Saturday, February 22, 2020

श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (23-24)'Test of Poise-in adverse situations'

[23]  
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
29 August 1991  
My dear Vijay, 
                           Just day before yesterday, I replied to your earlier letter, Right now I open your letter dt 24/8/91 conveying the news of XYZ..... I am very sorry . But immediate treatment will certainly make him all right. There is nothing to worry. 
                            Due to various  factors operating in society , such cases are very common nowadays. Many do not have correct ideas and therefore accuse  somebody for such things. Nobody else is responsible for the his insanity. You should not also make yourself responsible , even the least.
               I think in the meantime Pramod came and make people understand things properly . You can only see that proper arrangements for his treatment is done.   
               Try to remain calm in adverse situations . This what is called 'Poise' , among the 24 character qualities. Vairagya and insanity are not the same thing. Such a person should be treated as a patient. His condition does not prove anything beyond that he does not have sufficient power to digest the bad things and lacks in self-control. 
               It does not prove your insufficiency in any way. Those who with poise go on working steadfastly even when situations are unfavourable will see Light and succeed. At least there must be one such person , when others get perplexed , Be that one person. Yes, certainly it is something that will make everyone feel sorry. But the world is not always a smooth sailing . Storm rise , thunder strike, but you must be steadfast. 
                  Why such a thing comes to somebody nobody can explain. It has been said in Shastras : 
सुखस्य दुःखस्य न कोऽपि दाता
परो ददातीति कुबुद्धिरेषा ।
अहं करोमीति वृथाभिमानः
स्वकर्मसूत्रे ग्रथितो हि लोकः ॥**
[लक्ष्मणजी ने अध्यात्म रामायण में निषादराज गुह से कहा है‒‘सुख-दुःख को देने वाला दूसरा कोई नहीं है । दूसरा सुख-दुःख देता है‒यह समझना कुबुद्धि है । मैं करता हूँ‒यह वृथा अभिमान है । सब लोग अपने-अपने कर्मों की डोरी से बँधे हुए हैं ।’] 
              It will be foolish on the part of anybody who charges you for this ailment from which XYZ is suffering at present . What is wrong in trusting somebody who works hard and is a good soul ? How can one foresee that somebody will later run mad ? Have we not seen many such cases ? Perhaps he was practicing too hard and may be taking guidance from some sadhu or some body else. We know all that and therefore prescribe moderate practice.
              If someone follows the instructions thoroughly , he cannot suffer like this. I have seen this many times. Don't worry , .... the people who do not know things well. Anyway let me know regularly.. how he improve , let us all pray for him. 
Nabanida .
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** हम जो सुखी-दुःखी होते हैं, यह हमारी गलती है । इसमें गलती क्या है ? यही बात तुलसीकृत रामायण में भी आयी है‒
काहु न कोउ सुख दुख कर दाता ।
निज कृत करम भोग सबु भ्राता ॥
                                                                  (मानस २/९२/२)
              सुख-दुःख देनेवाला दूसरा कोई नहीं है‒यह एक विशेष सूत्र है ! 'दूसरा' कोई व्यक्ति मुझे दुःख देता है‒ऐसी समझ कुबुद्धि है, कुत्सित बुद्धि है, खोटी बुद्धि है । अमुक व्यक्ति ने मुझे दुःख दे दिया‒यह वेदान्त की दृष्टि से गलत है । 
           इस विषय में एक बात तो यह है कि परमात्मा परम दयालु हैं, परम हितैषी हैं, अन्तर्यामी हैं और सर्वसमर्थ हैं। ऐसे परमात्मा के रहते हुए, उनकी जानकारी में कोई भी किसी को दुःख दे सकता है क्या ? दूसरी बात यह है कि अगर दूसरा दुःख देता है तो दुःख कभी मिटने का है ही नहीं; क्योंकि दूसरा तो कोई-न-कोई रहेगा ही 
     हमारे सामने सुख और दुःख दोनों आते-जाते रहते हैं । सुख-दुःख देनेवाला दूसरा कोई नहीं है, प्रत्युत सब अपने किये हुए कर्मों के फल को भोगते हैं । पातञ्जलयोगदर्शन में लिखा है‒‘सति मूले तद्विपाको जात्यायुर्भोगाः’ (२/१३) अर्थात्‌ पहले किये हुए कर्मों के फल से जन्म, आयु और भोग होता है । 
         'भोग' कहने से क्या समझते हैं? ‘अनुकूलवेदनीयं सुखम्’, ‘प्रतिकूलवेदनीयं दुःखम्’ और ‘सुखदुःख अन्यतरः साक्षात्कारो भोगः’ अथात् सुखदायी और दुःखदायी परिस्थिति सामने आ जाय और उस परिस्थिति का अनुभव हो जाय, उसमें अनुकूल-प्रतिकूल की मान्यता हो जाय, इसका नाम ‘भोग’ है । अब एक बात बड़े रहस्य की, बहुत मार्मिक और काम की है । आप ध्यान दें ।
         आपने अच्छा काम किया है तो सुखदायी परिस्थिति आपके सामने आयेगी और बुरा काम किया है तो दुःखदायी परिस्थिति आपके सामने आयेगी । यह तो है कर्मों की बात । अब परिस्थिति को लेकर सुखी-दुःखी होना केवल मूर्खता है । वह परमात्मा का कर्म-विधान है, जो हमारे कर्मोंका नाश करके हमें शुद्ध करनेके लिये हुआ है । वह सच्चिदानन्द परमात्मा कैसे किसी को दुःख देगा ?
[ साभार : सन्त वाणी : http://satcharcha.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-post_27.html
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[24] 
Postcard 

