আমার কন্যাকুমারী বিবেকানন্দ শিলা দর্শন
- নিবেদিতা লাহিড়ী
কোয়্যার সদস্য
Monday, May 16, 2025
মহারাজ সুমনাসানন্দজী VVCC তে এসেছিলেন গত বছর অগাস্ট(August 2024) মাসে। ওনার কার্যক্রম অনুযায়ী আমি আর দেবাশীষ গিয়েছিলাম USA-Canada Border এ Thousand Island Vivekananda Cottage (Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of NY) এ ওনাকে পৌছে দিতে। পথেই নানা গল্প, কথায় কথায় জানতে চাই যে কন্যাকুমারী তে কোন রামকৃষ্ণ মিশন আছে কিনা আর আমি সেখানে যেতে পারি কিনা। মহারাজজী তৎক্ষণাৎ জানালেন, "কোন অসুবিধা নেই, চেন্নাই রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনের Resident মহারাজ স্বামী পদ্মস্থানন্দজী কে আমি ভাল চিনি, উনি তোমাকে guide করবেন,আমি বলে রাখব তোমার কথা।"
আমার কন্যাকুমারী যাওয়ার প্রস্তুতি শুরু হল তখন থেকেই। যথাসময়ে গিয়ে পৌছালাম চেন্নাই রামকৃষ্ণ মিশনে। পূজনীয় মহারাজ স্বামী পদ্মস্থানন্দজী ও সব বুঝিয়ে দিলেন,পরের দিন চেন্নাই Egmore Station থেকে রওনা হলাম স্বামীজি র স্মৃতি ধন্য কন্যাকুমারীর দিকে।
"অজানা সমুদ্রতীর ,অজানা সে দেশ"
কন্যাকুমারী Railway Station থেকে 'বিবেকানন্দপুরম' এক কিলোমিটারের মধ্যেই, এখানে থাকার জায়গা ছাড়া ও আছে Sunrise point, Peacock Sanctuary, সারাদিনের জন্য vegetarian restaurant । আগে থেকে reservation করিয়ে রাখায় এখানেই এলাম আর Sunrise point থেকে বিবেকানন্দ শিলা দর্শন করলাম দূর থেকেই ।
এবার বিবেকানন্দ শিলা তে যেতে হবে। breakfast খেয়ে তৈরি হয়ে আসার পর বিবেকানন্দপুরমের reception এ এক "অটো দাদার" সাথে আলাপ হল। কলকাতা থেকে একা এসেছি শুনে উনি সানন্দে রাজি হয়ে গেলেন নিয়ে যেতে। সেইমতো যাত্রা করলাম শ্রীমাকে প্রনাম করে। পূজনীয় মহারাজ চেন্নাই থেকে বার বার কুশল প্রশ্ন করছেন,এত দূরে এসে ও মনে হচ্ছে আমি বুঝি ওনার সান্নিধ্যে ই আছি। অটো দাদা ফেরীর কাছে নামিয়ে দিলেন আর বললেন দুঘন্টা পর এসে আবার আমাকে বিবেকানন্দপুরমে নিয়ে যাবেন।
আমরা সবাই ফেরী তে ওঠার পর যাত্রা শুরু হল। মাত্র সাত মিনিটের যাত্রা, কিন্তু কী উত্তাল সমুদ্র!! বিবেকIনন্দ শিলা র সামনে আর একটি শিলায় তামিল দার্শনিক কবি 'থীরুভাল্লুভার'র বিশাল মূর্তি। দুই শিলার মধ্যে একটি কাঁচের সেতু লাগানোর চেষ্টা হচ্ছে দেখলাম।
বিবেকানন্দ শিলা তিন সমুদ্র দ্বারা বেষ্টিত,দেবী কুমারী র চরন ধন্য, স্বামীজীর ধ্যানমন্দির।এই শিলাই হল ভারতবর্ষের দক্ষিণতম বিন্দু। ১৯৭১ সালে একনাথ রানাডে জী এই memorial hall র কাজ শেষ করেন। এখানে আছে স্বামীজীর বিশাল মূর্তি, ধ্যান ঘর আর আছে তিন সমুদ্রের ঢেউয়ের অবিরাম স্বামীজী বন্দনা।
"মূর্ত মহেশ্বরমুজ্জল ভাস্করমিষ্টমমর-নরবন্দ্যম্"
কথিত আছে, দেবী পার্বতী এই শিলায় তপস্যা করেছিলেন বলে তাঁর পদ চিহ্ন আছে।এই শিলা র অপর এক নাম ,'Sripada পেরাই'। তামিল ভাষায় পেরাই মানে শিলা।
১৮৯২ সালে এই উত্তাল সমুদ্র সাঁতার দিয়ে এসে স্বামীজী এখানে ধ্যান করেছিলেন পরাধীন দেশে ভারতমাতার। দেখেছিলেন ভারতমাতার ষড়ৈশ্চর্যময়ী রূপ। তাঁর স্বপ্নের ভারত, ধ্যানের ভারতের সূচনা এখানেই।
