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Sri
Ramakrishna Mahasamelan Trust organized
a function on 27 August 2002 at India
International Center, New
Delhi, to release a book titled
"Swami Ashokanandaji Maharaj,
His Divine Message" compiled by Mr
Manmohan Dhar from the
letters written to him by Swamiji.
The book was released by Dr Karan
Singh amidst an emotional gathering of
Swamiji's devotees. The whole atmosphere was
disciplined and serene with shrine-like
ambience, inspite of a much larger
gathering than expected.
Many eminent people who had close
association with Swamiji
were present to commemorate
the occasion because anybody
who had come in contact with
Swamiji directly or indirectly
was influenced forever by his
quiet but powerful and spiritual
personality.
Swami Ashokanandji was
born in East Bengal, left his home
at the age of eight and took
shelter in the Ashram
of Swami Satchitananda ji,
who was a disciple of holy Mother, Ma
Sharda Devi, wife of Sri
Ramakrishna Paramhans. He was
sent to Kashmir at the age of 22 where
he lived at Nagdandi Ashram till he
passed away at the age of 60. He was
highly enlightened in the highest
tradition of the order of sanyasins but
his love and commitment for Kashmir
reflected the vision of Swami
Vivekananda when he said "We want to
lead mankind to the place where there is
neither the Vedas, nor the Bible nor the
Koran? On the banner of every
religion will soon be written”help and not
fight" "assimilation and not
destruction" "harmony and peace
and not dissention?"
This Kashmir is a veritable heaven on
the earth? I am trying my best in
starting a center here. So much to
do here and the material so
hopeful."
Mr Manmohan Dhar welcomed
the guests after which Dr Karan
Singh lit the lamp and paid
his tribute with reverence to the images
of Sri Ramkrishna Paramhans,
Ma Sharda, Swami
Vivekananda and Swami
Ashokanandaji.Thereafter, Mr Rajinder Kachroo and Mrs
Shevanti Sanyal enthralled the audience with
a few devotional songs.
The occasion had a special significance
as Dr Karan Singh and his wife used to
visit the Nagadandi Ashram and knew
Swamiji, which made his remarks more
pertinent. Dr Singh,
in his inimitable
style spoke eloquently about
Kashmir, its current
crisis, reminiscing the
cultural, spiritual and secular history
of Kashmir, about great saints
like Swami Lakshmanju, Pandit Gopi
Krishna and Swami
Ashokanandaji, who influenced him
greatly.
He hoped that the vision of such
great saints would soon ensure human
dignity irrespective of religion, caste, creed and rank.
He also wished the Ramakrishna Mahasamelan Trust all success to
achieve its objectives to promote
harmony between all religions.
After Swamiji's passing
away, The Nagdandi
Ashram was handed over to
Vivekananda Kendra and has
been well managed by Sri Vivek Roy for
the last 13 tumultuous years .This
place has developed into an epicenter of
religious amity, love and catholicity in
the vale of Kashmir and world
at large. A film was shown before
conclusion of the programme. The film
shows the proceedings of a function on
the 21st and 22nd of April, which was
attended by Hindus, muslims and sikhs.
Shree Faroukh Abdullah attended the
function and emphasised the need
for religious amity so badly needed in
this troubled world today. He laid a
foundation stone of a gate to be built
which will be named "Parahansa Dwar"
and dedicated a sarovar to the nation
and named it Swami Ashokananda Sarovar.
The book titled”Swami Ashokanandaji Maharaj?
His Divine Message" and another
book titled "Life,
Love & Joy" -
a collection of poems by Mr Manmohan
Dhar were distributed
at the function.
The Meeting ended with a vote of thanks
by Shri Makhan Lalji Raina a saint and
an enlightened disciple of Swami
Ashokanandji Maharaj and now a
successful businessman |