Registered Office:

Bhuban Bhavan

P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan

Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)

Pin Code 743121

25.10.1991
My dear Vijay, 
........on the occasion of Vijayadashami .the matter of the ..... Bengali book 
' Ekti Yuva Andolan ' there are some changes at places. Can you translate this matter into Hindi ? If you can send it by November. I may try to make a ins..... (not clearly readable)  cassette in Hindi , which may be taken by ... at the Annual Camp. 
Yours affly
Nabanida.
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श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (21-22) 'It is very difficult to mould elderly people'

[21]
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
18 July 1991 
  Reference No : VYM/91-92/225  

My dear Bijay, 
                            I just received your letter dated 11 July and go through it to come to know all that has happened  since the last State -level camp. I don't think there is anything to worry ; for problems will always be there and we have to face them boldly at the same time calmly and overcome them. That is what is to be learnt.  
                           Everyone who builds his life properly , will be able to handle any untoward situation with correct decision and firmness. Though every action has to conduce to the progress of the work leading to the goal set forth. I hope, Pramod will come to your help to settle the matter about the resignation.  
                    I am happy to learn that Kewat Ji and Satish are taking good interest in the work and there are other young people who are also enthusiastic. It will be very fine of 'Leadership' in Hindi comes out before the next All-India Camp. 
                     Occasional celebrations may of course be necessary and on some such occasions a small drama by children may be enjoyable, but to spread the work of the Mahamandal through drama and celebrations is not sound proposal. All methods of work have been examined for long years in Mahamandal and ultimately its method of working has taken a shape which for the good of the organization should not be altered arbitrarily to make new experiments 
                     We should devote more time to mould and enthuse young members rather than older people, though some of them may be very useful. It is very difficult to give a new mould to the thinking of elderly people and it is no use wasting time over such attempts.  
                     It is better to work harder for young people so that they can form correct notions about things and are able to analyse objective situations and understand clearly the correctness of the diagnosis and remedies offered by Swami Vivekananda so that with conviction of purpose they may work relentlessly for translating Swamiji's ideas into action for their own benefit and for the good of the society at large .
                         It is good that some boys from Moriyavaan village (D.Pandit of Janibigha.) are attending your study circle. Give as much time for them as possible. Why not go to their village to start a study circle ? Why wait for others to come for aid ? You should be prepared to do things alone and if somebody comes to help you, welcome it .It is really unfortunate that Jitendra with all his good qualities of head and heart wants to part away .  
                   It is indeed heartening that the study circle of 'Sarada Nari Sangathan' is going on and the members are taking interest in it. The best thing will be , if you ask them to write to me direct so that I can post them with all necessary information. Actually , from 20th to 22nd July a camp for women is being held under the aegis of the Sarada Nari Sangathan. There is hardly any time left , otherwise a few of them could have come and joined this camp. It will be held in the premises of Vivekananda  Student's  Home  run by Balibhara Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal , near Naihati. Last Sunday , there was a day-long discussion arranged by a unit of the Mahamandal in Hooghly  District where girl members of Sarda Nari Sangathan from three nearby areas had a special meeting for about one and half hours. Nearly 100 women participated in it.   
                   I am happy to know about things at your home and that both your son and daughter have been admitted in colleges. 
              I talked to Pranab . He told me that he had already asked you to write to President Maharaj with the request to initiate your children . In such cases , it is the usual way to approach. They will send the forms to you and later on will give the dates etc. This cannot be arranged from here unless you send an application direct. 
                   Yes, that is the only thing that you can do. You can only pray for your father and other good members of your family. 
            