নির্দিষ্ট সময়ে আমরা ফেরী ধরে ফিরে এলাম। বিকেলের পর ফেরী বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। অটো দাদা তিন সমুদ্রের সঙ্গম স্থলে নিয়ে গেলেন বিকেলে। তখন দূর থেকে দেখছিলাম আলোকিত কিন্তু নির্জন বিবেকানন্দ শিলা।মনে হল সারাদিন এত জনসমাগমের পর কি স্বামীজী এখন একা? আরে না না, "তাঁহারে আরতি করে চন্দ্র তপন "।
অটো দাদা কাছাকাছি আরো অনেক মন্দিরে নিয়ে গেলেন। পরদিন সকালে দেবী "কুমারী" মায়ের পূজো দিলাম। কন্যাকুমারী একান্ন শক্তিপীঠের অন্যতম এক পীঠ।
সেইদিন ই সন্ধ্যা বেলায় ফিরতি ট্রেনে রওনা দিলাম চেন্নাই।মনের মধ্যে অমলিন থেকে যাবে অসীম জলরাশির মধ্যে স্বামীজীর ধ্যানমন্দির বিবেকানন্দ শিলা।
আমার অন্তরের প্রনাম জানাই মহারাজ সুমনাসানন্দজী আর মহারাজ পদ্মস্থানন্দজী কে। ওঁরা সাহায্য করেছেন বলেই আমি যেতে পেরেছি।
My Visit to Kanayakumari Vivekananda Rock
- Nivedita Lahiri
A member of the Choir
Monday, May 12, 2025
Maharaj Sumanasanandaji visited VVCC in August 2024. Following his activities, Debashish and I traveled to the USA-Canada border, to Thousand Island Vivekananda Cottage (Ramakrishna-Vivekananda Center of NY), to escort him there. During the journey, amidst various conversations, I asked whether there was a Ramakrishna Mission in Kanyakumari and if I could visit it. Maharajji immediately replied, "There is no issue at all! I know Swami Padmasthananda, the resident Maharaj of Chennai Ramakrishna Mission, very well. He will guide you—I will inform him about you."
From that moment, I began preparing for my trip to Kanyakumari. When the time came, I reached Chennai Ramakrishna Mission, where the revered Swami Padmasthananda Maharaj explained everything to me. The next day, I departed from Chennai Egmore Station, heading toward Kanyakumari, rich with memories of Swamiji.
"An Unknown Shore, An Unknown Land"
Upon arriving at Kanyakumari Railway Station, I found Vivekanandapuram, just one kilometer away. It offers accommodation, a Sunrise Point, a Peacock Sanctuary, and a vegetarian restaurant that serves meals all day. Since I had made reservations in advance, I settled there and viewed Vivekananda Rock from afar at Sunrise Point.
Now, I had to visit Vivekananda Rock. After breakfast, I got ready and met an "auto driver – Auto Dada" at the Vivekanandapuram reception. When he learned that I had come alone from Kolkata, he gladly agreed to take me there. I began my journey after offering prayers to Sri Ma, feeling like Swami Padmasthananda Maharaj was still watching over me, despite the distance. The auto driver dropped me off at the ferry and said he would return in two hours to take me back to Vivekanandapuram.
