Nieves letter:

Amingaon, 27^th February, 2008

Dear Swami Probuddhananda:

When I arrive first time in India, last 19^th January, since the first day, I felt very comfortable. It could be said this trip was casual, but I know it is “causal.”

When I get in Kolkata ashram I felt like coming back at home. A seed of Vedanta has been put in soil years ago, it was in me, quietly and silently waiting for this since this new contact makes it awaken and inspired me very much.

I have to thank you all for the true love that you give. I have feel like living with my own family, a very beautiful family that protects our body, mind and soul. I have received something unexpected, a precious gift, pure love. I will never forget you all.

Tomorrow we are leaving for Varanasi; new experiences are waiting for me there. I am happy for this time we have shared, at the same time, I am also sad because we are leaving , but all of you are very deep in my heart, so you come with me too.

I have to go on with my responsibilities and my family, but these days I have waked a step, so I hope to continue with the practice that I renew here and I am sure it will help, not only myself.

I would like to come once again with my husband and who knows, with my two sons, too.

I can tell you great things that have happened to me. When I was in Kolkata ashram I realized two things:

At the precise moment when Bhagavan was leaving Birati, I saw Jesus in Him; I could understand both messages because they are the same. Although Catholics has misunderstandings in it and they have put relevance in suffering and sin, Jesus always made Love and Truth- his way.

Swami Premananda has touched my soul as a brother. He healed sad and empty feelings that I had with my own brother. When I arrived here in this Ashram I was very well received, immediately I feel love. I felt the energy of grand mother I never had a Vaishanavima she was very close to me. I appreciate every word, every chat, every song, every meal, everything is blessed here.

Swamiji, I want you to know that I appreciate very much all your dedication that you have given us all this days and I hope in a future not too far away I could do the same for you in Tenerife. You ought to know you are very well coming there any time and if you need something I can do, you could stand by me.

Thanks very very much for all good things I have received from you and all other Swamijis.

With sincere love from heart,

Nieves

Maria

Narayani.

This is a wonderful letter(translated) from Ramsharan(Gulliermo) what he feels about Bhagavan. The letter shows how devoted he is towards Bhagavan

Hare Krishna, Bhagavan is the subtlest vibration in the material world, therefore we perceive as much as our subtle state permits us when we are in front of him. He said almost all the same things in every opportunity on which each one of us has seen him, but now the vibration of Bhagavan makes everything turn out perfectly among the devotees. Everyone among the foreigners showed appropriate and precise behaviour for the situation in which they found themselves. Bhagavan creates this. The foreign devotees made a subtle, expressive and sensitive connection. Devotees who have been practising spirituality for many years have recognised Bhagavan and been inspired to continue finding themselves once again. Every time that we see Him, we are receiving everything. As said by Maharajji, "Bhagavan is God. If you have faith in that, so much the better for you, but even if your faith is not so strong, Bhagavan will always continue to be God". The name is inherent to Bhagavan, just as Bhagavan to the name. He who can measure the infinite existence of God, how it is possible to receive the energy of the all-powerful if we are just small mortals sometimes real, sometimes abstract. As Bhagavan says, let us practise spirituality all the time, not just when we come to the temple to chant, let us practise every moment of the day, always connected with ourselves, aware of our road to clearer consciousness. Now I have begun to realise words that Bhagavan uttered when I met Him three years ago, and now I have begun to realise words that Koji transmitted three years ago, too. As my mind knows that it is itself that plays the games, and although it is merely a player and not the creator of the game, the mind never stops playing, and when I recognise it, it also shows the power of mutating and transforming itself so fast that it once again surrounds me with the coverings of Maya. This time that we have enjoyed the spiritual vibration unique to God cannot be described by mere words, and as Bhagavan said, words are an insult to the supreme silence, but people arrive here hoping for words, so I have to say something. Bhagavan shows us with every action his compassion and the total acceptance of an Ishwarakoti. He manifests in the physical form so that we may have an image that we can easily receive through our senses, he speaks that we may hear him through our senses, he embraces us and shows us affection that we may feel his physical presence and his incarnate form. Although he is all that, he is also completely free in every way, he is the Everything incarnated and also a very simple man, he is the very Bhagavan, and he also likes to take photographs. I have heard many times from various swamijis that it is very difficult to catch and perceive the subtle vibration of Bhagavan. Now that I have been continuing to realise little things, and the information has been being transformed from knowledge to realisation, I have begun to associate the teachings with all these saints that surround us. Now I believe that I can call myself a spiritual aspirant, and now I will be able to begin to live spirituality always, and when I remain quiet, thinking within myself and meditating like Bhagavan himself said just a few days ago. Bhagavan is always giving light to everything and everyone, Bhagavan is the sun in a place that has been dark for many years, Bhagavan is the rope in the darkness. We are just limited existence, and from this limitation we all know that we will not perceive the vibration of the infinite that Bhagavan means. Devotees, come closer to yourselves and do not stop searching for the truth within yourselves, there it resides, and there we must search for it. I love all of you. Hare Krishna Jai Bhagavan