            With love 

Yours affectionately

Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 


Sri Bijay Kumar Singh
Jhumritelaiya -825 409
Dist. Hazaribag
Bihar.
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[22]

Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
27 August 1991
कल्याणीय विजय , 
                       तुम्हारे 15 अगस्त के पत्र को पाकर परम् हर्ष हो रहा है। प्रमोद , साधुलोग और बादल भी झुमरीतिलैया में आये और जो जो हुए हैं - {'तारा निकेतन ' में तात्कालीन राँची रामकृष्ण मिशन आश्रम, मोराबादी के सचिव वेंकट महाराज (स्वामी आत्मविदानन्द) तथा टुपुदाना आश्रम के सचिव के साथ अन्य तीन साधु , नाम प्रमोद दा को पता होगा; आये थे और घर के पूजाघर में ठाकुर, माँ, स्वामीजी की छवि की स्थापना तथा श्री रामकृष्ण वचनामृत से पाठ आदि जो जो आयोजन हुए हैं। } सब जानकर विशेष प्रसन्नता प्राप्त किया। तुमलोग महा भाग्यवान हो। 
                  पहले भी कहा था कि जीवन में सहनशीलता की जरूरत सबसे अधिक होती है, विशेष रूप से संघ में। या संसार में भी (गृहस्थ जीवन में भी), कितनी क्लीवता को मुझको बर्दास्त करना पड़ता है जिसकी कल्पना करना भी तुम्हारे लिए कठिन होगा। 
               जीतेन्द्र पूर्व की तरह फिर से लौट आया और काम में लगता है जानकर मुझे ख़ुशी होती है।  महामण्डल का नया ऑफिस हर रोज खुला रहता है और पुस्तकालय भी शुरू होने वाला है जानते हुए ख़ुशी होती है। 
               मोरियावां गाँव के लड़के के लिए आर्थिक सहायता जहाँ तक सम्भव हो सके जरूर करोगे। वैसे किसी लड़के के लिए कुछ करने से भविष्य में बहुत बड़ा काम होता है, तुम्हें यह बाद में मालूम होगा।
              सारदा नारी संगठन की एक OTC 1- 2 अक्टूबर को होने वाली है। शायद कलकत्ता में होगी। एक notice भेजी जाएगी।  अगर कोई (?) आ सकती है तो अच्छा होगा। उनसे कोई पत्र अभी तक नहीं मिला।             
   महामण्डल के आदर्श और उद्देश्य के अनुसार-- जो कुछ भी कार्य चलता हो, (चाहे जितना भी नगण्य काम क्यों न हुआ हो) रिपोर्ट नियमित रूप से आनी चाहिये। व्यक्तिगत पत्र की बात दूसरी है। लेकिन कोई खास ज्यादा काम नहीं हुआ, इस कारण के लिए बहुत दिन तक बिल्कुल चुपचाप रहना -बहुत ठीक नहीं मालूम पड़ता है। 
                 आशा है कि घर के सब अच्छे हैं।  
             ठाकुर-माँ -स्वामीजी के आशीर्वाद से तुमलोगों का सार्विक मंगल हो यही मेरा प्रार्थना है। 
श्रीनवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय  
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"श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (19-20)" Mahamandal booklet Leadership-p 16

                                                                              [19] 
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
13 March 1991 
  Reference No : VYM/90-91/1026 

My dear Vijay, 
                             Your letter of 6/3 reached today. In the meantime I replied to your previous letter and also returned the translation of " Leadership" with some corrections. You may take the final decision about the corrections .Only if you think that they will be better then only you may change. But about p 16 of the original version should be kept and..... the new one should be discarded . 
                          From here beside me Dipak Mukherjee , Utpal Sinha and Pranab Jana Ray will be going , Swapan Panda cannot go. I will write to B.B. Panda, (Swami Tanmayananda) of Endor, but I don't know whether he will come. 
    I don't know why you want detain me three or 2 more day. If so, I cannot come alone. In that case Pranab will come with me. Others may start on 14 th April at night . We are arranging for reservation for the onward journey only. 
                        It is great that you have been enjoying your experience while working for the camp. Let the hammer fall on the head , but it will not break if you have Swamiji in you  

                 With blessings and all good wishes 

yours affectionately

नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय  

P.S. Some of you and Badal (Professor Dr. B.N. Ghosh, Ranchi.)  and Pramod must be prepared to take some classes , because it will be difficult for me to continue discussing all the time during the whole camp
N.M. 
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[20]


Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
5 May 1991

My dear Vijay, 
                           What is the matter ? You are absolutely silent since we parted. What is the effect of the camp ? What about follow up actions ? How is Satish (sharmaji) ? What about your reports on the camp and accounts ? How about Kevat ji ? (respected teacher of high school) 
                        Did you do anything about printing the Hindi version of " Leadership" ?  
                       Hope everything is fine at home and your own affairs.  Pramod has also not written in the meantime though I wrote .
                 
