Swami Purushottamananda a monks perspective

SWAMI PURUSHOTTAMANANDA
A MONKS PERSPECTIVE

By Swami Sunischalananda
The year was 2004. The year the Temple of Sri Ramakrishna was consecrated in Belgaum. It was the
culmination of four years of hard, back-breaking work that the incharge Swamiji had taken upon himself at the ripe
old age of 71. He had to conduct programs and Satsangs all over Karnataka to reach out to thousands of people for
donations to construct the Ashrama. Such an endeavor had never before been attempted in Ramakrishna Mutt
wherein the whole Ashrama Complex was attempted in one go. He would often tell people that he wanted the
Ashrama to be constructed with the collective effort and donations of the devotees rather than a few people
donating huge sums. So the donations were collected on a monthly basis from rupees 50 to 1000 from devotees
who gave according to their mite. He had attempted something herculean and had succeeded. It was his moment to
enjoy and rest upon his laurels. He had every right to do so and we thought he would do so too. Then one day in the
class for the monastic inmates, he said, Look, I don't care much about these buildings and temples. Someone else
might do a better job than me. What I am concerned about is you, my Brahmacharins. What happens to you; how
you grow up in life; therein lies my legacy.
This was Swami Purushottamananda.
It doesn't mean that he didn't give attention towards the design and creation of the Ashrama complex. He
would involve himself in every aspect of the design and guide the architect. He would often say that the architect is
not trained to construct an Ashrama. He would not understand our requirements and criteria. I would often see him
during the construction observing, enjoying, guiding and altering things. He would show keen interest in every
little aspect but I never saw any pride or attachment but the curiosity and interest of a tourist.
As many as 30 Brahmachari were growing up under him. Many monks from other branches of the
Ramakrishna Mutt would ask him to send some Brahmacharins to their centers. He would politely decline. Then,
during the night class he would say, Let me see if they can collect 10 lakh rupees for this Ashrama. Isnt a
Brahmachari worth even that much? They only want someone to work. I have nothing against it, but you are not
properly trained to work as a Sadhu. Your mental health has to be monitored. Who will do that? Anybody can
work. But what about the right attitude? Who will fine tune your BHAVA towards the work? Be with me for some
years and then go out and do whatever duties you are allotted. I will not have any fear for your wellbeing then.
He gave us complete freedom and would encourage us to build on our talents. He would often say, I am
giving you complete freedom. In three years, you can grow in both experience and maturity as you would in thirty
years! But, beware; freedom is a double edge sword. If not properly utilized it will ruin you. I don't want any of you
to fall from the ideal after 20 years. So, here is your freedom; grow if you want.
But this doesn't mean he was not concerned about the spiritual and moral growth of his Brahmacharins. His
style of Administration was to drill in the ideals and the morals of this life and let us carve a path for ourselves. He
never ever forced us to follow his way of life.
His emphasis was on how to lead a spiritual life in a community. Day in and day out, every hour of the day, he
would hammer in the ideals of spiritual life, demonstrating how to practice it by living in a community. Because of
this emphasis, 25 of us could live happily with him in a rented house with tiny rooms to share amongst us; eight per
room, sleeping side-by-side and sharing one common Almirah for our belongings. It was his towering personality
and scintillating talks on the ideal that would keep us from clashing and making a mess of ourselves.
Even when there were ego clashes, his way of dealing with it was unique. He would say, You rascals! You
don't practice what I teach and above that, you create such a big mess. Then you ask me to resolve these petty
squabbles. Why should I? I didn't teach you this. So, why should I mess myself with your filthy quarrels? His
way of dealing with such personality clashes was to show us the ideal, elaborating what it demands of us, making
us realize where we stand.