Our ferry ride lasted only seven minutes, yet the sea was fierce! In front of Vivekananda Rock, there was another rock featuring the statue of the great Tamil philosopher-poet Thiruvalluvar. I noticed they were working on building a glass bridge between the two rocks.
The Sacred Vivekananda Rock
Vivekananda Rock is surrounded by three seas and blessed by the footsteps of Goddess Kumari. It is Swamiji’s meditation site and marks the southernmost tip of India. In 1971, Eknath Ranade completed the memorial hall. Here, one can find Swamiji’s grand statue, a meditation chamber, and the endless waves worshiping Swamiji through their rhythmic crashing.
It is said that Goddess Parvati once meditated on this rock, leaving her sacred footprint behind. This rock is also known as 'Sripada Perai', where "Perai" means "rock" in Tamil.
In 1892, Swamiji swam across the turbulent sea to meditate here, contemplating India’s destiny under colonial rule. It was on this rock that Swamiji envisioned India’s future, laying the foundation for his dream of a prosperous nation.
At the scheduled time, we returned via ferry, which stops operating in the evening. The auto driver then took me to the Triveni Sangam, where the three seas meet. From a distance, I saw Vivekananda Rock illuminated yet silent, wondering if Swamiji stood alone after the crowds had left. But no, "The moon and the sun offer him their divine evening worship."
Final Pilgrimage and Return
The auto driver took me to several nearby temples. The next morning, I offered prayers to Goddess Kumari, one of the fifty-one Shakti Peethas.
That evening, I boarded my return train to Chennai, carrying with me the immortal memory of Vivekananda Rock, standing amidst the endless waves of the vast ocean.
I offer my deepest respect and gratitude to Maharaj Sumanasanandaji and Maharaj Padmasthanandaji, for without their guidance, I would never have made this journey.
Dakshineswar Temple
- Sreelekha Banerjee
A member of the Choir
Monday, May 12, 2025
Dakshineswar has always been at the center of my life since childhood. Growing up in a Brahmo school environment and a religiously liberal household, I guess the lack of overwhelming and imposing rituals at Ramkrishna Mission and Dakshineswar always attracted me.
I could connect myself with Dakshineswar so dearly as it patronizes praying from one's own heart. No mantras, no priests are needed to reach the Dear Goddess. No incense sticks, candles or flowers are needed to pray to Kali Ma. As Thakur preached, Goddess is one's very own; he considered Her as Ma, sometimes as daughter, all that is needed is a spirituality and devotion. Not to be overshadowed by strict religious practices, he believed if one can call ‘Ma Kali’ from the bottom his heart She is bound to respond. Ma Kali cannot turn away the children, just as a mother cannot stay away when a child needs her.
This time we went to the temple in the evening around 7pm with my family. On our way to the temple we deposited our shoes and personal effects to the locker, and bought a prasad box. The temple had only a handful of devotees as it was late in the evening. First we went around the 12 shiva temples by the Ganges. From the Shiva temples as we looked around, on one side the Ganges was beautifully lighted and on the other side the temple premises looked ethereal. The entire ambience was very serene and peaceful. Then we went up the stairs to the temple, the priest touched the prasad box and gave back to me. After this short formal worship we stood in front of Ma Bhabatarini for our own prayers. There was no rush, we stood there with a strange feeling of devotion. The idol of Bhabatarini, the household look of Kali captivated me. The calm, benevolent deity seemed to be a loving mother of all, who can be seated in the heart without fear and prejudice.
My heart filled with emotion as I imagined this is where Thakur prayed everyday calling Kali as Ma and keenly seeking for her Darshan. Thakur earned the holy Darshan of Kali many times in this place sometimes as a strong light, sometimes as Ma and sometimes as a little girl or daughter. This is also the place where Sarada Moni, Thakur’s wife also spent her life praying. Sarada Moni also was very devoted to Ma Kali and followed her husband's path, sacrificing above all material desires. Thoughts of Thakur being an incarnation of Narayan and Saradamoni that of Lakshmi crossed my mind as I stood with folded hands.
