वीर: प्रचोदयात् ।

Latu Maharaj knew of Swami Vivekananda's going to America as a representative to the Parliament of Religions held in Chicago. He said Later : “I heard from Holy Mother that Brother Loren had left for America. I felt great longing to hear about him.”

Girish Ghosh said : “Latu would often come to my place and listen eagerly to every word about Swamiji's triumphant activities in America. His attitude was like a child's, full of faith and enthusiasm. When I told him that Swamiji's speech had been considered the best, he laughed gleefully like a boy and said: “It is bound to be so. Didn't the Master say that in him eighteen powers were working in their highest form? It cannot be otherwise. Can the Master's prediction be false?” One day he was so beside himself with joy that he cried out: “Please write to him, - Fear not, the Master is protecting you.”

The relationship between Latu Maharaj and Swami Vivekananda was so natural. A devotee heard what followed from Latu Maharaj : “When Swamiji returned from the West, some of his Western disciple's were with him Thinking Swamiji might have developed some sort of egotism at having Westerners as his disciples, I did not go to meet him. But Swamiji sought me out and talked with me. He asked me, “All the others came; why didn't you come? I replied: “You have Western disciples now, men and women. I wondered whether you would remember me.” He caught hold of my hand and said : “you are my same Brother Latu, and I am your same old Brother Loren.”

After the arrival of Swamiji Calcutta, there was a small meeting regarding to start Ramakrishna Mission. On this there was very big discussion between Swami Vivekananda and Swami Yogananda. Latu maharaj was observing everything. He remarked : “This conversation between Swamiji and Brother Yogin opened our eyes, and the words of the Master flashed in to my mind – Some are like dim lamps, others are like bright lams, and one or two are like twinkling stars. But my Naren is the dazzling sun. Before him all others pale.”

In 1897 Swamiji went on a tour of northen India, taking Latu Maharaj and several toher brothers disciples and monks with him. During this time Swami Vivekananda went to visit a very ancient temple . Swamiji remarked that temple was about 3000 years old. Latu Maharaj asked that how he knew this. On that Swamiji told : “It is not possible for me to explain it to you,” after that Swamiji joking told “If you had had a little education, however, I might make an attempt.” Latu Maharaj replied : “I see! Now I understand the depth of you scholarship. It is so deep that it can not  rise to explain this to a fool like myself!” On another such occasion Latu Maharaj told Swamiji “If you can not explain me than how can you will explain it other common people of the country as they are like me only!”

At Khetri, Latu Maharaj talked with the Maharaja, who was a disciple and friend of Swamiji, with such intelligence that the Maharaj had no idea that he had no formal education. One day the Maharaja brought out a globe and started pointing out the various countries to Latu Maharaj. Latu Maharaj had never seen a globe before. Swamiji understood the situation immediately and come forward to his bother disciple's help, giving such a turn to the conversation that Raja could not know that Latu Maharaj had had no formal education.

Sometime in 1902, the last year of Swamiji's life, Swamiji told Latu Maharaj: “Leto, what do you think? This is just the beginning. The people of Europe and America now starting to appreciate the greatness of our Master. After a few years they will accept his ideas. Now they are only a handful, but later hundreds will come. Then you will understand what this Vivekananda done.” Latu Maharaj listened to Swamiji and then said quietly: “Brother, have you done anything new? Haven't you walked the same path that the other great teachers have travelled – Buddha, Shankara, and so on?” Then Swamiji said “ You are right, my dear Plato. I have only followed in their footsteps.” And Swamiji folded his hands and saluted the ancient teachers.

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