Letter from Shivendra, a devotee of Bhagavan

Revered Swamiji,
Hare Krishna,
I am so fortunate to have got a diamond opportunity to have met my master last week on Mar 02, 2008.I had been so eager to get His blessings for a long time.All the time it seems He used to play hide-and-seek with me.Of course, He is Lord Krishna, so He can play hide-and-seek with anybody but yes,He has infinite love too.Whenever I tried to meet Him earlier, it could never be possible.Actually, I am not in that position to take it as hide-and-seek game being played with me.All the time I was sad cursing my luck.Whenever He visited Amingaon,I used to be out of my institute and when I went Kolkata last month regarding my visa for US, He was in Puri.I was very uneasy to meet Him that day but I had no other option to leave Kolkata without having met Him.Really, it was very painful.Finally, my visa processing got suspended the same day.I became very sad again but I was happy the same time as I murmured to myself "Probably my master wants this happen so that I can get another chance to come Kolkata and to meet Him".Finally happened the same and I went again to Kolkata to collect my visa and thus stars shone and I reached Birati to have His blessings.

...As per the instructions of Swami Nirgunananda Ji, Swami Prajnanananda Ji and Swami Premananda Ji, I left Tollygunge at around 1600 Hrs.. and started for Birati.Finally I reached Birati at 1730 Hrs.Swami Prajnanananda Ji had spoken to Swami Sankarananda Ji before I started for Birati.I asked the location of Mayer Bari from a local person and proceeded to meet Him with lots of questions rising in my mind just like water waves in a sea.I kept questioning myself "Whether I will be able to meet Him today.Will He talk to me? How much time will I get to speak Him?If there would be a crowd of devotees then how will I get His blessings?etc.etc."I was floating in my questions and started walking languidly.I was just following two persons on the road.After a few minutes, I saw both of them entering the Mayer Bari compound. I thought them to be devotees of Bhagavan Ji and thought them to going for prayer because it was the nearly the prayer time.Although the shine board of Mayer Bari was there but still to make it confirmed I asked them "Uncle, is it the Mayer Bari?" One of those two replied "Yes".I entered the compound and kept walked enthusiastically leaving both of them behind.After a few steps I got confused about the place as I was supposed to go to the IVS office.Being confused I stopped there and when looked back, O my God, He was Bhagavn Ji and Sri Tapas Ji, to whom I asked "Uncle, isit the Mayer Bari".Actually He was returning from an evening walk.Bhagavan Ji took me to the office where I met Sankarananda Swamiji.

Bhagavan Ji asked me to have a seat He too sat in a chair.Conversation started:

"What's your name?"
"Shivendra Pandey."
"Okay, I have heard about u a lot u.Where are u originally from?"
"Bhagavan Ji,I am from Amethi..How is your physical health now?"
"It's better as compared to previous days...So, is it your first visit to Kolkata?"
"No, it's second.I had come on Feb 01 before this visit."
"Okay, so u have some work or what?"
"Yes, for visa"
"Where are u going? And for what a duration?"
"To Florida university for 2 and a half months"
"Have we met earlier?"
"Yeah, once in Amingaon"
"Oh yes, in Amingaon we have met."
"Bhagavan Ji, I was very eager to meet u but all the time it could not happen as I was out of IIT Guwahati whenever You visited Amingaon"
"But, this time it happened..right?"
"Yeah, I am so happy to have met u today"
"How is Maharaj Ji?..At present only Ramananda Swami and Maharaj Ji are there..Swarup has left for Varanasi"
"Yes, he will be back on Tuesday"
"To whom u use to talk these days? Swarup or Maharaj Ji"
"Everybody but generally I use to talk to Ramananda Swamiji and Swarup swamiji"
"Okay,..Ramananda Swamiji."
"Yes."
"Where are u staying here"
"Sealdah City lodge"
"Everything is okay? Any problem there?"
"No Bhagavanji, everything is okay"
"So u are coming from there?"
"No, I reached sealdah at 8:00 and then I went to Tollygunge from there I came here"
"Swamijis are fine there?..Did u face any problem?"
"Yeah they are fine.I faced no problem."
"How did u come?"
"By bus."
"Okay, while returning u can go by train...How did u know the location of this place?"
"Asked at Ganguram's shop.Swamiji had told me."
"Okay.So u were told about Ganguram's shop by swamiji"
"Yes."