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Swami Purushottamananda a monks perspective

He would welcome everyone to become a Brahmachari. His Idea was that everybody [every youth] should be
given an opportunity to follow celibacy irrespective of their formal education or the lack of it. He would say thatas there are different kinds of aptitudes, so also, there is a thing called spiritual intelligence. A man endowed with it
would not break his head over whys and hows of this world but would leave it alone by coming to the conclusion
that, this is how the world works, and furthermore, he would catch on to the practical solutions that would help him
in his spiritual life. He would not be distracted by things that have no bearing on his spiritual life. He would point
out that this type of intelligence has nothing to do with formal education.
He would often say the doors of this Ashrama are always open to any youth who would like to practice the
ideal taught by Swami Vivekananda. At the same time, it is open to anyone who wants to leave. I will not cajole
anyone to stay. I would rather spend my time and energy on those who want to stay and build their life.
He had a personal relationship with every Brahmachari. Often, he would take them on long walks and enquire
about the mental and physical health. He was very particular that at least a little amount of exercise should be done
by every Brahmachari. His simple explanation was a Rogi cannot be Yogi.
He would enquire about the books we read and the ideas we liked most in those books. He would get a picture
of our mental health and our capabilities with it and guide us accordingly. He was very insistent that we go through
the Ramakrishna-Vivekananda literature before we attempt the study of Shastras. He said this would give us the
right perspective to understand the scriptures in the right light. This doesn't mean that he was against the Shastras.
One day a Brahmachari was explaining to him some trivial details of a building where Swami Vivekananda at
stayed. He gravely said, What will you gain by knowing where Swamiji went on which date? Study Narada Bhakti
Sutra and Patanjali Yoga Sutras. You will be able to understand where you stand what you have to practice and the
proof of your progress step by step. His whole point was, What relation have you developed with your Ishta? Go
to Him for everything. If you feel hurt, go to Him; if you are angry with someone, go to Him. Whatever the reason,
go to your Ishta and talk to Him. If you had a clash with someone, go to your Ishta and pray to make you realize
your mistakes. Or if you feel you are in the right, ask that the other person should ask for your forgiveness. Make
God your only refuge. Never depend on anybody else. Then and then alone will God start responding.
Though he would maintain personal relation with every Brahmachari in the Ashrama and would show greatest
concern for each one welfare and growth, it was never based on emotions or sentiments. Emotions and sentiments
demand something in return. If it doesn't get what it wants, it turns into hatred. He would neither demand it of
others nor respond to it. Many a times, gratitude turns into adoration. Swamiji would abhor any kind of personality
worship and would severely chide any Brahmachari who would show even a hint of it.
He would say, Sama darshana is possible. Not Samavartana. I have practiced Samavartana to a great extent.
No one can accuse me of being partial to anyone. Those who excuse him of partiality, tend to forget conveniently
that they accuse him of it because he was not partial towards them! It is because they had an emotional, immature
mindset, expecting favors and recognition for their so-called contributions. They forget the great sacrifice the
Swami himself was making in training the Brahmacharins and building the Ashrama simultaneously. He never ever
demanded anything in return other than an honest struggle for spiritual growth. He would ever oblige us with his
precious time and energy for our spiritual growth. He would bring in the donations required to build and run the
Ashrama, look after our physical and mental health, monitor us, and regulate our daily activities by conducting
classes and prayers. Even in the most trying circumstances, he never ever contemplated sending some of the
Brahmacharins to other centers to ease the financial burden on the Ashrama. They forget that instead of making
work as a means of Sadhana, they made it a means of power struggle and privileges and then accuse him for not
siding with them!
He would often warn us, Do as I say, not as I do. One day he elaborated, Never ever try to do like me. I
have a special blessing from Holy Mother. Nobody can slander my character. There is a ring of fire around me, as it
were, that will burn up any woman who tries to penetrate it. Only after Mother's blessing, I started working
amongst the household women. I started guiding them and conducting satsangas in their homes, binding them in
groups and Satsanga Kendras. If you try to emulate me, your reputation as a Sadhu will be spoilt.