                      With love 
as ever
   
Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 

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"The distance between insanity and genius is measured only by success."

 - Bruce Feirstein

"पागलपन और प्रतिभा के बीच की दूरी को केवल सफलता से मापा जाता है।" - ब्रूस फ़र्स्टीन
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श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (17-18)'Depend on yourself'

[17]  
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
13 February 1991
 Reference No : VYM/90-91/776 

My dear Vijay, 
                           Your letter dated 10 February is just received. It is noted that have shifted the date for the Bihar State-level camp in consultation with Pramod {Sri Pramod Ranjan Das, Ranchi). But it should have occurred to you that our convenience and confirmation are also important .Dates were fixed after consultation with all concerned and you should have sought your consent before changing it. Anyway, we shall try to accommodate. 
                           it is noted that you are bringing out a souvenir on the occasion. You may take any of my articles from any publication or 'Vivek-Jivan' if you like. You may translate into Hindi or give it in English as you please. I don't think any message is necessry.  
                       It is good that you have translated the book on 'Leadership', but immediately I don't think it will be possible for me to go through the whole thing for necessary correction. You should depend on yourself and correct it as far as possible. I have no objection in printing it in Hindi. But one suggestion in this connection. Why not print it as a booklet instead of printing it in a souvenir
                        Circulation of souvenir will certainly be limited, but if printed as a booklet (say 500 copies), after your camp that Hindi booklet can be of use in other places also and I think that will do some good. If you fix any price for the souvenir , you may even give this booklet free to everyone who purchase the souvenir. You may think on this suggestion and take the final decision as you think best. I cannot give more time for this at the moment .   
                      Sending blocks by post is a difficult job and would cost a lot also. God knows what time the parcel may take to go. Moreover, we don't have spare blocks. Printing of so many things are going on. If you think necessary , you may make at least one block of Swami Vivekananda . The symbol block you may take from Ranchi which will be easier than to obtain one from here. 
                       I am happy to learn that some of the boys are taking greater interest in the work of the Mahamandal now.
                      Two things are not clear to me. You have asked how to print page no. 16. What do you mean actually ? page no. 16 of the booklet or of the translation ? Do you ask about the heading of the section ? If it is so, you may think of putting the word 'Ban-ne-wale ' in place of 'Sambhavit' . But I leave the whole thing to your judgment. Do as you think best in the whole matter. I belive , the translation also will be up to the mark.  
                       The second point in, your letter that I could not follow correctly is your query - " मैं चाहता हूँ कि स्मारिका ऐसा बने जिससे नई जगह पर जब कोई पाठचक्र खुले तो सिर्फ स्मारिका को ही सामने रखकर पाठचक्र प्रारम्भ हो जाये। " If you mean that you want to make the souvenir in such a way that it will help people in starting study circles in different places, the souvenir may serve the purpose with all materials? If that is your query , you may certainly do so. Don't worry about permission. Any material published by the Mahamandal , you may make use of to include in your souvenir. Only if you make the booklet on 'Leadership' like a supplement to the souvenir it will serve the double purpose as metioned above.  
                        All here are doing well and we are constantly on the move from place to place. I don't know if you had done anything wrong during the annual camp. So. there is no question of pardoning you for no faults that you committed.  
                        About the person who can attend the camp , as you know , it will take some time to contact everyone and to ascertain their convenience etc. As soon as I get the confirmations, I shall let you know. But in the meantime let us know the train we should take for our journey from here and also the date and train timing  by which we may return. This you should talk in every case, otherwise it becomes difficult to ascertain our conveniences. 
               It is good that your study circle is continuing at two places now. I am happy to know that all in your family are doing well. 
                   Please let me know if you have a copy of the translation or we have to return it immediately .