By this time He had taken His tea.I also had tea to take.I first offered it to Bhagavan Ji.He touched the biscuits in my plate and said"Okay.I have touched it." and He asked me to take tea and He left the office.After a short time He came back to me.By that time I also had finished it.He asked:
"Tea over?"
"Yes, I have to wash it"
"No, leave it there..come with me.Let's go to prayer hall"
I followed Him to prayer hall.
He started "This is actually my home that I have converted to ashrama.Here Vedant is discussed all the time.People use to come throughout the day or phonecalls.Thus Vedanta is discussed always..So, what made u to come here?"
"Actually I use to talk to Maharaj Ji, Probuddhananda Swamiji, Prajnanananda Swamiji, Premananda Swamiji and mostly I keep in touch with Probuddhananda Swamiji through internet.This way I feel very great with them and fortunately I am here to get Your blessings "

"How do u feel"
"Happiness,peace, very good in studies and confidence in self"
"Okay, confidence in this (Pointing to self)"
"Yes"
"Very good."

After that I came back to office with Sankarananda Swamiji and talked to him.After a very long time I was fortunate to speak to Swamiji.First time I had met him in May 2006 only for a few hours. It was second meeting with him...After that we again went to prayer hall as it was prayer time.
Bhagavan Ji asked "Do u understand Bengali? No!"
"I do but a very little bit"
"Okay,A very little bit !"

Now it was prayer time.After prayer, Bhagavan Ji discusses vedanta.Finally after Mahamantra, He asked to Sri Tapas Ji "U will be leaving for Sealdah?"He replied"Yes"
Bhagavan Ji asked me "Get prasad and go with him.He is also going to Sealdah"
"Okay Bhagavan Ji"
"Tomorrow, do give me a call after u get your visa. ok?"
"Okay Bhagav ji"
"Okay then!"

And unwillingly I left Birati.It was extremely painful toleave Him but I had to leave..I felt the infinite love in Him for everybody.I have no specific word to express His love and generousity.He is everything.He is beyond everything.Nothing can map Him.How do I express my feeling within the boundaries of words.He is infinite.His love is infinite but I have only finite words.I feel more and more, deeper and deeper but I am getting myself unable to express..Love You so much My Master!!!!!!!!

(Shivendra Pandey ,Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, India, devotee of Bhagavan)

Swami Probuddhananda writes:

Dear Everybody,
I have a request to you all. We have been saying that you have to live the life of Bhagavan, create a character like Him within us etc, but we have to know what are the works that He had done all His life. We have to know that character fully. He has worked in so many fields, among so many people, right from the factory worker to the king of Varanasi, from remote villages of India to Barcelona and many other places, from slums to the Elite class. He had done a very important work among women, transforming several into a true spiritual giant. I am sure, everybody of us has a separate and special relationship with Bhagavan,everybody has an idea of Bhagavan in his/her own mind, lets share this. For people living outside India,what is that that always kept you attached to Bhagavan's love. You had very little days with Bhagavan compared to the Indian devotees who are fortunate enough to have many long years of association with Him. Lets all discover this, why we are here with Bhagavan, why are we trying to propagate His message to everybody, why do we live for Him? I want His life, character and teachings very very clear to everybody,let us not run after the doctrine of Incarnations, let us run after this man called Bhagavan and know Him more and more. If somebody comes to IVS or to see Bhagavan, He should know why is he/she here.
As IVS is increasing, we also will have a potential danger. With quantity, quality degrades. We will have ample chance to talk to people, and with time people will start to believe whatever we say, we have to be careful that we should always speak the truth. We should say only those what we have experienced and realized. I have seen a very subtle tendency of ours to create stories about Bhagavan. Let us not make Bhagavan as an idol, our Lord Bhagavan is living, in our heart and soul. He is with everybody, everywhere irrespective of any form. Our Lord is a human being first, a perfect man, a lover of mankind. He is the one who represents the complete human race. Our whole life will be spent on this research.
I am very happy that some of you have started writing on your own and thus share your views on spirituality. Lets all do this. It creates a consciousness, helps people to have faith in themselves, inspires. Writing makes our knowledge clearer. It helps us in many ways. We have to be prepared for the future. Our goal is to create such a civilization which will be called a family, a family of mankind. For your information,the IVS blog publishes some of your best letters. Its a very good online forum visited by many now a days and it also features in the google search, thanks to the efforts of Swami Bhakti Chaitanya, the joint General Secretary of IVS. I send you the link of this blog,please have a look.
http://www.ivs.blogspot.com/
In my childhood days, I used to love a hindi song, the first line of that song was - when we, the hardworkers, ask our share from this world,we will ask not a garden, nor a field, we will ask the whole world............ lets do this.
With love and service to Lord Bhagavan,
Its Swamiji