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Swami Purushottamananda a monks perspective

It might give you the impression by all the previous incidents that he was perhaps haughty and not humble. He
once said, I don't believe in humility. I believe in Samadarshana. He further elaborated, Samadarshana doesn't
mean that you have to treat a beggar like a king. It means giving your complete attention to him; giving the same
kind of attention to a childs blabbering as you give to an orator's discourse. That's the way you give respect and
make him feel important and cared. I have specially practiced it.
Attentiveness or Awareness was the very essence of his being. We never saw anything fall from his hands; not
even a pen or a tumbler. Once a Brahmachari who was trying to do Japa and Dhyana for 12 hours a day dropped his
dinner plate. Swamiji inquired who it was and came to know that it was that particular Brahmachari. He exclaimed,
Look, that brat practices Japa for 12 hours a day and hasnt even developed enough Awareness to hold his plate
properly. How can I expect him to hold his mind? God only knows what's going on in those 12 hours of Japa! It is
said that the greatness of a man is not to be judged by his greatest actions but by the smallest. Swamiji gave the
same amount of attention and care to the smallest of actions as to the actions of epic proportions.
He stressed upon the importance of practice of Brahmacharya. He would say, Do any work along with
practice of Brahmacharya. It will get converted into Sadhana. Without strict Brahmacharya, even Pooja will
become just another work! He would never tire of emphasizing that Brahmacharya was not repression of the basic
instincts but sublimation of it. He would say that repression is the deliberate suppression of all the questions
concerning sex and celibacy. It was the deliberate attachment of stigma to everything attached to sex. The further
you repress it, the more you will be attracted to it like a Forbidden Apple. At a young age, you can somehow
manage it with your youthful energy. But as you get old and your mental and physical energy is reduced, it will
surely rise it's ugly head and make you fall from the ideal. This is the reason for many sadhus falling even after
living this life for 20-30 years. What is the way then? Analyze what it is with a clear conscience, the way you
dissect a frog in a science lab. Until and unless you build up an intellectual clarity and conviction about the utter
necessity of Brahmacharya for spiritual life, you will not be able to sublimate your baser instincts. Build up a
plethora of solutions for the times when sexual thoughts arise. Never try to suppress it forcefully. Divert your mind
towards holy thoughts and ideas at that moment. Try to detach yourself from the thought process. Once you
become the observer instead of the actor, the sexual thoughts will lose their charm. Most important of all, pray to
your Ishta with a yearning heart to protect you from the baser instincts. Have infinite patience and perseverance.
He stressed upon the need to engage in different aspects of Sadhana like collecting flowers, singing bhajans,
chantings, deep study, Karmayoga and japa-dhyana. He warned us against any monotony setting in. As our minds
are not developed enough to hold onto one single idea or thought, the danger of monotony and furthermore
boredom-stupor would set in and destroy any chance of spiritual progress. He often warned us against making a
habit of sleeping during Japa-Dhyana. He preferred that we got up from our Asana and went to sleep on our bed
rather than letting the mind associate Japa-Dhyana with sleep on the Asana! He would often warn, Sleeping during
japa-dhyana is the end of spiritual progress.
He stressed a lot on Karma Yoga as a means for purifying our minds. He was very particular about the quality
of work done by us. Any slackness or carelessness even while mopping the floor would make him severely
reprimand us. He himself would teach us how to fold the floor mopping cloth; how to change the sides when they
get dirty; how to mop the floors so as not to leave a single spot undone. He would chide us by saying, Try to work
methodically first, then you can convert it to Karma Yoga. His mantra for a properly executed work was, Do as
much work as possible in the least amount of time, in a proper, systematic way, silently, without grumbling. He
would exclaim, You can realize God by mopping the floors of the Ashrama or by cleaning the vessels in the
kitchen. The only requirements are an honest struggle for spiritual growth and at least 16 hours of work. Don't
expect to achieve something by doing it for just 2 or 3 hours. You will have to make it to the central theme of your
life and do it for at least 15 -16 hours to achieve something out of it. To realize God, a Bhakta does Japa for at least
16 hours a day. So also you will have to do Karma Yoga for 16 hours to achieve the same results.
