RAMA TIRTHA, SVAMI

 

RAMA TIRTHA, SVAMI (1873-1906), who, after Svami Vivekananda, by whose personality he was deeply influenced, created a powerful influence with his quiet spirituality, was born on 22 October 1873 at MuralIvala, a small village 5 km south of Gujranwala, now in Pakistan. He came of a family of Gosvami Brahmans who had originally migrated from Swat in the North-West Frontier Province to Gujranwala. His father, HTranand, was a man of very modest means. The childhood of Svami Rama Tirtha, whose original name was Tirath Ram, was spent in poverty.

His mother died when he was barely one year old. He and his sister, older than him by one year, were brought up by his father`s sister. At two he was betrothed, and at eleven married. Struggling against difficult circumstances, he passed the Matriculation (then called Entrance) examination conducted by the Parijab University, Lahore. He wished to continue his studies and join a college at Lahore, but his father insisted that he take up ajob under the government which in those days was easy to obtain and fairly lucrative. But Tirath Ram`s urge for learning led him to Lahore, against the wishes of his father. He entered the Forman Christian College, run by an American mission.

He was awarded a studentship of eight rupees per month by the municipal committee of Gujrariwala. The college confectioner was so much taken up with his deeply religious nature and sobriety of character that he offered him free meals daily at his home. Tirath Ram passed his Intermediate examination and won a scholarship which enabled him to continue at the college to study for the Bachelor`s degree. For his M.A. in mathematics, he went over to Government College, Lahore, from where he received the degree in 1895. He returned to his old college as a lecturer.

His second appointment was at Oriental College, Lahore. But his real avocation lay elsewhere. His spiritual quest led him to break away from all worldly concerns. Taking his leave of the family, he proceeded to live in Uttara Khanda region, in the higher Himalayas, close to the source of the holy Ganga. Early in his life he had come under the influence of Bhagat Dhanna Mall; finally the model for him was Svami Vivekananda. At Rishikesh, on the Ganga, he distributed among the sadhus whatever he had with him and sat down on the bank of the river, determined to attain self realization or to put an end to his life. In a mood of self-enlightenment, he uttered these words:

Blessed am I: I have embraced that Beloved. Is it joy? Or is it death in joy?… Desires are dead. As I look out, each leaf, each flower, welcomes me with `Thou art that.`” He returned from the mountains to Lahore and resumed teaching mathematics, but his inner spiritual urge was far from dimmed. The birth of a second son at this time, instead of binding him closer to the world, had the contrary effect of sundering whatever bonds tied him to it. He again retired to the Himalayas and sat long hours meditating on the banks of the Ganga. Early in 1901, a few days before Vivekananda`s death, he resolved to take the vows of a sannydsi or monk.

He was, by now, already living in a state of complete renunciation and was at heart a true sannyasi; only the formal ritual remained to be performed. Shaven clean, he entered the Ganga, entrusted his sacred thread to the holy river, chanted the sacred syllable Om for some time, and put on the sannyasi`s ochre robe. As he emerged from the river, he sat on the bank, in silence, for hours. Tirath Ram now became Rama Tirtha, to signify that he had turned the course of his life backwards, from pravrtti towards nivriti, from the outer world to the inner.

He began to live all alone in the forest, not meeting even his companions except at fixed hours. Once as Svami Rama Tirtha was staying at Tehri in the Himalayas, the ruler of the territory called on him to seek spiritual guidance. He was so deeply impressed by the Svami`s company that he arranged for him to travel to Japan to represent Hinduism at an intcrreligious conference. In Japan he met another dynamic personality, Puran Singh, the famous Sikh mystic and poet of Punjabi. The spell that Rama Tirtha cast on Puran Singh is described by the latter in his own words:

“I was much too vibratory to have any patience for listening to him. I would run to and fro, I would go out of his room aimlessly and come back aimlessly. I neither could stay with him for long, nor could stay away from him… I loved him, I liked him and if I were a girl, I would have given him anything to win him.” In 1902, Rama Tirtha travelled to the United States of America where he spent about two years preaching Vcdanta, Indian spirituality. He used to cut wood in the forests of Shasta mountain in return for the hospitality of his hosts, Dr and Mrs Albert Hiller.

While in America, he tried to create contacts for some students to come out of India and study in this country. The lectures he delivered in the United States fill three volumes of about 500 pages each. His lectures were aimed at bringing home to men their essential oneness with the Eternal. He also extolled the principle of work, sure in his belief that hard work brought one the real joy of life. He held all religions in equal respect and showed special appreciation of Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. On the day of Divali, 17 October 1906, when Svami Rama Tirtha was only 33, he . gave up his body to the Gariga. That it was not a case of accidental death by drowning is borne out by his address to death, discovered on his writing-table a few days after his passing away:

“0 Death! Certainly, blow up this one body. I have enough bodies to use… I can roam as a divine minstrel, in the guise of hilly streams and mountain brooks. I can dance in the waves of the sea. I came down from yonder hills, raised the dead, awakened the sleeping, unveiled the fair faces of some and wiped the tears of a few weeping ones… I touched this, touched that, and off I am…”

References :

1. Sharga, P. Baijnath, Life of Swami Rama Tirtha. Lucknow, n.d.
2. Puran Singh, The Story of Swami Rama. Ludhiana, n.d.
3. Sood, D.R., Swami Rama Tirtha. Delhi, n.d.

 

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Swami Rama Tirtha was a renowned philosopher, spiritual guide, and mystic who left an indelible mark on the world with his profound teachings and captivating life stories. Born as Gossain Tirtha Rama, he embarked on a remarkable journey of self-discovery that led him to become a beacon of wisdom and harmony. Let’s delve into the most famous stories of his life, the essence of his book “The Art of Living,” and a glimpse of his work “In the Woods of God Realization.”