Swami Probuddhananda..
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

Chrysanthi (Risa), devotee of Bhagavan from Greece writes her feelings on Bhagavan

Chrysanthi (Risa), Varanasi 03/03/2008

I had been anxiously waiting for Bhagavans arrival. I had been preparing my self as much as I could, but I wasn't very sure of what to expect, and even though many had told me that Bhagavan in a few words is God, like every unrealized human, doubts filled my mind.

The day of His arrival came. We were all waiting at the small street at the ashrams entrance when I suddenly felt the strong vibration of His presence. I was holding to some flowers that I would kindly shower on Him as a show of love and respect. I saw him coming towards me: an illuminated, childish face that hid all the wisdom of the universe behind those eyes and smile. He asked me whether I was ok; never in my life has somebody asked me this question in a more sincere way than Bhagavan. I was left speechless; completely unable to answer the only thing I could do was smile, happy to have felt unconditional love from someone I was seeing for the first time in my life.

The days following Bhagavans stay, I tried to spend more and more time at the ashram trying to figure out what was that vibration, so familiar, like a memory long forgotten. It is only now that I can realize what Bhagavan is.

Bhagavan for me is Love, unconditional Love, Love that doesn't see faults, mistakes, doubts etc. He only sees God inside you, He believes in you whether you believe in yourself or not, and that gives you strength to carry on. He is Knowledge, supreme Knowledge that sparkles in His eyes like the rays of the sun. Once I looked in them, and now I find myself swimming in that ocean of Knowledge all the time. He is everything, he is my inspiration, he is God. He is my father.

Now, even though Bhagavan is not here, his presence in me is occupying more and more space, until I finally be able, as I told him, to sacrifice my whole being for Him, for God.

Caution, Bhagavan is God.

Swami Probuddhananda, General Secretary , I.V.S. writes the Secretarial report about Bhagavan's Varanasi visit.

Dear Everybody,

Varanasi, the place that has given IVS immortality because this is the place where Bhagavan got the boon of immortality from none other then Lord Shiva. Since then, Varanasi had offered many important and significant hand in the growth and development of IVS. But nothing was so brilliant and enlightening then this visit of Bhagavan from the 17th to the 27th of Feb'08. I have been in Varanasi almost from the very inception of IVS here, but never did I see so much effect of Bhagavan's visit. Neither did I see Bhagaavn so ensured as He was this time. My sincere regards to all the Swamijis and the members and among them specially the IVS girls here who had made this possible.

This time many things had happened but among them the most pleasant development I saw was great combition of the east and the west working hand in hand to make things possible in every sphere. Everybody seemed to know exactly what each one of us had to do, everybody knew what was best for Bhagavan and everybody seemed to be totally knowing what was best for the world as well. The health of Bhagavan was not 100% but as days progressed, we found Him more and more live and pleasant.

Bhagavan didn't speak much as He normally does, but the effect was phenomenal. It was very good that everybody realised that its now time for us to take up the work of Bhagavan. Its not in His body, its Him and everybody seemed to be fully ready to carry Bhagavan with them in their hearts back to their places. Everybody realized the need to carry on a disciplined spiritual life if we have to carry on our work and to take legacy of Bhagavan beyond time and space. We can create this same enviornment back in our places, the only way is to beleive that we can. We can do the same work that Bhagavan has been doing, the only thing required is the sincerity and genuinity He puts on in His efforts. His mere presence makes a difference because all through His life He has been the epitome of truth, a living manifestation of originality. We have to live His life in ourselves. We have not to intimidate but to become one like Him. And this phenomenon has started and as we march on, we will see all His devotees carry the flame of His in their hearts and thats the greatest work that He could do. He had illuminated the light of Knowledge and love to so many people all over the world and as time goes on, I see that all His devotees rise up from their own plane and scatter everywhere in this world showering the glory of humanity and transforming our world into a eternal blissfulness. Just imagine for what a grand work we have been chosen for, what a fortune we have. Jai Bhagavan, Jai Bhagavan Jai Bhagavan.