He would add, Simultaneous attention should be given to Brahmacharya and Sadhana. Both have to go hand
in hand. They complement and supplement each other. One is not possible without the other. Brahmacharya is the
closing of the rat holes in the fields. Sadhana is the filling of the field with water for plantation. Anger is just
another form of Lust. Any temper tantrum ultimately leads to the arousal of baser instincts, beware!
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Swami Purushottamananda a monks perspective

In community life, we often create a lot many problems for ourselves through our stupidity and ignorance.
Then we get lost in a labyrinth and lose sight of the goals we have set for ourselves. He gave many practical tips to
lessen our confusions. This world runs on misunderstanding. Never think that as you are in the right, people will
understand you automatically. No. It's your responsibility to make the concerned people understand your point of
view and get them to approve of it. Otherwise, you'll get entangled in the web of Karma. Not letting the work
complicate itself is a part of your Karma Yoga.
Observe everything around you and constantly think of how to improve everything. I said think, not to dictate
others. The problem arises when you think you instantly take upon yourself the self-assigned duty of teaching
others, thereby offending them. No. Think and keep quiet. When a chance is given to you, then you should do, not
before. That is how you build up your personality for taking greater responsibilities.
Let's gossip. That way, you will know what I am and I will know what you are. It will reduce the chances of
misunderstanding when we work together. He would further add, Gossip on anything except on other people!
Everybody in the Ashrama is here due to Sri Ramakrishnas Grace. Sri Ramakrishna likes something in each
and every one of them and holds on to it in spite of all their shortcomings, making them stay here. Try to see what
He - Sri Ramakrishna - is holding onto in that person. Then you will have less ego clashes and much more
appreciation for each other.
I will not mind any of your mistakes, but don't commit the same mistake twice.
A Swami who had recently gone through a rough patch in his life asked Swami Purushottamanandaji how he
could calmly digest all the slanders that come with every acclaim. He replied, People didn't leave Swami
Vivekananda, then who am I? This thought enables me to tide over all adverse comments.
When interacting with women devotees, see to it that you are in a well-lit place, where everyone can see you;
talk in a loud, clear voice. Never talk in a hushed voice. That way, nobody can question your character.
He would often say that Swami Yatiswaranandaji taught him to serve the household devotees as
manifestations of Lakshmi Narayana and it had since been an integral part of his Sadhana. He would encourage us
to do the same.
He guided thousands of devotees in their spiritual life. He would listen to their woes patiently and guide them
in their spiritual paths. He had a photographic memory, what is called an Eidetic Memory. He could recognize
people even after 20 years without contact!
He would always say, Begging is not good. You have to give back something. Otherwise, the accumulated
Karma will eat you up. I give them guidance through books, bhajans, lectures and satsangas. I pray for each one of
them. If I can't do much else, I at least give them a listening ear to hear their woes. It pacifies them. This is how I
give and take. I give more than I take so as not burden myself with their Karmas.
He had specially worked amongst the household women in Karnataka. His Idea was that after the daily
household chores, they would have enough time at their disposal to do something with their lives. A woman can
transform the whole family. He guided them, made them organize themselves into many Satsanga Kendras and
encouraged them into moulding their lives according to the teachings of the Divine Trio. Many of the
Brahmacharins who later joined the Ashrama were from such families. Since the Ramakrishna culture permeated
their homes, their mothers themselves supported of their childrens decision to join the Ashrama!
He was very fond of the youth. He had managed the Vivekananda Balaka Sangha and Vivekananda Yuvaka
Sangha in Bangalore Ashrama for over 30 years. He would quote Swami Yatishwaranandaji, Catch them young.
