686 - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

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Friday, December 23, 2022. 06:00.

Lover of Discipline :

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Salutations to the Lover of Discipline

Anusasana means discipline. Sasana is rule and anu means after. Anusasana is discipline after proper understanding. It is not indiscriminate control. It is control with wisdom. It is regulating ourselves and the things around us. Priyā is that which is loved. Anuśāsanapriyāya is one who loves discipline.

Importance of Discipline :

Gurudev loved discipline. His philosophy was, ‘If we have to do something, do it properly.’ Speak properly. Write properly. Do simple, everyday things systematically. He was meticulous in even the most mundane tasks. Once he was writing letters; the young Swami Tejomayananda (then Brahmacari Vivek Chaitanya) was sitting beside him and helping by folding letters and putting them into the envelopes. Gurudev was particular that each letter was perfectly folded and the flap of the envelope stuck properly. He wished to ensure that the contents would not tear when the letter was opened.

Chinmaya Mission :

What a heart warming initiative by Chinmaya Hanuman Ashram. 

The group of Youth participated in the SEVA event by serving hot meals to homeless and needy people in the winters of London. 

Dr Akshya Vasudev initiates this seva every Saturday for all the deprived ones. 

Rice & Veggie Chilly with a bag of cookies, juice box and a fruit were distributed to the people on street.

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Gurudev always checked that arrangements for his discourses were faultless and in perfect alignment. Once, he was presiding over a visnusahasranama arcana puja in Goa. Before the scheduled start, he inspected all the preparations. He wanted everything to be neatly placed. Meticulous to the last detail, he even made sure that all the diyas were laid out in one straight line. There was perfection and military-like precision in everything.  

Joy in Work :

Gurudev’s joy was not dependent on the outcome of any action. There was joy in the work itself. Those who enjoy their work are always happy. Those who do not, are happy only if the outcome of the task is desirable; if it is contrary to their wishes, they are miserable With Gurudev, you could see that his happiness lay in the process - in the doing itself.

Discipline for Disciples :

Gurudev ensured that devotees and students were also disciplined. There was a time when he was in charge of the Brahmachari Training Course. When he was unhappy with the brahmacharis over some issue, he would order the kitchen staff not to serve them breakfast. But on those days, he would also go without food!

He was particular that clothes should be well ironed, neat and clean. Hair should be combed well and tikka properly applied. Once a brahmachari decided to grow his hair long and wear an Om symbol on his forehead. Gurudev took one look at him and roared, “Who is this buffoon?” The brahmachari quickly disappeared and made himself presentable! Gurudev himself dressed with impeccable perfection. He had his own artistic style of tying his lungi. His padukas were also special, giving him a majestic appearance.

Everything was done with special care and attention. It was a great joy to see him work, arrange, walk, talk, teach, do his sadhana and interact with people. Some individuals suggested that the Mission should build asrams like those in Rishikesh and Haridwar, where travellers and sadhus could come and stay. Gurudev firmly rejected the idea stating that the Mission’s asrams were only for those interested in their sadhana. This revealed the clear lines he had drawn as far as the Mission’s work was concerned. That too was discipline.

According to him a disciple is one who follows discipline. He was strict, but not dictatorial. His discipline was backed with understanding, love, wisdom and kindness. During a yajna in Goa one of the brahmacharinis, from New Zealand, wanted to visit the beach. It fell to my lot to ask permission for the expedition. Immediately he agreed and said, “Yes, go.”

He knew the importance of discipline for a seeker and wanted us to enforce it in our lives. Samartha Ramdas Swami has also emphasised the need for discipline. According to him there should neither be lack of nor excess of it. Not too tight, not too loose - just right!

The Author is the Regional Head of Chinmaya Mission Delhi NCR.

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