Now to come to what we are going to do within the next few years. As you all know that 2008 is dedicated to the publicity of IVS, we will stretch it into two more years. That is from 2008 to 2010, we will work in such a way that the message of Bhagavan reaches to the people everywhere. The plan for the immediate next six months is that some of the Swamijis will be visiting places in Spain, England, France , Argentina, Chile and Paraguay and propagate the message of Bhagavan and Vedanata. I urge each and everyone of us to make this effort a mass movement wherever the Swamijis go. Start work from now on. Lets take the full advantage of this. This is the first step.

Once this is complete, some more doors will be open to IVS worldwide. Chances and demand will grow. I will ask everybody of us to be prepared to serve Bhagavan whenever they are required in any part of the world. We should be in the position to make us available whenever and wherever we are needed. Prepare yourself to work globally. IVS is a spiritual organization and out whole life will be spent to distribute spirituality amongst the masses in the way Bhagavan had done, with love. Prepare yourself for this grand finale. Its time, its to come, What I see, it will come soon.
With love and in the service of Bhagavan,

Swamiji

( I request some of you who know the IDs of the new people who had just arrived in the IVS family to send a copy of this to them as well.)

Swami Probuddhananda
General - Secretary
International Vedanta Society.

Cristian, Devotee of Bhagavan from Chile writes his experience about Bhagavan's stay at Varanasi

Wed, Feb 27, 2008
Dear Friends,
today Bhagwanji left Varanasi.

we are full in emotion. no many words now. but just wanted to thanks everibody because being with him and seing increse the family everyday is plenty of hope/

Bhagwan is out of our understanding. really. people fell in love to him just in a few hours.. and as result deep joy is coming.

a group of 24 chilean people came to see him. and all them were very touched by his grace- i am not saying this just in words.. - really they were able to see the grandness of His love and feelit inside as never before.

the atmosphere has been full of spirit..

and is amazing to see the change in pleople just after a few days with Him.

i am very gratefull of all this and the opportunity to be with him and all.

Bhagwan health is also good. he has dance a lot. and enjoy every moment with new devotees.

i hope and wish the best for IVS, which is no more than the visible part of this celebration togeter with Bhagwanji.

is a tremendous Power in Him and pure love come to all because of that.

love to all.

Cristian.

#if you see clouds one day in the sky are just clouds, doesnt mean that the sun if not there.

Sharada Writes

Dear everybody.
Hope you all are enjoying the divine life which Bhagavan has gifted us...Yes , this shows how great He is as He has gifted us the life of divinity , for which people spend years after years doing Sadhana...What is Sadhana??? We all have His 10 commandments written in the script of Sadhana...But we must realise the contents of Sadhana from within...There Bhagavan has told us to meditate & practice Vedanta...In my previous letters I told you all about the cyclical process of practicing & preaching Vedanta...But what are the benefits that we are going to get if we keep a regular touch of meditation & practicing Vedanta???
Regular meditation will help us in establishing our own selves....yes our own being...to know the self , where God resides...Vedanta says - KNOW THYSELF....Why does it say so? As because there's no one else other than God , other than Brahman...We all are just the portion of this Brahman , nothing else....Vedanta teaches us to be independent , to be confident on thy self , that I am for God , God is within me...Vedanta teaches us to listen to our own soul.........In ''Flashes of Vedanta'' we can see that , ''TO KNOW THE SELF IS THE KNOWLEDGE , OTHERWISE IGNORANCE.'' Yes, ignorance...but why ignorance?Vedanta teaches us to put our mind towards self-knowledge , to believe into within...to listen to thy heart & not depend on others.....Bhagavan also tells - EXPAND THY HEART...This is the only way to salvation...Just by mere saying will not help...you have to put it into practice...Expand yourself , your heart...which can only be possible through regular practice of Vedanta...Work , work & work...It will show the representation of your own thought....Express yourself as much as possible....Relish the taste of Vedanta from within , then you can relish the taste of Bhagavan's love....Know this , if we are to work for anyone , we have to work for God...If we want to live for anyone , we must live for God.....If we are to be the servant of anyone , we must be the servant of God....We must feel God within each of our cell...
So make your own heart as large as possible free from any disturbances , calm & quiet , enjoy the taste of Vedanta...Be self-confident , be free , if there's exist anything , it's only God...He is within you , within me , everywhere....His divine love changes our mind from dry desert to the beautiful cool Oasis...Its the only way-through of getting peace...Its the only way of gifting homage to our Lord , who has made our lives so special , so beautiful....We must be like Him....We must become firm & strong like Him.......We must become God.......Live for God , work for God & then to become God by ourselves...This is our goal , our Sadhana.....Do you all agree , friends???
I shall be heartily waiting for the reply to this letter from all of you.....God bless you all.....JAY BHAGAVAN.
With lots of love & regards,
Sarada...