A devotee does not pay much attention to the auspicious or the inauspicious. He remains unaffected by them. He is firmly convinced that true dependence on God will lead him on the right way. The following incident from the life of Swami Yatiswarananda of the Ramakrishna Mission, sets the perspective clear on auspiciousness:
“Once in August 1929 I went to Belur Math on some work. Mahapurush Maharaj (Swami Shivananda) was then the President of the Order. He was very much interested in the work at Madras.
Whenever I went to Belur Math he used to ask me to go back to Madras soon so that the Mission’s work there might not suffer. But this time I wanted to stay at Belur Math for a little longer. So when Mahapurush Maharaj as usual asked me when I was going back, I told him that the following few days were inauspicious.
Actually I did not care either for auspiciousness or inauspiciousness. It was only an excuse to remain in the spiritual atmosphere of Belur Math a few days more. Mahapurush Maharaj’s advice to me on this occasion should be an eye-opener to all of us:
“But you are men of action. It won’t do for you to look for auspicious days. Those who have nothing to do can afford to consult the almanac at every step. The Master Sri Ramakrishna also used to say, “Only those who believe in such things are affected by them; other are not.” Besides, you are devotees of the Divine Mother. She is protecting you under all conditions and will always do so. If one takes the name of the Lord and starts on a journey, one will not come to grief. By the strength of His name even distress is transformed into a blessing.”
Saying this he sang: “Whoever starts upon a journey taking the name of Mother Durga, Siva with His almighty trident surely will protect him.”
In a couplet composed by Tulsidas there is the same idea:
Every phase of the moon is auspicious,
Everyday an auspicious day,
An inauspicious day affects him only who has forgotten the Lord,
The day one takes the name of the Lord whole-heartedly is a good day!
The above article has been combined from two sources: 1) The book, For the Seekers of God and 2) the article, The Devotee’s Attitude which appeared in the Prabuddha Bharata Magazine of the Ramakrishna Mission in December 2003. To read all issues of the Prabuddha Bharata Magazine online click here.