       With love 
yours affectionately
  
Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 

Sri Bijoy Singh 
Jhumri Telaiya Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal 
P.O. Jhumri Telaiya
P.O. Box No. 62 
Dist. Hazaribag

Bihar -825 409. 
-----------------------------------
[18]

(Postcard
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
5.11. 1990 
कल्याणीय विजय, 

                      तुम्हारा १३ -१० का पत्र अब मुझे मिला।  तुमने पूछा है 'भारत को क्या हो गया है ?'... इसीलिए तो महामण्डल का काम और भी तेज से होना चाहिये। इसको छोड़ कर जो जो लोग  धर्मान्ध होकर हिन्दू धर्म को बचाने की कोशिश में ध्यान दे रहे हैं, वे वास्तव में देश को पीछे हटाने काम में लगे हुए हैं। वे क्या स्वामीजी से भी अच्छे ढंग से (गहराई से) भारत के कल्याण पर चिंतन करने योग्य हैं ? सबको सद्बुद्धि मिले। 
            आशीर्वाद 
श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय 
Printed on back of postcard :     
" A hundred thousand men and women, fired with the zeal of holiness, fortified with eternal faith in the Lord, and nerved to lion's courage by their sympathy for the poor and the fallen and the downtrodden, will go over the length and breadth of the land, preaching the gospel of salvation, the gospel of help, the gospel of social raising-up — the gospel of equality." - Swami Vivekananda .[Letter written to Sri Alasinga : 20th August, 1893.] 
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Friday, February 21, 2020

श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (15-16)'The Dog's Curly Tail' ~ फिर भी इसको सीधा करने की कोशिश करना ही मनुष्य का काम है।

[15] 
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
8 September 1990
कल्याणवरेषु,  
                    तुम्हारा पत्र मुझे मिला। परन्तु दुःख किस लिये हो रहा है ? स्वामी विवेकानन्द ने अपनी बोध-कथाओं में जिस प्रकार कहा है - "  हमारा यह संसार भी बस कुत्ते की टेढ़ी पूंछ के समान है। # सैकड़ों वर्षों से लोग इसे सीधा करने का प्रयत्न कर रहे हैं; परंतु ज्यों ही वे इसे छोड़ देते हैं, त्योंही यह फिर टेढ़ा का टेढ़ा हो जाता है। इसके अतिरिक्त और हो भी क्या सकता है? " ... फिर भी इसको सीधा करने की कोशिश करना ही मनुष्य का काम है। 
                   जैसा तुमने लिखा है, वैसा ही साधारण आदमियों का हाल होता है - जब तक वैसे लोग मनुष्य बनने के लिए प्रयत्न नहीं करते हैं। इसलिये सभी को ठीक रास्ता दिखाना ही महामण्डल का कार्य है। अगर सभी लोग पहले से ही अच्छे बन जाते तो महामण्डल का कोई उपयोग नहीं रहता था। अतः निराश होने का कोई कारण नहीं है। 
                  हालत देखकर ही महामण्डल का काम और अधिक धैर्य तथा उत्साह के साथ करना है। इसीलिए चरित्र निर्माण में जितने गुणों की आवश्यकता है, वो हैं या नहीं , उनपर बार बार ध्यान लाना है, पाठ -चक्र व् अन्य समय भी। सभी सदस्यों की दृष्टि इन चरित्र के गुणों पर लाने के लिए बल देना ही इस व्याधि को सँभालने का उपाय है। 
                   अन्त में यह बात याद रखनी चाहिए कि समाज की यह हालत देख कर खुद अपने जीवन को और भी तेजी से ठीक रास्ते से बनाने में लगे रहना होगा। किसी भी कारण से इस प्रयत्न को ढीला नहीं होने देना। जितने जीवन सुन्दर रूप से बनेंगे , वे अन्य बहुत से लोगों को जीवन बनाने की प्रेरणा दे सकेंगे। इसके अलावा और कोई दूसरा रास्ता नहीं है। और बहुत जल्दी यह काम बनने वाला भी नहीं है। बहुत धैर्य के साथ सदैव इस काम को  आजीवन करते जाना चाहिए , क्योंकि केवल ऐसा करने से ही तुम्हारे ह्रदय का टेढ़ापन सीधा होना  ...... अवश्यम्भावी है ! 
      
आशीर्वाद -

[# The Swami here told the story of the man who wanted a ghost to work for him, but who, when he had the ghost, could not keep him employed, until he gave him a dog's 
curly tail to straighten.]
 
[# स्वामी (G) ने यहां एक ऐसे व्यक्ति की कहानी सुनाई जो अपना काम करवाने के लिए एक भूत चाहता था। लेकिन भूत की शर्त थी कि वह काम पूरी करने के बाद एक मिनट भी खाली नहीं बैठेगा। लेकिन यदि उसको काम नहीं मिलेगा तो वो अपने 'आका ' की ही गर्दन मड़ोड़ देगा। तब उसके गुरु ने उपाय बताया कि तुम उसको - " कुत्ते की टेढ़ी पूँछ सीधी करने को कहो। " लेकिन कुत्ते की टेढ़ी पूँछ जब सीधी नहीं हो सकी तब वह भूत अपने आका से क्षमा माँगकर भाग गया!]

