Caring for Fellow-Beings

Hari Om,

Once the All India Divine Life Society Conference was organised at Bhavaniputra (Orissa). Normally everyone comes earlier and Sri Swamiji is the last person to arrive at the camp. But this time from Sonabada, Swamiji arrived earlier than other Mahatmas and Guest Speakers. Immediately after reaching his camp-residence he inquired, about the whereabouts of other Mahatmas. Swamiji desired to see their accommodation personally to satisfy himself about the arrangements. 

Swamiji indeed is knower of the Self. When he arrived at other Mahatmas guest house, the place was found very shabby, full of stink and dirt. At once without wasting any time he found out a broom and started sweeping the floor and then cleaning the bathrooms. He was state guest of Orissa and is worshipped as Sri Chidananda Mahaprabhu like Sri Jagannath Mahaprabhu and Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.

It is only because of his feelings for fellow beings, his reverence for smallest one, which for him is the reverence to Almighty Lord. He sees, perceives and experiences nothing else but God at all times, and at all places.

Source - Harih Karta - Thy Will Be Done
 

Om Namoh Bhagavathe Sivanandaya !

Om Namoh Bhagavathe Chidanandaya !

Swami Sivananda's Personality

Hari Om,

Here is an excerpt from Dr.Devaki Kutty Mataji's lecture on  Swami Sivananda's personality :

" I will tell you another instance which shows what a wonderful person He was. I had come on holiday from my college. An elderly blind man had arrived. I do not know whether he was really blind, but he sang beautifully. And any good quality meant that Gurudev would take him in. So there he was, singing every night at the Satsang. He sang beautiful Bhajans. Then after four or five days he told Gurudev: “Swamiji, this harmonium is not very good, I would like to have a better harmonium.” And this man had come to the Ashram only four or five days earlier. In those days Rishikesh was a small town, and nothing was available here. So Gurudev asked him: “Where do we get good harmoniums?” And the man said: “In Lucknow.” And you know, Lucknow is far from here. Swamiji called a man and said: “Oh jee, go to Lucknow tomorrow and get him a harmonium according to his specifications.” So this fellow went and within three or four days he came with a beautiful harmonium. And for four days we had beautiful music on that harmonium. On the fifth day the man disappeared from the Ashram with the harmonium. At the Satsang somebody went to Gurudev and said: “Gurudev, that man, you were so good to him, that man has taken the new harmonium and has gone!” Gurudev smiled and said: “But there is one thing. How will he sing without the tabla? He should have taken the tabla also and not only the harmonium.” Look at this! Many of us were furious, my blood was boiling. I thought: “Look at this stupid man! How good was Gurudev to him. And he took the harmonium and went away.” But nothing worried Gurudev. And look at His attitude. He should have taken the tabla also, not only the harmonium. He could have made a living by it. This is the attitude towards life we have to develop. It is far beyond us, but we have to develop it."

Om Namoh Bhagavathe Sivanandaya !

Om Namoh Bhagavathe Chidanandaya !