Preacher chosen by Vivekananda

The 136th birth anniversary of Swami Abhedanandaji, direct disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was celebrated on September 12. SWAMI ATMABODHANANDA writes about his mission in the West.

SWAMI ABHEDANANDA, an Apostle of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and a spiritual brother of Swami Vivekananda, first made his appearance as a representative of the Universal religion and culture of India at London in 1896. Swami Vivekananda, after his signal success in the Parliament of Religions in Chicago in the year 1893, started a movement for spreading the religious and cultural ideas of India. Initially he had been preaching the spiritual ideas of Vedanta to the West.

The spectrum widened and it was impossible for Swamiji to carry on work alone. He sought for the help of his younger brother-monk Swami Abhedananda.

Swamiji was staying in London at that time. He sent a letter to Swami Ramakrishnananda (Sashi) at Alambazar Math, Calcutta: ``Send Kali (Abhedananda) immediately to London to assist me in my work here. I am arranging his passage.'' Swami Abhedananda had just returned from Almorah.

Swami Abhedananda sailed for London in August, 1896. A few days after he reached, Swamiji circulated a notice that his spiritual brother Swami Abhedananda who had recently come from India would deliver a lecture on the coming Sunday in his stead.

Swami Abhedananda had not made any public speech before this, not even in his mother tongue in his own country. And now he was supposed to deliver a lecture in an alien land before a learned audience of English people in their own language! He became nervous but Swamiji did not allow him to retreat. ``Try, Try, Try again, do practise - practice makes one perfect,'' he said.

Swami Abhedananda pleaded it was not possible for him. Then Swamiji encouraged him: ``You need not worry Kali (Abhedananda), the Master will guide you as he had done when Narendranath (Swami Vivekananda) went alone and almost penniless to attend the World's Parliament of Religions at Chicago. His will must be done.'' Swami Abhedananda said: I have never lectured, and it is impossible for me.

Swamiji replied: ``Did I know anything about lecturing when I stood on the platform of the World's Parliament of Religions? Whatever I have achieved, is all by the grace of the Master. Have faith in him and you will blossom as a fine Preacher. You are Kali-Vedanti and Advaita-Vedanta is your subject.

Panchadasi is a celebrated treatise on Vedanta. Write out its teachings in English, read the whole thing a few times and speak it out before the audience at the meeting.'' Swami Abhedananda could no longer resist the persistent request of his senior spiritual brother. He delivered his maiden speech at the Christo- Theosophical Society at Bloomsbury Square in London on October 27, 1896.

The subject was, ``An Introduction to the Philosophy of Panchadasi.'' Though it was the first attempt of the speaker, it was successful in every way. Swamiji was very pleased with the illuminating address of his spiritual-brother on such a difficult subject, and he declared before the audience with joy: ``Even if I perish out of this plane, my message will be sounded through these dear lips and the world will hear it.'' These were the beautiful words with which Swamiji had expressed his appreciation of the performance of the younger brother.

Moreover, Swamiji also told him aside: ``You have a resonant voice, which has carrying power.'' And Swamiji wrote a letter on October 28, 1896 to his brother-monks at Alambazar Math, Calcutta: ``The New Swami delivered his maiden speech yesterday at a friendly Society's meeting. It was good and I liked it; he has the making of a good speaker in him, I am sure.''

Captain Sevier, an English disciple of Swami Vivekananda also observed: ``Swami Abhedananda is a born preacher, wherever he will go he will have success.''

Swami Vivekananda left London for India in December 1896. On the eve of his departure from England he gave Swami Abhedananda the entire charge of the work in London. Abhedanandaji successfully carried on the preaching work in London for about a year. He earned fame there as a worthy religious orator.

During his stay in London he was introduced to Prof. Max Muller with whom he spoke in Sanskrit. But Prof. Max Muller could not understand Swami's discourse, as, he said, his ears were not trained. He was also acquainted with Prof. Paul Deussen, the far- famed scholar and orientalist.

After a year, Swami Abhedananda, at the request of Swami Vivekananda, went to New York and took charge of the Vedanta Society of New York in August 1897. Swami Abhedananda's personality, greatness, wisdom and profound spirituality won him many friends and admirers among the enlightened Americans, Prof. Lanmann, Dr. William Jackson, Prof. William James, Prof. Robert Ingersol and many other intellectuals established a rapport with him.

Except for a brief visit to India in 1906, Swami Abhedananda spent a quarter of a century in the West consolidating the foundation of Vedanta movement there, projecting the glorious heritage of Indian people as well as their woes under foreign rule at that time and, of course, spreading the all-embracing message of his divine Master, Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa. He returned to India in 1921 in a blaze of glory, after accomplishing the task that was entrusted to him by great Swami Vivekananda.

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