(From left) Swami Vivekananda; Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa (Guru of Swami Vivekananda); and the Holy Mother Sri Sarada Devi, the Divine Companion of Sri Ramakrishna

Interview with Swami Jnanendrananda of Jaipur Centre of Sri Ramakrishna Mission by Shri Girish Parikh, Chicago based author and journalist. In Jaipur (meaning City of Victory), a new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna will be rising under the able leadership of Swami Shuddharupanandaji Maharaj, the newly appointed head of the Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; after Rev. Swami Pujyanandaji Maharaj's demise. Swami Jnanendranandaji Maharaj is able assistant of Swami Shuddharupanandaji Maharaj. Rajasthan is like the heart of India. Its very name awakens the memories of great poet saint Mirabai, the heros like Maharana Pratap who defied even the great Mughal king Akbar, and donors like Bhamasha. It is the land of queens and women who did not hesitate to sacrifice even their lives to protect their chastity. Girish interviewed Swami Jnanendranandaji Maharaj by E-mail to know about the vision of the new Temple.

GIRISH: Swamiji, the travels of Swami Vivekananda in Rajasthan are very inspiring. Can you give a few highlights of his sojourn in Rajasthan?

SWAMIJI: Swami Vivekananda traveled extensively the length and breadth of India as a wandering monk. He went from Delhi to Alwar, Jaipur, and reached Mount Abu all by train. Since it is very difficult to cover his entire Rajasthan sojourn briefly, let us stick to his association with the Raja of Khetri Sri Ajit Singh Bahadur. Indeed, that is the most important feature of history and revival of Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma, and the work done by Swamiji.At Mount Abu he met the Raja of Khetri Sri Ajit Singh who was greatly enamored and impressed by his brilliant personality, and took him along to Khetri to do satsang. The Raja after taking Swamiji to Khetri in a few days took mantra-diksha i.e. spiritual initiation and became his ardent devoted disciple. Swamiji had foreseen that a great good would be done to India through this disciple of his. Raja would kneel before Swamiji and do pranams, such was his respect. Swamiji was very impressed by Rajasthan and its people. His journey to America was also made possible by his disciple Sri Ajit Singh, the Raja of Khetri. His costume, and particularly his turban, was a contribution of that land. Swamiji had directed his brother disciple Swami Akhandananda in his letter from London on 13th November,1895: "Take particular care to start a centre in Rajputana. It must be in some central place like Jaipur or Ajmer." The Swamiji's instruction was to apply practical Vedanta of 'Service of jiva as Shiva' to the poor, downtrodden, suffering, deprived and illiterate class of people everywhere. The ocher clothes are very pure and are not for gaining social status, protection of Rajas and Maharajas and also not for our own liberation. And let me reveal that the Raja of Khetri gave the name "Vivekananda" to Swamiji who was previously known as swami Vividishananda.

GIRISH: What was the inspiration behind the project of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India?

SWAMIJI: Sri Ramakrishna told Narendranath Dutta that wherever he would carry him (relic) and establish him; there he would take the service of one and all. Naren (Swami Vivekananda) took the clue and established his guru's relics first in Belur Math, where stands the gorgeous temple of Sri Ramakrishna. Thereafter, came other temples in different states taking the inspiration from Swamiji. But Rajasthan was still without such a temple, it was the demand of the devotees of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur to have one here. Moreover, the pressing need was due to the increase in the number of devotees during celebrations and the present shrine hall could accommodate only 100 devotees.

GIRISH: What is the vision of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: It was Swami Vivekananda's vision of the Universal temple of Sri Ramakrishna for which he had given tips to his brother disciple Swami Vijnananandaji, a Civil engineer. The Swami with the help of a British architect made the model temple, which was finally approved by Swamiji. The model of the proposed Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna at Jaipur is a similar one. It was also a long standing dream of Rev. Swami Pujyananadaji Maharaj, the Secretary of Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, who attained Samadhi at the age of 82 years, on 29th March 2007.

GIRISH: What is the significance of the word "Universal" in the name of the new temple?