Introduction to Swami Rama Tirtha:

• Born on October 22, 1873, in Kangra, India.
• Pursued education in Mathematics at Cambridge University.
• Felt a strong calling for spiritual exploration, which led him to the Himalayas.
• Advocated the unity of all religions and bridged Eastern and Western philosophies.

Most Famous Stories of His Life:

1. Leap of Faith: Swami Rama Tirtha’s unwavering faith in God was evident in an incident where he leaped from a moving train in a state of ecstatic communion with the Divine. Miraculously, he emerged unscathed, demonstrating his unshakeable trust in the Divine will.
2. Meeting Mahatma Gandhi: Swami Rama Tirtha’s interactions with Mahatma Gandhi showcased his commitment to promoting social harmony and unity. His profound discussions with Gandhi centered on the principles of truth, non-violence, and interfaith understanding.
3. Fearless Encounter with a Lion: During his time in the Himalayas, Swami Rama Tirtha had a fearless encounter with a lion. His inner peace and unflinching presence of mind are said to have calmed the lion, demonstrating his deep spiritual connection with all living beings.
4. Becoming a “Swami”: Swami Vivekananda, the renowned spiritual leader, advised Gossain Tirtha Rama to adopt the title “Swami” in order to better convey his spiritual message. He embraced this title and became known as Swami Rama Tirtha.

Teachings

• Harmonizing Inner and Outer: Emphasis on aligning inner thoughts with external actions.
• Living in the Present: Importance of mindfulness and being fully engaged in each moment.
• Mental Equilibrium: Techniques for maintaining inner peace amid life’s challenges.
• True Happiness: True joy comes from within, not from external circumstances.
• Positive Relationships: Cultivating empathy, compassion, and understanding in interactions.
• Overcoming Ego: Addressing destructive ego and selfishness for a selfless life.
• Balanced Living: Balancing material and spiritual pursuits, work and leisure.
• Purpose and Meaning: Finding purpose through alignment with higher values.
• Transcending Limitations: Overcoming limiting beliefs and embracing positive thinking.
• Living Consciously: Awareness of thoughts, choices, and actions for a purposeful life.
• Unity of Religions: Further exploration of the concept that all religions are different paths to the same truth.
• Practical Spirituality: Guidance on how to apply spiritual principles in everyday life.
• Nature’s Teachings: Learning spiritual truths from observations in nature.
• Detachment and Surrender: Exploring the concepts of detachment from worldly desires and surrender to the divine will.
• Mind Control: Techniques for mastering the mind and attaining self-mastery.
• Role of Suffering: Understanding the purpose of suffering in spiritual growth.
• Joy of Self-Realization: Describing the ineffable joy experienced in the state of self-realization.
• Conquest of Death: Insights into transcending the fear of death through spiritual understanding.
• Service to Humanity: The importance of selfless service as a spiritual practice.

Practical Spirituality:

1. Integration of Spiritual Principles: Swami Rama Tirtha emphasized the application of spiritual principles in everyday life. He believed that spirituality should not be confined to rituals and practices but should permeate all aspects of one’s existence.
2. Living Consciously: Practical spirituality involves living with awareness and consciousness. This means being present in each moment, fully engaged in whatever one is doing, and making conscious choices aligned with one’s higher values.
3. Detached Action: Swami Rama Tirtha advocated performing one’s duties and responsibilities without being attached to the results. Detachment helps to maintain inner peace, regardless of success or failure in external endeavors.
4. Service to Humanity: He stressed the significance of selfless service as a means of spiritual growth. Helping others without expecting anything in return cultivates humility, compassion, and a sense of interconnectedness.
5. Living in Harmony: Practical spirituality involves nurturing positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and promoting harmony within families, communities, and societies. Unity and understanding were central to his teachings.

Techniques of Mind Control:

1. Observation of Thoughts: Swami Rama Tirtha advocated observing thoughts without judgment. This practice develops detachment from the constantly churning mind and helps in understanding the nature of thoughts.
2. Mind as a Servant: He likened the mind to a servant and emphasized the importance of disciplining it. Instead of letting the mind control us, he advised consciously directing it towards positive and constructive thoughts.
3. Positive Visualization: Swami Rama Tirtha believed that the mind can be positively influenced by visualization. By picturing positive outcomes and experiences, one can reprogram the mind and cultivate optimism.
4. Breath Awareness: He taught breath awareness as a way to control the mind. Focusing on the breath helps in calming the mind’s restlessness and brings about mental clarity.
5. Self-Analysis: Regular self-analysis is crucial for understanding one’s thought patterns, identifying weaknesses, and working on personal growth. Swami Rama Tirtha stressed the importance of self-improvement.
6. Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in prayer and meditation were central to his teachings. Through these practices, individuals can silence the mind, connect with the divine, and experience inner peace.
7. Substitution of Thoughts: Swami Rama Tirtha advised replacing negative or unproductive thoughts with positive ones. This conscious substitution helps in cultivating a positive mental attitude.
8. Concentration Techniques: Techniques such as focusing on a single object, word, or idea help in developing concentration and preventing the mind from wandering.
9. Control of Desires: He believed that controlling desires and cultivating contentment lead to a tranquil mind. Redirecting desires toward spiritual pursuits is key to mind control.

Swami Rama Tirtha’s teachings on practical spirituality and mind control underscored the significance of integrating spiritual values into daily life and mastering the mind’s tendencies. His insights provide practical tools for individuals seeking to lead purposeful, balanced, and spiritually enriched lives.