---------------------------------- 
[dog's curly- को सीधा करने का अत्यन्त साहसिक प्रयास ही साधक के व्यष्टि अहं को 'अमजद और स्वामी सारदानन्द दोनों की माँ श्री सारदा देवी'/माँ तारा -जनकराज किशोरी के मातृ ह्रदय के सर्वव्यापी 'विराट मैं' को समझने और उनका आज्ञाकारी पुत्र बनने की प्रेरणा प्रदान करता है ! 22 नवम्बर, 2024 जय माँ तारा !] 
--------------------
[16]
   
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
21 September 1990
 Reference No : VYM/90-91/378 

 My dear Bijoy, 
                            Received your letter dated 7 September within twelve days after despatch. In the meantime some of your members wrote letters to me and I have replied to all of them. At least in some cases instead of writing to me they could have discussed with you.
                           We are leaving Calcutta by Dun Express on 1st November reaching Koderma in the early morning next day. Besides myself , Sri Balendra Nath Nandi (for music) , Sri Tapan Bose (for taking charge of campers) Sri Swapan Panda (for discussion)  are going. Sri Dipak Mukhopadhyay is also likely to come. But he has not been able to confirm yet. We are booking tickets for all including Dipak. So, you may book the return tickets for all of us .Only if Dipak does not come, one ticket may have to be returned.  
                     I think , we can all leave Koderma on 4 th night. Because Swapan and Tapan must report for their duty on 5th. 
                 I hope , Pramod is now all right. You can have very simple badge. It is not essential that it should have the monogram of the Mahamandal. Instead you may use a small picture of Swamiji. Of course , we will have no difficulty in taking some badges and scarfs with us. How many would you require ?  
        With love 
yours affectionately
Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 
{ Nabanida- M-60

Balenda -  M-58

Swapan Panda- M-30

Tapan Bose- M-35

Dipak Mukhopadhyay- M- 40 } 

Sri Bijoy Singh 
Jhumri Telaiya Vivekananda Yuva Mahamandal 
P.O. Jhumri Telaiya
Dist. Hazaribag
Bihar -825 409. 
----------------------------

TALES AND PARABLES: by Swami Vivekananda 

'The Dog's Curly Tail'

              There was a poor man who wanted some money; and somehow he had heard that if he could get hold of a ghost, he might command him to bring money or anything else he liked; so he was very anxious to get hold of a ghost.
             He went about searching for a man who would give him a ghost, and at last he found a sage with great powers, and besought his help. The sage asked him what he would do with a ghost. "I want a ghost to work for me; teach me how to get hold of one, sir; I desire it very much," replied the man. But the sage said, "Don't disturb yourself, go home." The next day the man went again to the sage and began to weep and pray, "Give me a ghost; I must have a ghost, sir, to help me." At last the sage was disgusted, and said, "Take this charm, repeat this magic word, and a ghost will come, and whatever you say to him he will do. But beware; they are terrible beings, and must be kept continually busy. If you fail to give him work, he will take your life." 
             
                The man replied, "That is easy; I can give him work for all his life." Then he went to a forest, and after long repetition of the magic word, a huge ghost appeared before him, and said, "I am a ghost. I have been conquered by your magic; but you must keep me constantly employed. The moment you fail to give me work I will kill you." The man said, "Build me a palace,", and the ghost said, "It is done; the palace is built." "Bring me money," said the man. "Here is your money," said the ghost. "Cut this forest down, and build a city in its place." "That is done," said the ghost, "anything more?

              Now the man began to be frightened and thought he could give him nothing more to do; he did everything in a trice (क्षण में) . The ghost said, "Give me something to do or I will eat you up." The poor man could find no further occupation for him, and was frightened. So he ran and ran and at last reached the sage, and said, "Oh, sir, protect my life!" 
          
            The sage asked him what the matter was, and the man replied, "I have nothing to give the ghost to do. Everything I tell him to do he does in a moment, and he threatens to eat me up if I do not give him work." Just then the ghost arrived, saying, "I'll eat you up," and he would have swallowed the man. The man began to shake, and begged the sage to save his life. 
          