SWAMIJI: 'Universal' signifies, that which is meant for all without any consideration such as caste, creed, community, sex, religion, and nationality. A unique temple whose doors will be open for one and all.

GIRISH: Can you briefly describe your plan of building the Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: The Temple hall can accommodate 440 devotees. The basement auditorium can accommodate 630 devotees, and will be used for conducting man-making and character building education for youth as propounded by Swamiji, by holding retreats, seminars, conferences and also used for national integration.

GIRISH: On March 24, 2007, the play VIVEKANANDA was performed by Sri Shekhar Sen in Mumbai for fund raising for the new Temple. Can you describe the play, and the response?

SWAMIJI: The monoact play VIVEKANANDA of Sri Shekhar Sen is a two-hour play in Hindi with background music and interspersed with bhajans sung by him live on the stage, depicting the life of Swami Vivekananda. The response was very good and the play was appreciated by the audience of nearly 700. It was a team of devotees and well wishers who organized this show successfully.

GIRISH: How much is the estimated cost? How do you plan to raise the funds?

SWAMIJI: The estimated cost will be Rs. 5 crores [fifty million Indian Rupees; 1.19 million US dollars at the exchange rate of Rs. 42 per dollar]. This will be raised from general devotees, well-wishers and friends.

GIRISH: I understand the main purpose of the Ramakrishna Order is to achieve Self-realization, and to serve humanity. How will the New Temple help accomplish that purpose?

SWAMIJI: The purpose of the Ramakrishna Order is: "Atmano mokshartham jagaddhitaya cha", striving for one's own liberation while working for the good and welfare of one and all. As Swami Vivekananda says that the potential divinity in man can be manifested in every moment of one's life by selfless work, worship, knowledge or psychic control, by one or all and become free thereby from the bondage of the body and mind complex. This is the whole of religion and this is the goal of human life. Temple is therefore one of the supports through which one can achieve this. And for that matter, majority of the aspirants of spiritual life need it the most.

GIRISH: There are so many temples in India. What will be the unique features of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur?

SWAMIJI: In this Temple we shall see that Sri Ramakrishna is the main deity who is the embodiment of all deities male or female anatomically, 'Sarva devadevi swaroopah'. This is unique and the other distinct features are that one does not see or hear the banging of hanging bells, and the devotees bartering with the priests. Also anyone can sit and meditate quietly without ever being disturbed during the open hours of the temple. Among the temples and marble palaces of Rajasthan, Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna will be an unique building. Indeed, it will be an universal place of worship.

GIRISH: Swamiji, What would you like to add?

SWAMIJI: In the present socio-economical environment man is undergoing lots of stress and strain and mental turmoil. There is very little tolerance between communities, and between man and man, hence he needs such places where he can get peace and quietude without ever needing to retire to the forests or caves. Sri Ramakrishna also used to advice the aspirants to retire now and then into solitude and get energized spiritually to be fit and strong enough to go back and live in the society. He used to say that the devotees do not have any caste, hence, brotherhood can be easily achieved by such an attitude if practiced by one and all by becoming His true devotees and make this world a better place to live.

GIRISH: Swamiji, thank you for describing the project of the New Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Ramakrishna Mission in Jaipur is a branch of the Ramakrishna Order, which was founded by Swami Vivekananda and has its headquarters at Belur Math, near Kolkata, India. Ramakrishna Mission, Jaipur, has been rendering yeoman service in the fields of spiritual, educational, medical, and relief and rehabilitation activities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION How can you extend your helping hand in the building of the new Universal Temple of Sri Ramakrishna in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India? How can you contribute in cash and/or kind?

For information, please contact: Swami Jnanendrananda

Ramakrishna Mission'C' Scheme, Gautam Marg, Jaipur -- 302001 (Raj)

Email address - sw.jnan@gmail.comTel: 0141 5118804; 0141 2228704

Mobile: 09413966077, 09892799703

URL of the blog:http://SRKjaipurtemple.blogspot.com/