He would stress upon the need to mould the characters of the young minds before it was too late. Thousands upon
thousands of students benefited by his books on Concentration. Around 25 lakh copies of his books Letter to a
student and Secret of concentration were given to students across Karnataka at highly subsidized rate during his
lifetime. Innumerable youths became interested in Vivekananda and his teaching only after benefiting from these
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Swami Purushottamananda a monks perspective

books. Many later joined the Ramakrishna Ashrama at Bangalore, Ulsoor, Ponampet, Belgaum & many other
places, to become monks.
He told us later that the secret of his success in making so many youths join the Ramakrishna Mutt was, I
reach out to thousands of students through my lectures, correspondence and books. Out of those thousands, a few
dozen youths are seriously interested in Vivekananda and his message. Out of lot, a few will be willing to sacrifice
worldly life and become Sannyasis. To get those few boys, I have to reach out to lakhs of boys! This is my trade
secret.
There is a hospital run by the Ashrama in Ponnampet. A lot of financial burden of running the hospital was
borne by the Ashrama. The hospital was not in a good condition. The Swami in charge of the hospital would boast
that the hospital was running better under him than ever before. He would grow vegetables in the fields around the
hospital and sell it at retail rate to the Ashrama. So for weeks we would have the same vegetable for lunch and
dinner as some 40- 50 kgs of the vegetables were sold to the Ashrama. Many of us got irritated and suggested to
Swami Purushottamanandaji that there is a provision to take the salary of the manager in the hospital and divert it
to the Ashrama. We simply suggested it as a means to stop the Swami from beating his own drum and from selling
the vegetables to the Ashrama. Swami Purushottamanandaji replied, With the pure money of the devotees who
have understood the significance of spiritual life and want you to grow into great monks, you boys are not growing
into saints. Do you think that from the bloodstained money of the hospital, there is any hope?
He would always stress, Give more than you receive. Pray for the devotees. Anyhow, much of the results of
your Sadhana will go to the various people who support you. Better give it consciously and become less selfish day
by day. If you don't do proper Sadhana, then all such karmas will get accumulated and will start working itself out
in the form of incurable physical and mental diseases. There is no mechanism in Ramakrishna Math to train the
boys who couldn't join the Ashrama for personal reasons. The most important aspect of spiritual life is Sadhu
Sangha. An aspirant learns much by living with a Sadhu. Swami Purushottamanandaji took such boys into the
Ashrama and would train them for two to three years so that they get an idea of how a monk should be and how an
Ashrama should be.
Many monks and Brahmacharins from different centers ask us about the Sadhana and the routine of Swami
Purushottamanandaji. Since we came very late in his life, we don't know what type of Sadhana he himself did. He
never talked about his visions or realizations. His emphasis was always on leading a pure life and working with the
right attitude. When a Brahmachari from another center asked him of his visions, he curtly replied, Sri
Ramakrishna will give you visions, but that may not convert into peace of mind. The way you live with your
brother-monks alone determines your inner peace. He would quote Swami Adidevanandaji- Be a Saint, but not a
rogue-saint like Rasputin! Rasputin would pray and bring the curse of God on anyone he didn't like. The only
thing he ever mentioned was that he practiced strict Brahmacharya from the age of 16 and that after joining the
Ashrama he did all the duties allotted to him, never ever avoiding anything.
We could infer the state of his mind by small incidents that happened now and then. He was insistent that the
Brahmacharins should make a schedule and sit in the Temple for Japa-Dhyana at all times when the shrine was
open. He was very particular that this should be followed whenever he was out of station. He would chide us
severely if he saw any laxity in following this routine. He would say, What incentive do you give Sri Ramakrishna
to preside over this Ashrama when he has to sit alone in the Temple? A Brahmachari later went and asked Swami
Purushottamanandaji why he was very insistent that this routine should be followed when he was out of station but
not when he was in the Ashrama. Swamiji gravely replied, Because, when I am here, I take care of it.
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