The Greatness of Great men

Swami Ramatirtha used to stay at Rambaug in Prayagraj. Once he went to take a dip in the river Ganges. Swami Akhandanandaji, a contemporary saint, accompanied him. When Swami Ramatirtha came out of the river, Akhandanandaji gave him a loincloth. While walking on the riverbank Swami Rmatirtha’s feet were smeared with mud. Just then Pt. Madan Mohan Malviyajii came there. A man of great fame and the leader of many institutions (founder of Banaras Hindu University and Ex-President, All India Congress Committee) Pt. Madan Mohan Malviyaji began to wipe the mud off Swami Ramatirtha’s feet with his precious shawl. He was unconcerned about his social status and he did not bother about any comments from the people. This is the virtue of shila (noble conduct).

‘To be conceited is like drinking wine. The aspiration for glory is like going to the Raurava, one of the terrible hells. To be bothered about social prestige is like collecting the excreta of the pig. One should renounce all these three and be reposed in one’s true nature, Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute.’

Those who are obsessed with prestige become deficient in nobility of conduct. Those who eschew the covetousness for prestige and do Kirtan, meditation and pursue altruistic Endeavour’s for the sake of God’s pleasure make their hearts fit for the Lord’s abode.

Meditation is done by one and all. Some meditate on their enemies; some meditate on money; some meditate on their enemies; some meditate on friends; and some meditate on their spouses But all this is not regarded as noble conduct. Only those who becoming free from desires meditate and reflect on the Supreme Lord develop nobility in their conduct.

Narayana Mantra

Once Pt. Madan Mohan Malviyaji visited Sri Hunuman Prasad Poddarji at Gita Press, Gorakhpur and stayed with him as his guest. The next morning Malviyaji said to Hanuman Prasadji,

“I want to give you a rare thing that was granted to me by my mother as a boon. I have derived great benefits from it.”

As Malviyaji began to describe the glory of that rare thing, Bhaiji (Hanuman Prasadji) became extremely curious, “Please, give me that rare thing immediately.”

Malviyaji said, “About 40 years ago I asked my mother if there was anything that would grant me success in all undertakings, but would not make me feel conceited of success; for conceitedness and dejection diminish Self strength. My mother said, ‘Lord Narayana abides in all sentient and insentient beings. Make it a point to remember Him before embarking on any task.’

“Bhaiji! Forty years have passed since, and whenever I missed to remember the Lord I have invariably failed in my Endeavour, otherwise life has been all success to me. You too can avail yourself of this pious mantra.”

Hanuman Prasadji derived immense benefits from that mantra. Even his family members and thousands of his readers used this holy mantra to great benefit.

Those who remember the Lord’s pious name, ‘Narayana… Narayana… Naranaya… in the beginning, middle and end of their work are most certainly benefited. So you too derive benefits of this mantra.