             The sage said, "I will find you a way out. Look at that dog with a curly tail. Draw your sword quickly and cut the tail off and give it to the ghost to straighten out." The man cut off the dog's tail and gave it to the ghost, saying, "Straighten that out for me." The ghost took it and slowly and carefully straightened it out, but as soon as he let it go, it instantly curled up again. Once more he laboriously straightened it out, only to find it again curled up as soon as he attempted to let go of it. Again he patiently straightened it out, but as soon as he let it go, it curled up again. 
           
                    So he went on for days and days, until he was exhausted and said, "I was never in such trouble before in my life. I am an old veteran ghost, but never before was I in such trouble." "I will make a compromise with you;" he said to the man, "you let me off and I will let you keep all I have given you and will promise not to harm you." The man was much pleased, and accepted the offer gladly.
              
                     This world is like a dog's curly tail, and people have been striving to straighten it out for hundreds of years; but when they let it go, it has curled up again. How could it be otherwise? One must first know how to work without attachment, then one will not be a fanatic. When we know that this world is like a dog's curly tail and will never get straightened, we shall not become fanatics.
                
                If there were no fanaticism in the world, it would make much more progress than it does now. It is a mistake to think that fanaticism can make for the progress of mankind. On the contrary, it is a retarding element creating hatred and anger, and causing people to fight each other, and making them unsympathetic

            We think that whatever we do or possess is the best in the world, and what we do not do or possess is of no value. So, always remember the instance of the curly tail of the dog whenever you have a tendency to become a fanatic.

[Courtesy: Volume 1, Karma-Yoga/ CHAPTER V/WE HELP OURSELVES, NOT THE WORLD/The young Sanyasin, The Woman and The Vyadha/ Volume 1, Karma-Yoga/CHAPTER IV/ WHAT IS DUTY?/]  
---------------------------------------------


















  

श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (13-14) " Swamiji's work means Thakur's work"

[13] 
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
16 May 1990
 Reference No : VYM/90-91/112 
My dear Bijoy,
                            Received your reports etc. under no.1/(90-91) dated 24. 4. 90. I am very glad to learn that things are gradually taking shape and people are taking interest in the work more and more as time passes.
                    
                 I am exceedingly glad that you have in the meantime raised some more funds and sent another Rs. 2000/- as your second installment towards the building fund of the Mahamandal. A  receipt for the same bearing no. D 3716 dated 3.5.90 is enclosed. Enclosed also find a notice for the next 'Organizers Training Camp' to be held on 9th and 10th June. 
                     
           The project of having a building for the Mahamandal is gradually taking a concrete shape. The offer about which I spoke to you at Ranchi did not materialize as its cost would have a total expenditure which we could not afford. Anyway, the offer to gift that building is still open. In the meantime somebody has donated some land to the Mahamandal and the registration is also complete. 

             If we can raise a total of about Rs. 5 Lakhs , we can have a new building according to our plan which will serve the purpose of holding OTC and 'Vivek-Vahini' camp and other smaller periodical get togathers .It will also have enough space for office accommodation and a godown which are badly needed now. 
                  There is a third offer where if we can purchase a piece of land , a concern is willing to build a house for us. So, without taking any hurried decision, we are collecting some more concrete information upon which we will finally decide which of three offers will be best for the Mahamandal.

            We have already Rs. 1.5 Lakhs in our fund and we are striving hard to collect another 3/4 Lakhs as early as possible so that the Mahamandal can have building of its own which will really serve the purpose of its present pressing needs. 
                    
                 in the meantime , Shri Krishna ji came to Calcutta and talked to me on phone and wanted to meet me in the City Office to discuss about the State level Camp. Unfortunately , he did not come in the evening . We were about to suggest 15 th to 18 th September. 
                 But in the meantime I heard  from him that tentatively you have fixed 2nd and 4th November. I think , this will be better as I will be in Orissa from 11th September and it may be difficult for me to come back before 18th. So, from our side we can say , if the date suit you, you can fix 2nd to 4th November for your State -level Camp and go ahead
                
With love and good wishes  

yours affectionately

Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 
Enclo : 1. Receipt 
           2. Notice
-----------------------------

[14] 

Registered Office:

Bhuban Bhavan

P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan

Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
29 August 1990
 Reference No : VYM/90-91/313 

My dear Bijay , 
                             I just received your letter dated 24 August sent through courier service. I am glad to know that you are progressing well regarding the camp. We have to contact Uttam Azimganj, Biren and Swapan Panda , before we can confirm whether they will be available. 
                        
