Swami Dineshananda
ji Maharaj passed away the other day.
Often we had dinner
side by side at Aroghya Bhavan in Belur Math at the same table. I know now that
he joined the Ramakrishna Mission the year I was born. He was 25 years senior
to me by age. I have heard that he used to fill himself with quite commanding
authoritative airs while he was an Abbot and I could sense the remnants of it
as we used to indulge in friendly banters with each other, me quite junior to
him but having a regular wise guy air and he who had seen it all.
The official obituary duly informs us
that he was ‘hardworking and austere by nature, he contributed to the Order in
different capacities’. Yes, truly so, let me give some illustrative anecdotes
as I go on.
‘He also participated in some relief
activities’ goes the official obituary narration. A companion of his who worked
alongside shared an interesting reminiscence. They were both doing relief work
in Orissa. A few of them were going by a vehicle on Relief Work when a motor-cyclist
came in the opposite direction. The Motor-cyclist, due to some rashness on his
part met with an accident. Seeing some gerua-clad sadhus on the opposite side,
the companions of the motor-cyclist started abusing the sadhus and faulted them
for the plight of their companion. Dineshananda ji, while showing concern for
the victim, stood his ground and pointed out it was their own fault. The youths
accustomed to bully the weak and bulldoze their way through others, soon
brought some more people and tried to threaten the monks. Dineshananda ji stood
in the front full chested and ready to protect others under his care. Better
sense dawned and the bullies retreated. The companion recalled that Swami
Dineshananda ji was the very picture of Courage and Conviction. A possible ugly
communal clash was thus bravely averted.
My distinct interaction with him and
striking an acquaintance bordering on friendship was in 2008 when I lived in
Aroghya Bhavan but I have a vague recollection of having been a guest of him
and his team of monastics for a few days in 1989. Among his team I had close
friends who did all that was needed. But I have heard from some other brother
monks who had gone as guests that they had some useful learning experience from
their interaction with him then. He took more care in maintaining discipline as
he saw it and preserving his authority over affairs of the monastery. Pleasing
guests took the second place when he found that some arrangements had been done
without his knowledge. Of course he saw to it that no real harm was done. I
have heard from people who had been with him that he did not mind getting a bad
name if he felt that his words and deeds help a growing young monk to shape up
well. Some affected parties have admitted this to me, though it be grudgingly
so. He was known as a tough abbot and was particularly known for taking a long
time before recommending someone for getting ordained into monkhood.
I have heard of a juicy (though you
may call vague as regards details) anecdote when Swami Dineshnanda ji, the
tough boss, met his match. This anecdote clearly illustrates that it is Holy
Mother Sri Sarada Devi and Sri Ramakrishna who really run things. They seem not
to shirk from making the point that they are the Ultimate Authority.
{To be given later}
I am giving Swami Dineshananda ji the
last word. Attached please find his voice urging ‘Achintya’ to get ready for
Worship. You are welcome to use it to urge yourself.
