These scenes would bring to my
mind one of Master's inimitable observations: "Some people try to
be tall by cutting off the heads of others!"
The unfailing composure of a saint is impressive beyond any sermon.
"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that
ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city." {FN12-23}
I often reflected that my majestic Master could easily have been
an emperor or world-shaking warrior had his mind been centered on
fame or worldly achievement. He had chosen instead to storm those
inner citadels of wrath and egotism whose fall is the height of a
man.
{FN12-1} "Worship of Durga." This is the chief festival of the
Bengali year and lasts for nine days around the end of September.
Immediately following is the ten-day festival of DASHAHARA ("the One
who removes ten sins"-three of body, three of mind, four of speech).
Both PUJAS are sacred to Durga, literally "the Inaccessible," an
aspect of Divine Mother, Shakti, the female creative force personified.
{FN12-2} Sri Yukteswar was born on May 10, 1855.
{FN12-3} YUKTESWAR means "united to God." GIRI is a classificatory
distinction of one of the ten ancient Swami branches. SRI means
"holy"; it is not a name but a title of respect.
{FN12-4} Literally, "to direct together." SAMADHI is a superconscious
state of ecstasy in which the yogi perceives the identity of soul
and Spirit.
{FN12-5} Snoring, according to physiologists, is an indication of
utter relaxation (to the oblivious practitioner, solely).
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