                Letters nowadays take a long time, So, it is better that you contact the Sadhus for their participation in the camp direct. As soon as we can finalize the names of persons going for the camp from here , we would let you know the names for your information and arrangement for railway tickets for the return journey.  
                        I think , it will be better if you have your own badges and banners or festoons for the camp. A few scarfs may be taken from here. I think , you will suitably arrange to take books etc. for the stall in the camp. I have not so far received any letter from anyone there except one from a young boy who has recently joined your study circle and asked a few questions.  In my reply to his letter I gave an address for passing on .......whether you got it ? 

           Anyway, you send the camp papers to the following address mentioning in the covering letter that you are are connecting them as instructed by me :
 Dr. Ramji Singh, 
Professor and Head of the Department of Gandhian Thought ,
 Bhagalpur University, 
Bhagalpur- 812 007. 
On the last occasion also I gave some addresses of Bihar for contacting for the purpose of the camp.
                  I am glad to know that you have a better control over your mind now. I have taken note of all other information conveyed in your letter. There is no doubt that the work of the Mahamandal is Swamiji's work and you know for certain that Swamiji's work means Thakur's work. 
                 
             If you read the teachings of Sri Ramakrishna and Swami Viekananda , you will clearly know the relation between 'Atma Shraddha' 'Smarnagati', and 'Ishvar Kripa'. 

                If you think there is any value in it , blessings are always there for your all round progress and achievements

            With love 
Yours affectionately

Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 
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Thursday, February 20, 2020

श्री नवनीहरण मुखोपाध्याय के पत्र : (11-12) "Make only one Vow that so long as we live, we shall never give up striving for this great cause " [प्रतिज्ञा]

[11] 
post card 
16.8.89
 My dear Vijay, 
                       On my return from the tour yesterday I got your letter and the enclosure .I think in my last letter I informed you that we will take Doon Express 9 up on 25 th and reach Koderma on 26 th (saturday) in the early morning. Sapan Panda is also coming with us. 
                 Your this letter also came as a bearing one with many papers with 60 paise stamp only. Take care in future .
With  love 
yours affectionately
Nabanida 
P.S. Hope you have booked return tickets for no 4 persons so that we may reach Calcutta on 28th .
---------------------------
[12]
Registered Office:
Bhuban Bhavan
P.O. Balaram Dharma Sopan
Khardah, North 24-Parganas (W.B)
Pin Code 743121
15 November 1989
Reference No : VYM/89-90/599

My dear Bijoy, 
                     I am exceedingly glad to get your letter dated 4 November. I am sorry , I reply in English only to save some time as there is a lot of letters to be replied. You will gradually come to realize more and more that it is really Swamiji's own work and his power has been taking it along on every step. If he leaves his hand , even mightiest efforts by us will not make things move. 
                    
             So, it is very good that you have now more or less a good office and place for holding your study circle. Never lose heart; difficulties will come and we shall overcome them if we are sincere and doggedly (दृढ़निश्चय के साथ) stick to our resolutions to work out the ideas of Swami Vivekananda .

            We have to make only one vow that so long as we live, we shall never give up striving for this great cause, which only can bring about real change in the condition of our society.  Indeed the cooperation and the moral support of Sri Krishna Singh Ji and Sri Ram Bilas Kevat ji are commendable. Whoever offers his mite for this cause, will be taken care of by the blessings of Swami Vivekananda .It is good that fresh boys are also taking interest in the study circle and be sure, more will come
                    
             You have done right by suggesting that at least the Executive Committee members should study the life of Swami Vivekananda and attend the Mahamandal camps. If there are dedicated souls , be sure , they will work wonders in course of time. Number does not count , it is the zeal and sincerity which work . 
                         
                 Yes, the vision becomes clear day by day and one gets the ultimate aim for achieving at the end. Who am I to bless you ? But if you crave (लालसा) for it know for certain , it is always there in abundance and gradually your kind will become purer and purer. 
                           
           We had to wait for the declaration of the final day of the general election. As soon as the date was declared, we took the final decision to hold the annual camp from 25 to 30 December and you must be knowing that the venue was already fixed. It is Deshbandhu High School , Beleghata , Calcutta. 

                 Immediately we started sending camp forms along with the October issue of 'Vivek-Jivan ' , as almost nobody responded to the notice given in the September issue of 'Vivek-Jivan'. 
Interested participants were asked to send self-addressed and stamped envelops to get the camp forms. 

               Anyway , by separate mail also a number of copies of camp form have already been dispatched to you. Hope, you have received them in the meantime. Anyway, I am just enclosing one camp form your ready reference.  

       With love and all good wishes 
Yours affectionately
Nabaniharan Mukhopadhyay 

   Enclo: Camp form. 
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