Then we went to visit the Naat Mandir in front of the temple to get a view of the Temple and the Deity together. Naat Mandir is a space in front of the main temple, where performances were offered to God. Strangely enough we saw a group of singers were singing Bhaisnavi songs in the Naat Mandir, dedicating to Kali and Thakur and depicting Thakur's true belief on unity of God.
Naren also met Thakur in this temple and asked for guidance on his struggling financial situation. Thakur asked him to go to Kali and ask for whatever he needed. Naren went in thrice and every time he could ask for devotion, renunciation, and knowledge. He could not ask for money. Over time he became thakur’s most acclaimed devotee and the monk Swami Vivekananda, who was one of the greatest preachers of Hinduism in India and abroad. Story goes that someone complained to Thakur about Naren eating meat. Thakur's response to the person was that; even if he had simple boiled rice for rest of his life he will not be an inch closer to Naren's spirituality. Such was the connection between Thakur and Vivekananda. Later he built the Ram Krishna Mission keeping the philosophy of liberal thoughts and that spirituality as the primary focus. God lies in every human and serving humanity is service to God, was one of Vivekananda's ideology.
It would be incomplete if I do not mention the great Lady Rani Rashmoni in this context. The Dakshineswar temple was established by Rani Rashmoni, who saw Kali in her dreams asking for prayer. Thakur's brother and then Thakur were appointed priests for this temple in sequence.
This time I bought a saree for the Goddess and the salesman in the store asked me who was this for? When I told him, he asked me to pray for everyone and so did I. How can you or I be fine in an isolated way, when people around us are suffering? She is the mother of this big infinite world and need a collective blessing!
The doors of the temple closed around 7:45pm with conch blowing and we left with a heart full of peace and serenity. As we drove off a sense of fulfillment engulfed, as the mind was overwhelmed with respect for Thakur, Ma, Swamiji and deep love for Ma Kali.
My Meeting with Swami Divyananda Maharaj Ji, Jul 2024
- Akshaj Shil
A member of the Youth Choir
Monday, July 22, 2024
This summer, my father and I went to India. My Mamai (maternal uncle) took me to Kashipur (Kolkata) at 10:30 AM on July 22, 2024. When we entered the room Swami Ji was in and a crowd was listening to his lecture. I greeted him by touching his feet and he gave some candies as Prasadam. He also talked with me a lot. He asked me what grade I’m in, where I live, how old I was, which school I went to, and a few more questions. He’s a very wise and intelligent person with a lot of knowledge. I was very impressed meeting him.
He taught me how to multiply two numbers ending with five. You multiply the first digits of both numbers, and you round the first digit of the second number to the next number. That product goes first in order. The product that comes next is the one that is multiplied by both the second digits. Example: 45 x 45
45 rounded to 50; First digit: 5
4 x 5 = 20 5 x 5 = 25
45 x 45 = 2025
He also taught me what meditation is. Meditation is when you constantly think about something.
Then he told me a story: Once upon a time there was a king, who didn’t have a child. He decided to adopt an honest young man who would be wise enough to serve the kingdom. The king gave every young man in town a seed, and told those young men whoever could grow the best plant would be adopted by him. The following year, everyone in town came with beautiful plants, except one man. The king crowned the honest man without a plant. Everyone went into a state of deep confusion, because he didn't have a plant, and the king said whoever could nurture a plant the best would be crowned prince. The king said that he had boiled the seeds, so the seeds were useless. The other dishonest men got seeds of the same type and planted those seeds. This is a story of honesty.
Swami ji was focused on me the whole time I was there. Before my maternal uncle and I left, Maharaj Ji gave me some Batasha Sweets to eat later.
I met him again at Agartala Ramkrishna Mission in Agartala, on the evening of July 24, 2024. It was impressive when he recalled my name and where I was from. When I said “hi” to him, he told me, “Akshaj, you are from Connecticut, right?”. My maternal grandfather, my father and I went to see him. He gave me some candy as Prasadam. We couldn’t talk for long, but his wisdom impressed us.